ENCOMIASTICKE Elogies.
Written by AVGVSTINE TAYLOR.
LONDON Printed by Nicholas Okes. 1614.
To the Reader.
LEt me intreate (where e're these come by chance)
Them silent, whom's betray'd by Ignorance.
A. T.
HIS BOOKE.
A Handfull I present: no more because
Such reuerence, serues my Patrons: Order draws
These labours, in these limites: Being first,
My actions forme's a stranger; and vnnurst
By whether censure should, or good, or ill;
Doubting (how e're 'tis needfull) that my skill
Produces in this kind. Suffice the frame
Keepes concord in the time, More doth remaine
My store shall after publish: But suppose
A discord; Then this little I disclose
Is more, too much: then if it were the best,
Too little: onely for because doth rest
To lawfull heights, a staire. When no amends
Can scape a fall, where rude neglect ascends.
I see times errours, and dares not accord
To wade by Star-light where the Tyde and Ford
Are strangers to mee: Venturing when the Sunne
Daignes to discouer passage, then what's done
May see to do in th'action, I'le refraine
After he, takes a cloud-maske, seemes to blame
My entrance. This comes to the best of men
To borrow true light. Neuer shall my pen
Proceede without commission; and obscur'd
Vnder not couering wings: I am assur'd
That I expect, there, is not. If to whom
My budding labours go; be turn'd. At home
I not reserue my after times, to spend
But forraging, mourne disability. Lend
Best able, here some grace. Censure my rime
To the vnripenesse of my thriuing time,
That grant; and proue my merite how it must;
I must, and would embrace it: and 'tis iust.
Your names, speakes your owne worthes. How ere I'm made.
By his chiefe seruant loue may be betrai'd.
[Page]Encomiasticke Elogies.
ENCOM. 1. TO BRITAINE.
T'Admire these appositions when them stand
By are iudicious; not to vnderstand
Will force thy wonder censur'd. Properly stand
Who ere would greet a King, should with his Land
Proclaime's acquaintance. Britaine I may sing
The fairest Land rul'd by the worthiest King;
Altissimè: super-Ela. Nearest dumbe
Speake of thy praisers praise; not sing't but hum
T'aland so worth, vnequal'd: should my Muse
(Charg'd with loues-duties-zeale,) the speech refuse
The land and nature ownes? and others vse?
That were to publish. But them cannot chuse
Speakes English. This contempt to strangers knowne:
They'l find iust cause to disesteeme our owne
After wee catch at theirs. Who did digresse
Grecian? or Romane?
Homers worthinesse
Got wing in Greece, he did not's country scorne.
And
Virgil; all grant famous'd first, and borne
In Mantua. Britaine, we may be bold
To speake thee well as Greeke, or Romane could,
Speake Greece, or Rome. And if bee lost, thy part
Of glory: The defect comes to our Art
And claimes th'originall. O I spye the cause,
Defection 'tis, that th'imperfection drawes
To be our share: This time amend might bring,
To make them leaue to hum, that cannot sing.
Silence to discord; worthy'st Sonneting
Might entertaine her valew: length her wing.
Our language giues, as best: 'tis
Sidneyes friend,
And he its more: Sweet'st
Daniell (as vnkend)
My better deere respect, respects. There bee
Praise-worthy others: But great'st throng I see
Nor sence, nor accent holds. Thus Poesie's slaine!
Hee that thinkes to be heard, must strip the straine
Of the time iangling discords: best, complaine
And pitty;
Abell, to be kil'd by
Caine.
To build yet, glory; and make Brittaine stand,
Is t'make our Language famous: So's our land:
Since our best, King; best Muses fauours, thus.
Shal's change a
melior, to an
optimus.
ENCOM. 2. Consecrated to the worthiest of men, IAMES by the Grace of God, King of Great Brittaine, France, and Ireland, &c. Truest Defendor of the Truest Faith.
COmmemorable most, by such that can
With true faire course, know how to lift a man
Aboue the men: Who can so, may relate;
Thy vertues further do precede thy State
In glory; then thy state is seene excell
Degree of low'st compare: And aptly well
Excited to expresse a share in which
A poore m'acquire acceptance as a rich:
So, th'action brings. To thee I ioy to sing:
My Iudge is Europes, (Poets) chiefest King.
EN BRITANNIA.
Behold a stranger sight, nor strange because
Expected, and desir'd; 'tis action drawes
The admiration on's: When for a flight
To see, we stor'd our Turrets: then not might
Preiudicate the forme: 'Gaine; tops be storing;
(You saw the iourneing) but to note the soaring
Of a most Princely Bird: When from the North
Of Albion, did Princely enter forth
An Eagle, and along by's Lordly side,
Accompanied, the fairest, worthiest Bride
As could her Sexe preferre; And next to them
Came the next worthiest, of that royall Stem.
