green she neuer gaind a gowne,
But rose againe, and hid her in the grasse,
That he might tract the place where _Thisbe_ was,
And finding her (as children vse) imbrace her,
For being children nothing could disgrace her.

6

But marke the issue, of their sportiue play,
As this sweet couple in the coole shade lay,
Faire _Venus_ posting whom to _Paphos_ Ile,
Spied their sports, nor could she chuse but smile,
Wherefore she straight vnyok't her siluer teame,
And walkt on foot along the Chrystall streame,
And enuying that these louers were so bold,
VVith iealous eyes she did them both behold.
And as she lookt, casting her eye awry,
It was her chance (vnhappy chance) to spy,
VVhere squint-eyd _Cupid_ sate vpon his quiuer,
Viewing his none-eyd body in the riuer.

7

Him straight she cald, being cald he made no stay,
But to his mother tooke the neerest way.
Yet ere he came, she markt the tother two,
Playing as oft tofore th'er wont to do:
And then she sware, yong _Pyramus_ was faire,
_Thisbe_ but browne, as common women are:
Anon she wisht yong _Pyramus_ was neere,
That she might bind loue in his golden haire,
And loue him too, but that she cald to mind,
That yong _Adonis_ proued so vnkinde.
But _Cupid_ came, his comming causd her hate them,
And in a heat, proud _Venus_ gan to rate them.

8

Seest thou my sonne (quoth she) and then she fround,
Those brattish elues, that dally on the ground?
They scorne my kingdome, and neglect my minde,
Contemne me as inconstant as the winde.
Then shoot (quoth she) and strike them so in loue,
As nought but death, their loue-dart may remoue.
At this he lookt, the boy was loth to shoot,
Yet strucke them both so neere the hearts sweet root,
As that he made them both at once to cry
(Quoth he) I loue, for loue (quoth she) I die.
Of this both _Venus_, and her blind boy bosted,
And thence to _Paphos_ Isle in triumph posted.

9

Now was the time, when shepheards told their sheep,
And weary plow-men ease themselues with sleepe,
When loue-prickt _Thisbe_ no where could be found,
Nor _Pyramus_, though seruants sought them round.
But newes came straight, that _Pyramus_ was seene,
Sporting with _Thisbe_ lately in the euen:
Like newes to both their Parents soone was brought;
Which newes (alas) the louers d