Du Bartas His Divine Weekes And Workes with A Compleate Collectio[n] of all the other most delight-full Workes: Translated and written by yt famous Philomusus: Iosvah Sylvester |
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 | Du Bartas |  |
849
PANARETVS.
Yeares timely Turns, vnto a Lustre run,
Brought forth at last the long-long wished Sun,
Whereon our Hopes our iust Desires pursewd,
To see our Princeling with a Name indewd
(Which, Since Wee saw, or heard that happy sound,
Saturn's slowe Teem had trotted twice the Round)
When, lo, Th'Etern All-Maker's Maiestie,
Quick-darting down his All-discerning Eye,
Whereby his Goodness all his Works doth guide;
And seeing prest the sacred Pomp and Pride
(As in so solemne Mysteries is wont)
T'adorn the Altars and the hallowed Font;
In th'instant summons with a gracious beck
Nine nimble Scouts, which scudding light and quick,
Dispatch more speedy then a Thought the things
Aboue inoynd them by the King of Kings,
Who, with a mildly-most-maiestick gest,
In heavenly words, his pleasure thus exprest:
Brought forth at last the long-long wished Sun,
Whereon our Hopes our iust Desires pursewd,
To see our Princeling with a Name indewd
(Which, Since Wee saw, or heard that happy sound,
Saturn's slowe Teem had trotted twice the Round)
When, lo, Th'Etern All-Maker's Maiestie,
Quick-darting down his All-discerning Eye,
Whereby his Goodness all his Works doth guide;
And seeing prest the sacred Pomp and Pride
(As in so solemne Mysteries is wont)
T'adorn the Altars and the hallowed Font;
In th'instant summons with a gracious beck
Nine nimble Scouts, which scudding light and quick,
Dispatch more speedy then a Thought the things
Aboue inoynd them by the King of Kings,
Who, with a mildly-most-maiestick gest,
In heavenly words, his pleasure thus exprest:
The young French
Dolphin is euen ready Now
To take the Name my fore-Decrees allow:
A frequent Name of Kings, and famous farre;
Wonders in Peace, Thunders in dreadfull Warre;
And, One of them, more excellent in Grace,
Among my Saincts hath iustly held a place.
But yet, besides that Name, which France affects
For one Man's vertue, and for due Respects;
Besides that Name, which onely Men have given,
I'll giue him one my Self, as sent from Heaven;
And such a one, as one-day, by Events
Shall proue it a true Præsage of that Prince;
And, in One Word, mysteriously contracts
The Historie of His succeeding Acts.
To take the Name my fore-Decrees allow:
A frequent Name of Kings, and famous farre;
Wonders in Peace, Thunders in dreadfull Warre;
And, One of them, more excellent in Grace,
Among my Saincts hath iustly held a place.
But yet, besides that Name, which France affects
For one Man's vertue, and for due Respects;
Besides that Name, which onely Men have given,
I'll giue him one my Self, as sent from Heaven;
And such a one, as one-day, by Events
Shall proue it a true Præsage of that Prince;
And, in One Word, mysteriously contracts
The Historie of His succeeding Acts.
Go therefore, quickly from all Quarters cite
The rarest Vertues, and most requisite
For Royall bosomes, that did ever rest
Within the Closet of a Kingly brest.
Tell them, it is Our pleasure and Decree,
That to This Prince they All God-mothers bee:
And Shee among them that is found most fit,
And best behoues in Crowned soules to sit,
Shall at the Font, her sacred Name impose;
And from thence-forth inspire him, as he growes,
With all her Powers, to correspond the scope
And full Extent of that great Empires Hope,
Whose Limits yet vnlimited appear,
Where Sire and Son to me are equall dear.
The rarest Vertues, and most requisite
For Royall bosomes, that did ever rest
Within the Closet of a Kingly brest.
850
That to This Prince they All God-mothers bee:
And Shee among them that is found most fit,
And best behoues in Crowned soules to sit,
Shall at the Font, her sacred Name impose;
And from thence-forth inspire him, as he growes,
With all her Powers, to correspond the scope
And full Extent of that great Empires Hope,
Whose Limits yet vnlimited appear,
Where Sire and Son to me are equall dear.
I see th'Ægean streams, and Thracian strand,
Already trembling vnder his Command:
And th'horned Crescent (which hath scornd to vale)
Before the Beams of This new Sun growes pale.
Already trembling vnder his Command:
And th'horned Crescent (which hath scornd to vale)
Before the Beams of This new Sun growes pale.
To greatest Ships (as Guides of all the Fleet)
The cunning'st Pilots evermore are meet:
Mine, most Immediate, seems the soverain care
Of Soverain Kings (who but My Subiect are);
And therefore, I, that haue behight This Lad
An ampler Rule then ever Monarch had,
As, of the World to make him Emperour,
I'll haue his Vertues equall to his Power:
I'll make them so: and to approue it, all
The Earths foure Corners I to witness call.
The cunning'st Pilots evermore are meet:
Mine, most Immediate, seems the soverain care
Of Soverain Kings (who but My Subiect are);
And therefore, I, that haue behight This Lad
An ampler Rule then ever Monarch had,
As, of the World to make him Emperour,
I'll haue his Vertues equall to his Power:
I'll make them so: and to approue it, all
The Earths foure Corners I to witness call.
This publisht thus: eft-soons the winged Posts
Addresse them quick to these inferiour Coasts:
And (swift as Arrow) hee that took to finde
Faire Andria, or great and goodly minde,
Among the many Idols of our Dayes
That counterfeit her fashion and her phraze,
Spy'd her at last, for her heer slight account,
Ready to leaue vs, and aboue to mount
A winged horse, in hope else-where to get
A new Renowne, 'mid stranger Nations yet.
Addresse them quick to these inferiour Coasts:
And (swift as Arrow) hee that took to finde
Faire Andria, or great and goodly minde,
Among the many Idols of our Dayes
That counterfeit her fashion and her phraze,
Spy'd her at last, for her heer slight account,
Ready to leaue vs, and aboue to mount
A winged horse, in hope else-where to get
A new Renowne, 'mid stranger Nations yet.
Her Helmet (ever as her head she stirs)
Seemed to twinkle with a thousand Stars:
A stately groue of azure Plumes did wave,
And proudly shadowed her gilt Armour brave:
The bright keen Blade that by her side she wore,
Inur'd to blood in Battails long before,
As it were, weary of that rusting rest,
And greedy longing for his wonted feast,
Seem'd malcontent, and his proud Sheath disdaind
(The golden Prison that him still detaind)
Whereon were grav'n (with Arts Art-passing strife)
By such a hand as could giue Metall life,
The noblest feats of Valour (most extold)
In later Times, and in the Dayes of old,
Of greatest Monarchs that yet ever were,
Whose marks the World (vnto this day) doth beare.
Seemed to twinkle with a thousand Stars:
A stately groue of azure Plumes did wave,
And proudly shadowed her gilt Armour brave:
The bright keen Blade that by her side she wore,
Inur'd to blood in Battails long before,
As it were, weary of that rusting rest,
And greedy longing for his wonted feast,
Seem'd malcontent, and his proud Sheath disdaind
(The golden Prison that him still detaind)
Whereon were grav'n (with Arts Art-passing strife)
By such a hand as could giue Metall life,
The noblest feats of Valour (most extold)
In later Times, and in the Dayes of old,
851
Whose marks the World (vnto this day) doth beare.
There, by the Banks of Granic dy'd in graine
As then: no Banks, but rather Hils of Slaine)
Philips Great Son (in spite of multitude)
To his sole Scepter the whole World subdewd.
There, valiant Cæsar (Rome's first Emperour)
Quashing the Senats and the Peoples power,
And stooping all their Lawes to his Sword's Law,
Tramples the Tropheis of his Son in Law;
Who pale without, and all appall'd within,
Flyes from Pharsalia, and his Hoast, vnseen.
As then: no Banks, but rather Hils of Slaine)
Philips Great Son (in spite of multitude)
To his sole Scepter the whole World subdewd.
There, valiant Cæsar (Rome's first Emperour)
Quashing the Senats and the Peoples power,
And stooping all their Lawes to his Sword's Law,
Tramples the Tropheis of his Son in Law;
Who pale without, and all appall'd within,
Flyes from Pharsalia, and his Hoast, vnseen.
Why flyes Great Pompey? so (at once) to lose
Th'Honors so oft wonn from so many foes?
Because Thine fainted, must Thou faulter too?
O yes! with Cæsar thou hadst heer to doo.
There's thy Excuse: and though Thou lost the Game,
Thy Victor yet some-what abates Thy Shame.
Th'Honors so oft wonn from so many foes?
Because Thine fainted, must Thou faulter too?
O yes! with Cæsar thou hadst heer to doo.
There's thy Excuse: and though Thou lost the Game,
Thy Victor yet some-what abates Thy Shame.
There (on the Chape of massie gold, vnmixt
With other Metall plain or wrought, betwixt)
Our owne, Great Henry, smear'd with blood and dust,
Pursues th'Iberians with keen fauchin iust;
And iustly keening his courageous sp'rite
Against those daring Demi-Moors despite,
Beats out of breath the bravest of their Troupe;
Who, bleak for fear, begin to faint and droupe:
The gold, there loose, seems even to fly and (more)
Looks pale in faces full of pride before.
But Hee (well marked by his wilk-white Plume)
With Kingly scorne, disdaigning th'odious fume
Of vulgar blood, in valiant fury runns
Vpon the proud Commanders Dukes and Donns,
Who (either proud of Port, or rich Attire)
Had by his hand a sudden death for hire.
Their royall Patterne all his Troops take-after,
And of the rest they make a glorious Slaughter:
Whence streams of gore that to their Center scud,
Met in a Ruby, make a Lake of Blood.
Such costly Sheath sheath'd in such workmanship
The sheen keen Blade on Valour's brawnie hip
Hung in an azure Scarf, all ouer-sow'n
With Crowned-Swords, and Scepters ouer-throw'n.)
A thousand other famous Battails, fought
At sundry times, with Cunning-cost were wrought
Within her Crimsin Bases, waving lowe
About her Calues, in Buskins white as snowe.
Shee seem'd like Pallas, 'gainst the Giants prest;
Or (on Mount Ida) against Mars addrest.
With other Metall plain or wrought, betwixt)
Our owne, Great Henry, smear'd with blood and dust,
Pursues th'Iberians with keen fauchin iust;
And iustly keening his courageous sp'rite
Against those daring Demi-Moors despite,
Beats out of breath the bravest of their Troupe;
Who, bleak for fear, begin to faint and droupe:
The gold, there loose, seems even to fly and (more)
Looks pale in faces full of pride before.
But Hee (well marked by his wilk-white Plume)
With Kingly scorne, disdaigning th'odious fume
Of vulgar blood, in valiant fury runns
Vpon the proud Commanders Dukes and Donns,
Who (either proud of Port, or rich Attire)
Had by his hand a sudden death for hire.
Their royall Patterne all his Troops take-after,
And of the rest they make a glorious Slaughter:
Whence streams of gore that to their Center scud,
Met in a Ruby, make a Lake of Blood.
Such costly Sheath sheath'd in such workmanship
The sheen keen Blade on Valour's brawnie hip
Hung in an azure Scarf, all ouer-sow'n
With Crowned-Swords, and Scepters ouer-throw'n.)
A thousand other famous Battails, fought
At sundry times, with Cunning-cost were wrought
Within her Crimsin Bases, waving lowe
About her Calues, in Buskins white as snowe.
Shee seem'd like Pallas, 'gainst the Giants prest;
Or (on Mount Ida) against Mars addrest.
852
At sudden sight of Heav'ns bright Messenger,
In mylder port she straight composed her;
And when He briefly to her heedfull thought
Had done the sacred Arrand that he brought,
And (by the way) had question'd her (beside)
Whither her Haste was bent, she thus replyde:
In mylder port she straight composed her;
And when He briefly to her heedfull thought
Had done the sacred Arrand that he brought,
And (by the way) had question'd her (beside)
Whither her Haste was bent, she thus replyde:
Cœlestiall Herald, While th'Heroick Prince,
Whose gentle Yoak his Celticks so contents,
Carv'd with his Sword a Statue to my Name,
To stand triumphant in the House of Fame,
Nothing could hold me from his steps, a-part;
My hand did guide his hand, my hart his hart:
Yea, I was with him, nay, within him, prest,
His spirit's familiar, and perpetuall guest.
But sithens Peace Him now hath quite disarm'd,
And keepeth Mars within her Temple charm'd;
I did giue way to my keen Swords Request,
(Which can no longer lie and rust in Rest)
And, while his heart, now all in loue with Peace,
Hath left His hand, for me, no business,
I meant to seek some other Strand for Stage
To act my Wonders, in Warres dreadfull rage;
That in brave Battails I againe might reap
The Palms He wonted on my head to heap.
Whose gentle Yoak his Celticks so contents,
Carv'd with his Sword a Statue to my Name,
To stand triumphant in the House of Fame,
Nothing could hold me from his steps, a-part;
My hand did guide his hand, my hart his hart:
Yea, I was with him, nay, within him, prest,
His spirit's familiar, and perpetuall guest.
But sithens Peace Him now hath quite disarm'd,
And keepeth Mars within her Temple charm'd;
I did giue way to my keen Swords Request,
(Which can no longer lie and rust in Rest)
And, while his heart, now all in loue with Peace,
Hath left His hand, for me, no business,
I meant to seek some other Strand for Stage
To act my Wonders, in Warres dreadfull rage;
That in brave Battails I againe might reap
The Palms He wonted on my head to heap.
For, with the sparkles of my glorious fire,
Th'incensed brests of Younglings to inspire,
I can no more finde in my heart; sith they
So rashly rush to cast themselues away,
So oft, for Trifles (bred of idle breath)
So madly run to an vntimely death;
So daily sacrifie their Life and Soule,
In some so foolish Quarrels, som so foule,
That, in the issue (fatall for the most)
The Victors self may rather blush then boast;
And such, as for such to vsurp the Sword
(Besides the Conquest's euen to be deplor'd)
Is nothing else but to profane the same,
And to blaspheme mine honor and my Name.
Th'incensed brests of Younglings to inspire,
I can no more finde in my heart; sith they
So rashly rush to cast themselues away,
So oft, for Trifles (bred of idle breath)
So madly run to an vntimely death;
So daily sacrifie their Life and Soule,
In some so foolish Quarrels, som so foule,
That, in the issue (fatall for the most)
The Victors self may rather blush then boast;
And such, as for such to vsurp the Sword
(Besides the Conquest's euen to be deplor'd)
Is nothing else but to profane the same,
And to blaspheme mine honor and my Name.
Not that I blame (where Blood and Nature bindes)
In point of Honor (Idol of brave mindes)
A Cavalier, so sensible of wrongs,
To hazard Life and all that him belongs;
Sith, voide of Honour, he is voide of sense,
That holdes not Life a deadly Pestilence.
But I would haue them rightly learne before
(Not, of a heart meer valiant and no more;
But, of a heart valiant at-once and wise)
Wherein that Point of precious Honour lyes,
For which, hee's happy that his Life shall lose;
And cursed hee that care-less it forgoes.
In point of Honor (Idol of brave mindes)
A Cavalier, so sensible of wrongs,
To hazard Life and all that him belongs;
Sith, voide of Honour, he is voide of sense,
That holdes not Life a deadly Pestilence.
But I would haue them rightly learne before
(Not, of a heart meer valiant and no more;
But, of a heart valiant at-once and wise)
Wherein that Point of precious Honour lyes,
853
And cursed hee that care-less it forgoes.
For, such a cup-fume over-flowes the brain
Of such whose Soules this Error entertain,
That One will ween his Honour interess't
To bear a Word, though spoken but in jest;
Who never thinks it tainted with a Ly,
Nor toucht with base and wilfull Perjury:
Nor with his Treason, when for som pretense
Hee hath betraid his Countrey or his Prince,
Or yeelded-vp som vn-distressed Place,
Or fled the first to save a Cowards case.
Of such whose Soules this Error entertain,
That One will ween his Honour interess't
To bear a Word, though spoken but in jest;
Who never thinks it tainted with a Ly,
Nor toucht with base and wilfull Perjury:
Nor with his Treason, when for som pretense
Hee hath betraid his Countrey or his Prince,
Or yeelded-vp som vn-distressed Place,
Or fled the first to save a Cowards case.
So th'Hypocrite, through Superstitious Error,
Thinks hee hath don som Sin of hainous horror,
When, by mis-heed, or by mis-hap, hee coms
Vn-hallow-washt, into the Sacred Rooms;
Yet, makes no Conscience, yet hath no Remorse
To have vndon, or don to death, by force
Of vn-just Doom, or fraud of Evidence,
A many poor and harm-less Innocents:
Nay, laughs at Widows and at Orphans tears,
By his deceit, dispoild of all was theirs.
Thinks hee hath don som Sin of hainous horror,
When, by mis-heed, or by mis-hap, hee coms
Vn-hallow-washt, into the Sacred Rooms;
Yet, makes no Conscience, yet hath no Remorse
To have vndon, or don to death, by force
Of vn-just Doom, or fraud of Evidence,
A many poor and harm-less Innocents:
Nay, laughs at Widows and at Orphans tears,
By his deceit, dispoild of all was theirs.
Those valiant Romans, Victors of all Lands,
They plaç't not Honour there where now it stands;
Nor thought it lay, in making of the Sword
Interpreter of every private word;
Nor stood vpon Puntillios, for Repute,
As now-adaies your Duellers pursue 't.
But from their Cradle, train'd in Rules more fit,
They neither knew th'abuse nor vse (as yet)
Of Chalenges, Appells, and Seconds-aid.
But, when the Lawes their Bridle loose had laid,
For Publike Glory 'gainst a Publike Foe,
There Honors point, there Valors proof to showe.
They plaç't not Honour there where now it stands;
Nor thought it lay, in making of the Sword
Interpreter of every private word;
Nor stood vpon Puntillios, for Repute,
As now-adaies your Duellers pursue 't.
