A Theater of Delightfull Recreation.

LONDON, Printed for A. Iohnson. 1605.

TO THE WEL-AFFECTED READER.

REtire thy lookes, and view with Iudgements eyes
Mens vaine delights, that passe in posting wise,
Their liking first, and their dislike succeeding,
Their euery pleasure, some displeasure breeding:
How out of league with all things lou'd they fall,
How all their glory is Times tennis-ball:
And this compar'd, fixe Vertue in thy mind,
Which is most stay'd, and heauen bred by kind.
No calling backe of nimble light-foote Time,
But to repent, is to vnwrite vaine rime.
What worser paines can any Poet take,
Then rime himselfe to death for Venus sake.
No minute more to Satyrs I will lend,
Nor drop of inke on Epigram Ile spend:
Let Humorists do as themselues thinke good,
My pen hath done with Letting Humors blood:
Ile show no more to each fantastique asse
His pourtraiture in Humors Looking-glasse.
[Page 4]Scatter your absurd follies as tofore,
I am resolu'd to gather them no more.
Deaths Challenge, with Ile stab, has pass'd the Presse,
And so I leaue him to his powerfulnesse:
With Hell broke loose I haue no more to doo,
Leyden is hang'd, and Knipperdulling too.
My idle houres to these I did allow,
But better businesse I haue for them now.
And all the leisure Poetrie can get,
Shall pay such lines as are in Vertues debt:
For verse ill vs'd, and precious time mis-spent,
Poets conuert, be truly penitent.
S. R.

To all prophane Poets, wearing VENVS wanton Liuerie, with Cupids blind cognisance.

IDle good-wits that turne the glasse of Time
To runne for vanitie each single sand,
Composing volumes full of wanton rime,
Fables of Cupid all you take in hand,
Great are your workes, and yet the goodnesse small,
For Beauties lightnesse is the worth of all.
Supposedly you raise them to the skies,
Whom you with pen bepaint about the face,
And by the whole sale vtter louers lies,
Yet done (as you imagine) with great grace.
But how can grace concurre with such an euill,
Since he that praiseth pride, commends the deuill?
Your graces in this veine no further goes,
But to be counted fine conceited liers,
That commendations all wise men bestowes,
Worthlesse desert a worthlesse meede requiers:
Your labor's lost, your time's as vainely spent,
Twas errors crooked way Inuention went.
One writes a Sonnet of his mistres fan,
Blessing the bird that did the feathers beare:
Another shewes himselfe as wise a man
To rime vpon the shoo-strings she doth weare,
And of her bodkin, scarfe, and paire of gloues,
And little dog that she so kindly loues.
Another tels the actions of the gods,
Their heady riots and outragious strife,
How they haue bene amongst themselues at ods
About the fairenesse of blacke Vulcans wife:
And then what cruelties her sonne did show,
That wants a paire of eyes to guide his bow.
Oh sacred Muses, you may iust complaine
Against those heau'nly sparkes of wit you nourish,
Who their best faculties so much prophane,
Which should in euery good endeuour flourish:
For those which greatest gifts do that way ow,
Do euen the worst and basest things bestow.
How miserable wit's employd, who sees not?
Spent prodigall, in praising Venus pride,
In such sort as with Vertue it agrees not,
On them haue nought praise-worthy on their side:
Diuinest arts thereby sustaine abuses,
Which were ordain'd for sanctified vses.
Vnto renowned Vertue proue more kind,
Your gifts vnto her seruice dedicate,
And the reward of Honor you shall find,
When Beautie shall lie rotting out of date,
Blasted by death, a stinking vnder ground,
Consum'd in graue, and neuer to be found.
S. R.

To his louing friend M r. S. R.

VAnish things worthlesse, from Inuention flie,
You now mistake, not as I was am I,
It is a simple thing, most childish base,
To be a Poet for a womans face:
I held an heresie, and here recant,
My pen for euer womens pride shall want,
Except their beautie and their faire proceeds
From vertuous, chast, and ciuill modest deeds.
This is an argument, that fooles they bee,
Men flattring them so grosse, they cannot see:
But euen as fops composed all of pride,
Still loue them most which have them most belide.
Vnto such diuels I held a candle late,
But now, kind friend, I will thee imitate,
My Poetrie Ile in a new mould cast,
Verse shall do penance for my follies past.
E. P.

To the Muses.

CAlliope, diuine and heauenly Muse,
With all thy sisters on the sacred Mount,
Whom the best spirits do for nurses chuse,
[Page 8]Hauing you all in reuerent account:
Receiue the Laurell which our Muse resignes,
True penitent for idle passed lines.
Grace not the gracelesse Poets of our time,
That vse you but to serue their needy states,
Such as for dayly profit hackney rime:
Those Venus brokers, and loues-shifting mates,
That sell you all, to buy themselues their dinner,
Famish the slaues, and make their cheekes looke thinner.
Extend your bountie vnto free borne spirits,
That imitate your selues (for you are free)
Let them receiue their well-deseruing merits,
And to Parnassus euer welcome bee:
For they do scorne to lay you out to pawne,
Like such as do on Lords and Ladies fawne.

To his constant beloued friend M r. S. R.

THy Theater is built of curious frame,
And fixt as firme vpon a sure foundation,
All those whose eyes shall entertaine the same,
Must come to see diuinest Recreation.
There's no prophanesse in this worke disclosed,
But as the name imports it is composed.
All is true action that's presented here,
And euery actor credit with him brings:
Vpon this stage great monarches do appeare,
Strong Samson steps with bloudy wounded Kings:
Some blest by God, some curst when he forsooke them,
As from truths register the author tooke them.
R. W.

To his louing and no lesse beloued friend M. Sam. Rowlands.

THe world commends each ioy,
And entertaines it gladly.
What vanitie, but this our age
Pursues it strange and madly?
Things worthlesse much esteemd,
The worthfull most despisde,
And vertue dayly counterfait,
Vice cunningly disguisde.
This makes me, when into
Thy Theater I looke,
To hold thee happy, leauing toyes,
To write so good a booke.
I. G.

To Time.

THou great consumer of huge monuments,
That mak'st stiffe Marble turne to cindry dust:
Kingdomes subuerter, whom no power preuents,
With canker fretting brasse, iron with rust.
Thou that didst bring the pow'rfull Monarchies
To their full height, then ouerthrewst their pride:
Thou that the arched Ilion didst surprise,
Whose townes with ten yeares succors were supplide.
That in the bosome of fore passed age
The fruit of many a noble Muse hast found,
And kept till now, in scorne of enuies rage,
When in obliuions gulfe great Kings were drownd:
Do thou preserue this worke vntill that day,
When earth shall melt, the vniuerse decay.
Tho. Andrew.

ADAMS PASSION VPON HIS FALL.

