 | Poems, Elegies, Paradoxes, and Sonets |  |
1
[ELEGIES].
AN ELEGY
Upon my Best Friend L. K. C.
Should we our Sorrows in this Method range,
Oft as Misfortune doth their Subjects change,
And to the sev'ral Losses which befall,
Pay diff'rent Rites at ev'ry Funeral;
Like narrow Springs drain'd by dispersed Streams,
We must want Tears to wail such various Themes,
And prove defective in Deaths mournfull Laws,
Not having Words proportion'd to each Cause.
Oft as Misfortune doth their Subjects change,
And to the sev'ral Losses which befall,
Pay diff'rent Rites at ev'ry Funeral;
Like narrow Springs drain'd by dispersed Streams,
We must want Tears to wail such various Themes,
And prove defective in Deaths mournfull Laws,
Not having Words proportion'd to each Cause.
In your Dear loss my much afflicted Sense,
Discerns this Truth by sad experience,
Who never Look'd my Verses should survive,
As wet Records, That you are not Alive;
And less desir'd to make that Promise due,
Which pass'd from Me in jest, when urg'd by You.
Discerns this Truth by sad experience,
2
As wet Records, That you are not Alive;
And less desir'd to make that Promise due,
Which pass'd from Me in jest, when urg'd by You.
How close and slily doth our Frailty work!
How undiscover'd in the Body lurk!
That Those who this Day did salute you well,
Before the Next were frighted by your Knell.
O wherefore since we must in Order rise,
Should we not Fall in equal Obsequies?
But bear th' Assaults of an uneven Fate,
Like Feavers which their Hour anticipate;
Had this Rule constant been, my long wish'd End
Might render you a Mourner for your Friend:
As He for you, whose most deplor'd surprise
Imprints your Death on all my Faculties;
That hardly my dark Phant'sie or Discourse,
This final Duty from the Pen inforce:
How undiscover'd in the Body lurk!
That Those who this Day did salute you well,
Before the Next were frighted by your Knell.
O wherefore since we must in Order rise,
Should we not Fall in equal Obsequies?
But bear th' Assaults of an uneven Fate,
Like Feavers which their Hour anticipate;
Had this Rule constant been, my long wish'd End
Might render you a Mourner for your Friend:
As He for you, whose most deplor'd surprise
Imprints your Death on all my Faculties;
That hardly my dark Phant'sie or Discourse,
This final Duty from the Pen inforce:
Such Influence hath your Eclipsed Light,
It doth my Reason like my Self benight.
It doth my Reason like my Self benight.
Let me, with Luckless Gamesters, then think best
(After I have Set up and Lost my Rest,)
Grow'n desp'rate through mischance, to Venture last
My whole remaining Stock upon a Cast,
And flinging from me my now Loathed Pen,
Resolve for your Sake nev'r to Write agen:
For whilst Successive days their Light renew,
I must no Subject hope to Equal you,
In whose Heroick Brest as in their Sphear,
All Graces of your Sex concentred were.
(After I have Set up and Lost my Rest,)
Grow'n desp'rate through mischance, to Venture last
My whole remaining Stock upon a Cast,
And flinging from me my now Loathed Pen,
Resolve for your Sake nev'r to Write agen:
3
I must no Subject hope to Equal you,
In whose Heroick Brest as in their Sphear,
All Graces of your Sex concentred were.
Thus take I my long Farewell of that Art,
Fit only glorious Actions to impart;
That Art wherewith our Crosses we beguile,
And make them in Harmonious numbers smile:
Since you are gone, This holds no further use,
Whose Virtue and Desert inspir'd my Muse.
O may She in your Ashes Buried be,
Whilst I my Self become the Elegie.
Fit only glorious Actions to impart;
That Art wherewith our Crosses we beguile,
And make them in Harmonious numbers smile:
Since you are gone, This holds no further use,
Whose Virtue and Desert inspir'd my Muse.
O may She in your Ashes Buried be,
Whilst I my Self become the Elegie.
And as it is observ'd when Princes Dye,
In honour of that sad Solemnity,
The now unoffic'd Servants crack their Staves,
And throw them down into their Masters Graves:
So this last Office of my broken Verse,
I solemnly resign upon your Hearse;
And my Brains moisture, all that is unspent,
Shall melt to nothing at the Monument.
