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 |
 |
 | 1. |
| 2. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 | Du Bartas |  |
381
4. The Captaines.
THE IIII. PART OF OF THE THIRD DAY OF THE II. WEEK.
The Argvment.
Iust Duked Iosvah cheers the AbramidesTo Canaan's Conquest: Iordan self-divides:
Re-Circumcision, what, and where, and why:
Sackt Iericho: Hai won (so Achan die):
Gabaonites guile: strange Hail: the Sun stands still:
Nature repines. Iews (Guide-less) prone to ill.
Adoni-Bezec. Sangar, Debora,
Barac and Iahel conquer Sisara.
Samuel succeeds: Iews craue a King: a vie
Of People-Sway; States-Rule: and Monarchy.
Hail holy Iordan, and you blessed Torrents
Of the pure Waters, of whose crystall Currents
So many Saints haue sipt: O Walls, that rest
Fair Monuments of many a famous Guest:
O Hills, O Dales, O Fields so flowry sweet,
Where Angels oft haue set their sacred feet:
And thou O sacred Place, which wert the Cradle
Of th'only Man-God, and his happy Swadle:
And thou O Soil, (which drank'st the crimsin Showr
That (for our health) out of his veins did pour:
And you fat Hillocks (which I take as given
For a firme pledge of the full ioyes of Heav'n)
Where milk and Hony flowe; I see you all,
Vnder the conduct of my Generall,
Nvn's valiant Son: and vnder Gedeon's Sway,
Sangar, and Samson, Barac, Debora.
Of the pure Waters, of whose crystall Currents
So many Saints haue sipt: O Walls, that rest
Fair Monuments of many a famous Guest:
O Hills, O Dales, O Fields so flowry sweet,
Where Angels oft haue set their sacred feet:
And thou O sacred Place, which wert the Cradle
Of th'only Man-God, and his happy Swadle:
And thou O Soil, (which drank'st the crimsin Showr
That (for our health) out of his veins did pour:
And you fat Hillocks (which I take as given
For a firme pledge of the full ioyes of Heav'n)
Where milk and Hony flowe; I see you all,
Vnder the conduct of my Generall,
Nvn's valiant Son: and vnder Gedeon's Sway,
Sangar, and Samson, Barac, Debora.
382
For, heer (braue Heroes) your high Feats I sing;
Thrice sacred Spirit, thy speedie succour bring:
O Spirit, which wert their Guide, Guard, strength and stay,
Let not my Verse their Vertue's praise betray.
Thrice sacred Spirit, thy speedie succour bring:
O Spirit, which wert their Guide, Guard, strength and stay,
Let not my Verse their Vertue's praise betray.
Iosvah, by Favour nor by Bribes, obtains
A higher Rank then Royall Soverains
(Who buies in gross, he by retail must sell:
And who gives Favour, Favour asks as well):
He gets it not by Fortune (she is sight-less):
Neither by Force (for, whoso enters (Right-less)
By Force, is forced to go out with shame):
Nor sodain climbs he (raw) vnto the same
(For, to high Place, who mounts not step by step,
He coms not down, but head-long down doth leap):
But, even as that grave-gracefull Magistrate,
Which (now) with Conscience, Law doth Moderate,
Was first a Student (vnder others aw)
Then Barister, then Counseller at-Law,
Then Queens Solicitor, then Roules-Arbitrer,
And then Lord-keeper, now Lord Chanceler;
He coms to 't by degrees: and hauing first
Show'n Himselfe wise in spying Canaan yerst,
Faith-full to Moses in his Ministrings,
And Stout in Fight against the Heathen Kings,
God makes him Captain, and the sacred Priests
Pronounce him so, the People pleased is.
A higher Rank then Royall Soverains
(Who buies in gross, he by retail must sell:
And who gives Favour, Favour asks as well):
He gets it not by Fortune (she is sight-less):
Neither by Force (for, whoso enters (Right-less)
By Force, is forced to go out with shame):
Nor sodain climbs he (raw) vnto the same
(For, to high Place, who mounts not step by step,
He coms not down, but head-long down doth leap):
But, even as that grave-gracefull Magistrate,
Which (now) with Conscience, Law doth Moderate,
Was first a Student (vnder others aw)
Then Barister, then Counseller at-Law,
Then Queens Solicitor, then Roules-Arbitrer,
And then Lord-keeper, now Lord Chanceler;
He coms to 't by degrees: and hauing first
Show'n Himselfe wise in spying Canaan yerst,
Faith-full to Moses in his Ministrings,
And Stout in Fight against the Heathen Kings,
God makes him Captain, and the sacred Priests
Pronounce him so, the People pleased is.
But in his State yer he be stall'd (almost)
Set in the midst of God's beloved Hoast,
He thus dilates: O happy Legions deer,
Which sacred Arms vnder Heav'ns Ensignes beare,
Fear not that I, yet forty years, again
Your wandring Troops in these vast sands should train
'Twixt Hope and Fear: th'vn-hallowed Offerings,
The proud revolts, blasphemous Murmurings
Of your stiff Fathers, have with-holden rather
Then whole with-draw'n th'aid of your heauenly Father:
God tenders it in time, and (pacifi'd)
Nills the set Term without effect should slide.
Serve him therfore, now take him at his word,
And now to Canaan march with one accord,
And bravely shewe that th'Hoast of Israel,
In Valour, far doth his drad Fame excell.
Set in the midst of God's beloved Hoast,
He thus dilates: O happy Legions deer,
Which sacred Arms vnder Heav'ns Ensignes beare,
Fear not that I, yet forty years, again
Your wandring Troops in these vast sands should train
'Twixt Hope and Fear: th'vn-hallowed Offerings,
The proud revolts, blasphemous Murmurings
Of your stiff Fathers, have with-holden rather
Then whole with-draw'n th'aid of your heauenly Father:
God tenders it in time, and (pacifi'd)
Nills the set Term without effect should slide.
Serve him therfore, now take him at his word,
And now to Canaan march with one accord,
And bravely shewe that th'Hoast of Israel,
In Valour, far doth his drad Fame excell.
Courageous Iacob, Arad's stoutest hearts
And strongest Holdes have prov'd thy Pikes and Darts,
The Madianites have thine Arms thunder knowen,
Th'hast razed Bazan, ransackt Hezebon,
Scap't scaly Serpents (in these Desarts vast)
Crost the Red-Sea; and Heav'n-prop Sina past,
And sent to Hell thy draddest Foes: Lo, now
God offers thee the Crown, accept it thou.
And strongest Holdes have prov'd thy Pikes and Darts,
The Madianites have thine Arms thunder knowen,
Th'hast razed Bazan, ransackt Hezebon,
Scap't scaly Serpents (in these Desarts vast)
Crost the Red-Sea; and Heav'n-prop Sina past,
383
God offers thee the Crown, accept it thou.
Then turning him to Rvben and to Gad,
And to Manasses, who their Portion had
By Moses grant on Iordan's Eastern verge;
War-eloquent, he thus proceeds to vrge:
Can you (my Harts) finde in your hearts to leaue
Your Ranks, and vs thus of your aids bereaue?
Will you lie wrapped in soft beds a-sleep,
While in colde Trenches your poor Brethren keep?
Will you sit washing (when your Feasts be don)
In sweet Rose-water, while that Orion
His cloudy store in storm-full fury pours,
And drowns your Brethren with continuall showrs?
Will you go dance and dally to and fro,
While in the Field they march to charge the Foe?
Will you expect a part with them in gain,
While they the blowes and all the brunt sustain?
God shield, you should dishonour so your Blood:
Nay rather (leaving on this side the Flood
Your Wiues and Children, and (vnfit for Battell)
Your aged Parents, and your Heards of Cattell)
Com arm your selues, t'advance our Victories,
And share with vs in Perill, as in Prize.
And to Manasses, who their Portion had
By Moses grant on Iordan's Eastern verge;
War-eloquent, he thus proceeds to vrge:
Can you (my Harts) finde in your hearts to leaue
Your Ranks, and vs thus of your aids bereaue?
Will you lie wrapped in soft beds a-sleep,
While in colde Trenches your poor Brethren keep?
Will you sit washing (when your Feasts be don)
In sweet Rose-water, while that Orion
His cloudy store in storm-full fury pours,
And drowns your Brethren with continuall showrs?
Will you go dance and dally to and fro,
While in the Field they march to charge the Foe?
Will you expect a part with them in gain,
While they the blowes and all the brunt sustain?
God shield, you should dishonour so your Blood:
Nay rather (leaving on this side the Flood
Your Wiues and Children, and (vnfit for Battell)
Your aged Parents, and your Heards of Cattell)
Com arm your selues, t'advance our Victories,
And share with vs in Perill, as in Prize.
O noble Prince (then all the Hoast reply'd)
March-on a Gods name; and good Hap betide:
Were Canaan turn'd another Wilderness,
Were there before vs yet more crimsin Seas,
Were Horeb, Carmel, and Mount Seir set
Each vpon other (vp to Heav'n to get)
We'l follow thee through all; and only th'end
Of our owne liues shall our brave Iourney end.
March-on a Gods name; and good Hap betide:
Were Canaan turn'd another Wilderness,
Were there before vs yet more crimsin Seas,
Were Horeb, Carmel, and Mount Seir set
Each vpon other (vp to Heav'n to get)
We'l follow thee through all; and only th'end
Of our owne liues shall our brave Iourney end.
After the Ark, then march they in aray
Direct to Iordan, praising all the way
That living God, whose match-less mighty hand
Parted the Sea, that they might pass by Land.
Direct to Iordan, praising all the way
That living God, whose match-less mighty hand
Parted the Sea, that they might pass by Land.
Hoar-headed Iordan neatly lodged was
In a large Caue, built all of beaten Glass;
Whose waved Seeling, with exceeding cost,
The Nymphs (his Daughters) rarely had imbost
With Pearls and Rubies, and in-lay'd the rest
With Nacre checks, and Corall of the best:
A thousand Streamlings that n'er saw the Sun,
With tribute silver to his service run:
There, Iris, Avster, and Clowds blewly black
Continually their liquor leaue and take:
There, th'aged Flood lay'd on his mossie bed,
And pensiue leaning his flag-shaggie head
Vpon a Tuft, where th'eating waues incroach,
Did gladly wait for Israels approach:
Each haire he hath is a quick-flowing stream,
His sweat the gushing of a storm extream,
Each sigh a Billow, and each sob he sounds
A swelling Sea that over-flowes his bounds:
His weak gray eyes are alwaies seen to weep,
About his loyns a rush-Belt wears he deep,
A Willow Wreath about his wrinkled brows;
His Father Nerevs his complexion showes.
In a large Caue, built all of beaten Glass;
Whose waved Seeling, with exceeding cost,
The Nymphs (his Daughters) rarely had imbost
With Pearls and Rubies, and in-lay'd the rest
With Nacre checks, and Corall of the best:
A thousand Streamlings that n'er saw the Sun,
With tribute silver to his service run:
There, Iris, Avster, and Clowds blewly black
Continually their liquor leaue and take:
There, th'aged Flood lay'd on his mossie bed,
And pensiue leaning his flag-shaggie head
384
Did gladly wait for Israels approach:
Each haire he hath is a quick-flowing stream,
His sweat the gushing of a storm extream,
Each sigh a Billow, and each sob he sounds
A swelling Sea that over-flowes his bounds:
His weak gray eyes are alwaies seen to weep,
About his loyns a rush-Belt wears he deep,
A Willow Wreath about his wrinkled brows;
His Father Nerevs his complexion showes.
So soon as He their welcom rumour heard
His frosty head aboue the Waues he rear'd,
With both his hands strook back behinde his ears
The waving Tresses of his weeping hairs:
And then perceiving Iacob's Army stay'd
By his prowd streams, he chid them thus, and said:
Presumptuous Brook, dar'st thou (ingratefull Torrent)
Lift-vp thy horn, lash-out thy swelling Current
Against the Lord, and over-flowe thy bound
To stop his passage? Shall the Floods profound
Of the prowd Ocean to his Hoast give-way?
Shall Egypt's honour, shall that Gulf (I say)
That long large Sea, which with his plentious waves
A third or fourth part of the World be-laves;
Shall That yeeld humbly at his Servant's beck?
And thou, poor Rill, or gutter (in respect)
Resist himselfe (his glorious selfe) that Inns
Heer in his Ark, between the Cherubins?
And saying so, he on his shoulder flung
His deep wide Crock, that on his hip had hung,
And down his back pours back-ward all his course.
The stream returns towards his double source;
And, leaving dry a large deep lane betwixt,
The fearfull waves in heaped Hils were fixt,
To give God place, and passage to his hoast,
Towards their Promis'd and appointed coast.
His frosty head aboue the Waues he rear'd,
With both his hands strook back behinde his ears
The waving Tresses of his weeping hairs:
And then perceiving Iacob's Army stay'd
By his prowd streams, he chid them thus, and said:
Presumptuous Brook, dar'st thou (ingratefull Torrent)
Lift-vp thy horn, lash-out thy swelling Current
Against the Lord, and over-flowe thy bound
To stop his passage? Shall the Floods profound
Of the prowd Ocean to his Hoast give-way?
Shall Egypt's honour, shall that Gulf (I say)
That long large Sea, which with his plentious waves
A third or fourth part of the World be-laves;
Shall That yeeld humbly at his Servant's beck?
And thou, poor Rill, or gutter (in respect)
Resist himselfe (his glorious selfe) that Inns
Heer in his Ark, between the Cherubins?
And saying so, he on his shoulder flung
His deep wide Crock, that on his hip had hung,
And down his back pours back-ward all his course.
The stream returns towards his double source;
And, leaving dry a large deep lane betwixt,
The fearfull waves in heaped Hils were fixt,
To give God place, and passage to his hoast,
Towards their Promis'd and appointed coast.
So, dry they pass (after the sacred Oracle)
And leaue Memorials of that famous Miracle
Vpon Mount Gilgal: and their flesh anon
They seal with Signe of their Adoption.
For, the All-guiding God, th'Almighty Prince,
To giue to His som speciall difference,
Will'd that all Males of Abram's Progenies
With sacred Rasor should them Circumcise;
And ever-more, that Isaac's blessed Race
Should in their Fore-skin bear his gage of Grace.
