The Works in Verse and Prose of Nicholas Breton For the First Time Collected and Edited: With Memorial-Introduction, Notes and Illustrations, Glossarial Index, Facsimilies, &c. By the Rev. Alexander B. Grosart. In Two Volumes |
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Of the infinite praise to the
infinite glory of the infinite goodnes
of the infinite God.
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 | The Works in Verse and Prose of Nicholas Breton |  |
17
Of the infinite praise to the infinite glory of the infinite goodnes of the infinite God.
The seuenth daies worke.
O glorious God, and God of only Glory,
Essence and substance of all excellence:
The ground, the grace, the state, and al the story,
Of Vertues, Wisedoms, Graces Residence:
Inspire my soule with those pure thoughts perfection,
That shew some sparkle of thy loues affection.
Essence and substance of all excellence:
The ground, the grace, the state, and al the story,
Of Vertues, Wisedoms, Graces Residence:
Inspire my soule with those pure thoughts perfection,
That shew some sparkle of thy loues affection.
And let me not presume a looke too high,
Least thou abridge the Blessing of thy loue:
Nor yet so low, let me embrace mine eyes,
As thy faire praises may vnfitly proue:
But so thy goodnes euery where to know,
That euery where I may thy Glory show.
Least thou abridge the Blessing of thy loue:
Nor yet so low, let me embrace mine eyes,
As thy faire praises may vnfitly proue:
But so thy goodnes euery where to know,
That euery where I may thy Glory show.
As though my soule polluted all with sinne,
Vnworthy be of the least thought of Grace:
Yet let thy Grace a Glorious worke begin,
Thy holy spirit in my heart to place:
That to the date of neuer ending daies,
My soule may sing thine euerlasting praise.
Vnworthy be of the least thought of Grace:
Yet let thy Grace a Glorious worke begin,
Thy holy spirit in my heart to place:
That to the date of neuer ending daies,
My soule may sing thine euerlasting praise.
Before there was a light, there was a light,
Which saw the world, the world could neuer see:
From which, the world receiues her brightest sight,
And brightnes more then in the world may be:
Oh heauenly light aboue all earthly seeing,
Where only Vertue hath her only being.
Which saw the world, the world could neuer see:
From which, the world receiues her brightest sight,
And brightnes more then in the world may be:
Oh heauenly light aboue all earthly seeing,
Where only Vertue hath her only being.
From the faire Brightnes of this Beauteous light,
Hath Wisedomes eye an only power to see:
The line of life that leades her spirit right,
Vnto the place where all perfections be:
Which in the worke of wonder doe approue,
The Gratious labour of a Glorious loue.
Hath Wisedomes eye an only power to see:
The line of life that leades her spirit right,
Vnto the place where all perfections be:
Which in the worke of wonder doe approue,
The Gratious labour of a Glorious loue.
There Vertue doth in all her brightnes liue,
Spredding abroad the braunches of her Blisse:
As doth the Sonne his beames of brightnes giue,
While in himselfe the only brightnes is:
O blessed light where such a life remaineth,
As giues all light, and yet all light containeth.
Spredding abroad the braunches of her Blisse:
As doth the Sonne his beames of brightnes giue,
While in himselfe the only brightnes is:
O blessed light where such a life remaineth,
As giues all light, and yet all light containeth.
There doth she sit, and sweetly looke about her,
Beholding in the eye of Vertues light:
Purenes within, perfection all without her,
While in a brightnes farre aboue her sight;
There liues a power her spirits loue inspiring,
To frame a worke for wit and sence admiring.
Beholding in the eye of Vertues light:
Purenes within, perfection all without her,
While in a brightnes farre aboue her sight;
There liues a power her spirits loue inspiring,
To frame a worke for wit and sence admiring.
There from a Chaos or Confusions Map,
She takes the matter of her curious frame:
While in the limits of faire Vertues lap,
She drawes the course and compasse of the same:
Where hauing laid the groundworke of her Grace,
She made the world vp in a little space.
She takes the matter of her curious frame:
While in the limits of faire Vertues lap,
She drawes the course and compasse of the same:
Where hauing laid the groundworke of her Grace,
She made the world vp in a little space.
Six only dayes was for her worke ordained,
The seuenth to rest, the labour of her loue:
Her time she kept, and in her care retained,
Such forme and measure as did truly proue;
Her Maister taught her euery rule so right,
That all was good and pleasing in his sight.
The seuenth to rest, the labour of her loue:
Her time she kept, and in her care retained,
Such forme and measure as did truly proue;
Her Maister taught her euery rule so right,
That all was good and pleasing in his sight.
Her first daies worke was in the Heauens on high,
When she deuided darknes from the light:
Wherein all pleasing the all seeing Eie,
The light she callèd day, the darknes night:
When hauing heauen and earth of nothing framed,
The Morne and Euening she the first day named.