Thus in moist Weather when the Marble weeps,
You'l think it only his Tears reck'ning keeps,
Who doth for ever to his Thoughts bequeath
The Legacy of your lamented Death.
In honour of that sad Solemnity,
The now unoffic'd Servants crack their Staves,
And throw them down into their Masters Graves:
So this last Office of my broken Verse,
I solemnly resign upon your Hearse;
And my Brains moisture, all that is unspent,
Shall melt to nothing at the Monument.
Thus in moist Weather when the Marble weeps,
You'l think it only his Tears reck'ning keeps,
Who doth for ever to his Thoughts bequeath
The Legacy of your lamented Death.
4
On the Earl of Essex.
Essex
twice made unhappy by a Wife,
Yet Marry'd worse unto the Peoples strife:
He who by two Divorces did untie
His Bond of Wedlock and of Loyalty:
Who was by Easiness of Nature bred,
To lead that Tumult which first Him misled;
Yet had some glimm'ring Sparks of Virtue lent
To see (though late) his Errour, and Repent:
Essex lies here, like an inverted Flame,
Hid in the Ruins of his House and Name;
And as He, frailties sad Example, lies,
Warns the Survivours in his Exequies.
Yet Marry'd worse unto the Peoples strife:
He who by two Divorces did untie
His Bond of Wedlock and of Loyalty:
Who was by Easiness of Nature bred,
To lead that Tumult which first Him misled;
Yet had some glimm'ring Sparks of Virtue lent
To see (though late) his Errour, and Repent:
Essex lies here, like an inverted Flame,
Hid in the Ruins of his House and Name;
And as He, frailties sad Example, lies,
Warns the Survivours in his Exequies.
He shews what wretched bubbles Great Men are,
Through their Ambition grown too Popular:
For they Built up, from weak Opinion, stand
On Bases false as Water, loose as Sand;
Essex in differing Successes try'd
The fury and the falshood of each Side;
Now with applauses Deify'd, and then
Thrown down with spightfull infamy agen:
Through their Ambition grown too Popular:
For they Built up, from weak Opinion, stand
On Bases false as Water, loose as Sand;
Essex in differing Successes try'd
The fury and the falshood of each Side;
Now with applauses Deify'd, and then
Thrown down with spightfull infamy agen:
Tells them, what Arts soever them support,
Their Life is meerly Time and Fortunes sport,
And that no Bladders blown by Common breath,
Shall bear them up amidst the Waves of Death:
Their Life is meerly Time and Fortunes sport,
5
Shall bear them up amidst the Waves of Death:
Tells them no Monstrous Birth, with Pow'r endu'd
By that more Monstrous Beast the Multitude;
No State-Coloss (though Tall as that bestrid
The Rhodian Harbour where their Navy rid)
Can hold that ill-porportion'd Greatness still,
Beyond his Greater, most Resistless will,
Whose dreadfull Sentence written on the Wall
Did sign the Temple Robbing Tyrants fall;
But Spight of their vast Priviledge, which strives
T'exceed the Size of ten Prerogatives;
Spight of their Endless Parliament, or Grants,
(In Order to those Votes and Covenants,
When, without Sense of their black Perjury
They Swear with Essex they would Live and Dye)
With their Dead General ere long they must
Contracted be into a Span of Dust.
By that more Monstrous Beast the Multitude;
No State-Coloss (though Tall as that bestrid
The Rhodian Harbour where their Navy rid)
Can hold that ill-porportion'd Greatness still,
Beyond his Greater, most Resistless will,
Whose dreadfull Sentence written on the Wall
Did sign the Temple Robbing Tyrants fall;
But Spight of their vast Priviledge, which strives
T'exceed the Size of ten Prerogatives;
Spight of their Endless Parliament, or Grants,
(In Order to those Votes and Covenants,
When, without Sense of their black Perjury
They Swear with Essex they would Live and Dye)
With their Dead General ere long they must
Contracted be into a Span of Dust.
An Elegy on Sir Charls Lucas, and Sir George Lisle.