And leaue Memorials of that famous Miracle
Vpon Mount Gilgal: and their flesh anon
They seal with Signe of their Adoption.
For, the All-guiding God, th'Almighty Prince,
To giue to His som speciall difference,
Will'd that all Males of Abram's Progenies
With sacred Rasor should them Circumcise;
And ever-more, that Isaac's blessed Race
Should in their Fore-skin bear his gage of Grace.
But, why (sayst thou) should ancient Israel,
In such a secret place Record and Seal
Th'Act of the Covenant: and with bloody smart
Ingrave their glory in a shamefull part?
In such a secret place Record and Seal
385
Ingrave their glory in a shamefull part?
Who blushes at it, is a grace-less Beast:
Who shames to see the Signe of Grace imprest
In shamefull part, he is asham'd of Christ.
Born of that Race, and selfly Circumcis'd.
Who shames to see the Signe of Grace imprest
In shamefull part, he is asham'd of Christ.
Born of that Race, and selfly Circumcis'd.
A hundred subtill Reasons from the Writs
Of Rabbins could I bring: but, sober Wits
Rest satisfied, conceiving that th'incision
Of th'obscœne Fore-skin, signifies th'abscission,
Or sacred cutting-off of foul Affects,
Beseeming those whom God for His elects:
That God the Fruits of Flesh and Blood doth hate:
And that through Christ we must regenerate.
Of Rabbins could I bring: but, sober Wits
Rest satisfied, conceiving that th'incision
Of th'obscœne Fore-skin, signifies th'abscission,
Or sacred cutting-off of foul Affects,
Beseeming those whom God for His elects:
That God the Fruits of Flesh and Blood doth hate:
And that through Christ we must regenerate.
Now, th'Hebrews kept their Pass-over; and go
(By Heav'ns address) to mighty Iericho,
Besieging so the City round about,
That fear got in, but nothing could get out.
(By Heav'ns address) to mighty Iericho,
Besieging so the City round about,
That fear got in, but nothing could get out.
Souldiers (said then th'vndaunted Generall)
Prepare no Mattocks, Ladders, nor Rams at all,
To mine, or scale, or batter-down these Tows:
The great, the high, the mighty God of Powrs
Will fight himself alone: and then he bod
(As first himself had been inform'd by God)
That daily once they all should march the Round
About the City with horn-Trumpets sound;
Bearing about, for only Banneret,
The light-full Ark, GOD's sacred Cabinet:
Their swords vn-drawn, not making any noise,
Threat-less their brows, and without braves their voice,
No shaft to shoot, no signe of War, no glance,
And even their March doth rather seem a Dance.
Prepare no Mattocks, Ladders, nor Rams at all,
To mine, or scale, or batter-down these Tows:
The great, the high, the mighty God of Powrs
Will fight himself alone: and then he bod
(As first himself had been inform'd by God)
That daily once they all should march the Round
About the City with horn-Trumpets sound;
Bearing about, for only Banneret,
The light-full Ark, GOD's sacred Cabinet:
Their swords vn-drawn, not making any noise,
Threat-less their brows, and without braves their voice,
No shaft to shoot, no signe of War, no glance,
And even their March doth rather seem a Dance.
What Childre-spell? what May-game have we heer?
What? dare you (Gallants) dare you com no neer?
Is this your brave Assault? is this your Fight?
Ween you with Scar-crowes vs (like birds) to fright?
(Said the besieged) get you som where else
(Poor sots) to shewe your Bug-bears and your spels:
Cease your hoarse musick, leave the stage alone:
Fools, draw the Curten, now your Play is done.
What? dare you (Gallants) dare you com no neer?
Is this your brave Assault? is this your Fight?
Ween you with Scar-crowes vs (like birds) to fright?
(Said the besieged) get you som where else
(Poor sots) to shewe your Bug-bears and your spels:
Cease your hoarse musick, leave the stage alone:
Fools, draw the Curten, now your Play is done.
Six dayes together had the Hebrews thus't
About the Town, seaven-times the Seventh they must;
When sacred Levits sound more lowd and high
Their horny Trumps: then all the people cry,
Com, com (great God) com, batter, batter down
These odious walls, this Idol wedded Town.
About the Town, seaven-times the Seventh they must;
When sacred Levits sound more lowd and high
Their horny Trumps: then all the people cry,
Com, com (great God) com, batter, batter down
These odious walls, this Idol wedded Town.
It cracks in th'instant, the foundation shrinks,
The mortar crumbles from the yawning chinks,
Each stone is loose, and all the wall doth quiver,
And all at once vnto the ground doth shiuer
With hideous noyse; and th'Heathen Guarison
Is but immur'd with Clowds of dust alone:
So shall you see a Clowd-crown'd Hill somtime,
Torn from a greater by the waste of Time,
Dreadly to shake, and boundling down to hop;
And roaring, heer it roules tall Cedars vp,
There aged Oaks; it turns, it spurns, it hales
The lower Rocks into th'affrighted Vales,
There sadly sinks, or suddain stops the way
Of som swift Torrent hasting to the Sea.
The mortar crumbles from the yawning chinks,
386
And all at once vnto the ground doth shiuer
With hideous noyse; and th'Heathen Guarison
Is but immur'd with Clowds of dust alone:
So shall you see a Clowd-crown'd Hill somtime,
Torn from a greater by the waste of Time,
Dreadly to shake, and boundling down to hop;
And roaring, heer it roules tall Cedars vp,
There aged Oaks; it turns, it spurns, it hales
The lower Rocks into th'affrighted Vales,
There sadly sinks, or suddain stops the way
Of som swift Torrent hasting to the Sea.
Boast you, O Bombards, that you Thunder drown:
And vaunt you, Mines, that you turn vp side-down
Rampires and Towrs, and Walls the massie-most:
Yet, your exploits require both time and cost;
You make but a small breach, but a rough way,
And (by mischance) oft your own side betray,
But, th'Hebrews with a suddain showt and cry,
A whole great Town dis-mantle instantly,
And (vnresisted) entring every-where,
They exercise all hostile vengeance there.
And, as a sort of lusty Bil-men, set
In Wood-sale time to fell a Cops, by great;
Be-stir them so, that soon with sweating pain,
They turn an Oak-groue to a field of grain:
So th'Hebrew Hoast, without remorse or pitty,
Through all sad corners of the open City,
Burn, break, destroy, bathe them in blood, and toyl
To lay all leuell with the trampled soyl:
The Idol's Temples, and the delicat
Prince-Palaces are quickly beaten flat:
The Fire lowd-crackling with the Clowds doth meet,
A bloody Torrent runs through euery street,
Their venge-full sword spares neither great nor small;
Neither the Childe that on his hands doth crawl,
Nor him that wears snowe on his shaking head,
Ice in his heart; not the least Peast they bred.
A deed (indeed) more worthy th'Heseline,
Than th'holy Hebrews; had the voice Divine
Not charg'd them so, and choicely armed them
'Gainst Iericho, with his owne Anathem;
Reseruing only for his Sacred Place,
The Gold and Siluer, th'Iron and the Brass.
And vaunt you, Mines, that you turn vp side-down
Rampires and Towrs, and Walls the massie-most:
Yet, your exploits require both time and cost;
You make but a small breach, but a rough way,
And (by mischance) oft your own side betray,
But, th'Hebrews with a suddain showt and cry,
A whole great Town dis-mantle instantly,
And (vnresisted) entring every-where,
They exercise all hostile vengeance there.
And, as a sort of lusty Bil-men, set
In Wood-sale time to fell a Cops, by great;
Be-stir them so, that soon with sweating pain,
They turn an Oak-groue to a field of grain:
So th'Hebrew Hoast, without remorse or pitty,
Through all sad corners of the open City,
Burn, break, destroy, bathe them in blood, and toyl
To lay all leuell with the trampled soyl:
The Idol's Temples, and the delicat
Prince-Palaces are quickly beaten flat:
The Fire lowd-crackling with the Clowds doth meet,
A bloody Torrent runs through euery street,
Their venge-full sword spares neither great nor small;
Neither the Childe that on his hands doth crawl,
Nor him that wears snowe on his shaking head,
Ice in his heart; not the least Peast they bred.
A deed (indeed) more worthy th'Heseline,
Than th'holy Hebrews; had the voice Divine
Not charg'd them so, and choicely armed them
'Gainst Iericho, with his owne Anathem;
Reseruing only for his Sacred Place,
The Gold and Siluer, th'Iron and the Brass.
Yet sacrilegious Achan dar'd to hoord
Som precious Pillage: which incenst the Lord
Against the Camp, so that he let, them fly
(For this Offence) before their Enemy.
For, when three thousand chosen Israelites
Were sent to Hai t'assault the Cananites,
The Town all armes: their Prince the forwardest
(No less-brave Souldier then proud Athëist)
Arms the broad Mountain of his hairy breast;
With horrid scales of Nilus greedy beast;
His brawny arms and shoulders, with the skin
Of the dart-darting wily Porcupin:
He wears for Helm a Dragon ghastly head,
Wher-on for Plume a huge Horse-tail doth spread;
Not much vnlike a Birch-tree bare belowe,
Which at the top in a thick tuft doth growe,
Waving with euery winde, and made to kiss
Th'Earth, now on that side, and anon on this:
In Quyver made of Lezard's skins he wears
His poysoned Arrows; and the Bowe he bears,
Is of a mighty Tree, strung with a Cable,
His Shaft a Lever, whose keen head is able
To pearce all proof, stone, steel, and Diamant.
Thus furnished, the Tyrant thus doth vaunt:
Sirs, shall we suffer this ignoble Race,
Thus shamefully vs from our Owne to chase?
Shall they be Victors yet they overcom?
Shall our Possessions and our Plenty com
Among these Mongrels? Tush: let Children quake
At dreams of Abram: let faint Women shake
At their drad God, at their Sea-drying Lord;
I know no Gods aboue my glittering Sword.
This sayd, he sallies and assaults the Foe
With furious skirmish; and doth charge them so,
As stormy billows rush against a Rock:
As boystrous windes (that haue their prison broak)
Roar on a Forrest: as Heav'ns sulph'ry Flash
Against proud Mountains surly brows doth dash.
Som precious Pillage: which incenst the Lord
Against the Camp, so that he let, them fly
(For this Offence) before their Enemy.
387
Were sent to Hai t'assault the Cananites,
The Town all armes: their Prince the forwardest
(No less-brave Souldier then proud Athëist)
Arms the broad Mountain of his hairy breast;
With horrid scales of Nilus greedy beast;
His brawny arms and shoulders, with the skin
Of the dart-darting wily Porcupin:
He wears for Helm a Dragon ghastly head,
Wher-on for Plume a huge Horse-tail doth spread;
Not much vnlike a Birch-tree bare belowe,
Which at the top in a thick tuft doth growe,
Waving with euery winde, and made to kiss
Th'Earth, now on that side, and anon on this:
In Quyver made of Lezard's skins he wears
His poysoned Arrows; and the Bowe he bears,
Is of a mighty Tree, strung with a Cable,
His Shaft a Lever, whose keen head is able
To pearce all proof, stone, steel, and Diamant.
Thus furnished, the Tyrant thus doth vaunt:
Sirs, shall we suffer this ignoble Race,
Thus shamefully vs from our Owne to chase?
Shall they be Victors yet they overcom?
Shall our Possessions and our Plenty com
Among these Mongrels? Tush: let Children quake
At dreams of Abram: let faint Women shake
At their drad God, at their Sea-drying Lord;
I know no Gods aboue my glittering Sword.
This sayd, he sallies and assaults the Foe
With furious skirmish; and doth charge them so,
As stormy billows rush against a Rock:
As boystrous windes (that haue their prison broak)
Roar on a Forrest: as Heav'ns sulph'ry Flash
Against proud Mountains surly brows doth dash.
The sacred Troops (to conquer alwayes wont)
Could not sustain his first tempestuous brunt,
But turn their backs: and, as they fly amain,
Foure less than fourty of their band were slain.
Could not sustain his first tempestuous brunt,
But turn their backs: and, as they fly amain,
Foure less than fourty of their band were slain.
The son of Nvn then (with th'Isacian Peers)
Before the Ark in prostrate wise appeares.
Sack on his back, dust on his head, his eyes
Even great with teares, thus to the Lord he cries:
O! what alas? what haue we don, O Lord?
The People, destin'd to thy Peoples sword,
Conquers thy people; and the Cananites
(Against thy Promise) chase the Israelites.
O Lord, why did not Iordans rapid Tyde
Still stay our Hoast vpon the other side?
Sith heer, in hope to get the Promis'd more,
We hazzard all that we had won before.
Regard and guard vs; nay, regard thy Name:
O! suffer not the seed of Abraham
(Almighty Father, O thou God most high!)
To be expos'd to Heathen's Tyranny!
Much less thy sacred Ark, for them to burn:
And least of all, thy glorious Self, to scorn.
Before the Ark in prostrate wise appeares.
Sack on his back, dust on his head, his eyes
Even great with teares, thus to the Lord he cries:
O! what alas? what haue we don, O Lord?
The People, destin'd to thy Peoples sword,
Conquers thy people; and the Cananites
(Against thy Promise) chase the Israelites.
O Lord, why did not Iordans rapid Tyde
Still stay our Hoast vpon the other side?
388
We hazzard all that we had won before.
Regard and guard vs; nay, regard thy Name:
O! suffer not the seed of Abraham
(Almighty Father, O thou God most high!)
To be expos'd to Heathen's Tyranny!
Much less thy sacred Ark, for them to burn:
And least of all, thy glorious Self, to scorn.
Iosvah (sayd God) let th'Hoast be sanctifi'd,
And let the Church-thief die, that dar'd to hide
Th'vn-lawfull Pillage of that cursed Town
(The Mayden Conquest, prime of thy Renown):
Then shalt thou vanquish, and the lofty Towrs
Of Hai shal fall vnder thy war-like powrs.
And let the Church-thief die, that dar'd to hide
Th'vn-lawfull Pillage of that cursed Town
(The Mayden Conquest, prime of thy Renown):
Then shalt thou vanquish, and the lofty Towrs
Of Hai shal fall vnder thy war-like powrs.
