I'll make in all an equal residence

Venus,

I will admire this brow so bounteous;

I.

IN flowery season of the year,

And when the firmament was clear, When Tellus' herbals painted were With issue of disparant cheer;

II.

When th' usher to the morn did rise
And drive the darkness from the skies,
Sleep gave their visual liberties
To Phillis' and to Flora's eyes.

III.

To walk these ladies liked best
(For sleep rejects the wounded breast),
Who jointly to a mead address'd
Their sportance with the place to feast.

IV.

Thus made they amorous excess, Both virgins and both princesses; Fair Phillis wore a liberal tress, But Flora hers in curls did dress.

* Ritson thinks that Chapman was mistaken both as to the author and as to the age of the original, which was certainly written in or before the 13th century, and probably by Walter de Mapes; a much purer version than he appears to have made use of being extant in a manuscript of that age in the Harleian Collection. No. 978, fo. 115.

Chapman's translation was republished in 1598 under the title of "Phillis and Flora, the sweete & civill contention of two amorous Ladyes, translated out of Latine by R. S., Esquire." Chapman therefore, says Ritson, seems to have been most cavalierly treated by this respectable Esquire.

In the original edition Chapman has printed the Latin text (Certamen inter Phillidem & Floram) at the end of his own version.-ED.

V.

Nor in their ornamental grace,
Nor in behaviour were they base,
Their years and minds in equal place
Did youth and his effects embrace.

VI.

A little yet unlike they prove,
And somewhat hostilely they strove ;
A clerk did Flora's humour move,
But Phillis liked a soldier's love.

VII.

For stature and fresh beauty's flowers, There grew no difference in their dowers; All things were free to both their powers Without and in their courtly bowers.

VIII.

One vow they made religiously,
And were of one society;
And only was their impary
The form of either's fantasy.

IX.

Now did a gentle timely gale
A little whisper through the dale,
Where was a place of festival
With verdant grass adorned all :

X.

And in that mead-proud-making grass, A river like to liquid glass

Did with such soundful murmur pass, That with the same it wanton was.

XI.

Hard by this brook, a pine had seat,
With goodly furniture complete,
To make the place in state more great,
And lessen the inflaming heat.