THE MAYDES METAMORPHOSIS.
As it hath bene sundrie times Acted by the Children of Powles.
LONDON: Printed by Thomas Creede, for Richard Oliue, dwelling in long Lane. 1600.
_THE PROLOGUE.
The manifold, great favours we have found,
By you to us poore weaklings still extended;
Whereof your vertues have been only ground,
And no desert in us to be so friended;
Bindes us some way or other to expresse,
Though all our all be else defeated quite
Of any meanes save duteous thankefulnes,
Which is the utmost measure of our might:
Then, to the boundlesse ocean of your woorth
This little drop of water we present;
Where though it never can be singled foorth,
Let zeale be pleader for our good intent.
Drops not diminish but encrease great floods,
And mites impaire not but augment our goods_.
The Maydes Metamorphosis.
Actus Primus.
Enter Phylander, Orestes, Eurymine.
Eurymine. Phylander and Orestes, what conceyt
Troubles your silent mindes? Let me intreat,
Since we are come thus farre, as we do walke
You would deuise some prettie pleasant talke;
The aire is coole, the euening high and faire:
Why should your cloudie lookes then shew dispaire?
Phy. Beleeue me, faire Eurimine, my skill Is simple in discourse, and vtterance ill; Orestes, if he we were disposde to trie, Can better manage such affaires than I.