A ♡ DOOMES-DAY OR THE GREAT DAY OF THE LORDS IVDGEMENT BY Sr. WILLIAM ALEXANDER KNIGHT AH Printed by ANDRO HART and are to be solde at his shop on the North-side of the high Street a litle beneath the Crosse ANNO DOM 1614 TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE ROBERT Viscount Rochester Knight of the most noble order of the Garter and one of his Majesties most honourable priuy Councell THAT the World may haue some publicke testimonie of that priuat loue which your Vertues long since had begotten with my thoughts my Lord this is a small sparke flowne from a great Flame towardes you whose glory is that you onely of all the subjects of this Isle haue the Altar of your honour adorned with offrings from both the Nations in this kind as if your Worth were the Center where both our affections should meete making an vnion in minds a course both worthy of the credite of your place and of your estimation with the world Who more great with Augustus then Mecoenas none so great with the Muses This subject may be thought by some of too melancholicke a Nature for your youth and state but yet is vnnecessarie for neither it may serue for that Macedonians Page who vsed euery Morning to call to him PHILIP thou must die though not so importunatly vrging yet when looked on it is a dumbe remembrer both of death judgement of all what was in the World of what is likely to be when it ends But long may you liue your Fortune still striuing to equall your Worth your Worth to exceed your Fortune and the World to admire both both being ripe before your yeares This for the present is but like vnripe fruits an imperfect piece wrested from a mind many wayes distracted involued in doubtfull designes the successe of some whereof I hope hereafter hauing purchased me fame from the World who for that effect will leaue no way of worth within the compasse of my power vnattempted may make me the more able to communicat it with another for none can giue what he hath not himselfe alwayes I purpose when my mind is more calme to end this Worke but neuer that desire which I haue To serue your Honour S. WILLIAM ALEXANDER To. Sr. W. A. LIKE Sophocles the hearers in a trance With Crimson Cothurne on a stately Stage If thou march forth where all with pompe doth glance To moue the Monarches of the Worlds first Age Or if like Phoebus thou thy Selfe aduance All bright with sacred Flames known by Heauēs Badge To make a Day of Dayes which scornes the Rage Whilst when they end it what should come doth Scance Thy Phoenix-Muse still wing'd with VVonders flies Praise of our Brookes Staine to old Pindus Springs And who thee follow would scarce with their Eyes Can reach the Spheare where thou most sweetlie sings Though string'd with Starres Heauēs Orpheus Harpe enrolle More worthy Thine to blaze about the Pole WILLIAM DRVMMOND A DOOMES-DAY OR THE GREAT DAY OF the Lordes Iudgement The first Houre THE ARGVMENT GOD by his workes demonstratiuely prou'd His Prouidence impugning Atheisme vrg'd The Deuills from Heauen from EDEN Man remou'd Of guiltie Guestes the World by water purg'd Who never sinn'd to die for Sinne behou'd Those who him scourg'd in Gods great wrath are scourg'd Some temporall Plagues and feareful Iudgements past Are cited bere as Figures of the last 1 THou of whose Power not reach'd by Reasōs hight The Sea a Drop we Earth a Mote may call And for whose Trophees stately to the sight The Azure Arke was rear'd although too small And from the Lamp of whose most glorious light The Sunne a sparke weake for weake eyes did fall Breath thou a heauenly Furie in my brest I sing the SABBOTH of eternall rest 2 Though All in all defin'd by nought confin'd O thou whose Feet the Cloudes for Dust afford Whose Voyce the Thunder and whose Breath the Wind Whose Foot-stoole Earth Seate Heauen Workes of thy Word Guards Hostes of Angels mouing by thy Mind Whose Weapons Famin Tempest Pest and Sword My cloudy Knowledge by thy Wisdome cleare And by my Weaknesse make thy Power appeare 3 Loe rauish'd LORD with pleasure of thy Loue I feele my Soule enflam'd with sacred Fires Thy Iudgements and thy Mercies whilst I moue To publish to the World my Spirit aspires LORD by thy Helpe this Enterprise approue That the Successe may second my Desires Make Sathans race to tremble at my liues And Thine rejoyce while as thy Glory shines 4 Yee blinded Soules who euen in Frailtie trust By moments Pleasures earning endlesse Paine Whilst charg'd with liuing Chaines vile Slaues to Lust Of Earth and earthly till en-earthd againe Heare hold and weigh my Words for once yee must The strange Effects of what I tell sustaine I go to Sing or Thunder in your Eares A Heauen of comfort or a Hell of feares 5 All my transported Thoughts at randone flie As stray'd to search that which they can not find Whilst silent Wondring makes a settled Eye A huge Amazement clouded hath my Mind How some dare scorne as if a fabulous Lie That Those should rise whom Death hath once declin'd And like to Beastes a beastly Life they leade Who nought attend saue Death when they are dead 6 But yet what I admir'd not strange doth seeme When as I heare O Heauens that such should breath That there be Men if Men we may esteeme Tronkes which are voyde of Soules Soules voyde of Faith Who all this World the Worke of Fortune deeme Not hoping Mercy nor not fearing Wraith There is no GOD Fooles in their Harts do say Yet make their Harts their Gods and them obey 7 The glassie Heauens which Glory doth array Are Mirrours of GODS admirable Might There whence forth spreads the Night forth springs the Day He fixt the Fountaines of this temporall light Where stately Starres enstall'd some stand some stray All sparkes of his great Power though small yet bright By what none vtter can no not conceaue All of GODS Glory Shaddowes may perceaue 8 What glorious Lights through crystall Lanternes glance As alwayes burning with their Makers loue Spheares keep one Musicke they one Measure dance Like Influence below like Course aboue And all by Order led not drawne by Chance With Majestie as still in Triumph moue And prodigall of light seeme showting thus Looke vp all Soules and gaze on GOD through vs. 9 This pondrous Masse though oft deform'd still faire Great in our sight yet then a Starre more small Is ballanc'd as a Mote amidst the Aire None knowes how hung yet to no side doth fall And yearely springs growes ripe fades falls rich bare Mens Mother first still Mistresse yet their Thrall It centers Heauens Heauens compasse it both breed Bookes where of GOD the gnorant may reed 10 What ebbes flowes swells and sinkes who constant keepes Which from the Earth burstes in aboundance out As she her Brood would wash or for them weepes
Maker crau'd If that his Will had bene by him transgress'd The Woman LORD whom I from thee receau'd She made me eat as who my Soule possess'd The Woman said the Serpent me deceau'd Both burdend Others None the Fault confess'd Which Custome still their faultie Race doth vse All first do rinne to hide next to excuse 67 But he who tries the Reines and viewes the Hart As through the Clouds doth through fraile Bodies see And is not mock'd by Mens ridiculous Art By which their Crimes made more more odious be Who proudly sinne they must submissely smart Loe GOD crau's compt of what he did decree And those who joyn'd in Sinne are punish'd all All Adams Partners crush'd were with his Fall 68 GOD thus first damn'd the Fountaine of Deceate O most accurst of all the Beasts which breede Still wallowing in the Dust a lothsome state Drawn on thy Belly basely shall thou feede The Woman Thee thou shall the Woman hate Which Hatred still inherite shall her Seede Whose fierce Effects both mutually shall feele Whilst he shall breake thy Head thou bruise his Heele 69 And Woman weake whose Thoughts each Fancie blowes I will encrease thy Griefe thy Ioyes restraine And since thy Iudgement doth depend on showes Thou to thy Husband subject shall remaine And bringing forth thy Brood with bitter Throwes What was with Pleasure sown shall reape with Paine Those Beauties now which mustred are with Pride In withred Wrinckles ruinous Age shall hide 70 Fond Adam thou obeying thus thy Wife What I commanded violat who durst Cares shall exhaust thy Dayes Paines ende thy Life Whilst for thy Cause the Earth becomes accurst With Thornes and Thistles guerdoning thy Strife Who sweating for thy Food art like to burst And looke no more for Rest for Toyle thou must Till whence thou came thou be turn'd backe to Dust 71 By Angels