But from their Cradle, train'd in Rules more fit,
They neither knew th'abuse nor vse (as yet)
Of Chalenges, Appells, and Seconds-aid.
But, when the Lawes their Bridle loose had laid,
For Publike Glory 'gainst a Publike Foe,
There Honors point, there Valors proof to showe.
But, when behoov'd, bravely and first to front
An Armies force, or bear their sudden Brunt;
Or, larded thick with darts, victorious, dy
Vpon a Breach, or on a Rampire high;
Or, leap alive into a yawning Hell,
To save their City from Infection fell;
Liv'd never Men that lesser feared death,
More-daring Valor never yet had breath.
Witnes (vnto this day) th'vndaunted harts
In Curtius, Decius, and Horatius Parts:
With many Worthies more, Immortaliz'd,
Which, for their Countries have Selves sacrifiz'd;
And whose brave deeds, whose honours, whose deserts,
Move more Despair then Envy in Mens harts:
For, dying so, Garlands and glorious Verse,
Not Cries and Tears, honour'd their happy Herse;
Their Flower of Fame shall never, never shed,
Because their Death, their Country profited:
Whereas the death which brings now brain-sick Youth
Vnto their Grave, deserves but Tears and Ruth;
Their Courage casts them even away, for nought;
Without Memoriall, save a Mournfull Thought,
Which, banning but the fury that inflam'd-them,
Honours enough, if that it have not blam'd-them.
An Armies force, or bear their sudden Brunt;
Or, larded thick with darts, victorious, dy
Vpon a Breach, or on a Rampire high;
Or, leap alive into a yawning Hell,
To save their City from Infection fell;
Liv'd never Men that lesser feared death,
More-daring Valor never yet had breath.
Witnes (vnto this day) th'vndaunted harts
In Curtius, Decius, and Horatius Parts:
With many Worthies more, Immortaliz'd,
Which, for their Countries have Selves sacrifiz'd;
And whose brave deeds, whose honours, whose deserts,
Move more Despair then Envy in Mens harts:
854
Not Cries and Tears, honour'd their happy Herse;
Their Flower of Fame shall never, never shed,
Because their Death, their Country profited:
Whereas the death which brings now brain-sick Youth
Vnto their Grave, deserves but Tears and Ruth;
Their Courage casts them even away, for nought;
Without Memoriall, save a Mournfull Thought,
Which, banning but the fury that inflam'd-them,
Honours enough, if that it have not blam'd-them.
O what a number of Courageous Knights,
Abortively, have in These Single Fights
Lost the fair Hope the World conceiv'd of them,
Have idlely frustred, of their Valours gem,
Their gratious Prince, who justly might expect,
Against his Foes, their forward Worths effect;
And, sacrilegious, to their Wrath have given
And heady Rage (whereby they have been driven)
The Sacrifice, which (with more sacred zeal)
They ought to God, their King, their Common-weal!
Abortively, have in These Single Fights
Lost the fair Hope the World conceiv'd of them,
Have idlely frustred, of their Valours gem,
Their gratious Prince, who justly might expect,
Against his Foes, their forward Worths effect;
And, sacrilegious, to their Wrath have given
And heady Rage (whereby they have been driven)
The Sacrifice, which (with more sacred zeal)
They ought to God, their King, their Common-weal!
Ynow to make (could they return from death,
Such as they were, when heer they lost their breath)
Not a sole Squadron, but an Hoast of Men
Whose Acts alone would furnish every Pen;
An Hoast of Hectors, and Achilleses,
Cæsars and Scipios, who, by Land and Seas,
Following Great Henry for their Generall,
Mought (if hee would) have made him Lord of ALL.
Where, now, they ly in an inglorious Toomb,
Longing for Light vntill the Day of Doom:
Or lower, in eternall Dungeons dwell,
With Ghosts and Shadows skirmishing in Hell.
This mischief therefore, springing day by day,
And spreading so, as nought his course can stay;
And seeing (too) mine Honour blurr'd with blame,
When these rash Mad-caps doo vsurp my Name;
To bee, from hence-forth, from the Rage exempt
Of such as turn my glory to contempt,
And thus deface my Vertues grace with Vice,
I hop't else-where some holier Exercise;
And rather would, hearts so intemperous
Should not enjoy mee, then imploy mee thus.
Such as they were, when heer they lost their breath)
Not a sole Squadron, but an Hoast of Men
Whose Acts alone would furnish every Pen;
An Hoast of Hectors, and Achilleses,
Cæsars and Scipios, who, by Land and Seas,
Following Great Henry for their Generall,
Mought (if hee would) have made him Lord of ALL.
Where, now, they ly in an inglorious Toomb,
Longing for Light vntill the Day of Doom:
Or lower, in eternall Dungeons dwell,
With Ghosts and Shadows skirmishing in Hell.
This mischief therefore, springing day by day,
And spreading so, as nought his course can stay;
And seeing (too) mine Honour blurr'd with blame,
When these rash Mad-caps doo vsurp my Name;
To bee, from hence-forth, from the Rage exempt
Of such as turn my glory to contempt,
And thus deface my Vertues grace with Vice,
I hop't else-where some holier Exercise;
And rather would, hearts so intemperous
Should not enjoy mee, then imploy mee thus.
Heer Andria ceast: The Angell, gracefully,
Humours her Anger with this milde Reply:
Certes, fair Nymph, your Plaint hath Right and Truth;
But yet, excuse the boiling heat of Youth;
Perhaps, 't is harder then you ween (precise)
To bee at-once a French-man, Yong, and Wise.
This Evill from This in-born Errour springs,
That a Brave Minde, when wrong'd in any things
Hee weens himself (if so hee Armes profess)
Must no-where seek, but in his Sword, redress:
And that an Eye, a No, a Nod, a Nick,
'S enough t'offend a Noble sense and quick.
Pernicious Error, which dooth vndermine
Both Martiall Thrones, and Civill, and Divine!
For, to no end the Publike Sword shall serve,
If every man may with his Private carve.
And then, in vain are Soverain Princes Lawes,
When Subjects dare Themselves decide their Cause.
Humours her Anger with this milde Reply:
Certes, fair Nymph, your Plaint hath Right and Truth;
But yet, excuse the boiling heat of Youth;
Perhaps, 't is harder then you ween (precise)
To bee at-once a French-man, Yong, and Wise.
855
That a Brave Minde, when wrong'd in any things
Hee weens himself (if so hee Armes profess)
Must no-where seek, but in his Sword, redress:
And that an Eye, a No, a Nod, a Nick,
'S enough t'offend a Noble sense and quick.
Pernicious Error, which dooth vndermine
Both Martiall Thrones, and Civill, and Divine!
For, to no end the Publike Sword shall serve,
If every man may with his Private carve.
And then, in vain are Soverain Princes Lawes,
When Subjects dare Themselves decide their Cause.
But I beleeve, This Madnes will no more
Præcipitate their courage, as before.
The curb of Law, which by their prudent Prince
Is now new made against This Insolence,
Will bar their bouldnes, and (directing mean
How (This dear Honour saved whole and clean)
A gallant Spirit, wrongd in any kinde,
May lawfully his Satisfaction finde)
Will binde their hands, and even glue-in their blades,
Till, when som Foe their Common Right invades,
In forward Zeal of their dear Countries good,
It shall bee honour (even) to dive in blood.
Præcipitate their courage, as before.
The curb of Law, which by their prudent Prince
Is now new made against This Insolence,
Will bar their bouldnes, and (directing mean
How (This dear Honour saved whole and clean)
A gallant Spirit, wrongd in any kinde,
May lawfully his Satisfaction finde)
Will binde their hands, and even glue-in their blades,
Till, when som Foe their Common Right invades,
In forward Zeal of their dear Countries good,
It shall bee honour (even) to dive in blood.
Disposed therefore to expect Amends,
Dispatch the Order which Heav'ns Monarch sends;
And goe not hence, where thou art so renown'd,
Till all the world bee but This Empires bound:
Were it for nothing but That Rising Sun,
Whereon all Eyes already have begun
(Both Friends and Foes) to fix their Hopes and Fears,
That brave Yong Prince, who from his cradle bears
Thine Image in his eyes, and in his arms,
Thine Exercise in every kinde of Arms.
Dispatch the Order which Heav'ns Monarch sends;
And goe not hence, where thou art so renown'd,
Till all the world bee but This Empires bound:
Were it for nothing but That Rising Sun,
Whereon all Eyes already have begun
(Both Friends and Foes) to fix their Hopes and Fears,
That brave Yong Prince, who from his cradle bears
Thine Image in his eyes, and in his arms,
Thine Exercise in every kinde of Arms.
Surely, said Andria, 't had been hard to finde
A stronger Charm heer to arrest my minde
Chiefly, heer living my Soules Sympathy,
His Father; rather, that same other I):
For, as in th'one I am a Miracle,
So will I bee a match-less Spectacle
In th'other too, when to his Ancient Right
His daring Sword shall make his Claim by Fight;
Whether his Armies royall-Front aspire
Those craggy Hills whose Name is tane from Fire;
Or tend vnto those fruitfull Plains which spred
Toward Böotes, and Hyperions Bed,
Whose Princes, in their Fables Antique-fram'd,
Counts among Kings, Kings among Counts are nam'd.
A stronger Charm heer to arrest my minde
Chiefly, heer living my Soules Sympathy,
His Father; rather, that same other I):
For, as in th'one I am a Miracle,
So will I bee a match-less Spectacle
In th'other too, when to his Ancient Right
His daring Sword shall make his Claim by Fight;
Whether his Armies royall-Front aspire
Those craggy Hills whose Name is tane from Fire;
Or tend vnto those fruitfull Plains which spred
Toward Böotes, and Hyperions Bed,
Whose Princes, in their Fables Antique-fram'd,
Counts among Kings, Kings among Counts are nam'd.
856
After these words, pronounç't with voice and gest,
As Oracles are wont to bee exprest,
Both took their flight through the thin crystall Air,
Towards the Place appointed for Repair
Of all the rest of Royall Vertues Band,
Which were convented by Heav'ns high Command.
As Oracles are wont to bee exprest,
Both took their flight through the thin crystall Air,
Towards the Place appointed for Repair
Of all the rest of Royall Vertues Band,
Which were convented by Heav'ns high Command.
Royall Eumenia was already come,
And simple-mannerd Pistia (thought by som
Long-since exiled from the World); and Shee
Who from afar doth all Events fore-see.
There was (apparant by illustrious things)
Fair Euergesia, Ornament of Kings,
And firm Hypomonè, with her Twin-sister
Carteria, and Shee whose Patrone and Assister
Are often shent, Alethia, little known
To mortall men (no, scarce among her owne)
With vails and cloaks they doo be-cloud her so,
Whose spotless Self should rather naked go.
In brief, of all the Vertues summon'd heer,
There wanted none but Dicea to appear,
And St. Eusebia, in her Shadowes hid,
That long it was yer Her the Angell spid.
And simple-mannerd Pistia (thought by som
Long-since exiled from the World); and Shee
Who from afar doth all Events fore-see.
There was (apparant by illustrious things)
Fair Euergesia, Ornament of Kings,
And firm Hypomonè, with her Twin-sister
Carteria, and Shee whose Patrone and Assister
Are often shent, Alethia, little known
To mortall men (no, scarce among her owne)
With vails and cloaks they doo be-cloud her so,
Whose spotless Self should rather naked go.
In brief, of all the Vertues summon'd heer,
There wanted none but Dicea to appear,
And St. Eusebia, in her Shadowes hid,
That long it was yer Her the Angell spid.
For, heer among vs a queint Idol haunts,
Whose simple habite, whose sad countenance,
Whose lowely look, whose language mildely-meek,
Whose zeal-like gestures, and whose postures like,
So counterfeit Her, with the Mask it makes,
That many times the wisest it mistakes.
Whose simple habite, whose sad countenance,
Whose lowely look, whose language mildely-meek,
Whose zeal-like gestures, and whose postures like,
So counterfeit Her, with the Mask it makes,
That many times the wisest it mistakes.
You'ld think, her heart had onely God for Ioy,
Her Exercise onely to fast and pray;
That shee abhors the World; and, lodg'd therein,
Lives as the Fish that out of water bin;
That burning Zeal of Heav'n consumes her so,
That all seems bitter that shee tastes belowe.
Yet all the while, This hollow Holy-Tricks
Doats but of Honours, dreams of Bishopricks,
Thirsts for Promotion, thrusts for Primacy,
Hunts glory still, yet seems it to defy,
Never does good but for som great applause,
Nor ever did good, for meer Goodnes cause.
Her Exercise onely to fast and pray;
That shee abhors the World; and, lodg'd therein,
Lives as the Fish that out of water bin;
That burning Zeal of Heav'n consumes her so,
That all seems bitter that shee tastes belowe.
Yet all the while, This hollow Holy-Tricks
Doats but of Honours, dreams of Bishopricks,
Thirsts for Promotion, thrusts for Primacy,
Hunts glory still, yet seems it to defy,
Never does good but for som great applause,
Nor ever did good, for meer Goodnes cause.
This Baen of Soules, and that same Foppery
(Of old) sirnamed Dysidaimonie,
Whose heart, deject with Terrors over-strong,
To fear God's Iustice, doth his Mercy wrong
(Right Servile Fear, with Errors foolifi'd)
Have driven Eusebia hence, else-where to bide;
Because th'one loves not, th'other mis-beloves
What best to fear, and least presume behoves.
(Of old) sirnamed Dysidaimonie,
Whose heart, deject with Terrors over-strong,
To fear God's Iustice, doth his Mercy wrong
(Right Servile Fear, with Errors foolifi'd)
Have driven Eusebia hence, else-where to bide;
Because th'one loves not, th'other mis-beloves
What best to fear, and least presume behoves.
857
The Angell therefore ferrets every nook,
And narrowly her wonted haunts doth look,
In every Cloister, and in every Cell,
Where Folk beleev'd that Shee did ever dwell:
Yet nothing findes hee of her, any-where,
Save som old track or footing heer and there;
No, though hee visite the austerities
Of famous Abbeies and fair Nunneries:
But, in Her stead, hee meeteth evermore
One of These Hags in every Covent Door,
Drest in a habite of so humble showe,
That hard it was the difference to knowe.
And narrowly her wonted haunts doth look,
In every Cloister, and in every Cell,
Where Folk beleev'd that Shee did ever dwell:
Yet nothing findes hee of her, any-where,
Save som old track or footing heer and there;
No, though hee visite the austerities
Of famous Abbeies and fair Nunneries:
But, in Her stead, hee meeteth evermore
One of These Hags in every Covent Door,
Drest in a habite of so humble showe,
That hard it was the difference to knowe.
Yet, at the last, prying on every side,
Her (as conceal'd) in a by-place hee spi'd,
Where, with incessant tears, shee staid to rew
And to bewail our Errours old and new;
Amid an humble Troop, whom like Desire
To loath the World, and from it to retire,
Had made preferre a poor and mean estate,
Yea Want it self, in place so separate,
Before the Wealth, the Honours and Delights,
Wherewith the World inveigles, as invites:
As choosing rather heer to lose all These,
Then lose thereby their Soules eternall Ease.
Her (as conceal'd) in a by-place hee spi'd,
Where, with incessant tears, shee staid to rew
And to bewail our Errours old and new;
Amid an humble Troop, whom like Desire
To loath the World, and from it to retire,
Had made preferre a poor and mean estate,
Yea Want it self, in place so separate,
Before the Wealth, the Honours and Delights,
Wherewith the World inveigles, as invites:
As choosing rather heer to lose all These,
Then lose thereby their Soules eternall Ease.
In this sequestred place, prostrate in Praier
(Best Antidote 'gainst Hopes pride and Despair;
The Two grand Poisons of Soules Faculties)
The Angell found Eusebia on her knees.
Their Talk was short, the Time importun'd so:
In brief therefore hee doth his Message showe,
Acquaints her quickly Whence, and Why he came.
Then She eftsoones consenting to the same,
Away they post in a swift Aierie Coach
Towards the place where all the rest approach,
The generall Rendez-vous for all This Act:
Where yet (alas!) the Ladie Dicea lackt.
(Best Antidote 'gainst Hopes pride and Despair;
The Two grand Poisons of Soules Faculties)
The Angell found Eusebia on her knees.
Their Talk was short, the Time importun'd so:
In brief therefore hee doth his Message showe,
Acquaints her quickly Whence, and Why he came.
Then She eftsoones consenting to the same,
Away they post in a swift Aierie Coach
Towards the place where all the rest approach,
The generall Rendez-vous for all This Act:
Where yet (alas!) the Ladie Dicea lackt.
For, th'Angell, tasked to goe seek her forth,
Sees her no more conuersing on the Earth,
Nor findes her sitting (as she wont of-old)
On Princes Thrones, and Prelats, vncontrould;
Nor among Magistrates, which are the Tongue
And Life of Lawe, t'interpret Right and Wrong.
Where-at amazed, and desiring more
To sound what reason Men could yield therefore,
Assumes a Bodie, bearing in his hands
A bagg of Writings and seem-Deeds for Lands:
Comes to a Hall, all full of Murmuring
Of people pricked with the angrie sting
Of fel Eridea, who her Venome sheds
Euen into Boores and Paisants harts and heads,
By Her keen furie (as with Brizes) stung;
And by Merimne and Dapania wrung:
Sees her no more conuersing on the Earth,
Nor findes her sitting (as she wont of-old)
On Princes Thrones, and Prelats, vncontrould;
Nor among Magistrates, which are the Tongue
And Life of Lawe, t'interpret Right and Wrong.
Where-at amazed, and desiring more
To sound what reason Men could yield therefore,
Assumes a Bodie, bearing in his hands
A bagg of Writings and seem-Deeds for Lands:
Comes to a Hall, all full of Murmuring
Of people pricked with the angrie sting
858
Euen into Boores and Paisants harts and heads,
By Her keen furie (as with Brizes) stung;
And by Merimne and Dapania wrung:
In This great Hall, vnknow'n vnto Repose,
Stalks that stern Furie, either among those
Of her owne Frye, or 'mong the wretched Crew
Whom Her hard Gripes had made (in vain) to rew.
A Rank of Seats, each vnto other fixt,
And euery-one a sundrie Name affixt,
Bordred the VValls, smoakie with age, and foule;
Perches of manie plumie-pownced Fowle,
Whose nimble Quills haue learnd to flye for that
Rich Minerall, which makes men peace and prate.
There was no Order: a lowd-buzzing Presse
With whirling Eddies hurry'd without cease,
Full of all Sorts; of Priests, of Gentlemen,
Merchants, Mechaniks, Grooms and Husbandmen:
Each iustled other, crowding to and fro,
As heer and there the stream did ebb and flowe.
Stalks that stern Furie, either among those
Of her owne Frye, or 'mong the wretched Crew
Whom Her hard Gripes had made (in vain) to rew.
A Rank of Seats, each vnto other fixt,
And euery-one a sundrie Name affixt,
Bordred the VValls, smoakie with age, and foule;
Perches of manie plumie-pownced Fowle,
Whose nimble Quills haue learnd to flye for that
Rich Minerall, which makes men peace and prate.
There was no Order: a lowd-buzzing Presse
With whirling Eddies hurry'd without cease,
Full of all Sorts; of Priests, of Gentlemen,
Merchants, Mechaniks, Grooms and Husbandmen:
Each iustled other, crowding to and fro,
As heer and there the stream did ebb and flowe.
This yauld, that brauld, another beat the Barr;
One woo'd the Iudge, another vrg'd him farr;
This proues Default, That pleads a Warrantie;
This auoides Witnes; That, appeals more high;
Another, fleering dooth his Aduerse flowte.
With Rod in hand the Vshers trudge about:
A world of Lawyers swarm'd; yet some had leasure
(As least imploy'd) the Places length to measure.
All boyld with Discords; one no sooner don,
But instantly another New begun;
With such a Noise as soundeth neer the Shoare
When towards a Storm, the Sea beginns to roare.
One woo'd the Iudge, another vrg'd him farr;
This proues Default, That pleads a Warrantie;
This auoides Witnes; That, appeals more high;
Another, fleering dooth his Aduerse flowte.
With Rod in hand the Vshers trudge about:
A world of Lawyers swarm'd; yet some had leasure
(As least imploy'd) the Places length to measure.
All boyld with Discords; one no sooner don,
But instantly another New begun;
With such a Noise as soundeth neer the Shoare
When towards a Storm, the Sea beginns to roare.
Hard-by this Ocean, which Night onlie stilld,
Appeerd an Old-man (as one deeplie illd,
And inly galled for some grieuous Losse)
With eyes lift-vp, pale cheeks, and armes acrosse;
Whom th'Angell spying, towards him he speeds:
And (seeming Mortall by his Shape and weeds)
Good Father, sayd hee (so to sound his minde)
Where might I (think you) Lady Dicea finde,
Whom I haue sought alredy far and neer,
And surely thought now to haue found her heer?
Appeerd an Old-man (as one deeplie illd,
And inly galled for some grieuous Losse)
With eyes lift-vp, pale cheeks, and armes acrosse;
Whom th'Angell spying, towards him he speeds:
And (seeming Mortall by his Shape and weeds)
Good Father, sayd hee (so to sound his minde)
Where might I (think you) Lady Dicea finde,
Whom I haue sought alredy far and neer,
And surely thought now to haue found her heer?
Dicea, my sonne, said the Old-man (well-nigh
Gushing out Teares which stood in either eye;
And sending forth a deep-fet Sigh, before)
Dicea, alas! is in the VVorld no more.
That Fire which only Death hath power to quench,
That fel Desire no Deluge else can stanch;
The burning Thirst of Worldly Goods and Gold,
And all Sinns, taught to warre against her, bold,
Haue forç't her to forsake this wretched Frame,
And fly again to Heauen whence first she came.
Or, if in Earth she yet have anie Stance,
'Tis with the Cinois, Turkes, or Scythians:
But in This Climat hardlie dooth appeer
Anie small signe, to showe she hath bin heer.
Cruell Adicea in her Roome is sett:
Hate, Fauour, Fraude, and Madame Counterfait
(Out of all Courts hunting all Conscience quight)
Make of Right Crooked, and of Crooked Right.
Art and Deceipt keep there their open Schooles:
Reason and Lawe are but the phraze of Fooles.
For, Law and Reason are now waigh'd (by Sleight)
In golden Scales; where, only Gold is waight.
Gushing out Teares which stood in either eye;
And sending forth a deep-fet Sigh, before)
Dicea, alas! is in the VVorld no more.
That Fire which only Death hath power to quench,
That fel Desire no Deluge else can stanch;
859
And all Sinns, taught to warre against her, bold,
Haue forç't her to forsake this wretched Frame,
And fly again to Heauen whence first she came.
Or, if in Earth she yet have anie Stance,
'Tis with the Cinois, Turkes, or Scythians:
But in This Climat hardlie dooth appeer
Anie small signe, to showe she hath bin heer.
Cruell Adicea in her Roome is sett:
Hate, Fauour, Fraude, and Madame Counterfait
(Out of all Courts hunting all Conscience quight)
Make of Right Crooked, and of Crooked Right.
Art and Deceipt keep there their open Schooles:
Reason and Lawe are but the phraze of Fooles.
For, Law and Reason are now waigh'd (by Sleight)
In golden Scales; where, only Gold is waight.
Thus, the Old-man proceeding still complaind;
Till th'Angell, thus his Blasphemies restraind:
Alas! good Father, your fresh Grief (I see)
For some great Suite, late lost vnhappily,
From your sad lipps this bitter language drawes;
Excusable (perhaps) for your Grief's Cause:
But th'eye of Passion ill discernes the truth.
Till th'Angell, thus his Blasphemies restraind:
Alas! good Father, your fresh Grief (I see)
For some great Suite, late lost vnhappily,
From your sad lipps this bitter language drawes;
Excusable (perhaps) for your Grief's Cause:
But th'eye of Passion ill discernes the truth.
This hauing spoken; the Celestiall youth
Turns to another, lesse disturb'd in minde;
And likewise askes, Where he might Dicea finde.
Hee, more discreet, and milder-spoken, farr,
Replyes: My Sonne, sure verie few there are
(Yea of the wisest, who best vnderstand)
That easily can answer thy demand.
For One perhaps will think her to be there;
Whereas, another (seeming wrongd) will swear
By Heau'n, and all that in it Heau'n containes,
That not a spark nor mark of her remaines:
Each holding her, present or absent, still
As his owne Cause hath thryued well or ill.
But I'll assure thee (and past all Appeal)
That in this Place shee dooth not alwayes dwell.
Sometimes shee comes, and brings for Companie,
Honor, and Faith, and old Integritie:
But the strange Tricks of a bold babbling Dame
Call'd Quiddi-quirk, as barbarous as her Name,
Molest her so, that soon they driue her hence;
For, Both at-once haue no-where Residence:
And Plutus too, her many-times dismaies;
With that sweet Power whereby the world he swaies,
Causing her oft return with heauie cheer:
And that's the Cause she stayes so seldom heer.
Turns to another, lesse disturb'd in minde;
And likewise askes, Where he might Dicea finde.
Hee, more discreet, and milder-spoken, farr,
Replyes: My Sonne, sure verie few there are
(Yea of the wisest, who best vnderstand)
That easily can answer thy demand.
For One perhaps will think her to be there;
Whereas, another (seeming wrongd) will swear
By Heau'n, and all that in it Heau'n containes,
That not a spark nor mark of her remaines:
Each holding her, present or absent, still
As his owne Cause hath thryued well or ill.
But I'll assure thee (and past all Appeal)
That in this Place shee dooth not alwayes dwell.
Sometimes shee comes, and brings for Companie,
Honor, and Faith, and old Integritie:
But the strange Tricks of a bold babbling Dame
Call'd Quiddi-quirk, as barbarous as her Name,
Molest her so, that soon they driue her hence;
For, Both at-once haue no-where Residence:
And Plutus too, her many-times dismaies;
With that sweet Power whereby the world he swaies,
Causing her oft return with heauie cheer:
And that's the Cause she stayes so seldom heer.
860
Oft haue I seen her on the souverain Seat
In that high Senate, whose Edicts compleat
Sway all the Kingdome; and (if anie-where)
I sure belieue, you yet shall find her There,
If those Abuses whose bold Tyrannie
From other Thrones hath driuen her openly,
Haue not crept-in by some close Golden Port:
But, far bee That from such a reuerend Court.
In that high Senate, whose Edicts compleat
Sway all the Kingdome; and (if anie-where)
I sure belieue, you yet shall find her There,
If those Abuses whose bold Tyrannie
From other Thrones hath driuen her openly,
Haue not crept-in by some close Golden Port:
But, far bee That from such a reuerend Court.
Heer ceased Hee: and instantly, withall
Losing his sight, the Angell leaues the Hall;
His aierie Bodie to the Aier repayes.
And while he takes to other Courts his wayes,
Hee happily the wished Lady meets:
Who, inly ioyd (which outward gesture sweets)
Because in Iudgement shee had ouerthrow'n
Wrongs proud Support, and giuen poor Right his own,
Came from deciding of a Cause of waight,
Before the Peers and Councel of Estate.
Losing his sight, the Angell leaues the Hall;
His aierie Bodie to the Aier repayes.
And while he takes to other Courts his wayes,
Hee happily the wished Lady meets:
Who, inly ioyd (which outward gesture sweets)
Because in Iudgement shee had ouerthrow'n
Wrongs proud Support, and giuen poor Right his own,
Came from deciding of a Cause of waight,
Before the Peers and Councel of Estate.
But, her Content was doubled when she heard
Heav'ns sacred will (as th'Angell had auerrd)
And His high pleasure (whose Omnipotence
The Heav'ns adore) for Surname of the Prince:
With him therefore Her speedie she directs
Towards the Troupe which only her expects.
Heav'ns sacred will (as th'Angell had auerrd)
And His high pleasure (whose Omnipotence
The Heav'ns adore) for Surname of the Prince:
With him therefore Her speedie she directs
Towards the Troupe which only her expects.
Now all these Nymphs assembled seemed prest
(All diversly with Ioy and Hope possest)
To take their Flight to that King-fauourd Place
Where (pre-ordained for this VVork of grace)
They should impose the Royall Infants Name,
The Worlds main Hope (as most conceiue the same)
When soudainly there did among them breed
A noble strife, which stayd their forward speed;
Though great desire to see the radiance
Of that young Sunne which should enlighten France,
Hasted their haste: and though on euerie side
As well the sacred Pomp as ciuill Pride,
The King himselfe, Princes and Princely Dames
Glittring in gold, sparkling in pretious Flames,
And all the Court adornd in-rich Array,
Seem as offended at the least Delay.
(All diversly with Ioy and Hope possest)
To take their Flight to that King-fauourd Place
Where (pre-ordained for this VVork of grace)
They should impose the Royall Infants Name,
The Worlds main Hope (as most conceiue the same)
When soudainly there did among them breed
A noble strife, which stayd their forward speed;
Though great desire to see the radiance
Of that young Sunne which should enlighten France,
Hasted their haste: and though on euerie side
As well the sacred Pomp as ciuill Pride,
The King himselfe, Princes and Princely Dames
Glittring in gold, sparkling in pretious Flames,
And all the Court adornd in-rich Array,
Seem as offended at the least Delay.
But yet, because Heauens Monarch had decreed,
That of the Vertues Shee which should exceed,
As most conducing to Kings happie state,
Should with her Name this Princeling nominate;
When one of those high Heralds vrg'd them on,
Among themselues This to consult vpon,
Consult? said Andria: Why consult about
A Point, whereof (I think) was neuer doubt?
Mine, Mine's this Honour: for, among vs all,
Who more adorns a Kings Memoriall,
Or better keeps a Sceptres Majesty
At his full Height in Royall hands, then I?
I fill his Name with Glory and Renown:
I make him fear'd abroad of every Crown:
I, with the terror of his Arms, deterr
Ambitious Tyrants that they dare not stir
Offensive War against Himself or His,
How ever spurd by Spite or Avarice;
His famous Valour gaining This, for Meed,
That at the last hee seems it not to need:
Vnlesse hee list his Conquests to extend
Throughout the World; then is it I that bend
The proudest Mountains vnder his Command,
The strongest Holds I render to his hand:
I fill with fear, I chill with trembling Ice,
The boldest hearts of oldest Companies
That dare resist his quick and thick Alarms,
With th'onely lustre of his glittering Arms.
I often onely with his Trumpets sound
(Without a stroak) his Enemies confound;
And, dreadfull, make the most redoubted heer
Think it no shame to flee his fierce Career,
As if (no Steel, of proof to ward his blowes)
'T were Rashnes more then Valour to oppose.
That of the Vertues Shee which should exceed,
As most conducing to Kings happie state,
Should with her Name this Princeling nominate;
When one of those high Heralds vrg'd them on,
Among themselues This to consult vpon,
Consult? said Andria: Why consult about
A Point, whereof (I think) was neuer doubt?
861
Who more adorns a Kings Memoriall,
Or better keeps a Sceptres Majesty
At his full Height in Royall hands, then I?
I fill his Name with Glory and Renown:
I make him fear'd abroad of every Crown:
I, with the terror of his Arms, deterr
Ambitious Tyrants that they dare not stir
Offensive War against Himself or His,
How ever spurd by Spite or Avarice;
His famous Valour gaining This, for Meed,
That at the last hee seems it not to need:
Vnlesse hee list his Conquests to extend
Throughout the World; then is it I that bend
The proudest Mountains vnder his Command,
The strongest Holds I render to his hand:
I fill with fear, I chill with trembling Ice,
The boldest hearts of oldest Companies
That dare resist his quick and thick Alarms,
With th'onely lustre of his glittering Arms.
I often onely with his Trumpets sound
(Without a stroak) his Enemies confound;
And, dreadfull, make the most redoubted heer
Think it no shame to flee his fierce Career,
As if (no Steel, of proof to ward his blowes)
'T were Rashnes more then Valour to oppose.
Such were of-old those hardy Heroes found,
For Prowess, Then for Demi-gods renown'd:
Such, Hee whose shoulders shor'd Olympus walls:
Such, Hee who conquer'd th'Empire of the Gaules:
Such, that Great Macedon: and such (again)
Those famous Paladines, whose Fables vain
(Yet vse-full Tales) th'old Romants fain so fit,
That even they seem by Morpheus fingers writ.
But what they had Ideally from Art,
That Really I to a Prince impart.
For Prowess, Then for Demi-gods renown'd:
Such, Hee whose shoulders shor'd Olympus walls:
Such, Hee who conquer'd th'Empire of the Gaules:
Such, that Great Macedon: and such (again)
Those famous Paladines, whose Fables vain
(Yet vse-full Tales) th'old Romants fain so fit,
That even they seem by Morpheus fingers writ.
But what they had Ideally from Art,
That Really I to a Prince impart.
Who knowes not, that I, onely vs'd in Field,
Serve all the Vertues both for Sword and Shield?
Your Selves indeed seem to agnize no less,
Although in words you shame it to confess.
For, when the fury of Wars dreadfull Stowrs
Begins to thunder neer Your dainty Bowrs,
All pale for Fear, all trembling, all dismaid,
To Mee yee flee, to Mee yee cry for Aid;
Vnder my wings yee creep to keep you sure:
Where (and but there) you think your selves secure.
Serve all the Vertues both for Sword and Shield?
Your Selves indeed seem to agnize no less,
Although in words you shame it to confess.
For, when the fury of Wars dreadfull Stowrs
Begins to thunder neer Your dainty Bowrs,
All pale for Fear, all trembling, all dismaid,
To Mee yee flee, to Mee yee cry for Aid;
Vnder my wings yee creep to keep you sure:
Where (and but there) you think your selves secure.
And, rather I, then Any (who expose
My Self alone against the Hail of Blowes)
Begin Estates, beget, and bring them forth,
And plant (in blood) the Empires of the Earth.
My Self alone against the Hail of Blowes)
862
And plant (in blood) the Empires of the Earth.
Th'admired height of Romes great Scepter yerst
(As that of Greece) was but My work, at first;
And that same Other famous, glorious Throne,
Whose Greatnes, Yet, doth in its Cinders grone.
For, though by War, with Fire and Sword, I waste
What Heav'ns Decree hath doom'd to bee defaç't;
Even while I raze, I raise; and, of the Rubble
Of petty States, I build One hundred double:
As horrid Dragons growe so hugely great
Of many Serpents that alive they eat.
(As that of Greece) was but My work, at first;
And that same Other famous, glorious Throne,
Whose Greatnes, Yet, doth in its Cinders grone.
For, though by War, with Fire and Sword, I waste
What Heav'ns Decree hath doom'd to bee defaç't;
Even while I raze, I raise; and, of the Rubble
Of petty States, I build One hundred double:
As horrid Dragons growe so hugely great
Of many Serpents that alive they eat.
You are indeed extold (and worthily)
For knowing well, to vse a Victory:
But, without Mee, You can have none to vse;
Without Mee then, your Knowledge nought accrues.
Therefore, your Honour's less; at least, 't is such
As (at the best) on Mine dependeth much.
For knowing well, to vse a Victory:
But, without Mee, You can have none to vse;
Without Mee then, your Knowledge nought accrues.
Therefore, your Honour's less; at least, 't is such
As (at the best) on Mine dependeth much.
In brief, in all the sacred Works wee doo,
Our Merit's diverse, and our Honour too:
You rule the humble, I the proudest tame:
You adorn Kingdoms, and I conquer them:
You can direct, and I protect, a Crown:
You doo besiege, I dare assault, a Town:
You shew the vtmost of Mans Wit and Art,
I act your aims with valiant hand and heart:
You (lastly) plot, in shady Chambers siel'd,
What I perform, abroad, in bloody Field.
