Albions England A Continued Historie of the same Kingdome, from the Originals of the first Inhabitants thereof: With most the chiefe Alterations and Accidents theare hapning, vnto, and in the happie Raigne of our now most gracious Soueraigne, Queene Elizabeth: Not barren in varietie of inuentiue and historicall Intermixtures: First penned and published by William Warner: and now reuised, and newly inlarged by the same Author: Whereunto is also newly added an Epitome of the whole Historie of England |
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| 9. | THE NINTH BOOKE OF ALBIONS ENGLAND. |
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209
THE NINTH BOOKE OF ALBIONS ENGLAND.
CHAP. XLIIII.
Avert your eies and eares, all yee, that enuy her the fame
Of more renowned Regment, than our fluent Thoughts can name.
Yea that conceit such Poemes as more learned not conceaue,
Reade not the rest, but silently euen at this line doe leaue.
Ridled Poesies, and those significantly flowe,
Differ in eares as doe in mouths the Apricock and Slowe.
Phisitians bylles not Patients but Apothecaries know:
Some moderne Poets with themselues be hardly inward so,
Not intellectiuely to write is learned they troe:
Whereby they hit Capacities, as blind-man hits the Croe.
Nor Those, nor These, feare thou, my Muse, but mildly sing the prayes
Of these our present times, lesse grosse than those of elder daies.
Our world hath made it course, that as the Moone doth wax & waine,
From gold to siluer, then to iron, and now to golde againe.
Of whose faire-cured Leaprosie from former twaine to golde,
(For in a Quintessence was all eare Gods worlds-curse of olde)
The vndeluding Alcumist is that Elizabeth,
Whom English, yea and Alenes, hold a Goddesse on the Earth.
Elizabeth by Peace, by warre, for Maiestie, for Milde,
Inriched, feared, honor'd, Lou'd, at wel-meant Toyes that smilde.
Let then Mnemosines controule (as well they may) our Muse,
We shall her grace wheare we transgresse for Supersedias vse.
Phœbus thine humbled Phaeton this second boone doth aske,
That thou wouldst giue, and ioyntly guide, to, & with me, thy Taske:
Infuse Apollo too into thy selfe, thy selfe in me,
Yeat then our mightie Subiect threats will much omission be,
But what implore I Fictions, that I well imploye my penne,
Eternall God, say thou (which thou all-only canst) Amen,
Of more renowned Regment, than our fluent Thoughts can name.
Yea that conceit such Poemes as more learned not conceaue,
Reade not the rest, but silently euen at this line doe leaue.
Ridled Poesies, and those significantly flowe,
Differ in eares as doe in mouths the Apricock and Slowe.
Phisitians bylles not Patients but Apothecaries know:
Some moderne Poets with themselues be hardly inward so,
Not intellectiuely to write is learned they troe:
Whereby they hit Capacities, as blind-man hits the Croe.
Nor Those, nor These, feare thou, my Muse, but mildly sing the prayes
Of these our present times, lesse grosse than those of elder daies.
Our world hath made it course, that as the Moone doth wax & waine,
From gold to siluer, then to iron, and now to golde againe.
Of whose faire-cured Leaprosie from former twaine to golde,
(For in a Quintessence was all eare Gods worlds-curse of olde)
The vndeluding Alcumist is that Elizabeth,
Whom English, yea and Alenes, hold a Goddesse on the Earth.
Elizabeth by Peace, by warre, for Maiestie, for Milde,
210
Let then Mnemosines controule (as well they may) our Muse,
We shall her grace wheare we transgresse for Supersedias vse.
Phœbus thine humbled Phaeton this second boone doth aske,
That thou wouldst giue, and ioyntly guide, to, & with me, thy Taske:
Infuse Apollo too into thy selfe, thy selfe in me,
Yeat then our mightie Subiect threats will much omission be,
But what implore I Fictions, that I well imploye my penne,
Eternall God, say thou (which thou all-only canst) Amen,
When Iupiter and Arcas yong (the Sier, and Sonne) had clos'de
Saturnus in Italian Hell, not to be baylde suppos'de,
Then Proserpin, blacke Dis his wife, inlargd the Wrangler thence,
To vex her Sister, crosse her Siers and Brothers sownd pretence.
Then she, euen she whom Cynthia some, and some doe Pallas call,
(Yt skils not whether, Eithers lawdes doe aptly her befall)
By Saturne, Dis, and Proserpin, giltles molested longe,
Vnto the God yclip't, I-Am, thus motioneth her wronge.
O Mightiest Mightie, that of nought createdst all that is,
And gauste to Man (thy noblest Worke) himselfe and all for his,
And, saue Obedience, didst impose on him no other Fine,
And, disobaying, didst redeeme his Losse with deerest Thyne,
Which selfesame Thyne, and still same-Oures, I also intercesse,
For thee professing being wrong'd, at length to haue redresse.
Scarce this was said when thus ensewed, the Three were rapted hence:
Saturne and Dis confinde their Hells: Proserpin her offence
(Growen through Mis-Guides, Venial perhaps) we cēsure in suspence,
And faire, lou'd, feard, Elizabeth here Goddiz'd euer sence.
For me to wrest from Hercules his Club as easie weare,
Saturnus in Italian Hell, not to be baylde suppos'de,
Then Proserpin, blacke Dis his wife, inlargd the Wrangler thence,
To vex her Sister, crosse her Siers and Brothers sownd pretence.
Then she, euen she whom Cynthia some, and some doe Pallas call,
(Yt skils not whether, Eithers lawdes doe aptly her befall)
By Saturne, Dis, and Proserpin, giltles molested longe,
Vnto the God yclip't, I-Am, thus motioneth her wronge.
O Mightiest Mightie, that of nought createdst all that is,
And gauste to Man (thy noblest Worke) himselfe and all for his,
And, saue Obedience, didst impose on him no other Fine,
And, disobaying, didst redeeme his Losse with deerest Thyne,
Which selfesame Thyne, and still same-Oures, I also intercesse,
For thee professing being wrong'd, at length to haue redresse.
Scarce this was said when thus ensewed, the Three were rapted hence:
Saturne and Dis confinde their Hells: Proserpin her offence
(Growen through Mis-Guides, Venial perhaps) we cēsure in suspence,
And faire, lou'd, feard, Elizabeth here Goddiz'd euer sence.
As in the Ocean of her fame, with choysest sayles, to beare
That fraight that with the Indiā wealth may more then much cōpare.
Yeat how th' Italian Feends did freat and hetherto inuaye
Against thy glory, gracious Sainct, were ouerlong to saye.
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Thy louing, and beloued God, to thee is still the same.
King Phillips-selfe (so doting on his Pope-created Crewe,
That, he it suffring, his owne Sonne and heire those Locusts slewe,
Because they feared he would proue vnto the Gospell trewe,)
Euen Phillip, once that raked hell for rascall brybed Skomes
To ridde thee hence (indignities that badly such becomes)
Once had thee, then not hauing power to doe thee any harme:
It is the worke of God (let Rome vncursse, let Spaine vn-arme)
That thou art Queene, to plant his word, when we could hope it least,
When Ours & all the Kings had cast their Crownes before the beast,
When greedely the Priests of Baal did for thy ruine gape,
Thou didst, vnharmde, the Lyons denne and firie Ouen escape:
Euen then when Tryumphs were in hand, bels ronge, & bonfires made,
Because Queene Mary of a sonne deliuered was said,
Euen then, I say, God mortifide that womb, to bring to passe
That vnto thee, his Queene-elect, no Issue letting was:
That soone Religion and our Realme might welcome wished peace:
Maiest thon, the Cause thereof, suruiue long after my decease.
But if it be his will, to whom are all Euents fore-knowne,
That Papistrie shall in our Land againe erect her Throne,
Let Spaniards, or what Tyrants els, be Masters here, so thay
Take also with our Land our Liues, and rid vs out the way.
For not they onely die, but die in lingring Torments, who
Fault to their Inquisition, or their falsed Rytes must doe:
Then better Bodies perish than should soules miscarrie too.
Of neither which hath Rome or Spaine remorse, but thrusting Sway,
Regard not whom, by whom, or how, they treacherously betray:
How oft haue they, the rest ore-past, suborn'd our Queenes decay:
By wars, wiles, witchcrafts, daggers, dags, Pope, poyson, & what not?
To her haue they attempted death, for liewe the Traytors lot:
Vouchsafe, O God, those loues of thine be neuermore forgot.
Was neuer any thryued yet that threatned her amis:
212
And if Examples might preuaile, then Traytors might perceaue,
They perish in their purpose, or but Spyders webbes do weaue.
And here occasion apteth that we catalogue awhile,
And vnto English Dukes, from first to last, addresse our Style.
Though numbers greater, and as great of power, did pride begyle,
Yeat in this one degree obserue what headding and exile:
If then such Mighties felt Gods frowne, shal Meaners hope his smile?
CHAP. XLV.
Edward
, surnam'd the blacke Prince, and third Edwards eldest sonne,
Third Thomas Duke of Norfolke, This did ende, and that begonne,
From Normaine Williams Conquest heere of Dukes the Title hie:
Of fortie seuen, but twentie two a naturall death did die.
Edward the Duke of Yorke, that lead fifth Henries Vaward Knightly,
Then slaine at Agencourt with fame, we ouerpasse him lightly:
Nor Humfrey Duke of Glocester heere catalogue we rightly:
Nor William Duke of Suffolke, who, exilde, on seas was met,
And, hated, headded, howbeit sixt Henries Fauoret:
Nor Edmund Duke of Somerset, that Henries loued Peere:
Not Humfrey Duke of Buckingham, to that same King as deere:
Nor sweet young Richard, Duke of Yorke, of Glosters kyn too neere:
We also two Plantagenets, both Dukes of Clarence cleere,
Of which was Thomas slaine in France, George drownd in Malmsie heere:
For though these Eight remembred Dukes deceast not in their beads,
Yeat none of these had traytrous hearts that forfetted their heads,
Howbeit, otherwise, of these weare some that erred so,
That, stomack't for such Errors, ends to them vntimely groe.
Nor was the Duke of Ireland, Vere, in second Richards time
A Traytor, but a Parasite, which proude no lesse a crime:
He as ambitious, as he was enuious, and enuied,
Was banisht by the Nobles, and in banishment he died.
Mowbreie of Norffolke (right or wrong) by foresaid Richard was
Exiled, and in Italy did hence to nature pas.
When second Richard was deposde, and Henry wore the Crowne,
Two Hollands, to restore the one and put the other downe,
Conspiring, weare detected, and at Cercester they both,
Of Excester and Surrey Dukes, found death in Vulgar wroth.
Richard Plantagenet, the Duke of Yorke, fourth Edwards father,
Sought to depose sixt Henrie, and was heard therein the rather,
For that to him by law-Descent the Scepter did acrew,
But they compound, howbeit warres were reard, and him they slew.
Iohn Holland, Duke of Excester, fourth Edwards sentence flead,
And was long after in the sea suspitiously found dead.
Then Henry, Duke of Somerset, rebelling lost his head.
Of Edmund, Duke of Somerset, the like is also reade.
So Henrie, Duke of Buckingham, third Richards friend-foe speade.
And that tyrannous Richard, Duke of Glocester, his Raigne
Vsurped was suppressed, he for blood, payd blood againe.
Iohn, Duke of Norffolke, fought, and fell at Bosworth field. His sonne
Duke Thomas, in Eight Henries daies, did heading hardly shonne,
Adiudg'd perpetuall Durance, in Queene Maries raigne vndonne.
