IN the dayes when Lewis swayed the Scepter of Fraunce, ruled in great pompe and digni­tie, a man ingenious, ful of valencie, wearing with Pallas both the Launce and the Bay. Which Lewis continued long time in mortall warres with Frederick King of Denmarke, which enuie continued the space of twentie yeeres, in which time, many bloody stratagems were perfor­med: so time that tryes all things so weakened theyr forces, and impaired their furniture, the want of which, draue them to conclude a league for certaine yeeres, with which Ile rest, and come some-what bréefer to the matter.

In those dayes, in the Citty of Paris dwelt a rich Merchant, named Mountgramet, who had to wife Calipolis, a woman for beauty surpassing all, because none so beautiful, and not so high­lie adorned with Natures works, as richly graced with Venus amorites: so beautified with the gifts of both, that Nature her selfe blushed at the beautie of her owne workes, hayre like the golden wier, Iuory browes, cheekes stained with Vermilion tinckture, eyes like the Lampes y ^t guides the heauenly Sphere, or lightens Luna to her siluerd Couch: lips like the Cherrie in his chiefest prime, a necke like the Lillies on the banks of Po, or icie hayre that growes on Boreas chinne: her pretty paps re­semble [Page] Christ all knobs, or Egypts fountaines that ouer-flowes with milke, a body were it framed of Virgins waxe, by all the cunningst Artists of the world: a belly white and soft, much like the Downe vpon those Swans that on Meander swims, her legge and foote with Venus might compare: and to be briefe, for beauty such a one, as would force Troyalus to be trothlesse. Therefore meruaile not, for loue respects no difference of state so beauty serue to stirre affection, Cupid shootes as well at a rag as a robe, the mightiest Potentates vailes their colours where Cupid comes in place, and yéeldeth at his commaund without controle. But setting a side these vaine ambages, it fortuned one Solinar a young Gentleman walking in the stréete, chaun­ced to glaunce his eyes vpon Calipolis, and in such sort, that Cupid lying in ambush catched him in his clawes, and made him not onely pensiue but passionate, and so perplexed with a so­daine selfe conceit, that he had much adoe to quaile the extreame heate that loues flames had kindled in his breast, so with the Salamander (bathing in Aetnas flames) he hasted to his Cham­ber, and there solitarily hauing none but the walls to witnes, his woe, he broke foorth, fetching a heauy sigh in this manner. Vnfortunate Solinar because vnfortunate in thy loue, hadest thou perrished at thy birth, or beene stifled in thy swadling clothes, (the Fates had domed thee with desert,) for nowe growne to ripe yeeres, thou féelest more miseries then thou hast liued mo­ments. A loue, the laborinth that leadeth men to worser danger then the Minator in Gréece, or newes of death vnto a damned man, infortuned loue that kindleth desire, yet affoordeth no re­ward, inconstant Venus, whose lawes are tyrranies, whose fauors misfortunes, strumpet as thou art, I disdaine to call thée Goddesse, thou and the bastard brat thy sonne, now show your power, your deity, and take reuenge on me, for how ere your colours be, my calamities cannot be more: and merciles wo­men, whose faces are lures, whose beauties are baytes, whose lookes are nets, whose words are charmes, and all to bring men vnto ruine, and last yet most, Calipolis, borne of a Tigar, nursed of the Wolfes in Siria, beautifull yet ouer base, fayre, [Page] but vnfit, louely yet not to be loued of Solinar. Thus rowing in the tempestious seas of his appetites, guided by a Marriner, that delights in the shipwrack of those hee carrieth, perplexed with a thousand cogitations, so extreame was the force of loue, and the sparks so cruell, that patience could not extinguish the vaparous heate, nor salt teares quench the fiery flames, that wanton loue had kindled in his breast.

So on the suddaine he betooke him to his couch, in hope that sléepe would haue qualified his newe come passions. So laying his head vpon the carefull pyllow, intending to nod, his head fell to hammering another matter, plotting a secrete meanes to ob­taine his new come loue: so restlesse, turning from side to side, though his bones aked not, his head was brused, and his wits were a wooll gathering. Thus tumbling no long space on the restlesse pillow, but vp he got, and taking his Lute, first framed out some dolefull tune, and hauing fitted his purpose, he fingered his pen, and in a perplexed humor he writ this ditty.

Hauing finished this Ditty, and finding opportunitie as the saying is, The Cat béeing away, the Mouse will play, hee set­led himselfe vnder her Chamber window, and so warbled foorth this Ditty. The siluer strings of the Lute was so heauenly, that the eccho of the swéet sounde, awaked the Saint from her sléepe, and mounting from her night couch, opened the casement, and vttered these words. What sweete melodious tunes are these, that ecchoes sweet harmony to my dying soule? Ah say sweete haplesse friende, whats cause of all your dolefull tunes? Mee thinkes they increase a second heauen in my hart, then blush not man, take courage and comfort your selfe, and if your helpe bee in mine hands, assure your selfe to obtaine salue for your sore, be it no impeach to my honest name.

Solinar ouercloyed with ioyes at the fauourable words vtte­red by Calipolis, fetching a heauie sigh frō the center of his hart, curtained his face with a suddaine blush, and replied in this sort. Farre be it from my hart to think of such base vilanies, as might in question Lady call your name, yet is the matter of such con­sequent, standing vpon the credite of my state, too affected with zeale and secrecie, as should I speake and faile in my expecta­tion, it would redownd greatly to my preiudice.

Calipolis, knew by the shoe, where the foote was pinched, for loue cannot be hidden, day appeares at little holes, and the least [Page] sparke of wilde fire, setteth a house on flame. The sting of loue, woundeth deadly to the hart, therefore shee encouraged him in this manner, fayning as though she perceiued nothing. Sweete friend, if the cause of your complaints be according to the tennor of your protestations, assure your selfe to receiue comfort to your owne content, and to pacifie your passions with pleasant ioy: therefore frolike in thine attempt, speake thy fill, & if thou faile in thy desire, imagin I am either too coy, or thy selfe too curious.

