Qui[152] cupis æthereas et summas scandere sedes, Vim simul ac fraudem discute, care, tibi. Fraus hic nulla juvat, non fortia facta juvabunt: Sola Dei tua te trahet tersa fides. Qui placet in terris, intactæ paludis instar, Vivere Virginiam nitore, virgo, sequi: Quos tulit et luctus, discas [et] gaudia magna, Vitæ dum Parcæ scindere fila parent. Huc ades, O virgo pariter moritura, sepulchro; Sic ait, et facies pallida morte mutat. Who doth desire the trump of fame to sound unto the skies, Or else who seeks the holy place where mighty Jove he lies, He must not by deceitful mind, nor yet by puissant strength, But by the faith and sacred life he must it win at length, And what she be that virgin’s life on earth would gladly lead The floods that Virginia did fall I wish her to read: Her dolor and her doleful loss, and yet her joys at death: Come, Virgins pure, to grave with me, quoth she with latest breath. You Lordlings, all that present be this Tragedy to hear, Note well what zeal and love herein doth well appear: And, ladies, you that linked are in wedlock bands for ever, Do imitate the life you see, whose fame will perish never. But Virgins you, O Ladies fair, for honour of your name. Do lead the life apparent here to win immortal fame. Let not the blinded God of Love, as poets term him so, Nor Venus with her venery, nor lechers, cause of woe, Your Virgins’ name to spot or file: dear dames, observe the life[153] That fair Virginia did observe, who rather wish[ed] the knife Of father’s hand her life to end, than spot her chastity: As she did wail, wail you her want, you maids of courtesy. If any by example here would shun that great annoy. Our Author would rejoice in heart, and we would leap for joy. Would gods that our endeavours may as well to please your ears, As is our author’s meaning here, then were we void of fears. But patiently we wish you bear with this our first attempt, Which surely will to do our best, then yield us no contempt: And as you please in patient wise our first for to receive, Ere long a better shall you win, if God do grant us leave. APPIUS AND VIRGINIA. _Enter_ VIRGINIUS.