7. t.  .1 | TWO CANTOS
7. t.  .2 | OF
7. t.  .3 | \MVTABILITIE:\
7. t.  .4 | Which, both for Forme and Matter, appeare
7. t.  .5 | to be parcell of some following Booke of the
7. t.  .6 | \FAERIE QVEENE,\
7. t.  .7 | VNDER THE LEGEND
7. t.  .8 | OF
7. t.  .9 | \Constancie.\
7. t. .10 | Neuer before imprinted.


7. 6. A.1 | \Proud\ Change \(not pleasd, in mortall things,\
7. 6. A.2 |   \beneath the Moone, to raigne)\
7. 6. A.3 | \Pretends, as well of Gods, as Men,\
7. 6. A.4 |   \to be the Soueraine.\

7. 6. 1.1 | What man that sees the euer-whirling wheele
7. 6. 1.2 |   Of \Change\, the which all mortall things doth sway,
7. 6. 1.3 |   But that therby doth find, and plainly feele,
7. 6. 1.4 |   How \MVTABILITY\ in them doth play
7. 6. 1.5 |   Her cruell sports, to many mens decay?
7. 6. 1.6 |   Which that to all may better yet appeare,
7. 6. 1.7 |   I will rehearse that whylome I heard say,
7. 6. 1.8 |   How she at first her selfe began to reare,
7. 6. 1.9 | Gainst all the Gods, and th'=empire sought from them to beare.

7. 6. 2.1 | But first, here falleth fittest to vnfold
7. 6. 2.2 |   Her antique race and linage ancient,
7. 6. 2.3 |   As I haue found it registred of old,
7. 6. 2.4 |   In \Faery\ Land mongst records permanent:
7. 6. 2.5 |   She was, to weet, a daughter by descent
7. 6. 2.6 |   Of those old \Titans\, that did whylome striue
7. 6. 2.7 |   With \Saturnes\ sonne for heauens regiment.
7. 6. 2.8 |   Whom, though high \Ioue\ of kingdome did depriue,
7. 6. 2.9 | Yet many of their stemme long after did surviue.

7. 6. 3.1 | And many of them, afterwards obtain'd
7. 6. 3.2 |   Great power of \Ioue\, and high authority;
7. 6. 3.3 |   As \Hecate<\, in whose almighty hand,
7. 6. 3.4 |   He plac't all rule and principality,
7. 6. 3.5 |   To be by her disposed diuersly,
7. 6. 3.6 |   To Gods, and men, as she them list diuide:
7. 6. 3.7 |   And drad \Bellona\, that doth sound on hie
7. 6. 3.8 |   Warres and allarums vnto Nations wide,
7. 6. 3.9 | That makes both heauen and earth to tremble at her pride.

7. 6. 4.1 | So likewise did this \Titanesse\ aspire,
7. 6. 4.2 |   Rule and dominion to her selfe to gaine;
7. 6. 4.3 |   That as a Goddesse, men might her admire,
7. 6. 4.4 |   And heauenly honours yield, as to them twaine.
7. 6. 4.5 |   At first, on earth she sought it to obtaine;
7. 6. 4.6 |   Where she such proofe and sad examples shewed
7. 6. 4.7 |   Of her great power, to many ones great paine,
7. 6. 4.8 |   That not men onely (whom she soone subdewed)
7. 6. 4.9 | But eke all other creatures, her bad dooings rewed.

7. 6. 5.1 | For, she the face of earthly things so changed,
7. 6. 5.2 |   That all which Nature had establisht first
7. 6. 5.3 |   In good estate, and in meet order ranged,
7. 6. 5.4 |   She did pervert, and all their statutes burst:
7. 6. 5.5 |   And all the worlds faire frame (which none yet durst
7. 6. 5.6 |   Of Gods or men to alter or misguide)
7. 6. 5.7 |   She alter'd quite, and made them all accurst
7. 6. 5.8 |   That God had blest; and did at first prouide
7. 6. 5.9 | In that still happy state for euer to abide.

7. 6. 6.1 | Ne shee the lawes of Nature onely brake,
7. 6. 6.2 |   But eke of Iustice, and of Policie;
7. 6. 6.3 |   And wrong of right, and bad of good did make,
7. 6. 6.4 |   And death for life exchanged foolishlie:
7. 6. 6.5 |   Since which, all liuing wights haue learn'd to die,
7. 6. 6.6 |   And all this world is woxen daily worse.
7. 6. 6.7 |   Of pittious worke of \MVTABILITIE\!
7. 6. 6.8 |   By which, we all are subiect to that curse,
7. 6. 6.9 | And death in stead of life haue sucked from our Nurse.

7. 6. 7.1 | And now, when all the earth she thus had brought
7. 6. 7.2 |   To her behest, and thralled to her might,
7. 6. 7.3 |   She gan to cast in her ambitious thought,
7. 6. 7.4 |   T'=attempt the empire of the heauens hight,
7. 6. 7.5 |   And \Ioue\ himselfe to shoulder from his right.
7. 6. 7.6 |   And first, she past the region of the ayre,
7. 6. 7.7 |   And of the fire, whose substance thin and slight,
7. 6. 7.8 |   Made no resistance, ne could her contraire,
7. 6. 7.9 | But ready passage to her pleasure did prepaire.

7. 6. 8.1 | Thence, to the Circle of the Moone she clambe,
7. 6. 8.2 |   Where \Cynthia\ raignes in euerlasting glory,
7. 6. 8.3 |   To whose bright shining palace straight she came,
7. 6. 8.4 |   All fairely deckt with heauens goodly story;
7. 6. 8.5 |   Whose siluer gates (by which there sate an hory
7. 6. 8.6 |   Old aged Sire, with hower-glasse in hand,
7. 6. 8.7 |   Hight \Tyme\) she entred, were he liefe or sory:
7. 6. 8.8 |   Ne staide till she the highest stage had scand,
7. 6. 8.9 | Where \Cynthia\ did sit, that neuer still did stand.

7. 6. 9.1 | Her sitting on an Iuory throne shee found,
7. 6. 9.2 |   Drawne of two steeds, th'=one black, the other white,
7. 6. 9.3 |   Environd with tenne thousand starres around,
7. 6. 9.4 |   That duly her attended day and night;
7. 6. 9.5 |   And by her side, there ran her Page, that hight
7. 6. 9.6 |   \Vesper\, whom we the Euening-starre intend:
7. 6. 9.7 |   That with his Torche, still twinkling like twylight,
7. 6. 9.8 |   Her lightened all the way where she should wend,
7. 6. 9.9 | And ioy to weary wandring trauailers did lend:

7. 6.10.1 | That when the hardy \Titanesse\ beheld
7. 6.10.2 |   The goodly building of her Palace bright,
7. 6.10.3 |   Made of the heauens substance, and vp-held
7. 6.10.4 |   With thousand Crystall pillors of huge hight,
7. 6.10.5 |   Shee gan to burne in her ambitious spright,
7. 6.10.6 |   And t'=envie her that in such glorie raigned.
7. 6.10.7 |   Eftsoones she cast by force and tortious might,
7. 6.10.8 |   Her to displace; and to her selfe to haue gained
7. 6.10.9 | The kingdome of the Night, and waters by her wained.

7. 6.11.1 | Boldly she bid the Goddesse downe descend,
7. 6.11.2 |   And let her selfe into that Ivory throne;
7. 6.11.3 |   For, shee her selfe more worthy thereof wend,
7. 6.11.4 |   And better able it to guide alone:
7. 6.11.5 |   Whether to men, whose fall she did bemone,
7. 6.11.6 |   Or vnto Gods, whose state she did maligne,
7. 6.11.7 |   Or to th'=infernall Powers, her need giue lone
7. 6.11.8 |   Of her faire light, and bounty most benigne,
7. 6.11.9 | Her selfe of all that rule shee deemed most condigne.

7. 6.12.1 | But shee that had to her that soueraigne seat
7. 6.12.2 |   By highest \Ioue\ assign'd, therein to beare
7. 6.12.3 |   Nights burning lamp, regarded not her threat,
7. 6.12.4 |   Ne yielded ought for fauour or for feare;
7. 6.12.5 |   But with sterne countenaunce and disdainfull cheare,
7. 6.12.6 |   Bending her horned browes, did put her back:
7. 6.12.7 |   And boldly blaming her for comming there,
7. 6.12.8 |   Bade her attonce from heauens coast to pack,
7. 6.12.9 | Or at her perill bide the wrathfull Thunders wrack.

7. 6.13.1 | Yet nathemore the \Giantesse\ forbare:
7. 6.13.2 |   But boldly preacing-on, raught forth her hand
7. 6.13.3 |   To pluck her downe perforce from off her chaire;
7. 6.13.4 |   And there-with lifting vp her golden wand,
7. 6.13.5 |   Threatned to strike her if she did with-stand.
7. 6.13.6 |   Where-at the starres, which round about her blazed,
7. 6.13.7 |   And eke the Moones bright wagon, still did stand,
7. 6.13.8 |   All beeing with so bold attempt amazed,
7. 6.13.9 | And on her vncouth habit and sterne looke still gazed.

7. 6.14.1 | Meane-while, the lower World, which nothing knew
7. 6.14.2 |   Of all that chaunced here, was darkned quite;
7. 6.14.3 |   And eke the heauens, and all the heauenly crew
7. 6.14.4 |   Of happy wights, now vnpurvaide of light,
7. 6.14.5 |   Were much afraid, and wondred at that sight;
7. 6.14.6 |   Fearing least \Chaos\ broken had his chaine,
7. 6.14.7 |   And brought againe on them eternall night:
7. 6.14.8 |   But chiefely \Mercury\, that next doth raigne,
7. 6.14.9 | Ran forth in haste, vnto the king of Gods to plaine.

