DEVO
 DEVOREUX, OR VIRTUE'S TEARS, KEYPUNCHED FROM A COPY OF THE 1597 EDITION
IN THE HUNTINGTON LIBRARY.  PURPORTED TO BE FIRST WRITTEN IN FRENCH BY
 A LEARNED GENTLEWOMAN, MADAM GENEVIEVE PETAU, AND TRANSLATED INTO
  ENGLISH BY MARKHAM.   KEYPUNCHED MAY 8, 1979.  LOUIS ULE.
)

             VIRTUE'S TEARS FOR THE
      LOSS OF THE MOST CHRISTIAN KING HENRY
   THIRD OF THAT NAME, KING OF FRANCE, AND THE
    UNTIMELY DEATH OF THE MOST NOBLE AND HEROIC
       GENTLEMAN, WALTER DEVOREUX, WHO WAS
          SLAIN BEFORE ROUEN IN FRANCE.

FIRST WRITTEN IN FRENCH BY THE MOST EXCELLENT AND
      LEARNED GENTLEWOMAN, MADAM GENEVIEVE,
                  PETAU MAULETTE,
   AND PARAPHRASTICALLY TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH
                  BY GERVASE MARKHAM.



                    DDEVOREUX.

                 ARETEAE LACHRIMAE.

WOE-WEARIED WITH THE EVER-WEEPING WOE
THAT BREAKS THE AGED REINS OF WITHERED FRANCE,
AND THINKING HOW THOSE THOUGHTS TO OVERGO
THAT GIVE ETERNAL MEMORY TO MISCHANCE,
OR WILLING TO DECEIVE TH' UNWILLING FOE,
OF EVER-SPRINGING TEARS BY SOME DEAD TRANCE,
EARLY BEFORE THE EARLY SUN COULD RISE,
I ROSE FROM REST, WHEN REST ROSE FROM MINE EYES:

AND FREED FROM THAT WHICH FREES ITSELF FROM CARE,
(FOR QUIET NE'ER WAS CONSORT WITH COMPLAINT)
LED BY HOPE'S HAND, THOUGH DRAWN ON BY DESPAIR,
(THE FACTOR FOR IMPROVIDENT CONSTRAINT)
I WALKED ALONGST A STREAM FOR PURENESS RARE,
BRIGHTER THAN SUNSHINE, FOR IT DID ACQUAINT
THE DULLEST SIGHT WITH ALL THE GLORIOUS PREY
THAT IN THE PEBBLE-PAVED CHANNEL LAY.

NO MOLTEN CRYSTAL, BUT A RICHER MINE,
EVEN NATURE'S RAREST ALCHEMY RAN THERE,
DIAMONDS RESOLVED, OR SUBSTANCE MORE DIVINE,
THROUGH WHOSE BRIGHT GLIDING CURRENT MIGHT APPEAR
A THOUSAND NAKED NYMPHS WHOSE IVORY SHINE
ENAMELLING THE BANKS MADE THEM MORE DEAR
THAN EVER WAS THAT GLORIOUS PALACE GATE
WHERE THE DAY-SHINING SUN IN TRIUMPH SATE.
UPON THE BRIM THE EGLANTINE AND ROSE,
THE TAMORISK, OLIVE, AND TH' ALMOND TREE
AS KIND COMPANIONS IN ONE UNION GROWS,
FOLDING THEIR TWINDRING ARMS, AS OFT WE SEE
TURTLE-TAUGHT LOVERS EITHER OTHER CLOSE,
LENDING TO DULLNESS FEELING SYMPATHY.
AND AS A COSTLY VALANCE O'ER A BED,
SO DID THEIR GARLAND-TOPS THE BROOK O'ERSPREAD.

THEIR LEAVES, THAT DIFFERED BOTH IN SHAPE AND SHOW,
(THOUGH ALL WERE GREEN, YET DIFFERENCE SUCH IN GREEN)
LIKE TO THE CHECKERED BENT OF IRIS' BOW,
PRIDED THE RUNNING MINE, AS IT HAD BEEN
THE BOWER OF BEAUTY, WHENCE ALONE DID FLOW
MORE HEAVENLY STREAMS THAN FORMER AGE HAD SEEN,
TAKING THEIR CURRENT FROM THAT LEARNED HILL
WHERE LODGE THE MOTHERS OF ADMIRE AND SKILL.

AMONGST THE SUMMER BLOSSOMS OF THEIR BOUGHS
A THOUSAND SEVERAL COLORED BIRDS WAS SET,
WHO MOVED (AS SEEMED) BY CHARITABLE VOWS,
OR EXCELLENT COMPASSION, EVER WET
WITH HONORABLE TEARS, (FOR FATES ALLOWS
THAT SENSIBLE, FROM SENSELESS, STILL SHALL SET
MODELS OF PITY), CAME THERE WITH MELODY,
TO CHEER MEN'S MINDS, FOREDONE WITH MISERY.

AND WITH THE MURM'RING CADENCE OF THE WAVE
THAT MADE A PRETTY WRANGLING AS IT WENT,
CHIDING THE BANKS WHICH NO MORE LIMIT GAVE,
THEY JOINED THEIR WELL-TUNED THROATS WITH SUCH CONSENT,
THAT EVEN MAD GRIEF AT SIGHT THEREOF GREW GRAVE;
AND AS ENCHANTED, STAYED FROM LANGUISHMENT,
PROVING, THEN THERE, DELIGHT WAS NEVER GREATER,
AND GRIEF HOW MUCH THE MORE, SO MUCH THE BETTER.

THITHER CAME I TO SEEK OUT LOST DELIGHT,
(DELIGHT THAT WAS IN EDEN BANISHED MAN)
BUT PRESENTLY APPEARED UNTO MY SIGHT
A SOUL-SAD NYMPH, GRIEF-TORTURED, PALE AND WAN;
UPON WHOSE COUNTENANCE RIGOROUS DESPITE
REGISTERED MUCH, OR MORE THAN MISCHIEF CAN:
ALL THAT SHE WAS, WAS PITIFUL AND ILL,
SUCH AS TO LIMN MY WEAK WIT WANTETH SKILL.

WITH BALEFUL CYPRESS WAS HER FOREHEAD CROWNED,
AND FATAL YEW MADE BRACELETS FOR HER HANDS;
AND DISMAL SCREECH OWLS ROUND ABOUT HER STANDS:
HER EYES WITHIN A WOEFUL OCEAN DROWNED,
OIL-LIKE INCREASED NEW FIRE ON DOLORS' BRANDS,
AND WITH A DIM BLUE BURNING LAMP SHE BARE,
SHE OFFERED SACRIFICE UNTO DESPAIR.

THOSE CURIOUS RICH HABILIMENTS WHICH ONCE
PLEASED ALL THE WORLD, BECAUSE THEY PLEASED HER WELL,
NOW TORN AND STAINED, DISPARAGED FOR THE NONCE,
LIKE AUTUMN LEAVES TOO NEGLIGENTLY FELL:
AND FALLING, IN DISORDER ALL AT ONCE,
WITH LESS RESPECT THAN LEAST REGARD CAN TELL,
CARELESSLY TRAILED AFTER HER AS SHE WENT,
TO PROVE SHE LOVED NO VESTURE BUT LAMENT.

AND YET FOR ALL THIS CHRONICLE OF SHAME,
THIS AMPLE LEGEND OF MISFORTUNES WORST,
THIS BOUNDLESS VOLUME OF DESERTLESS BLAME,
THIS FIGURE OF DESPITE, THIS MAP ACCURSED;
WELL MIGHT I KNOW HER NOW ILL RUINED FRAME
HAD EVEN SOMETIMES THE RAREST FEATURES NURSED,
AND BEAUTY'S ABSTRACTS STILL WERE LEFT SO CLAIRE,
THAT WILLFUL BLIND MUST SAY, ONCE SHE WAS FAIR.

ONCE WAS SHE FAIR, AND THAT HER MANGLED GOWN
WHICH HALF FORSOOK TO SHROUD HER SACRED SKIN,
WAS OF A STUFF IMMORTAL, AS JOVE'S CROWN,
RICH-SEEMING AZURE-VELVET, WROUGHT WITHIN,
WITHOUT, AND EVERY PART; ALL WAVING DOWN
WITH GOLDEN FLEUR-DE-LUCES, THAT HAD BEEN
CHARMS FROM DISHONOR, AND DESPITE MISCHANCE
BROUGHT TEN TIMES THOUSAND TROPHYS INTO FRANCE.

ALL THIS I KNEW, YET KNEW NOT WHAT MISHAP,
WHAT LIFE-CONFOUNDING GRIEF, WASTING GOOD THOUGHT,
HER HEAVY SOUL IN AGONY SHOULD WRAP:
NOR COULD THE MEAN BY ANY MEAN BE SOUGHT
WHY HER ETERNAL SIGHS (CLOUD-LIKE) DID LAP
HER JOYS IN MOURNING GARMENTS, SADLY WROUGHT,
NOR WHY SHE TORE HER FLAME DOWN-BURNING HAIR;
YET STILL SHE SIGHED, AND STILL HER LOCKS DID TEAR.

TILL WITH A KNEE-BOWED HUMBLE LOW SALUTE,
(FOR WHO WILL NOT DO REVERENCE TO ADMIRE)
APPROACHING NEAR HER, I MADE HUMBLE SUIT
HER GODHEAD WOULD GIVE GRACE TO MY DESIRE,
AND TELL ME WHAT WOE MURDERED HER REPUTE,
AND SHE WHOSE GRIEF COULD NOT SURPRISE HER GLORY,
SET HER SAD TONGUE IN TUNE TO TELL THE STORY.

    O, YOU IMMORTAL DAUGHTERS OF DELIGHT,
ADMIRED ALONE, TRIPLE TRIPLICITY,
FAIR THESPIAN GODDESSES, WHOSE ONLY MIGHT,
WITH HOLY FIRE INSPIRES OUR MEMORY;
EVEN YOU, DEAR MUSES, AID ME TO RECITE
HER DOLEFUL ACCENTS AND HER AGONY:
BATHE MY COLD TEMPLES IN SOME BLESSED SPRING,
THAT DARE NOT ELSE DREAM OF SO GREAT A THING.

BUT YOU] O YOU, YOU THAT ALONE ARE YOU,
WHOM NOTHING BUT YOURSELVES YOUR SELVES CAN MATCH,
FROM WHOM, AND TO WHOM, ALL THE VIRTUES FLEW:
FOR ERE HIGH JOVE THE WORLD'S WORK DID DISPATCH,
YOUR CURIOUS MOLDS WITHIN HIMSELF HE DREW,
MAKING HIS DEITY THEREON TO WATCH,
VOWING, BEAUTY AND VIRTUE, TILL YOUR BIRTH
SHOULD NOT BE SEEN, OR KNOWN UPON THE EARTH.

YOU, SISTERS BOTH IN NATURE AND ADMIRE,
THE GOLDEN TIP OF EVERY PRAISING TONGUE,
THAT MAKE ONE ISLE 'BOVE ALL THE WORLD ASPIRE.
   (O, THINK NOT FRANCE THIS FURY DOTH THEE WRONG,
FOR WHO THAT SPEAKS, SPEAKS NOT WITH DOUBLE FIRE
IF BUT ONE THOUGHT OF THEM GLANCE IN HIS SONG?
THEN PARDON MINE INVOKE, AND LET ME RING
JUSTLY ON THEM THAT TEACH ALL SWANS TO SING.)

HEAR ME, O HOLY ONES, AND HELP MY STYLE,
GLORIOUS ADOPTED FAIR NORTHUMBERLAND,
AND THOU RICH RICH, RICHEST DID ERE COMPILE,
TH' ONLY HISTORY SHALL ETERNAL STAND
WHEN RUIN ELSE SHALL ALL RECORDS DEFILE,
AND BURN OUT MEM'RY WITH OBLIVION'S BRAND;
AID YOU THOSE MUSES THAT SHOULD AID MY PEN,
FOR YOU'RE ADORED OF MUSES, GODS, AND MEN.

EVEN FOR HIS SOUL'S SAKE WHOM YOUR SOULS LOVED DEAR,
FAIR LADIES LIGHTEN FAVOR ON MY LAY,
AND HIM BEHOLD, THOUGH ME YOU WILL NOT HEAR,
HIM, WHOSE OMNIPOTENCE OF FAME BEARS SWAY
FARTHER THAN FROM THE HIGH ALPS' HIGHEST STAIR
THE WORLD'S GREAT EYE HATH POWER TO SEE BY DAY:
YOU THAT LIVE AYE IN HIM, HE IN YOUR THOUGHT,
EXHALT MY MUSE, UNTUTORED, NOT UNTAUGHT.
(WHOSE BUT REPORT LENDS EARTH A HEAV'NLY SOUL)
THE FIRST BEHOLDERS OF MY TRAGIC LAYS,
WHOM IF YOU BLESS, THERE'S NONE DARES TO CONTROL,
(FOR CURST IS HE THAT WHAT YOU SAY, GAINSAYS)
OR CHIDE ME FOR YOUR BROTHER I ENROLL
ABOVE THE HOST OF FORMER LIVING MEN;
A NOBLE WORK, FIT FOR A GOLDEN PEN.

BOW THEN YOUR EARS (THE ADAMANTS OF LOVE)
UNTO THE SONG THAT WOUNDED HONOR SANG,
AND LET HER TEAR-STEEPED WORDS SOME PITY MOVE,
FOR THUS SHE SIGHED, AND THUS HER TALE BEGAN.
   KNOW (SAID THIS NYMPH, THAT'S REVERENCED ALL ABOVE)
I AM THE SAME ON WHOM SOMETIMES DID HANG
THE RULE OF FRANCE, HER SWAY, HER EMPERY,
HER TYPE OF STATE, HER KINGDOM'S DIGNITY.

TWAS I THAT BENT THEIR BACKS WITH LOADEN WEALTH,
THAT GAVE THEM LAWS TO GOVERN GLORIOUSLY,
TWAS I THAT MADE THEM BREATHE ETERNAL HEALTH,
AND GAVE THEM NAMES, NATIONS TO TERRIFY:
I BROUGHT THEM WONDER BY DESERT, NOT STEALTH,
AND LODGED THEM IN THE BOOKS OF MEMORY;
IN BRIEF, TWAS I, THAT WITH THEIR NEIGHBORS' STORE
MADE THEM MORE RICH THAN E'ER WAS REALM BEFORE.

BUT SEE, ALAS, A LEFT-HAND CHANCE OF ILL,
MADDING THEIR BRAINS MADE LUNATIC WITH PRIDE,
HATH TURNED THIS TURRET DOWN, VALLEYED THIS HILL,
ALL TOPSY-TURVY THROWN ON EVERY SIDE:
THUS HAVE THEY TORN MY VESTURE, BROKE MY WILL,
DOOMED ME IN ENDLESS BANISHMENT TO BIDE,
ALL THINGS ARE OUT OF ORDER, WOE, ALAS,
I AM NOT ARETEA, AS I WAS.

NOW DOTH THE FATHER HATE HIS LIVING SON,
THE NEIGHBOR LOATHES HIS NEIGHBOR BOUNDS HIM IN,
THE MARRIED PAIR WOULD HAVE THEIR KNOT UNDONE,
LAWS SERVE FOR NAUGHT, BUT BAITS TO DRAW ON SIN,
AFTER RELIGION PAINTED ZEAL DOTH RUN
MOCKING HIS MOANS, THAT ENDING, NEW BEGIN;
AND LIKE THE RUINED BATTERIES OF A WALL,
THINGS SHAPED, UNTO THEIR UNSHAPED CHAOS FALL.

ADDER-DEAF EARS THEY HAVE WHEN WISDOM CHARMS,
WILLFUL IN ILL, ILLNESS BEYOND CONCEIT,
FOOLISH TO SHUN, WISE TO DRAW ON THEIR HARMS,
ALL THEY DESIRE IS CIVIL HOME ALARMS,
BURNING THE HOUSES OF THEIR OWN RECEIPT;
WRACKING THE VESSELS THAT TRANSPORT THEIR GOOD,
WITHIN THE OCEAN OF THEIR OWN HEARTS' BLOOD.

EIGHT TIMES HAVE I GIVEN END TO THEIR UNREST,
AND SEALED UP DISCORD'S GATES WITH WEALTHY PEACE,
THEIR STREETS AND TEMPLES ALL WITH OLIVES DRESSED,
AS OFT HATH TESTIFIED THEIR WARS' SURCEASE:
BUT WOE, I DIE THAT THIS SHOULD BE EXPRESSED.
MARS GIVING BLOOD-DRUNK ATE NEW RELEASE,
HATH AT THIS PRESENT SET FRESH BRANDS ON FIRE
TO KINDLE THOSE OLD WARS TIME DID EXPIRE.

FOR AS A MIGHTY DELUGE AFTER RAIN
GLIDING WITH FURY FROM THE HILLS' DESCENT,
FINDING ALL BOUNDS TOO STRAIT FOR HIS REMAIN,
WITH ROARING CLAMORS (AS THE EARTH DID RENT)
BURSTS THROUGH THE MEADS, AND OVERFLOWS THE PLAIN,
CHIDING THE ROCKS IN WHICH HIS WAVES WERE PENT:
THEN DROWNS THE PLOWMAN'S PROFIT IN HIS FALL,
HIS HOUSE, HIS HAY, HIS LABORS, HOPE AND ALL.

BRIEFLY, SO LIKE A TYRANT DOTH IT RAGE,
MADDER, SINCE UNRESISTED BEING MAD,
WHEN AN ENCOUNT'RING BRIDGE SEEKS TO ASSUAGE
THE THUNDER-DEAF'NING CURRENT PROUDLY GLAD:
AS THESE STERN MEN (BORN IN THIS IRON AGE)
HAVE DONE, WHO MAKING ALL MY PLEASURES SAD,
ARE NOR CONTENT TO TEAR THEIR COUNTRY'S BONES,
AND SPOIL HER LIFE AND SOUL, WITH BEDRID GROANS.

BUT BEING PARASITES, ABORTIVE BORN,
IN WHOM OLD NATURE CHALLENGETH NO RIGHT,
BRING IN THEIR MURD'ROUS HANDS (TO FRANCE FORLORN)
THE MINOTAURS OF SHAME, ENGINES OF SPITE:
AS PRIDE, INCHASTITY, HORROR, BLOOD, AND SCORN
MONSTERS OF HELL-BLACK SUNS UNTO THE NIGHT;
THINKING TO STOP THAT ROYAL CHAMPION'S BREATH,
WHOSE LIFE PRESERVED DIVINITY FROM DEATH.

EVEN HIM WHOM I HAD PLANTED STRONG AND HIGH,
(HIGH IN THE WORLD, STRONG IN THE HEARTS OF KINGS)
TO BE A SCOURGE UNTO THEIR TYRANNY:
BATING THE FURY OF THEIR ENVIOUS WINGS,
BY MEANS OF THAT ALMIGHTY HENRY;
HENRY DE VALOIS, ON WHOM VIRTUE RINGS:
MY LAWS SHOULD TAKE NEW VIRTUE, LARGER SCOPE.

AND THE ALL WHITE, PURE VIRGIN-COLORED FAITH,
OF SOULS' ETERNAL QUIET, LODGED IN SKIES,
THAT TURNS THE DYING PANGS TO JOYS IN DEATH,
SHOULD TO THE HEIGHT OF HEIGHTS ASPIRE AND RISE:
HENCE SPRANG IT, AND FOR THIS MY TRUE HEART SAITH,
I JOINED TO HIM, THE MAN MOST STOUT, MOST WISE
TH' OTHER ALL GREAT HENRY: WHOSE INSIGHT
MIGHT GUIDE, SUPPORT, AND GOVERN HIM IN RIGHT.

