Philomythie or Philomythologie wherein Outlandish Birds, Beasts, and Fishes, are taught to speake true English plainely. By Tho: Scot ... The second edition much inlarged |
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 | THE SECOND PART Of PHILOMYTHIE,
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 | Philomythie or Philomythologie |  |
THE SECOND PART Of PHILOMYTHIE,
Or PHILOMYTHOLOGIE.
CONTAINING CERTAINE TALES Of True Libertie. False Friendship. Power Vnited. Faction and Ambition.
MONARCHIA.
DEDICATED To all the worthy professors of the Law, who make not priuate-wealth, but the good and peace of the Common-wealth the end of their studies and practise.
Though you (perhaps) be Clyentlesse and few,Friendlesse and poore, yet 'tis to you I sue
For kinde acceptance. You alone are they
Who by example guide vs in our way.
You looke not on the fee, but on the cause,
And follow truth, as truth doth lead the Lawes.
The rest, with vice, and wealths ill-gotten load,
Passe on to death, in glories beaten road.
Th'inhabitants of the Ile of Wight did bost,
No vermin vs'd to harbour in their coast.
For they no hooded Monkes, nor Foxes had,
Nor Law Retriuers who make fooles run mad,
With their strife-stirring tongues; but liu'd as free,
From these, as by them others combred be.
No vermin vs'd to harbour in their coast.
For they no hooded Monkes, nor Foxes had,
Nor Law Retriuers who make fooles run mad,
From these, as by them others combred be.
And though our whole land cannot boast so farre,
That we from all such vermin quitted are:
Yet happy is our Ile, that's hemd about
With water-walles, to keepe our enemies out;
Whilst we (as Adam did) in Eden dwell,
And scarce of famine in an age heare tell.
Where hils are clad with woods, and vales with corn
Whose laden eares doe listen to be shorne.
Where shephearde neither Lyon doubt, nor Beare,
Nor rauening Wolfe which sheep & shepheard teare;
But each in safety dwell, and sillie sheepe
From all but Man, doe one the other keepe.
That we from all such vermin quitted are:
Yet happy is our Ile, that's hemd about
With water-walles, to keepe our enemies out;
Whilst we (as Adam did) in Eden dwell,
And scarce of famine in an age heare tell.
Where hils are clad with woods, and vales with corn
Whose laden eares doe listen to be shorne.
Where shephearde neither Lyon doubt, nor Beare,
Nor rauening Wolfe which sheep & shepheard teare;
But each in safety dwell, and sillie sheepe
From all but Man, doe one the other keepe.
O happy are we if we know our good,
And if our state be rightly vnderstood:
To liue thus free vnder so blest a King,
Iust Magistrates and Cleargy-men, that sing,
The songs of Syon in the holy tongue
Conuerting old men, and informing yong.
No spirit-tyrant, Pope, State, Tyrant, Turke.
Can here their bloudy ends and proiects worke;
But each in safety may his owne possesse,
More free then Kings, because our cares be lesse.
And if our state be rightly vnderstood:
To liue thus free vnder so blest a King,
Iust Magistrates and Cleargy-men, that sing,
The songs of Syon in the holy tongue
Conuerting old men, and informing yong.
No spirit-tyrant, Pope, State, Tyrant, Turke.
Can here their bloudy ends and proiects worke;
But each in safety may his owne possesse,
More free then Kings, because our cares be lesse.
But most vnhappy are those neighbour lands,
Where Peace, and Plenty, as two strangers stands;
Where bloodie war, and bloodlesse famine ride
Vpon the ruin'd top of thanklesse Pride:
Where Law destroies, Diuinity deceiues,
And where the crowne the care of kingdome leaues.
Where men eate men, as beast deuourd by beast,
The strong the weaker kill, the great the least.
Where tyrannie in triumph mounted hie,
Makes truth and innocence indungeon lie.
Where Peace, and Plenty, as two strangers stands;
Where bloodie war, and bloodlesse famine ride
Vpon the ruin'd top of thanklesse Pride:
Where Law destroies, Diuinity deceiues,
And where the crowne the care of kingdome leaues.
Where men eate men, as beast deuourd by beast,
The strong the weaker kill, the great the least.
Makes truth and innocence indungeon lie.
This tale the difference shewes, that wee may know
How much to God for our good king we owe.
An aged Hart, vpon mount Carmel bred,
Hauing as Admirall the Nauy led
From Syria through the Seas, to Cyprus shore,
Where all the Ile with greene is couered o're.
Hapt by a Parke to trauaile, where he spide
A yonger sad Hart, standing close beside
Th'imprisoning pale, and vsing all his skill
To free himselfe from thence, to larger ill.
Good brother (quoth the stranger) let me know,
What heauy thoughts they are that vex you so?
Why do you sadly so your selfe bemone?
Why hauing friends within come you alone
To feed sad melancholly, and inuent
To doe a rash act, which youle soone repent?
How much to God for our good king we owe.
An aged Hart, vpon mount Carmel bred,
Hauing as Admirall the Nauy led
From Syria through the Seas, to Cyprus shore,
Where all the Ile with greene is couered o're.
Hapt by a Parke to trauaile, where he spide
A yonger sad Hart, standing close beside
Th'imprisoning pale, and vsing all his skill
To free himselfe from thence, to larger ill.
Good brother (quoth the stranger) let me know,
What heauy thoughts they are that vex you so?
Why do you sadly so your selfe bemone?
Why hauing friends within come you alone
To feed sad melancholly, and inuent
To doe a rash act, which youle soone repent?
The younger Deere made answer, Can ye muse
Why I am sad, and wherefore I doe vse
All meanes to free my selfe, from being thus
A slaue to him that's foe to all of vs?
Know brother, I endure more sorrowes here,
In one halfe day, then you in one whole yeere.
For you haue liberty to come and goe,
Though forrester and wood-man both say no.
But I by cruell man, imprisond keepe,
Within this woodden walls, where none but sheepe
Hares, Conyes, Cowes, and other of my kinne
Are my associates, simple soules within.
I haue no beast of worth, of birth, or wit,
With whom I may conuerse; but faine to fit
My lofty spirit to the lowly straine,
Of base companions, sluggish, fearefull, vaine.
No Wolues or Dogs come here, whereby decaies
The exercise of valure and the praise.
The traps for vermin, are so thicke beset,
That oftentimes they some of vs doe get.
The watchfull keeper, euery night and morne,
Commands me rise, and rest with his shrill horne,
He with his Lymehound rounds the pale about,
For feare least we be stolne or broken out.
He feeds vs cheerefully, and doth prouide
Sufficient meat that's fit for euery tide;
But being fat, he chooseth which he likes,
And through our sides, deaths forked arrow strikes.
Thus all he doth, is his owne turne to serue,
And for his owne life doth our liues preserue.
Then gentle brother helpe to free me hence,
And my swift thanks shall yeeld you recompence.
Why I am sad, and wherefore I doe vse
All meanes to free my selfe, from being thus
A slaue to him that's foe to all of vs?
Know brother, I endure more sorrowes here,
In one halfe day, then you in one whole yeere.
For you haue liberty to come and goe,
Though forrester and wood-man both say no.
But I by cruell man, imprisond keepe,
Within this woodden walls, where none but sheepe
Hares, Conyes, Cowes, and other of my kinne
Are my associates, simple soules within.
I haue no beast of worth, of birth, or wit,
With whom I may conuerse; but faine to fit
Of base companions, sluggish, fearefull, vaine.
No Wolues or Dogs come here, whereby decaies
The exercise of valure and the praise.
The traps for vermin, are so thicke beset,
That oftentimes they some of vs doe get.