arm'd barr'd from the pleasant Place When wretched Adams Pilgrimage was past The Tree of Sinne ou'rshaddowing all his Race They from their minds all Loue of GOD did cast Them to reclaime who did contemne his Grace Who wearie was with striuing at the last Of all the VVorld a Haruest made by Raine He did resolue to trie new Seede againe 72 Yet since that Noah vprightly had liu'd He and his Race stood safe on Horrours hight And when all Creatures Ruine was contriu'd They liu'd secure the fourtie-day-long Night To make the World repent that good Man striu'd His swelling Bulwarke battering in their Sight But with the Wicked nought can well succeede In whom Perswasions Obstinacie breede 73 As the Worlds sinnes ou'rflow'd GODS Wrath ou'rflam'd VVhich when rais'd high down Floods of Vengeance pours As Noahs Preaching oft times had proclaim'd Heauens threatning straight to drown the highest Tours Clouds clustred Darkenesse Lightnings Terrour stream'd And rumbling Thunders vshered vgly Shours Whilst rauenous Tempests swallow'd vp the Light Day dead for Feare brought forth abortiue Night 74 From Guests prophane that Earth might be redeem'd The Lights of Heauen quensh'd in their Lanterns lay The Azure Vaults all but one Cisterne seem'd Whilst safe the Waters All things did decay The Fire drown'd out Heauens all dissolu'd were deem'd Air Water grew the Earth as wash'd away By monstrous Stormes whilst All things were ou'rturn'd Then safe GODS Wrath in all the World nought burn'd 75 Men to the Mountaines did for Helpe repaire Whence them the Waues did violently chace In Natures Scorne came scallie Squadrouns thair The Forrests Guests inheriting their place By too much Water no for lacke of Air All were confounded in a litle Space The Elements with Anguish we enjoy All must nurse one One thus may all destroy 76 That vaulting Vault against the Storme did striue VVhich all the Creatures of the VVorld contain'd And whyls through Depthes whyls through the Clouds did driue Not by the Compasse nor the Rudder rain'd No Port no Land was where it could ariue VVhilst Earth with VVaters leuell all remain'd The VVaues the VVorld all else being hush'd at once Roar'd forth a Consort with Mens dying Grones 77 But when ouer all GODS Breath did Ruine blow The Arke with others Sinne from Death did saue Him whom the raging Floods did not ou'rthrow VVho of GODS Iudgements Iudge did all perceaue A litle Liquor did at last ou'rthrow VVhich to his Sonne to mocke Occasion gaue Thus Drunkennesse disdainfull scorne doth breede A fertile Vyce which Others still succeede 78 As the first World did first by Pryde offend Whose burning Rage to such a hight did win That it to quensh GOD did the Waters bend O Drunkennesse the second Worlds first sinne The course of Vice that Element must end Which is oppos'd to it which did beginne In euery thing GODS Iustice we may spy As Floods drown'd Pryde Flames Drunkennesse must dry 79 When Men againe to fill the World did weare Straight in their Soules did Satan raise his Throne O what a Burden Nature dost thou beare Since that to Sinne and Liue seeme both but one Men Babels Towres against the Starres did reare Since lyke deseruing fearing what was gone As though that GOD could but one Plague command Ah Fooles what Strength against his Strength can stand 80 Whilst fondly They proud weaknesse did bewray Who can the Depths of His high Iudgements sound By making their owne Tongues their Hearts betray Those Titans straight the Thund'rer did confound Here diuerse Tongues the Worke of Men did stay Which afterwards the Worke of GOD did ground The Mind not meanes effectuall doth remaine What help'd Apostles hindred the Prophane 81 When purpos'd to dissolue quicke Clouds of Dust GODS Wrath as stubble Sinners doth deuoure That Towne to sacke which had not tenne Men just He Brimstone rain'd O most prodigious Showre Their Bodies burn'd whose Soules were burn'd with Lust What faire was vglie what was sweet grew sowre Yet of that Fyre Lot scap'd the great Deluge GODS holy Mountaine is a sure Refuge 82 I recken not the ruine of those States Which being but Strangers to the ground of Grace Were caried head-long with their own Conceits And euen though brightly blindlie ranne their Race GODS firme Decrees which fondlie they call'd Fates Did bound their Glory in a litle Space Whil'st Tempests huge toss'd their tumultuous Mindes Lyke Reeds by Riuers wauering with all Windes 83 Such rais'd not for their good but for GODS ends When bent his owne to punish or support Do as his Arrowes hit but where he tends Else of themselues their power doth nought import When he his spotted Flocke to purge intends They are but Tooles vs'd in a seruile sort To fanne or cleanse as Fannes or Beesomes they Which when the Worke is done are throwne away 84 Proud Ashur first did daunt all other Soyles Till barbarous Persia did become her Head The Greekes did glory in the Persians spoyles Whose Prince at last Rome did in Triumph lead Rome rauishing the Earth bred bloody Broyles Yet was by whom she scorn'd a Widow
theirs the wicked neuer can attaine 29 Ah why should Soules for senselesse Riches care They Mercie need it is a way to Wrath The first Man he was made the rest borne bare Those floting Treasures come and go with Breath Not mortall Goods no mortall Euils they are Which since being dead can naught afford but Death Their seed base Care their fruite is burd'nous Paine A losse when found oft lost the Loosers gaine 30 The greatest good which by such Wealth is sought Are flattering pleasures which whilst fawning staine A smoak a shaddow froth a dreame a thought Light slyding fraile abusing fond all vaine Which shewes when staying soone dissolu'd in naught Do to the mind as Clouds to Skies remaine As of Heauens Beauties Clouds would make vs doubt Through mists of Minds the Spirit peepes faintlie out 31 That King of men admir'd of GOD belou'd Whom such none did preceede nor yet succeede Who Wisdomes Minion Vertues Paterne prou'd He slow'd what hight of Blisse this Earth could breede Whose Mind and Fortune equall Meruailes mou'd Whilst Wealth and Wit striu'd which should most exceede Yet he when quicke was cross'd and scorn'd when dead By Happinesse too much vnhappie made 32 Her store franck Nature prodigally spent To make that Prince more then a Prince esteem'd Whilst Art to emulate her Mistresse bent Though borrowing strength from her yet stronger seem'd He wanted naught which might a Minde content What once he wish'd or but to wish was deem'd For thousands Reason rested on his Will Great fortunes find obsequious followers still 33 With GOD the Father he who did conferre And of the Sonne plac'd for a Paterne stood He to Gods Law did his vile Lust preferre His Lust as boundlesse as a raging flood Who would haue thought he could so grossely erre Euen to serue Idoles scorne a GOD so good The strong in Faith when GOD abstracts his Grace Like Men disarm'd fall faintly from their Place 34 GODS Way cannot be found his Course not knowne As Thoughts he did enlarge or else restraine Some were made Saintes who Saintes had once ou'r-throwne Some highly Holy turn'd to be Prophane To mocke Mens Iudgement magnifie his Owne Whilst GOD by both did glorified remaine Let None presume nor yet all Hope despise Who stand feare fals who fall exspect to rise 35 Through Hell to Heauen since our Redeemer past Thinke that all Pleasure purchas'd is with Paine But though first Death none shall the second tast Whom GOD predestinates with him to raigne Choos'd Call'd made Holy Iust and Glorious last Twixt Heauen and Earth them holds a spirituall Chaine Whose fastning Faith whose Linkes are all of Loue Through Clouds by GODS own Hand stretch'd from aboue 36 Let not the godly Men Affliction feare GOD wrestle may with some but none ou'r-throwes Who giues the Burden giues the Strength to beare And greatest Seruice greatest Guerdon owes Those who would reape they at the first must care GODS Loue his Faith a good Mans Trouble showes Those whom GOD tries he giues them power to stand He Iacob tost and stay'd both by one Hand 37 Since first being chus'd ere made much more ere prou'd A Soule elected cannot lose though stray And let none aske what so to doe GOD mou'd His Will his Word his Word our Will should sway He hated Esau and he Iacob lou'd Hath not the Potter power to vse the Clay And though his Vessels could why should they pleade If to Dishonour or to Honour made 38 Some dare tempt GOD presuming of his Grace And proudly sinne as sau'd assur'd to be