Du Bartas His Divine Weekes And Workes with A Compleate Collectio[n] of all the other most delight-full Workes: Translated and written by yt famous Philomusus: Iosvah Sylvester |
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The First Booke.
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 | Du Bartas |  |
The First Booke.
I sing the Vertues and the valiant Deed
Of th'Hebrew Widow, that so brauely freed
Bethulian Doores from Babylonians Dread,
And with iust Fauchin did behead their Head.
Thou, that to saue, from Pagans seruile Rigor,
Thine Isaac's Heirs, didst steele with manly vigor
Weake Ivdith's hart, my feeble hart aduance;
Raise, raise my Thoughts in high and holy Transe:
Vpon my Spirit, O! let thy Spirit reflect:
Grant I may handle in a stile select
So sacred Stuff; that whoso reads This Story,
May Profit reap, I Comfort, and Thou Glory.
Of th'Hebrew Widow, that so brauely freed
Bethulian Doores from Babylonians Dread,
And with iust Fauchin did behead their Head.
Thou, that to saue, from Pagans seruile Rigor,
Thine Isaac's Heirs, didst steele with manly vigor
Weake Ivdith's hart, my feeble hart aduance;
Raise, raise my Thoughts in high and holy Transe:
Vpon my Spirit, O! let thy Spirit reflect:
Grant I may handle in a stile select
So sacred Stuff; that whoso reads This Story,
May Profit reap, I Comfort, and Thou Glory.
And You great Comfort of Great-Britan's King,
Whose Vertues here I vnder Ivdith sing;
Thrice-royall Anne, vouchsafe auspicious Rayes
Of Princely Fauour on These Pious Layes
(Compos'd first vpon a Queen's Command,
Disposed next into a Queen's on ne hand,
Transposed now to a more Queen's Protection:
As most peculiar to all Queen's Perfection.)
Great-gracious Lady, let it not distaste,
That Ivdith made not (as she ought) more haste
To kisse Your Hands; nor deeme, nor doubt, the worst,
Though Shee haue seen Your Royall Spouse the first:
It was her Truch-man, much against Her minde,
Betrayd her so to goe against Her Kinde.
For which Offence, with other mo, to Her,
Sh' hath got her now a new Interpreter;
Shee hopes, more faithfull (wishes, more discreet)
To say and lay Her Seruice at Your Feet:
To giue Du Bartas (at the last) His Due,
In Her behalfe; and in Her, honour You.
Whose Vertues here I vnder Ivdith sing;
Thrice-royall Anne, vouchsafe auspicious Rayes
Of Princely Fauour on These Pious Layes
(Compos'd first vpon a Queen's Command,
Disposed next into a Queen's on ne hand,
Transposed now to a more Queen's Protection:
As most peculiar to all Queen's Perfection.)
Great-gracious Lady, let it not distaste,
That Ivdith made not (as she ought) more haste
To kisse Your Hands; nor deeme, nor doubt, the worst,
Though Shee haue seen Your Royall Spouse the first:
It was her Truch-man, much against Her minde,
Betrayd her so to goe against Her Kinde.
For which Offence, with other mo, to Her,
Sh' hath got her now a new Interpreter;
Shee hopes, more faithfull (wishes, more discreet)
To say and lay Her Seruice at Your Feet:
To giue Du Bartas (at the last) His Due,
In Her behalfe; and in Her, honour You.
954
While Israel a happy Peace inioyd,
And, dangerlesse, with diligence imployd
The fruitfull Soile, which seuenty yeeres vnsow'n
Had ly'n before, with Thistles over-grow'n;
The Lord, Who often, by some Stroak seuere
Of iust Correction, wakes his Owne (for feare
Least too-long Resting make them like the Horse,
Which standing still too-long, doth lose his Force,
Forgets to manege; and, too-pamperd, growes
Vnruly, restiue; and his Rider throwes)
Covers their Country with so huge an Hoste,
That clowds of Arrowes darkned all the Coast,
Pikes, Bills and Darts, seemd, as they stirr'd, or stood,
A moouing Forest, or a mighty Wood:
And, of all sorts of Souldiers, rankly-rude,
Vnder their Ensignes marcht such multitude,
As euen drew dry the Rivers where they past
Through rich Iudea; so that, at the last,
Cleer Iordan's Selfe, in his dry oazie Bed,
Blushing for shame, was fain to hide his head;
Because (flat Bankrupt) hee no more could pay
One Tribute-stream, of all hee ought the Sea.