Our Merit's diverse, and our Honour too:
You rule the humble, I the proudest tame:
You adorn Kingdoms, and I conquer them:
You can direct, and I protect, a Crown:
You doo besiege, I dare assault, a Town:
You shew the vtmost of Mans Wit and Art,
I act your aims with valiant hand and heart:
You (lastly) plot, in shady Chambers siel'd,
What I perform, abroad, in bloody Field.
But, in all These, I pass you All, as far,
As to subdue the stoutest Foes in War;
To see about one (Lightning-like) to flash
Millions of Shot, Millions of Swords to clash;
To hear no noise but Canons roaring Thunder,
Divorcing Soules from Bodies pasht in sunder;
To march in blood even to the Knees; and yet
In all vndaunted, not dismaid awhit,
Is both more painfull and more Princely too,
Then clearing of a cloudy Fraud, or two;
To shield by counsell Equity opprest;
To gain the Fame of Wisdom with the best;
To fast and pray, or give abundantly,
Or get the name of gracious Clemency.
As to subdue the stoutest Foes in War;
To see about one (Lightning-like) to flash
Millions of Shot, Millions of Swords to clash;
To hear no noise but Canons roaring Thunder,
Divorcing Soules from Bodies pasht in sunder;
To march in blood even to the Knees; and yet
In all vndaunted, not dismaid awhit,
Is both more painfull and more Princely too,
Then clearing of a cloudy Fraud, or two;
To shield by counsell Equity opprest;
To gain the Fame of Wisdom with the best;
To fast and pray, or give abundantly,
Or get the name of gracious Clemency.
Then well fare Valour: and, long live the Story
Of valiant Princes in the Fane of Glory:
No humane Vertue hides, so well as I,
Obnoxious stains when Princes step awry;
An Alexander, Aristides seems,
Because the splendor of my spreading beams
With radiant lustre dazles so the sight,
That nought is seen but Great and glorious Light.
Where, if hee lack my Raies, or my Renown;
Boast hee of double or of trebble Crown,
Bee hee benign, bee hee munificent,
Iust, wise, religious, learned, eloquent,
Precise of Promise (both to Friend and Foe)
Princes abroad little regard him though;
Yea, might hee justly all (else) Vertues vaunt;
Yet, wanting mee, hee seemeth all to want.
Of valiant Princes in the Fane of Glory:
No humane Vertue hides, so well as I,
Obnoxious stains when Princes step awry;
An Alexander, Aristides seems,
Because the splendor of my spreading beams
863
That nought is seen but Great and glorious Light.
Where, if hee lack my Raies, or my Renown;
Boast hee of double or of trebble Crown,
Bee hee benign, bee hee munificent,
Iust, wise, religious, learned, eloquent,
Precise of Promise (both to Friend and Foe)
Princes abroad little regard him though;
Yea, might hee justly all (else) Vertues vaunt;
Yet, wanting mee, hee seemeth all to want.
His Hare-like heart at Wars least noise doth quake,
And to his Beads hee doth him all betake:
His Fear strikes Fear in his best Refuges,
And his no-courage doth discourage His.
In brief, as blest with Peacefull Vertues rare,
Hee seems far fitter (in a time of War)
With Keies and Crosiers, a Pope's Part to play,
Then Sword and Sceptre, as a King, to sway.
And to his Beads hee doth him all betake:
His Fear strikes Fear in his best Refuges,
And his no-courage doth discourage His.
In brief, as blest with Peacefull Vertues rare,
Hee seems far fitter (in a time of War)
With Keies and Crosiers, a Pope's Part to play,
Then Sword and Sceptre, as a King, to sway.
As Andria had ended heer her Part;
Shee, in whose School wee learn the heedfull Art
Of never fondly Vndertaking ought;
Soft, soft, said shee: To boast our selves, wee ought
Not blame our Equals; nor (with proud Exchange)
To our own Praises their Dispraises change:
Andria, I grant, Thy merit's great; but Mine
Is, if not greater, full as great as Thine;
Sithens, to raign in Soule of Maiesty,
There is no Vertue to bee matcht with Mee.
Shee, in whose School wee learn the heedfull Art
Of never fondly Vndertaking ought;
Soft, soft, said shee: To boast our selves, wee ought
Not blame our Equals; nor (with proud Exchange)
To our own Praises their Dispraises change:
Andria, I grant, Thy merit's great; but Mine
Is, if not greater, full as great as Thine;
Sithens, to raign in Soule of Maiesty,
There is no Vertue to bee matcht with Mee.
For, let a King bee full of High-deseigns,
Let him bee Valiant, as your Paladines;
Let him bee gracious, just, and liberall,
True of his word, and so devout withall,
That at his Feet all Vices prostrate ly;
If Mee hee lack, that am all Vertues Ey,
Blindefold hee vses (nay, well-neer abuses)
These divine Gifts, which bountious Heav'n infuses:
And right resembles a fair Ship, for Sea
All ready rigd, and furnisht every way
With every Needfull; Men, Munition, Beef,
Beer, Biscuit, all: onely shee wants (the Chief,
The Life and Soule, the Sense, the Lawe, the Light
Whereby shee lives, moves, stirs, and steers aright)
A skilfull Pilot, with Discretions hand
Her winged Manedge rightly to command
With hempen Rains, and wooden Bridle, so,
That never wry shee sail, nor wrong shee rowe:
Without whose guidance, if the puffing gales
Into the Deep transport her huffing sails,
Shee runs at random, and with ruefull Knock
Soon splits her self vpon som Shelf or Rock.
Let him bee Valiant, as your Paladines;
Let him bee gracious, just, and liberall,
True of his word, and so devout withall,
That at his Feet all Vices prostrate ly;
If Mee hee lack, that am all Vertues Ey,
Blindefold hee vses (nay, well-neer abuses)
These divine Gifts, which bountious Heav'n infuses:
And right resembles a fair Ship, for Sea
All ready rigd, and furnisht every way
With every Needfull; Men, Munition, Beef,
Beer, Biscuit, all: onely shee wants (the Chief,
The Life and Soule, the Sense, the Lawe, the Light
Whereby shee lives, moves, stirs, and steers aright)
A skilfull Pilot, with Discretions hand
Her winged Manedge rightly to command
With hempen Rains, and wooden Bridle, so,
That never wry shee sail, nor wrong shee rowe:
Without whose guidance, if the puffing gales
Into the Deep transport her huffing sails,
864
Soon splits her self vpon som Shelf or Rock.
Even so it fares with Princes, when they make
Or Peace, or War, and not My Counsell take;
Or, without Mee, as it were blindefold, vse
Their other Gifts the gracious Heav'ns infuse?
They thrive so little, that (as in a Wrack)
Their owne rich Burden often breaks their back.
Their forward Valour but sad Fruit doth yield;
They win the Victory, yet lose the Field;
They bravely fight, and yet' are bravely foil'd:
Som Error still hath all their Actions spoil'd.
Their Bounty bindes not, but vnbindeth, hearts:
Their Clemency, much more then Rigor, smarts:
Their Zeal it self prooves to themselves pernicious;
And, vnto others, blinde and superstitious:
Their Vice and Vertues them so inter-nex,
That scarce can one distinguish their Effects.
Or Peace, or War, and not My Counsell take;
Or, without Mee, as it were blindefold, vse
Their other Gifts the gracious Heav'ns infuse?
They thrive so little, that (as in a Wrack)
Their owne rich Burden often breaks their back.
Their forward Valour but sad Fruit doth yield;
They win the Victory, yet lose the Field;
They bravely fight, and yet' are bravely foil'd:
Som Error still hath all their Actions spoil'd.
Their Bounty bindes not, but vnbindeth, hearts:
Their Clemency, much more then Rigor, smarts:
Their Zeal it self prooves to themselves pernicious;
And, vnto others, blinde and superstitious:
Their Vice and Vertues them so inter-nex,
That scarce can one distinguish their Effects.
Not that Ill still is not Good's Opposite;
But that, They, wanting Mee, their onely Light,
Doo (even) Good evill; or doo, out of season,
A Good, which is not good, done without Reason;
And, of fair Vertues, fruitfull Seeds of Glory,
Reap blasted Buds, which stain their goodly Story.
But that, They, wanting Mee, their onely Light,
Doo (even) Good evill; or doo, out of season,
A Good, which is not good, done without Reason;
And, of fair Vertues, fruitfull Seeds of Glory,
Reap blasted Buds, which stain their goodly Story.
What famous Conquest ever yet was got,
Which to the Victor I prepared not?
Thou fightest bravely, and in Victories
Of bloody blades, getst the first Crown, for prize:
Which to the Victor I prepared not?
Thou fightest bravely, and in Victories
Of bloody blades, getst the first Crown, for prize:
But I, by th'art of Providence, dispose
To glorious issue thy courageous blowes.
I wisely take the fit advantages
Of Time and Place, to second Courages:
I skilfully the Squadrons range and rank;
I marshall them to shew their Front or Flank
As best befits (by warlike Stratagem)
T'inclose their Foes, to clip, or curtall them;
Or, brest to brest (as angry Lions wont)
With brave incounter, charge them full afront:
I, by an Ambush, laid with lucky speed,
Opprest with number, help thee at thy need:
I many times prevent thy like mis-hap,
When seem-flee Foes would train thee to the trap:
I, to bee brief, with ever watchfull brain
Assist, to make thy Valour never vain.
To glorious issue thy courageous blowes.
I wisely take the fit advantages
Of Time and Place, to second Courages:
I skilfully the Squadrons range and rank;
I marshall them to shew their Front or Flank
As best befits (by warlike Stratagem)
T'inclose their Foes, to clip, or curtall them;
Or, brest to brest (as angry Lions wont)
With brave incounter, charge them full afront:
I, by an Ambush, laid with lucky speed,
Opprest with number, help thee at thy need:
I many times prevent thy like mis-hap,
When seem-flee Foes would train thee to the trap:
I, to bee brief, with ever watchfull brain
Assist, to make thy Valour never vain.
But, if a Prince must needs want one of vs,
And mought not bee both Wise and Valourous;
Sure, Reason would our glorious parts assigne;
Thine, to brave Souldiers; to great Captains, Mine;
Because, my Powers are proper to Command,
As Thine to Execute with hardie hand.
And mought not bee both Wise and Valourous;
Sure, Reason would our glorious parts assigne;
Thine, to brave Souldiers; to great Captains, Mine;
865
As Thine to Execute with hardie hand.
But though our humors so farre diuers be,
Yet may wee Both, in one braue Spirit, agree:
And, for This Age, wee need no Witnes els
But famous Henry, who in both excells;
With so great Wisedome ruling on the Throne
Which with such Valour hee hath made his owne:
His victories, yet, making Men dispute,
To which of Vs, they should them best impute.
Yet may wee Both, in one braue Spirit, agree:
And, for This Age, wee need no Witnes els
But famous Henry, who in both excells;
With so great Wisedome ruling on the Throne
Which with such Valour hee hath made his owne:
His victories, yet, making Men dispute,
To which of Vs, they should them best impute.
Yet hundred Laurells neuer widow-curst,
And hundred Ovals, which no skin haue burst,
Proue I haue often Conquer'd without Thee:
But neuer wert Thou Victor without Mee.
For, I haue oft seene Armies dissiped,
And proud, strong Cities often rendered,
(Well mur'd, well manned, & well stor'd with food)
Without the spilling of a drop of blood;
Vsing no other then the ancient Wile
Of wasting fields; where Publique losse (the while)
Returnd This Gaine, to stoope by Famine Those
Which could not else haue been subdu'd dy Blowes.
Besides th'off-cutting of all Passages,
As well of Succours, as of Forrages;
Is euen to conquer by vncasuall course,
Fight-lesse to fight, and without force to force.
And hundred Ovals, which no skin haue burst,
Proue I haue often Conquer'd without Thee:
But neuer wert Thou Victor without Mee.
For, I haue oft seene Armies dissiped,
And proud, strong Cities often rendered,
(Well mur'd, well manned, & well stor'd with food)
Without the spilling of a drop of blood;
Vsing no other then the ancient Wile
Of wasting fields; where Publique losse (the while)
Returnd This Gaine, to stoope by Famine Those
Which could not else haue been subdu'd dy Blowes.
Besides th'off-cutting of all Passages,
As well of Succours, as of Forrages;
Is euen to conquer by vncasuall course,
Fight-lesse to fight, and without force to force.
Great Captaines therefore did Vs neuer part:
Sith either, sole, is as a head-lesse Dart;
Or (if not head-lesse) heed-lesse thrown (as ill)
From feeble Caster, without aime, or skill.
Sith either, sole, is as a head-lesse Dart;
Or (if not head-lesse) heed-lesse thrown (as ill)
From feeble Caster, without aime, or skill.
'Tis said of Pallas, in the Troiane Broyle,
That Shee in fight stern Mars himselfe did foyle;
To showe how farre Wise-Valour doth excell
A rash Excesse of Courage boiling fell;
Whose fume-blind force, wanting Discretions beam,
Resembless right a sightless Polyphem.
That Shee in fight stern Mars himselfe did foyle;
To showe how farre Wise-Valour doth excell
A rash Excesse of Courage boiling fell;
Whose fume-blind force, wanting Discretions beam,
Resembless right a sightless Polyphem.
But, whether ioynt or seuerd be our Powers,
My Cunning still yields fairer fruits and flowers,
Then doth Thy Violence (though oft it spread
Bright vertuous rayes about Thy glorious head).
For, onely then are Thy stiffe armes imploid,
When stubborn War dares to haue all destroid.
But, when sweet Peace fills Crownes with Coronets,
Thou art lockt vp in Princes Cabinets;
Among the Corselets, which, now wariefied
Through loue of Peace, they haue new layd aside;
Or those, which idlely (through Times alteration)
Hang by the Walls, both out of Vse and Fashion.
But I, indifferent, serue in War and Peace;
I breed her, feed her, and her yeeres increase,
By prudent Counsails, prouident Decrees,
Kind turns, calme Treaties (fitting all degrees);
In briefe, by all means meet to render Kings
Mutually friends; and rule their Vnderlings:
Whence to their States if happy fruits accrew,
Th'honour of all to Mec alone is due.
My Cunning still yields fairer fruits and flowers,
Then doth Thy Violence (though oft it spread
Bright vertuous rayes about Thy glorious head).
For, onely then are Thy stiffe armes imploid,
When stubborn War dares to haue all destroid.
But, when sweet Peace fills Crownes with Coronets,
Thou art lockt vp in Princes Cabinets;
Among the Corselets, which, now wariefied
Through loue of Peace, they haue new layd aside;
Or those, which idlely (through Times alteration)
Hang by the Walls, both out of Vse and Fashion.
866
I breed her, feed her, and her yeeres increase,
By prudent Counsails, prouident Decrees,
Kind turns, calme Treaties (fitting all degrees);
In briefe, by all means meet to render Kings
Mutually friends; and rule their Vnderlings:
Whence to their States if happy fruits accrew,
Th'honour of all to Mec alone is due.
But, in the World, what State hath euer thriuen;
Or rather, which hath not to Wrack been driuen,
Where lackt My Conduct, and where onely Chance
Hath steerd the course of Publique Gouernance?
What humane Action, what Design, what Thought,
Without Mine aide hath euer com'n to ought?
What Priuat stock, what Publique stem of Blood,
Without my Rules hath sprung, or long hath stood?
All noblest Arts, all nimblest Works of worth,
Which humane brains conceiue, and hands bring forth,
Hold they not Mee for rich and fruitfull Wombe,
From whence their births (both first and second) come?
The kindest Counsailes, without Mine among,
May wee not call them Treasons of the Tongue,
When blind and bad Aduice (though malice-less)
Ruins the Friend to whom it meant Redress?
Or rather, which hath not to Wrack been driuen,
Where lackt My Conduct, and where onely Chance
Hath steerd the course of Publique Gouernance?
What humane Action, what Design, what Thought,
Without Mine aide hath euer com'n to ought?
What Priuat stock, what Publique stem of Blood,
Without my Rules hath sprung, or long hath stood?
All noblest Arts, all nimblest Works of worth,
Which humane brains conceiue, and hands bring forth,
Hold they not Mee for rich and fruitfull Wombe,
From whence their births (both first and second) come?
The kindest Counsailes, without Mine among,
May wee not call them Treasons of the Tongue,
When blind and bad Aduice (though malice-less)
Ruins the Friend to whom it meant Redress?
Nay nothing, nothing vnder Heav'n, may misse
The Minds-guide rayes of my Resplendencies:
I am the true Sun of all humane acts;
Without Mee, Fortune all their praise exacts.
If ought I leaue to Fortunes doubtfull deed.
It shall appeare well set, though ill succeed:
But where My Sceptre hath a soueraine sway,
Fortunes false Die hath little power to play.
The Minds-guide rayes of my Resplendencies:
I am the true Sun of all humane acts;
Without Mee, Fortune all their praise exacts.
If ought I leaue to Fortunes doubtfull deed.
It shall appeare well set, though ill succeed:
But where My Sceptre hath a soueraine sway,
Fortunes false Die hath little power to play.
Then, bee't on Cedar, with a Pen of Gold,
For Memorie and Glorie too inrold,
That Of all Soule-adorning Gifts diuine,
The Maiestie, the Monarchie is Mine:
That I, Their Queene, life of Their lawes and spring,
Am, of all Vertves worthiest of a King.
To whom, I seem so much more requisite
(Being both his Guide and Eye to giue him Light)
As hath a Guide (so iudge the most discreet)
More need of Eyes, then either hands or feet.
For Memorie and Glorie too inrold,
That Of all Soule-adorning Gifts diuine,
The Maiestie, the Monarchie is Mine:
That I, Their Queene, life of Their lawes and spring,
Am, of all Vertves worthiest of a King.
