forgiving Nature won Glad that his Princely Heir did then appear So Ripe in Mercy e're his Manhood year As if presaging that in Future Time When evil Men had highest rais'd their Crime His Fam'd oblivions shou'd make Subjects know How much the Father by the Son they owe. When first the Condemned Feilding Liv'd to see Himself acquitted by their Clemency After a Warlike Counsel had decreed He shou'd to Mars as Sacrificed Bleed By which 't is seen how oft th' Impeached find Their fellow-Subjects less then Monarchs kind Much did this Gracious Act the Court divide As parties there did different Measures guide Who under Princes Good Improve the Skill Of being most Artfull as they save or kill And in extremes of things such thoughts Impart As little shew the Courtiers Candid Art. Or as some late Caballs disposed were That could for interest love or hate endear Seldom permitting Just concern to come Nearer the Heart then their cold Lobby-Room Tho' Applications early visits make In hope a kinder Patron next may wake Or not Transcendent vileness so extend As more then Prince wou'd present ends befriend Which Sense that Season did with some abound And with their vailed Treason after found Held with the Subtle Houses to Conspire To whom they Royal secrets sent for hire Of which not few suspected were that time But most the false Sydesmonds impious Crime Who could such specious Measures give to things That Serpent-like his Soul deceiv'd the Kings No Pallace e're did such a Synon know As Measures yet to come will fully show Often he had unto the Foe convey'd How by his Sovereign Wars designs were lay'd And whence the wary Enemy might wave Attempts intended or advantage have All which Clandestine Arts had greater source From the Composure of the Royal Force Whose Ranks most fill'd with Gen'rous blond and flame That with profuser courage Courted Fame Then Martiall caution strictly did allow Occasion'd their disasters to ensue At Night their quarters forc'd when sometimes they Watchless or more supine disorder'd lay The Gen'rous Dornland this had duely weigh'd And how through their Miscarriage or betray'd The Loyal Mil'tants oft defeated were And from Enormous loss might Tax their care But more did Dornlands busy thoughts debate The gift and strange Prediction which so late His Sovereign on his Merit had bestow'd And like Kings Souls remote import foreshow'd And next revolving in his Anxious mind If letter'd Man could Explanation find Of thuoghts abstrusely on his sense prevail'd And must by deepest Science be unvail'd None like the famous Polyaster He Deem'd fit to Salve this seeming Mystery By Emblem might the Kings concern unfold And what of Dornland was to be foretold Polyaster who might weighty Story Fill With all that could Illustrate humane skill Having to wonder Arts and Science shown And was then Poet more Paophetick known Whose then aboad near Oxfords confines stood Adorn'd with shades and the adjoyning flood Like Mansions by the wiser Ancients chose When they 'd from Worldly cares themselves repose Or had on purpose thoughtfull leisure took T' unfold the secrets of Great Natures Book Him Dornland visits when most Mortall eyes Were clos'd by sleep and only restloss skies To Usher night their sparkling Tapers lent Till the Worlds eye survey'd the days extent Coelestiall Motions with their Sublime Powers Observ'd by him in many usefull hours Which carefull life was in his Visage seem Where in his comely Age did â—â—tâ—rvenâ— Wrinckles which shewâ—d his Soul enough oppâ—est Tho' in that Warfull Time no sword depress't The Peacefull Contemplation of his mind Who did like the great Syrâ—â—useâ—n find Esteem that spread with largest wings of Fame And with his Accurate knowledge blaz'd his Name His Life 's Strict Method did example raise The Reg'lar Ancients most approved praise With Contemplations so dispos'd that he To Heaven and Time might still least debter be Whose precious Hours his richest thought employ'd When he as life's best Steward them enjoy'd Admiring how the Prodigalls of Time Durst that debauch'd Annex unto their Crime As if the Worlds swift eye did beams bestow For slothfull Mans Excentrick use below Or Stars that ow'd the Sun vast sums of Light Did shine to aid the wicked deeds of Night With Prayer he first began that