36
None is so poore of sence or eyne
To whom a Souldier doth not shine,
At ease, like spriteles beasts, liues thine,
Helms and barbd horse do weare out mine.
37
Myne, lowe with Arms makes for-towers lye,
And when on foote, he fight doth trye
While his fayre Squire his horse holdes by
Mine thinks on me, and then they dye.
38
He turns, (fight past, and foes inchased)
And lookes on me with helme vnlaced,
Lifts his strong lyms, and brest straite-graced
And sayes, kisse-blesse me, o hart-placed.
39
Flora her wrath in pants did spye
And many a Dart at her let flye,
Thou canst not make with heauen-reacht cry
A Cammell pierce a needles eye.
40
False goes for true, for honny gall,
To make a Clarke, a Souldiers thrall;
Doth loue to Souldiers courage call?
No, but the neede they toyle withall.
41
Good Phillis, would thy loue were wise,
No more the truth to contrarise,
Hunger, and thirst, bow Souldiers thyes,
In which deaths path, and Plutos lyes.
42
Sharp is the wasting bane of war,
The lot is hard, and straineth far,
The life in stooping doubts doth iar
To get such things as needfull are.
43
Knewst thou the guise, thou wouldst not say
Shau’n hayre shamde Clarks, or black array,
Worne higher honors to display,
And that all states they ouer-sway.
44
All things should to my Clarke encline,
Whose croune sustaines th’impenall signe,
Hee rules, and payes such friends as thine,
And Laye, must stoope to men diuine.
45
Thou sayst, that sloth a Clarke disguiseth,
Who (I confesse) base works despiseth,
But when from cares his free minde riseth,
Heauens course and Natures hee compriseth.
46
Mine Purple decks, thine Maile bedighteth,
Thine liues in warre, mine peace delighteth,
Olde acts of Princes he reciteth,
All of his friend, thinks, seekes, and writeth.
47
What Venus can, or Loues-wingd Lord,
First knowes my Clarke, and brings me word,
Musick in cares doth mine afford,
Thine liues by rapine and the sword.
48
Heere speech and strife had both theyr ending,
Phillis askt iudgment, all suspending,
Much stirre they made, yet ceast contending,
And sought a Iudge in homewards wending.
49
With countnances that equall beene,
With equall maiestie beseene,
With equall voyce, and equall spleene
These Ladyes warrd vpon the greene.
50
Phillis, a white robe beautifide,
Flora, wore one of two hews dyde,
Phillis, vpon a Mule did ride,
And Flora backt a horse of pride.
51
The Mule was that which beeing create,
Neptune did feede and subiugate:
Which after fayre Adonis fate,
Hee Venus sent to cheere her state.
52
This, shee, the Queene of Iberine,
(Phillis fayre Mother) did resigne
Since shee was giuen to works diuine,
Whence Phillis had the Mule in fine.
53
Who of the trappings asks and Bit
The Mule, (though siluer) champing it,
Know, all things were so richly fit,
As Neptunes honor might admit.
54
Then Phillis, no decorum wanted,
But rich and beautious, all eyes danted,
Nor Floras vertue lesse enchanted,
Who on a welthy Palfrey vanted.
55
Tamde with his raines, wun heauen for lightnes,
Exceeding faire, and full of witenes:
His breast Art deckt with diuers brightnes
For Ieat black mixt, with Swans pure whitenes.
56
Young and in daintie shape digested,
His lookes with pride, not rage inuested:
His maine thin hayrd, his neck high-crested,
Small eare, short head, and burly brested.
57
His broad back stoopt to this Clarks-loued,
Which with his pressure nought was moued,
Straite-leggd, large thighd, and hollow houed,
All Natures skill in him was proued.
58
An Iuorie seate on him had place,
A hoope of gold did it embrace
Grauen: and the poictrell did enchace
A stone, that starre-like gaue it grace.