This Princely Worthies Leader, onward came
Imperiously: Whose Style and happy Name,
Fame's Trumpets notic'd. Glad (for that he is,)
Conceiue him comne: Not heare from Tuesis
His progresse needs conscrib'de. For how ere so
My Horology could, it may not show
To them Testators: that they better know.
To Thames, there holds his course; Th'Eagles on wing,
Not highly spher'd since comne: He was the King
Of all his kind, and richest in renowne,
Before the time gaue to him Englands Crowne;
'Twas Englands custome that her crown'd still King'd
Th'vnking'd, before receiuer; he hath bring'd
Another Crowne to hers. A fruitfull Queene.
Made's happy with an Aciry to keep greene,
Our (when change) dying court; so erst,
sed non
The time shewes grants, a blessed vnion
To command forraigne good; by him is ioyn'd
Our ioyes to Guard. Nor stamp nor impresse coin'd
By powerfull'st foe, can iniure's, &c.
Wee serue the best example; peace hath done
Britaine more grace, then euer sword. And wonne,
And weares more: and th'old freedome. Such a Bird
Our Eagle's knowne, the low'st voice is heard
That humbly craues admittance; and respected:
He soares not so past call, as sees neglected
Oppression. Neither low but that his height,
Sees vertue truely honour'd, with her weight
In all that's to aduance her. Keepes a hould,
Nor high, nor low: but as an Eagle should
Obserue, to be obseru'd. This matchlesse obiect
Approues himselfe true King, and loyall Subiect.
Subiect to vertues, to all ills, oppressor.
All Rights maintainer, and all wrongs redressor.
He's best. Thinke him (then I speake) better, &c.
More knowes this, then knowes thee: It can be found
That is not heare, but for't so true a ground
As truth. And being so, this little frame
Comes singularly but to attend thy name,
For large ones, liue thy vertues.
To thy most sacred Maiesty, comes thus
Conioyned loue and duty: not
solus
Appeare can either: from a new rise Muse,
Of yeares scarce twenties-teller: Not in vse
With the times straine so earely. For this first,
Great Maiesty daigne grace. What if the worst,
Because then borne? Yet after shall my swan
Proue; Britaines Soueraigne is aboue a man.
Immortall, more then humane. Time shall sing,
Of but one King; 'boue
Iames, Great Britaines King.
In altissimo Coelo.
Your Maiesties humble, and true-faithfull Subiect. Augustine Taylor.
ENCOM. 3. To the great and hopefull CHARLES, Prince of Great Britaine and Ireland, &c.
TOp-spring of Britaines hope, as to the Sphere,
Whence dearest expectation waits, to heare
The voice of her content. To thee I meane,
That on the sluce of Englands Hippocreane
Ascends in good, to grace the land, and streame.
More do admire, then vnderstand the state
Of vertues thine; could them admire, relate
Thy Princely true proportion in all parts:
'Twould vrge those can but meanest part of Arts
Aduancement; offer such true notes to thee,
Would force admir'd, thy good, their loyalty,
Through euery knowing clime; that vnderstands
What Prince, and Subiect meanes. To all those lands
That whilome cal'd Rome Mistresse;
Caesars to
Stood seruants-like, vncapt, I giue to kno:
Romes Triumphes can but boast, t'haue beene times preter
Britaines but late begunne, therefore times detter.
Our Thames (then) Tyber equals. Our Swans be
Knowne publicke sprung from so great Royalty
As then was hers. The difference can but this,
Such was on Tyber; is on Thamesis.
Not Europe-ruling-
Caesars, thus had liu'd
Famous'd by infants breath; had they not giu'd
A life to Poesie: Fairest Tombes will breake,
Rust, and consume; not Poesie whilst any speake,
Of any Language spoken. Know great Prince
The wortrthi'st ornaments that Princes, since
They tooke the name, was left, and onely fram'd
By Poesie: and is. Who is there nam'd
That's well accounted worthy, would not vse
Before a dead seene picture, what a Muse
(Well able) can produce?
Nesciunt.
