FINIS.

THE MVSES ELIZIVM

The Description of Elizium

    A Paradice on earth is found,
      Though farre from vulgar sight,
    Which with those pleasures doth abound
      That it Elizium hight.

    Where, in Delights that neuer fade,
      The Muses lulled be,
    And sit at pleasure in the shade
      Of many a stately tree,

    Which no rough Tempest makes to reele
      Nor their straight bodies bowes, 10
    Their lofty tops doe neuer feele
      The weight of winters snowes;

    In Groues that euermore are greene,
      No falling leafe is there,
    But Philomel (of birds the Queene)
      In Musicke spends the yeare.

    The Merle vpon her mertle Perch,
      There to the Mavis sings,
    Who from the top of some curld Berch
      Those notes redoubled rings; 20

    There Daysyes damaske euery place
      Nor once their beauties lose,
    That when proud Phoebus hides his face
      Themselues they scorne to close.

    The Pansy and the Violet here,
      As seeming to descend,
    Both from one Root, a very payre,
      For sweetnesse yet contend,

    And pointing to a Pinke to tell
      Which beares it, it is loath, 30
    To iudge it; but replyes for smell
      That it excels them both.

    Wherewith displeasde they hang their heads
      So angry soone they grow
    And from their odoriferous beds
      Their sweets at it they throw.

    The winter here a Summer is,
      No waste is made by time,
    Nor doth the Autumne euer misse
      The blossomes of the Prime. 40

    The flower that Iuly forth doth bring
      In Aprill here is seene,
    The Primrose that puts on the Spring
      In Iuly decks each Greene.

    The sweets for soueraignty contend
      And so abundant be,
    That to the very Earth they lend
      And Barke of euery Tree: 

    Rills rising out of euery Banck,
      In wild Meanders strayne, 50
    And playing many a wanton pranck
      Vpon the speckled plaine,

    In Gambols and lascivious Gyres
      Their time they still bestow
    Nor to their Fountaines none retyres,
      Nor on their course will goe.

    Those Brooks with Lillies brauely deckt,
      So proud and wanton made,
    That they their courses quite neglect: 
      And seeme as though they stayde, 60

    Faire Flora in her state to viewe
      Which through those Lillies looks,
    Or as those Lillies leand to shew
      Their beauties to the brooks.