The watchfull keeper, euery night and morne,
Commands me rise, and rest with his shrill horne,
He with his Lymehound rounds the pale about,
For feare least we be stolne or broken out.
He feeds vs cheerefully, and doth prouide
Sufficient meat that's fit for euery tide;
But being fat, he chooseth which he likes,
And through our sides, deaths forked arrow strikes.
Thus all he doth, is his owne turne to serue,
And for his owne life doth our liues preserue.
Then gentle brother helpe to free me hence,
And my swift thanks shall yeeld you recompence.
Stay brother mad-brain stay, quoth Light foot thē
If you were out, you'ld wish you in agen.
I was in Syria borne, and euery yeere
A dangerous voyage make, for what you here
Enioy with proud contempt. We cannot find
“Content on earth, without a thankfull mind.
You slight your ease and plenty; we, alas!
With toyle seeke that which you with scorne let passe.
Our meat is grutchd, we like to robbers watcht,
So what we feed on, here and there is snatcht.
The pale you call your prison rather may,
Be tearmd your Castle, Garden, Closet, Stay,
To keepe out others from those ioyes of yours,
Or to preserue you from these woes of ours.
Whilst we without by Lyons, Leopards, Beares,
Wolues, Eagles, Serpents, and a thousand feares,
Are howrely vext, beset, besieged so,
That as our shadowes, death doth next vs goe.
Yet none our deaths reuenge, nor craues account,
How our neglected blood is lauisht out.
For euen that Man (which is your guard) to vs
Proclaimes himselfe a foe, most dangerous.
He hunts for our destruction cheeres the hound,
Rides, runs, whoopes, hollowes, and at euery sound,
Rings our shrill deaths bell with so fearefull blast,
As charmes our ioynts to heare, whilst hounds make hast
To finish our desired death, and glut
VVith our sweet flesh, each vermins maw and gut.
Thus doe we die abroad, for euery man
Claimes right in vs, and labors all they can,
Our weary feet in toyles, nets, snares t'inclose,
VVhen you haue friends, to guard you from your foes
If therefore you haue told me truth that there
You doe no creature but your keeper feare;
O bring me to this prison, shew me how
I may obtaine a blessed life with you.
Direct me to a leape, ile soone leape in.
“Tis happinesse, vnhappy to haue been.
VVith that he mounts the pale, and adue quoth he,
Vaine, wide, wild world; who serues the law is free.
I was in Syria borne, and euery yeere
A dangerous voyage make, for what you here
Enioy with proud contempt. We cannot find
“Content on earth, without a thankfull mind.
You slight your ease and plenty; we, alas!
With toyle seeke that which you with scorne let passe.
Our meat is grutchd, we like to robbers watcht,
So what we feed on, here and there is snatcht.
The pale you call your prison rather may,
Be tearmd your Castle, Garden, Closet, Stay,
To keepe out others from those ioyes of yours,
Or to preserue you from these woes of ours.
Wolues, Eagles, Serpents, and a thousand feares,
Are howrely vext, beset, besieged so,
That as our shadowes, death doth next vs goe.
Yet none our deaths reuenge, nor craues account,
How our neglected blood is lauisht out.
For euen that Man (which is your guard) to vs
Proclaimes himselfe a foe, most dangerous.
He hunts for our destruction cheeres the hound,
Rides, runs, whoopes, hollowes, and at euery sound,
Rings our shrill deaths bell with so fearefull blast,
As charmes our ioynts to heare, whilst hounds make hast
To finish our desired death, and glut
VVith our sweet flesh, each vermins maw and gut.
Thus doe we die abroad, for euery man
Claimes right in vs, and labors all they can,
Our weary feet in toyles, nets, snares t'inclose,
VVhen you haue friends, to guard you from your foes
If therefore you haue told me truth that there
You doe no creature but your keeper feare;
O bring me to this prison, shew me how
I may obtaine a blessed life with you.
Direct me to a leape, ile soone leape in.
“Tis happinesse, vnhappy to haue been.
VVith that he mounts the pale, and adue quoth he,
Vaine, wide, wild world; who serues the law is free.
The Cony-burrow.
Dedicated to the louers of worth, and friends of vertue, who follow truth with a single heart, and speake it with a single tongue.
Be innocent, but circumspect withall,The Turtles mate may be the Turtles stall.
Be wise yet trust not wit. The traps we make
For others, first doe our false fingers take.
What we delight to vse, take pride to weare,
Take vs; as Absalon hangd with his haire.
Then walke vpright, to neither hand encline,
There's nought frees innocence, but grace diuine.
The Polcat, Ferret, Lobstar, Weasell, made
A secret match, the Cony to inuade:
VVhich no way they could compasse, whilst he kept
Himselfe abroad, when as hee fed or slept.
At last the Polcat to the Cony went,
With this smooth speech. Good cousen my intent
Hath been long since t'acquaint you with our kin,
And tell ye how our cousenage came in.
Your Grandame was my carefull fostermother,
To your kind Sire, I was a fosterbrother;
My education, nurture, and my foode,
I from my youth receiued from your sweet brood.
In recompence whereof, my thankfull mind,
A fitte requitall long desired to finde.
The time is come, for I haue lately found,
A secret plot, wherein the cunning hound
The close dissembling Tumbler, Lurcher swift,
With Raynard that knowes many a subtill shift.
The Eagle and the Goshauke, haue agreed,
Their stomacke with your dainty flesh to feed.
First they intend the hound shall hunt you out,
And by your footing heate ye once about.
Then shall that hypocrite, the Tumbler trie,
To cheate you of your life, with his false eie.
But if he faile, the Lurcher with his speed,
Will snatch yee vp (they hope) and do the deed.
If not the Eagle, Fox, and Goshauke, sweare,
To eat no meat, till on your lims they teare.
A secret match, the Cony to inuade:
VVhich no way they could compasse, whilst he kept
Himselfe abroad, when as hee fed or slept.
With this smooth speech. Good cousen my intent
Hath been long since t'acquaint you with our kin,
And tell ye how our cousenage came in.
Your Grandame was my carefull fostermother,
To your kind Sire, I was a fosterbrother;
My education, nurture, and my foode,
I from my youth receiued from your sweet brood.
In recompence whereof, my thankfull mind,
A fitte requitall long desired to finde.
The time is come, for I haue lately found,
A secret plot, wherein the cunning hound
The close dissembling Tumbler, Lurcher swift,
With Raynard that knowes many a subtill shift.
The Eagle and the Goshauke, haue agreed,
Their stomacke with your dainty flesh to feed.
First they intend the hound shall hunt you out,
And by your footing heate ye once about.
Then shall that hypocrite, the Tumbler trie,
To cheate you of your life, with his false eie.
But if he faile, the Lurcher with his speed,
Will snatch yee vp (they hope) and do the deed.
If not the Eagle, Fox, and Goshauke, sweare,
To eat no meat, till on your lims they teare.
The harmlesse Cony; at this dire report,
Ready to sound, besought in humble sort
The wary Polcat him t'instruct and teach
A way, how he might scape his foes long reach.
Faith (quoth the Polcat) you perhaps might hide,
Your selfe among thicke bushes vnespide,
But that the Hounds and Lurcher both are there,
whose sents will quickly find ye out, I feare.
Againe vpon the rocks, you might remaine,
But that the Eagle, Fox, and Goshauke saine
Thei'l watch ye there; so that no other way
Remaines to scape with life, but night and day
To scrape and grate with your forefeet, a den,
Within the earth, where safe from beasts and men,
And foule, and euery bloody foe you shall,
Your life securely lead in spite of all.
Ready to sound, besought in humble sort
The wary Polcat him t'instruct and teach
A way, how he might scape his foes long reach.