In measures solemn as the groans that fall
From the hoarse Trumpet at some Funerall;
With trayling Elegy and mournfull Verse
I wait upon two Pearless Souldiers Hearse:
Though, I acknowledge must, my sorrowes dress
Ill matched to the cause it should Express;
Nor can I, at my best Inventions cost,
Sum up the Treasure which in them we lost:
From the hoarse Trumpet at some Funerall;
6
I wait upon two Pearless Souldiers Hearse:
Though, I acknowledge must, my sorrowes dress
Ill matched to the cause it should Express;
Nor can I, at my best Inventions cost,
Sum up the Treasure which in them we lost:
Had they with other Worthies of the Age,
Who late upon the Kingdomes bloody Stage,
For God, the King, and Laws, their Valour try'd,
Through Warrs stern chance in heat of Battel Dy'd,
We then might save much of our griefs expence
Reputing it not duty, but offence.
They need no tears nor howling Exequy,
Who in a glorious undertaking Dye;
Since all that in the bed of honour fell
Live their own Monument and Chronicle.
Who late upon the Kingdomes bloody Stage,
For God, the King, and Laws, their Valour try'd,
Through Warrs stern chance in heat of Battel Dy'd,
We then might save much of our griefs expence
Reputing it not duty, but offence.
They need no tears nor howling Exequy,
Who in a glorious undertaking Dye;
Since all that in the bed of honour fell
Live their own Monument and Chronicle.
But these, whom horrid danger did not reach,
The wide-mouth'd Cannon, nor the wider Breach,
These, whom till cruel want and coward fate
Penn'd up like famish'd Lions in a Grate,
Were for their daring Sallies so much fear'd
Th' Assailants fled them like a frighted Heard;
Resolving now no more to fight, but lurk
Trench'd in their Line or earth'd within a Work.
Where not like Souldiers they, but Watchmen, creep,
Arm'd for no other office but to sleep:
They, whose bold charge whole Armies did amaze,
Rendring them faint and heartless at the Gaze,
To see Resolve and Naked Valour charmes
Of higher Proof than all their massy Armes:
They whose bright swords ruffled the proudest Troop
(As fowl unto the towring Falcon stoop)
Yet no advantage made of their Success
Which to the conquer'd spake them merciless;
(For they, when e'r 'twas begg'd did safety give,
And oft unasked bid the vanquish'd live;)
Ev'n these, not more undaunted in the Field
Than mild and Gentle unto such as yield,
Were, after all the shocks of battails stood,
(Let me not name it) murther'd in cold blood.
The wide-mouth'd Cannon, nor the wider Breach,
These, whom till cruel want and coward fate
Penn'd up like famish'd Lions in a Grate,
Were for their daring Sallies so much fear'd
Th' Assailants fled them like a frighted Heard;
Resolving now no more to fight, but lurk
Trench'd in their Line or earth'd within a Work.
Where not like Souldiers they, but Watchmen, creep,
Arm'd for no other office but to sleep:
7
Rendring them faint and heartless at the Gaze,
To see Resolve and Naked Valour charmes
Of higher Proof than all their massy Armes:
They whose bright swords ruffled the proudest Troop
(As fowl unto the towring Falcon stoop)
Yet no advantage made of their Success
Which to the conquer'd spake them merciless;
(For they, when e'r 'twas begg'd did safety give,
And oft unasked bid the vanquish'd live;)
Ev'n these, not more undaunted in the Field
Than mild and Gentle unto such as yield,
Were, after all the shocks of battails stood,
(Let me not name it) murther'd in cold blood.
Such poor revenge did the enraged Greek
Against (till then) victorious Hector seek,
Triumphing o'r that Body bownd and dead
From whom in Life the Pow'rs of Argos fled.
Yet might Achillis borrow some excuse
To colour, though not warrant the abuse:
His dearest Friend in the fierce combate foyl'd
Was by the Trojans hand of Life despoyl'd;
From whence unruly grief grown wild with rage
Beyond the bownds of Honour did engage.
But these, confirm'd in their unmanly hate,
By Counsels cruel yet deliberate,
Did from the Stock of bleeding honour hew
Two of the noblest Branches ever grew;
And (which our grief and Pitty must improve)
When brought within their reach with shews of Love:
For by a Treaty they entangled are,
And Rendring up to Mercy is the Snare;
Whence we have learn'd when e'r their Saint-Ships Treat,
The ends are mortall, and the means a Cheat;
In which the World may read their black intent,
Drawn out at large in this sad President.
Who (though fair promis'd) might no Mercy have,
But such as once the faithless Bashaw gave,
When to his trust deluded Bragadine
Himsef and Famogasta did resign.