BUT O, THESE MONSTROUS MEN, MONSTERS, NOT MEN;
WHOM THE EARTH-SHAKING HEAVENS IN THUNDER FRAMED,
TO MAKE MY RUIN BOUNDLESS; THEY, EVEN THEN
HAVE RAISED THEIR BLOOD-BATHED HANDS, YET UNASHAMED,
AGAINST THE LORDS ANOINTED: (WEEP, MY PEN)
FOR THEY HAVE SLAIN THEIR KING, (BRUTE BEASTS UNTAMED)
THEIR SACRED KING, THEIR WORLD'S GOD, WHOSE TRUE CARE,
MADE THEIR GREAT NAMES FLOURISH ON EARTH SO FARE.

BUT HE, TOO EXCELLENT TO KNOW WHAT'S ILL,
(THE GOODEST HOLY ONE THAT BREATHED THIS AIR)
TROUBLING NO THOUGHTS TO THINK WHAT OTHERS WILL,
NEGLECTED WHAT THEY MEANT, WHAT HEARTS THEY BEAR,
NEITHER AMBITION, PALM-LIKE GROWING STILL,
NOR LOOKS, NOR POLICIES, NOR NIGHTLY FEAR,
MADE HIM BEWARE, WHICH EACH DAY GROWING ON,
DOUBLE EACH DAY AFFLICTED ME WITH MOAN.

   AT TH' END OF THIS SAD MEMORABLE STORY,
CROSSING HER ARMS AS ONE IN DESPERATE CASE,
THERE BROKE FROM HER TWO EYES (THE STARS OF GLORY)
TWO BLOODY STREAMS OF TEARS, THAT RAN APACE,
WHICH HER IMMORTAL SIGHS (WOE'S ORATORY)
STRAVE BOTH TO INTERRUPT AND TO DISGRACE,
SO MIGHTILY, THAT PITY DID NOT STINT
TO PLACE HIMSELF IN HEARTS OF IRON AND FLINT.

"HERE, HERE," SAID SHE (AS SOON AS SAY SHE COULD,
OR THAT HER WOES GAVE WORDS LEAVE HOW TO SPEAK)
"HERE MAYST THOU SEE MY SORROWS' FLOOD UNFOLD,
THE DELUGE OF MY CARE, HENCE, HENCE DOTH BREAK,
THE TUMULT OF MY SIGHS, THE HEAT, THE COLD,
OF MY FLAME-BURNING THOUGHTS, BENUMBED AND WEAK:
THIS IS THE CAUSE OF MY FIRSTBORN LAMENT,
AND THE TRUE GRIEF WHICH DOTH MY SOUL TORMENT.
AND YET TIS BUT THE FIRST STEP TO MY CARE,
OR BUT THE SUPERFICIES OF MY PAIN;
A PREFACE TO MY MOAN, AN INDEX TO DESPAIR,
A LITTLE THREAD, LENDING A MIGHTY MEAN
TO SEARCH THE LABYRINTH WHERE LANGUORS ARE,
A RISING CLOUD AGAINST A STORM OF RAIN:
FOR MOUNT ON MOUNT WAS THROWN, MASS UPON MASS,
TILL GREATEST GRIEF GREW GREATER THAN IT WAS."

THIS WOE, THAT SPREAD ITSELF FROM EAST TO WEST,
BOUNDING THE ARCTIC AND ANTARCTIC POLE,
AMBITIOUSLY ENVIED HE WAS SUPPRESSED
WITHIN THE CIRCUIT OF THE WORLD'S CONTROL;
WHEREFORE AS IF ALL TREMOR, ALL UNREST,
WERE INSUFFICIENT RICHLY TO CONDOLE
MY STAR-CROSSED MISADVENTURES IN DISDAIN,
ADDS A NEW GRIEF, TO MAKE NEW WORLDS COMPLAIN.

EVEN NOW AFFLICTION HEAVES HER HEAVY ARM,
AND SPREADS BLACK SORROW'S ENSIGN THROUGH OUR LAND;
CALAMITY BRAVES ALL THE WORLD WITH HARM,
AND BURNS UP PEACE WITH WAR'S WORST FIREBRAND:
TEMPESTS, NO CALMS, MEN'S EARS DO RUDELY CHARM,
AND ALL PREPOST'ROUS THINGS IN TUMULT STAND:
ALL FORTUNES DRAW US TO UNFORTUNE'S GATES,
(FORTUNE, THE FIRST AND LAST THAT RUINS STATES.)

O, FORTUNE, THOU GREAT AMORITE OF KINGS,
OPINION'S BREATH, THOU EPICUREAN AIR,
INVENTION OF MAN'S SOUL, FALSEST OF THINGS,
A STEP BEYOND OUR JUDGMENT, AND A STAIR
HIGHER THAN MEN CAN REACH WITH REASON'S WINGS;
THOU BLINDFOLD ARCHERESS, THOU THAT WILT NOT HEAR,
THOU FOE TO PERSONS, MANNERS, TIMES AND ALL,
THAT RAISEST WORTHLESS, WHILST THE WORTHIEST FALL.

O THOU, WHOM ALL MAY FIND, BUT NONE AVOID,
DECEITFUL QUEEN OF MUTABILITY,
SWIFT ARE THY FEATHERED FEET, STILL UNANNOYED,
LOFTY THY MIND, THY HOPES TO HEAVEN FLY,
THY WINGS ARE LIGHT, LIKE FLAMES NEVER DESTROYED,
UPON A GLOBE THOU STAND'ST, TURNING OUR MISERY:
OF THEE MUST I COMPLAIN, DREAD NURSE OF WOE,
FROM WHOM, BOTH HEAVEN AND EARTHLY THINGS DO FLOW.

THOU THRALL TO NONE BUT TO PHILOSOPHY,
THAT MONARCHIES AND STATES TURN'ST AT THY WILL,
THAN SHIPS IN WATER LEAVE, OR FEATHERED QUILL
LEAVES IN THE LIQUID AIR, WHEN SPEEDILY
IT GLIDES THROUGH IT, SCALING THE STARRY HILL:
MONSTER-BEARING MOTHER, WHY DIDST THOU LONG,
HAVING DONE THY WORST, YET TO DO GREATER WRONG?

BUT WHY OF THIS GREAT NOTHING DO I 'PLAIN,
STONING TO DEATH THESE SHADOWS WITH MY TEARS?
AND RATHER DO NOT WITH THEIR DROPS CONSTRAIN
THE SUBSTANCE TO LAMENT FOR MY DESPAIRS?
WHY DOTH NOT THIS SALT OCEAN OF MY BRAIN
CONVEY MY MOURNINGS TO MORE BETTER EARS?
BEATING THE MARBLE SKY FOR THIS OFFENSE,
CHIDING NO MORE FORTUNE, BUT PROVIDENCE.

O, PROVIDENCE, THE CONDUCT TO OUR LIFE,
THE GROUND OF VIRTUE, HOSTILE FOE TO SIN,
THAT REAREST TOWERS AND APPEASEST STRIFE,
THAT GATH'REST ALL DISPERSED EXILES IN:
THOU, THAT INVENTED'ST LAWS, GAVE MAN HIS WIFE,
THOU MISTRESS UNTO ANCIENT DISCIPLINE,
THOU, THAT BEAREST HEAVEN AND NATURE ROUND ABOUT THEE,
THAT MAKEST ALL THINGS, NOTHING BEING WITHOUT THEE.

O, WHY ART THOU GROWN BLIND?  LEADING ASTRAY?
CONFOUNDING VIRTUE? MAKING VICE THY FRIEND?
SACKING THE SUNSHINE TOWERS OF THE DAY?
PREFIXING WAND'RING MISERY NO END?
WHY HAST THOU GIVEN BARBARISM SWAY,
AND WILT NOT LET ORDER ON THEE ATTEND?
WHY ART THOU FLED FROM US? WHITHER ART THOU GONE?
LEAVING BOTH MEN, AND ALL THINGS ELSE ALONE.

TELL ME, THOU ARCHITECTRESS OF THIS FRAME,
THOU, THAT UPON THE GREAT BOOK FIRMAMENT
WRITEST IN GOLDEN STARS EACH CREATURE'S NAME,
THEIR LIVES, THEIR FORTUNES, AND INTENDIMENT,
WHY DEIGN'ST THOU NOT THAT WE MAY READ THE SAME,
AND SPELDER OUR MISDEEDS WHY WE BE SHENT?
IF TO BEHOLD THE LETTERS BE THY WILL,
TEACH US TO READ, THAT WE MAY RID OUR ILL.

LEND US DIVINE EYES TO OUR HEAVENLY PART,
TO READ ON THAT ALMIGHTY CHRONICLE:
SO SHALL THE DARE OF VIRTUE NEVER PART.
BUT DOUBLE WONDER WITH MORE MIRACLE,
(AY ME) AGAINST THE WIND BREATHES MY POOR HEART:
OF MINE ENRAGED DESIRE, MY WRATH BOOTS NOT,
MEN MUST BE MEN AND MUST NOT KNOW THEIR LOT.

THEN ON THOU SADDEST MUSE OF MY SAD THOUGHT,
OR WHAT BESIDES MORE SAD THAN SADNESS IS,
YOU GODDESSES FOR EARTH'S SOLE WONDER WROUGHT,
LADIES OF MY PLAINT, CREATORS OF ALL BLISS,
IN WHOSE ASPECTS VIRTUE IS CHASTELY TAUGHT:
YOU HEARERS OF MINE INVOCATION'S WISH,
HALLOW MY SONG WITH DIAMONDS FROM YOUR EYES,
SINCE WOE IS GODLIKE, FALLING FROM SUCH SKIES,

AND THOU THAT HAST GROUND SHARP MINE O'ERWORN MOAN,
ADDING NEW FIRE TO CINDERS OF MY GRIEF,
MAKE THINE EARS PLIANT TO RECEIVE MY GROAN,
(THINE EARS, THE CONSISTORY OF BELIEF,)
EXHALT THINE HEART (PERFECT AFFLICTION'S THRONE)
CANCEL TH' ACCOUNTS OF PLEASURE: AND IN BRIEF,
MAKE EVERY OFFICE OF RECEIPT IN THEE,
A STOREHOUSE OF THIS GREATEST MISERY.

AFTER THE SONS OF MISCHIEF AND MISDEED
(THESE TYRANNOUS BLOOD-DRINKING MISCREANTS)
HAD SLAIN THEIR KING; AN ACT WHICH DID EXCEED
THE WORST THAT TIME NOTETH IN RECREANTS:
WHEN THEY HAD BANISHED VIRTUE, TORN HER WEED,
AND SWORN THEMSELVES, SHAME'S DEVOTED TENANTS,
FELL DEADLY LOVESICK WITH AMBITION'S FACE,
WHOSE FEVER, NAUGHT COULD CURE BUT MY DISGRACE.

AMBITION, FIE UPON THY PAINTED CHEEK,
(WOE WORTH THE BEAUTY SLEEPS NOT WITH THE FACE)
FOR THOU ART HATEFUL, FOUL, UNFAIR, UNMEEK,
A POISON PAINTED PLEASURE MADMEN CHASE:
THOU REASONLESS DESIRE, THAT MAK'ST MEN SEEK
TO KISS THE SUN, WHILST FIRE DOTH THEM EMBRACE,
THOU ONLY STRONG, DISORDERED, RULELESS PASSION,
THAT MARR'ST MEN'S MINDS, AND PUTT'ST THEM OUT OF FASHION.

THOU ANGRY HOUSEMATE, THOU SEDITIOUS GUEST
THAT BEGG'ST, AND YET LOATH'ST HOSPITALITY,
THOU MURD'RER OF THE MIND THAT GIVES THEE REST,
REWARDING KINDNESS WITH INDIGNITY;
THOU ELEMENT TO MISCHIEF'S SHAPE DIGEST,
FALSE PROPHET, TEACHING NAUGHT BUT HERESY:
THOU ROBB'ST THE RICH OF GOLD, ALMS FROM THE POOR,
AND GIV'ST THEM BACK BUT HOPE TO MEND THEIR STORE.
THOU, THAT IN ROME WITHIN A HUNDRED YEARS
RAISED AND O'ERTHREW SEVENTY-THREE EMPERORS:
MOTHER OF CIVIL DISCORD, HOMEBRED TEARS,
THOU INFINITE GREAT ILL NO END DEVOURS,
PRIDE'S MINION, AND THE LADDER TO DESPAIRS,
A DAY ETERNAL, ENDED BY NO HOURS:
TWAS THOU THAT TAUGHT'ST THEM ALL THE WAYS TO SIN,
AND ENDING, HOW NEW MISCHIEFS SHOULD BEGIN.

BY THIS LIEUTENANT GENERAL OF HELL
CONDUCTED TO ASSAULT ALL HOLY THINGS,
THEY RAZED  MY BUILDINGS, BURNT MY VIRGIN CELL,
DEFACED MY TEMPLES, SPOILED MINE OFFERINGS;
BRAKE ALL MY STATUES FAME HAD CARVED SO WELL,
AND QUENCHED MY BURNING LAMPS IN BLOODY SPRINGS:
ALL THE BRIGHT CENSERS ROUND ABOUT MY SHRINE,
ARE DAMPED, AND SMOKED UP WITH FORGETFUL TIME.

THIS INAUSPICIOUS STAR, THIS FATAL ILL,
THIS MESSENGER OF MAJESTY'S LOW FALL,
HAVING SUBJECTED ALL THINGS TO HIS WILL,
AND BOUND ME EVERLASTINGLY TO THRALL;
GREAT GRIEF, WHICH GROWS BY USE TO GREATEST SKILL,
RAISED ROYAL PASSIONS TO A CIVIL BRAWL,
AND BY STRONG ARGUMENTS, APPROVED THIS TRUE
THAT LEADEN THOUGHTS, THAN EARTH NE'ER HIGHER FLEW.

THENCE CAME IT, THAT MINE ALL-FORSAKEN FAME,
FULL OF SICK FEATHERS, WEAK, AND DESPERATE,
IMPED HER BROKE PLUMES, AND LIKE A JEALOUS FLAME,
WITH ENVIOUS HASTE MOUNTING THE HIGHEST GATE,
AND STRIVING TO OUTGO IN SWIFT-PACED GAME
CLOUD FASHIONED SMOKE, (THE USHER TO HIS STATE)
I HEAVED MY HEAD ABOVE A SEA OF TEARS,
AND THROUGH THE WORLD SOUGHT AID FOR MY DISEAIRS.

WAS NE'ER A CORNER (IF THERE CORNERS BE
AS SOME IMAGINE) IN THIS GLOBY ROUND,
WHITHER FAME BORE NOT MINE INDIGNITY,
COMMENTING STORIES OF MY BLEEDING WOUND.
FAIR SIEN, WHOSE FACE SAW THEIR IMPIETY,
BORE THROUGH HER CHANNEL TO THE OCEAN'S BOUND
MY HUGE UNFORTUNE, THENCE THE SALT SEAS' COURSE,
TO ALL THE WORLD MY MISERIES DISCOURSE.

YET PITIFUL UNPITIED, PITYING EYES
SURVEYED ME, BUT WITH COMMON CHARITY:
THIS CUSTOMARY, USUAL SACRIFICE,
CHAMELEON ALMS, A FOOD WHICH DOTH SUFFICE
HARDLY THE EAR: THOUGH AIR MOST COMMONLY
IS ALL HIS SUSTENANCE.  O THIS WAS THAT
WHICH POOREST MADE, MADE POORER MINE ESTATE.

AT LENGTH, (THOUGH BEDRID WITH PERPETUAL GRIEF,
AND MOUNTAIN-LADEN WITH MY MISERY)
BY FAME INSTRUCTED, (SHE THAT IS THE CHIEF,
AND GREAT ALL-TELLER WHAT GREAT'ST WONDERS BE)
I HEARD OF THEE FAIR ENGLAND, WHERE RELIEF
IS STORED IN A SILVER TREASURY,
THAT PLACED ALONE, RUL'ST OTHERS, RULING MANY,
TOO GOOD BY MUCH TO BE CONJOINED WITH ANY.

OF THEE SANG FAME A GLORIOUS GOLDEN STORY,
OH NOT THAT PRODIGAL PRAISE: SPENDING FAME
WHICH LIKE A BUBBLE, RAISETH UP HIS GLORY,
THAT SHADOW-LIKE CONTINUETH IN THE SAME:
AND IN THE END, WHILST NO WET EYE IS SORRY,
DIES IN TIME'S BOSOM, WHICH FORGETS HIS NAME.
NOR THAT VAIN FAME WHICH TURNS MORE QUICK THE EYES,
SOON WITHERED FRUIT, BRIGHT FLAME, THAT EARLY DIES.

BUT THAT PURE FAME, WHICH IS THE SOUL OF KINGS,
(MUCH BETTER FOR THAT BETTER RESIDENCE)
THE TRUE DISCOVERER OF ALL WORTHY THINGS,
THE HONEY TASTE, AND PLEASURE OF OUR SENSE
THAT BEARS ETERNITY UPON HER WINGS:
THAT BORN ERE TIME, SHALL LIVE WHEN TIME IS HENCE.
THIS HOLY FAME, O ENGLAND, SPAKE OF THEE,
MORE PRAISE THAN I CAN WRITE, LESS THAN I SEE.

FAME TOLD ME THOU WERT JOVE'S DELIGHTFUL SEAT,
HIS OLIVE GARDEN, WALLED WITH IVORY,
WHOSE SPRING, WAR'S CANKER DURST NOT DARE TO EAT,
AN EDEN, FULL OF QUIET DIGNITY:
THY PEOPLE REST WHEN OTHERS BROIL IN SWEAT:
SHE DREW THY LINE FROM IMMORTALITY,
AND BADE ME FLY TO THEE FOR MY REDRESS.
HE THAT TORMENTS, CAN MAKE ALL TORMENTS LESS.

UNTO THE FAIR-SHAPED BODY OF THIS PRAISE
FAME ADDS A HEAD, MORE BEAUTEOUS, MORE DIVINE;
SHE TELLS ME THEN; PALLAS THINE EMPIRE SWAYS.
(PALLAS, SAID I) NAY ONE OF BETTER LINE:
SHE THAT MOUNTS OTHERS, BUT WHOM NONE CAN RAISE
BY ANY TITLE, FIGURE, OR IN FINE,
THE HIGHEST STEP IN ALL THE SCALE TO BLISS.

SHE HATH NO LIKE; AND THEREFORE NO COMPARE
IS EXCELLENT ENOUGH TO SORT WITH HER:
TO SAY SHE'S BEST, WERE TO SAY OTHERS ARE,
AND THERE'S NO OTHER WHOM I MAY PREFER
TO SUCH CELESTIAL HONOR.  O WHO DARE
IN ANY NAME BUT HERS, HER NAME INTER?
(THEN THUS SAITH FAME) ELIZA FROM THAT LAND
CONTROLS THE WORLD, WITH AN UNCONQUERED HAND.