OFspring of earth, my ill condition'd race,
With sorrow looke vpon your parents case,
That by his sinne brought death vnto you all,
For you haue deadly interest in my fall.
I in whose soule perfection made abode,
I that was like my all-creating God,
I being endude with admirable feature,
I that had Lordly rule of euery creature;
Oh I to whom all graces did abound,
Of all God made, am most ingratefull found.
Come wofull Eue, as I shar'd sinne with thee,
Bring euery teare thou hast and mourne with mee:
I tooke the fruite with thee that brought these feares,
Do thou take woe with me, oh ioyne in teares.
We that in grace and glory late haue bin,
Are falne from God by disobedient sin.
Weepe thou for hearkning what the Serpent sayd,
And I will weepe for being both betrayd:
Weepe thou for yeelding first to his perswasion,
And I will weepe for giuing me occasion:
[Page 12]Let both our soules with sorrow be repleate,
Because we both haue bene seduc'd to eate.
When in the coole of day Gods voice I heard,
O how my senses trembled! then I feard,
And sought to hide me from his angry face,
(Foole as I was, he sees in eu'ry place)
Where art thou Adam, said he? that where art
Was euen a hell of horror to my hart:
With fig-leaues wrapt, I to the Lord replide,
For shame of nakednesse I do me hide.
Who told thee of thy nakednes, said hee?
Hast thou not eate of the forbidden tree,
Concerning which, I said thou shouldest not?
Then for my selfe this bad excuse I got,
The woman that thou gau'st with me to liue,
Why she did of that fruite vnto me giue.
Then (said he) Woman, why hast thou done this?
She said, The Serpent causd me do amisse.
But these excuses no way could vs free,
Gods curses were ponounc'd against all three:
Yea euen the earth was cursed for my sake,
And I enioyned paines therewith to take,
By toylsome labour, and in weary sweate,
To make my hands the earners of my meate.
Then did my dreadfull sin-incensed Lord,
Appoint a Cherubin with fiery sword,
To keepe the passage to the tree of life,
[Page 13]Driuing me forth of Eden with my wife,
Death at my heeles, and Misery beside me,
My enemy the Diuell to deride me.
Cloath'd with a leather coate of dead beasts skins,
Which garment made me mindfull of my sins:
And the reward due to me for the same,
My outside death, my inside sinne and shame.
Now seruile labour for my selfe I found,
I got a spade, and fell to dig the ground:
For from earths bountie nothing I could gaine,
Vnlesse I bought it with the price of paine.
If I in Paradise had neuer bin,
Farre lesse perplexitie I should be in,
My doubts, and feares, and all my sorrowes grow,
That I true happinesse did tast and know.
To say, I had, to thinke, If I had knowne,
Are of themselues torments enough alone.
Yet hope encounters comfort by the way,
Iehouah to the Serpent thus did say,
Betwixt you shall an enmitie be bred,
The womans seed shall breake the Serpents head.
This confidence preuents hels friend Despaire,
A second Adam shall with grace repaire
The ruines that the first hath sinfull made:
On this foundation let the faith be laid
Of all my ofspring: sinne from me ensude,
Sinne, death and hell by him shall be subdude.
[Page 14]When man was ouercome by Sathans euill,
He lost the Paradice where he was placed;
When man by grace shall ouercome the diuell,
He shall gaine heauen, whence that fiend was chased:
He conquering vs, did cause Gods wrath increase;
We conquering him, with God shall be at peace.

Caines horror of minde for the in­humane murder of his Brother.

BEhold the wretched heire of all the earth,
Most gracelesse man, bloudy accursed Caine,
The first that in this world hath had his birth,
The worst that euer shall be borne againe,
In conscience so tormented and distrest,
I haue not one calme thought of quiet rest.
If wofull Adam when he fell from grace,
In such a feare of his transgression stood,
That he did hide him from Iehouahs face,
What shall I do, being all imbrude in blood?
Whose blood? My brothers: what? a wicked man?
Oh no, most iust, my conscience witnesse can.
I did present the Lord with my oblation,
My brother offered vp his sacrifice,
And that of his was held in estimation,
Mine nothing set by in th' Almighties eyes,
Whereat affection from him I estranged,
And vnto wrath my countenance I changed.
Why art thou angry? said the Lord to me,
Why doth thy lookes seeme other then to fore?
If thou do well, it will returne to thee,
If thou do ill, sinne lieth at the dore.
Vnto dominion and to rule aspire,
And Abel shall incline to thy desire.
But what he spake, my heart regarded not,
Wrath stopt mine eares, and would not let me heare.
For when my brother in the field I got,
I lifted vp my hand against him there,
And that same stroke which did his life controule,
Kild him a body, and my selfe a soule.
What heard I then? oh this: Caine, Where's thy brother?
When desp'rate wretch I did this answer make,
Am I his keeper? do we gard each other?
What charge do we of one another take?
What hast thou done? said God, thy deed is found,
For Abels blood cries vengeance from the ground.
Euen from the earth thou art accursed now,
Whose mouth receiu'd the blood thy hand hath shed,
No profit, though thou till, shall it allow,
The strength of it shall from thy vse be fled.
Be thou a vagabond and fugitiue,
That neuer shalt in any action thriue.
Then in the horror of my soule I spake,
As desp'rate most vnworthy wretch to liue,
(No sute of mercy purposing to make)
My sinne is greater then thou canst forgiue:
Nothing but vengeance I expect to find,
For there's no roome for sorrow in my mind.
Behold this day I am an outcast made,
And from the vpper face of th'earth I go:
Thy countenance thou likewise hast denaid,
One looke of fauour neuer to bestow.
And whosoeuer findes me out, he will
Euen murder me, as I did Abel kill.
Feare, and Despaire, and I, all three in one,
My wofull heart do into shares deuide,
But greedy Feare would haue it all alone,
Till I and blacke Despaire grew stronger side,
And then we two together did incline,
That all my heart should be Despaires and mine.
And now I do all that Despaire would haue me,
Being resolute resolu'd on euill thus,
For my iniquitie God cannot saue me,
There is no grace that can do good for vs:
Leade on Despaire, with sinne I will go hide me,
Gods iustice comes, his grace can nere abide me.

The dreadfull burning of sinfull Sodome.

