JUPITER. Fear not, fair Venus, neither be dismay'd; Repose thee on the warrant of my word. What I have promis'd, doubt not to be performed; The spareless destinies my will afford: Let this defend thee, like a trusty sword. But Lady Fortune cometh, now I see. Welcome, fair dame; what is thy will with me? [_Enter_ FORTUNE.] FORTUNE. Ye sacred powers divine, how should I now begin, Or which way should I couch my words, your favours for to win? I may pour out my plaint, but thou may'st it redress. My father humbly prayeth you to give me leave to speak, And pardon him that in his wrath he did your quietness break. I cannot but confess, dread gods, I am not she, That seeks with Venus to compare in her supremacy. I am not of that power, yet am I of some might, Which she (usurping) challengeth to keep me from my right. I grant she may do much with her alluring smiles, But soon your godheads can perceive her words be full of wiles. What be the tragedies, the terrors, that she makes? Let's see the mighty monarchs, the kingdoms that she shakes. Poor soul, she soundly lives with wanton sug'red joys, Triumphing in her own delight upon her foolish toys. Sometimes she flattereth it in pleasure mix'd with pain, Like to a fair sunshine day overcast with clouds of rain. But should I reckon up what things I can confound, What is it then, or what hath been, or shall for aye be found? Is not the wonder of the world a work that soon decays? Therefore, ye see all earthly things are wearing out always; As brittle as the glass, unconstant like the mind, As fickle as the whirling wheel, as wavering as the wind. Lo, such I am that overthrows the highest-reared tower, That changeth and supplanteth[70] realms in twinkling of an hour, And send them hasty smart whom I devise to spoil, Not threat'ning or forewarning them, but at a smile. Where joy doth most abound, there I do sorrow place, And them I chiefly persecute that pleasure did embrace. What greater grief can fall to man in all his life, Than after sweet to taste the sour, in peace to be at strife? It is a biting thought that fretteth on the heart, To say, the time was when I joy'd, though now oppress'd with smart. If ever mighty king did 'scape untouch'd of me, If ever year, or month, or day, or if an hour might be, Wherein I have not us'd to practise some exchange, Perhaps for this authority I might be thought to range Too far beyond my right; but even the very stars, The heavens, the planets, and the seas, bear witness of my scars. VENUS. No more of that, good dame; you run too far at roam: I'll take the pains to keep you short, and call you nearer home. I pray you, what's your might, when all are well belov'd? FORTUNE. The sweetest lovers in distress the sharper storms have prov'd. VENUS. Perhaps for want of wealth; but if their riches slack? FORTUNE. They are the very instrument, whereby I work their woe. VENUS. What, if their friends abound, then can they never lack?