TIS SHE, THAT WHILST CONFUSIONS SMOKY CLOUD
(STIRRED FROM THE RAGING FIRES OF CIVIL WARS)
THE HEADS OF ALL HER NEIGHBOR KINGS DOTH SHROUD,
ENFRANCHISING OPPRESSION BY THOSE JARS,
DOTH, WITH AN HOST OF HEAV'NLY THOUGHTS ENDOWED
PRESERVE HER COUNTRY'S FACE FROM BLOODY SCARS:
SO THAT NO FOG OF PUTRIFIED WOUNDS
IS SEEN WITHIN THE CIRCUIT OF HER BOUNDS.

TIS SHE THAT TAUGHT, TEACHETH PHILOSOPHY
TO BE MORE EXCELLENT THAN HERETOFORE:
IT OTHERS, BUT SHE, IT DOTH ORNIFY,
UNTO ALL ARTS SHE IS THE SACRED DOOR.
SHE, HEALS AFFLICTION'S ULCERS WITH HER EYE,
AND UNTO THOSE WHICH TORTUOUS WRONGS DEPLORE,
SHE GIVES PROPITIOUS BALM, SUCH AS THEY CRAVE,
OR SUCH AS JUSTICE WRONGED DESERVES TO HAVE.

FAME TOLD ME FURTHER, THAT BY NATURE THERE,
IN THEE O ENGLAND, (O ALL PEACEFUL ISLE)
COURAGE GROWS UP, AND BEST RESOLVES APPEAR:
THE ANCIENT HEROS, WHOM OLD TIME DID FILE
UPON RECORD, TO LIVE WHEN HE SHOULD WEAR,
JUSTLY COMPARED, NO SENSE CAN RECONCILE
OR MATCH WITH THEM, WHOSE ACTIONS UNOUTGONE,
BREATHE AT THIS DAY ABOUT ELIZA'S THRONE.

AN ENDLESS BEADROLL OF DECEASED KINGS,
AS MANY PRINCES, NOBLES, GENERALS,
GOLDEN-SPURRED KNIGHTS, (THE PLUMES OF HONOR'S WINGS)
FAME RECKONED UP, AND CALLED THEM PRINCIPALS.
BUT DEATH, THE CERTAIN'ST OF UNCERTAIN THINGS,
LONG SINCE HAD REVELED AT THEIR BURIALS;
SO THAT I BEAT MY BREAST WITH DESPERATE PAIN,
LEST NATURE COULD NOT MAKE THE LIKE AGAIN.

BUT FAME, (THE HAPPY HERALD OF DESIRE,)
CHID THE WEAK HUMOR OF MY VAIN MISTRUST;
FOR THOUGH HER HOUSEHOLD ARMS LAY LONG TO RUST,
AND WANT OF USE MADE MANY SOULS RETIRE
FROM WHAT THEY WOULD, TO WHAT PERFORCE THEY MUST,
YET SOLDIERS BORN THEY HAVE CONTINUED STILL,
AS GOOD BY NATURE, AS THE BEST BY SKILL.

BUT THOSE WHOM OTHERS HARMS HAVE CALLED ABROAD,
AND ARMED TO GUARD THE INNOCENT FROM WRONG,
THEY, DEMIGOD LIKE, FROM HIS VAST ABODE
HAVE CHASED OPPRESSION, AND MADE TYRANTS THRONG
IN HEAPS TO HELL, AND CHARON'S BOAT O'ERLOAD,
ALL WHICH TO NAME, WOULD MAKE MY STORY LONG:
AND DULL THINE EARS, THOUGH IT CONTENT THY MIND,
SITH SWEETEST THINGS DO SOONEST CLOY BY KIND.

O NORRIS, I COULD LIVE UPON THY NAME,
AND WEAR MORE PENS THAN ERE WERE MADE TO WRITE,
I COULD EACH HOUR DRAW STANZAS OF THY FAME,
AND MAKE MY BRAINS PERPETUALLY INDICT;
BUT O] THY VIRTUES SHALL INSPIRE A FLAME
BETTER THAN MINE, MUCH BETTER TO RECITE
THY NOBLE GESTS, WHICH GALLANTLY SHALL STAND,
WHILST IRELAND IS, SPAIN, OR THE NETHERLAND.

VERE, I COULD BREATH A SPIRIT IN THY PRAISE,
(THOU FATHER TO A MOST OPPRESSED LAND)
BUT THAT I KNOW, HONOR INTENDS TO RAISE
MIRACULOUSLY FROM THAT FROZEN STRAND
A WIT; WHICH SET ON FIRE TO SEE THY DAYS,
SHALL REGISTER THE GLORIES OF THY HAND:
AND, FOR THAT ALL MY PRAISES ARE TOO FEW
FOR HIM; TO WHOM I AND ALL PRAISE ARE DUE.

FOR THEE O ESSEX AND THY NOBLE LINE,
EVER MOST GREAT, YET GREATER THAN IT WAS,
THOU SUNSHINE, DRYING WIDOWS' TEARED EYNE,
THE COLUMN WHICH SUPPORTS A ROYAL MASS;
THOU EXCELLENT, DERIVED FROM MOST DIVINE,
THE WORK ELIZA'S POWER HATH BROUGHT TO PASS:
TO THEE AM I DEVOTE, AND FROM THY DEEDS,
I DRAW THIS BREATH, ON WHICH MY SPIRIT FEEDS.

YET (PRINCELY LORD) IMAGINE NOT I DARE
TO TAKE IN HAND THE LEGEND OF THY DEEDS:
I HOLD THE BEST CONCEIT TOO POOR AND BARE,
TO AIM AT THAT, WHICH ALL OUR AIM EXCEEDS.
WHO LIVES, SHALL SEE THE RAREST WITS THAT ARE,
OF THOSE RIPE VIRTUES WHICH ARE GRAFT IN THEE,
MORE THAN IN ANY LIKE POSTERITY.

SUFFICE IT; I, AS SILLY PALMERS USE,
THAT SEEK TO SHORTEN DAYLONG LABORING WAY,
'MONGST RUDE DISCOURSES, OFTENTIMES INFUSE
THE ACTS OF KINGS AND PRINCES, AND ALLAY
LABOR WITH LABOR: SO MY TRAVAILED MUSE
FOREDONE, AND RAVISHED WITH THIS SWEET ASSAY,
GLANCETH UPON THY NAME, THY NAME DOTH THEN
BEGET THY DEEDS, THY DEEDS THE MAZE OF MEN.

YET IF PURE ZEAL COULD TONE DELICIOUS LINES,
OR CALMS WOULD REST WITHIN MY TROUBLED BRAIN,
THEN WOULD I TASK MY SPIRIT, WHICH INCLINES
TO SING OF THEE, AND WITH THOSE NOTES CONSTRAIN
ENVY TO BURST; AND AS THOU BRIGHTER SHINES,
SO WOULD I RAISE MY THOUGHTS, AND SO FAR STRAIN
MY HIGH-PITCHED NOTES TO MAKE THE WORLD RESOUND,
TILL I GROWN HOARSE, LOSE LIFE, LOSE SKILL AND SOUND.

BUT O FAIR FURY; MISTRESS OF MY WIT,
WHITHER DOST THOU EXHALE ME? FLAG AWHILE,
THOU FOR SUCH GLORIOUS ACCENTS ART UNFIT:
THESE SWEET IMAGINARY HOPES BEGUILE
MY QUICK-ENCHANTED SOUL; COME SADLY SIT,
ENOUGH IS THEE, IF THOU IN TEARS COMPILE
A WOEFUL TALE, THAT THEY WHICH HEAR THE SAME,
IN RUTH MAY SAY: OUR FORTUNES WERE TO BLAME.

THUS THEN IT WAS.  THIS NATION'S SACRED PRAISE,
FROM EAR TO EAR, THROUGH ALL THE WORLD CONVEYED,
QUICKENED MY SPIRITS, AND MY MIND ASSAYS
TO BEG SOME PITY THERE, WHERE ANGELS SAID,
COMMISERATION LIKE A MONARCH SWAYS:
THENCE CAME IT, THAT THUS TORN AND ILL ARRAYED
I THITHER WENT.  O I SHALL EVER THINK,
WHAT NECTAR OF DELIGHT MINE EYES DID DRINK.

THE SUN I SAW, WAS WELL, THE WORLD'S FAIR EYE,
FOR BY ELIZA'S LIGHT, ALL NATIONS SEE,
HER THRONE, LIKE TO HERSELF, MOST GLORIOUSLY
AMAZED BEHOLDERS: ROUND ABOUT IT BE
TROUPS OF DEAR BREATHING STARS, WHICH WHILST SHE'S BY,
SHINE DIM, YET SWEETLY GRACING THEIR DEGREE,
BUT WHEN TO MAKE LIGHT DEARER, SHE'S UNSEEN,
THEY SHINE AS BRIGHT AS THEY ALL SUNS HAD BEEN.
PREDOMINANT TO RULE ALL OTHER MEN,
SAGES, AND PRINCES, KNIGHTS AND SQUIRES APPEARS,
EVER ALMIGHTY: MOST ALMIGHTY THEN
IS HE, WHOM HER LIFE-GIVING GRACE ENDEARS,
AND LENDS A LEAVE TO SEARCH THROUGH DANGER'S DEN
FOR ALL THE PRAISEFUL HONORS: OR BESIDE,
WHAT OUGHT OR SHOULD WITH KNIGHTHOOD'S FAME ABIDE.

BEFORE HER MAJESTY THUS FELL I DOWN,
FORSAKEN, COMFORTLESS, AND MOST OPPRESSED,
AND ERE I SPAKE, I OFTENTIMES DID SWOON,
(GRIEF HARDLY PARTS FROM A CARE-FILLED BREAST)
MY TEARS HER FOOTSTEPS PITEOUSLY DID CROWN;
AND ON THE GROUND WHILST I MY SIGHT INVEST,
DESPITE THE INTERRUPTIONS OF MY BALE
I ECHOED FORTH A SORROW-BROKEN TALE.

MORE WERE MY PLAINTS THAN I HAVE POWER TO TELL;
FOR WHEN CLEAR MAJESTY WITH GRACIOUS LOOK
LENDS A MILD EAR T' AFFLICTIONS PASSING BELL,
CONCEIT REDOUBLES, AND WHAT POWER FORSOOK,
MAKES ITSELF POWERFUL; NOTHING THINKS HE WELL
WHICH IS NOT OFT REPEATED.  THENCE I TOOK
COURAGE TO BARE MY WOUNDS, AND EVERMORE,
BEGGED AID TO HEAL TH' APOSTUMES OF MY FORE.

I VOWED, IF SHE WOULD PITY MY DISTRESS,
(SITH BUT IN HER RUTH HATH NO DWELLING PLACE)
ALL FRANCE SHOULD WISH HER ENDLESS HAPPINESS,
SING HER GOOD NAME, AND DAILY INTERLACE
HER PRAISE WITH ANGELS OF BEST WORTHINESS.
NOR SHOULD EXCELLING WITS WHITE PAPER GRACE
WITH SPEAKING LINES, IF THOSE LINES DO NOT SPEAK,
ELIZA'S HONOR, STRENGTH'NING US, GROWN WEAK.

ELIZA, WHICH HER NATION DOTH ADORN
WITH ALL THE BRIDAL GARMENTS OF THE BEST,
WITHIN WHOSE CLIME, THE MUSES HIGH ARE BORNE,
ARTS IN ESTEEM, MOST HONORABLY BLEST;
WHERE ERROR, LIKE A FURY, LIVES FORLORN,
CONSUMED, AND BANISHED FROM CONCEIT OF REST,
THAT ALL THOSE KINGS ADMIRE BEYOND THE FLOOD,
SO SMALL AN ISLE CAN HOLD SO GREAT A GOOD.

I HOPED, BY HER ASSIST, THIS FOURTH HENRY
WHICH I OPPOSE AGAINST THESE WICKED ONES,
SHOULD IN REVENGE FOR THEIR IMPIETY
RAIN SHARP DESTRUCTION, AND UPON THEIR BONES,
TO QUITTANCE MY MOST UNDESERVED GROANS:
AND FOR THEY MADE MY CHEEKS UNJUSTLY TAKE
THE SHAMEFUL BLUSH THEY NEVER CAN FORSAKE.

I TOLD HER, THAT THE POWER WHICH GIVES HER POWER,
(THE MOST ALMIGHTY MASTER OF HER THOUGHT)
WOULD FROM HIS THRONE, THUNDER AND LIGHTNING SHOWER,
TILL ALL MY FOES TO HATED DUST WERE BROUGHT:
FURIES I KNEW FROM NIGHTS BLACK SHADES WOULD SCOWER,
AND HAUNT THEIR BOSOMS, MAKING THEM DISTRAUGHT,
RAGE AND CONSUME THE PLEASURE OF THEIR LIVES,
HATING THEMSELVES, THEIR CHILDREN, AND THEIR WIVES.

ONLY HER NAME, (THE TERROR OF HER FOES)
MUST PATRONIZE THE ACTIONS OF THE JUST:
A KNIGHT OF HERS, THAT OTHER KNIGHTS OUTGOES,
MUST LEAD THE LEGIONS OF MINE ONLY TRUST;
FOR FRANCE GROWN WEAK, FAILS IN HER OWN DISPOSE,
THE PUREST MINDS ARE CANKER-EAT WITH RUST:
LADY I CRIED, AID MY DISTRESSED PLIGHT,
OFT DIDST THOU HELP; YET NE'ER A BETTER RIGHT.

HERE CEASED MY SUIT, AND WITH A PITEOUS VOICE,
OF FALLING TEARS I MURMURED HIDDEN WOE,
(DUMB PLAINTS IN FEELING HEARTS MAKES GREATEST NOISE)
WHEN LEAST I SPAKE, MOST WAS MY SORROW'S SHOW,
LIBERAL-TONGUED CARE, IS CARE WHICH DOTH REJOICE,
FOR VENT OF GRIEF, EASES THE OVERFLOW:
AND WHEN I NOTHING SAID, THEN DID I FIND
SORROW MOST ELOQUENT; RELEASE MOST KIND.

FOR INSTANTLY WITH BOWING OF HER HEAD,
WHICH SIGN MAKES ALL KNEES BEND BEFORE HER CHAIR,
SHE TESTIFIED, PREVAILING TEARS WERE SHED;
FOR PROOF WHEREOF, HER MELTING HEART DID REAR
A HOLY DEW INTO HER SOVEREIGN HEAD,
WHICH THENCE FROM HER CLEAR EYESIGHT DID APPEAR:
AND THOUGH SHE FOR HERSELF NO SORROW KNEW,
YET DID SHE WEEP, TO HEAR HOW OTHERS RUE.

THEN WITH HER HAND ELIZA LIFTS ME UP,
CHEERS MY POOR SOUL, REPAIRS MY RUINED MIND,
MAKES ME DRINK COMFORT FROM THE  FLOWING CUP
OF HER MOST SACRED BREATH; THEN DOTH SHE BIND
MY FEARS TO EXILE, WHICH TILL THEN DID SUP
THE JUICE OF MY WASTE LIFE, CONSUMED AND PINED:
MAKING IT NOTHING OR THAN NOTHING, LESS.

WHICH TO ACHIEVE, SHE BIDS ME THERE SELECT
A PRINCELY CHAMPION, FORTUNATE AND STRONG,
ONE WHOM MY THOUGHTS ASSURES ME WILL EFFECT
AS GREAT DESIGNS, AND RIGHT AS WORTHY WRONG.
MANY THERE WERE, THAT MANY WOULD ELECT,
NOT ONE UNWORTHY PERSON IN THE THRONG:
BUT IN MY CHOICE, I WAS DELIBERATE,
FOR RASH RESPECT REPENTS WHEN TIS TOO LATE.

ON EVERY PERSON SEIZED MY RAVISHED SIGHT,
CONTEMPLATING THE BEAUTY OF THEIR FRAMES,
THAT PRINCE, METHOUGHT, WAS FINELY SHAPED, UPRIGHT,
SUCH AS WAS MAROPS AT TH' OLYMPIC GAMES:
ANOTHER, SEEMED BROAD SET, YET PASSING LIGHT,
LIKE WILD HYPOLITUS, ESCHEWING SHAMES;
THIS WAS LIKE AJAX, THAT LIKE HECTOR WAS,
ALL DID EXCEED, THE MEANEST DID SURPASS.

THIS UNIVERSAL EXCELLENCE SET OUT
(AS IF PERFECTION KNEW NO OTHER SOIL)
ASTONISHED ME, FOR ALL A LIKE BORN STOUT,
HOW COULD I CHOOSE, BUT REASON WOULD RECOIL
BLAME TO MY CHOICE?  SINCE WHO DOTH FROM A ROUT
CULL FORTH A PRINCIPAL, LEAVES FOR A FOIL
TH' UNCHOSEN REST, WHEN ALL I DID BEHOLD
WERE JEWELS LIKE, OF ONE WEIGHT, AND ONE GOLD.

BUT O, THE EYE THAT NEVER APPREHENDS
THE TRUTH OF OBJECTS BY A SLIGHT SURVEY,
WITH GRAVER JUDGMENT BUSILY EXTENDS
HIS NIMBLE SIGHT, AND WHAT IT DOTH SURVEY,
NOTES NOT ALONE, BUT WHEREAT OTHERS TENDS,
AND IN WHOSE EYES ALL OTHER EYESIGHTS LAY:
AND THEN I MIGHT BEHOLD ONE PRINCE ALONE,
UPON WHOSE BEAUTY ALL MEN'S EYES WERE THROWN.

HIGHER THAN OTHERS HIS CLEAR COUNT'NANCE STOOD,
FOR HE WAS TALLER MUCH, MORE STRAIGHT, MORE STRONG,
LIKE TO THE FOREST'S KING BOW UNDER WOOD,
OR LIKE AN ENSIGN IN A BATTLE'S THRONG;
HIS EYE, LIKE THAT WHICH GUIDES MEN IN THE FLOOD,
HAD ALL EYES FIXED ON IT WHICH WENT NOT WRONG:
EVEN IN HIS LOOKS, NATURE METHOUGHT HAD LAID
SOME EXCELLENCE TOO RARE FOR MEN TO READ.

YET NOT SO MYSTICAL, BUT BLINDEST SIGHTS
MIGHT PROPHESY, IF HIS DREAD SOVEREIGN WOULD,
THE WORLD FROM HER SHOULD ALL THEIR GLORIES HOLD.
AND THOSE WHICH YET DENY OUR SAVIOR'S RIGHTS,
BY HIM FOR HER SUBDUED, THENCE BE ENROLLED
AMONGST CONVERTED SAINTS; LADY BEWARE,
THIS POWER THOU HAST, AND THIS IS HOLY WAR.

METHOUGHT HE WAS NOT FASHIONED IN THE MOLD
OF COMMON MEN; TH' ACCUSTOMED WORK OF NATURE:
NOR IN THE WORLD'S FIRST MODELS, (NOW GROWN OLD)
BUT, AS IT SEEMED BY HIS EXTERNAL FEATURE,
SURPASSING HER GREAT SELF, NATURE GREW BOLD,
AND MADE HIM OF SOME SPECIAL TEMPERATURE:
THEN GROWN IN LOVE WITH WHAT HER POWER COULD FRAME,
OBTAINED A SPIRIT WORTHY OF THE SAME.