IT was about meridian of the day,
(When Phoebus in his height of burning sway,
Did like vnto a giant runne his race,
About the spheare of his celestiall place)
That Abraham the blessed man of God,
At his tent doore for his repose abode,
Where lifting vp his eyes, behold, stood three
Of Angels nature, seeming men to bee.
With reuerence he bowed to the ground,
And said, my Lord, if I haue fauour found,
Passe not away, but here refresh with mee
Vnder the shadow of this pleasant tree,
Then presently with greatest speed he went
To vertuous Sara being in the tent,
[Page 18]And will'd her make some cakes of finest meale,
Feasting themselues with butter, milke, and veale
Vnder the arbors coole delightfull leaues,
Where he the promise of a sonne receiues.
Then rising thence, to Sodome-ward they looke,
And as they toward the place their iourney tooke,
Said God, Shall I the thing from Abram hide
That I intend? he feares me, and beside,
He will instruct his children, keepe my hest,
And all earths nations shall in him be blest.
Then said the Lord, because that Sodomes crie
Is very great, and doth ascend the skie,
Yea and their sinne exceeding grieuous is,
I will go see how deeds agree with this.
Then Abram said, Lord shall the righteous fare
In punishment like those that wicked are?
Farre be it from the Iudge of all mens sight,
To do the thing that were not iust and right.
If fiftie good therein abode do make,
Wilt thou not spare it for those fifties sake?
If forty fiue, or thirtie, twentie, ten,
Wilt thou not spare it for those righteous men?
Yes, said the Lord, if onely ten there bee,
For all the rest thou shalt preuaile with me.
With that the Lord departed, mou'd to grace,
And Abraham return'd vnto his place.
Then in the euening (suns declining state)
[Page 19]As righteous Lot did sit at Sodome gate,
There came two Angels, which when he espide,
He did inuite them kindly to abide
Within his house that night, and wash their feete:
But they refusing, would remaine in streete:
Yet he importunate, they did consent,
And in with him those guests of heauen went,
Where he did entertaine them with a feast.
But ere the time was come they should take rest,
The Sodomites in multitudes were found,
Both old and yong the house enuiron'd round:
And calling Lot, said, Bring vnto our sight
Those men that harbor in thy house to night,
Let them come forth to vs, we may them know:
Then Lot intreates, My brethren do not so:
I haue two daughters, virgins both they be,
Which in affection are right deare to me,
Yet rather them Ile yeeld vnto your will,
Then these men should endure such hainous ill:
Oh let not sinne so wickedly incense,
Vnder my roofe they came for their defence.
With that they thrust the holy man aside,
And said, Stand backe, for this weele not abide,
Our furie shall the more towards thee appeere,
Art thou a Iudge that cam'st to soiourne here?
Wilt thou controule in that we go about?
Weele breake thy doore, our force shall fetch them out.
[Page 20]But pressing forth, they could no entrance find,
For on a sodaine all were stricken blind:
Blind bodies now, that had blind soules before,
Tiring themselues in seeking out the dore.
Then said the Angels vnto righteous Lot,
What friends hast here (that we destroy them not)
Besides thy daughters and thy sonnes in law?
Out of the citie all thou hast withdraw:
The crie is great before th' Almighties face,
And he hath sent vs to destroy the place.
Lot did aduise his children, and the rest,
But to his sonnes in law it seem'd a iest:
They were, as at this day most sinners bee
Carelesse, till vengeance they do feele and see.
When morning did darke nights blacke curtaines draw,
(Last morning that the Sodomites ere saw)
The Angels hastned Lot to speed away,
But as he did prolong the time with stay,
They caught him vp, his children, and his wife,
And brought him out, and bad him saue his life:
Looke not behind, nor in this plaine abide,
Least thou do perish: wherewith Lot replide,
My Lords, if fauour I haue found, take pitie,
And graunt me to enioy but yonder citie,
How should I to the mountaines safely flie?
Some euill may betide, there I shall die,
Onely but Soar to thy seruant giue,
[Page 21]That litle Soar, and my soule shall liue.
Thou hast preuaild (said they) thy sute obtaine,
Go thither, and in safetie remaine.
Now was the Sunne new risen on earths face,
And Lot new entred in his refuge place,
When sodainly a shewre from heauen fell,
Made Sodome seeme as Sodome had bene hell.
Twas no such element as washt the ground,
When all the world (excepting eight) were drownd:
Then waters were the workers of Gods ire,
But now in vengeance he employes the fire,
An element of farre more fearfull kind,
Did sinfull Sodome (turn'd to ashes) find.
No common fier, fit for needfull things,
But flames that dread, terror and anguish brings
Of cruell torments, grieuous to be felt,
Of sulphur sauour lothsome to be smelt,
Of terrible amazement to the eie,
A flaming citie, and a burning skie:
All was destroyd of timber worke and stones,
All was consum'd composde of flesh and bones,
And Sodome which at euening did appeare,
As if a Paradise of God it were,
Seemd in the morning vnto Abrams eies,
As smoake that from a fornace doth arise.

Obdurate Pharaoh in his hard­nesse of heart.

MOses, what message doest thou bring?
Am I not Pharaoh, Aegypts King?
I will not let the people go,
For all the wonders thou canst show.
Not Arons serpent-turning rod,
Shall make my heart obey your God.
My Sorcerers the like can doo:
[...] tē plagues.
Come Coniurers, make Serpents too.
The waters changing into blood,
The fishes dying in the flood,
The frogs through all the land increast,
The lice offending man and beast:
Th'intolerable swarmes of flies,
The cattell that in Aegypt dies:
The swelling botches, sores and blaines,
The thunder, haile and fire that raines:
Grashoppers that all greene things wast,
The darknesse that three dayes did last:
The striking all the first-borne dead,
To true conuersion cannot lead.
Hard is my heart and vnrelenting,
[Page 23]Tis vnacquainted with repenting:
Moses, euen by my kingly might,
I charge thee to depart my sight,
Vpon thy life see me no more,
For if thou doest, thou di'st therefore.
My trust doth in my strength consist,
Put confidence in whom thou list.
On horse and chariot I depend:
Trust in your God, let him defend.
Vnto the sea I will pursue
Thy Israelites, that slauish crue,
And there I will them all confound,
Or there let me and mine be drownd.

The mirrour of Chastitie.

FAire Hebrew, pleasure of mine eyes,
To whom my loue I sacrifice,
Thou hast found fauour in her sight,
Whose loue doth thy loue kind inuite,
To what delights I can afford,
To Putiphar great Pharoes Lord,
Before all loues in Aegypt bee,
Thy Ladie makes her choise of thee,
Why then inioy, and full possesse,
[Page 24]Vnto my bed haue free accesse,
Where all the welcomes loue can make,
Shall entertaine thee for my sake.
Be not so bashfull, and a man,
Thou shouldst court better then I can,
Being so louely euery part,
Except thy tongue that wanteth art;
Yet she that may, bids thee be bold,
If I say seaze, presume, take hold.
Why doest thou on vaine credit stand,
Vrging what trust is in thy hand?
In that thy Lord exceeding large,
Committeth all things to thy charge,
Excepting me, all things beside
Do vnder trust with thee abide:
What of all this? I offer more
Then will be sold for Aegypts store.
What's gold to him that food doth need?
The mettall cannot hunger feed:
What's meate to him wants appetite?
Sicknesse doth loath, though health inuite:
But loue doth choisest welcome bring,
To lowest beggar, highest king.
How oft haue I emboldned thee
With that kind word, Come lie with mee?
Where is thy sence and manly sprite,
That should be ready to requite?
[Page 25]Wilt thou so ha [...]shly go away?
My hearts desire, mild Ioseph stay:
Doest turne thy backe? wilt not consent?
By Pharaoes life thou shalt repent.
Ile keepe this garment to thy shame,
Thy Lord I vowe shall see the same.
Ile tell him, if I had not cride
I had bin forced to abide
Foule rauishment, which to preuent
Clamors vnto the skies I sent,
And thou for feare that durst not stay,
Leauing thy mantle, ranst away.
This plot the harlot put in vre:
Ioseph this slaunder did endure,
Yet still continude constant chast,
With lust allur'd, with lies disgrac'd.

Sampson betrayed by Dalilah.

WOnder of men, thou great in might,
My hearts chiefe ioy, my soules delight,
Thou onely admirable man
Of all the stocke and tribe of Dan.
Thou that at Thamnah valiant did
Euen rend a Lion like a Kid.
[Page 26]At Askalon in valour tride,
Where thirtie by thine owne hand dide:
That Azah gates with powrefull will,
Didst carry vp to Hebron hill:
Oh let me craue a boone of thee,
As thou in loue shall gaine of mee.
Thy strength to other men denide,
Great Samson where doth that abide?
Oh proue thy selfe to me so kind,
As tell me but how I may thee bind:
Delude me not, kind sweete, with mockes,
Not withes, nor tying of thy lockes
Is ought auailing thereunto:
Deere Samson, tell me what to do.
Thrice by thee I haue bin deluded,
Now tell me where's thy might included?
Wilt thou this small request denay?
Wilt thou refuse thy Dalila?
Then I resolue thou lou'st me not,
For out of loue is all things got.
Thy sute (quoth he) my deare, hath sped,
There nere came razor on my head:
I haue bene from my mothers wombe
A Nazarite by heauens doome:
Loue, if my head be shauen bare,
I shall be weake as others are.
Then on her lap his head she layd,
[Page 27]And with his curious lockes she playd,
And so in dalliance did him keepe,
Till she had wantond him asleepe:
Then sent for one that shau'd him quite
Of all the haire contain'd his might.
Which done, her sexes nature showes,
Betraid him instant to his foes
The Philistines, who him despise,
And cruelly put out his eyes,
Then set him in a mill to grind,
This woman-trust did Samson find.

