THE SHEPHERDS Hunting: Being, CERTAINE EGLOGS written during the time of the Authors Imprisonment in the Marshalsey.

BY GEORGE VVITHER, Gentleman.

LONDON: Printed by THOMAS SNODHAM for George Norton, and are to be sold at the signe of the red-Bull, neere Temple-barre. 1615.

TO THOSE HONOVRED, NO­BLE, AND RIGHT Vertuous Friends, my Visi­tants in the Marshalsey: AND, TO ALL OTHER, MY VNKNOWNE FAVOVRITES, who eyther piuately, or publiquely wished me well in my imprisonment.

NOble Friends: you whose vertues made me first in loue with Vertue: and whose worths, made mee be thought worthy of your loues. I haue now at last (you see) by Gods [Page] assistance and your encouragement, runne through the P [...]rgatory of imprisonment: and by the worthy fauour of a iust PRINCE, stand free againe, without the lea [...]t touch of deiected base­nesse. Seeing therefore I was growne beyond my Hope so fortunate, (after acknowledgement of my Creators loue, together with the vnequall'd Clemency of so gracious a Soueraigne) I was trou­bled to thinke by what meanes I might expresse my thankfulnesse to so many well-deseruing friends: No way I found to my desire; neyther yet abilitie to performe when I found it. But at length conside­ring with my selfe what you were, (that is) such, who fauour honestie for no second reason but be­cause you your selues are good; and ayme at no other [Page] reward but the witnesse of a sound conscience that you doe well, I found that thankfulnesse would proue the acceptablest present to sute with your dispositions; and that I imagined could be no way better expressed then in manifesting your cour­tesies, and giuing consent to your reasonable de­mands. For the first, I confesse (with thankes to the disposer of all things, and a true gratef [...]ll heart towards you,) so many were the vn­expected visitations and vnhoped kindnesses re­ceiued both from some among you of my Ac­quaintance, and many other vnknowne Well­ [...]illers of my Cause, that I was perswaded to entertaine a much better conceit of the Time then I lately conceiued, and assured my selfe that [Page] VERTVE had farre more followers then I sup­posed.

Somewhat it disturbed mee to behold our ages Fauourites, whilst they frowned on my honest en­terprises, to take vnto their protections the egre­giousts fopperics: yet much more was my content­m [...]nt, in that I was respected by so many of You, amongst whom there are some, who can and may as much dis-esteeme these, as they neglect me: nor could I feare their malice or contempt, whilst I enioyed your fauours, who (howso­euer you are vnder-valued by fooles for a time) shall leaue vnto your post [...]ritie so noble a me­mory, that your names shall be reuerenced by Kings, when many of these who now flourish with [Page] a shew of vsurped Greatnesse, shall eyther weare out of beeing, or dispoyled of all their patched re­putation, grow contemptible in the eyes of their beloued Mistresse the World. Your Loue. is is that (enabling mee with patience to endure what is already past) hath made mee (also) carefull better to prepare my selfe for all fu­ture misaduentures, by bringing to my considera­tion, what the passion, of my iust discontentments had almost quite banished from my remem­brance.

Further, to declare my thankefulnesse, in making app [...]rant my willing minde to be commanded in any seruices of loue, which you shall thinke fit (though I want abilitie to performe great mat­ters) [Page] [...] [Page] [...] [Page] [...] [Page] [...] [Page] [...] [Page] [...] [Page] yet I haue according to some of your requests beene contented to giue way to the printing of these Eglogues, which thoug [...] it to many seeme a sleight matter, yet being well considered of, may proue a strong argument of my readinesse to gi [...]e you content in a greater matter: for they being (as you well kn [...]w) begotten with little care, and preserued with lesse respect, gaue suffici­ent e [...]idence that I meant (rather then any way to deceiue your trust) to giue the world oc­casion of calling my discretion in question, as I now assure my selfe This will: and the sooner, be­cause such expectations (I perceiue) there are of I know not what Inuentions, as would haue beene frustrated though I had employed [Page] the vtmost and very best of my endeuours.

Notwithstanding, for your sakes, I haue here ad­uentured once againe to make tryall of the w [...]rlds censures: and what hath receiued beeing, from your Loues, I here rededicated to your Worths, which if your noble dispositions will like well of: Or if you will but reasonab [...]y respect what your selues drew mee vnto, I shall be nothing displea­sed at others cauils, but resting my selfe contented with your good opinions, scorne all the rabble of vncharitable detractors: For none I know will maligne it except those, who eyther particularly malice my person, or professe th [...]mselues enemies to my former Bookes; who (sauing those that were incensed on others speeches) as diuers of you (ac­cording [Page] to your protestations) haue obserued, are eyther open enemies of our Church; men notori­ously guilty of some particular Abuses therein t [...]xt, such malicious Crittickes who haue the repute of being indicious, by detracting from others; or at best such Guls, as neuer approue any thing good, or learned, but eyther that which their shallow ap­prehensions can apply to the soothing of their owne opinions, or what (indeede rather) they vnder­stand not.

Trust me, how ill soeuer it hath beene rewarded, my loue to my Country is inviolate: my thanke­fulnesse to you vnfayned, my endeuour to doe eue­ry man good; all my ayme content with honestie: and this my paines (if it may be so tearmed) more [Page] to auoid idlenes, then for affectation of praise: an [...] if notwithstanding all thir, I must yet, not onel [...] rest my selfe content that my innocency hath esc [...] ped with strict imprisonment (to the impayring [...] my state, and hinderance of my fortunes) but al [...] be constrayned to see my guiltlesse lines, suffer th [...] despight of ill tongues: yet for my further enco [...] ragement, let mee entreat the continuance [...] your first respect, wherein I shall finde that com fort as will be sufficient to make mee set light an [...] so much contemne all the malice of my aduersaries that ready to burst with the venome of their own [...] hearts, they shall see

My Minde enamoured on faire Vertues light
Ascends the limits of their bleared sight,
[Page]And plac'd aboue their Enuy, doth contemne,
Nay, sit and laugh at their disdaine and them.

But Noble Friends, I make question neyther of yours, nor any honest mans respect, and there­fore will no further vrge it, nor trouble your pati­ence: onely this Ile say, that you may not thinke [...]e too well conceited of my selfe; though the Time [...]ere to blame in ill requiting my honest endea­ [...]ours, which in the eyes of the world deserued [...]etter, [...]et somewhat I am assured there was in [...]ee worthy that punishment which when God shall [...]iue mee grace to see and amend, I doubt not but [...]o finde that regard as will be fitting for so much [...]erit as my labours may iustly challenge. Meane [Page] while, the better to hold my selfe in esteeme with you, and amend the worlds opinion of Vertue, I will study to amend my selfe, that I may be yet more worthy to be called

Your Friend, GEO. WYTHER.

The first Eglogue.

ARGVMENT.
WILLY leaues his [...]locke a while,
Ui [...]ites [...] in exile;
Where though prison' [...], he doth finde
He's still free that's free in Minde:
And [...] trouble no defence
Is so [...]irme as Innocence.
  • R [...]T.
  • WILLY.
WI [...]y, thou now full tolly tun'st thy Reed [...],
Making the Aimphs enamou [...]d on thy straines,
And whilst thy harmelesse [...]locke vnscar [...]d feedes,
Hast tho contentment, of Hills. Groues, and Plaines:
Trust me, [...]oy thou and thy Muse so speedes
In such an Age, where so much mischiefe raignes:
And to my Care it some redresse will be,
Fortune hath so much grace, to smile on thee.
[Page]WILLY.
To smile on me? I nere yet knew her smile,
Vnlesse 'twere when she purpos'd to deceiue me;
Many a Trayne, and many a painted wile
She casts, in hope of Freedome to bereaue me:
Yet now, because she sees I scorne her guile
To fawne on sooles, she for my Muse doth leaue me,
And here of late, her wonted spite doth tend,
To worke me care, by frowning on my friend.
ROGET.
Why then I see her Copper-coyne's no starling,
'T will not be currant still, for all the guilding,
A Knaue, or [...]oole must euer be her Darling:
For they haue mindes to all occasions yeelding:
If we get any thing by all our parling
It seemes an Apple, but it proues a weilding:
But let that passe; sweet Shepheard tell me this,
For what beloued friend thy sorrow is.
[Page]WILLY.
Wrong me not Roget: do'st thou suffer heere,
And aske me for what friend it is I greeue?
Can I suppose thy loue to me is deere,
Or this thy ioy for my content beleeue:
When thou think'st thy cares touch not me as neere,
Or that I pinne thy sorrowes at my sleeue?
Roget, my faith in thee hath had that trust,
I neuer thought to finde thee so vniust.
ROGET.
Why Willy? WILLY: Prethee do not aske me why,
Doth it diminish any of thy care,
That I in freedome maken melody,
And think'st I cannot as well somewhat spare
From my delight, to mone thy miscrie?
Tis time our Loues should these suspects forbeare:
Thou art that friend; which thou vnnam'd should'st know,
And not haue drawn my loue in question so.
[Page]ROGET.
Forgiue me, and I'le pardon thy mistake,
A [...]d so shall this thy gentle-anger cease,
(I neuer of thy loue will question make)
Whilst that the number o [...] our day [...]s encrease,
Yet to my se [...]fe, I much might seeme to take,
And something neere vnto presumption prease:
To thinke me worthy loue from such a spirit,
But that I know thy kindnesse, past my merit.
Besid [...]s; me thought thou spak'st now of a friend,
That se [...]m'd more grieu [...]us discontents to beare,
Some things I finde that doe in shew offend,
Which to my Patience little trouble are,
And they e're long I hope will haue an end,
Or though they haue not, much I doe not care:
So this it was made me that question moue,
And not suspect of honest Willies loue.
[Page]WILLY.
Alas, thou art exiled from thy [...]locke,
And quite beyond the Desarts here confin'd,
Hast nothing to conuerse with but a Rocke,
Or at least Out-lawes in their Caues halfe pin'd,
And do' [...]t thou at thy owne misfortune mocke,
Making thy selfe to; to thy selfe vnkinde?
When heretofore we talk' [...] we did embrace:
But now I scarce can come to see thy face.
ROGET.
Yet all that, Willy, is not worth thy sorrow,
For I haue Mirth, here thou would'st not beleeue,
From de [...]pest ca [...]es the highest ioyes I borrow:
If ought chaunce out this day, may m [...]ke me grieue,
I'le learne to mend, or scorne it by to morrow,
This barren place yeelds somewhat to relieue:
For I haue found sufficient to content me,
And more true blisse, then euer freedome lent me.
[Page]WILLY.

