Not distant far, within a garden fair, The sweet ARTESIA sang unto her lute, Her voice charmed CUPID, and perfumed the air, Made beasts stand still, and birds for to be mute. Her voice and beauty proved so sad a ditty; Who saw, was blind! who heard, soon sued for pity! This Lady was no virgin like the rest, Yet near allied. By Florence city dwelling (Nature and Art; within her both were blest; Music in her, and Love had his excelling). To visit her fair cousins oft she came; Perhaps more jocund, but no whit to blame. Fortune had crossed her with a churlish Mate, Who STRYMON hight. A Palmer was his sire, Full nobly born and of a wealthy state; His son a child not born to his Desire. Thus was she crossed, which causèd her thereby, DAIPHANTUS' grief to mourn, by sympathy. DAIPHANTUS hearing such a swan-tuned voice, Was ravished, as with angels' melody; Though in this labyrinth blest, could not rejoice, Nor yet could see what brought this harmony. At length, this goddess ceased; began draw near, Who, when he saw; he saw not, 'twas her sphere! Away then crept he on his hands and knees, To hide himself: thought VENUS came to plague him! Which she espying, like the sun she stands; As with her beams, she thought for to assuage him. But like the sun, which gazed on blinds the eye, So he by her! and so resolved to die. At this, in wonder softly did she pace it; Yet suddenly was stayed. His verses seized her, Which he late writ, forgot. Thus was he graced. She read them over, and the writing pleased her. For CUPID framed two mottoes in her heart: The one as DIAN'S, the other, for his dart. She read and pitied; reading, Pity taught. She loved and hated; hate to Love did turn. She smiled and wept; her weeping Smiling brought. She hoped and feared; her Hopes in fear did mourn. She read, loved, smiled, and hoped; but 'twas in vain: Her tears, still dread; and pity, hate did gain. She could have loved him, such true verses making; She might have loved him, and yet love beguiling. She would have kissed him, but feared his awaking; She might have kissed him, and sleep sweetly smiling. She thus afeared, did fear what she most wished. He thus in hope, still hoped for that he missed. He looked! They two, long each on other gazed! Sweet silence pleaded what each other thought. Thus Love and Fancy both alike amazed, As if their tongues and hearts had been distraught. ARTESIA'S voice thus courted him at length. The more she spake, the greater was his strength!