WIthin the high and aunti­ent Olympus, high by reason of his vertue, and auntient for an­tiquitie: was there holden a re­gall and princelike Parliament, by the sacred Synode of all the Gods and Goddesses. The cause of their sitting, was by reason of a great slaunder raised through the outragious fullyes of that vaine and wanton Venus, whom by a common consent for her ficklenes, was banished the compasse, circuit, and scope of the stately and orient Heauens.

She exiled, the Senate was quieted, contentions allayed, and all things well pacified: but as there is no counterfaite without his blemish, no blossome but hath her blast, nor flower without his branne: so to that commoditie, was added this discommoditie: that her seate being now voide of a soueraigne, her place of a Princes, and garde of a Goddesse: caused Cupid to care, Mars to mourne, but Vulcan to smile: rumours ranne throughout the Senate, and priuie mutterings heard, in euery Session dayly billes were exhibited by the Amorous, and the Louer pleaded for his Ladye as he would haue doon for his life: there might you haue séene the sadde lookes of the Ladies, the heauye counte­nance of many a carped Knight, and like Aesops frogs so importunate for a Quéene, that had not Iupiter béen in a merry mood, twenty to one it had made him starke madde.

[Page]At the last, (for what will not inuocations intreat, and dayly praiers obtaine) it was decréed by the whole house, that an election should be made to supplye the want of a Godde, and satisfie the petitions of the peo­ple, and thus it was.

THere was among the séemely train, attending the Goddesse Diana, a Nymph of such passing beautye and singuler vertue, that I may doubt whither to com­mend in her the exterior shape of the body, or interiour habite of the minde: her sad countenance or sage coun­selles: her modesty, gestures, or merry glauncings, the sharpenes of her wit, without wantonnes or swéetnes of her speech, without wilfulnes, the attire of her bodie was comely, yet not too costly: her ornaments all seem­ly, yet nothing superfluous: for the most parte so singu­ler, that she excelled all other of her ser, in all things so rare, that she seemed rather a Saint, then a subiect: and to write without partialitie, who euer behelde her, would rather iudge her a mate for the greatest God in heauen, then a companion for the mightiest Monarche on earth: more like Phoebus Sister, then her seruant: and better beseeming a Goddesse, then the hand-maide of a Goddesse.

This Dame was by birth royall, in behauiour cur­teous, bearing a shape importing her owne name Ve­nus, the modesty of her Mistresse Dyan, pallas wit, and Iunoes maiestie, Lucretias faith, with Artimesias loyal­tie: In stature not of the tallest, but indifferent in all proportions, nothing meane but absolute and excellent: so that should I note with my pen the halfe of her per­fections, I should therin erre with my pen, and sinne in péeuishnes.

This séemely Saint or rather gallant Goddesse (for what was it her beautye might not promise? and her [Page 2] vertues performe? my Venus attending the entraunce of the Capital, the interuent and comming of her Lady Mistresse, was not so happie as wished for, espied of the mightye Iupiter, who beholding her bountye, but admi­ring her beauty: so farre excelling the rest her fellowe Nimphes in brauerie, as the Sunne in brightnes excée­deth phoebae, or phoebae in bignes the little Boetes, wal­ked vp and downe as halfe in a mamering deuising some strange shape to entertaine his rare Mistresse.

Now adioyning to the entrance of the Capital, was there an outward chamber curiously hung with a state­ly Arras, wrought with golde and richlye beset with Turkasses, Saphires and Diamonds, as best beseemed the maiestie of so braue a place, and the presence of so heauenlye persons: héere before they entred the Ca­pitall, which was richlye embost with roofes of beaten gold, and pillarde with Iet, round wrought and beau­tified with Emeralds and Crisocolles, did the Gods make their firste obuent, and decke them with robes wherin they sat the day before in the Senate.

In this place sat all the waiting Nimphes, atten­ding the comming of their Ladye Goddesses: and as that time fell out, mistrusting the house would fit lon­ger then their accustomed manner: desputed how to driue the day in some merry method, wherin euery one past her censure, till Venus in the midst gaue after this manner her sentence.

Ladies (quoth she) and my fellowe Nimphes, to make a long processe to little purpose, or to vse many woords to little woorth, were but to pull Hercules shooe on a Childes foot: to burne one Candle, in seeking ano­ther: to exercise our tungs, fill our eares, but deceiue our expectations: to talke of warre, were too vnséeme­lye for women of Science, not fitting our sexe: what then? Loue, that in trueth best is beséeming Ladies, [Page] and sithence we all studie which way to passe the time, let vs all conclude to vse some merry pastime: whereto all agreeed, and liked so well of the motion, that with­out further spéeche, they made vp the match, and saide it should be loue: Their order was thus, she that cun­ningly and most comely could courte little Ganymede, should be mistresse of her fellowes, and Ladye of Loue for that yéere: and by whome should the triall be, but by the Boyes troth, that being tyed to his fancy, might all rest vnder his fauour, and whom Ganymede said I loue, to her should fall the lot.

Now was the Boy at the nether end of the Cham­ber, whither it were knitting of true loues knots in ri­shes to try his wits, or making or Puppits to passe the time I wot not: but Venus skipping lightlye from her seate, ran hastily to the childe, and catching him in her armes, kissing the prittie wagge, placed him with the women.

Ganymede whither gessing shrewdly at the matter, or groping subtilly (as the wanton well could) at wo­mens mindes: why Venus saide he, will you rauish me before all this companye, or rifle me amid this crue? it becommeth not Nimphes of Dians train, to entermed­dle with Pages of Iupiters troupe: fire and water agrée neuer in one vessell, it is dangerous to cast flax to fire, Apples to Children, liberty to Louers, were it not for the place Venus, I would hardly like your practise: Coy elfe (quoth Venus) are you so collerick? no Venus, (an­swered Ganymede) take héed you wax not frantick, for women speake not vntill they be spurred, but put once out of their meane, then are they past all mean, because you should not fall into a mischéefe by reason of idlenes: I did but whet your wits Venus, to finde you exercised, for this age is wicked, subiect to many euilles, and the house sitteth long, and I wist not how you would spend [Page 3] the daye: to courte Ganymede, saide Cyane, and why so? replyed Ganymede, to whet your minde or my man­ners: bothe answered Venus, for by our controuersie shall Ganimede finde our conceite, and by thy iudge­ment shall we know Ganimedes wit: if that be all La­dies (saide he) begin when you will, Ganimede is with you and for you. Haue with you then quoth Cyane, and Ganimede let this exordium be for you.

Where the late adultresse Venus was wrapt with desire of her faire Adonys, no bird nestled her brest but beautie: when in pride of her dietie, she graced Phao with an extraordinary fauour: what was the greatest gift but beauty? and what Venus I wot not striuing in thy nature Ganymede to excell her Art, hath more then naturally inriched thée with a hue of greater (if greater may be) then excelling beautye: if Venus were with her owne woorkes taken, no meruaile then if Cyane be with so excéeding a power ouer-taken: I loue Gani­mede, sweete Ganimede I loue, I loue thée, yea thée, a fairer then whome, is not contained in compasse of our Sphere, or of greater beautye, no one resteth heere in Olympus: if the Gods for a fauour of their inferiours to enrich them with any blessing of liberalitie, graunt them loue: if our Ladye mistresse in fauour to their Gods, haue no greater graunt then loue: if loue made the King of our Capitall become little Cupids captiue, driue Iuno to ielousie: and Cynthia though she séeme surely to smile sometime on her welbeloued Endymion: but if Ganimede in my disputation grauiled, make any doubt of my deuice: Mars, Neptune, yea Pluto and wise Apollo himselfe, shall satisfie him in loues perfections and praises.

Thus I loue Ganimede, yea Ganimede I loue, then let not Ganimede repaye for loue, hate: but carying [Page] beautye in his forhead, harbour Excomesis loue in his hart: for beauty long since and loue were both conioy­ned in an endlesse league of amitie: if beautifull, then is Ganymede louelye: and therefore louelye because beautifull, ah witles Cyane, what ambiguitie doub­test thou in Ganymedes loue, that shineth so orient in pride of his beautye, but admit beautye were not Cyane.

Yea marye, saide Ganymede, héer I ioyne with Cy­ane, for admit no beautie in Ganymede: yet answered Venus (standing by) bereaue not Cyane of her beautye Ganymede, for it is her life: nor of life Dorye another Nymph standing by, least you loose her loue: I admit them (concluded) Ganymede, both Cyans beautye and life: because she shall not perrish in her loue, all this is but a pause saide Venus, to bring Cyane to her pur­pose: yet hardly answered Cyane shal I procéede, if you thus penne me from my purpose: howbeit to make vp her medlye, forward she goeth in this manner.

Let not the modesty of thy yeeres sweet Ganymede, frustrate the defart of my praises, but lengthen my life with thy beauty, thou wilt grace my beauty with thy loue: vnfitting were it, faire Iupiters Page should now become foule ingratitudes Prisoner: I tell thée Gany­mede, to forget iniuries is not the meanest poynte of wisdome: to rewarde defart, the highest type of a true Trophea, whither was Alexander more famed for his victories of the worlde, or infamous for the slaughter of his faithfull Clytus? ingratitude I tell Ganymede hath frustrated mightye Princes of the loue of their people, hath decayed Kingdomes, and ruinated the weale of the happiest worlde: if any Ganymede coulde but discearn what difference there were in remundica­ting a sweete desert, and practise of a scorning desire: [Page 4] what destinction betwéene a pleasant replye, and a dis­pleasing repulse: greater should be his sweetnes exerci­sed in these vertues, then others vertues practising no such swéete.

He that hath read the Trophies of the Romain tri­umphes, shall there finde in a Princely breast, a prince­like bountye: who for the purchase of ease, repaies with rewarde of life: perfourming a regall office in a Lyons nature: well may he be tearmed a King, that Kinglye dealeth with his vassailes: shewing that in greatest personages, ought to harbour greatest vertues. Swéet mouse, in this let me intreate thée resemble Aesops mouse, that as he with his teeth released the Lyons thrauldome, thou with thy tung vntye thy Goddesse bondage: ease her thoughts, whose hart fainteth with the burden of thy beautye; and make thy soueraigntie rather pleasing by thy liberality, then indurate through thy tirannie: so shalt thou be honoured with thy infe­riours, praised by thine equalles, and loued of thy supe­riours: carrye with thy Lyons lookes a Lyons minde: who being King ouer my thoughts, become princelike in thy deedes.

