without any intent of an Impression; thus much I
excuse him that I know not, and commend that which deserueth well, if
I be partiall, I pray patience._

_The Scourge of Venus._

Whilst that the Sunne was climing vp in haste,
To view the world with his ambitious eye.
Faire _Myrha_; yet alas, more faire then chaste.
Did set her thoughts to descant wantonly;
Nay most inhumane, more then bad, or ill,
As in the sequell you may reade at will.

You that haue parents, or that parents be,
Depart a space, and giue not eare at all
To the foule tale that here shall vttered be:
Some filthy shame let on all other fall,
If possibly there can be any such,
From nature to degenerate so much.

O then with _Ouid_, I am wonderous glad
That this small world of ours is put so farre
From those that such incestious people had:
So rest thou still in glory as a starre.
That scorning thrusts from other nations quite,
And in thy vertues doth thy selfe delight.

And now faire _Myrha_ in her youthly blood
Doth on her father dote with fond desire.
Each foule occasion is accounted good,
That may increase her filthy lustfull fire.
And as this shamefull matter wanted grace,
So doubtfully she thus doth plead her case.

Why should not Gods this loue of mine permit?
Or be offended with me for the same?
It doth infringe their sacred lawes no whit,
Adding dishonour, or deseruing blame.
I will proceed, good reasons for to proue,
'Tis not vnlawfull to obtaine my loue.

In many countries I do certaine know,
The parents with their children married be,
Which they do most, their godlinesse to show,
Because their loues increast thereby they see.
Then shal this lucklesse plot of ground remaine,
Th'occasion that my loue I not obtaine?

Each night hath Nature set at liberty:
All things be c[=o]mon, for she naught restrains:
Then let the Daughter with the Father lye,
Like president with all things else remaines.
The Kid, the Heifer, and the birds we see,
Affect the same of whom they gotten be.

In happy case then such her creatures are,
That may do so, and yet do no offence,
They be more happy then is mankinde farre:
For they by some malicious base pretence
Haue made a curbe to hold that still in thrall
Which Nature would haue common vnto all.

But yet packe hence thou foule incestious loue,
Wha