Wolsey, that slye, officious, and too Lordly Cardnall, wrought
(Who could & would effect his wil) that to the blocke was brought,
Eight Henrie raigning, Edward Duke of Buckingham, whose end
That Prelate ioyde, the people moend, because his foe, their friend.
Seimer, the Duke of Somerset, enuied more than reason,
By one that came the next to Blocke, though mightie at that season,
Sixt Edward in Minoritie, dide, quit although of treason.
No sooner Marie got the crowne, more likly to be gon,
But Iohn, Duke of Northumberland, beheaded was anone,
Who wrought to set the Diademe Iane Dudlies head vpon.
Her Father Henry Gray, the Duke of Suffolke was also
A friend vnto that Faction, and the Spanish Woers foe,
But by that act he lost his head, as did a many moe.
In blessed Queene Elizabeth her happy Raigne of peace,
The Tragedies and Tytles too of English Dukes did cease,
Which Thomas, Duke of Norffolke, last Tragedian did increase.
Third Thomas Duke of Norfolke, This did ende, and that begonne,
From Normaine Williams Conquest heere of Dukes the Title hie:
Of fortie seuen, but twentie two a naturall death did die.
Edward the Duke of Yorke, that lead fifth Henries Vaward Knightly,
Then slaine at Agencourt with fame, we ouerpasse him lightly:
Nor Humfrey Duke of Glocester heere catalogue we rightly:
Nor William Duke of Suffolke, who, exilde, on seas was met,
And, hated, headded, howbeit sixt Henries Fauoret:
Nor Edmund Duke of Somerset, that Henries loued Peere:
Not Humfrey Duke of Buckingham, to that same King as deere:
Nor sweet young Richard, Duke of Yorke, of Glosters kyn too neere:
We also two Plantagenets, both Dukes of Clarence cleere,
Of which was Thomas slaine in France, George drownd in Malmsie heere:
For though these Eight remembred Dukes deceast not in their beads,
Yeat none of these had traytrous hearts that forfetted their heads,
Howbeit, otherwise, of these weare some that erred so,
213
Nor was the Duke of Ireland, Vere, in second Richards time
A Traytor, but a Parasite, which proude no lesse a crime:
He as ambitious, as he was enuious, and enuied,
Was banisht by the Nobles, and in banishment he died.
Mowbreie of Norffolke (right or wrong) by foresaid Richard was
Exiled, and in Italy did hence to nature pas.
When second Richard was deposde, and Henry wore the Crowne,
Two Hollands, to restore the one and put the other downe,
Conspiring, weare detected, and at Cercester they both,
Of Excester and Surrey Dukes, found death in Vulgar wroth.
Richard Plantagenet, the Duke of Yorke, fourth Edwards father,
Sought to depose sixt Henrie, and was heard therein the rather,
For that to him by law-Descent the Scepter did acrew,
But they compound, howbeit warres were reard, and him they slew.
Iohn Holland, Duke of Excester, fourth Edwards sentence flead,
And was long after in the sea suspitiously found dead.
Then Henry, Duke of Somerset, rebelling lost his head.
Of Edmund, Duke of Somerset, the like is also reade.
So Henrie, Duke of Buckingham, third Richards friend-foe speade.
And that tyrannous Richard, Duke of Glocester, his Raigne
Vsurped was suppressed, he for blood, payd blood againe.
Iohn, Duke of Norffolke, fought, and fell at Bosworth field. His sonne
Duke Thomas, in Eight Henries daies, did heading hardly shonne,
Adiudg'd perpetuall Durance, in Queene Maries raigne vndonne.
Wolsey, that slye, officious, and too Lordly Cardnall, wrought
(Who could & would effect his wil) that to the blocke was brought,
Eight Henrie raigning, Edward Duke of Buckingham, whose end
That Prelate ioyde, the people moend, because his foe, their friend.
Seimer, the Duke of Somerset, enuied more than reason,
By one that came the next to Blocke, though mightie at that season,
Sixt Edward in Minoritie, dide, quit although of treason.
No sooner Marie got the crowne, more likly to be gon,
214
Who wrought to set the Diademe Iane Dudlies head vpon.
Her Father Henry Gray, the Duke of Suffolke was also
A friend vnto that Faction, and the Spanish Woers foe,
But by that act he lost his head, as did a many moe.
In blessed Queene Elizabeth her happy Raigne of peace,
The Tragedies and Tytles too of English Dukes did cease,
Which Thomas, Duke of Norffolke, last Tragedian did increase.
All these weare mightie in their times, yeat being Mal-contents,
Both they, and hundreds powerfull Peeres for like found like Euents.
Howbeit of the common-wealth none worser did desarue,
Than such as flattred Princes faults, who faulting, all did swarue.
Which, in their Pollicie, the States of Hell did then fore-see,
When as they ioyned others Aydes vnto the Furies three,
Narcissus Shadowe, and the Voice of Eccho: than which twaine,
How fabulous so-ere it seeme, nought hath or more doth baine:
Wherefore to such as know them not we either thus explaine.
Both they, and hundreds powerfull Peeres for like found like Euents.
Howbeit of the common-wealth none worser did desarue,
Than such as flattred Princes faults, who faulting, all did swarue.
Which, in their Pollicie, the States of Hell did then fore-see,
When as they ioyned others Aydes vnto the Furies three,
Narcissus Shadowe, and the Voice of Eccho: than which twaine,
How fabulous so-ere it seeme, nought hath or more doth baine:
Wherefore to such as know them not we either thus explaine.
CHAP. XLVI.
Wheare
Cadmus, old Agenors sonne, did rest and plant his Raigne,
Narcissus (of his Of-spring) theare for beautie fame did gaine.
His Mother was Lyriope, faire Theres fairer Daughter,
Whome cheefest as the choisest wowde, and braue Cephisus caught her.
Bœotia was the fertile Realme, Parnassus Plaine the place
Whear this admired Youth was borne, this Lasse-Lad forme and face.
No Nymph so faire but wisht him hers, howbeit all in vaine:
His selfe-loue wrought his selfe-losse, & his beauty prou'd his baine,
Who, proud of Natures plentie, hild all others in disdaine:
Till God, who had created Man the fairest Creature,
(Howbeit but a shadow of his proper Feature,
More differing far than Sun-shine frō the Suns selfe-substance pure)
Narcissus ouer-scornfull pride not longer would indure,
But frō his forme, that pleas'd him most, his plague did thus procure.
As this same fond selfe-pleasing Youth stood at a Fountaynes brym,
And proudly sees his shadow theare, admiring euery lym,
Eccho, an amiable Nymph (long amorous of hym,
But louing vnbeloued) now, at least to please her Eye,
Conuaies her selfe, vnseene, into a Thicket ioyning by,
And thear, as much ore-gone with loue as he ore-gone with pride,
She hears, and sees, and would haue pleas'd three Senses more beside.
And nothing more than euery part-thus stealth-seene, liked her,
And nothing lesse than hidden with vnhidden to conferre,
For well it had contented then in more then sight to erre,
Although not meanely did his scorne gainst it her stomacke sterre.
Meane while the Lad (such power hath pride mens Senses to subdue)
Doats on his shadow, now suppos'd to be a Substance true:
And lastly wowes so formally in words and gestures sweete,
That Eccho found his error: and, he saying, Let vs meete,
Let's meete, quoth Eccho, mockingly: which, hearing, he with speed
(Beleeuing that his shadow was a Nymph, and spake in deed,)
Did leape into the Fountaine, whear that Gallant, drowning thus,
Hath left example how like pride may cause like plague to vs.
Narcissus (of his Of-spring) theare for beautie fame did gaine.
His Mother was Lyriope, faire Theres fairer Daughter,
Whome cheefest as the choisest wowde, and braue Cephisus caught her.
Bœotia was the fertile Realme, Parnassus Plaine the place
Whear this admired Youth was borne, this Lasse-Lad forme and face.
215
His selfe-loue wrought his selfe-losse, & his beauty prou'd his baine,
Who, proud of Natures plentie, hild all others in disdaine:
Till God, who had created Man the fairest Creature,
(Howbeit but a shadow of his proper Feature,
More differing far than Sun-shine frō the Suns selfe-substance pure)
Narcissus ouer-scornfull pride not longer would indure,
But frō his forme, that pleas'd him most, his plague did thus procure.
As this same fond selfe-pleasing Youth stood at a Fountaynes brym,
And proudly sees his shadow theare, admiring euery lym,
Eccho, an amiable Nymph (long amorous of hym,
But louing vnbeloued) now, at least to please her Eye,
Conuaies her selfe, vnseene, into a Thicket ioyning by,
And thear, as much ore-gone with loue as he ore-gone with pride,
She hears, and sees, and would haue pleas'd three Senses more beside.
And nothing more than euery part-thus stealth-seene, liked her,
And nothing lesse than hidden with vnhidden to conferre,
For well it had contented then in more then sight to erre,
Although not meanely did his scorne gainst it her stomacke sterre.
Meane while the Lad (such power hath pride mens Senses to subdue)
Doats on his shadow, now suppos'd to be a Substance true:
And lastly wowes so formally in words and gestures sweete,
That Eccho found his error: and, he saying, Let vs meete,
Let's meete, quoth Eccho, mockingly: which, hearing, he with speed
(Beleeuing that his shadow was a Nymph, and spake in deed,)
Did leape into the Fountaine, whear that Gallant, drowning thus,
Hath left example how like pride may cause like plague to vs.
How smooth-tongu'd Eccho, that for him in al, saue voice, did pine,
To quit his scorne, baind other Fooles alike vain-glorious fine,
By smoothing them, is Nasoes tale, no purpose here of mine.
But how Narcissus shadow and this Ecchos voyce (though they
Haue long bene dead) haunt now the World, is it we meane to say.
To quit his scorne, baind other Fooles alike vain-glorious fine,
By smoothing them, is Nasoes tale, no purpose here of mine.
But how Narcissus shadow and this Ecchos voyce (though they
Haue long bene dead) haunt now the World, is it we meane to say.
216
Pluto
, Minos, Radamant, and all th' infernall States,
Did pytch a Session, to correct Remisnes in debates,
Deuising Orders that on Earth might more Disorders be.
Tisiphone, Alecto, and Megæra, these same three
Weare shrewdly checkt, because it was obiected, though vntruely,
That they weare ydle, Hell lackt Guests, and men on Earth waxt ruly.
The hellish Potentates therefore a new Commission framed,
Narcissus ghost and Ecchos voice therein of Quorum named.
These twayne and those three Furies thus, Copattentees, leaue Hell,
And diuersly throughout the Earth to Soule-infecting fell.
Leaue we those others, labouring their Mischiefes farre and neere,
Whil'st Eccho and Narcissus are more badly busie heere.
Crab'd Saturne & too-boystrous Mars direct those Formers matter,
Soft Venus and smooth Mercurie, giue Method to these latter:
Those Furies roughly doe effect their tragicke Taskes, these Twoe
So slyely worke, that sweetely men their proper sorrowes wowe.
Heer-hence our gold-imbased World in view and valew fayld,
For Eccho and Narcissus much in many things preuayld.
Hence is it some of high estate themselues doe ouer-like,
Whilst deadlier wound then ecchoing toongs then should a foe them strike.
Hence (whence dishonorde) some of them beleeue of men belyed
Their glozing Groomes, as Tyrants so by them they wrong enuied.
