Since her father's death Duke Ivo hath had his glutton eye on fair Mortain, whereof her counsellors did ken, yet, being old men and averse to war, would fain have had her wed with him.

Their glutton kind should teach him abstinence.

But if these tyrants of the air Demand a sentence so severe, Think how the glutton man devours; What bloody feasts regale his hours!

She flings the rose from beauty's cheek, And on it paints her hectic streak; Takes rosy childhood from his play, And gives grim death the beauteous prey; For ever round her footsteps steal To pick for him his glutton meal; And still she keeps her promise good.

Ah well, my dear, give that little glutton plenty of life, and you, my darlings, eat and drink and grow in strength, for the earth belongs to those who are healthy and numerous.

Fain would they filch that little food away, While unrestrain'd those happy gluttons prey.

He casts his glutton sense to satisfie; Now sucking of the sap of herbe most meete, 180 Or of the deaw which yet on them does lie, Now in the same bathing his tender feete:

One thought Content the good to be enjoy'd This every little accident destroy'd: 30 The wiser madmen did for Virtue toil A thorny, or at best a barren soil: In Pleasure some their glutton souls would steep; But found their line too short, the well too deep; And leaky vessels which no bliss could keep.

And shall the glutton worm defile This spotless tenement of love, That like a playful infant's smile Seem'd born of purest light above?