A sad but unexpected Accident Dire chance unheard of intercepts our way O could your Majesty have been content That we had been less ready to obey But what do silly People know What ill Can give them blame that 's done against their will XXXIX Our hands too ready were alas too prone All our desires to satisfie you were With bloud rage shame our hearts were drunk and none Saw what they did dark and obscure the air The Fault might be excus'd but it is done This said his Tongue did farther speech forbear But Herod urg'd him on and he again Begun and thus the King did entertain XL. While we as I have said your high command Had thus perform'd resolving to be gone A cunning Souldier of Malecche's Band His Spy who all his secrets knew alone Met us in haste to let him understand That he a woman saw to him unknown Who with two Children in her garment wrap'd Fled thence and to a secret place escap'd XLI Then not far distant from the Palace where From the soft stream the Royal Garden sees With such delight proud Libanus to rear His head led on by cruel destinies A Postern door our Guide approach'd and there 〈◊〉 While he desir'd to act all by surprize Through crannies of the broken posts appeard A little light and streight a voice was heard XLII Within a Woman was whose looks put on All that of fear or sorrow could be found Solicitous for her two Sons the one Lay'd in her bosom t' other on the ground With sighs mix'd with a sad and trembling tone Drawn from her heart where doubtful thoughts abound To one dear Child where shall I save or hide Thee in th' Abyss of deepest seas she cry'd XLIII Samaria once had Women as 't is said By Fame so cruel that with hunger prest Flesh born of their own bowells re-conveyd To them and so on their own Issue feast And may not this that their Rage lawful made To Me in Pitty be allow'd at least And to conceal you from these Harpies Pride My dearest entrails in my entrails hide XLIV But after Patterns of such Ills so great I 've often opâ—d my bosom unto thee Dear Child that so thou might'st thy hopes repeat After my Death to have a Life from Me. Nay even my Soul thou mayst lay open yet If with my Soul thou mayst concealed be How greedily should I receive thee here Within my very Soul thou Soul more dear XLV Thus reas'ning with her self the child held in Her arms within a Vessel deep and wide That lately fill'd with Bacchus spoils had bin Not yet quite empty silent seeks to hide Then addes to thee O Vessel free from sin Of fraud I all my Joy and Peace confide And let me ' midst such Ruins thee a kind Depository of my Treasure find XLVI More she would say but at her back she hears Our Captain 's rage and voice who at the door Knock'd and streight in he breaks in pieces tears The locks and barres more furious then before One hidden in the Caske t'other her fears Snatching into her arms she flying bore Into the most remote and secret room Of all the house and waited there her doom XLVII She hid him there but might have with him fled From the dire mischief that was then so near Had she had time to leave there in his steed Some other Child that might like this appear But from this fatal Risque she hop d this Head First to secure which she esteem'd most dear Or with a wile so merciless and strange Make one to take the other 's sad revenge XLVIII 'T was wonderful she past thus undescry'd By Us but through the dark and gloomy aire And horrours that appear'd on every side None did consider what she acted there Besides our rage swell'd to so high a Tyde That we ran blind and madding every where And since she was not in the Palace seen None did suspect this chance could e're ha' been XLIX But our Malecche who exactly knew The place where this dear Theft then hidden lay To boast his power and his fierce rage pursue As he his furious humour would betray Still threatning and in 's actions dreadful too Would scofling with her sad misfortune play And with cruel cunning on her smil'd To cloak 's intent before her Sons were kil'd L. And now his hands then he his feet employ'd Against her now tares her Vest and then her hair Tell me said he where is it thou didst hide Thy two Sons tell me vile wretch where they are And thou said she whose hands with bloud are dy'd Where are those Babes whom thou hast murder'd where Eyes of so many wretched Mothers Thou While I of thousands speak seek'st onely two LI. Dear Children who to Me like Stars did show Whom I so fondly Nurst up and caresst What Nest protects you now did you but know What cruel talons snatch you from my brest That ' midst these wracks chains arms and dangers tho Torments of quickest flames did me invest This Heart which now no other light can see Robb'd of a Mother's faith shall never be LII Whither O whither can you now retire My hapless Babes what fortune can you save You are perhaps to Ashes turn'd by fire Or in deep waters now have found a Grave Food or for Dogs or Birds or Winds conspire With raging Seas and you for pastime have Or the dire thirst of barbarous swords late drench In bloud of Innocents perhaps have quench'd LIII Quench'd alass no there 's nothing can restrain This barbarous rage I see it flames so high To this Malceche says Thou dost in vain What cannot be deny'd to Me deny Fond Faith dull Piety mad Love to feign That as a Secret which must open ly The violence of the sword with quickest force Deprives a Mother's heart of all remorse LIV. Art thou the valiant Mother thou the wise Who wouldst conceal what is already known Who Life neglectest and do'st Death despise For Love of thy dear children this is done Like motions of Love in Herod rise And him invite too to preserve his own Thus menacing he spoke and she with brave And manly courage this stout answer gave LV. Plant Me 'mong swords or hottest flames if thou Know'st how to kill Death will great kindness be If thou desirest to terrify me now With Life and not with Death then threaten me Thus the brave Woman with a constant brow Her courage greater then before they see When the poor infant in the Vessel lay'd Himself with childish cryes alass betray'd LVI â—â—lecche seiz'd the Vessel which upon The floor he roll'd and with it laughing play'd But when with pointed steel nought could be done And that the poignard small impression made When all the strength and force of 's arm was gone What might be done by fire he then essay'd To th' flames he drives it and the hearth was fill'd With bloud wine through numerous holes distill'd LVII As
