University of Virginia Library

THE MUSES AND THE GRACES, BY THE hands of Orpheus Junior, doe here present this Treatise of the Golden Fleece at the Feet of the most Noble, Mightie, and hopefull King of Great Britaine.

Great Monarch, though You with Apollo's lore,
And with your Fathers rules are polisht more:
Though You of riper Iudgements doe not want
Proiectours rare, and full as elegant;
Disdaine not yet to marke what we entend,
And to Your Grace by Orpheus recommend.
Though we no Gold, nor Precious Stones present,
The value notwithstanding here is sent;
King Gyges Ring to see the Cause of harmes,
A New-found Fleece to rayse both Arts and Armes.
Christ was wel pleas'd with the poore widowes mite;
No lesse a Larke excels the greatest Kite.
A little Part a wise King will preferre
Of Practick Art before all Dreames, that erre.
An Emperour, one of Your Name the fift
Commines Bookes held as a peerelesse Gift.
So did King Phillips valiant Sonne account
Poore Homers Workes rich Iewels to surmount.
This no Eutopia is, nor Common-wealth
Which Plato faign'd. Wee bring Your Kingdomes health
By true Receits; which You will rellish well,
If Humours ranke by Physicke You expell.
In pithy fresh Conceits Your mind may ioy,
When sundry Troupes of weightie Cares annoy.

In Commendation of the Golden Fleece produced by Orpheus Iunior.

VVe need not now cōplaine for want of Trade,
Sith frō the West we golden wares may lade;
Which Orpheus shewes in this his Golden Fleece,
A Trade more rich, then Iason brought to Greece
From Colchos Land; if by our slouthfull ease
And wanton Peace we lose not the encrease.
What I first chalkt two yeeres at Cuperts Coue,
New Cambriols Planter sprung from golden-groue,
Old Cambriaes Soile, vp to the Skies doth rayse.
For which let Fame crown him with sacred Bayes.

An Epigram vpon the Golden Fleece, moralized by the Authour for the good of Great BRITAINE.

Orpheus but late our Woods did make to ring,
And to his Harp great Charles his Carols sing.
Since that he toucht vpon th' Italian shore,

The New sound Politicke.

Whence Boccalinies Newes of State he bore.
But Orpheus now forsaking Easterne Greece,
From Westerne Colchos brings the Golden Fleece;
Which no Eutopia is, nor Fairy-land,
Yet Colchos in Elisian Fields doth stand.
Three luckie Births his Braine makes to appeare,
Whereas most Creatures breed but once a yeare.
Men Hercules among the Starres did put,
'Cause Hydraes triple Head He off had cut.
Vnto the Spheare shall He aduanced bee?
And our new Orpheus haue no high degree?
Three-Monsters Heads that lops off at one blow,
Errour, Vice, Want, which in our Country grow?
The One foule mouthed Cerberus did quell,
And chayning fast, him dragged about Hell:
The Other Errour, which in Hell was bred,
Hath by strong Reasons bound and Captiue led.
The Augean Stables He of filth did cleanse:
The Other Men, of vice and foule Offence.
Th' Hesperian Apples He by waking got:
But Orpheus greater Gaine doth vs allot.
For which let Paris iudge, who now shall haue
The Golden Apple, which the World doth craue?

In Honour of the Golden Fleece described by Orpheus Iunior.

O how my heart doth leape with Ioy to heare,
Our New-found Ile by Britaines prized deare!
That hopefull Land, which Winters sixe I tri'd,
And for our Profit meet, at full descri'd.
If Hope of Fame, of quiet Life, or Gaine
May kindle Flames within our minds againe:
Then let vs ioyne to seeke this Golden Fleece,
The like ne're came from Colchos into Greece.
Orpheus remoues all Errours from the way,
And how this Land shall thriue, he doth bewray.
Thus ships & coine increase, whē least we thought,
For Fish and Traines Exchange, and all vnbought,

1. THE FIRST PART OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE,

[_]

The verse has been extracted from prose chapters. Chapter headings are included only for those chapters that contain verse.

Discouering the Errours of Religion with the remedies.

Chap. I.

[Since hired double Tongues grew in request]

Since hired double Tongues grew in request,
Nor Armes nor Arts could take their wonted Rest.

Chap. IIII.

[It seem'd a virgin full of liuing flame]

It seem'd a virgin full of liuing flame,
That would haue mou'd, if not with-held by shame
So Art it selfe conceald. His Art admires.
From th' Image drawes imaginarie fires,
And often feeles it with his hands to try,
If 'twere a Bodie or cold Iuorie.
Nor could resolue. Who kissing thought it kist.
He courts, embraces, wrings it by the wrist.

[He which kisses once receiu'd]

He which kisses once receiu'd,
Faint-hearted Gull is foule deceiu'd,
If after fauours such he misse,
To crop the flowre and rightly kisse.

[The deuill himselfe dares not attempt that fact]

The deuill himselfe dares not attempt that fact,
Which the vnbridled Monke and Baud dare act.

Chap. V.

[A Poet by Vertues education]

A Poet by Vertues education,
Must chaste be in life and conuersation.
But if his Verses light and wanton proue,
They rellish best of Salt and gracefull loue.

[The Comicke Muse makes this report]

The Comicke Muse makes this report,
Shee loues no more dishonest sport.
For now she finds, that at her birth,
She was ordain'd for harmelesse mirth.

Chap. VI.

[So meane perhaps, but Time brings alteration]

So meane perhaps, but Time brings alteration,
And a faire woman is a shrewd Temptation.

[Were I disdainfull or vnkind]

Were I disdainfull or vnkind,
Or coy to learne, or dull of mind.
But no such thing remaines in me
To let mee learne my A. B. C.

[Which shall I doe? or weepe, or sing?]

Which shall I doe? or weepe, or sing?
Neither of them will helpe mourning.
The Treasure's stolne, the Thiefe is fled,
And I lye bleeding in my bed.

Chap. VIII.

[Of late there rose a Sect of Caiphas kind]

Of late there rose a Sect of Caiphas kind,
Which great renowme with Pen & tongue assign'd
To Wedlock-bands, and with a large extent
Confirm'd the same to be a Sacrament:
Yet ne'rethelesse by quirks and tricks they push,
As if they found a knot within a rush,
Forbidding it to all the Clergy-men:
A doctrine sure come from the Deuils den.
But whats the fruit? Their bodies Lust inflames,
That they doe burne, as scorcht in Ætnaes flames.
Enamoured they wish for cruell death
To end their watchfull cares, and wearied breath.
Their mind runnes all on Loue. Loue moues the braine
To muse vpon sweet Beauty dy'd in graine.
This is the vpshot of their rash made vowes,
Vnlesse the Baudy-house, which Rome allowes,
Like to a Iakes, doe ease their pampred reines,
Or like a Horse-leach suck their puft vp veines.
Returne then, Marriage to thy free estate.
Repent, yee Shauelings, ere it be too late.
Vse lawfull meanes, and leaue of stolne pleasure,
Account of Marriage as the Churches treasure.
Christ easie yoke (yee need not stand in awe)
Dissolues old vowes, and for Dianaes Law.
Christs easie yoke yeelds Priests a freer life,
That one man be the Husband of one wife.

Chap. XIIII.

