Another of the same Authour. +Like preceding poems, printed in the eclogue book by I.D. (John Dickenson), The Shepheard’s Complaint , (c.1596), sigs. A3-A3v, prefaced by the passage: ‘As thus I lay musing on sundrie matters, gentle sleepe recompenced my oft-interrupted slumbers with a long repose, wherein mee thought I was transported into the blessed soile of heauenly Arcadia, the beauteous garnishing of whose fertile plaines, decked with the pride of Flora, which had there opened the royall Storehouse of her pompous magnificence, did farre surpasse the triuiall pleasures of Thessalian Tempe. I cleane rauished with delight, solac’d my selfe in the viewe of that Celestiall plot, earths second paradise, whose pleasures thus briefly, though badly, I will expresse.’ Author: John Dickenson. Structure (May/Ringler): 30: 5×6 sx4troch
F Ields were ouer-spread with flowers, Fairest choise of Floraes +Flora, see glossary treasure: Shepheards there had shady Bowers, Where they oft repos’d with pleasure. (5) Meadowes flourish’d fresh and gay, where the wantonplayful, sportive Heards did play.
Springs more cleare then Christall streames, Seated were the Groues among: Thus nor Titans scorching beames, (10) Nor earths drouthdrought, dryness could Shepheards wrong. Faire Pomonaes fruitfull pride: +apples, see glossary did the budding branches hide.
Flockes of sheepe fed on the Plaines, Harmelesse sheepe that roamd at large: (15) Heere and there sate pensiue Swainesmelancholy, love sick shepherds , Wayting on their wandring charge. Pensiuemelancholy, love sick while their Lasses smil’d: Lasses which had them beguil’d.
Hills with trees were richly dightdressed, cultivated , (20) Vallies stor’d with Vestaeswealththe earth’s bounty : Both did harbour sweet delight, Nought was there to hinder health. Thus did Heauen grace the soyle: Not deform’d with work-mens toile.
(25) Purest plot of earthly moldshape , Might that Land be iustly named: