Then to Albino says, 'Heroic youth,May all the blessings which attend on man3260Felicitate thy life; and to buy truthTo words, I dare do more than virgins can.But, above all, I wish may nature's pride,Lilies and roses, intertwine thy bride.But yet alas! to recompense by airsSo large a bounty and so free is poor.Yet why may not a spotless virgin's prayers,Wing'd with desire, unclasp high heaven's door?Accept of this, and if the Fates befriend me,These blessings which I wished for shall attend thee.'3270'Nature's sole wonder, beauty's only gem,'Quoth he, 'my valour and my feeble arms(If your perfections had not strenght'ned them)Could not have freed you from intended harms.Ascribe the honour to your matchless face.My courage merits not the meanest place.Yet had I swum through seas of steaming blood,And passed through nitre flames that belch forth lead,Had all the Furies armed with vipers stood,T' have stopped my passage or pronounced me dead—3280I would have thrown the die my fortune tried,T' have bought you freedom though in crimson dyed.For, when mine eyes sent forth the farthest glance,To fetch th' idea of your beauty in,That very sight my senses did entrance,And make my thoughts excuse Sylvanus' sin.For sure your quick'ning rays can melt a snowOn which the winds of age and sorrow blow.But why do I upon the Ela raiseThy noble worth, and yet intend to woo?3290Since beauty oft displays her plumes at praise,Then by this doing I myself undo.But where I virtues find, refined as gold,Despair shall never make affections cold.Be pleasèd then to think the god of LoveWith gilded arrow has transfixed my heart,And let my purple breast your pity move.With balsam of regard allay my smart,Send thy quick eyes into my breast to see,What tortures prick my heart to purchase thee.'3300'Sir, I am grieved,' quoth she, 'you are alliedTo him whose quiver crowns a lover's wish.Else at a twelve-score distance might y' have spiedYou cast your net to mesh a simple fish.Your worth and feature does entitle youTo Cytherea with her silver hue.When I, alas! am but an homely maid,Born to a spindle and to serve a plough.To milk my spongy-teated cows I strayed,Which here amongst these tender hazels low.3310My starvèd fortunes cannot think of love,Nor does my envy wound the billing dove.'This answer silencèd Albino's hopes,Which spake as loud as though they kissed the sheets;He in his thoughts commends the quiet copesWhich taste no sour in hunting after sweets.'Alcides' life,' quoth he, 'compared to mine,Is trouble-free, spiced with contents divine.Fair maid, what hatred frosteth your desires?What steams of envy choke bright Venus' lamp?3320Give some kind fuel to maintain my fires,A frown of yours will all my vitals damp.Oil o'er my writhled heart, or let me knowFrom what black heads these bitter cadents flow.''Your favours, sir, have such commanding power,That 'tis unjust your wishes to deny,Accursed with all black tempests be that hourIn which my heart gave credit to mine eye.Else would I not have been so much averseT' a mind so noble and a feature terse.3330But now alas! myself myself am not,For heartless I my heart have giv'n away:An abbey-brother has that treasure got,Albino hight—he's Phoebus of my day.Your habit speaks you a monk, sir, if you canTell me where I may find that (ah me) man.Be pleased,' quoth she, 'to tell me where I may,Or go myself, or else a servant send.''Fair maid,' quoth he, 'it is a gloomy wayLeads to the bed of your benighted friend.3340His ashes are in Darwey Abbey laid,But his faint ghost walks i' th' Elysian shade.''But is he dead?' says she, and loudly shrieked,Which waked Narcissus' hate to second her,Her rosies dewed with melting crystal reeked,And sorrow did her trembling heart inter.Symptoms of sad deplorings ne'er were known,Which were not in her sharp lamentings shown.'Choice maid,' quoth he, 'do not destroy your rosies,And blast your beauty with such scalding sighs.3350In nature's garden there are choicer posies,More comely features, and more agile thighs.What though Albino's dead? another mayBe trulier termed the Phoebus of your day.''Oh, do not stain,' says she, 'his spotless name!Within his bosom every virtue ranged.Equals to him dull nature cannot frame,Though she should labour till herself be changed:It is a shame to ask more favours yet:Grant me this one, because my sun is set.3360My pity saved, when as your fury hadThe rough-pawed Sylvan mincèd with your skene.Oh, with same courage let your mind be clad,With your sharp scimitar my liver dreane.Why should I be a liver, since he's deadWho was my hope, my health, my heart, my head'.'How am I chang'd!' quoth he, 'my heart does beatThe fainting summons of the Child of Sin.My knees do quarrel, and a chilling sweatCold as the dew of winter oils my skin.3370Fear snatcheth from my roseate banks their blood,And drowns my liver in a sanguine flood.'Tis strange a naked breast of bleachèd snow,And crystal mounts enriched with coral heads,(On which the purple violets do grow)Should dare mine arm, and strike my courage dead.My steel a breast of iron has unhinged.And knees of brass have to my fury cringed.Had some vast Gog or he whom Tellus brought—One got by Fury or Gradivus' mate—3380Who, but with monsters, ne'er conversed with ought,Dared with a look, mine arm had weak'ned Fate.But, at this feeble voice my blood does start,And into pity melts my swelling heart.Then name no more those words: for they at onceDo both unedge my valour and my steel.Too safely do your virtues keep the sconce.My steadiest thoughts, struck with these letters, reel.My sacrilegious hand shall never stainVirtue's sole temple, and the grace's fane.3390Dry up those furrowing cadents. Will you giveYour lovely self in marriage unto him,If I shall say Albino yours does live,And in your view his comely portrait limn?Say, aye, to this: and I will try my skill,To make him pace along yon craggy hill.'''Tis the countenance which my wishes crave,Naught half so sweet,' says she, 'as Hymen's tedes.'Albino then the haired earth did shave,And hedged two circles in with ropes of beads;3400Then, quart'ring them, did take the virgin's hand,And bade her with unshaken courage stand.'Thou must not be surpris'd with shivering fear,Though Cerberus, the janitor of Hell,Though seven-headed Hydra, panther, bear,The lion, tiger, or the dragon yell;Although a monster spits forth flashing powder,Though clouds and winds strive which should bellow louder.'This said, with cruse of holy water heBesprinkled o'er himself, besprinkled her,3410And zealously did cross: the same did she,Like a devout Romezzo conjurer.This done: 'Fair maid,' quoth he, 'if Fates befriend me,The servant of your beauty shall attend thee.'Then 'gan [he] to invoke, or seem t' invoke,With uncouth language the infernal crew—'Vitz, Allafoun, Trallasht with elfish poke,Trollox and Chimchish, with your grisly hue,Gnarzell and Phrizoll which in Styx do wade,Lê portèAlbino from the Stygian shade.'3420When from his lips these words had ta'en their flight,A shuffling whirl-puff roared amongst the trees,Th' affrighted leaves took flight, the grass looked white,The quaking poplars fell upon their knees.Jove's sacred tree stood cringing unto it,And bowed his head, else 'twas in sunder split.Then, from a breaking cloud, a sheet of fireEncircled them, and dashed against an oak,Ush'ring a thunder, whose untamed ireLike dreadful tyrants naught but terror spoke.3430And as unwilling to depart from themHis ireful cracks the trembling grove did hem.These, suddenly succeeding so the first,And at that instant when he feigned a spell,Did make Albino judge himself accursed,Thinking his voice unhinged the gates of hell.Bellama's rosies wore as white as snow,As though the Phyma did upon them blow.And justly, for though these but common were,Yet at that time when faintness kept the wicket,3440Which at each shadow oped the gate to fear,In that dark place, that unfrequented thicket—I blame not though her courage had been colder,And in art magic wish Albino bolder.But when the storm was passed, his courage gotThe conquest of his fear, made his quick eyesStand sentinel t' advantage more his plot:And, looking from the mountain, he espiesA man descending, as he told the maid,Which the loud tempest of his fears allayed.3450Then says, 'Behold the object of your hope'.Away springs she from off that gloomy place,Posts to the hill, forsakes her magic cope.Meanwhile Albino doffs Conrado's face,And set upon his looks Albino's dye;So, imped with love, unto the mount did fly.Where he espied Bellama rove aboutCrying, 'Albino, dost thou fly from me?'The man was but a silly shepherd loutThat climbed the hill his fleecy train to see.3460And when his eyes had healthed his wealthy flocks,Trudged to his cote, walled in with sturdy rocks.Albin', encount'ring her, says, 'Lovely maid,Was 't your small voice that did Albino call?'''Twas I, poor I', the fainting virgin said,'Why was I forced from Rhadamanthus' hall?''Who was 't, quoth he, 'that, with commanding air,Snatch'd me forth' arms of Proserpina fair?''It was a courteous monk,' quoth she, 'whom IHumbly entreated to deliver thee.'3470'Alas! sweet maid,' quoth he, 'Fates do denyFreedom from thence, nor can I pay the fee.'Fee!' says she, 'fear not: if an earldom canPurchase thy freedom, I will give it, man.''Thou canst not ransom one from Pluto's jail,Shouldst thou lay down the gaudy triple crown;With steely-hearted Fate naught can prevail,On whose harsh brow there ever dwells a frown.Speak fair, thy business: for I must begone,Grim Charon waits for me at Acheron.'3480'Ah me,' quoth she, 'and is it truth I hear?Then, dear Albino, I will wait on thee.''You're like to find', quoth he, 'but homely cheer,If in my diet you partake with me.''Famine's a favour unto me,' says she,'Bridewell a bride-house, if I live with thee.But, prithee, what is Rhadamanthus fell,And she whom thou didst Proserpina call?''Sweetest,' quoth he, 'he is the judge of hell,That dooms us tortures, or does us enthral.3490For, if our innocence do plead for us,We're led t' Elysium from dark Erebus.That other was the Thracian harper-mate,Whom Pluto forced unto his gloomy house,His devilship with smiles to recreate,Full bowls of his nepenthe to carouse.''I'm glad I know', quoth she, 'for jealous fearsUnto my heart did travel from my ears.''Why, lovely maid, did ever I beholdBefore this time', quoth he, 'your comely face?'3500'How! dear Albino, must you now be toldWho your Bellama is? 'tis high disgrace.Sure you of Lethe's streams have deeply drank,Which doth the powers of your mind disrank.''Ha!' quoth Albino, 'can my dullness thinkThat homely russets my Bellama veil?I deeply of oblivion sure did drink,Did I not know her from a milking pail.Peace, pretty fair, do not my saints profane,Her beauty has not such coarse lodging ta'en.'3510'Well,' quoth Bellama, 'will you me discard,When for your sake I've run through all disasters?Must slights andnesciosnow be my reward?Will you make ulcers, and apply no plasters?Clothed in this coarse array, I roved abroadTo find the place of thy secure abode.''Sweet,' says Albino, 'let not anger dressThy stainless lilies in distraction's dye.Let ignorance plead pardon, for I guessSome other beauties may "Albino" cry.3520Might now a ghost permitted be to kiss,My lips should suck from thine a cherry-bliss.''Why,' says Bellama, 'has a ghost no lips?Is there no pleasure dwells in spirits' veins?This "might a ghost" does all my joys eclipse,For now I have my labour for my pains.Pray, what was Merlin's father? is 't not saidSpirits have power a damsel to unmaid?'These words, proceeding from Bellama's lips,Did make Albino myrrhine juice carouse,3530To raise an active heat, which nimbly skipsIn every vein like fays in Ob'ron's house.But when he was no ghost, and hoped to meritLove for love, he found her of another spirit.'Away, fond monk!' quoth she, 'dost think that IInto a sea of grief will wade with thee?And drown my fortunes? make an earldom die?Dost think humility resides with me?Canst think I'll choose a pebble, slight a pearl,Marry a threadbare cowl and scorn an earl?3540What door to thy presumption did I ope?What symptoms of affections did I show?What actions gainful birth unto thy hope?Or from what vow did thy assurance grow?Cease then, for I take it in high disdain,To thy coarse worth my smallest ray to chain.''Disdain?' quoth young Albino. 