Chapter 5

_Diella_, Certaine Sonnets, adioyned to the amorous Poeme of _Dom Diego_ and _Gineura_.

_By R. L. Gentleman_.

Benballa, á chi fortuna suona.

AT LONDON, Printed for _Henry Olney_, and are to be sold at his shop in Fleetstreete, neer the Middle-temple gate. 1596.

THE LOVE OF DOM _Diego_ and _Gyneura_.

In _Catheloygne_, o'repeerd by _Pyren_ Mountaines, (a Prouince seated in the East of Spaine, Famous for hunting sports & cleerest fountains) a young heroyck gallant did remaine; Hee, Signior _Dom Diego_ had to name, Who for his constant faith had got such fame.

Nature had tryde her deepest skill on him, (for so the heauen-borne powers had her desired) With such perfection framed shee each lim, that at her owne worke shee herselfe admired. Maiestick _Ioue_ gaue him a Princely grace, _Apollo_ wit, and _Venus_ gaue his face.

This loue-some youth, kinde Natures fairest child, what for his beautious loue-alluring face, And for he was so gracious and so milde; was deem'd of all to be of heauenly race; Men honord him, and Maydens gaue him loue, To make him famous Men and Maydens stroue.

Hunting he lou'd, nor did he scorne to loue, (a truer-louing hart was neuer knowne) Which well his Mistres cruelly did proue, whose causelesse rigor Fame abroad hath blowne. But now lets tell, how hee on hunting went, And in what sports such pleasant time he spent.

Soone as the sunne had left his watry bed. (blushing for shame that he so long had slept) Reuiuing those which duskie Night made dead, when for his welcom Lambes on mountains lept. Vp starts _Diego_, and with shrill-voyc'd horne. Tells hounds & huntsmen of a cleere-fac'd morne.

Cloth'd all in Greene, (_Syluanus_ lyuery) he wore a low-crown'd hat of finest silke, Whose brim turnd vp, was fastned with a Ruby, and vnderneath, a Pearle as white as milke, A sleeueles coate of Damaske, richly laced With Indian pearle, as thicke as could be placed.

A glistring Cutlax pendent by his side, (he much esteem'd y^t beast-dismembring blade) And halfe-leg'd Buskins curiously ytide with loopes of burnisht gold full finely made, Thus goes _Diego_, chiefest of his name, With siluer-headed speare to finde some game.

Long while it was ere any sport began, at last a Hart his big-growne hornes did shew, VVhich (winding straight the huntsmen) gan to run as fast as arrow from a Parthyan bow: In whose pursute (by wil of powreful Fates) _Diego_ lost himfelfe, and all his mates.

Left thus alone in midst of vnknowne place, he inuocates the fauourable ayde Of _Ariadne_, who with smalest lace, freed Monster-killing _Theseus_, so dismaid, In worser Laborinth did he now remaine, For none saue trees or beasts, could heare him plain.

In these Meanders, stragling heere and there, goes faire _Diego_, listning to each sound, Musing twixt purple hope, and palish feare, he thought to rest him (wearied) on the ground, But see, he heares a farre some forced noyse, A horne, a hound, or els some human voyce.

VVith that, Desire, which scornes least tedious let, directed him vnto that very place, Where loe to hunt the tymerous Hare, were met as Knights, so Ladies, fittest for that chase: Mongst which, there came a Grace of heau[=e]ly faire, Her name _Gyneura_, with the golden hayre.

Her hayre of such corruscant glitterous shine, as are the smallest streames of hottest sunne, Like starres in frostie night, so looke her eyne, within whose Arches Christall springs doe run, Her cheekes faire show of purest Porphyrie, Full curiously were typt with roseall die.

Her lips like ripened Cherries seem'd to be, from out whose concaue Corrall-seeming Fount, Came sweeter breath then muske of Araby, whose teeth y^e white of blanched pearle surmount Her necke the Lillies of _Lyguria_ Did much exceed; Thus looked fayre _Gyneura_.

These Dryades _Diego_ then bespake, with sugred tearmes of mildest curtesie, And crau'd to know which way he best might take with shortest cut, to such a Signiory, Whereat he nam'd himselfe; when presently The Ladies knew him (as a Neyghbour by.)

_Gyneuras_ Mother (cheefe of all the rest) (for that shee knew his birth and his discent) Desir'd him home, he grants her such request, and thanks the Fates that him such hap had lent, For still on faire _Gyneura_ were his eyes, And shee reciprocally on his replyes.

