I live, sweet love, whereas the gentle windMurmurs with sport in midst of thickest boughs,Where loving woodbine doth the harbor bind,And chirping birds do echo forth my vows;Where strongest elm can scarce support the vine,And sweetest flowers enameled have the ground;Where Muses dwell; and yet hereat repineThat on the earth so rare a place was found.But winds delight, I wish to be content;I praise the woodbine, but I take no joy;I moan the birds that music thus have spent;As for the rest, they breed but mine annoy.Live then, fair Licia, in this place alone;Then shall I joy though all of these were gone.
I live, sweet love, whereas the gentle windMurmurs with sport in midst of thickest boughs,Where loving woodbine doth the harbor bind,And chirping birds do echo forth my vows;Where strongest elm can scarce support the vine,And sweetest flowers enameled have the ground;Where Muses dwell; and yet hereat repineThat on the earth so rare a place was found.But winds delight, I wish to be content;I praise the woodbine, but I take no joy;I moan the birds that music thus have spent;As for the rest, they breed but mine annoy.Live then, fair Licia, in this place alone;Then shall I joy though all of these were gone.
The crystal stream wherein my love did swim,Melted in tears as partners of my woe;Her shine was such as did the fountain dim,The pearl-like fountain whiter than the snow;Then like perfume, resolvèd with a heat,The fountain smoked, as if it thought to burn;A wonder strange to see the cold so great,And yet the fountain into smoke to turn.I searched the cause, and found it to be this:She touched the water, and it burned with love.Now by her means it purchased hath that bliss,Which all diseases quickly can remove.Then if by you these streams thus blessèd be,Sweet, grant me love, and be not worse to me.
The crystal stream wherein my love did swim,Melted in tears as partners of my woe;Her shine was such as did the fountain dim,The pearl-like fountain whiter than the snow;Then like perfume, resolvèd with a heat,The fountain smoked, as if it thought to burn;A wonder strange to see the cold so great,And yet the fountain into smoke to turn.I searched the cause, and found it to be this:She touched the water, and it burned with love.Now by her means it purchased hath that bliss,Which all diseases quickly can remove.Then if by you these streams thus blessèd be,Sweet, grant me love, and be not worse to me.
In time the strong and stately turrets fall,In time the rose and silver lilies die,In time the monarchs captive are and thrall,In time the sea and rivers are made dry;The hardest flint in time doth melt asunder;Still living fame in time doth fade away;The mountains proud we see in time come under;And earth for age we see in time decay;The sun in time forgets for to retireFrom out the east where he was wont to rise;The basest thoughts we see in time aspire,And greedy minds in time do wealth despise.Thus all, sweet fair, in time must have an end,Except thy beauty, virtues, and thy friend.
In time the strong and stately turrets fall,In time the rose and silver lilies die,In time the monarchs captive are and thrall,In time the sea and rivers are made dry;The hardest flint in time doth melt asunder;Still living fame in time doth fade away;The mountains proud we see in time come under;And earth for age we see in time decay;The sun in time forgets for to retireFrom out the east where he was wont to rise;The basest thoughts we see in time aspire,And greedy minds in time do wealth despise.Thus all, sweet fair, in time must have an end,Except thy beauty, virtues, and thy friend.
Why died I not whenas I last did sleep?O sleep too short that shadowed forth my dear!Heavens, hear my prayers, nor thus me waking keep!For this were heaven, if thus I sleeping were.For in that dark there shone a princely light;Two milk-white hills, both full of nectar sweet,Her ebon thighs, the wonder of my sight,Where all my senses with their objects meet,—I pass these sports, in secret that are best,Wherein my thoughts did seem alive to be;We both did strive, and weary both did rest;I kissed her still, and still she kissèd me.Heavens, let me sleep, and shows my senses feed,Or let me wake and happy be indeed!
Why died I not whenas I last did sleep?O sleep too short that shadowed forth my dear!Heavens, hear my prayers, nor thus me waking keep!For this were heaven, if thus I sleeping were.For in that dark there shone a princely light;Two milk-white hills, both full of nectar sweet,Her ebon thighs, the wonder of my sight,Where all my senses with their objects meet,—I pass these sports, in secret that are best,Wherein my thoughts did seem alive to be;We both did strive, and weary both did rest;I kissed her still, and still she kissèd me.Heavens, let me sleep, and shows my senses feed,Or let me wake and happy be indeed!
Whenas my Licia sailèd in the seas,Viewing with pride god Neptune's stately crown,A calm she made, and brought the merchant ease,The storm she stayed, and checked him with a frown.Love at the stern sate smiling and did singTo see how seas had learned for to obey;And balls of fire into the waves did fling;And still the boy full wanton thus did say:—"Both poles we burnt whereon the world doth turn,The round of heaven from earth unto the skies;And now the seas we both intend to burn,I with my bow, and Licia with her eyes."Then since thy force, heavens, earth, nor seas can move,I conquered yield, and do confess I love.
Whenas my Licia sailèd in the seas,Viewing with pride god Neptune's stately crown,A calm she made, and brought the merchant ease,The storm she stayed, and checked him with a frown.Love at the stern sate smiling and did singTo see how seas had learned for to obey;And balls of fire into the waves did fling;And still the boy full wanton thus did say:—"Both poles we burnt whereon the world doth turn,The round of heaven from earth unto the skies;And now the seas we both intend to burn,I with my bow, and Licia with her eyes."Then since thy force, heavens, earth, nor seas can move,I conquered yield, and do confess I love.
Whenas her lute is tunèd to her voice,The air grows proud for honour of that sound,And rocks do leap to show how they rejoiceThat in the earth such music should be found.Whenas her hair more worth, more pale than gold,Like silver thread lies wafting in the air,Diana-like she looks, but yet more bold;Cruel in chase, more chaste and yet more fair.Whenas she smiles, the clouds for envy breaks;She Jove in pride encounters with a check;The sun doth shine for joy whenas she speaks;Thus heaven and earth do homage at her beck.Yet all these graces, blots, not graces are,If you, my love, of love do take no care.
Whenas her lute is tunèd to her voice,The air grows proud for honour of that sound,And rocks do leap to show how they rejoiceThat in the earth such music should be found.Whenas her hair more worth, more pale than gold,Like silver thread lies wafting in the air,Diana-like she looks, but yet more bold;Cruel in chase, more chaste and yet more fair.Whenas she smiles, the clouds for envy breaks;She Jove in pride encounters with a check;The sun doth shine for joy whenas she speaks;Thus heaven and earth do homage at her beck.Yet all these graces, blots, not graces are,If you, my love, of love do take no care.
Years, months, days, hours, in sighs I sadly spend;I black the night wherein I sleepless toss;I love my griefs yet wish them at an end;Thus time's expense increaseth but my loss.I musing stand and wonder at my love,That in so fair should be a heart of steel;And then I think my fancy to remove,But then more painful I my passions feel;Thus must I love, sweet fair, until I die,And your unkindness doth my love increase.I conquered am, I can it not deny;My life must end, yet shall my love not cease.Then heavens, make Licia fair most kind to me,Or with my life my loss may finished be!
Years, months, days, hours, in sighs I sadly spend;I black the night wherein I sleepless toss;I love my griefs yet wish them at an end;Thus time's expense increaseth but my loss.I musing stand and wonder at my love,That in so fair should be a heart of steel;And then I think my fancy to remove,But then more painful I my passions feel;Thus must I love, sweet fair, until I die,And your unkindness doth my love increase.I conquered am, I can it not deny;My life must end, yet shall my love not cease.Then heavens, make Licia fair most kind to me,Or with my life my loss may finished be!
I wrote my sighs, and sent them to my love;I praised that fair that none enough could praise;But plaints nor praises could fair Licia move;Above my reach she did her virtues raise,And thus replied: "False Scrawl, untrue thou art,To feign those sighs that nowhere can be found;For half those praises came not from his heartWhose faith and love as yet was never found.Thy master's life, false Scrawl shall be thy doom;Because he burns, I judge thee to the flame;Both your attempts deserve no better room."Thus at her word we ashes both became.Believe me, fair, and let my paper live;Or be not fair, and so me freedom give.
I wrote my sighs, and sent them to my love;I praised that fair that none enough could praise;But plaints nor praises could fair Licia move;Above my reach she did her virtues raise,And thus replied: "False Scrawl, untrue thou art,To feign those sighs that nowhere can be found;For half those praises came not from his heartWhose faith and love as yet was never found.Thy master's life, false Scrawl shall be thy doom;Because he burns, I judge thee to the flame;Both your attempts deserve no better room."Thus at her word we ashes both became.Believe me, fair, and let my paper live;Or be not fair, and so me freedom give.
Pale are my looks, forsaken of my life,Cinders my bones, consumèd with thy flame,Floods are my tears, to end this burning strife,And yet I sigh for to increase the same;I mourn alone because alone I burn;Who doubts of this, then let him learn to love;Her looks cold ice into a flame can turn,As I distressèd in myself do prove.Respect, fair Licia, what my torments are;Count but the tithe both of my sighs and tears;See how my love doth still increase my care,And care's increase my life to nothing wears.Send but a sigh my flame for to increase,Or lend a tear and cause it so to cease.
Pale are my looks, forsaken of my life,Cinders my bones, consumèd with thy flame,Floods are my tears, to end this burning strife,And yet I sigh for to increase the same;I mourn alone because alone I burn;Who doubts of this, then let him learn to love;Her looks cold ice into a flame can turn,As I distressèd in myself do prove.Respect, fair Licia, what my torments are;Count but the tithe both of my sighs and tears;See how my love doth still increase my care,And care's increase my life to nothing wears.Send but a sigh my flame for to increase,Or lend a tear and cause it so to cease.
Whenas I wish, fair Licia, for a kissFrom those sweet lips where rose and lilies strive,Straight do mine eyes repine at such a bliss,And seek my lips thereof for to deprive;Whenas I seek to glut mine eyes by sight,My lips repine and call mine eyes away;Thus both contend to have each other's right,And both conspire to work my full decay.O force admired of beauty in her pride,In whose each part such strange effects there be,That all my forces in themselves divide,And make my senses plainly disagree.If all were mine, this envy would be gone;Then grant me all, fair sweet, or grant me none!
Whenas I wish, fair Licia, for a kissFrom those sweet lips where rose and lilies strive,Straight do mine eyes repine at such a bliss,And seek my lips thereof for to deprive;Whenas I seek to glut mine eyes by sight,My lips repine and call mine eyes away;Thus both contend to have each other's right,And both conspire to work my full decay.O force admired of beauty in her pride,In whose each part such strange effects there be,That all my forces in themselves divide,And make my senses plainly disagree.If all were mine, this envy would be gone;Then grant me all, fair sweet, or grant me none!
Hear how my sighs are echoed of the wind;See how my tears are pitied by the rain;Feel what a flame possessèd hath my mind;Taste but the grief which I possess in vain.Then if my sighs the blustering winds surpass,And wat'ry tears the drops of rain exceed,And if no flame like mine nor is nor was,Nor grief like that whereon my soul doth feed,Relent, fair Licia, when my sighs do blow;Yield at my tears, that flintlike drops consume;Accept the flame that doth my incense show,Allow the grief that is my heart's perfume.Thus sighs and tears, flame, grief shall plead for me;So shall I pray, and you a goddess be.
Hear how my sighs are echoed of the wind;See how my tears are pitied by the rain;Feel what a flame possessèd hath my mind;Taste but the grief which I possess in vain.Then if my sighs the blustering winds surpass,And wat'ry tears the drops of rain exceed,And if no flame like mine nor is nor was,Nor grief like that whereon my soul doth feed,Relent, fair Licia, when my sighs do blow;Yield at my tears, that flintlike drops consume;Accept the flame that doth my incense show,Allow the grief that is my heart's perfume.Thus sighs and tears, flame, grief shall plead for me;So shall I pray, and you a goddess be.
I speak, fair Licia, what my torments be,But then my speech too partial do I find;For hardly words can with those thoughts agree,Those thoughts that swarm in such a troubled mind.Then do I vow my tongue shall never speakNor tell my grief that in my heart doth lie;But cannon-like, I then surcharged do break,And so my silence worse than speech I try.Thus speech or none, they both do breed my care;I live dismayed, and kill my heart with grief;In all respects my case alike doth fareTo him that wants, and dare not ask relief.Then you, fair Lucia, sovereign of my heart,Read to yourself my anguish and my smart.
I speak, fair Licia, what my torments be,But then my speech too partial do I find;For hardly words can with those thoughts agree,Those thoughts that swarm in such a troubled mind.Then do I vow my tongue shall never speakNor tell my grief that in my heart doth lie;But cannon-like, I then surcharged do break,And so my silence worse than speech I try.Thus speech or none, they both do breed my care;I live dismayed, and kill my heart with grief;In all respects my case alike doth fareTo him that wants, and dare not ask relief.Then you, fair Lucia, sovereign of my heart,Read to yourself my anguish and my smart.
Sweet, I protest, and seal it with an oath:I never saw that so my thoughts did please;And yet content displeased I see them wrothTo love so much and cannot have their ease.I told my thoughts, my sovereign made a pause,Disposed to grant, but willing to delay;They then repined, for that they knew no cause,And swore they wished she flatly would say nay.Thus hath my love, my thoughts with treason filled,And 'gainst my sovereign taught them to repine.So thus my treason all my thoughts hath killed,And made fair Licia say she is not mine.But thoughts too rash my heart doth now repent;And as you please, they swear, they are content.
Sweet, I protest, and seal it with an oath:I never saw that so my thoughts did please;And yet content displeased I see them wrothTo love so much and cannot have their ease.I told my thoughts, my sovereign made a pause,Disposed to grant, but willing to delay;They then repined, for that they knew no cause,And swore they wished she flatly would say nay.Thus hath my love, my thoughts with treason filled,And 'gainst my sovereign taught them to repine.So thus my treason all my thoughts hath killed,And made fair Licia say she is not mine.But thoughts too rash my heart doth now repent;And as you please, they swear, they are content.
Fair matchless nymph, respect but what I crave;My thoughts are true, and honour is my love;I fainting die whom yet a smile might save;You gave the wound, and can the hurt remove.Those eyes like stars that twinkle in the night,And cheeks like rubies pale in lilies dyed,Those ebon hands that darting hath such mightThatinmy soul my love and life divide,Accept the passions of a man possessed;Let love be loved and grant me leave to live;Disperse those clouds that darkened have my rest,And let your heaven a sun-like smile but give!Then shall I praise that heaven for such a sunThat saved my life, whenas my grief begun.
Fair matchless nymph, respect but what I crave;My thoughts are true, and honour is my love;I fainting die whom yet a smile might save;You gave the wound, and can the hurt remove.Those eyes like stars that twinkle in the night,And cheeks like rubies pale in lilies dyed,Those ebon hands that darting hath such mightThatinmy soul my love and life divide,Accept the passions of a man possessed;Let love be loved and grant me leave to live;Disperse those clouds that darkened have my rest,And let your heaven a sun-like smile but give!Then shall I praise that heaven for such a sunThat saved my life, whenas my grief begun.