7. 6.15.1 | All ran together with a great out-cry,
7. 6.15.2 |   To \Ioues\ faire Palace, fixt in heauens hight;
7. 6.15.3 |   And beating at his gates full earnestly,
7. 6.15.4 |   Gan call to him aloud with all their might,
7. 6.15.5 |   To know what meant that suddaine lack of light.
7. 6.15.6 |   The father of the Gods when this he heard,
7. 6.15.7 |   Was troubled much at their so strange affright,
7. 6.15.8 |   Doubting least \Typhon\ were againe vprear'd,
7. 6.15.9 | Or other his old foes, that once him sorely fear'd.

7. 6.16.1 | Eftsoones the sonne of \Maia\ forth he sent
7. 6.16.2 |   Downe to the Circle of the Moone, to knowe
7. 6.16.3 |   The cause of this so strange astonishment,
7. 6.16.4 |   And why shee did her wonted course forslowe;
7. 6.16.5 |   And if that any were on earth belowe
7. 6.16.6 |   That did with charmes or Magick her molest,
7. 6.16.7 |   Him to attache, and downe to hell to throwe:
7. 6.16.8 |   But, if from heauen it were, then to arrest
7. 6.16.9 | The Author, and him bring before his presence prest.

7. 6.17.1 | The wingd-foot God, so fast his plumes did beat,
7. 6.17.2 |   That soone he came where-as the \Titanesse\
7. 6.17.3 |   Was striuing with faire \Cynthia\ for her seat:
7. 6.17.4 |   At whose strange sight, and haughty hardinesse,
7. 6.17.5 |   He wondred much, and feared her no lesse.
7. 6.17.6 |   Yet laying feare aside to doe his charge,
7. 6.17.7 |   At last, he bade her (with bold stedfastnesse)
7. 6.17.8 |   Ceasse to molest the Moone to walke at large,
7. 6.17.9 | Or come before high \Ioue\, her dooings to discharge.

7. 6.18.1 | And there-with-all, he on her shoulder laid
7. 6.18.2 |   His snaky-wreathed Mace, whose awfull power
7. 6.18.3 |   Doth make both Gods and hellish fiends affraid:
7. 6.18.4 |   Where-at the \Titanesse\ did sternely lower,
7. 6.18.5 |   And stoutly answer'd, that in euill hower
7. 6.18.6 |   He from his \Ioue\ such message to her brought,
7. 6.18.7 |   To bid her leaue faire \Cynthias\ siluer bower;
7. 6.18.8 |   Sith shee his \Ioue\ and him esteemed nought,
7. 6.18.9 | No more then \Cynthia's\ selfe; but all their kingdoms sought.

7. 6.19.1 | The Heauens Herald staid not to reply,
7. 6.19.2 |   But past away, his doings to relate
7. 6.19.3 |   Vnto his Lord; who now in th'=highest sky,
7. 6.19.4 |   Was placed in his principall Estate,
7. 6.19.5 |   With all the Gods about him congregate:
7. 6.19.6 |   To whom when \Hermes\ had his message told,
7. 6.19.7 |   It did them all exceedingly amate,
7. 6.19.8 |   Saue \Ioue\; who, changing nought his count'nance bold,
7. 6.19.9 | Did vnto them at length these speeches wise vnfold;

7. 6.20.1 | Harken to mee awhile yee heauenly Powers;
7. 6.20.2 |   Ye may remember since th'=Earths cursed seed
7. 6.20.3 |   Sought to assaile the heauens eternall towers,
7. 6.20.4 |   And to vs all exceeding feare did breed:
7. 6.20.5 |   But how we then defeated all their deed,
7. 6.20.6 |   Yee all doe knowe, and them destroied quite;
7. 6.20.7 |   Yet not so quite, but that there did succeed
7. 6.20.8 |   An off-spring of their bloud, which did alite
7. 6.20.9 | Vpon the fruitfull earth, which doth vs yet despite.

7. 6.21.1 | Of that bad seed is this bold woman bred,
7. 6.21.2 |   That now with bold presumption doth aspire
7. 6.21.3 |   To thrust faire \Pho+ebe\ from her siluer bed,
7. 6.21.4 |   And eke our selues from heauens high Empire,
7. 6.21.5 |   If that her might were match to her desire:
7. 6.21.6 |   Wherefore, it now behoues vs to advise
7. 6.21.7 |   What way is best to driue her to retire;
7. 6.21.8 |   Whether by open force, or counsell wise,
7. 6.21.9 | Areed ye sonnes of God, as best ye can deuise.

7. 6.22.1 | So hauing said, he ceast; and with his brow
7. 6.22.2 |   (His black eye-brow, whose doomefull dreaded beck
7. 6.22.3 |   Is wont to wield the world vnto his vow,
7. 6.22.4 |   And euen the highest Powers of heauen to check)
7. 6.22.5 |   Made signe to them in their degrees to speake:
7. 6.22.6 |   Who straight gan cast their counsell graue and wise.
7. 6.22.7 |   Meane-while, th'=Earths daughter, thogh she nought did reck
7. 6.22.8 |   Of \Hermes\ message; yet gan now advise,
7. 6.22.9 | What course were best to take in this hot bold emprize.

7. 6.23.1 | Eftsoones she thus resolv'd; that whil'st the Gods
7. 6.23.2 |   (After returne of \Hermes\ Embassie)
7. 6.23.3 |   Were troubled, and amongst themselues at ods,
7. 6.23.4 |   Before they could new counsels re-allie,
7. 6.23.5 |   To set vpon them in that extasie;
7. 6.23.6 |   And take what fortune time and place would lend:
7. 6.23.7 |   So, forth she rose, and through the purest sky
7. 6.23.8 |   To \Ioues\ high Palace straight cast to ascend,
7. 6.23.9 | To prosecute her plot: Good on-set boads good end.

7. 6.24.1 | Shee there arriuing, boldly in did pass;
7. 6.24.2 |   Where all the Gods she found in counsell close,
7. 6.24.3 |   All quite vnarm'd, as then their manner was.
7. 6.24.4 |   At sight of her they suddaine all arose,
7. 6.24.5 |   In great amaze, ne wist what way to chose.
7. 6.24.6 |   But \Ioue\, all fearelesse, forc't them to aby;
7. 6.24.7 |   And in his soueraine throne, gan straight dispose
7. 6.24.8 |   Himselfe more full of grace and Maiestie,
7. 6.24.9 | That mote encheare his friends, and foes mote terrfie.

7. 6.25.1 | That, when the haughty \Titanesse\ beheld,
7. 6.25.2 |   All were she fraught with pride and impudence,
7. 6.25.3 |   Yet with the sight thereof was almost queld;
7. 6.25.4 |   And inly quaking, seem'd as reft of sense,
7. 6.25.5 |   And voyd of speech in that drad audience;
7. 6.25.6 |   Vntill that \Ioue\ himselfe, her selfe bespake:
7. 6.25.7 |   Speake thou fraile woman, speake with confidence,
7. 6.25.8 |   Whence art thou, and what doost thou here now make?
7. 6.25.9 | What idle errand hast thou, earths mansion to forsake?

7. 6.26.1 | Shee, halfe confused with his great commaund,
7. 6.26.2 |   Yet gathering spirit of her natures pride,
7. 6.26.3 |   Him boldly answer'd thus to his demaund:
7. 6.26.4 |   I am a daughter, by the mothers side,
7. 6.26.5 |   Of her that is Grand-mother magnifide
7. 6.26.6 |   Of all the Gods, great \Earth\, great \Chaos\ child:
7. 6.26.7 |   But by the fathers (be it not envide)
7. 6.26.8 |   I greater am in bloud (whereon I build)
7. 6.26.9 | Then all the Gods, though wrongfully from heauen exil'd.

7. 6.27.1 | For, \Titan\ (as ye all acknowledge must)
7. 6.27.2 |   Was \Saturnes\ elder brother by birth-right;
7. 6.27.3 |   Both, sonnes of \Vranus:\ but by vniust
7. 6.27.4 |   And guilefull meanes, through \Corybantes\ slight,
7. 6.27.5 |   The younger thrust the elder from his right:
7. 6.27.6 |   Since which, thou \Ioue\, iniuriously hast held
7. 6.27.7 |   The Heauens rule from \Titans\ sonnes by might;
7. 6.27.8 |   And them to hellish dungeons downe hast feld:
7. 6.27.9 | Witnesse ye Heauens the truth of all that I haue teld.

7. 6.28.1 | Whil'st she thus spake, the Gods that gaue good eare
7. 6.28.2 |   To her bold words, and marked well her grace,
7. 6.28.3 |   Beeing of stature tall as any there
7. 6.28.4 |   Of all the Gods, and beautifull of face,
7. 6.28.5 |   As any of the Goddesses in place,
7. 6.28.6 |   Stood all astonied, like a sort of Steeres;
7. 6.28.7 |   Mongst whom, some beast of strange and forraine race,
7. 6.28.8 |   Vnwares is chaunc't, far straying from his peeres:
7. 6.28.9 | So did their ghastly gaze bewray their hidden feares.

7. 6.29.1 | Till hauing pauz'd awhile, \Ioue\ thus bespake;
7. 6.29.2 |   Will neuer mortall thoughts ceasse to aspire,
7. 6.29.3 |   In this bold sort, to Heauen claime to make,
7. 6.29.4 |   And touch celestiall seates with earthly mire?
7. 6.29.5 |   I would haue thought, that bold \Procrustes\ hire,
7. 6.29.6 |   Or \Typhons\ fall, or proud \Ixions\ paine,
7. 6.29.7 |   Or great \Prometheus\, tasting of our ire,
7. 6.29.8 |   Would haue suffiz'd, the rest for to restraine;
7. 6.29.9 | And warn'd all men by their example to refraine:

7. 6.30.1 | But now, this off-scum of that cursed fry,
7. 6.30.2 |   Dare to renew the like bold enterprize,
7. 6.30.3 |   And chalenge th'=heritage of this our skie;
7. 6.30.4 |   Whom what should hinder, but that we likewise
7. 6.30.5 |   Should handle as the rest of her allies,
7. 6.30.6 |   And thunder-driue to hell? With that, he shooke
7. 6.30.7 |   His Nectar-deawed locks, with which the skyes
7. 6.30.8 |   And all the world beneath for terror quooke,
7. 6.30.9 | And eft his burning levin-brond in hand he tooke.

7. 6.31.1 | But, when he looked on her louely face,
7. 6.31.2 |   In which, faire beames of beauty did appeare,
7. 6.31.3 |   That could the greatest wrath soone turne to grace
7. 6.31.4 |   (Such sway doth beauty euen in Heauen beare)
7. 6.31.5 |   He staide his hand: and hauing chang'd his cheare,
7. 6.31.6 |   He thus againe in milder wise began;
7. 6.31.7 |   But ah! if Gods should striue with flesh yfere,
7. 6.31.8 |   Then shortly should the progeny of Man
7. 6.31.9 | Be rooted out, if \Ioue\ should doe still what he can:

7. 6.32.1 | But thee faire \Titans\ child, I rather weene,
7. 6.32.2 |   Through some vaine errour or inducement light,
7. 6.32.3 |   To see that mortall eyes haue neuer seene;
7. 6.32.4 |   Or through ensample of thy sisters might,
7. 6.32.5 |   \Bellona\; whose great glory thou doost spight,
7. 6.32.6 |   Since thou hast seene her dreadfull power belowe,
7. 6.32.7 |   Mongst wretched men (dismaide with her affright)
7. 6.32.8 |   To bandie Crownes, and Kingdomes to bestowe:
7. 6.32.9 | And sure thy worth, no lesse then hers doth seem to showe.

7. 6.33.1 | But wote thou this, thou hardy \Titanesse\,
7. 6.33.2 |   That not the worth of any liuing wight
7. 6.33.3 |   May challenge ought in Heauens interesse;
7. 6.33.4 |   Much lesse the Title of old \Titans\ Right:
7. 6.33.5 |   For, we by Conquest of our soueraine might,
7. 6.33.6 |   And by eternall doome of Fates decree,
7. 6.33.7 |   Haue wonne the Empire of the Heauens bright;
7. 6.33.8 |   Which to our selues we hold, and to whom wee
7. 6.33.9 | Shall worthy deeme partakers of our blisse to bee.

7. 6.34.1 | Then ceasse thy idle claime thou foolish gerle,
7. 6.34.2 |   And seeke by grace and goodnesse to obtaine
7. 6.34.3 |   That place from which by folly \Titan\ fell;
7. 6.34.4 |   There-to thou maist perhaps, if so thou faine
7. 6.34.5 |   Haue \Ioue\ thy gratious Lord and Soueraigne.
7. 6.34.6 |   So, hauing said, she thus to him replide;
7. 6.34.7 |   Ceasse \Saturnes\ sonne, to seeke by proffers vaine
7. 6.34.8 |   Of idle hopes t'=allure mee to thy side,
7. 6.34.9 | For to betray my Right, before I haue it tride.

7. 6.35.1 | But thee, O \Ioue\, no equall Iudge I deeme
7. 6.35.2 |   Of my desert, or of my dewfull Right;
7. 6.35.3 |   That in thine owne behalfe maist partiall seeme:
7. 6.35.4 |   But to the highest him, that is behight
7. 6.35.5 |   Father of Gods and men by equall might;
7. 6.35.6 |   To weet, the God of Nature, I appeale.
7. 6.35.7 |   There-at \Ioue\ wexed wroth, and in his spright
7. 6.35.8 |   Did inly grudge, yet did it well conceale;
7. 6.35.9 | And bade \Dan Pho+ebus\ Scribe her Appellation seale.

7. 6.36.1 | Eftsoones the time and place appointed were,
7. 6.36.2 |   Where all, both heauenly Powers, and earthly wights,
7. 6.36.3 |   Before great Natures presence should appeare,
7. 6.36.4 |   For triall of their Titles and best Rights:
7. 6.36.5 |   That was, to weet, vpon the highest hights
7. 6.36.6 |   Of \Arlo-hill\ (Who knowes not \Arlo-hill\?)
7. 6.36.7 |   That is the highest head (in all mens sights)
7. 6.36.8 |   Of my old father \Mole\, whom Shepheards quill
7. 6.36.9 | Renowmed hath with hymnes fit for a rurall skill.

7. 6.37.1 | And, were it not ill fitting for this file,
7. 6.37.2 |   To sing of hilles and woods, mongst warres and Knights,
7. 6.37.3 |   I would abate the sternenesse of my stile,
7. 6.37.4 |   Mongst these sterne stounds to mingle soft delights;
7. 6.37.5 |   And tell how \Arlo\ through \Dianaes\ spights
7. 6.37.6 |   (Beeing of old the best and fairest Hill
7. 6.37.7 |   That was in all this holy-Islands hights)
7. 6.37.8 |   Was made the most vnpleasant, and most ill.
7. 6.37.9 | Meane while, O \Clio\, lend \Calliope\ thy quill.

7. 6.38.1 | Whylome, when \IRELAND\ florished in fame
7. 6.38.2 |   Of wealths and goodnesse, far aboue the rest
7. 6.38.3 |   Of all that beare the \British\ Islands name,
7. 6.38.4 |   The Gods then vs'd (for pleasure and for rest)
7. 6.38.5 |   Oft to resort there-to, when seem'd them best:
7. 6.38.6 |   But none of all there-in more pleasure found,
7. 6.38.7 |   Then \Cynthia\; that is soueraine Queene profest
7. 6.38.8 |   Of woods and forrests, which therein abound,
7. 6.38.9 | Sprinkled with wholsom waters, more then most on ground.

7. 6.39.1 | But mongst them all, as fittest for her game,
7. 6.39.2 |   Either for chace of beasts with hound or boawe,
7. 6.39.3 |   Or for to shroude in shade from \Pho+ebus\ flame,
7. 6.39.4 |   Or bathe in fountaines that doe freshly flowe,
7. 6.39.5 |   Or from high hilles, or from the dales belowe,
7. 6.39.6 |   She chose this \Arlo\; where shee did resort
7. 6.39.7 |   With all her Nymphes enranged on a rowe,
7. 6.39.8 |   With whom the woody Gods did oft consort:
7. 6.39.9 | For, with the Nymphes, the Satyres loue to play and sport.

7. 6.40.1 | Amongst the which, there was a Nymph that hight
7. 6.40.2 |   \Molanna\; daughter of old father \Mole\,
7. 6.40.3 |   And sister vnto \Mulla\, faire and bright:
7. 6.40.4 |   Vnto whose bed false \Bregog\ whylome stole,
7. 6.40.5 |   That Shepheard \Colin\ dearely did condole,
7. 6.40.6 |   And made her lucklesse loues well knowne to be.
7. 6.40.7 |   But this \Molanna\, were she not so shole,
7. 6.40.8 |   Were no lesse faire and beautifull then shee:
7. 6.40.9 | Yet as she is, a fairer flood may no man see.

7. 6.41.1 | For, first, she springs out of two marble Rocks,
7. 6.41.2 |   On which, a groue of Oakes high mounted growes,
7. 6.41.3 |   That as a girlond seemes to deck the locks
7. 6.41.4 |   Of som faire Bride, brought forth with pompous showes
7. 6.41.5 |   Out of her bowre, that many flowers strowes:
7. 6.41.6 |   So, through the flowry Dales she tumbling downe,
7. 6.41.7 |   Through many woods, and shady coverts flowes
7. 6.41.8 |   (That on each side her siluer channell crowne)
7. 6.41.9 | Till to the Plaine she come, whose Valleyes shee doth drowne.

7. 6.42.1 | In her sweet streames, \Diana\ vsed oft
7. 6.42.2 |   (After her sweatie chace and toilesome play)
7. 6.42.3 |   To bathe her selfe; and after, on the soft
7. 6.42.4 |   And downy grasse, her dainty limbes to lay
7. 6.42.5 |   In couert shade, where none behold her may:
7. 6.42.6 |   For, much she hated sight of liuing eye.
7. 6.42.7 |   Foolish God \Faunus\, though full many a day
7. 6.42.8 |   He saw her clad, yet longed foolishly
7. 6.42.9 | To see her naked mongst her Nymphes in priuity.

