Poems and translations amorous, lusory, morall, divine [collected and translated] by Edvvard Sherburne ...

The Rape of HELLEN, out of the Greek of Coluthus.

YE Trojan Nymphs! Xanthus fair Progeny! Who on your Fathers Sands oft laying by Your sacred Armelets, and Heads reedy Tires, Ascend to dance on Ide in mixed Quires; Quit your rough floud; and tell the Phrygian Swains Just verdict: how the Hills he left, the Main's New Toyls to undergo: his Mind what prest With fatall Ships both Sea, and Land t'infest; Whence did that unexpected strife arise, Which made a Shepheard judge 'twixt Deities: What was his bold Award; how to his Ear Arriv'd the fair Greek's Name; for you were there: And Paris thron'd in Ida's shades did see, And Venus glorying in her Victory. When tall Thessalian Mountains the Delights Witness'd of Peleus Hymenaeall Rites, Ganymed Nectar at the sacred Feast By Jove's Command fill'd out to every Guest;

For all descended from caelestiall Race, That day, with equall forwardness, to grace Fair Thetis (Amphitrite's Sister) strove. From Seas came Neptune, from the Heavens came Jove▪ And Phoebus from the Helicon••an spring, Did the sweet Consort of the Muses bring. Next whom, the Sister to the Thunderer Majestick Juno came: nor did the Fair Harmonia's Mother Venus stay behind; Suada went too, who for the Bride entwin'd The Wedding Garland, and Love's Quiver bare. Pallas from Nuptials though averse, was there; Aside her heavy Helmet having laid. Apollo's sister, the Latonian Maid, (Though wholly to the savage Chace apply'd) Her Presence at this Meeting not deny'd. Stern Mars, not such as when his Spear he shakes, But as when he to lovely Venus makes His amorous Address, (his Shield, and Lance Thrown by) there smiling mix'd in a soft dance. But thence unhonour'd Erys was debarr'd; Nor Chyron her, nor Peleus, did regard. But Bacchus shaking with his golden Hair His dangling Grapes, let's Zephyre's sportive Air Play with his curled Tresses: like some young Heyfer, (which by a furious Gad-fly stung Quitting the Fields, in shady Forests straies) Whilst madded Erys roams: seeking alwaies, How to disturb the quiet of the Feast. Oft from her rocky Cell (with rage possest) She slings; now stands, then sits: still up and down Groaping on th' Earth, yet could not find a stone: For Lightning shee'd have strook: or by some spell The bold Titanean Brethren rais'd from Hell

VVith hostile-Flames to storm Jove's starry Fort; Though thus enrag'd, she yet does Vulcan court, Whom Fire, and Malleable steel obeys: She thought the sound of clatt'ring shields to raise, That so the Gods affrighted with the Noise Might have run forth, and left their Festive Joys. But fearing Mars, She does at last incline To put in Act a far more quaint Design: She cals to mind Hesperia's golden Fruit; Whence a fair Apple of dire VVars the Root, Pulling, the Cause of signall strifes she found: Then midst the Feast, Dissentions fatall ground Casts, and disturbs the Goddesses fair Quire. Juno, of Joves Bed proud, does first admire The shining Fruit, then challeng'd as her due: But Venus (all surpassing) claims it too As Love's Propriety: which by Jove seen, He calls, then thus to Hermes, does begin. Know'st thou not Paris, one of Priam's Sons? VVho, where through Phrygian Grounds smooth Xa••∣thus runs, Grazes his horned Heards, on Ida's Hill, To him this Apple bear: say 'tis our Will, As Arbiter of Beauty, he declare VVhich of these Goddesses excells in rare Conjunction of arch'd Eyebrows, lovely grace, And well-proportion'd roundness of the Face; And she that seems the fairest in his Eyes, To have the Apple, as her Beauties prize. This charge on Mercury, Saturnius laies, VVho humbly his great Sires Commands obeys; And with officious care Th' Immortals guides: VVhilst each her self in her own Beauty prides, But as they went: Loves subtle Queen, her heads ••ich Tire unloosing, with gold Fillets breads