The morrow next, after the great Assise,
Achan (conuicted, not by bare surmize,
But by God's Spirit, which vndermines our mindes,
And cleerly sees our secretest designes;
To whom, Chance is no Chance, and Lot no Lot,
To whom the Die vncertain rouleth not)
Is brought without the Hoast, with all hee hath,
And sacrifiç'd vnto th'Almighties wrath.
Achan (conuicted, not by bare surmize,
But by God's Spirit, which vndermines our mindes,
And cleerly sees our secretest designes;
To whom, Chance is no Chance, and Lot no Lot,
To whom the Die vncertain rouleth not)
Is brought without the Hoast, with all hee hath,
And sacrifiç'd vnto th'Almighties wrath.
Now, between Bethel and Hai's western wall,
There lies a valley close inuiron'd all
Between the forking of a Hill so high,
That it is hidden from all passers-by:
Whose horned clifts, below are hollowed,
And with two Forrests arbour'd ouer-head:
'Tis long and narrow; and a rapid Torrent,
Bounding from Rock to Rock with roaring Current,
Deaffens the Shepheards: so that it should seem
Nature fore-cast it for som stratagem.
There lies a valley close inuiron'd all
Between the forking of a Hill so high,
That it is hidden from all passers-by:
Whose horned clifts, below are hollowed,
And with two Forrests arbour'd ouer-head:
'Tis long and narrow; and a rapid Torrent,
Bounding from Rock to Rock with roaring Current,
Deaffens the Shepheards: so that it should seem
Nature fore-cast it for som stratagem.
Thither the Duke (soon after mid-night) guides
His choycest Bands, and them there war'ly hides:
Ech keeps his place, none speaks, none spets, none coughs;
But all as still, as if they march on moss:
So fallow Wolues, when they intend to set
On fearfull flocks that in their Folds do bleat,
Through silent dardness secret ways do groap;
Their feet are feathered with the wings of hope,
They hold their breath, and so still vn-discri'd,
They pass hard by the watchfull Mastie's side.
His choycest Bands, and them there war'ly hides:
Ech keeps his place, none speaks, none spets, none coughs;
But all as still, as if they march on moss:
So fallow Wolues, when they intend to set
On fearfull flocks that in their Folds do bleat,
Through silent dardness secret ways do groap;
Their feet are feathered with the wings of hope,
They hold their breath, and so still vn-discri'd,
They pass hard by the watchfull Mastie's side.
Mean-while the howrs opened the doors of Day,
To let out Titan that must needs away:
Whose radiant tresses, but with trailing on,
Began to gild the top of Libanon;
When, with the rest of all his Hoast, the Grave
Marcheth amain to giue the Town a braue,
They straight re-charge him: as in season warm
The hony-makers busie-buzzing swarm,
With humming threats throngs from the little gates
Of their round Towr, and with their little hates
Fiercely assayl, and wound the naked skins
Of such as come to rob their curious Inns.
To let out Titan that must needs away:
Whose radiant tresses, but with trailing on,
Began to gild the top of Libanon;
When, with the rest of all his Hoast, the Grave
Marcheth amain to giue the Town a braue,
389
The hony-makers busie-buzzing swarm,
With humming threats throngs from the little gates
Of their round Towr, and with their little hates
Fiercely assayl, and wound the naked skins
Of such as come to rob their curious Inns.
Why (Cowards) dare you com again for blowes?
Or, do you long your wretched liues to lose?
Com, we are for you; wee'l dispatch you soon:
And for the many wrongs that you haue don
Vnto ourselues, our Neighbours, and our Friends,
This day our swords shall make vs full amends
(Cry th'Amorites): and th'Hebrew Captain then
Flies, as affraid, and with him all his men
Disorderly retire; still faining so,
Till (politik) he hath in-trayn'd the Foe
Right to his Ambush: then the Souldiers there,
Hid in the Vale hearing their noise so neer,
Would fain be at them, were they not with-held
By threatning gestures of Commanding Eld:
So haue I seen on Lamborn's pleasant Douns,
When yelping Begles or som deeper Hounds
Haue start a Hare, how milk-white Minks and Lun
(Gray-bitches both, the best that euer run)
Held in one leash, haue leapt and strain'd, and whin'd
To be restrain'd, till (to their masters minde)
They might be slipt, to purpose; that (for sport)
Watt might haue law, neither too-long nor short.
Or, do you long your wretched liues to lose?
Com, we are for you; wee'l dispatch you soon:
And for the many wrongs that you haue don
Vnto ourselues, our Neighbours, and our Friends,
This day our swords shall make vs full amends
(Cry th'Amorites): and th'Hebrew Captain then
Flies, as affraid, and with him all his men
Disorderly retire; still faining so,
Till (politik) he hath in-trayn'd the Foe
Right to his Ambush: then the Souldiers there,
Hid in the Vale hearing their noise so neer,
Would fain be at them, were they not with-held
By threatning gestures of Commanding Eld:
So haue I seen on Lamborn's pleasant Douns,
When yelping Begles or som deeper Hounds
Haue start a Hare, how milk-white Minks and Lun
(Gray-bitches both, the best that euer run)
Held in one leash, haue leapt and strain'd, and whin'd
To be restrain'd, till (to their masters minde)
They might be slipt, to purpose; that (for sport)
Watt might haue law, neither too-long nor short.
But, when the Heathen had the ambush past,
The Duke thus cheers his sacred Troops as fast,
Sa, sa, my Hearts; turn, turn again vpon-them,
They are your own; now charge, and cheerly on-them.
His ready Souldiers at a beck obay,
And on their Foes courageous load they lay:
They shoot, they shock, they strike, they stab, they kill
Th'vnhallowed Currs, that yet resisted still;
Vntill behind them a new storm arose
With horrid noise, which daunts not only those,
But with the fury of it's force doth make
The Hills and Forrests, and euen Hell to quake.
The Duke thus cheers his sacred Troops as fast,
Sa, sa, my Hearts; turn, turn again vpon-them,
They are your own; now charge, and cheerly on-them.
His ready Souldiers at a beck obay,
And on their Foes courageous load they lay:
They shoot, they shock, they strike, they stab, they kill
Th'vnhallowed Currs, that yet resisted still;
Vntill behind them a new storm arose
With horrid noise, which daunts not only those,
But with the fury of it's force doth make
The Hills and Forrests, and euen Hell to quake.
Pagans, what will you do? If heer you fly,
You fall on Caleb, where y'are sure to dy:
If there, on Iosuah: O vnfortunate!
Your help-less gods in vain you invocate.
Y'are (O forlorn!) like Rabbets round beset
With wily Hunters, Dogs, and deadly Net:
With shrill Sa-haw, heer-heer-ho, heer-again,
The Warren rings; th'amazed Game amain
Runs heer and there: but, if they scape away
From Hounds, staues kill them; if from staues, the Hay.
Yeeld, yeeld, and dy then, strive not to retire:
For, even in death behould your Town a-fire.
You fall on Caleb, where y'are sure to dy:
If there, on Iosuah: O vnfortunate!
Your help-less gods in vain you invocate.
Y'are (O forlorn!) like Rabbets round beset
With wily Hunters, Dogs, and deadly Net:
With shrill Sa-haw, heer-heer-ho, heer-again,
The Warren rings; th'amazed Game amain
390
From Hounds, staues kill them; if from staues, the Hay.
Yeeld, yeeld, and dy then, strive not to retire:
For, even in death behould your Town a-fire.
Then Gabaon, a mighty City neer,
That these Exploits of Heav'ns drad hand did hear,
Sent subtilly, to League with Israel.
No: y'are deceiv'd (said then th'Arch-Colonel)
The Cananites are destin'd long ago
To Fire, and Sword, and vtter Over-throwe;
From Heav'ns high Iudge the Sentence doth proceed:
Man may not alter what God hath decreed.
That these Exploits of Heav'ns drad hand did hear,
Sent subtilly, to League with Israel.
No: y'are deceiv'd (said then th'Arch-Colonel)
The Cananites are destin'd long ago
To Fire, and Sword, and vtter Over-throwe;
From Heav'ns high Iudge the Sentence doth proceed:
Man may not alter what God hath decreed.
Alas! my Lord (reply'd th'Embassadors)
You may perceive, we are no Borderers
Vpon these Countries: For, our suits, our slops,
Our hose and shoos, were new out of the shops
When we set forth from home; and even that day
This Bread was baked when we came away;
But the long Iourney, we have gon, hath wore
Our cloaths to rags, and turn'd our victuals hoar.
W'adiure you therefore in the sacred Name
Of that drad GOD to whom your vows you frame,
By the sweet air of this delightfull Coast,
By the good Angell that conducts your Hoast,
By dear Embraces of your dearer Wives,
And by your Babes (even) dearer then your lives;
By each of these, and all of these together,
And by your Arms, whose Fame hath drawn vs hither,
T'have pity on vs, and to swear vnto-vs,
To save our lives, and not so to vndo-vs,
As these neer Nations. Israel accords,
And with an Oath confirms the solemn words.
You may perceive, we are no Borderers
Vpon these Countries: For, our suits, our slops,
Our hose and shoos, were new out of the shops
When we set forth from home; and even that day
This Bread was baked when we came away;
But the long Iourney, we have gon, hath wore
Our cloaths to rags, and turn'd our victuals hoar.
W'adiure you therefore in the sacred Name
Of that drad GOD to whom your vows you frame,
By the sweet air of this delightfull Coast,
By the good Angell that conducts your Hoast,
By dear Embraces of your dearer Wives,
And by your Babes (even) dearer then your lives;
By each of these, and all of these together,
And by your Arms, whose Fame hath drawn vs hither,
T'have pity on vs, and to swear vnto-vs,
To save our lives, and not so to vndo-vs,
As these neer Nations. Israel accords,
And with an Oath confirms the solemn words.
So, I (good Lord) perceiving all the Seed
Of Sin-full Adam vnto Death decreed,
Doom'd to the Vengeance of thy Fury fell,
And damn'd for ever to the deepest Hell;
Would fain be free: but, if I should (alas!)
Com, as I am, before thy glorious face,
Thou (righteous God) wilt turn thine eyes away;
For, Flesh and Blood possess not Heav'n, for ay;
And, the strict Rigour of thy Iustice pure
Cannot (O Lord) the least of sins endure.
Oh then! what shall I doo? I'll similize
These Gabaonites: I will my self disguize
To gull thee, Lord (for, even a holy Guile
Findes with thee grace and fauour often-while):
I'll put-on (crafty) not the cloak of Pride
(For, that was it wherby our Grand-sires di'd;
And Lucifer, with his associates, fell
From Ioys of Heav'n, into the Pains of Hell);
But th'humble Fleece of that sweet sacred Lamb
Which (for our sakes) vpon the Cross becam
So torn and tatter'd; which the most refuse:
Scorn of the Gentiles, Scandal of the Iewes.
And, as a piece of Silver, Tin, or Lead,
By cunning hands with Gold is covered;
I, that am all but Lead (or dross, more base)
In fervent Crusible of thy free Grace,
I'll gild me all with his pure Beautie's Gould;
Born a new man (by Faith) I'll kill mine ould:
In Spirit and Life, Christ shall be mine example,
His Spirit shall be my spirit, and I his Temple.
Of Sin-full Adam vnto Death decreed,
Doom'd to the Vengeance of thy Fury fell,
And damn'd for ever to the deepest Hell;
Would fain be free: but, if I should (alas!)
Com, as I am, before thy glorious face,
Thou (righteous God) wilt turn thine eyes away;
For, Flesh and Blood possess not Heav'n, for ay;
And, the strict Rigour of thy Iustice pure
Cannot (O Lord) the least of sins endure.
Oh then! what shall I doo? I'll similize
These Gabaonites: I will my self disguize
To gull thee, Lord (for, even a holy Guile
Findes with thee grace and fauour often-while):
I'll put-on (crafty) not the cloak of Pride
(For, that was it wherby our Grand-sires di'd;
391
From Ioys of Heav'n, into the Pains of Hell);
But th'humble Fleece of that sweet sacred Lamb
Which (for our sakes) vpon the Cross becam
So torn and tatter'd; which the most refuse:
Scorn of the Gentiles, Scandal of the Iewes.
And, as a piece of Silver, Tin, or Lead,
By cunning hands with Gold is covered;
I, that am all but Lead (or dross, more base)
In fervent Crusible of thy free Grace,
I'll gild me all with his pure Beautie's Gould;
Born a new man (by Faith) I'll kill mine ould:
In Spirit and Life, Christ shall be mine example,
His Spirit shall be my spirit, and I his Temple.
I beeing thus in Christ, and Christ in me,
O! wilt thou, canst thou, drive Vs far from thee?
Deprive, from promis'd new-Ierusalem,
Christ thine owne Likenes; and me, like to him?
Banish from Heav'n (whose Bliss shall never vade)
Thy Christ, by whom; and me, for whom 't was made?
O! wilt thou, canst thou, drive Vs far from thee?
Deprive, from promis'd new-Ierusalem,
Christ thine owne Likenes; and me, like to him?
Banish from Heav'n (whose Bliss shall never vade)
Thy Christ, by whom; and me, for whom 't was made?
But, O Presumption! O too rash Designe!
Alas! to Will it onely, is not mine:
And, though I Would, my flesh (too-Winter-chill)
My spirit's small sparkles doth extinguish still.
Alas! to Will it onely, is not mine:
And, though I Would, my flesh (too-Winter-chill)
My spirit's small sparkles doth extinguish still.
O! therefore thou, thou that canst all alone;
All-sacred Father's like all-sacred Son,
Through thy deep Mercy daign thou to transform
Into thy Self, me sin-full silly worm;
That so, I may be welcom to my God,
And live in Peace, not where the Iewes abode,
But in Heav'n-Sion: and that thou maist be
Th'vniting glew between my God and me.
Now, Eglon's, Hebron's, Iarmuth's, Salem's Lords,
And Lachis Kingling (after these Accords)
Wroth, that their Neighbours had betrayed so
Their common Country to their common Foe,
Had made so great a breach, and by the hand
Led (as it were) th'Hebrews into their Land;
Set-vpon Gabaon: but th'Isaacian Prince,
As iust as valiant, hastes to hunt them thence;
And, resolute to rescue his Allies,
He straight bids Battell to their enemies.
All-sacred Father's like all-sacred Son,
Through thy deep Mercy daign thou to transform
Into thy Self, me sin-full silly worm;
That so, I may be welcom to my God,
And live in Peace, not where the Iewes abode,
But in Heav'n-Sion: and that thou maist be
Th'vniting glew between my God and me.
Now, Eglon's, Hebron's, Iarmuth's, Salem's Lords,
And Lachis Kingling (after these Accords)
Wroth, that their Neighbours had betrayed so
Their common Country to their common Foe,
Had made so great a breach, and by the hand
Led (as it were) th'Hebrews into their Land;
Set-vpon Gabaon: but th'Isaacian Prince,
As iust as valiant, hastes to hunt them thence;
And, resolute to rescue his Allies,
He straight bids Battell to their enemies.
The Fight growes fierce; and winged Victory,
Shaking her Laurels, rusht confusedly
Into the midst; she goes, and coms, and goes,
And now she leans to these, and now to those.
Auster the while from neighbour Mountains arms
A hundred Winters, and a hundred storms
With huge great Hail-shot, driving fiercely-fell
In the stearn visage of the Infidel:
The roaring Tempest violently retorts
Vpon themselues the Pagans whirling darts,
And in their owne breasts, their owne Launces bore,
Wher-with they threatned th'Hoast of God before:
And (euen) as if it enuied the Renown
Of valiant Iosuah (now by Ganges knowen)
With furious shock, the formost Ranks it whirr'd
Vpon the next, the second on the third:
Even as a Bridge of Cards, which Play-full Childe
Doth in an euening on a Carpet build,
When som Wag by, vpon his Work doth blowe;
If one Arch fall, the rest fall all arowe
Each vpon other, and the Childe he cries
For his lost labour, and again he tries.
Shaking her Laurels, rusht confusedly
Into the midst; she goes, and coms, and goes,
And now she leans to these, and now to those.
Auster the while from neighbour Mountains arms
A hundred Winters, and a hundred storms
392
In the stearn visage of the Infidel:
The roaring Tempest violently retorts
Vpon themselues the Pagans whirling darts,
And in their owne breasts, their owne Launces bore,
Wher-with they threatned th'Hoast of God before:
And (euen) as if it enuied the Renown
Of valiant Iosuah (now by Ganges knowen)
With furious shock, the formost Ranks it whirr'd
Vpon the next, the second on the third:
Even as a Bridge of Cards, which Play-full Childe
Doth in an euening on a Carpet build,
When som Wag by, vpon his Work doth blowe;
If one Arch fall, the rest fall all arowe
Each vpon other, and the Childe he cries
For his lost labour, and again he tries.
If any, resting on his knotty Spear,
'Gainst Arms and storms, yet stand out stifly there,
Th'Hail, which the Winde full in his face doth yerk,
Smarter than Racquets in a Court re-ierk
Balls 'gainst the Walls of the black-boorded house,
Beats out his eyes, batters his nose, and brows.
Then turn the Pagans, but without a vail:
For, instantly the stony storm of Hail
Which flew direct a-front, direct now falls
Plumb on their heads, and cleaues their sculs and cauls:
And euer, as they waver to and fro,
Ouer their Hoast the Haily Clowd doth go:
And neuer hits one Hebrue, though between,
But a sword's length (or not so much) be seen:
A buckler one, another a bright helm
Over his threatned or sick head doth whelm;
But, the shield broken, and helm beaten in,
Th'Hail makes the hurt bite on the bloody green.
'Gainst Arms and storms, yet stand out stifly there,
Th'Hail, which the Winde full in his face doth yerk,
Smarter than Racquets in a Court re-ierk
Balls 'gainst the Walls of the black-boorded house,
Beats out his eyes, batters his nose, and brows.
Then turn the Pagans, but without a vail:
For, instantly the stony storm of Hail
Which flew direct a-front, direct now falls
Plumb on their heads, and cleaues their sculs and cauls:
And euer, as they waver to and fro,
Ouer their Hoast the Haily Clowd doth go:
And neuer hits one Hebrue, though between,
But a sword's length (or not so much) be seen:
A buckler one, another a bright helm
Over his threatned or sick head doth whelm;
But, the shield broken, and helm beaten in,
Th'Hail makes the hurt bite on the bloody green.
Those, that escape, betake them to their heels;
Iosuah pursues: and though his sweat distills
From every part, he wounds, he kills, he cleaues.
Neither the Fight imperfect so he leaues:
But, full of faithfull zeal and zealous faith,
Thus (O strange language!) thus alowd he saith;
Iosuah pursues: and though his sweat distills
From every part, he wounds, he kills, he cleaues.
Neither the Fight imperfect so he leaues:
But, full of faithfull zeal and zealous faith,
Thus (O strange language!) thus alowd he saith;
Beam of th'Eternall, daies bright Champion,
Spiall of Nature, O all-seeing Sun,
Stay, stand thou still, stand still in Gabaon;
And thou, O Moon i' th'vale of Aialon,
That th'Ammorites now by their hare-like flight
Scape not my hands vnder all-hiding Night.
Spiall of Nature, O all-seeing Sun,
Stay, stand thou still, stand still in Gabaon;
And thou, O Moon i' th'vale of Aialon,
That th'Ammorites now by their hare-like flight
Scape not my hands vnder all-hiding Night.
As a Caroche, draw'n by foure lusty steeds,
In a smooth way whirling with all their speeds,
Stops suddainly, if't slip into a slough,
Or if it cross som Log or massie bough;
The Day-reducing Chariot of the Sun,
Which now began, towards his West to run,
Stops instantly, and giues the Hebrewes space
To rid the Pagans that they haue in chase.
In a smooth way whirling with all their speeds,
393
Or if it cross som Log or massie bough;
The Day-reducing Chariot of the Sun,
Which now began, towards his West to run,
Stops instantly, and giues the Hebrewes space
To rid the Pagans that they haue in chase.
Nature, amaz'd, for very anger shakes:
And to th'Almighty her complaint she makes:
Seemly she marches with a measur'd pase,
Choler puts colour in her lovely face,
From either nipple of her bosom-Twins
A liuely spring of pleasant milke there spins,
Vpon her shoulders (Atlas-like) she bears
The frame of All, down by her side shee wears
A golden Key, where-with shee letteth-forth,
And locketh-vp the Treasures of the Earth:
A sumptuous Mantle to her heels hangs down,
Where-in the Heauens, the Earth, and Sea is showen;
The Sea in Siluer woven, the Earth in Green,
The Heav'ns in Azure, with gold threds between:
All-quickning Loue, fresh Beauty, smiling Youth,
And Fruitfulness, each for her fauour su'th:
Grace still attends ready to do her honour,
Riches and Plenty alwaies waite vpon her.
And to th'Almighty her complaint she makes:
Seemly she marches with a measur'd pase,
Choler puts colour in her lovely face,
From either nipple of her bosom-Twins
A liuely spring of pleasant milke there spins,
Vpon her shoulders (Atlas-like) she bears
The frame of All, down by her side shee wears
A golden Key, where-with shee letteth-forth,
And locketh-vp the Treasures of the Earth:
A sumptuous Mantle to her heels hangs down,
Where-in the Heauens, the Earth, and Sea is showen;
The Sea in Siluer woven, the Earth in Green,
The Heav'ns in Azure, with gold threds between:
All-quickning Loue, fresh Beauty, smiling Youth,
And Fruitfulness, each for her fauour su'th:
Grace still attends ready to do her honour,
Riches and Plenty alwaies waite vpon her.
Accoutred thus, and thus accompani'd,
With thousand sighs thus to the Lord she cri'd:
Shall it be sayd, a Man doth Heav'n command?
Wilt thou permit a brauing Souldiers hand
To wrong thine eldest Daughter? Ah! shall I
Haue the bare Name, and He th'authority
To govern all, and all controul (O Lord)
With the bare winde of his ambitious word?
Shall I (the World's Law) then, receiue the Law
At others hands? of others stand in aw?
If't be thy pleasure, or thou think it fit,
To haue it so, or so to suffer it,
(Pardon me, Father, that I am so free)
I heer surrender thy Lieutenancy:
Bestow't on him, put all into his hand:
Who Heav'n commands, He well may Earth command.
With thousand sighs thus to the Lord she cri'd:
Shall it be sayd, a Man doth Heav'n command?
Wilt thou permit a brauing Souldiers hand
To wrong thine eldest Daughter? Ah! shall I
Haue the bare Name, and He th'authority
To govern all, and all controul (O Lord)
With the bare winde of his ambitious word?
Shall I (the World's Law) then, receiue the Law
At others hands? of others stand in aw?
If't be thy pleasure, or thou think it fit,
To haue it so, or so to suffer it,
(Pardon me, Father, that I am so free)
I heer surrender thy Lieutenancy:
Bestow't on him, put all into his hand:
Who Heav'n commands, He well may Earth command.
Why (daughter) know'st thou not (God answers her)
That many times my Mercy doth transfer
Into my Children mine owne power, wher-by
They work (not seldom) mine owne Wonders high?
That th'are my sacred Vice-Royes? and that Hee,
Who (stript of Flesh) by Faith is ioyn'd to me,
May remove Mountains, may dry-vp the Seas,
May make an Ocean of a Wilderness?
Th'hast seen it, Daughter: therfore, but thou pine
In Ielousie of this drad arm of mine,
Grudge not at theirs: for they can nothing do,
But what my Spirit inables them vnto.
That many times my Mercy doth transfer
Into my Children mine owne power, wher-by
They work (not seldom) mine owne Wonders high?
That th'are my sacred Vice-Royes? and that Hee,
Who (stript of Flesh) by Faith is ioyn'd to me,
May remove Mountains, may dry-vp the Seas,
May make an Ocean of a Wilderness?
394
In Ielousie of this drad arm of mine,
Grudge not at theirs: for they can nothing do,
But what my Spirit inables them vnto.
O happy Prince; I wonder not at all,
If at thy feet the stout Anachian fall,
If th'Amorrhite, Hevite, and Cananite,
The Pheresite, Hethite, and Iebusite,
And huge Basanian, by thy daunt-less Hoast
Were over-throwne: and if as swift (almost)
As my slowe Muse thy sacred Conquest sings,
Thou Cam'st, Saw'st, Conquer'dst more then thirty Kings;
Subduing Syria, and dividing it
Vnto twelue Kindreds in twelue portions fit;
Sith (O grand Vicar of th'Almighty Lord)
With onely summons of thy mighty Word,
Thou makest Riuers the most deafly-deep
To lobstarize (back to their source to creep);
Walls giue thee way: after thy Trumpets charge,
Rock-rushing Tempests do retreat, or charge:
Sol's at thy seruice: and the starry Pole
Is proud to pass vnder thy Muster-Roule.
If at thy feet the stout Anachian fall,
If th'Amorrhite, Hevite, and Cananite,
The Pheresite, Hethite, and Iebusite,
And huge Basanian, by thy daunt-less Hoast
Were over-throwne: and if as swift (almost)
As my slowe Muse thy sacred Conquest sings,
Thou Cam'st, Saw'st, Conquer'dst more then thirty Kings;
Subduing Syria, and dividing it
Vnto twelue Kindreds in twelue portions fit;
Sith (O grand Vicar of th'Almighty Lord)
With onely summons of thy mighty Word,
Thou makest Riuers the most deafly-deep
To lobstarize (back to their source to creep);
Walls giue thee way: after thy Trumpets charge,
Rock-rushing Tempests do retreat, or charge:
Sol's at thy seruice: and the starry Pole
Is proud to pass vnder thy Muster-Roule.
As a blind man, forsaken of his Guide
In some thick Forest, sad and self-beside,
Takes now a broad, anon a narrow path,
His groaping hand his (late) eys office hath,
Heer at a stub he stumbles, there the bushes
Rake-off his Cloak, heer on a Tree he rushes,
Strayes in and out, turns, this and that way tries,
And at the last falls in a Pit, and dies:
Euen so (alas!) hauing their Captain lost,
So blindely wanders Iacob's wilfull Hoast,
Contemns the Fountain of God's sacred Law,
From Idoll-Puddles poysoning drink to draw;
Forsakes th'old true God, and new fals-gods fains,
And with the Heathen friendship entertains.
In some thick Forest, sad and self-beside,
Takes now a broad, anon a narrow path,
His groaping hand his (late) eys office hath,
Heer at a stub he stumbles, there the bushes
Rake-off his Cloak, heer on a Tree he rushes,
Strayes in and out, turns, this and that way tries,
And at the last falls in a Pit, and dies:
Euen so (alas!) hauing their Captain lost,
So blindely wanders Iacob's wilfull Hoast,
Contemns the Fountain of God's sacred Law,
From Idoll-Puddles poysoning drink to draw;
Forsakes th'old true God, and new fals-gods fains,
And with the Heathen friendship entertains.
Th'Almighty saw it (for, what sees he not?)
And sodainly his fury wexed hot;
And on their neck, for his sweet yoak, he layd
The Strangers yoak that hard and heauie waigh'd.
But, as an Infant which the Nurce lets go
To go alone, waves weakly to and fro,
Feels his feet fail, cries out, and but (alas!)
For her quick hand, would fall and break his face:
So Iacob, iustly made afflictions thrall,
Is neuer ready in the Pit to fall
Of pale Despair, but (if he cry, and craue him)
God still extends his gracious hand to saue him;
Raising som Worthy that may break in sunder
The Gyves and Fetters that he labours vnder.
And sodainly his fury wexed hot;
And on their neck, for his sweet yoak, he layd
The Strangers yoak that hard and heauie waigh'd.
But, as an Infant which the Nurce lets go
To go alone, waves weakly to and fro,
Feels his feet fail, cries out, and but (alas!)
For her quick hand, would fall and break his face:
So Iacob, iustly made afflictions thrall,
Is neuer ready in the Pit to fall
Of pale Despair, but (if he cry, and craue him)
God still extends his gracious hand to saue him;
395
The Gyves and Fetters that he labours vnder.
