POPPAEA

With dreams, and grisly sights, this last night nurse, My mind was troubled soar, but frayed much worse. For when sir Phoeb his weary course had rid, While quiet resting night eke thing shaded, My senses weary fell in slumber deep, While Nero me within his arms did cléepe. Resolving limbs, at length gan sleep discharge, And long I rest not under quiets targe. For lo, I saw a rout, that brought me fear, Come to my chamber with disheveled hear: The Matrons sage of Latin land did mourn, And sounded shrycking sighs as though forlorn They were, the dolefulst wights that live on ground. And oft among the warlike trumpets sound, I saw my husbands mother terribly stand, With threatening look berayed with blood, in hand, A light fire brand she bore which oft she shook, And made me go with his, through fearful look. When down we came through oped earth, she led The way, I after went with bowing head, And musing much thereat, mark what I say, My bed, me thought I saw, wherein I say, When first espoused I was to Rufe Cryspine: And he me thought, with first son of his line, With many following them, against me fast Did come, and me to cléepe did swift his hast, And as he wouted was, he kiss me oft. Then rushed into my house, with pace not soft Amazed Nero soar, in Crispines breast That hid his falchion keen: fear shaked of rest From me: I trembling stood with quivering fear, And breast dismayed to speak made me forbear. Till now Oh rse I met with Thee, whose trust, And faith into these words have made me burst. Alas what threatens me eke griesty sprite? What means of husbands blood that doleful sighed? To temples High, where mighty Gods do dwell, I will repair, and offerings to them fell In humble wise, their heavy wrath t'appease, And me of mighty sighed, and dreams to ease, My second with shall be, that this fear all, Upon my foes as sudden chance may fallen. Oh nurse, pray thou for me, some vows do make Toth' Gods, that ghostly fear his flight may take.