Wonder not, mortals, though the Poets feign! The Muses' graces were in this She's favour: Nor wonder, though She strove his tongue to gain! For I lose mine, in thinking of his labour. "Well may he love," I write, "and all Wits praise her, She's so all humble, Learning cannot raise her!" DAIPHANTUS oft sighed: "Oh!" oft said "Fair!" Then looks and sighs, and then cries wonderful; Thus did he long, and truly 'twas not rare: The object was! which made his mind so dull. Pray pardon him! for better to cry "Oh!" Than feel that Passion which caused him sigh so. Now, all were silent, not alone this Lover, Till came ISMENIO, brother to this Saint, Whose haste made sweat, his tongue he could not prove her, For this against him, that his heart was faint: Thus all amazed, none knowing any cause, ISMENIO breathless, here had time to pause. At length, ISMENIO, who had wit and skill, Questioned the reason of this strong effect: At last related, haste outwent his will, He told them, "He was sent, them to direct, Where hunting sports, their eyes should better please!" Who first went forth, DAIPHANTUS most did ease. They gone, DAIPHANTUS to his standish highs! Thinks, in his writs VITULLIA'S beauties were: But what he wrote, his Muse not justifies, Bids him take time! "Love badly writes in fear! Her worthy praise, if he would truly write, Her kisses' nectar must the same indite." "Art, and sweet Nature! Let your influence drop From me like rain! Yes, yes, in golden showers! (Whose end is Virtue, let him never stop!) But fall on her, like dew on sprinkling flowers! That both together meeting, may beget An ORPHEUS! two gems in a soil richly set!" Thus ravished, then distracted, as was deemed, Not taught to write of Love in this extreme; In love, in fear; yea, trembling (as it seemed), If praising her, he should not keep the mean! Thus vexed, he wept! His tears intreated pity, But Love unconstant, tunes a woful ditty. Now kneels to VENUS. Faithfulness protested To this, none else! This was his only Saint! Vowed e'er his service, or to be arrested To VENUS' censure! Thus he left to faint. His love brought Wit, and Wit engendered Spirit; True Love and Wit thus learned him to indite. "As the mild lamb runs forth from shepherd's fold, By ravenous wolves is caught and made a prey: So is my Sense, by which Love taketh hold, Tormented more than any tongue can say. The difference is, they tortured so, do die! I feed the torment breeds my misery.