Nor care not much what Course they doe embrace Since nought they say can change GODS first Decree No None find Heauen but heauenly Wayes first trace The Badge the Bearer shewes the Fruits the Tree Who Safetie doubt do as you might deserue Who trust be thankefull both GOD better serue 39 With Gifts fit for their State all are endew'd Grace Mercie still Wrath Iustice doth conuoy GOD cleares their Sight of whome he will be view'd And blindes Them here Whom hence he will destroy Those whom he did elect those he renewd Those whom he leaues They sinne and sinne with Ioy Such liue like Beasts but worse when dead remaine Beasts dead lose Sence Death giues them Sence with Paine 40 This froward Race that to Confusion rinnes Through Selse-presumption or Distruct of GOD Shall once disgorge the Surfet of their Sinnes Whilst what seemes light then prou's a burdnous Lod With Them in Iudgement once when GOD beginnes To beate to bruise them with an yron Rod Whilst ayrie Pleasures leaden Anguish bring Exhausted Honny leaues a bitter Sting 41 Yet wicked Men whom foule Affections blind Dare say O now that Heauen not Brimstone raines Let vs aliue haue what contents the Mind And dread when dead brags of imagin'd Paines The Debt we sweet the Intrest easie find At least the Payment long deferr'd remaines Who Shaddowes feare whilst they the Substance keepe But start at Dreames when they securely sleepe 42 Ah filthie Wretch thy Fancies higher lift That doth encroach which then would'st thus delay Then Eagle Arrow Ship or Wind more swift Match'd only by it selfe Time slides away Straight of all Soules GOD shall the secrets sift And priuat thoughts with publicke Showts display Then when Times glasse not to be turn'd is runne Their Griefe still growes whose Ioyes were scarse begunne 43 Whiles rais'd in haste when Soules from him rebell By Inundations of impetuous Sinne The Floods of GODS deepe Indignation swell Till Torments Torrents violently runne Damnations Mirrours Models of the Hell To shew what hence not ends may heere beginne Then let me sing some of GODS Iudgements past That who them heare may tremble at the last 44 That glorious Angell bearer of the light The Mornings eye the Messinger of Day Of all the Bands aboue esteem'd most bright As is among'st the rest the Month of May He whom those Giftes should haue engadg'f of right Did swolne with pride from him who gaue them stray And sought a Traitour to vsurpe his Seate Yea worse if worse may be did proue ingrate 45 His starrie Taile the pompous Peacok streames As of all Birds the basenesse to disproue So Lucifer insulted in his Beames As since Narcissus with himselfe in loue And better Angels scorn'd whilst drunke with dreames If Enuy not at least Disdaine to moue Those who grow proud presuming of their State They others do contemne them others hate 46 To Wickednesse the Wicked soone accords That stryfe which one deuys'd all did conclude Their Armour Malice Blasphemie their Swords Their darts of Enuy only aym'd at Good And when they mette they vs'd not many Wordes Thoughts vtter most when they are vnderstood By bodies grosse when they no hinderance haue The Spirits being pure may others mindes perceaue 47 As where Vncleannesse is the Rauens repaire The spotted Band swarm'd where he spent his Gall Who fondlie durst with GOD foule foole compare And his
made The World a Tenniscourt the Rackets Fates Great Kings are Balls when GOD will tosse their States 85 To them whom GOD to do Great things doth chuse He generous Mindes and noble Thoughts imparts And doth in them all Qualities infuse That are requyr'd to act Heroick parts Of Matters base then making others muse He breakes their spirits and vilifies their Hearts As Greatnesse still a gallant Mind preceeds A staggering Courage Fortunes fall succeeds 86 The glancing Glory dazeled euery Eye Of Greece and Rome made all the Muses song On both the Wings of Worth which forth did flie By Valour rais'd borne vp on learning long But now both base in abject Bondage lie Whose Brood proues now as Faint as once thought Strong That with their Empyres made their Enemies Spoyles Their Spirits seeme too transferr'd to forraine Soyles 87 For Nations once which strangers were to Fame On whom as Monsters Ciuill Lands did gaise Those who in scorne did them Barbarians name Do now surpasse in all which Merits praise Thus Glories Throne is made the Seate of Shame Who were obscure do Honour highest raise Nought constant is below no not true Worth It melted South and freezes in the North. 88 What Heart not quakes when as it doth record The Vengeance huge inflicted whyles below Not onely Gentiles thus being then abhorr'd High indignation justlie did ou'rthrow That Heritage long labour'd by the LORD Which as his Portion he would onlie owe As loath'd for Sinne or for Repentance lou'd GODS Minion whyles a Strangers Slaue whyles prou'd 89 By monstrous Plagues GOD did his power expresse In Nilus Bounds which yet admir'd remaines The subtill Sorcerers forcing to consesse That his owne Finger pointed out their paines The Seas retir'd would not his Will transgresse Till Squadrons march'd vpon their Virgin Plaines He gloriously triumph'd ou'r Pharaos Hoste What Israell sau'd that the Egyptians lost 90 GOD Wonders made not strange to Jacobs brood When their great Iourney boldly was begunne Ouer them a Cloud by Day by Night Fyre stood A guide a guard a shadow and a Sunne Rockes vomited a Flood Heauens rain'd downe Food Canaan was miraculouslie wonne Their Armes did Armies spoyle huge Giants kill Weake blasts breath'd walls the Sun as charm'd stood still 91 But who can thinke and trust trust not admire That those Ingrate to such a GOD could proue Who oft had seene aboue their owne Desire By Wonders Power by Benefits his Loue Yet They prouok'd the Holy One to Ire And did the Mighties Indignation moue Till as abhorr'd the Land did spue Them forth And Jordans Glory grac't Euphrates Worth 92 That Realme the Worlds first Froth and now the Lees Of which for Israell Angels Hostes had slaine The Lord transplanting Men as Men do Trees It Israell made a Captiue to remaine The stately Temple nought from ruine frees Whose sacred Vessels Ethnickes did prophane Yet all turn'd back by a repenting Faith Sole Mortalls Teares quench the Immortalls Wrath. 93 And yet of all the Workes which GOD hath wrought None more to stray Opinions course permittes Then our Saluation offred vrg'd not sought At which who highest aymes the Trueth worst hittes What was contemn'd a pretions Treasure bought A Mysterie surmounting Vulgar Wittes The Worker not the Worke must moue our Mindes Celestiall Secrets Faith not Reason findes 94 O who could looke for Glory from the Dust Or for a Sauiour fettred in the Graue The Power which wrought it must giue Power to trust This Iudgetnent else all Iudgements will deceaue O Iustice mercifull O Mercy just He lost his best Belou'd his Foes to saue And euen to suffer suffer did his Sonne The Victorie ouer Hell is hardly wonne 95 The Word was Flesh the God-head dwelt with Men Inuisible yet subject to the Sight He whom no Bounds could bound was bounded then Whilst earthly Darknesse clouded heauenly Light Birds had their Nests and euery Beast a Den Yet had he nought who did owe All of right No Kind of Thing the wicked World could moue Not Wonders done below Words from aboue 96 Those Wonders then which sacred Writes record Did Some conuert A Multitude amaze What did not GODS own Word do by a Word Lame ran Deafe heard Dumb spake Deuils fled Dead raise Of seruants Servant whilst of Lords the LORD Did seeke but his own Paine Mans Good GODS Praise To marie Heauen with Earth He first beganne GOD without Mother without Father Man 97 Who neuer did beginne He would beginne That Life 's chiefe Fountaine might of Life be reau'd The Innocent would beare the Weight of Sinne That by his Sufferings Sinners might be sau'd Yet that which GOD must giue and none can winne Though offred freely many not receau'd Whilst on a Tree CHRIST gain'd when tortur'd most What by a Tree for Pleasure Adam lost 98 The Worlds great Iudge was judg'd and Worldlings stood Euen glorious Glory glorying to disgrace They damn'd as Euill the Author of all Good Though Death of Death who vnto Death gaue Place Ah for our Ransome offring vp his Blood Huge was the Warre he had ro make our Peace The Heire of Heauen daign'd to descend to Hell That in the Heauen Hell-worthy Men might dwell 99 The Father saw the Sonne surcharg'd with Woe Yet would to Calme his Griefe no Fauour show