Shee, hauing vttered these wordes, Solinar in breefe began to breathe out his passions, but Fortune (who is constant in no­thing but vnconstancie, alwaies inclined to crosse mens cour­ses,) did breake them from their chat in this manner. Baltegar one that had beene of long continuance a friendly fauorite to Calipolis, Fortune so spightfully thwarted his endeuours, that he could neuer obtaine personally to speake to her, til the Fates had plotted this time and place of opportunitie: and finding So­linar so conuersant with her, he so highly fauoured, (Loue that Tyrant so stirred his stomack, that hardly coulde hee holde his hands from murther,) yet at last he began in this manner.

Presumptious Solinar, whose peremtory attempts deserues the gurdon of death, darest thou presume to court that Saint in whom I haue shrined my hart, the Goddesse whom I adore, ac­counting of her as my second selfe, therefore hands of, or els be­hold thy death, drawing his ponyard. These hard euents ama­zed Solinar greatly, yet putting on good courage, he replyed to this effect. Good sir (quoth he) are you priuiledged in loue, or so tied to the beauty of a woman, that no man may looke vpon her but your selfe: had the Gods fauoured me with such a priuiledge I durst aduenture without request to shew it.

To this replied Baltegar, suffiseth beauty is my priuiledge, if that suffise not inquisitiue Solinar heere is my weapon to au­thorise it. With that Calipolis as one amazed at these hard e­uents, beeing a woman so constant, as no Circes with all her charines, nor Calipsoes inchantments, could once preuaile a iote to blemish her affection, shée was constant Silera, and not a dissembling Helin, shée estéemed more of an ounce of honestie [Page] then a pound of paltry stuffe: so wrincking her browes, beauti­fying her face with an angry blush, beganne in thys manner. What meanes these vaine ambages? tis not vnknowne to the better of you both, that Calipolis is trothed Spouse to Mount­gramet, and such a one, as scornes to staine her marriage rites with such base reproch, or the vertue of an honest name, with the infamous slaunder of a naughty Packe, or a wonder to the worlds sole eye. Baltager impatient to heare her prattle, enfor­ced by loue, broke forth into these speeches. Mistresse (quoth he) fayre Helens nuptials of Greece were solemnized, yet prooued shee vnconstant to Menelaus, and forsooke the delicates of Spar­ta, and what enforced that but loue. Admit she did, sayd Calipo­lis, yet haue I vowed my selfe to the contrary, as constant to my Mountgramet, as euer that fayre Dido was to her Vlisses, and rather shall the running streames of Exanthoes recoyle, or the world turne to a Chaos, whence it came, then will Calipolis once falcifie her faith to Mountgramet.

Solinar frying in loue, like the Salamander in Aetnas flames, taking her by the hand, beganne as followeth. By your leaue Mistris, giue me leaue to reply, Windes often vary, and who resembles them but women? Baltager breathing it out like a Braggart, thus said, Sirra, who gaue you authoritie to make comparisons? twere not amisse to make thee eate thy words, or with my ponyard thrust them downe thy throate.

Whilst thus they were at controuersie trying each others ti­tle in loue, Fredericke King of Denmarke, being lately come to the Court of Fraunce, accompanied with King Lewis, fortuned to behold this heauie aspect, wondring what it should prognesti­cate, insomuch that entring somewhat neerer, King Lewis be­gan in this manner. Base pesants, auoyde our presence, and get you packing. With that they both departed with mickle sorrow, fetching many a heauy sight, but marke what after happened. Loue that respects no difference of state, kinled such flames in Fredericks breast, that hanging downe his heade towards the earth, not a merry word for a million, he stood all a mort. Then Lewis, whose loue did ballance Fredericks affection, plucking vp [Page] a small courage from a conquered hart, taking Frederick by the hand, fell to these words.

It seemes (my Lord) the blinded boy hath played the wagge with you, in loue at the first looke, if he haue escaped Lewis, thou art stung. Can beautie bring you to such a bane, that is but a bauin blast? Hebay blossoms, that open with the dew, and shut with the sunne, Roses garded with prickles, flowers subiect to the Northerne blasts, the beautifull blossoms in Parthia, that pe­rish in their prime, or the apples of Tantalus, that touched turne to ashes: the comly skinne, that clothes the hatefull Snake, the Box tree, whose leafes are alwaies gréene, and the seedes poy­son: abollish this fond determination, extend the Tyrant out by force, for entring at the eye, it harbors at the hart, loue is more perrilous then precious, affording delight with desire, but death with deniall. Lewis beeing wringed with the same shoe, was presently strooke with a contrary obiect, in thys manner, In a­mour il ny ade fauta, why rage I beyond reason, she is beautiful and therefore worthy to be loued, shée is comely, and deserues to be accounted on. How now Lewis, hath loue turned thy launce to a Poets penne, to paynt out thy passions, is Armour turned to amor? What? is Mars able to resist Iupiter, and not to with stand beauty? is it Venus must were the Target, and Mars the distaffe? Omphale handle the Club, and Hercules the Spindell? must Alexander crouch, and Campaspe looke coy? this verifies the old prouerbe to be true, women will rule in loue, howe euer men are lustie in courage, no dignitie is able to resist Cupids deitie. Loue enters by seeing women, and works not by hearing their words: therefore seeing Cupid must be obeyed, I am con­tent to bow: Nullis herbis amor est medicabilis. So fetching a sigh, began to say, my Lord, there is one thing on the suddaine greatly troubles me, which is this, that both you and I shoulde ioyne our harts in such vnlooked for passions. Not so my Lorde sayd Fredericke, I hope you doe but iest. Iest (said he) nay would I did, then were my griefes the lesse. Nere grieue my Lorde, (quoth Frederick,) for sith the cause is such to ioyne our harts in such a simpathy, all enuy set aside, let vs agree to yeelde to each [Page] others fortune in our choyce. Content sayde Lewis and wh [...] so ere befall, shake handes my Lorde, and Fortune thriue a [...] all.

