In his left hand his bow he bare, And by his side his quiver ware: In powre he sits past all compare, And with his flames the worlde doth dare. A scepter in his hand he hild, With Chloris native flowrs untild, And nectars deathles odors stild, From his bright lookes the sunne did guild. The triple Graces there assist, Supporting with their brests commist, And knees that Tellus bosome kist, The challice of this amorist. These ladyes now approched neare, And worshipped exempt from feare Loves god: who was environd there With youth, that honord stiles did beare. Their joy is superexcellent, To see a court so confluent: Whom Cupid, seeing their intent, Doth with his greeting intervent. He askes the cause for which they came: They confidently tell the same: And he gives prayse to eyther dame, That durst so great a warre proclame. To both he spake to make some pause, Untyll their honorable cause, Profoundly wayde in every clause, Might be explande with all applause. He was a God which well they know, Rehearsall needes it not bestow: They light and rest, and playnely show, Where Love strives, Love wil maister grow. Love lawes and judges hath in fee,[23] Nature and use his judges bee: To whom his whole courts censures flee, Since past, and things to come, they see. These do the hart of justice trie, And show the courts severitie: In judgment, and strong customs eye, The clerke is fitst for venerie.[24] Gainst which the queenes but little strove, Since Loves high voyce did it approve: So both to their abodes remove: But as at first, rest firm in Love. Translated by George Chapman(?) THE PLEADING OF THE ROSE AND OF THE VIOLET[25] In the presence of Imagination, before whom in due course of law actions are brought, an argument was one day commenced between the Rose and the Violet. The matter, of which I treat, was most wisely conducted. To set forth fully points, process, articles, and case, the advocate of the Rose appeared first and began as follows: "Violet! I am here to propound a question in behalf of my lady, lovely Rose; I hereby announce to you, and intend likewise to proclaim and sustain in all courts of the land, that Rose is of greater worth, more desired, and more dearly esteemed than you are. That is just, for indeed she adorns the season with her color, more delicate than purple and crimson, and with her sweet fragrance. She lasts much longer in her beauty than do you, Violet; and, red or white, she springs in the pleasant month of May to draw all lovers out of their sadness. Then do ladies and youths, lords, bachelors and maidens gather her flowers, some making chaplets of them and others weaving garlands to adorn themselves." At this point, the advocate of the Violet, who was very old, could no longer keep silent, and broke in: