Iustice doth aduance 17 Sage Prudence busied in foresight of things And moderate Temperance with her golden squire True manly Fortitude the heart of Kings Ioin'd with impartiall Iustice all desire For their more safetie and securer rest A sacred mansion in your Princely brest 18 Now Vertue lookes more debonaire and sweet And darts strange flames of loue in euery place T' is so when she and Princely greatnesse meet Accept the good that Vertue giues your Grace A double ease then shall your Highnesse finde Making these Vertues Squires of your minde 19 What comfort comes by such a gracious King In whom the foure rare morall vertues raigne A Prince that wants of these in anything Can not serue God nor subiects well maintaine All which great gifts his Princely minde must beare That will Th'emperiall Crowne of honour weare 20 These foure a Chariot of foure wheeles haue fram'd Which whoso mounts shall great and mightie be And for this merit shall as much be fain'd As if the Conquerer of the world were he Few Kings this goodly Chariot haue driuen For vnto few these Cardinals are giuen 21 Which vertues are fast knit and ioin'd together Yet proper and distinct in qualitie Like Riuers flowing in a stormie weather Out of the fountaine of pure honestie Thus all are one and one esteemed all Who wanteth one possesseth none at all 22 There is one only wise and Soueraigne king Who sitteth on his high and holy throne And by his word created euery thing From whom true wisdome doth proceed alone Which teacheth vs his holy word to know And in abundance doth his mercy show 23 These Morall vertues Cardinall are nam'd A cardine as ancient writers say Which is a hindge on which the doore is fram'd By which it shuts and opens euery way All Monarchs kingdoms commonwealths Kings Guided by these possesse mostblessed things 24 By these they are made open vnto God And to all goodnesse in their land and state Preseru'd from Sathan and his wicked rod And from those vices which these vertues hate Who rules by these shall haue eternall blisse And raigne with God where vertues glory is 25 Further they call them Card'nall as I gesse By reason of their firme stabilitie Both in themselues and persons they possesse Where they inhere with perfect constancie When doores are mou'd the hindges fixt remaine And yet not chang'd returne the same againe 26 The third cause is for that our conuersation And course of life supported ought to be By these foure vertues without alteration As doores borne vp on hindges which we see Though to and fro the doore do dayly passe Yet borne on hindges is the same it was 27 Fourth reason why we do them Card'nall proue Is praeminence and power aboue the rest The Cardin's are the chiefest parts aboue Of Heauen of Earth and Sea which God hath blest Alluding vnto man compos'd by nature Of elements or els no perfect creature 28 These vertues do exceed all others farre By them are noble acts and deeds begunne The least of them shines bright as any starre And all in one as glorious as the Sunne The soule who striues the greatest works t' effect By these foure vertues doth herselfe direct 29 The fifth cause is their principalitie For vnto them all vertues are inclin'de They leade the motions power and qualitie Of heart of soule of bodie and of minde They teach they rule they gouerne and they guide The minde and soule that is to wisdome tide 30 Prudence the act of Reason still doth sway Which vertues is from vices to discerne Twixt good and bad which is the perfect way To take or leaue it teacheth vs to learne It makes vs see and know the good from ill And hauing choise to take the better still 31 Temperance the act doth rule leade and direct Of the concupiscible facultie Which is things good and pleasing to elect To comfort man and with Gods word agree It doth dispose all actions which delight Mans humane good and highest God of might 32 Fortitude rules the actions will and power Irascible in hearts and mindes of all That manage valourous actions at each stower And to indure what perils can befall Rather than faint in any fearefull guise They shew themselues both valiant stout and wise 33 These former vertues do themselues dispose With seuerall actions in their proper places But Iustice doth direct and leade all those To all good works indu'de with heauenly graces And by her vnderstanding power controule The outward acts and inward thoughts of soule 34 In number foure these choisest vertues are Which learned men in books define to be A bodie knit with substance firme and rare Sound without change from all corruption free Yet haue they obiects in a diff'rent kinde To euery wicked thought and worke inclin'd 35 Gainst Prudence