Robert Greene (1558–1592)

LIKE to Diana in her summer weed,

Girt with a crimson robe of brightest dye,

Goes fair Samela;

Whiter than be the flocks that straggling feed,

When washed by Arethusa Fount they lie,

Is fair Samela;

As fair Aurora in her morning-grey,

Decked with the ruddy glister of her love,

Is fair Samela;

Like lovely Thetis on a calmèd day,

Whenas her brightness Neptune’s fancy move,

Shines fair Samela;

Her tresses gold, her eyes like glassy streams,

Her teeth are pearl, the breasts are ivory

Of fair Samela;

Her cheeks like rose and lily yield forth gleams;

Her brow’s bright arches framed of ebony:

Thus fair Samela

Passeth fair Venus in her bravest hue,

And Juno in the shadow of majesty,

For she’s Samela;

Pallas in wit,—all three, if you will view,

For beauty, wit, and matchless dignity,

Yield to Samela.