Her curious Hair; then thus, with Eyes intent On her wing'd Sons, her troubled thoughts does vent. The strife is neer; deer Sons your Mother aide! This day must crown my Beauty, or degrade. And much I fear to whom this Clown will give The golden fruit: Juno, all men beleeve To be the Graces reverend Nurse: to Her The gift of Scepters they assign, in War A powerfull Goddess is Minerva deem'd: But We alone are of no Pow'r esteem'd. Nor Empires We, nor Martiall Arms bestow: Yet why without a cause thus fear We? though Minervas spear We have not, We yet better Are with our Caestus arm'd, sweet Loves soft Fetter, Our Caestus: that our Bow is, that our sting, Which smart to Women, but not death does bring. Thus rosie-finger'd Venus on the Way To her attending Cupids spake, whilst they, With dutious Words, their drooping Mother cheer. And now they reach'd the Top of Ida; where The youthfull Paris neer Ana••••us head, His Father's sheep in Flocks divided fed: Here of his roving Buls he count doth keep, And there he reckons o'r his well-fed sheep. Low as his Knee, a Mountain Goats rough hide Hung from his shoulders slagging by his side: In's hand a Neatheards Goad: such to the Eye (As slowly to his Pipes soft Melody He moves) appear'd the gentle Phrygian Swain: Tuning on's Reed, a sweet, though rurall strain. I'th' solitary stalls oft would he set Himself with Songs delighting; and forget The care both of his Heards and Flocks; the Praise Of Pan and Hermes subject of his Layes,

With Shepheards most in use:) whose sweeter Note No Dogs rude Howl, no Bulls loud-bellowing Throat Disturbs; but Eccho only, that affords An artless sound in unarticulate Words. His Oxen cloy'd with the rank Grass, were layd, Stretching their fat sides in the cooler shade; Under th' Umbrella of a spreading Tree Whilst he himself sate singing: but when he Spy'd Hermes with the Goddesses; afraid, Upstarting, from their sight he would have made: And, (his sweet Pipe among the Bushes flung) Abruptly clos'd his scarce commenced Song. To whom, amaz'd, thus Heavens wing'd Nuncius spake: Cast away fear; a while thy Flocks forsake, Thou must in Judgement sit; and freely tell Which of these Pow'rs in Beauty does excell, And to the fairest this fair fruit present. Thus he: when Paris, with Eyes mildly bent In amorous Glances, of their Beauties took Exact survey: which had the gracefull'st Look, The brightest Eyes, whose Neck the whitest skin, Not leaving ought from Head, to Heel, unseen. To whom Minerva first her self addrest, Then, taking by the hand, these Words exprest. Come hither Paris I leave Jove's Wife behind: Nor Venus President of Nuptials, mind. Pallas of Valour the Directress praise: Intrusted with large Rule and Power, Fame saies, Thou govern'st Troy: Me chief for Form confess, I'll make thee too its Guardian in distress. Comply, and 'gainst Bellona's dreadfull Harms Secur'd, I'll teach thee the bold deeds of Arms. Thus Pallas courted him: she scarce had done When with fair Words, and Looks, Juno begun.

If me the Prize of Beauty thou'lt assign, The Empire of all Asia shall be thine; Slight Wars, what good from thence to Princes springs? Both valiant men and Cowards stoop to Kings. Nor doe Minerva's Followers oft rise high, But Servants rather to Bell••na dy: This glorious Proffer stately Juno made. But Venus (her large Veil unloos'd) displayd Her whiter Bosome; nor at all was shy; But did the honied Chain of Loves unty: And, (whilst to view she her fai•• Breasts disclos'd) Thus spake; her Looks into sweet smiles dispos'd. Our Beauty, Wars forgot, our Beauty prize, And Empires and the Asian Lands despise. We know not Wars, nor use of Shields can tell; In Beauty, Women rather should excell; For Valour, I'll to thee a Wife commend, Stead of a Throne fair Hellens Bed ascend. A Spouse, thee Troy and Sparta shall behold: Scarce had she ended, when the fruit of Gold To Venus, as her Beauties noble Prize, The Swain presented; whence dire Wars did rise. Who in her hand as she the Apple weigh'd, Did Juno, and Minerva thus upbraid. Yield me the Victory, yield me fair Friends! Beauty I lov'd, and Beauty me attends•• Juno they say thou gav'st the Graces Life, Yet they have all forsook thee in this strife, Though thou to Mars and Vulcan Mother art, Nor Mars nor Vulcan did their Aid impart; Though this in Flames, that glory in his Spear, Yet neither one nor other helpt thee here. How thou braggd'st too, who from no Mothers wombe But Jove's cleft Skull, the Birth of Steel, didst come?

