All the small vvorkes of that famous poet Iosuah Siluester Gathered into one volume. — Selections

Author: Sylvester, Josuah, 1563-1618.1620

ALL THE SMAL [...] Workes OF THAT FAMOVS Poet

[...] OSVAH SILVESTER.

Gathered into one Volume

LONDON Printed. Anno 1620.

…

THE PARLIAMENT of Vertues Royal: (Summoned in France; but assembled in England) for Nomination, Creation, and Confirmation of The most Excellent Prince PANARETVS

A Praesage of Pr. DOLPHIN:
A Pourtrait of Pr. — HENRY:
A Promise of Pr. CHARLES.

Translated & Dedicated To His Highnes, by IOSVAH SYLVESTER.

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To the Honourable, Sir 
Robert Carie: Sir 
Iames Fullarton: Sir 
Robert Carr: Sir 
Dauid Foulis: M
r. 
Thomas Murray.GRaue 
Guides & 
Guards of Hopeful CHARLES 
his Wayn,
Least I incurr the least of Your Disdaigne;
If, without Leaue, I (ouer-rashly rude)
Vsurp Your Rooms, or on Your Rights intrude;
I humbly craue Your 
Licence; and Your 
Loues,
For My 
Address, When My 
Access behoves.
I know, the 
Field of His Yong HIGHnes heart
So duly 
till'd by Your deep 
Care and 
Art
(Adding His Fathers 
Royall golden Writt;
And goodly 
Practize, to demonstrate it:
His (late) rare 
Brother's Pattern, of Renowne:
With Honest 
Quin's new-cast 
Prince-Worthy Crown:
And 
holy Promptings of that reuerend Payre,

Milborn and 
Hakwill, from the 
sacred Chaire)
That little needs Hee the 
Stagyrian's store,
The 
Corduban's, or th' 
Attik-Muse his Lore:
Much lesse (alas!) My silly 
Muses Myte,
With 
borrowed Feathers to aduance his Flight.
Yet, sith, too-often, to a tender Eare,
Too-serious 
Lectures sound but too-severe;


[Page]Especially, to 
Princes dainty Taste,
They seem but harsh, and will not down in haste
(As holesom'st Dishes, if but homely drest,
Some queasie Stomachs hardly can digest):
Let me presume (with your good leaues) a while
To imitate 
Physicians honest Guile;
Who, oft, in 
Sugar sheathe their bitter 
Pills,
The better so to 
Cure vnwilling 
Ills,
When wayward 
Patients, for the 
Sugars sake,
Take-in their 
Health, which else they would not take,
Sad Rules of 
Patience, Abstinence, Austeritie,

Humility, Frugality, Sincerity,

Religion, Labour, Care of 
Common-Wealth,
And 
Manie, meet for 
Prince and 
Peoples Health;
Which hardly can, in their 
Owne Likenes, sinke
In 
Youth-ful Mindes (scarce in their Eares, I think)
How grauely oft, with greatest Diligence
Prest; and imprest with 
Tullian Eloquence:
Sweetly 
disguis'd, in artificiall Sutes,
Dancing the 
Measures after 
Delphian Lutes,
Washed in 
Nectar, wrapt in sugred 
Verse,
Enter more easily, and more deeply perce.
This I endevour: and to This Intent
I summon CHARLES to 
Vertues PARLAMENT▪

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TO The High-Hopeful CHARLES, Prince of Great-Britanne.WHere witty 
Bertault (in his 
Fancy) meant
But a faint 
Praesage of His Pr. of 
France;
Our Hopes of 
Ours the better to aduance,

We haue presum'd to 
cal a PARLAMENT
Where 
Royal Vertues, from 
Olympus sent,
By seueral 
ACTS of sacred Ordinance,
Conform, confirm 
Your future 
Gouernance;
So please it Heav'n 
Yo
r hart & 
hand consent.
O! please it Heavn, 
You may be pleased Thus,
These 
Works to imitate, These 
Acts to act;
To proue 
yo
r self, This same PANARETVS,
When future Age shal see our 
Hopes in 
Fact.
W
ch, while I pray; sweet Prince, in humblest sort
I cite Yo
r HIGH
nes to 
This Soverain Court.

To Yo
r Highnes Seruice humbly-devoted, Iosuah Syluester.

[Page]

TO The right Honourable Lords Spirituall & Temporall: The Knights and Burgesses of the Lower-House: & To all generous and ingenuous Readers.PResuming all Your Lordships will appear,
Not by your 
Proxies, but in Person, Heer;
And in your Turnes, say (Every-one) 
Content,
To Every 
Act, in 
Vertues PARLAMENT:
I humbly bring You Every-one A 
Briefe
Of every 
Bill; or, at the least, 
the Chiefe.

An Act against Duels, desperate Combats, and Roaring Boyes. Page 7
An Act for better Execution of the former Act. Page 13
An Act against Hypocrisie. Page 15
An Act against Superstition. Page16
An Act against Abuses in the Courts of Iustice. Page 18
An Act for some Mitigation of the former Act. Page 21
An Act for due Execution of Iustice in generall. Page 52
An Act against Persian State, in proud Retirednes. Page 59
An Act against profuse Prodigality. Page 59
An Act of exceeding Loue and excellent Resolution. Page 60
An Act of rarest Pietie in a Prince. 60
[Page] An Act for Imitation and continuance of the former Act. Page 61
An Act for right Imployment of Publike and Priuate Treasure. Page 61
An Act against Ingratitude. Page 63
An Act against King-Killers, Powder-Traitors, and their Abettors. Page 64
An Act for Clemency, and against Impunity. Page 65
An Act for Propagation of Princely Piety. Page 66
An Act against the Mitred-Monarchy. Page 66
An Act of Admiration. Page 67
An Act for Reading of Histories. Page 68
An Act against ignorant and ignominious Chroniclers. Page 68

THese All are Publike Acts: Priuate, This Session

Hath passed None: but in the next Impression,

Your Acts of Bounty, and the rest of Mark,

Shall be recorded,
By Your Vnder-Clark,

Iosuah Syluester.

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Names of the Nobles in This Parliament, Interpreted.

PANARETVS:: AL-VERTVOVS.
Andria:: Prowesse.
Phronesia:: Prudence.
Pistia:: Fidelitie.
Eumenia:: Clemencie.
Euergesia:: Liberalitie.
Hypomoné:: Patience.
Cateria:: Constancie.
Aletheia:: Truth.
Dicea:: Iustice.
Eusebia:: Pietie.

Interpretation of other tearmes vsed in This Parliament.

Dysidaimoné:: Superstition.
Eridea:: Contention.
Merimné:: Careful-vexation.
Dapania:: Charge or Cost.
Adicia:: Iniustice.
Oval:: Crowncs for vnbloudy Victors.

[Page 1]

PANARETVS.

YEERES timely Turns, vnto a Lustre run,
Brought forth at last the long-long wished Sun,
Whereon our Hopes our iust Desires pursewd,
To see our PRINCELING with a 
Name indewd
(
Which, Since WEE 
sawe, or heard that Happie sound,

Saturn's slowe Teem had trotted twice the Round)
When, lo, Th'
Etern All-Maker's Maiestie,
Quick-darting downe his All-discerning Eye,
Whereby his Goodnes all his Works dooth guide;
And seeing prest the sacred Pomp and Pride
(As in so solemne Mysteries is wont)
T'adorn the 
Altars and the hallowed Font;
In th'instant summons with a gratious beck

Nine nimble Scouts, which scudding light and quick,
Dispatch more speedy then a Thought the things
Aboue inioind them by the King of Kings,
Who, with a most-mildly-maiestike gest,
In heauenly words, his pleasure thus exprest:
The yong 
french DOLPHIN is euen ready Now
To take the 
Name my fore-Decrees allow:


[Page 2]A frequent 
Name of Kings, and famous farre;
Wonders in 
Peace, Thunders in dreadfull 
Warre;
And, One of them, more excellent in 
Grace,
Among my 
Saincts hath iustly held a place.
But yet, besides that 
Name, which 
France affects
For one Man's vertue, and for due Respects;
Besides that 
Name, which onely Men haue giuen,
I'll giue him one my Selfe, as sent from Heauen:
And such a one as one-day, by Euents
Shall proue it a true 
Praesage of that 
Prince;
And, in 
One Word, mysteriously contracts
The 
Historie of His succeeding 
Acts.
Go therefore, quickly from all Quarters cite
The rarest 
Vertues, and most requisite
For Royall bosomes, that did euer rest
Within the Closet of a Kingly brest.
Tell them it is Our pleasure and 
Decree,
That to This 
Prince they All 
God-mothers bee:
And Shee among them that is found most fit,
And best behoues in 
Crowned soules to sit,
Shall at the Font, Her sacred 
Name impose;
And from thence-forth inspire him, as he growes,
With all her Powers, to correspond the scope
And full Extent of that great Empires Hope,


[Page 3]Whose 
Limits yet vnlimited appeare,
Where Sire and Sonne to mee are equal deare.
I see th'
Aegean streames, and 
Thracian strand,
Already trembling vnder his Command:
And th' horned 
Crescent (which hath scornd to vale)
Before the Beams of This new Sun growes pale.
To greatest Ships (as Guides of all the Fleet)
The cunning'st Pilots euermore are meet:
Mine, most Immediate, seems the souuerain care
Of 
Soueraign Kings (who but My Subiects are);
And therefore, I, that haue behight 
This Lad
An ampler Rule then euer Monarch had,
As, of the WORLD to make him 
Emperour,
I'll haue his 
Vertues equall to his Power:
I'll make them so: and to approue it, all
The Earths foure Corners I to witnesse call.
This publisht thus: eft-soones the winged Posts
Addresse them quick to these inferiour Coasts,
And (swift as Arrow) hee that tooke to finde,
Faire 
Andria, of great and goodlie mynde,
Among the manie Idols of our Dayes
That counterfeit her fashion and her phraze,
Spy'd her at last, for her heere slight account,
Ready to leaue vs, and about to mount


[Page 4]A winged horse in hope els-where to gett
A new Renowne, 'mid stranger Nations yet.
Her Helmet (euer as her head she stirrs)
Seemed to twinkle with a thousand Starrs;
A stately groue of azure Plumes did waue,
And proudly shadowed her gilt Armour braue:
The bright keen Blade that by her side she wore,
Inur'd to blood in Battaills long before,
As it were, weary of that rusting rest,
And greedy longing for his wonted feast,
Seem'd malcontent and his proud Sheath-disdaind,
(The golden Prison that him still detaind)
Whereon were grauen (with 
Arts Art-passing strife)
By such a hand as could giue Metall life,
The noblest feares of 
Valour (most extolld)
In later Times, and in the Dayes of old,
Of greatest 
Monarchs that yet euer were,
Whose marks the World (vnto this day) doth bear.
There, by the Banks of 
Granic dy'd in graine,
(As then: no Banks, but rather Hills of Slain)

Philips Great Sonne (inspite of Multitude)
To his sole Scepter the whole World subdewd.
There, valiant CAESAR (
Rome's first Emperour)
Quashing the Senats and the Peoples power,


[Page 5]And stooping all their Lawes to his Sword's lawe,
Tramples the Tropheis of his Son in Lawe;
Who pale without, and all appalld within,
Flyes from 
Pharsalia, and his Hoast, vnseen.
Why flyes Great 
Pompey? so (at once) to lose
Th' Honors so oft wonn from so many foes?
Because Thine fainted, must Thou faulter too?
O yes! with 
Caesar thou hadst heer to doo.
Thear's thy Excuse: & though Thou lost the Game,
Thy Victor yet some-what abates Thy Shame.
Thear (on the Chape of massie gold, vnmixt
With other Metall plain or wrought, betwixt)
Our own, great HENRY, smear'd with blood & dust,
Pursues th'
Iberians with keen fauchin iust;
And iustlie keening his couragious sp'rite
Against those daring 
Demi-Moores despight,
Beats out of breath the brauest of their Troupe,
Who bleak for feare, begin to faint and droupe:
The gold there loose, seems euen to fly and (more)
Looks pale in faces full of pride before.
But Hee (well marked by his milk-white Plume)
With Kinglie scorne, disdaining th' odious fume
Of vulgar blood, in valiant furie runns
Vpon the proud Commanders 
Dukes and 
Donns,


[Page 6]Who (either proud of Port, or rich Attire)
Had by his hand a suddaine death for hire.
Their royall Patterne all his Troopes take-after,
And of the rest they make a glorious Slaughter:
Whence streams of gore that to their Center seud,
Met in a Rubie, make a Lake of Blood.
Such costly Sheath sheath'd in such workmanship
The sheen-keen Blade on 
Valour's brawnie hip,
(
Hung in an azure Scarf, all ouer sow'n

With Crowned-Swords, and Septres ouer-throw'n.)
A thousand other famous Battailes, fought
At sundry times, with Cunning-cost were wrought
Within her Crimsin Bases, waving lowe
About her Calues, in Buskins white as snowe.
Shee seem'd like 
Pallas, gainst the Giants prest;
Or (on Mount 
Ida) against 
Mars addrest.
At suddaine sight of Heau'ns bright Messenger,
In mylder port she straight composed her;
And when He briefely to her heedfull thought
Had done the sacred Arrand that he brought,
And (by the way) had question'd her (beside)
Whether her Haste was bent, she thus replyde:
Celestiall Herald, While th'heroïck Prince,
Whose gentle Yoak his 
Celticks so contents,


[Page 7]Caru'd with his Sword a Statue to my Name,
To stand triumphant in the House of 
Fame,
Nothing could hold me from his steps, a-part;
My hand did guide his hand, my hart his hart:
Yea, I was with him, nay, within him, prest,
His spirit's familiar, and perpetuall guest.
But sithens 
Peace Him now hath quight disarm'd,
And keepeth 
Mars within her Temple charm'd;
I did giue way to my keen Swords Request,
(Which can no longer lie and rust in Rest)
And, while his hart, now all in loue with 
Peace,
Hath left His hand, for mee, no businesse,
I meant to seeke some other 
Strand for Stage
To act my Wonders, in Warrs dreadfull rage;
That in braue Battaills I againe might reap
The Palms Hee wonted on my head to heap.
For, with the sparkles of my glorious fire,
Th'incensed brests of Younglings to inspire,
I can no more find in my hart; sith they
So rashly rush to cast themselues away,
So oft, for Trifles (bred of idle breath)
So madly run to an vntimely death;
So daily sacrifice their Life and Soule,
In some so foolish Quarrells, some so foule,


[Page 8]That, in the issue (fatal for the most)
The Victors self may rather blush then boast;
And such, as for such to vsurp the Sword
(Besides the Conquest's euen to be deplor'd)
Is nothing else but to profane the same,
And to blaspheme myne honour and my Name.
Not that I blame (where Blood & Nature bindes)
In point of 
Honor (Idol of braue mindes)
A Caualier, so sensible of wrongs,
To hazard Life and all that him belongs;
Sith, void of Honour, hee is voide of sense,
That houlds not Life a deadlie Pestilence.
But I would haue them rightly learne before
(Not, of a heart meer valiant and no more;
But, of a heart valiant at-once and wise)
Wherein that Point of pretious Honour lyes,
For which, hee's happie that his Life shall lose;
And cursed hee that care-lesse it forgoes.
For such a cup-fume ouerflowes the braine
Of such whose Soules this Error entertaine;
That One will weene his Honour interess't
To bear a Word, though spoken but in iest;
Who neuer thinks it tainted with a Lye,
Nor toucht with base and will-full Periurie:


[Page 9]Nor with his Treason, when for some pretence,
Hee hath betrayd his Countrye or his Prince,
Or yielded-vp some vn-distressed Place,
Or fled the first to saue a Cowards case.
So th'Hypocrite, through Superstitious Error,
Thinks he hath don some Sinn of haynous horror,
When, by mis-heed, or by mis-hap, hee comes

Vn-hallow-washt, into the 
Sacred Roomes;
Yet, makes no Conscience, yet hath no Remorse
To haue vndonne, or donne to death, by force
Of vniust Doom, or fraude of Euidence,
A many poore and harme-les Innocents:
Nay, laughes at Widowes and at Orphanes teares,
By his deceipt, dispoild of all was Theirs.
Those valiant 
Romans, Victors of all Lands,
They plac't not 
Honour there where now it stands;
Nor thought it lay, in making of the Sword
Interpreter of euerie Priuate word;
Nor stood vpon 
Puntillios, for Repute,
As now-adayes your 
Duellers pursew't.
But from their Cradle, traind in Rules more fitt,
They nether knew th'abuse nor vse (as yet)

Of Challenges, Appells, and 
Seconds-ayde.
But, when the Lawes their Bridle loose had layd,


[Page 10]For Publique Glory, gainst a Publique Foe,
There Honors point, there Valors proofe to show.
But, when behoou'd, brauely and first to front
An Armies force, or beare their suddaine Brunt;
Or, larded thick with darts, victorious, die
Vpon a Breach, or on a Rampire high;
Or, leap aliue into a yawning Hell,
To saue their Citie, from Infection fell;
Liu'd neuer Men that lesser feared death,
More-daring Valor neuer yet had breath.
Witnes (vnto this day) th'vndaunted harts
In 
Curtius, Decius, and 
Horatius Parts:
With many Worthies more, Immortaliz'd,
Which for their Countries haue Selues sacrifiz'd;
And whose braue deeds, whose honors, whose deserts
Moue more Despaire then Enuy in Mens harts:
For, dying so, Garlands & glorious Verse,
Not Cries & Teares, honord their happy Herse;
Their Flower of Fame shall neuer, neuer shed,
Because their Death, their Country profited:
Wheras the death which brings now brainsick Youth
Vnto their Graue, deserues but Tears and Ruth;
Their Courage casts them euen away, for nought;
Without Memoriall, saue a Mournfull Thought,


[Page 11]Which, banning but the furie that inflam'd-them,
Honors enough, if that it haue not blam'd-them.
O what a number of Couragious Knights,
Abortiuely, haue in These 
Single Fights,
Lost the faire Hope the World conceiu'd of them,
Haue idlely frustred, of their Valors gem,
Their gratious Prince, who iustly might expect,
Against his Foes, their forward Worths effect;
And, sacrilegious, to their Wrath haue giuen
And headdy Rage (whereby they haue been driuen)
The Sacrifice which (with more sacred zeale)
They ought to God, their King, their Cōmonweale!
Ynow to make (could they return from death,
Such as they were, when heer they lost their breath)
Not a sole Squadron, but an Hoast of Men
Whose Acts alone would furnish euery Pen;
An Hoast of 
Hectors, and 
Achilleses,

Caesars and 
Scipios, who, by Land and Seas,
Following Great HENRY for their Generall,
Mought (if he wold) haue made him Lord of ALL.
Where, now, they lie in an inglorious Toombe,
Longing for Light vntill the Day of Doome:
Or lower, in eternall Dungeons dwell,
With Ghosts & Shadowes skirmishing in Hell.


[Page 12]This mischief therefore, springing day by day,
And spreading so, as nought his course can stay;
And seeing (too) mine Honour blurr'd with Blame,
When these rash Mad-caps doo vsurpe my Name;
To be, from henceforth, from the Rage exempt
Of such as turn my glorie to contempt,
And thus deface my Vertues grace with Vice,
I hop't els-whear some holier Exercise:
And rather would, hearts so intemperous
Should not inioy mee, then imploy mee thus.
Here 
Andria ceast: The Angell, gracefully,
Humours her Anger with this milde Reply;
Certes, faire 
Nymph, your Plaint hath Right & Truth,
But yet, excuse the boyling heat of Youth;
Perhaps 'tis harder then you ween (precise)
To be at-once a 
French-man, Yong, and 
Wise.
This Euill from This inborn Error springs,
That a 
Braue Mynde, when wrongd in any things
Hee weens himselfe (if so hee 
Armes professe)
Must no-whear seek but in his Sword redresse:
And that an Eye, a No, a Nod, a Nick,
's Ynough t'offend a Noble sense and quick.
Permitious Error, which dooth vndermine
Both 
Martial Thrones and 
Ciuill, and 
Diuine!


[Page 13]For, to no end the 
Publique Sword shall serue
If euerie man may with his 
Priuate carue.
And then, in vain are Souueraine Princes Lawes,
When Subiects dare Themselues decide their Cause.
But I beleue This Madnes will no more
Praecipitate their courage, as before.
The curb of Law which by their prudent Prince,
Is now new made against This Insolence
Will barr their Boldnes, and (directing meane
How (This deer Honour saued whole and clean)
A gallant Spirit, wronged in any kinde,
May lawfully his Satisfaction finde)
Will bind their hands, & euen glew-in their blades,
Till, when some Foe the Common Right invades,
In forward Zeal of their deere Countries good,
It shalbe honour (euen) to dyue in blood.
Disposed therefore to expect Amends,
Dispatch the Order which Heauens Monarch sends;
And goe not hence whear thou art so renown'd,
Till all the world be but This Empires bound:
Were it for nothing but That 
Rising Sunne
Whereon all Eyes already haue begunne
(Both Friends & Foes) to fixe their Hopes and Fears,
That braue 
Yong Prince, who from his cradle bears


[Page 14]Thine Image in his eyes, and in his armes,
Thine Exercise in euery kind of Armes.
Surely, said 
Andria, 'thad been hard to find
A stronger Charm heere to arrest my mind,
(Chiefly, heere liuing my Soules 
Sympathie,
His Father; rather, that same other I)
For, as in th'one I am a Miracle,
So will I be a match-lesse Spectacle
In th'other too, when to his Ancient Right
His daring Sword shall make his Claime by Fight:
Whether his Armies royall Front aspire.
Those craggy Hills whose Name is taen from Fire;
Or tend vnto those fruitfull Plaines which spred
Toward 
Böotes, and 
Hyperions Bed,
Whose Princes in their Fables Antique-fram'd,

Counts among 
Kings, Kings among 
Counts are nam'd.
After these words, pronounc't with voice & gest,
As Oracles are wont to be exprest,
Both took their flight throgh the thin chrystall Aire,
Towards the Place appointed for Repaire
Of all the rest of 
Royall Vertues Band,
Which were conuented by Heauens high Cōmand.
Royall 
Eumenia was already come,
And simple-mannerd (
Pistia, thought by some


[Page 15]Long-since exiled from the World); and Shee
Who from afarre doth all Euents fore-see.
There was (apparant by illustrious things)
Faire 
Euergesia, Ornament of Kings,
And firme 
Hypomonè, with her Twin-sister

Cartéria, and She whose Patrone and Assister
Are often shent, 
Alethia, little know'n
To mortall men (no scarce among her owne)
With vailes and cloaks they doe be-clowd her so,
Whose spotlesse Selfe should rather naked goe.
In briefe, of all the 
Vertues summon'd heere,
There wanted none but 
Dicea to appeare,
And S
t. 
Eusebia, in her Shadowes hid,
That long it was yer Her the Angell spid.
For heer among vs a queint 
Idol haunts,
Whose simple habite, whose sad countenance,
Whose lowely look, whose language mildly meek,
Whose zeale-like gestures, & whose postures like,
So counterfeit Her, with the Maske it makes,
That many times the wisest it mis-takes.
You'ld think, her hart had onely God for Ioy,
Her Exercise onely to fast and pray;
That she abhorrs the World, and lodg'd therein,
Liues as the Fish that out of waterbin;


[Page 16]That burning Zeal of Heauen consumes her so,
That all seemes bitter that shee tastes belowe.
Yet all the while, This hollow 
Holy-Tricks
Doats but of Honours, dreames of Bishopriks,
Thirsts for Promotion, thrusts for Primacie,
Hunts glorie still, yet seemes it to defie,
Neuer does good, but for some great applause,
Nor euer did good, for meer 
Goodnes cause.
This Baen of Soules, and that same Fopperie
(Of old) sirnamed 
Dysidaimonié,
Whose hart, deiect with Terrors ouer-strong,
To feare God
's Iustice, doth his 
Mercie wrong
(Right 
Seruile Feare, with Errors foolify'd)
Haue driuen 
Eusebia hence, els wheare to bide.
Because th' one loues not, th' other miss-beloues
What best to fear and least presume behoues.
The Angell therefore ferrets euerie nook,
And narrowly her wonted haunts dooth looke,
In euerie Cloister and in euerie Cell,
Where Folk belieu'd that She did euer dwell:
Yet nothing findes hee of her, anie-wheare,
Saue some old track or footing heer and there;
No, though he visite the austerities
Of famous 
Abbayes and faire 
Nunneries:


[Page 17]But, in Her stead, he meeteth euermore,
One of These Haggs in euerie 
Couent Doore,
Dresst in a habite of so humble showe,
That hard it was the difference to knowe.
Yet, at the last, prying on euerie side,
Her (as conceald) in a by-place hee spi'd,
Where, with incessant teares shee stayd to rew
And to bewaile our Errours old and new;
Amid an humble Troupe, whom like Desire
To loath the VVorld, and from it to retire,
Had made preferre a poore and meane estate,
Yea Want itself, in place so separate,
Before the Wealth, the Honours and Delights,
Where-with the World inueigles, as inuites:
As choosing rather heer to lose all These,
Then lose thereby, their Soules eternall Ease.
In this sequestred place, prostrate in Prayer
(Best 
Antidote gainst 
Hopes-pride and 
Despaire;
The Two grand Poisons of Soules Faculties)
The Angell found 
Eusebia on her knees.
Their Talk was short, the Time inportun'd so:
In brief therefore hee doth his Message showe,
Acquaints her quickly VVhence, and Why he came
Then She eftsoones consenting to the same,


[Page 18]Away they post in a swift Aierie Coach
Towards the place where all the rest approach,
The generall 
Rendez-vous for all This Act:
VVhere yet (alas!) the Ladie 
Dice a lackt.
For, th' Angell tasked to goe seek her forth,
Sees her no more conuersing on the Earth,
Nor findes her sitting (as she wont of-old)
On Princes Thrones, and Prelats, vncontrould;
Nor among Magistrates, which are the Tongue
And Life of 
Lawe, t'interpret Right and Wrong.
Where-at amazed, and desiring more
To sound what reason Men could yield therefore,
Assumes a Bodie, bearing in his hands
A bagg of VVritings and seem-Deeds for Lands:
Comes to a Hall, all full of Murmuring
Of people pricked with the angrie sting
Of fel 
Eridea, who her Venome sheds
Euen into Boores and Paisants harts and heads,
By Her keen furie (as wiith Brizes) stung;
And by 
Merimnè and 
Dapania wrung:
In This great Hall, vnknow'n vnto Repose,
Stalks that stern Furie, either among those
Of her owne Frye, or 'mong the wretched Crew
VVhom Her hard Gripes had made (in vain) to rew.


[Page 19]A Rank of Seats, each vnto other fixt,
And euery-one a sundrie Name affixt,
Bordred the Walls, smoakie with age'and foule;
Perches of manie plumie-pownced Fowle,
Whose nimble Quills haue learnd to flye for that
Rich Minerall, which makes men peace and prate.
There was no Order: a lowd-buzzing Presse
VVith whirling Eddies hurry'd without cease,
Full of all Sorts; of Priests, of Gentlemen,
Merchants, Mechaniks, Grooms and Husbandmen:
Each iustled other, crowding to and fro,
As heer and there the stream did ebb and flowe.
This yauld, that brauld, another beat the Barr;
One woo'd the Iudge, another vrg'd him farr;
This proues 
Default, That pleads a 
Warrantie;
This auoides 
Witnes; That, 
appeals more high;
Another, fleering dooth his Aduerse flowte.
With Rod in hand the 
Vshers trudge about:
A world of 
Lawyers swarm'd; yet some had leasure
(As least imploy'd) the Places length to measure.
All boyld with 
Discords; one no sooner don,
But instantly another New begun;
With such a Noise as soundeth neer the Shoare
When, towards a Storm, the Sea beginns to roare.


[Page 20]Hard-by this Ocean, which Night only stilld,
Appeerd an Old-man (as one deeplie illd,
And inly galled for some grieuous Losse)
With eyes lift-vp, pale cheeks, and armes acrosse;
Whom th'Angell spying, towards him he speeds:
And (seeming Mortall by his Shape and weeds)
Good Father, sayd hee (so to sound his minde)
Where might I (think you) Lady 
Dicea finde,
VVhom I haue sought already far and neer,
And surely thought now to haue found her heer?

Dicea, my sonne, said the Old-man (well-nigh
Gushing out Teares which stood in either eye;
And sending forth a deep-fet Sigh, before)

Dicea, alas! is in the World no more.
That Fire which only Death hath power to quench,
That fel Desire no Deluge else can stanch;
The burning Thirst of Worldly Goods and Gold;
And all Sinns, taught to warr against her, bold;
Haue forc't her to forsake this wretched Frame,
And fly again to Heauen whence first she came.
Or, if in Earth she yet haue anie Stance,
'Tis with the 
Chinois, Turkes, or 
Scythians:
But in This 
Climat hardlie dooth appeer
Anie small signe, to showe she hath bin heer.


[Page 21]Cruell 
Adicea in her Roome is sett:

Hate Fauour, Fraude, and Madame 
Counterfait,
(Out of all 
Courts hunting all 
Conscience quight)
Make of Right crooked, and of Crooked Right.

Art and 
Deceipt keep thear their open Schooles:

Reason and 
Lawe are but the phraze of Fooles,
For 
Law and 
Reason are now waigh'd (by Sleight)
In 
golden Scales; where, only GOLD is waight.
Thus, the Old-man proceeding still complaind;
Till th'Angell, thus his Blasphemies restraind:
Alas! good Father, your fresh Grief (I see)
For some great Suite, late lost vnhappily,
From your sad lipps this bitter language drawes;
Excusable (perhaps) for your Grief's Cause:
But th'eye of Passion ill discernes the truth.
This hauing spoken; the Celestiall youth
Turns to another, lesse disturb'd in minde;
And likewise askes, Where he might 
Dicea finde.
Hee, more discreet, and milder-spoken, farr,
Replyes: My Sonne, sure verie few there are
(Yea of the wisest, who best vnderstand)
That easily can answer thy demand.
For One perhaps will think her to be there,
Whereas, another (seeming wrongd) will swear


[Page 22]By Heau'n, and all that in it Heau'n containes,
That not a spark nor mark of her remaines:
Each holding her, present or absent, still
As his owne Cause hath thryued well or ill.
But I'll assure thee (and past all Appeal)
That in this Place shee dooth not alwayes dwell.
Sometimes shee comes, and brings for Companie,

Honor, and 
Faith, and old 
Integritie:
But the strange Tricks of a bold babbling Dame
Call'd 
Quiddi-quirk, as barbarous as her Name,
Molest her so, that soon they driue her hence;
For, Both at-once haue no-where Residence:
And 
Plutus too, her many-times dismaies.
With that sweet Power whereby the world he swaies;
Causing her oft return with heauie cheer:
And that's the Cause she stayes so seldom heer.
Oft haue I seen her on the souverain Seat
In that high 
Senate, whose 
Edicts compleat
Sway all the Kingdome; and (if anie-where)
I sure belieue, you yet shall find her There,
If those Abuses whose bold Tyrannie
From other Thrones hath driuen her openly,
Haue not crept-in by some close Golden Port:
But, farr bee That from such a reuerend Court.


[Page 23]Heer ceased Hee: and instantly, withall
Losing his sight, the Angell leaues the Hall;
His aicrie Bodie to the Aier repayes.
And while he takes to other Courts his wayes,
Hee happily the wished 
Lady meets:
Who, inly ioyd (which outward gesture sweets)
Because in Iudgement shee had ouerthrow'n
Wrōgs proud Support, & giuen poor Right his own,
Came from deciding of a Cause of waight,
Before the Peers and Councel of Estate.
But, her Content was doubled when she heard
Heav'ns sacred will (as th'Angell had auerrd)
And His high pleasure (whose Omnipotence
The Heav'ns adore) for 
Surname of the Prince:
With him therefore Her speedie she directs
Towards the Troupe which only her expects.
Now all these 
Nymphs assembled, seemed prest
(All diversly with Ioy and Hope possest)
To take their Flight to that King-fauourd Place
Where (pre-ordained for this VVork of grace)
They should impose the Royal Infants Name,
The Worlds main Hope (as most conceiue the same)
When soudainly there did among them breed
A noble strife, which stayd their forward speed:


[Page 24]Though great desire to see the radiance
Of that yong Sunne which should enlighten 
France,
Hasted their haste: and though on euerie side
As well the sacred Pomp as ciuill Pride,
The King himself, Princes and Princely Dames
Glittring in gold, sparkling in pretious Flames,
And all the Court adornd in rich Array,
Seem as offended at the least Delay.
But yet, because Heauens Monarch had decreed,
That of the 
Vertues Shee which should exceed,
As most conducing to Kings happie state,
Should with her Name this Princeling nominate;
When one of those high Hearlds vrg'd them on,
Among them selues This to consult vpon:
Consult? said 
Andria: Why consult about
A Point, whereof (I think) was neuer doubt?
Mine, Mine's this Honour: for among vs all
Who more adorns a Kings Memoriall,
Or better keeps a Sceptres Maiestie
At his full Height in Royall hands, then I?
I fill his Name with glorie and Renowne;
I make him feard abroad of euerie Crowne.
I with the terror of his Arms deterr
Ambitious Tyrants that they dare not stir


[Page 25]Offensiue Warre against Himself or His,
How euer spurrd by Spight or Auarice;
His famous Valour gaining This, for Meed,
That at the last hee seemes it not to need:
Vnlesse hee list his Conquests to extend
Through-out the World; then is it I that bend
The prowdest Mountaines vnder his Command,
The strongest Holds, I render to his hand;
I fill with fear, I chill with trembling Ice
The boldest harts of oldest Companies
That dare resist his quick and thick Alarmes,
VVith th'only lustre of his glittering Armes.
I often only with his Trumpets sound
(VVithout a stroak) his Enimies confound;
And dreadfull, make the most redoubted heer
Think it no shame to flye his fierce Career,
As if (no Steel, of proof toward his blowes)
'Twere Rashnes more then Valour to oppose.
Such were of-old those hardie 
Heròes found,
For Prowesse, Then for 
Demi-gods renownd:
Such, Hee whose showlders shor'd 
Olympus walles:
Such, Hee who conquer'd th'Empire of the 
Gaules:
Such, that Great 
Macedon, and such (again)
Those famous 
Paladines, whose Fables vaine,


[Page 26](Yet vse-full Tales) tho'ld 
Romants fain so fitt,
That euen they seeme by 
Mórpheus fingers writt.
But what they had 
Idéally from Art,
That 
Réally I to a Prince impart.
Who knowes not, that I, only vs'd in Field,
Serue all the 
Vertues both for Sword and Shield?
Your Selues, indeed, seeme to agnize no lesse;
Although, in words, you shame it to confesse.
For, when the furie of Warrs dreadfull Stowres
Beginns to thunder neer Your daintie Bowers,
All pale for Feare, all trembling, all dismayd,
To Mee yee flye, to Mee yee crye for Aide;
Vnder my wings yee creep, to keep you sure:
Where (and but there) you think your selues secure.
And, rather I, then Any (who expose
My Self alone against the Haile of Blowes)
Begin Estates, begett, and bring them forth,
And plant (in blood) the Empires of the Earth.
Th'admired height of 
Romes great Sceptre yerst
(As that of 
Greece) was but My work, at first;
And that same Other, famous, glorious Throne,
Whose Greatnes, Yet, doth in it's Cinders grone.
For, though by Warr, with Fire and Sword, I waste
What Heav'ns Decree hath doom'd to be defac't;


[Page 27]Euen while I raze, I raise; and of the Rubble
Of pettie States, I build One hundred double;
As horrid Dragons growe so hugely great
Of manie Serpents that alyue they eat.
You are indeed extold (and worthylie)
For knowing well, to vse a Victorie:
But without Mee, You can haue none to vse;
Without Mee then, your Knowledge nought accrues.
Therefore, your Honor's lesse; at least 'tis such,
As (at the best) on Mine dependeth much.
In brief, in all the sacred Works wee doo,
Our Merit's diuers, and our Honor too:
You rule the humble, I the proudest tame:
You adorn Kingdomes, and I conquer them:
You can direct, and I protect a Crowne:
You doo besiege, I dare assault a Towne:
You showe the vtmost of Mans Witt and Art;
I act your aimes with valiant hand and hart:
You (lastly) plott, in shadie Chambers sield,
What I performe, abroad, in bloodie Field.
But, in all These, I passe you All, as farr,
As to subdue the stoutest Foes in Warr;
To see about one (Lightning-like) to flash
Millions of Shott, Millions of Swords to clash;


[Page 28]To hear no noise but Canons roaring Thunder,
Diuorcing Soules from Bodies pasht in sunder;
To march in blood euen to the Knees; and yet
In all vndaunted, not dismaid a whitt,
Is both more painfull and more Princelie too,
Then, cleering of a clowdie Fraude, or two;
To shield by counsail Equitie oppresst;
To gaine the Fame of Wisedome with the best;
To fast and pray, or giue abundantly;
Or get the name of gratious 
Clemencie.
Then well fare 
Valour: and long liue the Storie
Of valiant Princes in the Phane of Glorie:
No humane 
Virtue hides so well as I,
Obnoxious staines when Ptinces step awry;
An ALEXANDER ARISTIDES seemes,
Because the splendor of my spreading beames
With radiant lustre dazles so the sight,
That nought is seen but 
Great and glorious Light.
Whear, if he lack my Raies, or my Renowne;
Boast he of double or of trebble Crowne,
Bee hee benign, be he munificent,
Iust, wise, religous, learned, eloquent,
Precise of Promise (both to Frend and Foe)
Princes abroad little regard him though;


[Page 29]Yea, might hee iustlie all (els) 
Vertues vaunt;
Yet wanting mee hee seemeth all to want.
His Hare-like hart, at Wars least noise doth quake,
And to his Beads hee dooth him all betake;
His Fear strikes Fear in his best Refuges,
And his no-courage doth discourage His.
In brief, as blesst with 
Peaceful Vertues rare,
Hee seemes far fitter (in a time of Warr)
With 
Keyes and 
Crosiers a POPE's Part to play,
Then 
Sword and 
Sceptre, as a KING, to sway.
As 
Andria had ended here her Part;
Shee, in whose Schoole wee learn the heedfull Art
Of neuer fondlie Vndertaking ought;
Soft, soft, said shee: To boast our Selues, we ought
Not blame our Equalls; nor (with proud Exchange)
To our owne Praises their Dispraises change:

Andria, I grant, Thy merit's great; but Mine
Is, if not greater, full as great as Thine:
Sithens, to raign in Soule of 
Maiestie,
There is no 
Vertue to bee matcht with Mee.
For, let a King be full of High-deseigns,
Let him be Valiant, as your 
Paladines;
Let him be gratious, iust and liberall,
True of his word, and so deuoute withall,


[Page 30]That at his Feet all Vices prostrately;
If Mee he lack that am all 
Vertues Eye,
Blindfold hee vses (nay, wel-neer abuses)
These diuine Gifts, which bountious Heav'n infuses:
And right resembles a faire Ship, for Sea
All ready rigd, and furnisht euerie way
With everie Needfull; Men, Munition, Beef,
Beer, Biscuit, all: only shee wants (the Chief,
The Life and Soule; the Sense, the Lawe, the Light
Wherby she liues, moues, stirrs, and steers aright)
A skillfull Pilot, with 
Discretions hand
Her winged Manedge rightlie to command
VVith hempen Raines, and woodden Bridle, so
That neuer wry she saile, nor wrong she rowe:
Without whose guidance, if the puffing gales
Into the Deep transport her huffing sailes,
She runns at randon, and with ruefull Knock,
Soon splitts her self vpon som Shelf or Rock.
Euen so it fares with Princes, when they make
Or Peace, or Warr, and not My Counsaile take;
Or, without Mee, as it were blindefold, vse
Their other Gifts the gracious Heav'ns infuse.
They thryue so little, that (as in a Wrack)
Their owne rich Burthen often breaks their back.


[Page 31]Their forward Valour but sad Fruit doth yield
They Winn the Victorie, yet lose the Field;
They brauely fight, and yet are brauely foild:
Some Error still hath all-their Actions spoild.
Their Bountie bindes not, but vnbindeth harts:
Their Clemencie much more then Rigor smarts:
Their Zeal it self, proues to them selues pernitious;
And vnto others blind and superstitious:
Their Vice and Vertues them so inter-nex,
That scarce can one distinguish their Effects.
Not that 
Ill still is not 
Good's Opposite;
But that, They wanting Mee, their only Light,
Doo (euen) Good euill; or doo, out of season,
A Good, which is not good, done without Reason;
And, of faire 
Vertues, fruitefull Seeds of Glorie,
Reap blasted Buds, which stain their goodly Story,
What famous Conquest euer yet was gott
Which to the Victor I prepared not?
Thou fightest bravely, and in Victories
Of bloodie blades, gettst the first Crown, for prize;
But I, by th'art of Prouidence, dispose
To glorious issue thy couragious blowes.
I wisely take the fitt aduantages
Of Time and Place, to second Courages:


[Page 32]I, skillfully the Squadrons range and rank;
I marshall them to showe their Front or Flank
As best befitts (by warrlike Stratagem)
T'inclose their Foes, to clip, or curtall them;
Or, brest to brest (as angrie Lyons wont)
With braue incounter, charge them full afront:
I by an Ambush, layd with luckie speed,
Opprest with number, help thee at thy need.
I manie-times preuent thy like miss-hap,
When seem-fly Foes would traine thee to the trap:
I, to bee brief, with euer watchfull brain
Assist, to make thy Valour neuer vain.
But, if a Prince must needs want one of vs,
And mought not bee both 
Wise and 
Valourous;
Sure Reason would our glorious Parts assign,
Thine to braue Soldiers, to great Captaines Mine;
Because, my Powers are proper to Command,
As Thine to Execute with hardie hand.
But though our humors so farr diuers bee,
Yet may wee Both, in one braue Spirit, agree;
And, for This Age, wee need no Witnes els
But famous HENRY, who in both excells;
With so great Wisedome ruling on the Throne
Which with such Valour hee hath made his Owne:


[Page 33]His Victories, yet, making Men dispute,
To which of Vs, they should them best impute.
Yet hundred Laurells neuer widow-curst,
And hundred 
Ovals, which no skin haue burst,
Proue I haue often Conquer'd without Thee:
But neuer wert Thou Victor without Mee.
For, I haue oft seene Armies dissiped,
And proud, strong Cities often rendered,
(Well mur'd, well manned, & well stord with food)
Without the spilling of a drop of blood;
Vsing no other then the ancient Wile
Of wasting fields, where Publique losse (the while)
Returnd This Gaine, to stoope by Famine Those
Which could not else haue been subdu'd by Blowes.
Besides, th'off-cutting of all Passages,
As well of Succours, as of Forrages;
Is euen to conquer by vncasuall course,
Fight-lesse to fight, and without force to force.
Great Captaines therefore did Vs neuer part:
Sith either, sole, is as a head-lesse Dart;
Or (if not head-lesse) heed-lesse thrown (as ill)
From feeble caster, without aime, or skill.
'Tis said of 
Pallas, in the 
Troiane Broyle,
That Shee in fight stern 
Mars himselfe did foyle;


[Page 34]To showe how farre 
Wise-Valour doth excell
A rash Excesse of 
Courage boiling fell;
Whose fume-blind force, wanting Discretions beam,
Resembles right a sight-less 
Polyphem.
But, whether ioynt or seuerd be our Powers,
My Cunning still yields fairer fruits and flowers,
Then doth Thy Violence (though oft it spread
Bright vertuous rayes about Thy glorious head).
For, onely then are Thy stiffe armes imploid,
When stubborn War dares to haue all destroid.
But, when sweet 
Peace fills Crownes with Coronets,
Thou art lockt vp in Princes Cabinets;
Among the Corselets, which, now wariefied
Through loue of 
Peace, they haue new layd aside;
Or those, which idlely (through Times alteration)
Hang by the Walls, both out of Vse and Fashion.
But I, indifferent, serue in 
War and 
Peace;
I breed her, feed her, and her yeeres increase,
By prudent Counsailes, prouident Decrees,
Kind turns, calme Treaties (fitting all degrees);
In briefe, by all means meet to render Kings
Mutually friends; and rule their Vnderlings:
Whence to their States if happy fruits accrew,
Th'honour of all to Mee alone is due.


[Page 35]But, in the World, what State hath euer thriuen;
Or rather, which hath not to Wrack been driuen,
Where lackt My Conduct, and where onely 
Chance
Hath steerd the course of Publique Gouernance?
What humane Action, what Design, what Thought,
Without Mine aide hath euer com'n to ought?
What Priuat stock, what Publique stem of Blood,
Without my Rules hath sprung, or long hath stood?
All noblest Arts, all nimblest Works of worth,
Which humane brains cōceiue, & hands bring forth,
Hold they not Mee for rich and fruitful Wombe,
Frō whence their births (both first & second) come?
The kindest Counsailes, without Mine among,
May wee not call them Treasons of the Tongue,
When blind and bad Aduise (though malice-less)
Ruins the Friend to whom it meant Redress?
Nay nothing, nothing vnder Heavn, may misse
The Minds guide rayes of my Resplendencies:
I am the true Sun of all humane acts;
Without Mee, 
Fortune all their praise exacts.
If ought I leaue to 
Fortunes doubtfull deed,
It shall appeare well set, though ill succeed:
But where My Sceptre hath a soueraine sway,

Fortunes false Die hath little power to play.


[Page 36]Then, bee't on Cedar, with a Pen of Gold,
For 
Memorie and 
Glorie too, inrold,
That 
Of all Soule-adorning Gifts diuine,

The Maiestie, the Monarchie is Mine:

That I, Their Queene, life of Their lawes and spring,

Am, of all VERTVES 
worthiest of a KING.
To whom, I seem so much more requisite
(Being both his Guide & Eye to giue him Light)
As hath a Guide (so iudge the most discreet)
More need of Eyes, then either hands or feet.
Heere ceast 
Phronésia: Andria instantly,
Weening her wrong'd, seemes willing to reply,
And to her Selfe already soft shee sayes,
Shee hath lesse skill in Phrases then in Frayes;
But, to maintaine the honour of her Cause,
Where need requires, not words but swords she draws
Then S
t. 
Eusebia, ioyntly raising faire
Her Soules pure Zeale, and her sweet Voices aire,
See, see (said Shee) how proudly insolent,
Vaine Men, admiring and too confident
Of Their fond 
Wisedome, and fraile 
Fortitude,
(Forgetting Heavns quick Eye and Arm) conclude
That their own strength, or their own Prouidence,
Hath foyld their foes, or giuen their own defence:


[Page 37]As silly children (set on fourm or stoole)
Whose hands are (first) held at the 
Writing-Schoole,
Forming some Letter, vaunt it for their Owne,
And think their Art-less fingers skilfull growne.
But, ô fond Mortalls! Neither is't your Art
Of mystique State, nor your high hand and hart,
Which in your Borders Peace and Plenty brings,
Or ends your Battailes in your Tryumphings:
But Heavns Right-hand invisibly addrest,
To reskue You, hath death it selfe represt;
Repell'd all Perills, put-by all Miss-haps
Ready to quell you with tempestuous claps):
And then retorting all vpon your Foes,
In lieu of 
Laurels (which They did propose)
Sends Terrors, Errors, or Disorders rife,
Or Mutinies, or other Ciuill strife,
Or other Mischiefe, which confounds their powrs
With their own Swords, or makes thē fall on yours:
So that your hands, victorious Thus, doe beare
Right glorious Palmes, and Olyues euery-where
Adorne your Coasts with their rich oylie tresse:
And all with you is 
Victory, or 
Peace.
Yet you, ingrate the-while, throgh blind Self-loue,
Not seeing that these Gifts come from aboue,


[Page 38]Sacrifice to your Selues, conferre the honor
Of all, to all, saue to their own right Owner.
O cursed Soile! ô barren Sand and dry!
Not betterd ought by any husbandry;
Hardned with heavnly deawes, the more the worse:
More worthy nothing then a heauy Curse.
O vvretch! refer, refer aright, and bring
These sacred Streams birth to their sacred Spring,
That perfect Good, which can no more desist
To doe thee good, then Thou Him to resist.
Through all thy Prouince let his Name be praisd;
If to a Crowne his fauour haue thee raisd,
Reare Him an Altar in thy Soule anon,
And for Burnt-Offring lay thy hart thereon:
His power (alone) adore, implore and trust;
And in thy Selfe kill euery kind of lust:
So shalt thou not, what euer Hap succeed,
Neither so much Courage, nor Counsaile need.
For, couering thee with his protecting hand,
Did all the World in Arms against thee band,
Besiege thee round, assault thee in such sort,
That nought could saue thee; neither force, nor Fort:
Amid all dangers which might fright thee there,
He, he would free thee from all cause of feare;


[Page 39]And Thine, preseru'd from death and deadly Foes,
Would be amaz'd to conquer without blowes.
Thy Prayers would put a hundred Hosts to flight:
Had each a 
Caesar to commaund them right,
Yet fighting on thy knees, with armes acrosse,
Thou, thou (alone) shouldst conquer, without losse.
Againe, His Angell would assume the sword
Where-with som-times th'
Assyrian swarms he gor'd;
Again, 
Senacherib's brauing Blasphemies,
Should find a King, with water in his eyes,
To vanquish him with vowes: and as with charms,
Thou shold'st do more with tears, thē he with Arms.
Why then, thus vainly dare We heere consult
Of others Right? or of our Owne insult?
Shee, shee that giues to God (nay, giueth God)
On Her of right this Crown should be bestow'd;
Sith her possessing, they All Good possesse:
But wanting her, All else is emptinesse.
Let neither 
Prowess then, nor 
Prudence, ween
Her Selfe 
Kings glory, neither 
Vertues Queen:
I haue seene Valiant Kings, and Prudent too;
And such as knew in all turns what to doo,
And such whose Constance was incomparable,
Liue wretchedly, and die as miserable:


[Page 40]But, neuer saw I but a happy End
Of Pious Princes, which on God depend;
And in all doubts, all dangers (from their Birth)
Haue (sacring vnto Heavn the thoughts of Earth)
With eyes ay-fixt on That 
Sunn's sunnie side,
Belieu'd his Loue their Guard, his Law their Guide.
Not that I would a Prince secure and idle,
Should so let-go his Empires Rains and Bridle;
To cast on God the Cares, the Managings,
And glorious labours that belong to Kings:
Nay, rather would I, that with Vigilance,
Constancie, Iustice, Wisedome, Valiance,
And all else Vertues which his God hath giuen,
He second still th'assisting hand of Heaven;
Aye well assurd that God will not neglect
Iust-armed Prayers of his own Elect.
But, to His onely Bountie must they giue
Th'honor of all the fruits they shall atchieue
By their most noble Cares, most Royall Paines:
Not to the depth of 
Machiauilian Brains,
Not to the vaine Effort of humane force,
Nor Martiall Courage, mowing Men and Horse,
Which in effect (how glorious Name it beare)
Is but a Publique, (lawfull) Massacre.


[Page 41]In briefe, what Worth, or Wit in King may bee,
Heavns King cōmands he make Them wait on Mee:
Make That, the Spur; Me, Raine of each Intent;
This, of his Counsaile; Me, the President:
Credit Them often, Me continually:
That They inspire his Hart, his Iudgement, I.
And, that in nothing They with Mee compare;
Nor any else (how Royall) 
Vertues rare:
But make Mee sit in Honors fourm the first;
Yea, without Mee, esteeme his State accurst:
Hold Them for 
helpfull, Mee for 
necessary:
And firme belieue, when Times are aduersary,
Rather to faile, with 
Prowes and 
Policy,
Nay fall, with All; then flourish without Mee.

Throgh such a 
Faith, that great 
King-Prophet yerst,
With litle force, so many Foes reverst:
So oft escap't so many Snares of Death,
Which Envies hand had set to stop his breath:
So fortunate, in euerie ieopardie,
Hee almost seemd t'haue wedded 
Victorie.
What Monarch would not gladly be the Heire
Of these high fortunes of His 
Vertues faire?
Who would not purchase at the deerest rate
Of all his Paines, the glorious Praise He gate?


[Page 42]And yet, the 
Vertue which aduaunc't Him so,
And on his Acts such honors did bestow;
Was not his 
Prowess (though he durst enough)
Neither his 
Prudence (though of famous proofe);
But his religious 
Pietie and 
Zeale
To serue the Lord, the God of 
Israel:

Zeale, which consuming Him with heauenly flame,
Made him to consecrate his Facts, his Fame,
Himselfe, his Sword, his Sceptre, and his Song,
At the Authors feet, to whom they All belong:
As still esteeming that hee held his Crown,
By his support who had it first bestow'n;
Not by the Prowess, or the Policy,
Of his owne darefull hand, or carefull Eye.
Let noblest Princes imitate this Part,
This pious zeale of his religious hart:
And let them know, that nor their Heed in sway,
Nor their Good-hap (which seem's t'attend them ay)
Their Knowledge, Courage, nor Victorious fame,
About their heads so glorious Garlands frame,
Neither from heavn so many blessings bring,
Neither so much doe magnifie a King,
Nor dignifie the Sceptre in his hand
So manie millions iustly to command;


[Page 43]As I, who, after this worlds 
Diadem,
Find them a-new, in 
New Ierusalem:
That God himself-vouchsafes to 
watch Their state,
Becoms Their 
Counsaile, Their 
Confederate,
Their Rock, their Refuge from their Enemies,
And gets them daily glorious victories:
That, without Mee, no 
Vertue is compleat;
And that, in That which maketh truly Great,
I passe the rest, and all the best They can,
As farre as God in Greatnes passeth Man.

Eusebia heer concluding her discourse,

Dicea began her Title to enforce:
I haue (said shee) long lent you eare a-like,
Yet from your Reasons, and your Rhetorike
I gather nothing, from the most of you,
But Vsurpations of Mine honors due;
While mine own Noursling from my side you steale,
Wherein, with 
Iustice, you scarce iustly deale.
For, if of 
Vertues any worthy bee
To raign, as Kings eternall Companie;
And with more lustre their great Names do grace,
I, I am Shee may iustly claime that Place;
As shee alone, who, by One duety, doo
Make happy Kings, & happy Subiects too:


[Page 44]Shee, that of all the Graces from aboue,
Acquire them most their Peoples hate or loue:
Shee that the Stock of Traytors doth extinguish,
She that good Kings from Tyrants doth distinguish:
Shee that to Each due Recompence imparts
According to their good, or bad Desarts:
Shee, without whom, the rife-full strife-full sound
Of 
Mine and 
Thine, would all the World confound.
Not that I am so inly blunt, or blind,
As not to value 
Valours valiant mind;
Or not to see, What Benefits to Kings
Sacred 
Eusebia, and 
Phronésia brings:
But saue 
Eusebia (whom I honour more
Then all the Greatnes Worldlings most adore)
Not one of you produceth her effects
So fortunate and free from all defects,
But oftentimes some euill them succeeds
Which equalls oft their Good, somtimes exceeds:
Much like some Herbs, of doubtful fame and force,
Which cure one Griefe, and cause perhaps a worse.
'T's a glorious Work tryumphing worthily,
To win by force a famous Victory,
To flowre a field with dead, to swim in blood,
To glasse ones Valor in a Crimsin flood:


[Page 45] 
 [...]ut, what's all This, but a meer Massacre
Of furious Lions (not a humane War)
Vnless the Right of the bright Sword victorious
Make the Cause iust, & the Effect as glorious?
And are not those so bloody Palmes, (the while)
Gathered in Countries, ruin'd with the spoile
Of Warrs dire fire, flaming on euery side
Of those sad fields, forsaken far and wide?
O bloudy 
Vertue, for Warre onely fit,
And for the Mischiefes that doe waite on it!
Yet least (alas!) her thirstie Steele should rust
Within her Sheath, too-long restrained; must,
Must men with Tears see their deer Countries spoild,
Their fields with heaps of slaughtred bodies pyl'd,
Their Cities sackt, their Houses all inflam'd,
Their treasurs shar'd, their wiues & daughters sham'd
Their tender babes (which haue no help, but cryes)
Brain'd, broached, broyl'd, in horrid Sacrifice?
Sure, Noble furie of heroïck harts,
The hideous Stage wheron thou act'st thy Parts,
Is too-too-costly to a State; too-deer
Are all thy Palms; thy Glory walks too-neer
Deep Miseries, Pains, Perills, Dolors, Deaths,
And dire Euents; which not alone the breaths


[Page 46]Of Foes bereaue, and Foraine States vndoo;
But wrack withall thine own Domesticks too.
For, what Effects, but such nefarious things,
Haue been the fruits of thousand 
valiant Kings;
Whose memories so ring of Battailes yet,
That euen with bloud their Stories may be writ:
Leauing their Names, iust Arguments of terror,
Loading the Earth with Monuments of horror,
Filling both Land and Sea, with Gore, with Gall,
And, to no purpose, topsie-turning All:
Sith all the gaine of all their Victories,
Is but a fame of Valiant Robberies;
Reproachfull praise to Souerain Potentates,
To 
Supreme Pastors, to high Magistrates:
Yet, most of These haue reapt no other fruit,
From bloudy labors, but This odious Bruit:
Wheras They should (only) their Powers imploy,
To salue, to saue; and neuer to destroy.
One onely King (no further Name is need)
Iustly constraind to arme, & mount his steed,
By force to enter to his Own by Right;
Hath sacred all his Art, his Hart, his Might,
To's Empires good: and chasing War away,
Makes Peace approu'd his Valors daughter ay.


[Page 47]The rest, still greedy of new 
Isles, new 
Indes,
Haue raisd such storms with their Ambitious windes,
As in their own Seas haue nigh sunk Themselues,
And cast their Subiects vpon Rocks and Shelues,
Where (through more woes) they, euen with tears, behold
How ill it is to haue a King too Bold.
Now, for your Prudēt (but, meer Prudent) Kings,
Too-much Discourse, w
ch frō their iudgmēt springs,
Oft makes them timerous, loth to take-in-hand;
To lose their time, while waiting Time they stand;
And, daring nothing, but Discoursing still,
To Err as much as Those that dared ill:
Or, makes them, more (in Worldly matters, heer)
Subtile and sharp, then loyall and sincere.
So that as They, of dangers heedfull are;
Of Them, no lesse behoues it to beware.
I will not say, that many times the grounds
Whereon the worlds, blind, foolish wisdom founds,
Are Contrarie vnto the solid Base
Which heavns true wisdom euery where doth place.
So that, one Thought neuer it selfe extends
(Nor can) at once, to two so diuers Ends:
No more then can the sight of mortall eyes

 [...] one same instant, Heav'n and Earth comprise.


[Page 48]What shall I say of Thee (and doe thee right)
Sweet S
t. 
Eusebia, Gods own deere Delight?
Thou fillest Kings, indu'd with Thy desires,
With sacred feruour of Celestiall fiers;
Thou mak'st their Liues a liuely speaking Lawe,
To rule their Subiects more by Loue then Awe:
But yet, thou mak'st (if Thou alone be Theirs)
Them too-too-slack in other Kingly Cares;
Too-mew'd in Peace, in War too-scrupulous;
And think so much of Heavn, that Earth they lose.

And, 
Euergésia, praising Thine Effects,
Amid the best well may we doubt defects:
For, what in Kings more Heavn-like seems to all,
Or God-like more, then to be 
liberal?
Yea, 
liberal Princes seeme euen Gods on Earth,
Com'n-down frō Heavn to hunt Despaire & Dearth
Care, Indigence, Incomber, and the rest,
Where-with poore 
Vertue often is opprest.
Yea, euen as Gods, Their Names are honord heer,
And, for their Seruice, nothing is too-deer.
(The ground of which so great beneuolence,
In some, is Hope; in some, Experience);
So that all Vowes, all Voices end in Them,
And, as the Sun, Their Sceptres brightly beam.


[Page 49]Yet, oftentimes, those 
Bounties of thy hand
Proue 
publique Burdens, bitter to a Land;
When fluent Princes (least their Fauors source
Should be exhausted) haue too-oft recourse
To Tributes, Imposts; and some worse withall;
Whence 
Flowers to few, to many 
Thornes befall:
And 
Avarice her selfe vniustly fills
With what 
Profusion ouer-fondly spills.
Nor Thou, 
Eumenia, though extold so high
As liueliest Type of Heauenly 
Clemencie;
And onely Shield of such as dare infrenge
My sacred Rules, to saue them from Reuenge:
Thou canst not cleere thee from the confluence
Of Euills vs'd to follow 
Indulgence.
For, by too-sparing, Thou doost Vices spread;
Thou losest sound, to saue corrupt and dead:
And filling Cities with home-Enemies,
Thy 
Pardons turne to publique 
Iniuries.
But I, by practise of vnpartiall Rigor,
Maintain good Orders, keep the Lawes in vigor:
Make Kings at-once belou'd and feared too
(Feared, alone of those that euill doo).
Their Subiects (set on happy Plenties knee,
In their possessions from Oppressions free)


[Page 50]Blesse them, adore them, hold them (euer deer)
Their Countries Fathers, nay their Gods wel-neer.
In briefe, no Blessing can befall a Realm,
But Theirs inioy, from, by, or vnder Them.
For, as it is, of the 
Wilde-Ash-tree, said,
That th'onely sauour, nay the onely shade,
Instantly kills (by strong 
Antipathie)
What euer Serpents vnderneath it lye:
Such, to the Snakes of Vice, those Princes are
Which gainst 
Iniustice haue proclaimed War,
With no lesse Care to make My Rules to raigne,
Then their owne Sceptres in their hands sustaine.
Can no Rebellion spring (at least) none speed
In their Dominions, neither Factions breed;
Sith gracious Heauens vouchsafe them this Accord
For hauing vs'd so equally My Sword
(To all Degrees, in Citie, Field, and Towne)
In Ciuill Warre they shall not weare their Owne.
Their People, feeling in Their happy Sway,
What Hap, what Rest, what Freedom they inioy,
Deeming them as their Gods, and meting (rife)
Their length of Blisse by Their deer length of life,
Watch for Their Safeties; and can suffer nought
Gainst them to be mis-done, mis-said, mis-thought


[Page 51]No more then 'gainst their Publique's Prospering,
Whereof they hold Their 
Iustice only Spring.
For, of all rarest Vertues that may meet
In a iust Prince, They onely taste the sweet
Of Mine Effects; and of that 
Equall Care
Of not surcharging more then they may beare.
What boots it that their Maiesties be 
meeke,

Magnanimous, franke, pious, politique,
And of a spirit surpassing each Extrem;
Misse they but Mee, They little reck of them:
They loue them not, they listen farre and near,
Some welcom newes of their wisht death to hear.
When, if they vse My sacred Exercises,
Though they be staind (perhaps) with other Vices,
They hold them perfect; and, in spight of Fate,
Euen after death, their Names they celebrate;
As liuing 
Reliques, still preseru'd aboue

 [...]n 
Fames faire bosome, and their Peoples loue.
Witnes, vnto this day, that 
Norman Prince,
Braue 
Rollo, still belou'd (though dead long since)
Still calld vpon (as for His 
iust Revenge)
When some new Wrong doth their old Right in­frenge.
Henceforth therefore, ô Princes, that desire
To haue your Names to highest Fames aspire,


[Page 52]To leaue behind you Monuments of Worth,
To giue your Glories, after death, new Birth;
Endeuour not to dazle proudest eyes
With Towers of Marble mounted to the skies;
Neither by War (whose Train is Plague & Dearth)
With fire and bloud to mingle Heauen & Earth;
To thousand Perills to expose your liues,
Wherby your Greatnes, not your Goodnes, thriues.
Onely, loue 
Mee; let 
Mee be reuerenc't
Through all your lands, by all your hands defenc't:
Let 
Mee sit by you on an Awefull Throne,
To daunt the Lewdest with my looks alone;
And with my Sword still drawn to prune-away
Luxuriant Twigs that break my 
iust Array:
Let My 
Tribunals be the Poores Refuges;
Let there-on sit no Mercenary Iudges:
Let 
Innocence finde there her surest Fort;
And who wants Right, there let him want Support:
There let My 
Balance be impawn'd to none;
But, as his Right is, let Each haue his Owne:
In briefe, with You let Mee be set so high,
That absolute as you doe Raigne, may I:
And I shall more enrich your lasting Stories,
Then all your golden Towers, your Cōquering glo­ries


[Page 53]Your precious Gifts that with full hand you giue,
Or ought besides, whereby your Names can liue.

Dicea as yet did her Discourse pursue,
Though milde 
Eumenia, loth to lose her due,

 [...]oth longer to endure her Vaunts so high,
With open mouth was ready to reply;

 [...]nd so her Sister 
Euergesia eek,

 [...]ome little choler colouring her cheek)
When from th'
Empyreall (right 
Imperiall) Court,

 [...]ame a new 
Nuntio with a new Report,

 [...] trustie Truch-man of supernall Pleas,
Their gentle Iarres thus gently to appease.
Immortall Beauties of past-humane Soules,

 [...]e that both Globes in his one hand-gripe holds,

 [...]ooes you to weet, that His high pleasure is
To quench for euer all your Differences)

 [...]ou All haue th'honour to impose the 
Name,
To Whom he means such fauor & such Fame,
ANARETVS (for an auspicious Signe

 [...]'haue markt him All with all your Tipes diuine)
That, All transformd into that 
reuerend Clark,

 [...]eav'ns hallowed Organ, for this sacred wark;


 [...]usebia, Thou (whom Hee resembles best)

 [...]halt 
Name the Child, in name of all the rest;


[Page 54]After that He hath six times sounded tho
That other 
Name his 
Nation fancies so.
Hy, hy ye then, Time calls you; for the throng,
These 
Rites expecting, thinks each minute long.
And I, the while, with no lesse speed must spy
Th'vnholsome Den where 
Pestilence doth ly,
And in Heav'ns name, her straitly countermand,
That Shee presume not once to lift her hand,
Nor from her Quiuer shoote one Arrow out
At any of the Royall Courtly Rout
Assembled for the sacred 
Mysterie,
During the Pompe of That 
Solemnity.
Heer-with the Angell hence't, & bent his flight
Tow'rds Our sad Citie, which then deeply sigh't
Vnder the fury of that Monster fell.
Hee found her out in a hot-humid Cell,
About to Arm her, & to scout abroad,
Euen towards the Place which now the Heav'ns forbode.
Foule seam-rent rags (wh
ch som old Robe had bin)
Cas't heer and there her yellow-sallow skin,
Where-in hot fierie 
Carbuncles were fixt,
With poisonie 
Rubies, heere and there betwixt:
A quench-lesse Thirst, with a continuall Feauer,
Broild in her brest, boild in her body euer;


[Page 55]Her verie Breath was as a deadly stroak:
Her cursed Stance ready with stink to choak:

 [...]o close it was, that neuer Wind could fan,

 [...]aue th'vnrefin'd autumnall 
Affrican,
Whose noisome aire a stuffing fogge did pen
With mustie Vapours of a moistie Fen.
All round about her, by her side did ly
All sorts of Fruits that soonest putrifie,
Millions of Milions; Peares, Plums (passing nūbers)
Most-humor-poysoning, crudie-cold Cucumbers;
Green Grapes; & that soft 
Persian fruit (so deer)

 [...]anefull at home, & little better heer.
The Angel, wonted to Heav'ns Bliss-full Hall,
Made little stay in this vnholesome Stall;
But, loathing soone that thick contagious aire,
He speedily dispatcht his Message there:
And Heav'n-ward quickly from the 
Furie flew,
Whose horror yet so seemd him to pursue,
That he had fainted to haue bin so nigh-her,
Had he not felt him of th'immortall Quier,
Th'immortall 
Sisters, in one troope, the while
Which from their Owners euery Vice exile)
Transported swift vpon a winged Clowde,
By their Arrivall made the Palace proude.


[Page 56]The pompous Scaffold, for this purpose reard,
Seemd at their sight to tremble (as afeard):
The stately Towers of th'antique Edifice,
The massie Porch, and Arch, and Frontispice,
Seem'd round about to lighten smiling flames,
As at their Entrance to adore these Dames.
They, shuffling them (vnseen) amid the throng
Of those 
Good Great, whom (as they past along)
A soft sweet Murmur, for their Vertues, blest;
Serued with Them (each in her office prest)
That goodly 
Rising Sunne, whose Rayes, new spred,
So rathe a Spring of flowring Hopes haue bred:
And, after both his fauourd 
Names were giuen,
The humane first, then that they brought frō Heauen,
All, in a ring, about him did appeer
(Vnder the form of some faire Princesse neer,
Or some great Prince then present there in view)
To doe his Name the Honors iustly due;
Each cheering Him to follow for direction
The Propertie Shee brings to Kings perfection.
Maist Thou (said one, as his sweet Eyes she kist)
Great-little Prince, be of the Heav'ns so blist,
That, though 
Augustus fortunes Thine surpasse,
Thy Fortunes yet may giue thy Prudence place:


[Page 57]Mayst Thou abound in royall Bountie so
Another said) that 
Traiane thou out-go:
May (said another: how my Hopes aspire!)
Thy Valour, one-day euen excell thy Sire:
May there (said one) one-day appear in Thee,
Thy Martiall Fathers match-lesse Clemencie:
And, maist Thou, frō thy Child-hood (said another)
Exceed in 
Zeale thy Mother and God-mother.

 [...]n briefe (
Pandora-like) Each offered there
Their precious Gifts, in Praesage (as it were)
Till with aduantage gracious Heav'ns produce
Their 
wished-Counsails into Act and Vse.
Grant, God Almighty, King of Kings, that Hee
When on These Thrones his royall Turn shall bee,
Hee may haue care t'accomplish euery-where
What all our Hopes haue for him dar'd to swear,
And what his Looks, Words, Maners, Motions, seem

 [...]n euery part, to promise still for Him.
May Hee, his People tender, loue, protect;
Delight in 
Iustice, yield them her Effect:
May hee forbeare to over-charge their backs
With novel Tributs, or with need-less Taxe:
And let them see that of all Titles giuen
To all the Kings that haue been vnder Heav'n,


[Page 58]Hee holdeth 
Good the best; better then 
glorious,

Warrs-thunderbolt, Earths-Terror, Great, Victorious;
Whose loftie sound makes Princes oft become
Abroad more feared then belou'd at home.
High swells the Ocean, when the Moon's at full,
And with proud Billowes threats both Hill & Hull;
But sinks againe, and shrinks into his Bed,
When 
Cynthia mues her neuer-constant Head:
So (swelling proud; so, surly browd the while;
So, temper-lesse; tempted with Fortunes smile)
Ignoble Natures are too-lightly pufft;
And with her Frowne as basely counterbufft.
Farre other be His firm and generous Mind,
Whether his Fate be curst, or be she kinde;
Yea, fawn-shee, frown-shee, (firm indeed to none)
Be He still like him Selfe, 
The same, still one;
Still bountifull, still milde-maiesticall,
And still vouchsafing free Accesse to all:
So that no Barre (a 
Barbarous deuice)
But due Respect doo seuer Him from His.
For, be a Prince neuer so mighty 
Great,
If betwixt Him and His a Bar He set;
At length he sets one (which scarce ought repaires)
Twixt their Affections & his own Affaires.


[Page 59] 
 [...]eaue He, to th'idle Pomp of 
Prester-Ians,
To miss-proud 
Sophyes, and soft 
Asians,
That Care, to keep their tawny Maiesties,

 [...]rom Subiects sight (saue once a yeere, or twice)
And let Him daily (like the Sunne) goe out
To cleer and cheer the clowdie World about;
To doo the poore oppressed Widow right,
To help the Orphan, ouer-born by might;
To ease the iust sighes of sad Labourers:
And alwaies (like that best of Emperors)
Think That no Day, or think it lost (for nought)
Wherein he hath not some such Action wrought;
Or that he liues not then, or liues in vaine;
Or as a Subiect, not a Soueraine.
Consume not Hee in frivolous Expence,
What gold a iust Loue's gentle violence
Shall for his Succour (in extream Affaire)
Force his poore People from their hands to spare,
Nay, frō their mouthes, nay rather frō their bellies)
Perhaps, drawn-dry with Pump of former Tallies.
But rather, counting it (with some Remorse)
Not Gold, but Bloud; may He with greater force
Abhor to lauish vpon idle Vaines,
His Subiects soule, & th'humor of their Veines.


[Page 60]That great 
King-Prophet (so renownd for Song)
Once for the water of a Well did long,
Which at the Postern of a Citie rose,
Amid an Host of his most deadly Foes:
Three of his 
Worthies (in despight of death)
Brake through their Armie, euen to vnderneath
The very vvall whereas the Well did spring;
Whereof they drew a portion for the King.
Then, off againe they brauely come their waies
(Couer'd with wounds, but more with worthy Praise)
And re-arriu'd in their owne Camp, their Prize
Vnto their Prince present in humble wise.
But He, bethinking through how many deaths
Those dreadless Champions had then fetcht their breaths,
In fetching of that wished Water so;
For all his thirst, hee would not drink it tho:
For, what is This (said he) but the hart-bloud
Of These that Thus haue ventur'd for my good.
So, to Gods will, His, willing to accord,
Hee offers it on th'Altar of the Lord.

