Page:Metamorphoses (Ovid, 1567).djvu/281

 Her fathers face, did boyle within: and scalding teares anon Ran downe her visage. Cyniras, (who thought them to proceede Of tender harted shamefastnesse) did say there was no neede Of teares, and dryed her cheekes, and kist her. Myrrha tooke of it Exceeding pleasure in her selfe: and when that he did wit What husband shee did wish to have, shee sayd: One like to yow. He undertanding not hir thought, did well her woordes allow, And sayd: In this thy godly mynd continew. At the name Of godlynesse, shee cast mee downe her looke for very shame. For why her giltie hart did knowe shee well deserved blame. Hygh mydnight came, and sleepe bothe care and carkesses opprest. But Myrrha lying brode awake could neyther sleepe nor rest. Shee fryes in Cupids flames, and woorkes continewally uppon Her furious love. One while shee sinkes in deepe despayre. Anon Shee fully myndes to give attempt, but shame doth hold her in. Shee wishes and shee wotes not what to doo, nor how to gin. And like as when a mightye tree with axes heawed rownd, Now redy with a strype or twaine to lye uppon the grownd, Uncerteine is which way to fall and tottreth every way: Even so her mynd with dowtfull wound effeebled then did stray Now heere now there uncerteinely, and tooke of bothe encreace. No measure of her love was found, no rest, nor yit releace, Save only death. Death likes her best. Shee ryseth, full in mynd To hang herself. About a post her girdle she doth bynd, And sayd: Farewell deere Cinyras, and understand the cause Of this my death. And with that woord about her necke shee drawes The nooze. Her trustye nurce that in another Chamber lay By fortune heard the whispring sound of theis her woordes (folk say). The aged woman rysing up unboltes the doore. And whan Shee saw her in that plyght of death, shee shreeking out began To smyght her self, and scratcht her brest, and quickly to her ran And rent the girdle from her necke. Then weeping bitterly And holding her betweene her armes, shee askt the question why Shee went about to hang her self so unadvisedly. The Lady hilld her peace as dumb, and looking on the ground Unmovably, was sorye in her hart for beeing found Before shee had dispatcht herself. Her nurce still at her lay,