[Euen as I wandred in a wro]

Euen as I wandred in a wro,
In a Wood beside a wall,
Two Fowles saw I sit tho.
The falser foule mought him befall.
That one did plead on the Popes side
A Griffon of a grimme stature,
A Pellican withouten pride
To these Lollers laid his lure:
Hee mused his matter in measure:
To counsell Christ euer gan he call.
The Griffon shewed as sharpe as fire.
But falshood foule mought him befall.
The Pellican began to preach
Both of mercie, and of meeknesse.
And said Christ so gan vs teach,
And meeke and mercifull gan blesse.
The Euangelists doe beare witnesse,
A Lambe he likeneth Christ ouer all,
In tokening that he meekest was:
Sith pride was out of Heauen fall.
And so should euery Christian be
Priests, Peters Successours
Both humble and of low degree.
And vsen none earthly honours,
Neither Crowne nor curious couetours,
Nor Pillour, nor other proud Pall.
Nor ought to coffren vp great treasures,
For falshood foule mought them befall,
Priests should for no cattell pleade,
But chasten them in charitee.
Nor vnto battell should men leade,
For enhaunsing of their owne degree.
Not wilne sittings in high Sea,
Nor Soueraigntie, in house, nor hall.
All worldly worship defie and flee.
For who so willeth Highnesse foule shall fall.
Alas who may such Saints call,
That wilneth weld earthly honour.
As low as Lucifer such shall fall,
In balefull blacknesse y builden their bowre,
That eggeth the people to Errour.
And maketh them to them thrall:
To Christ I hold such one Traytour.
As low as Lucifer shall fall.
That willeth to be Kings Peeres,
And higher then the Emperour.
Some that were but poore Freeres,
Now wolden waxe a Warriour.
God is not their Gouernour,
That holdeth no man his Permagall.
While Couetise is their Counsellour,
All such falshood mought need fall.
With Pride they punish the poore,
And some they sustaine with sale,
Of holy Church making a Whoore.
And glut their bellies with Wine and Ale,
With Money they fill many a male:
And chaffren Churches when they fall,
And tellen the people a lewd tale.
Such false faitours foule them befall.
And Mitres more then one or two,
Y perled as the Queenes head.
A staffe of Gold and pirrie too,
As heauie as it were made of lead:
VVith Cloth of Gold both new and red:
VVith glitter and Gold, as greene as gall.
By doome they damne men to dead.
All such faitours foule them befall.
And Christs people proudly curse
VVith broad Booke and braying Bell.
To put pennies in their purse,
They will sell both Heauen and Hell.
And in their sentence thou wilt dwell:
They willen gesse in their gay hall.
And though the sooth thou of them tell,
In great cursings shalt thou fall.
Christs Ministers clepen they beene,
And rulen all in robbery;
But Antichrist they seruen cleane.
Attired all in Tyranny:
VVitnesse of Iohns Prophesie,
That Anticrist is their Admirall,
Tiffelers attired in Treacherie.
All such faitours foule them fall.
VVho saith that some of them may sinne,
He shall be doomed to be dead.
Some of them would gladly winne,
Against that which God forbad.
All Holy they clepen their Head,
That of their Rule is Regall.
Alas, that euer they eaten bread,
For all such falshood will foule fall.
Their Head loueth all Honour,
And to be worshipped in word and deed.
Kings must to him kneele and cour,
To the Apostles which Christ forbad.
To Popes Hests, such taken more heed,
Then to keepe Christs Commandement.
Of Gold and Siluer be their weed,
Who hold him whole Omnipotent,
He ordaineth by his Ordinance
To Parish Priests a power.
To another a greater aduaunce.
A greater point to his mystery.
But for he is Highest in Earth heere,
To him reserueth he many a point.
But to Christ, that hath no Peere,
Reserueth he neither rib nor ioynt.
So seemeth He aboue all,
And Christ aboue him nothing,
When he sitteth in his stall,
Damneth and saueth, as him thinke.
Such pride before God doth stinke.
An Angell bad Iohn to him not kneele,
But onely to God doe his bowing.
Such willers of worship must needs fall.
There was more mercy in Maximian,
And in Nero, which neuer was good,
Then is now in some of them,
VVhen he hath on his furred Hood,
They follow Christ, which shead his bloud,
To Heauen, as Bucket to the wall.
Such wretches be worse then wood,
And all such faitours foule them fall.
They maken Parsons for the penny,
And of Canons their Cardinals.
And Y scarce amongst them all is any,
That hath not glozed the Gospell false.
For Christ did neuer make Cathedrals
Nor yet with him was Cardinall
VVith a Red Hat, as vsen Minstrels:
But falshood foule mought it befall.
That say that Peter had the Key
Of Heauen and Hell to haue and hold.
I trow Peter tooke no Money
For any mens Sinnes, which he sold.
Such Successours be too bold,
In winning all their wit they wrall.
Their Conscience is waxen cold,
And all such faitours foule them fall.
Peter was neuer so great a foole,
To leaue his Key with such a Lorrell,
Or to take such a cursed toole:
He was aduised nothing well.
I trow they haue the Key of Hell,
Their Master is of that place Marshall.
For there they dressen them to dwell,
And with false Lucifer there to fall.
Christ had twelue Apostles heere;
Now, say they, there may be but one
That may not erre in no manner.
Who loueth not this be lost each one.
Peter erred: so did not Iohn:
Why then is he clept the principall?
Christ clept him Peter; but himselfe the Stone,
All false faitours foule them befall.
VVhat is Antichrist to say?
But euen Christs Aduersary?
Such hath now beene many a day,
To Christs bidding full contrary,
That from the Truth cleane vary.
Out of the way they beene quite wend,
And Christs people vntruly cary.
God of his pittie it amend.
They liue contrary to Christs life,
In high pride against meeknesse.
Against patience they vsen strife,
And anger against sobernesse,
Against wisdome wilfulnesse.
To Christs words they little tend,
Against measure outragiousnesse.
But when God will it may amend.
A token of Antichrists they be;
His charactes now beene wide yknow.
Receiued to preach shall no man be
VVithout token of him I trow.
Ech Christen Priest to preaching ow,
From God aboue to them been send
The Word, to all folk for to show,
Sinfull man their sinnes to amend.
Christ sent the poore for to preach,
The Royall Rich he did not so.
Now dare no poore the people teach,
For Antichrist is all their Foe.
Among the people he must goe,
Whom he hath bid; But such suspend,
Some hath he hent, and thinks yet mo.
But all this God may well amend.
The Emperour gaue the Pope sometime
So high Lordship him about;
That at the last the seely kime
The proud Pope did pull him out.
So of this Realme is in great doubt
But, Lords beware, and them defend,
For now these folk be wondrous stout.
The King and Lords now this amend,
Antichrist they seruen all:
Who I pray you can say nay?
With Antichrist such shall fall.
They fellow him in deed and fay,
They seruen him in rich array:
To serue Christ they falsly faine.
Why? at the dreadfull doomes-day
Shall they not fellow him to paine?
Popes, Bishops, and Cardinals,
Chanons, Parsons, and Vicar
In Gods Seruice I trow been false,
That Sacraments sellen heere;
And been as proud as Lucifere.
Ech man looke whether that I lie.
Who so speaketh against their power
It shall be holden Heresie.
The Griffon said, thou canst no good
Thou neuer camst of Gentle kind
Eyther I trow thou waxest wood,
Or else thou hast lost thy mind.
And the Pope were purely poore,
Needy and nothing he had:
He should be driuen from doore to doore,
The wicked of him would not be dread:
Of such a Head men would be sad.
If the Pope and Prelates would
So beg, and bid, bow, and borrow:
Holy Church should stand full cold,
Her seruants sit, and sup sorrow.
The Pellican cast a huge cry,
And said: Alas, why sayest thou so?
Christ is our Head, that sits on high.
Heads ought we not for to haue mo,
We be his members both also.
And Father he taught vs to cal him als,
Masters to be called defended he tho.
All other Maisters be wicked and false,
That doe take maistry in his name
Ghostly, all for earthly good.
Kings and Lords should Lordships haue,
And rule the people with mild moode
Christ, for vs that shead his bloud,
Bad his Priests no Mastership haue,
Nor to carke for cloth, or for food.
From euery mischiefe he would them saue.
Their Clothing should be Righteousnesse,
Their Treasure pure life should be.
Charity should be their Riches:
Their Lordship should be vnitee.
Hope in God their Honestie:
Their vessell cleane Conscience.
Poore in spirit, and Humilitie
Should be Holy Churches defence.
The Griffon said, thou shalt abie,
Thou shalt be burnt in balefull fire;
And all thy Sect I shall destry.
You shall be hanged by the swire.
Ile cause you soone to hang and draw.
VVho giueth you leaue for to preach:
Or thus to speake against Gods Law?
And the people thus false to teach?
Thou shalt be cursed with Booke and Bell,
And disseuer'd from Holy Church,
And cleane y damned into Hell,
Otherwise but you will worke.
The Pellican said, I doe not dread.
Your Cursing is of little value;
Of God I hope to haue my meed,
For it is falshood, which you shew.
For you beene out of Charity,
And would doe vengeance, as did Nero.
To suffer I will ready be,
I dread not that, what thou canst doe.