seven hundred thousand Volumes and whence Learning was diffused into all Greece by several famous Philosophers as Plato c. Stanza CXLI Thebes situate on the Arabian shore of the Nile was once the Metropolis of all Egypt renowned for its hundred Gates Its last eminent ruine in the time of the Roman Power was some few years after the Battle of Actium Hermopolis of which name were two Cities Major und Minor this here mentioned is the Major where all the Toll was taken for Commodities brought down from Thebes Memphis was built upon the Western banks of Nile not far from the extreme part of the Delta where the River first divides it self very rich in Antiquities and stately buildings whereof three Temples of Venus Apis and Serapis beset with Sphynxes were very famous Stanza CXLIV After the death of Alexander Ptolomy the Son of Lagus seized on this Province as his Part of that Empire and made himself King of Egypt and his Race continued two hundred and four years by the Succession of ten Kings all of the same name and ended in Cleopatra's Brother The End of the Second Book THE SLAUGHTER OF THE INNOCENTS BOOK III. The Execution I. OH that my Tongue or stile as sharpe might prove And strike as deep as did the killing Sword That with a thousand Wounds I so might move All gen'rous Hearts in pity to accord Or since to shew such horrours is above My vile and obscure Pen Arpin afford Thine aid thy Pensil it will best become To paint the story of this Martyrdom II. Thy skilful hand which Life and sense can give To shadows and thy paintings animate Can make the Murder'd Companies to live Again feel wounds deplore anew their Fate The Tyrant and the Murderers revive And them again to slaughter irritate That these my Lines may imitate thine Art Thy lively Colours to my Inke impart III. The Morning rose resolving to bewaile The Sons of Israel with doleful tears The Scarlet colour of the Rose grew pale And Bloud the Violet and Lilly wears Day hid it self under Nights horrid veile Circled with Ominous Lamps that scatter'd fears The Sun a sad and dismal Face put on From his first Rising till his Course was done IV. Fly Mothers fly and your sweet Pledgesbear In your soft Arms to safer shelter fly See how a thousand Murtherers to their And your destruction arm'd streight hither hy See! their drawn Swords See how they cut the Air I hear most dreadful plaints I hear their cry Oh fly I now your chearful looks discern Into dire horrours and sad mourning turn V. In midst of Bethlem was a stately Frame Rais'd on an hundred Columns large and high Built like a Spherick Temple and of name For Rooms within of vast capacity The Cananean Kings 't is said by Fame Made it of old their Court and there did lie The work of that great King who this the Queen Of Cities made and chief of Palestine VI. The cruel Tyrant in the open air Would not survey the bloudy Tragedy But to a fitter Theatre repair And so ascends a stately Gallery At full view in an high Balcone there The dreadful Execution he could see And all their several Forms of Death a bold Spectator and Delighted Judge behold VII He thought perhaps that so conceal'd he might Hide from the eye of Heav'n his black Design But all he did was open to your sight Ye Angels Troops of Pity most Divine You saw their bleeding wounds in dismal plight And with your hands to wipe them did incline That so you might from what they cruel shed Enrich your whitest Robes with purest Red. VIII Thither so soon as Day began to rise The Cited came and as enclos'd within A Camp unnumbred several Companies Of Matrons and of Mothers there were seen No sooner entred but before their eyes Appear'd a strange Parade of Arms and Men. With doubts and wonder they suspended were A while but soon surpriz d with sudden fear IX Hither th' obedient Bands of Mothers brought Their Sons in Troops and numbers infinite Scarce any one of which was ever taught To speak or go their Parents to delight These understood no Form t' express a Thought Whether they cry'd or spoke few judg'd aright And those as they with doubtful steps came on Ready to fall and staggering they bemoan X. Now when with Murderers on every side Enclos'd themselves th' unhappy Mothers found Deluded in their thoughts they dumb abide And pale like Flow'rs new trampled on the ground When them thus languishing the children spi'd Frighted and trembling shreeks and cries abound This to the Bosome flies that to the Teat Those under veils and garments seek retreat XI Mean while sate Herod on his lofty Throne His head with Gems enrich'd and 's back and breast With these a shining Cuirass he put on And over all a Royal Purple Vest But most pleas'd with the Childrens doleful moan That horrour suited with his Fancy best He in the Sword and bloud delighted more Than in the Gold and Purple that he wore XII As when a Bird of Prey that watching sits On some high Tree a Flock of Pigeons spies He fits his Arms his Bill and Pounces whets Still keeping them in view with greedy eyes So his stern look he turns with fatal threats On the pale Mothers and the Infants cries Then to his Officer from his high stand To sound the Trumpet nods his last command XIII He from his back in hand his Trumpet takes Puts to his lips and e're he did begin Of all his Spirits strong collection makes And to his Jaws and Mouth sends from within His cheeks now rise now fall the blast streight breaks Into the air as it had thunder been The mighty noise strikes through the marble skies And busie Eccho to each note replies XIV The Signal thus dispers'd of what they fear'd A thousand hands a thousand Arms extend Over a thousand heads the Swords appear'd And streams of bloud from thousand wounds descend The Womens shreeks through all the Court are heard And th' air the doleful cries of Infants rend Dire Fury here there Death offends the eye The Murderers rage the Murder'd groan and die XV. How many there expir'd their last of breath Who their first Breathings newly had begun How many were surpriz'd by sudden death Who what it was to live had hardly known How many first beheld the shades beneath E're the worlds pleasing Light had on them shone And from how many the Impartial knife Cut off soon as begun the Thread of Life XVI Sad to behold how through the bloudy Court The frighted Mothers with their Children fly The ample Cupulos where they resort Tremble with the dire horrours of their cry Statues and Pillars if Fame truth report Continued streams of bloud so mollifie That they were seen to weep and trembling show Their Pity at the sound of every blow XVII And 't was a Miracle if Fame say true That many quite of sense
odorous Combs XCV So full of Joy and from their Bodies free Those happy souls towards Heav'n take their flight And visibly to some appear'd to be Wrap'd up within a glorious cloud of Light A joyful Troop a beautious company All crown'd with flaming Diadems most bright And in a Circle which they largely spread They starry Garlands weave and Dances lead XCVI The Sky was most serene all clouds gave way And brightest Stars upon their triumphs wait The South and Northern Winds their rage allay And calm to see their pleasant Dances sate The air and gentle Breezes sport and play And early birds with Songs congratulate Of Crimson dew the Morn did then prepare Gems for her breasts and Roses for her hair XCVII The vast Abysses and death's Prison where The shades of ancient Heroes dwell then smil'd While those so bright and glorious Lamps appear And the dark Iron gates with lustre guild The Royal Poet and stout Shepherd there Was seen who when a Boy the Gyant kill'd His Sling his Harp and Scepter on the Shore Of Lethe lay not us'd as heretofore XCVIII But then the dusky fields that border near Where mournful birds on barren boughs reside And never silent are impoverish'd were While with fresh flow'rs to braid his hair he try'd When a new light struck through the gloomy air His eyes and he their shining Ensignes spy'd His Harp resum'd he from his sacred breast Inspir'd with holy Fire this Song exprest XCIX Glad tidings see those Messengers of Joy Which unto us were promis'd long ago Behold those pure forerunners of the Day Who with Vermilion rays approach us so Now whatsoe're of old did us annoy Shall cease and we full liberty shall know The Sun is up which guilds our dark shades o're Let 's kneel and all at once his Rise adore C. To you most long'd-for Angels to you Peace And Glory who have that salvation gain'd Which we long long have hop'd But who