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 Fift Booke.
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996
The Fift Booke.
For blood and marrow, in his veins and bones,
The Vice-Roy feeds new Pains, new Passions;
Which, while he shuns, hee seeks; feels, yet not knowes,
A dead-live Fire, which of Selfe's Cinders growes.
For, th'Hebrew Lady's rapting Rarities
Being now sole Obiect of his Soule's dim Eyes;
Sad, peevish pale, soft, drowsie, dream-awake,
Care of his Hoast he doth no longer take:
Goes no more out, a-nights, to set his Watches,
And Courts of Guard about, on all Approches:
Comes not to Counsail, neither gives The Word:
Nor viewes the Quarters of his Camp: nor stir'd.
The Vice-Roy feeds new Pains, new Passions;
Which, while he shuns, hee seeks; feels, yet not knowes,
A dead-live Fire, which of Selfe's Cinders growes.
For, th'Hebrew Lady's rapting Rarities
Being now sole Obiect of his Soule's dim Eyes;
Sad, peevish pale, soft, drowsie, dream-awake,
Care of his Hoast he doth no longer take:
Goes no more out, a-nights, to set his Watches,
And Courts of Guard about, on all Approches:
Comes not to Counsail, neither gives The Word:
Nor viewes the Quarters of his Camp: nor stir'd.
As Sheep, that miss their wonted Gard and Guide,
Dispersed stray; now, by some Rivers side,
Or gurgling Brook; now, vp and down the Downes;
Now, in the Groves; now, on the Fallow grounds:
So th'Ethnik Army, without Rule or Reine,
Pursue their Pleasures, violent, or vaine:
None will obey; None but will now Command;
Each, as him listeth, dares him now dis-band.
Dispersed stray; now, by some Rivers side,
Or gurgling Brook; now, vp and down the Downes;
Now, in the Groves; now, on the Fallow grounds:
So th'Ethnik Army, without Rule or Reine,
Pursue their Pleasures, violent, or vaine:
None will obey; None but will now Command;
Each, as him listeth, dares him now dis-band.
Hebrews, Why stay you now mew'd in your Citie?
Now, now or never, doth the Time befit-ye
To sally on the Foe; whose rank Disorder
Among themselves, themselves (in Fight) will murder.
Now, now or never, doth the Time befit-ye
To sally on the Foe; whose rank Disorder
Among themselves, themselves (in Fight) will murder.
Nay; bouge not though: of such a Victory
God will the Honor have, and Author be.
God will the Honor have, and Author be.
Yer that blinde Cupid did this Tyrant blinde,
To take the Town was Day and Night his minde;
Now, day and night he mindes but how to gain
A Lady's grace; Who, taken, is not taen
(Her Soule being temper'd more then Fancy-proofe):
Yer-while, th'vndanted mighty Theban rough
Could not have fear'd Him, with his massie Mace;
Now, but a Glance of a weak Woman's Grace
Dismaies him, daunts him, nay even wounds him deep,
Past care of Cure; and doth him Captive keep:
Yer-while Ambition, with Drums rattling Din,
Awakt him early, yer the Day peept-in;
Now Love awakes him; and with His Alarms
Makes him neglect the Hebrews and their Arms:
Yer-while, he had Princes and Kings at bay;
Now, of Him Selfe hath neither Power nor Sway.
To take the Town was Day and Night his minde;
Now, day and night he mindes but how to gain
A Lady's grace; Who, taken, is not taen
(Her Soule being temper'd more then Fancy-proofe):
Yer-while, th'vndanted mighty Theban rough
997
Now, but a Glance of a weak Woman's Grace
Dismaies him, daunts him, nay even wounds him deep,
Past care of Cure; and doth him Captive keep:
Yer-while Ambition, with Drums rattling Din,
Awakt him early, yer the Day peept-in;
Now Love awakes him; and with His Alarms
Makes him neglect the Hebrews and their Arms:
Yer-while, he had Princes and Kings at bay;
Now, of Him Selfe hath neither Power nor Sway.
Alas! alas! Vnhappy Change, said Hee:
Must I live Captive to my Captive-Shee?
Is This (alas!) to live: the Body base't;
The minde as brute; and both their Powers defac't!
This is not Life: or is worse Life to feel,
Then sad Ixion's, on the brazen Wheel
Eternall turning: or a life (in brief)
Most like the Life of that celestiall Thief,
Whose ever-never-dying heart and liver
On Scythian Rocks feed a fel Vulture ever.
Must I live Captive to my Captive-Shee?
Is This (alas!) to live: the Body base't;
The minde as brute; and both their Powers defac't!
This is not Life: or is worse Life to feel,
Then sad Ixion's, on the brazen Wheel
Eternall turning: or a life (in brief)
Most like the Life of that celestiall Thief,
Whose ever-never-dying heart and liver
On Scythian Rocks feed a fel Vulture ever.
What boots me, t'have subdew'd so many Lands?
What, to have tam'd with my victorious hands
All Nations lodg'd betwixt Hydaspes large,
And th'Haven where Cydnus doth in Sea discharge?
Sith I am vanquisht, by the feeble Might
Of Captive Ivdith's Glance. What boots my bright
Strong steeled Targe? my brazen Burguinet?
My martiall Gard about my Body set?
Sith the keen Shot which her quick eye doth dart,
Through Steel, and Brass, and Gard, doth wound my hart.
VVhat boots my Courser swifter then the VVinde,
Leaving the Swallowes in his speed behind?
Sith, on his back flying, I cannot flie
The willing Chaines of my Captivitie.
Change, change then, Hebrews, into Smiles your tears;
Triumph of Me, mine Hoste, Arms, Swords and Spears:
I am no more the Duke, whose Name alone
Yerwhile with Terror shook you every-one:
No: I am He whose Courage, late so brave,
Is now become but Slave vnto my Slave:
I am not come, to Warr with Israel,
To burne your Cities, or your Selues to quell:
But to intreat You, to intreat (for Me)
Your match-less Ivdith, that She milder be.
What, to have tam'd with my victorious hands
All Nations lodg'd betwixt Hydaspes large,
And th'Haven where Cydnus doth in Sea discharge?
Sith I am vanquisht, by the feeble Might
Of Captive Ivdith's Glance. What boots my bright
Strong steeled Targe? my brazen Burguinet?
My martiall Gard about my Body set?
Sith the keen Shot which her quick eye doth dart,
Through Steel, and Brass, and Gard, doth wound my hart.
VVhat boots my Courser swifter then the VVinde,
Leaving the Swallowes in his speed behind?
Sith, on his back flying, I cannot flie
The willing Chaines of my Captivitie.