aid divine Might to his Sublime thoughts assistance joyn Nor did he close his Eyes at Night to rest Till kneeling he had own'd days founder blest Wondring that Mortalls largely cou'd receive And Heaven the Authour Thanks so sparing give Nor more his outward form of life compos'd Then sitting what his inward Gifts propos'd His Food with best prov'd Temperance did agree When healthfull Life had long Antiquity And Simple meats the bodies Strength resin'd More suitably Assistant to the Mind This wisely Antient Contemplations rais'd When Temp'rate life and Science were most prais'd Nor pains or Conduct did he then remit That more divine might raise his sublime Wit. And when his Studies Intervall requir'd By that diversion too his Soul aspir'd His Room of Contemplation duely grac'd With niches where Compendiously were plac'd Statues of such whose Learning did impart Truths Maxims Crown'd by Mathematick Art. That like the Queen of Science does convey Proofs too Divine for Men to disobey Of these he most Intentively beheld Such as to Brittains Glory most excell'd And whom of all had most admired been The Matchless Napier here was likened seen Who seem'd by Figure in his hand to bear Hs Logorithim-Tables which his fame declare Above what former demonstration wrought Or Problems by men held inspir'd were Taught Of whom another Euclide well might learn Or Ptolomy his works outdone discern Whilst this fam'd Scots Arithmetick does teach What Power of Numbers ne're before could reach And easier farr did Archimedes sind Sea-Sands oâ—tsum'd then Napiers profound â—â—ind Whose Numbers added Multiplication serve Substracted nothing from Division swerve Which Art did to Astronomy Convey High Computations his most facile way And taught Geometry to lay aside Old Sines and Tangents long a tedious Guide Wonder of Man that gave such knowledge Birth As did at once oblige both Heaven and Earth Next him Polyaster did with Reverence view The Famous Briggs whose Admir'd products shew The Science in his Orb he did extend And unto Former improv'd Talents lend The Artsull Staturist so his form exprest That his fled looks seem'd warm in Stone to rest Beholding Strictly as with lively sight The Trig'nometrick skill he brought to light Which lines did represent in Bodies Cut Before him on a neat Supporter put Besides the Reg'lar Solids and the Art His shadows on them did to hours impart Next whom renowned Outred's Figure stood No less approv'd the Carvers Art in wood Whereon a Cirdle round his Loyns was wrought Deep Analytick questions by him Taught At which as emblem'd hung that wondrous key His Mathematick Clavis did Convey These Fam'd with many other Learned were Preserv'd in Image by Polyaster's Care. His
my persons safety you propose If with your wishes mine would kindly close Are you a Soldier and thus guide your Charms Which Cupid would despise did he wear Arms. Or is 't some stratagem I can't discern That you in some loose Forreign Camp might learn. Be 't what it will my Virtue I dare trust Howe're to Honour you 'd appear unjust When this return this Walloon-Chief did hear Guilt touch'd his Soul where love would guilt endear Whilst as she Pleaded Virtues cause to him His lov 's Transport he then did greatest deem Her Grace looks Speech by Natures special Art He Judg'd design'd Allurements to his heart And thought she did luxuriously adjust That Beauty had no Virtue by her trust From this Course Principle he does design How Fraud with Lust should wicked aid combine And by a fond device so manage Time As might compleat his vile intended Crime And thus does by Fictitious Story tell That sad disaster late had him befell As he a Beauty to his Soul most dear Had lost by rude surprize this Time of War. Perhaps conceal'd by some Chiefs rigid Power That but too soon her Person may deslower A Lady lately whether her or no From full report I cannot certain know By Lucas was detain'd I understand If so his Pledge in you is in my hand And if Exchange of Beauty compass may Her wish'd return yours shall her ransome pay But should I apprehend which Heaven avert From e're aâ—â—â—cting of her fair desert That any Impious Man by Lustfull force Has stain'd her Person to her Souls Remorse The same I 'le act on you unless I find That your Embrace proceods from yielding mind