Divine poems :: :: University of Virginia Library

So said; the Ninivites beleev'd the Word,
Beleeved Jonas, and beleev'd the Lord;
They made no pause, nor jested at the newes,
Nor slighted it, because it was a Iew's

Denouncement: No, nor did their gazing eyes
(As taken captive with such novelties)
Admire the strangers garb, so quaint to theirs,
No idle chat possest their itching eares,
The whil'st he spake: nor were their tongues on fier
To raile upon, or interrupt the Cryer,
Nor did they question whether true the message,
Or false the Prophet were, that broght th'embassage
But they gave faith to what he said; relented,
And (changing their mis-wandred wayes) reptented;
Before the searching Ayre could coole his word,
Their hearts returned, and beleev'd the Lord;
And they, whose dainty lips were cloy'd while ere
With cates, and viands, with wanton cheare,
Doe now enjoyne their palats not to tast
The offall bread, (for they proclaim'd a Fast)
And they, whose looser bodies once did lye
Wrapt up in Robes, and Silkes of Princely Dye,
Loe now, in stead of Robes, in rags they mourne,
And all their Silkes doe into Sack-cloth turne,
They read themselves sad Lectures on the ground,
Learning to want, as well as to abound;
The Prince was not exempted, nor the Peere,
Nor yet the richest, nor the poorest there;
The old man was not freed, (whose hoary age
Had ev'n almost outworne his Pilgrimage;)
Nor yet the yong, whose Glasse (but new begun)
By course of Nature had an age to runne:

For when that fatall Word came to the King,
(Convay'd with speed upon the nimble wing
Of flitting Fame) he straight dismounts his Throne,
Forsakes his Chaire of State he sate upon,
Disrob'd his body, and his head discrown'd
In dust and ashes grov'ling on the ground,

And when he rear'd his trembling corps againe,
(His haire all filthy with the dust he laie in)
He clad in pensive Sackcloth, did depose
Himselfe from State Imperiall, and chose
To live a Vassall, or a baser thing,
Then to usurpe the Scepter of a King:
(Respectlesse of his pompe) he quite forgate
He was a Monarch mindlesse of his State,
He neither sought to rule, or be obay'd,
Nor with the sword, nor with the Scepter sway'd.