ELEGIA 8
Ad Cypassim ancillam CorinnoeCypassis that a thousand wayes trimst haire,
Worthy to keembe none but a Goddesse faire,
Our pleasant scapes shew thee no clowne to be,
Apt to thy mistrisse, but more apt to me.
Who that our bodies were comprest bewrayde?
Whence knowes Corinna that with thee I playde?
Yet blusht I not, nor usde I any saying,
That might be urg'd to witnesse our false playing.
What if a man with bond-women offend,
To prove him foolish did I ere contend?
Achilles burnt with face of captive Briseis,
Great Agamemnon lov'd his servant Chriseis.
Greater then these my selfe I not esteeme,
What graced Kings, in me no shame I deeme.
But when on thee her angry eyes did rush,
In both thy cheekes she did perceive thee blush,
But being present, might that worke the best,
By VenusDeity how did I protest.
Thou Goddesse doest command a warme South-blast,
My false oathes in Carpathian seas to cast.
For which good turne my sweete reward repay,
Let me lie with thee browne Cypasse to day.
Ungrate why feignest new feares? and doest refuse;
Well majest thou one thing for thy Mistresse use.
If thou deniest foole, lie our deeds expresse,
And as a traitour mine owne fault confesse.
Telling thy mistresse, where I was with thee,
How oft, and by what meanes we did agree.