Before the time that fortune’s lot did show each fate his doom, Or bird or beast, or fish or fowl, on earth had taken room, The gods they did decree to frame, the thing is ended now, The heavens and the planets eke, and moist from air to bow. Then framed they the man from mould and clay, and gave him time to reign, As seemed best their sacred minds to run and turn again, They framed also, after this, out of his tender side A piece of much formosity with him for to abide. From infancy to lusty youth, and so to reign awhile, And well to live, till Œtas he unwares do him beguile. Therewith to see these gifts of them on grounded cave to view, And daintily to deck them up, which after they may rue. Therefore I thank the gods above that yield to me such fate To link to me so just a spouse, and eke so loving mate. By her I have a virgin pure, an imp of heavenly race Both sober, meek and modest too, and virtuous in like case: To temple will I wend therefore to yield the gods their praise, For that they have thus luckily annexed to my days. But stay: behold the peerless sparks, whereof my tongue did talk, Approach in presence of my sight: to church I deem they walk. But stay I will, and shroud me secretly awhile To see what wit or counsel grave proceedeth from their style.
The pert and pricking prime of youth ought chastisement to have, But thou, dear daughter, needest not, thyself doth show thee grave: To see how Phœbus with his beams hath youth so much infested,[154] It doth me woe to see them crave the thing should be detested.[155] I draw to grave and nought can leave of thee to be desired, As much as duty to thy dear, as reason hath required: My sovereign[156] lord and friendly pheer[157] Virginius, father thine, To nurse as doth become a child, when bones are buried mine.
VIRGINIA.[158] Refell your mind of mourning plaints, dear mother, rest your mind, For though that duty dainty were, dame nature will me bind So much to do; and further force of Gods that rule the skies, The Globe,[159] and eke the Element, they would me else despise.
MATER. Then if the gods have granted thee such grace to love thy sire, When time shall choose thee out a make, be constant, I require: Love, live, and like him well, before you grant him grace or faith, So shall your love continue long, experience thus he saith.