When she deuided darknes from the light:
Wherein all pleasing the all seeing Eie,
The light she callèd day, the darknes night:
When hauing heauen and earth of nothing framed,
The Morne and Euening she the first day named.
The second day vpon the waters, she
Did fall to worke, and made a Firmament:
By which, the waters should deuided be,
That were in this confusèd continent:
Where euery one within their bounds should stay,
So, Euen and Morne she made her second day.
Did fall to worke, and made a Firmament:
By which, the waters should deuided be,
That were in this confusèd continent:
Where euery one within their bounds should stay,
So, Euen and Morne she made her second day.
Then from the earth the waters she deuided,
And gath'red all together, call'd then Seas:
And by her skill so carefully prouided,
That in her worke she did her Maister please
Then made the earth, and callèd it dry land,
Thus did the labour of her third daies hand.
And gath'red all together, call'd then Seas:
And by her skill so carefully prouided,
That in her worke she did her Maister please
Then made the earth, and callèd it dry land,
Thus did the labour of her third daies hand.
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In which she made the earth to fructifie,
In leafe, and fruit, Tree, bud and hearbe, and seede:
In which she did her Maister glorifie,
Who, seeing all, said all was good in deede:
So in her worke thus worthily commended,
In morne and euening was her third day ended.
In leafe, and fruit, Tree, bud and hearbe, and seede:
In which she did her Maister glorifie,
Who, seeing all, said all was good in deede:
So in her worke thus worthily commended,
In morne and euening was her third day ended.
Thus in the heau'ns the shining lights she framed,
That should diuide betwixt the day and night:
The greater lights, the Sunne and Moone she named,
Which should giue Rules to times and seasons right:
The lesser starres to whom she gaue a light,
To twinkle like the Candels of the Night.
That should diuide betwixt the day and night:
The greater lights, the Sunne and Moone she named,
Which should giue Rules to times and seasons right:
The lesser starres to whom she gaue a light,
To twinkle like the Candels of the Night.
And in this worke she kept her course so well,
And still the state of Grace so vnderstood:
As he in whom all Graces only dwell,
In sight of goodnes saw that all was good:
So where no praise her worth diminishèd,
The Euen and Morne her fourth day finishèd.
And still the state of Grace so vnderstood:
As he in whom all Graces only dwell,
In sight of goodnes saw that all was good:
So where no praise her worth diminishèd,
The Euen and Morne her fourth day finishèd.
Then to the waters she her worke applies,
And made each mouing and each creeping thing:
And in the Heauen each featherèd fowle that flies,
And euery Creature that doth carie wing:
When all seem'd good in her great Maisters eie,
Who bad them all encrease and multiplie.
And made each mouing and each creeping thing:
And in the Heauen each featherèd fowle that flies,
And euery Creature that doth carie wing:
When all seem'd good in her great Maisters eie,
Who bad them all encrease and multiplie.
Thus hauing wrought with infinite conceite,
The sundry forme and shape of euery Creature:
With such inuention as exceedes the height
Of Wit and Reasons praises highest Nature.
While high perfection each proportion framed,
The Euen and Morning was her fift day named.
The sundry forme and shape of euery Creature:
With such inuention as exceedes the height
Of Wit and Reasons praises highest Nature.
While high perfection each proportion framed,
The Euen and Morning was her fift day named.
Thus when that her weekes worke was almost done,
She hath her choisest worke to take in hand:
For which before the Modell be begun,
She must vpon her Maisters counsaile stand:
How she may shape his loue, his liuely picture,
To haue his patience pleasèd in his Creature.
She hath her choisest worke to take in hand:
For which before the Modell be begun,
She must vpon her Maisters counsaile stand:
How she may shape his loue, his liuely picture,
To haue his patience pleasèd in his Creature.
When hauing fauour in his high perfection,
With humble care a lump of clay she takes:
Of which, by Rules of his Diuine direction
Vnto his Image perfect man she makes:
Who so in loue did to his liking fall,
That vnder Heau'n he made him Lord of all.
With humble care a lump of clay she takes:
Of which, by Rules of his Diuine direction
Vnto his Image perfect man she makes:
Who so in loue did to his liking fall,
That vnder Heau'n he made him Lord of all.
Thus hauing made vp all her workmanship,
Within the limits of her fairest loue:
Where constant Truth could neuer take a trip,
While carefull Patience did perfection proue:
When all was good, in goodnes all enstalled,
The Euen and Morning she the sixt day called.
Within the limits of her fairest loue:
Where constant Truth could neuer take a trip,
While carefull Patience did perfection proue:
When all was good, in goodnes all enstalled,
The Euen and Morning she the sixt day called.