Let chance the valiant Lucas hither Bring To fight at once for his Love's sake and King On Terms resolv'd defiance I 'de express And tell that I his Rosaline possess This Synon-Lover having form'd this Tale His wicked Ends pretextly to avail And by feign'd Cause some seeming Grandieur add Unto the Method of his being had Concludes that soon his Subtle Terrors would This Virgins mind unto his purpose mold And to her blushes joyn a yielding sense Till kisses won her totall Complaisance Whose breast now fill'd with sorrow and her eyes Like drops engend'ring in serenest Skies Tho' big with tears yet did allow no grief By which from this vile Man she 'd ask relief But look upon him with a Scornfull ray That more then words did her disdain convey Her faithfull woman tho' attending near Could not the sense Vanbralder utter'd hear He having aside some steps her Lady took Before he had his lustfull accents spoke Yet in her prospect of his dismall Face Where Red and Pale did vary'd Horrors place His rough aspect and eyes that siercely rowl'd As Comets when Prodigious Acts foretold She saw her Ladies danger and by Tears Shed in abundance did imply her Fears And with a womans fury next design'd T' upbraid the fervor of his wicked mind Or else to kill him by some proper way Tho' Guarded by his Troops in open day And if the Fact her Lady could defend She 'd gladly forfeit life to give his End. But otherwise it was above decreed That this Libidinous Forreign Chief should bleed Whose hasty Scouts to him now Tydings brought Of Marching Powers on good Terms might be fought Their Numbers less then he Commanded there And to the next Campaign arrived were Adding that Lucas as Intelligence said Before them as Supream Commander Led When fierce Vanbralder heard brave Lucas's name He bid a Guard surround the Beauteous Dame And next her to some rising space convey Whence she might view the action of that day And with what Courage he 'd her Hero Fight Or kill him if he could her love to spight Then with stern visage does a march Command Till near arriv'd where did Embattled stand His valiant Foes and next a halt he makes And to his Trumpetter this Message speaks Tell Lunas if he Leads the Troups I see That here Vanbralder stands his Enemy Not only as I act the Soldiers part But as a Lover more â—nâ—lam'd my heart The Object I admire he 'l pronely guess When told that I fair Rosaline possess And might alledge if his belief 't would gain That cause besides does bid me her retain Who am from chance of War perhaps of late In my lost Mistress full unfortunate As just it is that I his Lady stay And if occasion calls some future day Her person as a fair exchange allow For her I lost and would recover now This Picture too which Rosaline did wear As his Lov'd figure to him likewise bear When Lucas this strange Errand understood Horror and rage fomented in his Bloud And to express his Detestation said What Theory has vicious Man display'd Like him who does Ingloriously confer Fowlest dishonour on the Name of War And observations more Fruitfull make When heinous presidents from Camps they take As if their Circuits which the Schools should be Of Ethicks rais'd to bravest dignity Did worst conducters unto Vice contain Or such who pronest Lives with vileness stain Wherefore for Honours Cause and Glorious War 'Gainst him my Soul and Sword desiers are And if my Arms can't Rosaline relieve May Heaven her Virtue happy safety give Enough I've spoke and let Vanbralder know My Trumpet soon a warlike charge shall Blow This Messenger return'd in Martial form They led their Powers so Pilots when a Storm Is near approach'd with utmost conduct try To sâ—em the adverse Waves their Enemy Lowd neigh'd the Horse and with erected Ear Fierce noise of War couragiously did hear Whose eager strength would fain his Guider slight And without Reins now carry him to Fight Whilst as the Surface hears his Trampling Feet Earth sounds and vents a Feaverish fume and heat Tedious was time by Gallant Lucas thought Untill his opposits he closely fought Impuls'd at once for his Kings cause to kill And Loves revenge which fury did instill And as their Forces now just meeting were Vanbralder does aloud to his declare That who of them so boldly could succeed As to leave Lucas on the Surfâ—ce dead