So then, assisted by th'immortall hand,
Brave Israel brings vnder his Command
Iervsalem, Lvs, Bethel, Accaron,
Sesai, and Tholmai, Gaza, and Ascalon,
And Bezec too: whose bloudy Tyrant, fled,
Is caught again, and payd with Cake for Bread:
To self-taught Torture he himself is put,
His sacrilegious Thumbs and Toes be cut.
Whereby, more inly prickt, then outly payn'd,
God's Vengeance iust he thus confest, and playn'd;
Brave Israel brings vnder his Command
Iervsalem, Lvs, Bethel, Accaron,
Sesai, and Tholmai, Gaza, and Ascalon,
And Bezec too: whose bloudy Tyrant, fled,
Is caught again, and payd with Cake for Bread:
To self-taught Torture he himself is put,
His sacrilegious Thumbs and Toes be cut.
Whereby, more inly prickt, then outly payn'd,
God's Vengeance iust he thus confest, and playn'd;
O hand, late Scepter-graç't! O hand, that late
Egypt did dread, and Edom tremble at!
O hand, that (armed) durst euen Mars defie,
And could'st haue pull'd proud Ivpiter from high!
Now, where-to serv'st thou, but t'augment my moan?
Thou canst not now buckle mine Armour on;
Nor wield my mighty Lance with brazen head:
Ah! no (alas!) thou canst not cut my bread.
O feet (late) winged to pursue the slight
Of hundred Armies that I foyl'd in fight,
Now you haue lost your office, now (alas!)
You cannot march, but limp about this place.
Egypt did dread, and Edom tremble at!
O hand, that (armed) durst euen Mars defie,
And could'st haue pull'd proud Ivpiter from high!
Now, where-to serv'st thou, but t'augment my moan?
Thou canst not now buckle mine Armour on;
Nor wield my mighty Lance with brazen head:
Ah! no (alas!) thou canst not cut my bread.
O feet (late) winged to pursue the slight
Of hundred Armies that I foyl'd in fight,
Now you haue lost your office, now (alas!)
You cannot march, but limp about this place.
But, 'tis the iust God, the iust hard of Heav'n
In mine owne Coin hath me my paiment giuen:
For, seventy Kings, thus maim'd of Toes and Thumbs,
I, insolent, haue made to lick the crums
Vnder my boord (like Dogs) and drawen perforce
To serue for blocks when I should mount my horse.
In mine owne Coin hath me my paiment giuen:
For, seventy Kings, thus maim'd of Toes and Thumbs,
I, insolent, haue made to lick the crums
Vnder my boord (like Dogs) and drawen perforce
To serue for blocks when I should mount my horse.
Therefore (O Kings!) by mine example learn
To bound your rage, limit you fury stream:
O Conquerers! be warned all by me;
Be to your Thralls, as God to you shall be:
Men, pitty Man, wretched and ouer-throwen;
And think his case may one-day be your owne;
For, chance doth change: and none aliue can say,
He happy is, vntill his dying day:
The Foe that after Victorie survives,
Not for himself but for your glorie liues:
Th'Oliue's aboue the Palm: and th'happiest King
His greatest Triumph, is Self-triumphing.
To bound your rage, limit you fury stream:
O Conquerers! be warned all by me;
Be to your Thralls, as God to you shall be:
Men, pitty Man, wretched and ouer-throwen;
And think his case may one-day be your owne;
For, chance doth change: and none aliue can say,
He happy is, vntill his dying day:
The Foe that after Victorie survives,
Not for himself but for your glorie liues:
Th'Oliue's aboue the Palm: and th'happiest King
His greatest Triumph, is Self-triumphing.
But Israel, wallowing in his myre again,
Soon lost the glory former Arms did gain;
And goods and bodies easie booties bin.
To Aram Moab and the Philistin.
What help (O Iacob)? th'hast nor arms, nor head:
Thy Fields with bones of thine owne bands be spread,
And th'onely name of thy profaner Foe
Congeals thy bloud, and chils thy heart for Wo.
Soon lost the glory former Arms did gain;
And goods and bodies easie booties bin.
To Aram Moab and the Philistin.
What help (O Iacob)? th'hast nor arms, nor head:
Thy Fields with bones of thine owne bands be spread,
396
Congeals thy bloud, and chils thy heart for Wo.
Flee, flee, and hy thee quickly to recover
The all-proof Target of thine ancient Lover,
Thy gracious God, the glorious Tyrant-tamer,
Terror of terrors, Heathen's dreadfull hammer.
Ah! see already how he rescues thee
From th'odious yoak of Pagan Tyranny;
Breaking the Fetters of thy bondage fel,
By Ahod, Barac, and Othoniel,
And Goad-man Sangar, whose industrious hand
With Ox-teem tills his tributary Land.
When Philistins, with Sword and fiery Fury,
Slaughter the Iews, and over-run all Iury,
Deflowr the Virgins, and with lust-full spight
Ravish chaste Matrons in their Husbands sight,
He leaves his Plough, he calls vpon his God;
And, onely armed with his slender Goad,
Alone he sets on all the Heathen Camp.
A Pagan Captain weens him thus to damp;
What means this Fool (saith he)? go, silly Clown,
Get thee to Plough, go home, and till thy ground,
Go prick thy Bullocks; leave the Works of Mars
To my long-train'd, still-conquering souldiers.
The all-proof Target of thine ancient Lover,
Thy gracious God, the glorious Tyrant-tamer,
Terror of terrors, Heathen's dreadfull hammer.
Ah! see already how he rescues thee
From th'odious yoak of Pagan Tyranny;
Breaking the Fetters of thy bondage fel,
By Ahod, Barac, and Othoniel,
And Goad-man Sangar, whose industrious hand
With Ox-teem tills his tributary Land.
When Philistins, with Sword and fiery Fury,
Slaughter the Iews, and over-run all Iury,
Deflowr the Virgins, and with lust-full spight
Ravish chaste Matrons in their Husbands sight,
He leaves his Plough, he calls vpon his God;
And, onely armed with his slender Goad,
Alone he sets on all the Heathen Camp.
A Pagan Captain weens him thus to damp;
What means this Fool (saith he)? go, silly Clown,
Get thee to Plough, go home, and till thy ground,
Go prick thy Bullocks; leave the Works of Mars
To my long-train'd, still-conquering souldiers.
First learn thou Dog (replies the Israelite)
To knowe my strength (rather th'Almighties might):
And on his head he laies him on such load
With two quick vennies of his knotty Goad,
And with the third thrusts him between the eies,
That down he falls, shaking his heels, and dies.
To knowe my strength (rather th'Almighties might):
And on his head he laies him on such load
With two quick vennies of his knotty Goad,
And with the third thrusts him between the eies,
That down he falls, shaking his heels, and dies.
Then steps another forth more stout and grim,
Shaking his Pike, and fierce lets flee at him:
But Sangar shuns the blowe; and, with his stroak,
The Pagan leg short-off in sunder broak;
On th'other yet, a while he stands and fights:
But th'Hebrew Champion such a back-blowe smites,
That flat he layes him; then, with fury born,
Forward he leaps; and, in a Martiall scorn,
Vpon his panch sets his victorious foot,
And treads, and tramples, and so stamps into 't,
That blood and bowels (mingled with the bruise)
Half at his mouth, half at his sides, he spews:
As on Wine-hurdles those that dance (for meed)
Make with sweet Nectar every wound to bleed,
Each grape to weep, and crimsin streams to spin
Into the Vate, set to receive them in.
Shaking his Pike, and fierce lets flee at him:
But Sangar shuns the blowe; and, with his stroak,
The Pagan leg short-off in sunder broak;
On th'other yet, a while he stands and fights:
But th'Hebrew Champion such a back-blowe smites,
That flat he layes him; then, with fury born,
Forward he leaps; and, in a Martiall scorn,
Vpon his panch sets his victorious foot,
And treads, and tramples, and so stamps into 't,
That blood and bowels (mingled with the bruise)
Half at his mouth, half at his sides, he spews:
As on Wine-hurdles those that dance (for meed)
Make with sweet Nectar every wound to bleed,
Each grape to weep, and crimsin streams to spin
Into the Vate, set to receive them in.
Thence thirty steps, a chief Commander prest,
And proudly wags his feather-clouded Crest,
And cries, Com hither (Cow-heard) come thou hither,
Com, let vs cope, but I and thou together;
I'll teach thee (peasant) and that quickly too,
Thou hast not with thy fellow swains to doe,
That on Mount Carmel's stormy top do feed.
No, heer (poor sot) thou other fence shalt need.
And proudly wags his feather-clouded Crest,
397
Com, let vs cope, but I and thou together;
I'll teach thee (peasant) and that quickly too,
Thou hast not with thy fellow swains to doe,
That on Mount Carmel's stormy top do feed.
No, heer (poor sot) thou other fence shalt need.
Sangar runs at him: and he runs so fierce,
That on his staf, him six steps back he beares;
Beares down another with him, and another,
That but with gesture stood directing other:
As, when 'tis dark, when 't rains, and blusters rough,
A thund'ring tempest with a sulphury puff
Breaks down a mighty Gate, and that another,
And that a third, each opposite to other:
Smoak, dust, and door-falls, with storms roaring din,
Dismay the stoutest that command within;
The common sort (beside their little wits)
Scar'd from their beds, dare not abide the streets:
But, in their shirts over the walls they run,
And so their Town, yet it be ta'en, is wun;
The suddain Storm so inly-deep dismaies-them,
That fear of Taking to despair betrays them.
That on his staf, him six steps back he beares;
Beares down another with him, and another,
That but with gesture stood directing other:
As, when 'tis dark, when 't rains, and blusters rough,
A thund'ring tempest with a sulphury puff
Breaks down a mighty Gate, and that another,
And that a third, each opposite to other:
Smoak, dust, and door-falls, with storms roaring din,
Dismay the stoutest that command within;
The common sort (beside their little wits)
Scar'd from their beds, dare not abide the streets:
But, in their shirts over the walls they run,
And so their Town, yet it be ta'en, is wun;
The suddain Storm so inly-deep dismaies-them,
That fear of Taking to despair betrays them.
Amid their Hoast, then brauely rushes Sangar,
His sinnewy arm answers his sacred Anger:
Who flies, or follows, he alike besteads:
On scattered heape of slaughtered Foes he treads.
This with his elbow heer he over-turns,
That with his brow; this, with his foot he spurns;
Heer, with his staff he makes in shivers fly
Both cask and scull, and there he breaks a thigh,
An arm, a leg, a rib, a chin, a cheek;
And th'hungry Shepheard hardly beats so thick
Nuts from a Tree, as Sangar Foes beats down:
With swords, and shields, and shafts, the Field is sowen:
Alone he foils a Camp: and on the Plain
There six hundred of the Heatben slain.
His sinnewy arm answers his sacred Anger:
Who flies, or follows, he alike besteads:
On scattered heape of slaughtered Foes he treads.
This with his elbow heer he over-turns,
That with his brow; this, with his foot he spurns;
Heer, with his staff he makes in shivers fly
Both cask and scull, and there he breaks a thigh,
An arm, a leg, a rib, a chin, a cheek;
And th'hungry Shepheard hardly beats so thick
Nuts from a Tree, as Sangar Foes beats down:
With swords, and shields, and shafts, the Field is sowen:
Alone he foils a Camp: and on the Plain
There six hundred of the Heatben slain.
Almightie God, how thou to thine art good!
Thy peoples Foes are not alone subdu'd
By a rude Clown, whose hard-wrought hands, before
Nothing but soades, coulters and bills had bore:
But, by a silly Woman, to whose hand
Thou for a time committest the Command
Of Israel: for, of no other Head,
Nor Law, nor Lord they for a time are sped,
But prudent Debora: vnto whose Throne
Fly those whose heads with age are hoary growen,
And those great Rabbies that do grauely sit,
Revolving volumes of the highest Writ,
And He that in the Tabernacle serues,
Her sacred voyce as Oracles obserues:
None from her presence ever coms confus'd.
And gotten skill, giues place to skill infus'd.
Thy peoples Foes are not alone subdu'd
By a rude Clown, whose hard-wrought hands, before
Nothing but soades, coulters and bills had bore:
But, by a silly Woman, to whose hand
Thou for a time committest the Command
Of Israel: for, of no other Head,
Nor Law, nor Lord they for a time are sped,
But prudent Debora: vnto whose Throne
Fly those whose heads with age are hoary growen,
And those great Rabbies that do grauely sit,
Revolving volumes of the highest Writ,
398
Her sacred voyce as Oracles obserues:
None from her presence ever coms confus'd.
And gotten skill, giues place to skill infus'd.
O Iacob's Lanthorn Load-star pure, which lights
On these rough Seas the rest of Abramites
(Said then the People) what shall vs befall?
Iabin's fell yoak our weary necks doth gall:
We are the Butts vnto all Pagan darts,
And colde Despair knocks at our doors (our hearts).
On these rough Seas the rest of Abramites
(Said then the People) what shall vs befall?
Iabin's fell yoak our weary necks doth gall:
We are the Butts vnto all Pagan darts,
And colde Despair knocks at our doors (our hearts).
Israel, saith shee, be of good cheer; for now
God wars vpon your Foes, and leagues with you:
Therefore to Field now let your youth aduance,
And in their rests couch the revenging Lance:
This said, on Barac she a Shield bestowes,
Indented on the brims, which plain fore-showes
In curious Boss-work (that doth neatly swell)
The (won and lost) Battails of Israel,
As an abbridgement, where to life appear
The noblest Acts of eight or nine score year.
God wars vpon your Foes, and leagues with you:
Therefore to Field now let your youth aduance,
And in their rests couch the revenging Lance:
This said, on Barac she a Shield bestowes,
Indented on the brims, which plain fore-showes
In curious Boss-work (that doth neatly swell)
The (won and lost) Battails of Israel,
As an abbridgement, where to life appear
The noblest Acts of eight or nine score year.
