The Works in Verse and Prose of Nicholas Breton For the First Time Collected and Edited: With Memorial-Introduction, Notes and Illustrations, Glossarial Index, Facsimilies, &c. By the Rev. Alexander B. Grosart. In Two Volumes |
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 | An Invective Against Treason |
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 | The Works in Verse and Prose of Nicholas Breton |  |
1
An Invective Against Treason
‘To the highe, and moste Noble Lorde:
the Duke of Lineux: helthe, honor, and eternall
Happines:’
3
An Invective against Treason
Oh what a wicked, wretched worlde is this?
so little fayth in Sowles, or love in Hartes;
so many Mindes, minde nothing but amiss?
thus, on the Earth, can Devills playe theyr partes?
to poyson Sowles, wth such Infernall Dartes?
can nothing flow, but wealth and wickednes?
to drown the World in all vngodlines?
so little fayth in Sowles, or love in Hartes;
so many Mindes, minde nothing but amiss?
thus, on the Earth, can Devills playe theyr partes?
to poyson Sowles, wth such Infernall Dartes?
can nothing flow, but wealth and wickednes?
to drown the World in all vngodlines?
What Mischiefe walkes among ye minds of Men?
will nothing serve theyr discontented Wills?
must they needs runne into ye Devills denne?
are theese ye Scopes of Machivilian skills?
that all ye Worlde, with his Infection fills?
Oh God, what Devill, could in ill goe further?
then Pride, in malice, practise hellish Murther?
will nothing serve theyr discontented Wills?
must they needs runne into ye Devills denne?
are theese ye Scopes of Machivilian skills?
that all ye Worlde, with his Infection fills?
Oh God, what Devill, could in ill goe further?
then Pride, in malice, practise hellish Murther?
To kill at all, is an vnkinde desire:
to kill a Foe, is but a bloudie fact:
to kill a Friend, a heate of hellish fire:
to kill a Neighbour, an vngratious act:
to kill a Brother, Horrors fowle Abstract:
to kill a Father, too vnnaturall:
to kill a King, ye wicked'st deede of all.
to kill a Foe, is but a bloudie fact:
to kill a Friend, a heate of hellish fire:
to kill a Neighbour, an vngratious act:
to kill a Brother, Horrors fowle Abstract:
to kill a Father, too vnnaturall:
to kill a King, ye wicked'st deede of all.
For, Father, Brother, Neighbour, Friend or Foe,
in each of theese, but fewe to Ruine runne;
but, in a King, or Princes overthrowe,
how many thowsand Thowsands are vndonne?
woe woorth ye hand, yt such ill threed hath spunne:
as, by ye woork of Sathans wickednes
a Worlde of Christians should endure Distress.
in each of theese, but fewe to Ruine runne;
but, in a King, or Princes overthrowe,
how many thowsand Thowsands are vndonne?
woe woorth ye hand, yt such ill threed hath spunne:
as, by ye woork of Sathans wickednes
a Worlde of Christians should endure Distress.
But, alltogither, King, Queene, Prince, and Peere;
the Byshoppe, Judge, ye Lorde, the Magistrate;
when they should all in Parliament appeere:
for the establishing of a blessèd State:
even then to shew the horror of theyr hate:
by force of Fire, devisèd for the nonce;
to teare ye howse, and blow them vp at once.
the Byshoppe, Judge, ye Lorde, the Magistrate;
when they should all in Parliament appeere:
for the establishing of a blessèd State:
even then to shew the horror of theyr hate:
by force of Fire, devisèd for the nonce;
to teare ye howse, and blow them vp at once.
What Eare can heere, whose spiritt doth not tremble?
to thinck vpon the horror of this Act?
if all ye Devills did in Hell assemble;
among themselves, to make a fowle Compact:
how could they finish, a more heynous fact?
then so to seeke the Ruine of a State:
and leave so faire a Land so desolate.
to thinck vpon the horror of this Act?
if all ye Devills did in Hell assemble;
among themselves, to make a fowle Compact:
how could they finish, a more heynous fact?
then so to seeke the Ruine of a State:
and leave so faire a Land so desolate.
