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The water Nymphs, that in the bottome playd
Held up their pearled wriſts and tooke her in,
Bearing her ſtraite to aged Nereus hall
Who piteous of her woes reatd her lanke head,
And gave her to his daughters to imbathe
In nectar'd lavers ſtrewd with aſphodil,
And through the porch, and inlet of each ſenſe
Dropt in ambroſial oyles till ſhe reviv'd,
And underwent a quicke, immortal change
Made goddeſſe of the river; ſtill ſhe retaines
Her maiden gentleneſſe, and oft at eve
Viſits the herds along the twilight meadows,
Helping all urchin blaſts, and ill lucke ſignes
That the ſhrewd medling elfe delights to make,
Which ſhe with precious viold liquors heales.
For which the ſhepheards at their feſtivalls
Carroll her goodneſſe lowd in ruſticke layes,
And throw ſweet garland wreaths into her ſtreame
Of pancies, pinks, and gaudie daffadills.
And, as the old Swaine ſaid, ſhe can unlocke
The claſping charme, and thaw the numming ſpell,
If ſhe be right invok't in warbled Song,
For maidenhood ſhe loves, and will be ſwift
To aid a virgin ſuch as was her ſelfe
In hard beſetting need, this will I trie
And adde the power of ſome adjuring verſe.
Song.
Sabrina faire
Liſten where thou art ſitting
Vnder the glaſsie, coole, tranſlucent wave,
In twisted braids of lillies knitting
