The wisedome of the ancients written in latine by the right honourable Sir Francis Bacon Knight, Baron of Verulam and Lord Chancelour of England. Done into English by Sir Arthur Gorges |
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 | The wisedome of the ancients |  |
Scutum inuincibile fides.
TO THE HIGH AND Illustrious Princesse, THE LADY ELIZABETH of Great Brittain,
Duchesse of Bauiere, Countesse Palatine of Rheine, and chiefe Electresse of the Empire.
To the Booke.
Rich
mine of Art: Minion of Mercury;
True Truch-man of the mind of Mystery:
True Truch-man of the mind of Mystery:
Inuentions store-house; Nymph of Helicon:
Deepe Morallist of Time tradition:
Deepe Morallist of Time tradition:
Vnto this Paragon of Brutus race
Present thy seruice, and with cheerefull grace
Present thy seruice, and with cheerefull grace
Say (if Pythagoras beleeu'd may bee)
The soule of ancient wisedome liues in thee.
The soule of ancient wisedome liues in thee.
23
[For rich-vaind Orpheus sweetely did rehearse]
For rich-vaind Orpheus sweetely did rehearseHow that the seedes of fire, ayre, water, earth,
Were all pact in the vast voyd vniuerse:
And how from these as firstlings all had birth,
24
From tender infancy so big became.
30
[The hungry Lionesse (with sharpe desire)]
The hungry Lionesse (with sharpe desire)Pursues the Wolfe, the Wolfe the wanton Goat:
The Goate againe doth greedily aspire
To haue the trifol iuyce passe downe her throat.
31
[The mayd so trickt her selfe with arte]
The mayd so trickt her selfe with arte,That of her selfe she is least part.
49
[Prouok't by wrothfull Gods the mother Earth]
Prouok't by wrothfull Gods the mother EarthGiues Fame the Gyants youngest sister birth.
52
[Pentheus amaz'd doth troups of furies spie]
Pentheus amaz'd doth troups of furies spie,And Sunne and Thebes seeme double to his eye.
65
[Oh guiding prouidence bee gracious]
Oh guiding prouidence bee gracious,That this Doomes-day bee farre remou'd from vs.
And graunt that by vs it may bee expected,
Rather then on vs in our times effected.
101
[That day by Greekish force was Ripheus slaine]
That day by Greekish force was Ripheus slaine,So iust and strict obseruer of the law,
As Troy within her walles did not containe
A better man: Yet God then good it saw.
103
[The Queen amidst this hurly burly stands]
The Queen amidst this hurly burly stands,104
Not spying yet where crawld behinde her backe
Two deadly Snakes with venom speckled blacke.
119
[Who doth her course forsake]
Who doth her course forsake,The rolling gold to take.
140
[Happie is hee that knowes the cause of things]
Happie is hee that knowes the cause of things,And that with dauntlesse courage treads vpon
All feare and Fates, relentles threatnings,
And greedy throat of roaring Acheron.
154
[Romane remember that with scepters awe]
Romane remember that with scepters aweThy Realmes thou rule. These arts let be thy law.
159
[Whither the youngling Tellus (that of late]
Whither the youngling Tellus (that of lateWas from the high-reard Aether separate)
Did yet containe her teeming wombe within
The liuing seedes of Heauen, her neerest kin.
171
[My Lesbia, let vs liue and loue]
My Lesbia, let vs liue and loue;Though wayward Dottards vs reproue,
Weigh their words light for our behoue.
172
[Let doting Grandsires knowe the law]
Let doting Grandsires knowe the law,And right and wrong obserue with awe:
Let them in that stricte circle draw.
174
[Wisdome also continued with mee.]
Wisdome also continued with mee.175
FINIS.
| The wisedome of the ancients | |