of Balladan In Babylon Leiutenant to this man Of opportunity advantage takes And on his Masters ruins his house makes And Belosus first his did unthrone So he 's now stil'd the King of Babylon After twelve years did Essarhadon dye And Merodach assume the Monarchy Merodach Baladan 21 years ALl yeelds to him but Ninivie kept free Until his Grand-childe made her bow the knee Embassadours to Hezekiah sent His health congratulates with complement Ben. Merodach 22 years 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 12 years BRave Nebulassar to this King was Sonne The ancient Niniveh by him was won For fifty years or more it had been free Now yeelds her neck unto captivity A Vice-roy from her foe she 's glad t' accept By whom in firm obedience she 's kept Nebuchadnezar or Nebopolassar THe famous Wars of this Heroyick King Did neither Homer Hesiode Virgil sing Nor of his acts have we the certainty From some Thucidides grave History Nor 's Metamorphosis from Ovids Book Nor his restoring from old legends took But by the Prophets Pen-men most Divine This Prince in 's magnitude doth ever shine This was of Monarchies that head of gold The richest and the dreadfull'st 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 Kild sav'd pull'd down set up or pain'd or eas'd And this is he who when he fear'd the least Was turned from a King unto a Beast This Prince the last year of his Fathers reign Against Ichoiakim marcht with his train Iudah's poor King besieg'd who succourlesse Yeelds to his mercy and the present stresse His Vassal is gives pledges for his truth Children of Royal bloud unblemish'd youth Wise Daniel and his fellows ' mongst the rest By the victorious King to Babel's prest The temple of rich ornaments defac'd And in his Idols house the Vassal's plac'd The next year he with unresisted hand Quite vanquish'd Pharaoh Necho and his Band By great Euphrates did his Army fall Which was the losse of â—yria withall Then into Aegypt Necho did retire Which in few years proves the Assyrians hire A mighty Army next he doth prepare And unto wealthy Tyre with haâ—â— repure 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 Merchandise she did excell 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 maine by channel great Of costly Ships and Gallies she had store And Mariners to handle sayle and oare But the Chaldeans had nor ships nor skill Their shoulders must their Masters minde fulfill Fetch rubbish from the opposite old town And in the channell throw each burden down Where after many aslayes they make at last The Sea firm Land whereon the Army past And took the wealthy town but all the gain Requited not the cost the toyle and pain Full thirteen yeares 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 wars the King was hot Jehoiakim his Oath had clean forgot Thinks this the fittest time to break his bands While Babels King thus deep ingaged stands But he alas whose fortunes now i' th ebbe Had all his hopes like to a Spiders web For this great King with-drawes part of his force To Judah marches with a speedy course And unexpected findes the feeble Prince Whom he chastased for his proud offence Fast bound intends at Babel he shal stay But chang'd his minde and slew him by the way Thus cast him out like to a naked Asse For this was he for whom none said Alas His Son three months he suffered to reign Then from his throne he pull'd him down again Whom with his Mother he to Babel led And more then thirty years in prison fed His Unckle he established in 's place Who was last King of holy Davids race But he as perjur'd as Ichoiakim Iudah lost more then e're they lost by him Seven years he keeps his faith and safe he dwels But in the eighth against his Prince rebels The ninth came Nebuchadnezar with power Besieg'd his City Temple Zions Tower And after eighteen months he took them all The wals so strong that stood so long now fall The cursed King by flight could no wise free His wel deserv'd and fore-told misery But being caught to Babels wrathful King With Children Wives and Nobles all they bring Where to the sword all but himself was put And with that woful sight his eyes close shut A haplesse man whose darksome contemplation Was nothing but such gastly meditation In mid'st of Babel now til death he lyes Yet as was told neâ—e saw it with his eyes The Temple 's burnt the Vessels had away The Towers and Palaces brought to decay Where late of Harp and Lute was heard the noyse Now Zim and Sim lift up their shriking voyce All now of worth are captive led with tears There sit bewailing Zion seventy years With all these Conquests Babels