Faith (quoth the Polcat) you perhaps might hide,
Your selfe among thicke bushes vnespide,
But that the Hounds and Lurcher both are there,
whose sents will quickly find ye out, I feare.
But that the Eagle, Fox, and Goshauke saine
Thei'l watch ye there; so that no other way
Remaines to scape with life, but night and day
To scrape and grate with your forefeet, a den,
Within the earth, where safe from beasts and men,
And foule, and euery bloody foe you shall,
Your life securely lead in spite of all.
The simple Cony doubting no deceit,
Thought treason had not councell for a bait
And therefore thanks his foe, and (glad at heart)
To dig his owne graue vseth all his art.
A sandy place he seeks, and finding one,
Free from all clay, or flint, or other stone,
He with his forefeet grates, and makes a burrow,
As deepe, as if he ment to trauaile thorow,
The body of the earth, and meet the Sunne,
When it vnto the Antipodes doth run.
Which hauing finisht, he prepares a feast,
And there the Polcat is the chiefest guest.
The Lobster, Ferret, Weasel too must goe,
To ioy him in his house, they loue him so;
And their great friend, the siluer-suited Snake,
Must needs along with them, and merry make.
He welcomes them, and doth before them set,
What iunckets he with purse or paines could get.
The Lyons Court hath not a dainty dish,
But he prouides it, euen beyond their wish.
“Yet they that long for blood, till blood be shed,
“Cannot be satisfied, though fully feed.
Thought treason had not councell for a bait
And therefore thanks his foe, and (glad at heart)
To dig his owne graue vseth all his art.
A sandy place he seeks, and finding one,
Free from all clay, or flint, or other stone,
He with his forefeet grates, and makes a burrow,
As deepe, as if he ment to trauaile thorow,
The body of the earth, and meet the Sunne,
When it vnto the Antipodes doth run.
Which hauing finisht, he prepares a feast,
And there the Polcat is the chiefest guest.
The Lobster, Ferret, Weasel too must goe,
To ioy him in his house, they loue him so;
And their great friend, the siluer-suited Snake,
Must needs along with them, and merry make.
He welcomes them, and doth before them set,
What iunckets he with purse or paines could get.
The Lyons Court hath not a dainty dish,
But he prouides it, euen beyond their wish.
“Yet they that long for blood, till blood be shed,
“Cannot be satisfied, though fully feed.
Ingratitude! thou monster of the minde
Art thou not only proper to mankind?
Is there a beast that can forget his friend,
And for his owne ends, worke his fellowes end?
Is there a beast whose lust prouokes him kill
The beast that did him good, nere wisht him ill?
Is there a beast who vnder kindnesse can
Dissemble hate? O then thrice happy man!
Thou art not only he that kilst thy brother,
Some beasts there are that murther one another.
Some foules, some fishes, Serpents some there are
VVho pray vpon their kind in open war.
And some that vnder friendship falsly faind,
VVith fellowes murther haue their natures staind.
Nay there is one who can so couer euill,
That man may iudge him Angell, find him diuell.
He first with sweet meats poysond Adams seed,
Since when of sweet meats wisest men take heed.
Art thou not only proper to mankind?
And for his owne ends, worke his fellowes end?
Is there a beast whose lust prouokes him kill
The beast that did him good, nere wisht him ill?
Is there a beast who vnder kindnesse can
Dissemble hate? O then thrice happy man!
Thou art not only he that kilst thy brother,
Some beasts there are that murther one another.
Some foules, some fishes, Serpents some there are
VVho pray vpon their kind in open war.
And some that vnder friendship falsly faind,
VVith fellowes murther haue their natures staind.
Nay there is one who can so couer euill,
That man may iudge him Angell, find him diuell.
He first with sweet meats poysond Adams seed,
Since when of sweet meats wisest men take heed.
So need not these bold guests, they eat and drink
And then rise vp to play; but neuer thinke
Ought fadgeth right, till they haue brought to passe
The purposde plot for which this meeting was.
Therefore (dissemblingly) the Polcat gins,
To licke and catch the Cony, and so wins
Hold vnderneath his throat, which hauing fast,
The tragedy begins, the sport is past.
For all assault him then on euery part,
Some at his sides, some at his head and heart.
Some at his belly, but the poisonous Snake,
Doth at his tayle a deadly issue make.
The helplesse Cony sues, intreats, and striues,
But he must die had he ten thousand liues.
Each foe his greedy gorge with blood doth glut
And with his sweet flesh cram each hollow gut.
“But blood that's sweet in tast, is not so sound,
“To feed vpon, as milke that's easier found.
The Snake with poisonous touch had venome spred,
Through all the swelling vaines, from taile to head.
And they had suckt the blacke infection in;
A fitting vengeance for their crying sinne.
Straight they their stomacke find not well at ease,
And something feele, that doth their minds displease.
The VVeasel first suspects the Snake, for he
Can neuer with a Serpent well agree;
Saies, they are poisond all by one base slaue,
VVhose company the Ferret needs would haue.
The Snake replies, he did no more but what
He was appointed to performe by plot.
And if they foolishly had eat their last,
He could not mend with sorrow what was past.
They find it true, but find it now too late,
Each rauing dies, and yeelds constraind by fate.
Yet ere they die, all doe their farewell take,
By shaking teeth together on the Snake.
VVho deadly wounded, crawles but faintly thence,
Confounded with the guilt of his offence.
And heeding not his way, by good mishap,
Became a prisoner to the warriners trap.
This feast was ended thus, death tooke away,
And where they did not well we mend it may.
And then rise vp to play; but neuer thinke
Ought fadgeth right, till they haue brought to passe
The purposde plot for which this meeting was.
Therefore (dissemblingly) the Polcat gins,
To licke and catch the Cony, and so wins
Hold vnderneath his throat, which hauing fast,
The tragedy begins, the sport is past.
For all assault him then on euery part,
Some at his sides, some at his head and heart.
Some at his belly, but the poisonous Snake,
Doth at his tayle a deadly issue make.
The helplesse Cony sues, intreats, and striues,
But he must die had he ten thousand liues.
Each foe his greedy gorge with blood doth glut
And with his sweet flesh cram each hollow gut.
“To feed vpon, as milke that's easier found.
The Snake with poisonous touch had venome spred,
Through all the swelling vaines, from taile to head.
And they had suckt the blacke infection in;
A fitting vengeance for their crying sinne.
Straight they their stomacke find not well at ease,
And something feele, that doth their minds displease.
The VVeasel first suspects the Snake, for he
Can neuer with a Serpent well agree;
Saies, they are poisond all by one base slaue,
VVhose company the Ferret needs would haue.
The Snake replies, he did no more but what
He was appointed to performe by plot.
And if they foolishly had eat their last,
He could not mend with sorrow what was past.
They find it true, but find it now too late,
Each rauing dies, and yeelds constraind by fate.
Yet ere they die, all doe their farewell take,
By shaking teeth together on the Snake.
VVho deadly wounded, crawles but faintly thence,
Confounded with the guilt of his offence.
And heeding not his way, by good mishap,
Became a prisoner to the warriners trap.
This feast was ended thus, death tooke away,
And where they did not well we mend it may.
The House of Fame.
Dedicated to all the noble attendants of Royaltie in the Campe of Vertue, who fight for the honor of the Church, and Common-wealth.
Till now of late we feard that loud report,
Of Cressy field, Poicters, and Agincourt,
Fought by our Kings and Princes heretofore,
Had not been true, or should betold no more.
We wondred if those Nobles euer were
Whom fame for armes and bounty did prefer:
We doubted all our Countries had forgot.
The deede of Audely or beleeu'd it not
We thought our Nation was of worth bereft,
When bowes and arrowes and browne bills were left.
But see, occasion now hath turnd our eyes,
To inward wars where greater wonders rise.
To see affection conquerd, lust chastisd'e,
Pride humbled, Murther slaine, all vice despisd'e.
And all old vertues freshly now reneude,
By faire examples as the Sun ere vewd.
Of Cressy field, Poicters, and Agincourt,
Fought by our Kings and Princes heretofore,
Had not been true, or should betold no more.
We wondred if those Nobles euer were
Whom fame for armes and bounty did prefer:
We doubted all our Countries had forgot.
The deede of Audely or beleeu'd it not
We thought our Nation was of worth bereft,
When bowes and arrowes and browne bills were left.
But see, occasion now hath turnd our eyes,
To inward wars where greater wonders rise.
To see affection conquerd, lust chastisd'e,
Pride humbled, Murther slaine, all vice despisd'e.
And all old vertues freshly now reneude,
By faire examples as the Sun ere vewd.
In which braue war of wonders (passing far
All other conflicts that compounded are
(Of loue and hate) each Lord who lends a hand
To fight against vice for vertue, doth this land
More honor then his ancestors before
In conquering France, and shall be famd for't more.
Some for their Prudence who found out and led,
Others for zeale through whom the enemy fled.
Others for Art, whose skill the squadrons placed
Others for Iustice who the enemy chased,
And some for Constancie, who held it out.
And still vnwearied, not vnwounded fought.
But none more fame attaind then mercies squire,
Who begd to giue, all sauing in desire,
He Audely-like taught Courtiers how to craue
What they might giue away, and giuing saue,
Saue free from feare of forfeiture or losse,
Or there-begging or the next yeeres crosse:
Or enuies eye-sore, or the Commons hate,
Or poores complaint, or grieuance of the state,
To him and to the rest, this tale is sent,
Howsoeuer taken with a good intent.
Fame that in Homers time a vagrant was,
(Of loue and hate) each Lord who lends a hand
To fight against vice for vertue, doth this land
More honor then his ancestors before
In conquering France, and shall be famd for't more.
Some for their Prudence who found out and led,
Others for zeale through whom the enemy fled.
Others for Art, whose skill the squadrons placed
Others for Iustice who the enemy chased,
And some for Constancie, who held it out.
And still vnwearied, not vnwounded fought.
But none more fame attaind then mercies squire,
Who begd to giue, all sauing in desire,
He Audely-like taught Courtiers how to craue
What they might giue away, and giuing saue,
Saue free from feare of forfeiture or losse,
Or there-begging or the next yeeres crosse:
Or enuies eye-sore, or the Commons hate,
Or poores complaint, or grieuance of the state,
To him and to the rest, this tale is sent,
Howsoeuer taken with a good intent.
Without a house and home, did after passe
In stately structures all the mixed race
Of Semdeities, and euery place
Built her a Court, assisted by the Rages
Of sundry Poets in succeeding ages.
More space and roome for their friends narrow fame.
Which as they purchast, still to her they gaue
And that's the cause, themselues so little haue.
This Fame hath now her house glazde all with eies,
The rafts, beames, balkes, nerues, sinewes, arteries;
The dores wide open, eares; hangd round about
With nimble tongues, and couerd so without.
All things are seene and heard the wide world ore
Which touch that place, and farthest off the mone.
The House of Fame built vp foure stories hie,
Stands in an open plaine, in which doth lie
Foure sister twins, True same, and good the first,
And eldest are; false and had fame the worst.
And youngest payre, yet swiftest are in flight
And though last borne, yet oft come first to light.
These last dwell in two darker roomes below,
Among the thicke Crowdes where all errors grow.
There keepe they Court, where Scandals, Libels, lies,
Rumors, Reports, Suspicions, calumnies,
Are fauorites and Gouernors of State,
Whose practise 'tis true worth to ruinate.
False fame liues lowest, and true Fame aboue,
Bad Fame next false, good fame next, true doth moue:
Yet good fame somtime doth with false fame stay,
And bad fame sometime doth with true fame play.
But false and true (opposd) will neuer meete,
Nor bad and good fame, one the other greete.
It so fell out (as oft strange things befall)
A gallant Knight, ariued at that faire Hall,
Attended on with such a noble sort,
Of warlike squires, as fild this spatious Court.
Whose Court it was, could no waies find it out.
For contradictions crosse each other so,
As truth from falshood he could no waies know.
Bad fame did call it hers, and said, she was
A guide to such as vnto glory passe.
False Fame did call it hers; he saw they lide,
For 'boue their heads, two brighter Queens he spide.
True fame spake to him then, and let him know,
That she and good fame did the building owe,
Being eldest borne, to Titan and the Earth,
Before the Gyants war: when th'others birth
Long since was subiect to their parents sinne,
And heauens curse which now they liued in.
For as those Gyants gainst the Gods did war,
So these to truth professed enemies are;
Had by strong hand, and fraud, vsurpd her state:
And to expresse to vertue vtmost hate,
Had bard all passage to their houses hie,
That mortall men might in obliuion die
Or haue their memories blasted, glories kild
By eating time, with lies and slanders fild.
She wisht him then if he his good desired
To haue repeated, or his spirit aspired
To worthy honor as old knights had wont,
(Whose swords not rust, but too much vse did blunt)
That he would vse some meanes to set them free,
Whereby his blest name might eternizd be.
Good Fame then told him, that the only way,
How he this enterprize accomplish may,
Was by the helpe of mercy, prudence, art,
Iustice and zeale, and Constancy of heart.
To force the place, and to disperse those swarmes
Of idle vagabonds; who kept below
And hated good Fame, would not true fame know.
Then (since the stayres of fame were broken downe,
And does stopt vp to glory and renowne)
She wild him make an engine wherewithall,
He might her lodging and her sisters scale.
And so himselfe in spite of perill, raise
Aboue the reach of enuy, or dispraise.
The Knight (in spirit rauisht with delight
To heare their speech, to see their goodly sight)
Mounts his fierce Coursers backe, with which at hand
His Squires attend vpon his strict command.
Wils euery one of them to take a dame,
Such as the Ladies of the house did name,
Who there attended that they might direct
This high attempt, with order and respect.
The Squires with willing minds the knight obaide,
And each behind them tooke a louely maide.
Prudence directs her Squires to lead the way,
(Who followes her direction cannot stray,)
At length they come vnto a fruitfull wood,
Wherein a world of vpright timber stood;
Tall Cedars, Cypres, Pine and royall Okes,
With country Elmes, and Ash for plow and yokes.
The learned Laurell, and the weeping Mirrh,
The smarting Birch, and the sweet smelling Firr
Grew there in order, and all trees beside,
Wherein the thrifty Woodreeue taketh pride,
The knight suruaies all this, yet finds not one
Fit to be feld; till Prudence lights upon
On a slight Poplar, with some shrubs betweene.
The cursed Eldar, and the fatall Yewe,
With Witch and Nightshade in their shadowes grew;
Whose saples tops, with mildewes often stood,
And grew self-feare, and ouertopt the wood.
The Rauen & Shreikeowle there did build their neasts,
And at their roots did harbour harmefull beasts,
Which Prudence saw, but mercy would not see,
Till she perceiu'd how euery other tree
Droop'd vnderneath the height of these alone,
And could not thriue, or grow till these were gone.
She therefore (ioynd with Constancie and Zeale)
Besought sharpe Iustice, who doth euenly deale
Her warie blowes, to fell all these with speed;
Who soone consents, and soone, performes the deed.
At euery stroke she fetcht, the trees did grone,
The rest did eccho laughter to their mone.
And now they lye along, their branches topt,
Their barke pild off, their trunks asunder chopt.