And, dangerlesse, with diligence imployd
The fruitfull Soile, which seuenty yeeres vnsow'n
Had ly'n before, with Thistles over-grow'n;
The Lord, Who often, by some Stroak seuere
Of iust Correction, wakes his Owne (for feare
Least too-long Resting make them like the Horse,
Which standing still too-long, doth lose his Force,
Forgets to manege; and, too-pamperd, growes
Vnruly, restiue; and his Rider throwes)
Covers their Country with so huge an Hoste,
That clowds of Arrowes darkned all the Coast,
Pikes, Bills and Darts, seemd, as they stirr'd, or stood,
A moouing Forest, or a mighty Wood:
And, of all sorts of Souldiers, rankly-rude,
Vnder their Ensignes marcht such multitude,
As euen drew dry the Rivers where they past
Through rich Iudea; so that, at the last,
Cleer Iordan's Selfe, in his dry oazie Bed,
Blushing for shame, was fain to hide his head;
Because (flat Bankrupt) hee no more could pay
One Tribute-stream, of all hee ought the Sea.
The sun-burnt Reaper had yet scarcely rid
The ridged Acres of their richest Weed:
The needie Gleaner scarce had gathred clean
The scatterd Ears the Binder left, to glean:
And scarce, as yet the Flayls vpon the Floores
Began to groan: When Iacob at his Doors,
Sees Holofernes his weak Frontires spoile;
In bloudy Rivers drowne his fertile Soile;
Not sparing fel the tender Female-kind,
Nor hoarie haires (already short confin'd)
Nor Sucklings, swaddled in their Mothers arms,
From insolence of his insulting Arms.
The ridged Acres of their richest Weed:
The needie Gleaner scarce had gathred clean
The scatterd Ears the Binder left, to glean:
And scarce, as yet the Flayls vpon the Floores
Began to groan: When Iacob at his Doors,
Sees Holofernes his weak Frontires spoile;
In bloudy Rivers drowne his fertile Soile;
Not sparing fel the tender Female-kind,
Nor hoarie haires (already short confin'd)
Nor Sucklings, swaddled in their Mothers arms,
From insolence of his insulting Arms.
Then, as a Flock of Sheep, which sees their Foe
Come forth a Wood (who oft hath scar'd them so)
Minds no Defence; but, scudding to be gon,
Makes, in an instant, hundred Flocks of one:
Th'Isaacians seized with a suddain Feare,
Thinking his Hoast behind them euery where,
Disperst and scatterd (like those silly Sheep)
Fly into Woods, in Rocks and Caues they creep.
Come forth a Wood (who oft hath scar'd them so)
Minds no Defence; but, scudding to be gon,
Makes, in an instant, hundred Flocks of one:
Th'Isaacians seized with a suddain Feare,
Thinking his Hoast behind them euery where,
Disperst and scatterd (like those silly Sheep)
Fly into Woods, in Rocks and Caues they creep.
Th'affrighted Swaines, neglecting Fields and Flocks,
To saue their liues, clime steepest Hills and Rocks:
Artificers, leauing their Tooles to play,
Gain-greedy Chap-men, laying Trades away,
Hie them to hide them, in securer sort
In mossie Caues, then in a martiall Fort.
And greatest Lords hold Denns of Wolues and Bears
A safer Hold then Gold-lyn'd Walls of theirs.
To saue their liues, clime steepest Hills and Rocks:
Artificers, leauing their Tooles to play,
Gain-greedy Chap-men, laying Trades away,
Hie them to hide them, in securer sort
In mossie Caues, then in a martiall Fort.
955
A safer Hold then Gold-lyn'd Walls of theirs.
Feare, lending wings to th'Aged, makes them ply
With lustie speed vp to the Mountains nigh:
Feare makes the Mother, all forlorn and lost,
Lug their deer Cradles to the Clowds almost:
Fear makes the Children (like so many Lambs)
Craule on all foure after their dabbled Dams:
Ther's nothing heard but hideous Cryes and Plaints,
Sad Lamentations, pitifull Complaints.
With lustie speed vp to the Mountains nigh:
Feare makes the Mother, all forlorn and lost,
Lug their deer Cradles to the Clowds almost:
Fear makes the Children (like so many Lambs)
Craule on all foure after their dabbled Dams:
Ther's nothing heard but hideous Cryes and Plaints,
Sad Lamentations, pitifull Complaints.
O Lord! (say they) wilt thou, for euer, Thus
Thrill down the Darts of thy fierce Wrath on vs?
Shall the Chaldean Idolists again
Thy Chosen Flock in seruile Yoak enchain?
Shall our sad Houses, turnd to Heaps of stone,
With Weeds and Thorns again be ouer-grow'n?
Shall sacrilegious Fire again presume
Thy sacred House, thine Altar to consume?
Thrill down the Darts of thy fierce Wrath on vs?
Shall the Chaldean Idolists again
Thy Chosen Flock in seruile Yoak enchain?
Shall our sad Houses, turnd to Heaps of stone,
With Weeds and Thorns again be ouer-grow'n?
Shall sacrilegious Fire again presume
Thy sacred House, thine Altar to consume?