are these Who are with wounds and bloud so strangely stain'd Who cut those throats Whence did that Rage encrease That on their Heads so cruel mischief rain d What heart ' gainst pity could so harden'd be What hand what Sword so fir'd with cruelty CI. And you that in your selves your selves retain Destructive storms what then did you repress What bridled you ye winds What did restrain Thunder and clouds Your rage from its excess So that this act unpunish'd did remain And God s most just revenge seem'd to be less An Act that ' midst eternal Hate and Ire Furies amaz'd and made Hell blush like fire CII O sacred holy O most bless'd and dear Triumphant Martyrs whom nought could subdue Heroes who by your Captain chosen were To die for him before he dies for you Imbitter'd Apples pull'd by hands severe Flow'rs that unblown in his own garden grew Sweet Roses dy'd in your own bloud and born To be cut off with wounds in groves of thorn CIII Most tender Lillie s untouch'd Jessimine Wherein sweet'st streams of purple Nectar flow Preserv'd in Gods own Garden made divine T' enrich those Feasts he does in Heav'n bestow Fair branches that on earth did glorious shine Torn from the trunks whereon you once did grow Small broken stones on which the Church will lay Its new Foundation and its Honours pay CIV To us here languishing our Saviours name Upon your Virgin Foreheads writ you bear Sweet sheep whose looks your Innocence proclaim Immaculate and whitest Doves you are Purg'd Holocausts bright Off'rings free from blame Wash'd in the Lamb's and your own bloud most fair First Victims that to th' King of Saints were pay'd And by the cruel sword were open layd CV Welcome Illustrious Sp'rits souls clear and fair Most happy Bades who to us certain news Of our approaching Jubilee now bear And long-expected Joys through all diffuse O sacred Drops and every drop a Star Bloud which than Rubies Christ doth rather chuse As richest Gems selected for his own T' enrich his Diadem and his Spouses Crown CVI. O happy wounds and signs that now declare Past Martyrdom with great'st Veracity Of Glory and Honour surest Pledges are That Grace and Love can loudest magnifie Now who is he who will not tears prepare To bath you and with kisses wipe you dry Or who is he whom pity will not move To drink those streams are shed for wounded Love CVII With sprinklings of your bloud even Heaven desires It self t' adorn instead of its own Light The moon in such sine Purple now aspires To paint her Face and mix it with her white In such pure rivolets Angels and those Fires That shine above to view themselves delight The Sun 's ambitious in so fair a Sea Himself t' impurple and to drown the Day CVIII O most delightful O most charming tears O dearest Sighs and Groans that pleasures move From sound of which the most harmonious Spheares Make their high Consort as they turn above O sweetest Grief which the lov'd Martyr bears With all delight and makes his Joys improve O pleasing Death that does more glorious seem Than Life it self in honour and esteem CIX Lov'd Spirits beautious Souls how great how fair Immortal Arches now doth God for you I' th' Empyraean Capitol prepare With Palms and Crowns and Blisses that ensue What greater glory then when Hell a War Designs their King and Armies to subdue With naked Champions who so took the field Unarm'd and thus were made your Saviour's shield CX In that high starry Court where now he reigns In triumph and from whence he sent you there With Angels your Companions the Remains And spoils of his great Victory you shall share The Standard there of Death with bloudy stains And that of Innocence all white appear There for a Trophy ' mids those Troops displai'd Large Banners your torn Swathbands shall be made CXI Even in your torments O most happy you Who rather more of milk than bloud did spend In your first day your last night did ensue One day gave your Beginning and your End Yet was it fit before you either knew That you with Death and Sorrow should contend And with torn Sails your weak Barks first effort Scarce made into the Sea should gain your Port. CXII We infirm Wrestlers we you now may say Faln in the Lists up to God's bosome rise From bloudy Paths we now the Milky way New Stars with purer white shall signalize Our Feet which now no weakness can betray Tread on the highest Spheres and Earth despise We from a loose and little Veil begun To survey Heav'n before we saw the Sun CXIII As thus he sung those glorious souls his Lays Abruptly stop'd the shades straight vanish quite To Heav'n their hands the Ancient Fathers raise Hoping a Period of so long a Night And through the horrours of those gloomy ways The welcom Children now a Burthen Light Bear in their Arms and iterate upon Their holy checks their kisses and their moan Notes upon the Fourth Book Stanza LXXXIV Herod had married this Doris of his own Country on whom he begat this Alexander whose death among these Innocents when reported to Augustus I had rather said he be Herod's Swine than his Son because as a Jew he would let the Swine live but jealous of his Son would murther him FINIS Errata Page 36. Stanza 47. for stocks read shocks pag. 55. Stanza 112. for spise r. Spyes
overlay'd A Royal Canopy above his Head The Starlike Beams of various gems display'd The six large stately Steps which thither led Of whitest polish'd Ivory were made And as his furious Guards on either hand At every Stair two golden Lyons stand VI. Here soon as sate grown pale He frowning thrice The trembling Company surveys around Then turning up to Heav'n his bloud-shot eyes Strait downward look'd and fix'd them on the ground And in one act his griefs and threats implies While both within though not express'd abound Yet he complains not but as winds the rain So sighs and rage a while complaints restrain VII His Scepter and his Throne at once he shooke And stamping fiercely his dire Rage to shew From 's Head its Ornament and Honour tooke His Golden Crown which he doth sighing view Then from his Chin with a disdainful looke The hoary hairs like bristles singly drew At length the flood of grief and fury broke From his swoln livid Lips and thus he spoke VIII What terrours Princes what new shapes of fear Disturb at midnight my profoundest rest What phantosms visions doe I see and hear What cruel stings of cares torment my brest Poor men who must this weight of trouble bear Oh wretched Kings whom dangers still invest And to the plots of Foes must Herod made A Victim in his Palace be betray'd IX Ah t is my grief to find that now the bold Usurper of my Throne cause of my fear So long by Jewish Oracles foretold Within the walls of Bethlaem should appear My self of late did for rain Kings behold From th' East to him their wealthy tribute bear And to their Home with breach of faith which they To me me had given return'd another way X. And now by this my Scepter and my Crown I swear to Me whether I were awake Or morning slumbers did my senses drown All this before my brother Joseph spake These eyes him pensive saw and sadly frown And his known voice whose language made me quake These very ears have heard what secrets he Of present dangers hath declar'd to me XI Could I Arabia's Pride and Egypt's too Debell and by unusual means of late The treacherous Atemion's plots subdue And all Arbella's conquering force defeat Antigonus with victory pursue Kill Pappus and destroy the Rhodian fleet Pacorus rout and on Hircanus 'mong The rest most false revenge with fame my wrong XII And now a people weak whom I with care Have cherish'd nurtur'd with a Fathers name I know not what poor Child rebellious dare While yet I live their lawful King proclaim And do I sleep and silent tamely bear A King despis'd a King betray'd my shame And with vain pitty for Anothers sake My self the object of their malice make XIII Already I me thinks the Hostile cryes O' th Infant round about these walls do hear Yet cryes they are not nor will I dispise Anothers tender age I now may fear Dire sounds of war and of conspiracies Threatnings of death and noise of armes they are Trumpets which the base people fire with rage Against my Life and Quiet to engage XIV But all this noise of dreadful Tumults I In sad and mournful silence soon will drowne And in an Ocean of cruelty Will firmly fix the Anchor of my Throne The Innocent and Guilty all shall dy Justice and Rigour 's unto me all one For I 'm resolv'd with Bloud and Slaughter now My Royal Crown t' establish on my Brow XV. I know as yet my Ruine sucks as yet Wrap'd up in swadling-cloths in secret lies And puiling like an Infant craves the Teat But I 'le provide he may not pratling rise I know his Treason into armes would get Against Me and Me silently surprize But let him come as speedy as he will With certain vengeance I 'le prevent him still XVI I shall no pleasing hours no quiet know Until a sea of bloud by Me be shed And that the blushing billows largely flow And dy this purple with a deeper red My safty through a thousand wounds must show It self as through a thousand eyes and spread Vermilion characters till it confound All treason and in it my fears be drown'd XVII For tell me you my faithful friends who here In this our common danger now are met Should I these flames which you perceive so near My kingdom threaten carelessly forget Should I not rather while they thus appear In Embers smuther th m before too great And shunning by another's wo my fall To kill this One more certain murther All XVIII This said his silence streight a noise supply'd which through th' amaz'd Assembly humming goes Such as when Northern winds the Sea divide Or rocks the waves imprison or enclose Or when the Bees like murm'ring armies hide The tops of flowers where sweetest Nectar flows And on their laden wings th' odorous prey In Troops unto their waxen Camp convey XIX But Vrizeus streight reply'd as one Of nearest confidence a Priest who long Had travell'd many Lands and Seas had known Had much observ'd and much had seen when young And now in 's Master 's secrets Aged grown For Judgement and for Trust perfer'd among The Chief a bushy grove of Beard extends O're all his Face and o're his breast descends XX. Hony in 's words but snares that all surprize In 's mouth are hid his tongue with arrows stor'd His actions a grave countenance disguise His modest eyes a front serene afford 〈◊〉 candid stile his Voice accompanies â—is Looks give emphasis to every word And from his Lips when He his story told Flow'd streams of purest Milk through veins of Gold XXI â—e hazards much said He Great Sir whoe'r 〈◊〉 resumes in this affair to counsel you â—or if my counsel different appear â—our anger which I dread may Me pursue Or if to your resolve I should adhere Gainst justice and my duty that 's worse too A traitor to my Country God and King I to my Self shall certain ruin bring XXII Yet shall I not conceal what now to mind I call and in my Youth have prov'd and try'd That rash resolves and hasty seldom find An happy End or can the Test abide Nor should He who 's to furious Acts inclin'd Hope other or expect ought else beside For 't is a crime in wisemen all consent First not to think and after to repent XXIII Do then what best may seem their fierce desire who do so lightly snatch the easy Rain With which an hand so gentle doth conspire Reason advis'd must with hard curbs restrain Who their stiff necks from th' yoak of laws retire A free Prince cannot ought not to maintain Yet the Lawgiver should observe his Law And men t' obedience by example draw XXIV What boots it that a King of greatest might Should with an happy Scepter Kingdomes sway If afterward the peoples appetite Like an unhappy slave he shall obey Things that to loose desires and rage invite Wound generous Souls and to ill fame betray
But he that for anothers bloud doth thirst As cruel by the King of Heaven is curs'd XXV And if in vilest souls of lowest fame That in the oblique path of sense do tread This raging fury is esteem'd a shame When beyond rule with it the spirits are fed Oh how much more from souls of highest name From Princes hearts should this be banished Oh how much more should they their wills restrain And from this cruel precipice refrain XXVI For as the Region of Heav'n above Is always in it self serene and pure Where nor dark clouds nor earthy vapours move To hide its Brightness or its Light obscure Or as Olympus doth his height improve Above all showers or Thunder to endure So in a Noble Brest and Royal mind We seldom storms or noise of Fury find XXVII Laws were at first for terrour rather made Then always to be rigorus and severe Their execution should be gently lay'd If the offence an easy hand will bear 'T is fit strong whips correct and guide the Jade Yet then still feel them let him rather fear Jove when he thunders with the dreadful noise Doth many terrifie but few destroys XXVIII Forbid it Heaven that I my Prince perswade Unto so Brutish so accurs'd a Deed That my dear Country should be desart made That Ruine should so great esteem succeed Or that so brave a City waste be laid And by a Civil Sword to death should bleed Poor the Command and vile the Scepter when The King a Kingdom wants the Captain men XXIX 'T is clearly open what you have in view But what you fear is doubtfully obscure After so long experience will you For future profit present loss endure And through vain fear of Ills that may ensue A certain mischief to your self procure A mischief that perhaps brings with it more And greater ruines than you fear'd before XXX Do you suspect a War and yet intend So many of your Youth should murther'd be Who knows but 'mong the new-born y 'ave a Friend Of greater value than your Enemy Tell me for Gods-sake then who shall defend Your Crown or arm for your security If an whole Army in its growth and spring You shall unseasonably to slaughter bring XXXI What then will Fame Report Alas that Fame Whcih Truth and Falshood does alike declare She 'l say that Thirst of Bloud did you enflame To fain them Rebels who most faithful were A People who adores and loves your Name Who far remote from your Paternal Air Amidst the Tumults that your Throne invade A constant Faith and true Obedience paid XXXII Nor would I credit Sir your Brother's shade That some nights since seem'd to appear to you I rather think you then the sport were made Of vainest Fancies and of Dreams untrue Or that the Prince of Darkness did invade Your thoughts and them to those Illusions drew For as I 've read Heaven 's King doth never chuse Fantosms for Messengers but Angels use XXXIII And then that King whom you so apprehend Must not expect his kingdom here below Him spir'tual and holy things attend In his all Grace with Love and sweetness flow Immortal wealth doth from his Lap descend Although he be a King most poor in shew Then let your fears that he brings Tumults cease Since He to Earth descends to give it Peace XXXIV He most Pacifick Mild and void of Harm Will all Coelestial