'Can this beThe voice of my Bellame? Is there such odds?If not in birth, in worth I equal thee,Although my muse shot love into the gods.3550Disdain's a pitch too high for maids to reach,Scarce will the queen of pride such doctrine teach.Presumption too? does he deserve that brand,Who dallies with consent, invited to 't?What firmer seal than language, lip, and hand?What better warrant than desired to do 't?Say, he is saucy that, with crusted fists,Paws a court-silk, and melts her balmy wrists.Who feeted that enigma, whose kind airSpake me the only high in thy esteem?3560Was I not bosomed more than parents, fair?Did not thine own voice that saint-secret seem?Who bribed your full face-gazings? and what sheJudged none praise, lip, deserving of but me?Did not you in mysterious postures woo me?And 'gainst Bardino levied all your spite?Nay, by Barraba sent invitements to me?And dubbed me by your knot the Red-rose Knight?Did not your wish glue feathers on your feetTo thread a casement when I paced the street?3570And after these, ah! thousand more, and nearerSeals of thy love, must slights unseal your lips?A puny mistress-hunter well may fear her,When pride at high noon can my sun eclipse.Fury! lend me thy poison, Rage! thy breath,That I, by pride doomed, may doom beauty death.You pale-faced shadows of the gloomy isles,Fill up my gall, and lend me all your pow'rs,To torture women who, enriched with wiles,From their moist eyes send forth dissembling show'rs.3580Would Jove the mount had barren been of stonesWhereof old Pyrrha fram'd the female bones!Would Sea's daughter, that same queen of faces,Her alabaster box would deign to me,Once Phao's ferry pay that gave such graces,Which till that time the sun did never see.That I not only might, as others are,Be counted comely, but o' th' fairest fair.Then would I sleight those formal tricks of love,Those sighs, tears, vows, complaints, and folded arms;3590Caps, cringes, oaths, and compliments to moveTh' affections of a girl expecting charms.For wealth, wit, wisdom, eloquence, and greatnessAre less inducements unto love than neatness.''How now? Albino, is your doublet grownToo straight', says she, 'that you do puff and swell?Peace! peace! let not your choler thus be shown.''A thing impossible', says he, 'you tell.In vain we call for peace, and calmness praise,When love and hate intestine wars do raise.3600Women have double pupils, so they canKill like the basilisk but with a glance.Their very praise does blast and wither man,Like frost and winter, or his soul entrance.They're all like Glaucus' wife, whose filthy charmsWon poor Ulysses to her lustful arms.They're Holgoy, Africans, and fiends they are—Words know not what they are, they're hell to me—,Would Jove I had the Heliostrophio fair,To touch all maids, or, if not all, yet thee:3610Or had been born under the Scorpion's head,With amulets t' have struck thy beauty dead.Ah! faithless Polupists, that thus can changeInto an hundred thousand shapes your minds!Phoebe to you is constant; tides do range,Yet back return; more settled are the winds—Mere Pompholyx which with each breath does stray.Your loves catch feathers too, and fly away.Sometimes a fit of sullens seals your jaws,In contemplation big (of Jove knows what),3620And then again, as if your tongues made laws,You weary time with your eternal chat.Ah Mantuan! [Mantuan!] thy pen is not a liar,Although thy habit says thou wert a friar.Erstwhile a sober nun Bellama was,Then a Lucretia, at another galeI know not what, a straggling country lass,A quinque-lettered, 'haps, which set to sale,Now, none more willing unto love than she,And now more further off from love or me.3630Yet call that hasty language back a while.Bellama is not such, she's Cupid's dart;Teach me, great Jove, to make Bellama smile,And with one ray sun her Albino's heart.Thou purblind boy! teach me to gain Bellama:'Straight Echo's voice returned him answer, 'Ama.''Thanks, gentle Echo, might thy voice divineSpeak truth in this, that love commandeth love.I would through every mood and tense declineAmo, and saint thee too, my joy, my dove!3640Nay, thou shouldst be whate'er fond babblers prate,Albino's goddess, though Narcissus' hate.Oh! would to Jove I were in courteous France,Or else that happy place in France with me,That with more tongues thou mightst makeamadanceWithin these silent woods from tree to tree.Or would thou hadst imperial power from Jove,In the imperious mood to bid her love.'Quoth she, 'Unworthy of a conquest's heThat for a cannon's roar his ensigns veils:3650Unworthy of a rose or rosy gleeIs he, whose courage at her javelins fails:They're feeble amorists that for a "fie!"Run from their colours, and in silence lie.'Tis our prerogative to have entreatWith every phrase that flatt'ry does enhance,To win our loves, though every stroke they beat,Our hearts beat Cupid's march, tune Venus' dance.In their desires they never yet did perishWhich feed our humours, and our passions cherish.3660To prove the truth of thy affections, IShot forth that language, headed with disdain.My heart is thine which, till death close mine eyeWith steely thumb, thy bosom shall retain.Caesar's proud nod shall not command that blissWhose sweets are promised by this melting kiss.''Ha!' quoth Albino, 'dare I trust mine earsWith this blest air? And am I sure I wake?Or is 't a dream which wakeneth into tears?'Tis truth: then crawl hence, Furies, toad, and snake!3670The earth her mines, sea vomit shall their pearl,Ere I leave her, who for me left an earl.'Then sate they dallying in a shady bow'r,Where maples, ash, and thorn did them embrace:Whilst her enliv'ning breath produced each flow'rIn curious knots to damask o'er the place.Oh! who would not his soul and substance tenter,To be circumference to such a centre?Now have our amorists attained the heightOf true content; and sate like billing doves.3680She tells her quest, he his monastic flight,Whilst both recount their passions, fears, and loves,Till Titans hasting to moist Thetis' armsBade them provide against his sister's harms.Then, joining heart and hand with easy pace,They travelled to a pague adjoining nearWhere in a straw-thatched roof (an homely placeFor such a pair) they entertainèd were,And what fine cates old Kath'rine could afford,Was served in state unto an aged board.3690Their table with rich damask cloths was spread,Whose every twist outvied the double cable,The napkins diaper, of equal thread,The mourning trenchers clothèd were in sable.A curious salt cut out o' th' boulder stone—And for their plate—sincerely there was none.The dropsied host like to a sew'r did strut,To marshal every dish; and first did bringA spacious bowl, to scour the narrow gut,Of nut brown ale, a liquor for a king.3700And says, 'My Bona Roba, drink this bowl,'Twill clear thy throat, and cheer thy drooping soul.'Next came the mumping hostess and set downA lusty dish of milk—sky-coloured blue,Crumbed with the ludgets of the lusty brown,Which two months since was piping hot and new;'Yet 'tis', says she, 'as savoury in good lawAs wheaten trash which crams the ladies' maw.'This good old crone was troubled so with wind,Her coats did dance to th' music of her belly.3710Next came a barley dumpling whose harsh rindWas oilèd o'er with a fine tallow jellyBrought by a mincing Marget, passing trim,Whose juicy nose did make the pudding swim.Next came some glotrah (which the ploughman flanksJoined with a pudding on a holy day)Brought by a jetting dame, on whom in ranksAnd discipline of state whole troops did strayOf—I forbear to say, lest these rude feetWith queasy dames and lady readers meet.3720Last, a tough cheese must lock the stomach's door,Milked from a cow that fed on naught but burrs,Had lain five winters on [a] spongy floor,To gain an harness and a coat of furs;So neatly peopled too, 'twas judg'd a court,Such herds of gentles did about it sport.Qualmish Bellama could not eat a bit,'Cause luscious meats a surfeit soon provoke.Albino vent'red but was fain to spit,Lest those harsh viands should his monkship choke.3730And whilst he hawkèd, and Bellama laugh'd,The trumping hostess stole a thumping draught.'Are you so dainty-toothèd,' quoth mine host,'That country victuals will not down with you?You shall be fed with custards, pies, and roast.Cannot your chops a boneless pudding chew?I trow far worser is than this your fare,Unless you kitchen-sculls and lick-spits are.''Ma' gep ma' faw,' the crabbèd hostess said,'Let 'em e'en fast if they'll not eat their soul.3740Is not my daughter Maudge as fine a maid?And yet by mack you see she trolls the bowl.I've dressed a supper sure has pleasèd those,Had wider purses far, and better clothes.''Pray, mother, 'gainst the young mon do not rage,'Says full-lipped Madge, 'for he must be your son.We are alike in face, of equal age;Then ho! the match is soon concluded on.Kuss me, my honest Dick, for we this nightWith crickle crackle will the goblins fright.'3750'Mass,' says mine host, 'I like the fellow well.To suckle bairns I'll give him tidy mull,And my brown mare as sound as any bell,With ten good shear-hogs to afford him wool,And, if they please me, after me they shallSell nappy yale within this trusty wall.''Feck,' says mine hostess, 'they shall have a bedWith good strong sheets to pig together in,A brazen pot, a kettle, and a lead,Platters, bowls, pails, and an old kilderkin.3760And if they please m' a brace of wheels to spinMantles and clouts to wrap their bantlings in.'Our lovers at this pretty talk did smile,Then says Albino 'Here is no such haste,I like: but yet we'll respite it a while,Thou shall be, duck, some three nights longer chaste.I'll man my sister at day's next attiring,Then back and give my Maudge a curtain spring.'When as his yielding had appeased the billowsOf their loud passions, and their meat digested,3770Night's middle age invited to their pillows,But tell I dare not how the lovers rested,Whether co-sheeting was allowed as fit,Monastic vows dispensing well with it.But this I say, there was but one guest-room,Hanged with a pentice cloth spoke age enough;The spiders here had one continued loom:Here rats and mice did play at blind man's blough.Their bed had many tasters, but no tester,Their bedding ushered in thin-sided Easter.3780Repentant mattress for chastising Lent,Stout as a face of steel, which ne'er will yield;Their sheets were tenants, weekly payed rent,The pillow was with juice of noddles steeled,And therefore fit to bolster any sin.Their coverlet was of a bullock's skin.Their urine vessel was of Ticknall make,Whose inside was with unshorn vellet clad.Their bedstead floated in a springing lakeWhere frogs and newts their rendezvouses had.3790This was their guest-bed, and there was no other,Think you Bellama then lodged with her brother?No: such pure virtues saint Bellama's breast,And such clear sparks of honour heat his soul,That such a thought would stain her virgin crest,And blur the sacreds of Albino's roll.Then die, black thoughts! Bellama's chaste denialsRepelled all charms of love and Venice-trials.Nay, he ne'er tempted, nor attempted onceTo scale the fortress of her virgin-tower,3800For her chaste noes and vows did