But Ioachim, High-Priest of God, that tide,
And of the Hebrews then the chiefest Guide,
Followes the stout and expert Pilots guise,
Who, when hee sees a suddain Storm arise,
Adds not more Feare, with His Feare, to his fellowes,
Nor leaues his Ship to mercy of the Billowes;
But, hiding his distrust, opposes braue
His Arm and Art against the Winde and Waue:
For, quick dispatching (hourely) Post on Post,
To all the Coverts of the Able-most
For Pate, Prowes, Purse; commands, prayes, presses them
To come with speed vnto Iervsalem.
And of the Hebrews then the chiefest Guide,
Followes the stout and expert Pilots guise,
Who, when hee sees a suddain Storm arise,
Adds not more Feare, with His Feare, to his fellowes,
Nor leaues his Ship to mercy of the Billowes;
But, hiding his distrust, opposes braue
His Arm and Art against the Winde and Waue:
For, quick dispatching (hourely) Post on Post,
To all the Coverts of the Able-most
For Pate, Prowes, Purse; commands, prayes, presses them
To come with speed vnto Iervsalem.
Since first th'Eternall gaue his sacred Law,
Vpon Mount Sinai (in so dreadfull Awe)
Th'Ark, which contained, in Two leaues of stone,
Much more sound Wisedom, in it selfe alone;
Then subtile Greece, or Rome (renownd for Wise)
In Worlds of Volumes euer could comprise;
Wandred from Tribe to Tribe, from Race to Race,
Throughout all Iury, without Resting-place,
Yea, somtimes too (O too audacious Theft!)
The sacrilegious Philistins it reft:
Till th'happy day when Iesse's holy Stem
Lodg'd it for euer, in Iervsalem.
Vpon Mount Sinai (in so dreadfull Awe)
Th'Ark, which contained, in Two leaues of stone,
Much more sound Wisedom, in it selfe alone;
Then subtile Greece, or Rome (renownd for Wise)
In Worlds of Volumes euer could comprise;
Wandred from Tribe to Tribe, from Race to Race,
Throughout all Iury, without Resting-place,
Yea, somtimes too (O too audacious Theft!)
The sacrilegious Philistins it reft:
Till th'happy day when Iesse's holy Stem
Lodg'd it for euer, in Iervsalem.
But, sith as yet, great Dauids hands were red
With bloud of Thousands he had slaughtered;
The King of Peace would haue a peacefull Prince
In Peacefull dayes, with all Magnificence
To build his Temple; whose high Battlement
Seemd Earth to scorne, and threat the Firmanent,
Till th'hapless Day wherein a hatefull King
(In name and nature, iust resembling
This Tyrant's Lord) with execrable Blaze,
Did burne it downe, and the Foundation raze.
A long-while after, Abr'ham's sacred Stems,
Returnd from Shores of Tyrant Tygris streams;
Beset with Fears, with Perill, and with Pain,
Re-builded Heer God's glorious House again.
Which, though (alas!) That first no more it matcht,
Then a Kings Palace a poore Cottage thatcht;
In Bignes yet, Beauty, and Height, obscur'd
All Pagan Wonders which most Fame procur'd;
Th'Assyrian Queen-king's (sometime) sumptuous Bowers,
Th'Ephesian Temple, the Egyptian Towers,
The Pharians Pharus, Carians costly Toomb,
Rhodes high Colossus, the huge Heaps of Rome—
For, for admired Art, This glorious Temple
Seru'd Ctesiphon for Model and Example;
Lent rare Apelles curious Pensill Light,
And led Lycippus cunning Chizel right.
With bloud of Thousands he had slaughtered;
The King of Peace would haue a peacefull Prince
In Peacefull dayes, with all Magnificence
To build his Temple; whose high Battlement
Seemd Earth to scorne, and threat the Firmanent,
956
(In name and nature, iust resembling
This Tyrant's Lord) with execrable Blaze,
Did burne it downe, and the Foundation raze.
A long-while after, Abr'ham's sacred Stems,
Returnd from Shores of Tyrant Tygris streams;
Beset with Fears, with Perill, and with Pain,
Re-builded Heer God's glorious House again.
Which, though (alas!) That first no more it matcht,
Then a Kings Palace a poore Cottage thatcht;
In Bignes yet, Beauty, and Height, obscur'd
All Pagan Wonders which most Fame procur'd;
Th'Assyrian Queen-king's (sometime) sumptuous Bowers,
Th'Ephesian Temple, the Egyptian Towers,
The Pharians Pharus, Carians costly Toomb,
Rhodes high Colossus, the huge Heaps of Rome—
For, for admired Art, This glorious Temple
Seru'd Ctesiphon for Model and Example;
Lent rare Apelles curious Pensill Light,
And led Lycippus cunning Chizel right.
Thither by Troops, th'Isaacian Tribes deuout,
Returnd to Salem slockt from all about:
As, when the Heav'ns, opening their Sluces wide,
Poure suddain Showers, surrounding euery side;
The gurgling Rills with rapid Course descend
From sundry Hills, and to some Riuer tend.
