TITYRUS

I do agree thereto, and when thy state and my care be considered, thou shalt know this question was not asked in vain. In times passed, where thou seest a heap of small pyble, stood a stately Temple of white Mar ble, which was dedicated to the God of the Sea, (and in right being so near the Sea) hither came all such as either ventured by long travel to see Countries, or by great traffic to use merchandise, offering Sacrifice by fire, to get safety by water; yielding thanks for per rills passed, & making prayers for good success to come; but Fortune, constant in nothing but inconstancy, did change her copy, as the people their custom, for the Land being oppressed by Danes, who in steed of sacri fice, committed sacrilidge, in steed of religion, rebelli on, and made a pray of that in which they should have made their prayers, tearing down the Temple even with the earth, being almost equal with the skies, en raged so the God who binds the winds in the hol lowes of the earth, that he caused the Seas to break their bounds, sith men had broke their vows, and to swell as far above their reach, as men had swerved beyond their reason: then might you see ships sail where sheep fed, anchors cast where ploughs go, fishermen throw their nets, where husbandmen sow their Corn, and fish throw their scales where fowls do breed their quils: then might you gather froth where now is dew, rotten weeds for sweet roses, & take view of monstrous Maremaides, instead of pass sing fair Maids. In deed Melebeus I have herd you boast that you had a fair daughter, then the which none was more beautiful. I hope you are not so careful of a child, that you will be careless of your Country, or add so much to nature, that you will detract from wisdom. Oh Mellebeus, dissemble you may with me ̄ , deceive the Gods you cannot, did not I see, (and very lately see) your daughter in your arms, when as you gave her infinite kisses, with affection I fear me more then fatherly. You have conveyed her away, that you might cast us all away, bereaving her the honour of her beauty, and us the benefit, preferring a common in convenience, before a private mischief. Those that have offended thee to save their daughters. I, and Melebeus a fair daughter. And this is my fair Gallathea. Take me with you Gallathea, I will keep you as I begat you, a Daughter. Nay mine shall not, for by that means my young son shall loose his inheritance. Because she loves always to play with men. But at the last, our Countrymen repenting, and not too late, because at last, Neptune either weary of his wrath, or wary to do them wrong, upon condi cion consented to ease their Misery's. The condition was this, that at every five years day, the fairest and chastest virgin in all the Country, should be brought unto this Tree, & here being bound, (whom neither parentage shall excuse for honour, nor virtue for entegrity) is left for a peace offering unto Neptune. I am not able to say that, but he sends a Monster called the Agar, against whose coming the waters roar, the fowls fly away, and the Cattle in the field for terror, shun the banks. And she bound to endure that horror. Whither she be devoured of him, or conuei ed to Neptune, or drowned between both, it is not per mitted to know, and encurreth danger to conjecture; Now Gallathea here endeth my tale, & begins thy tragedy. I would thou hadst been less fair, or more fortunate, then shouldst thou not repine that I have disguised thee in this attire, for thy beauty will make thee to be thought worthy of this God; to avoid there before destiny (for wisdom ruleth the stars) I think it better to use and unlawful means (your honour preser ved) then intolerable grief, both life and honour would zarded, and to prevent (if it be possible) thy constella cion by my craft. Now hast thou herd the custom of this Country, the cause why this Tree was dedicated unto Neptune, and the vexing care of thy fearful Fa there. Alas Gallathea, to consider the causes of change, thou art too young, and that I should find them out for thee, too too fortunate. To gain love, the Gods have taken shapes of beasts, and to save life art thou coy to take the at tire of men? In health it is easy to counsel the sick, but it's hard for the sick to follow wholesome counsel. Well let us depart, the day is far spent. If there be such changing, I would Venus could make my wife a Man. I am content, because she is a Goddess. TO HE Sun doth beat upon the plain fields, wherefore let us fit down Gallathea, under this fair Oak, by whose broad leaves, being defended from the warm beams, we may enjoy the fresh air, which softly breathes from Humber floods.