And seeking now her sacred thoughts to rest,
Vpon the Grace of the Eternall good:
She findes the Sabaoth by her Maister blest,
Who giues her spirits that especiall food:
That after all the labour of her daies,
Doth make her sing his euerlasting praise.
Vpon the Grace of the Eternall good:
She findes the Sabaoth by her Maister blest,
Who giues her spirits that especiall food:
That after all the labour of her daies,
Doth make her sing his euerlasting praise.
Which, as I finde, in her faire Musique sounding,
Although it be a Note aboue my reach:
Yet on the Grace of Vertue only grounding,
As her sweet spirits doth my spirit teach:
My humble soule shall straine my heart to Sing,
The Gratious praises of my Glorious King.
Although it be a Note aboue my reach:
Yet on the Grace of Vertue only grounding,
As her sweet spirits doth my spirit teach:
My humble soule shall straine my heart to Sing,
The Gratious praises of my Glorious King.
O holy Essence of all holines,
Grace of all Glory, Glory of all Grace:
Perfections Vertue, Vertues perfectnes,
Place of all Beauty, Beauty of all place:
Truths only Triall, Times Eternitie,
Incomprehensible in thy Deitie.
Grace of all Glory, Glory of all Grace:
Perfections Vertue, Vertues perfectnes,
Place of all Beauty, Beauty of all place:
Truths only Triall, Times Eternitie,
Incomprehensible in thy Deitie.
Wisedomes deuiser, Father of her loue,
Constancies proofe, and life of patience:
Humilities Essence, Faiths true Turtle Doue,
Mercies Almighty Glorious Residence:
Sweet Iesus Christ, mine humble soule enflame,
To sing the glory of thy holy Name.
Constancies proofe, and life of patience:
Humilities Essence, Faiths true Turtle Doue,
Mercies Almighty Glorious Residence:
Sweet Iesus Christ, mine humble soule enflame,
To sing the glory of thy holy Name.
Before what was, but that which euer is,
The Godhead all Incomprehensible:
Sweet Iesus Christ, the Essence of all Blisse,
But in his Manhood only sensible:
My Sauiour was, and in himselfe alone,
Containing all things, but contain'd in none.
The Godhead all Incomprehensible:
Sweet Iesus Christ, the Essence of all Blisse,
But in his Manhood only sensible:
My Sauiour was, and in himselfe alone,
Containing all things, but contain'd in none.
The Nature of all Vertues in his Nature
Had all their Essence of their only Being:
When in Creation of each kinde of Creature,
Wisedome in him had only all her seeing:
Whose loue in him such constant patience found,
That of her Grace and Glory was the ground.
Had all their Essence of their only Being:
When in Creation of each kinde of Creature,
Wisedome in him had only all her seeing:
Whose loue in him such constant patience found,
That of her Grace and Glory was the ground.
His spotlesse Vertue all his life did proue,
In doing good to all, and ill to none:
His Wisedome did the Doctors wonder moue,
His loue the Touchstone of all Truth alone:
His Constancie euen to his dying hower,
Did shew his patience, had a heau'nly power.
In doing good to all, and ill to none:
His Wisedome did the Doctors wonder moue,
His loue the Touchstone of all Truth alone:
His Constancie euen to his dying hower,
Did shew his patience, had a heau'nly power.
And for the Note of his Humility,
His crosse bare witnes in his life and death:
Who bare all basenes Inciuility,
Yet neuer breath'd the smallest angry breath:
O Glorious King that came from Heauen on high,
Vpon the earth for Beggers so to die.
His crosse bare witnes in his life and death:
Who bare all basenes Inciuility,
Yet neuer breath'd the smallest angry breath:
O Glorious King that came from Heauen on high,
Vpon the earth for Beggers so to die.
His vertue in his will, his word doth show
His Wisedome in Election and Creation:
His loue, his Louers by his death doe know,
His Constancie, his patience confirmation:
His patience his humility did proue,
And all in some his Glory from aboue.
His Wisedome in Election and Creation:
His loue, his Louers by his death doe know,
His Constancie, his patience confirmation:
His patience his humility did proue,
And all in some his Glory from aboue.
Whose Vertue such, as his that could not sinne?
Whose Wisedome such, as worketh Vertues will?
Whose loue is such, as Wisedome liueth in?
Whose Constancie doth shew such Kindnes still?
Whose patience such, as did his passion show?
Or who so high, and euer brought so low?
Whose Wisedome such, as worketh Vertues will?
Whose loue is such, as Wisedome liueth in?
Whose Constancie doth shew such Kindnes still?
Whose patience such, as did his passion show?
Or who so high, and euer brought so low?
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What Vertue doth, his Wisedome doth expresse,
What Wisedome doth, his loue doth manifest:
What loue doth, doth his constancie confesse,
What Constancie doth, in his patience blest:
What Patience doth, Humility doth tell,
In him alone they all and only dwell.
