"That all the feas for feare doe fceme away to fly. May backe retourne, but is condemned to be drent,

"For they have oft drawne many a wandring "wight

"Into most deadly daunger and distressed plight.

"Yet well they feeme to him that farre doth vew
"Both faire and fruitfull, and the grownd difpred
"With graffy greene of delectable hew;
"And the tall trees, with leaves appareled,

"As th' Ifle of Delos whylome, men report,
"Amid th' Ægæan fea long time did stray,
"Ne made for fhipping any certeine port,
"Till that Latona, traveiling that way,
"Flying from lunoes wrath and hard affay,
"Of her fayre twins was there delivered,
"Which afterwards did rule the night and day;
"Thenceforth it firmely was established,
"And for Apolloes temple highly herried."

XIV.

They to him hearken, as befeemeth meete,
And paffe on forward: fo their way does ly,
That one of those fame islands, which doe fleet
In the wide fea, they needes muft paffen by,
Which feemd fo fweet and pleafaunt to the eye,
That it would tempt a man to touchen there:
Upon the banck they fitting did efpy

A daintie damfell dreffing of her heare,
By whom a little skippet floting did appeare.

XV.

She them efpying loud to them gan call,
Bidding them nigher draw unto the shore,
For fhe had caufe to busy them withall,
And therewith lowdly laught; but nathemore
Would they once turne, but kept on as afore:
Which when the faw, fhe left her lockes undight,
And running to her boat withouten ore,
From the departing land it launched light,
And after them did drive with all her power and
might.

XVI.

Whom overtaking, fhe in merry fort
Them gan to bord, and purpose diversly,
Now faining dalliaunce and wanton sport,
Now throwing forth lewd wordes immodestly;
Till that the palmer gan full bitterly
Her to rebuke for being loofe and light;
Which not abiding, but more fcornfully
Scoffing at him that did her iuftly wite,

She turned her bote about, and from them rowed

quite.

XVII.

That was the wanton Phædria, which late
Did ferry him over the Idle lake;
Whom nought regarding, they kept on their gate,
And all her vaine allurements did forfake:
When them the wary boteman thus befpake;
"Here now behoveth us well to avyfe,
"And of our fafety good heede to take,
"For here before a perlous paffage lyes,
"Where many mermayds haunt, making falfe
"melodies:

XVIII.

"But by the way there is a great quickfand,
"And a whirlepoole of hidden ieopardy,
"Therefore, Sir Palmer, keepe an even hand,
"For twixt them both the narrow way doth ly."
Scarce had he faide, when hard at hand they spy

"Are deckt with bloffoms dyde in white and red, That quickfand nigh, with water covered,

"That mote the paffengers thereto allure; "But whofoever once hath fastened

"His foot thereon may never it.recure,

But wandreth evermore uncertein and unfure.
VOL. II.

But by the checked wave they did defcry
It plaine, and by the fea difcoloured;

It called was the Quickefand of Unthreftyhed,