An Excellent New SONNET
On the Goddess DIANA and ACTEON:
SHEWING,
How the Goddess Diana transformed Acteon into the Shape of a Hart.
To an excellent North Country Tune.
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DIANA and her Darlings dear,
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Went walking on a Day,
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Througouht the Woods and Waters clear,
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For their Disport and Play;
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The Leaves aloft were very green,
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And pleasant to behold,
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These Nymphs they walkd the Trees between,
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Under the Shadows cold.
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So long at last they found a Place,
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Of Springs and Waters clear,
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A fairer Bath there never was
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Found out this thousand Year:
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Wherein Diana wantonly
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Herself began to bathe,
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And all her Virgins fair and pure,
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Themselves did wash and lave.
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And as the Nymphs in Water stood,
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Acteon passed by,
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As he came runing through the Wood,
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On them he cast his Eye:
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And eke hehold their Bodies bare,
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Then presently that Tide,
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And as the Nymphs of him were aware,
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With Voice aloud they cryd.
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And closd Diana round about,
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To hide her Body small;
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But she was highest of the Rout,
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And seen above them all.
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And when Diana did perceive,
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Where Acteon did stand,
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A furious Look to him she gave,
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And took her Bow in Hand.
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And as she went about to shoot,
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Acteon began to run,
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To hide he thought he was no boot,
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His former Sight was done:
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And as he thought from her to scape,
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She brought it so to pass,
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Incontinently changd his Shape,
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Even running as he was.
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Each Goddess took Dianas Part,
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Acteon to transform,
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To make of him a huge wild Hart,
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There they did all determ:
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His Skin that was so fine and fair,
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Was made a tawny Red.
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His Body over-grown with Hair,
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From Feet unto the Head.
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And on his Head great Horns were set,
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Most wondrous to behold,
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A larger Hart was never met,
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Nor seen upon the Mold,
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His Ears and Eyes that were so fair,
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Transformed were full strange;
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His Hands and Feet compelled were,
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Throughout the Woods to range.
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Thus was he made a perfect Hart,
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And waxed fierce and grim,
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His former Shape did quite depart,
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From every Joint and Limb:
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But still his Memory did remain,
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Although he could not speak,
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Nor yet among his Friends complain,
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His woeful Mind to break.
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At length he thought for to repair,
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Home to his Dwelling-place,
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Anon of him his Hounds were ware,
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And began to cry a-pace:
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Then Acteon was sore agast,
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His Hounds would him devour,
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And from them then he fled full fast,
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With all his Might and Power.
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He spared neither Bush nor Brake,
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But run through thick and thin,
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With all the Swiftness he could make,
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In Hopes to save his Skin;
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Yet were his Hounds so near his Tail,
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And followed him so fast,
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That running might not him avail,
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For all his Speed and Haste.
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For why his Hounds would never lin,
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Till they him overtook,
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And then they rent and tore his Skin,
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And all his Body shook:
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I am your Master Acteon,
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Then cryd he to his Hounds,
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And made unto them rueful Moans,
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With sad lamenting Sounds.
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I have been he which gave you Food,
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Wherein I took delight,
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Therefore suck not your Masters Blood,
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His Friendship to requite:
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But those Curs of a cursed Kind,
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On him had no remorse,
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Although he was their dearest Friend,
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They pulld him down by Force.
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There was no Man to take his Part,
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The Story telleth plain,
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Thus Acteon a huge wild Hart,
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Among the Does were slain:
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You Hunters all that range the Woods,
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Although you rise up rathe,
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Beware you come not nigh the Flood,
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Where Virgins use to bathe.
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For if Diana you espy,
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Among her Darlings dear,
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Your former Shape she will disguise,
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And make you Horns to wear:
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And so I do conclude my Song,
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Have nothing to alledge,
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If Acteon acted right or wrong,
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Let all true Virgins judge.
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