Chap. XV.

[By thy Tongues mightie Oracle.]

By thy Tongues mightie Oracle.
The World thou gouern'st all.
On Earth thee without obstacle
Of right a God wee call.

2. THE SECOND PART OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE.

Chap. 3.

[Why keepes one man three Offices alone]

Chap. 4.

[From blaspheming of Gods name]

From blaspheming of Gods name,
From recanting words with shame,
From Damnation eternall,
From a sicke Soule internall,
From a Sinner will not mend,
From a friend, that will not lend,
From all moderne abuses,
From much things to no vses,
From Ignatians cursed swords,
From an Alchymists faire words,
From those Friers, which Cloakes vse,
As from such that haunt the Stewes,
From such Sins as doe delight vs,
As from dreames which doe affright vs,
From Parasites, that stroake vs,
From morsels, that will choake vs,
From false Sycophants, that sooth vs,
As from those in Sinne doe smooth vs,
From all profane Discourses,
From all vngodly Courses,
Sweet Angell free,
deliuer me.
From Craggy hils and mountaines,
From mire and muddy Fountaines,
From touching Toades and Spiders,
From Shooters hill ranke Riders,
From th'Exchequer Promooters,
From prying Spies and Tooters,
From Baylifes & Informers,
That faigne to be Reformers,
Frō Cutthroat City Catchpoles,
That care not how they vexe soules,
From Bridewell and from Newgate,
From deare wit, that's bought too late,
From the Law of Halifaxe,
From the loane of the Tower axe,
From fraies & causelesse battell,
From murren in our Cattell,
From one thats euer prating,
From Extortion & grating,
From St. Nicholas Clarkes at night,
From such crue, as shun the light,
Sweet Angel free,
deliuer me.
From flowtes, which friendship sunder,
From Lightning, Stormes, and thunder,
From Nouelists coind rumours,
From all Phantasticke humours,
From such scolds as bite and scratch,
From a causelesse masticke patch,
From all such as purses cut,
From a filthy durty slut,
From an old man luxurious,
From a yong man litigious,
From a riggish wanton Trul,
That her Louer seekes to gull,
From Setters, Canters, Cheaters,
No better then men-eaters,
From an ill name and bad fame,
From much need and open shame,
From stolne Goods receauers,
From close sly Deceauers,
From a wanton that will rig,
And delight to daunce a Iig,
Sweet Angell free,
deliuer me.
From a Priest that will mumble,
From a Nunne that will iumble,
From rude Knaues that Maids tumble,
From Cattes and Rattes, which rumble,
From seruants, that will grumble,
From a Iade, that will stumble,
From Drunkennes and Lechery,
From scarcity and Penury,
From excesse of meat as drinke,
From Tobaccoes noy some stinke,
From opinions of Doctors,
From busines with Proctors,
From conuersing with wranglers,
From the patience of Anglers,
From Lawyers visitation,
From waste and desolation,
From one that delights in Law,
From a Lions bloudy claw,
From bawdy Courts Citations,
From Excommunications,
From a State full of factions,
From all vngodly Actions,
Sweet Angell free
deliuer me.
From all hard-hearted Masters,
Which vse not words, but wasters,
From a new Oast, proud and poore:
From a stale and gracelesse whore,
From bold Bayards downe-right blowes,
From sly peckings of night-crowes,
From Musicians Phantasticke,
From Tradesmen growne scholasticke,
From any Bonds to marchants,
From acquaintance with Serieants,
From the mercy of Iaylors,
From the long Bils of Taylors,
From Bankrouts too late wishes,
From all vnwholsome dishes,
From conuersation with Clownes,
Which wil sel both Verbes & Nownes,
From a Castellian drugger,
That poyson sels for Suger,
From the Sicilian vesper,
From bits more hard then Iasper,
Sweet Angell free
deliuer me.
From men with Murther tainted,
From women which are painted,
From all far-fetcht New fangles,
From him that euer wrangles,
From euery harlot-morger,
From heat, cold, thirst and hunger,
From a rough-handed Barber,
As from an Irish Caruer,
From ore that is brow branded,
From him that is left handed,
From a feast without some wine,
Bid to Supper or to dine,
From drinking much cold water,
From a coozening false Cater,
From pondred Beefe sans mustard,
From a thin and sowre Custard,
From rotten Cheese and addle Eggs,
From broken Shins and gowty Legs,
From a decrepit Capon,
From stinking fish and Bacon,
From stale and filthy Sturgeon,
As from a foolish Surgeon,
From a Pudding hath no end,
From a Bow that will not bend,
Sweet Angell free,
deliuer me.
From straggling on a strange heath,
Which once had neere wrought my death,
From bribing and vile Trafficke,
From Monsters bred in Affrik,
From daily Contributions,
From partiall distributions,
From a Cooke that is a slut,
From a knife, that will not cut,
From a short-heeld skittish wife,
Worse then any Cut-purse knife,
From men too rash and testy,
As from wild Iades or resty,
From Essex stiles, and Norfolke wiles,
From Yorke miles, & theeues night files,
From Shopmen that will palter,
As Knaues deserue a halter,
From a bribing Constable,
From the winds of Dunstable,
From a young Iustice of Peace,
That from prating doth not cease.
From his Fellow that ne're speakes
A wise word, but Currat Lex,
Sweet Angell free,
deliuer me.
From men cleane voyd of Reason,
From dishes out of season,
From men too nice and curious,
From men too rash & furious,
From Courtiers honey-spoken,
From Marchants that be broken,
From Chanceries Iniunctions,
From dearely bought Presumptions,
From any rash Intrusions,
From purchased Pollutions,
From strong Beere and heady Ale,
From a long and tedious Tale,
From a Sophistick Bruer,
Then whom the Diuell is truer,
From anguish, griefe, and sorrow,
From any need to borrow,
From the Counter or the Fleet,
From doing Penance in a sheet,
From all straight and pinching shooes,
From all Cornes on Feet or Toes,
From a light and Pennilesse Purse,
As from a sore and dismall Curse,
From Suites by Friends procuremēts,
From all the worlds allurements,
Sweet Angell free,
deliuer me.