Are Prisons then growne places of delight?

ROGET.
Tis as the conscience of the Prisoner is,
The very Grates are able to affright
The guilty Man, that knowes his deedes amisse,
All outward Pleasures are exiled quite,
And it is nothing (of it selfe) but this:
Abhorred-loanenesse, darknesse. sadnesse, paines,
Num' [...]-cold, sharp-hunger, scorching thirst & chaines.
WILLY.

And these are not [...]ing?

ROGET.
——Nothing yet to mee,
Onel [...] my friends restraint is all my paine,
And since I truly finde my conscience free
From that my loanen [...]sse to, I reape some gaine.
[Page]WILLY.
But graunt in this no discontentment be,
It doth thy wished liberty restraine,
And to thy soule I thinke there's nothing nearer,
For I could neuer heare thee prize ought dearer.
ROGET.
True, I did euer set it at a Rate,
Too deere for any Mortal's worth to buy,
Tis not our greatest Shepheard's whole estate,
Shall purchase from me, my least liberty,
But I am subiect to the powers of Fate,
And to obey them is no slauery:
They may do much, but when they haue done all,
Onely my body they may bring in thrall.
And 'tis not that (my Willy) 'tis my minde,
My minde's more pretious freedome I so weigh
A thousand wayes they may my body binde,
[Page]In thous [...]d [...] [...]ut [...] m [...] minde [...]etray,
And [...] [...]ce it is that I [...] [...],
And beare with [...] th [...] my [...] away:
I'me [...] my selfe, a [...]d that I'de rat [...]er bee,
Then to be Lord of all th [...]e Downes in see.
WILLY.
No [...]ly [...] and I doe ioy to hear' [...],
For 'tis the minde of Man indeede that's all,
There's n [...]ught so hard but a [...]rake [...] will bea [...]'t,
And [...] men co [...]t great [...] small,
The [...]'le looke on 'Death and Torment, yet not fear't,
Because they [...] tis rising so to [...]:
Ty [...]ants n av boast they to much power are borne,
Yet he hath more that Tyranies can scorne.
ROGET.
'Tis right, but I no Tyranies endure,
Nor [...] au [...] I suffred ought worth name of care.
[Page]WILLY.
What e're thou'lt call't, thou may'st, but I am sure,
Many more pine that much lesse payned are,
Thy looke me thinks doth say thy meaning's pure,
And by this past I finde what thou do'st da [...]e:
But I could neuer yet the reason know,
Why thou [...]rt lodged in this house of woe.
ROGET.
Nor I by Pan, no [...] neuer hope to doe,
But [...] it pleases some; and I doe gesse
[...]tly a cause that moues them there-vnto,
Which neither will auaile me to expresse,
Nor thee to heare, and therefore let it goe,
We must not say, they doe so, that oppresse:
Yet I shall ne're to sooth them or the times,
Iniure my sel [...] by bearing others crimes.
WILLY.
Then now thou may'st speake freely, there's none heares,
But he wh [...]m I doe hope thou do'st not doubt.
[Page]ROGET.
True; but if dores and walles haue gott [...] eares,
And Closet-whisperings may be spread abou [...]:
Doe not blame him that in such causes feares
What in his Passion he may blunder out:
In such a place, and such strict times as these,
Where what we speake is tooke as others please.
But yet to morrow if thou come this way,
I'le tell thee all my story to the end,
Tis long, and now I feare thou canst not stay,
Because thy Flocke must watred be and pend,
And Night begins to muffle vp the day,
Which to informe thee how alone I spend,
I'le onely sing a sorrie Prisoners Lay,
I f [...]m'd this Morne, which though it suits not fields,
Is such as fits me, and sad Thraldome yeelds,
WILLY.
Well, I will set my Kit another string,
And play vnto it whil'st that thou do'st sing▪

SONNET.

ROGET.
NOw that my body dead-aliue,
Bereau'd of comfort lies in thr all.
Doe thou my soule begin to thriue,
And vnto Honey, turne this Gall:
So shall we both through outward woe,
The way to inward comfort know.
For as that Foode my Flesh I giue,
Doth [...]eepe in me this Mortall breath:
So soules on Meditations liue,
And shunne thereby immortall 'Death:
Nor art thou euer nearer rest.
Then when thou find'st me most opprest.
[...]irst thinke my soule; if I haue Foes
That take a pleasure in my care,
[Page]And to procure these outward woes,
Haue thus entrapt me vnaware:
Thou should'st by much more [...]arefull bee,
Since greater Foes lay waite for thee.
Then when Mew'd vp in grates of steele,
Minding those ioyes mine cyes doe misse,
Thou find'st no Torment tho [...] do'st feele.
So [...] as Priuation is▪
Muse how the damn'd in s [...]ames that glow,
Pine in the losse of [...]lisse they know.
Thou seest there's giuen so great might
To some that are but clay [...] l,
Their very anger can affright.
Which if in any thou espie
Thus thinke of Mortall's frownes stri [...]e seare,
How dreadfull will Gods wrath appeare?
[Page]By my late hopes that now are crost,
Consider those that firmer bee,
And make the freedome I haue lo [...]t,
A meanes that may remember thee
Had Christ not thy Redeemer b [...]n,
What horrid [...] thou had'st beene in
These iron chaines the bolt's of steele.
Which other poore offenders grinde,
The wants, and cares which they doe feel [...]
May bring some greater thing to minde
For by their [...] thou shalt doe we [...],
To thinke vpon the paines of Hell.
Or when through me, thou [...] a Man
Condemn'd vnto a mortall [...],
How sad he lookes, how pale how wan,
Drawing with Feare his panting brea [...]h
Thinke i [...] in that such griefe thou see,
How sad will, Goe yee cuised bee.
[Page]Againe, when he that fear'd to Dye
(Past hope) doth see his Pardon brought,
Reade but the ioy that's in his eye,
And then [...] it to thy thought:
There t [...]inke betwixt my heart and thee,
How sweet will, come yee blessed, bee
Thus if thou doe, though closed [...]ere,
My bondage I shall deeme the lesse,
I neither shall haue cause to feare,
Nor yet bewa [...]le my sad distresse:
For whether li [...]e, or pine, or dye,
We shall haue bl [...]sse [...].
WILLY.
Trust me I see the Cage doth some Birds good,
And if they doe not suffer too much wrong,
Will teach them sweeter descants then the Wood:
Beleeue't, I like the subiect of thy Song▪
[Page]It shewes thou art in no distempred moode,
But cause to heare the residue I long:
My Sheepe to morrow I will neerer bring,
And spend the day to heare thee talke and sing.
Yet e're we part, Roget to me areed,
Of whō thou learn'dst to make such Songs as these,
I neuer yet heard any Shepheards reede
Tune in mishap, a straine that more could please,
Surely thou do'st inuoke at this thy neede.
Some power, that we neglect in other layes:
For here's a Name, and words, that but few swaines
Haue mention'd at their meting on the Plaines.
ROGET.
Indeede 'tis true; and they are sore to blame,
They doe so much neglect it in their Songs,
For, thence proceedeth such a worthy fame,
As is not subiect vnto Enuies wrongs:
[Page]That is the most to be respected name
Of our true Pan, whose worth sit [...] on all tongues:
And the most auncient Shepheards vse to praise
In sacred Anthemes sung on Holy-dayes.
He that first taught his Musicke such a s [...]raine,
Was that sweet Shepheard, who (vntill a King)
Kept She [...]pe vpon the honey milkie Plaine,
That is enritch't by Iordans watering;
He in his troubl [...]s ca [...]'d the bodies paines,
By measures rais'd to the s [...]ules rauishing:
And his sweet numbers onely most deuine,
Gaue the first being to this Song of mine.
WILLY.
Let his good spiri [...] eu'r with thee dw [...]ll,
That I might heare such Mulicke euery day.
[Page]ROGET.
Thanks; but would now it pleased thee to play.
Yet sure'tis late thy Weather rings his Bell,
And Swaines to folde, or homeward driue away.
WILLY.
And yon goes Cuddy, therefore fare thou well:
I'le make his Sheepe for me a liule s [...]ay,
And if thou thinke it fit I'le bring him to,
Next morning hither.
ROGET.

Prethee Willy doo.

FINIS.

The second Eglogue.