Thus after much prattle, they concluded that Lewis should giue her the first onset, who taking her by the hand, beganne as followeth: Mistres of my harts sole affection, brighter then siluered Luna or Sol, amidst his Horizon, shee whom the Gods hath appointed to ransack my entralls and robed me of my hart, it were enlesse to rehearse the inward griefe I haue sustayned, since I fixed mine eyes on that admirable Comet, whose beau­tifull rayes, staineth stately Iuno in Samos, or Diana in Delos, Minerua in Athens. It were vaine to boast of Sibillas beautie, or Egipts fayre Isius, Cassandra Troyans pride, bright Penelope, or Romish Cornelia. Sabo shunne to shewe thy face, Lucrecia lurke, Hebe blush, Sephronia stoope, Sapho knéele, and Laura yéeld the pride of beauty to this blazing lampe, whose rayes hath kinled fire in my breast.

Calipolis hauing listened to the Syrens song, and cloyed her eares with the praises of her beautie, armouring herselfe with the plated coate of constancie, in this maner broke him from his vaine similitudes. I beséech your Maiestie, if the earnest entrea­tie of a poore Merchants wife, may molifie your hart, or the teares of a constant Spouse, may desire your fauour, (vpon my knées) grant me liberty to speake, for a womans tongue is her best defence (quoth she.) Lewis that was so stung with loue, that had she asked his Diademe, it could not haue béene denied, gran­ted her liberty, who framed her spéech in this sort. Dread Soue­raigne, the scandalist reproch that can befall a woman, is to bée stayned with the infamous blotte of disloyaltie, and more wel­come to me is the newes of death, then the name of Concubine to a King, were it the Monarch of the world, and more (quoth shée) what might Mountgramet thinke of mée, how would the Quéene your bedde-mate looke on mée, to see a Pesant borne, possesse the place of a Princes. Pardon dread King, your request extends to such defamation, that I rather desire death, then lyfe if it stand not with your liking, vnlesse you extinguish this laciui­ous [Page] loue, and set me at liberty.

King Lewis being impatient, because perplexed in minde, to heare such a cooling carde, began as followeth. Heauenly Iuno (quoth he) Dianas branch, fedde with Pallas paps, it forceth not what Isabella saith, what Mountgramet coniectures, Lewis is a King and may commaund, and more to requite thy loue, if Isa­bella die, Ile gyrt thy temples with a Diadem, brighter thē the morning starre, more precious then the Carcanet, the Emerald, Rubie, or the Carbuncle, the Onix, Saphir, and the Christolet, the Topace, Iasper, and the Adamant.

Calipolis not respecting these large proffers, cut him of in this manner: quoth she who liues to weare a dead mans shooes, (I haue heard it saide) may gaule his féete with going bare-foote. Lewis replied, admit (sayd he) I make thée Quéene, and banish Isabella. I, sayd she, so to gaine a Crowne, might heape a thou­sand cares vpon my head, therefore swéete Prince, quoth shée, were it to beare Atlas burden on my backe, to roule the restlesse stone with Siciphus, I would rest at your commaund, rather then to impeach my honest name with any title of defamation. Lewis séeing neither spéech nor proffers would preuaile, gaue o­uer with a kinde salute, hoping in time to attaine the top of his desire. With that Calipolis dooing her dutie, departed. All this while stoode Fredericke in a passionate dumpe, not able to vtter a word for a world of wealth. After her depart hee began as fol­loweth: How farre hath nature wrought beyond her skill, in framing such a Saint, as all the Artists in the world cannot pro­portion? Apelles nere pictured the like in Gréece, though Alex­ander did him so commend. Timantes counterfeits are counter­feite to this. Lisippus skill cannot preuaile a iote, Pigmalion would haue loued the shadow of thys Saint. Perillis adored the grounde shée goes vpon, and Alexander honoured, farre aboue the counterfeit of Campaspe. After he had thus warbled foorth a multitude of prayses, they both consented to return to the Court, Lewis béeing passionate, entred his Chamber of Presence, but Fredericke frying in loues vnquenchable flame, made returne to finde out the Merchant, and méeting him where time and place [Page] gaue oportunity, he broke forth into these speeches: Mountgra­met, quoth he, what is the greatest scandall belonging vnto a married man? Mountgramet amazed wherfore the King should vtter such speeches, replyed in this maner: sith your grace doth permit me liberty to speake, (may it stande with your gracious liking) in my conceit, the greatest scandall can befall a man, is to haue his wife play false. True, said the King, and it greeueth me, thy selfe art tainted with the same, and to shew thee further testis, looke in this glasse, in which thou mayst behold Calipolis, and two contending who first shall graffe the horne.

After King Lewis had shewed this same by Magicke spells, he departed, leauing Mountgramet murmuring at his wiues disloyaltie, who fell to these speeches. Ah Mountgramet, stab thy selfe to end thy griefe, griefe newe begunne, nowe gins my hart to faynt. Ah Calipolis, vnconstant Calipolis, I alwayes thought thee true, till now the proofe too apparantly is made. Who might for beauty once haue bragged with mee? Calipolis exceeded all in beauties brightnes, til now that Lampe is dark­ned with inconstancie. Phoebus beames are eclipsed with win­ter stormes, siluered Luna is curtained with an obscure clowde, the prickles hath ouer-sprung the Rose, the Iuory Lilly turned from rarest white to Rauens black. And to bee briefe, Dianas chastitie, is stained with disloialtie. Ah how I proue the saying true, The hollow Tree is a hiue for the Hornet, Bées haue stings, Fountaines haue Toades, and on the greenest trées are Caterpillers found: the Siren sweetly sings y ^e Saylers wrack, [...] Crocodile the Fishers woe, the Hienna when she mournes, [...] [...]hen most guilefull, the Tygar is cruell, although hee hides his clawes.

