University of Virginia Library

II. The Second Part.

To my Book, upon the second Part, and the Title Page.

Thy first Part bears a stamp Divine,
And so may pass for currant Coin;
Though Momus Cark, and Zoilus bark,
Thou art preserv'd as in an Ark:
For what one doth by Faith apply,
No flood of Envie can destroy.
Yet how to help thee at a lift,
That must be now my Second drift:
For seeing thou wilt not alone
Come forth, but be attended on,
It's fit thy servant still should be,
Adorn'd with modest Loyaltie;
Such as the Hils, and Groves, and Brooks
Afford the Fancy, 'stead of Books;
And help Contentedness to wade,
Though not to swim under a shade
Of such Security may give
'Gainst heat and cold Prerogative
Defence: where no times rayes or Thunder
Shall blast or scorch those so lie under.
But who themselves in Peace can thus read ore,
Need but be thankfull, and ne're wish for more.

Humane Science Handmaid to Divine.

All were not Cedars that grew on
The Top of Towring Lebanon,
But here and there some less Plant set
To give attendance on the great:
So have I seen a grove of Pine
Becircled with Eglantine;
A Towle of Oaks that seem'd the higher,
For over-looking of the Brier;
The Beech, Ash, Elm, tak't not in scorn
From the low Shrub and prickly Thorn
That underneath their shades they dwell,
And guard their roots as Sentinell:
Medows, and Fields, and Gardens all
Produce both simples, Med'cinall,
And herbs of less esteem; yet these
May some one sense or other please.
Fountains with Crystall may compare,
As they run out are known to share
With this and that Land-water, til
They colour change, yet Rivers fill.
And if I would my Fancy rear,
To lineat a day most clear;
It should be such a one, wherein
Some wooll-pack Clouds in corner's been.
Thus the wise God of Nature chose
All things in order to dispose:
And Humane Raptures onely doth command
As servants to Divine, to wait at hand.

Occasioned by seeing a Walk of Bay-trees.

No Thunder blasts Ioves Plant, nor can
Misfortune warp an honest Man;
Shaken He may be, by some one
Or other Gust, Unleav'd by none:
Though tribulation's sharp and keen,
His Resolutions keep Green;
And whilst Integrity's his wall,
His Year's all Spring, and hath no Fall.

Inter Acus & Aculeos pugna.

Man like a little world, opens a pack
Of Government, to all such Climes as lack;
Wherein those humors that disturb the health,
For Power, doe represent a Common-wealth;
And Nature (uncontrowlably) would try,
To subject all under her Monarchy;
But in that Conflict findes no small disease,
Whilst all restrain'd Authorities displease.
Here may we see as from a Chaos spun,
Discord, at push of pike; and Factions t'run
A tilt: so break int' shivers and destroy
The strict command of eithers soveraignty.
Yet neither Title need we fear to leese,
Sithence there's both King and Common-wealth 'mongst Bees.

Chloris Complaint.

Doe not the Planets (howsoere
They wander) still retain a proper sphere?
And seasons serve the year to bless,
Although the Storms and Tempests are no less?
Seem not becalmed Seas more fair,
Than if th' had never been irregular?
And shall fond Man alone be said,
To be of all things else unpacifi'd?
Lions to Lions kinde, and Bears
Friendly to such; so Wolves partake o'th' fears
With their pursued kin; The fell-
Est Tyger can with her associate dwell:
And yet (as if unhuman'd) we
By no means with each other can agree;
So that (we may degenerate
From Natures mandate) all our Passion's hate,
And where a Mischief may befall,
All Disposition's turn'd to Prodigall,
Nor is there for Compassion
Left any room (now t's out of fashion,)
Befriend me wind, I'll try the wave,
Though some ther be must sink, yet som 'tmay save,
My Kalendar yet marks out spring,
Dis-gust may shake, not blast the Blossoming.
And therefore as I roav'd astray,
'Tis reconciling Truth points now the way,
In which I would be thought as farr
From variation, as the fixedst Starr;
But with a constant shining thence,
Serve King and Countrey by my Influence.

The Fift of November, being in Kent a stony Countrey.

Am I in Kent? and can I be no more
Befriended than to want a Stone to score
That scape from Danger; which had it o'r-come,
Might have both Conquer'd Kent and Christendome.
Dye-mans although not rare now, Rubies are
Through our Dissentions made peculiar
Blaz'ners of Vertues Heraldry: nor can
The Tincture serve of the Cornelian;
The Topaz, Saphire, and the Emrald may
On fingers worn, proclaim it Holiday:
But I must finde a whiter, though it came
Not far, but whence fair Albion took its name,
The Cliffs of Dover, on whose Candid Brest
I shall presume to share an interest
On this Occasion, that no Rubricks spell
May henceforth in some Bookers Chronicle
Eclipse my glory, or exempt my praise,
By ranking me amongst the Workedayes.
Surely the Dye that black design put on,
Would crave the best of all, and whitest Ston
To mark that Providence, which did prevent
The mischief of that vap'ring Element:
Which Hatch'd below, should our Conceptions rouse,
(In that before it grew pernicious,
The Shell was crack'd; and so that enterprise
Was vanquish'd, with th' abortive Cockatrice)
First to the great Deliverer, and then
A freedome of acknowledgment 'mongst men,
That all of them may (as their fortunes are)
Spend something on a solemnizing care.
And as the Powder should have been our chance,
Now let 't express loud our deliverance.