Lo, heer an army, stooping by the side
Of a deep River (with their Thirst half dry'd)
Sups, licks, and laps the Stream; of all which rour,
The Captain chuses but three hundred out;
And arming each but with a Trump and Torch,
About a mighty Pagan Hoast doth march,
Making the same, through their drad sodain found,
With their owne Arms themselues to inter-wound:
A hellish rage of mutuall fury swels
The bloudy hearts of barbarous Infidels,
So that the friends that in one Couch did sleep,
Each others blade in eithers brest do steep:
And all the Camp with head-less dead is sowen,
Cut-off by Cozen-swords, kill'd by their owne.
Of a deep River (with their Thirst half dry'd)
Sups, licks, and laps the Stream; of all which rour,
The Captain chuses but three hundred out;
And arming each but with a Trump and Torch,
About a mighty Pagan Hoast doth march,
Making the same, through their drad sodain found,
With their owne Arms themselues to inter-wound:
A hellish rage of mutuall fury swels
The bloudy hearts of barbarous Infidels,
So that the friends that in one Couch did sleep,
Each others blade in eithers brest do steep:
And all the Camp with head-less dead is sowen,
Cut-off by Cozen-swords, kill'd by their owne.
Lo there, another valiant Champion,
Who having late triumphant Laurels won;
His heed-less Vow (in-humane) to ful-fill,
His onely Daughter doth vnkindly kill:
The frantik Mother, all vnbraç't (alas!)
With silver locks vnkemb'd about her face;
Arming her rage with nails, with teeth, and tongue,
Runs-in, and rushes through the thickest throng:
And, she will saue, and she will haue (she sayes)
Her Deer, her Daughter; and then hold she layes
Vpon the Maid: and tearing-off her Coat,
Away she runs, thinking she her had got.
Who having late triumphant Laurels won;
His heed-less Vow (in-humane) to ful-fill,
His onely Daughter doth vnkindly kill:
The frantik Mother, all vnbraç't (alas!)
With silver locks vnkemb'd about her face;
Arming her rage with nails, with teeth, and tongue,
Runs-in, and rushes through the thickest throng:
And, she will saue, and she will haue (she sayes)
Her Deer, her Daughter; and then hold she layes
Vpon the Maid: and tearing-off her Coat,
Away she runs, thinking she her had got.
The Priest dissolues in tears, th'Offring is chearfull;
The Murdred's valiant, and the Murderer fearfull;
The Father leads with slowe and feeble pase,
The Daughter seems to run to death a-pace;
As if the Chaplet that her temples ties,
Were Hymen's Flowrs, not Flowrs for Sacrifice:
Her grace and beauties still augment; (in fine)
Whoso beholds her sweet, loue-darting Eyn,
Her Cheeks, Lips, Brow's; fresh Lillies, Coral, Iet,
He sees, or seems to see) a Sun to set.
And (to conclude) the Graver, Maul, and Mould;
Haue given such life to th'Iron, Brass, and Gold,
That heer wants nothing but the Mothers screech,
The Father's sigh, and the sweet Daughter's speech.
The Murdred's valiant, and the Murderer fearfull;
399
The Daughter seems to run to death a-pace;
As if the Chaplet that her temples ties,
Were Hymen's Flowrs, not Flowrs for Sacrifice:
Her grace and beauties still augment; (in fine)
Whoso beholds her sweet, loue-darting Eyn,
Her Cheeks, Lips, Brow's; fresh Lillies, Coral, Iet,
He sees, or seems to see) a Sun to set.
And (to conclude) the Graver, Maul, and Mould;
Haue given such life to th'Iron, Brass, and Gold,
That heer wants nothing but the Mothers screech,
The Father's sigh, and the sweet Daughter's speech.
Loe heer, another shakes his vnshav'n tresses,
Triumphing on a Lion torn in peeces:
O match-less Champion! Pearl of men-at-arms,
That emptiest not an Arcenal of Arms,
Nor needest shops of Lemnian Armourers,
To furnish weapons for thy glorious Wars:
An Asse's Iaw bone is the Club wher-with
Thy mighty arm, brains, beats, and battereth
Th'vncircumcised Camp: all quickly scud;
And th'Hoast that flew in dust, now flowes in bloud.
Heer, th'Iron Gates, whose hugeness wont to shake
The massie Towrs of Gaza, thou doost take
On thy broad shoulders: there (in seeming iest)
Crushing their Palace-pillars (at a feast)
Thou over-whelm'st the House, and with the fall
The Philistims blaspheming Princes all.
Heer, from ones head, which two huge coins do crush,
(As whay from Cheese) the battred brains do gush:
Heer lies another in a deadly swoune;
Nail'd with a broken rafter to the ground:
Another, heer pasht with a paine of wall,
Hath lost his soule, and bodies shape withall:
Ano her, heer o're-taken as he fled,
Lies (Tortois-like) all hidden but the head:
Another, covered with a heap of lome,
Seems with his mooving to re-moue his Toomb:
Even as the soft, blinde, Mine-inventing Moule,
In velvet Robes vnder the Earth doth roule,
Refusing light, and little ayr receives,
And hunting worms her mooving hillockes heaves.
Triumphing on a Lion torn in peeces:
O match-less Champion! Pearl of men-at-arms,
That emptiest not an Arcenal of Arms,
Nor needest shops of Lemnian Armourers,
To furnish weapons for thy glorious Wars:
An Asse's Iaw bone is the Club wher-with
Thy mighty arm, brains, beats, and battereth
Th'vncircumcised Camp: all quickly scud;
And th'Hoast that flew in dust, now flowes in bloud.
Heer, th'Iron Gates, whose hugeness wont to shake
The massie Towrs of Gaza, thou doost take
On thy broad shoulders: there (in seeming iest)
Crushing their Palace-pillars (at a feast)
Thou over-whelm'st the House, and with the fall
The Philistims blaspheming Princes all.
Heer, from ones head, which two huge coins do crush,
(As whay from Cheese) the battred brains do gush:
Heer lies another in a deadly swoune;
Nail'd with a broken rafter to the ground:
Another, heer pasht with a paine of wall,
Hath lost his soule, and bodies shape withall:
Ano her, heer o're-taken as he fled,
Lies (Tortois-like) all hidden but the head:
Another, covered with a heap of lome,
Seems with his mooving to re-moue his Toomb:
Even as the soft, blinde, Mine-inventing Moule,
In velvet Robes vnder the Earth doth roule,
Refusing light, and little ayr receives,
And hunting worms her mooving hillockes heaves.
Lo, lower heer, a beastly Multitude
On one poor Woman all their lusts intrude;
Whose Spouse (displeas'd with th'execrable Fact)
Into twelues Peeces her dead Body hackt;
And, to twelve Parts of Israel them transfers,
As twelue quick tinders of intestin Wars.
On one poor Woman all their lusts intrude;
Whose Spouse (displeas'd with th'execrable Fact)
Into twelues Peeces her dead Body hackt;
And, to twelve Parts of Israel them transfers,
As twelue quick tinders of intestin Wars.
400
And lower yet behold (with hatefull scorn)
The Ark of God to Dagon's Temple born;
But, th'Idol yeelds to God, and Dagon falls
Before the Ark, which Heathen's pride appalls.
The Ark of God to Dagon's Temple born;
But, th'Idol yeelds to God, and Dagon falls
Before the Ark, which Heathen's pride appalls.
Barac thus arm'd, th'Asorians sets-vpon,
That bright in brass, steel gold, and silver shone:
But, his young Soldiers were much daunted tho,
To see the fearfull Engins of the Foe;
Nine hundred chariots, whirling swift and light,
Whose glistering irons dazle even their sight;
Whose barbed Steeds bear in their heads a Blade
Of the right temper of Damascvs made
(As proud of it as Vnicorns are wont
Of their rich Weapon that adornes their Front)
Amidst their Pettral stands another Pike:
On either-side, long grapples (Sickle-like)
The like at either Nave: so that (in Wars)
'Tis present death t'approach these broaching Cars.
That bright in brass, steel gold, and silver shone:
But, his young Soldiers were much daunted tho,
To see the fearfull Engins of the Foe;
Nine hundred chariots, whirling swift and light,
Whose glistering irons dazle even their sight;
Whose barbed Steeds bear in their heads a Blade
Of the right temper of Damascvs made
(As proud of it as Vnicorns are wont
Of their rich Weapon that adornes their Front)
Amidst their Pettral stands another Pike:
On either-side, long grapples (Sickle-like)
The like at either Nave: so that (in Wars)
'Tis present death t'approach these broaching Cars.
But Debora, her Troops encouraging,
Bestirs her quick, and steps from wing to wing:
Courage (sayth she) brave Souldiers, sacred Knights,
Strike, and strike home, lay on with all your mights:
Stand, fear them not (O Champions of the Faith)
God drives your Foes into the snares of Death.
Doubtless, they are your owne: their armed Charrets
They are but Buggs to daunt deiected spirits.
No, no (my Hearts) not Arms, nor Engines glorious,
But 'tis the heart that makes a Camp victorious:
Or rather, 'tis God's Thunder-throwing hand,
Which onely doth all Warr's success command:
And, Victorie's his Daughter whom he now
(For his owne sake) frankly bestowes on you.
Bestirs her quick, and steps from wing to wing:
Courage (sayth she) brave Souldiers, sacred Knights,
Strike, and strike home, lay on with all your mights:
Stand, fear them not (O Champions of the Faith)
God drives your Foes into the snares of Death.
Doubtless, they are your owne: their armed Charrets
They are but Buggs to daunt deiected spirits.
No, no (my Hearts) not Arms, nor Engines glorious,
But 'tis the heart that makes a Camp victorious:
Or rather, 'tis God's Thunder-throwing hand,
Which onely doth all Warr's success command:
And, Victorie's his Daughter whom he now
(For his owne sake) frankly bestowes on you.
Even as a sort of Shepheards, having spi'd
A Wolf com stealing down a Mountains side,
Cry shrill, Now-now, vp-hill, a Wolf, a Wolfe;
Now, now (sayes Eccho) vp-hill, a Wolf, a Wolf;
And such a noyse between the Vales doth rise,
That th'hungry Thief thence without hunting flies:
So th'Hebrews, heartned with her brave Discourse,
Gave such a showt, that th'armed Carrs and Horse
Turn suddain back, their Drivers Art deceiue;
And, changing side, through their owne Army cleave.
A Wolf com stealing down a Mountains side,
Cry shrill, Now-now, vp-hill, a Wolf, a Wolfe;
Now, now (sayes Eccho) vp-hill, a Wolf, a Wolf;
And such a noyse between the Vales doth rise,
That th'hungry Thief thence without hunting flies:
So th'Hebrews, heartned with her brave Discourse,
Gave such a showt, that th'armed Carrs and Horse
Turn suddain back, their Drivers Art deceiue;
And, changing side, through their owne Army cleave.
Som, with the blades in every Coursers brow,
Were (as with Launces) bored through and through:
Som torn in peeces with the whirling wheels:
Som trod to death vnder the Horses heels:
As (in som Countries) when in Season hot,
Vnder Horse feet (made with a whip to trot)
They vse to thresh the sheaves of Winter-Corn,
The grain spurts-out, the straw is bruis'd and torn.
Som (not direct before the Horse, nor vnder)
Were with the Scithes mow'n in the midst a-sunder:
As in a Mead the Grass, yet in the flowr,
Falls at the foot of the wide-straddling Mower,
That with a stooping back, and stretched arm,
Cuts-cross the swathes to winter-feed his Farm.
Were (as with Launces) bored through and through:
Som torn in peeces with the whirling wheels:
Som trod to death vnder the Horses heels:
As (in som Countries) when in Season hot,
Vnder Horse feet (made with a whip to trot)
401
The grain spurts-out, the straw is bruis'd and torn.
Som (not direct before the Horse, nor vnder)
Were with the Scithes mow'n in the midst a-sunder:
As in a Mead the Grass, yet in the flowr,
Falls at the foot of the wide-straddling Mower,
That with a stooping back, and stretched arm,
Cuts-cross the swathes to winter-feed his Farm.
If there rest any resolute and loth
To lose so soon their Arms and honors both
At first assault, but rather brauely bent
To see so fierce and bloudy Fight's event;
Both Debora and Barac thither pli'd:
But (as 'tis writ of the milde Amramide,
And Nvn's great Son, that Heav'n-deer Mars-like man,
Who did transplant the Tribes to Canaan)
She (in the zeale of her religious spirit)
Lifts-vp her hands to pray, and he to fight.
He charges fierce, he wounds, he slaughters all
But Sisara, their Captain generall;
Who flies to Iahel, and by her is slain
Driving a nail into his sleeping brain.
To lose so soon their Arms and honors both
At first assault, but rather brauely bent
To see so fierce and bloudy Fight's event;
Both Debora and Barac thither pli'd:
But (as 'tis writ of the milde Amramide,
And Nvn's great Son, that Heav'n-deer Mars-like man,
Who did transplant the Tribes to Canaan)
She (in the zeale of her religious spirit)
Lifts-vp her hands to pray, and he to fight.
He charges fierce, he wounds, he slaughters all
But Sisara, their Captain generall;
Who flies to Iahel, and by her is slain
Driving a nail into his sleeping brain.
At last, the Helm of head-strong Israel
Coms to the hand of famous Samvel;
One rarely-wise, who weds his Policy,
To divine gifts of sacred Prophecie:
But, his two greedy Sons, digressing quite
From his good steps, dis-taste the Israelite
Of th'ancient Rvle of th'Heav'nly Potentate:
So that all seek a suddaine Change of State.
Coms to the hand of famous Samvel;
One rarely-wise, who weds his Policy,
To divine gifts of sacred Prophecie:
But, his two greedy Sons, digressing quite
From his good steps, dis-taste the Israelite
Of th'ancient Rvle of th'Heav'nly Potentate:
So that all seek a suddaine Change of State.
Assembled then in sacred Parliament,
Vp starts a Fellow of a mean Descent
(But of great spirit, well-spoken, full of wit,
And courage too, aspiring high to sit)
And having gain'd attention, thus he sayes:
Divine Designe! O Purpose worthy-prayse,
To now-Reform the State, and soundly heal
With holsom Lawes th'hurts of the Common weal:
But (prudent Israel) take now heed or never);
Change not an Ague for a burning Fever;
In shaking-off confused Anarchie,
To be intiç't t'imbrace a Monarchie,
Admir'd of Fools, ador'd of Flatterers,
Of Softlings, Wantons, Braves, and Loyterers:
The Freedom and Defence of the base Rabble;
But, to brave mindes a Yoak intolerable.