Change, change then, Hebrews, into Smiles your tears;
Triumph of Me, mine Hoste, Arms, Swords and Spears:
I am no more the Duke, whose Name alone
Yerwhile with Terror shook you every-one:
No: I am He whose Courage, late so brave,
Is now become but Slave vnto my Slave:
I am not come, to Warr with Israel,
To burne your Cities, or your Selues to quell:
But to intreat You, to intreat (for Me)
Your match-less Ivdith, that She milder be.
But whither, Wit-less, whither am I born
By Loves fond Fury; wilfully forlorne?
Have I not Her heer in my Patronage,
That can the Anguish of my Soule asswage?
And yet with idle Plaints I pearce the Skyes;
And thus vn-Manly melt me at mine Eyes.
By Loves fond Fury; wilfully forlorne?
Have I not Her heer in my Patronage,
That can the Anguish of my Soule asswage?
998
And thus vn-Manly melt me at mine Eyes.
Vnhappy Me! my wretched Case is such
As His, who wants most what he hath too-much;
A Crystall River flowing to his Lip;
Yet dies for Thirst, and cannot drink a sip:
For, so do I respect her Excellence,
Her Heav'n-given Graces; that, for Reverence,
Mine eyes dare scarce behold her, and my Tongue,
In steed of suing, to my roof is clung.
O that my Brest transparent Crystall were,
That She might see my hearts dire Torment there;
And there read plainely, what my Loves excess
(Alas!) permits not my sad voice t'express.
As His, who wants most what he hath too-much;
A Crystall River flowing to his Lip;
Yet dies for Thirst, and cannot drink a sip:
For, so do I respect her Excellence,
Her Heav'n-given Graces; that, for Reverence,
Mine eyes dare scarce behold her, and my Tongue,
In steed of suing, to my roof is clung.
O that my Brest transparent Crystall were,
That She might see my hearts dire Torment there;
And there read plainely, what my Loves excess
(Alas!) permits not my sad voice t'express.
Since Ivdith first came to th'Assyrian Camp,
Thrice had the Heav'ns light and put-out their Lamp;
And now Aurora, with a saffron Ray,
Began, in Inde, to kindle the fourth Day:
When as the Duke, who Food and Rest forsakes,
This heauy Moan, to 's Eunuke Bagos, makes:
Thrice had the Heav'ns light and put-out their Lamp;
And now Aurora, with a saffron Ray,
Began, in Inde, to kindle the fourth Day:
When as the Duke, who Food and Rest forsakes,
This heauy Moan, to 's Eunuke Bagos, makes:
Bagos, my Sonne adopted, not by Chance;
Bagos, whom I, still studying to advance,
Have made, of Meanest and neglected most,
First in my heart, and Second in mine Hoste,
Bagos, I burn, I raue, I rage, I die
Of wounds receiu'd from that faire Strangers Eie.
Go, seek her out: go quickly: tell her Thou
My loving Languor: tell her, that I vow
To make her equal, nay above the best
Of greatest Dames whom royall Crowns invest:
Especially, insinuate so, that She
Be pleas'd this night to come and sup with Me.
Wer 't not a Folly, nay a Madnes meer,
In Me, to have the rarest Beauty heer
This Age hath bred; and yet, too-faint a Foole,
I should not dare my hearts hot Thirst to coole?
Would not my Soldiers laugh at it apace?
Nay: would not Ivdith blush at My Disgrace?
Bagos, whom I, still studying to advance,
Have made, of Meanest and neglected most,
First in my heart, and Second in mine Hoste,
Bagos, I burn, I raue, I rage, I die
Of wounds receiu'd from that faire Strangers Eie.
Go, seek her out: go quickly: tell her Thou
My loving Languor: tell her, that I vow
To make her equal, nay above the best
Of greatest Dames whom royall Crowns invest:
Especially, insinuate so, that She
Be pleas'd this night to come and sup with Me.
Wer 't not a Folly, nay a Madnes meer,
In Me, to have the rarest Beauty heer
This Age hath bred; and yet, too-faint a Foole,
I should not dare my hearts hot Thirst to coole?
Would not my Soldiers laugh at it apace?
Nay: would not Ivdith blush at My Disgrace?
Bagos, too-apt, too-vs'd to such a Turn;
Thus oyles the Fire, which but too-fast did burn:
My Lord, if Priavte men (whose otious Care
Scarce passe the Threshold of their owne Door dare;
Whose Mindes, content with their vnhappy Hap,
For other Grace or Greatnes never gape)
Liue not content (alas!) vnless some-while
Venus warme Comforts their chill Cares beguile:
How-more vnhappy then, are Those that beare
An Atlas Burthen: Those that Rest forbeare,
For Others Rest: Those that (like Argus) wake
While Others, fear-less, their full Naps doo take:
If, among all their Gall, their Toil, their Teen,
Some (Cupids) Hony be not mixt between?
Thus oyles the Fire, which but too-fast did burn:
My Lord, if Priavte men (whose otious Care
Scarce passe the Threshold of their owne Door dare;
Whose Mindes, content with their vnhappy Hap,
For other Grace or Greatnes never gape)
Liue not content (alas!) vnless some-while
Venus warme Comforts their chill Cares beguile:
How-more vnhappy then, are Those that beare
An Atlas Burthen: Those that Rest forbeare,
999
While Others, fear-less, their full Naps doo take:
If, among all their Gall, their Toil, their Teen,
Some (Cupids) Hony be not mixt between?
Then, Sir, pursue your Love: lose not the Game,
Which of it self comes to your Net, so tame.
And, if in like Imployments, heertofore
Y' haue found Me fit and faithfull evermore;
In This new Trust, you shall by speedy Trial,
Finde me more secret, diligent, and loyall.
Which of it self comes to your Net, so tame.
And, if in like Imployments, heertofore
Y' haue found Me fit and faithfull evermore;
In This new Trust, you shall by speedy Trial,
Finde me more secret, diligent, and loyall.
Alas! How-many BAGOS's, in our Time
In Princes Courts, to highest Honors climbe,
More, for their Cunning in such Embassies,
Then for Repute of learned, stout, or wise:
Whilom, great Courts were Vertue's Academs;
Now, Schools of Vice: now (rather) Sinks of Realms.
In Princes Courts, to highest Honors climbe,
More, for their Cunning in such Embassies,
Then for Repute of learned, stout, or wise:
Whilom, great Courts were Vertue's Academs;
Now, Schools of Vice: now (rather) Sinks of Realms.
You, who, Great-minded, cannot be content
To be close-Brokers for th'Incontinent:
Who cannot brew (with too-too-dangerous Skill)
Both a Love-Potion, and a Cup to kill:
VVho cannot, noble, your free Natures strain,
With flattering pencil on your Face to fain
A Face of frownes, or Smiles; of Wrath, or Ruth;
To please the Great (rather with Tales then Truth):
Come not at Court; if I may counsail you.
For, There, in steed of Grace and Honor, dew
Vnto your Vertues; you shall nothing gain,
But that which There still haunts the Good; Disdain.