warreth senselesse Ignorance Infirmitie with Fortitude doth fight Vnbridled Lust defieth Temperance And hatefull wrong gainst Iustice bends his might Thus euery vertue findes a vicious foe The one doth good the other doth not so 36 The Church which is of Christ the Spouse and mate By these foure vertues is adorn'd and wrought As of foure precious stones of highest rate Not to be match't if all the world were sought Which do protect and keepe on euery side Gods Word and Trueth so often purified 37 Prudence before doth teach her to foresee All future mischiefes like to come at last Iustice behinde will alwayes witnesse be To euery thing before is gone and past For what 's to come the first doth her defend For matters done the latter helpe doth send 38 But Temperance the right hand doth attend Lest it be puft vp with prosperitie And Fortitude the left hand doth defend For feare it fall into aduersitie These former vertues doe the Church vpholde In Gods true feare that cannot be controlde 39 Next wise men do these Cardinalls compare To the foure Riuers pure of Paradise Which water that faire garden Eden rare The place of all delights and high deuise For as they moisten earth in euery place So those bedew the soule of man with grace 40 By these men coole the heat of carnall lust And wicked passions which oppresse the minde By these our hearts are mou'd to do what 's iust From ill to good they make vs still inclin'd By these the Lord his blessings still imparts Vnto the sonnes of men to glad their harts 41 They are compar'd to those faire colours pure In whose cleere hue those Curtaines were discern'd Of Moyses Tabernacle built most sure From whom are all good acts and precepts learn'd Which seuerally the vertues do define And shew Christs Church on high to be diuine 42 The first the Iacinth is of heauenly hue Whose rarenesse doth to Prudence appertaine Whereby we imitate our
fift doth holde a Reuerend respect And due regard of those that best deserue The last doth well the works of truth effect And from good lawes and praeceps neuer swarue But still maintaine what euer 's good and iust And not to vaine deceitfull toies to trust 171 Religion is the worship pure of God Obseruing of his iust and holy lawes To visit those that suffer scourge of rod And to relieue when want doth offer cause It keeps our minds vnstain'd and vndefilde From all infection of the world so vilde 172 But pietie is a bountifull regard Whose care respects aswell the bond of bloud As duties or priorities reward Or great obedience to the meane and good In all degrees it makes an equall show To yeeld true measure to the high and low 173 Fauour or grace a vertue we may call Wherein the true and perfect friendship shines With memorie of subiects duties all Whose bounds and limits grace to vs defines It doth containe will to remunerate The gifts and qualities of ech estate 174 Reuenge of things vniust a vertue is That doth subdue oppression force and wrong All obscure acts which leade men farre amisse She doth repell be neuer they so strong It doth defend the pure and innocent And chastice those that in transgression went 175 Much holinesse dread reuerence behights For iust obseruance of the merit due To those on whom all perfect honour lights Whose worth makes their deseruings good and true It giues renowme and honour in her kinde To men of note and of a Noble minde 176 Trueth is a practicke habit as I weene Or veritie which doth the minde possesse Inspir'd into the soule of man not seene By God himselfe whose sp'rit brings happinesse This maketh difference twixt the good and euill To chuse her selfe and hate her foe the deuill 177 Iustice is term'd the simple poore mans treasure Lockt in the chest of soule and conscience It yeelds to them the trueth of great mens measure And keepes it swept from eating-moths offence All precious stones whose vertues breed no doubt It doth reserue and cast all other out 178 He is not iust that dreadeth death or paine Or feares exile or stings of pouertie No conscience cleere whose eyes do looke for gaine Or heart prefers the foes to equitie No man for good or honest we regard Whose minde doth measure iustice with reward 179 Iustice hath wrought to vs most happie things Iustice by right hath taught our land to know A royall lawfull true descent of Kings Whose vaines the bloud of Henrie seuenth show It brought him in he will not shut her out Let none for Iustice therefore feare or doubt 180 This Princely branch from that pure roote now springs Of Brute that mightie monarch of great fame Whose buddes the fruit of perfect Iustice brings And to his people auncient Britans name Which he adorns with vnitie and peace