Th'one a short time endures, and honours neuer
Them it presents: Th'other continues euer
Whil'st vertue's good: and honours. Being men,
The best of Natures fabricke: Why should then
Pictures be thought so worth? as if he dy'd
That did not leaue his equall. If not try'd
To be in substance; yet in shew 'tis knowne:
Hee ne're was knowne depart, that like his owne
Left no proportion: For some worth (indeed)
Death leaues not life example, I do heed
By accidents. Then, such parts to expresse
Nature and Art, confirmes tru'st tuteresse
From Poesie. All worth and euery action
Re-acts in noting thoughts; thence. Yet giue faction
Of painting euen course: but grant it so
That Poesie stand to publish: Euery showe
Being substanc'd, better's honour'd, vertue's like
To liue thy age, in thee: Then be to seeke
New shelter, leaue her not: still in thy name
Thy worth, and shee shall share great'st pars of fame.
In Arts and Vertues ripe; thy actions show
Now when thy yeares but greene: All hope to know
Both mature; both exceed. Now
Melior est,
Altior, ascendens: Thriuing to the best;
And thought fame, breath to lend. This harmony
(Plaid by an actiue Muse) doth wait to see
From thee repaire; and from thee fetch a straine
For a tenth worthy; Englands
Charlemaigne.
Th'art in the fairest path, for rule best Rules,
When Princes Courts turne Academicke schooles.
Proceed great Prince, and shall thy time, thy seed,
Summon best Trumpets at fames lips, to bleed.
Your Highnesse obseruant,
AVGVSTINE TAYLOR.
ENCOM. 4. To ANNE, the sacred Queene of Great Brittaine, &c. Her most excellent Maiesty.
NOt lou'd
Pandora, when her
Thessaly
Perswaded; not a Queene so worth as shee,
The world did, nor could nurse.
Deucalion
To see his mother; glory'd. Study'd on
Her seuerall gifts, alow'd: and did perswade,
So true perfection Nature er'st not made,
Nor after would: and she was cause alone,
That some haue little beauty, and some none.
The chiefe of natures store,
Deucalion
Sufficed was his mould. Great Britaines
Anne
Is better worth to King, State, Land, and mee:
Then e'rst
Pandora was to
Thessalie.
Vertues were there, but better now is here
Men now are more iudicious, then they were
Then: and more this confirmes? Nature no more
Expects thought can demand; then's in the store
Of the impresse shee gaue thee. Art to that
Conioines such right, as knowledge wonders at:
And may become a Queene. Not that I know,
Can giue least grace to woman, but to show
This vertues Patronesse can. But by thy worth
Ne're in thy sex. My thoughts had noted forth
The difference what might be. In that doth shine
Matter immortall, greater part diuine.
To speake thy eu'ry worth is more to do
Till (number'd some) I thought on. Comming to
A curious frame, to see it all that come
Their sights hold it like deare: but when to some
The worth and how 'tis done, the Architect
A stranger comes to view; 'tis s'indirect
To censure, yet right famous: He will tell
He must haue time to note it, it seemes well.
The more he speakes it betters't: grants it such
As he not knew, neither can praise so much
As it deserues. But then to grace the deed,
And end his taske, he sweares it doth exceed.
I leaue thee so imperfect; 'tis so when
One man has made a worke that n'other men
Nor vnderstands, nor frames: T'admire is all
The vnconceiuing can; and so I shall
As such, my charge effect: and nearer breake,
They do admire and's dumbe, I'dmire and speake
Pandora's super-equal'd.
Pallas gaue
Not so much wisedome as th'art seene to haue:
Venus not so much beauty. And for skill
In heauenly numbers not
Apollo will
Disclose hee better grac'd her.
Mercury
For breath-sweete numbers the like straine to thee,
To her allow'd not. These were all her store:
These all be thine, and better. Others more:
Chastity, euery vertue. Thou art knowne
Past her in number: past her in her owne.
Past my comparison. Time thy Stile shall bring;
The Daughter, Sister, Wife vnto a King:
And mother in future. Thou art onely Queene
Of spacious Brittaine; where two late hath beene,
And where not long since many. Long remaine
Blest mother; to another,
Charlemaigne.
And I shall liue to see the thame inioy
Another
Illion in another Troy.
So Noble spirits set her breast vpon
As were the grand sonnes of
Laomedon,
And much more happy.
There shall thou be recorded by the Muses
So long as Thame keepes her opposed sluces
From kissing either other.
Educere vtinam potuero!
Your Maiesties freely deuoted seruant.
AVGVSTINE TAYLOR.
ENCOM. 5. TO TIME.
SVbiections nurse; nor subiect but t'attend
The Soule. The course of thee to apprehend.
Not to our part belongs: nor that's my aime.
Time past leaues what hee was, nor I to gaine
What part's to come, affect; nor should: but that
A safety thence deriu'd. I wish but at
The present to conioine: suffice I do.
