A Fvneral Elegie Vpon The Mvch Lamented Death Of The Trespuissant and vnmatchable King, King Iames, King of Great Brittaine, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith. Who to the vniuersall sorrow of the Princes his Allies, his owne Kingdomes and people, expired the 27. of March, Anno 1625. In the yeere of his reigne 23. Written by Thom. Heywood |
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A Funerall Elegie. |
 | A Fvneral Elegie |  |
A Funerall Elegie.
Doubly at once despoil'd, where shall I borrow
T'expresse one priuate grief, a two-fold sorrow?
Oh thou of all the nine, the saddest Muse,
Whose Inuocation I of force must vse,
Giue me direction, in what Funerall straine
A Subiect may a Soueraignes losse complaine.
It were too little should we weepe whole Seas,
And sigh huge tempests, what alas could these?
Or could we to our selues assume a powre
To drop vpon the earth a greater showre
Then made the generall deluge, 'twere too small
Sufficiently to weepe his Funerall.
T'expresse one priuate grief, a two-fold sorrow?
Oh thou of all the nine, the saddest Muse,
Whose Inuocation I of force must vse,
Giue me direction, in what Funerall straine
A Subiect may a Soueraignes losse complaine.
It were too little should we weepe whole Seas,
And sigh huge tempests, what alas could these?
Or could we to our selues assume a powre
To drop vpon the earth a greater showre
Then made the generall deluge, 'twere too small
Sufficiently to weepe his Funerall.
Let the Gangetick shores their Emperors boast,
Or where Chiaspes is renowned most.
Let Tanais speake of Princes neere it bred;
Let Granicus, that of Darius dead
Keepes memory: or such as crowne the stile
Of Potentates, bred by the Riuer Nile:
Scamander shew thy worthies; or thou Rine
Thy German patriots, or faire Tiber thine
(The all Commanding Cæsars.) Let that flood
That in the greatest competence hath stood
For Ancestry, that flowes through France or Spaine,
They for priority shall serue in vaine:
Since aboue these, or any, Londons Thames
Hath bin made glorious by the great King Iames.
Or where Chiaspes is renowned most.
Let Tanais speake of Princes neere it bred;
Let Granicus, that of Darius dead
Keepes memory: or such as crowne the stile
Of Potentates, bred by the Riuer Nile:
Thy German patriots, or faire Tiber thine
(The all Commanding Cæsars.) Let that flood
That in the greatest competence hath stood
For Ancestry, that flowes through France or Spaine,
They for priority shall serue in vaine:
Since aboue these, or any, Londons Thames
Hath bin made glorious by the great King Iames.
He than the Romans with the Greeks compar'd,
And punctually, their amplitudes declar'd,
Of such as were in vertues antecelling:
Their greatnesse and their goodnesse paralelling,
Though in his search of Annals he might finde
Matches, and likes, in fortunes, and in minde
For Iustice, Mercy, Bounty, Wisdome, Glory,
Or for what else could dignifie a Storie,
Obserues no equall, to Him mourned here,
Who as he liu'd, so dyde without compeere.
For sound instruction, and wise document,
He might haue bin a remark'd president
To th' Sages of whose memory euen Greece
Is proud to this day more then of their Fleece.
For what by any of them hath beene done
Like to his gift bequeath'd vnto his Sonne?
Had graue Hortensius in his time so Fam'd,
Or Cicero by some (before him) nam'd
Heard his smooth eloquence, which was innate,
But theirs, fore-laboured and premeditate,
They would haue fate in silence (as forbearing)
To giue his Language a delightfull hearing.
The Academies both his fluence praise,
And worthily did laureate him with Bayes.
And punctually, their amplitudes declar'd,
Of such as were in vertues antecelling:
Their greatnesse and their goodnesse paralelling,
Though in his search of Annals he might finde
Matches, and likes, in fortunes, and in minde
For Iustice, Mercy, Bounty, Wisdome, Glory,
Or for what else could dignifie a Storie,
Obserues no equall, to Him mourned here,
Who as he liu'd, so dyde without compeere.
