I'll bore the heavens, pierce the clouds a vein,Make them full torrents weep of brackish rain,To second my laments; methinks the sun,Knowing my clue is ravelled and undone,That my Bellama slights, should, vexed, resignT' his sister's chariot his ecliptic line.1820Bid Phoebe run horn-mad, and loudly cry,Froth, howl, as in a fit of lunacy,Nay, throw a poison on Endymion's lips,Threaten to drown the world, the sun eclipse.Keep the stars order still? or can they stirAnd not digress? Know they how not to err?Sure, no: I saw bright Paphos snuff her lamp,Yet vowed to quench it with eternal damp,Hurl all away, if that her servant's loveBe had in no regard, and awful Jove1830Hurry along the milky way to findThat sniffling deity, that wingèd blind—And vowed to clip his wings as short as monksTheir stubbed beards more short than panèd trunks,Unless he shot a dart with more than speed,To make Bellama's heart affections bleed.Bold ocean foams with spite, his neb-tides roar,His billows top and top-mast high do soar.Nature herself is sullen, keeps her bed,And will not rise so much as dress her head:1840Regardless of the seasons, will not seeLoud winds deplume the bush and tow'ring tree.The ploughman furrows earth, sows seed i' th' tides,But nature weeps for me, his pains derides.Copernicus his tenet's verified,The massy globe does 'bout its centre ride.All things disranked, nothing observes its state,Change time and tide, or post or antedate.But thou, Bellam', art deaf to me and blind,Steel'st thine affections, flint'st thy hardenèd mind,1850And strik'st fire thence t' inflame my tinder heart,Thou oil'st the flame, but I endure the smart.How oft have I, when others' eyes have slept,Like sentinels to armies, watchings kept!And when the thought o' th' saints' thrice blissful homeWhich (ah! too seldom) 'mongst my thoughts did come,Then, spite of goodness, blessed E was lostAnd you the haven of me tempest-tost.Have I made envious art admire thy worth,Touched the Ela of praise t' emblazon 't forth?1860Bid sleep goodnight, quiet and rest adieu,Made myself no self to entitle you?And, after this sad purgatory, mustMy hopes be laid i' th' dust for want of dust?Then know, Bellama, since thou aim'st at wealthWhere Fortune has bestowed her largest dealth,That wealth may puff a clod of earth like leaven,But virtuous want alone ensouleth heaven.Know more, I scorned thy fortune: 'twas thyselfI courted, not thy slight-adored pelf,1870And had not mortals' curse blessed thee, and IHad swelled with honour and nobility,My love, once fixed on virtue, parents' hateIn both might shake, but ne'er evert love's state.I aim at virtue's bliss, and if I findThe heart and bosom good, I slight the rind.But since, Bellama, thou regard'st not me,I scorn to cringe, adore, and flatter thee.For he that rules his thoughts has a nobler soulThan he that awes the world from pole to pole.1880Thus, fair, adieu! with love these measures scan,And know my love was but a fit of man.We'll leave Albino in this frantic mood,And view Bellama, pargèd o'er with fear,Asking a member of her sisterhood(For love and virtues unto her most dear),Amongst their sportings, and their chaste delights,Wherefore Albino did refrain their sights.Barraba (her the font those letters gave)Said, 'I presume I rightly guess the cause'.1890Bellama urged (thanks to the purblind knave),'Twas thus', quoth she—yet made a two day's pause.At length, with importunings overcome,She told her why Albino kept at home.'Bardino did deceive his trust', quoth she,'Told all, yet sung another song to him:His love came lapped in paper unto thee,He with quaint words did his affections limn,Vowed service: but Bardino (ah the shame!)Unclasped his secrets to our jealous dame.'1900'Am I an infidel? or dare I tie',Quoth fair Bellama 'unto this belief?Shall just revenge in my soft bosom die?And shall I melt my heart with secret grief?I'll scold with him.' Says chaste Barraba, 'No,For by that others will your wishes know.'What she should do (plung'd in this depth of woe)Bellama knew not, nor durst counsel ask:More dangers wait her, if she send or go,Than if she underwent Alcides' task.1910Distracted were her thoughts in silence tied,Till love and honour buzzled, then she cried,'Ah! false Bardino, shame of holy orders!Whither, ah! whither didst thou send thy troth?To be grand factor in the frozen bordersFor them whose decks do make old ocean froth?And truthless thou, locked in this gloomy cell,Plott'st baseness to enlarge the crown of hell.Unjust Bardin', unworthy of a cope,Or (whose employments holy) other vest,1920Didst [thou], oh didst thy conscience scour with soap,And washed all faith from off thy glazèd breast?And, faithless, thou esteemest less of vowThan clownish whistlers which do steer the plough.Where didst encage thine eyes? durst thou behold(Acting this crime) the castle of the stars?How stopp'st thine ears? didst hear the heavens scold,And chide in wind and thunder threat'ning wars?Durst touch the hallowed water, spittle, salt,The cross or pax, and yet attempt this fault?1930Those sacred bagnios, wherein pagans washTheir sullied limbs for their mosquea's door,The pottage-penance and repentant lash,Their hair-cloth shirt, skin-shoes, and thousand more;Th' arch-vicar's pardon, and the purging flameCan ne'er absolve thy crime or clear thy fame.Pack then from human eyes, and shroud thy sin,Under the curtains of eternal night;Perfidiousness does make thee near of kinTo hell's black fiends, with robes of horror dight.1940Pack, pack, begone, the ferryman does stayTo waft thy paunch o'er th' Acherontic bay.But peace, Bellama, dost thou think it fitTo value at so mean a price thy pearl?Applaud thyself, count it a point of witTo take a cowlist and refuse an earl.The world shall be uncentred, ere 't be saidBeauty takes lodging in an humble maid.What then? shall every fashion fashion me,As in religion by the church's eye,1950So by the world's must I in loving see?No, I the world's supremacy deny.Hence with those loves which profit only measures,I hate that heart which only shoots at treasures.The Cyprian goddess is not fed with ploughs,Nor Cupid's arrow guided is with acres.Vulcan permitted was to shake the boughs,But Mars suck'd in the sweets without partakers.Youth, youth pursues; for with autumnal looksCupid does seldom bait his eighteen hooks.1960Who in pleuretic passions does denyTo open veins, to shut death out o' th' doors?Who will not in sharp fevers Galen try,To weaken humours, and unstop the pores?The quickest eye does want the quick'ning sun,And to the sea the drilling cadents run.Who, when Sir Cupid enters at the eye,With pride and coy disdain shuts comfort forth?I'll make ambition stoop now, love, says I,And satin thoughts shall veil to tammy worth:1970By lovely maids the lovely lovèd are,And by the fair most favoured are the fair.'Thus did she rage, her resolution love;Which spite of all disasters she will harbour,Hoping blest fate will so propitious prove,T' enclose her monk and her in Cupid's arbour:But leave her surfeiting with hope, and viewWhen to monastic vows she'll bid adieu.Till Cynthia twice twelve times repairèd hadHer silver horns, she was encloistered here:1980When some kind planet moved her loving dadTo fetch her thence his frosted age to cheer,Hence, virgin vow, away black vestments hurled,Bellama's born again into the world.He with his lady mounted on his jen-Net to the nunnery with haste does ride,Accompanied with troops of harnessed menAnd vowed a siege if Piazzell' denied,To batter down the holy walls with guns,And fright the hag with all her simp'ring nuns.1990He in an ambush placed his iron crew,Bade them prepare when as the trump did call,Dismounting then the janitor him knewAnd led the lordly couple through the hall,Parlours, and chambers, to the conclave whereThe pious nuns their branchèd lilies rear.Bellama craved a blessing, they it gave;Then Rivelezzo he did softly askIf the monastic roof should be her grave?If now she grievèd for Don Fuco's task?2000If, after two years' bondage, now she wouldAnswer more kindly to the voice of gold?'My lord,' quoth she, with humble knee and voice.'I am not tired with my nicer vow,Nor hate I Hymen, might my eyes make choice,Ask when I'll marry, and I'll answer now.''A man', quoth he, 'for face and virtue choose,And on mine honour I will not refuse.'Pazzella fearing that their whisp'ring wouldPresage no good unto her huffing waste,2010Broke off their parle; and Rivelezzo toldThat his fair daughter zealous was and chaste:And that her mind no evil did attaint,'She almost has attained to be a saint.Such high-prized comforts, joys, rewards, and gloryOur happy walls enseal and curtain in,That we alone survive: all praise and storyAre called hell's tortures and the whips of sin.The local motion of our soul's in heaven,We hate blind Turkism and the Jewish leaven.'2020'Madam,' quoth Don, 'you need no advocate,Since you yourself can plead your cause so well;But that my sex does interdict this state,What your words might effect I cannot tell.But sure it does unscrew a virgin's heart,To hear of love, and never feel his dart.''Madam, forsooth,' quoth Lady Arda, 'INe'er found such comfort i' th' innupted life,Nor think the blessings of virginityCan equal the contentments of a wife.2030My voice should not assent unto her vowTo wreath with willow sprigs her melting brow.'Quoth Piazzella, 'I am grievèd soreTo hear such scandals thrown upon our vow,To hear Diana, whom all ought t' adoreAnd her chaste votaries depravèd now.I know not what contents attend a wifeBut sure they equal not th' innupted life.Again, your honours you do much impeachTo force your daughter from this happy state;2040'Twixt her and happiness you make a breach,And pull upon your heads a cursèd fate.Heavens unbuckle will their clouds of rain,Death or diseases, if you part our train.The body's better than the sheathing skin,And ought with greater care to be maintained;The guest is far more worthy than the inn,And ought with greater study to be trained.The soul mounts heaven, when earth's agèd wombThe skeleton (her issue) does entomb.'2050'Away with arguments, in vain you plead;Our vow', quoth they, 'locked not her girdle ever.''I', quoth Pazzella, 'do abjure the tede:Hymen shall ne'er my holy orders sever.But spite of all the tricks the world does nurse,I'll keep my virgins from the bridal curse.'Without demurs, Don Rivelezzo thenWith shrill-voiced trumpet made an echo speak;Straight was the house environèd with men,Which with their leaden globes an entrance break.2060The air was frighted with the powder-thunder,The bellowing noise did split the rocks in sunder.Affrighted thus, the matron bid them gang,And to Bellama gave a sad adieu;Yet in her heart she griped with Envy's fang,And o'er her looks a veil of sorrow drew.The joyful parents, having got their daughter,Gave a farewell unto the house with laughter.Leaving the coach and cloister, we'll take partWith poor Albino in his woe and grief,2070Who, seeing Fortune his designs did thwart,And Neptune's grandchild brought him no relief,Did think to win her presence in disguise:He that but one way tries is hardly wise.He plotted to invest himself with robeMight speak him nobly born, and gallant heirTo some vast measures of this wealthy globe,Seated aloft in honour's oval chair—Procure him then some store of lacèd capesTo wait on him with servile garbs and shapes.2080Pretending to be one o'th' Spanish court,Giving strange accents to our modern speech,And hither came his wand'ring mind to sport,But that he faces lacked to tune each breach.Besides he knew the matron's care was such,She love untwisted in the eye or touch.Then a new project did he get on's brain,And sheared the downy moss from his smooth chin,Intending to be one o' th' virgin-train,Like