How that's spent past, them past haue witness'd so
I do retaine some formes. How now it is
Most see, but few can censure: Some say this,
Age, as the worst is knowne: This may be scan'd,
Dispraise sits hud-wink'd; Some may meane this land
That discommends another. All lands ill:
I speake to flattery ignorant; But will
My speech (for that) b'alow'd? I know it may.
He that can free it, reels not in the sway;
Of them, that's now vnweldy. He's aboue
In strength, as in his vertues: Those that moue
Spher'd in the basest element; and keepe
No duties to good frame: The time doth weepe;
(From them) to take the wrongs. And can expresse
Our land the best; and worst: best, to possesse
Such treasures, such a King; and worst, because,
Not these superiours, the possessours drawes
To gratefulnesse; and change: A change is ment
From the abuses ripe. More doth exempt
Our actions heere, bad acted; From the hope
Of absolutions, then theres in no scope
Of gouernment. Wee haue examples tell
In that we do; in that we do not well.
And what's well done's distinguish'd: And with those
That good intreates, good actions may repose
And th'Authour strength'd to do. We cannot say
Wee know not what's to do, for wee betray
Our selues that to alledge: The truth is so,
(I know wee may) I know we will not know.
To right belong the charge! but stay; I said
To see the forme of times Encomion made.
And shall; his wrongs, describ'd; assist the part
I promis'd. Nor Ile runne int' a desert
Confusedly, of all his wrongs to say,
I make my charge, but part: to giue a way
Of vnderstanding t'all. Hee is so cleere
As innocence: His subiects do appeare
Many deform'd, in manners; not in shape:
Whence growes this strange effect? Another rape
Must time in sable plaine, and 'gaine before
Th' offendor see th'offence? must all our store
Admitted for our good, dure this neglect?
Sad desolation shall againe effect
Confusions end? More chaos present like,
The more my thoughts attend: it seemes to strike
I feare when not expected. What's the vse
(Vnmannerly) should these effects produce?
Ambition. All mistrust confirmes the same
For primate agent. Ill! behold the frame
Of times-disorder-breeder: first a man
Grounds my description: do's attire but scan
In substance, as in show. Wee haue of those
Whence as the vulgar deemes; most strangely groes
A more then mortall state. Nor this effect
Makes this, thus censur'd for any respect
Of inn, but outward show. Poore ignorance
(Decay'd in selfe, and censure.) In a trance
Stands, painting, idolizing. It is so
Substance liues (much) vncensur'd: men not know
Its being in this Maske. My selfe haue beene
I'th' neighboring lodge to Gallants; with them, seene,
I shall not boast to say: Nor I agree,
Nor glories, that such should be seene, with mee:
Yet thus much I conceiu'd; some are within
Deafe, as vnfurnisht wainscoate; and begin
A serious Discourse, fals in a trance
The all they can is pace, and countenance:
And but, by seasons, them, and yet be these
Attir'd as the not-knowing a disease
Of humane course. Here; if all them attends,
Attain'd construction. Noting, well the ends
Thy would be harshe, as tedious. That ambition
These times wins thus, aduancement: the permission
Giues not s'vnciuill freedome. 'Tis admir'd
Ambition t'enter where nothing's acquir'd
To glory in. Admit the best that can;
Or birth, or fate, attributed to man:
And he to whom 'tis lent, discretly know,
(And vse) humility; hee obserueth so
But as he should. And this I haue discern'd
Out of the time, in worthinesse best learn'd
Who euer bee: makes not his habite such
As can betray his worth, hee doubts so much
His owne debility. I do euer note
Them inly poore seeke honour by their coate
To purchase. But all the conceiuing will
Conceiue how things are done; and to them, ill;
Reserue a pension fit. Proud ignorance
May passe, past all the vulgar; and aduance
Her forme 'boue their conceite: but (surely) shall
By th'able bee distinguish'd; and then fall
From the improper height, to one more true:
Merite must inioy right, vnright haue due.
Our Rector,
rectè grants. Longer to runne
In Meeter on these Oddes, procures not done
The part that's vndone. Th'enemy to time
Ambition's prou'd; a monster, cannot clime
T'her height alone; but by all ills ascend:
To other sinnes, sinnes want: but doe contend
In her together, which shall stuffe the chaire
Excesse is crown'd in. Time, now to declare
His wrongs and not be tedious; speakes ambition,
In whom the rest are nurs'd; with this petition
Intreates amends: That shee may loose her foote.
The branches cannot wither, whil'st the roote
So largely can command. This ruining crime
'Has men betray'd: and now's betraying time.
