so vanquish them by flight For tumult in the night doth cause most dread And weakness of a Foe is covered But he disdain'd to steal a victory The Sun should witness of his valour be And careless in his bed next morne he lyes By Captains twice is call'd before hee 'l rise The Armyes joyn'd a while the Peâ—sians â—â—ght And spilt the Greeks some bloud before their flight But long they stood not e're they 're forc'd to run So made an end As soon as well begun Forty five thousand Alexander had But is not known what slaughter here was made Some write th' other had a million some more But Quintus Curtius as before At Arbela this victory was gain'd Together with the Town also obtain'd Darius stript of all to Media came Accompan'ed with sorrow fear and shame At Arbela left his Ornaments and Treasure Which Alexander deals as suits his pleasure This conqueror to Babylon then goes Is entertain'd with joy and pompous showes With showrs of flours the streets along are strown And incense burnt the silver Altars on The glory of the Castle he admires The strong Foundation and the lofty Spires In this a world of gold and Treasure lay Which in few hours was carried all away With greedy eyes he views this City rouâ—â— Whose fame throughout the world was so 〈◊〉 And to possess he counts no little bliss The towres and bowres of proud Semiramis Though worne by time and rac'd by foes full sore Yet old foundations shew'd and somewhat more With all the pleasures that on earth are found This city did abundantly abound Where four and thirty dayes he now did stay And gave himself to banqueting and play He and his souldiers wax effeminate And former discipline begin to hate Whilst revelling at Babylon he lyes Antipater from Greece sends fresh supplyes He then to Shushan goes with his new bands But needs no force t is rendred to his hands He likewise here a world of treasure found For 't was the seat of Persian Kings renownâ—d Here stood the royal Houses of delight Where Kings have shown their glory wealth and might The sumptuous palace of Queen Esther here And of good Mordicai her kinsman dear Those purple hangings mixt with green and white Those beds of gold and couches of delight And furniture the richest in all lands Now fall into the Macedonians hands From Shushan to Persipolis he goes Which news doth still augment Darius woes In his approach the governour sends word For his receipt with joy they all accord With open gates the wealthy town did stand And all in it was at his high command Of all the Cities that on earth was found None like to this in riches did abound Though Babyâ—on was rich and Shushan too Yet to compare with this they might not doe Here lay the bulk of all those precious things That did pertain unto the Persian Kings For when the souldiers rifled had their pleasure And taken money plate and golden treasure Statues some gold and silver numberless Yet after all as storyes do express The share of Alexander did amount To an hundred thousand talents by account Here of his own he sets a Garison As first at Shushan and at Babylon On their old Governours titles he laid But on their faithfulness he never staid Their place gave to his Captains as was just For such revolters false what King can trust The riches and the pleasures of this town Now makes this King his virtues all to drown That wallowing in all licentiousness In pride and cruelty to high excess Being inflam'd with wine upon a season Filled with madness and quite void of reason He at a bold proud strumpets leud desire Commands to set this goodly town on fire Parmenio wise intreats him to desist And layes before his eyes if he persist His fames dishonour loss unto his state And just procuring of the Persians hate But deaf to reason bent to have his will Those stately streets with raging flame did fill Then to Darius he directs his way Who was retir'd as far as Media Anâ— there with sorrows fears cares surrounded Haâ— now his army fourth and last compounded Which forty thousand made but his intent Was these in Bactria soon to augment But hearing Alâ—xander was so near Thought now this once to try his fortunes here And rather chose an honourable death Then still with infamy to draw his breath But Bâ—ssus false who was his chief Commander Perswades him not to fight with Alexander With sage advice he sets before his eyes The little hope of profit like to rise If when he 'd multitudes the day he lost Then with so fow how likely to be crost This counsel for his safety he pretended But to deliver him to 's foe intended Next day this treason to Darius known Transported sore with grief and passion Grinding his teeth and plucking off his hair Sate overwhelm'd with sorrow and dispair Then bids his servant Artahasus true Look to himself and leave him to that crew Who was of hopes and comforts quite bereft And by his guard and Servitors all left Straight Bessus comes with his trait'rous hands Layes hold on 's Lord and binding him with bands Throws him into a Cart covered with hides Who wanting means t' resist these wrongs abides Then draws the cart along with chains of gold In more despight the thraled prince to hold And thus t'ward Alexander on he goes Great recompence for this he did propose But some detesting this his wicked fact To Alexander flyes and tells this act Who doubling of his march posts on amain Darius from that traitors hands to gain Bessus gets knowledg his disloyalty Had Alexanders wrath incensed high Whose army now was almost within sight His hopes being dasht prepares himself for â—light Unto Darius first he brings a horse And bids him save himself by speedy course The wofull King his courtesie refuses Whom thus the execrable wretch abuses By throwing darts gave him his mortal wound Then slew his Servants that were faithfull found Yea wounds the beasts that drew him unto death And leaves him thus to gasp out his last breath Bessus his partner in this tragedy Was the false Governour of Media This done they with their host soon speed away To hide themselves remote in Bactria Darius bath'd in blood sends out his groans Invokes the heav'ns and earth to hear his moans His lost felicity did grieve him sore But this unheard of treachery much more But above all that neither Ear nor Eye Should hear nor see his dying misery As thus he lay Polistrates a Greek Wearied with his long march did water seek So chanc'd these bloudy Horses to espy Whose wounds had made their skins of purple dye To them repairs then looking in the Cart Finds poor Darius pierced to the heart Who not a little chear'd to have some eye The witness of this horrid Tragedy Prays him to Alexander to commend The just revenge of this his woful end
their Controversies they 'l decide Ten dayes these Armyes did each other face Mardonius finding victuals wast apace No lâ—nger dar'd but bravely on set gave The other not a hand nor Sword would wave Tiâ—l in the â—ntrails of their Sacrifice The signal of their victory did rise Which found like Greeks they fight the Persians fly And troublesome Mardonius now must dye All 's lost and of three hundred thousand men Three thousand only can run home agen For pitty let those few to Xerxes go To certifie his final overthrow Same day the small remainder of his Fleet The Grecians at Mycale in Asia meet And there so utterly they wrackt the same Scarce one was left to carry home the Fame Thus did the Greeks consume destroy disperse That Army which did fright the Universe Scorn'd Xerxes bated for his cruelty Yet ceases not to act his villany His brothers wife solicites to his will The chast and beautious Dame refused still Some years by him in this vain suit was spent Nor prayers nor gifts could win him least content Nor matching of her daughter to his Son But she was still as when he first begun When jealous Queen Amestris of this knew She Harpy like upon the Lady flew Cut off her breasts her lips her nose and ears And leavs her thus besmear'd in bloud and tears Straight comes her Lord and finds his wife thus ly The sorrow of his heart did close his Eye He dying to behold that wounding sight Where he had sometime gaz'd with great delight To see that face where rose and Lillyes stood O'reflown with Torrent of her guiltless bloud To see those breasts where Chastity did dwell Thus cut and mangled by a Hag of Hell With loaden heart unto the King he goes Tells as he could his unexpressed woes But for his deep complaints and showres of tears His brothers recompence was nought but jears The grieved prince finding nor right nor love To Bactria his houshold did remove His brother sent soon after him a crew With him and his most barbarously there slew Unto such height did grow his cruelty Of life no man had least security At last his Uncle did his death conspire And for that end his Eunuch he did hire Who privately him smother'd in his bed But yet by search he was found murthered Then Artabanus hirer of this deed That from suspition he might be fre'd Accus'd Darius Xâ—â—xes eldest Son To be the Author of the crime was done And