University of Virginia Library

A worthie King.

A worthie King, of GOD OMNIPOTENT,
Is in the Nature of Governament,
The verie Figure and the Image: Then
Hee is the Chiefe and Quintescence of Men.
The Champion of the Church next GOD is Hee,
And the Protector of the Policie.
The Lator of the Lawes and of the same
The strength and force, of those that hee doth frame.
The Sword of Iustice is the King to kill,
And Mercies Scepter too, when ere Hee will.
The Glasse of Grace, the eye of Honour, and
The Blessing of the LORD vnto his Land.
Lyfe vnto Loyaltie, to Treason Terrour,
To Reason Rule, and Arbiter to Errour:
His power Soveraigne is, and his Command,
Most absolute, and vncontroll'd must stand.
His frowne is Death, keene as a killing Knife,
And in the favour of his looke, is Life.
Hee is a Pilote, and His Bounds the Barge:
And all His Subjects therein, are His Charge.
Their Peace, His Pleasure, Quietnesse his Care,
And their kinde loue, doth his content declare.
Hee hath no Paralele, since in degree
None is, nor with Him in æqualitie.
His Royall Crownes prærogatiue none ever
Can from his sole Sov'raignitie dissever:
Hee is th'Anointed of the Lord, and such
None should therefore presume t'attempt to touch.
Hee of a Bodie is the head, heerefore.
As sacred should vnwrong'd reigne evermore.
Hee is the Scourge of Sinne, the Rod of Vice,
And rateth Vertue at the highest price.
God His Vice-Roy, Hee's o're His people Supreme,
And vnder him whole Governour to them.
His Safetie must bee all his Counsels Care:
His Health and Honour, all His Peoples Prayer.
His Pleasure must bee pleasant to his Peeres,
And His Content His Kingdomes glads and Cheares.
His Presence must with Reverence be respected,
His Person strongl' attended and protected.
His Court must bee adorned and decor'd,
And still His State must b'intertain'd and stor'd.
None must presumpt'ouslie pry in, nor pearse
Into His Bosome, nor his Secrets Search.
His Will none should with-stand, nor it retard
When hee directs, but do't with great regard.
Since hee's (tho not a God) more than a Man.
And next to God for to bee honour'd than.
A Wall of Iasper, and an House of Golde
Hee is, that doth an Heavenlie Treasure holde:
Whose strong foundations are of precious Stone,
That Gates and entresse bot of Pearle haue none.
And all is precious passing ev'rie Thing,
Into a Godlie, Wise, and Worthie KING.