My grief begun, fair saint, when first I sawLove in those eyes sit ruling with disdain,Whose sweet commands did keep a world in awe,And caused them serve your favor to obtain.I stood as one enchanted with a frown,Yet smiled to see all creatures serve those eyes,Where each with sighs paid tribute to that crown,And thought them gracèd by your dumb replies.But I, ambitious, could not be contentTill that my service more than sighs made known;And for that end my heart to you I sentTo say and swear that, fair, it is your own.Then greater graces, Licia, do impart,Not dumb replies unto a speaking heart.
My grief begun, fair saint, when first I sawLove in those eyes sit ruling with disdain,Whose sweet commands did keep a world in awe,And caused them serve your favor to obtain.I stood as one enchanted with a frown,Yet smiled to see all creatures serve those eyes,Where each with sighs paid tribute to that crown,And thought them gracèd by your dumb replies.But I, ambitious, could not be contentTill that my service more than sighs made known;And for that end my heart to you I sentTo say and swear that, fair, it is your own.Then greater graces, Licia, do impart,Not dumb replies unto a speaking heart.
Poets did feign that heavens a Venus had,Matchless herself, and Cupid was her son;Men sued to these, and of their smiles were glad,By whom so many famous were undone.Now Cupid mourns that he hath lost his might,And that these two so comely are to see;And Venus frowns because they have her right.Yet both so like that both shall blameless be;With heaven's two twins for godhead these may strive,And rule a world with least part of a frown;Fairer than these two twins are not alive,Both conquering queens, and both deserve a crown.My thoughts presage, which time to come shall try,That thousands conquered for their love shall die.
Poets did feign that heavens a Venus had,Matchless herself, and Cupid was her son;Men sued to these, and of their smiles were glad,By whom so many famous were undone.Now Cupid mourns that he hath lost his might,And that these two so comely are to see;And Venus frowns because they have her right.Yet both so like that both shall blameless be;With heaven's two twins for godhead these may strive,And rule a world with least part of a frown;Fairer than these two twins are not alive,Both conquering queens, and both deserve a crown.My thoughts presage, which time to come shall try,That thousands conquered for their love shall die.
If, aged Charon, when my life shall end,I pass thy ferry and my waftage pay,Thy oars shall fall, thy boat and mast shall rend,And through the deep shall be a dry foot-way.For why? My heart with sighs doth breathe such flameThat air and water both incensèd be,The boundless ocean from whose mouth they came,For from my heat not heaven itself is free.Then since to me thy loss can be no gain,Avoid thy harm and fly what I foretell.Make thou thy love with me for to be slain,That I with her and both with thee may dwell.Thy fact thus, Charon, both of us shall bless,Thou save thy boat and I my love possess.
If, aged Charon, when my life shall end,I pass thy ferry and my waftage pay,Thy oars shall fall, thy boat and mast shall rend,And through the deep shall be a dry foot-way.For why? My heart with sighs doth breathe such flameThat air and water both incensèd be,The boundless ocean from whose mouth they came,For from my heat not heaven itself is free.Then since to me thy loss can be no gain,Avoid thy harm and fly what I foretell.Make thou thy love with me for to be slain,That I with her and both with thee may dwell.Thy fact thus, Charon, both of us shall bless,Thou save thy boat and I my love possess.
For if alone thou think to waft my love,Her cold is such as can the sea command,And frozen ice shall let thy boat to move,Nor can thy forces row it from the land.But if thou friendly both at once shalt take,Thyself mayst rest. For why? My sighs will blow.Our cold and heat so sweet a thaw shall make,As that thy boat without thy help shall row.Then will I sit and glut me on those eyesWherewith my life my eyes could never fill.Thus from my boat that comfort shall arise,The want whereof my life and hope did kill.Together placed so thou her scorn shalt cross,Where if we part thy boat must suffer loss.
For if alone thou think to waft my love,Her cold is such as can the sea command,And frozen ice shall let thy boat to move,Nor can thy forces row it from the land.But if thou friendly both at once shalt take,Thyself mayst rest. For why? My sighs will blow.Our cold and heat so sweet a thaw shall make,As that thy boat without thy help shall row.Then will I sit and glut me on those eyesWherewith my life my eyes could never fill.Thus from my boat that comfort shall arise,The want whereof my life and hope did kill.Together placed so thou her scorn shalt cross,Where if we part thy boat must suffer loss.
Are those two stars, her eyes, my life's light gone,By which my soul was freèd from all dark?And am I left distressed to live alone,Where none my tears and mournful tale shall mark?Ah sun, why shine thy looks, thy looks like gold,When horsemen brave thou risest in the east?Ah Cynthia pale, to whom my griefs I told,Why do you both rejoice both man and beast?And I alone, alone that dark possessBy Licia's absence brighter than the sun,Whose smiling light did ease my sad distress,And broke the clouds, when tears like rain begun.Heavens, grant that light and so me waking keep,Or shut my eyes and rock me fast asleep!
