ntring the fields, first let my Vowes call onThe Muses whole Quire out of HeliconInto my Heart; for such a Poems sake,As lately I did in my Tables take,And put into report, vpon my knees.A fight so fierce, as might in all degreesFit Mars himselfe, and his tumultuous hand,Glorying to dart to th'eares of euery landOf all the a [1]voice-deuided; And to showHow brauely did both Froggs and Mise bestowIn glorious fight their forces; euen the deedesDaring to imitate of earths Giant-seedes.Thus then, men talkt; this seede the strife begat:The Mouse, once drie; and scap't the dangerous Cat;Drench't in the neighbour lake, her tender berde,To taste the sweetnesse of the waue it rer'de.The farre-fam'de Fen-affecter (seeing him) said;Ho? Stranger? what are you? And whence, that tredThis shore of ours? who brought you forth? replie,What truth may witnesse, lest I finde, you lie.If worth fruition of my loue, and me;Ile haue thee home; and HospitalitieOf feast, and gift; good and magnificentBestow on thee: For all this ConfluentResounds my Royaltie; my Name, the greatIn blowne-vp count'nances; and lookes of threat,[2]Physignathus; ador'd of all Frogs hereAll their daies durance; And the Empire beareOf all their Beings. Mine owne Beeing, begotBy royall [3]Peleus; mixt in nuptiall knot,With faire [4]Hydromedusa; On the BoundsNere which [5]Eridanus, his Race resounds.And Thee, mine Eie, makes my Conceipt enclindeTo reckon powerfull, both in forme, and Minde:A Scepter-bearer; And past others farre,Aduanc't in all the fiery Fights of warre.Come then, Thy race, to my renowne commend.The Mouse made answer; why enquires my friend?For what so well, know men and Deities,And all the wing'd affecters of the skies?[6]Psycharpax, I am calld; [7]Troxartes seede;Surnam'de the Mighty-Minded: She that free'dMine eies from darknesse; was [8]Lichomyle,King [9]Pternotroctes Daughter; shewing meWithin an aged houell, the young light:Fed me with figges, and nuts; and all the heightOf varied viands. But vnfolde the cause,Why, 'gainst similitudes most equall lawes(Obseru'd in friendship) thou makst me thy friend?Thy life, the waters only helpe t'extend.Mine, whatsoeuer, men are vs'd to eat,Takes part with them, at shore: their purest cheat,Thrice boulted, kneaded, and subdu'd in past]],In cleane round kymnels; cannot be so fastFrom my approches kept; but in I eat:Nor Cheesecakes full, of finest Indian wheat,That [10]Crustie-weedes weare, large as Ladies traines:[11] Lyurings, (white-skind as Ladies:) nor the strainesOf prest milke, renneted; Nor collups cut,Fresh from the flitch: Nor iunkets such as putPalats diuine in Appetite: nor anyOf all mens delicates; thought ne're so manyTheir Cookes deuise them, who each dish see decktWith all the dainties[12] all strange soiles affect.Yet am I not so sensuall, to flieOf fields embattaild, the most fiery crie:But rush out strait; and with the first in sight,Mixe in aduenture: No man with affrightCan daunt my forces; though his bodie beeOf neuer so immense a quantitie.But making vp, euen to his bed, accesse;His fingers ends dare with my teeth compresse:His feet taint likewise; and so soft sease both,They shall not tast Th'Impression of a tooth.Sweet sleepe shall holde his owne, in euery eieWhere my tooth takes his tartest libertie:But two there are, that alwaies, far and neareExtremely still, controule my force with feare;(The Cat, and Night-Hawke) who much skathe conferOn all the Outraies, where for food I erre.Together with the [13]streights-still-keeping Trap;Where lurkes deceiptfull and set-spleend Mishap.But most of all the Cat constraines my feare;Being euer apt t'assault me euery where:For by that hole, that hope saies, I shall scape,At that hole euer, she commits my Rape.The best is yet, I eat no pot-herb grasse,Nor Raddishes; nor Coloquintida's:Nor Still-greene; Beetes, nor Parsley: which you makeYour dainties still, that liue vpon the lake.The Frog replide: Stranger? your boasts creepe allVpon their bellies; though to our liues fall;Much more miraculous meates, by lake and land:Ioue tendring our liues with a twofold hand;Enabling vs to leape ashore for food,And hide vs strait in our retreatfull flood:Which if your will serue; you may proue with ease.Ile take you on my shoulders: which fast sease,If safe arriuall at my house y'intend.He stoopt; and thither spritelie did ascend,Clasping his golden necke, that easie seatGaue to his sallie: who was iocund yet;Seeing the safe harbors of the King so nere;And he, a swimmer so exempt from Pere.But when he sunke into the purple waue;He mournd extremely; and did much depraueVnprofitable penitence: His haireTore by the roots vp, labord for the aire,With his feet fetcht vp to his belly, close:His heart within him, panted out repose,For th'insolent plight, in which his state did stand:Sigh'd bitterly, and long'd to greete the land,Forc't by the dire Neede, of his freezing feare.First on the waters, he his taile did stereLike to a Sterne: then drew it like an ore,Still praying the Gods to set him safe ashore:Yet sunke he midst the red waues, more and more,And laid a throat out, to his vtmost height:Yet in forc'd speech, he made his perill sleight;And thus his glorie with his grieuance stroue;Not in such choice state was the charge of loueBorne by the Bull; when to the Cretane shoreHe swumme Europa through the wauie rore;As this Frog ferries me; His pallid brestBrauely aduancing; and his verdant crest(Submitted to my seat) made my support,Through his white waters, to his royall Court.But on the sudden did apparance makeAn horrid spectacle; a water-snakeThrusting his freckeld necke aboue the lake.Which (seene to both) away PhysignathusDiu'd to his deepes; as no way consciousOf whom, he left to perish in his lake;But shunn'd blacke fate himselfe; and let him takeThe blackest of it: who amids the FennSwumme with his brest vp; hands held vp in vaine,Cried Peepe, and perisht: sunke the waters oft,And often with his sprawlings, came aloft;Yet no way kept downe deaths relentlesse force:But (full of water) made an heauie Corse.Before he perisht yet, he threatned thus;Thou lurk'st not yet from heauen (Physignathus)Though yet thou hid'st here, that hast cast from thee(As from a Rocke,) the shipwrackt life of mee.Though thou thy selfe, no better was than I(O worst of things) at any facultie;Wrastling or race: but for thy perfidieIn this my wracke; Ioue beares a wreakefull eie:And to the Hoast of Mise, thou paines shalt payPast all euasion. This, his life let say,And left him to the waters. Him beheld,[14]Lichopinax; plac't in the pleasing fielde:Who shrick't extremely; ranne and told the Mise;Who, hauing heard his watry destinies;Pernicious anger pierst the hearts of all;And then their Heralds, forth they sent to callA councell early, at Troxartes house,Sad father of this fatall shipwrack't Mouse:Whose dead Corpse, vpwards swum along the lake;Nor yet (poore wretch) could be enforc'd to makeThe shore, his harbour; but the mid-Maine swum:When now (all haste made) with first morne did comeAll to set councell; in which, first rais'd head,Troxartes, angrie for his sonne; and said;O Friends, though I alone may seeme to beareAll the infortune; yet may all mette hereAccount it their case. But tis true, I amIn chiefe vnhappy; that a triple flameOf life, feele put forth, in three famous sonnes;The first, the