Chap. 5.

[There is a time of earnest things to write]

There is a time of earnest things to write,
A time to talke of matters small & light,
A time to walk, to run, to ride, or praunce,
A time to sit and laugh, or lead a Daunce.
There is a time for men to fast and pray,
And so a time to sing like Birds in May.

Chap. VII.

[Tis honour great abroad to settle peace]

Tis honour great abroad to settle peace,
But greater farre our countries broyles t'appease.
Towards the Next true Loue must first begin.
High things I begge. From iars defend Gods Kin.
Though mangled we, you may vnite vs all,
If you reforme the subtill pleading Hall.
The Lawyer maskt with Law on vs doth feed.
Few men escape. The Niggard stands in need.

[King Iohn his Crowne did to the Pope expose]

King Iohn his Crowne did to the Pope expose,
Which, as you saw, poore Luther durst oppose.
Both Skies and Seas with sundry motions rage;
Yet now is come Astreaes Golden Age.
A King of Denmarks Bloud Lawes out of ioynt,
As there in written Bookes here shall appoint.
None then shal wrest, as would K. Iames ordaine,
A secret Law hatcht in one Lawyers braine.
If he offend for Bribes, Fraud, or Delay,
Twere fit that Noblemen or Bishops may
Iudge him, where he shal not preuaile with gold,
With Friendship, quirks, Demurres, nor facing bold.
What differs it to see a Tyrant rule?
Or a rau'nous Iudge riding on his Mule?
A King may keepe his daring Foes in awe,
With lesser charge then men doe spend in Law.

Chap. VIII.

[One's thunder strooke, Another's grac't amaine.]

One's thunder strooke, Another's grac't amaine.
The cause the same. Such is the force of Gaine.
Without deare coine, the Lawyer sayes but mum:
Yet when it sounds, the lawes thēselues are dūbe.
The tongue vowes hope, his mind losse. Doues turn'd Aspes.
Sweet hony gall. How ill Loue Hatred claspes!

Chap. IX.

[Bright Light of Loue, which knowest the Originals]

Bright Light of Loue, which knowest the Originals,
And Principles of Supernaturals,
Which measur'st Globes, & the 7. wādring Spheares,
Inspire my heart. Let not subrustick Feares,
Nor bashfulnesse of Virgins crimson hew
Astonish me from speaking what is true;
But that with free and lofty voice I sound
Sweet Peace, which may strife, and not Lawes, confound.
Doues build in holes of Rockes: but thou, my Doue,
In holes of bloudied Rocke must build thy Loue.
My Soule, like to a Doue with silver wings,
Flies to Christ's wounds for feare of Vipers stings.
He is my Rocke, my Sauiour, and Defence,
While I stand cloth'd in Robes of innocence.
Hee knowes my aime is faire, jarres to subdue
And Charitie in Lawyers to renew.
Some thinke it a hard taske, impossible;
But unto God all things are possible.
Others subiect mens fraile intelligence,
And Reformations to Starres Influence:
As though Errours waite on Reuolutions,
Bald times pleasure, or Constellations.
First, let thē learne; although the Suns cleere beames
With his pale Sister, Lady of the streames,
Doe rule the World, and worke in Trees and Flowers,
Yet can they not controule Diuiner Powers,
Such as our Spirits be, nor yet our wits,
Which Policie refines with sacred Writs.
Who can deny, but Craft's the cause of Euill?
As Truth will shame Promooters and the Deuill?
As Vnitie and Iustice I adore,
So these turn'd topsie turuy I deplore.
Of Old it was not so. Then, no Surmizes
Could wrest Lawes, nor Pleas maskt in disguises.
Few Sentences then served to unfold
Great matters. Then they pleaded not for Gold;
But eu'ry man in person to the Iudge,
As vnto God, his Case shew'd without grudge.
This made them quiet, and stor'd with Treasure,
Where we spend, attending Misers leasure.
We spend our Thrift, our Braines, and precious times
By lewd mens counsels fild with heynous crimes
In needlesse Suits, whom they hold for Clients,
Or Tenants, like greedy Leaches Patients.
Through thicke and thinne vp to the eares and chin,
They make vs drudge to bring them mony in.
But what's the end? Their Heires do seldom thriue.
Although in Pomps their aged Starlings liue,
And sucking Pidgeons bloud turne Cormorants:
Yet neuer Apes will grow to Elephants;
Nor will God suffer an Impostors Race
To flourish long, nor wisdome, to embrace.
Some Nations He plagues for their Drunkennesse
With bloudy warres; some for their Beastlinesse
With Famine of his Word. But vs He smites
By letting double Tongues, vse base despites.
Then friske like Foxes brisk, and squeak like Rats;
Or barke like Curres, or caterwaule like Cats.
Feare no thornes, lift vp your hornes; each Brother,
Like juggling Gypsies, deceiue another.
This man rake, him to the stake; hold your owne.
Cheat kindly, my Maisters; There's Gold in Towne.
By Hook or by Crook, by Right or by Wrong
Cramme Purses with Curses. O dismall Song!
All's Fish that comes to Net in Sea or Brooke.
No surer angling then the Golden Hooke.
Glad is false Iudas of his siluer pouch;
Glad is fond Midas of his golden Touch,
As Whales doe play vpon the lesser Fish,
Till Harping-irons spoyle their latest wish;
So These wound Christ againe through Neighbours sides,
Till Earth deuoures her due, their hideous hides.
O curuæ in terras Animæ Cœlestium inanes!
O stooping Soules to Earthly trumperies,
And quite deuoid of Heauenly Mysteries!

Chap. XII.

[Beware of Physicke mixt by Romish brood]

Beware of Physicke mixt by Romish brood,
Whom Mariane taught to let great Princes bloud.
By Lopez learne by poyson hir'd to kill,
What mind those haue a Christians bloud to spill.
Tobacco, late which men haue brought frō Spain,
Is thought to taint the bloud, heart, lungs, & brain.
The Iesuits this teach, as a point of merit,
To murther some, and Heauen to inherit.
Lust creepes and Theft by opportunitie.
Then cheere not Æsops Snake with iollitie.

Chap. XI.

[It matters not so much to weare the Horne]

It matters not so much to weare the Horne,
If that it might be free from others scorne.
Hornes haue no cure, but when thy selfe art sped,
To graffe those Hornes vpon anothers head.

[Woe to thee, Tarleton, that euer thou wert borne]

Woe to thee, Tarleton, that euer thou wert borne,
Thy Wife hath made thee a Cuckold, and thou
must weare the Horne,
What and if she hath? Am I a whit the worse?
She keeps me like a Gentleman with mony in my
Purse.

[O those faire starlike eyes of thine, one sayes]

O those faire starlike eyes of thine, one sayes,
When to my seeming she hath lookt nine wayes.
And that sweet breath, when I thinke out upon it
It would blast a flowre, if she breathed on it.

Chap. XII.

[Who doth desire that chast his Wife should be]

Sir Philip Sidney.
Who doth desire that chast his Wife should be,
First, be he true, for Truth doth Truth deserue.
Then be he such as she his worth may see,
And one man still credit with her preserue.
Not toying kind, nor toyishly unkind:
Not stirring thoughts, nor yet denying right:
Nor spying faults, nor in plaine Errours blind:
Neuer hard hand, nor euer reines too light:
As farre from want, as farre from vaine expence:
The one doth force, the latter doth entice.
Allow good Company, but keepe from thence,
All filthy mouthes, that glory in their vice.
This done thou hast no more, but leaue the rest
Vnto thy Fortune, time, and womans brest.