But, God on High, that from his Seate beholdeth,
Heaven, Earth, Sea, Hell, & what each one contayneth;
and, every thought, of every harte vnfoldeth;
and, for his service, all and som̄ retayneth:
hating ye pride, his powrefull hand disdayneth;
hath broke ye Force of all theyr wicked frame;
and made theyr woorke, vnto ye world a shame.
Heaven, Earth, Sea, Hell, & what each one contayneth;
and, every thought, of every harte vnfoldeth;
and, for his service, all and som̄ retayneth:
hating ye pride, his powrefull hand disdayneth;
hath broke ye Force of all theyr wicked frame;
and made theyr woorke, vnto ye world a shame.
But this good God, that gave vs our good King:
and made the sorrowes of our harts to ceasse,
reveales all Tractes, yt doe of Treason spring;
blesseth our Land, preserves itt in his peace,
and doth our sowles, from sinnefull feares release:
how can his name, inough be prays'd of us?
that shew's his care, his love, and mercy thus:
and made the sorrowes of our harts to ceasse,
reveales all Tractes, yt doe of Treason spring;
blesseth our Land, preserves itt in his peace,
and doth our sowles, from sinnefull feares release:
how can his name, inough be prays'd of us?
that shew's his care, his love, and mercy thus:
But, oh ye griefe of griefs, in gratious thought,
to see a Villayne, on a vertuous King,
by secrett malice, to have Murther sought:
Murther on him, and of his after-spring,
what Eare hath heard of a more Hellish thing?
then, for a little gayne of Prides Content,
to practice Murther on the Innocent.
to see a Villayne, on a vertuous King,
by secrett malice, to have Murther sought:
Murther on him, and of his after-spring,
what Eare hath heard of a more Hellish thing?
then, for a little gayne of Prides Content,
to practice Murther on the Innocent.
Our gratious King, on whome ye King of Grace,
hath rayn'd a shewre of his æternall graces;
and over vs, hathe given the Kingly place,
of high Com̄aund, Com̄aund, ye King of places;
ordeyn'd for him, and for his Royall Races;
this godly King, that God himself hathe sent vs,
What doe wee ayle? that hee cannott content vs?
hath rayn'd a shewre of his æternall graces;
and over vs, hathe given the Kingly place,
of high Com̄aund, Com̄aund, ye King of places;
ordeyn'd for him, and for his Royall Races;
this godly King, that God himself hathe sent vs,
What doe wee ayle? that hee cannott content vs?
To whome is hee a foe? but to our foes?
A Neighbour borne, and ever found a friend:
in love a brother, and his care who knowes,
might as a soonne, a Fathers Love com̄end:
and for a King, lett itt be wisely ween'd,
and Reasons Eies, will see that Royalty,
that will coniure a Christians Loyalty.
A Neighbour borne, and ever found a friend:
in love a brother, and his care who knowes,
might as a soonne, a Fathers Love com̄end:
and for a King, lett itt be wisely ween'd,
and Reasons Eies, will see that Royalty,
that will coniure a Christians Loyalty.
Whose proovèd love, hathe he left vnregarded?
whome, but ye wicked, hathe he ever hated?
whose vertuous Acts, hathe he left vnrewarded?
whose power, but Prides, hathe ever he abated?
whose humble Suits, hathe he left disalated?
whose true affect, but hee in favour Graceth?
whose Vertuous lyfe? but, hee in love embraceth?
whome, but ye wicked, hathe he ever hated?
whose vertuous Acts, hathe he left vnrewarded?
whose power, but Prides, hathe ever he abated?
whose humble Suits, hathe he left disalated?
whose true affect, but hee in favour Graceth?
whose Vertuous lyfe? but, hee in love embraceth?