Jupiter, husked in a female skin:2090But that he feared religion could not bridleHis active heat 'twixt linen to be idle.He thought his breaking voice would him betray(Unless he said he ever had a cold),He feared the curtsey and the female play,Or that his face would make him seem too old.But above all he fear'd he should not lockHis legs within the compass of a smock.In costly vestures he would be arrayedOf high descent, and fearing lest his sire2100Would force him to an hated pillow, strayedWith them to teen the holy vestal fire.He would be nobly born, not out of pride,But to be sheeted by Bellama's side.He had no treasure, but would promise fair,That, settled there, he should be fed in state,Hoping to win the porter with kind air,That with Bellama he might thread the gate.He all would venture: and upon this plotWould place his fortunes, and the Gordian knot.2110In such accoutrement he veilèd was,That to himself Albino was not known.He lookèd for Albino's face i' th' glass;But nothing of himself t' himself was shown.Each way a maid, enriched with special grace,As though he had unflow'r'd Adonis' face.He styl'd himself Felice, only child,To him who at that time was Folco's duke;And was so like to her whom he was styledThat she could scarcely say 'twas not her look.2120For what's of Issa and her picture writWas found in them, they tasked the poet's wit.Unto this virgin-cage she fast did pace,And, knocking at the gate, the porter came,Who, seeing riches on her back and face,With humble voice desired to know her name.'My name (good friend),' quoth she, 'Felice is,I come to taste your choice monastic bliss.''Madam,' Avaro said, 'our rubbish stoneWith cement join'd shall precious straight be made,2130In that they shall ensphere so fair an one.'Felice, smiling at the porter, said,'Hath time with iron jaws eat out this partWhich now these masons do repair by art?'And truth it was, Felice, Folco's heir,Flying the disaster of an hated tede,Couched in disguises at a cottage bare(But how? when? where? task not my amorous lede).So that Pazzella's faith writ on her browThe noble treasures of Felice's vow.2140'Not time it was, but an unhappy hour'The porter said 'we had a virtuous fair,Daughter unto a man of mighty power,So like yourself I think you sisters are,'(How largely flatt'ry has dispersed its songThat it does oil and smooth a porter's tongue!)'Bellama hight by her uncourteous sire,Fetched hence, who, when my lady did deny,Begirt our holy walls with sulphur-fire,And summoned harnessed men which close did lie.2150They with their leaden worlds at us did playAnd frighted (as you see) these stones away.'Felice, knowing that her adamant,Th' impulsive cause of this her virgin-vow,Was vanished thence, and gleams of joy did wantAnd wanning sorrow revelled on her brow.Scarce could she speak and every jointing trembled,Yet feared the porter, and her fear dissembled.Pazzella and the virgins her esteemed,Seeing her feature and unequalled grace,2160Before they knew his parentage or deemedHe was descended from high Folco's race.But, knowing that, their joys did swell so high,That grief for sorrow slinked aside to cry.But ere the next day's sun to let out dayNight's ebon box unlocked, she did not brookTo hear their private whispers, talk, and pray,Erect the host, and kiss a gilded book.For, her, Bellama has possessèd solely,So that their water could not make her holy.2170Instead of 'Virgin-mother' she would say,'My dearest lady, hear my sad complaint.'Nor to she-saints would she devoutly pray,'Cause none but her Bellama was a saint.Unto Lorretta, as Bellam', she swears:And calls their holy water but her tears.She wond'red oft how her Bellama didTwo years continue in this hated cell;And in her thoughts she oftentimes her chid,For dwelling where but formal good does dwell,2180Since in her absence she could scarce abideTo sojourn here a double eventide.Her brains acquainted was no whit with sloth,But plotted how she might escape that jail:And to this end she vowed her virgin-oathShould for her quick returning put in bail;She thought her breach of virgin-oath no sinBecause she only wore the formal skin.She missed, in ransacking her cabinet,A precious jewel, far exceeding rare,2190Which on her brow the lady duchess set,As a true pledge of her indulgent care:Far richer than that pearl which Egypt's queenQuaffed to her Mark, dissolved in liquor keen.But for all this a curious fit of manDid force her, for assay, to enter inTo see if fasting did their rosies wan,Or folly led not in the Paphian sin,Thinking her wit could manumise her straightFrom that lank cloister by some nimble sleight.2200This she pretended to have lost as she(Fainted with fears, and with her travels tired)In the cool shade of a well-hairèd treeThrew water on her joints with labour fired.For heavens parch the air with hotter raysWhen with his flaming tongue the dogstar bays.'Madam,' quoth she, with feignèd tears and sigh,'Grant me your licence to go seek my gem,The place of my reposure is but nigh';Swore by those fires that did enlighten them,2210By her virginity and virgin-vow,Return ere time could pace a triple now.Quoth Piazella, 'I will send a maidTo seek your jewel out with studied care,Direct her to the shade wherein you stayed,For you forbidden are the common air.Our gardens, beautified with Maya's glee,Your farthest journey must and ought to be.'She urged again, but all in vain she asked;The prioress remembered still the earl,2220And feared Felice his departure masked,Under pretence of seeking for a pearl.And more suspicious thoughts unto her came'Cause she so often kissed Bellama's name.She, seeing that this plot did want a stamp,To make it current pass like lawful coins,Feared her departure from this lanky camp,And vowed to try the virgin's skill at foins.Yet, ere she would attempt that amorous play,She would attempt escapes some other way.2230She viewed the casements, and did boldly wrench,With courage masculine, the squarèd bars:But they did scorn the vigour of a wench,Like sturdy oaks which slight the windy jars.Nay more, deep waters did begirt them round,That from the glass he could not see the ground.Then on the porter did she kindly smile,And by full tale gave free respects to him;Thinking to gull Avaro by this wile,Joinèd with language oiled, perfumed, and trim,2240Quoth she, 'Thy trust, and skill I must employAnd for thy pains thou shalt have treasures, boy.'The greedy porter, like a goshawk, seizedWith griping talons on this pheasant cock,'Madam', says he, 'my skill is not diseased,Nor dwells dissembling with the honest frock.Disclose your secrets, and be sure if manCan do you service, then Avaro can.'Felice then, as prologue to her suit,Gave him a purse full fraught with pseudo-gold;2250Told him her bounty brought no worser fruitIf in th' achievement he'd be true and bold.'Thou must, some evening, let me pass the gatesAnd straggle half a mile to gather dates.''Madam, I'll do 't: it is a small request,Since you do merit better at my hand.If fortune be propitious to my best.You on the common shore this night I'll landMy hands have eyes and only what they seeWill they believe—give me my minted fee.'2260Felice then plucked out a silken purse,Great, and as musical as th' other was,Pretending it was stuffed with metal curse,When 't only was with circled ragges of glass;Which purposely she did with di'monds cut,To gull the porter's hopes and fill his gut.'Heavens augment your store, madam,' quoth he,'I'll wait for you at the middle age of night;Come to my lodge and softly call for me.'This handsome cheat Felice did delight.2270To cozen the deceivers is no fraud,To use a pimp, and cheat a rusty bawd.She scarcely knew what letters spellèd grief,For all her thoughts with regal crowns were wreathed,Yet 'mongst them all Bellama ruled as chief.At time of rest her body she unsheathed,And housed within the linen walls her limbs,Till night and sleep did their quick tapers dim.Avaro (when day's sister's misty fogHad poppèd out Apollo's searching eye,2280And gen'ral silence human tongues did clogLocking all senses up with lethargy)Stepp'd to his purses, and began to thinkHow he should order his belovèd chink.He'd hang his lodge with arras weaved with goldThat his successor there might sleep in state,Or else if some revenues would be soldHe'd give them Darwey, bought at any rateThat all the nuns with prayers and holy namesMight fetch his soul from out the purging flames.2290'I'll mend highways, or hospitals repair,Else build a college, and endow 't with mines.'Thus did he build his castles in the airFor all's not cash that jingles, gold that shines;His glassy coin [must] leap out of the mintEre on his brow the stamp did current print.Thus was he gull'd, as once a king of FrancePaid a French monsieur for a prancing steed—Gave him a purse whose richness did enhanceTh' enclosèd gem, supposed a noble meed,2300But when for golden mountains he did gape,He oped the purse, and only found a rape.'Oh! what full anger redded o'er his looks!What tides of rage and fury swelled his spleen!He curseth her with candles, bells, and books;And vowed ere long on her to wreak his teen.'Ah me!' quoth he, 'such brittle things are lassesWhich one poor letter changeth unto glasses.'Felice, now perceiving all was quiet,Hearing no noise, unless a belly-blast2310Which might proceed from an unwholesome diet,Tied her apparel on with nimble haste,And, coming to the lodge, with knuckle knockShe strove to summon out the lazy frock.But the grim Tartar was so soundly lulled,Without a dram of opium, steeped in ale—Tirèd with vexing that he was so gulled—That all Felice's rappings naught avail;Till, vexèd with demurs she knock'd so loud,It raised a thunder like a breaking cloud.2320Just at that moment did Pazzell' awakeFrom an affrighting dream, wherein she sawA dreadful lion her Felice take,And tear her body with his sharp'ned paw;And hearing this shrill noise, fear said 'twas true,Danger did threaten her monastic crew.Her frosted limbs she heavèd out of bed,And shelled her body in her night-apparel,Arming her hands with pistols stuffed with lead,Which anger firing, with the air did quarrel,2330And, groping in the dark, her foot did slip,Which out o' th' barrels made the bullets skip.Felice, at that thunder-clap amazed,With haste retired from the porter's cell,And meeting her, on one another gazed.The porter, starting up, did ring the bell,The virgins shrieked, which all made murmurs shrillLike Irish hubbubs in pursuit of ill.When reason somewhat had becalmed their rage,The abbotess Felice sharply checked.2340'Madam,' says she, 'I only came t' assuageIntestine heats which all my body deckedIn scarlet dye; and being much appalled,With frisking fairies, I the porter called.''Go, go, you are a wanton girl,' quoth she,'That fain would tempt my porter unto folly.''Madam,' Felice said, 'you injure me.Sure, if lascivious I had been so jolly,I might have met with many men more able,Before I did invest myself with sable.'2350'Oh madam! madam!' mad Avaro cried,'Why do you think she could o'ercome your frock?I ne'er did yield, yet have been often tried;My courage hath withstood a greater shock.Yet sure she would—she would have passed the gates;The reason why, forsooth, to gather dates.I am afraid your dukedom-girl does longNot for the porter, he is out of date;But for an oily cavalier that 's strong,May teach her virginship a mother's fate.2360Madam, look well; see if you miss no glass,I'm sure with brittle coin she gulled an ass.'Then told the story: Piazzella fretted,'This is the jewel which you would have soughtWhen in all haste from hence you would have jetted!What your intendments were my wisdom thought,I'll have no gadders, and t' allay your heatI have a diet will prevent a sweat.'In a retired room she