Visiones Rerum The Visions of Things. Or Foure Poems. 1. Principium & Mutabilitas Rerum. Or, The beginning and Mutabilitie of all things. 2. Cursus & Ordo rerum. Or, Art and Nature. 3. Opineo & Ratio rerum. Or, Wealth and Pouertie. 4. Malum & finis rerum, Or, Sinne and Vertue, concluding with the last Iudgement and end of all things. Wherein the Authour expresseth his inuention by way of dreame. By John Hagthorpe |
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3. The Altar of Avarice and Opression.
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3. The Altar of Avarice and Opression.
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Which done, they straight-way vanisht out of sight,And the third ranck appear'd of Suppliants then;
All which were such whom Gold did most delight,
And gaine atchieu'd byth' harmes of other men.
She show'd me diuers Princes mixt with them,
Altho for breuitie she onely nam'd
Some few, whom this base vulgar vice distayn'd.
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She show'd me Pharoe and's extorted wealth,Extracted from the poore oppressed Iew:
And Lidian Cræsus with his loued pelfe:
And Ptolomy whom Cypresse sometime knew:
Then the Sicillian Tyrants did she shew,
And th' Neapolitane of later time,
That causde his subiects for to keepe his Swine.
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And after them she let me next beholdA stately traine of petty Princes then.
And Lordings faire attir'd in Silke and Gold,
Which saue their Robes did Polish fashion seeme;
I should haue sworne I most of them had seene:
But I confesse that I no such doe know,
And this confession to mine errours owe.
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With stately pace me thought these Polish PeeresAnd fierce regard, went vp to sacrifize
Chargers of Sweat, and pearly Peasan & Teares,
(So oft transformed by Magick Auarice
Into those orient ones of smaller price)
They offerd shewes of Barke and Ackorne bread,
And sculles of men, which hard hearts famished.
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A thousand Lawyers here did sacrifize.Who offerd vp Demurres, and long delayes,
Barres, Stops, Iniunctions, References,
And Prohibitions, that the cause betraies
Of the poore Client, and the Kernell layes
At their owne doores, restoring these the shell,
Of whom had Tophet th'ill, the world were well.
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She showde me then another gowned crew,And Cipresse Garlands did their browes impale;
They seem'd like mourners by their sable hew,
Yet massie chests they seem'd to tug and hale;
Vpon their shoulders bore they bills of sale,
Morgages, Nouerints, rich Iewels, Stones;
But all their offerings were of dead mens bones.
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