4
Whose virgins, hathe, his wanton love deflowrèd?
whose worthy honour, hathe his skorne disgracèd?
whose wealth hathe he with Avarice devourèd?
whose love despisèd? or whose fame defacèd?
or vertuous person, from his place displacèd?
what provèd grace, but in his grace approvèd?
of gracious harts, to make his Grace belovèd:
whose worthy honour, hathe his skorne disgracèd?
whose wealth hathe he with Avarice devourèd?
whose love despisèd? or whose fame defacèd?
or vertuous person, from his place displacèd?
what provèd grace, but in his grace approvèd?
of gracious harts, to make his Grace belovèd:
Learnings advauncer, and Religions love;
Wisedoms Affecter, Reasons Studient;
Valours Mayntayner, Vertues Turtle Dove;
Graces Companion, Honors Continent;
of Maiestie Earth's Royall president;
Heavens gratious blessing, & worlds worthy wonder
live our king James, to bring Earths kingdome vnder.
Wisedoms Affecter, Reasons Studient;
Valours Mayntayner, Vertues Turtle Dove;
Graces Companion, Honors Continent;
of Maiestie Earth's Royall president;
Heavens gratious blessing, & worlds worthy wonder
live our king James, to bring Earths kingdome vnder.
Amen good God, and, Devill lett him bee,
who, to this Prayer, will nott say Amen:
blinde be his Eies, and, lett him neuer see;
that hydes himself, in vtter Darcknes Denne;
and, pinnes his thoughts, vp in Impatience penne:
Where, by ye Traynes, of Treasons fowle Illusion,
hee brings both Sowle, and body, to Confusion.
who, to this Prayer, will nott say Amen:
blinde be his Eies, and, lett him neuer see;
that hydes himself, in vtter Darcknes Denne;
and, pinnes his thoughts, vp in Impatience penne:
Where, by ye Traynes, of Treasons fowle Illusion,
hee brings both Sowle, and body, to Confusion.
When God in Mercy, sends a Gratious King;
a King, in Grace gives token of his love;
a loving King, is such a heav'nly thing;
as, only, Grace, doth give from God above:
to such a king, who doth a Traytour prove,
to God, and Man, doth fall out so vngratefull;
as, both to God, and Man, must needs be hatefull:
a King, in Grace gives token of his love;
a loving King, is such a heav'nly thing;
as, only, Grace, doth give from God above:
to such a king, who doth a Traytour prove,
to God, and Man, doth fall out so vngratefull;
as, both to God, and Man, must needs be hatefull:
Fie on ye worlde, that ever wickednes,
should roote it self so, in the hart of Man:
while graceles thoughts, in all vngodlines;
doe only tincke, vpon ye goulden panne;
and, make theyr bread, of an vnkindly Branne;
which seeming Wheate, is but a Hellish weede,
sown by the Devill, in a wicked seede.
should roote it self so, in the hart of Man:
while graceles thoughts, in all vngodlines;
doe only tincke, vpon ye goulden panne;
and, make theyr bread, of an vnkindly Branne;
which seeming Wheate, is but a Hellish weede,
sown by the Devill, in a wicked seede.
The buizie braynes, that in theyr high Conceipts:
beginne to build strānge Castles in the Ayer;
will finde theyr humours fall out but deceipts:
where lacke of witt, doth prove butt Follies heire:
while Patience passion, sitts in sorrowes chayre,
to see Repentance probe the best event;
that can fall out of Rashnes discontent.
beginne to build strānge Castles in the Ayer;
will finde theyr humours fall out but deceipts:
where lacke of witt, doth prove butt Follies heire:
while Patience passion, sitts in sorrowes chayre,
to see Repentance probe the best event;
that can fall out of Rashnes discontent.
Prowd Lucifer, an Angell was of light,
till hee presum'd, to mount a steppe to high;
but see what grew, of this vngratious fight;
from Heaven to Hell, he gatt his fall therby;
a iust rewarde, of wicked Treacherie:
where losse of Grace, and gayne of endless griefe,
payes home ye prowd, ye Traytor, and the Thiefe.
till hee presum'd, to mount a steppe to high;
but see what grew, of this vngratious fight;
from Heaven to Hell, he gatt his fall therby;
a iust rewarde, of wicked Treacherie:
where losse of Grace, and gayne of endless griefe,
payes home ye prowd, ye Traytor, and the Thiefe.