locked her up,Devoid of lustful mates with her to play;2370Allowed her pulse, and juice of clouds to sup,And bade her scores of Ave Maries say.Three artificial days she lodgèd there,Where every day to her did seem a year.When she had paid this penance for her crime(Which in her judgement was accounted bad),She was again amongst the virgins prime,On promise that she would not henceforth gad.Yet still she plotted, but where'er she went,The angry destines thwarted her intent.2380Then, from Bellam' since walls did her encell,She thought t' employ her talent to the best.One of the virgins had some vogliarell,And earnestly desir'd with her to rest.Who ere the morn did Piacinto sing,And wore her blushes on her rubied ring.Next night she chose another, then another;Her curious palate so to novels stood,That every one had hope to be a mother,And near of kin, united in one blood.2390But yet, alas! this pleasure lasted not:Their virgin-girdles could not keep their knot.Not many fortnights after they had tookThese physic-potions from their doctor's reins,One told her folly by her meagre look,Another had more blue than on her veins,Others were qualmish, and another longs:All spake their pleasures, yet all held their tongues.One long'd for citrons, and another grapes,That grew on Alps' steep height, others for peaches;2400One strangely did desire the tails of apesSteepèd in juice of myrtles, holms, and beeches.Some palates must be fed with implumed quails,And nothing must approach this tongue but rails.Some longed for crayfish, shrimps, cods, plaice, and oysters;One for a lemon that doth grow on thorns;Another longeth for some blood of roisters,Spiced with the scrapings of pale Cynthia's horns;One on the bosom of the matron skips,And spite of her full nose did gnaw her lips;2410One bade them fill an orc of Bacchus water,Her thirsty soul she said would drain a tun;One from her window bids a poor translatorCut her a cantle of the gaudy sun;But above all I like that witty girl,Which longed to feed upon a glorrah earl.The jealous matron with suspicious eyeDid read their common ill in every face;Espied the breach of their virginity,And feared a plantage with an infant race.2420Yet still suppressed her knowledge, till at lastTheir heaving bellies kissed their thick'ned waist.She then, with friendly summonings, did callThe grave lord abbot and his smooth-chin race;Who, coachèd, came unto the virgin-hall,But all the rabble through the vault did pace.Arrivèd here, she cookèd dainty catesTo please the abbot and his tempo-pates.So called a council 'bout her quondam maids—Each one admiring who durst be so bold,2430Since none had entrance, nor the virgins strayed,And for the porter he was known too cold.The prior feared lest one of his square capsShould guilty be of those upheaving laps.It was decreed that they all should beShrived, being sejoinèd from each other's ken;But, ere that time, the teemers did decreeWhat answer to return the shriving men.Felice did instruct them to denyThat she gave birth unto their pregnancy.2440But they should say, and to that saying seal,With strong asseverations that 'IntoOur fast-locked room a youthful blade did steal,And with the best of wooing did us woo.Our cases are the same with Merlin's mother:We think our lover was his father's brother.'Twas one man's act, or, clothed with human shape,He was angelical; and this we thoughtBecause there was no semblance of a rape.We gave him our assent as soon as sought.2450We judged unmaiding better in the darkThan, Daphne-like, an husking o'er with bark.'The shrivers to their lords return with smiles,And on their looks a joy ovall chhriots*had,Said they confessèd them with zeal and wiles,And by a plain narration knew the dad—One of those ever-youthfuls came from heaven,And in the virgins' wombs did lay a leaven.The abbot at this news did much rejoice,Since with a kind aspect the Virgin Lady,2460Viewing this nunn'ry, did ordain this choice,And for the issue did appoint this daddy.They shall be prophets, priests of high renown,And virgins which shall keep their bellies down.Provide them childbed linen, mantles, swaddles,Rockers and nurses, all officious shes,With rattles, corals, little cars, and cradles,And give them beads to wait upon their knees.Rome's high arch-vicar shall a testate beTo the first-born whom Nature makes a he.2470Take pens, and smooth-strain anthems write in bays,Make new orisons unto all the saints,And to Lucina chant invoking lays,To move her pity these young mothers' plaints;Say her fair temple need not fear the flame,Whilst here she wins her an eternal fame.Felice smiled to see their studied care,To foster whom she at her pleasure got.But Piazzella, starting from her chair,Callèd Felice to survey her knot,2480And finding it as at the first 'twas tied,'How 'scapèd you this goddy sire?' she cried.'Madam,' quoth he—Felice, 'I confessI was a party in those spruce delights;But Nature curseth some with barrenness,As (I have heard) Albertus Magnus writes.So that though my desires were full as big,I was not heavèd with that curtain jig!Reasonfortasse'son her words did stamp,Which did entruth them (though they were but squibs).2490This done, the prior did remove his camp,And all the friars, with hemp-girdled ribs,All great with expectation, and as fainWould be delivered as the full-flanked train.They sung canzones ere the sun could rise,And Ave-Maries out of number said,Lucina wond'red at this strange disguise,That nuns and monks to her devoutly prayed.All beads were rattled, and all saints invoked,Some squealed, some tenored, and some hoarsely croaked.2500With this conceit, Felice frolic grew,And sported bravely in the silent hours.Her bed-mates call'd her Angel; yet none knewThat 'twas Albino which had cropped their flowers.But, though they revelled in the night, the dayThrew hailstorms on their lust to chill their play.Yet had their pleasure not a grandsire life,For tattling slumbers did their joys untone.'You vowed, Felice, I should be your wife,'Says Cloe, 'ere you loosed my virgin-zone,2510But ah!' so waked, and feared her vocal slumberWould from her eyelids force a Trent and Humber.Says Phill', 'Felice, had I known at firstYou only wore the name of Folco's daughter,I would have suff'red an untamèd thirstEre lust had brought mine honour unto slaughter,But oh——' and, starting up, she feared her dreamWould ere 'twas long obscure joy's mirthful gleam.'Well, well,' says Floris, ''tis an happy changeTo loose mine honour for an angel-mate,2520But angels will not house in such a grange:This is the offspring of Felice's pate.But ah——' so sighed, and sighing causèd fearsLest her plump rosies should be ploughed with tears.Yet, you must know, the virgins did not useTo blab their private actions in a dream,But that the cunning matron did infuseSome atoms of the Quiris into cream;And, ere they were enclosed in Somnus' arms,She drenched their fancies in these liquid charms.2530Then, with unsealèd eyes, she made her earsKeep privy watch to intercept their talk:Yet would have washed her knowledge out with tears,And wished it written in her mind with chalk.One while she thanked the God of slumber, then,Her curses threw him down to Pluto's den.But when Aurora, in her tissue vest,Mantled with blushes, rose from Tithon's side,And through a casement of th' adorèd eastSent Phosphorus to usher in her pride—2540Ere Phoebus our horizon did arrayWith silver glitter of the blooming day—
I'll bore the heavens, pierce the clouds a vein,Make them full torrents weep of brackish rain,To second my laments; methinks the sun,Knowing my clue is ravelled and undone,That my Bellama slights, should, vexed, resignT' his sister's chariot his ecliptic line.1820Bid Phoebe run horn-mad, and loudly cry,Froth, howl, as in a fit of lunacy,Nay, throw a poison on Endymion's lips,Threaten to drown the world, the sun eclipse.Keep the stars order still? or can they stirAnd not digress? Know they how not to err?Sure, no: I saw bright Paphos snuff her lamp,Yet vowed to quench it with eternal damp,Hurl all away, if that her servant's loveBe had in no regard, and awful Jove1830Hurry along the milky way to findThat sniffling deity, that wingèd blind—And vowed to clip his wings as short as monksTheir stubbed beards more short than panèd trunks,Unless he shot a dart with more than speed,To make Bellama's heart affections bleed.Bold ocean foams with spite, his neb-tides roar,His billows top and top-mast high do soar.Nature herself is sullen, keeps her bed,And will not rise so much as dress her head:1840Regardless of the seasons, will not seeLoud winds deplume the bush and tow'ring tree.The ploughman furrows earth, sows seed i' th' tides,But nature weeps for me, his pains derides.Copernicus his tenet's verified,The massy globe does 'bout its centre ride.All things disranked, nothing observes its state,Change time and tide, or post or antedate.But thou, Bellam', art deaf to me and blind,Steel'st thine affections, flint'st thy hardenèd mind,1850And strik'st fire thence t' inflame my tinder heart,Thou oil'st the flame, but I endure the smart.How oft have I, when others' eyes have slept,Like sentinels to armies, watchings kept!And when the thought o' th' saints' thrice blissful homeWhich (ah! too seldom) 'mongst my thoughts did come,Then, spite of goodness, blessed E was lostAnd you the haven of me tempest-tost.Have I made envious art admire thy worth,Touched the Ela of praise t' emblazon 't forth?1860Bid sleep goodnight, quiet and rest adieu,Made myself no self to entitle you?And, after this sad purgatory, mustMy hopes be laid i' th' dust for want of dust?Then know, Bellama, since thou aim'st at wealthWhere Fortune has bestowed her largest dealth,That wealth may puff a clod of earth like leaven,But virtuous want alone ensouleth heaven.Know more, I scorned thy fortune: 'twas thyselfI courted, not thy slight-adored pelf,1870And had not mortals' curse blessed thee, and IHad swelled with honour and nobility,My love, once fixed on virtue, parents' hateIn both might shake, but ne'er evert love's state.I aim at virtue's bliss, and if I findThe heart and bosom good, I slight the rind.But since, Bellama, thou regard'st not me,I scorn to cringe, adore, and flatter thee.For he that rules his thoughts has a nobler soulThan he that awes the world from pole to pole.1880Thus, fair, adieu! with love these measures scan,And know my love was but a fit of man.
I'll bore the heavens, pierce the clouds a vein,
Make them full torrents weep of brackish rain,
To second my laments; methinks the sun,
Knowing my clue is ravelled and undone,
That my Bellama slights, should, vexed, resign
T' his sister's chariot his ecliptic line.
1820Bid Phoebe run horn-mad, and loudly cry,
Froth, howl, as in a fit of lunacy,
Nay, throw a poison on Endymion's lips,
Threaten to drown the world, the sun eclipse.
Keep the stars order still? or can they stir
And not digress? Know they how not to err?
Sure, no: I saw bright Paphos snuff her lamp,
Yet vowed to quench it with eternal damp,
Hurl all away, if that her servant's love
Be had in no regard, and awful Jove
1830Hurry along the milky way to find
That sniffling deity, that wingèd blind—
And vowed to clip his wings as short as monks
Their stubbed beards more short than panèd trunks,
Unless he shot a dart with more than speed,
To make Bellama's heart affections bleed.
Bold ocean foams with spite, his neb-tides roar,
His billows top and top-mast high do soar.
Nature herself is sullen, keeps her bed,
And will not rise so much as dress her head:
1840Regardless of the seasons, will not see
Loud winds deplume the bush and tow'ring tree.
The ploughman furrows earth, sows seed i' th' tides,
But nature weeps for me, his pains derides.
Copernicus his tenet's verified,
The massy globe does 'bout its centre ride.
