University of Virginia Library

New-Englands grand Eclips by the withdrawing of that vast body, or Trium-virate of Politick, Ecclesiastick, Military Light John Leverett

Governour of the Massathuset, and Moderatour of the Confederate Colonies In New England, who disbanded the 16th: of the 1st: 1678/9 AEtatis suae: 63.

'Tis not a vulgar straine the Learned know
Can speake the Homage which all fancies ow
To this State-Giant. Had I ne're before
Seen Monarchs in their Ermins rold in Gore,
Had I not read on tombs, where publique trust
Assures us lies the most Couragious Dust:
I should have deem'd, twixt us and him this odds
That Wormes like me might die But such turn Gods.
I place not this Grand Heroe in their Spheare
But own by such he wore his title here.
Thanks first to Heaven, next to Caesar's beams
Which still gives Light to pen these dolefull Theams.
Hee's something worse then Monster in defect
Who covers such a piece with disrespect.
Heaven did not winke and chuse. Nor did the voice
Of an whole Countrey once repent this Choice
Form'd to this very end; sent as a Gift
To help this province at a deadly lift.
Lesse Active spirits might serve turn at helme
While th'Vulgar like the sea is still and Calme,
But for a boysterous spell, needs such an one,
Who with his Countenance could quell alone.
Goodness of extract happyly Conjoyn'd
By heavenly Marriage to an Heroe's mind:
In which if anywhere might be confest
The Lion with the Lamb did feed and rest.
Abràm in armes, well might th'acute Divine
Make application at this wine of thine.
Tall Cedars in our forrest, In whose shade
Those Sympathizeing twine so long have laid
Of State and Church. His valour set a spell
And snib'd the outrage of the Infidell.
This Holy Land was preposest before
But Joshua turnd the Heathen out of Dore.
And by the Soul of valour bolted out
Whole Nations of the tawny barbarous rout
Hee clos'd the Churches wounds and kept the peace
When secret undermines did Increase.
When some delv'd deep their enterprize to hide
He trumpeted away their envious pride,
And Cut that Gordian knot which many thought
Would our Assemblys to Confusion brought.
Tis more then Common vertue must stand here
No vulgar Art could such a vessel steer,
Whose passengers were saincts and Cabins hold
Such heavenly treasure as transcendeth Gold.
To keep the Arke so stedy yet not smitten.
In such great Earthquakes may be truly written
Among the Choicest Records: Twas a thing
Whereof from Age to Age our World may ring.
Next to that unseen hand which cannot Erre
We may the Crown of praise on him transfer.
Great were his parts, Sublimer much his grace
Some beams of Majesty had toucht his face
Sufficient to enforme a Countrey whence
He borrow'd his Magestick Influence.
A Generall of such a noble sphear
His person and his purse both scorn'd the Reare.
So amiable both in Court and Field
His hand could Conquer while his spirits yield.
Come fellow souldiers: Chere all hearts amain
The Countreys cordiall is Soveraigne
He Honourably cry'd up all the Joy
When Boston Eccho'd loud Vive le Roy
Tis plaine without him we had had no sence
What meant the things call'd Royall Influence.
Twas not pure Custome but an anuall debt
Which caus'd our Alma Mater humbly set
Great Leveretts name, maine patron of her rights
In publique acts after their studious nights
A Thesis of it self so full of light
All disputations were decided by't.
He left that Marble which before was Stone
Or rather that Created which was none.
A great worke built on ruines former fame
Yet but an urne compar'd with his great name.
Next that Grand matron, creep the Infant schools
Which save some naturall wits from greatest fools
Drest in the weeds of grief: And well they may
Since their Maecaenas is divorc'd away.
The Regiments, professours of the time
Lament in Ranke and file though not in Rhime.
All quarters startled at the suddaine end
Of this brave Joshua their publique friend.
Bring floods of tears, yet some returnd as though
The numerous already would not off.
Whose big swoln Clouds are ready to disperse
Their Amber tears upon the Sable herse
This Providence hath baffled all that Art
Which to the World did heav'n's concerns impart.
Such who the most by starrs and tide did know
Could not portend this full sea of our woe.
By this prodigious stroke of Cruell fate
Which our Eclypses Scheme doth Antidate,
Who setting in our Clime has great Remarke
And proves Star-prophets sometimes in the darke.
Good Reason too Wise men are patent free
And ruld great Starrs themselves and thus did hee.
When angells made a muster in the Skie
And their stupendous ordinance let flie,
Ers while what could their Loud report portend
But preparations for this Generals end.
That spacious field was cleard of that black Guard
To Convoy this up to his high reward.
Such as New Englands Annalls mind to sift
Will find him by quotation. John the fifth: alias sixth
But I recede from this Illustrious Throne
Whither my phancy roves to make my moane
Poor broken Boston, shall thy bleared eyes
And dolefull sighs which dayly stab the Skies
Griefs Hurricanes, what shall they never o're
And force their entry at some other dore?
Must this darke Climate be the onely stage
For Nemesis to act her various rage?
This the Aceldama for wounds and gore
The publick hospitall for pox and poor?
And must that man of sin who plots our woe
And Heav'ns dishonour, always Scotfree goe?
Shall the Laviathan who feasts on states
And quaffs the blood of Kings escape the fates?
Lord cast some Angry sparke into the nest
Of that blood sucking Anti Christian beast.
What yet remains New England's out of view
To pilate in such storms adventure few.
All Caesars subjects with a Common voyce
Cry God save Charles and help you in next choyce.
His diadem which now is soild with tears
So that her Lustre something disappears.
Sole Cordiall in his paines, which by his limbs
In a deep Gulf of tears before you swims
Whilst this small province in its freedom stands
Honour the dead by lending liveing hands
This will be omen of your future peace
Heaven will Create or rayse up more of these.