INVENTION

But is it certain which Report affirms? Young Topicus and Demonstration, So shortly shall be married? Speak Judicium, What do you hear? My joy and love esteemed by your own You well approve, and make me confident Upon your judgement in a lesser thing: My working thoughts to celebrate this day, Have here brought forth a rude impollisht Rhyme Wherewith I dare trust your friendly censure. Nay, flattery becomes you not; it's this. Nay, now I pray conceal not what you think, I ask your censure of my Epigram, Not of the Laws. Can you advice us Fallacy? And so I swear am I. Discourse distracted? how? I have mistaken. Stay, hers Fallacy. We hither came, thinking to find him here. Thanks good Description for this happy news, but are you certain that the danger's passed. There by Lady Method and the banished lords, How miserable you are all become, By great Discourses strange Distraction. Met you with Method? O she was too impatient and unkind to forsake our Sovereign in his extremity: her presence might have yielded him especial assistance. Pardon and pity that distressed Queen, Whose tender heart, oppressed with her grief, Would break with any rough or unkind touch. As towards Rhems I did direct my pace, I overtook a weary fainting voice, Which I approaching nearer found was hers, Alas, quoth she, I long since banished From the disordered Regions of the world, Have been contented in this only place, With old Discourse, my till now loving lord, Till now to live under his lovely roof: I always lay betwixt his well folded Sheets, I ever have enclapst him in mine arms, Lest he should want desighting ornaments, Or for his plainness pass with less regard, I all the day have wooed the Sciences, To make him rob the longest coldest nights, I have sat reaving up the finest arts, And put into his hand a curious thread Wherewith he guided hath his certain steps Through many crooked winding Labyrinths; And now my Theseus, ah my kinder Theseus! Unwillingly was forced to leave his love, Cruel discourse does rudely cast me off, And threatens me if I come near to him. Here I stepped in, and with the fairest means My troubled thoughts could find, persuaded her To change her resolution, and return; Which having half effected, there came on Old Definition with Division, Who caring less their own then her estate, Are minded closely to return with her. My Love to Topicus hath caused me To use more hast, although assured by you Of his recovery; I have been content To favour thus my self, and let you know Of Prethods kind intention to return. What stir yet? the Music is at hand, Attended with a Mask. No, and which adds to my misery, I hear I am Like to lose my self, my deer friend Topicus. I hope I have not lost them, these are they—