The works of Sr William Davenant ... Consisting of Those which were formerly Printed, and Those which he design'd for the Press: Now published Out of the Authors Originall Copies |
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To the QUEEN; Entertain'd at Night. In the Year 1644.
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 | The works of Sr William Davenant |  |
To the QUEEN; Entertain'd at Night. In the Year 1644.
1
Unhappy Excellence, What make you here?Had you had sin enough to be afraid,
Or we the vertue not to cause that feare,
You had not hither come to be betray'd.
2
But since you come, and bring so rich a storeOf Native Ornament and Inward wealth,
Do not expect to goe, and leave us poore;
For we must share of both, by force or stealth.
3
Tis not enough, though from each excellenceYou furnish us that here expecting stand:
We must divide your vertues, and dispence
Them, as a bounty, through this needy Land.
4
In necessary haste, your CharityShall unto great suspitious Wits be given;
But timely, ere they breathe their last, to try
If, without Faith, they can arrive at Heaven.
297
5
Unto the Clergy, your Humility;Till like the old Apostles they appeare,
Who serv'd, (had they not lik'd their low degree)
One that could make them greater then they were.
6
On Judges, your compassion we bestow;To make them, when they punish, less severe;
For poor disdain'd Invaders valiant grow
VVhen rigid Lawes make wealthy Cowards here.
7
To Citizens, your Bounty; who believeThey for long Couz'ning dearly satisfie,
If to appease new Kings, they Pageants give,
And sweeten Heaven with Almes when they must die.
8
Your truth, we offer to the Politick,VVho, with new Crutches, would support the Lawes;
Excusing publick Ayds with an old Trick
Of wanting conscience to approve the cause.
9
Your patience, now our Drums are silent grown;VVe give to Souldiers, who in fury are,
To find the profit of their Trade is gone,
And Lawyers still grow rich by Civil VVarr.
10
Your Chastity to all, that so we maySafely without affronts to publick peace,
Perform the Zealots part a calmer way;
VVhilst vertue makes the high Commission cease.
11
To seeming Statesmen we design your wit;For wanting wit they gravely wit despise.
But when by having yours they value it,
They need no power nor wealth to make them wise.
12
Your Beauty, to your Ladies we decree,Yet, since each soon would quarrel for her share,
VVe only think it safe in Majesty,
And they more safe from Envy, as they are.
13
Your bashfulness shall freely be allow'dTo Northern Suters who besiege the Throne:
For Princes look like Prisoners in that Croud,
VVhere most by impudence not worth are known.
14
Your voice (our Musick when you speak) we giveTo those who teach the Mysteries above,
That their perswasions we may soon believe;
For Doctrines thrive when we our Teachers love.
15
Your heart, to those who swore the Covenant;And though this Gift to them seem strange to you,
Yet such a heart as yours they only want,
To make them loving to their King and true.
298
16
Now of these Vertues you have rifled been,And so much Ornament is sent away;
How (Madam) do you feel your self within?
The Sun and you can ne'r deprive
Your selves by what you others give:
You both keep Light by motion from decay.
17
Think not these Vertues lost but stept aside;Then long you need not for their absence mourne,
Such Guests cannot in Clayie sheds abide,
But to their Christall-Court will soon returne.
| The works of Sr William Davenant | |