ROXANE

I Think as yet all here hath fresh in mind, a strange adventure passed in act of late, How that a Lady born nigh to the Ind, arrived here in quest of loving mate: Whom she did find by such adventurous sort, as erst the Hermit showed by large report. Which Hermit then if you remember well, require the Prince and Lady of this land, That she with her would let the Lady dwell: and waiting still on her, attend at hand: And that the Knight in Court there might remain, till that they both returned home again. Which thing consented too by Princes voice, they have pursued and waited on the train, Tillate desire hath made them altar choice: the Ladies heart still longing home again, And glad to win the Duke her Father's will: for moving whom she knoweth she hath done ill. For though at first in heat she set him light, and forced by father's wrong, went wandering so, Yet does she still suspect strong Nature's might, who checking chaff sure works the chafer woe: Which to appear, is now her chief desire, and therefore home she means to retire. Which thing to compass well, and leave no partly of duty vnfulfulfilde both here and there, She with the fairy Queen is gone apart, of whom she Hope's the readiest way to hear: How to return with love from whence she came, as she for love departed from the same. Now wiled she me (as loath to move offence) if she were called for ere she could come back, To be in place, and not to partly from hence, that for excuse in me might be no lack: Till whose return fair Ladies if I may, among you with your leave I mean to stay. Now good my Lord let mourning moan have end, the harm is yours, your self this still to wrack, The Heavens I trust some better news will send, the Gods which suffered you these pains to take, Intend you to behold with cheerful eye: your help is near, it must of force so be. Oh Gods what have I herd, Oh cruel fates, must that needs fall which you will needs fulfil: My Lord the Duke to leave his Princely states, and wandering thus to yield to Fortune's will? Then do I see that even as you please, men reap their rest and feel their most disease. This haughty Duke which set so light by love, as though he could command him to obey, Does now himself by strange adventures prove: that gainst Loves force no power bears sway: For where Love lives at will, he soonest die, and where he flaunts at full thence soonest flies. But yet to learn more certainly whats passed, ere that to him my self I do bewray, At this good man I mean to have a cast, of whom I will learn out if that I may: By way of glance who t'is that lies here, and what might cause this his so ruthful cheer. If't be not he, then is my labour lost, and being but few words the cost is small, If it be he, then hence straight will I post, and to my Ladies ears report it all: That she thereby may presently advise, what good therein may to her state arise. Good Sir I see you sad which grieveth me, whom curchy makes partaker of your woe, To ryp your grief unpleasant it will be, as to all pained souls it is I know: Yet if I may find such grace in your eye, tell me what man this is that here does lie. A Prince? I pray you where, and of what land? What fate might force him take this toil in hand? Why where is she, how happened he her to lose? Perhaps he did not Like where she had loved, And hath he not as yet herd where she is? These things be stram ̄ ge, yet stranger things have been accomplished here, as I my self have seen. Well Sir, I am to think my self much bound, for this your curchy showed at my request, And if your ease may grow within this ground, by means of me, sure I will do my best. But Sir, may I desire your Princes daughters name? I thank you Sir, I can no longer stay, but for requite command me any way. Now to my L. I'll go with speed, that hearing this she may accordingly proceed. Ah, ah, it is but vain to hope in sleep, to purchase ease, where waking fills with care: In sleep I felt my slumbering eyes did weep, my heart did pant for grief in mind I bore. Now let us pass unto our journeys end, till we find out what chance the Gods will send. Yond same is he whose strange attire, descries his grief and points at his desire. Friend Niphe could we two have ever once surmised, that such event would fallen to this exceeding love, Or that blind Cupid could so quickly be suppressed, which to all reason first so strongly gave the glove? Well then I see our fortune must divide, we must again to Countries land retire, This knight delights in sorrowing to abide, For missing her which was his whole desire. My self have felt such travel on their train, as I am glad home to return again. The Gods send all good speed that tarry here, and chiefly her which governs all the rest, As for my self I will spread far and near, for princely praise that she deserves best: And that God loved us which made us stay, where virtuous Queen does stately sceptre sway.