The lamentation of Troy, for the death of Hector Wherevnto is annexed an olde womans tale in hir solitarie cell.

The Prologue.

WHilom to him (whom Morpheus God of sleepe, Made slumbring dreames his sences al to keepe, Lockt in the prison of the darke some night, When eares were deafe and eyes could see no light, When men are made the liuely forme of death, Saue onely that they softly draw a breath) Did come a Ghost, a ghost most gastly crying, Helpe me to death that haue so long beene dying. With that he wakened and with feare beholding, Saw hir lament, her armes togither folding, A pale-wan thing, and yet with wounds fresh bleeding Sodden in teares, in teares that were exceeding. He much afright began to shrinke for feare, She bad him feare not, but my story heare, I am Troys ghost that now appeares to thee, And well I know that thou hast heard of me. But now I come not what I was to tell, For what I was (alas) each one knowes wel. I come to thee to craue thy gentle ayde, To further her that hath so long beene staide From blissefull rest: because I haue not told My woes for Hector which I must vnfold, But that (alasse) am I not able euer, To shew alone without the kind endeuor Of some good wight, that can bewaile with me, And tell my tale while I shall weeping be. The churlish Charon thwarts my passage ouer Saying my soule shal neuer blisse recouer, Till I haue doone this weary taske imposed, Neuer my ghost shal be in rest reposed. O helpe me then to tell my doleful story, That I at last may cease to be so sory.

First will I speake, and to the world declare For Hectors death mine euerlasting care, So long, til teares doe stop my faltring tong, And when I cease I pray thee tell along. He then accorded to hir pitteous sute Granting to speake when teares did make hir mute, So that she would lay open to his eies The cause and manner of hir wofull cries. Then forth with causde she vnto him appeare The forme of Troy, the persons that were there Chiefest mourners for worthy Hectors death As they then wailde when fates new stopt his breath. He then emboldende stoutly veiwd them all, And tels her tale, when she from speach doth fall. Writing their words vnto the world to shew them It was her will that he might so renew them. Yet had she rather Spencer would haue told them, For him she calde that he would helpe t'vnfold them. But when she saw he came not at hir call She kept hir first man that doth shew them all All that he could: but all can no man shew, But first she spake as after doth ensew.