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LIBRARY 

OF    THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA. 


Class 


CASE 


B 


f' 


llie  English  Drama  and  St  ue    ,7rW  h^  r  ^''''  ^"f'  C''e"t'<.  : 

Prinvks,  1543.1,;,U:  Gascon  ."e     G  op  /^r''"'"^ '''"^ 

2\.:  Garew  (TlioMKis)  PoK.vi.s       ^^^o'^^'*^')  Complete  Polms, 


THE      WHOLE      WORKS      OF 


imtlltam  iSrotone. 


THE 

WHOLE    WORKS    OF    WILLIAM    BROWNE, 

OF    TAVISTOCK,     AND    OF    THE     INNER     TEMPLE; 

NOW    FIRST    COLLECTED     AND    EDITED, 

WITH  A   MEMOIR  OF  THE  POET, 

AND     NOTES, 

BY     W.     CAREW     HAZLITT, 

OF    THE    INNER    TEMPLE. 
THE      FIRST      VOLUME. 


PRINTED    FOR   THE    ROXBURGHE   LIBRARY. 

M.D.CCC.LXVIII. 


AL 


PREFACE. 


HOMAS  DAVIES,  the  enterprifing  and  intelli- 
gent bookfeller  to  whom  the  world  was  indebted 
for  the  only  colleiftive  edition  of  the  Works  of 
William  Browne  hitherto  procurable  (1772, 
i2mo.,  three  volumes),  was  aflifted  in  his  laudable  undertaking 
by  more  than  one  of  the  diftinguifhed  fcholars  of  that  day,  and 
had  the  advantage  of  the  occafional  notes  made  in  a  copy  of  the 
folio  impreffion  of  the  Paftorals  by  the  Rev.  W.  Thompfon,  of 
Queen's  College,  Oxford.  Davies  mentions  among  his  corref- 
pondents  and  coadjutors  in  this  matter  the  Rev.  John  Price, 
Keeper  of  the  Bodleian  Library,  Dr.  Farmer,  and  the  Rev.  T. 
Warton.  The  works  of  Browne  poflefs  in  our  eyes  and  eftima- 
tion  the  peculiar  intereft,  that  there  is  good  reafon  for  believing 
the  ftatement  to  be  corred:,  to  a  certain  extent  at  leaft,  that 
Milton  was  indebted  to  them  for  fuggeftions  in  no  fewer  than 
three  of  his  own  produ6lions,  Lycidas^  Comus,  and  Paradife 
Regained.  Critics  have  detedled  the  germs  of  fome  of  the  beft 
thoughts  and   fineft  paflages  in   thefe   immortal  efforts  in  the 


i  i  boo 'J 


vi  Preface, 

Monologue  on  the  Death  of  Mr.  'Thomas  Manwoody  the  Inner 
Tetnfle  Ma/que,  and  Britannia's  Pajiorals^  all  the  compofitions 
of  William  Browne,  and  all  written  before  Browne  had  attained 
his  eight-and-twentieth  year ! 

The  firfl:  book  of  Britannia's  Pajiorals  appeared  in  folio, 
without  any  note  of  date  on  the  title-page,  but  with  an  addrefs 
to  the  reader  direded  from  the  Inner  Temple,  June  i8,  1613. 
The  probability  is,  that  the  volume  was  not  ready  for  publication 
till  the  beginning  of  16 14,  and  it  is  likely  that  this  and  the 
Shepheards  Pipe  came  out  very  nearly  at  the  fame  time.  Both 
were  dedicated  to  Lord  Zouch.  The  Paftorals  were  accompanied 
by  an  engraved  title-page  from  the  hand  of  W.  Hole,  but  as  a 
work  of  art  it  feemed  fo  worthlefs,  that  the  idea  of  its  reproduc- 
tion was  relinquifhed.  Book  II.  followed  after  a  lapfe  of  two 
years  (16 16),  and  was  printed  for  the  fame  ftationer  as  the 
former.  The  title-page  was  a  letter-prefs  one  in  this  cafe,  and 
the  poet  thought  fit  to  place  the  fequel  of  his  labours  under  new 
patronage — that  of  the  Earl  of  Pembroke. 

In  the  edition  of  1772  the  original  copies  have  not  been 
followed  in  refped:  to  the  diftribution  of  the  commendatory 
verfes.  I  have  adhered  to  the  old  plan,  and  have  left  the 
thirteen  panegyrics  found  in  the  author's  two  editions  of  16 16 
and  1625  before  the /f^oW  book  juft  as  they  ftand  there.  The 
motive  for  difturbing  the  arrangement  at  all  is  not  particularly 
clear.  It  could  have  been  wifhed,  alfo,  that  in  the  edition  of 
1772  the  publiflier  had  not  thrown  the  author's  marginalia 
into  the  foot-notes,  and  mixed  them  with  the  Rev,  W.  Thomp- 
fon's  obfervations,  in  a  manner  which,  at  leaft,  was  confufing, 
and  in  certain  cafes  was  not  unlikely  to  miflead  readers.     Yet, 


Preface.  vii 

upon  the  whole,  Davies's  edition  of  Browne  is  by  no  means 
a  contemptible  performance,  and  the  fame  may  be  faid  of  his 
reprodudions  of  Suckling  and  Carew. 

The  firft  and  fecond  books  of  the  Paftorals  are  here  repub- 
lifhed  from  the  fecond  edition,  which  appeared  in  1625,  8vo., 
during  the  life  of  the  author.  This  odlavo  correds  feveral  errors 
of  the  folio,  and  retains  the  original  marginal  notes,  with  which 
Browne  himfelf  elucidated  what  he  looked  upon  as  obfcure 
pafTages  in  his  poem,  or  places  fufceptible  of  illuftration.  But  as 
the  wood-engravings  at  the  end  of  the  firft  book  are  in  the 
folio  very  fuperior  impreffions,  I  thought  it  defirable  to  have 
them  copied  exa6lly  as  they  ftand  in  the  latter.  There  is  alfo 
a  curious  woodcut  there,  omitted  in  the  o6lavo,  and  this,  too, 
has  been  accurately  copied  for  the  prefent  republication ;  as  it 
was  my  anxious  ftudy  to  prefent  the  moft  perfedl  edition  of 
Browne's  Works  poffible,  partly  in  too  long  deferred  juftice  to 
that  pleafing  writer's  memory,  and  partly  from  a  defire  to  give 
fatisfadtion  to  fubfcribers.  I  have  added  to  Browne's  notes  a 
few  of  my  own,  where  fuch  appeared  to  be  neceflary. 

The  Third  Book  of  Britannia's  Pajiorals  was  not  publifhed 
during  the  life-time  of  the  author,  and  the  original  MS.  has 
been  long  preferved  in  the  Cathedral  Library  at  Salifbury.  Its 
exiftence  was  firft  pointed  out  by  the  late  Beriah  Botfield,  Efq., 
in  his  work  on  Cathedral  Libraries,  and  in  1851  it  was  printed 
for  the  Percy  Society,  from  a  tranfcript  collated  with  the  original 
in  proof  by  J.  O.  Halliwell,  Efq.  F.R.S.  Some  doubt  was  enter- 
tained at  the  time,  and  has  been  fince,  whether  this  additional 
book  was  the  compofition  of  Browne,  or  that  of  fome  fuccefsful 
and  able  imitator  of  his  manner  and  ftyle.    After  careful  exami- 


viii  Preface. 

nation,  I  feel  thoroughly  convinced  that  there  was  never  any 
real  ground  for  queftioning  the  authenticity  of  the  MS. ;  and 
one  very  valid  reafon  for  fuch  an  opinion  lies  in  the  fa6l  that 
fome  of  the  fongs  in  the  third  book  are  likewife  to  be  found  in 
the  Lanfdowne  MS.,  777  (to  be  more  particularly  defcribed 
prefently),  being  there  inferted  as  the  works  of  Browne.  I 
believe  that  this  circumftance  was  not  known  to  the  editor  of 
the  Percy  Society  volume  in  1851,  and  certainly  Sir  Egerton 
Brydges  was  not  aware  of  it. 

The  Shepheards  Pipe  is  printed  from  the  edition  of  16 14, 
8vo.,  and  the  old  text  is  reprefented  with  fcrupulous  fidelity. 
The  Elegy  on  Mr.  Thomas  Manwood,  which  forms  the  fourth 
eclogue,  has  been  collated  with  the  copy  in  the  Lanfdowne  MS. 
The  publifher  of  Browne^s  Works  in  1772  (the  only  modern 
edition  of  value)  reforted  to  the  reprint  appended  to  the  tVorkes 
of  Majier  George  Wither^  1620,  8vo.,  but  the  differences  are 
few  and  immaterial. 

The  Lanfdowne  MS.,  777,  contains  a  variety  of  poems  by 
Browne  and  others.  It  is  fuppofed  to  have  been  formerly  the 
property  of  John  "Warburton,  the  herald,  from  whom  it  pafTed 
into  the  hands  of  the  Marquis  of  Lanfdowne,  who  bequeathed 
his  MSS.  colledlions  to  the  Britifh  Mufeum. 

I  feel  unable  to  fpeak  with  entire  confidence  of  the  hand- 
writing of  this  MS. ;  it  is  not  unlike  Browne's  autograph  in  the 
earlier  part,  but  there  feem  to  have  been  fubfequent  additions 
by  a  fecond  perfon.  The  title-leaf  mentions  only  the  poems  by 
Browne,  which  take  precedence  of  the  remainder.  Among  them 
is  the  celebrated  monologue  on  the  death  of  Mr.  Thomas  Man- 
wood,  which  is  alfo  found  in  the  Shepheards  Pipe,  16 14,  and 


Preface,  ix 

1620,  and  to  which  the  author  o{  Lycidas  is  fufpecfted  to  have 
been  under  obligations.  In  the  fame  hand  as  the  reft,  alfo,  and 
fide  by  fide  with  pieces  which  may  be  held  to  be  the  undoubted 
produflions  of  Browne,  occurs  the  epitaph  on  Mary  Sydney, 
Countefs  of  Pembroke,  ufually  afcribed  to  Jonfon,  with  an 
additional  ftanza,  firft  printed  by  Ofborne  in  his  Traditional 
Memoirs  of  King  James  I.  But  the  fupplement,  which  fpoils  the 
fine  conceit  embodied  in  the  firft  portion  of  the  epigram,  is 
inferted  among  the  compofitions  of  Lord  Pembroke  in  the  col- 
leftive  edition  of  his  lordftiip's  poems  fuperintended  in  1660  by 
the  younger  Donne.  The  truth  may  be,  therefore,  that  whoever 
compofed  the  original  fextain  as  it  is  to  be  {^^w  printed  in 
Jonfon's  works,  edit.  18 16,  the  addition  was  the  work  of 
another  pen,  namely,  Lord  Pembroke's.  But  it  ftiould  be 
borne  in  mind  that  there  is  no  very  authoritative  reafon  for 
aftigning  the  epitaph  itfelf  (of  (\y.  lines)  to  Jonfon,  and  that  it  is 
by  no  means  an  improbable  fuppofition,  on  the  other  hand,  that 
Browne,  who,  during  many  years  of  his  life,  was  patronized  by 
the  countefs's  family,  wrote  thefe  lines,  his  noble  friend  tacking 
on  what  he  might  confider  an  appropriate  conclufion. 

It  is  only  neceflary  to  add,  that  the  poems  found  in  the 
Lanfdowne  MS.  were  firft  printed  by  Sir  Egerton  Brydges  at  the 
Lee  Priory  Prefs,  in  181 5,  4to.  The  orthography  was  unluckily 
modernized,  and  the  text  is,  moreover,  thick-fown  with  blunders 
of  the  grofteft  kind.  I  may  inftance  the  fubftitution  of  univerfal 
for  unujual^  did  for  ere^  with  for  worthy  lying  by  the  brook  for 
laying  by  my  book,  expel  for  excel,  and  then  leave  it  to  the  judg- 
ment of  the  reader  whether  fuch  miftakes  (there  are  fome  hun- 
dreds) do  not  deprive  a  book  of  any  value  and  intereft  which  it 

b 


X  Preface. 

might  otherwife  poflefs.  Only  eighty  copies  of  the  Lee  Priory 
edition  were  printed,  and  one  may  not  improperly  fay,  under 
the  circumftances,  that  the  fewer  the  better. 

The  Inner  Temple  Majque  is  preferved  in  MS.  in  the  library 
of  Emmanuel  College,  Cambridge,  and  from  that  fource  it  was 
publifhed  for  the  firft  time  (not  too  accurately)  in  the  edition  of 
1772.  For  the  prefent  purpofe  the  text  has  been  carefully 
collated  with  the  original. 

My  beft  acknowledgments  are  due  to  Henry  Huth,  Efq., 
for  the  ufe  of  the  valuable  copy  of  Britannia's  Pajiorals^  which 
certainly  belonged  to  Milton;  to  John  Shelly,  Efq.,  of  Ply- 
mouth, for  his  warm  and  unfolicited  exertions  in  obtaining 
information  refpeding  William  Browne  at  Taviftock  and  Ottery 
St.  Mary,  and  for  other  help ;  and  to  the  vicar  of  Taviftock, 
Dr.  Tancock,  for  his  obliging  co-operation ;  to  George  A. 
Greenhill,  Efq.,  of  St.  John's  College,  Cambridge,  for  the  care- 
ful manner  in  which  he  collated  the  original  MS.  of  the  Inner 
Temple  Majque^  depofited  in  the  library  of  Emmanuel  College, 
with  the  printed  text  of  1772  ;  and  to  the  Rev.  Odavius  Glover, 
B.D.,  fellow  and  librarian  of  Emmanuel,  for  his  kind  attendance 
during  the  time,  agreeably  to  the  rules  of  the  foundation  ;  and 
to  George  Edwards,  Efq.,  Sub-Treafurer  of  the  Inner  Temple, 
and  John  Edward  Martin,  Efq.,  Librarian  to  that. Society,  for 
their  help  in  examining  the  regifters  and  other  records,  and  for 
the  opportunity  of  procuring  an  exa6l  facfimile  of  the  entry  of 
Browne's  name  and  defcription  in  the  Book  of  AdmilTions, 
fubfcribed  by  the  poet's  two  fureties. 

I  tender  my  thanks  to  John  Duke  Coleridge,  Efq.,  M.P., 
Q.C.,  for  Inftituting  inquiries  for  me  at  Ottery  St.  Mary,  the 


Preface.  xi 

cradle  of  the  Coleridges,  rerpe6ting  the  death  and  burial  of  the 
poet  there,  and  to  Dr.  Cornifh,  vicar  of  Ottery,  and  Samuel 
Evans,  Efq.,ofOttery,on  the  fame  account ;  to  T.  Duffus  Hardy, 
Efq.,  Keeper  of  the  Public  Records,  for  afTifting  me  in  obtain- 
ing a  copy  of  a  document  belonging  to  the  old  Court  of  Wards 
and  Liveries,  which  I  once  thought  might  be  of  fervice  in  eluci- 
dating Browne's  obfcure  career  ;  to  George  Waring,  Efq.,  M.  A., 
of  Oxfojd,  for  furnifhing  me,  at  my  requeft,  with  a  tranfcript  of 
the  Letter  from  W.  Browne  to  Sir  Benj.  Ruddierd,  in  Afhmole 
MS.  830;  to  the  Rev.  H.  O.  Coxe,  M.A.,  Keeper  of  the 
Bodleian,  for  a  tranfcript  of  a  MS.  copy  of  verfes  in  the  fame 
colledion,  and  other  ufeful  afliftance ;  and  to  Mrs.  Bray,  widow 
of  the  late  Mr.  Bray,  of  Taviftock,  for  her  courteous  refponfe 
to  my  communication  on  a  fubjedl  which  is  not  lefs  interefting 
to  her  than  it  is  to  myfelf. 

Mr.  Huth,  with  his  ufual  kindnefs,  lent  me  the  Ghoji  of 
Richard  III.,  by  Chr.  Brooke,  16 14,  4to.,  which  contains  a 
complimentary  poem  by  Browne,  and  the  fecond  edition  of 
Englands  Helicon^  16 14,  8vo.,  to  which  the  fame  writer  contri- 
buted one  piece.  All  thefe  articles,  together  with  the  elegy  on 
Henry,  Prince  of  Wales,  16 13,  are  inferted  in  the  edition  of 
1772;  but  a  ftrid  procefs  of  collation  was,  in  every  cafe,  ob- 
vioufly  indifpenfable.  Browne's  epicede  on  the  prince  was  printed 
in  a  quarto  volume  with  a  fimilar  tribute  from  the  pen  of  his 
friend  Brooke  in  1613  ;  and  it  was  very  (hortly  afterwards  re- 
produced in  the  Paftorals ;  and  in  the  Bodleian  Library  is  a 
MS.  of  it,  with  the  author's  lateft  corrections. 

W.   C.  H. 

Kenjington,  May  ,1868. 


MEMOIR    OF    WILLIAM    BROWNE. 


LL  the  then  known  fadls  relative  to  the  perfonal 
hiftory  of  this  poet  were  colleAed  by  Brydges  in 
1 8 1 5,  and  his  account  was  bafed  on  that  furnifhed 
by  Anthony  Wood  in  the  Athene.  Wood's  nar- 
rative is  extremely  jejune  and  unfatisfadlory,  and  it  is  pleafant  to 
have  been  enabled,  in  the  prefent  cafe,  to  add  confiderably  to  the 
exifting  ftate  of  knowledge  on  fo  interefting  a  fubjedl  as  the 
biography  of  the  author  of  Britannia's  Pajiorals. 

William  Browne  was  the  third  child,  but  fecond  fon,  of 
Thomas  Browne,  of  Taviftock,  in  Devonfhire,  and  was  born 
there,  according  to  a  hint  furnifhed  by  himfelf  in  one  of  his 
later  poems,  in  the  year  1588,  when  the  mind  of  England  was 
engrofled  by  the  imminent  profped:  of  a  Spanifh  invafion.  The 
Brownes  of  Taviftock,  whom  Prince,  in  his  Worthies  of  Devon 
(bafed  upon  Fuller),  1701,  identifies  with  the  Brownes  of 
Browne's-Ilafti,  in  the  parifti  of  Langtree,  near  Great  Torring- 
ton,  appear  to  have  been  a  branch  of  the  Brownes  of  Betch- 
worth  Caftle,  in  Surrey,^  and  to  have  been  immediately  defcended 

1  Harl.  MS.  6164,  firft  pointed  out  by  Sir  E.  Brydges,  181  5. 


xiv  Memoir  of  Willimn  Browne. 

from  William  Browne,  fecond  Ton  of  Sir  Thomas  Browne,  of 
Betchworth,'  whofe  eldeft  fon,  John,  firft  migrated  into  the 
South  of  England,  and  intermarried  with  a  Devonfhire  houfe- 
Thomas  Browne,  his  fon  and  heir,  married  one  of  the  Karflakes 
or  Carflakes,  by  whom  he  had  two  children,  William  and  John. 
The  latter,  by  Mary  Amidas,  his  wife,  had  an  only  fon,  Thomas, 
the  father  of  the  poet. 

Anthony  Wood  ftands  fponfor  to  the  aflertion,  which  pre- 
fents,  befides,  a  very  probable  circumftance,  that  William  Browne 
received  the  rudiments  of  his  education  at  the  grammar-fchool 
of  his  native  town.  About  the  beginning  of  the  reign  of  James  I. 
he  removed  to  Exeter  College,  Oxford,  where,  in  the  words  of  the 
Life  prefixed  to  the  edition  of  his  works  in  1772,  "he  became  a 
great  proficient  in  claffical  learning,  and  in  the  belles  lettres  was 
fcarcely  equalled."  This  ftatement  feems  to  be  little  more  than 
a  paraphrafe  of  that  in  Wood's  Fafti.  From  Oxford  he  went  to 
London,  where  he  entered  himfelf  at  Clifford's  Inn,  but  fhortly 
afterwards  migrated  to  the  Inner  Temple,  where  he  was  admitted 
on  the  ill:  March,  16 12-13.  Subjoined  is  the  exa6t  form  in 
which  the  entrance  is  recorded  in  the  books  of  the  fociety  : — ' 

'  "  The  Brownes  of  Betchworth  were  a  known  branch  of  the  Vifcounts 
Montagu.  ^r;w/ [of  W.  Browne]  :  The  fame  as  Browne,  Vifcount  Montacute 
[or  Montagu],  viz.,  fable,  three  lions  between  two  bendlets  ;  Arg.  a  crefcent 
within  a  mullet,  for  difference.    Crejl :  A  griffin's  head,  erafed,  Or," — Brydges. 

^  [161 2-1 3]  Will".  Browne  de  Tavyftocke  in  Com.  Devon,  et  nuper  de 
Cliffords  Inne  gencrofus  admifl'us  eft  in  Societatcm  iftiuscomitibe  in  confideratione 
XX'  p.  manibus  folut.  primo  die  Marcii  an"  fuperdidlo — ix"  Jacobi. 


Memoir  of  IVilliam  Browne. 


XV 


The  regifters  of  Clifford's  Inn,  originally  rented  by  the 
lawyers  of  the  Clifford  family,  do  not  go  fo  far  back,  or  rather 
the  earlier  records  of  the  fociety  have  difappeared.  We  cannot, 
therefore,  afcertain  the  particulars  of  Browne's  connexion  with 
the  inn,  or  the  precife  date  at  which  he  joined  it. 

The  poet  probably  remained  in  London  for  fome  time,  and 
if  he  is  the  fame  perfon  whofe  name  occurs  in  the  following  memo- 
randum among  the  public  records,  it  is  to  be  inferred,  that  his 
object  in  coming  up  to  London  was  not  confined  to  the  publica- 
tion of  his  Paftorals.  The  memorandum  in  queftion  {lands 
fimply  thus:—"  Browne — 18  Aprill  [1615]  a  graunt 

to  William  Browne 
of  the  place  of  purfuivant  of  wards 
and  liverys  during  life." 
This  is  the  whole   of  the   entry.      The  Court  of  Wards  and 
Liveries  was  eftablifhed  32  Hen.  VIIL    The  office  of  purfuivant 
would  feem,  from  not  being  mentioned  in  the  original  inftitution 


xvi  Memoir  of  William  Browne. 

of  the  office,  or  long  afterwards,  to  have  been  a  place  created  in 
favour  of  William  Browne.  Peck,  in  the  firft  volume  of  his 
Defiderata  Curio/a^  ^11  ^■)  printed  from  a  MS.  in  his  own  pofTef- 
fion  an  account  of  Queen  Elizabeth's  expenditure.  The  Court 
of  Wards  and  Liveries  is  mentioned  there,  and  the  officers  are 
enumerated,  with  their  falaries  and  perquifites,  but  there  is  no 
purfuivant  in  the  lift. 

My  hefitation  as  to  the  identity  of  the  poet  with  the  pur- 
fuivant is  ftrengthened  by  the  fufficiently  curious  circumftance 
that  there  were  two  William  Brownes  belonging  to  the  Inner 
Temple  at  this  period.  They  were  admitted  nearly  at  the  fame 
time,  and  were  called  to  the  bar,  feemingly,  on  the  fame  day, 
Nov.  28,  1630.     The  poet's  namefake  was  a  StaffiDrdfhire  man. 

In  the  verfes  prefixed  by  John  Morgan,  of  the  Inner  Temple, 
to  the  fecond  book  of  the  Pajiorals,  in  1616,  are  thefe  lines: — 

"  Goe  on  :   I  know  thou  art  too  good  to  feare. 
And  may  thy  earely  ftraines  affeft  the  eare 
Of  that  rare  Lord,  who  iudge  and  guerdon  can 
The  richer  gifts  which  doe  aduantage  fnan." 

The  writer  can  fcarcely  alkide  to  the  poet's  attainment  of  celeftial 
felicity  through  the  publication  of  his  work,  and  the  meaning 
muft  be,  that  his  fellow-Templar  defired  for  him,  through  the 
medium  of  his  early  literary  fame,  the  valuable  patronage  of  the 
Earl  of  Pembroke,  to  whom  the  fecond  inftalment  of  the  Paftorals 
is  infcribed.  Poffibly,  if  my  doubts  are  unfounded,  Browne  was 
indebted  to  Lord  Pembroke  for  his  preferment  to  the  poft  of 
purfuivant,  and  fuch  being  the  cafe,  he  muft  have  ceafed,  at  a 
very  early  ftage  in  his  career,  to  he  dependent  on  his  literary 
gains.     Indeed,  as  he  publiftied  very  little,  and  nothing  at  all 


V. 


'[    UNIVt, 

Memoir  of  William  Browne.  xvii 

after  1616,  it  follows  that  he  had  fome  official  emolument  or  a 
private  fortune,  by  marriage  or  inheritance.  He  was  not  the 
eldeft  fon,  however,  and  there  is  infufficient  ground  for  fup- 
pofing  that  his  wife  brought  him  an  eftate.  According  to  the 
Harl.  MS.,  6164,  already  quoted,  this  lady  was  the  daughter  of 
Sir  Thomas  Eversfield  of  Den,  near  Horfham,  in  Suflex,  knight. 
When  the  union  took  place,  we  have  no  information  ;  but  it 
refts  on  the  fame  authority  that  there  were  two  fons  of  the 
marriage,  who  both  died  in  infancy,  and  that  Browne  furvived 
his  wife,  there  is  fuperior  evidence  in  the  epitaph  which  he 
wrote  upon  her,  and  which  is  preferved  among  the  other  poems 
in  the  Lanfdowne  MS.* 

*  It  may  not  be  inexpedient  to  introduce  the  pedigree  of  the  Brownes  in  this 

place,  exadly  as  it  occurs  in  the  edition  of  fome  of  his  poems  printed  in  1815  by 

Sir  E.  Brydges : — 

WILLIAM  BROWNE,  fecond=p 
fon  of  Sir  Thomas  Browne  of 
Beachworth  Caftle,  in  Surrey. 

John  Browne, =^.   ._.   .  daughter  of 

went  to  live  at  Taviftock. 


Grills  of  Devondiire. 


Thomas  Browne,  fon  and  =j= daughter  of.   .   .   . 

heir  of  John.  Carflake  of  Devonfhire. 

William  Browne,  eldeft  fon,         John  Browne,=j=Mary,  daughter  of 


from  whom  there  is  ilTue.  fecond  fon. 


Mr.  Amidas. 


Thomas  Browne  of  Tdz///?(;f>f.=pJoane,  daughter  of 

....  Healen. 


r 


John,  fecond       Elizabeth,  married       William  Browne,  o/=^Tymothy,  daughter 


fon.  to  John  Polwhield.      the  Inner   Temple, 

in  London. 


of  Sir  Thomas 
Eversfield  of  Den, 
near  Horfham,  in 
SufTex,  Knight. 


I 

Robert,  died  an  infant.  Robert,  a  fecond  fon,  alfo  died  an  infant. 


xviii  Memoir  of  Willia?n  Browne. 

The  earlieft  publication,  but  decidedly  not  the  earlieft  work, 
of  Browne,  was  his  elegy  on  Prince  Henry,  fon  of  James  I.,  who 
died  in  the  November  of  1612.  Our  poet  aflbciated  himfelf 
with  his  friend  Chriftopher  Brooke,  the  author  of  a  fimilar 
efFufion,  and  their  two  offerings  were  printed  together  in  a  little 
quarto  volume,  16 13.'  The  elegy  was  afterwards  incorporated 
with  Britannia  s  Pajlorals,  in  a  (lightly  altered  form ;  and  in  the 
Bodleian  Library  there  is  a  MS.  copy  of  it,  communicated  to 
Davies's  edition  in  1772  by  the  Rev.  John  Price,  the  Bodleian 
librarian. 

The  firft  book  of  Britannia's  Pajlorals,  if  the  time  afTigned 
to  Browne's  birth  be  correcft,  and  if  implicit  reliance  is  to  be 
placed  in  the  following  paflage,  was  written,  or  partly  fo,  long 
before  the  poet  came  up  to  London,  and  entered  at  Clifford's 
Lm  ;  for  in  the  fifth  fong  (p.  1 27  of  prefent  edition)  he  exprefsly 
fays — 

O  how  (methinkes)  the  impes  of  Mneme  bring 
Dewes  of  Inuention  from  their  facred  fpring ! 
Here  could  I  fpend  that  fpring  oi  Poefie, 
Which  not  twice  ten  Sunnes  haue  beftow'd  on  me. 

By  Juns  he  evidently  fignifies  revolutions  of  the  fun  ;  and  this 
feems  to  carry  back  the  compofition  of  the  firfl  book  of  the 
Pajlorals  to  1607  or  1608. 

I  fufped:  that  there  is  an  allegorical  underplot  in  the  firft 
two  Books  of  Britannia's  Pajlorals.     There  the  Poet  paints  his 

^  Two  Elegies  confecrated  to  the  never-dying  Memorie  of  the  moll  worthily 
admyred :  moft  hartily  loued;  and  generally  bewayled  Prince,  Henry  Prince  of 
Wales.  London:  Printed  by  T[homas]  S[nodham]  for  Richard  Moore,  &c. 
161  3.     4to.,  17  leaves. 


Memoir  of  IVilliam  Browne.  xix 

courtftiip  ;  he  is  his  own  Remond,  and  the  Marina  of  the  ftory 
is  beloved  by  a  rival.  In  his  later  produdions,  we  feem  to  get 
the  unfuccefsful  refult  of  a  long  love-fuit,  and  the  rejecfted - 
Remond's  expreflions  of  grief  and  defpair.  But  who  was  the 
objedt  of  the  poet's  admiration  is  another  queftion  ;  for  if  the 
genealogical  table  in  Harl.  MS.  6164,  be  reliable,  he  obtained 
the  hand  of  the  daughter  of  Sir  Thomas  Eversfield.  Perhaps 
he  had  an  earlier  and  unreciprocated  pafTion.  The  allegory,  if 
it  be  one,  was  compofed,  it  muft  be  borne  in  mind,  when 
Browne  was  a  mere  youth,  and  when  the  heart  is  peculiarly 
fufceptible  to  tender  imprefTions. 

1  think  that  it  may  be  colle6led  from  the  tenor  of  the  MSS. 
poems  found  by  Mr.  Beloe  in  a  copy  of  the  edition  of  1625, 
and  included  in  the  prefent  volume,  that  at  that  time  Browne 
had  not  compofed  the  l^htrd  Book  of  the  Paftorals,  but  had 
retired  from  the  fociety  of  his  literary  friends,  and  abandoned 
poetry,  under  the  prefTure  of  the  private  forrow,  to  which  we 
find  fo  many  allufions  in  his  mifcellaneous  produ6lions  extant  in 
the  Lanfdowne  MS.  While  Britannia's  Paftorals  remained 
unfinifhed,  and  his  friends,  fo  late  as  1625  (nine  years  after  the 
publication  of  the  Second  Book),  were  vainly  exhorting  him  to 
complete  what  he  had  fo  well  begun,  Browne,  I  apprehend,  wrote 
many,  if  not  all,  of  the  pieces,  which  were  firft  printed  at  the 
Lee  Priory  Prefs,  and  will  form,  in  due  courfe,  part  of  the 
prefent  colleded  edition.  They  were  the  fruits  of  folitude,  and 
breathe  a  melancholy  vein,  which  fupports  the  conjedure  here 
hazarded  as  to  the  period  and  the  circumftances  of  their  com- 

pofition. 

The  father  of  Englifh   paftoral  poetry   (if  we  except  the 


1^- 


XX  Mefnoi?^  of  William  Browne, 

writer  of  the   Complaint  of  the  Shepherd  Harpalus,  in  Tottel's 

Mifcellany,    1557),    was    Spenfer.       In    his    footsftep    followed 

feveral   of  his   contemporaries,   fuch   as   Drayton,   Lodge,   and 

Breton.      Thefe   were    fucceeded,    in   the    next  generation,    by 

Phineas  Fletcher,   Browne,   Wither,   Brooke,  and  others,   who 

t /Copied  their  conceits,  without  always  rivalling  their  beauties,  or 

imitating    very    happily    the    eafy,  graceful,    uninvolved   ftyle, 

which  is  the  greateft  charm  of  this  fchool  of  compofition.     Con- 

ftable's  Shepherd's  Song  of  Venus  and  Adonis^  Breton's  Phillida 

and  CorydoUj  Lodge's  admirable  lyrics   on  various  fubjedls,  all 

inferted  in  England's  Helicon^  1600,  as  well  as  two  or  three  of 

Drayton's  produdlions  contributed  to  the  fame  Mifcellany,  were 

not  approached  in  merit  by  any  of  the  poets  of  King  James  the 

Firft's  time. 

At  the  audlion  rooms  of  Meflrs.  Sotheby  and  Wilkinfon,  in 
1851,  a  copy  of  the  folio  edition  of  Britannia's  Pafiorals  was 
offered  for  fale,  with  fome  MSS.  notes,  unqueftionably  in  the 
i  hand  of  Milton.  The  point  was,  at  the  time,  confidered 
doubtful,  and  the  volume  was  bought  by  a  dealer  for  7/.  It  is 
now  in  the  library  of  Henry  Huth,  Efq.,  to  whofe  liberality  I 
owe  the  opportunity  of  examining  it  on  the  prefent  occafion. 

In  a  note  to  his  moft  valuable  acceflion  to  our  ftores  of  in- 
formation on  Shakefpearian  and  other  early  literature,  his  New 
llluflrations  of  Shakefpeare,  1845,  ^  ^o^^-  8vo.,  the  late  Mr. 
Hunter  has  afforded  what  I  confider  a  clue  to  the  pedigree  of 
this  annotated  copy  of  the  Pafiorals.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Stedman 
of  Shrewfbury,  Mr.  Hunter  flates,  had  a  copy  of  the  Nattira 
Brevium,  edit.  1584,  which  had  belonged  to  Milton,  as  attefted 
by   the    great  poet's  autograph.      This   was   prefented  to   Mr. 


Memoir  of  JVtlhmn  Browne,  xxi 

Stedman,  it  appears,  by  Mr.  Jofhua  Eddowes,  a  bookfeller  at 
Shrewfbury,  "  to  whofe  hands  it  is  believed  to  have  come  from 
the  effedls  of  Mrs.  EHzabeth  Milton  (originally  Elizabeth 
MinfhuU),  the  poet's  third  wife,  who  furvived  him  fifty- four 
years,  and  died  at  Nantwich  in  1729."  It  is  my  ftrong  im- 
prefTion  that  the  copy  of  Britannia^ s  Paftorals  came  from  the 
fame  fource,  after  remaining  in  the  pofleflion  of  the  Miltons 
many  years  into  the  laft  century. 

A  former  pofTeflbr  fays,  in  a  memorandum  on  the  fly-leaf: 
— "  The  whole  of  the  MS.  notes  are  entirely  in  the  autograph 
of  the  celebrated  John  Milton,  the  author  of  '  Paradife  Lofl,' 
&c.,  and  on  reference  it  will  be  found  that  he  had  taken  portions 
of  this  work  as  his  model  for  his  Paradife  Regained.  On  com- 
parifon  with  fome  of  his  MSS.  ftill  exifling,  I  find  fuch  \_fic'] 
the  cafe,  and  which  has  been  difcovered  by  fome  former  pro- 
prietor, who  has  written  in  pencil  on  the  top  of  page  2  of  the 
work.  The  volume  was  formerly  fold  in  London  by  a  diflant 
relation  of  Milton,  by  the  late  Mr.  Chriftie,  and  afterward 
went  to  Liverpool,  and  ultimately  I  obtained  the  fame  from  a 
friend,  who  purchafed  the  fame  there.  It  has  been  re-bound 
fmce  ;  it  was  in  the  old  calf  binding. — M.  T." 

There  is  alfo  a  note  on  the  fame  blank  page  by  Mr.  Ford, 
the  well-known  bookfeller  of  Manchefter,  accompanied  by  his 
autograph.  The  note  on  the  top  of  page  2,  referred  to  by 
M.  T.,  is  fimply  this : — "  All  the  notes  are  written  by  Milton 
the  Poet."  The  engraved  title  bears  the  autograph  fignature 
of  "  Odavius  Gilchrifl,  1803."  ' 

^  Mr.  Gilchrift  fuperintended  an  edition  of  Bifhop  Corbet's  poems  in  1807. 
He  is  the  author  of  a  letter  to  Mr.  Gifford  on  Weber's  edition  of  Ford,  181 1  ; 
and  he  contributed  fome  notes  to  the  laft  edition  of  Dodfley's  Old  Plays,  1825. 


xxii  Memoir  of  William  Browne. 

I  fhall  now  proceed  to  feled  thofe  remarks  which  appear  to 
me  to  be  of  chief  intereft. 


Browne. 

Book  i.  Song  i. 

High  on  the  plaines,  &c. 

As  when  to  feeke  her  foode.  Sec. 

But  as  cleere  Phcebus,  &c. 

Saide  to  the  Swaine,  Sec. 

And  after  much  debating  did  refolue. 
And  therefore  leauing  foone  the  chriftall 

flood. 
Remond,  young  Remond,  that  full  well 

could  fing. 
Know  briefly  Remond,  then,  &c. 
And  neuer  love  except  thou  be  belou'd. 

Song  2. 

In  right  flie  cannot  me  defpife,  &c. 
How  hard  it  is  to  leaue  and  not  to  do. 
That  which    by  nature  we  are  prone 

vnto. 
My   Maiden-Mufe  flies   the   lafciuious 

Swaines. 
Reply 'd  his  Mother,  doe  but  cut  the 
Of  any  Tree.  (linibe 

Song  4. 
Then  came  fufpc6l,  &c. 

Where  many  a  bufie  Bee  came  flying 
at  her. 


Milton's  Notes. 


A  title  given  to  y^  He. 

A  Jimile  of  a  Dove  befet  with  2  hawks, 

and  a  Jhip  with  contrary  windes. 
The  fun  breaking  from  a  cloud,  and  y' 

moon  encreefng. 
They  who  drinke  of  Lethe  never  think 

of  love  or  y"  world. 
The  lover  will  not  manifeft  his  love. 
A  darke  cave  from  which  a  pleafant 

fountain  gujhes. 
A  handfome  Shepheard,  as  well  in  mind 

as  body. 
On  \_one]  defperately  in  love. 
The  contrarietys  of  women. 


The  power  of  water. 
Naturam  expellas  furco  licet  ufqu    re- 
currit. 

He  fays  his  mufe  is  modejl. 

lis  y'  nature  of  mothers  to  grieve  for 
their  children,  proov'd  by  a  f  mile. 


The  Sylver,  Iron  Ages  creep  fowly  on, 
by  a  fimile  of  the  young  wrens. 

Are  fo  fweet,  y^  bees  mijlaken  gather 
honey  from  her  injlead  of  flowers. 


Memoir  of  William  Browne.  xxiii 

The  hollow  caues  refound  her  moanings  Are  greivoujiy    oppreft    £ff  entreating 

neere  it.  />/V/y,  from  whence  pretty  fancy    is 

raised. 

Thus  went  I  on,  &c.  Fame  and  arithmetick  fimiles  for greif. 

A   Hunters  frolicke  life  in  Woods  he  The  fory  of  Cephalus,  a  good  Jhooter 

lead.  13  hunter. 

Laftly  cold  Winters  rage,  &c.  Poft  Imbres  foL 

Song  5. 
To  glut  the  fences  of  an  epicure.  Men  ft  rive  to  get  fair  e  Mrs  \_ejfes']. 

Book  2,  Song  i. 

The  tyred  body  of  the  fwarty  clown.         Great  men  have  not  fuch  reft  as  clowns. 
His    Farmers  Teame    from   furrowing      Poor  labour  to  feed  y' luxury  of  y' rich. 

his  lands. 
(Whofe  being  great,  was  being  Para-      Parafites  are  enlighted  by  y'  beams  of 

fites).  kings. 

If  Monarchs  ne  would  take  an  Inftru-      The  ijfues  y'  follow  good  governement. 

ment. 
So   mainely   Thetis    droue    her    filuer      The  voiage  of  Thetis  on  y' fea. 

throne. 
What  wights  fhould  haue  their  temples      Poetts  live  for  ever. 

crown'd  with  Bayes. 
There  will  fhe  Anchor  caft,  to  heare  the      The  excellency  of  our  Englijh  poetts. 

fongs 
Of  Englifli  Shepheards. 

Song  2. 

Yet   to  this  Lad   not   wanted  Enuies      Good  Poetts  are  envied,  yett  in  fpite  of 
fting.  envy  get  immortall prayfe. 

At  p.  368  (of  the  folio  edit.),  he  has  carefully  noted  in  the 
margin  the  names  of  the  poets  introduced  by  Browne  : — Sydney, 
Drayton,  Johnfon,  Daniel,  Brooke,  Davies,  and  Wither. 

It  muft  be  owned  that  thefe  Notes  are  curious  rather  as 
fhowing  the  paflages  in  the  Faflorah  which  ftruck  the  writer 


xxiv  Memoir  of  William  Browne. 

more  efpecially,  than  as  pofTefTing  any  intrinfic  value  or  intereft. 
At  any  rate,  I  found  it  difficult  to  refift  the  temptation  of 
tranfcribing  thofe,  which  were  not  mere  verbal  jottings  ;  what 
remain  are  of  no  moment  whatever.  But,  at  the  fame  time, 
Milton  had  evidently  read  the  poem  with  great  attention,  for, 
at  the  foot  of  p.  28,  he  has  written,  "Read  over  y^  other  leaf, 
for  it  is  mifplac'd  ;"  and  the  conclufion  is  rendered  inevitable  by 
the  verbal  glofs  which  he  has  made  from  beginning  to  end. 
But  there  is  no  opinion  exprefled  on  any  paflage,  not  a  trace  of 
!  Milton's  eftimate  of  Browne, — there  is  merely  the  bare  running 
commentary  fo  frequently  found  in  old  books,  and  amounting 
to  little  more  than  to  a  marginal  index  or  key. 

Whatever  judgment  may  be  formed  of  Britannia's  Pajlorals 
as  a  whole,  it  cannot  at  leaf!:  be  denied,  that  through  the  three 
Books  of  which  they  confift,  are  interfperfed  many  cabinet 
drawings  or  fketches  of  rare  excellence  and  beauty  ;  and  when 
the  age  at  which  the  poem  was  placed  before  the  world  is  con- 
fidered,  we  ought  fairly  to  allow  that  .Browne  is  remarkable  for 
r  eafe  and  vigour  of  ftyle,  correclnefs  of  rhythm,  and  chaftenefs 
'  of  expreffion.  One  of  the  paffages,  againft  which  Milton  jotted 
down  a  note  in  his  copy  of  the  old  folio,  was  where  Browne 
fpeaks  of  his  modeji  Mufe  ;  and  Milton  placed  in  the  margin  : — 
"He  fays  that  his  Mufe  is  modeft;"  which,  in  fadl,  was  only 
faying  what  was  literally  true.  And  this  feature,  with  Browne's 
pidurefque  defcriptions  of  the  country  and  its  pleafures,  and  his 
naturalnefs  of  manner,  was  what  attracted,  I  fufped,  Milton's 
notice,  and  made  the  Devonlhire  bard  one  of  his  favourite 
authors. 

An  ode  on.  the  death  of  a  friend,  who  was  loft  by  drowning. 


Memoir  of  William  B?^owne.  xxv 

occurs  in  the  firft  Song  of  the  fecond  Book  :  who  this  friend 
was  does  not  appear ;  and  the  compofirion  itfelf,  though  it  is 
far  from  being  deftitute  of  merit,  has  been  ecHpfed  by  that 
beautiful  Monody  on  the  death  of  Philarete  (Mr.  Thomas 
Manwood),  which  forms  the  fourth  eclogue  of  the  Shepheards 
Pipe  J  1 6 14;  and  is,  perhaps,  on  the  whole,  the  mod  favourable 
fpeclmen  of  Browne's  genius.  This  monody  is  alfo  found 
in  the  Lanfdowne  MS.  Confidering  the  time  of  life  at  which 
the  poet  produced  it,  it  muft  be  allowed  to  be  among  the  moft 
remarkable  fpecimens  of  elegiac  verfe  in  the  language.  It  was 
certainly  worthier  of  the  imitation  of  Milton  than  anything 
which  is  to  be  found  in  the  Pastorals. 

Browne  fpeaks  of  his  Pajlorals  as  "  the  firll  Bloomes  of  his 
Poefie;"  yet  they  were  probably  not  in  print  till  both  the  Elegy 
on  Prince  Henry,  and  the  Shepheards  Pipe  had  appeared.  The 
latter  is  dated  16 14;  the  Paftorals  bear  no  note  of  year.  A 
fecond  edition  of  the  Eclog-ues  was  inferted  amon^  the  works  of 
his  friend  Wither  in  1620;  Wither  having,  in  fad,  an  intereft 
in  the  publication  as  author  of  one  of  the  bucolics,  of  which  it 
confifts.    Browne's  portion  of  the  volume  has  a  feparate  title  : — - 

THE 

SHEPHEARDS 

PIPE. 

LONDON, 

Printed  by  Ioh;z  Beale  for  Thomas  Walkley,  and  are  to 

be  fold  at  his  (hop  at  the  Eagle  and  Child  in 

Brittanes  Burfe.  1620. 


\ 


xxvi  Memoir  of  JVilliafn  Browne, 

Warton'  has  obferved  that  Occleve,  from  the  beautiful  tale 
in  the  [Englifh]  Gefta  Romanorum^  of  the  legacy  of  King 
Darius  to  his  three  fons,  "  framed  a  poem  in  the  o6lave  ftanza, 
which  was  printed  in  the  year  1614  by  William  Browne,  in  his 
fet  of  Eclogues  called  the  Shepheards  Pipe.  Occleve  .... 
has  given  no  fort  of  embellifhment  to  his  original,  and  by  no 

means  deferves  the  praifes  which  Browne has  beftowed 

on  his  performance,  and  which  more  juftly  belong  to  the  genuine 
Gothic,  or  rather  Arabian  inventor."  But  Browne  is  very 
excufable  for  his  ignorance  of  Gothic  or  Arabian  originals,  a 
fpecies  of  knowledge  which  fcarcely  exifted  in  his  day  to  any 
appreciable  extent.  One  of  the  moft  accomplifhed  fcholars  of 
our  age.  Sir  F.  Madden,  obferves  (notes  to  Gejla  Romanorum^ 
1838,  p.  516): — *' This  ftory  has  been  borrowed  by  Occleve, 

\who  has  framed  a  poem  on  it,  MS.  Reg.  17.  D.  vi.  f.  135  b. 
(accompanied  by  a  profe  -  moralization),  which,  with  fome 
omifTions,  was  publifhed  by  Will.  Browne,  in  his  *  Shepheards 
Pipe,'  8vo.  1614.  It  is  probable  the  fidion  came  originally 
from  the  Eaft,  as  traces  of  refemblance  are  to  be  found  in  the 
Arabian  Nights.  It  alfo  prefents,  perhaps,  one  of  the  oldeft 
forms  of  the  popular  ftory  of  Fortunatus." 

r^  The  political  vein,  which  pervades  many  of  the  eclogues 
which  compofe  the  Shepheards  Pipe^  is  difcernible  alfo  in  the 
fourth  Song  of  the  firft  Book  of  the  Pajiorals,  whence  we  feem 
to  be  warranted  in  forming  a  conjedlure  that  Browne  was  dif- 
appointed  in  the  hopes  with  which  he  removed  to  the  metropolis 
from  his  native  county  (probably  in    16 12),  and  found,  at  firft 


^  Hift.  of  Engl.  Poetry,  ed.  1824,  i.  cxxix-xxx. 


Me?noir  of  William  Browne.  xxvii 

at  any  rate,  the  road  to  preferment  barred  againft  him  by  the 
prevailing  fyftem  of  corruption  and  court-favouritifm. 

The  biographical  and  historical  intereft  of  the  Paftorals  and 
Shepheards  Pipe  does  not  appear  to  have  been  fufpeded  hitherto, 
or  at  leaft  I  have  not  feen  it  alluded  to  anywhere.  In  fuch  few 
notes  as  are  appended  to  thefe  volumes,  I  fhall  draw  attention  to 
this  point,  and  endeavour  to  illuftrate  my  meaning.  In  the 
Argument  to  the  Fifth  Eclogue,  the  poet  reprefents  himfelf  as 
urged  by  a  friend  to  attempt — 

"  things  of  a  higher  fame 
Then  filly  fhephards  vfe  endite, 
Vail'd  in  a  Shepheards  name." 

Browne,  in  fad:,  worked  upon  a  Virgilian  model,  for  the 
Bucolics  are,  for  the  moft  part,  mere  political  apologues,  and 
fuch  is  the  cafe  partially  with  the  Shepheards  Pipe.  The  paftoral 
fchool  of  poetry,  with  its  fhepherds  and  fhepherdefies,  not  un- 
frequently,  as  in  the  cafe  of  Browne's  Eclogues,  prefenting  real 
incidents  and  fufferings  under  a  bucolic  difguife,  feems  to  be 
fatirized  in  a  woodcut  to  fVitfs  Recreations,  where  two  gallants 
in  hats  and  feathers  are  depidled  with  crooks  in  their  hands. 
The  two  figures  in  the  engraved  title-page  of  the  folio 
edition  of  the  Paftorals  were  furely  not  intended  to  be 
fatirical,  but  they  are,  neverthelefs,  apt  to  provoke  a  fmile  at 
the  prefent  day.  Here,  in  fad,  Browne  merely  followed  the 
courfe  purfued  by  the  greater  part  of  our  own  bucolic  writers,  and 
thofe  alfo  of  foreign  countries.  Warton  obferves,  in  reference 
to  the  Latin  paftorals  of  Petrarch,  Mantuan,  and  others,  "  that 
thefe  writers  judged  that  this  indired  and  difguifed  mode  of 
dialogue,  confifting  of  fimple  charaders,  which  fpeak  freely  and 


xxviii         Memoir  of  William  Browne, 


plainly,   the  moft  fafe  and  convenient  vehicle  for  abufing  the 
corruptions  of  the  church."^ 

The  Inner  Temple  Masque  was  compofed  on  the  favourite 
and  familiar  claflical  ftory  of  Ulyjfes  and  Circe,  and  was  prefented 
by  the  gentlemen  of  that  fociety  on  the  13th  January,  1614-15.^ 
The  fubjed  had  been  made  to  a  certain  extent  popular,  and  was 
recommended  poflibly  to  the  young  poet's  attention  by  Samuel 
Daniel's  beautiful  lyric,  entitled  Ulyjfes  and  the  Syrens.  Circe 
and  Ulyjfes ,  another  epifode  in  the  Odyfley,  might  not  un- 
naturally be  fuggefted  by  the  produdion  of  the  elder  bard,  and 
this  Inference  may  be  thought  to  derive  additional  plausibility 
from  the  fa(5l  that  Browne  himfelf,  in  the  fifth  Song  of  his 
Paftoralsj  touches  on  the  incident  treated  by  Daniel  as  one 
with  which  he  had  been  made  familiar  through  that  channel. 
Daniel's  Certaine  Small  Poems,  in  which  Ulyjfes  and  the  Sirens 
firft  appeared,  were  printed  in  1605,  8vo,  ;  but  certainly  Chap- 
man's tranflation  of  the  Odyjfey  was  publifhed  in  16 14,  ac- 
cording to  the  general  opinion  ;  while  the  Inner  Temple  Majque 
was  not,  probably,  compofed  till  towards  the  clofe  of  the  fame 


'  Our  language  is  rich  in  political  apologues.  Two  are  printed  in  Excerpta 
Hiftorica,  1833.  See,  alfo,  The  Parlaine7it  of  Byrdes,  in  Rem.  of  the  early- 
Pop.  Poetry  of  Eng.  iii.  167,  et  feqq.,  where  Drayton's  Ozvle,  1604,  is  pointed 
out  as  a  kindred  compofition.  The  fame  may  be  faid  of  Friar  Baco7i5  Brazen- 
heads  Prophefie,  1604  (Rem.  of  the  E.  P.  P.  of  E.  iv.  268,  et  feqq.). 

'^  Search  has  been  made  in  the  Books  of  the  Inn,  which  are  in  an  excellent 
ftate  of  prefervationj  under  the  years  L614-15,  for  any  record  of  the  circum- 
ftances  under  which  Browne's  mafque  was  performed  ;  but  there  feems  to  be  no 
trace  of  any  adual  expenditure  under  this  head  ;  and  it  is  open  to  doubt  whether 
fome  difficulty  may  not  have  arifcn,  and  whether  the  arrangements  may  not  have 
been  at  the  lad  moment  countermanded. 


Memoir  of  William  Browne.  xxix 

year.  That  Browne  was  perfonally  known  to  Chapman  there 
can  be  no  queftion  :  for  in  the  fifth  Song  of  the  PaJloralSy 
Book  I,  written,  perhaps,  between  1610  and  1612,  and  revifed 
from  time  to  time  prior  to  pubHcation,  he  explicitly  alludes  to 
Chapman's  Homer.  The  poet  feigns  that  if  the  ancients  had 
known  Idya  [England],  various  circumftances  would  not  have 
arifen  : — 

"  The  Phrygian  foile  had  not  been  drunk  with  blood, 
Achilles  longer  breath'd,  and  Troj  yet  flood  : 
The  Prince  of  Poets  had  not  fung  his  ftory, 
My  friend  had  loft  his  euer-liuing  glory." 

That  "  my  friend  "  can  be  no  other  than  Chapman,  who,  as 
early  as  1610,  printed  twelve  Books  of  the  Iliad,  and  in  161 1 
the  entire  epic,  appears  to  be  almoft  beyond  difpute.  But  the 
ftory  of  Ulyjfes  and  Circe  is  alfo  related  in  the  fixth  Book  of 
Gower's  Confeffio  Amantis,  a  work  with  which  Browne  could 
fcarcely  have  been  unacquainted.  Browne  certainly,  however, 
poflefled  a  fair  tindure  of  fcholarfhip,  and  doubtlefs  was  a  com- 
petent Latinift,  and  he  may  have  owed  a  hint  or  two  to  Gager's 
Ulyjifes  Redux,  performed  in  1583,  and  publiihed  at  Oxford  in 
1592. 

Warton^  has  extraded  the  little  incantation  called  The 
Charme  from  this  piece,  and  obferves  upon  it  as  follows : — 
"  In  praife  of  this  fong  it  will  be  fufficient  to  fay  that  it  re- 
minds us  of  fome  favourite  touches  in  Milton's  Comus,  to 
which  it  perhaps  gave  birth.  Indeed,  one  cannot  help  obferv- 
ing   here  in  general,   although  the  obfervation  more  properly 


1  H.  E.  P.  1824,  III,  228. 


XXX  Memoir  of  IVilliam  Browne, 

belongs  to  another  place,  that  a  ftory  thus  recently  exhibited 
on  the  ftory  of  Circe,  which  there  is  reafon  to  think  had 
acquired  fome  popularity,  fuggefted  to  Milton  the  idea  of  a 
mafque  on  the  fubjedt  of  Comus.'" 

In  MS.  Afhmole,  36,  is  a  copy  of  verfes  by  Abraham 
Holland,  in  which  he  fpeaks  of  having  recently  made  our  poet's 
acquaintance.  The  title  is :  "To  my  honeft  father  M.  Michael 
Drayton,  and  my  new  yet  loued  friend^  Mr.  Will.  Browne^  A.  H. 
wifheth  a  health."  The  lines  have  never  been  publifhed,  and  I 
(hall  therefore  infert  them  here. 

"  To  my  honeji  father  Mr.  Michael  Drayton,  and  my  new  yet  loved  friend 
Mr.  Will.  Browne,  A.  H.  zuijheth  a  health. 

"  Since  I  was  with  you  from  myfelf  I  was, 
Not  onely  'caufe  from  you :   it  came  to  pafTe 
Drowned  with  too  good  company  :  y'  wine 
Was  not  yet  of  fuch  vigour  to  confine 
My  memory  and  weary  corps  to  fleepe, 
But  y'  I  would  my  promife  duely  keepe. 
My  promife  checkt  my  cups,  and  bid  'em  ftay. 
If  it  were  poffible  till  it  were  day. 
Wherat  y''  fmiling  Nedar  glad  to  fave  me, 
Turn'd  itfelfe  to  a  nymph,  and  water  gave  me. 
Though  I  drunke  Sacke,  and  high-fwolne  Bacchus  fwore, 
Though  I  out-drunke  him,  I  fhould  drinke  no  more 
Of  Lethes  draughte  ;  and  if  twerc  his  December 
I  fhould  not  quaffe  too  much  but  to  remember. 
Parted  from  thefe,  unto  my  freindly  light 
My  onely  refuge  was  and  to  the  night 
Foule  night,  though  I  meant  yet  be  w"'  her  later 
PurI'd  on  my  caz'ment  drops  of  fullen  water 
(Cold  comfort  to  y"-'  Mufcs)  yea  flie  fware 
She  would  not  lay  in  all  y''  welkin  bare. 


Memoir  of  William  Browne,  xxxi 

A  lucky  ftarre  unto  mee  but  enfhrowd 
The  fparks  of  heaven  in  a  furly  cloud. 
The  fun,  fays  (hee  though  to  y*'  Mufes  lent 

In  ye your  Prefident 

The  Moone  is  yet  fcarce  lighted  from  her  waine 
The  Northern  wagon  nere  carouft  y*^  maine 
So  no  freind  to  you. 

As  for  thee,  father,  I'le  no  higher  praife. 
Than  fay  that  thou  art  father  of  our  bayes. 
Heroick  Ovid,  Lucan,  Juvenall : 
Our  ftill  reviving  Spencer  I'le  thee  call. 
So  long  as  thou  Itill  liv'lt,  and  if  I  lift, 
I  will  turne  heere  a  deepe  Pythagorift, 
And  fweare  thou  haft  y^  foule  of  all  y*'  beft 
That  ever  yet  have  flept  in  Parnaffe  creft. 
As  I  loue  thee  fo  let  my  Infant  mufe 
Grow  up  and  impe  her  tender  wings  and  choofe 
To  pen  but  good  and  fcorning  to  be  mute 
Yet  ftiee  may  fcorne  to  be  a  proftitute. 
So  may  thy  bays  ftill  grow  upon  thy  head  ; 
So  may  y*  place  wherein  wee  both  were  bred 
Bring  forth  good  poets;   fo  may  all  y*^  land 
Beholden  to  thee  yet  indebted  ftand; 
So  may  wee  both  to  each  ingaged  bee. 
Thou  ftill  my  friend  and  I  a  friend  to  thee. 
And  you,  fweet  fir,  whom  I  lov'd  long  before, 
I  faw  and  feeing  ftill  affefted  more. 
Grow  ftill,  till  laurels  croune  thee,  follow  on 
Untill  thou  drinkft  y*  head  of  Helicon. 
I  envie  thee  yet  only  to  this  end, 
Thereby  to  make  thee  worthier  for  thy  friend. 
So  let  Pan  oft  lend  his  own  Syrinx  to  thee, 
So  let  y^  nymphs  crown'd  with  frelh  ghirlands  woo  thee 
And  dauncing  prettely  about  thee  ftraine, 
W'^''  of  them  firft  ftiall  kiile  fo  fweet  a  fwaine. 
So  may  the  Satyres  pipe  thee  into  flumbers, 
And  learned  Shepheards  liften  to  thy  numbers. 


xxxii  Memoir  of  Willi  am  Browne. 

So  profper  thy  blith  flocks :  fo  let  y*  Faunes 

Skipping  about  the  flow'r-embroyder'd  launes 

Make  Echo  found  thee ;  fo  let  my  Mufe  live, 

Untill  it  may  to  thoufands  honour  give 

As  I  defire  this  end  my  wifch  may  crowne. 

That  Browne  may  Holland  love,  and  Holland  Browne. 

Your  loving  fonne  and  freind 

Ab.  Holland. 

After  the  fubfcription  follows  this  note  : — "  Father,  I  hope  I 
need  not  y*  fecond  time  excufe  this  rude  elegy,  w^  1  may  truely 
fay  was  rather  written  than  endited  to  you ;  however,  take  it  as 
a  fodaine  triall  of  mee  in  freindfhip,  not  Poetry.  Till  I 
fee  you,  farewell  both  " 

Between  the  publication  of  the  firft  Book  of  the  Pajlorals  in 
i6i4[?]  and  the  appearance  of  the  fecond  Book  in  1616, 
Browne  formed  feveral  new  friendfhips,  including,  feemingly, 
that  with  Ben  Jonfon.  The  encomiaftic  verfes,  which  accom- 
pany the  firft  book,  fhow  that  he  was  then  on  an  intimate 
footing  with  feveral  of  the  moft  eminent  writers  of  the  day, 
including  Selden  and  Drayton.  In  1629,  Samuel  Auftin,  of 
Loftwithiel,  dedicated  to  him,  jointly  with  Drayton  and  Serjeant 
Pollexfen,  the  fecond  Book  of  his  Urania. 

At  the  time  of  Browne's  publication  of  his  Paftorals  in  16 14  (as 
A'  I  believe),  and  not  in  16 13,  as  it  has  been  ufually  ftated,  Drayton 
■J  was  already  one  of  the  foremoft  poets  of  the  day  ;  he  had  given 
to  the  world  all  his  beft  works,  including  the  firft  twelve  fongs 
of  the  Polyolbion ;  and  he  muft  have  been  advanced  in  years. 
He  had  firft  appeared  as  an  author  fo  far  back  as  159 1.  At  the 
fame  time  he  was  by  no  means  an  old  man,  and  Holland,  in 


Memoir  of  JVillia?n  Browne.         xxxiii 

addreffing  him  as  his  "  [poetical]  father,"  pointed  rather  to  his 
great  achievements  than  to  his  great  age.  Holland  was  probably- 
one  of  the  many  admirers  whom  the  appearance  of  the  Paftorals 
drew  round  Browne,  and  in  Browne's  cafe,  admirers  ufuallv 
ripened  into  friends. 

Although  Browne's  name  does  not  appear  on  the  lift  of  the 
original  Society  of  Antiquaries,  inftituted  in  the  reign  of  James  I., 
it  is  tolerably  certain  that  he  was  on  intimate  terms  with  the 
illuftrious  Selden,  and  that  he  was  among  the  fele6l  and  fmall 
literary  circle  which  that  great  fcholar  attra6led  round  him.  At 
the  very  opening  of  Britannia's  Paftorals  Browne  cites,  in  a 
marginal  note,  a  MS.  copy  of  William  of  Malmefbury  in  the 
library  of  his  learned  friend,  fuperior,  as  he  tells  us,  to  the 
printed  copies;  and  the  works  exhibit  throughout  a  converfance 
with  claflical  ftory,  without  being  overloaded  by  erudite  allufions 
or  fmelling  to  excefs  of  the  ink-horn^  as  Gafcoigne  has  it. 
Drayton  had  certainly  profited  by  Selden's  accompli fhments  and 
extenfive  information,  and  the  earlier  inftalments  of  the  Poly- 
olbion  were  enriched  by  the  notes  of  one  of  the  moft  diligent 
readers  and  moft  intelledlual  men  of  his  time.  We  muft  re- 
member, too,  that  Browne  was  the  means  of  preferving  to  us 
Occleve's  tale,  which  he  has  incorporated  with  the  firft  eclogue 
of  the  Shepheards  Pipe,  and  which  is  certainly  far  fuperior  to 
anything  in  the  volume  printed  by  Mr.  Mafon  in  1796.  He 
tantalizes  us  when  he  adds,  in  the  poem,  that  he  had  Occleve's 
works  by  him  quite  complete,  and  makes  us  wifti  cordially  that, 
inftead  of  afixDrding  a  fpecimen,  he  had  given  the  whole  feries  of 
ftories  compofed  by  Occleve  from  the  Gefta  Romanorum  or  other 
fources. 


xxxiv         Memoir  of  William  Brow?7e. 

In  1624,  Browne  refumed  his  refidence  at  Exeter  College,  in 
the  capacity  of  tutor  to  the  Honourable  Robert  Dormer,  eldeft 
fon  of  the  Earl  of  Carnarvon  ;  and  it  was  during  this  ftay  at  the 
univerfity  that  the  poet  took  his  Mafter's  degree.  Under  the 
date  of  Auguft  25,  1624,  Wood,  in  his  Fajii  (ed.  Blifs),  has  the 
following  entry  : — 

"  Will.  Browne  of  Exeter  coll.  had  leave  then  given  to  him 
to  be  actually  created  M.  of  A.  but  twas  not  put  in  execution  till 
16  Nov.  following.  He  is  ftiled  in  the  public  regifter,  Wir  omni 
humana  literatura  &  bonarum  artium  cognitione  inftrudlus.' " 

He  was  ftill  prefumably  direding  the  ftudies  of  Mr.  Dormer 
when,  in  1625,  a  fecond  edition  of  both  parts  of  the  Pajiorals 
came  from  the  prefs  in  an  oflavo  volume.  A  copy  exifted  fome 
years  ago,  in  which  feveral  fellow-collegians  or  friends  of  the 
poet  had  inferted  additional  commendatory  verfes,  each  appa- 
rently in  his  own  handwriting;  its  prefent  deftination  is  un- 
known to  me,  but  Mr.  Beloe  fortunately  printed  the  whole  of 
the  MS,  matter  in  his  Anecdotes  of  Literature.  The  poems  thus 
preferved  are,  in  fome  cafes,  fuperior  to  any  which  accompanied 
the  printed  volume.  In  this  edition  they  occur  (enclofed  between 
brackets)  immediately  after  the  other  panegyrics  prefixed  to  the 
firft  book  of  the  Pajiorals. 

