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The Shorter Poems of Ralph Knevet

A Critical Edition by Amy M. Charles
Knevet, Ralph (1600-1671)

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[section]
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ΣΤΡΑΤΙΩΤΙΚΟΝ.
  
[dedication]
 3. 
[3] To his friend the Author.
 4. 
[4] To any to whom I write.
 5. 
[5] To the same.
 6. 
[6] To Captaine HENRY SHELTON.
 7. 
[7] To Mr. THOMAS KNEVET of Ashwell Thorpe.
 8. 
[8] To Sir ROGER TOWNSEND.
 9. 
[9] To Sir CHARLES LE-GROSSE.
 10. 
[10] To Sir JOHN HARE.
 11. 
[11] To Sir WILLIAM YELVERTON of Ruffham.
 12. 
[12] To Sir MILES HOBART Knight of the Bathe.
 13. 
[13] To Sir JOHN HENNINGHAM.
 14. 
[14] To Sir HEYMAN LE-STRANGE.
 15. 
[15] To Sir THOMAS SOUTHWELL.
 16. 
[16] To Sir THOMAS WOODHOUSE.
 17. 
[17] To Sir THOMAS RICHARDSON.
 18. 
[18] To Sir ROBERT GAUDY.
 19. 
[19] To Sir DRU DRURY.
 20. 
[20] To Sir JOHN HOBART.
 21. 
[21] To Sir ROBERT BELL.
 22. 
[22] To Sir WILLIAM DE-GRAY.
 23. 
[23] To Mr. FRAMMINGHAM GAUDY.
 24. 
[24] To Mr. SHEPHERD of Kyrby.
 25. 
[25] To Mr. WEBBE of Breckles.
 26. 
[26] To Mr. ANTHONY HOBART of Hales.
 27. 
[27] To Mr. PHILIP WOODHOUSE.
 28. 
[28] To Mr. WILLIM POSTON of Paston.
 29. 
[29] To Mr. PETTIE of Morley.
 30. 
[30] To Mr. JOHN HOLLAND.
 31. 
[31] To Mr. BARTHOLOMEW COTTON.
 32. 
[32] To Mr. THOMAS WARDE of Bixley.
 33. 
[33] To Mr. THOMAS LAYER of Booton.
 34. 
[34] To Mr. JAMES CALTHORP.
 35. 
[35] To Mr. WILLIAM BLADWELL.
 36. 
[36] To Mr. RAPH BLEVER-HASSIT.
 37. 
[37] To Mr. CLEMENT HYRNE.
 38. 
[38] To Mr. EDMUND KNEVET.
 39. 
[39] To Mr. AUSTINE HOLLE.
 40. 
[40] To Mr. EDWARD WOOTTON.
 41. 
[41] To Mr. EDWARD DOILY.
 42. 
[42] To Mr. JOHN CRUSO.
  
A DISCOURSE OF MILITARIE DISCIPLINE.
 43. 
[43]. A Threnode
 44. 
[44] Upon the death of Sir RALPHE SHELTON.
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RHODON AND IRIS.
 1. 
[1] To the right Worshipfull, Mr. NICHOLAS BACON of Gillingham, Esquire.
 2. 
[2] To his much respected friends, the Society of Florists.
 3. 
[3] To the Booke and his worthy friend the AUTHOR.
 4. 
[4] To his friend the Author.
 5. 
[5] To his friend the Author.
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RHODON AND IRIS
  
Prologue.
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ACT. 1.
 1. 
SCEN. 1.
 2. 
SCEN. 2.
 3. 
SCEN. 3.
 4. 
SCEN. 4.
 5. 
SCEN. 5.
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ACT. 2.
 1. 
SCEN. 1.
 2. 
SCEN. 2.
 3. 
SCEN. 3.
 4. 
SCEN. 4.
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ACT 3.
 1. 
SCEN. 1
 2. 
SCEN. 2.
 3. 
SCEN. 3.
 4. 
SCEN. 4.
 5. 
SCEN. 5.
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ACT. 4.
 1. 
SCEN. 1.
 2. 
SCEN. 2.
 3. 
SCEN. 3.
 4. 
SCEN. 4
 5. 
SCEN. 5.
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ACT. 5
 1. 
SCEN. 1
 2. 
SCEN. 2.
 3. 
SCEN. 3.
 4. 
SCEN. 4.
 5. 
SCEN. 5.
 6. 
SCEN. 6.
  
Epilogue.
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FUNERALL ELEGIES;
  
[dedication]
 1. 
Eleg. 1.
 2. 
Eleg. 2.
 3. 
Eleg. 3.
  
Epicedium.
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A GALLERY TO THE TEMPLE.
  