7. 6.43.1 | No way he found to compasse his desire,
7. 6.43.2 |   But to corrupt \Molanna\, this her maid,
7. 6.43.3 |   Her to discouer for some secret hire:
7. 6.43.4 |   So, her with flattering words he first assaid;
7. 6.43.5 |   And after, pleasing gifts for her purvaid,
7. 6.43.6 |   Queene-apples, and red Cherries from the tree,
7. 6.43.7 |   With which he her allured and betraid,
7. 6.43.8 |   To tell what time he might her Lady see
7. 6.43.9 | When she her selfe did bathe, that he might secret bee.

7. 6.44.1 | There-to hee promist, if shee would him pleasure
7. 6.44.2 |   With this small boone, to quit her with a better;
7. 6.44.3 |   To weet, that where-as shee had out of measure
7. 6.44.4 |   Long lov'd the \Fanchin\, who by nought did set her,
7. 6.44.5 |   That he would vndertake, for this to get her
7. 6.44.6 |   To be his Loue, and of him liked well:
7. 6.44.7 |   Besides all which, he vow'd to be her debter
7. 6.44.8 |   For many moe good turnes then he would tell;
7. 6.44.9 | The least of which, this little pleasure should excell.

7. 6.45.1 | The simple maid did yield to him anone;
7. 6.45.2 |   And eft him placed where he close might view
7. 6.45.3 |   That neuer any saw, saue onely one;
7. 6.45.4 |   Who, for his hire to so foole-hardy dew,
7. 6.45.5 |   Was of his hounds devour'd in Hunters hew.
7. 6.45.6 |   Tho, as her manner was on sunny day,
7. 6.45.7 |   \Diana\, with her Nymphes about her, drew
7. 6.45.8 |   To this sweet spring; where, doffing her array,
7. 6.45.9 | She bath'd her louely limbes, for \Ioue\ a likely pray.

7. 6.46.1 | There \Faunus\ saw that pleased much his eye,
7. 6.46.2 |   And made his hart to tickle in his brest,
7. 6.46.3 |   That for great ioy of some-what he did spy,
7. 6.46.4 |   He could him not containe in silent rest;
7. 6.46.5 |   But breaking forth in laughter, loud profest
7. 6.46.6 |   His foolish thought. A foolish \Faune\ indeed,
7. 6.46.7 |   That couldst not hold thy selfe so hidden blest,
7. 6.46.8 |   But wouldest needs thine owne conceit areed.
7. 6.46.9 | Babblers vnworthy been of so diuine a meed.

7. 6.47.1 | The Goddesse, all abashed with that noise,
7. 6.47.2 |   In haste forth started from the guilty brooke;
7. 6.47.3 |   And running straight where-as she heard his voice,
7. 6.47.4 |   Enclos'd the bush about, and there him tooke,
7. 6.47.5 |   Like darred Larke; not daring vp to looke
7. 6.47.6 |   On her whose sight before so much he sought.
7. 6.47.7 |   Thence, forth they drew him by the hornes, and shooke
7. 6.47.8 |   Nigh all to peeces, that they left him nought;
7. 6.47.9 | And then into the open light they forth him brought.

7. 6.48.1 | Like as an huswife, that with busie care
7. 6.48.2 |   Thinks of her Dairie to make wondrous gaine,
7. 6.48.3 |   Finding where-as some wicked beast vnware
7. 6.48.4 |   That breakes into her Dayr'house, there doth draine
7. 6.48.5 |   Her creaming pannes, and frustrate all her paine;
7. 6.48.6 |   Hath in some snare or gin set close behind,
7. 6.48.7 |   Entrapped him, and caught into her traine,
7. 6.48.8 |   Then thinkes what punishment were best assign'd,
7. 6.48.9 | And thousand deathes deuiseth in her vengefull mind:

7. 6.49.1 | So did \Diana\ and her maydens all
7. 6.49.2 |   Vse silly \Faunus\, now within their baile:
7. 6.49.3 |   They mocke and scorne him, and him foule miscall;
7. 6.49.4 |   Some by the nose him pluckt, some by the taile,
7. 6.49.5 |   And by his goatish beard some did him haile:
7. 6.49.6 |   Yet he (poore soule) with patience all did beare;
7. 6.49.7 |   For, nought against their wils might countervaile:
7. 6.49.8 |   Ne ought he said what euer he did heare;
7. 6.49.9 | But hanging downe his head, did like a Mome appeare.

7. 6.50.1 | At length, when they had flouted him their fill,
7. 6.50.2 |   They gan to cast what penaunce him to giue.
7. 6.50.3 |   Some would haue gelt him, but that same would spill
7. 6.50.4 |   The Wood-gods breed, which must for euer liue:
7. 6.50.5 |   Others would through the riuer him haue driue,
7. 6.50.6 |   And ducked deepe: but that seem'd penaunce light;
7. 6.50.7 |   But most agreed and did this sentence giue,
7. 6.50.8 |   Him in Deares skin to clad; and in that plight,
7. 6.50.9 | To hunt him with their hounds, him selfe saue how hee might.

7. 6.51.1 | But \Cynthia's\ selfe, more angry then the rest,
7. 6.51.2 |   Thought not enough, to punish him in sport,
7. 6.51.3 |   And of her shame to make a gamesome iest;
7. 6.51.4 |   But gan examine him in straighter sort,
7. 6.51.5 |   Which of her Nymphes, or other close consort,
7. 6.51.6 |   Him thither brought, and her to him betraid?
7. 6.51.7 |   He, much affeard, to her confessed short,
7. 6.51.8 |   That 'twas \Molanna\ which her so bewraid.
7. 6.51.9 | Then all attonce their hands vpon \Molanna\ laid.

7. 6.52.1 | But him (according as they had decreed)
7. 6.52.2 |   With a Deeres-skin they couered, and then chast
7. 6.52.3 |   With all their hounds that after him did speed;
7. 6.52.4 |   But he more speedy, from them fled more fast
7. 6.52.5 |   Then any Deere: so sore him dread aghast.
7. 6.52.6 |   They after follow'd all with shrill out-cry,
7. 6.52.7 |   Shouting as they the heauens would haue brast:
7. 6.52.8 |   That all the woods and dales where he did flie,
7. 6.52.9 | Did ring againe, and loud reeccho to the skie.

7. 6.53.1 | So they him follow'd till they weary were;
7. 6.53.2 |   When, back returning to \Molann\' againe,
7. 6.53.3 |   They, by commaund'ment of \Diana\, there
7. 6.53.4 |   Her whelm'd with stones. Yet \Faunus\ (for her paine)
7. 6.53.5 |   Of her beloued \Fanchin\ did obtaine,
7. 6.53.6 |   That her he would receiue vnto his bed.
7. 6.53.7 |   So now her waues passe through a pleasant Plaine,
7. 6.53.8 |   Till with the \Fanchin\ she her selfe doe wed,
7. 6.53.9 | And (both combin'd) themselues in one faire riuer spred.

7. 6.54.1 | Nath'lesse, \Diana\, full of indignation,
7. 6.54.2 |   Thence-forth abandond her delicious brooke;
7. 6.54.3 |   In whose sweet streame, before that bad occasion,
7. 6.54.4 |   So much delight to bathe her limbes she tooke:
7. 6.54.5 |   Ne onely her, but also quite forsooke
7. 6.54.6 |   All those faire forrests about \Arlo\ hid,
7. 6.54.7 |   And all that Mountaine, which doth over-looke
7. 6.54.8 |   The richest champian that may else be rid,
7. 6.54.9 | And the faire \Shure\, in which are thousand Salmons bred.

7. 6.55.1 | Them all, and all that she so deare did way,
7. 6.55.2 |   Thence-forth she left; and parting from the place,
7. 6.55.3 |   There-on an heauy haplesse curse did lay,
7. 6.55.4 |   To weet, that Wolues, where she was wont to space,
7. 6.55.5 |   Should harbour'd be, and all those Woods deface,
7. 6.55.6 |   And Thieues should rob and spoile that Coast around.
7. 6.55.7 |   Since which, those Woods, and all that goodly Chase,
7. 6.55.8 |   Doth to this day with Wolues and Thieues abound:
7. 6.55.9 | Which too-too true that lands in-dwellers since haue found.


7. 7. A.1 | \Pealing, from\ Ioue, \to\ Natur's \Bar,\
7. 7. A.2 |   \bold\ Alteration \pleades\
7. 7. A.3 | \Large Euidence: but\ Nature \soone\
7. 7. A.4 |   \her righteous Doome areads.\

7. 7. 1.1 | Ah! whither doost thou now thou greater Muse
7. 7. 1.2 |   Me from these woods and pleasing forrests bring?
7. 7. 1.3 |   And my fraile spirit (that dooth oft refuse
7. 7. 1.4 |   This too high flight, vnfit for her weake wing)
7. 7. 1.5 |   Lift vp aloft, to tell of heauens King
7. 7. 1.6 |   (Thy soueraine Sire) his fortunate successe,
7. 7. 1.7 |   And victory, in bigger noates to sing,
7. 7. 1.8 |   Which he obtain'd against that \Titanesse\,
7. 7. 1.9 | That him of heauens Empire sought to dispossesse.

7. 7. 2.1 | Yet sith I needs must follow thy behest,
7. 7. 2.2 |   Doe thou my weaker wit with skill inspire,
7. 7. 2.3 |   Fit for this turne; and in my feeble brest
7. 7. 2.4 |   Kindle fresh sparks of that immortall fire,
7. 7. 2.5 |   Which learned minds inflameth with desire
7. 7. 2.6 |   Of heauenly things: for, who but thou alone,
7. 7. 2.7 |   That art yborne of heauen and heauenly Sire,
7. 7. 2.8 |   Can tell things doen in heauen so long ygone;
7. 7. 2.9 | So farre past memory of man that may be knowne.

7. 7. 3.1 | Now, at the time that was before agreed,
7. 7. 3.2 |   The Gods assembled all on \Arlo\ hill;
7. 7. 3.3 |   As well those that are sprung of heauenly seed,
7. 7. 3.4 |   As those that all the other world doe fill,
7. 7. 3.5 |   And rule both sea and land vnto their will:
7. 7. 3.6 |   Onely th'=infernall Powers might not appeare;
7. 7. 3.7 |   Aswell for horror of their count'naunce ill,
7. 7. 3.8 |   As for th'=vnruly fiends which they did feare;
7. 7. 3.9 | Yet \Pluto\ and \Proserpina\ were present there.

7. 7. 4.1 | And thither also came all other creatures,
7. 7. 4.2 |   What-euer life or motion doe retaine,
7. 7. 4.3 |   According to their sundry kinds of features;
7. 7. 4.4 |   That \Arlo\ scarsly could them all containe;
7. 7. 4.5 |   So full they filled euery hill and Plaine:
7. 7. 4.6 |   And had not \Natures\ Sergeant (that is \Order\)
7. 7. 4.7 |   Them well disposed by his busie paine,
7. 7. 4.8 |   And raunged farre abroad in euery border,
7. 7. 4.9 | They would haue caused much confusion and disorder.

7. 7. 5.1 | Then forth issewed (great goddesse) great dame \Nature\,
7. 7. 5.2 |   With goodly port and gracious Maiesty;
7. 7. 5.3 |   Being far greater and more tall of stature
7. 7. 5.4 |   Then any of the gods or Powers on hie:
7. 7. 5.5 |   Yet certes by her face and physnomy,
7. 7. 5.6 |   Whether she man or woman inly were,
7. 7. 5.7 |   That could not any creature well descry:
7. 7. 5.8 |   For, with a veile that wimpled euery where,
7. 7. 5.9 | Her head and face was hid, that mote to none appeare.

7. 7. 6.1 | That some doe say was so by skill deuized,
7. 7. 6.2 |   To hide the terror of her vncouth hew,
7. 7. 6.3 |   From mortall eyes that should be sore agrized;
7. 7. 6.4 |   For that her face did like a Lion shew,
7. 7. 6.5 |   That eye of wight could not indure to view:
7. 7. 6.6 |   But others tell that it so beautious was,
7. 7. 6.7 |   And round about such beames of splendor threw,
7. 7. 6.8 |   That it the Sunne a thousand times did pass,
7. 7. 6.9 | Ne could be seene, but like an image in a glass.

7. 7. 7.1 | That well may seemen true: for, well I weene
7. 7. 7.2 |   That this same day, when she on \Arlo\ sat,
7. 7. 7.3 |   Her garment was so bright and wondrous sheene,
7. 7. 7.4 |   That my fraile wit cannot deuize to what
7. 7. 7.5 |   It to compare, nor finde like stuffe to that,
7. 7. 7.6 |   As those three sacred \Saints\, though else most wise,
7. 7. 7.7 |   Yet on mount \Thabor\ quite their wits forgat,
7. 7. 7.8 |   When they their glorious Lord in strange disguise
7. 7. 7.9 | Transfigur'd sawe; his garments so did daze their eyes.

7. 7. 8.1 | In a fayre Plaine vpon an equall Hill,
7. 7. 8.2 |   She placed was in a pauilion;
7. 7. 8.3 |   Not such as Craftes-men by their idle skill
7. 7. 8.4 |   Are wont for Princes states to fashion:
7. 7. 8.5 |   But th'=earth her self of her owne motion,
7. 7. 8.6 |   Out of her fruitfull bosome made to growe
7. 7. 8.7 |   Most dainty trees; that, shooting vp anon,
7. 7. 8.8 |   Did seeme to bow their bloosming heads full lowe,
7. 7. 8.9 | For homage vnto her, and like a throne did shew.

7. 7. 9.1 | So hard it is for any liuing wight,
7. 7. 9.2 |   All her array and vestiments to tell,
7. 7. 9.3 |   That old \Dan Geffrey\ (in whose gentle spright
7. 7. 9.4 |   The pure well head of Poesie did dwell)
7. 7. 9.5 |   In his \Foules parley\ durst not with it mel,
7. 7. 9.6 |   But it transferd to \Alane\, who he thought
7. 7. 9.7 |   Had in his \Plaint of kindes\ describ'd it well:
7. 7. 9.8 |   Which who will read set forth so as it ought,
7. 7. 9.9 | Go seek he out that \Alane\ where he may be sought.

7. 7.10.1 | And all the earth far vnderneath her feete
7. 7.10.2 |   Was dight with flowres, that voluntary grew
7. 7.10.3 |   Out of the ground, and sent forth odours sweet;
7. 7.10.4 |   Tenne thousand mores of sundry sent and hew,
7. 7.10.5 |   That might delight the smell, or please the view:
7. 7.10.6 |   The which, the Nymphes, from all the brooks thereby
7. 7.10.7 |   Had gathered, which they at her foot-stoole threw;
7. 7.10.8 |   That richer seem'd then any tapestry,
7. 7.10.9 | That Princes bowres adorne with painted imagery.

7. 7.11.1 | And \Mole\ himselfe, to honour her the more,
7. 7.11.2 |   Did deck himself in freshest faire attire,
7. 7.11.3 |   And his high head, that seemeth alwaies hore
7. 7.11.4 |   With hardned frosts of former winters ire,
7. 7.11.5 |   He with an Oaken girlond now did tire,
7. 7.11.6 |   As if the loue of some new Nymph late seene,
7. 7.11.7 |   Had in him kindled youthfull fresh desire,
7. 7.11.8 |   And made him change his gray attire to greene;
7. 7.11.9 | Ah gentle \Mole\! such ioyance hath the well beseene.

7. 7.12.1 | Was neuer so great ioyance since the day,
7. 7.12.2 |   That all the gods whylome assembled were,
7. 7.12.3 |   On \Ha+emus\ hill in their diuine array,
7. 7.12.4 |   To celebrate the solemne bridall cheare,
7. 7.12.5 |   Twixt \Peleus\, and dame \Thetis\ pointed there;
7. 7.12.6 |   Where \Pho+ebus\ self, that god of Poets hight,
7. 7.12.7 |   They say did sing the spousall hymne full cleere,
7. 7.12.8 |   That all the gods were rauisht with delight
7. 7.12.9 | Of his celestiall song, and Musicks wondrous might.

7. 7.13.1 | This great Grandmother of all creatures bred
7. 7.13.2 |   Great \Nature\, euer young yet full of eld,
7. 7.13.3 |   Still moouing, yet vnmoued from her sted;
7. 7.13.4 |   Vnseene of any, yet of all beheld;
7. 7.13.5 |   Thus sitting in her throne as I haue teld,
7. 7.13.6 |   Before her came dame \Mutabilitie\;
7. 7.13.7 |   And being lowe before her presence feld,
7. 7.13.8 |   With meek obaysance and humilitie,
7. 7.13.9 | Thus gan her plaintif Plea, with words to amplifie;

7. 7.14.1 | To thee O greatest goddesse, onely great,
7. 7.14.2 |   An humble suppliant loe, I lowely fly
7. 7.14.3 |   Seeking for Right, which I of thee entreat;
7. 7.14.4 |   Who Right to all dost deale indifferently,
7. 7.14.5 |   Damning all Wrong and tortious Iniurie,
7. 7.14.6 |   Which any of thy creatures doe to other
7. 7.14.7 |   (Oppressing them with power, vnequally)
7. 7.14.8 |   Sith of them all thou art the equall mother,
7. 7.14.9 | And knittest each to each, as brother vnto brother.

7. 7.15.1 | To thee therefore of this same \Ioue\ I plaine,
7. 7.15.2 |   And of his fellow gods that faine to be,
7. 7.15.3 |   That challenge to themselues the whole worlds raign;
7. 7.15.4 |   Of which, the greatest part is due to me,
7. 7.15.5 |   And heauen it selfe by heritage in Fee:
7. 7.15.6 |   For, heauen and earth I both alike do deeme,
7. 7.15.7 |   Sith heauen and earth are both alike to thee;
7. 7.15.8 |   And, gods no more then men thou doest esteeme:
7. 7.15.9 | For, euen the gods to thee, as men to gods do seeme.

7. 7.16.1 | Then weigh, O soueraigne goddesse, by what right
7. 7.16.2 |   These gods do claime the worlds whole souerainty;
7. 7.16.3 |   And that is onely dew vnto thy might
7. 7.16.4 |   Arrogate to themselues ambitiously:
7. 7.16.5 |   As for the gods owne principality,
7. 7.16.6 |   Which \Ioue\ vsurpes vniustly; that to be
7. 7.16.7 |   My heritage, \Ioue's\ self cannot deny,
7. 7.16.8 |   From my great Grandsire \Titan\, vnto mee,
7. 7.16.9 | Deriv'd by dew descent; as is well knowen to thee.

7. 7.17.1 | Yet mauger \Ioue\, and all his gods beside,
7. 7.17.2 |   I doe possesse the worlds most regiment;
7. 7.17.3 |   As, if ye please it into parts diuide,
7. 7.17.4 |   And euery parts inholders to conuent,
7. 7.17.5 |   Shall to your eyes appeare incontinent.
7. 7.17.6 |   And first, the Earth (great mother of vs all)
7. 7.17.7 |   That only seems vnmov'd and permanent,
7. 7.17.8 |   And vnto \Mutability\ not thrall;
7. 7.17.9 | Yet is she chang'd in part, and eeke in generall.