Browne  appears  to  have  been  of  a  melancholy  and  defpond- 
ing  turn  of  mind  in  later  life,  when  fome  private  misfortune, 
known  only  to  us  fo  far  as  the  fufferer  has  chofen  to  difclofe  to 
our  view  and  fympathy  glimpfes  of  it  in  allufions  fcattered 
through  his  works  \  but  he  was,  at  the  fame  time,  evidently  a 
man  who  formed  many  life  friendfhips,  and  who  endeared  him- 
felf  to  hib  intimates  by  his  amiability  of  charadler,  fcarcely  lefs 


I 

Memoir  of  Willi a?n  Browne,  xxxv 

than  by  his  poetical  genius  and  his  accomplifhments.  He  was 
a  fcholar  alfo,  and  the  companion  of  fcholars ;  and  the  efteem  in 
which  he  was  held  by  fuch  men  as  Jonfon,  Drayton,  and  Selden 
is  alone  almoft  fufficient  to  (how  that  thofe  in  the  midft  of  whom 
he  lived  and  moved,  fomething  more  than  a  name,  looked  upon 
him  not  as  a  mere  flimfy  and  fmooth  verfe-writer,  but  as  a  man 
of  fterling  virtues  and  folid  intelledual  endowments. 

In  fome  of  thofe  elegiac  compofitions  which  appear  to  have 
been  the  work  of  his  maturer  years,  while  they  are  afluredly 
not  the  moft  favourable  fpecimens  of  his  genius,  Browne  takes 
occafion  to  lament  the  ravages  which  Death  had  made  in  the 
ranks  of  his  early  friends,  the  forlornnefs  of  his  deftiny,  and  his 
difappointment  in  love.  But  whether  this  alleged  unhappinefs 
was  real,  or  is  to  be  regarded  partly  as  poetical  licence,  we  fhall 
perhaps  never  difcover.  That  he  was  married,  and  was  warmly 
attached  to  his  wife,  feems  conclufively  fhown  by  an  epitaph  on 
that  lady  in  the  Lanfdowne  MS.,  and  by  the  pedigree  preferved 
in  Harl.  MS.,  6164.  His  friend  Chriftopher  Brooke  was  cer- 
tainly living  in  1625;  Jonfon  did  not  die  till  1637;  and  Selden 
and  Wither,  and  probably  Davies  of  Hereford,  furvived  him 
many  years.  But,  at  the  fame  time,  the  poet's  allufions  may  be 
to  fome  early  blight  of  the  afFedlions,'  and  to  bereavements 
among  his  kindred  or  connections,  of  which  we  are  admitted  to 
no  further  knowledge. 

At  what  time  his  relations  with  Mr.  Dormer  ceafed  does 
not  appear,  but  Wood  ftates  that,  after  the  feverance  of  that  tie, 

^  Mr.  Beloe  fuppofed  that  an  allufion  might  have  been  intended  to  Browne's 
difappointment  in  love  in  the  lines  prefixed  by  Samuel  Harding  (llanzas  lo-ii, 
p.  18  of  new  edition)  ;  but  I  confefs  that  this  does  not  feem  very  probable. 


xxxvi         Memoir  of  lVillia?n  Brow?te. 

Browne  domefticated  himfelf  at  Wilton  with  the  Herberts,  with 
whom  he  had  certainly  enjoyed  an  acquaintance  of  fome  kind 
(ince  1 6  13.  But  Wood's  ftory  about  the  "  purchafe  of  an  eftate" 
throuo-h  this  medium  at  a  ftage  comparatively  fo  late  in  the  poet's 
career  I  take  to  be  an  anachronifm. 

From  a  letter  now  firft  printed  from  one  of  the  Afhmolean 
MSS.  feveral  new  fails  are  to  be  colledled  ;  namely,  that  in  1640 
Browne  was  refident,  either  permanently  or  temporarily,  at 
Dorking,  in  Surrey,  in  what  he  terms  "  his  poore  cell  and 
fequeftration  from  all  bufinefle,"  and  that  among  his  acquaintance 
he  counted  the  diftinguifhed  Sir  Benjamin  Ruddyerd.  It  is  alfo 
interesting  to  find,  as  we  do  here,  that  the  poet,  befides  his  love 
of  rural  objefts  and  fcenery,  had  a  tafte  for  higher  matters, 
1  and  a  patriotic  appreciation  of  the  great  political  movements 
which  were  foon  to  fhake  England  to  its  centre.  This  document, 
which  is  undoubtedly  in  the  poet's  handwriting,  alfo  acquaints 
us  that,  in  the  decline  of  life,  he  ftill  preferved  the  friendfhip  of 
Mr.  Dormer. 

To  Sir  Benjamin  Rudyard. 

Sir, — 1  befeech  you  to  pardon  my  interpoiing  your  moft  ferious 
affaires  with  the  remembrance  of  my  Service.  The  caufe  re- 
quires it,  and  every  man  whoe  knows  I  haue  y®  honour  to  be 
knowne  by  you,  would  thinck  me  ftupid  In  not  congratulating 
what  every  one  thincks  he  hath  a  ihare  in.  I  meane  your  late 
fpeech  in  Parliament,'  wherein  they  beleeve  the  fplrit  w*""'  in- 
fpird  the  Reformation  &  the  Genius  w''''  di dated  the  Magna 


'  Tliis  fpeech  is  printed  in  cxtenfo  from  tlic  original  410.  traft  of  four  leaves 
in  Manning's  Me?noirs  of  Sir  B.  Ruddyerd,  1841,  8vo. 


Memoir  of  IVilUam  Browne,        xxxvii 

Charta  poflefs'd  you.  In  my  poore  Cell  and  fequeftration  from 
all  bufinefle  I  blefTe  God  &  praye  for  more  fuch  members  in 
the  Comonwealth  ;  and  coulde  you  but  heare  (as  it  is  pitty  but 
you  fhould)  what  I  doe,  it  would  add  fome  yeares  to  your 
honor'd  hayres.  Beleive  it  (Sir)  you  haue  given  fuch  a  main- 
tenance to  that  Repute  w*"''  your  former  Deportment  had  begotten 
that  it  will  need  noe  other  livelyhood  then  a  Chronicle  w*"''  I  hope 
our  enfuing  age  will  not  fee  it  want  for.  I  haue  nowe  done, 
(Tis  fundaye  night)  when  I  haue  prayde  for  my  honor'd  Lord  the 
Lord  Chamberlayne,  my  good  Lord  and  Mafter  the  Earle  of 
Caernarvon,  and  for  you  and  your  good  proceedings,  I  hope 
I  fhall  wake  with  the  fame  thoughts  againe,  and  be  ever 

y  moft  obliged  fervant  ^ 
Dorking  Nq^"'  29  ^^ 

1 640.  /Tfh^'^J^ 


After  his  wife's  death,  preceded  or  followed  (we  cannot 
be  fure  which)  by  the  death  of  a  fecond  child,  chriftened,  like 
the  firft,  Robert,  Browne  may  have  fpent  fome  time  at  Wil- 
ton, the  honoured  gueft  of  the  Herberts  ;  and  it  alfo  appears 
from  the  foregoing  letter  to  Sir  B.  Ruddyerd,  that  at  that  date, 
he  was  ftill  on  good  terms  with  his  old  pupil,  who  had  fince 
become     Earl    of   Carnarvon.'^       Under    fuch    circumftances. 


1  I  find  no  mention  in  Brayley  and  Britton's  Surrey  of  Browne's  refidence  at 
Dorking  in  1640.  It  is  furely  an  incident  in  the  early  local  hiftory  of  that  place 
which  was  worth  recording.  I  therefore  prefume  that  the  writers  were  unaware 
of  it.     Moft  probably  the  poet's  flay  there  was  temporary, 

^  He  perifhed  on  the  field  of  Newbury,  Sept.  20,  1643. 


xxxviii      Mejnoir  of  William  Browne, 

whether  his  own  private  eftate  was  fo  flourifhing  as  Wood 
wifhes  us  to  underftand,  or  not,  he  could  be  in  no  want  of 
a  home  or  a  friend.  But  as  poverty,  or  dependence  on  the 
bounty  of  others,  is  a  point  to  which  there  is  nowhere  in  his 
works  the  moft  remote  allufion,  it  is  tolerably  fafe  to  conclude 
that  his  relations  with  the  Herberts  and  Dormers  did  not  arife 
from  pecuniary  necefTities  on  his  fide.  From  one  of  his 
mifcellaneous  poems,  it  is  evident  that  he  made  a  tour  abroad 
at  one  period  of  his  life,  perhaps  as  the  companion  of  Mr. 
Dormer.  Others  teftify  to  his  acquaintance  with  the  vicinity  of 
Croydon,  and  the  delightful  fcenery  of  the  Mole. 

In  the  regifter  of  Taviftock,  under  March  27,  1643,  ^^  ^^^ 
laconic  entry:  "  William  Browne  was  buried."  Whether  this 
was  the  poet,  or  another  perfon  of  the  fame  Chriftian  name  and 
furname,  it  is  at  prefent  difficult,  if  not  impoffible,  to  determine; 
and  it  is  the  fole  clue  to  the  date  of  Browne's  deceafe  which  we 
feem  to  poffefs.  Wood  conjedured  that  he  died  in  1645,'  ^^' 
he  felt,  and  we  can  feel,  no  fort  of  certainty  on  the  fubjedl.  It 
is  a  very  ufual  dilemma,  for  authors'  entrances  and  exits  do  not 
feem  formerly  to  have  been  regarded  as  an  important  fedlion  of 
the  chronology  of  hiftory  ;  and  it  is  wholly  due  to  the  exertions 
of  Anthony  Wood  that  even  the  bare  outline  of  fadls  touching 


'  But  it  appears  from  refearches  lately  undertaken  for  me  at  Ottery  St.  Mary 
that  the  William  Browne,  who  perifhed  in  the  great  local  diftemper,  occafioned, 
it  is  fuppofed,  by  the  crowded  ftate  of  the  town  during  the  prefence  of  Crom- 
well's troops,  who  was  interred  there  in  December,  1 645,  and  who  is  probably 
the  perfon  meant  by  Wood,  had  a  wife  named  Ann,  who  died  two  years  before. 
This  does  not  correfpond  with  Harl.  MS.,  6164,  where  the  poet's  wife  is  faid  to 
have  been  named  Tymothy. 


Memoir  of  Willi  am  Browne.        xxxix 

many  men  whofe  works  are  a  glory  to  the  literature  of  England, 
has  been  tranfmitted  to  us.  It  is  the  moft  natural  fuppofition 
that  Browne,  fuller  of  fame  than  years,  would  return  to  the 
place  of  his  nativity  to  draw  his  laft  breath,  and  to  lie  among 
his  anceftors.  But  it  feems  to  be'^  fufpicious  that  the  entry  at 
Taviftock  is  unaccompanied  by  any  indication  that  the  perfon 
interred  there  on  the  27th  March,  1643,  ^^^  of  gentle  birth. 

Wood  fays  that  Browne  had  a  great  mind  in  a  little  body; 
but  no  portrait  of  the  poet,  by  which  we  might  gain  a  more  vivid 
idea  of  his  appearance,  is  known  to  furvive. 


B  R  I  T  A  N  N  I  a's 


PASTORALS. 


I'he  firfl  Booke, 


Ho  R  AT. 

Carmine  Di]  fuperi  placantiir^   carmine 
Manes. 


LONDON, 

Printed  by  Iohn  Haviland. 

1625. 


B 


^^^ 

^^^^§\^^ 

^^ 

^^ 

^^ 

» 

H 

p^^Sr^^^Skl   '^ 

S^^^SHETts^idij^g 

i^Bfflff^SI^^^fflwS 

I^Ks 

^^jj 

^^s 

TO 

THE  NO  LESSE  ENOBLED 

BY  VERTVE,  THEN  ANCIENT 

In   Nobilitie,  the  Right  Honorable  Edward 

Lord  ZoHch,  Saint -Maure,  and  Cantelupe,  and 
one  of  his  Mai  e sties  moji  Honourable 


Privie  Covncell. 


or  ' 


C.AL 


ONORS  bright  Ray, 

More  highly  crown'd  with  Vertue  the  with 
yeares^ 

Pardon  a  Rufticke  Mufe  that  thus  appeares 
In  Shepheards  gray, 
Intreating  your  attention  to  a  Lay 
Fitting  a  Siluan  Bowre,  not  Courtly  Traines ; 

Such  choifer  eares, 
Should  haue  Apollo's  Priefts,  not  Pans  rude  Swaines  : 
But  if  the  Muftck  of  contented  Plaines 

A  thought  vpreares 
For  your  approuement  of  that  part  fhe  beares, 
When  time  (that  Embrions  to  perfedlion  brings) 

Hath  taught  her  ftraines, 
May  better  boafl:  their  being  from  the  Spring 
Where  braue  Heroes  worths  the  Sifters  fing  : 

(In  Lines  whofe  raignes 
In  fpight  of  Enuy  and  her  reftlefle  paines  : 


/ 


4  The  EpiJIIe  Dedicat07'ie, 

Be  vnconfin'd  as  bleft  eternitie  :) 
The  Vales  fhall  ring 
Thy  Honor'd  Name  ;   and  euery  Song  fhall  be 
A  Pyrawis  built  to  thy  Memorie. 

Tour  Honors : 

W.  Browne. 


To  the  Reader. 

THE  times  are  fwolnejo  big  with  nicer  wits. 
That  nought  founds  good  but  what  Opinion  /^r/^d-j. 
Cenfure  with  ludgement/^/^^  together  fits  ; 
And  now  the  Man  more  then  the  Matter  likes. 

The  great  RewardrefTe  of  a  Poets  Fen^ 
Fame,  is  by  thofefo  clogg'd  fliee  feldome  flyes. 
The  ^u(ts  fitting  on  the  graues  of  men. 
Singing  that  Vertue  Hues  and  neuer  dyes. 

Are  chas'd  away  by  the  malignant  Tongues 
Offuch,  by  whom  Detradlion  is  adofd : 
Hence  growes  the  want  of  euer-liuing  Songs, 
With  which  our  He  was  whilome  brauely  flor\i. 

Iffuch  a  Bafilifke  dart  downe  his  Eye, 
{hnpoyfond  with  the  dregs  of  vtmofi  hate) 
To  kill  the  firfl  Bloomes  of  my  Poefie, 
It  is  his  worji,  and  makes  me  fortunate. 

Kinde  wits  I  vaile  to,  but  to  fooles  precife 

I  am  as  confident  as  they  are  nice. 

W.  B. 

From  the  Inner  Temple,  luf/e  the  i  8.  1613. 


In  Bucolica  G.  Brovn. 

Quod,  per  fecefliis  Ruftici  otia,  Licuit  ad 
Amic.  &  Bon.  Lit.  amantiJJ'. 

Anacreonticvm. 


R/xvYirsva-av,  VXE^f/s. 

Tkr?  Coo  naAAa(^i  (i^orc©- 

"Tvg  Mscrai  TrpoKarv^x^' 
Tali  <^u  A5a©-  uTTa^x^'i' 


r2<  ya^  Ef  avE^ctTog 
"^'uxn-i  E'Wa  Tviv  ou 
^suyaa  aura  lirovTai 
O' <;  Tr^OToaair'  E'^wraj. 
^aaaiTK  A  (p^oyivsir) 
Ti^o'^Tflov  tSto  ttsXeo-hs. 
No(7era^  a,f/.<porE^yii7iv 
O'uTug  kaai  (piMrig. 


Ad  Anions  Numina. 

QFIN  voftrum  Paphie,  Anteros,  Erofq ; 
Vt  Regnum  capiat  mali  quid,  abfit ! 
Venus,  per  Syrium  nifms  venuftum  ! 
Amplexus  teneros,  pares,  fuaues 
Pfyches,  per,  tibi,  Bafiationum 
Eros  quantum  erat  !  ^  per  Anterotis 
Fcelices  Animas !  periclitanti 
Obteftor,  dubiaq;  conjulatis 
Rei  vofira  I  Miferum  magis  fauete 
Languoriy  Miferum  fauete  Amantum, 
Dixiy  cordolio  !  ^uod  efl  amatum 
iBu  propitij  ferite  petlus  I 


Commendatory  Verfes, 


*  Arnica,  Do- 
m'na  (noftro 
idiomate 
amatorio, 

&  Neara 
funt  vtifyno- 
nyma  Pru- 
dentiOy  ante 
alios.  Peri 
Steph. 
hymn    12. 
&  alicubi.  V. 
fi  placet  & 
Joj.  Scali^. 
ad  l.TtbuUi. 

*  Herat. 
Carm.  I.  od. 
13- 

*  Ne  fcilicet 
quis  pernu- 
metet  Fini- 
tus  n.  & 
notus  Hume- 
rus fafcino, 
apud  Ve'e- 
res,  obnoxi- 
us.  Idq;  in 
Bajijs  obier- 
uatum  ha- 
bes  ap.  Catul. 
carm.  5.  &  7. 

*  jimor  a 
Pajiore 
omne  genus 
Mufices 
olim  edoc- 
tus.   B'lon 
Idyll.  3. 


Wus  quinfit  ah  aureajagitta  ! 
Ortas  Spe  placitd  fouete  flammas  ! 
Ortis  quin  Shniles  parate  flammas  ! 
Suas  gnauiter  ambiant  *  Neasras  ! 
Et  cautim  laciant  fuos  Neasras  ! 
Dextras  fternuite  adprohationes-l 
AdJuElis  detur  OJculum  lahelUs  ! 
Et  iuntlis  detur  OJculum  Jaliuis  ! 
Tui  Ne^aris  adde,  Diua*  quin^am. 
Conturbet  tremula  libido  lingua^ 
Ne  quis  Bafia  *  fajcinare  pojfit ! 
Morfus  mutua  temperet  voluptas  ! 
DormitiSy  nimiumq;  defuiftis 
Procis,  atq;  Adamantinis  Puellis. 
Jfthac  profpiciens  tibi,  Cupido, 
Audax  admonui.      Tuas  Apollo, 
Deufq;   Arcadia,  Minerua,  &  Hermes 
Supplant  ant  Veneres.      Murinus  arcum 
Tendit,  quin  iaculis  tud  pharetrd 
Surreptis  petimur.     Camena  texit 
Cantu  d<£dala,  blandulum  Aphrodites 
Ceflum^  <y  infidias  plicat.  Mineruas 
Buxus^  Mercurij  Chelys,  Cicuta 
FaunI,  duke  melos  canunt.   Erota 
En,  ohm  *  docuit,  plagas  Eroti 
lam  tendity  luuenis,  Poeta,  Paftor, 
Iflhac  profpiciens  tihi  Cupido, 
Audax  admonui.     Faue  Cupido. 

By  the  Same. 

O  much  a  Stranger  my  Seuerer  Muje 
Is  not  to  Loue-ftraines,  or  a  Shepwards  Reed, 
But  that  She  knowes  fome  Rites  of  Phcebus  dues, 
Of  Pan^  of  Pallas^  and  hir  Sifters  meed. 
Reade  and  Commend  She  durft  thefe  tun'd  eftaies 


Commendatory  Ve?'Jes.  •} 

Of  Him  that  loues  her  (She  hath  euer  found 
Hir  ftudies  as  one  circle.)   Next  She  prayes 
His  Readers  be  with  Roje  and  Myrtle  crown'd  ! 
No  Willow  touch  them  !  As  His  *  Bales  are  free 
From  wrong  of  Bolts,  fo  may  their  Chaplets  bee. 

I.  Selden  luris  C. 

To  his  Friend  the  Avthor. 

DRIVE  forth  thy  Flock  ^  young  Pajlor^  to  that  Plaine, 
Where  our  old  Shepheards  wont  their  flocks  to  feed ; 
To  thofe  clear e  walkes,  where  many  a  fkilfull  Swaine 
Towards  the  calme  eu'ning^  tun'd  his  pleafant  Reed. 
Thofe^  to  the  Mufes  once  fo  f acred ^  Downes, 
As  no  rude  foot  might  there  prefume  to  ft  and  : 
( Now  made  the  way  of  the  vnworthieft  Clownes, 
Dig'd  and  plow'd  vp  with  each  vnhallowed  hand) 
If  poffihle  thou  canfi^  redeeme  thofe  places^ 
Where y  by  the  brim  of  many  a  Siluer  Springs 
The  learned  Maidens^  and  delightfull  Graces 
Often  hauefate  to  he  are  our  Shepheards  fing : 
Where  on  thofe  Pines  the  neighboring  Groues  among^ 
[Now  vtterly  negletied  in  thefe  dales) 
Our  Garlands^  Pipes^  and  Cornamutes  were  hung 
The  monuments  of  our  defer ued  praife. 
So  may  thy  Sheepe  like^fo  thy  Lambs  increafe. 
And  from  the  Wolfe  feed  euer  fafe  and  free  ! 
So  maift  thou  thriue^  among  the  learned  preafey 
As  thou  young  Shepheard  art  beloud  of  mee  ! 

Michael  Draiton. 


*  Bales  [faire 
Readers^  be- 
ing the  mate- 
rials of  ?  0^1^ 

Girlands,  {a% 
Myrtle  and 
Rofes  arefot 
enioying  Lo- 
uers,  and  the 
fruitlelfeW\\- 
lowyo/-  them 
•which  your 
•vnconjtancy , 
too  oft,  makes 
moft  'vnhap- 
py)  are  Jup- 
poj'ed  not  J'lib- 
ie£i  to  any 
hurt  o/'Jupi- 
ters  thundcr- 
boltSf  as  other 
Trees  are. 


To  his  Ingenious  and  worthy  Friend  the  Avthor. 

HE  that  will  tune  his  Oaten-pipe  aright. 
To  great  Apollo's  Harp  :  he  that  will  write 
A  liuing  Poem  ;  muft  haue  many  yeeres. 


8  Com^nendatory  Verfes. 

And  fetled  iudgement  'mongft  his  equall  peeres. 

In  well-rig'd  Barke  to  fteere  his  doubtfull  courfe ; 

Left  fecret,  rocky  Enuy,  or  the  fource 

Of  froathy,  but  fky-towring  Arrogance  ; 

Or  fleeting,  Tandy  vulgar- cenfure  chance 

To  leaue  him  fhip-wrackt,  on  the  defert  Maine 

Imploring  aged  Neptunes  help  in  vaine. 

The  younger  Cygnet,  euen  at  beft  doth  teare, 

With  his  harfti  fquealings,  the  melodious  eare  : 

It  is  the  old,  and  dying  Swan  that  fings 

Notes  worthy  life,  worthy  the  Thefpian  Springs. 

But  thou  art  young  ;   and  yet  thy  voice  as  fweet. 

Thy  Verfe  as  fmooth,  Compofure  as  difcreet 

As  any  Swans,  whofe  tunefull  Notes  are  fpent 

On  'Thames  his  bancks  ;  which  makes  me  confident, 

He  knowes  no  Mufick,  hath  nor  eares,  nor  tongue. 

That  not  commends  a  voice  fo  fweet,  fo  young. 


On  him  ;  a  Pajiorall  Ode  /<?  his  fair  eji 
Shepheardejje. 

STREN  more  then  earthly  faire, 
Sweetly  breake  the  yeelding  Ayre  : 
Sing  on  Alhions  whiteft  Rocks  : 
Sing  ;   whilft  Willy  to  his  Flocks, 
Deftly  tunes  his  various  Reed. 
Sing  ;  and  hee,  whilft  younglings  feed, 
Anfwer  ftiall  thy  beft  of  finging, 
With  his  Riirall  Muficke^  bringing 
Equall  pleafure  ;   and  requite 
Mufickes  fweets  with  like  delight. 
What  though  IVillyes  Songs  be  plaine  \ 
Sweet  they  be  :   for  hee's  a  Swaine 
Made  of  purer  mould  then  earth, 
Him  did  Nature  from  his  birth. 


Commendatory  Verfes, 

And  the  Mujes  fingle  out, 

For  a  fecond  Colin  Clout. 

Tityrus  made  him  a  Singer : 

Pan  him  taught  his  Pipe  to  finger: 

Numbers,  curious  eares  to  pleafe, 

Learn'd  he  of  Philifides. 

Kala  loues  him  :   and  the  Lafles 

Point  at  him,  as  by  he  paffes, 

Wifhing  neuer  tongue  that's  bad 

Cenfure  may  fo  bhthe  a  Lad. 

Therefore  well  can  he  requite 

Muficks  fweets  with  hke  dehght  : 

Sing  then  ;  breake  the  yeelding  ayre, 

Syren  more  then  earthly  faire. 

Edward  Heyward, 

e  So.  Int.  Tempi. 


To  his  Friend  the  Avthor  vpon  his  Poem. 

THIS  Plant  is  knotlefle  that  puts  forth  thefe  leaues, 
Vpon  whofe  Branches  I  his  praife  doe  fing  : 
Fruitfull  the  Ground,  whofe  verdure  it  receiues 
From  fertile  Nature,  and  the  learned  Spring. 
In  zeale  to  Good  ;   knowne,  but  vnprad:iz'd  111, 
Chaft  in  his  thoughts,  though  in  his  youthfuU  Prime., 
He  writes  of  Paft'rall  Loue,  with  NecT:ar'd  Quill, 
And  offers  vp  his  firft  Fruits  vnto  Time. 
Receiue  them  {Time)  and  in  thy  Border  place  them 
Among  thy  various  Flowers  of  Poefie  ; 
No  Enuy  blaft,  nor  Ignorance  deface  them, 
But  keepe  them  frefh  in  faireft  Memorie  ! 

And,  when  from  Daphne's  tree  he  plucks  more  Baies, 
His  Shepheards  Pipe  may  chant  more  heau'nly  laies. 


>i 


S-u  C<Jotcy->  5"  Christopher  Brooke. 


lo  Commendatory  Verfes, 

ANAGRAMMA. 
GviLiELMVs  Browne.      Ne  vulgo  Librum  eius. 

[/  vulgus  guftare  tuo  velis  apt  a  palato ; 
/,  pete  vulgareSy  ac  aliunde^  dapes. 
Nil  vulgare  Japit  Liber  hie  ;  hinc  vulgus  abejio  : 
Non  nifi  delicias  hcec  tibi  men/a  dabit. 

Fr  :  Dynne, 

e  So.  Int.  Tempi. 

To  his  Friend  the  Author. 

^N  (lolly  Lad)  and  hye  thee  to  the  Field 
Among  the  beft  Swains  that  the  Vallies  yeeld  j 
Goe  boldly,  and  in  prefence  of  them  all, 
Proceed  a  Shepheard  with  this  Paftorall. 
Let  PaUy  and  all  his  rurall  Traine  attending, 
From  ftately  Mountaines  to  the  Plaines  defcending. 
Salute  this  Faftor  with  their  kinde  embraces; 
And  entertaine  him  to  their  holy  places. 
Let  all  the  Nymphes  of  Hills  and  Dales  together 
Kifie  him  for  earneft  of  his  welcome  thither : 
Crowne  him  with  Garlands  of  the  choiceft  flowres. 
And  make  him  euer  dwell  within  their  Bowres: 
For  well  I  wote  in  all  the  Plaines  around, 
There  are  but  few  fuch  Shepheards  to  be  found, 
That  can  fuch  learned  Layes  and  Ditties  frame. 
Or  aptly  fit  their  tunes  vnto  the  fame. 
And  let  them  all  (if  this  young  Swaine  fhould  die) 
Tune  all  their  Reeds  to  fing  his  Memorie. 

Tho.  Gardiner, 
i  So.  Int.  Tempi. 


Commendatory  Verfes,  1 1 


To  the  AvTHOR. 

HAD  I  beheld  thy  Mufe  vpon  the  Stage^ 
A  Poefte  infa/hion  with  this  age ; 
Or  had  I/eene,  when  firft  I  view'd  thy  tajke^ 
An  a^iue  wit  dance  in  a  Satyres  Mafke, 
I Jhould  in  thqfe  haue  prais'd  thy  Wit  and  Arty 
But  not  thy  ground^  A  Poems  better  part : 
Which  being  the  perfe5l'fi  Image  of  the  Braine^ 
Not  framed  to  any  baje  end^  but  to  gaine 
True  approbation  of  the  Artilts  worthy 
When  to  an  open  view  hefets  it  forth  ^ 
ludiciouflyy  he  ftriues  ;  no  lejfe  fadorne 
By  a  choife  Subie^,  then  a  curious  Forme : 
Well  haji  thou  then  paft  o'er  all  other  rhime^ 
And  in  a  PaftorallT^d'w/  thy  leafures  time : 
Where  fruit  Jo  f aire  y  and  field  Jo  fruitfull  iSy 
That  hard  it  is  to  iudge  whether  in  This 
The  Subjlance  or  the  fafJiion  more  excell. 
So  precious  is  the  lemy  and  wrought  Jo  well. 
Thus  refi  thou  prais'd  of  mey  Fruity  Field y  lem,  Arty 
Doe  claime  much  praife  to  equalljuch  Dejart. 

W.  Ferrar, 

e  So.  Med.  Tempi. 


To  the  AvTHOR. 

FRIEND,  He  not  erre  in  blazing  of  thy  Worth  ; 
This  Worke  in  trueft  termes  will  fet  it  forth  : 
In  thefe  few  lines  the  all  1  doe  intend, 
Is  but  to  {hew  that  I  haue  fuch  a  Friend. 

Fr.  Ovide. 

}  S.  In.  Tempi. 


12  Commendatory  Verfes. 


[Euterpe  to  her  deerejl  Darling  W.  B. 

THY  lines,  thy  worth,  thy  wit  to  prayfe. 
Were  mine  owne  honor  to  upraife, 
And  thofe  fame  gifts  commend  in  thee 
Which  thou  received  haft  of  me ; 
Yet  may  I  boaft  that  by  mine  aide 
All  eares  to  thee  are  captive  made, 
And  thy  (amazed)  country-men 
Admire,  extoll  thy  golden  pen : 
Hearing  fuch  madrigalls  as  thefe 
Aftoniftit  is  Philifides, 
And  vanquifht  by  thy  fweeter  layes 

„  -^f^  his  pipe  ;  yeilds  thee  the  bayes  : 

And  Colyn  Clout  his  oaten  reede, 
Which  did  to  us  fuch  pleafure  breede, 
Refignes  to  thee  ;  grieved  becaufe  his 
Mulla  by  Tavy,  vanquifht  is. 
Marina  fayns  though  in  her  neede 
The  ftorme  did  helpe ;  yet  fhee  indeede 
Was  ravifht,  but  (tis  her  excufe) 
Twas  only  with  thy  fweete-tongu'd  mufe  ; 
That  though  the  Robin  Red-breaft  fed 
Her  body,  yet  fh'  ad  fuiFered 
Death,  hadft  not  thou  with  lines  refind 
As  with  ambrofia  fed  her  minde, 
Doridon  weepes  (although  for  who 
He  trows  not)  if  t'  be  not  for  you  ; 
Since  thee  to  write  he  could  not  move 
One  Canto  more  on  his  true  love  : 
See  how  each  fwaine  y'  fhould  this  day 
Before  Dame  Thetis  fing  his  lay. 
Sighing  gives  backe,  for  he  doth  feare 
Willy  their  Captaine  won't  be  there. 


v.. 
Commendatory  Verfes,  13 

All  fay  thou  art  the  elme  (they  know) 

Wheerby  the  mufes  vine  doth  grow, 

And  that  if  Coelia  merit  death, 

All  they  muft  with  her  loofe  their  breath, 

That  fairer  boughs  have  pul'd  from  thee 

Than  ere  grew  on  Pans  golden  tree. 

Laftly  thy  Alatheia  fayes, 

That  future  times  fhall  fing  thy  praife, 

And  th'-after  ages  ftrive  in  vaine, 

As  thou  haft  done,  to  do  againe. — 

Phil.  Papillon,  E.  Coll.  Exon. 

Carmina  amo^  mihi  Wille  placet  tua  fifiula  :  falix  I 
En  rejonant  laudes  illa^  vel  ilia  tuas. 

BUT  ftop  my  mufe,  liften  to  Willys  lays, 
Harke  whiles  the  Eccho  doth  reibund  his  praife, 
Let  others  fpeak,  forbid  not,  but  let  mee 
Thou  charminge  fweetly,  liften  unto  thee. 

P.  S.  Coll.  Ex. 

On  the  Author  of  Britannias  PeerleJJe  Pajloralls. 

I'LL  take  thy  judgment  golden  Mydas  now. 
Nor  will  of  Phoebus  harmony  allow, 
Since  Pan  hath  fuch  a  ftiepheard,  whofe  fweet  layes 
May  claim  defervedly  the  Delphique  bayes. 
Thrice  happy  Syrinx,  onely  great  in  this. 
Thou  kifleft  him  in  metamorphofis. 
Flocke  hither  fatires,  learne  a  roundelay 
Of  him  to  grace  Sylvanus  holyday. 
Come  hither  ftiepheardes,  let  your  bleating  flockes 
Of  bearded  goates  browze  on  the  mofty  rockes. 
Come  from  Arcadia,  baniftit  ftiepheardes,  come. 
Let  flouriftiing  Britannia  bee  your  home. 


14  Commendatory  Verfes. 

Crown'd  with  your  anadems  and  chaplets  trim. 

And  invocate  no  other  Pan  but  him : 

'Tis  he  can  keepe  you  fafe  from  all  your  flockes, 

From  greedy  wolfe,  or  oft  beguiling  fox : 

Let  him  but  tune  his  notes,  and  you  fhali  fee 

The  wolfe  abandon  his  rapacity, 

And  innocently  trip  and  frifk  among 

Your  wanton  lambkins  at  his  fwanlike  fong  ; 

Yea  had  the  Thraclan  fung  but  half  fo  well, 

Hee  had  not  left  Euridice  in  hell, 

Then  rally  fwaine,  aftonifh  humane  eyes. 

And  let  thy  Tavy  high  as  Tyber  rife. 


On  the  Same. 

AN    ODE. 

FEARE  not  Willy,  but  goe  on 
With  thy  fong  of  Dorydon, 
Which  will  neer  furpafled  bee 
By  the  beft  pipe  in  Arcady. 
What  though  Roger  of  the  plaines, 
HobinoU  and  other  fwaynes, 
Joynd  with  Colin  of  the  glen, 
Perigot  and  other  men, 
Warble  fweetly,  thou  when  they 
Sung  on  Pan's  laft  holyday, 
Wonft  the  chaplet  which  was  made, 
Hard  by  Tavy  in  a  glade, 
Walla,  Marina,  Fida  too. 
Doe  thy  lafting  favour  wooe  : 
The  fountains  god  will  rifing  bee. 
From  his  waters  to  heare  thee  ; 
Hungring  for  thee  makes  us  rave, 
-All  fhut  up  in  Limos  cave ; 


Commendatory  Verfes.  i  5 

O  bee  thou  the  Redbreaft,  cherifli 

Thofe  who  but  for  thee  would  perifh, 

Or  bee  Triton  who  alone 

Mayft  remove  the  mighty  ftone, 
Then  in  thine  honour  every  Ihepheard  fhall 
Keepe  the  day  ftrider  than  Pans  feftivall. 

Edw.  Hall,  e  Coll.  Exon. 


On  the  Author  of  Brttannias  PeerleJJe  Pajioralls. 

CEASE  Ikilfull  Orpheus,  whofe  mellifluous  ftraynes 
Have  earft   made  flones   and   trees  fkip  ore  the 
playnes, 
A  fweeter  harmonye  invites  our  eares 
Than  ere  was  fent  from  the  celeftiall  fpheeres : 
Cleare  Tavy  now  his  filver  head  may  rayfe, 
A  fhephearde  of  his  owne  can  finge  his  prayfe. 
Sweet  toung'd  Arion  ftrive  not  with  fuch  odds. 
Thy  fong  moved  but  the  dolphins :   his  the  godds. 
O  hadfl  thou  daignd  to  move  thy  fweeter  toung. 
The  wolfe  had  rtayd  to  hearken  to  thy  fonge  ; 
Had  Pans  eares  fuckt  the  nedlar  of  thy  breath. 
For  thy  fake  Caslia  had  beene  free  from  death. 
But  that  the  Fates  denyde,  as  who  fliould  fay 
By  Willys  pen  her  fame  fhall  live  for  aye : 
Walla  a  garland  will  compofe  noe  more. 
To  crowne  her  Tavyes  temples  as  before  ; 
But  as  to  them  that  beft  deferve  the  prayfe, 
She'll  give  to  thee  the  garland  and  the  bayes. 
And  if  a  verfe  thy  glorye  may  confine. 
Thou  fing'fl;  Brittannias  prayfe,  Brittannia  thine. 

Jo.  Dynham,  e  Coll.  Exon. 


1 6  Commendatory  Verfes. 

Uppon  the  occafion  of  Readinge  this  compleet  Poem. 

TO    THE    AUTHOR    W.     BROWNE. 
I. 

CEASE,  ceafe  Pierian  dames, 
Be  henceforth  mute, 
Leave  of  your  wanton  games, 
Apollos  lute 
Hath  crackt  a  ftringe  :  it  grates  my  eares, 
'Tis  harfh,  as  are  the  heavenly  fpheares : 
Lift  Willie  fings  and  tunes  his  oaten  reed, 
To  whom  all  hearts,  all  eares  doe  yield  themfefs*:  as  meed. 


Hearke,  hearke,  the  joylly  lad 

So  fweetly  fings, 
The  vales  as  proude,  as  glad 
The  murmuring  fpringes  : 
Both  joyne  to  tell  the  neighbour  hills 
That  theres  no  muficke  like  to  Willes. 
Eccho  enamoured  one  the  pipinge  fwaine 
Recovers  (fylly  wretch  !)  her  voice,  repeats  each  ftraine. 

3- 
The  buckfome  fheepheardeffe 

Hearke  !  ha  !  no  more  ? 
Ah  !  what  unhappinefTe 
Waft  left  us  poore, 
Bereft  by  thy  neglected  fongs 
Of  life,  of  joy  !   tell  tell  w^  wrongs 
What  fad  difafter  (Willie)  is  betide, 
That  we  thy  laies  (not  yet  half  done)  fhould  be  denyed? 

•  Sic  in  Belve. 


Commendatory  Verfes.  17 

What  has  fome  fatyre  rude, 

Wode  to  thofe  groves 
His  wi]y  fnares  beftrewd 
To  catch  your  loves  ? 
To  tempt  a  credlous  fheepheardefle, 
Who  crying  out  in  her  diftrefle, 
Have  made  you  breake  or  flinge  your  pipe  away, 
Oh  no  !  your  charmes  would  erft  have  made  the  monfter 
ftay. 

5- 
Or  is  your  pipe  ybroke. 

And  'twill  not  founde  ? 
Goe,  goe  unto  the  oake 
By  yonder  mounde : 
Take  Colins  pipe  (there't  hangs)  in  hand, 
Or  if  not  that  you  may  command 
The  whillome  jolly  fwaine's  Philicides, 
But  ah  your  broken  pipe  will  found  as  well  as  thefe. 

6. 

Has  fubtell  Reynard  caught 

A  frifkinge  lambe, 
Or  the  fearce  woolfe  diftraught 
The  bleatinge  dam  ? 
And  you  by  riffling  of  their  folds, 
Which  to  regaine  your  fport  witholds. 
Or  has  your  lagginge  ewe  a  lambkin  yean'd. 
Which  makes  you  ceafe  your  notes,  and  midwifrie  attend. 

7- 
Or  did  fome  fheepheards  boy 

(Thy  layes  are  good,) 
Nod  's  head  or  paufe  and  coy, 

He  underftood. 


1 8  Commendatory  Verfes. 

Not  that  it  which  he  did  foe  taunt 

(If  there  were  fuch)  dull  ignorant, 

Or  elfe  defpairinge  ere  to  rife  fo  high, 

Would  worke  thee  fwaine  from  thy  deferved  fupremacy. 

8. 

Did  the  round  yefterday, 

Which  thou  beganft 
Soe  merriely  to  play, 

Thou  them  entraundl'fl;  ? 
O  did  they  rayfe  thy  worth  foe  high. 
And  made  thee  blufh  for  modeftie : 
Did  they  with  garlands  girt  thy  curled  locks, 
Cald  thee  fine  piper  while  thou  looked  all   griefe  for 
mocks. 

9- 

And  w*^  th'  had  wood  thee  too, 

A  fecond  part, 
Caufe  from  their  promifd  vow 
They  gan  to  ftart : 
In  which  th'  hadft  bound  their  feely  fwaine, 
Nor  to  commend  nor  praife  thy  veine. 
Yet  when  they  did  begin,  and  who  could  fpare  ? 
Thou  cruell  tor'ft  thy  chaplets,  and  wouldft  willow  weare. 

10. 

See  cruell  faire,  fee,  fee 

Each  fheapheards  brow. 
That  wont  to  fmile  with  glee, 
Is  tearfwolne  now ; 
And  prifninge  up  their  pearly  wealth, 
The  ftraglinge  drops  get  out  by  ftealth, 
Yet  could  they  hope  to  win  thee  for  their  prize, 
To  finifh  up  thy  fong  theyde  bankerupt  all  their  eyes. 


Co?n?nendatory  Verfes.  19 

II. 

The  pretty  birds  were  mute 

To  heare  thee  finge, 
And  fee  the  fhepheard  youth 
All  wantonninge ; 
When  having  ceaft  thy  noates  all  fitty. 
They  all  refervd  there  mournful  dittye  : 
Philomel  fearinge  tis  her  fate  denyes, 
Thy  fweeter  accents  falls  into  thy  breaft  and  dyes. 

12. 

The  winds  that  erft  were  whiil 

Beginne  to  roare, 
Each  tree  y'  fonges  beinge  mift, 
Skreeks  as  before  : 
Each  fproutinge  pauncie  in  the  meade 
For  greife  begins  to  hang  a  head, 

The  weepinge  brooke  in  grumblinge  tones  glide[s]  doune, 
Dimples  its  once  fleeke  cheeks,  and  thanks  you  with   a 
frowne. 

Come,  come  lets  heare  your  {kill, 

Here  fay  you  can't, 
W  are  you  angrie  ftill. 
By  Pan  you  fha'nt. 
Nere  let  your  modeftie  deprive 
Y'  of  what  will  keepe  your  name  alive, 
Whilft  ore  the  curld-haird-Tavies  flowery  fide 
There  does  on[e]  fhepheard  lodge  or  feely  fheepe  abide. 

14. 

Oh  let  not  nice  conceit, 

You  are  too  younge. 
That  there  are  lads  more  feete 

Ith  fliepheards  thronge, 


2  0  Com?nendatory  Verfes. 

Who  better  able  are  to  diftill 
There  foule  hi  fonnets  at  their  will. 
If  ftill  to  me  you  be  obdurate  then. 
Let  fheepe,  birds,  trees,  winds,  flowers,  brooks,  teach 
thee  melt  again. 

Sam.  Hardinge,  E.  Coll.  Exon. 


'To  the  now  unparelleled  Sydney  of  his  time^  W.  B.,  the 
ingenuous  Author  of  Brittannia's  Paftorals. 

PLAY  on  thy  pipe  new  leflbns,  Willy  ftrike 
More  fuch  as  thefe  which  may  each  fhepheard  like. 
And  if  it  chaunce  Thetys  doe  once  againe 
Vifit  our  coafts,  bee  thou  the  eledted  fwayne. 
To  greet  her  with  thy  layes,  let  her  admire 
The  varying  accents  of  thy  matchlefle  lyre, 
And  fo  affe6l  thee  for  thy  poems  fake. 
Adopt  thee  hers,  and  thee  her  ufher  make, 
But  leave  us  not,  blithe  fwayne,  let  Tavys  ftreame 
Leave  of  to  murmurre  liftning  to  thy  theame. 
Left  thy  fweet  layes  fo  great  effect  obtayne. 
As  here  on  land,  fo  there  upon  the  mayne, 
As  lafles  here  admired  thy  matchlefle  verfe, 
So  there  the  fea-nimphs  ftill  thy  praife  rehearfe, 
Twixt  both  a  great  contention  it  will  breed. 
Who  hath  moft  intereft  in  thyne  oaten  reed. 
Which  harder  will  appeafed  bee  than  theires 
Who  ftrove  to  bee  efteemed  the  blind  bards  heires  : 
Thofe  claime  thee  theires  in  that  thou  doft  forfake 
Thy  native  cotes,  and  there  thy  manfion  make  : 
The  lambkins  heere  did  frifl<;e  to  heare  thee  play, 
Lefle  nourillied  by  theire  grafl^e  than  with  thy  lay  ; 
So  would  the  dolphins  then  attend  thy  fong, 
And  none  left  Triton  whom  to  ride  upon, 


Commendatory  Verfes,  21 

Which  might  incenfe  him  feeing  one  the  frye, 
And  vafter  fholes  prefTing  to  come  moft  nye, 
To  heare  thy  melody,  and  to  refufe 
His  trumpets  founds,  to  which  they  (till  did  ufe 
Before  to  thronge,  to  pry  thee  do  not  come, 
But  fweetly  pipen  at  thy  native  home, 
Continue  ftill  with  us,  and  let  our  vales 
Reverberate  in  eccho  thy  fweet  tales. 

Chr.  Gewen,  e  Coll.  Exon. 


yf«  Ode  entreating  him  to  proceed  in  the  continuation  of  his 

Brittannias  Paflorals. 

WILLY  fee  but  how  the  fwaines 
Mourne  thy  filence  on  the  plaines. 
And  do  fadly  pace  along, 
Caufe  they  cannot  heare  thy  fong ; 
Roget  grieves  :  thefe  notes  would  heare, 
Faine  which  ravifhd  earft  his  eare, 
And  to  hear  thy  fong  alvvay 
In  his  prifon  would  he  ftay. 
With  moft  willingnefs  then  bee 
Deprived  thereof,  though  fet  free. 
He  and  Cuddy,  that  blith  fwayne, 
Whofe  flockes  feed  on  yonder  playne, 
Would  bee  glad  their  {kill  to  trye 
At  your  opportunitye, 
And  though  fent  to  bee  one  tome. 
They  would  undergoe  thy  doome. 
And  bee  glad  to  yeeld  to  thee. 
To  whom  is  due  all  vicflorye, 
Tis  their  wifti  each  place  could  tell, 
Thy  conquefts  like  Saint  Dunftanes  well. 
And  that  thy  pipe  would  found  fo  well, 
As't  whilome  did  in  thicke  fame  dell ; 


22  Commendatory  Verfes, 

Dorydon  mourns  'caufe  his  fweet 

Guided  is  not  by  thy  feet, 

To  her  haven  of  vvifht  joy, 

But  is  left  to  all  annoy 

By  thy  crueltye,  he  feares 

Leaft  by  this  fhee's  drownd  in  teares  : 

Old  fwaines  would  dye,  could  they  have 

Thee  but  write  upon  theire  grave 

Sith  affoored  thou  wilt  not  all 

Once  to  heare  thy  paftorall. 

Each  fhepheardefTe  doth  lament, 

Caufe  thou  art  theire  difcontent, 

And  had  it  been  another  lad 

Which  theire  wakes  thus  hindred  had, 

Theyd  reveng  it,  and  with  fpeed 

Difcard  his  filent  oaten  reed. 

But  thy  former  layes  have  got 

Thee  praifes  neer  to  bee  forgot. 

Therefore  they  forbeare  to  fpoyle 

Thy  pipe  which  hath  given  the  foyle 

To  oppofers  :  nor  would  bee 

Cruell  to  thy  pipe  or  thee. 

All  the  fwaines  are  yonder  fate 

On  the  hillocke,  and  are  mete, 

To  celebrate  Pans  feftivall 

With  fome  pleafing  madrigal!, 

But  theyre  dumb,  and  fo  will  bee, 

Leffe  that  thou  augment  their  glee, 

For  their  cuftome  's  at  this  feaft, 

Here  mongft  fhepheards  that  the  beft 

Muft  begin,  and  then  each  one 

Follows  till  they  all  have  done. 

Why  doft  then  thy  mufique  linger. 

And  fupprefle  theires  ?  they  would  finger 

Willingly  their  pipes,  they  ftay 

But  till  thou  thy  lefTon  play. 


Commendatory  Verjes.  23 

Hye  thee,  Willye,  hye  apace, 

With  all  fpeed  to  the  place 

Where  the  fhepheards  are  fet  round, 

Wayting  there  till  thy  pipe  found, 

At  thy  tuning,  when  thy  lay 

Thou  haft  ended,  they  will  play, 

For  which  art  brave  Thetys  fhall 

Crowne  with  praife  thy  madrigall. 

And  Pan  himfelfe  fhall  always  bee 

A  patron  to  thy  mufe  and  thee, 
When  that  he  knowes  in  this  her  matchlefte  lay. 
Thy  mufe  keepes  his,  not  her  own  holyday. 

B.  N. 

'To  the  AuTHOuR,  W.  B. 

R  iVERS  be  filent,  peace  you  mufes  nine, 

O  rpheus  be  dumbe,  for  now  no  praife  is  thine ; 

B  end  all  your  eares  unto  Britannia's  peere, 

E  ver  be  praifing,  nere  to  praife  him  feare ; 

R  ight  as  the  painters  garnifti  with  theire  fable 

T  heir  brighter  colours  in  a  curious  table. 

T  ime  fo  will  place  thee  in  the  fhield  of  fame, 

A  s  chiefe  of  men  t'  immortalize  thy  name  ; 

Y  et  why  fhould  I  with  rude  rimes  feeke  to  raife  thee, 

L  et  every  fonnet  in  thy  paftorals  praife  thee ; 

O  dafht  Apollo,  hide  thy  face  for  ftiame, 

R  ender  to  fhepheards  henceforth  all  the  fame. 

E.  Coll.  Exon. 

On  the  Author,  W.  B. 

SHALL  I  implore  the  mufes  nine, 
To  grace  with  fweetes  my  ruder  line, 
When  all  the  art  the  mufes  cann     . 
Are  fweetely  fung  within  this  fpann  ? 


24  Co7nme7tdatory  Verfes, 

Or  fhal  I  invocate  great  Pann 

To  tune  the  fong  thy  pipe  beft  cann  ? 

Pann  fwore  to  me  the  other  day 

He  broke  his  pipe,  and  ran  to  heare  thy  lay. 

Apollo  lend  thy  facred  quill, 

That  I  may  chant  a  note  more  fhrill. 

Alas  !   ApoUos  drownd  in  teares, 

To  fee  a  god  oer  rule  his  fpheares ; 

Lets  fee  what  golden  Spenfer  cann, 

Hees  dead,  and  thou  the  living  mann  : 

The  godde  1  fee  can  weare  no  bayes 

But  what  is  pluckt  from  thy  bright  layes  ; 

If  Pann  a  fong  more  fmoother  fings, 

Tis  caufe  twas  dipt  in  Tavies  fprings. 

Ro.  Tayler,  Exon.  Coll. 


'To  the  unparalleled  Author  of  the  Jequent  Poems ^  W.  B. 

HAILE  Albions  fwaine,  whofe  worthy   brow   thofe 
bayes 
G'en  to  the  vidor  in  Pans  paftoral  playes, 
Ere  fince  thy  pipes  firft  birth  have  bound,  whofe  toungue 
Our  loves  on  once  lovd  Syrinx  freely  founge. 
When  mountains  heads  and  ftorm  wrongd  fhrubs  did  caft 
Theyre  long  fhades  weftward,  and  when  fhepheards  haft. 
To  'nbed  their  pended  flocks,  how  ofte  amonge 
The  various  fonnets  of  a  neighbouring  thronge 
Haft  thou  enchanted  with  a  ftrong  defire. 
To  learne  thy  accents  great  Sylvanus  quire. 
Who  like  younge  infants  willing  to  obtaine 
Their  nurfes  dialed  and  perfed  ftraine, 
Labored  a  repetition ;  heare  the  thrufti 
Stroove  with  his  whiftell  ;   in  next  bordring  bufti. 
Shrouded  about,  was  the  fmall  redbreaft  fet, 
With  liftning  eares,  and  unwiling  to  left 


Commendatory  Verfes,  25 

Nought  pafTe  turned  eccho  to  thy  tunes,  above 

The  foring  larke  did  meditating  move 

Her  gutHng  tounge,  but  each  in  vaine,  at  lait 

Though  out  of  tune,  proud  Philomels  diftaft, 

To  heare  a  rivall  did  difpofe  the  choice 

Of  natrall  notes  into  an  artlike  voice, 

Thy  heavenly  harmonie  founding  below 

Among  the  vales,  the  river  gods  did  draw 

Above  theyre  ftreames  fhaking  their  filver  haire. 

Then  lifted  up  the  anthumes  feemed  more  rare, 

Rap'd  with  fuch  muficke  theire  cold  monarchic 

Abandoned  ftraight,  they  mounted  up  on  hie, 

There  ftood  attentive  all,  as  if  uppon 

ParnafTus  topp,  Apollos  ftation, 

Hee  harping  lay,  and  with  fmooth  Mercuric 

Had  fhared  the  fpheares  by  better  melodie ; 

Thus  long  in  admiration  of  both  layes. 

They  gave  the  fentence,  thou  obtaineft  the  praife. 

And  with  infinuation  did  entreat 

That  Tavies  banckes  myght  be  thy  frequent  feat : 

They  had  theire  will,  thou  yealdft  a  loth  confent. 

Thy  windes  muft  calme  theire  fwelling  element. 

And  heare  the  water  nymphes  eer  fince  that  time. 

Wee  hindes  remembering  thy  mellifluous  rime, 

Covett  to  drive  our  cheretie  flockes  alonge 

That  cryftall  lake  to  heare  thy  wonted  fonge. 

That  fong  which  metamorphofed  raping  bares. 

And  trained  the  crafty  fox  into  her  fnares, 

The  happier  fates  had  favoured  faire  Marine, 

Had  thy  lipps  wood  for  her  her  Celadine, 

If  Rennard  could  perfuade  as  thou  canft  move. 

Had  changd  to  hate  that  beauties  difdaind  love, 

Nor  had  the  labor  of  a  deity 

Needed  to  quicken  her  mortality. 

Thy  charming  voice  had  don't,  for  thy  fongs  fake 

Caron  had  wherried  from  the  Stygian  lake 


26  Commendatory  Verfes. 

Againe  her  ghoft,  nor  hath  thy  peerlefle  verfe 

Don  lefTe,  thou  muft  immortalize  thy  herfe, 

Thouft  quite  forfook  Pans  fports,  the  more  the  griefe, 

His  joy  the  more,  thou  abfent,  he's  the  chiefe ; 

Weeve  loft  thy  fellowftiip,  not  loft  thy  fame, 

We'll  teach  our  children  to  adore  thy  name. 

When  as  our  Cornifti  or  Devonian  fwaines 

Still  fport  among  their  lamkins  on  the  plaines, 

Or  celebrate  their  feftivalls,  wee'U  raife 

Our  old  reed  once  to  Pans,  twice  to  thy  praife  ; 

And  when  great  Jove  thy  foul  angelicall 

Shall  fummon  us  to  finge  thy  madrigall. 

Our  ....  *  ftiall  want  their  tallow,  but  we'll  burn 

Continual  candels  on  thy  lafting  urne. 

NicH.  Downey,  Coll.  Exon. 


Idem  ad  Eundem.   . 

AN    ODE. 

IHEARDE  the  mountaine  gods  complaine. 
Sweet  Willy  thou  neglefls  thy  ftraine. 
And  that  thou  wouldft  not  blefle  againe 

Thy  fellow  fwaine. 

The  fifters  did  bewaile. 

That  hee  whofe  notes  did  oft  afl'aile 

Apollos  fkill,  yea  did  prevaile. 

Their  art  difdaines. 

What  if  fome  forward  ftub-chind  boy 
Takes  upp  a  reed,  and  dos  employ 
His  artlefle  lipps,  can  this  annoy 

Thy  fweeter  fong  ? 

'*  Left  blank  by  Belve,  who  could  not  read  the  MS.  here. 


Comjnendatory  Verfes,  27 

Could  thy  exaftnefle  brooke  a  folle, 
Without  difparagement ;  their  foiie 
Commends  thy  tounge  more  fmoothe  than  oile, 

Our  fports  amonge. 

Great  Pan  eer  fince  thou  wentft  away, 
Has  mill  the  glories  of  his  day, 
No  fhepheard  dares  begin  a  lay 

To  honor  him. 

Behold  how  all  our  joyes  do  turne 
To  fadnefTe,  fee  hot  fighs  which  burne 
Our  brefts,  look  how  our  fwolne  eyes  mourne 

And  weepe  till  drie. 

Our  crooks  are  trailed  along  the  ground, 
Our  pipes  grow  dumb,  or  fadly  found. 
No  flowrie  chaplets  eer  hath  crownd. 

Since  thine  a  browe. 


Each  iTiepheardefle  as  in  defpaire, 
Mean  more  to  be  proclaimed  faire, 
T'  fitt  time  to  trim  her  fluent  haire 

Doth  fcarce  allow. 

Our  lambs  doe  leave  to  fkipp  about. 
And  ape  their  dames  fad  pace  throughout, 
The  hills  with  woes,  as  if  they  doubt 

Securitie. 

Now  thou  art  abfent,  whofe  fmooth  reed 
Did  in  the  woulfs  and  tigers  breed 
A  nature  tame,  and  thus  them  freed 

From  crueltie. 


2  8  Commendatory  Verfes, 

Each  mufe,  godd,  fheep,  and  fhepheards  all, 
Joyn  in  the  art  thy  madrigall, 
For  Pans  fake  at  thy  feftivall 

Renew  thy  ftraines. 

Why  fhould  that  fpright  which  fored  fo  hie 
Above  the  ken  of  emulous  eye, 
Eer  Doridon  be  finifhd  die, 

And  fhun  our  playnes. 

N.  D.  Ex.  Coll. 


On  the  Author  of  Brittanias  Matchlejfe  (^though  unfnipt) 

Pajiorals. 


I. 


LOOKE  how  the  dying  fwan  on  Tagus  fhore. 
Singing  a  lullaby  to  her  laft  fleepe, 
Tyes  to  her  golden  tongue  the  leaping  ore, 

And  bindes  th'  afhamed  water  nymphs  to  keepe 
Eternall  filence,  whilft  the  dumbe  waves  ftay. 
And  dare  not  with  their  murmuring  pebles  play. 
Or  through  the  whiftling  rufhes  take  their  wonted  way. 


Looke  how  the  gentle  breath  of  foutherne  gales. 

Buzzing  their  tunes  amongft  the  querulous  reedes. 
Or  whifpering  muficke  to  the  founding  vales. 
In  all  the  aery  nation  envy  breedes. 

And  into  fleepe  the  lazy  groomes  doth  rocke, 
Or  calls  th'  amazed  fheapheard  from  his  flocke. 
And  prompts  the  ftrayning  eccho  of  the  neighbouring 
rocke. 


Co2nmendatory  Verfes.  29 

3- 

So  fate  our  noble  Willy,  happy  fwayne. 

With  peerelefle  fongs  incroaching  forrow  drowning, 
And  Tavyes  curled  locks  (who  danc't  amaine 
Unto  his  pipe)  with  bayes  immortall  crowning, 
The  whilft  the  woods  their  leafy  heads  inclined, 
In  liftening  wife,  and  mixt  their  envious  winde 
With  thofe  more  heavenly  aires  which  in  his  voyce  they 
finde. 

4 
Once  when  the  jolly  lad  began  a  lay, 

Of  his  Marina's  fate,  the  wondring  route 
Of  neighbouring  fvvaynes,  leaving  their  wonted  play, 
Ran  to  incircle  their  new  Pan  about. 

Where  growne  forgetful  of  theire  former  care, 
Although  they  fed  on  nought  but  his  fvveet  ayre, 
Vowd  that  the  quinteflence  of  nedlar  was  their  fare. 

5- 
And  as  their  captive  foules  were  chained  unto 

The  charming  pipe ;   when  they  it  leaft  fufpeded. 
The  fmiles  and  winkes  which  forth  did  fteale,  would  fhow 
How  much  that  loved  found  they  all  refpeded. 
And  all  amafed  in  a  deep  extafy 
Would  fweare  he  was  fome  chorifter  of  the  fky. 
Or  (though  their  eyes  fayd  no)  Phoebus  owne  deity. 

6. 
Each  peerelefTe  nymph  that  baths  her  dewy  curls 

In  too  too  happy  Tavyes  chryftall  waves, 
Into  the  finging  ecchoing  champion  hurles, 

And  there  our  Willyes  head  with  flowers  embraves, 
Robs  her  own  bankes,  and  decks  a  coronet 
With  blufhing  rofes  and  the  violet, 
Which  on  the  head  of  her  admired  fwayne  is  fet. 


30  Commendatory  Verfes, 

7- 

The  merry  emulous  fongfters  of  the  wood 

In  filence  Hftened  to  his  better  fong, 
And  the  foft  murmurs  of  the  bubbling  flood 
(Which  feemed  to  laugh  as  he  did  ride  along) 
Prefumed  to  beare  the  burthen  of  his  lay, 
The  whilft  the  jocund  fatyres  all  would  fay 
They  were  not  half  fo  blefi:  even  on  Pan's  holyday. 

8. 

But  midft  thefe  thankful  fliouts  and  flgnes  of  joy, 

Whilft  all  expeft  to  fee  a  happy  clofe, 
Upon  the  fudden  ftarts  the  peevifti  boy. 
And  runs  away  in  hafte  as  from  his  foes : 

Nor  can  our  fpeaking  fighs,  and  begging  teares. 
Nor  all  our  prayers  and  plaints  he  daily  heares, 
Or  melt  his  ftubborn  heart,  or  banifh  his  vain  feares. 

9- 

So,  when  as  Philomel  her  haplefl^e  fate 

Unto  the  tell-tale  eccho  doth  bemoane. 
The  whilft  fome  envious  bough  prefents  in  hate 
A  dagger  to  her  breaft,  and  there  is  none 

That  praifes  not  her  muficks  heavenly  grace. 
The  baftiful  bird  with  leaves  doth  vaile  her  face, 
Or  to  her  ftirowd  and  tombe  fome  thicket,  flyes  apace. 

lO. 

And  now  he  hauntes  the  woodes  and  filent  groves, 

(Poore  lad)  and  teaches  filence  to  the  windes, 
H'  as  now  forgot  our  fports  and  harmlefte  loves, 
Ah  can  fuch  deeds  agree  with  heavenly  mindes ; 
Great  flakes  of  mofs,  bred  in  fome  fllent  cave. 
Stop  his  pipes  mouth,  and  now  his  fpirit  leave. 
Now  a  dead  foule  entombed  within  a  living  grave. 


Commendatory  Verfes,  31 

1 1. 

But  Willy  boy,  let  not  eternall  fleepe 

Captive  thy  fprightly  mufe ;  fo  fhall  we  all 
Rejoice  at  her  new  life,  and  henceforth  keepe 
Unto  thy  name  a  yearly  feftivall ; 

May  fhee  but  impe  her  wings  with  thy  bleft  pen, 
And  take  her  wonted  flight,  heaven  fays  Amen, 
The  muficke  of  the  fpheares  fliall  nere  be  heard  agen. 

12. 

So  may  a  fun  fhine  day  fmile  on  our  fports. 

So  may  the  pretty  lambs  live  free  from  harme, 
So  may  the  tender  lafle  that  here  reforts, 

Nere  feele  the  clownifh  winds  cold  boifterous  arm. 
As  we  do  love  thee  Willy,  as  we  all 
Do  wiftly  for  thy  peerelefs  mufick  call, 
And  as  we  plat  for  thee  a  matchlefle  coronall. 

Perigot.] 


BRITANNIA'S 

Pastorals. 


The    First    Song. 


The    Argvment. 


Marina's  Loue  ycleep'd  the  f aire, 
Celand's  difdaine,  afid  her  defpaire. 
Are  the  fir  ft  zvifigs  tny  Mufe  puts  on 
To  reach  the  facred  Helicon. 


