Somnus, Why Art Thou Still to Me Unkind?

Somnus1
, why art thou still to me unkind?
Why do all else such comfort find
In thy embrace? But I, and only I,
Alternately (ay me) do live and die2
.
Thy fellow Morpheus3
 too doth show his spite
When from his horny gate4
 he doth affright
My troubled soul, as he did th’other night.
O my sad heart, would it might prove a dream!
In that unconquered Sheer, when Thames’s stream5
Joined with fair Medway doth their tribute6
 pay,
There on a lofty rock me thought I lay;
Then, on the trembling bosom of the deep,
Huge floods of tears poor Thames did weep
To7
 see the sea sprinkled with purple gore.
The sad Nereides8
 did much deplore9
This omen. Great Neptune10
 was amazed
As he upon those bloody billows gazed;
Then, instantly he bid blue Triton11
 sound
His wreathéd trump12
—’twas heard the ocean round—
To summon each sea god and goddess fair,
That to our narrow seas they should repair13
.
Then did they come from every sea and strand14
To hear their king Saturnus’s15
 dread command.
Some did bestride Philanthrope’s16
 broad back;
The nymphs17
 in pearly shells, not one there lacks
Of all great Oceanus’s18
 wat’ry train19
,
But floating came upon the frothy main20
.
Imperial Nereus21
 first did lead the way,
Who o’er the tumid22
 waves bears chiefest sway;
Rich orient gems23
 his purple robe adorning,
Which cast a luster like the blushing morning.
This glist’ring24
 chariot drawn with prancing fish,
Which would have satisfied proud Phaeton’s25
 wish.
Just by his side, fair fruitful Doris26
 came,
Whose numerous issue27
 doth enlarge her fame;
Rich orient pearls her snowy neck did grace;
Her sparkling crown gave luster to her face;
Between her breasts a rich carbuncle28
 shone;
The universe afforded not a stone
That equalled it for splendency29
 of light.
It ruled the rest as Cynthia30
 doth the night31

No results