7. 7.18.1 | For, all that from her springs, and is ybredde,
7. 7.18.2 |   How-euer fayre it flourish for a time,
7. 7.18.3 |   Yet see we soone decay; and, being dead,
7. 7.18.4 |   To turne again vnto their earthly slime:
7. 7.18.5 |   Yet, out of their decay and mortall crime,
7. 7.18.6 |   We daily see new creatures to arize;
7. 7.18.7 |   And of their Winter spring another Prime,
7. 7.18.8 |   Vnlike in forme, and chang'd by strange disguise:
7. 7.18.9 | So turne they still about, and change in restlesse wise.

7. 7.19.1 | As for her tenants; that is, man and beasts,
7. 7.19.2 |   The beasts we daily see massacred dy,
7. 7.19.3 |   As thralls and vassalls vnto mens beheasts:
7. 7.19.4 |   And men themselues doe change continually,
7. 7.19.5 |   From youth to eld, from wealth to pouerty,
7. 7.19.6 |   From good to bad, from bad to worst of all.
7. 7.19.7 |   Ne doe their bodies only flit and fly:
7. 7.19.8 |   But eeke their minds (which they immortall call)
7. 7.19.9 | Still change and vary thoughts, as new occasions fall.

7. 7.20.1 | Ne is the water in more constant case;
7. 7.20.2 |   Whether those same on high, or these belowe.
7. 7.20.3 |   For, th'=Ocean moueth stil, from place to place;
7. 7.20.4 |   And euery Riuer still doth ebbe and flowe:
7. 7.20.5 |   Ne any Lake, that seems most still and slowe,
7. 7.20.6 |   Ne Poole so small, that can his smoothnesse holde,
7. 7.20.7 |   When any winde doth vnder heauen blowe;
7. 7.20.8 |   With which, the clouds are also tost and roll'd;
7. 7.20.9 | Now like great Hills; and, streight, like sluces, them vnfold.

7. 7.21.1 | So likewise are all watry liuing wights
7. 7.21.2 |   Still tost, and turned, with continuall change,
7. 7.21.3 |   Neuer abyding in their stedfast plights.
7. 7.21.4 |   The fish, still floting, doe at randon range,
7. 7.21.5 |   And neuer rest; but euermore exchange
7. 7.21.6 |   Their dwelling places, as the streames them carrie:
7. 7.21.7 |   Ne haue the watry foules a certaine grange,
7. 7.21.8 |   Wherein to rest, ne in one stead do tarry;
7. 7.21.9 | But flitting still doe flie, and still their places vary.

7. 7.22.1 | Next is the Ayre: which who feeles not by sense
7. 7.22.2 |   (For, of all sense it is the middle meane)
7. 7.22.3 |   To flit still? and, with subtill influence
7. 7.22.4 |   Of his thin spirit, all creatures to maintaine,
7. 7.22.5 |   In state of life? O weake life! that does leane
7. 7.22.6 |   On thing so tickle as th'=vnsteady ayre;
7. 7.22.7 |   Which euery howre is chang'd, and altred cleane
7. 7.22.8 |   With euery blast that bloweth fowle or faire:
7. 7.22.9 | The faire doth it prolong; the fowle doth it impaire.

7. 7.23.1 | Therein the changes infinite beholde,
7. 7.23.2 |   Which to her creatures euery minute chaunce;
7. 7.23.3 |   Now, boyling hot: streight, friezing deadly cold:
7. 7.23.4 |   Now, faire sun-shine, that makes all skip and daunce:
7. 7.23.5 |   Streight, bitter storms and balefull countenance,
7. 7.23.6 |   That makes them all to shiuer and to shake:
7. 7.23.7 |   Rayne, hayle, and snowe do pay them sad penance,
7. 7.23.8 |   And dreadfull thunder-claps (that make them quake)
7. 7.23.9 | With flames and flashing lights that thousand changes make.

7. 7.24.1 | Last is the fire: which, though it liue for euer,
7. 7.24.2 |   Ne can be quenched quite; yet, euery day,
7. 7.24.3 |   Wee see his parts, so soone as they do seuer,
7. 7.24.4 |   To lose their heat, and shortly to decay;
7. 7.24.5 |   So, makes himself his owne consuming pray.
7. 7.24.6 |   Ne any liuing creatures doth he breed:
7. 7.24.7 |   But all, that are of others bredd, doth slay;
7. 7.24.8 |   And, with their death, his cruell life dooth feed;
7. 7.24.9 | Nought leauing, but their barren ashes, without seede.

7. 7.25.1 | Thus, all these fower (the which the ground-work bee
7. 7.25.2 |   Of all the world, and of all liuing wights)
7. 7.25.3 |   To thousand sorts of \Change\ we subiect see:
7. 7.25.4 |   Yet are they chang'd (by other wondrous slights)
7. 7.25.5 |   Into themselues, and lose their natiue mights;
7. 7.25.6 |   The Fire to Aire, and th'=Ayre to Water sheere,
7. 7.25.7 |   And Water into Earth: yet Water fights
7. 7.25.8 |   With Fire, and Aire with Earth approaching neere:
7. 7.25.9 | Yet all are in one body, and as one appeare.

7. 7.26.1 | So, in them all raignes \Mutabilitie\;
7. 7.26.2 |   How-euer these, that Gods themselues do call,
7. 7.26.3 |   Of them doe claime the rule and souerainty:
7. 7.26.4 |   As, \Vesta\, of the fire a+ethereall;
7. 7.26.5 |   \Vulcan\, of this, with vs so vsuall;
7. 7.26.6 |   \Ops\, of the earth; and \Iuno\ of the Ayre;
7. 7.26.7 |   \Neptune\, of Seas; and Nymphes, of Riuers all.
7. 7.26.8 |   For, all those Riuers to me subiect are:
7. 7.26.9 | And all the rest, which they vsurp, be all my share.

7. 7.27.1 | Which to approuen true, as I haue told,
7. 7.27.2 |   Vouchsafe, O goddesse, to thy presence call
7. 7.27.3 |   The rest which doe the world in being hold:
7. 7.27.4 |   As, times and seasons of the yeare that fall:
7. 7.27.5 |   Of all the which, demand in generall,
7. 7.27.6 |   Or iudge thy selfe, by verdit of thine eye,
7. 7.27.7 |   Whether to me they are not subiect all.
7. 7.27.8 |   \Nature\ did yeeld thereto; and by-and-by,
7. 7.27.9 | Bade \Order\ call them all, before her Maiesty.

7. 7.28.1 | So, forth issew'd the Seasons of the yeare;
7. 7.28.2 |   First, lusty \Spring\, all dight in leaues of flowres
7. 7.28.3 |   That freshly budded and new bloosmes did beare
7. 7.28.4 |   (In which a thousand birds had built their bowres
7. 7.28.5 |   That sweetly sung, to call forth Paramours):
7. 7.28.6 |   And in his hand a iauelin he did beare,
7. 7.28.7 |   And on his head (as fit for warlike stoures)
7. 7.28.8 |   A guilt engrauen morion he did weare;
7. 7.28.9 | That as some did him loue, so others did him feare.

7. 7.29.1 | Then came the iolly \Sommer\, being dight
7. 7.29.2 |   In a thin silken cassock coloured greene,
7. 7.29.3 |   That was vnlyned all, to be more light:
7. 7.29.4 |   And on his head a girlond well beseene
7. 7.29.5 |   He wore, from which as he had chauffed been
7. 7.29.6 |   The sweat did drop; and in his hand he bore
7. 7.29.7 |   A boawe and shaftes, as he in forrest greene
7. 7.29.8 |   Had hunted late the Libbard or the Bore,
7. 7.29.9 | And now would bathe his limbes, with labor heated sore.

7. 7.30.1 | Then came the \Autumne\ all in yellow clad,
7. 7.30.2 |   As though he ioyed in his plentious store,
7. 7.30.3 |   Laden with fruits that made him laugh, full glad
7. 7.30.4 |   That he had banisht hunger, which to-fore
7. 7.30.5 |   Had by the belly oft him pinched sore.
7. 7.30.6 |   Vpon his head a wreath that was enrold
7. 7.30.7 |   With eares of corne, of euery sort he bore:
7. 7.30.8 |   And in his hand a sickle he did holde,
7. 7.30.9 | To reape the ripened fruits the which the earth had yold.

7. 7.31.1 | Lastly, came \Winter\ cloathed all in frize,
7. 7.31.2 |   Chattering his teeth for cold that did him chill,
7. 7.31.3 |   Whil'st on his hoary beard his breath did freese;
7. 7.31.4 |   And the dull drops that from his purpled bill
7. 7.31.5 |   As from a limbeck did adown distill.
7. 7.31.6 |   In his right hand a tipped staffe he held,
7. 7.31.7 |   With which his feeble steps he stayed still:
7. 7.31.8 |   For, he was faint with cold, and weak with eld;
7. 7.31.9 | That scarse his loosed limbes he hable was to weld.

7. 7.32.1 | These, marching softly, thus in order went,
7. 7.32.2 |   And after them, the Monthes all riding came;
7. 7.32.3 |   First, sturdy \March\ with brows full sternly bent,
7. 7.32.4 |   And armed strongly, rode vpon a Ram,
7. 7.32.5 |   The same which ouer \Hellespontus\ swam:
7. 7.32.6 |   Yet in his hand a spade he also hent,
7. 7.32.7 |   And in a bag all sorts of seeds ysame,
7. 7.32.8 |   Which on the earth he strowed as he went,
7. 7.32.9 | And fild her womb with fruitfull hope of nourishment.