For Man could not refound nor GOD forgoe That Debt which the first Man did justly ow CHRIST as a GOD could not haue suffred so Nor haue as Man preuaild but both below He Men most grac'd when Men him most disgrac'd Iustice and Mercy mutually embrac'd 100 VVhen GOD confirm'd with many fearefull Wonder The great Worke which was wrought for them he lou'd Heauen clad with Darknesse mourn'd Earth sob'd asunder Thus Creatures wanting Sence were highly mou'd VVho should haue had had none nor could not ponder VVhat did import the Anguish which he prou'd But of his Torments strange which did abound Ah Mans Ingratitude did deepest wound 101 O wicked off-spring of a Godly Syre VVho saw the Sauiour of the VVorld arise That which your Fathers did so oft desire Yet could not get that which you did despise VVho Mercy mock'd prepare your selues for Ire He liues he liues whose Death you did deuise His Blood not spent in vaine must wash or drowne Those whome it cannot cleanse it shall sincke downe 102 To rest on them and Theirs Iewes who did cry For CHRISTS contemned Blood had what they sought Then Blood no Burden with more VVeight doth lie Euen as they his so was their Ou'rthrovv vvrought They by the Romane Povver did make Him die And them the Romane Povver to Ruine brought VVhilst for their Cause GOD euery Thing had curst Romes mildest Emperour prou'd for them the VVorst 103 Ierusalem the Faire IEHOV AHS Loue Repudiated by disdainfull VVrath A bastard Race did beare vvhom Nought could moue A vile Adultresse violating Faith Then did the VVorlds Delight her Terrour proue And Harmes perform'd foretold by sacred Breath Nought
rested where the stately Citie stood Saue Heapes of Horrour rais'd of Dust and Blood 104 But murdring Saints in Wickednesse growne bold That Towne which long was drunke last drown'd with Blood That Towne by which who bought the World was sold Sold with Disgrace beheld her scorned Brood Them lou'd by GOD Men did in Honour hold And loth'd by GOD with them in Horrour stood Then Iewes whom GOD high rais'd and low doth bow What Name more glorious once more odious now 105 When of Saluation joyfull Newes were spred VVith spirituall Grace all Nations to bedew VVhilst famish'd Soules that sacred Nectar fed The LORD strange Iudgements Millions made to view And those who first fierce Persecutions bred A jealous GOD with Vengeance did persew His Wrath against Themselues against their Foes Is quensh'd is kindled by his Seruants Woes 106 By him who first gainst CHRIST did Ensignes pitch His Brother Mother Wife and Selfe was slaine The Great Apostat wounded in a Ditch Did grant with Griefe the Galileans raigne Of him whose Errours did whole Realmes bewitch The Death most vile did viler Doctrine staine A monstrous Death doth monstrous Liues attend And what All is is judged by the End 107 He who made Hymens Torch drop Blood and Teares The Nation most Humaine being Inhumaine Did blood when dead at Mouth Nose Eyes and Eares As vomiting his Surfet so againe In Crime and Crowne his second fraught with Feares The bloody Band by mutuall Blowes was slaine The King the Duke the Friers deuis'd that Ill The King the Dake the Friers the King did kill 108 Whos 's Sight is so eclips'd which now not sees In euery Kingdome Prouince Towne and Race On Princes Subjectes Men of all Degrees What weighty Iudgement Sinners Steppes do trace Which not the Crowne more then the Cottage frees The Wicked Man sayes GOD shall haue no peace A Countenance calme may maske a stormy Mind But Guiltinesse no perfect Ease can find 109 Those temporall Plagues are but small Smokes of Ire To breach a Brest which is not arm'd with Faith And are when GOD due Vengeance doth require Of Indignation Drops weake Sparks of Wraith As Lightning is to Hels eternall Fire Or to a Tempest huge a litle Breath So are all those of this which I proclame A Puft a Glance a Shaddow or a Dreame 110 As weigh'd by GOD still ballanc'd hings this Round Which Sinne growne heauie now quyte downe ward beares Exhausted Courage Horrour shall confound Till Hopes high Towers rest all ou'rflow'd with Feares All shall together fall as by one Wound Not hauing Time to flie no not for Teares On Day as Night as on the Wearied Sleepe Death steales on Lyfe and Iudgements way doth sweepe 111 All clearely see who Lyfes short Race do rinne The last Decree though being suspended yet That fatall Doome inflicted first for Sinne Though not attended doth not doubted hit And of all Soules the Processe doth beginne For straight when Death arrests the Iudge doth sit For this first Charge all fortifie the Mind As Death vs leaues so Iudgement shall vs find 112 Death each Man daylie sees but none fore-sees The Wage of Sinne the Jubilie of Cares First Iudgement threatned base Corruptions Lees Inheritance which serues all Adams Heires Iust onely Equaller of all Degrees The Charge enjoyn'd for no Respect which spaires What Agues Wounds Thoghts Paines al breathing Breath Are Heraulds Sergeants Vshers Posts of Death 113 Death Doores to enter at and Darts to wound Hath as the Heauen hath Starres or Sea hath Sands What though not sicke not stab'd not choak'd burnt drown'd Age matchlesse Enemie all at last commands O what Designes this Emperour Pale doth bound Built of bare Bones whose Arche Triumphall stands Ah for Ones Errour all the World hath wept The Golden Fruite a leaden Dragon kept 114 Then since Sinnes Hang-man Natures vtter Foe By whom true Lyfe is found Lyfes Shadow lost A thousand Fancies interrupting so When least exspected doth importune most Haste haste your recknings all must pay and go Guests of the World poore Passengers who post And let vs stryue a Change being wyselie made To die alyue that we may liue when dead 115 All thinke whilst sound what Sicknesse may succeed How in the Bed imprison'd yee may be When euery Object Loathsomnesse doth breed Within without that Soule or Eyes can see To trembling Nature which still death doth dread Griefe paints out Horrour in a high degree The Bodie in the Bed Thoughts in it roule The Conscience casting vp a bitter scroule 116 But when externall Powers beginne to faile That neither Tongue can giue nor Eares receaue Friends wretched Comforters retir'd to waile To agonize the soule alone do leaue Which Satan straight with Squadrons doth assaile Being bent to force whom first he did deceaue Who once entys'd then to accuse beginnes To wakened Soules vpbraiding buried Sinnes 117 That fatall Conflict which all Flesh doth feare By helpes from Heauen being foughten past and wonne Whilst it to Heauen triumphing Angels beare This mortall Race magnanimouslie runne As being ordain'd to decke the highest Spheare The Soule shall shine more glorious then the Sunne Whilst cloath'd with Righteousnesse a Priest a King Hell where thy Victorie Death where thy Sting 118 O when to part GOD doth the Soule permit Rais'd from her Shell a Pearle for Sion chus'd She recollects accomplish'd ere she flit Her Faculties amidst fraile Flesh diffus'd As Iudgement Reason Memorie and Wit Being all refyn'd no more to be abus'd Then parts in Triumph free from Earthlie Toyles Yet longs perchance to gather vp her Spoyles 119 Let all those Plagues smoakes of our Makers Ire Make all in time their inward State reforme Those Plagues of which loe euen to sing I tyre Ah what do those who beare their vglie Forme Yet they but kindlings are of endlesse Fyre And litle drops which do fore-goe a Storme Looke looke with Clouds Heauens Bosome else doth swell To blow the Wicked to the lowest Hell The second Houre THE ARGVMENT THat threatned Time which must the World appall Is that all may amend by Signes fore-shown Warres rumor'd are the Gospell preach'd ou'r All Some Jewes conuert the Antichrist is known Deuils rage Vyce raignes Zeale cooles Faith failes Starres fall All sorts of Plagues haue the last Trumpet blown And by prodigious Signes may plaine appeare That of the Sonne of Man the Signe drawes neare 1 THough thundring down those who transgresse his Lawer And with Disdain his Bountie do abuse As Adamants do Irne Repentance drawes The LORD to loue Those whom he first did chuse A Space retir'd from the tempestuous Waues The Port of Mercie must refresh my Muse Whose ventrous Flight all Loftinesse must leaue And plainly sing what all Men should conceaue 2 The LORD delights not in a Sinners death But Sheep which stray toyles to recouer still To please a Sonne who had deseru'd his Wrath His Calfe long fed the Father straight did kill Not