'^^^Tf^\^^^Ct^f\l^ 


That  whileare  neere  Tauies^  ftragling  fpring,  *  ^^^-^  j^  ^ 
Vnto  my  feely  Sheepe  did  vfe  to  fing,  nuer,hauing 

And   plaid   to  pleafe  my  felfe,  on    rufticke  ^ertmorelti 

Rccd  Deuon,  fome 

Nor    fought    for    Bay,   (the   learned  Shep-  tvom  Mc,rie 

heards  meed,)  nrV"h 

But  as  a  Swalne  vnkent  fed  on  the  plaines,  ward  into 

And  made  the  Eccho  vmpire  of  mv  ftraines  :  ramar:  out 

i^  J  ot  the  lame 

Moore  rifeth,  running  Nortliward,  another  called  Tau  :  which  by  the  way  the  rather  I  fpeake  of, 
becaufe  in  the  printed  Miilmejburie  de  gcfl.  Pont'ijic.  lib.  2,  fol.  146.  you  reade,  EJi  in  Domnonia 
canobium  Monachorum  iuxta  Tau  jluuium,  quod  "Tauijlock  •vacatur  :  whereas  vpon  Tau  ftands  (neere 
the  North-fide  of  the  Shire)  Taujloke,  being  no  remnants  of  a  Monafterie  :  io  thrt  you  mull  there 
reade,  Juxta  Taul  Fluuium,  as  in  a  maiiufcript  Copie  of  Malmefhury  (the  toi  me  of  the  hand  afl'uring 
Malmejburies  time)  belonging  to  the  Abbey  of  5.  Augujline  in  Canterburk  I  haue  feene,  in  the  hands 
of  my  very  learned  Friend  Mr.  Sdden. 


34  Britamtia  s  Pajlorals.       Booke  i 

Am  drawne  by  time  (although  the  weak'ft  of  many) 
To  fing  thofe  Laies  as  yet  vnfung  of  any. 
"What  need  I  tune  the  Swanies  of  T'hejfaly  ? 
Or,  bootlefle,  adde  to  them  of  Arcadie  ? 
V    No  :   f:iire  Arcadia  cannot  be  compleater, 

My  praife  may  leffen,  but  not  make  thee  greater. 
My  Muje  for  lofty  pitches  (hall  not  rome, 
But  homely  pipen  of  her  natiue  home  : 
And  to  the  Swaines,  Loue  rurall  Minftralfie, 
Thus  deare  Britannia  will  I  fing  of  thee.       ] 
High  on  the  plaines  of  that  renowned  He, 
Which  all  men  Beauties  Garden-plot  enftile ; 
A  Shepherd  dwelt,  whom  Fortune  had  made  rich 
With  all  the  gifts  that  filly  men  bewitch. 
Neere  him  a  Shepherdefie  for  beauties  ftore 
Vnparalell'd  of  any  Age  before. 
Within  thofe  Brefl:s  her  face  a  flame  did  moue, 
Which  neuer  knew  before  what  twas  to  loue, 
Dazeling  each  Shepherds  fight  that  viewd  her  eies. 
And  as  the  Perfians  did  Idolatrife 
Vnto  the  Sunne  :  they  thought  that  Cinthias  light 
Might  well  be  fpar'd,  where  fiie  appear'd  in  night. 
And  as  when  many  to  the  goale  doe  runne, 
The  prize  is  giuen  neuer  but  to  one ; 
So  firfl:,  and  onely  Celandine  was  led. 
Of  Deftinies  and  Heauen  much  fauoured, 
To  gaine  this  Beauty,  which  I  here  doe  offer 
To  memory  :  his  paines  (who  would  not  proffer 
Paines  for  fuch  pleafures.^)  were  not  great  nor  much, 
But  that  his  labours  recom pence  was  fuch 
As  counteruailed  all  :   for  /he  whofe  pafiion, 
(And  pafiion  oft  is  loue)  whofe  inclination 
Bent  all  her  courfe  to  him-wards,  let  him  know 
He  was  the  Elme  whereby  her  Vine  did  grow  : 
Yea,  told  him,  when  his  tongue  began  this  taflce. 
She  knew  not  to  deny  when  he  would  afl<.e. 


Song  i.         Britannia's  Pajiorals.  35 

Finding  his  fuit  as  quickly  got  as  mou'd, 

Celandine^  in  his  thoughts  not  well  approu'd 

What  none  could  difallow,  his  loue  grew  fained, 

And  what  he  once  affeded  now  difdained. 

But  faire  Marina  (for  fo  was  fhe  call'd) 

Hauinor  }n  Celandine  her  loue  inftall'd, 

Affecfled  fo  this  faithleffe  Shepherds  Boy, 

That  fhe  was  rapt  beyond  degree  of  ioy. 

Briefly,  fhee  could  not  Hue  one  houre  without  him, 

And  thought  no  ioy  like  theirs  that  llu'd  about  him. 

This  variable  Shepherd  for  a  while 
Did  Natures  lewell  by  his  craft  beguile  : 
And  ftill  the  perfedler  her  loue  did  grow. 
His  did  appeare  more  counterfeit  in  fhow. 
Which  fhe  perceiuing  that  his  flame  did  flake, 
And  lou'd  her  onely  for  his  'Tro'phies  fake  : 
"  For  hee  that's  fluffed  with  a  faithiefle  rumour, 
"  Loues  only  for  his  luft  and  for  his  humour  : 
And  that  he  often  in  his  merry  fit 
Would  fay,  his  good  came,  ere  he  hop'd  for  it : 
His  thoughts  for  other  fubieds  being  preft, 
Efl:eeming  that  as  nought  which  he  poflefl:  : 
"  For  what  is  gotten  but  with  little  paine, 
**  As  little  griefe  we  take  to  lofe  againe  : 
Well-minded  Marine  grieuing,  thought  it  ffrange 
That  her  ingratefull  Swaine  did  feeke  for  change. 
Still  by  degrees  her  cares  grew  to  the  full, 
loyes  to  the  wane,  heart-rending  griefe  did  pull 
Her  from  her  felfe,  and  fhe  abandoned  all 
To  cries  and  teares,  fruits  of  a  funerall  : 
Running,  the  mountaines,  fields,  by  watry  fprings. 
Filling  each  caue  with  wofull  ecchoings  ; 
Making  in  thoufand  places  her  complaint. 
And  vttering  to  the  trees  what  her  teares  meant. 
"  For  griefes  conceal'd  (proceeding  from  defire) 
"  Confume  the  more,  as  doth  a  clofe  pent  fire. 


36  Britaiinids  Pajlorals.        Booke  i 

Whilft  that  the  daies  fole  Eye  doth  guild  the  Seas, 

In  his  daies  iourney  to  th'  Antipodes  : 

And  all  the  time  the  letty-Chariotere 

Hurles  her  blacke  mantle  through  our  Hemifp/we, 

Vnder  the  couert  of  a  fprouting  Pine 

She  fits  and  grieues  for  faithlefle  Celandine. 

Beginning  thus  :   Alas  !  and  muft  it  be 

That  Loue  which  thus  torments  and  troubles  me 

In  fetling  it,  fo  fmall  aduice  hath  lent 

To  make  me  captiue,  where  enfranchifement 

Cannot  be  gotten  ?  nor  where,  like  a  flaue, 

The  office  due  to  faithful  1  Prifoners,  haue  ? 

Oh  cruell  Celandine,  why  fhouldft  thou  hate 

Her,  who  to  loue  thee,  was  ordain'd  by  Fate  ! 

Should  I  not  follow  thee,  and  facrifice 

My  wretched  life  to  thy  betraying  eies  ? 

Aye  me  !   of  all  my  moft  vnhappy  lot ; 

What  others  would,  thou  maift,  and  yet  wilt  not. 

Haue  I  reiefted  thofe  that  me  ador'd, 

To  be  of  him,  whom  I  adore,  abhor'd  ? 

And  pafs'd  by  others  teares,  to  make  election 

Of  one,  that  fhould  fo  paiTe-by  my  affection  ? 

I  haue  :   and  fee  the  heau'nly  powers  intend, 

"  To  punifh  finners  in  what  they  offend. 

May  be  he  takes  delight  to  fee  in  me 

The  burning  rage  of  hellifli  lealoufie  ; 

Tries  if  in  fury  any  loue  appeares ; 

And  bathes  his  ioy  within  my  floud  of  teares. 

But  if  he  lou'd  to  foile  my  fpotleffe  foule. 

And  me  amongft  deceiued  Maids  enroule. 

To  publifh  to  the  world  my  open  fhame  : 

Then,  heart,  take  freedome ;  hence,  accurfed  flame  ; 

And,  as  Queene  regent,  in  my  heart  fhall  moue 

"  Dijdaine,  that  only  ouer-ruleth  Loue  : 

By  this  infranchiz'd  fure  my  thoughts  fhall  be, 

And  in  the  fame  fort  loue,  as  thou  lou'fl  me. 


Song  i.         Britan7tids  Pafiorals,  37 

But  what  ?  or  can  I  cancell  or  vnbinde 

That  which  my  heart  hath  feal'd  &  loue  hath  fign'd  ? 

No,  no,  griefe  doth  deceiue  me  more  each  houre  ; 

"  For,  who  fo  truly  loues,  hath  not  that  power, 

I  wrong  to  fay  fo,  fince  of  all  'tis  knowne, 

"  Who  yeelds  to  loue  doth  leaue  to  be  her  owne. 

But  what  auailes  my  liuing  thus  apart  ? 

Can  I  forget  him  ?  or  out  of  my  heart 

Can  teares  expulfe  his  Image  ?  furely  no. 

"  We  well  may  flie  the  place,  but  not  the  woe : 

"  Loues  fire  is  of  a  nature  which  by  turnes 

"  Confumes  in  prefence,  and  in  abfence  burnes. 

And  knowing  this  :   aye  me !  vnhappy  wight ! 

What  meanes  is  left  to  helpe  me  in  this  plight  ? 

And  from  that  peeuifh  fhooting,  hood-winckt  elfe. 

To  repoflefle  my  Loue,  my  heart,  my  felfe  ? 

Onely  this  helpe  I  fmde,  which  1  eled  : 

Since  what  my  life  nor  can  nor  will  effeft, 

My  ruine  fhall  :   and  by  it,  I  fhall  finde, 

"  Death  cures  (when  all  helps  faile)  the  grieued  mind. 

And  welcome  here,  (then  Loue,  a  better  gueft) 

That  of  all  labours  are  the  onely  reft  : 

Whilft  thus  I  Hue,  all  things  difcomfort  giue, 

The  life  is  fure  a  death  wherein  I  Hue  : 

Saue  life  and  death  doe  differ  in  this  one, 

That  life  hath  euer  cares,  and  death  hath  none. 

But  if  that  he  (difdainfull  Swaine)  fhould  know 

That  for  his  loue  I  wrought  my  ouerthrow  ; 

Will  he  not  glory  in't  ?  and  from  my  death 

Draw  more  delights,  &  giue  new  ioyes  their  breath  ? 

Admit  he  doe,  yet  better  'tis  that  I 

Render  my  felfe  to  Death  then  Misery. 

I  cannot  Hue,  thus  barred  from  his  fight. 

Nor  yet  endure,  in  prefence,  any  wight 

Should  loue  him  but  my  felfe.     O  reafons  eye, 

How  art  thou  blinded  with  vilde  lealoufie  ! 


d' 


Britannia's  Pajlorals.       Booke  i. 


And  is  it  thus?  Then  which  fhall  haue  my  blood. 

Or  certaine  ruine,  or  vncertaine  good  ? 

Why  do  I  doubt  ?      Are  we  not  ilill  aduiz'd 

*'  That  certaintie  in  all  things  beft  is  priz'd  ? 

Then,  if  a  certaine  end  can  helpe  my  mone, 

'*  Know  Death  hath  certaintie,  but  Life  hath  none. 

Here  is  a  Mount,  whofe  top  feemes  to  defpife 
The  farre  inferiour  Vale  that  vnder  lies  : 
Who  like  a  great  man  raifd  aloft  by  Fate, 
Meafures  his  height  by  others  meane  eftate  : 
Neere  to  whofe  foot  there  glides  a  filuer-flood, 
Falling  from  hence,  He  climb  vnto  my  good  : 
And  by  it  finifh  Loue  and  Reafons  ftrife. 
And  end  my  mifery  as  well  as  life. 
But  as  a  Cowards  hartener  in  warre, 
The  ftirring  Drum,  keepes  lefl'er  noyfe  from  farre  : 
So  feeme  the  murmuring  waues,  tell  in  mine  care, 
That  guiltlefle  bloud  was  neuer  fpilled  there. 
Then  ftay  a  while  ;   the  Beafts  that  haunt  thofe  fprings, 
Of  whom  I  heare  the  fearefull  bellowings. 
May  doe  that  deed,  (as  moued  by  my  cry) 
Whereby  my  foule,  as  fpotlefle  luory, 
May  turn  from  whence  it  came,  and,  freed  from  hence. 
Be  vnpolluted  of  that  foule  offence. 
But  why  protrac!:!:  I  time  ?   Death  is  no  ftranger  : 
"  And  generous  fpirits  neuer  feare  for  danger  : 
"  Death  is  a  thing  moft  natural!  to  vs, 
"  And  Feare  doth  onely  make  it  odious. 
As  when  to  feeke  her  food  abroad  doth  roue 
The  Nuncius  of  peace,  the  feely  Doue, 
Two  fliarpe-fet  hawkes  doe  her  on  each  fide  hem, 
And  fhe  knowes  not  which  way  to  flie  from  them  : 
Or  like  a  fhip  that  toffed  to  and  fro 
With  wind  and  tide  ;   the  wind  doth  fternly  blow, 
And  driues  her  to  the  Maine,  the  tide  comes  fore 
And  hurles  her  backe  again  towards  the  fhore. 


Song  i.         Brita7tnid s  Pajlorals.  39 

And  fince  her  balaft,  and  her  failes  doe  lacke, 
One  brings  her  out,  the  other  beats  her  backe  : 
Till  one  of  them  increafing  more  his  fhockeSj 
Hurles  her  to  fhore,  and  rends  her  on  the  Rockes  : 
So  flood  fhe  long,  twixt  Loue  and  Reafon  toft, 
Vntill  Defpaire  (who  where  it  comes  rules  moft) 
Wonne  her  to  throw  her  felfe,  to  meet  with  Death, 
From  off  the  Rocke  into  the  floud  beneath. 
The  waues  that  were  aboue  when  as  fhe  fell. 
For  feare  flew  backe  againe  into  their  Well  ; 
Doubting  enfuing  times  on  them  would  frowne. 
That  they  fo  rare  a  beauty  helpt  to  drowne. 
Her  fall,  in  griefe,  did  make  the  ftreame  fo  rore. 
That  fullen  murmurings  fiU'd  all  the  fhore. 

A  Shepheard  (neere  this  floud  that  fed  his  fheepe, 
Who  at  this  chance  left  grazing  and  did  weepe) 
Hauing  fo  fad  an  obie6l  for  his  eyes. 
Left  Pipe  and  Flocke,  and  in  the  water  flyes, 
To  faue  a  lewell,  which  was  neuer  fent 
To  be  pofleft  by  one  fole  Element : 
But  fuch  a  worke  Nature  difpofde  and  gaue. 
Where  all  the  Elements  concordance  haue. 
He  tooke  her  in  his  armes,  for  pittie  cride. 
And  brought  her  to  the  Riuers  further  fide  : 
Yea,  and  he  fought  by  all  his  Art  and  paine. 
To  bring  her  likewife  to  her  felfe  againe  : 
While  fhe  that  by  her  fall  was  fenfeleffe  left. 
And  almoft  in  the  waues  had  life  bereft, 
Lay  long,  as  if  her  fweet  immortall  fpirit 
Was  fled  fome  other  Palace  to  inherit. 

But  as  cleere  Phcebus^  when  fome  foggy  cloud 
His  brightneffe  from  the  world  a  while  doth  fhrowd. 
Doth  by  degrees  begin  to  fhew  his  light 
Vnto  the  view  :  Or,  as  the  Oueene  of  night, 
In  her  increafing  homes,  doth  rounder  grow, 
Till  full  and  perfe6l  fhe  appeare  in  fhow  : 


40  Britannia's  Pajlorals.       Booke  i. 

Such  order  in  this  Maid  the  Shepheard  fpies. 

When  fhe  began  to  (hew  the  world  her  eyes. 

Who  (thinking  now  that  fhe  had  paft  Deaths  dreame, 

Occafion'd  by  her  fall  into  the  ftreame, 

And  that  Hells  Ferriman  did  then  deliuer 

Her  to  the  other  fide  th'infernall  Riuer) 

Said  to  the  Swaine  :  O  Charon^  I  am  bound 

More  to  thy  kindnefie,  then  all  elfe,  that  round 

Come  thronging  to  thy  Boat :   thou  haft  paft  ouer 

The  wofulft  Maid  that  ere  thefe  fiiades  did  couer  : 

But  prithee  Ferriman  dire6t  my  Spright 

Where  that  blacke  Riuer  runs  that  Lethe  hight, 

That  I  of  it  (as  other  Ghofts)  may  drinke. 

And  neuer  of  the  world,  or  Loue,  more  thinke, 

The  Swaine  perceiuing  by  her  words  ill  forted, 

That  fhe  was  wholly  from  her  felfe  tranfported  : 

And  fearing  left  thofe  often  idle  fits 

Might  cleane  expell  her  vncolleded  wits  : 

Faire  Nymph,  (faid  he)  the  powers  aboue  deny 

So  faire  a  Beauty  fhould  fo  quickly  die. 

The  Heauens  vnto  the  World  haue  made  a  loane. 

And  muft  for  you  haue  intereft.  Three  for  One  : 

Call  backe  your  thoughts  ore-caft  with  dolours  night; 

Do  you  not  fee  the  day,  the  heauens,  the  light  ? 

Doe  you  not  know  in  Plutoes  darkfome  place 

The  light  of  heauen  did  neuer  fhew  his  face  ? 

Do  not  your  pulfes  beat,  y'are  warme,  haue  breath. 

Your  fenfe  is  rapt  with  feare,  but  not  with  death  ? 

I  am  not  Charon^  nor  of  Plutoes  hoft  ; 

Nor  is  there  flelTi  and  bloud  found  in  a  Ghoft  : 

But  as  you  fee,  a  feely  Shepheards  fwaine. 

Who  though  my  meere  reuenues  be  the  traine 

Of  milk-white  iheepe,  yet  am  I  ioyd  as  much, 

In  fauing  you,  (O,  who  would  not  faue  fuch  ?) 

As  euer  was  the  wandring  youth  of  Greece^ 

That  brought,  from  Colchos,  home,  the  golden  Fleece. 


Song  i.        Britan72ias  Pajlorals,  41 

The  neuer-too-much-praifed  faire  Marine^ 
Hearing  thofe  words,  beleeu'd  her  eares  and  eyne  : 
And  knew  how  fhe  efcaped  had  the  flood 
By  meanes  of  this  young  Swaine  that  neere  her  ftood. 
Whereat  for  griefe  fhe  gan  againe  to  faint, 
RedoubHng  thus  her  cryes  and  fad  complaint : 
Alas  !  and  is  that  likewife  barr'd  from  me, 
Which  for  all  perfons  elfe  lies  euer  free  ? 
Will  life,  nor  death,  nor  ought  abridge  my  paine  ? 
But  Hue  fl-ill  dying,  dye  to  Hue  againe? 
Then  moft  vnhappy  I  !  which  finde  moft  fure, 
The  wound  of  Loue  negleBed  is  paft  cure. 
Mofl:  cruell  God  of  Loue  (if  fuch  there  be), 
That  ftill  tomy  defires  art  contrarie  ! 
Why  fhould  I  not  in  reafon  this  obtaine, 
That  as  I  loue,  I  may  be  lou'd  againe  ? 
Alas  !  with  thee  too.  Nature  playes  her  parts, 
That  fram'd  fo  great  a  difcord  tweene  two  harts : 
One  flyes,  and  alwayes  doth  in  hate  perfeuer ; 
The  other  followes,  and  in  loue  grow^es  euer. 
Why  doft  thou  not  extinguifh  cleane  this  flame, 
And  plac't  on  him  that  beft  deferues  the  fame  ? 
Why  had  not  I  aff^eded  fome  kinde  youth, 
Whofe  euery  word  had  beene  the  word  of  Truth  ? 
Who  might  haue  had  to  loue,  and  lou'd  to  haue, 
So  true  a  Heart  as  I  to  Celand  gaue. 
For  Pfyches  loue  !  if  beautie  gaue  thee  birth. 
Or  if  thou  hafl:  attradiue  power  on  earth, 
Dame  Venus  fweeteft  Childe,  requite  this  loue. 
Or  Fate  yeeld  meanes  my  foule  may  hence  remoue  ! 
Once  feeing  in  a  fpring  her  drowned  eyes, 
O  cruell  beautie,  caufe  of  this,  (fhe  cryes,) 
Mother  of  Loue,  (my  ioyes  moft  fatal!  knife) 
That  workft  her  death,  by  whom  thy  felfe  haft  life ! 

The  youthfull  Swaine  that  heard  this  louing  Saint 
So  oftentimes  to  poure  forth  fuch  complaint, 

G 


42  Britannia  s  Pajiorals.      Booke 

Within  his  heart  fuch  true  affecftion  prais'd, 
And  did  perceiue  kinde  loue  and  pittie  rais'd 
His  minde  to  fighs  ;  yea,  beautie  forced  this, 
That  all  her  griefe  he  thought  was  likewife  his. 
And  hauing  brought  her  what  his  lodge  affords. 
Sometime  he  wept  with  her,  fometime  with  words 
Would  feeke  to  comfort ;  when  alas  poore  elfe 
He  needed  then  a  comforter  himfelfe. 
Daily  whole  troopes  of  griefe  vnto  him  came. 
For  her  who  languifh'd  of  another  flame. 
If  that  fhe  figh'd,  he  thought  him  lou'd  of  her, 
When  'twas  another  faile  her  wind  did  ftirre  : 
But  had  her  fighs  and  teares  beene  for  this  Boy, 
Her  forrow  had  beene  leffe,  and  more  her  ioy. 
Long  time  in  griefe  he  hid  his  loue-made  paines. 
And  did  attend  her  walkes  in  woods  and  plaines: 
Bearing  a  fuel  I,  which  her  Sun-like  eies 
Enflam'd,  and  made  his  heart  the  facrifice. 
Yet  he,  fad  Swaine,  to  fhew  it  did  not  dare  ; 
And  fhe,  left  he  fhould  loue,  nie  dy'd  for  feare. 
She,  euer-wailing,  blam'd  the  powers  aboue, 
That  night  nor  day  giue  any  reft  to  Loue. 
He  prais'd  the  Heauens  in  filence,  oft  was  mute. 
And  thought  v/ith  teares  and  fighs  to  winne  his  fute. 

Once  in  the  fhade,  when  fhe  by  fleepe  repos'd. 
And  her  cleere  eies  twixt  her  faire  lids  enclos'd ; 
The  Shepheard  Swaine  began  to  hate  and  curfe 
That  day  vnfortunate,  which  was  the  nurfe 
Of  all  his  forrowes.      He  had  giuen  breath 
And  life  to  her  which  was  his  caufe  of  death. 
O  yEfops  Snake,  that  thirfteft  for  his  bloud. 
From  whom  thy  felfe  receiu'dft  a  certaine  good. 
Thus  oftentimes  vnto  himfelfe  alone 
Would  he  recount  his  griefe,  vtter  his  mone ; 
And  after  much  debating,  did  refolue 
Rather  his  Grandame  earth  fhould  cleane  inuolue 


Song  I.        Brita?7nid s  Paflorals.  43 

His  pining  bodie,  ere  he  would  make  knowne 
To  her,  what  Tares  Loue  in  his  breaft  had  fowne. 
Yea,  he  would  fay  when  griefe  for  fpeech  hath  cride  ; 
''  Tis  better  neuer  afke  than  be  denide. 

But  as  the  Queene  of  Riuers,  faireft  'Thames^ 
That  for  her  buildings  other  flouds  enflames 
With  greateft  enuie:   Or  the  Nymph  o(  Kent^ 
That  ftatelieft  Ships  to  Sea  hath  euer  fent ; 
Some  bafer  groome,  for  lucres  helhfh  courfe, 
Her  channel  1  hauing  ftopt,  kept  backe  her  fourfe, 
(Fill'd  with  difdaine)  doth  fwell  aboue  her  mounds, 
And  ouerfloweth  all  the  neighb'ring  grounds, 
Angry  fhe  teares  vp  all  that  ftops  her  way, 
And  with  more  violence  runnes  to  the  Sea  : 
So  the  kinde  Shepheards  griefe  (which  long  vppent 
Grew  more  in  power,  and  longer  in  extent) 
Forth  of  his  heart  more  violently  thruft. 
And  all  his  vow'd  intentions  quickly  burft. 
Marina  hearing  fighs,  to  him  drew  neere, 
And  did  intreat  his  caufe  of  griefe  to  heare  : 
But  had  {he  knowne  her  beautie  was  the  fting 
That  caufed  all  that  inftant  forrowing  ; 
Silence  in  bands  her  tongue  had  ftronger  kept. 
And  fh'ad  not  afk'd  for  what  the  Shepheard  wept. 

The  Swaine  firft,  of  all  times,  this  beft  did  thinke. 
To  (hew  his  loue,  whilft  on  the  Riuers  brinke 
They  fate  alone,  then  thought,  hee  next  would  moue  her 
With  fighs  and  teares,  (true  tokens  of  a  Louer  :) 
And  fince  fhe  knew  what  helpe  from  him  fhe  found 
When  in  the  Riuer  fhe  had  elfe  beene  drown'd. 
He  thinketh  fure  fhe  cannot  but  grant  this, 
To  giue  reliefe  to  him,  by  whom  fhe  is  : 
By  this  incited,  faid  ;   Whom  I  adore. 
Sole  MiftrefTe  of  my  heart,  I  thee  implore. 
Doe  not  in  bondage  hold  my  freedome  long. 
And  fince  I  life  or  death  hold  from  your  tongue. 


l"! 


44.  Britamitd s  Pajlorals.       Booke  i  . 

Suffer  my  heart  to  loue  ;   yea,  dare  to  hope 

To  get  that  good  of  loues  intended  fcope. 

Grant  I  may  praife  that  light  in  you  I  fee, 

And  dying  to  my  felfe,  may  Hue  in  thee. 

Faire  Nymph,  furceafe  this  death-alluring  languifh^ 

So  rare  a  beautie  was  not  borne  for  anguifh. 

Why  fhouldft  thou  care  for  him  that  cares  not  for  thee  ? 

Yea,  moft  vnworthy  wight,  feemes  to  abhorre  thee. 

And  if  he  be  as  you  doe  here  paint  forth  him. 

He  thinkes  you,  beft  01  beauties,  are  not  worth  him  ; 

That  all  the  ioies  of  Loue  will  not  quite  coft 

For  all  lou'd-freedome  which  by  it  is  loft. 

Within  his  heart  fuch  felfe-opinion  dwels. 

That  his  conceit  in  this  he  thinkes  excels ; 

Accounting  womens  beauties  fugred  baits. 

That  neuer  catch,  but  fooles,  with  their  deceits  : 

*'  Who  of  himfelfe  harbours  fo  vaine  a  thought, 

*'  Truly  to  loue  could  neuer  yet  be  brought. 

Then  loue  that  heart  where  lies  no  faith  lefTe  feed. 

That  neuer  wore  diftimulations  weed  : 

Who  doth  account  all  beauties  of  the  Spring, 

That  iocund  Summer-daies  are  vfhering, 

As  foiles  to  yours.      But  if  this  cannot  moue 

Your  minde  to  pittie,  nor  your  heart  to  loue  ; 

Yet  fweeteft  grant  me  loue  to  quench  that  flame. 

Which  burnes  you  now.     Expell  his  worth lefle  name, 

Cleane  root  him  out  by  me,  and  in  his  place 

Let  him  inhabit,  that  will  runne  a  race 

More  true  in  loue.     It  may  be  for  your  reft. 

And  when  he  fees  her,  who  did  loue  him  beft, 

Poflefled  by  another,  he  will  rate 

The  much  of  good  he  loft,  when  'tis  too  late  : 

"  For  what  is  in  our  powers,  we  little  deeme, 

'*  And  things  poft'eft  by  others,  beft  efteeme. 

If  all  this  gaine  you  not  a  Shepherds  wife. 

Yet  giue  not  death  to  him  which  gaue  you  life. 


Song  i.        Britannia  s  Pajiorais,  45 

Marine  the  faire,  hearing  his  wooing  tale, 
Perceiued  well  what  wall  his  thoughts  did  fcale. 
And  anfwer'd  thus  :   1  pray  fir  Swaine,  what  boot 
Is  it  to  me  to  plucke  vp  by  the  root 
My  former  loue,  and  in  his  place  to  fow 
As  ill  a  feed,  for  any  thing  I  know  ? 
Rather  gainft  thee  I  mortall  hate  retaine, 
\  That  feek'ft  to  plant  in  me  new  cares,  new  paine  : 
Alas !   th'haft  kept  my  foule  from  deaths  fweet  bands, 
To  giue  m.e  ouer  to  a  Tyrants  hands  ; 
Who  on  his  racks  will  torture  by  his  power, 
This  weakned,  harmeleffe  body,  euery  howre. 
Be  you  the  ludge,  and  fee  if  reafons  lawes 
Giue  recompence  of  fauour  for  this  caufe  : 
You  from  the  ftreames  of  death,  brought  life  on  fhore ; 
Releas'd  one  paine,  to  giue  me  ten  times  more. 
For  loues  fake,  let  my  thoughts  in  this  be  free ; 
Obie(5l  no  more  your  hapleife  fauing  mee  : 
That  Obligation  which  you  thinke  fhould  binde  ; 
Doth  ftill  increafe  more  hatred  in  my  minde  ; 
Yea,  I  doe  thinke  more  thankes  to  him  were  due 
That  would  bereaue  my  Hfe,  than  vnto  you. 

The  Thunder-ftroken  Swaine  lean'd  to  a  tree, 
As  void  of  fenfe  as  weeping  Niobe  : 
Making  his  teares  the  inftruments  to  wooe  her, 
The  Sea  wherein  his  loue  fhould  fwimme  vnto  her : 
And,  could  there  flow  from  his  two-headed  font. 
As  great  a  floud  as  is  the  Hellejpont  ; 
Within  that  deepe  he  would  as  willing  wander. 
To  meet  his  Hero,  as  did  ere  Leander. 
Meane  while  the  Nymph  with-drew  her  felfe  afide. 
And  to  a  Groue  at  hand  her  fteps  applide. 

With  that  fad  figh  (O  !   had  he  neuer  feene. 
His  heart  in  better  cafe  had  euer  beene) 
Againft  his  heart,  again  ft  the  ftreame  he  went, 
With  this  refolue,  and  with  a  full  intent. 


46 


Britannia  s  Pajlorals,       Booke    t 


Dea  fane, 
/'.  Nymph (£, 
plerumque 
jontibus  fef 
Jiuuijs  pra- 
funt  apud 
poetas,  qua, 
Ephydriada, 
&  Naiades 
diffa  :  "ve- 
rum  &  nobis 
tamen  deum 
praficere(Jic 
Alpheum  Ty- 
berinum,  & 
Rbenum,  & 
id  genus  alios 
diuos  legimus) 
baud  illici- 
turn. 


When  of  that  ftreame  he  had  difcouered 

The  fount,  the  well-fpring,  or  the  bubling  head, 

He  there  would  fit,  and  with  the  Well  drop  vie. 

That  it  before  his  eies  would  firft  runne  drie  : 

But  then  he  thought  the  *  god  that  haunts  that  Lake, 

The  fpoiling  of  his  Spring  would  not  well  take. 

And  therefore  leauing  foone  the  Cryftall  flood, 

Did  take  his  way  vnto  the  neereft  Wood : 

Seating  himfelfe  within  a  darkfome  Caue, 

(Such  places  heauie  Saturnifis  doe  craue,) 

Where  yet  the  gladfome  day  was  neuer  feene, 

Nor  Phcebus  peircing  beanies  had  euer  beene. 

Fit  for  the  Synode  houfe  of  thofe  fell  Legions, 

That  walke  the  Mountaines,  and  Siluanus  regions. 

Where  Tragedie  might  haue  her  full  fcope  giuen, 

From  men  afpedls,  and  from  the  view  of  heauen. 

Within  the  fame  fome  crannies  did  deliuer 

Into  the  midft  thereof  a  pretty  Riuer  ; 

The  Nymph  whereof  came  by  out  of  the  veines 

Of  our  firft  mother,  hauing  late  tane  paines 

In  fcouring  of  her  channell  all  the  way, 

From  wherd*  it  firft  began  to  leaue  the  Sea. 

And  in  her  labour  thus  farre  now  had  gone, 

When  coming  through  the  Caue,  fhe  heard  that  one 

Spake  thus  :   If  I  doe  in  my  death  perjeuer^ 

Pittie  may  that  effe^,  which  Loue  could  neuer. 

By  this  flie  can  coniefture  'twas  fome  Swaine, 

Who  ouerladen  by  a  Maids  difdaine. 

Had  here  (as  fitted: )  chofen  out  a  place, 

Where  he  might  giue  a  period  to  the  race 

Of  his  loath'd  life:  which  ^^  (for  pitties  fake) 

Minding  to  hinder,  diu'd  into  her  Lake, 

And  haftned  where  the  euer-teeming  Earth 

Vnto  her  Current  giues  a  wifiied  birth  ; 

And  by  her  new-deliuered  Riuers  fide, 

Vpon  a  Banke  of  flow'rs,  had  foone  efpide 


Song  I.        Britannia s  Pajlorals. 


47 


Remand^  young  Remond^  that  full  well  could  fing, 
And  tune  his  Pipe  at  P ans-\:i\x\h  carolling  : 
Who  for  his  nimble  leaping,  fweeteft  layes, 
A  Lawrell  garland  wore  on  Holy-dayes ; 
In  framing  of  whofe  hand  Dame  Nature  fwore 
There  neuer  was  his  like,  nor  fhould  be  more  : 
Whofe  locks  (infnaring  nets)  were  like  the  rayes, 
Wherewith  the  Sunne  doth  diaper  the  Seas  : 
Which  if  they  had  been  cut,  and  hung  vpon 
The  fnow-white  Cliffes  of  fertile  Albion^ 
Would  haue  allured  more,  to  be,  their  winner. 
Then  all  the  *  Diamonds  that  are  hidden  in  her. 
Him  fhe  accofted  thus:  Swaine  of  the  Wreathe^ 
Thou  art  not  placed,  onely  here  to  breathe  ; 
But  Nature  in  thy  framing  fhewes  to  mee. 
Thou  fhouldft  to  others,  as  fhe  did  to  thee. 
Doe  good  ;  and  furely  I  my  felfe  perfwade. 
Thou  neuer  wert  for  euill  adlion  made. 
In  heauens  Confiftory  'twas  decreed, 
That  choyceft  fruit  fliould  come  from  choyceft  feed ; 
In  bafer  veflels  we  doe  euer  put 
Bafeft  materials,  doe  neuer  fhut 
Thofe  Jewels  moft  in  eftimation  fet. 
But  in  fome  curious  coftly  Cabinet. 
If  I  may  iudge  by  th'outward  fhape  alone, 
Within,  all  vertues  haue  conuention : 
For't  giues  moft  luftre  vnto  Vertues  feature. 
When  fhe  appeares  cloth'd  in  a  goodly  creature. 
Halfe  way  the  hill,  neere  to  thofe  aged  trees, 
Whofe  infides  are  as  Hiues  for  labring  Bees, 
(As  who  fhould  fay  (before  their  roots  were  dead) 
For  good  workes  fake  and  almes,  they  harboured 
Thofe  whom  nought  elfe  did  couer  but  the  Skies  :) 
A  path  (vntroden  but  of  Beafts)  there  lies, 
Diredling  to  a  Caue  in  yonder  glade. 
Where  all  this  Forrefts  Citizens,  for  fhade 


cc 


(C 


*  luilum 
Caefarem, 
JpeMargari- 
taru  Britan- 
niam  petiJJ'e, 
fcriiitSue- 
ton.  in  lu'. 
cap.  47.  & 
ex  ijs  Thora- 
cem  faElum 
Veneri  gene- 
tr'ici  dicajfe. 
Plin.  Hijl. 
Nat.  ^,ca. 
3  5 .  Z)f  Mar- 
gartiis  •veto 
nojiris  con- 
fulas  Cam- 
den, in  Cor- 
nub.  & 
Somerjet. 


48  Britannia  s  Pajiorals.      Booke  i. 

At  noone-time  come,  and  are  the  firft,  1  thinke. 
That  (running  through  that  Caue)  my  waters  drinke  : 
Within  this  Rocke  there  fits  a  wofull  wight, 
As  void  of  comfort  as  that  Caue  of  Jight; 
And  as  I  wot,  occafioned  by  the  frownes 
Of  fome  coy  Shepheardejfe  that  haunts  thefe  Downes. 
This  I  doe  know  (whos'euer  wrought  his  care) 
He  is  a  man  nye  treading  to  defpaire. 
Then  hie  thee  thither,  fince  'tis  charitie 
To  faue  a  man ;  leaue  here  thy  flocke  with  me  : 
For  whilft  thou  fau'ft  him  from  the  Stygian  Bay, 
He  keepe  thy  Lambkins  from  all  beafts  of  prey. 
The  neerneffe  of  the  danger  (in  his  thought) 
v^  As  it  doth  euer,  more  compadion  wrought : 
So  that  with  reuerence  to  the  Nymph,  he  went 
With  winged  fpeed,  and  haft'ned  to  preuent 
Th'vntimely  feifure  of  the  greedy  graue  :  yo 
Breathleffe,  at  laft,  he  came  into  the  Caue ; 
Where,  by  a  figh  direded  to  the  man, 
To  comfort  him  he  in  this  fort  began  : 
Shepheard  all  haile,  what  meane  thefe  plaints?  this  Caue 
(Th'image  of  death,  true  portrait  of  the  graue) 
Why  doft  frequent?  and  waile  thee  vnder  ground. 
From  whence  there  neuer  yet  was  pitty  found  ? 
Come  forth,  and  fhew  thy  felfe  vnto  the  light, 
Thy  griefe  to  me.      If  there  be  ought  that  might 
Giue  any  eafe  vnto  thy  troubled  minde, 
We  ioy  as  much  to  giue,  as  thou  to  finde. 
The  Loue-ficke  Swaine  replide  :   Remond,  thou  art  ' 
The  man  alone  to  whom  1  would  impart 
My  woes,  more  willing  then  to  any  Swaine, 
That  Hues  and  feeds  his  fheepe  vpon  the  plaine. 
But  vaine  it  is,  and  'twould  increafe  my  woes 
By  their  relation,  or  to  thee  or  thofe 
That  cannot  remedy.      Let  it  fuffife. 
No  fond  diftruft  of  thee  makes  me  precife 


Song  i.        Britannia's  Pajlorals.  49 

To  fhew  my  griefe.      Leaue  me  then,  and  forgo 

This  Caue  more  fad,  fince  I  haue  made  it  fo. 

Here  teares  broke  forth,  and  Remond  gan  anew 

With  fuch  intreaties,  earneft  to  purfue 

His  former  fuit,  that  he  (though  hardly)  wan 

The  Shepherd  to  difclofe  ;   and  thus  began  : 

Know  briefly  Remond  then,  heauenly  face, 

Natures  Idea,  and  perfections  grace. 

Within  my  breafl:  hath  kindled  fuch  a  fire. 

That  doth  confume  all  things,  except  defire ; 

Which  daily  doth  increafe,  though  alwaies  burning, 

And  1  want  teares,  but  lacke  no  caufe  of  mourning : 

'*  For  he  whome  Loue  vnder  his  colours  drawes, 

"  May  often  want  th'efFe6h,  but  ne're  the  caufe. 

Quoth  th'other,  haue  thy  ftarres  maligne  been  fuch, 

That  their  predominations  fway  fo  much 

Ouer  the  reft,  that  with  a  milde  afped 

The  Liues  and  loues  of  Shepherds  doe  affed:  ? 

Then  doe  I  thinke  there  is  fome  greater  hand. 

Which  thy  endeuours  ftill  doth  countermand  : 

Wherfore  I  wifh  thee  quench  the  flame,  thus  mou'd, 

**  And  neuer  loue  except  thou  be  belou'd : 

"  For  fuch  an  humour  euery  woman  feifeth, 

"  She  loues  not  him  that  plaineth,  but  that  pleafeth. 

*'  Whe  much  thou  loueft,  m.oft  difdain  corns  on  thee  ; 

"  And  whe  thou  thinkft  to  hold  her,  fl^e  flies  fro  thee 

'*  She  follow'd,  flies ;  flie  fled  from  followes  poft, 

"  And  loueth  beft  where  fhe  is  hated  moft. 

"  'Tis  euer  noted  both  in  Maids  and  Wiues, 

"  Their  hearts  and  tongues  are  neuer  Relatiues. 

"  Hearts  full  of  holes,  (fo  elder  Shepherds  faine) 

"  As  apter  to  receiue  then  [to]  retaine. 

Whofe  crafts  and  wiles  did  I  intend  to  fhow, 

This  day  would  not  permit  me  time  I  know  : 

The  dayes  fwift  horfes  would  their  courle  haue  run, 

And  diu'd  themfelues  within  the  Ocean, 

H 


50  Britannia's  Pajlorals,      Booke  i 

Ere  I  fhould  haue  performed  halfe  my  taike, 
Striuing  their  craftie  fubtilties  t'vnmaike. 
And  gentle  Swaine  fome  counfell  take  of  me  ; 
Loue  not  ftill  where  thou  maift  ;  loue,  who  loues  thee ; 
Draw  to  the  courteous,  flie  thy  loues  abhorror, 
"  And  if  fhe  be  not  for  thee,  be  not  for  her. 
If  that  fhe  ftill  be  wauering,  will  away, 
Why  fhouldft  thou  ftriue  to  hold  that  will  not  ftay  ? 
This  Maxime,  Reafon  neuer  can  confute, 
"  Better  to  liue  by  lofl'e  then  die  by  fute. 
If  to  fome  other  Loue  ftie  is  inclinde, 
Time  will  at  length  cleane  root  that  from  her  minde. 
Time  will  extinft  Loues  flames,  his  hell-like  flafhes, 
And  like  a  burning  brand  confum'd  to  afhes. 
Yet  maift  thou  ftill  attend,  but  not  importune  : 
"  Who  feekes  oft  mifteth,  fleepers  light  on  fortune. 
Yea  and  on  women  too.      "  Thus  doltifli  fots 
*'  Haue  Fate  and  faireft  women  for  their  lots. 
"  Faucur  and  pittie  wait  on  Patience  : 
And  hatred  oft  attendeth  violence. 
If  thou  wilt  get  defire,  whence  Loue  hath  pawn'd  it, 
Bcleeue  me,  take  thy  time,  but  ne'r  demand  it. 
Women,  as  well  as  men,  retaine  defire ; 
But  can  diflemble,  more  then  men,  their  fire. 
Be  neuer  caught  with  looks,  nor  felfe- wrought  rumor; 
Nor  by  a  quaint  difguife,  nor  finging  humor. 
Thofe  out-fide  ftiewes  are  toies,  which  outwards  fnare  : 
But  vertue  lodg'd  within,  is  onely  faire. 
If  thou  haft  feene  the  beautie  of  our  Nation, 
And  find'ft  her  haue  no  loue,  haue  thou  no  paftion  : 
But  feeke  thou  further ;  other  places  fure 
May  yeeld  a  face  as  faire,  a  Loue  more  pure : 
Leaue  (6  then  leaue)  fond  Swaine  this  idle  courfe, 
For  Loue's  a  God  no  mortall  wight  can  force. 
Thus  Remond  find,  and  faw  the  faire  Marine 
Plac'd  neere  a  Spring,  whofe  waters  Cryftalline 


Song  i.        Britannia's  P  aft  or  ah,  51 

Did  in  their  murmurings  beare  a  part,  and  plained 
That  one  fo  true,  fo  faire,  fhould  be  difdained  : 
Whilft  in  her  cries,  that  fild  the  vale  along, 
Still  Celand  was  the  burthen  of  her  fong. 
The  ftranger  Shepherd  left  the  other  S\A,aine, 
To  giue  attendance  to  his  fleecy  traine  ; 
Who  in  departing  from  him,  let  him  know. 
That  yonder  was  his  freedomes  ouerthrow. 
Who  fate  bewailing  (as  he  late  had  done) 
That  loue  by  true  affedion  was  not  wonne. 
This  fully  knowne  :   Remond  came  to  the  Maid 
And  after  fome  few  words  (her  teares  allaid) 
Began  to  blame  her  rigour,  call'd  her  cruell, 
To  follow  hate,  and  flie  loues  chiefeft  lewell. 

Faire,  doe  not  blame  him  that  he  thus  is  moued ; 
For  women  fure  were  made  to  be  beloued. 
If  beautie  wanting  louers  long  fhould  ftay, 
It  like  an  houfe  vndwelt  in  would  decay  : 
When  in  the  heart  if  It  haue  taken  place 
Time  cannot  blot,  nor  crooked  age  deface. 
The  Adamant  and  Beauty  we  difcouer 
To  be  alike  ;   for  Beauty  drawes  a  Louer, 
The  Adamant  his  Iron.      Doe  not  blame 
His  louing  then,  but  that  which  caus'd  the  fame. 
Who  fo  is  lou'd,  doth  glory  fo  to  be : 
The  more  your  Louers,  more  your  viftorie. 
Know,  if  you  (land  on  faith,  moft  womens  lothing, 
Tis  but  a  word,  a  chara6ler  of  nothing. 
Admit  it  fomewhat,  if  what  we  call  conftance. 
Within  a  heart  hath  long  time  refidence,. 
And  in  a  woman,  fhe  becomes  alone 
Faire  to  her  felfe,  but  foule  to  euery  one. 
If  in  a  man  it  once  haue  taken  place. 
He  Is  a  foole,  or  dotes,  or  wants  a  face 
To  win  a  woman,  and  I  thinke  it  be 
No  vertue,  but  a  meere  necefTitie. 


52  Brita?27iid s  Pajlorals,      Booke  i. 

Heauens  powers  deny  it  Swain  (quoth  fhe)  haue  done, 

Striue  not  to  bring  that  in  derifion. 

Which  whofoe'er  detracfls  in  fetting  forth, 

Doth  truly  derogate  from  his  owne  worth. 

It  is  a  thing  which  heauen  to  all  hath  lent 

To  be  their  vertues  chiefeft  ornament : 

Which  who  fo  wants,  is  well  compar'd  to  thefe 

Falfe  tables,  wrought  by  Alcibiades ; 

Which  noted  well  of  all,  were  found  t'haue  bin 

Mofl:  faire  without,  but  nioft  deform'd  within. 

Then  Shepherd  know,  that  I  intend  to  be 

As  true  to  one,  as  he  is  falfe  to  me. 

To  one  ?  (quoth  he)  why  fo  ?   Maids  pleafure  take 
To  fee  a  thoufand  languifh  for  their  fake  : 
Women  defire  for  Louers  of  each  fort, 
And  why  not  you  ?    Th'  amorous  Swaine  for  fport ; 
The  Lad  that  driues  the  greateft  flocke  to  field. 
Will  Bufkins,  Gloues,  and  other  fancies  yeeld ; 
The  gallant  Swaine  will  faue  you  from  the  iawes 
Of  rauenous  Beares,  and  from  the  Lions  pawes. 
Beleeue  what  I  propound  ;  doe  many  chufe, 
"  The  leaft  Herbe  in  the  field  ferues  for  fome  vfe. 

Nothing  perfwaded,  nor  aflwag'd  by  this. 
Was  faireft  Marine^  or  her  heauinefl'e  : 
But  prai'd  the  Shepherd  as  he  ere  did  hope 
His  filly  fheepe  fhould  fearleffe  haue  the  fcope 
Of  all  the  fhadowes  that  the  trees  doe  lend, 
From  Raynards  flealth,  when  Titan  doth  afcend. 
And  runne  his  mid-way  courfe :   to  leaue  her  there. 
And  to  his  bleating  charge  againe  repaire. 
He  condefcended  ;   left  her  by  the  brooke, 
And  to  the  Swaine  and  's  (heepe  himfelfe  betooke. 

He  gone  :   fhe  with  her  felfe  thus  gan  to  faine ; 
Alas  poore  Marine^  think'll  thou  to  attaine 
His  loue  by  fitting  here  ?  or  can  the  fire 
Be  quencht  with  wood  ?  can  we  allays  defire 


Song  i.        Britanjiids  Pajiorals.  53 

By  wanting  what's  defired  ?     O  that  breath, 
The  caufe  of  life,  fhould  be  the  caufe  of  death  ! 
That  who  is  fhipwrackt  on  loues  hidden  fhelfe, 
Doth  Hue  to  others,  dies  vnto  her  felfe. 
Why  might  not  I  attempt  by  Death  as  yet 
To  gaine  that  freedome,  which  I  could  not  get, 
Being  hind'red  heretofore,  a  time  as  free  : 
A  place  as  fit  offers  it  felfe  to  me, 
Whofe  feed  of  ill  is  growne  to  fuch  a  height. 
That  makes  the  earth  groane  to  fupport  his  weight. 
Who  fo  is  lull'd  afleepe  with  Midas'  treafures. 
And  onely  feares  by  death  to  lofe  lifes  pleafures  ; 
Let  them  feare  death  :   but  fince  my  fault  is  fuch, 
And  onely  fault,  that  I  haue  lou'd  too  much, 
On  ioyes  of  life,  why  fhould  I  (land  !  for  thofe 
Which  I  neere  had,  I  furely  cannot  lofe. 
Admit  a  while  1  to  thefe  thoughts  confented, 
'^  Death  can  be  but  deferred,  not  preuented. 
Then  raging  with  delay,  her  teares  that  fell 
Vfher'd  her  way,  and  fhe  into  a  Well 
Straight- waies  leapt  after  ;   "  O  !   how  defperation 
"  Attends  vpon  the  minde  enthral'd  to  paffion  ! 

The  fall  of  her  did  make  the  God  below, 
Starting,  to  wonder  whence  that  noife  fhould  grow  : 
Whether  fome  ruder  Clowne  in  fpight  did  fling 
A  Lambe,  vntimely  falne,  into  his  Spring  : 
And  if  it  were,  he  folemnly  then  fvvore 
His  Spring  ihould  flow  fome  other  way  :   no  more 
Should  it  in  wanton  manner  ere  be  ktnt 
To  writhe  in  knots,  or  giue  a  gowne  of  greene 
Vnto  their  Meadovves,  nor  be  feene  to  play. 
Nor  driue  the  Rufhy-mils,  that  in  his  way 
The  Shepherds  made  :   but  rather  for  their  lot, 
Send  them  red  waters  that  their  fheepe  fhould  rot. 
And  with  fuch  Moorifh  Springs  embrace  their  field. 
That  it  fhould  nought  but  MofiTe  and  Rufhes  yeeld. 


54 


Britannia's  Pajl orals.       Booke  i 


*  Hyphear  ad 
faginanda 
Pecora  "vti- 
Hmui :  n'lno 
autcm  Jatum 
nulla  modo 
najcitur,   nee 
nifiperaluum 
[alvum] 
au'ium  redd'i- 
turn  maxime 
Palumb'n  & 
Turdis.V^m. 
Hijl.  Nat. 
1 6.  cap.  44. 
Hinc  illud 
■Vitus  "ver- 
bum  Tur- 
dusfibi  ma- 
lum cacat. 


Vpon  each  hillocke,  where  the  merry  Boy- 
Sits  piping  in  the  fhades  his  Notes  of  ioy, 
Hee'd  fhew  his  anger,  by  fome  floud  at  hand, 
And  turne  the  fame  into  a  running  fand. 
Vpon  the  Oake.,  the  Plumbe-tree^  and  the  Holme., 
The  Stock-doue  and  the  Blackbird  fhould  not  come, 
Whofe  muting  on  thofe  trees  doe  make  to  grow 
Rots  curing  *  Hyphear,  and  the  Mijfeltoe. 
Nor  fhall  this  helpe  their  fheep,  whofe  ftomacks  failes, 
By  tying  knots  of  wooll  neere  to  their  tailes  : 
But  as  the  place  next  to  the  knot  doth  die. 
So  fhall  it  all  the  body  mxortifie. 
Thus  fpake  the  God :   but  when  as  in  the  water 
The  corps  came  finking  downe,  he  fpide  the  matter, 
And  catching  foftly  in  his  armes  the  Maid, 
He  brought  her  vp,  and  hauing  gently  laid 
Her  on  his  banke,  did  prefently  command 
Thofe  waters  in  her  to  come  forth :   at  hand 
They  straight  came  gufhing  out,  and  did  conteft 
Which  chiefly  fhould  obey  their  Gods  beheft. 
This  done,  her  then  pale  lips  he  flraight  held  ope, 
And  from  his  filuer  haire  let  fall  a  drop 
Into  her  mouth,  of  fuch  an  excellence. 
That  call'd  backe  life,  which  grieu'd  to  part  from  thence, 
Being  for  troth  affur'd,  that,  then  this  one. 
She  ne'er  pofTefl:  a  fairer  manfion. 
Then  did  the  God  her  body  forwards  fteepe. 
And  caft  her  for  a  while  into  a  fleepe  ; 
Sitting  ftill  by  her  did  his  full  view  take 
Of  Natures  Mafter-peece.     Here  for  her  fake. 
My  Pipe  in  filence  as  of  right  fhall  mourne, 
Till  from  the  watring  we  againe  returne. 


Song  2.        Britannia  s  Pajlorals, 


55 


'^^f^l^f^^f^^'C^^l^ 


The  Second  Song. 


Obliuions  Spring,  and  Dory's  loue. 
With  /aire  Marina's  rape,firji  moue 
Mine  Oaten  Pipe,  which  after  fin gs 
The  birth  of  two  renowned  Springs. 


Ow  till  the  Sunne  fliall  leave  vs  to  our  reft. 
And  Cynthia  haue  her  Brothers  place  pofleft, 
I  fhall  goe  on :   and  firft  in  difFring  ftripe. 
The  floud-Gods  fpeech  thus  tune  on  Oaten 
Pipe. 

Or  mortall,  or  a  power  aboue, 

Inrag'd  by  Fury,  or  by  Loue, 

Or  both,  I  know  not ;  fuch  a  deed 

Thou  would'ft  effeded,  that  I  bleed 

To  thinke  thereon  :  alas  poore  elfe. 

What  growne  a  traitour  to  thy  felfe  ? 

This  face,  this  haire,  this  hand  fo  pure 

Were  not  ordain'd  for  nothing  fure. 

Nor  was  it  meant  fo  fweet  a  breath 

Should  be  expos'd  by  fuch  a  death ; 


^6  Britannia  s  Pajiorah,        Booke 

But  rather  In  Tome  louers  breft 

Be  giuen  vp,  the  place  that  beft 

Befits  a  louer  yeeld  his  foule. 

Nor  fhould  thofe  mortals  ere  controule 

The  Gods,  that  in  their  wifdome  fage 

Appointed  haue  what  Pilgrimage 

Each  one  fhould  runne :   and  why  fhould  men 

Abridge  the  iourney  fet  for  them  ? 

But  much  I  wonder  any  wight 

If  he  did  turne  his  outward  fight 

Into  his  inward,  dar'd  to  a6l 

Her  death,  whofe  body  is  compaft 

Of  all  the  beauties  euer  Nature 

Laid  vp  in  ftore  for  earthly  creature. 

No  fauage  beafl  can  be  fo  cruel  I 

To  rob  the  earth  of  fuch  a  lewell. 

Rather  the  ftately  Vnicorne 

Would  in  his  breaft  enraged  fcorne, 

That  Maids  committed  to  his  charge 

By  any  beafl  in  Forreft  large 

Should  fo  be  wronged.     Satyres  rude 

Durft  not  attempt,  or  ere  intrude 

With  fuch  a  minde  the  flowry  bailees 

Where  harmlefl'e  Virgins  haue  their  walkes. 

Would  fhe  be  won  with  me  to  ftay. 

My  waters  fhould  bring  from  the  Sea 

The  Corral  1  red,  as  tribute  due, 

And  roundefl  pearles  of  Orient  hue  : 

Or  in  the  richer  velnes  of  ground 

Should  feeke  for  her  the  Diamond. 

And  whereas  now  vnto  my  Spring 

They  nothing  elfe  but  grauell  bring, 

They  fhould  within  a  Mine  of  Gold 

In  piercing  manner  long  time  hold, 

And  hauing  it  to  duft  well  wrought. 

By  them  it  hither  fhould  be  brought ; 


Song  2.        Britannia  s  Pajiorals.  ^j 

With  which  He  paue  and  ouer-fpread 
My  bottome,  where  her  foot  fhall  tread. 
The  beft  of  Fifhes  in  my  flood 
Shall  giue  themfelues  to  be  her  food. 
The  ^rout,  the  Dace^  the  Pike,  the  Breame, 
The  Eele,  that  loues  the  troubled  ftreame, 
The  Millers  thombe^  the  hiding  Loach^ 
The  Perch,  the  euer-nibbhng  Roach, 
The  Shoats  with  whom  is  Tauie  fraught, 
The  fooHfh  Gudgeon,  quickly  caught, 
And  lafl  the  little  Minnow-^'^, 
Whqfe  chiefe  deligh_t  in  grauell  is. 

In  right  fhe  cannot  me  defpife 
Becaufe  fo  low  mine  Empire  lies. 
For  I  could  tell  how  Natures  ftore 
Of  Maiefty  appeareth  more 
In  waters,  then  in  all  the  reft 
Of  Elements.     It  feem'd  her  beft 
To  giue  the  waues  moft  ftrength  and  power : 
For  they  doe  fwallow  and  deuoure 
The  earth;   the  waters  quench  and  kill  ^ 

The  flames  of  fire  :   and  mounting  ftill 
Vp  in  the  aire,  are  feene  to  be. 
As  challenging  a  Seignorie 
Within  the  heauens,  and  to  be  one 
That  fliould  haue  like  dominion. 
They  be  a  feeling  and  a  floore 
Of  clouds,  caus'd  by  the  vapours  ftore 
Arifing  from  them,  vitall  fpirit 
By  which  all  things  their  life  inherit 
From  them  is  flopped,  kept  afunder. 
And  what's  the  reafon  elfe  of  Thunder, 
Of  lightnings  flafties  all  about. 
That  with  fuch  violence  breake  out, 
CaufinCT  fuch  troubles  and  fuch  iarres, 
As  with  it  felfe  the  world  had  warres  ? 


58  Britan?iid s  Pajiorals,      Booke 

And  can  there  any  thing  appeare 

More  wonderful!,  then  in  the  aire 

Congealed  waters  oft  to  fpie 

Continuing  pendant  in  the  Skie  ? 

Till  falling  dovvne  in  haile  or  fnow, 

They  make  thofe  mortall  wights  below 

To  runne,  and  euer  heipe  defire 

From  his  foe  Element  the  fire, 

Which  fearing  then  to  come  abroad, 

Within  doores  maketh  his  aboad. 

Or  falling  downe  oft  time  in  raine, 

Doth  giue  greene  Liueries  to  the  plaine, 

Make[s]  Shepheards  Lambs  fit  for  the  difh, 

And  giueth  nutriment  to  fifii. 

Which  nourifheth  all  things  of  worth 

The  earth  produceth  and  brings  forth ; 

And  therefore  well  confidering 

The  nature  of  it  in  each  thing : 

As  when  the  teeming  earth  doth  grow 

So  hard,  that  none  can  plow  nor  fow, 

Her  breaft  it  doth  fo  mollifie. 

That  it  not  onely  comes  to  be 

More  eafie  for  the  fhare  and  Oxe, 

But  that  in  Harueft  times  the  fhocks 

Of  Ceres  hanging  eared  corne 

Doth  fill  the  Houell  and  the  Barne. 

To  Trees  and  Plants  I  comfort  giue. 

By  me  they  fru6lifie  and  Hue : 

For  firft  afcending  from  beneath 

Into  the  Skie,  with  liuely  breath, 

I  thence  am  furnifh'd,  and  beftow 

The  fame  on  Herbs  that  are  below. 

So  that  by  this  each  one  may  fee 

I  caufe  them  fpring  and  multiply. 

Who  feeth  this,  can  doe  no  lefle. 

Then  of  his  owne  accord  confefle. 


Song  2.        Britannia  s  P  aft  orals,  59 

That  notwithftanding  all  the  ftrength 

The  earth  enioyes  in  breadth  and  length. 

She  is  beholding  to  each  ftreame, 

And  hath  receiued  all  from  them. 

Her  loue  to  him  fhe  then  muft  giue 

By  whom  her  felfe  doth  chiefly  Hue. 
This  being  fpoken  by  this  waters  God, 
He  ftraight-way  in  his  hand  did  take  his  rod. 
And  ftroke  it  on  his  banke,  wherewith  the  flood 
Did  fuch  a  roaring  make  within  the  wood, 

That  ftraight  the  *  Nimph  who  then  fate  on  her  fliore,       t^Nymph 
Knew  there  was  fomewhat  do  be  done  in  fl:ore  :  that  fpoke 

And  therefore  hafting  to  her  Brothers  Spring  °    ""°''  ' 

She  fpide  what  cauf'd  the  waters  ecchoing. 
Saw  where  faire  Marine  fafl:  afleepe  did  lie, 
Whilfl:  that  the  God  fliill  viewing  her  fate  by  : 
Who  when  he  faw  his  Siflier  Nymph  draw  neare. 
He  thus  gane  tune  his  voice  vnto  her  eare. 

My  fairefl:  Sifl:er  (for  we  come 

Both  from  the  fwelling  Thetis  wombe) 

The  reafon  why  of  late  I  fl:rooke 

My  ruling  wand  vpon  my  Brooke 

Was  for  this  purpofe ;   Late  this  Maid 

Which  on  my  banke  afleepe  is  laid. 

Was  by  her  felfe  or  other  wight, 

Cafl:  in  my  fpring,  and  did  afiright 

With  her  late  fall,  the  fifli  that  take 

Their  chiefefl:  pleafure  in  my  Lake  : 

Of  all  the  Fry  within  my  deepe. 

None  durfl;  out  of  their  dwellings  peepe. 

The  Trout  within  the  weeds  did  feud. 

The  Eele  him  hid  within  the  mud. 

Yea,  from  this  feare  I  was  not  free : 

For  as  I  muflng  fate  to  fee 

Flow  that  the  prettie  Pibbles  round 

Came  with  my  Spring  from  vnder  ground, 


6o  Britannia  s  Pajlot^als,      Booke 

And  how  the  waters  liTuing 

Did  make  them  dance  about  my  Spring  ; 

The  noife  thereof  did  me  appall  : 

That  ftarting  vpward  therewithal!, 

I  in  my  amies  her  bodie  caught, 

And  both  to  light  and  life  her  brought : 

Then  caft  her  in  a  fleepe  you  fee. 

But  Brother,  to  the  caufe  (quoth  fhe) 

Why  by  your  raging  waters  wilde 

Am  I  here  called  ?   Thetis  childe, 

Replide  the  God,  for  thee  I  fent, 

That  when  her  time  of  fleepe  is  fpent, 

I  may  commit  her  to  thy  gage. 

Since  women  beft  know  womens  rage. 

Meanewhile,  faire  Nymph,  accompanie 

My  Spring  with  thy  fweet  harmonic  ; 

And  we  will  make  her  foule  to  take 

Some  pleafure,  which  is  faid  to  wake, 

Although  the  body  hath  his  reft. 
She  gaue  confent,  and  each  of  them  addreft 
Vnto  their  part.      The  watrie  Nymph  did  fing 
In  manner  of  a  prettie  queftioning  : 
The  God  made  anfvver  to  what  fhe  propounded, 
Whilft  from  the  Spring  a  pleafant  muficke  founded, 
(Making  each  flirub  in  filence  to  adore  them) 
Taking  their  fubied  from  what  lay  before  them. 


w 


Nymph. 

Hats  that,  compa^  of  earth,  infufd  with  aire ; 
A  certaine,  made  full  with  vncertainties ; 
Sway'd  by  the  motion  of  eachjeuerall  Spheare ; 
Who's  fed  with  nought  but  infelicities ; 

Endures  nor  heat  nor  cold ;  is  like  a  Swan, 
That  this  hourefings,  next  dies? 

God.   //  is  a  Man. 


Song  2.        Britannia's  Pajlorals,  6i 

Nymph.    Whats  he^  borne  to  be  ficke^Jo  alwaies  dyings 
Thafs  guided  by  ineuitable  Fate  ; 
That  comes  in  weeping,  and  that  goes  out  crying ; 
Whoje  Kalender  of  woes  is  jiill  in  date ; 

JVhofe  life's  a  bubble,  and  in  length  a /pan ; 
A  conjort  Jiill  in  dif cords  ? 

God.   Tis  a  man. 

Nymph.    What's  hee,  whofe  thoughts  are  Jiill  quell' d  in 
th^euent. 
Though  neW  Jo  lawfull,  by  an  oppofite. 
Hath  all  things  jieeting,  nothing  permanent : 
And  at  his  eares  weares  Jiill  a  Parafite  : 

Hath  friends  in  wealth,  or  wealthie  friends,  who  can 
In  want  proue  meere  illufions  ? 

God.   Tis  a  Man. 

Nymph.    Whafs  he,  that  what  he  is  not,Jiriues  to  feeme, 
That  doth  fup-port  an  h.\\2i%-weight  of  care : 
That  of  an  outward  good  doth  beji  ejieeme  : 
And  looketh  not  within  how  folid  they  are : 
That  doth  not  vertuous,  but  the  richeji /can  ; 
Learning  and  worth  by  wealth  ? 

God.   //  is  a  Man. 

Nymph.    What's  that  pojjejjor,  which  of  good  makes  bad ; 
And  what  is  worji,  makes  choice  Jiill  for  the  beJi  ; 
That  grieueth  moji  to  thinke  of  what  he  had ; 
And  of  his  chief efi  lojje  accounteth  leaji ; 

That  doth  not  what  he  ought,  but  what  he  can  ; 
Whofe  fancie's  euer  boundlejfe  f 

God.    Tis  a  man. 

Nymph.   But  what  is  it  wherein  Dame  Nature  wrought  Thefirft 

The  hejt  of  works,  the  onely  frame  of  Heauen  ;  fained  to 

And  hauing  long  to  finde  a  pr ef en t  fought,  ^^  named 

Wherein  the  worlds  whole  beautie  might  be  giuen ;  a  creature* 


framed  of 
the  concur- 
rence of  the 
gifts  and 
ornaments 
of  all  the 
Gods.      As 
Hcjiod,  OTi 
Tvavrt]Q 
6\vj.nria 

iXovreg 

iSopijaav. 


62  Britajinid s  Pajlot^ah,      Booke 

She  did  rejolue  in  it  all  arts  tofummon, 
To  ioine  with  Natures  framing  ? 

God.   Tis  this  Woman. 

Nymph.  If  beautie  be  a  thing  to  be  admired ; 
And  if  admiring  draw  to  it  affection  ; 
And  what  we  doe  affe^  is  moft  defired ; 
fVhat  wight  is  he  to  hue  denies  fubie  El  ion  ? 
And  can  his  thoughts  within  himfelfe  confine  ? 

Marine  that  waking  lay,  faid  :    Celandine. 
He  is  the  man  that  hates  which  fome  admire  ; 
He  is  the  wight  that  loathes  whom  moft  defire  : 
'Tis  onely  he  to  loue  denies  fubiedling, 
And  but  himfelfe,  thinkes  none  is  worth  afFedting. 
Vnhappy  me  the  while,  accurft  my  Fate, 
That  Nature  giues  no  loue  where  flie  gaue  hate. 
The  watrie  Rulers  then  perceiued  plaine. 
Nipt  with  the  Winter  ot  loues  froft,  Difdaine  ; 
This  Non-par-el  of  beautie  had  beene  led 
To  doe  an  a6l  which  Enuie  pitied  : 
Therefore  in  pitie  did  conferre  together, 
What  Phyficke  beft  might  cure  this  burning  Feuer, 
/_At  laft  found  out  that  in  a  Groue  below, 
Where  fhadowing  Sicamours  paft  number  grow, 
A  Fountaine  takes  his  iourney  to  the  Maine, 
Whofe  liquors  nature  was  fo  foueraigne, 
(Like  to  the  wondrous  Well  and  famous  Spring, 
two  Springs  Wliich  in  *  Boelo^tia  hath  his  ifluing) 
Boe[o]tia,      That  whofo  of  it  doth  but  onely  tafte, 
the  firft        ^jj  fornier  memorie  from  him  doth  wafte.^ 

helping  rne-  .  ,  r  ^t  "^ 

mory, called  JNot  Changing  any  Other  worke  or  Nature, 

ThTiatter     ^^^  ^^^^  cudow  the  driukcr  with  a  feature 

caufing        More  louely,  faire  Medea  tooke  from  hence 

called""'      Some  of  this  water,  by  whofe  quinteflence, 

^'y0'^  ^fon  from- age  came  backe  to  youth.      This  knowne. 


♦  Plinie 
writes  of 


Song  2.        Britannia  s  Pajiorals,  63 

The  God  thus  fpake  : 

Nymph,  be  thine  owne, 
And  after  mine.     This  GoddefTe  here 
(For  fhees  no  leiTe)  will  bring  thee  where 
Thou  fhalt  acknowledge  Springs  haue  do[n]e 
As  much  for  thee  as  any  one. 
Which  ended,  and  thou  gotten  free. 
If  thou  wilt  come  and  liue  with  me, 
No  Shepherds  daughter,  nor  his  wife, 
Shall  boaft  them  of  a  better  life. 
Meane  while  I  leaue  thy  thoughts  at  large. 
Thy  body  to  my  fifters  charge ; 
Whilft  1  into  my  Spring  doe  diue. 
To  fee  that  they  doe  not  depriue 
The  Meadowes  neere,  which  much  doe  thirft, 
Thus  heated  by  the  Sunne.     May  firft 
(Quoth  Marine)  Swaines  giue  Lambs  to  thee ; 
And  may  thy  Floud  haue  feignorie 
Of  all  Flouds  elfe,  and  to  thy  fame 
Meet  greater  Springs,  yet  keepe  thy  name. 
May  neuer  Euet  nor  the  Tode, 
Within  thy  bankes  make  their  abode  ! 
Taking  thy  iourney  from  the  Sea, 
Maift  thou  ne'er  happen  in  thy  way 
On  Niter  or  on  Brimftone  Mine, 
To  fpoile  thy  tafte  !  this  Spring  of  thine 
Let  it  of  nothing  tafte  but  earth. 
And  fait  conceiued,  in  their  birth 
Be  euer  frefli !     Let  no  man  dare 
To  fpoile  thy  Fifh,  make  locke  or  ware. 
But  on  thy  Margent  ftill  let  dwell 
Thofe  flowers  which  haue  the  fweeteft  fmell. 
And  let  the  duft  vpon  thy  ftrand 
Become  like  Tagus  golden  fand. 
Let  as  much  good  betide  to  thee. 
As  thou  haft  fauour  (hew'd  to  mee. 


64  Britannia  s  Pajlorals.      Booke  i. 

Thus  faid,  in  gentle  paces  they  remoue, 

And  haftned  onward  to  the  fhadie  Groue  : 

Where  both  arriu'd ;  and  hauing  found  the  Rocke, 

Saw  how  this  precious  water  it  did  locke. 

As  he  whom  Auarice  pofTefleth  moft, 

Drawne  by  necefTitie  vnto  his  coft, 

Doth  drop  by  peece-meale  downe  his  prifon'd  gold, 

And  feemes  vnwiUing  to  let  goe  his  hold : 

So  the  fl-rong  rocke  the  water  long  time  ftops, 

And  by  degrees  lets  it  fall  downe  in  drops. 

Like  hoording  hufwiues  that  doe  mold  their  food. 

And  keepe  from  others,  what  doth  them  no  good. 

The  drops  within  a  Cefterne,  fell  of  ftone. 
Which  fram'd  by  Nature,  Art  had  neuer  one 
Halfe  part  fo  curious.     Many  fpells  then  vfing. 
The  waters  Nymph  twixt  Marines  lips  infufing 
Part  of  this  water,  fhe  might  ftraight  perceiue 
How  foone  her  troubled  thoughts  began  to  leaue 
Her  Loue-fvvolne-breaft ;  and  that  her  inward  flame 
Was  cleane  aflwaged,  and  the  very  name 
Of  Celandine  forgotten  ;  did  fcarce  know 
If  there  were  fuch  a  thing  as  Loue  or  no. 
And  fighing,  therewithall  threw  in  the  aire 
All  former  loue,  all  forrow,  all  defpaire ; 
And  all  the  former  caufes  of  her  mone 
Did  therewith  burie  in  obliuion. 
Then  muftring  vp  her  thoughts,  growne  vagabonds 
Preft  to  releeue  her  inward  bleeding  wounds. 
She  had  as  quickly  all  things  paft  forgotten. 
As  men  doe  Monarchs  that  in  earth  lie  rotten. 
As  one  new  borne  fhe  feem'd,  fo  al  difcerning, 
*^  Though  things  long  learned  are  the  longft  vnlearning. 
Then  walk'd  they  to  a  Groue  but  neere  at  hand. 
Where  fierie  T^itan  had  but  fmall  command, 
Becaufe  the  leaues  confpiring  kept  his  beames. 
For  feare  of  hurting  (when  hee's  in  extreames) 


Song  2.        Britannia  s  Pajlorals.  6^ 

The  vnder-flowers,  which  did  enrich  the  ground 

With  Tweeter  fents  than  in  Arabia  found. 

The  earth  doth  yeeld  (which  they  through  pores  exhale) 

Earths  beft  of  odours,  th'Aromaticall : 

Like  to  that  fmell  which  oft  our  fenfe  defcries 

Within  a  field  which  long  vnplowed  lies, 

Somewhat  before  the  fetting  of  the  Sunne  ; 

And  where  the  Raine-bow  in  the  Horizon 

Doth  pitch  her  tips :  or  as  when  in  the  prime. 

The  earth  being  troubled  with  a  drought  long  time, 

The  hand  of  Heauen  his  fpungie  Clouds  doth  ftraine, 

And  throwes  into  her  lap  a  fhowre  of  raine  ; 

She  fendeth  vp  (conceiued  from  the  Sunne) 

A  fweet  perfume  and  exhalation. 

Not  all  the  Ointments  brought  from  Delos  He ; 

Nor  from  the  confines  of  feuen-headed  Nile  ; 

Nor  that  brought  whence  Phoenicians  haue  abodes ; 

Nor  Cyprus  wilde  Vine- flowers,  nor  that  of  Rhodes ^ 

Nor  Rofes-oile  from  Naples^  Capua, 

Safiron  confed;ed  in  Cilicia ; 

Nor  that  of  ^inces,  nor  of  Marioram, 

That  euer  from  the  He  of  Coos  came. 

Nor  thefe,  nor  any  elfe,  though  ne'er  fo  rare. 

Could  with  this  place  for  fweeteft  fmels  compare. 

There  ftood  the  Elme,  whofe  fhade  fo  mildly  dim 

Doth  nourifh  all  that  groweth  vnder  him. 

Cyprejfe  that  like  Piramides  runne  topping, 

And  hurt  the  leaft  of  any  by  their  dropping. 

The  Alder,  whofe  fat  fhadow  nouriiheth, 

Each  Plant  fet  neere  to  him  long  flourifheth. 

The  heauie-headed  Pla,ne-txt^,  by  whofe  fhade 

The  grafle  growes  thickeft,  men  are  frefher  made. 

The  Oake^  that  beft  endures  the  Thunder-fhocks 

The  euerlafting  Ebene,  Cedar,  Box. 

The  Oliue  that  in  Wainfcot  neuer  cleaues. 

The  amorous  Vine  which  in  the  Elme  ftill  weaues. 

K 


66  Britannia  s  Pajiorals.      Booke  i 

The  LotuSy  lumper ^  where  wormes  ne'er  enter : 

The  Pyne,  with  whom  men  through  the  Ocean  venter. 

The  warhke  Xewgh,  by  which  (more  then  the  Lance) 

The  ftrong-arm'd  EngU/Ji  fpirits  conquer'd  France. 

Amongft  the  reft  the  'Tamarijke  there  ftood, 

For  Hufwiues  bofomes  onely  knowne  moft  good. 

The  cold-place-louing  Birch.,  and  Seruis  tree  : 

The  Walnut  louing  vales,  and  Mulbury. 

The  Maple.,  AJlie ;  that  doe  dehght  in  Fountaines, 

Which  haue  their  currents  by  the  fides  of  Mountains. 

The  Laurell,  Mirtle^  luy.  Date,  which  hold 

Their  leaues  all  Winter,  be  it  ne'er  fo  cold. 

The  Firre,  that  oftentimes  doth  Rofin  drop  : 

The  Beech  that  fcales  the  Welkin  with  his  top  : 

All  thefe,  and  thoufand  more  within  this  Groue, 

By  all  the  induftry  of  Nature  ftroue 

To  frame  an  Harbour  that  might  keepe  within  it 

The  beft  of  beauties  that  the  world  hath  in  it. 

Here  entring,  at  the  entrance  of  which  fhroud, 
The  Sunne  halfe  angry  hid  him  in  a  cloud, 
As  raging  that  a  Groue  ftiould  from  his  fight 
Locke  vp  a  beauty  whence  himfelfe  had  light. 
The  flowers  pull'd  in  their  heads  as  being  Iham'd 
Their  beauties  by  the  others  were  defam'd. 

Neere  to  this  Wood  there  lay  a  pleafant  Mead, 
Where  Fairies  often  did  their  Meafures  tread, 
Which  in  the  Meadow  made  fuch  circles  g[r]eene. 
As  if  with  Garlands  it  had  crowned  beene, 
Or  like  the  Circle  where  the  Signes  we  tracke, 
And  learned  Shepherds  call't  the  Zodiacke : 
Within  one  of  thefe  rounds  was  to  be  feene 
A  Hillocke  rife,  where  oft  the  Fairy-^ueene 
At  twy-light  fate,  and  did  command  her  Elues, 
To  pinch  thofe  Maids  that  had  not  fwept  their  fhelues  : 
And  further  if  by  Maidens  ouer-light, 
Within  doores  water  were  not  brought  at  night : 


Song  2.        Britannia  s  Pajlorals.  Gj 

Or  if  they  fpread  no  Table,  fet  no  Bread, 
They  fhould  haue  nips  from  toe  vnto  the  head : 
And  for  the  Maid  that  had  perform'd  each  thing, 
She  in  the  Water-paile  bade  leaue  a  Ring. 

Vpon  this  Hill  there  fat  a  louely  Swaine, 
As  if  that  Nature  thought  it  great  difdaine 
That  he  fhould  (fo  through  her  his  Genius  told  him) 
Take  equall  place  with  Swaines^  fince  fhe  did  hold  him 
Her  chiefeft  worke,  and  therefore  thought  it  fit. 
That  with  inferiours  he  fhould  neuer  fit. 
NarciJJus  change,  fure  Quid  cleane  miftooke, 
He  dy'd  not  looking  in  a  Cryfl:all  brooke, 
But  (as  thofe  which  in  emulation  gaze) 
He  pinde  to  death  by  looking  on  this  face. 
When  he  ftood  fifhing  by  fome  Riuers  brim, 
The  fifli  would  leape,  more  for  a  fight  of  him 
Then  for  the  flie.     The  Eagle  highefi:  bred, 
Was  taking  him  once  vp  for  Gammed. 
The  fhag-haird  Satyres^  and  the  tripping  Fawnes, 
With  all  the  troope  that  frolicke  on  the  Lawnes, 
Would  come  and  gaze  on  him,  as  who  fhould  fay 
They  had  not  feene  his  like  this  many  a  day. 
Yea  Venus  knew  no  difference  twixt  thefe  twaine, 
Saue  Adon  was  a  Hunter,  this  a  Swaine. 
The  woods  fweet  Querifl:ers  from  fpray  to  fpray 
Would  hop  them  neerer  him,  and  then  there  ftay : 
Each  ioying  greatly  from  his  little  hart. 
That  they  with  his  fweet  Reed  might  beare  a  part : 
This  was  the  Boy,  (the  Poets  did  miflake) 
To  whom  bright  Cynthia  fo  much  loue  did  make  ; 
And  promis'd  for  his  loue  no  fcornfull  eyes 
Should  euer  fee  her  more  in  horned  guize  : 
But  fine  at  his  command  would  as  of  dutie 
Become  as  full  of  light  as  he  of  beautie. 
Lucina  at  his  birth  for  Mid-wife  fliucke  : 
And  Citherea  nurc'd  and  gaue  him  fucke. 


68  Britannia  s  Pajiorals.      Booke  \. 

Who  to  that  end,  once  Doue-drawne  from  the  Sea, 

Her  full  Paps  dropt,  whence  came  the  Milkie-way . 

And  as  when  Flato  did  i'th'  Cradle  thriue. 

Bees  to  his  Hps  brought  honey  from  their  Hiue: 

So  to  this  Boy  they  came,  I  know  not  whether 

They  brought,  or  from  his  lips  did  honey  gather. 

The  Wood-Nymphs  oftentimes  would  bufied  be. 

And  plucke  for  him  the  blufhing  Strawberie : 

Making  of  them  a  Bracelet  on  a  Bent, 

Which  for  a  fauour  to  this  Swaine  they  fent. 

Sitting  in  fhades,  the  Sunne  would  oft  by  fkips 

Steale  through  the  boughes,  and  feize  vpon  his  lips. 

The  chiefeft  caufe  the  Sunne  did  condefcend 

To  Phaetons  requeft,  was  to  this  end, 

That  whilft  the  other  did  his  Horfes  reyne. 

He  might  flide  from  his  Spheare^  &  court  this  Swaine  ; 

Whofe  fparkling  eyes  vi'd  luftre  with  the  Starres, 

The  trueft  Center  of  all  Circulars. 

In  briefe,  if  any  man  in  fkill  were  able 

To  finifh  vp  Apelles  halfe-done  Table, 

This  Boy  (the  man  left  out)  were  fitteft  fure 

To  be  the  patterne  of  that  portraiture. 

Piping  he  fate,  as  merry  as  his  looke. 
And  by  him  lay  his  Bottle  and  his  Hooke. 
His  bufkins  (edg'd  with  filuer)  were  of  filke. 
Which  held  a  legge  more  white  then  mornings  milk. 
Thofe  Bufkins  he  had  got  and  brought  away 
For  dancing  beft  vpon  the  Reuell  day  : 
His  Oaten  Reede  did  yeeld  forth  fuch  fweet  Notes, 
loyned  in  confort  with  the  Birds  fhrill  throtes, 
That  equaliz'd  the  Harmony  of  Spheares, 
A  Muficke  that  would  rauifh  choiceft  eares. 
Long  look'd  they  on  (who  would  not  long  looke  on. 
That  fuch  an  obied  had  to  looke  vpon  ?) 
Till  at  the  laft  the  Nymph  did  Marine  fend. 
To  afke  the  neereft  way,  whereby  to  wend 


Song  2.        Britannia  s  Pajlorals.  69 

To  thofe  faire  walkes  where  fprung  Marina^ s  ill 
Whilft  (he  would  ftay  :  Marine  obey'd  her  will, 
And  haftned  towards  him  (who  would  not  doe  fo, 
That  fuch  a  pretty  iourney  had  to  goe  ?) 
Sweetly  fhe  came,  and  with  a  modeft  blufh, 
Gaue  him  the  day,  and  then  accofted  thus  : 

Faireft  of  men,  that  (whilft  thy  flocke  doth  feed) 
Sitt'ft  fweetly  piping  on  thine  Oaten  Reed 
Vpon  this  Little  berry  (fome  ycleep 
A  Hillocke)  void  of  care,  as  are  thy  fheepe 
Deuoid  of  fpots,  and  fure  on  all  this  greene 
A  fairer  flocke  as  yet  was  neuer  feene  : 
Doe  me  this  fauour  (men  fhould  fauour  Maids) 
That  whatfoeuer  path  diredlly  leads, 
And  void  of  danger,  thou  to  me  doe  fhow, 
That  by  it  to  the  Marifh  I  might  goe, 
Mariage !  (quoth  he)  miftaking  what  (he  faid. 
Natures  perfection  :  thou  moft  faireft  Maid, 
(If  any  fairer  then  the  faireft  may  be) 
Come  fit  thee  downe  by  me ;   know  louely  Ladle, 
Loue  is  the  readieft  way  :   if  tane  aright 
You  may  attaine  thereto  full  long  ere  night. 
I  The  Maiden  thinking  he  of  Marifti  fpoke. 
And  not  of  Mariage,  ftraight-way  did  inuoke. 
And  praid  the  Shepheards  God  might  alwaies  keepe 
Him  from  all  danger,  and  from  Wolues  his  flieepe, 
Wiftiing  withall  that  in  the  prime  of  Spring 
Each  fheepe  he  had,  two  Lambs  might  yeerely  bring. 
But  yet  (quoth  flie)  arede  good  gentle  Swaine, 
If  in  the  Dale  below,  or  on  yond  Plaine ; 
Or  is  the  Village  fituate  in  a  Groue, 
Through  which  my  way  lies,  and  ycleeped  loue  ? 
Nor  on  yond  Plaine,  nor  in  this  neighbouring  wood  ; 
Nor  in  the  Dale  where  glides  the  filuer  flood ; 
But  like  a  Beacon  on  a  hill  fo  hie, 
That  euery  one  may  fee't  which  pafl!eth  by. 


70  Britannia  s  Pajl orals.      Booke  i 

Is  Loue  yplac'd  :  ther's  nothing  can  it  hide, 

Although  of  you  as  yet  'tis  vnefpide. 

But  on  which  hill  (quoth  (he)  pray  tell  me  true  ? 

Why  here  (quoth  he)  it  fits  and  talkes  to  you. 

And  are  you  Loue  (quoth  fhe  ?)  fond  Swaine  adue, 

You  guide  me  wrong,  my  way  lies  not  by  you. 

Though  not  your  way,  yet  you  may  lye  by  me :     • 

Nymph,  with  a  Shepherd  thou  as  merrily 

Maift  loue  and  Hue,  as  with  the  greateft  Lord. 

"  Greatnefie  doth  neuer  moft  content  afford. 

I  loue  thee  onely,  not  affedl  worlds  pelfe, 

"  She  is  not  lou'd,  that's  lou'd  not  for  her  felfe. 

How  many  Shepherds  daughters,  who  in  dutie 

To  griping  fathers  haue  inthral'd  their  beautie, 

To  wait  vpon  the  Gont^  to  walke  when  pleafes 

Old  January  halt.      O  that  difeafes 

Should  linke  with  youth  :   She  that  hath  fuch  a  mate 

Is  like  two  twins  borne  both  incorporate : 

Th'one  liuing,  th'other  dead :   the  liuing  twin 

Muft  needs  be  flaine  through  noyfomnefle  of  him 

He  carrieth  with  him  :   fuch  are  their  eftates. 

Who  meerely  marry  wealth  and  not  their  mates. 

As  ebbing  waters  freely  Aide  away. 
To  pay  their  tribute  to  the  raging  Sea ; 
When  meeting  with  the  floud  they  iuftle  ftout. 
Whether  the  one  fhall  in,  or  th'other  out : 
Till  the  ftrong  floud  new  power  of  waues  doth  bring, 
And  driues  the  Riuer  backe  into  his  Spring : 
So  Marine's  words  oflring  to  take  their  courfe. 
By  Loue  then  entring,  were  kept  backe,  and  force 
To  it,  his  fweet  face,  eyes,  and  tongue  aflign'd, 
And  threw  them  backe  againe  into  her  minde. 
"  How  hard  it  is  to  leaue  and  not  to  do 
*'  That  which  by  nature  we  are  prone  vnto  ^ 
''  We  hardly  can  (alas  why  not  ?)  difcufle, 
**  When  Nature  hath  decreed  it  muft  be  thus. 
"  It  is  a  Maxime  held  of  all,  knowne  plaine. 


'{    Uisi. 


Song  2.        Britannia  s  Pajiorals.  71 

"  Thruft  Nature  ofF  with  forkes,  fhe'll  turne  againe. 

Blithe  Doridon  (fo  men  this  Shepherd  hight) 
Seeing  his  Goddefle  in  a  filent  plight, 
("  Loue  often  makes  the  fpeeches  organs  mute,) 
Began  againe  thus  to  renue  his  fute  : 

If  by  my  words  your  filence  hath  beene  fuch, 
Faith  I  am  forry  I  haue  fpoke  fo  much. 
Barre  I  thofe  lips  ?  fit  to  be  th'vttrers,  when 
The  heauens  would  parly  with  the  chiefe  of  men. 
Fit  to  diredl  (a  tongue  all  hearts  conuinces) 
When  beft  of  Scribes  writes  to  the  beft  of  Princes, 
Were  mine  like  yours,  of  choiceft  words  compleateft, 
'^  Ide  fhew  how  grief's  a  thing  weighs  down  the  greateft 
"  The  beft  of  formes  (who  knows  not)  grief  doth  taint  it, 
"  The  fkilfull'ft  Pecil  neuer  yet  could  paint  it. 
And  reafon  good,  fince  no  man  yet  could  finde 
What  figure  reprefents  a  grieued  minde. 
Me  thinkes  a  troubled  thought  is  thus  expreft, 
To  be  a  Chaos  rude  and  indigeft : 
Where  all  doe  rule,  and  yet  none  beares  chiefe  fway  : 
Checkt  onely  by  a  power  that's  more  then  they. 
This  doe  I  fpeake,  fince  to  this  euery  louer 
That  thus  doth  loue,  is  thus  ftill  giuen  ouer. 
If  that  you  fay  you  will  not,  cannot  loue  : 
Oh  Heauens  !  for  what  caufe  then  do  you  here  moue  ? 
Are  you  not  fram'd  of  that  experteft  mold, 
For  whom  all  in  this  Round  concordance  hold  ? 
Or  are  you  framed  of  fome  other  fafhion, 
And  haue  a  forme  and  heart,  but  yet  no  ^  paflion  ? 
It  cannot  be  :  for  then  vnto  what  end 
Did  the  beft  worke-man  this  great  worke  intend  ? 
Not  that  by  minds  commerce,  and  ioynt  eftate. 
The  worlds  continuers  ftill  ftiould  propagate  ? 
Yea,  if  that  Reafon  (Regent  of  the  Senfes) 
Haue  but  a  part  amongft  your  excellences, 

'  Old  eds,  have  ^. 


\ 


72  Britannia  s  Pajiora/s.      Booke  i 

Shee'll  tell  you  what  you  call  Virginitie, 
Is  fitly  lik'ned  to  a  barren  tree ; 
Which  when  the  Gardner  on  it  paines  beftowes, 
To  graffe  an  Impe  thereon,  in  time  it  growes 
To  fuch  perfe6lion,  that  it  yeerely  brings 
As  goodly  fruit,  as  any  tree  that  fprings. 
Beleeue  me  Maiden,  vow  no  chaftitie : 
For  maidens  but  imperfed:  creatures  be. 

Alas  poore  Boy  (quoth  Marine)  haue  the  Fates 
Exempted  no  degrees  ?  are  no  eftates 
Free  from  Loues  rage  ?     Be  rul'd :  vnhappy  Swaine, 
Call  backe  thy  fpirits,  and  recolledl  againe 
Thy  vagrant  wits.     I  tell  thee  for  a  truth 
"  Loue  is  a  Syren  that  doth  fhipwracke  youth. 
Be  well  aduis'd,  thou  entertainft  a  gueft 
That  is  the  Harbinger  of  all  vnreft  : 
Which  like  the  Vipers  young,  that  licke  the  earth, 
Eat  out  the  breeders  wombe  to  get  a  birth. 

Faith  (quoth  the  Boy)  I  know  there  cannot  be, 
Danger  in  louing  or  inioying  thee. 
For  what  caufe  were  things  made  and  called  good. 
But  to  be  loued  ?     If  you  vnderftood 
The  Birds  that  prattle  here,  you  would  know  then. 
As  birds  wooe  birds,  maids  (hould  be  woo'd  of  men. 
But  I  want  power  to  wooe,  fince  what  was  mine 
Is  fled,  and  lye  as  vaflals  at  your  flirine : 
And  fince  what's  mine  is  yours,  let  that  fame  moue, 
Although  in  me  you  fee  nought  worthy  Loue. 
Marine  about  to  fpeake,  forth  of  a  fling 
(Fortune  to  all  misfortunes  plyes  her  wing 
More  quicke  and  fpeedy)  came  a  fharpned  flint. 
Which  in  the  faire  boyes  necke  made  fuch  a  dint, 
That  crimfon  bloud  came  ftreaming  from  the  wound, 
And  he  fell  downe  into  a  deadly  fwound. 
The  bloud  ran  all  along  where  it  did  fall. 
And  could  not  finde  a  place  of  buriall  : 


Song  2.        Britannia  s  Pajlorals,  73 

But  where  it  came,  it  there  congealed  ftood, 

As  if  the  Earth  loath'd  to  drinke  guiltlefle  blood. 

Gold-haird  Apollo^  Mufes  facred  King, 
VVhofe  praife  in  Delphos  He  doth  euer  ring  : 
Phyfickes  firft  founder,  whofe  Arts  excellence 
Extradled  Natures  chiefeft  quinteflence, 
Vnwilling  that  a  thing  of  fuch  a  worth 
Should  fo  be  loft  ;   ftraight  fent  a  Dragon  forth 
To  fetch  his  bloud,  and  he  perform'd  the  fame  : 
And  now  Apothecaries  giue  it  name, 
From  him  that  fetcht  it:   (Doctors  know  it  good 
^^  In  Phyficks  vfe)  and  call  it  Dragons  bloud. 
Some  of  the  bloud  by  chance  did  down-ward  fall, 
And  by  a  veine  got  to  a  Minerall, 
Whence  came  a  Red,  decayed  Dames  infufe  it 
With  Venice  Cerufe,  and  for  painting  vfe  it. 
Marine  aftonifht  (moft  vnhappy  Maid) 
O'er- come  with  feare,  and  at  the  view  afraid. 
Fell  downe  into  a  trance,  eyes  loft  their  fight, 
Which  being  open,  made  all  darknefte  light. 
Her  bloud  ran  to  her  heart,  of  life  to  feed. 
Or  lothing  to  behold  fo  vile  a  deed. 

And  as  when  Winter  doth  the  Earth  array 
In  filuer  fute,  and  when  the  night  and  day 
Are  in  diflention,  Night  locks  vp  the  ground. 
Which  by  the  helpe  of  day  is  oft  vnbound  : 
A  fhepherds  boy  with  bow  and  fhafts  addreft. 
Ranging  the  fields,  hauing  once  pierc'd  the  breft 
Of  fome  poore  fowle,  doth  with  the  blow  ftraight  rufh 
To  catch  the  Bird  lyes  panting  in  the  Bufti :  tonlTiL 

So  ruflit  this  ftriker  in,  vp  Marine  tooke,  natures  of 

And  haftned  with  her  to  a  neare-hand  Brooke.  rifmg^neere 

Old  Shepherds  faine  (old  fliepherds  footh  haue  faine)  together, 

Two  Riuers  tooke  their  iflue  from  the  Maine,  ing  in  their 

Both  neere  together,  and  each  bent  his  race,  taftes  and 

Which  of  them  both  ftiould  firft  behold  the  face  !^nnbg° 


74  Britannia's  Pajlorals,      Booke  i. 

Of  Radiant  Plwbus  :  One  of  them  in  gliding 

Chanc'd  on  a  Veine  where  Niter  had  abiding : 

The  other  loathing  that  her  purer  Waue 

Should  be  defil'd  with  that  the  Niter  gaue, 

Pled  faft  away,  the  other  follow'd  faft. 

Till  both  beene  in  a  Rocke  ymet  at  laft. 

As  feemed  beft,  the  Rocke  did  firft  deliuer 

Out  of  his  hollow  fides  the  purer  Riuer : 

(As  if  it  taught  thofe  men  in  honour  clad. 

To  helpe  the  vertuous  and  fuppreffe  the  bad.) 

Which  gotten  loofe,  did  foftly  glide  away. 

As  men  from  earth,  to  earth  ;  from  fea  to  fea  ; 

So  Riuers  run :  and  that  from  whence  both  came 

Takes  what  fhe  gaue  :  Waues^  Earth  :  butleaues  a  name. 

As  waters  haue  their  courfe,  &  in  their  place 

Succeeding  flireames  will  out,  fo  is  mans  race  : 

The  Name  doth  ftill  furuiue,  and  cannot  die, 

Vntill  the  Channels  flop,  or  Spring  grow  dry. 

As  I  haue  feene  vpon  a  Bridall  day 
Full  many  Maids  clad  in  their  befl  array. 
In  honour  of  the  Bride  come  with  their  Flafkets 
Fill'd  full  with  flowers :  others  in  wicker- bafkets 
Bring  from  the  Marifh  Rufhes,  to  o'er-fpread 
The  ground,  whereon  to  Church  the  Louers  tread ; 
Whilft  that  the  quaintefl  youth  of  all  the  Plaine 
Vfhers  their  way  with  many  a  piping  flraine  : 
So,  as  in  ioy,  at  this  faire  Riuers  birth, 
'Triton  came  vp  a  Channell  with  his  mirth, 
And  call'd  the  neighb'ring  Nymphs  each  in  her  turne 
To  poure  their  pretty  Riuilets  from  their  Vrne  ; 
To  wait  vpon  this  new-deliuered  Spring. 
Some  running  through  the  Meadowes,  with  them  bring 
Cowjlip  and  Mint :  and  'tis  anothers  lot 
To  light  vpon  fome  Gardeners  curious  knot. 
Whence  fhe  vpon  her  brefl  (loues  fweet  repofe) 
Doth  bring  the  Queene  of  flowers,  the  Engii/Zi  Rofe. 


Song  2.        Britan7tia  s  Pajiorals.  75 

Some  from  the  Fenne  bring  Reeds,  Wilde-tyme  from 
Some  fro  a  Groue  the  Bay  that  Poets  crowns  ;   (Downs  ; 
Some  from  an  aged  Rocke  the  Mofl'e  hath  torne, 
And  leaues  him  naked  vnto  winters  ftorme  : 
Another  from  her  bankes  (in  meere  good  will) 
Brings  nutriment  for  fifh,  the  Camomill. 
Thus  all  bring  fomewhat,  and  doe  ouer-fpread 
The  way  the  Spring  vnto  the  Sea  doth  tread. 

This  while  the  Floud  which  yet  the  Rocke  vp  pent. 
And  fuffered  not  with  iocund  merriment 
To  tread  rounds  in  his  Spring,  came  rufhing  forth, 
As  angry  that  his  waues  (he  thought)  of  worth 
Should  not  haue  libertie,  nor  helpe  the  pryrne. 
And  as  fome  ruder  Swaine  compofing  ryme. 
Spends  many  a  gray  Goofe  quill  vnto  the  handle. 
Buries  within  his  focket  many  a  Candle  ; 
Blots  Paper  by  the  quire,  and  dries  vp  Inke, 
As  Xerxes  Armie  did  whole  Riuers  drinke, 
Hoping  thereby  his  name  his  worke  fhould  raife 
That  it  fhould  Hue  vntill  the  laft  of  dayes  : 
Which  finifhed,  he  boldly  doth  addrefle 
Him  and  his  workes  to  vnder-goe  the  PreJJe  ; 
When  loe  (O  Fate !)  his  worke  not  feeming  fit 
To  walke  in  equipage  with  better  wit, 
Is  kept  from  light,  there  gnawne  by  Moathes  and  wormes, 
At  which  he  frets  :   Right  fo  this  Riuer  ftormes  : 
But  broken  forth  ;  As  Tauy  creepes  vpon 
The  Wefterne  vales  of  fertile  Albion, 
Here  dafhes  roughly  on  an  aged  Rocke, 
That  his  entended  paffage  doth  vp  locke  ; 
There  intricately  mongft  the  Woods  doth  wander, 
Lofing  himfelfe  in  many  a  wry  Meander: 
Here  amoroufly  bent,  clips  fome  faire  Mead  ; 
And  then  difperft  in  rils,  doth  meafures  tread 
Vpon  her  bofome  'mongft  her  flowry  ranks : 
There  in  another  place  beates  downe  the  banks. 


76  Britannia's  Pajiorals.      Booke  i. 

Of  fome  day-labouring  wretch  :    here  meets  a  rill, 

And  with  their  forces  ioyn'd  cuts  out  a  Mill 

Into  an  Hand,  then  in  iocund  guife 

Suruayes  his  conqueft,  lauds  his  enterprife  : 

Here  digs  a  Caue  at  fome  high  Mountaines  foot  : 

There  vndermines  an  Oake,  teares  vp  his  root : 

Thence  rufhing  to  fome  Ccuntry-farme  at  hand, 

Breaks  o'er  the  Yeomans  mounds,  fweepes  from  his  land 

His  Harueft  hope  of  Wheat,  of  Rye,  or  Peafe  : 

And  makes  that  channell  which  was  Shepherds  leafe  : 

Here,  as  our  wicked  age  doth  facriledge, 

Helpes  downe  an  Abbey,  then  a  naturall  bridge 

By  creeping  vnder  ground  he  frameth  out, 

As  who  fhould  fay  he  either  went  about 

To  right  the  wrong  he  did,  or  hid  his  face. 

For  hauing  done  a  deed  fo  vile  and  bafe  : 

So  ran  this  Riuer  on,  and  did  beftirre 

Himfelfe,  to  iinde  his  fellow-Traueller. 

But  th'other  fearing  leaft  her  noyfe  might  fhow 
What  path  fhe  took,  which  way  her  ftreams  did  flow  : 
As  fome  way-faring  man  ftrayes  th'row  a  wood. 
Where  beafts  of  prey  thirfting  for  humane  bloud 
Lurke  in  their  dens,  he  foftly  liilning  goes. 
Not  trufting  to  his  heeles,  treads  on  his  toes  : 
Dreads  euery  noife  he  heares,  thinks  each  fmall  bufh 
To  be  a  beaft  that  would  vpon  him  rufh  : 
Feareth  to  dye,  and  yet  his  winde  doth  fmother ; 
Now  leaues  this  path,  takes  that,  then  to  another: 
Such  was  her  courfe.      This  feared  to  be  found, 
The  other  not  to  finde,  fweis  o'er  each  mound, 
Roares,  rages,  foames,  againft  a  mountaine  dafhes. 
And  in  recoile,  makes  Meadowes  ftanding  plafhes  : 
Yet  findes  not  what  he  feekes  in  all  his  way. 
But  in  defpaire  runs  headlong  to  the  Sea. 
This  was  the  caufe  them  by  tradition  taught. 
Why  one  floud  ran  fo  faft,  th'other  fo  foft. 


Song  2.        Britannia  s  Pajiorals.  77 

Both  from  one  head.     Vnto  the  rougher  ftreame, 

(Crown'd  by  that  Meadowes  flowry  Diadem, 

Where  Doridon  lay  hurt)  the  cruell  Swaine 

Hurries  the  Shepherdefi*e,  where  hauing  laine 

Her  in  a  Boat  like  the  Camiowes  of  Inde^ 

Some  filly  trough  of  wood,  or  fome  trees  rinde  ; 

Puts  from  the  fhoare,  and  leaues  the  weeping  ftrand. 

Intends  an  a6t  by  water,  which  the  land 

Abhorr'd  to  boulfter  ;  yea,  the  guiltlefle  earth 

Loath'd  to  be  Mid-wife  to  fo  vile  a  birth. 

Which  to  relate  I  am  inforc'd  to  wrong 

The  modeft  blufhes  of  my  Maiden-fong. 

Then  each  faire  Nymph  whom  Nature  doth  endow 

With  beauties  cheeke,  crown'd  with  a  fhamefaft  brow  ; 

Whofe  well-tun'd  eares,  chaft-obie6l-louing  eyne 

Ne'er  heard  nor  faw  the  workes  of  ^Aretine  ;  •  ^n  ob- 

Who  ne'er  came  on  the  Citherean  fhelfe,  f«ne  itahan 

But  is  as  true  as  Chaftitie  it  felfe  ; 

Where  hated  Impudence  ne'er  fet  her  feed  ; 

Where  luft  lies  not  vail'd  in  a  virgins  weed  : 

Let  her  with-draw.     Let  each  young  Shepherdling 

Walke  by,  or  ftop  his  eare,  the  whilft  I  fing. 

But  yee,  whofe  bloud,  like  Kids  vpon  a  plaine. 
Doth  fkip,  and  dance  Lauoltoes  in  each  veine  ; 
Whofe  brefts  are  fwolne  with  the  Venerean  game, 
And  warme  your  felues  at  lufts  alluring  flame  ; 
Who  dare  to  a6t  as  much  as  men  dare  thinke. 
And  wallowing  lye  within  a  fenfuall  finke  ; 
Whofe  fained  geftures  doe  entrap  our  youth 
With  an  apparancie  of  fimple  truth  ; 
Infatiate  gulphs,  in  your  defedtiue  part 
By  Art  helpe  Nature,  and  by  Nature,  Art : 
Lend  me  your  eares,  and  I  will  touch  a  ftring 
Shall  lull  your  fenfe  afleepe  the  while  I  fing. 

But  ftay  :  me  thinkes  I  heare  fomething  in  me 
That  bids  me  keepe  the  bounds  of  modeftie ; 


yS  Britannia  s  P  aft  or  ah.      Booke 

Sayes,  *'  Each  mans  voice  to  that  is  quickly  moued 

"  Which  of  himfelfe  is  beft  of  all  beloued  ; 

"  By  vttring  what  thou  knowft  lefTe  glory's  got, 

"  Then  by  concealing  what  thou  knoweft  not. 

If  fo,  I  yeeld  to  it,  and  fet  my  reft 

Rather  to  lofe  the  bad,  then  wrong  the  beft. 

My  Maiden-Mufe  flies  the  lafciuious  Swaines, 

And  fcornes  to  foyle  her  lines  with  luftfull  ftraines : 

Will  not  dilate  (nor  on  her  fore-head  beare 

Immodefties  abhorred  Charadler) 

His  ftiamelefle  pryings,  his  vndecent  doings  ; 

His  curious  fearches,  his  refpe6llefre  wooings  : 

How  that  he  faw.      But  what  ?     I  dare  not  breake  it. 

You  fafer  may  conceiue  then  I  dare  fpeake  it. 

Yet  verily  had  he  not  thought  her  dead, 

Sh'ad  loft,  ne'er  to  be  found,  her  Maiden-head. 

The  rougher  ftreame  loathing  a  thing  compacted 
Of  fo  great  fhame,  ftiould  on  his  Floud  be  a(5led  ; 
(According  to  our  times  not  well  allow'd 
In  others,  what  he  in  himfelfe  auow'd) 
Bent  hard  his  fore-head,  furrow'd  vp  his  face. 
And  danger  led  the  way  the  boat  did  trace. 
And  as  within  a  Layidjkip  that  doth  ftand 
Wrought  by  the  Pencill  of  fome  curious  hand. 
We  may  difcry,  here  meadow,  there  a  wood  : 
Here  ftanding  ponds,  and  there  a  running  floud  : 
Here  on  fome  mount  a  houfe  of  pleafure  vanted. 
Where  once  the  roaring  Cannon  had  beene  planted  : 
There  on  a  hill  a  Swaine  pipes  out  the  day, 
Out-brauing  all  the  Quirifters  of  May. 
A  Hunts-man  here  followes  his  cry  of  hounds, 
Driuing  the  Hare  along  the  fallow  grounds  : 
Whilft  one  at  hand  feeming  the  fport  t'allow, 
Followes  the  hounds,  and  carelefle  leaues  the  Plow. 
There  in  another  place  fome  high-rais'd  land. 
In  pride  beares  out  her  breafts  vnto  the  ftrand. 


Song  2.        Britannia  s  Pajiorals,  79 

Here  ftands  a  bridge,  and  there  a  conduit  head  : 
Here  round  a  May-pole  fome  the  meafures  tread : 
There  boyes  the  truant  play  and  leaue  their  booke  : 
Here  ftands  an  Angler  with  a  baited  hooke. 
There  for  a  Stagge  one  lurkes  within  a  bough  : 
Here  fits  a  Maiden  milking  of  her  Cow. 
There  on  a  goodly  plaine  (by  time  throwne  downe) 
Lies  buried  in  his  duft  fome  ancient  Towne  ; 
Who  now  inuillaged,  there's  onely  feene 
In  his  vafte  ruines  what  his  ftate  had  beene  : 
And  all  of  thefe  in  fhadowes  fo  expreft 
Make  the  beholders  eyes  to  take  no  reft. 
So  for  the  Swaine  the  Floud  did  meane  to  him 
To  (hew  in  Nature  (not  by  Art  to  limbe) 
A  Tempefts  rage,  his  furious  waters  threat. 
Some  on  this  fhoare,  fome  on  the  other  beat. 
Here  ftands  a  Mountaine,  where  was  once  a  Dale  ; 
There  where  a  Mountaine  ftood  is  now  a  Vale. 
Here  flowes  a  billow,  there  another  meets : 
Each,  on  each  fide  the  fkift^e,  vnkindly  greets. 
The  waters  vnderneath  gan  vpward  moue, 
Wondring  what  ftratagems  were  wrought  aboue  : 
Billowes  that  mift  the  boat,  ftill  onward  thruft. 
And  on  the  ClifFes,  as  fwolne  with  anger,  burft. 
All  thefe,  and  more,  in  fubftance  fo  expreft. 
Made  the  beholders  thoughts  to  take  no  reft. 
Horror  in  triumph  rid  vpon  the  waues ; 
And  all  the  Furies  from  their  gloomy  caues 
Came  houering  o're  the  Boat,  fummond  each  fence 
Before  the  fearefull  barre  of  Confcience ; 
Were  guilty  all,  and  all  condemned  were 
To  vnder-goe  their  horrors  with  defpaire. 

What  Mufe  ?  what  Powre  ?  or  what  thrice  facred  Herfe, 
That  Hues  immortall  in  a  well-tun'd  Verfe, 
Can  lend  me  fuch  a  fight  that  I  might  fee 
A  guilty  confcience  true  Anatomie  ; 


8o  Britannia  s  Pajlorals.      Booke  i. 

That  well-kept  Regifter  wherein  is  writ 

All  lis  men  doe,  all  goodnefie  they  omit  ? 

His  pallid  feares,  his  forrowes,  his  affrightings  ; 

His  late  wiflit  had-I-wifis,  remorcefull  bitings  : 

His  many  tortures,  his  heart-renting  paine  : 

How  were  his  griefes  compofed  in  one  chaine, 

And  he  by  it  let  downe  into  the  Seas, 

Or  th'row  the  Center  to  \k^ Antipodes  ? 

He  might  change  Climates,  or  be  barr'd  Heauens  face ; 

Yet  finde  no  falue,  nor  euer  change  his  cafe. 

Feares,  forrowes,  tortures,  fad  affrights,  nor  any. 

Like  to  the  Confcience  fting,  though  thrice  as  many ; 

Yet  all  thefe  torments  by  the  Swaine  were  borne. 

Whilfl:  Deaths  grim  vifage  lay  vpon  the  ftorme. 

But  as  when  fome  kinde  Nurfe  doth  long  time  keep 
Her  pretty  babe  at  fucke,  whom  falne  afleepe 
She  layes  downe  in  his  Cradle,  ftints  his  cry 
With  many  a  fweet  and  pleafing  Lullaby ; 
Whilft  the  fweet  childe,  not  troubled  with  the  fhock, 
As  fweetly  {lumbers,  as  his  Nurfe  doth  rocke  : 
So  lay  the  Maid,  th'amazed  Swaine  fate  weeping. 
And  death  in  her  was  difpoffeft  by  fleeping. 
The  roaring  voyce  of  winds,  the  billowes  raues  ; 
Nor  all  the  muttring  of  the  fullen  waues 
Could  once  difquiet,  or  her  flumber  ftirre  : 
But  lull'd  her  more  afleepe  then  wakened  her. 
Such  are  their  ftates,  whofe  foules  from  foule  offence 
Enthroned  fit  in  fpotleffe  Innocence. 
Where  reft  my  Mufe ;  till  (iolly  Shepheards  Swain'es) 
Next  morne  with  Pearles  of  dew  bedecks  our  plaines 
Wee'll  fold  our  flockes,  then  in  fit  time  goe  on 
To  tune  mine  Oaten  pipe  for  Doridon. 


SoxVG  3.        Britaimid s  Pajiorals. 


81 


The  Third  Song. 


The  Shepheards  Swaine  here  Jin  gin g  on, 
Tels  of  the  cure  of  Doridon  : 
And  then  vnto  the  waters  fats 
Chanteth  the  rujlicke  Pajiorals. 


Ovv  had  the  Sunne^  in  golden  chariot  hurl'd. 
Twice  bid  good-morrow  to  the  nether  world  : 
And  Cynthia^  in  her  orbe  and  perfecft  round. 
Twice  view'd  the  fhadowes  of  the   vpper 
ground. 

Twice  had  the  Day-Jlarre  vfher'd  forth  the  light ; 
And  twice  the  Euening-ftarre  proclaim'd  the  night ; 
Ere  once  the  fweet-fac'd  Boy  (now  all  forlorne) 
Came  with  his  Pipe  to  refalute  the  Morne. 

When  grac'd  by  time  (vnhappy  time  the  while) 
The  cruell  Swaine  (who  ere  knew  Swaine  fo  vile  ?) 
Had  ftroke  the  Lad,  in  came  the  watry  Nymph, 
To  raife  from  found  poore  Doridon  (the  Impe, 
Whom  Nature  feem'd  to  haue  feleded  forth 
To  be  ingraffed  on  fome  ftocke  of  worth  ;) 

M 


82  Brita7inid s  Pajlorah,      Booke  i. 

And  the  Maids  helpe,  but  fince  ^' to  doomes  of  Fate 
"  Succour,  though  ne'er  fo  foone,  comes  ftill  too  late." 
She  rais'd  the  youth,  then  with  her  armes  inrings  him, 
And  fo  with  words  of  hope  fhe  home-wards  brings  him. 

At  doore  expedling  him  his  Mother  fate, 
Wondring  her  Boy  fhould  ftay  from  her  fo  late ; 
Framing  for  him  vnto  her  felfe  excufes. 
And  with  fuch  thoughts  gladly  her  felfe  abufes  : 
As  that  her  fonne,  fince  day  grew  old  and  weake. 
Staid  with  the  Maids  to  runne  at  Barlihreake : 
Or  that  he  cours'd  a  Parke  with  females  fraught. 
Which  would  not  run  except  they  might  be  caught. 
Or  in  the  thickets  layd  fome  wily  fnare 
To  take  the  Rabbet,  or  the  pourblinde  Hare. 
Or  taught  his  Dogge  to  catch  the  climbing  Kid  : 
Thus  Shepheards  doe ;  and  thus  fhe  thought  he  did. 
"  In  things  expetled  meeting  with  delay ^ 
"  Though  there  be  none^  we  frame  Jome  cauje  of  ftay . 
And  fo  did  fhe,  (as  fhe  who  doth  not  fo  ?) 
Conie6lure  Time  vnwing'd  he  came  fo  flow. 
But  Doridon  drew  neere,  fo  did  her  griefe : 
"  111  lucke,  for  fpeed,  of  all  things  elfe  is  chiefe. 
Homer.  For  as  the  BUnde-man  fung,  Time  Jo  prouideSy 

That  loy  goes  ft  ill  on  foot  ^  and  for  row  rides. 
Now  when  fhe  faw  (a  wofull  fight)  her  fonne. 
Her  hopes  then  fail'd  her,  and  her  cries  begun 
To  vtter  fuch  a  plaint,  that  fcarce  another, 
Like  this,  ere  came  from  any  loue-ficke  mother. 

If  man  hath  done  this,  heauen  why  mad'fl  thoii  men  ? 
Not  to  deface  thee  in  thy  children  ; 
But  by  the  worke  the  Worke-man  to  adore  ; 
Framing  that  fomething,  which  was  nought  before. 
Aye  me  vnhappy  wretch  !  if  that  in  things 
Which  are  as  we  (faue  title)  men  feare  Kings, 
That  be  their  Pofiures  to  the  life  Hmb'd  on 
Some  wood  as  fraile  as  they,  or  cut  in  ftone. 


Song  3.        Britan?tias  Pajiorals.  83 

"  Tis  death  to  ftab  :  why  then  fhould  earthly  things 

Dare  to  deface  his  forme  who  formed  Kings  ? 

When  the  world  was  but  in  his  infancy, 

Reuenge,  Defires  vniuft,  vile  lealoufie, 

Hate,  Enuy,  Murther,  all  thefe  fix  then  raigned, 

When  but  their  halfe  of  men  the  world  contained  : 

Yet  but  in  part  of  thefe,  thofe  ruled  then, 

When  now  as  many  vices  Hue  as  men. 

Liue  they  ?  yes  Hue  I  feare  to  kill  my  Sonne, 

With  whom  my  ioyes,  my  loue,  my  hopes  are  done. 

Ceafe,  quoth  the  Waters  Nymph^  that  led  the  Swain  ; 
Though  'tis  each  mothers  caufe  thus  to  complaine  : 
Yet  "  abftinence  in  things  we  muft  profefie 
"  Which  Nature  fram'd  for  need,  not  for  excefie. 

Since  the  leaft  bloud,  drawne  from  the  lefler  part 
Of  any  childe,  com.es  from  the  Mothers  hart. 
We  cannot  chufe  but  grieue,  except  that  wee 
Should  be  more  fenflefie  than  the  fenflefie  tree, 
Reply'd  his  Mother.  Doe  but  cut  the  limbe 
Of  any  Tree,  the  trunke  will  vveepe  for  him  : 
Rend  the  cold  *  Sicamofs  thin  barke  in  two,  *  Alluding 

His  Name  and  Teares,  would  fay,  So  Loue  JJiould  do.         jiVpronuf- 
"  That  Mother  is  all  flint  (then  beafts  lefle  good)  Sffere"'' 

"  Which  drops  no  water  when  her  childe  ftreames  blood,  orthogra- 

At  this  the  wounded  Boy  fell  on  his  knee,  p^'^- 

Mother,  kinde  Mother  (faid)  weepe  not  for  mee. 
Why,  I  am  well  ?     Indeed  I  am  :   If  you 
Ceafe  not  to  weepe,  my  wound  will  bleed  anew. 
When  I  was  promift  firft  the  lights  fruition. 
You  oft  haue  told  me,  'twas  on  this  condition. 
That  I  fliould  hold  it  with  like  rent  and  paine 
As  others  doe,  and  one  time  leaue't  againe. 
Then  deereft  mother  leaue,  oh  leaue  to  waile, 
*'  Time  will  effed,  where  teares  can  nought  auaile. 

Herewith  Martnda  taking  vp  her  fonne. 
Her  hope,  her  loue,  her  ioy,  her  Doridon ; 


84  Britannia  s  P  aft  or  a  Is.      Booke  i 

She  thank'd  the  Nymph,  for  her  kinde  fuccour  lent. 
Who  ftrait  tript  to  her  watry  Regiment, 
•luiytooke       Downe  in  a  dell  (where  in  that  *  Month  whofe  fame 
his  name      Growes  greater  by  the  man  who  gaue  it  name, 

from  luhus  '-^  ^  .  '-' 

Cafar.         Stands  many  a  well-pil'd  cocke  of  fliort  fweet  hay 
That  feeds  the  hufbands  Neat  each  Winters  day) 
A  mountaine  had  his  foot,  and  gan  to  rife 
In  {lately  height  to  parlee  with  the  Skies. 
And  yet  as  blaming  his  owne  lofty  gate, 
Waighing  the  fickle  props  in  things  of  ftate. 
His  head  began  to  droope,  and  down-wards  bending, 
Knockt  on  that  breft  which  gaue  it  birth  and  ending  : 
And  lyes  fo  with  an  hollow  hanging  vaut. 
As  when  fome  boy  trying  the  Somerfaut, 
Stands  on  his  head,  and  feet,  as  hee  did  lie 
To  kicke  againft  earths  fpangled  Canopie ; 
When  feeing  that  his  heeles  are  of  fuch  weight, 
That  he  cannot  obtaine  their  purpos'd  height, 
Leaues  any  more  to  ftriue ;  and  thus  doth  fay. 
What  now  I  cannot  doe,  another  day 
May  well  effedt :  it  cannot  be  denide 
I  fhew'd  a  will  to  a6l,  becaufe  I  tride : 
The  Scornefull-hill  men  call'd  him,  who  did  fcorne 
So  to  be  call'd,  by  reafon  he  had  borne 
No  hate  to  greatnefle,  but  a  minde  to  be 
The  flaue  of  greatneffe,  through  Humilitie  : 
For  had  his  Mother  Nature  thought  it  meet 
He  meekly  bowing  would  haue  kift  her  feet. 

Vnder  the  hollow  hanging  of  this  hill 
There  was  a  Caue  cut  out  by  Natures  fkill : 
Or  elfe  it  feem'd  the  Mount  did  open's  breft. 
That  all  might  fee  what  thoughts  he  there  pofleft. 
Whofe  gloomy  entrance  was  enuiron'd  round 
With  ftirubs  that  cloy  ill  huft^ands  Meadow-ground  : 
The  thick-growne  Haw-thorne  &  the  binding  Bryer, 
The  Ho/ly  that  out-dares  cold  Winters  ire: 


Song  3.        Britannia  s  Pajl orals.  85 

Who  all  intwinde,  each  limbe  with  llmbe  did  deale. 
That  fcarfe  a  glympfe  of  light  could  inward  fteale. 
An  vncouth  place,  fit  for  an  vncouth  minde, 
That  is  as  heauy  as  that  caue  is  blinde ; 
Here  liu'd  a  man  his  hoary  haires  call'd  old, 
Vpon  whofe  front  time  many  yeares  had  told. 
Who,  fince  Dame  Nature  in  him  feeble  grew. 
And  he  vnapt  to  giue  the  world  ought  new. 
The  fecret  power  of  Hearbes  that  grow  on  mold. 
Sought  ought,  to  cherifh  and  relieue  the  old. 

Hither  Marinda  all  in  hafte  came  running. 
And  with  her  teares  defir'd  the  old  mans  cunning. 
When  this  good  man  (as  goodnefle  ftill  Is  preft 
At  all  affayes  to  helpe  a  wight  diftreft) 
As  glad  and  willing  was  to  eafe  her  fonne, 
As  fhe  would  euer  ioy  to  fee  it  done. 
And  giuing  her  a  falue  in  leaues  vp  bound ; 
And  fhe  direded  how  to  cure  the  wound. 
With  thanks,  made  home-wards,  (longing  ftill  to  fee 
Th'effed  of  this  good  Hermits  Surgerie) 
There  carefully,  her  fonne  laid  on  a  bed, 
(Enriched  with  the  bloud  he  on  it  fhed) 
She  wafhes,  dreffes,  bindes  his  wound  (yet  fore) 
That  grieu'd,  it  could  weepe  bloud  for  him  no  more. 

Now  had  the  glorious  Sunne  tane  vp  his  Inne, 
And  all  the  lamps  of  heau'n  inlightned  bin. 
Within  the  gloomy  fhades  of  fome  thicke  Spring, 
Sad  Philomel  g2in  on  the  Haw-thorne  fing, 
(Whilft  euery  beaft  at  reft  was  lowly  laid) 
The  outrage  done  vpon  a  filly  Maid. 
All  things  were  hufht,  each  bird  flept  on  his  bough  ; 
And  night  gaue  reft  to  him,  day  tyr'd  at  plough ; 
Each  beaft,  each  bird,  and  each  day-toyling  wight, 
Receiu'd  the  comfort  of  the  filent  night : 
Free  from  the  gripes  of  forrow  euery  one. 
Except  poore  Philomel  and  Doridon  ; 


86  Britannia  s  Pajiorah.      Booke  i 

She  on  a  Thorne  fings  fweet  though  fighing  ftraines  ; 
He  on  a  couch  more  foft,  more  fad  complaines : 
Whofe  in-pent  thoughts  him  long  time  hauing  pained. 
He  fighing  wept,  &  weeping  thus  complained. 

Sweet  Philomela  (then  he  heard  her  fing) 
1  doe  not  enuy  thy  fweet  caroUing, 
But  doe  admire  thee,  that  each  euen  and  morrow, 
Canft  carelefly  thus  fing  away  thy  forrow. 
Would  I  could  doe  fo  too  !    and  euer  be 
In  all  my  woes  ftill  imitating  thee : 
But  I  may  not  attaine  to  that ;  for  then 
Such  moft  vnhappy,  miferable  men 
Would  ftriue  with  Heauen,  and  imitate  the  Sunne, 
Whofe  golden  beames  in  exhalation, 
Though  drawn  from  Fens,  or  other  grounds  impure, 
Turne  all  to  fru6i:ifying  nouriture. 
When  we  draw  nothing  by  our  Sun-like  eyes. 
That  euer  turnes  to  mirth,  but  miferies : 
Would  I  had  neuer  feene,  except  that  fhe 
Who  made  me  wifh  fo,  loue  to  looke  on  me. 
Had  Colin  Clout  yet  liu'd,  (but  he  is  gone) 
That  beft  on  earth  could  tune  a  louers  mone, 
Whofe  fadder  Tones  inforc'd  the  Rocks  to  weepe, 
And  laid  the  greateft  griefes  in  quiet  fleepe  : 
Who  when  he  fung  (as  I  would  doe  to  mine) 
His  trueft  loues  to  his  faire  Rojaline, 
Entic'd  each  Shepherds  eare  to  heare  him  play. 
And  rapt  with  wonder,  thus  admiring  fay : 
Thrice  happy  plaines  (if  plaines  thrice  happy  may  be) 
Where  fuch  a  Shepherd  pipes  to  fuch  a  Lady. 
Who  made  the  Laffes  long  to  fit  downe  neere  him  ; 
And  woo'd  the  Riuers  fro  their  Springs  to  heare  him. 
Heauen  reft  thy  Soule  (if  fo  a  Swaine  may  pray) 
And  as  thy  workes  Hue  here,  Hue  there  for  aye. 
Meane  while  (vnhappy)  I  fhall  ftill  complaine 
Loues  cruell  wounding  of  a  feely  Swaine. 


Song  3.        Britannia  5  Pajlorah,  87 

Two  nights  thus  paft  :   the  Lilly-handed  Morne 
Saw  Fhcebus  fteahng  dewe  from  Ceres  Corne. 
The  mounting  Larke  (daies  herauld)  got  on  wing 
Bidding  each  bird  chufe  out  his  bough  and  fing. 
*The  lofty  Treble  fung  the  little  Wren  ;  *  a  defcrip- 

Robin  the  Meane,  that  beft  of  all  loues  men  ;  Muikau 

The  Nightingale  the  Tenor  ;  and  the  Thrujh  Confort  of 

The  Counter-tenor  fweetly  in  a  bufh  : 
And  that  the  Muficke  might  be  full  in  parts. 
Birds  from  the  groues  flew  with  right  willing  hearts : 
But  (as  it  feem'd)  they  thought  (as  doe  the  Swaines, 
Which  tune  their  Pipes  on  fack'd  Hibernians  plaines) 
There  fhould  fome  droaning  part  be,  therefore  will'd 
Some  bird  to  flie  into  a  neighb'ring  field, 
In  EmbafTie  vnto  the  King  of  Bees^ 
To  aid  his  partners  on  the  flowres  and  trees  : 
Who  condifcending  gladly  flew  along 
To  beare  the  Bafe  to  his  well-tuned  fong. 
The  Crow  was  willing  they  fhould  be  beholding 
For  his  deepe  voyce,  but  being  hoarfe  with  Avoiding, 
He  thus  lends  aide  ;  vpon  an  Oake  doth  climbe. 
And  nodding  with  his  head,  fo  keepeth  time. 

O  true  delight,  enharboring  the  brefts 
Of  thofe  fweet  creatures  with  the  plumy  crefts. 
Had  Nature  vnto  man  fuch  fimpl'efle  giuen, 
He  would  like  Birds  be  farre  more  neere  to  heauen. 
But  Doridon  well  knew  (who  knowes  no  lefle  ?) 
"  Mans  compounds  haue  o'er  thrown  his  fimplenefle. 

Noone-tide  the  Morne  had  woo'd,  and  fhe  gan  yeeld. 
When  Doridon  (made  ready  for  the  field) 
Goes  fadly  forth  (a  wofuU  Shepherds  Lad) 
Drowned  in  teares,  his  minde  with  griefe  yclad. 
To  ope  his  fold  and  let  his  Lamkins  out, 
(Full  iolly  flocke  they  feem'd,  a  well  fleec'd  rout) 
Which  gently  walk'd  before,  he  fadly  pacing. 
Both  guides  and  followes  them  towards  their  grazing. 


88  Britannia  s  Pajiorals,      Booke  i. 

When  from  a  Groue  the  Wood-Nymphs  held  full  deare. 

Two  heauenly  voyces  did  intreat  his  eare, 

And  did  compell  his  longing  eyes  to  fee 

What  happy  wight  enioy'd  fuch  harmonic. 

Which  ioyned  with  fiue  more,  and  fo  made  feauen, 

Would  parallel  in  mirth  the  Spheares  of  heauen. 

To  haue  a  fight  at  firft  he  would  not  prefTe, 

For  feare  to  interrupt  fuch  happineffe  : 

But  kept  aloofe  the  thicke  growne  fhrubs  among, 

Yet  fo  as  he  might  heare  this  wooing  Song, 

F.  TT^Ie  Shepherds  Swaine,  why  fitft  thou  all  alone, 

X     Whil'ft  other  Lads  are  {porting  on  the  leyes  ? 
R.  loy  may  haue  company,  but  Grief e  hath  none  : 

Where  pleafure  neuer  came,  fports  cannot  pleafe. 
F,  Yet  may  you  pleafe  to  grace  our  this  dales  fport. 

Though  not  an  adlor,  yet  a  looker  on. 
R.  A  looker  on  indeede,  fo  Swaines  of  fort, 

Caft  low,  take  ioy  to  looke  whence  they  are  thrown  ? 
F.  Seeke  ioy  and  finde  it. 
R.  Griefe  doth  not  minde  it. 

BOTH. 