Sir Iohn Harrington.
Concerning wiues take this a certaine Rule,
That if at first you let her haue the rule,
Your selfe at length with her shall beare no rule,
Except you let her euermore to rule.
Yet in the house, as busie as a Bee,
I am content my Wife sting all but me.

Sir Thomas Ouerbery.
O rather let me loue, then be in loue;
So let me chuse as Wife and Friend to find.
Let me forget her Sexe, when I approue.
Beasts liknesse lies in shape, but ours in mind.
Our Soules no Sexes haue. Their Loue is cleane.
No Sexe, both in the better part are men.
Domestick Charge doth best that Sex befit
Contiguous businesse so to fixe the mind.
That leasure space for fancies not admit.
Their leisure tis corrupteth woman-kind
Else being plast from many vices free,
They had to Heau'n a shorter cut then we.
Womens behauiour is a surer barre,
Then is their No. That fairely doth deny
Without denying; thereby kept they are
Safe eu'n from hope. In part too blame is shee
Which hath without Consent beene onely tride.
He comes too neere that comes to be denide.

Ariosto.
Like a true Turtle with thine owne Doue stay,
Else others twixt thy sheets may falsly play.
If thou wilt haue her loue and honour thee,
First, let her thine Affections largely see.
What shee doth for thee kindly that respect,
And shew how thou her loue dost well affect.
Remember she is neighbour to thy heart,
And not thy slaue: shee is thy better part.
Thinke tis enough that her thou mighst command:
Whilest she in Marriage bonds doth loyall stand,
Although thy power thou neuer doe approue,
For thats the way to make her leaue to loue.
To goe to Feasts and Weddings 'mongst the Best,
Tis not amisse: for their suspect is least.
Nor is it meet that shee the Church refraine,
Sith there is vertue, and her Noble Traine.

[A puling Female Creature, which hath smiles]

A puling Female Creature, which hath smiles
Like Sirens Songs, and teares like Crocodiles.

[As Mothers are, so will the Daughters be]

As Mothers are, so will the Daughters be:
Chast was Susannaes Mother, chaste was she.
Baals Miracles she from her Cradle knew,
As how vaines Tombes with Idols to eschew,
She honour'd Abram, Moses, and the Saints;
But vnto God she framed her Complaints.
Bad Company she shunn'd, as Rockie shelues,
And fear'd suspected Suiters worse then Elues.
If Flesh and Bloud in her began to tickle,
She mortified her thoughts, that were so fickle.
She fasted oft, but oftner vs'd to pray;
To which she ioyn'd some labour eu'ry day.
No Day without a Line. She daily wrought,
Somtimes on Needle, when she fitting thought.
Or spunne by Distaffe, or the Wheele she rowld,
Somtimes on Loome, her skil she would vnfold.
At times she stirr'd more busie then the Bee,
And was well pleas'd the Maids to ouer-see.
Tir'd with houshold busines on Harp she playes
Or Violl, which she tunes to Dauids Layes.
One while she sings for her recreation.
Of Noahs Arke, and the first Creation.
Another whiles of Ægypts Miracles,
Her Nation blest with Sinaes Oracles;
Their wandring forty yeeres with Manna fed,
And in the Desert by an Angell led.
Now of their Wars she tels with warbling voice,
Anon of Iewries fall with dolefull noyse.
One while she reades, another while she writes;
She writes those rules, which she herself endites.
Some other time, to draw the Countries Aire,
She went abroad, but neuer to a Faire.
Least, Tortoiselike cub'd vp; shee might take harme,
She goes abroad to see her Fathers Farme.
The Fields shee likes, but more the Garden walkes,
To note Gods workes in seedes, herbes, flowres, and stalkes,
Yea, & though seldome, she the Towne suruayes
With her deere Mother witnesse of her wayes.

Chap. XIIII.

[What at this day doe Brittaines Tongues bewray?]

What at this day doe Brittaines Tongues bewray?
That by strong liquor some haue gone astray.
Faiths Temple they pollute with Cup and Can,
In Duties fayling towards God and Man.
They spend their wealth, spoile their health, mar their wits
By drinking more then sober men befits.
Thus haue our bordring Dutchmen lately swill'd,
Vntill their Pots with Neighbours bloud are fill'd,
Repent, be wise in time by others harmes;
Flie witching Cups for feare of after-harmes.
If not: your King your Tauernes must destroy,
Least suffring Sinne himselfe doe feele annoy.

Chap. XV.

[Three hundred thousand pounds yee yearely spend]

Three hundred thousand pounds yee yearely spend
In hastning griefes vnto a deadly end.
Yee need not Hellebore. Tobaccoes fume
From Court and Cottage wil expell the rheume.
Alas fond Fooles! which spend your meanes and health,
With Sathans ioy, and hurt to Common-wealth.
Why come not in your Foes to doe you harme?
The English faint, if they but heare Alarme.
When Humors quaile, the Spirits moue but dul,
When Subiects faile, th' Exchequer is not full.
Let them, that loue the Smoake, fall with the smell.
Tis true, Tobacconists; why do yee swell
With anger at the truth? Ere seuen yeeres end
Tobacco will the banefull force extend.
It breeds a wheezing in a narrow breast,
The Hecktick Feuer, or thick Fleame at least.
A bastard heat within the veines it leaues,
Which spoyles the Infant, if the Wife conceiues.
Yet sipt with Hysops iuyce, or held in mouth,
Or snuft, it cures the Lungs, and Tisickes growth.

Chap. XVII.

[From painting of the Trinitie]

S. George.
From painting of the Trinitie
From iesting with high Maiestie,
From th' Alcoran and Papistry,
From Brokers rotten Tapistry.
From deepe Mysteries too holy:
From mad Fits and Melancholy;
From Iesuits Monkes, and Friers:
From Hypocrites, Knaues and Liers.
From trusting Saints, distrusting God
From feeling of his wrath and rod.
From Romes Pardons, Bulls and Masses:
From Wine Lees, and broken Glasses.
From Sale of Soules, and Heauens Gifts;
From Beades and bables, Whoorish shifts.
From wounding Christ on Gods right hand:
From grounding Faith vpon the sand.
From parting thence by any way
His Bodie plac't vntill Doomesday.
From condemning sacred Marriage:
From secret shrift, and lustfull rage.
From Trust to Merits, except Christs
From Iuglers trickes and Antichrists.
Our Christs great Genius
Blesse and defend vs.

S. Andrew.
From blaming things indifferent:
From working in our Faith a rent.
From a selfe-will'd rash Puritane,
As from a Foole, or Mauritane.
From him that railes against a Cope,
And yet would be his Parish Pope.
From ingrossing from a Brother
Goods or Charge due to another.
From many Offices alone,
Or Benefices more then One.
From causing Scandall to my Place,
Vsurping much with shamelesse face.
From Clergy-men non Residents:
From such as shew ill Presidents.
From slie Pick-locks, and Cut-purse Kniues:
From stealing Honey from Bee-hiues.
From flaunting in anothers Coat,
Like Æsops Daw, preaching by roat,
From Dancing on the Sabaoth Day:
From shewing Youth lewd Cupids way.
Our Sauiours Genius
Shield and protect vs.