And is there among mortall wights a thing of more immortall resemblaunce then loue? deuine are his cau­ses which worketh deuine effects, and a matter without compare for forme, whose incomparable forme ma­keth so rare a matter: were Aristotle heere to deuine his principio, or Plato to distinguish of his cause: they both would recant their blinde ouer-sight, and consor­ting them with me, commend my braue in-sight: look about Ganymede, and beholde this goodlye Theatrum of the heauens, praise the Skyes with those glorious Lampes of thine, and ouerviewe the base earth, and tel me if either farre or neere, aboue or belowe: there be [Page] any thing of greater compare then vnitie.

Séeste thou not what a heauenlye hermonye there is of celestiall, reunited by great art to vpholde a great charge, where nothing is superfluous, eche one serueth orderly the other, the Sunne imparteth her light to the Moone and Starres, the Moone and Starres with due proportion lymiting times and seasons: bodies belowe gouerned by powers aboue: yea, there liueth not one person, but is guided by a Planet: one is crossed with aduersity, he hath felt the fury of angry Saturne: another liueth pleasant, fast bound in wedlockes sacred bandes: who doubteth whither Iuno hath shewed her his fauo­ritie, some fortunate in enterprises, some I account safe sholded with the maiestie of Iupiter, other some trium­phant in the conquest of their Ladies loues: then earst our Venus flattered in her pride, and this is too manifest a preheminence ouer th'inferiours, to y^e end they might honor and loue their superiours.

Now let not Ganymede born on the earth, but nur­sed in the heauens: loued of the Gods for his beautye, but honoured among men for his dietie, become vnna­turall, so goodly graced with all the ornaments of a de­uine nature: if neither the earth that bread thée can challenge any of her right, yet let the heauens that har­bor thee, receiue somewhat for their due: then least striuing to become more then a God, thou proue lesse then a man: repugne not heauen and earth, least being an enemye to y^e one, thou proue odious to the other and lesse fauourable to me, scarse acceptable to thy selfe: be not so straite laced Ganymede in thy conceite, nor haue no selfe will which engendreth a selfe woe: carry in thy swéete bodie a swéete minde: content is greater riches then a Kingdome, and loue nothing inferiour to life: be as thou séemest, a God for beautye, and séeme that thou [Page 5] oughtest, to be more then a God for thy bountie: imi­tate him, whose commaundes makes him thy mai­ster Iupiter, and be not coye to thy mistresse: accept the courtinges of Iuno, the one shall enrich thee with great honors, the other honor thée with fortunate matches. Héer would Cyane no doubt haue continued a long con­tent, had not Ganymede (turning to Venus) interupted her processe with this parliance.

Beleeue me Venus, Cyane hath laid on loade for her loue, and hardlye she galleth me for ingratitude: but concearning the beauty she treateth off, I neither yéeld the conceite, nor consent: but tell me Venus, is not Cy­ane a merry wench? it is but her custome Ganymede, and nothing strange among vs Nimphes saide Venus, to be pleasant.

But tell me Venus (replyed Ganymede) are all Nymphes thus pleasant? yea, answered Venus, al plea­sing Nimphes, of the which number now striueth Cy­ane to be one: and I allowe her contention, if you al­low it: Ladies (saide the Boye) then must Ganymede needs like it, yet will I reserue a further sentence, till I heare further saying.

Héere Dorys because she saw Cyane interrupted, sit­ting in a greter muse, burst suddainly into these tearms of purpose to raise mirth: Ganymede (saide she) women men say, are of their first louers passing coy, of their last passing curious: feare causing the first, loue the latter: whither of these I wist not, Cyane is fallen into, so that if you suspence some censure, you depriue Cyane of her sence.

Clymen another Nimphe standing by, replyed vpon Dorys in this manner: not of sence, but of conceite: she hath doon so superlatiue well, that I iudge her wrapt in­to a second heauen.

[Page] Cyane hearing them descanting thus on her plaine song, to marre their musick rowsed from her muse, and with a stearne gesture, such as women vse when they are waspish: thought to conclude her tenor in some dis­cording tune, had not the house disagreeing on certaine poyntes, suddainly been dismissed, and they compelled by constrainte to attend their Lady Goddesses, where I must leaue them to their seruice, my selfe tyed to their secrets: whom because I may not reueale, for that they belong to women, I will rest with Phaebus, and expect Auroras glad appeare.

BY this had Tytan tane his restie Stéedes, and tra­ced them vnto his Chariot, when Mercurye y^e swift winged messenger saluteth him from the King of Gods after this manner.

Faire Phaebus saide he, from my Father Ioue I haue to gréete thée, and thus it is: he craueth thy pre­sence to sit with him in Parliament: shall, saide Apol­lo, then faire Terra be of her light be refte? not so (an­swered Hermes) for this day the heauens as earst with sable cloudes shal ouer mantled he: so that thine absence is no misse to men, & yet as acceptable will it proue to the Gods: & to auoide Dame Tellus distemperature, my Father will dispose a plot that best may fit their profit.