Then Art with rule and line, these vselesse payer
Frames (engine-like) a straight clowd climing stayer
To mount Fames house; this euery Squire doth reare
And brauely on their backs do thither beare.
But Mercy seeing all the other ment
To burne the Chips, to saue them she is bent.
And, with her Squire, the knight praies, let them lye,
For he shall gaine, and glory get thereby.
Since chips which cut from Aspe and Poplar bee,
Do soone take roote, each growes a goodly tree.
The knight consents, and fenceth round the spring.
Whose forward growth doth hope of profit bring.
With speede they passe, where first the falsest Dame
Salutes them with a lye, and saith she heares
Her Sisters are together by the eares,
And haue destroyde each other; this she had
From her Twin sister, who tells rumors bad.
They slight her leasings, and with speedy assay
To raise the lather, where bold Zeale makes way;
But false Fame and her Sister, lay about
To hinder her, with all their rascall route.
Slander, foole-hardines and heartles feare,
With foolish Pittie, and false Loue was there,
Damnde Infidelitie, and secret Hate,
And treason too, that close dissembling mate.
Who all with open mouth, and open lyes,
All waies to stop his honord worke deuise.
They raile, and fight, intreat, and curse and ban.
The Knight proceedes, in scorne of what they can.
And mounts the ladder, with his sword in hand,
Which soone disparkles, such as dare withstand.
Zeale hales him vp, and Prudence guides him right,
True Constancie encourageth the fight,
Mercy saues all the innocent, who swarme
For companie, not with intent of harme;
Art orders euery act, the engine staies
And helpes the Knight step after step, to praise
The lusty squires below, with sword and lance,
Withstand bad fame, whilst Iustice doth aduance
Her heauy hatchet, and strikes off the head
Of both the leaders, and there leaues them dead.
Which when their troopes discouer, they forsake
Th'vsurped fortresse, and themselues betake.
Where many whispering reeds and Osiars stand.
There they like out-lawes do themselues inclose,
In wilfull banishment, with all the foes
Of this good knight, whose valure vndertooke
This high attempt, that Fame might rightly looke
On all deseruers, and that man might finde,
Like freedome for his tongue, as for his mind.
That vertue might be crowned by true fame,
And honest meaning liue with honored name.
Which promise gladly both the sisters swore,
In solemne forme; and now as heretofore
The freedome of their tongues they both possesse;
And worth is knowne from base vnworthinesse.
The knight they humbly thanke, and him they crowne
The Soueraigne of glory and renowne.
Which stile, Fames trumpetters the foure winds blow
Through th'earths foure quarters, that the world may know
Th'extent of vertuous actions; how no power
Can stop their passage, nor lanke time deuoure
Their sweet remembrance; which shall liue as long
As nature hath an eare, or eye, or tongue.
To euery Squire then they this fauour giue,
That after death their Fames shall euer liue;
For still those Ladies, whose imploiment they
So well aduanc' t'shall duly night and day
Repeate their labors, and prefer them far
Beyond Alcides workes, as peace doth war
Surpasse in glory, or those works we doe,
When others wills, and ours we conquer too.
Now 'tis proclaimd that if we tell no lies,
We may with boldnesse speake and feare no spies.
As well repeated now as the next yeere.
That all our words our selues shall first expound,
And that no forc't construction shall confound
Our honest meaning, but bee't ill or well,
We may with freedome our opinions tell.
Since no man dares to doe the thing which he,
Would haue all the world both heare and see.
These orders ratified, they fall to sport,
And fill with maskes and reuells all the Court.
The sequel I refer to Fames relation,
Whose golden trumpe sounds vs a blessed nation.
Satellitium.
Dedicated to all that stand Sentinell, that watch and ward in defence of this kingdome, especially to the strength and guard of the State.
Be of one minde; Religion tyes a knot,Which none vndoes, by practise or by plot.
But if in that we differ, be our breed
Within one house, or wombe, of all one seede.
“Tis seuerd soone by hate, respect, or gold,
Which Law can neuer soulder, art make hold.
“Faith only ioynes, what nothing sunder can.
“Beasts loue for benefits, for vertue Man.
VVho guarded round about, with Parthian bowes,
Or Spanish pikes; or hedg'd and dikt with rowes
Of sturdie Ianisaries, or the shot
Of hardy Swizzars, or the valiant Scot,
And after these with walles of steele and brasse,
Hemd in so close that scarce the ayre may passe
Betwixt the cliffes, is not so free from doubt,
As is that King whom loue doth guard about.
Whom subiects loue doth guard, because that he
Guards them from all oppression, and makes free
His noble fauourers to desert and worth,
Spreading his valiant vertues frankly forth,
That both his owne may finde, and neighbors know,
What glorious fruit doth from religion grow.
How sweet an odor Iustice sends to heauen,
How rare example is to Princes giuen,
By vertuous deeds, to stop the mouthes of those,
Who vnreform'de are reformations foes.
Such one sleepes safe within the armes of loue,
Diuine regard doth all his subiects moue
To due obedience; and with sacred awe
Binds conscience, with a stronger bond then lawe.
Such heauen informes, whilst hell doth vndermine,
And spite of darkest plots with grace diuine
Doth hedge about, that naked in the armes
Of enemies he is preseru'd from harmes.
They sleepe securely, feed on holsome cates,
Angels their beds make, cookes their delicates
Giues Antidotes gainst poysons, doth defend
Gainst damned witches and their God the fiend,
No Iesuits at their elbowes can do hurt,
Nor troopes of Papists that their courts ingirt.
For God doth them in his blest armes inclose,
Safe, though their chiefest fauourites were foes.
Or Spanish pikes; or hedg'd and dikt with rowes
Of sturdie Ianisaries, or the shot
Of hardy Swizzars, or the valiant Scot,
Hemd in so close that scarce the ayre may passe
Betwixt the cliffes, is not so free from doubt,
As is that King whom loue doth guard about.
Whom subiects loue doth guard, because that he
Guards them from all oppression, and makes free
His noble fauourers to desert and worth,
Spreading his valiant vertues frankly forth,
That both his owne may finde, and neighbors know,
What glorious fruit doth from religion grow.
How sweet an odor Iustice sends to heauen,
How rare example is to Princes giuen,
By vertuous deeds, to stop the mouthes of those,
Who vnreform'de are reformations foes.
Such one sleepes safe within the armes of loue,
Diuine regard doth all his subiects moue
To due obedience; and with sacred awe
Binds conscience, with a stronger bond then lawe.
Such heauen informes, whilst hell doth vndermine,
And spite of darkest plots with grace diuine
Doth hedge about, that naked in the armes
Of enemies he is preseru'd from harmes.
They sleepe securely, feed on holsome cates,
Angels their beds make, cookes their delicates
Giues Antidotes gainst poysons, doth defend
Gainst damned witches and their God the fiend,
No Iesuits at their elbowes can do hurt,
Nor troopes of Papists that their courts ingirt.
For God doth them in his blest armes inclose,
Safe, though their chiefest fauourites were foes.
O happy then good Kings proceed, ride on,
Grow vp in glory, as you haue begun.
Ride on for truths sake, looke on either hand,
How you are guarded with a heauenly band
Of blessed spirits, who shall lead you still
In holy paths, and guide your steps from ill.
These being with you, you shall boldly tread
Vpon the Lyon, and the Dragons head,
And trample danger vnderneath your feete,
As men tread stones, or dirt within the street,
Which only spraids them; your heauen-garded state
Is safer far, then that of Mithridate,
The King of Pontus, vnto whom befell,
VVhat strange aduenture in this tale I tell.
Grow vp in glory, as you haue begun.
How you are guarded with a heauenly band
Of blessed spirits, who shall lead you still
In holy paths, and guide your steps from ill.