Anglia Hortus.

The Garden of the world, wherein the Rose
In chief Commanded, did this doubt propose
To be resolv'd in; Whether sense to prise
For umpire to Create it Paradise:
One led by th' Ear of Philomel tels tales,
And straightway cals't the land of Nightingales;
An Other sharper sighted, ravish'd, cryes,
O that I could be turn'd now all to eyes!
A Third receiv'd such raptures from the tast
Of various dainty fruits, that it surpast;
A Fourth was caught (not with perfume) commends
The Indian Clime, but what here Nature lends;
Last, if you would Sattins or Velvets touch,
For soft and smooth, Leaves can afford you such.
And thus dispos'd, whilst every Sense admires,
'Tis sensless t'plant 'mongst Roses, Thistles, Briars.

My happy Life, to a Friend.

Dearest in Friendship, if you'll know
Where I my self, and how bestow,
Especially when as I range,
Guided by Nature, to love change:
Beleeve, it is not to advance
Or add to my inheritance;
Seeking t'engross by Power (amiss)
What any other Man calls his:
But full contented with my owne,
I let all other things alone;
Which better to enjoy 'thout strife,
I settle to a Countrey life;
And in a sweet retirement there,
Cherish all Hopes, but banish fear,
Offending none; so for defence
Arm'd Capapee with Innocence;
I doe dispose of my time thus,
To make it more propitious.
First, my God serv'd; I doe commend
The rest to some choice Book or Friend,
Wherein I may such Treasure finde
T'inrich my nobler part, the Minde.
And that my Body Health comprise,
Use too some moderate Exercise;
Whether invited to the field,
To see what Pastime that can yield,
With horse, or hound, or hawk, or t'bee
More taken with a well-grown Tree;
Under whose Shades I may reherse
The holy Layes of Sacred Verse;
Whilst in the Branches pearched higher,
The wing'd Crew sit as in a quier:
This seems to me a better noise
Than Organs, or the dear-bought voice
From Pleaders breath in Court and Hall
At any time is stockt withall:
For here one may (if marking well)
Observe the Plaintive Philomel
Bemoan her sorrows; and the Thrush
Plead safety through Defendant Bush:
The Popingay in various die
Performes the Sergeant; and the Pie
Chatters, as if she would revive
The Old Levite prerogative,
And bring new Rotchets in again;
Till Crowes and Jackdaws in disdain
Of her Pide-feathers, chase her thence,
To yeeld to their preheminence:
For you must know't observ'd of late,
That Reformation in the State,
Begets no less by imitation,
Amidst this chirping feather'd Nation;
Cuckoes Ingrate, and Woodcocks some
Here are, which cause they't seasons come,
May be compar'd to such as stand
At Terms, and their returns command;
And lest Authority take cold,
Here's th' Ivyes guest of wonder, th' Owl,
Rufft like a Judge, and with a Beak,
As it would give the charge and speak:
Then 'tis the Goose and Buzzards art
Alone, t'perform the Clients part;
For neither Dove nor Pigeon shall,
Whilst they are both exempt from gall.
The Augur, Hern, and soaring Kite,
Kalendar weather in their flight;
As doe the Cleanlier Ducks, when they
Dive voluntary, wash, prune, play;
With the fair Cygnet, whose delight
Is to out-vie the snow in white.
And therefore alwayes seeks to hide
Her feet, lest they allay her pride.
The Moor-hen, Dobchick, Water rail,
With little Washdish or Wagtail;
The Finch, the Sparrow, Jenny Wren,
With Robin that's so kinde to men;
The Whitetail, and Tom Tit obey
Their seasons, bill and tread, then lay;
The Lyrick Lark doth early rise,
And mounting, payes her sacrifice;
Whilst from some hedg, or close of furrs,
The Partridge calls its Mate, and churrs;
And that the Countrey seem more pleasant,
Each heath hath Powt, and wood yeelds Phesant;
Iunoes delight with Cock and Hens
Turkies, are my Domestick friends:
Nor doe I bird of Prey inlist,
But what I carry on my Fist:
Now not to want a Court, a King-
Fisher is here with Purple wing,
Who brings me to the spring-head, where
Crystall is Lymbeckt all the yeere,
And every Drop distils, implies
An Ocean of Felicities;
Whilst calculating, it spins on,
And turns the Pebles one by one,
Administring to eye and eare
New Stars, and musick like the Sphere;
When every Purle Calcin'd doth run,
And represent such from the Sun:
Devouring Pike here hath no place,
Nor is it stor'd with Roach or Dace;
The Chub or Cheven not appeare,
Nor Millers Thumbs, nor Gudgeons here,
But nobler Trowts, beset with stones
Of Rubie and of Diamonds,
Bear greatest sway, yet some intrench,
As sharp-finn'd Pearch, and healing Tench;
The stream's too pure for Carp to lie,
Subject to perspicuitie,
For it must here be understood,
There are no beds of sand and Mud,
But such a Gravell as might pose
The best of Scholars to disclose,
And books and learning all confute,
Being clad in water Tissue sute.
These cool delights help'd with the air
Fann'd from the Branches of the fair
Old Beech or Oak, enchantments tie
To every senses facultie;
And master all those powers should give
The will any prerogative:
Yet when the scorching Noon-dayes heat,
Incommodates the Lowing Neat,
Or Bleating flock, hither each one
Hasts to be my Companion.
And when the Western Skie with red-
Roses bestrews the Day-stars bed:
The wholsome Maid comes out to Milk
In russet-coats, but skin like silk;
Which though the Sun and Air dies brown,
Will yeeld to none of all the Town
For softness, and her breaths sweet smell,
Doth all the new-milcht Kie excell;
She knows no rotten teeth, nor hair
Bought, or Complexion t'make her fair;
But is her own fair wind and dress,
Not envying Cities happiness:
Yet as she would extend some pitty
To the drain'd Neat she frames a ditty,
Which doth inchant the beast, untill
It patiently lets her Paile fill;
This doth the babbling Eccho catch,
And so at length to me't doth reach:
Straight roused up, I verdict pass,
Concluding from this bonny Lass,
And the Birds strains, 'tis hard to say
Which taught Notes first, or she, or they:
Thus ravish'd, as the night draws on
Its sable Curtain, in I'm gon
To my poor Cell; which 'cause 'tis mine,
I judge it doth all else out-shine,
Hung with content and weather-proof,
Though neither Pavement nor roof
Borrow from Marble-quarr below,
Or from those Hills where Cedars grow.
There I embrace and kiss my Spouse,
Who like the Vesta to the house,
A Sullibub prepares to show
By care and love what I must owe.
Then calling in the Spawn and frie,
Who whilst they live ne'r let us die;
But every face is hers or mine,
Though minted yet in lesser Coin,
She takes an Apple, I a Plumbe,
Encouragements for all and some:
Till in return they crown the herth
With innocent and harmless merth,
Which sends us Joyfull to our rest,
More than a thousand others blest.