So, may Our Prince another-day imploy
The publique Treasure, which with carefull Ioy,
His louing Subiects shall (as ought the loyall)
Yield to support his Port and Charges royall.


[Page 61] 
 [...]ay Hee present to th'in-sight of his Thought,
With how much Sweat & Sorrow it is bought:
What Rigor (vsed in his Name perhaps)

 [...]xtorts it from oppressed Widowes laps,

 [...]rom wretched Crafts-men, frō hard-racked Swains,
Whom Pouerty at her owne Mess maintains:
And, in Compassion say (with tender griefe)


 [...]his is my Subiects bloud, my Peoples Life:

This must not then in idle Pomp and Play

As vvater spilt) be spent and cast away.
Then doubting lesse the damage then th'abuse)
Vow it to God, as to the rightfull Vse.
And, 'tis to consecrate, and vow it right,
And in a fashion pleasing in Gods sight)
To poure it out in Royall (right) Expence;
Either in War-works for his Realms defence,
Or for his Honor; to all Times to seale
His King-like Bounty, Prouidence, and Zeale.
Close-fisted therefore may He neuer be
To the true 
Seed of sacred 
Memorie;
To Those whose lustre doth adorne Renowne,
And honors Kings more then their orient Crown:
To stately Structures, speaking Eminence,
So as their Vse match their Magnificence:


[Page 62]To wall High-waies; to heaw-down harmfull Rid­ges,
To paralel Eld's Aquae ducts and Bridges:
Found Hospitals, or to endow them founded:
To stop Sea-Breaches where they haue surrounded:
To fence with Peers & Piles of sundry sorts
From 
Neptunes furie his importing Ports:
To build faire Shops for th'
Helyconian Loomes,
T'advance Their 
Arts, and giue chiefe Parts chiefe Rooms;
And (as with liuing Nets) by Benefits,
To catch both 
Valiant Spirits & 
Learned Wits.
Millions of Verse haue sounded loftily
The Prudence, Prowesse, Pitie, Pietie,
And sacred Iustice of our Souerain Sir,
As diuerse gales their diuers Sailes did stir:
But not a Voice, in low or loftie vaine,
Hath of his Bountie euer sung a straine:
Yet yeerly from his 
liberal hand hath come
A million (a more then Royall Sum)
Among those (happy) whom his Goodnes graces,
Or whom their owne in his opinion places.
Which of his Predecessors (first or last)
In Gifts or Guerdons these 
 [...]a
 [...]e limits past?
Not one of them did euer reach so high:
Yet Vulgar bruit (halfe false, halfe flattery)


[Page 63]Giues some of them the great and glorious Name
Of 
Liberal Princes, of illustrious fame.
And shall not wee then, beare through th' Vniuerse

 [...]is worthy Praise vpon the wings of Verse?

 [...]hall not wee say that his renowned hand,

 [...]s worthily (in Peace) with Bounties band
Can binde vnto him whom he worthy knowes,

 [...]s brauely conquer (in the Field) his Foes.
Be mute that list, and muzzle they their stile,
On whom his Bounty neuer daign'd to smile
Were't through their own mis-fate, in hauing none,
Or hauing Vertues, not to haue them known.)
But I, whose hap hath been to march with those
Towards whose laps This golden Riuer flowes,
My Voice and Verse shall tromp-it farre and nigh
To modern eares, and to Posteritie.
And (without Flattery) say, that all the scope
Of Wishes wayting on our future Hope,
And all our Prayers for a Compleat Prince
(As in the rest of Royall 
Ornaments)
Need of the Heav'ns no greater Hap require,
But that in This, the Son be like the Sire;
And that he may (obseruing Golden mean)
Giue like a King that means to giue againe;


[Page 64]Yet, with such feruour to This glorious Part,
That still he giue lesse with his hand, then hart.
Vouchsafe th'Eternall Destinies-disposer,
Kings sole Advancer, & Kings sole Deposer,
That maugre Tyrants wrath, and Traytors wile
(
Whose Maister-peece we Heer haue seen yer-while)
Hee may wex old (after his aged Sire)
In Peacefull Raign, vntill his Raign expire:
And neuer but at Tilt, or Tourney, feele
The combrous burthen of a Case of steele;
Or, when iust furie shall inflame his sp'rite
Against Vsurpers of His ancient Right.
But, whether law-lesse Need, or Glories loue,
Him driue, or draw, his Force in Field to proue,
May He in Counsail, Courage, and Successe,
Match his great Parents constant Happinesse,
So as there be no need to spur Him forth,
With braue Remembrance of His match-less worth.
But, 
Laurell burnt crackles in vain; and of-it
Champing the Leafe alone, makes not a Prophet,
If that his Tutors haue not more to do,
To hold him from, then to incite him to;
To coole, then kindle, that courageous heat,
Which makes men feare no death, no dangers threat


[Page 65]But, as once 
Theseus, ready to be kild,
Was known to be the Kings sonne, that so wild;
By his gilt Sword & sign engrav'n thereon:
He shall be known to be His Fathers Son,
By the Exploits of His, in such a Rank,
As would haue made the two first 
Caesars blank.
Be He Benign, so as his Indulgences
Breed not Bad-Boldnes, Feed not Insolences:
Like to some Winters, ouer-milde and warm,
Which neither kill the Weed, nor chill the Worm;
But breed the Plague, Pox, Murrain & the rest,
That rotten Humors may, in Man and Beast.
Not, but I know it farre more honorable
To saue then spill (in Cases tollerable)

 [...]ith heer a World of Dust-bred Creatures liue,
Can reaue-Mans life, which onely God can giue:
But too-oft Pardoning oft too-many drawes
T'haue need of Pardon, throgh contempt of Lawes
And Magistrates; whom the Audacious reak
But Bugs, & Bridles to base minds & weake.
In Mildnes then, be Hee so moderate
For His owne safety and the publique State)
That neither Horror taint his Executions;
Neither his Fauours harbour Dissolutions,


[Page 66]And, too-remisse, by His too-oft Repriues,
Turn Pitties Temple to a Den of Thieues.
May He fear God, loue, worship, seek, & serue him,
Know, it's He sole doth stablish & preserue him:
That Kings, as his Annointed, haue Regard:
That but He guard them, little boots their Guard.
May hee belieue His Word, honor, obey;
Take it, for Compasse in this Worldly Sea,
Make it the Measure of Kings Power, in all,
And counting That of Lawes the principall,
Haue it ay written in his harts deep rooms,
But, as a Prince, not as a Priest becoms.
Vnder th'old Law (now abrogat long since)
One might be both a 
Pontife and a Prince,
For nothing seemed then to hinder them
From matching so Mitre and Diadem:
But now their Functions are diuided far,
And Monkish Kings, now but contemned are:
There Man and Maister but 
Hail-fellow is;
And subiects play the kings, where Kings play Priests.
May He be loyall, constant in sinceritie;
In soule, abhorring lyes, and louing veritie:
That as his Deeds shal (for the most) be Miracles,
So may his Words be altogether Oracles.


[Page 67]Th'Almighty grant, that during all His daies,
All sparks be quencht which Factions wont to raise;
For, for the most (to double Miserie)
There be Two Kings where two great Factions be.
But, if there should (which God forbid) succeed
Such Mischiefs heer (as heer-to-fore there did)
May Hee not want sound Counsailes happy Light,
To guide him in his Fathers steps aright:
Who, reauing th'eldest Emperors their Palmes,
Suddainly turnd such Tempests into Calmes,
By Means so milde, that it was rather thought
By heav'nly Hap, then humane Wisedom wrought.
But, were it Wisedome, were it Happiness,
Match He our 
Wishes, and His 
Wise success:
Th'one of Himselfe, th'other from Heav'nly hand,
That Peace may prosper ouer all his Land.
I know that Princes beeing born for th'Arts
Which Coūsails, Camps, & Dangers schoole imparts,
The Books most needfull and peculiar Theirs,
Are 
Politiques, of State, & State-affaires.
But, sith so few yeers doe our 
Age comprise,
That euen the greatest of the greedy-Wise,
Should know but little, if no more they knew
Then from Experience of one 
Age they drew:


[Page 68]That He, at once, may see all Accidents
Of all 
past Ages, with his own's Euents;
May Hee propose & set before his eyes
The goodly Tables of all Histories;
And there contempling all the true Records
Of other Monarchs, mighty States, and Lords,
Obserue their Acts, their Counsails, their Discourse,
All (notable, or rare) in all their Course;
Both what to follow there, and what to shun,
And whether Fame or Shame their liues haue won:
May He there glasse himselfe, & mark it brim,
Whether the same shall not be said of Him.
For heer, Our 
Verses smoothly sing and smile,
But 
History will 
hisse, in other stile:
And Kings that heer haue been compar'd to Gods,
Entombed once, though vnder golden Clods,
If in their Liues they haue deseru'd it, first;
Shall hear their Names torn, and their Fames accurst▪

What may 
I add vnto These Wishes 
more?

No more but This; that All heere wisht before,

And All presaged of the DOLPHIN 
heere,

Concur in CHARLES: 
that all His Parts appeer

A liuing Picture of all Parts of Worth

Of all those Worthies 
whence Hee takes his Birth:


[Page 69] 
That gracious Heau'ns (which promise euen as much)

In all These Vertues daign to make Him such,

That really hee giue royall Assent

To all the Acts 
of Vertues PARLIAMENT:

That in his Turn, the Ages after Vs,

May finde, and know him for PANARETVS:

And, sith That Name 
must needs Immortall bee,

That no prophane hand blurr His History:

But some sweet Daniell, 
or some sacred Hall,

Or ciuill Hayward, (
milde-maiestike, all)

With purest faith, 
in a peculiar stile,

A glorious Work 
of His great Works 
compile:


 [...]r, if that Any of more worthy Skill-is,

Bee He the HOMER 
to This new ACHILLES,
GREAT BRITANS 
great Hope of Great Hap to-come;

Phoenix arising from a Phoenix Dust:


 [...] whom the Heav'ns (as mercifull, as iust)

Restore our great losse, in Great HENRIE's 
Toomb.


 [...] Long, long and Happy (in thy Brother's 
roome)


 [...]ucceed Thou CHARLES, 
euer as Good as Great:


 [...]eriving, old, to Thy old Fathers 
Seat,


 [...]ise, Great, Good STVARTS, 
till the Day of Doome.

Which while I pray, sweet Prince, vouchsafe a space


 [...] read and rue Your humble Bead-mans 
Case.


[Page 70]HEer (like LEANDER in the 
Hellespont)
Tost in a Tempest, in the darkest Night,
Distract with Feares, divorced from the sight
Of My 
High Pharus which to guide me wont:
Spying 
Böotes in your HIGHNES Front,
For life I labour towards your hopefull Light
(May neuer Care beclowd that Beam so bright,
Come neuer Point of least 
Eclipse vpon't)
Yet, though (alas) your gracious Rayes haue show'
 [...]
My wracked limbes a likely way to land:
Vnlesse (by Others Help, or by your Own)
The tender Pitty of your Princely hand
Quick hale mee out, I perish instantly,
Hal'd-in againe by 
Sixe that hang on 
Mee.


[Page 71]SIxe-times already, ready euen to faint,
With grievous Waight of guiltless Want opprest,

 [...]ARTAS and I haue bow'd, and vow'd our best

 [...]efore the 
Altar of our 
Souerain Saint:

 [...]nd yet, the Eare that heareth euery Plaint;

 [...]he Heart that pitties euery poore Distrest;

 [...]one (alas!) seems Deafe to My Request;

 [...]nd only, is not moou'd with My Complaint.

 [...]et must I needs (NEED still importunes so)

 [...]portune still, till some milde Soule relent:

 [...]ut (vnder Heav'n) no Help, no Hope, I know,

 [...]ue YOV alone, my Ruine to preuent:
YOV onely may, 
Novv onely, if at all:
Past Help, past Hope, If 
Now YOV faile, I fall.

Your Highnes's most humbly deuoted, and obseruant Seruant, Iosuah Syluester.

BETHVLIANS Reſcue.TH …

[Page]

BETHVLIANS Rescue.

THE

Wonder of Widowes:
Honor of Wiues:
Mirror of Mayds.

Translated, & Dedicated To The Soveraine of Women, ANNE Queene of Great-Britan.

By IOSVAH SYLVESTER. 1614.

[Page]

TO The right-right Honorable LADIES, • Lucie, Mar [...]hioness of Winchester. , • Lucie, Countess of Bedford. , • Anne, Countess of Dorset. , • Frances, Countess of Exeter. , • Frances, Countess of Hartford. , • Katherin Countess of Salisbury. , • Susan, Countess of Montgō. , • Barbara. Vi-Countess Lisle. , • Elizabeth, Vi-Countess Haddington. , • Elizabeth, Vi-Countess Fenton. , • Sara, Baroness Zouch. , • Margaret, Baroness Wotton. , • Honoria, Baroness Hay. , • Eliza. Baroness Knowlis. , • Eliza. Baroness Cavendish. , and • Iane, Baroness Roxborough.

MIrrors of HONOR, Models of Perfection,

Lowe, to You all, bowes the BETHVLIAN Dame;

Beseeching All, but chiefly, You, by Name,

To daign her grace and place in your Affection:

You Noblest Lights, whose Vertues bright reflection,

Rare-richly sparkles euery-way some flame

(Diuerse in Form; in Vertue still the Same)

On Obiects vvorthy of your Worth's Election:

Your kinde Address Shee craues, your sweet Direction

Towards the Presence of Your Souerain DAME,

Whose High Endowments, by the Trump of Fame,

[...]nvite All Vertuous vnder Her Protection;

Which, IVDITH humbly prayes You, pray, for Her:

And, milde interpret Her Interpreter.

[...]

[...]

[...]

[...]

[Page]

[Page]

BETHVLIANS Rescue.


THE FIRST BOOKE.I Sing the 
Vertues and the valiant Deed
Of th' 
Hebrew Widow, that so brauely freed

Bethulian Doores from 
Babylonians Dread;
And with iust Fauchin did behead their Head.
Thou, that to saue from 
Pagans seruile Rigor,
Thine 
Isaac's Heires, didst steele with manly vigor
Weake IVDITH'S hart, my feeble hart advance;
Raise, raise my Thoughts in high & holy Trance:
Vpon my Spirit, ô! let thy Spirit reflect:
Grant I may handle in a stile select
So sacred Stuff; that whoso reads This 
Story,
May Profit reap, I Comfort, and Thou Glory.


[Page 78] 
And You, 
great Comfort 
of Great-Britan's King,

Whose Vertues 
heere I vnder IVDITH 
sing;

Thrice-royall ANNE, 
vouchsafe auspicious Rayes

Of Princely Fauour 
on These Pious Layes
(
Composed first vpon a Queen's 
Command,

Disposed next into a Queen
's owne hand,

Transposed now 
to a more Queen's 
Protection:

As most peculiar 
to all Queen's 
Perfection.)

Great-gracious Lady, let it not distaste,

That IVDITH 
made not (as she ought) more haste

To kisse Your 
Hands; nor deeme, nor doubt, the worst,

Though Shee 
haue seen Your Royall Spouse 
the first:

It was her Truch-man, 
much against Her minde,

Betrayd her so, to goe against Her Kinde.

For which Offence, 
with other mo, to Her,

Sh' hath got her now a new Interpreter;

Shee hopes, more faithfull (wishes, more discreet)

To say and lay Her Seruice 
at Your Feet:

To giue DU BARTAS (
at the last) His Due,

In Her behalfe; and in Her, 
honour You.
While 
Israel a happy 
Peace inioyd,
And, dangerlesse, with diligence imployd
The fruitfull Soile, which 70. yeeres vnsow'n
Had ly'n before, with Thistles over-grow'n;


[Page 79]The Lord, Who often, by some Stroak seuere
Of iust Correction, 
vvakes his Owne (for feare
Least too-long Resting make them like the Horse,
Which standing still too-long, doth lose his Force,

 [...]orgets to manege; and too-pampred, growes
Vnruly, restiue; and his Rider throwes)
Covers their Country with so huge an Hoste,
That clowds of 
Arrowes darkned all the Coast,

Pikes, Bills, and 
Darts, seem'd, as they stirr'd, or stood,
A moouing Forest, or a mighty Wood:
And, of all sorts of Souldiers, rankly-rude,
Vnder their Ensignes marcht such multitude,
As euen drew dry the Rivers where they past
Through rich 
Iudea; so that, at the last,
Cleer 
Iordan's Selfe, in his dry oazie Bed,
Blushing for shame, was fain to hide his head;
Because (flat Bankrupt) hee no more could pay
One Tribute-stream, of all hee ought the Sea.
The sun-burnt Reaper had yet scarcely rid
The ridged Acres of their richest Weed:
The needie Gleaner had scarce gatherd clean
The scatterd Ears the Binder lest, to glean:
And scarce, as yet, the Flayls vpon the Floors
Began to groan: When 
Iacob at his Doors,


[Page 80]Sees HOLOFERNES his weak Frontires spoile;
In bloudy Rivers drowne his fertile Soile;
Not sparing fel the tender Female-kind,
Nor hoarie haires (already short confin'd)
Nor Sucklings, swaddled in their Mothers arms,
From insolence of his insulting Arms.
Then, as a Flock of Sheep, which sees their Foe
Come forth a Wood (who oft hath scar'd them so)
Minds no Defence; but scudding to be gone,
Makes, in an instant, hundred Flocks of one:
Th'
Isaacians seazed with a suddain Feare,
Thinking his Hoast behind them euery where,
Disperst and scatterd (like those silly Sheep)
Fly into Woods, in Rocks & Caues they creep.
Th'affrighted Swains, neglecting Fields & Flocks,
To saue their liues, clime steepest Hills & Rocks:
Artificers, leauing their Tooles to play,
Gain-greedy Chap-men, laying Trades away,
Hie them to hide them, in securer sort
In mossie Caues, then in a martiall Fort.
And greatest Lords hold Denns of Wolues & Bears
A safer Hold, then Gold-lyn'd Walls of theirs.
Feare, lending wings to th'Aged, makes them ply
With lustie speed vp to the Mountains nigh:


[Page 81]Feare makes the Mothers, all forlorn and lost,
Lug their deer Cradles to the Clowds almost:
Fear makes the Children (like so many Lambs)
Craule on all foure after their dabbled Dams:
Ther's nothing heard but hideous Cryes & Plaints,
Sad Lamentations, pitifull Complaints.
O Lord! (say they) wilt thou, for euer, Thus
Thrill down the Darts of thy fierce Wrath on vs?
Shall the 
Chaldéan Idolists again
Thy Chosen Flock in seruile Yoak enchain?
Shall our sad Houses, turnd to Heaps of stone,
With Weeds & Thorns again be ouer-grow'n?
Shall sacrilegious Fire again presume
Thy sacred House, thine Altar, to consume?
But 
Ioachim, High-Priest of God, that tide,
And of the 
Hebrews then the chiefest Guide,
Followes the stout and expert Pilots guise,
Who, when hee sees a suddain Storm arise,
Adds not more Fear, with His Fear, to his fellowes,
Nor leaues his Ship to mercy of the Billowes;
But, hiding his distrust, opposes braue
His Arm and Art against the Winde and Waue:
For, quick dispatching (hourely) Post on Post,
To all the Coverts of the Able-most


[Page 82]For Pate, Prowes, Purse; commands, prayes, presses them
To come with speed vnto IERVSALEM.
Since first th'
Eternall gaue his sacred Law,
Vpon Mount 
Sinai (in so dreadfull Awe)
Th'
Ark, which contained, in 
Two leaues of stone,
Much more sound 
Wisdom, in it selfe alone;
Then subtile 
Greece, or 
Rome (renownd for 
Wise)
In Worlds of Volumes euer could comprise;
Wandred from Tribe to Tribe, from Race to Race,
Throughout all 
Iury, without Resting-place,
Yea, somtimes too (ô too audacious Theft!)
The sacrilegious 
Philistins it reft:
Till th'happy day when 
Iesse's holy Stem
Lodg'd it for euer, in IERVSALEM.
But, sith as yet, great 
Dauids hands were red
With bloud of Thousands he had slaughtered;
The King of 
Peace would haue a peacefull Prince
In Peacefull dayes, with all Magnificence
To build his TEMPLE; whose high Battlement
Seemd Earth to scorn, & threat the Firmament,
Till th'hapless Day wherein a hatefull King,
(In name and nature, iust resembeling
This 
Tyrant's Lord) with execrable Blaze,
Did burne it downe, & the Foundation raze.


[Page 83]A long-while after, 
Abr'ham's sacred Stems,
Returnd from Shores of Tyrant 
Tygris streams;
Beset with Fears, with Perill, and with Pain,
Re-builded Heer God's glorious House again.
Which, though (alas!) That first no more it matcht,
Then a Kings 
Palace a poore 
Cottage thatcht;
In Bignes yet, Beauty, and Height, obscur'd
All Pagan 
Wonders which most Fame procur'd:
Th' 
Assyrian Queen-king's (sometime) sumptuous 
Bowers,
Th'
Ephesian Temple, the 
Egyptian Towers,
The 
Pharians Pharus, Carians costly 
Toomb,

Rhodes high 
Colossus, the huge 
Heaps of Rome.
For, for admired 
Art, This glorious TEMPLE
Seru'd 
Ctesyphon for 
Model and Example;
Lent rare 
Apelles curious Pensill Light,
And led 
Lycippus cunning Chizel right.
Thither, by Troops, th'
Isaacian Tribes deuout,
Returnd to 
Salem, flock from all about:
As, when the Heav'ns, opening their Sluces wide,
Poure suddain Showers, surrounding euery side;
The gurgling Rills with rapid Course descend
From sundry Hills, and to some Riuer tend.
But, sad-sweet IVDITH in the midst (almost)
Shined as 
Cynthia 'mid the 
Nightly Hoast:


[Page 84]For, God (it seem'd) her Beauties Form had cast
In rarest Mould of Nature (first or last).
Th'
High Primate then, assisted with the Ligne
Of 
Eleazar (Priests, whose sacred Crine
Felt neuer Razor) on his oyled head
A pearly Mitre sadly settelled;
His sacred Body also soon hee heals
With sacred Vesture, fring'd with golden Bells:
Then burns for 
Offring, slayes for 
Sacrifice,
Kidds, Lambs, Calues, Heifers, in abundant wise:
Th'horns of the Altar with their blood bedying,
And lowely-lowd, thus to th' Almighty crying:
Wee come not heer, ô dreadfull Lord of Hoasts,
To plead a Roule of 
Meritorious Boasts;
Nor to protest, that, in these Punishments,
Thou wrongst thy 
Iustice, and our 
Innocence:
No; wee confesse, our foule and frequent Crimes
Worthy worse Plagues then These, a thousand times;
Could'st thou forget Thy deer authentik 
Pact
With 
Abraham, or would'st thou (so exact)
Forcing thy 
Mercy in thy 
Iustice Scale,
Our Waight of Sins with Iudgements countervaile.
Remoue our Cause, wee therefore (Lord) intreat,
From 
Iustice Barr, vnto thy 
Mercy-Seat:


[Page 85]O! holy Father, pardon vs (wee pray)

 [...]nd turn from vs this fearfull Storm away.
Alas! vvhat boots vs, that thy mighty hand

 [...]ath brought vs home from 
Tigris hatefull strand,

 [...]ree from the Yoak, which wee so long (before)

 [...]nder th'
Assyrian cruell Tyrants bore;

 [...] these fat Fields, we haue but new re-tild,

 [...] these faire Frames, we doe but now re-build,

 [...] these (ô Dolor!) our deer louing Wiues,
Our Babes, Sons, Daughters (deerer then our liues)

 [...]ust serue the 
Chaldés, Ammonites for 
Pay,

 [...]nd be the 
Persians, and fel 
Parthians Prey;

 [...]f This thine Altar, if these hallowed rooms,

 [...]e re-profan'd with Heathen 
Hecatombs?
O! if thou wilt not pittie Vs, abhord;
At least, be Iealous of Thy 
Glory, Lord:
At least, haue pitty on This 
Holy Place,
Where, to no God, but to IEHOVA'S 
Grace,

 [...]s 
Incense burnt, nor any 
Sacrifice,
But to thy Selfe, of all the Deities.
Lord! therefore turn, ô turn the 
Chaldean Torches
From these rich Cedar 
Roofs, these stately Porches:
Preserue these 
Plates, this pretious 
Furniture,
From sacrilegious Pilferers impure.


[Page 86]And let our Sorrow, and our Sacrifice,
Vnto thy 
Iustice, for our Sinnes suffice.
The Seruice done, Each doth his way depart,
And 
Ioachim instantly calls apart
The States of 
Iuda, and thus, sadly-sweet,
Consults with Them, how with this Storm to meet.
Graue 
Peers (said he) if your braue Zeale, of old,
Be not quight quenched, be not yet key-cold:
If Care of Wiues, if tender Childrens loue,
Had euer Power Your Soules deer Soules to moue:
If in your Brests rests any noble Worth,
Now, now or neuer, bring it brauely forth:
For, but God aide, and your auspicious Speed,
Wee are vndone, Wee & our wretched Seed:
And neuer more shall the Immortall see
This Altar 
Smoaking to His 
Maiestie.
While th' Aire is mute, so that it scarce can make,
In Summer dayes, an Aspen leafe to shake:
While Seas be calm, so that, with Streamers braue,
A thousand Saile slide on the sleeping Waue:
While all the Winds be mew'd vp in their Cell;
'Tis hard to say, which Pilot doth excell.
But, when a Tempest, one-while sinks a Ship
Down to the Bottom of th'infernall Deep;


[Page 87] 
 [...]nother-while, with swelling Fury driuen,

 [...]ilts with her Tops against the Stars of Heav'n;

 [...]aking a Shelfe now, and a Rock anon;

 [...]hen, and but then, is a Good Maister know'n.
Therefore (alas!) let now no carnall Care,
Of goods, liues, honors (for your priuate Share)
Make you forget your Common-Country's Loue,
This 
Sacred Place, th'Honor of GOD aboue:

 [...]ut humbly all into His hands resigning
Your Soules whole Sway, & all your Spirits refining

 [...]n sacred Flame, from Drosse & Mists impure,
Which too-too-oft the cleerest Eyes obscure;

 [...]dvise (I pray) the best, in likely-hood,
Most pleasing God, most for the Publique Good.
An aged Traytor then, whose breath distill'd

 [...]weet Hony Words, whose brest with Gall was filld,
Wringing false Tears from his dissembling Eyes,
His cursed Drift did in These Terms disguise:
My Spirits faint, my Speech doth faile me quight,
My frostie haires for horror stand vpright,
When I consider how This Tyrant fel,
With Bloud-floods drowning where he coms to quel,
Drawes neer Vs; threatning to our Houses Flames,
Death to our Selues, dishonor to our Dames:


[Page 88]But, when (on th'other side) to minde I call
This mighty Princes milde Receipt of All
(Not only such, as, rude and Reason-less,
Serue (like him Self) dumb Idols, Blocks, & Beasts:
But such, as, matching our 
Zeal's holy Heighth,
Are 
Abrah'ms Seed, both in their Flesh and Faith;
Which wisely haue (and timely) turn'd (submiss)
The deadly Edge of his drad Vengeances:
I praise the Lord for such a Foe; so meek
To yielding Lambes, to Lyons Lyon-like;
As flexible to humble Tears, as fel
To Resolutions that (in vain) rebell.
Sith therefore, yet we may haue Choise (for 
Iurie)
Of War, or Peace; his Fauor, or his Furie;
Winking in Dangers, let's not Wilfully
Follow our Fathers stubborn Sur-
 [...]uidry:
But, striking Saile in such Storms violence,
Let's liue secure vnder so good a Prince.
Yet, 
None miss-take, that I this Counsaile giue,
To saue My Stake, as one too-fain to liue:
Alas! my Years are of them Selues of age
To 
dye alone, without 
Assyrians Rage;
Without the help of their keen Dart or Pole,
To launce my Hart, or to let out my Soule:


[Page 89]Where, were my Youth's Spring now re-flowr'd again

 [...]nd heateful blood boyling in euery vein,

 [...]y 
Zeale to 
GOD, and to my Country's Good

 [...]hould shew me well no Niggard of my Blood,

 [...]ight (
Samson-like) My Death bring Death to all

 [...]he 
Pagan Hoast and their proud General.

 [...]ut, more I feare, least, with a Zeal too-Yong,
We, fighting for the Law, the Law impugne;

 [...]nciting so the Soldiers Insolence,

 [...]censing so the Fury of the Prince,

 [...]hat they by Conquest of one Day vndoo

 [...]eer 
Izrael, and drown 
GOD's Glory too.

 [...]or, 
Wee bereft, What People, in 
This Place,

 [...]ruely-religious, shal implore His grace;
Who, of all Nations that dispersed Wun

 [...]rom Shores of 
Indus, to the 
Setting Sun;

 [...]nd from the farthest 
Hyperborean Coasts,

 [...]o those whose Clime continual Summer roasts,

 [...]ath chosen only 
Iacob for his Owne,

 [...]nd on 
This Mount His drad-deer 
Glory showne?
But, good old 
Cambris (else the mildest Prince)

 [...]roanes, griev'd and pale with Passions vehemence;

 [...]nd, interrupting That, with This Discourse

 [...]artens the heartless Peers and Counsellors:


[Page 90]Rather, ô Earth (for which our Earthlings strive)
Gape vnder me, and swallow Me alive:
Rather, iust Heav'ns, with sulphury Fire and Fume
(As 
Sodom yerst) Mesodainly consume,
Then I should (Saint with-out, within Malitious)
Give 
Izrael a Counsail so pernicious.
Were it, the Head of this inhumane Band
Meant but our Bodies only to command,
Though with our Birth, to this faire Light we brought
Sweet 
Liberty (so sweet and deer, that nought,
No Hopes, no Heaps may be compar'd to it:)
The TEMPLE sav'd, I might perhaps submit.
But, sith this Tyrant, puft with foolish Pride,
With heavier Gyves to load our Soules (beside)
Which (only Vassals of the 
Thunder-Thrower)
Nor knowe, nor owe, to Any Sceptres lower;
Would that (forgetting Him who made vs All,
And of all People chose vs principall,
And fatherly provides vs every thing,
And shields vs ay with Shadow of his wing)
We take for 
GOD, His proud ambitious Prince,
Who 
Nimrod-like, with hellish Insolence,
Would climbe to Heav'n, although his life be such,
As merits not the Name of Man, by much.


[Page 91] 
 [...]s beard him boldly, bravely frand we to't,

 [...]s against Arms, Man to Man, Foot to Foot.


 [...]tory lies not in vain-glorious hearts,

 [...]mber of Horses, nor of Pikes, and Darts:

 [...]ese be but Instruments th'Eternal moves,
crown with Conquest whom his Goodnes loves.
Yet, should the Lord now suffer Heathen's rage

 [...] over-run his sacred Heritage,

 [...]ause in life his Name we so dishonor;
Death, at least, in Death, let's doo him Honor:

 [...]d, if we cannot 
Assur over-come,

 [...]'s win, by 
Patience, Crowns of 
Martyrdom.
And, could our Foes (as fel as 
Lestrygons)

 [...]m off the Earth extirp our Tribes at-once;

 [...]cy could not though 
GOD's glorious Name interr

 [...]s these Apostates falsly would inferr).

 [...], He that with so sundry Nations stor'd

 [...]vnpeopled World, from one Man; and restor'd

 [...]g after that) by one smal Bark, the waste

 [...]e 
Flood had made, when it had All defac't;

 [...]ot He able even of stones to raise
People Zealous of his glorious Praise?

 [...]ot He able once again to ope

 [...]d 
Sara's Wombe, and giue her Spouse (past hope)


[Page 92]More Sonnes, then Sands on 
Lybian shores be cast,
By ruffling 
Boreas, lowd, Cloud-chasing Blast;
Or twinkling Spangles nightly brightly roule
On sabled Circles of the whirling Pole:
Which, with more sacred Voice, more humble Awe,
Shall sound his Praises, and observe his Law?
Then rather, Fathers (foule befall You else)
Let vs die 
Hebrews, then live 
Infidels.
Let's not preferre, too-base, and too-too-blame,
Profit to Duty, idle Feare to Shame.

Cambr
 [...]s Oration was no sooner done,
But all th' Assembly (as all ioyn'd in one)
Confirm'd His Counsail both with voice & gest:
And 
Ioachim, (Ioy-rapt, above the rest)
Lifting to Heav'n-ward reverent hands and face,
Said, Lord wee thank thee, that thy speciall grace
Hath steeld our hearts, and linkt our Wils no less:
A hopefull Signe of happy good Successe.
Then, to the Princes he the Charge commits
Of Townes and Provinces, as Each befits:
Least any, spurr'd by Envie or Ambition,
In 
Izrael should kindle new Sedition.
So, Each with-drawes, and bravely-bold prepares
To front the worst that martial Fury dares.


[Page 93]Who th'
Aristaean busie Swarmes hath seen

 [...]n 
Hybla's Top; Whether, with Launcets keen,

 [...]arging the Drones which over-neer their homes

 [...]ome humming out to rob their fragrant Combes:

 [...]hether, collecting their delicious Deaw

 [...]om various 
Thyme, and other Flowers not few:

 [...]hether, extending, in rare 
Symmetrie,

 [...]ith wondrous Art, their 
Waxen Canapey;

 [...]nd arching even, so many Thousand Cells,

 [...] quick, so thick; so like, as Nothing else:

 [...]hether, conducting their too-ful Supplies

 [...]-where, to plant their goodly 
Colonies;

 [...]hich keep, still constant, in their new Plantation,

 [...]heir Mother Citie's Manners, Lawes, and Fashion:

 [...]th seen the 
Iewes as busie Diligence,

 [...]nd quick Desire to put them in Defence.
Some stop the Breaches made by Art or Age;

 [...] the Heav'ns anger, or the Heathens rage:

 [...]me, least the Ram, butting with boisterous Fals,

 [...]ould pash to powder their too-feeble Wals,

 [...]ith Bastions, Bulwarks, Rampiers, Ravelins, Forts,

 [...]nk on all sides their Cities where imports:

 [...]me to and fro trudging with Baskets fill'd,

 [...] places needfull sodain Sconces build:


[Page 94]Some wanting time, or meanes their Town to wall,
With broad deep Trenches soon begirt it all:
And from a River neer they cut a Rill
The hollow bosome of their Dike to fill.
While Armorers, in order, beating quick
Hot sparkling Steel on Anvils hard and thick,
Transform it soon to Corslets, Curtellaxes,
Helms, Gorgets, Gantlets, Bills and Battail-axes;
And some, for need (to furnish and set-out
Th'vntrained Shepheard, Neatheard, and the Lowt)
Ground the ground-slycing Coultar to a Blade,
And of the Sickle a straight Weapon made:
None Yong and healthy took Repast or Rest:
One on his back, another on his Beast,
Others in Waggons carryed-in apace
Corn, Wine, and Food to some importing Place:
Even so, in Summer (as the 
Wise-man tels)
Th'Emmets by Troupes haste frō their hollow Cels
To get-in Harvest, graving where they gone
Their Diligence even in a path of Stone:
The lustiest Swarmes for their Provision range,
The sick and old wait at their thrifty Grange
T'vnloade the Burthens, and lay-vp their Store
In their great Garnier, byting yet before


[Page 95]Of every Graine, least kept so warme belowe
Amid the Molde, it after sprout and growe.
The end of the first Booke.

[Page]

BETHVLIANS Rescue. THE SECOND BOOKE.NOw 
Holefernes, in the 
Scythik Fort
Had pight his Standards; and in various Sport
His Youthfull 
Pagans did them still delight;
Nought less expecting then Affront, or Fight:
When he had newes, The 
Iewes stood brauely out,
Defy'd his Pride, and fortifi'd about.
Shall then (said He) shall then a sort of Slaves,
A sort of Clownes & Shepheards, arm'd with Staves,
With Slings and Stones, presume to stop the Course
Of Mine exploits: Which, nor the roaring source
Of rapid 
Tigris and swift 
Euphratés,
Nor snowie Tops of 
Taure and 
Niphatés,
Conspir'd, could stay? You Chiefs of 
Moabites,
Of valiant 
Ephraim and fierce 
Ammonites;
You that as Neighbours (having long converst)
Knowe all the Nations on these Hills disperst,
Say, from what People had they their Descent?
What lies their Strength in? What's their Gouernmēt?
For, He that wisely knowes his Foe (they say)
Hath, in a manner gotten half the Day.


[Page 97]Then 
Ammon's Prince, bending his humble knee,
Thus to the 
Duke reply'd right prudently
(For though in hart a 
Pagan, born and bred;
Against his Minde, his Tongue diuinely led
By that same Spirit which did the Seer compell,
Which came to curse, to blesse his 
Izrael;
Of th'
Hebrewes State did such Relation make,
As if in Him 
Moses and 
Esdras spake;)
My Lord, I shall, sith You so please, recite
Th'
Isacians Story; and will follow right
Th' ingenious Bees, which wont not to devoure
All Sweet they meet, nor suck of every Flower;
But even of those they chuse, take but the Crops.
This People (Sir) vpon the Mountaine Tops
Encamped heer, originally came
From forth the Loines of famous ABRAHAM,
Who, to obey the GOD of Gods, most High
Maker of All; of All Support, Supply;
Came to 
This Countrey (then, in Occupation
Of 
Cananites, the rich and native Nation)
Where that same GOD not only heaps with Gold
And Goods, his House; but also (though He old
An hundred years; a third part lesse, his Wife;
And, till that season, barren all her life)


[Page 98]Sent him a Son: swearing, His seed should sway
Trivmphant Sceptres many, many-a-day:
But, when good 
Abraham's old-old Age expects
This happy Promise in the sweet effects,
Th'Immortal Voice (ô pitious Mysteries!)
Commands that He his ISAAC sacrifice.
Euen as a Ship vpon the raging Sea
Between Two Windes Cross-tossed every-way,
Vncertain, knowes not in what Course to set-her,
Till one of them, striving to get the better,
Doubles his bellowes, and with boisterous blast
Driues her (at random) where he list, at last:
So, th'
Hebrew, feeling in-ward War (that season)
T'wixt Loue and Duty, betwixt Faith and Reason;
Doubts what to doo; and his Perplexities
Leane now to that hand, and anon to this:
Til th'heav'nly love he ought his GOD had won
The earthly love he bore his only Son.
Then, having ready Fire and Fagot laid,
And on the Altar his deer Son displayd;
The knife he drawes with trembling hand, and had
Even heav'd his arme about to strike the Lad,
When GOD, in th'instant staies the Instrument
Ready to fall on th'humble Innocent:


[Page 99]As satisfied with so sufficient Trial
Of 
Abraham's Faith; to Him his GOD so loyal.
From ISAAC, IACOB; & from IACOB sprung

Twelue sturdy 
Sons; who, with sore Famine wrung,
Forsaking 
Canaan, for a great-good-while
Had happy Biding by the Banks of 
Nile:
Where their blest Issue multiply'd so fast,
That they became th'
Egyptian's Feare, at last:
Yea, though (alas!) their bodies had no rest,
And though their backs with burthens were opprest;
Like noble Palm-Trees, mounting stiflly-strait,
The more, the more they be surcharg'd with waight.
Therfore the Tyrant which then held the Raines
Of that rich Soile where sad Heav'n never raines,
Commands that all male 
Hebrew Infants found
(Poore Innocents!) be quickly kill'd, or drown'd,
As soon as Wombes had them delivered;
That one same day might see them born and dead.
O Tigre! thinkst thou? thinks that Rage of thine
To cut-off quite 
Isaac's Immortall Ligne?
Well may it reave the scarce-born Life of those
New-hatched Babes, and them of Light fore-close:
But notwith-standing, 
Iacob's swarming Race
Within few Years shall cover 
Canaan's Face;


[Page 100]And, thine owne Issue even the first shall be
To break (and iustly) thine vniust Decree.

Pharao's faire Daughter, with a noble Train,
For Blood and Beauty rarely matcht again,
One Evening, bathing in the Crystall Brook
Which thorough 
Gossen crawls with many a Crook,
Heares in the reeds a ruefull Infants voyce;
But thinking it some of the 
Hebrewes Boyes
(As'twas indeed) her Fathers bloody Law
Stopt for a while her tender cares with Awe.
But, at the last, marking the Infants face
(I woat not what vnvsuall Tracts of Grace
And Types of Greatnes sweetly shining there)
Love vanquisht Duty, Pity conquer'd Feare:
For, She not only takes him vp from thence,
But brings him vp, and breeds him as a Prince,
Yea, as Her owne. O Babe belov'd of God!
O Babe ordain'd to lighten th'
Hebrew's Load!
To lead their Bodies, to direct their Mindes:
First, best, most, Wrighter, in all sacred Kindes:
Thou hadst but now no Mother (to be seen)
And now for Mother, Thou hast found a Queen.
Lo, thus (my Lord) could their wise 
God extract
Good out of Euill, and convert the act


[Page 101]Of Persecution (bent against the blood
And Life of His) vnto their greater good.
So 
Ioseph's Brethren, by their Envious Drift
To over-throwe him, to a Throne him lift:
So did proud 
Haman's deadly Hatred lend
Sad 
Mordechay a Ladder to ascend
To Honors Top, and trimd his neck (past Hope)
With gracefull Chain, in steed of shamefull Rope.
One day, this 
Hebrew, driving 
Iethro's Sheep
Vpon Mount 
Horeb (where he vs'd to keep)
Sawe on the sodaine a bright blazing Flame
Burne in a Bush, and yet not burne the same;
From whence, anon he heard (with Fear & Wonder)
A Voice, might shake both Heav'n & Earth in sunder.
I, I that (only) AM-WAS-SHAL-BE, Who
Made All of Nothing; and can All vn-doo,
When pleaseth Me: I-AM, 
The Holy-One.

The Great, The Good, The Iust; Whose hand alone
Sustaines, maintaines, and rules the World: I-AM,

Th' Omni-potent, The GOD of Abraham;

Fierce to my Foes with my 
Revenging Rod,
But vnto Those that worship Me for GOD,
Me sole, and whole in Thought, in Word, & Deed,
Most 
Mercifull; to Them and all their Seed.


[Page 102]Then doo my Will: dispatch thee speedy hence;
Go, say from 
Mee, to that vnhallowed Prince
Which ruleth 
Memphis, and the fertile Plaine
Where swelling 
Nelus serves in steed of Rain,
That he dismisse my People: and least He,
Incredulous, distrust thine Embassie;
Cast-down thy Rod, thy Message to confirm,
It to a Serpent shall eft-soons transform.
He throwes it down, and instantly withall
Sees it begin to live, to move, to craule,
With hideous head before, and tail behinde,
And body wriggling (after Creepers kinde).
Re-take it vp, his 
GOD commands him then;
Which, taken, takes the former Form agen:
And, past Mans Reason (by the power of 
GOD)
Of Rod turns Serpent, and of Serpent Rod.
Arm'd with this Wand, wherewith he was to quel
The sceptred Pride of many an Infidel,
He many a time importunes 
Pharao,
In 
GOD's great Name, to let the 
Hebrews go
Into the Desart, at their liberties
To serve the Lord, and offer Sacrifice.
But 
Pharao, deaf vnto his sacred Word,
Stifly withstands the Message of the Lord:


[Page 103]Who then, by 
Moses working many Miracles,

 [...]uthorized His Orator and Oracles.
First, He not only turned into 
Blood


 [...]ile's seav'n-fold Waves, and every other Flood

 [...]hat fa
 [...]tens 
Egypt; but even every Spring,
Whose captive Crystal, golden Pipes do bring

 [...]o serve the Court: so that the King is forc't
With that 
red liquor to allay his Thirst.
Then, from the Fens, frō puddly Ponds & Lakes,
Millions of Millions of foule 
Frogges he makes

 [...]o cover 
Memphis with their ougly Frie,

 [...]nd not forbeare the Kings owne Canapy.
Then, of all Ages, of all sorts, and sexes,
With burning 
Vlcers, and hot 
Biles he vexes;

 [...]o that th'
Egyptians, in vncessant anguish,
Of vnknow'n Poyson, on their Couches languish:
Nor can their Leaches their owne Leaches be,

 [...]n their vnheard-of, hidden Malady.
Then on their Cattle; Flocks, & Heards, & Droves

 [...]n Downes & Dales, Fens, Forrests, Fields & Groves,

 [...] strong 
Contagion suddainly he spred;
Which took so quickly both their heart and head,

 [...]hat silly Shepheards neer the Rivers side,
Their Cattle dead, sooner then sicke, espi'd.


[Page 104]Then turns the Earths Dust into Swarmes of 
Lice:
Then dims the Aier with dusky Clouds of 
Flies,
Of Drones, Wasps, Hornets, humming day & night
In every place, with every face to fight,
And fixing deep in every 
Pagans skin
Th'vnvsual anger of their steeled Pin.
Then (when appeer'd no Threat of troubled Aier,
No signe of Tempest) at his Servants Prayer
Th'Eternal thundred down such Storms of 
Hail,
As with the noise and stroak did stoutest quail:
Heer falls a Bul, brain'd with a Hail-stones rap;
There sprawles a Childe, split with a Thunder-Clap:
Heer a huge Forrest, lately all a Clowd
Of tufted Armes, hath neither Shade nor Shrowd:
And, if the native Sap again re-suit
The naked Trees with comely Leaues and Fruit,
Again (alas!) the 
Caterpiller crops,
Within few houres, the Husbands yearely hopes.
Then, with gross 
Darknes vailing close the Skies,
He so field-vp stubborn 
Egyptians eyes,
That for three dayes with fearefull foot and hand
They groapt their way (except in 
Gosse
 [...]-Land):
And 
Titan, tir'd in his long Course, for ease,
Se
 [...]m'd then to rest him with th'
Antipodes.


[Page 105]But, as the same Sun, the same instant, makes
The Mud to harden; and to melt, the Wax:
So had These Works, so full of admiration,
On diuerse Subiects, diuerse Operation.
The humble 
Hebrews, GOD'S great hand adore;
But wilfull 
Pharao spurns it more and more:
Euen as a Corselet, when 'tis cold enough,
The more 'tis beaten growes the harder Proofe.
Yet, at the sad Newes of the Prince, His Son,
And all their Heires, all in one Night vndone;
Hee was so daunted, that he early bod
The 
Hebrews goe to serue the Lord their GOD:
Who, in a 
Piller of a Clowd, by Day,
Of 
Fire, by Night; directed right their Way.
But, soon retracting his extorted Grant,
The stubborn Tyrant strangely arrogant,
Arms all his 
Egypt, and in post pursews
The Arm-lesse Legions of the harm-lesse 
Iews,
Then lodg'd secure along the sandy shore,
Where th'
Erythrean ruddy Billowes rore.
Was not such Noise, when, tearing 
Gibaltar,
Th'
Herculean Sea came first to spred so far
Twixt 
Calpe and 
Abyle; nor when 
Oenotrie
Sad-sighing lost her deer neer 
Trinacrie;


[Page 106]As in both Armies: Th'one insulting proud;
Th'other in skriches, & sad cryes, as lowd,
Deafned the Shores: while Fifes, Horns, furious Horse,
With Noise & Neighes, did euen the Welkin force.
Cursed Seducer (cry'd the 
Iewes) what Spight
Moou'd thee to alter our Liues happy plight?
What! are we Fishes, that we heere should swim
Through these deep Seas? Or, are we Fowls to skim
Ouer the steepest of these Mountains tall?
Were there not Graues in 
Egypt for vs all?
In our deere 
Gossen? but wee needs must come
In this 
Red-Sea to seeke our rewfull Tombe?
Yet, mildest 
Moses, with his dead-liue Wand
Strikes th'awfull Streams: which, yielding to his hand,
Discouer Sands the Sun had neuer spy'd;
And Walld the same with Waues on either side:
Between the which (dread-less & danger-less)
The 
Hebrews dry-shod past the 
Crimsin Seas.
But, when the Tyrant rashly them pursues,
Marching the Way was made but for the 
Iewes;
The Sea returns, & over-turns his Force,
Him Selfe, his Men, his Chariots, & his Horse.
O happy People, for whom GOD (so kind)
Arms Fire, & Aire, & Clowds, & Waues, & Wind!


[Page 107]Whō All things serue: which hast All things in Pay.
O! neuer let Time's File to fret away
So rare a Fauour? rather let the Tongue
Of All thine Aged tell it to Their Yong;
They to their Seed, & They to theirs again;
Eternally These Wonders to retaine.
Them, forty yeeres, GOD in the Desart fed
With Angells Food, with a celestiall Bread;
And from a Rock (as dry as Pumice first)
Made Riuers gush, to satisfie their Thirst:
Kept (euen) their Shooes, & all their Garments there,
As good, the last, as the first day they were:
And, sith our Soules will faint for want of Food,
Most liberall in All, for all their Good,
Gaue (on Mount 
Sinai) in his 
Sacred Lawe,

 [...]oule to their Soules, through sharp-sweet filial Awe:
Teaching them all (as dutie All doth binde)
To loue Him first, & next to Him, Man-kinde;
That We might neuer break That sacred Twine
Which Man to Man, & Man to GOD doth ioyne.
Graue 
Moses dead, braue 
Iosuah's rule began;
Whose happy Sword soon conquered 
Canaan;
And in few yeers vnto subiection brings
The Liues and States of one and thirty Kings.


[Page 108]At His cōmand, more powerfull then the Thunder,
The firmest Rocks & Rampires fall in-sunder;
Without the Shock of Tortoise or of Ram,
To batter Breaches where his Armie came:
For, but with bellowing of hoarse Trumps of Horn,
As with an Engine, prowdest Towers are torn:
As at his Beck, the Heav'ns obey his will;
The Fire-foot Coursers of the Sun stand still,
To lengthen Day, least vnder wings of Night,
His 
Heathen Foes should saue themselues by Flight.
This scourge of 
Pagans, in a good old age,
(To liue in Heav'n) leauing this Earthly Stage,

Israel had many Magistrates of Name,
Whose Memories liue euer fresh in Fame.
Who knowes not 
Ahud, Sangar, Samuel,

Debora, Barac, and 
Othoniel?
Who hath not heard of mighty 
Samsons Coile,
Who, sole, and Arm-less, did an Army foile?
What Praise with 
Iephthe's might haue wel compar'd
Had but his Rashnes his deer Daughter spar'd?
What Clime, what Time, what Riuer, Dale, or Down
But rings of 
Gedeon, and his high Renown?
After the 
Iudges; Kings (some good, some bad)
The sacred Helm of th'
Hebrew Vessell had:


[Page 109] 
 [...]ad I their 
Dauid's holy Harp and Skill,

 [...]othing but 
Dauid would I warble still:

 [...]ut as (my Lord) great 
Dauid's Deeds, could none
Yer-while) atchieue, but 
Dauid's Selfe alone;
Can none but 
Dauid's Harp, & 
Dauid's Hymne
Resound aright the Honors due to Him:
will not therefore, with vnworthy Layes,

 [...]eeming to praise him, derogate his Praise.
But, shall I balk his Son, whom Heau'n adorn
With Health, Wealth, Wisdom, & All-Plenties horn:
Whose prudent 
Problems, touching euery Theam,

 [...]raw thousand 
Sophysts to IERVSALEM,

Arabians, Indians, Africans, among;

 [...]hain'd by the Charms of his All-Skilfull Tongue?

 [...]r Him, whose 
Zeale the Idols so defac't;

 [...]e-purg'd GOD'S TEMPLE, & his 
Rites re-plac't?

 [...]r Him, that sawe a heau'nly Hoast descend

 [...]o succour 
Sion, and his Foes offend?

 [...]r Him, whose Army, neer to 
Gerar, yerst,

 [...]roud 
Ethyopians swarming Troops disperst?

 [...]r Him, who praying for Heav'ns aide, to fight
Gainst 
Ammon, Moab, and 
Mount-Sëirite;

 [...]aw, by Them-selues, his sad Request ful-filld,
When, Self-incenst, Them-Selues they enter-killd?


[Page 110]But 
Chaldei's King, by Their's 
Captiuity,
Put (late) an End vnto That 
Monarchy.
Yet did Great 
Cyrus Them again restore
To Liberty; and gaue them furthermore
Leaue to elect Two 
Rulers of their Race:
Whereof the One (who yet supplies the place)
Was 
Ioachim; who, for his holy Life,
Prowesse, and Prudence, is respected rise,
Not sole in 
Sion; but with 
Ammonites,

Syrians, Sydonians, Madians, Moabites,
Thus was (my Lord) the 
Prime, this the 
Progressiō,
Of ISRAEL, through euery Times succession:
And Thus the Lord hath lift them (nigh) to Heau'n
Som-times; som-times, them (euē) to Hel hath driv'n
But, whether 
Princely-Priest, or 
Iudge, or 
King,
Of th'
Hebrew Tribes haue had the Gouerning;
So long as They obseru'd the sacred 
Pact
GOD with their Fathers did by Oath contract;
Ay prosperous, tryumphantly they troad
On proudest Foes: and all the World abroad,
Conspir'd in Spight, could nothing Them annoy,
Much lesse distract them; least of all, destroy:
On th'other side, soon as they haue infreng'd
His Ordinance, their GOD (to be aveng'd)


[Page 111]Hath thrall'd them, now, to cruell 
Moabites,
Anon to 
Edom then to 
Ammonites,
Then 
Philistins: and ay his Wrath hath bin
Heauy vpon them, when they hapt to sin.
If so be therefore, any their Offence
The iealous 
Iustice of their GOD incense;
Mine not their Mounts, nor vndermine their Bowers,
Nor bring thy Rams against their rampir'd Towers,
Nor scale their Walls, nor lead thy Legions,
(With Resolution) to assault them once:
For, let them heap, on 
Carmel Libanus;
On 
Liban, Niphate; there-on 
Emmaus:
Yea, in one Chanel let them muster hither

Indus and 
Rhone, Nilus and 
Rhine togither,

Tiber and 
Iber too, to fence their Coast:
They cannot scape from thy victorious Hoast.
But, if they haue not broke the 
Covenant
Which GOD to 
Abraham & his Seed did grant:
Beware (my Lord) beware how you come neer
This 
holy Nation, to their GOD so deer.
For should swart 
Auster him dispeople quight
To furnish Thee with all His fit to fight:
Should swarming 
Boreas from His vtmost end
All His tall Souldiers to Thy seruice send:


[Page 112]Should 
Zephyrus add to Thy dreadfull Power
His martiall 
Legions, all 
Hesperians Flower:
Should (lastly) 
Eurus send Thee for Supplyes
His Troops which first see 
Phoebus Rayes arise:
All These, all-daring, all-devouring Swarms,
This armed World, or all This World of Arms,
Could neuer conquer (in a thousand yeere)
The least worst, weakest, of these Cities heer;
Because Their GOD will be Their sure 
Defence:
That GOD almighty, whose Omnipotence
Can with a breath confound all Kings that dare
(As Thou doost now) 'gainst Him make open War,
As th'Oceans Billowes swell not by and by,
When (first) the Winds begin to bellow high;
But, first begin to foam, & then to fume,
Higher, and higher, till their Rage presume
To chide the Earth, & check the Welkins Front,
And bandy Hills against the Heav'nly Mount:
Euen so, the Princes of this 
Pagan Rout,
Hearing GOD's prayses, forth-with break not out
In ragefull Furie; but as th' 
Ammonite
Growes in Discourse, so grow they in Despight;
Till at the last, with lowd, proud murmurings,
They euen blaspheme the glorious King of Kings.


[Page 113]Kill (cry they) kill; let's heaw & hale in peeces
The subtile Traytor, that with wylie Speeches,
To saue his 
Hebrews from 
Rhamnusias Rod,
Would fright vs with a false and idle God.
Renowned 
Generall, send but out a score
Of All thy Troops, & they shall soon run-o're
Those rascall Rebells, and reduce them all
Prostrate and humble at Thy feet to fall:
Ah Coward, Villain. But, the Vice-Roy then,
Stopping their lowd outrageous Storms again,
Began him Selfe 
Thus to the 
Ammonite;
O, impudent Impostor! Tell Mee (right)
What Fiend, what Fury hath inspir'd these Spels:
What 
Trevet told thee, or what 
Sybel else
Made thee belieue the 
Syrians shall not quell
Th' 
Isaacian Troop, but stoope to 
Israel,
Whose GOD is but their 
Dream, or 
Fansie vain,
Or meer 
Deuise of MOSES subtile brain;
Neither, of power to giue them Victorie,
Nor, from Our hands to rescue Them nor Thee.
What GOD haue we, but the great King of Kings,
NABVCHADNEZZAR? whose drad puissance rings
O're all the Earth: who couering far & nigh,
The Plains with Horse, Hills with Infanterie,


[Page 114]Shall raze these Runnagates; which, fled from 
Nile,
Haue heer vsurped Others Right, yer-while.
Die therefore, Vilain, die; take the desert
Of thy false Tongue, & of thy treacherous heart.
What said I, fond? No, Dastard, I disdain
My valiant Blade in Thy base bloud to stain:
Thou shalt so quickly not receiue the meed
Of thy disloyall and detested Deed
(For, a quick Death is Wretches blisse, wee know;
Them quickly ridding both of Life and Woe)
But, with thy Dayes thy Dolors to protrack,
Thou shalt from hence vnto 
Bethulia pack,
Where still thou shalt, through infinite dismay,
Vndying, die a thousand times a day;
Vntill, with Those 
invincible (thou saist)
With thousand wounds a wretched End thou hast.
Why tremblest Thou? why doth thy colour faile?
Why seems thy heart for horror so to quaile?
If so Their GOD be GOD (as thou hast vanted)
Now, by thy Face witnesse thy faith, vndanted.
Then, the Lord Marshall, in Authoritie
Vnder the Vice-Roy, not in crueltie,
Transporteth speedy, neer 
Bethulians side
Th'vn-
pagan Pagan, hand and foot fast ty'd;


[Page 115]Leauing His Troops wounded with wondrous griefe
To be depriued of so braue a Chiefe:
Euen so the Puttock in his crooked Serrs
The peeping Chicken through the Welkin bears;
While the poore Dam, below cluk-clucking thick,
Cryes, but in vain, and calls her rapted Chick.
The Citizens, seeing th'approach of Foes,
Soon in 
alarm, them all to Arm dispose;
And, with meet Number of their Men of worth,
And choice Commanders, brauely sally forth;
Faster then Torrents, gushing from the Hills,
Run hopping downe into the lower Fields.
The Foe, retiring to their mightier Bands,
Leaues captiue 
Ammon in the 
Hebrews hands;
Whom with a forced foot, though free in thought,
And Will right willing, to their Town they brought.
Where, round-environd with a curious Crowde,
Lifting to Heau'n his hands and eyes, aloude
Thus hee began: O Thou great GOD, the Guide
Of Heau'n and Earth, and All that is beside;
Whose liuing Spirit (spred in, and over All)
Giues All things Life, Breath, Growth, Originall,
I giue Thee, Lord, a thousand Thanks deuout,
That thou hast daign'd, yer death, to take me out


[Page 116]Of my wilde Stock, to graft me in the Stem
Of th'happy Tree, deaw'd with thy 
Gracious stream;
Which (maugre Blasts, and Blastings, rough & rife)
Of All the Trees, bears onely Fruit of Life.
And, good 
Isacians, for GOD'S sake, I pray
Miss-doubt me not, as comming to betray,
Or vnder-mine by wylie Stratagem,
Your Strength or State; or wrong IERVSALEM.
No: GOD doth knowe, I suffer This, for You,
For witnessing before you wicked Crew,
GOD'S mighty Arm for Your Fore-Fathers shown;
As ready still, to saue and shield his Own:
Feare not therefore Their mighty multitude,
Whose sight (almost) so many hath subdewd.
Nor let their Boasts, nor brauing Menaces,
Kill, quaile, or coole, your holy Courages:
For, should the whole Earth send her Sonnes, in
Against you onely, all to carry Arms;
So that your Trust be fixt in GOD alone, swarms,
Not in an Arme of Flesh, not in your Own:
You shall, no doubt, make ruddy, 
Mocmur's Flood,
With Idolist 
Assyrian Armies blood:
You shall, no doubt, of Fearfull, Fierce become,
Your strong Assailants stoutly over-come.


[Page 117]Th'Almighties hand, so ready bent to smight,

 [...]s, but to humble, not destroy you quight;
And, but to shew you, that in all Distresse,
Hee, onely Hee, can giue you quick Redresse.
As from a Bramble springs the sweetest Rose;
As from a Weed the whitest Lilly growes:
Euen so, diuinest Sighes, deuoutest Teares,
Demurest Life, are Fruits Affliction beares.
For, heere the Faithfull are much like the Earth,
Which, of it Selfe (alas!) brings nothing forth
But Thorns and Thistles, if the Plough she lack,
With daily wounds to launce her bunchie back.
But yet the Lord (who alwaies doth relent,
So soon as Sinners earnestly repent,
And, in his time, his sharp hand doth retire,
And cast, at last, his Rods into the Fire)
Will rid your dangers, and restore you rest,
Euen in an hour, when you can hope it least.
Then, courage, Friends: let's vanquish GOD with Tears;
And then Our Arms shall quickly conquer Theirs,
Their World of Men. And, if as yet in Mee
Rest any Strength; if any Courage bee;
If mine Experience may in ought availe:
If with mine Age, all be not old & fraile:


[Page 118]I vow it all, and All that else is Mine,
To your Defence, and for the 
Law diuine.
The end of the second Booke.

[Page]

BETHVLIANS Rescue. THE THIRD BOOKE.FLame-snorting 
Phlegon's ruddy breath began,
Reducing Day, to gild the 
Indian;
When early wakened with their ratling Drums,

 [...]ach 
Heathen Souldier from his Caban comes,
Takes-vp his Arms, and marching in Array,
Towards 
Bethulia tends the ready way.
In May, the Meads are not so py'd with Flowers,
Of sundry Figures, Colours, Sauors, Powers;

 [...]s was this Hoast, with Squadrons, different

 [...]n Language, Maners, Arms, and Ornament:

 [...]o that th'old 
Châos (Wombe of th'VNIVERSE)
Was neuer made of Members more diuerse.
Yet, heer-in All agreed, for all their Ods,
To warre against th'Eternall GOD of Gods,
Whose breath, whose beck, makes both the Poles to shake,
And 
Caucasus and 
Libanus to quake.
Heer, cold 
Hyrcania's bold & brauing Seed,
Mixt with (Their neighbors) both 
Armenias Breed,
Waue wanton Crests. There 
Parthian Archers try
Backward to shoot, the while they forward fly.


[Page 120]The 
Persian, there, proud of th'Imperiall state,
With golden scales scalops his Armed plate.
Heer woul
 [...] the 
Mede show, that for want of Hap,
Not Heart, He lost His (late) 
Imperiall Cap.
And that, nor Pomp of his too sumptuous Suits;
His painted Cheeks, his 
Phrygik Layes & Lutes;
His crisped Bush, nor his long, borrowed Lock,
Had euer power his Manly mind to smock:

Happy-Arabians, who their Fern-thatcht Townes
Tumble in Tumbrels vp & downe the Downes:
The subtle 
Tyrians, who did first invent,
Our winged words, in Barks of Trees to print:
The men of 
Moab, and the 
Ammonites,
The 
Iduméans, and the 
Elamites,
Learned 
Egyptians: Those that neer confine
The swel
 [...]ng Coasts of swartest 
Abyssine:
In brie
 [...]e; All ASIA was immur'd almost
Within the Trenches of This mighsy Hoast;
Wherein, almost as many Nations clustred,
As th'
Hebrews Armie single Souldiers mustred.
But, of all These, none plagu'd the 
Israelites,
More, then their own Apostate 
Ephraimites;
Who, not to seem of kinne to 
Israel,
Rag'd with more fury, fought more deadly fel.


[Page 121]As, in the Spring time, while a Poole is still,
And smooth aloft, the Froggs lye croaking shrill;
But if the least Stone that a Child can fling

 [...]ut stir the water, straight they cease to sing:

 [...]o, while a happy 
Peace IVDEA blest,
The Constancy of These stood with the best

 [...]mong the Saints; and the Lord's sacred Praise
Was in their mouthes daily and many waies;

 [...]o that they seem'd like burning Lamps to shine
Amid the Flock, devoutly-most-divine:

 [...]ut, at the Noise of 
Holofernes Name,
Their famous Faith nothing but aire became;
Their Mouth is stopt, the 
Zeale they did presume

 [...]o highly hot, is vanisht into Fume.
Nay, turned 
Pagans (for some Profits sake)
They, worse then 
Pagans, their poor Brethren rake.
O! what a Number of such 
Ephraimites

 [...]re now-adayes (Deceitful Hypocrites!)
With-in the 
Church, the while a prosperous winde,
With gentle Gales, blowes faire and full behinde;
Which seem with 
Zeale the 
Gospel to imbrace,
While that it yeelds them either Gain, or Grace:

 [...]ut, if the Chance change; if it hap to puffe

 [...]ut half afront; if 
Shee be faine to luffe;


[Page 122]Faint-hearted, then forth-with they cast about:
And, with th'Almighty playing banque-rout,
With greater Rage his Law they persecute,
Then yerst with 
Zeal they did it prosecute;
And in their Malice growe more fierce and furious,
Then 
Iuliaen yerst, or 
Celsus, or 
Porphyrius.
Soon as the 
Hebrews from their Turrets spie
So many Ensignes waving in the Skie;
And such an Hoast, marching in such Array,
Begirt afarre their Citie everie way:
They faint for dread; not having where to run,
Save to the GOD their Grandsires trusted on.
O Father (cry they) Father of Compassion,
Whose wing is wont to be our strong Salvation;
Sith now against vs all the World doth swarm,
O! Cover vs with thine Almighty arm.
Thus having pray'd, the Careful Gouernour
To Charge his Watches doth him quick bestirre;
And when the Sun in his moist Cabin dives,
With hundred Fires the Day again revives;
Watches himselfe amid the 
Court of Guard;
Walks oft the 
Round: and weens, that over-hard

Phoebe's black Coachman drives his sable Steeds,

Hebrews neer Ruine hasting more then needs.


[Page 123]While, opposite, the 
Pagans think her fast
With her 
Emdymion, in a slumber cast:

 [...]ut, Mens fraile wishes have (alas!) no force,
To hold, or hasten, the Heav'ns settled Course.
Soon as they saw 
Aurora's saffron ray
On their 
Horizon to renew the Day;
The 
Vice-Roy makes a thousand Trumpets sound,
T'assemble all his scatter'd Troops around;
Which from all parts with speedy pases went

 [...]nvironing their Chief-Commanders Tent:

 [...]s round about a Huntsman, in a morn,
The Hounds do throng whē once they hear his horn
Having, in vain, summon'd the Town; he tries
A hundred wayes, it (wrathfull) to surprise:

 [...]eer, th'Enginer begins his 
Ram to rear;

 [...]eer mounts his 
Trepan, and his 
Scorpion there;

 [...]ends heer his 
Bricol, there his boysterous 
Bowe;

 [...]rings heer his 
Fly-Bridge, there his batt'ring 
Crowe:

 [...]esides high 
Timber-Towers, on rowling Feet

 [...]ov'd and remov'd; controlling every Street.
Heer, Pioners are put the Ditch to fill;

 [...]o level Mounts, to make a Hole a Hill:
To play the Moules, to dig a secret way,

 [...]nto the Town their Soldiers to convay.


[Page 124]Heer, others must their Ladders raise the while,
And quick surprise the Sentinels, by wile:
Others must vnder-mine: others a
 [...]pire,
With matter fitting, every Gate to fier.
But the most part stand ready in Array
To give Assault, soon as they see their Way
Made meet and easie by the batterring Thunder
Of all their Engines pashing Wals in sunder.
Tower-tearing 
Mars, Bellona thirsting-blood,
Fill there the faintest with their Furious-mood:
There fierie Steeds, stamping & neighing loud;
There 
Pagans fell, braving and 
 [...]aving provd,
With hideous noise make th'Heav'nly Vault resound,
The Earth to eccho; and even Hell astound.
But He that keeps eternall 
Sentinel
On Heav'ns high Watch-Tower, for His 
Israel;
Pitying his People, alters, in a trice,
The Tyrants purpose, by a new Advise;
Causing the Captaines of brave 
Moabites,
Strong 
Iduméans, and stout 
Ammonites,
Thus to advise: Most noble 
General,
Terror of Kings, redoubted Scourge of All;
We would not wish (my Lord) in any sort,
You bring Your brave Bands to assault this Fort:


[Page 125]For, neither Pike, Dart, Sling, Bow, Sword, nor Shield,
So back the Foe, or make them slack to yeeld;
As these proud Rocks, which, by wise Natures grace,
Rampire the Rampires of this wretched Place:
Which yer You scale, vndoubtedly will cost
Ladders of Bodies; and even Tythe your Hoast.
The Victor is no Victor, if his Gain
Passe not his Losse; nor th'Honor drown the Stain:
Wise-valiant Prince, that Fisher, Fool we hold,
Who for a Gull, venters a Line of Gold:
And, ill doth th'Honor of a Crown beseem
Th'inhumane, bloody, barbarous, Head of Him
Who rather would the Death of many Foes,
Then Life and Safety of one Friend, to chose.
You may (my Lord) you may, with-out Assault,
Or Losse of Man, reduce them all to nought,

 [...]f in you Hillocks you but seize the Springs,
Whence hollow Lead the 
Hebrews Water brings;
Who, so by Thirst distrest, and so put to't,
Will come and cast them haltred at your Foot.
The noble Lion never sets-vpon
Base fearful Beasts, but on the noblest one:

 [...]OVE'S sulphury Darts He seld or never thrils
But on Mount 
Atlas, or the 
Ryphean Hils:


[Page 126]And stormfull 
Auster, ever rather smote
Clowd-cleaving Turrets then a lowly Cote:
No more, no more let your drad Arms assail
So faint a Foe as of himself will quail.
It is not Fear (my Lord) and much less Pittie
(Fear of our Selves, or Favour to the Cittie)
Makes vs oppose vs to Thy Purpose yet:
For, yer that We Thy happy Standards quitt:
For Thee will We defie th'immortal Gods:
For Thee Wee'll breake their Altars all to Clods:
For Thee will We march with vnweary soles,
Beyond the 
Arctik and 
Antarctik Poles:
For Thee will We with winged Arms go fetch
IOVE's Aigle down; and 
Neptun's Trident snatch:
For Thee, the Sonne shall not his Sire forbear,
Nor Sier the Sonne, nor Brother, Brother spare.
The 
General, who for Avail revolves,
Peizes this Counsail; and re-peiz'd, resolves:
Dispatching speedy a selected Force,
To seize the Waters, and divert their Course.
Th'
Hebrews, Their Drift, & their Own Danger see
In that Attempt: so, sally instantly
To stop the Foe from stopping of the Stream
Which should derive Liquor and Life to Them.


[Page 127]Then 
Pagans fighting for ambitious Fame;

Iewes, not to die with vn-revenged Shame;
Bravely incounter with so fel Disdaine,
That now the 
Pagan flyes, now fights againe;
Followes his flying Foe: and now the 
Iew,
Nigh foiled, faints; now doth the Fight renew:
So that faire 
Victory seems long to waver,
As it were, doubtfull whether side to favour:
Till (at the last) th'
Hebrews, all over spread
With Clowds of Shot, back to their Bulwark fled:
Even as a Pilgrim, in the naked Plain
Meeting a Storm of mighty Hail or Rain,
Runs dropping wett some hollow Rock to find,
Or other Covert built by Nature kinde.

Pagans pursue them, and pel-mel among
Enter almost the City in the Throng.
Then every where did dreadfull Noise arise:
From street to street th'amazed Vulgar flyes;
Tearing their haire, beating their brest and face:
As if the Foe had even possest the Place.
Why flie ye Cowards? Whether? Do you knowe?
What Fortress have you, if you This forgoe?
Or, in this Citie seek you for a stronger,
To gard you better, or preserve you longer?


[Page 128]If now (alas!) you dare not beare you stout
Against the Foe, while he is yet with-out;
How will you dare resist his violence,
Were he once Maister of your weak Defence?
The People, chi
 [...] thus by their prudent Chief,
Somewhat re-heart'ned, rescue with relief

Cambris and 
Carmis; who, the while, like Towers,
Had in the Gate withstood th'Assalting Stowers
Of almost all the furious Infidels.
For Lance, a long Mast, either strongly welds,
For Arms an Anvile; each a massie Targe
Of steel about his neck, as long as large:
Adown their shoulders from their Helms did wave
Thick Plumy Clowds of Colours brightly-brave:
Both like, in age, in Courage, Name, and Nature;
Both like, in bulke, both like in Strength & Stature.
Both, like Two Popplars which (on either side
Some silver Brook) their tressie Tops do hide
Amid the Clowds; and shaken by the Winde,
Oft kiss each other, like Two Brethren kinde.
The 
Heathen, seeing still fresh Troops descend
From every side, the City to defend;
Leave-off their On-sett: and, welnigh disbanded,
Gladly retreat whether their Heads commanded.


[Page 129]When I consider the extreame Distress
Which thirty Dayes did the 
Bethulians press;

 [...]ong sad enough I hardly can invent,

 [...]o deadly Plight lively to represent:

 [...]y hand for horror shakes, and can no more

 [...]uide on this page my Pen as heertofore:

 [...]et doo mine Eyes with Teares be deaw it so,

 [...] well appears a subiect full of Woe.
Thou Spirit which doost all Spirits vivifie;

 [...]hich didst vnloose the Tongue of 
Zachary;

 [...]nd, through the World thy sacred 
Name to preach,

 [...]hy Messengers so sundry Tongues didst teach:

 [...]rect my weary Quil, my Courage raise,

 [...]hat I, This Work may finish to Thy Praise.
Though th'
Hebrews saw their Town, on every part,

 [...]ot with an Hoast, but with a World begirt,

 [...]et had they Hope the long Siege would no less

 [...]onsume th'
Assyrians, then themselues distress:

 [...]t when the Foe had all the Pipes depriv'd,

 [...]hence, Water yerst the sacred Town deriv'd,

 [...]as! their Hope and even their heart did shrink,

 [...] quite cut-off, and dry'd vp with their Drink.
The Rulers though (yer Bondage, Death to take)

 [...]ive to the People what Themselves did lack:


[Page 130]To wit, a hope, Water enough to keep
In private Troughs, and publick Cesterns deep;
Both Citizens and Soldiers to suffice,
So that they would be moderate and wise.
So th' Officers divide in silver measures,
To all, of all sorts, of these liquid Treasures,
This welcome Liquor; which might serve (at first)
To keep their life a while, not quench their Thirst.
Their Cesterns dry'd, they seek in every sink:
Of every Gutter greedily they drink;
T'appease their Thirst awhile, not please their taste,
With Drink whose stink was oft the Drinkers last.
O wretched Men! O wondrous Misery!
Little, or much; drink, or drink not; they dy.
Plenty and Lack of Liquor, in extreme
Though Contraries, concurt to murder them:
With-in whose Bodies warreth Thirst, as fell
As outwardly th'outrageous Infidell.
Street, Lane, nor Ally had this wofull City,
Where-in the 
Sisters, Enemies to Pitie,
Invented not some new and vncouth guise
To murder 
Hebrews; and from firmest eyes
(In signe of Sorrow) showers to extract
Of pearly Tears, of bitter brine compact;


[Page 131]Mid all Degrees; if rested any-where
But so much moisture as could make a Teare.
There, an Old man complaineth that a Lad
Hath new snatcht from him all the Drink he had;
But Thirst contracts his Throat, his voice, & vains;
And ends at once his Life, his Plaint, and Pains:
A Soldier heer re-swils again (and gladder)
Th'vnsavory Water which had swelld his bladder:
There th'woefull Mother, on her Couching-Settle,
Her half-dead Childe reviveth with her Spettle:

 [...]eer the sad Lover sighes her latest breath

 [...]ith the last Sighes of her deer Love, in Death.

 [...]or, cruell 
Thirst, com'n from 
Cyrenian Strand
Where ay Shee lives amid the burning Sand,

 [...]erpetual panting for continuall Drouth,

 [...]anging her Tongue a foot without her Mouth,

 [...]er Face all wrinkled, both her Eyes deep sunk,

 [...]er Body leane and light, her Bowels shrunk,

 [...]er Brest transparent, and her Veins repleat
With Brimstone, all, in steed of Blood's moist Heat)

 [...]owes from her rotten Lungs a loathsome breath
Through all the Town; infusing Fumes of Death

 [...]n th' 
Hebrews Artires: causing every Porch
Obscurely shine with some Funereall Torch.


[Page 132]So that the Heav'ns, seeing so many Woes,
Could hold no longer; but would faine with those
Sad-weeping 
Hebrews Their sad Tears haue melld,
Save that their Tears the Lord of Hoasts with-held.
And, I my Self, that drown mine Eyes with Theirs,
Vnable though well to express those Tears,
Will with my Silence vaile their Countenance;
Following that Painters learned Ignorance,
Who well conceiving that his live-less Colours
Could not to life express the deadly Dolours
Of 
Agamemnon at his Daughters End,
Cover'd his sad Face with a sable Bend.
Mean-while, the few that of this Wrack remain;
Against their sad Chiefs murmur and complain:
The Lord, say they, in Iustice recompence
Your wilfull Malice, and Our Innocence:
The Lord look down vpon the wretched Teen
Your wicked Counsails have heer plung'd vs in:
For, had you yeelded to the Foes demand,
Yet he had entred on the 
Holy Land,
We, happy we, had never seen our Friends
So h
 [...]p-less brought to so vntimely Ends.
Alas! What Comfort rests? O wretched City!
Those that besiege thee round wold show thee Pity;


[Page 133]Thine Own are Cruel: Foes wold fain preserve-thee:
Thy Frends destroy thee: Those wold fain reserv thee,
Would saue thy Children; thine own Children rather
Run headlong all on wilfull Death together.
Lord, well we know, our wicked Deeds haue made
Thee (iust displeas'd) to drawe the keenest Blade
Of thy fierce-kindled ire, which iustly sheads
Thy deadliest Darts on our disloyal heads.
Yet, Thou, which dost not long thy Wrath retain,
Against thine Owne) O turn to Vs again:
Lord, change the purpose of our wilfull Lords,
Who 'gainst our Bosomes whet the 
Pagan Swords:
Or grant (at least) with thousand Arrowes thrill'd,
We rather may by 
Heathen hands be kill'd;
Then longer Langnor of this banefull Thirst
To linger vs in living Death accurst.
Deer Brethren, 'tis our only Duty bindes,
Their Rulers said (not our sinister mindes
Of vndermining, or of pyning Ours)
Thus to hold out against these 
Heathen Powers.
If You haue Pain, We have our Portion too;
We are imbarkt in the same Ship with You:
On the same Deep we the same Danger run;
Our Cross is common, and our Loss is one:


[Page 134]As common shall our comfort be when GOD
Shall please to ease vs of th'
Assyrians Rod:
As sure he will, if Your Impatiency
Stop not the Course of his kinde Clemency.
Then, strive not with th'All-Perfect; but depend
On God alone: Whose Actions all do tend
To profit His: Who, in his Season, ever
(Almighty) can and will 
His Church deliver.
Sometimes the Archer lets his Bowe, vnbent,
Hang idly by; that, when it is re-bent
With boisterous Armes, it may the farther cast
His winged shafts, and fix them far more fast:
So, oft the Lord seems, in his Bosome, long
To hold his hand; and after (as more strong)
To hammer Those whose impious Impudence
Miss-spends the Treasure of his Patience,
Which (at first sight) gives all Impunity
(As think the Lewd) to all Iniquity.
But, at the last, his heavie Vengeance payes
Them home, for all his 
Iustice long Delayes:
As th'Vsurer, forbearing of his poore
And needy Debtors, makes his Debt the more.
What though th'high Thunderer, in his Fury dread,
Strike not in th'instant this proud 
Vice-Roy dead?


[Page 135] 
 [...]an all th'Amasse of Waters which he pent

 [...]bove and vnder th'ample Firmament,

 [...]editious, so shake-off his Soueraigne Power,

 [...]s not to send the thirsty Earth a Shower?

 [...]o, no: though Heav'ns, on every side so cleer,

 [...]o
 [...]d nothing lesse then Rain, or moisture neer:
They with their Tears shall shortly soak the Plain,

 [...] on the Day when 
Saul began to raign:

 [...]or all the Heav'ns, the Starres, and Elements,
Must execute his high Commandements.
But still the Plebe, with Thirst and Fury prest,
Thus roaring, raving, gainst their Chiefs contest:
O, holy Nation! shall we, shall We die,
Their Elderships grave Sights to satisfie?
O! shall we die to please These foolish-wise,

 [...]ho make themselues rich by our Miseries;
And with our Bloods would purchase them a Name,

 [...]o live for ever in the Role of Fame?
No, no: Let's rather break their servile bands
Which hold vs in: let's take into our hands
Our Cities Helm; that freeing it from Sack,
We wisely so may free our Selves from Wrack.
As the Physician, by the Patient Prest,
Who, on his Bed (vnruly) will not rest;


[Page 136]Permits sometimes what Art prohibiteth:

Osias so, importun'd, promiseth
To yeeld the Town, if in five Dayes appear
No certain Signe of divine Succour neer.
The People then, their woeful past estate,
Their present paine, and future Fears, forgate:
Sith though it should not hap as most they thirst;
At least, they should of Evils scape the worst.
But IVDITH (who the while incessant Showres
From her sad eyes, in signe of Sorrow poures)
With mourneful voice now cals vpon the Lord;
Anon, her sad Soule comforts in his Word:

Praiers, were her Staires, the highest Heav'ns to clime

GOD's Word, a Garden, where (in needful time)
She found her Simples (in Examples pure)
The Careful 
Passion of her 
Heart to cure.
There, IVDITH reading (then not casually,
But by GOD's will, which still works certainly)
Light on the place where the left handed Prince,
Who, griev'd for 
Israels grieuous Languishments
Vnder the 
Heathen; to deliver them
Slew 
Moab's 
Eglon, by a Stratagem.
The more she reads, she marks it, and admires
That Act of 
Ahud; and in Zeale desires


[Page 137]To imitate his valour. But fraile flesh
With thousand Reasons would her purpose dash;
Proposing, now, the Facts foule odiousnes;
Then, Feare of Death; then, Dangers numberless,
Where-to she puts her Honor: and that (though,

 [...]or 
Israels sake, God should the Act allow)

 [...]choues a Man's hand, not a Woman's (there)
Much fitter for a Spindle then a Speare.
While IVDITH thus with IVDITH doubts doth wage,

 [...] suddain Puff turns-ouer that same 
Page:

 [...]nd, that which followes showes, how 
Iahel yerst

 [...]ourageously the sleeping temples perc't
Of that fel 
Pagan, who from th' 
Hebrews flying,

 [...]ccursed found in his Defence his dying:

 [...]o teach all Tyrants in all Times to-come,

 [...]hat they may fly, but not out-fly their Doome.
This last Example did so fortifie

 [...]he fearfull Widow, that euen by and by

 [...]e would with Engine of Reuenge endeuour

 [...] wicked Soule's and Bodie's knot to seuer.
But while apart Shee plots and plots anew,

 [...]me wylie way her purpose to pursue;

 [...]e hears reported, by a neighbour Dame,

 [...]he Townes Decree, much grieued at the same:


[Page 138]So: to preuent Mischiefs so neere at hand,
She sends forth-with for Those of Chiefe Cōmand,
Whom sharply sweet She thus begins to chide:
Why! How-now, Lordings, shal the Lord be ty'd
Vnto your Terms? Wil you th' Almighty's Arms
Chain with your Coūsails? limit with your Charms?
O! vniudicious Iudges, will you Thus
Giue law to GOD, who giues it Heau'n & Vs?
Will you subiect, to Times confined Stayes,
Th'Author of Times, Months, Moments, Yeeres and Daies
Be not deceiu'd; The sacred Power Diuine
No Circumstance can compasie or confine:
God can do, what he will; will, what he ought:
Ought loue his righteous (whō his loue hath boght)
This (Fathers) This my dead Hopes most reviues;
That, in our Citie not a ma
 [...] surviues
Who lifts his hands (after the 
Heathen fashions)
Vnto the dumb, dead Idols of the Nations.
All Sins are Sins: but that foule Sinne, alone
Exceeds all blinde or bold transgression
That we haue heapt'gainst sacred Heav'n: for, that
Seems to degrade GOD of his Souerain State;
To giue his 
Glory to a Wedge of Gold,
Or Block, or Stock, or Stone of curious mold.


[Page 139]Sith then That Sin doth not our Conscience taint,
Of GOD's deere Succour let vs neuer faint:
Let's think (alas!) how now all 
Iuda's Eyes,
Agast, are cast vpon Our Constancies:
Let's think, that All will (ouer all the Land)
By our Example, either stoope or stand:
Let's think, that All these Altars, Houses, Goods,

 [...]and (after GOD) on our couragious-Moods:

 [...]et's think, Wee keepe the Gate of 
Israel;
And that, so soon opening to th'Infidel
Who hates so deadly all our 
Abramides)
Wee shall be held Traytors and Paricides.
We cannot, neither will we now deny

 [...]ut that our Counsaile (Thus the Chiefe reply)
Was foolish, and offensiue to the Lord:

 [...]ut now (alas!) wee cannot break our word.

 [...]ut, if Thou rew our Common miseries;

 [...]nd canst not see our Tears with tear-lesse Eyes;

 [...]eep night and day: ô! weep & sigh so much,

 [...]hat thy sad Sighs & Tears with Ruth may touch

 [...]h'Eternall Iudge; whose gentle Eare is ay

 [...]pen to All that to Him humbly pray.
I shall, said Shee, and (if GOD say 
Amen)

 [...]s-siedge this Citie, yer we meet again.


[Page 140]Sound me no further, but expect th'Euent
Of Mine (I hope) happy as high Intent:
And, soon as Night hath spred her dusky Damp,
Let Mee go forth into the 
Heathen Camp.
Go on, in GOD's Name: & where ere thou art,
GOD guide (say They) thy Foot, thy Hand, thy Hart.
The end of the third Booke.

[Page]

BETHVLIANS Rescue. THE FOVRTH BOOKE.
 [...]VDITH, the while, trills Rivers from her Eyes,
Atterrs her knees, tends toward th'arched Skyes

 [...]er harm-less hands: then Thus, with voice devour,

 [...]er very Soule to GOD she poureth out:
Lord! that didst once my Grandsire 
Simeon arme
With 
Iustice Sword, t'avenge his Sisters harme;

 [...]ign Me that Sword, that I may punish (iust)

 [...]his Tyrant fel, farr passing 
Sichem's Lust:

 [...]ho, not suffis'd with Virgins Ravishment,

 [...]nd Rape of Wiues; is execrably bent

 [...]o root Thy Name out from the Earth around;

 [...]d raze Thy Temple, level with the ground.

 [...]esumptuous Prince! whose whole Affiance stands
Hundred-thousand Souldiers He commands,
Hundred-thousand Horse, which (thirsting-fight)

 [...]th lofty Bounds the lowely Earth doe smight:

 [...]thout Beliefe, that Thou alone (ô Lord)

 [...]d'st Heads or Hands; with either 
Crown or 
Cord:

 [...]engthnest the Feeble, quickly foylst the Strong;

 [...]d lay'st the Power of prowdest Kings along.


[Page 142]Grant therefore, grant, good GOD, his charmed brain
The curious tramels of my Tress may chain:
Let euery looke of mine be as a Dart
With amorous Breach to wound his willing hart:
O! let the little grace of Face and Form
Thou hast vouchsaft mee, calm his furious storm:
Let the smooth cunning of my soothing Lips
Surprise the fel Fox in his Suttleships:
But, chiefely, Lord, let my victorious hand
Be Scourge & Hammer of this 
Heathen Band:
That all this All may knowe, that 
Abram's Race
Is euer couered with thy Shield of 
Grace;
And that no Tyrant euer toucht thy 
Iury,
But felt in fine the Rigor of thy Furie.
Let not, good Lord, ô let not one of These
Return to taste 
Hytane or 
Euphrates.
Thus IVDITH prayes: & in the sted of stops,
With thousand Sighs her words She interrupts.
Then, from her sad sole Chamber, late she packs,
Adornd with 
Ophir, Gold, and 
Serean knacks.
O! siluer-browd 
Diana, Queen of Night,
Dar'st thou appear, while heer below, so bright
Shines such a sacred Star, whose radiant flame
Would euen at Noon thy Brothers splendor shame?


[Page 143]Though, as vnknown, to passe vnshown she ween,

 [...]er Odors made hersmelt, her Iewels seen;
Musk, Ambergris, and Civet, where she went,

 [...]eft all along an odoriferous Sent:

 [...] Carbuncle shin'd on her Brow so bright,

 [...]hat with the Raies it clarified the Night:

 [...] silver Tincel wauing in the winde,

 [...]own from her head hung light & loose behind:

 [...]old bound her golden Tress; her Ivory Neck

 [...]ubies and Saphires, counter-chang'd in check:

 [...]t either Eare, a richer Pearle then yerst


 [...]gypts proud 
Princesse in her Cup disperst:

 [...]er soft white Bosome (as with Curtains drawn)

 [...]ransparent coverd vnder Cob-web Lawne:

 [...]er Robe, Sky-colour'd Silk, with curious Caule

 [...]f golden Twist, benetted ouer all.

 [...]he rest she wore, might haue beseem'd for Tires

 [...]he stately Foundresse of th'
Euphratean Spires.
For, though her Selfe were 
Modestie it selfe;

 [...]intice this 
Pagan to the wrackfull Shelfe,

 [...]esides her Own, sh'had borrowed Ornaments

 [...]f other Ladies of most Eminence.

Achior, watching in the 
Court of Guard,

 [...]ing her passe so late, and so prepar'd;


[Page 144]Enquires of 
Carmis (who then watched too)
What, Whence, She was, & what she went to doo:
So braue a Gallant, trickt and trimmed so;
In such a Time, in such a Place of Woe.
Yer-while, said 
Carmis, in our Citie dwell'd

Merari; a man heere high in Honor held:
To whom, for Seed GOD but this Daughter sent;
His House's Ioy, This Citie's Ornament.
Gain-greedy Fathers, now-adayes turmoyle
Bodies & Soules, Heap vpon Heap to pile:
But, haue no care with the Mind's Goods to grace
Th'heires of their Goods (which after melt apace):
Much like a Man that keepeth in his Chest
His costly Garment, folded faire and prest,
But lets his Body, it was made to serue,
Naked the while, in Wet & Cold to starue.
But, as the Farmer spares no pains, nor cost,
In husbanding his Land; but carefull most,
Now rids the stones, anon rips-vp the Ridges,
Heer casts a Ditch, there plants, there plashes hedges;
And neuer is his hand or toole there-fro:
But chiefely careth there good Seed to sowe,
That when the Summer shal haue ryp't his Plains,
His Crop may pay him for his Cost and Pains:


[Page 145]Or, as some Damsel, hauing speciall Care
Of some faire Flower, which puts-out earely-rare
Th'
Incarnat Bud; weeds, waters euery-houre
The fertile Plot that feeds her 
Gilli-flower;
That, one-day blown, it may some Sunday-morn
Her Iilly Bosome, or her head adorne:
So wise 
Merari did endeuour faire
To form the Maners of his tender Heire;
That, in his Age, he thence again might gather
Th'Honor and Comfort worthy such a Father.

 [...]or soone as euer, stutting yet and weak,

 [...]er tender Tongue did but begin to speak;

 [...]ee taught her not (as many Fathers doo:

 [...]oo-many now) vain words, and wanton too,

 [...]ut some good 
Prayer, or GOD's 
Ten-fold Lawe;

 [...]hat, with her Milk, she might euen suck the Awe

 [...]f the Almighty; which not vain appeers;

 [...]or that the Damsel brought forth in few yeers,

 [...]uits worthy of such Seed: whence did ensew,

 [...]hat this her Nurture to a Nature grew.

 [...] doth a Vessel long retain the Sent

 [...]f the first Liquor we haue settled in't:

 [...] doth a Bough bend euer (when 'tis big)

 [...]o the same side that it was bent, a Twig:


[Page 146]So, Bears, Wolues, Lyons; & our wildest Game,
Bred tame with vs, with vs continue tame.
When as 12. times She 12. new Moons had past,
This vertuous Pattern all Perfection grac't.
For, th'expert Pilot is not more precise
To shun, in Sayling, all the Ieopardies
Of 
Cyane Streight, of hatefull 
Syrtes Sand,

Charybdu Gulfe, and of 
Capharean Strand,
Then was wise IVDITH to avoid the Dames
Neuer so little spotted in their Names:
Knowing that long conversing with the light,
Corrupts the sobrest; or at least, though right,
Right safe th'Honor be sav'd; the Names not so,
From common Bruit (though often false) we know.
For, haunting 
Good, good are wee holden ay:
Bad, with the Bad: 
Like will to like, vve say.

Shee, euer modest, neuer vs'd to stay
Abroad till midnight at a Maske or Play:
Nor tript from Feast to Feast, nor Street-webs span,
To see, and to be seene of euery man.
But rather, knowing that such fond desire
To gaze and to be gaz'd-on (
Flax and Fire)
Valid light 
Dina, and such gadding Dames
A thousand more; their Noble Houses Shames;


[Page 147]She wisely kept at home; where, Morn and Even.
Daily she calld vpon the God of Heav'n.
The rest of euery day in dutious course
She seru'd her Nursers for a tender Nurse:
As wont the Storks kind and officious Brood
For their old Parents to goe gather Food;
And on some high Firre (far-off hauing flow'n)
Bring life to Those from whom they had their own.
If in the Day, from Houswifes needful care,
She had perhaps an houre or two to spare,
She spent them reading of the 
Sacred Booke,
Where faithful Soules for spirituall 
Manna looke.
Sometimes on Cloth sh'embroidered cunningly
Some Beast, or Bird, or Fish, or Worm, or Fly.
Sometime she wrought with silver needle fine
On Canvas-web some 
History divine.
Heer 
Lot, escap't from that dread Flame, frō High
Which burnt his Town, with winged Feet doth fly
To little 
Zoar: while his Wife (alack!)

 [...]ncredulous, and curious, looking back;
GOD in the instant smighting for that Fault,
Transforms her Body to a Bulk of Salt.
Heer, 
chaste Susanna (slandred of dishonor)

 [...]eems led to Death, People seem prest to stone her:


[Page 148]But, Truth appearing, soon they seem at once
To turn on th'Elders all their storm of stones.
Heer loyall 
Ioseph rather leaues behinde
His cloak then hart with his too-
Lady-kinde:
And rather chooseth (by her false disgrace)
His Irons, then her Armes, him to imbrace.
Heer, rash, rough 
Iephthe in vnsacred slaughter
Imbrews his own Blade in his onely Daughter;
By priuate and improuident Annoy,
Troubling the Publique & the generall Ioy.
Weary of Work, on her sweet Lute she playes,
And sings withall some holy 
Psalm of Praise;
Not following such as by lasciuious Dances,
Lauish Expences, light and wanton Glances,
Seek to be sought, courted, and lov'd of most:
But, as the Fisherman that baits the Coast
With poysonie Pastes, may haue a greater draught,
And (though lesse wholesome) hath more Fishes caught
Then those that only vse their Hook, or Net:
So may these Gallants them more Lovers get,
Then 
modest Mayds; But, their immodest flame
Fires none but Fools, Frantikes, or Voids of shame.

Vertue alone begins, begets, conceiues,
A perfect Loue; which, though it slowe receiues


[Page 149]His Form & Life, nor is so soone a fire:

 [...]o, neither doth it halfe so soon expire.

 [...]rawe kindles quickly, & is quickly past:

 [...]on heats but slowely, & it's heat doth last.
Now IVDITH'S fair Renown throgh 
Iuda rings

 [...] euery Citie; and great Suters brings
From All-form 
Fashions, from faire 
painted Faces,

 [...]om 
Powdred Tresses, from 
forc't Apish Graces,

 [...]om 
Prince-fit Pompe; from 
Peacocks strutting by
With 
Bosoms naked to the Navel nigh)

 [...]o woo Her Vertue. But, Loues burning Dart

 [...]ould neither harm, nor warm her Icie hart.

 [...]r, as hard Hammers, harder Diamant;

 [...]e harder did resist Loues grace to grant;

 [...]uing resolued, sole and single, rather

 [...]o spend her dayes with her deer-loued Father.

 [...]t at the last, importun'd long, and prest

 [...] her deere Parents, carefull of her Rest;

 [...]e tooke MANASSES, one of Noble bloud;

 [...]h, in the Mind's, Nature's, & Fortune's Good.
Their 
Mariage then was neither stoln, nor packt,

 [...]or posted; to preuent some 
Pre-contract,

 [...]o cheat some Heire, some Auarice to choak,

 [...] couer Others, or their own Sin cloak:


[Page 150]But duly past, modest, and reuerent,
With Either's Parents knowledge and consent.

Dina's Disasters to this day doe proue
The sad successes of prepost'rous Loue;
Of priuie Choice, close Matches, and vnkend;
Which seldom bring Louers to happy end:
And that our Selues ought not our Selues bestow,
But Those frō whom our Birth & Breeding grow.
This happy Match begun thus holily,
And holy carried, did so firmly tie
This chaste young Couple, in so mutuall loue,
That both their bodies seems one soule to moue.
Th'one neuer wisht but what the other would:
Both by one Organ their one-minde vnfold:
And, as a Hurt on the Right side (we see)
Reacheth the Left; euen so, by sympathie,
Her Husbands Sorows did sad IVDITH share,
And IVDITH's Sorows her sad Husband bare.
The Husband did not his deer Wife controule,
As Tyrants rule: but as the tender Soule
Commands the Body; not the same to grieue,
But comfort rather, cherish and relieue.
Him IVDITH lou'd as Brother (or more, rather)
Feard as her Lord, & honord as her Father.


[Page 151]Their House, for Order so religious,

 [...]eemd more a 
Temple then a priuate House:
There, did no Mayd, with 
merry-tricks, intice
The bashful Stripling to lascivious vice:
There did no drunken Groom sick Healths disgorge,

 [...]or against Heav'n blasphemous Oathes re-forge:
There no broad Iester, no bold common Lyer,

 [...]o Gamester, Thiefe, Rogue, Ruffin, Apple-squier,

 [...]ad euer harbor: but all Seruants there,
To their graue Rulers Rules conformed were.
MANASSES, knowing what a Floud of Crimes

 [...]urrounded all, in His enormous Times;

 [...]specially, what Euills Confluence
Sad euen corrupted sacred 
Gouernments
So that, for fauour, or for Mony (more)

 [...]ols, Knaues, Boyes, Basest, highest Burthens bore)

 [...]e modestly refus'd all Publique Charge:

 [...]olding him happy so, free and at large,

 [...]arre from the Courts of 
State and 
Iustice too,
Quiet at Home, his Houshold dues to doo.
Yet notwithstanding, knowing too, that none

 [...]as euer borne so for himselfe alone,

 [...]t that the best part of our dayes (though few)

 [...]our Country, Kindred, & our Friends is due;


[Page 152]No Magistrate, Hee daily serv'd the State
More then a hundred that in Office sate.
For, in His House did sacred 
Iustice liue,
And from his Lips would She her sentence giue.
He euer was th'afflicted Poores Protector,
Widowes Supporter, Silly-ones Director,
Orphans kinde Father: Euery age, Sex, Sort,
Had from his hand some kind of kinde Support.
Neuer vain Thirst of the 'curs't Earth of 
Inde,
Made Him wound Water, neither woo the Winde:
Neuer did 
Avarice his Life endanger,
With mercenarie Sword to serue the Stranger:
Neuer did Hee, to Adverse-Clients, sell
A double Breath, blowing to Heav'n & Hell.
But, strife-less, vsing harm-less Husbandry,
Tooke of his Land both Stock and Vsury
Of his lent Labours. For, somtimes, by Line,
Hee plants an Orchard; which he orders fine,
With equi-distant Trees, in Rowes direct,
Of Plums, of Pears, and Apples most select:
Heer-there He Crab-stocks sets, then grafts thereon
Some stranger Slip: inocculates anon:
Anon with keen Share the kinde Earth he shreds:
Anon the Vine vnto the Elme hee weds:


[Page 153] 
 [...]non he prunes-off the superfluous shoots:

 [...]non the Bodies pares, then bares the roots.

 [...]or, neither 
Dog-Dayes, nor 
December's Ice,

 [...]ould keep Him Prisoner in his Chamber, nice.
But, as one-day, his Reapers he beheld,
Who, swelting, swift the yellow handfulls feld;


 [...]ol, from his head, caus'd a 
Catarrh descend,
Which shortly after caus'd MANASSES End.
He that can number, in 
November, all

 [...]he withered Leaves that in the Forrests fall:

 [...]ee that can number all the Drops, in Showers,
Which 
Hyades, Pleiades, and moist 
Orion poures

 [...]pon the Plaines: may tell the Tears Shee shed,

 [...]or her deer Husband so vntimely dead.

 [...]he Wealth and Treasure he had left her, kinde,

 [...] steed of easing, more afflicts her Minde:

 [...]h'vse of his Goods still sets before her eies

 [...]heir good old Owners sweet and gracefull guise.

 [...]ad She had all the Gold was gather'd ever

 [...]n all the shoal Sands of the 
Lydian River,

 [...] had not been Rich, being bereft of Him,

 [...]ithout Whō, Wealth doubled her Woes extream:

 [...]d, with Whō, glad she would have born the crosses

 [...]f wretched IOB's, sad, sodain, many Losses.


[Page 154] 
Phoebus had thrice through all the 
Zodiak past,
Since His Decease: Yet Time, which all doth waste
And cures all Cares, could not her Griefs recouer,
For Losse of Him, her deerest Lord and Lover.
Still therefore, cover'd with a sable Shrowde,
Hath She kept home; as all to Sorrow vow'd:
For, for the most part, solitarie sad,
Tears in her eyes, sack on her back she had,
Griefe in her heart: so, on the wither'd Spray
The Widow-
Turtle sighes her mournfull Lay;
Sole, and exil'd from all Delights, that move;
Chastly resolv'd t'accept no Second Love.
If any time IVDITH went out of Doore
(As Duty binds) it was to see some Poore:
Some woefull Woman in deep Passions toyld
For sodain Losse of her deer only Childe:
Some long-Sick body, or some needy soule,
With needfull Comforts of her Bag, or Boule:
Or else to go (as GOD commanded Them)
To pray and Offer at IERVSALEM.
Thus, deer Companion, have I briefly show'n
Faire IVDITH'S Story: on whose Worth alone
All eyes are cast, but cannot tell you out
Whether she goes; lesse, what she goes about.


[Page 155] 
 [...]t, if we may, from 
former things infer

 [...]ghesse of 
future; We may hope from Her

 [...]me Happiness: and sure, me thinks, her Cheer,

 [...] pleasant chang'd, boads some good fortune neer.

 [...]th this Discourse, the wakefull 
Hebrew Knight,

 [...]alking between, wore-out the wearie Night.
IVDITH the while, her Handmaid with her, hies

 [...]wards the Trenches of the Enemies.

 [...]r from the Fort She had a furlong gone,

 [...]e 
Heathen Scouts describ'd her, and anon

 [...]pake her Thus: O! more then humane Beauty,

 [...]ence? What are You? What Cause hath hither

 [...]o th'
Assyrian Camp? Alas! I am (brought ye?

 [...]ghing, quoth She) a woefull 
Hebrew Dame,

 [...]ho, to escape so many Deaths, or Thrall,

 [...]me here to yeeld me to your 
General.
Then to the Duke they lead her. Who-so-e're

 [...]th seen, in Cities, how they flock, to hear

 [...]me prating 
Montibank; or see some 
Monster

 [...]w brought from 
Africk, or frō 
Inde; may conster
at presse of Soldiers from all parts did throng,

 [...]out his Tent; and even prest in among
see that compleat She, so comely deem'd;

 [...]o, the more look't on, the more lovely seem'd.


[Page 156]Her waved Locks, some dangling loose, some part
In thousand rings curld-vp, with art-less art;
With gracefull Shadowes sweetly did set-out
Her broad high Fore Head, smooth as Ice, about:
Two slender Bowes of 
Ebene, equall bent
Over two Starres (bright as the Firmament)
Two twinkling Sparks, Two sprightfull Ietty Eyes
(Where subtle 
Cupid in close Ambush lies,
To shoot the choisest of his golden Darts
Into the chariest of the chastest hearts):
'Twixt these Two Suns, down frō this liberal Front,
Descendingly ascends a pretie Mount;
Which, by Degrees, doth neer those Lipps extend,
Where 
Momus Lips could nothing discommend:
Her ruddy, round Cheeks seem'd to be composed
Of 
Roses Lillied, or of 
Lillies-Rosed:
Her musky Mouth (for shape and size so meet,
Excelling 
Saba's pretious Breath, for sweet)
A swelling Welt of 
Coral round behemms,
Which smiling showes two Rowes of orient Gemm
 [...]
Her Ivory Neck, and Alabaster Brest
Ravish the 
Pagans more then all the rest:
Her soft, sleek, slender hands, in Snowe bedipt,
With purest Pearl-shell had each Finger tipt.


[Page 157]In brief, so passing Her Perfections were,
That, if rare 
Zeuxis had but found Her there,
Or such another; when from curious Cull
Of 
Croton Dames so choisely Beautifull,
By many Beawties (seuerally mett)
His cunning Pencil drew the Counterfait
Of Her for Whom 
Europe and 
Asia fought;
This only Piece had he sufficient thought.
IVDITH no sooner came within the Tent,
But both her Cheeks a bashful Blush besprent;
Trembling for Fear: vntill, inviting neerer,
The courteous 
General's gentle words re-cheer-her.

Sweet-hart, I am not, I am not so fel

 [...]s false Report hath told fond 
Israel:
Who Me for Father, I for Children take;

 [...] love whom love my Lord their God to make:
And who do both, may be assur'd to have
What ever Good, Mans heart can hope, or crave:
Which 
Israel well should finde, would they give care

 [...]o that Kings Favour, whose drad Power they fear:

 [...]hen fear not Thou, my Love; but tell me free

 [...]he happy Cause that hither bringeth thee.
O Prince! said She (with, the
 [...], firm Countenance)

 [...]preme, for Fortune, Wisedome, Valiance,


[Page 158]Of all that ever had Command in Field,
Or ever manag'd martiall Sword and Shield:
Although my fraile Sex, and weak bodie's state,
No longer could endure the wretched fate;
Wants, Labours, Dangers, and the deep Affright
My fellow Towns-folk suffer day and night:
Yet is not That the Cause that drives me thence,
Nor That which drawes me to Your Excellence:
But, 'tis a never-never-dying Worm
Which gnawes my Conscience; a continual Storm,
A holy Fear, least I be forc't to eat
(Among my People) some vnlawfull meat.
For, I foresee (Sir) that our Folk, yer long,
With cruell Famine so extreamely wrung,
Wil be constrain'd to fill, and file them too
With vnclean Flesh, which GOD forbids vs doo:
And that the Lord (who strikes, with iust Revenge
Whom-ever dare his dread iust Lawes infrenge)
Will then, without Fight, give Thee vp their Place;
And one of Thine Thousands of Them shall chase.
Therfore (my Lord) GOD's Wrath and yours to fly
Out of BETHVLIA, to your Camp come I:
Beseeching humbly, for your Honors sake,
That heer no Rigour, neither Wrong I take.


[Page 159]Hee's more then Wit-less that him wilfull throwes
Winking) in Dangers that he well fore-knowes;
And when he may live, pain-less, and secure;

 [...]n Toil-full Fears will his owne Death procure.
Now: please thee grant me, in this Vale (away
From noise and number) nightly to go pray;

Hebrews no sooner shall GOD's Wrath incense,
But I, inspir'd, shall shew thine Excellence:
And then shall I thy valiant Legions lead
Over all 
Iuda; and thy Standards spread
Shall swell in SION; where not one shal dare
Lift Launce against thee, nor Defence prepare:
No, not a Dog so much as barke at Thine
Arms-clashing Army, nor their Armors Shine.
Thy Name alone shall tame the stoutest Troup:
To Thee the Hils their proudest Tops shal stoup:
Rivers, for Thee, their rapid Course shall stay,
To yeeld Thine Hoste a new vn-wonted way.
The Prince replies: O, Worlds sole Ornament!
Lady, as faire as wise and eloquent;

 [...]ight-
Welcome are You: and we wish you ever

 [...]n all Contentment with vs to persever.

 [...]nd, if you proue in Truth and Loyalty,

 [...]s you are pleasing to mine Eare and Eye;


[Page 160]I shall from henceforth worship evermore
The mighty GOD you 
Hebrewes do adore:
You shall from henceforth only 
Lady be
Both of my Sceptre, of my Soule, and Me:
Hence-forth your Name with high Renown shal ring
Where 
Heber, Ister, Nile, and 
Ganges spring.
With Licence then, soon as the 
Moon with light
Of silver Rayes began to cleer the night,
The Widow hies to a dark Vale apart;
Where first she bathes her hands, and then her heart:
Then, from her Eyes a luke-warme Rill she showres;
Then, from her Soule this fervent Prayer powres:
Lord GOD, no longer now Thine Aide deny
To those that only on Thine Aide rely.
Lord rescue Those that ready are to spend
Their bloods and goods, Thine Honor to Defend.
Lord, let our Infants sad and cease-less Mones,
Our woefull Elders deep and dismall Grones,
Our Matron's Scrieches, Cryes of Virgins faire,
Our sacred 
Levit's Day-and-nightly Prayer,
Perce to Thy Throne, to wake thy slumbring Eye.
Drad GOD of 
Iustice, glorious Father; Why
Do sulphury Bolts of thy best Thunder light
On 
Carmel's Top, and little 
Hermon smight:


[Page 161]And let th'Heav'n-threatning Sons of Eearth alone;
On proudest 
Ossa prouder 
Pelion?
Alas! What said I? Ah! forgive me, Lord,
This idle, rash, and vnadvised Word;
Which, in frail Passion, my fond Lips did borrow

 [...]rom fervent 
Zeale of mine vnfained Sorrow.
No: ô, Our Lignes sole Piller deerly dread,

 [...] knowe, Thou shortly wilt their Head be head:

 [...] knowe, This hand, by Thy right hand led out,

 [...]hall at one Blowe, This 
Heathen Army rout.
The end of the fourth Booke.

[Page 162]

BETHVLIANS Rescue. THE FIFT BOOKE.FOr blood and marrow, in his veines and bones,
The 
Vice-Roy feeds new Pains, new Passions;
Which, while he shuns, he seeks; feels, yet not knows;
A dead-live Fire, which of Self's Cinders growes.
For, th'
Hebrew Lady's rapting Rarities
Being now sole Obiect of his Soule's dimme Eyes;
Sad, peevish, pale, soft, drowsie, dream-awake,
Care of his Hoste he doth no longer take:
Goes no more out, a-nights, to set his Watches,
And 
Courts of 
Gard about, on all Approches:
Comes not to Counsail, neither gives 
The Word:
Nor viewes the Quarters of his Camp: nor stir'd.
As Sheep, that misse their wonted Gard & Guide,
Dispersed stray; now, by some Rivers side,
Or gurgling Brook; now, vp & down the Downes;
Now, in the Groves; now, on the Fallow grounds:
So th'
Ethnik Army, without Rule or Reine,
Pursue their Pleasures, violent, or vaine:


[Page 163]None will obey; None but will now Command;
Each, as him listeth, dares him now dis-band.

Hebrews, Why stay you now mew'd in your City?
Now, now or never, doth the Time befit-ye
To sally on the Foe; whose rank Disorder
Among themselves, themselves (in Fight) wil murder.
Nay; bouge not though: of such a Victory
GOD will the Honor have, and Author be.
Yet that blinde 
Cupid did this Tyrant blinde,
To take the Town was Day and Night his minde;
Now, day and night he mindes but how to gain
A Lady's grace; Who, taken, is not taen
Her Soul being temper'd more then Fancy-proof):

 [...]er-while, th'vndanted mighty 
Theban rough
Could not have fear'd Him, with his massie Mace;
Now, but a Glance of a weak Woman's Grace
Dismaies him, daunts him, nay evē wounds him deep,
Past care of Cure; and doth him Captive keep:

 [...]er-while 
Ambition, with Drums rattling Din,
A wakt him earely, yer the Day peept-in;
Now 
Love awakes him; and with His Alarms
Makes him neglect the 
Hebrews and their Arms:

 [...]er-while, he had Princes and Kings at bay;
Now, of Him Selfe hath neither Power nor Sway.


[Page 164]Alas! alas! Vnhappy Change, said Hee:
Must I live Captive to my Captive-Shee?
Is This (alas!) to live: the Body base't;
The minde as brute; and both their Power defac't!
This's not a Life: or is worse Life to feel,
Then sad 
Ixion's, on the brazen 
Wheel
Eternall turning: or a life (in brief)
Most like the Life of that celestiall Thief,
Whose ever-never-dying heart and liver
On 
Schythian Rocks feed a fel Vulture ever.
What boots me, t'have subdew'd so many Lands?
What, to have tam'd with my victorious hands
All Nations lodg'd betwixt 
Hydaspes large,
And th'Haven where 
Cydnus doth in Sea discharge?
Sith I am vanquisht, by the feeble Might
Of Captive IVDITH's Glance. What boots my brigh
 [...]
Strong steeled Targe? my brazen Burguinet?
My martiall Gard about my Body set?
Sith the keen Shot which her quick Eye doth dart,
Throgh Steel, & Brass, & Gard, doth wound my ha
 [...]
What boots my Courser swifter then the Winde,
Leaving the Swallowes in his speed behinde?
Sith, on his back flying, I cannot flie
The willing Chaines of my Captivitie.


[Page 165]Change, change then, 
Hebrews, into Smiles yo
r tears;
Triumph of Me, mine Hoste, Arms, Swords & Spears:

 [...]am no more the 
Duke, whose Name alone

 [...]erwhile with Terror shook you every-one:

 [...]o: I am He whose Courage, late so brave,

 [...] now become but Slave vnto my Slave:

 [...] am not come, to Warr with 
Israel,

 [...]o burne your Cities, or your Selves to quell:

 [...]ut to intreat You, to intreat (for Me)

 [...]our match-less IVDITH, that She milder be.
But, whither, Wit-less, whither am I borne

 [...]y Loves fond Fury; willfully forlorne?

 [...]ave I not Her heer in my Patronage,

 [...]hat can the Anguish of my Soule asswage?

 [...]nd yet with idle Plaints I pearce the Skyes;

 [...]nd thus vn-Manly melt me at mine Eyes.
Vnhappy Me! my wretched Case is such
His, who wants most, what he hath too-much;
Crystall River flowing to his Lip;

 [...]et dies for Thirst, and cannot drink a sip:

 [...]or, so do I respect her Excellence,

 [...]er Heav'n-given 
Graces; that, for Reverence,

 [...]ine eyes dare scarce behold her, and my Tongue,

 [...]steed of suing, to my roof is clung.


[Page 166]O that my Brest transparent Crystall were,
That She might see my hearts dire Torment there;
And there read plainely, what my Loves excess
(Alas!) permits not my sad voice t'express.
Since IVDITH first came to th'
Assyrian Camp,
Thrice had the Heav'ns light & put-out their Lamp;
And now 
Aurora, with a saffron Ray,
Began, in 
Inde, to kindle the 
fourth Day:
When as the 
Duke, who Food and Rest forsakes,
This heauy Moan, to 's 
Eunuke BAGOS, makes:
BAGOS, my Sonne, adopted, not by Chance;
BAGOS, whom I, still studying to advance,
Have made, of Meanest and neglected most,
First in my heart, and Second in mine Hoste:
BAGOS, I burn, I rave, I rage, I die
Of wounds receiv'd from that faire Strangers Eie.
Go, seek her out: go quickly: tell her Thou
My loving Languor: tell her, that I vow
To make her equal, nay above the best
Of greatest 
Dames whom royall Crowns invest:
Especially, insinuate so, that She
Be pleas'd this night to come and sup with Me.
Wear't not a Folly, nay a Madnes meer,
In Me, to have the rarest Beauty heer


[Page 167] 
 [...]his Age hath bred; and yet, too-faint a Foole,

 [...]hould not dare my hearts hot Thirst to coole?

 [...]ould not my Soldiers laugh at it apace?

 [...]ay: would not IVDITH blush at My Disgrace?
BAGOS, too-apt, too-vs'd to such a Turn;

 [...]hus oyles the Fire, which but too-fast did burn:

 [...]y Lord, if Private men (whose otious Care

 [...]arce passe the Threshold of their owne Door dare;

 [...]hose Mindes, content with their vnhappy Hap,

 [...]r other 
Grace or 
Greatnes never gape)

 [...]e not content (alas!) vnless some-while


 [...]us warme Comforts their chill Cares beguile:

 [...]w-more vnhappy then, are Those that beare

 [...] 
Atlas Burthen: Those that Rest forbeare,

 [...]r Others Rest: Those that (like 
Argus) wake

 [...]ile Others, fear-less, their full Naps doo take:

 [...] among all their Gall, their Toil, their Teen,

 [...]e (
Cupids) Hony be not mixt between?
Then, Sir, pursue your Love: lose not the Game,

 [...]ich of it self comes to your Net, so tame.

 [...]d, if in like Imployments, heertofore

 [...]ave found Me fit and faithfull evermore;
This new Trust, you shall by speedy Trial,

 [...]e me more secret, diligent, and loyall.


[Page 168]Alas! How-many BAGOS's, in our Time
In Princes 
Courts, to highest Honors climbe,
More, for their Cunning in such Embassies,
Then for Repute of 
learned, stout, or 
wise!
Whilome, great 
Courts were 
Vertue's 
Academs;
Now, Schools of 
Vice: now (rather) 
Sinks of 
Realms.
You, who, 
Great-minded, cannot be content
To be close-Brokers for th'Incontinent:
Who cannot brew (with too-too-dangerous Skill)
Both a 
Love-Potion, and a 
Cup to 
kill:
Who cannot, noble, your free Natures strain,
With flattering pencil on your Face to fain
A Face of 
frownes, or 
Smiles; of 
Wrath, or 
Ruth;
To please the 
Great (rather with 
Tales then 
Truth):
Come not at 
Court; if I may counsail you.
For, There, in steed of 
Grace and 
Honor, dew
Vnto your 
Vertues; you shall nothing gain,
But that which 
There still haunts the 
Good; Disdain.
You, 
Noble Ladyes, in whose heart is graven
A filial Fear of th'All-see GOD of Heaven:
You that more prize your 
Honor's pure Report,
Then 
Love of 
Princes: keep you from the 
Court.
But You, who, hauing neither Land nor Money,
Out-brave the bravest: Who with words of Honny,


[Page 169]And Friend-like Face, Dissemblers, humbly greet
Whom your false harts wish in their winding sheet:
Who, lavish, sel your Wives for Offices:
Who, make you Noble, by base Services:
Who, seruing Time, can set your Faith to sale;
Shift your 
Religion; saile with euery Gale:
Who, Parasites, can put more Faces on
Then euer 
Proteus in the Seas hath show'n:
Who, forcing Nature, can your Manners fit
To my 
Lords Humor; and so humor it;
Like a 
Chameleon, which, heer blew, there black,
Heer gray, there green, doth with his Obiect take:
Who can invent new Toules, new Taxes finde,
To charge the People, and the Poore to grinde:
Who, fayning to possesse your Princes Eare,
Make Sutors crouch and court you euery-where;

 [...]nd, subtle 
Shifters, sell them deere your Smoak,

 [...]linding the Wretches with a wilie cloake.
You, warbling 
Sirens, whose delicious Charms

 [...]raw wariest youth into your wrackfull Armes:

 [...]ou 
Circes, you whose powerfull Spells transmute

 [...]our Loues to Stones, Hogs, Dogs, & euery Brute:

 [...]ou 
Stymphalides, whose Auarice deuoures

 [...]he richest Treasure of 
Youth's freshest Flowers:


[Page 170]You, you, whose 
Painting, and 
Pearl-golden-glister,
Of 
Priam's old Wife, make yong 
Castor's Sister:
You 
Myr
 [...]ha's, you 
Canaces, Semi-ram's:
And, if there be any more odious 
Dames:
Come You to 
Court: come quickly: There, on You
A hundred Honors shal be hcapt, vn-dew:
You, there shall sell 
Iustice, Preferments, Places:
Yea, you shall sell mis-gouernd Princes Graces.
But, 
Muse, it boots not: Hadst Thou thousand fold
The Strength & Stomack of 
Alcides bold,
Thou couldst not clense These 
Sin-proud shining Halls,
Fouler by far then foule 
Augeas Stalls.
Let's back to IVDITH; who to bring about
Her hard deseign, survayes her, sets her out,
Be-curles her Tresses; makes her Crystall cleer
Her Beauties Iudge, which had in Earth no peer.
Then comes she to the Tent, rich hanged round
With curious Arras, from the top to ground;
Where Artfull fingers, for a Web of glory,
Had woven 
Medes, Persians, Syrian Princes Story.
There 
Ninus first, pusht by vain Prides amisse,
Vsurps the 
East: heer comes 
Simiramis,
Who, fayning Her a Man, th'
Assyrians swayes;
And to the Clowds her BABYLON doth raise.


[Page 171]See, see a Prince, with soft white fingers fine,
Effeminate, sits spinning Flaxen Twine:
And, for a Launce, bearing a Distaffe, showes
That more to Female then to Male he owes:
See, how he poats, paints, frizzles, fashions him;
Bathes, basks, anoints, viewes, & re-views his Trim
Within his 
Glass, which for a 
Glaiue he weares.
See, how he shifts to hide his Shame and Fears:
From Vardingale to Vardingale, he flyes
His braue Lieutenant, least Hee him surprize.
Yet, see, at last (to act one Manly thing)
Hee burns himselfe, not to out-live a King.
See, heer an Infant sucking of a Bitch
Vnder a Hedge, and in a shallow Ditch;
Who, grown a Man, heer musters in his Train

 [...]oth bond and free, the Soldier and the Swain;

 [...]ubdues the 
East, and into 
Persia drawes
The 
Medes proud Sceptre; & he giues them Lawes.
But, who's That marches so dis-figurd there,

 [...]efore an Army, without Nose, and Eare?
Tis that good Servant, who reduc't, alone,

 [...]nder 
Darius, Rebell 
Babylon.
While, with these Showes sad IVDITH entertaind

 [...]er Eyes, but not her hart (too-inly-paind)


[Page 172]In comes the 
Duke: & with right courteous cheere
Kindely salutes her, hands her hand; and neere
Causing her sit in a rich easie Chaire,
Himselfe, at ease, viewes & re-viewes her Faire.
Then, seeing him so nigh his wished Pleasure,
His hart's a fire: nor hath he longer leasure
To stay for 
Venus, till, Star-crowned bright,
On their 
Horizon Shee bring back the Night.
The Widow, knowing Time & Place, as yet,
For God's Decree, and her Deseign, vnfit;
Findes still Delayes: and, to delude his Loue,
Shee (wylie) still Speech vpon Speech doth moue.
My Lord, pray tell me, What so great Offence
So grievously your Fury could incense?
What? When? Where? Why? How? & by Whom our Foll
 [...]
Could so the Wrath of such a Prince provoke,
So separate, in Language, Land, and Law;
Who neuer Vs, and Whom we neuer saw?
Vnciuil were He (
Sweet) replyes the Prince,
Could ought deny to such an Excellence.
Then: as the Heav'ns cannot Two Suns sustaine:
No more can Earth Two Kings at once contain,
Of equall Power and State: for 
Soveraintie
Brooks no Co-partner, no 
Equalitie.


[Page 173]Witnes my 
Soverain: who, offended at
The Power & Pomp of mighty 
Arphaxat,
Who, high aspire, and farre to spred began;
And to the Clowds had built his 
Ecbatane,

Ninive's Shame, and dread of 
Babylon:
Brauely endeuors to supplant, His Throne,
Bereaue his Sceptre, sack, raze, ruinate,
His goodly Cities, and himselfe dis-State.
But 
Arphaxat, as valorous as sage,
And both, right worthy of his Crown & Age)
Would rather venture 
Media's Royall Rings,
Then vaile to Anie. So between Two Kings,
Two stout, & stirring Spirits (whereof, the one
Could brook no Peer, th'other, Superior none)

 [...]egan a dreadfull and right deadly War,

 [...]asting (alas!) too-long, spreading too-far.

Arphaxat arms Those, where the Flower of 
Greece

 [...]etcht, not the Locks of an old 
Golden Fleece,

 [...]ut massie 
Ingots, which doe richly pave
The happy Plains great 
Phasis Streams belave:
The 
Harmastans, th'
Albanians, wont to mowe

 [...]hree times a yeere, where only once they sowe:
Whom 
Oxus boundeth with his swelling Tide:
Whom 
Anti-Taurus double Horns diuide:


[Page 174]Those on the Mountain, whose high-lowely back
Bow'd to the Vessell which preserv'd from wrack
The Worlds Abridgement: Those along the Shores
Where proud 
Iaxartes rapid Current rores:
In short, besides his 
Medes he had in Pay
All, neere the 
Pontike and the 
Caspian Sea.
So that, already, This great King-Commander,
Had Hopes as high as euer ALEXANDER.
My Prince, resolv'd to conquer, or to die,
Omits no point of Opportunitie
For his Affaires: Hee armeth 
Sittacene,
Levies the Archers of all 
Osrohene:
Those, whose rich Plains hundred for one repay,
From 
Euphrates and 
Tigris march away:
Fish-fed 
Carmanians (who with 
Seal-skin Iacks,
In sted of Iron, arme their warlike Backs)
Gold-sanded 
Hytan's natiue Shores forgo:
You, 
Parthians, Cossians, and 
Arabians too,
By your sage 
Magi's deep prophetike Charmes
Sacredly counsail'd, take you all to Armes:
And Thou, 
Chaldéa, turn'st to Swords & Speares
And Shields, Thy 
Rules, Squires, Compasses & 
Sphea
 [...]
For, of his Subiects spares he not a man
That beare a Launce, or Pike, or Crosbow can:


[Page 175]Wiues, Beldames, Babes, Gray-heads (& Sickly, some)
Through all his Countries onely kept at home.
He also sends for 
Persians and 
Phoenicians;
For soft 
Egyptians, Hebrews, and 
Cilicians,
Quickly to come, and kindly take his Part:
But 
Neuters, They (more Friends in face, then hart)
Reiect his earnest Sute, Himselfe neglect;
And vse his Legats but with small respect.
My Lord dissembles for a while This wrong,
Till hauing tryumpht of a Foe more strong,
Hee may with more ease, and with danger lesse,
Their Sacrilege and surly Pride represse.
In 
Ragau's ample Plain, one Morning, met
These Royall Armies, of two Kings, as great
As ever 
Mars with steele and Furie arm'd:

 [...]ury and Pride so Either Souldier warm'd,
That hardly could they stay till Trumpets shrill

 [...]enounce the Battaile, & giue leaue to kill:

 [...]ut, with stern Looks, & brauing Threats, afar;

 [...]t hand, with Blowes; they had begun to war;

 [...]xchanging wounds. Two thousand 
Perduz first

 [...]iue brauely th' Onset: and not much disperst,

 [...]rom suddain whirle-wind of their nimble Slings,

 [...]o thick a storm of humming Pebbles sings


[Page 176]So sad a 
Dirge of Deaths, that they suppose,
That not one Troop, but All, had bin at Blowes.
To second Those, then, in good ordinance,
With waving Ensignes, thousand Troops advance:
Both Armies ioyne. Now fiercely fall they to't,

Mede vpon 
Chaldé, pressing foot to foot;
Incount'ring felly with a furious noise
Of clashing Arms, and Angry-braving Voice:
Lowder then 
Nile, rushing from Rocky-Coomb;
Or then 
Encélade, when he shakes his Toomb.
Heer lyes one head-lesse: foot-lesse there (alas!)
Another craules among the gorie Grasse:
One's shoulder hangs: another hangs his Bowels
About his neck (but new bound vp in towells):
This, in the Face, That in the Flank is hurt:
This, as he dyes, a Floud of Blood doth spurt:
That, neither liues nor dyes; but sees at once
Both vpper 
Iove's and neather's diverse Thrones;
Because, some little spirit (too-stubborn-stout)
Still, in the Body, will not yet come out.
Yer-while the ground was yellow, green, & blew;
Now onely coverd with a Crimsin hew:
While one doth (heer) another deadly thrill,
Another Him, Another Him doth kill:


[Page 177]Still Rage increases: still doth Fury spread,
Till all the Field be but a Heap of Dead.
One-while the 
Syrians by the 
Medes are chas'd;
Anon the 
Medes by 
Syrians are re-chas'd:
As one-while, from the Sea vnto the Shore,
Surge after Surge, Waue after Waue doth rore;
Another-while, from Shore to Sea they ply
Waue after Waue, Surge after Surge to fly:
Or as (we see) the Flowery Ears, in May,
When 
Zephyrus with gentle Puffs doth play)
Sway to and fro; forward and backward bend;
Now stoop a little; and now, stand an end.
Both Kings the-while, whose Force & Fortitude
Far past their Subiects, so their Blades imbrewd

 [...]n Bloud & Slaughter, that an open Glade
Where-e're they came, in either Camp they made:

 [...]o that, nor Casks, Cuirets, nor Shields could saue

 [...]rom mighty Stroaks their massie Weapons gaue:
Much like two Torrents, which with headlong fall

 [...]rom two opposed Hills, downe-bearing all,

 [...]anks Bridges, Trees, Corn, Cattell; seem to vy
Whether of either shall most damnifie.

 [...]specially, the 
Medes King thundred so

 [...]pon our Battailes, that our Bravest tho,


[Page 178]Began to shrink, & with that shameful sight,
Our Hoast dis-ord'red, fell to shameful flight:
The Foe pursues, slayes, slashes (swift as wind)
Millions of wounds, and every one behind.
In briefe, that Day had 
Niniué bin downe,
Her King vndone (dead, and depriu'd of Crowne)
Had not I (full of Force and Furie) quick,
Like Lightning, rusht where deadly Blows were thick,
Mails, Murrions, Corselets, Iron, Steele & Brasse,
Before My Sword were brittle all, as Glasse.
And onely I, My hand alone, which lent
More deaths then blowes, brought more astonishmēt
Vnto Their Camp, then all Our Camp beside.
Their Foot no longer could my Brunt abide:
Their Horsmen, fainting, in their Saddles shake;
Arms on their Backs, harts in their Bellies quake.
Heer, with a down-right Blowe, from top to twist,
I cleaue in sunder one that dar'd resist:
There, I so deep dive in Another's minde,
That neer two handfulls peers my Sword, behinde;
So, that the 
Medes, now more then wauering,
In th'heat of Fight, abandon All their King.
Who, seeing him so betray'd, his Tresses tore,
Retir'd to 
Ragau, all besmeard with gore:


[Page 179]There, over-taen by Ours, He brauely fought;
Mid thickest Darts a glorious Death he sought;
Heawes, thunders, thrills, & of his Manly blowes
Not one in vaine, not one amisse bestowes:
But, yer He die, with quick, keen, Fauchin fel,
He sends before, thousand stout Soules to Hell:
So the fierce Tigre, compast every-where
With Men & Dogs, to Fury turns his Feare;
Fights where he findes the greatest dangerly;
Tears, tosses, kills; not, vnreveng'd to die.
But, at the last, the vainly Valiant King,
Wearie of killing, and of conquering,
Thrilld with a thousand Darts, and wounded rife,
Ended at once his lofty Rage and Life:
And, falling, fares as doth a mighty Oake,
Which, planted high vpon a massie Rock,

 [...] thousand times hath felt the Winds to beat,

 [...]nd thousand Axes, it a Fall to threat;

 [...]o that the Root groan'd, & the Valley nigh

 [...]ccho'd the noyse vnto the steepest Sky,
While that the Top still reeling to and fro,

 [...]ow, These; now, Those, threatens with overthrow:
Yet, still it stands, in spight of all their spight,

 [...]ill at the last, all vnder-mined quight


[Page 180]With million stroaks, it falls, and with the Fall,
Bears to the ground, Trees, Rocks, Corn, Cattell, All,
For, 
Arphaxat extinct, extinct with-all
Was 
Median's glory: and, My Lord of All
Raz'd 
Ecbatane; and now grow Weeds & Grass
Where, late, His lofty, rare-rich Palace was:
Where, late, the Lute, & the lowd Cornets noise
In curious Consort warbled sweet their voice;
The voice of Scriech-Owles, & Night-Ravens is heard,
And euery fatall and affrighting Bird.
My King-God, weary of Warrs tedious toile,
In NINIVE the great, for four months-while
Made Publique Feasts: and, when the Feast was don,
Commaunds Mee leavie a huge Hoast, anon,
Of chiefest Men; to goe & chastise Those
That had disdaignd him Aide against his Foes:
And that, on All that dar'd His Hests infrenge,
With Fire & Sword his Honor I avenge;
And that with speed. But, 
Madam, see (alas!)
How farre I am from bringing This too-passe:
For, comming heere, your Nation to subdue,
My Selfe am conquer'd and subdu'd by You:
So that (alas!) Death's draddest Tyrannies
In end-lesse Night will soon siel-vp mine eyes,


[Page 181]Except the powerfull sole Preservatiue
Of thy sweet Kisses keepe mee yet aliue.
Nay: good My Lord, said Shee, Tell-on (I pray)

 [...]our good Successe and Service, by the Way.
Then HOLOFERNES, where he left, began
A long Narration how He playd the Man;

 [...]alfe Truth, halfe Tales: For, tis great Souldiers guise

 [...]o būbast oft their Own Exploits with Lyes.
Mine Hoast all mustered & together brought,

 [...]'inflame their harts with martial Heat I sought:

 [...]ellowes (said I) if euer Your Desires

 [...]aue thirsted Fame, to liue when Life expires;

 [...]o w'now, to punish that presumptuous Crew
Which rudely (late) our sacred Legats slew:

 [...]o w', to avenge our drad-deer Soverain Liege
Of that fel Outrage, nay, foule Sacrilege

 [...]gainst the Greatest GOD came euer downe

 [...]rom Heav'nly Spheares to sway an Earthly Crown:

 [...]rm, arm you, braue Blouds, arm your either hand;

 [...]his, with a Blade; That, with a Fier-brand,
With Fire and Sword to over-run the 
West,

 [...]o lay it waste; to bear away the best:

 [...]o sink it all vnder a Crimsin Flood;

 [...]r make (at least) your Horses swim in blood:


[Page 182]Go w', take possession of Your Valors due,
The whole Worlds Crown, which yeelds it all to you▪
Take you This Honor; which, in Time-to-come,
Shall keep your braue Names from th'obliuious Tomb
Take, take your pleasures of the richest spoils
Of richest Cities in a hundred Soiles
Which you shal sack. So, may you once in Health
Come laden home with Honor & with Wealth.
I ceast: and soon they second, All, my voice
With Caps cast-vp, with clapped hands; & noyse
Of generall Ioy, to haue Me GENERALL.
Some six-score Thousand was Mine Hoast in all,
Or som-what-more: with which from NINIVE,
But three-dayes march I made to 
Bectileh;
Thence past I forward by 
Hierapolis,
Then by 
Amida, then by 
Nisibis.
And thence to 
Charan (at the length) I came,
Once happy seat of your great 
Abraham.
Then wan I th'Hill, whose oblique Horns divide
All 
Asia neer, and limite farre and wide
Many large Empires: Where, I sack, I slay,
I burn, I raze, what-euer in my way:
My Souldiers seem so many Mowers, right,
Which in a Mead leaue not a blade vpright;


[Page 183]But, by long Swathes of their degraded Grasse,
Well showe the way their sweeping Sythes did passe:
This, 
Phul, and 
Tharsis, and all 
Lydia knowes,

 [...]n whose waste Fields now only Bramble growes.
Com'n neer the Straight which serues for Wall & Fort
To 
 [...]oft 
Phoenicians, and Thiefe 
Issians Port:
The 
Rosians, Soleans, Mopsians, Tharsians, Issia,


 [...]nchials, Aegoeans; briefely, all 
Cilicia;
Take-vp this Gate, with all their Power; in hope
To stay my Passage, and my Course to stop.
Should I heer tell the dangerous Enterprises

 [...]raue Charges, Rescues, Sallyes, Shocks, Surprises,
Which there befell, the day would faile (I feare)

 [...]efore my Speech: for, the 
Cilicians were

 [...] fortifi'd by fauour of the Place,

 [...]hat little could wee there preuaile, a space:

 [...]ay, all mine Hoast, which had so often chas't

 [...] many greater Hoasts; now stood agast;

 [...]ill in despight, and full of desperate rage,

 [...] thickest dangers, I my Selfe ingage;

 [...]here, round assaild, and wounded in all parts,

 [...]y Shield thick bristled with a Groue of Darts,
Neuer shrunk: but so be-stirr'd mee round,

 [...]hat I alone made All their Hoast giue ground.


[Page 184]Mine Army then, followes the way amain
Mine Arm had made, and paved thick with Slain:
Now our most Cowards (late) for Fear, adying;
Wound most, kil most, and most pursue them flying.

Cydnus, yer while, for his pure silver Flood,
Cald King of Waters, wallowes now in blood:
And rapid 
Pyram (past his wonted Toule)
To 
Neptune, Shields, Helms, Horse & Men doth roul
 [...]
In brief, as heer your 
Mocmur, stopt a while
By some new Bridge, or some vnusuall Pile;
Roars, rises, foams, fumes, threats, beats, rages, rave
 [...]
Against his new Bank; and with waighty Waves,
Waighty and strong, beares down at last the Bay,
And, for a time, out-lashing every-way,
Tears, over-turns, and vndermines, much worse
Then when he freely hath his natiue Course:
Even so, my Force, having the Force repeld,
Which in these Straights the struggling Passage hel
 [...]
Burns, kils, confounds, what meets it most and leas
 [...]
ASIA, laid waste: returning to the 
East,
I conquer'd 
Coelé, spoyling, pityless,
The fruitfull Verge of famous 
Euphrates:

Rapsis I raz'd; and 
Agraea overthrow'n,
The Vertue of my mighty Arm hath know'n.


[Page 185]Thence, keeping still by the Sea coast, I spoile,

 [...]he 
Madianites: then, marching 
North a-while;

 [...]owards double 
Liban, I 
Damascus race,

 [...]ith her neer Towns, 
Gaane, Abyle, Hypaepas:

 [...]hence came I (curious) to that Hill, from whence

 [...]he Sun, by Night, is seen; and seen from thence

 [...]so to Rise: Thence, towards the 
Western Realms

 [...]ontinual beaten with 
Phoenician Streams.
Then, Those of 
Gaze, Tyre, Sydon, Ascalon,


 [...]otus, Byblus, Ioppa, every-one,

 [...]r'd with my Fame; in greatest humblenes,

 [...]spatch their Legates to My Mightines.

 [...]ecome not heer with Force and Arms (say They)

 [...]o bid thee Battail, or to barre thy Way:

 [...]t rather, Mightiest Price, in humblest awe,

 [...] yeeld vs Thine, to accept Thy Will for Law;

 [...] Life, or Death. Thine are our Fields & Forts;

 [...]ine are our Cities; Thine our Ships, our Ports,

 [...] Lands, our Goods, our Cattail, Corn, & Wine;

 [...]ine are our Children, and our Selves are Thine:

 [...]ly be pleas'd (Sir) to accept vs so,

 [...]d so esteem vs: and right happy th
 [...]

 [...]ll we esteem our Selves, to haue a Lord

 [...]n wield so well the Sceptre and the Sword,


[Page 186]The Lance and Balance; and, besides, excels
Men, equals Gods in euery Vertue else.
Nor did their People, nor their States disproue
Their Embassies; but by all signes of Loue
Both Yong and Old, crown'd all with 
Flora's Fauors,
Of hundred Colours and of hundred Sauors;
Came Dauncing out with 
Musiks cheerfull Moods,
To offer Me their Bodies and their Goods.
Nor did I then a 
Victor's Right abuse;
But with all Kindness them as Friends I vse:
Leaue them their Land: but first, their Forts I mand
With some of Mine; with some of Theirs, my Band.
For (
Madame) still the farther that I go,
My Camp, in Bands; my Bands in Soldiers growe:
Euen as 
Danubius, first, beginning small
Throgh 
Raurak Plains with shallow course to craule,
Still swelling more & more, with three-score Riuers,
To th' 
Euxine Sea his Sea-like Self deliuers.
I hop't, as These, so also 
Israel
Would yeeld themselues; & not at all compel
My iust Reuenge to threat Extreamities:
But, when I came heer to 
Scythepolis
(The 
Toomb of Her whose happy Milk had yerst
The twice-born 
Dennis in his Cradle nourc't)


[Page 187] 
 [...] was aduertis'd of this stubborn Folly;
Which will, no doubt, vndoo the 
Hebrews wholly.
The end of the fift Booke.

[Page 188]

BETHVLIANS Rescue. THE SIXT BOOKE.

YEt that the 
Pagan could his Story end,
Frō highest Hils did dusky Night descend:
And now the Steward full the Table fraights
With all, most pretious, most delicious Meats;
As if the 
Vice-Roy, to This 
Iouial Feast,
Had bid the Kings both of the 
West and 
East.
O greedy-guts! O Gulphes insatiate!
A thousand Worlds, with all their delicate
And various Cates deuis'd by th'
Abderite,
Cannot suffize your bound-less Appetite.
O Belly-gods! for You (at any price)
To the 
Moluques, must we trudge for Spice;
To the 
Canaries, for your Sugars fine;
To 
(Ioves-Crete) Candy for your choysest Wine.
To please your Tasts, your Palats to content,
Seas sacred Bosome is profanely rent;
Aieris dispeopled; yea, right hardly can
The only 
Phoenix scape the Iawes of Man.


[Page 189]O Poison! worse then Plague to Martiall states,
Which brauest mindes basely effeminates.
While 
Rome, for Heads, had 
Curios and 
Fabricios,
Whom Roots suffiz'd for dainties most delicious:
While 
Persia was with Sallets sole content;
They flourisht Both, admir'd and Eminent;
And Eithers Arms triumphing euery-where,
Fill'd all the Earth with Tropheis and with Fear:
But, since that This, from soft 
Assyrians took
His vast Excesse of Kitchin and of Cook;
And, since that That fel vnder the Dispose
Of 
Galba's, 
Neros, and 
Vitellios
(More glorying to exceed Others Excess,
Then conquer 
Pyrrhus or 
Mithridates)
Both haue bin oft and iustly sackt and spoil'd
By pettie Nations, whom they oft had foil'd.
Natur's suffiz'd with Little: Ouer-ful
Deadeth the Courage, & the Wits doth dull.
Each being set; anon, full filled-out

 [...]n massie Boules the 
Malmsey walks about:
One drinks deuoutly in an Estridge Egge;
One in a Lute, another in a Legge;
One in a Ship, another in a Shell;
Another takes a broad deep siluer Bell,


[Page 190]To ring his Peal; but so his hand doth sway
And shake, that half he sheds it, by the way.
But, aboue all, the Prince him so behau'd,
That, now, the more he drank the more he crau'd:
Much like the Sea; which, though it take this-while
Twin-named 
Ister, and Seauen-mouthed 
Nile;
Neuer increases, nor is full therefore;
But euer ready for as many more.
Cup calls for Cup; and when the Skinker weens
T' haue done his Seruice, he afresh begins
To fill them Liquor: for, till Midnight past,
Among the Guests this Tippling game did last.
And then away, with much adoo, they went
(Feeling, and reeling) Each vnto his Tent;
By th'amorous Tyrant often vrg'd before,
Who thought each minute now a yeare and more.
When they were gon, Hee 'gan embrace and busse
The trembling Lady; who besoothes him Thus:
Nay: leaue (my Lord): such hast what need you make
To reap the Fruit which from you none can take?
Get you to bed: and, if you leaue me roome,
I will not faile you by and by to come,
So soon as I haue but disburthened
My Load of Cloathes, and made me fit for Bed.


[Page 191]If suttlest Wits, and if the sobrest Brains,
Haue hardly scaped Womens wylie Trains,
Maruaile not, Reader, if One, fool'd at-once
By 
Semele's and 
Cytheréa's Sonnes,
Be thus beguil'd: sith Either of the Two

 [...]ereaues the Bodie's and the Mindes Force, too.
Then, letting her slide from his arms away,
He goes about himselfe to dis-aray:
Now he vnbuttons, now pulls-off his hose;
But, his heat hinders, and his hast foreslowes;

 [...]or (sleep-awake, blinde-seeing) while he plyes
T'vntrusse his Points, them (fumbling) faster ties:
Till, ouercome with Rage, and Longing, more,
He cuts his knots, and off his Cloathes he tore;

 [...]nd then to Bed. Where (as the Crosse-bow-man,
Who, for his pleasure, watcheth now and than
By some Cross-path, some Coney, or some Hare;

 [...]t euery Noise, on euery side doth stare
Where stirs a Leaf; and leuels thither-ward,

 [...]t the least Wren, or the least Worm that stird

 [...]eer where he stands, still in a Hopefull-Doubt

 [...]urning his Body and his Bowe about)
The lustfull Tyrant, if he hear a Mouse
Neuer so little stir about the house;


[Page 192]Shivering for Joy, he thinks his Mistresse there:
Nay, though he nothing hear, his flattring Eare
Thinks it hears something, which can nothing be
But his admired most desired Shee:
Lifts-vp, layes-down, and vp again re-lifts
His heauie Noule: from side to side he shifts;
Casting the Distance, counting, in his head,
How-many steps will bring her to his Bed,
The which the-while he full of Thorns doth think.
But, now the Fume of his aboundant Drink,
Drouzing his Brain, beginneth to deface
The sweet Remembrance of her louely Face:
Alreadie wheels his Bed, alreadie shine
A thousand Rayes before his slumbring Eyne:
Alreadie in his Eares (now waxen numme)
A thousand Drones with buzzing Noise do humme
He sees 
Chiméras, Gorgons, Mino-Taures.

Medusas, Haggs, Alectos, Semi-Taures.
But IVDITH's heart still beating thick with-in,
Felt a fell Combat in it self begin:
Now, causing Fear her sacred Fervour quash;
Anon, her Fervour her faint Fear to dash.
IVDITH, said She, Thy 
Iacob to deliuer,
Now, is the Time; Now to-it. 
Do-it neuer.


[Page 193]O! Yes. 
O! No. I will. 
I will not, I:

Shall I profane kinde Hospitality?
Nay, rather shall I sanctifie't the more,
When by the same I shall the 
Saints restore.

But, Traitors euer bear Dishonors brand.
Traitors be Those betray; not save, their Land.

But, Murderers Heaun's rigbteous Iudge abhors.
Why? all Man-killers are not Murtherers.

But, Hee's a Murderer who his Prince hath slain.
This is a Tyrant; not My 
Soverain.

But, GOD hath now bequeath'd Him vs for Lord.
Hee's not of GOD that wars against his 
Word.

Why, then, may All, their Tyrants kill and rid?
So 
Ahod, Iahel, and so 
Iehu did.

Yea, but from Heau'n had They autentik Warrant.
So hath my Soule (approued and apparant.)

But, ah! how weak art Thou, this Work to act!
Whom GOD assisted, neuer strength hath lackt.

But, hadst thou done; the Sequel's more to doubt.
GOD brought me in: & GOD will bring me out.

What, if He please leaue thee in Heathens hands?
Their Chieftain dead, I fear nor Death, nor Bands.

But, to their Lust thou shalt be left a Prey.
Neuer my Minde; my Body force they may.


[Page 194]Then, in this point thus sacredly confirm'd;
With hands heav'd vp, her eies on Heav'n she firm'd.
And softly, Thus poures to the Lord her Prayer:
O gracious GOD, who with paternal Care
Hast euer kept thine 
Israel, strengthen Thou
Mine Arm with Thine, that it may nimbly now
Cut-off this Tyrant, who thus dares presume,
To scale the Heav'ns; Thy Sceptre to assume.
And, fith thy grace, through thousand storms & more,
Hath brought my Bark in sight of wished shore,
O, let it land: with 
Poppie's sleepiest sap
This Tyrant's sense benum in end-less Nap;
That I may raise this Siege, Thy Thralls release;
Return Thee 
Praise; and, to thy SION, 
Peace.
Her Praier done, the Drunken Prince she heares
Snotting aloud. Then faire and soft She neeres
His Pallets side, and quickly takes the Sword
Which had so oft the groaning Earth begor'd.
But, euen about the fatal Blowe to giue;
Fear, from her hand did the fel Weapon reaue:
Her hart did faint, her strength did faile her quite.
O GOD (then said She) strengthen by Thy Might
My timerous heart's, and trembling hand's Consent
Then on the 
Duke so stiffe a stroake she lent,


[Page 195]As happily, 
tri-parted (at the poule)
Th'Head from the Body, Body from the Soule.
His Soule to Hell: his Body on the Bed:
In IVDITH's hand his grim and ghastly Head;
Which soon her Handmaid in her Night-bag hid.
Then speeding thence, suspect-less, or vnspi'd;
Without Impeach the 
Pagan Hoste they past.
For, if that any saw them trip so fast,
Heav'n-blinde, they thought She went but (as before) Tower,
Into the Vale, bright 
Diane to adore.
Now, when chaste IVDITH came to th'
Hebrews
Ope, open (said She): for the GOD of Power,
Th'
Assyrian Forces hath this Night forlorn,
And lifted vp his chosen 
Iacob's forlorn.
The Town, amaz'd at her Return vn-hop't,
Presse to the Port; which instantly they op't,
Thronging about her: who a Tarras mounts,
And her Exploit from point to point recounts.
Then, from her Bag, for Proof of what she said,
She pulls the-while the dreadfull 
Pagans Head.
The Citizens, when in her hand they sawe
Th'
Assyrian's Head's Head; full of humble Awe,
Extoll th'Almighty, who so mighty Foe
By a weak Woman had subdewed so.


[Page 196]But, most of all did 
Ammons Prince admire
GOD's dreadfull Iudgement: and to scape His ire,
Who 
Israel thus, of vanquisht, 
victoriz'd;
His Flesh and Heart he sodain 
circumciz'd.
How sweetly, Lord, Thy sacred 
Prouidence,
Mens suttlest Wisdome, in their Plots, preuents!
For, thine 
Elected vnto Life, to guide
Into thy Fold (when most they seem beside)

Good out of 
Ill thou draw'st: making their Sin,
Means ('gainst their minds) their Goodnes to begin
Lord! foule Desire of Murther and of Spoile
Brought this (late) 
Pagan to th'
Isacian Soile;
Where, meaning (first) Thy Peoples bloud to spill,
Now, spend his Owne for their deer sakes he wil:
Thy mercy so from his maligne Affect,
Maugre his minde, brought forth a good Effect.
So, neer 
Damascus, mad'st thou, by thy Call,
Of Wolf a Shepheard, of a 
Saule a 
Paule;
Of Persecutor, an Apostle; (brief)
Of Chief of Sinners, among Saints the Chief:
So sodainly, that all the Saints about
Admir'd his 
Doctrine; Yet, his 
Deeds did doubt.
So, the 
Saint Thief, which suffered with our Sauior
Was led to Life by his Death-dew Behauior:


[Page 197]And, when no longer Earth could bear his Sin,
Was, in a Moment, made Heau'ns Citizen.

O feareful-hopeful Precedent of Grace!

Such as, but One, GOD's holy Books imbrace:


 [...]ne, that None (humbled) should despaire 
of Pardon:

But One, that None presume 
in Sin to harden.)
So, turn, good Lord, O turn the hearts of Princes,
Whose Rage their realms w
th Sts. deer bloud berinses:
O! let the Sword, Thou in their hand hast put,
None but Thy Foes, none but Those Tyrants cut,
Who cursedly 
Thee, or 
Thy CHRIST blaspheme
Vsurping IVDA and IERVSALEM,

 [...]nd all Thy 
Golden Candlesticks beside;
Threating the 
West, too, with their Power & Pride):
Not Those, who humbly, only, euermore,


 [...]hee, TRINITY in VNITY, adore.
Then, as the braue 
Virago ordered,
Soldier takes th'
Assyrian Tyrants Head;
And, for the 
Hebrews more Encouragement,

 [...]lad sets it vp vpon the Battlement.
There, Parents, Children, Maids, & Widowes sad,
Whom 
Pagan Swords but new bereaued had

 [...]f Children, Parents, Louers, Husbands deer,

 [...]wixt Grief and Anger, as distracted neer,


[Page 198]Pull-off his Beard, pull out his hatefull Tongue,
(Which had blasphemed Heau'n & Earth so long)
Spit in his Face, scratch & poach-out his Eyes;
And all, that Hate and Fury can deuise.
For, lyue Remembrings of their wrongs, them make,
On his dead Head, this dead Reuenge to take.

Aurora, weary of the cold Embrace
Of her old Spouse, began in 
Inde apace
To paint her Portal of an 
Opal hew;
When, of 
Bethulians all the brauest Crew
Issue in Arms: and such a Noise withall,
(Such Shouts and Cries) as if, in th'antike Braule,
All th'Elements, breaking the bands of Order,
Were by the Eares; and in their old Disorder.
The 
Court of 
Gard (that night vnusuall strong,
Towards the Town) hearing such Noise, so long,
Start from their Sleep: and crying 
Arm, arm, arm,
Giue sodainly to all their Hoast 
Alarm.
One, for his owne, his Fellowes Helm puts-on:
One, his right 
Vantbras on left arm doth don:
One, on his neck, for Launce, a Libbet takes:
One speeds him quick: another scarce awakes:
One mounts his Horse, yer he be curb'd, or girt;
And, without Spurs: Others, to shew more heart,


[Page 199]Would make a Stand: some neither wake nor sleep:
Some, braue in Word; in Deed, as faint as Sheep.
Now, by degrees, this Noise comes to the Eares
Of 
Holosernez Houshold Officers:

 [...]o that sad 
Bagos hies him in all hast
Vnto the Tent where th'
Ethnick slept his last.
With trembling hand, once, twice, or thrice he knockt:

 [...]ut an eternall Sleep the Doors had lockt
Of his Lord's eares; who had already crost

 [...]he 
Stygian Ferry, not to be re-crost.
Then, hearing still th'
Isacians lowder shout,

 [...]e makes the Doore fly-open with his Foot;

 [...]nd, entring, findes, in gorie Bed, lowe shrunk,
Not 
Holofernez, but his Head-less Trunk.

 [...]hen did he teare his haire, and rent his Clothes,

 [...]nd to the Clowds roars out in yelling Oathes:

 [...]specially, when IVDITH there he mist,
Whom now the Murdress of his Lord he wist.
When, ragefull rushing from the bloody Tent,

 [...]his hideous Cry through all the Camp he sent:
Woe, woe to vs! Alas! this cursed Night

 [...]cursed Captiue hath confounded quight

 [...]ur awefull Army, and vndone vs All,

 [...] treacherous slaughter of our GENERAL.


[Page 200]This new Affright redoubled on the first,
The stoutest harts doth so dis-hart and burst;
That All (at-once abandoning their Armes,
Pikes, Swords, & Shields, Darts, Arrowes, all) by swarms,
Be take them to their heels; o'r Hill & Dale,
Flying from one death, on a worse to fall.
Then the Besieged, in great Troops descend,
And on their backs revenging Bowes they bend.
Both run apace: Those fly; These follow fast:
But those that fly, make lesse good speed then haste.
For, without losse of Man, th'
Hebrews, at will,
The flying 
Pagans slaughter, thrash, and thrill:
Euen as a Lyon, in 
Getulian Lawnes,
Bestreawes the soile with fearfull Kids and Fawnes;
Where, not a Beast his Furie dares abide,
Nor lift a horne against his awefull pride.
One, from a Rock himselfe doth headlong dash,
And all to peeces all his parts doth pash:
Other, forgetting that in deepest depth
Fate findes vs out, into a Riuer leap'th.
But, if by speed, or some good hap, perhaps
This Mornings first fel Fury any scapes,
He scapes not though those 
Hebrews outrages,
Who kept (about) the Straits & Passages:


[Page 201]So that scarce one of such a Rout could bring,
To 
Niniué, the Newes vnto the King.
The Battaile (rather, th'Execution) don,
Out of the Citie flocked euery-one
Whom Sex or Age had hitherto restrain'd;
To see the drad Revenge the Lord had rain'd
So suddainly, and past all Expectation,
On those fell Foes of His deer 
Holy Nation.
One, full of Wounds, yet gasping, calls in vain
On lazie Death, to end his lingering pain:
One, grinning gastly, in his visage grim,

 [...]howes, dead, the Rage that liuing sweld in him:

 [...]ome mangled heer, some there, some round about:

 [...]nd euery Soule a sundry way went out:

 [...]ccordingly as Valor, Sleight, or Chance,

 [...]ed the dead-doing Sword, or Dart, or Launce.

 [...] short, This sight so truly 
tragick was,
That euen the Victors would haue sigh't, alas,

 [...]ad they so vanquisht any Foe but This.
But rifling long, among the Carcases,

 [...]t last the Body of the 
Duke they found
Thogh head-less, known best, by that only wound).

 [...]hither they throng; That, euery blade must thrill,

 [...]nd euery one that Corps againe would kill:


[Page 202]A hundred Swords, a hundred Pikes, and Darts,
Are euery moment goring all his parts;
And euery Nerue, Vein, Muscle, Ioynt they hack;
Till room (at last) their Vulgar Rage doth lack.
For, were his Bulk as big as 
Atlasses,
His Limbes as many as 
Encéiades,
And strong 
Briareus; yet, yet think I, all,
Their dire Revenge would still, still think too small.
For, of the 
Iewes, none so base Clown there is
But would a Gobbet of that Flesh of His.
Giue, Tyrant, giue thy Right hand to 
Cilicians,
Thy Left to 
Medes: giue one Arm to 
Phoenicians,
Th'other to 
Ismael: and divide thy Feet
Between th'
Egyptian and the 
Coelianite:
That euery Nation, whom Thine Arms offenc't,
May, by some Part, be partly recompenc't.
Alas! I erre: for, all in Atomies
Wert Thou divided, all would not suffise.
But IVDITH, nor forgetful, nor ingrate,
Would neither bury, nor Selfe-arrogate
The sacred honor for Assistance given
In This great Work, by th'All-work hand of Heav'
 [...]
But, tyming meet her Feet to Timbrells noise,
This 
Hymne she sings with glad-sad warbling voice;


[Page 203]Follow'd by all the Flower of 
Hebrew Dames
Maids, Widowes, Wiues) of faultless Forms & Fames.

Laude, laude we, lowd, with verse, with voice & strings,

The GOD of GODs, the glorious King of Kings:

Those Power alone, pulls Tyrants down, & reareth

 [...]eek in their Room, who HIM ay-faithfull feareth.

For, who would thinke, one Citie, in one Day,


 [...] suddainly could such an Hoast dismay,

Whose high Exploits had all the World astounded,

And, from the Indes, 
to Iapheths 
Inns resounded?

Lord! who wold think, that HOLOFERNES, 

 [...]ate

Proud Conqueror of many a Potentate,

 [...]hould lose his Life (for all his Selfe-affiance)

 [...] one weak Woman, not a Troop of Giants?

Who, who would thinke, that HE, who late possest

At least, had power) from farthest East to West;

 [...]om Pole to Pole stretching his arms all-over,

 [...]ould not haue, left, one Inch of Turse, for Cover?

That stately Prince, so thick attended-on,

 [...]w dead, (alas!) lyes, aboue ground, alone.

 [...]t, not alone: for, Those that seru'd him, living;

 [...]sort him, dead; Proofe of their Duties giving:

[Page 204]

Nor yet, aboue ground; for, the Ravens become

His mangled Bodie's better-worthy Toomb,

Then pretious Marble, let, and Iacynth gilded;

Which, for his Bones Himselfe had proudly builded.

So, so (good Lord) from Hence-forth, let vs finde

Thee, not our Iudge, but as our Father kinde;

And so, Hence-forth, the Foes of SION rather

Feele Thee their Iudge, then their propitious Father.

Heer IVDITH ends: Heer also end will I,
With thanks to 
GOD; and to Your Maiestie.
To 
GOD, for bringing This my Work about▪
To 
You, for daigning to haue read it out,

FINIS.

LITTLE BARTAS: OR Br …

[Page]

LITTLE BARTAS: OR Brief Meditations, ON The Power, Providence, Greatnes, & Goodnes of GOD, In the CREATION; of the World, for Man: Of Man, For HIM-SELFE.

Translated; & Dedicated To the most Royal Lady ELIZABETH.

by IOSVAH SYLVESTER.

[Page]

HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE

[Page]

TO The most Royal Lady ELIZABETH, Infanta of England; Princess PALATINE of 
Rhine.SWeet 
Grace of 
GRACES, Glory of Your Age,

Lustre of 
VERTVES (Moral and Diuine)
Whose 
Sacred Rayes (already) far 
out-shine
Your 
Princely State, Your 
Royall Parentage;
Heer, to your 
HIGHNES (with all Good-Presage,
Congratuling Your little 
PALATINE)
I 
consecrate This 
LITTLE-One of Mine
To serue 
Your Self, first; then, 
Your Son, for Page.
Your gracious 
Favours to my former 
Brood,
So 
binde my Thoughts, so 
bolden my Desires,
To showe Mee 
gratefull, as I know You 
good;
That 
Thus to 
YOV, This 
LITTLE Mine 
aspires:
Little in 
Growth; yet of so great a 
Spirit,
As (happily) Your Graces grace may merit.

To Your Highnes Seruice, Dulie and Trulie devoted, Iosuah Sylvester.

[Page]

Souhaits Royaux & Loyaux.

Au Roy.
AIusi, 
l' Ancien des Temps, d' Ans, d'Honneurs, & Bonl
Comblant ce Chef Royal; couronne voz Labeurs:
Qui, pour le 
Droict des Roys, d'vn Glaiue tout divin,
Combattez 
l'Antichrist, & son grand BELLARMIN.

Au Prince Charles.

 [...]insi le Tout-puissant, de sa main de PANDORE,
Face d'vn 
Charle-moindre, vn 
Charle-magne encore;
Qui, suivant Voz 
Vertuz, deriue, perennel,
Saincts-Sages-Preux STVARTS au Sceptre paternel.

Aux Princes Palatins.

 [...]insi, le Ciel benin de ses 
Tresors benisse,

L'Hymen heureux & sainct de FRED'RIC & d'ELIZ
De sorte, que d'Iceux, leurs 
Filz, & leurs 
Neveuz,
Nous naissent deformais des EMPEREVRS heureux.

Aux Anglois & Allemans.

 [...]insi, 
Lions ANGLOIS & 
Aigles d'ALLEMAGNE
(Triumphants, pour 
la Foy, de ROME & de l'ESPAG
Terrassent coup a coup les 
Lunes du TVRQVOIS,
Pour planter tout par tout les 
Lauriers de la CROIX.

[Page]

LITTLE BARTAS.

IF wanton Lovers so delight to gaze
On mortall Beauties brittle little Blaze;
That not content, with (almost) daily sight
Of Those deere 
Idols of their Appetite;
Nor, with th'
Idëas which th'Idalian Dart
Hath deepe imprinted in their yielding heart;
Nor, with Their Pictures (with precisest charge)
Done by 
De-Creets, Marcus, or 
Peake, at large
(And hangd of purpose, where they most frequent,
As some faire Chamber's choicest Ornament)
They must haue 
Heliard, Isaac, or His Sonne,
To doe in Little, what in Large was done;
That they may ever, ever beare about
A 
Pictures Picture (for the most, I doubt).
Much more shold Those, whose Soules, in 
Sacred Loue,
Are rapt with Beautie's-
Proto-Type aboue


[Page 212](Sith, heere, they cannot see th'
ORIGINAL;
Nor, in themselues, now, finde His 
Principal)
Thirst for Their Obiect; and [much lesse content
With th'ample 
Table of the Firmament,
And various Visage of this goodly Globe,
Wherein, they see but (as it were) His Robe,
Embrodered rich; and with Great Works embost,
Of Power, of Prudence, & of Goodnes, most;
Yet, so farre-off, so massie, so immense,
As over-swaies Their weake Intelligence:
Or with that lesser 
Tablet of their Owne
(The Little-World, wherein the Great is show'n)
Which, neer & deer, though still about they beare,
Such Cloudes of 
Passion are still crowding there,
That seld or neuer can they ought perceiue
Of those pure Rayes it did at first receiue]
Long for Their Long-Home, past the Gates of 
Grace,
To see Their Loue, in Glory, face to face.
Till when; awhile to entertaine them heere
With Prospects fittest Their faint Thoughts to cheere
(Insted of That Great 
Vniversal Table,
Made in Six Dayes, with Art so admirable;
And, by My 
BARTAS, in His 
Weekes divine,
So large and liuely draw'n in every line)


[Page 213] 
DU-VAL, and 
I (too short of 
Isaac's Art)
Haue Thus 
Essaid to play the 
Limners part,
And drawe in little (like a Quintessence)
That goodly Labours glorious Excellence;
For ease of Such, whom Publique Charge denies
Leasure to view so large Varieties:
And Such, whose Meanes may not affoord their Mindes
So costly Pleasures, of so Gain-less kindes:
And (lastly) Such, as, loving 
BARTAS best,

 [...]ould glad and faine still beare Him in their brest,

 [...]t in their Bosome, were He Pocket-fit,
As well He might; would 
Printers Gain permit.
Now therfore, Thou, All-forming 
ONLY-TRINE,
As, in the Large, Thou ledst His hand & Mine;

 [...]end likewise heere Thy gracious Help agen,

 [...]o guide aright my Pencil and my Pen;

 [...]o sute my Colours, sweet my Shadowes, so,

 [...]hat This my Little, Thy Great Works may showe.
And, grant, the-while, I be not like the 
Hand
Which at 
S. Albons, in the Street doth stand

 [...]irecting Others in the 
ready Way;

 [...]ut, void of minde, it Selfe behinde doth stay:

 [...]or, like a 
Buoy, which warneth from a Shelfe;

 [...]t lyes still wallowing in the Sea, it Selfe.

[Page 214]
SVpernall Lord, eternall King of Kings;
Maker, Maintainer, Mover of all things:
How infinite! how excellently-rare!
How absolute Thy wondrous Works they are!
How much their Knowledge is to be desir'd!
And Thou, in All, to be of All admir'd!
Thy glorious Power so suites thy gracious Will:
Thy soveraine Wisdom meets thy Goodnes still:
Thy Word effects thy Work; and, void of Paine,
Turns round the Heav'ns, & doth the Earth sustaine.
Thy Spirit, infallible and infinite,
Filling the World (yet not containd in it)
By Power and Presence, all, in All things dwells;
In Essence though, the Heav'n of Heav'ns excells.
Eternally, before All Forme began,
Thou, onely GOD, wert in Thy-selfe, even than,
As absolute, as after all the Tearm
Of All thy Works: They, Changefull All; Thou firm.
The Revolution of This ample All,
Heav'ns height, Starr's light, the Ocean's flood & fa
 [...]
To all Man-kinde, in som kinde, make Thee know
 [...]
But adde not Thee more Glory to Thine Owne.


[Page 215]To make a World, or marr it, Thou art free.
All comes & goes, by Thy divine Decree.
Thou, at Thy pleasure, hast made All of Nought:

 [...]ll, at Thy pleasure, shall to Nought be brought.
Thy Name is (right) I AM: for, without Thee,

 [...] None: all Beeings of Thy BEEING bee.

 [...]ll perfect 
Vnitie, proper 
Existence,

 [...]s onely found in Thine owne sacred Essence.
Although the 
World a goodly Peece appeere,

 [...]T hath, to Thy Greatnes, no Proportion neer:

 [...]Tis but a Point, to Thine immense Infinitie.
Then, what (alas!) is Man, to Thy DIVINITY?
Yet, hast thou Him a Tongue & Reason giuen;
And Eyes erected towards Thy glittering Heav'n,
To read & ruminate Thy Wonders there;
And afterwards proclaime them every-where.
The Heav'ns declare thy Glory, & they preach
To Man, Thy 
Works, Thine 
Excellence in Each:
The Elements accorded Discords sound
How good for vs thy goodly 
Works are found.
The radiant Starrs, in their eternall Sway,
Th'alternate Changes of the Night & Day,
The birth of Beasts, the growth of Plants, each houre,
Teach every-where Thy Providence & Power.


[Page 216]From THEE, the Sun receiues his Beauty bright,
And Soverain Rule of Each celestiall Light;
Whose Yearly Course, in certain Circuiting,
Makes Winter, Sommer, Autumne, & the Spring.
Bee't clowdy, cleer, Eclipse, or Night, or Day;
His louely browes are equi-lucent ay:
And, whether swift or soft Hee seem to wend,
His Speed is such, We cannot comprehend.
Though vs Hee Warm, yet is Him-selfe not hot:
Though red, or pale, Hee seem, yet is He not:
Though small to vs; His Orb is eight-score times
And sixe, as big as All our Earthly Clymes.
Did not Hee drawe moist Vapours from belowe,
To drench our Fields; heer, nothing green would growe:
Did not Hee dry excessiue Showers again,
We could not sowe, nor mowe; our grass, nor Grain.
Thou Lord, by Him, work'st all this Alteration;
And causest so All Creatures generation:
Prankest the Earth in diverse-Flowred hew;
And Yearly, almost, mak'st the 
World anew.
Thou hast dispos'd His oblique Body so,
That Rise he, Set he; be he High, or Lowe;
His Noon's perpetual: & hee makes at-once
Day, Night; 
Sūmer;
Winter;
 frying, freezing Zones.


[Page 217]When lowe to Vs, he is to Others high;
When Others see not, Wee behold his Eye;
When heer he Sets, he Rises other-where;
When heer direct, he looketh glancing there.
When some, in Summer, hear sweet Nightingales,
Then some in Winter, hear but blustring Gales:

 [...]ome, see but Buds, when som supply their Granges,
Each-where, the Sun thus Seasons conter-changes.
When heer, there springs both leaf & grass together,

 [...]s-where the Meads do hang their heads & wither:
So, in their turns, so in their times, he measures
His Gifts to all; and all partake his Treasures.
In brief: each change of short, long; Day & Night;
Of Seasons, Times, Turns, & returns of Light;
Which, in a whole Yeer, everie-where he formes;
That, in the whole 
World, daily He performs.
So that, drad Lord, were not Thy sacred Lore,
Man, aboue All, would likely Him adore
A
 [...] some haue don); but Supreme Reason showes
That all His Glorie vnto Thine hee owes.
Things finite haue Beginning, & Beginner:
Things mov'd, a Mover (as the wheele, the Spinner)

 [...]ects, their Cause final; and (formallie)

 [...]der then Time, Nature, or Facultie.


[Page 218]Even THEE, the 
Cause of 
Causes: Sourse of All:

First, and 
Last, Moover; Prime, and 
Principall.
Infallible, involuble, insensible;
All 
Selfe-comprising, else incomprehensible:
Immense, Immortall, absolute Infinitie,
Omnipotent, Omniscient DIVINITIE.
Euen THEE, in Whom only begins all 
Good,
And all returns into Thy bound-lesse Flood.
By Order then of thy Decrees divine,
Th'hast set the 
Sun o're All the 
World to shine;
And (as the Subiects lightly suit their King)
With His faire Light, t'enlighten every thing.
His goodly Face, th'vngodly ever fly,
Seeking for 
Night's black horrid Canapie,
To cover Theft, Rape, Incest, Murder too,
And all foule 
Sinnes; which in the Dark, they doo
By Him, 
Wee see Thy Works, in their Proprietie;
Discerne their Beauties, learn their vast varietie:
Where, without Him, the 
World would all return
To th'old first CHAOS, or in Blindnes mourn.
By Him, We calculate our Grandsires Dates,
Th'Increase of Kingdoms, & Decay of States:
By Him, Thou measur'st, Lord, to Vs & Ours,
Years, Ages, Seasons, Months, Daies, Minuts, Ho
 [...]


[Page 219]All Wits admire th'immense and wondrous way
His great bright Body circuits euery Day:
The more his Orbe is from the Centre far,
The longer Daily his great Iournies are.
Besides his Daily Course, his Coursers driue
One of three hundred threescore Daies and fiue,
Fiue Houres, three-quarters: of which Ouer-plus,
In euery fourth Year, growes a Day with vs.
Yet, whoso would the Yeer exactly rate,
In fiue-score-fiue Years, must one Leap abate;
And, in threescore, for th'Error ready past,
Should no Bissextile in our Books be plac't.
But, though Wee erre, Hee neuer errs at all:
Nor, since Thou didst Him in his State install,
Hath Hee misst Moment of the Task he ought;
Though he haue seen Men faile and fall so oft.
Aboue all Creatures, Hee retains, of Thee,
Some-thing conform to Thine 
Eternitie:
For, though Hee see our hourely Changes heer,
His Light and Beauty still the same appear.
How many Changes hath Hee seen on Earth!
Kings, Kingdoms, States; their Burial & their Birth;
Rising and Falling of triumphant Races;
Raising and razing of renowned Places.


[Page 220]How often hath He seen Empres reverst?
Rich Cities sackt? Rare Common-weals disperst?
Fields turnd to Flouds, & Seas returnd to Sands?
While stedfast He between his Tropiks stands?
Him, iust betwixt Six Wanderers hast thou plac't,
Which prance about Him with vnequall hast:
All which, without Him, could no Light reflect,
As is apparant by the Moones Defect.
By His Aspect, her Own shee daily makes;
She, Wax-less, Waen-less, doth both waen & wax:
And though to Vs, Shee seem a Semi-Ray,
Her Full round Face doth neuer fall away.
By His faire Beames, as well by Day as Night,
The full whole Half of Her thick Orb is bright:
And, as She drawes neer, or far off from Him;
So, more, or lesse Our Halfe is cleer or dim.
Her vpper Halfe is full, in her Coition,
Her lower Halfe is in her Opposition:
Her other Quarters, other Formes expresse;
And vp, or down-ward, shewe Her, more or lesse.
When We see little, then the Heav'ns haue store:
When Heav'ns see little, then haue We thee more:
Neerer the Sun, the lesse Shee seems in sight;
Turning her Horn still to her Opposite.


[Page 221]At Even Increasing, She the Sun succeeds;
At Morn, Decreasing, She his Car preceeds:
So that, each Month, the Sun environs Her,
On every side His Splendor to confer.
Her siluer Light then onely faileth her
When th'Earth's between Them (in Diameter)
Which Masks her Beauty with a sable Clowd,
From Sight of Him, her Brother Golden-browd.
Good Lord, what changes dost Thou worke by These
Varieties; in Aire, in Earth, & Seas!
Faire, or foule Weather; Wind, or Wet, or Thunder;
To dry, or drip; or coole, or warm Heer-vnder.
If Shee but smile the fourth day, 't will be faire:
If then She blush, we shall haue blustring aire:
If then her browes be muffled with a Frowne,
Most of that Month shall sad Tears trickle downe.
Thus doth the Vigor of the Signes superiour
Rule in the Vertues of these things inferiour:
But All are governd by Thy souerain Might:
O! happy He who vnderstands it right.
Thrice happy Hee, who sees Thee every-where,
In Heauen & Earth, in Water, Fire, and Aire:
Who, due admiring Thy wise Works (of Yore)
Thee aboue All, Thee onely, doth adore.


[Page 222]Who knows Thee so, so needs must loue Thee too;
And, with his Will, Thy sacred 
Will would doo:
Still lifts his Eyes to Heav'n-ward, to contemple
The stately Wonders of Thy starry Temple.
Admires the set & measur'd Dance of Thine
All-clasping Palace, azure-crystalline,
Rare-rich-imbost with glittering studs of Gold;
And, more admires, the more hee doth behold.
'T's a wondrous thing to see That mighty Mound,
Hindge-less & Ax-less, turn so swiftly round;
And th'heauie Earth, propless (thogh downward ten­ding
Selfe-counter-poiz'd, mid the soft Aire suspending.
On th'ample Surface of whose massie Ball,
Men (round about) doe trample over-all,
Foot against Foot, though still (ô strange Effect)
Their Faces all be towards Heav'n erect.
Those dwelling vnder th'
Equinoctiall, they
Haue, all the Year long, equal Night and Day:
Those neer the 
Tropiks, haue them more vn-euen;
The more, the more that they are Nor-ward driuen.
But Those, whose Tents to either Pole are neer,
Haue but One Night, & One Day in a yeer.
Yet All well compast by due ruled Rite,
Neither then other, hath more Darke, or Light.


[Page 223]Thus haue thy Works, ô All-Disposing 
Deitie,
Some-what conforme, for all their great varietie:
Which Harmony, amid so diverse things,
In All, aloud Thy wondrous Wisedom rings.
But, specially, wee wonder at the Place
Which heer thou hast bestow'd on 
Adams race:
To see our selues set on so Round a Ball,
So firmly hangd iust in the midst of All.
For, This our Globe hangs Prop-less in the Aire;
Yet, but thy 
Selfe, can nothing shake or sway-her:
No roaring Storm, nor rumbling violence,
Can moue the 
Centre's sad Circumference.
Which, who-so should oppose in Disputation,
Might be convinc't by easie Demonstration;
So evident, from Sense and Reason erre,
Who think the Heav'ns stand, & the Earth doth stir.
The Parts & Whole, of same-kind bodies, haue
Same or like Motions; be they light, or graue;
Vp-ward or down-ward; round, or overthwart:
Needs must the Total moue as doth his Part.
So, if we see the Sunne & Moon to veere;
Their ample Heav'ns haue even the like Cariere:
But, who hath seene a Selflie-turning Stone?
How then should 
Earth turn her whole lump alone?


[Page 224]Let's therefore, boldly, with old Truth, affirme,
That th'Earth remaines vnmoueable & firme:
And (if wee credit the Geometer)
Three thousand leagues is her Diameter:
This Measure of her vast thick Depth, is found
By th'admirable Compasse of her Round;
Which hath, by test of Arts Experiments,
More then nine thousand leagues Circumference.
Yet, learned Mappists, on a Paper small,
Draw (in Abridgement) the whole Type of All;
And in their Chamber (paineless, peril-less)
See, in an houre, & circuit, Land and Seas.
This mighty Globe is but a Point, compar'd
With th'vpper Globe: yet on This Point are shar'd
Millions of millions of Man-kinde, which plow
With Keel & Coultar its Twin Back and Brow.
Man, placed thus, in This Mid-Point, so even,
Sees alwaies Half of God's great Hall of Heav'n:
Th'other's beneath him; yet abides not there,
But in a Day doth to him all appeare.
Ah, Soverain Artist! ô how few of vs
Knowe right the Place where Thou hast plac't vs thus!
Alas! how-many know not, to What end
Thy gracious Wisdom did them hither send!


[Page 225]Yet, giving Man a quick Intelligence,
Thou sett'st him iust in the World's Midst, that thence
Seeing thy Wonders round about him so,
Knowing himselfe, he might Thee better know.
By th'vsual Circuit of the Heav'nly Ball,
The Starres appeare vnto vs (almost) all:
That We, in time, obseruing all their Figures,
Might contemplate their Courses, Natures, Vigors.
To view the Stars, is honest Recreation:
To search their Course, deserveth Commendation;
So wee beware, with some presuming Sects
To pick things future out of their Aspects.
We must renounce That Errors patronage,
That what some Dreamers, by our Births, presage,
Must needs betide vs: tying to their Lawes
Our nature; governd by a Higher Cause.
Perhaps the Signes some inclination bring,

 [...]nducing hearts to some Affectioning:
But, by Gods grace, well may wee varie that;

 [...]s, neuer forc't by necessary Fate.
For, sure if Man, by strong Necessitie,

 [...]oo any Ill, ill meriteth not Hee:

 [...]id Starres constraine vs; neither Vertue, then,

 [...]or Vice, were worth Praise, or Reproofe, in Men.


[Page 226]If any way the Will of Man be free,
On These Effects what Iudgemēts ground can bee?
What Certaintie can from the Starres be knowne,
Of Weal or Woe; Life, Death; or Thrall, or Throne?
When Kings are born, be many born beside:
Must all be Destin'd to be Kings, that tide?
Oft, many at-once are hangd, or drownd, or slaine:
Did all, at-once, their groaning Mothers paine?
Who can conceiue, that such or such Aspect,
Is good, or bad; boads Life, or Deaths Effect?
Who can produce so sure Prognostications
Of our fraile Life, so full of Alterations?
Certain's that Art, which shewes the daily Course
Of restlesse Starres, their influence & force:
But, Divination's an vncertaine Skill,
Full of fond Error, false, and fayling still.
What booted, Lord, our hūblest Vowes to Thee,
Were their Conclusions certaine Veritie?
Disastrous Fate would mate vs with Despaire,
And frustrate all religious Faith and Prayer.
Were it their Sayings were right certain true,
Then, of necessity must all ensue:
But, if Events their Verdicts often thwart,
False is their Aime, & fallible their Art.


[Page 227]Obserue the Works those subtle Authors write,
Th'are so ambiguous, or so false out-right;
That if, somtimes, some Truth they chance to hit,
They'll counterpoize a hundred lyes for it.
Too-busie-bold, with Thee, they, Lord, presume;
And to themselues Thine Office they assume,
Who, by Star-gazing, or ought else belowe,
Dare arrogate the Future to fore-knowe.
Wee hardly see what hangeth at our Eyes:
How should we read the Secrets of the Skyes?
None knowes, To-morrow what betide him shall:
How then fore-tell Years Fortunes yer they fall?
Then leaue we All to GOD's high Prouidence;
Not list'ning for To-morrow-Dayes Events:

 [...]etter then We, Hee knowes what's meet to send.
Then, feare we nothing, but Him to offend.
O! Thou All-knower! Nothing more hath thrust

 [...]roud Man from Thee, then This Ambitious-lust
Of knowing All: for, by that Arrogance,

 [...]n stead of Knowledge, got He Ignorance:
Man nothing knowes, nor nothing comprehends,

 [...]ut by the Power which Thy pure Spirit him lends:

 [...], then, Thy Wisedom haue so bounded His;
Why would He hold more then His Measure is?


[Page 228]Let's humbly stoop our Wits, with all Sinceritie,
Vnto Thy 
Word: there let vs seek the Veritie.
And all Predictions that arise not Thence,
Let vs reiect for impious Insolence.
Let vs repute all Divination vaine
Which is derived from man's fuming braine,
By Lots, by Characters, or Chyromancie;
By Birds, or Beasts; or damned Necromancie.
Let's also fly the furious-curious Spel
Of those Black-Artists that consult with Hel
To finde things lost; and 
Pluto's helpe invoke
For hoorded Gold, where oft they find but smoake.
He's fond that thinks Fiends in his Ring to coop,
Or in a knife them by a Charm to hoop.
Such as haue try'd those Courses, for the most,
Haue felt in fine Their malice, to their cost.
Woe, woe to Them that leaue the living GOD,
To follow Fiends, and Montibanks abroad;
Seeking, for Light, dark, dreaming Sorceries;
And, for the Truth, th'erronious Prince of Lyes.
Condemning therefore all pernitious Arts,
Let's be contented with our proper Parts:
Let's meekly seeke what may be safely known;
Without vsurping GOD's peculiar own.


[Page 229]W'haue Stuff ynough (besides) our time to spend;
And Our short life can hardly comprehend
The halfe of halfe the Wonders, licenst vs
To search, & knowe, and soberly discusse.
The smallest Garden vsually containes
Roots, Fruits, & Flowres, sufficient for the paines
Of one man's life, their natures to descry:
When will he know all Creatures propertie?
Earth's but a Point, compard to th'vpper Globe:
Yet, who hath seen, but halfe her vtter Robe,
Omitting All her Inwards, All her Water?
When shall we then see All this vast Theater?
What heer wee see, wee see is Exquisite:
What's This, to That so far aboue our Sight?

 [...]xcelling faire, what to our Eye is sensible:

 [...]ven to our Soule, the rest's incomprehensible.
Who then can vaunt himselfe Omni-scient,

 [...]o
 [...]e, then All-sin-less, pure, and Innocent?

 [...] none's all-guiltlesse, in thy glorious Eyes,

 [...]here's none all-knowing thy high Mysteries.
Yet must we praise & glorifie thee fit,

 [...]r that wee knowe; and for our good by it:

 [...]here is no Pleasure can be comparable

 [...] Contemplation of Thy Wondrous Table.


[Page 230]There-on the more wee muse, the more we may;
So our Delight Desire increases ay
Of finding Thee: and that divine Desire,
Calming our Cares, quencheth our fleshly Fire.
All other Pleasures haue displeasures mixt:
Ioyes meet Annoyes, & Smiles haue Tears betwixt:
Yea, all Delights of Earth haue ever been
Fellow'd, or follow'd, with some tragike Teen.
But, Who of Thee, & Thine, contemplates ever,
Scapes all the Fits of th'hot-cold, cruell Fever
Of Fear, of Loue, of Avarice, Ambition,
Which haunts all others, with small Intermission.
Man, laborlesse, receiues a rare Delight,
When he obserues the settled Order right,
Whereby all Creatures (with, or wanting, Sense)
Subsist, through thine Vnchanging Prouidence.
What more Content can We haue heer belowe,
More high, more happy; then, but This to knowe
(This certain Sum) That when This World began,
Thou mad'st Man for Thy-selfe; & All for Man.
Th'Horse was not made to glorify thy Name,
Nor th'Elephant to magnifie the same:
Man onely hath voice, memory, and wit
To sing thy Praise, & sound thy Glory, fit.


[Page 231]And, to serue Thee, as He is sole ordain'd;
So, to serue Him, thou hast the rest darraind:
All things that fly, that walk, that craule, or swim,
Yea, Heav'n & Earth, & All are vowd to Him.
For Him, the Earth yields Herbs, Trees, Fruits, and Flowers,
To sundry purpose, & of sundry powers)
Corne of all kindes, in Valleys far and wide
For Bread & Drink) & dainty Vines beside.
For Him the Rocks a thousand Rivers gush:
Heer rowling Brooks, There silver Torrents rush;

 [...]ndenting Meads & Pastures, as they passe,

 [...]hose smyling Pride peeps in their liquid Glasse.
For Him, the Mountains, Downes & Forests breed

 [...]uffs, Biefes, Sheep, Venzon; & the lusty Steed

 [...]o beare him brauely thorough thick and thin;

 [...]nd silly Worms, his Silken Robes to spin.
For Him, the Bullock bears his painfull Yoak:

 [...]or Him, the Weather weares his curled 
 [...]loak:

 [...]or Him, the Birds their brooding-chambers build:

 [...]or Him, the Bees their Wax and Hony yield.
For Him, the Sea doth many millions nurse;

 [...]ith whom, the Aire helps both his panch & purse:

 [...]he Fire's his Cook, to dresse th'aboundant Cheer

 [...]hich Aire, & Sea, and Earth, do furnish heer.


[Page 232]Yea, Dragons, Serpents, Vipers venemous,
Haue Fel, Fat, Bloud; or som-what good for vs;
In Leprosie, or Lunacie, apply'd:
And Triacle is also hence supply'd.
Hee (briefly) Hee hath vse of all that is;
Winnes the most savage of the Savages:
None so fierce Lion, but to tame hee wonts,
Nor Elephant so high but that hee mounts;
And makes, besides, of his huge Bones, & Teeth,
Hafts, Boxes, Combes; & more then many see'th.
Nay, more: for Him, the fell 
Monocerote,
Beares on his Brow a soveraine 
Antidote.
Yea, many soveraine Remedies Hee findes,
For sundry Griefes, in Creatures of All kindes.
All (in a word) Wilde & Domestick too,
Some way or other, Him some service doo.
For Food, He hath the Flesh of Beasts & Birds:
For Clothes the Fleece, the Haire & Hyde of Heards
For House, each Quarr, & every Forrest, offers:
For Metall, Mines furnish his Camp & Coffers.
For Him, the jarring Elements agree:
Fire cleers the Aire; Aire sweeps the Earth, we see;
Earth bears the Water; Water (moistly milde)
Cooles Fire, calms Aire, & gets the Earth with-chil
 [...]


[Page 233]So, All is made for Man; and Man, for Thee:
To loue, and serue, and laude Thy Maiestie;
Thee aboue All: Thee onely to obay;
With Thankful Soule walking Thy sacred Way.
This doth He well, that yields his Wil to Thine;

 [...]ull of Desires, if not of Deeds, divine:

 [...]triving to stoope vnder the Spirits Awe,

 [...]he members stubborn & rebellious Lawe.
For, Man consists of discordant accords
What the great World, the little-World affords.
There Heav'n & Earth; Heer Heav'n & Earth there are;

 [...]here War & Peace; Heer also Peace & War).
He hath a Heav'nly Soule, an Earthly Sheath:

 [...]hat soares aboue: This ever pores beneath:

 [...]hat, lightly-wingd, All Creatures comprehends;

 [...]his, leaden heel'd, but to Corruption tends.
The Spirit, oft against the Flesh doth fight;

 [...]nd some-times, vanquisht by his Opposite,

 [...] carried Captiue with the most Dishonor,

 [...]fter his Foe; & forc't to waite vpon-her;

 [...] Till rouz'd again, & raysed by Thy Grace,

 [...]is striving Will recovers wonted place:

 [...]ith better Watch, & brauer Resolution,

 [...]o stand it out, vntill His Dissolution.


[Page 234]Surveying then both Heav'n & Earth about,
He bringeth in, what he hath seen with-out;
And, marking well th'Effects of natures visible,
Ascends by those vnto their Cause invisible.
For, but two Organs hath our Soule, whereby
To finde and knowe th'eternall Maiestie:

Faith, which belieues the sacred 
Word of GOD;
And 
Reason, reading all His 
Works abroad.
Those Wonders send vs, to their Author, over;
Those certain Motions, to their certain Mover:
Then 
Faith conducts vs, where our 
Reason leaues;
And what th'Eye sees not, That our 
Faith conceau
 [...]

Faith, firm and liuely, doth our Soules perswade
That, Thy high Power, of Nothing, All hath mad
 [...]
Thine ESSENCE is Eternally-Divine:
The 
World Beginning had, & shall haue Fine.
We must not say, 
Of Nought, is formed Nought
(Although to Man it may be iustly brought).
Th'eternall Spirit can All of Nought produce;
And instantly, to Nothing All reduce.
Nor may we ask, 
What th'Euiternall-One,

That space-lesse Space, could finde to doe alone.
His THREE-ONE-Selfe to know & to partake,
Is (Countless) more then Thousand 
Worlds to m
 [...]


[Page 235]A passing Artist is no lesse Compleat,
Then in Composure, in his rare Conceat:
For, in the Knowledge Art's perfection lyes;
And, 
Works deferrd, vaile not the 
Work-man's Prize.
The Mind's not idle, though the hand awhile
Vse neither Pen, Pencil, nor Gouge, nor File.
The Mind's before the Work; & works with-in,
Vpon th'
Idaea, yer the Deed begin.
Would we not say, the 
World were God indeed,

 [...]f from no other it did first proceed?


 [...]ternal, onely is GOD's proper tearm;

 [...]lone preceeding Time, exceeding Tearm.
The 
World supports not Thee, nor Thee supplies:

 [...]hou doost Thy-Selfe sustain, Thy-Selfe suffise:

 [...]nd grosly erres who-euer shall suppose,

 [...]hee, Infinite, within a 
World to close.
And, as we may not match the Heav'ns Extense

 [...]nto Thy Circle, infinite, immense:

 [...]o more may Wee, to Thine Eternal-Age,

 [...]ompare the 
Worlds short, brittle Little-Age.
Before All Time, Thou, 
Everlasting-One,

 [...]ecreedst in time, to make the Sun & Moone.

 [...]he 
Worlds few Dayes & ill (with little comber)

 [...]hy sacred Book will teach vs soon to number.


[Page 236]What Book, what Brass, what Marble, ought can show
But of an hundred-thousand yeers ago?
Had Man been Heer, from an eternall Ligne,
Heer must haue been (sure) some perpetuall Signe;
Millions of Millions of Yeares must haue past,
From th'endlesse Clue of th'eviternal-Vast:
In all these Years, of all that did surviue,
Of all their Acts, could None to Vs arriue?
Wee heare (and often) of the 
Babylonians,

Medes, Persians, Grecians, Romans, Macedonians:
But, Where's the Nation, Whose Renowned Glory
Hath liv'd a hundred-thousand years in Story?
Seek All (
Greeke, Latin, Hebrew) Authors, roun
 [...]
Of All, will MOSES be the Senior found.
Who (to His Times) in express tearms hath cast
Th'age of the 
World, with the 
Descents that past.
Now, frō His Daies to Ours, what years amoun
 [...]
We may with ease with-in few Houres account;
And adding Both, soon by the Total, finde
Th'age of the WORLD, & of Our crooked kin
 [...]
Fiue thousand years, fiue hundred, forty One,
1613.
This year are past; since This vast 
World began.
Since all the Heav'ns; Fire, Water, Aire, & Earth,
Had, by thy WORD, their being, & their Birth.


[Page 237]Then was the 
Heau'ns azure 
Pauilion spred,
And with 
Spur-Royalls spangled over head:
Then, those Twin-
Princes with their Train of 
Light,

 [...]egan their Kingdoms, ouer Day, and Night.
Then was the Aire, the Earth, and Sea, repleat

 [...]ith Birds, and Beasts, and Fishes; small & great:
With Plants, and Trees, & Fruits; each yeelding seed,

 [...]o propagate their Kinds that should succeed.
Then (lastly) 
Man, thy 
Master-Piece of Art,

 [...]hou didst appoint to His Imperiall Part:

 [...]nobling Him with 
Sense and 
Reason's Light,

 [...]nd in his 
Soule, grauing 
Thine Image right:
Gav'st Him 
Possession of this Earthly Throne,

 [...]nd gracious 
Promise of the Heau'nly one:

 [...]mmortall Soule, thou daign'dst him to inspire,

 [...]qual (almost) to thine Owne Heau'nly-Quire.
And, as Thy Spirit, all other Spirits excels
Angel, or other that in Body dwels):

 [...]o doth His Body all else Bodies passe,

 [...]or comely Form, and for maiestik Face.
All Creatures else, lowe on the ground do pore,

 [...]nd groueling feed: but (as was toucht before)

 [...]an hath an 
Vpright and a stately 
Stature,

 [...]ith head aloft, agreeing to his nature;


[Page 238]Which, properly, is to behold the Skyes,
To lift to Thee, his heart, his hand, and Eyes:
And by his Soule's discursiue power to peize
Things past, and present, and of future daies.
For, only Man can measure, number, waigh;
True, False, Good, Euill; knowe, cast, sound, suruay.
Man only, hath an in-reflecting Knowledge
Of his owne Self (from Natures only 
Colledge)
Knows his own fact, his form, his load, his strength;
Knows that he liues, knows he must dy (at length):
And, that a ruled sober life, and sage,
Preserues his Health, and may prolong his Age.
Knowes how to finde ease in his owne Disease;
And, if need be, his Neighbour to appease:
And for him-self and others, make, of Flowres
Fruits, Hearbs, & Roots, Vnguents of passing powres
But, none so powerfull (when their Term is spent)
As can his Owne or others Death preuent:
For, Our short Date; 
Childe-age, or 
Wilde-age, ends
And now but seldome to Old-age extends.
Yet, What is 
Old-Age to ETERNITIE?
To Man, expecting IMMORTALITIE,
What 
 [...]st to live some Three, or Foure score Year:
Or, Yet Ten more (in Languor) linger heer?


[Page 239]Of all our Time-Past, vnderneath the Sun,
Nothing remaines, saue Good or Euill done:
Hundreds of Yeers, once past, are less (in Sum)
Then a few Daies, or a few Houres to-come.
For, to say Truth, of Times three-pointed Powers,
Only the Present (instant) Points is ours.
W' haue, of the Past, but vaine Imagination;
Of that To-come, but doubtfull Expectation.
But, to th'Eternall, are All Times, alike
Instant; and present, Dead as well as Quick:
Aye is To-day with Thee: Lord, in Thy Sight,
Both Past and Future are euen equal bright.
Thogh, in Times Terms the Heav'ns reuolued be;
A Thousand Yeers are but One Day with Thee:
And shortest Moment of one only Day
With Thee is as a Thousand Yeers (for ay).
But, Our set Daies, to vs, are long, or short;
As them, good Accidents, or bad, consort:
Sobrietie and Peace prolong our Life:
Which is abridg'd by Surfait and by Strife.
Excess, or Cares, now, so cut-off our liues,
That of a thousand not a man arriues
Neer to the Tythe of the admired Age
Of those that liv'd in 
Nature's Pupillage;


[Page 240]Eight hundred Yeers, 9. hundred som, some more;
In Minde and Body, full of Natures store;
To stock the Earth with Issue rational,
And learn the Course of Heau'ns Star-spangled Ball:
Which, first of all, Their long obseruance found,
Then, by degrees, they taught their Heirs the ground;
And We, from Them (so eas'd of endless pain)
Deriue that Art, We could not else attain.
In Their long Age they learn'd Heav'ns ful Careers
(Not to be compast, in our Span of Yeers)
Whence, One of them might in his life know more,
Then, in our Dayes, successiuely, a Score.
Of Their so long age, who-so doubtfull is,
Let him but look in sacred 
Genesis;
Where 
Moses mentions diuers famous men
So old; and showes their Yeers as ours were then.
Th'All-drowning Flood-year did 12. Months con­tain,
And euery Month did his due Dayes retain:
Which made vp one Yeer of that 
Patriarch,
Who liv'd seav'n fifties, hauing left the 
Arke;
And was Sixe hundred when he came aboord:
Teaching his Sons his wondrous Skill, by word.
See, see, alas! how our vnhappy Life
Is now abridg'd, and charg'd with Mis-chiefs rife.


[Page 241]Had we not pleasure in thy Works, ô GOD,
Soon must we sink vnder the heauy Load
Of Cares and Crosses (in a thousand things)
Which this, our wretched, sad, short, Way-fare brings.
O! let vs therefore bend our best and most
To magnifie Thee, Lord, in All thine Host:
And so, contempling all thy Goodnes giv'n,
With true Content, begin (in Earth) our Heav'n.
Man, knowing Thee, knowes al that can be known:
And hauing Thee, hath all that is, his Owne:
To long for Thee, is endlesse Ioy, internall;
Dispos'd to Thee, to Die, is Life Eternall.
Not knowing Thee; to liue, is daily Dying:
To rest, with-out Thee, is continual Flying:
But all extreames of Torments passing measure,
In Thee, and for Thee, are exceeding Pleasure.
Yet, no man ought to offer wilfull Force
To his owne Self; nor his owne Soule diuorce:
But patiently attend Thy cheerfull Cal;
Then, to Thy hands gladly surrender all.
Nor may We ween our Soules (as Beasts) to Die;
And with our Bodies Vanish vtterlie:
Death's but a Passage from a Life of Pains,
Vnto a Life where death-less Ioy remains.


[Page 242]W'haue, after Death, another Life to see:
As, after Storms, a calm & quiet Lee:
As, after Sicknes, Health: as after Durance,
Sweet Libertie; with Safetie and Assurance.
Two Contraries, oppos'd, in their Extream,
Haue This vnfailing Propertie in them;
That th'One's 
Privation is the others 
Ens:
So, Death, concluding, doth our Life commence.
For, on each-other Contraries depend,
Chain'd (as it were) vnto each others End:
Day after Night: Attonement after Strife:
And after mortall Death, immortall Life.
Our Soule's immortall then (we must infer it)
Hauing beginning of th'Immortall Spirit:
And they are brute (as Beasts) that doo contend,
That with our Bodies, Soules for euer end.
If there be GOD immortall, All-scient,
All-mighty, iust, benign, benevolent;
Where were his Wisdom, Goodnes, Iustice, Power,
If Vice He damn not, nor giue Vertue Dower?
Heere, for the most, the Godly suffer still:
Th'Vngodly, heere haue most the Winde at Will:
Shall they not, one-day, change their Difference;
And one-day look for Diuerse Recompence?


[Page 243]Heer, Proud, Rich, Mighty; Meek, Poor, Weak, op­press:

 [...]ions kill Lambes; Fox strips the Fatherless:

 [...]! is there not another Life imperible,

 [...]weet, to the Guiltless; to the Guilty, Terrible?
Who, for Thy sake, their Lyues haue sacrifiz'd,

 [...] all the Torments Tyrants haue deuiz'd;
O! how vnhappy were They, were there not

 [...]rownes kept with Thee, for their Eternal Lot!
Then were We Beasts, or worse then Beasts, indeed:

 [...]or He were best that could the worst exceed.

 [...]hen, 
Let vs eat, drinke, dally, might We say:

 [...]f, after This, there were no Shot to pay.
But leauing now that Song of 
Sensuality,

 [...]elieue we firm our blessed 
Immortality;

 [...]lessed for Those, that, in Perseuerance,

 [...]o Thee alone (Lord) their whole Hopes aduance.
Blessed for Those, who, in sincere Humility,

 [...]cknowledging, as knowing their Debilitie;
Through th'old Corruption of all 
Adams race:

 [...]hem-selues distrusting, only trust Thy 
Grace.
Thou, Lord (alas!) know'st all our Imperfections,
Our vain Desires, our mutable Affections,

 [...]ow prone we are to fall; how Wilde, how Wood,

 [...]ursuing Euill, and eschewing Good.


[Page 244]Th'incessant Sway of our continuall Ill,
Requires the Grace of thy preuention still;
And th'odious Fruits our Nature wonts to breed,
Lord, of Thy Mercies haue continuall need.
Of frailtie therefore, when our foot shall slip,
Or sway, or stray, or turne-awry, or trip;
Yer flat Wee fall, vouchsafe thy helping hand,
To raise vs then; and make vs, after, stand.
For, without Thee, our Force is Feebleness;
Our Wisdome Folly; Will is Waywardness:
Our Knowledge, Ignorance; our Hope Despaire:
Our Faith but Phansie, and our All but Aire.
Without Thee, Lord, meer Idols are we all;
W'haue Eies, but see not: feet, but cannot craule:
Eares, but we heare not: Senses with-out Sense:
Soules with-out Soule, with-out Intelligence.
Without Thee, all our Counsails & Deseigns
Are but as Chaffe before the boysterous Windes;
Our Preparations quickly come to nought;
Our Enterprises vanish with a Thought.
With-out Thee, boot neither our Foot, nor Horse
From Thee alone all things deriue their Force:
Thou only givest Vertue, Wisdome, Wealth,
Peace, Honour, Courage, Victory, and Health.


[Page 245]Thou holdst the hearts of Princes in thy hand:
Their Strength and State is all at thy Command:
No Chance of Warre, no Power, no Policy;
But, Changeless, Thou giv'st Losse, or Victory.
By Thee 
Kings raign; bound, equally to all
To waigh iust Iustice, both to Great and Small;
To reach the good their Sceptre's helpfull Vigour;
And teach the Lewd their Swords seuerest Rigour.
Who Them reiect, or Their iust Lawes repugne;
Thine Honor, and Thine Ordinance impugne.
They owe their Subiects, Iustice and Defence;
Their Subiects Them, Honor, Obedience.
Each ought to pay Them (in degree, & manner)
Tribute, where Tribute; Honor, to whom Honor;

 [...]nd, to their People, They their best Protection,
And Each his Owne; without mis-fond Affection:
And think themselues (the while) Thy subiects too,
And bound the more thy sacred Lore to doo:
To shew the more Their Vertues Excellence,
The more their Charge is, & their Eminence.
Iustice due Dooms slackly to execute,
Makes some Disloyal, others Dissolute:

 [...]ome too-outrageous, in Wrongs greediness,
Others (on th'other side) in all Excess


[Page 246]T'hath oft bin seen (
& in Our Times & Climes)
Good Princes smart for wicked Peoples Crimes:
And sometimes also for their Princes Sin,
Subiects are plagued outward and within.
But, O! how highly happy is the Land
Where a iust Prince doth prudently command!
And where the People in a Loue-bred Awe,
Pay willing Seruice, and Obey the Law.
O happy! both, People and Prince (in fine)
Where both obey Thy sacred Lawes diuine:
Who grately vsing Blessings great and small;
Acknowledge Thee Owner and Lord of All.
Of Thee, in Fee, all Princes of the Earth
Hold their Estates, Goods, Honors, Being, Birth:
And, without Thee, can neither keep, nor get,
Least point of Honor, nor of Earth least bit.
Their 
Arcenals, without Thee are but vain,
Their Hoords of Treasure, and their Heaps of Grain
 [...]
'Tis vainr, without Thee, to affie in Force
Of Men, Munition, Champions, Charrets, Horse.
Without Thee, Order is dis-orderd soon,
Valour soon vanquisht, Policy vndone:
Number but Cumber: and a Multitude
Of beaten Soldiers, beaten by few rude.


[Page 247]Thou, at thy pleasure, mak'st the deepest Sea
Diuide it Self, to giue Thy Seruants Way:
And sodainly, again itself to close,
To ouer-whelm Thine and Their stubborn Foes.
Thou, frō the Rock mak'st plentious Riuers spout,
For Thine to drink, in sandy Desarts drought.
And, there, from Heav'n send'st them exceeding store
Of Quailes, for meat, till they can eate no more.
Thou fedst them there, with Angels bread (a while)
And gav'st them then a Milk-&-Hony Soile.
There, without stroak to conquer in the Field;
And, Mine-less make their tumbling Walls to yeeld.
To shew the vse and power of humble Prayer;
And How to Thee behooues vs still repaire:
While heart and hands 
Moses to Heav'n doth strain,

 [...]enowned IOSVAH Conquers in the Plain.
Thou, at thy pleasure, mak'st the Sun to stay;

 [...]nd, without Night, to make one Double Day:

 [...]o giue thy Seruants complete Victory;

 [...]nd euer-raze their Foes foule memory.
Thou, to expresse thy Power (in 
Gedeons Raign)

 [...]ast by Three hundred. Six-Score Thousand slain:

 [...]nd, by One man, one Goad-groom (Sillie 
Sangar)

 [...]estroy'd Six hundred, in religious anger.


[Page 248]Thou canst in One a Thousands strength compress
And place it strangely in his slender Tress:
Which, cut, he lost; and then re-grown, regain'd;
And dying, more then liuing, Foes he brain'd.
Thou turn'dst to grasse, a King of 
Babylon:
And setst a Shepheard on a Regal Throne.
Thou slew'st a Giant, by a gentle Lad,
Who, for a 
Pistol, but a Pebble had.
How-many Troubles had that Prophet-Prince!
For happy Seruice, hatefull Recompence;
Through Hill & Dale, hunted from place to place:
Yet, still preserv'd by Thine assisting grace;
And set, at last, vpon his Masters Throne,
Subduing all ciuill and forrain Foen:
Then, in Thine Honor warbles many a Psalm;
And, hoary, leaues his Sonne, his Kingdome calm.
By Thee, His Sonne, renowned 
Salomon,
Obtain'd the Name of 
Wisedoms Paragon:
For, asking only That; Thou gau'st Him VVealth,
Honor and Peace withall, and Power and Health.
And, as good Princes thus Thou doost aduance;
So bringst thou down fel Tyrants Arrogance;
Such as, transported in their Pride extreame,
Dare wrong Thy Saints, or Thy d
 [...]d Self blasphem
 [...]


[Page 249] 
Senacherib must This confesse, and rew,
With nine-score-Thousand which Thine Angel slew,
Of His proud Hoste; besides th'vnkindly Slaughter
Of his owne Self, by his owne Sonnes, soon after.
So, That 
Baal-blinded, blood-soild, Sin-sold Paier,
In whose sad Dayes the Zealful 
Thesbits Praier,

 [...]or Seav'n Six-Months, seald-vp thy heav'nly deaws)

 [...]hy Power, Truth, Iustice, in Their Iudgemēt shews.

 [...]ft-times thy Hook hales moody Tyrants back;

 [...]ft-times themselues by their own Swords to wrack:

 [...]ometimes, by Womens weak vnwarlike hands,

 [...]hou conquer'st Captains, & confoundst their Bands.
Yea, Lord, at all times, in extreamest Straights,

 [...]hy sacred Arme, or Secret Army, waits,

 [...]o succour Thine (from Famine, Sword, and Fire;

 [...]nd all the Plots that Foes, or Fiends, conspire)
And them, so daily, to supply, support
Their Wants, their Weaknes) in so various sort,
That, all thy Wonders of this kinde, to count,

 [...]en past Examples, past all Numbers mount.
But, All thy Mercies, vnto All, and Each

 [...]f thine Elect; What Words, what Thoughts can reach!

 [...]hat Thou hast said, and done vnto Thy 
Vine,

 [...]hy 
Loue, Thy 
Doue, that little Flock of Thine!


[Page 250]To whom Thou sp
 [...]kest diuers waies of old;
In Visions, Dreames, Types, Figures manifold;
By Priests and Prophets; sealing oft thine Oracles
Of Wrath, or Mercy; with respectiue Miracles.
And last of all, when Times full Term was run,
Sent'st vs f
 [...]om Heav'n Thine Owne and only SON
Whom coeternal GOD Thou didst ingender,
Thine own 
grauē Im
 [...]ge, Thine own Glories splēdo
 [...]
Th'Eternal Word, by Whom, when All began,
Thou madest All; and since, re-madest Man:
The 
Mediatour, and the 
Vmpire, giv'n,
To reconcile reuolted Earth to Heav'n.
Who, to impart to vs His Immortalitie,
Took part with Vs in this our fraile Mortalitie;
And, in all things (except all Sinne alone)
A perfect Man, put all our Nature on.
Born in the World, to make Vs Born-anew:
In pouertie, Vs richly to endew:
Humbling himself, that we might raised be:
In Seruant's Form, to make vs euer Free.
Came down to Earth, Vs vp to Heav'n to mount
Was tempted 
 [...]eer; our Tempter to surmount:
Dy'd to destroy the Strength of Death and Sin:
And Rose again, our Righteousnes to win.


[Page 251]How oft did He visite the Poore and Sick?
Cure the Distracted, and Paralitique;
Restore the Blinde, Deaf, Dumb; and Dead reuiue;
And Satans Captiues from his rage repriue!
How many Idiots did He make excell
The 
Wisest Masters in all 
Israel!

 [...]ow many rude, plain, silly Fisher-men,

 [...]are power-full Preachers; Fishers (then) of Men.
How-many Sin-sick did he inly cure;

 [...]nd deep Soule-wounded binde-vp, and assure!

 [...]ow-many Proud, Loose, Cruell, Couetous,

 [...]ade Hee Meek, Modest, Gentle, Bountious.
By Him, deer Father, come we Thee to know,

 [...]hy 
Word, thy 
Will; to frame our owne Wils so:

 [...]y Him alone Wisedome we seek and finde;

 [...] Cares and Crosses, to confirm our minde.
By Him alone Thy sacred Truth we learn

 [...]om suttlest Errors cleerly to discern:

 [...]y Him all Cloudes of Darknes are dispell'd;

 [...]olatry and Heresie refell'd.
By Him, We pray to Thee; and what we craue
liuely Faith, we are assur'd to haue:

 [...]eav'ns Kingdom first, Soules Feast, & Bodies Food,

 [...]race, Comfort, Peaee, & euery needfull Good.


[Page 252]By Him, be We Thy Children of Adoption,
Coheires of Heav'n, and Vessels of Election:
Becomming Man, He is become our Brother;
So, happy VVe haue also Thee our Father.
By Him, of Thee, Thine Holy Spirit we haue;
Which in our hearts thy Law doth lyuelie graue:
The Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, of Loue,
Of Power, of Peace, of Wisedome from aboue:
The Spirit, which staies vs, when in Storms we ride
And steers vs steddie, in our Calmer Tide:
VVhich kills the Flesh, and chills infatuate Fires;
To quicken Soules, and kindle Heav'ns-Desires:
Which brings the Strays home to Thy holy Fold
Giues Stutters Tongues, and makes the bashful bold
Opens the Sense of Sacred Mysteries;
Giues Form, or Life to euerie thing that is.
In Him, Thou built'st Thy Heav'n of Heav'ns excelling
Thy Court prepar'd for Saints eternall Dwelling:
In Him, Thou mad'st the VVorld and All to moue
In euery Part as doth it best behoue.
Hee, to the fainting heart new heart procures,
Confirmes the feeble, fearefull Soules assures:
Giues Faith, and Hope, Loue, Grace & godly Zeal.
Happy the Soules where He delights to dwel.


[Page 253]For, Those Hee fills with his aboundant Treasures,

 [...]n diuers manners, and in diuers measures;

 [...]s diuersly befits Thy Churches-state,

 [...]o 
Plant, or 
Prune, or 
Prop, or 
Propagate.
To some he giues a cleer, quick Apprehension;

 [...]o some, deep Iudgement; some, Diuine Inuention:

 [...]o some, the doore of gracefull Eloquence;

 [...]o some, the store of Wisedoms Excellence:
Some, to interpret with Diuine Dexterity

 [...]he sacred Secrets of th'eternall Verity:

 [...]ome (School-less Scholars; Learned, study-less)

 [...]o vnderstand and speak all Languages.
Som (to confirm their Office, and Thine Oracles)

 [...]o work strange Wonders, great & many Miracles;

 [...]euiue the dead, recouer natiue Euils,

 [...]re all Diseases; and euen cast out Diuels.
Such are th'Effects, Works, Vertues, gifts & graces,

 [...]hich, by degrees, in diuers times and places,

 [...]hy Holy Spirit to sillie Men hath giv'n;

 [...]om Them, to Thee, to raise our hearts to Heav'n.
And, as in our fraile Bodies (through varietie

 [...]f Members, fitted into One Societie)

 [...]ne very Soule doth actions different,

 [...]me more, Some lesse, Noble, or Excellent:


[Page 254]So, in the mystick Body of Thy Son
(Where many Members Loue vnites in One)
Thine Owne, One Spirit, works actions admirable
Among themselues more or lesse honorable.
Yet, orderly, Each his owne Rank obserues;
And properly, Each his owne Office serues:
Nor boasteth any, other not to need:
For oft the least, the most of all doth steed.
Therefore the stronger must the weak support:
The safe and sound, cheer the afflicted sort:
The Rich and mighty, not despise Inferiours;
Neither the mean enuie or hate Superiours.
Were All a Head, in This faire Frame of 
Man;
Where were the Foot, the Hand, the Stomack than;
Were All a Tongue, where should the Eye becom
 [...]
Were All an Eye, where should the Eare haue room▪
O Spirit Eternall! which hast All compos'd;
In number, measure, Order, All dispos'd;
Make Charity Vs (mutuall Members) moue;
Vnite our Spirits in thy perpetuall Loue.
Quench all Contentions, Errors, Heresies,
Which, both our Mindes and Bodies tyranize:
Quench all Concupiscence, and foule Desire,
Which, both our Bodies and Soules Death conspir
 [...]


[Page 255]Vouchsafe our Souls, Rest; w
thout Schismik strife;
Our Bodies Health, through chaste and sober Life.
What could we ask? what should wee rather craue,
Then in sound Bodies as sound Soules to haue?
Sound is the Body kept, by keeping Chaste,
With moderate Exercise, and mean repast:

 [...]ound is the Soule, which resteth (sober-wise)
Content in Thee; vn-vext in Vanities.
Sound is the Soule, free from all Self-Sedition
Of Pride, Hate, Enuie, Auarice, Ambition,

 [...]nd all the Crowd of Mans Concupiscence;

 [...]inding His Will, to Thy Obedience.
Who is so bound (Thy Seruant) is most Free:

 [...]ost Rich, who leaues all Riches else, for Thee:

 [...]ost easie rests, who most for Thee endures:

 [...]ost Self-distrusting, most Thy Strength assures.
So Thee to Serue, is euen to 
Raign: in brief,

 [...]o to Obey, is to Command in Chief.

 [...]o walke Thy Wayes, is only 
Libertie.

 [...]o learn Thy 
Learning, ENCYCLOPAEDIE:
O! happy Those that stand in such a state;

 [...]nd in Thy Statutes alwaies meditate:

 [...]r, if they slip, or trip, or faile, or fall,

 [...]eturn betimes, and for Thy Mercy call.


[Page 256]For, though thy Law, in Firie Thunder-giv'n,
Threat still the Stubborn, with Reuenge frō Heav'n▪
Thy gracious Gospell offers Pardon free,
To humbled Soules that Sigh, in Faith, to Thee.
And Thou, who wilt not, Sinners die, but liue;
Hast promis'd, All, so suing, to forgiue.
Thy Word is Truth: Thy Promise to fulfill,
Thou (God of Truth) hast euer Power and Will.
O! bountious Thou, which doost so oft repaire▪
Our broken Soules, and keep'st them from Despair
And, blessed Wee, whose Faith in Love's Physicion
Assures our Hope, of all our Sins Remission.
Who-so hath Sorrow for his Sinfulnes,
Purpose to mend, Desire of Holiness,
Trust in Thy Mercy; hath no need to doubt
But, by Thy Grace, his Sins are wyped out.
O Cordial Word! O Comfortable breath!
Reuiuing Soules, euen in the Gates of Death!
From Iawes of Hell, raising our Hopes to Heav'n!
Therefore, deer Lord, To Thee all Praise be giv'n
Who shall accuse vs now, if Thou acquight?
God being with vs, what can vs affright?
Our Faith in Thee (ô!) What can shake, or shock
So surely fixt vpon so firm a Rock?


[Page 257]What shall diuide vs, Lord, from Loue of Thee?

 [...]hall Shame? shall Sorrow? shall Aduersity?

 [...]hal Famine? Plague? War? Wealth, or Want? (In sum)

 [...]hall Life? shall Death? things Present, or to-Come?
Stay, stay, vs Lord, and steel our feeble hearts,

 [...]gainst the sting of temporarie Smarts:

 [...]raw, draw our Soules neer to thy Self, ô Lord,
With powerfull Touches of Thy Spirit & Word.
Guide, guide our Steps still in thy Gracious Way,

 [...]uring our Durance in This house of Clay:

 [...]hat, when This Prison shall be broken down,
Wee may with Thee receiue a Glorious Crown.
So shall Wee euer, with a voice Diuine,

 [...]ing 
Haleluiahs to th'ETERNAL TRINE;

 [...]ecord thy Mercies, which all Thoughts Surmount;

 [...]nd Thus the Glory of Thy Deeds recount:
SVpernall Lord, Eternall King of Kings,
Maker, Maintainer, Mouer of All things,

 [...]ow infinite! How excellently-rare!

 [...]ow absolute! Thy Works, Thy Wonder are!

 [...]ow-much Their Knowledge is to be desir'd!

 [...]ow, THOV, in All, to be of All admir'd!

FINIS.

MICRO-COSMO-GRAPHIA; …

[Page]

MICRO-COSMO-GRAPHIA; The Little-Worlds Description: OR, THE MAP OF MAN (From Latin Saphiks of that Famous, late, Preacher in London, M ^r. HEN. SMITH) Translated; & Dedicated To the Right Honourable, HONORIA, Lady HAY.

By IOSVAH SYLVESTER.

[Page]

To the right-Right Honourable, HONORIA, Wife of IAMES, Lord HAY, Sole Daughter and Heire of EDVVARD Lord DENNY.

EQually bound, in humble Gratitude,

To Two deer Equals (to You equall Deer);

Vnable (yet) with Both at once to cleer,

Vnwilling yet, with Eyther to be rude:

[...]aine would I craue to haue my Bond renewd,

For a more Happy, or more Hopefull Year,

When gratious Heav'n shall daign to set me freer

From old cold Cares, which keep my Muse vnmew'd.

Would You be pleas'd (Madame) to interpose

Your gentle breath, I would not doubt to speed:

Such vertue hath Your Vertue stil with Those.

Therefore in Hope of Your kinde Help (at need)

This simple Pledge I Offer at Your Feet;

Altar of Loue, Where both Their Vowes doe meet.

Yo ^r. Honorable Vertue's humble Votarie, Iosuah Syluester.

[Page]

THE MAP OF MAN.

I 
Sing not, but (in Sighes abrupt)

Sob-out the State of MAN, corrupt

By th'olde Serpent's 
banefull Breath;

Whose strong Contagion still extends

To euery Creature that descends

From th'old Little World 
of Death.

Drad-deer Creator, 
new-create

Thy Creature: Sauiour, 
expiate
This, 
and all our Owne Addition:

O Sacred Spirit, 
Our Spirits renew:

Informe, reforme, and tune Mee trew,

To condole Our sad Condition.

In Earth, Man wanders (Pilgrim-wise)
Hopes, doubts; desires, faints, freezes, fryes;
Crossed, tossed to and fro:
He turns, he windes; he findes no good:
He ay complains that Euill's Flood
(Farre and wide) doth ouer-flowe.

His Birth (in Sinne) beginnes in Teares:
His Life is rife in Pains and Fears;
Will-He, nill-He, spoyling sport:
His Death with groans, in doubtfull case,
Sends him, God knowes, vnto what place:
Blest none rest, but in the Port.

[Page 264]
The Flesh against the Spirit rebells:
The Spirit againe the Flesh repells;
Euer striuing, neuer still:
And sodainly, while these contend,
Their common Foe, the cursed Fiend,
Findes aduantage Both to kill.

Earth (Step-dam-like) sharp Rodds doth yield,
To scourge her Sonns: the Sea is filld
(Both aboue and vnder too)
With hideous Horrors, past report:
Th'Aier, whirling in Tempestuous sort,
Beats, and threats All to vndoo.

The Countrey's rude, and foe to Fame;
The Court more braue, and more to blame;
Painted Faces, graces fain'd:
The Cittie (There, O! bad's the best)
Seat of Deceit, and Misers nest;
Gold their God, vngodly gain'd.

Iarr at the Barr: Stewes at the Stage;
In Way-fare, Thieues: in War-fare, Rage:
Noyse abroad: Annoyes at home:
In Churches, Purchase, Profanation,
Fiends seeming Saints; Abhomination:
Euery-where, no Feare of 
Doome.

[Page 265]
The Throne's not giuen vnto the Iust:
The Faithfull is not put in Trust:
Prophets are not held for true:
Nor loyall lov'd, nor learned grac't,
Nor weary eas'd, nor Worthy plac't:
Nor hath any heer his dew.

The impudent, the insolent,
The Foole, the Friend in complement,
And the sly, we see (by proof)
Held eloquent, magnanimous,
Right pleasant, kinde, ingenious;
And the Wealthy, wise ynough.

Reward is heard: words are but winde:
Each Art is long; Life short confin'd:
Might makes Right in euery Cause.

Physicke is vile, and vilely vs'd;

Diuinity, disdain'd, abus'd:
Vnder foot men tread the 
Lawes.

The Rich with rage, the Poore with plaints,
With hate the Wise, with scorne the Saints,
Euermore are curstly crost:
With painfull toyle the Priuate-man,
The Nobler states with Enuy wan,
Without end are torne and tost.

[Page 266]
If good, he fares no better for 't;
If bad, no worse they him support;
Fortune serueth all alike:
Though she simper, though she smile,
Though she laugh outright awhile,
She is alwaies slippery-sleeke.

Who lately serued, Lords-it now:
Who lately becked, now doth bow:
Valleyes swell, and Mountains sink:
Who lately flourisht, now doth fade:
Who late was strong, now feeble made,
Feeding Wormes, in Dust doth stink.

So, Lowly rests: so, Lofty rues.
Say that one might his fortune chuse,
Vnder Heauen to haue his will;
'Twould be a Doubt, among the Wise,
Whether it better were to Rise
To High state, or to Sit still.

Phant'sie conceiues, Reason receiues,
Passion repugns (and Patience reaues).
What I wish, What I desire,
I see: and Sense importunes so,
I couet, I commend it too:
Then againe it doth retire.

[Page 267]

 [...]ense, whither now? Tis griefe to see

 [...]hat flits so fast, so sodainly.
Reason, whither roams thy reach?
What hurts, were better still be hid,

 [...]nd still vnknowne: O! ill-bestid!
Poor in store, in Wealth a wretch.

When Fortune comes, she means our Wrack;
And when she goes, she breaks our back:
Comming, going, all is one.

 [...]or, What she giues she takes away,
Vnkinde, and blinde, inconstant ay;
Frank to few, and firme to none.

Oft haue I canvas'd, whethers Case

 [...]s Worst; the Fall'n, or th'euer-Base:
Yet, scarce can I it decide.
The Fall proues plainly for the first:
Want Pleads, that euer-Want is Worst;
Partiall to their proper side.

 [...]t irks the Fall'n to haue been High:
Th' ay-Poor could wish he had been By:
Either others state would glad.
If euen in gladnes sadnes growe,
Were not I somewhat glad also,
How extreame should I be sad!

[Page 268]
If Care Wee take, it Health impaires:
If not, it takes Vs vn-awares:
Whether should we seek or shun?
Whether (to passe vnto the next)
The good or bad be most perplext,
Is another Question.

The Guiltie suffers for his Fault:
The Guilt-less doubts no less assault
By Miss-Fortune: both desire
To liue on Earth, to draw this breath:
Both feare to Die; and, after Death,
Torment of eternall Fire.

Hence, slowe Dayes labour wears vs thin:
Hence, lightly, Nightly fears begin:
Hence, rathe Rising and late Rest:
Hence, toughest storms, and roughest streams:
Hence, griping Cares, and ghastly Dreams,
Waking, sleeping, do molest.

Winter's too-colde: Summer's too-hot;
Autumne too-moist (which breeds the Rot)
All the hope is in the Spring.
The liuely Spring is louely faire:
But, if keen Ice then chill the Aier,
Little pleasure doth it bring.

[Page 269]
Seas drowne the Vales: the Windes doe heaue
The Hills to Heav'n; the Rocks they cleaue.
Bold Ambition stands amaz'd,
Expecting where to build a Fort

 [...]o strong, and rampyr'd in such sort,
That it neuer may be raz'd.

 [...]eace is too-drown'd in Lust and Sloath:
Warre is too-drunk with Blood and Wrath:
That, too-gawdie; this, too-grim.
Mens mindes are all so delicate,

 [...]o soft, and so effeminate,
Small things, all things, grieuous seem.

 [...]ither the Head doth alwayes ake,
Or Palat sleep, or Palsey shake,
Or our Belly roars within:
Or else with Choler wee abound,
Or else with Phlegm, or else (vnsound)
Tumour's humours scald our skin.

What dread of Death, What greedy Lust,

 [...]hat Surfait, Sloath, and Deeds vniust,
Daily plunge in Perills rife;
What Sword consumeth every houre,

 [...]nd what the Plague doth quick deuoure,
Lengthens Physick, shortens Life.

[Page 270]
Where's now 
Aeneas? where's his Sonne?
Where's 
Hercules? Where's 
Salomon?
Where is 
Dauid? Where is 
Saule?
Where's 
Cyrus, Caesar, and the rest?
Ah! Hee and They are all deceast:
I must follow: so must all.

Hark: Thou, whom most the People hailes;
The wisest errs: the iustest failes:
Strongest limpeth now and than:
The humblest swels: the sobrest sips:
The holiest sins: the wariest slips:
God is fault-lesse: neuer, Man.

Too-curious or too-carelesly,
Too-lauish or too-slauishly,
By the Foole or by the Knaue;
Too-craking, or too-crauenly,
Too-hatefull, or too-gratefully,
Haste or waste marrs all we haue.

Ambition's end is Rule and Raign:
Crueltie's, Conquest: Guile's, is Gain,
To growe Rich by hook or crook:
Iuggling, and struggling, strife in all:
No Triumph without Fight will fall;
Warr-less, none for Peace may look.

[Page 271]

 [...]ee think, but neuer can intend,

 [...]ood thoughts well to begin; or end
If perhaps they be begun:

 [...]r, if wee end them, neuer finde
How-euer rare, in any kinde)
Recompence when we haue done.

 [...]ur heart it hath an in-borne Guest,


 [...]ll-Ill (it hight): it posteth prest
To the Tongue, ill Words to vent:

 [...]esire, then, rushes to ill Deeds:

 [...]ngeance anon the Fact succeeds.
Thus comes Ill to Punishment.

 [...]ife, this Snake we choak or charm;

 [...]ithin, again We hug it Warm:
Daring, doubting, vp and down;

 [...]ll Lust, as lighter, vp doth surge;

 [...]d th'horror of the fearefull Scourge,
Fall, as heauier, to the ground.

 [...]me Flesh, be frolike, take delight,

 [...]'s revell now: 't will once be night:
Shall a little Gout, or Cholick,

 [...] sodaine Qualm, or sullen Care,

 [...] addle Fit of idle Feare
Mar thy Mirth? Come Flesh, be frolik.

[Page 272]
What seeks, we shun; What shuns, we seek:
What helps, we loath; What hurts, we like:
Bird in-hand we leaue, for bush.
For, What we Want we panting craue;
And loosely lauish what Wee haue:
Brag, of that should make vs blush.

With-childe with mirth, we bring-forth Scorn,
We bring-vp Furie; over-born
(Moov'd and mooving) either way;
Too-sorrie, or too-merry-mad:
The happy Meane is neuer had,
While we Wretches heere doe stay.

Wee reign and serue: we want and flowe:
We ioy and mourne: we freez and glowe:
Vowes we make and break (together):
We build and batter; ioyne and iarr:
We heap and scatter; make and marr:
And we flourish, and we wither.

Wee look to Heauen, and leap to Hell:
Our Hope and Feare (by turnes) rebell;
Plunging downe, or puffing-vp:
Please would we faine, but finde demurr;
Please might we well, did Will concurr:
Sloath doth stay, and Lust doth stop.

[Page 273]

 [...]o, still we stand, and whine the while;

 [...]ought Labour boots, nor loue, nor wile:
All is lost, when 'tis too-late.

 [...]uills to th'euill and the good

 [...]re daily sent: and if with-stood,
We but faster foster 
Fate.

 [...] will at once giue-over quight

 [...]oth to be VVicked and Vpright;
To doe either Right, or Wrong:

 [...]or, Goods well-gotten, growe but thin,

 [...]et hardly vp, come slowely in:
And th'ill-gotten last not long.

What shall I doe? If I forbear

 [...]y Cause-less Foe, I blush, I fear
His Despight, and my Disparage.

 [...] to revenge me, I resolue;

 [...] satisfies, when I revolue
None's all-Fault-less, in all Cariage.

When I haue spar'd, I wish t'haue spoke:

 [...]nd when I speak, I would revoke;
Better pleas'd t'haue held my peace:
Would God I could (as Wiser-ones)

 [...]oth speake and holde my peace at once;
So to liue at Quietnes.

[Page 274]
Deare Minde, how doost Thou? Fraile & sick,
My Flesh implores thy Succour quick:
Canst? O! canst Thou cure her griefe?
O! daign (I pry-thee) then with speed
To help thy Seruant now at need;
Send her Reason for reliefe.

For, 
Faithfull Minde's firm Resolution
Cures often-times th' ill Constitution
Of a Body sick-inclyn'd:
But, then the Body (late deplored
For weake estate) to Health restored,
Growes a Burthen to the Minde.

O Sin-bred Hurt! O in-bred Hell!
Nor full, nor fasting, neuer well?
Neuer sound? What shall I say?
Once all was well, and would be now
Better then euer, if that Thou
Cursed Sin wert quight away.

But Now (alas!) all Mischiefe lies
In Ambush with all Miseries,
Mans Confusion to conspire:

Desire and 
Feare at-once torment:

Feare is a Tyrant; Mal-Content,
And insatiate is 
Desire.

[Page 275]
Who fears? who mourns? who wants? who wan­ders?
Ah! only Men (Wills ill-Commanders).
Man alone abounds therein.
Lowd Lamentations, lasting Terrors,
Hart-wounding Wants, and wilfull Errors,
Had not been, had Man not been.

Heere Pestilence, there Hungers Iawe,
Heer Drink, there 
Duel, there the Lawe,
Snatches one or other hence,
Heer Crosse, there Care: or (better blest)
Who hap These Haps to scape the best,
Age deuoures with-out Dispense.

Perpending This in minde perplext,
The Miserable (Envie-vext)
Cryes, 
O Beasts, O Foules, O Fish!
You happy, harm-less, storm-less things,
Precise in 
Natures Lessonings,
Liue You long: You Life may wish.

But, I think, better not be born;
Or, born, hence quickly to return
To our Mothers dusty Lap;
Then liuing, daily heere to die,
In Cares, and Fears, and Misery,
By Miss-heed, or by Miss-hap.

[Page 276]
While Hunger gripes mee gut and gall,
While burning Thirst for Drinke doth call,
While for Cold I quake: alas!
In languor long I linger-on.
O! happy Those, whose Woes, whose Mone,
Ridding quick doth quickly passe.

The Stout, the Coward, and the Meek,
All skirmish vnder 
Fortune like,
Stryking all with Mischiefs aye;
The Stout repugnes, the Patient prayes,
The Hare-like Coward runnes his wayes;
Fortune differs not, but They.

Too-peeuish This, too-pleasant That,
(Too-fierce, or too-effeminate)
Golden Mean can hardly stand
Betwixt these Two Extreames, vpright,
'Tis worne so weak, and waigh'd so light:
Error playes on either hand.

Wedlock, with Wife and Children cloggs:
The Single-Life, Lusts heauier Loggs,
(Rare's the Gift of 
Continence).
The Young-man stalks, the Old-man stoops,
That over-dares, This euer droops:
Th'Infant craules through Impotence.

[Page 277]
Maisters taxe Seruants, proud, slutt, slowe;
Seruants, Churle Maister, Mistress Shrowe:
Either Others Fault can finde.
The Daughter thinks her Mother froward;
Mother her Daughter deems vn-toward:
Kit (they say) will after Kinde.

Princes doe enuy Subiects Wealth:
Subiects doe enuy Princes Health:
Each doth enuie Others Good:
All, all doe envy 
Learnings Honour
(If any be conferrd vpon her)
O! ô wicked, wretched Mood!

The Souldier likes the Rusticks Calm;
The Clowne affects the Souldiers Palm;
Thus doth 
Envy inly fret-her:
Our Pastures parch, our Heards be poore;
Our Neighbour thriues in every store:
Others Crop is ever better.

Fond Louers languish at their Eyes:
The Wrathfull fosters and defies
Frenzies, Furies, (wayward Elues):
What need we call for Whip or Scourge?
Their punishment what need we vrge?
Their Selfs Errors scourge themselues.

[Page 278]
Feare hunts the Coward at the heel;
The Cruell, still Revenging steel;
Ruine Him that Ruine seeks;
Heauy Revenge on hainous Crimes:
Yea, in the Sin, the Plague some-times;
Heauens iust hand so iustly strikes.

Sorrow and Shame, for what is past;
Care, of the present; Feare (fore-cast)
Of the danger yet to-come;
Make all false Pleasures shorter seem,
And sharper too in pain extreme,
Then euen Paine it selfe to some.

If I be merry, I am mad
(Say the Severe): if Sober-sad,
Merry Greeks me Meacock call.
Is't possible for any-Man,
At-once to please (doe what he can)
God, Himselfe, the World, and all?

Who 
Greatnesse haultily affects,
Who 
Great Things happily effects;
That is hated, This envy'd:
But, hoping 
Greatnesse, who so haps
To faile (or fall in After-Claps)
Him the Vulgar dare deride.

[Page 279]
VERTVE is vanquisht by her Foes,
Whose Tryumph euen their Fore-head showes,
'Tis a shame to be ashamed.
But shall I tell (and tell thee trew)
Thy Fate (the Fruit that shall ensew
Shame-less shame-full life vntamed)?

This Fate then falls to bee Thine owne,
Such shalt thou reap as thou hast sown:
Wages like thy Worke expect.
Who heere their Dayes in Euill spend,
Shall suffer Euills, with-out End;
Such is 
Minos Doom direct.

Then, swagger, stagger, spend and spoyle;
Steale and conceale, and keep a coyle;
Quickly shalt thou all forgoe:
Kill, conquer, triumph; down again
Shalt thou bee cast: bouz, beat, disdaign;
Th' End's at hand, and comes not slowe.

The Wise bewaile Mens Follies rife,
And faine would cure their Vitious life
With 
Receits of heauenly Skill:
But Sin-sick Fooles (what-ever prick,
Benumbd by Custome) lethargike,
Care not, feare not, feele no ill.

[Page 280]
Who knoweth much, much ill he knowes:
Who little reaks, much good forgoes.
Hence, perplexed Doubts hee casts;
What is great Knowledge? What so much
Of Learning? or of Book-Skill such?
But great Blazes, and light Blasts?

While 
Plato, sportiue, doth despise,
The sullen 
Cyniks Slouen-guise;
Hee, as fast (on th'other side)
Doth 
Plato's Pomp as much condemn
And trample-on: Were both of them
(Who can tell me?) Wise, or Wide?

Democritus heere laughes a-good:

Heraclitus there weepes a Flood.
Glad and sad would mend vs faine:
But now, so stubborn-stiffe is Man,
That Teares, nor Tunes, nor Ought else can
Faults restore, nor Fates restraine.

Sloath neuer wanteth Want, for Mate;
Thrift, Sweat and Labour macerate;
Eyther in their issue languish:
So, Health is neuer without Sin,
Nor Sicknes without Paine with-in:
Outward Ache, or inward Anguish.

[Page 281]
Service is to the Lofty minde
A Curb, a Spur to th'abiect Hinde;
Seld or neuer stoopes the Will:
The Vulgar voice, the Common Cry
Is, 
Welcome, Welcome LIBERTY:
Good for good, but ill for ill.

A Griefe it is alone to bee;
But more, to haue ill company:
More or lesse (alas!) by This,
Appeareth plain, when all is donne,
(As Proof hath found) that vnder Sunne,
Heer's no full, no perfect 
Blisse.

Who neuer yet himselfe could please,
What can content? What vse? What Ease?
What availeth Wealth at will?
Needy and naked heere I liue:
To die, it doth me nothing grieue;
But to perish, and liue still.

I look to Heaven, and there (alas!)
With Fear I see my Iudges Face,
Auditing my Summes of Sin:
I thinke of Hell, and then I burn
Like 
Aetna: then to Earth return,
Cares and Fears there neuer lin.

[Page 282]
This feele I, thus I iustly fare:
O Man! learn quickly, and haue care
Sacred Duties to obserue.
This Life is rife in Troubles sore:
But yet (alas!) a Million more
Our Rebellion doth deserue.

Much like, or worse then 
former Age,
The 
futures Face wee may presage:
Better seldome comes, they say.
Now Right, now Wrong; now Good, now Ill;
Now Fiend, now Frend; now God, now Will,
Seem to haue alternate Sway.

Nothing is 
gratis giuen nor got:
Each labours more or lesse (God wot)
With the hand or with the head:
None without Art or Vertue thriue;
Nor Art, nor Vertue all atchiue:
Onely, These, not alwayes sped.

What should I seeke or sue for much,
To liue at Rest? Content is Rich.

Fortune often is too-free,
And often kills where shee's too-kinde:
But, had we once an equall Minde,
Wee should all Contented bee.

[Page 283]
But, euery one is too-secure
In sunny Dayes; and in obscure,
Too-deiected in Desire:
Hence, ouer-faint, or ouer-full;
Too-pyned, or too-plentifull,
Fry we all with inward Fire.

Now, Dust her dustic Brood expects:

Come, Earth to Earth (of either Sexe).
Pleasure trembles at her Call;
Cryes-out of Haste, complaines of Heaven:
But Paine and Sorrow (narrow-driven)
Are well pleasd, an
 [...] easd with-all.

Who giues me grace to gush-out Teares,
And lends me space to poure forth Prayers;
Yet, both seeming to neglect?
'Tis God the dreadfull, Sinners Scourge;
The gratious God, which oft doth purge
Ills with Pills, in his Elect.

Behold me, Thou that didst bestow
Thy Sonne on Mee: Forgiue me, Thou
That didst suffer for my Sin:
Assist and stay me euermore
Thou, Thou that heere so oft before,
In my brest a Guest hast bin.

[Page 284]
Regard vs, Lord, vnworthy though;
Thy Glory seek, thy Mercy showe;
Enimies approach apace:
We faile, we fall, we cannot stand,
Our Foes will haue the vpper hand,
But Thou help vs with thy Grace.

Witnes my Selfe that heer lie slain,
But, by Thy Touch reuiu'd again;
Glad to liue, to liue to Thee:
And yet desire to be dissolv'd
(When my due Date shall be revolv'd)
As more happy farre for Mee.

Shew me the 
Holy Land, which flowes
With Milke and Hony (
Saints Repose).
Traine mee in the new Commerce,
In the New Art of 
Better Life:
Then farewell 
Muses, fare-well Strife:
In Thy Courts I will conuerse.

I cannot strike Apollo's 
string,

Study for Heav'n and timely ring

Sacred Aaron
's golden Bell;

Nor sing at-once the Thespian 
Songs,

And serue my Countrey, as belongs:

Therefore, MVSES, 
heere Fare-well.

FINIS.

[Page]

CERTAIN EPIGRAMMS of the same M ^r. H.S. Translated; & Dedicated To my deer-affected, due-respected, D ^r. HALL, & D ^r. HILL.

I Owe You Each a larger Summ:

Why bring I then to Both a Crumm?

To shew you Both, My Shifts, to liue;

Euen faine to Borrow what I giue:

But better so, then (blushless) steal

Others Conceipts; or Debts conceale.

Til more my Might, diuide this Myte.

A Larke (they say) is worth a Kite:

Some Greater, greater things present,

Of lesser Worth, or worser meant.

GOD measures not our Work, but Will:

Doe You the like: and loue me still.

I. S.

[Page 286]

EPIGRAMMS.

1. Of a King.

EXtirp ¹, extoll ²; knowe ³, keep ⁴; loue ⁵, learne ⁶ (from High)

Bad ¹, Good ²; Thy Self ³, The Lawes ⁴-path; Peace ⁵, to Dye ⁶.

2. Of a Lawyer.

Liue iust (Iustinian) still: shield ¹, shun ², suppress; ³

Good-mens Good ¹ Cause, Bribes ², Brawling ³-Peeuishnes.

3. Of a Physician.

He that can Cure the Sick, and Keep the Sound,

Shall be My Leach (Whether He Kill, or Wound).

4. Of a Diuine.

Knowe GOD; know'n, teach Him; as thou teachest, trea [...]

So shall thy Flock be as well taught, as fed.

5. Of a Iudge.

Both blinde and lame I iudge Thee best to make;

Least that thine Eyes miss-giue, thy Hands miss-take.

6. Of a Husbandman.

Good-morrow bids the Cock, th'Owle bids Good-night,

To Countrie-Cares: I bid, GOD speed them right.

7. Of a Captaine.

In War and Peace, CHRIST is the sole Commander

To lead to God-ward: follow still His Standard.

Of all the Seauen.

So Rule ¹, Plead ², Practise ³, Preach ⁴, Doom ⁵, Delue ⁶, Direc [...] ⁷

Climes ¹, Causes ², Cures ³, CHRIST ⁴, Crimes ⁵, Turues ⁶, Tro [...] sel [...] ⁷

FINIS.

LACHRYMAE LACHRYMARV …

[Page]

LACHRYMAE LACHRYMARVM: or The Spirit of Teares, Distilled For the vn-timely Death of The incomparable PRINCE, HENRY (Late) PRINCE of WALES.

By IOSVAH SYLVESTER.

HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE

[Page]

[Page 289]

LACHRYMAE LACHRYMARVM. A Funeral Elegie.

The Argument, in an EPITAPH.

HEre lyes (Drie Eies, read not This EPITAPH.)

Heer lyes Great-Britans 
Stay, Great Iacob's 
Staff:

The stately Top-bough of Imperial Stemme,

World's richest Iewell, Nature
's rarest Gemme,

Mirror of Princes, 
Miracle of Youth,

All Vertues Pattern, Patron of all Truth;

Refuge of Armes, ample Reward of Arts,
Worth
's Comforter, milde Conquerer of Hearts:

The Churche's 
Tower, the Terror of the Pope,

Herôik HENRY, Atlas 
of our Hope.

HOw-euer, short of Others 
Art and 
Wit,
I knowe my powers for such a Part vnfit;
And shall but light my Candle in the 
Sun,
To doe a work shall be so better 
Donne:
Could 
Teares and 
Feares giue my Distractions leaue,
Of sobbing words a 
sable Webbe to weaue;
Could 
Sorrow's 
Fulnes giue my voice a vent;
How would, how should, my saddest 
Verse lament,
In deepest Sighes (in stead of sweetest Songs)

This Loss (alas!) which vnto All belongs!


[Page 290]To All, alas! though chiefly to the Chief;
His 
royal Parents, Principalls in grief:
To All the 
Peers, to all 
Confederate,
To All the CHVRCH, to all the CHRISTIAN 
State!
To all the Godly 
now, and 
future, farr:
To all the WORLD; except S.P.Q.R.
To All together, and to Each a-part,
That liues, and loues 
Religion, Armes, or 
Art:
To all abroad; but, to Vs most of all
That neerest stood to my 
High Cedars fall:
But, more then most, to 
Mee, that had no 
Prop
But HENRY's 
Hand; and, but in 
Him, no 
Hope:
In Whom, with 
Nature, Grace and 
Fortune mett,
To consummate a PRINCE, as 
Good as 
Great:
In Whō, the Heavn's were pleas'd to shew the Earth
A richer 
Iewell then the World was worth,
Or worthy of: therefore, no more to make
So rare a 
Piece, His pretious Moulde they brake.

O soudain Change! O sad 
Vicissitude!
O! how the Heav'ns our Earthly Hopes delude!
O! what is firm beneath the Firmament!
O! what is constant heer that giues Content!
What Trust in Princes! O! what Help in Man,
Whose 
dying Life is but in length a spann!


[Page 291]Melting, as Snowe before the Mid-day Sunn;
Past, as a Poste, that speedy by dooth runn;

 [...]wift, as the Current of the quickest Stream;

 [...]ain, as a Thought; forgotten, as a Dream.
O Deerest HENRY, Heav'n and Earth's 
Delight!
O cleerest Beame of 
Vertues, Rising bright!
O purest Spark of 
Pious Princely 
Zeale!
O surest Ark of 
Iustice sacred weale!
O grauest Presage of a 
Prudent Kinde!
O brauest Message of a 
Valiant Minde!
O All-admir'd, 
Benign and 
Bountious!
O All-desired (right) PANARETVS!
PANARETVS (
All-vertuous) was thy Name;
Thy Nature such: such euer be thy Fame.
O deerest! cleerest! purest! surest 
Prop!
O grauest! bravest! highest! nighest 
Hope!
O! how vntimely is this Sunne gonn down!
This 
Spark put-out! This 
Ark (as) ouerthrown!
This Presage crost! This Message lost and left!
This Prop displac't! This Hope of All, bereft!
O! How, vnkinde! How, graceless! How, ingrate!
Haue 
Wee cut-off Thy likely longer Date!
For, were 
This Stroak frō Heav'ns immediat hand;
Or (by Heav'ns leaue) from Hell's suborned Band


[Page 292]Of ROMVLIDES (What dare not They presume
 [...]
If this, That Sea a Sulphury Sea consume.)
How-e'r it were, 
We were the 
Moouing Cause
That sweet 
Prince HENRY breath no-longer draw
 [...]
Wee all (alas!) haue had our hands herein:
And Each of vs hath, by some 
cord of 
Sinne,
Hal'd down from Heav'n, from 
Iustice awfull Seat,
This 
Heauy Iudgement (which yet more doth threat)

Wee Clergie first, who too-too-oft haue stood
More for the Church-goods, thē the Churches good

Wee Nobles next, whose Title, euer strong,
Can hardly offer Right, or suffer Wrong:

Wee Magistrates, who, mostly, weak of sight,
Are rather faine to feele then see the Right:

Wee Officers, whose 
Price of euery 
Place
Keeps 
Vertue out, and bringeth 
Vice in grace:

Wee Gentrie then, who rack, and sack, and sell,
To swimme like 
Sea-Crabs, in a 
foure-wheeld Shell:

Wee Courtiers, next, who 
French-Italianate,
Change (with the 
Moon) our 
Fashion, Faith, & 
Fate.

Wee Lawyers then, who 
Dedalizing LAVV,
And deadding 
Conscience, like the Horse-leach drawe:

Wee Cittizens, who seeming 
Pure and Plaine,
Beguile our Brother, make our 
God our GAYNE:


[Page 293] 
Wee Country-men, who slander Heav'n and Earth
As Authors of Our 
Artificial Dearth:

Wee Pourueyors, last, who taking tenn for two,
Rob both at once, our 
Prince and 
People too:
All, briefly all; all Ages, Sexes, Sorts,
In 
Countries, Citties, Benches, Churches, Courts.
(All 
Epicures, Witt-Wantons, Atheists,

Mach'-Arctines, Momes, Tap-To-Bacchonists,

Batts, Harpies, Sirens, Centaures, Bib-all-nights.

Sice-sink-ap-Asses, Hags, Hermaphrodites)
And 
Wee poore 
Nothings (fixed in no Spheare,
Right 
Wandring Tapers, 
Erring euery-where)
Scorn of the 
Vulgar, Scandall of the 
Gowne,
Haue pull'd this waight of 
Wrath, This 
Vengeance down.
All, All are 
guilty, in a high Degree,
Of This 
High-Treason and 
Conspiracie;
More brute then 
Brutus, stabbing more then CAESAR,
With Two-hand-SINNES, of 
Profit and of 
Pleasure:
And (th'odious 
Engine, which doth all include)
Our Many-pointed proud INGRATITVDE.
For, for the 
Peoples Sinnes, for 
Subiects crymes,
God takes-away good 
Prin
 [...]es oftentimes.
So, good IOSIAH (HENRY
's parallel)
Was soon bereft from Sinfull 
Israel:


[Page 294]So, our good EDVVARD (HENRY's 
Pre-cedent)
For ENGLAND's 
Sinnes was hence vntimely hent
So, heer, good HENRY is new taken hence,
For now 
Great-BRITAN's, great 
Sinnes Confluence.

VVee see th'Effect: wee haue the Cause confest:
O! 
Turn wee then, with speed, to 
Saue the rest:
O! Turn vs, 
Lord; turn to vs, turn away
Thy 
Frowns, our 
Fears, with humblest Tears we 
pray ▪
O saue our SOVERAIN; saue his 
Royall seed;
That still his 
Owne may on his 
Throne succeed.
Let Each of vs make priuie Search within;
And hauing found, bring forth the 
Traitor SIN
To 
Execution, with all 
Execration
Henceforth renouncing such 
In-Sin-newation.
Let Each of vs (as Each hath throw'n a 
Dart,
A 
Dart of Sinne, at HENRY's princely heart)
Send-vp in Sighes our 
Soules deuoutest breath.
To 
Shield our IAMES, ANNE, CHARLES, ELIZABETH,
And HIM whose 
Loue shal render HER her 
Brother,
And make Her soon a happy 
Princes Mother.
Let Each of vs cease to lament (in vain)

Prince HENRY
's Loss: Death is to HIM a Gain.
For 
Sauoy's Dukelings, or the 
Florentine,
He Wedds his 
Sauiour, of a Regal 
Ligne;


[Page 295] 
Glory, for 
Gold; for 
Hope, Possession (there)

Of Crowns so Rich as neuer entred Eare,
Eye neuer sawe, nor euer Heart conceav'd;
So strong 
Assur'd, as cannot be bereav'd.
Waile not his death: His 
Vertues cannot 
Dye;
Immortall Issue of ETERNITY.
His Soule in Bliss beholds her Makers Eyes:
His goodly Body shall more glorious 
Rise.

Weep not for HIM: weep for our selues, alas!
(Not for our 
Priuate, or 
Peculiar case:
As, for our 
Sonn's, 
Brother's, or 
Master's lack,
Or 
Prince's loss (our 
Expectations wrack)
Our 
Places, Graces, Profits, Pensions lost,
Our 
present Fortunes cast, our 
future crost)
Weep for our 
Sinnes, our 
Wicked-Prouocations,
Our haynous, horrid, high ABHOMINATIONS;
Both 
seen and 
secret; both in High and Lowe:
Weep, weep for 
These; and stript, from Top to Toe,
Of 
guiddie-Gaudes, Top-gallant 
Tires and 
Towers,
Of 
Face-pride, Case-pride, Shin-pride, Shoo-pride, ours
(
Like NINIVITES so neer Their 
threatned Fall)
In blackest 
Sack and 
Cinders shrowded All:
Not like a 
Bul-rush, for a day or two,
To stoop, and droop, and 
seem as others 
doo,


[Page 296](As ACHAB yerst, and PHARAO, in Distress)
And then return vnto our old Excess
(As Doggs vnto their Mewte, Hoggs to their Mire
But, day by day, vntill our last exspire,
With bended Knees, but more with broken hearts.
And th'
inward rest of right 
Repentant Parts,

Prostrate our Soules in 
Fasting and in 
Praier,
Before the Foot-stool of th'
Empyreal CHAIER:
That So, What-euer bloody DELVGE float
From th'old 
Red Dragon's wide-wide-yawning 
Thro
 [...]
We, 
Humbled MOVRNERS may be Heav'nly 
Ma
 [...]
In MERCIE's 
Vessell to be All imbARET.

FINIS.

[Page 297]

AN EPITAPH.

WHen Great French HENRY Fates bereft,

His Name & Fame to OVRS He left;

As ablest ATLAS Then, to proppe

The Waight of WORTH, the World of HOPE:

But, ENGLAND's Sinnes (a heauier Load)

So over-layd His Shoulders broad,

That, crushed down, Heer lies HEE dead.

So, HOPE is fall'n, and WORTH is fled.

ANOTHER.

WHom All admir'd, whō All (almost) ador'd,

For all the Parts of all PANDORA's Treasure;

The Hope of all, to haue all Good restor'd;

HIM, All our Ills haue slain, by Heav'ns Displeasure.

By HIS (late) HIGHNE's First Worst & Poet Pension ^r Iosuah Syluester.

…

[Page]

HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE

[Page]

AN ELEGIAC-EPISTLE Consolatorie, Against Immoderate Sorrowe for th'immature Decease Of S ^r. WILLIAM SIDNEY Knight, Sonne and Heire apparant To The Right Honourable ROBERT, LORD SIDNEY, L. Vi-Count Lisle; L. Chamberlain to the Queen, & L. Gouernour of His Maiesties Cautionarie Town of VLVSHING.

by IOSVAH SYLVESTER.

[blazon (consisting of arrowhead from Sidney armorial bearings)]

[Page]

To the right Honorable, the Lord Vi-count LISLE, and his most vertuous Lady: To Sir Robert SIDNEY, Knight, their Hopefull Sonne: To the most Worthy Lady WROTH, with the rest of their right vertuous Daughters: & To all the Noble SIDNEYS & SEMI-SIDNEYS.

ALthough I know None, but a Sidney's Muse,

Worthy to sing a Sidney's Worthyness:

None but Your Own

Anagram. LA:WROTH.

AL-WORTH, Sidnëides,

In whom, Her Vncle's noble Veine renewes:

[...]nd though I know (sad Nobles) to infuse

My fore-spent Drops into the bound-lesse Seas

Of Your deep Griefs, for your deer Ioy's Decease;

To Your full Ocean nought at-all accrues:

[...]t, as the Floods Queen) Amphitrité daignes

To take the Tribute of small Brooks and Bournes;

Which to Her Bounty (that Their Streams maintains)

[...]e humble Homage of Their Thanks returnes;

Accept These Sighes and these few Teares of Ours,

Which haue their Course but from the Source of Yours.

Y ^r Noble Name's & Vertue's most Observant, IOSVAH SYLVESTER.

[Page]

An ELEGIAC EPISTLE.

WHat Obiect, less thē our 
Great HENRY's 
Hers 

e[?]
Could so haue seiz'd the voice of euery 
Verse?
What Subiect else could haue ingrossed so
The 
publique Store and 
priuate Stock of 
Woe?
What Sea, but th'
Ocean of His 
Vertues Fame,
Could drink all 
Teares, or drown a SIDNEY's 
Na 

me[?]
(As buried quick) so quickly (though so yong)
So vn-bewayled, so vn-sigh't, vn-sung?
O, glorious HENRY! though alone to 
Thee,
I owe my all, and more then all of 
Mee;
And though (alas!) the best and most of 
mine
Reach not the least, the lowest Dues of 
Thine:
Yet, woldst thou, couldst Thou hear (as heer-to-fo
 [...]
And grant a 
Boon; I onely would implore
Thy 
leaue a little, for a SIDNEY's Death
To sigh a little of my Mournfull breath:
The rather, that, as 
Yerst Hee seru'd You heer,
And, in His 
End attended Yours so neer;
Through-out all Ages subsequent to 
Ours,
His 
Name and 
Fame may ever waite on YOVRS:
Sith All the MVSES owe That 
Name alone,
A 
Dia-pason of each 
sad-sweet Groan:


[Page 303] 
 [...]t, more peculiar, and precisely, Mine;

 [...]ineally bound vnto That Noble Ligne.
ARCADIANS know no Other, for APOLLO,

 [...]o other MARS (in 
Arms or 
Arts to follow

 [...]s DEMI-GODS, as well of Warre as Wit)

 [...]hen SIDNEYS 
yerst, or SEMI-SIDNEYS, yet.


 [...]et, fit I said: for, of 
This deer 
Descent,


 [...]ature (of late) too-lauishly hath spent,
Like 
My Ill-Huswifes which at once doe burn

 [...]wo or three lights, where One wold serue the turn)

 [...]ot her Own only, but more orient Gemms,

 [...]ore rich, more rare; more fitting 
Diadems.
As, first, th'old Father, famous-fortunate,

 [...]he prime firme Founder of our IRISH 
State:

 [...]ext, His Son PHILIP (More thē PHILIP'S Son)

 [...]hose World of 
Worth, a World of 
Honor won:

 [...]hen, His sole 
Heire (sole VENVS-IVNO-PALLAS)

 [...]ll 
Beauties Pattern, and All 
Vertues Palace;
Whose memorie, on MVSES 
Fairest Hill

 [...] 
Canonized, by a 
Phoenix Quill).

 [...]hese 
Three, the which 
Three Ages might haue grac't,

 [...]ll 
These and more in My short Age haue past:

 [...]esides 
This new SWEET-WILLIAM now deceast
Th'
Epitomè and 
Summe of All the rest)


[Page 304]The Flower of 
Youth, of 
Honour, Beauty, Blood,
Th'Apparant 
Heire of All the SIDNEYS 
Good;
For Minde, for Mould, for Spirit, Strength, & Sta­ture,
A Miracle, a Master-piece of 
Nature.
Alas! How grossely doe our Painters erre
In drawing 
Death's grim Visage (euery-where)
With hollow holes, as wholely dark and blind!
Ah! See wee not, how still Hee sees to finde
The fairest Mark, the rarest and the best
Of 
Vertues Budds, and lets alone the rest?
Ravens, Brambles, Bandogs, 
Sirens, heer he leaues;
Swannes, Roses, Lions, 
Dians, hence he reaves:
Nay; th'
onely PHOENIX hath he newly slain
(But, maugre 
Death, That 
Bird reuiues again).
No maruaile then, if SIDNEYS fall so fast.
So early ripe are seldome apt to last:
So 
Eminent are imminent to 
die;
Malicious 
Death doth 
Such so eas'ly spie.
But, why of 
Death and 
Nature, raue I Thus;
Another 
Stile (my LISLE) befitteth vs.
Another 
Hand, another 
Eye, directs
Both 
Death and 
Nature in These high Effects;
The 
Eye of PROVIDENCE, the 
Hand of POVVER,
Disposing All in 
Order and in 
Hower;


[Page 305]So 
working in, so 
waking over All,
That but by 
Those doth 
Nothing heere befall.
Then, not (as Currs) the stone or staff to bite,
Vn-heeding 
why, or 
who doth 
hurl or 
smight;
Vnto That 
Eye let vs erect our owne;
And humble vs vnder That 
Hand alone,
Which (as the Potter his own Work controules)

Dissolueth Bodies, and 
absolueth Soules:
Vn-partiall euer, Vn-preposterous;
How-euer Other it may seem to vs.
For, euer since 
first WOMAN teemed 
Twin,
And at a 
Birth brought forth both 
Death & 
Sin

Sin, as her 
Heir; Death, as an 
Heritage

 [...]ustly deriued down from Age to Age)
It is 
Decreed (by a more Chang-lesse 
Lawe
Then euer yet the 
Medes and 
Persians sawe)
That 
All men once (as well as Lowe, the High,
Of Either 
Sex, of Every 
Sort) must die.
Yea, th'INNOCENT, for 
Our imputed Ill
Who 
came, not 
Lawes to break, but to 
ful-fill)
The 
Son of GOD (The 
Son of MAN become)
Th'
Immortal yielded to This 
mortal Doome.

 [...]o that (
for Sin) no 
Son of MAN hath breath
But once must dye. 
Wages of SIN 
is Death.


[Page 306]As for the reason, Why it comes to passe
Somtimes, that 
Age seems to haue turn'd his 
Glasse;
While oftentimes 
Youth's, yer it seem 
begun,
Is crackt, or broken, or already run:
Why 
Lillies, Roses, Gillie-flowers, be reft;
When 
Nettles, Thistles, Hemlocks heere be left:
Why 
Cedres, Okes, Vines, Oliues, rather fall,
Then 
Brush and 
Bryars (good for nought at all)
Let Flesh and Blood, let 
Dust, be rather mute,
Then with 
His MAKER sawcily dispute.

Yet heer (me thinks) but little Question needs.
Doe not We rather gather Herbes then Weeds?
Doe not We take the timber for our turn,
And leaue the Dottrells, in their time to burn?
And, in the Shambles, who is it but would
Be rather sped of yong Flesh then of old?
And yet in Season, when we see it good,
Wee weed our Gardens, fell our Vnder-wood;
And kill old Cattell, least they goar the yong,
Or fall away, or mix some Mange among.

Much like, the Lord: who knoweth best all Season
And best obserues. But, will we vrge his Reason?
His Reason is His WIL: His 
Wil is 
iust,
Or rather 
Iustice; which His 
Power must


[Page 307]In 
Wisedome execute (right vnderstood)
To His 
Owne Glory, and His Childrens 
Good;
Wherein His 
Goodnes through His 
Mercy shines,
To cleer and cheer devout and humble mindes.
For, to the 
Godly (in despight of Hell)
Heav'n maketh all things to re-issue 
well.
Heer, heer's a Harbour; heer's a quiet Shore
From 
Sorrowe's Surges, & all Storms that rore.
This is 
Cap Comfort (a high 
Promontorie,
Of 
richer Store then heer is roome to storie).
Heer let vs bide, and ride-out all Events,
With Anchor 
Hope, and Cable 
Patience;
Vntill our Bark some happy Gale shall driue
Home to the 
Haven where we would All arriue.
Come, Noble 
Vi-Count, put into 
This Bay,
Where (with a Light) our A'M'RAL leads the way,
Though deepest laden, & the most distrest,
The greatest 
Ship of Burthen, and the best.
HIM boldly follow: & though heer, as CHIEF
In 
Grief, as 
Greatnes, His must drown your 
Grief,
Count it an Honour, to be call'd to try
Your 
Vertue's Valour, in your 
Soveraine's eye.
Wee All partake His 
Cross; His Losse is 
Ours:
But His 
Affections (to the life) are 
Yours.


[Page 308]The neerer then You match His 
mournful fate,
His 
royal Patience neerer imitate.
And 
you, sad 
Lady, Mother of annoy
For hauing lost the 
prime Sonne of your Ioy;
Ah! see, the 
Soveraine of your 
Sex hath so.
Some think it ease, to haue some peer in 
Woe:
But, such a PEER, and 
such a 
Pattern too,
Should much (me thinks) confirm & comfort You
To beare-vp hard into this happy 
Road,
And lighten somwhat of 
Your heauy Load:
The rather, sith (besides the 
Happinesse,
Which now, 
aboue, your 
Darling doth possesse;
The 
Crown, the 
Kingdome, and the 
Companie,
Of All the 
holy, heauenly HIERARCHIE:
Besides your Mess of goodly GRACES left
(Whose WORTH, frō Al, the 
Prize of 
Worth hath reft
Foure louely 
Nymphs, foure 
Rivers, as it were,
Your veines of 
Vertue through the Land to bear)
You haue another 
Model of 
The same,
To propagate 
renowned SIDNEY'S 
Name;
Another, like in every part to proue
As worthy of our Honor, and your Loue;
In whom (if now, You, IOB-like, bear this 
Cross)
Heav'n may restore you, manifold, your Loss.

FINIS.

THE SECOND SESSION o …

[Page]

THE SECOND SESSION of the PARLIAMENT of Vertues Reall (Continued by Prorogation) For better Propagation of all true Piëtie, & Vtter Extirpation of

ATHEISME, & HYPOCRISIE;
AVARICE, & CRVELTIE;
PRIDE, & LVXVRIE.

(From th'Originall) Transcribed, & Inscribed To the High-Hopefull CHARLES, Prince of Great Britaine, By IOSVAH SYLVESTER.

[Page]

A DIVINE & TRVE TRAGI-COMEDY; IOB TRIVMPHANT in his Triall: OR THE HISTORIE OF His Heroicall Patience, In A measured METAPHRASE.

[Page]
To AR­THVRS CASTLE (call'd by ART'S CHAST LVRE)

 My Hope Heere Hasteth, For My HART's LAST 
CVRE[?]
Sir, YOV haue seene In My PA­NARETVS, A SVVEET IDEA Of—Our hopes in YOU:
A REAL ACT of That Ideall VIEVVE, In My LEVV
 [...] Roy—
 [...] Vertue
Heer (more HEROIK and more HOLY-True)
I bring Your Highness Yet A Higher Peece
(Past all the Pattern
 [...] of old Rome & Greece)
Faith's PATIENT Champion, in His Triumph due
Farre bee His Crosses Frō my 
Prince, I pray:
Neer bee His Course As the most Complet
 [...]
In sacred GRACES that beseeme The GREAT)
Towards God and Man; in Cleer or Clowdy Day▪
So much More needfull In This Sin-full Age,
By How Much Satan (neer his end) doth rage
VVith VVhom and His, the better Aye to wras
tle[?]
Great 
Michael gard & strengthen ARTHVRS 
CASTLE[?]
praies Prostrate Iosuah Sylvester.

[Page]

[Page]


To[?] the Right Reuerend 
&[?] Ho­norable FAther, GEORGE ABBOT, Lord ARCH-Bishop OF CANTERBVRY.
IN Grate-full HONOR
Of Your 
MANY Giftes
Of 
GRACE & NATVRE
(Apted to Your Place)
This 
DORIKE Piller
My 
DEVOTION liftes;
To shewe Heere—After, 
What We owe your Grace:

Both, for Your Prudence,
And Your Pious Zeale;

Learning, And 
Labour
In Your Double Charge; 
Swaying The 
CHVRCH.
Staying the Cōmon-Weal;
Most 
STVDIOVS Euer
EITHER to Enlarge:

And Last (not least) of all,
For 
CONSTANT standing
On 
Right's vveake Side,
Against the tide of wrong; 
When 
PHILISTINES
And 
Daliladies banding,
With Armes or Charmes
Would bind or blind the Strong:

In Honor of these Honors, this I bring

To Reuerend ABBOT, & His Second; KING.

VESTER—SYL—VESTER Deditissimus.

[Page]

TO The Right Honourable, The Lord ELESMORE, L. High Chancelour of England. THOMAS EGERTONVS:
(Anagramma) NESTOR THEOMAGVS.

GRaue,* GOD-WISE NESTOR; Neuer did a Name

(Saue A IVST MASTER) better speak a man

(As Court & Councell, with Mee, witnes can)

Than doth Your Owne, in This Your Anagram.

Should I A Volume of Your Vertues frame,

Broad as my Brest, & Thicker then my Span;

Could I say More, more True, more Duly, than

The Character concluded in This same?

For, * PIOVS-Prudence cannot but be Iust:

And Iustice cannot but be Temperate:

And Temperance from Courage issue must.

So that Your Name doth Your whole Life relate,

So NESTOR-like, for grace-full,* Godly-Sage,

That Nothing wants, but (what we wish) His Age.

Ex Animo exoptat Iosuah Sylvester.

[Page]

To the Right Honourable, WILLIAM HARBERT, Earle of Penbroke, Lord Chamberlaine, &c.

PATIENCE preuailes (when Passions are vndon)

This doth This Volume truly intimate:

So doth Your Vertue, firm, and fortunate,

Now cheer'd with Radiance of our Royall Sun.

O! long and Happy may Hee shine vpon

So Noble a Plant (mo Such to propagate)

So Grace-full, Vse-full, both in Court and State;

Help-full to All, Hurt-full at-all to None.

Among Those Many whom your Worth hath won

(Of either Sexe, of euery Age, and State)

With glad Applauses to congratulate

The worthie Honour of Your Charge begun

(Though not (perhaps) so long and lowd, as Many)

Accept My AVE, as Deuout as Any,

Your Lordships most obliged, Iosuah Sylvester.

[Page]

To the Right Honorable, Sir EDVVARD COKE, Knight; Lord Chief Iustice of England, and one of his Maiesties most Honorable Priuie Councell. EDVARDVS COCVS: (Anagramma)
SVCCEDO, ARDVVS.

HArdy and Happy may You long Succeed,

In all the Courses of your Christian Zeale,

To scourge Abuse; and purge the Publike-Weale,

Of vicious Humors, with auspicious Speed.

[...]ardy and Happy Neuer more did need,

To meet with Malice, and with Might to deale;

And sift the Drift the Serpent would conceale.

How happy, Heav'n You for These times decreed!

Hardy and Happy may you still proceed,

Vntill You finde, confound, and suffocate,

The Viperous Vermin that destroy the State.

[...]ardy, and Happy, be your Minde, and Meed

With GOD and Men: applauded and approou'd,

Of Prince and People; of All Good, belou'd:

Ex Animo Exoptat Iosuah Sylvester.

[Page]

TO The Right Honourable Lords Spirituall & Temporall; The Knights and Burgesses of the Lower-House; & To all generous and ingenuous Readers.

YOur prest 
Assistence & 
Assistance, past,
Vouchsafed, Heer, whē you were 
summond last,
Binde & imbold mee once more to present
My humble 
Briefs, in form of PARLIAMENT;
Hoping no lesse 
Consent of Your Good-wills
In 
passing These, then of Our former 
Bills;
So-much more 
Need-full in this 
Weed-full Time,
By How-much 
Vice doth ouer 
Vertue clime.

An Act against Atheisme & Irreligion. Page. 4.7
An Act of pious and humble PATIENCE. 7
An Act conformable to the former. 9
An Act confirming Both. 9.67
An Act of humane Frailty, to teach the Best, Humility. 10.18.29
An Act of the Weaker Vessell. 9
An Act of Imitation, with better Application. 13
[Page]An Act (of many Branches) concerning the Iustice of GOD in his Iudgements 14.89
An Act of Exhortation to Repentance and Humiliation. 16.23.31.60.90
An Act against Presumption of our selues. 30.40.91
An Act touching GOD's Omnipotence, Omniscience, Al-Regencie, Al-Sufficiencie. 33.89.93
An Act against rash and erroneous Censures. 35
An Act against Partiality in Iudgement, false Witnesse, Suborned Euidence. ibid.
An Act, intimating the Comfort and Confidence of a good Conscience. 36.67
An Act, auerring the Shortnes of Life, and vncertaine Certainty of Death. 37
An Act against Saduces and Epicures. 38
An Act against Puritisme. 41.65
An Act intimating the effects of an euill Conscience. 41
An Act against the Security & Insolence of fat & Easefull Epicures and Oppressors. 42
An Act against Hypocrites. 43.67.93
An Act against Bribrie, Brokerie, Vsurie. 43
An Act against vnciuil Indiscretiō in visiting of Frinds, Especially against Aggrauation of Griess. 43
An Act for our Imitation. 45.72.76.77.82.104
An Act against Flattery. 46.84
An Act of Terror to the Wicked in their sodain & fearfull Fall. 47.64. ( Anno. 1615.)
An Act against Ambition conformable to the former. 52
An Act against Vnkindenesse of Kinsmen, Neighbours, Friends, Seruants, Wiues, &c. 50
[Page]An Act of liuely FAITH, against all Saduces, Epicures, Atheists. 51.
An Act of Animaduersion, that wee stumble not at the Prosperity of the Wicked. 55
An Act, for the Last Assise, and finall Sentence and Execution of the Vngodly. 57
An Act against Merit of Works. 58.91.98
An Act against Works of Supererogation. 58.91
An Act against the Children of Darknesse; Murderers, Adulterers, Burglers, &c. 64
An Act against all greedie Wringers, Wrongers, Vsuters, & Opprestors. 62.68
An Act of Meditation on the manifold Manifest Works of GOD, mighty and maruelous. 66.96.98
An Act of Inuincible Faith and PATIENCE. 67
An Act against Tyrants, Extortioners, Rackers, and all Vnrighteous and vnrelenting Rich. 62.68
An Act, limitting Mans Wit and Industrie from th' illimitable Wisdom & inimitable Works of GOD. 70.83
An Act against loose and idle Education of Youth. 74
An Act against Wandring & Wanton Eyes. 77
An Act against Pride & Vanity of all kindes. 77
An Act against Cousenage, Concupiscence, Cruelty, Briberie. 77
An Act against Adulterie. 77
An Act against impious and imperious Masters & Mistresses. 78
An Act against dilatorie Almners and solitarie Nabals. 78
An Act against th'Vncharitie of our Dayes, suffering so [Page] many Poore to die without Doores. 7 [...]
An Act against all Iniurie, Inhumanity, &c. 7 [...]
An Act against Auarice & Infidelity, Superstition & Idolatry, Sacriledge & Surcuidry. 7 [...]
An Act against insulting ouer Miserie. 8 [...]
An Act against all maner of Extortion & Cruelty. 8 [...]
An Act touching the right vse and happy issue of Afflictions. 86.92.93.109
An Act of the proueness of Mercy toward the Penitēt. 8 [...]
An Act against empty & idle FAITH. 8 [...]
An Act (by implication) against the Popes depriuing & deprauing of Princes. 8 [...]
An Act conteining a Diuine Lecture of Naturall Phi [...] sophy. 98. To the last Chapter: which is the Last Act of This Holy PARLIAMENT:

WHose seueral 
Acts, of sweet and souerain 
Vse
To cherish 
Vertue, and to check 
Abuse
(Too rough transcribed, by too rude a hand,
For so high 
Statutes of the HOLY-LAND)
Are heer presented, as fit 
Precedents
Of sacred Rules for your High 
Parliaments;
By (th'once, least Moat in th'Vpper-Houses Sun)

Your Vnder-Clarke, Vnworthily Vndon (By ouer-trusting to a starting 
Bow-Yer-while too-strong, to my poor Wrong & Woe) IOSVAH SYLVESTER,

[Page]

IOB TRIƲMPHANT in his Triall.

The Proëm.A 
Solid Rock, farre-seated in the Sea
(
Where many Vessels haue been cast away)

Though blackest Storms of blustering Winds do threat,

Though boistrous Rage of roaring Billowes beat;

Though it be raake with Lightning, & with Thunder;

Though all at once assault, and Each asunder;

With massie Bulk of it Selfes Marble Tower,

Still, still repells th'ineuitable Stower;

And seemes still firmer, and more permanent,

The more the Tempest hath been violent:

Right so the Faithfull; 
in vvhose humble Brest

Religious feare of GOD 
is deepe imprest;

What-euer Stroak of Fortune 
threat his State,

What-euer Danger him discommodate,

What-euer Mischiefe that betide him shall,

What-euer Losse, what-euer Crosse befall;

Inflexible, inuincible, pursues

The sacred Footings he did euer vse:

[Page 2] 
And aye more constant, and confirm'd is He,

The more extream that his Afflictions be.

If any Spirit, inspir'd with Holy-mood,

Carefully-curious of the Publike Good,

Would liuely limne 
 [...]h'immortall Excellence

Of such a Pattern of such PATIENCE;

As neither Elements di
 [...]placed quight,

Nor enuious Starres, nor angry Foes despight,

Nor all the Fiends insatiate Furie fell

(By fraud or force) could euer quail or quell:

Twere labour lost, to fable (Homer-like)

The strange long Voyage of a wily Greek;

The Paines, the Perills, and extream Disease

That he endured, both by Land and Seas;

Sith sacred Truthe's 
Heav'n prompted Books present

In Constant IOB 
a worthier Argument.

Thou then, Vrania, 
to whom right belongs

The sacred Confort of Celestiall 
Songs,

Tune Thou my Voyce, Thou teach me to record

Who did incite, what did inuite the Lord,

With Miseries so rewfull and so rife,

So to disturb his quiet happy Life;

What haynous Sin, what horrid high Offence,

The Almightie's Vengeance mought so deep incense:

[Page 3] 

 [...]r else what Cause, what Obiect else might stir-it.

 [...]oiles there such Wrath in an impassiue Spirit?

But, ô Presumption! Why haue I begun
(
Alas! no Prophet, 
neither Prophet's 
Sonne;

 [...]o Priest, 
no Leuite; 
nay, no Israelite

Such as Nathanael) 
but a Cananite

 [...]ull of Corruption foule of hand and hart)

 [...]o touch the ARK? 
to vnder-take This Part?

Ah! pardon Lord; O! purifie mee all

 [...]rom all Prophanenesse; from Sinne's bitter Gall:

And as y
 [...]r while it pleasd thee to infuse

 [...] mine vnschooled and vnskilfull Muse

By vertue of Thine All-sufficing Grace)

 [...]mmediat power du-BARTAS 
Track to trace;

 [...]o as (how-euer weake and Art-l
 [...]sse, I,)

 [...]hat Worke 
findes Welcome 
with the grauest Eye:

 [...]ow more, good Lord, my Wits & Words refine,

 [...]o treat diuinely Matter so Diuine:

 [...]! sacred Spirit, now sanctifie my Stile;

Let not my Sensuall, thy pure Sense defile:

 [...]ut tune mee, right, to Eccho, 
as belongs.

Thy HVSSIAN's Sighs 
& then Thy IESSEAN's Songs.

And to that end, vouchsafe me at Thy pleasure)

 [...]esse Need-
full Life, in a lesse Care-
full leasure ▪

[Page 4]

 [...]p. 1.
NEere where 
Idumè's dry and sandy Soile
Spreads Palmful Forests, dwelt a Man yer-while
Of life vnblotted, and vnspotted Fame;
God-fearing, Iust, Sin-flying, IOB by Name.

With due respect to Heauen's & Nature's Law,

In Wedlocks sweet Yoake did he seemly draw:

Whence, by that Bountie, whose all Blessings bee,
Seavn Sonnes he had, and louely Daughters Three,
Great was his Substance: for of fleecie Sheep
Vpon the Downes seavn Thousand did he keep;
Fiue hundred yoak of Oxen did he owe;
Fiue hundred Ass-shees, Camels six times so:
Great Train within doores, & great Train with-out,
Made him esteem'd through all the East about.
His Sons, by turns, their Sisters did inuite
And feast each other, in a Daily Rite:
IOB blest them euery Even; and euery Morn
When first 
Aurora's rosie beames return,
The good Old-man, to GOD, in humble-wise,
For each of them did offer Sacrifice:
Lest They might haue 
mis-don, mis-said, mis-thought,
Or (in their Feasts) offended GOD by ought.
While happy IOB thus brought the yeere about,
It came to pass one day when all the Rout


[Page 5]Of Light-full 
Angels did themselues present
Before the Foot-stoole of th'
Omnipotent,
There also came the Executioner,
Th'ambitious Prince, Malicious 
Lucifer:
With whom the LORD expostulating, Thus
Said; 
Sathan, say, Whence comest Thou to vs?
I come, said Hee, from walking in and out,
And compassing the Earthlie Ball about.
Hast thou not then suruey'd my Seruant IOB
(Reply'd the LORD) whose like in all the Globe
There is not found; so full of louing-feare,
So faithfull, fruitfull, rightfull, and sincere?
Is it for Nothing, said the subtle Foe,
That IOB adores, and loues, and feares Thee so?
Hast thou not hedg'd him safe on euery side?
Hast thou not heapt him Blessings far and wide?
But, for awhile with-hold thy Fauour's stream,
With-draw thy hand, and hide thy Bounties beam,
Then shalt thou see (or double my Disgrace)
Hee will anon blaspheme thee to thy Face.
Lo, said th'
Eternall, from this instant hower
All that he hath is in thy hand and power;
All, but Himselfe, Himselfe I sole exempt.

Sathan eftsoones assumes his bold Attempt.


[Page 6]As all his Children were together met,
Their elder B
 [...]others ha
 [...]t
 [...]e Cheere to eat,
Cam
 [...]one to OB 
 [...]unning, & breathless nigh,
Scarce coul
 [...] he speak, yet weakly thus did cry,
Ah! woe is me to be the Messenger
Of so sad N
 [...]w
 [...]s is now I bring you, Sir:
As all your Oxen vnder painfull yoak,
Their pointed Iourneyes in your Fallowes broke;
And as your Asses in the Meads did feed,

S
 [...]bê
 [...]n 
 [...] hieues came forth with furious speed
And tooke them all, and all your Seruants slew,
I onely scap't, to come and tell it you.
While He yet spake, there came Another in,
Hared and hot, and Thus did He begin:
Sir, from the Heav'ns a suddaine Fire did fall
Among your 
 [...]heep, & hath consum'd them all,
And slaine your Seruants yer they could eschew;
I onely sc
 [...]p't to come and tell it You.
While He yet spake, Another came, amaz'd,
And sadly s
 [...]d; Sir, while your Camels graz'd
In your owne P
 [...]stures vp and down the Lands,
The proud 
Chaldéans, in three armed Bands,
Surpriz'd them all, and all your Seruants slew;
I onely scap't, to come and tell it you.


[Page 7]While He yet spake, Another came and cryde
In pitious Fright (as if himselfe beside)
O, 
 [...]! your Sons & Daughters (all the rest)
Were met to day at my young Masters Feast,
Where, from beyond the Wilderness anon
A suddain Whirle-wind rose, and rusht vpon
The corners of the House, and shooke it so
That instantly it fell from Top to Toe,
And with the Fall them altogether slew;
I onely scap't, to come and tell it you.
Then starting vp, IOB gan his clothes to rent,
Shaues his hoare haire, his head with ashes sprent;
As in a swoune falls to the ground with grones,
And semi-sighing Thus himselfe b
 [...]mones:
Ah! Naked came I from my Mothers wombe,
Naked I shall returne vnto my Tombe:
The LORD hath taken what himselfe hath giuen:
Blessed be GOD, th'Almighty LORD of Heauen.
Yet did not IOB, for all that him mis-fell,
Murmur at GOD, nor inly sink or swell;
Nor sinne against th'eternall Prouidence,
But suffred all with humble 
Patience.
ANother day, when all the sacred Bands

Ca
 [...] 
 [...]
Came all attending their high Kings cōmands,


[Page 8]Came also Hee, whose Enuie (since Hee fell
Frō Heavn) hath striu'n to hale down Man to Hell;
With whom the LORD expostulateth Thus:
Now 
Sathan, say, Whence comest Thou to Vs?
I come said He, from walking in and out,
And compassing the Earthlie Ball about.
Then, Hast thou found, replyes th'
Omnipotent,
In all thy Circuit, Man more confident,
Or minde more Constant, or more faithfull Soule,
Then IOB my Seruant: whom thine Enuy foule,
Late, vrg'd my Leaue by sharp Assaults to try?
How hast thou sped? What hast thou got thereby?
Alas, said Hee, I reft him but the things
That flie from Men with transitory wings;
And therefore he regards his losse the lesse:
But would thy Power him somwhat neerer presse,
Would'st thou permit me touch him to the quick,
I yeeld me conquer'd, if he doe not kick;
If more he serue, trust, pray, or praise thy Grace,
If he, in fine, blaspheme not to thy Face.
Pinch but his Body, and then, 
Skin for Skin,
Hee'l wince without, and sodain flinch within.
Go Fiend, said GOD; sith th'art so obstinate,
Fall on my IOB, him felly cruciate:


[Page 9]Touch not his Soule; his Body only touch.
Hence 
Satan hyes, glad that he might so much.
Without Delay then, with the most Despight,
He sets on IOB; and in most pitious Plight,
With vlcerous Anguish fils his body so,
That crusted all in Scabs from top to toe,
Amid the Ashes, sad and desolate,
Scraping his Sores with shels (or sherds) he sate;
Yet Constant still, still calmely 
Patient,
Without a word of grudging Discontent.
Then said his Wife, What helps Integrity?
What boots it, Man? alas! curse GOD, and die.
Go, foolish Woman, the good man reply'd,
Thy rebell heart doth thy rash tongue mis-guide:
Shall we, from GOD, of Good receiue our F
 [...]ll;
And, at his pleasure, not partake of Ill?
So IOB as yet, for all that him mis-fell,
Displeas'd not GOD, but bore it wondrous well.
By This, the light-foot, fether-tongued Dame
Had farre and wide spred and disperst the fame
Of IOB'S Mis-fortunes (from the first begun)
That He was halfe dead, and was whole vndone.
His Friends then, 
Eliphas the 
Themanite,

Bildad the 
Shuite, the 
Naamathite


[Page 10] 
Zophar (as others) hearing this report,
As soone as might be towards him resort;
Resolu'd with Comforts, to relieue in part
Their Friends Affliction, & asswage his Smart.
But, there arriued, at the very sight
Of his so wofull and so wretched Plight,
They all amaz'd, their Garments sadly tore,
Their heads with Ashes all besprinkled o're;
And for seavn dayes and nights in Sorow drown'd,
Lay grieuing, by him, groueling on the ground,
Without word speaking, lest vntimely trouble
Amid his Anguish should his Dolors double.

 [...]. 3.
IOB therefore straining his obstructed voice,
Began Thus, sadly with a shiuering noise:
O! VVo be to the Day when I was born:
O! be it eue
 [...] of the Light forlorn:
O! may it euer vnder Darknes lie,
And neuer S
 [...]n vouchsafe it cheerfull eye;
Nor GOD regard it: let a deadly Shade
O're-clowde it aye, as euer Dismall made.
O! wo be also to the Night wherein
My Mother my Conception did begin:
Lightning & Thunder thrill it euermore,
Whirle-wind & Tempest may it euer roare:


[Page 11]Of Fogs, of Frosts, of Showers, of Snowes, of Haile,
Of Mists. of Mil-deawes may it neuer faile:
May it no more in 
Calendar be plac't,
But, from the Role of Months and Yeares be rac't:
May th' Euening Stars be dark: No light returning:
May it no more see th'Eye-lids of the Morning,
Because it clos'd not, at my wretched Birth,
The fruitfull Doore that brought me weeping forth;
But let me passe into this woefull Light,
To vndergoe so miserable Plight.
O! Why, when shapelesse in my Mothers Womb
I l
 [...] as dead, Why did not Death strike home?
VVhy not (alas!) amid the bearing Throes,
VVhen I began to feele Mans feeble Woes?
VVhy did the knees support me? Why the Brest
Supply me suck? Why was I swath'd and drest?
Sith else (alas!) I had now lien at ease,
Had been at rest, had slept in quietnesse,
Among the high and mighty Potentates,
Kings, Counsellors, great Lords, and Magistrates,
VVho in the VVorld to leaue their Names Renowne,
Haue built thē Bowers which others shall pul-downe:
And those rich Princes that haue heapt of-old
Their houses full of Siluer and of Gold.