King Sauls despairefull Tragedie.

DAunted with feare of the Philistines force,
Disanimated Saul, where shall I flie?
Of my distresse there's no man hath remorce,
To answer me by dreames God doth denie,
No helpe by Prophets, all my comfort's fled,
Oh Samuel, that man of God is dead.
I know inchantment is a grieuous sin,
And Israels God forbids it in his law,
Yet with a witch at Endor I haue bin,
To speake with Samuel, whose shape I saw
[Page 28]Appeare in's mantle, reuerent, graue and old,
Who my destruction and my end foretold.
Wherefore hast thou disturbed me he said,
In causing of me to be raised thus?
I answered him, for that I was afraid
Of Philistines, that vexe and trouble vs:
And God is gone, he answers not at all,
Oh tell what will become of wretched Saul.
Because (quoth he) thou didst not God obay,
To execute on the Amalekites:
Therefore he hath done this to thee this day,
Thy disobedience thus his wrath requites,
Thy kindome from thee he away hath rent,
And giuen it Dauid, this is Gods intent.
Moreouer Israel and also thee,
The Lord will put in the Philistins hands,
And euen to morrow shalt thou be with mee,
Thou and thy sonnes, thus (Saul) thy kingdome stands,
Thy hoast subdude, thy selfe of life bereft,
And thou become the man whom God hath left.
With this I fell despairefull on my face,
My strength was gone with fasting and with feare:
O wretched man, depriued of Gods grace,
[Page 29]That mine owne end with dread did trembling heare,
To morow he hath tould me is the day
That Philistines my sonnes and me will slay.
Come fatall day, come cursed Philistines,
The men of Israel now are forc'd to flie,
My three deare sonnes their latest breath resignes,
Mount Gilboa in thee their bodies lie,
Abinadab, Melchisua, Ionathan,
Ile follow you with all the speed I can.
See harnesse-bearer, th'archers haue me found,
I will not haue them triumph in my death,
Oh draw thy sword, I do intreate a wound,
Shew me the kindnesse to depriue my breath:
Art thou afraid to shed thy Princes blood?
Why then my selfe will do my selfe that good.
This mine owne sword the instrument Ile make
Of this my last and bloudy sacrifice:
Vpon this point the worlds farewell Ile take:
Here the distressed King of Israel dies:
He dies, that least his foes should glorying stand,
Will kill himselfe euen ready to their hand.

The Virgine-sacrifice of Duke Jepthahs daughter.

THe mightie Marshall of the Israelites,
In armes against contending Amonites,
Soliciting th' Almightie for successe,
And whole depending on his powrefulnesse,
When he towards Gilead in armes did passe,
And thence to Mispah where proud Ammon was,
Vow'd if the victory he might obtaine,
Gainst those that held Gods people in disdaine,
And home returne a conqueror in peace,
His feruour to the Lord should so increase
In gratitude, that in most humble wise,
He to his Maiestie would sacrifice
What ere it were that his sight first beheld
Come forth his doore at his returne from field.
Iephthah in conquest to his hearts desire,
From Aroer a victor doth retire.
But here behold the end of Amons slaughter,
Begins the tragedie of his owne daughter:
To welcome him, all her endeuours striues,
True loue's most ioyfull when beloued thriues,
With daunces and with timbrels she doth meete him,
And all the solace she can make to greete him.
[Page 31]When he beheld his deare and onely child,
Surpriz'd with griefe, in raging humor wild,
He rent his clothes, and vnto heauens cride,
Oh worse then death the sight I now abide,
Thy presence all my fortunes doth confound,
Within a sea of teares mine eyes be drownd:
Most louing child, to God my vow is made,
With sacrifice of thee it must be paide.
Wherewith obediently she did reply,
Grieue not so much deare father that tis I:
To Iacobs God be faithfull in your vow,
Onely kind father, vnto me allow
Two months of mourning, to bewaile the state
Of my virginitie disconsolate:
Euen at the mountaines will I go and mourne,
And at the time appointed, thence returne.
His leaue she had, with mournfull maides attending,
Each one her griefe, and teares, and sorrow lending:
Their virgin teares compassions rules did keepe,
They waild for her, she mourn'd to see them weepe.
The time expir'd of her short stinted houres,
To him that had the guide of Israels powres,
She meekly came, and with most willing mind
For virgin-sacrifice her selfe resign'd.

Dauids combat with the Giant of Gath.

YOu men of Israel, seruants vnto Saul,
Goliah sounds defiance to you all:
Your Soueraigne and his hoast I do defie,
Base Israelites, a Philistine am I.
Behold my stature, tis sixe cubits long,
My helmet brasse, my coate of stuffe as strong,
All likewise brasse, fiue thousand sickles wayde:
My bootes are brasse, of brasse my shield is made,
My speares shaft, looke vpon it, and confesse,
A Weauers beame in bignes, tis no lesse,
The very head thereof iron and steele,
Sixe hundred weight, as some of you shall feele.
Bring forth your champion, single me a man,
And Ile confesse there's valour in you than.
Giue me a man I say, and let vs fight,
Amongst you all find one stout Israelite.
When Dauid heard this mightie man of Gath,
With terror breathing out his irefull wrath,
He did intreate a fauour of the King,
To combat that huge giant with a sling:
[Page 33]No other weapon but a staffe he tooke,
And fiue smooth stones of choise out of the brooke:
So forth with courage resolute he went:
The Philistine perceiuing his intent
To combat him, in stature but a child,
Disdainfully in scoffing maner smild,
And said to Dauid, What seeme I to be?
Belike a dog, thou bringst a staffe for me.
Now in the name of all the gods I serue,
I curse thee, and as thou doest well deserue
Thy flesh for meate, the birds shall present share,
Ile with thy gobbets feed the fowles of th'aire:
Thy carcasse on the sodaine I will yeeld
For beasts to prey vpon that are in field.
Thus did the Giant of his valour brag,
While Dauid tooke out of his shepheards bag
A stone, and slang the same into his head,
That he vnto the ground fell groueling dead.
Who when the Philistines beheld to fall,
Dismaid in fearfull maner, they fled all,
And then that hand which the Almightie guided,
With his owne sword his head from's trunke deuided:
Thus did the simple, weake, vpright and iust,
Subdue the strong that in his strength did trust.

The true Map of a dogged Miser.

