¶ The Shepheards solace. +Printed in Thomas Watson, sonnet XCII, The Hekatompathia , (1582), sig. M2v, with the headnote: ‘Here the Author by comparing the tyrannous delightes and deedes of blinde Cupid with the honest delightes &c deedes of other his fellow Goddesses and Gods, doth blesse the time and howre that euer he forsook to follow him; whom he confesseth to haue bene greate &c forcible in his doings, though but litle of stature, and in apparence weakelie. Of all the names here mentioned, Hebe is seldomest redde, wherfore know they which know it not already, that Hebe (as Seruius writeth) is Iunoes daughter, hauing no father, &c now wife to Hercules, and Goddesse of youth, and youthlie sporting: and was cupbearer to Ioue, till she fell in the presence of all the Goddes, so vnhappelie, that they sawe her priuities, whereupon Ioue being angry, substituted Ganimedes into her office and place’. Other copies are in: L: Harl. 3277, c. 1580, fol. 42; H: MS Eng 1495, fol. 10. Author: Thomas Watson. Structure (May/Ringler): 18: 3×6 sx
P Hæbus delights to view his Laurell tree, The Poplar pleaseth Hercules alone: Melissa mother is and fautrixefautress, patroness to the Bee, Pallas will weare the Oliue branch alone. (5) Of Shepheards and their Flocks Pales is Queene: And Ceres ripes the Corne was lately greene. To Chloris euery flower belongs of right, The Dryade Nimphs of woods make chiefe account: Oreades in hills haue their delight, (10)Diana doth protect each bubling Fount. To Hebe louely kissing is assign’d: To Zephire euery gentle-breathing wind. But what is Loues delight? To hurt each where He cares not whom, with Darts of deepe desire: (15) With watchfull iealousie, with hope, with feare, With nipping cold, and secret flames of fire. O happy houre, wherein I did forgoe: This little God, +that is, Cupid so great a cause of woe.
FINIS. Tho. Watson.
¶ Syrenus Song to Eugerius. +Printed in Yong, Diana (1598), pp. 461-2, where it is prefaced by Eugerius’s speech ‘Since you must (iolly Shepherds) receiue your reward at my hands, it is a good reason that you sing in such sort, as may best content me. Sing thou Syrenus first those verses which thy muse shall dictate vnto thee’. Author: Bartholomew Yong. Structure (May/Ringler): 72: 6×12 variable abccbc10c6d10d6e10e6ff10
L Et now the goodly Spring-tide make vs merrie, And fields, which pleasant flowers doe adorne: And Vales, Meads, Woods, with liuely colours flou-|(rish, Let plenteous flocks the Shepheards riches nourish,
