ABSTRACT
This sight did me soe much amaze; With which I was soe much fooled That utterly I was dasled. There tould she the water fully. Then beseecht I Reason humbly, Who Knowledge accompanyed, To tell me what signified Was by the Founteine & the Brookes That have so faire & pleasant lookes; What meant that it was inclosed And on every side well fenced With greene Trees & flowers fragrant Springing neare the streames so pleasant, Soe that itt paralell hath none, Or hath the like to these bene knowne. But she answered me most sweetly,
"Thou shalt knowe, beloved, truly The way to this soe great pleasure. Harke to me with all thy leasure: One thinge in this fountein, I wis, Of all other most noble is. Who this thing knoweth perfect well All others he shall farr excell: Who truly it can hunt & trace And, after found, in earth shall place, Drying itt to a powder small, Then back reduce to Water all. But se first that they be parted, Those parts togeather rejoyned vVhich Earth's rottennes doth cherish. In the water that should nourish, Itt doth bring forth a Virgin feate, Bringing fruite in a double Teate; But when past is Corrupcion, Comes fruite of Consolacion. The Virgin then I thee advise Soe sharpe, soe dull, in many guise, For the Aire it mounts high flying,
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Jean de La Fontaine
"This is a three-throated Dragon, Pine-starved & yett a Glutton, The Sole Author of all dismay. Assault him to his great decay And soe pursue with eager chase, Till that sweatt do cover his face, That he wax blacke & soe him snapp. Then swathell hir & give her papPi She thus ret urnes to Infancy And hereby becomes more lovely, More mighty than before great rest, When she dranke juice from apples prest. This is the Infant's wonted tracke: To drinke, to Infancy fall backe, Till than Christall she be more pureThe truth is soe, I dare assure. Then she is become shining bright, A water strong & full of might; Greedy to devoure her mother, Who eate hath brother & father As itt were milke & becometh A dragon that his taile eateth. The mother in parts two devide, Which shall thee helpe att a good tide And free thee from destruccion Of the treble-throated Lyon. Of greater force nothing is found; All things on earth he doth confound. Marvellous is he & powerfull, Than Gold more rich a hundred full. Of such a nature a fire tis, As past all Corrupcion is; Changed to another Substance In regard of his apperance
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And cureth every mallady, Apostume, Goute, & Leprosy, And giveing youth to bodies old And makeing youth witty & bold, Which is God's blessed miracle. This cannot be done by tracle Nor ought that's under heaven found, Though strong; this is proved profound By the true prophetts of old tyme And by the learned Doctors' ryme. But further search one doth not dare (The nobles of the Land for feare) In noe wise, least such mischiefe fall, For this offence cannot be small. Many Sages much rather had That men of them shold report bad, Than they one Jott should discover But only to God's true Lover: Charitable, haveing pleasure God to serve & make their treasure. For whom God given hath the space Soe long to live in such a place, Where that he this wor ke may Labor, Hath from God the Grace & favor Had, thou maist knowe assuredly. Then pray lett him moste devout ely For those holy men who have taught This Scyence truly as they ought: Philosophers, men sage & wise Who doe not shew the whole disguise, But God in mercy doth declare. To all them that true Workemen are, And to those that delight Scyence God giveth happy patience. Understand thou that the Serpent Of which I first gave thee the hent Is governed by the seaven Brookes Of soe faire & beutious lookes.
