Greenes carde of fancie Wherein the folly of those carpet knights is deciphered, which guiding their course by the compass of Cupid, either dash their ship against most dangerous rocks, or else attaine the haven with pain and perill. Wherein also is described in the person of Gwydonius a cruell combate between nature and necessitie. By Robert Green, Master of Art, in Cambridge.

The second Discourse.

Loue goeth from the palace of Iupiter, lamenting to himselfe his mischiefe.

Loue.

Alas in what miserable case am I? what can either my bowe or mine arrows auaile me? now can I not cause whō I list to loue, but without respect of persons, euerie one is in daunger of my dartes. Hitherto I haue onely caused daintie damsels, and yong youths to loue, I did choose out the brauest blouds, and the fairest and most well featured men: I did pardon vile and base persons, I excused the deformed creatures, and let olde age remaine in peace. But now, thinking to hit a young gallant, I light vppon some olde doating lecher: in stead of some braue Gentle∣man, I strike some filthie lurden. And it shall happen (I doubt) that they shalbe most fortunate in their loue; so y^t by

patrimony, presence, or wealth, they shall soonest winne the fauour of women, and by this meanes my kingdome shall come to ruine, when men sée in it such disorder and cuill gouernment.

Venus hauing long sought Cupid, now meeteth him.

I Haue carefully long sought thée my déere sonne, mar∣uelling what the cause should bee that thou hast not béene present at the banket of Iupiter: Who is greatly incensed against thée, not only for thy absence, but for the cōplaints which are powred out against thée by sundrie poore artifi∣cers, laboring men, peasants, slaues, hand-maids, old men, and toothlesse aged women, crying all vnto Iupiter, that they loue; thinking themselues greatly iniured in this re∣spect, that the passion which is proper to worthy and Noble men, should be inflicted vpon them which are of the base and vilest sort.

Loue.

Had not the great misfortune which is chaunced vnto me happened, I had neither béen absent from the banquet, nor their gréeuous complaints had not béene inserred a∣gainst me.

Venus.

Why? And art thou hurt? Who hath thus vailed thine eyes?

Loue.

Folly hath not onely pulled them out, but also hath put this band before mine eyes, which can neuer be taken a∣way.

Venus.

O cursed enemy of all wisedome, O haplesse wretch, vniustly called a goddesse, and more vnrightly tearmed im∣mortal, hast thou depriued me of my chiefest delight and felicity? O disaster loue, O dissolute mother, O wofull

Venus, who séest thy sonne, thy ioy, and only care, thus cru∣elly depriued of his sight. Well, since thy mishappe is so great, I vowe that euery one that shall loue (what fauour or happy successe soeuer he shall haue) shall not be without some care, trouble, or calamitie, that he vaunt not himselfe to be more happie than the sonne of Venus.

Loue.

Cease off good mother from these sorrowful complaints, and redouble not my griefe by these dolorous discourses, suffer mee to beare mine owne misfortune, and wish not euill vnto them which shall be my subiects.

Venus.

Well, let vs then go to Iupiter, and complaine of this cursed inchantresse.