A HYMNE TO VENVS.
95
The hearts of all, with all-commanding Loues?
Or generous Themis? Or the blew-eyd Maid?
Or of the Graces, any that are laid
With all the Gods, in comparable skales?
And whom Fame, vp to Immortalitie calles?
Or any of the Nymphs, that vnshorne Groues,
Or that this fayre Hill-habitation loues?
Or valleys, flowing with earths fattest Goods?
Or Fountaines, pouring forth, eternall floods?
Say, which, of all thou art; that in some place
Of circular prospect, for thine eyes deare grace
I may an Altar build, and to thy Powres
Make sacred all the yeares deuoted Howres,
With consecrations sweet, and oppulent.
Assur'd whereof; be thy benigne Minde bent
To these wisht blessings of me; giue me parts
Of chiefe attraction in Troian hearts.
And after; giue me the refulgencie
Of most renownd, and rich Posteritie;
Long, and free life; and Heauens sweet light as long;
The peoples blessings; and a health so strong;
That no disease, it let my life engage;
Till th'vtmost limit, of a humane Age.
To this, Ioues seede, this answer gaue againe;
Anchises? happiest of the humane straine?
I am no Goddesse: why, a thrall to Death
Think'st thou like those, that immortality breath?
A woman brought me forth, my Fathers Name
Or generous Themis? Or the blew-eyd Maid?
Or of the Graces, any that are laid
With all the Gods, in comparable skales?
And whom Fame, vp to Immortalitie calles?
Or any of the Nymphs, that vnshorne Groues,
Or that this fayre Hill-habitation loues?
Or valleys, flowing with earths fattest Goods?
Or Fountaines, pouring forth, eternall floods?
Say, which, of all thou art; that in some place
Of circular prospect, for thine eyes deare grace
I may an Altar build, and to thy Powres
Make sacred all the yeares deuoted Howres,
With consecrations sweet, and oppulent.
Assur'd whereof; be thy benigne Minde bent
To these wisht blessings of me; giue me parts
Of chiefe attraction in Troian hearts.
And after; giue me the refulgencie
Of most renownd, and rich Posteritie;
Long, and free life; and Heauens sweet light as long;
The peoples blessings; and a health so strong;
That no disease, it let my life engage;
Till th'vtmost limit, of a humane Age.
To this, Ioues seede, this answer gaue againe;
Anchises? happiest of the humane straine?
I am no Goddesse: why, a thrall to Death
Think'st thou like those, that immortality breath?
A woman brought me forth, my Fathers Name
