Phase II

The Root whereof and tragical Effect,
Vouchsafe, O thou the mournful’st Muse of Nine,
That wont’st the tragick Stage for to direct,
In funeral Complaints and wailful Tine,
Reveal to me, and all the Means detect

Of all the Race of silver-winged Flies
Which do possess the Empire of the Air,
Betwixt the centred Earth, and azure Skies,
Was none more favorable, nor more fair,
Whilst Heaven did favour his Felicities,
Than Clarion, the eldest Son and Heir
Of Muscarol, and in his Father’s sight
Of all alive did seem the fairest Wight

Up to the Clouds, and thence with Pineons light
To mount aloft unto the crystal Sky,
To view the Workmanship of Heaven’s Hight:
Whence down descending, he along would fly
Upon the streaming Rivers, Sport to find;
And oft would dare to tempt the troublous Wind

Not any Damsel, which her vaunteth most
In skilful knitting of soft silken Twine;
Nor any Weaver, which his Work doth boast,
In Diaper, in Damask, or in Lyne;
Nor any skill’d in Workmanship emboss’d;
Nor any skill’d in Loups of Fingring fine;
Might in their diverse Cunning ever dare
With this so curious Net-work to compare.