Now was the time, when shepheards told their sheep, And weary plow-men ease themselues with sleepe, When loue-prickt _Thisbe_ no where could be found, Nor _Pyramus_, though seruants sought them round. But newes came straight, that _Pyramus_ was seene, Sporting with _Thisbe_ lately in the euen: Like newes to both their Parents soone was brought; Which newes (alas) the louers downfals wrought. For though they lov'd, as you haue heard of yore, Their angry parents hate was ten times more, And hearing that their children were together, Both were afraide least each had murthered other. 10 When they came home, as long they staid not forth, Their storming parents fround vpon them both, And charged them neuer so to meet againe, Which charge to them, God knows was endles paine: For yeres came on, and true loue tooke such strength, That they were welnigh slaine for loue at length: For though their parents houses ioynd in one, Yet they poore peats, were ioynd to liue alone. So great and deadly was the daring hate, Which kept their moody parents at debate, And yet their hearts as houses ioynd together, Though hard constraint, their bodies did disseuer. 11 At length they found, as searching louers find, A shift (though hard) which somwhat easd their mind: For Io a time worne creuis in the wall, Through this the louers did each other call, And often talke, but softly did they talke, Least busie spy-faults should find out their walke: For it was plast in such a secret roome, As thither did their parents seldome come. Through this they kist, but with their breath they kist, For why the hindring wall was them betwixt, Somtimes poor souls, they talkt till they were windles And all their talke was of their friends vnkindnes. 12 When they had long time vsd this late found shift, Fearing least some should vndermine their drift, They did agree, but through the wall agreed, That both should hast vnto the groue with speed, And in that arbour where they first did meet, With semblant loue each should the other greet, The match concluded, and the time set downe, _Thisbe_ prepar'd to get her forth the towne, For well she wot, her loue would keepe his houre, And be the first should come vnto the bowre: For _Pyramus_ had sworne there for to meete her, And like to _Venus_ champion there to greet her. 13