7. 7.33.1 | Next came fresh \Aprill\ full of lustyhed,
7. 7.33.2 |   And wanton as a Kid whose horne new buds:
7. 7.33.3 |   Vpon a Bull he rode, the same which led
7. 7.33.4 |   \Europa\ floting through th'=\Argolick\ fluds:
7. 7.33.5 |   His hornes were gilden all with golden studs
7. 7.33.6 |   And garnished with garlonds goodly dight
7. 7.33.7 |   Of all the fairest flowres and freshest buds
7. 7.33.8 |   Which th'=earth brings forth, and wet he seem'd in sight
7. 7.33.9 | With waues, through which he waded for his loues delight.

7. 7.34.1 | Then came faire \May\, the fayrest mayd on ground,
7. 7.34.2 |   Deckt all with dainties of her seasons pryde,
7. 7.34.3 |   And throwing flowres out of her lap around:
7. 7.34.4 |   Vpon two brethrens shoulders she did ride,
7. 7.34.5 |   The twinnes of \Leda\; which on eyther side
7. 7.34.6 |   Supported her like to their soueraine Queene.
7. 7.34.7 |   Lord! how all creatures laught, when her they spide,
7. 7.34.8 |   And leapt and daunc't as they had rauisht beene!
7. 7.34.9 | And \Cupid\ selfe about her fluttred all in greene.

7. 7.35.1 | And after her, came iolly \Iune\, arrayd
7. 7.35.2 |   All in greene leaues, as he a Player were;
7. 7.35.3 |   Yet in his time, he wrought as well as playd,
7. 7.35.4 |   That by his plough-yrons mote right well appeare:
7. 7.35.5 |   Vpon a Crab he rode, that him did beare
7. 7.35.6 |   With crooked crawling steps an vncouth pase,
7. 7.35.7 |   And backward yode, as Bargemen wont to fare
7. 7.35.8 |   Bending their force contrary to their face,
7. 7.35.9 | Like that vngracious crew which faines demurest grace.

7. 7.36.1 | Then came hot \Iuly\ boyling like to fire,
7. 7.36.2 |   That all his garments he had cast away:
7. 7.36.3 |   Vpon a Lyon raging yet with ire
7. 7.36.4 |   He boldly rode and made him to obay:
7. 7.36.5 |   It was the beast that whylome did forray
7. 7.36.6 |   The Nema+ean forrest, till th'=\Amphytrionide\
7. 7.36.7 |   Him slew, and with his hide did him array;
7. 7.36.8 |   Behinde his back a sithe, and by his side
7. 7.36.9 | Vnder his belt he bore a sickle circling wide.

7. 7.37.1 | The sixt was \August\, being rich arrayd
7. 7.37.2 |   In garment all of gold downe to the ground:
7. 7.37.3 |   Yet rode he not, but led a louely Mayd
7. 7.37.4 |   Forth by the lilly hand, the which was cround
7. 7.37.5 |   With eares of corne, and full her hand was found;
7. 7.37.6 |   That was the righteous Virgin, which of old
7. 7.37.7 |   Liv'd here on earth, and plenty made abound;
7. 7.37.8 |   But, after Wrong was lov'd and Iustice solde,
7. 7.37.9 | She left th'=vnrighteous world and was to heauen extold.

7. 7.38.1 | Next him, \September\ marched eeke on foote;
7. 7.38.2 |   Yet was he heauy laden with the spoyle
7. 7.38.3 |   Of haruests riches, which he made his boot,
7. 7.38.4 |   And him enricht with bounty of the soyle:
7. 7.38.5 |   In his one hand, as fit for haruests toyle,
7. 7.38.6 |   He held a knife-hook; and in th'=other hand
7. 7.38.7 |   A paire of waights, with which he did assoyle
7. 7.38.8 |   Both more and lesse, where it in doubt did stand,
7. 7.38.9 | And equall gaue to each as Iustice duly scann'd.

7. 7.39.1 | Then came \October\ full of merry glee:
7. 7.39.2 |   For, yet his noule was totty of the must,
7. 7.39.3 |   Which he was treading in the wine-fats see,
7. 7.39.4 |   And of the ioyous oyle, whose gentle gust
7. 7.39.5 |   Made him so frollick and so full of lust:
7. 7.39.6 |   Vpon a dreadfull Scorpion he did ride,
7. 7.39.7 |   The same which by \Dianaes\ doom vniust
7. 7.39.8 |   Slew great \Orion:\ and eeke by his side
7. 7.39.9 | He had his ploughing share, and coulter ready tyde.

7. 7.40.1 | Next was \Nouember\, he full grosse and fat,
7. 7.40.2 |   As fed with lard, and that right well might seeme;
7. 7.40.3 |   For, he had been a fatting hogs of late,
7. 7.40.4 |   That yet his browes with sweat, did reek and steem,
7. 7.40.5 |   And yet the season was full sharp and breem;
7. 7.40.6 |   In planting eeke he took no small delight:
7. 7.40.7 |   Whereon he rode, not easie was to deeme;
7. 7.40.8 |   For it a dreadfull \Centaure\ was in sight,
7. 7.40.9 | The seed of \Saturne\, and faire \Nais\, \Chiron\ hight,

7. 7.41.1 | And after him, came next the chill \December:\
7. 7.41.2 |   Yet he through merry feasting which he made,
7. 7.41.3 |   And great bonfires, did not the cold remember;
7. 7.41.4 |   His Sauiours birth his mind so much did glad:
7. 7.41.5 |   Vpon a shaggy-bearded Goat he rode,
7. 7.41.6 |   The same wherewith \Dan Ioue\ in tender yeares,
7. 7.41.7 |   They say, was nourisht by th'=\Ido+ean\ mayd;
7. 7.41.8 |   And in his hand a broad deepe boawle he beares;
7. 7.41.9 | Of which, he freely drinks an health to all his peeres.

7. 7.42.1 | Then came old \Ianuary\, wrapped well
7. 7.42.2 |   In many weeds to keep the cold away;
7. 7.42.3 |   Yet did he quake and quiuer like to quell,
7. 7.42.4 |   And blowe his nayles to warme them if he may:
7. 7.42.5 |   For, they were numbd with holding all the day
7. 7.42.6 |   An hatchet keene, with which he felled wood,
7. 7.42.7 |   And from the trees did lop the needlesse spray:
7. 7.42.8 |   Vpon an huge great Earth-pot steane he stood;
7. 7.42.9 | From whose wide mouth, there flowed forth the Romane floud.

7. 7.43.1 | And lastly, came cold \February\, sitting
7. 7.43.2 |   In an old wagon, for he could not ride;
7. 7.43.3 |   Drawne of two fishes for the season fitting,
7. 7.43.4 |   Which through the flood before did softly slyde
7. 7.43.5 |   And swim away: yet had he by his side
7. 7.43.6 |   His plough and harnesse fit to till the ground,
7. 7.43.7 |   And tooles to prune the trees, before the pride
7. 7.43.8 |   Of hasting Prime did make them burgein round:
7. 7.43.9 | So past the twelue Months forth, and their dew places found.

7. 7.44.1 | And after these, there came the \Day\, and \Night\,
7. 7.44.2 |   Riding together both with equall pase,
7. 7.44.3 |   Th'=one on a Palfrey blacke, the other white;
7. 7.44.4 |   But \Night\ had couered her vncomely face
7. 7.44.5 |   With a blacke veile, and held in hand a mace,
7. 7.44.6 |   On top whereof the moon and stars were pight,
7. 7.44.7 |   And sleep and darknesse round about did trace:
7. 7.44.8 |   But \Day\ did beare, vpon his scepters hight,
7. 7.44.9 | The goodly Sun, encompast all with beames bright.

7. 7.45.1 | Then came the \Howres\, faire daughters of high \Ioue\,
7. 7.45.2 |   And timely \Night\, the which were all endewed
7. 7.45.3 |   With wondrous beauty fit to kindle loue;
7. 7.45.4 |   But they were Virgins all, and loue eschewed,
7. 7.45.5 |   That might forslack the charge to them fore-shewed
7. 7.45.6 |   By mighty \Ioue\; who did them Porters make
7. 7.45.7 |   Of heauens gate (whence all the gods issued)
7. 7.45.8 |   Which they did dayly watch, and nightly wake
7. 7.45.9 | By euen turnes, ne euer did their charge forsake.

7. 7.46.1 | And after all came \Life\, and lastly \Death\;
7. 7.46.2 |   \Death\ with most grim and griesly visage seene,
7. 7.46.3 |   Yet is he nought but parting of the breath;
7. 7.46.4 |   Ne ought to see, but like a shade to weene,
7. 7.46.5 |   Vnbodied, vnsoul'd, vnheard, vnseene.
7. 7.46.6 |   But \Life\ was like a faire young lusty boy,
7. 7.46.7 |   Such as they faine \Dan Cupid\ to haue beene,
7. 7.46.8 |   Full of delightfull health and liuely ioy,
7. 7.46.9 | Deckt all with flowres, and wings of gold fit to employ.