For Pride first layes the wicked plott of Treason;
Treason steales in, to the Ambitious breast;
Ambition robbs, both witt and sence of Reason,
the hart, of truthe, the spiritte of his rest;
and makes it cursèd, that might ells be blest;
Oh hellish Pride, the Essence of all Euill;
and only liue, to leade Man to the Devill.
Treason steales in, to the Ambitious breast;
Ambition robbs, both witt and sence of Reason,
the hart, of truthe, the spiritte of his rest;
and makes it cursèd, that might ells be blest;
Oh hellish Pride, the Essence of all Euill;
and only liue, to leade Man to the Devill.
Why, Pride, doth blinde ye Eie, Infects ye Minde,
vennums ye harte, and gives the Sowle a sting;
and in all vileness, of so vile a kinde;
none can describe itt, 'tis so vile a thing:
itt doth ill humours, to such Issue bring;
that pittie 'twere, but such a plague approvèd,
from Christian harts, should ever be removèd.
vennums ye harte, and gives the Sowle a sting;
and in all vileness, of so vile a kinde;
none can describe itt, 'tis so vile a thing:
itt doth ill humours, to such Issue bring;
that pittie 'twere, but such a plague approvèd,
from Christian harts, should ever be removèd.
O the sweete sence of Loves Humilitie,
which feares displeasure, in a deerest friend;
the only note of truth's Nobilitie,
whose woorthy grace, is gracèd without end.
for who wants Fayth, wants little of a Friend;
while Faythfull love, in humble truth approovèd.
doth ever live, of God, and Man belovèd.
which feares displeasure, in a deerest friend;
the only note of truth's Nobilitie,
whose woorthy grace, is gracèd without end.
for who wants Fayth, wants little of a Friend;
while Faythfull love, in humble truth approovèd.
doth ever live, of God, and Man belovèd.
Alas, ye little time of Natures leave,
to runne the Course of her alotted Care;
where idle shadowes, doe ye Eie deceive,
that only hunteth, after Fortunes Share
and, had, must leave itt e're it be aware;
looke, looke att Heaven, and lett ye world goe by,
better to die to live, then live to die.
to runne the Course of her alotted Care;
where idle shadowes, doe ye Eie deceive,
that only hunteth, after Fortunes Share
and, had, must leave itt e're it be aware;
looke, looke att Heaven, and lett ye world goe by,
better to die to live, then live to die.
Oh 'tis a Woe, to thinck vpon the thought,
that entreth into a defilèd harte,
and, with what speede, ye witt is overwrought,
that once is led, to learne the Devills Arte,
who will have all, if once he gett a parte,
while, still, one sinne, he heapes vpon another,
till he the Sowle, in vtter darckness smother.
that entreth into a defilèd harte,
and, with what speede, ye witt is overwrought,
that once is led, to learne the Devills Arte,
who will have all, if once he gett a parte,
while, still, one sinne, he heapes vpon another,
till he the Sowle, in vtter darckness smother.
Hee makes a King, esteem'd belowe his state;
Murther, a Plott, where Pollicie may plodde;
Pride, a brave humor, Wealth, a Magistrate;
Content, a Kingdome, and a King, a God;
butt, in these humors, Heaven an[d] Hell are odde:
For good mistaken, prove's in fine so evill,
as farre from God, doth make him prove a Devill;
Murther, a Plott, where Pollicie may plodde;
Pride, a brave humor, Wealth, a Magistrate;
Content, a Kingdome, and a King, a God;
butt, in these humors, Heaven an[d] Hell are odde:
For good mistaken, prove's in fine so evill,
as farre from God, doth make him prove a Devill;
What can be thought, to be ye fruict of Treason?
feare in the thoughts, before it be effected;
a lacke of Grace, and, an abuse of Reason:
where heedless witt, is all by will directed,
till bothe, by wisedome, ruin'd and reiected:
while hope of honor, runnes on Fortunes wheeles,
find's Death, and Hell, to followe att theyr heeles.
feare in the thoughts, before it be effected;
a lacke of Grace, and, an abuse of Reason:
where heedless witt, is all by will directed,
till bothe, by wisedome, ruin'd and reiected:
while hope of honor, runnes on Fortunes wheeles,
find's Death, and Hell, to followe att theyr heeles.
Who can have pittie on so vile a sowle?
as Murther seekes, on such a gratious King?
his name is surely in the Devills Rowle;
whose hart hath thought, of such a Hellish thing:
for, butt from Hell, doe all such horrors spring:
Where, lett vs see, how wicked witts doe woorcke,
and, how ye Devill, in theyr wills doth lurcke.
as Murther seekes, on such a gratious King?
his name is surely in the Devills Rowle;
whose hart hath thought, of such a Hellish thing:
for, butt from Hell, doe all such horrors spring:
Where, lett vs see, how wicked witts doe woorcke,
and, how ye Devill, in theyr wills doth lurcke.
When Craft hath gotten Wealth, and Riches ease,
and Ease, bredd Pride; and Pride, Ambition;
Ambition seekes, but itt owne self to please;
and lack of pleasure breedes Sedition;
there, if a wicked Sowles condition;
beginne to build the Tower of Babilon,
who would not laugh att his Confusion?
and Ease, bredd Pride; and Pride, Ambition;
Ambition seekes, but itt owne self to please;
and lack of pleasure breedes Sedition;
there, if a wicked Sowles condition;
beginne to build the Tower of Babilon,
who would not laugh att his Confusion?
5
Who hathe enough, and yett will seeke for more,
lett him remember Midas choaking gould;
and such a Steward for ye Devills store,
only, in Hell doth his high Office hold;
who hathe for Coyne, his Sowle and Conscience solde:
A Traytor proves in such a high degree,
as meritts hanging on ye highest Tree.
lett him remember Midas choaking gould;
and such a Steward for ye Devills store,
only, in Hell doth his high Office hold;
who hathe for Coyne, his Sowle and Conscience solde:
A Traytor proves in such a high degree,
as meritts hanging on ye highest Tree.
Oh, when a Crue of idle headded witts,
yt thinck they have a world within theyr braynes,
to Counsaile fall in theyr fantastick fitts,
by lacke of Grace, to all vngratious Traynes;
see, how they make theyr profitt of theyr paynes:
Sorrow, and shame, Despaire, Death, & Damnation,
the story writes, of Judas Consternation.
yt thinck they have a world within theyr braynes,
to Counsaile fall in theyr fantastick fitts,
by lacke of Grace, to all vngratious Traynes;
see, how they make theyr profitt of theyr paynes:
Sorrow, and shame, Despaire, Death, & Damnation,
the story writes, of Judas Consternation.
Oh glorious God, since Man was first created,
was ever hard so great a Villanie?
or ever Men deserv'd so to be hated?
as this accursèd hellish Company?
that, in theyr Sowles could hyde such Treacherie?
lett all ye World, through all the Worlde goe seeke,
what Age hathe seene, or Eare hathe hard ye like.
was ever hard so great a Villanie?
or ever Men deserv'd so to be hated?
as this accursèd hellish Company?
that, in theyr Sowles could hyde such Treacherie?
lett all ye World, through all the Worlde goe seeke,
what Age hathe seene, or Eare hathe hard ye like.
Butt our good God, yt with his glorious Eie,
beholds his Children in his chary love;
and, in ye greatnes of his Maiestie,
ye seelly weakenes of our Sowles doth prooue;
from his great Mercy, in the Heavens above;
Even when wee most, his Mercy have offended,
still, from destruction, hath our state defended.
beholds his Children in his chary love;
and, in ye greatnes of his Maiestie,
ye seelly weakenes of our Sowles doth prooue;
from his great Mercy, in the Heavens above;
Even when wee most, his Mercy have offended,
still, from destruction, hath our state defended.