De Imperatorum Julianorum lineæ ultimo Et Sulpitii sive Electorum primo.

English'd thus:

That the unhappy Nero might be said
To fall most like a Tyrant, not in bed.
Vindex in France rais'd Armes, and sought thereby
To vindicate the wrongs of Italy:
The Fates were just to Him, so frighted Rome,
Making at last fear Master of his doom:
So Bald-pate Galba to the Throne did rise,
Whom straight the Common-people 'gan despise,
Crying, Why shouldst thou Cæsars name put on,
When all the hair grew on thy head was gon?
If He the Empires Barque anew would rigg,
He should have brought with him a Periwigg.

Upon a Journey of His Majesty's into Scotland, and His safe Return.

The Planets whilst they move in severall Spheres,
Cut out our time in weeks, in months, in yeeres,
In Night and Day; whose revolutions bring
The day, night, week, month, yeer into a Ring.
What doe our Princes less, when they goe forth
A Progress West or East, or South or North?
Is not the first step that they forward set,
The Suns, when He his Golden locks doth wet
In Thetis lap, to all that stay behinde?
Is not the world Eclips'd to them, and blinde?
Doe not all Minutes stretch, and seem to grow
Each to an hour, to such as think them so?
Doe not our crost, yet longing hopes, present
Each hour a month or year in banishment?
They doe: and 'twas not long since we were they
Who stood as Exil'd from our Star of Day;
Whilst visiting Those parts whence He did rise,
He cast a Generall splendor o'r those Skies,
Leaving us onely Cynthia and her Train,
To gives us hopes He would return again:
And so he doth enrich again our Sky,
Bringing those hopes unto maturity,
Our Clime with Tropick's changed, and the same
Season of day, now lengh of night doth claim:
Those onely who by Elevation
Before enjoy'd a lucid Horizon,
Once yearly now with more perfection shine
A whole month, Phœbus, suffering no decline:
Did I but call't a month? They deem'd it less,
If they could apprehend their happiness;
And we I'm sure had reason t'think it more,
Than many Ages counted ore and ore.
For as the Suns withdrawing leaves one world,
Into a Winters Tyrannie t'be hurld,
Whilst it doth bless an Other; so 'twas thus
In Scotland, Iune; but February with us
Till his return; which chang'd the Season quite,
Then ours with Corn, with Snow their hils were white;
The night that was resignes, and day's begun
With us already by our Gracious Sun.
Let Them pass Envie-free who boast them may
In the possession of this Month or Day;
For time wrapt up in swiftness doth appear
When past, as if an Age were but a year;
A year a month, a month a week, and That
An houre or minute, whilst we consolate
Our selves may in this bliss; that future time
Seems alwayes slower-winged in its Clime:
Their Jubile was short and quickly gone,
Ours under Charles is a Perpetuall one.