To whom, I seem so much more requisite
(Being both his Guide and Eye to giue him Light)
As hath a Guide (so iudge the most discreet)
More need of Eyes, then either hands or feet.
Heere ceast Phronesia: Andria instantly,
Weening her wrong'd, seemes willing to reply,
And to her Selfe already soft shee sayes,
Shee hath lesse skill in Phrases then in Frayes;
But, to maintaine the honour of her Cause,
VVhere need requires, not words but swords she draws.
Weening her wrong'd, seemes willing to reply,
And to her Selfe already soft shee sayes,
Shee hath lesse skill in Phrases then in Frayes;
But, to maintaine the honour of her Cause,
VVhere need requires, not words but swords she draws.
867
Then St. Eusebia, joyntly raising fair
Her Soules pure Zeal, and her sweet Voices air,
See, see, said Shee, how proudly insolent,
Vain Men, admiring and too confident
Of Their fond Wisdom, and frail Fortitude
(Forgetting Heav'ns quick Ey and Arm) conclude,
That their owne strength, or their owne providence,
Hath foil'd their foes, or given their owne defence:
As silly children (set on fourm or stool)
Whose hands are (first) held at the Writing-School,
Forming som Letter, vaunt it for their Owne,
And think their Art-less fingers skilfull growne.
Her Soules pure Zeal, and her sweet Voices air,
See, see, said Shee, how proudly insolent,
Vain Men, admiring and too confident
Of Their fond Wisdom, and frail Fortitude
(Forgetting Heav'ns quick Ey and Arm) conclude,
That their owne strength, or their owne providence,
Hath foil'd their foes, or given their owne defence:
As silly children (set on fourm or stool)
Whose hands are (first) held at the Writing-School,
Forming som Letter, vaunt it for their Owne,
And think their Art-less fingers skilfull growne.
But, O fond Mortalls! Neither is 't your Art
Of mystike State, nor your high hand and hart,
Which in your Borders Peace and Plenty brings,
Or ends your Battells in your Triumphings:
But Heav'ns Right-hand, invisibly addrest
To rescue You, hath death it self represt;
Repell'd all Perils, put-by all Mis-haps
(Ready to quell you with tempestuous claps):
And then retorting all vpon your Foes,
In lieu of Laurels (which They did propose)
Sends Terrors, Errors, or Disorders rife,
Or Mutinies, or other Civill strife,
Or other Mischief, which confounds their powrs
With their owne Swords, or makes them fall on yours:
So that your hands, victorious Thus, doo bear
Right glorious Palms, and Olives every where
Adorn your Coasts with their rich oily tresse,
And all with you is Victory or Peace.
Of mystike State, nor your high hand and hart,
Which in your Borders Peace and Plenty brings,
Or ends your Battells in your Triumphings:
But Heav'ns Right-hand, invisibly addrest
To rescue You, hath death it self represt;
Repell'd all Perils, put-by all Mis-haps
(Ready to quell you with tempestuous claps):
And then retorting all vpon your Foes,
In lieu of Laurels (which They did propose)
Sends Terrors, Errors, or Disorders rife,
Or Mutinies, or other Civill strife,
Or other Mischief, which confounds their powrs
With their owne Swords, or makes them fall on yours:
So that your hands, victorious Thus, doo bear
Right glorious Palms, and Olives every where
Adorn your Coasts with their rich oily tresse,
And all with you is Victory or Peace.
Yet you, ingrate the-while, through blinde Self-love,
Not seeing, that these Gifts com from above,
Sacrifice to your Selves, confer the honor
Of all, to all, save to their owne right Owner.
Not seeing, that these Gifts com from above,
Sacrifice to your Selves, confer the honor
Of all, to all, save to their owne right Owner.
O cursed Soil! O barren Sand and dry!
Not betterd ought by any husbandry;
Hardned with Heav'nly deaws, the more the worse:
More worthy nothing then a heavy Curse.
O wretch! refer, refer aright, and bring
These sacred Streams birth to their sacred Spring,
That perfect Good, which can no more desist
To doo thee good, then Thou Him to resist.
Not betterd ought by any husbandry;
Hardned with Heav'nly deaws, the more the worse:
More worthy nothing then a heavy Curse.
O wretch! refer, refer aright, and bring
These sacred Streams birth to their sacred Spring,
That perfect Good, which can no more desist
To doo thee good, then Thou Him to resist.
Through all thy Province let his Name bee prais'd:
If to a Crown his favour have thee rais'd,
Rear Him an Altar in thy Soule anon;
And, for Burnt-Offring, lay thy heart thereon:
His powr (alone) adore, implore and trust;
And in thy Self kill every kinde of lust:
So shalt thou not, what-ever Hap succeed,
Neither so much Courage nor Counsell need.
For, covering thee with his protecting hand,
Did all the World in Arms against thee band,
Besiege thee round, assault thee in such sort,
That nought could save thee; neither Force, nor Fort:
Amid all dangers which might fright thee there,
Hee, hee would free thee from all cause of fear;
And Thine, preserv'd from death and deadly Foes,
Would bee amaz'd to conquer without blowes.
Thy Praiers would put a hundred Hoasts to flight,
Had each a Cæsar to command them right:
Yet, fighting on thy knees, with arms across,
Thou, thou (alone) shouldst conquer, without loss.
Again, His Angell would assume the Sword
Wherewith somtimes th'Assyrian swarms hee gor'd;
Again, Senacherib's braving Blasphemies
Should finde a King, with water in his eyes,
To vanquish him with vows: and, as with charms,
Thou shouldst doo more with tears, then hee with Arms.
If to a Crown his favour have thee rais'd,
Rear Him an Altar in thy Soule anon;
And, for Burnt-Offring, lay thy heart thereon:
His powr (alone) adore, implore and trust;
And in thy Self kill every kinde of lust:
868
Neither so much Courage nor Counsell need.
For, covering thee with his protecting hand,
Did all the World in Arms against thee band,
Besiege thee round, assault thee in such sort,
That nought could save thee; neither Force, nor Fort:
Amid all dangers which might fright thee there,
Hee, hee would free thee from all cause of fear;
And Thine, preserv'd from death and deadly Foes,
Would bee amaz'd to conquer without blowes.
Thy Praiers would put a hundred Hoasts to flight,
Had each a Cæsar to command them right:
Yet, fighting on thy knees, with arms across,
Thou, thou (alone) shouldst conquer, without loss.
Again, His Angell would assume the Sword
Wherewith somtimes th'Assyrian swarms hee gor'd;
Again, Senacherib's braving Blasphemies
Should finde a King, with water in his eyes,
To vanquish him with vows: and, as with charms,
Thou shouldst doo more with tears, then hee with Arms.
Why then thus vainly dare Wee heer consult
Of others Right, or of our Owne insult?
Shee, shee that gives to God (nay, giveth God)
On Her of right this Crown should bee bestow'd;
Sith, her possessing, they All Good possess:
But, wanting her, All else is emptiness.
Of others Right, or of our Owne insult?
Shee, shee that gives to God (nay, giveth God)
On Her of right this Crown should bee bestow'd;
Sith, her possessing, they All Good possess:
But, wanting her, All else is emptiness.
Let neither Prowess then, nor Prudence, ween
Her Self Kings glory, neither Vertues Queen:
I have seen Valiant Kings, and Prudent too,
And such as knew in all turns what to doo,
And such whose Constance was incomparable,
Live wretchedly, and dy as miserable:
Yet, never saw I but a happy End
Of Pious Princes, which on God depend;
And in all doubts, all dangers (from their Birth)
Have (sacring vnto Heav'n the thoughts of Earth)
With eyes ay-fixt on That Sunn's sunny side,
Beleev'd his Love their Guard, his Lawe their Guide.
Her Self Kings glory, neither Vertues Queen:
I have seen Valiant Kings, and Prudent too,
And such as knew in all turns what to doo,
And such whose Constance was incomparable,
Live wretchedly, and dy as miserable:
Yet, never saw I but a happy End
Of Pious Princes, which on God depend;
And in all doubts, all dangers (from their Birth)
Have (sacring vnto Heav'n the thoughts of Earth)
With eyes ay-fixt on That Sunn's sunny side,
Beleev'd his Love their Guard, his Lawe their Guide.
Not that I would a Prince, secure and idle,
Should so let-go his Empires Rains and Bridle;
To cast on God the Cares, the Managings,
And glorious labours that belong to Kings:
Nay, rather would I, that with Vigilance,
Constancy, Iustice, Wisdom, Valiance,
And all else Vertues which his God hath giv'n,
Hee second still th'assisting hand of Heav'n;
Ay well assur'd, that God will not neglect
Iust-armed Prayers of his owne Elect.
But, to His onely Bountie must they giue
Th'honor of all the fruits they shall atchieue
By their most noble Cares, most Royall Paines:
Not to the depth of Machiauilian Brains,
Not to the vaine Effort of humane force,
Nor Martiall Courage, mowing Men and Horse,
Which in effect (how glorious Name it beare)
Is but a Publique, (lawfull) Massacre.
Should so let-go his Empires Rains and Bridle;
To cast on God the Cares, the Managings,
And glorious labours that belong to Kings:
Nay, rather would I, that with Vigilance,
Constancy, Iustice, Wisdom, Valiance,
And all else Vertues which his God hath giv'n,
Hee second still th'assisting hand of Heav'n;
Ay well assur'd, that God will not neglect
Iust-armed Prayers of his owne Elect.
869
Th'honor of all the fruits they shall atchieue
By their most noble Cares, most Royall Paines:
Not to the depth of Machiauilian Brains,
Not to the vaine Effort of humane force,
Nor Martiall Courage, mowing Men and Horse,
Which in effect (how glorious Name it beare)
Is but a Publique, (lawfull) Massacre.
In briefe, what Worth, or Wit in King may bee,
Heav'ns King commands he make Them wait on Mee:
Make That, the Spur; Me, Raine of each Intent;
This, of his Counsaile; Me, the President:
Credit Them often, Me continually:
That They inspire his Hart; his Iudgement, I.
And, that in nothing They with Mee compare;
Nor any else (how Royall) Vertues rare:
But make Mee sit in Honors fourm the first;
Yea, without Mee, esteeme his State accurst:
Hold Them for helpefull, Mee for necessary:
And firme belieue, when Times are aduersary,
Rather to faile, with Prowes and Policy,
Nay fall, with All; then flourish without Mee.
Heav'ns King commands he make Them wait on Mee:
Make That, the Spur; Me, Raine of each Intent;
This, of his Counsaile; Me, the President:
Credit Them often, Me continually:
That They inspire his Hart; his Iudgement, I.
And, that in nothing They with Mee compare;
Nor any else (how Royall) Vertues rare:
But make Mee sit in Honors fourm the first;
Yea, without Mee, esteeme his State accurst:
Hold Them for helpefull, Mee for necessary:
And firme belieue, when Times are aduersary,
Rather to faile, with Prowes and Policy,
Nay fall, with All; then flourish without Mee.
Through such a Faith, that great King-Prophet yerst,
With little force, so many Foes reverst:
So oft escap't so many Snares of Death,
Which Envies hand had set to stop his breath:
So fortunate, in euerie ieopardie,
Hee almost seemd t'haue wedded Victorie.
With little force, so many Foes reverst:
So oft escap't so many Snares of Death,
Which Envies hand had set to stop his breath:
So fortunate, in euerie ieopardie,
Hee almost seemd t'haue wedded Victorie.
What Monarch would not gladly be the Heire
Of these high fortunes of His Vertues faire?
Who would not purchase at the deerest rate
Of all his Paines, the glorious Praise He gate?
And yet, the Vertue which aduanç't Him so,
And on his Acts such honors did bestow,
Was not his Prowess (though he durst enough)
Neither his Prudence (though of famous proofe);
But his religious Pietie and Zeale
To serue the Lord, the God of Israel:
Zeale, which consuming Him with heauenly flame,
Made him to consecrate his Facts, his Fame,
Himselfe, his Sword, his Sceptre, and his Song,
At the Authors feet, to whom they All belong:
As still esteeming that hee held his Crown,
By his support who had it first bestow'n;
Not by the Prowess, or the Policy,
Of his owne darefull hand, or carefull Eye.
Of these high fortunes of His Vertues faire?
Who would not purchase at the deerest rate
Of all his Paines, the glorious Praise He gate?
And yet, the Vertue which aduanç't Him so,
And on his Acts such honors did bestow,
Was not his Prowess (though he durst enough)
Neither his Prudence (though of famous proofe);
But his religious Pietie and Zeale
To serue the Lord, the God of Israel:
Zeale, which consuming Him with heauenly flame,
Made him to consecrate his Facts, his Fame,
Himselfe, his Sword, his Sceptre, and his Song,
At the Authors feet, to whom they All belong:
As still esteeming that hee held his Crown,
By his support who had it first bestow'n;
Not by the Prowess, or the Policy,
Of his owne darefull hand, or carefull Eye.
Let noblest Princes imitate this Part,
This pious zeale of his religious hart:
And let them know, that nor their Heed in sway,
Nor their Good-hap (which seem's t'attend them ay)
Their Knowledge, Courage, nor Victorious fame,
About their heads so glorious Garlands frame,
Neither from heav'n so many blessings bring,
Neither so much doe magnifie a King,
Nor dignifie the Sceptre in his hand
So many millions iustly to command;
As I, who, after this worlds Diadem,
Find them a-new, in new Ierusalem:
That God himselfe-vouchsafes to watch Their state,
Becoms Their Counsaile, Their Confederate,
Their Rock, their Refuge from their Enemies,
And gets them daily glorious victories:
That, without Mee, no Vertue is compleat;
And that, in That which maketh truly Great,
I passe the rest, and all the best They can,
As farre as God in Greatnes passeth Man.
This pious zeale of his religious hart:
870
Nor their Good-hap (which seem's t'attend them ay)
Their Knowledge, Courage, nor Victorious fame,
About their heads so glorious Garlands frame,
Neither from heav'n so many blessings bring,
Neither so much doe magnifie a King,
Nor dignifie the Sceptre in his hand
So many millions iustly to command;
As I, who, after this worlds Diadem,
Find them a-new, in new Ierusalem:
That God himselfe-vouchsafes to watch Their state,
Becoms Their Counsaile, Their Confederate,
Their Rock, their Refuge from their Enemies,
And gets them daily glorious victories:
That, without Mee, no Vertue is compleat;
And that, in That which maketh truly Great,
I passe the rest, and all the best They can,
As farre as God in Greatnes passeth Man.
Eusebia heer concluding her discourse,
Dicea began her Title to enforce:
I haue (said shee) long lent you eare a-like,
Yet from your Reasons, and your Rhetorike
I gather nothing, from the most of you,
But Vsurpations of Mine honors due;
While mine owne Noursling from my side you steale:
Wherein, with Iustice you scarce iustly deale.
Dicea began her Title to enforce:
I haue (said shee) long lent you eare a-like,
Yet from your Reasons, and your Rhetorike
I gather nothing, from the most of you,
But Vsurpations of Mine honors due;
While mine owne Noursling from my side you steale:
Wherein, with Iustice you scarce iustly deale.
For, if of Vertues any worthy bee
To raign, as Kings eternall Companie;
And with more lustre their great Names do grace,
I, I am Shee may iustly claime that Place;
As shee alone, who, by One duety, doo
Make happy Kings, and happy Subiects too:
Shee, that of all the Graces from aboue,
Acquire them most their Peoples hate or loue:
Shee that the Stock of Traytors doth extinguish,
Shee that good Kings from Tyrants doth distinguish:
Shee that to Each due Recompence imparts
According to their good, or bad Deserts:
Shee, without whom the rife-full strife-full sound
Of Mine and Thine would all the World confound.
To raign, as Kings eternall Companie;
And with more lustre their great Names do grace,
I, I am Shee may iustly claime that Place;
As shee alone, who, by One duety, doo
Make happy Kings, and happy Subiects too:
Shee, that of all the Graces from aboue,
Acquire them most their Peoples hate or loue:
Shee that the Stock of Traytors doth extinguish,
Shee that good Kings from Tyrants doth distinguish:
Shee that to Each due Recompence imparts
According to their good, or bad Deserts:
Shee, without whom the rife-full strife-full sound
Of Mine and Thine would all the World confound.
Not that I am so inly blunt, or blind,
As not to value Valours valiant mind;
Or not to see, What Benefits to Kings
Sacred Eusebia, and Phronesia brings:
But sate Eusebia (whom I honour more
Then all the Greatnes Worldlings most adore)
Not one of you produceth her effects
So fortunate and free from all defects,
But often times some euill them succeeds
Which equalls oft their Good, somtimes exceeds:
Much like some Herbs, of doubtfull fame and force,
Which cure one Griefe, and cause perhaps a worse.
As not to value Valours valiant mind;
Or not to see, What Benefits to Kings
Sacred Eusebia, and Phronesia brings:
But sate Eusebia (whom I honour more
Then all the Greatnes Worldlings most adore)
Not one of you produceth her effects
So fortunate and free from all defects,
871
Which equalls oft their Good, somtimes exceeds:
Much like some Herbs, of doubtfull fame and force,
Which cure one Griefe, and cause perhaps a worse.
'T's a glorious Work tryumphing worthily,
To win by force a famous Victory,
To flowre a field with dead, to swim in blood,
To glasse ones Valor in a Crimsin flood:
But, what's all This, but a meer Massacre
Of furious Lions (not a humane War)
Vnless the Right of the bright Sword victorious:
Make the Cause iust, and the Effect as glorious?
And are not those so bloody Palmes, (the while)
Gathered in Countries, ruin'd with the spoile
Of Wars dire fire, flaming on euery side
Of those sad fields, forsaken far and wide?
O bloudy Vertue, for Warre onely fit,
And for the Mischiefes that do wait on it!
To win by force a famous Victory,
To flowre a field with dead, to swim in blood,
To glasse ones Valor in a Crimsin flood:
But, what's all This, but a meer Massacre
Of furious Lions (not a humane War)
Vnless the Right of the bright Sword victorious:
Make the Cause iust, and the Effect as glorious?
And are not those so bloody Palmes, (the while)
Gathered in Countries, ruin'd with the spoile
Of Wars dire fire, flaming on euery side
Of those sad fields, forsaken far and wide?
O bloudy Vertue, for Warre onely fit,
And for the Mischiefes that do wait on it!
Yet lest (alas!) her thirsty Steele should rust
Within her Sheath, too-long restrained; must,
Must men with Tears see their deer Countries spoil'd,
Their fields with heaps of slaughtred bodies pyl'd,
Their Cities sackt, their Houses all inflam'd,
Their treasurs shar'd, their wiues and daughters sham'd,
Their tender babes (which haue no helpe, but cryes)
Brain'd, broached, broyl'd, in horrid Sacrifice?
Within her Sheath, too-long restrained; must,
Must men with Tears see their deer Countries spoil'd,
Their fields with heaps of slaughtred bodies pyl'd,
Their Cities sackt, their Houses all inflam'd,
Their treasurs shar'd, their wiues and daughters sham'd,
Their tender babes (which haue no helpe, but cryes)
Brain'd, broached, broyl'd, in horrid Sacrifice?
Sure, Noble Furie of heroick harts,
The hideous Stage wheron thou act'st thy Parts,
Is too-too-costly to a State; too-deer
Are all thy Palms; thy Glory walks too-neer
Deep Miseries, Pains, Perils, Dolors, Deaths,
And dire Euents; which not alone the breaths
Of Foes bereaue, and Forraine States vndoo;
But wrack with all thine owne Domesticks too.
The hideous Stage wheron thou act'st thy Parts,
Is too-too-costly to a State; too-deer
Are all thy Palms; thy Glory walks too-neer
Deep Miseries, Pains, Perils, Dolors, Deaths,
And dire Euents; which not alone the breaths
Of Foes bereaue, and Forraine States vndoo;
But wrack with all thine owne Domesticks too.
For, what Effects, but such nefarious things,
Haue been the fruits of thousand valiant Kings?
Whose memories so ring of Battailes yet,
That euen with bloud their Stories may be writ:
Leauing their Names, iust Arguments of terror,
Loading the Earth with Monuments of horror,
Filling both Land and Sea, with Gore, with Gall,
And, to no purpose, topsie-turning All:
Sith all the gaine of all their Victories,
Is but a fame of Valiant Robberies;
Reproachfull praise to Souerain Potentates,
To Supreme Pastors, to high Magistrates:
Yet, most of These haue reapt no other fruit,
From bloudy labors, but This odious Bruit:
Whereas They should (only) their Powers imploy
To salue, to saue; and neuer to destroy.
Haue been the fruits of thousand valiant Kings?
Whose memories so ring of Battailes yet,
That euen with bloud their Stories may be writ:
Leauing their Names, iust Arguments of terror,
Loading the Earth with Monuments of horror,
Filling both Land and Sea, with Gore, with Gall,
And, to no purpose, topsie-turning All:
Sith all the gaine of all their Victories,
Is but a fame of Valiant Robberies;
Reproachfull praise to Souerain Potentates,
To Supreme Pastors, to high Magistrates:
Yet, most of These haue reapt no other fruit,
From bloudy labors, but This odious Bruit:
872
To salue, to saue; and neuer to destroy.
One onely King (no further Name is need)
Iustly constraind to arme, and mount his steed,
By force to enter to his Own by Right;
Hath sacred all his Art, his Hart, his Might,
To's Empires good: and, chasing War away,
Makes Peace approu'd his Valors daughter ay.
The rest, still greedy of new Isles, new Indes,
Haue raisd such storms with their Ambitious windes,
As in their own Seas haue nigh sunk Themselues,
And cast their Subiects vpon Rocks and Shelues,
Where (through more woes) they, euen with tears, behold
How ill it is to haue a King too Bold.
Iustly constraind to arme, and mount his steed,
By force to enter to his Own by Right;
Hath sacred all his Art, his Hart, his Might,
To's Empires good: and, chasing War away,
Makes Peace approu'd his Valors daughter ay.
The rest, still greedy of new Isles, new Indes,
Haue raisd such storms with their Ambitious windes,
As in their own Seas haue nigh sunk Themselues,
And cast their Subiects vpon Rocks and Shelues,
Where (through more woes) they, euen with tears, behold
How ill it is to haue a King too Bold.
Now, for your Prudent (but, meer Prudent) Kings,
Too-much Discourse, which from their iudgment springs,
Oft makes them timerous, loth to take-in-hand;
To lose their time, while waiting Time they stand;
And, daring nothing, but Discoursing still,
To Erre as much as those that dared ill:
Or, makes them, more (in Worldly matters, heer)
Subtile and sharp, then loyall and sincere.
So that as they of dangers heedfull are;
Of Them, no lesse behoues it to beware.
I will not not say, that many times the grounds,
VVhereon the worlds blind, foolish wisdom founds,
Are Contrarie vnto the solid Base
Which heav'ns true wisdom euery where doth place.
So that, one Thought neuer it selfe extends
(Nor can) at once, to two so diuers Ends:
No more then can the sight of mortall eyes
In one same instant, Heav'n and Earth comprise.
Too-much Discourse, which from their iudgment springs,
Oft makes them timerous, loth to take-in-hand;
To lose their time, while waiting Time they stand;
And, daring nothing, but Discoursing still,
To Erre as much as those that dared ill:
Or, makes them, more (in Worldly matters, heer)
Subtile and sharp, then loyall and sincere.
So that as they of dangers heedfull are;
Of Them, no lesse behoues it to beware.
I will not not say, that many times the grounds,
VVhereon the worlds blind, foolish wisdom founds,
Are Contrarie vnto the solid Base
Which heav'ns true wisdom euery where doth place.
So that, one Thought neuer it selfe extends
(Nor can) at once, to two so diuers Ends:
No more then can the sight of mortall eyes
In one same instant, Heav'n and Earth comprise.
What shall I say of Thee (and doe thee right)
Sweet St. Eusebia, Gods own deere Delight?
Thou fillest Kings, indu'd with Thy desires,
With sacred feruour of Celestiall fires;
Thou mak'st their Liues a liuely speaking Lawe,
To rule their Subiects more by Loue then Awe;
But yet, thou mak'st (if Thou alone be Theirs)
Them too-too-slack in other Kingly Cares;
Too-mew'd in Peace, in VVar too-scrupulous;
And think so much of Heav'n, that Earth they lose.
Sweet St. Eusebia, Gods own deere Delight?
Thou fillest Kings, indu'd with Thy desires,
With sacred feruour of Celestiall fires;
Thou mak'st their Liues a liuely speaking Lawe,
To rule their Subiects more by Loue then Awe;
But yet, thou mak'st (if Thou alone be Theirs)
Them too-too-slack in other Kingly Cares;
Too-mew'd in Peace, in VVar too-scrupulous;
And think so much of Heav'n, that Earth they lose.
And, Euergésia, praising Thine Effects,
Amid the best well may we doubt defects:
For, what in Kings more Heav'n-like seems to all,
Or God-like more, then to be liberal?
Yea, liberal Princes seeme euen Gods on Earth,
Com'n-down from Heav'n to hunt Despaire and Death,
Care, Indigence, Incomber, and the rest,
Where-with poore Vertue often is opprest.
Yea, euen as Gods, Their Names are honord heer,
And, for their Seruice nothing is too-deer.
(The ground of which so great Beneuolence,
In some, is Hope; in some, Experience):
So that all Vowes, all Voices end in Them,
And as the Sun, Their Sceptres brightly beam.
Amid the best well may we doubt defects:
For, what in Kings more Heav'n-like seems to all,
Or God-like more, then to be liberal?
Yea, liberal Princes seeme euen Gods on Earth,
Com'n-down from Heav'n to hunt Despaire and Death,
873
Where-with poore Vertue often is opprest.
Yea, euen as Gods, Their Names are honord heer,
And, for their Seruice nothing is too-deer.
(The ground of which so great Beneuolence,
In some, is Hope; in some, Experience):
So that all Vowes, all Voices end in Them,
And as the Sun, Their Sceptres brightly beam.
Yet, oftentimes, those Bounties of thy hand
Proue publique Burdens, bitter to a Land;
VVhen fluent Princes (least their Fauors source
Should be exhausted) haue too-oft recourse
To Tributes, Imposts, and some worse withall;
Whence Flowers to few, to many Thornes befall:
And Avarice her selfe vniustly fills
VVith what Profusion ouer-fondly spills.
Proue publique Burdens, bitter to a Land;
VVhen fluent Princes (least their Fauors source
Should be exhausted) haue too-oft recourse
To Tributes, Imposts, and some worse withall;
Whence Flowers to few, to many Thornes befall:
And Avarice her selfe vniustly fills
VVith what Profusion ouer-fondly spills.
Nor thou, Eumenia, though extold so high
As liuelest Type of Heauenly Clemencie,
And onely Shield of such as dare infrenge
My sacred Rules, to saue them from Reuenge:
Thou canst not cleere thee from the confluence
Of Euills vs'd to follow Indulgence.
For, by too-sparing, Thou doost Vices spread;
Thou losest sound, to saue corrupt and dead:
And filling Cities with home-Enemies,
Thy Pardons turn to publique Iniuries.
As liuelest Type of Heauenly Clemencie,
And onely Shield of such as dare infrenge
My sacred Rules, to saue them from Reuenge:
Thou canst not cleere thee from the confluence
Of Euills vs'd to follow Indulgence.
For, by too-sparing, Thou doost Vices spread;
Thou losest sound, to saue corrupt and dead:
And filling Cities with home-Enemies,
Thy Pardons turn to publique Iniuries.
But I, by practice of vnpartiall Rigor,
Maintain good Orders, keep the Lawes in vigor:
Make Kings at-once belou'd and feared too
(Feared, alone of those that euill doo).
Their Subiects (set on happy Plenties knee,
In their possessions from Oppressions free)
Blesse them, adore them, hold them (euer deer)
Their Countries Fathers, nay their Gods wel-neer.
In briefe, no Blessing can befall a Realm,
But Theirs inioy, from, by, or vnder Them.
Maintain good Orders, keep the Lawes in vigor:
Make Kings at-once belou'd and feared too
(Feared, alone of those that euill doo).
Their Subiects (set on happy Plenties knee,
In their possessions from Oppressions free)
Blesse them, adore them, hold them (euer deer)
Their Countries Fathers, nay their Gods wel-neer.
In briefe, no Blessing can befall a Realm,
But Theirs inioy, from, by, or vnder Them.
For, as it is, of the Wilde-Ash-tree, said,
That th'only sauour, nay the onely shade,
Instantly kills (by strong Antipathie)
What euer Serpents vnderneath it lye:
Such, to the Snakes of Vice, those Princes are
Which 'gainst Iniustice haue proclaimed VVar,
With no lesse Care to make My Rules to raigne,
Then their owne Scepters in their hands sustaine.
Can no Rebellion spring at least, none speed
In their Dominions, neither Factions breed;
Sith gracious Heauens vouchsafe them this Accord,
For hauing vs'd so equally My Sword
(To all Degrees, in City, Field and Town)
In Civill War they shall not wear their Owne.
That th'only sauour, nay the onely shade,
Instantly kills (by strong Antipathie)
What euer Serpents vnderneath it lye:
Such, to the Snakes of Vice, those Princes are
Which 'gainst Iniustice haue proclaimed VVar,
With no lesse Care to make My Rules to raigne,
Then their owne Scepters in their hands sustaine.
Can no Rebellion spring at least, none speed
In their Dominions, neither Factions breed;
Sith gracious Heauens vouchsafe them this Accord,
For hauing vs'd so equally My Sword
874
In Civill War they shall not wear their Owne.
Their People, feeling in Their happy Sway,
What Hap, what Rest, what Freedom they injoy,
Deeming them as their gods, and meting (rife)
Their length of Bliss by their dear length of Life,
Watch for Their Safeties; and can suffer nought
'Gainst them to bee mis-don, mis-said, mis-thought;
No more then 'gainst their Publique's Prospering,
Whereof they hould Their Iustice onely Spring.
What Hap, what Rest, what Freedom they injoy,
Deeming them as their gods, and meting (rife)
Their length of Bliss by their dear length of Life,
Watch for Their Safeties; and can suffer nought
'Gainst them to bee mis-don, mis-said, mis-thought;
No more then 'gainst their Publique's Prospering,
Whereof they hould Their Iustice onely Spring.
For, of all rarest Vertues that may meet
In a just Prince, They onely taste the sweet
Of Mine Effects; and of that Equall Care
Of not surcharging more then they may bear.
What boots it that their Majesties bee meek,
Magnanimous, frank, pious, politique,
And of a spirit surpassing each Extreme?
Misse they but Mee, They little reck of them:
They love them not, they listen far and neer
Som welcom news of their wisht death to hear:
When, if they vse My sacred Exercises,
Though they bee stain'd (perhaps) with other Vices,
They hould them perfect; and, in spite of Fate,
Even after death, their Names they celebrate;
As living Reliques, still preserv'd above
In Fames fair bosom, and their Peoples love.
Witnes, vnto this day, that Norman Prince,
Brave Rollo, still belov'd (though dead long since)
Still cald vpon (as for His iust Revenge)
When som new Wrong doth their old Right infrenge.
In a just Prince, They onely taste the sweet
Of Mine Effects; and of that Equall Care
Of not surcharging more then they may bear.
What boots it that their Majesties bee meek,
Magnanimous, frank, pious, politique,
And of a spirit surpassing each Extreme?
Misse they but Mee, They little reck of them:
They love them not, they listen far and neer
Som welcom news of their wisht death to hear:
When, if they vse My sacred Exercises,
Though they bee stain'd (perhaps) with other Vices,
They hould them perfect; and, in spite of Fate,
Even after death, their Names they celebrate;
As living Reliques, still preserv'd above
In Fames fair bosom, and their Peoples love.
Witnes, vnto this day, that Norman Prince,
Brave Rollo, still belov'd (though dead long since)
Still cald vpon (as for His iust Revenge)
When som new Wrong doth their old Right infrenge.
Henceforth therefore, O Princes, that desire
To have your Names to highest Fames aspire,
To leave behinde you Monuments of Worth,
To give your Glories, after death, new Birth;
Endevour not to dazle proudest eyes
With Towrs of Marble mounted to the skies;
Neither by War (whose Train is Plague and Dearth)
With fire and blood to mingle Heav'n and Earth;
To thousand Perils to expose your lives,
Whereby your Greatnes, not your Goodnes, thrives.
Onely, love Mee; let Mee bee reverenç't
Through all your lands, by all your hands defenç't:
Let Mee sit by you on an Awfull Throne,
To daunt the Leudest with my looks alone;
And with my Sword still drawn to prune-away
Luxuriant Twigs that break my iust Array:
Let My Tribunals bee the Poors Refuges:
Let thereon sit no mercenary Iudges:
Let Innocence finde there her surest Fort;
And who wants Right, there let him want Support:
There let My Balance be impawn'd to none;
But, as his Right is, let Each haue his Owne:
In briefe, with You let Mee be set so high,
That absolute as you doe Raigne, may I:
And I shall more enrich your lasting Stories,
Then all your golden Towers, your Conquering glories,
Your precious Gifts that with full hand you giue,
Or ought besides, whereby your Names can liue.
To have your Names to highest Fames aspire,
To leave behinde you Monuments of Worth,
To give your Glories, after death, new Birth;
Endevour not to dazle proudest eyes
With Towrs of Marble mounted to the skies;
Neither by War (whose Train is Plague and Dearth)
With fire and blood to mingle Heav'n and Earth;
To thousand Perils to expose your lives,
Whereby your Greatnes, not your Goodnes, thrives.
Onely, love Mee; let Mee bee reverenç't
Through all your lands, by all your hands defenç't:
Let Mee sit by you on an Awfull Throne,
To daunt the Leudest with my looks alone;
And with my Sword still drawn to prune-away
Luxuriant Twigs that break my iust Array:
Let My Tribunals bee the Poors Refuges:
Let thereon sit no mercenary Iudges:
875
And who wants Right, there let him want Support:
There let My Balance be impawn'd to none;
But, as his Right is, let Each haue his Owne:
In briefe, with You let Mee be set so high,
That absolute as you doe Raigne, may I:
And I shall more enrich your lasting Stories,
Then all your golden Towers, your Conquering glories,
Your precious Gifts that with full hand you giue,
Or ought besides, whereby your Names can liue.
Dicea as yet did her Discourse pursue
(Though milde Eumenia, loth to lose her due,
Loth longer to endure her Vaunts so high,
With open mouth was ready to reply;
And so her Sister Euergesia eek,
Some little choler colouring her cheek)
When from th'Empyreall (right Imperiall) Court,
Came a new Nuntio with a new Report,
A trustie Truch-man of supernall Pleas,
Their gentle Iarres thus gently to appease.
(Though milde Eumenia, loth to lose her due,
Loth longer to endure her Vaunts so high,
With open mouth was ready to reply;
And so her Sister Euergesia eek,
Some little choler colouring her cheek)
When from th'Empyreall (right Imperiall) Court,
Came a new Nuntio with a new Report,
A trustie Truch-man of supernall Pleas,
Their gentle Iarres thus gently to appease.
Immortall Beauties of past-humane Soules,
He, that both Globes in his one hand-gripe holds,
Dooes you to weet, that His high pleasure is
(To quench for euer all your Differences)
You All haue th'honour to impose the Name,
To Whom he means such fauour and such Fame,
PANARETVS (for an auspicious Signe
Y'haue markt him All with all your Types diuine)
That, All transform'd into that reuerend Clark,
Heav'ns hallowed Organ, for this sacred work;
Eusebia, Thou (Whom Hee resembles best)
Shalt Name the Child, in name of all the rest;
After that He hath six times sounded tho
That other Name his Nation fancies so.