chiefe in our confusions(The Cat) made rape of; caught without his hole:The second; Man, made with a cruell soule,Brought to his ruine, with a new-found sleight;And a most woodden engine of deceipt,They terme a Trap; mere [15]Murthresse of our Mise.The last that in my loue held speciall prise,And his rare mothers; this Physignathus(With false pretext of wafting to his house;)Strangl'd in chiefe deepes, of his bloudy streame.Come then; haste all, and issue out on them,Our bodies deckt, in our Dedalean armes.This said; his words thrust all vp in alarmes;And Mars himselfe, that serues the cure of war;Made all in their Appropriats circular.First on each leg, the greene shales of a Beane,They clos'd for Bootes; that sat [16]exceeding cleane:The shales they broke ope, Bootehaling by night,And eat the beanes: Their Iacks; Art exquisiteHad showne in them; being Cats-skins, euery whereQuilted with quills: Their fencefull bucklers were,The middle rounds of Can'sticks; but their speareA huge long Needle was; that could not beareThe braine of any; but be Mars his owneMortall inuention. Their heads arming CrowneWas vessel to the kirnell of a nut:And thus the Mise, their powers in armour put.This, the frogs hearing; From the water, allIssue to one place; and a councell callOf wicked war; consulting what should beCause to this murmure, and strange mutinie.While this was question'd; neere them made his standAn Herald with a Scepter in his hand,([17]Embasichytrus calld) that fetcht his kinde,From [18]Tyroglyphus, with the mightie minde;Denouncing ill-nam'd war, in these high termes;O Frogs? the Mise, sends threats to you of armesAnd bid me bid ye Battell; and fixt fight;Their eies all wounded with Psycharpax sight,Floting your waters, whom your king hath kild.And therefore all prepare for force of field,You that are best borne, whosoeuer held.This said; he seuer'd; his speech firing th'earesOf all the Mise; but frees'd the Frogs with feares,Themselues conceiting guiltie; whom the KingThus answer'd (rising.) Friends? I did not bringPsycharpax to his end; He, wantoningVpon our waters, practising to swimme,[19]Ap'te vs, and drown'd; without my sight of him.And yet these worst of Vermine, accuse meThough no way guiltie. Come, consider weHow we may ruine these deceiptfull Mise.For my part; I giue voice to this aduise;As seeming fittest to direct our deeds.Our bodies decking with our arming weeds;Let all our Powr's stand rais'd in steep'st reposeOf all our shore; that when they charge vs close;We may the helms snatch off, from all so deckt,Daring our onset; and them all directDowne to our waters. Who not knowing the sleightTo diue our soft deeps, may be strangl'd streight;And we triumphing, may a Trophey rere,Of all the Mise, that we haue slaughter'd here.These words put all in armes; and mallow leauesThey drew vpon their leggs, for arming [20]Greaues.Their Curets; broad greene Beetes; their bucklers wereGood thick-leau'd Cabbadge; proofe gainst any spe're.Their speares, sharpe Bullrushes; of which, were allFitted with long ones. Their parts CapitallThey hid in subtle Cockleshels from blowes.And thus, all arm'd; the steepest shores they chose,T'encamp themselues; where lance with lance, they lin'd;And brandisht brauelie; each Frogg full of Minde.Then Ioue calld all Gods, in his flaming Throne And shewd all, all this preparation For resolute warre. These able soldiers, Many, and great; all shaking lengthfull spe'res: In shew like Centaures; or the Gyants Host. When (sweethe smiling,) he enquir'd who, most Of all th'Immortalls, pleas'd to adde their aide To Froggs or Mise: and thus to Pallas said;O daughter? Must not you, needs aid these Mise? That with the Odors, and meate sacrifice Vs'd in your Temple, endlesse triumphs make; And serue you, for your sacred victles sake?Pallas repli'd; O Father, neuer I Will aid the Mise, in anie miserie. So many mischiefes by them, I haue found;[21]Eating the Cotten, that my distaffs crown'd; My lamps still banting, to deuoure the oyle. But that which most my minde eates, is their spoile Made of a veile, that me in much did stand: On which, bestowing an elaborate hand; A fine woofe working; of as pure a thredd; Such holes therein, their Petulancies fed; That, putting it to darning; when't'was done; The darner, a most deare paie stood vpon For his so deare paines; laid downe instantlie;[22]Or (to forbeare) exacted vsurie. So, borrowing from my Phane, the weed I woue; I can by no meanes, th'vsurous darner, moueTo let me haue the mantle to restore.And this is it, that rubs the angrie soreOf my offence tooke, at these petulant Mise.Nor will I yeeld, the Froggs wants, my supplies,For their infirme mindes; that no confines keepe;For I, from warre retir'd; and wanting sleepe;All lept ashore in tumult; nor would staieTill one winck seas'd myne eyes: and so I laieSleeplesse, and pain'de with headach; till first lightThe Cock had crow'd vp. Therefore, to the fightLet no God goe assistent; lest a lanceWound whosoeuer offers to aduance;Or wishes but their aid; that skorne all foes;Should any Gods accesse, their spirits oppose.Sit we then pleas'd, to see from heauen, their fight.She said; and all Gods ioin'd in her delight.And now, both Hosts, to one field drew the iarre;Both Heralds bearing the ostents of warre.And then the [23]wine-Gnats, that shrill Trumpets soundTerriblie rung out, the encounter, round.Ioue thundred; all heauen, sad warrs signe resounded.And first, [24]Hypsiboas,[25]Lychenor wounded,Standing th'impression of the first in fight.His lance did, in his Lyuers midsts alight,Along his bellie. Downe he fell; his face,His fall on that part swaid; and all the graceOf his soft hayre, fil'd with disgracefull dust.Then [26]Troglodytes, his thick iaueline thrustIn [27]Pelions bosome; bearing him to ground:Whom sad death seas'd; his soule flew through his wound.[28]Sentlæus next, Embasichytros slew;His heart through thrusting: then [29]Artophagus threwHis lance at [30]Polyphon; and strooke him quiteThrough his midd-bellie: downe he fell vpright:And from his fayre limms, took his soule her flight.[31]Lymnocharis beholding PolyphonThus done to death; did with as round a stoneAs that the mill turnes; Troglodytes woundNeare his mid-neck; ere he his onset found:Whose eyes, sad darknes seas'd. [32]Lychenor castA flying dart off, and his ayme so plac'tVpon Lymnocharis; that [33] Sure he thoughtThe wound he wisht him: nor vntruely wroughtThe dire successe; for through his Lyuer flewThe fatall lance; which when [34]Crambaphagus knew;Downe the deepe waues neare shore; he, diuing, fled;But fled not fate so; the sterne enimie fedDeath with his life in diuing: neuer moreThe ayre he drew in; his Vermilian goreStaind all the waters; and along the shoreHe lay extended; his fat entrailes laie(By his small guts impulsion) breaking waieOut at his wound. [35]Lymnisius, neare the shoreDestroid Tyroglyphus: which frighted soreThe soule of [36]Calaminth; seeing comming on(For wreake) [37]Pternoglyphus: who got him gonWith large leapes to the lake; his Target throwneInto the waters. [38]Hydrocharis slewKing [39]Pternophagus, at whose throte he threwA huge stone; strooke it high; and beate his braineOut at his nostrills: earth blusht, with the staineHis blood made on her bosom. For next Prise;Lichopinax, to death did sacrifice[40]Borborocœtes