Short tale to make, it was not long before that all addresse and betake them to their sollemne counselles, whose decrées because they egresse my purpose, they must exceede my pen, Qui supranos, nihil ad nos, Starres may be poynted at, but not pulled after: me list not treate of the secrets of Gods, being the mean of al men: nor intermeddle with the heauens, least with the Ty­pheonis I be ouerwhelmed in the earth: I had rather sit in the Sunne with Irus, then rule the Sunne with [Page 6] Phaeton: créepe on the earth with the Ant, then soare in the heauens with Icarus: I leaue the Capitall too high for my capacitie, and returne to the great Chamber where are sitting my merry companye, whome maye I smoothely bring to this daies end. I shall performe such a taske as will glad me for euer.

Dorys and Clymen haue gotten them to a corner of the Chamber, as it should seeme to talke of their late nightes rest, or early mornings rising: Venus alone in a bay windowe was busie beholding the faire fruites of Flora, who in great brauerie adorned a garden plot pro­spectiue in the Chamber lights: Cyane no sooner entred the presence, but she began to descant on the former daies parliance, and with the very sight of the place re­nued her old passions: Ganymede (his Lord yong Ops, now newly entred the Capitall, because he would not sit expecting the aduent of his adherents) had no sooner recouered the Chamber, but pryed for his companions, who that day were to holde the chat: and soothelye to say, had not Ganymede driuen Cyane from her dumps, verye mellenchollye of minde had brought her to her death: which sadde comfort when Ganymede had well viewed, he fell immediatly like a prittie wagge into his olde vaine of wantonnes: running in all the haste to Cyane, crying arme, arme, arme: Cyane halfe amased, skipt soddainly from her seate, and Clymen with Dorys brake off their silent whispering, when Venus at his woords began to turne from the windowe, séeking the author of this sodain alarme, who espying Ganymede encompassed with the companye, with her siluer voice refoundeth these woordes, the messengers of her con­ceipte.

In faith (Sir wagg) come you so suddainlye crying for armes? no doubt by that all haue said, you wil shame [Page] your arte: be it with shame or honor Venus saith he, I will bring it all to end: Nyphe, Hyale, and Ramys, with all the rest of the Nymphes, being at the neather end of the Chamber, and beholding them conuocated in a clu­ster, not vnlike their former daies order-mused much of the match, and drewe something néer to vnderstand the matter, the which by diuers circumstances hauing ga­thered sitting eche by her fellow, expecting what would be the greeting: whose presence Ganymede beholding, fearing euery one to cast in her verdict, which in his o­pinion séemed verye vaine, began with this caueat to giue them all the canuas.

Ladyes saide he, I being héere elected as iudge, ad­iudge on paine of my displeasure, no one Nymphe open her lippes to speake among this presence, except Dorys, Cyane, Clymen, and Venus, wherewith euerye Ladye repast her laughter, demaunding Ganymede to whom he would graunt his leaue: to Dorys answered Gany­mede, wherefore speake Dorys be it but to winne the praise. Dorys looking Ganymede steadye in the face, be­holding his countenance and y^e rest of her crue, between earnest and iest, shot foorth her bolte in this or the like bente.

Cyane in her yesterdaies courtinges, grounded her gratious loue Ganymede on thy lookes, measuring thy bounty, by thy beautye: but of a contrarye censure frame I my fancye by thy fame: preferring thy witte before anye other woorthinesse, my reasons in a woord are these.

The chaste Penelope chose not the great Lord of Ithica for his wealth, but his wisdome: nor Androma­che, Hector for his valure, but his vertue: so tooke Sul­pedia, Lentulus: and Hypperstria wedded the Philoso­pher Crates, infinite were examples, should I dwell in [Page 7] their repetition, being extant in wit, and tryed by expe­rience: I wil not héere enter in the discourse of wit, but leaue you to suppose it greater then it is by coniecture, then finde it lesse then it ought to be by triall: but this haue I heard diuers men say, being my selfe but a woman, that wit bewitcheth, when wealth wearyeth: Inuention and disposition Rethoritians tell me, are two diuers things by their diuers rules, not so hard is the inuention in getting, as the disposition in kéeping when it is gotten: Kingdomes are easier conquered, then kept: and Lordships sooner purchased then loue: one thing is cast away in a moment, that was not com­posed in a moneth: Troye was but a day burning, that was tenne yéeres conquering: the foolish fisherman that let the Eéele slippe through his hand into the water, was not so glad of his taking vp, as sorrowfull for his slyding downe: the giftes of fortune are transitorie, ty­ed to no time: the giftes of nature permanent, during in all times.

I account it héere no fault my Ganymede to be beau­tifull, but a commendation to be wittie: nor scorne I him that hath wealth, but honor him that is wise: wit wil get wealth, but wealth shal neuer purchase wit: and yet both wit and wealth agrée in the brauest sympa­thye: counsell maketh the meanest comelye, but com­lynes sildome or neuer counselleth: and yet comelynes where is good counsel, is a grace that giueth the brauest grace. I remember a Gentleman in my time mouing an Italian question to an English Louer, referred him in his choise to the election of thrée changelings: the first a faire foole, the second a wise wanton, the third a crooked Saint: because of euery one he hath discussed so well, I shame to say any thing except I could do better. Hyperchyon neuer strained his voice after he heard Or­pheus play on his Harp: the Black-birde represseth her [Page] notes where the Nightingale sound out her layes: I could héere recite to Ganymede, the commodities and pleasures reaped by the profit of wit, were not the re­petition néedlesse, being already known, and the know­ledge manifest, taught by daylye experience: what at­tempteth not wit? what causeth not wit? what offereth not wit? which discouereth the eminence of euils, and is a soueraigne medicine to recure their maladies, tryeth the secrets of Ladies thoughtes, and entreth conque­ror into their daintiest hartes. Agamemnon had a king­ly grace, but Paris a courtely gesture: Aiax fought hard for Achilles honors, but Vlysses pleaded better that got away his armour: why preferred Cornelia a poore Mil­ler before a wealthye Mizer: and Cyrca a bell to en­chaunt many millions of men to dispell her enchaunt­ments, shewing her selfe too much like a woman.

