rested where the stately Citie stood Saue Heapes of Horrour rais'd of Dust and Blood 104 But murdring Saints in Wickednesse growne bold That Towne which long was drunke last drown'd with Blood That Towne by which who bought the World was sold Sold with Disgrace beheld her scorned Brood Them lou'd by GOD Men did in Honour hold And loth'd by GOD with them in Horrour stood Then Iewes whom GOD high rais'd and low doth bow What Name more glorious once more odious now 105 When of Saluation joyfull Newes were spred VVith spirituall Grace all Nations to bedew VVhilst famish'd Soules that sacred Nectar fed The LORD strange Iudgements Millions made to view And those who first fierce Persecutions bred A jealous GOD with Vengeance did persew His Wrath against Themselues against their Foes Is quensh'd is kindled by his Seruants Woes 106 By him who first gainst CHRIST did Ensignes pitch His Brother Mother Wife and Selfe was slaine The Great Apostat wounded in a Ditch Did grant with Griefe the Galileans raigne Of him whose Errours did whole Realmes bewitch The Death most vile did viler Doctrine staine A monstrous Death doth monstrous Liues attend And what All is is judged by the End 107 He who made Hymens Torch drop Blood and Teares The Nation most Humaine being Inhumaine Did blood when dead at Mouth Nose Eyes and Eares As vomiting his Surfet so againe In Crime and Crowne his second fraught with Feares The bloody Band by mutuall Blowes was slaine The King the Duke the Friers deuis'd that Ill The King the Dake the Friers the King did kill 108 Whos 's Sight is so eclips'd which now not sees In euery Kingdome Prouince Towne and Race On Princes Subjectes Men of all Degrees What weighty Iudgement Sinners Steppes do trace Which not the Crowne more then the Cottage frees The Wicked Man sayes GOD shall haue no peace A Countenance calme may maske a stormy Mind But Guiltinesse no perfect Ease can find 109 Those temporall Plagues are but small Smokes of Ire To breach a Brest which is not arm'd with Faith And are when GOD due Vengeance doth require Of Indignation Drops weake Sparks of Wraith As Lightning is to Hels eternall Fire Or to a Tempest huge a litle Breath So are all those of this which I proclame A Puft a Glance a Shaddow or a Dreame 110 As weigh'd by GOD still ballanc'd hings this Round Which Sinne growne heauie now quyte downe ward beares Exhausted Courage Horrour shall confound Till Hopes high Towers rest all ou'rflow'd with Feares All shall together fall as by one Wound Not hauing Time to flie no not for Teares On Day as Night as on the Wearied Sleepe Death steales on Lyfe and Iudgements way doth sweepe 111 All clearely see who Lyfes short Race do rinne The last Decree though being suspended yet That fatall Doome inflicted first for Sinne Though not attended doth not doubted hit And of all Soules the Processe doth beginne For straight when Death arrests the Iudge doth sit For this first Charge all fortifie the Mind As Death vs leaues so Iudgement shall vs find 112 Death each Man daylie sees but none fore-sees The Wage of Sinne the Jubilie of Cares First Iudgement threatned base Corruptions Lees Inheritance which serues all Adams Heires Iust onely Equaller of all Degrees The Charge enjoyn'd for no Respect which spaires What Agues Wounds Thoghts Paines al breathing Breath Are Heraulds Sergeants Vshers Posts of Death 113 Death Doores to enter at and Darts to wound Hath as the Heauen hath Starres or Sea hath Sands What though not sicke not stab'd not choak'd burnt drown'd Age matchlesse Enemie all at last commands O what Designes this Emperour Pale doth bound Built of bare Bones whose Arche Triumphall stands Ah for Ones Errour all the World hath wept The Golden Fruite a leaden Dragon kept 114 Then since Sinnes Hang-man Natures vtter Foe By whom true Lyfe is found Lyfes Shadow lost A thousand Fancies interrupting so When least exspected doth importune most Haste haste your recknings all must pay and go Guests of the World poore Passengers who post And let vs stryue a Change being wyselie made To die alyue that we may liue when dead 115 All thinke whilst sound what Sicknesse may succeed How in the Bed imprison'd yee may be When euery Object Loathsomnesse doth breed Within without that Soule or Eyes can see To trembling Nature which still death doth dread Griefe paints out Horrour in a high degree The Bodie in the Bed Thoughts in it roule The Conscience casting vp a bitter scroule 116 But when externall Powers beginne to faile That neither Tongue can giue nor Eares receaue Friends wretched Comforters retir'd to waile To agonize the soule alone do leaue Which Satan straight with Squadrons doth assaile Being bent to force whom first he did deceaue Who once entys'd then to accuse beginnes To wakened Soules vpbraiding buried Sinnes 117 That fatall Conflict which all Flesh doth feare By helpes from Heauen being foughten past and wonne Whilst it to Heauen triumphing Angels beare This mortall Race magnanimouslie runne As being ordain'd to decke the highest Spheare The Soule shall shine more glorious then the Sunne Whilst cloath'd with Righteousnesse a Priest a King Hell where thy Victorie Death where thy Sting 118 O when to part GOD doth the Soule permit Rais'd from her Shell a Pearle for Sion chus'd She recollects accomplish'd ere she flit Her Faculties amidst fraile Flesh diffus'd As Iudgement Reason Memorie and Wit Being all refyn'd no more to be abus'd Then parts in Triumph free from Earthlie Toyles Yet longs perchance to gather vp her Spoyles 119 Let all those Plagues smoakes of our Makers Ire Make all in time their inward State reforme Those Plagues of which loe euen to sing I tyre Ah what do those who beare their vglie Forme Yet they but kindlings are of endlesse Fyre And litle drops which do fore-goe a Storme Looke looke with Clouds Heauens Bosome else doth swell To blow the Wicked to the lowest Hell The second Houre THE ARGVMENT THat threatned Time which must the World appall Is that all may amend by Signes fore-shown Warres rumor'd are the Gospell preach'd ou'r All Some Jewes conuert the Antichrist is known Deuils rage Vyce raignes Zeale cooles Faith failes Starres fall All sorts of Plagues haue the last Trumpet blown And by prodigious Signes may plaine appeare That of the Sonne of Man the Signe drawes neare 1 THough thundring down those who transgresse his Lawer And with Disdain his Bountie do abuse As Adamants do Irne Repentance drawes The LORD to loue Those whom he first did chuse A Space retir'd from the tempestuous Waues The Port of Mercie must refresh my Muse Whose ventrous Flight all Loftinesse must leaue And plainly sing what all Men should conceaue 2 The LORD delights not in a Sinners death But Sheep which stray toyles to recouer still To please a Sonne who had deseru'd his Wrath His Calfe long fed the Father straight did kill Not
for the best whose thoughts sway'd by his Breath Had squair'd his Actions onely by his Will His Calfe GODS Lambe both feasted the Prophane His Best was grieu'd GODS only Sonne was slaine 3 Who can expresse consider or conceaue Our Makers Mercy our Redeemers Loue Or of that Spirit the Power which who receaue By sacred Ardour rauish'd are aboue O to Creat to Sanctifie to Saue Ingratitude to Gratefulnesse may moue Who weighes those Works else damned were his State Must if no more be grieu'd for being ingrate 4 First ere by Ends Beginnings could be prou'd Whilst Time nor Place to limit nought attain'd All wholly Holy wholly to be lou'd GOD in Himselfe and All in him remain'd Whilst both the Sunne and Spheare in which he mou'd That which contain'd and that which was contain'd Truth lightned Light All in Perfection stood More high then Thoughts can reach all GOD all Good 5 All this alone the LORD would not possesse But would haue some who taste his Goodnesse might Which by being giuen in no Degree proues lesse What darker growes the Sunne by giuing Light Not that his Blisse ou'rflow'd no not beguesse All was of Purpose prouidently right His Glories Witnesses GOD Men did raise That they might it admire Him serue and praise 6 VVhen GOD in Vs no Kind of Good could see Saue that which first was from Himselfe to fall Great was his Fauour making Vs to be Euen ere we were much lesse deseru'd at all What since in vs Affection must be free Who dare presume to make our Makers Thrall He first vs freely made when nought of Nought When sold to Sinne with his owne Blood vs bought 7 Though Some sometime inspir'd by GOD we see Doe gratefull I not meritorious Deedes The Fruit not Root of Mercies sauing Tree Which was CHRISTS Crosse whence all our Rest proceedes As owing Most they should most humble be To Him whose Grace in them such Motions breedes From whom for Good a Mind and Meanes they had Where Others were abandon'd to be Bad. 8 The LORD to those whose Soules produce his Seale Good things doth giue as who them justly owes bound by his Promise pleaded with true Zeale Which all the Arguments of Wrath ou'rthrowes Whilst they from it to Mercy do appeale Which justifies all that Repentance showes GOD Sinnes confess'd with Griefe with Ioy forgiues That which Faith humbly seekes Power freely giues 9 He who when Pilgrims all their Trouble sees The faithfull Soules from Danger doth secure And them from Fetters of Corruption frees Grieu'd for the Grieues which Mortalls must endure But now for them fulfilling first Decrees He would true Rest perpetually procure At that great Court which must determine All Euen till CHRIST rise as Iudge from Adams Fall 10 Their Blood which Tyrants by euill Angels led Like worthlesse Waters lauish'd on the Dust From out the Altar cryes all that was shed From Abel till and since Zacharie the Iust To see the Wicked with Confusion cled When judg'd by Him in whom they would not trust The sorrow of his Saints doth moue GOD much No sweeter Incense then the Sighes of such 11 GOD is not slacke as Worldlings do suppose But onely patient willing all to winne Times Consummation quickly shall disclose The Period of Mortalitie and Sinne And for the same his Seruants to dispose Else charg'd by Signes the Processe doth beginne Signes which each Day vpbraide vs with the last Few are to come some present many past 12 What fatall Warnings do that Time presage A due Attendance in the World to breede Though oftner now some vs'd in euery Age And some more monstrous straight the Day preceede Ah flie the Flames of that encroaching Rage And arme against these Terrours which succede For whom the First not feares the Last confounds As whilst the Lightning shines the Thunder wounds 13 Whilst threatning Worldlings with the last Deluge Old Noah Scorne acquir'd but neuer Trust Though building in their Sight his owne Refuge So were the People drunke with Pride and Lust And ere the comming of the generall Iudge To damne the Bad and justifie the Iust Euen when the Tokens come which CHRIST aduis'd As Noahs then CHRISTS Words are now despis'd 14 Euen as the Lifes last Day to None was shown That still attending Death all might liue right So that great Iudgements Day is kept vnknown To make vs watch as CHRIST were still in Sight Like Virgins wise with Oyle still of our own That when the Bridegrome comes we want not Light Liue still as looking Death should vs sur-prise And go to Beds and Graues as we would rise 15 O what great Wonder that so few are found Whom those strange Signes make grieu'd or glad appeare Though that Day haste which should their Soales confound Or from Corruption make them euer cleare If holy Jerome thought he heard the Sound Of that dead Trumpet thundring in his Eare What jealous Cares should in our Brests be lodg'd Since greater Sinners nearer to be judg'd 16 When Will to Man or rather Man to Will Was freely giuen then Discord did beginne Though Brether earst one did another kill Of Those who first were borne Lifes Race to rinne Thus striuing as it seem'd who did most Ill The Father fell the Sonne did sincke in Sinne Loue Adam lost but Cain kindled Wraith The Author breeding Actor bringing Death 17 Thus at the first Contentious Worldlings jarr'd Of all the World when only two were Heires And when that Nations were then Nations warr'd Oft sowing Hopes and reaping but Dispaires Base Auarice Pride and Ambition marr'd All Concord first and fram'd Death diuerse Snares Though as a Wind soone blasted is our Breath We furnish Feathers for the Wings of Death 18 Though as the sacred Register records Strife is still boyling mortall Mens Desires The thing most fertile which the World affords Of which each litle Sparke may breede great Fires Yet that portentuous Warre which CHRISTS own Words Cites as a Signe when Iudgement Earth requires It is not that which vaine Ambition bends By partiall Passions rais'd for priuat Ends. 19 Such was the Warre which in each Age was mou'd When by prepostrous Cares from rest restrain'd Bent to be more then Men Men Monsters prou'd Whilst others Lords who their owne Slaues remain'd For whilst aduancement vaine they fondlie lou'd The Deuill their Soules whilst they but Bodies gain'd So with their owne disturbing euery State They bought Hels Horrours at too high a Rate 20 CHRIST came below that Soules might be relieu'd Not to breed Peace but worse then ciuill Warres Broyles among Brethren scarse to be beleeu'd Euen twixt the Sonne and Sire engendring Iarres GOD must be pleas'd who euer else be grieu'd The Gospels growth no Tyrants malice marres As Egypts Burdens Israels Strength did crowne The Truth mounts most when Men would presse it downe 21 Those Warres which come before that fatall Day End things begunne and endlesse things beginne Are not vs'd Broyles which
A ♡ DOOMES-DAY OR THE GREAT DAY OF THE LORDS IVDGEMENT BY Sr. WILLIAM ALEXANDER KNIGHT AH Printed by ANDRO HART and are to be solde at his shop on the North-side of the high Street a litle beneath the Crosse ANNO DOM 1614 TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE ROBERT Viscount Rochester Knight of the most noble order of the Garter and one of his Majesties most honourable priuy Councell THAT the World may haue some publicke testimonie of that priuat loue which your Vertues long since had begotten with my thoughts my Lord this is a small sparke flowne from a great Flame towardes you whose glory is that you onely of all the subjects of this Isle haue the Altar of your honour adorned with offrings from both the Nations in this kind as if your Worth were the Center where both our affections should meete making an vnion in minds a course both worthy of the credite of your place and of your estimation with the world Who more great with Augustus then Mecoenas none so great with the Muses This subject may be thought by some of too melancholicke a Nature for your youth and state but yet is vnnecessarie for neither it may serue for that Macedonians Page who vsed euery Morning to call to him PHILIP thou must die though not so importunatly vrging yet when looked on it is a dumbe remembrer both of death judgement of all what was in the World of what is likely to be when it ends But long may you liue your Fortune still striuing to equall your Worth your Worth to exceed your Fortune and the World to admire both both being ripe before your yeares This for the present is but like vnripe fruits an imperfect piece wrested from a mind many wayes distracted involued in doubtfull designes the successe of some whereof I hope hereafter hauing purchased me fame from the World who for that effect will leaue no way of worth within the compasse of my power vnattempted may make me the more able to communicat it with another for none can giue what he hath not himselfe alwayes I purpose when my mind is more calme to end this Worke but neuer that desire which I haue To serue your Honour S. WILLIAM ALEXANDER To. Sr. W. A. LIKE Sophocles the hearers in a trance With Crimson Cothurne on a stately Stage If thou march forth where all with pompe doth glance To moue the Monarches of the Worlds first Age Or if like Phoebus thou thy Selfe aduance All bright with sacred Flames known by Heauēs Badge To make a Day of Dayes which scornes the Rage Whilst when they end it what should come doth Scance Thy Phoenix-Muse still wing'd with VVonders flies Praise of our Brookes Staine to old Pindus Springs And who thee follow would scarce with their Eyes Can reach the Spheare where thou most sweetlie sings Though string'd with Starres Heauēs Orpheus Harpe enrolle More worthy Thine to blaze about the Pole WILLIAM DRVMMOND A DOOMES-DAY OR THE GREAT DAY OF the Lordes Iudgement The first Houre THE ARGVMENT GOD by his workes demonstratiuely prou'd His Prouidence impugning Atheisme vrg'd The Deuills from Heauen from EDEN Man remou'd Of guiltie Guestes the World by water purg'd Who never sinn'd to die for Sinne behou'd Those who him scourg'd in Gods great wrath are scourg'd Some temporall Plagues and feareful Iudgements past Are cited bere as Figures of the last 1 THou of whose Power not reach'd by Reasōs hight The Sea a Drop we Earth a Mote may call And for whose Trophees stately to the sight The Azure Arke was rear'd although too small And from the Lamp of whose most glorious light The Sunne a sparke weake for weake eyes did fall Breath thou a heauenly Furie in my brest I sing the SABBOTH of eternall rest 2 Though All in all defin'd by nought confin'd O thou whose Feet the Cloudes for Dust afford Whose Voyce the Thunder and whose Breath the Wind Whose Foot-stoole Earth Seate Heauen Workes of thy Word Guards Hostes of Angels mouing by thy Mind Whose Weapons Famin Tempest Pest and Sword My cloudy Knowledge by thy Wisdome cleare And by my Weaknesse make thy Power appeare 3 Loe rauish'd LORD with pleasure of thy Loue I feele my Soule enflam'd with sacred Fires Thy Iudgements and thy Mercies whilst I moue To publish to the World my Spirit aspires LORD by thy Helpe this Enterprise approue That the Successe may second my Desires Make Sathans race to tremble at my liues And Thine rejoyce while as thy Glory shines 4 Yee blinded Soules who euen in Frailtie trust By moments Pleasures earning endlesse Paine Whilst charg'd with liuing Chaines vile Slaues to Lust Of Earth and earthly till en-earthd againe Heare hold and weigh my Words for once yee must The strange Effects of what I tell sustaine I go to Sing or Thunder in your Eares A Heauen of comfort or a Hell of feares 5 All my transported Thoughts at randone flie As stray'd to search that which they can not find Whilst silent Wondring makes a settled Eye A huge Amazement clouded hath my Mind How some dare scorne as if a fabulous Lie That Those should rise whom Death hath once declin'd And like to Beastes a beastly Life they leade Who nought attend saue Death when they are dead 6 But yet what I admir'd not strange doth seeme When as I heare O Heauens that such should breath That there be Men if Men we may esteeme Tronkes which are voyde of Soules Soules voyde of Faith Who all this World the Worke of Fortune deeme Not hoping Mercy nor not fearing Wraith There is no GOD Fooles in their Harts do say Yet make their Harts their Gods and them obey 7 The glassie Heauens which Glory doth array Are Mirrours of GODS admirable Might There whence forth spreads the Night forth springs the Day He fixt the Fountaines of this temporall light Where stately Starres enstall'd some stand some stray All sparkes of his great Power though small yet bright By what none vtter can no not conceaue All of GODS Glory Shaddowes may perceaue 8 What glorious Lights through crystall Lanternes glance As alwayes burning with their Makers loue Spheares keep one Musicke they one Measure dance Like Influence below like Course aboue And all by Order led not drawne by Chance With Majestie as still in Triumph moue And prodigall of light seeme showting thus Looke vp all Soules and gaze on GOD through vs. 9 This pondrous Masse though oft deform'd still faire Great in our sight yet then a Starre more small Is ballanc'd as a Mote amidst the Aire None knowes how hung yet to no side doth fall And yearely springs growes ripe fades falls rich bare Mens Mother first still Mistresse yet their Thrall It centers Heauens Heauens compasse it both breed Bookes where of GOD the gnorant may reed 10 What ebbes flowes swells and sinkes who constant keepes Which from the Earth burstes in aboundance out As she her Brood would wash or for them weepes
States with Steell array Whilst Worldlings would but Worldly Treasures winne No euen Religion must make Peace decay And Godlinesse appeare the Ground of Sinne Then let the World exspect no Peace againe When sacred Causes breed Effects prophane 22 Such Warres haue bene such some are yet to be What must not once plague Adams cursed Brood Ah that the World so oft those Flammes did see Which Zeale had kindled to be quensh'd with Blood Whilst disagreeing thoughts in deeds agree Some bent for Sprituall some for Temporall Good Hells Fire-brands rage whilst Zeale doth weakly smoake When Policie puts on Religions Cloakc 23 All Nations once the Gospells Light shall see That Ignorance no just excuse may breed Trueth spreads in spite of Persecution free The Blood of Martyrs is the Churches Seede That it contemn'd or they condemn'd may be All on the Word their Soules may sometyme feed The Word by which All Helpe or Harme must haue Those Knowledge damnes whom Conscience can not saue 24 When bent to mitigate his Fathers Wrath Mans mortall Vaile the God-head did disguyse The VVorlds Redeemer was engadg'd to Death And rais'd Himselfe to show how VVe should ryse Those twelue whole Doctrine builded on his Breath To beare his Yoke all Nations did entyse They Terrours first and then did Comfort sound For ere the Gospell heale the Law must wound 25 In simple Men who seruile Trades had vs'd The Wysest of the World are greatest Fooles The holy Ghost one Trueth all Tongues infus'd And made them teach who neuer knevv the Schooles Yea vvith more povver the Soules of Men they bruis'd Then Rhetorick could do vvith golden rules The Spirit vvhen GOD the Soules of Men conuerts Doth moue the Teachers Tongues the Hearers Hearts 26 As Temporall Power nere to the hottest Pole At first being sprung then spred in other parts One State ou'r all did to the Starres extoll By morall Vertues and by Martiall Arts Till colder Climats did that Heat controll Both shovving stronger Hands and stouter Hearts That Miserie Reliefe Plagues follovving Sinne Slaues Libertie Lords Bondage did beginne 27 The Light of Heauen first in the East did shine Then ranne the Course kept by the Earthlie Light And did as Zeale in Realmes ryse and decline Still giuing Day to some to others Night The Faith of Men yet toyl'd it first to fyne And left no Land till loath'd not forc'd no flight The Gadarens in their Land did CHRIST confyne Till to his presence they preferr'd their Swyne 28 Where are these Churches seuen those Lanternes seuen Once Asias glorie grac'd by sacred Scroules With Monsters now as then with Martyrs euen The Turke their Bodies Sathan rules their Soules Lands then obscure are lifted vp to Heauen Whose Soules like Linxes look whilst theirs lyke Owles Those whom the Word renown'd are known no more Those know GOD best who scarse knew Men before 29 The Worlds chiefe State old Rome with Glory gain'd Of which the losse her Nephewes shame did seale The Gospells Trueth at Rome once taught remain'd Yet from that puritie her Heires appeale Thus temp'rall Power and Spirituall both Rome stain'd Growne cold in Courage first and last in Zeale The Church first stood by Toyles whilst poore still pure And straight whilst Rich being rent fell when secure 30 From offring Grace no Storme the Word can stay Ere Iudgement come to those who will receaue In this last Age Time doth new Worlds bewray That CHRIST a Church ouer all the Earth may haue His Righteousnesse shall barbarous Realmes array If their first loue more ciuill Lands will leaue To Europe may America succeede GOD may of Stones raise vp to Abram Seede 31 The Gospell once being preach'd in euery Place To Lands of which our Fathers could not tell And when the Gentiles all are draw'n to Grace Which in the new Jerusalem should dwell Then shall the stubborne Jewes that Trueth embrace From which with such Disdaine they did rebell Who first the Law last shall the Gospell haue CHRIST whom he first did call shall last receaue 32 When GOD would but be seru'd by Jacobs Brood By his owne Mercie not their Merites mou'd The Gentiles did what to their Eyes seem'd good And Sathans Slaues the workes of Darkenesse lou'd They vnto Idoles offred vp their Blood Yea bow'd to Beasts then Beasts more beastlie prou'd Those whom GOD did not chuse a God did chuse And what they made did for their Maker vse 33 But when that onely Soyle too narrow seem'd To bound GODS Glory or to bound his Grace The Gentiles Soules from Sathan he redeem'd And vnto Shems did joyne of Japhets Race The bastard Bands as lawfull were esteem'd The Strangers entred in the Childrens place The Infidels grew glorious by their Faith Whilst Mercies Minions Vessels were of Wrath. 34 That chosen Flock whom to Himselfe he drew Who saw not Jacobs fault nor Israels sinne When we regener'd they degener'd grew To lend vs Light their Darkenesse did beginne Yea worse then we when worst GODS Saints they slew And when that his Vine-yard they come to winne They first his Seruants kill'd and then his Sonne Nought growes more fast then Mischiefe when begunne 35 Sonnes of the second Match whom CHRIST should crownè Ah bragge not you as Heritours of Grace The naturall Branches they were broken downe And We wild Oliues planted in their Place Feare feare lest Seas of Sinnes our Soules do drowne Shall He spare Vs who spar'd not Abrams Race As they for lacke of Faith so may we fall What springs in some is rooted in vs all 36 Till ours be full though Israels Light lyes spent Our Light shall once them to Saluation leade Is GOD like Man that he should now repent That Promise which to Abrams Seede was made For his great Haruest ere that CHRIST be bent The Iewes shall haue a Church and Him their Heade Both Iewes and Gentils once one Church shall proue We feare their Law they shall our Gospell loue 37 This Signe it seemes might soone accomplish'd be Were not where now remaines that Race of Shems The Gentils Dregs and Idoles which they see Makes them loth all for what their Law condemns To be baptiz'd yet some of them agree Whilst them their Mates their Mates the World contemnes And why should we not seeke to haue them sau'd Since first from them Saluation we receau'd 38 When the Euangell most toyl'd Soules to winne Euen then there was a Falling from the Faith The ANTICHRIST his Kingdome did beginne To poyson Soules yet ere the Day of Wrath Once shall Perditions Child that MAN OF SINNE Be to the World reueal'd and plagu'd to Death GOD may by Tyrants scourge his Church when grieu'd Yet shall the Scourge be scourg'd the Church relieu'd 39 The ANTICHRIST did come with Power and Might By Signes and Wonders to delude the Eyes Thus Sathan seemes an Angell whyles of Light That who the Truth contemn'd may trust in Lies And this with Iustice stands euen in
GODS Sight That he in Darkenesse fall the Light who flies And O this is the vttermost of ill When GOD doth giue one ou'r to his owne Will 40 This Aduersarie of CHRISTS heauenly Word He should himselfe extoll by Sathans Wit Ouer All that is call'd GOD or is ador'd And of Iniquitie no Meanes omit Though worthy of the World to be abhorr'd He in the CHVRCH of GOD as GOD shall sit This Hypocrite huge Mischiefe borne to breede Should looke like GOD yet proue a Deuill indeede 41 This Mysterie of Sinne which GOD doth hate Euen in Pauls Time beganne and since endur'd Yet could not then be known till from the Gate That which then stopt was raz'd and it assur'd The Romane Empire then it was so Greate That of lesse States the Luster it obscur'd The Let which then remain'd being once remou'd This ANTICHRIST the next Aspirer prou'd 42 That spirituall Plague which poysons many Lands Is not the Turke nor Mahomet his Saint Nor none who to crosse CHRIST directly stands He whom the Spirit takes such great Paine to paint It must be one who in the Church commands No Foe confess'd but a Professour faint For if All did him know None would him know Fain'd Friends false Foes may whom they will ou'rthrow 43 Ere that Day come which should the Iust adorne And shall discouer euery secret Thought The ANTICHRIST whose Badge whole Lands haue borne The Prophet false which lying Wonders wrought The Beast with the blasphemous Mouth and Horne Shall be reueal'd and to Confusion brought For Causes hid though GOD a Space spare some Their Iudgements are the heauier when they come 44 The shamelesse Whore which sits vpon seuen Hills Whose Sight lasciuious riotously roules Whose Wine doth make Kings drunke snares thousands will The Deuils chiefe Baud adulterating Soules The Cup of Wrath that filthy Strumpet filles Whose boundlesse Lust no Law no Time controules That stumbling Blocke by whom so many fell Shall once burne here and euer in the Hell 45 The Part where now that Whore her Court doth hold Vile Habylon abominable Towne Where euery thing euen Soules of Men are sold Low in the Dust to lie shall be brought down Her Nakednesse all Nations shall behold And burne that Body which their Soules did drown Whore as she sow'd so shall she reape huge Euills Of the Worlds Mistresse made a Den of Deuils 46 Flie faithfull Christians from that Sea of Sinne Who hate the Whore and the two horned Beast Flie flie in time before their Griefe beginne Lest as their Pleasures so their Plagues you taste When as the Lambe the Victorie doth winne He of fat things will make his Flocke a Feaste This Cloud dispers'd the Sunne shall shine more bright Whilst Darkenesse past endeeres the present Light 47 Now in the dangerous Dayes of this last Age When as he knowes that CHRIST to come prepares The Deuill shall like a roaring Lyon rage And to catch Soules shall set a thousand Snares He gainst GODS Saintes twise deadly Warres shall wage Whilst some Presumption tempts and some Despaires If that this Time not shortned were deceau'd GODS chosen Children hardly could be sau'd 48 Some for a glorious Vse who once did serue As Starres to Eyes cleare Lights of Soules esteem'd Loe stumbling Blockes from their first Course doe swerue Not what they were else were not what they seem'd Such justly damn'd Lights Foes as they deserue From Darkenesse more shall neuer be redeem'd Church Angells all all for Examples vse So that their Fall doth many thousands bruise 49 Men so the World shall loue Religion hate That all true Zeale shall in Contempt be brought The spirituall Lights Eclipse shall grow so greate That Lies the Truth Truth shall a Lie be thought Yet some shall weigh their Works at such a Rate As they Themselues not CHRIST their Soules had bought All just to seeme not be their Thoughts shall bend Not bent to edifie but to contend 50 Some Signes are gone which registred were found To rouze the World before that dreadfull Blast But Ah what All now see and I must founds I wish they were to come or else were past Those Signes those Sinnes I sing do warne shall wound This Age too ag'd and worthy to be last It Signes that shadow'd were doth so designe I must historifie and not diuine 51 The Deuils last charge to shunne CHRIST gaue aduyce Since all the World would be seduc'd by Lies He now whilst all adore their owne Deuyce Taints all mens Hearts or else vpbraides their Eyes The Froth of Vertue and the Dregs of Vice Which onely last the Worlds last Period tryes So high a point Impietie doth winne Not grieu'd no not asham'd men bragge of Sinne. 52 Men with Themselues so much in loue remaine That Rich without and poore within being worne They if not gorgeous Garments do disdaine Though the first badge of Bondage which was borne Yet pampred Bodies famish'd Soules retaine Which seeke the Shadow and the substance scorne Ere high aduanc'd all once must humble proue Those first themselues must loath whom GOD will loue 53 The Greatest number now prophanely sweares And dare to Brawle or Iest name GOD in vaine Yet that Heauen Thunder or Earth burst not feares Lest so they crush'd or swallowed should remaine Some vomit forth polluting purer Eares That what them first may others after staine A filthie Tongue and a blasphemous Mouth Of Sathans Seed doe showe a mighty Growth 54 That Auarice which the Apostle told When as the World declynes Mens Mindes should sway Doth rage so now that euen their GOD for Gold Not onely Men Men in our time betray To Sathan some for gaine their Soules haue sold Whilst what their Hearts hold Trueth their Words gain-say By Ethnickes once those must condemn'd remaine Who change Religion Earthlie things to gaine 55 What Age ere this so many Children saw Who with their Parents O vnhappie Stryfe Plead still at Law though wronging Natures Law And helpe to haste their Death who gaue them Lyfe Now Vertuous Words to vitious Deeds do draw The Loue of GOD is rare of Pleasure ryfe This Darkenesse showes that it drawes nere the Night Sinne it must shortly fall since at the hight 56 Then euen the most of Miserie to make The Soules of some which still being euill grow worse All Sence quyte lost in Sinne such pleasure take That frozen Myndes can melt in no remorse No threatned Terrours can their Conscience wake Sinne hath so much the Spirit so litle force No Physick for the Sicke which liue as sound A Sore past sense doth shew a deadly wound 57 As such a Burden it did burst to beare Through Horrour of our Sinnes the Earth doth shake And shall it selfe oft-tymes asunder teare Ere CHRIST his Iudgement manifest doth make Or else I know not if it quake for feare Of that great Fyre which should it shortly sacke The liuing Earth to moue dead Earth doth moue Yet earthlie Men then
