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LIriope (faire Nymphe, of Thetis borne)
The god Cephissus lou'd; and hauing long
In vaine her maidenly denialls boarne,
Forc'd her at last his siluer streames among.
'Tweene them a buoye was got, faire as the Morne,
And (if truth were in graue Tiresia's toung)
Immortall as his Sire; might he know neuer,
But liue a stranger to himselfe for euer.
No sooner from his birth-day bad the Sun
After three Lusters, in his carre of light
Three yearely rounds more through the Zodiack run,
When this bright-visadg'd buoye (Narcissus hight)
Was growne to that supreme perfection
Of beauty and grace, combinde to breed delight,
As no degree, no sexe, no age are free,
But all perforce of him enamour'd be.
The winning features of his face were such,
As the best beauties seem'd to his, but bad;
Sweet, soft, and fresh to looke vpon, and touch,
The tender hue was of the louely lad;
Widdowes desir'd, and married wiues as much,
And eu'ry maid a longing for him had;
No harte so chaste, and free from amo'rous fire,
But he could tainte, and kindle with desire.