Oh blessèd Bryttayne, more then greatly blessed,
in God, thy King, his Counsaile, and thy state:
how can his glory, be enough expressed?
which to ye worlde, thy wonder may relate,
where, nott by force of Fortune, nor of Fate,
butt, by his Grace, thy King and Counsailes Care.
this thy deliverānce, iustly may declare.
in God, thy King, his Counsaile, and thy state:
how can his glory, be enough expressed?
which to ye worlde, thy wonder may relate,
where, nott by force of Fortune, nor of Fate,
butt, by his Grace, thy King and Counsailes Care.
this thy deliverānce, iustly may declare.
Oh heathen, hatefull, and most hellish sowles,
voyde of all thought of God, or of his Grace;
yt so could make, yeir throates, such blouddie bowlles,
and such a poyson, in theyr spiritts place,
ye roote of Honor, from ye land to race:
oh yt such beasts, as such a shame doe beare,
could be forgott, as if they never weare.
voyde of all thought of God, or of his Grace;
yt so could make, yeir throates, such blouddie bowlles,
and such a poyson, in theyr spiritts place,
ye roote of Honor, from ye land to race:
oh yt such beasts, as such a shame doe beare,
could be forgott, as if they never weare.
Surely in Hell, this plott, had first a breeding,
from thence, in lowe places talk't vpon;
low in a Sellar, had itt then proceeding;
to seeke a Kingdomes whole Confusion,
by a most horrible destruction;
thus, low in hell, & Earth, by wicked fiends,
wicked beginnings, make as wicked eends.
from thence, in lowe places talk't vpon;
low in a Sellar, had itt then proceeding;
to seeke a Kingdomes whole Confusion,
by a most horrible destruction;
thus, low in hell, & Earth, by wicked fiends,
wicked beginnings, make as wicked eends.
But, truly, lowly, had those spiritts bene,
they had nott sett, theyr haughty minds so high;
nor, had theyr Eies, wth shame and sorrowe seene,
the hatefull fruictes of Hellish Treachery:
butt Pryde, the plotter of all Villany,
in cursèd thoughts, where all confusions dwell,
wrought low on Earth, to bring them down to Hell.
they had nott sett, theyr haughty minds so high;
nor, had theyr Eies, wth shame and sorrowe seene,
the hatefull fruictes of Hellish Treachery:
butt Pryde, the plotter of all Villany,
in cursèd thoughts, where all confusions dwell,
wrought low on Earth, to bring them down to Hell.
For, Gallowes mindes, not gallant mindes indeede,
that make Rebellion, but a Rule of witt,
doe seeldome better with theyr Treason speede;
then iustly is, for such Offences fitt;
for, God himself, that ever hateth itt,
howe're ye Devill blinde theyr damnèd eies,
will plague them, with a world of Miseries.
that make Rebellion, but a Rule of witt,
doe seeldome better with theyr Treason speede;
then iustly is, for such Offences fitt;
for, God himself, that ever hateth itt,
howe're ye Devill blinde theyr damnèd eies,
will plague them, with a world of Miseries.
Fooles, more then madd wth stran̄ge Imaginations,
aspiring higher, then the hope of Grace,
doe headlong runne theyr sowles into damnation,
careles to note, the nature of theyr race,
while Beggars seeke, both lorde and King to place;
and, woorke such wonders, as were never knowne,
till all theyr wicked thoughts be overthrowne.
aspiring higher, then the hope of Grace,
doe headlong runne theyr sowles into damnation,
careles to note, the nature of theyr race,
while Beggars seeke, both lorde and King to place;
and, woorke such wonders, as were never knowne,
till all theyr wicked thoughts be overthrowne.
For, when King, Prince, & lord, & knight were gone,
then Beggars would beginne a government:
and Lords, and Princes, should be every one,
within ye Compasse of the Continent,
of this rebellious beastly Rablement;
but of this Dreame, see what awake doth fall,
the Hangman cum̄s, and makes an end of all.
then Beggars would beginne a government:
and Lords, and Princes, should be every one,
within ye Compasse of the Continent,
of this rebellious beastly Rablement;
but of this Dreame, see what awake doth fall,
the Hangman cum̄s, and makes an end of all.
For, was there ever such an idle Dreame?
to overthrowe a Kingdome with a Blast?
did ever witt so worke against ye Streame?
all care of Conscience, from ye Sowle to cast?
and with theyr Sowles, to runne to hell so fast?
itt can nott be, but thatt ye Men were madd,
that in theyr braynes, such wicked humours hadd.
to overthrowe a Kingdome with a Blast?
did ever witt so worke against ye Streame?
all care of Conscience, from ye Sowle to cast?
and with theyr Sowles, to runne to hell so fast?
itt can nott be, but thatt ye Men were madd,
that in theyr braynes, such wicked humours hadd.
Doe wee not see itt every hower effected?
Treason still hatefull, both to God and Man?
and traytrous harts, from heavenly truth reiected;
and, Hell ye place, where first ye Plott began;
when first the Devill sought ye spoyle of Man;
where Evahs pryde, and Judas avarice,
doe shew ye substan̄ce of theyr deep device.
Treason still hatefull, both to God and Man?
and traytrous harts, from heavenly truth reiected;
and, Hell ye place, where first ye Plott began;
when first the Devill sought ye spoyle of Man;
where Evahs pryde, and Judas avarice,
doe shew ye substan̄ce of theyr deep device.
Oh Pride, betrayer of vntempered thought,
and avarice the enimie of Grace;
wch brings the happs of all theyr hopes to nought;
that in theyr sowles doe suffer them a place;
most filthy sinnes, that doe all fame deface;
God bless all Brittaynes and all Brittany,
from all the vennum of such Villany.
and avarice the enimie of Grace;
wch brings the happs of all theyr hopes to nought;
that in theyr sowles doe suffer them a place;
most filthy sinnes, that doe all fame deface;
God bless all Brittaynes and all Brittany,
from all the vennum of such Villany.
And, sweete Lords, yt you doe playnely see,
how God doth plague this hellish sinne of pride;
and what ye ends of all such Traytours bee,
that in theyr harts doe such a vennum hide;
Oh, lett itt never, neere your harts abide,
but, thinck, the note of truthes Nobilitie,
all in the vertue of Humilitie.
how God doth plague this hellish sinne of pride;
and what ye ends of all such Traytours bee,
that in theyr harts doe such a vennum hide;
Oh, lett itt never, neere your harts abide,
but, thinck, the note of truthes Nobilitie,
all in the vertue of Humilitie.
Which grace is gratious in the sight of God,
makes Men, as Saincts, and Women Angells seeme;
makes sinne forgotten; Mercy vse no rodd,
and constant fayth, to growe in greate esteeme:
where Wisedomes care, can never truthe misdeeme
and is, in summe, a blessing of ye Highest,
and to ye Nature of himself the nighest.
makes Men, as Saincts, and Women Angells seeme;
makes sinne forgotten; Mercy vse no rodd,
and constant fayth, to growe in greate esteeme:
where Wisedomes care, can never truthe misdeeme
and is, in summe, a blessing of ye Highest,
and to ye Nature of himself the nighest.
6
Itt maketh vertue, so in Beautie shine,
as if on Earth, there were a heav'nly light;
itt maketh witt, in wisedome so divine,
as if the Eie, had a Cœlestiall sight;
itt is a Guide, that lead's the spirite right;
vnto ye place of that æternall rest,
wherein the spirite lives for ever blest.
as if on Earth, there were a heav'nly light;
itt maketh witt, in wisedome so divine,
as if the Eie, had a Cœlestiall sight;
itt is a Guide, that lead's the spirite right;
vnto ye place of that æternall rest,
wherein the spirite lives for ever blest.