To be close-Brokers for th'Incontinent:
Who cannot brew (with too-too-dangerous Skill)
Both a Love-Potion, and a Cup to kill:
VVho cannot, noble, your free Natures strain,
With flattering pencil on your Face to fain
A Face of frownes, or Smiles; of Wrath, or Ruth;
To please the Great (rather with Tales then Truth):
Come not at Court; if I may counsail you.
For, There, in steed of Grace and Honor, dew
Vnto your Vertues; you shall nothing gain,
But that which There still haunts the Good; Disdain.
You, Noble Ladies, in whose heart is graven
A filial Feare of th'All-see GOD of Heaven:
You that more prize your Honor's pure Report,
Then Love of Princes: keep yee from the Court.
A filial Feare of th'All-see GOD of Heaven:
You that more prize your Honor's pure Report,
Then Love of Princes: keep yee from the Court.
But You, who, hauing neither Land nor Money,
Out-brave the bravest: Who with words of Hony,
And Friend-like Face, Dissemblers, humbly greet
VVhom your false harts wish in their winding sheet:
Who, lavish, sel your Wives for Offices:
Who make you Noble, by base Services:
Who, seruing Time, can set your Faith to sale;
Shift your Religion; saile with euery Gale:
Who, Parasites, can put more Faces on
Then euer Proteus in the Seas hath show'n:
Who, forcing Nature, can your Manners fit
To my Lords Humor; and so humor it;
Like a Chameleon, which, heer blew, there black,
Heer gray, there green, doth with his Obiect take:
Who can invent new Toules, new Taxes finde,
To charge the People, and the Poore to grinde:
Who, fayning to possesse your Princes Eare,
Make Sutors crouch, and court you euery-where;
And, subtle Shifters, sell them deere your Smoak,
Blinding the Wretches with a wilie cloake.
Out-brave the bravest: Who with words of Hony,
And Friend-like Face, Dissemblers, humbly greet
VVhom your false harts wish in their winding sheet:
Who, lavish, sel your Wives for Offices:
Who make you Noble, by base Services:
Who, seruing Time, can set your Faith to sale;
Shift your Religion; saile with euery Gale:
Who, Parasites, can put more Faces on
Then euer Proteus in the Seas hath show'n:
Who, forcing Nature, can your Manners fit
To my Lords Humor; and so humor it;
Like a Chameleon, which, heer blew, there black,
Heer gray, there green, doth with his Obiect take:
Who can invent new Toules, new Taxes finde,
To charge the People, and the Poore to grinde:
1000
Make Sutors crouch, and court you euery-where;
And, subtle Shifters, sell them deere your Smoak,
Blinding the Wretches with a wilie cloake.
You, warbling Sirens, whose delicious Charms
Draw wariest youth into your wrackfull Armes:
You Circes, you whose powerfull Spells transmute
Your Loues to Stones, Hogs, Dogs, and euery Brute:
You Stymphalides, whose Auarice deuoures
The richest Treasure of Youth's freshest Flowers:
You, you, whose Painting, and Pearl-golden-glister,
Of Priam's old Wife, make yong Castor's Sister:
You Myrrha's you Canaces, Semi-ram's:
And, if there be any more odious Dames:
Come You to Court: come quickly: There, on You
A hundred Honors shal be heapt, vn-dew;
You, there shall sell Iustice, Preferments, Places:
Yea, you shall sell mis-gouernd Princes Graces.
Draw wariest youth into your wrackfull Armes:
You Circes, you whose powerfull Spells transmute
Your Loues to Stones, Hogs, Dogs, and euery Brute:
You Stymphalides, whose Auarice deuoures
The richest Treasure of Youth's freshest Flowers:
You, you, whose Painting, and Pearl-golden-glister,
Of Priam's old Wife, make yong Castor's Sister:
You Myrrha's you Canaces, Semi-ram's:
And, if there be any more odious Dames:
Come You to Court: come quickly: There, on You
A hundred Honors shal be heapt, vn-dew;
You, there shall sell Iustice, Preferments, Places:
Yea, you shall sell mis-gouernd Princes Graces.
But, Muse, it boots not: Hadst Thou thousand-fold
The Strength and Stomack of Alcides bold,
Thou couldst not clense These Sin-proud shining Halls,
Fouler by far then foule Augeas Stalls.
The Strength and Stomack of Alcides bold,
Thou couldst not clense These Sin-proud shining Halls,
Fouler by far then foule Augeas Stalls.
Let's back to Ivdith; who to bring about
Her hard deseign, survayes her, sets her out,
Be-curles her Tresses; makes her Crystall cleer
Her Beauties Iudge, which had in Earth no peer.
Her hard deseign, survayes her, sets her out,
Be-curles her Tresses; makes her Crystall cleer
Her Beauties Iudge, which had in Earth no peer.
Then comes she to the Tent, rich hanged round
With curious Arras, from the top to ground;
Where Art-full fingers, for a Web of glory,
Had wov'n Medes, Persians, Syrian Princes Story.
With curious Arras, from the top to ground;
Where Art-full fingers, for a Web of glory,
Had wov'n Medes, Persians, Syrian Princes Story.
There Ninus first, pusht by vain Prides amisse,
Vsurps the East: heer comes Simiramis,
VVho, fayning Her a Man, th'Assyrians swayes
And to the Clowds her Babylon doth raise.
Vsurps the East: heer comes Simiramis,
VVho, fayning Her a Man, th'Assyrians swayes
And to the Clowds her Babylon doth raise.
See, see a Prince, with soft white fingers fine,
Effeminate, sits spinning Flaxen Twine:
And, for a Launce, bearing a Distaffe, showes
That more to Female then to Male he owes:
See, how he poats, paints, frizzles, fashions him;
Bathes, basks, anoints, viewes, and re-views his Trim
Within his Glass, which for a Glaiue he weares.
See, how he shifts to hide his Shame and Fears:
From Vardingale to Vardingale, he flyes
His braue Lieutenant, least Hee him suprize.
Yer, see, at last (to act one Manly thing)
Hee burns himselfe, not to out-live a King.
Effeminate, sits spinning Flaxen Twine:
And, for a Launce, bearing a Distaffe, showes
That more to Female then to Male he owes:
See, how he poats, paints, frizzles, fashions him;
Bathes, basks, anoints, viewes, and re-views his Trim
Within his Glass, which for a Glaiue he weares.
See, how he shifts to hide his Shame and Fears:
From Vardingale to Vardingale, he flyes
His braue Lieutenant, least Hee him suprize.
Yer, see, at last (to act one Manly thing)
Hee burns himselfe, not to out-live a King.
See, heer an Infant sucking of a Bitch
Vnder a Hedge, and in a shallow Ditch;
Who grown a Man, heer musters in his Train
Both bond and free, the Souldier and the Swain;
Subdues the East, and into Persia drawes
The Medes proud Sceptre; & he giues them Lawes.