[dedication]
  
The Dedication
 1. 
[1] The Incarnation.
 2. 
[2] The Passion
 3. 
[3] The Deprecation
 4. 
[4] Solitude
 5. 
[5] Resolution
 6. 
[6] Blindnes
 7. 
[7] The Newyeares Gift
 8. 
[8] Sciences
 9. 
[9] Teares
 10. 
[10] Securitye
 11. 
[11] The Bankrupte
 12. 
[12] Griefe
 13. 
[13] Truth
 14. 
[14] The Vote
 15. 
[15] The Antiphon
 16. 
[16] Crosses
 17. 
[17] The Sute
 18. 
[18] Hypocrisie
 19. 
[19] The Conception
 20. 
[20] The Habitation
 21. 
[21] The Dialogue
 22. 
[22] Vanitye
 23. 
[23] The Apparition
 24. 
[24] The Rocke
 25. 
[25] Bounty
 26. 
[26] The Navigation
 27. 
[27] The Apologye
 28. 
[28] Infirmitye
 29. 
[29] Contrition
 30. 
[30] The Progresse
 31. 
[31] Neclect
 32. 
[32] The Treasure
 33. 
[33] Jordan
 34. 
[34] Prodigyes
 35. 
[35] Infinitenes
 36. 
[36] The Descension
 37. 
[37] Unconstancye
 38. 
[38] Devotion
 39. 
[39] The Bottle
 40. 
[40] The Deliverance
 41. 
[41] The Triumphe
 42. 
[42] The Extremes
 43. 
[43] The Feast
 44. 
[44] Weakenes
 45. 
[45] The Lamentation
 46. 
[46] Sanctification
 47. 
[47] The Pedigree
 48. 
[48] Peace
 49. 
[49] The Nosegay
 50. 
[50] The Pilgrimage
 51. 
[51] The Transmutation
 52. 
[52] The Burthen
 53. 
[53] Ostentation
 54. 
[54] The Race
 55. 
[55] Vivacitye
 56. 
[56] Hardnes
 57. 
[57] Intemperance
 58. 
[58] The Combate
 59. 
[59] The Echo
 60. 
[60] Moderation
 61. 
[61] The Prodigall
 62. 
[62] The Harpe
 63. 
[63] The Mistake
 64. 
[64] The Terrours
 65. 
[65] The Tempest
 66. 
[66] Conversion
 67. 
[67] The Refuge
 68. 
[68] The Mansion
 69. 
[69] The Imprese
 70. 
[70] Knowledge
 71. 
[71] Prayer
 72. 
[72] Sicknes
 73. 
[73] The World
 74. 
[74] Preacheing
 75. 
[75] Memorye
 76. 
[76] Simplicitye
 77. 
[77] Self-Love
 78. 
[78] The Hermite
 79. 
[79] Retribution
 80. 
[80] Remorse
  
L'Envoy

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[32] The Treasure

Hee that seekes gold, or pearle, must delve, or dive,
And descend toward Hell:
Thus things, for which the world doth chiefely strive,
Neare Hells precincts doe dwell:
But there's a gemme, and Treasure to bee found,
Rather above the skyes, then under ground.
Eternall Richesse, whose Possessours are,
Nor prodigall, nor covetous:
For though they must acquired bee by care,
And toyle solicitous,
Yet (being once obtain'd) they doe presente
Unto the heart, a fullnes of content.
But Wee, doe Indian savages excell,
In absurd brutish dotage:
Gold wee exchange for glasse, our Birthrights sell,
Even for a messe of potage,
Yea choose to forfeyte all celestiall treasure,
Rather then to abandon one base pleasure.
Our soules taste too much of the soyle, and caske,
To please Gods palate: wee
331

Wont to esteeme it an Egyptian taske,
True Christians to bee.
As if there were no Heaven, or Hell, we cry
Good morow Sinne, and good night Sanctity.
When I a fat Physicion doe behold,
Thriveing by pockes, and fevers,
Or a leane Lawyer, larded well with gold,
Through sordide base endeavours
I wonder not to see a Pastour meager
Appeare like one, come from a winter leaguer.
We corruptible carkasses regarde./
Uncertaine life, and health,
Seeke chiefely to preserve: wee labour hard
For transitory wealth:
But the soules health, or wealth, wee least care for,
As if wee could not want a Saviour.
Or as our Saviour could not us want;
But of necessity,
Must his eternall joyes unto us graunt,
Without our piety,
For goods that perish, wee take onely care,
Neclecting treasures, which immortall are.
Vouchsafe (oh Lord) t'enrich mee with thy grace,
Then I shall willingly
Carnall delights, and vanityes let passe,
Sell all my stocke to buy
That orientall Pearle, and that same field,
Wherein thy heavenly Treasure is conceald./
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