All things disranked, nothing observes its state,
Change time and tide, or post or antedate.
But thou, Bellam', art deaf to me and blind,
Steel'st thine affections, flint'st thy hardenèd mind,
1850And strik'st fire thence t' inflame my tinder heart,
Thou oil'st the flame, but I endure the smart.
How oft have I, when others' eyes have slept,
Like sentinels to armies, watchings kept!
And when the thought o' th' saints' thrice blissful home
Which (ah! too seldom) 'mongst my thoughts did come,
Then, spite of goodness, blessed E was lost
And you the haven of me tempest-tost.
Have I made envious art admire thy worth,
Touched the Ela of praise t' emblazon 't forth?
1860Bid sleep goodnight, quiet and rest adieu,
Made myself no self to entitle you?
And, after this sad purgatory, must
My hopes be laid i' th' dust for want of dust?
Then know, Bellama, since thou aim'st at wealth
Where Fortune has bestowed her largest dealth,
That wealth may puff a clod of earth like leaven,
But virtuous want alone ensouleth heaven.
Know more, I scorned thy fortune: 'twas thyself
I courted, not thy slight-adored pelf,
1870And had not mortals' curse blessed thee, and I
Had swelled with honour and nobility,
My love, once fixed on virtue, parents' hate
In both might shake, but ne'er evert love's state.
I aim at virtue's bliss, and if I find
The heart and bosom good, I slight the rind.
But since, Bellama, thou regard'st not me,
I scorn to cringe, adore, and flatter thee.
For he that rules his thoughts has a nobler soul
Than he that awes the world from pole to pole.
1880Thus, fair, adieu! with love these measures scan,
And know my love was but a fit of man.
We'll leave Albino in this frantic mood,And view Bellama, pargèd o'er with fear,Asking a member of her sisterhood(For love and virtues unto her most dear),Amongst their sportings, and their chaste delights,Wherefore Albino did refrain their sights.
We'll leave Albino in this frantic mood,
And view Bellama, pargèd o'er with fear,
Asking a member of her sisterhood
(For love and virtues unto her most dear),
Amongst their sportings, and their chaste delights,
Wherefore Albino did refrain their sights.
Barraba (her the font those letters gave)Said, 'I presume I rightly guess the cause'.1890Bellama urged (thanks to the purblind knave),'Twas thus', quoth she—yet made a two day's pause.At length, with importunings overcome,She told her why Albino kept at home.
Barraba (her the font those letters gave)
Said, 'I presume I rightly guess the cause'.
1890Bellama urged (thanks to the purblind knave),
'Twas thus', quoth she—yet made a two day's pause.
At length, with importunings overcome,
She told her why Albino kept at home.
'Bardino did deceive his trust', quoth she,'Told all, yet sung another song to him:His love came lapped in paper unto thee,He with quaint words did his affections limn,Vowed service: but Bardino (ah the shame!)Unclasped his secrets to our jealous dame.'
'Bardino did deceive his trust', quoth she,
'Told all, yet sung another song to him:
His love came lapped in paper unto thee,
He with quaint words did his affections limn,
Vowed service: but Bardino (ah the shame!)
Unclasped his secrets to our jealous dame.'
1900'Am I an infidel? or dare I tie',Quoth fair Bellama 'unto this belief?Shall just revenge in my soft bosom die?And shall I melt my heart with secret grief?I'll scold with him.' Says chaste Barraba, 'No,For by that others will your wishes know.'
1900'Am I an infidel? or dare I tie',
Quoth fair Bellama 'unto this belief?
Shall just revenge in my soft bosom die?
And shall I melt my heart with secret grief?
I'll scold with him.' Says chaste Barraba, 'No,
For by that others will your wishes know.'
What she should do (plung'd in this depth of woe)Bellama knew not, nor durst counsel ask:More dangers wait her, if she send or go,Than if she underwent Alcides' task.1910Distracted were her thoughts in silence tied,Till love and honour buzzled, then she cried,
What she should do (plung'd in this depth of woe)
Bellama knew not, nor durst counsel ask:
More dangers wait her, if she send or go,
Than if she underwent Alcides' task.
1910Distracted were her thoughts in silence tied,
Till love and honour buzzled, then she cried,
'Ah! false Bardino, shame of holy orders!Whither, ah! whither didst thou send thy troth?To be grand factor in the frozen bordersFor them whose decks do make old ocean froth?And truthless thou, locked in this gloomy cell,Plott'st baseness to enlarge the crown of hell.
'Ah! false Bardino, shame of holy orders!
Whither, ah! whither didst thou send thy troth?
To be grand factor in the frozen borders
For them whose decks do make old ocean froth?
And truthless thou, locked in this gloomy cell,
Plott'st baseness to enlarge the crown of hell.
Unjust Bardin', unworthy of a cope,Or (whose employments holy) other vest,1920Didst [thou], oh didst thy conscience scour with soap,And washed all faith from off thy glazèd breast?And, faithless, thou esteemest less of vowThan clownish whistlers which do steer the plough.
Unjust Bardin', unworthy of a cope,
Or (whose employments holy) other vest,
1920Didst [thou], oh didst thy conscience scour with soap,
And washed all faith from off thy glazèd breast?
And, faithless, thou esteemest less of vow
Than clownish whistlers which do steer the plough.
Where didst encage thine eyes? durst thou behold(Acting this crime) the castle of the stars?How stopp'st thine ears? didst hear the heavens scold,And chide in wind and thunder threat'ning wars?Durst touch the hallowed water, spittle, salt,The cross or pax, and yet attempt this fault?
Where didst encage thine eyes? durst thou behold
(Acting this crime) the castle of the stars?
How stopp'st thine ears? didst hear the heavens scold,
And chide in wind and thunder threat'ning wars?
Durst touch the hallowed water, spittle, salt,
The cross or pax, and yet attempt this fault?
1930Those sacred bagnios, wherein pagans washTheir sullied limbs for their mosquea's door,The pottage-penance and repentant lash,Their hair-cloth shirt, skin-shoes, and thousand more;Th' arch-vicar's pardon, and the purging flameCan ne'er absolve thy crime or clear thy fame.
1930Those sacred bagnios, wherein pagans wash
Their sullied limbs for their mosquea's door,
The pottage-penance and repentant lash,
Their hair-cloth shirt, skin-shoes, and thousand more;
Th' arch-vicar's pardon, and the purging flame
Can ne'er absolve thy crime or clear thy fame.
Pack then from human eyes, and shroud thy sin,Under the curtains of eternal night;Perfidiousness does make thee near of kinTo hell's black fiends, with robes of horror dight.1940Pack, pack, begone, the ferryman does stayTo waft thy paunch o'er th' Acherontic bay.
Pack then from human eyes, and shroud thy sin,
Under the curtains of eternal night;
Perfidiousness does make thee near of kin
To hell's black fiends, with robes of horror dight.
1940Pack, pack, begone, the ferryman does stay
To waft thy paunch o'er th' Acherontic bay.
But peace, Bellama, dost thou think it fitTo value at so mean a price thy pearl?Applaud thyself, count it a point of witTo take a cowlist and refuse an earl.The world shall be uncentred, ere 't be saidBeauty takes lodging in an humble maid.
But peace, Bellama, dost thou think it fit
To value at so mean a price thy pearl?
Applaud thyself, count it a point of wit
To take a cowlist and refuse an earl.
The world shall be uncentred, ere 't be said
Beauty takes lodging in an humble maid.
What then? shall every fashion fashion me,As in religion by the church's eye,1950So by the world's must I in loving see?No, I the world's supremacy deny.Hence with those loves which profit only measures,I hate that heart which only shoots at treasures.
What then? shall every fashion fashion me,
As in religion by the church's eye,
1950So by the world's must I in loving see?
No, I the world's supremacy deny.
Hence with those loves which profit only measures,
I hate that heart which only shoots at treasures.
The Cyprian goddess is not fed with ploughs,Nor Cupid's arrow guided is with acres.Vulcan permitted was to shake the boughs,But Mars suck'd in the sweets without partakers.Youth, youth pursues; for with autumnal looksCupid does seldom bait his eighteen hooks.
The Cyprian goddess is not fed with ploughs,
Nor Cupid's arrow guided is with acres.
Vulcan permitted was to shake the boughs,
But Mars suck'd in the sweets without partakers.
Youth, youth pursues; for with autumnal looks
Cupid does seldom bait his eighteen hooks.
1960Who in pleuretic passions does denyTo open veins, to shut death out o' th' doors?Who will not in sharp fevers Galen try,To weaken humours, and unstop the pores?The quickest eye does want the quick'ning sun,And to the sea the drilling cadents run.
1960Who in pleuretic passions does deny
To open veins, to shut death out o' th' doors?
Who will not in sharp fevers Galen try,
To weaken humours, and unstop the pores?
The quickest eye does want the quick'ning sun,
And to the sea the drilling cadents run.
Who, when Sir Cupid enters at the eye,With pride and coy disdain shuts comfort forth?I'll make ambition stoop now, love, says I,And satin thoughts shall veil to tammy worth:1970By lovely maids the lovely lovèd are,And by the fair most favoured are the fair.'
Who, when Sir Cupid enters at the eye,
With pride and coy disdain shuts comfort forth?
I'll make ambition stoop now, love, says I,
And satin thoughts shall veil to tammy worth:
1970By lovely maids the lovely lovèd are,
And by the fair most favoured are the fair.'
Thus did she rage, her resolution love;Which spite of all disasters she will harbour,Hoping blest fate will so propitious prove,T' enclose her monk and her in Cupid's arbour:But leave her surfeiting with hope, and viewWhen to monastic vows she'll bid adieu.
Thus did she rage, her resolution love;
Which spite of all disasters she will harbour,
Hoping blest fate will so propitious prove,
T' enclose her monk and her in Cupid's arbour:
But leave her surfeiting with hope, and view
When to monastic vows she'll bid adieu.
Till Cynthia twice twelve times repairèd hadHer silver horns, she was encloistered here:1980When some kind planet moved her loving dadTo fetch her thence his frosted age to cheer,Hence, virgin vow, away black vestments hurled,Bellama's born again into the world.
Till Cynthia twice twelve times repairèd had
Her silver horns, she was encloistered here:
1980When some kind planet moved her loving dad
To fetch her thence his frosted age to cheer,
Hence, virgin vow, away black vestments hurled,
Bellama's born again into the world.
He with his lady mounted on his jen-Net to the nunnery with haste does ride,Accompanied with troops of harnessed menAnd vowed a siege if Piazzell' denied,To batter down the holy walls with guns,And fright the hag with all her simp'ring nuns.
He with his lady mounted on his jen-
Net to the nunnery with haste does ride,
Accompanied with troops of harnessed men
And vowed a siege if Piazzell' denied,
To batter down the holy walls with guns,
And fright the hag with all her simp'ring nuns.
1990He in an ambush placed his iron crew,Bade them prepare when as the trump did call,Dismounting then the janitor him knewAnd led the lordly couple through the hall,Parlours, and chambers, to the conclave whereThe pious nuns their branchèd lilies rear.