Returnd to Salem slockt from all about:
As, when the Heav'ns, opening their Sluces wide,
Poure suddain Showers, surrounding euery side;
The gurgling Rills with rapid Course descend
From sundry Hills, and to some Riuer tend.
But, sad-sweet Ivdith in the midst (almost)
Shined as Cynthia 'mid the Nightly Hoast:
For, God (it seem'd) her Beauties Form had cast
In rarest Mould of Nature (first or last).
Shined as Cynthia 'mid the Nightly Hoast:
For, God (it seem'd) her Beauties Form had cast
In rarest Mould of Nature (first or last).
Th'High Primate then, assisted with the Ligne
Of Eleazar (Priests, whose sacred Crine
Felt neuer Razor) on his oyled head
A pearly Mirre sadly setteled;
His sacred Body also soon hee heals
With sacred Vesture, fring'd with golden Bells:
Then burns for Offring, slayes for Sacrifice,
Kidds, Lambs, Calues, Heifers, in abundant wise;
Th'horns of the Altar with their blood bedying,
And lowely-lowd, thus to th'Almighty crying:
Of Eleazar (Priests, whose sacred Crine
Felt neuer Razor) on his oyled head
A pearly Mirre sadly setteled;
His sacred Body also soon hee heals
With sacred Vesture, fring'd with golden Bells:
Then burns for Offring, slayes for Sacrifice,
Kidds, Lambs, Calues, Heifers, in abundant wise;
Th'horns of the Altar with their blood bedying,
And lowely-lowd, thus to th'Almighty crying:
Wee come not heere, O dreadfull Lord of Hoasts,
To plead a Roule of Meritorious Boasts;
Nor to protest, that, in these Punishments,
Thou wrongst thy Iustice, and our Innocence:
No; wee confesse, our foule and frequent Crimes
Worthy worse Plagues then these, a thousand times;
Could'st thou forget Thy deer authentik Pact
With Abraham, or would'st thou (so exact)
Forcing thy Mercy in thy Iustice Scale,
Our Waight of Sins with Iudgements countervaile.
To plead a Roule of Meritorious Boasts;
Nor to protest, that, in these Punishments,
Thou wrongst thy Iustice, and our Innocence:
No; wee confesse, our foule and frequent Crimes
Worthy worse Plagues then these, a thousand times;
Could'st thou forget Thy deer authentik Pact
With Abraham, or would'st thou (so exact)
957
Our Waight of Sins with Iudgements countervaile.
Remoue our Cause, wee therefore (Lord) intreat,
From Iustice Barr, vnto thy Mercy-Seat:
O! holy Father, pardon vs (wee pray)
And turn from vs this fearfull Storm away.
From Iustice Barr, vnto thy Mercy-Seat:
O! holy Father, pardon vs (wee pray)
And turn from vs this fearfull Storm away.
Alas! what boots vs, that thy mighty hand
Hath brought vs home from Tigris hatefull strand,
Free from the Yoak, which wee so long (before)
Vnder th'Assyrian cruell Tyrants bore;
If these fat Fields, we haue but new re-tild,
If these faire Frames, we doe but now re-build,
If these (O Dolor!) our deere louing Wiues,
Our Babes, Sons, Daughters (deerer then our liues)
Must serue the Chaldes, Ammonites for Pay,
And be the Persians and fel Parthians Prey;
If This thine Altar, if these hallowed rooms,
Be re-profan'd with Heathen Hecatombs?
Hath brought vs home from Tigris hatefull strand,
Free from the Yoak, which wee so long (before)
Vnder th'Assyrian cruell Tyrants bore;
If these fat Fields, we haue but new re-tild,
If these faire Frames, we doe but now re-build,
If these (O Dolor!) our deere louing Wiues,
Our Babes, Sons, Daughters (deerer then our liues)
Must serue the Chaldes, Ammonites for Pay,
And be the Persians and fel Parthians Prey;
If This thine Altar, if these hallowed rooms,
Be re-profan'd with Heathen Hecatombs?
O! if thou wilt not pittie Vs, abhord;
At least, be Iealous of Thy Glory, Lord:
At least, haue pitty on This Holy Place,
Where, to no God, but to Iehova's Grace,
Is Incense burnt, nor any Sacrifice,
But to thy Selfe, of all the Deities.
Lord! therefore turn, O turn the Chaldean Torches
From these rich Cedar Roofs, these stately Porches:
Preserue these Plates, this pretious Furniture,
From sacrilegious Pilferers impure:
And let our Sorrow, and our Sacrifice,
Vnto thy Iustice, for our Sinnes suffice.
At least, be Iealous of Thy Glory, Lord:
At least, haue pitty on This Holy Place,
Where, to no God, but to Iehova's Grace,
Is Incense burnt, nor any Sacrifice,
But to thy Selfe, of all the Deities.