But I haue much digress'd: I vow'd to time
An
Apotheosis, in panygiricke line.
And may what's said obserue: What's said's obseru'd
In prouing him iniur'd. A time's reseru'd
To Authoriz'd due castigations on
Them euer time abus'd. How ere vpon
His course we do complaine: Right vnderstood;
Subiects, offend most where their King is good.
Them t'ill inclin'd. A good and vertuous King
Desires; expects a change; and lothes ro bring
Confusion to the vnreform'd. Is not
That pilgrime to b'vnpitty'd, that forgot
The path he present trode. And like a child
When't feeds th'affection; and's drawne on, beguil'd
By some smoth wanton way. But in th'end finding
The path turn'd, crooked, indirect, and winding:
Fals vnto running; runnes and giues not ore,
And running's further then it was before,
From thither it was sent. This, like his part
That towards the Sunnes decline in a desart
Is lost, and catch'd by night: and e're't be day
Is wearied so, and so farre out the way:
He liues strange t'a returne. Sayes, the Sunne shall
Set, and then rise. And rise before he fall.
All's hope's in custome. Still the carelesse sonne
To doe his owne; his father's errand's vndone.
The Time's on crutches, and to shew wee fals
Presents vs daily with sad funerals.
Ne're more was to reform's; the time, the King
Betters, and were it not that he did bring
Great safety on's. I could not finde to say
Encomions to time. Our King's, our stay,
Whose actions we may imitate; secure.
Hee ventures nothing that to win's so sure;
Safty, as he that second. Euer rest
This Land, this King, Queen, Prince and Councel best.
These giue the time all glory. And these giue
Best fame to time; that to best time, shall liue.
ENCOM. 6. TO ƲERTƲE.
IF now so worth, as in the ages past
Why now not so much honour'd? is the taste
Of them (be fits) retaine thee: so decai'd
They not conceiue thy full? how was betrai'd
Thy first all-ruling course? Cannot the time
Retaine thy good perfection? Is the clime
By ignorance bereau'd? I know it's not:
Th'art knowingly exil'd, most haue forgot
Thy custome, with their will, Yet is thy rest
Assur'd with him, and them that can the best
Manage thy forme. And but to them estrang'd
That from the vulgar elements, are chang'd
To reele in fortunes sphere: Such that esteemes
Not man for what hee is. But what hee seemes
To bee. To these degrees I do exempt
My Muse from speaking their, &c. Contempt
Shall after times attend the sort: and death
Shall spend all memory of them, After breath
Concludes the funerall Sermon, not a tongue
Deliuer shall their names. Except among
The infamous to ranke them. If man so
Intreates his fame may after ages kno
As truth allowes. What more is vertues friend
Then Poesie, if will the Muses tend
Cleerely, to what they should? Ciuillity
Is now disproper censur'd in th'agility
Shee can at best performe. And ruder notes
Fils, times infection: breathed from the throtes
Of impudence. To serue no vertue, these
Not, selfe-applauding pens; the worthlesse please
With others worthy labours: and apply
A part vnto their Patrons; plac'd awry
Directer aimes approue. And gather'd thence
Where as the ground is free (as innocence,)
From any seruice, from them. These haue nought
But borrow'd ends to offer. Nothing bought.
But Bastard ill-made issues. And these do
So cloud the truer borne, makes vertue go
Attir'd, not like her selfe. Did not the times
Giue ignorant worthlesse patrons, to these crimes,
It would bee as it should bee. Yet the times
Hath wonne a maister that neglects these crimes,
And's a repairing vertue. And I hope
To see her limites haue so large a scope,
As whilome, euer. 'Tis our turne to bring
Now, if ere Britaines fame. Times-poets-king
Accords to the designe. And wee haue leaue
His vertues, pass'd. Exceeding; now to heaue.
Them properly, our store may take in hand.
But stay. Another part t'our fairest land.
Mount-seated Atlas reares him vp to see
His traded skye-course; all is arts agree
Our clime the happi'st: seeing it so cleere,
(Banish'd by females) would inhabite heere.
For these be gratefull, artfull. True proclaime,
Now vertues aid: can perfect vertues aime.
ENCOM. 7. To the right Honourable Robert, Earle of Sommerset, &c.
