QUEEN

The Arcadian Girls Are of no common beauty; as their habits Much grace the fields; so many of those features Mine eye by chance hath glanced on in the Chase, In mine opinion would become the Court. They say, these virgins are acute in wit, And fluent in conceit, to speak or sing; As having oft drunk from the Muses spring. Be not too loud, These bows will shelter us; Let's l sten how they fashion their discourse, And how far short the Folds and Cottages Come of the Court or City. By that title I do command you then to spare your knees. Nay rise. It is enough to me, That you present us such acknowledgement. And as for you, fair Virgin, I could wish Your Willow were a Laurel. Nay, so it's: Because all such may be styled Conquerors, That can subdue the ir passion. Pleased us highly: Which that you may perceive in mee's vnfeignd, I charge you, as I am your Sovereigness, All coyness and evasion set apart, To be most free in language. I'll as freely Command then, as you willing are obey, For were I not a Queen, I'de wish to be As one of you, a witty Shepherdess. Pray sing me something of your country life, To make me more in love with't. I had thought Courts only had been filled with compliment, Of which I see, the cottage is not clear. And presume That's granted, ever the offence be. Nay, fair ones, what you have begun in song, Continue in discourse: We would hear more Of your pleased life. Beleeve't, a sweet conclusion: for ofttimes Such things fallen out. But we have further herd (Beside what now our ears are witness to) That as your words keep time, your voices tune; So hath the curious motion of your feet Been taught to know true measure. You can dance? If no worse, It may become a Theatre of eyes, Yet wrest no blushes from you. Will you then, Since that we parallel in number thus, Help us to fill a measure? No such fear. Come then, such music as the place will yield, We'll instantly make use of. Complete in all: You have made us now Eyewitness Of what, Relation sparingly hath spoke. To encourage which, and that so great a merit Pass not without some meed, receive these favors, And wear them for our sake. Time bids us partly. Greater than these we have for you in store, And mean hereafter to employ you more. I never was with pastime better pleased; So clear a morning, and such temperate air; The Sun so bright, yet sparing of his heat, Made all the toil we took (to chase the Stag) To seem no labour, but and exercise. The wily beast to shun our swift pursuit, Forsook the Plains, to take the mountain tops. Yet maugre the opposure of the Rocks And cliffs depending to molest our speed Our well-tride Nymphs, Like wild Kids climed those hills And thrilled their arrowy Javelins after him: Nor left the chase, till all those golden heads Were new stained in his blood. This conceit Hath took me highly; and great pity it's, That such choice wits should find no other ears Than those that Swains, and flocks, and fowls have. Wit So spent, is only treasured in the air. The earth hath least partly on't. Virgins, Good day. Nay, do not fallen too low. All, solid sense.) For I perceive, those that are found themselves, Have still more will to help, than skill to cure.