Thunder lay aside And should he strengthen his most pow'rful Arm Against Thee how couldst Thou his Wrath abide Oh! how can You your self from the alarm Of shining Troops of winged Armies hide Who can conceal himself Or whither flee From Him who all Things moves and All doth see XXXV Whether this old Prognostick of your Crown Be false or true does not as yet appear â—f vain why is your Peoples Peace o'r thrown Why should you raise their Scorn or Hatred here 〈◊〉 wish for my part that it false were known But subtile wits are busie every where Such lewd Reports with Art abroad to fling To provoke God and Man against the King XXXVI If in the Stars it be engrave'd and writ If Heav'n decrees that this great Babe be born Why should you Fate oppose What can the wit Of man avail Why should your Subjects mourn Publish in vain your Edict and with it Your Threats and Fury to the Peoples scorn Yet maugre all He 'll live and grow his Birth Heav'n will protect and hide him here on Earth XXXVII â—ly Sir that Infamous and Foolish Name Of a King cruel and with Clemency Suppress that furious and swelling Flame Let your wise brest with prudence temper'd be Suspend your Anger be still kind and calm Let Justice from all violence be free Search out the Guilty and on him let all The punishments that now are threaten'd fall XXXVIII Farther would this grave Counsellor enforce His fluent speech with reasons grave and wise But that he saw the King at his discourse Offended did his Eloquence despise Tossing his head than a chaf'd Tiger worse Or wounded Bear he turn'd his envious eyes He saw him in his forehead and his brow Resolv'd no such good counsel to allow XXXIX Burucco was a Lord of haughty mind Bred up in Court and hoarse with murmuring A false and envious Knave Always inclin'd To mischief ' gainst the Kingdom and the King Hot-headed and with sudden Fury blind Affecting bloud and all to ruine t' bring A stranger to all Pity no regard Of Nature could his cruelty retard XL. Bald-headed he his Chin shav'd close had still A vigorous Body and an active Mind But mong his few black hairs against his will Through cozning time the scatter'd silver shin d. This Flatterer intent to pick some ill From this grave Speech a constant ear inclin'd And fixing on the King a steady look Stood up and kneel'd then sate again and spoke XLI Sir you have labour'd much and toyl'd in Wars And as your valiant and victorious hand Hath many deadly wounds and bloudy scars Printed on Foes that did your Pow'r withstand â—o many Mouths to praise and strongest bars To lasting Glory and to high Command Y 'ave open'd wide and 't may be said your cares Have overcome your enemies and years XLII Hence we may credit with this Lord 's good leave That with good Reason you have ground to fear Envy in other shapes doth oft deceive And now perhaps doth some great thing prepare And plots how she of life may you bereave Or make your People Arms against you bear For upon Kings it is decreed by Fate That Envy and Ambitious Greatness wait XLIII You govern Sir a People wild and rude Affecting Troubles ready to rebel An heady and inconstant Multitude Prompt to affront and your Commands repel A wise and prudent Prince will soon conclude To curb their Folly and their Fury quell Their Mischiefs to repair with punishment And providently future Ills prevent XLIV A little spark may soon extinguish'd be Before 't
livelier beams with doubled Love impart He burn'd with Zeal when an Abyss a Sea Of light and flames from his bright face revert Whence Flouds of Fire and splendour over all The Sacred place like dreadful Torrents fall LXXXIII His voice shook both the Poles and th' Axeltree Bow'd which the World 's great Machine doth sustain The Spheres streight lost their various Harmony And the whole Heav'ns their former Course restrain Tigris and Ganges to their Fountains flee The Bears both trembled Atlas shrunke again When from the Mouth of the Almighty broke Irrevocable Fate and thus he spoke LXXXIV O Happy happy Thou who onely can My Divine anger from its course divert Who sweetnest my eternal cares for man My pleasure and celestial Love thou art My Glory Grace whose tenderness began First through my bowels to pierce into my heart Thy prayers have gain'd me and in all their parts With pitty arm'd are penetrating Darts LXXXV But how my Muse with wit so weak as thine Seek'st thou a Glory not to be expresst Thou better what he is not may'st divine Then what he is silence in this is best O with that kiss'd her thou said he art mine My dearest sweetest pledge for ever blest Can I with thee severely now proceed Who art my offspring nay my self indeed LXXXVI Of nothing I all things have made through thee The Aire extended fix'd the fire above Into one pit collected all the Sea Prescrib'd the bounds to which its waves shall move Let loose the Springs the Lakes and Flouds by Me The Abysses Pillars to the vast Earth prove I the World 's stable Hinges did create On which the Heavens turn round with all their weight LXXXVII Through thee the Sun and Moon through thee alone The Stars with motion I 've adorn'd and light Have made amidst the Heavens swift motion The Poles stand six'd rais'd winds by day and night Made Fish to swim and the wild Beasts to run Serpents to glide and sitted Birds for flight The Earth Heaths Plants and painted flow'rs to bear And d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ' d the four Quarters of the Year LXXXVIII Of 〈◊〉 Woâ—â—â— I then resolvâ—d to frame Man as the gâ—ace and Glory of the rest The Worlds â—ir smage of illustrious Name Which noâ— the World alone but Me express't In him i 'm â—â—as'd Him my delight proclaim My 〈◊〉 work resembling Me the best A Glorious Noble Fabrick and Divine In â—his even all eternal Beauties shine LXXXIX But when the wicked One had overthrown So great a Grace by whom you understand I hastâ—ed to repair and thou alone T' enlarge thy merciful and thy holy hand Who could not dy at all earths spoiles puts on And Himself sâ—â—teth in the mortal Band That He may finish that great work below Which i 've committed to him long ago XC The bloud which he shall shed we here decree Shall save the bloud of all these Innocents And my dear Church which he will build shall be Enrich'd with treasures and all ornaments Nor after this shall justice unto me Complain of injuries and discontents I daughter will not this pursue nor may And yet I must in part thy griefs allay XCI These my first victims shall be Herod's crime And shame and all their wrongs with honour crown'd Their griefs with joy and glory most sublime Bright as the Sun shall shine in every wound And if his cruel hand shall at this time On Earth their Lives and tender years confound A thread of Life more glorious shall be given To them by an eternal Fate in Heaven XCII I 'le make the King of that dark World below Delude and keep the impious Tyrant still Till time and all things else maturer grow Which we for common safty will fulfil They 'l search for this great Birth but he shall go Secure and fly safe guarded from all ill A flight of scorn not as by fear pursu'd By which he 'l vanquish Death and Hell delude XCIII He spoke and it was done a winged Light O' th' ever blest Angelique Family Perceiv'd God's mind which they know all aright By a sole glance of his serenest eye And from the World of everlasting Light To that of fading and obscurity With wings like feathered Oars doth streight repair Ploughs through the winds and navigates the