To N. B. an Angler.

Amoris Sigillum.

English'd:

Mans heart Lockt up within his secret brest,
Cannot by tongue or Gesture be exprest;
For what's of so great worth, we must suppose,
It is a work of power to disclose:
Such hearts as make Men faithfull and upright,
Are those at once both Looks and Mindes unite.

Virtus vera Nobilitas.

What doth He get who ere prefers
The Scutchions of His Ancesters?
This Chimney-peice of Gold or Brass,
That Coat of Armes Blazon'd in glass;
When those with time and age have end,
Thy Prowess must thy self commend.
The smooty shadows of some one
Or Others Trophees carv'd in stone,
Defac'd, are things to whet, not try
Thine own Heroicism by.
For cast how much thy Merits score
Falls short of those went thee before;
By so much art thou in arrear,
And stain'st Gentility I fear.
True Nobleness doth those alone engage,
Who can add Vertues to their Parentage.

Upon King CHARLES return out of Scotland in November, 1641.

Doth Charles return to make our Climate shine,
And shall not every Spring run Claret-wine?
Is not the Kalendar reverst, and where
Decembers dirt, and th' Frost of Janivere,
Threatn'd a winter, now those sheets display
Themselves ore fruitfull June, or teeming May:
For thus as 'thin the Tropicks may we boast,
That two fair Seasons have twice blest our Coast
Ere one whole year ran round: The time He went
Seeming the Springs forerunner, or our Lent;
For so He was but borrowed, and we rest
Pleas'd with's return alone, who's interest
Sufficient of Himself, in which bank lies
The Treasure of His subjects hearts and eyes:
See how they Flock else, and with tumbling hast
Are less content because so soon He past.
Be satisfi'd, ye have your Prince again,
Fro' th' North, and Charles triumphant, not in Wain.

Upon the King and Queens meeting after long absence.

Cordium Concordia vera.

It is not meant, that three in one should be,
But in each heart triple Capacitie,
Wherewith to serve ones God, ones King, ones Friend,
To which assign'd, and for no other end;
In Flaming Zeal upwards to mount again,
In Loyalty to own a Soveraign,
In mutuall Love society t'maintain.

To N. B. for his Company.

Friend, Can I be at home, and you the same,
Yet neither meet?
The Curteous Flame the Flame,
And Streams each other greet,
Although it seem from either Pole they came,
Or farthest stretch'd
Meridian fetch'd.
Surely it is but some malignant Starr
That would debarr
This Influence, for fear
We should more bright appear:
Souls in Conjunction frame the perfect'st Sphere,
So I to you must move, or you move here.

In praise of Fidelia.

Get thee a Ship well rigg'd and tight,
With Ordnance store, and Man'd for fight,
Snug in Her Timbers Mould for th' Seas,
Yet large in Hould for Merchandies;
Spread forth her Cloth, and Anchors waigh,
And let Her on the Curld-waves play,
Till Fortune-tow'd, she chance to meet
Th' Hesperian home-bound Western Fleet;
Then let Her board-um, and for Price
Take Gold-ore, Sugar-canes, and Spice.
Yet when all these Sh'hath brought a shore,
In my Fidelia I'll finde more.

Two Turtles billing, and death with his Sithe over them, ready to make separation; To whom this Divide & Impera.

Nature hath ore Affection so much won,
To knit a knot never to be undon
Whilst life remains; but Death to shew his power
Cuts and Divides, so becomes Emperour:
Yet the Relict for to prevent Fates charmes,
Doth voluntary fleck into Deaths armes.

To Sir John VVentworth, upon his Curiosities and Courteous entertainment at Summerly in Lovingland.