Hence oftentimes Authoritie lookes biglier than a Bull,
With Suters poore too sternely quicke, in helping them too dull.
Hence both in preaching, harboring, and humilitie, it is
Some Prelates sooth, be soothed, leade, and they be lead amis.
Hence Lawe, sometimes, as formde of waxe, through new refined wit
Of Iudge or Pleador, altereth sans certaintie in it.
Hence Martialists in Discipline and ordering their war,
Lesse happely, the auncient vse, conceitedly, doe bar.
Hence is it that the Lawyers more affect their fluent Tayle,
Then what is right, or whom they wrong, or how they speed, or fayle:
That Lawyer though who more by Art than right doth ouerthroe,
Consents to sinne, deceiues the Iudge, wrongs Right, is Iustice foe.
Hence flattred Gentrie proudly doth degenerat at last:
And some would be beleeued such, that of no Gentrie taste.
Hence Cittizens with Courtiours so do vaine-it for the time,
That with their paper Ladders they euen stately Castels clyme:
Then proudly pricke the mounted Sers, the Harrolds (all to blame)
Will they, nyll they, vrging fees to gentellize their name.
Hence countrie Loutes land lurch their Lords, & Courtiers prize the same.
Hence worldlings so much studie wealth that they forget the vse,
And, drudges-like, presse out the Grapes, not drinking of the iuse.
Hence arrant Preachers, humming out a common-place or two,
With bad, ill, naught, Pope, pots, play, mack, keeping a fowle adoe,
Cogging and cog'd-with of a sorte of lazie knaues and queanes,
That they be Dolts and preach to Dolts will heare it by no meanes.
With those do these (who could they steale the Goose would sticke the Fether)
The Brownist & the Barrowist goe hand in hand together.
Hence is the fashion-Founder of new lockes, lookes, bas-le-maine,
And Iohn Deuisor in Attire one Foole in persons twaine.
Hence more than with our selues our selues doe Flatterers preuaile,
They make vs proude of Virtues, knowne of vs in vs to fayle:
But lesse Man-slaughter hurts, than when Men-soothers say al-hayle.
Did pytch a Session, to correct Remisnes in debates,
Deuising Orders that on Earth might more Disorders be.
Tisiphone, Alecto, and Megæra, these same three
Weare shrewdly checkt, because it was obiected, though vntruely,
That they weare ydle, Hell lackt Guests, and men on Earth waxt ruly.
The hellish Potentates therefore a new Commission framed,
Narcissus ghost and Ecchos voice therein of Quorum named.
These twayne and those three Furies thus, Copattentees, leaue Hell,
And diuersly throughout the Earth to Soule-infecting fell.
Leaue we those others, labouring their Mischiefes farre and neere,
Whil'st Eccho and Narcissus are more badly busie heere.
Crab'd Saturne & too-boystrous Mars direct those Formers matter,
Soft Venus and smooth Mercurie, giue Method to these latter:
Those Furies roughly doe effect their tragicke Taskes, these Twoe
So slyely worke, that sweetely men their proper sorrowes wowe.
Heer-hence our gold-imbased World in view and valew fayld,
For Eccho and Narcissus much in many things preuayld.
Hence is it some of high estate themselues doe ouer-like,
Whilst deadlier wound then ecchoing toongs then should a foe them strike.
Hence (whence dishonorde) some of them beleeue of men belyed
Their glozing Groomes, as Tyrants so by them they wrong enuied.
Hence oftentimes Authoritie lookes biglier than a Bull,
With Suters poore too sternely quicke, in helping them too dull.
Hence both in preaching, harboring, and humilitie, it is
Some Prelates sooth, be soothed, leade, and they be lead amis.
Hence Lawe, sometimes, as formde of waxe, through new refined wit
Of Iudge or Pleador, altereth sans certaintie in it.
Hence Martialists in Discipline and ordering their war,
Lesse happely, the auncient vse, conceitedly, doe bar.
Hence is it that the Lawyers more affect their fluent Tayle,
Then what is right, or whom they wrong, or how they speed, or fayle:
That Lawyer though who more by Art than right doth ouerthroe,
217
Hence flattred Gentrie proudly doth degenerat at last:
And some would be beleeued such, that of no Gentrie taste.
Hence Cittizens with Courtiours so do vaine-it for the time,
That with their paper Ladders they euen stately Castels clyme:
Then proudly pricke the mounted Sers, the Harrolds (all to blame)
Will they, nyll they, vrging fees to gentellize their name.
Hence countrie Loutes land lurch their Lords, & Courtiers prize the same.
Hence worldlings so much studie wealth that they forget the vse,
And, drudges-like, presse out the Grapes, not drinking of the iuse.
Hence arrant Preachers, humming out a common-place or two,
With bad, ill, naught, Pope, pots, play, mack, keeping a fowle adoe,
Cogging and cog'd-with of a sorte of lazie knaues and queanes,
That they be Dolts and preach to Dolts will heare it by no meanes.
With those do these (who could they steale the Goose would sticke the Fether)
The Brownist & the Barrowist goe hand in hand together.
Hence is the fashion-Founder of new lockes, lookes, bas-le-maine,
And Iohn Deuisor in Attire one Foole in persons twaine.
Hence more than with our selues our selues doe Flatterers preuaile,
They make vs proude of Virtues, knowne of vs in vs to fayle:
But lesse Man-slaughter hurts, than when Men-soothers say al-hayle.
Though Eccho and Narcissus haunt, and hurt, each Sex and State,
(Our States Superlatiue except, still one for right and rate)
Yeat cheefely they with women-kinde preuailed haue of late:
And thus of this two Gossips olde, together met, debate.
(Our States Superlatiue except, still one for right and rate)
Yeat cheefely they with women-kinde preuailed haue of late:
And thus of this two Gossips olde, together met, debate.
218
CHAP. XLVII.
The Younger of these widdowes (for they both had thrise been so)Trots to the Elders Cottage, hers but little distance fro,
Theare, cowring ore two sticks a-crosse, burnt at a smoakie Stocke,
They chat how Young-men them in youth, & they did young-men mocke,
And how since three-score yeeres a-goe (they aged foure-score now)
Men, women, and the world, weare chang'd in all, they knew not how.
When we were Maids (quoth th' one of them) was no such new-found pride,
Yeat seru'd I Gentles, seeing store of daintie Girles beside.
Then wore they Shooes of ease, now of an inch-broad, corked hye:
Blacke karsie stockings, worsted now, yea silke of youthful'st dye:
Garters of Lystes, but now of silke, some edged deepe with gold:
With costlier toyes, for courser turnes than vs'd, perhaps, of old.
Fring'd and ymbroidred Petticoats now begge: But heard you nam'd,
Till now of late, Busks, Perrewigs, Maskes, Plumes of feathers fram'd,
Supporters, Pooters, Fardingales aboue the Loynes to waire,
That be she near so bombe-thin, yet she crosse-like seem's four-squaire:
Some Wiues, grayheaded, shame not lockes of youthfull borrowed haire:
Some, tyring Arte, attier their heads with onely Tresses baire:
Some (grosser pride than which, thinke I, no passed Age might shame)
By Arte, abusing Nature, heads of antick't hayre do fram.
Once lack't each foresaid Tearme, because was lacking once the toy,
And lack't we all those Toyes and Tearmes it were no griefe but ioy:
But lawfull weare it some be such, should all alike be coy?
201
On Holly-dayes (for sildome els such ydell times we got)
A Tubb or Paile of water cleere stood vs in steede of Glas:
And yeat (which still I beare in mind) for it I schooled was,
Euen by an holy Fryer: Thus, quoth he, it comes to pas,
Yong Damsels, and too oftentimes old Dotards, vnawaer,
Doe thus offend, whilst thus they seeme vpon themselues to staer:
But what they see is not themselues. A tayle then did he tell
How Eccho and Narcissus weare aucthorised from Hell,
That egging & This acting pride in Worldlings hearts to dwell:
And either oft in Mirrors and in Waters beautious seeme,
To curious Gazers inn, who those to be themselues do deeme:
Flye glas and water-tooting, Girle, Narcissus fall extreeme,
Feare flattrie too, for Men to Maides be Ecchos to subdewe,
The Fryer sayd, and all to soone I found his sayings trewe.
My Parents they weare wealthy, and my selfe in wanton youth
Was fayre enough, but proude enough, so Foole-enough in truth.
I might haue had good Husbands, which my desteny withstood:
Of three now dead (ah, griefe is drye, Gossyp, this Ale is good)
In faith not one of them was so: for by this drinke I sweare,
(Requarrelling the Cup) we and her lippes vnparted weare,
When th' other Beldamme, great with chat (for talkatiue be Cups)
The formers Prate, nor worth the while, thus fondly interrups.
When I (quoth she) the Countrie left to be a London Las,
I was not fayrer than my selfe beleeued faire I was.
Good God, how formall, prankt, and peart became I in a trice,
As if vnto the Place it weare a Nature to be Nice.
Scarce entred I the Teenes, but that to Wed my will was hot:
Yee that be married, and intend to marrie, well I wor,
The Priest no sooner sayde, but I vpon my tip-toes stand,
As if that Lesson had concernd my selfe, euen out of hand.
The same proportion with my heart my groeth nor age did hold:
220
And growing was the greene Disease, which men in Maides doe cure,
When came a Louer, I (for-footh) becomming full demure.
For earst I had obseru'd this Arte, Delay giues men Desier:
Yeat lothe to hurt my haste, and least the Hansel should retyer,
I was not ouer coye, nor he to warme him at my Fier.
I'le blab (for why? for it and more that I in youth did doe,
Long since I passed ghostly shriftes, pennance, and pardons too)
Such match we made, that Maide, nor Wife, nor Widowe left he me,
But with my Maiden-head he crost the Seas, and farewell he,
For from my fault could not, as chan'st, the Somner prole a fee:
My belly did not blab, so I was still a Mayde, and free.
It comfort should in losse to thinke we had not once to lose,
And what we haue as euer to be hild should none suppose:
But not in me this sentence hild, more eagerly than earst
I on the brydell byte, as loath to fast that late did feaste.
Swift gallops tier both man and horse, soone-hot is soone-cold loue,
No Man (I meane, Loue hot as mine) loues as the Turtell Doue,
Then, in good soothe, a Sott is she that cog'd with cannot cogge,
As readily my Loue did gad, as did my Louer iogge.
Tush, in those times weare no such toyes as Gagate stones to trie,
By foysting them in Potions, if a Maide had trode awrie:
But this was rather currant, yea each holy Fathers lore,
That therefore Nature sweetneth Loue that it the world might store.
Which made me thinke it then a sinne (so tender hearted I,)
Beloued not to Loue againe, indangring men to die,
For so they swore they would, nor then beleeu'd I men would lye,
Whom now I know Camelions whil'st to pray on vs they plye.
Yeat better times were those than these for our auayle, for why?
Euen for good-fellowship at least then went they roundly to it,
Now eare they loue (if euer loue) sententiously they doe it:
221
But he that loues for onely Loue doth reason quite forgit,
Say men, and article the Matchlesse by trew Loue than Wit.
Vngratefull men, what would yee more than Loue for Loue, than we
Be close, neate, bountious, bucksome, and our bodies Masters yee?
Too curious, pettish, ielous, too imperious, too vnstable
Are Men, say Women: but to beat such fooles with their own bable,
As when that I was yoong, our Sex is now, troe I, as able.