HIm this attends that may to mee giue grace,
Though I not him. Thy truely honour'd place
So worthily's respected. 'Mongst which all
My zeale; profession look'd for: though so small
A part be put to publish't: This attends
T'attend thy Lordly name. My Art extends
Not to that high commission, as can giue
More fame then that which doth already liue
Thy names attendant, and not more apt vse
Thy stare needs from the seruice of a Muse
Then he that's selfe supporter. Yet for that
Past worthies, in past times, haue reuerenc'd what
A Muse free-borne prefer'd. To thy true worth
My Muse in her owne coulours, sendeth forth
A part proclaimes thee Lord on't. The time can
Show, better lines attends a worser man:
But therefore his Muse tax'd him; did agree,
To tye her course to seruile flattery:
So, wrong produc'd to both. I am too short
Of what thy merite claimes; and more report
Reports, then I haue said. Did but thy acts
Beare outward signes like some. I could contract
(That not the best do do) to thy desert
A columne; greater much, yet true a part
As this, that all confirme. Thy vertues are;
To many, strange; and pretious as th'are rare
So worth, their merite paid may duly ranke
Thee in the Spheare of worth. Nor needs thou thanke
Fortune: th'art not her Subiect. I reioyce
Our vertuous King will make so truely choice
Of vertue, and aduance her. These times bee
Stuff'd full with sonnes sprung from Nobilitie
But they be sonnes ecly s'd. I'ue vnd rstood
Some sonnes are worthlesse that had f
[...]thers good.
Men giue not vertues, where they giue their bloud.
Th'art by bloud, worthy; and by vertues so
'Tis euident, an vnderstanding foe
Speakes not against thy state. The enuious sum
Knowing not dispraise, will to praise be dum.
Iudgment commends thy course: Thy course not needs
Of worthier ornaments. If of thy deeds
My Muse b'alow'd to sing; and can haue place
Of lik'd acceptance, in thy able grace:
No welcome's more desir'd. And my next frame,
Better shall speake thy worth; then this thy name.
Your vertues true obseruer.
AVG. TAYLOR.
ENCOM. 8. To the right Honourable, WILLIAM Lord Mounteagle, &c.
IReuerence more; the more I vnderstand
The customes thou obseru'd. Vnto the land
Thriuing I see thy state, to do all right
Such power could ere acquire. Not by the sight
Of feasting eyes thy noblenesse can bee
Truely distinguish'd. For I could not see
When first I saw thee, any gorgeous signe
Like them, some great men vse to make them shine
In show, where substance is the most vnsound.
Yet at first sight I did perceiue the ground.
Of good consist in thee; with all that can
Know what aduanceth and becomes a man
The best. Will grant it thine. I see in thee
The best forme of (rich-stor'd) humility
Possesse a comely scope. When such a part
I saw thee, patronize: Thy great desert
I censur'd as 'tis prou'd. And being so
As King and Country loues, I do besto
This embleme truely thine: Nor drawne for feare,
But onely loue, and merite. It is cleare
(And I'm but last that spyd't) thy countries friend
Thy Country will confesse. Should I commend
The good that all approue? admit the rest
(I'le speake against my selfe) those loue thee best
That wants an Art to publish. This I do
For that th'art truely lou'd, and my loue to
Make euident as theirs. Thy name, thy state,
In meetest order well doth celebrate.
But heere too short my Muse thy worth hath said:
I doubt, of great-things, I haue small-things made.
Aug. Taylor.
ENCOM. 9. To the Truly-Honourable and right worthy, Sir THOMAS GERRARD of Brinn, Knight Barronet, one of his Maiesties Honourable Priuy Chamber, &c.
I Cannot leaue to write vnlesse thou leaue
To bee what now thou art. Nor death bereaue
Can thee from out my verse. Onely a change
From thy best worthy forme, but makes mee strange;
The graue not shall. My labours on thy name
Shall long attend, as English can feed fame.
Though yong my Muse; yet not for that for thus:
Suffice shee
peior claimes,
sed pessimus
I know her merite pass'd. How ere I know
This gift's, to him that can, and will bestow
Mee right. And from the time if bee my fate
To gaine a sober gray I shall thy state
Leaue in directer coulours. Th' art so true
By birth and action worthy: to thy veiw
My better part I send. My Muse had wing
From thy protection: and a voice to sing
From out thy bounty. Shall I tell thee what?
I would
[...]ot giue thee this, but onely that
I know thee worthy more. In speaking thee
This part conferres not all that ought to bee.
The times, what thou hast beene, I can approue
Can witnesse: 'twas, thy action, wonne the loue
And grace of late
Eliza. All her Court
Not yeelded, to maintaine a Princely sport,
A worthier Gentlemen. Admit it so
Thy age were vndeseruing; I do kno
Thou are the worthiest of the best esteeme:
If not for that thou art, for that th'has beene.