by his craft order'd the matter so That the Prince innocent to death did goe But in short time this wickedness was known For which he died and not he alone But all his Family was likewise slain Such Justice in the Persian Court did reign The eldest son thus immaturely dead The second was inthron'd in 's fathers stead Artaxerxes Longimanus Amongst the Monarchs next this prince had place The best that ever sprung of Cyrus race He first war with revolted Egypt made To whom the perjur'd Grecians lent their aid Although to Xerxes they not long before A league of amity had firmly swore Which had they kept Greece had more nobly done Then when the world they after overrun Greeks and Egyptians both he overthrows And payes them both according as he owes Which done a sumptuous feast makes like a king Where ninescore dayes are spent in banquetting His Princes Nobles and his Captains calls To be partakers of these Festivals His hangings white and green and purple dye With gold and silver beds most gorgeously The royal wine in golden cups did pass To drink more then he list none bidden was Queen Vasthi also feasts but 'fore t is ended She 's from her Royalty alas suspended And one more worthy placed in her room By Memucans advice so was the doom What Esther was and did the story read And how her Country men from spoyle she freed Of Hamans fall and Mordicaes great Rise The might of th' prince the tribute of the Isles Good Ezra in the seventh year of his reign Did for the Jews commission large obtain With gold and silver and what ere they need His bounty did Darius far exceed And Nehemiah in his twentieth year Went to Jerusalem his city dear Rebuilt those walls which long in rubbish lay And o're his opposites still got the day Unto this King Themistocles did fly When under Ostracisme he did lye For such ingratitude did Athens show This valiant Knight whom they so much did owe Such royal bounty from his prince he found That in his loyalty his heart was bound The king not little joyfull of this chance Thinking his Gresian warrs now to advance And for that end great preparation made Fair Attica a third time to invade His grand-Sires old disgrace did vex him sore His Father Xerxes loss and shame much more For punishment their breach of oath did call This noble Greek now fit for General Provisions then and season being fit To Themistocles this warr he doth commit Who for his wrong he could not chuse but deem His Country nor his Friends would much esteem But he all injury had soon forg it And to his native land could bear no hate Nor yet disloyal to his Prince would prove By whom oblig'd by bounty and by love Either to wrong did wound his heart so sore To wrong himself by death he chose before In this sad conflict marching on his wayes Strong poyson took so put an end to 's dayes The King this noble Captain having lost Disperst again his newly levied host Rest of his time in peace he did remain And di'd the two and forti'th of his reign Darius Nothus Three sons great Artaxerxes left behind The eldest to succeed that was his mind His second Brother with him fell at strife Stil making war till first had lost his life Then the Surviver is by Nothus slain Who now sole Monarch doth of all remain The two first sons are by Historians thought By fair Queen Esther to her husband brought If so they were the greater was her moan That for such graceless wreâ—â—hes she did groan Revolting Egypt ' gainst this King rebels His Garisons drives out that ' mongst them dwells Joyns with the Greeks anâ— so maintain their right For sixty years maugre the Persians might A second trouble after this succeeds Which from remissness in â—â—eâ—s Asiâ— breeds Amoâ—ges whom for Vice-Roy he ordain'd Revolts treasure and people having gain'd Plunders the Country much mischief wrought Before things could to quietness be brought The King was glad with Sparta to make peace That so he might those troubles soon appease But they in Asia must first restore All towns held by his Ancestors before The King much profit reaped by this league Regains his own then doth the Rebel break Whose strength by Grecians help was overthrown And so each man again possest his own This King Cambises like his sister wed To which his pride more then his lust him led For Persian Kings then deem'd
But Kings ne're want such as can serve their will Fit Instruments t' accomplish what is ill As Tyssaphernes knowing his masters mind Their chief Commanders feasts and yet more kind With all the Oaths and deepest Flattery Gets them to treat with him in privacy But violates his honour and his word And Villain like there puts them all to th' Sword The Greeks seeing their valiant Captains slain Chose Xenophon to lead them home again But Tissaphernes what he could devise Did stop the way in this their enterprize But when through difficulties all they brake The Country burnt they no relief might take But on they march through hunger through cold Oâ—re mountains rocks and hills as lions bold Nor Rivers course nor Persians force could stay But on to Trabesond they kept their way There was of Greeks setled a Colony Who after all receiv'd them joyfully Thus finishing their travail danger pain In peace they saw their native soyle again The Greeks now as the Persian king suspects The Asiaticks cowardiâ—e detects The many victoryes themselves did gain The many thousand Persians they had slain And how their nation with facillity Might gain the universal Monarchy They then Dercilladus send with an host Who with the Spartans on the Asian coast Town after town with small resistance take Which rumour makes great Artaxerxes quake The Greeks by this success encourag'd so Their King Agesilaâ—s doth over goe By Tissaphernes is encountered Lieftenant to the King but soon he fled Which overthrow incens'd the King so sore That Tissaphern must be Viceroy no more Tythraustes then is placed in his stead Commission hath to take the others head Of that perjurious wretch this was the fate Whom the old Queen did bear a mortal hate Tytâ—â—austes trusts more to his wit then Arms And hopes by craft to quit his Masters harms He knows that many Towns in Greece envyes The Spartan State which now so fast did rise To them he thirty thousand Tallents sent With suit their Arms against their Foes be bent They to their discontent receiving hire With broyles and quarrels sets all Greece on fire Agesilaus is call'd home with speed To defend more then offend there was need Their winnings loâ—â— and peace their glad to take On such conditions as the King will make Dissention in Greece continued so long Till many a Captain tell both wise and strong Whose courage nought but death could ever tame ' Mongst these Epimanondas wants no same VVho had as noble Raileigh doth evince All the peculiar virtues of a Prince But let us leave these Greeks to discord bent And turn to Persia as is pertinent The King from forreign parts now well at ease His home bred troubles sought how to appease The two Queens by his means seem to abate Their former envy and inveterate hate But the old Queen implacable in strife By poyson caus'd the young one lose her life The King highly inrag'd doth hereupon From Court exile her unto Babilon But shortly calls her home her counsells prize A Lady very wicked but yet wise Then in voluptuousness he leads his life And weds his daughter for a second wife But long in ease and pleasure did not lye His sons sore vext him by disloyalty Such as would know at large his warrs and reign What troubles in his house he did sustain His match incestuous cruelties of th' Queen His life may read in Plutarch to be seen Forty three years he rul'd then turn'd to dust A King nor good nor valiant wise nor just Dorius Ochus Ochus a wicked and Rebellious son Succeeds in th' throne his father being gone Two of his brothers in his Fathers dayes To his great grief most subtilly he slayes And being King commands those that remain Of brethren and of kindred to be slain Then raises forces conquers Egypt land Which in rebellion sixty years did stand And in the twenty third of 's cruel raign Was by his Eunuch the proud Bagoas slain Arsames or Arses Arsames plac'd now in his fathers stead By him that late his father murthered Some write that Arsames was Oâ—hus brother Inthron'd by Bagoas in the room of th' other But why his brother 'fore his son succeeds I can no reason give ' cause none I read His brother as t is said long since was slain And scarce a Nephew left that now might reign What acts he did time hath not now left pen'd But most suppose in him did Cyrus end Whose race long time had worne the diadem But now 's divolved to another stem Three years he reign'd then drank of 's fathers cup By the same Eunuch who first set him up Darius Codomanus Darius by this Bagoas set in throne Complotter with him in the murther done And was no sooner setled in his reign But Bagoas falls to 's practices again And the same sauce had served him no doubt But that his troason timely was found out And so this wretch a punishment