This Serpent bruise this Liuiathan raine 95 The Sunne and Moone now often-times looke pale As if asham'd the Shame of Men to see Or else grown old their force beginnes to faile That thus so oft eclips'd their Beauties be And ouer their Glory Darkenesse doth preuaile Whilst faint for Griefe their Ruine they foresee For as superfluous they must shortly fall When as the light of Light doth lighten all 96 The Heauenlie Bodies as being grown lesse strong Do seeme more slacke as wearie of their Race So that Tyme rests reform'd as being runne wrong All Climats still new Temperatures embrace What strange Effects must follow then ere long Some Starres seeme new and others change their place So altred is the starrie Courts Estate Astrologues want intelligence of late 97 Each element by diuerse Signes hath showne That shortly euill must be discern'd from good The Earth ag'd Mother now is Barren grown Whose Wombe oft worne now torne doth fâ—ile in Brood And may since staggering else be soone ou'rthrowne What wonder Weake through Age and drunke with Blood With Blood which still to GOD for Vengeance cryes And as o'reburden'd groning groueling lyes 98 The liquid Legions by tumultuous Bands Whose bellowing Billowes to transcend contend Do whyles vsurpe whyles leaue possessed Lands In Monsters fertill fishes rarely lend Whilst crown'd with Clouds each murmuring Mountain stands Which acted first but suffer must in end A mighty Change Heauens Monarch novv concludes Floods first quensh'd flams flams straight shall kindle floods 99 The Aire whose Power impetuous Nought can bound Doth cite all Soules to GODS Great Parliament Whilst thundring Tempests roare a rumbling Sound And the last Trumpets Terrour represent Those Blasts denounce the Ruine of this Round Which Heauen in Showres seemes weeping to lament Thus Waters wash Winds wipe and both conspire That Earth so purg'd may be prepar'd for Fire 100 The Water Earth the Aire would it ou'rthrow Whose Rage by Ruine only is represt The High things still insulting ou'r the Low Till once the Highest haue consum'd the Rest The fourth must end what the first three fore-show Whose proofe is last reseru'd as being the Best A firie Triall euery thing defines And All at last to a Perfection fines 101 Then Natures Selfe not strong as of before Yeeldes Fruits deform'd as from a bastard Seede That monstrous Minds may be admir'd no more Whilst monstrous Bodies more Amazement breede All the Portentuous Brood of Beasts abhorre And since prodigious ominously dreade From their first Forme since all things thus decline All in another Shape must shortly shine 102 Few Signes or none remaine Mens Minds to moue Till of the Sonne of Man the Signe craue Sight That Glory which vnspeakable doth proue CHRISTS Substance no his Shaddow yet our Light Whose Majestie and Beautie from aboue Shall ere he shine make all about be bright The Comming of the LORD that Signe bewrayes As Lightning Thunder as the Sunne his Rayes 103 Yet this vile Age what Rage some Mockers breeder That big with Scorne disdainfully dare say What change mad Minds with such fond Fancies feedes From the first Forme since nought below doth stray The Sommer Haruest Winter Spring succedes The Moone doth shine by Night the Sunne by day Males procreat and Females do conceaue Some dayly Life do lose some it receaue 104 O Atheists vile else Christians voyde of Care From GODS Tribunall who in vaine appeale That CHRIST to judge the World doth straight prepare You thus contemning Signes a Signe reueale Whose Harts obdur'd the Nearenesse doth declare Of your Damnations our Saluations Seale And whilst your Hart both Heauen and Hell derides Your Iudgement Heauen your Torment Hell prouides 105 Yet foolish Soules their Pleasures still affect And marrying Wiues what Mirth may moue deuise But whilst asleepe their Safetie they neglect CHRIST as a Theefe against them shall arise And in a Rage when they Him least exspect Shall slouthfull Seruants suddainly surprise As Such shall wish their Talents strictly try'd That from his Face them Hilles them Hells might hide 106 O Multitude O multitude as Sand A day of Horrour strange shall straight appeared Come down and in the threshing Valley stand The threshing Valley lo the LORD drawes neare And else doth take take heed his Fanne in Hand Light Soules as Chaffe with Wind euanish heere The Haruest is ripe and the Wine-presse is full Yea Wickednesse ou'rflowes all Harts are dull 107 Seale Viall Trumpet Seuenth opens poures sounds What doth not intimate GODS Great Decree Which Natures Course Mans Faith GODS Mercy bounds Euen in a time when Time no more should be The Fire is kindling else which All confounds GODS Hand lo writes his Ballance rais'd we see When Souls are weigh'd GODS wondrous Works to crown The Weightie must mount vp the Light fall down 108 But ere the Depthes of Wrath I enter in When as Repentance shall no more haue place As GOD a while deferres some Soules to winne I will suspend my Furie for a Space That ere the Hight of Horrour do beginne My Thoughts may bath amidst the Springs of Grace To cleare some Soules which Sathan seekes to blind LORD purge my Spirit illuminat my Mind DOOMES-DAY OR THE GREAT DAY OF THE LORDS IVDGEMENT The third Houre THE ARGVMENT WHilst Angels Him conuoy Saints attend The Heauens as Smoak all fled before his Face CHRIST through the Cloud With Glory doth descend With Majestie and Terrour Power and Grace What flie walke grow swim All What may ende do end Earth Air and Sea All purg'd in litle Space Strange Preparations that great Court preceede Where All must meet whom any Age did breede 1 IMmortall MONARCH Ruler of the Rounds Embaume my Bosome with a secret Grace Whilst lifted vp aboue the vulgar Bounds A Path not pau'd my Spirit aspires to trace That I with brasen Breath may rore forth SouÌ„ds To shake the Hart fixe Palenesse in the Face LORD make my swelling Voyce a mighty Winde Lift vp the Low beate downe the lofty Mind 2 What dreadfull Sound doth thunder in my Eares What pompous Splendor doth transport mine Eyes I wot not what aboue my selfe me beares He comes He comes who all Hearts Secrets tries Showt showt for Ioy who long haue rain'd down Teares Houle houle for Griefe in Ease who wallowing lies Now shall be built and on Eternall Grounds The Hight of Horrour Pleasure passing Bounds 3 Now no more firme the Firmament doth flie As leapes the Deere fled from the Hunters face Loe lyke a Drunkard reels the Crystall Skie As Garments olde degraded from their grace All folded vp the Azure Pallions spy Which with a noyse doth vanish from the Place The Lanterne burnt Light vtters vtter Worth Drawne are the Hingings MAIESTIE comes forth 4 Who can abide the Glory of that fight Which kils the Liuing and the Dead doth raise With Squadrons compass'd Angells flamming bright Whom Thousands serue ten thousand Thousands praise My Soule entranc'd Rest rauish'd with
that Light Whose least-least part may all the World amase That of our Spirit which doth the Powers condense Of muddie Mortalls farre transcends the sense 5 A Fyre before him no resistance findes Fierce sounds of Horrour thunder in each eare The noyce of Armies Tempests and Whirle-windes A weight of Wrath more then ten Worlds can beare Thinke what a Terrour stings distracted Mindes When Mountaines melt and Valleyes burst for feare What what must this in guiltie Mortalls breed Whilst all this All stands trembling like a Reed 6 The GOD of Battells Battell doth intend To daunt the Nations and to fetter Kings He with all Flesh in Iudgement to contend At Mid-night comes as on the Mornings wings O tyme of Ruine ending without End Huge time of Vengeance where all ballanc'd hings The LORDS Great Day a Day of Wrath and Paine Whose Night of Darkenesse neuer cleares againe 7 That Element still cleare in spight of Nights Which as most subtill mounted vp aboue To kindle there perchance those glorious Lights Which dy'd by it as deckt by Beautie moue Of curious Fancies else to stay the Flights As which may not be touch'd a bounds did proue That they presume no higher things to see Then are the Elements of which they be 8 Marke how Aeolian Bands loos'd from the Bounds Where them in Fetters the Eternall keepes As if the angrie Spirit of all the Rounds Like Tyrants rage till Heauen to quensh them weepes Whose rumbling Furie whilst it all confounds Whyles cleaues the Clouds whyles parts the deepest Deepes By Noyse aboue and Violence below Earth-quake and Thunder both at once to show 9 Euen so Fire which was made nought to annoy To liquid Limits clos'd