Lord! therefore turn, O turn the Chaldean Torches
From these rich Cedar Roofs, these stately Porches:
Preserue these Plates, this pretious Furniture,
From sacrilegious Pilferers impure:
And let our Sorrow, and our Sacrifice,
Vnto thy Iustice, for our Sinnes suffice.
The Seruice done, Each doth his way depart,
And Ioachim instantly calls apart
The States of Iuda; and thus, sadly-sweet,
Consults with Them, how with this Storm to meet.
And Ioachim instantly calls apart
The States of Iuda; and thus, sadly-sweet,
Consults with Them, how with this Storm to meet.
Graue Peers (said he) if your braue Zeale, of old,
Be not quite quenched, be not yet key-cold:
If Care of Wiues, if tender Childrens loue,
Had euer Power Your Soules deer Soules to moue:
If in your Brests rests any noble Worth,
Now, now or neuer, bring it, brauely forth:
For, but God aide, and your auspicious Speed,
Wee are vndone, Wee and our wretched Seed:
And neuer more shall the Immortall see
This Altar Smoaking to his Maiestie.
Be not quite quenched, be not yet key-cold:
If Care of Wiues, if tender Childrens loue,
Had euer Power Your Soules deer Soules to moue:
If in your Brests rests any noble Worth,
Now, now or neuer, bring it, brauely forth:
For, but God aide, and your auspicious Speed,
Wee are vndone, Wee and our wretched Seed:
And neuer more shall the Immortall see
This Altar Smoaking to his Maiestie.
While th'Aire is mute, so that it scarce can make,
In Summer dayes, an Aspen leafe to shake:
While Seas be calm, so that, with Streamers braue,
A thousand Saile slide on the sleeping Waue:
While all the Winds be mew'd vp in their Cell,
'Tis hard to say, which Pilot doth excell.
But, when a Tempest, one-while sinks a Ship
Down to the Bottom of th'infernall Deep;
Another-while, with swelling Fury driuen,
Tilts with her Tops against the Stars of Heav'n;
Raking a Shelfe now, and a Rock anon;
Then, and but then, is a Good Maister know'n.
In Summer dayes, an Aspen leafe to shake:
While Seas be calm, so that, with Streamers braue,
A thousand Saile slide on the sleeping Waue:
958
'Tis hard to say, which Pilot doth excell.
But, when a Tempest, one-while sinks a Ship
Down to the Bottom of th'infernall Deep;
Another-while, with swelling Fury driuen,
Tilts with her Tops against the Stars of Heav'n;
Raking a Shelfe now, and a Rock anon;
Then, and but then, is a Good Maister know'n.
Therefore (alas!) let now no carnall Care
Of goods, liues, honors (for your priuate Share)
Make you forget your Common-Country's Loue,
This Sacred Place, th'Honor of God aboue:
But humbly all into His hands resigning
Your Soules whole Sway, and all your Spirits refining
In sacred Flame, from Drosse and Mists impure,
Which too-too-oft the cleerest Eyes obscure;
Aduise (I pray) the best, in likely-hood,
Most pleasing God, most for the Publique Good.
Of goods, liues, honors (for your priuate Share)
Make you forget your Common-Country's Loue,
This Sacred Place, th'Honor of God aboue:
But humbly all into His hands resigning
Your Soules whole Sway, and all your Spirits refining
In sacred Flame, from Drosse and Mists impure,
Which too-too-oft the cleerest Eyes obscure;
Aduise (I pray) the best, in likely-hood,
Most pleasing God, most for the Publique Good.
An aged Traytor then, whose breath distill'd
Sweet Hony Words whose brest with Gall was filld,
VVringing false Tears from his dissembling Eyes,
His cursed Drift did in These Tearms disguise:
Sweet Hony Words whose brest with Gall was filld,
VVringing false Tears from his dissembling Eyes,
His cursed Drift did in These Tearms disguise:
My Spirits faint, my Speech doth faile me quight,
My frostie haires for horror stand vpright,
When I consider how This Tyrant fel,
With Bloud-floods drowning where he coms to quell,
Drawes neer Vs; threatning to our Houses Flames,
Death to our Selues, dishonor to our Dames:
But, when (on th'other side) to minde I call
This mighty Princes milde Receipt of All
(Not only such, as, rude and Reason-less,
Serue (like him Selfe (dumb Idols) Blockes, and Beasts:
But such, as matching our Zeal's holy Heighth,
Are Abrah'ms Seed, both in their Flesh and Faith;
Which wisely haue (and timely) turn'd (submiss)
The deadly Edge of his drad Vengeances)
I praise the Lord for such a Foe; so meek
To yielding Lambes, to Lyons Lyon-like;
As flexible to humble Tears, as fel
To Resolutions that (in vain) rebell.