too small Lost but his life for horrid treasons all This Codomanus now upon the stage Was to his Predecessors Chamber pagâ—â— Some write great Cyrus line was not 〈◊〉 run But from some daughter this new king was sprung If so or not we cannot tell but find That several men will have their several mind Yet in such differences we may be bold With learned and â—udicious still to hold And this ' mongst all 's no Controverred thing That this Dariâ—â— was last Persian King Whose Wars and losses we may better tell In Alexâ—nder's reign who did him quell How from the top of worlds felicity He fell to depth of greatest misery Whose honours treasures pleasures had short stay One deluge came and swept them all away And in the sixth year of his hapless reign Of all did scarce his winding Sheet retain And last a sad Catastrophe to end Him to the grave did Traitor Bessus send The End of the Persian Monarchy The Third Monarchy being the Grecian beginning under Alexander the Great in the 112. Olympiad GReat Alexander was wise Philips son He to Amyntas Kings of Macedon The cruel proud Olympias was his Mother She to Epirus warlike King was daughter This Prince his father by Pausanias slain The twenty first of ' sage began to reign Great were the Gilts of nature which he had His education much to those did adde By art and nature both he was made fit To ' complish that which long before was writ The â—ry day of his Nativity To ground was burnt Dianaes Temple high An Omen to their near approaching woe Whose glory to the earth this king did throw His Rule to Greece he scorn'd should be confin'd The Universe scarce bound his proud vast mind This is the He-Goat which from Grecia came That ran in Choler on the Persian Ram That brake his horns that threw him on the ground To save him from his might no man was found Philip on this great Conquest had an eye But death did terminate those thoughts so high
town Then by assault to gain one not our own And if Marcellus bold be call'd Romes sword Wise Fabius is her buckler all accord And if thy hast my slowness should not temper 'T were but a mad irregular distemper Enough of that by our sisters heretofore I le come to that which wounds me somewhat more Of learning policy thou wouldst bereave me But 's not thine ignorance shall thus deceive me What greater Clark or Politician lives Then he whose brain a touch my humour gives What is too hot my coldness doth abate What 's diffluent I do consolidate If I be partial judg'd or thought to erre The melancholy shake shall it aver Whose cold dry head more subtilty doth yield Then all the huge beasts of the fertile field· Again thou dost confine me to the spleen As of that only part I were the Queen Let me as well make thy precincts the Gall So prison thee within that bladder small Reduce the man to 's principles then see If I have not more part then all you three What is within without of theirs or thine Yet time and age shall soon declare it mine When death doth seize the man your stock is lost When you poor bankrupts prove then have I most You 'l say here none shall e're disturb my right You high born from that lump then take your flight Then who 's mans friend when life all forsakes His Mother mine him to her womb retakes Thus he is ours his portion is the grave But while he lives I 'le shew what part I have And first the firm dry bones I justly claim The strong foundation of the stately frame Likewise the usefull Slpeen though not the best Yet is a bowel call'd well as the rest The Liver Stomack owe their thanks of right The first it drains of th'last quicks appetite Laughter thô thou say malice flows from hence These two in one cannot have residence But thou most grosly dost mistake to think The Spleen for all you three was made a sink Of all the rest thou 'st nothing there to do But if thou hast that malice is from you Again you often touch my swarthy hue That black is black and I am black t is true But yet more comely far I dare avow Thâ—n is thy torrid nose or brazen brow But that which shews how high your spight is bent Is charging me to be thy excrement Thy loathâ—ome imputation I defie So plain a â—â—nder needeth no reply When by thy heat thou 'st bak'd thy self to crust And so art call'd black Choler or adust Thou witless think'st that I am thy excretion So mean thou art in Art as in discretion But by your leave I 'le let your greatness see What Officer thou art to us all three The Kitchin Drudge the cleanser of the sinks That casts out all that man e're eats or drinks If any doubt the truth whence this should come Shew them thy passage to th' Duodenum Thy biting quality still irritates Till filth and thee nature exonerates If there thou' rt stopt to th' Liver thou turn'st in And thence with jaundies saffrons all the skin No further time I le spend in confutation I trust I 've clear'd your slanderous imputation I now speak unto all no more to one Pray hear admire and learn instruction My virtues yours surpass without compare The first my constancy that jewel rare Choler 's too rash this golden gift to hold And Sanguine is more fickle manifold Here there her restless thoughts do ever fly Constant in nothing but unconstancy And what Flegme is we know like to her mother Unstable is the one and so the other With me is noble patience also found Impatient Choler loveth not the sound What sanguine is she doth not heed nor care Now up now down transported like the Air Flegme's patient because her nature's tame But I by virtue do acquire the same My Temperance Chastity is eminent But these with you are seldome resident Now could I stain my ruddy Sisters face With deeper red to shew you her dsgrace But rather I with silence vaiâ—e her shame Then cause her blush while I relate the same Nor are ye free from this inormity Although she bear the greatest obloquie My prudence judgement I might now reveal But wisdom 't is my wisdome to conceal Unto diseases not inclin'd as you Nor cold nor hot Ague nor Plurisie Nor Cough nor Quinsey nor the burning Feaver I rarely feel to act his fierce endeavour My sickness in conceit chiefly doth lye What I imagine that 's my malady Chymeraes strange are in my phantasy And things that never were nor shall I see I love not talk Reason lies not in length Nor multitude of words argues our strength I 've done pray sister Flegme proceed in Course We shall expect much sound but little force Flegme Patient I am patient I 'd need to be To bear with the injurious taunts of three Though wit I want and anger I have less Enough oâ— both my wrongs now to express I 've not forgot how bitter Choler spake Nor how her gaul on me she causeless brake Nor wonder 't was for hatred there 's not small Where opposition is Diametrical To what is Truth I freely will assent Although my Name do suffer detriment What 's slanâ—erous repell doubtful dispute And when I 've nothing left to say be mute Valour I want no Souldier am 't is true I 'le leave that manly Property to you I love no thundring guns nor bloody wars My polish'd Skin was not ordain'd for Skarrs But though the pitched field I've ever fled At home the Conquerours have conquered Nay I could tell you what 's more true then meet That Kings have laid their Scepters at my feet When Sister sanguine paints my Ivory face The Monarchs bend and sue but for my grace My lilly white when joyned with her red Princes hath slav'd and Captains captived Country with Country Greece with Asia fights Sixty nine Princes all stout Hero Knights Under Troys walls ten years will wear away Rather then loose one beauteous Helena But 't were as vain to prove this truth of mine As at noon day to tell the Sun doth shine Next difference that 'twixt us twain doth lye Who doth possess the brain or thou or I Shame forc'd the say the matter that was mine But the Spirits by which it acts are thine Thou speakest Truth and I can say no less Thy heat doth much I candidly confess Yet without ostentation I may say I do as much for thee another way And though I grant thou art my helper here No debtor I because it 's paid else where With all your flourishes now Sisters three Who is' t that dare or can compare with me My excellencies are so great so many I am confounded fore I speak of any The brain 's the noblest member all allow Its form and Scituation will avow It s Ventricles Membranes and wondrous net Galen Hippocrates drive to a