Are those two stars, her eyes, my life's light gone,By which my soul was freèd from all dark?And am I left distressed to live alone,Where none my tears and mournful tale shall mark?Ah sun, why shine thy looks, thy looks like gold,When horsemen brave thou risest in the east?Ah Cynthia pale, to whom my griefs I told,Why do you both rejoice both man and beast?And I alone, alone that dark possessBy Licia's absence brighter than the sun,Whose smiling light did ease my sad distress,And broke the clouds, when tears like rain begun.Heavens, grant that light and so me waking keep,Or shut my eyes and rock me fast asleep!
Cruel fair love, I justly do complainOf too much rigor and thy heart unkind,That for mine eyes thou hast my body slain,And would not grant that I should favour find.I looked, fair love, and you my love looked fair,I sighed for love and you for sport did smile.Your smiles were such as did perfume the air,And this perfumèd did my heart beguile.Thus I confess the fault was in mine eyes,Begun with sighs and ended with a flame.I for your love did all the world despise;And in these poems honored have your name.Then let your love so with my fault dispense,That all my parts feel not mine eyes' offense.
Cruel fair love, I justly do complainOf too much rigor and thy heart unkind,That for mine eyes thou hast my body slain,And would not grant that I should favour find.I looked, fair love, and you my love looked fair,I sighed for love and you for sport did smile.Your smiles were such as did perfume the air,And this perfumèd did my heart beguile.Thus I confess the fault was in mine eyes,Begun with sighs and ended with a flame.I for your love did all the world despise;And in these poems honored have your name.Then let your love so with my fault dispense,That all my parts feel not mine eyes' offense.
There shone a comet, and it was full west.My thoughts presagèd what it did portend;I found it threatened to my heart unrest,And might in time my joys and comfort end.I further sought and found it was a sun,Which day nor night did never use to set.It constant stood when heavens did restless run,And did their virtues and their forces let.The world did muse and wonder what it meant,A sun to shine and in the west to rise;To search the truth, I strength and spirits spent;At length I found it was my Licia's eyes.Now never after soul shall live in dark,That hath the hap this western sun to mark.
There shone a comet, and it was full west.My thoughts presagèd what it did portend;I found it threatened to my heart unrest,And might in time my joys and comfort end.I further sought and found it was a sun,Which day nor night did never use to set.It constant stood when heavens did restless run,And did their virtues and their forces let.The world did muse and wonder what it meant,A sun to shine and in the west to rise;To search the truth, I strength and spirits spent;At length I found it was my Licia's eyes.Now never after soul shall live in dark,That hath the hap this western sun to mark.
If he be dead, in whom no heart remains,Or lifeless be in whom no life is found;If he do pine that never comfort gains,And be distressed that hath his deadly wound;Then must I die whose heart elsewhere is clad,And lifeless pass the greedy worms to feed;Then must I pine that never comfort had,And be distressed whose wound with tears doth bleed.Which if I do, why do I not wax cold?Why rest I not like one that wants a heart?Why move I still like him that life doth hold,And sense enjoy both of my joy and smart?Like Niobe queen which made a stone did weep,Licia my heart dead and alive doth keep.
If he be dead, in whom no heart remains,Or lifeless be in whom no life is found;If he do pine that never comfort gains,And be distressed that hath his deadly wound;Then must I die whose heart elsewhere is clad,And lifeless pass the greedy worms to feed;Then must I pine that never comfort had,And be distressed whose wound with tears doth bleed.Which if I do, why do I not wax cold?Why rest I not like one that wants a heart?Why move I still like him that life doth hold,And sense enjoy both of my joy and smart?Like Niobe queen which made a stone did weep,Licia my heart dead and alive doth keep.
Like Memnon's rock, touched with the rising sunWhich yields a sound and echoes forth a voice,But when it's drowned in western seas is done,And drowsy-like leaves off to make a noise;So I, my love, enlightened with your shine,A poet's skill within my soul I shroud,Not rude like that which finer wits decline,But such as Muses to the best allowed.But when your figure and your shape is goneI speechless am like as I was before;Or if I write, my verse is filled with moan,And blurred with tears by falling in such store.Then muse not, Licia, if my Muse be slack,For when I wrote I did thy beauty lack.
Like Memnon's rock, touched with the rising sunWhich yields a sound and echoes forth a voice,But when it's drowned in western seas is done,And drowsy-like leaves off to make a noise;So I, my love, enlightened with your shine,A poet's skill within my soul I shroud,Not rude like that which finer wits decline,But such as Muses to the best allowed.But when your figure and your shape is goneI speechless am like as I was before;Or if I write, my verse is filled with moan,And blurred with tears by falling in such store.Then muse not, Licia, if my Muse be slack,For when I wrote I did thy beauty lack.
I saw, sweet Licia, when the spider ranWithin your house to weave a worthless web,You present were and feared her with your fan,So that amazèd speedily she fled.She in your house such sweet perfumes did smell,And heard the Muses with their notes refined,Thus filled with envy, could no longer dwell,But straight returned and at your house repined.Then tell me, spider, why of late I sawThee lose thy poison, and thy bowels gone;Did these enchant and keep thy limbs in awe,And made thy forces to be small or none?No, no, thou didst by chance my Licia see,Who for her look Minerva seemed to thee.
I saw, sweet Licia, when the spider ranWithin your house to weave a worthless web,You present were and feared her with your fan,So that amazèd speedily she fled.She in your house such sweet perfumes did smell,And heard the Muses with their notes refined,Thus filled with envy, could no longer dwell,But straight returned and at your house repined.Then tell me, spider, why of late I sawThee lose thy poison, and thy bowels gone;Did these enchant and keep thy limbs in awe,And made thy forces to be small or none?No, no, thou didst by chance my Licia see,Who for her look Minerva seemed to thee.
If that I die, fair Licia, with disdain,Or heartless live surprisèd with thy wrong,Then heavens and earth shall accent both my pain,And curse the time so cruel and so long.If you be kind, my queen, as you are fair,And aid my thoughts that still for conquest strive,Then will I sing and never more despair,And praise your kindness whilst I am alive.Till then I pay the tribute of my tears,To move thy mercy and thy constant truth.Respect, fair love, how these with sorrow wearsThe truest heart unless it find some ruth.Then grace me, sweet, and with thy favor raise me,So shall I live and all the world shall praise thee.
If that I die, fair Licia, with disdain,Or heartless live surprisèd with thy wrong,Then heavens and earth shall accent both my pain,And curse the time so cruel and so long.If you be kind, my queen, as you are fair,And aid my thoughts that still for conquest strive,Then will I sing and never more despair,And praise your kindness whilst I am alive.Till then I pay the tribute of my tears,To move thy mercy and thy constant truth.Respect, fair love, how these with sorrow wearsThe truest heart unless it find some ruth.Then grace me, sweet, and with thy favor raise me,So shall I live and all the world shall praise thee.
Ah Licia, sigh and say thou art my own;Nay, be my own, as you full oft have said.So shall your truth unto the world be known,And I resolved where now I am afraid.And if my tongue eternize can your praise,Or silly speech increase your worthy fame,If ought I can, to heaven your worth can raise,The age to come shall wonder at the same.In this respect your love, sweet love, I told,My faith and truth I vowed should be forever.You were the cause if that I was too bold;Then pardon this my fault or love me never.But if you frown I wish that none believe me,For slain with sighs I'll die before I grieve thee.
Ah Licia, sigh and say thou art my own;Nay, be my own, as you full oft have said.So shall your truth unto the world be known,And I resolved where now I am afraid.And if my tongue eternize can your praise,Or silly speech increase your worthy fame,If ought I can, to heaven your worth can raise,The age to come shall wonder at the same.In this respect your love, sweet love, I told,My faith and truth I vowed should be forever.You were the cause if that I was too bold;Then pardon this my fault or love me never.But if you frown I wish that none believe me,For slain with sighs I'll die before I grieve thee.
When first the sun whom all my senses serve,Began to shine upon this earthly round,The heavens for her all graces did reserve,That Pandor-like with all she might abound.Apollo placed his brightness in her eyes,His skill presaging and his music sweet.Mars gave his force; all force she now defies;Venus her smiles wherewith she Mars did meet;Python a voice, Diana made her chaste,Ceres gave plenty, Cupid lent his bow,Thetis his feet, there Pallas wisdom placed.With these she queen-like kept a world in awe.Yet all these honors deemèd are but pelf,For she is much more worthy of herself.
When first the sun whom all my senses serve,Began to shine upon this earthly round,The heavens for her all graces did reserve,That Pandor-like with all she might abound.Apollo placed his brightness in her eyes,His skill presaging and his music sweet.Mars gave his force; all force she now defies;Venus her smiles wherewith she Mars did meet;Python a voice, Diana made her chaste,Ceres gave plenty, Cupid lent his bow,Thetis his feet, there Pallas wisdom placed.With these she queen-like kept a world in awe.Yet all these honors deemèd are but pelf,For she is much more worthy of herself.
O sugared talk, wherewith my thoughts do live!O brows, love's trophy and my senses' shine!O charming smiles, that death or life can give!O heavenly kisses from a mouth divine!O wreaths too strong, and trammels made of hair!O pearls inclosèd in an ebon pale!O rose and lilies in a field most fair,Where modest white doth make the red seem pale!O voice whose accents live within my heart!O heavenly hand that more than Atlas holds!O sighs perfumed, that can release my smart!O happy they whom in her arms she folds!Now if you ask where dwelleth all this bliss,Seek out my love and she will tell you this.
O sugared talk, wherewith my thoughts do live!O brows, love's trophy and my senses' shine!O charming smiles, that death or life can give!O heavenly kisses from a mouth divine!O wreaths too strong, and trammels made of hair!O pearls inclosèd in an ebon pale!O rose and lilies in a field most fair,Where modest white doth make the red seem pale!O voice whose accents live within my heart!O heavenly hand that more than Atlas holds!O sighs perfumed, that can release my smart!O happy they whom in her arms she folds!Now if you ask where dwelleth all this bliss,Seek out my love and she will tell you this.