Shall I tell Ganymede what the famous Epyrote Pyrrhus could doo with his wit, and eloquence of Blun­dus, entituled Roma Triumphanta, doo not deceiue me, who saith, that this Pirrhus was so eloquent and wise, that the man with whome once he had spoken, remay­ned so much his, that from that time forward in his ab­sence he tooke his parte, and declared his life in presence: the saide Blundus also saith, and Tytus Lyuius affirmeth the same: that as the Romaines were of all things pro­vided (seeing he was of so rare wit and eloquence) for him were they so prouided, that no Romaine Ambassa­dour conferred in his presence, but by the mediation of a third person, otherwise he would so allure them with his sweet woords, that they returned perfourming mat­ters of little woorth.

And there-vpon I conclude that Ganymede being wittie, must be beloued of Ladies by constraint, and ho­noured of duetye: So now Cyane affectes Ganymede for his beautie, Dorys for his wit thy countenance ma­king [Page 8] a breache (Ganymede) into Cyanes brest, thy wit woorking wonders in Dorys thoughts, if therefore Ga­nymede be beloued for his beauty, shall he be hated for his wit? if for his outward shadowe, why not then for his outward vertue? for by that time beautye hath cast her Cardes with indifferencye, she shall want many an ace of wit.

Héere Dorys very earnest to haue procéeded to her purpose, was interrupted by Clymen, with this merrye processe. Your wit Dorys is so good, that if we make you not to pause, you will make vs pant: what, what now Dorys? wit whither wilt thou? Ganymede to giue C [...]ns clause a close with this verdue, cast in his ver­dit: Dorys saide he in wit, is a Doctor, who to proue me for wit singuler, giueth vs occasion to thinke Dorys for wit past compare: I would I were Dorys, so wise to finde womens wyles, or my owne weaknes: then tur­ning no further then led by reason, I néed not for want of iudgement incurre such Ladies rage.

Venus perceiuing Cyane all this time so mute, who earst was euer wont to be merry, thought by some prit­tie deceit, to haue driuen her from her pensiue conceit, between mirth and game vttering this glose: while you treate of wit, others talke of warre: you are amid your mirth, but Cyane mornes with melancholye: trust me the Ladye either féedes on pilles, or on displeasure, her taste seemeth so vntoothsome: why how now Cyane? I pray you Lady what chéere?

Cyane was stung with Venus tale, and though at firste she began to stand, yet bethinking her selfe better, she recouered her strength, & because none should know where the showe wrong, but she that wore it, with this prittie glose plaied on her game: I haue fed Venus (said she) too rife on Dorys reasons, so sweet is her fruite as if [Page] she bore foorth Figges: Héereat Dorys thought to catch Cyane at the nyck, requiting her curtesie with this prit­tie quippe: Cyane (answered she) euer caryeth a sweete tooth in her head, and a swéet thought in her hart, beau­ty bréedes no other, loue as much.

Héere Iupiter hauing béen something earnest in cer­tain causes discussed in the Capatal, sodainly rose from his seate, forsaking the Senate: the rest he commaun­ded to tarrye, because he would haue further triall, lea­uing thē alone to haue a sight of his loue: softly therfore discended he the Capitall; and vnawares stealeth down on the merry knot sitting in the great chamber, who be­holding the little Senate of pettie Nimphes and Da­mosels, bit the lippe in conceite, but by your leaue chan­ged countenance: for such was Venus presence, that al­waies moued Ioues patience: yet because his changing should be perceiued of none, he entred a with-drawing Chamber by, not perceiued of any, calling in all the hast to Ganymede: and y^e rest of the Nymphes being earnest in their discoursings, gaue little attendance to Iupiters intercourse, so that he passed by them into the chamber before he was seene or heard of any, but when the Boy had once heard the voice of his Lord, it was no time to wil him hye ore the lappes of his Ladyes, but as if Aeo­lus droue him with the blast of his breath: so lightly for­sooke he his company and his bench.

Iupiter his page no sooner entred his presence, but began in these tearmes to salute his pettie person. Sir wagge (said he) you are amidde the women when you should attend my will, beholding others braueries, but neglecting my businesse: I beseeche you Sir, what Nymph was she that attended your right hand while I passed by the left.

Ganymede remembring it was Venus, and accor­dinglye, [Page 9] infourmed his Lord, reporting her to be an at­tendant on Dyctymia. Venus (answered Iupiter) haue we been two daies séeking Venus in the Capitall, you hauing stolne her out to sporte with you in the great Chamber? I thought (saide he) her some rare perso­nage being adorned with so rare perfections. Hye you therefore to the Senate, and tell the Gods (for this day) I adiorne the Session: Ganymede as was his Lordinges message, hasted him to the Capitall to en­forme thē his maisters minde: vpon the hearing wher­of, all the house rose séeking no further reason.