He, that both Globes in his one hand-gripe holds,
Dooes you to weet, that His high pleasure is
(To quench for euer all your Differences)
You All haue th'honour to impose the Name,
To Whom he means such fauour and such Fame,
PANARETVS (for an auspicious Signe
Y'haue markt him All with all your Types diuine)
That, All transform'd into that reuerend Clark,
Heav'ns hallowed Organ, for this sacred work;
Eusebia, Thou (Whom Hee resembles best)
Shalt Name the Child, in name of all the rest;
After that He hath six times sounded tho
That other Name his Nation fancies so.
Hy, hy ye then: Time calls you; for the throng,
These Rites expecting, thinks each minute long.
And I, the while, with no lesse speed must spy
Th'vnholsome Den where Pestilence doth ly,
And in Heav'ns name, her straitly countermand,
That Shee presume not once to lift her hand,
Nor from her Quiuer shoote one Arrow out
At any of the Royall Courtly Rout
Assembled for the sacred Mysterie,
During the Pomp of That Solemnity.
These Rites expecting, thinks each minute long.
And I, the while, with no lesse speed must spy
Th'vnholsome Den where Pestilence doth ly,
And in Heav'ns name, her straitly countermand,
That Shee presume not once to lift her hand,
Nor from her Quiuer shoote one Arrow out
At any of the Royall Courtly Rout
Assembled for the sacred Mysterie,
During the Pomp of That Solemnity.
Heer-with the Angell henc't, and bent his flight
Tow'rds Our sad Citie, which then deeply sigh't
Vnder the fury of that Monster fell.
Hee found her out in a hot-humid Cell,
About to Arm her, and to scout abroad,
Euen towards the Place which now the Heav'ns forbode.
Tow'rds Our sad Citie, which then deeply sigh't
Vnder the fury of that Monster fell.
Hee found her out in a hot-humid Cell,
876
Euen towards the Place which now the Heav'ns forbode.
Foule seam-rent rags (which som old Robe had bin)
Cas't heer and there her yellow-sallow skin,
Where-in hot fierie Carbuncles were fixt,
With poisonie Rubies, heere and there betwixt:
A quench-lesse Thirst, with a continuall Feauer,
Broild in her brest, boild in her body euer;
Her verie Breath was as a deadly stroak:
Her cursed Stance ready with stink to choak:
So close it was, that neuer Wind could fan,
Saue the th'vnrefin'd autumnall Affrican,
Whose noisome aire a stuffing fogge did pen
With mustie Vapours of a moistie Fen.
Cas't heer and there her yellow-sallow skin,
Where-in hot fierie Carbuncles were fixt,
With poisonie Rubies, heere and there betwixt:
A quench-lesse Thirst, with a continuall Feauer,
Broild in her brest, boild in her body euer;
Her verie Breath was as a deadly stroak:
Her cursed Stance ready with stink to choak:
So close it was, that neuer Wind could fan,
Saue the th'vnrefin'd autumnall Affrican,
Whose noisome aire a stuffing fogge did pen
With mustie Vapours of a moistie Fen.
All round about her, by her side did ly
All sorts of Fruits that soonest putrefie,
Millions of Milions; Peares, Plums (passing numbers)
Most-humor-poysoning, crudie-cold Cucumbers;
Green Grapes; and that soft Persian fruit (so deer)
Banefull at home, and little better heer.
All sorts of Fruits that soonest putrefie,
Millions of Milions; Peares, Plums (passing numbers)
Most-humor-poysoning, crudie-cold Cucumbers;
Green Grapes; and that soft Persian fruit (so deer)
Banefull at home, and little better heer.
The Angel, wonted to Heav'ns Bliss-full Hall,
Made little stay in this vnholsesom Stall:
But, loathing soone that thick contagious aire,
He speedily dispatcht his Message there;
And Heav'n-ward quickly from the Furie flew,
Whose horror yet so seemd him to pursue,
That he had fainted to haue bin so nigh-her,
Had he not felt him of th'immortall Quier.
Made little stay in this vnholsesom Stall:
But, loathing soone that thick contagious aire,
He speedily dispatcht his Message there;
And Heav'n-ward quickly from the Furie flew,
Whose horror yet so seemd him to pursue,
That he had fainted to haue bin so nigh-her,
Had he not felt him of th'immortall Quier.
Th'immortall Sisters, in one troope, the while
(Which from their Owners euery Vice exile)
Transported swift vpon a winged Clowde,
By their Arrivall made the Palace proude.
(Which from their Owners euery Vice exile)
Transported swift vpon a winged Clowde,
By their Arrivall made the Palace proude.
The pompous Scaffold, for this purpose reard,
Seemd at their sight to tremble (as afeard):
The stately Towers of th'antique Edifice,
The massie Porch, and Arch and Frontispice,
Seem'd round about to lighten smiling flames,
As at their Entrance to adore these Dames.
Seemd at their sight to tremble (as afeard):
The stately Towers of th'antique Edifice,
The massie Porch, and Arch and Frontispice,
Seem'd round about to lighten smiling flames,
As at their Entrance to adore these Dames.
They, shuffling them (vnseen) amid the throng
Of those Good-Great, whom (as they past along)
A soft sweet Murmur, for their Vertues, blest;
Serued with Them (each in her office prest)
That goodly Rising Sunne, whose Rayes, new spred,
So rathe a Spring of flowring Hopes haue bred:
And, after both his fauourd Names were giuen,
The humane first, then that they brought from Heauen,
All, in a ring, about him did appeer
(Vnder the form of some faire Princesse neer,
Or some great Prince then present there in view)
To doe his Name the Honors iustly due;
Each cheering Him to follow for direction
The Propertie Shee brings to Kings perfection.
Of those Good-Great, whom (as they past along)
A soft sweet Murmur, for their Vertues, blest;
Serued with Them (each in her office prest)
That goodly Rising Sunne, whose Rayes, new spred,
So rathe a Spring of flowring Hopes haue bred:
And, after both his fauourd Names were giuen,
The humane first, then that they brought from Heauen,
All, in a ring, about him did appeer
(Vnder the form of some faire Princesse neer,
877
To doe his Name the Honors iustly due;
Each cheering Him to follow for direction
The Propertie Shee brings to Kings perfection.
Maist Thou (said one, as his sweet Eyes she kist)
Great-little Prince, be of the Heav'ns so blist,
That, though Augustus fortunes Thine surpasse,
Thy Fortunes yet may giue thy Prudence place:
Mayst Thou abound in royall Bountie so
(Another said) that Traiane thou out-go:
May (said another: how my Hopes aspire!)
Thy Valour, one-day euen excell thy Sire:
May there (said one) one-day appear in thee,
Thy Martiall fathers match-lesse Clemencie:
And, maist Thou frō thy Child-hood (said another)
Exceed in Zeale thy Mother and God-mother.
In briefe (Pandora-like) Each offered there
Their precious Gifts, in Præsage (as it were)
Till with aduantage gracious Heav'ns produce
Their wished-Counsails into Act and Vse.
Great-little Prince, be of the Heav'ns so blist,
That, though Augustus fortunes Thine surpasse,
Thy Fortunes yet may giue thy Prudence place:
Mayst Thou abound in royall Bountie so
(Another said) that Traiane thou out-go:
May (said another: how my Hopes aspire!)
Thy Valour, one-day euen excell thy Sire:
May there (said one) one-day appear in thee,
Thy Martiall fathers match-lesse Clemencie:
And, maist Thou frō thy Child-hood (said another)
Exceed in Zeale thy Mother and God-mother.
In briefe (Pandora-like) Each offered there
Their precious Gifts, in Præsage (as it were)
Till with aduantage gracious Heav'ns produce
Their wished-Counsails into Act and Vse.
Grant, God Almighty, King of Kings, that Hee
When on These Thrones his royall Turn shall bee,
Hee may haue care t'accomplish euery-where
What all our Hopes haue for him dar'd to swear;
And what his Looks, Words, Maners, Motions, seem
In euery part, to promise still for Him.
When on These Thrones his royall Turn shall bee,
Hee may haue care t'accomplish euery-where
What all our Hopes haue for him dar'd to swear;
And what his Looks, Words, Maners, Motions, seem
In euery part, to promise still for Him.
May Hee, his People tender, loue, protect;
Delight in Iustice, yield them her Effect:
May hee forbeare to over-charge their backs
With novel Tributes, or with need-less Taxe:
And let them see that of all Titles giuen
To all the Kings that haue been vnder Heav'n,
Hee holdeth Good the best; better then Glorious,
Warrs-thunderbolt, Earths-Terror, Great, Victorious;
Whose loftie sound makes Princes oft become
Abroad more feared then belou'd at home.
Delight in Iustice, yield them her Effect:
May hee forbeare to over-charge their backs
With novel Tributes, or with need-less Taxe:
And let them see that of all Titles giuen
To all the Kings that haue been vnder Heav'n,
Hee holdeth Good the best; better then Glorious,
Warrs-thunderbolt, Earths-Terror, Great, Victorious;
Whose loftie sound makes Princes oft become
Abroad more feared then belou'd at home.
High swells the Ocean, when the Moon's at full,
And with proud Billowes threats both Hill & Hull;
But sinks againe, and shrinks into his Bed,
VVhen Cynthia mues her neuer-constant Head:
So (swelling proud; so, surly browd the while;
So, temper-lesse; tempted with Fortunes smile)
Ignoble Natures are too-lightly pufft;
And with her Frowne as basely counterbufft.
And with proud Billowes threats both Hill & Hull;
But sinks againe, and shrinks into his Bed,
VVhen Cynthia mues her neuer-constant Head:
So (swelling proud; so, surly browd the while;
So, temper-lesse; tempted with Fortunes smile)
Ignoble Natures are too-lightly pufft;
And with her Frowne as basely counterbufft.
Farre other be His firm and generous Mind,
Whether his Fate be curst, or be she kinde;
Yea, fawn-shee, frown-shee, (firm indeed to none)
Be He still like him Selfe, The same, still one;
Still bountifull, still milde-maiesticall,
And still vouchsafing free Accesse to all:
So that no Barre (a Barbarous deuice)
But due Respect doo seuer Him from His.
For, be a Prince neuer so mighty Great,
If betwixt Him and His a Bar He set;
At length he sets one (which scarce ought repaires)
Twixt their Affections and his own Affaires.
Leaue He, to th'idle Pomp of Prester-Ians,
To miss-proud Sophyes, and soft Asians;
That Care, to keep their tawny Maiesties,
From Subiects sight (saue once a yeere, or twice)
And let Him daily (like the Sunne) goe out
To cleer and cheer the clowdie World about;
To doo the poore oppressed Widow right,
To help the Orphan, ouer-born by might;
To ease the iust sighes of sad Labourers:
And alwaies (like that best of Emperors)
Think That no Day, or think it lost (for nought)
VVherein he hath not some such Action wrought;
Or that he liues not then, or liues in vaine;
Or as a Subiect, not a Soueraine.
Whether his Fate be curst, or be she kinde;
Yea, fawn-shee, frown-shee, (firm indeed to none)
Be He still like him Selfe, The same, still one;
878
And still vouchsafing free Accesse to all:
So that no Barre (a Barbarous deuice)
But due Respect doo seuer Him from His.
For, be a Prince neuer so mighty Great,
If betwixt Him and His a Bar He set;
At length he sets one (which scarce ought repaires)
Twixt their Affections and his own Affaires.
Leaue He, to th'idle Pomp of Prester-Ians,
To miss-proud Sophyes, and soft Asians;
That Care, to keep their tawny Maiesties,
From Subiects sight (saue once a yeere, or twice)
And let Him daily (like the Sunne) goe out
To cleer and cheer the clowdie World about;
To doo the poore oppressed Widow right,
To help the Orphan, ouer-born by might;
To ease the iust sighes of sad Labourers:
And alwaies (like that best of Emperors)
Think That no Day, or think it lost (for nought)
VVherein he hath not some such Action wrought;
Or that he liues not then, or liues in vaine;
Or as a Subiect, not a Soueraine.
Consume not Hee in frivolous Expence,
What gold a iust Loue's gentle violence
Shall for his Succour (in extream Affaire)
Force his poore People from their hands to spare
(Nay, from their mouthes, nay rather from their bellies)
Perhaps, drawn-dry with Pump of former Tallies.
But rather, counting it (with some Remorse)
Not Gold, but Bloud; may He with greater force
Abhor to lauish, vpon idle Vaines,
His Subiects soule, and th'humor of their Veines.
What gold a iust Loue's gentle violence
Shall for his Succour (in extream Affaire)
Force his poore People from their hands to spare
(Nay, from their mouthes, nay rather from their bellies)
Perhaps, drawn-dry with Pump of former Tallies.
But rather, counting it (with some Remorse)
Not Gold, but Bloud; may He with greater force
Abhor to lauish, vpon idle Vaines,
His Subiects soule, and th'humor of their Veines.
That great King-Prophet (so renound for Song)
Once for the water of a VVell did long,
Which at the Postern of a Citic rose,
Amid an Hoast of his most deadly Foes:
Three of his Worthies (in despight of death)
Brake through their Armie, euen to vnderneath
The very wall whereas the VVell did spring;
Whereof they drew a portion for the King.
Then, off againe they brauely come their waies
(Couer'd with wounds, but more with worthy Praise)
And re-arriu'd in their owne Camp, their Prize
Vnto their Prince present in humble wise.
But He, bethinking through how many deaths
Those dreadless Champions had then fetcht their breaths,
In fetching of that wished Water so;
For all his thirst, hee would not drink it tho:
For, what is This (said he) but the hart-bloud
Of these that Thus haue ventur'd for my good.
So to Gods will, His, willing to accord,
Hee offers it on th'Altar of the Lord.
Once for the water of a VVell did long,
Which at the Postern of a Citic rose,
Amid an Hoast of his most deadly Foes:
Three of his Worthies (in despight of death)
Brake through their Armie, euen to vnderneath
The very wall whereas the VVell did spring;
Whereof they drew a portion for the King.
Then, off againe they brauely come their waies
(Couer'd with wounds, but more with worthy Praise)
And re-arriu'd in their owne Camp, their Prize
Vnto their Prince present in humble wise.
But He, bethinking through how many deaths
Those dreadless Champions had then fetcht their breaths,
In fetching of that wished Water so;
For all his thirst, hee would not drink it tho:
879
Of these that Thus haue ventur'd for my good.
So to Gods will, His, willing to accord,
Hee offers it on th'Altar of the Lord.
So, may Our Prince another-day imploy
The publique Treasure, which with carefull Ioy,
His louing Subiects shall (as ought the loyall)
Yield to support his Port and Charges royall.
May Hee present to th'in-sight of his Thought,
With how much Sweat and Sorrow it is bought:
What Rigor (vsed in his Name perhaps)
Extorts it from oppressed Widowes laps,
From wretched Crafts-men, from hard-racked Swains,
Whom Pouerty at her owne Mess maintains;
And, in Compassion say (with tender griefe)
This is my Subiects bloud, my Peoples Life:
This must not then in idle Pomp and Play
(As water spilt) be spent and cast away.
Then (doubting lesse the damage then th'abuse)
Vow it to God, as to the rightfull Vse.
The publique Treasure, which with carefull Ioy,
His louing Subiects shall (as ought the loyall)
Yield to support his Port and Charges royall.
May Hee present to th'in-sight of his Thought,
With how much Sweat and Sorrow it is bought:
What Rigor (vsed in his Name perhaps)
Extorts it from oppressed Widowes laps,
From wretched Crafts-men, from hard-racked Swains,
Whom Pouerty at her owne Mess maintains;
And, in Compassion say (with tender griefe)
This is my Subiects bloud, my Peoples Life:
This must not then in idle Pomp and Play
(As water spilt) be spent and cast away.
Then (doubting lesse the damage then th'abuse)
Vow it to God, as to the rightfull Vse.
And, 'tis to consecrate, and vow it right
(And in a fashion pleasing in Gods sight)
To poure it out in Royall (right) Expence;
Either in War-works for his Realms defence,
Or for his Honor; to all Times to seale
His King-like Bounty, Prouidence, and Zeale.
(And in a fashion pleasing in Gods sight)
To poure it out in Royall (right) Expence;
Either in War-works for his Realms defence,
Or for his Honor; to all Times to seale
His King-like Bounty, Prouidence, and Zeale.
Close-fisted therefore may He neuer be
To the true Seed of sacred Memorie;
To Those whose lustre doth adorne Renowne,
And honors Kings more then their orient Crown:
To stately Structures, speaking Eminence,
So as their Vse match their Magnificence:
To wall High-waies; to heaw-down harmfull Ridges:
To parallel Eld's Aquæducts and Bridges:
Found Hospitals, or to endow them founded:
To stop Sea-Breaches where they haue surrounded:
To fence with Peers and Piles of sundry sorts
From Neptunes furie his importing Ports:
To build faire Shops for th'Helyconian Loomes,
T'advance Their Arts, and giue chiefe Parts chiefe Roomes;
And (as with liuing Nets) by Benefits,
To catch both Valiant Spirits and Learned Wits.
To the true Seed of sacred Memorie;
To Those whose lustre doth adorne Renowne,
And honors Kings more then their orient Crown:
To stately Structures, speaking Eminence,
So as their Vse match their Magnificence:
To wall High-waies; to heaw-down harmfull Ridges:
To parallel Eld's Aquæducts and Bridges:
Found Hospitals, or to endow them founded:
To stop Sea-Breaches where they haue surrounded:
To fence with Peers and Piles of sundry sorts
From Neptunes furie his importing Ports:
To build faire Shops for th'Helyconian Loomes,
T'advance Their Arts, and giue chiefe Parts chiefe Roomes;
And (as with liuing Nets) by Benefits,
To catch both Valiant Spirits and Learned Wits.