[Page 12]Or, Why (alas!) as an Abortiue Birth,
Was I not hid and buried in the Earth?
There, Tyrants cease from their imperious Pride:
There, Vertuous Workers at their rest abide:
There, Prisoners rest from their Oppressors Braule:
There, Slaues are free from their fell Masters Thrall:
There, High and Lowe (without Disdain, or Dread)
Rest all together in one Common bed.
O! wished Death (more to be wisht then Life)
Thou breakst the Force of Enuies Engines rife:
Thou cuttest-off our Trauails Tediousnesse:
Thou kilst our Cares, Thou calm'st our most Distress·
O! to the wretched why is Light imparted?
Why Life (alas!) vnto the heauie-hearted?
[Who longs for Death: and if it linger long,
Would fainer seek it then euen Gold (among)
And gladder find it (as of Ioys the Chiefe)
Within their Graue to burie all their Griefe]
Especially, to Him whose Way is hid:
Whom GOD hath shut-vp, stopt & streightened?
Sith, yer I eat, My Sighes refell my Food,
My Roarings gush out like a raging Flood.
For (though my Plenty, neuer made me proud;
My Power, imperious; nor to pleasure bow'd:)


[Page 13]What most I doubted I endur'd, (alas!)
And what I feared is euen comn to passe.
For Care and Feare, I had no rest before;
Yet Trouble's come, and trebbles more and more.
IOB ceasing so; began the 
Themanite,
C
 [...] 
 [...]
Ioly perplext, an Answer thus to dight:
If We presume to comfort thee, deer Friend,
Wil our Discourse (I feare it will.) offend?
Will thy Disease our kinde Good-wills disdain?
But, in this Case (alas!) Who can refrain?
Who so hard-hearted, or vnciuill-bred,
That can vnmoued see thee thus bested?
To see and heare Thee in this deep Distresse,
Who can keep silence? Who can hold his peace?
Why! Thou wert wont, in thy Prosperities,
To stay weak hands, and strengthen feeble knees;
To counsell those that in their Course had stray'd,
To comfort those whom Crosses ouer-lay'd:
Now that Mis-hap on thine owne head hath hit,
Now that the Storm hath thine owne vessell smit,
Now that the Case is Thine, How art thou sunk
From thine owne Succor! From thy self how shrunk!
Where is, alas! Where is thy Confidence,
Thy Constancy, thy Hope, thy 
Patience,


[Page 14]Thy Piety, thy Faith, thy Feare of God,
And th'vpright Path which Thou hast euer trod?
O! ponder this: Who euer Innocent
Hath perished? Hath the Omnipotent
Eternall Iustice euer plagu'd the Iust;
Destroyd the Righteous who Him only trust:
As I haue seen Those that haue plough'd and sow'n
Iniquity, reap sodenly their owne;
When with the Blast of GOD they blasted fall,
And with his Breath are quick consumed all?
GOD, in his Fury starueth in distresse
The roaring Lion and the Lionesse;
Their rauening Whelps are scattered farre away,
Their Teeth are broken, and they pine for Prey.
I'll tell thee more: Once, in a certain Night,
Silent, I heard a Voyce, and saw a Sight,
(About the time when Sleep begins to seaze
Our drouzie Lids, our Dayly Loads to ease)
Amaz'd with Feare my haire began to heaue,
My heart to tremble, euery part to leaue
His proper Part; When to mine eyes a-space
Appeerd the Image of an vnknowne Face:
One stood before me, Whence (yet more dismaid)
I heard a 
Voyce, and Thus (me thought) it said:


[Page 15]Shall Man be iuster then his GOD (said He)?
The Creature purer then his Maker be?
Behold, he found not in his Angels bright
Firme Fealty, but Folly in his sight:
How much more then, in Those whose habitation
Is but of Clay, but Dust their best Foundation?
Whose brittle Vessels heer so little last,
That yer they know them they are often past:
Whose fickle Garment (how-so-euer loath)
Shall be destroy'd and done, before the Moath:
Whose doubtfull Daies, yer they begin, be gon;
Cut downe by Death, when least they think thereon:
Whose Dignities (how-euer grac't, or Great)
Shall die with them, and Them the Wormes shall eat.
NOw call thou lowd, if any will reply:

Cap 
 [...]
Among the Saints where wilt thou turne thine eye?
Two sorts of Fooles (th' Idiot and Enuious) die;
Of Anger th'one, th'other of Iealousie.
I haue beheld the Foole faire rooted yerst:
Yet haue I soon his Habitation curst;
Because his Children succour-less shall suffer
By 
Iustice Doom, and none shall Pittie offer:
Him Selfe withall confounded, void of Hope,
To gather-in his long expected Crop,


[Page 16]Which th'hunger-starued frō the Thorns shal snatch;
The Thirstie shall hir substance all dispatch;
A Misery, which GOD doth oft permit:
For, th' Earth it selfe is not the Cause of it;
Sith, were not Sin, it should not barren be:
But, Man, for Sin, must toile him seruilelie,
In Sweatfull Labour, borne for Labour's end
As properly as Sparkles to ascend.
But were My Case, as Thine; in this Distresse,
Rather to GOD would I my selfe addresse:
Him would I seek, of Him would I enquire,
Whose Works are great, whose Wonders all admire:
Vnspiable, Vnspeakeable by Man;
Immutable, Inser
 [...]table to scan:
Who on the Earth the raine at pleasure poures,
And in the Streets distills the liquid Showers:
Who lifts the Lowly vp, brings downe the Lofty;
And reares sad Mourners vnto Health and Safety:
Who dissipates the craftiest Policies;
And dis-appoints the Counsells of the Wise:
Who takes the wariest in their proper Wiles;
And Wicked ones in their owne Guile beguiles;
So that they meet with Darknes in the Day,
And, as at Midnight, groap at Noon their way:


[Page 17]But, He preserues the Poore, from sword & tongue,
And cruell hands of Tyrants, prone to wrong:
So that the Poore shall haue their blessed Hope:
But Wicked ones their cursed mouthes shal stop.
Lo, then, how happy he whō GOD correcteth!
Repine not therefore that he Thee afflicteth.
He wounds, & heales; he strikes, & he restores:
He sendeth Plagues, & Plaisters for the Sores:
Hee, in six Troubles, shall deliuer thee;
And in the seauenth, thou shalt be danger-free.
He will preserue thee from fel Famines rage;
And from the Sword of War thee dis-ingage:
Thou shalt be safe frō scourging tungs of Momes,
Nor shalt thou fear Destruction when it comes:

 [...]ay, thou shalt laugh at it, and Death der
 [...]de;
Not dreading Beasts of fellest Pawes and Pride.

 [...]tones, thorns, & thistles shal be friends with thee:
With thee the Beasts in constant league shall be.
And, as without, thou shalt haue Peace within
Thy house; thou shalt behold it, and not sin.
Thou shalt perceiue thy Seeds seeds seed to spred
As Grass in Fields, & Flowers in euery Mead.

 [...]n a full Age to thine own Graue shalt Thou,
As, in due time, Corne to the Barne or Mow.


[Page 18]Lo, This is Truth; and Thus we daily try-it:
Consider it, and to thy Selfe apply-it.


 [...]ap. 6.
IOB then reply'd: ô! were my Sorows waigh'd,
And with my Suffrings in iust Balance layd,
They would exceed the Seas wet Sands in poize:
Therefore (alas!) they swallow vp my voice:
For th'Arrowes of th'Almightie, keen and quick,
Haue thrilled me, & still within mee stick;
Their Anguish makes my spirits faint & quaile me.
Alas! the Terrors of the LORD assaile me.
Braies the wilde Asse if he haue grass his fill?
Or lowes the Oxe if he haue fodder still?
Vnsauory things who without Salt can eat?
In whites of Eggs is there a taste of meat?
Yet am I faine, alas! and forc't (indeed)
Of what my Soule abhorred most to feed.
O! that the LORD would daign me my desire,
Grant me my Lo
 [...]ging, grant what I require:
Which is but This; that He would end my dayes,
Let goe his hand, and let me goe my waies.
So should I yet haue Comfort (though I burn
In bitter pangs of Death, I will not spurn.
Let him not spare me) for yet do not I
The holy Word of th'
Holy-One denie.


[Page 19]But, ô! What Power haue I to persist?
What may ensue, if I shall long subsist?
Am I as hard, as tough, as strong (alas!)
As strongest Stones? or is my Flesh of Brass?
Nay, am I not already Impotent,
My spirits consumed, & my strength all spent?
In Crosses, Comforts should Friends most afford:
But men (alas!) haue left to feare the LORD.
My Brethren haue deceiu'd mee, as a Brooke.
As rifing Flouds, they haue me soone forsook;
Which, foule and deep, in Winter all o're-flow,
Or, crusted thick with ice, no moisture show;
Or else, in Summer, by 
Sol's thirsty Ray
Are licked-vp, and quicklie dry'd away,
While Trauailers to 
Thaema, and 
Saba thought
To water there, & for their succour sought;
But failing quite, and frustrate of the same,
They are confounded, & they blush for shame:
Even such are you, you see me ill appaid
In dismall Plight, and you are all dismaid:
Why are yee so? When haue I bid you bring,
Or out of yours supply me any thing?
Or crav'd of you auxiliarie Bands
To reskue me from Foes, or Tyrants hands?


[Page 20]Shew me mine Error, where I haue gone wrong:
Tell me my Fault, and I will hold my tongue.
But, bold and free's the speech of Innocence:
Which of you can reproue; and what Offence?
Thinke You aduantage of my words to haue,
As if Affliction made me wildely raue?
Then on the Orphan doth your furie fall;
You dig a Pit to catch your Friend withall.
Therefore, vouchsafe me better to revise;
Wrong me no more: My words be neither lyes,
Neither my deeds (as you shall find, I trust,
If you returne) in that behalfe vniust.
Complain I causeless? Do I counterfait?
Is not my mouth with Anguish all repleat?


 [...]ap. 7.
HAth not Man's warfare his set limits heere,
As hath the Hireling (by the day, or yeere)?
As toyled Seruants for the Night attend;
And weary Taskers for their Labors end;
So haue I looked, but (alas!) in vain,
For end of Sorrowes, & for ease of Pain.
Perpetually my fruitless Months proceed;
My tedious Nights incessantly succeed:
No sooner layd down but I long to rise,
Tired with tossing, till the Morning spies.


[Page 21]My Flesh is clad with Worms; with excrement
Of lothsom dust, my Skin doth rot and rent:
My Dayes flit faster then the Shuttles slide
From Weauers hands, whipping frō side to side.
Consider, Lord, my Life is but a Blast:
Mine eye no more shall see the Goodnes past:
Who now beholds me, shall no more, anon:

 [...]f Thou look-on Mee, I eft-soones am gon.
As Clowdes do passe, & quite away do flit,
Whoso descends, ascends not from the Pit;
Neither returnes vnto his wonted owne;
Nor of his place is any more be-known.
Therefore (alas!) I will not spare to speake;

 [...] cannot hold, needs must I silence break,
Amid the anguish of my Spirits distresse,
And in the depth of my Soules bitternesse.
Am I a Sea? or Whale? that with a Gard
Thou girtest me, & keep'st me in so hard?

 [...]f I haue said; In silence of the Night
When drousie Humor siels-vp euery Sight;
When All, aboue, in, vnder, Aire; Earth, Seas;

 [...] quiet Slumber seem to take their Ease)

 [...] may be that my painfull Pangs shall cease:

 [...] may be that my Passions shall haue peace:


[Page 22]With fearefull Visions then thou doost affray me,
With Dreames & Fansies dreadfully dismay me:
So that my Soule had rather chuse (at once)
To die then liue in Durance of my Bones.
Wearie of life, liue alwaies shall I not;
Then leaue me, Lord, alas! my dayes are nought.
O! What is Man that thou extoll'st him so?
That Thou on Him doost euen thy heart bestow?
That euery Morning Him thou visitest?
And euery Moment Him examinest?
How is it that Thou leau'st me not a little?
Alas! nor lett'st me swallow-in my spettle?
O! Thou Preseruer of Mankind, I knowe,
And I acknowledge I haue sinn'd: but, O!
What shall I say? What shall I do to Thee?
Why, in thy Wrath doost Thou incounter Mee?
Why mak'st Thou Me (alas!) the Mark & White
To thy Displeasure, in my Selfe's despight?
Remit, O Lord, what I haue ill omitted:
Remoue (alas!) what I haue miss-committed,
For, now I goe down to the dust, to lie:
And, if Thou seek, to morrow, none am I.

Caep. 8.
BVt 
Bildad then (loth longer to refrain)
Said; IOB, How long wilt thou this Plea maintai
 [...]


[Page 23]VVith words, as high, as Tempests vehemence,
Blow'n by the breath of thine Impatience?
Dar'st Thou, averr, that GOD doth Right subuert?
Or that th'Almighty, Iudgement doth peruert?
Though, sith thy Sons had sinned, them he sent
To the due Place of their sinnes punishment;
Yet, if Thou early vnto GOD repaire,
And to th'Almighty make thine humble Prayer,
If Thou be pure, and in his sight sincere;
He will again awake to Thee: and reare
Thy ruin'd State; thy righteous House restore
With Peace & Plentie, manifoldly more.
Aske of the Ages past: inquire (I pray)
Of th'Ancient Fathers (for, of yesterday
We Nouices knowe nothing in effect;
Our dayes are but a Shadow in respect)
Will not They teach thee (without wiles of Art)
And truly speak the language of their hart?
Can Rushes spring? are Sedges seen to grow,
Where is no moisture; where no waters flow?
Say that they should: yet would they sooner wither,
Though neuer cut, then all else grasse together.
Such is the way of all that GOD forget:
So failes the Hope of th'Holy-Counterfait:


[Page 24]His Hope shall be cut off: his Confidence
Like busie Spider's brittle Residence:
He shall be leaning on his House, but it
Shall not be able to support him; yet
He shall hold fast, & theron fix him sure;
But that (alas!) shall neuer long endure:
As doth the Tree, which growing in the Sun,
O're-spreads an Orchard with fresh Boughes, anon,
His happy Roots among the Fountaines winding,
And round about the rockie banks them binding:
If from his Place to pluck it any ween,
It will denie; as safe, as if not seen:
Lo, by this meanes it will reioyce, the while
That it may prosper in another Soile:
So, GOD will neuer the Sincere reiect.
Neither the vvicked by the hand erect.
Till he haue filld thy mouth with meriment,
Thy lips with tryumph (in intire content)
Thy Foes shal all be with confusion clothed,
Wrapped in shame, disperst, despisd & loathed;
Th'vngodly shal be razed to the ground,
Their Tabernacle shal no more be found.

Cap. 9.
IOB then reply'd: I know, I grant you This;
In GOD's respect, that No Man righteous is.


[Page 25]No: if He argue, if He question;
O! VVho can answer of a Thousand, one?
What heart so constant! O! what soule so clear,
That dares for Iust before that Iudge appear?
He is All-prudent, and All-powerfull too:
VVho thriues, that striues with what he minds to doo?
He mounts the Vallies, and he vailes the Mountains:
He shakes the Earth; he opes & stops the Fountains:
He bids the Sun shine, and forbids it soon:
He seals the Starres vp; he conceales the Moon:
He spreads alone the Heauens large Canapey:
He treads vpon the bound-lesse ground-lesse Sea:
He makes 
Arcturus Starre, the 

 [...]
Stormy youth,
The 
Pleiadés, and 
Climats of the 
South:
He worketh mighty things and manifold,
Miraculous, and more then can be told:
He passeth by me, and repasseth so,
Vnseen of me, and vnperceiued tho:
He, when him pleaseth, if a Prey he take,
Who can compell him to restore it back?
Nay: who so bold into his Acts to pry?
Or, Who dares question What he doth, or Why?
His Anger is not stopt, nor stoopt a whit;
But strongest helps are fain to stoop to it.


[Page 26]Then, how-much-less; O! how-much-less am I
Able (alas!) with Him my Case to try?
No
 [...] were I iust, I were not absolute;
But to my Iudge would I make humble Sute:
And, to my Cry if he reply, yet hard
Can I beleeue that He my voyce hath heard.
For, with a Tempest he destroyes me sterne;
And wounds me Cause-lesse (for ought I discerne);
Nor suffers me so much as breathe at all;
But fills me still with Bitternesse and Gall.
If Srength we speak of; Who is strong but He?
If Iudgement; then, Who shall mine Vmpire be?
If I would iustifie my Selfe (with Him)
He by mine owne Mouth will me soon condemn:
If I would plead me perfect and vpright,
He, He would iudge me wicked, in his sight:
Though I were perfect (to my Selfe) from Sin;
Alas! I know not mine owne Soule within.
Therefore (Thus vexed and perplexed rife)
I loath alas! and I abhorre my life.
Yet, grant I not; but that the Lord doth smight
(Which you deny) both Wicked and Vpright.
Else, when He strikes a People (old and young)
Would He seem smile at Good mens Stripes emong?


[Page 27]Would He bestowe vpon th'Vngodly-most
Earth's Soueraintie, and let them rule the Rost?
Would He permit profane Bribe-blinded ones
With blunted Sword to si
 [...] on 
Iustice Thrones?
While that the Vertuous to the w
 [...]llare thrust?
While th'Innocent are troden in the Dust?
For, Who, but He, directs, acts, orders All
In all the World, what euer doth befall?
My Daies far swifter then a Poste haue past;
Past without sight of any Good (to-last):
As swiftest Ships, so haue they slid-away;
Or as the Eagle hasting to her Prey.
If that I say, I will forget my Griefe,
Forgoe my Wrath, and yet re-hope Reliefe:
Ah! then my Torments all afresh affright,
With Terrours, least Thou wilt not quit me quight.
For, if I be Vngodly all in vaine
I cry to Thee, and to no end I plaine:
Or, if Vnguilty, Cleane, and White as Snowe
(In mine owne sight) in Thine I am not so;
But in the sight of Thy pure Eyes, as soild,
And with the Garment that I weare defild.
GOD is not Man, as I (in equall Sute)
That I with Him should argue or dispute:


[Page 28]Nor is there (should we meet) a Moderator,
Twixt Him and Me to arbitrate the Matter.
Let him leaue-off his hold, take-off his Rod,
Lay-oft his Awefull Maiesty, as GOD;
Then will I speak, and freely, voyd of Feare:
But, as it is, I must, I will forbeare.
AS dead aliue; vpon my Selfe I'll lay
My sad Complaint; and in mine Anguish pray
Thus to the Lord: O Lord, condemne me not;
But show me, why thou huntest me so hot,
Lord! art Thou pleased to oppresse me Thus?
O! dost Thou iudge as do th'Vnrighteous
(Vnheard, vntry'd, and vnsuspect) to trip
And cast-away thine owne hands Workmanship?
Seest Thou, as Man? or hast Thou carnall Eyes?
Years as Mans Years? Daies as Mans Daies, who dies;
That thus Thou rack'st Me, and protractst Me still,
Searching and sifting to find out mine Ill?
I cannot sin, Thou know'st, but Thou must see:
For, from Thine hands can None deliuer Me.
Thy hands haue made Me, all, and euery part:
And wilt Thou now thine owne hands Work subuert?
Remember, Lord, how fraile and brittle stuff
Thou mad'st me of (then vse me not so rough)


[Page 29]Euen of the Clay, as is the Potters Crust:
And wilt Thou then re-crush me into Dust?
Thou pourd'st me out as Milk (within the womb)
Thou mad'st me there, as Cheese, a Crud becom;
With Skin and Flesh Thou cloth'dst me fair and fit,
With Bones and Sinewes fast together knit:
Inspir'dst me Life and Soule, Reason and Sense;
And still preseru'dst me by thy Prouidence.
These Things as hidden in thy Bosome bee:
But well I know, that it is so with Thee.
If I haue sinned, Thou wilt sift me neer;
And of my Guilt Thou wilt not hold me cleer.
If Wicked I haue been; then Woe to Me:
If Righteous; Yet still will I humble be;
Though deep confounded, and amazed much,
To see, and feele, my sad Affliction Such.
But, be it more: come, Lion-like set on-me;
Returne and show Thee maruelous vpon-me:
And so (indeed) Thou doost: for, Thou renewest
Thy plagues on me; and me more fierce pursewest:
Changes of Woes, Armies of Paines extreame,
Afresh inuade me, and me round behem.
Then, Why (alas!) Why didst thou bring me forth
From fruitfull Womb (being no better worth)?


[Page 30]O! that I there had perished, vnseen:
And that I were as if I had not been,
Brought from the Womb (one Tomb, vnto Another)
To Earth my Mother from my Earthly Mother.
Is not my Glasse neer out? My Date neer done?
O! let him cease, and leaue-oft laying-on;
That I may take a little Comforts breath,
Yer quite I goe to the dark Land of Death;
A Land of Darkness, Darkness Selfe (I say)
And Sh
 [...]de of Death: where is no Light, no Day.

 [...]. 11
THen answered 
Zophar, the 
Naamathite;
Should words preuail? Shal prating pass for right
 [...]
Should all be mute? Shall no man dare reply,
To mock thy Mocks, and giue thy Lie the Lie?
For, Thou hast said (and that, too-vehement)
My Words, and Deeds, and thoughts are innocent;
Pure in Thine eyes. But O! that GOD would speak;
That He would once His sacred Silence break;
To shew thee Wisdome's Secrets: Thou might'st see,
Thou me
 [...]t'st double what he layes on Thee;
And surely know that (in his 
Iustice strict)
After thy Sins, He doth not Sores inflict:
But seems to haue forgotten, or forgiuen
Thy Trespasses against Him Selfe and heauen.


[Page 31]Canst Thou, by searching, GOD's deep Counsel find?
Conceaue th' Almighty? Comprehend His mind?
Reach His perfection? It doth Heauen excell
In Height; in Depth exceeds the lowest Hell:
Longer then Earth: larger then all the Seas.
O! What? When? Where? How wilt Thou measure These?
If He cut-off, shut-vp, collect, reiect;
Who can diuert Him? Who his Course correct?
He knows vain Men: He sees their harts that hard thē
In Guiles and Wiles; and will not He regard them?
That foolish man, made wise, may be reclaimed;
Borne bruit and dull, as an Asse Colt, vntamed.
If therefore, by Repentance, thou prepare
Thine humbled heart: if that, in hearty Prayer,
Thou stretch thine hands vnto his Throne aboue:
Though thou haue sinn'd; if Thou thy Sin remoue:
If Thou remoue it, and permit no more
In quity to dwell within thy Doore:
Then shalt Thou, doubtlesse, free from Fault & Fear,
Settled and safe, thy Face againe vprear:
Then shalt thou sure forget thy Misery;
Or, but esteem it as a Streame past by:
Then shall thy Daies be, then the Noon more bright;
And thou shalt shine, as Morning after Night:


[Page 32]Then shalt thou rest secure and confident,
Hopefull, and Happy, in thy proper Tent,
In thine owne Dwelling: where, for Eminence,
Sutors shall flock, with seemly Reuerence.
But, as for stubborne, wilfull Wicked-ones,
That still run-on in their Rebellions,
Their Helps shall faile, and all their Hap shall fall;
And as a Ghasp, their Hopes shall vanish all.

 [...]. 12
THen said the 
Hussian: You, vndoubtedly,
You are the Men: Wisdom with you must dy:
Yet (would yee knew it) somwhat know I, too;
I vnderstand perhaps as well as you.
Nor will I yeeld you in this Iarre a lot:
VVhat you haue vrg'd I know: and Who doth not?
Yee say, I lie; yee tell me, that I mock:
But I am made my Fellowes Laughing-stock:
Who calls on GOD, and whom He heareth prest,
Th' Vpright and Iust (indeed) is made a lest:
And He that's going downe (in state forlome)
Like dying Lamp, is to the Rich a Scorne;
VVhile (for the most) Oppressors prosper, sure;
And God-prouokers, safely and secure,
Haue in their hand (GOD in their hand hath pu
 [...])
The Horne of Plenty, them at will to glut.


[Page 33]Aske but the Beasts: inquire of Earth, or Seas;
Or Fowles, or Fish: for, which is it of These,
But knowes, and showes, & plainly tells thee This;
That GOD's their Maker: and of All that is:
That in His hand's the Life of all that liues:
That He alone, to All Men, Breathing giues.
Doth not the Eare try Speeches (bad or good)?
And, for it Selfe, the Palate taste the food?
So, Wisedom should be to the Many-year'd;
And Vnderstanding to the Hoary-hair'd.
With Him it is (with th'
Ancient of Dayes)
With Him is Counsaile, Wisedom, Power, & Praise:
Lo, He destroyes, and no man can restore:
Whom He shuts-vp, can be let out no more:
He stops the Streams; then dry they vp and shrink;
He sends them forth; then all the Earth they sink.
With Him is Strength: with Him is All that is:
Who erreth, & Who maketh erre, are His:
He doth distract the Counsailors of State:
He makes the Iudges as infatuate:
He breaks the Bonds of Kings Imperiall Awe;
And brings Them bounden vnder Others Law:
He leads the Princes as a Captiue prey:
Dismounts the Mightie; and, with strange dismay,


[Page 34]He dulls the Learned, dumbs the Eloquent,
And reaues the Iudgement of the Ancient:
He poures contempt vpon the Noble-born:
He strips the Strong: He leaues the Stout forlorn:
He deepest Secrets soone discouereth:
He brings to light the darkest shades of Death:
He multiplieth People; and He mowes
Them down again (by Famin, Plague, or Blowes):
He sends them forth in 
Colonies 
 [...]o spread;
And brings them back (by wrack, lack, sack, or dread):
He reaues the hearts of those that rule the E
 [...]th,
And makes thē roam throgh Desertsands of Death,
Where None go by; They g
 [...]ope as in the Dark;
They haue no Light, no Sight; no certain Mark;
They stray; they stumble; to & fro they wheel:
And He, He makes Them, Drunkard-like, to reel.

 [...] 3.
A
 [...] This mine e
 [...]es haue seen, mine ears haue heard:
All This my heart hath weigh'd, & wel conferd.
So that, in Th
 [...], what you haue known, I knew;
And 
 [...]m not Herrein to gi
 [...]e 
 [...]l
 [...]ce to You.
But, as 
 [...]u wish, I also wish: O! would
Th'Almighty pleas'd that I might be so bold
(In his own Presence, at his Bar to stand)
To plead with Him the Cause I haue in hand.


[Page 35]For, You, indeed, are too S
 [...] histicall:
Silly 
 [...]hysic
 [...]ans, for my Sickne
 [...] 
 [...]ll.
O! that you therefore had still he
 [...] you mute:
S
 [...] might you still haue held a wise Repute.
But, 
 [...]i
 [...]t you now vnto my Arguing:
Ma
 [...] well my Reasons, & the Proofes I bring.
Will You speak falsly for th'Almighty Lord?
Will you for Him pronounce a Guileful word?
VVill you be partiall for His persons sake?
Will you for Him, with Cauils vnder-take?
Shall it auaile you? will He con you 
 [...]k
At his great 
Audit, for this double 
 [...]rank?
(Or, ween you, smoothing, these De
 [...]s to smother?
Or but to mock Him, as one Man another)
No you shal know, He wil not brook, nor bear it,
But chide you sharp; how-euer secr
 [...]t were it.
Shall not the brightnes of His Fac
 [...] a
 [...]y 
 [...]u?
His Ma
 [...]stie with awefull Ra
 [...]es di
 [...]may 
 [...]ou,
M
 [...]er Earth & Ashes (daring thus to play)
Your B
 [...]st but Dust: your rest but Du
 [...]t & Clay?
Hold you your tongues: no more your silence bre
 [...]
But (at my Perill) giue Me leaue to spe
 [...]k.
Why should I 
 [...]eare me (as one out of S
 [...])
With mine own Teeth? or doe S
 [...]lfe-Violence▪


[Page 36]No: should He slay me, I would hope againe
(Though in his sight I still my right maintaine)
For, He himselfe will saue and doe me right;
And cleere mee from your doome of Hypocrite:
Sith, in His presence Such can haue no place,
Nor hope such help of His assisting Grace.
Giue therefore eare vnto my words; & waigh
VVith due regard what I shall truly say.
Lo, heere I stand, as ready to be try'd
(And well I knowe I shall be iustifi'd)
Come, who will charge me, & oppose my Pleas
(Alas! I die, if now I hold my peace)
Onely, but spare me in Two things: with-drawe
Thy heauie hand; vvith-hold thy glorious Awe
From frighting me: then, from before thy face
I shall not hide me; nor betray my Case:
Then, at thy choise, be in this Cause dependant
(I am indifferent) 
Plaintif, or 
Defendant.
What? and How-many are my Sins (pretended)?
Shew me Wherein, and How, I haue offended,
That Thou should'st shun, & turn thee from me so;
And handle me as thy most hated Foe.
Doost Thou vouchsafe a witherd Leafe to crush?
Against dry Stubble doost Thou daign to rush?


[Page 37]That in so bitter and seuere a stile
Thou doost indight mee: and recite (the while)
My sinnes of Youth (them re-recording fresh,
VVith th'Heritage 
inherent vnto Flesh):
And putt'st my feet into the Stocks so strait;
VVatchest my Waies, and at my heeles doost wait,
To finde some hole in my fore-acted Life
(Scourging mine Errors with thy Terrors rife)
VVhile, rotten-like, it wasteth, as a Cloth
Grown full of holes, & eaten by the Moth.
MAn, born of Man's & Womans loynes, alas!

Cap 
 [...]
Hath but few dayes, & those ful sad, to pass:
Much like a Flower he shooteth vp; and fades,
Quickly cut downe: he vanisheth, as Shades;
Of no continuance [here]. Yet, dost Thou daign
To frowne at Such? & striue with Me, so vaine?
Who, from Pollution, can pure thing extract?
O! there is None; none that is so exact.
Sith then his dayes Thou hast determined;
Sith that his Months with thee be numbered;
Sith Thou hast set the certain Time he has
(To Him vncertain) which He cannot pass:
Forbeare awhile, & from him looke away,
Till (as the Hireling) he hath done his Day.


[Page 38]For, though a Tree befelled: from the Root,

 [...] there hope 
 [...] inches will re-shoot;
Though in the Earth 
 [...] be old and dry,
T
 [...] on the Ea
 [...]h 
 [...] as dead do lie;
Y
 [...] 
 [...]y the Se
 [...]t of the nee
 [...] 
 [...]inding Flood,
It w
 [...] 
 [...]e, and as a Plant, re-
 [...]ud:
P
 [...]t Man (man's Body from h
 [...] Soule bereft)
Man down & dead; O! wh
 [...]t of Him is left?
Si
 [...], a
 [...] S
 [...]-wa
 [...]ers, past, re-p
 [...]sse no more;
As R
 [...]rs, 
 [...]ry'd, return not to their Shore:
Man, Dead-asleep shall neuer wake again;
Nor neuer rise, till Heav'n no more remain.
O! wert thou pleas'd, me in my Graue to hide,
V
 [...]till thy Wrath were past and pacifi'd!
Or that there were some Time, or Term assign'd me,
When Thou wilt cease; & in thy Mercy mind me!
Or, shall a Man 
neer dead 
heer liue again;
Still liuing-dying in continuall Pain?
And shall I still, in this distressed state,
Wait, all the Dayes of mine appointed Date,
Vntill my Cha
 [...]g
 [...] (my 
Ren
 [...]ation) come?
When Thou shalt call me: nor shal I be dumb,
But answer thee: Then then Thou wilt approue
That Thou the Works o
 [...] thine own hands doost loue;


[Page 39]Though now my steps thou numbrest so exact;
Not'st all my Sins, & seem'st them to haue packt
As in a Bagge, safe sealed; yea, to add
New Trespasses vnto the old, I had.
So that, as Mountains, mouldring, down do sink;
As from their places shiuer'd Rocks do shrink:
As waters break the Stones; as Showres surround
The dusty Earth; Thou doost Man's hope cōfound;
And tryumph'st euer ouer Him, deiected;
Transform'd in Face, as from thy Face reiected.
Nor knoweth He, whether his deer Posteritie
Shall poorely fare, or flourish in Prosperitie:
But, while his Soule his Body beares about,
That, shall haue Woe within; & This, without.

[Page 40]

The second Booke.
 [...] 15.
TO This of His (so hot and vehement)
Thus 
Eliphas (in the same Element):
Should one so wise (as thou doost vaunt thee heere)
Discourse so vainly? bring such idle geare?
Vent from the Centre of a swelling brest
As noysome Gales as the vnholsome East?
Trifle the Time [about I vvot not what]
In idle and vnprofitable chat?
Nay: nullifie Religious Feare and 
Pietie,
Not praying to, but pleading with the 
Deitie?
VVhich thine own mouth hath witnest too-too-far,
VVith subtile Cauils of a Sophister.
Yea, thine own mouth (not mine) shall thee cōuince:
Against thy Selfe thy lippes giue Euidence.
Why Man! wert Thou the first man on the earth?
Or, wert Thou born before the Hills had birth?
Hast Thou alone GOD's Secret vnderstood?
And hast Thou onely VVisedom, in thy Hood?
VVhat is't Thou knowest, that We haue not kend?
VVhat vnderstand'st Thou, but VVe comprehend?
There are of Vs as old as Thou; or rather,
Some (I suppose) more antient then Thy Father:


[Page 41]And doost Thou slight our Comforts (godly sent)?
Or hast Thou of thine Owne more excellent?
Why doth thy heart, and whither, thee transport?
Why doost thou close thine eyes? that in this sort
Thy Spirit turnes (shall I say spurns?) at GOD:
And from thy Lips spets words so bold and broad?
O! What is Man, that He should clean exist?
Or Womans Son, that He should Iust persist?
Behold, He found, his Angels stood not sure:
Neither, the Heanens, in His pure sight, are pure:
Then, How-much-more, before Him, filthy stinks
Stock-stained Man, who Sin, as Water, drinks?
I'll therefore shew the (hark, and marke me well)
What I haue seen; I will declare and tell
What, from their Elders, Sages yerst haue know'n,
And to their Heires successiuely haue show'n.
Such as, indeed, haue had the Helm in hand,
To steer their Owne, and Strangers to with-stand.
The Wicked Man's in-labour, all his Life;
In bitter Pains, in Pangs, and Passions rife:
Number of yeares are seldome His, to summe:
A Sound of Feares still in His eares doth humme:
Or, if at all He seem in ease to swim;
The swift Destroyer shall soon seaze on him,


[Page 42]H
 [...]p-less, and Hope-less euer to recouer:
S
 [...]eing the Sword, him euer hanging ouer.
Needy, indeed; or greedy still of more
(Pining in Plenty, staruing in his Store)
He wanders, seeking of his Bread about;
In dread of Want; of a Black Day, in doubt:
Trouble and Anguish shall him deep affright;
As royall Armies ready for the Fight.
For, He hath stretched his proud
 [...] and at Heav'n;
And stubbornly hath with th' Almighty striv'n,
Running at Him, rushing vpon his Neck;
Yea, on the Posses of his Shield so thick:
Because his Fat, his full broad Face doth couer;
And la
 [...]die C
 [...]ilops on his sides hang ouer;
And dwe
 [...]ls in Houses, rather Townes of late,
(By H
 [...]) 
 [...]i-pa
 [...]ron'd and depopulate;
By Him, 
 [...]e built, re-gilt, re-glost, re-glas'd;
By H
 [...]m, re-
N
 [...]med (ready to be ras'd).
Yet, shall not 
 [...]e
 [...] R
 [...]ch; nor in Prosperity
Persist; nor leaue Possession to Posterity:
Nor, onto Darknes euer get shall He;
Nor euer other then inglo
 [...]ous be:
His Branch shall wither, and with Flame be wasted:
Him Self shal, sodain, with GOD'S Breath be blasted.


[Page 43]Then, let not (hard-beleeuing hau
 [...] Humanity)
O! let not the Deceiued trust in Vanity.
For, Vanity shall be his Recompence:
Before his Time shall he be snatched hence:
His Spring shall neuer sprout, his Flowers shall fall,
His Fruit, yer ripe, shall be off-shaken all
(As Grapes and Oliues, with vntimely Frost)
The Lord shal shake them, and they shall be lost.
For, th'Hypocrites D
 [...]ssembling Congregation,
Shall be disperst, and brought to Desol
 [...]tion:
And sodainly shal Fire consume the Tents
Of 
Briberie, with all their Instruments.
For, They conceiue but Mischiefe; breed but Guile,
And bring forth vain Iniquitie the while.
HE pausing heer, IOB Thus replies him, sad:

Ca
 [...] 
 [...]
Yet more of This? This haue we often had.
You are indeed a sort of Visiters;
A Crew of cold and wretched Comforters.
Shall idle, iddle, aiery, Words surcease?
Or what doth make thee dare to dwel on these?
Could I, as you, if you were in my Case,
And I in yours; your Soule in my Soules place:
Could I, against you, words haue multipl'ed?
Insulted on you? at you, shook my head?


[Page 44]No: I should rather haue raught you Reliefe,
And with my speeches haue asswag'd your Griefe.
But, though I plain, my Griefe's not mitigated;
Either, forbeare I, What is it abated?
For, He hath wearied me: Yea, Lord, Thou hast
Spoild me of All: and laid me wholly wast:
The wrinkled Furrowes, on my Brow and Back
(Bare skin and bone) bear witnesse of my Wrack.
My Foe's fell wrath hath raakt and rent me sore:
He striues against me; and still angry more,
More eager still, gnasheth his Teeth vpon me;
And with his eyes keen flashing frowneth on-me.
My Friends (alas!) they laugh at me the while,
They buffet me, and bitterly reuile;
They gape vpon me, and together gather,
Not to relieue me, but to grieue me, rather.
Thus hath GOD hemm'd me with vngodly Bands,
And turnd me ouer into Wicked hands.
I was at ease; When by the Neck he took-me,
Brake me a-sunder, and to shiuers shook me:
And (whether for Disport or for Despite)
Made me his Butte, and set me as his White.
His cunning Archers do beset me round:
He cleaues my Reines; and ruth-less, on the ground


[Page 45]Poures-out my Gall: with doubled Blowes he crushes,
And Giant-like, vpon me fiercely rushes.
I haue in Sack-cloth sadly sow'd my Skin,
In Dust and Ashes haue I humbled bin,
I haue (alas!) besmeard my Face with Teares,
On mine Eie-lids Death's Shade hath swom, in Fears:
For no foule Sin; neither, for Fashions sake,
To seem a 
Saint: pure Prayers did I make,
Pure and Sincere: else, neuer may they come
In Heau'n, to haue either regard or roome.
Neither, O! Earth! if euer Blood I shed,
O! let it not by Thee be couered.
But, lo, my Witnesse is in Heav'n aboue;
My Record there, my Conscience to approue.
My Friends contemne me, and condemne me too:
But, droun'd in Teares, to GOD appeal I doo.
O! that one might (as Man with Man, in Sute)
That Neighbor-like, one might with GOD dispute.
For, the few Daies of my set Number gone,
I goe the Way, from whence Returne is none.
MY Spirit's spent: my Daies are don (& leaue me)
The Graue's already ready to receiue me.

Cap. 
 [...]
Yet are there with me none but those that mock me:
Doth not mine eye still see them still prouoke me?


[Page 46]But, put me in a Surety, giue me Pledge,
To answer me what I shall then alleadge.
Who 'll vndertake it? Who will giue his hand,
That to the Triall Thou wilt daign to stand?
Sith Thou, O Lord, Their hearts hast hidden quight,
From Vnderstanding, and from iudging right;
And therefore wilt not, for their Arrogance,
Admit of them, nor them so high aduance.
Not, that I would, they shold haue sooth'd me nei­ther:
For such shal perish, and their Seed together.
But, to the Vulgar I am made a Song,
A Tale, a Tabret vnto euery Tongue
(Through grief whereof, mine Eye decaies & dims;
And as a Shadowe are my other Limbs):
The better sort, amazed at my Plight,
The Innocent, iudge me an Hypocrite.
Yet, shall the Righteous still hold on his Course;
And the Sincere shall still adde force to force.
Therefore, my Friends, returne, recant, re-call
Your hard Opinions, and mis-Censures, all:
For, of you all, not one Wise man I finde;
Nor fit 
Physician for a troubled minde.
My Daies are past; and my Dessignes vndon;
Yea, euen my Hopes (my hearts Possessions) gon:


[Page 47]My Noon (alas!) is changed into Night;
Small ods there is twixt Darknesse and my Light.
What can I looke for, but among the Dead
To make my House? to haue my Graue for Bed?
For, to Corruption, thus alou
 [...] I call;
Thou art my Father: to the Worms that crawl,
You are my Mother, and my Sisters, all.
Where's then my Hope? How shal that Hap appeer,
Which you yer-while old so re-promise, heer?
Those things, with me shall downe into the Deep;
And, with my Dost, 
 [...]mid the Dust shall sleep.
THen said the 
Shuhite: Will you neuer cease

Cap. 1
 [...]
Your tedious Talking? Neuer hold your peace?
Forbeare a while; giue eare a little now:
Obserue our Speech, and we will answer you.
But, why, as Beasts are we vpbraided thus?
And why so basely doe you count of vs?
He, rather seems to be besides his Sense,
That wounds him Selfe in his Impatience.
Why? Shall the Earth, for Thy sake be forsaken?
The Rocks remou'd? and solid Hils be shaken?
No, no: The Light of Wicked-ones shall out:
His Fiery Sparkle shall not shine about:
Within his Doores shall Darknes be for Light:
With Him, his Candle shall be quenched quight:


[Page 48]His Strength shall faile him (or be fatall to-him):
His Counsels cast him; His owne Wit vndoo-him:
For, his owne Feet shall bring him to the Net;
And willingly vpon the Gin shall iet:
Him, by the heele the subtill Snare shall catch:
Him, shall the Theeues and Robbers ouer-match:
For him are laid the Meshes of Mis-hap;
Traines on the ground, and in his wayes a Trap:
Him, on all sides, sad Terrors shall affright;
And sudden driue him to his Feet, to flight:
His plentious Store shall Famine soon deuoure:
Destruction's Sword shall hunt-him euery-hower,
Consume his Sinewes, and vn-bar his Skin:
And Pestilence (Death's Heire) shall rage within.
His Hope shall hop without his expectation:
His Confidence shall from his Habitation
Be rooted out, and razed (as it were)
And bring him downe to the drad King of Feare;
Who aye shall dwell within His Tabernacle,
(Because not His, not his owne Habiracle):
Some secret Flame, som Flash, som Sulphury shower,
Shall sudden spred amid his cursed Bower:
His Roots belowe shall rot amid the Clay;
His Boughes aboue be cut and cast away:


[Page 49]His Memorie shall perish from the Earth;
His Name heer nameless (as before his Birth)
He shal be driv'n to Darknes, from the Light:
And forth the World he shall be hunted quight.
Nor Sonne, nor Nephew shall be leaue behind;
Nor in his Houses any of his Kind.
So that, the Ages, present, and to come,
Shall stand amazed at his dismall Doome.
And This is sure the Lot, the heauie Load
Of VVicked-ones, that fear not, know not, GOD.
IOB then reply'd: Alas! how long will Yee
Torment my Soule, with words; & torture Mee?

Ca
 [...] 
 [...]
Ten times ye haue, with too obdurate minde,
Reproacht mee This: vnciuill and vnkind.
But, put the Case, that I haue sinn'd, indeed:
Must not I beare it? Then (alas!) what need
You load me more; and magnifie your wit,
To amplifie my Guilt, and Griefe of it?
Seeing you see that GOD hath cast me downe,
And with his Net hath compassed me round.
Lo, I cry-out of wrong & violence;
Aloud I cry; yet haue no Audience,
Nor Ease at all: He hath so hedg'd my VVay,
I cannot passe: My Paths, in stead of Day,


[Page 50]Are Darke beset: He hath my glorie reft;
And from my head He hath the Crowne bereft:
He hath destroy'd me, euery-way vndone:
My Hope, remoued (as a Tree) is gone:
And more, His Wrath against me fiercely fryes;
He reckons Me among his Enemies:
His Troupes assembled, march against Me, egre;
And, round about, my feeble Tent bel
 [...]guer:
He hath disperst my Brethren from me farre;
To Me, my Kindred as meer Strangers are;
My Neighbors flie me; my Familiar Frend
Hath now forgot me (as if neuer kend):
Nay▪ mine own Household; Men, Maid-seruants, all;
Count me a Stranger, care not for my Call,
Nor will come at me; though I speak them faire:
Nay: to mine own Wife (for the noisome aire)
My Breath is strange, though I beseech her, sad,
By those deer Pledges wee together had.
The Basest scorn me; and when vp I rise,
They spet their Spight in bitter Obloquies.
Mine Intime-most, Those that I loued best,
Abhor mee All, and me the most molest.
My Bones, in sted of Flesh, cleaue to my skin;
And that not sound, saue what my Teeth grow in.


[Page 51]Then 
 [...]itty me, ô pitty me, my Frends;
Sith GOD on me his heauie hand extends:
Ah! Why do you yet persecute me, rough,
As GOD? Alas! hath not my Flesh enough?
O! that my words (the words I now ass
 [...]uer)
Were writ, were printed, & (to last for-euer)
Were grav'
 [...] in Marble with an Iron pen
With Lead in-yoated (to fill vp agen).

I surely knowe that my Redeemer liueth:

And that He shal
 [...] (This firm my Faith belieueth.)

In th'End of Time, return & rise from Dust
(
The Fi
 [...]st & Last) to iudge and saue the Iust:

And that, I shall when worms haue eat This Clod,

I shal
 [...] awake, & in my flesh see GOD:

Yea: I shall see him with These Eyes of mine,

And with none else: though Now in Paines I pine.
The rather, therfore should you now retract,
And Thus Your-selues discreetly now correct:

Why persecute We Him? Why hate Him, Wee?
Sith 
 [...]his Foundation is thus fixt in Mee.
Then, be you warn'd: beware, & fear the Sword:
For Wickednes & Cruelty [in word]
Incenseth Wrath: Know, there shal Iudgment come,
To doom them right, who Others (rash) misdoom.


[Page 52]SCarce had He done, when the 
Naamathite
Replyes him Thus: Therefore my thoughts in­cite
My suddain Answer: therfore, am I spurr'd
(Regarding light thy sharp and shamefull Guird)
VVith speed to speake vnto the Point in hand,
VVhat I conceiue, & rightly vnderstand.
Know'st thou not This of old, through euery Age,
Since first on Earth began Man's Pilgrimage;
That the tryumphing of the Wicked Sort,
The Ioy of th'
Hypocrite is euer short.
Although to Heav'n hee mount his glorious Top,
Though to the Clowds his head be lifted vp;
Yet shall he perish, as his dung, for aye:
And who hath seen them, shal ask, VVhere are they?
As Dreames forgotten, shall he take his flight;
Yea, chas'd away, as Visions of the Night:
Th'Eye that hath seen him, shal not see him twise,
Nor shall his Places him againe reuise.
His Children shall be fawning on the Poore;
And His Extortions shall to them restore:
His Bones are full of his Youth's sinnes (his Lust)
VVhich shall not leaue him till he lie in dust:
Though to his Taste his Sin be passing sweet,
Though vnder-neath his Tongue he couer it,


[Page 53]Though there he spare it, and not spet it out,
Though on his Palate still it roule about;
Yet is his Meat turnd, in his Bowells, all;
And is, within him, as the 
Aspic's Gall:
H'hath swallow'd Wealth, but GOD shall make him fain
To spue it out, to cast it vp againe:
He shall the 
Aspic's direfull Poison suck:
VVith Vipers tongues he shall be deadly stuck:
He shall not see the Oylie Riuers Currents,
Nor Brooks of Butter, nor the Honny Torrents:
His Labour neuer shall regain his Losse:
He shal restore whom he before did crosse;
The Restitution shal be all his state;
He neuer shall digest, nor ioy thereat:
Because the Poore he crushed, and forsook;
And Others Houses violently took.
Sure he shall haue no quiet Calm within;
VVithout, no Store of what he ioyeth in.
There shalbe no Remainder of his meat;
And his Reuersions none shal wait to eat:
Nay: in his Ruffe, and at his Greatest Height,
He shal be stocked in full many a Strait:
Continuall Hazards shal him round enring;
Each spightfull hand shall haue at him a fling:


[Page 54]VVhen he is readie for his rich Repast,
On Him will GOD his fietie Furie cast;
Amid his Feasts his dead Displeasure thrilling,
In stead of Food, his brest with horror filling.
If he escape the Sword; from Bowes of steel
Steel-headed Arrowes shal him thorough thrill:
The naked Swords bright-shining terror shall
Peep through his Bosom, creep throgh guts & gall.
Horrors shal haunt him: and so, hard-bestid,
From hiding him, all Darknes shall be hid.
A Fire vnblow'n him suddain shall consume:
A
 [...]d woe to them that tarry in his Roome:
Heav'n shall discouer his Iniquities,
And Earth for witnesse shall against him rise;
All his Reuenewes, all his state, and stay,
Shall flowe to Others in his Wrathful Day.
This is the Por
 [...]ion of the Wicked: This
His Heritage by GOD appointed is.
SO 
Zephar ceast. Then IOB reply'd: I pray
Heare heedfully what Now I haue to say:
Be this the Comfort you vouchsafe, alone;
Let Me but speak; and afterwards, mock on.
Doe I complain or make my moan to Man?
Why doe you crosse, or interrupt me, than?


[Page 55]If I haue cause of Griefe, should not my spirit
Be moou'd withall? Can Flesh & Bloud forbear it?
Behold me well; & be withall dismay'd:
And let your hand vpon your mouth be layd.
Thought of the like (else-where) would me affright,
And daunt my Flesh: How then, my present sight?
How comes it, that the Wicked liue, liue long;
Grow Rich, grow Great; wex Eminent, & Strong?
They see their Children, & Grand-children, rife
Setled about them: In their House, no Strife;
No Feare; no Foe: They feele not any Rod,
No stripe no stroak, of the drad hand of GOD.
Their Bullock genders, and proues euer fit:
Their Heifer calues, & neuer casteth it:
Their Little ones, like Lambkins send they out;
Their Stripplings play & skip, & dance about;
They tune their Voice to sweetest Instruments,
Harp, Pipe & Tabret; to delight their sense:
In Wealth & Health They liue; scarce, euer, sick
Of long Disease; but to their Graues go quick.
Yet 
 [...]hese are Those, that to th'Almighty say;

Depart from vs; we will not learn thy Way:

Who is the Lord? that we should Him obay.

What should we profit, if to Him we pray?


[Page 56]They haue not sure the power in their Own hand,
To get and keep their Wealth at their Command.
Be therefore farre, be euer farre from Mee,
Their Works, & Words, & Thought's Impietie:
Farre their Counsailes: far be all their VVaies:
And farre the Peace of their so prosperous Dayes.
And yet, how often, is their Lamp put-out?
How often, are They compassed about
VVith swift Destruction? In his Furie strict,
How oft, doth GOD Their Paiment here inflict?
How oft, as Straw before the winde, are They,
And as the Chaff with Tempest whift away?
How oft, doth GOD, in the Vngodly's sight,
For Their own Guilt, their own deere Issue smite?
Or, let Themselues heer see themselues vndone;
Drinking the hot Wrath of th'Almighty-one?
For, what is it to Them? or what care They
(Their Months cut off; Their mouths once stopt with clay)
What hap their house, what hazard follow shal:
VVhat Weale or Woe, vnto their Heires befall?
But herein, who GOD's Wisedom shall impeach?
Or, who shall, Him, that rules the highest, teach?
One dies at ease, in Strength's perfection growing;
His Brests with Milk, his Bones with Marrow flowing.


[Page 57]Another dies in Anguish of his Spirit;
And neuer did good Day or Night inherit:
Both, are, alike, laid in the Dust together;
And Wormes, alike, doo case and couer Either.
Lo, I conceiue your mis-conceipts, from hence;
Your mis-collections, and your wrested Sense:
For, Where (say ye) Where's now the Princes Court?
And Where the Palace of the wicked sort?
Haue ye not asked those that trauaile by?
And doe ye yet, can ye, Their Marks deny?
That (for the most) the Wicked most are spared,
Repriued heer, till That dread Day prepared
For dire Destruction: and then (for their Errors)
Shall be brought-forth, in That 
great Day of Terrors.
For, Heer so Mighty and so Great they are;
Who, to their face shall their Offence declare?
Who dares disclose it? Who shall prosecute?
And their due Sentence Who shall execute?
Nay (notwithstanding) to their Graue in peace
They passe, with Pompe of solemne Obsequies;
Accompany'd, attended (in their kinde)
With Mouruing Troupes, before them and behinde:
Entomb'd among their Ancestors: and rest
In gloomie Vales, as happy as the Best:


[Page 58]How do You, then, Me comfort, or confute;
While vainly thus, and falsly you dispute?

The third Book.
 [...] 22
TH'old 
Thaemanite, as mou'd withall, replies:
Can Man, to GOD (as to Him-selfe, the Wise)
Be profitable? Any pleasure is't
Vnto the Lord, if Righteous Thou persist?
If Thou be iust, if perfect, and vpright;
Is GOD the better? Gaines th' Almighty by't?
For feare of Thee, will He reproue thee (strict)
Enter in Iudgement, and thee thus afflict?
Is not thy Sin great and thy Wickedness;
And infinite thy foule Vnrighteousness?
Yes: Thou hast ta'en thy Brothers Pledge for no­thing,
And stripped euen the Naked of their Clothing:
Thou hast not giuen the wearie Drink, at need;
Nor to the Hungry, wherewithall to feed:
The Eminent and Mighty had their fill:
They held the Earth, and swayd thee at their will:
But silly Widowes hast thou empty packt;
And th'armes of Orphans haue bin crusht and crackt.


[Page 59]Thence is it, now, that Snares beset thee round,
And sodain Feares thee trouble and confound:
Or a black Darknes that thou canst not see;
And a huge Deluge that ore-whelmeth thee.
Is not the Lord in th'High 
Empyreal Blisse?
Behold the Stars, how high their Distance is:
And then (saist Thou) What can th' Almighty mark?
How iudgeth He? What sees he through the Dark?
Clowds couer Him from spying so far hence:
He walketh in the Heav'ns Circumference.
But, hast not Thou obseru'd the ancient Track
The Wicked trod, to their vntimely Wrack;
Who, quick cut downe, supplanted where they stood,
Had their Foundations swallowed with the F
 [...]ood?
Who said to GOD, Depart from vs; and thought,
What can th'Almighty doo to vs, in ought
Yet, with good things He fi
 [...]l'd their habitations.
But, farre from me be their Inmaginations.
This see the Righteous; safe the while, and glad:
And laugh at them, in their Destruction sad.
For, We shall stand; our Substance not decay:
But their Remainder shall the Fire destroy.
Therefore, acquaint thee (and that quickly too)
With GOD; make peace: & Thou right wel shalt doo


[Page 60]Receiue (I pray thee) from his mouth Direction;
And in thy heart, lay-vp his Words instruction.
If, to th'Almighty, Thou at-once returne;
Thou shalt be built-vp: and shalt brauely spurne
Iniquity farre from thy Selfe away;
And from thy Dwellings put it farre, for aye.
Then, as the Dust thou shalt haue Gold, at will;
Pure 
Ophyr Gold, as Pebbles of the Rill:
Yea, the Almighty Thy defence shall be:
And store of Siluer shall be still with Thee.
For, in the Lord thy Pleasure shalt thou place;
And vnto Him shalt thou lift vp thy Face:
Him shalt Thou pray-to; He shall heare thy Layes,
And grant thy Sute; and Thou return him Praise:
Thou shalt decree, and He shall make it good,
(So thy good Purpose shall not be withstood):
And on Thy Wayes, and in all Works of Thine,
His Light of Grace (and glory too) shall shine.
Nay: when-as Others (as thy selfe art now)
Shall be cast downe; re-comfort them shalt Thou,
And Thus re-cheer them: Yet, yet may you rise;

For, GOD 
will saue such as haue humbled eyes.
Yea: on the Noxious will he pittie take,
For th'Innocent; and spare them for thy sake.

[Page 61]THen answered IOB:

Cap 
 [...]
 Tho to this Day my mones
Right bitter be, my Griefe exceeds my Grones:
How is it then, that I, as yet, am held,
For hauing plain'd, as if I had rebeld?
O! that I knew, that some would shew me, Where
I might goe find my Souerain Arbitrer.
That I might speedy vnto him repaire;
And euen approach to His Tribunall Chaire.
I would before Him ple
 [...]d my iust Defence,
And fill my Mouth with pregnant Arguments.
Then would I know what should His Answer be:
And vnderstand what He would say to me.
Would He oppose me with His Power diuine?
No: rather would He steele and strengthen mine.
There might the Iust in his iust Plea proceed:
And I should euer from my Iudge be freed.
But, Whether to the West I take my way;
Or, to the pearely Portall of the Day;
Or, to the Norward, where he worketh rife;
Or, to the South, the Cell of blustering-strife:
Whether I looke before me, or behind;
On This, or That side: Him I cannot find.
Yet, knowes He well my Way: and hath me try'd:
And I, like Gold, shall come forth purified.


[Page 62]My Foot hath walked in His steps: His Way
Haue I obserued; and not gon astray:
Nor haue I started from His Precepts set,
But priz'd them more then my appointed Meat.
Yet, He persisteth in one purpose still.
Who can diuert him? He doth what he will;
And will performe what is of me decreed.
And many such things are with Him, indeed.
Therefore, before Him, am I wonder-smit;
Affraid of Him, when I consider it.
For, GOD hath suppled and made soft my heart,
And deep perplext me in my inward part;
Because my Languors neither end, nor I:
Nor can I see, nor sound the Reason, Why.

 [...] 24
BVt, can it be (How can it other be?)
But that the Times of the Diuine Decree,
(Concerning Iudgements more or lesse seuere;
When, Why, and Who, and How, & What, & Where)
Hidden with GOD, and hidden from his Owne;
Should to the World, and wicked be vnknowne?
They shift the Land-marks from their ancient seat:
They take by force mens Flocks, to feed, or eat:
They driue away the silly Orphans Asse:
They take for Pledge the Widowes Oxe (alas!):


[Page 63]They turn the Needy from their neerest Way:
They make the Poor together hide them aye:
Lo, Like wilde Asses in the Wildernesse,
They ramp about their brutish Businesse:
Rising betimes for Boot (like Free-booters):
The Desart Field yeelds Food for them and theirs,
They reap them Each a Crop, from Others Crop:
They gather Each a wicked Vintage vp:
They cause the Naked without Clothes to lie,
Quiuering for Cold, no Couering but the Skie;
Washt with the Showers that frō the Mountains shed;
Embracing Clifts, for Shelter; Rocks for Bed:
They Pluck the Pupil from the tender Brest:
They take from Poor a Pawne of all their best:
They leaue them Naked; Nay, the Hungry soule
Euen of his Sheaf, and gleaned handfuls p
 [...]ule:
Yea; Labourers, that in Their seruice toile;
That tread their Wine-presse, & that make their Oile,
That trudge and drudge in their Affairs; in fine
They let them starue, and euen for thirst to pine.
The Citie grones vnder their Wicked Thrall:
Th'oppressed, slain, and wounded, cry, and call:
Yet, 'tis apparant (as the Sun is cleer)
GOD doth not alwaies smite (nor cite) them heer.


[Page 64]Yet, These are Those that aye the Light abhor:
Know not her Way, nor keep, nor care it for:
The Murd'rer rises (early) yet the Light;
To kill the Poore: and robbeth (late) at Night:
Th'Adulterer's Eye doth for the Twy-light wait;
And, muffled, thinks, none sees my quaint Deceipt:
They (Burglars) digge through houses in the Dark,
Which, in the Day, they for their owne did mark.
But, Light they loath: Morning to Them is Death:
Death's Terror, Day; which all discouereth:
On Waters swim they light and swift, for Fear:
On Earth, as Vagrants, fly they heer and there,
(Their cursed portion) euery-where vndon:
By-waies they seek, and the High-waies they shun.
As Heat and Drought, dissolue & drink the Snow;
The wicked-one the Graue shall swallow so.
The Womb that bare him, shall him quite forget;
And, to the Worme he shall be wel-com Meat.
He shall, with Men, no more remembred be:
But broken-off, as is a withred Tree.
He weds the Barren that brings neuer forth;
And, if a Widowe, leaues her nothing-worth.
Yet, by his power, He drags the Mighty downe;
And none is safe, if He, in Fury frowne:


[Page 65]No; though, with Presents, they his Patience buy,
And build on it; on Them he casts an eye.
Such, for a little, are aloft: Anon
As lowe as Others; as All others, gone:
Soone taken hence, shut-vp, cut-off, & shorn
As (with the Haile) the tufted eares of Corn.
If Thus it be not: Who will (I desire)
Disproue my Speech; and proue me now a Lyer.
TO This, the 
Shuhite answered shortly Thus:

Cap 
 [...]
He is Almighty, Dradly-Glorious;
Whose Power imperiall, & All-humbling Awe,
Rules his High Places in most peacefull Law.
Is any number of His Armies known?
What Light so bright, but His hath ouer-shone?
How, then, may Man, with GOD, be iust defin'd?
Or, He be Clean, that's born of Woman-kind?
Behold, the Moon, before Him, is not bright:
Starres are not pure in his (All-piercing) sight.
Then, How-much-lesse? How-much-less Man (alas!)
The Son of Man: a Worm, a VVorthlesse Mass?
IOB, heervnto replyes incontinent:

Cap. 
 [...]
Well haue ye said; but, How impertinent!
How hast Thou holp the weak & feeble wight?
How fit defended him that hath no might?


[Page 66]How sweetly taught the simple and vnwise?
How full declar'd the Matter, as it lyes?
To Whom doost Thou this Speech of thine direct?
VVhat mooues thee to it? & to what effect?
For, I (for My part) know, that, Not alone,
Th'Eternall rules, on his supernall Throne
The things aboue, in their harmonious Course;
But heere belowe, the Better and the Worse.
Beneath the Waters, dead things formed bin;
And, dumb (their owne Inhabitants) within:
Hell is not hid from Him: Destructions Caue,
From His inspection, can no Couering haue.
He, th'ample Heav'ns ouer the Void extends:
He, vpon Nothing the sad Earth suspends:
Within his Clowdes He bottles vp the Rain,
Which with it weight tears not the Clowds in twain
 [...]
He hath in-bowd the fore-front of his Throne,
And spread his clowdy Canapey thereon:
He hath begirt the VVaters with a List
Shall euer last, till Day and Night desist.
The massie Pillers of the Pole doe shake
If He but chide; & at His check they quake.
He, by his Power, doth the deep Sea diuide:
His Prudence smites her in her fellest pride:


[Page 67]He, by his Spirit, the spangled Heav'ns hath drest
With glittering Signes; the Serpent, & the rest.
Lo, These are parcells of his VVaies suprem:
But, ô! How little doe VVe heare of Him!
Who can conceiue? Who vnderstands the Thunders
Of His more secret, & most sacred VVonders?
WHile none repli'd, IOB grauely Thus goes on:

Cap 
 [...]
As liues the Lord, th'Almighty 
Holy-One,
VVho seems a space my 
Verdict to suppress,
Loading my Soule with brunts of Bitterness;
VVhile Breath is in me; till my Spirit, inspir'd
By GOD, be gon, & from me quite exspir'd;
My Lips shall speak no wickednes, no wile;
Nor shall my Tongue deliuer any guile.
No; GOD forbid that I should iustifie
Your rash miss-Iudgement. Mine Integritie

 [...]'ll not abandon, to my Dying-day:
Mine Innocence I neuer will betray:
My Righteousnes still will I fast retain;
And, my cleer Conscience while I liue, maintain.
But, as the VVicked, be mine Enemies:
Those, as Vnrighteous, that against me rise.
For, what's the Hope of th'hollow Hypocrite
Though He haue heaped Treasures infinite)


[Page 68]VVhen GOD shal take (in a disastrous Day)
His Land (his Life) his Goods (his Gods) 
 [...]way?
Will GOD regard, or heare his howling Cry,
VVhen He is compast with Calamitie?
Or, in th'Almighty can He comfort take?
Will He to GOD continuall Prayer make?
I'll show you, how th'Almighty hand doth deale:
God's wonted Course I will not now conceale:
Nay; you your Selues, you all haue seen it too.
VVhy talk ye then thus vainly as yee doo?
This is, with GOD, the Portion & the Part
Of the Vngodly & the Cruell heart:
This heritage shall impious Tyrants haue
From the 
 [...]lmightie, This they shall receaue:
If many Children be shall leaue behind,
As many shall the Sword or Famine find:
Or, if that any in Remain be left;
They, by the Plague, shal, vnbewayl'd, be reft.
If He haue heaped Siluer, as the Dust;
And Clothes, as Clay; he may: but sure the Iust
Shall ioy his Siluer, & his Treasures share;
And wear
 [...] his Ward-robe, how-so rich & rare.
If braue he build; it is but like the Moth
(On others ground, as that in others Cloth)


[Page 69]Soon dispossest: or, like a Watch-house, soon
To be set vp, and suddainly pull'd-down,
Such Rich, shall die; and he without regard,
Vngather'd to his Fathers Toomb prepar'd:
Nothing of Him remains in Memorie:
He vanisheth in Twinkling of an eye.
Horrors shall seaze him, as a Floud, with Fright;
And as a Tempest, hurry him in the night.
An Eastern Storm him quite away shal chase;
And, as W
 [...]i
 [...]le-wind, hurle him from his place.
So pittiless, in wrathfull Ielousie,
(VVhile glad & fain he would his fingers flie)
VVil GOD pursue him; & Good men shal smile,
And clap their hands, & hiss at him, the while.
SVre, there are Mines & veinlings (vnder ground)
Whence Silver's fetcht, & wherin Gold is found:

Ca
 [...] 
 [...]
Iron out of Earth, and out of Stone the Brass
Is melted down (into a purer mass).
Beyond the bounds of Darknes Man hath pry'd,
And th'Excellence of vnder-ground descry'd:
The rarest Stones, & richest Mineralls,
From deadly Damps & horrid Darks he hales:
And, if some Torrent come there rushing in
Such as no Foot hath felt, no Eye hath seen)


[Page 70]He can reuert it, or diuert it, soon,
Without Impeachment to his VVork begun.
Earth's surface yeelds him Corn & Fruits, for food;
Her vnder-folds, some burning Sulphury flood:
Amid the Quarrs of Stone are Saphires store:
Among the Dust, the precious Golden Ore
(VVhere neuer Bird, before did Path discry,
VVhere neuer Vultur cast her greedy Eye,
VVhere sauage Whelps had neuer neuer trac't;
Nor furious Lion euer by had past):
On Cliffs of Adamant He layes his hands;
Their height & hardnes He at will commands;
Slents them with Sledges, crops their clowdy crown:
He, by the roots turns Mountains vp-side down:
To let out Rills, He cleaueth Rocks insunder:
His Eye perceiues all that is precious, vnder:
He binds the VVaters, that they shal not weep;
And diues for Riches in the deepest Deep.
All This, & more, hath Man. But where is found
That souerain VVisedom, sacred & profound?
That Vnderstanding of the VVaies diuine,
Of GOD's supream and secret Discipline?
Man knowes it not; nor kenns the worth of it:
It is not found in any liuing VVit.
The Deeps confess, the Sea acknowledgeth;


[Page 71]Tis not in Me; nor with Me; th'other saith.
Nor Gold, nor Siluer, nor all Gems that are,
Can purchase it, nor equall it by farre:
No wedge of 
Ophir, neuer so refin'd;
No 
Aethiopian Topaze, Pearle of Inde,
No precious 
Onyx, neither 
Saphire pure
(
Corall and 
Crystall passe I, as obscure)
No 
Carbuncle, no 
Diamant so rare;
No One, nor All, with VVisedom may compare.
But, Whence is then, & Where is to be found
That sacred VVisedom, secret & profound?
Sith it is hidden from all humane Eyes;
And from the sight of euery Foule that flyes.
Death & Destruction; say; VVe of the same
Haue with our eares but onely heard the Fame?
GOD, GOD alone, doth vnderstand it Way;
And knowes the place where it abideth aye.
For, He, at once beholdeth All that is
In all the VVorld: All vnder Heav'n he sees,
To poize the Winds, & portion (at his pleasure)
Vnto the Waters their due weight & measure.
When for the Raine he stablisht a Decree,
And for the Thunder's Lightning Mutinie;
Then did Hee see it, and fore-see it fit:
He numbred, pondred, & prepared it:


[Page 72]And vnto Man This 
Maxime did apply;

GOD's Feare is Wisedom & from Sin to flie.

 [...] 
 [...]9
IOB yet proceeded, & said furthermore,
O! were it with mee, as it was of yore,
In my fore-passed Months, my former Dayes,
When GOD preseru'd me; when with gracious raies
His Lightfull Lamp reflected on my head,
Whereby I walkt through Darknes, void of Dread:
As in my younger times, when yet the Lord
Vouchsaf't me Blessings of my Bed & Boord;
When yet the Lord was with me in my Tents,
And showred there his hidden Prouidence.
Whē, where I went, my waies were bath'd in Butter,
And Rocks about me Rills of Oile did gutter:
VVhen I had gon vnto the publique Gate
To take my place where all our Senate sate,
At sight of Me, would Young men hide them thence,
And th'Elder sort stand vp, for reuerence:
Nobles were silent, if I present were;
And, if I spake, they turn'd their 
 [...]ongue to Eare:
And th'Eare that heard me blessed me: & the Eye
That saw me, witnest mine Integritie.
For, I deliuered euery Poore opprest,
The Orphan & the Helpless I redrest:


[Page 73]He blessed me that was wel-neer vndon:
The Widowes heart I cheered: I put-on,

 [...] put-on 
Iustice, as a seemly Gowne;

 [...]t was vnto me as a Robe and Crowne.

 [...] as an Eye vnto the Blind became;
And as a Foot, vnto the Halt and Lame:
A Father was I to the Poore: and where
The Case was Dark, I would discusse it Cleer.
I also brake th'Oppressors greedy Iawes,
And took the Prey out of his Teeth and Pawes.
Then thought I, sure, to die at home, in rest:
And said, I shall with long good Daies be blest.
For, by the Waters was my Root out-spred:
Vpon my Top Heav'ns nightly Deaw was shed:
My Wealth increast, mine Honour daily grew,
My Bowe of Health (my Strength) did still renew.
When I had spoken, euery Eare was prest
To giue me eare, and in my Counsels rest,
Without Reply: and as the latter Rain
The thirstie Earth, my Words they entertain.
If I had laught, or smil'd on any, neer,
They took no notice, nor would change my Cheer.

 [...] sate as Chief, I onely rul'd the roast,
Dwelt as a King amid an armed Hoast;


[Page 74]And, as a Man, amid a mourning Rout,
That, from his lips, pours liuely Comforts out.

 [...] 30
BVt now (alas!) My Puisnès Me deride:
The meanest mock me; Yea, and Those (beside)
Whose ragged Fathers I refus'd, to keep
My Shepheards Curs (much more to cure my Sheep)
For, to say truth, what Seruice could they doo,
So idle bred (both Young and Elder too)
Weakned with Sloath, and wicked Conuersation;
And waxen old, in wretched Desolation:
For Cold and Hunger wandring here and there,
With Mallowes fed, and roots of Iuniper:
Pursewd as Theeues, hunted from place to place
With 
Hue and 
Cries; and euer had in Chase;
And therefor fain, for Shelter's sake to creep
In Clifts and Caues; in Rocks and Dungeons deep:
Among the Thorns and Thickets roaring rife:
Wild Out-lawes, leading a most Beastiall life:
The Breed of Fooles, the Fry of basest birth,
Of name-lesse Men: indeed the Scums of Earth?
And yet, to Such am I now made a Song,
A Ballad and a By-word on their tongue:
Yea, These despise me, and despight me too:
Spet in my Face, and make no more adoo.


[Page 75]Because the Lord my Bowe-string hath vnbent,
And slackt my Cord, therefore these insolent
Insulters Now loose and let-go the Raines
Of all Respect, vnto their lewd Disdaigns.
Now, very Boyes do take the Wall of me,
Trip at my Feet; and (in their Iollitie)
Mis-iudge my Life, and of me Rumors raise,
After their owne cruell and cursed Waies:
They mar my Path that I haue walked in,
Further my Woes, and haue no help therein:
As a wide Flood-breach they haue rushed on-me,
And with the Ruines haue roul'd-in vpon-me.
Terrors are turn'd vpon me, and pursew
My Life as Winde; my Weale, as Vapours flew:
Therefore my Soule, in sore Afflictions vext,

 [...]s poured out, and inly deep perplext.
Daies dark and irksome haue vpon me seaz'd:
And in the Night (when Others most are eas'd)
My very Bones within me are opprest,
Nay, pierced through; my Sinnewes take no rest:
My strange Disease, with angry Violence
Of th'hot Impostumes loathsome Virulence,
Hath staind my Garments: &, with straining Dolor,
About my Neck it gripes me as a Coller.


[Page 76]Laid in the Dust, I roule the Mire among,
Become'n, indeed, like Ashes, Dust, and Dung.
To Thee I cry, to Thee the while I call;
But, Lord, Thou hear'st not, nor doest heed at all.
Nay, Thou art also Cruel turn'd, to me;
With hot Assaults, as on an Enemie:
Thou lift'st me vp, (as in a Storm, the Stubble)
To ride a Whirle-winde, while (with Fear & Trouble)
I faint, and fall (d
 [...]sso
 [...]ued, as it were)
In deadly Swound, hurry'd I wot not where:
But well I wot. Thou soon wilt bring me home
To Death, the House where all that liue shall come;
Whither, thy H
 [...]nd thou wilt no longer st
 [...]etch;
And Whence, no Prayers boot, nor need, to fetch.
Did not I weep, for Others Wofulnes?
Was not my Soule grieu'd at the Poores Distresse?
When Good I lookt for, Euill came: when Light,
A dismall Darknes, worse then blackest Night.
My bowels boiled with continuall heat;
A troublous Time vpon me sodain set:
Not with the Sun, but Sorrow, black I turn'd:
Amid th'Assembly lowd I cry'd and mournd,
With hidious Noyse (for horrid Anguishes)
As kin to Dragons and to Ostriges.