My high-born soul so straightly was confin'd That its own worth it did not know nor mind This little house of flesh did spacious count Through ignorance all troubles did surmount Yet this advantage had mine ignorance Freedom from envy and from arrogance How to be rich or great I did not cark A Baron or a Duke ne'r made my mark Nor studious was Kings â—avours how to buy With costly presence or base flattery No office coveted wherein I might Make strong my self and turn aside weak right No malice bare to this or that great Peer Nor unto buzzing whisperers gave ear I gave no hand nor vote for death or life I 'd nought to do 'twixt King and peoples strife No Statist I nor Martilist in 'th field Where ere I went mine innocence was shield My quarrels not for Diadems did rise But for an apple plum or some such prize My strokes did ' cause no blood no wounds or skars My little wrath did end soon as my Warrs My Duel was no challeng nor did seek My foe should weltring in his bowels reek I had no suits at law neighbours to vex Nor evidence for lands did me perplex I fear'd no storms nor all the wind that blowes I had no ships at sea nor fraights to loose I fear'd no drought nor wet I had no crop Nor yet on future things did set my hope This was mine innocence but ah the seeds Lay raked up of all the cursed weeds Which sprouted forth in mine ensuing age As he can tel that next comes on the stage But yet let me relate before I go The sins and dangers I am subject to Stained from birth with Adams sinfull fact Thence I began to sin as soon as act A perverse will a love to what 's forbid A serpents sting in pleasing face lay hid A lying tongue as soon as it could speak And fifth Commandment do daily break Oft stubborn peevish sullen pout and cry Then nought can please and yet I know not why As many are my sins so dangers too For sin brings sorrow sickness death and woe And though I miss the tossings of the mind Yet griefs in my frail flesh I still do find VVhat gripes of wind mine infancy did pain VVhat tortures I in breeding teeth sustain VVhat crudityes my stomack cold ' hath bred VVhence vomits flux and worms have issued VVhat breaches knocks and falls I daily have And some perhaps I carry to my grave Sometimes in fire sometimes in water fall Strangly presev'd yet mind it not at all At home abroad my dangers manifold That wonder t is my glass till now doth hold I 've done unto my elders I give way For t is but little that a child can say Youth My goodly cloathing and my beauteous skin Declare some greater riches are within But what is best I 'le first present to view And then the worst in a more ugly hue For thus to doe we on this stage assemble Then let not him that hath most craft dissemble My education and my learning such As might my self and others profit much VVith nurture trained up in virtues schools Of science arts and tongues I know the rules The manners of the court I also know And so likewise what they in 'th Country doe The brave attempts of valiant knights I prize That dare scale walls and sorts rear'd to the skies The sâ—orting Horse the trumpet Drum I like The glitt'ring sword the Pistol and the Pike I cannot lye intrench'd before a town Noâ— wait till good success our hopes doth crown I scorn the heavy Corslet musket-proof I fly to catch the bullet that 's aloof Though thus in field at home to all most kind So affable that I can suit each mind I can insinuate into the breast And by my mirth can raise the heart deprest Sweet musick raps my brave harmonious soul My high thoughts elevate beyond the pole My wit my bounty and my courtesie Make all to place their future hopes on me This is my best but Youth is known Alas To be as wild as is the snuffing Ass As vain as froth or vanity can be That who would see vain man may look on me My gifts abusâ—d my education lost My wofull Parents longing hopes are crost My wit evaporates in merriment My valour in some beastly quarrell 's spent My lust doth hurry me to all that 's ill I know no law nor reason but my will Sometimes lay wait to take a wealthy purse Or stab the man in 's own defence that 's worse Sometimes I cheat unkind a female heir Of all at once who not so wise as fair Trusteth my loving looks and glozing tongue Untill her friends treasure and honour 's gone Sometimes I sit carousing others health Untill mine own be gone my wit and wealthâ— From pipe to pot from pot to words and blows For he that loveth wine wanteth no woes Whole nights with Ruffins Roarers Fidlers spend To all obscenity mine ears I lend All Counsell hate which tends to make me wise And dearest friends count for mine enemies If any care I take t is to be fine For sure my suit more then my virtues shine If time from leud Companions I can spare 'T is spent to curle and pounce my new bought hair Some new Adonis I do strive to be Sardanapalus nâ—w survives in me Cards Dice and Oathes concomitant I love To playes to masques to â—averns still I move And in a word if what I am you 'd hear Seek out a Brittish bruitish Cavaleer Such wretch such Monster am I but yet more I have no heart at all this to deplore Remembring not the dreadfull day of doom Nor yet that heavy reckoning soon to come Though dangers do attend me every hour And gastly Death oft threats me with his power Sometimes by wounds in idle Combates taken Sometimes with Agues all my body shaken Sometimes by fevers all my moisture drinking My heart lies frying mine eyes are sinking Sometimes the Quinsey painfull Pleurisie With sad affrighrs of death doth menace me Sometimes the two fold Pox me sore be marrs With outward marks inward loathsome scarrs Sometimes the Phrenzy strangly mads my brain That oft for it in Bedlam I remain Too many my diseases to recite That wonder t is I yet behold the light That yet my bed in darkness is not made And I in black oblivions Den now laid Of aches full my bones of woe my heart Clapt in that prison never thence to start Thus I have said and what I 've been you see Childhood and Youth are vain ye vanity Middle Age. Childhood and Youth forgot I've sometimes seen And now am grown more staid who have bin green What they have done the same was done by me As was their praise or shame so mine must be Now age is more more good you may expect But more mine age the more is my defect When my wild oates were sown ripe and mown I then receiv'd an harvest of mine
his southward Tropick still is bent Yet doth his parching heat but more augment Though he decline because his flames so fair Have throughly dry'd the earth and heat the air Like as an Oven that long time hath been heat Whose vehemency at length doth grow so great That if you do withdraw her burning store T is for a time as fervent as before Now go those frolick Swains the Shepherd Lads To wash the thick cloth'd flocks with pipes full glad In the cool streams they labour with delight Rubbing their dirty coats till they look white Whose fleece when finely spun and deeply dy'd With Robes thereof Kings have been dignifi'd Blest rustick Swains your pleasant quiet life Hath envy bred in Kings that were at strife Careless of worldly wealth you sing and pipe Whilst they 'r imbroyl'd in wars troubles rise VVhich made great Bajazet cry out in 's woes Oh happy shepherd which hath not to lose Orthobulus nor yet Sebastia great But whist'leth to thy flock in cold and heat Viewing the Sun by day the Moon by night Endimions Dianaes dear delight Upon the grass resting your healthy limbs By purling Brooks looking how fishes swims If pride within your lowly Cells ere haunt Of him that was Shepherd then King go vaunt This moneth the Roses are distil'd in glasses VVhose fragrant smel all made perfumes surpasses The Cherry Gooseberry are now in th' prime And for all sorts of Pease this is the time July my next the hott'st in all the year The sun through Leo now takes his Career VVhose flaming breath doth melt us from afar Increased by the star Canicular This Month from Julius Caesar took its name By Romans celebrated to his fame Now go the Moweâ—s to their slashing toyle The Meadowes of their riches to dispoyle VVith weary strokes they take all in their way Bearing the burning â—eat of the long day The forks and Rakes do follow them amain VVhich makes the aged fields look young again The groaning Carts do bear away this prize To Stacks and Barns where it for Fodder lyes My next and last is August fiery hot For much the Southward Sun abateth not This Moneth he keeps with Virgo for a space The dryed Earth is parched with his face August of great Augustus took its name Romes second Emperour of lasting fame With sickles now the bending Reapers goe The russling tress of terra down to mowe And bundles up in sheaves the weighty wheat Which after Manchet makes for Kings to eat The Barly Rye and Pease should first had place Although their bread have not so white a face The Carter leads all home with whistling voyce He plow'd with pain but reaping doth rejoyce His sweat his toyle his careful wakeful nights His fruitful Crop abundantly requites Now 's ripe the Pear Pear-plumb and Apricock The prince of plumbs whose stone 's as hard as Rock The Summer seems but short the Autumn hasts To shake his fruits of most delicious tasts Like good old Age whose younger juicy Roots Hath still ascended to bear goodly fruits Until his head be gray and strength be gone Yet then appears the worthy deeds he ' th done To feed his boughs exhausted hath his sap Then drops his fruits into the eaters lap Autumn Of Autumn moneths September is the prime Now day and night are equal in each Clime The twelfth of this Sol riseth in the Line And doth in poizing Libra this month shine The vintage now