ELEGIA 10
Ad puellam, ne pro amore proemia poscatSuch as the cause was of two husbands warre,
Whom Trojane ships fecht from Europa farre.
Such as was Leda, whom the God deluded
In snowe-white plumes of a false swanne included.
Such as Amimone through the drie fields strayed
When on her head a water pitcher lajed.
Such wert thou, and I fear'd the Bull and Eagle
And what ere love made Jove should thee invegle.
Now all feare with my mindes hot love abates,
No more this beauty mine eyes captivates.
Ask'st why I chaunge? because thou crav'st reward:
This cause hath thee from pleasing me debard.
While thou wert plaine, I lov'd thy minde and face:
Now inward faults thy outward forme disgrace.
Love is a naked boy, his yeares saunce staine,
And hath no cloathes, but open doth remaine.
Will you for gaine have Cupid sell himselfe?
He hath no bosome, where to hide base pelfe.
Love and Loves sonne are with fierce armes to oddes;
To serve for pay beseemes not wanton gods.
The whore stands to be bought for each mans mony
And seekes vild wealth by selling of her Cony,
Yet greedy Bauds command she curseth still,
And doth constraind, what you do of good will.
Take from irrationall beasts a president,
Tis shame their wits should be more excelent.
The Mare askes not the Horse, the Cowe the Bull,
Nor the milde Ewe gifts from the Ramme doth pull.
Only a Woman gets spoiles from a Man,
Farmes out her-self on nights for what she can.
And lets what both delight, what both desire,
Making her joy according to her hire.
The sport being such, as both alike sweete try it,
Why should one sell it, and the other buy it?
Why should I loose, and thou gaine by the pleasure
Which man and woman reape in equall measure?
Knights of the post of perjuries make saile,
The unjust Judge for bribes becomes a stale.
Tis shame sould tongues the guilty should defend
Or great wealth from a judgement seate ascend.
Tis shame to grow rich by bed merchandize,
Or prostitute thy beauty for bad prize.
Thankes worthely are due for things unbought,
For beds ill hyr'd we are indebted nought.
The hirer payeth al, his rent discharg'd
From firther duty he rests then inlarg'd.
Faire Dames for-beare rewards for nights to crave,
Ill gotten goods good end will never have.
The Sabine gauntlets were too dearely wunne
That unto death did presse the holy Nunne.
The sonne slew her, that forth to meete him went,
And a rich neck-lace caus'd that punnishment.
Yet thinke no scorne to aske a wealthy churle,
He wants no gifts into thy lap to hurle.
Take clustred grapes from an ore-laden vine,
May bounteous lome Alcinous fruite resigne.
Let poore men show their service, faith, and care;
All for their Mistrisse, what they have, prepare.
In verse to praise kinde Wenches tis my part,
And whom I like eternize by mine art.
Garments do weare, jewells and gold do wast,
The fame that verse gives doth for ever last.
To give I love, but to be ask't disdayne,
Leave asking, and lie give what I refraine.