Minor Poems of Michael Drayton Part 17

So like in armes, these champions were, As they had bin, a very paire, So that a man would almost sweare, That either, had bin either; Their furious steedes began to naye That they were heard a mighty way, Their staues vpon their rests they lay; Yet e'r they flew together, 600

Their Seconds minister an oath, Which was indifferent to them both, That on their Knightly faith, and troth, No magicke them supplyed; And sought them that they had no charmes, Wherewith to worke each others harmes, But came with simple open armes, To haue their causes tryed.

Together furiously they ran, That to the ground came horse and man, 610 The blood out of their Helmets span, So sharpe were their incounters; And though they to the earth were throwne, Yet quickly they regain'd their owne, Such nimblenesse was neuer showne, They were two Gallant Mounters.

When in a second Course againe, They forward came with might and mayne, Yet which had better of the twaine, The Seconds could not iudge yet; 620 Their shields were into pieces cleft, Their helmets from their heads were reft, And to defend them nothing left, These Champions would not budge yet.

Away from them their Staues they threw, Their cruell Swords they quickly drew, And freshly they the fight renew; They euery stroke redoubled: Which made _Proserpina_ take heed, And make to them the greater speed, 630 For fear lest they too much should bleed, Which wondrously her troubled.

When to th' infernall _Stix_ she goes, She takes the Fogs from thence that rose, And in a Bagge doth them enclose; When well she had them blended: She hyes her then to _Lethe_ spring, A Bottell and thereof doth bring, Wherewith she meant to worke the thing, Which onely she intended. 640

Now _Proserpine_ with _Mab_ is gone Vnto the place where _Oberon_ And proud _Pigwiggen_, one to one, Both to be slaine were likely: And there themselues they closely hide, Because they would not be espide; For _Proserpine_ meant to decide The matter very quickly.

And suddainly vntyes the Poke, Which out of it sent such a smoke, 650 As ready was them all to choke, So greeuous was the pother; So that the Knights each other lost, And stood as still as any post, _Tom Thum_, nor _Tomalin_ could boast Themselues of any other.

But when the mist gan somewhat cease, _Proserpina_ commanded peace: And that a while they should release, Each other of their perill: 660 Which here (quoth she) I doe proclaime To all in dreadfull _Plutos_ name, That as yee will eschewe his blame, You let me heare the quarrell,

But here your selues you must engage, Somewhat to coole your spleenish rage: Your greeuous thirst and to a.s.swage, That first you drinke this liquor: Which shall your vnderstanding cleare, As plainely shall to you appeare; 670 Those things from me that you shall heare, Conceiuing much the quicker.

This _Lethe_ water you must knowe, The memory destroyeth so, That of our weale, or of our woe, It all remembrance blotted; Of it nor can you euer thinke: For they no sooner tooke this drinke, But nought into their braines could sinke, Of what had them besotted. 680

King _Oberon_ forgotten had, That he for iealousie ranne mad: But of his Queene was wondrous glad, And ask'd how they came thither: _Pigwiggen_ likewise doth forget, That he Queene _Mab_ had euer met; Or that they were so hard beset, When they were found together.

Nor neither of them both had thought, That e'r they had each other sought; 690 Much lesse that they a Combat fought, But such a dreame were lothing: _Tom Thum_ had got a little sup, And _Tomalin_ scarce kist the Cup, Yet had their braines so sure lockt vp, That they remembred nothing.

Queene _Mab_ and her light Maydes the while, Amongst themselues doe closely smile, To see the King caught with this wile, With one another testing: 700 And to the _Fayrie_ Court they went, With mickle ioy and merriment, Which thing was done with good intent, And thus I left them feasting.

FINIS.

THE QVEST OF CYNTHIA

What time the groues were clad in greene, The Fields drest all in flowers, And that the sleeke-hayred Nimphs were seene, To seeke them Summer Bowers.

