But Lachesis thereat gan to repine,

And sayd, Fond[44] dame that deem’st of things diuine

As of humane, that they may altred bee,

And chaung’d at pleasure for those impes of thine.

Not so; for what the Fates do once decree,

Not all the gods can chaunge, nor Ioue him self can free.

Then since[45] (quoth she) the terme of each mans life lii

For nought may lessened nor enlarged bee,

Graunt this, that when ye shred with fatall knife

His line, which is the eldest of the three,