Then  both  agree  in  one^ 

Sorrow  doth  hate 

'To  haue  a  mate ; 
"  True  griefe  is  fiill  alone. 

F.  Sad  Swaine  areade,  (if  that  a  Maid  may  afke) 

What  caufe  fo  great  efFedls  of  griefe  hath  wrought  ?) 
R.  Alas,  Loue  is  not  hid,  it  weares  no  mafke  ; 

To  view  'tis  by  the  face  conceiu'd  and  brought. 
F.  The  caufe  I  grant :   the  caufer  is  not  learned : 

Your  fpeech  I  doe  entreat  about  this  tafke. 
R.  If  that  my  heart  were  {^^wq,  'twould  be  difcerned  ; 

And  Fida's  name  found  grauen  on  the  cafke. 


Song  3.        Britannia  s  Pajiorals,  89 

F.  Hath  Loue  young  Remond  moued  ? 
R.  *Tis  Fida  that  is  loued. 

BOTH. 

Although  'tisjaid  that  no  men 

Will  with  their  hearts y 

Or  goods  chief e  'parts 
Trufi  either  Seas  or  Women. 

F.  How  may  a  Maiden  be  affur'd  of  loue, 

Since  falfhood  late  in  euerie  Swaine  excelleth  ? 
R,  When  proteftations  faile,  time  may  approue 

Where  true  afFedlion  Hues,  where  falfhood  dwelleth. 
F.  The  trueft  caufe  ele6ls  a  Judge  as  true  : 

Fie,  how  my  fighing,  my  much  louing  telleth. 
R.  Your  loue  is  iixt  in  one  whofe  heart  to  you 

Shall  be  as  conftancy,  which  ne'er  rebelleth. 
F.  None  other  fhall  haue  grace. 
R.  None  elfe  in  my  heart  place. 

BOTH. 

Goe  Shepherds  Swaines  and  iviue  all, 

For  Loue  and  Kings 

Are  two  like  things 
Admitting  no  Corriuall. 

As  when  fome  Malefador  iudg'd  to  die 
For  his  offence,  his  Execution  nye, 
Cafteth  his  fight  on  ftates  vnlike  to  his, 
And  weighs  his  ill  by  others  happineffe  : 
So  Doridon  thought  euery  ftate  to  be 
Further  from  him,  more  neere  felicitie. 

O  bleffed  fight,  where  fuch  concordance  meets. 
Where  truth  with  truth,  and  loue  with  liking  greets. 
Had  (quoth  the  Swain)  the  Fates  giuen  me  fome  meafure 
Of  true  delights  ineilimable  treafure, 
I  had  beene  fortunate  :  but  now  fo  weake 
My  bankrupt  heart  will  be  inforc'd  to  breake. 

N 


90  Brita7i7tid s  Pajlorals,      Booke  i 

Sweet  Loue  that  drawes  on  earth  a  yoake  fo  euen  ; 

Sweet  life  that  imitates  the  blifle  of  heauen  ; 

Sweet  death  they  needs  muft  haue,  who  fo  vnite 

That  two  diftin(5l  make  one  Heryna-phrodite : 

Sweet  loue,  fweet  life,  fweet  death,  that  fo  doe  meet 

On  earth  ;   in  death,  in  heauen  be  euer  fweet ! 

Let  all  good  wifhes  euer  wait  vpon  you. 

And  happineffe  as  hand-maid  tending  on  you. 

Your  loues  within  one  centre  meeting  haue  ! 

One  houre  your  deaths,  your  corps  pofl'efTe  one  graue  ! 

Your  names  ftill  greene,  (thus  doth  a  Swaine  implore) 

Till  time  and  memory  fhall  be  no  more ! 

Herewith  the  couple  hand  in  hand  arofe. 
And  tooke  the  way  which  to  the  fheep-walke  goes. 
And  whil'ft  that  Doridon  their  gate  look'd  on, 
His  dogge  difclos'd  him,  rufhing  forth  vpon 
A  well-fed  Deere,  that  trips  it  o'er  the  Meade, 
As  nimbly  as  the  wench  did  whilome  tread 
On  Ceres  dangling  eares,  or  Shaft  let  goe 
By  fome  faire  Nymph  that  beares  Diana  s  Bowe. 
When  turning  head,  he  not  a  foot  Vv'ould  fturre, 
Scorning  the  barking  of  a  Shepheards  curre  : 
So  fhould  all  Swaines  as  little  weigh  their  fpite, 
Who  at  their  fongs  doe  bawle,  but  dare  not  bite. 

Re?nond^  that  by  the  dogge  the  Mafter  knew, 
Came  backe,  and  angry  bade  him  to  purfue  ; 
Dory  (quoth  he)  if  your  ill-tuter'd  dogge 
Haue  nought  of  awe,  then  let  him  haue  a  clogge. 
Doe  you  not  know  this  feely  timorous  Deere, 
(As  vfuall  to  his  kinde)  hunted  whileare. 
The  Sunne  not  ten  degrees  got  in  the  Signes, 
Since  to  our  Maides,  here  gathering  Columbines, 
She  weeping  came,  and  with  her  head  low  laid 
In  Fidas  lap,  did  humbly  begge  for  aide. 
Whereat  vnto  the  hounds  they  gaue  a  checke, 
And  fauing  her,  might  fpie  about  her  necke 


Song  3.        Britannia  s  Pajiorals.  91 

A  Coller  hanging,  and  (as  yet  is  feene) 

Thefe  words  in  gold  wrought  on  a  ground  of  greene  : 

Maidens  :  fince  'tis  decreed  a  Maid  JJiall  haue  me^ 

Keepe  me  till  he  Jliall  kill  me  that  muft  Jaue  me. 

But  whence  fhe  came,  or  who  the  words  concerne. 

We  neither  know  nor  can  of  any  learne. 

Vpon  a  pallat  (he  doth  lie  at  night, 

Neere  Fidds  bed,  nor  will  fhe  from  her  fight  : 

Vpon  her  walkes  fhe  all  the  day  attends. 

And  by  her  fide  fhe  trips  where  ere  fhe  wends. 

Remond  (replide  the  Swaine)  if  I  haue  wronged 
Fida  in  ought  which  vnto  her  belong'd  : 
I  forrow  for't,  and  truelie  doe  proteft, 
As  yet  I  neuer  heard  fpeech  of  this  Beaft  : 
Nor  was  it  with  my  will  ;  or  if  it  were. 
Is  it  not  lawfull  we  fhould  chafe  the  Deere, 
That  breaking  our  inclofures  euery  morne 
Are  found  at  feed  vpon  our  crop  of  corne  ? 
Yet  had  I  knowne  this  Deere,  I  had  not  wrong'd 
Fida  in  ought  which  vnto  her  belong'd. 

I  thinke  no  lefl'e,  quoth  Remond;  but  I  pray. 
Whither  walkes  Doridon  this  Holy-day  ? 
Come  driue  your  fheepe  to  their  appointed  feeding. 
And  make  you  one  at  this  our  merry  meeting. 
Full  many  a  Shepherd  with  his  louely  Lafl^e, 
Sit  telling  tales  vpon  the  clouer  grafie : 
There  is  the  merry  Shepherd  of  the  hole  ; 
Thenot^  PierSy  Nilkin^  Buddy y  Hobbinolly 
Alexis y  Siluany  "Teddy  of  the  Glen, 
Rowly  and  Perigot  here  by  the  Fen, 
With  many  more,  I  cannot  reckon  all 
That  meet  to  folemnize  this  feftiuall. 

I  grieue  not  at  their  mirth,  faid  Doridon : 
Yet  had  there  beene  of  Feafls  not  any  one 
Appointed  or  commanded,  you  will  fay, 
"  Where  there's  Content  'tis  euer  Holy-day. 


92  Britannia  s  Pa/lorals,      Booke 

Leaue  further  talke  (quoth  Remond)  let's  be  gone. 
He  helpe  you  vv-ith  your  fheepe,  the  time  drawes  on. 
Fida  will  call  the  Hinde^  and  come  with  vs. 

Thus  went  they  on,  and  Remond  did  difcufle 
Their  caufe  of  meeting,  till  they  won  with  pacing 
The  circuit  chofen  for  the  Maidens  tracing. 
It  was  a  Roundell  feated  on  a  plaine, 
That  flood  as  Sentinell  vnto  the  Maine^ 
Enuiron'd  round  with  Trees  and  many  an  Arbour, 
Wherein  melodious  birds  did  nightly  harbour  : 
And  on  a  bough  within  the  quickning  Spring, 
Would  be  a  teaching  of  their  young  to  fing ; 
Whofe  pleafing  Noates  the  tyred  Swaine  haue  made 
To  fteale  a  nap  at  noone-tide  in  the  fhade. 
Nature  her  felfe  did  there  in  triumph  ride, 
And  made  that  place  the  ground  of  all  her  pride. 
Whofe  various  flowres  deceiu'd  the  rafher  eye 
In  taking  them  for  curious  Tapiftrie. 
A  filuer  Spring  forth  of  a  rocke  did  fall. 
That  in  a  drought  did  ferue  to  water  all. 
Vpon  the  edges  of  a  graffie  banke, 
A  tuft  of  Trees  grew  circling  in  a  ranke, 
As  if  they  feem'd  their  fports  to  gaze  vpon. 
Or  ftood  as  guard  againft  the  winde  and  Sunne  : 
So  faire,  fo  frefli,  fo  greene,  fo  fweet  a  ground 
The  piercing  eyes  of  heauen  yet  neuer  found^ 
Here  Doridon  all  ready  met  doth  fee, 
(Oh  who  would  not  at  fuch  a  meeting  be  ?) 
I  Where  he  might  doubt,  who  gaue  to  other  grace, 
'  Whether  the  place  the  Maids,  or  Maids  the  place. 
Here  gan  the  Reede,  and  merry  Bag-pipe  play, 
Shrill  as  a  Thrufli  vpon  a  Morne  of  May, 
(A  rurall  Muficke  for  an  heauenly  traine) 
And  euery  Shepherdefle  danc'd  with  her  Swaine. 
As  when  fome  gale  of  winde  doth  nimbly  take 
A  faire  white  locke  of  wooll,  and  with  it  make 


Song  3.        Britannia  s  P  aft  or  ah.  93 

Some  prettie  driuing  ;  here  it  fweepes  the  plaine  : 
There  ftaies,  here  hops,  there  mounts,  and  turns  again  : 
Yet  all  fo  quicke,  that  none  fo  foone  can  fay 
That  now  it  flops,  or  leapes,  or  turnes  away  : 
So  was  their  dancing,  none  look'd  thereupon. 
But  thought  their  feuerall  motions  to  be  one. 
A  crooked  meafure  was  their  firft  eledion, 
Becaufe  all  crooked  tends  to  heft  perfedion. 
And  as  I  weene  this  often  bowing  meafure. 
Was  chiefly  framed  for  the  women's  pleafure. 
Though  like  the  rib,  they  crooked  are  and  bending, 
Yet  to  the  beft  of  formes  they  aime  their  ending  : 
Next  in  an  (/)  their  meafure  made  a  reft, 
Shewing  when  Loue  is  plaineft  it  is  beft. 
Then  in  a  {T)  which  thus  doth  Loue  commend. 
Making  of  two  at  firft,  one  in  the  end. 
And  laftly  clofing  in  a  round  do  enter. 
Placing  the  lufty  Shepherds  in  the  center : 
About  the  Swaines  they  dancing  feem'd  to  roule. 
As  other  Planets  round  the  Heauenly  Pole. 
Who  by  their  fweet  afpedl  or  chiding  frowne. 
Could  raife  a  Shepherd  vp,  or  caft  him  downe. 
Thus  were  they  circled  till  a  Swaine  came  neere, 
And  fent  this  fong  vnto  each  Shepherds  eare : 
The  Note  and  voyce  fo  fweet,  that  for  fuch  mirth 
The  Gods  would  leaue  the  heauens,  &  dwell  on  earth. 

HAppy  are  you  fo  enclojedy 
May  the  Maids  be  Jlill  dijpofed 
In  their  gejiures  and  their  dances. 
So  to  grace  you  with  intwiningy 
That  Enuy  wijh  injuch  combining^ 
Fortunes /mile  with  happy  chances. 

Here  it  Jeemes  as  if  the  Graces 
Meafufd  out  the  Plaine  in  traces^ 


94  Britannia  s  Pajiorals.      Booke 

In  a  Shepherdeje  difguifmg. 
Are  the  Spheares/o  nimbly  turning  ? 
Wandring  Lamps  in  heauen  burnings 

'To  the  eye  Jo  much  intifing  ? 

Tes,  Heauen  meanes  to  take  theje  thither^ 
And  adde  one  ioy  to  fee  both  dance  together. 

Gentle  Nymphes  be  not  refufingy 
Loues  negle5f  is  times  abufing, 

They  and  beauty  are  but  lent  you ^ 
Take  the  one  and  keepe  the  other  : 
Loue  keepes  fre/Ji^  what  age  doth /mother. 

Beauty  gone  you  will  repent  you. 

'Twill  be /aid  when  yee  haue  proued, 
Neuer  Swaines  more  truly  loued : 

O  then  flye  all  nice  behauiour. 
Pitty  faine  would  {as  her  dutie) 
Be  attending  ftill  on  beautie, 

Let  her  ?wt  be  out  of  fauour. 

Difdaine  is  now  Jo  much  rewarded^ 
That  Pitty  weepes  ftnce  JJie  is  vnregarded. 

The  meafure  and  the  Song  here  being  ended  : 

Each  Swain  his  thoughts  thus  to  his  Loue  comended. 


Song  3. 


'x*?r 


Britannia  s  Pajiorals. 
The  Jirji  prefents  his  Dogge,  with  theje 


95 


x:^ 


^, 


IM^ 


When  I  my  flocke  neere  you  doe  keepe^ 
s^  And  bid  my  Dogge  goe  take  a  Sheepe^ 
jc*^  He  cleane  miftakes  what  I  bid  doe, 
""^^  And  bends  his  pace  Ji ill  towards  you. 
^^^       Poore  wretch y  he  knowes  more  care  I  keepe 
■^^^^       To  get  you y  then  ajeely  Sheep 


Wr 


A^?:i^ 


^  7f^,:it^^  ^^^i:iT^\  ^\ 


^ 


^i^^i 


The  fecond,  his  Pipe^  with  thefe  : 


Bid  me  tofing  (^faire  Maid)  my  Song  /Jial  proue 
There  ne'er  was  truer  Pipe  Jung  truer  Loue. 


The  third,  a  paire  of  Glouesy  thus  : 


."■v 


'^^^'^^•^S#i5&^ 


JL 


^(^  fXc^  r^l  1^-^^  r  «iri  (^^  r^' (^^  ^^ 


'iw2)i; 


,k<I>^! 


^  The/e  will  keepe  your  bands  from  burning, 
^,^  Whilji  the  Sunne  is  Jwiftly  turning  :  ^S»3g. 

-^^^i  But  who  can  any  veile  deuije 
^^<   To  JJiield  my  Heart  from  your  f aire  Eyes? 

M  ^ 

^--s  iiwuKr   TiKWlr  Twwr    Tl^sr   Twwir  ^*^ 


JC. 


96 


Britan?7ias  Pajiorals.       Booke  i. 


The  fourth,  an  Anagram 
Maiden  aid  Men. 


^^^^{^)\ 


/XSlA 


•x^. 


Maidens  Jhould  be  ay  ding  Men^ 
And  for  loue  giiie  loue  agen : 
Learne  this  lejfon  from  your  Mother, 
One  good  wifli  requires  another. 
They  dejerue  their  names  befi,  when 
Maids  moji  willingly  aid  Men. 


qp  'IP  '^p  '^iP  'if 


The  fift,  a  Ri?Jg,  with  a  Pidure 
in  a  lewell  on  it. 

^   Nature  hath  fram'd  a  lemme  beyond  compare, 
!^    The  world's  the  Ring,  but  you  the  lewell  are. 


'^C 


n 


The  fixt,  a  Nofegay  of  Rofes,  with  a 
Nettle  in  it. 


41k 


^' 


^v 


m 


J*X^ 


Such  is  the  Pofie,  Loue  compofes ; 
A  flinging  Nettle  mixt  with  Rofes. 


V  v  1 


i: 


Song  3, 


Britannia  s  Pajlorals, 


97 


The  feuenth,  a  Girdle. 


_    This  during  light  I  giue  to  clip  your  Waft, 
^   Faire,  grant  mine  armes  that  place  when  day 
is  paft. 


cfQ 


on  ham  the  substance ,  and  I  Hue 
But  by  the  shadcwe  which  you  aiue , 
Substance  and  shaclo we ,00th  are  clue,\g 
Amd  aiuen  of  me  to  none  hut  you. 
Then  whence  is  life  hat  from  that  farl, 
which  is  possessor  of  the  hart . 


-<[{   Tht  Hooke  ofri^htMmi^  lo  you,  for  when  I  take  hui  seelit  Sheepe,yo  stM 


o 


98 


Britannia  s  Pajiorals.      Booke  i. 


<Tjfe^ni/C 


•v6u!uxn(i  ^qj(imi.i]imiy3V3  yju 


•^fkiudTif.  9q  97101  01  -pun  ^soi-  wq; 


wpiv^q  dno/TdpDijS  oj.s^30j  of  iq 


L  oueUevKu'den  best  of  my     J^ 

•  _~ 

Ofourplaines  ihoiigh  ihriceasymi^j^ 

Vaile  io  hne  andleaue  clenyem^7~2^ 
E  nclles  hnotts  left  fates  beiyem^~r^ 


9ij_np  s/y  wpAnuj.  ^/C/BmsiifJ^  S' ucb aJace,sofyjie  afeahire~~2> 

(Kmdes-ijairesi  sweetest  creatiim^ 
Nemr  yet  wasjouTid,  but  Ioum^7~^ 

I'  '      " 

0  then  lett  w/  jpMntcs  be  momng: ^ 


S3ss3iiof.ijiooms  0;3(IIU03  uusp93j^ 


S3ssiip  dmpajs[  luioipn  vofo^ii^ 


afumfhid ipijsnd  adoy  /Tdjn^  Trust  a shepheaTdthoiigk^ meanest^ 


hmui  moip\  V3q  mvij  p^noys  /^nv9  g" 


Tntth  is  best  uhm  sh.ee  isplainesty^ 
I  hue^not,  with  wives  cmtestrn^T^ 


'jfuiimdu  ipis  j^mjfdMQ  puf 


'j^m^uiju  3(1  pjRoii?  pip  susprnj^ 


Time  jr  all  thinijes  doth  mhtr'ifl 
K  endens  each  desert  his  merrUfT^ 
Ifyjoii^  in  'Trie J,  as  me  manT^^ 
Doubtlesijmenere  wojmeaevom^ 


Song  3.         Britannia  s  Pajiorals. 


99 


loo  Britannia  s  Pajiorals.        Booke  i 


[o&  Cupd  leaues  his  howe,  Im  reason  is, 

Because yotir  eyes  womidt  when  his  shafts  doe  miss-e 


Whilft  euery  one  was  offrlng  at  the  fhrine 
Of  fuch  rare  beauties  might  be  ftil'd  diuine : 
This  lamentable  voyce  towards  them  flyes  : 
O  Heauen  Jend  aid,  or  elfe  a  Maiden  dies  I 
Herewith  fome  ran  the  way  the  voyce  them  led  ; 
Some  with  the  Maiden  ftaid  which  fhooke  for  dread  ; 
What  was  the  caufe  time  femes  not  now  to  tell. 
Harke ;  for  my  iolly  Wether  rings  his  bell, 
And  almoft  all  our  flocks  haue  left  to  graze, 
Shepherds  'tis  almoft  night,  hie  home  apace. 
When  next  we  meet  (as  we  (hall  meet  ere  long) 
He  tell  the  reft  in  fome  enfuing  Song. 


Song  4.        Britannia  s  P  aft  or  ah. 


lOl 


The  Fovrth   Song. 


'K  ,*\  x<\  i  \^\ 


The  Argvment. 

Fida's  difirejfe,  the  Hinde  is  Jlaine, 
Yet  from  her  ruines  Hues  again e. 
Riots  defcription  next  I  rime  ; 
Then  Aletheia,  and  old  Time  : 
And  lajllj,  from  this  Song  I  goe, 
Hauing  defcriFd  the  Vale  of  Woe. 


Appy  yee  dayes  of  old,  when  euery  wafte 
Was  like  a  Sanctvarie  to  the  chafte  : 
When  Incefts,  Rapes,   Adulteries,  were  not 

knowne ; 
All  pure  as  bloffomes,  which  are  newly  blowne. 

Maids  were  as  free  from  fpots,  and  foiles  within. 

As  moft  vnblemifht  in  the  outward  fkin. 

Men  euery  Plaine  and  Cottage  did  afford. 

As  fmooth  in  deeds,  as  they  were  faire  of  word. 

Maidens  with  Men  as  lifters  with  their  brothers ; 

And  Men  with  Maids  conuers'd  as  with  their  Mothers  ; 

Free  from  fufpition,  or  the  rage  of  blood. 

Strife  onely  raign'd,  for  all  ftriu'd  to  be  good. 


102  Britannia's  Pajlorals.       Booke  i 

But  then  as  little  Wrens  but  newly  fledge, 
Firft,  by  their  nefts  hop  vp  and  downe  the  hedge  ; 
Then  one  from  bough  to  bough  gets  vp  a  tree : 
His  fellow  noting  his  agilitie, 
Thinkes  he  as  well  may  venter  as  the  other, 
So  flufhing  from  one  fpray  vnto  another, 
Gets  to  the  top,  and  then  enbold'ned  flies, 
Vnto  an  height  pafl;  ken  of  humane  eyes  : 
So  time  brought  worfe,  men  firft  defir'd  to  talke  ; 
Then  came  fufpe6t ;  and  then  a  priuate  walke  ; 
Then  by  confent  appointed  times  of  meeting. 
Where  moft  fecurely  each  might  kifl^e  his  fweeting  ; 
Laflily,  with  lufl:s  their  panting  brefts  fo  fwell, 
They  came  to.      But  to  what  I  blufli  to  tell. 
And  entred  thus.  Rapes  vfed  were  of  all, 
Inceft,  Adultery,  held  as  Veniall  : 
The  certainty  in  doubtfull  ballance  reflis, 
If  beafts  did  learne  of  men,  or  men  of  beaflis. 
Had  they  not  learn'd  of  man  who  was  their  King, 
So  to  infult  vpon  an  vnderling, 
They  ciuilly  had  fpent  their  liues  gradation. 
As  meeke  and  milde  as  in  their  flrft  creation  ; 
Nor  had  th'  infedlions  of  infe6led  minds 
So  alter'd  nature,  and  diforder'd  kinds, 
Fida  had  beene  lefle  wretched,  I  more  glad. 
That  fo  true  loue  fo  true  a  progrefle  had. 

When  Remond  left  her  {Remond  then  vnklnde) 
Fida  went  downe  the  dale  to  feeke  the  Hinde  ; 
And  found  her  taking  foyle  within  a  flood  : 
Whom  when  fhe  call'd  ftraight  follow'd  to  the  wood. 
Fida  then  wearied,  fought  the  cooling  fliade. 
And  found  an  arbour  by  the  Shepherds  made 
To  frolike  in  (when  Sol  did  hotted  fliine) 
With  cates  which  were  farre  cleanlier  then  fine. 
For  in  thofe  dayes  men  neuer  vs'd  to  feed 
So  much  for  pleafure  as  they  did  for  need. 


Song  4-         Brita?inid s  Pajiorals.  103 

Enriching  then  the  arbour  downe  fhe  fate  her ; 
Where  many  a  bufie  Bee  came  flying  at  her  : 
Thinking  when  fhe  for  ayre  her  brefts  difclofes, 
That  there  had  gro wne  fome  tuft  of  Damafke-Rofes, 
And  that  her  azure  veines  which  then  did  fwell, 
Were  Conduit-pipes  brought  from  a  liuing  Well. 
Whofe  liquor  might  the  world  enioy  for  money, 
Bees  would  be  bank-rupt,  none  would  care  for  honey. 
The  Hinde  lay  ftill  without  (poore  filly  creature, 
How  like  a  woman  art  thou  fram'd  by  nature  .^ 
Timerous,  apt  to  teares,  wilie  in  running, 
Caught  beft  when  force  is  intermixt  with  cunning) 
Lying  thus  diftant,  different  chances  meet  them. 
And  with  a  fearfull  obie6l  Fate  doth  greet  them. 

Something  appear'd,  which  feem'd  farre  off,  a  man,        oefcription 
In  ftature,  habit,  gate,  proportion  :  oiRwt. 

But  when  their  eyes  their  obie6ts  Mafters  were, 
And  it  for  ftrider  cenfure  came  more  neere. 
By  all  his  properties  one  well  might  gheffe. 
Than  of  a  man,  he  fure  had  nothing  leffe. 
For  verily  fince  old  Deucalions  flood 
Earths  flime  did  ne'er  produce  a  viler  brood. 
Vpon  the  various  earths  embrodered  gowne 
There  is  a  weed  vpon  whofe  head  growes  Downe  ; 
Sow-thiftle  'tis  ycleep'd,  whofe  downy  wreath, 
If  any  one  can  blow  off  at  a  breath, 
W^e  deeme  her  for  a  Maid  :   fuch  was  his  haire. 
Ready  to  fhed  at  any  fl:irring  ayre. 
His  eares  were  ftrucken  deafe  when  he  came  nie. 
To  heare  the  Widowes  or  the  Orphans  crie. 
His  eyes  encircled  with  a  bloody  chaine, 
With  poaring  in  the  blood  of  bodies  flaine. 
His  mouth  exceeding  wide,  from  whence  did  flie 
Vollies  of  execrable  blafphemie  ; 
Banning  the  Heauens,  and  he  that  rideth  on  them, 
Dar'd  vengeance  to  the  teeth  to  fall  vpon  him  : 


I04  Britannia  s  Pajlorals.       Booke  i 

♦  Men  of      Like  Scythian  Wolues,  or  *men  of  wit  bereauen. 


Sciruni  /hoot 
againft  the 


Which  howle  and  fhoot  againft  the  lights  of  Heauen. 
surrei.         His  hands  (if  hands  they  were)  Hke  fome  dead  corfe, 
With  digging  vp  his  buried  anceftors ; 
Making  his  Fathers  tombe  and  facred  fhrine 
The  trough  wherein  the  Hog-heard  fed  his  Swine. 
And  as  that  Beaft  hath  legs  (which  Shepherds  feare, 
Ycleep'd  a  Badger^  which  our  Lambs  doth  teare) 
One  long,  the  other  fhort,  that  when  he  runs 
Vpon  the  plaines,  he  halts ;  but  when  he  wons 
On  craggy  Rocks,  or  fteepy  ftils,  we  fee 
None  runs  more  fwift,  nor  eafier  then  he : 
Such  legs  the  Monfter  had,  one  finew  fhrunke. 
That  in  the  plaines  he  reel'd,  as  being  drunke ; 
And  halted  in  the  paths  to  Vert  lie  tending : 
And  therefore  neuer  durft  be  that  way  bending  : 
But  when  he  came  on  carued  Monuments, 
Spiring  Colojfes,  and  high  raifed  rents, 
He  paft  them  oVe,  quicke,  as  the  Eafterne  winde 
Sweepes  through  a  Meadow  ;  or  a  nimble  Hinder 
Or  Satyre  on  a  Lawne ;  or  fkipping  Roe ; 
Or  well-wing'd  Shaft  forth  of  a  Parthian  bow. 
His  body  made  (ftill  in  confumptions  rife) 
A  miferable  prifon  for  a  life. 

Riot  he  hight ;  whom  fome  curs'd  Fiend  did  raife, 
When  like  a  Chaos  were  the  nights  and  dales  : 
Got  and  brought  vp  in  the  Cymerian  Clime, 
Where  Sun  nor  Moon,  nor  daies,  nor  nights  do  time  : 
As  who  fhould  fay,  they  fcorn'd  to  fhew  their  faces 
To  fuch  a  Fiend  fhould  feeke  to  fpoile  the  Graces. 

At  fight  whereof,  Fida  nigh  drown'd  in  feare, 
Was  cleane  difmaid  when  he  approched  neare  ; 
Nor  durft  ftie  call  the  Deere,  nor  whiftling  winde  her, 
Fearing  her  noife  might  make  the  Monfter  finde  her; 
Who  flily  came,  for  he  had  cunning  learn'd  him, 
And  feiz'd  vpon  the  Hinde,  ere  ftie  difcern'd  him. 


Song  4.        Britannia's  Pajiorals,  105 

Oh  how  fhe  ftriu'd  and  ftrugled ;  euery  nerue 
Is  preft  at  all  affaies  a  life  to  ferue  : 
Yet  foone  we  lofe,  what  we  might  longer  keepe 
Were  not  Preuention  commonly  a  fleepe. 
Maids,  of  this  Monfters  brood  be  fearefull  all, 
What  to  the  Hinde  may  hap  to  you  befall. 
Who  with  her  feet  held  vp  in  ftead  of  hands. 
And  teares  which  pittie  from  the  Rocke  commands, 
She  fighes,  and  fhrikes,  &  weeps,  and  looks  vpon  him  : 
Alas  fhe  fobs,  and  many  a  groane  throwes  on  him  ; 
With  plaints  which  might  abate  a  Tyrants  knife ; 
She  begs  for  pardon,  and  entreats  for  life. 
The  hollow  caues  refound  her  meanings  neere  it, 
That  heart  was  flint  which  did  not  grieue  to  heare  it : 
The  high  topt  Firres  which  on  that  mountaine  keep, 
Haue  euer  fince  that  time  beene  feene  to  weepe. 
The  Owle  till  then,  'tis  thought  full  well  could  fing, 
And  tune  her  voyce  to  euery  bubling  Spring : 
But  when  fhe  heard  thofe  plaints,  then  forth  fhe  yode 
Out  of  the  couert  of  an  luy  rod. 
And  hollowing  for  aide,  fo  ftrain'd  her  throat, 
That  fince  fhe  cleane  forgot  her  former  noat. 
A  little  Robin  fitting  on  a  tree, 
In  dolefull  noats  bewail'd  her  Tragedie. 
An  ^ifpe,  who  thought  him  fl:out,  could  not  diffemble. 
But  fhew'd  his  feare,  and  yet  is  feene  to  tremble. 
Yet  Cruelty  was  deafe,  and  had  no  fight 
In  ought  which  might  gain-fay  the  appetite  : 
But  with  his  teeth  rending  her  throat  afunder, 
Befprinkl'd  with  her  blood  the  greene  grafTe  vnder 
And  gurmundizing  on  her  flefh  and  blood. 
He  vomiting  returned  to  the  Wood. 
I      Ryot  but  newly  gone,  as  ftrange  a  vifion 
Though  farre  more  heauenly,  came  in  apparition. 
As  that  Arabian  bird  (whom  all  admire) 
Her  exequies  prepar'd  and  funerall  fire, 

p 


io6  Britanriid s  Pajlorals,      Booke  i 

Burnt  in  a  flame  concerned  from  the  Sun, 
And  nourifhed  with  flips  of  Cynamon, 
Out  of  her  aflies  hath  a  fecond  birth, 
And  flies  abroad,  a  wonderment  on  earth  : 
So  from  the  ruines  of  this  mangled  Creature 
Arofe  fo  faire  and  fo  diuine  a  feature, 
^J^rllfh^    That  Enuy  for  her  heart  would  doat  vpon  her ; 

Heauen  could  not  chufe  but  be  enamoured  on  her : 

Were  I  a  Starve.,  and  flie  a  fecond  Spheare, 

Ide  leaue  the  other,  and  be  fixed  there. 

Had  faire  Arachne  wrought  this  Maidens  haire. 

When  flie  with  T alias  did  for  fl^ill  compare, 

Minerua's  worke  had  neuer  beene  efteem'd. 

But  this  had  beene  more  rare  and  highly  deem'd. 

Yet  gladly  now  flie  would  reuerfe  her  doome, 

Weauing  this  haire  within  a  Spiders  Loome. 

Vpon  her  fore-head,  as  in  glory  fate 

Mercy  and  Maiefl:y,  for  wondring  at. 

As  pure  and  fimple  as  Albanians  fnow. 

Or  milke-white  Swans  which  ftem  the  ftreams  of  Foe  : 

Like  to  fome  goodly  fore-land,  bearing  out 

Her  haire,  the  tufts  which  fring'd  the  Thoare  about. 

And  lefl;  the  man  which  fought  thofe  coafts  might  flip. 

Her  eyes  like  Stars,  did  ferue  to  guide  the  fliip. 

Vpon  her  front  (heauens  fairefl:  Promontory) 

Delineated  was,  th'Authentique  Story 

Of  thofe  Ele(5t,  whofe  fheepe  at  firfl:  began 

To  nibble  by  the  fprings  of  Canaan  : 

Out  of  whole  facred  loynes  (brought  by  the  ftem 

Of  that  fweet  Singer  of  lerujaleni) 

Came  the  befl:  Shepherd  euer  flocks  did  keepe, 

Who  yeelded  vp  his  life  to  faue  his  flieepe. 

O  thou  Eterne  !  by  whom  all  beings  moue, 
Giuing  the  Springs  beneath,  and  Springs  aboue  : 
Whofe  Finger  doth  this  Vniuerje  fufl:aine. 
Bringing  the  former  and  the  latter  raine  : 


Song  4.       Britannia  s  Pajlorals,  107 

Who  doft  with  plenty  Meads  and  Paftures  fill, 

By  drops  diftill'd  like  dew  on  Hermon  Hill ; 

Pardon  a  filly  Swaine,  who  (farre  vnable 

In  that  which  is  (o  rare,  fo  admirable) 

Dares  on  an  Oaten-pipe,  thus  meanly  fing 

Her  praife  immenfe,  worthy  a  filuer  ftring. 

And  thou  which  through  the  Defart  and  the  Deepe, 

Didfl:  lead  thy  Chofen  like  a  flocke  of  flieepe  : 

As  fometime  by  a  Starre  thou  guidedft  them, 

Which  fed  vpon  the  plaines  of  Bethelem ; 

So  by  thy  facred  Spirit  dired  my  quill. 

When  I  fhall  fing  ought  of  thy  Holy  hilly 

That  times  to  come,  when  they  my  rymes  rehearfe. 

May  wonder  at  me,  and  admire  my  Verfe : 

For  who  but  one  rapt  in  Ccelefl:iall  fire. 

Can  by  his  Mufe  to  fuch  a  pitch  afpire ; 

That  from  aloft  he  might  behold  and  tell 

Her  worth,  whereon  an  iron  Pen  might  dwell. 

When  file  was  borne,  Nature  in  fport  began. 
To  learne  the  cunning  of  an  Artizan, 
And  did  Vermilion  with  a  white  compofe. 
To  mocke  her  felfe,  and  paint  a  Damafke  Rofe. 
But  fcorning  Nature  vnto  Art  fiiould  feeke. 
She  fpilt  her  colours  on  this  Maidens  cheeke. 
Her  mouth  the  gate  from  whence  all  goodnefi'e  came. 
Of  power  to  giue  the  dead  a  liuing  name. 
Her  words  embalmed  in  fo  fweet  a  breath, 
That  made  them  triumph  both  on  Time  and  Death, 
Whofe  fragrant  fweets,  fince  the  Camelion  knew. 
And  taflied  of,  he  to  this  humor  grew : 
Left  other  Elements,  held  this  fo  rare. 
That  fince  he  neuer  feeds  on  ought  but  Ayre. 

O  had  I  Virgils  verfe,  or  Tullies  Tongue ! 
Or  raping  numbers  like  the  Thracian's  Song, 
I  haue  a  Theame  would  make  the  Rocks  to  dance. 
And  furly  Beafts  that  through  the  Defart  prance. 


io8  Britannia  s  Pajiorals.      Booke 

Hie  from  their  Caues,  and  euery  gloomy  den, 
To  wonder  at  the  excellence  of  men. 
Nay,  they  would  thinke  their  ftates  for  euer  raifed. 
But  once  to  looke  on  one,  fo  highly  praifed. 

Out  of  whofe  Maiden  brefts  (which  fweetly  rife) 
The  Seers  fuckt  their  hidden  Prophecies : 
And  told  that  for  her  loue  in  times  to  come. 
Many  fhould  feeke  the  Crowne  of  Martyrdome, 
By  fire,  by  fword,  by  tortures,  dungeons,  chaines. 
By  ftripes,  by  famine,  and  a  world  of  paines ; 
Yet  conftant  ftill  remaine  (to  her  they  loued) 
Like  Syon  Mount,  that  cannot  be  remoued. 
Proportion  on  her  armes  and  hands  recorded. 
The  world  for  her  no  fitter  place  aifbrded. 
Praife  her  who  lift,  he  ftill  fhall  be  her  debter : 
For  Art  ne'er  fain'd,  nor  Nature  fram'd  a  better. 

As  when  a  holy  Father  hath  began 
To  ofi^er  facrifice  to  mighty  Pan^ 
Doth  the  requeft  of  euery  Swaine  afiume, 
To  fcale  the  Welkin  in  a  facred  fume, 
Made  by  a  widow'd  "Turtles  louing  mate. 
Or  Lamkin,  or  fome  Kid  immaculate, 
The  oftring  heaues  aloft,  with  both  his  hands ; 
Which  all  adore,  that  neere  the  Altar  ftands : 
So  was  her  heauenly  body  comely  rais'd 
On  two  faire  columnes ;  thofe  that  Quid  prais'd 
In  lulia's  borrowed  name,  compar'd  with  thefe. 
Were  Crabs  to  Apples  oi  tVC Hefpherides ; 
Or  ftumpe-foot  Vulcan  in  co'mparifon. 
With  all  the  height  of  true  perfedion. 

Nature  was  here  fo  lauifti  of  her  ftore, 
That  file  beftow'd  vntill  fhe  had  no  more. 
Whofe  Treafure  being  weakned  (by  this  Dame) 
She  thrufts  into  the  world  fo  many  lame. 

The  higheft  Synode  of  the  glorious  Skie, 
(I  heard  a  Wood-Nymph  fing)  fent  Mercurie 


/ 

/ 


Song  4.       Britannia  s  Pajiorals.  109 

To  take  a  furuay  of  the  faireft  faces, 
And  to  defcribe  to  them  all  womens  graces ; 
Who  long  time  wandring  in  a  ferious  queft, 
Noting  what  parts  by  Beauty  were  pofTeft : 
At  laft  he  faw  this  Maid^  then  thinking  fit 
To  end  his  iourney,  here,  Nil~vltra^  writ. 

Fida  in  adoration  kifs'd  her  knee, 
And  thus  befpake  ;   Haile  glorious  Deitie  ! 
(If  fuch  thou  art,  and  who  can  deeme  you  lelTe  ?) 
VVhether  thou  raign'ft  ^eene  of  the  IVilderneJfe, 
Or  art  that  Goddefle  ('tis  vnknowne  to  me) 
Which  from  the  Ocean  drawes  her  pettigree : 
Or  one  of  thofe,  who  by  the  moflie  bankes 
Of  drilling  Hellicon^  in  airie  rankes 
Tread  Roundelayes  vpon  the  filuer  fands, 
Whilft  fliaggy  Satyres  tripping  o're  the  ftrands, 
Stand  ftill  at  gaze,  and  yeeld  their  fenfes  thrals 
To  the  fweet  cadence  of  your  Madrigals  : 
Or  of  the  Faiery  troope  which  nimbly  play, 
And  by  the  Springs  dance  out  the  Summers  day  ; 
Teaching  the  little  birds  to  build  their  nefts. 
And  in  their  finging  how  to  keepen  refts : 
Or  one  of  thofe,  who  watching  where  a  Spring 
Out  of  our  Grandame  Earth  hath  iffuing. 
With  your  attradliue  Muficke  wooe  the  ftreame 
(As  men  by  Faieries  led,  falne  in  a  dreame) 
To  follow  you,  which  fweetly  trilling  wanders 
In  many  Mazes,  intricate  Meanders ; 
Till  at  the  laft,  to  mocke  th'enamour'd  rill. 
Ye  bend  your  traces  vp  fome  fhady  hill ; 
And  laugh  to  fee  the  waue  no  further  tread  ; 
But  in  a  chafe  run  foaming  on  his  head. 
Being  enforc'd  a  channell  new  to  frame, 
Leauing  the  other  deftitute  of  name. 
If  thou  be  one  of  thefe,  or  all,  or  more. 
Succour  a  feely  Maid,  that  doth  implore 


no  Britannia s  Pajlorals.      Booke  i. 

Aid,  on  a  bended  heart,  vnfaln'd  and  meeke, 
As  true  as  blufhes  of  a  Maiden  cheeke. 

Maiden,  arife,  repli'd  the  new-borne  Maid  : 
*'  Pure  Innocence  the  fenflefTe  ftones  will  aide. 
Nor  of  the  Fairie  troope,  nor  Mufes  nine  ; 
Nor  am  I  Venus,  nor  of  Projerpine  : 
But  daughter  to  a  lufty  aged  Swaine, 
That  cuts  the  greene  tufts  off  th'enamel'd  plaine ; 
And  with  his  Sythe  hath  many  a  Summer  fhorne 
The  plow'd-lands  lab'ring  with  a  crop  of  corne ; 
•  Defcrip-    Who  from  the  cloud-clipt  mountaine  by  his  ftroake 
tion  of         pg]s  downe  the  lofty  Pine,  the  Cedar,  Oake  : 
He  opes  the  flood-gates  as  occafion  is 
Sometimes  on  that  mans  land,  fometimes  on  this. 
When  Verolame^  a  ftately  Nymph  of  yore 
Did  vfe  to  decke  her  felfe  on  Ifis  fhore, 
One  morne  (among  the  reft)  as  there  flie  ftood. 
Saw  the  pure  Channell  all  befmear'd  with  blood ; 
Inquiring  for  the  caufe,  one  did  impart, 
Thofe  drops  came  from  her  holy  Albans  hart ; 
Herewith  in  griefe  flie  gan  intreat  my  Syre, 
That  Ifis  ftreame,  which  yeerely  did  attire 
Thofe  gallant  fields  in  changeable  array, 
Might  turne  her  courfe  and  run  fome  other  way. 
Left  that  her  waues  might  wafti  away  the  guilt 
From  off  their  hands  which  Albans  blood  had  fpilt : 
He  condefcended,  and  the  nimble  waue 
Her  Fifh  no  more  within  that  channell  draue : 
But  as  a  witnefle  left  the  crimfon  gore 
To  ftaine  the  earth,  as  they  their  hands  before. 
He  had  a  being  ere  there  was  a  birth. 
And  fliall  not  ceafe  vntill  the  Sea  and  Earth, 
And  what  they  both  containe,  fliall  ceafe  to  be, 
Nothing  confines  him  but  Eternitie. 
By  him  the  names  of  good  men  euer  Hue, 
Which  fhort  liu'd  men  vnto  Obliuion  giue  : 


Song  4'         Britannia s  Pajl or als,  in 

And  in  forgetfulnefle  he  lets  him  fall, 

That  is  no  other  man  then  naturall : 

'Tis  he  alone  that  rightly  can  difcouer, 

Who  is  the  true,  and  who  the  fained  Louer. 

In  Summers  heat  when  any  Swaine  to  fleepe 

Doth  more  addid  himfelfe  then  to  his  fheepe ; 

And  whilft  the  Leaden  God  fits  on  his  eyes, 

If  any  of  his  Fold  or  ftrayes  or  dyes, 

And  to  the  waking  Swaine  it  be  vnknowne. 

Whether  his  fheepe  be  dead,  or  ftraid,  or  ftolne ; 

To  meet  my  Syre  he  bends  his  courfe  in  paine. 

Either  where  fome  high  hill  furuaies  the  plaine ; 

Or  takes  his  ftep  toward  the  flowrie  vallies. 

Where  Zephyre  with  the  Cowjlip  hourely  dallies ; 

Or  to  the  groues,  where  birds  from  heat  or  weather, 

Sit  fvveetly  tuning  of  their  noates  together : 

Or  to  a  Mead  a  wanton  Riuer  drefles 

With  richeft  Callers  of  her  turning  EJfes ; 

Or  where  the  Shepherds  fit  old  fl:ories  telling, 

Chronos  my  Syre  hath  no  fet  place  of  dwelling ; 

But  if  the  Shepherd  meet  the  aged  Swaine, 

He  tels  him  of  his  flieepe,  or  fhewes  them  fiaine. 

So  great  a  gift  the  facred  Powers  of  heauen 

(Aboue  all  others)  to  my  Syre  haue  giuen. 

That  the  abhorred  Stratagems  of  night. 

Lurking  in  cauernes  from  the  glorious  light, 

By  him  (perforce)  are  from  their  dungeons  hurl'd. 

And  fliew'd  as  monfters  to  the  wondring  World. 

What  Mariner  is  he  failing  vpon 
The  watry  Defart  clipping  Albion, 
Heares  not  the  billowes  in  their  dances  roare 
Anfwer'd  by  Eccoes  from  the  neighbour  fhoare  ? 
To  whofe  accord  the  Maids  trip  from  the  Downes, 
And  Riuers  dancing  come,  ycrown'd  with  Townes, 
All  finging  forth  the  vidlories  of  'Time, 
Vpon  the  Monfiiers  of  the  Wefterne  Clime, 


1 1 2  Brita?mias  Pajlorals.      Booke  i 

VVhofe  horrid,  damned,  bloody,  plots  would  bring 

Confufion  on  the  Laureate  Poets  King, 

VVhofe  Hell-fed  hearts  deuis'd  how  neuer  more 

A  Swan  might  finging  fit  on  Ijis  fhore  : 

But  croaking  Rauens^  and  the  Scrich-owles  crie. 

The  fit  Mufitians  for  a  Tragedie, 

Should  euermore  be  heard  about  her  ftrand. 

To  fright  all  Pafiengers  from  that  fad  Land. 

Long  Summers  dayes  I  on  his  worth  might  fpend, 
And  yet  begin  againe  when  I  would  end. 
All  Ages  fince  the  firfl:  age  firft  begun, 
Ere  they  could  know  his  worth  their  age  was  done  : 
VVhofe  abfence  all  the  Treafury  of  earth 
Cannot  buy  out.     From  farre-fam'd  Tagus  birth, 
Not  all  the  golden  grauell  he  treads  ouer, 
One  minute  pafi:,  that  minute  can  recouer. 
I  am  his  onely  Childe  (he  hath  no  other) 
Cleep'd  Aletheia,  borne  without  a  Mother. 
Poore  Aletheia  long  defpis'd  of  all. 
Scarce  Charitie  would  lend  an  Hofpitall 
To  giue  my  Months  cold  watching  one  nights  reft. 
But  in  my  roome  tooke  in  the  Mifers  Cheft.  , 

'     In  winters  time  when  hardly  fed  the  flocks,  ^^ 

And  Ificles  hung  dangling  on  the  Rocks ; 
When  Hyems  bound  the  floods  in  filuer  chaines. 
And  hoary  Frofl:s  had  candy'd  all  the  Plaines  ; 
When  euery  Barne  rung  with  the  threfliing  Flailes, 
And  Shepherds  Boyes  for  cold  gan  blow  their  nailes  ri 
(Wearied  with  toyle  in  feeking  out  fome  one  '  • 

That  had  a  fparke  of  true  deuotion  ;) 
It  was  my  chance  (chance  onely  helpeth  need) 
To  finde  an  houfe  y built  for  holy  deed. 
With  goodly  Archited;,  and  Cloifters  wide. 
With  groues  and  walkes  along  a  Riuers  fide  ; 
The  place  it  felfe  afforded  admiration, 
And  euery  fpray  a  Theame  of  contemplation. 


Song  4.        Britannia  s  Pajlorals.  113 

But  (woe  is  me)  when  knocking  at  the  gate,  Aktheia 

I  gan  intreat  an  enterance  thereat:  feeks  reiiefe 

T<i        n  n  T         1  1        T  /»       11  at  an  Abbey, 

The  Porter  alkt  my  name  :  I  told;  He  Iwelrd,  and  is 

And  bade  me  thence  :  wherewith  in  griefe  repell'd,  demde. 

I  fought  for  fhelter  to  a  ruin'd  houfe, 

HarbVing  the  Weafell,  and  the  duft-bred  Moufe  ; 

And  others  none,  except  the  two-kinde  Bat, 

Which  all  the  day  there  melancholy  fate : 

Here  fate  I  downe  with  winde  and  raine  ybeat ; 

Griefe  fed  my  minde,  and  did  my  body  eat. 

Yet  IdleneJJe  I  faw  (lam'd  with  the  Gout) 

Had  entrance  when  poore  Truth  was  kept  without. 

There  faw  I  Drunkennejfe  with  Dropfies  fwolne ; 

And  pamper'd  Luji  that  many  a  night  had  ftolne 

Ouer  the  Abby~ysf2i\\  when  Gates  were  lock'd. 

To  be  in  Venus  wanton  bofome  rock'd  : 

And  Gluttony  that  furfetting  had  bin, 

Knocke  at  the  gate  and  ftraight-way  taken  in  : 

Sadly  I  fate,  and  fighing  grIeuM  to  fee. 

Their  happineffe,  my  infelicitie. 

At  laft  came  Enuy  by,  who  hauing  fpide 

Where  I  was  fadly  feated,  inward  hide. 

And  to  the  Conuent  eagerly  fhe  cries. 

Why  fit  you  here,  when  with  thefe  eares  and  eyes 

I  heard  and  faw  a  flrumpet  dares  to  fay, 

She  is  the  true  faire  Aletheia, 

Which  you  haue  boafted  long  to  Hue  among  you. 

Yet  fufFer  not  a  peeuifh  Girle  to  wrong  you  ? 

With  this  prouok'd,  all  rofe,  and  in  a  rout 

Ran  to  the  gate,  ftroue  who  fhould  firft  get  out. 

Bade  me  be  gone,  and  then  (in  tearmes  vnciuill) 

Did  call  me  counterfait,  witch,  hag,  whore,  deuill ; 

Then  like  a  flrumpet  droue  me  from  their  eels, 

With  tinkling  pans,  and  with  the  noife  of  bels. 

And  he  that  lou'd  me,  or  but  moan'd  my  cafe. 

Had  heapes  of  fire-brands  banded  at  his  face. 


114  Britannia  s  Pajlorals.       Booke  i. 

Thus  beaten  thence  (diftreft,  forfaken  wight) 
Inforc'd  in  fields  to  fleepe,  or  wake  all  night ; 
A  filly  fheepe  feeing  me  ftraying  by, 
Forfooke  the  fhrub  where  once  file  meant  to  lye ; 
As  if  file  in  her  kinde  (vnhurting  elfe) 
Did  bid  me  take  fuch  lodging  as  her  felfe  : 
Gladly  I  tooke  the  place  the  fiieepe  had  giuen, 
Vncanopy'd  of  any  thing  but  heauen. 
Where  nigh  benumb'd  with  cold,  with  grief  frequented, 
Vnto  the  filent  night  I  thus  lamented : 

Faire  Cynthia^  if  from  thy  filuer  Throne, 
Thou  euer  lentfl:  an  eare  to  Virgins  mone  1 
Or  in  thy  Monthly  courfe,  one  minute  ftald 
Thy  Palfrayes  trot,  to  heare  a  wretched  Maid  ! 
Pull  in  their  reynes,  and  lend  thine  eare  to  me, 
Forlorne,  forfaken,  cloath'd  in  miferie  : 
But  if  a  woe  hath  neuer  woo'd  thine  eare. 
To  fl:op  thofe  Courfers  in  their  full  Cariere ; 
But  as  fi:one- hearted  men,  vncharitable, 
Pafi^e  carelefie  by  the  poore,  when  men  lefle  able 
Hold  not  the  needed^  helpe  in  long  fufpence. 
But  in  their  hands  poure  their  beneuolence. 
O  !  if  thou  be  fo  hard  to  fi:op  thine  eares  ! 
When  fl:ars  in  pitty  drop  downe  from  their  Spheares, 
Yet  for  a  while  in  gloomy  vaile  of  night, 
Infiirowd  the  pale  beames  of  thy  borrowed  light : 
O  !  neuer  once  difcourage  goodnefi^e  (lending 
One  glimpfe  of  light)  to  fee  misfortune  fpending 
Her  vtmofl:  rage  on  Truths  defpis'd,  diftrefl'ed, 
Vnhappy,  vnrelieued,  yet  vndrefl"ed. 
Where  is  the  heart  at  vertues  fufFring  grieueth  ? 
Where  is  the  eye  that  pittying  relieueth  ? 
Where  is  the  hand  that  fi:ill  the  hungry  feedeth  ? 
Where  is  the  eare  that  the  decrepit  fieedeth  ? 
That  heart,  that  hand,  that  eare,  or  elfe  that  eye, 
Giueth,  relieueth,  feeds,  fl:eeds  mifery  ? 

'   Ed.  1625  has  Tieedies. 


Song  4-        Britannia  s  Pajiorals.  115 

0  earth  produce  me  one  (of  all  thy  ftore) 
Enioyes  ;  and  be  vaine-glorious  no  more. 

By  this  had  Chanticlere^  the  village-clocke. 
Bidden  the  good-wife  for  her  Maids  to  knocke : 
And  the  fwart  plow  man  for  his  breakfaft  ftaid, 
That  he  might  till  thofe  lands  were  fallow  laid  : 
The  hils  and  vallies  here  and  there  refound 
With  the  re-ecchoes  of  the  deepe-mouth'd  hound. 
Each  Shepherds  daughter  with  her  cleanly  Peale, 
Was  come  a  field  to  milke  the  Mornings  meale. 
And  ere  the  Sunne  had  clymb'd  the  Eafterne  hils. 
To  guild  the  muttring  bournes,  and  pritty  rils. 
Before  the  lab'ring  Bee  had  left  the  Hiue, 
And  nimble  Fijhes  which  in  Riuers  diue. 
Began  to  leape,  and  catch  the  drowned  Flie, 

1  rofe  from  reft,  not  in  felicitie. 
Seeking  the  place  of  Charities  refort, 
Vnware  I  hapned  on  a  Princes  Court ; 
Where  meeting  Greatne/fe,  I  requir'd  reliefe, 
(O  happy  vndelay'd)  fhe  faid  in  briefe. 

To  fmall  effedl  thine  oratorie  tends, 
How  can  I  keepe  thee  and  Jo  many  friends  ? 
If  of  my  houftiold  I  fhould  make  thee  one, 
Farewell  my  feruant  Adulation  : 
I  know  ftie  will  not  ftay  when  thou  art  there  : 
But  feeke  fome  Great  mans  feruice  other-where. 
Darknefle  and  light,  fummer  and  winters  weather 
May  be  at  once,  ere  you  two  Hue  together. 
Thus  with  a  nod  fhe  left  me  cloath'd  in  woe. 

Thence  to  the  Citie  once  I  thought  to  goe. 
But  fomewhat  in  my  mind  this  thought  had  thrown, 
//  was  a  place  wherein  I  was  not  knowne. 
And  therefore  went  vnto  thefe  homely  townes. 
Sweetly  enuiron'd  with  the  Dazied  Downes. 

Vpon  a  ftreame  wafhing  a  village  end 
A  Mill  is  plac'd,  that  neuer  difference  kend 


1 1 6  Britannia's  Pajiorals,      Booke  i 

Twixt  dayes  for  worke,  and  holy-tides  for  reft, 
Truth  en-     g^^-  alwaics  wrought  &  ground  the  neighbors  greft. 
from  Tm\.  Before  the  doore  I  faw  the  Miller  walking, 
&'^'w^^'"  And  other  two  (his  neighbours)  with  him  talking: 
*  One  of  them  was  a  Weauer^  and  the  other 
The  Village  'Tayler^  and  his  trufty  brother ; 
To  them  I  came,  and  thus  my  fuit  began : 
Content^  the  riches  of  a  Country-man, 
Attend  your  Adions,  be  more  happy  ftill. 
Then  I  am  haplefle  !  and  as  yonder  Mill, 
Though  in  his  turning  it  obey  the  ftreame. 
Yet  by  the  head-ftrong  torrent  from  his  beame 
Is  vnremou'd,  and  till  the  wheele  be  tore, 
It  daily  toyles  ;  then  refts,  and  workes  no  more : 
So  in  lifes  motion  may  you  neuer  be 
(Though  fwayd  with  griefes)  o'er-borne  with  mifery. 

With  that  the  Miller  laughing,  brufh'd  his  cloathes. 
Then  fwore  by  Cocke  and  other  dung-hill  oathes, 
I  greatly  was  to  blame,  that  durft  fo  wade 
Into  the  knowledge  of  the  Wheel -wrights  trade. 
I,  neighbour,  quoth  the  Tayler  (then  he  bent 
His  pace  to  me,  fpruce  like  a  lacke  of  Lent) 
Your  iudgement  is  not  feame-rent  when  you  fpend  it, 
Nor  is  it  botching,  for  I  cannot  mend  it. 
And  Maiden,  let  me  tell  you  in  difpleafure. 
You  muft  not  prefle  the  cloth  you  cannot  meafure : 
But  let  your  fteps  be  ftitcht  to  wifdomes  chalking, 
And  caft  prefumptuous  fhreds  out  of  your  walking. 
The  JVeauer  faid.  Fie  wench,  your  felfe  you  wrong. 
Thus  to  let  flip  the  fliuttle  of  your  rong  : 
For  marke  me  well,  yea,  marke  me  well,  I  fay, 
I  fee  you  worke  your  fpeeches  Web  aftray. 

Sad  to  the  Soule,  o'er  laid  with  idle  words, 
O  heauen,  quoth  I,  where  is  the  place  affords 
A  friend  to  helpe,  or  any  heart  that  ruth 
The  moft  deiedted  hopes  of  wronged  Truth  ? 


Song  4-        Britannia  s  Pajiorals.  \ij 

Truth  !  quoth  the  Miller,  plainly  for  our  parts, 

I  and  the  Weauer  hate  thee  with  our  hearts : 

The  ftrifes  you  raife  I  will  not  now  difcufle, 

Betweene  our  honeft  Cuftomers  and  vs : 

But  get  you  gone,  for  fure  you  may  defpaire 

Of  comfort  here,  feeke  it  fome  other-where. 

Maid  (quoth  the  Tayler)  we  no  fuccour  owe  you. 

For  as  I  guefTe  her's  none  of  vs  doth  know  you  : 

Nor  my  remembrance  any  thought  can  feize 

That  I  haue  euer  feene  you  in  my  dayes. 

Seene  you  ?  nay,  therein  confident  I  am  ; 

Nay,  till  this  time  I  neuer  heard  your  name, 

Excepting  once,  and  by  this  token  chiefe. 

My  neighbour  at  that  inftant  cald  me  thiefe. 

By  this  you  fee  you  are  vnknowne  among  vs. 

We  cannot  help  you,  though  your  ftay  may  wrong  vs. 

Thus  went  I  on,  and  further  went  in  woe  : 
For  as  fhrill  founding  Fame,  that's  neuer  flow, 
Growes  in  her  going,  and  increafeth  more, 
Where  fhe  is  now,  then  where  fhe  was  before  : 
So  Griefe  (that  neuer  healthy,  euer  ficke. 
That  froward  Scholler  to  Arethmeticke, 
Who  doth  Diuifion  and  Subftradlion  flie, 
And  chiefly  learnes  to  adde  and  multiply) 
In  longeft  iourneys  hath  the  ftrongefl;  ftrength. 
And  is  at  hand,  fupprefl:,  vnquaild  at  length.  DefcHption 

Betweene  two  hils,  the  higheft  Phcebus  fees  ofafoiitarie 

Gallantly  crownd  with  large  Skie-kifling  trees, 
Vnder  whofe  fliade  the  humble  vallies  lay ; 
And  Wilde-Bores  from  their  dens  their  gambols  play  : 
There  lay  a  graueld  walke  ore-growne  with  greene, 
Where  neither  trad  of  man  nor  beafl:  was  feene. 
And  as  the  Plow-man  when  the  land  he  tils, 
Throwes  vp  the  fruitfuU  earth  in  ridged  hils, 
Betweene  whofe  Cheuron  forme  he  leaues  a  balke  ; 
So  twixt  thofe  hils  had  Nature  fram'd  this  walke. 


1 1 8  Britannia  s  Pajlorals,      Booke  i 

Not  ouer-darke,  nor  light,  in  angles  bending. 

And  like  the  gliding  of  a  Snake  defcending : 

All  hufht  and  filent  as  the  mid  of  night : 

No  chattring  PzV,  nor  Crow  appear'd  in  fight ; 

But  further  in  I  heard  the  'Turtle-Doue, 

Singing  fad  Dirges  on  her  lifelefie  Loue. 

Birds  that  compafTion  from  the  rocks  could  bring. 

Had  onely  licenfe  in  that  place  to  fing : 

Whofe  dolefull  noates  the  melancholly  Cat 

Clofe  in  a  hollow  tree  fate  wondring  at. 

And  Trees  that  on  the  hill-fide  comely  grew. 

When  any  Httle  blaft  of  Mol  blew, 

Did  nod  their  curled  heads,  as  they  would  be 

The  Judges  to  approue  their  melody. 

luft  halfe  the  way  this  folitary  Groue, 
A  Cryftall  Spring  from  either  hill-fide  ftroue. 
Which  of  them  firft  fhould  wooe  the  meeker  ground, 
And  make  the  Pibbles  dance  vnto  their  found. 
But  as  when  children  hauing  leaue  to  play. 
And  neare  their  Mafters  eye  fport  out  the  day, 
(Beyond  condition)  in  their  childifli  toyes 
Oft  vex  their  Tutor  with  too  great  a  noyfe. 
And  make  him  fend  fome  feruant  out  of  doore. 
To  ceafe  their  clamour,  left  they  play  no  more  : 
So  when  the  prettie  Rill  a  place  efpies. 
Where  with  the  Pibbles  fhe  would  wantonize  ; 
And  that  her  vpper  ftreame  fo  much  doth  wrong  her 
To  driue  her  thence,  and  let  her  play  no  longer ; 
If  file  with  too  loud  mutt'ring  ran  away, 
As  being  [too]  much  incens'd  to  leaue  her  play  ; 
A  wefterne  milde,  and  pretty  whifpering  gale. 
Came  dallying  with  the  leaues  along  the  dale, 
And  feem'd  as  with  the  water  it  did  chide, 
Becaufe  it  ran  fo  long  vnpacifide  : 
Yea,  and  me  thought  it  bade  her  leaue  that  coyle, 
Or  he  would  choake  her  vp  with  leaues  and  foyle  : 


Song  4-       Britannia  s  Pajl  or  ah,  119 

Whereat  the  riuelet  in  my  minde  did  weepe, 
And  hurl'd  her  head  into  a  filent  deepe. 

Now  he  that  guides  the  Chariot  of  the  Sunne, 
Vpon  th'  Eclipticke  Circle  had  fo  runne, 
That  his  brafle-hooPd  fire-breathing  horfes  wan 
The  (lately  height  of  the  Meridian : 
And  the  day-lab'ring  man  (who  all  the  morne 
Had  from  the  quarry  with  his  Pick-axe  torne 
A  large  well  fquared  ftone,  which  he  would  cut 
To  ferue  his  ftile,  or  for  fome  water-fhut) 
Seeing  the  Sunne  preparing  to  decline, 
Tooke  out  his  Bag,  and  fate  him  downe  to  dine. 
When  by  a  Aiding,  yet  not  fteepe  defcent, 
I  gain'd  a  place,  ne'er  Poet  did  inuent 
The  like  for  forrow  :  not  in  all  this  Round 
A  fitter  feat  for  pafiion  can  be  found. 

As  when  a  dainty  Fount,  and  Cryftall  Spring, 
Got  newly  from  the  earths  imprifoning. 
And  ready  preft  fome  channell  cleere  to  win. 
Is  round  his  rife  by  Rockes  immured  in. 
And  from  the  thirfty  earth  would  be  with-held. 
Till  to  the  Cefterne  top  the  waues  haue  fwell'd  : 
But  that  a  carefull  Hinde  the  Well  hath  found. 
As  he  walkes  fadly  through  his  parched  ground  ; 
Whofe  patience  fuffring  not  his  land  to  ftay 
Vntill  the  water  o'er  the  Cefterne  play. 
He  gets  a  Picke-axe  and  with  blowes  fo  ftout. 
Digs  on  the  Rocke,  that  all  the  groues  about 
Refound  his  ftroke,  and  ftill  the  rocke  doth  charge. 
Till  he  hath  made  a  hole  both  long  and  large, 
Whereby  the  waters  from,  their  prifon  run, 
To  clofe  earths  gaping  wounds  made  by  the  Sun : 
So  through  thefe  high  rais'd  hils,  embracing  round 
This  fhady,  fad,  and  folitary  ground. 
Some  power  (refpeding  one  whofe  heauy  mone 
Requir'd  a  place  to  fit  and  weepe  alone) 


120  Britannia  s  Pafiorals.      Booke 

Had  cut  a  path,  whereby  the  grieued  wight 
Might  freely  take  the  comfort  of  this  Scyte. 
About  the  edges  of  whofe  roundly  forme, 
In  order  grew  fuch  Trees  as  doe  adorne 
The  fable  hearfe,  and  fad  forfaken  mate  ; 
And  Trees  whofe  teares  their  lofTe  commiferate, 
Such  are  the  Cyprejfe^  and  the  weeping  Myrrhe^ 
The  dropping  Amber,  and  the  refin'd  Fyrrhe^ 
The  bleeding  Vine^  the  watry  SicamouVy 
And  Willough  for  the  forlorne  Paramour  ; 
In  comely  diftance  :   vnderneath  whofe  ihade 
Moft  neat  in  rudenefle  Nature  arbors  made  : 
Some  had  a  light  ;  fome  fo  obfcure  a  feat. 
Would  entertaine  a  fufferance  ne'er  fo  great  : 
Where  grieued  wights  fate  (as  I  after  found, 
Whofe  heauy  hearts  the  height  of  forrow  crown'd) 
Wailing  in  faddeft  tunes  the  doomes  of  Fate 
On  men  by  vertue  cleeped  fortunate. 