FRom Pharan wildernesse King Dauid sent
Ten of his yong men, that to Carmel went
With kind salute, to an vnkind churle there,
Nabal, who at that place his sheepe did sheare.
Their Soueraignes message to the wretch they tell,
And how his Maiestie did greete him well,
No curious cates they came for to demand,
But what he pleasde to giue came next to hand.
Nabal on them a frowning looke bestowes,
And thus with tongue his dogged nature showes:
What's Dauid, that I should my victuals take,
And giue it run-awayes for Dauids sake?
With Isays sonne, pray what haue I to do,
Haue I no vse to put my meate vnto?
You may be vacabonds for ought I know,
Vpon such fellowes nothing Ile bestow,
Feed such as you? yes marry twere good reason,
I haue mouths of mine owne to stop this season:
Worke and be hang'd, earne it like other men,
Is't prouender you lacke? pray labour then:
Shall I take of my bread, my flesh and drinke,
And giue to eu'ry rascall, do you thinke?
No Dauids men, your master must prouide,
[Page 35]Such hungry sharkes I neuer could adide:
Want he that will, my shearers shall not lacke,
Emptie you came, and so I pray go backe:
To him that sent you, tell him what I say,
My food must be emploid another way.
This churlish answer did so much incense,
Dauid vowde death should guerdon the offence:
Which when the wife of Nabal vnderstood,
She prudently preuented shedding blood,
And with a present, speedily did meete him,
Falling to ground euen at his feete to greete him:
Let not my Lord (said she) regard the man,
At whose offence thy wrath so late began,
Euen with his name his nature doth accord,
Folly is with him; but, my gracious Lord,
Thy hand-maid was not guiltie of the crime,
Nor did I see thy seruants at that time:
Successe attend thee wheresoere thou go,
Perish all they intend thy ouerthrow:
Accept the present, which my humble thought
In meekest dutie to my Prince hath brought.
Wherewith the kingly Prophet did replie,
Thou hast preuailed, Nabal shall not die,
I do reuerse my doome: a gracious wife
Hath sau'd a churlish, foolish, husbands life.

The dead sleepe of Sisara.

REuengefull Iabin, King of Canaan,
Whose anceters great Iosuah had slaine,
To vexe the Israelites with warres began
At such time as in Hazor he did raigne,
His hoast by Sisara conducted was,
Who did vnto the riuer Kison passe.
Nine hundred chariots vnder his command,
When with ten thousand men neere Thabor hill,
Barac subduing them, had vpper hand,
And with the edge of sword his foes did kill:
Sisara in distresse constraind to light,
Was forc'd vpon his legs to take his flight.
And as he fled, most fearfull of his life,
Disanimated full of cares increase,
He came vnto the tent of Habers wife,
(For Habers house with Iabin was at peace)
Iael went forth and met him on the way,
And did intreate him to turne in and stay.
Turne in, my Lord, quoth she, be not afraid,
Repose thy weary limmes in Iaels tent,
[Page 37]For thou art welcome to thy poore hand-maid:
Then for a mantle presently she went
To couer him, and such demeanor showes,
That most secure he did himselfe suppose.
Oh I am tyr'd, said he, and ouercome
In wearinesse, and cares orewhelmed deepe,
I thirst for water, pray thee giue me some,
And then be centinell while I do sleepe,
Stand at the doore, and haue a speciall care
That none do intercept me vnaware.
If any chance to come enquire of thee
Who thou hast here, or what guest is within,
Answer him then that no man thou didst see,
For at thy tent there hath no creature bin:
Performe this carefully at my request,
And so he very soundly fell to rest.
The sleepe of death he slept on Iaels bed,
For she a hammer and a naile did take,
And driue it through the temples of his head,
That neuer after he had power to wake:
Thus he that from his foes his life did hide,
By his supposed friend a woman, dide.

The Tragedie of Prince Absolom.

AMbition, I embrace thee in mine armes,
Scepter and Crowne are golden kingly charmes,
And haue preuail'd in my heroike minde,
Vnto a kingdomes rule, my heart's inclinde,
To be as high as Maiestie can sit,
Is the faire marke my thoughts desire to hit:
Why then ascend to Dauids royall throne,
Prince Absolom as King will sit thereon,
To fit my head euen with my fathers crowne,
Keeps filiall loue and subiect dutie downe:
In Hebron let the trumpets sound proclaime me,
And King of Israel let the Heralds name me:
My eares allow to heare no other sound,
But Dauid is deposde, his sonne is crownd:
Euen in the citie gates Ile causes heare,
And steale the hearts of all the people there.
Vpon the curteous that obeysance show,
A mild and sweete behauiour Ile bestow,
Kindnesse by art I will accomplish rare,
And how to please, shall be mine onely care:
Ile bow, Ile smile, Ile kindly giue embrace,
And shew a cheerfull looke, a louing face.
With Dauids gouernment, dislike Ile find,
[Page 39]Faining much griefe and passion of the mind,
For euery wronged and oppressed wight,
And wish that I had powre their cause to right:
From Gilo for Ahitophel Ile send,
And worke that Counsellor to be my friend.
With euery sort making my faction strong,
Which done, Ile do no right, nor take no wrong.
My father growes already in disgrace,
And Semei hath cursde him to his face,
Threw stones at him, and did him thus vpbraid,
Come forth thou man of Belial, he said,
The Lord hath brought reuenge vpon thy head,
For all the blood that of Sauls house is shed:
This doth discourage him, animate me,
And tels my soule that I a King must be.
March on braue Isralites, resolued powers,
Victoriously preuaile, the day is ours,
Weel pitch our battell in this Ephraim wood,
Here let dead bodies glut the earth with blood,
Here Dauids crowne is either won or lost,
Here in this place it must his kingdome cost,
Here of our liues we will be prodigall,
And that great monarch into question call:
Draw forth your swords, let courage be their guide,
The controuersie of a crowne decide,
Either a King, and all my foes conuince,
Or let me not remaine one hower Prince.
[Page 40]Oh cruell battell, fatall bloody day,
Vnto my death some mortall wound make way.
We are subdude, euen twentie thousand slaine,
Our scattred bodies on the earth remaine.
What shall I do? or whither shall I flie?
It is no matter, any where to die.
For shelter into this huge wood Ile ride,
Come on Despaire, be thou misfortunes guide.
Day turne to darknesse, and entinguish light,
And wrap my treason vp in vapory night.
Let not a little bird presume to sing:
Wither you trees, and leaues, and each greene thing.
Post on poore Mule, and spare no speed to run,
Thy riders race of life is almost done.
My royall birth is now of no esteeme,
My rarest beautie will deformed seeme:
Vengeance is come, Gods iudgement lights on mee,
I am caught hold off by a senslesse tree.
For my ambition, thus I mount on hie:
For pride, my lockes are ropes to hang me by.
Yonder comes Ioab, now my end is neare,
He brings my death vpon his bloody speare:
Come pierce me, captaine, rid this life from hence,
Fearefull my end, and grieuous my offence.
Dauids deare issue Absolom the faire,
Hangs without mercie bleeding in the aire.

Ahitophels wisedome conuer­ted to follie.

