55*
HELLENS RAPE,
OR
A Light Lanthorne for Light Ladies.
Written in English Hexameters.
Louely a Lasse, so loued a Lasse, and (alas) such a louing
Lasse, for a while (but a while) was none such a sweet bonny Lasse
As Helen, Mænelaus louing, lou'd, louelie a loue-lasse,
Till spightfull Fortune from a loue-lasse made her a loue-lesse
Wife. From a wise woman to a witles wanton abandond,
When her mate (vnawares) made warres in Peloponessus,
Adultrous Paris (then a Boy) kept sheepe as a shepheard
On Ida Mountaine, vnknowne to the King for a Keeper
Of sheep, on Ida Mountaine, as a Boy, as a shepheard:
Yet such sheep he kept, and was so seemelie a shepheard,
Seemlie a Boy, so seemlie a youth, so seemlie a Younker,
That on Ida was not such a Boy, such a youth, such a Younker.
Sonne now reconcil'd to the Father, fained a letter
Sent him by Iupiter (the greatest God in Olympus)
For to repaire with speede to the brauest Græcian Hauen,
And to redeeme againe Hesyone latelie reuolted
From Troy by Ayax, whom she had newly betrothed.