guard the sconce,That 'twas impregnable, not forced by power.And, though he did ensphere her naked waist,Yet durst my faith and oath conclude her chaste.This longing on Albino worked so strong,That, when the god of slumbers did entreatHim to his court, into his thoughts did throngHis house of penance, hunger, cold and sweat.So powerful was his dream entruthed with fear,That his strong faith concluded he was there.3810And in some sort he was, for when the EastWas purpled with the blushes of the morn,When his benumbèd senses were releasedBy the shrill sound of Gallus' bugle horn—He heard a sound of words, and looking out,He saw a legion of the monkish rout.For you must know that, when Albino's witHad won him freedom, and Conrado thrall,The jealous matron somewhat fearèd it,And the next morning did 'Conrado' call,3820Who (brooking ill his lodging) struck with fear,Made answer to the matron's question, 'Here'.So, when her eyes suspicion truth had made,She asked Conrado how that came to pass,Quoth he, 'Credulity my fear o'erswayed,I was deluded with the dukedom lass.She promised me a dukedom for my pains,And I, poor I, thought it sufficient gains!''Ha!' quoth the matron, 'could thy falsehood serveThus to dishonour me, and all my train?3830His penalty is thine; till every nerveShrink up with famine, thou shalt here remain.Time will not measure years ere thou wilt say,A dukedom for thy penance is no pay.''Madam,' quoth he, 'my senses were bewitchèdWith that pure white which dwelt upon her brow;I scratched and pinched, but still my humours itchèd,I stood upright, but still my heart did bow.Who would not twice ten minutes in a brookChin-high and thirsty stand, to be a duke?'3840Quoth she, 'I see that folly oversways,And Venus sovereign is of every sect.To beauty every order homage pays,Whilst only age and blackness gain neglect.I 'xcuse thy frailty—haste unto thy dell—The sentence of Felice's flight repell.'Conrado thanked her, and away did pack(As one reprievèd from the gallow treeStill fearing that stern justice plucked him back)Lest, Janus-like, her face should changèd be.3850For well he knew the monthly hornèd queenNo oft'ner fills her orb than she her spleen.He Nature blamed, he could no faster run;But, coming to the gate, the porter oped,Who, much appalled to see a youthful nun,Says, 'Mistress, do you travel to be coped?Give me my fee: for sure, a plump-cheeked lassShall not the porter's lodge unkissèd pass.'He could not quiet his impatient lustTill he had shown the ensigns of his habit;3860His parèd crown, with Venus' rays adust,Then left the mongrel his supposèd rabbit,And slinked away from his monastic veil,Just like a dog that newly burnt his tail.When he had cast his woman, and put onThe habit of his order, he made hasteUnto his lord, told him Felice's gone,And that his conscience did conclude her chaste.'She Folco's large endowments must inherit,And promised me to recompense my merit.'3870The prior, smiling at his folly, checkedHim for Apella's faith, and said his lassWas young Albino in nun-vestments decked.'(If that our porter had his double glass),And since thy coming cleareth every doubt,Harness yourselves to seek the younker out.'As the attendants of an hunting prince,Intending to disfrank an o'ergrown boar,View the impressions of his feet, which, sinceLast eve, were printed on the sandy shore,3880Beating each bush, and in each cabin searchingTo find his frank, and not the pheasants perching.And as when Reynald, with his wily plot,Into the squadron of the geese is crept,And grandsire Gander on his back has got,Th' affrighted geese, like them which watch-tow'rs kept,With shrill-toned gabblings wake the slumb'ring towns,By Phoebe's candle to go seek the downs—Some arm themselves with spits, one with a ladle,Some snatch up pickforks, one a bill or knife.3890The ambling nurse runs out and leaves the cradle,And the awed midwife flies the teeming wife;Old grandsire greybeard his tuff bilbo gets,And grandame Grissel with her distaff jets.Just so our hair-lack monks pursued their quest,Searched for his view, and threaded every groveWith bells, beads, books, and holy water blest,And armed with envy's whips about did rove,Their runagado Reynald to surprise,And came to Stean ere the sun could rise.3900Which sight unspirited Albino quite,That his invention could not teem a plot;For in his looks his fear was writ in white,And to his heart his frighted blood did trot.Yet, calling courage to appear o' th' stage,He sheathed his body in his woven cage.Then hasting to the host, bade him awake,Desired his counsel and assisting hand,Says now his life and safety lay at stake.For, at his door, a troop of shavelings stand.3910'I am their errand: I must bid adieuTo lovely Maudge, mine hostess, and to you.''Ho!' quoth mine host, and rubbed his gummy eyes,'What says my son? Must thou be whirled away?I warrant, boy, my club shall still their cries,When 'bout their costards I shall make it play.I'll dye their stark-nak'd crowns with their own blood,Then let 'em come if that they think it good.''Good Sickerlin,' says Maudge, 'ere they shall haveMy honey-sweeten Dick, I'll scratch and bite,3920With scalding water I'll their noddles shave;Then buss me Dick, thy Maudge will for thee fight.''Thanks,' quoth he, 'duck, but yet it cannot beThat thy endeavours should advantage me.But yet methinks I see some comfort dawn:Yon tinker's budget strengthens every joint.Send me some clothes by time's harsh grinders gnawn,And I will be a tinker in each point.My sister must have rags; and be my trull.Thus veiled and clothed we will the shavelings gull.'3930Accoutred in these robes of state, he madeHis face and hands in sooty vestures mourn.Then waked Bellama, who was sore afraidTo see a tinker, and away does turn.But grasping only air she shrilly cried,'Art fled, Albino, from thy sweetheart's side?'Which words, so shrilly spoke, made Echo babble;Who, winged with envy, out o' th' window flies,Carries 'Albino' to the monkish rabble,They, hearing that, Perduers made their eyes3940And, swelled with rage, against the door did knock,Whose aged breast could not endure the shock.This stroke Albino's heart did almost break,Yet bids Bellama sheath her body inThese homely rags, which only safety speak.'Care not for coarseness, so they hide the skin,And at this tinker's habit do not wonder,'Tis but the curtain thy Albino's under.''What tipsied fellows at my door do beatThus early,' quoth mine host, 'is this your manners?3950What? must mine hostess wait upon th' entreatOf tailors, cobblers, carpenters, and tanners?If drinking be your errand, where ye gotYour last night's fuddling-cap, this morning trot.'Impatient they did make the door unhinge,Which gave an entrance to enraged Bardino.He to the reverend host did lowly cringe,Told him his errand was to seek Albino.And as they did his homely cottage hem,Albino's name came leaping unto them.3960'Ho!' quoth mine host, 'unto mine house there came,Last night for lodging, a stout tinker knave,Who now is ticking with his ragged dame.Go, if with him ye any business have;But who Albino is I cannot tell.Here's no sike mon does penance in my cell.'
Then to Albino says, 'Heroic youth,May all the blessings which attend on man3260Felicitate thy life; and to buy truthTo words, I dare do more than virgins can.But, above all, I wish may nature's pride,Lilies and roses, intertwine thy bride.
Then to Albino says, 'Heroic youth,
May all the blessings which attend on man
3260Felicitate thy life; and to buy truth
To words, I dare do more than virgins can.
But, above all, I wish may nature's pride,
Lilies and roses, intertwine thy bride.
But yet alas! to recompense by airsSo large a bounty and so free is poor.Yet why may not a spotless virgin's prayers,Wing'd with desire, unclasp high heaven's door?Accept of this, and if the Fates befriend me,These blessings which I wished for shall attend thee.'
But yet alas! to recompense by airs
So large a bounty and so free is poor.
Yet why may not a spotless virgin's prayers,
Wing'd with desire, unclasp high heaven's door?
Accept of this, and if the Fates befriend me,
These blessings which I wished for shall attend thee.'
3270'Nature's sole wonder, beauty's only gem,'Quoth he, 'my valour and my feeble arms(If your perfections had not strenght'ned them)Could not have freed you from intended harms.Ascribe the honour to your matchless face.My courage merits not the meanest place.
3270'Nature's sole wonder, beauty's only gem,'
Quoth he, 'my valour and my feeble arms
(If your perfections had not strenght'ned them)
Could not have freed you from intended harms.
Ascribe the honour to your matchless face.
My courage merits not the meanest place.
Yet had I swum through seas of steaming blood,And passed through nitre flames that belch forth lead,Had all the Furies armed with vipers stood,T' have stopped my passage or pronounced me dead—3280I would have thrown the die my fortune tried,T' have bought you freedom though in crimson dyed.
Yet had I swum through seas of steaming blood,
And passed through nitre flames that belch forth lead,
Had all the Furies armed with vipers stood,
T' have stopped my passage or pronounced me dead—
3280I would have thrown the die my fortune tried,
T' have bought you freedom though in crimson dyed.
For, when mine eyes sent forth the farthest glance,To fetch th' idea of your beauty in,That very sight my senses did entrance,And make my thoughts excuse Sylvanus' sin.For sure your quick'ning rays can melt a snowOn which the winds of age and sorrow blow.
For, when mine eyes sent forth the farthest glance,
To fetch th' idea of your beauty in,
That very sight my senses did entrance,
And make my thoughts excuse Sylvanus' sin.
For sure your quick'ning rays can melt a snow
On which the winds of age and sorrow blow.
But why do I upon the Ela raiseThy noble worth, and yet intend to woo?3290Since beauty oft displays her plumes at praise,Then by this doing I myself undo.But where I virtues find, refined as gold,Despair shall never make affections cold.
But why do I upon the Ela raise
Thy noble worth, and yet intend to woo?
3290Since beauty oft displays her plumes at praise,
Then by this doing I myself undo.
But where I virtues find, refined as gold,
Despair shall never make affections cold.
Be pleasèd then to think the god of LoveWith gilded arrow has transfixed my heart,And let my purple breast your pity move.With balsam of regard allay my smart,Send thy quick eyes into my breast to see,What tortures prick my heart to purchase thee.'
Be pleasèd then to think the god of Love
With gilded arrow has transfixed my heart,
And let my purple breast your pity move.
With balsam of regard allay my smart,
Send thy quick eyes into my breast to see,
What tortures prick my heart to purchase thee.'
3300'Sir, I am grieved,' quoth she, 'you are alliedTo him whose quiver crowns a lover's wish.Else at a twelve-score distance might y' have spiedYou cast your net to mesh a simple fish.Your worth and feature does entitle youTo Cytherea with her silver hue.
3300'Sir, I am grieved,' quoth she, 'you are allied
To him whose quiver crowns a lover's wish.
Else at a twelve-score distance might y' have spied
You cast your net to mesh a simple fish.
Your worth and feature does entitle you
To Cytherea with her silver hue.
When I, alas! am but an homely maid,Born to a spindle and to serve a plough.To milk my spongy-teated cows I strayed,Which here amongst these tender hazels low.3310My starvèd fortunes cannot think of love,Nor does my envy wound the billing dove.'
When I, alas! am but an homely maid,
Born to a spindle and to serve a plough.
To milk my spongy-teated cows I strayed,
Which here amongst these tender hazels low.
3310My starvèd fortunes cannot think of love,
Nor does my envy wound the billing dove.'