Thou art for past admir'd; for present lou'd:
And with the best respects. In thee hath mou'd
Delight, and wisedome. This reward doth fall;
Th'art lou'd of God, King, State, Land, mee; and all.
A. Taylor.
ENCOM. 10. To the Lord Arundell of Wardor, &c.
I, said; to giue a Lord my loue; to one
That nearely knew him; he said euer none
So form'd, his Lord accepts; and did aduise
Mee to be silent. I to him replyes
(Seeming my friend) to such a worthlesse Lord
Were I's director hee should not accord
To do him seruice; and I told him, I
Wisht not to know his Lord, neither would ty
(To write) my Muse to flattery. For my part
I deeme him worthlesse that esteemes not Art
Cloth'd in this ancient vest: so that it bee
Pass'd the rude common straines society.
To thee, as not of them that to a Muse
Free-borne giues no respect; I know to vse
Both word and sword thou can, and art so farre
From Poesie's neglect, as th'art from warre
Dispraising.
Caesar, Muses 'greed vnto,
And did himselfe the part they could not do:
Because vnknowers too't. Thou that tooke pleasure
To forme a March; daigne now to ree de a Measure.
More, had my Muse to send, and onely to
Thy true renowne; then I do here besto:
This grac'd, more's bound t'attend. To one more fit,
Then to the maister both of warre, and wit;
I do not seeke to flye to. Thou being so,
All vertues worthy patron; I do owne
Thee truly what I giue. If some do say
I giue a booke to thee, thee th'other day
I did not know by sight. More famous then
Thou needs art prou'd: From knowing fame, I when
Haue all confirm'd I giue; and but this comes
T'vnite part of thy praise; that so the summes
Vngather'd, plaines imperfect. This, thee to
Concurres, that worthily can say, and do.
Augustine Taylor.
ENCOM. 11. To the Renowned Knight, Sir FRANCIS BACON his Maiesties Atturney Generall, &c.
ARts strong supporter, should I faile to bring
My Swan to shore, and brought a shore; her wing
Not perfectly aduanc'd, I shall repent
I, tooke a taske too great. Too insolent
Ile grant my selfe t'haue beene. I much do care
To place thy worth; which, may with best compare.
Bounties great Patron, nor extends that part
Of generous nature; but where true desart
Hath done; or's hop'd to do: Thou vnto those
Art bounties patron; not that daily growes
To giue thy lap their actions. But to such
As of good seruice giues the smallest much
To King or Country. Th'art a worthy friend
To King and Country. Who will striue to bend
His power with all his strength, when hee to whom
His action, gathers forme lies farre, ot's gon
From th'actor dilligent? and not any stayes
To giue the doer, nor reward, nor praise?
Who could forsakes to do; when no respect
Sees merite kept vntomb'd. Thou art the man
Assignes deserts, rewards: Such worth, that wan
The longest Fame, From time; what grac'd more true
Augustus Caesar, then his granting due
To merite? I amongst, them wits so ripe
That 'bout thee lodge, presents a witness'd type
Of thy true being, who can censure right
Thy worth, and how too short this all I write
Stands of thy best. I wish that all, the all
I giue, be truely censur'd: as this shall.
Retaine my loue how ere attir'd it goes
A worthier Knight I know him not, that knowes.
A. Taylor.
ENCOM. 12. To the right Worshipfull Alexander Presscott, Alderman of the Honourable Citty of LONDON.
BEst of thy place, belou'd: by mee admir'd:
Why so, I shall diuulge: thy State's acquir'd
So worthily; as shall exalt thy fame
To merites height; and there stand with thy name
An vnknowne times-progression. Not as theirs
Thy worth's obtain'd, that houer in the spheres
Of greatnesse: and for no desert's made great,
But seruile flattery; or resuming shapes,
Ridiculous obseruations: Knaues, turne apes.
Singularly attain'd to where now set
By vertue not by fate; thou art indebt
To thee, for thy aduancement: else to none
But vnto him that merite sets in throne.
And being as thou art so well becomes
Thy actions, thy authority; as these somes
I ably can produce: Th'art lou'd for loue;
Reuerenc'd for iustice; vertue's set aboue
Thy will; and thou allowes't. Ne're whilome was
Thy sphere so grac'd, but honour'd. Now doth passe
Rewards to like deserts: and now presents
My Muse her loue. Though her vnskill exempts
From publicke veiw some parts that shoud attend
Conioin'd; with these on thee: yet do befriend
My Muse, with thy acceptance; if nor I
Nor shee can gaine't: yet may thy country try
Thy natiue loue to hers; much then to her
Who will not grant thou grants. I do conferre
Thee rank'd with best deserts. Though my course rare.