7. 7.47.1 | When these were past, thus gan the \Titanesse\;
7. 7.47.2 |   Lo, mighty mother, now be iudge and say,
7. 7.47.3 |   Whether in all thy creatures more or lesse
7. 7.47.4 |   \CHANGE\ doth not raign and beare the greatest sway:
7. 7.47.5 |   For, who sees not, that \Time\ on all doth pray?
7. 7.47.6 |   But \Times\ do change and moue continually.
7. 7.47.7 |   So nothing here long standeth in one stay:
7. 7.47.8 |   Wherefore, this lower world who can deny
7. 7.47.9 | But to be subiect still to \Mutabilitie?\

7. 7.48.1 | Then thus gan \Ioue\; Right true it is, that these
7. 7.48.2 |   And all things else that vnder heauen dwell
7. 7.48.3 |   Are chaung'd of \Time\, who doth them all disseise
7. 7.48.4 |   Of being: But, who is it (to me tell)
7. 7.48.5 |   That \Time\ himselfe doth moue and still compell
7. 7.48.6 |   To keepe his course? Is not that namely wee
7. 7.48.7 |   Which poure that vertue from our heauenly cell,
7. 7.48.8 |   That moues them all, and makes them changed be?
7. 7.48.9 | So them we gods doe rule, and in them also thee.

7. 7.49.1 | To whom, thus \Mutability\: The things
7. 7.49.2 |   Which we see not how they are mov'd and swayd,
7. 7.49.3 |   Ye may attribute to your selues as Kings,
7. 7.49.4 |   And say they by your secret powre are made:
7. 7.49.5 |   But what we see not, who shall vs perswade?
7. 7.49.6 |   But were they so, as ye them faine to be,
7. 7.49.7 |   Mov'd by your might, and ordred by your ayde;
7. 7.49.8 |   Yet what if I can proue, that euen yee
7. 7.49.9 | Your selues are likewise chang'd, and subiect vnto mee?

7. 7.50.1 | And first, concerning her that is the first,
7. 7.50.2 |   Euen you faire \Cynthia\, whom so much ye make
7. 7.50.3 |   \Ioues\ dearest darling, she was bred and nurst
7. 7.50.4 |   On \Cynthus\ hill, whence she her name did take:
7. 7.50.5 |   Then is she mortall borne, how-so ye crake;
7. 7.50.6 |   Besides, her face and countenance euery day
7. 7.50.7 |   We changed see, and sundry forms partake,
7. 7.50.8 |   Now hornd, now round, now bright, now brown and gray:
7. 7.50.9 | So that \as changefull as the Moone\ men vse to say.

7. 7.51.1 | Next, \Mercury\, who though he lesse appeare
7. 7.51.2 |   To change his hew, and alwayes seeme as one;
7. 7.51.3 |   Yet, he his course doth altar euery yeare,
7. 7.51.4 |   And is of late far out of order gone:
7. 7.51.5 |   So \Venus\ eeke, that goodly Paragone,
7. 7.51.6 |   Though faire all night, yet is she darke all day;
7. 7.51.7 |   And \Pho+ebus\ self, who lightsome is alone,
7. 7.51.8 |   Yet is he oft eclipsed by the way,
7. 7.51.9 | And fills the darkned world with terror and dismay.

7. 7.52.1 | Now \Mars\ that valiant man is changed most:
7. 7.52.2 |   For, he some times so far runs out of square,
7. 7.52.3 |   That he his way doth seem quite to haue lost,
7. 7.52.4 |   And cleane without his vsuall sphere to fare;
7. 7.52.5 |   That euen these Star-gazers stonisht are
7. 7.52.6 |   At sight thereof, and damne their lying bookes:
7. 7.52.7 |   So likewise, grim Sir \Saturne\ oft doth spare
7. 7.52.8 |   His sterne aspect, and calme his crabbed lookes:
7. 7.52.9 | So many turning cranks these haue, so many crookes.

7. 7.53.1 | But you \Dan Ioue\, that only constant are,
7. 7.53.2 |   And King of all the rest, as ye do clame,
7. 7.53.3 |   Are you not subiect eeke to this misfare?
7. 7.53.4 |   Then let me aske you this withouten blame,
7. 7.53.5 |   Where were ye borne? some say in \Crete\ by name,
7. 7.53.6 |   Others in \Thebes\, and others other-where;
7. 7.53.7 |   But wheresoeuer they comment the same,
7. 7.53.8 |   They all consent that ye begotten were,
7. 7.53.9 | And borne here in this world, ne other can appeare.

7. 7.54.1 | Then are ye mortall borne, and thrall to me,
7. 7.54.2 |   Vnlesse the kingdome of the sky yee make
7. 7.54.3 |   Immortall, and vnchangeable to bee;
7. 7.54.4 |   Besides, that power and vertue which ye spake,
7. 7.54.5 |   That ye here worke, doth many changes take,
7. 7.54.6 |   And your owne natures change: for, each of you
7. 7.54.7 |   That vertue haue, or this, or that to make,
7. 7.54.8 |   Is checkt and changed from his nature trew,
7. 7.54.9 | By others opposition or obliquid view.

7. 7.55.1 | Besides, the sundry motions of your Spheares,
7. 7.55.2 |   So sundry waies and fashions as clerkes faine,
7. 7.55.3 |   Some in short space, and some in longer yeares;
7. 7.55.4 |   What is the same but alteration plaine?
7. 7.55.5 |   Onely the starrie skie doth still remaine:
7. 7.55.6 |   Yet do the Starres and Signes therein still moue,
7. 7.55.7 |   And euen it self is mov'd, as wizards saine.
7. 7.55.8 |   But all that moueth, doth mutation loue:
7. 7.55.9 | Therefore both you and them to me I subiect proue.

7. 7.56.1 | Then since within this wide great \Vniuerse\
7. 7.56.2 |   Nothing doth firme and permanent appeare,
7. 7.56.3 |   But all things tost and turned by transuerse:
7. 7.56.4 |   What then should let, but I aloft should reare
7. 7.56.5 |   My Trophee, and from all, the triumph beare?
7. 7.56.6 |   Now iudge then (O thou greatest goddesse trew!)
7. 7.56.7 |   According as thy selfe doest see and heare,
7. 7.56.8 |   And vnto me addoom that is my dew;
7. 7.56.9 | That is the rule of all, all being rul'd by you.

7. 7.57.1 | So hauing ended, silence long ensewed,
7. 7.57.2 |   Ne \Nature\ to or fro spake for a space,
7. 7.57.3 |   But with firme eyes affixt, the ground still viewed.
7. 7.57.4 |   Meane while, all creatures, looking in her face,
7. 7.57.5 |   Expecting th'=end of this so doubtfull case,
7. 7.57.6 |   Did hang in long suspence what would ensew,
7. 7.57.7 |   To whether side should fall the soueraigne place:
7. 7.57.8 |   At length, she looking vp with chearefull view,
7. 7.57.9 | The silence brake, and gaue her doome in speeches few.

7. 7.58.1 | I well consider all that ye haue sayd,
7. 7.58.2 |   And find that all things stedfastnes doe hate
7. 7.58.3 |   And changed be: yet being rightly wayd
7. 7.58.4 |   They are not changed from their first estate;
7. 7.58.5 |   But by their change their being doe dilate:
7. 7.58.6 |   And turning to themselues at length againe,
7. 7.58.7 |   Doe worke their owne perfection so by fate:
7. 7.58.8 |   Then ouer them Change doth not rule and raigne;
7. 7.58.9 | But they raigne ouer change, and doe their states maintaine.

7. 7.59.1 | Cease therefore daughter further to aspire,
7. 7.59.2 |   And thee content thus to be rul'd by me:
7. 7.59.3 |   For thy decay thou seekst by thy desire;
7. 7.59.4 |   But time shall come that all shall changed bee,
7. 7.59.5 |   And from thenceforth, none no more change shall see.
7. 7.59.6 |   So was the \Titaness\ put downe and whist,
7. 7.59.7 |   And \Ioue\ confirm'd in his imperiall see.
7. 7.59.8 |   Then was that whole assembly quite dismist,
7. 7.59.9 | And \Natur's\ selfe did vanish, whither no man wist.


7. 8. A.1 | \The VIII. Canto, vnperfite.\

7. 8. 1.1 | When I bethinke me on that speech whyleare,
7. 8. 1.2 |   Of \Mutability\, and well it way:
7. 8. 1.3 |   Me seemes, that though she all vnworthy were
7. 8. 1.4 |   Of the Heav'ns Rule; yet very sooth to say,
7. 8. 1.5 |   In all things else she beares the greatest sway.
7. 8. 1.6 |   Which makes me loath this state of life so tickle,
7. 8. 1.7 |   And loue of things so vaine to cast away;
7. 8. 1.8 |   Whose flowring pride, so fading and so fickle,
7. 8. 1.9 | Short \Time\ shall soon cut down with his consuming sickle.

7. 8. 2.1 | Then gin I thinke on that which Nature sayd,
7. 8. 2.2 |   Of that same time when no more \Change\ shall be,
7. 8. 2.3 |   But stedfast rest of all things firmely stayd
7. 8. 2.4 |   Vpon the pillours of Eternity,
7. 8. 2.5 |   That is contrayr to \Mutabilitie:\
7. 8. 2.6 |   For, all that moueth, doth in \Change\ delight:
7. 8. 2.7 |   But thence-forth all shall rest eternally
7. 8. 2.8 |   With Him that is the God of Sabbaoth hight:
7. 8. 2.9 | O that great Sabbaoth God, graunt me that Sabaoths sight.
          |* \FINIS\