Forth rou'd I by the sliding Rills, To finde where CYNTHIA sat, Whose name so often from the hills, The Ecchos wondred at.

When me vpon my Quest to bring, That pleasure might excell, 10 The Birds stroue which should sweetliest sing, The Flowers which sweet'st should smell.

Long wand'ring in the Woods (said I) Oh whether's CYNTHIA gone?

When soone the Eccho doth reply, To my last word, goe on.

At length vpon a lofty Firre, It was my chance to finde, Where that deare name most due to her, Was caru'd vpon the rynde. 20

Which whilst with wonder I beheld, The Bees their hony brought, And vp the carued letters fild, As they with gould were wrought.

And neere that trees more s.p.a.cious roote, Then looking on the ground, The shape of her most dainty foot, Imprinted there I found.

Which stuck there like a curious seale, As though it should forbid 30 Vs, wretched mortalls, to reueale, What vnder it was hid.

Besides the flowers which it had pres'd, Apeared to my vew, More fresh and louely than the rest, That in the meadowes grew:

The cleere drops in the steps that stood, Of that dilicious Girle, The Nimphes amongst their dainty food, Drunke for dissolued pearle. 40

The yeilding sand, where she had troad, Vntutcht yet with the winde, By the faire posture plainely show'd, Where I might _Cynthia_ finde.

When on vpon my waylesse walke, As my desires me draw, I like a madman fell to talke, With euery thing I saw:

I ask'd some Lillyes why so white, They from their fellowes were; 50 Who answered me, that _Cynthia's_ sight, Had made them looke so cleare:

I ask'd a nodding Violet why, It sadly hung the head, It told me _Cynthia_ late past by, Too soone from it that fled:

A bed of Roses saw I there, Bewitching with their grace: Besides so wondrous sweete they were, That they perfum'd the place, 60

I of a Shrube of those enquir'd, From others of that kind, Who with such virtue them enspir'd, It answer'd (to my minde).

As the base Hemblocke were we such, The poysned'st weed that growes, Till _Cynthia_ by her G.o.d-like tuch, Transform'd vs to the Rose:

Since when those Frosts that winter brings Which candy euery greene, 70 Renew vs like the Teeming Springs, And we thus Fresh are scene.

At length I on a Fountaine light, Whose brim with Pincks was platted; The Banck with Daffadillies dight, With gra.s.se like Sleaue was matted,

When I demanded of that Well, What power frequented there; Desiring, it would please to tell What name it vsde to beare. 80

It tolde me it was _Cynthias_ owne, Within whose cheerefull brimmes, That curious Nimph had oft beene knowne To bath her snowy Limmes.

Since when that Water had the power, Lost Mayden-heads to restore, And make one Twenty in an howre, Of _Esons_ age before.

And told me that the bottome cleere, Now layd with many a fett 90 Of seed-pearle, ere shee bath'd her there: Was knowne as blacke as Jet,

As when she from the water came, Where first she touch'd the molde, In b.a.l.l.s the people made the same For Pomander, and solde.

When chance me to an Arbour led, Whereas I might behold: Two blest _Elizeums_ in one sted, The lesse the great enfold. 100

The place which she had chosen out, Her selfe in to repose; Had they com'n downe, the G.o.ds no doubt The very same had chose.

The wealthy Spring yet neuer bore That sweet, nor dainty flower That damask'd not, the chequer'd flore Of CYNTHIAS Summer Bower.

The Birch, the Mirtle, and the Bay, Like Friends did all embrace; 110 And their large branches did display, To Canapy the place.

Where she like VENVS doth appeare, Vpon a Rosie bed; As Lillyes the soft pillowes weare, Whereon she layd her head.

Heau'n on her shape such cost bestow'd, And with such bounties blest: No lim of hers but might haue made A G.o.ddesse at the least. 120

The Flyes by chance mesht in her hayre, By the bright Radience throwne From her cleare eyes, rich Iewels weare, They so like Diamonds shone.