Throughout the world for euer to increase 181 We see the buds of that same stately tree Whose blossoms yeeld our hearts and eies delight We reape the fruit of Iustice equally As moats still subiect to the Sunne of light Iustice diuine chiefe vertue of renowne Commands with loue our sacred King to crowne 182 Prudence with Iustice did coniunction make Vniting so foure kingdomes into one Heau'ns in the change did all our troubles slake In giuing pow'r and right to Ieames alone He is the first that ouer all did raigne Or could with loue and peace the crowne obtaine 183 He with his Iustice doth all strife debate And makes vs loue one onely God and king He ioineth loue twixt those that iarr'd with hate And doth our hearts to true religion bring He makes vs liue in peace and vnitie With kingdoms great and haue our trafficke free 184 Blest be his name that made vs Iustice know By such a Prince whose heart intends no wrong Blest be his power that such a tree did show From that true stocke of Brutus graft so long Blessed be heau'n a Princely Britaine raignes And that so goodly plants of Brute remaines 185 Iustice brings peace and concord to our land And breeds not warres by off'ring others wrong It knits men fast like faggots in a band In faith and loue that to one state belong Religion loue and vnitie increase Vnder the King whose heart desireth peace 186 Iustice extreme is neuer to be vs'd With crueltie or rigorous intent It may with ouer-wresting be abus'd And turne to wrong the good which vertuement The summe of Iustice which is in rigor seene To iniurie is chang'd and alt'red cleene 187 True Iustice riches neuer can infect Nor gaine of kingdomes cut off course of right No priuate whisper shall the cause detect Till both be heard and trueth be brought to light Where Iustice flies with flatt'ring wings to th' eare The Kingâ—s abus'd and subiects buy it deare 188 Most pitifull that land and people's left Where perfect iustice is not vnderstood They are of all true happinesse bereft And sure to sinke let cause be ne'er so good But still to labour striue consume and spend All that they haue yet neuer make an end 189 What greater plague or viler punishment Than liue in hope of right from day to day What greater torment to a state is sent Than Iudges to sell Iustice with delay Who rule the cause with coine vnto their will And keepe true Iustice from the iudgement still 190 They that abuse this image pure of God And sell the trueth for pictures of a King Are made the meanes to vse the deuils rod And all good causes to confusion bring They neuer care how matters come about So that the purse the golde be powring out 191 Paulus the Pythagorian doth direct How all men should this gift diuine embrace As nurse and mother truely to effect The works of all the rest with heauenly grace Gods prouidence to Iustice is appli'de Which doth the world both gouerne rule and guide 192 In Townes and Cities it is rightly thought The perfect path to equitie and peace In priuate homes twixt man and wife is wrought True vnitie and concord to increase It makes men serue their masters with regard And masters kinde good seruants to reward 193 It is commanded by Gods holy spirit All Magistrates should Iustice dayly vse And that their hearts should iudgement pure inherit And not Gods holy lawes for to abuse For whoso doth infringe and breake the same Can not auoid the curse of endlesse shame 194 It doth to Iustice duely appertaine To entertaine the pure and innocent Them to protect till they be free againe So sent away full safe to their content Iudgement resists bold deeds of wickednesse And doth with punishment all faults redresse 195 By Solon this was truely taught as meane For great
Sauiour true And with his Angels hope in blisse to raigne This colour doth so bright in glory shine That mortall hearts by faith see things diuine 43 The second pure white silke doth signifie And vnto Temperance of right belongs It doth the soule both clense and purifie Diuinely freeing it from offering wrongs To worke to speake to thinke the heart it moues To all those things the highest God approues 44 The third is Purple of a ruddie show Which doth on noble Fortitude attend To venture life and bloud at eu'ry blow The spotlesse truth of Iesus to defend No dangerous aduenture labour toile In Gods iust cause can make her once recoile 45 The fourth is Crimsen of a fierie red Resembling iustice in her scarlet tires To censure humane causes as their head Whose burning zeale Christs glory still desires And as this colour lasteth without staine So shall the conscience cleere from touch remaine 46 These vertues natures liuely we may proue In spices foure from whence that