faultlesse faculties;His lance enforc't it; darknes clos'd his eyes.On which when [41]Brassophagus, cast his looke;[42]Cnisodioctes, by the heeles he tooke;Dragg'd him to fenn, from off his natiue ground;Then seas'd his throte, and souc't him, till he droun'd.But now; Psycharpax wreakes his fellows deaths;And in the bosome of [43]Pelusius sheathes,(In center of his Lyuer) his bright lance:He fel before the Author of the chance;His soule to hell fled. Which [44]PelobatesTaking sad note of; wreakefully did seaseHis hands gripe full of mudd; and all besmear'd;His forhead with it so; that scarce appeardThe light to him. Which certainely incenstHis fierie splene: who, with his wreake dispenstNo point of tyme; but rer'd with his strong handA stone so massie, it opprest the land;And hurld it at him; when, below the kneeIt strooke his right legge so impetuouslie;It peece-meale brake it; be the dust did sease,Vpwards euerted. But [45]CraugasidesReuendg'd his death; and at his enimieDischardg'd a dart; that did his point implieIn his mid-bellie. All the sharp-pil'de speareGot after in; and did before it beareHis vniuersall entrailes to the earth,Soone as his swolne hand, gaue his iaueline birth.[46]Sitophagus, beholding the sad sight,Set on the shore; went halting from the fight,Vext with his wounds extremelie. And to makeWaie from extreme fate, lept into the lake.Troxartes strooke, in th'insteps vpper part,Physignathus; who, (priuie to the smartHis wound imparted) with his vtmost hastLept to the lake, and fled. Troxartes castHis eye vpon the foe that fell before;And, (see'ng him halfe-liu'de) long'd againe to goreHis gutlesse bosome; and (to kill him quite)Ranne fiercely at him. Which [47]Prassæus sightTooke instant note of; and the first in fightThrust desp'rate way through; casting, his keene lanceOff at Troxartes; whose shield turn'd th'aduanceThe sharpe head made: & checkt the mortall chance.Amongst the Mise fought, an EgregiouseYoung spring all; and a close-encountring Mouse:Pure [48]Artepibulus his deare descent:A Prince that Mars himselfe shewd, where he went(Call'd [49]Meridarpax.) Of so huge a might;That onely He still, dominer'd in fight,Of all the Mouse-Host. He aduancing closeVp to the Lake; past all the rest aroseIn glorious obiect; and made vant that HeCame to depopulate all the progenieOf Froggs, affected with the lance of warre.And certainely; he had put on as farreAs he aduanc't his vant; (he was indudeWith so vnmatcht a force, and fortitude)Had not the Father, both of Gods and MenInstantly knowne it; and the Froggs (euen thenGiuen vp to ruine) rescude with remorse.Who, (his head mouing,) thus began discourse:No meane amaze, affects me to beholdPrince Meridarpax, rage so vncontrold,In thirst of Frogg-blood; all along the lake:Come therefore still; and all addression make;Dispatching Pallas, with tumultuous Mars,Downe to the field, to make him leaue the wars:How [50]Potently soeuer he be said,Where he attempts once; to vphold his head.Mars answered; O Ioue; neither she nor I(With both our aides) can keepe depopulacieFrom off the Froggs. And therefore arme we all;Euen thy lance letting brandish to his callFrom off the field: that from the field withdrewThe Titanois; the Titanois that slew;Though most exempt from match, of all earths seedesSo great and so inaccessible deedsIt hath proclaim'd to men; bound hand and foot,The vast Enceladus; and rac't by th'rootThe race of vpland Gyants. This speech past;Saturnius, a smoking lightening castAmongst the armies; thundring then so sore,That with a rapting circumflexe, he boreAll huge heauen ouer. But the terrible ire,Of his dart, sent abroad, all wrapt in fire,(Which certainely, his very finger was)Amazde both Mise and Froggs. Yet soone let passeWas all this by the Mise: who, much the more;Burnd in desire t'exterminate the storeOf all those lance-lou'd souldiers. Which, had beene;If, from Olympus, Ioues eye had not seeneThe Froggs with pittie; and with instant speedeSent them assistents. Who (ere any heedeWas giuen to their approch) came crawling onWith [51]Anuiles on their backs; that (beat vponNeuer so much) are neuer wearied, yet:Crook-pawd; and wrested on, with foule clouen feet:[52]Tongues in their mouths: Brick-backt, all ouer bone,Broade-shoulderd; whence a ruddie yellow shone.Distorted, and small thigh'd: had eyes that sawOut at their bosomes. Twice foure feet did drawAbout their bodies. Strong neckt; whence did riseTwo heads; nor could to any hand be Prise.They call them Lobsters; that eat from the Mise,Their tailes; their feet; and hands; and wrested allTheir lances from them so; that cold AppallThe wretches put in rout, past all returne.And now the Fount of light forbore to burneAboue the earth. When (which mens lawes commend)Our Battaile, in one daie, tooke absolute end.
The end of Homers Battaile of Frogges and Mise.
↑⟨Intending men: being divided from all other creatures by the voice, ωεροψ, being a periphrasis, signifying
voce divisus, of μειρωdivido, and οψ οπὸςvox.⟩
ntring the fields, first let my Vowes call onThe Muses whole Quire out of HeliconInto my Heart; for such a Poems sake,As lately I did in my Tables take,And put into report, vpon my knees.A fight so fierce, as might in all degreesFit Mars himselfe, and his tumultuous hand,Glorying to dart to th'eares of euery landOf all the a [1]voice-deuided; And to showHow brauely did both Froggs and Mise bestowIn glorious fight their forces; euen the deedesDaring to imitate of earths Giant-seedes.Thus then, men talkt; this seede the strife begat:The Mouse, once drie; and scap't the dangerous Cat;Drench't in the neighbour lake, her tender berde,To taste the sweetnesse of the waue it rer'de.The farre-fam'de Fen-affecter (seeing him) said;Ho? Stranger? what are you? And whence, that tred This shore of ours? who brought you forth? replie,What truth may witnesse, lest I finde, you lie.If worth fruition of my loue, and me;Ile haue thee home; and HospitalitieOf feast, and gift; good and magnificentBestow on thee: For all this ConfluentResounds my Royaltie; my Name, the greatIn blowne-vp count'nances; and lookes of threat,[2]Physignathus; ador'd of all Frogs hereAll their daies durance; And the Empire beareOf all their Beings. Mine owne Beeing, begotBy royall [3]Peleus; mixt in nuptiall knot,With faire [4]Hydromedusa; On the BoundsNere which [5]Eridanus, his Race resounds.And Thee, mine Eie, makes my Conceipt enclindeTo reckon powerfull, both in forme, and Minde:A Scepter-bearer; And past others farre,Aduanc't in all the fiery Fights of warre.Come then, Thy race, to my renowne commend.The Mouse made answer; why enquires my friend?For what so well, know men and Deities,And all the wing'd affecters of the skies?