These dumbe Embassadors, Loues chiefe combatants tell (softly whispring in each others hart) Her of humble seruice; him of acceptance; his craued loue, hers wisht they nere might part, Much talk they had w^t tongues, more w^t their eyes, But (oh) most with their harts, where true loue lies.

Now were they come whereas the good old Lady might boldly welcome her inuited guest, Where after little talke, (Hunters are hungry) they all sat downe vnto a soone-made feast, The Louers fed on glaunces of their eyes, Tis heauenly food when both do simpathize.

At last, the Lady of the house espied the intercourse of those bright Messengers, Who inwardly reioycing, as fast plied hers on her daughter, fittest Harbengers, To bid her keepe the fairest and the best Place in her hart, to entertaine this guest.

Word back againe was sent by her faire light, how that was done already; and replied, The Land-lord o're his Tennant hath such might, that he to enter in is nere denied. I, in a little corner of my hart Doe liue, (quoth she) he hath the greatest part.

_Diego_ wisht thys supper nere would end, (and yet he long'd to be in priuate place, To ruminate vpon his fairest friend, and to recount the beauties of her face) So wisht _Gyneura_, were neuer such two, That lou'd so deerely as these Louers doe.

The gloomy Curtaines of the tongue-lesse night, were drawne so close as day could not be seene, Now leaden-thoughted _Morpheus_ dyms each sight, now, murder, rapes, and robberies begin: Nature crau'd rest, but restlesse Loue would none, _Diego_, Loues young prentice, thus gan mone.

Oh heauens, what new-founde griefes possesse my mind, what rare impassionated fits be these? Cold-burning Feuers in my hart I find, whose opposite effects worke mee no ease, Then loue assailes the hart with hotest fight, VVhen beauty makes her conqust at first sight.

I little dreamed of thys strange euent, (this harts-inthraller, mindes-disturbing Loue, VVhen with my Huntsmen to the woods I went, Oh neere till now did I his greatnes proue, Whose first impression in the Louers hart, Till then nere tainted, bringeth deepest smart.

Thus lay _Diego_ tossing in his bed, bound to the will of all commaunding beauty, Whom angry _Cupid_ now in tryumph led, expecting from his slaue all seruile duty, Hee might haue freed his prysoner so dismaid, For sighes and grones had double ransome paide.

In like extreames, (Loue loues extremity) did faire _Gyneura_ passe the long-thought night, Shee raild against fell _Cupids_ crueltie, that so would tyrannize o're a Maydens spright. There needes no blowes, quoth she, when foes doe yield, Oh cease, take thou the honor of the field.

The valiant Greekes (faire Ilyons fatall Foes) their tedious ten yeres siedge for Spartaes Queen Nere thought so long; (yet long it was) as those loue-scorcht enamored (so restles) now ween This night to be; A night if spent in care, Seemes longer then a thousand pleasant are.

Thus lay they sleeplesse, thoughtfull, euer thinking on sluggish humor of expected Morne, They thought that Louers eyes were neuer winking nor sleepe they e're in whom Loues newly borne. Hee vow'd, when day was come, to woo his deere, Shee swore such wooing she would gladly heare.

At last, the guyder of the firie Coach, drying his locks wet in _Eurotas_ floud, Gan resalute the world with bright approch, angry he seem'd, for all his face was bloud: _Auroraes_ hast had made him looke so red, For loath he was to leaue faire _Thetis_ bed.

Scarce were his horses put in readines, and he himselfe full mounted on his seate, VVhen _Dom Diego_ full of heauines, abroade did walke, his night talke to repeate Some two howres spent, he in againe retires, And sees his Mistres, whom he now admires.

Whereat inflam'd, (loue brookes no base delay, whose fruite is danger, whose reward is paine) With fine-fil'd termes he giues her the good day, and blushing, she returnes it him againe. _Endimeons_ blush her beauty did eclypse, His causd by _Cynthiaes_, hers _Adonis_ lyps.

Boldly encourag'd by her milde aspect, he told her that which Louers vse to tell, How he did liue by her faire eyes reflect, and how his hart in midst of hers did dwell. Much eloquence he vsd, twas needles done, To win that hart which was already won.

Ne're did the dungeon thiefe condemn'd to dye with greater pleasure heare his pardon read, Then did _Gyneura_ heare his Oratorie, (of force sufficient to reuiue the dead) Shee needes must yield; for sure he had the Art, VVith amorous heate to fixe _Dianaes_ hart.

