 | Carolina |  |
NEW LIBANUS.
1679.
To the Right Honourable Catharine Countess of Rutland; Upon the Blessings brought to that (well-near-extinguisht Family) by Her self and Honourable Issue.
Honour'd Madam,
If I'm o're-bold, Zeal makes the errour less;
For Zeal is but Devotion in excess.
If it more forward prest than you requir'd,
'Tis my Soul's warmth by agitation fir'd,
Such Zeal, and true Devotion, are the same;
Or only differ, as do Heat, and Flame;
That cherishes it self; but Zeal incites
The World, to imitate its blazing lights.
Praises to sing, and Powers to admire,
Are the chief Descants of the heav'nly Quire.
For Zeal is but Devotion in excess.
If it more forward prest than you requir'd,
'Tis my Soul's warmth by agitation fir'd,
Such Zeal, and true Devotion, are the same;
Or only differ, as do Heat, and Flame;
That cherishes it self; but Zeal incites
The World, to imitate its blazing lights.
228
Are the chief Descants of the heav'nly Quire.
'Tis fame enough, that I have led the way,
And tun'd the Strings for skilful hands to play.
They may advance th' inventions of my Muse:
As Sciences improve with time, and use.
In primitive Professors, all confess
Their Zeal devouter, tho their Knowledge less.
By no Divinity inspir'd, but you;
I am your Poet, and your Prophet too.
Rare Subject! where all Poetry may strain;
And never be asperst, that it does feign.
Where Fancy most exalted, seems to be
Plain Demonstration, and true History.
It easie is for Prophets to divine;
When blessings clearly through your Actions shine.
Bright Issue, from such Springs as surely streams,
As Sol and Luna propagate their beams.
And tun'd the Strings for skilful hands to play.
They may advance th' inventions of my Muse:
As Sciences improve with time, and use.
In primitive Professors, all confess
Their Zeal devouter, tho their Knowledge less.
By no Divinity inspir'd, but you;
I am your Poet, and your Prophet too.
Rare Subject! where all Poetry may strain;
And never be asperst, that it does feign.
Where Fancy most exalted, seems to be
Plain Demonstration, and true History.
It easie is for Prophets to divine;
When blessings clearly through your Actions shine.
Bright Issue, from such Springs as surely streams,
As Sol and Luna propagate their beams.
Belvoir's an Orb so great, Both there unite;
And thence your Infant-Stars derive their Light.
As glorious, and as lasting, may they prove;
Those hopeful Products of your mutual love.
Great-Rutland, with these Prospects clos'd his Eyes;
And joyfull, like prophetick Jacob, dyes.
And thence your Infant-Stars derive their Light.
As glorious, and as lasting, may they prove;
Those hopeful Products of your mutual love.
Great-Rutland, with these Prospects clos'd his Eyes;
And joyfull, like prophetick Jacob, dyes.
How should we celebrate your precious Wombe;
That this Age blesses, and the next to come?
Past Ages fitting recompences found;
Bellies of fruitful Princesses were crown'd.
O! that your Royal Name-sake could but set
A Crown as sure, as you a Coronet!
Your pregnant Soil, rich as are Indian Beds;
Where one Rose blows, soon as another sheds.
Fruitful as flowing Nilus, that ne'r swells,
But future blessings to its Country tells.
Like Gideon's Fleece, drencht with Cœlestial dew;
Whilst tears are all the Moisture others knew.
By friendly Fate, your happy Lord's allow'd
To meet a Juno in a fruitful Cloud.
Fruitful as those i'th' Spring when blessings pours,
Upon the Earth, and Silver melts in show'rs.
That this Age blesses, and the next to come?
Past Ages fitting recompences found;
Bellies of fruitful Princesses were crown'd.
229
A Crown as sure, as you a Coronet!
Your pregnant Soil, rich as are Indian Beds;
Where one Rose blows, soon as another sheds.
Fruitful as flowing Nilus, that ne'r swells,
But future blessings to its Country tells.
Like Gideon's Fleece, drencht with Cœlestial dew;
Whilst tears are all the Moisture others knew.
By friendly Fate, your happy Lord's allow'd
To meet a Juno in a fruitful Cloud.
Fruitful as those i'th' Spring when blessings pours,
Upon the Earth, and Silver melts in show'rs.
Nor are your poor, by these expences grown;
No more, than mid-day-beams exhaust the Sun.
What issues from your Orb adds to your shine:
As fragrant Blossoms crown the Gessamine.
You, by those dear reflections, are more bright:
So Stars (thou seeds o'th' Sun) rob not his light.
Nay you are fairer, as more happy found:
Some Seeds there are improve the Mother-Ground.
No more, than mid-day-beams exhaust the Sun.
What issues from your Orb adds to your shine:
As fragrant Blossoms crown the Gessamine.
You, by those dear reflections, are more bright:
So Stars (thou seeds o'th' Sun) rob not his light.
Nay you are fairer, as more happy found:
Some Seeds there are improve the Mother-Ground.
You, than the Foundress, I should more have prais'd,
Since you uphold the Fabrick that she rais'd.
She, like Pigmalion did the Image give;
But you the Goddess are that makes it live.
Since you uphold the Fabrick that she rais'd.
She, like Pigmalion did the Image give;
But you the Goddess are that makes it live.
| Carolina | |