SAMELA

by: Robert Greene

IKE 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 wash'd by Arethusa faint they lie,

Is fair Samela.

As fair Aurora in her morning grey,

Deck'd 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 brows bright arches framed of ebony.

Thus fair Samela

Passeth fair Venus in her bravest hue,

And Juno in the show of majesty

(For she's Samela!),

Pallas in wit,--all three, if you well view,

For beauty, wit, and matchless dignity,

Yield to Samela.

• Greene's Jealousy of Shakespeare - As early as 1592, Shakespeare's dramatic work had excited the envy and indignation of his contemporaries, including the accomplished scholar and dramatist, Robert Greene.
• Robert Greene - A biographical sketch of the English dramatist.
• Robert Greene (c.1558-1592) - A biography of English dramatist, plus links to purchase all of his works currently in print.
• Robert Greene: Bibliography - A bibliography of the works of Robert Greene; includes a list of critical resources.
• Purchase books by Robert Greene