ARGVMENT.
CVDDY tells how all the Swaines,
Pitty ROGET on the Plaines:
Who requested, doth relate
The true cause of his estate,
Which bro [...]e o [...]f becau'e ' [...]was long.
They begin a three-mans Song.
  • WILLY.
  • CVDDY.
  • ROG [...]T.
ROget, thy olde friend Cuddy here and I,
Are come to visite thee in these thy bands,
Whil'st both our Floc [...]es in an Inclosure by
Doe picke the thinne gra [...]se from the fallowed lands.
He tells me thy restraint of liberty
Each one throughout the Country vnderstands:
And there is not a gentle-natur'd Lad,
On all these 'Downes but for thy sake is sad.
[Page]CVDDY.
Not thy acquaintance and thy friends alone.
Pitty thy close restraint, as friends should doe:
But some that have but scene thee for thee moane:
Yea, many that did neuer see thee to.
Some deem [...] thee in a fault, and most in none;
So diuers wayes doe diuers rumours goe:
And at all meetings where our Shepheards be,
Now the maine Mewes that's extant is of thee▪
ROGET.
Why, this is somewhat yet: had I but kept
Sheepe on the Mountaiues, till the day of doome,
My name should in obscurity haue sl [...]pt,
In Brakes, in Briars▪ shrubbed Furze and Broome▪
Into the worlds wide care it had not crept,
Nor in so many mens thoughts found a roome:
But what cause of my s [...]ffe in [...]s doethey know?
Good Cuddy t [...]ll me how doth rumour goe.
[Page]CVDDY.
Faith 'tis vncertaine, some speake this, some that:
Some dare say nought, yet seeme to thinke a cause,
And many a one prating he knowes not what;
Comes out with Prouerbes and olde auncient sawes,
As if he thought thee guiltlesse, and y [...]t not:
Then doth he speake halfe sentences, then pawse:
That what the most would say, we may suppose,
But what to say the rumour is, none knowe [...].
ROGET.
Nor care I greatly, for it skills not much,
What the vnsteady common-people deemes,
His conscience doth not alwaies feele least touch,
That blamelesse in the sight of others seemes:
My cause is honest, and because 'tis such,
I holde it so, and not for Mens esteemes:
If they spea [...]e iustly well of me, I'me glad;
If [...], eu [...]ll, it ne're makes me sad.
[Page]WILLY.
I like that minde, but Roget you are quite
Beside the matter that I long to heare:
Remember what you promis'd yester-night,
Youl'd put vs off with other talke I feare;
Thou know'st that honest Cuddies heart's vpright,
And none but he, except my selfe is neare:
Come therefore, and betwixt vs two relate
The true occasion of thy present state.
ROGET.
My friends I will; You know I am a Swaine,
That kept a poore Flocke here vpon this Plaine,
Who though it seemes, I could doe nothing lesse,
Can make a Song, and woe a Shepheardesse,
And not alone the fairest where I liue,
Haue heard me sing, and fauours daign'd to giue:
But though I say' [...], the noblest Nimph of Thame,
Hath grac'd my Verse vnto my greater same.
[Page]Yet being young, and not much see▪ing praise,
I was not noted out for [...] [...],
N [...]r f [...]eding [...]lockes, yea▪ nowne as others be:
For the delight that most [...] me
Was [...] Foxes, W [...]lues, and Beasts of Pray▪
That spoi [...]e our Foulis, and beare our L [...]mbs a [...]ay:
F [...]r this as a [...]so for the loue I beare
Vnto m [...] Country, [...] by all [...]are
Of [...]. or of [...], with desire
[...] to keepe that state I had entire,
And like a true gro [...] [...] man sought to speede
My selse [...] [...] of ra e and choysest [...],
Whose Names and Natures ere I further goe,
[...] you are my friends I'le let you know.
My [...] esteemed D [...] that I did finde,
Was by [...] of [...]lde [...] kinde;
A Bra [...]e, which if I doe not ayme amisse,
For all the world is [...]ust i [...]e one o [...] his;
She's named Loue, and scarce yet know [...]s her duty;
Her Damme s my L [...]d es pretty Beagle [...]
[Page]I bred her vp my selfe with wondrous charge,
Vntill she grew to be exceeding large,
And waxt so wanton that I did abhorre it,
And put her out amongst my Neighbours for it.
The next is Lust, a Hound that's kept abroad,
Mongst some of mine acquaintance, but a Toad
Is not more loathsome: 'tis a Curre will range
Extreamely, and is euer [...]ull of mange,
And cause it is infectious, she's not wunt
To come among the rest, but when they hunt.
Hate is the third, a Hound both despe and long.
His Sire is True, or else supposed wrong.
He'le haue a snap at all that passe him by,
And yet pursues his game most eagerly.
VVith him goes Eni [...]e coupled, a leane Curre [...]
And she'le hold out hunt we [...]e're so farre,
She pineth much, and seedeth little to,
Yet stands and snarleth at the [...]est that doe.
Then there's Reuenge, a wondrous deepe-mouth'd dog,
So fleet, I'me faine to hunt him with a clog,
[Page]Y [...]t many times he'le much out-strip his bounds,
And hunts not closely with the other Hounds,
He'le venter on a Lion in his [...]
Curst [...] was his damme, and wrong his Sire.
This Choller is a Brache, that's very olde,
And spends her mouth too much to haue it holde:
She's very teasty, an vnpleasing Curre,
That [...]ites the very stones, if they but sturre:
Or when that ought but her displeasure moues,
She'le bite and snap at any one she loues:
But my quicke-sented'st Dogge is Iealousie,
The truest of this breede's in Italy:
The Damme of mine would hardly fill a Gloue,
It was a Ladies little Dogge, call'd Loue:
The Sire a poore deformed Curre nam'd Feare,
As shagged and as rough as is a Beare,
And yet the Whelpe turn'd aft [...]r neither kinde,
For he is very large, and ne're-hand blinde.
At the first sight he hath a pretty culler,
But doth not seeme so when you view him fuller.
[Page]A vile suspitious beast, his lookes are bad,
And I doe feare in time he will grow mad.
To him I couple Auarice, still poore,
Yet she deuoures as much as twenty more:
A thousand Horse she in her paunch can put,
Yet whine as if she had an empty gut,
And hauiug gorg'd what might a land haue found,
She' [...]e catch for more, and hide it in the ground.
Am [...]ition is a Hound as greedy full,
But he for all the daintiest bits doth cull:
He scornes to licke vp crummes beneath the Table,
[...] f [...]tch't from boa [...]ds and shelues if he be ab c,
Nav, he can climbe if neede be, and for that,
With him I hunt the Martine and the Cat.
And yet sometimes in mounting he's so quicke,
He fet [...]hes falls, are like to breake his necke.
Feare is well-mouth'd, but subiect to [...],
A stranger cannot make him take a crust.
A little thing will soone his courage quaile,
And 'twixt his legges he euer claps his taile.
[Page]VVith him Despaire often coupled goes,
Which by his roaring mouth each hunts-man knowes.
None hath a better minde vnto the game,
But he giues off, and alwayes seemeth lame.
My blo [...]d-hound Cruelty. as swift as winde,
Hunts to the death, and neuer comes behinde;
Who but she's strapt and musled to withall,
Would eate her sellowes, and the pray and all,
And yet she car [...]s not much for any food,
Vnlesse it be the purest harmelesse blood.
All thes [...] are kept abroad at charge of menny,
They doe not cost me in a yeare a penny.
But there's two coupling of a midling size,
That seldome passe the sight of my owne eyes.
Hope, on whose head [...]'ue led my life to pawne.
Compassion, that on euery one will fawne.
This would when 'twas a Whelpe with Rabets play,
Or Lambs, and let them goe vnhurt away:
Nay, now she is of growth, she'le now and then,
Catch you a Hare, [...]nd let her goe agen.
[Page]The two last, Ioy and Sorrow, 'tis a wonder,
Can ne're agree, nor ne're [...]ide fa [...]re [...]sunder.
Ioye's [...]uer wanton, and no order knowes,
She'le run at Larkes, or stand and barke at Crowe [...].
[...] goes by her, and ne' [...]e moues his eye,
Yet both doe s [...]rue to helpe make vp the cry:
Then comes behinde all these t [...] beare the base,
Two [...] more of a larger Race,
Such wide mouth'd Trollops, that 'twould doe you good
To heare their loud land Ecchoes tea [...]e the wood.
[...] Uanity, who by his gaud [...] hide,
May farre away from all the rest be spide,
Though huge, yet quick, for he's now here, now there,
Nay, looke about you, and he's euery w [...]ere,
And euer with the rest, and st ll in chase:
Right so, Inconstancie fills euery place,
And y [...]t so strange a sickle natur'd Hound,
Look [...] for him, and he's no where to be found,
Wea [...]enesse is no faire dogge vnto the eye,
And yet he hath his proper quality:
[Page]But there's Presumption when he heat hath got,
He drownes the Thunder, and the Canon-shot:
And when at Start he his full roaring makes,
The earth doth tremble, and the Heauen shakes.
These were my Dogges, tenne couple iust in all,
Whom by the name of Sa [...]yres I doe call:
Mad Curres they be and I can ne're come night them,
But l'me in danger to be bitten by them.
Much paines I tooke, and spent dayes not a fewe,
To make them keepe together, and hunt true:
Which yet I doe suppose had neuer bin,
But that I had a Scourge to keepe them in.
Now when that I this Kennell first had got,
Out of my owne demeanes I hunted not,
Saue on these Downes, or among yonder Rockes,
After those Beas [...]s that spoyl'd our Parish Flockes:
Nor during that time, was I euer wont,
With all my Kennell in one day to hunt:
Nor had done yet, but that this other yeere,
Some Beasts of Pray, that haunts the Desarts heere
[Page]Did not alone for many nights together
Deuoure, sometime a Lambe, sometime a Weather,
And so disquiet many a poore mans Heard,
But that of loosing all they were afeard:
Yea, I among the rest did sare as bad,
Or rather worse for the best
Hopes.
Ewes I had,
(Whose breed should be my meanes of [...] & gaine)
Were in one Euening by these Monsters [...]:
Which Mischiefe I resolued to repay,
Or else grow desp'rate, and hunt all away,
For in a fury (such as you shall see
Hunts-men in missing of their sport will bee)
I vow'd a Monster should not lurke about,
In all this Prouince, but I'de finde him out,
And there-vpon without respect or care,
How lame, how full, or how vnfit they were.
In hast vnkennell'd all my roaring crew,
Who were as mad as if my minde they knew,
And e're they trayl'd a flight-shot, the fierce Curres
Had rows'd a Hart, and through Brakes and Furres.
[Page]Follow'd at gaze so close that Loue and Feare
Got in together, so had surely there
Quite ouer throwne him, but that Hope thrust in
[...] both, and sau'd the pinching of his skin,
Whereby he scap't, till coursing ouerthwart,
[...] came in, and grip'd him to the hart,
I hallowed in the resdue to the fail,
And for an entrance there I flesh't them all,
Which hauing done, I dip'd my staffe in blood,
And on [...]ard led my Thunder to the [...]ood,
Where what they did, I'le tell you out anon,
My keeper calls me, and I must be gon.
Goe if you please a while, attend your Flockes,
And when the Sunne is ouer yonder Rockes,
Come to this Ca [...]e againe where I will be,
If that my Gardian so much fauour me.
But e're we part, let each one sing a straine,
And then goe turne your Sheepe into the Plaine
[Page]WILIY.