Love, I repent me that I thoughtMy sighs and languish dearly bought.For sighs and languish both did proveThat he that languished sighed for love.Cruel rigor, foe to state,Looks disdainful, fraught with hate,I did blame, but had no cause;Love hath eyes, but hath no laws.She was sad and could not chooseTo see me sigh and sit and muse.We both did love and both did doubtLeast any should our love find out.Our hearts did speak, by sighs most hidden;This means was left, all else forbidden.I did frown her love to try,She did sigh and straight did cry.Both of us did sighs believe,Yet either grievèd friend to grieve.I did look and then did smile;She left sighing all that while.Both were glad to see that change,Things in love that are not strange.Suspicion, foolish foe to reason,Causèd me seek to find some treason.I did court another dame,False in love, it is a shame!—She was sorry this to view,Thinking faith was proved untrue.Then she swore she would not loveOne whom false she once did prove.I did vow I never meantFrom promise made for to relent.The more I said the worse she thought,My oaths and vows were deemed as naught."False," she said "how can it be,To court another yet love me?Crowns and love no partners brook;If she be liked I am forsook.Farewell, false, and love her still,Your chance was good, but mine was ill.No harm to you, but this I crave,That your new love may you deceive,And jest with you as you have done,For light's the love that quickly won.""Kind, and fair-sweet, once believe me;Jest I did but not to grieve thee.Court I did, but did not love;All my speech was you to prove.Words and sighs and what I spent,In show to her, to you were meant.Fond I was your love to cross;Jesting love oft brings this loss.Forget this fault, and love your friend,Which vows his truth unto the end.""Content," she said, "if this you keep."Thus both did kiss, and both did weep.For women long they cannot chide,As I by proof in this have tried.
Love, I repent me that I thoughtMy sighs and languish dearly bought.For sighs and languish both did proveThat he that languished sighed for love.Cruel rigor, foe to state,Looks disdainful, fraught with hate,I did blame, but had no cause;Love hath eyes, but hath no laws.She was sad and could not chooseTo see me sigh and sit and muse.We both did love and both did doubtLeast any should our love find out.Our hearts did speak, by sighs most hidden;This means was left, all else forbidden.I did frown her love to try,She did sigh and straight did cry.Both of us did sighs believe,Yet either grievèd friend to grieve.I did look and then did smile;She left sighing all that while.Both were glad to see that change,Things in love that are not strange.Suspicion, foolish foe to reason,Causèd me seek to find some treason.I did court another dame,False in love, it is a shame!—She was sorry this to view,Thinking faith was proved untrue.Then she swore she would not loveOne whom false she once did prove.I did vow I never meantFrom promise made for to relent.The more I said the worse she thought,My oaths and vows were deemed as naught."False," she said "how can it be,To court another yet love me?Crowns and love no partners brook;If she be liked I am forsook.Farewell, false, and love her still,Your chance was good, but mine was ill.No harm to you, but this I crave,That your new love may you deceive,And jest with you as you have done,For light's the love that quickly won.""Kind, and fair-sweet, once believe me;Jest I did but not to grieve thee.Court I did, but did not love;All my speech was you to prove.Words and sighs and what I spent,In show to her, to you were meant.Fond I was your love to cross;Jesting love oft brings this loss.Forget this fault, and love your friend,Which vows his truth unto the end.""Content," she said, "if this you keep."Thus both did kiss, and both did weep.For women long they cannot chide,As I by proof in this have tried.
The sea-nymphs late did play them on the shore,And smiled to see such sport was new begun,A strife in love, the like not heard before,Two nymphs contend which had the conquest won.Doris the fair with Galate did chide;She liked her choice, and to her taunts replied.
The sea-nymphs late did play them on the shore,And smiled to see such sport was new begun,A strife in love, the like not heard before,Two nymphs contend which had the conquest won.Doris the fair with Galate did chide;She liked her choice, and to her taunts replied.
DORIS
Thy love, fair nymph, that courts thee on this plain,As shepherds say and all the world can tell,Is that foul rude Sicilian Cyclop-swain;A shame, sweet nymph, that he with thee should mell.
Thy love, fair nymph, that courts thee on this plain,As shepherds say and all the world can tell,Is that foul rude Sicilian Cyclop-swain;A shame, sweet nymph, that he with thee should mell.
GALATEA
Smile not, fair Doris, though he foul do seem,Let pass thy words that savour of disgrace;He's worth my love, and so I him esteem,Renowned by birth, and come of Neptune's race,Neptune that doth the glassy ocean tame,Neptune, by birth from mighty Jove which came.
Smile not, fair Doris, though he foul do seem,Let pass thy words that savour of disgrace;He's worth my love, and so I him esteem,Renowned by birth, and come of Neptune's race,Neptune that doth the glassy ocean tame,Neptune, by birth from mighty Jove which came.
DORIS
I grant an honour to be Neptune's child,A grace to be so near with Jove allied.But yet, sweet nymph, with this be not beguiled;Where nature's graces are by looks decried,So foul, so rough, so ugly as a clown,And worse than this, a monster with one eye!Foul is not gracèd, though it wear a crown,But fair is beauty, none can that deny.