vnction wrought T' anoint the place and Priests of highest Ioue And vessels all that to Gods house were brought Which stately Throne perfum'd with heauenly sweet Affoords these vertues place as roome most meet 47 First weeping Myrrhe which Temperance signifies With actions gouern'd in our time of youth This doth the wicked thoughts of men surprise From iudgements rash to see and know the trueth And makes vs in our courses oft incline From damned plots to muse on things diuine 48 The second is the sweetest Cynamon Whose colour is for darkish browne allow'd This being pounded sendeth foorth anon A pleasing breath that mounteth like a cloud Which doth present to vs Humilitie As well the booke of books can verifie 49 From whence all prayers do ascend and rise Of faithfull people like the morning dew As incense sweet whose smoke doth clense the skies Which in the euening like a mist doth shew As this spice broke doth make sweet smell ech where So humble prayers pierce our Sauiours eare 50 What spice so sweet as when this same is bruis'd What sacrifice so pleasing in Gods sight As prayers which in broken heart are vs'd Which flame and burne and shine like glittring light Which mildly draw the Maiestie diuine With humble humane creatures to combine 51 To whom shall I send downe my holy Spirit But vnto those that are of contrite hart Who shall my holy land of blisse inherit But those from whom true meeknesse doth not part Whose hearts do quake and tremble at my word Which wounds thē more than men or mortal sword 52 The third is Cassia which in waters growes Resembling Prudence and doth comfort take From purest streames where perfect doctrine flowes And of small Springs a Riuer great do make From will to wit our senses it increaseth And by experience perfect wisdome teacheth 53 The fourth is Calamus a fragrant Plant That beares the branches of true Fortitude Which in extreames no patience doth want This driues away contagious sent and rude The more these spices we do beat and bruise The sweeter smell and sauour still ensues 54 Ioine vnto these a godly feare and Loue And all the heauenly works of Charitie Which with the grace proceeding from aboue Doth make this ointment smell in puritie For better is a good and honest name Than any wealth or precious ointments fame 55 Fourthly these vertues are esteemed fit To the foure wheeles of that same firie coach Wherein Elias and Gods seruants sit Being lifted vp the heauens to approach Which firie Chariot to vs knowledge giues Of their true zeale that in our Sauiour liues 56 Fifthly the number of these vertues can Be well alluded to foure liuing creatures The Aegle Calfe a Lion and a Man Which do describe their perfect seuerall natures These foure do sundry kindes decide How these rare vertues do themselues diuide 57 The first doth vs a perfect figure giue Of Prudence in her secret propertie To watch obserue and note the age we liue And with quicke sight all diffrent things to see Whose prouident praescience doth preuent All future acts might come to ill euent 58 The second shewes true Temperance to appeare Which makes vs giue our bodies vnto God With true oblation to our Sauiour deare As sacrifice not fearing scourge of rod But still to hazzard liuing life and all For Gods true cause what euer should befall 59 The third of these doth Fortitude containe Which is the Lion of all beasts the king As he aboue them all doth rule and raigne So this rare vertue rules aboue each thing As th' one no man nor creature can dismay So th' other will from all the rest beare sway 60 Man being the fourth doth Iustice comprehend Which is the band of true societie This doth all right and causes iust defend In faith in truth and lawfull equitie And doth preferre with care the poore mans right Before rewards or greater men of might 61 Lastly to note the number still persists Of these chiefe vertues whereof we intreat How God appointed foure Euangelists As blessed Gospels to confirme their seat Which shewes that those who teach the truth indeed In these foure seu'rall vertues should exceed 62 What euer honest is doth come from them For they of honestie the fountaines beene And from graue Reason draw their sacred stem All vnto vertue bowing as their Queene These thus discoursed of in generall I haste to shew their powers seuerall 63 From Wisdome daughter of immortall loue And sacred Science of Diuiner things Belonging to the Deitie aboue The birth of well aduised Prudence springs This the first fountaine is that purely runnes From Reasons head whereas true vertue wonnes 64 No mortall man can perfect good attaine That wants this vertue in her heauenly kinde Nor can his life from actions vile