So went he playing on the watery plaine, xxiv Soone after whom the louely Bridegroome came, The noble Thamis, with all his goodly traine, But him before there went, as best became,[208] His auncient parents, namely th’auncient Thame. But much more aged was his wife then he, The Ouze, whom men doe Isis rightly name; Full weake and crooked creature seemed shee, And almost blind through eld, that scarce her way could see. Therefore on either side she was sustained xxv Of two smal grooms, which by their names were hight The _Churne_, and _Charwell_, two small streames, which pained Them selues her footing to direct aright, Which fayled oft through faint and feeble plight: But _Thame_ was stronger, and of better stay; Yet seem’d full aged by his outward sight, With head all hoary, and his beard all gray, Deawed with siluer drops, that trickled downe alway. And eke he somewhat seem’d to stoupe afore xxvi With bowed backe, by reason of the lode, And auncient heauy burden, which he bore Of that faire City, wherein make abode[209] So many learned impes, that shoote abrode, And with their braunches spred all Britany, No lesse then do her elder sisters broode. Ioy to you both, ye double noursery[210] Of Arts, but Oxford thine doth _Thame_ most glorify. But he their sonne full fresh and iolly was, xxvii All decked in a robe of watchet hew, On which the waues, glittering like Christall glas, So cunningly enwouen were, that few Could weenen, whether they were false or trew. And on his head like to a Coronet He wore, that seemed strange to common vew, In which were many towres and castels set, That it encompast round as with a golden fret. Like as the mother of the Gods, they say, xxviii In her great iron charet wonts to ride, When to _Ioues_ pallace she doth take her way: Old _Cybele_, arayd with pompous pride, Wearing a Diademe embattild wide With hundred turrets, like a Turribant. With such an one was Thamis beautifide; That was to weet the famous Troynouant, In which her kingdomes throne is chiefly resiant. And round about him many a pretty Page xxix Attended duely, ready to obay; All little Riuers, which owe vassallage To him, as to their Lord, and tribute pay: The chaulky Kenet, and the Thetis gray, The morish Cole, and the soft sliding Breane, The wanton Lee, that oft doth loose his way, And the still Darent, in whose waters cleane Ten thousand fishes play, and decke his pleasant streame.