Old doting Foole, one foote in graue, what prattle I of youth,
Contrition, not Shrift-pennance cure, if preach our Vicar truth?
Heere, after little pause, they prate confusedly, I wot,
Whose talke had often ended, had the Period been the Pot.
They tould how forward Maidens weare, how proude if in request,
How brybed, praysed, promisd fayre, men baddest out the best:
They talked of a widowes teares, her haste againe to weade,
He gone forgot, his Orphant wrong'd, she spoyld, an Vnthrist speade:
They talk't of times when Beastes could speake, of Foxes, and of Apes,
Much needles prattel, what through Drinke and Dotage, them escapes.
Yeat Ecchos and Narcissus Voice and Shadowe (now as then,
Working against humilitie, of wants the worst in men)
Caus'd them as thus ro vse their prate, and me of this my pen:
To these next haughtie Follies too those Furies say Amen.
200
CHAP. XLVIII.
The Monarch of that Continent that doth, in one, contayneFiue ancient Scepters (for he wrought that al the world weare Spayne)
As Castile, Aragon, Nauarr, Granado, Portugaile
Be newly nam'd, yea India wheare Castillian Powres preuaile:
These, States in Affricke, Lumbardie, Peru, Assores, and
Both Cicells, Austra, Barbarie, Naples, with Netherland,
And many other Prouinces, by such ambition got,
As giueth his Impressa life to verefie the Mot,
Him not sufficing (for it saith, the World sufficeth not)
Euen he, I say, affecting Raygne in England, Almaine, Fraunce,
And all Europa, lately did an holy League aduaunce:
The Pope, Him-selfe, Sauoy, and Guise, therein Confedrates cheefe.
Rome wroght by Bulls, Sauoy by Sword, Spayne yeilded Guise releefe,
Guise did religious Treason act: but all did fayle, in briefe.
Geneua is vnsacked, Fraunce yeilds Rome small profit, Spayne
By coste hath loste, England, through God, tryumphant doth remayne,
Nauar hath meanes to haue Nauar: and, when shall God so please,
The rightfull heire of Portugale his Empyre shall re-seaze.
Ye Christian Princes, pittie him, in punithing his Fo,
That now afflicteth him, and would on you tyrannize so:
If one selfe-same Religion (such as Spanish Romistes haue)
If Natures Line, or Natiue Lawes, the Pope that so did craue,
If to haue had possest the Crowne, with Portugales applause,
221
But brybed Traytors, fraude, and force, haue made the Spanyard such,
That Castile, from a Cronet leapt, thinks many Crownes not much.
The great Nauarrois, Sampson, stauld the first Castilian King:
But badly Castile quits his loue whence did that honor spring,
And from his Line by trecherie the Diademe doth wring.
So, by what right or wrong so-eare, Spayne clouteth Crownes together
And aimeth, euen from Portugale, as is supposed, hether,
Not wanting English, willing to be holped in that Teither.
But Traytors, Fooles, & Fugitiues, Whom prouendor doth pricke,
Ensew your proper sorow, leane vpon that rotten sticke,
Your kindnes shall not mis, at least, this kindly Spanish Tricke.
When
Spaniards & their Partizens eare-while should vs inuaide,
In plotting of that Stratageme in Councell much was said:
Some of our Queene to be destroyde, of murthring vs some spake,
Some this, some that, but all of all an altred World to make:
Least English Papistes, then shut vp in Elie and els-wheare,
Meane time by vs might lose their liues, some One, by chāce did feare.
Which scruple was remoued soone by one, that well did know,
Not for religion but a Realme, did Spayne that cost bestow.
Our drift (quoth he) a Conquest is, the Profit meant to Spaine,
Not that the English Papists should be Sharers of the gaine.
So hope they, but (so helpe me God) our pollicie wear small
That they should flourish, nay, should liue, could we procure their fall.
Theare be they great alreadie, wheare we only great must be,
Whom, should they equall, woe to vs when we shall disagree:
Now that therefore which we cannot with honestie contriue,
Our Foes shall finish, if of them they leaue not one aliue.
Thus said he, not gaine-saide, for hang who shall, so they may thriue.
In plotting of that Stratageme in Councell much was said:
Some of our Queene to be destroyde, of murthring vs some spake,
Some this, some that, but all of all an altred World to make:
Least English Papistes, then shut vp in Elie and els-wheare,
Meane time by vs might lose their liues, some One, by chāce did feare.
Which scruple was remoued soone by one, that well did know,
Not for religion but a Realme, did Spayne that cost bestow.
Our drift (quoth he) a Conquest is, the Profit meant to Spaine,
Not that the English Papists should be Sharers of the gaine.
So hope they, but (so helpe me God) our pollicie wear small
That they should flourish, nay, should liue, could we procure their fall.
Theare be they great alreadie, wheare we only great must be,
Whom, should they equall, woe to vs when we shall disagree:
Now that therefore which we cannot with honestie contriue,
Our Foes shall finish, if of them they leaue not one aliue.
Thus said he, not gaine-saide, for hang who shall, so they may thriue.
This Maxime hath hild, and good, wheare they haue ouerthrone
By trecherous Agents, of the same they haue not trusted one:
Adde, than the Spaniard, prouder and more cruell People none.
Euen Cortes that, with cost and payne, rich India did subdew,
And gaue to Spayne his Conquest, found false Meede for Seruice trew.
So they that wonne them Portugale and Naples spead, in few:
And too imperiously doe they, oppresse their Conquests new:
Yeat boast not perpetuitie, but (Spayne) this Patterne vew.
Caldea priz'd Assiria, and Assiria priz'd the same,
The Medes and Persians both, and them the Macedons orecame,
The Romaines then, that Empier next had France, the Germaines now,
Which onely Title hardly doe the Spanyards them alowe,
Spayne hath Nauarre, that once had Spayne, wheare once crown'd wee their King,
And once did Spanish-Irish-Scots vs to subiection bring,
We Scots, French, Irish: too and fro thus often Scepters flye,
Yea to Posteries old names of Lands and Peoples dye:
Sicambries, Gawles, Picts, Vandels, Gothes, and Astrogothes, known late
In Europ by those names, haue chang'd those names and Europs Sate,
And with the Spanyards, part of those, may alter in like rate.
Each Birde shal then remaunde her Plumes, and naked leaue your Iaye,
At least when Phillip shall decease: and why not eare that daye?
For power and prowse lackt Turnus Peere, yeat when his Fates withstoode,
Iuturna, no not Iunos-selfe, could doe him any good.
But Godhoode none in Indian Golde, & pope-buld hopes shall mis,
Nor Macedonian Phillips Sonne Castilian Phillip is,
But one who, whil'st he warres for ours, hath lost euen part of his.
Not onely Spayne thinke destinate in Pompe not to impaier,
Or liued long, that breathes, enuied, not els but odious Ayer:
And (which is monstrously too trew) Religion is pretext,
Where through the Spanyard and the Pope all Christendome haue vext:
Witnes their Powers, by Land and Seas, that threatned vs er'while:
Of it a word, and note how God did patronize our Ile.
By trecherous Agents, of the same they haue not trusted one:
Adde, than the Spaniard, prouder and more cruell People none.
224
And gaue to Spayne his Conquest, found false Meede for Seruice trew.
So they that wonne them Portugale and Naples spead, in few:
And too imperiously doe they, oppresse their Conquests new:
Yeat boast not perpetuitie, but (Spayne) this Patterne vew.
Caldea priz'd Assiria, and Assiria priz'd the same,
The Medes and Persians both, and them the Macedons orecame,
The Romaines then, that Empier next had France, the Germaines now,
Which onely Title hardly doe the Spanyards them alowe,
Spayne hath Nauarre, that once had Spayne, wheare once crown'd wee their King,
And once did Spanish-Irish-Scots vs to subiection bring,
We Scots, French, Irish: too and fro thus often Scepters flye,
Yea to Posteries old names of Lands and Peoples dye:
Sicambries, Gawles, Picts, Vandels, Gothes, and Astrogothes, known late
In Europ by those names, haue chang'd those names and Europs Sate,
And with the Spanyards, part of those, may alter in like rate.
Each Birde shal then remaunde her Plumes, and naked leaue your Iaye,
At least when Phillip shall decease: and why not eare that daye?
For power and prowse lackt Turnus Peere, yeat when his Fates withstoode,
Iuturna, no not Iunos-selfe, could doe him any good.
But Godhoode none in Indian Golde, & pope-buld hopes shall mis,
Nor Macedonian Phillips Sonne Castilian Phillip is,
But one who, whil'st he warres for ours, hath lost euen part of his.
Not onely Spayne thinke destinate in Pompe not to impaier,
Or liued long, that breathes, enuied, not els but odious Ayer:
And (which is monstrously too trew) Religion is pretext,
Where through the Spanyard and the Pope all Christendome haue vext:
Witnes their Powers, by Land and Seas, that threatned vs er'while:
Of it a word, and note how God did patronize our Ile.
225
CHAP. XLIX.
The
Spanyards long time Care and Coste, inuincible surnam'd,
Was now a flote, whilst Parma too from Flanders hether aim'd,
Like Fleete, of eightscore Ships, and old, the Ocean neuer bore,
So huge, so strong, and so compleate, in euery Strength and Store:
Carikes, Gallions, Argosies, and Galliasses, such
That seem'd so many Castels, and their tops the cloudes to tuch.
These on the Lizardes shewe themselues, and threaten Englands fall:
But theare with Fiftie Shippes of ours that Fleete was fought withall.
Howbeit of a greater sorte our Nauie did consist,
But parte kept Dyet in the Porte, that might of health haue miste,
Had Spayns Armada of our wants in Plimmouths Hauen wiste.
The rest had eye on Parma, that from Flanders armour threates:
Meane while Lord Charles our Admiral, and Drake, did worthy Feats:
Whose feareles fiftie Moole-hils bod their trypeld Mountaines bace,
And euen at first (so pleas'd it God) pursewde as if in chace.
By this (for ouer-idle seemd to English hearts the Shore)
Our Gallants did imbarke each-wheare, and made our Forces more.
But in such warlike Order then their Shippes at Anker laye,
That we, vnles we them disperse, on bootles labor staye:
Nor lacked Pollicie that to that purpose made vs waye.
Ours fyred diuers Shippes, that downe the Currant sent, so skaerd,
That Cables cut, and Ankers lost, the Spanyards badly faerd.
Dispersed thus, we spare not shot, and part of them we sinke,
And part we boord, the rest did flye, not fast enough they thinke.
Well guided little Axes so force tallest Okes to fall,
So noumbrous Heards of stately Hearts, flye Beagles few and final.
Nine dayes together cha'ste we them, not actious, saue in flight:
About Eight thowsands perished by famine, sea, and fight.
For Treasure, Shippes, and Carrages, lost Honor, Prisners tayne,
The Spaniards, hardly scaping hence, scapt not rebukes in Spaine.
Was now a flote, whilst Parma too from Flanders hether aim'd,
Like Fleete, of eightscore Ships, and old, the Ocean neuer bore,
So huge, so strong, and so compleate, in euery Strength and Store:
Carikes, Gallions, Argosies, and Galliasses, such
That seem'd so many Castels, and their tops the cloudes to tuch.
These on the Lizardes shewe themselues, and threaten Englands fall:
But theare with Fiftie Shippes of ours that Fleete was fought withall.
Howbeit of a greater sorte our Nauie did consist,
But parte kept Dyet in the Porte, that might of health haue miste,
Had Spayns Armada of our wants in Plimmouths Hauen wiste.