When thou the choice of Natures wealth hast skan'd,
And brought it to compare with Lovingland;
Know, that thou maist as well make wonder less,
By fancying of two Timbering Phœnixes
At the same time: and dream two Suns to rise
At once, to cast fire 'midst those Spiceries:
(Pregnant She is) yet that must not deny
The purest Gold to come from Barbary,
Diamonds and Pearl from th' Indies, to confer
On every Clime some thing peculier,
(For so She hath:) And like a sum to all
That Curious is, seems here most liberall,
Affording in Epitome at least,
What ere the world can boast of, or call best.
Now as contracted vertue doth excell
In power and force, This seems a Miracle;
Wherein all Travailers may truly say,
They never saw so much in little way:
And thence conclude their folly, that did steer
To seek for that abroad, at home was neer
In more perfection: Wouldst thou Phœbe meet,
Apollo, or the Muses? not in Creet
And Greece, but Here, at Summerly, those are
Remov'd to dwell, under a Patrons care,
Who can as much Civility express,
As Candie lies, or Grecia Barbarousness:
Wouldst thou be sheltred under Daphnes groves,
Or choose to live in Tempe, or make loves
To any place where Shepherds 'wont to lie
Upon the Hills, Piping security
Unto their flocks? here the sweet Park contains
More eevenness than the Arcadian Plains:
Nor yet enchanted by those shadowed rings,
Some say the Fairies print with Revellings,
But's all in one dye clad, and doth appear
Like the Springs Favourite throughout the year.
The usefull Ash, and sturdy Oak are set
At distance, and obey; the Brambles met
Embracing twine int' Arbours, to conceal
And harbour such as stock this Common-weal;
Untill their Master please they should delight
His, or his Friends desire and appetite:
All tales of Satyrs banish'd are from hence,
And fabled Goblins that delude the sence;
'Tis reall Ven'son and abroad, in paste
Alike may satisfie both eye and taste.
The Nobler Plants, as Firre Deal, and the Pine
Weeping out Rozen, bleeding Turpentine;
Like the Life-guard, upon the Hall attend
At nearer distance; where the Gods descend
To keep their Courts, and either Globe's devis'd,
To grasp the Elements Epitomis'd.
The Sun-beams steady Fire, with the Aire
Of the inconstant winds Indiall'd are:
So whilst the one, the Houre doth infer,
The Other Points a rule for th' Mariner:
Earth here's Embroydered into Walks, some strait,
Others like Serpents are, or worms to bait
Occasions hook till every humor come,
And feed here fat as in Elysium.
Nor is there water wanting in this wood,
Clear as if running, Calm as if it stood,
And so contriv'd by Natures helper Art,
There's no appearance from the whole or part,
That any sullen Sluce to malice bent
Can open, to impair that Element;
Nor yet th' Ambition of a Springs ore-flow,
Cause it t'exceed, or Limits overthrow.
Thus like a gold Chain link'd, or Bracelet strung,
From Carkanet Pleasures on Pleasures hung,
And such delightfull objects did descry
Pursuing of each other, that the ey
Astonish'd at such wonder, did crave rest,
For fear of Forfeiting its interest
In so great bliss, for over-dazled t'grew,
And dim of sight made by each object new.
So there's a parley granted, and some space
To gather strength 'twix This and t'other place,
But very short, not half a Mile at most,
We landed were again, and made a Coast;
Where if all ancient Poets were to write,
They'd need no other fountain to indite
Story of all kindes with, but dip their pen,
Then swear the Muses more then nine, were ten;
For here dwelt one whose Magick could infuse
A fluency beyond all other Muse,
And Court the Soil, with so much Art applide,
That all the world seems Barbarous beside.
Here Fish and Fowl inhabit with such state,
As Lords and Ladies wont when serv'd in Plate,
Rich Arras, or the like, Bill, Breed, and swim
In all delightfull solace to the brim.
Decoy'd by so much rapture, on we pass
Unto a Castle that enchanted was
By th' magick spell of Musick; till there set
We found a Cod like to Euterpe's net,
To catch all Passengers, the Lesbian Lute,
O'rcome in harmony became there mute:
Whilst as for Table to the Song-books serv'd
The Crystall fountain: so have I observ'd,
When walking near a stream, the heavens to be
Beneath my feet, to ease Astronomie:
There tell the Gammuth of the Stars, and crack
Of all their motions even with Tychobrack.
The Fablers of old, I guess, might finde
Some Objects t'help invention, but the minde
Was sure Prophetick, for what ever is
Describ'd for rare by them, 'twas meant by this.
And yet this falls short too, when He to whom
The Cost and Care Owes tribute, 's there to sum
Up All, with such humanity, and press
Of crowded Favours, and heap'd Curtesies,
As Friendship were a Jeweller the while,
His welcome seem'd the Diamond, Those the foile.

Upon King CHARLES's meeting with the Dukes of York and Glocester, and the Lady Elizabeth, his three children at Maidenhead, the 15 of July, 1647.

After a drowth, like welcome rain,
To Bless the Grass and Flowers again,
Lick up those dusty heats destroy
Their Brisker hude, Virginity:
No less of Comfort and of sweets
Proves it now Charles his Children meets;
When an intestine Warlike force,
Had caus'd so many years divorce.
He prays for them; their tender eyes
Return'd Him duty sacrifice:
Untill each others brest appears
Affection all dissolv'd to Tears,
Which to the High-mark-point flown on,
Stand ready brim'd for passion.
But here all Humors that annoy
Are banish'd, and give place to Joy;
Yet such as doth prevaile oft times,
To make a tear no mark of Crimes.

To Prince CHARLES.