This answer silencèd Albino's hopes,Which spake as loud as though they kissed the sheets;He in his thoughts commends the quiet copesWhich taste no sour in hunting after sweets.'Alcides' life,' quoth he, 'compared to mine,Is trouble-free, spiced with contents divine.
This answer silencèd Albino's hopes,
Which spake as loud as though they kissed the sheets;
He in his thoughts commends the quiet copes
Which taste no sour in hunting after sweets.
'Alcides' life,' quoth he, 'compared to mine,
Is trouble-free, spiced with contents divine.
Fair maid, what hatred frosteth your desires?What steams of envy choke bright Venus' lamp?3320Give some kind fuel to maintain my fires,A frown of yours will all my vitals damp.Oil o'er my writhled heart, or let me knowFrom what black heads these bitter cadents flow.'
Fair maid, what hatred frosteth your desires?
What steams of envy choke bright Venus' lamp?
3320Give some kind fuel to maintain my fires,
A frown of yours will all my vitals damp.
Oil o'er my writhled heart, or let me know
From what black heads these bitter cadents flow.'
'Your favours, sir, have such commanding power,That 'tis unjust your wishes to deny,Accursed with all black tempests be that hourIn which my heart gave credit to mine eye.Else would I not have been so much averseT' a mind so noble and a feature terse.
'Your favours, sir, have such commanding power,
That 'tis unjust your wishes to deny,
Accursed with all black tempests be that hour
In which my heart gave credit to mine eye.
Else would I not have been so much averse
T' a mind so noble and a feature terse.
3330But now alas! myself myself am not,For heartless I my heart have giv'n away:An abbey-brother has that treasure got,Albino hight—he's Phoebus of my day.Your habit speaks you a monk, sir, if you canTell me where I may find that (ah me) man.
3330But now alas! myself myself am not,
For heartless I my heart have giv'n away:
An abbey-brother has that treasure got,
Albino hight—he's Phoebus of my day.
Your habit speaks you a monk, sir, if you can
Tell me where I may find that (ah me) man.
Be pleased,' quoth she, 'to tell me where I may,Or go myself, or else a servant send.''Fair maid,' quoth he, 'it is a gloomy wayLeads to the bed of your benighted friend.3340His ashes are in Darwey Abbey laid,But his faint ghost walks i' th' Elysian shade.'
Be pleased,' quoth she, 'to tell me where I may,
Or go myself, or else a servant send.'
'Fair maid,' quoth he, 'it is a gloomy way
Leads to the bed of your benighted friend.
3340His ashes are in Darwey Abbey laid,
But his faint ghost walks i' th' Elysian shade.'
'But is he dead?' says she, and loudly shrieked,Which waked Narcissus' hate to second her,Her rosies dewed with melting crystal reeked,And sorrow did her trembling heart inter.Symptoms of sad deplorings ne'er were known,Which were not in her sharp lamentings shown.
'But is he dead?' says she, and loudly shrieked,
Which waked Narcissus' hate to second her,
Her rosies dewed with melting crystal reeked,
And sorrow did her trembling heart inter.
Symptoms of sad deplorings ne'er were known,
Which were not in her sharp lamentings shown.
'Choice maid,' quoth he, 'do not destroy your rosies,And blast your beauty with such scalding sighs.3350In nature's garden there are choicer posies,More comely features, and more agile thighs.What though Albino's dead? another mayBe trulier termed the Phoebus of your day.'
'Choice maid,' quoth he, 'do not destroy your rosies,
And blast your beauty with such scalding sighs.
3350In nature's garden there are choicer posies,
More comely features, and more agile thighs.
What though Albino's dead? another may
Be trulier termed the Phoebus of your day.'
'Oh, do not stain,' says she, 'his spotless name!Within his bosom every virtue ranged.Equals to him dull nature cannot frame,Though she should labour till herself be changed:It is a shame to ask more favours yet:Grant me this one, because my sun is set.
'Oh, do not stain,' says she, 'his spotless name!
Within his bosom every virtue ranged.
Equals to him dull nature cannot frame,
Though she should labour till herself be changed:
It is a shame to ask more favours yet:
Grant me this one, because my sun is set.
3360My pity saved, when as your fury hadThe rough-pawed Sylvan mincèd with your skene.Oh, with same courage let your mind be clad,With your sharp scimitar my liver dreane.Why should I be a liver, since he's deadWho was my hope, my health, my heart, my head'.
3360My pity saved, when as your fury had
The rough-pawed Sylvan mincèd with your skene.
Oh, with same courage let your mind be clad,
With your sharp scimitar my liver dreane.
Why should I be a liver, since he's dead
Who was my hope, my health, my heart, my head'.
'How am I chang'd!' quoth he, 'my heart does beatThe fainting summons of the Child of Sin.My knees do quarrel, and a chilling sweatCold as the dew of winter oils my skin.3370Fear snatcheth from my roseate banks their blood,And drowns my liver in a sanguine flood.
'How am I chang'd!' quoth he, 'my heart does beat
The fainting summons of the Child of Sin.
My knees do quarrel, and a chilling sweat
Cold as the dew of winter oils my skin.
3370Fear snatcheth from my roseate banks their blood,
And drowns my liver in a sanguine flood.
'Tis strange a naked breast of bleachèd snow,And crystal mounts enriched with coral heads,(On which the purple violets do grow)Should dare mine arm, and strike my courage dead.My steel a breast of iron has unhinged.And knees of brass have to my fury cringed.
'Tis strange a naked breast of bleachèd snow,
And crystal mounts enriched with coral heads,
(On which the purple violets do grow)
Should dare mine arm, and strike my courage dead.
My steel a breast of iron has unhinged.
And knees of brass have to my fury cringed.
Had some vast Gog or he whom Tellus brought—One got by Fury or Gradivus' mate—3380Who, but with monsters, ne'er conversed with ought,Dared with a look, mine arm had weak'ned Fate.But, at this feeble voice my blood does start,And into pity melts my swelling heart.
Had some vast Gog or he whom Tellus brought—
One got by Fury or Gradivus' mate—
3380Who, but with monsters, ne'er conversed with ought,
Dared with a look, mine arm had weak'ned Fate.
But, at this feeble voice my blood does start,
And into pity melts my swelling heart.
Then name no more those words: for they at onceDo both unedge my valour and my steel.Too safely do your virtues keep the sconce.My steadiest thoughts, struck with these letters, reel.My sacrilegious hand shall never stainVirtue's sole temple, and the grace's fane.
Then name no more those words: for they at once
Do both unedge my valour and my steel.
Too safely do your virtues keep the sconce.
My steadiest thoughts, struck with these letters, reel.
My sacrilegious hand shall never stain
Virtue's sole temple, and the grace's fane.
3390Dry up those furrowing cadents. Will you giveYour lovely self in marriage unto him,If I shall say Albino yours does live,And in your view his comely portrait limn?Say, aye, to this: and I will try my skill,To make him pace along yon craggy hill.'
3390Dry up those furrowing cadents. Will you give
Your lovely self in marriage unto him,
If I shall say Albino yours does live,
And in your view his comely portrait limn?
Say, aye, to this: and I will try my skill,
To make him pace along yon craggy hill.'
''Tis the countenance which my wishes crave,Naught half so sweet,' says she, 'as Hymen's tedes.'Albino then the haired earth did shave,And hedged two circles in with ropes of beads;3400Then, quart'ring them, did take the virgin's hand,And bade her with unshaken courage stand.
''Tis the countenance which my wishes crave,
Naught half so sweet,' says she, 'as Hymen's tedes.'
Albino then the haired earth did shave,
And hedged two circles in with ropes of beads;
3400Then, quart'ring them, did take the virgin's hand,
And bade her with unshaken courage stand.
'Thou must not be surpris'd with shivering fear,Though Cerberus, the janitor of Hell,Though seven-headed Hydra, panther, bear,The lion, tiger, or the dragon yell;Although a monster spits forth flashing powder,Though clouds and winds strive which should bellow louder.'
'Thou must not be surpris'd with shivering fear,
Though Cerberus, the janitor of Hell,
Though seven-headed Hydra, panther, bear,
The lion, tiger, or the dragon yell;
Although a monster spits forth flashing powder,
Though clouds and winds strive which should bellow louder.'
This said, with cruse of holy water heBesprinkled o'er himself, besprinkled her,3410And zealously did cross: the same did she,Like a devout Romezzo conjurer.This done: 'Fair maid,' quoth he, 'if Fates befriend me,The servant of your beauty shall attend thee.'
This said, with cruse of holy water he
Besprinkled o'er himself, besprinkled her,
3410And zealously did cross: the same did she,
Like a devout Romezzo conjurer.
This done: 'Fair maid,' quoth he, 'if Fates befriend me,
The servant of your beauty shall attend thee.'
Then 'gan [he] to invoke, or seem t' invoke,With uncouth language the infernal crew—'Vitz, Allafoun, Trallasht with elfish poke,Trollox and Chimchish, with your grisly hue,Gnarzell and Phrizoll which in Styx do wade,Lê portèAlbino from the Stygian shade.'
Then 'gan [he] to invoke, or seem t' invoke,
With uncouth language the infernal crew—
'Vitz, Allafoun, Trallasht with elfish poke,
Trollox and Chimchish, with your grisly hue,
Gnarzell and Phrizoll which in Styx do wade,
Lê portèAlbino from the Stygian shade.'
3420When from his lips these words had ta'en their flight,A shuffling whirl-puff roared amongst the trees,Th' affrighted leaves took flight, the grass looked white,The quaking poplars fell upon their knees.Jove's sacred tree stood cringing unto it,And bowed his head, else 'twas in sunder split.
3420When from his lips these words had ta'en their flight,
A shuffling whirl-puff roared amongst the trees,
Th' affrighted leaves took flight, the grass looked white,
The quaking poplars fell upon their knees.
Jove's sacred tree stood cringing unto it,
And bowed his head, else 'twas in sunder split.
Then, from a breaking cloud, a sheet of fireEncircled them, and dashed against an oak,Ush'ring a thunder, whose untamed ireLike dreadful tyrants naught but terror spoke.3430And as unwilling to depart from themHis ireful cracks the trembling grove did hem.
Then, from a breaking cloud, a sheet of fire
Encircled them, and dashed against an oak,
Ush'ring a thunder, whose untamed ire
Like dreadful tyrants naught but terror spoke.
3430And as unwilling to depart from them
His ireful cracks the trembling grove did hem.
These, suddenly succeeding so the first,And at that instant when he feigned a spell,Did make Albino judge himself accursed,Thinking his voice unhinged the gates of hell.Bellama's rosies wore as white as snow,As though the Phyma did upon them blow.
These, suddenly succeeding so the first,
And at that instant when he feigned a spell,
Did make Albino judge himself accursed,
Thinking his voice unhinged the gates of hell.
Bellama's rosies wore as white as snow,
As though the Phyma did upon them blow.
And justly, for though these but common were,Yet at that time when faintness kept the wicket,3440Which at each shadow oped the gate to fear,In that dark place, that unfrequented thicket—I blame not though her courage had been colder,And in art magic wish Albino bolder.
And justly, for though these but common were,
Yet at that time when faintness kept the wicket,
3440Which at each shadow oped the gate to fear,
In that dark place, that unfrequented thicket—
I blame not though her courage had been colder,
And in art magic wish Albino bolder.
