An Excellent and Most-pleasant New SONNET,
Shewing how the
Goddess Diana Transform'd Acteon into the Shape of a Hart.
To a pleasant new Tune.
Licens'd and Enter'd according to Order.
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DIana and her Darlings dear,
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went walking on a day,
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Throughout the Woods and Waters clear,
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for their disports 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 Nymps they walkt 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, daintily,
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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 Nymps in water stood,
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Acteon passed by,
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As he came running through the Wood,
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on them he cast his Eye,
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And eke beheld their Bodies bare,
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then presently that tide.
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And as the Nymps of him were ware,
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with voice aloud they cry'd,
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And clos'd Diana round about,
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to hide her Body small;
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But she was highest in 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 was about to shoot,
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Acteon began to run,
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To hide he thought it 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 chang'd 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 overgrown 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 wonderous to behold,
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A huger 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 comprised 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 joynt and limb;
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But still his Memory did remain,
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although he might not speak,
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Nor yet among his Friends complain,
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his woful 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 gan to cry apace:
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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 ran through thick and thin,
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With all the swifteness he could make,
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in hope to save his skin;
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Yet were his Hounds so near his tail,
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and follow'd 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 cry'd 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 Master's 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 pull'd 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 rath,
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Beware you come not nigh the Flood,
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were 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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having nothing to alledge;
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If Acteon had Right or Wrong,
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let all true Virgins judge.
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