With Plumes and gifts he should rewarded be For killing his Chiefs hated Enemy Smartly alike both sides their onsets made And first with shot no time of death delay'd Yet scarce a man had room when kill'd to fall As close they fought in Warlike posture all So pois'd their courage and their strength of Horse As neithers shock a while had greatest force When Steeds did opposite Steeds with Fury Bite That could not spurr'd bear Ryders on to Fight Whose shining Swords as yet not coming nigher Enforc'd from their keen clashings sparkling sire And sometimes sever'd by their Strenuous blows Instead of Limbs the Weapons of their foes Till Lucas Lyon-like his way did Force Killing a stout Commander of their horse And with his wounding Sword attained Room For other Valours after his to Come Whilst thus he charg'd three fierce and huge Walloons
she withdrew My Muse in proper time Intends to shew Whilest valour Loyalty and Love's high Glory Commends this Hero's worth to future story Who having then obtain'd a Glorious day With Trumpets Sound he March'd his design'd way Thus raging war fermented every where By Fates decree this most unhappy year In which the King tho' much his Force Impair'd As 'gainst him had the Houses four years warr'd Their Interest Mighty and no less their power From Londons Endless Srength and Treasures store Was Northward March'd as many did suppose T' encounter in those Regions Scottish Foes Who would not Grant that duty should compell Their Persons in their colder Clime to dwell And Southward to Assist the Houses came Their Friends by League but with more zealous slame Their bold partakers as they hop'd to share Treasures and Spoyls of England by this War. Yet nearer then these Enemies were found That 'gainst the King at that time did abound Thus was great Leicester fill'd with fighting Men That the King might not there have passage then But be repuls'd in case he should assay To Curb that daring City in his way The King his Summons sends to this bold Town Which like to others Principled did own That Royal Power did not of right Command Whilst it the Houses Arms in Field withstand So far Allegiance badly then decay'd As Men by Power or Interest were sway'd Affronted thus the King soon Storms the place Which Stifly did resist some few hours space Till oft attaqu'd by res'lute Foot and Horse Like Boistrous Waves that break through Bays by force This City they by Strenuous onset take And with its Spoils their numbers richer make This Action great yet Signally must be By the Permissive will of Heavens decree The last Successfull that the King obtain'd As he by Arms his Crown and Life maintain'd Forward the King meant to have Northward gone His Soldiers heighten'd by this City won And were for number and reputo the Flower Of his remaining Millitary Power But soon diverted was his design'd course As Fairfax led his sierce New modell'd force In sight of Oxford and dread to Create Seem'd Siege-like there his Army to dilate Hoping that Town the Kings Force not at hand Durst not if frighted well his Power withstand Nor did he want Intelligence within That could avail him from Sydesmonds Sin Or others by the Houses money paid As usefull Tydings they to them convey'd The Queen who with her Court and Ladies there Resided then what unkind cause of fear Did this Appearance to her bosom bring Tho' the dear Consort to a Mighty King Since Londons furious Senate durst decree Her Person Guilty cause their Enemy And that she like a Kings Imperiall Wife Endeavour'd to preserve his Crown and life When her concern was by Fame's speedy wing Carry'd unto the most Indulgent King He as a Lover and a Sovereign Chief Resolv'd to give his Heroin Queen relief The EIGHTH BOOK The Argument Fairfax does sometime before Oxford stay The Queen a prospect of his Army takes A Martial Habit 's by Flavira worn In which she deeds to wonder does perform Sydesmond subtile Cromwell does deceive For private Gain not service of his Prince Naisby's Fierce Battle and the fatal loss The Crown there suffers after which the King His Forces every where declining is By the vile Armys power sometime Restrain'd And next Imprison'd in the Isle of Wight SMall was at Oxford Loyall hearts repose As Eyes there saw how bold and numerous Foes Begirt the Town and as appear'd