Vnder a Hedge, and in a shallow Ditch;
1001
Both bond and free, the Souldier and the Swain;
Subdues the East, and into Persia drawes
The Medes proud Sceptre; & he giues them Lawes.
But who's That marches so dis-figured there,
Before an Army, without Nose, and Eare?
'Tis that good Servant, who reduç't, alone,
Vnder Darius, Rebell Babylon.
Before an Army, without Nose, and Eare?
'Tis that good Servant, who reduç't, alone,
Vnder Darius, Rebell Babylon.
While, with these Showes sad Ivdith entertaind
Her Eyes, but not her hart (too-inly-paind)
In comes the Duke: and with right courteous cheere
Kindely salutes her, hands her hand; and neere
Causing her sit in a rich easie Chaire,
Himselfe, at ease, viewes and re-viewes her Faire.
Then, seeing him so nigh his wished Pleasure,
His hart's a-fire: not hath he longer leasure
To stay for Venus, till, Star-crowned bright,
On their Horizon Shee bring back the Night.
Her Eyes, but not her hart (too-inly-paind)
In comes the Duke: and with right courteous cheere
Kindely salutes her, hands her hand; and neere
Causing her sit in a rich easie Chaire,
Himselfe, at ease, viewes and re-viewes her Faire.
Then, seeing him so nigh his wished Pleasure,
His hart's a-fire: not hath he longer leasure
To stay for Venus, till, Star-crowned bright,
On their Horizon Shee bring back the Night.
The VVidow, knowing Time and Place, as yet,
For God's Decree, and her Deseign, vnfit;
Findes still Delayes: and, to delude his Loue,
Shee (wylie) still Speech vpon Speech doth moue.
For God's Decree, and her Deseign, vnfit;
Findes still Delayes: and, to delude his Loue,
Shee (wylie) still Speech vpon Speech doth moue.
My Lord, pray tell me, What so great Offence
So grievously your Fury could incense;
What? When? Where? Why? How? and by Whom our Folk
Could so the Wrath of such a Prince provoke,
So separate, in Language, Land, and Law;
Who neuer Vs; and Whom we neuer saw?
So grievously your Fury could incense;
What? When? Where? Why? How? and by Whom our Folk
Could so the Wrath of such a Prince provoke,
So separate, in Language, Land, and Law;
Who neuer Vs; and Whom we neuer saw?
Vnciuil were He (Sweet) replyes the Prince,
Could ought deny to such an Excellence.
Then: as the Heav'ns cannot Two Suns sustaine:
No more can Earth Two Kings at once contain,
Of equall Power and State: for, Souerantie
Brooks no Co-partner, no Equality.
Witnes my Souerain: who, offended at
The Power and Pomp of mighty Arphaxat,
Who, high aspire, and farre to spred began,
And to the Clowds had built his Echatane,
Ninive's Shame, and dread of Babylon:
Brauely end euours of supplant His Throne,
Bereaue his Sceptre, sack, raze, ruinate,
His goodly Cities, and himselfe dis-State.
Could ought deny to such an Excellence.
Then: as the Heav'ns cannot Two Suns sustaine:
No more can Earth Two Kings at once contain,
Of equall Power and State: for, Souerantie
Brooks no Co-partner, no Equality.
Witnes my Souerain: who, offended at
The Power and Pomp of mighty Arphaxat,
Who, high aspire, and farre to spred began,
And to the Clowds had built his Echatane,
Ninive's Shame, and dread of Babylon:
Brauely end euours of supplant His Throne,
Bereaue his Sceptre, sack, raze, ruinate,
His goodly Cities, and himselfe dis-State.
But Arphaxat, as valorous as sage
(And both, right worthy of his Crown and Age)
Would rather venture Media's Royall Rings,
Then vaile to Anie. So between Two Kings,
Two stout, and stirring Spirits (whereof the-one
Could brook no Peer, th'other, Superior none)
Began a dreadfull and right deadly War,
Lasting (alas!) too-long, spreading too-far.
(And both, right worthy of his Crown and Age)
Would rather venture Media's Royall Rings,
Then vaile to Anie. So between Two Kings,
Two stout, and stirring Spirits (whereof the-one
Could brook no Peer, th'other, Superior none)
1002
Lasting (alas!) too-long, spreading too-far.
Arphaxat arms Those, where the Flower of Greece
Fetcht, not the Locks of an old Golden Fleece,
But massie Ingots, which doe richly pave
The happy Plains great Phasis Streams belave:
The Harmastans, th'Albanians, wont to mowe
Three times a yeer, where onely once they sowe:
Whom Oxus boundeth with his swelling Tide:
Whom Anti-Taurus double Horns diuide:
Those on the Mountain, whose high-lowely back
Bow'd to the Vessell which preseru'd from wrack
The Worlds Abbridgement: Those along the Shores
Where proud Iaxartes rapid Current rores:
In short, besides his Medes he had in Pay,
All, neere the Pontike and the Caspian Sea.
So that, already, This great King-Commander,
Had Hopes as high as euer Alexander.
Fetcht, not the Locks of an old Golden Fleece,
But massie Ingots, which doe richly pave
The happy Plains great Phasis Streams belave:
The Harmastans, th'Albanians, wont to mowe
Three times a yeer, where onely once they sowe:
Whom Oxus boundeth with his swelling Tide:
Whom Anti-Taurus double Horns diuide:
Those on the Mountain, whose high-lowely back
Bow'd to the Vessell which preseru'd from wrack
The Worlds Abbridgement: Those along the Shores
Where proud Iaxartes rapid Current rores:
In short, besides his Medes he had in Pay,
All, neere the Pontike and the Caspian Sea.
So that, already, This great King-Commander,
Had Hopes as high as euer Alexander.
My Prince, resolv'd to conquer, or to die,
Omits no point of Opportunitie
For his Affaires: Hee armeth Sittacen,
Levies the Archers of all Osrolen:
Those, whose rich Plain hundred for one repay,
From Euphrates and Tigris much away:
Fish-fed Carmanians (who with Seal-skin Iacks,
In sted of Iron, arme their warlike Backs)
Gold sanded Hytan's natiue Shores forgo:
You, Parthians, Cossians and Arabians too,
By your sage Magis deep prophetike Charmes
Sacredly counsail'd, take you all to Armes:
And Thou, Chaldea, turn'st to Swords, and Spears
And Shields, Thy Rules, Squires, Compasses and Sphears.
For, of his Subiects spares he not a man
That beare a Launce or Pike, or Crosbow can:
Wiues, Beldams Babes, Gray-heads (& Sickly, some)
Through all his Countries onely kept at home.