[6]Psycharpax, I am calld; [7]Troxartes seede;Surnam'de the Mighty-Minded: She that free'dMine eies from darknesse; was [8]Lichomyle,King [9]Pternotroctes Daughter; shewing meWithin an aged houell, the young light:Fed me with figges, and nuts; and all the height Of varied viands. But vnfolde the cause,Why, 'gainst similitudes most equall lawes(Obseru'd in friendship) thou makst me thy friend?Thy life, the waters only helpe t'extend.Mine, whatsoeuer, men are vs'd to eat,Takes part with them, at shore: their purest cheat,Thrice boulted, kneaded, and subdu'd in past]],In cleane round kymnels; cannot be so fastFrom my approches kept; but in I eat:Nor Cheesecakes full, of finest Indian wheat,That [10]Crustie-weedes weare, large as Ladies traines:[11] Lyurings, (white-skind as Ladies:) nor the strainesOf prest milke, renneted; Nor collups cut,Fresh from the flitch: Nor iunkets such as putPalats diuine in Appetite: nor anyOf all mens delicates; thought ne're so manyTheir Cookes deuise them, who each dish see decktWith all the dainties[12] all strange soiles affect.Yet am I not so sensuall, to flieOf fields embattaild, the most fiery crie:But rush out strait; and with the first in sight,Mixe in aduenture: No man with affrightCan daunt my forces; though his bodie beeOf neuer so immense a quantitie.But making vp, euen to his bed, accesse;His fingers ends dare with my teeth compresse:His feet taint likewise; and so soft sease both,They shall not tast Th'Impression of a tooth. Sweet sleepe shall holde his owne, in euery eieWhere my tooth takes his tartest libertie:But two there are, that alwaies, far and neareExtremely still, controule my force with feare;(The Cat, and Night-Hawke) who much skathe conferOn all the Outraies, where for food I erre.Together with the [13]streights-still-keeping Trap;Where lurkes deceiptfull and set-spleend Mishap.But most of all the Cat constraines my feare;Being euer apt t'assault me euery where:For by that hole, that hope saies, I shall scape,At that hole euer, she commits my Rape.The best is yet, I eat no pot-herb grasse,Nor Raddishes; nor Coloquintida's:Nor Still-greene; Beetes, nor Parsley: which you makeYour dainties still, that liue vpon the lake.The Frog replide: Stranger? your boasts creepe allVpon their bellies; though to our liues fall;Much more miraculous meates, by lake and land:Ioue tendring our liues with a twofold hand;Enabling vs to leape ashore for food,And hide vs strait in our retreatfull flood:Which if your will serue; you may proue with ease.Ile take you on my shoulders: which fast sease,If safe arriuall at my house y'intend.He stoopt; and thither spritelie did ascend,Clasping his golden necke, that easie seatGaue to his sallie: who was iocund yet; Seeing the safe harbors of the King so nere;And he, a swimmer so exempt from Pere.But when he sunke into the purple waue;He mournd extremely; and did much depraueVnprofitable penitence: His haireTore by the roots vp, labord for the aire,With his feet fetcht vp to his belly, close:His heart within him, panted out repose,For th'insolent plight, in which his state did stand:Sigh'd bitterly, and long'd to greete the land,Forc't by the dire Neede, of his freezing feare.First on the waters, he his taile did stereLike to a Sterne: then drew it like an ore,Still praying the Gods to set him safe ashore:Yet sunke he midst the red waues, more and more,And laid a throat out, to his vtmost height:Yet in forc'd speech, he made his perill sleight;And thus his glorie with his grieuance stroue;Not in such choice state was the charge of loueBorne by the Bull; when to the Cretane shoreHe swumme Europa through the wauie rore;As this Frog ferries me; His pallid brestBrauely aduancing; and his verdant crest(Submitted to my seat) made my support,Through his white waters, to his royall Court.But on the sudden did apparance makeAn horrid spectacle; a water-snakeThrusting his freckeld necke aboue the lake. Which (seene to both) away PhysignathusDiu'd to his deepes; as no way consciousOf whom, he left to perish in his lake;But shunn'd blacke fate himselfe; and let him takeThe blackest of it: who amids the FennSwumme with his brest vp; hands held vp in vaine,Cried Peepe, and perisht: sunke the waters oft,And often with his sprawlings, came aloft;Yet no way kept downe deaths relentlesse force:But (full of water) made an heauie Corse.Before he perisht yet, he threatned thus;Thou lurk'st not yet from heauen (Physignathus)Though yet thou hid'st here, that hast cast from thee(As from a Rocke,) the shipwrackt life of mee.Though thou thy selfe, no better was than I(O worst of things) at any facultie;Wrastling or race: but for thy perfidieIn this my wracke; Ioue beares a wreakefull eie:And to the Hoast of Mise, thou paines shalt payPast all euasion. This, his life let say,And left him to the waters. Him beheld,[14]Lichopinax; plac't in the pleasing fielde:Who shrick't extremely; ranne and told the Mise;Who, hauing heard his watry destinies;Pernicious anger pierst the hearts of all;And then their Heralds, forth they sent to callA councell early, at Troxartes house,Sad father of this fatall shipwrack't Mouse: Whose dead Corpse, vpwards swum along the lake;Nor yet (poore wretch) could be enforc'd to makeThe shore, his harbour; but the mid-Maine swum:When now (all haste made) with first morne did comeAll to set councell; in which, first rais'd head,Troxartes, angrie for his sonne; and said;O Friends, though I alone may seeme to beareAll the infortune; yet may all mette hereAccount it their case. But tis true, I amIn chiefe vnhappy; that a triple flameOf life, feele put forth, in three famous sonnes;The first, the chiefe in our confusions(The Cat) made rape of; caught without his hole:The second; Man, made with a cruell soule,Brought to his ruine, with a new-found sleight;And a most woodden engine of deceipt,They terme a Trap; mere [15]Murthresse of our Mise.The last that in my loue held speciall prise,And his rare mothers; this Physignathus(With false pretext of wafting to his house;)Strangl'd in chiefe deepes, of his bloudy streame.Come then; haste all, and issue out on them,Our bodies deckt, in our Dedalean armes.This said; his words thrust all vp in alarmes;And Mars himselfe, that serues the cure of war;Made all in their Appropriats circular.First on each leg, the greene shales of a Beane,They clos'd for Bootes; that sat [16]exceeding cleane: The shales they broke ope, Bootehaling by night,And eat the beanes: Their Iacks; Art exquisiteHad showne in them; being Cats-skins, euery whereQuilted with quills: Their fencefull bucklers were,The middle rounds of Can'sticks; but their speareA huge long Needle was; that could not beareThe braine of any; but be Mars his owneMortall inuention. Their heads arming CrowneWas vessel to the kirnell of a nut:And thus the Mise, their powers in armour put.This, the frogs hearing; From the water, allIssue to one place; and a councell callOf wicked war; consulting what should beCause to this murmure, and strange mutinie.While this was question'd; neere them made his standAn Herald with a Scepter in his hand,([17]Embasichytrus calld) that fetcht his kinde,From [18]Tyroglyphus, with the mightie minde;Denouncing ill-nam'd war, in these high termes;O Frogs? the Mise, sends threats to you of armesAnd bid me bid ye Battell; and fixt fight;Their eies all wounded with Psycharpax sight,Floting your waters, whom your king hath kild.And therefore all prepare for force of field,You that are best borne, whosoeuer held.This said; he seuer'd; his speech firing th'earesOf all the Mise; but frees'd the Frogs with feares,Themselues conceiting guiltie; whom the King Thus answer'd (rising.) Friends? I did not bringPsycharpax to his end; He, wantoningVpon our waters, practising to swimme,[19]Ap'te vs, and drown'd; without my sight of him.And yet these worst of Vermine, accuse meThough no way guiltie. Come, consider weHow we may ruine these deceiptfull Mise.For my part; I giue voice to this