with Clouds retire Lest what it fosters it might else destroy O when enlarg'd and kindled by GODS Ire It him at Midnight doth as Torch conuoy All all will seeme a PYRAMID of Fyre To GOD what is this Vniuersall Frame Now but a Moate at last a litle Flame 10 The Axell-trees on which Heauens Round doth moue Shrunke from their Burden both fall broken downe Those which to Pilots point out from aboue Their Wayes through Waues to richesse or renowne And so though fix'd the Strayers helpers proue Nights stately Lampes borne in an Azure Crown Those guyding Starres may as not needfull fall When worldlings wandrings are accomplish'd all 11 The Vagabonds aboue lasciuious Lights Which from fond Mindes which did their Course admire By strange Effects obseru'd from seuerall hights As Deities Altars Idoles did acquire Thrown from their Spheares expos'd to Mortalls sights As abject Ashes excrements of Fire They in their Ruines farre from what before Shall damne the Nations which did them adore 12 With Ludgings twelue design'd by seuerall Signes Now falls that Building more then Crystall cleare Which the dayes Eye though circling all confynes Still tempring Tymes and seasoning the Yeare All temporall Light no more to ryse declynes That Glory may eternallie appeare All then being Infinit no bounds attend Tymes and halfe tymes being past Tyme takes an end 13 As slymie Vapours whilst like Starres they fall Shot from their Place do hurle alongst the Skie The Pleiades Arcturus Orion all The glistring Troupes Lights languishin do die Lyke other Creatures to confusion thrall They from the Flammes as Sparkes from Fyre do flie The Heauens at last grieu'd for their falling Spheares All else dry'd vp weep down their Starres for Teares 14 As Leafes from Trees the Starres from Heauen do shake Darke Clouds of Smoake exhausting those of Raine The Moone all turnes to Blood the Sunne growes Blacke Which whilst those Monstrous Formes they do retaine Of Vengeance Badges Signes of Ruine make And not eclips'd by vsuall meanes remaine Those common Lights obscur'd the Iust shine bright The Wicked enter in Eternall Night 15 VVhilst staggering reels this Vniuersall Frame The Heauens bow down with GOD as being his Seat His Scepter Iron his Throne a fyrie Flame To bruise the Mighty and to fyne the Great VVho of his Glory can the Greatnesse dreame VVho once was valued at a litle Rate GOD by his Word did first make all of nought And by his Word shall judge All of each thought 16 When GOD his people did together draw On Sions Mount to register his Will He that they might attend with reuerent Aw Came clad with Clouds sterne Trumpets sounding shrill And threatned Death whilst thundring forth his Law To all that durst approach the trembling Hill What compassed with Death he thus did giue Ah who can keep or violat and liue 17 Since this confounding Forme did Myndes to tame That of their Yoke all might the burden know Those dreadfull Statutes terriblie proclaime All Flesh for feare shall fade away below How they were kept when GOD a count doth claime A tyme of Terrour more then words can show He gaue in Mercie shall exact with Ire The Mountaine smoak'd the World shall burne on Fire 18 In spight of Natures powers which then exspyre Through liquid Limits breaking from aboue Lo down-ward tends the Tempest of this Fyre The Airie Region doth a Fornace proue To boyle her Guests the Vessells of GODS Ire Which tortur'd there can no where else remoue Flammes which should still for their confusion rage Thus kindled first perchance nought can asswage 19 The growing Creatures which doe mount most high And as their earthly Bounds they did disdaine Would whilst their Tops encroach vpon the Skie Base Men vpbraide who not their Strength doe straine With heauenly Helps still higher vp to flie And spurne at Earth where rooted they remaine Those leauie Bands while as they fan the Air As fittest Baits for Fire first kindle thair 20 Who can imagine this and yet not mourne What Battell must succede this huge Alarme Of Lebanon the stately Cedars burne The Pines of Idus fall without an Arme The fertill Forrests all to Flames do turne And waste the World which they were wont to warme To plague proud Sinners euery thing accords What Comfort once Confusion now affords 21 The smoaking Mountaines melt like Waxe away Else sincke for Feare O more then fearfull things They which the Fields with Riuers did array As if to quensh their Heat drinke vp their Springs Like faded Flowres their drouping Tops decay Which crown'd with Cloudes stretch'd through the Air their wings As did the Raine the Fire doth sease all bounds What Last the First the Last at First confounds 22 Then of That Birth Hills shall deliuered be Which big by Nature they so long haue borne Though it fond Mortalls Slaues by being free To make Abortiues haue their Bellies torne Gold as when Midas wish O just Decree Shall flow superfluous Couetice to scorne What of All else did measure once the Worth Shall then ly loath'd by Aguous Earth spued forth 23 The godly Kings wise Sonne from Ophir brought With Ethnickes joyn'd all welcome are for Gaines What Spaniards now in other Worlds haue sought That golden Fleece still winne
61 Of all the Beasts by Men domesticke made The most obsequious and obedient still The fawning Dog which where we list we leade And wants but Words to doe all which we will Which loues his Lord extreamly euen when dead And on his Tomb for Griefe himselfe doth kill He then with Tongue stretch'd forth doth panting rin Which straight when fir'd drawn backe burnes all within 62 The generous Horse the Gallants greatest Friend In Peace for Show and in effect for Warre Which to his Lord when wearie Legges doth lend To flie or chase in Sport or earnest Farre A Pegasus he through the Air would bend Till that his Course turn'd Centaure Man doth marre His wauing Treasures fir'd to flie from Death He first the wind outrunnes and then his Breath 63 This squadrons King that doth for Fight prepare As if he wrack'd the World doth raging goe His Foote doth beate the Earth Taile whippes the Aire Mad to be hurt and yet not find a Foe But soone his Shoulders rough the Fire makes bare And melts his Strength which was admired so Death doth to Rest arrest his rouling Eyes Loe in a litle Dust the Lyon lyes 64 Those Poysnous Troupes in Africks Fields which stray In Death all fertill as the first began By Look by Touch by Wound and euery Way True Serpents Heires in Hatred vnto Man Which GOD still good in Deserts maks to stay To waste the World still doing what they can But whilst they houle scritch barke bray hurle hisse spout Their inward Fire soone meetes with that without 65 The Crocodile with running Depthes in Loue By Land and Water of Tyrannicke powr With vpmost Iawes which and none else do moue Whose Cleansing first is sweet oft after sowr And whyls his Crime his Punishment doth proue Whilst a deuouring Baite train'd to deuoure He neither now can fight nor yet retire His scalie Armour is no Proofe of Fire 66 The Beast though haunting Depthes not there confin'd Whose Haires as precious decke each Great Mans Head Before like Eagles Gooses like behind Whose Feet as Oares to manage Streames are made To waste the liquid Wayes not needing Wind Whose Taile his Course doth as a Rudder leade A Sparke falne from a Tree may then confound Him with his Teeth that now strikes Trees to Ground 67 The Otter black where sinne-wing'd troupes repaire Fresh Riuers Robber which his prey doth chuse And all that kinde nor Fish nor Flesh which are But do two Elements Amphibions vse Not able to touch Earth nor to draw Aire In Waters they their kindled Skinnes infuse But yet refuge can find in neither Soile They burne on Earth and in the Depths do boyle 68 Floods seem'd to grone which beasts Incursion maimes All altered then which lookt of late like Glasse And murmure at the flamming of their streames By Carcasses flot-flotting in a Masse A mouing Bridge whilst euery Channell frames When as there are no Passengers to passe With Beasts all buried Waters are press'd down Whilst both at once their Burdens burne and drown 69 The Crystalls quicke which slowlie vs'd to go And others Heat by coldnesse did allay As if being grieu'd to be polluted so Grown red with rage boyld vp pop-popling stay And tread in Triumph on their breathlesse Fo Whoses Ashes with their Sands they leuell lay But Vulcan now a Victor in each place By Violence doth all their Nymphes embrace 70 The Dwellers of the Depths not harm'd in ought When first Vyce all and next the Waters drown'd So since by some more sacred still are thought As whom Sinnes Scourge did onely not confound The Elements not pure to purge being brought They likewise fall kill'd by this generall Wound The Fishes sodden are in euery Flood Yet find no Eaters though a callour Food 71 All which Corruption only serues to feed When it doth end doth end so Heauen designes Nought saue the Soule which doth from GOD proceede Ouer death triumphes and still is pleas'd else pynes Death nor mans Essence but his Sinne did breed And it with it the end of Tyme confines Then Death and Lyfe shall neuer meet againe The State then taken alwayes doth remaine 72 Salt Seas fresh Streames the Fish which loues to change The Riuers Prince esteem'd by daintie Tastes Which through the Ocean though he yearelie range The bounds him bred to see yet yearelie hastes Ah Man whyles wants O Monster more then strange This kind Affection common vnto Beasts That Salmon fresh for which so many stryue May then be had boyld where it liu'd alyue 73 The Trout the Eele and all that Watrie Brood Which without Feet or Wings can make much Way Then leape aloft forc'd by the raging Flood Not as they vs'd before for sport or prey That which whyles freez'd their Glasse to gaze in stood Now turn'd to Flammes makes what it bred decay Those which to take Men did all Snares allow All without Baites or Nets are taken now 74 Those Floods which first did Fields with Streames array The Riuers foure by sacred Write made known Which since farre sundrie makes their Wits to stray Who Paradise drawn by their Dreames haue shown As turn'd from it or it from them away In all the Earth their strength shall be ou'r-thrown VVhom first high Pleasures Horrours huge last bound As if for Griefe they vanish from the Ground 75 The fertile Nilus neuer rashlie mou'd Which ag'd in trauell manie Country knowes Whose Inundation by the Labourer lou'd As Barrennesse or Plentie it fore-showes From diuerse meanes but doubtfull all is prou'd Oft Natures worke all Reasons Power ouer-throwes The Ancients wondred not to find his Head But it shall all inuisible be made 76 Heauens Indignation seazing on all things The greatest Waters languish in their Way The litle Brookes exhausted in their Springs For Pouertie can not their Tribute pay Of Moisture spoyl'd the Earth craues Help not brings The Mightie thus left to themselues decay Great powers compos'd make but of manie one Whose weaknesse showes it selfe when left alone 77 That Flood whose Fame more great then Waters straide Whose Race like it more then their owne would ow Which from the Appennins oft gathering aide Would those ouer-throw who did the world ou'r-throw VVhich though vnstable onely stable staide In that great Citie where all else fell low It which so long familiar was with Pame Shall be dry'd vp an vnregarded streame 78 The Sheep-heards Mirrours all like Siluer pure VVhich curious Eyes delighted were to see VVhen Flammes from Heauen fraile Beauties shall combure No Creature then being from Confusion free Euen they shall grow more vglie and obscure Then the infernall Floods are fain'd to be Of their long course there shall no signe remaine VVorse then that Lake where Brimstone once did raine 79 Whilst Thetis bent to court those Streames as vaine That on themselues to gaze stryue Time to win And liquid Serpents wynding through the Plaine As if to sting the Earth oft gathered in
hath chang'd thrise thrise about He bursted forth neglecting Mothers Grones Though from him first as poore fond weake Teares flow Doth straight of GOD a talking Image grow 31 So sowne by Death where rests fraile Mortalls Seede The Earth conceau'd shall to grow Big begin And though at first a mouing Masse doth breede Shall stay from Trauell till the Time forth rin Whilst vitall Moisture Ashes dry doth feede That marrow Bones Bones Flesh Flesh takes on Skin Till all at last being to Perfection worne Graues are deliuered Mankind is new borne 32 The spirituall Powers shall soone haue repossess'd Their ancient Rowmes recognised by Grace Which were they thence by Natures Rigour press'd To Death by Sinne morgag'd but for a Space But now redeem'd who had bene thus distress'd All Members moue Power pour'd in euery Place What could corrupt all worne vnto an Ende They spirituall Bodies bodied Spirits ascend 33 Then shall not Weaknesse passing each Degree A Progresse haue Perfection to attaine But from Infirmitie made freely free They Shape Proportion Strength and Knowledge gaine All Qualities at once accomplish'd be That to augment there nothing doth remaine The first and second Birth do differ farre First Men were made now rais'd then grew now are 34 Some Gentiles fond who from the Trueth did stray When by Apostles told did scorne this once Yet trusted Grounds which vaine Inuentions lay By fabulous Doctrine Learn'd and Fooles at once That by Prometheus Men were made of Clay And by Deucalion quickned out of Stones Thus had their Soules to see the Trueth no Eyes Who loth the Light GOD giues them ouer to Lyes 35 Great Armie oft as if one Bodie moue Whose Soules it seemes the Trumpets Sound doth swey So when this Charge is thundered from aboue One Moment makes who were or are obey O strange Alarme what must this meeting proue Where Ruine only hath prepar'd the Way All knowne when mustred though not numbred th aire A dreadfull Censor no Mans Spot will spaire 36 Those which the Depthes disgested did containe As bent to drinke those who them oft did drinke To Heauen exhald though still'd through Fruites by Raine That daintie Tasts more delicate them thinke Their Tronkes drawn downe when once throwne vp againe Though dead and buried moue not swim nor sinke A Death which Drunkards do deserue to haue To lie with Liquor in a liquid Graue 37 With Kisses cold of Thetis choak'd of late Who her three Mates faln in her Bosome leaue Some Windes and Waues against each Rocke do beate Till them for Food the scaillie Troupes receaue That Fishes Men Men may those Fishes eate Chang'd Qualitie and Forme whose Flesh may haue Mans Substance it may transsubstantiat oft But shall the same that first mount last aloft 38 Muse doe not striue aboue thy Strength to mount As Mortalls Braines those Hosts could comprehend Which not Seas Sands nor yet Heauens Starres can count Then whilst swarm'd forth they Heauens high Court attend All Faculties of Memorie surmount Being raisd from Dust more thicke then Dust in End But yet a Part most known by Fame design'd May leaue a more Impression in the Mind 39 The first great Troup inunding from the Deepes Which long haue wandred with the watrie Brood Which glutted Neptune in his Caues did keepe When all his Guests were surfaited of Food Are those amidst the roaring Waues who sleepe Since first they fell drown'd by the generall Flood Those who of GOD the Threatnings still did scorne Till Death at once one Fleece ouer all had shorne 40 What strange Deluge from that Deluge doth flow Of Monstrons People terrible to see Whose Stature showes what time it had to grow The Duarfes with them with vs would Giants be Ere bended was the many-colour'd Bow All that had falne rise from corruption free Where raging Depths had Iustlie lodgd their Dust Still drown'd when dead who burn'd aliue with Lust 41 Thence comes the Tyrant who did sway the State Where fertile Nilus mollifies the Mind Whom to confirme his owne with Wonders great GOD did obdure and made by brightnesse blind With guilded Slaues which flattering his conceat The LORD to him would needs inferior find Those all like him by his example made As oft to sinne he shall to Iudgement lead 42 Mad Man to whom by wondrous Blowes abroad The Arme of GOD had justlie Terrour brought Foole who had seene the proofe of Arons Rod What danger was thou might in time haue thought Whilst vaine Magicians emulatiug GOD The same in show but not in substance wrought Vaine Sophists to be mock'd but mocke the Eyes Trueth naked trueth Lies are though painted Lies 43 What made thee doubt that he whom thou did spie Turne Streames to Blood might mixe them with thy Blood That he who made thy Lands first borne to die Would saue the liues of his friend Abrams Brood Where his might march he who the Depths did drie That he would make them drowne who him withstood But those whom GOD will lose he makes them blind Those headlong runne who are for wrack design'd 44 Those who with haste the Hebrue Hoste pursu'd Whose glancing Armes each Eye shouts fill'd each Eare Who lack'd no stately show