My frostie haires for horror stand vpright,
When I consider how This Tyrant fel,
With Bloud-floods drowning where he coms to quell,
Drawes neer Vs; threatning to our Houses Flames,
Death to our Selues, dishonor to our Dames:
But, when (on th'other side) to minde I call
This mighty Princes milde Receipt of All
(Not only such, as, rude and Reason-less,
Serue (like him Selfe (dumb Idols) Blockes, and Beasts:
But such, as matching our Zeal's holy Heighth,
Are Abrah'ms Seed, both in their Flesh and Faith;
Which wisely haue (and timely) turn'd (submiss)
The deadly Edge of his drad Vengeances)
I praise the Lord for such a Foe; so meek
To yielding Lambes, to Lyons Lyon-like;
As flexible to humble Tears, as fel
To Resolutions that (in vain) rebell.
Sith therefore, yet we may haue Choise (for Iurie)
Of War, or Peace, his Fauor, or his Furie;
Winking in Dangers, let's not VVilfully
Follow our Fathers stubborn Sur-cuidry:
But, striking Saile in such Storms violence,
Let's liue secure vnder so good a Prince.
Of War, or Peace, his Fauor, or his Furie;
Winking in Dangers, let's not VVilfully
Follow our Fathers stubborn Sur-cuidry:
But, striking Saile in such Storms violence,
Let's liue secure vnder so good a Prince.
Yet, None mis-take, that I this Counsaile giue,
To saue my Stake, as one too-faine to liue:
Alas! my Years are of them Selues of age
To dye alone, without Assyrians Rage;
Without the help of their keen Dart or Pole,
To launce my Hart, or to let out my Soule:
Where, were my Youth's Spring now re-flowr'd again,
And heatefull blood boyling in euery vein,
My Zeale to GOD, and to my Country's Good
Should shew me well no Niggard of my blood,
Might (Samson-like) My Death bring Death to all
The Pagan Hoast and their proud General.
But, more I feare, least, with a Zeal too-Yong,
We, fighting for the Law, the Law impugne;
Inciting so the Soldiers Insolence,
Incensing so the Fury of the Prince,
That they by Conquest of one Day vndoo
Deer Izrael, and drown GOD's Glory too.
For, Wee bereft, What People, in This Place,
Truly-religious shal implore His grace?
Who, of all Nations that dispersed, Wun
From Shores of Indus, to the Setting Sun;
And from the farthest Hyperborean Coasts,
To those whose Clime continuall Summer roasts,
Hath chosen only Iacob for his Owne,
And on This Mount His drad-deer Glory showne.
To saue my Stake, as one too-faine to liue:
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To dye alone, without Assyrians Rage;
Without the help of their keen Dart or Pole,
To launce my Hart, or to let out my Soule:
Where, were my Youth's Spring now re-flowr'd again,
And heatefull blood boyling in euery vein,
My Zeale to GOD, and to my Country's Good
Should shew me well no Niggard of my blood,
Might (Samson-like) My Death bring Death to all
The Pagan Hoast and their proud General.
But, more I feare, least, with a Zeal too-Yong,
We, fighting for the Law, the Law impugne;
Inciting so the Soldiers Insolence,
Incensing so the Fury of the Prince,
That they by Conquest of one Day vndoo
Deer Izrael, and drown GOD's Glory too.
For, Wee bereft, What People, in This Place,
Truly-religious shal implore His grace?
Who, of all Nations that dispersed, Wun
From Shores of Indus, to the Setting Sun;
And from the farthest Hyperborean Coasts,
To those whose Clime continuall Summer roasts,
Hath chosen only Iacob for his Owne,
And on This Mount His drad-deer Glory showne.
But, good old Cambris (else the mildest Prince)
Groanes, griev'd and pale with Passions vehemence;
And, interrupting That, with This Discourse
Hartens the heartless Peers and Counsellors:
Groanes, griev'd and pale with Passions vehemence;
And, interrupting That, with This Discourse
Hartens the heartless Peers and Counsellors:
Rather, O Earth (for which our Earthlings strive)
Gape vnder me and swallow Me alive:
Rather, iust Heav'ns, with sulphury Fire and Fume
(As Sodom yerst) Me sodainly consume,
Than I should (Saint with-out, within Malitious)
Give Izrael a Counsail so pernicious.
Gape vnder me and swallow Me alive:
Rather, iust Heav'ns, with sulphury Fire and Fume
(As Sodom yerst) Me sodainly consume,
Than I should (Saint with-out, within Malitious)
Give Izrael a Counsail so pernicious.
Were it, the Head of this inhumane Band
Meant but our Bodies only to command,
Though with our Birth, to this faire Light we brought
Sweet Liberty (so sweet and deer, that nought,
No Hopes, no Heaps may be compar'd to it:)
The Temple sav'd, I might perhaps submit.
But, sith this Tyrant, puft with foolish Pride,
With heavier Gyves to load our Soules (beside)
Which (only Vassals of the Thunder-Thrower)
Nor knowe, nor owe, to Any Sceptres lower;
Would that (forgetting Him who made vs All,
And of all People chose vs principall,
And fatherly provides vs every thing,
And shields vs ay with Shadow of his wing)
We take for GOD, His proud ambitious Prince,
VVho Nimrod-like, with hellish Insolence,
Would climbe to Heav'n, although his life be such,
As merits not the Name of Man, by much.