Vnconstant Calipolis, the glory of whose face deckt with a vermillion blush, did first trans-forme mine adamant eyes to amorous loue, in conceit stayning Venus for beautie, beeing much fayrer, and Pallas for wisedome, beeing more wittie, but nowe shee hath prooued herselfe as neere Pallas in witte, as Vulcan Mars in property, and as farre from Venus in beautie, as Baucis Iuno in maiestie. And to conclude, in quantitie shee [Page] [...]esembled the Camelion: héerein the olde Prouerb is am­ [...]lified, Euery Venus hath her temple, and well may Vulcan mock, but Mars shall enter in.

Mountgramet impatient at this hard aspect, could not paci­ [...] himselfe, but protested that death should guerdon her mis­déedes. So calling out one Anthony, after many teares hée vt­tered these words: Anthony, knowing thée to be a faythfull ser­uant, and such a one as within whose breast I may shroude my secrets, I will the bolder participate the summe of all, which tendeth to this effect. Anthony (quoth he) the Scaraba flyes o­uer many a swéet flower, and lights on a Cowshard: it is the custome of the flye, to leaue the sound place of the horse, and pick at the botch, the manner of Coloquintida to drawe the worst humours to it selfe, the order of Swine to forsake the faire fields and wallowe in the myre: euen so did I in my youth, forsake many constant Silerias, and made choyce of a dissembling De­maphon, who hath playde with me as the deceitfull Phisition doth, in giuing swéet sirrops to make his poyson goe downe the smoother. The Iuglar casteth a mist before mens eyes, to doe his sleights the closer, the Sirens song is the Saylers wracke, the Fowlers whistle the birds death, the wholesome bayte the Fishes bane, the Harpies haue virgines faces, the Vultures ta­lents, Hienna speakes like a friend, and deuoures like a foe, the calmest seas hides dangerous rocks, the Woolfe iets in Wea­thers fells, who would haue thought Epius horse, should haue harboured the destruction of Troy? the Sepulcher Simiramis whose tytle promiseth wealth to the Kings of Persia, and is no­thing but rotten bones, the golden ball that Nero did consecrate to Iupiter, Captolinus stuffed with the shauings of his beard. Imagine with thy selfe Anthony, is not this Circes cup, able to turne a reasonable creature to a brute beast: the fact is odious, and therefore vnpardonable, and to be briefe, death shall quit­tance her misdéeds. And thus to haue it brought closely to passe, thou shalt accompany her thy selfe, to Silia my Minor house, there when thou hast her, in those craggy Woods where heapes of trees may hide so foule a deede, there cut her short from life. [Page] From life, nay let her liue, perhaps she may recant, recant, no, often haue I heard it sayd, Bred in the bone, will neuer out of the flesh. Therefore resolue thy selfe, she shall dye. With that Anthony hearing his Maysters resolution, beganne in thys manner.

Good Maister (quoth hee) there is no stone so hard, but rayne in time dooth pierce, therefore pardon the first fault, per­rish not the branch in his pryme, blast not the bud beeing ready to blossome, no doubt but good counsell may cause such a recan­tation, as no Northeren blash whatsoeuer, can once blemish the beauty of that branch: the Camelion will turne to the Dia­mond, so shall you not onely liue in content, but receaue such ex­traordinary comfort, as your selfe can wish, or in any wise de­sire to haue.

This friendly saying of Anthony, could nothing allay the rancor setled in his breast, but hee brake foorth in this manner. The common people often times, are more afrayd of the serpent that is hidden in the grasse, then the wilde beast that openly feedes vpon the Mountaynes: the Marriner is more endan­gered by priuy she liues, then knowne rocks, the Souldier sooner killed with a small bullet, then a long sword, there is more per­rill in close Fistulaes then outward sores, in secrete ambushes, then maine battels, in vndermining then in playne assaulting, in friends then foes, in ciuill discord then forraine warres. But tush, tall Cedars from little graines shall shutte high, great Oakes from slender rootes spread wide, large streames from narrow springs runne farre. One little sparke fiers a whole Citty, one dram of Eliborus, doth ransack euery vaine, the fish Remora, hath a small body and great force to stay ships against wind or tide. Ichnemon, a little worme, ouer-comes the Ele­phant: the Viper slayes the Bull, the Weasell the Cockatrice, and the weakest Waspe stingeth the stoutest man of war. The height of heauen is taken by the staffe, the bottome of the Sea, sounded with lead, the farthest Coast discouered by Compasse, the secrets of Nature searched by wit, the Anatomy of man, set out by experience, and the abuses of women discouered by their [Page] dissembling: therefore resolue thy selfe, Calipolis shall dye, ile [...] the Author, to deuise her death, & thou the factour to performe the déede.

Maister, quoth Anthony, I knowe women in qualities re­ [...]mble an arrow, which getting liberty, with wings is carried beyond our reach, kept in the Quiuer, it is still at commaund, or a dog, let him slip, and he is straight out of sight, but hold him in a lease, and hee neuer stirres, or a Colt, giue him the bridle, and he flings at liberty, but rane him hard, and you may rule him, or a shyp, hoyse the sayles and it runnes on head, let fall the Anchor and all is well. He runnes farre that neuer turnes, and a fault pardoned, procures the offender from working dis­pleasure. All these similitudes, mixed with sighes & salt teares, could not in any case alter Mountgramets intent: so the one re­solued she should die, & the other constrained to commit the déed, I will rest, and come to the poynt.

Calipolis accompanied with Anthony, had not gone past a mile out of the Citty, but Anthony hammering a thousand dis­paires in his head, (procured by her intended death,) burst foorth into teares. Calipolis turning aside her head, espyed the teares trickling downe his chéeks. Who amazed at the sight, desired to know the cause. Who fething a heauy sigh, and wiping away those streames of teares, began as followeth.

