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The Constancy of True Loue, OR. An Excellent Relation of the Vntimely Death of Two Faithfull Louers. To the tune of Downe by a Forrest (Book 1)
[illustration]
IN that faire fragrant month of May,
When earth her curtaines doth display,
I did by chance my corps repose
Upon a banke, which Woods did close,
With greene and leauy bowres about;
A place to shunne the teadious rout
Of Tibs and Toms, for this intent,
This flowrie seat I did frequent.
Nature had stroue to shew her feate
In the composure of this seat;
For in a U••lley plaine was found,
This place by hills incircled round.
Both lofty Beech and C••dars tall
Did shelter this rich Siluan hall.
Heere Satires and the Naiades,
Here Siluans and the Driades,
Here rurall gods and tripping Nymphs,
Did hath their corps in the pure lymphs,
And christal streams which made a noise
In compassing this place of ioyes.
No fairer place nor fountaine found
Dian' with golden tresses crown'd,
And Lad•••• guarded in this seate,
the wihstling wind cool'd summers heat
Here the nine Muses vs••e to dance,
Here the kind graces vsde in prance;
Here Phaebe his warbling harpe did tune,
The lifesome monthes of May & Iune.
Here Philomel tun'd melody.
Hither the chirping birds did fly,
Here Thrush & blackbird frō their throats
strain'd diuers sundry pleasant notes,
Here the Nymph Eccho in bellow ground
Di•• the la•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 resound;
What harbour could the world spare
more trim, more neat, more sweet more tare?
Here as I sate musing alone,
Me thought I heard one grieue and groane,
Ah me poore wretch, this creature said,
Where at my senses grew afraid.
I started looking here and there,
To viewe the subject of this feare:
A Lady obiect to mine eyes,
I sound the effect of all these cryes;
I hasted to enquire the c••use
Which did her weeping eyes amaze:
Behold, quoth mee, my Loue (alas)
Whose crimson blood here dyes the grasse.
The sweetest creature here lyeth dead,
That famous Europe euer bred;
I haue my wronged Louer slaine,
His death shall be the death of twaine.
I praid her then for to relate,
The cause of his vntimely fate;
She then scarse fetching of her breath,
Beginnes the Story of his death.
Blinde Cupid (quoth she) with his dart,
In tender yeares did wound his heart,
Made subiect to the loue of me,
An actor of this tragedie.
His heart and mind together tried,
His loue and mine together ti'ed,
Our parents sought to crosse our will,
But we continued constant still.
Though time the disaduantage gaue,
And we no place for loue could haue,
Yet still we sought to recompence,
Loue with true loue without offence.
We dwelt in neighbouring houses ni••,
And getting conference thereby;
We did appoint vnder this tree
Is meat but disapointed bee.