These Louers (thus in this both-pleasing parly) were interrupted by _Geneuraes_ Mother VVho newly vp, (age seldome ryseth early) gan straight salute her guest, so did he her, Some termes of kindnes mutually past, Shee friendly leades him in, to breake his fast.

VVhich done, (as all good manners did require) hee thankt his Hostis for her curtesie, And now at length went home for to retire, where hee was looked for so earnestly, The Lady crau'd if ere hee came that way, To see her house, and there to make some stay.

Then heauily, and with a dying eye, (ioylesse) hee takes his leaue of his faire Loue, VVho for to fauour him, full graciously, with louing count'nance gaue to him her Gloue. Keepe this (quoth shee) till better fortune fall, My Gloue, my Loue, my hand, my hart, and all.

At this large offer, bashfull modestie, with pure Vermilion stain'd her all faire face, So lookt _Calystone_ at her great bellie, when chast _Ilythia_ spi'd her in such case; Let Louers iudge how grieuous tis to part, From two, twixt whom, there lyueth but one hart.

Nowe is hee gone, who after little travell attain'd his house (not pleasing thought desired) At whose late absence each one much did maruell, but (come) at his sad lookes they more admired, Great _Cupids_ power, such sadnes in him bred, VVho (erst) all louing harts in tryumph led.

One month (consum'd in pensiuenes) expir'd; to recreate and reuiue his tyred spright, Hee now on hunting goes, which hee desir'd, not for the (once well-pleasing) sports delight; But for he might some fit occasion finde, To see his Loue, on whom was all his minde.

Where being come (suppose his sports prou'd bad) _Gyneura_ gaue him welcome from her hart, The Sea-tost Lord of _Ithica_ ne're had, after his twentie yeares turmoile and smart, More ioyfull welcome by his constant wife Then had _Diego_ from his loue, his lyfe.

Two dayes he stay'd, whence he would ne're depart but custome wil'd that he should now returne, Yet though he went he left with her his hart, which for their parting heauily gan mourne, But for worse newes had it poore hart to greeue, In that _Gyneura_ would so soone beleeue.

For sooner was hee not departed thence but straight there comes a Riuall of his Loue, VVho vnder true fidellities pretence wrought wondrous hard _Diego_ to remoue, Nor could at first his oaths or vowes preuaile, To make _Gyneuraes_ loue one whit to faile.

For yet they lyu'd fast bound in Fancies chaines, stryuing to passe each other in pure loue, But (as there's nothing that for aye remaines without some change.) so do these Louers proue, That hottest loue hath soon'st the cold'st disdaine, And greatest pleasures, haue their greatest paine.

For now no longer could shee so perseuer, shee turnes to deadly hate her former kindnes, Which still had lasted; but that Nature euer strikes into womens eyes such dim-sight blindnes, And such obdurate hardnes in their harts, They see, nor knowe, not truest loues desarts.

_Gyneura_ this confirmes against her Louer, whom now (all guiltlesse) she condemnes to die, That in his deede or thought did nere offend her, vnlesse by louing her so wondrous deerelie. Such Loue, such hate, such lyking, such disdains, Was neuer knowne in one hart to remaine.

Thus twas; _Diego_ had an enemie, (immortall vertue euer lincked is, With that pale leane-fac'd meager-hewed enuie) who secretly (so falsely) tells his Mis. How shee was mockt; _Diego_ lou'd another, And storm'd & rag'd what madnes so should moue her.

To dote on him that else where sets his Loue, hee makes you thinke (quoth he) what ere he list, That this is true, you easily may proue for still he weares her fauour on his fist, A Hawke it is; which shee (so stands the Mart) Giues him, he you faire words, but her his hart.

VVith this incenst, (that sex will soone beleeue) soonest when enuies broode to them display it, I'st true (quoth shee) for true loue doth he giue, such smooth-fac'd flattry, doth he thus repay it? Shee neuer scan'd, the truth of this her griefe, Loue in such cases, is of quicke beliefe.

Her loue to him was neuer halfe so great, (though once shee lou'd him) as is now her hate, This _Momus_ breath (like bellowes) to her heate, did kindle firie coales of hote debate. Hee plyes her; and exasperates his spight, And sweares, and vowes, hee tells her but the right.

Shee (like a franticke Froe of _Thessaly_ madded with _Bacchus_ brayne-distempring liquor) Runs here, and there, exclayming furiously with hideous, vncouth mind-affrighting terror. Swearing reuenge on false _Diegoes_ head, VVhose lying lookes in her such madnes bred.