These being with you, you shall boldly tread
Vpon the Lyon, and the Dragons head,
And trample danger vnderneath your feete,
As men tread stones, or dirt within the street,
Which only spraids them; your heauen-garded state
Is safer far, then that of Mithridate,
The King of Pontus, vnto whom befell,
VVhat strange aduenture in this tale I tell.
This King perceiuing well there was no band,
Of duty, loue, or nature, could withstand
The strong inticement of corrupting gold,
Or baser lust, or humor ouerbold,
Or fond ambition (which makes empty slaues
Swim bladder borne vpon the floting waues
Of false Opinion, with the arme of pride,
Of borrowed power, and ignorance beside)
But that these would peruert the faith they had,
And cause them after farther hopes run mad;
Did to preuent all this, a guard prouide
Of faithfull beasts, whose strength had oft been tried.
A Bull, a Horse, a Hare, the Captaines were,
Of this strong guard, whose force did nothing feare
But falshood, and Ingratitude, and Treason,
From which they were as free, as man from reason
VVhy knowing more then beasts, he should not hate
As they doe, to be treacherous, and ingrate.
Of duty, loue, or nature, could withstand
The strong inticement of corrupting gold,
Or baser lust, or humor ouerbold,
Or fond ambition (which makes empty slaues
Swim bladder borne vpon the floting waues
Of false Opinion, with the arme of pride,
Of borrowed power, and ignorance beside)
But that these would peruert the faith they had,
And cause them after farther hopes run mad;
Did to preuent all this, a guard prouide
Of faithfull beasts, whose strength had oft been tried.
A Bull, a Horse, a Hare, the Captaines were,
Of this strong guard, whose force did nothing feare
But falshood, and Ingratitude, and Treason,
From which they were as free, as man from reason
VVhy knowing more then beasts, he should not hate
As they doe, to be treacherous, and ingrate.
These three together being put to feed,
And sport themselues till there were farther need
Of their knowne faith, together long did dwell
In peace and loue, till on a time it fell
That they with rest and ease full fed and fat,
Had time to play, to dally, and to chat.
Then did the wanton Hart propound a course,
Betwixt himselfe and the couragious Horse.
The warlike Horse did dare the horned Bull
To make one in the race, who straight way full
Of burning choller, and adusted blood,
Bad cowards run, hee for no footman stood.
Twas meet for them that durst not stand it out,
To vse their heeles, his heart was too too stout.
And sport themselues till there were farther need
In peace and loue, till on a time it fell
That they with rest and ease full fed and fat,
Had time to play, to dally, and to chat.
Then did the wanton Hart propound a course,
Betwixt himselfe and the couragious Horse.
The warlike Horse did dare the horned Bull
To make one in the race, who straight way full
Of burning choller, and adusted blood,
Bad cowards run, hee for no footman stood.
Twas meet for them that durst not stand it out,
To vse their heeles, his heart was too too stout.
The angry Hart replies, ther's none of you,
But may to me as to your better bow,
I swifter then the Horse, my feet can vse,
And for my head, the Bull ile not refuse
To combat with, my courage I am sure
Is like my strength as able to indure,
And doe, as either of you dare or can,
And more I am esteemd by royall man.
Those Serpents which you run from, I seeke forth,
And teare them with my teeth as nothing worth.
And as my life to man is sweet and pleasing,
So is my death, each part some sorrow easing.
My hornes all mortall poyson can expell,
My marrow makes stiffe-ioynted misers well.
My fat yeelds strength and sweetnesse; that fierce lad
Achilles, neuer other spoonemeat had.
Which made him such a Captaine, euery part
Is physicall and comforteth the heart.
Yea euen my excrements the dropsie cures,
My teares, like precious Iewels, man allures.
To seek them vp, wheresoeuer they be shed.
My skin great Captaines weare when I am dead;
And boast that they haue such a coat of proofe,
Which wounds withstands, whence venome stands aloofe.
Then why) O baser creatures) dare you brag
And match your selues with the long liuing Stag?
My life is long, cause I with cost am wrought,
But nature slights your liues, as good for nought.
But may to me as to your better bow,
I swifter then the Horse, my feet can vse,
And for my head, the Bull ile not refuse
To combat with, my courage I am sure
Is like my strength as able to indure,
And doe, as either of you dare or can,
And more I am esteemd by royall man.
Those Serpents which you run from, I seeke forth,
And teare them with my teeth as nothing worth.
And as my life to man is sweet and pleasing,
So is my death, each part some sorrow easing.
My hornes all mortall poyson can expell,
My marrow makes stiffe-ioynted misers well.
My fat yeelds strength and sweetnesse; that fierce lad
Achilles, neuer other spoonemeat had.
Which made him such a Captaine, euery part
Is physicall and comforteth the heart.
Yea euen my excrements the dropsie cures,
My teares, like precious Iewels, man allures.
My skin great Captaines weare when I am dead;
And boast that they haue such a coat of proofe,
Which wounds withstands, whence venome stands aloofe.
Then why) O baser creatures) dare you brag
And match your selues with the long liuing Stag?
My life is long, cause I with cost am wrought,
But nature slights your liues, as good for nought.
The crested Horse, with fiery eyes did show,
What inward rage did in his hot blood flgw
To heare this bold speech vttered, and with head
Tost in the ayre his hardned hoofes doth tread
The scornd earth with contempt, then thus breaks out;
What inward rage did in his hot blood flgw
To heare this bold speech vttered, and with head
Tost in the ayre his hardned hoofes doth tread
The scornd earth with contempt, then thus breaks out;
O thou fearefull of all the rout
Of hunted beasts, how haps it that you dare
With me your master and your Lord compare?
Forget ye my preheminence? the loue
Man beares me? how one spirit seemes to moue
Me and my rider? that we start and run,
Stop, turne, trot, amble, as we were but one?
Haue you at any time been calld to war,
Where none but Captaines and great Souldiers are?
Trusted to heare their Councels? on your backe
Borne the Commander of that royall packe?
I haue done this and more, borne him about
Through worlds of danger, and then borne him out
He trusts me when his legs he dare not trust,
And when his hand, faile them performe I must.
Nay when he failes himselfe in euery part,
I adde another life, another heart.
In war I thus befriend him, in his need,
And so in peace, I helpe his wants to feed.
I till this land that else would barren be,
Beare all his carriage, and am seldome free
From some imploiment, but must neere him stand
As being fit, and apt for his command.
If he to visit friends abroad doth fare,
I must along with him, true friends we are.
If he intends to hunt such beasts as you,
For sport, or hate, or need, he lets me know
The time, the place, the end, and we agree,
I see the sport, and hunt as well as he.
How often haue I seene some fearefull Hart,
Perhaps your sire, at my dread presence start;
Fly hence with vtmost speed, and neuer slacke
His willing pace, when I vpon my backe
Bearing my noble master haue at length
O'retane the lubber, hauing lost his strength?
VVhilst I still foming courage, breathing sprite,
Haue sought another conquest long ere night;
And after that a third, vnwearied yet,
Yet you your selfe as Paralell will set
To match and ouermatch my worth, my force;
As if weake Stags might braue the peerelesse Horse.
For physicall receipts easily yeeld,
Aliue I profit man, you being kild,
This makes him seeke your death, my life to saue,
Yet being dead my parts their vertues haue.
VVhich I refer to others to relate,
As scorning Hog-like to doe good so late.
This only I conclude, If man should choose
To saue but one, hee'd both of you refuse.
Of hunted beasts, how haps it that you dare
With me your master and your Lord compare?
Forget ye my preheminence? the loue
Man beares me? how one spirit seemes to moue
Me and my rider? that we start and run,
Stop, turne, trot, amble, as we were but one?