[Page 77]My Harp is tuned to a heauie Tone;
My Musick turned to the voyce of Mone.
I Made a Couenant with my constant Eyes,

Cap. 
 [...]
From gazing out on blazing Vanities:
(Hauing my Choise, wheron my thoughts were staid)
Why should I once m
 [...]-think vpon a M
 [...]d?
For, O! for such, what Part, what Portion is
With GOD, aboue in th'Heritage of Basse?
Nay: is there not Destruction still behinde,
Strange Punishment, for Wicked (of this kinde)?
Are not my Paths apparant vnto GOD?
Doth not He see and sum the Steps I trod?
If I haue walkt in Vanitie and Pride:
If vnto Fraud my Foot haue euer hy'd:
In his iust Balance let him waigh me right,
And he shall find me by his Beam vpright.
If that my Steps haue straid, or trod awry:
If that my Heart haue harkened to mine Eye:
If to my Hand haue cleaued any Spot:
If Blood or Bribes the same did euer Blot;
Then let me Sowe, and Others eat my Crop;
Yea, let my Plant be euer plucked-vp.
If euer Woman haue my heart beguil'd;
Or I laid wait t'haue Others Wife defil'd:


[Page 78]Let mine again vnto Another grinde,
And me be punisht in my Sins owne kinde.
For This is sure a high and hainous Crime,
To be condemn'd and punisht in the prime:
Yea, 'tis a Fier, whose Fury would not cease,
But ruine all, and root out my Increase.
If euer I despis'd my Man, or Maid,
Debating with me, and them ouer-waid;
What shall I do? What Answer shall I make,
When GOD, as Iudge, their Cause shall vndertake?
Did not one Maker them and me create,
Of Matter like, in Manner like, and Fate?
If euer I delay'd the Poor's desire:
Or let the Widowes longing Hopes to tire:
Or euer eat my Morsells all alone,
And gaue the Orphan and the needy none:
(He hath been with me from my Child-hood bred
As with a Father: She, in Husband's sted,
Hath euer had my Counsell for her Guide,
My Power for Guard; my Purse her Want suppli'd,)
If I haue seen or suffered any Poore
To lie and die, Naked, or out of Doore:
Nay, if his Loynes be-blest not me from harm,
Because my Fleece and Cottage kept them warm:


[Page 79]If euer I, against the Impotent,
Poore, Father-lesse, or Friend-lesse Innocent
(For Feare or Fauour, of a Friend or Foe,
For Gain, or Grudge (that I did euer owe)
Haue lift my hand, or Him in right withstood;
Or, when I might haue, haue not don him good:
Then let mine Arme off from my Shoulder fall,
And from the bone be pasht to powder all.
For, GOD's drad Iudgements did I alwaies feare:
Whose Highness Wrath I could nor balk nor beare.
If I on Gold haue fixt my Hope, or Heart;
Or, to the Wedge haue said: My Trust thou art:
If I haue ioy'd for being grow'n so Rich;
Or for my Hands had gotten me so much:
If, when I saw the Sun or Moon to shine,
My heart (intic't) in secret did incline
To th' idle 
Orgies of an Idolist;
Or (
Heathen-like) my Mouth my Hand hath kist:
Or, if, in Summer of my golden Dayes,
Or siluer Nights shining with prosperous Rayes;
My heart in priuate hath been puft too-high,
Ascribing all to mine owne Industrie
Which had been impious Sacrilege and Pride:
For, then had I the GOD of Heav'n deny'd):


[Page 80]If I reioyc't at Ruine of my Foes,
Or haue triumphed in their Ouerthrowes;
Or haue so much as let my Tongue to roule,
Or Heart to wish a curse vnto their Soule:
Though oft, my Seruants, in their rage extream,
Would fain haue beaten, nay, haue eaten them.
If I haue shut the Stranger out of Doore;
Or let-not-in the wearie Pilgrim poore:
If I (like 
ADAM) haue conceald my Sin,
And closely cloakt my Wickednes with-in:
(Although I could haue ouer-born, with Awe,
Whole multitudes; the meanest Groom I sawe,
I feared so, I durst not wring, nor wrong,
Nor wrangle with: but kept my Tent and Tongue)
O! that I had an equall Arbitrer,
(To heare, and waigh, consider, and confer).
Behold my Aime: th' Almighty I desire
(A certain Signe of mine Intent intire)
For, He, I know, would sentence on My side;
And witnesse for me, that I haue not ly'd.
Then, though against me, (in his fell Despite)
Mine Aduersarie should a Volume write,
It, as a Robe, I on my back would beare,
And as a Garland on my head it weare:


[Page 81]I would, by peece-meale, shew my Conuersation,
All so vnlike to all his Accusation,
That clearing Me, it should him more conuince,
To come and aske me Pardon, as a Prince.
But, If my Land against me plead or plain;
Or, If my Furrowes cry-out, or complain:
If, 
Tithe-lesse, Tax-lesse, Wage-lesse, Right-lesse, I
Haue eat the Crop; or caus'd the Owners die;
In sted of Barley, and the best of Corn,
Grow nothing there, but Thistles, Weeds & Thorn.
Heere 
IOB surceast.

[Page 82]

The fourth Booke.
 [...]
H
 [...] [...] Three fore-named Friends

 [...]m 
 [...]rth 
 [...]ech (
 [...]s hopeless of their ends)
Sith IOB 
 [...]sti
 [...] still maint
 [...]in'd his right
Of R
 [...]g 
 [...] his own proper sight.
The
 [...] ang
 [...]y 
Zeal began to swelt and swel
In 
Elihú the sonne of 
Barachel,

Th
 [...] Buz
 [...]te borne, and of the Race of 
Ram:
B
 [...]th against IOB began his wrath to flame,
(Becaus
 [...], 
 [...]s t
 [...] of his words imply'd,
Rather Himselfe, then GOD he iustifi'd)
And also Those his 
 [...]oe-friends for so strict
Condemning IOB, vntry'd and vnconvict.
His modestie him hitherto with-held,
As giuing place to others of more Eld:
But, seeing IOB to a full Period come;
And th'other 
 [...]hree without Reply, as dumb;
His 
Zeal burst out, and Thus in briefe began.
I must confesse, I am too young a man
T' haue interrupted you (so old) before
In This Dispute; and therefore I forbore:
I was in doubt; I durst not speak (till now)
My weak Opinion, and present it you.


[Page 83]For, Dayes (thought I) & Yeers can farther reach:
And long Experience Wisedom best can teach.
Men haue a Soule, & Reason's light inherit:
But, Wisedom is inspir'd by th'
Holy-Spirit
(Which bloweth where it will, & worketh free,
Not ty'd to Age, nor to Authoritie):
For, Great men alwaies are not wisest found,
Nor the most Ancient still the most profound,
Therfore awhile to Me giue eare, I pray;
And let Me also mine Opinion say.
I well obseru'd your words, with diligence
I scann'd your Reasons, markt your Arguments:
Yea, neer and narrow haue I watcht & waigh'd
What Each of you, and All of you haue said:
Yet is there None of you (apart, or ioynt)
Conuinces IOB; or answers to the Point.
Lest You should say; We Wisedom compass can,
GOD will evince him; not the VVit of Man.
For Me, Me yet he neuer did gain-say:
Nor doe I mean to answer him, your way.
Here-with amaz'd, they stil continuing mute
Without Reply, or shew of more Dispute
For I expected yet some Speech from some:

 [...]waited still: and when as none would come)


[Page 84]I will, said I, now prosecute my part,
To giue my 
 [...] from a single heart:
For, I am full of matter to the top;
My Spirit within me, straines me, stirres me vp:
My Brest is like a Wine-Burt, wanting Vent,
Ready to burst; or Bottles, like to slent.
I'll therefore speak, that I may yet re-spire;
And ope my mouth, to fanne mine inward fire.
Yet None, I pray, from Me the while expect
Smooth, soothing Titles; personall Respect:
For, soothing Titles knowe not I to giue;
Nor should I, would my Maker let me liue.

 [...] 
 [...]3.
NOw therfore, IOB, hark with attentiue beed
To all the Words that from me shal proceed:
For, what I speak, premeditated is;
Not out of Passion, or of Preiudice:
But most sincere, and from a single heart,
Out of cleer Knowledge (without Clowds of Art).
One & the same, of the same Mass of Mire,
Made Me, as Thee; & did my Spirit inspire:
Feare not therfore, if Thou haue ought to say;
Oppose and answer: put thy Words in ray:
I am (according to thy wish) to plead
And parley with thee, in th'Almighties stead;


[Page 85]And yet, a Man: My Terrors shall not fright thee,
Neither my hand with heauy Tortures smight thee.
Lo, Thou hast said (I heard & markt it well)

In Mee, there none Iniquitie doth dwell:

I am Vpright, and Clean, and Innocent:

Yet, as a Foe, Hee is against mee bent:

Hee picks occasions to inflict mee Stroaks;

Sifts all my Waies, and sets me in the Stocks.
And lo, in This, euen in This saying so,
Thou art not Iust: for (if thou know'st not) know,
That GOD is Greater then All Men: then, Why
Striu'st Thou with Him? whose supream Soueraignty
Yields vs no Reason, nor Account at all,
Of His high Counsailes; Why, or How, they fall.
For once, yea twice, to Man th'Almighty speaks;
Yet Man perceiues not (or it little reaks)
By Dream, or Vision of the Night, in Sleep
Vpon his Bed; or in some Slumber deep:
Then opens He Mens eares, & him reuealeth,
And sweetly there their meet Instruction sealeth;
To turn a Man from his intended Ill,
And hide the Pride of his ambitious Will:
To keep his Soule back from the brink of Hell;
And saue his Life from Death & Dangers fell.


[Page 86]Some-times, He's also chast'ned on his Bed,
With grieuous Sicknes, from the foot to head;
Incessant burning in his Bones and Bloud:
So that he 
 [...]oatheth the most dainty Food.
His Flesh consumed, & his Bones so high
That they appeare (as an Anatomie):
His Life and Soule draw neer vnto the Pit,
(The Graue doth gape, & Worms doe wait for it).
If with Him be a holy Messenger
(One of a Thousand) an Interpreter,
To shew to Man the 
Iustice of his GOD,
In his Correction, with his sharpest Rod;
And, rightly humbled, re-aduance the Meek,
By Faith, aboue his Righteousnes to seek,
And pray to Him; He will propitious stand,
And to his Seruant He will Thus command,

Deliuer him from going to the Graue,

I am appeas'd: a Ransome found I haue.
Then, than a Child shall fresher be his Flesh,
He shall return vnto his Youth afresh:
Then shall he call on GOD, and GOD shal be
Right gracious to him: He with ioy shall see
His glorious Face. For, He will render than
(He will impute) His Righteousnes to Man.


[Page 87]He visits Men; and if that any say,

I haue offended: I haue gone astray:

I haue miss-done: I haue peruerted Right:

Oh! I haue sinn'd, & had no profit by 't;
He will deliuer, from Infernall Doom,
His Soule; his Life from an vntimely Toomb.
Lo, all These things doth GOD do twice or thrice
(Oft and again) to Man (too prone to Vice)
To re-reduce his Soule from Death's dark Night;
To be enlightned with the liuing Light.
IOB, mark it well, And harken farther yet
What I shall speak: saue, when thou seest it fit,
If ought thou haue to answer, or obiect,
Speak on, in GOD's Name (for I much affect
To iustifie and cleer thee (if I may):
If otherwise, if nought thou haue to say;
Lift, and obserue with silence, I beseech;
And I shall teach thee Wisedom, by my Speech.
SO, he proceeded, and said furthermore:

Ca
 [...] 
 [...]
Heare Me, ye Sages; Men of Skilfull lore:
For, as the Palate doth discern of Food,
Th'Eare trieth Words (how they be bad, or good).
Let's then debate This Matter, among vs;
Examine it, and what is right, discuss.


[Page 88]For, IOB hath said: 
O! I am Iust, Vpright;

And yet (saith He) 
GOD hath bereft my Right.

Should I belye my Cause? My thrilled Wound

Is past all Cure; and yet no Crime is found.
What man, like IOB, himselfe so ouer-thinks?
VVho (wilfully) Contempt, like Water, drinks:
VVho, with the Wicked & Vngodly walks,
Iumps iust with Them, & in their language talks.
For, he hath said; 
Man hath no profit by't

To walke with GOD, and in Him to delight.
But, heare me now, all yee that vnderstand;
O! be it farre from the All-ruling hand
Of 
Iustice Selfe (th'Almighty GOD, most High)
To doe Iniustice, or Iniquitie.
No: He to Each man his own Work repayes;
And makes him finde according to his Waies.
Vndoubtedly, the 
Lord of Hosts, the Strong,
Nor hath, nor doth, nor will, nor can, doe wrong.
Who hath to Him charge of the Earth impos'd?
And, Who but He, hath the whole World dispos'd?
If He but please on Man to set his minde,
To re-assume his Spirit, his Breath, his Wind;
All Flesh at once (if He but hold his breath)
Shall turn to Dust; and perish all, in Death.


[Page 89]Now note Thou this, if so thou hast a heart
To vnderstand; list what my Words impart:
Shal He haue Rule, that Iudgement loathes (& lacks)?
And for vniust, wilt Thou the Iustest taxe?
Beseems it Any to a King to say,

O! Thou art Wicked (in thy partial Sway)?
Or vnto Princes (to vpbraid them) Thus

You are Vngodly, you are Impious?
Then, how-much lesse to Him that puts no Ods
Touching the Persons of those Earthly 
Gods;
Nor twixt the Rich and Poore, the Great and Small;
For, they (alike) are his owne Hands-work, all.
They (at His will) shall in a moment die;
Yea, euen at Mid-night (vnexpectedly)
The People shall be troubled and transported;
And euen the Princes, without hands subuerted.
For, euermore His eyes are open wide
On all Mens Waies, on euery Step & Stride.
There is no Darknes, nor no Shade of Death,
For Wicked-ones to hide them vnder-neath:
Nor, will he, though, Any so ouer-load,
That they may iustly grudge, or plead with GOD.
By Heaps, will He to peeces grinde the Great,
And (in their steed) set Others in their seat:


[Page 90]For, vnto Him, their Works are manifest;
Night turn'd to Light: and they shall be supprest.
Them, as most Wicked, smites he (as it were,
In all mens sight, in open Theatre)
Because from Him they did reuolt and swerue;
And would not any of his Waies obserue:
But caus'd the loud Cries of the Poore ascend
To Him, who alwaies doth their Cryes attend.
When He giues Quiet, who dares be so bold
To cause Disturbance? And, if He with-hold
His Countenance, who then behold Him can;
Whether a People, or a Priuate man?
That th'Hypocrite no more may Raign (as King)
Nor, vnder him, the snared People wring.
Vs therfore Thus beseems, to say to GOD:

I beare with Patience thy correcting Rod:

I will not murmur, nor burst out therefore;

But sigh in silence, and offend no more:

Shew me my Sins I see not, nor perceiue;

And, Hence-forth will I all Iniustice leaue.
Or, should it be after Thy pleasure ay?
No: will-thou-nill, He will (not I) repay.
Now, therefore speak thy Conscience seriously;
And let the prudent mark and testifie,


[Page 91]That, void of Knowledge, IOB hath mis-auerr'd;
And, wide of Wisdom, his Discourse hath err'd.
Would therefore (Father) he might yet be try'd:
Sith for the Wicked he hath so reply'd;
For to his Sin he doth Rebellion ad:
Claps hands at vs, as He the Better had:
And (too-too-pure in his too-prudent Eyes)
Against th' Almighty, Words he multiplies.
ELihú, proceeding, Thus moreouer said:

Ca
 [...] 
 [...]
Thinkst Thou this right (
 [...]f it be rightly waid)
Which thou hast spoken (or thy peech imply'd)

My Righteousnes is more than GOD's (O Pride!).
For, Thou hast said, 
What will it vantage thee,

What shall I gain, if I from Sin be free?
I'll answer thee; and with Thee, All so dreaming:
Look-vp, and see the Heav'ns aboue thee gleaming;
Behold, how high: if therefore thou transgresse,
And multiply thy Sin and Wickednesse;
What hurt doost Thou to GOD? What Detriment?
On th' other side, if Thou be innocent,
If lust; What doost Thou to his 
Goodnes giue?
Or, from Thy hand, What, What doth He receiue?
Thy Wickednes may hurt a Man (like thee):
Thy righteousnes, to Man may helpfull be.


[Page 92]For manifold and frequent Tyranny,
Oppressors make oppressed-ones to cry;
Yea, to cry-out for cruell Violence
Of Mightie-ones, of Men of Eminence:
But, there is None that saith (as due belongs)

Where's GOD, 
my Maker (Who by Night giues Songs,
Who teacheth vs, hath vs more Wisdom giuen,
Than Beasts of Earth, or to the Fowles of Heauen).
There cry they oft; but none doth heare or heed,
For th'Euils sake (who in all Ills exceed):
For, Vanity, GOD doth not, hath not heard;
Nor euer will th'Almighty it regard.
Now, though Thou saist, thou seest Him not, Hee's Iust:
With Him is Iudgement; therefore in Him trust:
For want whereof, his Wrath hath visited;
Yet not so hot as Thou hast merited.
Therefore doth IOB open his Mouth in vain:
And void of Knowledge, yet, yet, mis-complain.

 [...] 36
ELihu yet said: A little suffer me;
For I haue yet more to alleadge to Thee,
On GOD's behalf. I'll fetch mine Arguments
From farre (confirm'd by long Experience)
To iustifie my Maker's 
Holinesse,
Giue Him his owne, and right his Righteousnesse.


[Page 93]I'll speak no Falshood, nor no Fraud propound:
All my Discourse shall be sincere and sound.
Lo, GOD is Mighty; yet doth none despise:
Omnipotent, Omniscient; Strong and Wise.

 [...]e spareth not the Life of Wicked wights;

 [...]ut, the Oppressed in their wrongs he rights.

 [...]is Eyes are neuer off the Righteous sort:
Them on the Throne He doth with Kings consort:
Them He aduances; and beyond all Term

 [...]oth them establish, and them fast confirm.
Or, if that euer Fetters them befall,
Or, they be holden in Afflictions Thrall;
He lets them see their Works, their Wickednes,
Their wandring By-waies, and their bold Excesse;
And opens then their Eare to Disciplin,
Commanding quick, that they returne from Sin.
If they return, to serue and Him obey,
Their Daies & Years right happy spend shal They:

 [...]f not; the Sword shall smite them sodainly:
And in their wilfull Folly shall they die.
But, Hypocrites, the Men of double heart,
They heap-vp Wrath: they cry not when they smart.
They die in Youth; their Life among th' Vncleane,
Most Insolent, most Impudent, Obscoene.


[Page 94]He th'humble Poore in his Affliction frees:
Their Eares he opens, in Calamities:
So woald He, Thee from thy Distresse haue freed,
And brought thee forth far from the Streits of Need,
To spacious Plentie; and thence forth thy B
 [...]ord,
Should with the best and fattest haue been stor'd
Bu
 [...], Thou, too-wicked-like, too-stifte hast stood;
As their presumptions seeming to make good;
Not stoopt, but strutted in Contesting Pride.
Therefore, on Thee doth Iudgement yet abide.
Sith wroth he is, beware to tempt him more;
Lest with his Stroak, he sodain smite the
 [...]ore:
Or hisse thee hence with his al-mighty Breath:
Then can no R
 [...]nsom thee redeem from Death.
Will He regard thy Goods? or reak thy Gold?
Thy State, or Srength (how much, or manifold)?
Nor wish Thou (hope-l
 [...]ss) for the (hap-less) Night,
When from their place People are taken quight:
Beware, regard not Thou Iniquitie;
Neither (alas!) through faint 
 [...]nfirmitie,
Chuse rather That, than thine Affliction's Part,
With humble Patience of a Constant heart.
Behold, the Lord is, for his Power, suprem:
And, for his Prudence, Who doth teach like Him?


[Page 95] 
 [...]ho hath appointed vnto Him his way?

 [...]r, Who can tell him, 
Thou hast gon astray?
Rather, remember that thou magnifie

 [...]s publike Works, apparant to our eye;

 [...]visible, that both the young and old,

 [...]em from a farre do bright and brim behold.
Lo, GOD is Greater then We comprehend:

 [...]or can the Number of his years be kend.

 [...] makes the thick exhaled Vapours thin,

 [...]at down again in siluer Deaws they spin,

 [...]m strouting Clowds abundantly distilling

 [...] th'vse of Man, the Plains with Plenty filling.
Also, can Any vnderstand th' Extent
Clouds, or know the Rattling of his Tent?

 [...]old, He spreadeth out his Light there-ouer,

 [...]d euen the bottom of the Sea doth couer.

 [...], by the same He worketh diuers-waies,

 [...]h to his 
Iustice and his 
Mercie's Praise:

 [...]at, through excesse causing a fearfull Flood;

 [...]is, temperate, producing store of Food.

 [...]vailes the Light with Clowds that come between,

 [...]bids it shine, and lets it not be seen:

 [...]ding a Shower, or Storms approaching rage;

 [...]ich oft, euen Cattell of the Field presage.

[Page 96]
 [...]. 37
HEre-at, my Heart trembles for inward Feare,
As if remou'd from it owne place it were:
Hark, hark with heed vnto the hidious Noise,
The horrid Rumbling of his dreadful Voyce,
Which, with his Lightning, he directeth forth,
Vnder whole Heav'n, and ouer all the Earth.
After the Flash, a Clash there roareth high;
He thunders-out his Voyce of Maiesty:
And then no longer will He keep them back,
When that is heard ouer our heads to crack.
GOD, with his Voyce, doth thunder wondrously,
And works great things that we cannot discry:
He bids the Snow to couer Hill and Plain;
So, drizling Showers; and so, his Mighty Rain;
Wherby, From Field-works He seals-vp mens hands,
That they may know His works; how He cōmands.
Then, to their Den the Sauage Heards do hie;
And for a season in their Couert lie.
From Southern Chābers the hot Whirl-wind coms:
From Northern Cels, That w
ch with Cold benumbs,
The Frost is giuen vs, by the breath Diuine;
When Crusts of Crystall spreading Floods confine.
The blackest Clowd He doth exhaust of waters:
And, his bright Cloud (the Lightnings shroud he) seat­ters.


[Page 97]And (by the Counsaile of his Prouidence)
All This, by Turnes, in round Circumference
Is turnd about: and ready at his Call,
Throughout the World, to do his will, in all.
For, He commands them come, for Punishment;
Or Loue to His; or else Indifferent.
Harken to This, ô IOB; stand still, & ponder
The Works of GOD, so full of waight & wonder.
Know'st Thou (alas!) when He disposed them;
Or caus'd the Light out of his Lūp to beam?
Know'st Thou the Clowd's iust Poizes (the high or lower,)
And wondrous works of the All-perfect Knower?
How, when He calms the Earth with Southern puff,
Thy thinnest Clothes thou findest warm enough.
Hast Thou, with Him, spred forth the spangled Sky,
That (liquid Crystall-like) strong Canopie?
If so; then shew vs, what to say to Him:
For, what to say, wee are (alas!) too dim.

 [...]hould I mis-speak, needs any Him inform?
Nay, should I not be swallowed vp (in storm)?
None fixly can (when clowds be clear'd away)

 [...]ehold the bright & shining Lamp of Day:

 [...]rom out the North stream goodly Beams of gold:
With GOD is Light more bright by manifold,


[Page 98]More pure, more piercing, past a mortall Eye;
More dreadfull farre. His glorious Maiestie
(
Dwelling aboue, in Splendors inaccessible)
For vs to find, out is a Point impossible.
Hee's excellent in 
Prudence: passing 
Strong:
Plentious in 
Iustice: and doth No man wrong.
Therfore Men fear him: Yet, for Their desert,
Regards not He those that are VVise of hart.

 [...] 
 [...]3.
THen, drad IEHOVA from a Whirle-wind spake
In sacred tearms; & Thus with IOB hee brake:
Where? Who is He, that (to Himselfe so holy)
Darkens my Counsails, with contentious Folly?
Come, gird thy loynes, prepare thee, play the Man;
I will oppose thee: answer, if thou can.
Why! Where wert Thou, tell (if thou know'st, dis­maid)
When the Foundations of the Earth I layd?
VVho marked first the Measure of it out?
Or (canst Thou 
 [...]ell) Who stretcht the Line about?
VVhat Bases had it; and fixt Where-upon?
Or, Who thereof layd the first Corner-stone,
VVhen Morning-Star
 [...]s for Ioy together sang,
And all GOD's Children cheerful eccho rang?
Or, Who, with Doores, shut-in the Sea so streight;
When from the Womb it rushed with such weight?


[Page 99]VVhen as I made the Clowd a Clowt for it,
And blackest Darknes as a Swathe-band fit:
And cradled it, in mine appointed place;
With Barrs about, & Doores at euery pace:
And laid vnto it; Hitherto extend;
And f
 [...]rther, not: Heer, thy proud Waues be pend.
Hadst Thou the Morning from thy birth, at beck?
Mad'st Thou the Dawn in his due place to break;
That it might reach the Earth's Circumference,
And that the Wicked might be shaken thence:
To stamp it (various, as the Potters Clay)
VVith many Formes, in manifold array,
VVhen as th'Vngodly shall be all descry'd;
That 
Iustice hand may break the armes of Pride?
Hast Thou gon down into the Sea it selfe;
Walkt in the Bottom; searched euery Shelfe;
Survaid the Springs? Or haue the Gates of Death
Been opened to Thee; and those Dores beneath
Death's gastly shadows? Know'st Thou (to cōclude)
(Tell, if thou know'st) the Earth's iust Latitude?
Which is the way where louely Light doth dwell?
And as for Darknes, where hath She her Cell;
That thou shold'st Both, in both their boūds cōprise;
And know their dwellings, & their Paths, precise?


[Page 100]Needs must Thou know them: Thou wert born yet than:
No doubt Thou wert, Thou art so old a man.
Hast Thou the Treasures of the Snow suruay'd?
Or seen the Store-house of my Haile (vp-layd
And hid in heaps, against a time of need)
For War-like Battery, where I haue decreed?
Which is the way whence Lightning flasheth out,
Scattering th'vnhealthy Eastern Gales about?
VVho hath dispos'd the vpper Spouts & Gutters,
VVhereby the Aire his ouer-burthen vtters?
Or giuen the Lightning & the Thunder way,
To cause it rain on places parcht away;
On thirstie Desarts, where no People passe;
On barren Mountaines, to reuiue the Grasse?
Had Rain a Father? Or, begot by whom
Was pearly Deaw? Or, frō what pregnant Womb
Came crystall Ice? Or, canst Thou rightly render,
Who did the hard & hoary Frosts ingender,
When Waters creep vnder a Stone-like couer,
And th'Oceans surface is thick-glased ouer?
Canst Thou restrain the pleasant Influing
Of 
Pleiades (the Vshers of the Spring)?
Or, canst Thou lose 
Orion's Icie Bands
(Who rules the Winter with his chill Commands)?


[Page 101]Canst Thou bring forth (the soultry Sūmers Guide)
Bright 
Mazaroth (or 
Dog-star) in his Tide?
Or canst Thou lead 
Arcturus (& his Train,
Th'
Autumnall Signes) his Sons (or 
Charls his Wain)?
Know'st Thou the Statutes of the Heav'ns aboue?
Or canst Thou (here) them in their order moue?
Wilt Thou command the Clowds, & Rain shal fall?
VVill Lightning come, & answer, at thy call?
VVho hath infus'd VVisedom in th'inner part?
Or Vnderstanding who hath giuen the hart?
Who can sum-vp the Clowds, or cleer the Skye?
Or ope Heav'ns bottles, when the Earth is dry?
To steep the Dust, & knead the clotted Clay,
Yerst ouer-baked with too-hot a Ray?
WIlt Thou go hunt, th'old Lioness to help;

Cap. 3
 [...]
Or fetch-in prey to fill her greedy whelp,
VVhen they are couchant in their Den, or watch
For passant Heards, their wonted Boot to catch?
Who, for the Raven, prouideth timely Food;
VVhen as her hungry greedy-gaping Brood,
VVandring about, & wanting what to eat,

 [...]e (croaking) call, & cry to Mee for meat.

 [...]now'st Thou the time whē moūtain Goats & 
 [...]inds

 [...]e yean and calue (according to their Kinds)?


[Page 102]Canst Thou keep reckning of the Months they go,
And how their Burdens to their Birth-time grow;
When they but bow them, and forthwith let fall
Their tender Fruit, and all their Paines withall.
Who hath sent out the Wilde Ass, free to feed;
Or let him loose (from seruing humane need)
Whose house & haunt I haue ordaind expresse
VVithin the brackie barren Wildernesse.
He scornes the Cities multitude and noise:
He reaks not of the yawning Driuers voice:
The craggy Cliffs his shaggie Pastures been;
Where, off he croppeth what he findeth green.
VVill th'Vnicoine thee willingly obay?
Or, will hee come vnto thy Crib, for Hay?
VVill he be brought to harrow or to plow?
Or, will hee bring thy Corn vnto thy Mow?
Wilt Thou presume of Him, for strength in fight?
Or leaue, to him, thy Labour to acquite?
Didst Thou bestow the Peacoks goodly Fan?
Or, gau'st Thou Feathers to the Stork (or Swan)▪
Or, to the Ostridge her delicious Tresse
(Th'ambitious Badge as well of War as Peace)
VVho layes her egges, & leaues them in the Dust,
To hatch them there, with radiant Heat adust,


[Page 103]Without her help, or heed; lest Tread or Track,
Of Man or Beast them all to peeces crack:
Vokindest Dam, the labour of her wombe
That dares annull; while Hers not Hers become:
So void I made her of Intelligence,
And kind instinct of Natures Influence:
Yet with her Wings & Feet so fast she skippes,
That She the Horse & Rider both out-strips.
Hast Thou indew'd the Horse with strengthful won­der,
And cloath'd his crest, & fild his brest with thunder?
Canst Thou affright Him, as a Grass-hopper;
Whose nostrills pride snorts Terrors euery where?
He pawes the Plain, he stately stamps, & neighes,
And glad goes-on against the arm'd Arraies,
Dis
 [...]ining Fear. For, for the Sword & Shield,
Dart, Pike, & Lance, He'll not forsake the Field,
Nor turn his back (how-euer thick they shiuer)
Nor for the Cross-bow, & the rattling Quiuer.
He swallowes-vp the Earth in furious heat;
Nor will belieue the Sound of the Retreat.
Among the Trumpets, sounds his cheerful Laugh,

Ha-Ha ha-ha ▪ he smelleth a farre-off
The wished Battaile; hears the thundring Call
Of proud Commanders; & lowd Shouts of all.


[Page 104]Is't by thy wisedom that the Hawk doth mew,
And to the Southward spreads her winged Clew?
Doth th'Eagle mount so high at thy Behest,
And build aloft (so neer the clowds) her Nest?
She dwells vpon the Rock & ragged Cliffe,
And craggy places the most steep & stiffe:
From whence, about to seek her prey she flies;
Which, from afar, her quick keen Sight espies:
Her young ones also, onely Bloud do suck:
And where the Slain are, thither doe they ruck.

 [...] 40.
MOreouer, yet, The LORD, proceeding, said
To IOB: shal He that dares with GOD to plead,
Teach Him His part? Let him (who GOD doth tax)
Heer let me hear the Answer that he makes.
IOB sadly then Thus humbly did reply:
O! LORD, behold; ô! most-most Vile am I.
What shal I answer Thee? What shall I say?
Onely, my hand vpon my mouth I'll lay.
Once haue I spoak, & twise; & too-too bold:
But now, for euer I my Tongue will hold.
Again, the LORD out of the Whirle-wind spake,
And said to IOB: Yes, yes; thy Theam re-take:
Gird vp thy loynes again, and play the Man:
I'll question thee: now answer, if Thou can.


[Page 105]Wilt Thou make void my Iudgements (iust & hie);
Condemning Me, thy Selfe to iustifie?
Hast thou an Arme like to the Arme diuine?
Or is Thy Voyce as Thunder-like as Mine?
Put-on thy Robes of Maiestie and Might:

 [...]ck Thee with Glory, and with Bewty bright,
Dart forth the Lightnings of thy wrathfull Frowne;
Against the Proud, and bring them tumbling downe:
Behould Thou all and euery one that's Proud,
And downe with Them, and all the Wicked Croud:
Trample vpon them, in their very Place:
Hide them in Dust at once; there binde their Face:
Then will I grant (what Thou hast vrg'd so braue)
That thine owne Selfe thine owne right hand can saue.
But, Now, behold (thy Fellow) BEHEMOTH,
Thy fellow Creature; for, I made you Both.

 [...]e, like an Oxe amid the Field doth graze:

 [...]'s Loynes and Nauell his most Srength he has:

 [...]e whisks his sinewie Taile, stiff as a Ceder;

 [...]is Stones (within) with Nerues are wreathd together.

 [...]is Bones and Ribs be strong as Brazen Bars,

 [...]nd as vnyeelding as the Iron-Spars:

 [...]ee's of the Master-peeces of the LORD,
Who also arm'd him with a readie Sword.


[Page 106]The Mountains yeeld him meat; where night & day,
All other Beasts do fear-lesse feed and play.
Beneath the broad-leau'd shady Trees he lodges
Amid the Fens, among the Reeds and Sedges,
Compast with Willowes of the Brook about;
Where, when he enters (in the time of Drought)
The massie bulk of his huge bodie bayes
The Torrents course, and euen the Current stayes:
There, yer he go, the Riuer dry he drinks;
And in his Thirst to swallow 
Iordan thinks.
Dare any come, before him, Him to take,
Or bore his Snowt, of Him a Slaue to make?
CAnst Thou hale vp the huge LEVIATHAN,

 [...] 41
With hook and line amid the Ocean?
Canst Thou his tongue with steely Crotchets thril▪
Or with a Thorn his snuffing Nose, or Guil?
Will He come sue, by Supplications, to-thee?
Wil He with smooth & soothing Speeches woo-thee▪
Will He by Couenant, serue thee, at thy beck?
Or, be thy Slaue, for euer at thy Check?
Wilt Thou with Him, as with a Sparrow, play;
And giue him ty'd, vnto thy Girles, away?
Shall Fisher-men of Him a Feast prepare?
Shall They his flesh among the Marchants share?


[Page 107]Canst Thou his Skin with barbed 
pheons pierce?
Or plant his Head with groues of Otter-speares?
Lay hold on Him: set on him: but, before
Think on the Battell, and come there no more.
For, 'tis so farre from hope of Victory,
That euen His sight would rather make thee fly.
There's None so fierce that dares Him rouze or hunt.
[Then, Who shall safely Me my Selfe affront?
Who hath preuented Me? To Whom haue I
Been first beholding for a Curtesie,
Or bound at all for any Benefit
Bestow'd on Me, that I should guerdon it?
Why? is not All Earths ample arms confine,
All vnder Heav'n, All in the Ocean, Mine?]
I will not hide his Parts and Properties;
Neither his Strength, nor seemly Symmetries.
Who shall vnhood him? Who with double Rain
Shall bridle him, with Snaffle, Trench, or Chain?
Or put the Bit between his Iawes (his Portall)
Impal'd with Terror of his Teeth so mortall
 [...]
His Shield-like Scales, he chiefly glories in,
So close compact, glew'd, sealed; that, between,
No Aire can enter, nor no Engin pierce,
Nor any Point disioyne them or disperse.


[Page 108]His Sneesings cause a Light, as brightly burning;
His Eyes are like the Eye-lids of the Morning;
Out of his Mouth flowe blazing Lamps, and flie
Quick Sparks of Fire, ascending swift and hie:
Out of his Nostrils, Smoak, as from a Pot,
Kettle or Caldron when it boileth hot:
His Breath doth kindle Coals, when with the same
He whirleth-out a Storm of Fume and Flame:
Strength dwelleth in his Neck; so that he ioyes
In saddest Storms, and tryumphes of Annoies▪
His Flakes of Flesh are solid to his Bone;
His Heart's as hard as Wind-mils neather-stone.
To see Him rise, and how he breakes withall;
The stoutest stoop, and to their Prayers fall.
No Weapons of Defence, or of Offence,
Can Him offend, or from Him be Defence:
Iron and Brasse He waighes as Sticks and Straw:
Sling-stones and Arrowes Him do neuer awe:
Darts daunt him not, more then they Stubble were:
He laugheth at the shaking of a Speare:
Sharp ragged Stones, Keen-pointed Sherds & Shels,
He resteth on, amid his muddy Cels.
He makes the deep Sea like a Pot to boile,
A Pot of Oyntment (casting scummie Soile):


[Page 109]Where He hath past, he leaues vpon the streams
A shining Path, and th'Ocean hoarie seemes.
In Earth is Nothing like Him to be seen;
So Fear-lesse made, so full of hautie Spleen;
Despising all High things, Him-selfe beside.
He is the King of all the Sons of Pride.
IOB, prostrate then, Thus to the LORD profest:

Cap 
 [...]
Drad GOD, I know, and I acknowledge prest,
That All Thou 
canst; and All Thou 
kennest too:
Our Thoughts not hid; Thine owne not hard to do.


 [...] am the Man, Who (to my self too-Holy)

Darkned thy Counsells, with Contentious Folly.

 [...]or, I haue spoken what I vnderstood not,
Of wondrous things which comprehend I could not.
Yet, LORD, vouchsafe, vouchsafe, I thee beseech,
An Eare, and Answer to my humble Speech.
Till now, mine Eare had only heard of Thee:
But, now, mine Eye thy Gratious Selfe doth see.
Therefore, My Selfe I loath, as too-too-bad;
And heer repent in Dust and Ashes, sad.
Now, after This with IOB; it came to passe,
The LORD did also speake to 
Eliphaz
The 
Thaemanite; and Thus to him said He:

 [...]y wrath is kindled with thy Friends and Thee:


[Page 110]For None of You haue spoken of My Path,
So right and iust as IOB my Seruant hath.
Therefore, go take you Rams and Bullocks faire,
Seav'n of a sort; and to my IOB repaire;
Bring for your Selues your Burnt Oblations due,
And IOB my Seruant He shall pray for you
(For, Him will I accept) lest, Iustly-strict,
After your Folly I reuenge inflict;
Because You haue not spoken of my Path,
So right and iust as IOB my Seruant hath,
So 
Eliphaz, the ancient 
Thaemanite,

Bildad the 
Shuhite, the 
Naamathite

Zophar, (together) them prepar'd and went
And did according GOD's Commandement.
Also the LORD accepted IOB, and staid
His Thral-full State (when for his Friends he praid)
And turned it to Solace-full, from sad;
And gaue him double all the Goods he had.
Then all his Brethern, Sisters all, and Kin;
And all that had of his acquaintance bin,
Came flocking to his House, with him to feast;
To wail his Woes, and comfort him their best,
For all the Euill which the LORD (of late)
Had brought vpon his Person and his state.


[Page 111] 
 [...]d Each man gaue him (as best beare they could)

 [...]eece of Money and Ear-ring of Gold.
So, that the LORD blessed IOB'S later Time,

 [...]th more abundance then his flowry Prime.

 [...]r, Fourteen Thousand Sheep were now his flock;

 [...]mels six Thousand; Steers a Thousand yoak;

 [...]e-Asses twice fiue Hundred; Familie

 [...] as before: Seuen Sons, and Daughters Three.
Th'Eldest 
I
 [...]mima, Kezia the Next.

 [...]d 
K
 [...]ren Happuch (saith my sacred Text)

 [...]e Third he named (Names of gooly Sense,

 [...]uding to some Gracefull Excellence:

 [...]e first, as much as 
Lustre of the Morn;


 [...]ia, the Next; last, 
Alabastrine Horn)

 [...]n all the Countrey were no Women found

 [...]air as These, IOB, of his Goods and Ground,

 [...]ong their Brethren gaue them Heritage.

 [...]et, after This, IOB liv'd a goodly age,

 [...]ce Seauenty yeers, & saw his Sons Sons Sons,

 [...]cessiue
 [...]y, Four Generations:

 [...] then He dy'd, Ancient and Full of Dayes.

GOD, for Him, and all his Saints, be Praise,

for His Succour in These sacred Layes.
AMEN.

[Page]

EPITAPHIVM IOBI.

Qui Se, qui Sêclum vicit; qui saeua Suorum

Funera, Amicorum iurgia, Pauperiem;

Vlcera qui carnis, qui Coniugis impia verba;

Qui Coelum iratum, mente tulit placida:

Inuictum virtute IOBVM, Patientia Virgo,

Nunc vidua, hoc Sponsum condidit in Tumulo.

Who, SELF, The World, & Satan, triumpht­o're;
Who, Wealth's, & Health's, & Children's ruefull Losse;
Who, Frends Rebuke, Foes rage, Wifes cursing Crosse;
Hevns Frowne, Earth's for
 [...] Hels Furie, Calmely bore:

Th' Inuincible 
in Vertue, IOB, Her Pheere,

The Virgin Patience (
Widow now) toomb'd Heer.

MEMORIALS of MORTALI …

[Page]

MEMORIALS of MORTALITIE: Written [...]n Tablets, or Quatrains, BY By PIERE MATHIEV.

The first Centurie.

Translated, & Dedicated To the Right Honourable HENRY Earle of South-hampton.

By Iosuah Sylvester.

[Page]

TO The Right Honourable, HENRY WRIOTHESLEY, Earle of South-hampton, &c.

SHall it be said (I shame, it should be thought)

When After-Ages shall record Thy Worth;

My sacred Muse hath left SOVTH-HAMPTON forth

Of Her Record; to Whom so Much shee ought?

[...]th from Thy Town (where My Sarauia taught)

Her slender Pinions had their tender Birth;

And all, the little all shee hath of worth,

Vnder Heav'ns Blessing, onely Thence shee brought.

[...]r lack, therefore, of fitter Argument;

And lother Now, it longer to delay;

Heer while the Part of PHILIPS Page I play)

I consecrate This little Monument

Of gratefull Homage, to Thy noble Bounty;

And Thankeful loue to (My deer Nurse) Thy County.

Humbly deuoted Iosuah Sylvester.

[Page]

MEMORIALS of Mortalitie.

1
LEt whoso list, thinke 
Death a dreadfull thing,
And hold 
The Graue in horror & in hate:

 [...] think them, I, most worth the 
wel-comming;
Where, end our Woes; our Ioyes initiate.

2
Man, 
Death abhors, repines, & murmurs at-her,

 [...]lind in that Law which made her, 
good, for Him:

 [...]oth 
Birth & 
Death the daughters are of 
Nature;

 [...]n Whom is nought imperfect, strange, or grim.

3

Death's vgliness is but imagined;

 [...]nder foule Vizard a faire Face Shee weares:

 [...]er Vizard off, there is no more to dr
 [...]d;
We laugh at Children whom a Vizard feares.

4

Death, in strange Postures daily is disguised,

 [...]ith Darts & Sythes in hand, Beers on her back:

 [...]s 
Angels are with wings & locks deuised;

 [...]o, Her a Body of bare Bones they make.

5
Who feares this 
Death, is more then deadly sick;

 [...]midst of Life he seems euen dead for dreed;


 [...]ath in his brest he beares, as buried Quick:

 [...]r, feare of 
Death is worse then 
Death indeed.

[Page 118]

Each fears this Death: & with an equall Dread,

The Young as from a hideous Monster hie-them.

Th' Old, at her sight shrink down into their Bed;

All shun her aye, the more She draweth nigh-them.

7
What 
Good, or 
Bad, boads 
Life or 
Death, to giue;
To be so fond of That, & This so flying?
Thou would'st not 
die, yet know'st not how to 
liue;
Not knowing, 
Life to be a 
liuing-dying.

8
One loues 
this Life, Another loathes it wholly:
Som look for Ease, Promotion som, som Profit:
To loue it, for the Pleasures heer, is Folly;
Weaknes, to hate it, for the Troubles of-it.

9
The Storm at Sea vnder a Calm is bred:
Within Good-hap, Ill-hap hath life included;
Begun in Tears, in Toiles continued;
And, without Dolour cannot be concluded.

10
Life, like a Taper, with the weakest Blasts
Is waued, wasted, melted, puffed out:
In some, somtimes, euen to the Snuff it lasts;
In others hardly to the halfe holds-out.

[Page 119]

Fruit on the Trees first blooms, thē buds, thē grows,

Then ripes, then rots: Such Our condition iust;

[...]egot, born, bred, liue, die; so roundly goes

Times Wheel, to whirl our Bodies back to Dust.

12
This Life's a Tree, whose goodly 
Fruits are Men;

 [...]ne falls, Himselfe; Another's beaten down:

 [...]'s stript at last of 
Leaues and 
Apples then,

 [...]y 
Time's same hand which had them first bestown.

13
This Life's a 
Table, where, in earnest-iest

 [...]oure 
Gamsters play: 
Time, eldest, vantage takes,

 [...]nd biddeth Passe: 
Loue fondly sets his Rest:

Man needs will see it; but, 
Death sweeps the stakes.

14
This Life (indeed) is but a 
Comoedie,
Where This, the 
Kaiser playes, & That, the 
Clowne;

 [...]ut, 
Death stil ends it in a 
Tragoedie,
Without distinction of the Lord from Lowne.

15
This Life's a 
Warre, ciuill, & forrain too;
Within, without, Man hath his 
Enemies:
To keep the 
Fort, Death doth the 
Towne vndoo;
To saue the Soule, the Body Shee destroyes.

[Page 120]

The World's a Sea, the Galley is this Life,

The Master, Time; the Pole, Hope promiseth;

Fortune the Winde; the stormie Tempest, Strife;

And Man the Rowe-Slaue, to the Port of Death.

17
The World (mee thinks) is like our Parliaments,
Where Right too oft is ouer-born by Wrong;
Where Quirks & Quidits are of Consequence;
Where lastly nought 
Death's Sentence can prolong.

18
The World is much of a faire 
Mistress mood,
Which, wilie, makes more Fooles then Fauorites;
Hugs These, hates Those; yet will of all be woo'd:
But neuer keeps the Promise that she plights.

19
Life's smoothest glosse is like the 
Sphear of Glasse

Archimedes framed, and fill'd with Starrs;
As fraile as faire: for, the least storme (alas!)
That raps it, snaps it; and the Pleasure marrs.

20
Th'Honor thou thirstest (as one Dropsie-sick)
Weening to quaff it, often stops thy winde:
'T's a swelling Bladder; which whē 
Death shal prick,
(Thou wilt confess) thou but a Puff didst finde.

[Page 121]

And that Ambition which affords thee Wings,

[...] seek new Seas beyond Our Ocean's Arms,

[...] Mounts of Gold and Pearle, & pretious things;

[...]l not preserue thy Carcass from the Worms.

22
That 
Pleasure too, which stops thy 
Reasons eares,

 [...]ots thy Soule, intoxicates thy Sense;

 [...]d sad 
Repentance still behinde it beares;

 [...] moment Ioyes, leanes Sorrowes Monuments.

23

Pleasure which tires thee, but contents thee neuer,

 [...]y Body wearing more, than wearying:

 [...]e 
Danaides Siue-like Tub, a-filling euer,

 [...] neuer full, for all their bucketing.

24

Beauty, which makes the prowdest Kings to crouch,

 [...]ich serues the Soule as Letters in her fauour;

 [...] see, delightfull; Dangerous, to touch;

 [...]m 
Death's drad Fury, may not, cannot saue her.

25
But, 
Beauty, Grace-less, is a Saile-less Bark,

 [...]reen-less Spring, a goodly light-less Room,

 [...]un-less Day, a Star-less Night and Dark;

 [...]d yet this 
Grace cannot escape the Toomb.

[Page 122]

When Bodie's Bewty with Soule's Bewty dwels,

Ther's a Perfection passing all the rest:

Without This, Bewty seems a Blemish els:

Without That, Vertue seems not seemly drest.

27
That 
Bewty, which the Air, Age, Ague quailes;
VVhich busies so our Eyes, Toungs, hands & harts;
At fifteen, buds; at twenty, flowers; and failes,
Or falls, at thirtie, and to Dust reuerts.

28

Gold, the Worlds 
God, the Sun of 
Plutoe's Sons;
VVhom Fire and Sword incessant serue so fell;
Gold, 
Vertue's Friend, and Vices Fort at-once,
Serues oft for Bridge to passe in post to Hell.

29
Man's 
Knowledge heer, is but meer Ignorance:
VVe see the wisest foulely stumble oft:
Learning is puft with Doubt-full Arrogance:
And 
Truth is lost while it is too-much sought.

30
With 
Mysteries the 
Idiot meddles most;
Peeps into Heav'n, into Kings Counsels pries:
In Pulpit 
Phormio doth darrain an Host:

Thersites prates of Arms and Policies.

[Page 123]

Th' Assyrian's Empire is now seen no more:

[...]e Medes and Persians did the Greeks intomb:

[...]eat Allexander's Kingdom kinged Foure:

[...]hose Crownes, in fine, stoopt to the State of Rome.

32
Where are Those 
Monarchs, mighty Conquerors,

 [...]hose brows ere-while the whol Worlds Laurel drest,
When Sea & Land could show no Land but Theirs?

 [...]ow, of it All, only 
Seauen Hils do rest.

33
VVhere are Those Cities (great & goodly States)

 [...]f 
Niniue, with thrice fiue hundred Towers?

 [...]eat 
Babylon? Thebes, with a hundred Gates?


 [...]rthage (Rome's Riuall) 
Didoe's dearest Bowers?

34
All These huge Buildings, These proud Piles (alas!)
Which seem'd to threaten, Heav'n it selfe to scale;

 [...]aue now giuen place to Forrests, Groues, & Grass;

 [...]nd Time hath chang'd their Names & Place withall.

35
Nay, wilt thou see, how-far Great Kings are foild?

 [...]e how somtime in Gold they swallow Poison:

 [...]e 
Ptolomeus Cross't, 
Boleslas boild,


 [...]iazeth in a Cage, 
Richard in Prison.

[Page 124]

See, see a Prince, neer Cairo, flayed quick:

See Sápores by his prowd Victor trod:

See Monk-like shav'n our Cloistred Chilperick:

See Denis beare, for Sceptre, Pedant's Rod.

37
See 
Gordian there in his owne Girdle hung:
Se 
Phocas bones broken with furious Batts:
See 
Dioméde to his owne Horses flung:
To Wolues 
Licáon, Popiel to Rats.

36
See, see proud 
Salmon sodain Thunder-slain:
See 
Theódorick with horrid Terror thrild:
See 
Longuemare hangd in a golden Chain:
See a fierce Courser dragging 
Brunechild.

39
See 
Attalus, hauing, for Court, a Forge:
See 
Phalaris burnt in 
Perillus Bull:
See 
Memprice left the greedy Wolues to gorge:

Cambyses Sword sheath'd in Him-selfe too full.

40
Who but will feare amid the Frights of 
France;
Seeing how 
Death Two 
Henries reft of Life?
The Sire, in 
Paris, with a splinterd Lance;
The Son, before 
it, with a poysoned Knife.

[Page 125]

That Queen, whose Court was in a Castle coopt,

Prisoner, heer; aboue, a Princesse, hop't.)

[...]ose royall Throne to a Tragick Seaffold stoopt,

[...] Head she felt with whiffing steell off-chopt.

42
That 
King, who could within his Kingdom
 [...] drad,

 [...] 
Sol still shine, when hence he vanisheth;

 [...]o, past Our Seas, another Empire had,

 [...] All he had, had but a 
louzie Death.

43
Who more his Garden of 
Salona priz'd

 [...]an ROME's great 
Empire & the Worlds Cōmand,

 [...]ew well the 
Cares from 
Corwnes insepariz'd;

 [...]d 
Scepters sad Waight in the strongest hand.

44
Towards our End insensibly we slip:

 [...], speaking, sporting, laughing, snoring deep,

 [...]th stil drawes on-wards: as at Sea the Ship

 [...]es to her Hav'n-ward, though the Mastersleep.

45

Death Each-where kills: in hunting, 
Carloman;

 [...] Caue, 
Caligul
 [...]; Aristobulus,
Bath; by th'Altar, 
Philip; Iulian,
Camp; in Councell, conquering IVLIVS.

[Page 126]

Death seeks th' Aemathian; & from Nero flies:

One in a Shallow drownes, who Seas did scape:

An Emperour in eating Mushromes dies:

A Holy-Father in a Harlots lap.

47
No hand but serues 
Death's turn: 
Edric by's Mo­ther;

Alboin by's Wife; 
Aristo by his Friends;
By's owne Son, 
Baiazeth; Conrad, by's Brother;

Mustapha, by his Sire; Self, 
Cato ends.

48

Death diuersly makes him familiar heer:

Henry the Black, a bit of Bread could fine;
A King of 
Goth's died, in a Tub of Beer;

Thalis, of Thirst; of Hunger 
Antonine.

49

Death, euery-where, in euery thing distils
Her fell Despite; Fire, Aier, Earth, Ocean:

Drusus, a Peare; a Fig 
Terpander kils;
A Fly (in drinking) choaketh 
Adrian.

50
As soon, a 
Souerain, as a 
Shepheard's gon:
Men 
dying heer haue but one equall Quality:
By 
Birth and 
Death is Their Condition one;
Their Stay, and State, between, make th'Inequality.

[Page 127]

There's no Death Sodain to the godly- Wise:

His heart goes out to meet all haps before:

VVhen he embarks, he casts Wracks Ieopardies;

And when Wind serues nor, He will rowe no more.

52
Not knowing then, When, Where, thy 
Death will snatch;

 [...]t Sea, or Land; young, old; Morn, Noon, or Night:
Look for it euer, euery-where keep watch.

 [...]or, what we look-for, little can affright.

53
If Infants oft, no sooner breathe then die;

 [...] Good-men little-last, and Wicked long:

 [...]e not too-curious in that Secret's 
Why?

 [...]h' are stroaks of that hand w
ch strook neuer wrong.

54
VVhy Good men go, and Why th'Vngodly stay,

 [...]ispute it not; GOD hath permitted so.
Those 
die, to 
liue: These 
liue, to 
die for aye:
These, 
liue at case; Those in a World of VVo.

55
If from thy Dayes thou but thy Nights subtract;

 [...]hy Sleep's, thy Care's, thy Mawe's, thy 
Muse's waste,
What thy Wife weareth, VVhat thy Friends exact,

 [...]hy Griefs, thy Sutes: How short a Life thou hast!

[Page 128]

The Head-ach, Tooth-ach, Gout, or Feuer rise,

Or Vlcer in the Leg, Stone, in the Reines,

By lingring Drops strains out the tedious Life;

Yet art thou loth that Death should rid thy Paines.

57
Thy Term expir'd, Thou put'st-off Payment yet,
And weenst to win much by some Months delay.
Sith pay thou must, wer't not as good be quit?
For, 
Death will be no gentler any Day.

58
Th'affaires of 
Parting poast not to to-Morn.
For, on 
Delay, Repentance waits with Woe:
The Wind and Tide will in a Moment turn:
All houres are good for Those 
resolu'd to goe.

59
Grudging to die in flower of thine age,
Thou grieu'st to be too-soon discharg'd from Prison

 [...]epin'st, too-soon to haue don thy Pilgrimage,
Loth to haue-in thy Haruest in due Season.

60
Make of thy Deeds, not of thy Dayes, account:
Think not how far, but think how faire thou passest:
See to what Sum thy 
Vertues will amount;
For, Life and Gold are chose by waight; the massi'st.

[Page 129]

Life's valued by th'effect, not by the age;

The labour, not the lasting, praise it most:

Long hath he liu'd that liueth to be sage;

[...]ood life (too-often) in long life is lost.

62
Long 
Acts commend not most a 
Comoedi
 [...],
Tis still esteemed as the 
Parts are plaid:

 [...]o, in our Liues, not 
Yeers considered be;

 [...]ut, worthy 
Actions by the Wise are waigh'd.

63
Who grieues because he liu'd not heer, yet born,
Hundred yeers; is double worthy laughter:

 [...]t, trebble He who at his Death doth mourn;

 [...]re not to liue a hundred yeers heer-after.

64
Man's not more 
Happy for 
long-liuing heer,

 [...]mber of Dayes doe not more Blisses bring:

 [...]ore Compass makes not a more cōplete Sphear.

 [...]round's a little, as a larger Ring.

65
And, if that 
Death wait on thee, & protract;

 [...]h 
Vsurie, shee'll make thee pay it double:

 [...]y Ioyes in Dream, thy Dolours still in act,

 [...] make long Life a long Repenting Trouble.

[Page 130]

If Hee that heer thee in his Vineyard hir'd,

Pay thee at Noon thy Wages, full asmuch

As Those that there all the whole Day haue tir'd;

Why murmurst thou? why dost thou grieue & grutch?

67
He casts his Work well, well his Work-men kens;
Thy Slackness, Slowness, Weaknes to hold out:
Therefore, yer wearie, he thy Way-fare ends;
Lest, staying longer, thou mar all, 'tis doubt.

68
He giues our Task, & he again will take it;
Who Him, vnwilling; Him, vnworthy serues:
Before he call, 'tis follie to forsake it;
And who-so leaues it, to be left deserues.

69
Or first, or last, on All this Stamp is set;
Early or late, into This Port must Wee:
Who gaue the Charge, ordained the Retreat;
One self-same Law did Life & Death decree.

70
The more the Body dures, Soule more indures;
Neuer too-soon can Shee from thence exile:
Pure, in she came; there liuing, Shee impures;
And suffers there a thousand Woes the while.

[Page 131]

The Soule is forc't within the Flesh to dwell;

[...]n danger there shee liues, & sleeps in fear:

To hatch her Bird, she needs must break her Shell,

[...]nd think It neuer can too-soon appear.

72
Soule blames the Body, Body blames the Soule;

 [...]t, 
Death surprising, ends their Quarrell prest:

 [...]own goes the Body, in the Dust to roule;

 [...]he faithfull Soule, vp to th'eternall Rest.

73

Death frees the Soule from Bodies wilfull Errors;

 [...]om the Soules Vices, She the Bodie saues:

 [...]he Soule's Annoyes, are to the Body Terrors;

 [...]e Bodies Torments, to the Soule are Graues.

74
This Body is not Man: His Stuff's more fine;

 [...]s Beauty, with Heau'ns Beauty hath Affinitie:

 [...]e Body dead, That euer-liues, diuine;

 [...] euen a Beam from the supream 
Diuinitie.

75
If then the Soule, so long Heer languishing

 [...]hin the Bodie, doe not gladly part;

 [...] hath forgotten her own Source or Spring,

 [...]d that She must, from whence she cam, reuart.

[Page 132]

But, more then Death, Death's Pain appalleth thee;

That's but a Stream which swiftly vanisheth:

Ther's, as no Pain, in that Extremitie:

For, th'Body, down, doth nothing feele in death.

77
Then quit those Fears that in thy Phantsie stick:
For, violent Euills haue no permanence:
If that Death's Pain be keen, 'tis also quick;
And by the Quicknes takes away the Sense.

78
To leaue thy Babes behind, thy hart it gripes;
In Whose Thou shalt reuiue, from lap to lap:
Happy who hath them; for they are our Types:
And oft Who hath None,'s happy by mishap.

79
To leaue thy Wife thou wail'st, wel worth excusing
'T's a necessary Ill, Good stranger-like;
Which, cleerest Eyes (Self-wise) too-oft mischusing,
In little Flesh finde many Bones to pick.

80
Th'art loth to leaue the 
Court's Delights, Deuices,
Where None liues long vnbrau'd, or vnabhorred:
Where Treason's Prudence; where the 
Vertues Vices
 [...]
Where som no Eyes, & wher som haue no Forehead.

[Page 133]

The Mariner, that runs from Rock to Rock,

[...]rom Wrack to Wrack, dwelling in dangers rife,

Waue's Bal, Wind's Thral, & Tempest's Shuttlecock,

Would not exchange His for the Courtiers Life.

82
The Court beguiles thee, as black-Angel-Bands,

 [...]n giuing Leaues for Fruits to 
Circes Sisters:
Their brightest Torches are but funerall Brands:

 [...]nd, in the 
Court, All is not Gold that glisters.

83
Thou wold'st in Death 
reuenge thy wrōged Worth,

 [...]ake known thy Loue, haue shown thy braue Ambi­tion,

 [...]hy fram'st thou not thy 
Death vnto thy 
Birth,
Which brought thee naked forth, & void of Passion?

84
Fain wold'st thou see thy 
Learning's fruit (perhaps)

 [...]pe, yer Thou rot; that's but a vain Desire:


 [...]rt now-adayes may starue, while 
Ignorance

 [...]th Shades for Summer; & for Winter, Fire.

85
All day thou trudgest thorough thick & thin,

 [...]r that dull Bulk which doth thee daily braue:

 [...]inice wreaths Ropes, which aye his Ass windes-in:

 [...]e Soule that serues the Body, is a Slaue.

[Page 134]

As many steps in Death as Life we tread:

Esteem, for Deaths, all Daies since thou hadst breath:

To come's not Thine; Present, is instant fled:

And Time, in time, is ouer-come by Death.

87
When Man's imbarkt on th'
Vniuersal Deck,
Hee neither can swiften his Course, nor slack it:
Tide, Winde, and Weather, are not at his Beck;
And, To put back, hath many often wracked.

88
Some, somtimes grieue for one that gladly dies:

Socrates ioyes, sith wrong he 
suffereth:

Xantippa melts in Tears; He laughs, She cries:
Diuersly iudging of these Darts of 
Death.

89
To runne vnto this 
Death, is 
Desperate rage:
Wise 
Patience onely waits it euery-where:
Who scorns it, showes a 
Resolution sage;
For, Cowards flie it, & the Idiots feare.

90
When the last Sand of our last Glass goes out,
Without recoiling, we must step our last:
As, without grudge or noise, dislodge the Stout;
And when they must goe, stay not to be chac't.

[Page 135]

The Pilgrim longs to haue his Iourney done;

The Mariner would fain be off the Seas:

The Work-man ioyes to end his Work begun;

[...]nd yet Man mournes to finish his Disease.

92
For a short time Thy Sun is ouer-cast:

 [...]ut, Thou shalt once re-see't more bright than euer:

 [...]nd, that same Day, which heer thou think'st thy last,

 [...] a New-birth Day, to be ended neuer.

93
What Wrong doth 
Death, I pree-thee Worldling say,

 [...]hen, losing (vnder hope of happier matches)

 [...]utting thy Life, he takes thy Card away;

 [...]nd when, to saue thy Life, thy Light he snatches?

94
Fear'st thou, Faint-hart, that narrow Plank to pass

 [...]hich GOD Himself hath gone; which all Men must?

 [...]at, like a Childe, held by the sleeue (alas!)

 [...]th Eye still glancing on the brim thou go'st?

95
Beyond it, thou shalt see those pleasant Plains,

 [...]ose boundless Beauty all Discourse transcendeth:

 [...]ere Kings & Subiects soules, haue fellow Raigns,

 [...]blessed Thrones, whose Glory neuer endeth.

[Page 136]

What shalt thou see more, for more liuing Heer?

This Heauen, this Sun, thou oft before hast seen:

And shouldst thou liue another Plato's Yeer.

This World would be the same that it hath been.

97

Death's end of Ills, and only Sanctuarie
Of him that cannot scape the Grudge, the Gall
Of a seuere Iudge and proud Aduersarie:
It is a Point which Heav'n appoints to All.

98
At that Diuorce sigh Bodies, Soules do solace;
Th'Exile exulteth at his Home-Retreat:
This Bodie's but the Inne, tis not the Palace:
Th'immortall Soule, hath an immortall Seat.

99

Death's as the Dawning of that happy Day,
VVhere without Setting shines the eternall Sun,
VVhere-in who walk, can neuer neuer stray:
Nor Feare they Night who to the Day-ward run.

100
There's Rest eternall for thy 
Labours rife:
There's for thy 
Bondage bound-less 
Liberty:
There when 
Death endeth, she begins thy Life.
And where's no more Time, there's 
Eternity.

FINIS.

MEMORIALS of MORTALI …

[Page]

MEMORIALS of MORTALITIE: Written [...]n Tablets, or Quatrains, BY PIERE MATHIEV.

The second Centurie.

Translated, & Dedicated To the Right Honourable, ROBERT, Earle of Essex.

By Iosuah Sylvester.

[Page]

TO The Right Honorable, ROBERT DEVREVX, Earle of Essex & Ew, &c.

Your double Title to My single heart,

Both by your Purchase, and your Parents Right;

Claims both a better and a greater Part

Of gratefull Seruice, than This slender Mite.

[...]t, sith (to profit, more than please) I write

More Sighes than Songs (lesse vs'd to Smiles than Smart)

Disdain not These Restrainers of Delight;

Though bitter, fitter, than the Soothing Art,

[...] keep the Minde and Bodie both in Health;

To coole the Fits of Lust, Ambition, Pride

(Surfaits of Ease, Youth, Liberty, and Wealth)

[...]d cure All Sickness of the Soule, beside.

Whence, Euer free; and full of Euery Good

From GOD and Men, be ESSEX Noble Bud.

Ex Animo exoptat Iosuah Sylvester.

[Page]

MEMORIALS of Mortalitie.

1
THat height of Kings, Crowns Ho
nor, 
Worthies Wō ­der,
Is now but wind, dust, shade. He whose Approch

 [...]pall'd the Prowdest: Whom; All trembled vnder;

 [...]ursed base hand butcherd in his 
Coach.

2
All Triumph, yesterday; to-day, all Terror:

 [...]y; the faire Morning ouer-cast yet Euen:

 [...]y; one short Hour saw, liue and dead, Wars Mirror,

 [...]uing 
Death's speed-stroak vndiscerued giuen.

3

 [...]n all This World, All's fickle; nought is Firm:

 [...]s a Sea sanz, Safety, Calm, or Port:

 [...]es, Cities, Empires haue but heer their Term:

 [...]at euer's born must vnder Death resort.

4
Time flits as Wind, and as a Torrent swifteth:

 [...]asseth quick, and Nought can stop it flying:

 [...]ho knowes what Ills it euery Moment drifteth,

 [...]ms, that To leaue to liue, is To leaue dying.

5

 [...]an in the Wombe knowes nothing of his State:

 [...]wile of 
Nature) for, there, had he Reason,

 [...]hould fore-know this Worlds too-wretched Fate;

 [...] rather would intom be him in that Prison.

[Page 142]

Our Birth begins our Beere; our Death, our Brea [...]

On that Condition Heer aboord we come:

To be's as not to be: Birth is but Death:

Ther's but a Sigh from Table to the Tombe.

7
Life's but a Flash, a Fume, a Froath, a Fable,
A Puffe, a Picture in the Water seeming;
A waking Dream, Dreams Shadow, Shadowes Ta
 [...]
Troubling the Brain with idle Vapors steeming.

8
Life, to the life, The 
Chesse-boord lineats;
VVhere 
Pawnes and 
Kings haue equall Portion:
This leaps, that limps, this cheks, that neks, that ma
 [...]
Their Names are diuerse; but, their Wood is one.

9

Death, Exile, Sorrow, Fear, Distraction, Strife,
And all those Euils, seen before suspected;
Are not the Pains, but Tributes of this Life;
Whence, Kings no more than Carters are protecte
 [...]

10
No: 
Sacraments haue been no 
Sanctuarie
From 
Death; Nor 
Altars, for Kings 
offering-vp:
Th'Hell-
hallowed Host poysons 
Imperiall Harrie:

Pope Victor dies drinking th'
immortall Cup.

[Page 143]

Thou ow'st thy Soule to Heav'n; to pay that Debt

[...]ot compeld; Christians are willing Payers:

[...] yet, thy Soule as a good Guest intreat;

[...]om no good Hoste will tumble down the Stairs.

12

 [...]is better fall, then still to feare a Fall:
better die, then to be still a-dying:

 [...] End of Pain ends the Complaint withall:

 [...] nothing grieues that comes but once, & flying.

13
This Life's a Web, wouen fine for som, som grosse;

 [...]e Hemp, some Flax, some longer, shorter some:

 [...]d and Ill Haps are but the Threeds acrosse:

 [...] first or last, 
Death cuts it from the Loom.

14
These Names, which make some blubber, some so braue

 [...]mes sprung from Iniury, or from Ambition)


 [...]eath are equall: 
Earle, and 
Sir, and 
Slaue,

 [...]er his Empire, are in one Condition.

15

 [...]or Friends Deceast, cease not Repast nor Sleep;

 [...] Sorrow sutes not th'
Intellectual part:

 [...] wailes man's 
Death, that He was man doth weep:

 [...] that He promist, comming, to depart.

[Page 144]

The Young and old goe not as equall pas't:

Th' one ambles swift, the other gallopeth:

Tis good to die, yer we our Life distaste.

A valiant Man should dare to feel his Death.

17
Happy who leaue the World when first they come
 [...]
Th' Aier, at the best, is heer contagious thick:
Happy that Childe, who issuing from the Wombe
Of's 
Spanish Mother, there returned quick.

18
The Bodie's Torments are but Twigs to beat
And brush the Dust from 
Vertues pleights about;
And make the Passions of the Soule more neat:
As th'Aier is purest when the Winds roar-out.

19
Grieuing that 
Death shuts not thine Eyes at hom
 [...]
And where the Heav'ns vouchfaf't them first to ope
 [...]
Thou fear'st the Earth too-little for thy Tombe,
And Heav'n too-narrow for thy Corpses Cope.

20
Heav'ns haue no lesse Order, then at their Birth,
Nor Influence: Sun, Moon, and Stars, as bright;
All hold their owne; Fire, Water, Aier, & Earth:
Man, Man alone's fall'n from his 
pristine Plight.

[Page 145]

Worldling, thou saist, 'Tis yet not time to mend;

But, GOD hates Sinners that in Sin delight:

To grossest Sinners doth hee Mercy send;

But, not to Sinners sinning in despight.

22
Who, Morn & Euen, doth of Himselfe demand

 [...]ccount of All that he hath 
done, said, thought;

 [...]hall find him much eas'd, when he comes to stand
To that Account where All shal once be brought.

23
For bitter Checks that make thy Cheeks to flame,

 [...]nd to thy Teeth tell Truths, thou hast no Action:

 [...]o doe the Euill, sith thou hadst no shame,

 [...]e not asham'd to suffer thy Correction.

24
Perhaps, this Child, shal Rich, or Poore, becom:

 [...]erhaps a Wretch, perhaps a Liberall:

 [...]erhaps a Wise-man, & perhaps a Mome:

 [...]t, past perhaps, assured, die he shall.

25
When Wine runs lowe, it is not worth the sparing;

 [...]he worst & least doth to the Bottom diue:

 [...]ong not thy leisure (yeers vouchsafe) in daring:

 [...]t some-times looke into thy Graue, aliue.

[Page 146]

Sinner, thy GOD is not inexorable;

No Rhadamanth, Returning hearts to hate:

There is no Sin, in Heav'n vnpardonable;

Nor no Repentance, in this Life, too late.

27
The Eye that fixlie the Sun-beames beholds,
Is suddain daz'd: so, in GOD's Iudgements high,
Mens cleerest Iudgements are as blind as Moulds:
None, none but Aegles, can the Lightning eye.

28
O wrecked 
Vertue! wretched is Thy state;
For, Fortune hath the Fruit, Thou scarce the Flower▪
Thou art a Stranger at thy proper Gate,
Thy Friends thence banisht, & thy Foes in Bower.

29
Man, 
Knowledge still, to the last gaspe, affecteth;
In learning, 
Socrates liues, grayes, and dyes.
Free frō 
Death's Process 
Knowledge none protecteth
 [...]
But, to learn Well 
to die, is to be 
Wise.

30
To liue, is to begin One-Work, and end it,
Life hath, with All, not same Repute, Report;
'T's an Exile, to the Sot; Sage, Iourney ween'd it:
Wherein Hee walks, not as the Common-sort.

[Page 147]

For hauing a good Prince, Peers iust & wise,

[...]bedient People, Peace concluded fast,

State's not sure: Storms after Calms arise;

[...]d fairest Dayes haue foulest ouer-cast.

32
Man, though thou be from Heav'n Originarie,

 [...]esume not yet to Peer thee with thy God:

 [...]e's Soueraign King; Thou but his Tributary.

 [...]e's euery where; Thou but in one poore Clod.

33
Of Elephants, the biggest leads the Band;

 [...]e strongest Bull ouer the Heard doth raign:

 [...], Him behooues who will Mankind command,

 [...]t ablest Body, but the aptest Brain.

34
Kings Maiestie seems as eclipsed much,

 [...]ess great Seruants in great Troops attend:

 [...] sure an Honour to be seru'd by Such;

 [...] on Their Faith 'tis fearfull to depend.

35
To build a Palace, rarest Stones are sought:

 [...] build a Ship, best Timber is selected:

 [...] to instruct young Princes (as they ought)

 [...]ght all the 
Vertues to be there collected.

[Page 148]

Art's now-adayes a Desert desolate:

Kings gracious Raies are there no more discerned:

Philosophers wait at the Wealthies Gate,

And rarely Rich men do regard the Learned.

37
Th'hand bindeth not except the heart with-go:
What coms not thence, nor Thank nor Thought 
 [...] ser
 [...]
He giueth All that doth Himselfe bestow;
He Nothing giues who but his heart reserues.

38
That curious Thirst of Trauaile to and fro,
Yeelds not the Fruit it promis'd men in minde:
Changing their Aire, their Humors change not th
 [...]
But, many Lodgings, & few Friends they finde.

39
In vain the Soule hath Reason's Attribute,
Which vnto 
Reason cannot Sense submit:
For, Man (alas!) is bruter then a Brute,
Vnless that 
Reason bridle 
Appetit.

40
Self-swelling 
Knowledge, Wits own Ouerbearer,
Proues 
Ignorance, & findes it Nothing knowes:
It flies the Truth to follow Lyes and Error:
And, when most right it weens, most wry it goes.

[Page 140]

The Vicious trembles, alwaies in Alarmes;

[...]h'Eye of the Vertuous keepes him as at Bay:

[...]hen All the World fear'd Rome's All-reaching Arms,

[...]he vertuous Cato did all ROME dismay.

42
Vice blinds the Soule, & Vnderstanding clogs,

 [...]kes good of ill, takes foule for fairest look,

 [...]a, Durt for Dainties: so liue loathsom Frogs,

 [...]ther in Puddles than in purest Brook.

43

 [...]n Greatest Houses Vice hath battered,

 [...]ose Honors though no less haue shined bright:

 [...]at are the Graceless to the Good? Not dead,

 [...] liuing Branches, in the Tree haue Right.

44

 [...]f Men might freely take Essay of Court;

 [...]ne, hauing tasted, would return so neer:

 [...]e happiest there meets many a Spight in Sport,

 [...] knows too-well he buyes his Weal too-deer.

