From that first tree forth flowd, as from a well,

A trickling streame of balme, most soveraine

425

The joyous day gan early to appeare;
And fayre Aurora from the deawy bed
Of aged Tithone gan herselfe to reare
With rosy cheekes, for shame as blushing
red:

Her golden locks for hast were loosely. shed

455

And overflowed all the fertile plaine,
As it had deawed bene with timely raine:
Life and long health that gracious oint-

spred,

4 caused.

' place.

• efficacious. 7 grievous. • make ready.

gemmes,

15

Fit to decke maydens bowres,
And crowne their paramours,
Against the brydale day, which is not
long:9

Sweete Themmes, runne softly, till I
end my song.

There, in a meadow, by the rivers side, A flocke of nymphes I chaunced to espy, 20 All lovely daughters of the flood thereby, With goodly greenish locks all loose untyde,

As each had bene a bryde:

And each one had a little wicker basket, Made of fine twigs entrayled curiously, 25 In which they gathered flowers to fill their flasket;

And with fine fingers cropt full feateously10 The tender stalkes on hye.