aduise;As seeming fittest to direct our deeds.Our bodies decking with our arming weeds;Let all our Powr's stand rais'd in steep'st reposeOf all our shore; that when they charge vs close;We may the helms snatch off, from all so deckt,Daring our onset; and them all directDowne to our waters. Who not knowing the sleightTo diue our soft deeps, may be strangl'd streight;And we triumphing, may a Trophey rere,Of all the Mise, that we haue slaughter'd here.These words put all in armes; and mallow leauesThey drew vpon their leggs, for arming [20]Greaues.Their Curets; broad greene Beetes; their bucklers wereGood thick-leau'd Cabbadge; proofe gainst any spe're.Their speares, sharpe Bullrushes; of which, were allFitted with long ones. Their parts CapitallThey hid in subtle Cockleshels from blowes.And thus, all arm'd; the steepest shores they chose,T'encamp themselues; where lance with lance, they lin'd;And brandisht brauelie; each Frogg full of Minde. Then Ioue calld all Gods, in his flaming Throne And shewd all, all this preparation For resolute warre. These able soldiers, Many, and great; all shaking lengthfull spe'res: In shew like Centaures; or the Gyants Host. When (sweethe smiling,) he enquir'd who, most Of all th'Immortalls, pleas'd to adde their aide To Froggs or Mise: and thus to Pallas said;O daughter? Must not you, needs aid these Mise? That with the Odors, and meate sacrifice Vs'd in your Temple, endlesse triumphs make; And serue you, for your sacred victles sake?Pallas repli'd; O Father, neuer I Will aid the Mise, in anie miserie. So many mischiefes by them, I haue found;[21]Eating the Cotten, that my distaffs crown'd; My lamps still banting, to deuoure the oyle. But that which most my minde eates, is their spoile Made of a veile, that me in much did stand: On which, bestowing an elaborate hand; A fine woofe working; of as pure a thredd; Such holes therein, their Petulancies fed; That, putting it to darning; when't'was done; The darner, a most deare paie stood vpon For his so deare paines; laid downe instantlie;[22]Or (to forbeare) exacted vsurie. So, borrowing from my Phane, the weed I woue; I can by no meanes, th'vsurous darner, moue To let me haue the mantle to restore.And this is it, that rubs the angrie soreOf my offence tooke, at these petulant Mise.Nor will I yeeld, the Froggs wants, my supplies,For their infirme mindes; that no confines keepe;For I, from warre retir'd; and wanting sleepe;All lept ashore in tumult; nor would staieTill one winck seas'd myne eyes: and so I laieSleeplesse, and pain'de with headach; till first lightThe Cock had crow'd vp. Therefore, to the fightLet no God goe assistent; lest a lanceWound whosoeuer offers to aduance;Or wishes but their aid; that skorne all foes;Should any Gods accesse, their spirits oppose.Sit we then pleas'd, to see from heauen, their fight.She said; and all Gods ioin'd in her delight.And now, both Hosts, to one field drew the iarre;Both Heralds bearing the ostents of warre.And then the [23]wine-Gnats, that shrill Trumpets soundTerriblie rung out, the encounter, round.Ioue thundred; all heauen, sad warrs signe resounded.And first, [24]Hypsiboas,[25]Lychenor wounded,Standing th'impression of the first in fight.His lance did, in his Lyuers midsts alight,Along his bellie. Downe he fell; his face,His fall on that part swaid; and all the graceOf his soft hayre, fil'd with disgracefull dust.Then [26]Troglodytes, his thick iaueline thrust In [27]Pelions bosome; bearing him to ground:Whom sad death seas'd; his soule flew through his wound.[28]Sentlæus next, Embasichytros slew;His heart through thrusting: then [29]Artophagus threwHis lance at [30]Polyphon; and strooke him quiteThrough his midd-bellie: downe he fell vpright:And from his fayre limms, took his soule her flight.[31]Lymnocharis beholding PolyphonThus done to death; did with as round a stoneAs that the mill turnes; Troglodytes woundNeare his mid-neck; ere he his onset found:Whose eyes, sad darknes seas'd. [32]Lychenor castA flying dart off, and his ayme so plac'tVpon Lymnocharis; that [33] Sure he thoughtThe wound he wisht him: nor vntruely wroughtThe dire successe; for through his Lyuer flewThe fatall lance; which when [34]Crambaphagus knew;Downe the deepe waues neare shore; he, diuing, fled;But fled not fate so; the sterne enimie fedDeath with his life in diuing: neuer moreThe ayre he drew in; his Vermilian goreStaind all the waters; and along the shoreHe lay extended; his fat entrailes laie(By his small guts impulsion) breaking waieOut at his wound. [35]Lymnisius, neare the shoreDestroid Tyroglyphus: which frighted soreThe soule of [36]Calaminth; seeing comming on(For wreake) [37]Pternoglyphus: who got him gon With large leapes to the lake; his Target throwneInto the waters. [38]Hydrocharis slewKing [39]Pternophagus, at whose throte he threwA huge stone; strooke it high; and beate his braineOut at his nostrills: earth blusht, with the staineHis blood made on her bosom. For next Prise;Lichopinax, to death did sacrifice[40]Borborocœtes faultlesse faculties;His lance enforc't it; darknes clos'd his eyes.On which when [41]Brassophagus, cast his looke;[42]Cnisodioctes, by the heeles he tooke;Dragg'd him to fenn, from off his natiue ground;Then seas'd his throte, and souc't him, till he droun'd.But now; Psycharpax wreakes his fellows deaths;And in the bosome of [43]Pelusius sheathes,(In center of his Lyuer) his bright lance:He fel before the Author of the chance;His soule to hell fled. Which [44]PelobatesTaking sad note of; wreakefully did seaseHis hands gripe full of mudd; and all besmear'd;His forhead with it so; that scarce appeardThe light to him. Which certainely incenstHis fierie splene: who, with his wreake dispenstNo point of tyme; but rer'd with his strong handA stone so massie, it opprest the land;And hurld it at him; when, below the kneeIt strooke his right legge so impetuouslie;It peece-meale brake it; be the dust did sease, Vpwards euerted. But [45]CraugasidesReuendg'd his death; and at his enimieDischardg'd a dart; that did his point implieIn his mid-bellie. All the sharp-pil'de speareGot after in; and did before it beareHis vniuersall entrailes to the earth,Soone as his swolne hand, gaue his iaueline birth.[46]Sitophagus, beholding the sad sight,Set on the shore; went halting from the fight,Vext with his wounds extremelie. And to makeWaie from extreme fate, lept into the lake.Troxartes strooke, in th'insteps vpper part,Physignathus; who, (priuie to the smartHis wound imparted) with his vtmost hastLept to the lake, and fled. Troxartes castHis eye vpon the foe that fell before;And, (see'ng him halfe-liu'de) long'd againe to goreHis gutlesse bosome; and (to kill him quite)Ranne fiercely at him. Which [47]Prassæus sightTooke instant note of; and the first in fightThrust desp'rate way through; casting, his keene lanceOff at Troxartes; whose shield turn'd th'aduanceThe sharpe head made: & checkt the mortall chance.Amongst the Mise fought, an EgregiouseYoung spring all; and a close-encountring Mouse:Pure [48]Artepibulus his deare descent:A Prince that Mars himselfe shewd, where he went(Call'd [49]Meridarpax.) Of so huge a might; That onely He still, dominer'd in fight,Of all the Mouse-Host. He aduancing closeVp to the Lake; past all the rest aroseIn glorious obiect; and made vant that HeCame to depopulate all the