obedience, to hys desire
and rule. But if _Zenes_ had behelde this substance, hee would haue
commended the same aboue all the _Agrigentine_ maides, euery proprotion
would haue made vnto him an oportune shewe of the absolutest perfection
in the whole world.

Which fayre and heauenly Nymph nowe comming neere vnto me, with a
cheerefull countenance, incontinently her most rare beautie, before
somewhat a farre of looked vppon with mine eyes, but nowe, by them more
neere and narrowly behelde, I was rauished and amased.

And her amorous aspect and louely presence, was no sooner brought by the
message of mine eyes to my inward partes, but my recording and watchfull
remembrance, stirring and waking vppe my heart, presenting and offering
her vnto the same: it is become her shoppe; the quiuer for her piercing
arrowes and wounding regardes, and the dwelling place and conseruable
mansion house, of her sweete picture. Knowing that this was shee which
had t[ae]diously consumed my tender yeeres, in her hotte and prime loue,
not to be resisted. For I felt the same leaping and beating against my
breast, without ceasing, like as one that striketh vpon a hoarse Taber.
And still me thought by her louely and delightfull countenance, by her
fayre tresses, and the curling and wauing haire, playing vp and downe
vppon her forheade, that it should be _Polia_, whome so greatly I had
loued and desired, and for whom I had sustained so many & sundry
griefes, without intermission, sending out scalding sighes, the outward
reporters of my inwarde flames. But her rich and Nymphish habite,
vnaccustomed, and the place vnknowne and strange, made mee still
doubtfull and suspicious.

Shee (as beforesaide) carried in her snowe white left arme, close to her
body, a kindled and burning Torch, somewhat higher then her heade a good
deale, and the lower ende growing smaller and smaller, shee helde in her
hande: and stretching foorth that which was at libertie, more white then
euer had _Pelopea_, wherein appeared the thinne smoothnes of the skynne,
and the blewnesse of the veynes lyke Azure streames, vppon the faire and
whitest paper. Shee tooke me by the left hande with a sweete and louing
countenance and smiling grace, and with an eloquent speech, shee
pleasantly saide in this manner.

_Poliphilus_, I thinke my selfe to come in saftie, but it seemeth that
you stand doubtfull. Heereat I was more amazed, and my sences in a
manner gone to imagine howe she should