59
Inscription there allurde the eye
With many a wondrous misterie
Of auncient things, made noueltie
That neuer man did yet descry.
60
The God of Rhetoricks nuptiall Bowre
Adornd with euery heauenly powre,
The contract, and the mariage howre
And all the most vnmeasurd dowre.
61
No place was there that figurde nought,
hat could through all the worke be sought
but more excesse of meruailes wrought
Then might inceede a humane thought.
62
The skill of Mulciber alone
Engrau d that admirable throne,
Who looking stedfastly thereon,
Scarce thought his hand such Art had shone.
63
The trappings wrought he not with ease,
But all his paine employd to please,
And left (to goe in hand with these)
The Targe of great Aeiacides.
64
A styrrop for her feete to presse,
And bridle-bosses he did adresse,
And added raines, in worths excesse
Of his sweet Spouses golden tresse.
65
Thus on theyr famous Caualrie,
These Prince-borne Damzels seemd to flye
Theyr soft yong cheeke-balls to the eye,
Are of the fresh vermilion Dye.
66
So Lillies out of Scarlet pere,
So Roses bloomde in Lady Vere,
So shoote two wanton starrs yfere
In the eternall-burning Sphere.
67
The Chyld-gods graceful Paradise
They ioyntly purpose to inuise,
And louely emulations rise
In note of one anothers guise.
68
Phillis to Flora laughter led,
And Flora Phillis answered:
Phillis, a Merlyn managed,
A Sparhawke, Flora carried.
69
In little time, these Ladyes found
A Groue with euery pleasure crownd,
At whose sweet entrie did resound
A Forde, that flowrd that holy ground.
70
From thence the sweet-breathd winds conuay
Odors from euery Mirtle spray
And other flowers: to whose aray
A hundred Harps, and Timbrels play.
71
All pleasures, studie can inuent
The Dames eares instantly present,
Voyces in all sorts different
The foure parts, and the Diapent.
72
To tunes that from those voices flye
With admirable harmonie,
&nb
sp; The Tymbrell, Harpe, and Psalterie
Reioyce in rapting symphonie.
73
There did the Vials voice abounde,
In Musicke Angelike profound,
There did the Phife dispreden round,
His voyce in many a variant sound.
74
All Birds with tunefull bosoms sing,
The Black-bird makes the woods to ring,
The Thrush, the Iaye, and shee in Spring,
Rues the past rape of Thraces King.
75
Theyr sweet notes to the Musick plying,
Then all the different flowrs descrying,
The Odors in aboundance flying,
Prou’d it the Bowre of Loue soft-lying.
76
The Virgins some-what entred heere,
And sprinckled with a little feare,
Theyr harts before that held Loue deere,
In Cupids flames encreased were.
77
And while each winged Forrester
Theyr proper rumors did prefer,
Each Virgins minde made waite on her
Applauses apt and singuler.
78
Deathles were hee could there repose;
Each path his spicie Odor stroes
Of Mirrh, and Synamon there groes,
And of our blessed Ladyes Rose.
79
Each tree hath there his seuerall blisse,
In fruits that neuer season misse:
Men may concerne how sweet Loue is,
By that celestiall Court of his.
80
The dauncing companies they see
Of young men, and of maydens free,
Whose bodies were as bright in blee,
As starrs illustrate bodies bee.
81
In which so meruailous a guise
Of vnexpected nouelties,
These Virgins bosoms through theyr eyes,
Are danted with a quicke surprise.
82
Who stay theyr royall Steeds out-right,
And almost from theyr seats alight,
Forgetting theyr endeuours quite
With that proude rumors sweet affright.
83
But when sad Philomen, did straine
Her rapefull-ruing breast againe,
These Damzels hearing her complaine,
Are re’inflamd in euery vaine.
84
About the center of the spring
A sacred place is where they sing
And vse theyr supreame worshipping,
Of loues mere-darting fiery King.
85
There many a two-shapt companie
Of Faunes, Nimphs, Satyres, meete and ply
The Timbrell and the Psalterie
Before Loues sacred maiestie.
86
There beare they Goblets, big with wine,
And Coronets of flowers combine,
There Nimphs, and Faunes demy-diuine,
Doth Bacchus teach to foote it fine.
87
Who keepe true measure with their feete
That to the instruments doe fleete,
But old Silenus playes not sweete
In consort, but indents the streete.
88
The spring sleepe did his temples lod
As on a long-eard Asse he rod,
Laughters excesse to see him nod
Dissolu’d the bosome of the God.
89
Fresh cups he euer calles vpon
In sounds of imperfection,
With age and Bacchus ouergon,
They stop his voyces Organon.
90
Amongst this gamesome Crew is seene,
The issue of the Cyprian Queene,
Whose head and shoulders feathered beene,
And as the starres his countnance sheene.
91
In his left hand his Bow hee bare,
And by his side his Quiuer ware:
In power hee sits past all compare,
And with his flames the world doth dare.
92
A Scepter in his hand he held,
With Chloris natiue flowrs, vntild,
And Nectars deathlesse odors stild
From his bright locks the Sun did guild.
93
The triple Graces there assist,
Sustaining with their brests commist
And knees that Tellus bosome kist
The Challice of this Amorist.
94
These Vergins now approched neere,
And worshipped, exempt from feare,
Loues God, who was enuirond there
With youth, that honord stiles did beare.
95
Theyr ioy is super excellent
To see a Court so confluent,
Whom Cupid seeing; theyr intent,
He doth with greeting interuent.
96
He asks the cause for which they came:
They confidently tell the same,
And he giues prayse to either Dame
That durst so great a war proclame.
97
To both he spake to make some pause
Vntill theyr honorable cause
Profoundly weighd in euery clause,
Might be expland with all applause.
98
He was a God, which well they know,
Rehersall needs it not bestow,
They lite, and rest, and plainly show
Where loue striues loue will maister growe.
99
Loue, Lawes, and Iudges hath in fee,
Nature, and Vse his Iudges be
To whom his whole Courts censures flee
Since past, and things to come they see.
100
These do the hart of iustice trie
And show the Courts seueritie,
In iudgment, and strong customs eye
The Clarke is fitst for venerie.
101
Gainst which the Virgines, nothing stroue
Since loues high voyce did it approue,
So both to theyr abods remoue,
But, as at first, rest firme in loue.
Explicit Rhithmus Phillidis et Florae.
CERTAMEN INTER PHILLIDEM & FLORAM.
ANNI parte florida coelo puriore
Picta terra graminis vario colore
Cum fugaret nubila nuncius aurorae
Liquit sopor oculos Phyllidis & Florae
Placuit virginibus ire spatiatum
Nam soporem reiicit pectus sauciatum
Æquis ergo passibus exeunt in pratum
Vt et locus faciat ludum esse gratum
Eunt ambae vergines & ambae Reginae
Phyllis coma libera Flora compto crine
Nec sunt formae verginum sed formae diuinae
Et respondent facies luci matutinae
Nec stirpe, nec specie, nec ornatu viles
Et annos & animos habent iuueniles
Sed sunt parum impares at parum hostiles
Nam huic placet Clericus & huic placet Miles
Non est differentia corporis aut oris
Sunt vnius voti, sunt vnius moris
Omnia communia sunt intus et foris,
Sola differentia modus est amoris.