is ripe the grapes are prest Whose lively liquor oft is curs'd and blest For nought so good but it may be abused But it s a precious juice when well it s used The raisins now in clusters dryed be The Orange Lemon dangle on the tree The Pomegranate the Fig are ripe also And Apples now their yellow sides do show Of Almonds Quinces Wardens and of Peach The season 's now at hand of all and each Sure at this time time first of all began And in this moneth was made apostate Man For then in Eden was not only seen Boughs full of leaves or fruits unripe or green Or withered stocks which were all dry and dead But trees with goodly fruits replenished Which shews nor Summer Winter nor the Spring Our Grand-Sire was of Paradice made King Nor could that temp'rate Clime such difference make If scited as the most Judicious take October is my next we hear in this The Northern winter-blasts begin to hiss In Scorpio resideth now the Sun And his declining heat is almost done The fruitless Trees all withered now do stand Whose sapless yellow leavs by winds are fan'd Which notes when youth and strength have past their prime Decrepit age must also have its time The Sap doth slily creep towards the Earth There rests until the Sun give it a birth So doth old Age still tend unto his grave Where also he his winter time must have But when the Sun of righteousness draws nigh His dead old stock shall mount again on high November is my last for Time doth haste We now of winters sharpness 'gins to tast This moneth the Sun 's in Sagitarius So farre remote his glances warm not us Almost at shortest is the horren'd day The Northern pole beholdeâ—h not one ray Now Greâ—nland Groanland Finland Lapland see No Sun to lighten their obscurity Poor wretches that in total darkness lye With minds more dark then is the dark'ned Sky Beaf Brawn and Pork are now in great request And solid meats our stomacks can digest This time warm cloaths full diet and good fires Our pinched flesh and hungry mawes requires Old cold dry Age and Earth Autumn resembles And Melancholy which most of all dissembles I must be short and shorts the short'ned day What winter hath to tell now let him say Winter Cold moist young flegmy winter now doth lye In swadling Clouts like new born Infancy bound up with frosts and furr'd with hail snows And like an Infant still it taller grows December is my First and now the Sun To th' Southward Tropick his swift race doth run This moneth he 's hous'd in horned Capricorn From thence he 'gins to length the shortned morn Through Christendome with great Feastivity Now 's held but ghest for blest Nativity Cold frozen January next comes in Chilling the blood and shrinking up the skin In Aquarius now keeps the long wisht Sun And Northward his unwearied Course doth run The day much longer then it was before The cold not lessened but augmented more Now Toes and Ears and Fingers often freeze And Travellers their noses sometimes leese Moist snowie February is my last I care not how the winter time doth haste In Pisces now the golden Sun doth shine And Northward still approaches to the Line The Rivers 'gin to ope the snows to melt And some warm glances from his face are felt Which is increased by the lengthen'd day Until by 's heat he drive all cold away And thus the year in Circle runneth round Where first it
overthrown He Syria makes a Province of his own Unto Damascus then comes Judah's King His humble thankfulness in haste to bring Acknowledging th' â—ssyrians high desert To whom he ought all loyalty oâ— heart But Tiglath having gain'd his wished end Proves unto Ahâ—z but a feigned friend All Israels lands beyond Jordan he takes In Galilee he woful havock makes Through Syâ—ia now he march'd none stopt his way And Ahaz open at his mercy lay Who still implor'd his love but was distrest This was that Ahaz who so high transgrest Thus Tiglath reign'd warr'd twenty seven years Then by his death releas'd was Israels fears Salmanassar or Nabanassar Tiglath deceas'd Salmanassar was next He Israelites more then his Father vext Hâ—â—heâ— their last King he did invade And him six years his Tributary made But weary of his servitude he sought To Egypt King which did avail him nought For Salmâ—nassar with a mighty Host Besieg'd his Regal Town and spoyl'd his Coast And did the people nobles and their King Into perpetual thraldome that time bring Those that from Joshuah's time had been a state 1â— years Did Justice now by him eradicate This was that strange degenerated brood On whom nor threats nor mercies could do good Laden with honour prisoners and with spoyle Returns triumphant Victor to his soyle He placed Israel there where he thought best Then sent his Colonies theirs to invest Thus Jacobs Sons in Exile must remain And pleasant Canaan never saw again Where now those ten Tribes are can no man tell Or how they fare rich poor or ill or well Whether the Indians of the East or West Or wild Tartarians as yet ne're blest Or else those Chinoes rare whose wealth arts Hath bred more wonder then belief in hearts But what or where they are yet know we this They shall return and Zion see with bliss Senacherib Senacherib Salmanasser succeeds Whose haughty heart is showne in words deeds His wars none better then himself can boast On Henah Arpad and on Juahs coast On Hevahs and on Shepharvaims gods 'Twixt them and Israels he knew no odds Untill the thundring hand of heaven he felt Which made his Army into nothing melt With shame then turn'd to Ninive again And by his sons in 's Idols house was slain Essarhadon His Son weak Essarhaddon reign'd in 's place The fifth and last of great Bellosus race Brave Merodach the Son of Baladan In Babylon Lieftenant to this man Of opportunity advantage takes And on his Masters ruines his house makes As Belosus his Soveraign did onthrone So he 's now stil'd the King of Babilon After twelve years did Essarhaddon dye And Merodach assume the Monarchy Merodach Balladan All yield to him but Niniveh kept free Untill his Grand-child made her bow the knee Ambassadors to Hezekiah sent His health congratulates with complement Ben Merodach Ben Merodach Successor to this King Of whom is little said in any thing But by conjecture this and none but he Led King Manasseh to Captivity Nebulassar Brave Nebulassar to this King was son The famous Niniveh by him was won For fifty years or more it had been free Now yields her neck unto captivity A Vice-Roy from her foe she 's glad to accept By whom in firm obedience she is kept This King 's less fam'd for all the acts he 's done Then being Father to so great a Son Nebuchadnezzar or Nebopolassar The famous acts of this heroick King Did neither Homer Hesiod Virgil sing Nor of his Wars have we the certainty From some Thucidides grave history Nor 's Metamorphosis from Ovids book Nor his restoriag from old Legends took But by the Prophets Pen-men most divine This prince in 's magnitude doth ever shine This was of Monarchyes that head of gold The richest and the dread fullest to behold This was that tree whose branches fill'd the earth Under whose shadow birds and beasts had birth This was that king of kings did what he pleas'd Kil'd sav'd pul'd down set up or pain'd or eas'd And this was he who when he fear'd the least Was changed from a King into a beast This Prince the last year of his fathers reign Against Jehojakim marcht with his train Judahs poor King besieg'd and succourless Yields to his mercy and the present ' â—press His Vassal is gives pledges for his truth Children of royal blood unblemish'd youth Wise Daniel and his fellowes mongst the rest By the victorious king to Babel's prest The Temple of rich ornaments defac'd And in his Idols house the vessels plac'd The next year he with unresisted hand Quite vanquishâ—d Pharaoh Necho with his band By great Euphrates did his army fall Which was the loss of Syria withall Then into Egypt Necho did retire Which in few years proves the Assirians hire A mighty army next he doth prepare And unto wealthy Tyre in hast repair Such was the scituation of this place As might not him but all the world out-face That in her pride she knew not which to boast Whether her wealth or yet her strength was most How in all merchandize she did excel None but the true Ezekiel need to tell And for her strength how hard she was to gain Can Babels tired souldiers tell with pain Within an Island had this city seat Divided from the Main by channel great Of costly ships and Gallyes she had store And Mariners to handle sail and oar But the Chaldeans had nor ships nor skill Their shoulders must their Masters mind fulfill Fetcht rubbish from the opposite old town And in the channel threw each burden down Where after many essayes they made at last The sea firm land whereon the Army past And took the wealthy town but all the gain Requited not the loss the toyle and pain â—ull thirteen years in this strange work he spent Before he could accomplish his intent And though a Victor home his Army leads With peeled shoulders and with balded heads When in the Tyrian war this King was hot Jehojakim his oath had clean forgot Thinks this the fittest time to break his bands Whilest Babels King thus deep engaged stands But he whose fortunes all were in the ebbe Had all his hopes like to a spiders web For this great King withdraws part of his force To Judah marches with a speedy course And unexpected finds the feeble Prince Whom he chastis'd thus for his proud offence Fast bound intends to Babel him to send But chang'd his mind caus'd his life there end Then cast him out like to a naked Ass For this is he for whom none said alas His son he suffered three months to reign Then from his throne he pluck'd him down again Whom with his mother he to Babel led And seven and thirty years in prison fed His Uncle he establish'd in his place Who was last King of holy Davids race But he as perjur'd as Jehojakim They lost more now then e're they lost by him Seven years he kept his faith and safe he dwells
