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And though thine Aunt commands thee to goe of an errant, which she gaue me
in charge to tell thee, bicause my waie lies thereabouts, I will my selfe do it. And bicause thou maiest not be found with my garments on, if any come to seeke me, thou shalt locke thy selfe in: for I will bid my seruants (if any aske for me) saie that I am a sleepe, and open the dore to no bodie, vnlesse hee say he is Placindus, bicause when I come they may then let mee in. With this aduise that hee gaue me, he went into an inward chamber and tooke a buckler, and a good broad sword, (that many daies since was hung vp against the wall, bicause it was somewhat too heauie for his hand, though now Dardaneas loue had added more strength & force to his arme) & did put on a shirt of maile, & a good head-peece. Being thus armed, he went to looke when Sagastes came forth, and in this sort went, least in the night any harme might haue hapned vnto him. When hee came to Sagastes house, hee heard a tuning of certaine instruments, for it fell out that hee went that night to be∣stowe some musicke on his Mistres Marthea. After a little while that he had staied there (which might be about eleuen of the clocke) he heard them comming downe; and bicause h••oulde not be seene, as though hee stoode there to watch them, hee passed ouer the streete, going his waies. Sagastes had so great a presumption of the authoritie and countenance, that he had by the kings fauour in the citie, that hee thought none durst offend him; and therefore went accompanied but onely with a page that caried his rapier, and the musicions weapons. Disteus (least by the bright∣nes of the Moone he might haue beene descried) followed aloofe off to Martheas house, where all of them staying, one of the musicions began to sounde a cornet aloud, I thinke, to awake the people and to call vp Marthea; and after that euery one playing on his seuer all instrument, as on a Lute, a Harpe, a Recorder, a Bandora and others with such concent and melodie, that it seemed (as in their song they said) to staie the course of the night. To which melodious notes not long after a boye with a passing sweete voice, did sing this Dittie, which Sagastes caused to be made for his owne purpose.
in charge to tell thee, bicause my waie lies thereabouts, I will my selfe do it. And bicause thou maiest not be found with my garments on, if any come to seeke me, thou shalt locke thy selfe in: for I will bid my seruants (if any aske for me) saie that I am a sleepe, and open the dore to no bodie, vnlesse hee say he is Placindus, bicause when I come they may then let mee in. With this aduise that hee gaue me, he went into an inward chamber and tooke a buckler, and a good broad sword, (that many daies since was hung vp against the wall, bicause it was somewhat too heauie for his hand, though now Dardaneas loue had added more strength & force to his arme) & did put on a shirt of maile, & a good head-peece. Being thus armed, he went to looke when Sagastes came forth, and in this sort went, least in the night any harme might haue hapned vnto him. When hee came to Sagastes house, hee heard a tuning of certaine instruments, for it fell out that hee went that night to be∣stowe some musicke on his Mistres Marthea. After a little while that he had staied there (which might be about eleuen of the clocke) he heard them comming downe; and bicause h••oulde not be seene, as though hee stoode there to watch them, hee passed ouer the streete, going his waies. Sagastes had so great a presumption of the authoritie and countenance, that he had by the kings fauour in the citie, that hee thought none durst offend him; and therefore went accompanied but onely with a page that caried his rapier, and the musicions weapons. Disteus (least by the bright∣nes of the Moone he might haue beene descried) followed aloofe off to Martheas house, where all of them staying, one of the musicions began to sounde a cornet aloud, I thinke, to awake the people and to call vp Marthea; and after that euery one playing on his seuer all instrument, as on a Lute, a Harpe, a Recorder, a Bandora and others with such concent and melodie, that it seemed (as in their song they said) to staie the course of the night. To which melodious notes not long after a boye with a passing sweete voice, did sing this Dittie, which Sagastes caused to be made for his owne purpose.
LEt the silence of the night
At my will her dutie showe:
Harken to me euery Wight,
Or be still, or speake but lowe:
Let no watching dog with spight
Barke at any to or fro,
Nor the Cocke (of Titan bright
The foreteller) once to crowe.
Let no prying goose excite
All the flocke to squeake a rowe:
Let the windes retaine their might,
Or a little while not blowe:
Whilst thy eare I doe inuite
On this ditty to be slowe.
In the which I nill recite
Thy deserts, which euer growe:
Nor thy beauties so bedight,
Fairer then the rose or snowe.
Nor how with thy grace (of right)
Thou dost conquer others soe:
Nor thy vertues exquisite,
Which no wight deserues to knowe.
For into seas infinite
With small barke it were to goe,
And that labyrinth sans light,
Wherein Theseus they did throwe.
I not hauing in this plight
Threed as he (his guide from woe)
I will onely sing and write
How in happines I flowe,
That thy seruant I doe hight,
Praising Fortune and Loues bowe:
Thanking him, that so did smite:
She, bicause she was not slowe
In her throne my paines to quite:
Loue, for (like a friendly foe)
Wounding thee with golden flight:
And for shooting many moe
Into my soule, whose paines shal seeme but slight,
If with thy grace their woūds thou wilt
requite.
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