What Wisedome doth, his loue doth manifest:
What loue doth, doth his constancie confesse,
What Constancie doth, in his patience blest:
What Patience doth, Humility doth tell,
In him alone they all and only dwell.
Then let the vertuous for all vertue loue him,
And let the wise in Wisedomes loue admire him:
And let the constant in all kindnes proue him,
And let the patient patiently desire him:
And let the humble humbly fall before him,
And all together all in all adore him.
And let the wise in Wisedomes loue admire him:
And let the constant in all kindnes proue him,
And let the patient patiently desire him:
And let the humble humbly fall before him,
And all together all in all adore him.
Oh that the world could see his vertues Beauty,
Or wit of man his Wisedomes Maiestie:
Or Loue could looke into his Constancie,
Or patience into his humility:
Then vice, nor folly, frailty, rage, nor pride,
Should in the mindes of men so much abide.
Or wit of man his Wisedomes Maiestie:
Or Loue could looke into his Constancie,
Or patience into his humility:
Then vice, nor folly, frailty, rage, nor pride,
Should in the mindes of men so much abide.
His Vertue made the first perfections Nature,
His Wisedome made the forme of all perfection:
His loue did giue the life to euery Creature,
His Constancie the cares of Loues direction:
His patience Medicine for all Miseries,
His humblenes the way to Paradice.
His Wisedome made the forme of all perfection:
His loue did giue the life to euery Creature,
His Constancie the cares of Loues direction:
His patience Medicine for all Miseries,
His humblenes the way to Paradice.
Would'st thou be perfect? in his vertue know it,
Would'st thou be vertuous? in his wisedome learne it:
Would'st thou be wise? in his loue only shew it,
Would'st thou be louing? in his life discerne it:
Would'st thou be constant? in his care conceiue it,
Would'st thou be patient? in his death perceiue it.
Would'st thou be vertuous? in his wisedome learne it:
Would'st thou be wise? in his loue only shew it,
Would'st thou be louing? in his life discerne it:
Would'st thou be constant? in his care conceiue it,
Would'st thou be patient? in his death perceiue it.
Would'st thou be humble? in his lowlines
Learne to submit thy selfe to higher powers:
Would'st thou be blessèd in his Blessednes?
Learne to bestow the labour of thine howers:
Would'st thou be holy, and liue happy euer?
Liue in his loue, and thou shalt liue for euer.
Learne to submit thy selfe to higher powers:
Would'st thou be blessèd in his Blessednes?
Learne to bestow the labour of thine howers:
Would'st thou be holy, and liue happy euer?
Liue in his loue, and thou shalt liue for euer.
The infinite good thoughts his vertue giueth,
The infinite good works his will perfecteth:
The infinite good life in his loue liueth,
The infinite loue his constancie effecteth:
Th' infinite constancie his patience proueth,
Doe humbly shew what infinitenes loueth.
The infinite good works his will perfecteth:
The infinite good life in his loue liueth,
The infinite loue his constancie effecteth:
Th' infinite constancie his patience proueth,
Doe humbly shew what infinitenes loueth.
Since Vertues (then) good thoughts are infinite,
And infinite is Vertue in good thought;
And infinite is Wisedome in good wit,
And infinite is loue by Wisedome wrought;
And infinite is constancie in loue,
Which infinitely patience doth proue.
And infinite is Vertue in good thought;
And infinite is Wisedome in good wit,
And infinite is loue by Wisedome wrought;
And infinite is constancie in loue,
Which infinitely patience doth proue.
In infinite Humility of hart,
Vnto the height of all Infinitie:
In infinite perfection of each part,
That makes the infinite Diuinitie:
The Father, Sonne, and Holy Ghost all three,
In one, one God, all infinite Glory bee.
Vnto the height of all Infinitie:
In infinite perfection of each part,
That makes the infinite Diuinitie:
The Father, Sonne, and Holy Ghost all three,
In one, one God, all infinite Glory bee.
And since no hart is able to attaine,
Vnto his holy and eternall praise:
To whom doth duly appertaine,
The date of Glories neuer ending dayes:
When Angels in their Haleluiah dwell,
Let me but sing Amen, and I am well.
Vnto his holy and eternall praise:
To whom doth duly appertaine,
The date of Glories neuer ending dayes:
When Angels in their Haleluiah dwell,
Let me but sing Amen, and I am well.
TO ALL LEARNED and Vertuous Schollers, and gratious Studients, honour and happiness. Gentlemen, I feare, this my mistermed piece of Poetry, in your true iudgements, will be subiect to the reproofe of errour; what is amisse, I humbly leaue to your correction, and what is otherwise, to your fauourable acceptation: and so, loath to be tedious in ceremonies, I rest affectionately to all good learning, A friend auowed Ber N. Gent.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
| The Works in Verse and Prose of Nicholas Breton | |