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To Demeter

Great Ceres, now that the seed is sown, we, the rustic band, dance in unskilled chorus in your honour. Grant that no soaking rain rot the seed, no heavy frost crumble the furrows. Let no sterile crop of useless oats arise, no weed that harms the fair harvest. May the gusts of Eurus not crush the thick standing corn to the earth; may no hail break it; may no greedy birds and beasts of the earth steal the grain.
May the fields return plentifully and with large increase the seeds we have trusted to the well-tilled soil.

To Venus

They are one in love — Thyrsis the tiller of yonder little field, and Napaea.
We give undying amaranth to you, Cyprian, and lily-coronals woven for your sacred hair. Surely, Goddess, you will keep this love unharmed by age, and foster its eternal blossoming. Let it be fresh and white as her breast.
As these two flowers are twined in one wreath may one affection entwine us.

Jest

He must come to, and he shall come to
and he must come whether he will or no.

Live Princely Charles! for the World's Empire born!
With numerous Triumphs thy Great Age adorn.

To Diana. The Offering of Niconoi

White Niconoi, the only child of Terilla, slew the mountain-roaming beasts with her arrows; and now dedicates this bow to you, Latonian, goddess of groves. Her shafts are laid away in her quiver.
Her mother has wedded her to Icastus and bids her submit to the mastery of an unknown couch. Goddess, if she departs sadly from the deep woods, and with tears no longer frequents your band, be blithe and kindly towards her. By your divine right hand, best of goddesses, make her house gay with children.

The Calends of April

Ah, lad, weave violet crowns, adding to flowers new flowers, for this clear day brings in the calends of Venus.
See how the birds fly across the sky with much whistling one to another; see how the bees repeat their spring task and revisit the meadows.
And hear how the pilgrim swallow chatters and tells us of her swift return, herself preparing a couch for her young beneath the wonted beam!

Couplets

These and the Romanists although they bend
Their Heads contrary, meet at last and tend
To worry true Religion, which doth stand
Like Bear at Stake with Dogs on either hand.
Extreams both in a Circle set their feet,
And fetch a compass, yet at last they meet.

Bathylla

When you laugh, you deny me kisses; when you weep, you give me kisses. In sorrow you are kind, in gladness cruel.
My pleasure is born from tears, my pain from laughter. O unhappy lovers, at once hope and fear all things!