In Armour how thy Limbs are drest? how Love Thou shunn'st, and dost the Toyls of Mars approve? Alike to Peace and Wedlock opposite. Minerva! know, that such for glorious Fight Are much unfit, whom by their Limbs, none well Whether they Men, or Women be, can tell. Sad Pallas thus, proud of her Victory, She flouts, and her, and Juno both puts by, Whilst she the fatall Prize of Beauty won. Inflam'd with Love, hot in pursuit of one To him unknown; with inauspicious Fate, Men skill'd in Architecture, Paris strait To a dark Wood conducts; where, in a Trice, Tall Oaks are fell'd by Phereclus Advice, Of Ills the Author, who before to please His fond King Ships had built; whilst for the Seas Paris does Ida change; and on the shore With frequent Pray'rs, and Sacrifice, implore His kind Assistant, Queen of Marriage vows; Then the broad Back of Hellespo••tus ploughs. But sad presaging Omens did appear: Seas rising to the Skyes, did either Bear Surround with a dark Ring of Clouds: whilst through The troubled Air a showring Tempest flew. With stroaks of active Oars the Ocean swell'd: And now, the Trojan Shores forsook, he held His Course for Greece, and born with winged hast, Ismarus Mouth, and tall Pangaeus past. Then Love••slain Phyllis rising Monument, And of the Walk which oft sh•• came and went, The Ninefold Round he saw; there she to mourn Did use, while her Demophoons safe Return, She from Athenian Lands expected: then Coasting by Thessalies broad Shores, in Kenn

The fair Achaian Cities next appear'd. Men••breeding Phthia, and Mycene, rear'd High, and wide built; when the rich Meadows past Water'd by Eryman••bus, He at last Spies Sparta, lov'd Atrides City, plac'd Near cleer Eurotas, with rare Beauties grac'd: Not far from whence, under a shady Wood, H' admiring saw how sweet Therapnae stood. For now but a short Cut he had to sail, Nor long was heard the dash of Oars: They hale The Ship to shore, and with strong Haulsers ty'd; When Paris with cleer water purifi'd, Upon his Tiptoes lightly treads▪ for fear His lovely feet he with the Dust should smear, Or going hastily▪ his Hair which flows Beneath his Hat, the Winds should discompose. By this, the stately Buildings, drawing nigher He views, the Neighbouring Temples that aspire, And Cities splendour: where with wondring Eyes The Statue of their Pallas he espies, All of pure Gold; from which, his roving sight Next Hyacinthus Image does invite; The Boy with whom Apollo us'd to play: VVhom lest Latona should have rapt away (Displeas'd with Jove) the Amyclaeans fear'd. Phoebus from envious Zephyre, who appear'd His Rivall, could not yet secure the Boy: But Earth t'appease the sad Kings Tears, his Joy, A Flow'r produc'd; a Flow'r, that doth proclame Of the once lovely Youth, the still-lov'd Name. Now near Atrides Court, before the Gates, Bright in caelestiall Graces Paris waites. Not Seme••e a Youth so lovely bare: (Your Pardon Bacchus! though Joves Son you are)

Such Beauty did his Looks irradiate. But Hellen the Court doors unbolting strait, VVhen 'fore the Hall the Trojan she had seen And throughly mark'd, kindly invites him in, And seats him in a Silver Chair; her Eyes VVhilst on his Looks she feeds, not satisfies. First she suppos'd he Venus Son might be, Yet when his quiver'd Shafts she did not see She knew he was not Love; but by the shine Of his bright Looks thought him the God of VVine. At length her VVonder in these VVords did break. VVhence art my Guest? thy Stock, thy County speak; For Majesty is printed in thy Face: And yet thou seem'st not of the Argive Race. Of sandy Pylos sure thou canst not be, I know Antilochus, but know not thee. Nor art of Phthia which stout Men doth breed, I know all Aeacus renowned Seed; The glorious Peleus, and his warlike Son, Courteous Patroclus, and stout ••elamon: Thus Hellen curious to be satisfi'd, Questions her Guest; who fairly thus reply'd. If thou of Troy in Phrygia's utmost bound, By Neptune, and Apollo walled round, And of a King from Saturn sprung, who there Now fortunately rules, didst ever hear, His Son am I; and all within his sway, To me, as chief next him▪ subjection pay. From Dardanus am I descended, he From Jove; where Gods, immortal though they be Do oft serve Mortals: who beguirt our Town Round with a VVall, a VVall that ne'r shall down. I am great Queen! the Judge of Goddesses, VVhom though displeas'd, I censur'd, and of these

