CERES

Thou canst not miss of her, if thou remember but her name; and that canst thou not forget, for that coming near to the place, thou shalt find gnawing in thy stomach. She lies gaping, and swalloweth noughe but air; her face pale and so lean, that as easily thou mayest, through the very skin behold the bone, as in a glass thy shadow; her hair long, black and shaggy; her eyes sunk so far into her head, that she looks out of the nape of her neck; her lips white and rough; her teeth hollow and read with rustiness; her skin so thin, that thou mayest as lively make and Anatomy of her body, as she were cut up with Chirurgio ̄ S; her maw Like a dry bladder, her heart swo ne big with wind, and all her bowels Like snakes working in her body. This monster when thou shalthehold, tell her my mind, and return with speed. Take thou these few cares of corn, but let not so much as smell to them; and let her go aloose from thee: Now shall Erisicthon see that Ceres is a great goddess, as full of power as himself of pride; and as pit tilesse, as he presumptuous; how think you Ladies, is not this revenge apt for oh great injury? But let us to the Temple of Cupid, and offer sacri fice; they that think it strange for chastime to humble it self to Cupid, know neither the power of love, nor to e nature of virginity: th'one having absolute authority to command, the other difficulty to resist: and where such continual war is between love and virtue, there must be some parties, and continual perils: Cupid was never conquered, and therefore must be flattered; Virginity hath, and therefore must be humble. Those that often say, they cannot love, or will not love, certainly they love. Didst thou never see Cupid ? Well Nisa, thou shalt see him. Well, let us to Cupid, and taken eede your stubborness yo'i offend him not, whom by entrea ties you ought to follow Diana's Nymphs were as cham to as Ceres virgins, as fair, as wife: how Cupid tormented them, I had rather you should hear then feel, but this is truth, they all yielded to love: look not scornfully, my Nymphs, I say they are yielded to love. This is the tem ple, thou great God Cupid, whom the gods regard and men reverence, let it be lawful for Ceres to offer her sa crifice. Then Love, to thee I bring these white and spot less Doves, in token that my heart is as free from any thought of love, as these from any blemish, and as clear in virginity, as these perfect in whiteness. But that my Nymphs may know both thy power and thy laws, and neither err in ignorance nor pride; let me ask some questions to instruct them that they offend not that , who e resist they cannot. In virgins what dost thou desire? What dost thou most hate in virgins? What may protect my virgins that they ne r love? Why didst thou so cruelly torment all Diana's Nymph wit oue? What is the substance of love? What the signs? What the causes? What the means? What the end? What require thou of men? What for those that will not love? Well, Cupid, entreat my Nymphs with favour and though to love it be no vice, yet spotless virginity is the only virtue: let me keep their thoughts as chased as their bodies, than Ceres may be happy, & they praised. continual sacrifice, warm us with mild we seem immodest ble Like stocks. How say you, my Nymphs, does not Cupid speak Like a oh Counsel you I will not to love, but conjure you I u to that you be not disdainful, let us in, and see how Er sictson speedeth; famine f eth swiftly, and hath alrea die seized on his stomach. Cupid, thou hast transformed my Nymphs and incensed me, them to shapes unreasonable, me to anger immortal, for at one time I am both robbed of mine honour and my Nymphs. Thou art but a God Cupid. Art thou so cruel? Canst thou make such difference in affection, and yet shall it all be love? How may my Nymphs be restored? Erisicthon did in contempt hew down my sa cred tree. He slew most cruelly my chased Fidelia, whose blood lies yet on the ground. What honour shall he do to Ceres? What amends can he make to Fidelia? What sacrifice shall I and my Nymphs offer thee? For I will do any thing to restore my Nymphs, and honour thee. Cupid, I yield, and they shall: but sweet Cupid, let them not be deceived by flattery, which takes the shape of affection, nor by lust, which is clothed in the habit of love; for men have as many slights to delude, as they have words to speak. Well, I will go to Erisicthon, and bring him be before thee. They shall. Well, do so, and thank Cupid that commands, nay, thank my foolish Nymphs, that know not how to obey; here be the lovers ready at receipt: How now Gen tlemen, what seek you? Ceres hath found those, that I would she had lost, vain lovers. You think so one of another. You might have made me a counsel of your loves. Cupid, here is Erisicthon in his former state, restore my N mphs to theirs, then shall they embrace these lovers, who wither out their youth. What, more lovers yet? I think it be impossible for Ceres to have any follow her in one hour, that is not in love in the next. Why stare you, my Nymphs, as amazed triumph rather because you have your shapes: this great God Cupid, that for your prides and follies changed, hath by my prayer and promise restored you. Why speak you not, Nymphs? This must be done, and you must yield. Not yield? Then shall Cupid in his fury turn you again to senseless, and shameful shapes. My sweet Nymphs, for the honour of your sex, for the love of Ceres, for regard of your own country, yield to love, yield, my sweet Nymphs, to sweet love. Well, my good Nymphs, yield let Ceres entreat you yield. I will charm my Nymphs, as they shall neither be so stately, as not to stoop to love, nor so light as pre sently to yield. I to my harvest, whose corn is now come out of the blade, into the ear, and let all this amorous troop to the temple of Venus, there to consummate what Cupid hath commanded. Let it be so; these lovers mind nothing what we say. Well, do. Does Erisicthon offer force to my Nymphs, and to my deity disgrace? Have I stuffed his barns with fruit full grain, and does he stretch his hand against me with intolerable pride? So it is, Ceres, thine eyes may witness what thy Nymphs have told, here lies the tree hacked in pieces, and the blood scarce cold of the fairest virgin. If this be thy cruelty, Cupid, I will no more hallow thy temple with sacred vows to thy cankered nature, Erisicthon, thou shalt find as great misery, as thou shewest malice: I am resolved of thy punishment, and as speedy shall be my revenge, as thy rigour barbarous. Tirtenae, on yonder lull where never grew grain nor lease, where nothing is but barrenesse and coldness, fear and paleness, lies famine, go to her, and say that Ceres commandeth her to gnaw on the bowels of Erisicthon, that his hunger may be as unquenchable as his fury.