The rest had eye on Parma, that from Flanders armour threates:
Meane while Lord Charles our Admiral, and Drake, did worthy Feats:
Whose feareles fiftie Moole-hils bod their trypeld Mountaines bace,
And euen at first (so pleas'd it God) pursewde as if in chace.
By this (for ouer-idle seemd to English hearts the Shore)
Our Gallants did imbarke each-wheare, and made our Forces more.
But in such warlike Order then their Shippes at Anker laye,
That we, vnles we them disperse, on bootles labor staye:
Nor lacked Pollicie that to that purpose made vs waye.
Ours fyred diuers Shippes, that downe the Currant sent, so skaerd,
That Cables cut, and Ankers lost, the Spanyards badly faerd.
Dispersed thus, we spare not shot, and part of them we sinke,
And part we boord, the rest did flye, not fast enough they thinke.
Well guided little Axes so force tallest Okes to fall,
So noumbrous Heards of stately Hearts, flye Beagles few and final.
Nine dayes together cha'ste we them, not actious, saue in flight:
226
For Treasure, Shippes, and Carrages, lost Honor, Prisners tayne,
The Spaniards, hardly scaping hence, scapt not rebukes in Spaine.
Well might thus much (as much it did) cheere England, but much more
Concurrancie from one to all to stop that common Sore.
Euen Catholiques (that erred name doth please the Papists) waer
As forward in this Quarrell as the formost Armes to bear:
Recusants and Suspects of note: Of others was no caer.
And had not our God-guided Fight on Seas preuailed, yet
The Spaniards, land whereso they could, had with our Armies met.
Our common courage wisht no lesse, so lightly feard we Foes,
Such hope in God, such hate of them, such hearts to barter bloes.
Heere flam'd the Cyclops Forges, Mars his Armorie was heere,
Himselfe he sheads in vs, and with our Cause our selues we cheere.
But (which had scarreside our wounds, if wounded, with the Balme
Of her sweete Presence, so applaus'd as in Sea-stormes a calme)
Her royall-selfe, Elizabeth our Soueraigne gracious Queene,
In magnanimious Maiestie amidst her Troupes was seene.
Which made vs weepe for ioy: nor was her kindnes lesse to vs.
Thinke nothing letting then that might the common cause discus,
Wheare Prince and People haue in Loue a Sympathie as thus.
Concurrancie from one to all to stop that common Sore.
Euen Catholiques (that erred name doth please the Papists) waer
As forward in this Quarrell as the formost Armes to bear:
Recusants and Suspects of note: Of others was no caer.
And had not our God-guided Fight on Seas preuailed, yet
The Spaniards, land whereso they could, had with our Armies met.
Our common courage wisht no lesse, so lightly feard we Foes,
Such hope in God, such hate of them, such hearts to barter bloes.
Heere flam'd the Cyclops Forges, Mars his Armorie was heere,
Himselfe he sheads in vs, and with our Cause our selues we cheere.
But (which had scarreside our wounds, if wounded, with the Balme
Of her sweete Presence, so applaus'd as in Sea-stormes a calme)
Her royall-selfe, Elizabeth our Soueraigne gracious Queene,
In magnanimious Maiestie amidst her Troupes was seene.
Which made vs weepe for ioy: nor was her kindnes lesse to vs.
Thinke nothing letting then that might the common cause discus,
Wheare Prince and People haue in Loue a Sympathie as thus.
Howbeit Force, nor Policie, but Gods sole prouidence,
Did cleare fore-bosted Conquest and behighted Thraldome hence.
He in Saneherib his nose did put his hooke, and brought
Him backe againe the way he came, without performing ought:
He fought for vs, Alonely we did shout and Trumpets sound,
When as the walles of Iericho fell flat vnto the ground.
Yea least (for earst did neuer heere like strong Supplies befall,
Like loyall hearts in euerie one, like warlike mindes in all,
Lesse spaer of Purses, more Fore-sight, and valiant Guides to act,
As shewde our hardie little Fleete that battell neuer slackt)
Least these, I say, might haue been said the cause that we subdew'de,
Euen God, to Glorifie himselfe, our gayned cause pursew'de,
Without our losse of Man, or Mast, or Foe once touching Shore,
Saue such as wrackt, weare Prisnors, or but landing, liu'd not more.
And as in publique Praiers we did his defence implore,
So being Victors, publiquely, we yeelded thanks therefore.
Her Highnes-selfe (good cause she had) in viewe of euerie Eie,
On humbled Knees did giue him thanks that gaue her Victorie.
Did cleare fore-bosted Conquest and behighted Thraldome hence.
He in Saneherib his nose did put his hooke, and brought
Him backe againe the way he came, without performing ought:
He fought for vs, Alonely we did shout and Trumpets sound,
When as the walles of Iericho fell flat vnto the ground.
Yea least (for earst did neuer heere like strong Supplies befall,
Like loyall hearts in euerie one, like warlike mindes in all,
Lesse spaer of Purses, more Fore-sight, and valiant Guides to act,
As shewde our hardie little Fleete that battell neuer slackt)
Least these, I say, might haue been said the cause that we subdew'de,
Euen God, to Glorifie himselfe, our gayned cause pursew'de,
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Saue such as wrackt, weare Prisnors, or but landing, liu'd not more.
And as in publique Praiers we did his defence implore,
So being Victors, publiquely, we yeelded thanks therefore.
Her Highnes-selfe (good cause she had) in viewe of euerie Eie,
On humbled Knees did giue him thanks that gaue her Victorie.
Remaineth, what she wonne, what Spaine & Rome did lose in fame:
Remaineth, Popes vse Potentates but to retriue their Game.
Remaineth, Popes vse Potentates but to retriue their Game.
CHAP. L.
If not with minds preiudicate, but holding in suspence
A while the Papacie, that takes and giues so much Offence,
With single harts, and Eies, and Eares, al christian Princes would
Peruse the sacred Scriptures (as in verie deede they should)
Then might they iustly censure, how in Lowlines, or Pryde,
In Charitie, or Crueltie, how straite to God, or wide,
In Doctrine, and in Discipline, Rome hath, and now doth guide,
With still Prouisoes from the Laie the Scriptures light to hide,
Least should (as would, and cleerely doth) their Cosning be espide:
Whereby, euen ipso facto, is their Cause against them tride.
A while the Papacie, that takes and giues so much Offence,
With single harts, and Eies, and Eares, al christian Princes would
Peruse the sacred Scriptures (as in verie deede they should)
Then might they iustly censure, how in Lowlines, or Pryde,
In Charitie, or Crueltie, how straite to God, or wide,
In Doctrine, and in Discipline, Rome hath, and now doth guide,
With still Prouisoes from the Laie the Scriptures light to hide,
Least should (as would, and cleerely doth) their Cosning be espide:
Whereby, euen ipso facto, is their Cause against them tride.
The sinne of Pride made Lucifer gainst God him selfe rebell,
And through that sinne, he so seduc't, that Adam also fell.
Then plaid he Rex ore all the Earth, except a faithfull Fewe:
Till Christ, incarnate, on the Crosse Synns Kingdome did subdewe.
Then Christ, was powrefull in the world, for Faith had practice right:
And what could more our Ghostly Foe then Faith & Practice spight?
His auncient Stratageme therefore to plant he casts anew,
And by the pride of only Workes from Faith a many drew.
Then were such Honours heapt on Popes, (Worlds-Abiects ere that time)
That Lucifer himselfe than they presum'd not more to clyme.
Their golden Legend, though not it autentike be in aught,
To vs doth teach a Storie that to them might now be taught.
And through that sinne, he so seduc't, that Adam also fell.
Then plaid he Rex ore all the Earth, except a faithfull Fewe:
Till Christ, incarnate, on the Crosse Synns Kingdome did subdewe.
Then Christ, was powrefull in the world, for Faith had practice right:
228
His auncient Stratageme therefore to plant he casts anew,
And by the pride of only Workes from Faith a many drew.
Then were such Honours heapt on Popes, (Worlds-Abiects ere that time)
That Lucifer himselfe than they presum'd not more to clyme.
Their golden Legend, though not it autentike be in aught,
To vs doth teach a Storie that to them might now be taught.
Theare was a Man of stature bigge, and bigge withall in minde,
For serue he would, yet One thā whō he greater none might find.
He, hearing that the Emperor was in the world most great,
Came to his Court, was intertaynd, and, seruing him at meate,
It chanc't the Diuell was nam'd, whereat the Emperor him blest:
When as, vntill he knew the cause, the Pagane would not rest.
But when he heard his Lord to feare the Diuell his ghostly Foe,
He left his Seruice, and to seeke and serue the Diuell did goe:
Of heauen, or hell, God, or the Diuell, he earst nor heard nor carde,
Alone he sought to serue the same that would by none be darde.
He met (Who soone is met) the Diuell, was intertayn'd, they walke,
Till, comming to a Crosse, the Diuell did fearfully it balke:
The Seruant, musing, questioned his Master of his feare:
One Christ, quoth he, with dread, I mind when doth a crosse appeare:
Then serue thy selfe, the Gyant said, that Christ to serue I'le seeke.
For him he askt an Hermit, who aduisde him to be meeke,
By which, by Faith, and workes of Almes, would fought-for Christ be found,
And how and where to practice these he gaue Directions found.
Then he, that skornd his Seruice late to greatest Potentates,
Euen at a common Ferry now to carrie all awaites.
Thus doing long, as with a Child he ouer once did waide,
Vnder his Loode midway he faints, from sinking hardly staide,
Admiring how, and asking who, was answered of the Childe,
As on his Shoulders Christ he bore, by being humbly milde,
So through Humilitie his Soule to Christ was reconcilde,
And, of his Carrage, Christo-fer should thenceforth be his name.
Then lett this popish Scripture, Popes, at least you Conuerts frame:
Of which Conuerting, Christo-fers yee thenceforth shalbe said:
If not, apply and perish in your Luciferring Traid.
Ye know, I know, that but in Christ may no Redemption be:
So your great friend, our Gardner, on his death-bed could agree:
But to the Vulgars open not, gainst Rome, that gap, quoth he.
So miserable is your state who, seeing, will not see,
That Christofer, eare Christo-fer, was Atheist lesse than yee.
For serue he would, yet One thā whō he greater none might find.
He, hearing that the Emperor was in the world most great,
Came to his Court, was intertaynd, and, seruing him at meate,
It chanc't the Diuell was nam'd, whereat the Emperor him blest:
When as, vntill he knew the cause, the Pagane would not rest.
But when he heard his Lord to feare the Diuell his ghostly Foe,
He left his Seruice, and to seeke and serue the Diuell did goe:
Of heauen, or hell, God, or the Diuell, he earst nor heard nor carde,
Alone he sought to serue the same that would by none be darde.
He met (Who soone is met) the Diuell, was intertayn'd, they walke,
Till, comming to a Crosse, the Diuell did fearfully it balke:
The Seruant, musing, questioned his Master of his feare:
One Christ, quoth he, with dread, I mind when doth a crosse appeare:
Then serue thy selfe, the Gyant said, that Christ to serue I'le seeke.
For him he askt an Hermit, who aduisde him to be meeke,
By which, by Faith, and workes of Almes, would fought-for Christ be found,
And how and where to practice these he gaue Directions found.
Then he, that skornd his Seruice late to greatest Potentates,
Euen at a common Ferry now to carrie all awaites.