Mistris (quoth hee) I am forced by nature and loue, to dis­close to you the sum of my Maisters secrets, which are to this effect. He, eyther suspecting, or told some tatling tale touching disloyalty, a blemish to marriage rites, hath solemnly sworne, that nothing should serue, nor pardon passe, but the losse of your life pay raunsome for so foule a deede. And none but I, the vn­happiest of all creatures, am commaunded to be the instrument of your death, therefore good Mistris, quoth hee, forgiue me, though I commit the fact, that am giltlesse of the fault, Calipolis could no longer abide, but burst foorth into these speeches. Vn­fortunate Calipolis, on whom the sun of Fortune neuer shone, but Plannets ruled by retrogard aspects. Dissembling Ianus, didst thou betray me with a Iudas kisse, to mount mee to thy [Page] chayre of state, and now displayes displeasure with the world [...] sole hate? Wherein did I offend Mountgramet, in my constan­cie, which hee hath wrested to disloyalty? Heauens will wit­nes my giltlesse hart. I thought that no man lyuing equalled Mountgramet, in my harts affection, so did I loue him well and faithfully, for which I am rewarded most vnthankfully. Cruell Destinies, that determines the end of dayes with such reproch. Let any lyuing creature, but once obiect, and say I did commit, the least tytle of defamation to my nuptiall rites, and then I ra­ther wish death to pay the raunsome of that misdéed, then pardon in hope of after mends.

But is it Mountgramets minde Calipolis should dye? Per­haps it was, yet now it may be turned. Hard-harted man, wherein haue I offended thée? in resembling the constant Dia­mond, though thou accountest me a dissembling Demaphou, or a Wether-cock, that turnes with euery wind. Vnnaturall man, doost thou weigh downe my good will with vntimely death, or present mee with a ponyard that perfumes thée with Roses? Whence springs these frantick seats of bedlam iealousie? Why should he menace death to her that well deserues? What néeds these vaine ambages, it is the Fates decrée, and they haue swore my death, the cruell Destinies haue cut my twisted thred, and brought my former blisse to fatall bale. Dissembling fortune, that smilest at my fall.

After she had vttered these playnts, she desired him to finish the end of her dayes. Who hearing the swéete soule willing to receaue the stroke of death, began as followeth. Mistris, quoth he, should I commit so foule a deede, it were death to my selfe, the flying fowles will disclose my villany, yea, my guilty consci­ence will bewray my selfe. Therefore good Mistres, quoth he, of two euils the least is to be chosen, alter your attire, change your state, and try your fortune in some forraine Land. Per­haps the Fates being thwarted in theyr déeds, may turne their frownes to a friendly smile, and grace you vnexpected fauours. Such is the rigour of my Maisters setled malice, that to craue mercy were bootelesse, and to séeke for lyfe, were labour lost in [Page] vaine. Therefore to escape the heauy stroke of your vntimely [...]eath, and my discharge of promise, and also displeasure of the Almighty, change your attire, alter your state, become like a Page, to get safe passage ouer the Sea, shroud your life vnder the wings of Fortune, and though it be distresse, yet account of it aboue an vndeserued death.

After hée had vttered these spéeches, the teares distilling like Nilus downe her chéekes, and after a thousand thanks, she gaue him a kindly salute, and committed her fortune to the Fates. She had not gone a mile after her departure from Anthony, but she framed this wofull farewell.

She hauing ended this Dittie, committed her fortunes to Neptune, ship and wind seruing for the purpose, with which ile rest, and come to King Lewis, who being passionate fell to these speeches. Ah Lewis, ouer-cloyed griefes will cause thy hart to burst, hadest thou first dyed when first thou gazedst on the Bas­salisk, then hadst thou perished before desire begunne, but now begunne I heere expect but death: nay worse then death. De­niall of that Saint in whom I haue shrowded my affection, that Goddesse whom I in heart adore. Could I but gayne her loue, then Lewis were thrise blessed aboue all, yea, but I feare she wil not loue, why Lewis is a King, & therfore may cōmaund. Foolish man abollish this fond determination, trampell loues branches vnder thy féete, least they sproute vp to thy heart, bridell thy af­fection, [Page] for entering at the eye, it harbors at the hart, and hauing [...]oke good hand-fast, it indangers the whole body. That Cice­ [...]es tongue cannot preuaile, nor Circes charmes, Calipsoes in­chauntments, Archimedas circles, Rhombus rifraffe, bee a medicine for that malady. Fond man, whilst thou sits drawing of Mathematicall fictions, the enemy stands with a sword at thy breast, and he that talketh much, and dooth little, is like to him that sayles with a side winde, and is borne with the tyde to a wrong shore.

After he had bewayled his passions, and could not abollish that fond determination, hee pulled out a letter, charging his Page to poste with it vnto Calipolis, where nowe ile rest and come to King Fredericke, who had kindled such hote coales, as al the water in the world coulde not quench, who vttered these spéeches wrapt in a world of woes, consumed in a Laborinth of cares.

Poore soule, I tosse, I tumble, too and fro, one while I think on this, another while I pause on that, and so twixt hope and dread I liue, though liuing die, and loue is the cause of this ca­lamitie. Fickle Fortune, still froward vnto me, desembling fa­uors with so kinde a friend, fancie is entertained at my hart, af­fection lodgeth in thys tender breast, delayes deludeth mee from my deere delight, and loue is cause of all this cruel spight. Imps of reuenge, yée fatall sisters thrée, come Atropos vntwist my thread in twayne, and by your Destinies come worke mée thys despight, robbed of the swéet that rauished my soule, I starue with Mydas, and thirst with Tantalus, burning like the vn­quenchable flames of Aetna, ouerflowing like Nilus in thy loue, I search, I séeke, and yet I cannot gaine, and loue alas hath wrought mée all this paine.

Whilst hee was thus breathing out his passions, came the Page with the Letter, who questioning with the boy, after cer­taine communication had, shewed King Fredericke the Letter, who looking on the superscription, opened the same, and ouer­looked the secrets therein, which tended to this effect.

Fredericke hauing read the Letter, vnderstood the lines, and marking the meaning of euery minnom, began in this manner, (deliuering the Letter backe to the Page, and commaunding him to make spéed.)

Amorous man, thys kinde writing shewes thy interior af­fection, the painting of these fine phrases, deciphers an inward dissembling. What, Kings are to gaze at starres, and not to stumble on stones. Stay Fredericke, therein thou pinchest thy selfe by the elbow, Medium tenere tuissimum est, the meane is sweete melody, strings high stretched, eyther soone cracke, or quickly grow out of tune. Attempt not with Phaeton, least thou drowne with Icarus, a homely place harbors more content then a Kings Court, Vertue is not shrowded vnder beauties wings, it is often shadowed with the home-spunne coate. Fonde Frede­ricke, what hast thou done? eaten with the Deare against the winde, or yéelded with the Harts in Calabria, that knowing Dictanum poyson, still bruse it with greedines, or grazed against the bowe till thou art striken with the boult? Hast thou sored with the Eagle against the Sunne, till thou art dazeled? Foo­lish man, thy rash dooing is more preiudiciall then thy forward affection. Thou hast made thy friend thy foe, encurred Lewis his displeasure, by ouer-looking his secrets.

Whilst hée was thus solitary, vnloding his secrets, came the Page back, who brought worde of Calipolis death, which heauie tyding was such a corrosiue to Fredericks hart, that ta­king his pen in hand, after hée had vttered these lines folowing, [Page] hee framed a mournfull Dittie of her death, and so béeing wardly gréeued, he departed from Fraunce.

Héere will I leaue Fredericke, and returne to Lewis, who hauing heard newes of the death of that sweete Calipolis, ente­red into these speeches. Vnfortunate Lewis, the most vnfortu­nate of all men, because more distressed then any, straine floodes of teares, distill them downe thy chéekes, let scalding sighes be portion of sad lament, thou louedst her well, and therefore maist lament, thou heldest her deere, and therefore maist thou grieue. Griefes, sobs, and sighes compound in one, bewaile her death that now is dead and gone: gone, yea shée is gone, and with her goes my ioy, life lingers but a space. Why leytereth death, sith I desire to die, for life is irksome, and I loth it I. Ah now I see that I haue often heard, a dog hath his day, tides obserue time, and all liuing creatures are tyed to a decorum. The Cedar tree is shaken with the Northen blasts, as well as the smallest wil­low shrubs. The more beautifull flower, soonest eyther parched with Sommers heate, or infected with Caterpillers. The He­ban blossoms, open with the dewe, and shutte with the Sunne, the leaues of Licoris, when it is most wettest without, is then most dryest within, the smoother streame, the deeper water, a hote sunne-shine, fore-tells a shower. The playing of the Por­pos, prognosticates a fatall disparagement, the purest die, the most subiect to staynes, the brightest blossome, the soonest blasted, the ripest fruite, the quickliest rotten. Euery plant hath his spring, and euery Tree is subiect to his fall. The Cherry is first gréene, but comming to a more gay collour, is suffered to grow [Page] no longer, the smallest hayre hath his shadow, and the meane shrub beareth a shade. All trées florish not that are grafted in February, some perrish with the frost in May, and blast before they bud, euery thing of what nature soeuer, keepes obseruati­on of times. Time past cannot be recalled backe, shee is deade, quoth hee, and there-with gaue a sigh, with the water stealing downe his cheekes. The pride of all that euer Nature made, the beauty of which bright shining Antiphofix, is shadowed, not with obscure night, but dismall death.

Might acts of Chiualrie (quoth he) attaine to recall her to life, or a world of farre-fetched wealth, might preuaile to pro­cure the same, I would aduaunce my shielde, plume my Crest, comfort my neuer daunted hart, with Alexander, eyther to bée Monarch, or turne the world to a ruinated Chaos: otherwise, attempt with Pellecretio to rippe the bowels of the sole worlde, from Archypelligon right vnder Capricorne, to Causaro fire, burning Tropica. Or els, if phisicke might but be a meanes, I would with Aesculapius séeke out the sence, although seauentie seauen yéeres I studied for the same.

But all in vaine I breathe these sadde laments, not all the tongues in the world can call the dead to life againe, therefore Lewis resolue thy selfe, aswage those follies loue hath bredde in thy breast, and sith the Fates determined her death, send for Mountgramet, the actor of so foule a deede, comfort thy selfe, and cut off his dayes.

Now will I leaue Lewis resolued to reuenge her death vpon Mountgramet, and returne to Mountgramet, who hearing it muttered about (as such a tale will flie about a towne, and ring in euery ones eare like a saint bell) that the King tooke great displeasure at the death of Calipolis, and meant with all speede to seaze vpon his goods, and depriue him of his life, which bred such a terror in his hart, that twas no boote to bid him flie, fell into these spéeches.

Ah Mountgramet, quoth hee, wiping away the teares that gushed from his eyes, Asses biey danse aqui fortune chante, hap­pie is that man on whom Fortune smiles, and better vnborne [Page] then alwaies to liue in care, ouer-cloyed with griefe. The [...]ath of Calipolis flieth like winged Pegasus, or Swallowes in [...] sun-shine day, and Lewis hath vowed my death, whether shal I flye? nay if I fl [...]e, I loose my goods, a guilty conscience doth bewray it selfe: but life is déere, therfore farewel all my wealth, and welcome woe begun, so farewell Fraunce and Paris thrise adew. Adue those heapes of gold in which I ioyed most, and last sweet friends with whom I vsed to feast, adue those floods of teares, I breathe my last farewell. Hart swells, and swelling bursts, & bursting breaths you all a sad lamenting adue. Fraunce in thée I gladly would stay, and staied might, had I not beene forlorne, had Calipolis liued, then might I haue liued in France, but she is dead, and therefore all adiew.