Vp starts a Fellow of a mean Descent
(But of great spirit, well-spoken, full of wit,
And courage too, aspiring high to sit)
And having gain'd attention, thus he sayes:
Divine Designe! O Purpose worthy-prayse,
To now-Reform the State, and soundly heal
With holsom Lawes th'hurts of the Common weal:
But (prudent Israel) take now heed or never);
Change not an Ague for a burning Fever;
In shaking-off confused Anarchie,
To be intiç't t'imbrace a Monarchie,
Admir'd of Fools, ador'd of Flatterers,
Of Softlings, Wantons, Braves, and Loyterers:
The Freedom and Defence of the base Rabble;
But, to brave mindes a Yoak intolerable.
For, who can brook millions of men to measure
Breath, Life, and Mooving, all at One man's pleasure?
One, to keep all in aw? One at a beck
A whole great Kingdom to controule and check?
Breath, Life, and Mooving, all at One man's pleasure?
402
A whole great Kingdom to controule and check?
Is't not a goodly sight, to see a Prince,
Void of all Vertue, full of insolence,
To play with Noble States, as with a straw?
A Fool, to give so many Wise the Law?
A Beast, to govern Men? An infant, Eld?
A Hare to lead fierce Lions to the Field?
Void of all Vertue, full of insolence,
To play with Noble States, as with a straw?
A Fool, to give so many Wise the Law?
A Beast, to govern Men? An infant, Eld?
A Hare to lead fierce Lions to the Field?
Who is't but knowes, that such a Court as this,
Is th'open Shop of selling Offices?
Th'harbour of Riot, stews of Ribaldry,
Th'haunt of Profusion, th'Hell of Tyranny:
That no-where shines the Regal Diadem,
But (Comet-like) it boads all vice extreme?
That not a King among ten thousand Kings,
But to his Lust his Law in bondage brings?
But (shame-less) triumphs in the shame of Wives?
But bad, prefers the bad, and good deprives?
But gildeth those that glorifie his Folly;
That sooth and smooth, and call his Hell-ness holy
But with the Torrent of continuall Taxes
(Pour'd every-where) his meanest Subiects vexes
As an ill-stated Body doth distill
On's feeblest parts his cold-raw humors stil.
Is th'open Shop of selling Offices?
Th'harbour of Riot, stews of Ribaldry,
Th'haunt of Profusion, th'Hell of Tyranny:
That no-where shines the Regal Diadem,
But (Comet-like) it boads all vice extreme?
That not a King among ten thousand Kings,
But to his Lust his Law in bondage brings?
But (shame-less) triumphs in the shame of Wives?
But bad, prefers the bad, and good deprives?
But gildeth those that glorifie his Folly;
That sooth and smooth, and call his Hell-ness holy
But with the Torrent of continuall Taxes
(Pour'd every-where) his meanest Subiects vexes
As an ill-stated Body doth distill
On's feeblest parts his cold-raw humors stil.
That Form of Rvle is a right Common weal,
Where all the People haue an Enter-deal:
Where (with-out aw or law) the Tyrants sword
Is not made drunk with bloud, for a Miss-word:
Where, Each (by turn) doth Bid and doth Obey;
Where, still the Commons (hauing Soverain-sway)
Share equally both Rigour and Reward
To each-man's merit: giving no regard
To ill-got Wealth, nor mouldy Monuments
From great-great-Grand-sires scutcheon'd in Descents
Where, Learned men, vn-soule-clogd (as it were)
With servile giues of Kings imperious Fear,
Fly euen to Heav'n; and by their Pens inspire
Posterity with Vertue's glorious Fire:
Where, Honour's honest Combat never ceasses,
Nor Vertue languishes, nor Valour leeses
His sprightfull nerves, through th'Enuy of a Prince,
That cannot brook another's excellence;
Or, Pride of those, who (from great Elders sprung)
Haue nothing but Their glory on their tongue;
And deeming Others Worth, enough for them,
Vertue and Valour, and all Arts contemn:
Or, base Despair, in those of meaner Calling,
Who on the ground still (woorm-like) basely crawling,
Dare not attempt (nor scarcely think, precise)
Any great Act or glorious Enterprise;
Because Ambition, Custom, and the Law,
From high Estate hath bounded them with aw:
Where, He that neuer rightly learn'd t'obay
Commandeth not, with heavy Sword of Sway:
Where, each i'th'Publik having equall part,
All to save all, will hazard life and hart:
Where, Liberty (as deer as life and breath)
Born with vs first, consorts vs to our death.
Where all the People haue an Enter-deal:
Where (with-out aw or law) the Tyrants sword
Is not made drunk with bloud, for a Miss-word:
Where, Each (by turn) doth Bid and doth Obey;
Where, still the Commons (hauing Soverain-sway)
Share equally both Rigour and Reward
To each-man's merit: giving no regard
To ill-got Wealth, nor mouldy Monuments
From great-great-Grand-sires scutcheon'd in Descents
Where, Learned men, vn-soule-clogd (as it were)
With servile giues of Kings imperious Fear,
Fly euen to Heav'n; and by their Pens inspire
Posterity with Vertue's glorious Fire:
Where, Honour's honest Combat never ceasses,
Nor Vertue languishes, nor Valour leeses
His sprightfull nerves, through th'Enuy of a Prince,
That cannot brook another's excellence;
Or, Pride of those, who (from great Elders sprung)
Haue nothing but Their glory on their tongue;
And deeming Others Worth, enough for them,
Vertue and Valour, and all Arts contemn:
Or, base Despair, in those of meaner Calling,
Who on the ground still (woorm-like) basely crawling,
403
Any great Act or glorious Enterprise;
Because Ambition, Custom, and the Law,
From high Estate hath bounded them with aw:
Where, He that neuer rightly learn'd t'obay
Commandeth not, with heavy Sword of Sway:
Where, each i'th'Publik having equall part,
All to save all, will hazard life and hart:
Where, Liberty (as deer as life and breath)
Born with vs first, consorts vs to our death.
Shall savage Beasts like-better Nuts and Mast
In a free Forrest, than our choise Repast
In iron Cages? and shall we (poor Sots)
Whom Nature Masters of our selues allots,
And Lords of All besides; shall we go draw
On our owne necks an ease-less Yoak of Aw?
Rather (O Iacob) chuse we all to die,
Than to betray our Native Libertie;
Than to becom the sporting Tennis-ball
Of a proud Monarch; or to yeeld vs thrall
To serve or honor any other King
Than that drad Lavv which did from Sina ring.
In a free Forrest, than our choise Repast
In iron Cages? and shall we (poor Sots)
Whom Nature Masters of our selues allots,
And Lords of All besides; shall we go draw
On our owne necks an ease-less Yoak of Aw?
Rather (O Iacob) chuse we all to die,
Than to betray our Native Libertie;
Than to becom the sporting Tennis-ball
Of a proud Monarch; or to yeeld vs thrall
To serve or honor any other King
Than that drad Lavv which did from Sina ring.
Another then, whom Age made venerable,
Knowledge admir'd, and Office honorable,
Stands-vp, and speaks (maiestically-milde)
On other Piles the Common-Weal to build.
Knowledge admir'd, and Office honorable,
Stands-vp, and speaks (maiestically-milde)
On other Piles the Common-Weal to build.
Doubt-less (said he) with waste of Time and Soap,
Y'have labour'd long to wash an Æthiope:
Y'have drawn vs heer a goodly form of State
(And well we have had proof of it of late):
Shall we again the Sword of Ivstice put
In mad mens hands, soon their owne throats to cut?
What Tiger is more fierce? what Bear mor fel?
What Chaff more light? What Sea more apt to swel
Than is th'vnbridled Vulgar, passion-toss't;
In calms elated, in foul-weather lost?
What boot deep Proiects, if to th'eyes of all
They must be publisht in the common Hall?
Sith knowen Designes are dangerous to act:
And, th'vn-close Chief did never noble fact.
Y'have labour'd long to wash an Æthiope:
Y'have drawn vs heer a goodly form of State
(And well we have had proof of it of late):
Shall we again the Sword of Ivstice put
In mad mens hands, soon their owne throats to cut?
What Tiger is more fierce? what Bear mor fel?
What Chaff more light? What Sea more apt to swel
Than is th'vnbridled Vulgar, passion-toss't;
In calms elated, in foul-weather lost?
What boot deep Proiects, if to th'eyes of all
They must be publisht in the common Hall?
Sith knowen Designes are dangerous to act:
And, th'vn-close Chief did never noble fact.
Democracy is as a tossed Ship,
Void both of Pole and Pilot in the deep:
A Senate fram'd of thousand Kinglings slight;
Where, voices pass by number, not by waight;
Where, wise men do propound, and Fools dispose:
A Fair, where all things they to sale expose:
A Sink of Filth, where ay th'infamousest,
Most bold and busie, are esteemed best:
A Park of savage Beasts, that each-man dreads:
A Head-less Monster with a thousand heads.
Void both of Pole and Pilot in the deep:
A Senate fram'd of thousand Kinglings slight;
Where, voices pass by number, not by waight;
Where, wise men do propound, and Fools dispose:
A Fair, where all things they to sale expose:
A Sink of Filth, where ay th'infamousest,
Most bold and busie, are esteemed best:
404
A Head-less Monster with a thousand heads.
What shall we then do? shall we by and by
In Tyrants paws deiect vs servilely?
Nay, rather, shunning the extremities,
Let vs make choise of men vpright and wise;
Of such whose Vertue doth the Land adorn,
Of such whom Fortune hath made Noble-born,
Of such as Wealth hath rais'd above the pitch
Of th'obiect Vulgar; and to th'hands of such
(Such as for Wisdom, Wealth, and Birth excell)
Let vs commit the Reans of Israel;
And ever from the sacred Helm exclude
The turbulent, base, moody Multitude.
In Tyrants paws deiect vs servilely?
Nay, rather, shunning the extremities,
Let vs make choise of men vpright and wise;
Of such whose Vertue doth the Land adorn,
Of such whom Fortune hath made Noble-born,
Of such as Wealth hath rais'd above the pitch
Of th'obiect Vulgar; and to th'hands of such
(Such as for Wisdom, Wealth, and Birth excell)
Let vs commit the Reans of Israel;
And ever from the sacred Helm exclude
The turbulent, base, moody Multitude.
Take away Choice, and where is Vertue's grace?
What? shall not Chance vnto Desert give place?
And Lots, to Right? Shall not the blinde be led
By those whose eyes are perfect in their head?
Chiefly, amid such baulks, and blocks and Pits,
As in best State-paths the best States-man meets?
What? shall not Chance vnto Desert give place?
And Lots, to Right? Shall not the blinde be led
By those whose eyes are perfect in their head?
Chiefly, amid such baulks, and blocks and Pits,
As in best State-paths the best States-man meets?
Who may be better trusted with the key
Of a great Chest of Gold and gems than they
That got the same? And who more firm and fit
At carefull Stern of Policie to sit,
Than such as in the Ship most venture bear:
Such as their owne wrack with the State's wrack fear:
Such as, Content, and hauing Much to lose,
Even Death it selfe, rather than Change, would choose?
Of a great Chest of Gold and gems than they
That got the same? And who more firm and fit
At carefull Stern of Policie to sit,
Than such as in the Ship most venture bear:
Such as their owne wrack with the State's wrack fear:
Such as, Content, and hauing Much to lose,
Even Death it selfe, rather than Change, would choose?
While he discourst thus on a Theam so grave,
Vp-rose a Gallant, noble, young, and brave,
Fo to the Vulgar, one that hop't (perchance)
One-day t'attain a Scepters governance,
And thus he speaks: Your Rvle is yet too Free.
Y'have proin'd the leaves, not boughs of Publik-Tree:
Y'have qualifide, but not yet cur'd our Grief:
Y'have in our Field still left the tares of Strife,
Of Leagues, and Factions. For, plurality
Of Heads and Hands to sway an Emperie,
Is for the most part like vntamed Bulls:
One, this way hales: another, that way pulls:
All every-way; hurried with Passion's windes
Whither their Lust-storms do transport their mindes;
At length-the strongest bears the weakest down,
And to himself wholly vsurps the Crown:
And so (in fine) your Aristocracie
He by degrees brings to a Monarchie.
Vp-rose a Gallant, noble, young, and brave,
Fo to the Vulgar, one that hop't (perchance)
One-day t'attain a Scepters governance,
And thus he speaks: Your Rvle is yet too Free.
Y'have proin'd the leaves, not boughs of Publik-Tree:
Y'have qualifide, but not yet cur'd our Grief:
Y'have in our Field still left the tares of Strife,
Of Leagues, and Factions. For, plurality
Of Heads and Hands to sway an Emperie,
Is for the most part like vntamed Bulls:
One, this way hales: another, that way pulls:
All every-way; hurried with Passion's windes
Whither their Lust-storms do transport their mindes;
At length-the strongest bears the weakest down,
And to himself wholly vsurps the Crown:
And so (in fine) your Aristocracie
He by degrees brings to a Monarchie.
In brief, the Scepter Aristocratike:
And People-sway, have Symptomes both alike:
And neither of them can be permanent
For want of Vnion; which of Gouernment
Is both the Life-bloud, and Preservatiue,
Wherby a State, yong, strong, and long doth thrive.
But, Monarchy is as a goodly Station,
Built skilfully, vpon a sure Foundation:
A quiet House, wherin (as principall)
One Father is obey'd and serv'd of all:
A well-rigd Ship, where (when the danger's neer)
A many Masters strive not who shall steer.
And People-sway, have Symptomes both alike:
405
For want of Vnion; which of Gouernment
Is both the Life-bloud, and Preservatiue,
Wherby a State, yong, strong, and long doth thrive.
But, Monarchy is as a goodly Station,
Built skilfully, vpon a sure Foundation:
A quiet House, wherin (as principall)
One Father is obey'd and serv'd of all:
A well-rigd Ship, where (when the danger's neer)
A many Masters strive not who shall steer.
The world hath but One God: Heav'n but One Sun:
Quails but One Chief: the Hony-birds but One
One Master-Bee: and Nature (natively)
Graves in our hearts the Rule of Monarchy.
