As here with thee on earth I lived, even so equal
Methinks it were, with thee in heaven I did abide:
And as our troubles all, we here on earth did part;
So reason would that there, of thy most happy state
I had my share. Alas, if thou my trusty guide
Were wont to be: how canst thou leave me thus alone
In darkness and astray; weak, weary, desolate,
Plunged in a world of woe—refusing for to take
Me with thee, to the place of rest where thou art gone?"
This said, she held her peace, for sorrow tied her tongue:
And instead of more words, seemed that her eyes a lake
Of tears had been, they flowed so plenteously therefrom:
And with her sobs and sighs th'air round about her rung.
MATTHEW ROYDON gives this further representation—
Then being filled with learned dew,
The Muses willèd him to love:
That instrument can aptly show,
How finely our conceits will move.
As BACCHUS opes dissembled hearts,
So LOVE sets out our better parts."
"STELLA, a nymph within this wood,
Most rare, and rich of heavenly bliss;
The highest in his fancy stood,
And she could well demerit this.
'Tis likely, they acquainted soon:
He was a sun, and she a moon."
"Our ASTROPHIL did STELLA love.
O STELLA! vaunt of ASTROPHIL!
Albeit thy graces gods may move;
Where wilt thou find an ASTROPHIL?
The rose and lily have their prime;
And so hath beauty but a time,"