S. Dauid.
From swallowing Law with greedie throat:
From tearing Christ his seamelesse Coat.
From selling Christ for Earthly drosse;
From wealth gain'd by good Christians losse.
From Iudges sentence after Sacke:
From Thunder, Tempests, and Sea-wracke.
From those, which Plaintiffes most approue;
As from Munkeyes, which Spiders loue.
From Lawes, which wrest the Sickmans staffe:
From Swine, which eate more Foule then draffe.
From letting Lawyers haue their wils:
From Scammonie made into Pils.
From hirelings Tongues, and Make-bates hisse,
Betraying Law with Iudas kisse.
From a corrupted stately Iudge,
Which makes good Clients moyle and drudge.
From Magistrates too insolent:
From needlesse Courts impertinent.
From them which speake not what they thinke;
Which blame small faults, at greater winke.
From Iudges vpstart late from Clownes:
From Serpents stings, or Tyrants frownes.
The Worlds bright Genius
Keepe and defend vs.

S. Patrick.
From hired Spies, and hidden Foes,
More dangerous then any woes.
From Leaders young, or too too Old:
From Souldiers knowne of nature Cold.
From Butchers, which mans bloud doe spill:
From sparing those, whom God bids, kill.
From a Commander meanly borne:
From reaping Tares insteed of Corne.
From hopes in Captaines not belou'd;
From ordring Bees, when they are mou'd.
From meeting Straglers night or day
Left vnprouided by the way.
From Souldiers tumults, taunts, and quips,
If long vnpaid in Forts or Ships.
From Leaders without stratagems;
From letting Hogs haue precious Gems.
From a Leader too out-ragious:
From a Captaine not couragious.
From filthy moores and Irish bogs,
From Scottish mists and English fogs.
Discretions Genius
Shield and preuent vs.

S. George.
From Spanish Pensions, and their Spies:
From weeping Cheese with Argus eyes,
From slumbring long in carelesse Peace:
From dreaming oft of curelesse ease.
From fond Maskes, and idle mumming:
From fain'd Playes and causelesse drumming.
From preferring Peace with danger
Before iust Warre, wrongs reuenger.
From suffering Foes to triumph still;
From letting Sathan haue his will.
From falling from Saint Michaels armes,
Not taking heed by others harmes.
From puffing vp proud Giants growne:
From pulling Dauids courage downe.
From louing Money more then God;
From keeping Beanes within the cod.
From disbursing needfull treasure,
To maintayne phantastick pleasure.
From greasing Lawyers hands with Gold,
Which better serues to keepe a Hold.
From fostring Suites (O poys'nous Toad)
For Money, which ends Warres abroad.
From those men, which sue Protections
To shrowd their lewd shrewd Defections.
Great Brittaines Genius
Guard and restore vs.

S. Andrew.
From Iesuits old conuerted,
As from Brownists young peruerted.
From the Simony of a Priest;
From Mills, which spoyle the Owners griest.
From glorying in an outward Robe:
From tainting Faith. The Saints Wardrobe.
From a Priest, that couets money;
From a Bee-hiue without Honey,
From Preachers, which to Pride encline,
Or from old plainnesse may decline.
From those, which in silke Robes doe ruffle,
Which more for Goods then Good doe scuffle.
From such as liue vpon the lurch,
Like Dogs and Hogs within the Church.
From men, whose wits lie in their beards;
From Goats, and all such impious heards.
From the Bibles false construction,
As from ruine and destruction.
From all Æquiuocation,
With mentall reseruation.
From Romes Charmes and Babels Ballets:
From Lumbards bits and Spanish Sallets.
Our Christian Genius,
Saue and protect vs.

S. Dauid.
From Westminster Hals Out-laries:
From causelesse long vagaries.
From meeting strong Competitours:
From Iudges growne Sollicitours.
From contesting with Superiours,
Or despising our Inferiours,
From contending with our Equals,
Procuring anger, blowes, or brawles.
From crossing men in their disputes;
From losing loue, and Friends salutes:
From angring Lords, or Court Minions:
From selfe-will and wits opinions.
From Law-suits worse, then Spanish Poxe,
As bad as Hornes, or Widowes boxe.
From ignorant Clerkes and Deacons;
From seeing of fired Beacons.
From angring God with Cup or Can:
From drinking more, then serues one man.
From keeping Drunkards company:
From Agues, Coughes, or Timpany.
From Ale-houses, Bowling Allies;
From Bulls Pizzles, and Spaines Gallies.
Sweet vertues Genius
Blesse, shield, and saue vs.

S. Patrick.
From all Actions, which are euill;
From vaine shewes, the Flesh, and Deuill.
From all State Reason hatcht in Spaine,
Which will doe wrong, and wrong maintaine.
From bloudy Clements cursed Knife,
That sought to spoyle his Souereignes life.
From Rauiliacks damned Dagger:
From Iesuits, that will swagger.
From Forraigne Foes inuasions:
From Papisticall perswasions.
From them, which make free Christians slaues.
Ambitious Dons with Moorish braues.
From sudden Insurrections:
From poysoned Confections.
From the Spanish Inquisition:
From want of good Munition.
From false and lewd Conspiracies:
From Rouers and Sea Piracies.
From rampant Nuns now clad in gray:
From Strumpets wholy giu'n to play.
From burning baits and Sinnes desire;
As from the smoke of Sea-coale fire.
Our Sauiours Genius
Saue and defend vs.

S. George.
From carrying Coine out of this Land
Without the which it cannot stand.
From Wares and Bils of Bankers strange,
Except we cloth and fish exchange.
From bringing backe the Foxes Taile
For many Skins sold by retaile.
From priuate Gaine by publicke losse:
From comming home by weeping Crosse.
From wasting Woods for Timber fit;
From Troians too late after wit.
From high Sayles, and costly Coaches:
From Pickpurse Drugs, and much Loches.
From all Tobaccoes stinking fume:
From a foule breath, and store of Rheume.
From wearing Gold or Siluer-lace,
While Dearth and Warres rush on apace.
From Meate and Drinke seru'd in much Plate,
When Penury afflicts the State.
From such, as English Carzey slight,
Preferring Spaines Silkes weake and light.
Our States great Genius
Blesse and defend vs.

S. Andrew.
From eating Flesh insteed of Fish:
From hauing Scandall in my dish.
From spending time at Tragedies:
Or hard got Coine at Comedies.
From reading foolish Rimers Bookes,
Or lying Tales, like bayted hookes.
From much Play at Noddy and Trumpe:
As from the Smell of foule ship-pumpe.
From many Horses, Hounds, and Hawkes:
Actæons end, or plots of Faukes.
From idle Tales, Wares, and Fables:
From Primero, Gleeke, and Tables.
From Irish, Lurch, Chance, and Ticktack.
The Boot deseruing or the Racke.
From the Truth maskt in disguises:
From all friuolus surmises.
From Cursing and from Periury:
From Coyning and from Forgery.
From Parasites, Knaues, and Sharkers,
From such Dogs, as are no barkers.
From an Alchymist growne threed-bare:
From much carke, and foolish care
The Heauens high Genius.
Guard and refine vs.