Millions of Verse haue sounded loftily
The Prudence, Prowesse, Pitie, Pietie,
And sacred Iustice of our Souerain Sir,
As diuerse gales their diuerse Sailes did stir:
But not a Voice, in lowe or loftie vaine,
Hath of his Bountie euer sung a straine:
Yet yeerly from his liberal hand hath come
A million (a more then Royall Sum)
Among those (happy) whom his Goodnes graces,
Or whom their owne in his opinion places.
Which of his Predecessors (first or last)
In Gifts or Guerdons these faire limits past?
Not one of them did euer reach so high;
Yet Vulgar bruit (halfe false, halfe flattery)
Giues some of them the great and glorious Name
Of Liberal Princes, of illustrious fame.
And shall not wee then, beare through th'Vniuerse
His worthy Praise vpon the wings of Verse?
Shall not wee say that his renowned hand,
As worthily (in Peace) with Bounties band
Can binde vnto him whom he worthy knowes,
As brauely conquer (in the Field) his Foes?
The Prudence, Prowesse, Pitie, Pietie,
And sacred Iustice of our Souerain Sir,
As diuerse gales their diuerse Sailes did stir:
But not a Voice, in lowe or loftie vaine,
Hath of his Bountie euer sung a straine:
880
A million (a more then Royall Sum)
Among those (happy) whom his Goodnes graces,
Or whom their owne in his opinion places.
Which of his Predecessors (first or last)
In Gifts or Guerdons these faire limits past?
Not one of them did euer reach so high;
Yet Vulgar bruit (halfe false, halfe flattery)
Giues some of them the great and glorious Name
Of Liberal Princes, of illustrious fame.
And shall not wee then, beare through th'Vniuerse
His worthy Praise vpon the wings of Verse?
Shall not wee say that his renowned hand,
As worthily (in Peace) with Bounties band
Can binde vnto him whom he worthy knowes,
As brauely conquer (in the Field) his Foes?
Be mute that list, and muzzle they their stile,
On whom his Bounty neuer daign'd to smile
(Were't through their own mis-fate, in hauing none,
Or hauing Vertues, not to haue them known.)
But I, whose hap hath been to march with those
Towards whose laps This golden Riuer flowes,
My Voice and Verse shall tromp-it farre and nigh
To modern eares, and to Posteritie.
And (without Flattery) say, that all the scope
Of Wishes wayting on our future Hope,
And all our Prayers for a Compleat Prince
(As in the rest of Royall Ornaments)
Need of the Heav'ns no greater Hap require,
But that in This, the Son be like the Sire;
And that he may (obseruing Golden mean)
Giue like a King that means to giue againe:
Yet, with such feruour to This glorious Part,
That still he giue lesse with his hand, then hart.
On whom his Bounty neuer daign'd to smile
(Were't through their own mis-fate, in hauing none,
Or hauing Vertues, not to haue them known.)
But I, whose hap hath been to march with those
Towards whose laps This golden Riuer flowes,
My Voice and Verse shall tromp-it farre and nigh
To modern eares, and to Posteritie.
And (without Flattery) say, that all the scope
Of Wishes wayting on our future Hope,
And all our Prayers for a Compleat Prince
(As in the rest of Royall Ornaments)
Need of the Heav'ns no greater Hap require,
But that in This, the Son be like the Sire;
And that he may (obseruing Golden mean)
Giue like a King that means to giue againe:
Yet, with such feruour to This glorious Part,
That still he giue lesse with his hand, then hart.
Vouchsafe th'Eternall Destinies-disposer,
Kings sole Advancer, and Kings sole Deposer,
That maugre Tyrants wrath, and Traytors wile
(Whose Maister-peece we Heer haue seen yer-while)
Hee may wax old (after his aged Sire)
In Peacefull Raign, vntill his Raign expire:
And neuer but at Tilt, or Tourney, feele
The combrous burthen of a Case of steele;
Or, when iust furie shall inflame his sp'rite
Against Vsurpers of His ancient Right.
But, whether law-lesse Need, or Glories loue,
Him driue or draw, his Force in Field to proue,
May He in Counsail, Courage, and Successe,
Match his great Parents constant Happinesse,
So as there be no need to spur Him forth,
With braue Remembrance of His match-less worth.
Kings sole Advancer, and Kings sole Deposer,
That maugre Tyrants wrath, and Traytors wile
(Whose Maister-peece we Heer haue seen yer-while)
Hee may wax old (after his aged Sire)
In Peacefull Raign, vntill his Raign expire:
And neuer but at Tilt, or Tourney, feele
The combrous burthen of a Case of steele;
Or, when iust furie shall inflame his sp'rite
Against Vsurpers of His ancient Right.
But, whether law-lesse Need, or Glories loue,
Him driue or draw, his Force in Field to proue,
May He in Counsail, Courage, and Successe,
Match his great Parents constant Happinesse,
881
With braue Remembrance of His match-less worth.
But, Laurell burnt, crackles in vain; and of-it
Champing the Lease alone, makes not a Prophet,
If that his Tutors haue not more to do,
To hold him from, then to incite him to;
To coole, then kindle, that courageous heat,
Which makes men feare no death, no dangers threat:
But, as once Theseus, ready to be kild,
Was known to be the Kings sonne, that so wild;
By his gilt Sword and signe engrav'n thereon:
He shall be known to be His Fathers Son,
By the Exploits of His, in such a Rank,
As would haue made the two first Cæsars blank.
Champing the Lease alone, makes not a Prophet,
If that his Tutors haue not more to do,
To hold him from, then to incite him to;
To coole, then kindle, that courageous heat,
Which makes men feare no death, no dangers threat:
But, as once Theseus, ready to be kild,
Was known to be the Kings sonne, that so wild;
By his gilt Sword and signe engrav'n thereon:
He shall be known to be His Fathers Son,
By the Exploits of His, in such a Rank,
As would haue made the two first Cæsars blank.
Be He Benign, so as his Indulgences
Breed not Bad-Boldnes, Feed not Insolences:
Like to some Winters, ouer-milde and warm,
Which neither kill the Weed, nor chill the VVorm;
But breed the Plague, Pox, Murrain and the rest,
That rotten Humors may, in Man and Beast.
Breed not Bad-Boldnes, Feed not Insolences:
Like to some Winters, ouer-milde and warm,
Which neither kill the Weed, nor chill the VVorm;
But breed the Plague, Pox, Murrain and the rest,
That rotten Humors may, in Man and Beast.
Not, but I know it farre more honorable
To saue then spill (in Cases tollerable)
Sith heer a World of Dust-bred Creatures liue,
Can reaue Mans life, which onely God can giue:
But too-oft Pardoning oft too-many drawes
T'haue need of Pardon, through contempt of Lawes
And Magistrates; whom the Audacious reak
But Bugs, and Bridles to base minds and weake.
To saue then spill (in Cases tollerable)
Sith heer a World of Dust-bred Creatures liue,
Can reaue Mans life, which onely God can giue:
But too-oft Pardoning oft too-many drawes
T'haue need of Pardon, through contempt of Lawes
And Magistrates; whom the Audacious reak
But Bugs, and Bridles to base minds and weake.
In Mildnes then, be Hee so moderate
(For his owne safety and the publique State)
That neither Horror taint his Executions;
Neither his Fauours harbour Dissolutions:
And, too-remisse, by His too-oft Repriues,
Turn Pitties Temple to a Den of Thieues.
(For his owne safety and the publique State)
That neither Horror taint his Executions;
Neither his Fauours harbour Dissolutions:
And, too-remisse, by His too-oft Repriues,
Turn Pitties Temple to a Den of Thieues.
May He fear God, loue, worship, seek, & serue him,
Know, it's He sole doth stablish and preserue him:
That Kings, as his Anointed, haue Regard:
That but He guard them, little boots their Guard.
May hee beleue His VVord, honor, obey;
Take it, for Compasse in this Worldly Sea,
Make it the Measure of Kings Power, in all;
And, counting That of Lawes the principall,
Haue it ay written in his hart's deep rooms;
But, as a Prince, not as a Priest becoms.
Know, it's He sole doth stablish and preserue him:
That Kings, as his Anointed, haue Regard:
That but He guard them, little boots their Guard.
May hee beleue His VVord, honor, obey;
Take it, for Compasse in this Worldly Sea,
Make it the Measure of Kings Power, in all;
And, counting That of Lawes the principall,
Haue it ay written in his hart's deep rooms;
But, as a Prince, not as a Priest becoms.
Vnder th'old Law (now abrogat long since)
One might be both a Pontife and a Prince,
For nothing seemed then to hinder them
From matching so Mitre and Diadem:
But now their Functions are diuided far,
And Monkish Kings, now but contemned are:
There Man and Maister but Hail-fellow is;
And subiects play the kings, where Kings play Priests.
One might be both a Pontife and a Prince,
For nothing seemed then to hinder them
From matching so Mitre and Diadem:
882
And Monkish Kings, now but contemned are:
There Man and Maister but Hail-fellow is;
And subiects play the kings, where Kings play Priests.
May He be loyall, constant in sinceritie;
In soule, abhorring lyes, and louing veritie:
That as his Deeds shall (for the most) be Miracles,
So may his Words be altogether Oracles.
In soule, abhorring lyes, and louing veritie:
That as his Deeds shall (for the most) be Miracles,
So may his Words be altogether Oracles.
Th'Almighty grant, that during all His daies,
All sparks be quencht which Factions wont to raise;
For, for the most (to double Miserie)
There be Two Kings where two great Factions be.
But, if there should (which God forbid) succeed
Such Mischiefs heer as heer-to-fore there did,
May hee not want sound Counsailes happy Light,
To guide him in his Fathers steps aright:
Who, reauing th'eldest Emperors their Palmes,
Suddainly turnd such Tempests into Calmes,
By Means so milde, that it was rather thought
By heav'nly Hap, then humane Wisedom wrought.
But, were it Wisedome, were it Happiness,
Match He our Wishes, and His Wise success:
Th'one of Himselfe, th'other from Heav'nly hand,
That Peace may prosper ouer all his Land.
All sparks be quencht which Factions wont to raise;
For, for the most (to double Miserie)
There be Two Kings where two great Factions be.
But, if there should (which God forbid) succeed
Such Mischiefs heer as heer-to-fore there did,
May hee not want sound Counsailes happy Light,
To guide him in his Fathers steps aright:
Who, reauing th'eldest Emperors their Palmes,
Suddainly turnd such Tempests into Calmes,
By Means so milde, that it was rather thought
By heav'nly Hap, then humane Wisedom wrought.
But, were it Wisedome, were it Happiness,
Match He our Wishes, and His Wise success:
Th'one of Himselfe, th'other from Heav'nly hand,
That Peace may prosper ouer all his Land.
I know, that Princes beeing born for th'Arts
Which Counsails, Camps, and Dangers schoole imparts,
The Books most needfull and peculiar Theirs,
Are Politiques, of State, and State-affaires.
But, sith so few yeers doe our Age comprise,
That euen the greatest of the greedy-Wise,
Should knowe but little, if no more they knew
Then from Experience of one Age they drew:
That He, at once, may see all Accidents
Of all past Ages, with his own's Euents;
Which Counsails, Camps, and Dangers schoole imparts,
The Books most needfull and peculiar Theirs,
Are Politiques, of State, and State-affaires.
But, sith so few yeers doe our Age comprise,
That euen the greatest of the greedy-Wise,
Should knowe but little, if no more they knew
Then from Experience of one Age they drew:
That He, at once, may see all Accidents
Of all past Ages, with his own's Euents;
May Hee propose and set before his eyes
The goodly Tables of all Histories;
And there contempling all the true Records
Of other Monarchs, mighty States, and Lords,
Obscrue their Acts, their Counsails, their Discourse,
All (notable, or rare) in all their Course;
Both what to follow there, and what to shun,
And whether Fame or Shame their liues haue won:
May He there glasse himselfe, and mark it brim,
Whether the same shall not be said of Him.
For heer, Our Verses smoothly sing and smile:
But History will hisse, in other stile:
And Kings that heere haue been compar'd to Gods,
Entombed once, though vnder golden Clods,
If in their Liues they haue deseru'd it, first;
Shall haue their Names torn, & their Fames accurst.
The goodly Tables of all Histories;
And there contempling all the true Records
Of other Monarchs, mighty States, and Lords,
Obscrue their Acts, their Counsails, their Discourse,
All (notable, or rare) in all their Course;
Both what to follow there, and what to shun,
And whether Fame or Shame their liues haue won:
May He there glasse himselfe, and mark it brim,
Whether the same shall not be said of Him.
For heer, Our Verses smoothly sing and smile:
But History will hisse, in other stile:
And Kings that heere haue been compar'd to Gods,
Entombed once, though vnder golden Clods,
883
Shall haue their Names torn, & their Fames accurst.
What may I add vnto These Wishes more?
No more but This; that All heere wisht before,
And All presaged of the Dolphin heere,
Concurr in Charles: that all His Parts appeere
A liuing Picture of all Parts of Worth
Of all those Worthies whence Hee takes his Birth:
That gratious Heau'ns (which promise euen as much)
Is all These Vertues daign to make Him such,
That really hee giue royall Assent
To all the Acts of Vertues Parliament:
That in his Turn, the Ages after Vs,
May finde, and know him for Panaretvs:
And sith That Name must needs Immortall bee,
That no prophane hand blurr His History:
But some sweet Daniell, or som sacred Hall,
Or ciuill Hayward, (milde-maiestike, all)
With purest faith, in a peculiar stile,
A glorious Work of His great Works compile:
Or, if that Any of more worthy Skill is,
Bee He the Homer to This new Achilles.
Great Britans great Hope of Great Hap to-come;
Phœnix arising from a Phœnix Dust:
In whom the Heav'ns (as mercifull, as iust)
Restore our great losse, in Great Henrie's Toomb.
No more but This; that All heere wisht before,
And All presaged of the Dolphin heere,
Concurr in Charles: that all His Parts appeere
A liuing Picture of all Parts of Worth
Of all those Worthies whence Hee takes his Birth:
That gratious Heau'ns (which promise euen as much)
Is all These Vertues daign to make Him such,
That really hee giue royall Assent
To all the Acts of Vertues Parliament:
That in his Turn, the Ages after Vs,
May finde, and know him for Panaretvs:
And sith That Name must needs Immortall bee,
That no prophane hand blurr His History:
But some sweet Daniell, or som sacred Hall,
Or ciuill Hayward, (milde-maiestike, all)
With purest faith, in a peculiar stile,
A glorious Work of His great Works compile:
Or, if that Any of more worthy Skill is,
Bee He the Homer to This new Achilles.
Great Britans great Hope of Great Hap to-come;
Phœnix arising from a Phœnix Dust:
In whom the Heav'ns (as mercifull, as iust)
Restore our great losse, in Great Henrie's Toomb.
Long long and Happy (in thy Brother's roome)
Succeed Thou Charles, euer as Good as Great:
Deriving, old, to thy old Fathers Seat,
Wise, Great, Good Stvarts, till the Day of Doome.
Which while I pray, sweet Prince, vouchsafe a space
To read and rue Your humble Bead mans Case.
Succeed Thou Charles, euer as Good as Great:
Deriving, old, to thy old Fathers Seat,
Wise, Great, Good Stvarts, till the Day of Doome.
Which while I pray, sweet Prince, vouchsafe a space
To read and rue Your humble Bead mans Case.
884
Heer (like Leander in the Hellespont)
Tost in a Tempest, in the darkest Night,
Distract with Feares, divorced from the sight
Of My High Pharus which to guide me wont:
Spying Böotes in your Highnes Front,
For life I labour towards your hopefull Light
(May neuer Care beclowd that Beam so bright,
Come neuer Point of least Eclipse vpon't)
Yet, though (alas!) your gracious Rayes haue show'n
My wracked limbes a likely way to land:
Vnlesse (by Others Help, or by your Own)
The tender Pitty of your Princely hand
Quick hale mee out, I perish instantly,
Hal'd-in againe by Sixe that hang on Mee.
Tost in a Tempest, in the darkest Night,
Distract with Feares, divorced from the sight
Of My High Pharus which to guide me wont:
Spying Böotes in your Highnes Front,
For life I labour towards your hopefull Light
(May neuer Care beclowd that Beam so bright,
Come neuer Point of least Eclipse vpon't)
Yet, though (alas!) your gracious Rayes haue show'n
My wracked limbes a likely way to land:
Vnlesse (by Others Help, or by your Own)
The tender Pitty of your Princely hand
Quick hale mee out, I perish instantly,
Hal'd-in againe by Sixe that hang on Mee.
Sixe-times already, ready euen to faint,
With grievous Waight of guiltless Want opprest,
Bartas and I haue bow'd and vow'd our best
Before the Altar of our Souerain Saint:
And yet, the Eare that heareth euery Plaint;
The Heart that pitties euery poore Distrest;
Alone (alas!) seems Deafe to My Request;
And only, is not moou'd with My Complaint.
Yet must I needs (Need still importunes so)
Importune still, till some milde Soule relent:
But (vnder Heav'n) no Help no Hope, I know,
Saue Yov alone, my Ruine to preuent:
Yov onely may, Now onely, if at all:
Past Help, past Hope, If Now Yov faile, I fall.
With grievous Waight of guiltless Want opprest,
Bartas and I haue bow'd and vow'd our best
Before the Altar of our Souerain Saint:
And yet, the Eare that heareth euery Plaint;
The Heart that pitties euery poore Distrest;
Alone (alas!) seems Deafe to My Request;
And only, is not moou'd with My Complaint.
Yet must I needs (Need still importunes so)
Importune still, till some milde Soule relent:
But (vnder Heav'n) no Help no Hope, I know,
Saue Yov alone, my Ruine to preuent:
Yov onely may, Now onely, if at all:
Past Help, past Hope, If Now Yov faile, I fall.
Your Highnes's most humbly deuoted, and obseruant Seruant,
Iosvah Sylvester.
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