progenieOf Froggs, affected with the lance of warre.And certainely; he had put on as farreAs he aduanc't his vant; (he was indudeWith so vnmatcht a force, and fortitude)Had not the Father, both of Gods and MenInstantly knowne it; and the Froggs (euen thenGiuen vp to ruine) rescude with remorse.Who, (his head mouing,) thus began discourse:No meane amaze, affects me to beholdPrince Meridarpax, rage so vncontrold,In thirst of Frogg-blood; all along the lake:Come therefore still; and all addression make;Dispatching Pallas, with tumultuous Mars,Downe to the field, to make him leaue the wars:How [50]Potently soeuer he be said,Where he attempts once; to vphold his head.Mars answered; O Ioue; neither she nor I(With both our aides) can keepe depopulacieFrom off the Froggs. And therefore arme we all;Euen thy lance letting brandish to his callFrom off the field: that from the field withdrewThe Titanois; the Titanois that slew;Though most exempt from match, of all earths seedes So great and so inaccessible deedsIt hath proclaim'd to men; bound hand and foot,The vast Enceladus; and rac't by th'rootThe race of vpland Gyants. This speech past;Saturnius, a smoking lightening castAmongst the armies; thundring then so sore,That with a rapting circumflexe, he boreAll huge heauen ouer. But the terrible ire,Of his dart, sent abroad, all wrapt in fire,(Which certainely, his very finger was)Amazde both Mise and Froggs. Yet soone let passeWas all this by the Mise: who, much the more;Burnd in desire t'exterminate the storeOf all those lance-lou'd souldiers. Which, had beene;If, from Olympus, Ioues eye had not seeneThe Froggs with pittie; and with instant speedeSent them assistents. Who (ere any heedeWas giuen to their approch) came crawling onWith [51]Anuiles on their backs; that (beat vponNeuer so much) are neuer wearied, yet:Crook-pawd; and wrested on, with foule clouen feet:[52]Tongues in their mouths: Brick-backt, all ouer bone,Broade-shoulderd; whence a ruddie yellow shone.Distorted, and small thigh'd: had eyes that sawOut at their bosomes. Twice foure feet did drawAbout their bodies. Strong neckt; whence did riseTwo heads; nor could to any hand be Prise.They call them Lobsters; that eat from the Mise, Their tailes; their feet; and hands; and wrested allTheir lances from them so; that cold AppallThe wretches put in rout, past all returne.And now the Fount of light forbore to burneAboue the earth. When (which mens lawes commend)Our Battaile, in one daie, tooke absolute end._-_fleuron_type_7.png)
_-_initial_E.png)
ntring the fields, first let my Vowes call onThe Muses whole Quire out of HeliconInto my Heart; for such a Poems sake,As lately I did in my Tables take,And put into report, vpon my knees.A fight so fierce, as might in all degreesFit Mars himselfe, and his tumultuous hand,Glorying to dart to th'eares of euery landOf all the a [1]voice-deuided; And to showHow brauely did both Froggs and Mise bestowIn glorious fight their forces; euen the deedesDaring to imitate of earths Giant-seedes.Thus then, men talkt; this seede the strife begat:The Mouse, once drie; and scap't the dangerous Cat;Drench't in the neighbour lake, her tender berde,To taste the sweetnesse of the waue it rer'de.The farre-fam'de Fen-affecter (seeing him) said;Ho? Stranger? what are you? And whence, that tred This shore of ours? who brought you forth? replie,What truth may witnesse, lest I finde, you lie.If worth fruition of my loue, and me;Ile haue thee home; and HospitalitieOf feast, and gift; good and magnificentBestow on thee: For all this ConfluentResounds my Royaltie; my Name, the greatIn blowne-vp count'nances; and lookes of threat,[2]Physignathus; ador'd of all Frogs hereAll their daies durance; And the Empire beareOf all their Beings. Mine owne Beeing, begotBy royall [3]Peleus; mixt in nuptiall knot,With faire [4]Hydromedusa; On the BoundsNere which [5]Eridanus, his Race resounds.And Thee, mine Eie, makes my Conceipt enclindeTo reckon powerfull, both in forme, and Minde:A Scepter-bearer; And past others farre,Aduanc't in all the fiery Fights of warre.Come then, Thy race, to my renowne commend.The Mouse made answer; why enquires my friend?For what so well, know men and Deities,And all the wing'd affecters of the skies?[6]Psycharpax, I am calld; [7]Troxartes seede;Surnam'de the Mighty-Minded: She that free'dMine eies from darknesse; was [8]Lichomyle,King [9]Pternotroctes Daughter; shewing meWithin an aged houell, the young light:Fed me with figges, and nuts; and all the height Of varied viands. But vnfolde the cause,Why, 'gainst similitudes most equall lawes(Obseru'd in friendship) thou makst me thy friend?Thy life, the waters only helpe t'extend.Mine, whatsoeuer, men are vs'd to eat,Takes part with them, at shore: their purest cheat,Thrice boulted, kneaded, and subdu'd in past]],In cleane round kymnels; cannot be so fastFrom my approches kept; but in I eat:Nor Cheesecakes full, of finest Indian wheat,That [10]Crustie-weedes weare, large as Ladies traines:[11] Lyurings, (white-skind as Ladies:) nor the strainesOf prest milke, renneted; Nor collups cut,Fresh from the flitch: Nor iunkets such as putPalats diuine in Appetite: nor anyOf all mens delicates; thought ne're so manyTheir Cookes deuise them, who each dish see decktWith all the dainties[12] all strange soiles affect.Yet am I not so sensuall, to flieOf fields embattaild, the most fiery crie:But rush out strait; and with the first in sight,Mixe in aduenture: No man with affrightCan daunt my forces; though his bodie beeOf neuer so immense a quantitie.But making vp, euen to his bed, accesse;His fingers ends dare with my teeth compresse:His feet taint likewise; and so soft sease both,They shall not tast Th'Impression of a tooth. Sweet sleepe shall holde his owne, in euery eieWhere my tooth takes his tartest libertie:But two there are, that alwaies, far and neareExtremely still, controule my force with feare;(The Cat, and Night-Hawke) who much skathe conferOn all the Outraies, where for food I erre.Together with the [13]streights-still-keeping Trap;Where lurkes deceiptfull and set-spleend Mishap.But most of all the Cat constraines my feare;Being euer apt t'assault me euery where:For by that hole, that hope saies, I shall scape,At that hole euer, she commits my Rape.The best is yet, I eat no pot-herb grasse,Nor Raddishes; nor Coloquintida's:Nor Still-greene; Beetes, nor Parsley: which you makeYour dainties still, that liue vpon the lake.The Frog replide: Stranger? your boasts creepe allVpon their bellies; though to our liues fall;Much more miraculous meates, by lake and land:Ioue tendring our liues with a twofold hand;Enabling vs to leape ashore for food,And hide vs strait in our retreatfull flood:Which if your will serue; you may proue with ease.Ile take you on my shoulders: which fast sease,If safe arriuall at my house y'intend.He stoopt; and thither spritelie did ascend,Clasping his golden necke, that easie seatGaue to his sallie: who was iocund yet; Seeing the safe harbors of the King so nere;And he, a swimmer so exempt from Pere.But when he sunke into the purple waue;He mournd extremely; and did much depraueVnprofitable penitence: His haireTore by the roots vp, labord for the aire,With his feet fetcht vp to his belly, close:His heart within him, panted out repose,For th'insolent plight, in which his state did stand:Sigh'd