But when the storm was passed, his courage gotThe conquest of his fear, made his quick eyesStand sentinel t' advantage more his plot:And, looking from the mountain, he espiesA man descending, as he told the maid,Which the loud tempest of his fears allayed.
But when the storm was passed, his courage got
The conquest of his fear, made his quick eyes
Stand sentinel t' advantage more his plot:
And, looking from the mountain, he espies
A man descending, as he told the maid,
Which the loud tempest of his fears allayed.
3450Then says, 'Behold the object of your hope'.Away springs she from off that gloomy place,Posts to the hill, forsakes her magic cope.Meanwhile Albino doffs Conrado's face,And set upon his looks Albino's dye;So, imped with love, unto the mount did fly.
3450Then says, 'Behold the object of your hope'.
Away springs she from off that gloomy place,
Posts to the hill, forsakes her magic cope.
Meanwhile Albino doffs Conrado's face,
And set upon his looks Albino's dye;
So, imped with love, unto the mount did fly.
Where he espied Bellama rove aboutCrying, 'Albino, dost thou fly from me?'The man was but a silly shepherd loutThat climbed the hill his fleecy train to see.3460And when his eyes had healthed his wealthy flocks,Trudged to his cote, walled in with sturdy rocks.
Where he espied Bellama rove about
Crying, 'Albino, dost thou fly from me?'
The man was but a silly shepherd lout
That climbed the hill his fleecy train to see.
3460And when his eyes had healthed his wealthy flocks,
Trudged to his cote, walled in with sturdy rocks.
Albin', encount'ring her, says, 'Lovely maid,Was 't your small voice that did Albino call?'''Twas I, poor I', the fainting virgin said,'Why was I forced from Rhadamanthus' hall?''Who was 't, quoth he, 'that, with commanding air,Snatch'd me forth' arms of Proserpina fair?'
Albin', encount'ring her, says, 'Lovely maid,
Was 't your small voice that did Albino call?'
''Twas I, poor I', the fainting virgin said,
'Why was I forced from Rhadamanthus' hall?'
'Who was 't, quoth he, 'that, with commanding air,
Snatch'd me forth' arms of Proserpina fair?'
'It was a courteous monk,' quoth she, 'whom IHumbly entreated to deliver thee.'3470'Alas! sweet maid,' quoth he, 'Fates do denyFreedom from thence, nor can I pay the fee.'Fee!' says she, 'fear not: if an earldom canPurchase thy freedom, I will give it, man.'
'It was a courteous monk,' quoth she, 'whom I
Humbly entreated to deliver thee.'
3470'Alas! sweet maid,' quoth he, 'Fates do deny
Freedom from thence, nor can I pay the fee.
'Fee!' says she, 'fear not: if an earldom can
Purchase thy freedom, I will give it, man.'
'Thou canst not ransom one from Pluto's jail,Shouldst thou lay down the gaudy triple crown;With steely-hearted Fate naught can prevail,On whose harsh brow there ever dwells a frown.Speak fair, thy business: for I must begone,Grim Charon waits for me at Acheron.'
'Thou canst not ransom one from Pluto's jail,
Shouldst thou lay down the gaudy triple crown;
With steely-hearted Fate naught can prevail,
On whose harsh brow there ever dwells a frown.
Speak fair, thy business: for I must begone,
Grim Charon waits for me at Acheron.'
3480'Ah me,' quoth she, 'and is it truth I hear?Then, dear Albino, I will wait on thee.''You're like to find', quoth he, 'but homely cheer,If in my diet you partake with me.''Famine's a favour unto me,' says she,'Bridewell a bride-house, if I live with thee.
3480'Ah me,' quoth she, 'and is it truth I hear?
Then, dear Albino, I will wait on thee.'
'You're like to find', quoth he, 'but homely cheer,
If in my diet you partake with me.'
'Famine's a favour unto me,' says she,
'Bridewell a bride-house, if I live with thee.
But, prithee, what is Rhadamanthus fell,And she whom thou didst Proserpina call?''Sweetest,' quoth he, 'he is the judge of hell,That dooms us tortures, or does us enthral.3490For, if our innocence do plead for us,We're led t' Elysium from dark Erebus.
But, prithee, what is Rhadamanthus fell,
And she whom thou didst Proserpina call?'
'Sweetest,' quoth he, 'he is the judge of hell,
That dooms us tortures, or does us enthral.
3490For, if our innocence do plead for us,
We're led t' Elysium from dark Erebus.
That other was the Thracian harper-mate,Whom Pluto forced unto his gloomy house,His devilship with smiles to recreate,Full bowls of his nepenthe to carouse.''I'm glad I know', quoth she, 'for jealous fearsUnto my heart did travel from my ears.'
That other was the Thracian harper-mate,
Whom Pluto forced unto his gloomy house,
His devilship with smiles to recreate,
Full bowls of his nepenthe to carouse.'
'I'm glad I know', quoth she, 'for jealous fears
Unto my heart did travel from my ears.'
'Why, lovely maid, did ever I beholdBefore this time', quoth he, 'your comely face?'3500'How! dear Albino, must you now be toldWho your Bellama is? 'tis high disgrace.Sure you of Lethe's streams have deeply drank,Which doth the powers of your mind disrank.'
'Why, lovely maid, did ever I behold
Before this time', quoth he, 'your comely face?'
3500'How! dear Albino, must you now be told
Who your Bellama is? 'tis high disgrace.
Sure you of Lethe's streams have deeply drank,
Which doth the powers of your mind disrank.'
'Ha!' quoth Albino, 'can my dullness thinkThat homely russets my Bellama veil?I deeply of oblivion sure did drink,Did I not know her from a milking pail.Peace, pretty fair, do not my saints profane,Her beauty has not such coarse lodging ta'en.'
'Ha!' quoth Albino, 'can my dullness think
That homely russets my Bellama veil?
I deeply of oblivion sure did drink,
Did I not know her from a milking pail.
Peace, pretty fair, do not my saints profane,
Her beauty has not such coarse lodging ta'en.'
3510'Well,' quoth Bellama, 'will you me discard,When for your sake I've run through all disasters?Must slights andnesciosnow be my reward?Will you make ulcers, and apply no plasters?Clothed in this coarse array, I roved abroadTo find the place of thy secure abode.'
3510'Well,' quoth Bellama, 'will you me discard,
When for your sake I've run through all disasters?
Must slights andnesciosnow be my reward?
Will you make ulcers, and apply no plasters?
Clothed in this coarse array, I roved abroad
To find the place of thy secure abode.'
'Sweet,' says Albino, 'let not anger dressThy stainless lilies in distraction's dye.Let ignorance plead pardon, for I guessSome other beauties may "Albino" cry.3520Might now a ghost permitted be to kiss,My lips should suck from thine a cherry-bliss.'
'Sweet,' says Albino, 'let not anger dress
Thy stainless lilies in distraction's dye.
Let ignorance plead pardon, for I guess
Some other beauties may "Albino" cry.
3520Might now a ghost permitted be to kiss,
My lips should suck from thine a cherry-bliss.'
'Why,' says Bellama, 'has a ghost no lips?Is there no pleasure dwells in spirits' veins?This "might a ghost" does all my joys eclipse,For now I have my labour for my pains.Pray, what was Merlin's father? is 't not saidSpirits have power a damsel to unmaid?'
'Why,' says Bellama, 'has a ghost no lips?
Is there no pleasure dwells in spirits' veins?
This "might a ghost" does all my joys eclipse,
For now I have my labour for my pains.
Pray, what was Merlin's father? is 't not said
Spirits have power a damsel to unmaid?'
These words, proceeding from Bellama's lips,Did make Albino myrrhine juice carouse,3530To raise an active heat, which nimbly skipsIn every vein like fays in Ob'ron's house.But when he was no ghost, and hoped to meritLove for love, he found her of another spirit.
These words, proceeding from Bellama's lips,
Did make Albino myrrhine juice carouse,
3530To raise an active heat, which nimbly skips
In every vein like fays in Ob'ron's house.
But when he was no ghost, and hoped to merit
Love for love, he found her of another spirit.
'Away, fond monk!' quoth she, 'dost think that IInto a sea of grief will wade with thee?And drown my fortunes? make an earldom die?Dost think humility resides with me?Canst think I'll choose a pebble, slight a pearl,Marry a threadbare cowl and scorn an earl?
'Away, fond monk!' quoth she, 'dost think that I
Into a sea of grief will wade with thee?
And drown my fortunes? make an earldom die?
Dost think humility resides with me?
Canst think I'll choose a pebble, slight a pearl,
Marry a threadbare cowl and scorn an earl?
3540What door to thy presumption did I ope?What symptoms of affections did I show?What actions gainful birth unto thy hope?Or from what vow did thy assurance grow?Cease then, for I take it in high disdain,To thy coarse worth my smallest ray to chain.'
3540What door to thy presumption did I ope?
What symptoms of affections did I show?
What actions gainful birth unto thy hope?
Or from what vow did thy assurance grow?
Cease then, for I take it in high disdain,
To thy coarse worth my smallest ray to chain.'
'Disdain?' quoth young Albino. 'Can this beThe voice of my Bellame? Is there such odds?If not in birth, in worth I equal thee,Although my muse shot love into the gods.3550Disdain's a pitch too high for maids to reach,Scarce will the queen of pride such doctrine teach.
'Disdain?' quoth young Albino. 'Can this be
The voice of my Bellame? Is there such odds?
If not in birth, in worth I equal thee,
Although my muse shot love into the gods.
3550Disdain's a pitch too high for maids to reach,
Scarce will the queen of pride such doctrine teach.
Presumption too? does he deserve that brand,Who dallies with consent, invited to 't?What firmer seal than language, lip, and hand?What better warrant than desired to do 't?Say, he is saucy that, with crusted fists,Paws a court-silk, and melts her balmy wrists.
Presumption too? does he deserve that brand,
Who dallies with consent, invited to 't?
What firmer seal than language, lip, and hand?
What better warrant than desired to do 't?
Say, he is saucy that, with crusted fists,
Paws a court-silk, and melts her balmy wrists.
Who feeted that enigma, whose kind airSpake me the only high in thy esteem?3560Was I not bosomed more than parents, fair?Did not thine own voice that saint-secret seem?Who bribed your full face-gazings? and what sheJudged none praise, lip, deserving of but me?
Who feeted that enigma, whose kind air
Spake me the only high in thy esteem?
3560Was I not bosomed more than parents, fair?
Did not thine own voice that saint-secret seem?
Who bribed your full face-gazings? and what she
Judged none praise, lip, deserving of but me?
Did not you in mysterious postures woo me?And 'gainst Bardino levied all your spite?Nay, by Barraba sent invitements to me?And dubbed me by your knot the Red-rose Knight?Did not your wish glue feathers on your feetTo thread a casement when I paced the street?
Did not you in mysterious postures woo me?
And 'gainst Bardino levied all your spite?
Nay, by Barraba sent invitements to me?
And dubbed me by your knot the Red-rose Knight?
Did not your wish glue feathers on your feet
To thread a casement when I paced the street?