For sound instruction, and wise document,
He might haue bin a remark'd president
To th' Sages of whose memory euen Greece
Is proud to this day more then of their Fleece.
For what by any of them hath beene done
Like to his gift bequeath'd vnto his Sonne?
Had graue Hortensius in his time so Fam'd,
Or Cicero by some (before him) nam'd
But theirs, fore-laboured and premeditate,
They would haue fate in silence (as forbearing)
To giue his Language a delightfull hearing.
The Academies both his fluence praise,
And worthily did laureate him with Bayes.
In Parlaments that were by him accited,
Where then the members with the head vnited
Sate in deliberate Counsels, to debate
Of politicke Lawes, and deepe designes of State,
You might obserue them to his words inclining
As to an Oracle: He still diuining
Nothing but common good: did he but speak,
The wisest there, to him compar'd, seem'd weak;
His apprehensions, and conceptions growing
Like Hydraes heads; for with continuall flowing,
Conceit begot conceit, (by all admir'd)
As still in course, and yet at no time tyr'd.
No phrase but was an Apothegme: Inuention
New, and vnwearied to beget attention,
Nothing that slipt him, but to be inrold
By pens of Diamonds, in rich leaues of Gold.
Where then the members with the head vnited
Sate in deliberate Counsels, to debate
Of politicke Lawes, and deepe designes of State,
You might obserue them to his words inclining
As to an Oracle: He still diuining
Nothing but common good: did he but speak,
The wisest there, to him compar'd, seem'd weak;
His apprehensions, and conceptions growing
Like Hydraes heads; for with continuall flowing,
Conceit begot conceit, (by all admir'd)
As still in course, and yet at no time tyr'd.
No phrase but was an Apothegme: Inuention
New, and vnwearied to beget attention,
Nothing that slipt him, but to be inrold
By pens of Diamonds, in rich leaues of Gold.
But whether this so sad a depriuation
Be for the many sinnes of this our Nation,
Or for our great Ingratitude, not estimating
So great a blessing: rather vnder-rating
This gemme beneath his value, as possest
Of mighty wealth (like Mysers) nay the best,
Yet in this height of fulnesse, did not vse it
To others good, but in our selues abuse it;
Or to what else our losse we may impute
“This all-good-speaking Oracles are mute,
Yet haue his vertues in their last bequest
Departing to his euerlasting rest,
To recompence the silence of that tongue,
Which might haue still his owne deseruings song
Behinde him left, to all succeeding dayes,
Myriads of pens and tongues to sound his praise.
Be for the many sinnes of this our Nation,
Or for our great Ingratitude, not estimating
So great a blessing: rather vnder-rating
Of mighty wealth (like Mysers) nay the best,
Yet in this height of fulnesse, did not vse it
To others good, but in our selues abuse it;
Or to what else our losse we may impute
“This all-good-speaking Oracles are mute,
Yet haue his vertues in their last bequest
Departing to his euerlasting rest,
To recompence the silence of that tongue,
Which might haue still his owne deseruings song
Behinde him left, to all succeeding dayes,
Myriads of pens and tongues to sound his praise.
I onely yet speake to you [illeg.] he spake;
But of his actions who shall notice take,
Shall finde them (if they but consider well)
(As farre as good works, good words) to excell
His Machinations were 'boue common things,
Leauing a president to after Kings,
Of which he onely, and alone might boast,
“That seeming to doe least, he still did most.
But of his actions who shall notice take,
Shall finde them (if they but consider well)
(As farre as good works, good words) to excell
His Machinations were 'boue common things,
Leauing a president to after Kings,
Of which he onely, and alone might boast,
“That seeming to doe least, he still did most.
The King of Peace this King did imitate,
Who planting it in our domesticke state
Did labour it in others remote hence,
Sparing therein, nor counsell nor expence,
But so his purpose to his Sauiours suited,
Who the command of peace first instituted,
Knowing no better president to finde.
He where he left vs, left his peace behinde.
Who planting it in our domesticke state
Did labour it in others remote hence,
Sparing therein, nor counsell nor expence,
But so his purpose to his Sauiours suited,
Who the command of peace first instituted,
He where he left vs, left his peace behinde.