1990He in an ambush placed his iron crew,
Bade them prepare when as the trump did call,
Dismounting then the janitor him knew
And led the lordly couple through the hall,
Parlours, and chambers, to the conclave where
The pious nuns their branchèd lilies rear.
Bellama craved a blessing, they it gave;Then Rivelezzo he did softly askIf the monastic roof should be her grave?If now she grievèd for Don Fuco's task?2000If, after two years' bondage, now she wouldAnswer more kindly to the voice of gold?
Bellama craved a blessing, they it gave;
Then Rivelezzo he did softly ask
If the monastic roof should be her grave?
If now she grievèd for Don Fuco's task?
2000If, after two years' bondage, now she would
Answer more kindly to the voice of gold?
'My lord,' quoth she, with humble knee and voice.'I am not tired with my nicer vow,Nor hate I Hymen, might my eyes make choice,Ask when I'll marry, and I'll answer now.''A man', quoth he, 'for face and virtue choose,And on mine honour I will not refuse.'
'My lord,' quoth she, with humble knee and voice.
'I am not tired with my nicer vow,
Nor hate I Hymen, might my eyes make choice,
Ask when I'll marry, and I'll answer now.'
'A man', quoth he, 'for face and virtue choose,
And on mine honour I will not refuse.'
Pazzella fearing that their whisp'ring wouldPresage no good unto her huffing waste,2010Broke off their parle; and Rivelezzo toldThat his fair daughter zealous was and chaste:And that her mind no evil did attaint,'She almost has attained to be a saint.
Pazzella fearing that their whisp'ring would
Presage no good unto her huffing waste,
2010Broke off their parle; and Rivelezzo told
That his fair daughter zealous was and chaste:
And that her mind no evil did attaint,
'She almost has attained to be a saint.
Such high-prized comforts, joys, rewards, and gloryOur happy walls enseal and curtain in,That we alone survive: all praise and storyAre called hell's tortures and the whips of sin.The local motion of our soul's in heaven,We hate blind Turkism and the Jewish leaven.'
Such high-prized comforts, joys, rewards, and glory
Our happy walls enseal and curtain in,
That we alone survive: all praise and story
Are called hell's tortures and the whips of sin.
The local motion of our soul's in heaven,
We hate blind Turkism and the Jewish leaven.'
2020'Madam,' quoth Don, 'you need no advocate,Since you yourself can plead your cause so well;But that my sex does interdict this state,What your words might effect I cannot tell.But sure it does unscrew a virgin's heart,To hear of love, and never feel his dart.'
2020'Madam,' quoth Don, 'you need no advocate,
Since you yourself can plead your cause so well;
But that my sex does interdict this state,
What your words might effect I cannot tell.
But sure it does unscrew a virgin's heart,
To hear of love, and never feel his dart.'
'Madam, forsooth,' quoth Lady Arda, 'INe'er found such comfort i' th' innupted life,Nor think the blessings of virginityCan equal the contentments of a wife.2030My voice should not assent unto her vowTo wreath with willow sprigs her melting brow.'
'Madam, forsooth,' quoth Lady Arda, 'I
Ne'er found such comfort i' th' innupted life,
Nor think the blessings of virginity
Can equal the contentments of a wife.
2030My voice should not assent unto her vow
To wreath with willow sprigs her melting brow.'
Quoth Piazzella, 'I am grievèd soreTo hear such scandals thrown upon our vow,To hear Diana, whom all ought t' adoreAnd her chaste votaries depravèd now.I know not what contents attend a wifeBut sure they equal not th' innupted life.
Quoth Piazzella, 'I am grievèd sore
To hear such scandals thrown upon our vow,
To hear Diana, whom all ought t' adore
And her chaste votaries depravèd now.
I know not what contents attend a wife
But sure they equal not th' innupted life.
Again, your honours you do much impeachTo force your daughter from this happy state;2040'Twixt her and happiness you make a breach,And pull upon your heads a cursèd fate.Heavens unbuckle will their clouds of rain,Death or diseases, if you part our train.
Again, your honours you do much impeach
To force your daughter from this happy state;
2040'Twixt her and happiness you make a breach,
And pull upon your heads a cursèd fate.
Heavens unbuckle will their clouds of rain,
Death or diseases, if you part our train.
The body's better than the sheathing skin,And ought with greater care to be maintained;The guest is far more worthy than the inn,And ought with greater study to be trained.The soul mounts heaven, when earth's agèd wombThe skeleton (her issue) does entomb.'
The body's better than the sheathing skin,
And ought with greater care to be maintained;
The guest is far more worthy than the inn,
And ought with greater study to be trained.
The soul mounts heaven, when earth's agèd womb
The skeleton (her issue) does entomb.'
2050'Away with arguments, in vain you plead;Our vow', quoth they, 'locked not her girdle ever.''I', quoth Pazzella, 'do abjure the tede:Hymen shall ne'er my holy orders sever.But spite of all the tricks the world does nurse,I'll keep my virgins from the bridal curse.'
2050'Away with arguments, in vain you plead;
Our vow', quoth they, 'locked not her girdle ever.'
'I', quoth Pazzella, 'do abjure the tede:
Hymen shall ne'er my holy orders sever.
But spite of all the tricks the world does nurse,
I'll keep my virgins from the bridal curse.'
Without demurs, Don Rivelezzo thenWith shrill-voiced trumpet made an echo speak;Straight was the house environèd with men,Which with their leaden globes an entrance break.2060The air was frighted with the powder-thunder,The bellowing noise did split the rocks in sunder.
Without demurs, Don Rivelezzo then
With shrill-voiced trumpet made an echo speak;
Straight was the house environèd with men,
Which with their leaden globes an entrance break.
2060The air was frighted with the powder-thunder,
The bellowing noise did split the rocks in sunder.
Affrighted thus, the matron bid them gang,And to Bellama gave a sad adieu;Yet in her heart she griped with Envy's fang,And o'er her looks a veil of sorrow drew.The joyful parents, having got their daughter,Gave a farewell unto the house with laughter.
Affrighted thus, the matron bid them gang,
And to Bellama gave a sad adieu;
Yet in her heart she griped with Envy's fang,
And o'er her looks a veil of sorrow drew.
The joyful parents, having got their daughter,
Gave a farewell unto the house with laughter.
Leaving the coach and cloister, we'll take partWith poor Albino in his woe and grief,2070Who, seeing Fortune his designs did thwart,And Neptune's grandchild brought him no relief,Did think to win her presence in disguise:He that but one way tries is hardly wise.
Leaving the coach and cloister, we'll take part
With poor Albino in his woe and grief,
2070Who, seeing Fortune his designs did thwart,
And Neptune's grandchild brought him no relief,
Did think to win her presence in disguise:
He that but one way tries is hardly wise.
He plotted to invest himself with robeMight speak him nobly born, and gallant heirTo some vast measures of this wealthy globe,Seated aloft in honour's oval chair—Procure him then some store of lacèd capesTo wait on him with servile garbs and shapes.
He plotted to invest himself with robe
Might speak him nobly born, and gallant heir
To some vast measures of this wealthy globe,
Seated aloft in honour's oval chair—
Procure him then some store of lacèd capes
To wait on him with servile garbs and shapes.
2080Pretending to be one o'th' Spanish court,Giving strange accents to our modern speech,And hither came his wand'ring mind to sport,But that he faces lacked to tune each breach.Besides he knew the matron's care was such,She love untwisted in the eye or touch.
2080Pretending to be one o'th' Spanish court,
Giving strange accents to our modern speech,
And hither came his wand'ring mind to sport,
But that he faces lacked to tune each breach.
Besides he knew the matron's care was such,
She love untwisted in the eye or touch.
Then a new project did he get on's brain,And sheared the downy moss from his smooth chin,Intending to be one o' th' virgin-train,Like Jupiter, husked in a female skin:2090But that he feared religion could not bridleHis active heat 'twixt linen to be idle.
Then a new project did he get on's brain,
And sheared the downy moss from his smooth chin,
Intending to be one o' th' virgin-train,
Like Jupiter, husked in a female skin:
2090But that he feared religion could not bridle
His active heat 'twixt linen to be idle.
He thought his breaking voice would him betray(Unless he said he ever had a cold),He feared the curtsey and the female play,Or that his face would make him seem too old.But above all he fear'd he should not lockHis legs within the compass of a smock.
He thought his breaking voice would him betray
(Unless he said he ever had a cold),
He feared the curtsey and the female play,
Or that his face would make him seem too old.
But above all he fear'd he should not lock
His legs within the compass of a smock.
In costly vestures he would be arrayedOf high descent, and fearing lest his sire2100Would force him to an hated pillow, strayedWith them to teen the holy vestal fire.He would be nobly born, not out of pride,But to be sheeted by Bellama's side.
In costly vestures he would be arrayed
Of high descent, and fearing lest his sire
2100Would force him to an hated pillow, strayed
With them to teen the holy vestal fire.
He would be nobly born, not out of pride,
But to be sheeted by Bellama's side.
He had no treasure, but would promise fair,That, settled there, he should be fed in state,Hoping to win the porter with kind air,That with Bellama he might thread the gate.He all would venture: and upon this plotWould place his fortunes, and the Gordian knot.
He had no treasure, but would promise fair,
That, settled there, he should be fed in state,
Hoping to win the porter with kind air,
That with Bellama he might thread the gate.
He all would venture: and upon this plot
Would place his fortunes, and the Gordian knot.
2110In such accoutrement he veilèd was,That to himself Albino was not known.He lookèd for Albino's face i' th' glass;But nothing of himself t' himself was shown.Each way a maid, enriched with special grace,As though he had unflow'r'd Adonis' face.
2110In such accoutrement he veilèd was,
That to himself Albino was not known.
He lookèd for Albino's face i' th' glass;
But nothing of himself t' himself was shown.
Each way a maid, enriched with special grace,
As though he had unflow'r'd Adonis' face.
He styl'd himself Felice, only child,To him who at that time was Folco's duke;And was so like to her whom he was styledThat she could scarcely say 'twas not her look.2120For what's of Issa and her picture writWas found in them, they tasked the poet's wit.
He styl'd himself Felice, only child,
To him who at that time was Folco's duke;
And was so like to her whom he was styled
That she could scarcely say 'twas not her look.
2120For what's of Issa and her picture writ
Was found in them, they tasked the poet's wit.
Unto this virgin-cage she fast did pace,And, knocking at the gate, the porter came,Who, seeing riches on her back and face,With humble voice desired to know her name.'My name (good friend),' quoth she, 'Felice is,I come to taste your choice monastic bliss.'
Unto this virgin-cage she fast did pace,
And, knocking at the gate, the porter came,
Who, seeing riches on her back and face,
With humble voice desired to know her name.
'My name (good friend),' quoth she, 'Felice is,
I come to taste your choice monastic bliss.'
'Madam,' Avaro said, 'our rubbish stoneWith cement join'd shall precious straight be made,2130In that they shall ensphere so fair an one.'Felice, smiling at the porter, said,'Hath time with iron jaws eat out this partWhich now these masons do repair by art?'