The  firft  note  that  I  heard  I  foone  was  won. 
To  thinke  the  fighes  of  faire  Endyynion ; 
The  fubieft  of  whofe  mournfull  heauy  lay 
Was  his  declining  with  faire  Cynthia. 

Next  him  a  great  man  fate,  in  woe  no  lefTe ; 
Teares  were  but  barren  fhadowes  to  expreffe 
The  fubftance  of  his  griefe,  and  therefore  flood 
Diftilling  from  his  heart  red  ftreames  of  blood  : 
He  was  a  Swaine  whom  all  the  Graces  kift, 
A  braue,  heroicke,  worthy  Martialift  : 
Yet  on  the  Downes  he  oftentimes  was  feene 
To  draw  the  merry  Maidens  of  the  Greene 
With  his  fweet  voyce  :  Once,  as  he  fate  alone. 
He  fung  the  outrage  of  the  lazy  Drone, 
Vpon  the  lab'ring  Bee^  in  ftraines  fo  rare. 
That  all  the  flitting  Pinnionifts  of  ayre 
Attentiue  fate,  and  in  their  kindes  did  long 
To  learne  fome  Noat  from  his  well-timed  Song. 


Song  4.       Britannia  s  Pajiorals,  121 

Exiled  Nafo  (from  whofe  golden  pen 
The  Mujes  did  diftill  delights  for  men) 
Thus  fang  of  Cepalus  (whofe  name  was  worne 
Within  the  bofome  of  the  blufhing  Morn: :) 
He  had  a  dart  was  neuer  fet  on  wing, 
But  death  flew  with  it ;  he  could  neuer  fling, 
But  life  fled  from  the  place  where  fl:ucke  the  head. 
A  Hunters  frolicke  life  in  Woods  he  lead 
In  feparation  from  his  yoaked  Mate, 
Whofe  beauty,  once,  he  valued  at  a  rate 
Beyond  Aurora's  cheeke,  when  fhe  (in  pride) 
Promis'd  their  off-fpring  fliould  be  Deifide  : 
Procris  flie  hight ;   who  (feeking  to  reftore 
Her  felfe  that  happinefle  fhe  had  before) 
Vnto  the  greene  wood  wends,  omits  no  paine 
Might  bring  her  to  her  Lords  embrace  againe  : 
But  Fate  thus  croft  her,  comming  where  he  lay 
Wearied  with  hunting  all  a  Summers  day, 
He  fomewhat  heard  within  the  thicket  rufli. 
And  deeming  it  fome  Beaft,  hid  in  a  bufli, 
Raifed  himfelfe,  then  fet  on  wing  a  dart. 
Which  tooke  a  fad  reft  in  the  reftleffe  heart 
Of  his  chafte  wife ;  who  with  a  bleeding  breft 
Left  loue  and  life,  and  flept  in  endleffe  reft. 
With  Procris  heauie  Fate  this  Shepherds  wrong 
Might  be  compar'd,  and  afke  as  fad  a  fong. 

In  th'  Autumne  of  his  youth,  and  manhoods  Springs 
Dejert  (growne  now  a  moft  deieded  thing) 
Won  him  the  fauour  of  a  Roy  all  Maid^ 
Who  with  Diana's  Nymphs  in  forefts  ftray'd, 
And  liu'd  a  Huntreft^e  life  exempt  from  feare. 
She  once  encountred  with  a  furly  Beare^ 
Neare  to  a  Cryftall  Fountaines  flowery  brink 
Heat  brought  them  thither  both,  and  both  would  drinke, 
When  from  her  golden  quiuer  ftie  tooke  forth 
A  Dart,  aboue  the  reft  efteem'd  for  worth, 

R 


122  Britannia  s  Pajlorals.      Booke  i. 

And  fent  it  to  his  fide :  the  gaping  wound 

Gaue  purple  ftreames  to  coole  the  parched  ground. 

Whereat  he  gnafht  his  teeth,  ftorm'd  his  hurt  lym, 

Yeelded  the  earth  what  it  denied  him  : 

Yet  fianke  not  there,  but  (wrapt  in  horror)  hy'd 

Vnto  his  helHfh  caue,  defpair'd  and  dy'd. 

After  the  Beares  ]u{\.  death,  the  quickning  Sunne 
Had  twice  fix  times  about  the  Zodiacke  run, 
And  (as  refpecftlefi^e)  neuer  caft  an  eye, 
Vpon  the  night-inuail'd  Cymmerij^ 
When  this  braue  Swaine  (approued  valorous) 
In  oppofition,  of  a  tyrannous 
And  bloody  Sauage  being  long  time  gone 
Quelling  his  rage  with  faithlefi^e  Gerion 
Returned  from  the  ftratagems  of  warres, 
(Inriched  with  his  quail'd  foes  bootlefl'e  fcarres) 
To  fee  the  cleare  eyes  of  his  dearefl:  Loue, 
And  that  her  fkill  in  hearbs  might  helpe  remoue 
The  frefiiing  of  a  wound  which  he  had  got 
In  her  defence,  by  Enuies  poyfon'd  fiiot. 
And  comming  through  a  Groue  wherein  his  faire 
Lay  with  her  brefts  difplai'd  to  take  the  aire. 
His  rufliing  through  the  boughes  made  her  arife, 
And  dreading  fome  wilde  beal'ts  rude  enterprize, 
Diredls  towards  the  noyfe  a  fharpned  dart, 
That  reach'd  the  life  of  his  vndaunted  heart. 
Which  when  fhee  knew,  twice  twenty  Moones  nie  fpent 
In  teares  for  him,  and  dy'd  in  languifliment. 

Within  an  arbour  fiiadow'd  with  a  Vine, 
Mixed  with  Rqfemary  and  Eglantine, 
A  Shepherdefie  was  fet,  as  faire  as  young, 
Whofe  praife  full  many  a  Shepherd  whilome  fung. 
Who  on  an  Altar  faire  had  to  her  Name, 
In  confecration  many  an  Anagram : 
And  when  with  fugred  ftraines  they  ftroue  to  raife 
Worthy  to  a  garland  of  immortall  Bayes ; 


Song  4.        Britannia's  Pajiorals,  123 

She  as  the  learnedft  Maid  was  chofe  by  them, 
(Her  flaxen  haire  crown'd  with  an  Anadem) 
To  iudge  who  beft  deferu'd,  for  flie  could  fit 
The  height  of  praife  vnto  the  height  of  wit. 
But  well-a-day  thofe  happy  times  were  gone, 
(Millions  admit  a  fmall  fubtra6lion.) 

And  as  the  Teere  hath  firft  his  iocund  Springs 
Wherein  the  Leaues,  to  Birds  fweet  carrolling, 
Dance  with  the  winde  :  then  fees,  the  Summers  day 
Perfe6l  the  Embrion  Bloflbme  of  each  fpray  : 
Next  commeth  Autumne^  when  the  threfhed  flieafe 
Lofeth  his  graine,  and  every  tree  his  leafe : 
Laftly,  cold  IVinters  rage,  with  many  a  ftorme, 
Threats  the  proud  Fines  which  Ida's  top  adorne. 
And  makes  the  fap  leaue  fuccourlefTe  the  fhoot. 
Shrinking  to  comfort  his  decaying  root. 
Or  as  a  quaint  Mufitian  being  won, 
To  run  a  point  of  fweet  Diuifion, 
Gets  by  degrees  vnto  the  higheft  Key ; 
Then,  with  like  order  falleth  in  his  play 
Into  a  deeper  Tone;  and  laflly,  throwes 
His  Period  in  a  Diapazon  Clofe : 
So  euery  humane  thing  terreftriall, 
His  vtmoft  height  attain'd,  bends  to  his  fall. 
And  as  a  comely  youth,  in  faireft  age, 
Enamour'd  on  a  Maid  (whofe  parentage 
Had  Fate  adorn'd,  as  Nature  deckt  her  eye. 
Might  at  a  becke  command  a  Monarchic) 
But  poore  and  faire  could  neuer  yet  bewitch 
A  mifers  minde,  preferring  foule  and  rich, 
And  therefore  (as  a  Kings  heart  left  behinde, 
When  as  his  corps  are  borne  to  be  enfhrin'd) 
(His  Parents  will,  a  Law)  like  that  dead  corfe, 
Leauing  his  heart,  is  brought  vnto  his  Horfe, 
Carried  vnto  a  place  that  can  impart 
No  fecret  Embaffie  vnto  his  heart, 


124  Britannia's  Pajiorals.      Booke  i 

Climbes  fome  proud  hill,  whofe  (lately  eminence 

VafTals  the  fruitfuil  vales  circumference  : 

From  whence,  no  fooner  can  his  lights  defcry 

The  place  enriched  by  his  MiJli'eJJe  eye  : 

But  fome  thicke  cloud  his  happy  profped  blends. 

And  he  in  forrow  rais'd,  in  teares  defcends : 

So  this  fad  Nymph  (whom  all  commiferate) 

Once  pac'd  the  hill  of  GreatneJJe  and  of  State^ 

And  got  the  top ;  but  when  ihe  gan  addreffe 

Her  light,  from  thence  to  fee  true  happineffe, 

Fate  interpos'd  an  enuious  cloud  of  feares, 

And  fhe  with-drew  into  this  vale  of  teares. 

Where  Sorrow  fo  enthral'd  beft  Vertues  Jewell, 

Stones  check'd  griefs  hardnes,  call'd  her  too-too  cruel, 

A  ftreame  of  teares  vpon  her  faire  cheekes  flowes, 

As  morning  dew  vpon  the  Damafke-Rofe, 

Or  Cryftall-glaffe  vailing  Vermilion  ; 

Or  drops  of  Milke  on  the  Carnation  : 

She  fang  and  wept  (6  yee  Sea-binding  Cleeues, 

Yeeld  Tributary  drops,  for  Vertue  grieues  !) 

And  to  the  Period  of  her  fad  fweet  Key 

Intwinn'd  her  cafe  with  chafte  Penelope : 

But  fee  the  drilling  South,  my  mournful  1  ftraine 

Anfwers,  in  weeping  drops  of  quickning  raine. 

And  fince  this  day  we  can  no  further  goe, 

Reftleffe  I  reft  within  this  Vale  of  Woe, 

Vntill  the  modeft  morne  on  earths  vafl:  Zone, 

The  euer  gladfome  day  fhall  re-inthrone. 


Song  5.        Britannia  s  Pajlorals. 


125 


The  Fifth  Song. 


The    Argvment. 

In  Noats  that  rocks  to  pittie  tnoue, 
\diy2.  fings  her  buried  Loue : 
And  from  her  home  of  plentie  giues 
Cotnfort  to  Truth,  whom  none  relieues 
Repentance  houje  next  cals  me  on. 
With  Riots  true  conuerfion  : 
Leauing  Amintas  Loue  to  Truth, 
To  be  the  The  am  e  the  Mufe  enftith. 


Ere  full  of  Aprill,  vail'd  with  forrowes  wing, 
For  louely  Layes,  I  drearyDirges  fing. 
Who    fo   hath    feene  yong  Lads   (to  fport 

themfelues) 
Run  in  a  low  ebbe  to  the  fandy  fhelues : 
Where  ferioufly  they  worke  in  digging  wels, 
Or  building  childifh  forts  of  Cockle-fhels  : 
Or  liquid  water  each  to  other  bandy ; 
Or  with  the  Pibbles  play  at  handy-dandy. 
Till  vnawares  the  Tyde  hath  clos'd  them  round, 
And  they  muft  wade  it  through  or  elfe  be  drown'd. 
May  (if  vnto  my  Pipe  he  liften  well) 
My  Mufe  diftrefTe  with  theirs  foone  paralell. 


126  Brita72nia  s  Pajlorals,      Booke  i. 

For  where  I  whilome  Tung  the  loues  of  Swaines, 
And  woo'd  the  Cryftall  Currants  of  the  Plaines, 
Teaching  the  Birds  to  loue,  whilft  euery  Tree 
Gaue  his  attention  to  my  Melodie : 
Fate  now  (as  enuying  my  too-happy  Theame) 
Hath  round  begirt  my  Song  with  Sorrowes  ftreame, 
Which  till  my  Mufe  wade  through  and  get  on  fhore, 
My  griefe-fwohie  Soule  can  fing  of  Loue  no  more. 

But  turne  we  now  (yet  not  without  remorfe) 
To  heauenly  Aletheias  fad  difcourfe. 
That  did  from  Fida's  eyes  fait  teares  exhale, 
When  thus  fhe  fhew'd  the  Solitarie  Vale. 

luft  in  the  midft  this  ioy-forfaken  ground 
A  hillocke  ftood,  with  Springs  embraced  round  : 
(And  with  a  Cryftall  Ring  did  feeme  to  marry 
Themfelues,  to  this  fmall  He  fad-folitarie :) 
Vpon  whofe  breft  (which  trembled  as  it  ran) 
Rode  the  faire  downie-filuer-coated  Swan  : 
And  on  the  bankes  each  Cyprejfe  bow'd  his  head, 
♦  A  Fune-    To  hcare  the  Swan  fing  her  owne  *  Epiced. 
fore  thi  ^"       ^s  when  the  gallant  youth  which  Hue  vpon 
corps  be  in-  Xhc  Weftcme  Downes  of  louely  Albion; 
Meeting,  fome  feftiuall  to  folemnize, 
Choofe  out  two,  (kil'd  in  wraftling  exercife, 
Who  ftrongly,  at  the  wrift  or  coller  cling, 
Whilfl:  arme  in  arme  the  people  make  a  Ring. 
So  did  the  water  round  this  He  inlinke. 
And  fo  the  Trees  grew  on  the  waters  brinke : 
Waters  their  ftreames  about  the  Hand  fcatter ; 
And  Trees  perform'd  as  much  vnto  the  water : 
Vnder  whofe  fhade  the  Nightingale  would  bring 
Her  chirping  young,  and  teach  them  how  to  fing. 
fThe  woods  moft  fad,  Mufitians  thither  hie. 
As  it  had  beene  the  Siluians  Cajlalie, 
And  warbled  forth  fuch  Elegyacke  fl:raines, 
That  fi:rucke  the  windes  dumbe  ;  &  the  motly  plaines 


Song  5.        Britannia  s  Paftorals.  127 

Were  fiird  with  enuy,  that  fuch  fhady  places 
Held  all  the  worlds  delights  in  their  embraces  JT 

O  how  (me  thinkes)  the  impes  of  Mneme  bring 
Dewes  of  Inuention  from  their  facred  Spring ! 
Here  could  I  fpend  that  fpring  of  Foefie^ 
Which  not  twice  ten  Sunnes  haue  beftow'd  on  me ; 
And  tell  the  world,  the  Mufes  loue  appeares 
In  nonag'd  youth,  as  in  the  length  of  yeares. 
But  ere  my  Mufe  eredled  haue  the  frame, 
Wherein  t'enfhrine  an  vnknowne  Shepherds  name, 
She  many  a  Groue,  and  other  woods  muft  tread, 
More  Hils,  more  Dales,  more  Founts  muft  be  difplaid, 
More  Meadowes,  Rockes,  and  from  them  all  eledl 
Matter  befitting  fuch  an  Architedl. 

As  Children  on  a  play-day  leaue  the  Schooles, 
And  gladly  runne  vnto  the  fwimming  Pooles, 
Or  in  the  thickets,  all  with  nettles  ftung, 
Rufh  to  difpoile  fome  fweet  Thru/Ii  of  her  young ; 
Or  with  their  hats  (for  fifh)  lade  in  a  Brooke 
Withouten  paine :  but  when  the  Morne  doth  looke 
Out  of  the  Eafterne  gates ^  a  Snayle  would  fafter 
Glide  to  the  Schooles,  then  they  vnto  their  Mafter  : 
So  when  before  I  fung  the  Songs  of  Birds, 
(Whilft  euery  moment  fweetned  lines  affords) 
I  pip'd  deuoid  of  paine,  but  now  I  come 
Vnto  my  tafke,  my  Miije  is  ftricken  dumbe. 
My  blubbring  pen  her  fable  teares  lets  fall. 
In  Characfters  right  Hyrogliphicall, 
And  mixing  with  my  teares  are  ready  turning. 
My  late  white  paper  to  a  weed  of  mourning ; 
Or  Inke  and  Paper  ftriue  how  to  impart, 
My  words,  the  weeds  they  wore,  within  my  hart : 
Or  elfe  the  blots  vnwilling  are  my  rimes 
And  their  fad  caufe  fhould  liue  till  after-times ; 
Fearing  if  men  their  fubiedl  fhould  defcry. 
They  forth-with  would  diffolue  in  teares  and  die. 


128  Britannia  s  Pajlorals.      Booke  i. 

Vpon  the  Hands  craggy  rifing  hill, 
A  ^ladrant  ranne,  wherein  by  ArtlefTe  fkill, 
At  euery  corner  Nature  did  ere6l 
A  Columne  rude,  yet  void  of  all  defecfl : 
Whereon  a  Marble  lay.     The  thick-growne  Bryer, 
And  prickled  Hawthorne  (wouen  all  entyre) 
Together  clung,  and  barr'd  the  gladfome  light 
From  any  entrance,  fitting  onely  night. 
No  way  to  it  but  one,  fteepe  and  obfcure, 
The  ftaires  of  rugged  ftone,  feldome  in  vre. 
All  ouer-growne  with  Mofle,  as  Nature  fate 
To  entertaine  Grief e  with  a  cloth  of  State. 

Hardly  vnto  the  top  I  had  afcended, 
But  that  the  Trees  (fiding  the  fteps)  befriended 
My  weary  limbes,  who  bowing  downe  their  armes, 
Gaue  hold  vnto  my  hands  to  fcape  from  harmes : 
Which  euermore  are  ready,  ftill  prefent 
Our  feet,  in  climbing  places  eminent. 
Before  the  doore  (to  hinder  Phcehus  view) 
A  fhady  Box-tree  grafped  with  an  Eugh, 
As  in  the  place  behalfe  they  menac'd  warre 
Againft  the  radiance  of  each  fparkling  Star. 
And  on  their  barkes  (which  'Time  had  nigh  deprau'd) 
Thefe  lines  (it  feem'd)  had  been  of  old  engrau'd : 
This  place  was  framed  of  yore,  to  be  fojfefi 
By  one  which  fometime  Hath  Beene  Happieft. 

Louely  Idya  the  moft  beautious 
Of  all  the  darlings  of  OcceanuSj 
He/peria's  enuy  and  the  Wefterne  pride, 
Whofe  party-coloured  garment  Nature  dy'd 
In  more  eye-pleafing  hewes  with  richer  graine. 
Then  Iris  bow  attending  Aprils  raine. 
Whofe  Lilly  white  infhaded  with  the  Rofe 
Had  that  man  feene,  who  fung  t\\'Eneidos, 
Dido  had  in  obliuion  flept,  and  fhe 
Had  giu'h  his  Mufe  her  beft  eternitie. 


Song  5.        Britannia  s  Pajlorals,  129 

Had  braue  Atrides  (who  did  erft  imploy 
His  force  to  mix  his  dead  v/ith  thofe  of  Troy^ 
Beene  proffered  for  a  truce  her  fained  peece 
Helen  had  ftaid,  and  that  had  gone  to  Greece : 
The  Phrygian  foile  had  not  been  drunk  with  blood, 
Achilles  longer  breath'd,  and  'Troy  yet  flood  : 
'The  Prince  of  Poets  had  not  fung  his  ftory, 
My  friend  had  loft  his  euer-liuing  glory. 

But  as  a  fnowy  Swan^  who  many  a  day 
On  Thamafs  fwelling  brefts  hath  had  his  play, 
For  further  pleafure  doth  aflay  to  fwim 
My  natiue  Tauy^  or  the  fandy  Pli^n  : 
And  on  the  panting  billowes  brauely  rides, 
Whilft  Country-laifes  walking  on  the  fides. 
Admire  her  beauty,  and  with  clapping  hands, 
Would  force  her  leaue  the  ftreame,  and  tread  the  fands, 
When  fhe  regardleffe  fwims  to  th'other  edge, 
Vntill  an  enuious  Bryer,  or  tangling  Sedge 
Difpoyles  her  Plumes ;  or  elfe  a  fharpned  Beame 
Pierceth  her  breft,  and  on  the  bloudy  ftreame 
She  pants  for  life  :   So  whilome  rode  this  Maid 
On  ftreames  of  worldly  bliffe,  more  rich  arrayd, 
With  Earths  delight,  then  thought  could  put  in  vre. 
To  glut  the  fenfes  of  an  Epicure. 
Whilft  neighbring  Kings  vpon  their  frontires  ftood. 
And  offer'd  for  her  dowre  huge  Seas  of  blood  : 
And  periur'd  Gerion  to  winne  her,  rent 
The  Indian  Rockes  for  gold,  and  bootlefte  fpent 
Almoft  his  patrimony  for  her  fake. 
Yet  nothing  like  refpedled  as  the  Drake 
That  fkowr'd  her  Channels,  and  deftroyd  the  weede, 
Which  fpoyld  her  fifters  nets,  and  fifties  breede. 
At  laft  her  trueft  loue  fiie  threw  vpon 
A  royall  Youth,  whofe  like,  whofe  Paragon 
Heauen  neuer  lent  the  Earth  :  fo  great  a  fpirit 
The  World  could  not  containe,  nor  kingdomes  merit : 


130  Britannia  s  Pajlorals,      Booke 

And  therefore  loue  did  with  the  Saints  inthrone  him. 
And  left  his  Lady  nought  but  teares  to  mone  him. 

Within  this  place  (as  wofull  as  m.y  Verfe) 
She  with  her  Cryftall  founts  bedew'd  his  Herfe, 
Inuailed  with  a  fable  weed  fhe  fate, 
Singing  this  fong  which  ftones  diflblued  at. 

WHat  time  the  world  clad  in  a  mourning  robe, 
A  Stage  made  for  a  wofull  Tragedie  : 
When  flowers  of  teares  from  the  Cceleftiall  Globe 
Bewaild  the  fate  of  Sea-loud  Britanie  ; 
Whenfighs  as  frequent  were  as  various  fights^ 
When  Hope  lay  bed-rid^  and  all  pleafures  dyings 
When  Enuy  wept^ 
And  Cora^ortf  ept : 
When  Cruelty  it  f elf e fate  almofi  crying^ 
Nought  being  heard  but  what  the  minde  affrights, 
When  Autumne  had  dijrob'd  the  Summers  pride ^ 
'Then  Englands  honour^  Europes  wonder  dy^d. 

O  faddeft  ftraine  that  e'er  the  yVxjSo.^  fung  ! 

A  text  of  Woe  for  Grief e  to  comment  on  ; 

Teares^  fighes^  and  fobs  ^  giue  pajfage  to  my  tongue, 

Or  I  fialljpend  you  till  the  lafi  is  gone. 

Which  doney  my  heart  inflames  of  burning  loue 

{}V anting  his  moifture)  /hall  to  cinders  turne  : 
But  fir  ft,  by  me 
Bequeathed  be 

To  ftrew  the  place  wherein  his  f acred  Vrne 

Shall  be  inclosed,  this  might  in  many  moue 

The  like  effect :  (who  would  not  doe  it  ?)  when 
No  graue  befits  him  but  the  hearts  of  men. 

That  man  whofe  maffe  of/orrowes  hath  beenfuch. 
That  by  their  weight  laid  on  each  feuerall  part , 


Song  5.        Britannia  s  Pajlorals.  131 

His  fount  aines  are  Jo  drie^  he  hut  as  much 
As  one  poore  drop  hath  left  to  eafe  his  heart ; 
Why  Jhould  he  keepe  it  ?  fince  the  time  doth  call^ 
That  he  ne'er  better  can  befiow  it  in  : 

Jffo  he  fear es 

That  others  teares 
In  greater  number^  great  eft  prizes  winne  ; 
Know  none  giues  more  then  he  which  giueth  all . 
Then  he  tvhich  hath  but  one  poore  teare  in  Jlore, 
O  let  himjpend  that  drop,  and  weepe  no  more. 

Why  flow  es  not  Helicon  beyond  her  firands  ? 
Is  Henry  dead,  and  doe  the  Mufes  fleepe? 
Alas  !  I  fee  each  one  amazed  fiands, 
"  Shallow  foords  mutter,  filent  are  the  deepe  : 
Faine  would  they  tell  their  grief es^  but  know  not  where  : 
All  arefo  full,  nought  can  augment  their  ft  ore  : 
Then  how  fJiould  they 
Their  grief  es  difplay 
To  men,  fo  cloid^  they  faine  would  heare  no  more  ? 
Though  blaming  thofe  whofe  plaints  they  cannot  heare : 
And  with  this  wifli  their  paffions  I  allow. 
May  that  Miife  neuer fpeake  that's  f  lent  now! 

Is  Henry  dead  ?  alas  I  and  doe  I  Hue 
To  fing  a  Scrich-owles  Note  that  he  is  dead? 
If  any  one  a  fitter  Theame  can  giue, 
Come  giue  it  now,  or  neuer  to  be  read. 
But  let  him  fee  it  doe  of  horror  tafi, 
Angui/fi,  deftru5iion  :  could  it  rend  in  f under 
With  fearefull  grones 
The  fenfeleffe  ft  ones, 
Tet  fliould  we  hardly  be  enforced  to  wonder. 
Our  former  griefes  would  fo  exceed  their  la  ft  : 

Time  cannot  make  our  f or r owes  ought  compleater ; 

Nor  adde  one  grief e  to  make  our  mourning  greater. 


132  Britannia's  Pajiorals.      Booke 

England  was  ne'er  ingirt  with  wanes  till  now  ; 

Till  now  it  held  fart  with  the  Continent : 

Aye  me  I  Jome  one  in  fitty  Jliew  me^  how 

I  might  in  dole  full  numbers  Jo  lament ; 

That  any  one  which  lou'd  him^  hated  me^ 

Might  dearely  hue  me^  for  lamenting  him. 
Alas  !  my  plaint 
Injuch  confiraint 

Breaks  forth  in  rage^  that  though  my  faffions  Jwimme^ 

Yet  are  they  drowned  ere  they  landed  be : 
Im-perfeEi  lines  !  O  happy  !  were  I  hurld 
And  cut  from  life  as  England /ro;;?  the  world. 

O  happier  had  we  beene  I  if  we  had  beene 
Neuer  made  happie  by  enioying  thee  ! 
Where  hath  the  glorious  eye  of  heauen  Jeene 
AJpetiacle  of  greater  miferie  ? 
Time  turne  thy  courfe ;  and  bring  againe  the  Spring ; 
Breake  Natures  lawes ;  fearch  the  records  of  oldy 
If  ought  befell 
Might  paralell 
Sad  Britain's  cafe :  weepe  Rocks,  and  Heauen  behold. 
What  Seas  of  for  row  flie  is  plunged  in. 

Where  Jtormes  of  woe  fo  mainly  haue  bejet  her  ; 

She  hath  no  place  for  worfcy  nor  hope  for  better. 

Britaine  was  whilome  knowne  {by  more  then  fame) 

To  be  one  of  the  Hands  fortunate  ; 

What  franticke  man  would  giue  her  now  that  name. 

Lying  fo  rufull  and  difconfolate  ? 

Hath  not  her  watry  Zone  in  murmuring, 

Fiird  euery  fJioare  with  Ecchoes  of  her  crie  ? 

Tes,  Thetis  raues, 

And  bids  her  wanes 
Bring  all  the  Nymphes  within  her  Emperie 
To  be  affiflant  in  her  for  rowing : 


Song  5.        Britannia  s  Pajiorals.  133 

See  where  they  Jadly  fit  on  \(\sJhorey 

And  rend  their  h aires  as  they  would  ioy  no  more. 

Ifis  the  glory  of  the  Weft  erne  worlds 

When  our  Heroe  {Jionour'd  EfTex)  dy'd^ 

Strucken  with  wonder j  backe  againe  JJie  hurld, 

And  filVd  her  banckes  with  an  vnwoonted  Tyde : 

As  if  ftie  ftood  in  doubt ^  if  it  werefo. 

And  for  the  certain  tie  had  turn'd  her  way. 
Why  doe  not  now 
Her  wanes  reflow  ? 

Poore  Nymph,  her  for  r  owes  will  not  let  her  ft  ay  ; 

Or  flies  to  tell  the  vjorld  her  Countries  woe : 
Or  cares  not  to  come  backe,  perhaps ,  as  fhowing 
Our  teares  ftoould  make  the  floods  not  her  reflowing 

Sometimes  a  'Tyrant  held  the  reynes  of  Rome, 
Wiftiing  to  all  the  City  but  one  heady 
That  all  at  once  might  vndergoe  his  doome^ 
And  by  one  blow  frbm  life  befeuered. 
Fate  wijht  the  like  on  England,  and  'twas  giuen  : 
(O  miferable  men,  enthral' d  to  Fate  I') 
Whofe  heauy  hand 
That  neuer  fcand 
The  mifery  of  Kingdomes  ruinate. 
Minding  to  leaue  her  of  all  ioyes  bereauen. 

With  one  fad  blow  {Alas  I  can  worfer  fall !) 

Hath  giuen  this  little  He  her  Funerall. 

O  come  yee  bleffed  Impes  of  Memory, 

Ereot  a  new  Parnaffus  on  his  graue  ! 

There  tune  your  voices  to  an  Elegy, 

Thefaddeft  Note  that  ere  Apollo  gaue. 

Let  euery  Accent  make  the  ftander  by 

Keepe  time  vnto  your  Song  with  dropping  teares. 

Till  drops  that  fell 

Haue  made  a  well 


134  Britannia  s  Pajlorals,      Booke 

To  Jw allow  hhn  which  fiill  vnmoued  heares  ? 

And  though  my  Jelfe  proue  fenfelejje  of  your  cry. 
Yet  gladly  JJiould  my  light  of  life  grow  dim^ 
'To  be  intomh'd  in  teares  are  wept  for  him. 

When  laft  he  fickned,  then  we  firfi  began 
To  tread  the  Labyrinth  of  Woe  about : 
And  by  degrees  we  further  inward  ran^ 
Hauing  his  thread  of  life  to  guide  vs  out. 
But  Defthiie  no  fooner faw  vs  enter 
Sad  Sorrowes  Maze,  immured  vp  in  night, 

{JVhere  nothing  dwels 

But  cryes  and y els 
Throwne  from  the  hearts  of  men  depriud  of  light ^ 
When  we  were  almoji  come  into  the  Center, 
Fate  {cruelly)  to  barre  our  ioyes  returning. 

Cut  off  our  Thread,  and  left  vs  all  in  mourning. 

L        If  you  haue  feene  at  foot  of  fome  braue  hill. 
Two  Springs  arife,  and  delicately  trill. 
In  gentle  chidings  through  an  humble  dale, 
(Where  tufty  Daizies  nod  at  euery  gale) 
And  on  the  bankes  a  Swaine  (with  Lawrell  crown'd) 
Marying  his  fweet  Notes  with  their  filuer  found : 
When  as  the  fpongy  clouds  fwolne  big  with  water, 
Throw  their  conception  on  the  worlds  'Theater : 
Downe  from  the  hils  the  rained  waters  roare, 
Whilft  euery  leafe  drops  to  augment  their  ftore : 
Grumbling  the  ftones  fall  o'er  each  others  backe,' 
•  A  fall  of  Rending  the  greene  turfes  with  their  *  CataraB, 
waters  from  ^j^(^  through  the  Meadowcs  run  with  fuch  a  noife, 
place.  That  taking  from  the  Swaine  the  fountaines  voice, 

Inforce  him  leaue  their  margent,  and  alone 
Couple  his  bafe  Pipe  with  their  bafer  'Tone. 
Aietheia  to    Know  (Shepherdcfle)  that  fo  I  lent  an  eare 
Fida.  Xo  thofe  fad  wights  whofe  plaints  I  told  whileare : 


Song  5.        Britannia  s  Pajl orals.  135 

But  when  this  goodly  Lady  gan  addrefle 

Her  heauenly  voyce  to  fweeten  heauinefle. 

It  drown'd  the  reft,  as  torrents  little  Springs ; 

And  ftrucken  mute  at  her  great  forrowings, 

Lay  ftill  and  wondred  at  her  pitious  mone, 

Wept  at  her  griefes,  and  did  forget  their  owne, 

Whilft  I  attentiue  fate,  and  did  impart, 

Teares  when  they  wanted  drops,  and  from  a  hart, 

As  hie  in  forrow  as  e'er  creature  wore, 

Lent  thrilling  grones  to  fuch  as  had  no  more.    "] 

Had  wife  Vlyjfes  (who  regardleffe  flung 
Along  the  Ocean  when  the  Syrens  fung) 
Pafs'd  by  and  (t^wo.  her  on  the  fea-torne  cleeues, 
Waile  her  loft  Loue  (while  Neptunes  watry  Theeues 
Durft  not  approach  for  Rockes :)  to  fee  her  face 
He  would  haue  hazarded  his  Grecian  race, 
Thruft  head-long  to  the  ftiore,  and  to  her  eyes 
Offer'd  his  Veftell  as  a  Sacrifice, 
Or  had  the  Syrens  on  a  neighbour  ftiore 
Heard  in  what  raping  Notes  ftie  did  deplore 
Her  buried  Glory,  they  had  left  their  flielues, 
And  to  come  neere  her  would  haue  drown'd  themfelues. 

Now  filence  lock'd  the  organs  of  that  voyce  ;  Aietheia 

Txn  i  L  o    1  J.        •  commeth  to 

Whereat  each  merry  byLuan  wont  reioyce,  idya. 

When  with  a  bended  knee  to  her  I  came. 

And  did  impart  my  griefe  and  hated  name : 

But  firft  a  pardon  begg'd,  if  that  my  caufe 

So  much  conftrain'd  me  as  to  breake  the  Lawes 

Of  her  wifti'd  fequeftration,  or  afk'd  Bread 

(To  faue  a  life)  from  her,  whofe  life  was  dead : 

But  lawlefle  famine,  felfe-confuming  hunger, 

Alas  !  compel'd  me  :  had  I  ftayed  longer. 

My  weakned  limmes  had  beene  my  wants  forc'd  meed. 

And  I  had  fed,  on  that  I  could  not  feed. 

When  fhe  (compaftionate)  to  my  fad  mone 

Did  lend  a  figh,  and  ftole  it  from  her  owne ; 


136  Britannia  s  Pajlorals.       Booke  i. 

And  (wofull  Lady  wrackt  on  haplefle  fhelfe) 
Yeelded  me  comfort,  yet  had  none  her  felfe  : 
Told  how  fhe  knew  me  well  fince  I  had  beene, 
As  chiefeft  confort  of  the  Fairy  ^eene ; 
O  happy  ^leene !  for  euer,  euer  praife 
Dwell  on  thy  Tombe ;   the  period  of  all  dayes 
Onely  feale  vp  thy  fame  ;  and  as  thy  Birth 
Inrich'd  thy  Tempks  on  the  fading  earth, 
So  haue  thy  Vertues  crown'd  thy  blefTed  foule. 
Where  t\\tjirji  Mouer  with  his  words  controule ; 
As  with  a  girdle  the  huge  Ocean  bindes ; 
Gathers  into  his  fift  the  nimble  Windes ; 
Stops  the  bright  Courfer  in  his  hot  careere ; 
Commands  the  Moone  twelue  courfes  in  a  yeere : 
Liue  thou  with  him  in  endlefle  blifTe,  while  we 
Admire  all  vertues  in  admiring  thee. 

Thou,  thou,  the  fautrefle  of  the  learned  Well ; 
Thou  nurfing  Mother  of  Gods  IJrael ; 
Thou,  for  whofe  louing  Truth^  the  heauens  raines 
Sweet  Mel  and  Manna  on  our  flowry  plaines  : 
Thou,  by  whofe  hand  the  facred  T^rine  did  bring 
Vs  out  of  bonds,  from  bloody  Bannering. 
Ye  fuckling  Babes,  for  euer  blefle  that  Name 
Releaf'd  your  burning  in  your  Mothers  flame  ! 
Thrice  blefled  Maiden,  by  whofe  hand  was  giuen 
Free  liberty  to  taflie  the  food  of  Heauen. 
Neuer  forget  her  {Albions  louely  Daughters) 
Which  led  you  to  the  Springs  of  liuing  Waters! 
And  if  my  Muje  her  glory  faile  to  fing, 
May  to  my  mouth  my  tongue  for  euer  cling ! 

Herewith  (at  hand)  taking  her  Home  of  Plentie 
idya  Fil'd  with  the  choyfe  of  euery  Orchards  daintie. 

As  PeareSj  Plums,  apples,  the  fweet  Rafpis-berry, 
The  Quince,  the  j^pricocke,  the  blufliing  Cheny ; 
The  Mulberry  (his  blacke  from  'Thijhie  taking) 
The  clufter'd  Filberd,  Grapes  oft  merry-making. 


cherifheth 
Aletheia. 


Song  5.        Britajinia  s  Pajlorals,  137 

(This  fruitfull  Home  th'immortall  Ladies  fill'd 
With  all  the  pleafures  that  rough  Forrefts  yeeld. 
And  gaue  Idya^  with  a  further  bleHing, 
That  thence  (as  from  a  Garden)  without  dreffing, 
She  thefe  fhould  euer  haue  ;  and  neuer  want 
Store,  from  an  Orchard  without  tree  or  plant.) 
With  a  right  willing  hand  (he  gaue  me,  hence. 
The  Stomackes  comforter,  the  pleafing  ^ince ; 
And  for  the  chiefeft  cherirtier  fhe  lent 
The  Royall  Thijiles  milkie  nourishment 

Here  ftaid  I  long :   but  when  to  fee  Aurora 
Kiffe  the  perfumed  cheekes  of  dainty  Flora^ 
Without  the  vale  I  trod  one  louely  Morne, 
With  true  intention  of  a  quicke  returne, 
An  vnexpe(5led  chance  ftroue  to  deferre 
My  going  backe,  and  all  the  loue  of  her. 
But  Maiden  fee  the  day  is  waxen  old. 
And  gins  to  fhut  in  with  the  Marigold: 
The  Neat-herds  Kine  doe  bellow  in  the  yard; 
And  Dairy  Maidens  for  the  milke  prepar'd. 
Are  drawing  at  the  Vdder^  long  ere  now 
The  Plow-man  hath  vnyoak't  his  Teame  from  plow  : 
My  transformation  to  a  fearefull  Hinde 
Shall  to  vnfold  a  fitter  feafon  finde  ; 
Meane  while  yond  Pallace,  whofe  braue  Turrets  tops, 
Ouer  the  ftately  Wood  furuay  the  cops, 
Promis'th  (if  fought)  a  wifhed  place  of  reft. 
Till  Sol  our  Hemifphere  haue  repoffeft. 

Now  muft  my  Muje  afford  a  ftralne  to  Riot^ 
Who  almoft  kild  with  his  luxurious  diet. 
Lay  eating  graffe  (as  dogges)  within  a  wood. 
So  to  difgorge  the  vndifgefted  food  : 
By  whom  faire  Aletheia  paft  along 
With  Fida  Queene  of  euery  ftiepherds  fong, 
By  them  vnfeene  (for  he  fecurely  lay 
Vnder  the  thicke  of  many  a  leauied  fpray) 

T 


138  Britannia's  Pajlorals.      Bdoke  i 

And  through  the  leiield  Meadowes  gently  threw 
Their  neateft  feet,  wafht  with  refrefhing  dew, 
Where  he  durft  not  approach,  but  on  the  edge 
Of  th'hilly  wood,  in  couert  of  a  hedge. 
Went  onward  with  them,  trode  with  them  in  paces. 
And  farre  off  much  admir'd  their  formes  and  graces. 
Into  the  Plaincs  at  laft  he  headlong  venter'd  : 
But  they  the  hill  had  got  and  pal  lace  enter'd. 

When,  like  a  valiant  well  refolued  man 
Seeking  new  paths  i'  th'  pathleffe  Ocean, 
Vnto  the  (hores  of  monfter-breeding  Nyle, 
Or  through  the  North  to  the  vnpeopled  Thyle, 
Where  from  the  Equim£iiall  of  the  Spring, 
To  that  of  Autumne,  Titans  golden  Ring 
Is  neuer  off;  and  till  the  Spring  againe 
In  gloomy  darkneffe  all  the  fhoares  remaine. 
Or  if  he  furrow  vp  the  brynie  Sea, 
To  caft  his  Ancors  in  the  frozen  bay 
Of  woody  Norway;  (who  hath  euer  fed 
Her  people  more  with  fcaly  fifh  then  bread) 
Though  ratling  mounts  of  Ice  thruft  at  his  Helme, 
And  by  their  fall  ftill  threaten  to  o'rewhelme 
His  little  Veffell :  and  though  Winter  throw 
(What  age  fhould  on  their  heads)  white  caps  of  Snow  ; 
Striues  to  congeale  his  bloud  ;   he  cares  not  for't, 
But  arm'd  in  minde,  gets  his  intended  port : 

So  Ryot,  though  full  many  doubts  arife, 
Whofe  vnknowne  ends  might  grafpe  his  enterprife, 
Climbes  towards  the  Palace,  and  with  gate  demure. 
With  hanging  head,  a  voice  as  faining  pure, 
With  torne  and  ragged  coat,  his  hairy  legs 
Bloudy,  as  fcratch'd  with  Bryers,  he  entrance  begs. 

Remefnbrance  fate  as  Portrefle  of  this  gate : 
A  Lady  alwayes  mufing  as  fhe  fate. 
Except  when  fometime  fuddainly  fhe  rofe, 
And  with  a  back-bent  eye,  at  length,  fhe  throwes 


Song  5.        Britannia's  Pajiorals.  139 

Her  hands  to  heauen :  and  in  a  wondring  guize, 
Star'd  on  each  obiecft  with  her  fixed  eyes : 
As  fome  way-faring  man  pa/Iing  a  wood, 
(Whofe  wauing  top  hath  long  a  Sea-marke  ftood) 
Goes  logging  on,  and  in  his  minde  nought  hath, 
But  how  the  Primrofe  finely  ftrew  the  path, 
Or  fweeteft  Violets  lay  downe  their  heads 
At  fome  trees  root  on  moffie  feather-beds, 
Vntill  his  heele  receiues  an  Adders  fting, 
Whereat  he  ftarts,  and  backe  his  head  doth  fling. 

She  neuer  mark'd  the  fute  he  did  preferre, 
But  (carelefl"e)  let  him  pafTe  along  by  her. 

So  on  he  went  into  a  fpatious  court. 
All  trodden  bare  with  multitudes  refort : 
At  th'end  whereof  a  fecond  gate  appeares, 
The  Fabricke  fhew'd  full  many  thoufand  yeares  : 
Whofe  Pofl:erne-key  that  time  a  Lady  kept. 
Her  eyes  all  fwolne  as  if  fhe  feldome  flept ; 
And  would  by  fits  her  golden  trefles  teare. 
And  fl:riue  to  fl:op  her  breath  with  her  owne  haire : 
Her  lilly  hand  (not  to  be  lik'd  by  Art) 
A  paire  of  Pincers  held  ;  wherewith  her  heart 
Was  hardly  grafped,  while  the  piled  ftones 
Re-eccoed  her  lamentable  grones. 

Here  at  this  gate  the  cuftome  long  had  bin 
When  any  fought  to  be  admitted  in, 
Remorce  thus  vs'd  them,  ere  they  had  the  key, 
And  all  thefe  torments  felt,  pafs'd  on  their  way. 

When  Riot  came,  the  Ladies  paines  nigh  done. 
She  paft  the  gate ;  and  then  Remorce  begun 
To  fetter  Riot  in  ftrong  iron  chaines ; 
And  doubting  much  his  patience  in  the  paines. 
As  when  a  Smith  and's  Man  (lame  Vulcans  fellowes) 
Call'd  from  the  Anuile  or  the  puffing  BelloweSy 
To  clap  a  well-wrought  fliooe  (for  more  then  pay) 
Vpon  a  ftubborne  Nagge  of  Galloway  ; 


140  Brita?tnia  s  Pajiorals.      Booke  i, 

Or  vnback'd  lennet^  or  a  Flaunders  Mare, 

That  at  the  Forge  ftand  fnuffing  of  the  ayre ; 

The  fwarty  Smith  fpits  in  his  Buckhorne  fift, 

And  bids  his  Man  bring  out  the  fiue-fold  twift, 

His  fhackles,  fhacklocks,  hampers,  gyues  and  chaines, 

His  linked  bolts  ;  and  with  no  little  paines 

Thefe  make  him  faft  :  and  leaft  all  thefe  fhould  faulter, 

Vnto  a  pofte  with  fome  fix  doubled  halter 

He  bindes  his  head ;  yet  all  are  of  the  leaft 

To  curbe  the  fury  of  the  head-ftrong  beaft  : 

When  if  a  Carriers  lade  be  brought  vnto  him, 

His  Man  can  hold  his  foot  whilft  he  can  fhoe  him  : 

Remorce  was  fo  inforc'd  to  binde  him  ftronger, 

Becaufe  his  faults  requir'd  inflidion  longer 

Then  any  fin-preft  wight  which  many  a  day 

Since  ludas  hung  himfelfe  had  paft  that  way. 

When  all  the  cruell  torments  he  had  borne, 
Galled  with  chaines,  and  on  the  racke  nigh  torne. 
Pinching  with  glowing  pincers  his  owne  heart ; 
All  lame  and  reftlefle,  full  of  wounds  and  fmart, 
He  to  the  Pofterne  creepes,  fo  inward  hies. 
And  from  the  gate  a  two-fold  path  defcries. 
One  leading  vp  a  hill,  Repentance  way  ; 
And  (as  more  worthy)  on  the  right  hand  lay  : 
The  other  head-long,  fteepe,  and  lik'ned  well 
Vnto  the  path  which  tendeth  downe  to  hell : 
All  fteps  that  thither  went  fhew'd  no  returning. 
The  port  to  paines,  and  to  eternall  mourning ; 
Where  certaine  Death  liu'd,  in  an  Ebon  chaire. 
The  foules  blacke  homicide  meager  Dejpaire 
Had  his  abode  :  there  gainft  the  craggie  rocks 
Some  dafht  their  braines  out,  with  relentleffe  knocks. 
Others  on  trees  (6  moft  accurfed  elues) 
Are  faftening  knots,  fo  to  vndoe  themfelues. 
Here  one  in  (inne  not  daring  to  appeare 
At  Mercies  feat  with  one  repentant  teare. 


Song  5.        Britannia  s  Pajlorals.  141 

Within  his  breft  was  launcing  of  an  eye, 

That  vnto  God  it  might  for  vengeance  cry : 

There  from  a  Rocke  a  wretch  but  newly  fell. 

All  torne  in  pieces,  to  goe  whole  to  Hell. 

Here  with  a  fleepie  Potion  one  thinkes  fit 

To  grafpe  with  death,  but  would  not  know  of  it : 

There  in  a  poole  two  men  their  Hues  expire, 

And  die  in  water  to  reuiue  in  fire. 

Here  hangs  the  bloud  vpon  the  guiltlefie  ftones : 

There  wormes  confume  the  flefh  of  humane  bones. 

Here  lyes  an  arme  :  a  legge  there  :  here  a  head. 

Without  other  lims  of  men  vnburied, 

Scattring  the  ground,  and  as  regardlefle  hurl'd. 

As  they  at  vertue  fpurned  in  the  world. 

Fye  hapleffe  wretch,  6  thou  !  whofe  graces  fteruing, 
Meafur'ft  Gods  mercy  by  thine  owne  deferuing  ; 
Which  cry'ft  (diftruftfull  of  the  power  of  Heauen) 
My  finnes  are  greater  then  can  be  forgiuen  : 
Which  ftill  are  ready  to  curje  God  and  die^ 
At  euery  ftripe  of  worldly  miferie  -, 
O  learne  (thou  in  whofe  brefts  the  Dragon  lurkes) 
Gods  mercy  (euer)  is  o'er  all  his  workes. 
Know  he  is  pitifull,  apt  to  forgiue ; 
Would  not  a  finners  death,  but  that  he  Hue. 
O  euer,  euer  reft  vpon  that  word 
Which  doth  afture  thee,  though  his  two  edg'd  Sword 
Be  drawne  in  luftice  gainft  thy  finfull  foule, 
To  feparate  the  rotten  from  the  whole  ; 
Yet  if  a  facrifice  of  prayer  be  fent  him, 
He  will  not  ftrike ;  or  if  he  ftrike  repent  him. 
Let  none  defpaire  :  for  curfed  ludas  finne 
Was  not  fo  much  in  yeelding  vp  the  King 
Of  life,  to  death,  as  when  he  thereupon 
Wholy  difpair'd  of  Gods  remiflion. 

Riot,  long  doubting  ftood  which  way  were  beft 
To  leade  his  fteps  :   at  laft  preferring  reft 


i/j2  Britannia  s  Pajiorals.      Booke  i. 

(As  foolifhly  he  thought)  before  the  paine 
Was  to  be  pad  ere  he  could  well  attaine 
The  high-built  Palace ;  gan  aduenture  on 
That  path,  which  led  to  all  confufion, 
When  fodainly  a  voice  as  fweet  as  cleere, 
With  words  diuine  began  entice  his  eare  : 
Whereat  as  in  a  rapture,  on  the  ground 
He  proftrate  lay,  and  all  his  fenfes  found 
A  time  of  reft;  onely  that  facultie 
Which  neuer  can  be  feene,  nor  euer  dye, 
That  in  the  effence  of  an  endlefte  Nature 
Doth  fympathize  with  the  All-good  Creator, 
That  onely  wak'd  which  cannot  be  interr'd 
And  from  a  heauenly  Quire  this  ditty  heard. 

Vaine  man,  doe  not  mijiruji 

Of  heaiien  winning  \ 
Nor  (^though  the  moft  vniuft) 
Defpaire  for  finning 
God  will  be  feene  his  fentence  changing. 
If  he  behold  thee  zvicked  zvayes  eflranging. 

Climbe  vp  where  pleafures  dwell 

In  flowry  Allies : 
And  tafle  the  lining  Well 
That  decks  the  Vallies. 
Faire  Metanoia  is  attending 
'To  crowne  thee  with  thofe  ioyes  mhich  know  no  ending. 

Herewith  on  leaden  wings  Sleepe  from  him  flew, 
When  on  his  arme  he  rofe,  and  fadly  threw 
Shrill  acclamations ;  while  an  hollow  caue. 
Or  hanging  hill,  or  heauen  an  anfwer  gaue. 
O  facred  Effence  lightning  me  this  houre ! 
How  may  I  lightly  ftile  thy  great  Power?  Ecch.  Power. 


$0NG  5.        Britannia  s  Pajiorals.  143 

Power  ?  but  of  whence  ?  vnder  the  green-wood  fpray. 

Or  llu'ft  in  heau'n  ?  fay.     Ecch.   In  Heauens  aye. 

In  heauens  aye  I  tell,  may  I  it  obtaine 

By  almes ;  by  fading,  prayer,  by  paine.   Ecch.  By  paine. 

Shew  me  the  paine,  't  fhall  be  vndergone : 

I  to  mine  end  will  ftill  goe  on.   Ecch.  Goe  on. 

But  whither  ?  On  !  Shew  me  the  place,  the  time  : 

What  if  the  Mountain  I  do  climbe  ?  Ecch.   Doe  ;  climbe. 

Is  that  the  way  to  ioyes  which  ftill  endure } 

O  bid  my  foule  of  it  be  fure  !      Ecch.   Be  Jure. 

Then  thus  affured,  doe  I  climbe  the  hill, 

Heauen  be  my  guide  in  this  thy  will.      Ecch.    I  will. 

As  when  a  maid  taught  from  her  mother  wing, 
To  tune  her  voyce  vnto  a  filuer  ftring, 
When  fhe  fhould  run,  fhe  refts ;  refts  when  fhould  run. 
And  ends  her  lefTon  hauing  now  begun  : 
Now  mifleth  fhe  her  ftop,  then  in  her  fong. 
And  doing  of  her  beft  fhe  ftill  is  wrong. 
Begins  againe,  and  yet  againe  ftrikes  falfe, 
Then  in  a  chafe  forfakes  her  Virginals., 
And  yet  within  an  houre  ftie  tries  anew, 
That  with  her  daily  paines  (Arts  chiefeft  due) 
She  gaines  that  charming  f!<:ill :  and  can  no  lefle 
Tame  the  fierce  walkers  of  the  wildernefte, 
Then  that  Oeagrin  Harpiji^  for  whofe  lay, 
Tigers  with  hunger  pinde  and  left  their  pray. 
So  Riot.,  when  he  gan  to  climbe  the  hill. 
Here  maketh  hafte  and  there  long  ftandeth  ftill, 
Now  getteth  vp  a  ftep,  then  fals  againe. 
Yet  not  defpairing  all  his  nerues  doth  ftraine, 
To  clamber  vp  a  new,  then  Aide  his  feet. 
And  downe  he  comes :  but  giues  not  ouer  yet, 
For  (with  the  maid)  he  hopes,  a  time  will  be 
When  merit  fhall  be  linkt  with  induftry. 

Now  as  an  Angler  melancholy  ftanding 
Vpon  a  greene  banke  yeelding  roome  for  landing, 


144  Britannia  s  Pajiorals.      Booke 

A  wrigling  yellow  worme  thrufl;  on  his  hooke, 
Now  in  the  midft  he  throwes,  then  in  a  nooke : 
Here  puis  his  line,  there  throwes  it  in  againe, 
Mendeth  his  Corke  and  Bait,  but  all  in  vaine, 
He  long  ftands  viewing  of  the  curled  ftreame ; 
At  laft  a  hungry  Pike,  or  well-growne  Breame 
Snatch  at  the  worme,  and  hafting  fafl:  away, 
He  knowing  it,  a  Fifh  of  ftubborne  fway, 
Puis  vp  his  rod,  but  foft :   (as  hauing  fkill) 
Wherewith  the  hooke  faft  holds  the  Fifhes  gill, 
Then  all  his  line  he  freely  yeeldeth  him, 
Whilft  furioufly  all  vp  and  downe  doth  fwim 
Th'infnared  Fifh,  here  on  the  top  doth  feud. 
There  vnderneath  the  banks,  then  in  the  mud ; 
And  with  his  franticke  fits  fo  fcares  the  fhole, 
That  each  one  takes  his  hyde,  or  ftarting  hole : 
By  this  the  Pike  cleane  wearied  vnderneath 
A  Willow  lyes,  and  pants  (if  Fifhes  breath) 
Wherewith  the  Angler  gently  puis  him  to  him. 
And  leaft  his  hafte  might  happen  to  vndoe  him, 
Layes  downe  his  rod,  then  takes  his  line  in  hand. 
And  by  degrees  getting  the  Fifh  to  land, 
Walkes  to  another  Poole  :  at  length  is  winner 
Of  fuch  a  difh  as  ferues  him  for  his  dinner  : 
So  when  the  Climber  halfe  the  way  had  got, 
Mufing  he  ftood,  and  bufily  gan  plot, 
How  (fince  the  mount  did  alwaies  fteeper  tend) 
He  might  with  {l:eps  fecure  his  iourney  end. 
At  laft  (as  wandring  Boyes  to  gather  Nuts) 
A  hooked  Pole  he  from  a  Ha/ell  cuts ; 
Now  throwes  it  here,  then  there  to  take  fome  hold. 
But  bootleffe  and  in  vaine,  the  rockie  mold, 
Admits  no  cranny,  where  his  Hafell-hookc 
Might  promife  him  a  flep,  till  in  a  nooke 
Somewhat  aboue  his  reach  he  hath  efpide 
A  little  Oakey  and  hauing  often  tride 


Song  5.        Britannia  s  Pajiorals.  145 

To  catch  a  bough  with  ftanding  on  his  toe. 
Or  leaping  vp,  yet  not  preuailing  fo  ; 
He  rols  a  ftone  towards  the  Httle  tree, 
Then  gets  vpon  it,  faftens  warily 
His  Pole  vnto  a  bough,  and  at  his  drawing 
The  early  rifing  Crow  with  clam'rous  kawing, 
Leauing  the  greene  bough,  flyes  about  the  Rocke, 
Whilfl:  twenty  twenty  couples  to  him  flocke  : 
And  now  within  his  reach  the  thin  leaues  waue. 
With  one  hand  onely  then  he  holds  his  ftaue. 
And  with  the  other  grafping  firft  the  leaues, 
A  pretty  bough  he  in  his  fift  receiues ; 
Then  to  his  girdle  making  faft  the  hooke, 
His  other  hand  another  bough  hath  tooke ; 
His  firft,  a  third,  and  that,  another  giues. 
To  bring  him  to  the  place  where  his  root  liues. 
Then,  as  a  nimble  Squirrill  from  the  wood, 
Ranging  the  hedges  for  his  Filberd-^ood^ 
Sits  peartly  on  a  bough  his  browne  Nuts  cracking. 
And  from  the  fhell  the  fweet  white  kernell  taking. 
Till  (with  their  crookes  and  bags)  a  fort  of  Boyes, 
(To  fhare  with  him)  come  with  fo  great  a  noyfe, 
That  he  is  forc'd  to  leaue  a  Nut  nigh  broke, 
And  for  his  life  leape  to  a  neighbour  Oake^ 
Thence  to  a  Beech,  thence  to  a  row  of  AJhes ; 
Whilft  th'row  the  Quagmires,  and  red  water  plafhes, 
The  Boyes  run  dabling  thorow  thicke  and  thin, 
One  teares  his  hofe,  another  breakes  his  fhin. 
This,  torne  and  tatter'd,  hath  with  much  adoe 
Got  by  the  Bryers  ;  and  that  hath  loft  his  ftiooe  : 
This  drops  his  band  ;  that  head-long  fals  for  hafte ; 
Another  cries  behinde  for  being  laft : 
With  fticks  and  ftones,  and  many  a  founding  hollow. 
The  little  foole,  with  no  fmall  fport,  they  follow, 
Whilft  he,  from  tree  to  tree,  from  fpray  to  fpray, 
Gets  to  the  wood,  and  hides  him  in  his  Dray : 

u 


146  Britannia's  Pajlorals.       Booke  i 

Such  fhift  made  Ryot^  ere  he  could  get  vp. 
And  fo  from  bough  to  bough  he  won  the  top, 
Though  hnidrances,  for  euer  comming  there, 
Were  often  thruft  vpon  him  by  Di/paire. 

Now  at  his  feet  the  ftately  mountaine  lay, 
And  with  a  gladfome  eye  he  gan  furuay 
What  perils  he  had  trod  on  fince  the  time 
His  weary  feet  and  armes  aflaid  to  climbe. 
When  with  a  humble  voyce  (withouten  feare. 
Though  he  look'd  wilde  and  ouer-grown  with  haire) 
A  gentle  Nymph  in  ruflet  courfe  array, 
Comes  and  diredls  him  onward  in  his  way. 
Firft,  brings  fhe  him  into  a  goodly  Hall, 
Defcription    Fairc,  yet  not  beautified  with  Mineral!: 
of  Repent-^  But  in  a  carelefle  Art,  and  artleffe  care, 
ance.  Made,  loofe  negleft,  more  louely  farre  then  rare. 

Vpon  the  floore  (ypau'd  with  Marble  flate) 
(With  Sack-cloth  cloth'd)  many  in  afhes  fate: 
And  round  about  the  wals  for  many  yeares. 
Hung  Cryftall  Vials  of  repentant  teares  : 
And  Books  of  vowes,  and  many  a  heauenly  deed. 
Lay  ready  open  for  each  one  to  read, 
Some  were  immured  vp  in  little  fheads. 
There  to  contemplate  Heauen,  and  bid  their  Beads. 
Others  with  garments  thin  of  Cammels-haire, 
With  head,  and  armes,  and  legs,  and  feet  all  bare, 
Were  finging  Hymnes  to  the  Eternal!  Sage^ 
For  fafe  returning  from  their  Pilgrimage, 
Some  with  a  whip  their  pamper'd  bodies  beat ; 
Others  in  fafting  Hue,  and  feldome  eat : 
But  as  thofe  Trees  which  doe  in  India  grow 
And  calPd  of  elder  Swaines  full  long  agoe 
The  Sun  and  Moones  faire  Trees  (full  goodly  deight) 
And  ten  times  ten  feet  challenging  their  height : 
Hauing  no  helpe  (to  ouer-looke  braue  Towers) 
From  coole  refrefhing  dew,  or  drifling  fhowers  ; 


Song  5.        Britannia  s  Pajl orals.  147 

When  as  the  Earth  (as  oftentimes  is  feene) 

Is  interpos'd  twixt  Sol  and  Nights  pale  ^jieene  ; 

Or  when  the  Moone  ecclipfeth  Titans  hght, 

The  Trees  (all  comfortlefTe)  rob'd  of  their  fight 

Weepe  liquid  drops,  which  plentifully  fhoot 

Along  the  outward  barke  downe  to  the  root : 

And  by  their  owne  fhed  teares  they  euer  flourifh  ; 

So  their  own  forrowes,  their  owne  ioyes  doe  nourifh  : 

And  fo  within  this  place  full  many  a  wight, 

Did  make  his  teares  his  food  both  day  and  night. 

And  had  it  g[r]anted  (from  th' Almighty  great) 

To  fwim  th'row  them  vnto  his  Mercy-feat. 

Faire  Metanoia  in  a  chaire  of  earth. 

With  count'nance  fad,  yet  fadnefi'e  promis'd  mirth. 

Sate  vaird  in  courfeft  weeds  of  Cammels  hayre, 

Inriching  pouertie  ;  yet  neuer  faire 

Was  like  to  her,  nor  fince  the  world  begun 

A  lonelier  Lady  kift  the  glorious  Sun. 

For  her  the  God  of  Thunder^  mighty,  great, 

Whofe  Foot-ftoole  is  the  Earth,  and  Heauen  his  Seat, 

Vnto  a  man  who  from  his  crying  birth 

Went  on  ftill,  fhunning  what  he  carried,  earth  : 

When  he  could  walke  no  further  for  his  graue. 

Nor  could  ftep  ouer,  but  he  there  muft  haue 

A  feat  to  reft,  when  he  would  faine  goe  on ; 

But  age  in  euery  nerue,  in  euery  bone 

Forbad  his  paffage  :   for  her  fake  hath  heauen 

Fill'd  vp  the  graue,  and  made  his  path  fo  euen. 

That  fifteene  courfes  had  the  bright  Steeds  run, 

(And  he  was  weary)  ere  his  courfe  was  done. 

For  fcorning  her,  the  Courts  of  Kings  which  throw 

A  proud  rais'd  pinnacle  to  reft  the  Crow ; 

And  on  a  Plaine  out-braue  a  neighbour  Rocke, 

In  ftout  refiftance  of  a  Tempefts  fliocke. 

For  her  contempt  heauen  (reining  his  difafters) 

Haue  made  thofe  Towers  but  piles  to  burne  their  mafters. 


148  Britan?iias  Pajlorals.      Booke  i. 

To  her  the  lowly  Nymph  {Hiimhlejfa  hight) 
Brought  (as  her  office)  this  deformed  wight ; 
To  whom  the  Lady  courteous  femblance  fhewes, 
And  pittying  his  eftate  in  facred  thewes, 
And  Letters  (worthily  ycleep'd  diuine) 
Refolu'd  t'inftru6l  him  :   but  her  difcipline 
She  knew  of  true  effed:,  would  furely  mifle, 
Except  the  firfl:  his  Metamorphofis 
Should  cleane  exile  :  and  knowing  that  his  birth 
Was  to  inherit  reafon,  though  on  earth 
Some  Witch  had  thus  transform'd  him,  by  her  fkili, 
Expert  in  changing,  euen  the  very  will. 
In  few  dayes  labours  v/ith  continuall  prayer, 
(A  facrifice  tranfcends  the  buxome  ayre) 
His  grifly  fhape,  his  foule  deformed  feature, 
His  horrid  lookes,  worfe  then  a  fauage  creature, 
By  Metanoia's  hand  from  heauen,  began 
Receiue  their  fentence  of  diuorce  from  man. 