days light Allarum'd all within to Arm for Fight If as Defendants Bulwarks they 'd maintain And posts that did least Fortify'd remain Or for more Glory skirmishes design By daring parties led beyond their Line Whilst youthfull Students Colledges forsake And Pikes and Guns to defend Science take To lead whom Gravest of the Long Robe joyn'd And unto Arms their Pupills disciplin'd Inciting them from apt and Learned Phrase To Merit Next the Muses Martial praise When the fair Queen and Ladies of her Court Early awak'd and with a Glorious port Ascended to a Turret rais'd on high That fac'd the thick arrayed Enemy Where being seated by each Mene and Grace She added to the splendors of her Face Or such from Grandeur of her Bloud relate To Daughter of French Henry the Great And now Magnanimously beheld the force Of her Opposers ranks of Foot and Horse Their Martial equipage and daring Spirit And what their valours she allow'd might Merit Did they by rightfull War their King assist Or Forreign powers by his Command resist Next pittying their bold errors dropt a Tear Whose Soul in perills ne're had wept for fear The Female Nobless waiting round the Queen Like lesser Stars in Constellations seen When one of supreme Magnitude and height Appears the most conspicuous to sight By aptest words did sev'rally extoll The serene worth of her Majestick Soul Wishing that for her sake Time did allow As heretofore when Dames us'd dart and bow That they might with Men hardy Courage vye And force them when array'd by arms to â—â—y This Glorious Spectacle by Fairfax seen And known that there spectator â—ate thâ— Quâ—â—n His Modesty that always did attend Actions that do his Vaâ—our most commend Produc'd his Blush and thought his Cause less brave As their perfections it desiance gave But Cromwell hating all superiour sway And Legall power which Subjects should obey Projected had in his aspiring thought How he 'd to supreme height himself promote As gradually the Ligaments of State He 'd sever and vile Factions animate That in the end he might subvert the Throne And Line of Brittish Kings so famous known And in this juncture gladly would have gain'd This Town where for security remain'd The Queen and Royall Children whom to surprize He now and after blackly did devise And calling Hugon on whose preaching part Aided besides 't is thought by Magick-Art He much rely'd to fascinate the Soul And spirit Men against their Sovereigns rule To him thus said well I discern thy Gifts In Prayer and Preaching and such Spiritual shifts As do Enthusiasms usefully disperse For which I can't enough thy Fame rehearse When I revolve that quaintest Pulpit-cheat Could but thin schisms heretofore dilate Whilst thy Insinuations Men incite To Aid our Cause yet know not why they sight Which Mighty Nothing from thy Preached sense Does fruitfull use of Souls to us dispense O're Church and State Faith's Chaos first must spread E're here Created Rule Improveth dread Then Hugon hugs and bids him apt Texts find T'â—nstruct their Forlorn hopes when next design'd To which this Canting Imp did thus reply What words enough can Cromwell magnify Fairfax too meanly were to you compar'd As you for Brain and Valour stand rever'd Heaven has throughout your Visage Sprinkl'd grace Like Moses shines your elect Nose and face Each of your Features do by Semblance speak A Scripture Hero and his Context make When to New-England
Infantry and Horse Inspecting next if their Souls vig'rous force Stood on their Looks and how each Persons Face Spoke daring Conduct in his Martial place 'Mongst these as Valours Ornament he saw Best Peers and Gentry Glistring Swords to draw Not readier to Command then to Obey Where Voluntiers they rank'd themselves that day Mingled with these he more Intent beheld Some by him least oblig'd or favour'd hrld T' inlarge his Royal Files did there resort Without expected Gift or Place from Court. Whilst others by his Royal Bounty rais'd To Honour Wealth ne're in their ' Scutcheons blaz'd Ingratefully from his Just Cause withdrew Or 'gainst him did worst Renegado's shew Which frontless guilt when well the King compar'd With such full-Soul'd with Duty him rever'd Their Loyalty unpamper'd by his Gifts Whilst Falshood had in others gainfull shifts How might this Prince hope Heaven his