So doth the early Plumb, the Pear, the Cherry
Commit a Rape, and make nice Females merry,
When longing-ripe; as Your return will bless
The Brittish Islands with new cheerfulness:
Be pleas'd no longer therefore, Sir, to tarry,
Lest a whole Gleek of Kingdomes should miscarry;
But You that are the Blossom of all hope,
Dispell the Mists from off this Horiscope;
And in the stead of Jelousie and feares,
Let there be harmony throughout Your Spheres.
There needs no other Midwifery to these,
(As wish'd for truth, and now desired peace)
But Your fair Hand to bring the same to pass,
And place Your Royall Father where he was.
This be Your Noble issue, whilst all those
Abortive prove, that so seem'd to oppose;
And while they'd bring to birth, and yet want strength,
Teach them to know themselves and You at length.

In readventum meum ad Antiquos Lares.

English'd:

The Spring thus doth the Earth repair,
The Wood thus puts on Leavie hair
Of more acceptance, so's a Spark
Of Light after it had been dark:
The Rivers thus express desire,
Hast'ning to finde their proper Sire;
As all this My return implies
To My Old Houshold Deities.

The Fallacy of hopes or wishes.

All present good goes less: by Hopes we deem
Things Great; as Lights farr distant greater seem.

My Farewell to the Court.

Goe (fond Deluder of our senses) finde
Some other Objects Henceforth, to make blinde
With that thy glittering folly; for no more
I will be dazled with thy falser Ore;
Nor shall thy Syren-songs enchant, to tast
Or smell, or touch those Sorceries thou hast:
But I will strive first in my self to be
So much mine own, as not to flatter thee;
And then my Countreys, for whose welfare still
My native thoughts prompt to impress my will,
And that draws Action forth, whereby to show
To whom, and what, and when, and where I owe:
Not as this nod, or beck, or wink, or glance
Would dictate and imply, to follow chance,
Fortune, or Favours ever-turning wheel;
But to be firm and Constant, back'd with steel
And resolution for to give the True
God what is his, and Cæsar Tribute due,
And that in season too for time and place,
As th' one requires, and th' other affords grace:
Not such as onely from vain Titles springs,
And turns to bubble, to court Prince or Kings
With feign'd applauses of whate're they speak
Or doe, be't ne're so frothy, fond, or weak;
But what is clad in truth, and dares not lie,
Though all the world should turn its Enemie,
Brand it for want of breeding, and conclude
Because it not dissembles, therefore t's rude.
Those dancing dayes are done, nor longer sute
My disposition to the Harp or Lute,
Horn-pipe, or other Instruments have been
The Common-wealths disease, ore-swoln its spleen.
Jockie and Jinnie footing may appear
Most trim at the next Wake in Darby-shire;
Gotyer sail from the Clouds to catch our ears,
And represent the harmony o'th' Spheres;
Will. Lause excell the dying swan: Laneer
Nick it with Ravishments from touch of Lyre,
Yet uncontroul'd by These, I safely may
Survive; sithence not stung by th' Tarantula,
(That tickling beast, Ambition, that makes sport
In our hot Climate, call'd the verge of Court)
And so resolve, dressing my mindes content,
Henceforward to be calm, and represent
Nothing but what my Birth and Calling draw
My life out for, my God, my King, my Law.
And when for these my wearied breath is spent,
Let with my last bloods drop one sigh be sent.

How to ride out a Storm.

He onely happy is, and wise,
Can Cun his Barque when Tempests rise,
Know how to lay the Helm and steer,
Lie on a Tack Port and Laveer,
Sometimes to weather, then to Lee,
As waves give way, and winds agree;
Nor Boom at all in such a stress,
But by degrees Loom Les and Les;
Ride out a Storm with no more loss
Than the endurance of a Toss:
For though he cannot well bear saile
In such a fresh and powerfull Gale,
Yet when there is no other shift,
Thinks't not amiss to ride a drift;
To shut down Ports, and Tyers to Hale in,
To Seal the hatch up with Tarpalin;
To Ply the Pump, and no means slack,
May clear Her Bilge, and keep from wrack;
To take in Cloth, and in a word,
Unlade, and cut the Mast by bord:
So Spoon before the Wind and Seas,
Where though she'll Roule, she'll goe at ease;
And not so strain'd, as if laid under
The wave that Threatens sudden founder;
And whilst the fury and the rage,
Leaves little hopes for Anchorage;
Yet if She can but make a Coast
In any time, She'll not be lost,
But in affections Bay will finde
A Harbour suited to her minde:
Where Casting out at first the Kedg,
Which gives Her ground, and priviledg
Of stop, she secondly lets fall
That Anchor from the Stream men call;
The Others all a Cock-bell set,
One after other down are let
Into the Sea; till at the last
She's come to Moorage, and there fast,
In hopes to be new Shethd's inclin'd
To lie aside untill Carin'd;
That when She shall be paid again,
So Grav'd, She may endure the Main.
Thus when his Vessell hath out-gon
This and that rugged motion,
His Pole-starr's fix'd, and guides him there
Where Charles is not in wain but sphere;
Then He'll another Voyage try,
Laden with Faith and Loyalty,
Which He no sooner parts with, than
Dry ground becomes an Ocean.