S. Dauid.
From being vnthankfull vnto friends:
From leauing Angels, louing fiends.
From all Physicians Recipes,
Which commonly proue Decipes.
From Physicke at a Papists hand:
From him, which hates his Natiue Land.
From an Emperickes experience:
From a Scriueners straight-lac't Conscience.
From Tauernes, Tables, Cards, and Dice;
From Beggery, bad Name, and Lice.
From boystrous stormes and blustring blasts:
From ships at Sea, which haue no masts.
From Pot-bardhs and Poetasters:
From all vnthrifts, and great wasters.
From them, which dine alwayes in Powles:
From all Carousers in great bowles.
From a Crab-face, which neuer smiles:
From Lawyers full of quirkes and wiles.
From Vsurers, and base Brokers;
From Attourneyes, that be soakers.
From Cut-throat Mercers baits and Bookes:
From Beares, big bugs, and rauenous Rookes.
From womens smiles and tempting lookes:
From Crocodiles and Cheaters hookes.
From a woman, which is franticke:
From a Seruingman Pedantick.
From too much sweat and trudging toyle,
As from a Lampe without some Oyle.
Heauens bright Genius
Shield and preuent vs.

S. Patrick.
From Vagabonds, Knaues, and Gypsies:
From Comets and Sunnes Eclipses.
From bloudie Surgeons, that would purge vs:
From cruell Iudges, that would scourge vs.
From a young Physicians Physicke;
From the Lungs, Consumption, Tisick.
From brain-sicke Louers fond Conceits:
From coozening Pedlers strange deceits.
From Coughes, Blindnesse, and Vertigo:
From Biles, Tetters, and Serpigo.
From all Poxes and the Meazels;
From a House too full of Weazels.
From the Plague and putrid Feuer
Blesse me, Lord, and keepe me euer.
From the Scuruie, Crampe, and Itches,
From Bone-aches, and sore Stiches.
From the Gout, the Stone and Collicke;
Which some hinder to be frollicke.
From numme Palsies, and pale Dropsies;
From secret Griefes and Pleurisies.
From scabbed hands and foule Blisters:
From Purgations and much Glisters.
From Gluttonie and Drunkennesse
Causing these, and eu'ry sicknesse.
True Physicks Genius.
Conuert and heale vs.

S. George.
From Seruingmen without good parts:
From feeding such fit for dung-carts.
From Lubbers that will eate and drinke,
Doing nothing else, but lie and stinke.
From rude Carters, and raw Saylers;
From Quick-sands, and Bedlem-Raylers.
From Bonds for Debts, or Indentures;
As from perillous Aduentures.
From one that feares to tame a Scold:
From a Coward and a Cuckold.
From proud Ladies vse of Pattens:
From the Popes and Paris Mattens.
From those which scorne their Countries tire,
And to Out-landish bend, like Wire.
From those, which long for each trifle.
And their Husbands Purses rifle.
From those, which hunt for curious cheere,
Chicken Peepers, and Phesants deere.
From Ladies vse of waters hot;
From pimpled faces, and teeths rot.
From them, which loue themselues alone;
Or such, as loue more Mates then one.
From a woman, thats wont to friske:
From Wine, which tasts not liuely brisk.
Our Soules bright Genius
Diuert and keepe vs.

S. Andrew.
From Mens long locks, and Maids cut haire;
From these with points, those painted faire.
From Citizens like Gallants drest:
From Apes vngrac't, and so vnblest.
From things, Scandall which engender;
Geese with Ganders changing gender;
From Periwickes and curled lockes:
From Womanizers, and Smel-smockes.
From Newfangles, and Fond-fashions;
From fooles fancies, and wild Passions.
From setting Maids to Dancing Schooles,
Or Musicke much, to make them Fooles.
From a Cockney shallow-headed,
Tells not what legs a Sheepe hath dead.
From gazing on a Beauteous skin:
From a faire Apple, foule within.
From kissing much a Damsell sweet,
Though for a Pope a morsell meet.
From sucking on a lickrish bait:
From making crooked what is strait.
From faire Gazers out at Casements;
From false Mistresses embracements.
From Slanders cutting worse then Swords;
From bawdy Iests, and beastly words.
The Starres faire Genius
Saue and direct vs.

S. Dauid.
From lulling in a Ladies lap,
Like a great Foole, which longs for pap.
From Time ill spent, and vaine Repute:
From Apple-trees without some fruit.
From Faith without wrought Charitie;
From false pretending Pietie.
From loue of Pelfe and worldly wealth,
Not carking most for my Soules health.
From Siluer Pictures loue or Gold;
From fancying Earth, when I am old.
From buying Lands Old and cruell;
From losing Heauen, gayning Hell
From Diues fare, and hardned mind;
While Lazarus with hunger's pin'd.
From tumbling in a downy bed,
While Godlier men for cold lie dead.
From Misers, and those greedy Elues,
Which loue no Creatures but themselues.
From wishing Neighbours lazie bones,
When Hiues are full, to play the Drones.
From sneaking like a Snaile at home;
When Forraigne Climes yeeld elbow rome;
From them which hate Plantations:
From Sathans combinations.
Our Christ's bright Genius
Blesse and reforme vs

S. Patrick.
From a faire House which seldome smoakes,
While the Owner in Riot soakes.
From slauish prodigalitie:
From miserable frugalitie.
From a Cloake that's full of patches:
From a Hen which neuer hatches.
From seeing Elues or strange Monsters;
Or those men my mind misconsters.
From those which causlesse doe arrest vs.
When we would gladly sit and rest vs.
From such sights make vs amazed:
From a Chamber not well glazed.
From rude people in a furie:
From a false and partiall Iurie.
From Almanacks false predictions:
From th' Exchange and Currents fictions.
From White Spaniards, or Red headed:
From all Women which are bearded.
From Black-haird Women, stubborne proud:
From Little Deuils scolding loud.
From the Faire-snouted held for Fooles;
From all long slow-backs, idle tooles.
From Red-hair'd Foxes, closely bad:
From pale and leane, too peeuish sad.
The Worlds great Genius,
Blesse and defend vs.

Apolloes Oracle.

If Brittaines King like valiant Hercules,
His Stables cleanse, and those Foxes footlesse,
Which Christian Vines destroy, do firret out;
His Prouinces shall rise without all doubt.
And brauely flourish by our Golden Fleece;
As Rome was, sau'd once by the noyse of Geese,
So he restraine some of these vagaries:
For Contraries are cur'd by Contraries.

3. THE THIRD PART OF The Golden Fleece.

Chap. 11.

[In ancient times they vsed much to Fast]

In ancient times they vsed much to Fast,
And what was spar'd they turn'd to Almes at last:
But we the Sabbaths make Saturnall Feasts:
On Holy dayes Drinke makes some worse then beasts.
If men did Custome pay for Ale and Beere,
Great Charles then Spaines King Philip richer were.
Our blood's inflam'd: Diseases grow by Wine:
Our Barnes waxe lesse: The Poore doe grone and pine.

Chap. 12.

[I long to sing of Charles his Waine]

St. Dauid.
I long to sing of Charles his Waine,
And with due praise to raise
The Flowre deluce of Charle-le-maine.
New dayes bring forth new Layes.
O happy Starre! O hopefull daies!
Braue Iasons Golden Age!
Kinde Courtiers, heare S. Dauids Layes,
Free from wiles, farre from rage.
Who Cambriaes Ioyes then Cambers Son,
Should for this match expresse?
This match, whose Beames doe strike vpon
Towers, Fields, and Wildernesse?