Mountgramet (knowing that tyde stayeth no man, and the Marriner that hoyses not sayles at a good winde, may be forst to cast anchor ere he be aware, then comes an after wish,) pre­sently committed the sequell of his fortune to the sea, where Ile leaue him, and returne to Calipolis, who beeing in the Dezart woods within the Prouince of Denmarke, began as followeth.

Calipolis had not rested a while, but Fortune began to smile on her to thys effect. Frederick King of Denmarke, being come out of Fraunce, passing thorowe the woode, was espied on Cali­polis, attired like a Page, who amazed at the beauty of y ^e youth, stoode for a space in a dumpe, but at last began as followeth.

Randall turning his head aside in this manner,

I force not of thy birth, beautie makes thee loued, for wert thou a woman, I would make thée a Queene.

Ah now I doubt I am betraied, dread Soueraigne (quoth she vpon her knees) graunt mee one request, tending to [Page] this effect. Randall hath vowed till his returne to Fraunce neuer to sleepe but on his mother earth, then grant thys fauour [...]acious Prince.

The many fauours in thy louely face, hath graft af­ [...]ection in my tender hart, that diddst thou aske my Diademe, it could not be denyed.

Then Randall is bound to pray for Fredericks life.

After much more prattle had, (which I haue shortned, for breuitie sake) they both departed towards the Danish Court, the ioy Frederick conceiued, in finding so gallant a Youth, I omit to the Readers censure, and how Fortune hauing wrapped Cali­polis in the fouldes of her deitie, did highly fauor her, shall after follow.

Now let vs come to Mountgramet, who hauing escaped the frownes of Aeolus, & the dangers of Neptune, the raging blasts of Boreas, the Destenies so plotted his course, that intending to haue landed in Spaine, hee was set ashore in Denmarke. Then he suspected the Fates had decreed the fall of his fortune, and the end of his dayes, yeelded himselfe to the remnant of Fortunes pleasure, beginning in thys manner. I knowe (quoth hee) the Gods are offended with me, for so foule a fact, and therefore hath charactered some fatall disparagement, in the furrowes of my face, for when I thinke on that harmlesse Calipolis, a certaine grieuing of y ^e flesh (betwraying a guiltie conscience) ouer-cleies my feeble hart. I looke like a condemned man at the place of ex­ecution, my culler changeth to a blood red, for telling the mur­ther I consented to, nay, commaunded, or chiefest committed. Therefore Mountgramet, content thee with what calamities soeuer the Gods crosse thee withall, for their cruellest doome, is thy due desert, thou hast doone to death, (with that the teares gushed out so fast, that he could hardly speake a word) the pryde of all Dianas sprouts. Was shée not fayre, as are the Swans that on Meander swim? was shee not louely as faire Dido, the Carthage Queene? was she not constant, as Silera was? chast as fayre Diana was? is she a Polip in change? no a Diamond in [Page] all her deeds. No reason then that she should dye. But foolish iealousie inforced me to the fact, a fact most heinous to the world: vnpardonable of Gods, and men, the death of her who alwayes loued thee well, too passing well, but that was quite forgot. In­iurious man, me thinks these silly chattering birds, cryes for reuenge, each bush that shakes dooth make me steppe aside, and since the dismall houre of her vntimely death, Phoebus is shrou­ded vnder a cloude, Sol denyes her euening shine, Aurora in ob­scure darknes showes his face, and all things reuersant turnes to an obscurity.

After he had thus bewailed his present misery a space, hee shifted his wearied steps towards the Danish Court, & hauing neyther company, nor hope of good comfort, to driue away bit­ter conceits, he framed this sorrowfull Sonnet.

Hauing ended this Sonnet, Fortune hauing displayed her ensignes, and got the triumph to her owne content, began with a friendly smile to chéere a sorrowfull hart in this sort. Calipolis beeing sent in her Page attire with certaine Letters concerning the Kings affaires, to one of his Nobility, in making her re­turne, chanced to fixe her eyes vpon this distressed man Mount­gramet, whose Atlas burthen of cares, had altered so much hys countenaunce, and on the contrary part, the supposed death and change of attire, so farre altered Calipolis, that one knewe not another.

Calipolis recalling to minde her owne former calamities, in friendly curtesie gaue him the time of the day, and questioned with him somwhat merrily of his Country and trauel. Whether he knew the murthering husband of Calipolis? at which words, Mountgramet suspecting hee had béene betrayed, thinking life was sweet, began to check Calipolis, calling her an inquisitiue boy, wishing if she would auoyd his displeasure, to be packing, least he furred his Mandilion with a few Lamb-skinnes. Then Calipolis suspecting him to be some spye, and calling to mind the credite got if she could conquer him, the feeblenes of the man hartned her to these speeches.

Sirra you must with me to the King, suspition sayes thou art a spie, and if thou be not such a man, draw thy weapon for I meane to try thée.

Youngstar I defie thée.

First try me, then after defie mée.

There lie my weapons, thou hast conquered me.

Then let me ioy in thy captiuitie.

[...] [...]nd let me ioy with gazing on thy beauty, thou so re­ [...] [...] whom whilom I loued deere, that were I Alcides, [...] [...]dst conquer me.

He dooth so néerely resemble him whom late I loued, [...] [...]ere I hard harted Scipio, I must fauour him. Captiue I [...] [...]y hart is ouer-cloyed with greefe, step aside, and vnlode them [...] [...]hy selfe. Mountgramet stepping aside, leaning himselfe vnto [...] [...]hady bough, began as followeth.

Vnfortunate man, I see the Destinies determines a final end of thy dayes. For when I drew my sword with intent to strike, a sodaine conceite present, forced me to throw downe my wea­pons, my feeble hart was fully perswaded it was the very goast of Calipolis, with that a certaine flood of teares gushed forth, and finished his tale for a space.

