Seemd strangelie metamorphiz’d to myne eye; The Helliconian spring, that did proceed From th’hoofe of Pegasus that heauenlie steed, And those pure streames of virgin Castalie, The place of Ioue’s nine daughters nurserie, Did seeme to haue resign’d their proper place, Transported thither to that land’s disgrace: Where, as I thought, I heard an heauenlie sound, Of which the place did euerie where redound: Vnto the which as I attentiue stood, Descending downe from out a neighbouring wood, I might behold the sacred sisters nine, Whether from heauen or other place diuine, I am vncertaine; but their way they made Where as I stood beneath the leauie shade: Before them all a goodlie ladie came In stately portance like Ioue’s braine-borne dame, To wit, that virgin queene, the faire _Elize_, That whilom was our England’s richest prize; In princelie station with great Iunoe’s grace (Me seem’d) she came in her maiesticke pace, Grac’d with the lookes of daunting maiestie, Mixt with the meekenesse of milde clemencie; Such haue I seene her, when in princely state She goddesse-like in chariot high hath sate, When troopes of people with loud shouts and cries, Haue sounded out their auies in the skies: And rid each other in the present place With great desire to see her heau’nly face: Mongst whom she came, as if Aurora faire Out of the east had newly made repaire, Making a sun-like light with golden shine Of her bright beauty in the gazer’s eine. Approching neere the place where I did stand, With gratious beckning of her princely hand, She seem’d to call to me; but sillie I, Daunted with presence of such maiestie, Fell prostrate downe, debasht with reuerent shame At sudden sight of so diuine a dame; Till she with gentle speech thus mildely said: “Stand vp,” quoth she, “and be no whit dismaid; Let loyall loue and zeale to me inflame Thy muse to sing the praises of my name; And let not thoughts of want, of worth, and skill, Impeach the purpose of thy forward quill; For though thy homely stile and slender verse Too humble seeme my praises to rehearse: Yet to the world, that I a Mirrour bee Amongst those many Mirrours writ by thee; Feare neither bite of dogged _Theon’s_ tooth, Nor soone-shot bolts of giddie headed youth; For th’awfull power of my sole dreaded name, Shall from thy verse auert all foule defame: And lest in any point thou chance to faile, Which may my name’s great glorie ought auaile; Loe here the cheefest of the daughters nine Of sacred Memorie and Ioue diuine, Great Clioe’s selfe, in order shall rehearse My storie to thee in her stately verse.” This said, more swift then lightening from the skie, She on the suddaine vanisht from mine eye With all her nymphes, for none of all her traine