The Greeks had chose him Captain General Which honour to his Son did now befall For as Worlds Monarch now we speak not on But as the King of little Macedon Restless both day and night his heart then was His high resolves which way to bring to pass Yet for a while in Greece is forc'd to stay Which makes each moment seem more then a day Thebes and stiff Athens both ' gainst him rebel Their mutinies by valour doth he quell This done against both right and natures Laws His kinsmen put to death who gave no cause That no rebellion in in his absence be Nor making Title unto Sovereignty And all whom he suspects or fears will climbe Now taste of death least they deserv'd in time Nor wonder isâ—t if he in bâ—ood begin For Cruelty was his parental sin Thus eased now of troubles and of fears Next spring his course to Asia he steers Leavs Sage Antipaâ— at home to sway And through the Hellisâ—â—nt his Ships made way Coming to Land his dart on shore he throws Then with alacrity he after goes And with a bount'ous heart and courage brave His little wealth among his Souldiers gave And being ask'd what for himself was left Reply'd enough sith only hope he kept Thirty two thousand made up his Foot force To which were joyn'd five thousand goodly horse Then on he marcht in 's way he view'd old Troy And on Achilles tomb with wondrous joy He offer'd and for good success did pray To him his Mothers Ancestors men say When news of Alexander came to Court To scorn at him Darius had good sport Sends him a frothy and contemptuous Letter Stiles him disloyal servant and no better Reproves him for his proud audacity To lift his hand ' gainst such a Monarchy Then to 's Lieftenant he in Asia sends That he be ta'ne alive for he intends To whip him well with rods and so to bring That boy so mallipert before the King Ah! fond vain man whose pen ere while In lower terms was taught a higher stile To River Granick Alexander hyes Which in Phrygia near Propontike lyes The Persians ready for encounter stand And strive to keep his men from off the land Those banks so steep the Greeks yet scramble up And heat the coward Persians from the top And twenty thousand of their lives bereave Who in their backs did all their wounds receive This victory did Alexander gain With loss of thirty four of his there slain Then Sardis he and Ephesus did gain VVhere stood of late Diana's wondrous Phane And by Paâ—meâ—â—o of renowned Fame Militus and Pamphilia overcame Halliâ—arnassus and Pisidia He for his Master takes with Lycia Next Alexander marcht towards the black Sea And easily takes old Gordium in his way Of Ass ear'd Midas once the Regal Seat VVhose touch turn'd all to gold yea even his meat VVhere the Prophetick knot he cuts in twain VVhich who so doth must Lord of all remain Now news of Memnon's death the Kings Viceroy To Alexanders heart 's no little joy For in that Peer more valour did abide Then in Darius multitude beside In 's stead was Arses plac'd but durst not stay Yet set one in his room and ran away His substitute as fearfull as his master Runs after two and leaves all to Disaster Then Alexander all Cilicia takes No stroke for it he struck their hearts so quakes To Greâ—â—â— he thirty thousand talents sends To raise more Force to further his intends Then o're he goes Darius now to meet Who came with thousand thousands at his feet Though some there be perhaps more likely write He but four hundred thousand had to fight The rest Attendants which made up no less Both Sexes there was almost numberless For this wise King had brought to see the sport With him the greatest Ladyes of the Court His mother his beauteous Queen and daughters It seems to see the Macedonian slaughters It s much beyond my time and little art To shew how great Darius plaid his part The splendor and the pomp he marched in For since the world was no such â—â—geant seen Sure 't was a goodly sight there to behold The Persians clad in silk and glistering gold The stately horses trapt the lances gilt As if addrest now all to run a tilt The holy sire was borne before the host For Sun and â—ire the Persians worship most The Priests in their strange habit follow after An object not so much of fear as laughter The King sate in a chariot made of gold With crown and Robes most glorious to behold And o're his head his golden Gods on high Support a party coloured Canopy A number of spare horses next were led Lest he should need them in his Chariots stead But those that saw him in this state to lye Suppos'd he neither meant to fight nor flye He fifteen hundred had like women drest For thus to fright the Greeks he judg'd was best Their golden ornaments how to set forth Would ask more time then was their bodies worth Great Sysigambis she brought up the Reer Then such a world of waggons did appear Like several houses moving upon wheels As if she 'd drawn whole Sâ—â—han at her heels This brave Virago to the King was mother And as much good she did as any other Now lest this gold and all this goodly stuff Had not been spoyle and booty rich enough A thousand mulâ— and Camels ready wait Loaden with gold with jewels and with plate For sure Darius thought at the first sight The Greeks would all adore but none would fight But when both Armies met he might behold That valour was more worth then pearls or gold And that his wealth serv'd but for baits to ' lure To make his overthrow more fierce and sure The Greeks came on and with a gallant grace Let fly their arrows in the Persians face The cowards feeling this sharp stinging charge Most basely ran and left their king at large Who from his golden coach is glad to ' light And cast away his crown for swifter flight Of late like some immoveable he lay Now finds both legs and horse to run away Two hundred thousand men that day were slain And forty thousand prisoners also tane Besides the Queens and Ladies of the court If Curtius be true in his report The Regal Ornaments were lost the treasure Divided at the Macedonians pleasure Yet all this grief this loss this overthrow Was but beginning of his future woe The royal Captives brought to Alexander T'ward them demean'd himself like a Commander For though their beauties were unparaled Conquer'd himself now he had conquered Preserv'd their honour us'd them bounteously Commands no man should doe them injury And this to Alâ—xander is more fame Then that the Persian King he overcame Two hundred eighty Greeks he lost in fight By too much heat not wounds as authors write No sooner had this Victor won the field But all Phenicia to his pleasure yield Of which the
of their agreement thus express That each should hold what now he did possess Till Alexander unto age was grown VVho then should be enstalled in the throne This toucht Cassander sore for what he 'd done Imprisoning both the mother and the son He sees the Greeks now favour their young Prince Whom he in durance held now and long since That in few years he must be forc'd or glad To render up such Kingdomes as he had Resolves to quit his fears by one deed done So puts to death the Mother and her Son This Roxane for her beauty all commend But for one act she did just was her end No sooner was great Alexander dead But she Darius daughters murthered Both thrown into a well to hide her blot Perdiccas was her Partner in this plot The heavens seem'd slow in paying her the same But at the last the hand of vengeance came And for that double fact which she had done The life of her must goe and of her son Perdiccas had before for his amiss But by their hands who thought not once of this Cassanders deed the princes do detest But 't was in shew in heart it pleas'd them best That he is odious to the world they 'r glad And now they were free Lords of what they had When this foul tragedy was past and done Polysperchon brings the other son Call'd Hercules and elder then his brother But Olimpiaâ— would prefer the other The Greeks toucht with the murther done of late This Orphan prince 'gan to compassionate Begin to mutter much ' gainst proud Cassander And place their hopes on th' heir of Alexander