3570And after these, ah! thousand more, and nearerSeals of thy love, must slights unseal your lips?A puny mistress-hunter well may fear her,When pride at high noon can my sun eclipse.Fury! lend me thy poison, Rage! thy breath,That I, by pride doomed, may doom beauty death.
3570And after these, ah! thousand more, and nearer
Seals of thy love, must slights unseal your lips?
A puny mistress-hunter well may fear her,
When pride at high noon can my sun eclipse.
Fury! lend me thy poison, Rage! thy breath,
That I, by pride doomed, may doom beauty death.
You pale-faced shadows of the gloomy isles,Fill up my gall, and lend me all your pow'rs,To torture women who, enriched with wiles,From their moist eyes send forth dissembling show'rs.3580Would Jove the mount had barren been of stonesWhereof old Pyrrha fram'd the female bones!
You pale-faced shadows of the gloomy isles,
Fill up my gall, and lend me all your pow'rs,
To torture women who, enriched with wiles,
From their moist eyes send forth dissembling show'rs.
3580Would Jove the mount had barren been of stones
Whereof old Pyrrha fram'd the female bones!
Would Sea's daughter, that same queen of faces,Her alabaster box would deign to me,Once Phao's ferry pay that gave such graces,Which till that time the sun did never see.That I not only might, as others are,Be counted comely, but o' th' fairest fair.
Would Sea's daughter, that same queen of faces,
Her alabaster box would deign to me,
Once Phao's ferry pay that gave such graces,
Which till that time the sun did never see.
That I not only might, as others are,
Be counted comely, but o' th' fairest fair.
Then would I sleight those formal tricks of love,Those sighs, tears, vows, complaints, and folded arms;3590Caps, cringes, oaths, and compliments to moveTh' affections of a girl expecting charms.For wealth, wit, wisdom, eloquence, and greatnessAre less inducements unto love than neatness.'
Then would I sleight those formal tricks of love,
Those sighs, tears, vows, complaints, and folded arms;
3590Caps, cringes, oaths, and compliments to move
Th' affections of a girl expecting charms.
For wealth, wit, wisdom, eloquence, and greatness
Are less inducements unto love than neatness.'
'How now? Albino, is your doublet grownToo straight', says she, 'that you do puff and swell?Peace! peace! let not your choler thus be shown.''A thing impossible', says he, 'you tell.In vain we call for peace, and calmness praise,When love and hate intestine wars do raise.
'How now? Albino, is your doublet grown
Too straight', says she, 'that you do puff and swell?
Peace! peace! let not your choler thus be shown.'
'A thing impossible', says he, 'you tell.
In vain we call for peace, and calmness praise,
When love and hate intestine wars do raise.
3600Women have double pupils, so they canKill like the basilisk but with a glance.Their very praise does blast and wither man,Like frost and winter, or his soul entrance.They're all like Glaucus' wife, whose filthy charmsWon poor Ulysses to her lustful arms.
3600Women have double pupils, so they can
Kill like the basilisk but with a glance.
Their very praise does blast and wither man,
Like frost and winter, or his soul entrance.
They're all like Glaucus' wife, whose filthy charms
Won poor Ulysses to her lustful arms.
They're Holgoy, Africans, and fiends they are—Words know not what they are, they're hell to me—,Would Jove I had the Heliostrophio fair,To touch all maids, or, if not all, yet thee:3610Or had been born under the Scorpion's head,With amulets t' have struck thy beauty dead.
They're Holgoy, Africans, and fiends they are—
Words know not what they are, they're hell to me—,
Would Jove I had the Heliostrophio fair,
To touch all maids, or, if not all, yet thee:
3610Or had been born under the Scorpion's head,
With amulets t' have struck thy beauty dead.
Ah! faithless Polupists, that thus can changeInto an hundred thousand shapes your minds!Phoebe to you is constant; tides do range,Yet back return; more settled are the winds—Mere Pompholyx which with each breath does stray.Your loves catch feathers too, and fly away.
Ah! faithless Polupists, that thus can change
Into an hundred thousand shapes your minds!
Phoebe to you is constant; tides do range,
Yet back return; more settled are the winds—
Mere Pompholyx which with each breath does stray.
Your loves catch feathers too, and fly away.
Sometimes a fit of sullens seals your jaws,In contemplation big (of Jove knows what),3620And then again, as if your tongues made laws,You weary time with your eternal chat.Ah Mantuan! [Mantuan!] thy pen is not a liar,Although thy habit says thou wert a friar.
Sometimes a fit of sullens seals your jaws,
In contemplation big (of Jove knows what),
3620And then again, as if your tongues made laws,
You weary time with your eternal chat.
Ah Mantuan! [Mantuan!] thy pen is not a liar,
Although thy habit says thou wert a friar.
Erstwhile a sober nun Bellama was,Then a Lucretia, at another galeI know not what, a straggling country lass,A quinque-lettered, 'haps, which set to sale,Now, none more willing unto love than she,And now more further off from love or me.
Erstwhile a sober nun Bellama was,
Then a Lucretia, at another gale
I know not what, a straggling country lass,
A quinque-lettered, 'haps, which set to sale,
Now, none more willing unto love than she,
And now more further off from love or me.
3630Yet call that hasty language back a while.Bellama is not such, she's Cupid's dart;Teach me, great Jove, to make Bellama smile,And with one ray sun her Albino's heart.Thou purblind boy! teach me to gain Bellama:'Straight Echo's voice returned him answer, 'Ama.'
3630Yet call that hasty language back a while.
Bellama is not such, she's Cupid's dart;
Teach me, great Jove, to make Bellama smile,
And with one ray sun her Albino's heart.
Thou purblind boy! teach me to gain Bellama:'
Straight Echo's voice returned him answer, 'Ama.'
'Thanks, gentle Echo, might thy voice divineSpeak truth in this, that love commandeth love.I would through every mood and tense declineAmo, and saint thee too, my joy, my dove!3640Nay, thou shouldst be whate'er fond babblers prate,Albino's goddess, though Narcissus' hate.
'Thanks, gentle Echo, might thy voice divine
Speak truth in this, that love commandeth love.
I would through every mood and tense decline
Amo, and saint thee too, my joy, my dove!
3640Nay, thou shouldst be whate'er fond babblers prate,
Albino's goddess, though Narcissus' hate.
Oh! would to Jove I were in courteous France,Or else that happy place in France with me,That with more tongues thou mightst makeamadanceWithin these silent woods from tree to tree.Or would thou hadst imperial power from Jove,In the imperious mood to bid her love.'
Oh! would to Jove I were in courteous France,
Or else that happy place in France with me,
That with more tongues thou mightst makeamadance
Within these silent woods from tree to tree.
Or would thou hadst imperial power from Jove,
In the imperious mood to bid her love.'
Quoth she, 'Unworthy of a conquest's heThat for a cannon's roar his ensigns veils:3650Unworthy of a rose or rosy gleeIs he, whose courage at her javelins fails:They're feeble amorists that for a "fie!"Run from their colours, and in silence lie.
Quoth she, 'Unworthy of a conquest's he
That for a cannon's roar his ensigns veils:
3650Unworthy of a rose or rosy glee
Is he, whose courage at her javelins fails:
They're feeble amorists that for a "fie!"
Run from their colours, and in silence lie.
'Tis our prerogative to have entreatWith every phrase that flatt'ry does enhance,To win our loves, though every stroke they beat,Our hearts beat Cupid's march, tune Venus' dance.In their desires they never yet did perishWhich feed our humours, and our passions cherish.
'Tis our prerogative to have entreat
With every phrase that flatt'ry does enhance,
To win our loves, though every stroke they beat,
Our hearts beat Cupid's march, tune Venus' dance.
In their desires they never yet did perish
Which feed our humours, and our passions cherish.
3660To prove the truth of thy affections, IShot forth that language, headed with disdain.My heart is thine which, till death close mine eyeWith steely thumb, thy bosom shall retain.Caesar's proud nod shall not command that blissWhose sweets are promised by this melting kiss.'
3660To prove the truth of thy affections, I
Shot forth that language, headed with disdain.
My heart is thine which, till death close mine eye
With steely thumb, thy bosom shall retain.
Caesar's proud nod shall not command that bliss
Whose sweets are promised by this melting kiss.'
'Ha!' quoth Albino, 'dare I trust mine earsWith this blest air? And am I sure I wake?Or is 't a dream which wakeneth into tears?'Tis truth: then crawl hence, Furies, toad, and snake!3670The earth her mines, sea vomit shall their pearl,Ere I leave her, who for me left an earl.'
'Ha!' quoth Albino, 'dare I trust mine ears
With this blest air? And am I sure I wake?
Or is 't a dream which wakeneth into tears?
'Tis truth: then crawl hence, Furies, toad, and snake!
3670The earth her mines, sea vomit shall their pearl,
Ere I leave her, who for me left an earl.'
Then sate they dallying in a shady bow'r,Where maples, ash, and thorn did them embrace:Whilst her enliv'ning breath produced each flow'rIn curious knots to damask o'er the place.Oh! who would not his soul and substance tenter,To be circumference to such a centre?
Then sate they dallying in a shady bow'r,
Where maples, ash, and thorn did them embrace:
Whilst her enliv'ning breath produced each flow'r
In curious knots to damask o'er the place.
Oh! who would not his soul and substance tenter,
To be circumference to such a centre?
Now have our amorists attained the heightOf true content; and sate like billing doves.3680She tells her quest, he his monastic flight,Whilst both recount their passions, fears, and loves,Till Titans hasting to moist Thetis' armsBade them provide against his sister's harms.
Now have our amorists attained the height
Of true content; and sate like billing doves.
3680She tells her quest, he his monastic flight,
Whilst both recount their passions, fears, and loves,
Till Titans hasting to moist Thetis' arms
Bade them provide against his sister's harms.
Then, joining heart and hand with easy pace,They travelled to a pague adjoining nearWhere in a straw-thatched roof (an homely placeFor such a pair) they entertainèd were,And what fine cates old Kath'rine could afford,Was served in state unto an aged board.
Then, joining heart and hand with easy pace,
They travelled to a pague adjoining near
Where in a straw-thatched roof (an homely place
For such a pair) they entertainèd were,
And what fine cates old Kath'rine could afford,
Was served in state unto an aged board.
3690Their table with rich damask cloths was spread,Whose every twist outvied the double cable,The napkins diaper, of equal thread,The mourning trenchers clothèd were in sable.A curious salt cut out o' th' boulder stone—And for their plate—sincerely there was none.
3690Their table with rich damask cloths was spread,
Whose every twist outvied the double cable,
The napkins diaper, of equal thread,
The mourning trenchers clothèd were in sable.
A curious salt cut out o' th' boulder stone—
And for their plate—sincerely there was none.
The dropsied host like to a sew'r did strut,To marshal every dish; and first did bringA spacious bowl, to scour the narrow gut,Of nut brown ale, a liquor for a king.3700And says, 'My Bona Roba, drink this bowl,'Twill clear thy throat, and cheer thy drooping soul.'
The dropsied host like to a sew'r did strut,
To marshal every dish; and first did bring
A spacious bowl, to scour the narrow gut,
Of nut brown ale, a liquor for a king.
3700And says, 'My Bona Roba, drink this bowl,
'Twill clear thy throat, and cheer thy drooping soul.'
Next came the mumping hostess and set downA lusty dish of milk—sky-coloured blue,Crumbed with the ludgets of the lusty brown,Which two months since was piping hot and new;'Yet 'tis', says she, 'as savoury in good lawAs wheaten trash which crams the ladies' maw.'
Next came the mumping hostess and set down
A lusty dish of milk—sky-coloured blue,
Crumbed with the ludgets of the lusty brown,
Which two months since was piping hot and new;
'Yet 'tis', says she, 'as savoury in good law
As wheaten trash which crams the ladies' maw.'
This good old crone was troubled so with wind,Her coats did dance to th' music of her belly.3710Next came a barley dumpling whose harsh rindWas oilèd o'er with a fine tallow jellyBrought by a mincing Marget, passing trim,Whose juicy nose did make the pudding swim.
This good old crone was troubled so with wind,
Her coats did dance to th' music of her belly.
3710Next came a barley dumpling whose harsh rind
Was oilèd o'er with a fine tallow jelly
Brought by a mincing Marget, passing trim,
Whose juicy nose did make the pudding swim.
Next came some glotrah (which the ploughman flanksJoined with a pudding on a holy day)Brought by a jetting dame, on whom in ranksAnd discipline of state whole troops did strayOf—I forbear to say, lest these rude feetWith queasy dames and lady readers meet.
Next came some glotrah (which the ploughman flanks
Joined with a pudding on a holy day)
Brought by a jetting dame, on whom in ranks
And discipline of state whole troops did stray
Of—I forbear to say, lest these rude feet
With queasy dames and lady readers meet.
3720Last, a tough cheese must lock the stomach's door,Milked from a cow that fed on naught but burrs,Had lain five winters on [a] spongy floor,To gain an harness and a coat of furs;So neatly peopled too, 'twas judg'd a court,Such herds of gentles did about it sport.
3720Last, a tough cheese must lock the stomach's door,
Milked from a cow that fed on naught but burrs,
Had lain five winters on [a] spongy floor,
To gain an harness and a coat of furs;
So neatly peopled too, 'twas judg'd a court,
Such herds of gentles did about it sport.
Qualmish Bellama could not eat a bit,'Cause luscious meats a surfeit soon provoke.Albino vent'red but was fain to spit,Lest those harsh viands should his monkship choke.3730And whilst he hawkèd, and Bellama laugh'd,The trumping hostess stole a thumping draught.
Qualmish Bellama could not eat a bit,
'Cause luscious meats a surfeit soon provoke.
Albino vent'red but was fain to spit,
Lest those harsh viands should his monkship choke.
3730And whilst he hawkèd, and Bellama laugh'd,
The trumping hostess stole a thumping draught.
'Are you so dainty-toothèd,' quoth mine host,'That country victuals will not down with you?You shall be fed with custards, pies, and roast.Cannot your chops a boneless pudding chew?I trow far worser is than this your fare,Unless you kitchen-sculls and lick-spits are.'
'Are you so dainty-toothèd,' quoth mine host,
'That country victuals will not down with you?
You shall be fed with custards, pies, and roast.
Cannot your chops a boneless pudding chew?
I trow far worser is than this your fare,
Unless you kitchen-sculls and lick-spits are.'
'Ma' gep ma' faw,' the crabbèd hostess said,'Let 'em e'en fast if they'll not eat their soul.3740Is not my daughter Maudge as fine a maid?And yet by mack you see she trolls the bowl.I've dressed a supper sure has pleasèd those,Had wider purses far, and better clothes.'
'Ma' gep ma' faw,' the crabbèd hostess said,
'Let 'em e'en fast if they'll not eat their soul.
3740Is not my daughter Maudge as fine a maid?
And yet by mack you see she trolls the bowl.
I've dressed a supper sure has pleasèd those,
Had wider purses far, and better clothes.'
'Pray, mother, 'gainst the young mon do not rage,'Says full-lipped Madge, 'for he must be your son.We are alike in face, of equal age;Then ho! the match is soon concluded on.Kuss me, my honest Dick, for we this nightWith crickle crackle will the goblins fright.'
'Pray, mother, 'gainst the young mon do not rage,'
Says full-lipped Madge, 'for he must be your son.
We are alike in face, of equal age;
Then ho! the match is soon concluded on.
Kuss me, my honest Dick, for we this night
With crickle crackle will the goblins fright.'
3750'Mass,' says mine host, 'I like the fellow well.To suckle bairns I'll give him tidy mull,And my brown mare as sound as any bell,With ten good shear-hogs to afford him wool,And, if they please me, after me they shallSell nappy yale within this trusty wall.'
3750'Mass,' says mine host, 'I like the fellow well.
To suckle bairns I'll give him tidy mull,
And my brown mare as sound as any bell,
With ten good shear-hogs to afford him wool,
And, if they please me, after me they shall
Sell nappy yale within this trusty wall.'
'Feck,' says mine hostess, 'they shall have a bedWith good strong sheets to pig together in,A brazen pot, a kettle, and a lead,Platters, bowls, pails, and an old kilderkin.3760And if they please m' a brace of wheels to spinMantles and clouts to wrap their bantlings in.'
'Feck,' says mine hostess, 'they shall have a bed
With good strong sheets to pig together in,
A brazen pot, a kettle, and a lead,
Platters, bowls, pails, and an old kilderkin.
3760And if they please m' a brace of wheels to spin
Mantles and clouts to wrap their bantlings in.'
Our lovers at this pretty talk did smile,Then says Albino 'Here is no such haste,I like: but yet we'll respite it a while,Thou shall be, duck, some three nights longer chaste.I'll man my sister at day's next attiring,Then back and give my Maudge a curtain spring.'
Our lovers at this pretty talk did smile,
Then says Albino 'Here is no such haste,
I like: but yet we'll respite it a while,
Thou shall be, duck, some three nights longer chaste.
I'll man my sister at day's next attiring,
Then back and give my Maudge a curtain spring.'
When as his yielding had appeased the billowsOf their loud passions, and their meat digested,3770Night's middle age invited to their pillows,But tell I dare not how the lovers rested,Whether co-sheeting was allowed as fit,Monastic vows dispensing well with it.
When as his yielding had appeased the billows
Of their loud passions, and their meat digested,
3770Night's middle age invited to their pillows,
But tell I dare not how the lovers rested,
Whether co-sheeting was allowed as fit,
Monastic vows dispensing well with it.
But this I say, there was but one guest-room,Hanged with a pentice cloth spoke age enough;The spiders here had one continued loom:Here rats and mice did play at blind man's blough.Their bed had many tasters, but no tester,Their bedding ushered in thin-sided Easter.
But this I say, there was but one guest-room,
Hanged with a pentice cloth spoke age enough;
The spiders here had one continued loom:
Here rats and mice did play at blind man's blough.
Their bed had many tasters, but no tester,
Their bedding ushered in thin-sided Easter.
3780Repentant mattress for chastising Lent,Stout as a face of steel, which ne'er will yield;Their sheets were tenants, weekly payed rent,The pillow was with juice of noddles steeled,And therefore fit to bolster any sin.Their coverlet was of a bullock's skin.
3780Repentant mattress for chastising Lent,
Stout as a face of steel, which ne'er will yield;
Their sheets were tenants, weekly payed rent,
The pillow was with juice of noddles steeled,
And therefore fit to bolster any sin.
Their coverlet was of a bullock's skin.
Their urine vessel was of Ticknall make,Whose inside was with unshorn vellet clad.Their bedstead floated in a springing lakeWhere frogs and newts their rendezvouses had.3790This was their guest-bed, and there was no other,Think you Bellama then lodged with her brother?
Their urine vessel was of Ticknall make,
Whose inside was with unshorn vellet clad.
Their bedstead floated in a springing lake
Where frogs and newts their rendezvouses had.
3790This was their guest-bed, and there was no other,
Think you Bellama then lodged with her brother?
No: such pure virtues saint Bellama's breast,And such clear sparks of honour heat his soul,That such a thought would stain her virgin crest,And blur the sacreds of Albino's roll.Then die, black thoughts! Bellama's chaste denialsRepelled all charms of love and Venice-trials.
No: such pure virtues saint Bellama's breast,
And such clear sparks of honour heat his soul,
That such a thought would stain her virgin crest,
And blur the sacreds of Albino's roll.
Then die, black thoughts! Bellama's chaste denials
Repelled all charms of love and Venice-trials.
Nay, he ne'er tempted, nor attempted onceTo scale the fortress of her virgin-tower,3800For her chaste noes and vows did guard the sconce,That 'twas impregnable, not forced by power.And, though he did ensphere her naked waist,Yet durst my faith and oath conclude her chaste.
Nay, he ne'er tempted, nor attempted once
To scale the fortress of her virgin-tower,
3800For her chaste noes and vows did guard the sconce,
That 'twas impregnable, not forced by power.
And, though he did ensphere her naked waist,
Yet durst my faith and oath conclude her chaste.
This longing on Albino worked so strong,That, when the god of slumbers did entreatHim to his court, into his thoughts did throngHis house of penance, hunger, cold and sweat.So powerful was his dream entruthed with fear,That his strong faith concluded he was there.
This longing on Albino worked so strong,
That, when the god of slumbers did entreat
Him to his court, into his thoughts did throng
His house of penance, hunger, cold and sweat.
So powerful was his dream entruthed with fear,
That his strong faith concluded he was there.
3810And in some sort he was, for when the EastWas purpled with the blushes of the morn,When his benumbèd senses were releasedBy the shrill sound of Gallus' bugle horn—He heard a sound of words, and looking out,He saw a legion of the monkish rout.
3810And in some sort he was, for when the East
Was purpled with the blushes of the morn,
When his benumbèd senses were released
By the shrill sound of Gallus' bugle horn—
He heard a sound of words, and looking out,
He saw a legion of the monkish rout.
For you must know that, when Albino's witHad won him freedom, and Conrado thrall,The jealous matron somewhat fearèd it,And the next morning did 'Conrado' call,3820Who (brooking ill his lodging) struck with fear,Made answer to the matron's question, 'Here'.
For you must know that, when Albino's wit
Had won him freedom, and Conrado thrall,
The jealous matron somewhat fearèd it,
And the next morning did 'Conrado' call,
3820Who (brooking ill his lodging) struck with fear,
Made answer to the matron's question, 'Here'.
So, when her eyes suspicion truth had made,She asked Conrado how that came to pass,Quoth he, 'Credulity my fear o'erswayed,I was deluded with the dukedom lass.She promised me a dukedom for my pains,And I, poor I, thought it sufficient gains!'
So, when her eyes suspicion truth had made,
She asked Conrado how that came to pass,
Quoth he, 'Credulity my fear o'erswayed,
I was deluded with the dukedom lass.
She promised me a dukedom for my pains,
And I, poor I, thought it sufficient gains!'
'Ha!' quoth the matron, 'could thy falsehood serveThus to dishonour me, and all my train?3830His penalty is thine; till every nerveShrink up with famine, thou shalt here remain.Time will not measure years ere thou wilt say,A dukedom for thy penance is no pay.'
'Ha!' quoth the matron, 'could thy falsehood serve
Thus to dishonour me, and all my train?
3830His penalty is thine; till every nerve
Shrink up with famine, thou shalt here remain.
Time will not measure years ere thou wilt say,
A dukedom for thy penance is no pay.'