Upon Celius.

Mart. l. 7. Ep. 38.

Whilst Celius can no longer hear
The Newes-transporting Babbler;
Nor yet endure a Morning spent
In entertaining Complement
From This or That Great person: He
Feigneth a Gouty Infirmitie;
And better falshood to disguise,
His sounder feet with swathes he ties,
And seems to goe in pain as far,
As art can prove a Crippeler:
Till She to Nature turns at last,
And so in earnest Celius's fast.

A happy Life.

Mart. l.. 10. Ep. 47.

That which Creates a happy life,
Is substance left, not gain'd by strife,
A fertile and a Thankfull mold,
A Chimney alwayes free from Cold;
Never to be the Client, nor
But seldome times the Counsellor.
A Minde content with what is fit,
Whose strength doth most consist in Wit;
A Body nothing prone to be
Sick, a Prudent Simplicitie;
Such Friends as of ones own rank are;
Homely fare, not sought from farre;
The table without Arts help spread;
A night in Wine not buried,
Yet drowning Cares; a Bed that's blest
With true Joy, Chastity, and rest;
Such short sweet Slumber as may give
Less time to die in't, more to live:
Thine own Estate whate're commend,
And wish not for, nor fear thine end.

To Quintianus.

Mart. l. 5. Ep. 18.

That in December when gifts fly
From this to that Friend mutually,
I nought but Books send, thou'lt Judg thus,
Perhaps I'm Avaricious;
No, know I hate those fond deceits,
And Crafts in gifts are like to baits
On hooks, whereon a Fly doth cheat
The greedier Fish when it would eat.
And whilst a Poor man sendeth not at all
Unto's rich friends, He seems more Liberall.

Ad Scoto-Britannum cui Carolus noster se subtraxit.

English'd:

What wonder is't, the King to'th Scots is fled,
When by the English He was Borrowed,
So now's restor'd: that all their debts pay thus,
I'd wish our Brethren send Him back to us.

An Epitaph on E. W.

Nature lent time, so He grew old
And prodigall at once in this,
Setting it all at stake 'gainst gold,
Whereof He made his greatest bliss:
But when She saw He took of All
Men interest, yet paid Her none,
She Calls for in the Principall,
And layes it up under this Stone,

On a Player.

Thou that so oft in jest was wont to die,
Art now tane at thy word, and here dost lie:
Thine Acts had many Scenes, Death's had but one,
His Entry was thine Exit, bad be gone;
Thou act'st a King no more, no that's laid by,
Nor any's Parasite in flattery;
Thou hast put off the Clowns slops now, nor art
Wrapt with the fury of a Lovers part;
But suit'st thy self in one, wherein all must
Thy fellow-Actors be, to sleep in Dust.

In Obitum Ben. Johns. Poetæ eximii.

Of an Old Man.

Happy is He who on his own fields stage,
And no where else, hath acted ore his Age;
He, whom his own house, (had it eyes and tongue)
Might say it sees Him old, and saw him young,
Now trusting to a staff, he treads those sands
He formerly had crept on with his hands:
So reckons up the long descent and (dotage
Through decays) of that his homely Cottage,
He ne'r was drawn with fortunes Train to haste,
Nor did He flatter Forain springs with taste;
He was no Merchant-man might fear the Straits,
Nor Souldier fancying Military baits;
He never Pleaded, neither strife nor force,
Of brabling Law-suits ever made him hoarse:
But (as uncapable of business) free,
Cannot resolve what the next town should be,
Yet doth enjoy a prospect (may controule
All others) of the free Aire, and Pole.
Nor casts He up the year by Consuls now,
But as the Fruit-trees to their seasons bow;
By Apples-Autumn, Spring by Flowers befalls him,
One field hides Phœbus-face, the same recalls him:
And thus This Countrey-swains observing way
Measures within his Orb the Course of Day.
He did remember yon great Oak, when 't stood
But for a sapling, so's grown old with's wood:
And judging that same Ile (with less wits blest
More Barbarism) to be th' Indies East:
He doth conclude the Red-sea to be neer,
Beholding Stanground, Farcet, and the Meer:
And yet through strength unconquer'd he may gather
Comfort, the third Age sees him Grandfather.
Let others wander to the farth'st of Spain,
The way is onely Theirs, but life His gain.

De Tristibus.

To a Cat bore me company in Confinement.

Associate to my Tears, whose nature tride
Makes thee a fit Companion for my side,
Who Captive sit under Confinements wing
For Being too active to act suffering,
So become Passive too: Scratch but thine ear,
Then boldly tell what weather's drawing near.
For I'l conclude, no storm of Fortune can
Prevail ore Cæsar's barque, an honest Man.

Sola Bella che piace.

'Tis but a folly to be nice,
Since liking sets on Beauty price,
And what we doe affect alone,
Becomes to Each His Paragon:
All Colour, Shape, or Form, we know
Improve to best to those think so;
For where Esteem its Anchor wets,
There grows true Pearl, no Counterfets.
Were She as Crooked as a Pin,
And yet could Love, it were no sin
To love again; for Writers tell,

Magnes amoris amor.

That love hath in't the Loadstons spell:
Were She proportion'd like the Sphere,
No Limb or Joint Irregular;
Yet to my fancy if she Jarr,
I shall not sail by such a Starr:
Did She out-vie the new-born Day,
Or th' richest Treasuries of May
So that what Skies or Flowers put on,
Give place to her Complexion,
I'l sooner deem a black Wench white,
Thats suiting to my Appetite.
Well, in conclusion, hath She Fair,
Or Brown, or Black, or Golden hair
Where one is Cupid struck, Venus is there.

To Retiredness.

To my Book.

Goe, and my Blessing with Thee; then remain
Secure, with such as kindly entertain:
If sent to any Others, tell them this,
The Author so takes but his Mark amiss:
Who's fearless of reproach from Criticks skill,
Seing, t'look a given horse ith' mouth sounds ill:
And what alone to Friends he would impart,
Hath not at all to doe with Fair or Mart.
Wherefore whoever shall peruse these Rimes,
Must know, they were beguilers of spare times.

Infans Natus, Fillus Datus.

Esay 9. 6.

Is there a Child born? what great wonder's that?
When 'tis natures property to Generat;
But here's a Sonne too given, which implies
All that can be ascrib'd to Mysteries;
For He's a Father, Brother, Kinsman, Friend,
Both Sacrifice and Priest to recommend
That offering up: Samaritan past by
Himself, to Act the height of Charity
On us lay stript & wounded; A Physitian
Cures the disease of our indisposition
To ought that good is; Shepheard to redresse,
And bring us back out of the wildernesse;
Where we had gon astray into his fould,
A Merchant that Redeems us who were sould
To sinne and bondage; and to make all good,
Contented was to spare his precious blood:
So was a Lambe before the Shearers led,
To be disroab'd, despis'd, and slaughtered,
That we might Live in credit, and put on
The whiter Robe of his Salvation:
This Atlas-like the Government doth bear
Upon His shoulder, and if Counsellour
We would esteem Him, we should be content
To make his mercies our encouragement:
For mighty faults deserve a mighty rod,
But He an Everlasting mighty God,
The Prince of Peace, full of Compassions store,
Holds out the Golden scepter evermore,
And that this Birth and Gift to us be knowne,
He pleads himself Our cause at's Fathers Throne.

Christus.

That to your selfe you be not wanting, make
Iesus all yours, and Christ alone your stake;
For who desires enjoyment of good things
Must place upon his Lord what e're hee brings.

Tantillus Homo, & Tantus Peccator.

How small a thing is Man, and yet Immence,
In acting over Disobedience;
From the first spawing time He did begin
To hatch Rebellion, and to foster sin:
Dispute His Makers mandate, and make choice
To yeeld unto the Subtil Serpents voyce:
Thus then betray'd, ere since he doth preferr
Custome to be New-natures Usherer;
And so prescribes, Thinking he doth no worse
Then his Fore-father who entail'd the curse,
A new Beleefe of credit would put on,
That God would signe a new Redemption:
As if his Sonne into the world did dain,
Once for to come, should come for him again;
And so He will; yet not by Ransome led,
To purchase that again man forfeited
By second Error, but as Judge to try
(Whilst Conscience verdicts) each enormity:
And as mans misdemeanours They expresse,
Though Great in Guilt, in Goodnes He'l goe lesse.

Before a Sacrament.

Is there a Feast to day? must I make one
At so great Celebration?
And am I yet to seeke how to be drest
As to become a worthy Guest?
If to some other Table bid I were
My Taylor, and my Shoomaker,
Sempster, and Barber, all might mustred be
To add to my Formality.
But this more reall than all else, implies
A Banquet fill'd with mysteries:
God's manifested in the Flesh, and thus
The height of mercy shown to us:
And if the Rule of charity begins
At home, let's call to mind our sins,
Befreind our selves so farre as to Confesse,
How much He did, and we doe lesse;
Be joyfull for so Great a Saviours Power,
Yet in Contrition melt a shower,
To think how oft whilst lewd affections guilde
We make our Lord New crucifide,
Then if we would no more of horror dread,
We may approach and take this bread
And wine, the Comfort and the staffe, whereby
Not Life but Lifes Eternity
Secured is, and then with Grace possest,
Shew that we have an interest
In his high merits which alone Comprise

Heb. 2. 14.

Power to quell our Enemies.
And though our former Actions turn'd to weed,
Let's now bring Faith though but a Mustard seed.
So may we all remove that high appears
In our Conceipts, into a sea of Tears;
For 'tis His Blood no other Jordan can
Cuer the Leperous Assyrian.