Earth more earthlie proue 58 Whyles in some parts whose Ruines Fame renownes In indignation of her sinfull Seede As Men should do their Eyes the Earth GOD drownes Which those to plague who the first cause did breede Doth vomit Mountaines and doth swallow Townes The Worlds Foundation brangling lyke a Reede Whilst with pale Hearts the panting People thinke That Hell will rise or that the Heauen will sinke 59 One Earth-quake toss'd the Turkes imperiall Heade Dayes sensible but violent some Houres Till in that Towne a monstrous Breach was made As charg'd at once by all the damned Powers I know not whether buried first or deade Troupes seem'd to striue in falling with their Towers Whilst those who stood all trembling did attend That all the World at least themselues should end 60 Twix Rome and Naples once in Enuies Eye What stately Townes did the Worlds Conquerours found Which now we not no not their Ruines spye Being laide more low then leuell with the Ground They with all theirs en-earth'd by Earth-quakes lye Whose Stones drawn downe where Darknesse doth abound Lyke Sisiphus perchance a number roulles Else Dis builds Doungeons for the damned Soulles 61 Late neere those Parts whose Ruines men admire Where Wealth superfluous idle Wonders wrought An Earth-quake strange amazement did acquire A Plaine conceau'd and forth a Mountaine brought Which diuerse dayes disgorged Flammes of Fire And Stones whose Substance was consum'd to nought Hells Fire it seem'd which as GODS Wrath still lights Grown great flamm'd forth vp-braiding Sinners sights 62 Last in this Land our Eyes saw one of late Whose Terrour from some Mindes rests not remou'd Then any else as strange though not so great Not violent but vniuersall prou'd As if of Natures Course the threatned Date All at one Houre this Kingdome trembling mou'd The olde State loathing longing for a new Earth leapes for joy as ready to renew 63 But ah who wakes when rock'd is all this Round Or stryues to stand though euen the Earth thus starts Though GOD doth tosse this Ball till it rebound Who least it part from his Corruption parts Ah that the World so senselesse should be found Both Heauen and Earth do shake but not Mens Hearts Since for his Word the World disdaines to bow Dumbe Creatures do denounce GODS Iudgements now 64 I thinke the Earth by such strange Throwes would tell How much she doth her present State despise Or else all those who in her Bowells dwell Do rouze themselues as readie now to rise Her Bellie thus growne Big doth seeme to swell As one whose Trauell soone should her sur-prise And yet her Brood she Viper-like must free Whose Course must end when Theirs beginnes to be 65 As GOD that Day of Doome striues to make known By Monstrous Signes which may amaze the Mind That Iudgement Great by Iudgements is fore-shown Whilst all the Weapons of his Wrath haue shin'd That others may whilst some rest thus ouer-thrown Stand in the fornace of Affliction fin'd For still the Wretched most Religious proue And oft Examples more then Doctrine moue 66 The Sword of GOD shall once be drunke with Blood And Surfette on the Flesh of thousands slaine Of those who following Euill do flee from Good And scorning CHRIST professe to be prophane From GODS Wine-presse of Wrath shall flow a Flood Which shall with Blood their Horses Bridles staine None may abide nor yet can flie his sight When arm'd with Vengeance GOD doth thundring fight 67 When Father-like GOD chastising his Child Plagu'd alt the Subjectes for their Soueraignes Crime What Thousands then were from the World exild Euen in three Dayes so soone turnes Flesh to Slyme The Earth made waste Men had no more defild Had but one Angell warr'd a litle Time Since by GODS Word the World did made remaine Lesse then his Looke may ruine it againe 68 The Pestilence of Wrath chiefe Weapon thought Which of all Plagues the PLAGVE is onely cald As if All else respecting it were nought It hath so much the Minds of Men appald That Wound by GODS owne Hande seemes only wrought Whose mediat Meanes scarse rest to Reason thrald That which we not conceaue admire we must And in GODS Power aboue our Knowledge trust 69 That poyson'd Dart whose Power none can gaine-stand GOD rarely vs'd in time of greatest Wrath And had it once but brangled in his Hand All trembling stood as twixt the Iawes of Death Then now it selfe the Fame more fear'd this Land Of this great Frensie which infects the Breath A thing thought strange by Habit homely proues What first all Griefe at last all Sense remoues 70 Once in one Age few Dayes and in few Parts The Pest some People to Repentance vrg'd And did with Terrour strike the strongest Harts Whilst his Vine-yard the Heauens great Husband purg'd The Quier of whose Wrath did raine down Darts By which of late what Kingdome was not scourg'd So that Men now not feare that VVhip of GOD Like Boyes oft beaten which contemne the Rod. 71 Lo in this stately Ile admir'd so much What Prouince no what Towne hath not bene pind By that abhorr'd Disease which strikes who touch Whilst Byles the Body Madnesse swells the Mind Ah of some Townes the Anguish hath bene such That All all Hope of safetie had resign'd Whilst Friendes no Comfort gaue no no Reliefe The Sicknesse only not the Death bred Griefe 72 This raging Ague bursts so vgly out Till Men of those whom they loue best are dread Then Danger all in euery thing do doubt Men by the Plague made Plagues as Plagues are fled And are with Horrour compass'd round about When that Contagion through the Aire is spred The Air which first our Breath abus'd doth staine It poyson'd so but Poysons vs againe 73 What thing more wretched can imagin'd be Then is the Towne where once the Botch abounds There not one Sense rests from some Burden free Three doe infect and Two though pure beare Wounds Oft in one Hole Heapes thrown at once we see As where to burie Men fear'd Want of Bounds Yea whilst in Plaintes they spend their plaguie Breath Of all things which are fear'd the least is Death 74 Death whilst no Drogue this Feuers Force ou'rthrowes Oft ere the Patient the Physition claimes The Aire they draw their Heate still higher blowes Till euen what should refresh thus most enflames Of damned Soules the State their Torment showes Who gnash their Teeth as cold whilst Fire enflames And twix their Paines this Difference only winnes Death endes the One the Other but beginnes 75 To plague those Parts where CHRISTS own Troupes do dwell The Angell which destroyes hath most bene bent That whom Words could not moue Wounds may compell Ere Ruine come in Time now to repent By Paine on Earth made thinke of Paine in Hell As this they flie that That they may preuent What can discourage those whome CHRIST doth loue To whom Euill Good Griefe Ioy Death Life doth proue 76 Where
thy Soule Poore sinfull Wretch who then art toss'd with Breath Whilst desp'rat Anguish no way can controule The raging Torrent of consuming Wrath In euery Corner where thy Eyes can roule Their sweetest showes more bitter are then Death Who can expresse thy Feelings or thy Feares Which euen Repentance can not helpe with Teares 43 To looke aloft if thou dare raise thy Sight Weigh'd down as damn'd by guiltie actions gone What Horrour Terrour Errour all affright Thee trembling thee who out of tyme do'st grone Oft shall thou wish that thee falne Mountaines might Hyde from his Face who sittes vpon the Throne But ah in vaine a lurking Place is sought Nought can be couered now no not one Thought 44 The dreadfull Noyse which that great Day proclaimes When mix'd with Sighes and Shouts from Mortalls here O how deform'd a Forme Confusion frames None can well thinke till that it selfe appeare Whilst Clouds of Smoake deliuered are of Flames They darken would their Birth it them would cleare But whilst Both striue None Victorie attaines This endlesse Darkenesse bodes that endlesse Paines 45 If seeking Helpe from thy first Parent slyme Lo Plutoes Palace Dongeons of Despaire As fyr'd by Furies kindled by thy Cryme Ben to encroach on interdicted Aire Do gape to swallow thee before the tyme Whom they foresee damn'd for a Dweller there Heauen ouer thy Head Hell burnes beneath thy Feet As both in Rage to fight with Flammes would meet 46 With Owlie Eyes which horride Lightnings blind This to admire the Reprobat not neede Match'd with the Horrours of a guiltie Mind Nought from without but Pleasure can proceed Sinke in their Bosomes Hells and they shall find More vglie things a Iuster feare to breed Of all most loath'd since first the World began No greater Monster then a Wicked Man 47 All sorts of Creatures soone consum'd remaine Crush'd by their death whose lyues on them depend Their treasons partners whom they entertaine Mans Forfeiture doth too towards them extend Whom since they can no further serue againe True Vassalls thus they with their Lords will end Though oft they them like Tyrants did abuse Whom as Ingrate their Dusts that day accuse 48 Ere it we can call com'd that which is past Charg'd with Corruption flowlie I pursue Since without Hope to reach though following fast That which like lightning quickly scapes the view I where I cannot walke a compasse cast And must seeke wayes to common knowledge due For Mortalls eares my Muse tunes what she sings With earthly Colours painting Heauenly things 49 The last Deluge of Vniuerfall Wrath To wash the Earth defiled all with Sinne So to prolong their litle pufts of Breath High Mountaines Tops both Sexes striu'd to winne But of accesse what Fort can frustrat death Death did attend them there where they did runne With Paine and feare choak'd dash'd ere dying dead Death doubled so was but more grieuous made 50 So when the flamming waues of wasting Fyre Ouer all the World do riotouslie rage Some to the Depths for safetie shall retire As Thetis kisse could Vulcans Wrath asswage But that Lieutenant of his Makers Ire Makes all the Elements straight beare his Badge Scorch'd Earth being op'ned swallowes Thousands down Aire thickned choakes with smoake and Waters drown 51 The halting Lemnian highly shall reuenge The ancient Scorne of other equall Powers Both strong and swift though lame what Wonder strange He in his Madnesse all the Rest deuoures His Fiercenesse first his Mother toyles to change But hauing him embrac'd she likewise lours And with her Sonne doth furiously conspire Straight from pure Air being All transform'd in Fire 52 This Heat with Horrour may congeale all Harts Lifes Bellowes toss'd by Breath which still doth moue That Fanne which doth refresh the inward Parts Euen it shall make the Brest a Fornace proue That Signe of Life which oft arriues and partes Boyles all within else burnes it selfe aboue At that dread Day denouncing endlesse Night All smoake not breath whilst Flames giue only Light 53 That stormie Tyrant which vsurpes the Air Whilst Woll rain'd downe from Heauen doth him enfold A liquid Pillar hinging at each Hair Sneez'd fiercely forth when shaking all for Cold He clad with Flames a firie Leader thair Makes feeble Vulcan by his Aide more bold Whose Bellowes fostred by the Others Blast May soone forge Ruine Instruments to wast 54 The Lands Great Creature Nurceling of the East Which Ioues extreamely and with Zeale adores In Spirit and Nature both aboue a Beast Whilst charg'd with Men he through the Battell roares And his arm'd Match of Monsters not the least Whose Scales defensiue Horne inuasiue gores Whilst foming Flames as other to prouoke Straight joyn'd in Dust their Battell ends in Smoke 55 The craftie Foxe which Numbers doth deceaue To get not be a Prey shall be a Prey The Embrions Enemie Womens that conceaue As who might giue him Death their Birth to stay That rauenous Wolfe which Blood would alwayes haue All then a Thought more quickly shall decay No Strength then stands such Weaknesse went before Nor yet base Slight meere Foolishnesse and more 56 The Hart whose Hornes as Greatnesse is to all Do seeme to grace are Burdens to his Head With swift though slender Legges when Wounds appall Which cures himselfe where Nature doth him lead And with great Eyes weake Heart oft Dangers Thrall The warie Hare whose Feare oft Sport hath made Do seeke by Swiftnesse Death in vaine to shunne As if a Flight of Flames could be outrunne 57 The painted Panther which not fear'd doth gore Like some whose beauteous Face foule Minds defame The Tiger Tigrish past expressing more Since crueltie is noted by his Name The able Ounce strong Beare and fooming Bore Mans Rebells since GOD did Man his proclaime Though fierce all faint and know not where to turne They see their old Refuge the Forrests burne 58 The mildest Beasts importing greatest Gaine Which others Crimes made Altars only touch By whom they cloth and feede not crying slaine The Christians Image only true when such Their growing Snowes which Arts fraile Colours staine Was wrong'd when faind of Gold since worth more much But precious things the Owners Harmes oft breede The Fleeces Flames the Bodies doe succede 59 The Flocks for Profite vs'd in euery Part Though them to serue they make their Masters bow And are the Idoles of a greedy Hart Which as old Egypt doth adore a Cow Like Hannibals which Fabius mock'd by Art As walking Torches all runne madding now By Phoebus tickled they to startle vs'd But Vulcan ruder makes them rage confus'd 60 Their Martiall Cheiftan Mastiues Rage to stay Pasiphaes Louer Venus dayly Slaue With brandish'd Hornes as mustering first doth stray Then throwes them downe in Guard a Match to craue Straight like the Colchian Bulles ere Iasons Prey He Flames not fain'd doth breath but not to braue Like that of Phalaris whom one did fill He tortur'd bellowing doth ly bullering still
61 Of all the Beasts by Men domesticke made The most obsequious and obedient still The fawning Dog which where we list we leade And wants but Words to doe all which we will Which loues his Lord extreamly euen when dead And on his Tomb for Griefe himselfe doth kill He then with Tongue stretch'd forth doth panting rin Which straight when fir'd drawn backe burnes all within 62 The generous Horse the Gallants greatest Friend In Peace for Show and in effect for Warre Which to his Lord when wearie Legges doth lend To flie or chase in Sport or earnest Farre A Pegasus he through the Air would bend Till that his Course turn'd Centaure Man doth marre His wauing Treasures fir'd to flie from Death He first the wind outrunnes and then his Breath 63 This squadrons King that doth for Fight prepare As if he wrack'd the World doth raging goe His Foote doth beate the Earth Taile whippes the Aire Mad to be hurt and yet not find a Foe But soone his Shoulders rough the Fire makes bare And melts his Strength which was admired so Death doth to Rest arrest his rouling Eyes Loe in a litle Dust the Lyon lyes 64 Those Poysnous Troupes in Africks Fields which stray In Death all fertill as the first began By Look by Touch by Wound and euery Way True Serpents Heires in Hatred vnto Man Which GOD still good in Deserts maks to stay To waste the World still doing what they can But whilst they houle scritch barke bray hurle hisse spout Their inward Fire soone meetes with that without 65 The Crocodile with running Depthes in Loue By Land and Water of Tyrannicke powr With vpmost Iawes which and none else do moue Whose Cleansing first is sweet oft after sowr And whyls his Crime his Punishment doth proue Whilst a deuouring Baite train'd to deuoure He neither now can fight nor yet retire His scalie Armour is no Proofe of Fire 66 The Beast though haunting Depthes not there confin'd Whose Haires as precious decke each Great Mans Head Before like Eagles Gooses like behind Whose Feet as Oares to manage Streames are made To waste the liquid Wayes not needing Wind Whose Taile his Course doth as a Rudder leade A Sparke falne from a Tree may then confound Him with his Teeth that now strikes Trees to Ground 67 The Otter black where sinne-wing'd troupes repaire Fresh Riuers Robber which his prey doth chuse And all that kinde nor Fish nor Flesh which are But do two Elements Amphibions vse Not able to touch Earth nor to draw Aire In Waters they their kindled Skinnes infuse But yet refuge can find in neither Soile They burne on Earth and in the Depths do boyle 68 Floods seem'd to grone which beasts Incursion maimes All altered then which lookt of late like Glasse And murmure at the flamming of their streames By Carcasses flot-flotting in a Masse A mouing Bridge whilst euery Channell frames When as there are no Passengers to passe With Beasts all buried Waters are press'd down Whilst both at once their Burdens burne and drown 69 The Crystalls quicke which slowlie vs'd to go And others Heat by coldnesse did allay As if being grieu'd to be polluted so Grown red with rage boyld vp pop-popling stay And tread in Triumph on their breathlesse Fo Whoses Ashes with their Sands they leuell lay But Vulcan now a Victor in each place By Violence doth all their Nymphes embrace 70 The Dwellers of the Depths not harm'd in ought When first Vyce all and next the Waters drown'd So since by some more sacred still are thought As whom Sinnes Scourge did onely not confound The Elements not pure to purge being brought They likewise fall kill'd by this generall Wound The Fishes sodden are in euery Flood Yet find no Eaters though a callour Food 71 All which Corruption only serues to feed When it doth end doth end so Heauen designes Nought saue the Soule which doth from GOD proceede Ouer death triumphes and still is pleas'd else pynes Death nor mans Essence but his Sinne did breed And it with it the end of Tyme confines Then Death and Lyfe shall neuer meet againe The State then taken alwayes doth remaine 72 Salt Seas fresh Streames the Fish which loues to change The Riuers Prince esteem'd by daintie Tastes Which through the Ocean though he yearelie range The bounds him bred to see yet yearelie hastes Ah Man whyles wants O Monster more then strange This kind Affection common vnto Beasts That Salmon fresh for which so many stryue May then be had boyld where it liu'd alyue 73 The Trout the Eele and all that Watrie Brood Which without Feet or Wings can make much Way Then leape aloft forc'd by the raging Flood Not as they vs'd before for sport or prey That which whyles freez'd their Glasse to gaze in stood Now turn'd to Flammes makes what it bred decay Those which to take Men did all Snares allow All without Baites or Nets are taken now 74 Those Floods which first did Fields with Streames array The Riuers foure by sacred Write made known Which since farre sundrie makes their Wits to stray Who Paradise drawn by their Dreames haue shown As turn'd from it or it from them away In all the Earth their strength shall be ou'r-thrown VVhom first high Pleasures Horrours huge last bound As if for Griefe they vanish from the Ground 75 The fertile Nilus neuer rashlie mou'd Which ag'd in trauell manie Country knowes Whose Inundation by the Labourer lou'd As Barrennesse or Plentie it fore-showes From diuerse meanes but doubtfull all is prou'd Oft Natures worke all Reasons Power ouer-throwes The Ancients wondred not to find his Head But it shall all inuisible be made 76 Heauens Indignation seazing on all things The greatest Waters languish in their Way The litle Brookes exhausted in their Springs For Pouertie can not their Tribute pay Of Moisture spoyl'd the Earth craues Help not brings The Mightie thus left to themselues decay Great powers compos'd make but of manie one Whose weaknesse showes it selfe when left alone 77 That Flood whose Fame more great then Waters straide Whose Race like it more then their owne would ow Which from the Appennins oft gathering aide Would those ouer-throw who did the world ou'r-throw VVhich though vnstable onely stable staide In that great Citie where all else fell low It which so long familiar was with Pame Shall be dry'd vp an vnregarded streame 78 The Sheep-heards Mirrours all like Siluer pure VVhich curious Eyes delighted were to see VVhen Flammes from Heauen fraile Beauties shall combure No Creature then being from Confusion free Euen they shall grow more vglie and obscure Then the infernall Floods are fain'd to be Of their long course there shall no signe remaine VVorse then that Lake where Brimstone once did raine 79 Whilst Thetis bent to court those Streames as vaine That on themselues to gaze stryue Time to win And liquid Serpents wynding through the Plaine As if to sting the Earth oft gathered in
count his Host Had sought all meanes by which they might be lost 49 All Salaminaes Straits disgorge againe Those whom they swallow'd and disgested had But broken Squadrons are restor'd in vaine Since with no Armes no with no Garment clad Whilst both the parts then joyn'd in one remaine Great is the Number but the Cause is bad Who striu'd for State both as most abiect bow Greekes and Barbarians no way differ now 50 By this last Blast those do assemble all At diuerse tymes who in the Depths fell dead By him almost preuenting Persias fall Who the Greeke Empire had abortiue made Who charg'd with Chaines lay for his Father thrall An Act more great then all his Hostes to lead From Vertues hight this generous course did come A Man most vitious Armies might ouercome 51 The last great Act which Athens did intend It Thousands did defraud their funerall Right Which did presage their Greatnesse neere an end Whose State then chang'd as hauing past the hight Those to pursue that then did Armies send From that tyme forth did for their confines fight A mightie Town whose growing nought could stay When com'd to faile doth wither soone away 52 Their greatest Captain fondly being remou'd The other cold procur'd what he diuinde Who happie first last most vnhappie prou'd Vaine superstition vilified his Minde But Siracusa yet to stand behou'd Whose ruine was for greater foes design'd And those by Sea to winne more Land who striu'd Drownd in the Sea were of all Land depriu'd 53 Faire Sicile long still by great States being sought As fertile Fields weake owners did entyse The fatall Lists where Rome and Carthage fought When all the World was made the Victors pryse Thy bounds oft bath'd with Blood was dearely bought Which Strangers still else Tyrants did surpryse Thy Sea the Stage where Death oft act'd with Wounds Must muster manie when the Trumpet sounds 54 Earst Athens Pirrhus Carthage Rome in Ire Their hungrie Hopes whilst Ceres fill'd with Dreames To daunt that People proudlie did aspire Not fearing Scilla nor Charibdis Streames Nor thundring Aetna vomiting forth Fire Nor Vulcans Forge nor monstrous Giants Names No Plutoes selfe who wedded in those Fields His conquer'd Hells to greedy men he yeelds 55 Those whose great Valour did so honour Wrong That each eternall Pen it yet renownes Who Riualls liu'd in loue of Glorie long And though but Cities did dispose of Crownes Those two by Sea did striue who was most strong As all the Earth could not containe two Townes Each State the World lesse then it selfe contriues A just Proportion Ruine only giues 56 That hautie Race which Kings in Triumph led All not being pleas'd with parting of the Spoyles That Fishes might as well as Beasts be fed The Land else glutted by their guiltie Broyles They on the Sea a Sea of Blood did shed Which wash'd by Waues away might foyle their Soyles That them to plague no Furie Place could find All Objects raz'd which might vpbraide the Mind 57 A spatious Field the Waters did afford Where floting Armies might their Forces trie When free Men fighting who should be their Lord With too much Valour did their Bondage buy Whilst AEolus did rage and Neptune ror'd More cruell Creatures then Themselues to spie Men of all else which this large Circuit