TANTALUS

To pools and floodꝭ of hell again, and Still declining lake, And flight of ree full fraught with fruit that from the lips doth flee, To dungeon dark of hateful hell Let leefull be for me To g : or if to light be thought the pains that there I have, Remove me from those Lake's again: in mydst of worse wave Of Phleghethon to stand, in seas of fire beset to be. Who so beneath thy pointed pains by destinies decree Dooste Still endure, who so thou be that underliest allow The hollow den, or ruin who that fears and overthrown Of falling hill, or cruel cries that sound in caves of hell Of greedy roaring lyons throats, or flock of furies fell Who quakes to know, or who the brandꝭ of fire, in dyrest pain Half burnt throws of, hark to the voice of Tantalus: again That hastes to hell. and (whom the truth hath taught) bel we well me Love well your pains, they are but small. when shall my happen so be To flee the light? To suffer pain it seems well my part, Not woes to work: I am sent forth like vapour dire to rise, That breaks the ground, or poison like the plague, in wondrowse wise That slaughter makes. shall I to such detested rhymes, apply My nephews hearts? oh parentꝭ great of goddꝭ above the sky, And mine, (though shamed I be to grant,) although with greater pain My tongue be vexte, yet this to speak I may no whit refrain, Nor hold my peace: I warn you this, jest sacred hand with blood Of slaughter dire, or fransy fell of fury wood The altars stain, I will resist: And guard such guilt away. With stripes why dooste thou me affryght? why threaist thou me to fray Those crallyng uakes? or famine fyxt in empty womb, wherefore Dooste thou reuyue? now fries within with thirst enkyndled soar My heart: and in the bowels burnt, the boiling flames do glow.