VVherewith shee inuocates great _Nemesis_, and begs the power of her deitie, Shee tells her case, to Iustice-doing _Themis_, and shewes how shee is wronged mightily. Shee leaues no power vnsought for, or vnpraide, That vse to helpe distressed with their aide.

VVronged _Diego_ (little this suspecting) now thought it time to see his deerest faire, And (other matters of import neglecting, hee presently to her makes his repaire. VVhere being come, such welcome he did finde, As at the first did much disturbe his minde.

For faire _Gyneura_ would not now be seene, she sent him word she scorn'd his fauning flattrie, And much did greeue that shee so fond had beene, to yield her hart to such deceitfull battrie: Bid him (quoth shee) goe flatter where he list, I like not I, that fauour on his fist.

Such hap it was, _Diego_ then had brought his Hawke; (the author of this fell debate) Which well confirm'd her euer doubtfull thought, that nowe shee was resolu'd on deadly hate, Bid him (quoth she) depart hence from my sight, His loath-some presence brings me irksome spight.

Twas hard; that he whose loue was neuer tainted whose sincere faith was kept inuiolate, Nay, in whose face all truest loue was painted, should for his spotlesse truth be paid with hate, Hee stone-astonied, like a Deare at gaze, Admir'd these speeches in a wondrous maze.

At last hee crau'd this fauour he might haue, that shee her selfe would heare what he could say, So _Neptunes_ Towne (quoth shee) such lycense gaue to smooth-fac'd _Synon_ (_Ilions_ lost decay) So _Syrens_ sing vntill they haue their will, Some poore mistrustlesse Passenger to kill.

Shee would not heare him speake (oh cruell shee) that causelesse this would kill him with disdaine, Hee sweares he's guiltlesse, vowes innocencie, & in such vowes, tears down his cheeks did raine, Those cheeks which staine the blushing of ye morne _Gyneura_ now most hatefully doth scorne.

Tis strange that Maides should ere be so abused, to credit each malicious-tongued slaue, And to condemne a man (if once accused) before or proofe, or tryall, hee may haue. Too many such there be; wo's mee therefore, Such light credulitie, I must deplore.

When sighes, salt tears, & vowes could do no good, nor sighes, nor teares, nor vowes could pierce her hart, In which, disdaine triumphant victor stood holding in eyther hand a sable dart, VVherewith he strikes true loue, & stainlesse truth, Condemning them vnto eternall ruth.

Home goes _Diego_ with a cheereless face, whose steps were led by leaden-footed griefe, VVho neuer goes but with a dead-slowe pace, vntill hee finde some ease, or some reliefe; Twould melt a marble hart to see that man, (Earst, fresh as a new-blowne Rose) so ashie wan.

VVhere being come, he straight for four daies space, locks him in his chamber, and there did poure Huge shewers of christall rayne adowne his face, (for sure he lou'd her deerely at this howre) All ouerwhelm'd in waues of sea-salt teares, Some fatall shipwrack of his life he feares.

Wherewith he calls for paper, pen, and ynck, and for his Hawke, which presently he kild, Die thou (quoth he) so shall my loue nere thinke, that for thy sake to any else I yield. And plucking of her head, straight way hee writes, VVho (sending it as token) thus indites.

Loe heere (thou cruell faire) that gracious fauour, the Ensigne (as thou saist) of my vntruth, Behold in what high-priz'd esteeme I haue her that gaue me it, the cause of all my ruth: Looke as this Hawke, faire Loue, so is my hart, Mangled and torne; cause thou so cruell art.

I sweare to thee by all the rites of loue, by heauens faire head, by earth, & black-fac'd hel, I nere meant other loue but thine to proue, nor in my hart that any else should dwell; Let this suffize, my ioy, my deere, my chiefe, My griefes are too too long, though letter briefe.

Twas time to ende, for floods gusht out amaine, out came the springtide of his brinish teares, VVhich whatsoere hee writ blot out againe all blubred so to send it scarce hee dares: And yet hee did; goe thou (quoth hee) vnto her, And for thy maister, treate, sollicite, woo her.

And pray thee (if thy Fortune be so good as to be viewd by sunshine of her eyes) Bid her take heede in spilling guiltlesse blood, tell her there's danger in such cruelties: VVith this, hee gaue it to the messenger, Who (making speed) in short time brought it her.

Shee, when shee heard from whom the Letter came, returnes it backe againe, and straight replied, My friend (quoth she) hadst thou not told his name perhaps thy Letter, had not beene denied: VVhereat shee paus'd; but yet ile see (quoth shee) With what perswading termes, he flatters mee.