The lovely Venus Beauty did prefer: For which, in noble Recompence, by her Promis'd a VVife, her Sister, Hellen nam'd. For whom these Troubles I through Seas sustain'd, Since Venus bids, hert let us solemnize Our Nuptiall Rites; Me nor my Bed despise; On what is known, insist we need not long Thy Spouse from an unwarlike Race is sprung: Thou all the Graecian Dames dost far outvy, Beautious thy Looks are, theirs, their Sex belye. At this she fix'd on Earth her lovely Eyes▪ And doubtfull, paws'd a while, at length replies. Your Wals my Guest! by hands Caelestiall rais'd, And Pastures, where his Heards Apollo graz'd, I long to see: To Troy bear me away. I'l follow thee, and Venus will obey; Nor, there, will Menelaus anger heed; Thus Paris, and the beautious Nymph agree'd. Now Night the ease of Cares, the Day quite spent, Sleep brought, suspended by the Morns Ascent, Of Dreams the two Gates opening: this of Horn, In which the Gods unerring Truths are born. T'other of Ivory: whence couzening Lies, And vain Delusions of false Dreams arise. When from Atrides Hospitable Court Paris through plough'd Seas Hellen does transport, And in the gift of Venus proudly joy; Bearing with speed the Fraight of War to Troy. Hermione, soon as the Morn appears, To Winds her torn Veyl casting, big with Tears, Her loss bewails; and from her Chamber flying, With grief distraught, thus to her Maids spake, crying. Whither without me is my Mother fied? Who lay with me last Night in the same Bed?

And with her own hand lockt the Chamber door? Thus spake she weeping: All the Maids deplore With her their Mistress absence; yet assay With these kind Words her Passion to allay. Why dost thou weep sweet Child! thy Mother's gon, But will return soon as she hears thy Moan. See how thy Tears have blubber'd thy fair Cheeks! Much weeping the divinest Beauty breaks. She 'mongst the Virgins is but gon to play, And comming back perhaps hath miss'd her way: And in some flowry Medow doubtfull stands; Or in Eurotas bath'd, sports on his Sands. The weeping Child replyes; the Hill, Brook, Walk, And Fields she knows; doe not so idly talk: The Stars doe sleep, yet on cold Rocks she lies; The Stars awake, and yet she does not rise. O my dear Mother! where dost thou abide? Upon what Mountains barren Top reside? Hath some wild Beast alas! thee wandring slain; (Yet from Joves Royall Blood wild Beasts refrain) Or fall'n from some steep Precipice, art layd An unregarded Corse in some dark shade? And yet in ev'ry Grove, at ev'ry Tree, Search have I made, but cannot meet with Thee. The Woods we blame not then; nor doe profound Furota's gentle streams conceal thee drown'd: For in deep Floods the Naiades doe use, Nor e'r by them their Lives doe VVomen lose. Thus poor Hermione complaining wept, Then tow'rd her shoulder her head leaning, slept. (Sleep is Deaths Twin, and as the younger Brother, In every thing doth imitate the other; Hence 'tis that VVomen often when they weep, O'recharg'd with their own sorrows, fall asleep)

VVhen in a Dream, her Mother (as she thought) Seeing, she cries, vex'd, yet with fear distraught: From me disconsolate last night you fled, And left me sleeping in my Fathers Bed. VVhat Hill, what Mountain have I left untrac'd? To Venus pleasing Ties mak'st thou such haste? To whom fair Tyndaris this Answer made: Daughter! though griev'd, me yet forbear t' upbraid: That treacherous Stranger, who the other Day Came hither, carry'd me by force away. Thus she: at which out strait Hermione flies. But finding not her Mother, louder cries; VVing'd Issue of th' Inhabitants of Air, Ye Birds! to Menalaus strait declare, One late arriving at the Spartan Port, Ha••h rob'd him of the Glory of his Court. Thus to regardless VVinds did she complain, Seeking her absent Mother, but in vain. Mean-time, through Thracian Towns, and Helles strait Paris arriv'd safe with his beautious Fraight, VVhen from the Castle, viewing on the shore A new guest Land, her hair Cassandra tore. But Troy with open Gates her welcome shows To the returning Author of her VVoes.

FINIS.