Susurrabit modicum ventus tempestiuus
Locus erat viridi gramine festiuus
Et in ipso gramine defluebat riuus
Viuus atque garrulo murmure lasciuus
Ad augmentum decoris et caloris minus
Fuit iuxta riuulum speciosa pinus
Venustata folio late pandens sinus
Nec intrare poterat calor peregrinus
Consedere vergines, herba sedem dedit
Phyllis iuxta riuulum, Flora longe sedit
Et dum sedit vtraque et in sese redit
Amor corda vulnerat et vtramque laedit
Amor est interius latens et occultus
&n
bsp; Et breui, certissimos elicit singultus
Pallor genas inficit, alternantur vultus
Sed in verecundia furor est sepultus
Phyllis in suspirio Floram deprehendit
Et hanc de consimili Flora reprehendit
Altera sic alteri mutuo rependit
Tandem morbum tetegit et vulnus ostendit
Ille sermo mutuus multum habet more
Et est quaedam series tota de amore
Amor est in animis, amor est in ore
Tandem Phillis incipit et arridit Florae
Miles inquit indite mea cura Paris,
Vbi modo militas et vbi moraris
O vita militiae vita singularis
Sola digna gaudio Dionaei laris.
Dum puella recolit militem amicum
Flora (ridens) oculos, iacet in obliqum
Et in risu loquitur verbum inimicum
Amo inquit poteras dicere mendicum
Sed quid Alcibiades facit mea cura
Res creata dignior omni creatura
Quern beauit omnibus gratiis natura
O sola faelicia Clericorum iura
Floram Phyllis arguit de sermone duro
Et sermone loquitur Floram commoturo
Nam ecce virgunculam inquit credo puro
Cuius pectus mobile seruit Epicuro
Surge surge misera de furore faedo
Solum esse Clericum Epicurum credo
Nihil elegantiae Clerico concedo
Cuius implet latera moles et pinguedo
A castris Cupidinis cor habet remotum
Qui somnum desiderat et cibum & potum
O puella nobilis omnibus est notum
Quantum distat militis ab hoc voto votum
Solis necessariis Miles est contentus
Somno, cibo, potui, non viuit intentus
Amor ilium prohibet ne sit somnolentus
Nam est vita Militis amor et iuuentus
Quis amicos copulit nostros loro pari? —
Lex, Natura prohibent illos copulari
Meum semper praemium dare tuo dari
Meus nouit ludere, tuus epulari
Haurit flora sanguinem vulta verecundo
Et apparet pulchrior in risu secundo
Et tandem eloquio reserat facundo
Quae corde conceperat artibus faecundo
Satis inquit libere Phyllis es loquuta
Multum es eloquio velox et acuta
Sed non efficaciter verum prosequuta
Vt per te praeualeat lilio cicuta
Dixisti de Clerico qui indulgit sibi
Seruum somni nominas & potus & cibi
Sic solet ab inuido probitas describi
Ecce parem pattere respondebo tibi
Tot et tanta fateor, &c.
FINIS.
HERO AND LEANDER.
TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFULL, SIR THOMAS WALSINGHAM, KNIGHT
Sir, wee thinke not our selves discharged of the dutie wee owe to our friend, when wee have brought the breathlesse bodie to the earth: for albeit the eye there taketh his ever farwell of that beloved object, yet the impression of the man, that hath beene deare unto us, living an after life in our memory, there putteth us in mind of farther obsequies due unto the deceased. And namely of the performance of whatsoever we may judge shal make to his living credit, and to the effecting of his determinations prevented by the stroke of death. By these meditations (as by an intellectuall will) I suppose my selfe executor to the unhappily deceased author of this Poem, upon who knowing that in his lift time you bestowed many kind favours, entertaining the parts of reckoning and woorth which you found in him, with good countenance and liberall affection: I cannot but see so far into the will of him dead, but what- soever issue of his brain should chance to come abroad, that the first breath it should take might be the gentle aire of your liking: for since his selfe had ben accustomed therunto, it would proove more agreeable and thriving to his right children, than any other foster countenance whatsoever. At this time seeing that this unfinished Tragedy happens under my hands to be imprinted; of a double duty, the one to your selfe, the other to the deceased, I present the same to your most favourable allowance, offring my utmost selfe now and ever to bee readie,
The Complete Poetical Works of George Chapman Page 10