'Madam,' quoth he, 'my senses were bewitchèdWith that pure white which dwelt upon her brow;I scratched and pinched, but still my humours itchèd,I stood upright, but still my heart did bow.Who would not twice ten minutes in a brookChin-high and thirsty stand, to be a duke?'
'Madam,' quoth he, 'my senses were bewitchèd
With that pure white which dwelt upon her brow;
I scratched and pinched, but still my humours itchèd,
I stood upright, but still my heart did bow.
Who would not twice ten minutes in a brook
Chin-high and thirsty stand, to be a duke?'
3840Quoth she, 'I see that folly oversways,And Venus sovereign is of every sect.To beauty every order homage pays,Whilst only age and blackness gain neglect.I 'xcuse thy frailty—haste unto thy dell—The sentence of Felice's flight repell.'
3840Quoth she, 'I see that folly oversways,
And Venus sovereign is of every sect.
To beauty every order homage pays,
Whilst only age and blackness gain neglect.
I 'xcuse thy frailty—haste unto thy dell—
The sentence of Felice's flight repell.'
Conrado thanked her, and away did pack(As one reprievèd from the gallow treeStill fearing that stern justice plucked him back)Lest, Janus-like, her face should changèd be.3850For well he knew the monthly hornèd queenNo oft'ner fills her orb than she her spleen.
Conrado thanked her, and away did pack
(As one reprievèd from the gallow tree
Still fearing that stern justice plucked him back)
Lest, Janus-like, her face should changèd be.
3850For well he knew the monthly hornèd queen
No oft'ner fills her orb than she her spleen.
He Nature blamed, he could no faster run;But, coming to the gate, the porter oped,Who, much appalled to see a youthful nun,Says, 'Mistress, do you travel to be coped?Give me my fee: for sure, a plump-cheeked lassShall not the porter's lodge unkissèd pass.'
He Nature blamed, he could no faster run;
But, coming to the gate, the porter oped,
Who, much appalled to see a youthful nun,
Says, 'Mistress, do you travel to be coped?
Give me my fee: for sure, a plump-cheeked lass
Shall not the porter's lodge unkissèd pass.'
He could not quiet his impatient lustTill he had shown the ensigns of his habit;3860His parèd crown, with Venus' rays adust,Then left the mongrel his supposèd rabbit,And slinked away from his monastic veil,Just like a dog that newly burnt his tail.
He could not quiet his impatient lust
Till he had shown the ensigns of his habit;
3860His parèd crown, with Venus' rays adust,
Then left the mongrel his supposèd rabbit,
And slinked away from his monastic veil,
Just like a dog that newly burnt his tail.
When he had cast his woman, and put onThe habit of his order, he made hasteUnto his lord, told him Felice's gone,And that his conscience did conclude her chaste.'She Folco's large endowments must inherit,And promised me to recompense my merit.'
When he had cast his woman, and put on
The habit of his order, he made haste
Unto his lord, told him Felice's gone,
And that his conscience did conclude her chaste.
'She Folco's large endowments must inherit,
And promised me to recompense my merit.'
3870The prior, smiling at his folly, checkedHim for Apella's faith, and said his lassWas young Albino in nun-vestments decked.'(If that our porter had his double glass),And since thy coming cleareth every doubt,Harness yourselves to seek the younker out.'
3870The prior, smiling at his folly, checked
Him for Apella's faith, and said his lass
Was young Albino in nun-vestments decked.
'(If that our porter had his double glass),
And since thy coming cleareth every doubt,
Harness yourselves to seek the younker out.'
As the attendants of an hunting prince,Intending to disfrank an o'ergrown boar,View the impressions of his feet, which, sinceLast eve, were printed on the sandy shore,3880Beating each bush, and in each cabin searchingTo find his frank, and not the pheasants perching.
As the attendants of an hunting prince,
Intending to disfrank an o'ergrown boar,
View the impressions of his feet, which, since
Last eve, were printed on the sandy shore,
3880Beating each bush, and in each cabin searching
To find his frank, and not the pheasants perching.
And as when Reynald, with his wily plot,Into the squadron of the geese is crept,And grandsire Gander on his back has got,Th' affrighted geese, like them which watch-tow'rs kept,With shrill-toned gabblings wake the slumb'ring towns,By Phoebe's candle to go seek the downs—
And as when Reynald, with his wily plot,
Into the squadron of the geese is crept,
And grandsire Gander on his back has got,
Th' affrighted geese, like them which watch-tow'rs kept,
With shrill-toned gabblings wake the slumb'ring towns,
By Phoebe's candle to go seek the downs—
Some arm themselves with spits, one with a ladle,Some snatch up pickforks, one a bill or knife.3890The ambling nurse runs out and leaves the cradle,And the awed midwife flies the teeming wife;Old grandsire greybeard his tuff bilbo gets,And grandame Grissel with her distaff jets.
Some arm themselves with spits, one with a ladle,
Some snatch up pickforks, one a bill or knife.
3890The ambling nurse runs out and leaves the cradle,
And the awed midwife flies the teeming wife;
Old grandsire greybeard his tuff bilbo gets,
And grandame Grissel with her distaff jets.
Just so our hair-lack monks pursued their quest,Searched for his view, and threaded every groveWith bells, beads, books, and holy water blest,And armed with envy's whips about did rove,Their runagado Reynald to surprise,And came to Stean ere the sun could rise.
Just so our hair-lack monks pursued their quest,
Searched for his view, and threaded every grove
With bells, beads, books, and holy water blest,
And armed with envy's whips about did rove,
Their runagado Reynald to surprise,
And came to Stean ere the sun could rise.
3900Which sight unspirited Albino quite,That his invention could not teem a plot;For in his looks his fear was writ in white,And to his heart his frighted blood did trot.Yet, calling courage to appear o' th' stage,He sheathed his body in his woven cage.
3900Which sight unspirited Albino quite,
That his invention could not teem a plot;
For in his looks his fear was writ in white,
And to his heart his frighted blood did trot.
Yet, calling courage to appear o' th' stage,
He sheathed his body in his woven cage.
Then hasting to the host, bade him awake,Desired his counsel and assisting hand,Says now his life and safety lay at stake.For, at his door, a troop of shavelings stand.3910'I am their errand: I must bid adieuTo lovely Maudge, mine hostess, and to you.'
Then hasting to the host, bade him awake,
Desired his counsel and assisting hand,
Says now his life and safety lay at stake.
For, at his door, a troop of shavelings stand.
3910'I am their errand: I must bid adieu
To lovely Maudge, mine hostess, and to you.'
'Ho!' quoth mine host, and rubbed his gummy eyes,'What says my son? Must thou be whirled away?I warrant, boy, my club shall still their cries,When 'bout their costards I shall make it play.I'll dye their stark-nak'd crowns with their own blood,Then let 'em come if that they think it good.'
'Ho!' quoth mine host, and rubbed his gummy eyes,
'What says my son? Must thou be whirled away?
I warrant, boy, my club shall still their cries,
When 'bout their costards I shall make it play.
I'll dye their stark-nak'd crowns with their own blood,
Then let 'em come if that they think it good.'
'Good Sickerlin,' says Maudge, 'ere they shall haveMy honey-sweeten Dick, I'll scratch and bite,3920With scalding water I'll their noddles shave;Then buss me Dick, thy Maudge will for thee fight.''Thanks,' quoth he, 'duck, but yet it cannot beThat thy endeavours should advantage me.
'Good Sickerlin,' says Maudge, 'ere they shall have
My honey-sweeten Dick, I'll scratch and bite,
3920With scalding water I'll their noddles shave;
Then buss me Dick, thy Maudge will for thee fight.'
'Thanks,' quoth he, 'duck, but yet it cannot be
That thy endeavours should advantage me.
But yet methinks I see some comfort dawn:Yon tinker's budget strengthens every joint.Send me some clothes by time's harsh grinders gnawn,And I will be a tinker in each point.My sister must have rags; and be my trull.Thus veiled and clothed we will the shavelings gull.'
But yet methinks I see some comfort dawn:
Yon tinker's budget strengthens every joint.
Send me some clothes by time's harsh grinders gnawn,
And I will be a tinker in each point.
My sister must have rags; and be my trull.
Thus veiled and clothed we will the shavelings gull.'
3930Accoutred in these robes of state, he madeHis face and hands in sooty vestures mourn.Then waked Bellama, who was sore afraidTo see a tinker, and away does turn.But grasping only air she shrilly cried,'Art fled, Albino, from thy sweetheart's side?'
3930Accoutred in these robes of state, he made
His face and hands in sooty vestures mourn.
Then waked Bellama, who was sore afraid
To see a tinker, and away does turn.
But grasping only air she shrilly cried,
'Art fled, Albino, from thy sweetheart's side?'
Which words, so shrilly spoke, made Echo babble;Who, winged with envy, out o' th' window flies,Carries 'Albino' to the monkish rabble,They, hearing that, Perduers made their eyes3940And, swelled with rage, against the door did knock,Whose aged breast could not endure the shock.
Which words, so shrilly spoke, made Echo babble;
Who, winged with envy, out o' th' window flies,
Carries 'Albino' to the monkish rabble,
They, hearing that, Perduers made their eyes
3940And, swelled with rage, against the door did knock,
Whose aged breast could not endure the shock.
This stroke Albino's heart did almost break,Yet bids Bellama sheath her body inThese homely rags, which only safety speak.'Care not for coarseness, so they hide the skin,And at this tinker's habit do not wonder,'Tis but the curtain thy Albino's under.'
This stroke Albino's heart did almost break,
Yet bids Bellama sheath her body in
These homely rags, which only safety speak.
'Care not for coarseness, so they hide the skin,
And at this tinker's habit do not wonder,
'Tis but the curtain thy Albino's under.'
'What tipsied fellows at my door do beatThus early,' quoth mine host, 'is this your manners?3950What? must mine hostess wait upon th' entreatOf tailors, cobblers, carpenters, and tanners?If drinking be your errand, where ye gotYour last night's fuddling-cap, this morning trot.'
'What tipsied fellows at my door do beat
Thus early,' quoth mine host, 'is this your manners?
3950What? must mine hostess wait upon th' entreat
Of tailors, cobblers, carpenters, and tanners?
If drinking be your errand, where ye got
Your last night's fuddling-cap, this morning trot.'
Impatient they did make the door unhinge,Which gave an entrance to enraged Bardino.He to the reverend host did lowly cringe,Told him his errand was to seek Albino.And as they did his homely cottage hem,Albino's name came leaping unto them.
Impatient they did make the door unhinge,
Which gave an entrance to enraged Bardino.
He to the reverend host did lowly cringe,
Told him his errand was to seek Albino.
And as they did his homely cottage hem,
Albino's name came leaping unto them.
3960'Ho!' quoth mine host, 'unto mine house there came,Last night for lodging, a stout tinker knave,Who now is ticking with his ragged dame.Go, if with him ye any business have;But who Albino is I cannot tell.Here's no sike mon does penance in my cell.'
3960'Ho!' quoth mine host, 'unto mine house there came,
Last night for lodging, a stout tinker knave,
Who now is ticking with his ragged dame.
Go, if with him ye any business have;
But who Albino is I cannot tell.
Here's no sike mon does penance in my cell.'