Aire XCIV The beautious spoils i' th' twincling of an eye He of light aire and divers colours takes Then from the highest part of Heaven doth flie As from a mighty precipice and breaks Through the immoveable sphere and by Bright sires and flaming Lamps his way he makes Then through the swiftly turning Orbs and those That move obliquely and more slow he goes XCV Arriving where the lowest Heaven its pure Christal with studs of light condens'd adornes From the cold frost of that moist Orbe secure He downward glides between the silver Hornes O' th' Queen whose dewy Veile cannot endure The drying flame which gloomy shades adjourns Nor can the neighbouring heat at all impair His shining Wings or hurt his golden hair XCVI From 's naked shoulders a fit Vest descends By his left side of a most curious thread Where in celestial colours Art contends With Azure Gold and white with purest Red. Two Skirts girt at the waste thence each depends Loosely nor farther then the knees are spread Which least they waving be too much display'd A golden clasp restrains with gems inlay'd XCVII Extended on his shining Back a pair Of ample Wings their glorious colours show Most choice perfumes enrich his curling hair And to the aire the graceful Tresses flow Carbuncles and immortal Rubies are The Garlands that invest his ivory brow His feet were hid and lofty dancing run Through Gems are Stars and Gold that is the Sun XCVIII Night disappear'd and though the greater Light Of Day still under ground conceal'd his Rayes Yet the celestial flame let loose to flight Like a Vice-Sun in Heaven its beams displayes Which ventilated by his Wings a bright Long tract of light his way through th' aire betrayes Shepherds deceiv'd forsake their Beds and pay Their Orisons as to the rising Day XCIX In Ethiopia there 's a Dale which high Aspiring Rocks as in a ring surround Where Sol from noon till night can never pry Through the thick shade of boughs that there abound Here with his dull and lazy company The King of Dreams dwells in abodes profound And in most solitary Grotts and Caves Night quiet refuge onely there receives C. Of Ivory one and one of Horn were made Two Gates at which Ease and Oblivion stood And near them Silence who still listning lay'd His finger on his mouth and with his Nod Through the mute Palace his commands convey'd Least beasts or winds should shake the leaves o' th' wood In those close horrours more then any where The plants and flow'rs still languishing appear CI. No birds are heard to sing the gloomy Sky From Thunders free through all this dark retreat No Shepherds talke nor eccho makes
's cruel marks are onely seen Made by a murdring hand these ruins are Though from another left to my repaire LXXIV Are these alass those lovely limbs those gay Which from your mother you did first assume O Stars that me to ruin did betray Is such my miserable Flesh become 'Mong all these wounds and bloud these these are they These belov'd Heads I know is' t then your doome That I should while to me you thus return For the sad reliques of my bowels mourn LXXV Oh sweetest Faces mirrours of my Heart Where I my self was wont to recreate Sons of these eyes eyes that with sorrow smart In which I tasted all delights of late O Lips where Love with kisses would divert And intermingled smiles himself would sate Alass what Hellish monsters now combine Thus cruelly to mix your bloud with mine LXXVI Let me these limbs distinctly touch at least Though with my touch I fear they 'le break again Wretch I my sons thus fatally deceas't Lament yet know not for which I complain For while with this dire paleness y' are possesst I must distracted and confus'd remain And all the beauty that I once might boast In this your want of bloud I see is lost LXXVII Art thou my First-born sure it cannot be This Head so late cut off cannot be thine Dire change to this thy Body who was He Who could another Face so unlike join Dear children now no hopes remain for Me All joyes I in your eyes to Death resign Here my griefs swell yet can't I more bewail Your Fate with tears whose springs are dry and fail LXXVIII She faints her looks all pale no voice or sound Of words but breathless and unmov'd her eyes While a black storm of thousands swords the ground Shakes all around and through all quarters flyes Where such Stars reign and such a King is found They fix a curse on all Nativities Happy who was unborn or if then born Who from his Birth nere saw a second morn LXXIX But what afflicts thee why dost thou complain Vile World that th' Age is rude or bad the Times That Fraud now flourishes and Vices reign That Faith and Truth inhabit not thy climes Virtue brave Minds and noble Souls in vain Languish and grieve to see the growth of Crimes Since clearest Innocence could perish so And from that Day lyes murder'd here below LXXX Rivers of bloud now flow nothing is heard But doleful mourning shouts of rage and ire Horrour and Death Herod alone appear'd with pleasure the sad Objects to admire The Slaughter feasts him and which others fear'd He prais'd the wounds that kept his joyes entire With greedy appetite he reckons all The blows and still observes them as they fall LXXXI Mean while the People full of grief and sad With lamentable Cryes their Fate bemoan Trembling with memory of what they had Beheld the King fix'd in his joyes alone As the Sun s warmth makes poisonous Serpents mad Seem's through their Pitty to all ill more prone Biting his Lips he foames his eyes with flame Are fill'd and gnashing Teeth his rage proclaime LXXXII Now from the place he rose from whence before Th' effects of his dire Fury he had seen Then nearer went resolving to explore The Shambles of Tyranny and therein Sees corps dispers'd like wracks upon the Shore Wracks of Mortality that there had been Late drown'd in children's bloud whose horrid Tide Their Swathbands and their Members seem'd to hidâ— LXXXIII Over these dismal Piles these bloudy Heaps Dreadful to think on He insulting goes O're gaping sides and cloven heads he leaps Whence of warm bloud a reeking deluge flows There as in streams clear flowing in their Deeps Himself he views and 's inward pleasure shews And as the Wretches lay upon the ground Measures with his own hand each fatal wound LXXXIV So a fierce Dragon from his Den with green And shining wings and Scarlet Crest ascends To view the Sun by him before not seen And then his wide and dreadful Jaws extends Erects his Scales that shine as they had been With rough and squallid Gold enlay'd then bends His rage against the Light of Heav'n and throws Poyson from 's trident-tongue where e're he goes LXXXV Some cover'd o're with ugly stains he there Beheld lie languishing with deadly pain And in their Mothers arms uncertain are Whether in death or life they yet remain Others expose their hearts that open were And quite depriv'd of life then shew again Their Faces shap'd for pity and for love But objects now of grief and sorrow prove LXXXVI Others whose vital Humour was not spent And from their panting hearts yet largely flows While bloud by Vomit from their Mouths is sent As when a sinking Bark near harbour rows Some one by swimming would his Fate prevent And himself on some swelling billow throws But spent and breathless in this last effort Sinks in his Mothers arms and dies i' th' Port. LXXXVII But the sad Women some their tender cheeks Beat with their hands their lovely tresses tare Here one her naked bosome Frantick strikes Sighs not nor groans but houling rends the air Anothers breast with lamentable skreeks Like Aetna fumes her eyes like Ganges are Some ' gainst the King some against Heav'n exclaim And some their griefs that had not kill'd them blame LXXXVIII There one to give her griefs a silent vent Near to her Son late murder'd prostrate lies Quite stupid in the Act her self she spent In groans and with deep sighs her self destroys Another checks her sorrow as content To give her scarce-dead Sons their Obsequies And gath ' ring on their Lips their fleeting breath Stamps there departing kisses cold as Death LXXXIX The squalid dismal spoils and torn Remains Of a pale little Corps another there Within a covering cleans'd from bloudy stains An object of extremest Pity bare And while her heart to water through her veins Distils and while her soul dissolves to air Her Bosome late his Cradle is become By her so strict Embrace in Death his Tomb. XC Tyr'd with this sight not satisfi'd with bloud Herod would now his greedy eyes divert On the soft Torrent and Vermilion sloud And in that tepid Bath caress'd his heart Of late like troubled streams but now they stood Like setled Pools and calm in every part Only a Gale of sighs as they the world Forsook with circles had the Surface curl'd Notes upon the Third Book Stanza I. This Painter so commended by our Author was Gioseppi Cesari d' Arpino cotemporary with Marino a Facorite to three successive Popes for his excellent Pieces and for a Piece of St. Michael presented to Lewis the 13th the French King beside other considerable gratuities had the Order of St. Michael conferred upon him Stanza V. Bethlehem was called the City of David where his Ancesters dwelt from the time of Obed of whom Jâ—sse â—ineally descended It was not the least of the Tribe of Judah â—et we no where find it
celebrated for any magnificent or stately building which the Poet here deseribes till the Birth of our Saviour gave it reputation and after his death stor'd it with many stately Edifices of Devotion through the Piety of several Princes as Constantine the Great his Mother Heâ—ena c. The End of the Third Book THE SLAUGHTER OF THE INNOCENTS BOOK IV. Limbus I. SUrcharg'd with storms such as were never known The dismal day a dismal night succeeds As if it had intended to bemoan The Infants Exequies in saddest weeds The rain in Cataracts was poured down With all the horrours that thick darkness breeds And from this mute Confusion every where Her sighs high winds her groans loud Thunder were II. Thus as content though not content within The King into his Palace goes again And in that Furnace where they did begin The furious flames doth still alive retein And ' gainst the Children his accurs'd design Keeps fresh within his heart and every vein Fearing that in some houses unreveal'd The Reliques of his Fear might be conceal'd III. He calls Malacche such a a villain none E'r knew of all Mankind the damnedst Knave More cruel then the cruell'st Lestrigon Should all that cursed Race rise from the Grave Born amongst Thieves a Jebusite and grown Up 'mong wild beasts which him their Nature gave So very ugly that if Likeness might Assume a Body 't would himself assright IV. Besides his thin-hair'd Chin and his bald Head His narrow Temples and thick bristled Brow Three Teeth a Nose that on his Face was spread A piercing look his eyes unequal throw The best of which by chance had perished O're which athwart an ample scarr did grow The stamp and Character of Jew and Greek In 's Forehead and his Face as Trophies stick V. Go seek said he through all and with thee take A Guard and if in any place you find Children alive a final slaughter make Do as thou' rt wont and follow thine own mind I 'le do 't reply'd the Villain for thy sake I scorn their loss and ne'r think Heav'n unkind For this sole cause that you would have it done To shew my obedience I 'le first kill my Son VI. While Herod thus within himself design'd A lasting Monument of his Rage to raise Malecche no less impiously inclin'd His Orders for the Fact no more delays A strict observer of his Masters mind To act their parts his Souldiers he conveys No Servant to so merciless a Lord So void of Pity could the world afford VII As when the burning Heats of Summer past The fair Astraea balances the year And Sol more temperate rays and just doth cast The days are mild and Trees ripe Apples bear To prey upon their Fruit the Sterlings haste And marshall'd in their several Troops appear And while far off they hover in the air The frighted Peasants for their grapes despair VIII So this perfidious and guilty Crew Where any Branches of the Hebrew stock They heard were hid the bloudy tract pursue Leaving the slain and to fresh slaughter flock As in th' Egaean when South winds renew The War the Palaces and every rock Eccho with noise so sad and doleful cries Of Women and of Children strike the Skies IX As if they now their Walls and lofty Gates Surpriz'd beheld and sinking all in flames While the proud Foe the Houses scales elates His Voice and bloud and death aloud proclaims Her breast afflicted Bethlem penetrates With strokes and her dire Fate lamenting blames And with so loud a voice to God she cries That Rama's Hill to the sad sound replies X. As trembling stems of Corn the Sickle reaps Or heavy ploughs tear up the tender flow'rs Innumerable Children so in heaps Fall near their Mothers side The Sword devours All that it finds through all insulting leaps And in full streams the bloud of Natives pours The miserable People cannot fly Their rage and know no Refuge but to die XI Into a little Cottage 'mong the rest The barbarous Malecche broke his way Where two sweet Boys he finds one at the breast Of 's Mother at her feet the other lay This with her foot she rock'd and lightly prest And would with pleasant Songs to sleep betray The other from white Springs suck'd milk and sound More than the milk kind kisses to abound XII Instead of a Salute the Traitor leapt To seize the Infant in the Cradle laid And with a dreadful voice as there he slept Awak'd him and most terribly dismay'd Nor long his murd'ring sword from 's throat he kept But to a lasting Lethargy betray'd And made him find alas how very near The confines betwixt Death and Sleep appear XIII Soon as this Trial on the first was found The Sword ' gainst t'other sucking was employ'd And in the Nape of 's neck inflicts a wound Which through his Jaws straight sent a purple tyde And with 't his Food His little soul is drown'd In bloud and milk that flows within beside While still the sharp and cruel point was press'd Forward and fix'd his Tongue unto his breast XIV The miserable Mother had of late Another Birth conceiv d within her Womb Tow'rds which the Suckling sunk as if with that He sought to joyn and find a living Tomb. One in her belly t'other in a strait Embrace she held till sharing in their doom She fell Strange Fate not to be seen again Three in one body by one stroke were slain XV. From thence into another house he made His way and there a fair young Lady found Where newly circumciz'd her Son was laid The bloud as yet not stanch'd but fresh the Wound He lifting up his armed hand the Blade I' th' blood which she would wipe away was drown'd And to the Wound was given by Heav'ns Edict His cruel Arm doth that of death inflict XVI She that she might a little life restore As he then languish d straight the Teat applies But he his mothers milk all turns to gore And her white bosom with deep purple dies His bloud to water then is turn'd by store Of tears which she pours on him from her eyes And while her breasts the crimson liquor dash'd Her Son 's sweet face the candid humour wash'd XVII This done he left her and goes boldly through All rooms in places most retir'd he pries Searcheth all Cabinets and with his Crew Turns up the Beds and all that on them lies At length within a little Couch where two Fair Twins were laid the lovely Pair he spies In Beauty and in Form so like they were That like the Twins of Heav'n they did appear XVIII Born so unhappy and preserv'd so Ill Alike in Form in Sex they diff'rent are One Soul two several Bodies seems to fill And in two Hearts a single life they share Nature to make them like us'd all her skill And by simplicity they coupled were And this new Janus made in Two one bed In common shar'd as they one Aspect had XIX But that
