University of Virginia Library

Scœna 1.

Cinthia.
The chiefest point of Kings felicity,
Some subiects do esteeme Authority.
Wee are aboue, the Potentates of earth
Be vnacquainted with high bloud and birth.
We do transcend supremacy of Kings,
Account them (as they are) most mortall things.
Subiect to putrification, to disease,
To folly; which no phisicke may appease.
Yet they do magnifie themselues alone,
Their haughty stomackes doe acknowledge none
Aboue; who may such dignity surmount:
Of power supreme as fables they account.
My God-head may with priuiledge complaine
Of Sparta; whose proud factious Kings refraine
By wicked councell, from due sacrifice
At my religious Altar: they suffice
To render duty in Olimpickes once,
And rob me of an—tique oblations:
Which wee ascribe vnto the base repute
They do conceiue of our Diuinity,
My Temples honour and supremacy.
To Matrons (Bauds and Widowes) they translate
To seruice of weake women dedicate
My whole prædominance; they do exempt
Mans homage, and beleeue my power of change
Extends no further then the female sex.
This new-conceited error Il'e refute,
Il'e manifest how farre compulsiue change
Doth ouersway proud man; Il'e execute
The rigor of my vengeance: dreadfull awe
Gods do obtaine by a correctiue law.
And thus will I restore that holinesse,
Which they extinguish through bold sawcinesse:
Mortals contemne the Makers Diety,
Vntill his wrath scourge their impiety.