_Lalus_ a Iolly youthfull Lad, With _Cleon_, no lesse crown'd With vertues; both their beings had On the Elizian ground. Both hauing parts so excellent, That it a question was, Which should be the most eminent, Or did in ought surpasse: This _Cleon_ was a Mountaineer, And of the wilder kinde, 10 And from his birth had many a yeere Bin nurst vp by a Hinde. And as the sequell well did show, It very well might be; For neuer Hart, nor Hare, nor Roe, Were halfe so swift as he. But _Lalus_ in the Vale was bred, Amongst the Sheepe and Neate, And by these Nimphes there choicly fed, With Hony, Milke, and Wheate; 20 Of Stature goodly, faire of speech, And of behauiour mylde, Like those there in the Valley rich, That bred him of a chyld. Of Falconry they had the skill, Their Halkes to feed and flye, No better Hunters ere clome Hill, Nor hollowed to a Cry: In Dingles deepe, and Mountains hore, Oft with the bearded Speare 30 They combated the tusky Boare, And slew the angry Beare. In Musicke they were wondrous quaint, Fine Aers they could deuise; They very curiously could Paint, And neatly Poetize; That wagers many time were laid On Questions that arose, Which song the witty _Lalus_ made, Which _Cleon_ should compose. 40 The stately Steed they manag'd well, Of Fence the art they knew, For Dansing they did all excell The Gerles that to them drew; To throw the Sledge, to pitch the Barre, To wrestle and to Run, They all the Youth exceld so farre, That still the Prize they wonne. These sprightly Gallants lou'd a Lasse, Cald _Lirope the bright_, 50 In the whole world there scarcely was So delicate a Wight, There was no Beauty so diuine That euer Nimph did grace, But it beyond it selfe did shine In her more heuenly face: What forme she pleasd each thing would take That ere she did behold, Of Pebbles she could Diamonds make, Grosse Iron turne to Gold: 60 Such power there with her presence came Sterne Tempests she alayd,