I am content.

CVDDY.

As well content am I.

ROGET.

Then Will, Begin, and we'le the rest supply.

SONG.

WILLY.
SHepheard would these Gates were ope,
Thou might'st take with vs thy fortune.
ROGET.
No, I'le make this narrow scope,
Since my Fate doth so importune
Meanes vnto a wider hope.
[Page]CVDDY.
Would thy Shepheardesse were here.
Who beleu'd, loues thee so deerely.
ROGET.
Not for both your Flockes I sweare.
And the same they yeeld you yearely,
Would I so much wrong my Deare,
Yet to me, nor to this Place,
Would she now be long a stranger,
She would holde it no disgrace,
( [...] she [...] not more my danger)
Where I am to shewber face.
WILLY.
Shepheard, we would wish no harmes,
But something that might co [...]tent thee.
[Page]ROGET.
Wish me then within her armes,
And that wish will ne're repent me,
If your wishes might proue charmes.
WILLY.
Be thy Prison her embrace,
Be thy ayre her sweetest breathing.
CVDDY.
Be thy prospect her fayre Face,
For each looke a kisse bequeathing,
And appoint thy selfe the place.
[Page]ROGET.
Nay pray, hold there, for I should scantly then;
Come meet you heere this afternoone agen:
But fare you well. since wishes haue no power,
Let vs depart, and keepe the pointed hours.
FINIS.

The third Eglogue.

ARGVMENT.
ROGET set with his three friends,
Here his hunting story ends;
Kind ALEXIS with much ruth,
Wailes the banish'd Shepheards youth:
But he slighteth Fortunes stings,
And in spight of Thraldome sings.
  • ROGET.
  • CVDDY.
  • ALEXIS.
  • WILLY.
SO now I see y'are Shepheards of your word,
Thus were you wont to promise, and to do.
CVDDY.
More then our promise is we can afford,
We come our selues, and bring another to:
Alexis whom thou know'st well, is no foe
Who loues thee much, and I doe know that hee
Would faine a hearer of thy Hunting be.
[Page]ROGLI.
Alexis you are welcome, sor you know
You cannot be but welcome where I am,
You euer were a friend of mine in show:
And I haue found you are indeed the same,
Vpon my first restraint you hither came,
And proffered me more tokens of your loue,
Then it were fit my small deserts should proue.
ALEXIS.
T'is still your vse to vnderprise your merit,
Be not so coy to take my proffered loue;
T'will neither vnbeseeme your worth nor spirit,
To offer curt [...]sie doth thy friend behoue,
And which are so, this is a place to proue:
Then once againe I say, if cause there be,
First make a tryall, if thou please, of me.
[Page]ROGET.
Thankes good Alexis; sit downe by me heere,
I haue a taske, these Shepheards know, to doe;
A Tale already told this Morne well neere.
With which I very fayne would forward go,
And am as willing thou shouldst heare it to:
But thou canst neuer vnderstand this last,
Till I haue also told thee what is past.
WILLY.
Roget it shall not need, for I presum'd,
Your loues to each were firme, and was so bold,
That so much on my selfe I haue assum'd,
To make him know what is already told:
If I haue done amisse then you may scolde.
But in my telling I preuised this,
Hee knowes not whose, nor to what end it is:
[Page]ROGET.
Well now he may, for here my Tale goes on,
My eager Dogges and I to Wood are gon,
Where beating through the Couerts euery Hound
A seuerall Game had in a moment found:
I rated them▪ but they pursu'd their pray,
And as it fell (by happe) tooke all one way.
Then I began with quicker speed to sollow,
And [...]az'd them on with a more cheerfull hallow,
That soone we passed many weary miles,
Tracing the subtile game through all these wiles.
These doubl'd, they redoubled on the sent,
Still keeping in [...]ull chase where ere they went,
Vp Hilles, downe [...], through Bogges, and ouer
Stretching their [...] to the highest strains (Plains,
That when some Thicket hid them from mine eye,
My care was rauish'd with their melody.
Nor crost we onely Ditches, Hedges, Furrowes,
But Hamlets. [...]hings, Parishes, and Burrowes.
They followed where so eu'r the game did goe
Through Kitchin, Parler, Hall, and Chamber too,
[Page]And as they pass'd the City and the Court,
My Prince look'd out, and daign'd to view my sport,
Which then (although I suffer for it now)
(If some say true) hee liking, did allow;
And so much (had I had but wi [...] to stay)
I might my selfe (perhaps) haue heard him say,
But I that time, as much as any daring,
More for my pleasure then my safety caring;
Seeing fresh game from euery loope-hole rise,
Crossing by thousands still before their eyes.
After I rush'd, and following close my Hounds
Some Beastes I found lye dead, some full of wounds
Among the Willows, scarce with strength to moue
One I found here, another there, whom Loue
Had grip'd to death: and in the selfe-same state,
Lav one deuour'd by Enuy, one by Hate,
Lust had bit some, but I soone past beside them,
Their festered wounds so stuncke, none could ablde
Choller hurt diuers, but Reuenge kil'd more,
Feare srighted all, behind him and before:
[Page] [...] droue on a huge and mighty heape,
Forcing some downe from Roc [...]es and Hils to leape:
Some into water, some into the fire,
So on themselues hee made them wreake his ire:
But I remember as I pass'd that way,
Where the great Kin [...] and Prince of Shepheards lay,
About the walles were hid some once more knowne,
That my fell Curre Ambition had o'rethrowne.
Many I heard pursu'd by Pitty cry,
And oft I say my Bloud-Hound Cruelty,
Eating her passage euen to the hart,
Whither once gotten, shee is loath to part.
All pl [...]'d it well, and made so loud a plea,
T'was heard through Britan▪ and beyond the Sea;
Some rated them, some storm'd, some lik'd the game,
Some thoght me worthy praise, some worthy blame.
But I not fearing th'one, misteeming t'other,
Both, in shrill hallowes and loud [...]ernings smother:
Yea, the strong me [...]ed and my long-breath'd crew,
Seeing the [...] encreasing in their view,
[Page]Grew the more frolicke, and the courses length
Gaue better breath, and added to their strength;
Which Ioue perceiuing, for Ioue heard their cryes
Rumbling amongst the Spheares concauities:
He mark'd their course and courages encrease,
Saving, t'were pitty such a chase should cease;
And therewith swore their mouthes should neuer wast
But hunt as long's mortalitie did last.
Soone did they feele the power of his great gift,
And I began to finde their pace more swift:
I follow'd, and I rated, but in vaine,
Striu'd to o'retake, or take them vp againe;
They neuer stay'd since, neither nights nor dayes,
But to and fro still runne a thousand wayes:
Yea often to this place where now I lye,
They'l wheel about to cheere me with their cry;
And one day in good time will vengeance take
On some offenders, for their Masters sake:
For know, my Friends, my freedome in this sort
For them I lose, and making my selfe sport.
[Page]WILLY.

VVhy Roget, was there any harme in this?

ROGET.

No Willy, and I hope yet none there is.

WILLY.

How comes this then?

ROGET.
Note and I'le tell thee how.
Thou know'st that Truth and Innocency now,
If plac'd with meanenesse, suffers more despight
Then Uillanies, accompan'ed with might:
But thus it fell, while that my Hound pursu'd
Their noysome pray, and euery field lay strew'd
With Monsters, hurt and slaine mongst many a beast,
Some viler, and more subtile then the rest,
On whom the Bitch cal'd Enuy, hap't to light:
And as her won [...] is, did so surely b [...]te,
That though she left behind small outward smarts,
The wounds were deepe, and wrankled to their harts.
Then ioyning to some other that of late
Were very eagerly pursu'd by Hate,
[Page]To fit their purpose hauing taken leasure,
Did thus conspire to worke me a displeasure.
For imitation farre supassing Apes,
They layd aside their Foxe, and Wooluish shapes.
And shrowded in the skinnes of harmelesle she [...]pe
Into by-wayes, and open-pathes did creepe,
Where they (as hardly drawing breath) did ly,
Shewing their wounds to euery pas [...]r by;
To make them thinke that they were sheepe so foi [...]'d
And by my dogges in their late hunting spoyl'd.
Beside some other that enuy'd my game,
And for thei [...] pastime kept such Monsters tame:
As you doe know there's many for their pleasure,
Keepe Foxes, Beares, and Wolues, as some great treasure:
Yea, many get their liuing by them to,
And so did store of these, I speake of do,
VVho seeing that my Kennell had affrighted,
Or [...]urt som [...] Uermine wherein they delighted,
And finding their owne power by much too weake
Th [...]ir Malice on my Innocence to wreake,
[Page]Swolne with the deepest rancour of despight,
Some of our greatest Shepheards foldes by night
They closely entred; and there hauing stain'd
Their hands in [...], of me they plain'd,
Affirming, without shame or honesty,
I and my Dogges had done it purposely:
Whereat they stor [...]'d, and call'd me to a tryall,
Where Inn [...]cence preuails not, nor denyall,
But for that [...] here in this place I ly,
Where none so merry as my dogges and I.
CVDD [...].
Beleeue it, here's a Tale will su [...]en [...],
For [...] in another Age to tell.
WIIIY.
And Roget shall be thought on with delight,
For this hereafter many a Winters night,
[Page]For of this sport another Age will ring:
Yea, Nymphes vnborne now, of the same shall sing,
When not a beauty on our greenes shall play
That hath not heard of Rogets hunting day.
ROG [...]T.
It may be so, for it that gentle Sw [...]ine,
Who wonnes by Ta [...]y, on the westerne plaine,
Would make the Song, such life his ver [...]e can giue,
Then I doe know my Nam [...] might euer liue.
ALEXIS.
But tell me; are our Playnes and Nimphes forgot,
And canst thou [...] in thy trouble be?
ROG [...]T.
Can I Alexis savst thou? Can I not
That am resolu'd to scorne more m [...]sery?
[Page]AIEXIS.
Oh, but thy youth's yet greene, and young bloud hot,
And liberty must n [...]eds be sweet to thee,
But now most s [...]eet whil'st euery bushy [...],
And Grone and [...], rings of the Nightingale.
Me thinkes when thou remembrest those sweet iayes,
Which thou would'st lead thy Shepheardesse to heare
E [...]ch euening forth among the Leau [...] sprayes,
The thoght of that should make thy freedom deere;
For now whil'st euer [...] Nimph on Holy-da [...]es
[...] with some [...] Lad, and maketh cheere,
Thine sighes for thee, and mew'd vp from resort,
Will neither play her selfe, nor see their sport.
There's Shepheards that were many a morning wont
Vnto their Boyes to leaue the [...]ender Heard,
And beare thee company when thou didst hunt,
Cannot their songs thou hast so gladly heard,
[Page]Northy m [...]st pleasure make thee thinke vpon't,
But seemes all vayne, now that was once indear'd.
It cannot be, for I could make relation,
How for lesle cause thou hast been deep in passion.
ROGET.
Ti [...] true: my tender heart was euer yet
Too cap [...]ble of such conoeits as these;
I neuer s [...]w that Obiect but from it,
The Passions of my Loue, I could encre [...]se
Those things which moue not other men a whi [...],
I can, and doe make vse of, if I please:
VVhen I am sad, to sadnesse I apply,
Each Bird, and Tree, and Flower that I passe by.
So when I will be merry, I aswell
Something for mirth from euery thing can draw,
From Misery, from Prisons, nay from Hell,
And as when to my minde, griefe giues a flaw,
[Page]Best comforts d [...]e but make my woes more fell,
So when I'me bent to M [...]rth, from mischiefes pawe
(Though ceas'd vpon me) I would something cull,
That spight of care should make my ioyes more full.
I feele those wants Alexis thou doest name,
Which spight of [...]outh's affections I sustaine;
Or else for what is't I haue gotten fame,
And am more knowne then many an elder Swaine?
If such desires I had not learn'd to [...]ame,
Since many pipe much better on this Plaine:
But tune your Reedes, and I will in a Song
Expresse my Care, and how I take this wrong.

SONNET.

I That ere'st-while the worlds sweet Ayre did draw,
(Grac'd by the farrest euer Mortall sawe;)
Now closely pent, with walls of Ruth lesse stone,
Consume my Dayes, and Nights, and all-alone.
When I was wont to sing of Shepheards loues,
My walkes were Fields, and Downes, and Hilles, and Groues,
But now (alas) so sirict is my hard doome,
Fields, Downes, Hils, Groues, & al's but one poore roome.
Each Morne assoone as Day-light did appeare,
With Natures Musicke Birdes would charme mine eare;
Which now (in [...]ead) of their melodious straines,
Heare ratling shackles, gyues, and boults, and chaines.
[Page]But though that all the world's delight forsake me,
I haue a Mu [...]e and s [...]e [...] Musicke make me;
Whose a [...]y Notes inspight of [...] cages,
Shall giue content to me, and afterages,
Nor doe I passe for all this outward ill.
My heart's the [...]ame, and vnde [...]ected still;
And whic [...] is more then some in freedome winne;
I hau [...] true rest, and peace, and ioy within.
And then my Minde that s [...]ight of prison's free,
When er [...]e she pleases, any where can be;
Shee's in an houre in France, Roome, Turky, Spaine,
In Earth, in Hell, in Heauen, and here againe.
Yet there's another comfort in my w [...]e,
My ca [...]se is spread, and all [...]he world doth know
My [...]ault's no more but speaking Truth and Reason,
Nor Debt, nor Theft, nor Murther, [...]ape, nor Treason.
[Page]Nor shall my Foes with all their Might and Power,
Wi [...]e out their s [...]ame, nor yet this Fame of our
Which when they [...]inde they shall my Fate enuy,
Till they grow leane, and sicke, and mad, and dy [...].
Then though my Body here in Prisonrot,
And my poore [...] seeme a while forgot,
Yet when both Fame and Life haue left those men,
My [...] [...] [...] [...] and liue agen.
So thus [...], I beare afflictions load,
But with mo [...]e true content then some abroad;
For whil [...]st [...] thoughts doe feele my scourges sting▪
In bands Ile leap [...], and daunc [...] and laugh, and sing.
ALEXIS.
Why now I see thou dioup'st not with thy care,
Neither exclaim'st thou on thy hunting day,
But dost with vnchang'd resolution beare,
The heauy burthen of exile away,
[Page]All that did truly know thee did conceaue,
Thy actions with thy spirit still agree'd;
Their good conceit thou doest no whit bereaue,
But showest that thou art still thy selfe indeed.
If that thy minde to basenesse now descends,
Thou'lt iniure Vertue, and deceaue thy friends.
WILLY.
Alexi [...], he will iniure Vertue much,
But more his friends, and most of all himselfe,
If on that common barre his minde but touch,
It wracks his same vpon disgraces shelfe:
Yet Roget, if thou stere but on the course,
That in thy iust aduenture is begunne;
No thwarting Tide, nor aduerse blast shall force
Thy Barke without the Channels bounds to runne,
Thou art the same thou wert for ought I see,
When thou didst freely on the Mountaines hunt,
In nothing changed yet, vnlesse it be
[Page]More merrily dispos'd then thou wert wont,
Still keepe thee thus, so other men shall know,
Uertue can giue content in midst of woe.
And he though mightinesse with frownes doth threat,
To be yet Innocent is to be great.
Thriue and farewell.
ALEXIS.

In this thy trouble florish.

CVDDY.

While those that wish thee ill, fret, pine, and perist [...].

FINIS.

To his truely beloued louing Friend, Mr. VVILLIAM BROWNE, of the Inner Temple.
The fourth Eglogue.