refraine Nor yet controule the wicked thoughts of minde Of Prudence therefore this is vnderstood Men wanting her are not accounted good 65 She is the nurse of true and holy feare Both to loue God and to obey our King She is the Ancient doth the colours beare Into those fields where fairest blessings spring She makes vs know our selues and feare the Lord To loue the king and in one faith accord 66 A prudent King a firme assurance is Vnto his people ouer whom he raignes Vpholds the right and mends the faults amisse He roots out vice and vertue still maintaines Clap hands for ioy when such a King we crowne That raiseth good and pulles the wicked downe 67 This vertue sprung from wisdome most diuine With knowledge got and by Gods goodnesse had Doth rule mens actions and their hearts encline For to discerne and chuse the good from bad Whose office doth consist by skill to chuse What vertue bids and all the rest refuse 68 She
true vertue knit Doth pierce the very Throne where God doth sit 145 This vertue doth foure other parts dispose Magnificence the first I take to be The next sure Trust which nothing will disclose The third is Patience in extremitie The fourth Perseu'rance in one purpose still And not to rest vntill she worke her will 146 It hath besides a number of effects The first triumpheth ouer all her foes The second keeps to each her true respects The third enricheth with the ware it showes For valiant hand doth gather wealth and store And still increaseth riches more and more 147 The fourth it doth expugne the highest seat And heauens kingdome wherein God doth raigne With violence it suffreth to intreat That glorious state where holy Saints remaine The fift adornes the bodie and the minde With comly robes which Fortitude doth finde 148 The sixt doth make mens hearts to be secure And arm'd with care in all extreme designes With strong defence all danger to endure At no dysast'rous chance it once repines Securitie it breeds to all good hap And nothing doubts malignant thund'ring clap 149 True Fortitude fiue offices doth holde The first attempteth matters of great doubt And in strange obiects difficults most bolde Still to effect the worke she goes about Do manfully with comfort and good cheare Daunt not your hearts with any kinde of feare 150 The second is contempt of things terrene And from the loue of earthly ioyes to runne The trueth whereof by Moyses plaine was seene Deny'ng to be Kings Pharos daughters sonne The third is the induring tribulations With loue as strong as death in alterations 151 The fourth is filthie Temptor to withstand And foule suggesting which the minde offends None shall be crown'd or holde that blessed land But he that curbeth sinne and life amends Appeasing so the wrath of God he giues The world adue Surmounting Sathan liues 152 Mans life is like a warfare on the earth Whose time is spent with troubles toile and cares Subiect to all temptations from his birth In woe he liues and dies at vnwares The surest signe true fortitude to show Is in this life all vice to ouerthrowe 153 The Romanes Monarch Iulius Caesar great Being sickly tender subiect to much griefe Did still the weaknes of his state intreat With warlike labour for his healths reliefe He made a med'cine of his daily toile And exercise to be his sicknes foile 154 Of Marcus Sergius we may likewise note Whose right hand from his body was bereft Yet by continuall vse and practise gote Such perfect skill ih th' other hand was left As he did call fower seu'rall men in sight And ouercame them one by one in fight 155 Fabius Cunctator cometh to my minde Whose mod'rate courage mixt with valour still Did shew himselfe of true and noble kinde When Hanniball his souldiers all did kill He rusheth foorth and puls from him his crowne Wounded to death there dies with great renowne 156 Pompey the great and mightie Prince of power Prepar'de to sea his ships hoist vnder saile There rose a stormie tempest and a shower That all his mariners began to quaile He puts to sea spreds saile and speech doth giue It 's good I goe not fit I stay to liue 157 Agys the Lacedêmons worthie king Resolu'd to fight though oft his counsell tolde His enemies then ten for one would bring Which made his warlike sp'rite to speake more bolde It needs must be whose power commandeth many Should not be fear'd with multitude of any 158 We may not slip with silence in this place Themistocles in whom true woorth appear'd Whom Xerxes mightie fleete could not disgrace Nor whole twelue hundreth ships once make affeard Three hundreth saile he brought with skill to fight Which in that conflict put the twelue to flight 159 Damyndas answer'd being often tolde The danger great