ESSEX, TWAS THEE I MEAN, THOU DIDST SURPRISE
ALL MY DESIRES TO SEEK MY HELP BY THEE,
MY SAD PETITION-MAKING TEARS SUFFICE,
THY SOVEREIGN GODDESS DID ACCORD TO ME:
THE BRUIT WHEREOF NO SOONER COULD ARISE,
BUT ALL THAT EVER WERE, OR HOPED TO BE
GREAT IN THE WORLD, WITH EAGLE'S SPEEDY FLIGHT
FLEW UNTO THEE, AND OFFERED UP THEIR MIGHT.

MY STATE, WHICH UNTIL THEN HUNG DOUBTFUL STRANGE,
AND WOUNDED GOVERNMENT PAST ALL RECURE,
FROM WHOM ALL HOPE OF HELP FAR OFF DID RANGE,
OF NOTHING BUT OF CROSS UNFORTUNES SURE,
(NOW IN A MOMENT SEE A SUDDEN CHANGE)
WHEN THOU WERT KNOWN MINE AID; COULD THEN ENDURE
NO MORE SUCH THOUGHTS OF FEAR; INFANTS COULD TELL,
WHERE'ER THOU WENT, THERE WOULD BEST FORTUNE DWELL.

YOU MEMORABLE WORTHY GENTLEMEN
THAT IN THESE GREAT OCCURRENTS TRIED YOUR CHANCE,
FOR WHOSE DEAR SAKES WE HOLD ALL ENGLISHMEN
IN REVERENT REGARD, AND WILL ADVANCE
YOUR FAMES BEFORE ALL OTHER NOBLEMEN,
WHILST FRANCE HATH POWER TO HOLD THE NAME OF FRANCE.
IF YOUR PECULIAR NAMES I NOT REVEAL,
BLAME WANT OF KNOWLEDGE: NOT MY WANT OF ZEAL.

FORGIVE ME, THOU RIGHT HABIT OF THE WARS,
RESOLVED WILLIAMS, ALL TOO SOON DISSOLVED,
WHICH RAISED THINE HONOR FROM THY COUNTRY'S JARS.
FORGIVE ME CLIFFORD, SITH I HAVE REVOLVED
OF THY WELL PURCHASED GLORY BY THY SCARS,
MORGAN AND BROOKE, PARDON MY SPARING SONG,
LEST POOR IN PRAISE, I PROVE TOO RICH IN WRONG.

GALLANT MEN SAY, (AND LESS YOU WILL NOT SAY)
THAT HE WHICH LEADS A WORLD OF HANDS TO FIGHT,
THEM TO A WORLD OF BLOWS OUGHT TO CONVEY:
SO HE THAT MANY FAMES IN PRAISE WOULD DIGHT
TO MANY RARE CONCEITS, MUST RUN ASTRAY,
AND GARNISH EACH ONE WITH A SEVERAL LIGHT:
BUT SITH I WANT THAT WITTY TREASURE'S STORE,
ONE TWO, TWO ONE I'LL WRITE OF, AND NO MORE.

A SPACIOUS FIELD ARE THEY FOR ROYAL BRAINS
TO RUN CAREERS IN: TH' AIR OF THEM IS GREAT,
WHEREIN HIGH SOARING THOUGHTS MAY HOLD REMAINS,
AND TRY THEIR TOW'RING SARCELS IF THEY'LL SEAT
THEIR SLY ENCHANTING NOTES, ABOVE THE BEAMS
OF OTHER SUNS, AND LIKE TIME'S TEETH, OUT EAT
FOREGOING MEMORY; BEWITCHING FAME,
TO SING OF THEIRS, AND OF NO OTHER NAME.

ESSEX TO THEE, (WHO THEN WAS PART OF THEE)
IN THIS GREAT BUSINESS WAS THY BROTHER JOINED,
HADST THOU HAD MORE BUT HIM, THEN SHOULD HE BE
THY BEST, THY DEAREST; BUT SINCE UNCONJOINED,
SINCE ALL WERE WORTHLESS OF SUCH FAME, BUT HE,
WHERE THY NAME IS, THERE LET HIS NAME REJOINED,
BE EVER CHAINED IN FAME'S BEST LINKS OF GOLD,
BORN OF ONE MIND, CREATED OF ONE MOLD.

AND NOW I COME TO THEE MOST BLESSED SAINT,
THOU SWEETEST NIGHTINGALE IN TH' HEAV'NLY CHOIR,
NOBLEBORN WALTER DEVOREUX, I FAINT
AND TREMBLE, LEST MY NEW ENKINDLED FIRE
MOUNT THEE NOT HIGH ENOUGH; YET SHALL'T ACQUAINT
ALL THE WORLD'S EARS HOW MUCH I DO DESIRE.
O HEAV'NLY SOUL, THINK NOT I DO THEE WRONG,
INTENDING THY PRAISE FIRST, TO STAY SO LONG.

IT WAS BUT THAT I MIGHT DISCHARGE MY MIND
OF ALL THOSE THOUGHTS WHICH COULD CREATE DELIGHT,
AND THEN BEQUEATHING THEM UNTO THE WIND,
SIT WITH MYSELF, AND NOTHING ELSE INDICT
SAVE THOSE RARE GOODS, NATURE AND RULE DID BIND
WITHIN THY BOSOM, AND HOW WARS DESPITE
BRIBED DEATH TO BANISH THEM; MAKING THE EARTH
POOR BY THY LOSS, THAT WAS RICH BY THY BIRTH.
I DID BUT AS THE SIRENS OF THIS AGE,
WHO WINNING EARS TO HANG UPON THEIR SPEECH,
FIRST TO DELIGHT, LAY THEIR CONCEITS IN GAUGE,
(DELIGHT, AT WHICH ALL NATURALS DO REACH)
THEN, HAVING WON THEM, THAT SWEET VEIN ASSUAGE,
AND WITH GRAVE MATTER MAKE A FEELING BREACH:
SO, IF I DID RELICS OF GLORY SHOW,
TWAS BUT A BAIT TO DRAW MEN TO TRUE WOE.

AND NOW TO COMBATS AND MONOMACHIES,
SET BATTLES, SIEGES, TOURNEYS, DIRE EVENTS,
MY HARSH MUSE DOTH BEQUEATH HER HARMONIES,
OF CITIES GIRT, SAD MURDERS, PITCHING TENTS;
OF FIRES, AND SWORDS, AND FAMINE'S CRUELTIES,
VALOR'S TRUE EDGE, AND ANGER'S HARDIMENTS,
MY SOUL TURNED TO A PEN, IN BLEEDING LINES,
FIGURES TO LIFE TRUE VIRTUE'S TRUE DESIGNS.

O THOU ALMIGHTY POWER WHICH DIDST INFUSE
SPIRIT INTO MY SPIRIT, TO DARE TO DO
THIS ACT OF MEMORY, (WHICH THEY REFUSE
WHOM BOTH DESERT AND WORTH HAVE CALLED THERETO)
BREATHE ENDLESS LIFE INTO MY FAINTING MUSE,
THAT I MAY WRITE, AND BY MY WRITING WOO
SAINTS TO DISPLEASURE, WHEN UNGRATEFUL MEN
SUFFERS THEE SLEEP SO LONG IN DARKNESS' DEN.

NO SOONER HAD ELIZA GIVEN LEAVE
TO PRINCELY ESSEX, DEVOREUX AND THEIR POWER,
TO HELP TH' OPPRESSED, AND FROM THEIR BACKS TO HEAVE
TYRANNY'S BURDEN, WHICH DOTH STATES DEVOUR;
WHEN EASEFUL THOUGHTS WAR'S SUMMONS DID RECEIVE,
AND GAVE ADIEU TO LOVE'S FANTASTIC HOUR,
THEN EVERYONE PREPARED THEMSELVES TO SEA,
PRAYED FOR FAIR GALES, AND FOR A PROSP'ROUS DAY.

A NORTHWEST WIND THEN GENTLY DID BEGET
THEIR SWELLING SAILS WITH CHILD OF HONOR'S COURSE:
THEIR STEEL-SHOD KEELS, THE ROUGH SEAS ENTRAILS SLIT,
AND UNTO FRANCE CONVEYED FAIR ENGLAND'S FORCE.
AND THEN DISBURD'NING THEM, ON LAND DID SET
REBELS' DISMAY; JUST SCOURGES OF THEIR WORSE:
AND THOUGH THEIR POWERS AND ENSIGNS DREADFUL SHOES,
YET BRED THEIR NAMES MOST TERROR IN THEIR FOES.

BUT TO THEIR BEADMEN, WHOSE CONTINUAL PRAYERS,
FLEW INTO HEAVEN FROM THEIR BREATHING HEARTS,
TO THEM, AND TO THE TORRENTS OF THEIR SMARTS,
THEY BROUGHT DELICIOUS BALM, AND NEWLY REARS
THEIR DOWNFALL'N BROKEN HOPES: SUCH HAPPY PARTS
PLAYS VIRTUE'S SIGHT; AND SUCH DELIGHT WE HAVE,
WHEN WE BEHOLD REVENGE WE MOST DO CRAVE.

REVENGE, THE INFANT OF A FIERY MIND,
WHICH EVERMORE SUCCEEDS A NOBLE THOUGHT,
THE FOOD WHEREON RESOLVES DO FEED BY KIND,
NOURISHING HONOR WHEN ITS CAPTIVE BROUGHT;
THE ALL FROM WHENCE WE ANY HELP CAN FIND
FOR OUR DISPARAGED NAMES, TO SCANDAL BROUGHT:
FOR IT IN BLOOD DOTH PURIFY DISGRACE,
PURGING HER STAINS, AND MAKING SMOOTH HER FACE.

THE MIND BY WRONGS IS MADE A MALCONTENT,
AND CLOUDS HER SHINE IN PLEASELESS MELANCHOLY:
HER HOLY HUMORS ARE IN PASSIONS SPENT,
TILL BY REVENGE SHE IS SET AT LIBERTY,
AND BRAVELY TO HER FIRST CREATION SENT;
EVEN FROM REVENGE GOT JUSTICE LIBERTY.
FOR TIS REVENGE, AND SATISFACTION BRINGS
TO INJURED MINDS, AND TO OPPRESSED THINGS.

THE SOUL IS LIKE A BOIST'ROUS WORKING SEA,
SWELLING IN BILLOWS FOR DISDAIN OF WRONGS:
AND TUMBLING UP AND DOWN FROM BAY TO BAY,
PROVES GREAT WITH CHILD OF INDIGNATION;
YET WITH REVENGE IS BROUGHT TO CALM ALLAY,
DISBURDENED OF THE PAIN THERETO BELONGS,
HER LOWERS ARE TURNED TO BRIGHT-FACED SUNSHINE BRAVES,
AND FAIR CONTENT PLAYS GENTLY ON HER WAVES.

THIS TRUEST JUSTICER, THIS UPRIGHT LORD,
(WISHED REVENGE) THE WRONGED PERSON'S HOPE,
WITH THIS DIVIDED NATION DOTH ACCORD
SO SWEETLY, AND DOTH LEND SO LARGE A SCOPE
UNTO REDRESS, THAT EVERY BREATHING WORD
THE GATES OF THEIR CONTENTMENTS DOTH SET OPE:
AND ALBE'T NOTHING'S WELL, YET FOR IT MAY,
THEY LIVE CONTENT, AND MAKE A HOLY DAY.

THERE STANDS A TOWN CLOSE BY THE OCEAN'S SIDE,
WHOSE WALLS ARE OFTEN WASHED WITH THE FLOOD,
WELL FENCED AND FULL OF WAR'S MOST ANCIENT PRIDE,
A COMMON HARBOR FOR HIS NEIGHBOR'S GOOD:
WITHIN WHOSE CHANNEL, SAFE SECURELY RIDE
THITHER CAME ENGLAND'S POWER, AND ON THAT SHORE
LANDING THEMSELVES, MADE RICH SEA, NOW SEA POOR.

DIEPE, I IMAGINE NOW HOW BLEST THOU WAS
WHICH HADST THE MAIDENHEAD OF THEIR FIRST SIGHT,
HOW DID THY WISH AND FORTUNES COME TO PASS?
MAKING THEE SHINE MORE CLEARER BY THEIR LIGHT
THAN ALL THE TOWNS IN FRANCE.  THOU DIDST SURPASS,
THOSE ANCIENT MOTHER-CITIES HELD SO BRIGHT:
I DO NOT MEAN THY NEIGHBOR CITIES BY,
FOR THEY WERE STAINED WITH BLOOD AND PERJURY.

BUT THOSE WHOSE STREETS WERE GUILTLESS OF THEIR ILLS,
THAT MADE NOT ZEAL A CLOAK FOR DAMNED DEEDS,
WHOSE POWER COULD BRIDLE UNRESTRAINED WILLS:
EVEN THESE, AT THAT TIME THOU BY MUCH EXCEEDS
AS MOUNTAINS DO THE LITTLE SANDY HILLS,
OR WELL-GROWN CEDARS MARSH-SHAKEN REEDS,
BOTH FOR THEY FIRST ARRIVED ON THY STRAND,
AND THOU FIRST GAV'ST THEM WELCOME TO THE LAND.

SHORT TIME WITH THEE (THOUGH LONG WITH THE OPPRESSED)
THESE WORTHY CHIEFTAINS BREATHED WITHIN THY WALLS,
NONE COULD PERCEIVE, MUCH LESS SAY THEY DID REST
THEIR WAKING HEARTS' HONOR FROM SLUMBER CALLS.
AND (THEN IN EASE) KNOWING NO WORSE UNREST,
SPEEDY PREPARES THEY MAKE FOR THESE NEW BRAWLS:
AND FROM THEE DIEPE DEPARTING, MARCHED ALONG
TO ROUEN, BOTH TOO FAITHLESS, AND TOO STRONG.

ROUEN, (THAT FALSIFIED THE HOLY OATH,
SHE OWED UNTO THE LAWFUL KINGS OF FRANCE,
THAT TUMULTS RAISED BY HER DIVIDED TROTH,
UPON RELIGION'S WOUNDS, LOOKING ASKANCE)
SHUTS HER LATE-OPENED GATES AGAINST THEM BOTH,
AND VOWS TO HAVE NO SOVEREIGN BUT MISCHANCE,
WHICH SHE BOUGHT DEARLY, AND MORE DEARLY SHOULD,
IF VALOR MIGHT HAVE DONE, WHAT VALOR WOULD.

ROUEN, METHINKS I SEE THY PALELY FACE,
THY TOWERS READY ERE THEIR TIME TO FALL,
METHINKS I SEE THY SONS RUN IN EACH PLACE
MADLY AFFRIGHTED, AND FOR SUCCORS CALL,
THY GUILTY CONSCIENCE BLAMING THY DISGRACE:
AND FROM THE LOOPHOLES OF THY RUINED WALL,
HOW MANY TEAR-FILLED EYES STOOD GAZING ROUND,
WISHING THEMSELVES AWAY, OR UNDERGROUND.
O VILLIERS, THOU THYSELF, (THOUGH THEN IN THEE
WAS WORTHY COURAGE; MUCH TOO ILL APPLIED)
WEPT IN THY SOUL, THAT THOU PERFORCE MUST BE
A CHIEFTAIN OVER SIN, AND OFT HADST TRIED
TO WELCOME PEACE, AND SHUN CALAMITY,
BUT THAT THESE ARGUMENTS MADE THEE ABIDE:
FEAR OF THE MISREPORTING MULTITUDE,
AND FAME TO WAR, AGAINST BEST FORTITUDE.

THESE WERE THE CHAINS THAT BOUND THEE TO DEFAME,
AND BLINDED THEE FROM SEEING WHAT WAS BEST:
THIS SIREN OUR OPINION, WINDBORNE LAME,
SEEKING TO EASE US, BRINGS US TO UNREST;
THIS, SHUNNING SHAME, BROUGHT THEE TO GREATER SHAME,
THOU COULDST NOT HARBOR A MORE THANKLESS GUEST,
FOR IT ADJUDGETH NOTHING IT DOTH SEE,
BY WHAT IT IS, BUT WHAT IT SEEMS TO BE.

SO HELP ME TRUTH, AS I DO TRULY THINK,
OPINION, TH' ONLY TORTURE OF OUR MIND,
ALAS THAT ANYTHING SO VAIN SHOULD SINK,
WITH MUDDY BARBARISM, UNREFINED,
INTO OUR HEARTS' DEEP CLOSETS, AND THERE LINK
ALL OUR BELIEFS TO HIM, WHOSE ANCIENT KIND
IS TO DECEIVE US, PROMISING THE REST,
WHICH NEVER WAS, OR ERE SHALL BE POSSESSED.

THE MANY PRODIGIES WERE HOURLY BORN,
FROM THE DISTEMPERED WOMB OF THINE AMAZE,
THY COUNTRY'S BEAUTY BY THINE OWN HANDS TORN,
THY DIGNITIES, WHICH THY DEFAULTS DID RAZE,
THY GUILTY FAINTNESS, THY OPPROBRIOUS SCORN,
THE GOLDEN CROWN ON WHICH THINE EYES DID GAZE,
MIGHT HAVE BEEN ORATORS, FOR THEY COULD TELL,
THOU DIDST ALL ILL, IN DOING NOTHING WELL.

AND YOU, WHICH WERE HIS SINEWS, AND HIS FORCE,
THE FATAL HANDS TO THIS ILL PLOTTING HEAD;
YOU, THAT MADE NOTHING BETTER, ALL THINGS WORSE,
YOU ARE NOT BLAMELESS, YOU MUST I UPBRAID,
AS PETTY SPRINGS FROM WHOSE POLLUTED SOURCE,
THIS STREAM BECAME A DELUGE.  BE IT SAID,
UNDER CONTROL; THIS DOUBT DOTH STILL REMAIN,
WHETHER WAS WORSE, THE LEADERS, OR THE TRAIN.

BUT HOWSOEVER, EVER THIS IS TRUE,
YOU BOTH REPENTED WHAT YOU UNDERTOOK,
THOROUGH YOUR EYES INTO YOUR BOSOMS FLEW
WHEN PAINTED SMILES LAY PUBLIC IN OUR VIEW,
WE MIGHT BEHOLD HOW MUCH YOUR JOYS FORSOOK,
YOUR UNDISGUISED HEARTS; FOR THEY SAID STILL,
THE WAKING HEAVENS WILL PLAGUE THE SLEEPING ILL.

EVEN AS COLD HEMLOCK NUMBS THE VITAL SENSE,
OR JUICE OF MANDRAKES OVERCOMES THE BRAIN,
EVEN SO YOUR FEAR, WEDDED TO YOUR OFFENSE,
ENFORCED A TREMBLING THOROUGH EVERY VEIN:
NAUGHT BUT MISTRUST KEPT FATAL RESIDENCE
WITHIN YOUR BREASTS, THE STATEHOUSES OF PAIN.
AND AFTER YOU BEHELD THE ENGLISH BANDS,
SCARCE COULD YOU HOLD YOUR WEAPONS IN YOUR HANDS.

BUT YET DEAR COUNTRYMEN, MISTAKE ME NOT,
(DEAR I MAY CALL YOU, SINCE BY LIVES MORE DEAR,
OUR PEACE, AND YOUR CONTENTMENT WAS BEGOT)
I DO NOT MEAN THIS WHILE A DASTARD FEAR:
FAR FROM THE BOUNDS OF FRANCE HATH BEEN SUCH BLOT,
BUT ATTAINT FOUL, SEEING THOSE PRINCES THERE,
WHO HATED TO UNSHEATHE THEIR SWORDS IN FIGHT
IF NOT FOR LAWFUL KINGS, AND IN GOD'S PURE RIGHT.