Yet as the couchant Lyon, when he lyes
Downe to repose and rest, ne're shuts his eyes;
Hee, the like prouidence about him kept,
And still wakt for vs, when he seeming slept;
For when whole Christendome was vp in Armes
Frighting the fearefull Subiect with alarmes.
Nations distracted; euen the great'st abilitie
Of the most potent, weakned with hostility:
Drums each where thundring, & the Canon roaring,
Proud victory 'tweene doubtfull battailes soaring,
While horrid warre, in his extream'st of rage,
Fill'd both the streets and fields with blood and strage;
How haue these late afflicted Kingdomes wondred
To see vs in our blessed Goshen sondered
As freed from Egypts plagues, no way distrest,
Yet they with all calamities opprest.
Ruins attending them; on vs, increase
Still multipli'd by this faire King of peace.
Downe to repose and rest, ne're shuts his eyes;
Hee, the like prouidence about him kept,
And still wakt for vs, when he seeming slept;
For when whole Christendome was vp in Armes
Frighting the fearefull Subiect with alarmes.
Nations distracted; euen the great'st abilitie
Of the most potent, weakned with hostility:
Drums each where thundring, & the Canon roaring,
Proud victory 'tweene doubtfull battailes soaring,
While horrid warre, in his extream'st of rage,
Fill'd both the streets and fields with blood and strage;
How haue these late afflicted Kingdomes wondred
To see vs in our blessed Goshen sondered
As freed from Egypts plagues, no way distrest,
Yet they with all calamities opprest.
Ruins attending them; on vs, increase
Still multipli'd by this faire King of peace.
Wherefore should I thus labour to commend
Him, whose renowne is datelesse without end,
Subiect to no expression; their least straine
Not within compasse of the pen or braine,
Scarce dare I further in his praise proceed.
Being a proiect that in me doth breed
Amazement onely; as so far aboue
My weake performance, that the more I loue,
The more I feare, for as a moderate light
Comforts the eye, and benefits the sight,
But view the Sun in's glory, and we finde
That his more perfect lustre strikes vs blinde;
'Tis eath t'apply; His worth being so diuine
In all respects, and so defectiue mine,
Yet shall my loue so farre outstrip my feare,
Rather to dare, then breake abruptly here.
Him, whose renowne is datelesse without end,
Subiect to no expression; their least straine
Not within compasse of the pen or braine,
Scarce dare I further in his praise proceed.
Being a proiect that in me doth breed
My weake performance, that the more I loue,
The more I feare, for as a moderate light
Comforts the eye, and benefits the sight,
But view the Sun in's glory, and we finde
That his more perfect lustre strikes vs blinde;
'Tis eath t'apply; His worth being so diuine
In all respects, and so defectiue mine,
Yet shall my loue so farre outstrip my feare,
Rather to dare, then breake abruptly here.
Ere I proceed, let me a little borrow
Space to collect my selfe, nigh drown'd in sorrow.
Space to collect my selfe, nigh drown'd in sorrow.
Beware the Ides of March; 'twas a prediction
To him that had the whole Worlds Iurisdiction,
Iulius, the first of Cæsars, who declin'd
Iust in the houre that was before diuin'd.
In th' Ides of March the blest Eliza fell,
The famous Mother of our Israel.
In March Queene Anne, a Princesse much admir'd
(As much lamented in her death) expir'd.
Now lastly in these ominous Ides of March
Is snatcht away, our strong and glorious Arch,
(As violently by death from vs extorted)
By whom three mighty Kingdomes were supported,
And had he not an Atlas left behinde,
Succeeding him in potency of minde,
In vertue, goodnesse, royalty of State,
And all things, that a Sonne may imitate
So great a Father in; so iust, so wise,
So rare a Phœnix, suddenly to rise
Out of his Ashes: in a Time so small,
We likewise had bin crusht beneath his fall.
To him that had the whole Worlds Iurisdiction,
Iulius, the first of Cæsars, who declin'd
Iust in the houre that was before diuin'd.
In th' Ides of March the blest Eliza fell,
The famous Mother of our Israel.