Whose envy'd Valour thus to bonds betray'd
Was soon the mark of barb'rous slaughter made:
So gallant Shipps which rocks and storms had past,
Though with torn Sails and spending of their Mast,
When newly brought within the sight of Land,
Have been suckt up by some devouring Sand
Against (till then) victorious Hector seek,
Triumphing o'r that Body bownd and dead
From whom in Life the Pow'rs of Argos fled.
Yet might Achillis borrow some excuse
To colour, though not warrant the abuse:
His dearest Friend in the fierce combate foyl'd
Was by the Trojans hand of Life despoyl'd;
From whence unruly grief grown wild with rage
Beyond the bownds of Honour did engage.
But these, confirm'd in their unmanly hate,
By Counsels cruel yet deliberate,
8
Two of the noblest Branches ever grew;
And (which our grief and Pitty must improve)
When brought within their reach with shews of Love:
For by a Treaty they entangled are,
And Rendring up to Mercy is the Snare;
Whence we have learn'd when e'r their Saint-Ships Treat,
The ends are mortall, and the means a Cheat;
In which the World may read their black intent,
Drawn out at large in this sad President.
Who (though fair promis'd) might no Mercy have,
But such as once the faithless Bashaw gave,
When to his trust deluded Bragadine
Himsef and Famogasta did resign.
Whose envy'd Valour thus to bonds betray'd
Was soon the mark of barb'rous slaughter made:
So gallant Shipps which rocks and storms had past,
Though with torn Sails and spending of their Mast,
When newly brought within the sight of Land,
Have been suckt up by some devouring Sand
You wretched Agents for a Kingdoms fall,
Who yet your selves the Modell'd Army call;
Who carry on and fashion your Design
By Syllaes, Syllaes red proscriptions Line,
(Romes Comet once, as You are Ours) for shame
Henceforth no more usurp the Souldiers Name:
Let not that Title in fair Battails gain'd
Be by such abject things as You profan'd;
For what have you atchiev'd, the world may guess
You are those Men of Might which you profess.
Where ever durst You strike, if you met foes
Whose Valour did your odds in men oppose?
Turn o're the Annalls of your vaunted Fights
Which made you late the Peoples Favourites;
Begin your course at Naseby, and from thence
Draw out Your Marches full circumference,
Bridgwater, Bristol, Dartmouth, with the rest
Of Your well-plotted renders in the West;
Then to the angry North Your compass bend
Untill Your spent careere in Scotland end,
(This is the perfect Scale of our mishap
Which measures out your conquest by the Mapp)
And tell me he that can, What have you won,
Which long before Your progress was not done?
What Castle was besieg'd, what Port, what Town,
You were not sure to carry 'ere sat down?
There needed no Granadoes, no Petard,
To force the passage, or disperse the Guard.
No, Your good Masters sent a Golden Ramm
To batter down the gates against You came.
Those blest Reformers who procur'd the Swead
His armed Forces into Denmark lead,
'Mongst them to kindle a sharp warr for hire,
Who in mear pitty meant to quench our fire,
Could where they pleased with the King's own coyn,
Divert His Aids and Strengths at home purloyn.
Who yet your selves the Modell'd Army call;
9
By Syllaes, Syllaes red proscriptions Line,
(Romes Comet once, as You are Ours) for shame
Henceforth no more usurp the Souldiers Name:
Let not that Title in fair Battails gain'd
Be by such abject things as You profan'd;
For what have you atchiev'd, the world may guess
You are those Men of Might which you profess.
Where ever durst You strike, if you met foes
Whose Valour did your odds in men oppose?
Turn o're the Annalls of your vaunted Fights
Which made you late the Peoples Favourites;
Begin your course at Naseby, and from thence
Draw out Your Marches full circumference,
Bridgwater, Bristol, Dartmouth, with the rest
Of Your well-plotted renders in the West;
Then to the angry North Your compass bend
Untill Your spent careere in Scotland end,
(This is the perfect Scale of our mishap
Which measures out your conquest by the Mapp)
And tell me he that can, What have you won,
Which long before Your progress was not done?
What Castle was besieg'd, what Port, what Town,
You were not sure to carry 'ere sat down?
There needed no Granadoes, no Petard,
To force the passage, or disperse the Guard.
10
To batter down the gates against You came.
Those blest Reformers who procur'd the Swead
His armed Forces into Denmark lead,
'Mongst them to kindle a sharp warr for hire,
Who in mear pitty meant to quench our fire,
Could where they pleased with the King's own coyn,
Divert His Aids and Strengths at home purloyn.
Upon Sea Voyages I sometimes find
Men trade with Lapland Witches for a Wind,
And by those purchas'd Gales, quick as their thought,
To the desired Port are safely brought.
We need not here on skillfull Hopkins call
The States allow'd Witch-finder General.
For (though Rebellion wants no Cad nor Elfe,
But is a perfect Witchcraft of it self)
We could with little help of art reveal
Those learn'd Magitians with whom You deal:
We all Your Juggles both for Time and Place
From Darby-house to Westminster can Trace,
The Circle where the factious Jangle meet
To Trample Law and Gospel under feet;
In which, like Bells Rung backward, they proclaim
The Kingdom by their Wild-fire set on flame,
And, quite Perverting their First Rules, invent
What mischief may be done by Parliament:
We know Your holy Flamens, and can tell
What Spirits Vote within the Oracle;
Have found the spells and Incantations too,
By whose assistance You such Wonders do.
For divers Years the credit of Your warrs
Hath been kept up by these Familiars,
Who that they may their providence express
Both find you Pay and purchase Your Success:
No wonder then You must the Garland wear,
Who never fought but with a Silver Spear.
Men trade with Lapland Witches for a Wind,
And by those purchas'd Gales, quick as their thought,
To the desired Port are safely brought.
We need not here on skillfull Hopkins call
The States allow'd Witch-finder General.
For (though Rebellion wants no Cad nor Elfe,
But is a perfect Witchcraft of it self)
We could with little help of art reveal
Those learn'd Magitians with whom You deal:
We all Your Juggles both for Time and Place
From Darby-house to Westminster can Trace,
The Circle where the factious Jangle meet
To Trample Law and Gospel under feet;
In which, like Bells Rung backward, they proclaim
The Kingdom by their Wild-fire set on flame,
And, quite Perverting their First Rules, invent
What mischief may be done by Parliament:
11
What Spirits Vote within the Oracle;
Have found the spells and Incantations too,
By whose assistance You such Wonders do.
For divers Years the credit of Your warrs
Hath been kept up by these Familiars,
Who that they may their providence express
Both find you Pay and purchase Your Success:
No wonder then You must the Garland wear,
Who never fought but with a Silver Spear.
We grant the Warrs unhappy consequence
With all the num'rous Plagues which grow from thence,
Murthers and Rapes, threats of Disease and Dearth,
From You as for the proper Spring take birth:
You may for Laws enact the Publick Wrongs,
With all fowl Violence to them belongs;
May bawl aloud the Peoples Right and Pow'r
Till by Your Sword You both of them Devour,
(For this brave Liberty by You up-cry'd
Is to all others but Your-selves deny'd,)
May with seditious fires the Land embroyl,
And in pretence to quench them take the Spoyl:
You may Religion to Your lust subdue,
For these are actions only Worthy You:
Yet when your Projects, crownd with wish'd event,
Have made You Masters of the ill You meant,
You never must the Souldiers glory share,
Since all your Trophies Executions are:
Not thinking your Successes understood,
Unless Recorded and Scor'd up in Blood.
With all the num'rous Plagues which grow from thence,
Murthers and Rapes, threats of Disease and Dearth,
From You as for the proper Spring take birth:
You may for Laws enact the Publick Wrongs,
With all fowl Violence to them belongs;
May bawl aloud the Peoples Right and Pow'r
Till by Your Sword You both of them Devour,
(For this brave Liberty by You up-cry'd
Is to all others but Your-selves deny'd,)
May with seditious fires the Land embroyl,
And in pretence to quench them take the Spoyl:
You may Religion to Your lust subdue,
For these are actions only Worthy You:
Yet when your Projects, crownd with wish'd event,
Have made You Masters of the ill You meant,
12
Since all your Trophies Executions are:
Not thinking your Successes understood,
Unless Recorded and Scor'd up in Blood.
In which, to Gull the People, you pretend,
That Military Justice was Your end;
As if we still were Blind, not knowing this
To all your other Virtues suited is;
Who only Act by your great Grandsires Law,
The Butcher Cade, Wat Tyler, and Jack Straw,
Whose Principle was Murther, and their Sport
To cut off those they fear'd might do them hurt:
Nay, in your Actions we compleated find,
What by those Levellers was but design'd,
For now Committees, and your Arm'd supplies,
Cantos the Land in petty Tyrannies,
And for one King of Commons in each Shire,
Four hundred Commons rule as Tyrants here.
Had you not meant the Copies of each Deed,
Should their Originals in ill exceed,
You would not practice sure the Turkish Art,
To Ship your taken Pris'ners for a Mart,
Least if with Freedome they at Home remain,
They should (which is your Terrour) Fight again.
A thing long since by Zealous Rigby mov'd,
And by the Faction like himself approv'd;
Though you uncounsell'd can such Outrage try,
Scarce sampled from the basest Enemy.
Naseby of Old, and late St. Fagans Fare,
Of these inhumane Truckings witness are;
At which the Captiv'd Welch in Couples led,
Were Marketted, like Cattel, by the Head.
Let it no more in History be told,
That Turks their Christian Slaves for Aspers sold;
When we the Saints selling their Brethren see,
Who had a call (they say) to set them free;
And are at last by Right of Conquest grown,
To claim our Land of Canaan for their own.
Though luckless Colchester in this out-vies,
Argiers or Tunis shamefull Merchandise;
Where the Starv'd Souldier (as th' agreement was)
Might not be suffer'd to their Dwelling pass,
Till, led about by some insulting Band,
They first were shew'd in Triumph through the Land:
In which for lack of Dyet, or of Strength
If any Fainted through the Marches length,
Void of the Breasts of Men,
this Murth'rous Crew
All those they could drive on no further, Slew;
What Bloody Riddle's this? They mercy give,
Yet those who should enjoy it, must not Live.
That Military Justice was Your end;
As if we still were Blind, not knowing this
To all your other Virtues suited is;
Who only Act by your great Grandsires Law,
The Butcher Cade, Wat Tyler, and Jack Straw,
Whose Principle was Murther, and their Sport
To cut off those they fear'd might do them hurt:
Nay, in your Actions we compleated find,
What by those Levellers was but design'd,
For now Committees, and your Arm'd supplies,
Cantos the Land in petty Tyrannies,
And for one King of Commons in each Shire,
Four hundred Commons rule as Tyrants here.
Had you not meant the Copies of each Deed,
Should their Originals in ill exceed,
You would not practice sure the Turkish Art,
To Ship your taken Pris'ners for a Mart,
13
They should (which is your Terrour) Fight again.
A thing long since by Zealous Rigby mov'd,
And by the Faction like himself approv'd;
Though you uncounsell'd can such Outrage try,
Scarce sampled from the basest Enemy.
Naseby of Old, and late St. Fagans Fare,
Of these inhumane Truckings witness are;
At which the Captiv'd Welch in Couples led,
Were Marketted, like Cattel, by the Head.
Let it no more in History be told,
That Turks their Christian Slaves for Aspers sold;
When we the Saints selling their Brethren see,
Who had a call (they say) to set them free;
And are at last by Right of Conquest grown,
To claim our Land of Canaan for their own.
Though luckless Colchester in this out-vies,
Argiers or Tunis shamefull Merchandise;
Where the Starv'd Souldier (as th' agreement was)
Might not be suffer'd to their Dwelling pass,
Till, led about by some insulting Band,
They first were shew'd in Triumph through the Land:
In which for lack of Dyet, or of Strength
If any Fainted through the Marches length,
14
All those they could drive on no further, Slew;
What Bloody Riddle's this? They mercy give,
Yet those who should enjoy it, must not Live.
Indeed we cannot less from such expect,
Who for this Work of Ruine are Elect:
This Scum drawn from the worst, who never knew
The Fruits which from Ingenuous Breeding grew;
But take such low Commanders on their Lists,
As did revolted Jeroboam Priests:
That 'tis our Fate, I fear, to be undone
Like Ægypt once with Vermin over-run.
If in the Rabble some be more refin'd
By fair Extractions of their birth or mind,
Ev'n these corrupted are by such allays,
That no Impression of their Vertue stays.
As Gold embased by some mingled Dross
Both in it's Worth and Nature suffers Loss.
Who for this Work of Ruine are Elect:
This Scum drawn from the worst, who never knew
The Fruits which from Ingenuous Breeding grew;
But take such low Commanders on their Lists,
As did revolted Jeroboam Priests:
That 'tis our Fate, I fear, to be undone
Like Ægypt once with Vermin over-run.
If in the Rabble some be more refin'd
By fair Extractions of their birth or mind,
Ev'n these corrupted are by such allays,
That no Impression of their Vertue stays.
As Gold embased by some mingled Dross
Both in it's Worth and Nature suffers Loss.
Else had that Sense of Honour still Surviv'd
Which Fairfax from his Ancestors deriv'd,
He ne'r had shew'd Himself, for hate or fear,
So much degen'rous from renowned Vere
(The Title and Alliance of whose Son
His Acts of Valour had in Holland won),
As to give up by his rash dooming Breath
This precious Pair of Lives to timeless death;
Whom no brave Enemy but would esteem,
And, though with hazard of his own, redeem.
For 'tis not vainly by the world surmis'd
This Blood to private Spleens was sacrifis'd.
Half of the guilt stands chardgd on Whaleys score,
By Lisle affronted on his guards before;
For which his spight by other hands was shew'n,
Who never durst dispute it with his own.
Twice guilty coward! first by Vote, then Eye,
Spectator of the shamefull Tragedy.
But Lucas elder cause of quarrell Knew,
From whence his Critical Misfortune grew;
Since he from Berkley Castle with such scorn
Bold Ransborough's first Summons did return,
Telling him Loudly at the Parley's Beat,
With Rogues and Rebells He disdain'd to Treat;
Which Fairfax from his Ancestors deriv'd,
He ne'r had shew'd Himself, for hate or fear,
So much degen'rous from renowned Vere
(The Title and Alliance of whose Son
His Acts of Valour had in Holland won),
As to give up by his rash dooming Breath
This precious Pair of Lives to timeless death;
15
And, though with hazard of his own, redeem.
For 'tis not vainly by the world surmis'd
This Blood to private Spleens was sacrifis'd.
Half of the guilt stands chardgd on Whaleys score,
By Lisle affronted on his guards before;
For which his spight by other hands was shew'n,
Who never durst dispute it with his own.
Twice guilty coward! first by Vote, then Eye,
Spectator of the shamefull Tragedy.
But Lucas elder cause of quarrell Knew,
From whence his Critical Misfortune grew;
Since he from Berkley Castle with such scorn
Bold Ransborough's first Summons did return,
Telling him Loudly at the Parley's Beat,
With Rogues and Rebells He disdain'd to Treat;
Some from this hot contest the world perswade
His sleeping vengeance on that ground was laid:
If so, for ever blurr'd with Envies brand,
His Honour gain'd by Sea, was lost at Land:
Nor could he an impending Judgment shun
Who did to this with so much fervour run,
When late himself, to quit that Bloody stain,
Was, midst his Armed Guards, from Pomfret slain.
But all in vain we here expostulate
What took them hence, private or publick hate:
Knowledge of acted VVoes small comforts add,
VVhen no repair proportion'd can be had:
And such are ours, which to the Kingdomes eyes
Sadly present ensuing miseries,
Fore-telling in These Two some greater ill
From Those who now a Pattent have to Kill.
Two, whose dear loss leaves us no recompence,
Nor them attonement, which in weight or Sense
VVith These shall never into Ballance come
Though all the Army fell their Hecatomb.
Here leave them then; and be't our last relief
To give their merit Value in our grief.
VVhose blood however yet neglected must
Without revenge or Rites mingle with Dust;
Not any falling drop shall ever dry
Till to a Weeping Spring it multiply,
Bath'd in whose tears their blasted Laurell shall
Grow green, and with fresh Garlands Crown their fall.
His sleeping vengeance on that ground was laid:
If so, for ever blurr'd with Envies brand,
His Honour gain'd by Sea, was lost at Land:
Nor could he an impending Judgment shun
Who did to this with so much fervour run,
When late himself, to quit that Bloody stain,
Was, midst his Armed Guards, from Pomfret slain.
But all in vain we here expostulate
What took them hence, private or publick hate:
16
VVhen no repair proportion'd can be had:
And such are ours, which to the Kingdomes eyes
Sadly present ensuing miseries,
Fore-telling in These Two some greater ill
From Those who now a Pattent have to Kill.
Two, whose dear loss leaves us no recompence,
Nor them attonement, which in weight or Sense
VVith These shall never into Ballance come
Though all the Army fell their Hecatomb.
Here leave them then; and be't our last relief
To give their merit Value in our grief.
VVhose blood however yet neglected must
Without revenge or Rites mingle with Dust;
Not any falling drop shall ever dry
Till to a Weeping Spring it multiply,
Bath'd in whose tears their blasted Laurell shall
Grow green, and with fresh Garlands Crown their fall.
From this black region then of Death and Night
Great Spirits take your everlasting flight:
And as your Valours mounting fires combine,
May they a brighter Constellation shine
Than Gemini, or than the Brother-Starrs
Castor and Pollux fortunate to warrs.
That all fair Souldiers by Your sparkling light
May find the way to Conquer when they Fight,
And by those Paterns which from you they take
Direct their course though Honours Zodiak:
But upon Traitors frown with dire Aspect,
Which may their perjuries and guilt reflect;
Unto the Curse of whose Nativity,
Prodigious as the Caput Algol be,
VVhose pale and ghastly Tresses still portend
Their own despair or Hangman for their end.
And that succeeding ages may keep safe
Your Lov'd remembrance in some Epitaph,
Upon the ruins of your glorious Youth
Inscribed be this Monumentall Truth:
Here ly the Valiant Lucas and brave Lysle,
VVith Amasa betray'd in Joabs smile:
In whom revenge of Honour taking place
His great Corrivall's stabb'd in the Embrace.
Great Spirits take your everlasting flight:
And as your Valours mounting fires combine,
May they a brighter Constellation shine
Than Gemini, or than the Brother-Starrs
Castor and Pollux fortunate to warrs.
That all fair Souldiers by Your sparkling light
May find the way to Conquer when they Fight,
17
Direct their course though Honours Zodiak:
But upon Traitors frown with dire Aspect,
Which may their perjuries and guilt reflect;
Unto the Curse of whose Nativity,
Prodigious as the Caput Algol be,
VVhose pale and ghastly Tresses still portend
Their own despair or Hangman for their end.
And that succeeding ages may keep safe
Your Lov'd remembrance in some Epitaph,
Upon the ruins of your glorious Youth
Inscribed be this Monumentall Truth:
Here ly the Valiant Lucas and brave Lysle,
VVith Amasa betray'd in Joabs smile:
In whom revenge of Honour taking place
His great Corrivall's stabb'd in the Embrace.
And as it was the Hebrew Captains stain
That he two Greater than himself had Slain,
Shedding the Blood of Warr in time of Peace,
VVhen Love pretended was, and Arms did cease.
May the fowl Murtherers expect a fate
Like Joabs, Blood with Blood to expiate:
VVhich quick as Lightning, and as Thunder sure,
Preventions wisest arts nor shun, nor cure.
O may it fall on their perfidious head!
That when, with Joab to the Altar fled,
Themselves the Sword and reach of vengence flee
No Temple may their Sanctuary be.
That he two Greater than himself had Slain,
Shedding the Blood of Warr in time of Peace,
VVhen Love pretended was, and Arms did cease.
May the fowl Murtherers expect a fate
Like Joabs, Blood with Blood to expiate:
VVhich quick as Lightning, and as Thunder sure,
Preventions wisest arts nor shun, nor cure.
O may it fall on their perfidious head!
That when, with Joab to the Altar fled,
18
No Temple may their Sanctuary be.
Last, that nor frailty nor devouring time
May ever lose impressions of the Crime,
Let loyal Colchester (who too late try'd
To Check, when highest wrought, the Rebels Pride,
Holding them long, and doubtfull at the bay,
VVhilest we by looking on gave all away)
Be only Nam'd: which like a Columne built
Shall both enhearse this blood un-nobly spilt,
And live, till all her Towres in rubbish lye
The Monuments of their base Cruelty.
May ever lose impressions of the Crime,
Let loyal Colchester (who too late try'd
To Check, when highest wrought, the Rebels Pride,
Holding them long, and doubtfull at the bay,
VVhilest we by looking on gave all away)
Be only Nam'd: which like a Columne built
Shall both enhearse this blood un-nobly spilt,
And live, till all her Towres in rubbish lye
The Monuments of their base Cruelty.
| Poems, Elegies, Paradoxes, and Sonets | |