"Well" (quoth Apollo) "though my Feere and spouse thou can not bee

The serpent Python so forswolne, whose filthie wombe did hide So many acres of the grounde in which he did abide.

Peneian Daphne was the first where Phebus set his love, Which not blind chaunce but Cupids fierce and cruel wrath did move.

With skill, heede, and judgment, this worke must be read, For else to the Reader it standes in small stead.

Before the Sea and Lande were made, and Heaven that all doth hide, In all the worlde one onely face of nature did abide, Which Chaos hight, a huge rude heape, and nothing else but even A heavie lump and clottred clod of seedes togither …

Of shapes transformde to bodies straunge, I purpose to entreate.

There from hys quiver full of shafts two arrowes did he take Of sundrie workes: t'one causeth Love, the tother doth it slake. That causeth love, is all of golde with point full sharpe and bright, That chaseth love is blunt, whose stele …