Daphnaïda.
Driuen with ſtreames of wretchedneſſe and woe,
That dying liues, and liuing ſtill does dye.
So doo I liue, ſo doo I daylie die,
And pine away in ſelfe-conſuming paine,
Sith ſhe that did my vitall powres ſupplie,
And feeble ſpirits in their force maintaine
In fetcht fro me, why ſeeke I to prolong
My wearie daies in dolor and diſdaine?
Weep Shepheard weep to make my vnderſong.
Why doo I longer liue in lifes deſpight?
And doo not dye then in deſpight of death:
Why doo I longer ſee this loathſome light,
And doo in darkneſſe not abridge my breath,
Sith all my ſorrow ſhould have end thereby,
And cares finde quiet; is it ſo vneach
To leaue this life, or dolorous to dye?
To liue I finde it deadly dolorous;
For life drawes care, and care continuall woe:
Therefore to dye muſt needes be ioyeous,
And wiſhfull thing this ſad life to forgoe.
But I muſt ſtay; I may it not amend,
My Daphne hence departing bad me ſo,
She bad me ſtay, till ſhe for me did ſend.
Yet whileſt I in this wretched vale doo ſtay,
My wearie feete ſhall euer wandring be,
That ſtill I may be readie on my way,
When as her meſſenger doth come for me:
Ne will I reſt my feete for feebleneſſe,
Ne will I reſt my limmes for frailtie,
Ne will I reſt mine eyes for heauineſſe.