St. Dauid.
Stand backe thy selfe, thou greedy Elfe,
Shall Slugges the Hauen hold?
And merry Greekes runne on a Shelfe
From Colchos bearing Gold?
Both Sea and Land in league conspire
Rich Cambrioll to deface,
If Argonautickes thou aspire
To keepe from Courtly Grace.
O how thy Midriffe swelles with Gall
Against an Antient Race!
Wee are no Slaues, true Britaines all
May see his Highnesse face.
If Cats may looke vpon a King,
And Curres barke at the Moone:
Arcadian Swaines like Swannes may sing,
And Dauy begge one Boone.
That Dauid which made Pagans bow
To Christ, though Fiends repine.
That man which made Polagians know
Their faults, and truth to shine:
That name, which through Great Britaines Land
The first of March doth ring:
If not; the fame of Newfound land
Shall lead me to our King:
Whose Heart I faine with Orpheus straine
Would cheere; and then salute
The Queene, which Fates for him ordaine
With Violl and the Lute.
The sacred Muses sent me heere,
And, if Might quells not Right,
I will draw neere, (O doe not ieere)
The Light, their Angels sight.
To whom Ile show what's yet vnshowne,
My Countries griefe and neede;
And in thy eare (although a Clowne)
Ile whisper through a Reed.
Our Cambria is a fertile soile
Abounding with all store;
Else would not her Hells-brokers spoile,
And sucke her blood so sore.
Had Cambria not more Drones then need,
Her shoares would yeeld good ships:
Her Land more wealth, where now we feed
With honey needlesse lips.
Till Hydra suits bee well restraind,
Our Iarres will neuer cease:
Our meanes grow meane, our honour stain'd,
Voyd of Grace, voyd of peace.
But if our King play Hercules,
And daunt them with his Mace:
Old Cambria shall with Cumbers lesse
Sustaine new Cambriols case.
And both together Tribute pay
More store then Peru's Oare,
Which at his feete they'll yearely lay,
With some in hand before.
S. George did kill, as Legends say,
A Dragon fierce of prey:
Next vnder God this Monster may
None but our Soueraigne slay.
Marke well my words, whose Pedegree
Is fetch't from Cambers line;
And with our Leekes who do'st agree
Thy Roses to Combine.
Take wares vnbought, a thing that's strange,
Fish, Iron, Salt, and Pitch,
Trayne, Skinnes, and Masts: or in Exchange
Fruit, Wine, Gold, Silkes most rich.
Our Seuerne goes not farre behinde
The Thames for fruitfull ground:
Nor this my Muse shall any finde
Vnrelisht or vnsound.
Let Friends or Fiends, or Momes accurst
Taxe her for want of life:
With sweet the best, with sowre the worst
She payes to end the strife.
I'st not folly? and vnholy
For Bayards to discerne
Of doubtfull colours suddenly,
Before the right they learne?
Although I am no Puritane,
Pure kisses I commend.
Pure iests I praise in any man,
So they to goodnesse tend.
I haue not read, I must confesse,
Those bookes cald Lutherane:
And thine, O Wickliffe, haue I lesse;
Yet am not I profane.
These Mysteries I leaue to such,
Who pale with study teach:
Or vnto such, whom ouermuch
Wants Feare commands to preach.

S. Dauid.
I come not here for Belly-cheere,
Nor for Tobaccoes fume.
With mirth for mirrh my Soueraigne deare,
To perfume, I presume.
Whom mighty Ioue meanes to destroy,
He lets them quaffe a while:
And mads them with a smoaky toy,
Themselues till they beguile.
Bayte thou those Beasts: and Ile take leaue,
To greet our Charles his waine:
Whose rayes shoot on, as I conceaue,
The stocke of Charle le-maine.
Their Starre I saw from Cambria West:
Which made me Gifts prepare,
Leekes crownd with Pearles; yet to contest
Against me still you dare.
You gape for Fees, but a Gold Ring
Suits not a Meazells snout.
A Lambe shall wring your Adders sting
And canuase all your rout.
Rather then you should terme me Iew,
Leane Bacon I will eat:
Or Pudding nere so blacke of hew,
or Hare, though beauties meat.
But if you please and stand precise,
Vpon those Iewish Lawes:
Your double tongue Ile Circumcise,
Which marres your Clyents cause.
I worship not false Mahomet,
Who barres the Ivy signe,
As ignorant, how some haue met
In wine the sisters nine.
Nor Romes good will seeke I to winne,
Which orders me to plow
Red furrowes vp in naked skinne,
And merits seed to sow.
Such Grace let Popes graue on themselues,
And leaue me as I am;
Who brookes it worse then Egypts Elues
The Diuell, or his Dam.
I count that Church Baudes Pedlery,
Which all for money cares;
Sells Masses, Pardons, Letchery,
Soules, Beads. ô precious wares!
Though lack a dandy, when he houles,
Frights children from the dugges:
Will men giue bribes to keepe their soules
From Purgatories bugges?
Though Apes weare coates, and some birds prate,
Not knowing weale from woe:
Yet sober men (though somewhat late)
Owles Mattins should forgoe.
I hunt not for more miracles,
The Gospell to confirme:
Nor outward shewes, Gulls Spectacles,
To hold my Inside firme.
The Golden Calfe old Iewes averr'd
With manly voice to crake:
Christs body some are not afeard,
From Gods right hand to rake:
I like as ill the Cloister life,
Vnlesse a Nunne I schoole.
Let him that hates an honest wife
Be gelt, or beg'd a foole.
No Priest shall cozen me to fast
To pull my courage downe,
If once of Shrift my Wife had tast,
Or lou'd a grasse-greene gowne.
At Tombes and Shrines I dare not call,
On Saints this match to guide:
Nor Heauens Queene; let Idolls all
Lye from this mariage wide.
But vnto ONE, that's alway prone
To pardon humane vice,
I vow them both in Christ alone
A liuing Sacrifice.
The Stony-heart who can deny
But vnion tender makes?
Of diffring Tunes an Harmony,
In spight of Hellish Snakes?
No venome shall their soules defile,
No dreames, no magicke spells:
Nor Crocodile tempt them with guile.
So sweet Loues Posie smells!
No Beast shall touch their honey flowres,
No flashing curse them sindge,
What God hath set he weedes at houres;
Gods knot let none infringe.
With Oile of Gladnesse, Bathes of blisse
Dipt shines free Maiestie
In Albions Throne, where Thamesis
Extolls their Amitie.
The Crownes they weare, no Fiends can teare;
S. Michaell guards his owne.
The Golden Scepter which they beare
With Lawes swayes Field and Towne.
With might & maine their mind contends
The Dragon to put by,
Who red with blood at last intends
The westerne Monarchy.
Yet let him reckon with his Oast
For his warre-fares wages:
Not all his Rents in Indiaes Coast
Will pay th' arrerages.
Let none wonder, if God Thunder
Vengeance for our Iarres:
While we vnder Sathan wander,
Himselfe with Dauid warres.
But reconcil'd he wils to fight
His Battells valiantly.
Though Dauids might Goliah slight,
On God all Conquests lye.
Couragious King, then bid vs smite
Tyrants downe, Gyants growne;
Downe with those Dons, which Britaines spight,
Tara tantara downe.
Me thinkes Lisbon I see now wonne,
Th' Iles ransack't, th' Indies sack't,
And sweet Eliza thought vndone;
Rein-stald by vs awakt.
In March, like Iune, their springs first light
Reuiues our Garden beds
With louely Roses, red and white,
And Leekes with siluer'd heads.
The Spirits Gardner will keepe greene
With Buddes perpetually,
Our Rosie King and Lillies Queene,
On him if we relye.
Whom last I pray, as Pageants gay,
As Maskes, or Gemmes in Gold,
My Muse to prize, though clad in gray,
My Will, though too too bold.

The conclusion of Orpheus Iunior to his Soueraigne the King of Great Britaine.