Omits no point of Opportunitie
For his Affaires: Hee armeth Sittacen,
Levies the Archers of all Osrolen:
Those, whose rich Plain hundred for one repay,
From Euphrates and Tigris much away:
Fish-fed Carmanians (who with Seal-skin Iacks,
In sted of Iron, arme their warlike Backs)
Gold sanded Hytan's natiue Shores forgo:
You, Parthians, Cossians and Arabians too,
By your sage Magis deep prophetike Charmes
Sacredly counsail'd, take you all to Armes:
And Thou, Chaldea, turn'st to Swords, and Spears
And Shields, Thy Rules, Squires, Compasses and Sphears.
For, of his Subiects spares he not a man
That beare a Launce or Pike, or Crosbow can:
Wiues, Beldams Babes, Gray-heads (& Sickly, some)
Through all his Countries onely kept at home.
He also sends for Persians and Phœnicians;
For soft Egyptians, Hebrews, and Cilicians,
Quickly to come, and kindly take his Part:
But Neuters, They (more Friends in face, then hart)
Reiect his earnest Sute, Himselfe neglect;
And vse his Legats but with small respect.
For soft Egyptians, Hebrews, and Cilicians,
Quickly to come, and kindly take his Part:
But Neuters, They (more Friends in face, then hart)
Reiect his earnest Sute, Himselfe neglect;
And vse his Legats but with small respect.
My Lord dissembles for a while This wrong,
Till hauing tryumpht of a Foe more strong,
Hee may with more ease, and with danger lesse,
Their Sacrilege and surly Pride represse.
Till hauing tryumpht of a Foe more strong,
Hee may with more ease, and with danger lesse,
Their Sacrilege and surly Pride represse.
In Ragau's ample Plain, one Morning, met
These Royall Armies, of two Kings, as great
As ever Mars with steele and Furie arm'd,
Fury and Pride so Eithers Souldier warm'd,
That hardly could they stay till Trumpets shrill
Denounce the Battaile, and giue leaue to kill:
But with stern Looks, and brauing Threats, afar;
At hand, with Blowes; they had begun to war;
Exchanging wounds. Two thousand Perduz first
Giue brauely th'Onset: and not much disperst,
From suddain whirle-wind of their nimble Slings,
So thick a storm of humming Pebbles sings
So-sad a Dirge of Deaths, that they suppose,
That not one Troop, but All, had bin at Blowes.
To second Those, then, in good ordinance,
With waving Ensignes, thousand Troops aduance:
Both Armies ioyne. Now fiercely fall they to 't,
Mede vpon Chalde, pressing foot to foot;
Incount'ring felly with a furious noise
Of clashing Arms, and Angry-braving Voice,
Lowder then Nile, rushing from Rocky-Coomb;
Or then Encélade, when he shakes his Toomb.
Heer lyes one head-lesse: foot-lesse there (alas!)
Another craules among the gorie Grasse:
One's shoulder hangs: another hangs his Bowels
About his neck (but new bound vp in towells):
This, in the Face, That in the Flank is hurt:
This, as he dyes, a Floud of Blood doth spurt:
That, neither liues nor dyes; but sees at once
Both vpper Iove's and neather's diverse Thrones;
Because, some little spirit (too-stubborn-stout)
Still, in the Body, will not yet come out.
These Royall Armies, of two Kings, as great
1003
Fury and Pride so Eithers Souldier warm'd,
That hardly could they stay till Trumpets shrill
Denounce the Battaile, and giue leaue to kill:
But with stern Looks, and brauing Threats, afar;
At hand, with Blowes; they had begun to war;
Exchanging wounds. Two thousand Perduz first
Giue brauely th'Onset: and not much disperst,
From suddain whirle-wind of their nimble Slings,
So thick a storm of humming Pebbles sings
So-sad a Dirge of Deaths, that they suppose,
That not one Troop, but All, had bin at Blowes.
To second Those, then, in good ordinance,
With waving Ensignes, thousand Troops aduance:
Both Armies ioyne. Now fiercely fall they to 't,
Mede vpon Chalde, pressing foot to foot;
Incount'ring felly with a furious noise
Of clashing Arms, and Angry-braving Voice,
Lowder then Nile, rushing from Rocky-Coomb;
Or then Encélade, when he shakes his Toomb.
Heer lyes one head-lesse: foot-lesse there (alas!)
Another craules among the gorie Grasse:
One's shoulder hangs: another hangs his Bowels
About his neck (but new bound vp in towells):
This, in the Face, That in the Flank is hurt:
This, as he dyes, a Floud of Blood doth spurt:
That, neither liues nor dyes; but sees at once
Both vpper Iove's and neather's diverse Thrones;
Because, some little spirit (too-stubborn-stout)
Still, in the Body, will not yet come out.
Yer-while the ground was yellow, green, & blew;
Now onely couerd with a Crimsin hew:
While one doth (heer) another deadly thrill,
Another Him, Another Him doth kill:
Still Rage increases: still doth Fury spread,
Till all the Field be but a Heap of Dead.
Now onely couerd with a Crimsin hew:
While one doth (heer) another deadly thrill,
Another Him, Another Him doth kill:
Still Rage increases: still doth Fury spread,
Till all the Field be but a Heap of Dead.
One-while the Syrians by the Medes are chas't;
Anon the Medes by Syrians are re-chas't:
As one-while, from the Sea vnto the Shore,
Surge after Surge, VVaue after Waue doth rore.
Another-while, from Shore to Sea they ply
VVaue after Waue, Surge after Surge to fly:
Or as (we see) the Flowery Ears, in May
(When Zephyrus with gentle Puffs doth play)
Sway to and fro; forward and backward bend;
Now stoop a little; and now, stand an end.
Anon the Medes by Syrians are re-chas't:
As one-while, from the Sea vnto the Shore,
Surge after Surge, VVaue after Waue doth rore.
Another-while, from Shore to Sea they ply
VVaue after Waue, Surge after Surge to fly:
Or as (we see) the Flowery Ears, in May
(When Zephyrus with gentle Puffs doth play)
Sway to and fro; forward and backward bend;
Now stoop a little; and now, stand an end.
Both Kings the-while, whose Force and Fortitude
Far past their Subiects, so their Blades imbrewd
In Bloud and Slaughter, that an open Glade
Where-e'r they came, in either Camp they made:
So that, nor Casks, Cuirets, nor Shields could saue
From mighty Stroaks their massie Weapons gaue:
Much like two Torrents, which with headlong fall
From two opposed Hils, downe-bearing all,
Banks, Bridges, Trees, Corn, Cattell; seeme to vy
Whether of either shall most damnifie.
Especially, the Medes King thundred so
Vpon our Battailes, that our Bravest, tho,
Began to shrink, and with that shameful sight,
Our Hoast dis-ord'red, fell to shamefull flight:
The Foe pursues, slayes, slashes (swift as wind)
Millions of wounds, and every one behind.