THIS WAS TH' AFFLICTING CORSIVE OF YOUR HEARTS,
AND HOURLY RENOVATOR OF YOUR ILLS,
THIS DREW ALL YOUR HARD CHANCES FROM DESERTS,
YET MADE NO LESS THE MISCHIEFS OF YOUR WILLS;
WHY DO I SEEK TO COLOR YOUR FOUL PARTS,
THAT KNOWING TRUTH, NO PART OF TRUTH FULFILLS?
THEREFORE I'LL SAY AS YOUR DEEDS' WITNESS THEN,
YOU WERE, WHAT YOU WERE BORN, MOST SINFUL MEN,

BY THIS TIME WAR ON BOTH SIDES WAS PREPARED,
AND FURY LIKE A STRUMPET RUNS ABOUT,
FIRST TH' ONE, AND THEN THE OTHER'S MIND SHE SQUARED,
AND CASTS HER VENOM OVER EVERY ROUT;
SCORN UPON SCORNS, AND DARES AT THEM WHICH DARED,
WERE BANDED FIRST WITHIN, AND THEN WITHOUT,
COMBATS WERE CHALLENGED, TA'EN, AND THEN PUT OFF,
CUFFS WERE REPAYED WITH CUFFS, AND SCOFF WITH SCOFF.

AS OFT AS DAY BEHELD THEM, AND AS LONG
WERE SALLIES MADE, BEAT BACK, AND NEW ENFORCED,
NIGHT, NURSE OF EASE, TO WHOM CALM RESTS BELONG,
SAW THERE NO CLOSED EYE, WAR'S WAKING WORST,
MADE NIGHT, AS DAY, IN UPROARS FATAL STRONG:
THE NIGHT DID EXECUTE; WHAT IN THE NIGHT,
WAS IN THE DAY EFFECTED BY HIS LIGHT.

AND THUS THIS WEIGHTY BUSINESS, BUSY KEPT
SURVIVING GREAT ONES, AND THEIR FOLLOWING TRAIN,
NONE SLUMBERED, BUT SUCH AS ETERNAL SLEPT,
THEIR SOULS SENT HENCE TO JOYS, OR ENDLESS PAIN,
AND OF THEIR NAMES AN ENDLESS COUNT WAS SWEPT,
INTO FORGETFUL LETHE, WHERE THEY REIGN
SECURE FROM SCANDALS ON THE LIVING HURLED,
LOST FROM MEN'S THOUGHTS, FORGOTTEN OF THE WORLD.

IN ALL THE CONFLICTS, BATTLES, TOURNAMENTS,
AND DREADFUL CLAMORS OF AFFRIGHTING ARMS,
O WALTER DEVOREUX, THY SOUL'S BLANDISHMENTS,
(NOT GUILT, BUT GUILDING HONOR'S CHOICE ALARMS)
WERE TO ALL SPIRITS SPRIGHTLY PRECEDENTS,
AS FAR AS NEPTUNE FLOWS, OR PHOEBUS WARMS:
THY PROWESS SHALL EXTEND THAT IN WAR'S FIRE
DIDST EVER FIRST ASSAIL, AND LAST RETIRE.

THERE NEVER FLED BEFORE THE TIGER'S FACE
POOR LAMB SO FAST (O'ERTAKEN IN HIS GAME)
AS FRENCHMEN FLED FROM THEE WITH WINGED PACE,
AFTER THEY HAD APPROVED THY VIRTUE'S FLAME.
LIKE FIRE AND WATER, PENT UP IN ONE PLACE
WITH THUNDER-RENTING ALL THE HEAVENLY FRAME,
SUCH WERE THY DEEDS: AND MORE BY MUCH THAN SO,
IF MORE COULD BE, OR MORE FROM MAN COULD GO.

EVEN AS THE FEARFUL LEVORITE IN THE WOOD,
VIEWING THE DREADFUL LION FULL OF RAGE,
MURDER HIS DAME, AND FEED UPON HER BLOOD,
RENTING HER LIMBS, HIS RIGOR TO ASSUAGE:
WITH SILENT PACE, AND TREMBLING IN HER MOOD,
FLIES FROM THE RANCOR OF THE BEAST'S OUTRAGE,
AND EVERY STEP BETHINKS OF WHAT WAS DONE,
AND EVERY HOUR ADREADS TO BE UNDONE.

SO DID THE TROOPS WHERE STAR-EYED DEV'REUX WENT
WITH FEARFUL ADMIRATION SEE HIS IRE,
ONE TO ANOTHER WAS A PRECEDENT
TO SEEK THEIR SCAPES BY SOME MORE SAFE RETIRE;
AND YET THEIR FLIGHTS WAS NO TRUE BANISHMENT
OF THEIR DESPAIRS: FOR STILL HIS VALOR'S FIRE,
SHINED IN THEIR HEARTS, AND THOUGH HE WAS NOT NIGH,
YET FURY-LIKE HIS DEEDS WERE IN THEIR EYE.
GOT POWER IN THY DEAR THOUGHTS, AND HALED THEE ON,
TO TEAR FROM DANGER'S GATES THE DANGEROUS,
EXPOSING STILL THY PERSON OFT ALONE,
IN SPITE OF HAZARD MOST MIRACULOUS?
WAST HONOR'S LOVE, HARD GOTTEN, AND SOON GONE?
WAST ENVY? OR WAST NEITHER WHICH THEE LED,
TWAS BOTH, TWAS BOTH, AN ENVY NOBLY BRED.

O SOLDIERS' ENVY, NEAR ALLIED TO KING'S
MAJESTIC HUMOR, CAREFUL JEALOUS THOUGHT,
THOU, WHICH AWAK'ST US FROM IGNOBLE THINGS,
A PASSION NEAREST TO A GODHEAD BROUGHT,
ONLY INDEFINITE; TO WHOM NONE BRINGS,
LIMIT OR BOUND: THOU GREATER THAN OUR THOUGHT,
WHO HOLDS THEE, HOLDS A POWER TO MAKE HIM ABLE,
WHO LOSES THEE, BECOMES MOST MISERABLE.

AND YET FORGIVE ME (FAIR ONE) TWAS NOT THIS,
WAS NEVER ANYTHING HOW GOOD SO ERE,
WHICH HATH SO ROUGH A NAME AS ENVY IS,
THAT COULD LIVE IN THY HEART: FOR ANGELS THERE,
KEEP SOLEMN REVELS, AND BY POWER DISMISS,
THE EARTHY PASSIONS WHICH OUR NATURES BEAR:
WITHOUT THEE, WELL MIGHT HUMAN RARENESS REST,
BUT HOLY THINGS LIVED ONLY IN THY BREAST.

UPON THY HELM, SAT CONQUEST READY DRESSED,
DELIGHTING TO BEHOLD THY SACRED DEEDS,
AND SWORE THAT TEMPLE MADE HER ONLY BLEST,
FOR BY THINE ACTS, HER ACTIONS PRAISE EXCEEDS.
THOU NOT HER FAIR, BUT SHE THY FAIR POSSESSED,
THY LOOKS THE TABLES WHEREON HONOR READS
INSTRUCTIONS FOR HER LAUD, ENCHANTED ALL,
AND LIKE THY SWORD, MADE BEST RESOLVED FALL.

THAT ENGINE OF DEFENSE AND PUNISHMENT,
WHICH WELL COULD CHASTISE, WHO COULD WELL DO ILL,
WITH THEE WAS BUT A NEEDLESS INSTRUMENT,
NATURE HAD GIVEN THEE DARTS COULD BETTER KILL;
THY HEART-ENCHANTING LOOKS, HAD THEY BEEN BENT,
IN BITTER FROWNS, OR SHOWED DISPLEASED WILL:
THE STRENGTH OF STRENGTHS, HAD HUMBLY FALL'N BEFORE THEE
SO MUCH THY BEAUTY MADE THE WORLD ADORE THEE.

IF HERCULES BY HYLAS WAS SUBDUED,
AND CHAINED IN GOLDEN FETTERS TO HIS LOVE,
AND IF PATROCLUS HELD IN SERVITUDE,
AND IN THY POWER, ALL POWER, ALL LOVE INCLUDE:
MAKING THY FAME FIT STARS, AND HEAVEN ABOVE.
FOR THOU HAST COURAGE GREATER THAN THE ONE,
AND BEAUTY MORE THAN IN THE OTHER SHONE.

THY CHEEKS WERE LILY FIELDS WHERE ROSES GREW,
THINE EYES TWO LAMPS, WHICH LENT THE DAY HIS LIGHT,
THY BREATH THE AIR IN WHICH CHOICE PLEASURES FLEW,
PERFUMING ALL THINGS NEAR UNTO THY SIGHT;
THY DANGLING TRESSES (HANGING IN OUR VIEW,)
THAN PHOEBUS' SOUNDING STRINGS WERE MUCH MORE BRIGHT.
THY LIPS, WHICH KISS EACH OTHER WHEN THEY MEET,
TAUGHT THEM TO KISS, WHICH THOUGHT NO KISSES SWEET.

LOVE IN THY LOOKS HUNG FORTH A CONQUERING SIGN,
SHARP'NING HIS ARROWS ON THY DAINTY BROW,
I SAW HIM LIGHT HIS TORCHES AT THINE EYNE,
OFT HAVE I HEARD HIM FOR THY SAKE AVOW
HE WOULD NO MORE MONGST MEN BE HELD DIVINE,
BUT FOR THY FAVOR HIS GREAT TITLES BOW
TO DO THEE SERVICE, AND BECOME THY SQUIRE,
BEGGING NO MORE BUT COUNT'NANCE FOR HIS HIRE.

WHAT WONDER IS IT THEN IF MORTAL BRED
FELL AT THY FEET? WHEN SUCH A SACRED POWER,
WHO AT THE TABLES OF THE GODS HATH FED,
HE WHICH HATH MADE JOVE TREMBLE AT HIS LOWER,
STOOPS VASSAL-LIKE, AND HUMBLETH HIS PROUD HEAD,
BEGGING THE PLEASURES OF A HAPPY HOUR.
O GREAT INSEARCHABLE, ALMIGHTY FATE,
THIS WAS YOUR WILL, AND YOU THUS FORMED HIS STATE.

EVEN YOU SAD DAUGHTERS OF THE QUIET NIGHT,
WHICH IN YOUR PRIVATE REVOLUTIONS WRITE
WHAT HATH, OR SHALL UPON OUR FORTUNES LIGHT,
WHOSE STORIES NONE MAY SEE, MUCH LESS RECITE.
YOU RULERS OF THE GODS; TWAS YOU GAVE MIGHT,
THAT OUR GREAT GRANDAM NATURE SHOULD UNITE
ALL HER BEST TREASURES IN THOSE PRINCELY TWO,
THAT AFTER-AGE MIGHT SAY: THUS COULD SHE DO.

NATURE, IN WHICH DIVINITY DOTH SHINE,
LIVELY PRESENTING UNBORN DEITY,
IS THAT SAME SPIRIT OF REASON, MOST DIVINE,
WHICH CAUSETH EVERY NATURAL WORK TO BE.
ALL THINGS SHE DOTH PRESERVE, AND CAN REFINE
MUDDY POLLUTIONS FROM IMPURITY.
WHICH NATURE (ELDER BORN) HAD FIRST NOT FOUND.

NATURE, TH' EFFECT OF ORDER, OR THE SAME,
WAS NEVER KNOWN SO RICH, SO PRODIGAL,
AS WHEN SHE TOOK IN HAND THE BLESSED FRAME
OF THIS MOST FAMOUS WORK; THIS GENERAL,
DELIGHT OF THOSE THAT DO BEHOLD THE SAME.
WHICH TO RENOWN AND MAKE MORE SPECIAL,
SHE TO HERSELF, LEARNING AND USE COMBINES,
AND THEN ALL THREE SLEEP SWEETLY IN THEIR MINDS.

THIS NOT TO BE DISJOINED TRIUMVIRATE
FROM ANY MIND THAT WILL BE PERFECT TAUGHT,
POSSESSED IN THEM AN ENDLESS-DURING STATE,
BY NO FRAIL PASSION TO DISTEMPER BROUGHT:
ALL WHAT THY COULD, TO THEM THEY DEDICATE.
NATURE IS LEARNING'S EYES, SHE, NATURE'S THOUGHT,
USE, WANTING EITHER, IS IMPERFECT MADE:
THEY WITHOUT USE, NO BETTER THAN A SHADE.

THE FINEST ORPHEUS TOUCHETH NO MORE STRINGS
THAN THE UNSKILLFUL MAN WHICH NE'ER SAW LUTE,
YET TH' ONE, BY USE AND KNOWLEDGE, SWEETLY BRINGS
TO TH' EAR DELIGHT, TH' OTHER HARSH REPUTE.
SO NATURE'S PERFECT MAN, (THE BEST OF THINGS)
TRIES BUT WHAT FITT'ST WITH NATURE'S GIFTS WILL SUIT,
TILL TAUGHT BY USE AND REASON'S HOLY SKILL,
HE BRINGS UNTO PERFECTION WHAT HE WILL.

WHY ON CREATION LIVES MY MUSE THUS LONG?
ALL THE WORLD KNOWS THEY ARE THE BEST CAN BE.
CONTRARY MATTER MUST BE IN MY SONG,
NO LIFE BUT DEATH, NO BIRTH BUT TRAGEDY.
IN TEARS, WORN PEN, WRITE DISSOLUTION,
THAT ACCENT BETTER FITS MY MELODY.
DEVOREUX, THY DEATH IS MY DESIRE TO FRAME,
MY PRAYER; THY BROTHER WILL BUT HEAR THE SAME.

BUT WOE ALAS, THIS MINE UPBRAIDING MUSE
WHICH TELLS ME WHAT THOU WERT WHEN THOU WERT HERE,
DOTH WITH THE MEMORY THEREOF, INFUSE
INTO TH' IMPOVERISHED WORLD, (WHICH HELD THEE DEAR)
MATTER OF ENDLESS MOURNING; HORROR'S NEWS,
SHOWING ITSELF HOW VILD IT DOTH APPEAR,
WHO SEVERED FROM THE GLORY WHICH IT HAD,
IS NOW A WIDOW, WOEFUL, DESPERATE, SAD.

LOOK HOW THE SEA SWELLS BRAVELY IN HER PRIDE
SEEMING THE STAR-SET HEAVENS TO DERIDE,
BUT WHEN LEAN ENVY WITH HER POIS'NING BEAM
AMONGST THEM DOTH HER VENOM'D HATE DIVIDE,
LEAVING NO MEMORY OF THEIRS OR THEM,
MOURNS IN BLACK SMOKES, IN CLAMORS, AND IN BLOOD,
SAYING SHE IS NOT, WHICH HATH NOW NO GOOD.

OR AS THE GALLANT TILT YARDS KINGLY DRESSED
WITH ROYAL EYES, AND FAMOUS CONQUERORS,
BOASTS THAT NO PLACE CAN BE MORE RICHLY BLEST,
NO, NOT THE COURTS OF GREATEST EMPERORS:
WHEN NIGHT APPEARS, AND CALLS THEM THENCE TO REST,
WHICH HIM OF ALL HIS HAPPY LOAD DEVOURS,
BECOMES UNFAIR, SUBJECT TO VILD ABUSE,
SERVING FOR BASE, AND MOST RESPECTLESS USE.

SUCH WAS THE WIDOW-WORLD WHEN THOU WERT GONE,
AN HONOR-LOSING SEA, IN BLOOD ADDRESSED,
A REALM DISPEOPLED, A DEPOSED THRONE,
A WITHERED GARLAND, WHERE NO FLOWERS REST,
A CROWN NOT MADE OF GOLD, NOR RICHED WITH STONE,
TWAS ALTOGETHER VILD, WHOLY OPPRESSED.
BUT WHETHER DOTH THIS SORROW BEAR MY BREATH?
I YET SHOULD WRITE THY LIFE, ANON THY DEATH.

A LING'RING SIEGE, CALAMITY'S BEST FRIEND,
THE WEALTHY HARVEST, GATH'RING STORE OF WOES,
THE WORK WHERE DEATH'S WORK NEVER FINDS AN END,
THE PURCHASE GOT BY BLOOD, AND LOST BY BLOWS,
INCREASING, MADE THE WALLS OF ROUEN BEND;
FAMINE AN INFANT, PAST HIS CHILDHOOD GROWS,
AND COMED TO RIPER STRENGTH, BEGINNETH THEN,
STERN TYRANT-LIKE TO REIGN O'ER FEEBLE MEN.

HIS GOVERNMENT, FROM EXILE CALLS DESPAIR,
WHICH STRAIGHT ACCUSETH HOPE OF PERJURY,
AFFLICTION, FOR A WITNESS DOTH APPEAR,
AND ADDS BESIDE MORE WORSE IMPIETY.
HOPE SEEKS TO PLEAD, BUT NO MAN GIVES HIM EAR:
THEN BANISHED, HE DEPARTS FROM MISERY,
AND TAKING WITH HIM ALL CONTENT OF MINDS,
FLIES TO THE CAMP, AND BETTER WELCOME FINDS.

SOLDIERLY TRIUMPHS GIVE HIM ENTERTAIN,
ALL HEARTS ARE OPEN SET TO TAKE HIM IN,
LIKE AN IMPERIOUS PRINCE, THROUGH EVERY VEIN
HE RIDES TRIUMPHANT.  WHAT BEFORE HAD BEEN
THOSE WHICH HAD THOUGHT TO END, DO NEW BEGIN;
NOTHING IS HELD IMPOSSIBLE, BUT THIS,
TO FAIL OF CONQUEST, WHICH UNCERTAIN IS.

THE NEW-MADE KING, (WHOSE TITLE, HOLY, JUST,
WAS BY SOME REBELS YET DEBARRED THEIR STREETS)
WARRING IN OTHER PARTS (AS NEEDS HE MUST)
WITH THE REPORT OF THEIR APPROACHES MEETS,
WHICH MAKING COMPLETE HIS LONG-WISHED TRUST,
(TURNING FEAR'S GALL, TO CONQUEST'S HONEY SWEETS)
INSPIRED HIM WITH DESIRE TO BLESS HIS EYES,
WITH SIGHT OF THEM FROM WHOM HIS BLISS MUST RISE.

A SPECIAL DAY BOTH PARTIES DO PROPOSE,
(AND NEWS THEREOF BY HERALD'S PUBLISHED)
IN WHICH THESE TWO ALMIGHTY POWERS DISPOSE,
LIKE SEV'RAL OCEANS JOINTLY MARRIED,
TO MEET EACH OTHER, AND IN SIGHT OF THOSE
WHICH KNEW TH' ONE'S RIGHT, HOW IT WAS INJURED,
AND HOW THE OTHER'S AID MIGHT SAVE THE WEAK,
TO KNIT THAT LOVE KNOT TIME SHOULD NEVER BREAK.

DAYS WHICH BEGET DAYS, NATURALLY BEGOT,
THIS BLESSED DAY (WORTHY SOME HOLY NAME)
AND BROUGHT IT PURELY FORTH, WITHOUT ONE SPOT,
SPREADING MOST UNIVERSALLY HIS FLAME:
WHEN FRANCE, THAT HAD NOT ALL OLD POMP FORGOT,
(THOUGH SHE USED LITTLE SINCE SHE WAS FALL'N LAME)
NOW PRANKS HERSELF, LIKE AN OLD WIDOW-BRIDE,
AND STRIVES T' OUTGO HER YOUTH'S ADMIRED PRIDE.

ENGLAND AS MUCH, (AND BY SO MUCH THE MORE
AS HER LONG PEACE TAUGHT HOW SHE MIGHT BE BRAVE)
ADORNS HERSELF, AND AS HER BIRTHDAY, WORE
WHATEVER CURIOUS WAS, AND DID ENGRAVE
ADMIRE IN SUCH AS SAW HER: STARS BEFORE
RODE TWINKLING, LIKE HEAVEN'S SPANGLES ON THE WAVE,
SOME MARCHED BEHIND; BUT IN THE MIDPOINT WENT
TWO SUNS, WHICH MADE, MADE ONE SUN EXCELLENT.

IN SELF-LIKE ORDER FRANCE DIRECTS HER STATE:
AND THEN, LIKE TWO GREAT ELEMENTS CONJOINED,
BUT NOT PREPOST'ROUS, AS DISTEMPERATE,
THEIR JOYFUL CLAMORS NOTE A BLEST REJOIN:
THIS PLANET-LIKE CONJUNCTION, SOON BEGAT
THE FAITH WHICH TIME'S EXCHANGE SHALL NE'ER DISJOIN.
HOPE SEEN IN BOTH, AND SWORN TO PART FROM NEITHER.

WHAT BETTER EMP'ROR CAN THE BODY HOLD
THAN SACRED HOPE? THE ELEMENT FROM WHENCE
VIRTUE IS DRAWN, FRESH-LOOKING, NEVER OLD,
MATTER MOST WORTHY OF A STRONG DEFENSE:
IT ANIMATES YOUNG MEN, AND MAKES THEM BOLD,
ARMING THEIR HEARTS WITH HOLY INFLUENCE,
IT LIKE A SEAL, IN TENDER THOUGHTS DOTH PRESS
THE PERFECT IMAGE OF ALL WORTHINESS.

THIS HOPE IS DOUBLE, AND HATH DOUBLE POWER,
AS BEING MORTAL, AND IMMORTAL FRAMED,
IN TH' ONE SHE'S MOVELESS, CERTAIN EVERY HOUR,
IN TH' OTHER, DOUBTFUL, AND UNCERTAIN NAMED.
TH' IMMORTAL HOPE REIGNS IN A HOLY BOWER,
IN EARTHY CLOSURES IS THE MORTAL TAMED:
AND THESE TWO CONTRARIES, WHERE'ER THEY MEET,
DOUBLE DELIGHT, AND MAKE OUR THOUGHTS MORE SWEET.

HE THAT HOPES LEAST, LEAVES NOT TO HOPE AT ALL,
BUT HOPES THE MOST, HOPING SO LITTLE HOPE,
AUGMENTING OF OUR HOPE, MAKES HOPE GROW SMALL,
AND TAKING FROM IT GIVES IT GREATER SCOPE.
THE DESPERATE MAN WHICH IN DESPAIR DOTH FALL,
HOPES BY THAT END ILL FORTUNES TO REVOKE.
AND TO THIS HOPE BELONGS A SECOND PART,
WHICH WE CALL CONFIDENCE, THAT RULES THE HEART.

THE SECOND PART OF HOPE, THIS CONFIDENCE,
WHICH TULLY CALLS A VIRTUE THAT DOTH GUIDE
THE SPIRIT TO AN HONEST RESIDENCE,
WITHOUT WHOSE AID NO PLEASURE WILL ABIDE
IN OUR WORLD-WEARIED FLESH: THIS STRONG DEFENSE
AGAINST OUR ADVERSE FATE: NOW FULL OF PRIDE,
PERSUADES THE ENGLISH LEGIONS, THAT IT IS
IMPOSSIBLE THEIR CHANCE SHOULD RUN AMISS.

O HOPE, THOU NURSE OF AGED FEEBLENESS,
THOU COMMON GOOD WHICH BIDD'ST WHEN NAUGHT IS LEFT,
THOU BEST MAINTAINER OF LIFE'S HAPPINESS,
EXCLUDING FROM OUR HEARTS MISFORTUNE'S THEFT:
HOW ART THOU MADE THE CAUSE TO WRETCHEDNESS,
OF ALL THY PROPER NATURE QUITE BEREFT?
WHAT, CANST THOU ERR  ALL PASSING WONDROUS WELL,
CHIEFLY, WHEN HOPE AND LOVE TOGETHER DWELL.

YOU MEN TORMENTORS, HOPE, AND FOOLISH LOVE,
THE ONE TO EXECUTE OUR THOUGHTS DOTH PROVE,
THE OTHER OF SUCCESS GIVES GOOD REPORT:
NOTHING IN MINDS DOTH GREATER MISCHIEFS MOVE,
THAN WHERE YOU HOLD YOUR HOURLY RESORT.
AND THOUGH TO SIGHTS YOU NEVER PUBLIC BE,
YET ARE YOU PLAGUES, MUCH WORSE THAN EYES CAN SEE.

FOR YOU ARE THEY WHICH FEED THE MIGHTY MIND
WITH SWEETEST POISON OF DESIRED PRAISE,
YOU MAKE US TRUST FOR THAT WE SHALL NOT FIND,
AND LIKE THE LOOKS WHICH ONLY SHOULD DISPLEASE:
FOR DID NOT LOVE OF DANGERS INLY BIND
OUR HEARTS TO HAZARD, AND THE PAINTED EASE
OF OUR OWN HOPES, ARM ALL OUR SPIRIT'S BREATH,
WE SHOULD NOT SEEK, NOR GAIN UNTIMELY DEATH.

THOU EVIL-GOOD, I WOULD EXCLAIM ON THEE,
DID THINE OWN SELF, NOT OTHERS GUIDE THY WILL,
BUT BEING LEAST THINE OWN, WHAT INJURY
BY THEE WAS DONE, SHALL LIVE IN OTHERS ILL.
THE FRENCH AND ENGLISH NOW JOINED FAITHFULLY,
DO EITHER'S EARS, WITH OTHER'S GLORY FILL,
AND TH' ADVERSE PART FELT DAILY BY THEIR BLOWS,
THAT THOUGH THEIR HEARTS WERE FRIENDS, THEIR FAMES WERE FOES.

ONE STRIVES TO GO MORE FASTER THAN THE REST,
SAYING, THE BUS'NESS CRAVED A WINGED PACE:
ANOTHER, SEEING HIS DEAR FRIEND OPPRESSED,
FOR LOVE'S SAKE WILL DEPOSE HIM OF THAT PLACE.
THUS UNDER ZEAL, BY EACH IT IS EXPRESSED
TO WHAT A CROWN OF WONDER AIMS THEIR RACE:
AND WHAT FOR LOVE THEY DID; WERT TRULY KNOWN,
WOULD PROVE A JEALOUS FEAR TO BE OUTGONE.

THIS HAPPY EMULATION (GOD OF WAR)
WHICH OFTEST COMES UNCONQUERED FROM THE FIELD,
THIS WHICH MAKES MONARCHIES STRETCH OUT SO FAR,
NOT MADE TO FAINT, BECAUSE IT CANNOT YIELD,
WELL WOT I, WOULD HAVE MADE A FATAL SCAR,
(SUCH AS ALL FRANCE WOULD TREMBLE YET TO WIELD)
IF IT HAD GONE, WHITHER IT WOULD HAVE FLOWN.
BUT ILL HE SPOILS, WHICH SPOILS NAUGHT BUT HIS OWN.

O POLICY, SCARCE KNOWN IN TIMES THAT'S PAST,
OR BEING KNOWN, YET LEAST OF MOST ESTEEMED,
THY PROVIDENCE MOST WORTHILY SHALL LAST,
BECAUSE THOU SAVED'ST, WHAT FURY MIGHT HAVE WASTE,
THOUGHT MUCH THOU HAST DONE ILL, YET THIS ACT SEEMED
BETTER THAN ANY; AND SO MUCH MORE FAR
AS CALM-FACED PEACE, EXCEEDS BLOODSHEDDING WAR.

O, HADST THOU LOVED THY NEIGHBOR FRIENDS AS WELL,
AND TAUGHT THEM HOW TO SHUN PURSUING HARMS,
THEN HAD NOT I SAT SADLY IN MY CELL,
FOR WOE INVOKING WORDS, FOR CARE'S STRONG CHARMS:
NONE YET HAD SEEN THIS TOMB, NONE HEARD THIS BELL,
THIS PAPER NOISE, THIS EPITAPH ALARMS:
BUT BEST CONTENT WITH REST, UNTASKED TO WRITE,
I HAD ADMIRED WHAT OTHERS COULD INDICT.

BUT LEAVING THIS, NO HELP-ATTAINING PLAINT,
(BECAUSE GREAT NATURE'S WORK MUST STILL BE SO)
MY MUSE HENCEFORWARD SHALL NO MORE ACQUAINT
MEN WITH TH' IMAGINED CAUSES OF OUR WOE,
BUT EVEN WITH FEELING PLAINNESS BARELY PAINT,
OUR SORROW'S DAY.  SAYING, TWAS THUS, AND SO,
FOR THEN ARE GRIEF'S TONES, MOST BEST ORDERED,
WHEN THEY'RE WITH PLAINNESS TRULY UTTERED.

A DAY WAS BORN, O WOULD IT HAD NOT BEEN,
OR ERE IT WAS, I WOULD THE GENERAL DOOM
WHICH SHALL DISSOLVE THIS MASS, MIGHT HAVE BEEN SEEN,
THAT THEN THESE SORROWS FROM A TIMELESS TOMB,
EXHALED BY ZEAL, MADE BY OUR PASSIONS KEEN,
MIGHT STILL HAVE LODGED IN AN UNSEARCHED WOMB:
BUT SITH THAT CANNOT BE, BECAUSE IT WAS,
REPORT WHAT THAT DAY'S ILLNESS BROUGHT TO PASS.

UPON THIS DAY, THIS DAY THAT FOLLOWED FAST,
FOREGOING DAYS, FULL OF CONTAGIOUS CHANCE,
MISHAP, WHICH BY DEGREES DID HOURLY WASTE
THE FORCE OF REBELS, AND THE BLOT OF FRANCE,
RIGHT LIKE HERSELF, (THAT LONG WELL WILL NOT LAST)
UPON GOOD THINGS CASTS A DESPITEFUL GLANCE.
AND TO APPROVE HOW ILL IN WELL WOULD SHOW,
FLIES FROM THE BAD AND TO THE GOOD DOTH GO.

UNWELCOME FURY, THOU WERT ILL ADVISED,
HELL WOULD BECOME THEE BETTER THAN THEIR TENTS:
COULD NOT SOME VAST UNKNOWN PLACE HAVE SUFFICED
FOR RECEPTACLE TO THY VILD INTENTS,
BUT EVEN WHERE HONOR WAS EMPARADISED?
CAN CLEANSE THY FAULTS? NO TEARS OF THINE PREVAIL,
FOR THEY ARE SHOWERS OF SPITE, NO STREAMS OF ZEAL.

MISHAP, I'LL CURSE THEE WITH A BITTER CURSE,
(YET 'TWILL NOT HELP ME: THEN AS GOOD UNDONE)
THAN THE MOST VILDEST, I WILL MAKE THEE WORSE,
(WHY SO THOU WERT BEFORE) WHAT SHALL BE DONE
TO MAKE MEN LOATHE THEE, (COMMON MISCHIEF'S NURSE)
BY THEE I'LL SAY, THE BEST BEAM OF OUR SUN,
AS MUCH AS HALF HIS LIGHT, DEVOREUX I MEAN,
WAS BY THY HAND UNSEEN, SHAMEFULLY SLAIN.

IF ANY THEN (FOR ALL WILL BE DISPLEASED,
CHIEFLY THOSE BLESSED ONES WHICH KNEW HIM WELL,
AND ALSO THOSE UPON WHOSE EARS HAVE CEASED,
RUMOR OF HIS RENOWN, FAMES LOUDEST BELL,
BUSY TO HAVE THEIR JEALOUS THOUGHTS APPEASED)
ASK HOW TWAS DONE, AND BID MY STORY TELL
HOW HE WAS SLAIN, THEN WILL I THUS BEGIN,
AND PAINT WITH TRUTH HIS DEATH, WITH SHAME THY SIN.

I WILL REPORT IN THAT ABORTIVE DAY
WHEN THOU UNCHARITABLY LEFT'ST THINE OWN,
THOSE THAT WELL KNEW THEE, THOSE THAT DID OBEY
THY LAMENTABLE POWER: AND ALL ALONE,
DISGUISED WITH VIRTUE'S VIZARD, BROUGHT'ST DECAY
TO THOSE THAT NEVER SAW THEE, OR THY THRONE.
THINE OLD ACQUAINTANCE, BY THINE ABSENCE EASED,
BEGAN TO SMILE, WHICH LONG HAD BEEN DISPLEASED.

THOSE MINDS WHICH HAD BEEN WORTHY, HAD THEY HELD
AN AWFUL REVERENCE TO THEIR LAWFUL KING,
WHOSE HANDS WERE GOOD, IF THEY COULD RIGHTLY WELD
THEIR WEAPONS AS THEY SHOULD, OR DID NOT BRING
UPON THEM GUILTLESS BLOOD.  OFTIMES REFELLED
AND BEATEN WITH CONTINUAL SKIRMISHING,
WHETHER GROWN NOW MORE STRONG OR DESPERATE,
I KNOW NOT, BUT THEY'LL ONCE MORE TRY THEIR FATE.

ONCE MORE THEY'LL TEMPT THEIR FORTUNES WITH THEIR SWORDS
OR MAKE MORE SPEED TO DEATH'S UNWELCOME INN:
OCCASION, AND THE DAY, FIT TIME AFFORDS,
DEBATING COUNSEL HOLDS IT MEANS TO WIN;
VULGAR UNTO THE MIGHTY STILL ACCORDS,
AND DO THEIR WILLS, BE'T LAWFUL, OR A SIN:
WHEREFORE THE FLOWERS OF ALL THE CITY'S PRIDE,
WELL ARMED, IN A FAIR BATTALION RIDE.
BUT WHAT IS IT SO PRIVATE CAN BE MEANT
BUT WAR'S INTELLIGENCER, RUMOR KNOWS?
AND IF NOT FOR DESPITE, YET TO TH' INTENT
HE MAY BE STILL HIMSELF, IN FURY GOES:
AND UNTO WHAT THE ONE SIDE'S FULLY BENT,
MALICIOUS FLY UNTO THE OTHER SHOWS;
THIS NOW WELL-PRATING PARROT, TELLS THE END
WHERETO THE CITY'S ISSUES DO INTEND.

FORTHWITH (O ESSEX) THOU A COUNSEL TOOK,
THOUGH NONE COULD UTTER WHAT THOU KNEW'ST NOT WELL,
(FOR ALL EXPERIENCE, LODGED WITHIN THY LOOK)
AND THERE AGREED, THAT FORCE THEIR FORCE SHOULD QUELL,
LIKE NUMBER, 'GAINST LIKE NUMBER UNDERTOOK
TO BATE THE PRIDE WHICH NOW BEGAN TO SWELL:
AND DEV'REUX, WHO WAS HONOR'S DAILY GUEST,
WOULD GUIDE THEM TO THEIR FAME, OR TO THEIR REST.

WHAT IN THE HEAVENLY PARLIAMENT ABOVE
IS WRITTEN BY THE FINGER OF THE FIRST,
MORTALS MAY FEEL, BUT NEVER CAN REMOVE,
FOR THEY ARE SUBJECTS TO THE HEAVEN'S WORST.
HENCE CAME IT DEV'REUX, THAT NO PRAYERS, NO LOVE
COULD STAY THY FORWARD COURSE, THINE YOUTH'S FLAME BURST
INTO IMPATIENCE, WHEN ADVICE, THY FRIEND,
SOUGHT TO PROTRACT THE HASTING OF THINE END.

EVEN AS THE SUN IN ALL HIS ROYALTY
AT NO ONE TIDE CASTS HIS LOOKS UPON THE GROUND,
AND WOOS THE FRUITS WITH EYE-CLEAR MAJESTY,
CURING THE WINTER'S ULCERATED WOUND,
SO DEV'REUX' LOOK, SUCH BEAMS OF DIGNITY
FROM HIM UPON THE ARMY DID REBOUND:
AND FROM HIS BEAMS ALL GAZERS TOOK THAT FIRE,
WHICH MOUNTING UP, WOULD NEVER MORE RETIRE.

WHEN HECTOR WORE THE PUREST ROBES OF WAR,
AND LOVER-LIKE WOULD HAVE NO BLEMISH SPIED,
COURTING BRIGHT GLORY, ALL HIS HOPES DEAR STAR,
FAMED THEN TO BE ACHILLES' PROMISED BRIDE,
WAS NO SO RICH, NOR SHINED HIS PRAISE SO FAR
AS DEVOREUX DID: WHICH IN THE TROOP DID RIDE,
BEFORE ALL OTHERS, LIKE THE BREAK OF DAY,
WHICH THROUGH NIGHT'S SHADOWS MAKES HIS BURNISHED WAY.

I THINK HIS SOUL (FOR OFT IT HAPPENS SO)
LIKE A DEAR PROPHETESS BY HOLY FLAME
OF WHAT SHOULD AFTER HAPPEN: FOR THIS SAME,
WHICH WE CALL DEATH (THE SOUL'S RELEASE FROM WOE
THE WORK WHICH BRINGS OUR BLISS TO HAPPY FRAME)
SELDOM ARRESTS THE BODY, BUT WE FIND
SOME NOTICE OF IT WRITTEN IN OUR MIND.

I KNOW HIS BLESSED GENIUS, SACRED BRED,
WHICH IN A MOMENT, BY HER THOUGHTS SURVEYS
ALL THE CELESTIAL HOUSES, AND DOTH SPREAD
OVER THE EARTH, AND THROUGH THE VASTEST SEAS;
THIS DAY, (BY SOME DIVINER HUMOR LED,)
DOTH APPREHEND THE CHANGES OF HIS DAYS:
FOR HE WAS NOT HIMSELF, (THOUGH EVER BEST)
BUT STRANGER, WITH STRANGE HONOR, STRANGELY DRESSED.

NEVER RODE BRIDEGROOM TO SALUTE HIS BRIDE,
WITH SUCH DELIGHT AS HE TO HIS UNREST:
ALL SPEED WAS LEADEN-FOOTED; OFT HE CRIED,
BY DALLYING TIME, OUR HOPES WILL BE DEPRESSED.
THEN STRAIGHT HE NOTES HOW SWIFT THE DAY DOTH SLIDE,
AND FEARS IT WILL NOT LAST TILL HE BE BLEST.
AT LENGTH, IN ALL POINTS FITTED AS HE WOULD,
HE MARCHETH ON, ENCOURAGING THE BOLD.

ARMED WAS HE ROYALLY THROUGH EVERY PART,
HIS HEAD EXCEPT, WHICH HAD NO STEELY GUARD:
THOSE ANGEL LOOKS, WHICH COULD ENCHANT A HEART,
FLINT MOLDED, OR IN IRON CLOSURES BARRED,
NAKEDLY BORNE, UNPOLISHED BY ART,
LIKE THE ATTRACTING SUN, WITH HIS BEAMS, SNAR'D
THE VAPORS OF THE WAR TO FLY UNTO HIM,
WHOSE MISTS OF DEATH, IN TOUCHING DID UNDO HIM.