Haue you at any time been calld to war,
Where none but Captaines and great Souldiers are?
Trusted to heare their Councels? on your backe
Borne the Commander of that royall packe?
I haue done this and more, borne him about
Through worlds of danger, and then borne him out
He trusts me when his legs he dare not trust,
And when his hand, faile them performe I must.
Nay when he failes himselfe in euery part,
I adde another life, another heart.
In war I thus befriend him, in his need,
And so in peace, I helpe his wants to feed.
Beare all his carriage, and am seldome free
From some imploiment, but must neere him stand
As being fit, and apt for his command.
If he to visit friends abroad doth fare,
I must along with him, true friends we are.
If he intends to hunt such beasts as you,
For sport, or hate, or need, he lets me know
The time, the place, the end, and we agree,
I see the sport, and hunt as well as he.
How often haue I seene some fearefull Hart,
Perhaps your sire, at my dread presence start;
Fly hence with vtmost speed, and neuer slacke
His willing pace, when I vpon my backe
Bearing my noble master haue at length
O'retane the lubber, hauing lost his strength?
VVhilst I still foming courage, breathing sprite,
Haue sought another conquest long ere night;
And after that a third, vnwearied yet,
Yet you your selfe as Paralell will set
To match and ouermatch my worth, my force;
As if weake Stags might braue the peerelesse Horse.
For physicall receipts easily yeeld,
Aliue I profit man, you being kild,
This makes him seeke your death, my life to saue,
Yet being dead my parts their vertues haue.
VVhich I refer to others to relate,
As scorning Hog-like to doe good so late.
This only I conclude, If man should choose
To saue but one, hee'd both of you refuse.
The armed Bull sweld, puft and roard alowd,
To heare the Hart so bold, the Horse so proud.
And all the while they spake, he tost about
With hornes and hoofes the dust; then bellowd out
This bolder braue; What ignorance is this,
That causeth both of you, so much amisse
To boast your false worths, and neglect the true,
Which rests in me, belongs to none of you?
The Wolfe, the Greyhound, and each questing cur,
Makes thee poore trembling Hart keepe such a stir,
To shift thy layer, as if thy life were lost,
With euery faint blast, that the leaues downe tost.
And this couragious Horse, that makes a quoile,
Of wounds in war, and tilling of the soyle,
With many other vses fit for man,
(As they that least can doe, best cauill can)
Let this his answer be, the spur and bit
Shewes man trusts not his courage, nor his wit.
For if he tyre or faint, his spur prouokes,
And prickes him forward, with continuall strokes.
And if with head-strong heat, he madly rides,
The bridle curbes him, and his folly guides.
“All voluntary acts the actors praise,
“Not such as others by constraint doe raise.
“Out of our natures, whilst we easily are
“Made instruments either of peace, or war.
Else might our horned Heards, the rescue boast
Of Hannibal, and his distressed hoast,
When he with lights and torches tyde to vs,
Escapt the trap, of lingring Fabius.
But truth is far from such ostents, those deeds
We call our owne, which from our choice proceeds.
The yoke we beare, and wherewithall we till
The earth for man, is by constraint, not will.
What comfort from our flesh, or from our Cowes,
By calues, or milke, or Cheese or Butter flowes,
Or physicall receipts, as they are more,
And vsefuller, then what you both before
Haue mentioned, so freely I confesse
Man hath in them the glory more or lesse.
His wit and industry, in them is seene,
And th' Authors goodnesse from whom first we been,
War is the good you glory in, which springs
From mans ambitious ignorance, and brings
Wants, woe, and death, with many ills beside,
To scourge vs all, through out great masters pride.
Then at the best, you are but slaues to such,
As feeding you, foode to their like doe grutch.
And through your force, their owne reuengements take,
Whilst you to stout men; cowards equall make.
For what from you they borrow, they must grant
They feare their foes enioy, whilst they doe want.
Thus therefore all the nobler nations vse
To fight on foot, whilst coward rather choose
To share with beasts in glory, and to get
Themselues a name, through your foole hardy heat.
So you on them, and they on you depend,
Such seruice iudgement neuer did commend.
And thus in sportiue war, and warlike sport,
You doe your rider from himselfe transport.
Whilst you not man-like grow, but beast-like he
Resembles you, in all these sports we see.
Yea often to mischance you doe betray
Your heedlesse rider, and in midst of play
Precipitate his soddaine fortune so,
That who hath you a faiend, shall need no foe;
But may himselfe, a happy man proclaime,
If by your meanes he scapes without a maime.
But now if either of you, thinke you can,
Out of your owne worthes, proue more fit for man,
And better able to defend, and guard,
Him whom we serue, from whom we haue reward,
Then I can with my hornes, and harnast hide,
Proceed to triall, I defie your pride;
And with bold challenge summon you to fight,
A triple combat, to decide the right.
To heare the Hart so bold, the Horse so proud.
With hornes and hoofes the dust; then bellowd out
This bolder braue; What ignorance is this,
That causeth both of you, so much amisse
To boast your false worths, and neglect the true,
Which rests in me, belongs to none of you?
The Wolfe, the Greyhound, and each questing cur,
Makes thee poore trembling Hart keepe such a stir,
To shift thy layer, as if thy life were lost,
With euery faint blast, that the leaues downe tost.
And this couragious Horse, that makes a quoile,
Of wounds in war, and tilling of the soyle,
With many other vses fit for man,
(As they that least can doe, best cauill can)
Let this his answer be, the spur and bit
Shewes man trusts not his courage, nor his wit.
For if he tyre or faint, his spur prouokes,
And prickes him forward, with continuall strokes.
And if with head-strong heat, he madly rides,
The bridle curbes him, and his folly guides.
“All voluntary acts the actors praise,
“Not such as others by constraint doe raise.
“Out of our natures, whilst we easily are
“Made instruments either of peace, or war.
Else might our horned Heards, the rescue boast
Of Hannibal, and his distressed hoast,
When he with lights and torches tyde to vs,
Escapt the trap, of lingring Fabius.
But truth is far from such ostents, those deeds
We call our owne, which from our choice proceeds.
The yoke we beare, and wherewithall we till
The earth for man, is by constraint, not will.
By calues, or milke, or Cheese or Butter flowes,
Or physicall receipts, as they are more,
And vsefuller, then what you both before
Haue mentioned, so freely I confesse
Man hath in them the glory more or lesse.
His wit and industry, in them is seene,
And th' Authors goodnesse from whom first we been,
War is the good you glory in, which springs
From mans ambitious ignorance, and brings
Wants, woe, and death, with many ills beside,
To scourge vs all, through out great masters pride.
Then at the best, you are but slaues to such,
As feeding you, foode to their like doe grutch.
And through your force, their owne reuengements take,
Whilst you to stout men; cowards equall make.
For what from you they borrow, they must grant
They feare their foes enioy, whilst they doe want.
Thus therefore all the nobler nations vse
To fight on foot, whilst coward rather choose
To share with beasts in glory, and to get
Themselues a name, through your foole hardy heat.
So you on them, and they on you depend,
Such seruice iudgement neuer did commend.
And thus in sportiue war, and warlike sport,
You doe your rider from himselfe transport.
Whilst you not man-like grow, but beast-like he
Resembles you, in all these sports we see.
Yea often to mischance you doe betray
Your heedlesse rider, and in midst of play
Precipitate his soddaine fortune so,
That who hath you a faiend, shall need no foe;
If by your meanes he scapes without a maime.
But now if either of you, thinke you can,
Out of your owne worthes, proue more fit for man,
And better able to defend, and guard,
Him whom we serue, from whom we haue reward,
Then I can with my hornes, and harnast hide,
Proceed to triall, I defie your pride;
And with bold challenge summon you to fight,
A triple combat, to decide the right.
