nd what defence there may bee made against
the vnaccustomed, yet dayly assaults of loue: for a naked soule
altogether vnarmed, the seditious strife, especially being intestine:
a fresh still setting vpon with vnstable and new thoughts.

In this sort brought to so miserable an estate, and for a long while
plunged in a deepe poole of bitter sorrowes, at length my wandring
sences being wearie to feede still vpon vnsauorie and fayned pleasure,
but directly and without deceit, vppon the rare diuine obiect: whose
reuerende _Idea_ is deeply imprinted within me, and liueth ingrauen in
the secret of my heart, from which proceedeth this so great and
vncessant a strife, continually renuing my cruell torments without
intermission. I began the conditions of those miserable louers, who for
their mistresses pleasures desire their owne deaths, and in their best
delights do think themselues most vnhappie, feeding their framed
passions not otherwise then with fithfull imaginations. And then as a
weary bodye after a sore labour, so I, somewhat in outward shew
qualified, in the payne of my sorrowfull thoughts, and hauing
incloystered and shut vp the course of my distilling teares: whose drops
had watered my pale cheekes, thorow amorous griefe, desired some
needfull rest.

At length my moyst eyes being closed within their bloudshotten and
reddish liddes, presently betwixt a bitter life and a sweet death, I was
in them inuaded and ouercome, with a heauie sleepe, who with my minde
and watchfull spirits, were no pertakers of so high an operation.

Me thought that I was in a large, plaine, and champion place, all greene
and diuersly spotted with many sorted flowerrs, wherby it seemed
passingly adorned. In which by reason of the milde and gentle ayre,
there was a still quyet whisht: Inso much that my attentiue eares did
heare no noyse, neither did any framed speech peirce into them, but with
the gratious beames of the sunne, the sliding time passed.

In which place with a fearefull admiration, looking about me, I sayd
thus to my selfe. Heere appeareth no humaine creature to my sight, nor
syluan beast, flying bird, countrey house, field tent, or shepheards
cote: neyther vpon the gras could I perceiue feeding eyther flock of
sheep, or heard of cattell, or rustike herdman with Oten pipe making
pastorall melodie, but onely taking the benefit of the place, and
quietnesse of the plaine, which assured mee to be without feare,
I directed my course s