TO MY BEST ESTEEMED LADY, THE LADY WALSINGHAM, one of the Ladies of her Maiesties I present your Ladiship with the last affections_of_the_first two Louers that euer Muse shrinde in the Temple of Memorie ; being drawne by strange instigation to employ some of my serious time in so trifeling a subiect, which yet made the first Author, diuine Musæus, eternall. And were it not that wee must subiect our accounts of these common receiued conceits to seruile custome; it goes much against my hand to signe that for a trifling subiect, on which more worthines of soule hath been shewed, and weight of diuine wit, than can vouchsafe residence in the leaden grauitie of any Mony-Monger; in whose profession all serious subiects are concluded. But he that shuns trifles must shun the world; out of whose reuerend heapes of substance and austeritie, I can, and will, ere long, single, or tumble out as brainles and passionate fooleries, as euer panted in the bosome of the most ridiculous Louer. Accept it therfore (good Madam) though as a trifle, yet as a serious argument of my affection: for to bee thought thankefull for all free and honourable fauours, is a great summe of that riches my whole thrift intendeth. Such vncourtly and sillie dispositions as mine, whose contentment hath other obiects than profit or glorie; are as glad, simply for the naked merit of vertue, to honour such as aduance her, as others that are hired to commend with deepeliest politique bountie. It hath therefore adioynde much contentment to my desire of your true honour to heare men of desert in Court adde to mine owne knowledge of your noble disposition, how gladly you doe your best to preferre their desires; and haue as absolute respect to their meere good parts, as if they came perfumed and charmed with golden incitements. And this most sweet inclination, that flowes from the truth and eternitie of Nobles, assure your Ladiship doth more suite your other Ornaments, and makes more to the aduancement of your Name, and happines of your proceedings, then if (like others) you displaied Ensignes of state and sowrenes in your forehead, made smooth with nothing but sensualitie and presents. This poore Dedication (in figure of the other vnitie betwixt Sir Thomas and your selfe) hath reioynd you with him, my honoured best friend, whose continuance of ancient kindnes to my still-obscured estate, though it cannot encrease my loue to him, which hath euer been entirely circulare; yet shall it encourage my deserts to their vtmost requitall, and make my hartie gratitude speake; to which the unhappines of my life hath hetherto been uncomfortable and painfull dumbnes. By your Ladiships vowd in most wished seruice : George Chapman. THE ARGVMENT OF THE THIRD SESTYAD. Leander to the enuious light Resignes his night-sports with the night, Thesme the Deitie soueraigne Of Customes and religious rites Which straight he vowes shall be effected. Waies, and with furie wailes her state : She argues, and approueth it. New light giues new directions, Fortunes new To fashion our indeuours that ensue, More harsh (at lest more hard) more graue and hie Shun loues stolne sports by that these Louers proue. And yong Leander, Lord of his desires, His Hero-handled bodie, whose delight cals abus 5 ΙΟ 5 ΙΟ 15 20 25 Argument. 6 reproving Dyce etc.: improuing Qq since the vertue of his beams creates it. Might be exprest, that had no stay t'employ 30 Would on the stock dispend, and rudely fall Which for lusts plague doth perish with possessing. 35 What man is he that with a welthie eie Enioyes a beautie richer than the skie, Through whose white skin, softer then soundest sleep, With damaske eyes, the rubie blood doth peep, 40 And runs in branches through her azure vaines, Whose mixture and first fire, his loue attaines; 45 Directed with an earth-exempted minde; Who thinks not heauen with such a loue is giuen ? And who like earth would spend that dower of heauen, With ranke desire to ioy it all at first? What simply kils our hunger, quencheth thirst, 50 Clothes but our nakednes, and makes vs liue, Praise doth not any of her fauours giue : The palme of Bountie, euer moyst preseruing : 55 60 Yet did the gentle flood transfer once more 65 That makes few rich, treasures composde by stelth; (Who on the shore kneeld, praying to the sea 70 For his returne) he all Loues goods did show In Hero seasde for him, in him for Hero. His most kinde sister all his secrets knew, And to her singing like a shower he flew, 75 Which yet a snowie fome did leaue aboue, Then laid he forth his late inriched armes, In whose white circle Loue writ all his charmes, When on his breasts warme sea she sideling swims. But as he shooke with passionate desire, To put in flame his other secret fire, A musick so diuine did pierce his eare, As neuer yet his rauisht sence did heare: When suddenly a light of twentie hews Brake through the roofe, and like the Rainbow views IIO Amazd Leander; in whose beames came downe Of all the stars, and heauen with her descended. All which her sight made liue, her absence die. 115 I 20 |