'Madam,' Avaro said, 'our rubbish stone
With cement join'd shall precious straight be made,
2130In that they shall ensphere so fair an one.'
Felice, smiling at the porter, said,
'Hath time with iron jaws eat out this part
Which now these masons do repair by art?'
And truth it was, Felice, Folco's heir,Flying the disaster of an hated tede,Couched in disguises at a cottage bare(But how? when? where? task not my amorous lede).So that Pazzella's faith writ on her browThe noble treasures of Felice's vow.
And truth it was, Felice, Folco's heir,
Flying the disaster of an hated tede,
Couched in disguises at a cottage bare
(But how? when? where? task not my amorous lede).
So that Pazzella's faith writ on her brow
The noble treasures of Felice's vow.
2140'Not time it was, but an unhappy hour'The porter said 'we had a virtuous fair,Daughter unto a man of mighty power,So like yourself I think you sisters are,'(How largely flatt'ry has dispersed its songThat it does oil and smooth a porter's tongue!)
2140'Not time it was, but an unhappy hour'
The porter said 'we had a virtuous fair,
Daughter unto a man of mighty power,
So like yourself I think you sisters are,'
(How largely flatt'ry has dispersed its song
That it does oil and smooth a porter's tongue!)
'Bellama hight by her uncourteous sire,Fetched hence, who, when my lady did deny,Begirt our holy walls with sulphur-fire,And summoned harnessed men which close did lie.2150They with their leaden worlds at us did playAnd frighted (as you see) these stones away.'
'Bellama hight by her uncourteous sire,
Fetched hence, who, when my lady did deny,
Begirt our holy walls with sulphur-fire,
And summoned harnessed men which close did lie.
2150They with their leaden worlds at us did play
And frighted (as you see) these stones away.'
Felice, knowing that her adamant,Th' impulsive cause of this her virgin-vow,Was vanished thence, and gleams of joy did wantAnd wanning sorrow revelled on her brow.Scarce could she speak and every jointing trembled,Yet feared the porter, and her fear dissembled.
Felice, knowing that her adamant,
Th' impulsive cause of this her virgin-vow,
Was vanished thence, and gleams of joy did want
And wanning sorrow revelled on her brow.
Scarce could she speak and every jointing trembled,
Yet feared the porter, and her fear dissembled.
Pazzella and the virgins her esteemed,Seeing her feature and unequalled grace,2160Before they knew his parentage or deemedHe was descended from high Folco's race.But, knowing that, their joys did swell so high,That grief for sorrow slinked aside to cry.
Pazzella and the virgins her esteemed,
Seeing her feature and unequalled grace,
2160Before they knew his parentage or deemed
He was descended from high Folco's race.
But, knowing that, their joys did swell so high,
That grief for sorrow slinked aside to cry.
But ere the next day's sun to let out dayNight's ebon box unlocked, she did not brookTo hear their private whispers, talk, and pray,Erect the host, and kiss a gilded book.For, her, Bellama has possessèd solely,So that their water could not make her holy.
But ere the next day's sun to let out day
Night's ebon box unlocked, she did not brook
To hear their private whispers, talk, and pray,
Erect the host, and kiss a gilded book.
For, her, Bellama has possessèd solely,
So that their water could not make her holy.
2170Instead of 'Virgin-mother' she would say,'My dearest lady, hear my sad complaint.'Nor to she-saints would she devoutly pray,'Cause none but her Bellama was a saint.Unto Lorretta, as Bellam', she swears:And calls their holy water but her tears.
2170Instead of 'Virgin-mother' she would say,
'My dearest lady, hear my sad complaint.'
Nor to she-saints would she devoutly pray,
'Cause none but her Bellama was a saint.
Unto Lorretta, as Bellam', she swears:
And calls their holy water but her tears.
She wond'red oft how her Bellama didTwo years continue in this hated cell;And in her thoughts she oftentimes her chid,For dwelling where but formal good does dwell,2180Since in her absence she could scarce abideTo sojourn here a double eventide.
She wond'red oft how her Bellama did
Two years continue in this hated cell;
And in her thoughts she oftentimes her chid,
For dwelling where but formal good does dwell,
2180Since in her absence she could scarce abide
To sojourn here a double eventide.
Her brains acquainted was no whit with sloth,But plotted how she might escape that jail:And to this end she vowed her virgin-oathShould for her quick returning put in bail;She thought her breach of virgin-oath no sinBecause she only wore the formal skin.
Her brains acquainted was no whit with sloth,
But plotted how she might escape that jail:
And to this end she vowed her virgin-oath
Should for her quick returning put in bail;
She thought her breach of virgin-oath no sin
Because she only wore the formal skin.
She missed, in ransacking her cabinet,A precious jewel, far exceeding rare,2190Which on her brow the lady duchess set,As a true pledge of her indulgent care:Far richer than that pearl which Egypt's queenQuaffed to her Mark, dissolved in liquor keen.
She missed, in ransacking her cabinet,
A precious jewel, far exceeding rare,
2190Which on her brow the lady duchess set,
As a true pledge of her indulgent care:
Far richer than that pearl which Egypt's queen
Quaffed to her Mark, dissolved in liquor keen.
But for all this a curious fit of manDid force her, for assay, to enter inTo see if fasting did their rosies wan,Or folly led not in the Paphian sin,Thinking her wit could manumise her straightFrom that lank cloister by some nimble sleight.
But for all this a curious fit of man
Did force her, for assay, to enter in
To see if fasting did their rosies wan,
Or folly led not in the Paphian sin,
Thinking her wit could manumise her straight
From that lank cloister by some nimble sleight.
2200This she pretended to have lost as she(Fainted with fears, and with her travels tired)In the cool shade of a well-hairèd treeThrew water on her joints with labour fired.For heavens parch the air with hotter raysWhen with his flaming tongue the dogstar bays.
2200This she pretended to have lost as she
(Fainted with fears, and with her travels tired)
In the cool shade of a well-hairèd tree
Threw water on her joints with labour fired.
For heavens parch the air with hotter rays
When with his flaming tongue the dogstar bays.
'Madam,' quoth she, with feignèd tears and sigh,'Grant me your licence to go seek my gem,The place of my reposure is but nigh';Swore by those fires that did enlighten them,2210By her virginity and virgin-vow,Return ere time could pace a triple now.
'Madam,' quoth she, with feignèd tears and sigh,
'Grant me your licence to go seek my gem,
The place of my reposure is but nigh';
Swore by those fires that did enlighten them,
2210By her virginity and virgin-vow,
Return ere time could pace a triple now.
Quoth Piazella, 'I will send a maidTo seek your jewel out with studied care,Direct her to the shade wherein you stayed,For you forbidden are the common air.Our gardens, beautified with Maya's glee,Your farthest journey must and ought to be.'
Quoth Piazella, 'I will send a maid
To seek your jewel out with studied care,
Direct her to the shade wherein you stayed,
For you forbidden are the common air.
Our gardens, beautified with Maya's glee,
Your farthest journey must and ought to be.'
She urged again, but all in vain she asked;The prioress remembered still the earl,2220And feared Felice his departure masked,Under pretence of seeking for a pearl.And more suspicious thoughts unto her came'Cause she so often kissed Bellama's name.
She urged again, but all in vain she asked;
The prioress remembered still the earl,
2220And feared Felice his departure masked,
Under pretence of seeking for a pearl.
And more suspicious thoughts unto her came
'Cause she so often kissed Bellama's name.
She, seeing that this plot did want a stamp,To make it current pass like lawful coins,Feared her departure from this lanky camp,And vowed to try the virgin's skill at foins.Yet, ere she would attempt that amorous play,She would attempt escapes some other way.
She, seeing that this plot did want a stamp,
To make it current pass like lawful coins,
Feared her departure from this lanky camp,
And vowed to try the virgin's skill at foins.
Yet, ere she would attempt that amorous play,
She would attempt escapes some other way.
2230She viewed the casements, and did boldly wrench,With courage masculine, the squarèd bars:But they did scorn the vigour of a wench,Like sturdy oaks which slight the windy jars.Nay more, deep waters did begirt them round,That from the glass he could not see the ground.
2230She viewed the casements, and did boldly wrench,
With courage masculine, the squarèd bars:
But they did scorn the vigour of a wench,
Like sturdy oaks which slight the windy jars.
Nay more, deep waters did begirt them round,
That from the glass he could not see the ground.
Then on the porter did she kindly smile,And by full tale gave free respects to him;Thinking to gull Avaro by this wile,Joinèd with language oiled, perfumed, and trim,2240Quoth she, 'Thy trust, and skill I must employAnd for thy pains thou shalt have treasures, boy.'
Then on the porter did she kindly smile,
And by full tale gave free respects to him;
Thinking to gull Avaro by this wile,
Joinèd with language oiled, perfumed, and trim,
2240Quoth she, 'Thy trust, and skill I must employ
And for thy pains thou shalt have treasures, boy.'
The greedy porter, like a goshawk, seizedWith griping talons on this pheasant cock,'Madam', says he, 'my skill is not diseased,Nor dwells dissembling with the honest frock.Disclose your secrets, and be sure if manCan do you service, then Avaro can.'
The greedy porter, like a goshawk, seized
With griping talons on this pheasant cock,
'Madam', says he, 'my skill is not diseased,
Nor dwells dissembling with the honest frock.
Disclose your secrets, and be sure if man
Can do you service, then Avaro can.'
Felice then, as prologue to her suit,Gave him a purse full fraught with pseudo-gold;2250Told him her bounty brought no worser fruitIf in th' achievement he'd be true and bold.'Thou must, some evening, let me pass the gatesAnd straggle half a mile to gather dates.'
Felice then, as prologue to her suit,
Gave him a purse full fraught with pseudo-gold;
2250Told him her bounty brought no worser fruit
If in th' achievement he'd be true and bold.
'Thou must, some evening, let me pass the gates
And straggle half a mile to gather dates.'
'Madam, I'll do 't: it is a small request,Since you do merit better at my hand.If fortune be propitious to my best.You on the common shore this night I'll landMy hands have eyes and only what they seeWill they believe—give me my minted fee.'
'Madam, I'll do 't: it is a small request,
Since you do merit better at my hand.
If fortune be propitious to my best.
You on the common shore this night I'll land
My hands have eyes and only what they see
Will they believe—give me my minted fee.'
2260Felice then plucked out a silken purse,Great, and as musical as th' other was,Pretending it was stuffed with metal curse,When 't only was with circled ragges of glass;Which purposely she did with di'monds cut,To gull the porter's hopes and fill his gut.
2260Felice then plucked out a silken purse,
Great, and as musical as th' other was,
Pretending it was stuffed with metal curse,
When 't only was with circled ragges of glass;
Which purposely she did with di'monds cut,
To gull the porter's hopes and fill his gut.
'Heavens augment your store, madam,' quoth he,'I'll wait for you at the middle age of night;Come to my lodge and softly call for me.'This handsome cheat Felice did delight.2270To cozen the deceivers is no fraud,To use a pimp, and cheat a rusty bawd.
