University of Virginia Library

A Poem composed, and spoken by the Author to the late King at the Dedication of Mr. Tho. Bushel's Rock at Enston in Oxon, 1638. in the person of Caliope.

Loe I Caliope chief of the Nine
And first in order of that triple Trine;
The Muses Sisterhood; (for who is he
That knows not of our sacred Hierarchy)
Am now at length, through many a weary mile
Safely arriv'd upon the British Isle:
The causes of my coming, what they were
That drew me to this Western Hemisphere,
Are these, the Muses heard (for nothing's done
Which they discern not in a Vision)
Of a strange Rock discover'd under ground,
That with fresh streams and wonders doth abound,
Which Nature unto such perfection brought,
It looks like day from the old Chaos wrought;
And hath the Pomp and pleasures of the place
That a great King and Queen have daign'd to grace,
And with their presence (far transcending ours)
Oft' visit those pure Wells and hallowed Bowers:
When these glad tydings from our Servant Fame
Were whisper'd in our eare, I strait way came
In person mounted on the fiery wings
Of our owne Pegasus, to view these Springs,
To make a strict survay what waters flow,
What walks are in it, and what woods doe grow;
And (as I liked them) they (on my report)
Would hither come, and hasten their resort:
But 'tis known Maids may long, and I would fain,
(Ere my return) first see that Soveraigne,
That Royall Charlemaine whose actions are
Worthy the Muses and their Register;
Whose deeds a Patern, and whose life a Law,
Doth the whole Court to imitation draw
Of his rare virtues, (without flattery)
The height of my ambition is to be
Made happy in the object of his sight
And his deare Spouse the Consort of his light;
Kiss her faire hand, who is (as Fame doth say)
More bright then is our owne Urania:
But stay! what sudden lustre strikes my sence
With some quick, but Seraphick influence?
Who ever ask'd for Phœbus in the Skyes,
Or which was Iove amongst the Deities?
Foole that I am, 'tis easie to devine,
Where e're the Beames of Majesty doe shine:
Then I address my self great Sir to you,
To whom these Titles and these Rites are due:
By me the Muses humbly fall before
Your sacred feet, and prostrate them adore,
Uovving their antient dwellings to forsake,
That they your Princely favours may partake:
Ida, Parnassus, and the flowry Plain
Of Thessaly no longer shall detain
Their svvift approach, but all the Virgin Pack
In glory seated on the vvinged back
Of firtil Zephyrus, shall hither come,
And make these Springs their everlasting home;
Here vvill they sit, and Carol forth your Fame,
Your nursing Nature, and your noble Name:
Then in exalted numbers tell hovv great
You are, vvhen mounted in your Mercy Seat;
And that this pregnant Isle you do inherit,
Not more by right of Bloud, then right of Merit.
Could you disclaim the line of your extraction,
And (amongst millions) stand for Saul's election,
It would appear conspicuous to beholders,
That you excell in soul, as he in shoulders:
This Trinity of Crowns you wear, respect
Your will, your memory, and intellect;
(The number of perfection) for you are
The Muses Evening, and their Morning Star.