They both with eager appetite accept
These wisht conditions, and by this haue stept
For from each other; all prepard doe stand
At full carere, to ioyne this treble band.
The field triangle wise they euenly cast,
And each with rage expects, that dreadly blast,
Which warnes them charge. Each roreth out his wrath,
Nor other need of drums or trumpets hath.
The Hart doth bray, the bounding Steed doth neigh,
The Bull doth bellow, deepe, and lowde and high.
The earth doth tremble, and the ayre doth shun,
This dreadfull thunder; as when laden gun
Spits forth its load, in scorne to be restraind,
The ayre giues way vnto the bullets chaind,
As dreading to resist so mighty force,
Thus meet the valiant Bull, the Hart and Horse.
These wisht conditions, and by this haue stept
For from each other; all prepard doe stand
At full carere, to ioyne this treble band.
The field triangle wise they euenly cast,
And each with rage expects, that dreadly blast,
Which warnes them charge. Each roreth out his wrath,
Nor other need of drums or trumpets hath.
The Hart doth bray, the bounding Steed doth neigh,
The Bull doth bellow, deepe, and lowde and high.
The earth doth tremble, and the ayre doth shun,
This dreadfull thunder; as when laden gun
Spits forth its load, in scorne to be restraind,
The ayre giues way vnto the bullets chaind,
As dreading to resist so mighty force,
Thus meet the valiant Bull, the Hart and Horse.
The Hart and Horse first touch tha'ppointed place
Being more swift, and apter for the race.
And let each other, with much danger feele
The force of horned head, and armed heele.
But ere a second bout they can performe,
In comes the boystrous Bull, like winters storme,
And seuers them with such a violent push,
That they amazde, turne giddy with the rush.
But (nimble both and actiue they repay
The sturdie Bull, with all the speed they may.
The Hart with his broadhornes, doth make him reele
But the kinde Horse, vpholds him with his heele.
The Bull thanks neither, for the one did pearce
His hollow flanke, the other much more fearce,
Did breake a rib, and bruise his shoulder blade,
And taught him with lesse choller to inuade.
Yet th'ods is soone recouer'd with his horne,
Which hath the belly of the Courser torne.
And rent one weaker beame, from branched Hart,
As trees by thunder riuen, or clouen athwart.
The subtle Hart, then shuns those ruder blowes,
And tho'ds of handistrokes too dearely knowes
The Horse taught by his wounds, doth keepe aloofe,
And stands vpon defence, with hardned hoofe.
The Bull assaults them both with watchfull eye,
And seeks how he aduantages may spie.
The Horse and Hart vpon their guard do stand,
In doubt and iealousie, on either hand.
The Bull assaults the Hart, but he giues way,
And slips his furie with what slight he may.
Yet turnes not head, as fearefull cowards will,
But wefes aside, to tyre his foe with skill.
The Bull then strikes the Horse a deadly cuff,
But he requites him with a counterbuff.
The Hart strikes in betwixt, the Bull turnes rownd,
The Horse leaps right vp, doth coruet, and bownd;
So at one instant, fatally they meete;
The Bull his death meets from the Horses feet.
The Hart th'aduantage takes, the Horse aloft
Strikes his one horne into his belly soft,
Which there hangs fast; the Horse doth with his fall.
Breakes the Harts necke, this is the end of all
None hath the conquest, all of them are slaine.
Their deaths not doubted, long they there remaine,
Till that the King their Master, hauing neede
Of their attendance, goes his guard to feed,
For none might tend them else, least they acquainted
With others bribes, by treason should be tainted.
Being more swift, and apter for the race.
And let each other, with much danger feele
The force of horned head, and armed heele.
But ere a second bout they can performe,
In comes the boystrous Bull, like winters storme,
That they amazde, turne giddy with the rush.
But (nimble both and actiue they repay
The sturdie Bull, with all the speed they may.
The Hart with his broadhornes, doth make him reele
But the kinde Horse, vpholds him with his heele.
The Bull thanks neither, for the one did pearce
His hollow flanke, the other much more fearce,
Did breake a rib, and bruise his shoulder blade,
And taught him with lesse choller to inuade.
Yet th'ods is soone recouer'd with his horne,
Which hath the belly of the Courser torne.
And rent one weaker beame, from branched Hart,
As trees by thunder riuen, or clouen athwart.
The subtle Hart, then shuns those ruder blowes,
And tho'ds of handistrokes too dearely knowes
The Horse taught by his wounds, doth keepe aloofe,
And stands vpon defence, with hardned hoofe.
The Bull assaults them both with watchfull eye,
And seeks how he aduantages may spie.
The Horse and Hart vpon their guard do stand,
In doubt and iealousie, on either hand.
The Bull assaults the Hart, but he giues way,
And slips his furie with what slight he may.
Yet turnes not head, as fearefull cowards will,
But wefes aside, to tyre his foe with skill.
The Bull then strikes the Horse a deadly cuff,
But he requites him with a counterbuff.
The Hart strikes in betwixt, the Bull turnes rownd,
The Horse leaps right vp, doth coruet, and bownd;
So at one instant, fatally they meete;
The Bull his death meets from the Horses feet.
Strikes his one horne into his belly soft,
Which there hangs fast; the Horse doth with his fall.
Breakes the Harts necke, this is the end of all
None hath the conquest, all of them are slaine.
Their deaths not doubted, long they there remaine,
Till that the King their Master, hauing neede
Of their attendance, goes his guard to feed,
For none might tend them else, least they acquainted
With others bribes, by treason should be tainted.
So enters he the place, and there he spies
What doth affright him, all his comfort lies
Dead at his feet, then sadly going neere
Their carrion corpes, he doth a murmur heare,
As armed souldiers in a Citie sound,
Or fire in th'ayre, or wind within the ground.
And doubting the successe, three seuerall swarmes
He sees prepar'd for fight, and vp in armes.
Bees from the Bull, Waspes from the Horse do start,
And Hornets from the melancholly Hart.
What doth affright him, all his comfort lies
Dead at his feet, then sadly going neere
Their carrion corpes, he doth a murmur heare,
As armed souldiers in a Citie sound,
Or fire in th'ayre, or wind within the ground.
And doubting the successe, three seuerall swarmes
He sees prepar'd for fight, and vp in armes.
Bees from the Bull, Waspes from the Horse do start,
And Hornets from the melancholly Hart.
He motions peace, and hopes to part the fray,
They send three souldiers, who sends him away.
For each of them doth fix his venomd sting,
Within the flesh of the amazed King.
He flies with speed from thence, they fight it out;
The conquest all expect, all feare and doubt.
But what befell I know not; this I know,
The King cride out aloud. The euils that grow
From pride, ambition, and excesse of grace,
“Like thanklesse curs, flie in their masters face.
“Beasts will be beasts, doe bounty what it can,
“Tis cast away, thats giuen to worthlesse man.
They send three souldiers, who sends him away.
For each of them doth fix his venomd sting,
Within the flesh of the amazed King.
He flies with speed from thence, they fight it out;
The conquest all expect, all feare and doubt.
But what befell I know not; this I know,
The King cride out aloud. The euils that grow
From pride, ambition, and excesse of grace,
“Like thanklesse curs, flie in their masters face.
“Beasts will be beasts, doe bounty what it can,
“Tis cast away, thats giuen to worthlesse man.
O Princes banish faction from the Court,
It sowres all actions, leauens euery sport.
And at the last, when it should sweetly close,
From one false friend riseth a thousand foes.
It sowres all actions, leauens euery sport.
And at the last, when it should sweetly close,
From one false friend riseth a thousand foes.
FINIS.
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