Let's beard him boldly, bravely stand we to't,
Arms against Arms, Man to Man, Foot to Foot.
Victory lies not in vain-glorious hearts,
Number of Horses, nor of Pikes, and Darts:
These be but Instruments th'Eternal moves,
To crown with Conquest whom his Goodnes loves.
Yet, should the Lord now suffer Heathen's rage
To over-run his sacred Heritage,
Because in life his Name we so dishonour;
In Death, at least, in Death, let's doo him Honor:
And, if we cannot Assur over-come,
Let's win, by Patience, Crowns of Martyrdom.
Meant but our Bodies only to command,
Though with our Birth, to this faire Light we brought
Sweet Liberty (so sweet and deer, that nought,
No Hopes, no Heaps may be compar'd to it:)
The Temple sav'd, I might perhaps submit.
But, sith this Tyrant, puft with foolish Pride,
With heavier Gyves to load our Soules (beside)
Which (only Vassals of the Thunder-Thrower)
Nor knowe, nor owe, to Any Sceptres lower;
Would that (forgetting Him who made vs All,
And of all People chose vs principall,
And fatherly provides vs every thing,
And shields vs ay with Shadow of his wing)
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VVho Nimrod-like, with hellish Insolence,
Would climbe to Heav'n, although his life be such,
As merits not the Name of Man, by much.
Let's beard him boldly, bravely stand we to't,
Arms against Arms, Man to Man, Foot to Foot.
Victory lies not in vain-glorious hearts,
Number of Horses, nor of Pikes, and Darts:
These be but Instruments th'Eternal moves,
To crown with Conquest whom his Goodnes loves.
Yet, should the Lord now suffer Heathen's rage
To over-run his sacred Heritage,
Because in life his Name we so dishonour;
In Death, at least, in Death, let's doo him Honor:
And, if we cannot Assur over-come,
Let's win, by Patience, Crowns of Martyrdom.
And, could, our Foes (as fel as Lestrigons)
From off the Earth extirp our Tribes at-once;
They could not though GOD's glorious Name interr
(As these Apostates falsly would inferr).
For, He that with so sundry Nations stor'd
Th'vnpeopled World, from one Man; and restor'd
(Long after that) by one smal Bark the waste
The Flood had made, when it had All defaç't;
Is not He able even of stones to raise
A People Zealous of his glorious Praise?
Is not He able once again to ope
Old Sara's Wombe, and giue her Spouse (past hope)
More Sonnes, then Sands on Lybian shores be cast,
By ruffling Boreas, lowd, Cloud-chasing Blast;
Or twinkling Spangles nightly brightly roule
On sabled Circles of the whirling Pole:
Which, with more sacred Voice, more humble Awe,
Shall sound his Praises, and observe his Law?
From off the Earth extirp our Tribes at-once;
They could not though GOD's glorious Name interr
(As these Apostates falsly would inferr).
For, He that with so sundry Nations stor'd
Th'vnpeopled World, from one Man; and restor'd
(Long after that) by one smal Bark the waste
The Flood had made, when it had All defaç't;
Is not He able even of stones to raise
A People Zealous of his glorious Praise?
Is not He able once again to ope
Old Sara's Wombe, and giue her Spouse (past hope)
More Sonnes, then Sands on Lybian shores be cast,
By ruffling Boreas, lowd, Cloud-chasing Blast;
Or twinkling Spangles nightly brightly roule
On sabled Circles of the whirling Pole:
Which, with more sacred Voice, more humble Awe,
Shall sound his Praises, and observe his Law?
Then rather, Fathers (foule befall You else)
Let vs die Hebrews, then liue Infidels.
Let's not preferre, too-base, and too-too-blame,
Profit to Duty, idle Feare to Shame.
Let vs die Hebrews, then liue Infidels.
Let's not preferre, too-base, and too-too-blame,
Profit to Duty, idle Feare to Shame.
Cambris Oration was no sooner done,
But all th'Assembly (as all ioyn'd in one)
Confirm'd His Counsail both with voice and gest:
And Ioachim, (Ioy-rapt, above the rest)
Lifting to Heav'n-ward reverent hands and face,
Said, Lord wee thank thee, that thy speciall grace
Hath steeld our hearts, and linkt our Wils no less:
A hopefull Signe of happy good Successe.
But all th'Assembly (as all ioyn'd in one)
Confirm'd His Counsail both with voice and gest:
And Ioachim, (Ioy-rapt, above the rest)
Lifting to Heav'n-ward reverent hands and face,
Said, Lord wee thank thee, that thy speciall grace
Hath steeld our hearts, and linkt our Wils no less:
A hopefull Signe of happy good Successe.
