Which stuck there like a curious seal,

As though it should forbid

Us, wretched mortals, to reveal
What under it was hid.

Renew us like the teeming springs, And we thus fresh are seen."

More fresh and lovely than the rest, That in the meadows grew.

The clear drops, in the steps that stood Of that delicious girl,

The nymphs, amongst their dainty food, Drunk for dissolved pearl.

The yielding sand, where she had trod,
Untouch'd yet with the wind,
By the fair posture plainly shew'd

Where I might Cynthia find.

When on upon my wayless walk
As my desires me draw,

I like a madman fell to talk
With everything I saw.

I ask'd some lilies, "Why so white
They from their fellows were?"
Who answer'd me, "That Cynthia's sight
Had made them look so clear."

I ask'd a nodding violet, "Why
It sadly hung the head?"

It told me, "Cynthia late past by,"
Too soon from it that fled.

A bed of roses saw I there,

Bewitching with their grace, Besides so wond'rous sweet they were, That they perfum'd the place.

I of a shrub of those inquir'd,

From others of that kind, Who with such virtue them inspir'd? It answer'd (to my mind):

As the base hemlock were we such, The poisoned'st weed that grows, Till Cynthia, by her godlike touch,

Transform'd us to the rose.

"Since when those frosts that winter brings

Which candy every green,

With grass like sleeve was matted:

When I demanded of that well

What pow'r frequented there; Desiring it would please to tell What name it us'd to bear:

It told me, "It was Cynthia's own,
Within whose cheerful brims,
That curious nymph had oft been known
To bathe her snowy limbs;

"Since when that water had the pow'r Lost maidenhoods to restore And make one twenty in an hour,

Of Æson's age before,"

And told me, "That the bottom clear, Now lay'd with many a fett

Of seed pearl, e'er she bath'd her there Was known as black as jet:

"As when she from the water came

Where first she touch'd the mould, In balls the people made the same For pomander, and sold."

When chance me to an arbour led,
Whereas I might behold;
Two blest elysiums in one sted,
The less the great infold;

The place which she had chosen out,
Herself in to repose:

Had they come down the gods no doubt
The very same had chose.

The wealthy Spring yet never bore
That sweet, nor dainty flower,
That damask'd not the chequer'd floor
Of Cynthia's summer bower.

The birch, the myrtle, and the bay,
Like friends did all embrace;
And their large branches did display,
To canopy the place.

Where she like Venus doth appear Upon a rosy bed;

As lilies the soft pillows were,

Whereon she lay'd her head.

Heav'n on her shape such cost bestow'd, And with such bounties blest,

No limb of hers but might have made A goddess at the least.

The flies by chance mesh'd in her hair,
By the bright radiance thrown
From her clear eyes, rich jewels were,

They so like diamonds shone.

The meanest weed the soil there bare,
Her breath did so refine,
That it with woodbine durst compare,
And eke the eglantine.

The dew which on the tender grass
The evening had distill'd,
To pure rose-water turned was,

The shades with sweets that fill'd.

The winds were hush'd, no leaf so small
At all was seen to stir :
Whilst tuning to the waters' fall
The small birds sing to her.

Where she too quickly me espies,
When I too plainly see
A thousand cupids from her eyes
Shoot all at once at me.

"Into these secret shades (quoth she)
How dar'st thou be so bold
To enter, consecrate to me,

Or touch this hallowed mould?

"Those words (quoth she) I can pro

nounce,

Which to that shape can bring Thee, which that hunter had, who once Saw Dian in the spring."

"Bright nymph (again I thus reply), This cannot me afright:

I had rather in thy presence die,
Than live out of thy sight.

"I first upon the mountains high
Built altars to thy name,

And grav'd it on the rocks thereby, To propagate thy fame.

"I taught the shepherds on the downs Of thee to form their lays: 'Twas I that fill'd the neighboring towns With ditties of thy praise.

"Thy colors I devis'd with care,

Which were unknown before:
Which since that in their braided hair
The nymphs and sylvans wore.
"Transform me to what shape you can,
I pass not what it be:

Yea, what most hateful is to man,
So I may follow thee."

Which when she heard, full pearly floods I in her eyes might view. (Quoth she), "Most welcome to these woods

Too mean for one so true.

"Here from the hateful world we'll live, A den of mere despight: To idiots only that doth give,

Which be for sole delight.

"To people the infernal pit,

That more and more doth strive; Where only villany is wit,

And devils only thrive.

"Whose vileness us shall never awe:
But here our sports shall be
Such as the golden world first saw,
Most innocent and free.

"Of simples in these groves that grow,
We'll learn the perfect skill:
The nature of each herb to know,
Which cures and which can kill.

"The waxen palace of the bee,

We seeking will surprise,
The curious workmanship to see
Of her full-laden thighs.

"We'll suck the sweets out of the comb, And make the gods repine,

As they do feast in Jove's great room, To see with what we dine.