Thus doing long, as with a Child he ouer once did waide,
Vnder his Loode midway he faints, from sinking hardly staide,
Admiring how, and asking who, was answered of the Childe,
As on his Shoulders Christ he bore, by being humbly milde,
So through Humilitie his Soule to Christ was reconcilde,
229
Then lett this popish Scripture, Popes, at least you Conuerts frame:
Of which Conuerting, Christo-fers yee thenceforth shalbe said:
If not, apply and perish in your Luciferring Traid.
Ye know, I know, that but in Christ may no Redemption be:
So your great friend, our Gardner, on his death-bed could agree:
But to the Vulgars open not, gainst Rome, that gap, quoth he.
So miserable is your state who, seeing, will not see,
That Christofer, eare Christo-fer, was Atheist lesse than yee.
Well answered once a King of ours the Pope, that bod him free
Two Prelates, terming them his Sonnes: The King seem'd to agree,
But sent their compleat Armor: looke are these thy Sonnes, quoth he.
False Hesket too not falsely spake, reporting lately this,
That such as Papists would seduce, and of seducing mis,
Are marked dead: For he to whom he so did say, feare I,
Earle Ferdinando Stanley, so dissenting, so did trie,
As other Peeres, heere, and els-where, haue found the like no lye.
Nor preached he the Pope amis, that did to him applie
This Tex, to witt: This is the Heire, come on and let him die,
Th' Inheritance let vs inioye: Nought seeke they els, for why?
Those bad be good that giue, those good be bad that Giftes deny,
From Annanias literall fault they Consciences would tye:
These death-eide Basilisques therefore in euerie Sense doe flie.
Be of Religion iumpe with them, in all their Toyes affie,
A Peter-Penny, if with hild, knocks all the rest awrye.
Hell, Heauen, Bulls, Pardons, Pope, and to be Pope, doth mony buy:
Yea, too blasphemous, they incroch vpon the Deitie,
Though of these Lucifers haue been that perish through a Flie.
Each sinne gainst God, how vile so-eare, will Popes, with Pardons fit:
Crosse but the Pope, pardon thou him, he will not pardon it.
For Faith his common Plea is sword and fire against his foes:
But who, but fooles, beleeue that Faith exacted is by bloes?
Than those three Mightie Emperors, Fift Charles, with Ferdinand,
And Maximilian, with the Pope did none more partial stand:
Yeat suffred they the Consciences of Protestants in peace.
But Philip, nor the Pope will now their Inquisition cease:
Though Either suffer Iewes, and Stewes, because of Gaines increase.
Two Prelates, terming them his Sonnes: The King seem'd to agree,
But sent their compleat Armor: looke are these thy Sonnes, quoth he.
False Hesket too not falsely spake, reporting lately this,
That such as Papists would seduce, and of seducing mis,
Are marked dead: For he to whom he so did say, feare I,
Earle Ferdinando Stanley, so dissenting, so did trie,
As other Peeres, heere, and els-where, haue found the like no lye.
Nor preached he the Pope amis, that did to him applie
This Tex, to witt: This is the Heire, come on and let him die,
Th' Inheritance let vs inioye: Nought seeke they els, for why?
Those bad be good that giue, those good be bad that Giftes deny,
From Annanias literall fault they Consciences would tye:
These death-eide Basilisques therefore in euerie Sense doe flie.
Be of Religion iumpe with them, in all their Toyes affie,
A Peter-Penny, if with hild, knocks all the rest awrye.
Hell, Heauen, Bulls, Pardons, Pope, and to be Pope, doth mony buy:
Yea, too blasphemous, they incroch vpon the Deitie,
Though of these Lucifers haue been that perish through a Flie.
Each sinne gainst God, how vile so-eare, will Popes, with Pardons fit:
Crosse but the Pope, pardon thou him, he will not pardon it.
For Faith his common Plea is sword and fire against his foes:
But who, but fooles, beleeue that Faith exacted is by bloes?
Than those three Mightie Emperors, Fift Charles, with Ferdinand,
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Yeat suffred they the Consciences of Protestants in peace.
But Philip, nor the Pope will now their Inquisition cease:
Though Either suffer Iewes, and Stewes, because of Gaines increase.
CHAP. LI.
This Spanish Inquisition is a Trappe, so slyelie sett,As into it Wise, Godly, Rich, by Blanchers bace as fett.
Direct or indirectly then to answeare all is one,
From those Inquisitors escape but verie fewe or none.
Euen so by racking out the ioynts, or chopping off the heade,
Procustes fitted all his Guests vnto his iron beade.
Aue Maria, Credo, and the Paier noster say
In Latin, els they pennance thee, and take thy goods away.
Nay, these though satd, both say and doe as they, yeat all for nought,
They will exact by Torture what thou thinkest, and hast thought
Of Masse, the Pope, and Popish points, til in the Lapse thou fall:
Then, Mercie God, amongst those men no mercie is at all:
A bloodier Law vsde bloodierly was neuer heard or shall:
Tormenting men vntill they gesse by whom they are acus'de,
Which gessed, it against themselues for Euidence is vs'de:
As who would say, to be it must, because it so is mus'de,
Phillip, abusiuely seduc't, and World-deceiuing Pope,
Peruse all Lawes, euen Paganizme, past vnder heauens coope,
And rightly pondring those with this, thē speak your thoughts indeed,
231
Here adde for badde we might your League, if That of This had neede.
O happie and thrise happie Realme of ours, and other Lands,
Wheare, touching death by Clergie doomes, the Pollicy withstands.
Then freated Paule, Pope Paule the Third, whē Peter came in Plea:
No Maruell, Luther preached gold and glorie from his Sea.
But, see an helpe: Ignatius then conceited had his Sect,
And crau'd Confirmance of the Pope, which Paule did then reiect.
But when he heard that Orders vowe might cheefly him auayle,
Them Iesuistes he incorporates, nor they his Pope-ship fayle:
But for his onely Doctrine are Apostles, and as trew
As to the Diuell the deadly-Sinnes to Popes this Order new.
Yeat these be those are vnder-hand deceiu'd whilst they deceaue:
Witnes the Gallowes, wheare for most they end those webbes they weaue.
For vnaduise are, me thinks, our Iesuistes in this,
In Cell-life since so strict, and here they hanging seldome mis,
That, for applause at least (although euen so weare bacely badde)
They change not teachers vnto them to whom from vs they gadde.
But better course then either weare secure at home to staye,
And theare with loyall hearts attend what Subiects should obaye,
Wheare no tyrannizing is ore the Conscience, though it straye:
And Men of ciuill carriage, though in bodies not imployde,
Win good report, they shiftles shame that with their Home destroyd.
No Maruell, Luther preached gold and glorie from his Sea.
But, see an helpe: Ignatius then conceited had his Sect,
And crau'd Confirmance of the Pope, which Paule did then reiect.
But when he heard that Orders vowe might cheefly him auayle,
Them Iesuistes he incorporates, nor they his Pope-ship fayle:
But for his onely Doctrine are Apostles, and as trew
As to the Diuell the deadly-Sinnes to Popes this Order new.
Yeat these be those are vnder-hand deceiu'd whilst they deceaue:
Witnes the Gallowes, wheare for most they end those webbes they weaue.
For vnaduise are, me thinks, our Iesuistes in this,
In Cell-life since so strict, and here they hanging seldome mis,
That, for applause at least (although euen so weare bacely badde)
They change not teachers vnto them to whom from vs they gadde.
But better course then either weare secure at home to staye,
And theare with loyall hearts attend what Subiects should obaye,
Wheare no tyrannizing is ore the Conscience, though it straye:
And Men of ciuill carriage, though in bodies not imployde,
Win good report, they shiftles shame that with their Home destroyd.
Yoong English Fooles, for cause too trew, we pittie you indeed:
First for ye are our Countriemen, then for that ye proceede
Gainst Scripture, Lawe, and Nature, and Fooles palpable, in that
Ye note not how your follies make our English Foxes fat:
Allen at Rome, Others else-wheare, that liue hand-ouer heade,
By tasking you to broach those faults for which themselues be feade.
Whilst these lie burrowed, safe frō skath, mongst you adoptiue Cubs,
They doe obserue the pregnanst wit, whom Discontentment rubs,
Of Atheist, factious, desprate, or vaine-glorious, him they schoole,
And then transport to England, thear to play the dangerous Foole:
Seducingly insisting on performance of their vow,
That doth Rebellion, Regecide, and breach of Othes allow.
Though Dauid knew his Soueraigne Saul disfauored of God,
And might haue kild, and then bin crownd, such sin his soule for-bod.
Which of the Patriarks, Prophets, or Gods People, whilst they saru'd
Euen Ethnicks traytrously vnto their owne Affections caru'd.
But thus do ye, nay worser, for your Darnell giddieth so,
As Gods Annoynted and Belou'd ye censure for his Foe:
But woorst of all, by murthring her to merite Heauen ye troe.
First for ye are our Countriemen, then for that ye proceede
Gainst Scripture, Lawe, and Nature, and Fooles palpable, in that
Ye note not how your follies make our English Foxes fat:
Allen at Rome, Others else-wheare, that liue hand-ouer heade,
By tasking you to broach those faults for which themselues be feade.
Whilst these lie burrowed, safe frō skath, mongst you adoptiue Cubs,
They doe obserue the pregnanst wit, whom Discontentment rubs,
Of Atheist, factious, desprate, or vaine-glorious, him they schoole,
232
Seducingly insisting on performance of their vow,
That doth Rebellion, Regecide, and breach of Othes allow.
Though Dauid knew his Soueraigne Saul disfauored of God,
And might haue kild, and then bin crownd, such sin his soule for-bod.
Which of the Patriarks, Prophets, or Gods People, whilst they saru'd
Euen Ethnicks traytrously vnto their owne Affections caru'd.
But thus do ye, nay worser, for your Darnell giddieth so,
As Gods Annoynted and Belou'd ye censure for his Foe:
But woorst of all, by murthring her to merite Heauen ye troe.
Put case the diulish Act were done, to scape yeat lacks your Charter,
And ye with Torments dead, the cause not paine doth make the Marter
Say that the Pope lacks Malice, Say your selues doe loue the State,
Too grosly yeat your Doctrine faults in things of greatest wate.
Which your Absurdities do our Diuines confute, I wot:
Ye say his Popeship cannot erre, We proue ye erre in, Not.
Nor in the Sacrament that Christ is really we hold.
Your Transubstantiation we iustly haue controld.
Yours for the Liuing and Deceast Propitiatorie, Masses,
And Purgatorie, should we graunt, ye might conclude vs Asses.
Your Worshipping of Images, and Inuocating Saints,
And Supererogation, vs with your Defects acquaints.
Besides the Supper of our Lord, and Baptisme, we reiect
Moe Sacraments: Howbeit ye Fiue other doe erect:
As Confirmation, Penance, with Priest-Order, Marrage too,
And extreame Vnction. Ouer more too much applause yee doe
Workes Meritorious, Of the Cup the Laye ye do bereaue:
And of translated Scriptures, so, vnspied, to deceaue.
Dirges, Vowes, Indulgences, Confession in the eare,
Dissoluing Subiects from the Faith they should their Princes beare,
Dispensing with the Scriptures, for Reuenge, to please, or gaine,
Your Pardons, Pilgrimages, and your halowed Paltries vaine,
Pope, and what-so is, Papistrie, well may we call profaine.