Then, to the Princes he the Charge commits
Of Townes and Provinces, as Each befits:
Lest any, spurr'd by Envie or Ambition,
In Izrael should kindle new Sedition.
So, Each with-drawes, and bravely-bold prepares
To front the worst that martiall Fury dares.
Of Townes and Provinces, as Each befits:
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In Izrael should kindle new Sedition.
So, Each with-drawes, and bravely-bold prepares
To front the worst that martiall Fury dares.
Who th'Arist'æan busie Swarmes hath seen
On Hybla's Top; Whether, with Launcets keen,
Charging the Drones which over-neer their homes
Come humming out to rob their fragrant Combes:
Whether, collecting their delicious Deaw
From various Thyme, and other Flowers not few:
Whether, extending, in rare Symmetrie,
With wondrous Art, their Waxen Canapey;
And arching even, so many Thousand Cells,
So quick, so thick; so like, as Nothing else:
Whether, conducting their too-full Supplies
Els-where, to plant their goodly Colonies;
Which keep, still constant, in their new Plantation,
Their Mother Citie's Manners, Lawes, and Fashion:
Hath seen the Iewes as busie Diligence,
And quick Desire to put them in Defence.
On Hybla's Top; Whether, with Launcets keen,
Charging the Drones which over-neer their homes
Come humming out to rob their fragrant Combes:
Whether, collecting their delicious Deaw
From various Thyme, and other Flowers not few:
Whether, extending, in rare Symmetrie,
With wondrous Art, their Waxen Canapey;
And arching even, so many Thousand Cells,
So quick, so thick; so like, as Nothing else:
Whether, conducting their too-full Supplies
Els-where, to plant their goodly Colonies;
Which keep, still constant, in their new Plantation,
Their Mother Citie's Manners, Lawes, and Fashion:
Hath seen the Iewes as busie Diligence,
And quick Desire to put them in Defence.
Some stop the Breaches made by Art or Age;
By the Heav'ns anger, or the Heathens rage:
Some, lest the Ram, butting with boisterous Fals,
Should pash to powder their too-feeble Wals,
With Bastions, Bulwarks, Rampiers, Ravelins, Forts,
Flank on all sides their Cities where imports:
Some to and fro trudging with Baskets fill'd,
In places needfull sodain Sconces build:
Some wanting time, or meanes their Town to wall,
With broad deep Trenches soon begirt it all:
And from a River neer they cut a Rill
The hollow bosom of their Dike to fill.
By the Heav'ns anger, or the Heathens rage:
Some, lest the Ram, butting with boisterous Fals,
Should pash to powder their too-feeble Wals,
With Bastions, Bulwarks, Rampiers, Ravelins, Forts,
Flank on all sides their Cities where imports:
Some to and fro trudging with Baskets fill'd,
In places needfull sodain Sconces build:
Some wanting time, or meanes their Town to wall,
With broad deep Trenches soon begirt it all:
And from a River neer they cut a Rill
The hollow bosom of their Dike to fill.
While Armorers, in order, beating quick
Hot sparkling Steel on Anvils hard and thick,
Transform it soon to Corslets, Curtellaxes,
Helms, Gorgets, Gantlets, Bills and Battail-axes;
And some, for need (to furnish and set-out
Th'vntrained Shepheard, Neatheard, and the Lowt)
Ground the ground-slycing Coultar to a Blade,
And of the Sickle a straight Weapon made:
None Yong and healthy took Repast or Rest:
One on his back, another on his Beast,
Others in Waggons carryed-in apace
Corn, Wine, and Food to some importing Place:
Hot sparkling Steel on Anvils hard and thick,
Transform it soon to Corslets, Curtellaxes,
Helms, Gorgets, Gantlets, Bills and Battail-axes;
And some, for need (to furnish and set-out
Th'vntrained Shepheard, Neatheard, and the Lowt)
Ground the ground-slycing Coultar to a Blade,
And of the Sickle a straight Weapon made:
None Yong and healthy took Repast or Rest:
One on his back, another on his Beast,
Others in Waggons carryed-in apace
Corn, Wine, and Food to some importing Place:
Even so, in Summer (as the Wise-man tels)
Th'Emmets by Troupes haste from their hollow Cels
To get-in Harvest graving where they gone
Their Diligence even in a path of Stone:
The lustiest Swarmes for their Provision range,
The sick and old wait at their thrifty Grange
T'vnloade the Burthens, and lay-vp their Store
In their great Garnier byting yet before
Of every Graine, least kept so warme belowe
Amid the Molde, it after sprout and growe.
Th'Emmets by Troupes haste from their hollow Cels
To get-in Harvest graving where they gone
Their Diligence even in a path of Stone:
962
The sick and old wait at their thrifty Grange
T'vnloade the Burthens, and lay-vp their Store
In their great Garnier byting yet before
Of every Graine, least kept so warme belowe
Amid the Molde, it after sprout and growe.
The end of the first Booke.
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