the Graecians should endure Vnlesse they did with Phillip concord holde Who had prepar'd an armie strong and sure What euill can he cause vs for to take That no account of death it selfe do'th make 160 Dercyllides from Sparta being sent To Pyrrhus stout his meaning foorth to sound Wherefore he march't and what was his intent To bring his men on borders of their ground If thou be God our faults deserue no care If thou be man thou art but as we are 161 Thundring saith Plato terrifi'th a childe And threatnings are but scar-babes vnto fooles It daunteth none but those are base and vilde And neuer learn'd in this rare vertues schooles They feare not death where fortitude is found Nor care to rot aboue or in the ground 162 A man of wisdome once demaunded was Why he for shame such actions would commit That should his death procure or bring to passe Or end his daies at seasons so vnfit He answer'd Good men put in life no trust But in those things were honest good and iust 163 True proofe by Marcus Crassus we may finde Who shew'd his valour in his later age And lost his dearest sonne to grieue his minde And all his men in furie fight and rage Yet shew'd himselfe more valiant then before And neuer seem'd his losses to deplore 164 Let vs obserue stout Machabaeus fame When fortie thousand men appear'd in sight And being aduis'de not to abide the same But flie away and not endure the fight He thus resolu'd much better was to die Then lose his name and from his foes to flie 165 But stay my Muse And now braue fortitude Which art the part of honestie that reares The minde to heauen and solely do'st include The soule and spirit daunting abiect feares Make haste and to thy reu'rend sisters hie Borne on the wings of sacred Poesie 166 Iustice giues right to whom it appertaines First vnto God next vnto eu'ry man It is a habit in the minde remaines Which doth with care the course of profit scan Preseruing and maintaining common good Which makes true Iustice to be vnderstood 167 It giues to eu'ry one his proper place And dignitie with honour woorth and praise It yeelds desert his true and perfect grace And censures iudgement to the right alwaies It is the vertue that doth comfort bring To all true subiects from a godly king 168 Sixe things to vpright Iustice do pertaine The first Religion which Gods word hath taught The second place doth Piëtie obtaine By which true works of Charitie are wrought The third is Grace or fauour which proceeds From God aboue whose sp'rite works holy deeds 169 The fourth Reuenge of things which are vniust And contrary to Gods most holy will Not in the strength of man or horse to trust But in his word whose truth continues still Which shall not change but rest the same it was Though all the world the earth and heauens passe 170 The
preseruance of all common good In which consist two things whereby are seene The works of right and Iustice vnderstood First to regard the good with true respect Then punishment for wicked men effect 196 Th' Aegyptians makers of the ancient lawes Were very carefull duly to obserue With diligence and iustice eu'ry cause And from their setled precepts neuer swerue The Greeks and Romanes were in zeale precise To yeeld true iustice to their enemies 197 The olde Aegyptians euer vs'd to paint Their Iudges pictures wanting both their hands Their President draw'n blindfolde they appoint To teach them how true Iustice habits stands No bribes must there respect of persons make Nor fauour iudge or any thing so take 198 Cleon the Lacedaemon bent to deale In publicke actions and most great affaires To all his friends together doth reueale That for their loue or friendship he nought cares Because affection caus'd men to decline And step aside from iudgement most diuine 199 To Iustice Aristides shew'd his loue Who had his foe of hainous crimes accus'd Which did the Iudge with great impression moue Him to condemne his answere quite refus'd He kneeled downe and crau'd to be prepar'd That they the trueth of both might haue declar'd 200 We may iust Iunius Brutus call to minde Whom Titus and Tyberius iudg'd to die His sonnes whom he so false to Rome did finde Who sought Tarquinius race to amplifie A rare example and of great effect How iustice should with fauour none respect 201 Phocion refus'd to helpe his sonne in law Chariles sitting in his iudgement place When he in fraud his money taken saw He said Alliance gaue bad cause no grace He was alli'de to him in things were iust But not in faults for fauour once to trust 202 Great Alexander more his fame doth reare When as he sat to iudge in iustice place And that th'accuser spake he stopt one eare To keepe him pure and vpright in the case So