¶ The Sheepheards allusion of his owne amorous infelicitie, to the
offence of Actæon. +Actaeon, see glossary . Printed in Thomas Watson, Sonnet VIII, The Hekatompathia , (1582), sig. A4v, with the headnote: ‘The Author alluding in al this Passion vnto the fault of Actaeon, and to the hurte, which hee susteined, setteth downe his owne amorous infelicitie; as Ouid did after his banishmente, when in an other sense hee applied this fiction vnto himself, being exiled (as it should seeme) for hauing at vnawares taken Caesar in some great fault: for thus hee writeth’. Another copy in L: Harl. 3277, c. 1580, f. 6v. Author: Thomas Watson. Structure (May/Ringler): 18: sx
A Ctæon lost in middle of his sport +Actaeon was hunting with his gentlemen. Both shape and life, for looking but awrythe wrong way : Diana was afraide he would report What secrets he had seene in passing by. (5) To tell but truth, the selfe same hurt haue I: By viewing her for whom I daily die. I leeseam deprived of my wontedaccustomed shape, in that my mind Dooth suffer wrackwreck, ruin vpon the stonie rock Of her disdaine, who contrarie to kind (10) Dooth beare a breast more hard then any stock; And former forme of limbs is changed quite: By caresgriefs in loue, and want of due delight. I leeselose my life, in that each secret thought, Which I conceaue through wanton fond regard: (15) Dooth make me say, that life auaylethprofits nought, Where seruice cannot haue a due reward. I dare not name the Nimph that works my smartpain , Though Loue hath grau’n her name within my hart.
FINIS. Tho. Watson.
¶ Montanus Sonnet to his faire Phæbe. +Printed in Lodge, Rosalind (1590), fols. 46v-47. Montanus sitting in Phoebe’s presence, ‘At last fixing his lookes upon the riches of her face, his head on his hande, his elbow on his knee, he sung this mournefull Dittie.’ After this poem, Monatanus sings another complaint, ‘Helas Tirant plein de rigueur’, which is not printed in England’s Helicon , instead it prints Phoebe’s response to ‘Helas Tirant’ in the following poem (‘Phaebes Sonnet, a reply to Montanus passion’ *). Author: Thomas Lodge. Structure (May/Ringler): 32: 2×14, 1×4, a10bbccddeeffgg6A12, a6b4ab6
A Turtleturtle dove sate vpon a leauelesse tree, Mourning her absent phearefere, mate , With sad and sorrie cheare. About her wondring stood, (5) The Cittizens of wood.vvood.