The works of Sr William Davenant ... Consisting of Those which were formerly Printed, and Those which he design'd for the Press: Now published Out of the Authors Originall Copies |
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To the QUEEN.
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 | The works of Sr William Davenant |  |
To the QUEEN.
Madam; so much peculiar, and aloneAre Kings, so uncompanion'd in a Throne:
That through the want of some equality
(Familiar Guides, who lead them to comply)
They may offend by being so sublime;
As if to be a King might be a crime;
All less then Kings no more with Kings prevaile
Then lesser Weights with greater in a Scale:
They are not mov'd (when weigh'd within a Throne)
But by a greatness equall to their own.
To cure this high obnoxious singleness
(Yet not to make their power but danger less)
Were Queenes ordain'd; who were in Monarchs breasts
Tenants for life, not accidental Guests;
So they prevaile by Nature, not by chance;
But you (with yours) your vertue does advance;
When you perswade him (in the Peoples cause)
Not to esteeme his Judges more then Laws.
In Kings (perhaps) extreame obdurateness
Is as in Jewels hardness in excess:
Which makes their price: for we as well call stones
For hardness as for brightness, Paragones:
And 'tis perhaps so with obdurate Kings
As with the best impenitrable things.
No way to pierce or alter them is found,
Till we to Di'monds use a Diamond.
So you to him, who, to new-forme his Crown,
Would bring no aides less precious then his own:
Others have prov'd to be convenient things
To find the sodain'st way to ruine Kings,
Whilst you (whose vertues make your Councells thrive)
Look't on that mystick word, Prerogative,
As if you saw long-hid uncurrant Gold;
Which must (though it prove good) be try'd
Because it long has laine aside;
And rather too, because the Stamp is old:
Which in the Mettals triall some deface,
Whilst you by polishing would make it pass.
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That shews it fine but makes it not weigh less.
Accurst are those Court-Sophisters who say
When Princes yield, Subjects no more obey.
Madam, you that studied Heaven and Times
Know there is Punishment, and there are Crimes.
You are become (which doth augment your state)
The Judges Judge, and Peoples Advocate:
These are your Triumphs which (perhaps) may be
(Yet Triumphs have been tax'd for Cruelty)
Esteem'd both just and mercifully good:
Though what you gain with Tears, cost others Blood.
| The works of Sr William Davenant | |