He, therefore, made the fire of generation, To burn in Venus' courts without cessation; Out of whose ashes comes another Island nation. XXIV. For from the first a fellow Isle he fram'd, (For what alone, can live or fruitful be?) Arren the first, the second Thelu nam'd; Weaker the last, yet fairer much to see: Alike in all the rest, here disagreeing, Where Venus and her wanton have their being; For nothing is produced of two, in all agreeing. XXV. But though some few in these hid parts would see Yet for the most would turn to luxury, And what they should lament, would make their game; Fly then those parts, which best are undescried ; Forbear, my maiden song, to blazon wide, What th' Isle and nature's self, doth ever strive to hide ! These two fair Isles, distinct in their creation, Strange it may seem, such their condition, For from these two in love's delight agreeing, At first of unlike frame and matter being, In Venus' temple takes its form and breeding; Till, at full time, the tedious prison flying, It breaks all lets, its ready way denying; So by the Bosphorus straights, in Euxine seas, And parting oft, tost by the boist'rous main, Here oft, not lust, but sweeter chastity, Coupled sometimes, and sometimes single, dwells; Such Phoenix one, (but one at once may be, What nymph was this, said fairest Rosaleen, Ah, royal maid! why shouldst thou thus lament thee? Queen Elizabeth. The Earl of Essex. Historians inform us, that Elizabeth complained she had been betrayed into this sanguinary measure, It is too much, so much thou should'st repent thee; These words (vain words!) fond comforters did lend her; But, ah, no words, no pray'rs, might ever bend her To give an end to grief: till endless grief did end her. XXXII. But how should I those sorrows dare display? Few eyes fall'n lights adore; yet fame shall keep While men have ears to hear, eyes to look back, and weep. And though the curs (which whelpt and nurs'd in Spain, Learn of fell Geryon* to snarl and brawl) Have vow'd and strove her virgin tomb to stain; And grin, and foam, and rage, and yelp, and bawl; Yet shall our Cynthia's high triumphing light Deride their howling throats and toothless spite : And sail through heav'n, whilst they sink down in endless night. XXXIV. So is this Island's lower region: Yet, ah! much better is it sure than so. But my poor reeds, like my condition, (Low is the shepherd 's state, my song as low) Mar what they make-But now in yonder shade Rest we, while suns have longer shadows made: See, how our panting flocks run to the cooler glade." * In heathen mythology, a fabulous giant, with three heads. G CANTO IV. I. THE shepherds in the shade their hunger feasted, Pull'd from their stalks the blushing strawberries, Which lurk close shrouded from high looking eyes; Shewing that sweetness oft both low and hidden lies. II. But when the day had his meridian run, His wonted audience his sides entwining. "The middle province next this lower stands, Where th' Isle's heart-city spreads his large commands, Leagu'd to the neighbour towns with sure and friendly bands. III. · Such as that star, which sets his glorious chair That those wise ancients, from their nature's sight And likeness, turn'd their names, and call'd aright The sun the great world's heart, the heart the less world's light. This IV. middle coast, to all the Isle dispends All heat and life: hence it another guard (Beside these common to the first) defends; Built whole of massy stone, cold, dry, and hard : Which stretching round about his circling arms, Warrants these parts from all exterior harms; Repelling angry force, securing all alarms. V. But in the front † two fair twin-bulwarks rise; For hence the young Isle draws his nourishment; Here milky springs in sugar'd rivers flow, For when the lesser Island (still increasing The stream, and to these hills bears up his flight, And in these founts (by some strange hidden might) Dyes his fair rosy waves into a lily white. VII. So where fair Medway down the Kentish dales, To many towns her plenteous waters dealing, *The heart is the seat of heat and life; therefore walled about with the ribs, for more safety. + The breasts. When the infant grows large, the blood vessels are so oppressed, that partly through the readiness of the passage, but especially by the providence of God, blood turns back to the breast, and there by an innate and wonderful faculty is turned into milk. |