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448 THE SHEPHEARDES CALENDER.
myshap he alludeth to the chaunce, that happened
to the Poet AEschylus, that was brayned with
a shellftehe
Embleme.
By thys poesye Thomalm confirraeth that, which
in hys former speach by sondrye reasons he had
proued For being both hvraselte sequestred
from all ambition and also abhorring it mothers
of hys cote, he taketh occasion to prayse the
meane and lowly state, as that wherein is safetie
without feare, and quiet without danger, accord
ing to the saying of olde Philosophers, that
vertae dwelleth in the middest, being enuironed
with two contrary vices whereto Morrell replieth
/ N this AEglogue is set forth a delectable eon
ARGVMENT
AEgloga
troucrsit, made in imitation of that in
August.
with continuaunce of the same Philosophers
opinion, that albeit all bountye dwelleth in
mediocntie, yet perfect fehcitye dwelleth in
supremacie For they say, and most true it is,
that happinesse is placed in the highest degree,
so as if any thing be higher or better, then that
streight way ceaseth to be perfect happines
Much like to that, which once I heard alleaged
in defence of humilitye out of a great doctour,
Suorum Christus humillimus which saying a
gentle man in the company taking at the re
bownd, beate backe again with lyke saying of
another Doctouie, as he sayde. Suorum deus
altisstmus
octaua.
PERIGOT
Ah Willye, when the hart is ill assayde,
How can Bagpipe, or loynts be well apayd ?
Theocritus whereto also Virgile fashioned his
WlLLYE
third and seuenth Aglogue They choose for
What the foule euill hath thee so bestadde ?
vmpere of their strife, Cuddie a neatheards boye,
Whilom thou was peregall to the best,
who hauing ended their cause, reciteth also him
And wont to make the lolly shepeheards gladde
selfe a proper song, whereof Colin he sayth was
With pyping and dauncing, didst passe the
Authour
rest 10
T
WlLLYE PERIGOT CVDDIE
PERIGOT
Ell me Perigol, what shalbe the game, Ah Willye now I haue learnd a newe daunce •
Wherefore with myne thou dare thy My old musick mard by a newe mischaunce.
musick matche ?
Or bene thy Bagpypes renne farre out of frame ?
WlLLYE
Or hath the Crampe thy loyats benomd with Mischiefe mought to thatnewe mischaunce befall,
ache?
That so hath raft vs of our meriment