which might when view'd In them breed Courage and in others feare The Troupes by them contemn'd ere seene subdu'd Who did themselfes as if in Triumph beare And spuing Blasphemie from Prides low hight Euen challenge durst the LORD of Hostes to fight 45 Lo from the Mudde they now creep poorelie out As from a Prison which vpbraids their Blame And spoyld of all which compasse them about Ryse naked vp yet kept by feare from shame They heare Heauens Trumpet horriblie to shout Which straight they thinke their Sentence will proclaime And euen great Pharo vyle amidst his owne Can by no signe more then the rest be known 46 What Fooles then ryse who neuer could be pleas'd Though settled Owners of a fertile Ground Where vnder them euen Thousands were well eas'd And then their Masters more contentment found Whose traitrous Hopes still on new conquests seas'd Till death did show how litle might them bound That as all Lands could but strict limits giue Last for the Seas vaste like their Mynds did striue 47 Ah for Mans madnesse who enough can mourne From whom still pure that there might rest no place Who makes his rage euen in the Depths to burne And standing runnes in walking woods his race Makes Neptunes Azure all to purple turne And filles with blood the wrinkles of his Face What thirst of Mischiefe thus torments Man still That it no Sea can quensh nor Land can fill 48 The Grecian Seas shall giue those Bodies back When floting Athens camp'd in Wooden Walls Which Mountaines Plaines and Floods dry Fields wold make Scourg'd all the Windes rank'd Nature with their thralles Which all conspyrd seeme to procure their wrack Both Sea and Land being famous by their falles As if that King who could not
Mountaines moue As Townes for Trafficke Palaces for Ease And of all Sorts did furnish forth a Band As if to People not to winne a Land 68 To braue the Heauens whilst Giants would assay The LORD their Power would wonderfully bounds One litle Barke their Nauie did dismay The mightie Man a VVoman did confound All Elements did arme their Course to stay That VVicked Men might not pollute our Ground For Pride disdain'd for Crueltie abhorr'd Spaine beg'd a Slaue where looking to be Lord 69 O happie those for whom the Heauens will fight Of Angels Armies campe about them still VVhilst Haile and Thunder from Heauens Store-house light Rush armed VVinters forth sterne Tempests kill The stormie VVinds conjur'd in Time charge right As traind in VVarre to spend their Power with Skill Still to the Author Mischiefe doth returne And in the Fires they make the VVicked burne 70 The tumid State a Number doth afford VVho only there could quensh ambitions Fire And Auarice with many hath it stor'd VVho only there could bound their waste Desire Though of the VVealth of diuerse Lands made Lord Who by no Meanes Contentment could acquire Till like themselues still taking fill'd with Nought The Sea and Hell them to Aboundance brought 71 What fearfull thoughts their quaking Stomacks fling When with each Waue a Wound Death seemes to giue That so to charge do for a vantage striue Saue Lightnings whyles some suddaine glances bring Clouds masking Heauen ouer all do darknesse driue That whilst they nothing see and too much heare Falne on the Depths Hells Shaddow doth appeare 72 Some scap'd such Stormes whilst they secure remaine Whose cruell Couetice to render vaine They yield as faint till Foes toward them repaire Then Powder kindled by a lingering traine They all at once are thundred through the Aire In Water burn'd weake thralls kill Victors strong And suffring act reuenge preuenting wrong 73 Thus by the Sea a number is bewray'd Whose dying Eyes a friend did neuer close Not in their Fathers no in no tombe layde Which had when dead no part where to repose But are by Waues to euery Rocke betray'd Till this last Day do of all Flesh dispose Which as would seeme most readie those may find Whom Earth not burdens Wynding-sheets not bind 74 The Face of Earth like those a number yeelds Who for last lodgings could not get a Graue Yet where they fell as hauing wonne the Fields Them dead a tyme from all who liu'd did reaue Thrown in the Dust drawne from their bloodie Shields Whilst naked there they what they clad did saue Till Beasts with some did runne with some Fowles flie As Bodies first Bones bare at last did lie 75 The Bloud of some did staine that golden age To stryke with Iron ere malice did inuent On Ruines Altar offring vp to rage Wrath wants not Weapons when for mischiefe bent Then Indignation Mortalls did asswage With Stones sharpe Stings and what by force was rent From gored Bellies Puddings did gush out And Heads with Braines were compassed about 76 But when Man spud whilst venging wrong by chance That Life was lodg'd in such a fortresse fraile To Court Vaine-Glory which to fooles did glance Some as for Sport their Neighbours did assaile Then last their State of purpose to aduance Stray'd Valour would by violence preuaile All Armies first were by Ambition led Till Auarice a greater furie bred 77 Who first from Death by Deeds redeem'd their Names And eminent magnanimously grew Their fancies frying in ambitions Flames They onely Praise not Profit did pursue And as for Glory who contend in games Sought others to exceed not to subdue Such Scythia one another Egypt gaue From conguer'd Lands who did but Honour craue 78 Those Weapons first were fond which pierc'd or brus'd Ere dreadfull Cyclops made their Hammers reele Of Mars chiefe Minions Sword and Lance were vs'd Ere Men did marche as Statues all of Steele What furie in proud Mindes this rage insus'd That they would suffer to make others feele And striue to further ere to hinder ill Then saue themselues more bent their Mates to kill 79 What Mountaines were of murthred Bodies made Which till falne dust the dust did not receaue Of Ashur Persia Greeks and Romanes dead Who whilst that they more Earth them Earth would haue Whilst of the World each striuing to be Head Those Members main'd which it to rule did craue Then though all Lands one onely did adore As pent in too strict bounds whilst one sought more 80 Of Bones vnburied what huge Heapes were rear'd By Teutons Cimbers Gaules great by doing harmes By Vandalls Allam Hunnes and Gothes long fear'd Danes Longobards and Sarazens in swarmes For which long tyme those Fields could not be ear'd Where they to death had offred vp their Armes Whilst where to lieu to winne more Lands being set Where they might die they onely Land could get 81 Then Nature strong as in her perfite Age As Bees their Swarmes Lands Colonies sent forth Which forc'd by wants else moou'd by generous Rage In Tempests huge inunded from the North Else that high Hopes dream'd Richesse might asswage They sought the South as held of greatest worth To what it pleas'd whilst Power a right did clame Oft with their Dwellers Countries chang'd the Name 82 That Heathnish Hoste by Juda so abhorr'd Whose Captaines railing Vengeance to contriue A godly King did spread before the Lord Whose Wrong his Soule did most of peace depriue Till that an Angell with iust Wrath being stor'd Did kill of thousands thryse threescore and fiue Those who blaspheming GOD by him were slaine Must ryse with feare to looke on GOD againe 83 Thence thousands ryse with Strangers or their own Where still to Broyles the Grecians were inclind Where all the VVorld at Fortunes Dyce was thrown Twixt Syr and Sonne in Law not loue combind By Vertues Clients fall which Fields were known Of all who onely the Scates good design'd None Vertue should adore all reuerence must Men should delight in it not in it trust 84 Thence neuer buried many Bodie springs Where of all Lands oft Armies did contend Slaue by the Senat Emperours or Kings But most by Him who did to Carthage send Reft from Romes Nobles Bushels full of Rings And by Barbarians Lord s of all in end Thus Italie all Nations did obey And to all Nations was expos'd a prey 85 That Field yeelds thousands where VVrong squaring Right For famous Captains twyse a fatall Stage Great Pompey did with Mithridates fight And Tamberlane the Terrour of that age On lightning Bajazet did thundring light Tam'd for a Foot-stoole in an Iron Cage Thus that great Monarch was made worse then thrall Pryde hated stands and doth vnpitied fall 86 All then must marche at this last Trumpets sound Who Fields entomb'd damn'd Floods and Ditches fill'd Whilst Ottoman to make his Crescent round Blood as but Water prodigallie spill'd His Bassaes dash'd ryse groning from the Ground Which oft by