THE VAPORS OF THE WAR, THE CLOUDY SMOKE,
THE MANTLES TO THAT WINGED MESSENGER,
WHICH FROM THE CANNON'S ENTRAILS RUDELY BROKE,
OR FROM A LESSER HAND DELIVERER,
KILLS WHERE IT COMES, WOUNDETH THE HARDEST OAK,
BATTERS STONE WALLS, AND LEAVES NO REGISTER
OF ANY COMELY WORK, THIS AIRY DEVIL,
BECAME IN LOVE WITH GOOD, ITSELF ALL EVIL.

WITH HIM IT WAS IN LOVE, (OR FEIGNED TO BE)
FOR EVEN AS HAILSTONES FALL UPON THE GROUND,
OR IN THE SUN PLAYS LITTLE ATTOMIE,
EVEN SO FLEW BULLETS, WITH A MUSIC SOUND
OF WHISTLING NOTES, DEATH CHARMING MELODY
ABOUT EACH PART OF HIM, YET MADE NO WOUND;
THOUGHT HIM WAR'S SELF, WITH WHOM WAR SEEMED TO PLAY.

AND WELL IT MIGHT BE SO, IF WAR, LIKE MEN,
HAD BEEN CREATED WITH A SICKLY SOUL,
FULL OF OUR MELTING PASSION; I WOULD THEN
HAVE SO IMAGINED, BUT BECAUSE TIS FOUL
AND MOST DEFORMED, (IF SOME MOURNFUL PEN,
WITH INK NOT FULL SO BLACK, DID NOT CONTROL
THE RUGGED GESTURES OF HIS HATEFUL FACE)
I WOULD NOT THINK HIM GUILTY OF SUCH GRACE.

WAR, OF ONE MATTER MADE, HATH BUT ONE THOUGHT,
BARB'ROUS OBDURACY, CONCEITING BLOOD,
YET FROM THOSE UNIONS INFINITES ARE BROUGHT,
BUT ALL OF ONE LIKE HUMOR, AND ONE GOOD:
WAR, SIMPLY IS BUT SPOIL, TILL VIRTUE TAUGHT
HOW IT MIGHT BE REFINED, AND UNDERSTOOD
A BETTER THING; REPORTING TWAS THE SIRE
OF HONOR, WHICH ALL MORTAL MEN DESIRE.

THIS THIN-LEAVED GOLD UPON A COPPER LINK,
THIS VENICE CERES ON AN ETHIOP'S FACE,
THIS DIAMOND SET IN LEAD, THIS FAIR-PAVED SINK,
CHEATS THE WHOLE WORLD, AND UNDER SHOW OF GRACE,
DEPRIVES US OF MORE JOYS THAN WE CAN THINK:
THIS ROBS US OF THE RICHES WE EMBRACE.
METHINKS, THE LOSSES WHICH WE FIND BY IT,
SHOULD MAKE MEN LOATHE, AND VILDLY SPIT AT IT.

BUT FIE; THIS FURY IS TOO VEHEMENT,
(MANY DEAD BOUGHS HANG ON A SOVEREIGN TREE,)
WAR, RIGHTLY HANDLED, IS MOST EXCELLENT,
AND EASY MAKES IMPOSSIBILITY:
IT MOUNTS THE ALPS, AND THROUGH VAST SEAS DOTH RENT,
BY IT IN BLOOD A WAY TO HEAV'N WE SEE:
AND EVEN BY IT, (THOUGH LONG BEFORE THY TIME)
DEV'REUX THOU DIDST INTO THE HEAV'NS CLIMB.

LOOK HOW A GUST OF WIND UPON THE FLOOD,
COMES SCOURING, AND O'ERTAKES THE SAILOR'S EYE,
OR AS A TEMPEST, RENTING UP A WOOD,
SEEMS SWIFTER THAN THE NIMBLEST THOUGHT TO FLY:
WITH SPEED AS GREAT, OR MORE IN LIKELIHOOD,
THUS WORTHY DEVOREUX TO THE CHARGE DOTH HIE;
AND AS THE THUNDER TENTS THE HEAVENLY FRAME,
SO TEARS HIS LANCE THE RANKS IN WHICH HE CAME.

AS EARTH'S GREAT WEALTH FALLS BY THE REAPER'S HAND,
THE PARAGONS AND MINIONS OF THAT LAND,
BUYING THEIR PROOF TOO DEARLY, DO ACCORD,
THAT HIS RENOWN'S PRE-EMINENCE SHALL STAND
ABOVE ALL FORMER PRINCES: AND AFFORD
MATTER FOR GREATER MARVEL THAN HATH BEEN,
OR HAD HE LIVED, SHOULD ELSEWHERE HAVE BEEN SEEN.

BUT AVAILS IT TO SAY THIS HE DID,
WHEN TWAS BUT SHOWS TO THAT HE WOULD HAVE DONE?
WHAT BETTER AM I TO SAY THUS HE RID?
THUS HE TRIUMPHED, THUS DID HIS FOEMEN RUN?
WHEN WHAT HE WAS, FROM PRESENT IS, IS HID,
REMEMBRANCE, BY SUCH MEMORY UNDONE;
WHO KNEW HIM, KNEW HE WAS THE BEST OF ANY,
WHO KNEW HIM NOT, MAY LEARN BY ME AND MANY.

BUT LO, THE BATTLE GREW BY THIS TIME OLD,
AND YET THE WORST OF IT WAS STILL UNBORN,
MANY A LIFE WAS DEARLY BOUGHT AND SOLD,
BUT NOW IN HAPPY STATE, AND NOW FORLORN:
CONTAGIOUS CHANGES EVERY ONE BEHOLD,
THE REBELS FIRST, SITH VANQUISHED AND O'ERBORNE:
THE ENGLISH NEXT, WHO HAVING SLAIN THEIR FOES,
CAME WEEPING BACK, BUT COULD NOT TELL THEIR WOES.

THE FOUNTAIN WHENCE THESE MISERIES DID SPRING,
(O NOBLE DEVOREUX) FLOWED FROM THY GREAT THOUGHT,
THY SACRED RESOLUTIONS TOWERING WING,
A STEP ABOVE FAME'S HEIGHT ENTIRELY SOUGHT:
AND IF TO DO ENOUGH, WERE THAT SWEET THING
WHICH THOU ASPIRED'ST TO; IT WAS FULLY WROUGHT:
THOU DIDST ENOUGH, IF CONQUEST MIGHT CONTENT,
AND WHO DOTH MORE, IS WORTHY TO BE SHENT.

BUT THIS FALSE-PAINTED DEITY, CALLED LAUD,
WHICH MAKES US THIRST FOR VAIN ETERNITY,
TWIXT OUR DESIRES AND HOPE, A CUNNING BAWD,
USHERS THE SOUL UNTO EXTREMITY:
AND HELPED BY SLY INSINUATING FRAUD,
COVERS HER DEEDS IN SCROLLS OF PIETY;
THIS HATH LED OTHERS, BUT IT LED NOT THEE,
FOR THOU ESTEEM'ST NO SUCH VAIN IMAGERY.

A MOST RELIGIOUS HUMOR WAS THY GUIDE,
A FERVENT ZEAL TO RAISE UP MAJESTY,
A HATE UNTO THIS HELL-BRED MONSTER PRIDE,
A LOATHE THOU TOOK'ST GAINST UPSTART TYRANNY.
RELIGION, LOVE, AND HONOR SANCTIFIED,
GAVE LIGHT UNTO THY FOOTSTEPS, AND BROUGHT FORTH
(THY MIND TO DARE TO DO THESE ACTS OF WORTH.

NO IDOL BEAUTY IN THY HEART WAS SEEN
TO GOVERN WHAT THOU UNDERTOOK'ST IN THIS,
THAT HADST NO MISTRESS, BUT THY SOV'REIGN QUEEN,
AND SHE, OF ALL MEN'S PRAISE MOST WORTHY IS:
HEAR BEAMS, (I DO CONFESS) MADE THE BEAMS KEEN
OF THY BEST METALED SPIRIT; WHAT'S AMISS
THAT SHE MAKES PERFECT?  WHAT CAN PERFECT DIE,
IF FIRST IT BE NOT MOLDED IN HER EYE?

THOU LIVELY WORK OF HER GREAT EXCELLENCE,
WELL-WORTHY MATTER FOR HER POWER TO FRAME,
I COULD ATTACH THEE OF A HIGH OFFENSE,
IN BEING TOO REGARDLESS, WHAT BECAME
OF THINE EXCELLING FORTUNES; WHAT DEFENSE
BUT WAS TOO LITTLE TO BEGIRT THY NAME?
FOR HER WORK'S SAKE, THOUGH NOT THINE OWN RESPECT,
THOU SHOULDST HAVE BANISHED FAR THIS WAR'S DEFECT.

BUT WOE UNTO THIS TOO LATE COUNSELLING,
WOE THAT I HAVE A CAUSE TO COUNSEL THUS,
WOE OF ALL WOES, CONSCIENCE PERPETUAL STING,
ALIVE AND DEAD, HAUNT HIM THAT INJURED US,
IN CURSES WOULD I NAME HIM, WOULD SHAME RING
HIS NAME, AND HOLD IT MERITORIOUS:
BUT HELL, FOR MORE GREAT MISCHIEF STILL DOTH HIDE IT,
BECAUSE IF KNOWN, NO CREATURE WOULD ABIDE IT.

AND UNKNOWN VILLAIN, FOR HE WAS UNSEEN
THE WHILE THE SKIRMISH HEAT CONTINUED,
WITH OTHERS, LIKE HIMSELF, (WHICH MONSTERS BEEN,)
IN A REMOTED PLACE WERE AMBUSHED,
AND VIEWING ALL THE BATTLE'S IREFUL TEEN,
AND HOW FAME'S BEAUTY WAS EMBELLISHED
IN DEV'REUX' DEEDS; GROWN ENVIOUS OF THE STAIN
SENT FROM HIS PIECE A BULLET THROUGH HIS BRAIN.

MOST DAMNED WRETCH, THOU HAST MOST VILDLY DONE,
THE MUSKET BACK RECOILING TOLD AS MUCH.
THE GLASS OF HONOR NOW WAS FULLY RUN,
WHAT HEART BUT THIS BASE DASTARD BLOW WILL TOUCH?
UNGRACIOUS ENGINE WHICH ECLIPSEST OUR SUN,
FOREVER BE THOU CURSED: AND LET ALL SUCH
AS HEAR THEE, HATE THEE; LET THY STINKING BREATH,
BE LOATHED, AND HELD THE FAVOR OF FOUL DEATH.
AND GAVE THE HORSE THAT LIBERTY HE SOUGHT;
THE REMNANT OF HIS SENSES, WHICH REMAINS,
FLED FROM THEIR PALACE; ALL TO RUIN BROUGHT.
THE BLOOD RAN FRESHLY FROM HIS WEEPING VEINS,
HIS BODY'S KING A HEAV'NLY EMPIRE CAUGHT.
BUT ALL HIS VIRTUES, TO HIS BROTHER FLED,
AND VOWED TO LIVE WITH HIM, SINCE HE WAS DEAD.

LOOK HOW A SCHOOL OF RAVENS FOR A BAIT,
TANGLE THEIR LIVES IN DANGER OF THE SNARE,
OR STARVED WOLVES, (THAT WANTING WHAT TO EAT)
SEEING A PREY, PURSUES IT WITHOUT CARE;
SO THOSE, WHICH NOTHING BUT THEIR DEATHS AWAIT,
SEEING THE FALLING OF THIS NOBLE STAR,
(I MEAN THE REBELS, REST OF ALL DEFENSE)
HAZARD NEW DEATHS TO STEAL THE BODY THENCE.

BUT THEY WHOSE HEARTS HAD LONG TIME LIVED THEREIN,
(FOR TWAS A LITTLE KINGDOM OF THEIR LOVES)
SEEING THIS REPROBATE, AND DAMNED SIN,
BOTH FOR REVENGE AND HONOR, STOUTLY PROVES
TO BEAT THEM BACK: SO THAT NEW FIGHTS BEGIN.
THE FIGHT OF FIGHTS, WHICH STONES TO WONDER MOVES.
ONE WOULD FAIN GET, THE OTHER WILL NOT LOSE,
BOTH HANG IN DOUBT, AND CANNOT WILL NOR CHOOSE.

AT LAST, IMPATIENCE CONJURES UP RESOLVE,
WHICH (LIKE A SPIRIT RAISED) THUND'RETH ABOUT,
RENTS TOWERS, AND TREES, AND MOUNTAINS DOTH DISSOLVE;
EVEN SO LIKE RAGED THE ENGLISH, WHEN BASE DOUBT
MADE QUESTION OF THEIR CHANCE, STRAIGHT THEY ABSOLVE
THEMSELVES FROM FEAR, THEN THROUGH THE DAMNED ROUT,
MADE THOUSAND SEVERAL WAYS, AND BY MAIN STRENGTH,
(GOT WHERE HE WAS) RECOVERED HIM AT LENGTH.

FROM THE SAD GROUND THEY HEAVED HIS WOUNDED HEAD,
(WEDDED TOO SOON UNTO DEVOURING DUST)
HIS SADDLE FOR A BIER, SUPPLIES THE STEAD,
HIS HORSE HIS BREATHING JOY, HIS VALOR'S TRUST,
WHICH BORE HIM LIVING, NOW MUST BEAR HIM DEAD:
ALL THINGS WERE QUITE TRANSFORMED TO WHAT THEY MUST,
AS SOFT AS FOOT COULD FALL, (O SNAIL-PACED MOANS)
THEY BROUGHT HIM TO HIS TENT, WITH SIGHS, WITH GROANS.

BUT WHEN THIS OBJECT IN THE MIDDLE WAY
WHAT TEARS, WHAT VOWS, WHAT PLAINTS, WHAT SHALL I SAY,
WHAT EVERYTHING THAT CAN BUT SHAPE THE PLIGHT
OF INSUPPORTABLE DISTRESS.  O DAY,
BLACKER THAN HELL, MORE DESOLATE THAN NIGHT,
WHAT NOT TO BE IMAGINED CARE, DIDST THOU
VIEW IN HIS FACE, AND READ UPON HIS BROW?

FRANCE, THOU MIGHT'ST THIS DAY PRAISE THE KING OF KINGS,
WHICH RAISED THEE UP A KING OF THINE OWN SEED,
WHO LIKE A BROODING HEN, UNDER HIS WINGS
NOURISHED THEE KINDLY, WEPT TO SEE THEE BLEED,
AND LOST HIMSELF, TO GAIN THEE QUIET THINGS:
FOR HAD THY HAPS BEEN OTHERWISE, THIS DEED
HAD BEEN THINE UTTER RUIN, AND DECAY,
THY GLORY'S LAST KNOWN HOUR; AND SHAME'S FIRST DAY.

O ROUEN, THOU AIM-CRIER TO THIS WOE,
BE PROUD, THY FORTUNES BY THY KING WAS BLEST,
ELSE, THOU WHICH NOW ART HIGH, HAD THEN LAIN LOW,
AS LOW AS LEVELED PLAINS BY FIRE DEPRESSED:
WHAT THOU WERT THEN, NOW HAD BEEN NOTHING SO:
INFANTS YET HANGING ON THEIR MOTHER'S BREAST,
SHOULD HAVE COME FAR THY MEM'RIES TO HAVE SEEN,
BUT MISSING THEE, NOT KNOWN WHERE THOU HADST BEEN.

NOR SO CONTENTED HAD GREAT ESSEX STAYED,
BUT BROUGHT ANOTHER NAME UNTO THY LAND,
YET BETTER FORTUNE THY WORSE CHANCE ALLAYED,
HE WHICH DID LIFT IT UP, NOW STAYED HIS HAND:
HAD HE BEEN FOR HIMSELF, NOT OTHER'S AID,
HIS STRANGE REVENGE BY ALL TONGUES HAD BEEN SCANNED,
AND FOR EACH DROP HIS BROTHERS WOUND DID SHED,
A MILLION OF FRENCH GALLANTS HAD LAIN DEAD.

NOR CAME HE HOME WHOLY UNSATISFIED,
WITNESS THY WIDOWS YET WITHIN THY STREET,
THY WALLS, AND HOUSES SCARCE RE-EDIFIED,
THE ORPHANS WAILING AT THEIR GRANDAM'S FEET,
THY CHURCHES USELESS, AND UNSANCTIFIED,
THESE RECORDS WITH REVENGE IN PART DO MEET,
BUT GREATER HAD IT BEEN, AND BETTER WOULD,
IF MIGHT DID WHAT IT MIGHT, NOT WHAT IT SHOULD.

FRANCE, THAT WERT BEAUTEOUS, O BE COMELY STILL,
BE NOT A VASSAL, THAT AN EMPIRE WAS,
LOVE THY DREAD LORD, BE GOVERNED BY HIS WILL,
CONFOUND HIS FOES, AND THINE OWN MISCHIEFS KILL:
BE YOU YOURSELVES HELPERS IN YOUR ILL CASE,
LEST YOUR INGRATITUDES DO DRAW PERFORCE
FROM YOU HIS LOVE, ON YOU YOUR NEIGHBOR'S FORCE.

AND THEN AGAIN, ESSEX RETURN AGAIN,
YOKING YOUR UNTAMED NECKS, MAKING YOU BOW,
IN WHOSE ALMIGHTY MIND CANNOT BE SLAIN,
THE MEM'RY OF HIS BROTHER.  I AVOW,
AND HERE PRESAGE, IF EVER YOUR DISDAIN,
AND FORFEIT TROTHS OF SUCH SAD DAYS ALLOW,
YOU WILL ACCURSE YOURSELVES, AND BAN YOUR BREATH,
AND PRAY THE MOUNTAINS TO BRING SPEEDY DEATH.

BUT UNTO THOSE YET UNCREATED TIMES,
O MUSE BEQUEATH THESE SECRET PROPHECIES,
AND LET HIS END DRAW TO AN END THY RIMES,
DIE WITH HIS DEATH, AND IN HIS OBSEQUIES
ENTOMB THY SOUL: THY SOUL WHICH WEARY CLIMBS,
AND FALLS WITH FAINTNESS AS HE SEEKS TO RISE;
AND SEAT HIS NUMBERS IN THEIR SWEETENED EARS
WHERE BEST DELIGHTS, AND BEST WITS FIRE APPEARS.

THUS ARETEA WITH A HEAVY LOOK,
ENDING WITH SIGHS, WHAT WAS WITH TEARS BEGUN,
TURNS FROM MY PRESENCE, AND WITH WOE FORSOOK
FURTHER DISCOURSE.  BUT I THAT SWIFT DID RUN
UPON DESIRE'S FEET, WITH REVERENCE TOOK
HOLD OF HER GARMENT, AND CRIED, STAY DEAR SUN,
THOU WHICH HAST TAKEN PRISONER ALL MY THOUGHT,
RANSOM MY MIND, LET HIS RELEASE BE BOUGHT.

IF THUS THOU DO DEPART; FROM ME WILL PART
MY RAVISHED SENSE; FOR CHARITY (FAIR SAINT)
STAY; AND AS THOU HAST BANQUETED MY HEART,
SO GLUT MINE EYES, O HOLY MAID, ACQUAINT
MY SIGHT (YET DROWNED WITH OVERFLOW OF SMART)
WITH THOSE RARE MIRACLES WHICH ART DOTH PAINT
UPON HIS FAMOUS TOMB: FOR 'TWERE A SHAME
FORGETFULNESS SHOULD SLEEP UPON HIS NAME.

