University of Virginia Library

Chap. 12.

To whom thus Iob: You are the only wise;
And when you die the fame of wisedome dies.
Though Passion be a foole, though you professe
Your selves such Sages: yet know I no lesse,
Nor am to you inferior. What blind Soule
Could this not see? 'Tis easie to controule.
My sad examples shewes, how those whose cries
Even God regards, their scoffing Friends despise.
He that is wretched, though in life a Saint,
Becomes a scorne: This is an old Complaint.
Those who grow old in fluency and ease,
VVhen they from shore behold him tost on Seas,
And neere his ruine; his condition slight:
Pric'd as a Lamp consum'd with his owne light.
The Tents of Robbers flourish. Earths increase
Foments their ryot who disturb her peace.
VVho God contemne, in sinne securely raigne:
And prosperous Crimes the meed of Vertue gaine.
Aske thou the Citizens of pathlesse woods;
VVhat cut the ayre with wings, what swim in floods;
Brute beasts, and fostering Earth: in generall
They will confesse the power of God in all.
Who knowes not that his hands both good and ill
Dispense? that Fate depends upon his will?
All that have Life are subject to his sway:
And at his pleasure prosper, or decay.
Is not the Eare the Judge of Eloquence?
Gives not the Pallate to the Tast his sense?
Sure, knowledge is deriv'd from length of yeares:
And Wisedomes browes are cloth'd with Silver haires.
Gods power is as his prudence; equall great:
In Counsell, and Intelligence, compleat.
VVho can what he shall ruine, build againe?
Loose whom he binds? or his strong Arme restraine?
At his rebuke, the Living waters flye
To their old Springs, and leave their Channels dry:
When he commands, in Cataracts they roare:
And the wild Ocean leaves it selfe no shoare.
His Wisedome and his Power our thoughts transcend:
Both the Deceiver and deceiv'd depend
Vpon his beck: He those who others rule
Infatuates, and makes the Judge a foole:
Dissolves the Nerves of Empire, Kings deprives
Of Soveraignty; their Crownes exchang'd for gyves.
Impoverisht Nobles into exile leades:
And on the Carcases of Princes treads.
Takes from the Orator his eloquence;
From ancient Sages their discerning sense.
Subjects the worthy to contempt and wrong:
The valiant terrifies, disarmes the strong.
Vnvailes the secrets of the silent Night:
Brings, what the shades of death obscures, to light.
A Nation makes more numerous then the Stars:
Againe devours with Famine, Plagues, and VVars.
Now, like a Deluge, they the Earth surround:
Forthwith, reduc'd into a narrow bound.
He Fortitude and Counsell takes away
From their Commanders: who in Deserts stray,
Grope in the Darke, and to no Seat confine
Their wandring feet; but reele as drunke with wine.