At sound of whose Edicts, all ioynt-proceed:
Vnder whose Sway, Seditions never breed:
Who, while consulting with Colleagues he stands,
Lets not the Victory escape his hands:
And, that same Maiesty, which (as the Base
And Pedestal) supports the waight and grace,
Greatnes and glory of a well-Rul'd State,
Is not extinguisht nor extenuate,
By being parcelliz'd to a plurality
Of petty Kinglings, of a mean Equality:
Like as a goodly River, deep and large,
Able to bear Ships of the greatest Charge,
If, through new Dikes, his trade-full Waters guided,
Be in a hundred little brooks divided;
No Bridge more fears, nor Sea more waighs the same:
But soon it loses both his trade and name.
And (to conclude) a wise and worthy Prince,
A KING, compleat in Royall excellence,
Is even the Peoples prop, their powrfull nerves,
And lively Law, that all intire preserves:
His Countrie's life, and soule, sight and fore-sight;
And even th'Almightie's sacred Picture right.
Quails but One Chief: the Hony-birds but One
One Master-Bee: and Nature (natively)
Graves in our hearts the Rule of Monarchy.
At sound of whose Edicts, all ioynt-proceed:
Vnder whose Sway, Seditions never breed:
Who, while consulting with Colleagues he stands,
Lets not the Victory escape his hands:
And, that same Maiesty, which (as the Base
And Pedestal) supports the waight and grace,
Greatnes and glory of a well-Rul'd State,
Is not extinguisht nor extenuate,
By being parcelliz'd to a plurality
Of petty Kinglings, of a mean Equality:
Like as a goodly River, deep and large,
Able to bear Ships of the greatest Charge,
If, through new Dikes, his trade-full Waters guided,
Be in a hundred little brooks divided;
No Bridge more fears, nor Sea more waighs the same:
But soon it loses both his trade and name.
And (to conclude) a wise and worthy Prince,
A KING, compleat in Royall excellence,
Is even the Peoples prop, their powrfull nerves,
And lively Law, that all intire preserves:
His Countrie's life, and soule, sight and fore-sight;
And even th'Almightie's sacred Picture right.
While yet he spake, the People loudly cri'd,
A KING, a KING; wee'll have a KING for Guide,
He shall command: He shall conduct our Hoasts,
And make vs Lords of th'Idvmean Coasts.
A KING, a KING; wee'll have a KING for Guide,
He shall command: He shall conduct our Hoasts,
And make vs Lords of th'Idvmean Coasts.
Ingrate, said Samvel will you then reiect
Th'Almighties Scepter? do you more affect
New Policy, than his olde Providence?
And change th'Immortall for a mortall Prince?
Th'Almighties Scepter? do you more affect
New Policy, than his olde Providence?
And change th'Immortall for a mortall Prince?
Well (Rebels) well, you shall, you shall have one:
But do ye knowe what follows there-vpon?
He, from your Ploughs shall take your Horses out,
To serve his Pomp, and draw his Train about
In gilden Coaches (a wilde wanton sort
Of Popiniayes and Peacocks of the Court):
He shall your choisest Sons and Daughters take
To be his Seruants (nay, his slaues to make):
You shall plant Vineyards, he the Wine shall sup:
You shall sowe Fields, and he shall reap the Crop:
You shall keep Flocks, and he shall take the Fleece:
And Pharao's Yoke shall seem but light to his.
But do ye knowe what follows there-vpon?
He, from your Ploughs shall take your Horses out,
To serve his Pomp, and draw his Train about
406
Of Popiniayes and Peacocks of the Court):
He shall your choisest Sons and Daughters take
To be his Seruants (nay, his slaues to make):
You shall plant Vineyards, he the Wine shall sup:
You shall sowe Fields, and he shall reap the Crop:
You shall keep Flocks, and he shall take the Fleece:
And Pharao's Yoke shall seem but light to his.
But, Israel doth wilfull perseuere,
And Samvel (prest and importun'd euer)
Anointeth Savl (the son of Cis) a Man
Whose cursed end marr'd what he well began.
And Samvel (prest and importun'd euer)
Anointeth Savl (the son of Cis) a Man
Whose cursed end marr'd what he well began.
You, too-too-light, busie, ambitious wits,
That Heav'n and Earth confound with furious fits:
Fantastik Frantiks, that would innovate,
And every moment change your form of State:
That weening high to fly, fall lower still:
That though you change your bed change not your Ill:
See, See how much th'Almighty (the most High)
Heer-in abhors your fond inconstancy.
That Heav'n and Earth confound with furious fits:
Fantastik Frantiks, that would innovate,
And every moment change your form of State:
That weening high to fly, fall lower still:
That though you change your bed change not your Ill:
See, See how much th'Almighty (the most High)
Heer-in abhors your fond inconstancy.
The People-State, the Aristocracy,
And sacred KINGDOM, took authority
A-like from Heav'n: and these three Scepter-forms
Flourish a-vie, as well in Arts and Arms,
As prudent Laws. Therefore, you stout Helvetians,
Grisons, Genevians, Ragusins, Venetians,
Maintain your Liberties, and change not now
Your sacred Laws rooted so deep with you.
On th'other side, we that are borne and bred
Vnder KINGS Aw, vnder one Supreame Head,
Let vs still honor their drad Maiesties,
Obey their Laws, and pay them Subsidies.
Let's read, let's hear no more these factious Teachers,
These shame-less Tribunes, these seditious Preachers,
That in all places alwaies belch and bark
Aloud abroad, or whisper in the dark,
Railing at Princes (whether good or bad)
The true Lieutenants of Almighty God.
And let not vs, before a KING, prefer
A Senate-sway, nor Scepter Popular.
And sacred KINGDOM, took authority
A-like from Heav'n: and these three Scepter-forms
Flourish a-vie, as well in Arts and Arms,
As prudent Laws. Therefore, you stout Helvetians,
Grisons, Genevians, Ragusins, Venetians,
Maintain your Liberties, and change not now
Your sacred Laws rooted so deep with you.
On th'other side, we that are borne and bred
Vnder KINGS Aw, vnder one Supreame Head,
Let vs still honor their drad Maiesties,
Obey their Laws, and pay them Subsidies.
Let's read, let's hear no more these factious Teachers,
These shame-less Tribunes, these seditious Preachers,
That in all places alwaies belch and bark
Aloud abroad, or whisper in the dark,
Railing at Princes (whether good or bad)
The true Lieutenants of Almighty God.
And let not vs, before a KING, prefer
A Senate-sway, nor Scepter Popular.
'Tis better bear the Youth-slips of a KING,
I'th' Law som fault, i'th' State som blemishing,
Than to fill all with Blood-flouds of Debate;
While, to Reform, you would Deform a State.
I'th' Law som fault, i'th' State som blemishing,
Than to fill all with Blood-flouds of Debate;
While, to Reform, you would Deform a State.
One cannot (with-out danger) stir a stone
In a great Building's olde foundation:
And, a good Leach seeks rather to support,
With ordered dyet, in a gentle sort,
A feeble Body (though in-sickly plight)
Than with strong Med'cines to destroy it quight.
In a great Building's olde foundation:
And, a good Leach seeks rather to support,
With ordered dyet, in a gentle sort,
407
Than with strong Med'cines to destroy it quight.
And therefore, Cursed, ever Cursed be
Our Hell-spurr'd Percie's fel Conspiracy;
And every head, and every hand and hart,
That did Conceiue or but Consent his part:
Pope-prompted Atheists, faining Superstition,
To cover Cruelty, and cloak Ambition:
Incarnat Divels Enemies of Man,
Dam Murdering Vipers, Monsters in-humane,
Dis-natur'd Nero's, impious Erostrates,
That with one Puff would blowe-vp all Estates;
Princes and Peer's and Peoples Government
(For all Three consists our Parliament.)
Religion, Order, Honesty, and all,
And more then all that Fear can fear to fall.
Our Hell-spurr'd Percie's fel Conspiracy;
And every head, and every hand and hart,
That did Conceiue or but Consent his part:
Pope-prompted Atheists, faining Superstition,
To cover Cruelty, and cloak Ambition:
Incarnat Divels Enemies of Man,
Dam Murdering Vipers, Monsters in-humane,
Dis-natur'd Nero's, impious Erostrates,
That with one Puff would blowe-vp all Estates;
Princes and Peer's and Peoples Government
(For all Three consists our Parliament.)
Religion, Order, Honesty, and all,
And more then all that Fear can fear to fall.
And therefore, Blessed, ever Blessed be
Our glorious GOD's immortall Maiesty;
England's Great Watch-man he that Israel keeps,
Who neuer slumbers and who neuer sleeps:
Our gratious Father, whose still-firm affection
Defends vs still with wings of his Protection:
Our louing Sauiour, that thus Saues vs still
(Vs so vnworthy, vs so prone to ill):
Our sacred Comforter (the Spirit of Light)
Who steers vs still in the True Faith aright)
The Trinitie, th'Eternall Three in One,
Who by his Powr and Prouidence alone,
Hath from the Furnace of their Fiery Zeal
Preserv'd our Prince, our Peers, our Pvblike-Weal,
Our glorious GOD's immortall Maiesty;
England's Great Watch-man he that Israel keeps,
Who neuer slumbers and who neuer sleeps:
Our gratious Father, whose still-firm affection
Defends vs still with wings of his Protection:
Our louing Sauiour, that thus Saues vs still
(Vs so vnworthy, vs so prone to ill):
Our sacred Comforter (the Spirit of Light)
Who steers vs still in the True Faith aright)
The Trinitie, th'Eternall Three in One,
Who by his Powr and Prouidence alone,
Hath from the Furnace of their Fiery Zeal
Preserv'd our Prince, our Peers, our Pvblike-Weal,
Therefore, O Prince (our nostrils deerest breath)
Thou true Defender of true Christian Faith,
O! let the Zeal of God's House eat thee vp:
Fill Babylon her measure in her Cup:
Maim the King maiming Kinglings of Bezec:
Pittie not Agag spare not Amalech:
Hunt, hunt those Fox's that would vnder-mine
Root, Body, Branches of the Sacred Vine:
O! spare them not. To spare Them is to spoil
Thy Self thy Seed thy Subiects, and thy Soil.
Thou true Defender of true Christian Faith,
O! let the Zeal of God's House eat thee vp:
Fill Babylon her measure in her Cup:
Maim the King maiming Kinglings of Bezec:
Pittie not Agag spare not Amalech:
Hunt, hunt those Fox's that would vnder-mine
Root, Body, Branches of the Sacred Vine:
O! spare them not. To spare Them is to spoil
Thy Self thy Seed thy Subiects, and thy Soil.
Therfore, O Peers, Prince-loyall Paladines,
True-noble Nobles, lay-by by-Designes:
And in God's quarrel and your Countries, bring
Counsail and Courage to assist your KING
To counter-mine against the Mines of Rome;
To conquer Hydra, and to ouer-com
And clean cut-off his Horns, and Heads, and all
Whose hearts do Vow, or knees do Bow to Baal:
Be Zealous for the Lord, and Faith-full now,
And honor Him, and He will honour you.
True-noble Nobles, lay-by by-Designes:
And in God's quarrel and your Countries, bring
Counsail and Courage to assist your KING
To counter-mine against the Mines of Rome;
To conquer Hydra, and to ouer-com
And clean cut-off his Horns, and Heads, and all
Whose hearts do Vow, or knees do Bow to Baal:
408
And honor Him, and He will honour you.
Fathers, and Brethren, Ministers of Christ,
Cease civill Warrs: war all on Anti-Christ;
Whose subtle Agents, while you strive for shels,
Poyson the kernel with Erronious Spels:
Whose Envious Seed-men, while you Silent Sleep,
Sowe Tares of Treason, which take root too deep.
Watch; watch your Fold: Feed, feed your Lambs at home:
Muzzle these Sheep-clad bloudy Wolves of Rome.
Cease civill Warrs: war all on Anti-Christ;
Whose subtle Agents, while you strive for shels,
Poyson the kernel with Erronious Spels:
Whose Envious Seed-men, while you Silent Sleep,
Sowe Tares of Treason, which take root too deep.
Watch; watch your Fold: Feed, feed your Lambs at home:
Muzzle these Sheep-clad bloudy Wolves of Rome.
Therfore, O People, let vs Praise and Pray
Th'Almighty-most (whose Mercy lasts for ay)
To giue vs grace, to euer-keep in minde
This Miracle of his Protection kinde:
To true-Repent vs of our hainous Sin
(Pride, Lust, and Looseness) we haue wallowed in:
To stand still constant in the pure Profession
Of true Religion (with a due discretion
To try the Spirits, and by peculiar choice
To knowe our Shepheards from th'Hyæna's voice):
And, ever loyall to our Prince, t'expose
Goods, Lands, and Liues, against his hate-full Foes:
Among whom (Lord) if (yet) of Thine be found,
Conuert them quickly; and the rest Confound.
Th'Almighty-most (whose Mercy lasts for ay)
To giue vs grace, to euer-keep in minde
This Miracle of his Protection kinde:
To true-Repent vs of our hainous Sin
(Pride, Lust, and Looseness) we haue wallowed in:
To stand still constant in the pure Profession
Of true Religion (with a due discretion
To try the Spirits, and by peculiar choice
To knowe our Shepheards from th'Hyæna's voice):
And, ever loyall to our Prince, t'expose
Goods, Lands, and Liues, against his hate-full Foes:
Among whom (Lord) if (yet) of Thine be found,
Conuert them quickly; and the rest Confound.
And (to Conclude) Prince, Peers, and People too,
Praise all at once, and selfly each of you,
His Holy Hand, that (like as long-agoe,
His Sidrach, Misach and Abednego)
From the hot Furnace of Pope-Powder'd Zeal
Hath Sav'd our Prince, our Peers, our Pvblik-weal.
Praise all at once, and selfly each of you,
His Holy Hand, that (like as long-agoe,
His Sidrach, Misach and Abednego)
From the hot Furnace of Pope-Powder'd Zeal
Hath Sav'd our Prince, our Peers, our Pvblik-weal.
| Du Bartas | |