bitterly, and long'd to greete the land,Forc't by the dire Neede, of his freezing feare.First on the waters, he his taile did stereLike to a Sterne: then drew it like an ore,Still praying the Gods to set him safe ashore:Yet sunke he midst the red waues, more and more,And laid a throat out, to his vtmost height:Yet in forc'd speech, he made his perill sleight;And thus his glorie with his grieuance stroue;Not in such choice state was the charge of loueBorne by the Bull; when to the Cretane shoreHe swumme Europa through the wauie rore;As this Frog ferries me; His pallid brestBrauely aduancing; and his verdant crest(Submitted to my seat) made my support,Through his white waters, to his royall Court.But on the sudden did apparance makeAn horrid spectacle; a water-snakeThrusting his freckeld necke aboue the lake. Which (seene to both) away PhysignathusDiu'd to his deepes; as no way consciousOf whom, he left to perish in his lake;But shunn'd blacke fate himselfe; and let him takeThe blackest of it: who amids the FennSwumme with his brest vp; hands held vp in vaine,Cried Peepe, and perisht: sunke the waters oft,And often with his sprawlings, came aloft;Yet no way kept downe deaths relentlesse force:But (full of water) made an heauie Corse.Before he perisht yet, he threatned thus;Thou lurk'st not yet from heauen (Physignathus)Though yet thou hid'st here, that hast cast from thee(As from a Rocke,) the shipwrackt life of mee.Though thou thy selfe, no better was than I(O worst of things) at any facultie;Wrastling or race: but for thy perfidieIn this my wracke; Ioue beares a wreakefull eie:And to the Hoast of Mise, thou paines shalt payPast all euasion. This, his life let say,And left him to the waters. Him beheld,[14]Lichopinax; plac't in the pleasing fielde:Who shrick't extremely; ranne and told the Mise;Who, hauing heard his watry destinies;Pernicious anger pierst the hearts of all;And then their Heralds, forth they sent to callA councell early, at Troxartes house,Sad father of this fatall shipwrack't Mouse: Whose dead Corpse, vpwards swum along the lake;Nor yet (poore wretch) could be enforc'd to makeThe shore, his harbour; but the mid-Maine swum:When now (all haste made) with first morne did comeAll to set councell; in which, first rais'd head,Troxartes, angrie for his sonne; and said;O Friends, though I alone may seeme to beareAll the infortune; yet may all mette hereAccount it their case. But tis true, I amIn chiefe vnhappy; that a triple flameOf life, feele put forth, in three famous sonnes;The first, the chiefe in our confusions(The Cat) made rape of; caught without his hole:The second; Man, made with a cruell soule,Brought to his ruine, with a new-found sleight;And a most woodden engine of deceipt,They terme a Trap; mere [15]Murthresse of our Mise.The last that in my loue held speciall prise,And his rare mothers; this Physignathus(With false pretext of wafting to his house;)Strangl'd in chiefe deepes, of his bloudy streame.Come then; haste all, and issue out on them,Our bodies deckt, in our Dedalean armes.This said; his words thrust all vp in alarmes;And Mars himselfe, that serues the cure of war;Made all in their Appropriats circular.First on each leg, the greene shales of a Beane,They clos'd for Bootes; that sat [16]exceeding cleane: The shales they broke ope, Bootehaling by night,And eat the beanes: Their Iacks; Art exquisiteHad showne in them; being Cats-skins, euery whereQuilted with quills: Their fencefull bucklers were,The middle rounds of Can'sticks; but their speareA huge long Needle was; that could not beareThe braine of any; but be Mars his owneMortall inuention. Their heads arming CrowneWas vessel to the kirnell of a nut:And thus the Mise, their powers in armour put.This, the frogs hearing; From the water, allIssue to one place; and a councell callOf wicked war; consulting what should beCause to this murmure, and strange mutinie.While this was question'd; neere them made his standAn Herald with a Scepter in his hand,([17]Embasichytrus calld) that fetcht his kinde,From [18]Tyroglyphus, with the mightie minde;Denouncing ill-nam'd war, in these high termes;O Frogs? the Mise, sends threats to you of armesAnd bid me bid ye Battell; and fixt fight;Their eies all wounded with Psycharpax sight,Floting your waters, whom your king hath kild.And therefore all prepare for force of field,You that are best borne, whosoeuer held.This said; he seuer'd; his speech firing th'earesOf all the Mise; but frees'd the Frogs with feares,Themselues conceiting guiltie; whom the King Thus answer'd (rising.) Friends? I did not bringPsycharpax to his end; He, wantoningVpon our waters, practising to swimme,[19]Ap'te vs, and drown'd; without my sight of him.And yet these worst of Vermine, accuse meThough no way guiltie. Come, consider weHow we may ruine these deceiptfull Mise.For my part; I giue voice to this aduise;As seeming fittest to direct our deeds.Our bodies decking with our arming weeds;Let all our Powr's stand rais'd in steep'st reposeOf all our shore; that when they charge vs close;We may the helms snatch off, from all so deckt,Daring our onset; and them all directDowne to our waters. Who not knowing the sleightTo diue our soft deeps, may be strangl'd streight;And we triumphing, may a Trophey rere,Of all the Mise, that we haue slaughter'd here.These words put all in armes; and mallow leauesThey drew vpon their leggs, for arming [20]Greaues.Their Curets; broad greene Beetes; their bucklers wereGood thick-leau'd Cabbadge; proofe gainst any spe're.Their speares, sharpe Bullrushes; of which, were allFitted with long ones. Their parts CapitallThey hid in subtle Cockleshels from blowes.And thus, all arm'd; the steepest shores they chose,T'encamp themselues; where lance with lance, they lin'd;And brandisht brauelie; each Frogg full of Minde. Then Ioue calld all Gods, in his flaming Throne And shewd all, all this preparation For resolute warre. These able soldiers, Many, and great; all shaking lengthfull spe'res: In shew like Centaures; or the Gyants Host. When (sweethe smiling,) he enquir'd who, most Of all th'Immortalls, pleas'd to adde their aide To Froggs or Mise: and thus to Pallas said;O daughter? Must not you, needs aid these Mise? That with the Odors, and meate sacrifice Vs'd in your Temple, endlesse triumphs make; And serue you, for your sacred victles sake?Pallas repli'd; O Father, neuer I Will aid the Mise, in anie miserie. So many mischiefes by them, I haue found;[21]Eating the Cotten, that my distaffs crown'd; My lamps still banting, to deuoure the oyle. But that which most my minde eates, is their spoile Made of a veile, that me in much did stand: On which, bestowing an elaborate hand; A fine woofe working; of as pure a thredd; Such holes therein, their Petulancies fed; That, putting it to darning; when't'was done; The darner, a most deare paie stood vpon For his so deare paines; laid downe instantlie;[22]Or (to forbeare) exacted vsurie. So, borrowing from my Phane, the weed I woue; I can by no meanes, th'vsurous darner, moue To let me haue the mantle to restore.And this is it, that rubs the angrie soreOf my offence tooke, at these petulant Mise.Nor will I yeeld, the Froggs wants, my supplies,For their infirme mindes; that no confines keepe;For I, from warre retir'd; and wanting sleepe;All lept ashore in tumult; nor would staieTill one winck seas'd myne eyes: and so I laieSleeplesse, and pain'de with headach; till first lightThe Cock had crow'd vp. Therefore, to the fightLet no God goe assistent; lest a lanceWound whosoeuer offers to aduance;Or wishes but their aid; that skorne all foes;Should any Gods accesse, their spirits oppose.Sit we then pleas'd, to see from heauen, their fight.She said; and all Gods ioin'd in her delight.And now, both Hosts, to one field drew the iarre;Both Heralds bearing the ostents of warre.And then the [23]wine-Gnats, that shrill Trumpets soundTerriblie rung out, the encounter, round.Ioue thundred; all heauen, sad warrs signe resounded.And first, [24]Hypsiboas,[25]Lychenor wounded,Standing th'impression of the first in fight.His lance did, in his Lyuers midsts alight,Along his bellie. Downe he fell; his face,His fall on that part swaid; and all the graceOf his soft hayre, fil'd with disgracefull dust.Then [26]Troglodytes, his thick iaueline thrust In [27]Pelions bosome; bearing him to ground:Whom sad death seas'd; his soule flew through his wound.