LINES

ADDRESSED TO THOMAS WATSON,

Prefixed to the Eкатоμжαliα, or Passionate Centurie of Love.*

Ir graver heads shall count it overlight

To treat of love, say thou to them, a stain
Is incident unto the finest die :

And yet no stain at all it is for thee,
These lays of love, as mirth to melancholy,
To follow fast thy sad Antigone,t

* The EKATOMIAOIA or Passionate Centurie of Love, divided into two parts: whereof, the first expresseth the Authour's sufferance in Love: the latter, his long farewell to love and all his tyrannie. Composed by Thomas Watson, Gentleman; and published at the request of certeine Gentlemen his very frendes. London, Imprinted by John Wolfe for Gabriell Cawood dwellinge in Paules Churchyard at the signe of the Holy Ghost. 4to. n. d. See more concerning Watson in my account of Peele and his writings, and at p. 222. of this vol.

tthy sad Antigone] Sophoclis Antigone. Interprete Thoma Watsono J. U. studioso. Huic adduntur pompæ quædam, ex singulis Tragedia actis derivata; et post eas, totidem themata sententiis refertissima; eodem Thoma Watsono Authore. Londini excudebat Johannes Wolfius, 1581. 4to.

Which may bear out a broader work than this,
Compil'd with judgment, order, and with art;
And shrowd thee under shadow of his wings,
Whose gentle heart, and head with learning fraight,
Shall yield thee gracious favour and defence.

THE PRAISE OF CHASTITY,

WHEREIN IS SET FORTH, BY WAY OF COMPARISON, HOW GREAT IS THE CONQUEST OVER

OUR AFFECTIONS.

From the Phonix Nest, 1593.

THE noble Romans whilom wonted were,
For triumph of their conquer'd enemies,
The wreaths of laurel and of palm to wear,
In honour of their famous victories;

And so, in robes of gold and purple dight,
Like bodies shrin'd in seats of ivory,
Their names renown'd for happiness in fight,
They bear the guerdon of their chivalry.

The valiant Greeks for sack of Priam's town,
A work of manhood match'd with policy,
Have fill'd the world with books of their renown,
As much as erst the Roman empery.

The Phrygian knights that in the house of fame
Have shining arms of endless memory,
By hot and fierce repulse did win the same,
Though Helen's rape hurt Paris' progeny.

Thus strength hath guerdon, by the world's award;
So praise we birth, and high nobility :
If then the mind and body reap reward,
For nature's dower, conferred liberally,

Press then for praise unto the highest, room,
That art the highest of the gifts of heaven,
More beautiful by wisdom's sacred doom

Than Sol himself amid the planets seven ;

Queen of content, and temperate desires,
Choice nurse of health, thy name hight Chastity!
A sovereign power to quench such climbing fires
As choak the mind with smoke of infamy :

Champion at arms, re'ncounter with thy foe,
An enemy foul and fearful to behold;
If then stout captains have been honour'd so,
Their names in books of memory enroll❜d,

For puissant strength: ye Roman peers, retire,
And, Greeks, give ground; more honour there is

won

With chaste rebukes to temper thy desire,

Than glory gain'd the world to overrun;

Than fierce Achilles got by Hector's spoil;
Than erst the mighty prince of Macedon,
King Philip's imp, that put his foes to foil

And wish'd more worlds to hold him play than one.

Believe me, to contend 'gainst armies royal,

To tame wild panthers but by strength of hand, To praise the triumph, not so special,

As ticing pleasure's charmes for to withstand.

And, for me list compare with men of war,
For honour of the field, I dare maintain,
This victory exceedeth that as far

As Phoebus' chariot Vulcan's forge doth stain.

Both noble, and triumphant in their kinds,

And matter worthy queen Remembrance' pen; But that that tangles both our thoughts and minds, To master that, is more than over men

To make thy triumph: sith, to strength alone
Of body it belongs, to bruise or wound;
But raging thoughts to quell, or few or none,
Save Virtue's imps, are able champions found;

Or those whom Jove hath lov'd; or noble of birth : So strong Alcides, Jove's unconquer'd son,

Did lift Achelous' body from the earth,

To shew what deeds by Virtue's strength are done: