tricate laborinth, that I also by some such meanes might be
deliuered out of this obscure wood.

[Sidenote A: Minotaurus a monster in Creete, born of Pasiphae which
being inclosed in the laborinth fed on mans flesh, whome Theseus
slew and got out of the laborinth by a clew of thred giuen by
Ariadne king Minoes daughter, after wife to Theseus, who did forsake
hir, and left hir in a disinhabited Ile, notwithstanding that she
had saued his life.]

[Decoration]

_Poliphilus being thus distempered in this daungerous and obscure wood,
at length getteth foorth, and being come to a faire Riuer, indeuoring
to rest himselfe and coole his heate, he heard a most delightful
harmonie, which made him forget to drinke, and followe after the
voice, which brought him to a woorse perplexitie._

Feare and desire of freedome thus occupying my sences, my vnderstanding
was blinded, neyther did I knowe whether it were better for mee eyther
to wishe for hated death, or in so dreadfull a place to hope for desired
life. Thus euery way discontent, I did indeuour, with all force and
diligence to get foorth, wherin the more I did striue the more I found
my selfe intangled, and so infeebled with wearinesse, that on euery side
I feared, when some cruell beast should come and deuoure me, or els
vnawares to tumble downe into some deepe pit or hollow place.

Wherefore more trembling then in mustulent _Autume_ be the yealow
coulored leaue, hauing left their moisture, being thorowlye searched
with the furious north winde, I lifted vp my hart to God, desiring as
_Achemenides_ being afraide of the horrible _Cyclops_ rather to be
slaine by the hands of _Aeneas_ his enemie, rather then to suffer so
odious a death.

And my deuoute prayer, sincerely vnited to a contrite heart, powring out
a fountaine of teares with a stedfast beliefe to be deliuered. I found
my selfe in a short space gotten at libertie, like a new day crept out
of a darke and tempestuous night. My eyes before vsed to such obumbrated
darkenes, could scarse abide to behould the light, thorow watery sadnes.
Neuerthelesse glad I was to see the light: as one set at libertie, that
had beene chayned vp in a deepe dungeon and obscure darkenesse. Verye
thirstie I was, my clothes torne, my face and hands scratched and
netteled, and withall so extreamely set on heate, as the fresh ayre
seemed to doe me more hurt then good, neither did it any waye ease my
bod