“Wanton Propertius and witty Callus,
        Subtile Tibullus, and learned Catullus,
        It was Cynthia, Lesbia, Lychoris,
        That made you poets all; and if Alexis,
        Or Corinna chance my paramour to be,
        Virgil and Ovid shall not despise me.”

[5544] “Non me carminibus vincet nec Thraceus Orpheus,
        Nec Linus.”

Petrarch’s Laura made him so famous, Astrophel’s Stella, and Jovianus Pontanus’ mistress was the cause of his roses, violets, lilies, nequitiae, blanditiae, joci, decor, nardus, ver, corolla, thus, Mars, Pallas, Venus, Charis, crocum, Laurus, unguentem, costum, lachrymae, myrrha, musae, &c. and the rest of his poems; why are Italians at this day generally so good poets and painters?  Because every man of any fashion amongst them hath his mistress.  The very rustics and hog-rubbers, Menalcas and Corydon, qui faetant de stercore equino, those fulsome knaves, if once they taste of this love-liquor, are inspired in an instant.  Instead of those accurate emblems, curious impresses, gaudy masques, tilts, tournaments, &c., they have their wakes, Whitsun-ales, shepherd’s feasts, meetings on holidays, country dances, roundelays, writing their names on [5545]trees, true lover’s knots, pretty gifts.

       “With tokens, hearts divided, and half rings,
        Shepherds in their loves are as coy as kings.”

Choosing lords, ladies, kings, queens, and valentines, &c., they go by couples,

       “Corydon’s Phillis, Nysa and Mopsus,
        With dainty Dousibel and Sir Tophus.”

Instead of odes, epigrams and elegies, &c., they have their ballads, country tunes, “O the broom, the bonny, bonny broom,” ditties and songs, “Bess a belle, she doth excel,”—­they must write likewise and indite all in rhyme.

[5546] “Thou honeysuckle of the hawthorn hedge,
        Vouchsafe in Cupid’s cup my heart to pledge;
        My heart’s dear blood, sweet Cis is thy carouse
        Worth all the ale in Gammer Gubbin’s house. 
        I say no more, affairs call me away,
        My father’s horse for provender doth stay. 
        Be thou the Lady Cressetlight to me. 
        Sir Trolly Lolly will I prove to thee. 
        Written in haste, farewell my cowslip sweet,
        Pray let’s a Sunday at the alehouse meet.”

Your most grim stoics and severe philosophers will melt away with this passion, and if [5547]Atheneus belie them not, Aristippus, Apollodorus, Antiphanes, &c., have made love-songs and commentaries of their mistress’ praises, [5548]orators write epistles, princes give titles, honours, what not? [5549]Xerxes gave to Themistocles Lampsacus to find him wine, Magnesia for bread, and Myunte for the rest of his diet.  The [5550]Persian kings allotted whole cities to like use, haec civitas mulieri redimiculum praebeat, haec in collum, haec in crines, one whole city