Itt makes a Court, a kinde of Paradise,
in subiects service, and ye King his grace;
whose favour draw's theyr harts vnto his Eies,
while they live blessèd, to behold his face;
O blessèd King, that in his blessèd place;
in subiects love, beholds his safeties being,
while they live happie in theyr Princes seeing.
in subiects service, and ye King his grace;
whose favour draw's theyr harts vnto his Eies,
while they live blessèd, to behold his face;
O blessèd King, that in his blessèd place;
in subiects love, beholds his safeties being,
while they live happie in theyr Princes seeing.
God, in his mercy send those humble mindes,
vnto the subiects of our gratious King,
that hee whose wisedome, in true Iudgement findes,
of humble fayth, what fruicts doe fayrely spring,
in his good grace may give vs cause to sing;
if on ye Earth a heaven be figur'd thus,
the Lorde of Heaven, graunt itt in him and vs.
vnto the subiects of our gratious King,
that hee whose wisedome, in true Iudgement findes,
of humble fayth, what fruicts doe fayrely spring,
in his good grace may give vs cause to sing;
if on ye Earth a heaven be figur'd thus,
the Lorde of Heaven, graunt itt in him and vs.
Confound, ô lorde, the forces of his foes,
cutt off ye Traytours, yt intend him ill;
and of his thoughts, and Actions so dispose,
that wee may see thy wisedome in his will
and, so his spirite with thy blessing fill,
that he may seeke to glorifie thy name,
and wee be humblie thanckfull for the same.
cutt off ye Traytours, yt intend him ill;
and of his thoughts, and Actions so dispose,
that wee may see thy wisedome in his will
and, so his spirite with thy blessing fill,
that he may seeke to glorifie thy name,
and wee be humblie thanckfull for the same.
O heav'nly God, lett never hellish brayne,
haue power to doe his Maiestie misdeede;
and lett themselves, even by themselves be slayne,
that doe theyr spirites, with such poyson feede;
and lett our harts, in teares of Comforte bleede,
to thinck on thee, to bless thy People thus,
to have so good a King, raigne over us.
haue power to doe his Maiestie misdeede;
and lett themselves, even by themselves be slayne,
that doe theyr spirites, with such poyson feede;
and lett our harts, in teares of Comforte bleede,
to thinck on thee, to bless thy People thus,
to have so good a King, raigne over us.
Bless him, our Queene, and gratious Prince of ours,
and all theyr ofspring, in theyr princely places;
rayne on theyr sowles, in thy cœlestiall showres,
the heav'nly Comforts of thy holy graces;
that, when thow seest, thy favours in theyr faces,
they, in theyr loves; and wee, in thanckfull harts,
may in thy prayses, make true Musicks parts.
and all theyr ofspring, in theyr princely places;
rayne on theyr sowles, in thy cœlestiall showres,
the heav'nly Comforts of thy holy graces;
that, when thow seest, thy favours in theyr faces,
they, in theyr loves; and wee, in thanckfull harts,
may in thy prayses, make true Musicks parts.
Blesse him, and his, wth grace, long lyfe, and health,
and with the Joye of Joyes æternitie;
his Peeres with wisedome; and his state wth wealth;
his Nobles harts, with truth's Nobilitie;
his Subiects, all, with Loves humilitie;
his Government, with such a woorthy fame,
that hee, and wee, may glorifie thy name.
and with the Joye of Joyes æternitie;
his Peeres with wisedome; and his state wth wealth;
his Nobles harts, with truth's Nobilitie;
his Subiects, all, with Loves humilitie;
his Government, with such a woorthy fame,
that hee, and wee, may glorifie thy name.
Vnto which prayer, let thatt wretch nott live,
that doth not sound Amen, with sincere hart;
and doth nott thee, due glory, humblie give;
that vnto vs, in Mercy doth impart,
such good to good, for our too ill desart:
and grace our Musicke, playd on true hart strings,
for our King James, blest be the King of Kings.
that doth not sound Amen, with sincere hart;
and doth nott thee, due glory, humblie give;
that vnto vs, in Mercy doth impart,
such good to good, for our too ill desart:
and grace our Musicke, playd on true hart strings,
for our King James, blest be the King of Kings.
Amen.
| The Works in Verse and Prose of Nicholas Breton | |