fill Most subtill are and violent in Ill. 58 From liquid Fields where Carcasses are rife Now with his Troupe Volteius Passage finds Who were more bold then fortunat in Strife And dying did triumph ouer Foes Waues Winds Of Fame too greedy prodigall of Life As those whose Soules were Strangers to their Minds Who lose their owne to gaine from others Breath Life by Opinion seeke for certaine Death 59 When Father Sonne and Brother bound in Law Did pledge their Liues who only should be free Pale Neptune once at Actium wondring saw His Chrystall Walks all as congeal'd in Tree Which from their Kingdomes diuerse Kings did draw To know whose Slaues they were ordain'd to be As both till clear'd from what they crau'd would stand Two on the Sea did fight for all the Land 60 To lose their Owne or others Shippes to winne When loftie Legions did a Purpose take Of Winds Waues Armes Oares Sounds Showts blowes the din Gaue bold men Courage made the Cowards quake Whilst sloting Forrests did together rin Which Neptune Mars and AEolus made shake The Bellies big with Men abortiue burst By thundring Engines violated first 61 When this Encounter had made many smart A stately meeting terrible to thinke Shippes without Kindnesse kiss'd yet loth to part Stood strugling long which should the other sinke Till some oft pierc'd and past all Hope of Art For Poyson last as desprat Floods did drinke And that none might their conquer'd Ensignes clame Slipt vnder Seas as if to hide their Shame 62 But hautie Romans storm'd to be withstood And vs'd to conquere maruail'd to be match'd From Floods in vaine some drinking backe their Blood Halfe kill'd halfe drown'd Death by two Darts dispatch'd There where they fought whilst Bodies pau'd the Flood Till emptie first no wooden Caue was catch'd O how that Life seemes foule which blots Fames Bookes In Glories Glasse whilst generous Courage lookes 63 Whilst Mars as yet a doubtfull Iudge did proue The barbarous Queene fled with Pelusian Slaues Who liu'd in her with her did straight remoue Not fear'd no not as who in Feauers reaues He fled not Foes but follow'd on his Loue For whom the Hope of all the World he leaues Who vanquish'd Armies oft a Woman foyld Who all of All him of himselfe she spoyld 64 The Seas surrender at that dreadfull Blast Troupes of all Lands which in their Depthes did fall Which Foes fell down rise as in League at last The Cause being common which doth joyne them all Not onely Ancients famous in Times past But Turkes and Christians thence a voyce doth call Whom euen when raging raging Floods supprest That Waues might tosse them still who would not rest 65 What Turband Band abandons Thetis Bowres By their Misfortune fortunat to Fame Who by a ROYALL PENNES Eternall Powers Reft backe from Death Breath whilst Men Breath doth clame How those still Turkes were baptiz'd in few Houres Where Azure Fields fom'd forth a hoarie Streame This my GREAT PHOEBVS tun'd to Trumpets Sounds Whose stately Accents each strange Tongue rebounds 66 Not onely thus by barbarous Bands ou'rthrowne Some whome CHRIST bought a floting Tombe confines But by themselues like Pagans spoyld though knowne In liquid Plaines a Number Breath resignes Whilst those who toyle to make the World their owne Doe with Deuotion paint most damn'd Designes That they when all things else haue faild for Baites May Superstition vse to angle States 67 When hautie Philip with this I le in Loue Whose Rage to raigne no Reason could appease As oft by Fraud it last by Force would proue To barren Spaine whose fertile Fields did please He send huge Hulks which did like
hight That the last part on this Worlds Stage was shown Else to vpbraid as a prodigious sight Them who did haste what bent to haue ouer-thrown And others all thus rais'd more glad do ryse Of Soules birth once then of their Bodies thryse 106 There come those two from whence no Flesh can know Yet not more soone then whom fraile Eyes saw dead Of which as Types one to each World did show That Mortalls might be straight Immortall made Grosse Bodies mount and some Death not ouerthrow A Laberinth whence Nature none can lead In most euill tymes most good to be mark'd so Those did from hence mans common Way not go 107 That godly man by GOD judg'd Iust to be Translated was that he might not see Death Being Death to him his LORD despis'd to see Whilst poysond with vile Mens blasphemous Breath Or else at last from Pangs and Horrours free He priuiledg'd from all the signes of Wrath Did part not die from Sinne not Life estrang'd Soules must remoue else haue their lodging chang'd 108 Whilst him saue GOD who ought disdain'd to feare Vile Baals Scourge of Kings who scorn'd the Ire With flamming Steeds a burning Coach did beare The Wind being Wagoner an Angell Squire Twix this grosse Globe and the celestiall Spheare Zeale did triumph euen as it fought with Fyre That Heauen and Earth both might his Glory know As earst his Toyles when but contemn'd below 109 As where he liue or lyes to turne or stay To dispute easie is hard to conclude The LORD perchance committed him to Clay As one with whom He on Mount Tabor stood Else not dissolu'd but changd when borne away And some thinke kept apart yet to do good For without all no Saints perfected be The Maide-borne-bodie so Heauens onely see 110 A loude Alarme still doubling from aboue The Word Eternall may make Breath abound All this vaste Circuit doth a Trumpet proue Whose Concaue wastes not but maintaines the sound At the first blast nought else saue it did moue As drearie Silence had prepard the ground But till all Eares be fill'd it higher swells A horrid Echo roaring from the Hells 111 Those guiltie Soules what further comfort shields From sleepe whose Conscience with the Bodie stares Then when they see as Grasse ouer all the fields Men grow about them O what frozen Hearts Earth labour'd long a Monstrous Haruest yeelds Which straight Heauens Husband loe grindes sifts and parts Who can but thinke how such endure this sight And yet what they attend makes it seeme light 112 He who them hates that he should others grace Both Grief and Enuie tortures them at once Of two who rest companions in one place One pleas'd doth joy the other desp'rat moues One parts as pointed for Eternall Peace The other sign'd for paine stayes howles and grones Thus of the Godlies good the first degree Is from the wicked that they parted be 113 Those Creatures who still sound did neuer fall That fatall Summons do no sooner heare Then those whom it forth from the Dust doth call Where they had slept euen manie a hundreth yeare Soules lodgings thus which had bene ruin'd all Straight builded then first perfect do appeare The Iust they first the Reprobat last moue Which bide below whilst others flie aboue 114 Those Temples then which not dissolu'd still stay A Mysterie difficult to conceaue All debt of death not dying shall defray The other life being com'de ere this them leaue The Bodies then all frailtie burn'd away Being quintessenc'd new qualities receaue Which though still quicke yet in their Sinnes being dead Ere mortall prou'd shall be Immortall made 115 If oft to gaze a multitude remaines To hold his Court whilst it some Prince attends Who still being mette with many stately Traines Doth make a Musters of imagin'd friends As by small Brookes a Flood swolne when it raines Till that on him it seemes the World depends That Pomp to all a reuerent aw imparts And strykes with Terrour Malefactours Hearts 116 Thinke with what glory CHRIST must wondring wonne Whilst thundring Terrour and yet lightning Grace He might come clad with Starres crown'd with the Sunne But to his brightnesse such as base giue place His court at first of heauenly Hostes begunne From hence enlarg'd is in a litle space O what strange noyce doth all the World rebound Whilst Angells sing Saints shout and Trumpets sound 117 My rauish'd Soule transcending Reasons reache So earnest is to surfet on this sight That it disdaines what may high thoughts empeach Whilst mounting vp to Contemplations hight Which flight so farre doth passe the power of speech That only Silence can pursue it right And that my Spirit may be refresh'd that way It must a space amidst dombe Pleasures stray FINIS