'Heavens augment your store, madam,' quoth he,
'I'll wait for you at the middle age of night;
Come to my lodge and softly call for me.'
This handsome cheat Felice did delight.
2270To cozen the deceivers is no fraud,
To use a pimp, and cheat a rusty bawd.
She scarcely knew what letters spellèd grief,For all her thoughts with regal crowns were wreathed,Yet 'mongst them all Bellama ruled as chief.At time of rest her body she unsheathed,And housed within the linen walls her limbs,Till night and sleep did their quick tapers dim.
She scarcely knew what letters spellèd grief,
For all her thoughts with regal crowns were wreathed,
Yet 'mongst them all Bellama ruled as chief.
At time of rest her body she unsheathed,
And housed within the linen walls her limbs,
Till night and sleep did their quick tapers dim.
Avaro (when day's sister's misty fogHad poppèd out Apollo's searching eye,2280And gen'ral silence human tongues did clogLocking all senses up with lethargy)Stepp'd to his purses, and began to thinkHow he should order his belovèd chink.
Avaro (when day's sister's misty fog
Had poppèd out Apollo's searching eye,
2280And gen'ral silence human tongues did clog
Locking all senses up with lethargy)
Stepp'd to his purses, and began to think
How he should order his belovèd chink.
He'd hang his lodge with arras weaved with goldThat his successor there might sleep in state,Or else if some revenues would be soldHe'd give them Darwey, bought at any rateThat all the nuns with prayers and holy namesMight fetch his soul from out the purging flames.
He'd hang his lodge with arras weaved with gold
That his successor there might sleep in state,
Or else if some revenues would be sold
He'd give them Darwey, bought at any rate
That all the nuns with prayers and holy names
Might fetch his soul from out the purging flames.
2290'I'll mend highways, or hospitals repair,Else build a college, and endow 't with mines.'Thus did he build his castles in the airFor all's not cash that jingles, gold that shines;His glassy coin [must] leap out of the mintEre on his brow the stamp did current print.
2290'I'll mend highways, or hospitals repair,
Else build a college, and endow 't with mines.'
Thus did he build his castles in the air
For all's not cash that jingles, gold that shines;
His glassy coin [must] leap out of the mint
Ere on his brow the stamp did current print.
Thus was he gull'd, as once a king of FrancePaid a French monsieur for a prancing steed—Gave him a purse whose richness did enhanceTh' enclosèd gem, supposed a noble meed,2300But when for golden mountains he did gape,He oped the purse, and only found a rape.
Thus was he gull'd, as once a king of France
Paid a French monsieur for a prancing steed—
Gave him a purse whose richness did enhance
Th' enclosèd gem, supposed a noble meed,
2300But when for golden mountains he did gape,
He oped the purse, and only found a rape.
'Oh! what full anger redded o'er his looks!What tides of rage and fury swelled his spleen!He curseth her with candles, bells, and books;And vowed ere long on her to wreak his teen.'Ah me!' quoth he, 'such brittle things are lassesWhich one poor letter changeth unto glasses.'
'Oh! what full anger redded o'er his looks!
What tides of rage and fury swelled his spleen!
He curseth her with candles, bells, and books;
And vowed ere long on her to wreak his teen.
'Ah me!' quoth he, 'such brittle things are lasses
Which one poor letter changeth unto glasses.'
Felice, now perceiving all was quiet,Hearing no noise, unless a belly-blast2310Which might proceed from an unwholesome diet,Tied her apparel on with nimble haste,And, coming to the lodge, with knuckle knockShe strove to summon out the lazy frock.
Felice, now perceiving all was quiet,
Hearing no noise, unless a belly-blast
2310Which might proceed from an unwholesome diet,
Tied her apparel on with nimble haste,
And, coming to the lodge, with knuckle knock
She strove to summon out the lazy frock.
But the grim Tartar was so soundly lulled,Without a dram of opium, steeped in ale—Tirèd with vexing that he was so gulled—That all Felice's rappings naught avail;Till, vexèd with demurs she knock'd so loud,It raised a thunder like a breaking cloud.
But the grim Tartar was so soundly lulled,
Without a dram of opium, steeped in ale—
Tirèd with vexing that he was so gulled—
That all Felice's rappings naught avail;
Till, vexèd with demurs she knock'd so loud,
It raised a thunder like a breaking cloud.
2320Just at that moment did Pazzell' awakeFrom an affrighting dream, wherein she sawA dreadful lion her Felice take,And tear her body with his sharp'ned paw;And hearing this shrill noise, fear said 'twas true,Danger did threaten her monastic crew.
2320Just at that moment did Pazzell' awake
From an affrighting dream, wherein she saw
A dreadful lion her Felice take,
And tear her body with his sharp'ned paw;
And hearing this shrill noise, fear said 'twas true,
Danger did threaten her monastic crew.
Her frosted limbs she heavèd out of bed,And shelled her body in her night-apparel,Arming her hands with pistols stuffed with lead,Which anger firing, with the air did quarrel,2330And, groping in the dark, her foot did slip,Which out o' th' barrels made the bullets skip.
Her frosted limbs she heavèd out of bed,
And shelled her body in her night-apparel,
Arming her hands with pistols stuffed with lead,
Which anger firing, with the air did quarrel,
2330And, groping in the dark, her foot did slip,
Which out o' th' barrels made the bullets skip.
Felice, at that thunder-clap amazed,With haste retired from the porter's cell,And meeting her, on one another gazed.The porter, starting up, did ring the bell,The virgins shrieked, which all made murmurs shrillLike Irish hubbubs in pursuit of ill.
Felice, at that thunder-clap amazed,
With haste retired from the porter's cell,
And meeting her, on one another gazed.
The porter, starting up, did ring the bell,
The virgins shrieked, which all made murmurs shrill
Like Irish hubbubs in pursuit of ill.
When reason somewhat had becalmed their rage,The abbotess Felice sharply checked.2340'Madam,' says she, 'I only came t' assuageIntestine heats which all my body deckedIn scarlet dye; and being much appalled,With frisking fairies, I the porter called.'
When reason somewhat had becalmed their rage,
The abbotess Felice sharply checked.
2340'Madam,' says she, 'I only came t' assuage
Intestine heats which all my body decked
In scarlet dye; and being much appalled,
With frisking fairies, I the porter called.'
'Go, go, you are a wanton girl,' quoth she,'That fain would tempt my porter unto folly.''Madam,' Felice said, 'you injure me.Sure, if lascivious I had been so jolly,I might have met with many men more able,Before I did invest myself with sable.'
'Go, go, you are a wanton girl,' quoth she,
'That fain would tempt my porter unto folly.'
'Madam,' Felice said, 'you injure me.
Sure, if lascivious I had been so jolly,
I might have met with many men more able,
Before I did invest myself with sable.'
2350'Oh madam! madam!' mad Avaro cried,'Why do you think she could o'ercome your frock?I ne'er did yield, yet have been often tried;My courage hath withstood a greater shock.Yet sure she would—she would have passed the gates;The reason why, forsooth, to gather dates.
2350'Oh madam! madam!' mad Avaro cried,
'Why do you think she could o'ercome your frock?
I ne'er did yield, yet have been often tried;
My courage hath withstood a greater shock.
Yet sure she would—she would have passed the gates;
The reason why, forsooth, to gather dates.
I am afraid your dukedom-girl does longNot for the porter, he is out of date;But for an oily cavalier that 's strong,May teach her virginship a mother's fate.2360Madam, look well; see if you miss no glass,I'm sure with brittle coin she gulled an ass.'
I am afraid your dukedom-girl does long
Not for the porter, he is out of date;
But for an oily cavalier that 's strong,
May teach her virginship a mother's fate.
2360Madam, look well; see if you miss no glass,
I'm sure with brittle coin she gulled an ass.'
Then told the story: Piazzella fretted,'This is the jewel which you would have soughtWhen in all haste from hence you would have jetted!What your intendments were my wisdom thought,I'll have no gadders, and t' allay your heatI have a diet will prevent a sweat.'
Then told the story: Piazzella fretted,
'This is the jewel which you would have sought
When in all haste from hence you would have jetted!
What your intendments were my wisdom thought,
I'll have no gadders, and t' allay your heat
I have a diet will prevent a sweat.'
In a retired room she locked her up,Devoid of lustful mates with her to play;2370Allowed her pulse, and juice of clouds to sup,And bade her scores of Ave Maries say.Three artificial days she lodgèd there,Where every day to her did seem a year.
In a retired room she locked her up,
Devoid of lustful mates with her to play;
2370Allowed her pulse, and juice of clouds to sup,
And bade her scores of Ave Maries say.
Three artificial days she lodgèd there,
Where every day to her did seem a year.
When she had paid this penance for her crime(Which in her judgement was accounted bad),She was again amongst the virgins prime,On promise that she would not henceforth gad.Yet still she plotted, but where'er she went,The angry destines thwarted her intent.
When she had paid this penance for her crime
(Which in her judgement was accounted bad),
She was again amongst the virgins prime,
On promise that she would not henceforth gad.
Yet still she plotted, but where'er she went,
The angry destines thwarted her intent.
2380Then, from Bellam' since walls did her encell,She thought t' employ her talent to the best.One of the virgins had some vogliarell,And earnestly desir'd with her to rest.Who ere the morn did Piacinto sing,And wore her blushes on her rubied ring.
2380Then, from Bellam' since walls did her encell,
She thought t' employ her talent to the best.
One of the virgins had some vogliarell,
And earnestly desir'd with her to rest.
Who ere the morn did Piacinto sing,
And wore her blushes on her rubied ring.
Next night she chose another, then another;Her curious palate so to novels stood,That every one had hope to be a mother,And near of kin, united in one blood.2390But yet, alas! this pleasure lasted not:Their virgin-girdles could not keep their knot.
Next night she chose another, then another;
Her curious palate so to novels stood,
That every one had hope to be a mother,
And near of kin, united in one blood.
2390But yet, alas! this pleasure lasted not:
Their virgin-girdles could not keep their knot.
Not many fortnights after they had tookThese physic-potions from their doctor's reins,One told her folly by her meagre look,Another had more blue than on her veins,Others were qualmish, and another longs:All spake their pleasures, yet all held their tongues.
Not many fortnights after they had took
These physic-potions from their doctor's reins,
One told her folly by her meagre look,
Another had more blue than on her veins,
Others were qualmish, and another longs:
All spake their pleasures, yet all held their tongues.
One long'd for citrons, and another grapes,That grew on Alps' steep height, others for peaches;2400One strangely did desire the tails of apesSteepèd in juice of myrtles, holms, and beeches.Some palates must be fed with implumed quails,And nothing must approach this tongue but rails.
One long'd for citrons, and another grapes,
That grew on Alps' steep height, others for peaches;
2400One strangely did desire the tails of apes
Steepèd in juice of myrtles, holms, and beeches.
Some palates must be fed with implumed quails,
And nothing must approach this tongue but rails.