In March Queene Anne, a Princesse much admir'd
(As much lamented in her death) expir'd.
Now lastly in these ominous Ides of March
Is snatcht away, our strong and glorious Arch,
(As violently by death from vs extorted)
By whom three mighty Kingdomes were supported,
And had he not an Atlas left behinde,
Succeeding him in potency of minde,
And all things, that a Sonne may imitate
So great a Father in; so iust, so wise,
So rare a Phœnix, suddenly to rise
Out of his Ashes: in a Time so small,
We likewise had bin crusht beneath his fall.
Oh ominous Moneth, thou didst our losse presage
When with thy windy and obstreperous rage
Thou vsher'dst in the Spring: yet I commend
Thy going out, thou left'st vs as a friend
And fellow mourner (as to all appeares)
Parting with vs in many showres of Teares,
In strange varieties of stormy weather,
Snow, raine, haile, windes; and in all these together
Weeping and sighing. But (O King) t'attend thee,
How many Noble seruants did death send thee
As harbingers before to view the place,
Where thou art anchor'd now, the land of Grace?
Richmond and Lenox Duke, whose memory was
Worthy to be ingrau'd in Iron or Brasse
For his inimitable modesty,
And what doth grace euen Princes honesty,
Integrity of life, nay euery Thing
That might become a kinsman to a King.
It was the noble Earle of Dorsets taske
To make one likewise in this dolefull maske,
And much more cause we should haue still to need him,
Had he not left behinde here to succeed him
So braue a brother, one so good, so wise
In all true Noblesse, him to equalise.
Then Lenox Duke, a brother him succeeding
(Alike indow'd) as of one birth and breeding;
In this the partiall sisters were too blame
To take him hence so soon as giue him name:
Now Duke, now dead, stooping to th' earth his knee
Ere he could well expresse what he would be.
Then Nottingham a Pilot, who did steere
Englands once dreaded Nauie many a yeere;
Who though he cut his cable ere he dyde,
Brought here his Ships in a faire Port to ride.
Henry, Southamptons Earle, a Souldier proued;
Dreaded in warre, and in milde peace beloued.
Oh giue me leaue a little to resound
His memory, as most in dutie bound,
Because his seruant once. His worth exprest
Can no way be detraction to the rest.
When with thy windy and obstreperous rage
Thou vsher'dst in the Spring: yet I commend
Thy going out, thou left'st vs as a friend
And fellow mourner (as to all appeares)
Parting with vs in many showres of Teares,
In strange varieties of stormy weather,
Snow, raine, haile, windes; and in all these together
Weeping and sighing. But (O King) t'attend thee,
How many Noble seruants did death send thee
As harbingers before to view the place,
Where thou art anchor'd now, the land of Grace?
Richmond and Lenox Duke, whose memory was
Worthy to be ingrau'd in Iron or Brasse
For his inimitable modesty,
And what doth grace euen Princes honesty,
Integrity of life, nay euery Thing
That might become a kinsman to a King.
It was the noble Earle of Dorsets taske
To make one likewise in this dolefull maske,
Had he not left behinde here to succeed him
So braue a brother, one so good, so wise
In all true Noblesse, him to equalise.
Then Lenox Duke, a brother him succeeding
(Alike indow'd) as of one birth and breeding;
In this the partiall sisters were too blame
To take him hence so soon as giue him name:
Now Duke, now dead, stooping to th' earth his knee
Ere he could well expresse what he would be.
Then Nottingham a Pilot, who did steere
Englands once dreaded Nauie many a yeere;
Who though he cut his cable ere he dyde,
Brought here his Ships in a faire Port to ride.
Henry, Southamptons Earle, a Souldier proued;
Dreaded in warre, and in milde peace beloued.
Oh giue me leaue a little to resound
His memory, as most in dutie bound,
Because his seruant once. His worth exprest
Can no way be detraction to the rest.
Henry Wriothesly
Earle
of Sowth-Hampton.
His Anagram.
Thy Honor is woorthe all praise.
His Anagram.
Thy Honor is woorthe all praise.
| A Fvneral Elegie | |