Far past their Subiects, so their Blades imbrewd
1004
Where-e'r they came, in either Camp they made:
So that, nor Casks, Cuirets, nor Shields could saue
From mighty Stroaks their massie Weapons gaue:
Much like two Torrents, which with headlong fall
From two opposed Hils, downe-bearing all,
Banks, Bridges, Trees, Corn, Cattell; seeme to vy
Whether of either shall most damnifie.
Especially, the Medes King thundred so
Vpon our Battailes, that our Bravest, tho,
Began to shrink, and with that shameful sight,
Our Hoast dis-ord'red, fell to shamefull flight:
The Foe pursues, slayes, slashes (swift as wind)
Millions of wounds, and every one behind.
In briefe, that Day had Niniue bin downe,
Her King vndone (dead, and depriv'd of Crowne)
Had not I (full of Force and Furie) quick
Like Lightning, rusht where deadly Blowes were thick.
Mails, Murrions, Corselets, Iron, Steele and Brasse,
Before My Sword were brittle all, as Glasse,
And onely I, My hand alone, which lent
More deaths then blowes, brought more astonishment
Vnto Their Camp, then all Our Camp beside.
Their Foot no longer could my Brunt abide:
Their Horsmen, fainting, in their Saddles shake;
Arms on their Backs, halts in their Bellies quake.
Heer, with a down-right Blowe, from top to twist,
I cleaue in sunder one that dar'd resist:
There, I so deep dive in Another's minde,
That neer two handfulls peers my Sword, behinde;
So, that the Medes, now more then wauering,
In th'heat of Fight, abandon All their King.
Who, seeing him so betray'd, his Tresses tore,
Retir'd to Ragau, all besmeard with gore:
There, over-taen by Ours, He brauely fought;
Mid thickest Darts a glorious Death he sought;
Heawes, thunders, thrills, and of his Manly blowes
Not one in vaine, not one amisse bestowes:
But, yer He die, with quick, keen, Fauchin fel,
He sends before, thousand stout Soules to Hell:
So the fierce Tigre, compast every where
With Men and Dogs, to Fury turns his Feare;
Fights where he findes the greatest dangerly;
Tears, tosses, kills; not, vnreueng'd to die.
Her King vndone (dead, and depriv'd of Crowne)
Had not I (full of Force and Furie) quick
Like Lightning, rusht where deadly Blowes were thick.
Mails, Murrions, Corselets, Iron, Steele and Brasse,
Before My Sword were brittle all, as Glasse,
And onely I, My hand alone, which lent
More deaths then blowes, brought more astonishment
Vnto Their Camp, then all Our Camp beside.
Their Foot no longer could my Brunt abide:
Their Horsmen, fainting, in their Saddles shake;
Arms on their Backs, halts in their Bellies quake.
Heer, with a down-right Blowe, from top to twist,
I cleaue in sunder one that dar'd resist:
There, I so deep dive in Another's minde,
That neer two handfulls peers my Sword, behinde;
So, that the Medes, now more then wauering,
In th'heat of Fight, abandon All their King.
Who, seeing him so betray'd, his Tresses tore,
Retir'd to Ragau, all besmeard with gore:
There, over-taen by Ours, He brauely fought;
Mid thickest Darts a glorious Death he sought;
Heawes, thunders, thrills, and of his Manly blowes
Not one in vaine, not one amisse bestowes:
But, yer He die, with quick, keen, Fauchin fel,
He sends before, thousand stout Soules to Hell:
So the fierce Tigre, compast every where
With Men and Dogs, to Fury turns his Feare;
Fights where he findes the greatest dangerly;
Tears, tosses, kills; not, vnreueng'd to die.
But, at the last, the vainly Valiant King,
Wearie of killing, and of conquering,
Thrilld with a thousand Darts, and wounded rife,
Ended at once his lofty Rage and Life:
And, falling, fares as doth a mighty Oake,
Which, planted high vpon a massie Rock,
A thousand times hath felt the Winds to beat,
And thousand Axes, it a Fall to threat;
So that the Root groan'd, and the Valley nigh
Eccho'd the noyse vnto the steepest Sky,
While that the Top still reeling to and fro,
Now, These, now Those, threatens with overthrow
Yet, still it stands in spight of all their spight,
Till at the last, all vnder-mined quight
With million stroaks, it falls; and with the Fall,
Bears to the ground, Trees, Rocks, Corn, Cattell, All.
Wearie of killing, and of conquering,
Thrilld with a thousand Darts, and wounded rife,
Ended at once his lofty Rage and Life:
1005
Which, planted high vpon a massie Rock,
A thousand times hath felt the Winds to beat,
And thousand Axes, it a Fall to threat;
So that the Root groan'd, and the Valley nigh
Eccho'd the noyse vnto the steepest Sky,
While that the Top still reeling to and fro,
Now, These, now Those, threatens with overthrow
Yet, still it stands in spight of all their spight,
Till at the last, all vnder-mined quight
With million stroaks, it falls; and with the Fall,
Bears to the ground, Trees, Rocks, Corn, Cattell, All.
For, Arphaxat extinct, extinct with-all
Was Median's glory: and, My Lord of All
Raz'd Ecbatane; and now grow VVeeds and Grass
VVhere, late, His lofty, rare-rich Palace was:
Where, late the Lute, and the loud Cornets noise
In curious Consort warbled sweet their voice;
The voice of Scriech-Owles, and Night-Ravens is heard,
And euery fatall and affrighting Bird.
Was Median's glory: and, My Lord of All
Raz'd Ecbatane; and now grow VVeeds and Grass
VVhere, late, His lofty, rare-rich Palace was:
Where, late the Lute, and the loud Cornets noise
In curious Consort warbled sweet their voice;
The voice of Scriech-Owles, and Night-Ravens is heard,
And euery fatall and affrighting Bird.
My King-God, weary of Warrs tedious toile,
In Ninive the great, for foure months-while
Made Publique Feasts: and, when the Feast was don,
Commaunds Mee leavie a huge Hoast, anon,
Of chiefest Men; to goe and chastise Those
That had disdaignd him Aide against his Foes:
And that, on All that dar'd His Hests infrenge,
VVith Fire and Sword his Honor I avenge;
And that with speed. But, Madam, see (alas!)
How farre I am from bringing this too-passe:
For, comming heere, your Nation to subdue,
My Selfe am conquer'd and subdu'd by You:
So that (alas!) Death's draddest Tyrannies
In endlesse Night will soon siel-vp mine eyes,
Except the powerfull sole Preservatiue
Of thy sweet Kisses keepe mee yet aliue.
Nay: good My Lord, said Shee, Tell-on (I pray)
Your good Successe and Service, by the VVay.