HOw is disgrace imposde vpon my head,
That for my counsell haue bene honored?
All Israel haue said Ahitophel
Speakes euen as doth the heau'nly oracle:
Twas my aduise, none plotted it but I,
The Prince with's fathers concubines should lie,
And he embrac'd it, and it sorted well,
For as our expectation was, it fell.
And shall I chiefest states-man in the land,
That still in high affaires haue had a hand,
Be crost by Husai the Arachite?
No, first vpon my selfe shall vengeance light,
I said twas best chose out twelue thousand men,
And set on Dauid, weary tired then
That instant night, being ouerworne and weake,
The hearts of all his people this would breake:
Vpon my life it was the onely way,
Yet Husai hath crost it with his nay:
He sayes that Dauid and his men be strong,
Th'are valiant, and haue had experience long.
[Page 42]And like a Beare rob'd of her whelpes they be:
All this the Prince approues, reiecting me,
Thus of my wonted honor I haue mist.
But from this day, giue counsell he that list,
Ile home and take an order for my pelfe,
And then giue counsell how to hang my selfe,
My house shall be in order ere I die,
Then for my life, another course haue I:
Though out of order to the world it seeme,
Despaire and I thereof do well esteeme:
Not on my weapons point I meane to fall,
As did the desperate King, resolued Saul:
But to some fatall tree, I will repaire,
And hang my breathlesse bodie in the ayre.
Life, I detest thee, thou art almost done,
Time hold thy hand, with me the glasse is run:
Honor farewell, and in dishonor now,
I will go hang thee vp vpon some bough.
It was vaine honor did my heart intice,
And now ile sell it for a halters price:
All I haue learn'd in earthly honors schoole,
Is, worldly wise man proues a heauenly foole.

Salomons censure, in the two Harlots controuersie.

TWo harlots striuing with each other,
Would both vnto one child be mother,
And did to Wisdomes King complaine,
That he true iustice would maintaine:
My Lord (said one) iustice I craue,
Sayes tother, iustice let me haue:
We both within a house do lie,
She had a child, and so haue I,
Betweene their births but three dayes space:
(Pray heare me I beseech your grace)
Her child (my Soueraigne) in the night,
Of life she hath depriued quite,
She smoothred it as I suppose,
And about midnight then she rose,
I being fast asleepe (God wot)
My liuing child away she got,
And thrust her dead one vnto me,
(This is as true, as true may be)
When in the morning I did wake,
Intending mine owne child to take:
And giue it sucke, I found it dead,
Which when I did behold with dread,
[Page 44]Viewing it well with weeping eyne,
I plainely saw twas none of mine.
The tother harlot did reply,
An't please your Grace, this is a lie,
I neuer changed child for child,
Neither will I be thus beguild,
To take hers dead for mine aliue:
Would God that I might neuer thriue,
If that the liuing be not mine.
Thou liest (said tother) tis not thine,
Thou shalt not, dame, delude me so,
My louing babe I well do know,
The very cheekes, the eyes, the nose,
The mothers fauour plainly showes,
Thy selfe (I will be sworne) did say,
Twas wondrous like me tother day,
And now forsooth it is your owne,
How shamelesse (Lord) this world is growne?
My gracious Prince (sayes tother) heare,
Vpon my soule (great King) I sweare,
If with this child she haue to do,
Then she is mother of them two:
The dead child is her owne in troth,
Now this she claimes, so sheele haue both.
I do deny the dead said she,
The liuing child belongs to me:
Oh God, art thou so voide of shame,
[Page 45]Another womans fruite to claime?
Wilt thou stand stout in that's vntrue,
And say my infant is thy due?
When in thy conscience thou art sure
The paines for it I did endure,
The mothers griefe when it was borne:
Fie wicked woman, I would scorne
To beare so bad and leud a mind,
I grieue thou art of woman kind.
Then said the King, this strife Ile end,
You both for one liue child contend,
That child Ile with a sword deuide,
And giue to each of you a side,
A iust diuision I will make,
And halfe a child shall either take.
Then spake the mother whose it was,
Dread Lord let no such sentence passe,
But rather with my heart I craue,
The liue child wholy let her haue.
Nay, but sayes tother to the King,
As thou hast spoke performe the thing,
Nor mine, nor thine let it remaine,
But share it equall twixt vs twaine.
Then said the King, the babe shall liue,
And to the mother I it giue,
Which I am sure thou canst not bee,
Because no kindnesse rests in thee.

Cruell Queene Iezabel turned vnto dogges meate.

WHat terror is my spirit vexed in?
How doth Reuenge sound dolefull to mine eares?
My soule's pursude with that same crying sin
Of murther, Naboth fils my thoughts with feares.
There is no horror like a troubled mind,
As I accursed Iezabel do find.
Reuenge for bloud, I heare continuall sound,
Till vengeance comes, thus will it euer crie,
My soule is lost to get a little ground,
I caus'd the guiltlesse man, causlesse to die:
I wrote a letter in my husbands name,
And onely I the wicked plot did frame.
By my aduice a fast there was pretended,
And Naboth plac'd, amongst the chiefest then
Being suddenly accus'd to haue offended
By two suborned, leud and diuellish men,
Who to the Elders did auouch this thing:
The Iezralite blasphem'd God and the king.
Vpon this slandrous false accusing breath,
He sentenc'd was to die with common voice,
And presently they stoned him to death,
Which I no sooner heard, but did reioyce,
And went to Ahab, saying, Ioyfull be,
The vineyard now is thine, ile giue it thee.
Going to take possession of the same,
He meeteth with Elias by the way,
Sent from the Lord, who tels him in his name:
Hearke bloudie purchaser what God doth say:
Hast thou both kil'd and got possession too?
For this thy sin, marke what the Lord will doo.
Euen in the place where dogs did licke the bloud
Of Naboth, to whose vineyard thou mak'st claime:
Euen in that place, the Lord hath thought it good,
That dogs shall with thy bloud performe the same:
Euill on thee and on thy seed shall fall,
From thee, to him makes water gainst the wall.
And for thy wife, thus saith the God of power,
Since she hath wrought such euill in his eyes:
Dogges shall the flesh of Iezabel deuoure,
When by the citie wals her carcase lies:
In Iezrael it shall be shortly seene,
That dogs shall eate thy proud and painted Queene.
Which punishment reuenging Iehu wrought,
In rooting out the house of Ahab quite,
Ioram he slue, and caused to be brought
Vnto the plot of ground was Naboths right,
Then to the citie did in triumph ride,
Where me most wretched murdresse hee spide.
My face was painted, euen as pride would haue it,
My head attyr'd to vanities content,
Thus at a window I did stand to braue it,
Said Iehu, who is there to my side bent?
With that were chamberlaines at hand lookt out,
The instruments to bring my death about.
He bad them throw me downe, and so they did,
They sent me with a vengeance to the ground,
My blood dasht out, my life was sodaine rid,
Deuouring dogs my flesh had quickly found,
And with a Queene they fild their paunches full,
Leauing but palmes of hands, my feete and scull.

The measuring of mans life by Dauids span.

THreescore and ten, the age and life of man,
In holy Dauids eyes seem'd but a span:
[Page 49]For halfe that time is lost and spent in sleepe,
So onely thirty fiue for vse we keepe.
Then dayes of youth must be abated all,
Wise Salomon, childhood and youth doth call
But vanitie, meere vanitie he sayes,
All that doth passe vs in our infant dayes:
Our time of age we take no pleasure in,
Our dayes of griefe we wish had neuer bin,
Then sleepe deducted, youth, and age, and sorrow,
Onely a span is all thy life doth borrow.

Mans Salue, being wounded by temtatiō, Is to remember Christ his passion.

THe wounds that Iesus suffred for my sin,
Are mouthes that cry, Oh loue him with thy heart:
The thornes that pierced through his sacred skin,
Are tongues, pronouncing Loue is his desert:
The tort'ring whips that did to anguish moue him,
Are echoes, sounding, Wretched sinner loue him.
There is no losse, that griefe can get againe,
But losse of grace, sorrow may grace attaine.

Salomons good houswife, in the 31. of his Prouerbs.

HE that a gracious wife doth find,
Whose life puts vertue chiefe in vre,
One of the right good houswife kind,
That man may well himselfe assure,
And boasting say that he hath found
The richest treasure on the ground.
Who so enioyeth such a loue,
Let him resolue with hearts consent,
She euer constantly will proue
A carefull nurse, want to preuent,
With diligence and painfull heed,
Preuenting tast of beggars need.
And while she liues will still procure,
By true and faithfull industrie,
T'increase his wealth, and to insure
His state in all securitie:
To seeke his quiet, worke his ease,
And for a world no way displease.
Her houshold folke from sloth to keepe,
She will endeuour with good heed,
At worke more wakefull then asleepe,
With flaxe and stuffe, which houswiues need
To be employd, her hands also
The way to worke will others show.
Her wit a common wealth containes,
Of needments for her houshold store,
And like a ship her selfe explaines,
That riches brings from forraine shore,
Ariuing with a bounteous hand,
Dispearsing treasure to the land.
Before the day she will arise
To order things, and to prouide
What may her family suffice,
That they at labour may abide,
If she haue land, no paine shall want
To purchase vines, set, sow, and plant.
No honest labour sheele omit,
In ought she can attaine vnto,
But will endeuour strength and wit,
Adding the vtmost she can do:
And if that profit comes about,
By night her candle goes not out.
A willing hand to the distrest
She lends, and is a chearefull giuer:
Come winters cold and frostie guest,
When idle huswiues quake and quiuer,
She and her houshold's cloathed well,
The weathers hardnesse to expell.
Her skill doth worke faire tapistrie,
With linnen furnish'd of the best:
Her needle workes do beautifie,
And she in scarlet costly drest,
When Senators assembled be,
Her husbands honor there shall see.
Her spinning shall her store increase,
The finest cloth shall yeeld her gaine,
And daily profit shall not cease,
Which her vnidle hands maintaine:
Her clothing shall her worth expresse,
And Honors yeares her end possesse.
Her mouth shall neuer opened be,
But wisedome will proceede from it:
And such mild gracious words yeelds shee,
Sweetnesse vpon her tongue doth sit:
In age she will her care addresse,
To eate no bread of idlenesse.
Her children shall their dutie show,
Most reuerent to her all their life,
Her husband blesse, that he did know
The time to meete with such a wife:
And vttring foorth his happinesse,
Her vertues in this wise expresse.
I know t'is true that more then one
Good huswife there is to be found:
But I may say, that thou alone
Aboue all women dost abound,
Yea I protest in all my dayes,
Thou art the first, and thee ile praise.
What thing is fauour but a shade?
It hath no certaine lasting hower,
Whereof is wanton beautie made,
That withers like a Sommers flower?
When these shall end their date in dayes,
She that feares God shall liue with praise.
And such a wife of worthie worth,
Due glories lot will to her fall,
And great assemblies will giue forth
What vertues shee's adorn'd withall,
Her lifes renowne to fame shall reach,
Her good example others teach.

Salomons Harlot, in the 2. 7. and 8. chapt. of his Prouerbs.

A Harlot of the whorish kind
Describ'd by Wisedomes King,
Whose paths are crooked and whose wayes
Vnto destruction bring:
That impudent with shamelesse brow,
Doth modest life detest,
And of all brutish filthynesse
Insatiate is possest,
Is noted to be full of words,
And doth the streets frequent,
Not qualited as Sara was,
To keepe within the tent.
But haunts the citie to be seene
Of all that passeth by,
Cal's simple people voyd of sence,
Her kindnesse to come try.
Like curl'd and painted Iesabel,
She at her doore will sit,
[...]
Without are dogs, whoremungers, murderers,
And whosoeuer loues or maketh lies,
Gracelesse inchanters, and idolaters,
For entrance vnto these the Lambe denies,
They are for horror and eternall wo,
And must with trembling to destruction go.
O sonnes of Adam, sinfull race of clay,
Most miserable blind deceiued men,
You scattred sheepe that wander from the way,
If this place be your fold, where stray you then?
Why is your pace to heauen so slow and slacke?
Or rather, why from thence retire you backe?
O foolish louer of vaine earthly things,
Why seek'st thou honor and promotion here?
Which onely care, griefe and vexation brings,
To build, to purchase, and let leases deare:
Ioyne house to house, and pile vp gold beside,
Fixing thy thoughts on gaine, thy heart on pride.
Thou neuer canst attaine ike blessednesse,
In the inioying all thy soue can craue,
Nor once come neare tast of the happinesse,
That the least seruant in Gods house shall haue:
For in this holy citie w [...]ere they liue,
Is treasure, which the world can neuer giue.
Which shall endure perpetually their lot,
The lot and portion in the liuing land,
A giuers gift, whose purpose alters not,
But for the length of endlesse time shall stand
In all perfection and securitie,
True holinesse and perfect puritie.
When thou with this worlds pompe and dignity,
Which hereon earth did please thy soule so well,
Shalt beare that same rich glutton company,
Whose burial's in the dreadfull vault of hell,
Excluded from all mercy, comfort, grace,
In that same endlesse, easelesse, hopelesse place.

Times swiftnesse.

I Run, I flie, I neuer stand at shy,
There's no recalling of me being past,
Wise men take hold, and meet me in the way,
Fooles first neglect, their late repent comes last:
He that will vse me to his endlesse gaines,
Must spend time well while he on earth remaines.

Mans neglgence.

I Had a time in youth for learnings treasure,
I had a time to haue attaine [...] grace,
[Page 63]I spent that time in worlds bewitching pleasure,
And wish for time now time hath turn'd his face.
Time runs before, and instantly forsakes vs,
Death posts behind, and sodaine ouertakes vs.

Deaths powerfulnesse.

I Make all feare, that am a fearlesse creature,
The world doth euen tremble at my name,
Ender I am of all begun by nature,
Proud flesh and blood in graues of earth I tame:
Though bitter vnto many, sweet to some
That loath this life for loue of life to come.

A view of this world the Globe of Ʋanitie.

LOoke, mortals, on this stage of earthly things,
View well the changes of inconstant time,
Begin at poore men, and go vp to kings,
From humble hearts, to such as loue to clime,
From innocents, to such as liue by crime,
From low to high, from high againe to low,
What man is he would worlds delights forgo?
Oh fond felicitie that all men find,
On this vnsetled pauement of the earth!
Where's nothing but perplexitie of mind,
None prouing still the period to our mirth,
Backe from our graue to our first houre of birth:
Onely this blindnesse doth some fooles besot,
They liue in sorrow, and they see it not.
For what's a King, or mightie potent Lord,
That like a god, millions of people swayes?
That saues and kils with his commanding word,
Whose will the flattrer sooths, and all obayes,
Pray what's the pleasure of his kingly dayes?
If he be good (as great men good is rare)
His kingdome then is but his hourely care.
What's a great conqueror, whose name is fear'd,
Like Caesar, or the dreaded Tamberlaine?
Who by his sword, Piramides hath rear'd,
With bones and scalpes, and ensignes of the slaine,
Looke on him well and find him meerly vaine,
The fitttest Epithet for him is this,
This mightie man, a mightie murdrer is.
What's a great traueller by sea and land,
That doth suruey the world with curious eye?
And sees what wonders the Creators hand
[Page 65]Wrought in the deepes, in vales, or mountaines hie.
Who doth not thinke this traueller doth lie,
Though he tell truth? then what's a greater shame
For man to toile and get a liers name?
What is it to be rich and pile vp store,
To build great houses, titling them our owne,
To haue abundance, yet still couet more,
To rise by many wrong'd and ouerthrowne,
What is all this when it is truly knowne?
Misers oppresse, build, gather, to this end,
For vnthrift heires to ruine, spoile and spend.
What is it to be great in peoples eyes,
And to be puft vp with their bubble praise?
What is the issue of their vulgar cries,
Their songs and rimes, and high applauding layes?
Here's onely all, it shortens honors dayes:
Whom the rude greete with shouts and garlicke breath,
The mightie hate, and hasten vnto death.
What is it to be faire, and so composed,
That being earth, we yet seeme angeline?
To haue in vs all beauties grace inclosed,
And Venus fooles account vs most diuine?
What is the end to be thus goodly fine?
On beauties brow is this inscription plac'd,
Tis rare to find a person faire and chast.
What is it to be any thing indeed,
That mortals in their dull conceits commend?
What is it on the worlds delights to feed,
And haue each vanitie on vs attend?
Euen nothing all, for here's of all the end,
As we were borne with teares to liue in paine,
Death comes with sighes and takes vs hence againe.