And  as  a  louely  Maiden,  pure  and  chafte. 
With  naked  lu'rie  necke,  and  gowne  vnlac'd. 
Within  her  chamber,  when  the  day  is  fled. 
Makes  poore  her  garments  to  enrich  her  bed  : 
Firft,  puts  fhe  off  her  lilly-filken  gowne. 
That  fhrikes  for  forrow  as  flie  layes  it  downe ; 
And  with' her  armes  graceth  a  Waft-coat  fine, 
Imbracing  her  as  it  would  ne'er  vntwine. 
Her  flexen  haire  infnaring  [the]  beholders, 
She  next  permits  to  waue  about  her  fhoulders, 
And  though  fhe  caft  it  backe,  the  filken  flips 
Still  forward  fteale,  and  hang  vpon  her  lips  : 
Whereat  fhe  fweetly  angry,  with  her  laces 
Bindes  vp  the  wanton  locks  in  curious  traces, 
Whilft  (twifting  with  her  loynts)  each  haire  long  lingers. 
As  loth  to  be  inchain'd,  but  with  her  fingers. 
Then  on  her  head  a  dreffmg  like  a  Crowne ; 
Her  breafts  all  bare,  her  Kirtle  flipping  downe, 


>'  or  Twe 


Song  5.        Britannia  s  Pajiorals.  149 


And  all  things  off  (which  rightly  euer  be 

Call'd  the  foule-faire  markes  of  our  miferie) 

Except  her  laft,  which  enuioufly  doth  feize  her, 

Leaft  any  eye  partake  with  it  in  pleafure. 

Prepares  for  fweeteft  reft,  while  Siluans  greet  her. 

And  (longingly)  the  down-bed  fwels  to  meet  her : 

So  by  degrees  his  fhape  all  brutifti  vilde, 

Fell  from  him  (as  loofe  fkin  from  fome  yong  childe) 

In  lieu  whereof  a  man-like  fhape  appeares. 

And  gallant  youth  fcarce  fkill'd  in  twenty  yeares. 

So  faire,  fo  frefh,  fo  young,  fo  admirable 

In  euery  part,  that  fince  I  am  not  able 

In  words  to  fhew  his  picture,  gentle  Swaines, 

Recall  the  praifes  in  my  former  ftraines ; 

And  know  if  they  haue  graced  any  lim, 

I  onely  lent  it  thofe,  but  ftole't  from  him. 

Had  that  chafte  Roman  Dame  beheld  his  face. 
Ere  the  proud  King  pofteft  her  Hufbands  place. 
Her  thoughts  had  beene  adulterate,  and  this  ftaine 
Had  won  her  greater  fame,  had  fhe  beene  flaine. 
The  Larke  that  many  mornes  her  felfe  makes  merry 
With  the  fhrill  chanting  of  her  teery-lerry, 
(Before  he  was  transform'd)  would  leaue  the  fkyes. 
And  houer  o'er  him  to  behold  his  eyes. 
Vpon  an  Oten-pipe  well  could  he  play. 
For  when  he  fed  his  flocke  vpon  the  lay 
Maidens  to  heare  him  from  the  Plaines  came  tripping 
And  Birds  fro  bough  to  bough  full  nimbly  fkipping ; 
His  flocke  (then  happy  flocke)  would  leaue  to  feed. 
And  ftand  amaz'd  to  liften  to  his  Reed  : 
Lyons  and  Tygers,  with  each  beaft  of  game ; 
With  hearing  him  were  many  times  made  tame  : 
Braue  trees  &  flowers  would  towards  him  be  bending 
And  none  that  heard  him  wifht  his  Song  an  ending: 
Maids,  Lyons,  birds,  flocks,  trees,  each  flowre,  each 
Were  wrapt  with  woder,  whe  he  vs'd  to  fing        (fpring, 


150  Brita?mid s  Pajlorals.      Booke  i. 

So  faire  a  perfon  to  defcribe  to  men 
Requires  a  curious  Penciil,  not  a  Pen. 

Him  Metanoia  clad  in  feemly  wife 
(Not  after  our  corrupted  ages  guife, 
Where  gaudy  weeds  lend  fplendor  to  the  ]im, 
While  that  his  cloaths  receiu'd  their  grace  from  him,) 
Then  to  a  garden  fet  with  rareft  flowres, 
With  pleafant  fountains  ftor'd,  and  fhady  bowres  : 
She  leads  him  by  the  hand,  and  in  the  groues, 
Where  thoufand  pretty  Birds  fung  to  their  Loues, 
And  thoufand  thoufand  blolTomes  (from  their  ftalks) 
Milde  Zephyrus  threw  downe  to  paint  the  walkes  : 
Where  yet  the  wilde  Boare  neuer  durft  appeare : 
Here  Fida  (euer  to  kinde  Raymond  deare) 
Met  them,  and  fhew'd  where  Aletheia  lay, 
(The  faireft  Maid  that  euer  bleft  the  day.) 
Sweetly  fhe  lay,  and  cool'd  her  lilly-hands 
Within  a  Spring  that  threw  vp  golden  fands  : 
As  if  it  would  intice  her  to  perfeuer 
In  liuing  there,  and  grace  the  banks  for  euer. 

To  her  Amintas  {Riot  now  no  more) 
Came,  and  faluted  :  neuer  man  before 
More  bleft,  nor  like  this  kifte  hath  beene  another 
But  when  two  dangling  Cherries  kift  each  other  : 
Nor  euer  beauties,  like,  met  at  fuch  clofes  ; 
But  in  the  kiffes  of  two  Damafke-Rofes, 
O,  how  the  flowres  (preft  with  their  treadings  on  the) 
Stroue  to  caft  vp  their  heads  to  looke  vpon  them  ! 
How  iealoufly  the  buds  that  fo  had  feene  them,  ' 
Sent  forth  the  fweeteft  fmels  to  ftep  betweene  them. 
As  fearing  the  perfume  lodg'd  in  their  powers 
Once  known  of  them,  they  might  negle6l  the  flowres, 
How  often  wiftit  Amintas  with  his  heart,     '*^ 
His  ruddy  lips  from  hers  might  neuer  part ; 
And  that  the  heauens  this  gift  were  the  bequeathing, 
To  feed  on  nothing  but  each  others  breathing ! 


Song  5.        Britannia  s  Pajlorals,  151 

A  truer  loue  the  Mujes  neuer  fung, 
Nor  happyer  names  ere  grac'd  a  golden  tongue  : 

0  !  they  are  better  fitting  his  fweet  ftripe, 
Who  on  the  bankes  oi  Ancor^  tun'd  his  Pipe  : 
Or  rather  for  that  learned  Swaine  whofe  layes 
Diuineft  Homer  crown'd  with  deathlefTe  Bayes  '."^ 
Or  any  one  fent  from  the  facred  Well 
Inheriting  the  foule  oi  Aftrophell :^ 

Thefe,  thefe  in  golden  lines  might  write  this  Story, 
And  make  thefe  loues  their  owne  eternall  glory  : 
Whilft  I  a  Swaine  as  weake  in  yeeres  as  fkill. 
Should  in  the  valley  heare  them  on  the  hill. 
Yet  (when  my  Sheepe  haue  at  their  Cefterne  beene, 
And  1  haue  brought  them  backe  to  fheare  the  greene) 
To  miffe  an  idle  houre,  and  not  for  meed. 
With  choiceft  relifh  fhall  mine  Oaten  Reed 
Record  their  worths :  and  though  in  accents  rare 

1  mifle  the  glory  of  a  charming  ayre. 

My  IVLufe  may  one  day  make  the  Courtly  Swaines 
Enamour'd  on  the  Muficke  of  the  Plaines, 
And  as  vpon  a  hill  fhe  brauely  fings. 
Teach  humble  Dales  to  weepe  in  Cryftall  Springs. 

^  Drayton.  *  Chapman.  ^  Sydney. 


The  end  of  the  fir Jl  Booke. 


B  R  I  T  A  N  N  I  a's 


PASTORALS. 


T'he  fecond  Booke. 


HoR  AT. 


Carmine  IDij  fuperi  placantur,  carmine  Manes, 


LONDON, 

Printed  by  Iohn  Haviland, 

1625. 


TO 

THE     TRVLY     NOBLE 

AND     LEARNED     William 
EARLE     OF     Pembroke,     LORD 

CHAMBERLAINE    TO    HIS 

Maiestie,  Sec. 

OT  that  the  gift  {Great  Lord)  deferues  your 
hand, 
(Held  eiier  worth  the  rareft  workes  of  men) 
Offer  I  this ;   but  fince  in  all  our  Land 
None  can  more  rightly  claime  a  Poet's  Pen : 
That  Noble  Bloud  and  Vertue  truly  knowne. 
Which  circular  in  you  vnited  run, 
Makes  you  each  good,  &  euery  good  your  owne. 
If  it  can  hold  in  what  my  Mn/e  hath  done. 
But  weake  and  lowly  are  thefe  tuned  Layes, 
Yet  though  but  weake  to  win  faire  Memorie, 
You  may  improue  them,  and  your  gracing  raife ; 
For  things  are  priz'd  as  their  poffeffours  be. 
If  for  fuch  fauour  they  haue  worthleffe  ftriuen. 
Since  Loue  the  caufe  was,  be  that  Loue  forgiuen  ! 

Tour  Honours, 


W.   Browne. 


To  the  moft  ingenious  Author  M'.  W.  Browne. 

Ngenious  Swaine  !  that  highly  dofi  adorne 
Clear  Tauy  !  on  whoje  brinck  we  both  were  borne  ! 
luft  Praife  in  me  would  ne're  be  thought  to  moue 
From  thy  Jole  Worth,  but  from  my  partiall  Loue. 
Wherefore  I  will  not  doe  thee  fo  much  wrongs 
As  by  fuch  mixture  to  allay  thy  Song. 
But  while  kind e  fir  angers  rightly  praife  each  Grace 
Of  thy  chafte  Mufe  ;  /  {from  the  happy  Place 
That  brought  thee  fort h^  and  thinkes  it  not  vnfit 
To  boafl  now  that  it  earfi  bred  fuch  a  Wit ;) 
Would  onely  haue  it  knowne  I  much  reioyce ; 
To  hearejuch  Matters, y]^;7g"  by  fuch  a  Voyce. 

John  Glanvill. 


To  his  Friend  M'.  Browne. 

ALL  that  doe  reade  thy  Workes,  and  fee  thy  face, 
(Where  fcarce  a  haire  growes  vp,  thy  chin  to  grace) 
Doe  greatly  wonder  how  fo  youthfull  yeares 
Could  frame  a  Work,  where  fo  much  worth  appears. 
To  heare  how  thou  defcrib'ft  a  Tree,  a  Dale, 
A  Groue,  a  Greene,  a  folitary  Vale, 


Commendatory  Verfes,  157 

The  Euening  Showers,  and  the  Morning  Gleames, 
The  golden  Mountaines,  and  the  filuer  Streames, 
How  fmooth  thy  Verfe  is,  and  how  fweet  thy  Rimes, 
How  fage,  and  yet  how  pleafant  are  thy  Lines ; 
What  more  or  lefle  can  there  be  faid  by  men, 
But,  Mujes  rule  thy  Hand,  and  guide  thy  Pen. 

Tho.  Wenman, 
e  Societate  Inter.  'Templi. 


A 


To  his  worthily- affe(5ted  Friend 
M^  VV.  Browne. 

Wake  fad  Mufey  and  thou  my /adder  fpright , 
Made  Jo  by  Time,  but  more  by  Fortunes  fpight, 
Awake,  and  hie  vs  to  the  Greene^ 

There  Jhall  bejeene 
'The  quaintejl  Lad  of  all  the  time 

For  neater  Rime : 
JVhofe  free  and  vnaffe^ed  Jiraines 

Take  all  the  Swaines 
That  are  not  rude  and  ignorant ^ 

Or  Enuy  want. 

And  Enuy  left  it's  hate  dijcouered  be 
A  Courtly  Loue  and  Friend/Jiip  offers  thee  : 
The  Shepherdeffes  blithe  and  fair e 

For  thee  dejpaire. 
And  whoJoeWe  depends  on  Pan 

Holds  him  a  man 
Beyond  themfelues^  {if  not  compare^ 

He  is  fo  rare. 
So  innocent  in  all  his  wayes 
As  in  his  Layes. 
He  mafters  no  low  foule  who  hopes  to  pleafe 
The  Nephew  of  the  braue  Philifides. 


158  Cofumendatory  Verfes. 

Another  to  the  fame. 

WEre  all  mens  enuies  fixt  in  one  mans  lookes, 
That  monjter  that  would  prey  onjafeji  Fame^ 
Darji  not  once  checke  at  thine,  nor  at  thy  Name : 
Se  he  who  men  can  reade  as  well  as  Bookes 
Attefi  thy  Lines ;  thus  tride^  they  Jhow  to  vs 
As  Scsua's  Shield)  thy  Selfe  Emeritus. 

W.  Herbert. 


To  my  Browne,  jd"/  hrightejl  Swaine 
That  woonSj  or  haunts  or  Hill  or  Plaine. 

Poeta  nafcitur. 

Pipe  on,  fweet  Swaine^  till  loy,  in  Blifle,  fleepe  waking  ; 
HertneSy  it  feemes,  to  thee,  of  all  the  Swaine s^ 
Hath  lent  his  Pip  and  Art :  For  thou  art  making 
With  fweet  Notes  (noted)  Heau'n  of  Hils  and  Plaines ! 
Nay,  if  as  thou  beginft,  thou  doil  hold  on, 
The  totall  Earth  thine  Arcadie  will  bee ; 
And  Neptunes  Monarchy  thy  Helicon  : 
So,  all  in  both  will  make  a  God  of  thee. 
To  whom  they  will  exhibit  Sacrifice 
Of  richeft  Loue  and  Praije ;  and  enuious  Swaines 
(Charm'd  with  thine  Accents')  fhall  thy  Notes  agnize 
To  reach  aboue  great  Pans  in  all  thy  Straines. 
Then,  ply  this  Veyne  :  for,  it  may  well  containe  • 
The  richeft  Morals  vnder  pooreft  Shroud ; 
And  fith  in  thee  the  Paft'ralljpirit  doth  ralgne. 
On  fuch  Wits-Treajures  let  it  fit  abrood  : 
Till  it  hath  hatch'd  fuch  Numbers  as  may  buy 
The  rareft  Fame  that  eVe  enriched  Ayre  ; 
Or  fann'd  the  Way  faire,  to  Eternity, 
To  which  vnfoil'd,  thy  Glory  fhall  repaire  ! 


Commendatory  Verfes,  159 

Where  (with  the  Gods  that  in  faire  Starves  doe  dwell, 
When  thou  (halt,  blazing,  in  a  Starve  abide) 
Thou  fhalt  be  ftil'd  the  Shepherds- St arre^  to  tell 
Them  many  Myjieries;  and  be  their  Guide. 

Thus,  doe  I  fpurre  thee  on  with  fharpeft  praife^ 
To  vfe  thy  Gifts  of  Nature ^  and  of  Skilly 
To  double-gilde  Apollos  Browes,  and  Bayes, 
Yet  make  great  Natvre  Arts  true  Sou^raigne  ftill. 
So,  i^^w^d"  fhall  euer  fay,  to  thy  renowne. 
The  Shepherds-Star  J  or  bright'ft  in  Skie^  is  Browne  ! 

The  true  Louer  of  thine 

Art  and  Nature^ 

loHN  Davies    of  Here f 

Ad  IllvftrifTimvm  Ivvenem  Gvlielmvm  Browne 

Generofum,  in  Operis  fui  Tomum  fecun- 

dum  Carmen  gratulatorium. 

SCripta  priUs  vidi,  legi,  digitoq^  notaui 
Carminis  ifiius  ftngula  verba  meo. 
Ex  fcriptis fparfim  quarebam  carpere  diSla^ 

Omnia  fed  par  efi^  aut  ego  nulla  not  em. 
Filia  fi  fuerit  fades  h<£c  na^ajororisy 

Laudator  prolisfolus  &'  Author  eris : 
H^c  nondum  vift  qui  flagrat  amore  libelli 
Pranarrat  Jcriptis  omnia  certa  tuis. 

Carolvs  Croke. 


I'd  my  noble  Friend  the  Author. 

APerfedl  Pen,  it  felfe  will  euer  praife. 
So  pipes  our  Shepherd  in  his  RoundelayeSy 
That  who  could  iudge,  of  Mufickes  fweeteft  ftraine. 
Would  fweare  thy  Mufe  were  in  a  heauenly  vaine. 


i6o  Co7mnendatory  Verfes. 

A  Worke  of  worth,  fhowes  what  the  Worke-man  is : 
When  as  the  fault,  that  may  be  found  amifTe, 
(To  fuch  at  leaft,  as  haue  iudicious  eyes) 
Nor  in  the  Worke,  nor  yet  the  Worke-man  lyes. 

Well  worthy  thou,  to  weare  the  Lawrell  wreath  : 

When  fro  thy  breft,  thefe  blefled  thoughts  do  breath ; 

That  in  thy  gracious  Lines  fuch  grace  doe  giue. 

It  makes  thee,  euerlaftingly  to  Hue. 

Thy  words  well  coucht,  thy  fweet  inuention  {how, 
A  perfedl  Poet,  that  could  place  them  fo. 

Vnton  Croke, 
e  Societate  Inter.  Templi. 


To  the  Author. 

THat  priuiledge  which  others  claime, 
To  flatter  with  their  Friends 
With  thee  {¥ ntndi)  fliall  not  be  mine  ayme^ 
My  Verjejo  much  -pretends. 

The  generall  Vmpire  of  beft  wit 

In  this  willjpeake  thy  fame. 
The  Mufes  Minions  as  they  fit. 

Will  ft  ill  confirme  the  fame. 

Let  me  fing  him  that  merits  beft. 

Let  others  f crape  for  fafliion ; 
Their  buzzing  prate  thy  worth  will  iefty 

And fteight  fuch  commendation. 

Anth.  Vincent. 


Commendatory  Verfes.  i6i 

To  his  worthy  Friend  M^  W.  Browne, 
on  his  BooKE. 

THat  Poets  are  not  bred  fo,  but  fo  borne, 
Thy  Muje  it  proues  ;  for  in  her  ages  morne 
She  hath  ftroke  enuy  dumbe,  and  charm'd  the  loue 

Of  euVy  Miije  whofe  birth  the  Skies  approue. 
Goe  on  ;  I  know  thou  art  too  good  to  feare. 
And  may  thy  earely  ftraines  afFe6t  the  eare 
Of  that  rare  Lord,  who  iudge  and  guerdon  can 
The  richer  gifts  which  doe  aduantage  man  ! 

loHN  Morgan, 

e  So  delate  Inter.  1'empli. 


To  his  Friend  the  Authour. 

Ometimes  {deare  friend)  I  make  thy  Booke  my  meaty 
And  then  I  iudge  'tis  Hony  that  I  eat. 

Sometimes  my  drinke  it  is,  and  then  I  thinke 

It  is  Apollo's  Nedar,  and  no  drinke. 

And  being  hurt  in  minde^  I  keepe  injiore 

Thy  Booke,  a  -precious  Balfame/or  the  for  e. 
'Tis  Hony,  Ne6lar,  Balfame  mojl  diuine : 
Or  one  word  for  them  all;  my  Friend^  'tis  thine. 

Tho.   Heygate, 
i  Societate  Inter.  Templi. 


To  his  Friend  the  Author. 

IF  antique  Swaines  wanne  fuch  immortall  praife. 
Though  they  alone  with  their  melodious  Layes, 
Did  onely  charme  the  Woods  and  flowry  Lawnes  : 
Satyresy  and  Floods,  and  Stones,  and  hairy  Fawnes  : 

Y 


1 62  Commendatory  Verfes 

How  mucli  braue  Youth  to  thy  due  worth  belongs, 
That  charm'lT:  not  the  but  men  with  thy  fweet  Songs  ? 

AVGVSTVS   C^SAR, 

e  Societate  Inter.  Te?npli. 


To  the  Authour. 

^V^h  knowne  I Jcorne  to  flatter  {or  commend) 
^     What  merits  not  applaufe  though  in  my  Friend  : 
Which  by  my  cenjure  Jhould  now  more  appeare^ 
Were  this  not  full  as  good  as  thou  art  deare  : 
But  fince  thou  couldft  not  {erring)  make  it  Jo, 
That  I  might  my  impartiall  humour  Jhow 
By  finding  fault ;  Nor  one  of  thefe  friends  tell 
How  to  fhew  hue  fo  illy  that  I  as  well 
Might  paint  out  mine  :   I  feele  an  enuious  touch. 
And  tell  thee  Swaine  :   that  at  thy  fame  I grutch, 
Wijhing  the  Art  that  makes  this  F oeme  /hine. 
And  this  thy  Worke  {wert  not  thou  wronged)  mine. 
For  when  Detraction  JJial  forgotten  be. 
This  will  continue  to  eternize  thee ; 
And  if  hereafter  any  hufie  wit 
Should,  wronging  thy  conceit,  mifcenfure  it. 
Though  feeming  learn' d  or  wife :  here  he  fhallfee, 
Tis  prais'd  by  wifer  and  more  learned  then  hee. 

G.  Wither. 


To  M^  Browne. 

WEre  there  a  thought  fo  ftrange  as  to  deny 
That  happy  Bayes  doe  fome  mens  Births  adorne, 
Thy  worke  alone  might  ferue  to  iuftifie, 
That  Poets  are  not  made  fo,  but  fo  borne. 


Comme?2datory  Verfes,  163 

How  could  thy  plumes  thus  foone  haue  foar'd  thus  hie 
Hadft  thou  not  Lawrell  in  thy  Cradle  worne  ? 

Thy  Birth  o'er  tooke  thy  Youth  :  And  it  doth  make 
Thy  youth  (herein)  thine  elders  ouer-take. 

W.  B. 


To  my  truly-belou'd  Friend  M.  Browne,  on 
his  Paftorals. 

SO  me  mefty  of  Bookes  or  Friends  not /peaking  rights 
May  hurt  them  more  with  praife^  then  Foes  with  Jpight . 
But  I  haue  Jeene  thy  IVorke^  and  I  know  thee: 

Andy  if  thou  lift  thy  f elf e^  what  thou  canft  bee, 
For^  though  hut  early  in  theje  paths  thou  tread^ 

I finde  thee  write  moft  worthy  to  he  read. 
It  muft  be  thine  owne  iudgement,  yet  that  fends 

This  thy  worke  forth  :  that  iudgement  mine  commends. 
Andy  where  the  moft  reade  bookes ,  on  Authors /<2;;?^j, 

Or^  like  our  Money -brokers^  take  'up  names 
On  credit y  and  are  couzen'd ;  feey  that  thou 

By  offring  not  more  furetieSy  then  enoWy 
Hold  thine  owne  worth  vnbroke :  which  is  fo  good 

Vpon  til  Exchange  of  Letters,  as  1  wou'd 
More  of  our  Writers  would  like  theCy  not  f well 

With  the  how  much  they  fet  forth,  but  tK  how  well. 

Ben.   Ionson. 


BRITANNIA'S 

Pastorals. 


The    Second    Booke. 


The  First   Song. 


yidiunzs  freedome  now  I  fitig. 
And  of  her  new  endangering : 
Oy  Famines  Caue,  and  then  tV  abufe 
Tow''rds  buried  Colyn  and  his  Mufe. 


(^K! 

tM 


S  when  a  Mariner  (accounted  loft,) 
Vpon  the  watry  Defert  long  time  toft. 
In  Summers  parching  heat,  in  Winters  cold. 
In  tempefts  great,  in  dangers  manifold  : 
'^    Is  by  a  fau'ring  vvinde  drawne  vp  the  Maft, 
Whence  he  defcries  his  natiue  foile  at  laft  : 
For  whofe  glad  fight  he  gets  the  hatches  vnder, 
And  to  the  Ocean  tels  his  ioy  in  thunder, 
(Shaking  thofe  Barnacles  into  the  Sea, 
At  once,  that  in  the  wombe  and  cradle  lay) 


c 


1 66  Britannia  s  Pajlorals.      Booke  2. 

When  fodainly  the  ftill  inconftant  winde 
Mafters  before,  that  did  attend  behinde ; 
And  growes  fo  violent,  that  he  is  faine 
Command  the  Pilot  ftand  to  Sea  againe  ; 
Left  want  of  Sea-roome  in  a  Channell  ftreight, 
Or  cafting  Anchor  might  caft  o're  his  freight : 

Thus  gentle  Mufe  it  happens  in  my  Song, 
A  iourngYj^  tedious,  for  a  ftrength  fo  young 
lynder-tooke,:   by  filuer-feeming  Floods, 
Paft  gloomy  Bottomes,  and  high-wauing  Woods, 
Climb'd  Mountaines  where  the  wanton  Kidling  dallies. 
The  with  foft  fteps  enfeal'd  the  meekned  Vallies, 
In  queft  of  memory  :   and  had  pofleft 
A  pleafant  Garden,  for  a  welcome  reft 
No  fooner,  then  a  hundred  Theames  come  on 
And  hale  my  Barke  a-new  for  Helicon. 

Thrice  facred  Powers  !  (if  facred  Powers  there  be 
Whofe  milde  afped  engyrland  Poefte) 
Yee  happy  Sifters  of  the  learned  Spring, 
Whofe  heauenly  notes  the  Woods  are  rauiftiing ! 
Braue  Thejpian  Maidens,  at  whofe  charming  layes 
Each  Mofle-thrumb'd  Mountaine  bends,  each  Current 
Pierian  Singers  !  O  yee  blefted  Mujes  !  (playes  ! 

Who  as  a  lem  too  deare  the  world  refufes ! 
Whofe  trueft  louers  neuer  clip  with  age, 
O  be  propitious  in  my  Pilgrimage ! 
Dwell  on  my  lines  !  and  till  the  laft  fand  fall, 
Run  hand  in  hand  with  my  weake  Pajiorall ! 
Caufe  euery  coupling  cadence  flow  in  blifles. 
And  fill  the  world  with  enuy  of  fuch  kifles. 
Make  all  the  rareft  Beauties  of  our  Clyme, 
That  deigne  a  fweet  looke  on  my  younger  ryme. 
To  linger  on  each  lines  inticing  graces,  ^ 

As  on  their  Louers  lips  and  chafte  imbraces  !     J 

Through  rouling  trenches  of  felf-drowning  waues, 
Where  ftormy  gufts  throw  vp  vntimely  graues, 


Song  [.       Britannia's  Pajiorals.  167 

By  billowes  whofe  white  fome  fliew'd  angry  mindes, 

For  not  out-roaring  all  the  high-rais'd  windes. 

Into  the  euer-drinking  thirfty  Sea 

By  Rockes  that  vnder  water  hidden  lay, 

To  fhipwracke  paflengers,  (fo  in  fome  den 

Theeues  bent  to  robbry  watch  way-faring  men.) 

Faireft  Marina^  whom  I  whilome  Tung, 

In  all  this  tempeft  (violent  though  long) 

Without  all  fenfe  of  danger  lay  afleepe  : 

Till  tofTed  where  the  ftill  inconftant  deepe 

With  wide  fpred  armes,  ftood  ready  for  the  tender 

Of  daily  tribute,  that  the  fwolne  floods  render 

Into  her  Chequer  :   (whence  as  worthy  Kings 

She  helpes  the  wants  of  thoufands  lefTer  Springs  :) 

Here  waxt  the  windes  dumbe  ((hut  vp  in  their  caues) 

As  ftill  as  mid-night  were  the  fullen  waues, 

And  Neptunes  filuer-euer-fhaklng  breft 

As  fmooth  as  when  the  Halcyon  builds  her  neft. 

None  other  wrinckles  on  his  face  were  feene 

Then  on  a  fertile  Mead,  or  fportiue  Greene, 

Where  neuer  Plow-fliare  ript  his  mothers  wombe 

To  giue  an  aged  feed  a  liuing  tombe. 

Nor  blinded  Mole  the  batning  earth  ere  ftir'd. 

Nor  Boyes  made  Pit-fals  for  the  hungry  Bird. 

The  whiftling  Reeds  vpon  the  waters  fide 

Shot  vp  their  fharpe  heads  in  a  ftately  pride, 

And  not  a  binding  Ozyer  bow'd  his  head. 

But  on  his  root  him  brauely  carryed. 

No  dandling  leafe  plaid  with  the  fubtill  aire. 

So  fmooth  the  Sea  was,  and  the  Skie  fo  faire. 

Now  with  his  hands  in  ftead  of  broad-palm'd  Oares, 
The  Swaine  attempts  to  get  the  fhell-ftrewd  fliores. 
And  with  continuall  lading  making  way, 
Thruft  the  fmall  Boat  into  as  faire  a  Bay 
As  euer  Merchant  wiflit  might  be  the  rode 
Wherein  to  eafe  his  fea-torne  VefTels  lode. 


i68 


Brita7inids  P  aft  orals,      Booke  2, 


*  iiflon 

iHam 

ffiumbrp. 


*  Fetunt 
ClaJJem  omni- 
bus bonis 
onuJlam,proJ- 
peris  -ventis 
mare  Jul - 
cantes  in 
Totenefio 
littore  felici- 
ter  appiica- 
runt.  Galf. 
Monum. 

•  Hebe. 


It  was  an  Hand  (hugg'd  in  Nef  tunes  armes. 

As  tendring  it  againft  all  forraigne  harmes,) 

And  Mona  height :  fo  amiably  faire, 

So  rich  in  foyle,  fo  healthfull  in  her  aire, 

So  quicke  in  her  increafe,  (each  dewy  night 

Yeelding  that  ground  as  greene,  as  frefh  of  plight 

As't  was  the  day  before,  whereon  then  fed 

Of  gallant  Steeres,  full  many  a  thoufmd  head.) 

So  deckt  with  Floods,  fo  pleafant  in  her  Groues, 

So  full  of  well-fleec'd  Flockes  and  fatned  Droues  ; 

That  the  braue  iffue  of  the  Troian  line, 

(Whofe  worths,  like  Diamonds,  yet  in  darknefTe  fhine,) 

Whofe  deeds  were  fung  by  learned  Bards  as  hye, 

In  raptures  of  immortall  Poefie, 

As  any  Nations,  fince  the  Grecian  Lads 

Were  famous  made  by  Homers  Iliads.) 

Thofe  braue  heroicke  fpirits,  twixt  one  another 

Prouerbially  call  *  Mona  Cambria  s  Mother. 

Yet  Cambria  is  a  land  from  whence  haue  come 

Wortliies  well  worth  the  race  of  Ilium. 

Whofe  true  defert  of  praife  could  my  Mufe  touch, 

I  fhould  be  proud  that  I  had  done  fo  much. 

And  though  of  mighty  Brute  I  cannot  boaft. 

Yet  doth  our  warlike  ftrong  Deuonian  coafl: 

Refound  his  worth,  fince  on  her  waue-worne  ftrand 

He  and  his  Troians  firft  fet  foot  on  land, 

Strooke  Saile,  and  Anchor  caft  on  *  Totnes  fhore. 

rhough  now  no  Ship  can  ride  there  any  more. 

In  th'Ilands  Rode  the  Swain  now  moares  his  Boat 
Vnto  a  Willow  (left  it  outwards  float) 
And  with  a  rude  embracement  taking  vp 
The  Maid  (more  faire  then  *  She  that  fill'd  the  cup 
Of  the  great  Thunderer,  wounding  with  her  eyes 
More  hearts  then  all  the  troopes  of  Deities.) 
He  wades  to  fhore,  and  fets  her  on  the  fand, 
That  gently  yeelded  when  her  foot  fhould  land. 


Song  i.         Britannia  s  Pajiorals.  169 

Where  bubling  waters  through  the  pibbles  fleet, 
As  if  they  ftroue  to  kifTe  her  flender  feet. 

Whhft  like  a  wretch,  whofe  curfed  hand  hath  tane 
The  facred  reliques  from  a  holy  Phane^ 
Feeling  the  hand  of  heauen  (inforcing  wonder) 
In  his  returne,  in  dreadfull  cracks  of  thunder, 
Within  a  bufli  his  Sacriledge  hath  left. 
And  thinkes  his  punifhment  freed  with  the  theft : 
So  fled  the  Swaine,  from  one ;   had  Neptune  fpide 
At  halfe  an  ebbe ;  he  would  haue  forc'd  the  Tyde 
To  fwell  anew  ;  whereon  his  Carre  fliould  fweepe, 
Deckt  with  the  riches  of  th'vnfounded  deepe. 
And  he  from  thence,  would  with  all  fliate,  on  fhore, 
To  wooe  this  beautie,  and  to  wooe  no  more. 

Diuine  Ele5lra  (of  the  Sifl:ers  feuen 
That  beautifie  the  glorious  Orbe  of  heauen) 
When  lliums  fl:ately  towres,  ferv'd  as  one  light 
To  guide  the  Rauiflier  in  vgly  night 
Vnto  her  virgin  beds,  with-drew  her  face. 
And  neuer  would  looke  downe  on  humane  race 
Til  this  Maids  birth  ;  fince  whe  fome  power  hath  won  her 
By  often  fits  to  fliine,  as  gazing  on  her. 
Grim  Saturnes  fon,  the  dread  Olimpcke  hue 
That  dark't  three  dayes  to  frolicke  with  his  Loue, 
Had  he  in  Alcmen's  ftead  dipt  this  faire  wight. 
The  world  had  flept  in  euerlafl:ing  night. 
For  whofe  fake  onely  (had  fhe  liued  then) 
Deucalions  flood  had  neuer  rag'd  on  men  : 
Nor  Phaeton  perform'd  his  fathers  duty, 
For  feare  to  rob  the  world  of  fuch  a  beauty  : 
In  whofe  due  praife,  a  learned  quill  might  fpend 
Houres,  daies,  months,  yeeres,  and  neuer  make  an  end. 

What  wretch  inhumane  ?  or  what  wilder  blood 
(Suckt  in  a  defert  from  a  Tygers  brood) 
Could  leaue  her  fo  difconfolate  ?   but  one 
Bred  in  the  wafl:s  of  froft-bit  Calydon  ; 


I/O  Britannia  s  Pajiorals,      Booke  2. 

For  had  his  veynes  beene  heat  with  milder  ayre. 
He  had  not  wrong'd  To  foule,  a  Maid  fo  faire. 

Sing  on  fweet  MuJ'e^  and  whilft  1  feed  mine  eyes 
Vpon  a  lewell  and  vn valued  prize. 
As  bright  a  Starre,  a  Dame,  as  faire,  as  chafte. 
As  eye  beheld,  or  fhall,  till  Natures  lafl:  : 
Charme  her  quicke  fenfes  !   and  with  raptures  fweet 
Make  her  afFe(!:l:ion  with  your  cadence  meet ! 
And  if  her  gracefull  tongue  admire  one  ftraine, 
It  is  the  beft  reward  my  Pipe  would  gaine. 
In  lieu  whereof,  in  Laurell-worthy  rimes 
Her  Lone  fhall  liue  vntill  the  end  of  times. 
And  fpight  of  age,  the  laft  of  dayes  fhall  fee 
Her  Name  embalm'd  in  facred  Poefie. 

Sadly  alone  vpon  the  aged  rocks. 
Whom  Thetis  grac'd  in  wafhing  oft  their  locks 
Of  branching  Sampire,  fite  the  Maid  o'retaken 
With  fighes  and  teares,  vnfortunate,  forfaken, 
And  with  a  voice  that  floods  fro  rocks  would  borrow. 
She  thus  both  wept  and  fung  her  noates  of  forrow. 

If  Heauen  be  deafe  and  will  not  heare  my  cries. 
But  addes  new  daies  to  adde  new  miferies ; 
Heare  then  ye  troubled  Waues  and  flitting  Gales^ 
That  coole  the  bofomes  of  the  fruitfull  Vales! 
Lend,  one,  a  flood  of  teares^  the  other,  winde. 
To  weepe  ?indfigh  that  Heauen  is  fo  vnkinde  ! 
But  if  ye  will  not  fpare,  of  all  your  ftore 
One  teare,  or  figh,  vnto  a  wretch  fo  poore ; 
Yet  as  ye  trauell  on  this  fpacious  Round, 
Through  Forrefts,  Mountains,  or  the  Lawny  ground, 
If't  happ'  you  fee  a  Maid  weepe  forth  her  woe. 
As  I  haue  done ;   Oh  bid  her  as  ye  goe 
Not  lauifh  teares  !   for  when  her  owne  are  gone. 
The  world  is  flinty  and  will  lend  her  none. 
If  this  be  eke  deni'd  ;  O  hearken  tlien 
Each  hollow  vaulted  Rocke,  and  crooked  Den  ! 


Song  I.        BritaJtnids  Pajiorais,  171 

And  if  within  your  fides  one  Eccho  be 

Let  her  begin  to  rue  my  deftinie  ! 

And  in  your  clefts  her  plainings  doe  not  fmother. 

But  let  that  Eccho  teach  it  to  another ! 

Till  round  the  world  in  founding  coombe  and  plaine, 

The  laft  of  them  tell  it  the  firft  againe  : 

Of  my  fad  Fate,  fo  fhall  they  neuer  lin, 

But  where  one  ends,  another  ftill  begin. 

Wretch  that  I  am,  my  words  I  vainly  wafte, 

Eccho^  of  all  woes  onely  fpeake  the  laft ; 

And  that's  enough  :  for  fhould  fhe  vtter  all, 

As  at  Meduja's  head,  each  heart  would  fall 

Into  a  flinty  fubftance,  and  repine 

At  no  one  griefe,  except  as  great  as  mine. 

No  careful!  Nurfe  would  wet  her  watchfull  eye. 

When  any  pang  fhould  gripe  her  infantry, 

Nor  though  to  Nature  it  obedience  gaue. 

And  kneeld,  to  doe  her  Homage .^  in  the  graue. 

Would  fhe  lament,  her  fuckling  from  her  torne : 

Scaping  by  death  thofe  torments  I  haue  borne. 

This  figh'd,  fhe  wept  (low  leaning  on  her  hand) 
Her  briny  teares  downe  rayning  on  the  fand. 
Which  feene  by  (them,  that  fport  it  in  the  Seas 
On  Dolphins  backes)  the  faire  Nereides^ 
They  came  on  fhore,  and  flily  as  they  fell 
Conuai'd  each  teare  into  an  Oyfter-fhell, 
And  by  fome  power  that  did  affe6l  the  Girles, 
Transform'd  thofe  liquid  drops  to  orient  Pearles, 
And  ftrew'd  them  on  the  fhore  :  for  whofe  rich  prize 
In  winged  Pines,  the  Roman  Colonies 
Flung  through  the  deepe  Ahyjfe  to  our  white  rocks 
For  lems  to  decke  their  Ladyes  golden  lockes  : 
Who  valew'd  them  as  highly  in  their  kinds 
As  thofe  the  Sun-burnt  ^Ethiopian  finds. 

Long  on  the  fhore,  diftreft  Marina  lay  : 
For  he  that  opes  the  pleafant  fweets  of  May 


172  Britannia's  Pajlorals.      Booke  2. 

Beyond  the  Noon-Jiead  fo  farre  droue  his  teame, 

That  Harueft-folkes  (with  curds  and  clouted  creame. 

With  cheefe  and  butter,  cakes,  and  cates  enow, 

That  are  the  Teomans  from  the  yoake  or  Cowe) 

On  fheafes  of  corne  were  at  their  noonfhuns  clofe, 

Whilft  them  merrily  the  Bag-pipe  goes  : 

Ere  from  her  hand  fhe  lifted  vp  her  head. 

Where  all  the  Graces  then  inhabited. 

When  cafting  round  her  ouer-drowned  eyes, 

(So  haue  I  feene  a  lem  of  mickle  price 

Roule  in  a  Scallop-Jliell  with  water  fild) 

She,  on  a  marble  rocke  at  hand  behild 

In  Charadlers  deepe  cut  with  Iron  ftroke, 

A  Shepherds  moane,  which  read  by  her,  thus  fpoke  : 

Glide  f oft  ye  ftluer  Floods, 

And  euery  Spring  : 
Within  the  Jliady  Woods, 
Let  no  Bird  fing  ! 
Nor  from  the  Groue  a  Turtle  Doue, 
Be  feene  to  couple  with  her  hue. 
But  filence  on  each  Dale  and  Mount aine  dwell 
Whilfi  Willy  bids  his  friend  and  ioy  Farewell. 

But  {of  great  Thetis  trained 

Tee  Mermaids /^^/rd", 
"That  on  the  fiores  doe  plaine 
Your  Sea-greene  haire. 
As  ye  in  tramels  knit  your  locks 
Weepe  yee  ;  and  Jo  inforce  the  rocks 
In  heauy  murmur es  through  the  broad  fhores  tell. 
How  Willy  bade  his  friend  and  ioy  Farewell. 

Ceaje^  ceaje,  yee  murdring  winds 

"To  moue  a  waue ; 
But  if  with  troubled  minds 

Toujeeke  his  graue ; 


Song  I.         Britannia's  Pajlorals.  173 

Know  'tis  as  various  as  yourfelues, 

Now  in  the  deepe^  then  on  the  JJjelues^ 
His  coffin  tojs'd  by  fijh  and /urges  fell^ 
Whilft  Willy  weepes  and  bids  all  ioy  Farewell. 

Had  he  A  Hon  like 

Beene  iudgd  to  drowne, 
Hee  on  his  Lute  could  ftrike 
So  rare  afowne ; 
A  thou/and  Dolphins  would  haue  come 
And  ioyntly  Jlriue  to  bring  him  home. 
But  he  on  Ship-boor d  dide^  by  ficknejfe  fell. 
Since  when  his  Willy  bade  all  ioy  Farewell. 

Great  Neptune  heare  a  Swaine  ! 

His  Coffin  take, 
And  with  a  golden  chaine 
{For  pit  tie)  make 
It  f  aft  vnto  a  rocke  neere  land  I 
Where  eu'ry  calmy  morne  He  ft  and 
And  ere  one  ftieepe  out  of  my  fold  I  tell. 
Sad  Willy's  Pipe  fti  all  bid  his  friend  Farewell. 

Ah  heauy  Shepherd  (who  fo  ere  thou  be) 
Quoth  faire  Marina,  I  doe  pitty  thee : 
For  who  by  death  is  in  a  true  friend  croft, 
Till  he  be  earth,  he  halfe  himfelfe  hath  loft. 
More  happy  deeme  I  thee,  lamented  Swaine, 
Whofe  body  lies  among  the  fcaiy  traine, 
Since  I  ftiall  neuer  thinke,  that  thou  canft  dye, 
Whilft  Willy  Hues,  or  any  Poetry : 
For  well  it  feemes  in  verfing  he  hath  fkill. 
And  though  he  (ayded  from  the  facred  Hill) 
To  thee  with  him  no  equall  life  can  giue, 
Yet  by  this  Pen  thou  maift  for  euer  liue. 
With  this  a  beame  of  fudden  brightnefTe  flyes 
Vpon  her  face,  fo  dazeling  her  cleere  eyes, 


174  Brita7inid s  Pajiorals.      Booke  2. 

That  neither  flowre  nor  grafle  which  by  her  grew 

She  could  difcerne  cloath'd  in  their  perfeft  hue. 

For  as  a  Wag  (to  fport  with  fuch  as  pafTe) 

Taking  the  Sun-beames  in  a  Looking- glajfe, 

Conuayes  the  Ray  into  the  eyes  of  one, 

Who  (blinded)  either  ftumbles  at  a  ftone, 

Or  as  he  dazeled  walk.es  the  peopled  ftreets. 

Is  ready  iuftling  euery  man  he  meets : 

So  then  Apollo  did  in  glory  caft 

His  bright  beames  on  a  rocke  with  gold  enchaft, 

And  thence  the  fwift  refledlion  of  their  light 

Blinded  thofe  eyes  :  The  chiefeft  Stars  of  night. 

When  ftreight  a  thick-fwolne  Cloud  (as  if  it  fought 

In  beauties  minde  to  haue  a  thankful!  thought) 

Inuail'd  the  luftre  of  great  Titans  Carrey 

And  fhe  beheld,  from  whence  fhe  fate  not  farre. 

Cut  on  a  high-brow'd  Rocke  (inlaid  with  gold) 

This  Epitaph,  and  read  it,  thus  enrold. 

In  depth  of  wanes  long  hath  AhY.yLis  Jlept , 

So  choiceft  Jewels  are  the  clofeft  kept ;     - 

Whoje  death  the  land  hadjeene,  hut  it  appeares 

To  counteruaile  his  lofTe,  men  wanted  teares. 

So  here  he  lyes,  whoJe  Dirge  each  Mermaid  7/;/^ j". 

For  whom  the  Clouds  weepe  raine,  the  Earth  her  fprings . 

Her  eyes  thefe  lines  acquainted  with  her  minde 
Had  fcarcely  made  ;   when  o're  the  hill  behinde  . 
She  heard  a  woman  cry  ;  Ah  well-a-day, 
What  Jh all  I  doe  ?  goe  homey  or  fly  e,  or  flay. 
Admir'd  Marina  rofe,  and  with  a  pace 
As  graceful!  as  the  GoddeJJes  did  trace 
O're  ftately  Ida  (when  fond  Paris  doome 
Kindled  the  fire,  (hould  mighty  Troy  entombe.) 
She  went  to  aid  the  woman  in  diftrefTe, 
(True  beauty  neuer  was  found  mercileffe) 


Song  i.        Britannia  s  Pajl orals,  175 

Yet  durft  fhe  not  goe  nye,  left  (being  fpide) 
Some  villaines  outrage,  that  might  then  betide 
(For  ought  fhe  knew)  vnto  the  crying  Maid, 
Might  grafpe  with  her  :  by  thickets  which  arai'd 
The  high  Sea-bounding  hill,  fo  neere  fhe  went, 
She  faw  what  wight  made  fuch  lowd  dreriment. 
Lowd  ?  yes  :   fung  right :  for  fince  the  Azure  fkie 
Imprifon'd  firft  the  world,  a  mortals  cry 
With  greater  clangor  neuer  pierc'd  the  ayre. 

A  wight  fhe  was  fo  farre  from  being  faire  ; 
None  could  be  foule  efteem'd,  compar'd  with  her. 

Defcribing  FoulneJJe^  pardon  if  I  erre, 
Ye  Shepherds  Daughters,  and  ye  gentle  Swaines  ! 
My  Muje  would  gladly  chaunt  more  louely  ftraines  : 
Yet  fince  on  miry  grounds  fhe  trode,  for  doubt 
Of  finking,  all  in  hafte,  thus  wades  fhe  out. 
As  when  great  Neptune  in  his  height  of  pride 
The  inland  creeks  fils  with  a  high  Spring-tyde, 
Great  fholes  of  fifh,  among  the  Oyfters  hye. 
Which  by  a  quicke  ebbe,  on  the  fhores,  left  dry. 
The  fifhes  yawne,  the  Oyfters  gapen  wide  : 
So  broad  her  mouth  was  :   As  fhe  ftood  and  cride, 
She  tore  her  eluifh  knots  of  haire,  as  blacke 
And  full  of  duft  as  any  Collyers  facke. 
Her  eyes  vnlike,  were  like  her  body  right, 
Squint  and  miffe-fhapen,  one  dun,  t'other  white. 

As  in  a  pi6lure  limb'd  vnto  the  life. 
Or  carued  by  a  curious  workmans  knife. 
If  twenty  men  at  once  fhould  come  to  fee 
The  great  effedls  of  vntirde  induftry. 
Each  feuVally  would  thinke  the  pi6lures  eye 
Was  fixt  on  him,  and  on  no  ftander  by  : 
So  as  fhe  (bawling)  was  vpon  the  banke, 
If  twice  fiue  hundred  men  ftood  on  a  ranke. 
Her  ill  face  towards  them  ;  euery  one  would  fay, 
She  lookes  on  me  ;  when  fhe  another  way 


176  Britannia  s  Pajlorais.      Booke  2. 

Had  caft  her  eyes,  as  on  fome  rocke  or  tree, 

And  on  no  one  of  all  that  company. 

Her  Nqfe  (6  crooked  nofe)  her  mouth  o're-hung, 

As  it  would  be  dire6ted  by  her  tongue  : 

Her  Fore-head  fuch,  as  one  might  neere  auow 

Some  Plow-man,  there,  had  lately  beene  at  plow. 

Her  Face  fo  fcorcht  was,  and  fo  vilde  it  fhowes. 

As  on  a  Peare-tree  fhe  had  fcar'd  the  Crowes. 

Within  a  Tanners  fat  I  oft  haue  eyde 

(That  three  moones  there  had  laine)  a  large  Oxe-hyde 

In  liquor  mixt  with  ftrongefl:  barke  (for  gaine) 

Yet  had  not  tane  one  halfe  fo  deepe  a  ftaine 

As  had  her  fkin  :  and  that,  as  hard  well-nye 

As  any  Brawnes,  long  hardned  in  the  ftye. 

Her  Shoulders  fuch,  as  I  haue  often  feene 

A  filly  Cottage  on  a  Village  greene 

Might  change  his  corner  pofts,  in  good  behoofe. 

For  foure  fuch  vnder-proppers  to  his  roofe. 

Hufwiues,  goe  hire  her,  if  you  yeerely  gaue 

A  Lamkin  more  then  vfe,  you  that  might  faue 

In  wafhing-Beetles,  for  her  hands  would  pafTe 

To  ferue  that  purpofe,  though  you  daily  wafh. 

For  other  hidden  parts,  thus  much  I  fay  ; 

As  Ballad-mongers  on  a  Market-day 

Taking  their  ftand,  one  (with  as  harfh  a  noyfe 

As  euer  Cart-wheele  made)  fqueakes  the  fad  choice 

Of  Tom  the  Miller  with  a  golden  thumbe. 

Who  croft  in  loue,  ran  mad,  and  deafe,  and  dumbe, 

Halfe  part  he  chants,  and  will  not  fing  it  out. 

But  thus  he  fpeakes  to  his  attentiue  rout : 

Thus  much  for  loue  I  warbled  from  my  breft, 

And  gentle  friends,  for  money  take  the  reft  : 

So  fpeake  I  to  the  ouer- longing  eare. 

That  would  the  reft  of  her  defcription  heare, 

Much  haue  I  fung  for  loue,  the  reft  (not  common) 

Martial  will  ftiew  for  coine,  in's  crabbed  woman. 


Song  i.       Britannia s  Pajiorals.  ijj 

If  e're  you  faw  a  Pedant  gin  prepare 
To  fpeake  fome  graceful  1  fpeech  to  Majier  Maior^ 
And  being  bafhfull,  with  a  quaking  doubt 
That  in  his  eloquence  he  may  be  out ; 
He  oft  fteps  forth,  as  oft  turnes  backe  againe  ; 
And  long  'tis  e're  he  ope  his  learned  veine  : 
Thinke  fo  Marina  ftood :   for  now  fhe  thought 
To  venture  forth,  then  fome  coniefture  wrought 
Her  to  be  iealous,  left  this  vgly  wight 
(Since  like  a  Witch  fhe  lookt)  through  fpels  of  night, 
Might  make  her  body  thrall  (that  yet  was  free) 
To  all  the  foule  intents  of  Witcherie : 
This  drew  her  backe  againe.      At  laft  fhe  broke 
Through  all  fond  doubts,  went  to  her,  and  befpoke 
In  gentle  manner  thus  :  Good  day,  good  Maid; 
With  that  her  cry  fhe  on  a  fodaine  ftaid. 
And  rub'd  her  fquint  eyes  with  her  mighty  fift. 
But  as  a  Miller  hauing  ground  his  grift. 
Lets  downe  his  flood-gates  with  a  fpeedy  fall. 
And  quarring  vp  the  paflage  therewithall. 
The  waters  fwell  in  fpleene,  and  neuer  ftay 
Till  by  fome  cleft  they  finde  another  way : 
So  when  her  teares  were  ftopt  from  either  eye 
Her  fingults,  blubbrings,  feem'd  to  make  them  flye 
Out  at  her  Oyfter-mouth  and  Nofe-thrils  wide. 
Can  there  (quoth  faire  Marina^  e're  betide 
(In  thefe  fweet  Groues)  a  wench,  fo  great  a  wrong. 
That  ftiould  inforce  a  cry  fo  loud,  fo  long  ? 
On  thefe  delightfull  Plaines  how  can  there  be 
So  much  as  heard  the  name  of  villany  .^ 
Except  when  Shepherds  in  their  gladfome  fit 
Sing  Hymnes  to  Pan  that  they  are  free  from  it. 

But  fhew  me,  what  hath  caus'd  thy  grieuous  yell  ? 
As  late  (quoth  fhe)  I  went  to  yonder  Well, 
(You  cannot  fee  it  here ;  that  Groue  doth  couer 
With  his  thicke  boughes  his  little  channell  ouer.) 

A    A 


178  Bi^itannid s  Pajlorals,      Booke  2. 

To  fetch  fome  water  (as  I  vfe)  to  drefle 

My  Mafters  fupper  (you  may  thinke  of  flefh ; 

But  well  I  wot  he  tafteth  no  fuch  difh) 

Of  Rotchets,  Whitings,  or  fuch  common  fifh, 

That  with  his  net  he  drags  into  his  Boat : 

Among  the  Flags  below,  there  ftands  his  Coat 

(A  fimple  one)  thatch'd  o're  with  Reede  and  Broome ; 

It  hath  a  Kitchen,  and  a  feuerall  roome 

For  each  of  vs.      But  this  is  nought :  you  flee, 

Replide  Marine^  I  prithee  anfwer  me 

To  what  I  queftion'd.      Doe  but  heare  me  firft, 

Anfwer'd  the  Hag,      He  is  a  man  fo  curfl:, 

Although  I  toyle  at  home,  and  ferue  his  Swine, 

Yet  fcarce  allowes  he  me  whereon  to  dine  : 

In  Summer  time  on  Black-berries  I  Hue, 

On  Crabs  and  Hawes,  and  what  wilde  Forrefts  giue  : 

In  Winters  cold,  bare-foot,  I  run  to  feeke 

For  Oyfters,  and  fmall  Winkles  in  each  creeke, 

Whereon  I  feed,  and  on  the  Meager  Slone. 

But  if  he  home  returne  and  tinde  me  gone, 

I  fliill  am  fure  to  feele  his  heauy  hand. 

Alas  and  weale  away,  fince  now  I  fliand 

In  fuch  a  plight :   for  if  I  feeke  his  dore 

Hee'l  heat  me  ten  times  worfe  then  eVe  before. 

What  haft  thou  done  ?   (yet  afkt  Marina)  fay  } 

I  with  my  pitcher  lately  tooke  my  way 

(As  late  I  faid)  to  thilke  fame  fhaded  Spring, 

Fill'd  it,  and  homewards,  rais'd  my  voyce  to  fing  ; 

But  in  my  backe  returne,  I  (hapleffe)  fpide 

A  tree  of  Cherries  wilde,  and  them  I  eyde 

With  fuch  a  longing,  that  vnwares  my  foot 

Got  vnderneath  a  hollow-growing  root. 

Carrying  my  pot  as  Maids  vfe  on  their  heads, 

I  fell  with  it,  and  broke  it  all  to  flireads. 

This  is  my  griefe,  this  is  my  caufe  of  mone. 

And  if  fome  kinde  wight  goe  not  to  attone 


Song  I.        Britannia  s  Pajlorals,  179 

My  furly  Mafter  with  me  wretched  Maid, 

I  fhall  be  beaten  dead.    Be  not  afraid, 

Said  fweet  Marina,  haften  thee  before ; 

He  come  to  make  thy  peace :   for  fince  I  fore 

Doe  hunger,  and  at  home  thou  haft  fmall  cheere, 

(Need  and  fupply  grow  farre  off,  feldome  neere.) 

To  yonder  Groue  He  goe,  to  tafte  the  fpring. 

And  fee  what  it  affords  for  nourifhing. 

Thus  parted  they.    And  fad  Marina  bleft 

The  houre  fhe  met  the  Maid,  who  did  inveft 

Her  in  affured  hope,  fhe  once  fliould  fee 

Her  Flocke  againe  (and  driue  them  merrily 

To  their  flowre-decked  layre,  and  tread  the  fhores 

Of  pleafant  Albion^  through  the  well  poys'd  Oares 

Of  the  poore  Fifher-man  that  dwelt  thereby. 

But  as  a  man  who  in  a  Lottery 
Hath  ventur'd  of  his  coyne,  ere  he  haue  ought, 
Thinkes  this  or  that  fhall  with  his  Prize  be  bought. 
And  fo  enricht,  march  with  the  better  ranke. 
When  fodainly  he's  call'd,  and  all  is  Blanke  : 
To  chafte  Marina^  fo  doth  Fortune  proue, 
State/men  and  fhe  are  neuer  firme  in  hue. 

No  fooner  had  Marina  got  the  wood. 
But  as  the  trees  ftie  neerly  fearch'd  for  food, 
A  Villaine,  leane,  as  any  rake  appeares, 
That  look't,  as  pinch'd  with  famine,  Mgy-pts  yeeres, 
Worne  out  and  wafted  to  the  pithleffe  bone, 
As  one  that  had  a  long  Confumption. 
His  rufty  teeth  (forfaken  of  his  lips 
As  they  had  feru'd  with  want  two  Prentiftiips) 
Did  through  his  pallid  cheekes,  and  lankeft  ikin 
Bewray  what  number  were  enranckt  within. 
His  greedy  eyes  deepe  funke  into  his  head, 
Which  with  a  rough  haire  was  o're  couered. 
How  many  bones  made  vp  this  ftarued  wight 
Was  foone  perceiu'd  ;  a  man  of  dimmeft  ftght 


i8o  Britannia  s  Pajlorals,     Booke  2. 

Apparantly  might  fee  them  knit,  and  tell 

How  all  his  veines  and  euery  finew  fell. 

His  belly  (inwards  drawne)  his  bowels  preft, 

His  vnfill'd  (kin  hung  dangling  on  his  breft, 

His  feeble  knees  with  paine  enough  vphold 

That  pined  carkafTe,  caften  in  a  mold 

Cut  out  by  Deaths  grim  forme.    If  fmall  legs  wan 

Euer  the  title  of  a  Gentleman  ; 

His  did  acquire  it.    In  his  flefh  pull'd  downe 

As  he  had  liu'd  in  a  beleaguerd  towne. 

Where  Plenty  had  fo  long  eftranged  beene 

That  men  moft  worthy  note,  in  griefe  were  feene 

(Though  they  reioyc'd  to  haue  attain'd  fuch  meat) 

Of  Rats,  and  halfe-tann'd  Hydes,  and  ftomacks  great, 

Gladly  to  feed  :  and  where  a  Nurfe,  moft  vilde, 

Drunke  her  owne  milke,  and  ftaru'd  her  crying  childe. 

Yet  he  through  want  of  food  not  thus  became  : 

But  Nature  firft  decreed.  That  as  the  flame 

Is  neuer  feene  to  flye  his  nourifliment. 

But  all  confumes  :  and  ftill  the  more  is  lent 

The  more  it  couets.    And  as  all  the  Floods 

(Down  treching  from  fmall  groues,  &  greater  woods) 

The  vaft  infatiate  Sea  doth  ftill  deuoure. 

And  yet  his  thirft  not  quenched  by  their  power : 

So  euer  fliould  befall  this  ftarued  wight ; 

The  more  his  vyands,  more  his  appetite. 

What  ere  the  deepes  bring  forth,  or  earth,  or  ayre, 

He  rauine  ftiould,  and  want  in  greateft  fare. 

And  what  a  Citie  twice  feuen  yeeres  would  ferue, 

He  fliould  deuoure,  and  yet  be  like  to  ftarue. 

A  wretch  fo  empty,  that  if  e're  there  be 

In  Nature  found  the  leaft  vacuitie^ 

'Twill  be  in  him.    The  graue  to  Ceres  ftore ; 

A  Caniball  to  lab'rers  old  and  poore ; 

A  Spunge-like-Dropftej  drinking  till  it  burft  ; 

The  SickneJJe  tearm'd  the  JVolfe,  vilde  and  accurft ; 


Song  I.        Britannia  s  PaJIorals.  i8i 

In  fome  refpeds  like  th'art  of  Alchumy 

That  thriues  leaft,  when  it  long'ft  doth  multiply  : 

Limos  he  cleeped  was  :   whofe  long-nayl'd  paw 

Seizing  Marina^  and  his  fharpe-fang'd  iaw 

(The  {Irongeft  part  he  had)  fixt  in  her  weeds, 

He  forc'd  her  thence,  through  thickets  &  high  Reeds, 

Towards  his  Caue.    Her  fate  the  fwift  windes  rue. 

And  round  the  Groue  in  heauy  murmures  flew. 

The  limbs  of  trees,  that  (as  in  loue  with  either) 

In  clofe  embrafements  long  had  liu'd  together, 

Rubb'd  each  on  other,  and  in  fhreeks  did  fhow 

The  windes  had  mou'd  more  partners  of  their  woe. 

Old  and  decaied  flocks,  that  long  time  fpent 

Vpon  their  armes,  their  roots  chiefe  nouriflnment ; 

And  that  drawne  dry,  as  freely  did  impart 

Their  boughes  a  feeding  on  their  fathers  heart, 

Yet  by  refpedlefl^e  impes  when  all  was  gone, 

Pithlefl^e  and  faplefle,  naked  left  alone. 

Their  hollow  trunks,  fill'd  with  their  neighbours  moanes, 

Sent  from  a  thoufand  vents,  ten  thoufand  groanes. 

All  Birds  flew  from  the  wood,  as  they  had  been 

Scar'd  with  a  ftrong  Bolt  ratling  'mong  the  treen. 

Limos  with  his  fweet  theft  full  flily  ruflies        (buflies. 
Through  fliarp-hook'd  brambles,  thornes,  &  tangling 
Whofe  tenters  fliicking  in  her  garments,  fought 
(Poore  flirubs)  to  helpe  her,  but  auailing  nought. 
As  angry  (befl:  intents  mifs'd  befl:  proceeding) 
They  fcratch'd  his  face  &  legs,  cleere  water  bleeding. 
Not  greater  hafte  a  fearefull  fchoole-boy  makes 
Out  of  an  Orchard  whence  by  fliealth  he  takes 
A  churlifli  Farmers  Plums,  fweet  Peares  or  Grapes, 
Then  Limos  did,  as  from  the  thicke  he  fcapes 
Downe  to  the  fhore.     Where  refting  him  a  fpace, 
Reftlefl^e  Marina  gan  intreat  for  grace 
Of  one  whofe  knowing  it  as  defp'rate  fl:ood. 
As  where  each  day  to  get  fupply  of  food. 


1 82  Britannia  s  Pajlorah.       Booke  2. 

O !  had  flie  (thirfty)  fuch  intreaty  made 

At  fome  high  Rocke,  proud  of  his  euening  fhade, 

He  would  haue  burft  in  two,  and  from  his  veines 

(For  her  auaile)  vpon  the  vnder  Plaines 

A  hundred  Springs  a  hundred  wayes  fhould  fwim. 

To  fhew  her  teares  inforced  floods  from  him. 

Had  fuch  an  Oratreffe  beene  heard  to  plead 

For  faire  PoUxena^  the  Murthrers  head 

Had  beene  her  pardon,  and  fo  fcap'd  that  fliocke, 

Which  made  her  louers  tombe  her  dying  blocke. 

Not  an  inraged  Lion,  furly,  wood. 

No  Tyger  reft  her  young,  nor  fauage  brood ; 

No,  not  the  foaming  Boare,  that  durft  approue 

Louelefle  to  leaue  the  mighty  ^eene  of  Loue, 

But  her  fad  plaints,  their  vncouth  walkes  among 

Spent,  in  fweet  numbers  from  her  golden  tongue. 

So  much  their  great  hearts  would  in  foftnes  fteepe. 

They  at  her  foot  would  groueling  lye,  and  weepe. 

Yet  now  (alas  !)  nor  words,  nor  floods  of  teares 

Did  ought  auaile.      The  belly  hath  no  eares. 

As  I  haue  knowne  a  man  loath  meet  with  gaine 
That  carrieth  in  his  front  leafl  fliew  of  paine, 
Who  for  his  vittailes  all  his  raiment  pledges, 
Whofe  fl:ackes  for  firing  are  his  neighbours  hedges, 
From  whence  returning  with  a  burden  great. 
Wearied,  on  fome  greene  banke  he  takes  his  feat. 
But  fearefull  (as  fl;ill  theft  is  in  his  ftay) 
Gets  quickly  vp,  and  hafteth  faft  away  : 
So  Limos  fooner  eafed  then  yreiled 
Was  vp,  and  through  the  Reeds  (as  much  molefled 
As  in  the  Brakes)  who  louingly  combine, 
And  for  her  aide  together  twift  and  twine. 
Now  manacling  his  hands,  then  on  his  legs 
Like  fetters  hang  the  vnder-growing  Segs  : 
And  had  his  teeth  not  beene  of  ftrongeft:  hold. 
He  there  had  left  his  prey.     Fates  vncontrold. 