Crown won'd right Since Conscience thus for him won hearts to sight When Factions did the Houses Votes maintain Blended with various Interests and Gain Some Bankrupt Commons and of Gentry such Who safe Estates and Lives would others grudge And purposely Commotions did Create To share Large Gleanings by their Nation 's Fate Which gave the King occasion to deplore Where his Arms lost they lessen'd Virtues Store And could but low retaliation find If Bloud they vanquish'd mean or unresin'd Essex whose Talent was in words not great Or like such Chiefs whose Oratory's heat The fervour of their Militants could raise And by apt Speech and Conduct mingle praise Yet Lest his Soul too heavy seem'd to fill His Organs or unbent his Armed Will He boldly own'd to Heaven a specious way His Lawless Cause as he presâ—…'d to pray With Canting Teachâ—… who could Prayers devise And Texts expound Rebellion to disguise Besitting well the Factions of those Times And men who fought and begg'd success for Crimes Thus to his Name 's reproach his Files he Led In Keinton-Field against his Nations Head Where soon both Armies furiously Engage That English might kill English on that Stage When first from loudest Canons Bullets slew And Ranks of Men at remote distance slew Some view'd their sever'd Limbs e're they could dye In parts by Deaths severest Cruelty Others were slain outright by one huge blow And happy whom such Guns had killed so Or were by stunning Shot bereav'd of breath As Canons without wound enforc'd their death Some Horse throw Riders wanting Limbs to tread Others by Bullets torn in halfs lay dead Thus with Man's Fate the servile Beast complies And in Wars method most alike him dies This Thund'ring Prologue ceas'd the Scene did fill With thicker Mischiefs tho' less Engines kill Which Musket's close opposing Peals convey Numerous as Attoms when the burning day Provokes their intermingled globulous flight And by their adverse motions seem to sight Which Slaughter past another did ensue That gives some death who had scap'd Powders blow And did as dismal Prospects soon expose As these fierce Legions closer fought their Foes Foot against Foot their brandish'd Pikes imploy And with bold Stands no less the Horse annoy Such soonest fall as wou'd most daring live In so short time Fames Stage can Honour give But now as Fortune wou'd the King assist Or teach his daring Foes less to resist His Cavalry with furious drift had chas'd Th' Enemies Horse on their Right-Wing were plac'd Whilst vanquish'd through this spacious Field they fly Nor thought to stop howe're by flight they dye So strangely fear produc'd Ignoble haste Tho' Fate they prov'd o'retook their Lives too fast Great Rupert who the Royal Cavalry Led And had too far pursu'd Brigades that fled Remembred then the Friends he left behind And how distress'd perhaps he them should find With whom the King might highest dangers share Untill relieved by his Valiant Care. Thus he presag'd and in his Mighty Mind As much his boundless Valour then repin'd That had surpass'd occasions Limits so As Fortunes Time did from him backward go Whose Minutes slipt she proudly does disdain The self-same favours to bestow again Whilst in that hasty hour the Thirst of Spoils Too soon had mingled with his Soldiers Toyls Some seizing Baggage of the op'lent slain When others vaster Booty strove to gain Their Fatal Profit as too early they Would have the Gleaning of the Field that day Which by this Prince discern'd with res'lute Brow And highest Indignation bids them throw To earth mean Pillage and with boldest Might Return with him unbroken Ranks to sight Being rally'd thus like Billows on the Main That with more furious Tides revolve again He forc'd his passage back through Armed Foes And Horse and Man Impetuously o'rethrows His Soul Impatient to accomplish more Then he had left behind undone before Yet could not his Attempts though prais'd by Fame Prevent the froward Cast of Fortunes Game When the Essexians with great Valour fought And the King's Battel unto hardship brought Whose Valiant Infaâ—…ry tho' o'repowr'd with force At once Encountred tâ—… both Foot and Horse Whence many various sad effects ensu'd As here Death had her Tâ—…k Scene pursu'd The hardy Pikemen that sometime withstood The strenuous Charge of Horse