A summe of good desires.

GReat God which hast al wisdome at commanding,
Be in my head, inspire my vnderstanding:
Almightie God, the obiect of true light,
Be thou director of mine eyes and sight:
Dread God, whose word is sacred and diuine,
Be in my mouth, and guide this tongue of mine:
Mercifull God, the fulnesse of all grace,
Be in my heart, and purge that filthy place:
Eternall God, on whom I whole depend,
Be at my last departing and mine end.

Times Epigramme.

STep Caesar on earths stage, and act thy part,
Shew now what monarch of the world thou art:
Let Alexander in his bones appeare,
That worlds commaunder while he liued here.
[Page 67]Come Nero with a sheete about thine eares,
See who thy tyrannie regards or feares.
Achilles rowse thy selfe from out thy toombe,
And see what man will giue thy weapon roome.
Hector, with that renowmed Hanniball,
What are you now but rotten fellowes all?
You had a time of greatnesse, now tis fled,
And euen as such had neuer bin, y'are dead.
I knew you when with dread you made men bow,
Then dy'd, turn'd dust, and so are nothing now.
Euen with the worlds creation I began,
And haue seene all the course of sinfull man,
His state in Paradise that glorious place,
His disobedience, and his fall from grace,
His banishment forth Eden for offending,
And so from age to age, all times descending,
Vntill this instant yeare, sixe hundred fiue,
All that are dead, and euery one aliue
Is in my register, I note them well,
There's not a deed they do, but Time can tell.
Earth is a stage, and mortals actors be,
That play before my fellow Death and me
All tragedies, for not a day you haue,
But some are kild, and caried to their graue.
There goes the King from his imperiall seate,
Euen with the begger, for to be wormes meate:
There noble and ignoble, foole and wise,
[Page 68]Shall lie and rot till the first dead man rise,
And there all that haue bin do certaine show,
That all which are to come, must thither go.

What one man likes, another lothes.

VNto himselfe as each man hath his mind,
Seuerall distinguisht in his appetites,
So are his thoughts as variously inclind,
One liking these, another those delights:
Some greedy hindes account the greatest pleasure
Onely consisteth in the gaining treasure.
One loues no life, but where the trumpet sterne,
Breaths deadly summons to oppressiue armes,
Caring not where, gainst Spaniard or the Kerne,
So he may liue in martiall hot alarmes:
He with Tiphous dares to giue aduenture,
To raise a mount, the frame of heauen to enter.
One being wrapt with forraine admiration,
Of lawes, of customes, and of peoples natures,
Longing to know the climates variation,
Of monuments remote to see the statures,
How dangerous so ere delights to range,
Till proofe approues the worst in greatest change.
Others to chase the timerous Hart delight,
Cheering the hounds with hornes rechanting blast,
When some applaud the towring Faulcons flight,
That now hath ceaz'd the moore-bred Mallard fast,
And some account as lost to be that day,
When their estates they hazard not at play.
But thou Calliope my Muse diuine,
Mak'st me neglect these fruitlesse vanities,
Thou doest my spirits from grosse earth refine,
Making my thoughts at future glory rise,
For when the hinde, the souldier, wandring knight,
Starues, fals, clay clothes, shall poesie giue light.

The Araignement of the world at Gods generall Sessions.

WHen that great day of sinners dolefull feare,
The day of iudgement for the quicke & dead,
Shall bring to doome all deeds that euer were,
With terror, trembling, horror, woe, and dread,
The world shall be reduc'd to ashes quite,
And all flesh stand amaz'd to see that sight.
What man by tongue or pen can make it knowne,
The horror that mens hearts shall then partake?
When the great Iudge of men sits on his throne,
And euery one a iust account must make,
In this distressed state what's to be done?
Which way shall sinners flie, or whither runne?
The Prophets do giue witnesse to this day,
And haue affirmed it will certaine come:
Our Sauiour warneth vs to watch and pray,
With preparation for that fearfull doome,
When sounding trumpe shall summon to appeare,
And yeeld account what liues we liued here.
Both Death and Nature shall amazed stand,
To see reuiued humane creatures rise,
The sea shall yeeld her dead, as well as land,
All those that in her watery bosome lies,
Must make apparance at the Angels sound,
As well as they had graues vpon the ground.
Then shall each secret conscience be reuealed,
The bookes of humane life be opened wide,
Not the least thought can passe away concealed,
But all in publike knowledge shall abide,
All hidden things obscur'd within the hart,
And each receiue his merit and desart.
What can the sin-defiled creature say?
What aduocate will serue his case to pleade?
Since the vprightest man that liues this day,
Is debtor vnto hell and endlesse dread,
Worthy of nothing for his best done deeds,
If God in iustice gainst his sin proceeds.
O thou that freely doest of mercy saue,
Vprightest Iudge, whom bribes cannot seduce,
Pardon of thee on my soules knees I craue,
My guilt is great, and I haue no excuse.
Remember Lord thou didst to earth repaire,
Of sinfull man thou hadst such louing care.
Wilt thou permit (O Lord) thy grieuous paine,
Thy hunger, thirst, thy tortures, wounds and death,
Shall all be spent on my poore soule in vaine?
Yea that same willing yeelding vp thy breath
To God thy Father, to procure my peace,
Shall vtterly in power and vertue cease?
Suffer not Lord, the true effect to perish,
Of thy most bitter grieuous bloudy passion,
My fainting sprite thereby reuiue and cherish,
Thy bitter death's my sweet'st consolation:
Mild Iesus, I most meekly do intreate,
Shew mercy on me from thy iudgements seate.
Guiltie I am, my guilt I do confesse,
Therefore I sigh, and vnto thee retire,
Refuse me not, thy mercies are not lesse,
Then when the theefe obtained his desire,
And sinfull Magdalene did fauour find,
Thy pitie is the same, thou still as kind.
For in a danger so extreme as this,
To whom for succor might I safely flie,
To find assured comfort, and not misse?
But vnto thee thou supreme of the skie,
Worthlesse my prayers to come before thy face,
Vnlesse thy mercy sit in iustice place.
Direct my feete that stray and wander wide,
And shadow me with thy protections wings,
Set me from goates, vpon the right hand side,
And place me where thy Saints and Angels sings,
To speake thy praises with a heauenly voyce,
Where soule and body endlesse may reioyce.
FINIS.

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