This gracelesse man for furtherance of his guile, xxv Did court the handmayd of my Lady deare, Who glad t’embosome his affection vile, Did all she might, more pleasing to appeare. One day to worke her to his will more neare, He woo’d her thus: _Pryene_ (so she hight) What great despight doth fortune to thee beare, Thus lowly to abase thy beautie bright, That it should not deface all others lesser light? But if she had her least helpe to thee lent, xxvi T’adorne thy forme according thy desart, Their blazing pride thou wouldest soone haue blent, And staynd their prayses with thy least good part; Ne should faire _Claribell_ with all her art, Though she thy Lady be, approch thee neare: For proofe thereof, this euening, as thou art, Aray thy selfe in her most gorgeous geare, That I may more delight in thy embracement deare. The Maiden proud through prayse, and mad through loue xxvii Him hearkned to, and soone her selfe arayd, The whiles to me the treachour did remoue His craftie engin, and as he had sayd, Me leading, in a secret corner layd, The sad spectatour of my Tragedie; Where left, he went, and his owne false part playd, Disguised like that groome of base degree, Whom he had feignd th’abuser of my loue to bee. Eftsoones he came vnto th’appointed place, xxviii And with him brought _Pryene_,[569] rich arayd, In _Claribellaes_ clothes. Her proper face I not descerned[570] in that darkesome shade, But weend it was my loue, with whom he playd. Ah God, what horrour and tormenting griefe My hart, my hands, mine eyes, and all assayd? Me liefer were ten thousand deathes[571] priefe, Then wound of gealous worme, and shame of such repriefe. I home returning, fraught with fowle despight, xxix And chawing vengeance all the way I went, Soone as my loathed loue appeard in sight, With wrathfull hand I slew her innocent; That after soone I dearely did lament: For when the cause of that outrageous deede Demaunded, I made plaine and euident, Her faultie Handmayd, which that bale did breede, Confest, how _Philemon_ her wrought to chaunge her weede. Which when I heard, with horrible affright xxx And hellish fury all enragd, I sought Vpon my selfe that vengeable despight To punish: yet it better first I thought, To wreake my wrath on him, that first it wrought. To _Philemon_, false faytour _Philemon_ I cast to pay, that I so dearely bought; Of deadly drugs I gaue him drinke anon, And washt away his guilt with guiltie potion.