Song  i.         Britannia s  Pajiorals.  183 

Denide  fo  great  a  blifTe  to  Plants  or  men. 
And  lent  him  ftrength  to  bring  her  to  his  den. 

Weft,  in  Apollo's  courfe  to  Tagus  ftreame, 
Crown'd  with  a  filuer  circling  Diadem 
Of  wet  exhaled  mifts,  there  ftood  a  pile 
Of  aged  Rocks  (torne  from  the  neighbour  lie 
And  girt  with  waues)  againft  whofe  naked  breft 
The  furges  tilted,  on  his  fnowie  creft 
The  towring  Falcon  whilome  built,  and  Kings 
Stroue  for  that  Eirie,  on  whofe  fcaling  wings, 
Monarchs,  in  gold  refin'd  as  much  would  lay 
As  might  a  month  their  Army  Royall  pay. 
Braue  Birds  they  were,  whofe  quick-felf-lefs-'ning  kin 
Still  won  the  girlonds  from  the  *  Peregrin.  »  a  Falcon 

Not  Cerna  He  in  Affricks  filuer  maine,  differing 

Nor  luftfull- bloody- T'(?r^/^j'  'Thracian  ftraine,  Faicon- 

Nor  any  other  Lording  of  the  ayre  sentie. 

Durft  with  this  Eirie  for  their  wing  compare. 
About  his  fides  a  thoufand  Seaguls  bred, 
The  Meuy  and  the  Halcyon  famofed 
For  colours  rare,  and  for  the  peacefull  Seas 
Round  the  Sicilian  coaft,  her  brooding  dayes. 
Puffins  (as  thicke  as  Starlings  in  a  Fen) 
Were  fetcht  from  thence  :  there  fate  the  Pewet  hen. 
And  in  the  clefts  the  Martin  built  his  neft. 
But  thofe  by  this  curft  caitife  difpofleft 
Of  rooft  and  neft,  the  leaft  ;  of  life,  the  moft  : 
All  left  that  place,  and  fought  a  fafer  coaft. 
In  ftead  of  them  the  Caterpiller  hants, 
And  Cancre-worme  among  the  tender  plants. 
That  here  and  there  in  nooks  and  corners  grew ; 
Of  Cormorants  and  Locujis  not  a  few ; 
The  cramming  Rauen,  and  a  hundred  more 
Deuouring  creatures ;  yet  when  from  the  ftiore 
Limos  came  wading  (as  he  eafily  might 
Except  at  high  tydes)  all  would  take  their  flight. 


184  Britannia  s  Pajlorals.      Booke  2, 

Or  hide  themfelues  in  fome  deepe  hole  or  other, 
Left  one  deuourer  ftiould  deuoure  another. 

Neere  to  the  fhore  that  bord'red  on  the  Rocke 
No  merry  Swaine  was  feene  to  feed  his  Flocke, 
No  lufty  Neat-heard  thither  droue  his  Kine, 
Nor  boorifti  Hog-heard  fed  his  rooting  Swine : 
A  ftony  ground  it  was,  fweet  Herbage  fail'd  : 
Nought  there  but  weeds,  which  Limos^  ftrongly  nail'd, 
Tore  from  their  mothers  breft,  to  ftuffe  his  maw. 
No  Crab-tree  bore  his  load,  nor  Thorne  his  paw. 
As  in  a  Foreft  well  compleat  with  Deere 
We  fee  the  Hollies,  Afhes,  euery  where 
Rob'd  of  their  cloathing  by  the  browfing  Game : 
So  neere  the  Rocke,  all  trees  where  e're  you  came, 
To  cold  Decembers  wrath  ftood  void  of  barke. 
Here  danc'd  no  Nymph ^  no  early-rifing  Larke 
Sung  vp  the  Plow-man  and  his  drowfie  mate : 
All  round  the  Rocke['s]  barren  and  defolate. 
The  def-  I*^  midft  of  that  huge  pile  was  Limos  Caue 

cription  of     Pull  large  and  round,  wherein  a  Millers  knaue 
£«?»r^  °    Might  for  his  Horfe  and  Querne  haue  roome  at  will  : 
Where  was  out-drawne  by  fome  inforced  fkill. 
What  mighty  conquefts  were  atchieu'd  by  him. 
Firft  ftood  the  fiege  of  great  lerujalem. 
Within  whofe  triple  wall  and  facred  Citie 
(Weepe  ye  ftone-hearted  men  !  oh  read  and  pittie  ! 
'Tis  Sions  caufe  inuokes  your  briny  teares  : 
Can  any  dry  eye  be  when  ftie  appeares 
As  I  muft  fing  her  ?  oh,  if  fuch  there  be; 
Flie,  flie  th'abode  of  men  !  and  haften  thee 
Into  the  Defart,  fome  high  Mountaine  vnder. 
Or  at  thee  boyes  will  hifle,  and  old  men  wonder.) 
Here  fits  a  mother  weeping,  pale  and  wan. 
With  fixed  eyes,  whofe  hopelefl'e  thoughts  feem'd  ran 
How  (fince  for  many  dales  no  food  ftie  tafted. 
Her  Meale,  her  Oyle  confum'd,  all  fpent,  all  wafted) 


Song  i.        Britannia  s  Pajlorals,  185 

For  one  poore  day  fhe  might  attaine  fupply. 
And  defp'rate  of  ought  elfe,  fit,  pine,  and  dye. 
At  laft  her  minde  meets  with  her  tender  childe 
That  in  the  cradle  lay  (of  Oziers  wilde) 
Which  taken  in  her  armes,  fhe  giues  the  teat. 
From  whence  the  little  wretch  with  labour  great 
Not  one  poore  drop  can  fucke  :  whereat  fhe  wood. 
Cries  out,  6  heauen !  are  all  the  founts  of  food 
Exhaufted  quite  ?  and  mufl  my  Infant  yong 
Be  fed  with  fhooes  ?  yet  wanting  thofe  ere  long, 
Feed  on  it  felfe  ?  No  :  firft  the  roome  that  gaue 
Him  foule  and  life,  fhall  be  his  timelefTe  graue  : 
My  dugs,  thy  beft  reliefe,  through  griping  hunger 
Flow  now  no  more,  my  babe ;  Then  fince  no  longer 
By  me  thou  canft  be  fed,  nor  any  other. 
Be  thou  the  Nurfe,  and  feed  thy  dying  Mother. 
Then  in  another  place  fhe  ftraight  appeares, 
Seething  her  fuckling  in  her  fcalding  teares. 
From  whence  not  farre  the  Painter  made  her  ftand 
Tearing  his  fod  flefh  with  her  cruell  hand, 
In  gobbets  which  fhe  ate.     O  curfed  wombe. 
That  to  thy  felfe  art  both  the  graue  and  tombe. 

A  little  fweet  lad  (there)  feemes  to  intreat 
(With  held  vp  hands)  his  famifht  Sire  for  meat, 
Who  wanting  ought  to  giue  his  hoped  ioy 
But  throbs  and  fighes  ;  the  ouer-hungry  boy. 
For  fome  poore  bit,  in  darke  nooks  making  quefl, 
His  Sachell  finds,  which  growes  a  gladfome  feafl 
To  him  and  both  his  Parents.      Then,  next  day 
He  chewes  the  points  wherewith  he  vs'd  to  play : 
Deuouring  lafl  his  Books  of  euery  kinde, 
They  fed  his  body  which  fhould  feede  his  minde  : 
But  when  his  Sachell,  Points,  Books  all  were  gone, 
Before  his  Sire  he  droopes,  and  dies  anon. 

In  height  of  Art  then  had  the  Work-man  done, 
A  pious,  zealous,  mofl  religious  fonne, 

B   B 


1 86  Britannia  s  Pajiorals.       Booke  2. 

Who  on  the  enemy  excurfion  made, 
And  Tpight  of  danger  ftrongly  did  inuade 
Their  viduals  conuoy,  brhiging  from  them  home 
Dri'd  figs,  Dates,  Almonds,  and  fuch  fruits  as  come 
To  the  beleagring  foe,  and  fate's  the  want 
Therewith  of  thofe,  who,  from  a  tender  plant 
Bred  him  a  man  for  armes  :  thus  oft  he  went. 
And  Storke-like  fought  his  Parents  nourifhment. 
Till  Fates  decreed,  he  on  the  Roman  Speares 
Should  giue  his  bloud  for  them,  who  gaue  him  theirs. 
A  Million  of  fuch  throes  did  Famine  bring 
Vpon  the  Citie  of  the  mighty  King, 
Till,  as  her  people,  all  her  buildings  rare 
Confum'd  themfelues  and  dim'd  the  lightfome  ayre. 

Neere  this  the  curious  Pencell  did  exprefTe 
A  large  and  folitary  wildernefTe, 
Whofe  high  well  limmed  Oakes  in  growing  fhow'd 
As  they  would  eafe  ftrong  Atlas  of  his  load  : 
Here  vnderneath  a  tree  in  heauy  plight 
(Her  bread  and  pot  of  water  wafted  quite) 
•Egyptian  Hagar  (nipt  with  hunger  fell) 
Sate  rob'd  of  hope  :  her  Infant  IJlimael. 
(Farre  from  her  being  laid)  full  fadly  feem'd 
To  cry  for  meat,  his  cry  fhe  nought  efteem'd, 
But  kept  her  ftill,  and  turn'd  her  face  away, 
Knowing  all  meanes  were  bootlefle  to  affay 
In  fuch  a  Defert :   and  fince  now  they  muft 
Sleepe  their  eternall  fleepe,  and  cleaue  to  duft. 
She  chofe  (apart)  to  grafpe  one  death  alone. 
Rather  then  bv  her  babe  a  million. 

Then  Erejichthons  cafe  in  Quids  Song 
Was  portraied  out ;  and  many  moe  along 
The  infides  of  the  Caue  ;  which  were  defcride 
By  many  loope-holes  round  on  euery  fide. 

Thefe  faire  Mai'ina  view'd,  left  all  alone. 
The  Caue  faft  fhut,  Limos  for  pillage  gone ; 


Song  i.       Britannia  s  Pajlorals.  187 

Neere  the  wafh'd  fhore  mong  roots  and  breers,  and  thorns, 
A  Bullocke  findes,  who  deluing  with  his  homes 
The  hurtleffe  earth  (the  while  his  tough  hoofe  tore 
The  yeelding  turfFe)  in  furious  rage  he  bore 
His  head  among  the  boughs  that  held  it  round. 
While  with  his  bellowes  all  the  fhores  refound  : 
Him  Limos  kil'd,  and  hal'd  with  no  fmall  paine 
Vnto  the  Rocke  ;  fed  well ;  then  goes  againe  : 
Which  feru'd  Marina  fit,  for  had  his  food 
Fail'd  him,  her  veines  had  fail'd  their  deereft  blood. 

Now  great  Hyperion  left  his  golden  throne 
That  on  the  dancing  waues  in  glory  fhone, 
For  whofe  declining  on  the  Wefterne  fhore 
The  orientall  hils  blacke  mantles  wore. 
And  thence  apace  the  gentle  Twi-light  fled, 
That  had  from  hideous  cauernes  vfhered 
AU-drowfie  Night ;  who  in  a  Carre  of  let. 
By  Steeds  of  Iron-gray  (which  mainly  fwet 
Moifl  drops  on  all  the  world)  drawne  through  the  fkie, 
The  helps  of  darkneffe  waited  orderly. 
Firil,  thicke  clouds  rofe  from  all  the  liquid  plaines  : 
Then  mifts  from  Marifhes,  and  grounds  whofe  veines 
Were  Conduit-pipes  to  many  a  cryftall  fpring : 
From  {landing  Pooles  and  Fens  were  folio v.'ing 
Vnhealthy  fogs  :   each  Riuer,  euery  Rill 
Sent  vp  their  vapours  to  attend  her  will. 
Thefe,  pitchie  curtains  drew,  'twixt  earth  &  heauen. 
And  as  Nights  Chariot  through  the  ay  re  was  driuen. 
Clamour  grew  dumb,  vnheard  was  Shepheards  fong, 
And  filence  girt  the  Woods ;   no  warbling  tongue 
Talk'd  to  the  Eccho ;  Satyres  broke  their  dance. 
And  all  the  vpper  world  lay  in  a  trance. 
Onely  the  curled  ftreames  foft  chidings  kept ; 
And  little  gales  that  from  the  greene  leafe  fwept 
Dry  Summers  duft,  in  fearefull  whifp'rings  ftir'd, 
As  loth  to  waken  any  finging  Bird. 


i88  Britannia  s  PaJ}  or  ah,      Booke  2. 

Darknefle  no  lefle  then  blinde  Cimmerian 
Of  Famines  Caue  the  full  pofleffion  wan. 
Where  lay  the  Shepherdefl'e  inwrapt  with  night, 
(The  wifhed  garment  of  a  mournfull  wight) 
Here  filken  {lumbers  and  refrefhing  fleepe 
Were  feldome  found;   with  quiet  mindes  thofe  keepe. 
Not  with  difturbed  thoughts  ;  the  beds  of  Kings 
Are  neuer  preft  by  them,  fweet  reft  inrings 
The  tyred  body  of  the  fwarty  Clowne, 
And  oftner  lies  on  flocks  then  fofteft  downe. 

Twice  had  the  Cocke  crowne,  and  in  Cities  ftrong 
The  Bel-mans  dolefull  noyfe  and  carefull  fong, 
Told  men,  whofe  watchfull  eyes  no  flumber  hent, 
What  ftore  of  houres  theft-guilty  night  had  fpent. 
Yet  had  not  Morpheus  with  this  Maiden  been. 
As  fearing  Limos ;  (whofe  impetuous  teen 
Kept  gentle  reft  from  all  to  whom  his  Caue 
Yeelded  inclofure  (deadly  as  the  graue.) 
But  to  all  fad  laments  left  her  (forlorne) 
In  which  three  watches  fhe  had  nie  outworne. 

Faire  filuer-footed  Thetis  that  time  threw 
Along  the  Ocean  with  a  beautious  crew 
Of  her  attending  Sea-nymphs  {loues  bright  Lamps 
♦Sea-horfes.  Guiding  from  Rocks  her  Chariots  *  Hippo  camps.') 
A  iourney,  onely  made,  vnwares  to  fpye 
If  any  Mighties  of  her  Empery 
Oppreft  the  leaft,  and  forc'd  the  weaker  fort 
To  their  defignes,  by  being  great  in  Court. 
O  1  fhould  all  Potentates  whofe  higher  birth 
Enroles  their  titles,  other  Gods  on  earthy 
Should  they  make  priuate  fearch,  in  vaile  of  night. 
For  cruell  wrongs  done  by  each  Fauorite  ; 
Here  fhould  they  finde  a  great  one  paling  in 
A  meane  mans  land,  which  many  yeeres  had  bin 
His  charges  life,  and  by  the  others  heaft. 
The  pobre  muft  ftarue  to  feed  a  fcuruy  beaft. 


Song  i.        Britannia  s  Pajlorah.  189 

If  any  recompence  drop  from  his  fift, 

His  time's  his  owne,  the  mony,  what  he  lift. 

There  fhould  they  fee  another  that  commands 

His  Farmers  Teame  from  furrowing  his  lands, 

To  bring  him  ftones  to  raife  his  building  vaft. 

The  while  his  Tenants  fowing  time  is  paft. 

Another  (fpending)  doth  his  rents  inhance, 

Or  gets  by  tricks  the  poores  inheritance. 

But  as  a  man  whofe  age  hath  dim'd  his  eyes, 

Vfeth  his  Spe6lacles,  and  as  he  pryes 

Through  them  all  Charadlers  feeme  wondrous  faire, 

Yet  when  his  glafles  quite  remoued  are 

(Though  with  all  carefull  heed  he  neerly  looke) 

Cannot  perceiue  one  tittle  in  the  Booke  ; 

So  if  a  King  behold  fuch  fauourites 

(Whofe  being  great,  was  being  Para/lies') 

With  th'eyes  of  fauour,  all  their  anions  are 

To  him  appearing  plaine  and  regular : 

But  let  him  lay  his  fight  of  grace  afide. 

And  fee  what  men  he  hath  fo  dignifide. 

They  all  would  vanifh,  and  not  dare  appeare. 

Who  Atom-like,  when  their  Sun  fhined  cleare, 

Danc'd  in  his  beame ;  but  now  his  rayes  are  gone. 

Of  many  hundred  we  perceiue  not  one. 

Or  as  a  man  who  ftanding  to  defcry 

How  great  floods  farre  off  run,  and  vallies  lye, 

Taketh  a  glajje  prqfpe5liue  good  and  true. 

By  which  things  mofl:  remote  are  full  in  view : 

If  Monarchs,  fo,  would  take  an  Infl:rument 

Of  truth  compos'd  to  fpie  their  SubieAs  drent 

In  foule  oppreffion  by  thofe  high  in  feat 

(Who  care  not  to  be  good  but  to  be  great) 

In  full  afpedl  the  wrongs  of  each  degree 

Would  lye  before  them ;  and  they  then  would  fee. 

The  diuellifli  Politician  all  conuinces. 

In  murdring  Statefmen  and  in  poifning  Princes; 


190  Britannia's  Pajiorals,      Booke  2. 

The  Prelate  in  pluralities  afleepe, 
Whilft  that  the  Wolfe  lies  preying  on  his  fheepe ; 
The  drowiie  Lawyer^  and  the  falfe  Atturnies 
Tire  poore  mens  purfes  with  their  Hfe-long-iournies ; 
The  Country  Gentleman^  from's  neighbours  hand 
Forceth  th'inheritance,  ioynes  land  to  land. 
And  (moft  infatiate)  feek.es  vnder  his  rent 
To  bring  the  worlds  moft  fpacious  continent ; 
The  fawning  Citizen  (whofe  loue's  bought  deareft) 
Deceiues  his  brother  when  the  Sun  fhines  cleareft, 
Gets,  borrowes,  breakes,  lets  in,  and  ftops  out  light. 
And  Hues  a  Knaue  to  leaue  his  fonne  a  Knight; 
The  griping  Farmer  hoords  the  feed  of  bread, 
Whilft  in  the  ftreets  the  poore  lye  famiftied  : 
And  free  there's  none  from  all  this  worldly  ftrife. 
Except  the  Shepherds  heauen-bleft  happy  life. 

But  ftay  fweet  Mujel  forbeare  this  hariher  ftraine, 
Keepe  with  the  Shepherds ;  leaue  the  Satyres  veine, 
Coupe  not  with  Beares :  let  Icarus  alone 
To  fcorch  himfelfe  within  the  torrid  Zone  : 
Let  Phaeton  run  on,  Ixion  fall, 
And  with  an  humble  ftiled  Paftorall 
Tread  through  the  vallies,  dance  about  the  ftreames. 
The  lowly  Dales  will  yeeld  vs  Anadems 
To  ftiade  our  temples,  'tis  a  worthy  meed. 
No  better  girlond  feekes  mine  Oaten  Reed ; 
Let  others  climbe  the  hils,  and  to  their  praife 
(Whilft  I  fit  girt  with  Flowers')  be  crown'd  with  Bayes. 

Shew  now  faire  Mufe  what  afterward  became 
Of  great  Achilles  Mother ;  She  whofe  name 
The  Mermaids  fing,  and  tell  the  weeping  ftrand 
A  brauer  Lady  neuer  tript  on  land, 
Except  the  euer-liuing  Fayerie  ^ueeney 
Whofe  vertues  by  her  Swaine  fo  written  beene, 
That  time  fliall  call  her  high  enhanced  ftory 
In  his  rare  fong.  The  Mujes  chief  eft  glory. 


Song  i.        Britannia  s  Pajlorals.  191 

So  mainly  Thetis  droue  her  filuer  throne, 
Inlaid  with  pearles  of  price,  and  precious  ftone, 
(For  whofe  gay  purchafe,  (he  did  often  make 
The  fcorched  Negro  diue  the  briny  Lake) 
That  by  the  fwiftneiTe  of  her  Chariot  wheels 
(Scouring  the  Maine  as  well-built  Englifh  Keels) 
She,  of  the  new-found  World  all  coafts  had  feene. 
The  fhores  of  TheJJ'aly^  where  fhe  was  Queene, 
Her  brother  Pontus  waues,  imbrac'd,  with  thofe 
Mceotian  fields  and  vales  of  Tenedos, 
Streit  Hellefpont^  whofe  high-brow'd  cliffes  yet  found 
The  mournfull  name  of  young  Leander  drown'd, 
Then  with  full  fpeed  her  Horfes  doth  fhe  guide 
Through  the  ^g<ean  Sea,  that  takes  a  pride 
In  making  difference  twixt  the  fruitfull  lands 
Europe  and  Afia  almofl  ioyning  hands, 
But  that  fhe  thrufls  her  billowes  all  afront 
To  flop  their  meeting  through  the  Hellejpont. 
The  Midland  Sea  fo  fwiftly  was  fhe  fcouring. 
The  Adriaticke  gulfe  braue  Ships  deuouring. 
To  Padus  filuer  flreame  then  glides  fhe  on 
(Enfamoufed  by  rekeleffe  Phaeton)  ^^'"-  ^'^^ 

Padus  that  doth  beyond  his  limits  rife, 
When  the  hot  Dog-Jiarre  raines  his  maladies, 
And  robs  the  high  and  ayre-inuading  Alpes 
Of  all  their  Winter-fuits  and  fnowie  fcalpes. 
To  drowne  the  leuel'd  lands  along  his  fhore. 
And  make  him  fwell  with  pride.     By  whom  of  yore 
The  facred  Heliconian  Damfels  fate 
(To  whom  was  mighty  Pindus  confecrate) 
And  did  decree  (negleding  other  men) 
Their  height  of  Art  fhould  flow  from  Maro's  pen. 
And  pratling  Eccho's  euermore  fhould  long 
For  repetition  of  fweet  Najos  fong. 
It  was  inadled  here,  in  after  dayes 
What  wights  fhould  haue  their  temples  crown'dwith^^j^j. 


192  Britannia  s  Pajlorals.      Booke  2, 

Learn'd  Ariofto^  holy  Petrarchs  quill, 
And  "Tajfo  fhould  afcend  the  Mufes  hill. 
Diuineft  Bartas,  whofe  enriched  foule 
Proclaim'd  his  Makers  worth,  fhould  fo  enrouie 
His  happy  name  in  brafTe,  that  Time  nor  Fate 
That  fwallows  all,  ihould  euer  ruinate. 
Delightfull  Salufiy  whofe  all  bleffed  layes 
The  Shepherds  make  their  Hymnes  on  Holy-daies  ; 
And  truly  fay  thou  in  one  weeke  haft  pend 
What  time  may  euer  ftudy,  ne're  amend. 
Marot  and  Ronjard^  Gamier'' s  bulkind  Muje 
Should  fpirit  of  life  in  very  ftones  infufe. 
And  many  another  Swan  whofe  powerfull  ftraine 
Should  raife  the  Golden  World  to  life  againe. 

But  let  vs  leaue  (faire  Mufe)  the  bankes  of  Po, 
Thetis  forfooke  his  braue  ftreame  long  agoe. 
And  we  muft  after.     See  in  hafte  ftie  fweepes 
Along  the  Celticke  fhores,  tK Armorick  deepes 
She  now  is  entring :   beare  vp  then  a  head, 
And  by  that  time  fhe  hath  difcouered 
Our  Alahlafter  rocks,  we  may  defcry 
And  ken  with  her,  the  coafts  of  Br  it  any. 
There  will  fhe  Anchor  caft,  to  heare  the  Songs 
Of  Englifh  Shepherds,  whofe  all-tunefull  tongues 
So  pleas'd  the  Nayades,  they  did  report 
Their  fongs  perfe6lion  in  great  Nereus  Court : 
Which  Thetis  hearing,  did  appoint  a  day 
When  fhe  would  meet  them  in  the  BrittiJIi  Sea, 
And  thither  for  each  Swaine  a  Dolphin  bring 
To  ride  with  her,  whilft  fhe  would  heare  him  fing. 
The  time  prefixt  was  come  ;  and  now  the  Starre 
Of  bliffefull  light  appeared,  when  fhe  her  Carre 
Staid  in  the  narrow  Seas.     At  Thames  faire  port 
The  Nymphes  and  Shepherds  of  the  IJle  refort. 
And  thence  did  put  to  Sea  with  mirthfull  rounds. 
Whereat  the  billowes  dance  aboue  their  bounds. 


Song  i.        Britannia  s  Pajforals,  193 

And  bearded  Goats,  that  on  the  clouded  head 
Of  any  fea-furiiaying  Mountaine  fed, 
Leaunig  to  crop  the  luy,  liftning  flood 
At  thofe  fweet  ayres  which  did  intrance  the  flood 
In  iocund  fort  the  Goddejfe  thus  they  met. 
And  after  reu'rence  done,  all  being  fet 
Vpon  their  finny  Courfers,  round  her  throne, 
And  fhe  prepar'd  to  cut  the  watry  Zone 
Ingirting  Albion  ;  all  their  pipes  were  ftill. 
And  Colin  Clout  began  to  tune  his  quill 
With  fuch  deepe  Art,  that  euery  one  was  giuen 
To  thinke  Apollo  (newly  Aid  from  heau'n) 
Had  tane  a  humane  fhape  to  win  his  loue. 
Or  with  the  fVeJlerne  Swaines  for  glory  ftroue. 
He  fung  th'heroicke  Knights  of  Faiery  land 
In  lines  fo  elegant,  of  fuch  command, 

That  had  the  ^'Thracian  plaid  but  halfe  fo  well,  •  orphe 

He  had  not  left  Eurydice  In  hell. 
■  But  e're  he  ended  his  melodious  fong 
An  hoft  of  Angels  flew  the  clouds  among. 
And  rapt  this  Swan  from  his  attentiue  mates, 
To  make  him  one  of  their  aflbciates 
In  heauens  faire  Ouire  :   where  now  he  fings  the  pralfe 
Of  him  that  is  t\\Q  firji  and  laft  of  dayes.  ' 

Diuineft  Spencer  heau'n-bred,  happy  Mufe  ! 
Would  any  power  into  my  braine  infufe 

Thy  worth,  or  all  that  Poets  had  before, 

I  could  not  praife  till  thou  deferu'ft  no  more. 
A  dampe  of  wonder  and  amazement  ftrooke 

Thetis  attendants,  many  a  heauy  looke 

Follow'd  fweet  Spencer^  till  the  thickning  ayre 

Sights  further  paflage  fliop'd.     A  paflionate  teare 

Fell  from  each  Nymphy  no  Shepherds  cheeke  was  dry, 

A  dolefull  Dirge,  and  mournfull  Elegie 

Flew  to  the  (hove.     When  mighty  Nereus  Queene 

(In  memory  of  what  was  heard  and  feene) 

Imploy'd  a  Fa^or  (fitted  well  with  fl:ore 

c  c 


194  Britannia  s  Pajiorals.      Booke  2. 

Of  richeft  lemmes,  refined  Indian  Ore) 

To  raife,  in  honour  of  his  worthy  name, 

A  Piramis,  whofe  head  (Hke  winged  Fame) 

Should  pierce  the  clouds,  yea  feeme  the  ftars  to  kifle. 

And  Maujolus  great  tombe  might  fhrowd  in  his. 

Her  will  had  beene  performance,  had  not  Fate 

(That  neuer  knew  how  to  commiferate) 

Suborn'd  curs'd  Auarice  to  lye  in  waight 

For  that  rich  prey  :   {Gold  is  a  taking  bait) 

Who  clofely  lurking  hke  a  fubtile  Snake 

Vnder  the  couert  of  a  thorny  brake_, 

Seiz'd  on  the  Fatlor  by  faire  Thetis  fent, 

And  rob'd  our  Colin  of  his  Monument, 

Yee  Engli/Ji  Shepherds^  fonnes  of  Memory y 
For  Satyres  change  your  pleafing  melody, 
Scourge,  raile  and  curfe  that  facrilegious  hand. 
That  more  then  Fiend  of  hell,  that  Stygian  brand. 
All-guilty  Auarice:  that  worft  of  euill, 
That  gulfe-deuouring,  off-fpring  of  a  Deuill  : 
Heape  curfe  on  curfe  fo  direfull  and  fo  fell, 
Their  weight  may  prefTe  his  damned  foule  to  hell. 
Is  there  a  fpirit  fo  gentle  can  refraine 
To  torture  fuch  ?  O  let  a  Satyres  veine 
Mix  with  that  man  !  to  lafh  this  hellifh  lym. 
Or  all  our  curfes  will  defcend  on  him. 

For  mine  owne  part,  although  I  now  commerce 
With  lowly  Shepherds,  in  as  low  a  Verfe  ; 
If  of  my  dayes  I  fhall  not  fee  an  end 
Till  more  yeeres  prefle  me ;  fome  few  houres  He  fpend 
In  rough-hewn  Satyres ^  and  my  bufied  pen 
Shall  ierke  to  death  this  infamy  of  men. 
And  like  a  Fury^  glowing  coulters  beare. 
With  which  ?   But  fee  how  yonder  fondlings  teare 
Their  fleeces  in  the  brakes ;  I  muft  goe  free 
Them  of  their  bonds  ;   Reft  you  here  merrily 
Till  my  returne  :  when  I  will  touch  a  ftring 
Shall  make  the  Riuers  dance,  and  Vallies  ring. 


1 

^M 

M 

H 

^^^M 

^ra 

m 

^m 

^ 

INDEX   AND    NOTES. 


A  few  Topographical  and  other  Notes,  by  John  Shelly,  Efq.,  of  Plymouth,  are  printed  here 
with  the  diftinguifhing  initial  5.  The  Poet's  original  notes  have  already  been  given  as  mar- 
ginalia, conformably  with  the  arrangement  in  both  the  old  editions. 


[BBEY,    Helpes  down  an 
abbey.     The    abbey    at 
Taviftock,    *'  in    whofe 
ruins/'laysRifdon, aeon- 
temporary    of  Browne, 
"  you  may  now  aim  at 
tlie  antique  magnificence  thereof." — 
S.     P.  76. 
Alban,  St.      He  was  flain  and  fufFered 
martyrdom  in  the  days  of  Diocletian 
and   Maximilian.     The  place  of  his 
execution    was   an    hill    in   a   wood 
called  Holmhurlt,  where  at  one  ftroke 
his   head    was  fmitten  off.     See  the 
Golden    Legend ;    Robert  of  Glou- 
cefter ;  Harding,  c,  57,  &c. — Thomp- 
fon.     P.  1 1  o. 
Alcibiades.     They  reprefented  a  God 
or  Goddefs  without,  and  aSilenus  or 
deformed  piper  within.   Erafmus  has 
a  curious  dilTertation  on  Sileni  Alci- 
biades.    Adag.    p.    667.     Edit.    R. 
Stephens.  —  Thompfon. 
Aletheia,  the  perfonification  of  Truth. 
In   1599  one   Peter   Pett  publifhed 
"  Times  iourney  to  feeke  his  Daugh- 
ter Truth :    and   Truths   Letter  to 


Fame  of  Englands  Excellencie,"  in 
verfe.     P.  134,  &c. 

Anadems,  garlands. 

An  aged  rock.  This  is  probably  Mary 
Tavy  Rock,  a  grey  crag  that  lies 
in  the  bed  of  the  river  about 
three  miles  above  Taviftock.  —  S. 
P.  75. 

Apelles  Table.     P.  68. 

Arede,  explain,  or  advife.      P.  69. 

Argejies,  the  weflern  wi  la.  And  fiip- 
pofed  (with  the  ftars)  che  birth  of 
Aurora  by  Allra?us,  as  Apnljodonis : 
'Houf  $s  Koi  'A<rrpaiov  dvefj^ot  kou 
auTpa. —  Thompfon. 

Avail,  profit,  or  advantage.     P.  182. 

B.  W.     P.  162. 

Balke,  here  ufed  in  the  fenfe  of  a  bank, 
but  its  ftrifter  fignification  in  old 
writers,  and  in  Browne  himfelf,  is 
the  ufual  ridge  left  by  the  plough 
between  two  furrows,   P.  56. 

Bent,  a  fillet  or  garland.  This  fenfe  is 
not  noticed  by  Halliwell.     P.  6S. 

Berry,  barrow,  or  mound.  Mr.  Shelly 
obferves  —  "Berry,  Berry  -  Head, 
Berry  Pomeroy,  are  perhaps  inrtances 


196 


Index  a?id  Notes, 


of  its  life,  all  within  the  county  of 
Devon."     P    69. 

Birds.  A  De/cription  of  a  Mujicall 
Con/ort  of  Birds.  See  the  Armonye 
of  Byrdes  in  "  Remains  of  the  Early 
Popular  Poetry  of  England,"  iii., 
and  Chaucer's  Court  of  Love,  ad 
finem.     P.  87. 

Blow  the  nails. 

"And  Shepherds  Boyes,"  &c. 
Browne  appears  to  have  had  in   his 
mind  the  fong  in  I^ves  Labors  Lofl, 
1598: 
When  icicles  hang  by  the  wall, 
And  Dick  the  fhepherd  blows  his  nail. 

Bonnering,  a  reference  to  the  religious 
perfecutions  which  took  place  under 
the  epifcopal  government  of  Bifhop 
Bonner,  who  died  in  1569.  After 
his  death  feveral  pamphlets  in  verfe 
and  profe  appeared,  and  ttill  exift, 
to  perpetuate  the  detcftation  in  which 
his  name  and  memory  were  held. 
See  Hand-book  of  E.  E.  Lit.  arts. 
Bonner  and  Broke.      P.  136. 

Bottle,  a  fmall  portable  cafk  for  carry- 
ing liquor  to  the  fields. — Ilalliwell. 
P.  68. 

Brooke,  Chrijiopher.  •'  Chriftopher 
Brooke  was  defcended  from  a  re- 
fpedable  mercantile  family  at  York, 
his  father  having  been  twice  Lord 
Mayor  of  that  city.  He  was  edu- 
cated at  one  of  the  univerfuics,  moil; 
probably  Cambridge,  where  his  bro- 
ther Samuel  was,  and  afterwards 
went  to  Lincoln's  Inn  to  perfe(fl 
himfclf  in  the  law,  where  he  had  for 
his  chamber-fellow  John  Donne, 
afterwards  Dean  of  St.  Paul's." — 
Mr.  Corfcr's  Collectanea  Anglo- 
Poetica,  part  3,  p.  123. 

Brooke   was  a   friend  of  Donne, 
afterward    Dean  of  St.   Paul's,   and 


with  Samuel  Brooke,  his  brother, 
was  concerned  in  the  clandeftine 
marriage,  in  1602,  of  Donne  to 
Ann  More,  daughter  of  Sir  George 
More,  of  Lofeley.  Samuel  Brooke, 
who  was  in  orders,  married  the 
couple,  and  Chriftopher  gave  the 
bride  away.  Both  were  committed 
for  their  (liare  in  the  affair.  In  the 
Lofeley  MSS.,  1836,  is  inferted  a 
leiter  from  Chriftopher  Brooke  to 
the  Lord  Keeper  Egerton,  making 
fubmilTion  and  explaining.  Brooke 
was  fent  to  the  Marfhalfea,  Donne 
to  the  Fleet.  A  Mr.  George  Brooke 
was  concerned  in  the  confpiracy  for 
placing  Arabella  Stuart  on  the  throne 
( 1 603)  ;  but  whether  he  was  related 
to  our  poet  does  not  appear. 

In  the  fame  volume  with  Browne's 
Shepheards  Pipe,  1614,  are  pub- 
liflied  "  Other  Eglogves.  By  Mr. 
Brooke,  Mr. Wither,  and  Mr.  Davies. 
London,  Printed  by  N.  O.  for  G. 
Norton.  1614."  Brooke's  perform- 
ance is  addreffed  "  To  his  much 
loued 'friend  Mr.  W.  Browne  of  the 
Inner  Temple."  That  by  John 
Davies  of  Hereford  confifts  of 
"An  Eclogue  between  yong  Willy 
[Browne  himfclf]  the  finger  of  his 
native  Paftorals,  and  old  Wernocke 
his  friend."  Here  the  writer  touches 
upon  the  perfonal  unhappinefs,  per- 
haps a  little  exaggerated  poetica  li- 
centia,  which  conftitutes  fo  promi- 
nent a  theme  in  the  poems  found  in 
the  Lanfdowne  MS. 

See  Handbook  of  Early  Englijh 
Literature,  arts.  Brooke  and  Henry 
(Prince).      P.  9. 

Ccvfar,  Augujlus,  of  the  Inner  Temple. 
P.  162. 

Cannones  of  Inde.     See  Th.  de  Bry's 


Index  and  Notes. 


197 


America,  vo].  i,  fol.  part  I.  Vir- 
ginia Tabul.  izmo.  Lintrium  con- 
ficiendorum  Ratio.  See  likewife  Sir 
Tho.  Herbert's  Travels,  fol.  3d  edit, 
p.  30. — Thompfon. 

Cajlie,  cafket.     P.  88. 

Cave.  Here  digs  a  cave  at  fome  high 
mountaines  foot.  There  is  no  '*  high 
mountain,"  properly  fo  called,  along 
the  whole  courfe  of  the  river ;  but 
this  may  be  the  Virtuous  Lady  Cave, 
where  the  Walkham  joins  the  Tavy, 
about  four  miles  below  Tavillock, 
and  where  the  banks  of"  the  river, 
particularly  the  wefl  bank,  are  very 
fteep  and  lofty. — S.      P.  76. 

Cerna.  Not  the  Cerne  of  Pliny,  but 
the  Ifland  of  Mauritius,  difcovered 
by  the  Hollanders,  1598  ;  fowls  are 
here  innumerable,  and  of  great  va- 
riety ;  fome  fo  tame  that  they  will 
fuffer  a  man  almoll  to  touch  them. 
See  Ogleby's  Africa,  p.  7 1 5. — 
Thompfon. 

Cerufe.,  carbonate  of  lead.      P.  73. 

Chanticleere,  the  village-cloche.  I  fee 
no  fufficient  reafon  for  confidering 
cloche  as  a  mifprint  for  coche.  The 
former  is  by  far  the  more  poetical 
expreffion  and  image,  and  I  think 
the  paffage  in  Shakefpeare  probably 
rtood  "  village  clock,''  not  "  village 
cock,''  in  the  poet's  MS. 

Chaucer,  indeed,  applies  the  fame 
figure  to  the  cock  in  the  Nonne 
Prejl's  Tale:— 

Wei  fikerer  was  his  crowyng  in  his  logge. 
Then  is  a  clok,  or  an  abbay  orologge. 

P.   115. 

Cheuron,  an  architeflural  ornament  of 

zig-zag  form. —  Worcejler.    P.   117. 
Cleeves,  cliffs.      P.  124. 
Coche,  God.    This  is  a  very  early  cor- 


ruption of  the  facred  name,  and 
occurs  in  the  printed  literature  of  the 
fixteenth  century  repeatedly.   P.  1 16. 

Colin  Clout,  Spenfer.      P.  12  et  alibi. 

Collar  of  Efles.     P.  i  1 1. 

Crohe,  Charles.     P.  i  59. 

Crohe,  Unton.     P.  160. 

Cuddy,  the  fame  as  Cutty,  one  of  the 
interlocutors  in  the  fifth  eclogue  of 
the  Shepheards  Pipe.  Query,  Chrif- 
topher  Brooke.      P.  21. 

Davies,  John,  of  Hereford.  (Brooke.) 
P.  159. 

Drake,  Sir  Francis  Drake,  whofe  ex- 
ploits againft  the  power  of  Spain  are 
here  referred  to.     P.  i  29. 

Dragon's-blood,  a  refin  obtained  from 
the  palm  and  other  plants,  and  ufed 
in  varniflies :  it  is  of  a  dark  brown 
colour,  fays  Ure,  or  bright  red,  fri- 
able, and  of  a  fhining  fradlure.   P.  73. 

Dray,  a  fquirrel's  neif.      P.  145. 

Drayton,  Michael,  the  celebrated  poet. 
He  began  to  publifh  as  early  as  i  591, 
when  his  Harmonic  of  the  Churche 
appeared.     Ob.  1637. 

He  likewife  pays  him  this  com- 
pliment in  his  Epiltle  on  Poets  and 
Poetry,  in  the  2d.  vol.  of  his  Poems, 
in  fol.  printed  1627,  p.  208. 

Then   the  two  Beaumonts  and  my  Browne 

arofe, 
My  dear  companions,  whom  I  freely  chofe, 
My  boiom  friends ;  and  in  their  feveral  wayes 
Rightly  born  poets,  and  in  thefe  laft  days 
Men  of  much  note,  and  no  lels  noble  parts,  &c. 

—  Thompfon.     P.  7. 

Dreriment,  lamentation.     P.  175. 

Dunjtan,  St.  St.  Dunftan's  Well,  al- 
luded to  at  p.  21. 

Dynham,  John,  of  Exeter  College,  Ox- 
ford.    P.  15. 

Dynne,  Francis,  of  the  Inner  Temple. 
P.  10. 


198 


Index  and  Notes. 


Emhrave,  beautify  or  adorn,  from  adj. 
brave,  fine.     P.  29. 

Enfamoufed,  celebrated.      P.  191. 

Engyrland,  encircle,  furround  as  with 
a  halo.     P.  166, 

Evet.  Evet  (or  hibit)  is  the  Devonfhire 
name  of  the  newt. — S".      P.  63. 

Famq/et/,  celebrated.     P.  183. 

Fautrejle,  patronefs.       P.  156. 

Ferrar,  W.,  of  the  Middle  Temple.  P.  1 1 . 

Fluent,  flowing.      P.  27. 

Fowl,  bird.     P.  73. 

Gage,  in  the  fenfe  of  temporary  charge. 
P.  60. 

Gardiner,  Thomas,  of  the  Inner  Temple. 
P.  10. 

Gerion.  Philip  of  Spain  feems  evidently 
here  to  be  pointed  at.  There  was 
no  part  of  England  where  the 
threatened  invafion  of  our  fliores  by 
Spain  left  a  deeper  imprfffion  than 
in  the  Weft-country,  which  gave  our 
poet  birth.     P.  129. 

Gewen,  Chr.,  of  Exeter  College,  Ox- 
ford.    P.  21-2. 

Glanvill,  John,  of  Taviflock. 

For  an  account  of  this  gentleman, 
afterwards  knighted,  fee  Wood's 
Fa/?i(ed.  Blifs),  65.    P.  156. 

Gulling,  an  exceedingly  rare  word  in 
this  fenfe.  It  feems  to  mean  rich 
or  full.  It  is  probably  the  wood, 
and  not  the  fky-lark,  which  is  here 
intended  ;  the  notes  of  the  former 
are  far  the  fweeter.     P.  25. 

Hall,  Edward,  of  Exeter  College,  Ox- 
ford, one  of  the  fons  of  Bifliop  Hall. 
The  lines  headed  "  On  the  Author 
ofBritannias  Peerlefle  Paftorals"  are 
written  in  the  fame  hand,  according 
to  Bcloe,  and  therefore  were  probably 
alfoby  Hall.      P.  13-14. 

Harding.  Samuel,  of  Exeter  College, 
Oxford.     An    account  of  him   may 


be  found  in  Wood.  He  was  the 
author  of  Sicily  and  Naples,  or  the 
Fatal  Union,  a  play,  1640.    P.  16. 

He  fung  the  outrage  of  the  lazy 
drone.  "  The  Buzzing  Bee's  Com- 
plaint,'' by  the  Earl  of  Eflex.— 
Thompfon. 

Henry.  Henry,  Prince  of  Wales,  eldeft 
fon  of  James  I.,  died  in  Nov.,  161  2. 
He  is  of  courfe  the  "  royal)  youth," 
mentioned   at  p.  129.      P.  131. 

Herbert,  W.      P.  157-8. 

Hey  gate,  Thomas,  of  the  Inner  Temple. 
P.  161. 

Heyward,  Edward,  of  the  Inner  Tem- 
ple. An  early  friend  of  Browne, 
Selden,  and  that  diftinguifhed  circle. 
He  was  one  of  the  three  perfons  to 
whom  Richard  Milward,  Selden's 
amanuenfis,  infcribed  that  great  man's 
Table-Talk,  not  printed  til!  1689. 

Hurled,  moved  with  rapidity.     P.  81. 

Hyde,  or  ftarting  hole  [of  a  fifh].  P.  144. 

Hyphear,  the  hip,  or  hep,  which  yields 
marts,  a  food  for  cattle.  The  hip, 
or  hiphear,  is  the  fruit  of  the  wild 
brier,  or  dog-rofe.  The  marginal 
note  at  this  pafrageis,in  the  original, 
very  incorred}.      P.  54,  note. 

Idya,  England.     P.  125. 

Impe,  a  flioot  of  a  tree,  fecondarily  a 
child,  in  which  fenfe  it  is  not  obfo- 
lete.      P.  72. 

Jonfon,  Ben.     P.  162. 

Kala,  one  of  the  charafters  in  the 
Arcadia  of  Sidney. — Beloe.     P.  12. 

Knots  of  wooll  ncere  to  their  tailes.  A 
kindred  fuperftition  to  this  appears 
to  have  prevailed,  at  a  very  recent 
date,  in  the  highlands  of  Scotland, 
where,  according  to  a  correfpondent 
of  Notes  and  Queries  ( i  ft  S.  iv. 
380-1),  the  houfewives  were  accuf- 
tomed  to  tie  a  piece  of  red  worfted 


Index  and  Notes. 


199 


round  their  cows'  tails  on  fending 
them  out  in  the  fpring  to  grafs, 
to  guard  them  againll  malignant 
fpirits,  &c. 

LavoUoes,  romping  wahzes,  more  ufu- 
ally  La-voltas.     P.  77. 

Lethe.  This  was  not  the  only  river  to 
which  the  ancients  appear  to  have 
afcribed  the  property  of  producing 
forgetfulnefs.  "  Selemnus,  a  river  in 
Achaia,  is  faid  by  Paufanias  to  have 
pofTelTed  the  quality  of  making  thofe 
who  bathe  in  it  forget  the  objedt  of 
their  afFedlions." — Maloniana. 

Leyes,  i.q.  leas,  meadows.      P.  88. 

Liked,  imitated.     P.  139. 

Limos,  fimply  the  Greek  word  for 
Famine.     P.  181. 

Lin,  ceafe.     So  in  Kyng  Horn: — 
this  tale  nu  thu  lynne, 
For  horn  nis  nojt  herin[n]e. 

P.   171. 

Locujt,  the  tree  cicada.    See  Lovelace's 

Poems,  ed.  1864,  p.  94.     P.  183. 
Meager,  Defpair.    See  Spenfer's  Fairie 

Queene,    h.    I,    c.    9,    f.    33,    &c. 

Fletcher's   Purple  Ijland,  c.    12,  f. 

32,  Sic.—  Thompfon.     P.  140. 
iW^e<flnoirt.jU,£TaVoia,  repentance.  P.  142. 
Mevy,    the    Mavis,    a    variety    of   the 

throftle.     See  Remains  of  the  E.  P. 

Poetry  of  England,  ii.  25.    P.  183. 
Miller  s    thumb,   the  fmall  iifh  called 

ufually  the  bull-head.     P.  57. 
Mneme,  memory,  Gr.  [jt,vrj[ji.yj.    P,  127. 
Mona,  Anglefey.      P.  168. 
Morgan,  John,  of  the  Inner  Temple. 

P.  161. 
Mofle-thrumbed,     knitted    over    with 

mofs.     P.  166. 
Mulberry.     "  His  blacke  from  Thifbie 

taking."      The    well-known   myth. 

P.  136. 
Muting.     To  mute  is  drop  dung  (of 


birds).  Noticed  in  Weftwood's 
Etymol.  Dia.—S.  Halliwell  (Arch. 
Di6i.)  applies  it  only  to  hawks. 
P.  54. 

A^.  B.  Mr.  Beloe  (Anecdotes,  vi.  71) 
remarks  that  this  poem,  figned  by 
B.  N.,  is  written  in  the  fame  hand 
as  that  by  Chrillopher  Gewen. 
Nicholas  Breton  often  reverfed  his 
initials;  but  was  he  living  in  1625? 

Naturall  bridge  .  .  .  he  frameth  out. 
I  know  of  no  natural  bridge  formed 
by  the  Tavy,  but  between  Crown- 
dale  and  Virtuous  Lady  Mine,  two 
or  three  miles  below  Tavi flock  ;  the 
river  palTes  through  a  narrow  channel 
between  fteep  banks. — S.     P.  76. 

Nofe-thrils,  nollrils,     P.  177. 

Nyle,  "  munfter-breeding  Nyle."  I 
conclude  that  Browne  went  for  his 
knowledge  of  the  geography  of  Africa 
and  Egypt  to  Leo's  Defcription,  of 
which  there  had  been  a  recent  Eng- 
lifli  tranflation,  by  John  Pory,  1600, 
folio.  To  this  work  is  attached  a 
map  of  Africa,  in  which  the  fource 
of  the  Nile  is  traced  to  an  inland 
lake.     P.  138. 

Nymph  of  Kent.     P.  13. 

Oeagrin  Harpift,  Orpheus,  the  fon  of 
Oeagrus  and  Calliope,  according  to 
Plato,  in  Conv.  Apollon.  Argonaut. 
1.  I,  and  himfelf,  if  the  Argonautics 
be  his :  Of  Apollo  and  Calliope,  by 
fome  ;  of  others,  by  others. —  Thomp- 
fon.     P.  143. 

Oulde,  Francis,  of  the  Inner  Temple. 
P.  II. 

Papillon,  Philip,  of  Exeter  College, 
Oxford,  was  a  fellow-collegian  of 
Browne,  and  the  editor  of  their  friend 
Harding's  drama  of  Sici/yrtwc/A^flp^es, 
1640,  4to.     P.  13. 

Peak,  pail.    P.  115. 


200 


I?7dex  and  Notes. 


Peartly,  or  pertly  (Lat.  peritus), 
briflcly  or  vivacioufly.  It  is  not  at 
all  uniifual  in  this  fenfe  now.   P.  145. 

Pembroke,  Williavi  Herbert,  (third) 
Earl  of  Pembroke,  of  that  family. 
This  nobleman  fucceeded  to  the  title 
19th  January,  1 600-1,  and  was  the 
fon  of  Henry,  fecond  Earl  of  Pem- 
broke, by  Mary  Sydney,  fitter  of  the 
author  of  the  Arcadia.  He  married 
one  of  the  daughters  and  co-heirs  of 
Gilbert  Talbot,  Earl  of  Shrewfhury  ; 
his  death  occurred  April  loth,  1630. 
This  Lord  Pembroke  is  the  perfon 
to  whom,  abfurdly  enough,  fome  of 
the  writers  on  Shakefpeare  afcribe 
an  identity  with  the  myilerious  Mr. 
W.  H.  of  the  Sonnets,  1609. 

Pended,  penned  or  enclofed  in  a  flieep- 
pen.     P.  24. 

Perigot.  There  feems  to  be  no  means 
of  identifying  this  writer  with  any 
known  poet  of  Browne's  time.  P.  3 1 . 

Phaeton.  See  Ovid's  Metam.  b.  2. 
Apollonius  Argonaut.  1.  4.  Lucretius, 
1.  5. —  Thompfon. 

Philifides,  Sir  Philip  Sidney.  The 
word  is  made  from  Phili-Sid.  He 
was  firft  fo  called  by  Spenfer  in  a 
Paftoral  Eglogue  on  his  death.  See 
Todd's  Spenfer,  vol.  viii.  p.  y8. — 
Beloe.  But  Sydney  ufes  the  term 
himfelf  in  the  Arcadia.     Pp.  9,  12. 

Pinnionijls,  winged  creatures,  birds. 
P.  120. 

Plato.     P.  68. 

Quarring,  clofing  up.      P.  177. 

Raping,  ravifhing.  Jonfon  ufed  to  rape 
in  the  fenfe  of  to  ravijh. 

His  noble  lymmes  in  fuche  proporcion  cafte, 
As  would  haue  ivrapped    a  fiUie   womans 
thought. 

Forex  and  Porrex,  ed.  [I  570]. 

P.    107. 


Piot.  Compare  Skelton's  defcription 
of  this  allegorical  perfonage  in  the 
Bowge  of  Court  (Skelton's  Works, 
ed.  Dyce,  i.  43).  There  is  another 
defcription  of  Riot  in  another  place  : 
the  palTage  feemed  to  ftrike  Milton, 
who,  in  the  copy  of  Browne  which 
belonged  to  him,  has  written  Riot 
in  the  fide-margin. 

Rotchet,  the  piper-fifli,  Nominale  MS. 
—Halliwell. 

Roget.  Query,  George  Wither.  The 
firlt  eclogue  of  the  Shepheards  Pipe 
is  a  dialogue  between  Willie  and  Ro- 
get. W^i7/ze  is  Browne  himfelf.  P.  21. 

Rong,  apparently  a  loom,  but  I  find  no 
trace  of  its  ufe  in  fuch  a  fenfe  in  any 
of  the  diftionaries.     P.  116. 

Round,  globe,  world.     P.  71. 

i?ounrf/y,  round.      P.  120. 

5.  P.,  of  Exeter  College,  Oxford.  P.  13. 

Salujl,  Guillaume  de,  Sieur  du  Bartas. 
P.  T92. 

Satyres  mafke,  an  allufion  to  the  popu- 
larity of  works  of  a  fatirical  and  epi- 
grammatic charader,  with  which  the 
literature  of  the  period  was  abun- 
dantly Hocked. 

Segs,  fedges.      P.  182. 

Selden,  John,  the  eminent  legift  and 
antiquary.  He  alfo  prefixed  lines  to 
Drayton's  Polyolbion,  to  the  firil 
twelve  books  of  which  he  furnifhed 
notes.  There  are  copies  of  verfes 
by  him  before  two  oj-  three  other 
publications.     Pp.  6,  7. 

Shelf  rock.     P.  53,  &c. 

Shoat,  or  fliote,  a  kind  of  trout,  "  of 
which,"  Mr.  Shelly  fays,  "  the  Tavy 
is  full,  when  the  fifh  are  not  killed 
by  refufe  from  mines."     P.  57. 

Simpl'cfse,  merely  poetical  licenfe  for 
ftmplenefs.    P.  87. 

Singulis,  fobs.     P.  177. 


Index  and  Notes. 


20 1 


Sow-thijile,  the  common  name  of  leafy 
Hemmed  weeds  of  the  genus  Soncfcws. 

—  Worcejler^s  Di6\.  "  Sowthyllylle, 
or  thovvthyllylle,  rojlrum porcinum." 

—  Prompt.  Parv.  ed.  Way,  466. 
P.  103. 

Stils,  hills.  I  prefume,  i.  q.  ftiles. 
"  Style,  where  men  gon  over.'' — 
Prompt.  Parv.  sd  Way,  495.  P.  104. 

Stub-chin' d.     P.  26. 

Surly  Bear.,  Earl  of  Leiceller.  Ofborn 
calls  him  that  Terrellrial  Lucifer : 
Mem.  of  Q.  Elizabeth,  Seft.  5,  p.  25. 
Among  others  whom  he  murdered, 
Leicefter  was  the  author  of  the  death 
of  the  Earl  of  Effex's  father  in  Ire- 
land. Ofborn,  ditto,  p.  26.  In  the 
Phoenix  Nejl,  1593,  there  is  a  de- 
fence of  Leiceiler,  called  the  Dead 
Mans  Right,  in  profe. —  Thomp- 
fon. 

Tayler,  Robert,  of  Exeter  College, 
Oxford.  "  The  above  acroftic  is 
fucceeded  by  two  quotations  from 
the  Shepheards  Calendar  of  Spenfer, 
applied  in  compliment  to  Browne, 
and  at  the  bottom  is  infcribed  in  the 
above  Robert  Taylor's  hand. 

Sic  ignorans  cecinit.    Edm.  Spencer." 

— Beloe.  Was  this  the  Robert  Tai- 
lor who  wrote  The  Hogge  hath  loft 
his    Pearle,    a    plav,    16 14,    410.? 

P.  23- 
Thicke,  thicket  or  bufh.     P.  181. 
Thicke,  thic,  this.     P.  21,  laji  line. 
Thilke,  that.     P.  178. 
Thyle,  Thule.     P.  138. 
TVeen,  plural  of  free.     P.  181. 


Trench.  To  trench  down,  to  flow  down 
through  made  channels.      P.  180. 

Two-kinde  Bat,  i.  e.  half-bird  and  half- 
moufe.     P.  113. 

Vincent,  Anthony.     P.  160. 

Wantonize.     P.  118. 

Water-Jhut,  a  dam.      P.  119. 

Wenman,  Thomas,  of  the  Inner  Tem- 
ple.    P.  157. 

Wither,  George.     P.  162. 

Wood,  mad  or  wild.      P.  182. 

Yell,  fimply  cry.  So  Chaucer,  in  the 
Knightes  Tale,  defcribes  Palamon's 
forrow  : — 

Such  forwe  maketh,  that  the  grete  tour 
Refowneth  of  h\s yollyng  and  clamour. 

Zouche,  Edward,  Lord.  This  noble- 
man lucceeded  his  father,  George, 
Lord  Zouche  of  Haringworth,  co. 
Northampton,  in  1569,  being  then 
only  thirteen  years  old.  He  lived 
till  late  in  the  reign  of  James  I.,  but 
the  year  of  his  death  does  not  appear 
to  be  ftated  anywhere.  The  eilate 
of  Bramfhill,  which  Browne  ex- 
prefsly  mentions  in  his  dedication  of 
the  Shepheards  Pipe,  16 14,  to  Lord 
Zouch,  was  in  Hampfliire  ;  it  pafled 
out  of  the  family  in  the  reign  of 
Charles  I.  (Brydges'  Memoirs  of  the 
Peers  of  England  during  the  reign 
of  James  I.,  pp.  68-75).  ^  '^^ 
edition  of  the  Works,  1772,  i2mo., 
omits  this  dedication  altogether,  and 
prefixes  to  the  entire  work  the  dedi- 
cation to  William,  Earl  of  Pembroke, 
which,  in  the  old  copies,  belongs  to 
the  2nd  Book. 


PRINTED    BY     WHITTINGHAM     AND     WII.KINS, 
TOOKS   COURT,   CHANCERY   LANE. 


In  the  PreJSy  to  form  three  volumes  %to.,  elegantly  printed  by  Whittingham, 

the  imprej/ion  Jlrinly  limited  to  350  copies,  of  which  300  will  be  in  medium  ^vo., 

at    1 1.    \6s.    to   Sulfcribers,  and  2/.    los.  to  non-fubjcrihers,  and  50  in  fuper- 

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fubfcribers, 

THE      POPULAR     ANTIQJJITIES 
OF     GREAT     BRITAIN. 

BY  JOHN   BRAND,  M.A. 

Jn  entirely  New  Library  Edition,  Digefied,  Corrected,  and  Enlarged 

throughout  by 

W.  CAREW    HAZLITT. 

PREFACE   TO   THE   PRESENT   EDITION. 

HE  author  of"  this  book  left  the  MS.  at  his  death  in  a  itate  wholly 
unfit  for  the  prefs.  Several  years  afterwards,  in  181  ^,  Sir  Henry 
Ellis,  then  Mr.  Ellis,  arranged  the  materials  to  a  certain  extent, 
and  gave  the  Popular  Antiquities  to  the  world  in  two  quarto 
volumes. 

Mr.  Brand's  nucleus  had  been  Bourne's  Antiquitates  Vulgares, 
a  ftrangely  jejune  work,  but  important  and  noticeable,  inafmuch  as  it  was  the 
earlieft  attempt  which  had  been  made  to  colledt  the  written  and  traditional 
records  of  our  national  cufloms  and  fuperftitions. 

Brand  upon  Bourne  (fo  to  fpcak)  has  pailed  through  three,  if  not  more, 
impreffions.  It  has  been  reprinted  by  Mr.  Knight  and  by  Mr.  Bohn,  in  each  cafe 
with  additions  and  improvements.  The  tendency  and  neceffity  from  the  outfet 
have  alike  been  to  corred,  fo  far  as  fuch  a  thing  could  be  done  without  wholly 
obliterating  the  original  text,  Mr.  Brand's  deplorable  want  of  method  and  defi- 
ciency in  a  fixed  plan. 

The  obfervation,  however,  applies  almoll  equally  to  all  the  current  editions 
of  the  Popular  Antiquities,  that  whole  pages  are  fruitlefsly  occupied  by  pafTages 
extrafted  either  from  books  with  which  every  body  is  familiar,  fuch  as  Herrick, 
or  from  books  with  which  fcarcely  any  body  could  be  tempted  to  become 
acquainted,  fuch  as  Hofpinian  and  Naogeorgus.  It  is  hard  even  for  me  to  choole 
(with  all  my  afFeflion  for  the  old  Englifh  verfifiers)  between  Naogeorgus  and  his 
Englilh  paraphraft,  Googe,  which  is  the  more  tedious.  Now,  it  is  no  exaggera- 
tion to  fay  that  in  all  the  exilling  impreffions  Af  Brand,  fifty  or  fixty  pages  are 
taken  up  by  excerpts  from  Googe's  Naogeorgus,  dragged  in  by  the  head  and 
fhoulders,  without  any  attempt  to  give,  which  would  in  many  cafes  have  been 


more  advantageous  and  readable,  the  fubflance  of  the  paffage  in  a  few  lines,  with 
a  reference  to  chapter  and  verfe. 

Again,  an  enormous  fpace  is  wafted,  without  any  demonftrable  refult,  in  the 
rehearfal,  fcores  of  times  over  and  over,  of  drawn-out  title-pages  belonging  to 
the  books  which  Brand  had  occafion  to  confult  and  to  cite.  All  thefe  books  are 
well  known  in  onr  days,  and,  indeed,  there  are  extremely  few  of  them  which  were 
not  fo  in  Brand's;  but  that  writer  had  a  very  imperfeft  acquaintance,  it  would 
appear,  with  bibliography,  and  was  accordingly  apt  ro  overrate  the  fcarcity 
of  works  in  his  own  pofTeffion  or  in  the  hands  of  others.  Thefe  bibliographical 
minutiae  appear  to  be  mifplaced  in  a  publication  of  the  prefent  nature. 

I  have,  I  believe,  pointed  out  two  rather  grave  defers  in  the  Popular  Anti- 
quities as  they  ftand,  namely,  the  fuperabundant  difplay  of  raw  material,  and  the 
plethora  of  unmeaning  title-pages.  I  have  ftill  to  refer  to  a  third  moft  ferious 
drawback. 

The  relative  worth  and  weight  of  authorities  conftitute  a  point  on  which 
Brand  himfelf  certainly,  and  his  editors  to  all  appearance,  do  not  feem  to  have 
beftowed  much  attention.  The  natural  confequence  is,  that  an  ephemera]  trafl 
by  Taylor  the  Water-poet,  or  by  Rowlands,  is  placed  fide  by  fide  with  the 
grave  difquifition  of  fome  learned  effayiit,  or  is  mentioned  in  the  fame  paragraph 
with  Durandus  or  Hofpinian.  St.  Auguftine  and  the  Britijh  Apollo,  Mr. 
Douce  and  Poor  Robin,  are  fimilarly  coupled  together,  and,  fo  far  as  the  general 
reader  can  be  expeded  to  know,  one  is  as  good  as  the  other. 

It  was  the  confideration  of  this  threefold  weaknefs  in  the  book,  of  which  the 
intrinfic  value,  with  more  methodical  handling,  would  have  been  unqueftionably 
very  great,  which  prompted  me  to  attempt  fomething  in  the  way  of  re-arrange- 
ment and  digellion,  and  I  here  beg  to  prefent  the  net  refult.  I  have  reduced  the 
original  work  about  a  third  in  bulk,  without  omitting  a  fingle  line  of  real  con- 
fequence or  practical  relevance,  and  I  have  introduced  a  vaft  number  of  correc- 
tions and  additions,  of  the  charader  of  which  others  mull:  be  the  judges. 

The  main  difficulty  in  this  cafe  appeared  not  to  colleB,  but  x.o  fele£l.  The 
materials  which  prefented  themfelves  were  fo  large  in  quantity  and  variety  that, 
in  making  a  choice,  it  was  only  poffible  to  accept  thofe  which  itruck  me  as  being 
of  peculiar  interell  and  relevancy  ;  and  J  was  under  the  inevitable  neceffity  of 
excluding  many  articles — curious  indeed,  but  either  illuftrative  of  ufages  which 
were  probably  never  very  widely  fpread  or  very  largely  influential ;  or  of  points 
which  Brand  Teemed  to  have  treated  already  at  fufficient  length. 

Another  confideration,  which  had  its  weight  with  me  was,  that,  in  fome 
inftances,  I  thought  that  the  queftions  of  folk-lore,  which  turned  more  direflly  on 
Proverbs,  might  be  allowed  more  properly  to  find  a  place  in  a  work  on  Pro- 
verbial Literature,  which  I  have  in  a  forward  ftate  ot  preparation,  and  which  I 
hope,  before  long,  to  fubmit  to  the  public  judgment. 

^^,„««=^  W.  C.  H. 

Kcnfington,  May,  \%^%.  THd 

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