The Hermaphrodite

WHen first my mother bore me in her wombe,
She went to make inquirie of the gods,
First of my birth, and after of my tombe.
All answerd true, yet all their words had ods.
Phoebus affirm'd, a Male childe should be borne:
Mars said it would be female, Iuno neither:
But I came forth, alas, to natures scorne,
Hermaphrodite, as much as both together.
Then for my death, Iuno foretold the sword:
Phoebus assign'd me drowning for my fae:
Mars threatned hanging, each perform'd their word,
As note how well prou'd true in seuerall rate.
A Tree fast by a brooke I needs would clime,
My sword slipt out, and while no heede I tooke,
My side fell on the point, and at that same time,
My foote in boughs, my head hang'd in the brooke:
That I thus borne a Male, a Female neither,
Dyde drown'd, & hng'd, & wounded all together.