Twas quickly read; (God knowes it was but short) griefe would not let the wryter tedious be, Nor would it suffer him fit words to sort, but pens it (chaos-like) confusedly. Yet had it passion to haue turn'd hard stones To liquid moisture, if they heard his moanes.

But cruell shee, more hard then any flint, worse then a Tygresse of Hyrcania, Would not be mou'd, nor could his lines take print in her hard hart, so cruell was _Gyneura_. Shee which once lou'd him deerly, (too too well) Now hates him more then any tongue can tell.

Oh Nature, chiefest Mother of vs all, why did you giue such apt-beleeuing harts To women-kind, that thus poore men inthrall, and will not dulie waie true loues desarts? O had their harts been like vnto their face, They sure had been of some celestiall race.

Shee pittiles, sends backe to _Dom Diego_, and sayes, his words cannot inchant her hart, _Vlisses_-like, shee will not heare _Calypso_, nor lend her eares to such intising arte. Bid him (quoth she) fr[=o] henceforth cease to write, Tell him his Letters agrauate my spight.

Full heauie newes it was to stainelesse loue, to him that had enshrin'd her in his thought, And in his hart had honor'd her aboue the world; to wh[=o] all else saue her seem'd nought. Nay, vnto him, whose person, wit, and faire, Might surely with the best make iust compare.

But (blinded as shee was) shee steemes him not, hate and disdaine doe neuer brooke respect, Shee did not knowe that beauties foulest blot consisted in true-louing harts neglect. No, she (more stubborne th[=e] the North-east wind) VVould not admit such knowledge in her mind.

Let those who guiltleslie haue felt disdaine, whose faithfull loue hath beene repaid with hate, Giue rightfull iudgement of _Diegoes_ paine who bought his fauours at the highest rate. This newes such pleasure in his soule had bred, As hath the thiefe that heares his iudgement read.

After some time, hee writes againe vnto her, hee could not thinke shee would perseuer so, But when hee sawe her aunswere like the other hee then surceas'd to send her any moe. But did resolue to seeke some vncouth place, VVhere he might (vnfound out) bewaile his case.

Thinking indeede shee by his absence might at length intenerate her flintfull hart, And metamorphize her conceaued spight into true loue regardaunt of his smart; Hee seekes all meanes (poore Louer) how to gaine His rigorous Lady from such fell disdaine.

At last, hee calls to mind the Pyren Mountaines, those far-fam'd, woody hills of wealthy Spaine, Which for wild Beasts, & siluer visag'd Fountaines, hath got the praise of all that there remaine; Hether postes _Dom Diego_ fraught with griefe, Hoping those woods would yield him some reliefe.

VVhere, being come, all Pilgrim-like attir'd, hee pryes about to see if hee could finde, Some house-like Caue, for rest hee much desir'd, his body now was wearie, as his minde. O Gods (quoth hee) if youth finde such distresse, VVhat hope haue I, of future happines.

VVith that hee sees a Rocke made like a Cabin all tapistred with Natures mossie greene, VVrought in a frizled guise, as it had been made for _Napæa_, Mountaines chiefest Queene, At mouth of which grew Cedars, Pines, & Firs, And at the top grew Maple, Yough, and Poplers.

So, heere (quoth hee) ile rest my wearied bodie in thee (delightfull place of Natures building) VVill I erect a griefe-fram'd Monasterie, where night & day my prayers ile ne're cease yielding, To thee my deere; (no other Saint I haue) Oh lend thine eares, to him that his hart gaue.

Two dayes were spent in this so pleasant seate, (this stone-built Pallace of the King content) Before _Diego_ tasted any meate, or once did drinke, more then his eyes had lent. O irresisted force of purest Loue, Whom paines, thirst, hunger, can no whit remoue.

Sometimes, when as he scans her crueltie, & feeles his paines (like _Hydreas_ head) increasing, Hee wisht the Scithian _Anthropophagie_ did haunt these woods that liue by mans flesh eating; Or else the Thracian _Bessi_, so renound, For cruell murdring, whom in woods they found.

That so the _Gordyon_ knot of his paine indissoluble e'rewhiles he did lyue, Might be vntide when as his hart were slaine, when he (ô restfull time) shold cease to grieue; But yet the Sisters kept his vitall breath, They would not let him dye so base a death.

Some other times when as he waies her beautie, her _Venus_-stayning face so wondrous faire, Hee then doth thinke to waile tis but his dutie sith caus'd by her that is without compaire, And in this moode vnto high _Ioue_ hee prayes, And praying so, hee thus vnto him sayes.