ARGVMENT.
ROGET here on WILLY calls,
To sing out his Pastorals:
Warrants Fame shall orace his Rimes,
Spight of Enuy and the Times;
And shewes how in care he vses,
To take comfort from his Muses.
  • ROGET.
  • WILLY.
PRethy WILLY tell me this,
What new accident there is,
That thou (once the blythest Lad)
Art become so wondrous sad?
[Page]And so carelesse of thy quill,
As if thou had'st lost thy skill.
Thou wert wont to charme thy Flockes,
And among these rudest rockes
Hast so cheer'd me with thy Song,
That I haue forgot my wrong.
Something hath thee surely crost,
That thy old wont thou hast lost,
Tell me, Haue I ought mis-said
That hath made thee illa-paid?
Hath some Churle done thee a spight?
Dost thou m [...]le a Lambe to night?
Frownes thy fairest Shepheards Lasse?
Or how comes this ill to passe?
Is there any discontent
Worse then this my banishment?
WILLY.
Why, doth that so euill seeme
That thou nothing worse dost deeme?
[Page]Shepheard, there full many be,
That will change Contents with thee.
Those that choose their walkes at will,
On the Valley or the Hill.
Or those pleasures boast of can
Groues or fields may yeeld to man:
Neuer come to know the rest
Wherewithall thy minde is blest.
Many a one that oft resorts
To make vp the troope at sports,
And in company some while
Happens to straine sorth a smile:
Feeles more want, more outward smart
And more inward griefe of hart,
Then this place can bring to thee,
While thy minde remaineth free.
Thou condemn'st my want of mirth,
But what find'st thou in this earth,
Wherein ought may be beleeu'd,
Worth to make me ioy'd, or grieued?
[Page]And yet feele I (na [...]helesse)
Part of both I must confesse,
Sometime I of Mirth doe borrow,
Otherwhile as much of sorrow,
But my present state is such,
I'me nor Ioy'd, nor greeued much.
ROGET.
Why hath WILLY then so long
Thus forborn [...] his wonted song?
Wherefore doth he now let fall,
His well-tuned Pastorall?
And my cares that Musicke barre▪
Which I more long after farre,
Then the liberty I want.
WILLY.
That were very much to grant.
But doth this hold alway lad,
[Page]Those that sing not must be sad?
Did'st thou euer that bird heare
Sing well, that sings all the yeere?
Tom the Piper doth not play
Till he weares his Pipe away:
There's a time to slacke the string,
And a time to leaue to sing.
ROGET.
Yea, but no man now is still,
That can sing, or tune a quill.
Now to chant it, were but reason,
Song and Musicke are in season,
Now [...]n this sweet [...]olly tide,
Is the earth in all her pride.
The faire Lady of the May
Trim'd vp in her best array
Hath inuited all the Swaines,
With the Lasses of the Plaines
To attend vpon her sport
At the places of resort.
[Page] Corridon (with his bold Rout)
Hath already beene about
For the elder Shepheards dole,
And fetch'd in the Summer-Pole:
Whilest the rest haue built a Bower,
To defend them from a shower,
Se [...]l'd so close with boughes all greene,
Tytan cannot pry betweene.
Now the Darrie Wenches dreame
Of their Stra [...] berries and Creame:
And each doth her selfe aduance
To be taken in, to dance▪
Euery one that knowes to sing,
Fits him for his Carolling:
So doe those that hope for meede,
Eyther by the Pipe or Reede,
And though I am kept away,
I doe heare (this very day)
Many learned Groomes doe wend,
For the Garlands to contend.
[Page]Which a Nimph that hight Desart,
(Long a stranger in this part)
With her owne faire hand hath wrought
A rare worke (they say) past thought,
As appeareth by the name,
For she calles them Wreathes of fame.
She hath set in their due place
Eu'ry flower that may grace,
And among a thousand moe,
VVhereof some but serue for show)
She hath woue in Daphnes tree,
That they may not blasted bee.
Which with Time she edg'd about,
Least the worke should rau [...]ll out.
And that it might wither neuer,
Intermixt it with Liue-euer.
These are to be shar'd among
Those that do excell for song:
Or their passions can rehearse,
In the smooth'st and sweetest verse.
[Page]Then for th [...]se among the rest,
That can play and pipe the best▪
There's a Kidling with the Damme,
A fat Weathe [...], and a Lambe.
And for those that leapen farre,
Wrastle, Runne, and throw the Barre,
There's appointed guerdons to,
He that best the first can doe
Shall for his re [...]ard be paid,
With a Sheepe-hooke, faire in-laid
With fine bone, of a strange beast,
That men bring from out the west.
For the next, a Scrip of red,
Tassel'd with fine coloured thred.
There's prepared for their need,
That in running make most speed,
Or the cunning measures foot,
Cups of turned Maple-roote,
Whereupon the skilfull man
Hath i [...]grau'd the Loxes of Pan:
And the last hath for his due
[Page]A fine Napking wrought with blew.
Then my Willy why art thou
Carelesse of thy merit now?
VVhat dost here with a wight
That is shut vp from delight,
In a solitary den
As not fit to liue with men?
Goe my Willy get thee gone,
Leaue me in exile alone.
Hye thee to that merry throng,
And amaze them with thy Song,
Thou art young, yet such a Lay
Neuer grat'd the month of May,
As (if they prouoke thy skill)
Thou canst fit vnto thy Quill.
I with wonder heard thee sing,
At our last yeeres Reuelling.
Then I with the rest was free,
VVhen vnknowne I noted thee:
And perceiu'd the ruder Swaines,
Enuy thy farre sweeter straines.
[Page]Yea, I saw the Lasses cling
Round about thee in a Ring:
As if each one [...]ealous were,
Any but her selfe should heare.
And I know they yet doe long
For the res'due of thy song.
Haste thee then to sing it forth,
Take the benefit of worth.
And Desert will sure bequeath
Fames faire garland for thy wreath.
Hye thee Willy, hye away.
WILLY.
Roget rather let me stay,
And be desolate with thee,
Then at those their Reuels be,
Nought such is my skill I wis,
As in deed thou deem'st it is.
But what ere it be, I must
Be content, and shall I trust.
[Page]For a song I doe not pass▪
Mong'st my friends, but what (alas)
Should I haue to doe with them
That my Musicke doe contemne?
Some there are, as well I wot,
That the same yet fauour not:
Yet I cannot well auow,
They my Car [...]ols disallow.
But such malice I haue spid,
Tis as much as if they did.
ROGET.
Willy, what may those men be
Are so ill to malice thee?
WILLY.
Some are worthy-well esteem'd
Some without worth are so deem'd▪
[Page]Others of so base a spirit,
They haue nor esteeme, nor merit.
ROGET.

What's the wrong?

WILLY.
A slight offence,
Wherewithall I can dispence;
But hereafter for their sake,
To my selfe I'le musicke make.
ROGET.
What, because some Clowne offends,
Wilt thou punish all thy friends?
[Page]WILLY.
Honest Roget vnderstand me,
Those that loue me may command me▪
But thou know'st I am but young,
And the Pastorall I sung,
Is by some suppos'd to be,
(By a straine) too high for me:
So they kindely let me gaine,
Not my labour for my paine.
Trust me, I doe wonder why
They should me my owne deny.
Though I'me young, I scorne to fli [...],
On the wings of borrowed wit.
I'le make my owne feathers reare me,
Whither others cannot beare me.
Yet I'le keepe my skill in store,
Till I'ue seene some Winters mo [...].
[Page]ROGET.
But in earnest mean'st thou so?
Then thou art not wise, I trow.
Better shall aduise thee Pan,
For thou dost not rightly than:
That's the ready [...]ay to blot
All the credit thou hast got.
Rather in thy Ages prime,
Get another start of Time:
And make those that so fond be,
(Spight of their owne dulnesse) see
That the sacred Muses can
Make a childe in yeeres, a man.
It is knowne what thou canst doe,
For it is not long agoe,
When that CVDDY, Thou, and I
Fach the others skill to try,
At Saint Dunstanes charmed Well,
(As some present there can tell)
[Page]Sang vpon a sudden Theame,
Sitting by the Crimson streame.
Where, if thou didst well or no,
Yet remaines the song to show.
Much experience more I'ue had
Of thy skill (thou happy Lad)
And would make the world to know it;
But that time will further show it:
Enuy makes their tongues now runne,
More then doubt of what is done,
For that needs must be thy owne,
Or to be some others knowne:
But how then wilt suit vnto
What thou shalt hereafter do?
Or I wonder where is hee,
Would with that song part to thee:
Nay, were there so mad a Swaine,
Could such glory'sell for gaine;
Phoebus would not haue combin'd,
That gift with so base a mind.
[Page]Neuer did the Nine impart
The sweet secrets of their Art
Vnto any that did scorne
We should see their sauors worne,
Therefore vnto those that say,
Where they pleas'd to sing a Lay,
They could doo't, and will not tho;
This I speake, for this I know:
None ere drunke the Thespian spring,
And knew how, but he did sing.
For that once infus'd in man,
Makes him shew't, doe what he can,
Nay those that doe onely sip
Or but eu'n their fingers dip
In that sacred Fount (poore Elues)
Of that brood will shew themselues;
Yea, in hope to get them fame,
They will speake though to their shame,
Let those then at thee repine,
That by their wits measure thine,
[Page]Needs those Songs must be thine owne,
And that one day will be knowne,
The same imputation to,
I my selfe doe vndergoe:
But it will appeare ere long,
I'me abus'd, and thou hast wrong,
Who at twice ten hast sung more,
Then some will doe at fourescore.
Cheere thee (honest Willy) then,
And begin thy song agen.
WILLY.
Faine I would, but I doe feare
When againe my Lines they heare,
If they yeeld they are my Rimes,
They will faine some other Crimes,
And 'tis no safe ventring by,
Where we see Detraction ly.
[Page]For doe what I can, I doubt,
She will picke some quarrell out,
And I ost haue heard defended,
Little said, and soone amended.
ROGET.
See'st thou not in cleerest dayes
Oft thick fogges cloud Heauens rayes?
And the vapours that doe breath
From the earths grosse wombe [...]e eath,
Seeme they not with their blacke steames,
To pollute the Sunnes bright beames,
And vet vanish into aire.
Leauing it (vnblemisht) faire?
So (my Willy) shall it be
With Detractions breath and thee.
It shall neuer rise so hie,
As to staine thy Poesie.
[Page]As that Sunne doth oft exhale,
Vapours from each rotten Vale,
Poesie so sometime draines,
Grosse conceits from muddy braines;
Mists of Enuy, fogs of spight,
Twixt mens iudgements and her light:
But so much her power may doo,
That she can dissolue them too.
If thy verse do brauely tower,
As she makes wing, she gets power.
Yet the higher she doth sore,
Shee's affionted still the more:
Till she to the high'st hath past,
Then she rests with fame at last.
Let nought therefore thee affright,
But make forward in thy flight:
For if I could match thy Rime,
To the very starres l'de clime.
There begin againe and flye
Till I reach'd Aeternity.
[Page]But (alas) my Muse is slow:
For thy pace she flagges too low:
Yes, the more's her haplesse fate,
Her short wings were clipt of late.
And poore I, her fortune ruing,
Am my selfe put vp a muing.
But if I my Cage can rid,
I'le flye where I neuer did.
And though for her sake l'me crost,
Though my best hopes I haue lost,
And knew she would make my trouble,
Ten times more then ten times double:
I would loue and keepe her to,
Spight of all the world could doe.
For though banisht from my flockes,
And confin'd within these rockes,
Here I waste away the light,
And consume the sullen Night,
She doth for my comfort stay,
And keepes many cares away.
[Page]Though I misse the flowry Fields,
With those sweets the Spring-tide yeelds,
Though I may not see those Groues,
Where the Shepheards chaunt their Loues,
And the Lasses more excell,
Then the sweet-voyc'd Philomel,
Though of all those pleasures past,
Nothing now remaines at last,
But Remembrance (poore reliefe)
That more makes, then mends my griefe:
She's my minds companion still,
Maugre Enuies euill will.
(Whence she should be driuen to,
Wer't in mortals power to do.)
She doth tell me where to borrow
Comfort in the mid'st of sorrow;
Makes the desolatest place
To her presence be a grace;
And the blackest discontents
Be her fairest ornaments.
[Page]In my former dayes of blisse,
Her diuine skill taught me this,
That from euery thing I saw,
I could some inuention draw:
And raise pleasure to her height,
Through the meanest obiects fight,
By the murmur of a spring,
Or the least boughes rusteling.
By a Dazie whose leaues spred
Shut when Tytan goes to bed,
Or a shady bush or tree,
She could more infuse in mee,
Then all Natures beauties can,
In some other wiser man.
By her helpe I also now,
Make this churlish place allow
Somethings, that may sweeten gladnesse
In the very gall of sadnesse.
The dull loanesse, the blacke shade,
That these hanging vaults haue made,
[Page]The strange Musicke of the waues,
Beating on these hollow Caues.
This black den which Rockes embosse,
Ouer-growne with eldest mosse.
The rude portals that giue light,
More to Terror then Delight.
This my Chamber of Neglect,
Wal'd about with Disrespect,
From all these, and this dull aire,
A fit obiect for Despaire,
Shee hath taught me by her might
To draw comfort and delight.
Therefore thou best earthly blisse
I will cheris [...] thee for this.
Poesie; thou sweet'st content
That ere Heau'n to mortals lent.
Though they as a trifle leaue thee
Whose dull thoughts can not conceiue th [...]
Though thou be to them a scorne
That to nought but earth are borne:
[Page]Let my life no longer be,
Then I am in loue with thee.
Though our wise ones call it madnesse,
Let me neuer taste of gladnesse
If I l [...]ue not thy mad'st sits
Aboue all their greatest [...] its.
And though some too seeming holy
Doe account thy raptures folly:
Thou dost teach me to contemne
What makes Knaues and Fooles of them.
O high power that oft doth carry
Men aboue,
WILLY.
Good Roget carry
I doe feare thou wilt be gon
Quite aboue my reach anon,
The kinde flames of Poesy
Haue now borne thy thoughts so high,
[Page]That they vp in Heauen be
And haue quite forgotten mee.
Call thy selfe to minde againe
Are these Raptures for a Swaine,
That attends on lowly sheepe
And with simple heards doth keepe?
ROGET.
Thank [...]s my Willy, I had runne
Till that Time had log'd the Sunne,
If thou had'st not made me stay;
But thy pardon heere I pray.
Lou'd Apollo's sacred sire
Has rais'd vp my spirits higher
Through the loue of Poesy,
Then indeed they vse to flye.
But as I said, I say still,
If that I had Will [...]'s skill
Enuy nor Detractions tongue,
Should ere make me leaue my song:
[Page]But I'de sing it euery day
Till they pin'd themselues away.
Bee thou then adui [...]'d in this
Which both [...]ust and fitting is,
Finish what thou hast begunne
Or at least still forward runne:
[...] and Thu [...]der ill he'le beare
That a blast of winde doth feare:
And if w [...]rds will thus afray thee,
Prethee how will deeds dismay thee?
Doe not thinke so rathe a song
Can passe through the vulgar throng,
And escape without a touch,
Or that they can hurt it much:
Frosts we see d [...]e [...] that thing
Which is for [...]ard's in the Spring:
Yet at last for all such lets
Somewhat of the rest [...] gets:
And I'me sure that so [...]aist thou,
Therefore my kinde Willy now,
[Page]S [...]nce thy folding time [...] on
And I see thou mu [...]t be gon,
T [...]ee I earnestly b [...]seech
To rememb [...]r this m [...] s [...]ech,
And some little couns [...]ll [...],
For thy poore friend Rogets sake:
And I more of this will [...],
If th [...]u come next Holy-day.
FINIS.

To Master W. F. of the Middle Temple.
The fift Eglogue.

ARGVMENT.
ROGET here ALEXIS moues,
To embrace the Muses loues;
▪Bids him neuer carefull seeme,
Of anothers disesteeme▪
Since to them it may suffize,
That themselues can iustl [...] prize.
  • ROGET.
  • ALEXIS.
ALEXIS if thy worth doe not disdaine
The humble friendship of a meaner [...]
Or some more needful busines of the day
Vrge th [...]e to be too hasty on thy way;
[Page]Come (g [...]ntle Shepheard) rest thee here by me,
Vnder the shadow of this broad-leau'd tree:
For though I seeme a stranger, yet mine eye
Obserues in thee the markes of curtesie:
And if my iudgement erre not, noted too
More then in those that [...]ore would seeme [...]o doe;
Such vertues thy rare modesty doth hide
Which by their proper luster I [...]spy'd;
And though long mask' [...] in silence they haue beene
I haue a wisedome through that silence seene:
Yea, I haue learned knowledge from thy tongue,
And heard when thou hast in concealement sung:
Which me the bolder and more willing made
Thus to inuit [...] thee to this homely shade.
And though (it may be) thou couldst neu [...]r spye
Such worth in me, I might be knowne thereby,
In thee I doe; for here [...] y neighbouring sheepe
Vpon the border of these down [...] I keepe:
Where often thou at Pastorals and playes,
Hast grac'd our Wakes on Sommer Holy dayes:
[Page]And many a [...]ime with thee at this cold spring
M [...]rl, to heare your learned shepheards sing,
Saa them disporting in the shady grouc [...],
And in chaste Sonn [...]ts [...]ooe their chaster loues:
When I endued with the meanest skill,
Mongst others haue beene vrg'd to tune my quill,
Where cause but l [...]ttle cunning I had got)
Perhaps thou saw'st me, though thou knew'st me not
ALFXIS.
Yes Roget, I doe know thee and thy name,
Nor is my knowledge grounded all on fame,
Art not thou hee, that but this other yeere.
S [...]ard'st all the Wolues and Foxes in the sheere?
And in a ma [...]ch at Foot-ball lately try'd
(Hauing scarce twenty Satyres on thy side)
Held'd pla [...]: and though assailed, kept'st thy stand
Gainst all the best-try'd Ruffi [...]ns in the land?
[Page]Did'st thou not then in dolesull Sonnets mone,
When the beloued of great Pan was gone;
And at the wedding of faire THAME & RHINE,
Sing of their glories to thy Valentine?
I know it, and I must confesse that long
In one thing I did doe thy nature wrong:
For till I markt the aime thy Satyres had,
I thought them ouerbold and Roge [...] mad;
But since I did mo [...]e neerely on thee looke
I soone perceiu'd that I had all mistooke;
I saw that of a Cynicke thou mad'st show
Where since I finde that thou wert nothing so,
And that of many thou much blame hadst got
When as thy Innocence deseru'd it not.
But this too good opinion thou hast seem'd
To haue of me (not so to be esteem'd)
Preuailes not ought to stay him who doth feare
Hee rather should reproofes then praises heare
Tis true, I found thee plaine and honest to,
Which made me like, then loue as now I doe.
[Page]And Roget though a stranger this I say
Where I d [...]e loue I am not coy to stay.
ROG [...]T.
Thankes gentle S [...]aine that dost so soone vn [...]olde
What I to thee a [...] gladly wo [...]ld haue tolde
And thus thy wonted curtesie exprest
In [...] entertaining this request:
Sure I should [...] my o [...]ne content
Or wrong thy loue to stand on complemen [...],
Who hast acquaintance in one word begunne
As well as I could in an age haue done:
Or by an ou [...]rweaning slownesse mar [...]e
What thy more wisedome hath brought on so farre
Then sit thou downe and Il' [...] my minde declare
As free [...], as if wee familiars were:
And i [...] thou wilt but daigne [...]o giue me eare
Some [...]hing thou maist f [...]r thy more profit heare,
[Page]ALEXIS.

Willingly Roget I thy wish obey.

ROG [...]T.
Then know Alexis from that very day
When as I saw thee at that Shepheards Coate
VVhere each I thinke o [...] other tooke first noate,
I meane that Pastor who by Tauies springs
Chast Shephear [...]s louc [...] in sweetest numbers sing [...],
And with his Musicke (to his greater fame)
Hath late made proud the fairest Nimph [...] of Thame.
E'ne then mee thought I did espy in the [...]
Some vnperceiu'd and hidden worth to be,
Which in thy more apparant vertues shin'd
And among many I in thought deuin'd,
By something my conceit had vnderstood
That thou wert markt one of the Muses brood,
That made me loue thee: And that loue I beare
Begat a Pitty, and that Pitty Care:
[Page] [...] I had to s [...]e good parts conceal'd,
Care I had how to haue tha [...] good r [...]ueal'd,
Since ' [...] a f [...]u't [...] no excuse
To possesse much a [...]d yet put nought in vs [...]:
Heereon I vow'd (if [...] [...] eue [...] [...]
The first [...] that I would [...] to g [...]t
Should be but [...] is, that [...]hou [...] shew th [...] skill,
Ho [...] thou could'st [...]une thy ve [...]ses to [...] [...]:
And teach thy Muse in [...] [...] [...] long,
To she [...] the Art th [...]u [...] supprest so long:
Which if my new acquaintance may ob [...]aine
Roget will euer honour this dayes gaine.
[...].
Alas! my small experienc [...] scarce c [...]n tell
So much as where those [...] the Muses dwell,
Nor ( [...]hough my [...] [...] [...] trauels on)
Shall I ere reach to drinke of Hellicon;
[Page] [...] [...] so [...] be to taste
What [...] [...] [...] ames but oue [...]-flow in waste,
An [...] [...] Parnassus, wher [...] it low'st doth lye,
I [...]eare my skill would hardly flagge so hye.
ROGET.
D spayre not Man, the Gods haue [...] nought
So d [...]ere that may not be with labour bought,
Nor need [...] paine be great since Fate and Heauen
That (as a bl [...]ssing) at thy [...] haue giuen.
ALEXIS.

Why say they had?