[28]Sentlæus next, Embasichytros slew;His heart through thrusting: then [29]Artophagus threwHis lance at [30]Polyphon; and strooke him quiteThrough his midd-bellie: downe he fell vpright:And from his fayre limms, took his soule her flight.[31]Lymnocharis beholding PolyphonThus done to death; did with as round a stoneAs that the mill turnes; Troglodytes woundNeare his mid-neck; ere he his onset found:Whose eyes, sad darknes seas'd. [32]Lychenor castA flying dart off, and his ayme so plac'tVpon Lymnocharis; that [33] Sure he thoughtThe wound he wisht him: nor vntruely wroughtThe dire successe; for through his Lyuer flewThe fatall lance; which when [34]Crambaphagus knew;Downe the deepe waues neare shore; he, diuing, fled;But fled not fate so; the sterne enimie fedDeath with his life in diuing: neuer moreThe ayre he drew in; his Vermilian goreStaind all the waters; and along the shoreHe lay extended; his fat entrailes laie(By his small guts impulsion) breaking waieOut at his wound. [35]Lymnisius, neare the shoreDestroid Tyroglyphus: which frighted soreThe soule of [36]Calaminth; seeing comming on(For wreake) [37]Pternoglyphus: who got him gon With large leapes to the lake; his Target throwneInto the waters. [38]Hydrocharis slewKing [39]Pternophagus, at whose throte he threwA huge stone; strooke it high; and beate his braineOut at his nostrills: earth blusht, with the staineHis blood made on her bosom. For next Prise;Lichopinax, to death did sacrifice[40]Borborocœtes faultlesse faculties;His lance enforc't it; darknes clos'd his eyes.On which when [41]Brassophagus, cast his looke;[42]Cnisodioctes, by the heeles he tooke;Dragg'd him to fenn, from off his natiue ground;Then seas'd his throte, and souc't him, till he droun'd.But now; Psycharpax wreakes his fellows deaths;And in the bosome of [43]Pelusius sheathes,(In center of his Lyuer) his bright lance:He fel before the Author of the chance;His soule to hell fled. Which [44]PelobatesTaking sad note of; wreakefully did seaseHis hands gripe full of mudd; and all besmear'd;His forhead with it so; that scarce appeardThe light to him. Which certainely incenstHis fierie splene: who, with his wreake dispenstNo point of tyme; but rer'd with his strong handA stone so massie, it opprest the land;And hurld it at him; when, below the kneeIt strooke his right legge so impetuouslie;It peece-meale brake it; be the dust did sease, Vpwards euerted. But [45]CraugasidesReuendg'd his death; and at his enimieDischardg'd a dart; that did his point implieIn his mid-bellie. All the sharp-pil'de speareGot after in; and did before it beareHis vniuersall entrailes to the earth,Soone as his swolne hand, gaue his iaueline birth.[46]Sitophagus, beholding the sad sight,Set on the shore; went halting from the fight,Vext with his wounds extremelie. And to makeWaie from extreme fate, lept into the lake.Troxartes strooke, in th'insteps vpper part,Physignathus; who, (priuie to the smartHis wound imparted) with his vtmost hastLept to the lake, and fled. Troxartes castHis eye vpon the foe that fell before;And, (see'ng him halfe-liu'de) long'd againe to goreHis gutlesse bosome; and (to kill him quite)Ranne fiercely at him. Which [47]Prassæus sightTooke instant note of; and the first in fightThrust desp'rate way through; casting, his keene lanceOff at Troxartes; whose shield turn'd th'aduanceThe sharpe head made: & checkt the mortall chance.Amongst the Mise fought, an EgregiouseYoung spring all; and a close-encountring Mouse:Pure [48]Artepibulus his deare descent:A Prince that Mars himselfe shewd, where he went(Call'd [49]Meridarpax.) Of so huge a might; That onely He still, dominer'd in fight,Of all the Mouse-Host. He aduancing closeVp to the Lake; past all the rest aroseIn glorious obiect; and made vant that HeCame to depopulate all the progenieOf Froggs, affected with the lance of warre.And certainely; he had put on as farreAs he aduanc't his vant; (he was indudeWith so vnmatcht a force, and fortitude)Had not the Father, both of Gods and MenInstantly knowne it; and the Froggs (euen thenGiuen vp to ruine) rescude with remorse.Who, (his head mouing,) thus began discourse:No meane amaze, affects me to beholdPrince Meridarpax, rage so vncontrold,In thirst of Frogg-blood; all along the lake:Come therefore still; and all addression make;Dispatching Pallas, with tumultuous Mars,Downe to the field, to make him leaue the wars:How [50]Potently soeuer he be said,Where he attempts once; to vphold his head.Mars answered; O Ioue; neither she nor I(With both our aides) can keepe depopulacieFrom off the Froggs. And therefore arme we all;Euen thy lance letting brandish to his callFrom off the field: that from the field withdrewThe Titanois; the Titanois that slew;Though most exempt from match, of all earths seedes So great and so inaccessible deedsIt hath proclaim'd to men; bound hand and foot,The vast Enceladus; and rac't by th'rootThe race of vpland Gyants. This speech past;Saturnius, a smoking lightening castAmongst the armies; thundring then so sore,That with a rapting circumflexe, he boreAll huge heauen ouer. But the terrible ire,Of his dart, sent abroad, all wrapt in fire,(Which certainely, his very finger was)Amazde both Mise and Froggs. Yet soone let passeWas all this by the Mise: who, much the more;Burnd in desire t'exterminate the storeOf all those lance-lou'd souldiers. Which, had beene;If, from Olympus, Ioues eye had not seeneThe Froggs with pittie; and with instant speedeSent them assistents. Who (ere any heedeWas giuen to their approch) came crawling onWith [51]Anuiles on their backs; that (beat vponNeuer so much) are neuer wearied, yet:Crook-pawd; and wrested on, with foule clouen feet:[52]Tongues in their mouths: Brick-backt, all ouer bone,Broade-shoulderd; whence a ruddie yellow shone.Distorted, and small thigh'd: had eyes that sawOut at their bosomes. Twice foure feet did drawAbout their bodies. Strong neckt; whence did riseTwo heads; nor could to any hand be Prise.They call them Lobsters; that eat from the Mise, Their tailes; their feet; and hands; and wrested allTheir lances from them so; that cold AppallThe wretches put in rout, past all returne.And now the Fount of light forbore to burneAboue the earth. When (which mens lawes commend)Our Battaile, in one daie, tooke absolute end.