Elegy XIII. Swift Atalanta (when she lost the prize

Barnabe Barnes (1569?–1609)

SWIFT ATALANTA (when she lost the prize

By gathering golden apples in her race)

Shews how, by th’apples of thine heavenly eyes,

(Which Fortune did, before my passage place,

When for mine heart’s contentment, I did run)

How, I was hindered, and my wager lost!

When others did the wager’s worth surprise;

I viewed thine eyes! Thus eyes viewed to my cost!

Nor could I them enjoy, when all was done!

But seeming (as they did) bright as the sun,

My course I stayed to view their fiery grace;

Whose sweet possession I could not comprise.

Th’Idæan Shepherd, when the strife begun

Amongst three goddesses, as Judge decreed,

The golden apple to VENUS did award

(Cause of the waste and downfall of proud Troy).

But when the Graces had a sweet regard,

How fair PARTHENOPHE did her exceed;

And VENUS, now, was from the world debarred:

One so much fairer far, as too much coy,

PARTHENOPHE, they chose in VENUS stead.

And since her beauty VENUS’ did outgo,

Two golden apples were to her assigned!

Which apples, the outrageous tumults breed

That are heaped up in my distressèd mind:

Whose figure, in inflamed Troy I find;

The chief occasion of mine endless woe.