Cassander fear'd what might of this onsue So Polisâ—erchon to his counsel drew And gives Peloponesus for his hire Who slew the prince according to desire Thus was the race and house of Alexander Extinct by this inhumane wretch Cassander Antigonus for all this doth not mourn He knows to 's profit this at last will turn But that some Title now he might pretend To Cleopatra doth for marriage send Lysimachus and Ptolemy the same And lewd Cassander too sticks not for shame She then in Lydia at Sardis lay Where by Embassage all these Princes pray Choice above all of Ptolemy she makes With his Embassador her journy takes Antigonus Lieutenant stayes her still Untill he further know his Masters will Antigonus now had a Wolf by th' Ears To hold her still or let her go he fears Resolves at last the Princess should be slain So hinders him of her he could not gain Her women are appointed for this deed They for their great reward no better speed For by command they streight were put to death As vile Conspirators that stopt her breath And now he hopes he 's order'd all so well The world must needs believe what he doth tell Thus Philip's house was quite extinguished Except Cassanders wife who yet not dead And by their means who thought of nothing loss Then vengeance just against them to express Now blood was paid with blood for what was done By cruel Father Mother cruel Son Thus may we hear and fear and ever say That hand is righteous still which doth repay These Captains now the stile of Kings do take For to their Crowns their 's none can Title make Demetrius first the royal stile assum'd By his Example all the rest presum'd Antigonus himself to ingratiate Doth promise liberty to Athens State With Arms and with provision stores them well The better ' gainst Cassander to rebel Demâ—trius thether goes is entertain'd Not like a King but like some God they feign'd Most grosly base was their great Adulation Who Incense burnt and offered oblation These Kings afresh fall to their wars again Demetrius of Ptolemy doth gain 'T would be an endless Story to relate Their several Battels and their several fate Their fights by Sea their victories by Land How some when down straight got the upper hand Antigonus and Seleucus then fight Near Ephesus each bringing all his might And he that Conquerour shall now remain The Lordship of all Asia shall retain This day 'twixt these two Kings ends all the strife For here Antigonus lost rule and life Nor to his Son did e're one foot remain Of those vast Kingdomes he did sometimes gain Demetrius with his Troops to Athens flyes Hopes to find succours in his miseries But they adoring in prosperity Now shut their gates in his adversity He sorely griev'd at this his desperate State Tryes Foes sith friends will not compassionate His peace he then with old Seleucus makes Who his fair daughter Strotonica takes Antâ—ochus Sâ—leuâ—us dear lov'd Son Is for this fresh young Lady quite undone Falls so extreamly sick all fear'd his life Yet durst not say he lov'd his Fathers wife When his disease the skill'd Physitian sound His Fathers mind he wittily did sound Who did no sooner understand the same But willingly resign'd the beautious Dame Cassander now must dye his race is run And leaves the ill got Kingdomes he had won Two Sons he left born of King Philips daughter Who had an end put to their dayes by slaughter Which should succeed at variance they fell The Mother would the youngest might excell The eld'st inrag'd did play the Vipers part And with his Sword did run her through the heart Rather then Philips race should longer live He whom she gave his life her death shall give This by Lysimacus was after slain Whose daughter he not long before had â—a'ne Demetrius is call'd in by th' youngest Son Against â—â—simachus who from him won But he a Kingdome more then 's friend did eye Seaz'd upon that and slew him traitrously Thus Philips and Cassander's race both gone And so falls out to be extinct in one And though Cassander died in his bed His Seed to be extirpt was destined For blood which was decre'd that he should spill Yet must his Children pay for Fathers ill Jehu in killing Anaâ—'s house did well Yet be aveng'd must blood of 〈◊〉 Demetrius thus Cassander's Kingdoms gains And now in Macedon as King he reigns Thougâ— men and mony both he hath at will In neither finâ—s content if he sits still That Sâ—lâ—ucus holds Asia grievs hiâ— sore Those Countryes large his Fatâ—er got before These to recover musters all his might And with his Son in Law will needs go fight A mighty Navy rig'd an Army stout With these he hopes to turn the world about Leaving Antigonus his eldest Son In his long absence to rule Macedon Demetrius with so many troubles met As Heaven and Earth against him had been set Disaster on disaster him pursue His story seems a Fable more then true At last he 's taken and imprisoned Within an Isle that was with pleasures fed Injoy'd what ere beseem'd his Royalty Only restrained of his liberty After three years he died left what he 'd won In Greece unto Antigonus his Son For his Posterity unto this day Did ne're regain one foot in Asia His Body
the crown contend Do Barons rise and side against their King And call in foraign aid to help the thing Must Edward be depos'd or is' t the hour That second Richard must be clapt i' th tower Or is' t the fatal jarre again begun That from the red white pricking roses sprung Must Richmonds aid the Nobles now implore To come and break the Tushes of the Boar If none of these dear Mother what 's your woe Pray do you fear Spains bragging Armado Doth your Allye fair France conspire your wrack Or do the Scots play false behind your back Doth Holland quit you ill for all your love Whence is the storm from Earth or Heaven above Is' t drought is' t famine or is' t pestilence Dost feel the smart or fear the Consequence Your humble Child intreats you shew your grief Though Arms nor Purse she hath for your relief Such is her poverty yet shall be found A Suppliant for your help as she is bound Old England I must confess some of those sores you name My beauteous body at this present maime But forreign foe nor feigned friend I fear For they have work enough thou knowst elsewhere Nor is it Alcies Son nor Henryes daughter Whose proud contention cause this slaughter Nor Nobles siding to make John no King French Jews unjustly to the Crown to bring No Edward Richard to lose rule and life Nor no Lancastrians to renew old strife No Duke of â—ork nor Earl of March to soyle Their hands in kindreds blood whom they did foil No crafty Tyrant now usurps the Seat Who Nephews slew that so he might be great No need of Tudor Roses to unite None knows which is the red or which the white Spains braving Fleet a second time is sunk France knows how oft my fury she hath drunk By Edward third and Henry fifth of fame Her Lillies in mine Arms avouch the same My Sister Scotland hurts me now no more Though she hath been injurious heretofore What Holland is I am in some suspence But trust not much unto his excellence For wants sure some I feel but more I fear And for the Pestilence who knows how near Famine and Plague two Sisters of the Sword Destruction to a Land doth soon afford They 're for my punishment ordain'd on high Unless our tears prevent it speedily But yet I Answer not what you demand To shew the grievance of my troubled Land Before I tell th' Effect I 'le shew the Cause Which are my sins the breach of sacred Laws Idolatry supplanter of a Nation With foolish Superstitious Adoration Are lik'd and countenanc'd by men of might The Gospel troden down and hath no right Church Offices were sold and bought for gain That Pope had hope to find Rome here again For Oaths and Blasphemies did ever Ear. From Belzebub himself such language hear What scorning of the Saints of the most high What injuries did daily on them lye What false reports what nick-names did they take Not for their own but for their Masters sake And thou poor soul wert jeer'd among the rest Thy flying for the truth was made a jest For Sabbath-breaking and for drunkenness Did ever land profaness more express From crying blood yet cleansed am not I Martyres and others dying causelesly How many princely heads on blocks laid dowâ— For nought but title to a fading crown ' Mongst all the crueltyes by great ones done Of Edwards youths and Clarence hapless son O Jane why didst thou dye in flowring prime Because of royal stem that was thy crime For bribery Adultery and lyes Where is the nation I can't parallizâ— With usury extortion and oppression These be the Hydraes of my stout transgression These be the bitter fountains heads and roots Whence flow'd the source the sprigs the boughs fruits Of more then thou canst hear or I relate That with high hand I still did perpetrate For these were threatned the wofull day I mockt the Preachers put it far away The Sermons yet upon Record do stand That cri'd destruction to my wicked land I then believ'd not now I feel and see The plague of stubborn incredulity