RO [...]ET.
Then vse their gifts thou must,
Or be vngratefull, and so be vniust:
F [...]r if it cannot tru [...]y be deny'd,
Ingrati [...]ude mens benefits doe hide;
Then more vng [...]atefull must he be by oddes
Who doth conceale the bounty o [...] the G [...]ds.
[Page]ROGET.
That's true indeed, but Enuy haunteth those
Who seeking fame their hidden skill disclose:
Where else they might (obscur'd) from her espying,
Escape the blasts and danger of enuying:
Critickes will censure our best straines of Wit,
And pu [...]blinde Ignorance misconster it.
All which i [...] bad, yet worse then this doth follow,
Most hate the Muses, and contemne Apollo.
ALEXIS.
So let them: why should we their hate esteeme?
Is't not enough we of our selues can deeme?
Tis more to their disgrace that we scorne them
Then vnto vs that they our Art contemne;
Can we haue better pastime then to see
Their grosse heads may so much deceiued be,
[Page]As to allow those d [...]ings best where wholly
We [...] them to their face, and flout their folly:
Or to behold blacke Enuy in her prim [...],
Die selfe-consum'd whilst we vie liues with time:
And in despight of her, more fame attaine
Th [...]n all her malice can wipe out againe?
ROGET.
Yea but if I apply'd me to those straines,
Wh [...] should driue forth my flocks vnto the plaines.
Which whilst the Muses rest, and leasure craue,
Must [...]atering, folding, and attendance haue.
For if I leaue with wonted care to cherish
Those tender heards: both I and they should perish
AL [...]XIS.
Alexis now I see thou dost mistake,
There is no meaning thou thy charge forsake;
[Page]Nor would I wish thee so thy selfe abuse
As to neglect thy calling for thy Muse:
But let these two so of each other borrow,
That they may scason mirth, and lessen sorrow.
Thy flocke will helpe thy charges to desray,
Thy muse to passe the long and tedious day.
Or whilst thou [...]un'st sweet measures to thy Reed
Thy sheep to listen will more neere thee feed,
The wolues will shun them, birds [...]boue thee sing,
And Lambkins dance about thee in a Ring;
Nay which is more: in this thy low estate
Thou in contentment shalt with Monarkes mate:
For mighty Pan, and Ceres to vs grants
Our fields and flockes shall helpe our outward wants.
The Muses teach vs songs to put off cares,
Grac'd with as rare and sweet conceits as theirs:
And we can thinke our Lasses on the greenes
As faire, or fairer, then the fairest Queenes;
Or what is more then most of them shall doe,
Wee'le make their iuster sames last ionger to,
[Page]Hauing our Lines by greatest Princes grac'd
When both their name and memory's defac'd.
Therefore Alexis though that some disdaine
The heauenly musicke of the Rurall plaine,
What is't to vs, if they (or'e seene) contemne
The dainties which were nere ordain'd for them?
And though that there be other some enuy
The praises due to sacred Poesie,
Let them disdaine and fret till they are weary,
We in our selues haue that shall make vs merry:
VVhich he that wants, and had the power to know it,
VVould giue his life that he might dye a Poet.
ALEXIS.

A braue perswasion.

ROGET.
Here thou see'st me pent
VVithin the iawes of strict imprisonment;
[Page]A forlorne Shepheard, voyd of all the meanes,
Whereon Mans common hope in danger leanes:
Weake in my selfe. Exposed to the Hate
Of those whose Enuyes are ins [...]tiate:
Shut from my Friends, banish'd from all delights,
Nay worse; excluded from the sacred Rites.
Here I doe liue (mongst out-lawes markt for death)
As one vnfit to draw the common breath,
Where those who to be good did neuer know
Are barred from the meanes should make them so.
I suffer, cause I wish'd my Countrey well,
And what I more must beare I cannot tell.
I'me sure they giue my body little scope,
And would allow my Minde as little Hope,
I wast my Meanes, which of it selfe is slender,
Consume my Time (perhaps my Fortunes hinder)
And many Crosses haue, which those that can
Conceaue no wrong that hurts another man
Will not take note of, though if halfe so much
Should light on them, or their owne person touch,
[Page]Some that themselues (I feare) most worthy thinke
With all their helpes would into basenesse shrinke,
But spight of Hate, and all that spight can doe,
I [...]an be patient yet, and merry to;
That s [...]nder Muse of mine, by which my Name,
Though scarce deseru'd hath gaind a little fame,
Hath made me vnto such a Fortune borne,
That all misfortunes I know how to scorne;
Yea, midst these bands can sleight the Great'st that be
As much as their disdaine misteemes of me.
This Caue whose very presence some affrights
I haue oft made to Eccho forth delights,
And hope to turne, is any Iustice be,
Both Shame and Care on those that wisht it me:
For while the world ranck villanies affords.
I will not spare to paint them out in words;
Because I thus into these troubles runne,
I knew what man could act, e're I begun;
And I'le fulfill what my Muse drawes me to,
Maugre all Iayles, and Purgatories to.
[Page]For whil▪st she [...] me honest [...] about▪
[...] or shee I know will [...] [...] [...]ut:
And if by Fate [...] power of some,
Must in the worlds eve leaue me ouercome.
They shall finde one [...] [...] [...]o [...] I [...]ow,
It cannot [...]eele a [...] ouerthrow.
This Hope and trust that great power did in [...]use,
That first inspir'd into my brest [...] [...],
By whom I doe, and euer will con [...]
All these ill h [...], my foes desp [...], and them.
ALEXIS.
Thou hast so well (young Roget) plavd thy part
I am almost in loue with that sweet Art:
And if some power will but [...] my song▪
Alexis will not be obscured long.
[Page]ROGET.
Enough kinde Pastor: But oh▪ yonder see
Two honest Shepheards walking h [...]ther be,
C [...]ty and Willy, that so dearely loue,
Who are repayring vnto yonder Groue:
Let's follow them▪ for neuer brauer Swaines
Made musicke to their f [...]ockes vpon these plaines.
They are more worthy, and can better tell
What [...]are contents doe with a Poet dwell.
Then whiles our sheep the short sweet grasse do shear,
And till the long shade of the hils appeare▪
Wee'l [...] heare them sing: for though the one be yong,
Neuer was any that more sweetly sung.
FINIS.

A Postscript To the READERS.

IF you haue read this, and receiued any con­tent, I am glad (though it be not so much as I could wish you,) if you thinke it idle, why then I see wee are not likely to fall out; for I am iust of your mindes: yet weigh it well before you runne too farre in your censures, least this proue lesse barren of wit then [Page] you of courtesie. It is very true (I know not by what chance) that I haue of late beene so highly beholding to Opinion, that I wonder how I crept so much in­to her fauour, and (if I did thinke it worthy the fearing,) I should be afraid that shee hauing so vndeseruedly be­friended me beyond my Hope or expe­ctation, will, vpon as little cause, ere long, againe pick some quarrell against me: and it may be, meanes to make vse of this, which I know must needs come farre short of their expectation, who [Page] by their earnest desire of it seem'd to be fore-possest with a farre better conceit then I can beleeue it proues worthy of. So much atleast I doubted, and there­fore loath to deceiue the world (though it often beguile me) I kept it to my selfe, indeed not dreaming euer to see it pub­lished: But now, by the ouermuch per­swasion of some friends, I haue beene constrayned to expose it to the generall view. VVhich seeing I haue done, Somethings I desire thee to take notice of. First, that I am Hee vvho to pleasure [Page] my friend, haue fram'd my selfe a con­tent out of that vvhich vvould other­wise discontent me. Secondly, that I haue coueted more to effect what I thinke truely honest in it selfe, then by a seeming show of Art, to catch the vaine blasts of vncertaine Opinion. This that I haue here vvritten, vvas no part of my study, but onely a recreation in imprisonment: and a trifle, neyther in my conceit fitting, not by me intended to be made common; yet some, and it should seeme esteeming it worthy more [Page] respect then I did, tooke paines to copie it out, vnknowne to me, and in my ab­sence got it both Authorized and pre­pared for the Presse; so that if I had not hindred it, last Michaelmas-Tearme had beene troubled with it. I was much blamed by some Friends for withstan­ding it, to whose request I should more easily haue consented, but that I thought (as indeed I yet doe) I should thereby more disparage my selfe, then content them. For I doubt I shall be supposed one of those, who out of their [Page] arrogant desire of a little preposterous Fame, thrust into the world euery vn­seasoned trifle that drops out of their vnsetled braines; whose basenesse how much I hate, those that know mee can vvitnesse, for if I vvere so affected, I might perhaps present the vvorld with as many seuerall Poems as I haue seene yeeres; and iustly make my selfe ap­peare to be the Author of some things that others haue shamefully vsurped and made vse of as their owne. But I will be content other men should owne [Page] some of those Issues of the Braine, for I would be loth to confesse all that might in that kinde call me Father. Neyther shall any more of them, by my consent, in hast againe trouble the world, vnlesse I know which vvay to benefit it vvith lesse preiudice to my owne estate. And therefore if any of those lesse serious Poems which are already disperst into my friends hands, come amongst you, let not their publication be imputed to mee, nor their lightnesse be any dispa­ragement to vvhat hath beene since [Page] more seriously written, seeing it is but such stuffe as riper iudgements haue in their far older yeeres beene much more guilty of.

I know an ▪indifferent Critticke may finde many faults as well in the sleight­nesse of this present Subiect, as in the er­ring from the true nature of an Eglogue: moreouer, it altogether concernes my selfe, vvhich diuers may dislike. But neyther can be done on iust cause: The first hath beene answered already: the last might consider that I vvas there [Page] vvhere my owne estate vvas chiefely to be looked vnto, and all the comfort I could minister vnto my selfe little enough.

If any man deeme it worthy his rea­ding, I shall be glad: if hee thinke his paynes ill bestow'd, let him blame him­selfe for medling with that concerned him not; I neyther recommended it to him, neyther cared whether he read it or no, because I know those that vvere desirous of it, will esteeme the same as much as I expect they should.

[Page]But it is not vnlikely, some vvill thinke I haue in diuers places beene more wanton (as they take it) then be­fitteth a Satyrist; yet their seueritie I feare not, because I am assured all that I euer yet did, was free from Obseaeuitie: ney­ther am I so Cynicall, but that I thinke a modest expression of such amorous conceits as sure with Reason, will yet very well become my yeeres; in which not to haue feeling of the power of Loue, were as great an argument of much stupiditie, as an ouer-sottish affe­ction [Page] were of extreame folly. Lastly, if you thinke it hath not well answered the title of the Shepheards Hunting, goe quarrell with the Stationer, who bid himselfe God-father, and imposed the name according to his owne liking, and if you, or he, finde any other faults, pray mend them.

Valete.

FINIS.

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