THE BOWER OF BLISS 23 



So striving each th' other to undermine, 

 Each did the other's worke more beautify; 

 So diff'ring both in willes agreed in fine : 

 So all agreed, through sweet diversity, 

 This garden to adorn with all variety. 



And in the midst of all a fountaine stood, 

 Of richest substance that on earth might bee, 

 So pure and shiny that the silver flood 

 Through every channel] running one might see ; 

 Most goodly it with curious ymageree 

 Was over-wrought, and shapes of naked boyes, 

 Of which some seemed with lively iollitee 

 To fly about, playing their wanton toyes, 

 Whilst others did themselves embay in liquid ioyes. 



And over all of purest gold was spred 

 A trayle of y vie in his native hew ; 

 For the rich metall was so coloured, 

 That wight, who did not well avis'd it vew, 

 Would surely deeme it to bee yvie trew : 

 Low his lascivious armes adown did creepe, 

 That, themselves dipping in the silver dew 

 Their fleecy flowres they fearefully did steepe, 

 Which drops of christall seemed for wantonesse to 

 weep. 



Infinit streames continually did well 



Out of this fountaine, sweet and faire to see, 



The which into an ample laver fell, 



And shortly grew to so great quantitie, 



That like a little lake it seemed to bee 4 ; 