I DO ASSURE MYSELF, RELIGIOUS FRANCE,
WHICH LOVES THE LAWS OF HOSPITALITY,
WILL NOT UNGRATEFULLY FORGET HIS CHANCE,
OR FOR A WORLD FORGO HIS MEMORY:
I KNOW HER EYES WITH TRIBUTE TEARS DO GLANCE
DAILY UPON HIS TOMB, HIS VALIANCY,
WHICH FOR HER SAKE BROUGHT HIM TO EARTHLY MOLD,
LIVES WRIT IN JET, IN MARBLE, BRASS, OR GOLD.
OR IF 'TWERE SO THAT HER DISTEMPERED MIND
FILLED WITH HER OWN GRIEF, SHOULD FORGET HER FRIEND,
I KNOW HIS COUNTRY'S SPIRIT (MOST REFINED)
AND THOSE WHOM NATURE BINDS TO SUCH AN END,
WILL RAISE A PYRAMID OF SOME STRANGE KIND,
UPON WHOSE COLUMNS EVERY WIT SHALL SPEND
THE FIRE OF HIS BEST MUSE; THAT WHO SUCCEEDS,
SHALL BEG FROM HIM, OR WEAR NO WITTY WEEDS,

IT MAY BE SO (THE HEAVENLY ONE REPLIED)
AND FEAR OF THAT, I FEAR, KEEPS HIM OBSCURE,
OR ELSE FOR THAT EXPERIENCE LATE HATH TRIED,
THAT HANDIWORKS DO NEVER EVER 'DURE,
THEY ARE CONTENT TO LET HIM UNKNOWN BIDE,
TILL THEY MAY FRAME THE WORK MORE CERTAIN SURE.
OR TIME THAT CAN DISSOLVE THESE HOLY THINGS,
HATH TAUGHT US NOW TO DO LESS HOLY THINGS.

YET LEST THOU SHOULDST TOO MUCH COMPLAIN, AND FRET
THE WORLD, BY TELLING WHEREIN SHE OFFENDS:
(FOR WHAT WE DO AMISS, BEHIND WE SET,
FEW TO THEIR FAULTS REPROVE, WITH PATIENCE TENDS)
COME, AND I'LL CARRY THEE WHERE TIME HATH SET
HIS TROPHYS UP, TO LAST WHEN ALL THINGS ENDS,
EARTH HATH THEM NOT, NOR SEA, NOR HERE, NOR THERE,
BUT NOWHERE, SOMEWHERE, SOMEWHERE, EVERYWHERE.

WITH THAT METHOUGHT THE POWER OF AMAZE
CARRIED MY SOUL FAR FROM MY COMMON SENSE,
WONDER METHOUGHT, WITH A STAR-SHINING BLAZE,
LIGHTED HER TO SOME SACRED RESIDENCE:
EARTH'S EYES WERE CLOSED, ONLY MY MIND DID GAZE,
MUCH I BEHELD, YET KNEW NOT WHAT, NOR WHENCE
ANYTHING ISSUED: SIGHT OF MANY THINGS
CONFOUNDS THE SIGHT, AND NO TRUE JUDGMENT BRINGS.

A WORLD OF WORLDS I SAW, YET NO WORLDS THERE,
ABUNDANCE OF DELIGHTS BATHING IN TEARS,
PASSION, AND STOIC DULLNESS EVERYWHERE,
VASSALS, AND KINGS: KINGS AS NO KINGS APPEARS,
A THOUSAND HANDS, A THOUSAND TOWERS DO REAR,
AS MANY MOE THE WALLS IN SUNDER TEARS,
BEAUTIES STOOD THICKER MUCH THAN SPOTTED STARS,
BUT DOUBLE MOE DEFECTS WHICH FACES MARS.

WHEN I SAW ALL THINGS, I SAW NOTHING WELL,
I NUMBERED MUCH, AND YET COULD NOTHING TELL,
INFINITES WHEN I SUMMED THEM, WERE BUT ONE;
DESIROUS FOR TO KNOW THIS HEAVENLY HELL,
I SAW TWAS MERE IMAGINATION,
FOR BY THE HOURLY CHANGES IT DID BRING,
I SAW IT WAS NO EVER 'DURING THING.

ABOUT THIS GREAT IMAGINARY ROUND,
THIS KINGDOM OF THE UNRESTRAINED THOUGHT,
WHERE ALL THINGS ARE, WHICH ARE NOT TO BE FOUND,
I MADE A LONG LARGE PROGRESS: THEN SHE BROUGHT
MY TIRED CONCEITS TO A MORE HOLY GROUND,
WHERE MANY CURIOUS MOLDS WERE RARELY WROUGHT,
OF ALL THE WORTHIES, WHICH WERE NOBLY BRED,
SLEEPING SECURE IN HONOR'S QUIET BED.

NOT FAR FROM THEM WAS BUILT A MONUMENT
OF SPARKLING DIAMONDS FAST BOUND IN WITH GOLD,
AND ROUND ABOUT IT FOR AN ORNAMENT,
LAUREL I MIGHT, AND CYPRESS GROVES BEHOLD;
THE GATES WERE OF THE DAYS BEST BLANDISHMENT,
AND EVERY PILLAR WROUGHT, SEEMED TO UPHOLD
A SINGING ANGEL, AND A WEEPING SAINT;
THE STRANGEST MIXTURE THOUGHT DID EVER PAINT.

THIS PLACE DELIGHTLESS, HAD METHOUGHT DELIGHT,
AND FILLED HIS EMPTINESS WITH RARE CONCEIT,
THIS NOTHING, METHOUGHT, ALL THINGS DID DESPITE,
AND SEEM, MORE RICH THAN THE MOST RICH RECEIPT
OF EDEN'S EXCELLENCE: THERE THOUGHTS DID WRIGHT
HAPPY CONTENT, CONTENTED WITH DECEIT.
AND AS METHOUGHT I VIEWED THESE GLORIOUS GATES,
I READ THESE LINES WRITTEN IN GOLDEN PLATES.

                             THE TOMB.
YOU WHICH DESIRE TO OPE THIS DEAD MAN'S DOOR,
OR YOU THAT PASS BY IT WITHOUT REGARD,
REST HERE YOUR EYES, AND FILLING THEM WITH GORE,
BEHOLD THIS TOMB OF WORDS, AND LINES PREPARED:
ON MARBLE, JET, AND JASPER, MAYST THOU POUR
TILL THOU POUR OUT THY SIGHT, YET BE DEBARRED
   TO READ THE SACRED HEAV'N OUTLIVING SCROLL,
   WHICH HATH THE DEEDS OF THIS ALMIGHTY SOUL.

DRAWN BY THE CHARMING MUSIC OF THESE ROWS,
AND GUIDED BY THE STRENGTH OF MY DESIRE,
I PRESSED INTO THIS AIRY HOUSE OF WOES,
THE SIGHTS I SAW, SEEMED NOT METHOUGHT LIKE SHOWS
OF EARTH'S INVENTION, THEY BORE BRIGHTER FIRE,
BUT LOOKING LONG, THEY VANISHED: THEN APPEAR,
NOTHING BUT LINES; AND THESE METHOUGHT THEY WERE.

                       THE STATUE.
   O THOU NEW AGE, APPARELLED WITH DESIRE,
TO KNOW THEM WHOM THE LIBERAL POWERS CREATE,
OF MOST HEROIC SPIRITS SACRED FIRE,
RAISING THEIR DEEDS TO HEAVEN'S STAR-SPOTTED GATE:
   BEHOLD THIS EMPIRE-MERITING YOUNG PRINCE,
CLOSED WITH HIS VIRTUES IN THIS TOMB'S BLACK SHADE,
WHO FOUGHT FOR FRANCE, AND THOSE WHICH EVER SINCE
SHOULD NOT FOR SHAME SEE HIS GREAT GLORY FADE:
   AND IF A FAIR DESIRE THOU TAKE TO SPREAD
THROUGH THIS WORLD'S THEATER (WHICH SINGS HIS DEEDS)
HIS GLORIOUS PRAISE, AND WITH IT RAISE THE DEAD,
NAME BUT HIS NAME, FOR IT ALL NAMES EXCEEDS,
   THE SOUND OF DEV'REUX BORNE THROUGH THOUSAND LANDS,
   ETERNALLY ON MEM'RY'S ALTAR STANDS.

WITH THIS LAST WORD THE LINES WERE VANISHED,
AND BY SOME SACRED HAND TA'EN FROM MY SIGHT,
BY THAT GREAT LOSS MY JOYS WERE BANISHED,
FOR YET MY LONGINGS WERE NOT ORDERED RIGHT,
THIS UNSEEN SEEN, THIS TALE HALF UTTERED
DRIVE ME FROM ILL, INTO A WORSER PLIGHT:
THEN TO MY GUIDE, THINKING TO MAKE MY MOAN,
SHE WAS DEPARTED TO, I ALL ALONE.

EVEN ARETEA WAS DEPARTED THENCE:
NO SIGN WAS LEFT OF ANYTHING BUT WOE,
MINE ANCIENT WOE, MY THINKING'S RECOMPENSE,
DELIGHT, METHOUGHT, WAS CHANGED TO NOTHING SO.
NOW STOOD MY FEET IN THEIR OLD RESIDENCE,
PAINFULLY MOVING, TAUGHT BY CARE TO GO,
BUT NOW IN HEAVEN, AND NOW IN HELL I RANGE,
SO SWIFT OUR THOUGHTS ARE, AND SO APT TO CHANGE.

VAST SOLITARINESS BOUNDED MY SIGHT,
(FOR ALL IS DESOLATE, WHERE NOT SELF KIND
UNTO SELF KIND AFFORDS A MUTUAL RIGHT)
OF SPACIOUS TREES, OF FLOWERS, AND FRUITS I FIND,
MILLIONS OF CONSORTS PITYING MY PLIGHT:
BUT THEIR DUMB ELOQUENCE WOUND MORE THE MIND,
WE ARE GRIEF'S HEARERS, WHY DOTH GRIEF'S TONGUE STAY?

THIS HEAVY SUMMONS TO MY WOUNDED HEART,
AWAKED THE SLEEPING SPARKS OF MY BEST ZEAL,
WHICH MIXED WITH MY COUNTRY'S FATAL SMART,
(BOTH CAUSE, AND MOURNER, OF THIS EARLY PEAL)
COMPELLED ME PLAY CALAMITY'S SAD PART,
AND STRIVE THY PRAISE, O DEV'REUX TO REVEAL,
AFFLICTION IN MY BOSOM LONG DEPRESSED,
BROKE FROM MY LIPS, AND THUS FLEW FROM MY BREAST.

ALAS, MINE EYES THAT THESE YOUR FALLING TEARS
SHOULD MAKE TWO RIVERS, AND YET NOT ERECT
THEIR FUNERALS ABOVE THE MOVING SPHERES,
BUT SADLY ON THESE FLOWERS, WITH SIGHS DEFECT
PAINT LAMENTABLE VERSES, PITEOUS FEARS,
THE WITNESSES OF THOUSAND GRIEFS' RESPECT:
O NOW EXHALT THESE FOUNTAINS OF MY BRAIN,
THEY HAPPY ARE WHICH FOR GOOD CHANCE COMPLAIN.

NOR EYES, NOR VERSE, FILLED WITH THIS TEARY SOURCE,
WHICH WITH PALE COLORS PLOWS MY FURROWED FACE,
CAN US SUFFICE, TILL MY SAD TONGUE'S DISCOURSE,
RELENT OBDURATE PITY, MOURN DISGRACE,
ALL PAINS, ALL MORTAL ANGUISHES, ALL WORSE
THAN PAIN OR ANGUISH, OR THE WOEFULL'ST CASE
CAN BE IMAGINED; O WHAT PAIN HAVE I
TO SEE AGAIN, A NEW ACHILLES DIE?

WOE ME, MINE EYES, SEEK SHADOWS FOR YOUR SIGHT,
TO SOUNDING ROCKS RECOUNT YOUR MISERIES,
THE SUN IS NOT FOR YOU, SEEK LASTING NIGHT,
LONG NOT FOR DAY, PLACE GALLING AGONIES,
AND FOREKNOWN MISCHIEFS NEXT THY HEAVY PLIGHT,
OF WOES, AND WRONGS, FOUND NEW SOCIETIES,
WEEP, WEEP, POOR FRANCE, THIS LOSS BY FATE DOWNHURLED,
IS NOT ALONE TO THEE, BUT ALL THE WORLD.

ALAS FAIR NYMPHS, YOU LADIES OF CLEAR SPRINGS,
IF EITHER LOVE OR PITY (WHICH STILL DWELLS
IN FEMALES HEARTS) LAMENT THOSE HEAVY THINGS,
WHICH PRESS OUR FORTUNES DOWN TO MANY HELLS,
WHY DO YOU LET THESE FLOWERS, WHICH DUMBLY SINGS,
WEEP ERE YOU WEEP, AND WITH TORMENTING YELLS,
SIGH LONG BEFORE YOU.  O GREAT POWERS DECLINE:
TEARS SHED FOR VIRTUE'S SAKE, ARE TEARS DIVINE.
COME WEEP WITH ME THIS LAMENTABLE CROSS,
WHICH FATAL DEATH, (THE EMPEROR OF GRAVES)
HATH HEAPED UPON OUR DAYS; O BAREBONED GLOSS,
OF WHAT WE ALL MUST BE; WHAT NOTHING SAVES:
CAN THERE ALAS THAN THIS BE SURER LOSS
TO SEE ALL VIRTUE IN A FORGOTTEN TOMB?
OF FORTUNE O INEVITABLE DOOM.

O FATE THOU FAITHLESS MEASURER OF TIMES,
MOST UNINDIFFERENT MISTRESS TO YOUNG YEARS,
WHICH HAVE THE PUREST SOULS: NOW NOTE THY CRIMES,
TELL US WHO CAUSED THEE HASTEN OUR DESPAIRS,
ENROLLING DEV'REUX IN THESE BURIAL RIMES?
WHY DIDST THOU BANDY MISCHIEF 'GAINST THE SPHERES,
TAKING AWAY WHAT HEAVEN TO EARTH DID LEND,
AND BRINGING RAREST THINGS TO QUICKEST END.

IN SPITE OF THEE, AND DEATH; HIS GENTLE NAME,
HIS GLORIOUS NAME UNDER HIS SOUL SHALL SHINE,
IT FROM THE SKIES SHALL TAKE THE DAY'S BRIGHT FLAME,
AND ON THE HEAVENLY STAGE HIS DEEDS DIVINE
SHALL SACREDLY BE READ, AND BY THE SAME
ETERNITY SHALL LIVE, HIS VIRTUE'S MINE,
SHALL BE A RICH EXAMPLE UNTO KINGS:
TIS PRAISE, NOT SHAME TO FOLLOW VIRTUOUS THINGS.

DAUGHTERS OF JOVE, SINCE HAPPY MEMORY
ENROLLS THE DEEDS, ARE WORTHY OF RECORD,
IN GOLDEN LETTERS (LASTING CHARACT'RY)
UPON A POLISHED MARBLE; O ACCORD,
AND IN THAT BOOK, HEAVEN'S ROYAL LIBRARY,
WRITE DOWN HIS PRAISES: THEN THAT PRAISE AFFORD,
LIMITS BEYOND ALL EARTH, OR SEA'S PROUD RAGE,
LEAVING THEIR BEAMS TO GUIDE THIS IRON AGE.

YOU SISTERS OF APOLLO, SACRED NINE,
O THROUGH ALL WORLDS, WITHIN YOUR LIVING ARTS,
BEAR HIS RENOWN, AND GRAVE WITHIN YOUR SHRINE
THE HONOR OF HIS GREAT ALMIGHTY PARTS,
LET IT FLY FARTHER MUCH THAN SUN CAN SHINE:
FOR HE WAS EVEN A MONARCH OF ALL HEARTS,
NOR EVER DID THE WARRIORS IN TIMES PAST
ATTAIN MORE HONOR THAN HIS TIME EMBRACED.

O TRIPLE CROWNED DIANA, O GREAT QUEEN,
LATONA'S DAUGHTER, SISTER TO THE SUN,
THOU DELPHIAN LAMP, LADY OF EVERY GREEN,
WITH THAT SAD CRYSTAL WATER WHICH DOTH RUN
TO WET THIS TOMB WHERE ENGLAND'S FAME DOTH WON.
MAKE IT A LIVING SPRING, THINK THERE REMAINS,
WHATE'ER THE EARTH, OR RICH, OR FAIR CONTAINS.

WHATE'ER ON EARTH IS RICH, DELIGHTSOME, FAIR,
HOLY, OR VIRTUOUS, WHICH THE RARE RIGHT HAND
OF THAT MOST GREAT, MOST INFINITE, MOST DEAR,
FATHER OF ALL ETERNITY MAKES STAND
UPON THIS MOLD, UNDER THE TRIPLE AIR,
WHICH BOUNDS THE BOUNDLESS CIRCUIT OF THE LAND,
UPON HIS SOUL'S BROW THINK THOU SEEST THE SAME,
THE DEAR CONSERVATOR OF HIS BEST NAME.

FRANCE, WHICH HATH CAUSED THE LOSS OF ALL THIS BEST,
COME OFFER TEARS AND SIGHS FOR SACRIFICE,
AND (THOUGH TOO LATE) BY IT KNOW THY UNREST.
GODDESS ELIZA, QUEEN OF HEARTS AND EYES,
THAT LOST THIS NAME I LOVE, WISH IT GOOD REST,
SAY DEV'REUX LIVE IN PEACE, AND 'TWILL SUFFICE:
I DARE NOT BEG A TEAR; YET DEV'REUX GONE,
YOU LOST ONE OF THE BEST BEAMS 'BOUT YOUR THRONE.

AND YOU GREAT LORD, GREATEST OF ALL THAT'S GREAT
LOSING YOUR BROTHER WHOM MOST WORTHILY
THE EARTH ADORES, YOUR BREATH'S FAIR PALACE  BEAT
DEAR ESSEX PRAISE HIS NEW NATIVITY.
YOUR SOVEREIGN LADIES THRONED IN MY HEART'S SEAT,
NORTHUMBERLAND, AND RICH FOR CHARITY.
AID HIS RARE PRAISE, AND SWEETENED MY POOR RIME
WHICH STRIVES TO MAKE HIM CONQUER DEATH AND TIME.

LASTLY, YOU ENGLISH PEOPLE, PALLAS' SQUIRES
FAITHFULLY WALL THIS SAINTLIKE TOMB ABOUT
AND MAKE HIS VIRTUES GROW IN YOUR DESIRES.
REPORT BY VALOR'S TONGUE THE WORLD THROUGHOUT:
THAT THOUGH THE FATES, INCENSED WITH ENVIOUS FIRES,
BREAK NATURE'S THREAD, AND CAPTIVATE THEE STOUT,
YET SHALL HIS NAME, THE BADGE OF PIETY,
LIVE BOTH IN HEAVEN AND EARTH ETERNALLY.

AND THUS ARREST THY PACE, POOR HEAVY MUSE
DO THY LAST SERVICE, END THY WEARY TALE
AND ON THIS WELL-BUILT HOLY TOMB, INFUSE
THE LARGE DERIVED CURRENTS OF THY BALE
SAY (AS TO SAY, ALL HOLY POWERS USE)
GLORY ADIEU, HONOR AND VIRTUE'S PALE:
WHAT NOT IN HIM, IS IN HIS BROTHER SEEN.

                       FINIS.