Then fell Calipolis to these sodaine passions. Fond Calipolis, what foolish imaginations hast thou bred in thy brest? may not one man be like another. Mountgramet liues safe and secure in Fraunce, & let Fortune show all the authority her deity affords, & she cannot bring her triumph to such effect. Tis but a thought bred in a suspitious hart, vnlikely to be true, because vnlike to be brought to such a purpose. But what should one say, the Fates are frowning, and their deity is of great force, therfore perswade thy selfe it may be. With that she hung downe her head, and said no more. Mountgramet hauing wiped away the teares, began againe to this effect.

Many trees beare blossomes, all beautifull, but yet seuerall fruits. Many hear vs be greene that are of sundry natures. If all things that be of one colour, haue no contrary effect, we should imagine Chalke were Cheefe, but fond in thine opinion, Cali­polis is murthered, and thou art plagued for the martyrdome. The rauening Fowles haue fed their fill on her harmeles flesh, therefore it cannot be, vnlesse the angry Fates hath decreed her thirsting goast, should in the habite of a Page prognosticate my present fall: resembling a glorious sunne-shine, that fore-tels a storme, the promise of a pardon to a condemned man that is sure to dye: otherwise it cannot be, with that, wringing his hands [Page] together, he was silent for a space.

Calipolis, who all this while had stoode in a dump [...] [...] Mountgramet in a maze as though he had no more to saye, [...] in this wise: it séemes (quoth she) that eyther your griefes began extreame, that you cannot breathe them from the center of y be so hart without breaking, or else you kéepe a certaine showe of vour sembling, thinking to delude the time till darke night. Therfor or no if thou hopest to attayne fauour a my hands, or liberty for thy life, pluck vp your wearied feete, and trauell away with me as fast as you can.

Mountgramet was so bewitched with the beauty of Calipolis, which bred such fond determination in his head, that if she had runne before, he would haue followed, so fast as he might possi­ble.

Yet before he stirred his foote, desired her of all fauours not to interrupt his amazed melancholy humour with questioning. Calipolis, who was pricked with the same thorne, beeing both bit with one dog, was so busie, hamering her owne late coniec­tures, that without further intreaty, willingly graunted his de­sire. Now are they both wandring towards the Danish Court, both of them as busie as a Bée, tempring a thousand coniectures in their braines. Not long traueling together, but stil they view­ed each others countenaunce, without any interrupting of each others gazing, but in fine, they entred the Court, and beeing come to the King, Calipolis falling on her knees, after the deli­uery of her former message, began in this manner. Dread King, quoth shee, meeting this stranger by the way, all amort, in pen­siue passion, after certayne communication had, I enquired of his Country, suspecting him a French-man, and some secret spi­ing foe to your excellency, who presently offered violent words, and to be briefe, wee buckled together, before any foyle was giuen, he perceauing the first attempt of so tender a youth, yéel­ded himselfe captiue. Thus without ere about I conquered him, whom heere I offer to your royall Maiesty for further ex­amination.

May it like your Maiesty, quoth Mountgramet, to giue mee [Page] liberty [...]uncle, c [...]ke. The gracious fauours that Nature framed [...] at the twise fayrer then the Sapher or bright shining Car­ [...] [...]th [...]éeking fayre Luna in her siluer shine, or Auroraes blush [...] mornings breake, Phoebus beames in a Sun-shyne day, [...] Lamps that glorifies the heauens, so neere resembled my [...]polis, that to conclude nought but beauty conquered me, and were she aliue, none but shee had conquered me. Therefore I perswade my selfe none but her thirsty wandring goast hath cō ­quered me.

Calipolis perceauing it was her Mountgramet, was strucken in such a sodaine dumpe, as amazed all the beholders, yet at last plucking vp courage replied in this sort, (vnbutning her Dub­let showing her pretty paps.) Behold, quoth she, none but thy Ca­lipolis hath conquered thée. Pardon dread King, I am Calipolis, whom Fortune now hath highly fauoured. Thus will I leaue the friendly Reader to imagine the sodaine ioy and communica­tion had betwixt them, and come to Fredrick, that fostered so faire a woman almost a fortnight, and caught not so much as a kisse, who raged against his ouer-sight in this sort.

Fredrick (quoth hee) heerein, thou hast resembled the foo­lish Lapidarian, that beholding a precious stone, neglecteth time to try the vertue, and so casting it aside looseth a great value. But meruaile not, for I haue heard it sayd, Loue is blind, and therefore can iudge no colours, else might outward beauty, dis­couer inward vertue. Foolish man that hauing caught a Fowle feathered to thy owne affection, and couldest not lay salt on her tayle as the saying is, but meruaile not, for doubtles she is fa­uored of the Gods, to be a miracle to all the women in the world. Large promises, great protestations, could not impeache her constancy, a meane woman, fostered simple, not Princesse like, as her friends were able, and not to be tempted with a Diadem, deserueth to be canonized in Tables of perpetuity, euer to be reade, and neuer to be rased out, till all things reuersant, dye in endles obliuion. So turning himselfe towards the two ioyfull persons, thy constancy Calipolis quoth he, hath purchast many fauours at my hand, therefore frolicke with thy husband, and [Page] Mountgramet comfort thy supposed dead wife [...] of Fortune be a meanes of more feruent aff [...] [...] the Gods ordayned it for good, and sith all things [...] content, though the losse of your goods, and the pu [...] [...] griefe for the present time, to be playne, I was the A [...] [...] this ill, being enamored of this constant Dame, shew [...] [...] in a glasse by Magick spell, which deciphered nothing [...] pretended lyes, because I could not obtayne of her my pu [...] The defamation of her marriage rytes, I can neuer quitta [...] with amends, your griefes sustayned, I cannot recall, the wel you lost, shall be valued and repayed to you both trebble fold, a [...] looke what you lost in Fraunce, shall be trebble rewarded hée in Denmark.

After these large promises, they yéelded thanks to his excel­lencie, and rested at Fredricks dispose, where leauing them at their expectation, I end my Garland of a greene Wit, garnished with such flowers, as my barren Garden affords.