Clear'st Starres serue Cinthia; when the night's fayr'st faire.
A. TAYLOR.
ENCOM. 13. To the worthy Gentleman M r. THOMAS STANDISH, (sonne and Heire to the right Worshipfull ALEXANDER STANDISH of Duxbury, Esquire) of Graies-Inne.
ONce can my toyling Muse, contest to know
Vertues, in tender yeares. So true a show
Of all that hopes expect, (I note) begin
In thee ground deriuation: I had bin
Ingratefull to my wombe, if not to thee
I had confer'd my loue: Nor loue from mee
Attends, but where true merite's. Thou art borne
The best as generous; and of store t'adorne
Thy selfe in times quaint habits: and so do,
And when so done, more store belongs vnto
Thee innly, then thy outward 'tyring can
Expresse. Th'art a true-worthy Gentleman.
Patron of Arts. In other tongues, and lands;
Speaker, and knower: them that vnderstands,
My (this-peece) Patron: Nothing doth accrew
To thee in this; but vnderneath thy due
A Swan keepes neere thy Spring: nor that delayes
My loue to take a forme. Although his rayes
Fayrer then mine: yet this hence axiom growes;
Varietas delectat. So thou knowes.
A. Taylor.
THE AVTHOVR.
PArdon, how ere these rank'd: for w'haue this sway;
A Herauld cannot, what a Poet may.
An argument? approu'd, trie by our names;
Th'on's tytles Seruant, and the other fames.
A. Taylor.
ENCOM. 14. TO POESY.
O! that but at the rate, thou should be bought,
Priz'd by the true-iudicious! Time hath brought
Such store to bounties lap, as now's the name
Of bounty turn'd illiberall, and her frame,
That while-ere spread so large each hee that could
Conferre; had it retain'd: did it but hold
What did confirme a Muse. What should produce
The alteration? Will no more the sluce
Giue the Swan leaue to prune, but in the streame
Despect her sad confusion? Whose's so meane
In what to worth belongs, would not apply
A life (if in his power) before she dye,
On her that sings? ill tutord's not that hee
In's education, that to harmonee
Lends no affecting-eare? none was; but o!
Past times were good; these times not being so
Must needs bee ill. But (surely) some cause brings
This mirthlesse desolation. With twelue strings
Apollo gaue's a Lute, and did preferre;
Those would make Musicke, but aboue would erre.
Since then hee left's, since then some do betray
His prou'd-decree trying how more will say:
To what's said then al's strangers. Th'vntrue voice
Retaines more Patrons, more will (if anoice
They can make) patronize. And it is now
So with Diuiner Poesie; These times, how
Those sing that care not: and too, in these times
Not sence, but words composeth most their times
Now Poetizing. In this rude age-latter
More stands to make the Meeter, then the Matter
Rightly to tell. Th'authours (strange) 'gree vnto
Of three parts; one to say, and two to do;
But what? iudicious censure! times rude rape
Growing from rudest, lets the rudest scape
Yet, their due castigations: doth infect
Breath of coelestiall aire; and harsh neglect
Procures to them bestowes't; from generous spirits
(Such throng presents the Patrons) best who merites
Is scarce distinguish'd; these being the crimes
Of these right-worthy, yet vnworthy times:
To grace thee and thy Muse; them, heere surueies
The forme I hold, that haue the perfect keies
Of vnderstandings entrance; and can giue
Right to the all I giue. I did not striue
In this to build a frame, that might containe
Large-place i'th' sellars-stall; I did but aime
At freedome for my next, which as my hope
In formes, shall bee my share. Me-thinkes much scope
These labours did possesse; no Muses first
Workes should bee tedious, because (euer) worst.
I know thy power retaines the ancient powers
It euer could: But it is thought the howres
Haue numbred neere their date, and that the time
Spares not our fame a time. ô 'tis the prime
Our hopes affect best motions: ciuillizes
Who er'e rightly attempts; and simpathzies
The forme of fairest times. Yet more belongs
To do our clime more right; t'impaire these throngs,
And out of all, giue best power to proceed
Diuinely more, then th'ages past agree
To celebrate. Men worth in ruder times
Aspir'd their titles; not these worthy climes
Shall memoriz'd bee? Tha'are the truest faire
Of past, and present, Knowing-Arts declare
Our happinesse; best Poesie, Brittaine, friend;
Actions bee worthi'st, that doe worthi'st end.
Time a chiefe part conferres, this, thee I send:
That may bee, Brittaines worthies (and my) friend.
FINIS.