with loss of Bloud 'Mongst Broken Foot defended least by flight In much disorder was enforc'd to fight Their Front compell'd to mingle with the Reare And many kill'd confus'dly sighting there Some trod to death by Horse in furious hast Others by Cruel Leisure fell more fast Too many can't resist resist wou'd fain So much their Valour of their Fate did gain Such Gen'rous Chiefs as could no longer guide Their bravest Conduct 'gainst the prevailing side With their distressed Militants now yield To fall the Glory of this Bloudy Field Where Fortune dreadfull revolutions wrought As if the Destinies her Aid had sought When Valiant Bands which like a Sacred fence Had stood the Royal Standards stout defence Disorder'd were yet then disdain'd to fly Or cease to fight but as they 'd fighting die Belford who res'lutely his Squadrons Led To force their room by laying Files first dead With Steps well dy'd in Bloud a passage made Where the King 's Standard's Glory was display'd Which matchiess Trophy he aim'd to surprize As his bold Present to the Houses eyes Whilst Loyal Varney who with Valiant Trust That highest Ensign's safety hop'd to boast As he with signal Prowess sometime stood Unconquer'd tho' expending Streams of Bloud And as Life had thus bravely from him fled The Standard fast supported held when dead But this Knight's fall tho' in desert alone Enough to save that Emblem of the Throne Could not without conjoyn'd Atchievments bring Sufficient rescue to their Figur'd King. Which Glory valiant Smith with others gain'd And to retire the Enemy constrain'd A Prowess with their Fame must still survive Whilst deeds in Keinton-field with Story live What Epithites in Verse can aptly raise Trophees that may perpetuate their praise Or History that gives Truth such a
was Aston's by whose brave effort And well prov'd conduct Redding might have found Her Story from his Valour full Renoun'd But Destiny had otherways design'd Glory unto his End ensuing Joyn'd As Fatall Ireland did in Future show And long as stands Tredah his deeds 't will Know. Feilding by Marshall right did then succeed To hold the Town in wounded Aston's stead A Cheif by many held approv'd in War Tho' for what Cause his Genius did appear At that time Clouded has a dubious sense Or darkly read from past Intelligence Some tell that he too soon occasion gave That Essex might the Town surrendred have Altho' no power he wanted to maintain What his Opposers durst attempt to gain Others that he a Treaty wisely chose Lest he was forc'd a strengthless place to lose Which from the Circuit and the large extent Might less Conspire with Warlike Management Which Martial Sense if prevalent in him Did much excuse where others wou'd condemn A further Search my Measures need not guide Of things which Story-Criticks best decide The FOURTH BOOK The Argument Essex with high surprize unto the King Besiegeth Redding Aston disabled by Acasual Shot The place his Conduct wants Mean while the Poet finds an Interval The Love of Lysle and Lucas to rehearse Whose objects here denomination have In Beauteous Rosalin and Flavira's flames The fight at Cawsham-bridge describ'd and how Fielding by Treaty did the Town surrender THE strange surprisal which these Tidings gave The King at Oxford next account must have Who soon did then a Martial Counsel call To prevent Dangers Redding might befall For which he Ruthen Rupert Lucas Lyle Chiefly selects with others whose brave Toyle Their deeds renown'd and from Emergents knew What did Import their Conducts most to do Great Ruthen whom the King had Generall made Of his Fierce Infantry when Lyndsey paid His debt to Fame and Nature tho' of Race Beneath his Predecessor's Noble place Full of Experience and in Courage great An union which best Captains does compleat To him as order duly did require The King thus speaks to what may Fate aspire Whilst my Opposers Redding now surround When Aston Lies disabl'd by a wound And what my fuller Trouble does Increase Feilding already Treats to yeild the Place The Cause or Prudence I 'le not now dispute Or what bad Men too near me might promote Who not by False Intelligeance alone Perplex the Sense and Safety of my Throne But in my Methods so themselves disguise As they Impead my being singly wise Tho' â—is no season now to Count such