By this the Debyan God had discharged his fierye courses, betaking him to the bower of his beloued The­tis, it was no time for Nymphes to chat of loue, when their Mistresse to stop their mouthes, had abridged thē of their leisure: they moreouer poore soules so weary of their late nightes ouer-watching, are so drowned in sléepe, that there is not one waking: and for my parte I so greatlye tender a womans ease, that rather then I would wake them, I will refuse mine arte: a swéete smyling kisse of a Ladyes sléepye lippe, I account farre greater treasure then a largis at a mighty Emperours hand: rest you therfore (sweete loues) secure, voide of troubled thoughts, while I trouble others to coniecture of your sugred mindes.

NOw was it time when Cynthia forsaking her siluer Orbe, had left the whole Zoane vnto Apollos charge giuing leaue to Zephirus to prouide for Aeolus passage: the Nymphes now risen attend their Ladyes call, and hasten forwards for their mistresse quick dispatch: short tale to make, each entred the Capitall, earnestly expect the comming of their King: I will héer repeat the acci­dents hapned with mighty Iupiter, if any can entreate [Page] Ganymede, I dare warrant my life he shal hear of much prittie sporte: the boye and his Lord long ere this are supposed lost, and Gods graunt it my fortune to pro­nounce them happie found.

Saturnus soon after diuers sportings with y^e Paphlogo­man youth his Page, now mindeth y^e Senate, and is en­tred the presence: whether no sooner come, but narowly he pryeth to haue a sight of his new sweet hart Venus: what néed I héere to note Iupiters loue, wherin none are ignorant, acquainted with his life, his close courtings, glorious glaunces, and prittie practises: I rather leaue them to others, whose studies haue made them famyli­ar with his factions, then vndertake the charge too chargeable for my fortunes: his trewanting from Olim­pus, when more méeter he had béene in the heauens: and metamorphoses of shapes, because he would not be knowen on earth: all these are better descryed by the prying of Iuno, then the penning of a nouice such as I, whose eares haue neuer yet made me priuie of such ex­perience, nor whose experience euer attained such pri­uities: but thus suppose, that if euer he loued any, he loued Venus, and Venus more then any: if euer he desi­red any he desired Venus, and my Venus desired he be­fore any: if euer he metamorphosed himselfe for any, he metamorphosed himselfe for Venus, & for Venus was he more strangely metamorphosed thē for any: if he fained him self Aethra to obtain Calisto, now sought he a more maidenly shape thē Aethraes to be conuersant with my Venus: if in habite of Dyane he deceiued y^e Nymph No­nacris, what shape sought he thē think you to deceiue e­uen Phaebe her selfe? he entertained not so many golden Actions, when he begat the famous Porsey, as he did the golden thougts at the view of his excéeding Venus.

I dare not holde him long thus doting on his God­desse, [Page 10] least wanting in the Senate, I encurre the hatred of the Gods and exercising Pentheyes contempt: I en­dure Pentheyes punishment. He passeth on now to par­liament expected of his Péeres, and my crue are now clustred entending their purpose: Ganymede hasteth Venus to vndertake her promised charge, and giueth charge to the Ladyes none interrupt Venus heste. And now being silent, the royall crue of Carthage, the Ilyan stranger gréeteth Dydo after this semblaunce.

Lycurgus (saide Venus) the Lacidimonians lawe gi­uer, had neuer liued renowned in Greece, had not his lawes obserued, maintained the state of Greece, and him self in Greece framed his life correspondēt to his lawes, the lawe maker must be no Law breaker: and he that gouerneth others, is then more wise, when rightlye he ordereth himselfe: infamous is that bird, that peruer­ting the law of nature (as saith the olde adage) defileth her owne nest: what Pallamides had driuen Vlisses from Greece, had not Tellemacus care reuealed his Fathers cursse: and what Ganymede compelled Venus to display her imbecilities, had not Venus own sentence pronoun­ced her repented follies. Pardon me Ladies and Gany­mede excuse thy Venus, vnwilling though I am to en­ter these vnacquainted actions: the Painter feathereth not the Shafte, ne the Fletcher handleth not the Pen­cell: who setteth the Asse to the Hare, or the Puttocke to the Partridge: The stock of Grapegraftors tell me, suteth not with the syence of the Medlar: nor is the stalke of a Thorne naturall for the graffe of a Pippin: the Gillyflower twise set, groweth double by art, when simply sowen, she springeth single by nature: long is it or the Mastie be taught to retriue the Partridge, or the Hound of the Kitchin, to maintaine chase after the Hare.

[Page]I shall but deceiue you (swéet Nymphes) that expect matters of strange compare from Venus, when strange it is any matter at all should distill the wits of Venus: if you would Vlisses wit, serch Homers tomes: if Aene­as valiant acts, read learned Maroes Aeneads: Galen shall giue his goods, Iustinian honours, and loue who séekes, let him searche the auntient house of proud Ha­lyan sulmo.

But I heare these Ladies say that Venus prescribed an edict, but wil you tye me to necessitie? thē is your law (Ladies) without lawe, because grounded on necessity: yet hearken faire Nymphes, Venus shall not be coye without a cause: nor hauing cause, contend to be curi­ous: if you haue vouchsafed of curtesie to vndertake Venus motions, Venus for your sake shall straine all her vaines, either for an appologie, or an apostacie.