I grant an honour to be Neptune's child,A grace to be so near with Jove allied.But yet, sweet nymph, with this be not beguiled;Where nature's graces are by looks decried,So foul, so rough, so ugly as a clown,And worse than this, a monster with one eye!Foul is not gracèd, though it wear a crown,But fair is beauty, none can that deny.
GALATEA
Nor is he foul or shapeless as you say,Or worse; for that he clownish seems to be,Rough, satyr-like, the better he will play,And manly looks the fitter are for me.His frowning smiles are gracèd by his beard,His eye-light, sun-like, shrouded is in one.This me contents, and others make afeard.He sees enough, and therefore wanteth none.
Nor is he foul or shapeless as you say,Or worse; for that he clownish seems to be,Rough, satyr-like, the better he will play,And manly looks the fitter are for me.His frowning smiles are gracèd by his beard,His eye-light, sun-like, shrouded is in one.This me contents, and others make afeard.He sees enough, and therefore wanteth none.
DORIS
Nay, then I see, sweet nymph, thou art in love,And loving, dotes; and doting, dost commendFoul to be fair; this oft do lovers prove;I wish him fairer, or thy love an end.
Nay, then I see, sweet nymph, thou art in love,And loving, dotes; and doting, dost commendFoul to be fair; this oft do lovers prove;I wish him fairer, or thy love an end.
GALATEA
Doris, I love not, yet I hardly bearDisgraceful terms, which you have spoke in scorn.You are not loved; and that's the cause I fear;For why? My love of Jove himself was born.Feeding his sheep of late amidst this plain,Whenas we nymphs did sport us on the shore,He scorned you all, my love for to obtain;That grieved your hearts; I knew as much before.Nay, smile not, nymphs, the truth I only tell,For few can brook that others should excel.
Doris, I love not, yet I hardly bearDisgraceful terms, which you have spoke in scorn.You are not loved; and that's the cause I fear;For why? My love of Jove himself was born.Feeding his sheep of late amidst this plain,Whenas we nymphs did sport us on the shore,He scorned you all, my love for to obtain;That grieved your hearts; I knew as much before.Nay, smile not, nymphs, the truth I only tell,For few can brook that others should excel.
DORIS
Should I envy that blind did you that spite?Or that your shape doth please so foul a groom?The shepherd thought of milk, you looked so white;The clown did err, and foolish was his doom.Your look was pale, and so his stomach fed;But far from fair, where white doth want his red.
Should I envy that blind did you that spite?Or that your shape doth please so foul a groom?The shepherd thought of milk, you looked so white;The clown did err, and foolish was his doom.Your look was pale, and so his stomach fed;But far from fair, where white doth want his red.
GALATEA
Though pale my look, yet he my love did crave,And lovely you, unliked, unloved I view;It's better far one base than none to have;Your fair is foul, to whom there's none will sue.My love doth tune his love unto his harp.His shape is rude, but yet his wit is sharp.
Though pale my look, yet he my love did crave,And lovely you, unliked, unloved I view;It's better far one base than none to have;Your fair is foul, to whom there's none will sue.My love doth tune his love unto his harp.His shape is rude, but yet his wit is sharp.
DORIS
Leave off, sweet nymph, to grace a worthless clown.He itched with love, and then did sing or say;The noise was such as all the nymphs did frown,And well suspected that some ass did bray.The woods did chide to hear this ugly soundThe prating echo scorned for to repeat;This grisly voice did fear the hollow ground,Whilst artless fingers did his harpstrings beat.Two bear-whelps in his arms this monster bore,With these new puppies did this wanton play;Their skins was rough but yet your loves was more;He fouler was and far more fierce than they.I cannot choose, sweet nymph, to think, but smileThat some of us thou fear'st will thee beguile.
Leave off, sweet nymph, to grace a worthless clown.He itched with love, and then did sing or say;The noise was such as all the nymphs did frown,And well suspected that some ass did bray.The woods did chide to hear this ugly soundThe prating echo scorned for to repeat;This grisly voice did fear the hollow ground,Whilst artless fingers did his harpstrings beat.Two bear-whelps in his arms this monster bore,With these new puppies did this wanton play;Their skins was rough but yet your loves was more;He fouler was and far more fierce than they.I cannot choose, sweet nymph, to think, but smileThat some of us thou fear'st will thee beguile.
GALATEA
Scorn not my love, until it can be knownThat you have one that's better of your own.
Scorn not my love, until it can be knownThat you have one that's better of your own.
DORIS
I have no love, nor if I had, would boast;Yet wooed have been by such as well might speed:But him to love, the shame of all the coast,So ugly foul, as yet I have no need.Now thus we learn what foolish love can do,To think him fair that's foul and ugly too.To hear this talk, I sat behind an oak,And marked their words and penned them as they spoke.
I have no love, nor if I had, would boast;Yet wooed have been by such as well might speed:But him to love, the shame of all the coast,So ugly foul, as yet I have no need.Now thus we learn what foolish love can do,To think him fair that's foul and ugly too.
To hear this talk, I sat behind an oak,And marked their words and penned them as they spoke.