Some longed for crayfish, shrimps, cods, plaice, and oysters;One for a lemon that doth grow on thorns;Another longeth for some blood of roisters,Spiced with the scrapings of pale Cynthia's horns;One on the bosom of the matron skips,And spite of her full nose did gnaw her lips;
Some longed for crayfish, shrimps, cods, plaice, and oysters;
One for a lemon that doth grow on thorns;
Another longeth for some blood of roisters,
Spiced with the scrapings of pale Cynthia's horns;
One on the bosom of the matron skips,
And spite of her full nose did gnaw her lips;
2410One bade them fill an orc of Bacchus water,Her thirsty soul she said would drain a tun;One from her window bids a poor translatorCut her a cantle of the gaudy sun;But above all I like that witty girl,Which longed to feed upon a glorrah earl.
2410One bade them fill an orc of Bacchus water,
Her thirsty soul she said would drain a tun;
One from her window bids a poor translator
Cut her a cantle of the gaudy sun;
But above all I like that witty girl,
Which longed to feed upon a glorrah earl.
The jealous matron with suspicious eyeDid read their common ill in every face;Espied the breach of their virginity,And feared a plantage with an infant race.2420Yet still suppressed her knowledge, till at lastTheir heaving bellies kissed their thick'ned waist.
The jealous matron with suspicious eye
Did read their common ill in every face;
Espied the breach of their virginity,
And feared a plantage with an infant race.
2420Yet still suppressed her knowledge, till at last
Their heaving bellies kissed their thick'ned waist.
She then, with friendly summonings, did callThe grave lord abbot and his smooth-chin race;Who, coachèd, came unto the virgin-hall,But all the rabble through the vault did pace.Arrivèd here, she cookèd dainty catesTo please the abbot and his tempo-pates.
She then, with friendly summonings, did call
The grave lord abbot and his smooth-chin race;
Who, coachèd, came unto the virgin-hall,
But all the rabble through the vault did pace.
Arrivèd here, she cookèd dainty cates
To please the abbot and his tempo-pates.
So called a council 'bout her quondam maids—Each one admiring who durst be so bold,2430Since none had entrance, nor the virgins strayed,And for the porter he was known too cold.The prior feared lest one of his square capsShould guilty be of those upheaving laps.
So called a council 'bout her quondam maids—
Each one admiring who durst be so bold,
2430Since none had entrance, nor the virgins strayed,
And for the porter he was known too cold.
The prior feared lest one of his square caps
Should guilty be of those upheaving laps.
It was decreed that they all should beShrived, being sejoinèd from each other's ken;But, ere that time, the teemers did decreeWhat answer to return the shriving men.Felice did instruct them to denyThat she gave birth unto their pregnancy.
It was decreed that they all should be
Shrived, being sejoinèd from each other's ken;
But, ere that time, the teemers did decree
What answer to return the shriving men.
Felice did instruct them to deny
That she gave birth unto their pregnancy.
2440But they should say, and to that saying seal,With strong asseverations that 'IntoOur fast-locked room a youthful blade did steal,And with the best of wooing did us woo.Our cases are the same with Merlin's mother:We think our lover was his father's brother.
2440But they should say, and to that saying seal,
With strong asseverations that 'Into
Our fast-locked room a youthful blade did steal,
And with the best of wooing did us woo.
Our cases are the same with Merlin's mother:
We think our lover was his father's brother.
'Twas one man's act, or, clothed with human shape,He was angelical; and this we thoughtBecause there was no semblance of a rape.We gave him our assent as soon as sought.2450We judged unmaiding better in the darkThan, Daphne-like, an husking o'er with bark.'
'Twas one man's act, or, clothed with human shape,
He was angelical; and this we thought
Because there was no semblance of a rape.
We gave him our assent as soon as sought.
2450We judged unmaiding better in the dark
Than, Daphne-like, an husking o'er with bark.'
The shrivers to their lords return with smiles,And on their looks a joy ovall chhriots*had,Said they confessèd them with zeal and wiles,And by a plain narration knew the dad—One of those ever-youthfuls came from heaven,And in the virgins' wombs did lay a leaven.
The shrivers to their lords return with smiles,
And on their looks a joy ovall chhriots*had,
Said they confessèd them with zeal and wiles,
And by a plain narration knew the dad—
One of those ever-youthfuls came from heaven,
And in the virgins' wombs did lay a leaven.
The abbot at this news did much rejoice,Since with a kind aspect the Virgin Lady,2460Viewing this nunn'ry, did ordain this choice,And for the issue did appoint this daddy.They shall be prophets, priests of high renown,And virgins which shall keep their bellies down.
The abbot at this news did much rejoice,
Since with a kind aspect the Virgin Lady,
2460Viewing this nunn'ry, did ordain this choice,
And for the issue did appoint this daddy.
They shall be prophets, priests of high renown,
And virgins which shall keep their bellies down.
Provide them childbed linen, mantles, swaddles,Rockers and nurses, all officious shes,With rattles, corals, little cars, and cradles,And give them beads to wait upon their knees.Rome's high arch-vicar shall a testate beTo the first-born whom Nature makes a he.
Provide them childbed linen, mantles, swaddles,
Rockers and nurses, all officious shes,
With rattles, corals, little cars, and cradles,
And give them beads to wait upon their knees.
Rome's high arch-vicar shall a testate be
To the first-born whom Nature makes a he.
2470Take pens, and smooth-strain anthems write in bays,Make new orisons unto all the saints,And to Lucina chant invoking lays,To move her pity these young mothers' plaints;Say her fair temple need not fear the flame,Whilst here she wins her an eternal fame.
2470Take pens, and smooth-strain anthems write in bays,
Make new orisons unto all the saints,
And to Lucina chant invoking lays,
To move her pity these young mothers' plaints;
Say her fair temple need not fear the flame,
Whilst here she wins her an eternal fame.
Felice smiled to see their studied care,To foster whom she at her pleasure got.But Piazzella, starting from her chair,Callèd Felice to survey her knot,2480And finding it as at the first 'twas tied,'How 'scapèd you this goddy sire?' she cried.
Felice smiled to see their studied care,
To foster whom she at her pleasure got.
But Piazzella, starting from her chair,
Callèd Felice to survey her knot,
2480And finding it as at the first 'twas tied,
'How 'scapèd you this goddy sire?' she cried.
'Madam,' quoth he—Felice, 'I confessI was a party in those spruce delights;But Nature curseth some with barrenness,As (I have heard) Albertus Magnus writes.So that though my desires were full as big,I was not heavèd with that curtain jig!
'Madam,' quoth he—Felice, 'I confess
I was a party in those spruce delights;
But Nature curseth some with barrenness,
As (I have heard) Albertus Magnus writes.
So that though my desires were full as big,
I was not heavèd with that curtain jig!
Reasonfortasse'son her words did stamp,Which did entruth them (though they were but squibs).2490This done, the prior did remove his camp,And all the friars, with hemp-girdled ribs,All great with expectation, and as fainWould be delivered as the full-flanked train.
Reasonfortasse'son her words did stamp,
Which did entruth them (though they were but squibs).
2490This done, the prior did remove his camp,
And all the friars, with hemp-girdled ribs,
All great with expectation, and as fain
Would be delivered as the full-flanked train.
They sung canzones ere the sun could rise,And Ave-Maries out of number said,Lucina wond'red at this strange disguise,That nuns and monks to her devoutly prayed.All beads were rattled, and all saints invoked,Some squealed, some tenored, and some hoarsely croaked.
They sung canzones ere the sun could rise,
And Ave-Maries out of number said,
Lucina wond'red at this strange disguise,
That nuns and monks to her devoutly prayed.
All beads were rattled, and all saints invoked,
Some squealed, some tenored, and some hoarsely croaked.
2500With this conceit, Felice frolic grew,And sported bravely in the silent hours.Her bed-mates call'd her Angel; yet none knewThat 'twas Albino which had cropped their flowers.But, though they revelled in the night, the dayThrew hailstorms on their lust to chill their play.
2500With this conceit, Felice frolic grew,
And sported bravely in the silent hours.
Her bed-mates call'd her Angel; yet none knew
That 'twas Albino which had cropped their flowers.
But, though they revelled in the night, the day
Threw hailstorms on their lust to chill their play.
Yet had their pleasure not a grandsire life,For tattling slumbers did their joys untone.'You vowed, Felice, I should be your wife,'Says Cloe, 'ere you loosed my virgin-zone,2510But ah!' so waked, and feared her vocal slumberWould from her eyelids force a Trent and Humber.
Yet had their pleasure not a grandsire life,
For tattling slumbers did their joys untone.
'You vowed, Felice, I should be your wife,'
Says Cloe, 'ere you loosed my virgin-zone,
2510But ah!' so waked, and feared her vocal slumber
Would from her eyelids force a Trent and Humber.
Says Phill', 'Felice, had I known at firstYou only wore the name of Folco's daughter,I would have suff'red an untamèd thirstEre lust had brought mine honour unto slaughter,But oh——' and, starting up, she feared her dreamWould ere 'twas long obscure joy's mirthful gleam.
Says Phill', 'Felice, had I known at first
You only wore the name of Folco's daughter,
I would have suff'red an untamèd thirst
Ere lust had brought mine honour unto slaughter,
But oh——' and, starting up, she feared her dream
Would ere 'twas long obscure joy's mirthful gleam.
'Well, well,' says Floris, ''tis an happy changeTo loose mine honour for an angel-mate,2520But angels will not house in such a grange:This is the offspring of Felice's pate.But ah——' so sighed, and sighing causèd fearsLest her plump rosies should be ploughed with tears.
'Well, well,' says Floris, ''tis an happy change
To loose mine honour for an angel-mate,
2520But angels will not house in such a grange:
This is the offspring of Felice's pate.
But ah——' so sighed, and sighing causèd fears
Lest her plump rosies should be ploughed with tears.
Yet, you must know, the virgins did not useTo blab their private actions in a dream,But that the cunning matron did infuseSome atoms of the Quiris into cream;And, ere they were enclosed in Somnus' arms,She drenched their fancies in these liquid charms.
Yet, you must know, the virgins did not use
To blab their private actions in a dream,
But that the cunning matron did infuse
Some atoms of the Quiris into cream;
And, ere they were enclosed in Somnus' arms,
She drenched their fancies in these liquid charms.
2530Then, with unsealèd eyes, she made her earsKeep privy watch to intercept their talk:Yet would have washed her knowledge out with tears,And wished it written in her mind with chalk.One while she thanked the God of slumber, then,Her curses threw him down to Pluto's den.
2530Then, with unsealèd eyes, she made her ears
Keep privy watch to intercept their talk:
Yet would have washed her knowledge out with tears,
And wished it written in her mind with chalk.
One while she thanked the God of slumber, then,
Her curses threw him down to Pluto's den.
But when Aurora, in her tissue vest,Mantled with blushes, rose from Tithon's side,And through a casement of th' adorèd eastSent Phosphorus to usher in her pride—2540Ere Phoebus our horizon did arrayWith silver glitter of the blooming day—
But when Aurora, in her tissue vest,
Mantled with blushes, rose from Tithon's side,
And through a casement of th' adorèd east
Sent Phosphorus to usher in her pride—
2540Ere Phoebus our horizon did array
With silver glitter of the blooming day—