Ganymede must be courted say you, and Venus saith Ganymede, and none other must court him: shall I in­iurie Ganymede of his loue, or these Ladies of their praises? no, Ganymede shall participate of my loue, but to satisfie his list and these Ladies, my reasons be it to yeelde them their rights.

Oh how well spake Cyane, (Ganymede) in praise of thy beauty, and how eloquent Dorys in commendati­ons of thy wit: the first an argument of great force in Ladies mindes, the latter a rare spectacie in womens manners: both these so excellent, concluding their ar­guments, that shame will it be to me in shewing my arte.

Shall I like Apelles boy séeking to mend the Nose, mare the Face: or the foolishe Fletcher excéeding my bounds, deface the forme of my bolt: O how rude shall Venus reasons seeme, among those propositions of Do­rys and Cyane, yea Cyanes beauty (Venus will imbla­sen [Page 11] thy deformetie: and Dorys wit, discouer thy follies.

Yet Nymphes and swéete Ganymede, pardon me, and regarde my necessitie: if Venus wantonly wander it is but for necessitie: if she digresse, necessitie: if she erre necessitie: whatsoeuer Venus dooth, none dooth excuse her, and accuse necessitie: but such burthen plea­seth these Nymphes to oppose on Venus. Ganymedes beautye I both admire and loue, and cannot indéed in­differently praise it, his wit, I reuerence and adore: and cannot rightly commend it, all things in Ganymede ex­celling Venus skill: and Venus skill too base to vnder­take Ganymedes brauerie, vnlesse some Dorys or Cyane vouchsafe him their censures. But Venus must speake, and what speaketh Venus (Ladies) but your prayses? whose wit so rare in defining Ganymede, haue edified you, and eternized Ganymede.

Had Bellerophon lefte labour after conquest of the Chymery, or left him quiet after conquest of the Solynye: Perseus Palfreye had not béene his poyson, ne the exer­cising Pelagus lynes prised so deare, as with the losse of Bellerophons life. Ah me vnhappy Venus, that ne­cessitie being voide of lawe, should tye me to the per­formaunce of a law: and soaring beyond my pointe, fall to my vtter perdition.

If I loue Ganimede, I must praise Ganimede: if I praise Ganimede, then for his perfection must I praise Ganimede: perfecter may Ganymede then beautye can make him, what is then left Venus (vnhappie Venus) wherin Ganymede to praise thée, when Dorys and Cy­ane haue in all partes so brauelye emblazoned thy praises?

In all things there is but good, and bad: right, and wrong: little, or great: but bethinke thée Venus. Ari­stotle as saide Cyane, treating de principiis, declareth [Page] them thrée: and Tullye de locis deliberatinis, other thrée: honestum, vtile and possibile: vnder vtile (Ganimede) I conteyne thy beauty, honestum thy wit: but whither wilt thou wander Venus, for thy possibile? Aristotle saith in his Ethicks, that in all things diuisible, there is some­thing more, something lesse, something equall: more or lesse, what can there be then beauty and wit? or of grea­ter equalitie?

But Marcus speaketh of a mediocratie, and that wil he haue his vertue.

Well found indéede Venus, thy vertue Ganimede beares away the bell, thy beauty either with the Som­mers Sunne is scorched, or the Winters storme bla­sted: thy wit, age weakeneth, or sicknes preiudiceth: thy vertue (Ganimede) neither the force of Phaebus par­ching rayes can enter, nor Brumaies foggie moysture attainte: which like the Cedars in Etla neuer rot, or the Daphnean Lawrell neuer wither: keepeth with the pure Cyuet his swéete fauour, and the tried Adamant, his perpetuall hardnes.

What maketh men on the earth famous, in their graues glorious, in the heauens immortall? but ver­tue. This made Caesar a mighty Emperour on earth, honoured for a God in heauen, eternized Scipio for a Saint, and that inuinsible alsydes worthily woorshiped vnder title of an heauenly Heroes.

Glad am I Ganimede although occurrent with these Nimphes, I yet finde some argument at the least some­thing discrepant from these Nymphes wherein I con­fesse I shall but auere your reasons (Ladies) though ex­ercise mine own wits: wit saide I, too meane (faire Si­sters) to be inserted in your disputations, and too base mettall Ganimede, to incorporate with thy deuine mat­ter: whose naturall proclinitie approueth my disputa­tion [Page 12] vnnaturall Sophistrie: yet Ganymede is my loue, nothing lesse then these my Sisters, though my beau­ty be inferiour, my desire is as great: though my wit be so greene, all that I can say is vertue the handmayden of the Gods, and sole mistresse of men: vertue (Gany­mede) which beautifieth thy beauty, and couereth thy rare wit to an absolute wisedome, directeth thy course in this life, adopting it to be a further life.

What, shal I shew thée the necessitie héerof to th'at­taining the summum bonum of Cicero, or the absolute pathway to the felicitie of Aristotle: all these are bet­ter knowne by the writinges of learned men, then the assertions of an effeminate woman: better taught the ignorant by experience, then the learned by reading: so amply euery way, that I cannot with indifferency com­mend it any way, for if he haue knowne any thing: who can conceale this from Ganymede? if he haue read any thing, what is after viewed by Ganymede?