Some lost their livings some in prison pent Some fin'd from house friends to exile went Their silent tongues to heaven did vengeance cry Who saw their wrongs hath judg'd righteously And will repay it seven-fold in my lap This is fore-runner of my Aâ—terclap Nor took I warning by my neighbours falls I saw sad Germanyes dismantled walls I saw her people famish'd Nobles slain Her fruitfull land a barren Heath remain I saw unmov'd her Armyes foil'd and fled VVives forc'd babes toss'd her houses calcined I saw strong Rochel yielded to her Foe Thousands of starved Christians there also I saw poor Ireland bleeding out her last Such crueltyes as all reports have past Mine heart obdurate stood not yet agast Now sip I of that cup and just't may be The bottome dreggs reserved are for me New-England To all you 've said sad Mother I assent Your fearfull sins great cause there 's to lament My guilty hands in part hold up with you A Sharer in your punishment's my due But all you say amounts to this effect Not what you feel but what you do expect Pray in plain terms what is your present grief Then let 's joyn heads hearts for your relief Old England Well to the matter then there 's grown of late 'Twixt King and Peers a Question of State Which is the chief the Law or else the King One said it 's he the other no such thing 'T is said my beter part in Parliament To ease my grouning Land shew'd their intent To crush the proud and right to each man deal To help the Church and stay the Common-weal So many Obstacles came in their way As puts me to a stand what I should say Old customes new Prerogatives stood on Had they â—ot held Law fast all had been gone Which by their prudence stood them in such stead They took high Straffâ—rd lower by the head And to their Laud be 't spoke they held i' th tower All Englands Metropolitane that hour This done an act they would have passed fain No Prelate should his Bishoprick retain Here tugg'd they hard indeed for all men saw This must be done by Gospel noâ— by Law Next the Militia they urged sore This was deny'd I need not say wherefore The King displeas'd at York himself absents They humbly beg return shew their intents The writing printing posting too and fro Shews all was done I 'le therefore let it go But now I come to speak of my disaster Contention grown 'twixt Subjects their Master They worded it so long they fell to blows That thousands lay on heaps here bleeds my woes I that no wars so many years have known Am now destroy'd and slaught'red by mine own But could the Field alone this strife â—â—cide One Battel two or three I might abide But these may be beginnings of more woe Who
of treasure Fond fool he takes this earth ev'n for heav'ns bower But sad affliction comes makes him see Here 's neither honour wealth nor safety Only above is found all with security 33 O Time the fatal wrack of mortal things That draws oblivions curtains over kings Their sumptuous monuments men know them not Their names without a Record are forgot Their parts their ports their pomp's all laid in th' dust Nor wit nor gold nor buildings scape times rust But he whose name is grav'd in the white stone Shall last and shine when all of these are gone The Flesh and the Spirit IN secret place where once I stood Close by the Banks of Lacrim flood I heard two sisters reason on Things that are past and things to come One flesh was call'd who had her eye On worldly wealth and vanity The other Spirit who did rear Her thoughts unto a higher sphere Sister quoth Flesh what liv'st thou on Nothing but Meditation Doth Contemplation feed thee so Regardlesly to let earth goe Can Speculation satissy Notion without Reality Dost dream of things beyond the Moon And dost thou hope to dwell there soon Hast treasures there laid up in store That all in th' world thou count'st but poor Art fancy sick or turn'd a Sot To catch at shadowes which are not Come come I le shew unto thy sence Industry hath its recompence What canst desire but thou maist see True substance in variety Dost honour like acquire the same As some to their immortal fame And trophyes to thy name erect Which wearing time shall ne're deject For riches dost thou long full fore Behold enough of precious store Earth hath more silver pearls and gold Then eyes can see or hands can hold Affect's thou pleasure take thy fill Earth hath enough of what you will Then let not goe what thou maist find For things unknown only in mind Spir. Be still thou unregenerate part Disturb no more my setled heart For I have vow'd and so will doe Thee as a soe still to pursue And combate with thee will and must Untill I see thee laid in th' dust Sisters we are ye twins we be Yet deadly feud twixt thee and me For from one father are we not Thou by old Adam wast begot But my arise is from above Whence my dear father I do love Thou speak'st me fair but hat'st me sore Thy flatt'ring shews â—e trust no more How oft thy slave hast thou me made when I believ'd what thou hast said And never had more cause of woe Then when I did what thou bad'st doe I le stop mine ears at these thy charms And count them for my deadly harms Thy sinfull pleasures I doe hate Thy riches are to me no bait Thine honours doe nor will I love For my ambition lyes above My greatest honour it shall be When I am victor over thee And triumph shall with laurel head When thou my Captive shalt be led How I do live thou need'st not scoff For I have meat thou know'st not off The hidden Manna I doe eat The word of life it is my meat My thoughts do yield me more content Then can thy hours in pleasure spent Nor are they shadows which I catch Nor fancies vain at which I snatch But reach at things that are so high Beyond thy dull Capacity Eternal substance I do see With which inriched I would be Mine Eye doth pierce the heavens and see What is luvisible to thee My garments are not silk nor gold Nor such like trash which Earth doth hold But Royal Robes I shall have on More glorious then the glistring Sun My Crown not Diamonds Pearls and gold But such as Angels heads infold The City where I hope to dwell There 's none on Earth can parallel The stately Walls both high and strong Are made of pretious Jasper stone The Gates of Pearl both rich and clear And Angels are for Porters there The Streets thereof transparent gold Such as no Eye did e're behold A Chrystal River there doth run Which doth proceed from the Lambs Throne Of Life there are the waters sure Which shall remain for ever pure Nor Sun nor Moon they have no need For glory doth from God proceed No Candle there nor yet Torch light For there shall be no darksome night From sickness and infirmity For evermore they shall be free Nor withering age shall e're come there But beauty shall be bright and clear This City pure is not for thee For things unclean there shall not be If I of Heaven may have my fill Take thou the world and all that will The Vanity of all worldly things AS he said vanity so vain say I Oh! vanity O vain all under Sky Where is the man can say lo I have found On brittle Earth a Consolation sound What is' t in honour to be set on high No they like Beasts and Sons of men shall dâ—â— And whil'st they live how oft doth turn their 〈◊〉 He 's now a captive that was King of â—ate What is' t in wealth great Treasâ—res to obtain No that 's hut labour anxiouâ— care and pain He heaps up riches and he heaps up sorrow It 's his to day but who 's his â—eir to morrow What then Content in pleasures canst thou find More vain then all that 's but to grasp the wind The sensual senses for a time they please Mean while the conscience rage who shall appease What is' t in beauty No that 's but a snare They 're foul enough to day that once were saiâ— What is' t in stowring youth or manly age The first is prone to vice the last to rage Where is it then in wisdom learning arts Sure if on earth it must be in those parts Yet these the â—â—sest man of men did find But vanity vexation of mind And he that knowes the most doth still bemoan He knows not all that here is to be known What is it then to doe as Stoicks tell Nor laugh nor weâ—p let things go ill or well Such Stote are but Stocks such teaching vain While man is man he shall have ease or pain If not in honour beauty age nor treasure Nor yet in learning wisdome youth nor pleasure Where shall I climb sound seek search or find That Summum Bonum which may stay my mind There is a path no vultures eye hath seen Where Lion fierce nor lions whelps have been Which leaâ—s unto that living Crystal Fount Who drinks thereof the world doth nought account The depth sea have said t is not in me With pearl and gold it shall not valued be For Saphire Onix Topaz who would change It s hid from eyes of men they count it strange Death and destruction the fame hath heard But where what it is from heaven's declar'd It brâ—ngs to honour which shall ne're decay It stores with wealth which time can't wear away It yieldeth pleasures far beyond conceit And truly beautifies without deceit Nor strength nor wisdome nor fresh youth