In Ninive the great, for foure months-while
Made Publique Feasts: and, when the Feast was don,
Commaunds Mee leavie a huge Hoast, anon,
Of chiefest Men; to goe and chastise Those
That had disdaignd him Aide against his Foes:
And that, on All that dar'd His Hests infrenge,
VVith Fire and Sword his Honor I avenge;
And that with speed. But, Madam, see (alas!)
How farre I am from bringing this too-passe:
For, comming heere, your Nation to subdue,
My Selfe am conquer'd and subdu'd by You:
So that (alas!) Death's draddest Tyrannies
In endlesse Night will soon siel-vp mine eyes,
Except the powerfull sole Preservatiue
Of thy sweet Kisses keepe mee yet aliue.
Nay: good My Lord, said Shee, Tell-on (I pray)
Your good Successe and Service, by the VVay.
Then Holofernes, where he left, began
A long Narration how He playd the Man;
Halfe Truth, halfe Tales: For, tis great Souldiers guise
To bumbast oft their Own Exploits with Lyes
A long Narration how He playd the Man;
Halfe Truth, halfe Tales: For, tis great Souldiers guise
To bumbast oft their Own Exploits with Lyes
Mine Hoast all mustered and together brought,
T'inflame their harts with martial Heat I sought:
Fellowes (said I) if euer Your Desires
Haue thirsted Fame, to liue when Life expires;
Go w' now to punish that presumptuous Crew
Which rudely (late) our sacred Legats slew:
Go w', to avenge our drad-deer Soverain Liege
Of that fel Outrage, nay, foule Sacrilege
Against the Greatest God came euer downe
From Heav'nly Spheares to sway an Earthly Crown
Arm, arm you, braue Blouds, arm your either hand;
This, with a Blade; That, with a Fier-brand,
With Fire and Sword to over-run the West,
To lay it waste, to bear away the best:
To sink it all vnder a Crimsin Flood;
Or make (at least) your Horses swim in blood:
Go w', take possession of Your Valors due,
The whole Worlds Crown, which yeelds it all to you:
Take you This Honor; which, in Time-to-come,
Shall keep your braue Names from th'obliuious Tomb:
Take, take your pleasures of the richest spoils
Of richest Cities in a hundred Soiles
VVhich you shal sack. So, may you once in Health
Come laden home with Honor and with VVealth.
T'inflame their harts with martial Heat I sought:
Fellowes (said I) if euer Your Desires
Haue thirsted Fame, to liue when Life expires;
Go w' now to punish that presumptuous Crew
Which rudely (late) our sacred Legats slew:
1006
Of that fel Outrage, nay, foule Sacrilege
Against the Greatest God came euer downe
From Heav'nly Spheares to sway an Earthly Crown
Arm, arm you, braue Blouds, arm your either hand;
This, with a Blade; That, with a Fier-brand,
With Fire and Sword to over-run the West,
To lay it waste, to bear away the best:
To sink it all vnder a Crimsin Flood;
Or make (at least) your Horses swim in blood:
Go w', take possession of Your Valors due,
The whole Worlds Crown, which yeelds it all to you:
Take you This Honor; which, in Time-to-come,
Shall keep your braue Names from th'obliuious Tomb:
Take, take your pleasures of the richest spoils
Of richest Cities in a hundred Soiles
VVhich you shal sack. So, may you once in Health
Come laden home with Honor and with VVealth.
I ceast: and soon they second, all, my voice
With Caps cast-vp, with clapped hands; and noyse
Of generall Ioy, to haue Me Generall.
With Caps cast-vp, with clapped hands; and noyse
Of generall Ioy, to haue Me Generall.
Some six-score Thousand was Mine Hoast in all,
Or som-what-more: with which from Ninive,
But three-dayes march I made to Bectileh;
Thence past I forward by Hierapolis,
Then by Amida, then by Nisibis.
And thence to Charan (at the length) I came,
Once happy seat of your great Abraham.
Then wan I th'Hill, whose oblique Horns divide
All Asia neer, and limite farre and wide
Many large Empires: Where, I sack, I slay,
I burn, I raze, what-euer in my way:
My Souldiers seem so many Mowers, right,
Which in a Mead leaue not a blade vpright;
But, by long Swathes of their degraded Grasse,
Well showe the way their sweeping Sythes did passe:
This, Phul, and Tharsis, and all Lydia knowes,
In whose waste Fields now only Bramble growes.
Or som-what-more: with which from Ninive,
But three-dayes march I made to Bectileh;
Thence past I forward by Hierapolis,
Then by Amida, then by Nisibis.
And thence to Charan (at the length) I came,
Once happy seat of your great Abraham.
Then wan I th'Hill, whose oblique Horns divide
All Asia neer, and limite farre and wide
Many large Empires: Where, I sack, I slay,
I burn, I raze, what-euer in my way:
My Souldiers seem so many Mowers, right,
Which in a Mead leaue not a blade vpright;
But, by long Swathes of their degraded Grasse,
Well showe the way their sweeping Sythes did passe:
This, Phul, and Tharsis, and all Lydia knowes,
In whose waste Fields now only Bramble growes.
Com'n neer the Straight which serues for Wall and Fort
To soft Phœnicians, and Thiefe Issians Port:
The Rosians, Soleans Mopsians, Tharsians, Issia,
Anchials, Ægœans; briefely, all Cilicia,
Take-vp this Gate, with all their Power; in hope
To stay my Passage, and my Course to stop.
To soft Phœnicians, and Thiefe Issians Port:
The Rosians, Soleans Mopsians, Tharsians, Issia,
Anchials, Ægœans; briefely, all Cilicia,
Take-vp this Gate, with all their Power; in hope
To stay my Passage, and my Course to stop.
Should I heer tell the dangerous Enterprises
Braue Charges, Rescues, Sallyes, Shocks, Surprises,
Which there befell, the day would faile (I feare)
Before my Speech: for, the Cilicians were
So fortifi'd by fauour of the Place,
That little could wee there preuaile, a space:
Nay, all mine Hoast, which had so often chas't
So many greater Hoasts; now stood agast;
Till in despight, and full of desperate rage,
In thickest dangers, I my Selfe ingage;
Where, round assaild, and wounded in all parts,
My Shield thick bristled with a Groue of Darts,
I neuer shrunk: but so be-stirr'd mee round,
That I alone made All their Hoast giue ground.
Braue Charges, Rescues, Sallyes, Shocks, Surprises,
Which there befell, the day would faile (I feare)
Before my Speech: for, the Cilicians were
1007
That little could wee there preuaile, a space:
Nay, all mine Hoast, which had so often chas't
So many greater Hoasts; now stood agast;
Till in despight, and full of desperate rage,
In thickest dangers, I my Selfe ingage;
Where, round assaild, and wounded in all parts,
My Shield thick bristled with a Groue of Darts,
I neuer shrunk: but so be-stirr'd mee round,
That I alone made All their Hoast giue ground.