By this I hope Ganymede conceiuing good opinion of my loue, will yéelde me for a fauour, one iotte of good lyking: and though I cannot challenge nothing by de­serte, yet bestowe one fauour of Venus of almes: which if Ganymede of fauour, and these Nimphes of pitie shal graunt: Venus, will doo homage to these Nimphes, and reporte Ganymede onely gratious. but,

Yea but (saide Ganymede) and none but Venus hath hit the butte and the white: Clymen shall kéep her rea­sons close.

And for that close (said Clymen) I bequeathe Gany­mede content, thankes and praiers to Ganymede, that so prudent hath discharged the disgrace of Clymen.

No disgrace Clymen, saide Ganymede, but a dismissi­on, knowing your sufficiencie such, as better can an­swer learned arguments, and easier argue in greater [Page] exercises. As for this task, I thinke it so fullye perfour­med, that attend these Nymphes my sentence: onelye Venus caries away my censures.

If any thing in this my iudgement more then rea­son, or lesse then wit, displease these pleasing Goddesses: I flye no farther for fauour then the lymits of your fan­cyes, whose vrgent opportunitie, haue offred this thāk­lesse opportunitie: but sithence you haue annexed to my loue a lotte: making my woords oracles, and my saying a sentence: I will with one lyppe you pronounce Venus my loue, striuing no farther for maistrie, but accept her for mistesse: héere with so swéete consent possessed these Ladyes contents, that with full voice they cryed all Venus, Venus, Venus.

Now rowsed horned Hamon from his Chaire of state, and at the name of Venus all the Senate stoode, thinking the late exiled aduldresse had aproched mau­ger their deities, to exhybite her appeale: the caster of the fearefull lightnings, stormes, and thundereth dead­ly inward sighes, and threates as if Lycaon were to su­staine new sentence for his sinne: or the earth bread his thundenboltes in reuenge of their boldenes: the very sight amazed the Senate that saw him carry terrour in his browes, a secret silence passed through the house, and Ioue that storming expected strange newes remem­breth now Ganymedes exercise, and Venus name.

Now hath Iupiter peace in his hart, mirth in his countenanre, loue in his minde: the Gods smyle to sée their king so pleasant, and the whole sinode as it were sung for ioye to beholde him so merrye: he beckeneth forthwith to the louely Sonne Maya, sending him into the great Chamber with this message, that Ganymede should present him with his Venus to quiet his minde, and the others variaunce.

[Page 13]The Gods which yet knewe not Iupiters minde, looked strangelye on Iupiters message: but hearing Iou [...] treate of a conclusion to their variance, they were all willing to welcome Ganymedes Venus: thus being ear­nest fixt the eyes of euery person: Ganymede after this manner bringeth in his present.

Firste entred Hermes with a statelye pace, as if he manned Bryseis to her Virgins bowers: then issued on the gallant Ganymede, a Lawrell wreathe within one hand, his loue fast by the other: then all the Nymphes her fellowes within whose hands swéete Oliue palmes they beare, as if they then attend Dyana to chase, wal­king along the swéete Thessalyan Playnes: or els the Muses trauailing Hellicon, when they met the adulte­rous Thracian Fyrew.

How might I heare depainte Venus praise, or de­clare the delight taken in her presence, such as haue felt the full excesse of ioye shall decide this doubt, whome I make my Iudges.

Iupiter commaundes his Page to declare the order of their pastime: and controuled their vanities, that made such outcrye on Venus.

Ganymede describeth his Lord the whole circum­stance of their iesting, and saide Venus vertue had meri­ted a iudgement, desiring the whole house if he had made a sinne, without further pause to reuoke his pas­sed sentence.

What should I write héere the wonder of the Gods and Goddesses gathering by Ganymedes talk such hope of Venus graces: I referre you to the sequell, how re­garding her absolute vertues the whole house pro [...] ced a second sentence, redoubling Venus, Venus, V [...] The ruler of the Welkin secretlye triumphes to see his purpose sorte of good effect: commaunding Latona and [Page] his wedded Sister t'aduaunce the Nymphe, into the exiles throne, calling for the boxe of sacred Oyle, wher­with he annointes the Lady Queene of loue: and ha­uing placed the diademe on her head: giueth her three blessings with his holye hand, and as his fingers com­passed her temples, so his lippes at euery blesse vttered these tunes, viuat Venus, viuat Venus, viuat Venus.

Now is the house dismissed, the Parliament ended, and for I dare not meddle with the order of Venus en­stalement: I wil write you something of their progresse from the Parliament, such as the shortnes of my wit will suffer, or slendernes of my pen permit.

TRyton with his Trumpet soundeth a retreit, pro­céeding in a manner a sollempne march: next Mer­curye, who on his shoulders bore a golden mace encha­sed with glorious Pearle: then Venus, my Venus on whose right hand did attend faire Ganymede, and loue-Cupid led her by the other, whose traine the chaste Dy­ana scorned not to beare: then Ioue was next with Iuno in his hand, Apollo then with Pallas arme in arme, Be­recynthia, Mars, Neptune, Vulcan and the rest, in seem­ly order marched two and two: so did the Nymphes at­tendants on the trayne.

And I that sitting, mused at this deuine and holye traine: and when all were gone and past, arose and de­parted, and vowed euer to honor Venus.

Deficiliaque Pulchra.