Ambitious Rome, that for thy Pompe not sparest Soules to baine,
Once wearr thou truly Catholique, corrupted fouly now,
Not outed quite the Church, A sparke in her we thee allow:
And wish thou weart, as then thou weart, when as the Fathers good,
As touching Anti-christ, and whence, in both mis-vnderstood.
No Maruell, euen to Daniels-selfe in Mysterie it was:
And dye did those good Fathers ere that Scripture came to pas.
But now, who-so can Anti-christ but etymologize,
And knowes the Pope and Rome, the Place and Man of sinne descries.
Sheep-clothed Wolues, Christs Pro contra, the Popes haue bin and be:
No place but Rome for Anti-christ, none but the Pope is he.
And ye with Torments dead, the cause not paine doth make the Marter
Say that the Pope lacks Malice, Say your selues doe loue the State,
Too grosly yeat your Doctrine faults in things of greatest wate.
Which your Absurdities do our Diuines confute, I wot:
Ye say his Popeship cannot erre, We proue ye erre in, Not.
Nor in the Sacrament that Christ is really we hold.
Your Transubstantiation we iustly haue controld.
Yours for the Liuing and Deceast Propitiatorie, Masses,
And Purgatorie, should we graunt, ye might conclude vs Asses.
Your Worshipping of Images, and Inuocating Saints,
And Supererogation, vs with your Defects acquaints.
Besides the Supper of our Lord, and Baptisme, we reiect
Moe Sacraments: Howbeit ye Fiue other doe erect:
As Confirmation, Penance, with Priest-Order, Marrage too,
And extreame Vnction. Ouer more too much applause yee doe
Workes Meritorious, Of the Cup the Laye ye do bereaue:
And of translated Scriptures, so, vnspied, to deceaue.
Dirges, Vowes, Indulgences, Confession in the eare,
Dissoluing Subiects from the Faith they should their Princes beare,
Dispensing with the Scriptures, for Reuenge, to please, or gaine,
Your Pardons, Pilgrimages, and your halowed Paltries vaine,
Pope, and what-so is, Papistrie, well may we call profaine.
233
Once wearr thou truly Catholique, corrupted fouly now,
Not outed quite the Church, A sparke in her we thee allow:
And wish thou weart, as then thou weart, when as the Fathers good,
As touching Anti-christ, and whence, in both mis-vnderstood.
No Maruell, euen to Daniels-selfe in Mysterie it was:
And dye did those good Fathers ere that Scripture came to pas.
But now, who-so can Anti-christ but etymologize,
And knowes the Pope and Rome, the Place and Man of sinne descries.
Sheep-clothed Wolues, Christs Pro contra, the Popes haue bin and be:
No place but Rome for Anti-christ, none but the Pope is he.
CHAP. LII.
Bvt humaine Purenes none is such, but it to erre is knowne:
Thinke not we labour here your Faults, and ouer-leape our Owne.
For in the best of men the Flesh and Spirit combat still:
One thing the Spirit, and the Fesh the contrarie doth will:
We Vertue praise, but practise Vice: possessed weale we flye,
And tract of woe: At Heauen we ayme, but with a worldly Eye:
Our selues we loue, yeat than ourselues we haue no crosser Foe:
For peace we warre, a peruerse warre that doth our selues ore-throe:
At once we burne, and are key-cold: We seeme to stand that fall:
To heale that hurt: We brag of bad: We dye ere death doth call:
We triumph while we are subdude: We blisse our proper baine:
We gladly doe subiect our selues vnto each giddie Vaine:
Our gadding Thoughts conceite the Cloudes, our selues meane while forgot:
Our Nay is Yea, our Yea is Nay: we will and then will not:
Our Soules like this, our Flesh lusts that: As Proteus changeth, so
Doe our Affections: and our Thoughts be shifting too and fro:
Euen Hydra-like we flesh our Faults: our Mindes doe wauer still:
Our selfe-Conceits be winged: and we flie from good to ill:
Our peace with Discord breedes our woe: the Contrarie our Ease:
We neuer doe but plague our selues, whilst that our selues we please:
We would be we, as if not we: Vs plentie maketh poore:
We partiall, blame, inable, and disable vs eremore.
All these, and wilfull Sinnes besides, to vs with you and all
Too common we confesse. But of our Doctrine speake we shall.
Propitious be to vs, O God, that Faith haue practise too:
Which we omit as Publicanes, as Pharisies ye doe.
Our Doctrine though is Gospell, yours Traditions but of Men:
Enough of Yours: Examine Ours by Touch of Scripture then.
Thinke not we labour here your Faults, and ouer-leape our Owne.
For in the best of men the Flesh and Spirit combat still:
One thing the Spirit, and the Fesh the contrarie doth will:
We Vertue praise, but practise Vice: possessed weale we flye,
And tract of woe: At Heauen we ayme, but with a worldly Eye:
Our selues we loue, yeat than ourselues we haue no crosser Foe:
For peace we warre, a peruerse warre that doth our selues ore-throe:
At once we burne, and are key-cold: We seeme to stand that fall:
To heale that hurt: We brag of bad: We dye ere death doth call:
We triumph while we are subdude: We blisse our proper baine:
We gladly doe subiect our selues vnto each giddie Vaine:
234
Our Nay is Yea, our Yea is Nay: we will and then will not:
Our Soules like this, our Flesh lusts that: As Proteus changeth, so
Doe our Affections: and our Thoughts be shifting too and fro:
Euen Hydra-like we flesh our Faults: our Mindes doe wauer still:
Our selfe-Conceits be winged: and we flie from good to ill:
Our peace with Discord breedes our woe: the Contrarie our Ease:
We neuer doe but plague our selues, whilst that our selues we please:
We would be we, as if not we: Vs plentie maketh poore:
We partiall, blame, inable, and disable vs eremore.
All these, and wilfull Sinnes besides, to vs with you and all
Too common we confesse. But of our Doctrine speake we shall.
Propitious be to vs, O God, that Faith haue practise too:
Which we omit as Publicanes, as Pharisies ye doe.
Our Doctrine though is Gospell, yours Traditions but of Men:
Enough of Yours: Examine Ours by Touch of Scripture then.
Vpon the onely Scriptures doth our Church Foundation lay:
Let Patriarchs, Prophets, Gospell, and th' Apostles for vs say:
For Soule and Body we affirme are all sufficient thay:
Yeat ye adde Canons, part corrupt, some Bookes ye quite denay.
We by the Hebrew, and the Greeke (their primer Pennes) expound
Each Scripture, by the eldest Clarks, when doubtful Textes be found:
Not by the Latin onely, as ye would that all weare bound:
So farforth yeat the Fathers and the Councels we approue,
As doe their Expositions tende to sincere Faith and Loue.
Els fully Scriptures, in themselues, explaine themselues, say we,
If searched with that humble Spirit by which they written be:
Through which is ofte from literall speech a spirituall sense set free,
Vpon which sense the Catholike Church did, doth, and must agree.
Nor doth our Church admit, at least allow, of those in her,
That teach not Faith sincerely, winne to Heauen, from Hell deter,
That with new Glozes tainte the Text, or such as be vnreade
In that sweete Promise of the Seede should broose the Serpents head,
The Alpha and Omega of all Scriptures, and whereby
Of grace, through faith in Christ, our Soules reuiue, and Sin doth die:
Our Church affects, how so effects, such pure Theologie,
And Guides, and to our Naturall Prince, graunts sole Supremacie.
Gods Cou'nant with the Patriarchs, and extending to their Seede,
Vs Gentiles to coequall is a Primate in our Creede:
And Christ we know the end of it: In Circumcisions place
Is Baptisme: And intirely we the Tables Two imbrace
Which God himselfe in Synai wrote, and gaue to Moses then,
To publish to the people, Two Commandements in Ten:
Scriptures Idea couched in our Loue to God and men.
Th' Apostles, Athanasian, Nice and Bizain Creeds we hold
Autentick, by the holy Spirit in sacred Writ inrold.
One Godhead of three Persons, in coequall Maiestie,
Doe we beleeue: of whom the Sonne did for Beleeuers die,
The onely ransome that redeemes from S. Thans Tyrannie:
Euen Christ, the Way, the Truth, the Life, not crooked, glozed, fraile:
But right for Rule, in Promise firme, in Guerdon near to faile:
Who to reprooue the bad, approoue the good, and to assure
The Wau'ring, and against the Diuell our safetie to procure,
Did gildes, die, that we, lost Soules, might liue: naught els did make
That he, his Deitie adiorn'd, did humaine Nature take:
Nor, glorifide, disclaimes he vs, vnles we him forsake.
And what is fruitles Faith, but such Apostasie? and what
Ensues Apostasie, but to be doomed Dam'd for that?
No Doctrine, or Traditions we hold currant, saue the same
The Gospell, or th' Apostles Acts, or Pennes include or name.
Baptisme, incorporating vs in Christ, and vs in one,
Christs misticall last Supper, wheare in Signe his death is knowne,
Be Sacraments, except which twaine, do we accept of none.
By only Christ our Aduocate we to the Father pray,
Nor thinke we Saints deceased can our Sutes to him conuay:
Howbeit still most reuerently of Saints we think and say.
Vnnecessarie Burthens, on our Christian Freedome laide,
Contrarie these, that but beleefe, and vertuous life perswaide:
Yea only Faith doth iustifie, say we, of Gods free grace,
By Christ: nor Faithe is idle, but doth Charitie imbrace.
Who may, but will not helpe doth hurt, we know: and curious thay
That, dribling Almes by Arte, disband wel-Meant frō wel-Dons pay:
And he that questions Ones distresse, and doth not helpe indeuour,
Than he that sees, and nothing sayes, or cares, is lesse Deceiuour.
Then hope we health when sinne is felt repentantly in heart:
Adde then new life, and we to God, God doth to vs conuart:
Thus Peter vsde his Keyes, not thus play Popes S.Peters part.
For Cleargie-men, and Laye our Church hath godly Discipline,
Lawes worthie better than sometimes are those the Lawes define.
Our Princes in their Policies and Lawes doe we obay:
Though God his cause they seek to crosse, yeat we for them do pray,
In patience, not peruerse Attempts, for better times we stay.
Not as denide, but as deuout, we doe and should abstaine
From Meates euen meet, the prouded Flesh frō sins excesse to waine,
Which, shuld we skant, and yet be dronk with lust or like were vaine,
Saue also publique Policie doth publique Sparing craue,
In Fasts or diffrences of Meates no other keepe wee haue.
Almes deedes, and workes of Charitie we practiuely professe,
And follow Saints as they did Christ, & leaue whear they trāsgresse:
Such, and so much, as sayd, are we: forgiue vs, God, if lesse.
For godly though Religion, Prince, and Policie they are,
Yeat things, that of themselues be good, abuse brings out of square,
And sundrie Faults in sundrie Folks we sometimes must forbare:
How beit with best gouernd States our State may now compare.
Let Patriarchs, Prophets, Gospell, and th' Apostles for vs say:
For Soule and Body we affirme are all sufficient thay:
Yeat ye adde Canons, part corrupt, some Bookes ye quite denay.
We by the Hebrew, and the Greeke (their primer Pennes) expound
Each Scripture, by the eldest Clarks, when doubtful Textes be found:
Not by the Latin onely, as ye would that all weare bound:
So farforth yeat the Fathers and the Councels we approue,
As doe their Expositions tende to sincere Faith and Loue.