dear Union fierce Malecche broke And quite dissolv'd Oh happy chance said he That love which you does now so strictly yoake So sweet in Life in Death your Tye shall be Nor would I 'twixt you envy now provoke Since Heav'n your likeness made to this Degree But as the world you enter'd at your Birth Fair Twins such Twins you now shall quit the earth XX. His Irresistable strong hand upon The nearest to him seiz'd as this he said Thence through a lofty Window threw him down Which light and air into the room convey'd The other down the stairs was headlong thrown By 's Foot the stairs of rocky stone were made So that all bruis'd and broken every stair An ample Tribute of his bloud did share XXI Each of them seem'd with mutual sighs to mourn And their own Exequies accompany As two fair branches from one Cyontorn She for him languishing and for her he So guiltless both and both so lately born By stones they dy'd as for Adultery For Fate ordain'd they at their birth should have One womb one Bed and at their Death one Grave XXII Thence where he sound a poor and modest Maid Who as a guard did on two children wait The one was slumbring in a Cradle laid The other in a Bathing Vessel sate This with the Linnen often laughing play'd Nought could the others forward moan abate Born of two Venters but one Father One A living Mother had the other none XXIII Soon as the Assailer their poor Mother spy'd So suddenly within the room arrive The Son-in law she quits her self employ'd to her own Son to keep him still alive She takes him in her arms and terrifi'd First thought how she might his escape contrive But an Humane though not maternal Love To th' other would not suffer her to move XXIV With her own Son tow'rds him whom she desir'd To save she runs and poor Fool in her way Met them who him whom she had safe retir'd Out of the water did to th' Sword betray Bald Barabasso and Malecche fir'd With rage on her kind Folly torments lay And in her sight to one the Vessel there Is made his Coffin t'others Bed his Bier XXV O'recome with this surprizing Message cold Seizeth her trembling heart her looks grow pale To th' earth she falls and what she did behold So cruel was her life and spirits fail Some strangled in the bands that them enfold Struggle and strive for life till Death prevail While these in water milk and tears and bloud Sink and are suffocated in the floud XXVI From thence away with like impetuous rage Into an house of Citizens he broke 'Mong whom one married in her tender age Was newly then freed from the Nuptial Yoke Yet some fair branches still her love engage Two at one birth from her Lucina took But now she saw her self made in one year Wife Mother Widow and without an Heir XXVII Of these by th' Neck Malecche seizeth two Another by the feet by th' arm the last One with his Lance into the fire he threw His feet the second squeez'd to death then past To a third whom unto a Beam he drew And hang'd into a Well the fourth he chac'd By several torments thus they murder'd were That every Element a Death might share XXVIII The various spoils alas who can relate With which death seem'd so rich so full of pride This from the Trunk the head doth separate That from the shoulder doth the arm divide By strangling this gives the last stroke of Fate That with his Sword transfix'd a trembling side And amidst rage ' midst terrour grief and thrall Fury with all the Sisters runs through all XXIX The armless Trunks a dismal sight afford And strangled Bodies that the ground o'respread Heads gasping newly sever'd by the Sword Some are wrung off some trampled on till dead Even ruthless Cruelty her self abhorr'd While Death in various shapes such Triumphs led And yet her Fury was too great to cease But malice made the pois'nous gall encrease XXX The Morn was risen from the Indian Sea And by her blushes shew'd th' approaching Sun While Heav'n the shades had mix'd with every Ray And Day late married to the Night begun Herod perplex'd and troubled with delay His heart enflam'd until the deed was done He rose and 's Royal Ornaments resum'd His Scepter and his Purple Robes perfum'd XXXI Streight through the lofty Palace dismal crys Sad houlings and most loud complaints were heard Women and Men with all the Extasies Of grief and sorrow every where appear'd When see a Messenger in doleful guise Pale in his looks and all with bloud besmear'd Came breathless and while sweat his face bedews Bows to the King and thus relates the news XXXII I am Sir an unworthy Instrument Of that dire Massacre which was last night By your command perform'd and now am sent To tell a message neither of delight Nor happiness to you if each event I should distinctly as 't was done recite 'T would be a memorable story and I must speak truth much done by this my hand XXXIII Under your Royal Ensigns as enjoyn'd By you most readily we went away Under Malecche's conduct all inclin'd Your Orders to perform without delay None of us though a Father but design'd To his own loss your pleasure to obey On then we silent march'd conceal'd from sight Of all by th' shades and horrour of the night XXXIV The Market-place first seiz'd and both the gates All Streets and Avenues blockt up and barr'd On every side enclos'd in greatest straits Each place so well our faithful Souldiers guard That no way open Fortune or the Fates â—ould find to make escape or death retard Our Captain gave the word through all around To give the Signal to the Trumpet 's sound XXXV By vertue of your Royal Edict he Commands that all who arms for use could bear Their houses and the City instantly â—hould quit and a strong Guard without prepare That so the wicked Traytor might not flie Our search and none t' assist his flight should dare A Traitor who there and inclin'd To mischief something ' gainst the King design'd XXXVI The Citizens all promptly straight compli'd With your command none backward to obey And in a moment from all streets we spi'd Children through the dark shades to fly away For we believ'd the number less that did Than those who yet conceal'd in secret lay 'T was so and then a thousand Infants slain By several sorts of wounds our Weapons stain XXXVII Nothing but sighs deep groans complaints and cries From every place on every side we hear With horrour in all houses 'fore their eyes Murder and Death triumphant now appear Here scatter'd Swaths and broken Limbs arise In heaps in bloud warm Intrails swimming there Should I what then I did my self conceal 'T were vain Sir since my Acts themselves reveal XXXVIII When thus in slaughter we the night had spent And were upon return at break of day