Mine Army then, followes the way amain
Mine Arm had made, and paved thick with Slain:
Now our most Cowards (late) for Fear, adying;
Wound most, kil most, and most pursue them flying.
Cydnus, yer while for his pure silver Flood,
Cald King of Waters, wallowes now in blood:
And rapid Pyram (past his wonted Toule)
To Neptune, Shields, Helms, Horse and Men doth roule.
In brief, as heer your Mocmur stopt a while
By some new Bridge, or some vnusuall Pile;
Roars, rises, fomes, fumes, threats, beats, rages, raves,
Against his new Bank; and with waighty Waves
Waighty and strong, beares down at last the Bay,
And for a time, out-lashing every-way,
Tears, over-turns, and vndermines, much worse
Then when he freely hath his natiue Course:
Even so my Force, having the Force repeld,
Which in these Straights the struggling Passage held;
Burns, kils, confounds, what meets it most and least.
Mine Arm had made, and paved thick with Slain:
Now our most Cowards (late) for Fear, adying;
Wound most, kil most, and most pursue them flying.
Cydnus, yer while for his pure silver Flood,
Cald King of Waters, wallowes now in blood:
And rapid Pyram (past his wonted Toule)
To Neptune, Shields, Helms, Horse and Men doth roule.
In brief, as heer your Mocmur stopt a while
By some new Bridge, or some vnusuall Pile;
Roars, rises, fomes, fumes, threats, beats, rages, raves,
Against his new Bank; and with waighty Waves
Waighty and strong, beares down at last the Bay,
And for a time, out-lashing every-way,
Tears, over-turns, and vndermines, much worse
Then when he freely hath his natiue Course:
Even so my Force, having the Force repeld,
Which in these Straights the struggling Passage held;
Burns, kils, confounds, what meets it most and least.
Asia, laid waste: returning to the East,
I conquer'd Cœle, spoyling, pityless,
The fruitfull Verge of famous Euphrates:
Rapsis I raz'd and Agræa, overthrow'n,
The Vertue of my mighty Arm hath know'n.
I conquer'd Cœle, spoyling, pityless,
The fruitfull Verge of famous Euphrates:
Rapsis I raz'd and Agræa, overthrow'n,
The Vertue of my mighty Arm hath know'n.
Thence, keeping still by the Sea coast, I spoile
The Madianites: then, marching North a-while,
Towards double Liban, I Damascus race,
VVith her neer Towns, Gaane, Abyle, Hypæpas:
Thence came I (curious) to that Hill, from whence
The Sun, by Night, is seen; and seen from thence
Also to Rise: Thence, towards the Western Realms
Continual beaten with Phœnician Streams.
The Madianites: then, marching North a-while,
Towards double Liban, I Damascus race,
VVith her neer Towns, Gaane, Abyle, Hypæpas:
Thence came I (curious) to that Hill, from whence
The Sun, by Night, is seen; and seen from thence
Also to Rise: Thence, towards the Western Realms
Continual beaten with Phœnician Streams.
Then, Those of Gaze, Tyre, Sydon, Ascalon,
Azotus, Byblus, Ioppa, every-one,
Fear'd with my Fame; in greatest humblenes,
Dispatch their Legates to My Mightiness.
We come not heer with Force and Arms (say They)
To bid thee Battail, or to barre thy Way:
But rather, Mightiest Prince, in humblest awe,
To yeeld vs Thine, to accept Thy Will for Law;
Of Life, or Death. Thine are our Fields and Forts;
Thine are our Cities: Thine our Ships, our Ports,
Our Lands, our Goods, our Cattail, Corn, and Wine;
Thine are our Children, and our Selues are Thine:
Only be pleas'd (Sir) to accept vs so,
And so esteem vs: and right happy tho
Shall we esteem our Selues, to haue a Lord
Can wield so well the Sceptre and the Sword,
The Lance and Balance; and, besides, excels
Men, equals Gods in euery Vertue else.
Azotus, Byblus, Ioppa, every-one,
Fear'd with my Fame; in greatest humblenes,
Dispatch their Legates to My Mightiness.
We come not heer with Force and Arms (say They)
To bid thee Battail, or to barre thy Way:
1008
To yeeld vs Thine, to accept Thy Will for Law;
Of Life, or Death. Thine are our Fields and Forts;
Thine are our Cities: Thine our Ships, our Ports,
Our Lands, our Goods, our Cattail, Corn, and Wine;
Thine are our Children, and our Selues are Thine:
Only be pleas'd (Sir) to accept vs so,
And so esteem vs: and right happy tho
Shall we esteem our Selues, to haue a Lord
Can wield so well the Sceptre and the Sword,
The Lance and Balance; and, besides, excels
Men, equals Gods in euery Vertue else.
Nor did their People, nor their States disproue
Their Embassies; but by all signes of Loue
Both Yong and Old, crown'd all with Flora's Fauors,
Of hundred Colours and of hundred Sauors;
Came Dancing out with Musiks cheerfull Moods,
To offer Me their Bodies and their Goods.
Their Embassies; but by all signes of Loue
Both Yong and Old, crown'd all with Flora's Fauors,
Of hundred Colours and of hundred Sauors;
Came Dancing out with Musiks cheerfull Moods,
To offer Me their Bodies and their Goods.
Nor did I then a Victor's Right abuse;
But with all Kindness them as Friends I vse:
Leaue them their Land: but first, their Forts I mand
With some of Mine; with some of Theirs, my Band.
For (Madame) still the farther that I go,
My Camp, in Bands; my Bands in Soldiers growe:
Euen as Danubius, first, beginning small
Through Raurak Plains with shallow course to craule,
Still swelling more and more, with three-score Riuers,
To th'Euxin Sea his Sea-like Self deliuers.
But with all Kindness them as Friends I vse:
Leaue them their Land: but first, their Forts I mand
With some of Mine; with some of Theirs, my Band.
For (Madame) still the farther that I go,
My Camp, in Bands; my Bands in Soldiers growe:
Euen as Danubius, first, beginning small
Through Raurak Plains with shallow course to craule,
Still swelling more and more, with three-score Riuers,
To th'Euxin Sea his Sea-like Self deliuers.
I hop't, as These, so also Israel
Would yeeld themselues; and not at all compel
My iust Reuenge to threat Extreamities:
But, when I came heer to Scythopolis
(The Toomb of Her whose happy Milk had yerst
The twice-born Dennis in his Cradle nourç't)
I was aduertis'd of this stubborn Folly;
Which will, no doubt, vndoo the Hebrews wholly.
Would yeeld themselues; and not at all compel
My iust Reuenge to threat Extreamities:
But, when I came heer to Scythopolis
(The Toomb of Her whose happy Milk had yerst
The twice-born Dennis in his Cradle nourç't)
I was aduertis'd of this stubborn Folly;
Which will, no doubt, vndoo the Hebrews wholly.
The end of the fift Booke.
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