Els fully Scriptures, in themselues, explaine themselues, say we,
If searched with that humble Spirit by which they written be:
Through which is ofte from literall speech a spirituall sense set free,
Vpon which sense the Catholike Church did, doth, and must agree.
Nor doth our Church admit, at least allow, of those in her,
That teach not Faith sincerely, winne to Heauen, from Hell deter,
That with new Glozes tainte the Text, or such as be vnreade
235
The Alpha and Omega of all Scriptures, and whereby
Of grace, through faith in Christ, our Soules reuiue, and Sin doth die:
Our Church affects, how so effects, such pure Theologie,
And Guides, and to our Naturall Prince, graunts sole Supremacie.
Gods Cou'nant with the Patriarchs, and extending to their Seede,
Vs Gentiles to coequall is a Primate in our Creede:
And Christ we know the end of it: In Circumcisions place
Is Baptisme: And intirely we the Tables Two imbrace
Which God himselfe in Synai wrote, and gaue to Moses then,
To publish to the people, Two Commandements in Ten:
Scriptures Idea couched in our Loue to God and men.
Th' Apostles, Athanasian, Nice and Bizain Creeds we hold
Autentick, by the holy Spirit in sacred Writ inrold.
One Godhead of three Persons, in coequall Maiestie,
Doe we beleeue: of whom the Sonne did for Beleeuers die,
The onely ransome that redeemes from S. Thans Tyrannie:
Euen Christ, the Way, the Truth, the Life, not crooked, glozed, fraile:
But right for Rule, in Promise firme, in Guerdon near to faile:
Who to reprooue the bad, approoue the good, and to assure
The Wau'ring, and against the Diuell our safetie to procure,
Did gildes, die, that we, lost Soules, might liue: naught els did make
That he, his Deitie adiorn'd, did humaine Nature take:
Nor, glorifide, disclaimes he vs, vnles we him forsake.
And what is fruitles Faith, but such Apostasie? and what
Ensues Apostasie, but to be doomed Dam'd for that?
No Doctrine, or Traditions we hold currant, saue the same
The Gospell, or th' Apostles Acts, or Pennes include or name.
Baptisme, incorporating vs in Christ, and vs in one,
Christs misticall last Supper, wheare in Signe his death is knowne,
Be Sacraments, except which twaine, do we accept of none.
236
Nor thinke we Saints deceased can our Sutes to him conuay:
Howbeit still most reuerently of Saints we think and say.
Vnnecessarie Burthens, on our Christian Freedome laide,
Contrarie these, that but beleefe, and vertuous life perswaide:
Yea only Faith doth iustifie, say we, of Gods free grace,
By Christ: nor Faithe is idle, but doth Charitie imbrace.
Who may, but will not helpe doth hurt, we know: and curious thay
That, dribling Almes by Arte, disband wel-Meant frō wel-Dons pay:
And he that questions Ones distresse, and doth not helpe indeuour,
Than he that sees, and nothing sayes, or cares, is lesse Deceiuour.
Then hope we health when sinne is felt repentantly in heart:
Adde then new life, and we to God, God doth to vs conuart:
Thus Peter vsde his Keyes, not thus play Popes S.Peters part.
For Cleargie-men, and Laye our Church hath godly Discipline,
Lawes worthie better than sometimes are those the Lawes define.
Our Princes in their Policies and Lawes doe we obay:
Though God his cause they seek to crosse, yeat we for them do pray,
In patience, not peruerse Attempts, for better times we stay.
Not as denide, but as deuout, we doe and should abstaine
From Meates euen meet, the prouded Flesh frō sins excesse to waine,
Which, shuld we skant, and yet be dronk with lust or like were vaine,
Saue also publique Policie doth publique Sparing craue,
In Fasts or diffrences of Meates no other keepe wee haue.
Almes deedes, and workes of Charitie we practiuely professe,
And follow Saints as they did Christ, & leaue whear they trāsgresse:
Such, and so much, as sayd, are we: forgiue vs, God, if lesse.
For godly though Religion, Prince, and Policie they are,
Yeat things, that of themselues be good, abuse brings out of square,
And sundrie Faults in sundrie Folks we sometimes must forbare:
How beit with best gouernd States our State may now compare.
237
CHAP. LIII.
A wise man liuing like a Drone, an old man not deuout,
Youth disobedient, Rich-men that are Charitie without,
A shameles Woman, vitious Lords, a Poore man proudly stout,
Contentious Christians, Pastors that their Functions doe neglect,
A wicked King, no Discipline, no Lawes men to direct,
Are Twelue the foulest Faults that do all Common-wealths infect.
In most of all which twelue erres not, or much in any one,
Our State, respecting this, of some, Lawes not abused none.
Youth disobedient, Rich-men that are Charitie without,
A shameles Woman, vitious Lords, a Poore man proudly stout,
Contentious Christians, Pastors that their Functions doe neglect,
A wicked King, no Discipline, no Lawes men to direct,
Are Twelue the foulest Faults that do all Common-wealths infect.
In most of all which twelue erres not, or much in any one,
Our State, respecting this, of some, Lawes not abused none.
Our God-blest Queene, Palladium of our happie publique Weale,
For worth so farre beyond all words, we onely touch in zeale.
No Realme than ours hath wiser Lawes, for euery Right & Wrong:
Nor is through Meed, or Meanes, the weake betraied to the strong,
At least god sheeld they sing more sooth that sing another song.
For who the Person, not the Cause respecteth, hath forgot
The Creator of Persons, who and Iustice differ not.
A Councell watchfull for the State: Our Benches euery wheare
Supplide with Iudges learned, iust, and such as God doe feare.
Winke here and there at Auarice, Incharitie, and Pride,
And better Cleargie than is ours not Europe hath beside.
Say me, who can, whether Extreame hath harm'd Religion more,
That old of theirs too prodigall, or This of ours too poore?
Then Giuing gaue to slacke a Raine, now-Gleaning curbs too sore.
By Slauerie and by Symonie now Church-Preferment comes:
Like Nabal and to Helies Sonnes get Church-men vp their crommes:
Too much, too little, or a meane, sort out alike, we see,
House keeping, nor Humilitie, in any of the three.
Be hospitalious, Churchmen: Laye, cease sacrilegious sin,
Your Soules-sore, but their Stores-salue, whence euen whiningly, they win,
By pinching from the Pulpet, and their Purses, with this note,
Scarse will their Studies stipend them, their wiues, and Children cote.
And verely it is a fault, and maimed Learnings Foe,
That Church-Possessions should amongst the Laye be shared so:
And verely it is a fault, if so the Cleargie liue,
As theirs to take be thought no sinne, nor Meede to them giue.
Almightie euerlasting God, which only work'st great wonders,
Amend such Pastors, and vnite thy Flocke that Sathan sunders.
No one thing quailes Religion more than foundring Presbytrie:
Each Sot, impugning Order, saieth, and doth his Fantasie.
Our Booke of Common prayer, though most sound Diuinitie,
They will not reade, nor can they preach, yeat vp the Pulpet towre,
Theare making teadious Preachments, of no edifying powre,
O learned Seers, whose good liues and Doctrine do agree,
(Not barren is our Land of such) heer-hence vn-meant are yee:
To you, in Reuerence and Reward, may nothing wanting be.
T'is onely wisht your work from Dolts, your Hiues from Drones were free:
T'is wisht in These, in Fugitiues, in Papists, and (more bad,
Whom to perswade to reason, were with reason to be mad)
In Calophantick Puritaines, amisse amendment had.
These Hypocrites, for these three Gifts to their Lauerna pray,
For worth so farre beyond all words, we onely touch in zeale.
No Realme than ours hath wiser Lawes, for euery Right & Wrong:
Nor is through Meed, or Meanes, the weake betraied to the strong,
At least god sheeld they sing more sooth that sing another song.
For who the Person, not the Cause respecteth, hath forgot
The Creator of Persons, who and Iustice differ not.
A Councell watchfull for the State: Our Benches euery wheare
Supplide with Iudges learned, iust, and such as God doe feare.
Winke here and there at Auarice, Incharitie, and Pride,
And better Cleargie than is ours not Europe hath beside.
Say me, who can, whether Extreame hath harm'd Religion more,
That old of theirs too prodigall, or This of ours too poore?
Then Giuing gaue to slacke a Raine, now-Gleaning curbs too sore.
By Slauerie and by Symonie now Church-Preferment comes:
Like Nabal and to Helies Sonnes get Church-men vp their crommes:
238
House keeping, nor Humilitie, in any of the three.
Be hospitalious, Churchmen: Laye, cease sacrilegious sin,
Your Soules-sore, but their Stores-salue, whence euen whiningly, they win,
By pinching from the Pulpet, and their Purses, with this note,
Scarse will their Studies stipend them, their wiues, and Children cote.
And verely it is a fault, and maimed Learnings Foe,
That Church-Possessions should amongst the Laye be shared so:
And verely it is a fault, if so the Cleargie liue,
As theirs to take be thought no sinne, nor Meede to them giue.
Almightie euerlasting God, which only work'st great wonders,
Amend such Pastors, and vnite thy Flocke that Sathan sunders.
No one thing quailes Religion more than foundring Presbytrie:
Each Sot, impugning Order, saieth, and doth his Fantasie.
Our Booke of Common prayer, though most sound Diuinitie,
They will not reade, nor can they preach, yeat vp the Pulpet towre,
Theare making teadious Preachments, of no edifying powre,
O learned Seers, whose good liues and Doctrine do agree,
(Not barren is our Land of such) heer-hence vn-meant are yee:
To you, in Reuerence and Reward, may nothing wanting be.
T'is onely wisht your work from Dolts, your Hiues from Drones were free:
T'is wisht in These, in Fugitiues, in Papists, and (more bad,
Whom to perswade to reason, were with reason to be mad)
In Calophantick Puritaines, amisse amendment had.
Iust to be thought, all to beguile, That none their Guiles bewray:
Their Arte is fayning good they want, and hiding bad they haue:
Their Practise is selfe-praise, of praise all others to depraue.
On Loue, say some, waites Ielosie, but Ielosie wants loue,
When curiously it ouer-plus doth idle Quarrels moue:
Best Puritaines are so ore-zeal'd, But should I terme the rest:
Inhospitalious, Mutinous, and Hypocrites the best,
239
Exiling hence wel-neere al Troth, meete Sports, & Neighbourhood,
Learnings Foes, contemptuously by them be Lawes withstood,
Selfe-pleasers, Skorners, Harlots, Drones, against the Haire in all:
Of their extreame, whence Atheisme breeds, be warning Hackets fall.
If euer England will in ought preuent her owne Mishap,
Against these Skommes (no terme too grosse) let England shut the gap.
Their giddie heds gaue colour first that Spaine gainst Flanders arm'd,
And thē their Coūtries Foes they helpt, & most their Coūtry harm'd.
If Hypocrites why Puritaines we terme be ask't, in breefe,
T'is but an Ironized Tearme, good-Fellow so spels Theefe.
Well-working single-hearted Men in silence (such be some)
Will not apply, but saintish, not in Deede, but by the Dromme.
To Vnion that our stablisht Lawes for publike Prayer ties
Not all, is wondred, and offends obedient Eares and Eyes:
The rather, for knowne Humorists, Sots, noted Mal-Contents,
Here innouate, and each one to a diuers Sect conuents,
Too much irreu'rent, in, and to the Church and Sacraments.
But leauing these, retier we to ill-drifting Rome and Spaine,
Whom doth our Queene, next vnder God, frō Europs Spoile detayne.
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