45
To loue None; All to doubt; to fain, to flatter;

 [...]form new Faces, & transform true harts;

 [...] offer Seruice, & flie-off in Matter;

Coutiers Lessons, and their Ground of 
Arts.

[Page 150]

Set not thy Rest on Court, Sea's barren sand;

There grows no Goodnes; good, there, euil growes

Rest's Temple yerst did forth the Citie stand:

No Sent's so sweet, as is the Country Rose.

47
Who weens in 
Court to thriue, will find him weak
Without two Aiders; 
Impudence, Immunitie:
For, first behooues him his own Brows to break,
Yer Others heads he break with 
Importunitie.

48
Who is not sory for Time's losse, in stay
For Kings slowe Fauours, seems to haue no sense:
The losse of Goods a Prince may well repay,
But loss of Time Kings cannot recompence.

49
Is't not the Top of Follies Top, to note
An Old 
Sir Tame-asse gallanting in Court,
To play the Yonker, & Swan-white to dote
On 
Venus Douelings, in despight of Sport?

50
A mean Man hardly scapes the Mightie's Clawe
 [...]
Hee's as a Mouse play'ng by a sleeping Cat;
Who lets it run, then locks it in her Pawes:
And all her sports boad but the Death of That.

[Page 151]

World's Vanitie is rife in euerie place,

Alas! that good Wits should be'witched so!)

[...]askt in the Church, in Court with open Face.

[...]or, there's the place herperfectly to knowe.

52
By euill Manners is good Nature marred;

 [...]one falls at once, all 
Vertue to defie.


 [...]ee, in the Soule is a strange Plant transferred:

 [...]nd wert not dressed, it would quickly die.

53
With By-Respects Impietie wee couer:

 [...]rth more then Heav'n is priz'd among vs Now:
GOD'S great 
Name we scarce our heads vncouer;
When Kings are named, euery knee doth bow.

54
Disorder Order breeds: good Lawes haue sprung

 [...]om Euill-liues: Would All keep 
Iustice line,

Westminster there would be soon lesse Throng,

 [...]ss Work, less Wrack, less Words for 
Mine & 
Thine.

55
Law-Tricks now strip the People to their shirt:

 [...]ift is their Shield, Gold in their onely God:

 [...]asps break the Web, Flies are held fast & hurt:

 [...]he Guiltie quit, the Guiltless vnder-trod.

[Page 152]

Ther's now no trust: Brother betraies his Brother:

Faith's but a phansie, but by Fooles esteemed:

Friend's false to Friend; & All deceiue each-other;

Th'Iuie pulls down the Wall by which it climbd.

57
Treasons be Trifles: Man's a Wolfe to Man:
Crimes be but Crums; Vice is for Vertue vanted;

Sodom's and 
Cypris Sinnes we suffer can:
And Impious tricks in all their Tracks are hanted.

58
In perfect'st Men som Imperfection's found,
Some-what amiss among their 
good is seen:
Gold, & pure Gold we dig not from the ground,
There's Dust & Dross, & grosser stuffe between.

59
Merit, of old did 
Friendship feed & fix;
Where now-adaies 'tis founded all on Profit,
With deep Dissembling & Deceitfull-tricks,
And euermore the Poore is frustrate of it.

60
Th'Earth cannot fill thy hearts vnequal Angles;
Thy Hearts a Triangle, the Earth's a Round:
A Triangle is fill'd but with Triangles:
And th'infinite the finite cannot bound.

[Page 153]

'T's a Death to die far from ones Natiue Citie:

[...]et Death's not milder there, then else-about:

[...]eath without ROME, did not Rutilius pittie;

Neither, within ROME, Him that ne'r went out.

62
When Man is com'n to th'old last Cast of Age,
When Nature can no longer lend nor borrow;

 [...]e thinks not yet to pack, and leaue the Stage;

 [...]ut still, still hopes to liue vntill to-Morrow.

63
Fain, would'st thou she 
Loue's wanton 
Luxurie?

 [...]ut-off Occasions: speak farre-off; fly Fitnes:

 [...]hun Solitude: liue still in Companie:
They fall alone that would not fall with Witnes.

64
Muse not, to see the Wicked prosper faire:

 [...]he Sun his Shine euen vnto Theeues doth giue:
When of their Patients Leaches do despaire,
They giue them ouer as they list to liue.

65

Slander is worser than Hell's burning Torture,
The Force more fierce, the Heat more vehement:

 [...]ell, after Death, doth but the Guilty martyr;

 [...]ander, aliue, torments the Innocent.

[Page 154]

Affliction razes, and then raises hearts:

As, vnder Waight, victorious Palms are wont:

As, vnder Seals the Wax doth swell (in part);

Vnder the Crosse the Soule to Heav'n doth mount.

67

Enuie, in vain pure 
Vertues Anuil bites,
Breaking her Teeth: as on a Stone the Cur,
That barks of Custom, rather then Despight,
At euery poore and harmlesse Passenger.

68

Enuie's a Torture which doth Men molest;
Euen from their Birth; yer they ought els can doo:
Behold Two Infants nursed at one Brest;
They cannot brook their Teat for meat to Two.

69
This is the Ods twixt Honest men & Knaues;
Th'one tels his Neighbor, All mine owne is mine,
And all Thine too: The other (void of Braues)
Saith, Thine's not Mine; but, what I haue is Thine.

70
What 
Enuie likes not, that she makes a Fault:

Ioseph, with 
Ismael, for his Dream, was barter'd:

Abels pure Offring to his End him brought:
And for the 
Truth the Innocent are martyrd.

[Page 155]

Flat-Cap, for whom, hoord'st thou thy heaped Treasures?

Thy Bodies Sweat, thy Soul's deer Price (poor Sot!)?

[...]ir Prodige-all (thine Heire) in Protean Pleasures,

VVill waste, in one Day, All thine Age hath got.

72
True 
Liberality would be intire:
Yet not at-once, at all times, and to all.
One may mis-giue, to giue yer one require:
Yet Gifts vn-asked sweetest Gifts I call.

73
Content with Fruits from thine own Labor grow'n,
A fore-hand still, a set Reuenew saue:

 [...]or, He's a Foole in more respects than one,
That spends his Store, or more, before he haue.

74
There is no Goodnes in a groueling heart,

 [...]ent on the VVorld, bound to this Rock belowe:
VVere not the Moon so neer this Neather part,

 [...]he would not, could not, be 
Eclipsed so.

75
Goods are great Ills to those that cannot vse them:
Misers mis-keep, and Prodigals mis-spend-them:
Hell-hounds, to hasten toward Hel, abuse-them:
As Wings, to Heav'n-ward, heav'n-bent-Soules extend thē.

[Page 156]

Presumptuous Spirits spring not frō right Nobility:

Courage, that comes from Pride, proues neuer true:

Pride ruines hearts, whose Raiser is Humility:

The humble Shepheard the proud Giant slew.

77

Pride glitters oft vnder an humble Weed:
Oft louely Names are giuen to loath'd Effects;
Men sooth them in the Cause, to 'scuse th'ill Deed:
And blame Light, rather than their Sight's Defect.

78
A 
Prudent man is, for Him-self, sought-forth:
He's more admir'd then what the World most vants:
Praises are due vnto ones proper Worth:
Not purest Gold addes Price to 
Diamants.

79
Th'
Humble, doth Others prize; Him-self depress:
Saue against 
Pride he neuer bends his Browes:
The more his 
Vertue mounts-him, counts-him less:
God th'
humble Sinner, not 
proud Iust, allowes.

80
O! 
Hypocrite, which hast but 
Vertue's Vaile,
Seem what thou art, and what thou seemest be:
To hide thy Filth, all thy Fig-leaues will faile:
Thou canst not hide thee from thy God, nor Thee.

[Page 157]

Mock- Saints, whose Soul-weal on your Works you lay,

VVith eyes & hands to Heauen, while hart's els-where:

For shame you durst not to the least man say,

VVhat you (profane) dare whisper in Gods eare.

82
Gold's fin'd in fire: Soules in 
Affliction, better:

 [...]oths gnaw the Garment locked in the Chest:

 [...]till water stinks, vnwholesom, black, and bitter:

 [...]words rust in Sheathes, and so doe Soules in Rest.

83
Opening thy Soul to God, cloze Mouth from Men:

 [...]or let thy Thoughts roame from thy due Intent;
GOD sees the hearts, his iudgement soundeth them,

 [...]nd Them confounds whose Words & Deeds dissent

84

Gamesters may well All to to-Morrow post,

 [...]o see, or to be seen, th'haue neuer leasure:
With aduerse Windes their Minds are euer tost;

 [...]osse bringing Grief, more than the Gain brings Plea­sure.

85
To shun Affaires, behoues exceeding heed:

 [...]roubles vnsent-for, and vnlookt-for, haste;

 [...]n-set, vn-sowen, too-early growes the Weed:
We meet too-soon the Care we hoped past.

[Page 158]

All Idleness, dis-natures Wit, dis-nerues-it;

A mod'rate Trauell makes it quick, addrest:

Sloath quels and kills it; Exercise preserues-it:

But, He's not Free that hath no time to rest.

87
Who seeketh Rest in troublous Managings,
Thinks to find Calm amid Tempestuous Seas:
The World & Rest are Two, two aduerse things:
Thick streams re-cleer when Storms & stirrings cease

88

Fortune in 
Court, is fickle, apt to varie:
Fauors sort seldom to the Suiters minde:
They many times euen in the Port mis-carie:
The hotter Sun, the blacker shade they finde.

89
Gifts, Honors, Office, Greatnes, Grace of Kings,
Are but the Vshers of Aduersity:
For their last mischief, haue the 
Emmets wings:
And height of Health betokens Sicknes me.

90
Youth hath more Lures, more Traps, more Trai
 [...] to I
 [...]
Then Fouler Sins, or Baits the Fisher-man:
Age would, but cannot what it would, fulfill:

Senex, thou leau'st not Sin: Sin leaues Thee, than.

[Page 159]

Th'Eye tends to Bewty, as the Centre of-it:

[...]er the Eyes, Heart and Affections drawe:

[...]s hard to keep safe what so-many couet:

[...], mens Desires Kings cannot keep in Awe.

92
Good or Ill-hap that heer happens thee,

 [...]mes from 
Opinion (which All-ruling seems).


 [...]nion makes vs Other then we be:

 [...]s not 
vnhappy, who him 
happy deems.

93

 [...]rom contrarie Effects is formed Sadnes:

 [...]h Smoak & Smiles haue made the Eyes to water.

 [...]o sowe in Tears, shall one day reap in Gladnes;

 [...]o sowe in Ioyes, shall reap Annoys heerafter.

94

 [...]s leaue out I, and No, in Conuersation:

 [...]rds now trans-posed, and 
wax-nosed, Both,
ROMES 
New Doctrine of 
Equiuocation,

 [...]ich giues a Lye the Credit of an Oath.

95


 [...]riends, now-adayes, wake at the noise of Gain.

 [...]ees to Flowers, as Crowes to Carion haste,
Flyes to Flesh, as Birds and Ants to Grain;
Friends to Profit thickly flock and fast.

[Page 160]

Who reaues thine Honour, scoffes, if he presume

T' haue don thee fauour, that thy life hee left:

Why should the Bird liue, hauing lost her Plume?

The rest is nothing when the Honor's reft.

97
Little sufficeth Life, in th'vn-delicious;
The Sun for need may sometimes dresse our Victu
 [...]
I blame, alike, the 
Cynik and 
Apicius;
This, for his too-too-much; That's, too-too-little

98
Too-oft is made too-ill Interpretation
Of Word & Deeds best meant & built by Reason▪
All's euill to the Euill, by Self-flation:
Whence Bees their Hony, Spiders suck their Pois
 [...]

99

Happy the People where 
Iust-Gentle Prince-is:
Whose Sword is 
Iustice, and whose Shield is 
Loue.
For These 
Augustus Deified long-since-is:
And without These, Kings Scepters maimed pro
 [...]

100
Good-hap, Good-heart, Fauour, and Labour
 [...]
Bring Men to Riches and to Honors heer;
But that's the Way about: To be born 
Great,
Is great Aduantage; Not to buy so deer.

FINIS.

HENRIE THE GREAT, (T …

[Page]

HENRIE THE GREAT, (The Fourth of that Name) LATE King of FRANCE & NAVARRE: HIS Tropheis and Tragedie.

Written By PIERE MATHIEV.

Translated, & Dedicated [...] the Right Honorable, WILLIAM Earle of Salisburie.

By Iosuah Sylvester.

[Page]

To the Right Honorable WILLIAM CECILL, Earle of Salisbury.

[...]Esides the Bonds which did most Vowes engage

To your deere Elders; and besides the Due

Which to your Selfe might iustly thence accrew;

apparant Vertues of Your April-age,

[...]leng'd of right This Poëms Patronage:

[...]he rather, sith we first receiu'd from you,

[...]he speedy Notice (no lesse quick than true)

HENRY'S Death, through Hells dis-chained Rage.

saw this Sunne, at his High-Noone-shine Set

suddaine Clowd of his owne Royall Bloud.

Horrid Hap! Who euer can forget

[...] Fate, such Hate; of one so Great, so Good:

[...] Iust Revenge, roote out th' Ignatian Pack,

[...]e Moules that moou'd in Faux and Rauaillac.

IOS. SYL.

[Page]

[Page]

THE 
 [...]opheis of the Vertues and Fortune of HENRIE the Great.
 [...]nce first 
Apollo lent the World his light,
And Earth empregned with his heatfull might,


 [...]pe hath seene no Potentate, no Prince,
Parallel Great HENR
 [...]S excellence.
Terme, no Time, his fresh Renown shal shed:

 [...]er was King more dear, neuer more dread.

 [...]oenix of Kings, wonder of Christendome,

 [...]ng all past, and without Peere to come;
Courage onely matcht His Clemencie;
should his Tomb to These Two equall be,
Spain & France, could not contain the same,

 [...]ch haue so often seen his feates of Fame.

 [...]s Life's a lamp to Princes, and a line;

 [...]rophey rear'd by Miracle diuine:

 [...]eater to all the Vertues built;

 [...]odly Garden with such plenty fild

 [...]oisest fruits & flowers, that chusing, there

 [...]ndance troubles more then Want else-where.


[Page 166]The yeer that EDWARD in 
Great Brittain dy'd:
That 
France (beyond the mountains) 
Spain defi'd:
That 
Therwin walls were thundred to the ground:
That a faire flower our Royall 
Hymen Crownd:
I'th vvinter 
Solstice (when the yeare is worn)
Within 
Pau Castle This young MARS was born,
Born for the Worlds Good, as his Enterance
Presag'd him then the HERCVLES of 
France;
To re-aduance her 
Lillies long decayd:
For as (by chance) bare-head, abroad he playd,
At foure yeers old, a Snake he finds & kills;
At forty, foiles the 
Hydra of our Ills.
Nor was He bred in soft delicious wise
(Which forms young Spirits into the form of Vice
His Grandsire vs'd him to all VVeathers Ire,
His Sauce was Labour, Exercise his Fire,
His noble Heart did neuer ought inflame,
Saue Heauens desire, & th'Honour of the same.
Scarce fourteen times had he beheld the birth
Of th'happy Planet (which praesag'd his Worth)
Predominant in his Natitiall;
When he became an Armies Generall,
Whose hottest flame, without Him was but fume;
Nor, but by Him, durst any good presume.


[Page 167]He purchast Peace, the which eftsoones was staind

 [...]th His Friends bloud, & his young soule con­straind

 [...] faine some Change of His Religion:


 [...]inseine Castle He was seaz'd vpon,

 [...]d to the Court confin'd; where, discontent,

 [...] Spirit droopes, out of His Element.
Escaped thence: with restlesse toyle, He tends

 [...] saue the Side of his Afflicted Fiends;

 [...] peace again he bringeth all in vre:

 [...]d 
Mounsieur's death doth well his Hopes assure

 [...]th' after Crown, who but between him stood;

 [...] now was He the first Prince of the Blood.
Then from afarre he doth new Storms discry,

 [...] threat his fortune, and his force to try:

 [...] meets the danger with vndaunted front,

 [...] in foure yeeres beares ten braue Armies brunt,

 [...] with the might of a great Monarch grac't;
Thereof, at 
Contras he defeats the last.

 [...]t last, the King to extreame Streights reduc't,

 [...] 
 [...]oubt of all, and daring none to trust,

 [...]lores This Prince, who rescues him from 
Tours,

 [...]h iust Reuenge; & had, yer many houres,

 [...]humbled 
Paris to her Princes yoake,

 [...] for 
Saint Clements Paricidiall stroake.


[Page 168]After which stroak (which all true French-men hate)

France sadly falls in a most wretched state:
VVho hath least Reason, hath most Insolence;
VVho hath most Power, hath least Obedience.
Nor Awe, nor Law; Disorder euery-where:
Good, without hope, and Wicked without feare.
Rebellion spaunes as fast as (in the Spring)
Fruit-fretting vermine; it doth Discord bring
In Families, dearth in Townes, death in Field:
O! happy you who neuer daign'd to yeeld
Vnto that Hagge; but, Loyall to the Crowne,
Haue left your Heires, Heires of a true renowne.
Who counts the Cares that on a Crown doe wait,
As well may number 
Autumnes fruitful fraight,
And 
Flora's too. Yet this great spirit of man,
Mid th'ebbs and flouds of This vast Ocean,
Seems a tall Ship, which maugre Winds & Waues,
In wished Hauen her & her Burthen saues.
Hee's neuer idle, nor his Exercise
Other than stands with princely offices:
MARS, & DIANA, & CVPID wait on Him:
Maugre his Losse, hee alwaies gaines by Time.
Vnto Affaires his cares are open aye,
Nor waits hee lazying on his bed for day.


[Page 169]Shafts, Tigers, Torrents; no nor Lightning flies

 [...]pre swift about, than This bold Eagle plies

 [...]mid all perils) to preserue his State,

 [...]th Heed & Speed, from Rebels Pride & Hate.
Battells first, last in Retreats: in brief,
Action, Souldier; in Direction, Chief.


 [...]iepe saw his Fortunes on a desperate Dy:

 [...]e League presum'd he needs must yeeld, or fly:

 [...], as a Brook the more we stop his Course,

 [...]aks down his Bay, and runs with swifter force,

 [...] foiles his Foes at 
Arques, and shewes them plain,

 [...]t Heauens iust hand doth his dear Right sustain.
Tis, buzz'd in 
Paris, and beleeu'd in part,

 [...]t he is taken; or constraind to start

 [...]m 
Diepe to 
Douer, to seek 
Englands Aid;

 [...], while Him comming Prisoner-wise, they said,

 [...] the 
Bastile; He came and ouer-came

 [...]ir Suburbs soon, to their Suborners shame.

 [...]onquest attends Him, whether he encamps,

 [...]marches on: again he takes 
Estampes:


 [...]ux, Eureux, Mans, Meulan, Vandosme, Perch,

Honfleur, formost in His 
Trophie march;

 [...]rnest-pence of His recouer'd State,
Crowne of 
France, which well admits no Mate.


[Page 170] 
Tiber and 
Iber then together flow
(Too strong in wrong) his Right to ouer-throw.
There proudeth Power, Heer Prowess brighter shines
And daily shewes vs by a thousand Signes,
How great Aduantage a true Birth-right brings
(Against Vsurpers) vnto lawfull Kings.
In IVRY Fields, he seems a Blazing Star;
Seen in the Front of all his Hoast, afar:
Maiestick Fury in his Martiall Face,
The brauest Troops, doth in an instant Chase:
And boldest Rebels, which the rest had led,
Came Charging one way, and by forty Fled.

Melun surrenders, to his War-like Lot,

Chartres is chastizd with his thundring Shot,

Louuiers lyes humbled at his Conquering Foot,

Noyon lamenteth her Three Succors rout,

Espernay yeelds her wholely to his hest,

Dreux twise besieged, opens as the rest.
The 
League that late so violently burn'd;
To a Cold Feuer now her Frenzie turn'd;
And trusting still in Strange Physycians aid,
Neglects her Cure till all her strength decaid:
In dread of all, In doubt her owne will quaile;
As a weak Ship affraid of euery Saile.


[Page 171]That (late) ACHILLES of the 
Spanish-Dutch,


 [...]rnezean Parma that atchieu'd so much

Anwerp's Siege, by match-lesse Stratagem;

 [...]d weend the World had had no Peer to Him:

 [...]d here the heart, twice, to refuse to Fight;

 [...]d twise departed and bod none 
Good-Night.
Fortune, for Him, no longer vs'd her Wheel;

 [...]t, kind and constant, followes at his heel:

 [...]'s Happy euery where, and ouer all

 [...]ring Palmes and Lawrels: only neer 
Aumale

 [...]urderous Bullet put him to some pain,

 [...]t hindred not His Rescue of his Train.
Who weens to vanquish Him, makes Him invict;

 [...]de to the Meek, to Proudlings stern and strict:

 [...] loues the Lawrels without blood be-sprent,
Cruell Conquest He doth euen lament.

 [...] Thunder batters but Rebellious Walls:

 [...]d who least fear him, on them first he falls.

France, Selfe to slay, and her owne Throat to Cut,

 [...]ms her owne hands; & (in strange rage) doth put

 [...]e Knife to whet, in 
Spaines ambitious pawes;


 [...]in that would Spoil her Crowns primordial Lawes,
I would a Scepter with a Distaffe blin:

 [...] all in vain: The 
Lillies cannot Spin.


[Page 172] 
Re-Romaniz'd, so (say They) Heauen coniures;
His Errors at Saint 
Denis he abiures:
This Chāge, in Court yet chang'd not one nor other;
For, though his Subiects haue not all one Mother,
He holds them all his Sons, They him their Sire;
And Christians all, all to one Heav'n aspire.
Wiihin the Temple of The 
Mother-Maid,
That bore her Son, her Sire, her God, her Aid,
With Heav'n-sent Oyle He is anointed King,
Dons th'
Order-Collar; and by euery thing,
To proue, in Him, Saint 
Lewis Faith and Zeale,
The Sick he touches, and his Touch doth heale.
By law of Arms, a Citie tane by Force,
Should feele the Victors rage, with small remorse;

Paris so taken, is not treated so:
Though well his Iustice might haue razed lowe
Those rebell Wals which bred and fed These Wars;
To saue the guilt-less, He the guilty spares.
There, There's the Hope and Safety of His Side;
If There he faile, then farewell all beside:
The 
Spaniard therfore Thither speedy sends,
A great strong Conuoy to confirm His Friends.
Which soon defeated, There began the End
Of Ciuill Wars, and all to Vnion tend.


[Page 173]Th'Honor of sauing and restoring 
France,

 [...]s not alone due to His 
Valiance?
His 
Clemencie hath part; which lets him in
To stronger Holds, than all his Arms could win:
That, satisfied with Tears, makes from all parts,
Repentant Rebels yeeld him vp their Hearts.

Lyons, the Porter of one Part of 
France,

Rouen, that sees none like strong in Ordinance,


 [...]rleans, which 
England did vndaunted proue,

Marsëillis, iealous of old 
Neptune's loue,


 [...]ix, Bourges, Sens, Meaux, Poictiers, Troy, Thoulouse,
And 
Reins; of These, each to his 
Bounty bowes.
This gracious Prince excus'd the simpler sort,
VVhom (Malice-lesse,) blind Passions did transport,
Against the Lawes, with fury of the Time,
VVho self-affraid to faile in fowler Crime,

 [...]educ't by others slie seditious Lore,

 [...]ollow'd (like Sheep) their Fellowes straid before.
This heauenly humane 
Clemency of His,
Yet cannot shield Him from some Treacheries;
One wounds him in the Mouth and breaks withall
One of his Teeth, (O Act vnnaturall!)

 [...] had not God in part put-by the blowe,

 [...]uen then in 
Paris had he perisht so.


[Page 174]But, hauing quencht the Ciuill Fires in 
France,
Gainst his ill Neighbors now his Arms aduance;
In 
Piedmont-Fields his Lilly-flowers he plants,
Pills 
Bourgognie, and all 
Artois He dants,
And makes the great 
Castilian MARS to fly,
With Feare within; without, with Infamy.
Then, those great Warriors that had disobeyd
(Whom not their Courage but their Cause betray'd
Which came with shame and sorrow (as was meet)
To cast their swords at his victorious Feet,
Fearing his Rigor; He receiues them (rather)
With King-like grace, and kindnesse like a Father.
Heauen daily works, for Him, some special Mira
 [...]
His Faith's an Altar, and his Word an Oracle:
His greatest foes haue neuer found him faile.
And should Sincerity, in all men quaile,
Exiled from the World (as 
Moors from Spain)
In This Kings soule she had been found againe.

Spain by a train of many Wyles well laid,
Surpriseth 
Amiens, France is all affraid:
The Spaniard, hence prouder then euer, swells,
Vndanted HENRY Thence him soon repells,
Regains his Citie, and constrains His foes,
To beg their Peace, or to abide his blowes.


[Page 175]The Storms that long disturbd the state are val'd,

 [...]h' ill Vapors now are from all hearts exhal'd,

 [...]d 
France is now all 
French euen all about:

 [...]nly the 
Breton stifly yet stood out.

 [...]t, those white 
Ermines at the last must need,

 [...]f th' only Sent of the faire 
Lillies feed
Old PHILIP longs to see the Waters calme,

 [...]nds all designes vain to supplant This Palme;

 [...]h the more shaken, it more fast doth grow:

 [...]e seeketh Peace, the 
Pope solicits so,


 [...]ruins doth treat it, 
Bruxells sweares it don,

 [...]nd PHILIP pleas'd departs the World anon.

France yet retains one sensible Offence,

 [...]r which she vowes Reuenge or Recompence:

 [...]mong the Alps her thundring Canons roare,

 [...]oud-browd 
Montmeilan flaunts & vaunts the more

 [...] stop her fury, but in fine is fain

 [...] rue her rashnesse and repent in vain.
God hastens his owne Work: This Monarch mar­ries


 [...]yons Church, the choice, the Chief of 
Maries;

 [...]e Heauens delight, our 
Lilies ornament:


 [...]e, in one heart two louely Soules hath blent:

 [...]ence Peace is more confirm'd, and Discord, dasht.

 [...], by This knot many great Plots are quasht.


[Page 176]At 
Fountainbleau (a Paradise for site)
She brought him forth his 
Dolphin, his delight,
Whose tender youth giues happy hopes of Worth;
One Daughter also did she there bring forth,
And two Sons more (Supporters of the Crowne):
Two daughters more, 
Paris for birth doth owne.
His Clemency hath conquered Rebels rage,
Made of dis-loyall loyall Vassalage;
Yea forced Wills by Pardons and by Grace,
The proof whereof is writ in euery place;
Through all the Townes of 
France both great & s
 [...]
Where, for Reuenge, Reward was daign'd to all.
Once, only once, his Mercy admirable,
VVas deafe to 
Biron and inexorable;
Sith when he might, his hault despight would none
I wonder not to see that 
Myrmidon,
In the 
Bastile, a shamefull death to beare:
But This I wonder, that he would come there.
Of factious spirits, of close deep hearts and do
 [...]
(Whose Life is strife, whose Rest is best in trouble)
He knowes the drifts, & knowen dissolues the sam
 [...]
As fast as fire melts Lead within the flame.
His voyce alone, as Dust cast vp aloft,
Breakes Hornets buzzing and their swarming, of
 [...]


[Page 177] 
Discord disturbing holy Churches rest,

 [...]ixt 
Rome and 
Venice did debates suggest:

 [...]bition set in foote, fore-sweld with hope,

 [...] bridle both the Senate and the 
Pope;

 [...]h prest to fight: His Prudence reconcil'd

 [...]eir Difference, and did their mindes remil'd.

 [...]e relisht now the harmless Sweets of Peace,

 [...]illing his People should partake no lesse;

 [...] yet some-where he feeles a Thorne to prick:

 [...] pluck it out he armes and marches quick,

 [...] to the Frontier: There attaines his will,

 [...]dome (so) fitly takes her Season still.

 [...]ou Nations, that for fortie yeeres haue seen

 [...]LONA'S Tempests, & felt MARS his Teen;

 [...] for your Liberties haue pawnd your Liues:

 [...]ely now you ioy your Wealth, your Wiues:

 [...]w your Trades into the East you bring,

 [...]er Heauens Kingdom) onely thank This King.

 [...]heapt with Honors, This braue King is loath

 [...]his braue Knights, effeminiz'd by Sloath,
Games & Dames, during so long a Peace,

 [...]d still lye still in Citties pomp and ease:

 [...]efore he rears an Army strongly dight,


 [...]lich's Claim, his wronged friends to right.


[Page 178]A noble Prince, whose Prowes & Prudence, late

Buda admir'd, and 
Rome hath wondred-at
(The Honor of His Time) was Generall;
So stoard with Gold, with Guns, with Arms, with all,
That neighbor Princes all were in alarm:
Yet Them This Thunder brought more feare then harm,
Fearless it marches; &, respectless, threats
What-euer Log its ready Passage lets;
Gesture and voice already skirmishing,
And vnder Conduct of so braue a King,

Great-Britaines, Germans, Switzers, Belgians,
Serue all the Greatnes of the Crown of 
France.
Els-where, the while, The Duke that rules the 
Alp
Seemd t'haue his heart no more beyond the 
Calpes;
Braue noble heart, 
Saxonically-French.

Fuentez, affraid, with shoulder-shrinking wrench,
Doubts lest that 
Milan stoop to 
France againe;
And CHARLES prouoked proue the Scourge of 
Sp
 [...]
Heau'ns now, to Crown his 
Tropheis, had set down
That at 
Saint Denis he his Queen should Crown
VVith royall Diadem; and in one Day
The State, the Maiesty of 
France display.
Nothing but Great; but great Magnificence;
But, MARIES Grace excell'd all Excellence.


[Page 179]HEnce, hence false Pleasures, momentary Ioyes;
Mock vs no more with your illuding Toyes:

 [...]trange Mishap, hatched in Hell below,

 [...]th plung'd vs all in deepest Gulfe of Woe,

 [...]ught vs, that all Worlds-hopes as Dreams do fly,

 [...]d made vs all, Cry 
All is Vanitie.

 [...]our houres frō Noon, forth frō the 
Louure rode

 [...]is mighty Prince (without his Gard) abroad,

 [...] see His Arcenall: To his Caroche,

 [...] streight Lane, a Hell-hound durst approche;

 [...] with a Knife, twice stabbing, kill'd him quite,

 [...]ning that fairest Day to foulest Night.

 [...]wice did the Monster stab: for else, the first

 [...] not been mortall; but, the Knife, accurst,

 [...]illing his Lungs, cut at the second stroake


 [...]artereal vein, whose bloud-floud soon did choak

 [...]peerless Prince; His dying Eyes & Hart

 [...]oring Heauen, soone did his Soule depart.

 [...]ell Tyger, tell vs, tell vs Why, or Whence,

 [...]u durst (accurst) assault so Great a Prince?

 [...]rein had He to Thee or Thine done wrong?

 [...] once (yer this) Thou didst too neer him throng,
Gard rebuk't thee; but, He Them, for That:

 [...]'d That 
Thy Malice, & His Murderous fate?


[Page 180]Fates ruthless Law allots his royall brest
To die the death that CAESAR thought the best;
Death without sense of death, a death so quick,
It sildome leaues Kings leisure to be sick;
Nor giues Him leaue of his sixt 
Decads date
To fill the Roule; but seauen six Months did bate.
He, He that was the Hope, the Prop of His,
He that restored 
France to what it is,
He that confin'd the Power of Princes still,
He that Commanded 
Victory, at will,
That was the Worlds delight, Kings glory sheen,
He, He receiues Deaths treacherous stroak vnseen.
Th'vnhappy street where This fell Hap fel-out,
Where wofull 
Paris saw her Light put out,
VVhere cursed Iron pierc't her Princes hart,
In shall no more be clept 
The Iron-mart:
It shall be call'd 
The cursed Corner, still;

The Hag-street, or 
The Hell-street: which you will.
Lord! where wert Thou! When That disloiall wre
 [...]
With cruell hand did Thine Anointed reach;
Quenching the Raies of Royall Maiestie?
No heart is hid from thine All-piercing Eye,
It sees the Centre, knows the thoughts, yet though
 [...]
Could it see This, and suffer it be wrought?


[Page 181]Hell oft before, out of his black 
Abyss,

 [...]d spew'd vp Monsters to haue acted This:

 [...]t, still thy hand from former wounds did ward.

 [...]d had he not still trusted to Thy Gard,

 [...] Owne had waited Round about his Coach,

 [...]d This fell Tyger neuer should approach.
These Words, these rasher Words escapt my tong;

 [...]en I beheld That Monarch layd along

 [...]d on his Bed; so dead, so butchered;

 [...]med Heauens, & Whispering soft, I said,

 [...]use They stopt not This strange Hap before,

 [...]ir slūbring eyes now watch the World no more.

 [...]t, are mine eyes mine own? Is This That Prince

 [...]ch might haue made all 
Europe His, long since,

 [...]he not thought th'Empire of 
France enough;

 [...] Lion-heart, that Courage Cannon-proofe,

 [...]ich did so oft Impossibles atchieue?

 [...]is He: yet scarce my sight beleeue.
This That Mighty King, Gods liuely Image,

 [...]hom the greatest in the World did Homage?

 [...]ce a Doue, in Warre an Aegle quick,

 [...]TOR in Court, in Camp ACHILLES-like;

 [...] with a hundred horse, a thousand foil'd:

 [...]rom most Dangers neuer yet recoil'd.


[Page 182]Great 
Rome was strangely maz'd and all a-mort,
When She beheld her CAESAR'S bloody shirt:
And say, Great Citty, how wert Thou dismaid,
When first thou saw'st Thine HENRY sadly layd
Along his Coach, & couered with a Cloak?
"
I thought the Prop of all my Fortunes broak.
Those that haue seen in Townes surpris'd (whil
 [...] y
 [...]
When to the Churches All haue fled for fear,
May well imagine 
Paris deepe Affright.
Nothing but shiuering: Nobles armed bright,
Clergy at Prayers, People weep and houle:
And HENRY's wound hath wounded euery Soul
 [...]

Paris in Honour of her peerless Queen,
Had plotted Showes (more pompous neuer seen)
As, rich to th'outward, rare to th'inward sense;
But, all those Archs (Marks of Magnificence),
Those 
Tropheis, Terms, Statues, Colosses, All,
Make but more Mourners at the Funerall.
I yeeld My Pensill: help APELLES, heere,
To Limn (to life) Her dying-liuing Cheere:
Beleefe is hardly in Mans heart imprest,
Her Griefe more hard to be by Art exprest.
Therfore ô Queen! Great Stay, Great Star of 
 [...]
This Veile I draw before Thy Countenance.


[Page 183]Heauē steel'd Thy Hart with Fortitude That Day,

 [...]y Courage kept the Kingdom from Decay;

 [...]nd to the Throne Thy Son our Soueraign heft:

 [...]ough angry Fates of Father him bereft,

 [...]t Mercifull, they left him such a Mother,

 [...]at 
France could hardly haue been rul'd by other.
The suddain Clap of This drad Thunder sounds,

 [...]om 
Alexander's to 
Alcides Bounds:

 [...]he Kings and Princes stand amazed all,

 [...]th horror of an Act so Tragicall.

 [...]me, Rest forsake: others, Repast forbeare,

 [...]d Each like Fortune to himselfe doth feare.
So suddainly to see Day turn'd to Night,


 [...]umphant Palmes, into 
Funerall Plight,

 [...]e Royall Crown to a deep Mourning Vale,

 [...]iuing King, to a dead Corps & pale,

 [...]r Flowers to Thorns; seem Tricks of Sorcery,

 [...]erein, Conceit consents not with our Eye.
Yes, He is dead: and his eye-lids no more

 [...] view this Light shall open (as before);

 [...]ose louely Eyes, the Load-starrs of the Court,

 [...]ose gracious glances, on the Worthy sort,

 [...]e Vertue vigor; and Whose awefull frowne

 [...] dared Vice; are now Eclipst and downe.


[Page 184]Where are those ready Battaile-ranging Hands?
Those lightning Eyes whose wrath no wall with­stand
That Voice so dreadful to the stoutest harts?
That Heart which wrought so many wondrous pa
 [...]
That piercing Wit, dispersing Clowds of Doubt?
VVhere is that mighty King, so Fam'd about?
Inexorable 
Death! inhumane, cruell,
Thou shalt no more reaue vs so rare a Iewell;

Nature hath broke the Mould she made Him in.
In all thy 
Triumph (trayling euery Kin)
Shal neuer march His Match, nor worthier Prince,
T'haue been exempted from thine Insolence.
Ah! poore, weak 
Vertue, zealous Loue of Thee,
Prolongs not Life, protracts not Death (I see):
This Prince that gaue Thee euē his Hart for Tēpl
 [...]
This Prince whose Raign shal serue for rare Exemp
 [...]
To future Kings, in future Things dismaid,
Should haue come sooner, or haue later stayd.
His Pietie, was neither Fond, nor Faind;
His Prowesse, neither Feare, nor Rashnes staind;
His Prudence clear'd his Coūcells, steerd his State
His Temperance his Wrath did temperate;
His Iustice with his Clemencie did Yoake:
Yet could not All free Him from Fatall stroake.


[Page 185]Inuincible in all: only, the Darts,
Which haue not spar'd the Gods immortall harts,

 [...]aue often batterd His: but, by your leaues,

 [...] fairest Bewties! 
(Bewtie it self deceiues)

 [...]ou neuer were the Souerains of his brest:

 [...]e You (perhaps) You neuer Him possest.

 [...]u 
Arms-Art, what He knew not, none can know't,

 [...]either attempt what He attempted not,

 [...]eason was aye the Aime of His designes,

 [...]is braue Exploits (worthie immortall lines)

 [...] all furnish Theam to Thousand learned Clarks,

 [...]hose Works shal Honor Him, He more their Warks
His 
Royall Gests are euery-where extold,

 [...]rauen, Carued, Cast, in Marble, Wood, & Gold;

 [...]s Life alone's an History admir'd,

 [...]herein all Pens, all Pencills shall be tir'd,

 [...] pourtraying all His valiant Fears to-forn,

 [...]hose Tables euer shall all Courts adorn.
His 
Bounties Temple had a hard Accesse,

 [...]ot known to any but to 
Worthinesse:

 [...]at Gate (indeed) did seldom open quick.

 [...]s 
Liberality, (coy Bewty-like)

 [...]u'd to be woo'd, prest, and importun'd still;

 [...]a, forc't to giue, what glad and fain she will.


[Page 186]Yet, by th'effects to waigh his Clemencie,
Me thinks His Heart must more then humane be,
Me thinks therein some higher Power did shine,
It surely seem'd celestiall and diuine,
And but I saw him dying, pale and wan,
I could haue scarce beleeu'd This Prince a Man.
He euer lou'd rather to saue then spill,
Not cementing his Throne with Blood, with Ill;
Nor ween'd, by Feare his Diadem assur'd;
With mildenes rather, grieued minds he cur'd:
His Memory did neuer wrongs retain;
Beloued Kings, He thought, securest raign.
Praise you his Bounty, you that, past the Poles,
Beare Heauens Embassage to Belief-less Soules:
HENRY restor'd your Countrey, and your Credit,
He gaue you leaue ouer all 
France to spred it;
Restor'd you 
Bizance, and each pleasant part,
Left you his Court, bequeath'd to you his Heart.
If 
France now flourish, proyning, round about,
Oliues within, and Lawrels all with-out,
If now, She giue the Law to other States,
If Peace and Plenty raigne within her Gates,
If now She feare no Ciuill Storms again,
These are the fruits of This Great HENRY's Raig
 [...]


[Page 187]If now Her Schooles with learned men abound,
Her rare wits be through the World renownd,

 [...] doubts of Faith be cleared and explor'd,

 [...] Learning be to her due Place restor'd,

 [...] now Desert the Charge in Church attain,

 [...]hese are the Fruits of This Great HENRY's Raign.
If now her Buildings passe for bewty farre

 [...]he Worlds old Wonders (which so famous are)

 [...] 
Paris Thou be peerlesse to behold,

 [...]or State, for Store, for People, Goods, & Gold,

 [...] in thy Citie, Cities sprout again,

 [...]hese are the Fruits of This Great HENRY's Raign.
If the 
French Scepter be now Self-entire,

 [...]ear-less of Forain or Domestick fire:

 [...] France haue Fellowes of ACHILLES Fame;

 [...]f now in 
France be nothing out of frame,

 [...]f now the 
Indies her 
Bastile containe;
These are the Fruits of this Great HENRY's Raign.
If now we ioy to see our Countrey free

 [...]rom Theeues and Rebels (which exiled be):

 [...]f Iustice now doe keep the lewd in awe,

 [...]f Desperate Duels be now curbd by Lawe,

 [...]f now the Weak waigh not the Strongs disdain,
These are the Fruits of This Great HENRY's Raign.


[Page 188]If Merchants rich, If Magistrates be sound,
If Officers like Emperors abound,
If Pursie Lawyers liue Prince-like at home,
If now Inuentions to their height be come,
If now good wits find where them to sustaine,
These are the fruits of This Great HENRY's Raigne.
Who lou'd not Him, neuer beheld his browes,
Who knew his Fortunes, must admire his Prowes,
Who feard him not, His greatnes did offend,
Who weend Him to beguile, his Wisdom kend:
Who durst displease Him, knew his mercies store;
Who durst not speak, his mildnes did ignore.
Who waileth not his Death, knew not his Life,
Glory of His and Others Enuie rife,
Incomparable, Admirable Prince,
Excelling all th'old HEROES Excellence.
For, His true Story shall their Fables shame:
Inimitable Life, Illimitable Fame.
O 
French-men, stop not yet your weeping flood:
This Prince for you hath lauisht oft his blood.
O! be not niggards of your Tears expence,
(Vaile heer, my Verse, do ANNE a reuerence;
Rare ANNE that shames the rarest wits of Ours,
Her diuine Stances furnish thee these Flowers).


[Page 189]The Heauens may giue vs all Prosperities,

 [...] stain our State, remooue our miseries;

 [...] cannot dry vp our Tears bitter streame:

 [...] extreame Euills remedies extreame.

 [...]store our King, quick shall our Ioyes recouer:

 [...], neuer look our Sorrowes should giue-ouer.
Eech-where our Grief finds matter to augment it,

 [...] Names remembrance doth each-where present it,

 [...] famous Gests do busie euery Sort,

 [...]me tell his Warres, others his Works report.

 [...]hers his Fauors past, glad-sad deplore;

 [...]en, not to mourn, is not to mind Him more.
Ah! must we liue, and see so sodain dead

 [...]e Life that late our Liues inspirited?

 [...]ke saile my Soule, let's put-into the Port,

 [...]ile HENRY liu'd 'twas good to liue (in sort):

 [...] let vs after: sith Hee's reft of breath,

 [...] fire of Life is now farre worse then Death.

 [...]orrow, with vs doth both lie-downe and rise,

 [...]nkles our Browes, withers our Cheeks & Eyes:

 [...]e shun what-euer might our Griefs allay,

 [...]e wish the Night, w' are weary of the Day,

 [...]ht brings sad Silence with her horrid Shade,

 [...] euen her Colour seems for Mourning made.


[Page 190]Extreamest Woes yet are with Time ore-past,
Riuers of Teares are dryed-vp at last:
But neuer Ours; Ours, euer fresh shall flow:
We defie Comforts, We'll admit no mo,
Nor seek them, but as 
Alchimy profound
Seeks that which is not, or which is not found.
Who, from the Ocean, Motion can recall,
Heat from Fire, Void from Aire, Order from All,
From Lines their Points, from IRIS all her Dyes,
Perils from Seas, from Numbers Vnities,
Shadowes from Bodies, Angles from the Square,
May free our Hearts from Grief, our Mindes from Ca
 [...]
He must be hart-les that is smart-les found:
The Soule that is not wounded with This wound,
Most brutish, hath no humane Reason in't:
There is no brest of Steel, no heart of Flint,
But must be-mone so great a King, so slain.
Who would not waile a Gally-slaue so tane?
Let vs no more name HENRYes, Kings of 
France
Death with two Kniues, & with one shiuer'd Lance,
Hath kild Three HENRY's: one at Iousts (in iest);
Th'other in's Closet; in's Caroche, the best:
So, Three King RICHARDS, & Fiue Other, cry
Some fatal Secret in some Names doth lie.


[Page 191]What worse Disastre can you haue behinde,

 [...] threaten 
France? O Destinies vnkinde!

 [...]at greater Mischief can your Malice bring?

 [...] good a Father rest, so great a King?

 [...]at will you more? sith we no more can hope

 [...] any Good that with This Ill may cope.
This noble Spirit doth to his Spring re-mount,

 [...]is Bounties Flood retireth to his Fount,

 [...]s Atomie to's Vnity vnites,

 [...]s Star returns to the first Light of Lights,

 [...]s Ray reuerts where first it light did take,

 [...] mortall wounds, This Prince immortall make.

 [...]are-well sole Honour of all earthly Kings,

 [...]-well rare Prince for All-kinde Managings,

 [...]-well Great HENRY, Heav'ns & Natures Gem,

 [...]e-well bright Star of Kings, Glories great Beam,

 [...]e-well sole Mortall that I keep in minde:

 [...]-well false Hope, Fortune, & Court vnkinde.


 [...]eer, lest Obliuion should vsurp her roome,


 [...]ME writes in Gold, These Lines vpon thy Toomb.


 [...]is Prince, vn-Peerd for Clemency and Courage,


 [...]y Sur-nam'd, the Great, the Good, the Wise,


 [...]ror of Future, Miracle of Fore-Age;


 [...]hort Mis-hap for-euer Happifies,
FINIS.

St. LEWIS; the KING: …

[Page]

S ^t. LEWIS; the KING: OR A Lamp of Grace, lighting THE GREAT (in the right vvay) To GLORIE.

Translated, & Dedicated (As a New-yeeres-Gift) TO The High-Hopefull Prince, CHARLES, Heire Apparant of Great-Britan's Kingdomes, & The Hopes of Christendom.

By IOSVAH SYLVESTER. 1615.

[Page]

TO My Gracious Lord, THE PRINCE.

NOT that yo ^r Highnes needs My mean Direction

(Hauing, within, a Princely spirit for Guide;

Without, your Parent; round about (beside)

Precepts & Patterns of diuine Perfection)

[...]esume I Thus to bring (in dim Reflexion)

This forain LAMP (admired far & wide):

But, as An humble Gift This New-Years-Tide,

To intimate my Faith, and my Affection.

[...]r gracious hand Thus binds my gratefull heart

To Offer Heavn my Vowes, & You my Verse,

For that Deliuerance You haue daignd, in part,

[...]ny poore Hopes, wrackt in your Brothers Herse.

You haue begun; Vouchsafe me, Sacred Powers,

You may go-on, & make Me wholely Yours

In Effect, as In Affection To yo ^r Highnes seruice humbly deuoted, Iosuah Syluester.

[Page]

[Page]

A HYMNE of S
t. 
LEWIS (The ninth of that Name) King of France.
OF[?] all the KINGS, admired ouer All,
Whose 
Prudence, swayd This Crown Imperiall,

 [...]ose 
Prowesse, most our 
Lillies Bounds inlarg'd,

 [...]ose 
Iustice, best their Charge in 
Peace discharg'd;

 [...]om most the Raies of glorious Greatnes crownd,

 [...]o brightest shin'd, Who was the most Renownd,

 [...]t magnified, for Manly Conquering

 [...]hin the World the World: was th'
Holy King

 [...] whose chast loynes, frō out whose loyall Bloud

Heröick Stems of Royall BOVRBONS bud;

 [...]ous S
t. LEWIS; Good KINGS 
President,

 [...], for his CHRIST, & for His 
Crosse, him spent:

 [...], by his Valour so renown'd his Name,

 [...] all the Earth hath trembled at the same:
Who, to free, from captiue Furie fell,
Fields where yerst Our 
Captain conquerd Hell,

 [...]rageous 
Zeale setting his Soule on fire)

 [...]med FRANCE against the 
Asian's ire.


[Page 6]When I his 
Vertues read, & 
Acts so great,
Which Him, so high among the 
Saints haue set;
And heere belowe, so lasting glory wan,
I iudge them scarce Works of a meerly Man;
But, of an Angel in Mans shape bedight,
To shew the World the Way of 
Vertue right.
Amaz'd, to see, among so many Sinnes
As (fatally) the 
Court breeds & beginnes,
Among so many Pleasures, whose sweet Baits
Intrap the wariest with their wylie Sleights;
A KING to curbe him so, in Power supreame,
To 
vvatch him Selfe so, with such care extreame,
As not to taste 
Delight (of any kinde)
Which 
Reason barrs a braue and noble Minde:
But so 
vpright in VERTVES track to tred,
That euen in Earth a Heav'nly Life he led.
For, neuer was there more accomplisht KING,
Whose royall hart had more replenishing
Of 
Princely Vertues, fit for Powerfull hand,
Or to be wisht in Mindes of High Commaund.
Nay; would the Heavns, their Treasures all prod
 [...] cin
 [...]
All Gifts of Body & of Minde conducing,
Mould for Mankinde a 
Prince or 
Potentate,
Worthy to gouern th'VNIVERSAL State;


[Page 7] 
 [...]ey could not giue the 
World (& We, much lesse,

 [...]h) 
One more worthy; with more due Addresse,

 [...]take into his Royall hand the 
Helm,

 [...]ormfull Times so apt to ouer-whelm.

 [...] much the 
Star, which rules in 
Birth of Kings,

 [...]en He was destin'd to 
These manegings,

 [...]de and propitious, in His heart connext,

 [...], 
feare of GOD, & 
loue of IVSTICE next:

 [...]RTVES, whose 
habit Happinesse doth nourish:

 [...]kes 
Cōmon-Wealth flow, & 
The Church to flourish:

 [...]es best for 
Base to each illustrious 
State:

 [...]es mightiest KINGS calm 
Crowns, & fortunate:

 [...]seth their Subiects 
feare them 
louingly:

 [...]pes Them, in 
Dangers, euer danger-free.

 [...] the 
Almightie, printing in their Face,

 [...]le-
Maiestie, sweet-
Terror, dreadfull-
Grace,

 [...] heaping 
Hap vpon them euery-where;

Good, feare, for them; Them, the 
Euill feare.

 [...]ow many braue Marks, left his noble Minde,

 [...]h'Happiness These 
Vertues bring Mankind;

 [...]en, full of Constancie, he durst maintaine,

 [...]t, raigning for Him, Who made him to raign,

 [...]e sacred 
Twinnes, nigh frō the World dis-pell'd,

 [...] their 
Temple, in His Bosom dwell'd;


[Page 8]Guided his Person, gouern'd his Affaires,
Counsaild his Counsails, qualified his Cares,
Steerd all his Course, through all his 
Voyage heer,
As men their Ships by Card & Compasse steer.
These making him with rarest spirits compeer,
In holy pride, Hee euen despised heer
The Kings, that, puft with glory of a Throne,
Commaunded All, except themselues alone.
By th'one, he happied his owne Soule, with Rest:
By th'other, also he his People blest.
By th'one, becomming to him Selfe seuere,
He rul'd him Selfe; kept his own Power in feare;
By th'other, giuing free Course to the Law,
He kept his Subiects in: and happy, saw
Through all his Kingdome, 
Peace & 
Plenty flowe
 [...]
In basest Grange, as well as golden Bower.
But 12. times 
Sol throgh the 12. Signes had go
 [...]
When Heauens assignd him to his Fathers Throne
And to the hands of his Man-Childhood left
The glorious Burthen of This Sceptres heft:
But, as in th'Orchards at 
Monceaux or 
Blois,
The Gard'ners Care ouer some Graftlings choise,
The second yeare of their adoption there,
Makes them as good & goodly fruits to beare,


[Page 9]Trees, whose Trunk & branched Top bewraies

 [...]eir Months as many as the Other's dayes;

 [...]rough the Heavns fauor & Earths fruitfulness,

 [...]wing that God their yoūg first-fruits doth bless:

 [...] forward 
Vertue in his 
Pupillage,

 [...]ught forth th'effects of a mans perfect age;

 [...]prouing quite his feeble signes of youth,

 [...] prouing him inuincible (in truth)

 [...]inst vaine 
Pleasures, all their Baits condemning:

 [...]inst all 
Perils, Death it Selfe contemning:

 [...]inst all 
Passions, euer them resisting:

 [...]inst all 
Crosses, constant ay-persisting.

 [...]or, looke how lowe, his hart in humble awe,

 [...] bow'd to GOD, and bended to the Lawe;

 [...]gh he mounts it, in Praise-worthy Pride,

 [...]ue the World, Fortune, and All (beside)

 [...]se Vanitie, with false gloss gilded o're,

 [...] Mortals, most desire, admire, adore:

 [...]ring, onely, with that holy 
Marie,

 [...] his degree) That 
One thing necessary:

 [...]iring solely th'holy Works, wherein
Almighty Workers wondrous hand is seene:

 [...]ring none but th'Euerlasting 
One;

 [...] louing best; fearing but HIM alone.


[Page 10]Then, bearing aye 
This Oracle imprest
Within the Centre of his royall brest,
That 
A sincere & true-Religious KING,

Feared of All, needs feare at all no-Thing;
Where 
Hee whose Soule hath not This Feare in-layd,

Of none is feared, but of All affraid.
Arm'd with 
This Breast-plate, as with stronger Ar
 [...]
Then Those (of old) blest with inchanting Charm
 [...]
He brau'd all Perills that his Prowesse met,
And His calm Spirit, amid a Storme so great
As would haue cast Youth in a swoune insensible,
Shew'd 
Resolution of a heart inuincible;
Appearing such, indeed, as Painters fain
Great 
Hercules, when 
Iuno's fell disdaign,
Pursuing him, he Monsters quaild and killd;
A Man in Courage, though in Age a Child.
Which well he proou'd to those 
Rebellious Peers,
Who making light of his, then-tender yeers;
And measuring his in-side by his age,
Troubled his State with storms of 
Ciuill Rage:
Armed against him many a Tower & Towne,
Aymed by Ambush to surprise his 
Crowne.
When He, to heale, by necessary Ill,
This Ill, before th'Impostume ouer-fill,


[Page 11] 
 [...] Sword in hand their first Assault preuents;

 [...] as His Subiects, brauely them conuents,

 [...]ome and cast them arm-less at his feet;

 [...]else, as Foes, his armed Force to meet:

 [...]n Him, their true 
Liege (if true 
French they be)

 [...]d in the Field, to take This Offer free,


 [...]nge, or 
Pardon of their past Mis-deeds,

 [...]all the Mischief which the same succeeds.

 [...]one, his Power should press them to, perforce,

 [...]ther, their Duties, vrged with Remorse:

 [...]eir blind Furie did the One contemne,

 [...]ther should poure Death & Disgrace on them.

 [...]! how the words of a braue 
Prince preuaile!

 [...] daring Speech did so their Courage quaile,

 [...] though the cold Ice of a prudent Feare,

 [...]not forth-with put-out their frenzie there;

 [...]id it daily from thence-forth decline,

 [...]all their Flame turn'd but to Fume, in fine.
Those, whose furie dream't a 
Diadem,

 [...]r Side abandon, & disbanding them,

 [...]ct their vaine Hopes; and, in season, flie

 [...]he King's Mercie for their Remedie.

 [...]ers, more dreading Rigour of the Law,

 [...]er protection of the 
English draw:


[Page 12]Guilding their Guilt with friuolous pretences,
Arming their weak Cause with as weak defences;
Till, but increasing their dishonor by't,
Wanting as well good Fortune as good Right,
They'r also faine to beg his Bounty royall,
Ill worthy Them, so obstinate-Disloyall.
What proofs of 
Prowesse, vvhat contēpt of dang
 [...]
Exprest this Prince vpon the enuious Stranger,
On crystall 
Charant, in 
Zantognian Coast,
When false 
la-March, backt with a foraine Host,
Mustred against him from so many parts,
So many Groues of Lances, Pikes, and Darts?
There 
France and 
England, fully bent to Fight,
Had both their Armies in their Order pight;
From Either side mount winged Clowdes amain;
On Either side they poure their Showers againe:
While siluer 
Charant, to haue barr'd their Teene,
Her swelling shoulders did oppose between.
This Riuer makes the Reed-crownd Banks to
By th'arched fauour of a Bridge there is:
Whose gaine or losse (besides the honor) boades,
Or barrs, the Prize of 
Victorie, by ods:
The 
English, friended by a Fort at hand,
Which proudly did the neighbour Plaines cōman
 [...]


[Page 13] 
 [...] won this Passage, and were passing on

 [...]erely to end their 
Victory begun:

 [...]n 
Lewis, rushing to the Bridge, the first,

 [...]ells the Foe, and puts him to the worst;

 [...] dead and wounded all the place he paues,

 [...] then 
Horatius, brauer him behaues:

 [...]artens His: re-haleth from the Foe

 [...] 
Victorie, ready with Them to goe:

 [...]ing alone, as a firm Rock, afront,

 [...]st alone, to beare the Battailes brunt;

 [...]onely marke of many thousand Darts,

 [...]m alone still aimed from all parts:

 [...]t the last, by his example prest,

 [...]inning all, his Armie wonne the rest;

 [...], if his 
Courage shin'd in Conquering,

 [...] did his 
Mildnesse in the managing.

 [...]o can recount, and yet who could conceale

 [...]ustrious 
Vertues, whose industrious zeale

 [...] the World his honors blazed yerst,

 [...]hese mists, these first clowdes were disperst,

 [...]catterd all by the bright-shining Rayes

 [...]is new Sunne, in Summer of his dayes,

 [...] (
Europ's Vmpire) making 
Peace with Men,

War proclaim'd against their 
Vices then?


[Page 14]The glorious Works his Royall 
Vertues did,
Cannot, without impietie, be hid;
Although, without diminishing their Worth,
My 
Muse (alas) can neuer set them forth:
For, of all 
Vertues sacred Tracts (least rife)
His 
Life's a Picture, limmed to the life.
And such a Pattern, as to match again,
The Wish is vertuous, but the Hope is vain:
Sith, the more wondrous 'tis, & Worthy Table
To imitate, 'tis more inimitable.
So that, His 
Worth, weening to-life to limne,
I ouer-reach, in stead of reaching Him:
And, like bad Singers (as too-bold, too-blame)
Sounding His Praise, rather My Selfe I shame.
In heav'nly 
Annals are his 
Acts inrold:
His Royall 
Gests are yet in 
Asia told:
In 
Affrike, yet his 
Valour is renownd:
Through 
Europe euer shall his 
Vertues sound;
And euery-where 
Ninth LEWIS (
Great in Fame
Seems, not a Man's, but very VERTVES Name
Neuer did 
Faith, Honor, Vprightnes, raign,
With 
Constancie, in Soule of SOVERAIN
More pious-giuen, more fearing-God, more Foe
 [...]
To Idol-Rites (Religion's ouerthrowe);


[Page 15] 
 [...] more desirous 
Vertue to preferre,

 [...]propagate CHRIST's 
Kingdom euery-where;

 [...]oot-out 
Vice, to raze 
Idolatry,

 [...] raise the 
Trophies of TRVTH's 
Victory.

 [...]rning with this Desire (his best Delight)

Affrike, twice, He 
Crossed Standards pight,

 [...]old his Life vnto the chance of War;

 [...]ea and Land aduentur'd oft, and far:

 [...]re, seeking Death, at last, He Durance fand,

 [...]in a faith-less, loue-less, law-less Land,

 [...]ere Hee, as Gain, & as to raign, did take,

 [...]erue & suffer for his 
Sauiours sake.

 [...]t, all the Battaills, won and lost to sing,

 [...]ad atchieued by this Valiant King:
Sack of 
Damiete, & the bloudy Spoile


 [...]arazens, both on the Shores of 
Nile,

 [...] of the Sea, thrice strewed (as it were)

 [...] Carcases of 
Pagans slaughtered there:
Siege of 
Cairo, when braue Victorie

 [...]nd all in Black for His Captiuitie:

 [...]acred Terror & Maiestike Grace

 [...]h (from aboue) shin'd in his eyes & Face,

 [...]n two 
Turk-Traitors (with their Swords, in grain

 [...] with the bloud of their late 
Souldan slain)


[Page 16]Comming to kill him, felt, with strange remorse,
Their furie feebled by a secret force;
From murderous fists letting their weapons fall
When they beheld his face maiesticall.
His 
Lybian iourney, when to 
Carthage tho
This Champion seemd another 
Scipio:
Th'honor he won at 
Tunis, where he crownd
His Life & Fortunes, euermore renownd.
In briefe, to vndertake to tell at large
All his Exployts, were a more waighty Charge
Then can the powers of my weak Soule support:
And such a Web to weaue in worthy sort,
Behoues the hand of a more happy Wit,
Both wa
 [...]p and woofe with golden Threds to fit.
I therefore, quitting th'hopefull Arrogance
Sprung from ignoring of our Ignorance,
Shall thinke My Labour crownd sufficient,
If this my speaking 
Pensil, Phoebus lent
To colour Verses, can but duly lim
Least-glittering Raies that shin'd with Praise in H
 [...]
Leauing therefore His Wars discourse to Tho
 [...]
Whose buskind Muse 
Bellona's march out-goes,
Whose Numbers thunder, & whose stile distills
Fresh drops of Death from their heroïck Quills,


[Page 17] 
 [...]fty straines, as grauely, brauely-bold:

 [...]owely sound his 
Laurels less extold,

 [...]h He (at Peace) won in his War with 
Vices,

 [...] happy Toile in holy Exercises.

 [...] as I cannot His high 
Prowes express;

 [...]h-less can I with silent Slothfulness,

 [...]er 
Obliuion's rustie keyes conceale

 [...] wondrous Care, the right religious Zeale

 [...]h from his Youth ay in his heart had burn'd,

 [...]ee 
The seen House of the Lord adornd:

 [...]n this Vertue, none hath neer Him come

 [...]l the Kings haue raignd in 
Christendome.

 [...] for, We owe to Him the Monuments

 [...]h with his bloud 
Our Sauiour's Patience

 [...]d in his 
Passion, & whose Sight, as yet,

 [...]es godly Soules in sad-glad sacred Fit:

 [...]or (abhorring Shepheards bad & blind)

 [...]ious Care boyld in his zealous Minde,

 [...]urn'd his Soule's soule with a hot desire,

 [...] in the 
Church-Ship, none to Charge aspire,

 [...]ilfull, faithfull, carefull, Mariners,

 [...] apt for all Affaires of Hers;

 [...]e holy Labors, in couragious sort,

 [...]e all Storms, may steer into the Port.


[Page 18]Deuoured of this Zeale, and dreading aye
Least He be charged at the latter Day
By th'
onely Iudge, with 
Vice & 
Ignorance
Of those he chose, through all the Folds of 
France,
To Feed the Flocks vnder his Power ally'd:
When's royall office bound him to prouide,
With wondrous Care did he their liues explore,
Who-euer had commended them before:
And neuer gaue he the supreme Degrees,
Th'
Ecclesiastik sacred 
Dignities,
But vnto Those whose 
Life & 
Learning too
Were Eminent, both to 
direct and 
doo;
To feed, as Shepheards; as a Watch, to Ward;
To heale the Sick, Sound from the Wolf to gard,
And carefull Stewards in due time to break
The 
Bread of Life both to the strong and weak:
Not Those whose Eyes deep vaild with 
Ignorance
Or 
Knowledge stain'd with Sinnes 
Exorbitance,
Made like th'old woodden 
Mercuries, erect
In publik 
Wayes, the Passage to direct,
Who, with their 
finger the Right Path did point,
But, with their 
foote could neuer moue a ioynt.
How, how should Those, for Guide & Lantern
 [...]
To th'Ignorance of People prone to swerue;


[Page 19] 
 [...]se Ignorance, deuoid of 
Learnings Light,

 [...]ot discerne from crooked 
Waies the right?
How can Those, foule, Sin-sick Soules recure

 [...]ō Patterns more then Precepts would allure)

 [...]se Eloquence, whose excellence of Wit,

 [...]s their 
Well-saying by 
Ill-dooing it;

 [...]e what they 
Preach, in 
Practice they denie,

 [...]y their 
Deeds, giue their own 
Words the Lie.

 [...]ither the 
Learned, of true 
Vertue void;

 [...]er the 
Vertuous, without 
Learning's aide;

 [...]n the Flock of CHRIST's 
Redeemed deere,

 [...]th'holy 
Sheep hooks sacred Burthen heere,

 [...] that Success which should be wisht by Them

 [...]eek the glory of 
Ierusalem.


 [...]ing and 
Vertue must together match,

 [...] sacred Flocks dulie to 
Weeld and 
Watch:

 [...]'s their pain, who do not 
lead, but 
driue,


 [...]ing like 
Shepheards, while like 
Wolues they 
liue;


 [...]his good Prince: and that same very Thought

 [...] from his hart this holy Speech had brought,

 [...]ht forth th'effect: He did so thirst to see

 [...] flourish; and through th'Industrie


 [...]ourers, diuinely 
Willd and 
Skilld,

 [...]s holy 
Vine-yard, trulie, duly tilld.


[Page 20]Nor was His Care lesse, nor, much lesse, his Zea
 [...]
Of 
Lawes support (Props of the Publik-Weal)
So strict he was & so precise in Choise
Of Those (not waighd but by their Merits poize)
Whom, arming with his Sword, as Delegates,
Hee sent amid the Rank of 
Magistrates,
Garnisht with 
Vertues, grac't with 
Learning, fit
On bright 
Astréas sacred Thrones to sit.
His 
Predecessors, winking at the Crimes,
Or else constraind with Mischiefe of their Times
(All giuen to Gain, greedy of Gold) had made
Of 
Offices a miserable Trade:
Neuer regarding, that they set (withall)
Both Innocence, Honor, & Right to-sale:
Sold, to th'insatiate, 
Licence (as they please)
To pill the People, vnder showes of Ease:
And let the Knaue, with his full 
Purse, preuent
The known long 
Merit of the Excellent.
Hee, seeing This Abuse to ope the Gate
To all 
Iniustice, to confound a State:
The Guiltie quit, the Innocent condemnd;
Wrong countenanc't, Right rated, or contemnd;
And onely 
Fauour (vnder fained Gowne)
O're-ruling Iudgements, 
Equitie put-downe:


[Page 21] 

 [...]e, in Courts vsing her 
Balance bright,

 [...]aight the Parties Money, not their Right:

Ignorance, in Dignities supreame,

 [...]ing their sacred Chayres with Wrongs extream;

 [...]ng too-shame-less, too-vnconscionable,

 [...]t Shee, vnworthy, bought vnreasonable:

 [...]g, in briefe, his Realmes neere Ieopardie:

 [...] strength of Lawes turnd to meer Robberie:

 [...]rant Thefts, with Warrant vnder-handed,

 [...]onely not condemned, but commanded:

 [...]e as his Valor, quelling all his Foen,

 [...]et him quiet on his Fathers Throne,

 [...]anisht quite This sad 
Confusions Cause,

 [...] fatal Death of 
Letters, & of 
Lawes;

 [...]rding to our 
Sauiours blest Example,

 [...] angry chas't the 
Chapmen forth his Temple.

 [...]en, where he met a Well-disposed Wit,

 [...]e 
Knowledge and whose 
Cariage, matching fit,

 [...] him good hope, that beeing (free) prefard,

 [...]ould be th'Orphans & the Widowes Gard;

 [...]oore's Protector, in their Right to stand:

 [...]e for 
Fauour; & for 
Bribes, no hand;

 [...]we of Threats, and for Intreats no Eare,

 [...]g aside, 
Loue, Hatred, Hope, and 
Feare,


[Page 22]When he shall sit as Oracle, to doome;
Where Man is vnto Man, as in God's Roome:
Him would this noble Prince freelie 
create
A 
Chancelour a 
Iudge, a 
Magistrate,
A 
Deane, a 
Bishop; without busie Suit
Of bribed Minions basely to pursu't.
O euer-wished, neuer hoped Dayes,
Which Gold's-contempt so gilt with golden Ray
How calm you past! How was the People blest,

All the small vvorkes of that famous poet Iosuah Siluester Gathered into one volume. — Selections

Author: Sylvester, Josuah, 1563-1618.1620

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

To the Honourable, Sir Robert Carie: Sir Iames Fullarton: Sir Robert Carr: Sir Dauid Foulis: M r. Thomas Murray.

TO The High-Hopeful CHARLES, Prince of Great-Britanne.

TO The right Honourable Lords Spirituall & Temporall: The Knights and Burgesses of the Lower-House: & To all generous and ingenuous Readers.

Names of the Nobles in This Parliament, Interpreted.

Interpretation of other tearmes vsed in This Parliament.

PANARETVS.

BETHVLIANS Rescue. THE FIRST BOOKE.

BETHVLIANS Rescue. THE SECOND BOOKE.

BETHVLIANS Rescue. THE THIRD BOOKE.

BETHVLIANS Rescue. THE FOVRTH BOOKE.

BETHVLIANS Rescue. THE FIFT BOOKE.

BETHVLIANS Rescue. THE SIXT BOOKE.

TO The most Royal Lady ELIZABETH, Infanta of England; Princess PALATINE of Rhine.

Souhaits Royaux & Loyaux.

LITTLE BARTAS.

To the right-Right Honourable, HONORIA, Wife of IAMES, Lord HAY, Sole Daughter and Heire of EDVVARD Lord DENNY.

THE MAP OF MAN.

CERTAIN EPIGRAMMS of the same M r. H.S. Translated; & Dedicated To my deer-affected, due-respected, D r. HALL, & D r. HILL.

EPIGRAMMS.

1. Of a King.

2. Of a Lawyer.

3. Of a Physician.

4. Of a Diuine.

5. Of a Iudge.

6. Of a Husbandman.

7. Of a Captaine.

Of all the Seauen.

LACHRYMAE LACHRYMARVM. A Funeral Elegie.

The Argument, in an EPITAPH.

AN EPITAPH.

ANOTHER.

To the right Honorable, the Lord Vi-count LISLE, and his most vertuous Lady: To Sir Robert SIDNEY, Knight, their Hopefull Sonne: To the most Worthy Lady WROTH, with the rest of their right vertuous Daughters: & To all the Noble SIDNEYS & SEMI-SIDNEYS.

An ELEGIAC EPISTLE.

To[?] the Right Reuerend &[?] Ho­norable FAther, GEORGE ABBOT, Lord ARCH-Bishop OF CANTERBVRY.

TO The Right Honourable, The Lord ELESMORE, L. High Chancelour of England. *THOMAS EGERTONVS: (Anagramma) *NESTOR THEOMAGVS.

To the Right Honourable, WILLIAM HARBERT, Earle of Penbroke, Lord Chamberlaine, &c.

To the Right Honorable, Sir EDVVARD COKE, Knight; Lord Chief Iustice of Eng­land, and one of his Ma­iesties most Honorable Priuie Councell. *EDVARDVS COCVS: (Anagramma) *SVCCEDO, ARDVVS.

TO The Right Honourable Lords Spirituall & Temporall; The Knights and Burgesses of the Lower-House; & To all generous and ingenuous Readers.

IOB TRIƲMPHANT in his Triall.

The Proëm.

The second Booke.

The third Book.

The fourth Booke.

EPITAPHIVM IOBI.

TO The Right Honourable, HENRY WRIOTHESLEY, Earle of South-hampton, &c.

MEMORIALS of Mortalitie.

TO The Right Honorable, ROBERT DEVREVX, Earle of Essex & Ew, &c.

MEMORIALS of Mortalitie.

To the Right Honorable WILLIAM CECILL, Earle of Salisbury.

THE [...]opheis of the Vertues and Fortune of HENRIE the Great.

TO My Gracious Lord, THE PRINCE.

A HYMNE of S t. LEWIS (The ninth of that Name) King of France.

To the Honourable, Sir Robert Carie: Sir Iames Fullarton: Sir Robert Carr: Sir Dauid Foulis: M ^r. Thomas Murray.

BETHVLIANS Rescue.
THE FIRST BOOKE.

CERTAIN EPIGRAMMS of the same M ^r. H.S. Translated; & Dedicated To my deer-affected, due-respected, D ^r. HALL, & D ^r. HILL.

To[?] the Right Reuerend &[?] Honorable FAther, GEORGE ABBOT, Lord ARCH-Bishop OF CANTERBVRY.

TO The Right Honourable, The Lord ELESMORE, L. High Chancelour of England. THOMAS EGERTONVS:
(Anagramma) NESTOR THEOMAGVS.

To the Right Honorable, Sir EDVVARD COKE, Knight; Lord Chief Iustice of England, and one of his Maiesties most Honorable Priuie Councell. EDVARDVS COCVS: (Anagramma)
SVCCEDO, ARDVVS.

A HYMNE of S ^t. LEWIS (The ninth of that Name) King of France.