The Complete Poems of Richard Barnfield/The Affectionate Shepheard/The Complaint of Chastitie
THE COMPLAINT
OF CHASTITIE,
BRIEFELY TOUCHING THE CAUSE OF THE DEATH
OF MATILDA FITZWALTERS,
AN ENGLISH LADIE; SOMETIME
LOVED OF KING IOHN, AFTER POYSONED. THE STORIE IS
AT LARGE WRITTEN BY MICHAEL DREYTON.
I.
You modest Dames, inricht with Chastitie,
Maske your bright eyes with Vestaes sable vaile,
Since few are left so faire or chast as shee;
(Matter for me to weepe, you to bewaile):
For manie seeming so, of Vertue faile;
Whose louely Cheeks (with rare vermilion tainted)
Can neuer blush because their faire is painted.
II.
O faire-foule Tincture, staine of Woman-kinde,
Mother of Mischiefe, Daughter of Deceate,
False traitor to the Soule, blot to the Minde,
Vsurping Tyrant of true Beauties seate,
Right Cousner of the eye, lewd Follies baite,
The flag of filthines, the sinke of shame,
The Diuells dye, dishonour of thy name.
III.
Monster of Art, Bastard of bad Desier,
Il-worshipt Idoll, false Imagerie,
Ensigne of Vice, to thine owne selfe a lier.
Silent Inchaunter, mindes Anatomie,
Sly Bawd to Lust, Pandor to Infamie,
Slaunder of Truth, Truth of Dissimulation;
Staining our Clymate more than anie Nation.
IV.
What shall I say to thee? thou scorne of Nature.
Blacke spot of sinne, vylde lure of lecherie;
Iniurious Blame to euerie fæmale creature,
Wronger of time, Broker of trecherie,
Trap of greene youth, false Womens witcherie,
Hand-maid of pride, high-way to wickednesse;
Yet path-way to Repentance, nere the lesse.