deeds Whilst Eminent Redding our Assistance needs How Strong so e're that Garrison is Mann'd With such that dare their Enemies withstand Did Feildings Soul their Valour not abate As for the Towns Surrender he does Treat When no Command of mine did him dispose To yeild the place on offer'd Terms by Foes Think timely now what aptest you 'd advise That to save Redding looks both great and wise Ruthen whose Education did Impress No Courtly Mean or words of Splendid dress But rather as a Souldier roughly taught Could act the Sense which sound Experience Brought Unto the King he then did thus reply Much Circumspection in Attempts shou'd lye That Seiges would from Towns by force remove Where men their Strengthen'd Stations first approve With Lines Redoubts and Bulwarks strongly made To Cut off all that shall such Posts Invade And if experience best confirm'd we prize 'T is safe to fear the worst from Enemies Nay rather some Improbables allow Then slight the Conduct of an Armed Foe From which Contempt how often have I known Some Captains fail that else deserv'd Renown Believe me Sir that Conduct's cheifly wise Which hath most dread of Prudent enemies A Skill grown old in Forraign Feilds I sought And saw where headstrong Valour Mischeifs brought Whence torn and Shatter'd Armies did Lament The Bloud which they so dismally had spent Next him great Rupert speaks his Martiall Sense And Soul Inflam'd with highest Conscience Telling the King how much he was betray'd By some who near his Ear themselves convey'd What else does this Surprizing Leaguer show By Essex guided before Redding now T is not because he slights your forces there Or that his Soul does thence less slow appear But his Incitement rais'd from some may own Neglect or worser Crime within that Town Small cause there 's else to doubt opposers can The place obtain which your Powers fully Man. Yet this Conjuncture such debates â—ll suit As stay releif from Nicely spun dispute Better to trust some perril to a Day Lest Reddings Loss be charg'd on faint delay Tho' Clouds of Force do now begirt that Town Which when remov'd on your's will six renown Some days I hear to Feilding yet remain Ere his Cold Treaties will effect obtain Perhaps within that space he hopes to finde Royall Assistance from your Arms design'd In straits of War the best resolves I hold Are such as in Attempts appear most bold Lucas and Lyle this Councel soon approv'd Whose Warlike Souls less dangers fear'd then Lov'd Strict in embracing deeds of brave Import And from their Valours friendship gain'd effort None more Heroick in affections were And like the Twins of Honour liv'd as dear Which in our Course of Story we 'le rehearse With what their Fame and end deserve from Verse The King who like the Sun could Beams dilate Conspicuously Serene and calmly great His quickning Rays and looks diffus'd a space And next their persons by apt speech did grace Expressing his Obligements from above That him befriended with their worth and Love. Besides the Gallant Leavies that did own Much Valiant aid and duty to his Throne Which soon cou'd Numbers in each County spread Tho' lately he scarce Chief or Soldier had When forc'd his vast Metropolis to leave And like a Common Man his person save This from Unruly Faction did Commence Which heighten'd more the Senates Inflam'd Sense Whilst there and in Great London many were Who duly did their Prince both Love and fear Untill Compell'd by fury to submit To others Vile disorder'd Rule and Wit From which harsh guilt No outward Comsoâ—… Min But did to humane Sense as soon decline My Consort suff'ring in my Crowns distress Not all my Children safe or seen to Bless My Subjects round me by divisions rent Nothing entire but my within Content The Scepter by Heaven's ayd I 'de cheifly rule That Piety may strengthen most my Soul. If this desert in me did first lacite My Subjects prowess to Assist my right When Treasure and all other Motives fail'd That Scepters in distress have most avail'd My Soul 's bright Banner will my Cause renown Shou'd Ensigns boldest Led not save my Crown Let my Example well with yours conspire That Vileness from our Camp may soon retire With such Licencious Evills that Combine T' avert the good I beg of powers divine Think not the better Cause will have Success From such