that he would not right preiudicate But with sincerity the truth debate 203 Augustus knew Aspren as was accus'd A friend of his where he in iudgement sate And fearing how the matter might be vs'd To iudge aright and free himselfe from hate He sits in place heard censure of his frend And neuer spake till iustice made an end 204 Agesilaus fame deserued praise Although he were assured to his frend Whose gentle nature would imploy alwaies In their behalfe to worke a happy end Yet did his promise to his friend refuse In matter where he might not iustice vse 205 Philip the Macedonian mightie king That had a poore old womans sute deni'd His leisure seru'd him not for any thing Then be no longer king aloud she cri'd Who did with meekenesse lend to her his grace And chose the title of a meaner place 206 It further wrought impression and desire And toucht his heart to doe things iust and true That he vnto his pallace did retire To heare the plaints of all that came to sue Where he remain'd all causes set aside Both to doe right and see men satisfied 207 Another time being ouer-mou'd to sleepe Not hearing well Machetas iust defence Condemned him and gaue him daies to keepe For sums of money without all suspence He crau'd new hearing when the king did wake Which being obtain'd did vpright censure make 208 Traianus rightly writers doe commend Who bent to warre did from his horse alight The poore complaint onely for to attend By woman brought beseeching him for right Which did so much this mightie Emp'rour grace That he was held most iust in euery place 209 Nothing more proper to a Prince belongs That is of mild and good and gentle nature Then exercise of iustice without wrongs In equall right to eu'ry liuing creature Preferring none but such as walke vpright Resembling God resplendent in his light 210 Iustice it is that through Gods holy grace Erecteth Monarchies and kingdomes great To shine and flourish in their proper place And to make trueth and equitie their seat What was of Lacedaemons glory cause But setting downe and keeping of good lawes 211 God is the author that doth justice moue Which he doth vse and euer exercise Amongst vs all as tokens of his loue Till it vs bring to period of the wise Such as are deckt with iustice high renowne Are fit to weare the high Imperiall crowne 212 Iustice diuine kings ought not for to leaue Nor they whoeuer will it on them take Which may the state and subiects much deceaue And millions of poore people beggars make Iustice should not as marchandize be sold Therefore most fit the king himselfe it hold 213 The speech of famous Alexander was And after him of Lodwicke wise and graue By way of prophecie should come to passe When money made great offices her slaue Where men ingrosse great offices in sale And after sell them deerely by retale 214 They that make sale of office or estates Doe likewise sell the secret'st thing of price The which is iustice that all bribing hates And would subdue true godlinesse with vice They sell the lawes and take the subiects blood That draw reward vnto their priuate good 215 I touch not good men which doe office hold But those this lucrous Hydra doe imbrace Which would haue iustice with their bribes controld And damned vice to sit in vertues place Those of good zeale are toucht with iust desire Those that are ill extortion sets on fire 216 Aurelian was of most respectiue feare How he did place men in their Iudgement seate Vnlesse desert and vertue did appeare That they all trueth with Iustice would intreat Hee ne're prefer'd one to the Senate place Except the whole consent gaue praise and grace 217 Now compast is the circle of my Theame Ariuing at the long desired point Asttaea with her sword and fixed beame Firmely vnites vertues dissundered ioint By whom O King thy greatnesse bounded stands With wide seas limits and the spacious lands 218 Vertues first resience in Assiria was From thence shee tooke her flight to Persia This left shee straight to Macedon did passe Then neuer wearied in her toile some way She came to dwell at Rome olde ages pride And planted peace through all the world so wide 219 But since the Romaine Empire came to waine For her abode finding no constant place In thee shee setleth great Augustus raigne Confirming it to thy successfull race Vertue triumphant now we may her call Seated by heauen in so high a stall 220 Thus hath my lowly and submissiue Muse With her dimme Ospray eyes dar'd to beholde The Sunne of Maiestie Oh then what excuse For a designe so venturous and much bolde This is my hope where vertue rules the minde Attempts of dutie gracious pardon finde 221 As from the highest region of the aire No stormes do come but all