King rests not No nor when Moab Edom he had got Kedar Hazer the Arabians too All Vassals at his hands for grace must sue A totall Conquest of rich Aegypt makes All rule he from the ancient Pharoes takes Who had for sixteen hundred years born sway To Babylons proud King now yeelds the day Then Put and Lud doe at his mercy stand Where e're he goes he Conquers every Land His sumptuous buildings passes all conceit Which wealth and strong ambition made so great His Image Iudahs Captives worship not Although the Furnace be seven times more hot His Dreams wise Daniel doth expound ful wel And his unhappy change with grief fore-tel Strange melancholly humours on him lay Which for seven years his reason took away Which from no natural causes did proceed For by the Heavens above it was decreed The time expir'd remains a Beast no more Resumes his Government as heretofore In splender and in Majesty he sits Contemplating those times he lost his wits And if by words we may guesse at the heart This King among the righteous had a part Forty four years he reign'd which being run He left his Wealth and Conquest to his Son Evilmerodach BAbels great Monarch now laid in the dust His son possesses wealth and rule as just And in the first year of his royalty Easeth Jehoiakims captivity Poor forlorn Prince that had all state forgot In seven and thirty years had seen no jot Among the Conquered Kings that there did lye Is Judah's King now
by his craft ordered the matter so That the poor innocent to death must go But in short time this wickednesse was knowne For which he dyed and not he alone But all his family was likewise slain Such Justice then in Persia did remain 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 sprang of Cyrus race He first war with revolting Aegypt made To whom the perjur'd Grecians lent their aide Although to Xerxes they not long before A league of amity had sworn before Which had they kept Greece had more nobly done Then when the world they after over-run Greeks and Egyptians both he overthrows And payes them now according as he owes Which done a sumptuous feast makes like a King Where ninescore days are spent in banquetting His Princes Nobles and his Captaines calls To be partakers in these festivalls His hangings white and green and purple dye With gold and silver beds most gorgiously The royall wine in golden cups doth passe To drink more then he list none bidden was Queen Vashty also feasts but 'fore t is ended Alas she from her Royalty's suspended And a more worthy placed in her roome By Memucan's advice this was the doome What Hester was and did her story reed And how her Country-men from spoile she freed Of Hamans fall and Mordica's great rise The might o' th' Prince the tribute on the Isles Unto this King Thymistocles did flye When under Ostracisme he did lye For such ingratitude did Athens show This valiant Knight whom they so much did owe Such entertainment with this Prince he found That in all Loyalty his heart was bound The King not little joyfull of this chance Thinking his Grecian wars 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 losse and shame much more For punishment their breach of oath did call The noble Greek now fit for generall Who for his wrong he could not chuse but deem His Country nor his Kindred would esteem Provisions and season now being fit T' Thymistecles he doth his war commit But he all injury had soon forgate And to his Country-men could bear no hate Nor yet disloyall to his Prince would prove To whom oblig'd by favour and by love Either to wrong did wound his heart so sore To wrong himselfe by death he chose before In this sad conflict marching on his ways Strong poyson took and put an end to 's dayes The King this noble Captaine having lost Again dispersed his new levyed hoast ' Rest of his time in peace he did remain And dy'd the two and fortieth of his reign Daryus Nothus THree sons great Artaxerxes left behind The eldest to succeed that was his mind But he with his next brother fell at strife That nought appeas'd him but his brothers life Then the surviver is by Nothus slaine Who now sole Monarch doth of all remaine These two lewd sons are by hystorians thought To be by Hester to her husband brought If they were hers the greater was her moon That for such gracelesse wretches she did groan Disquiet Egypt ' gainst this King rebells Drives out his garison that therein dwels Joynes with the Greeks and so maintains their right For sixty years maugre the Persians might A second trouble after this succeeds Which from remissenesse in Asia proceeds Amerges whom their Vice-roy he ordain'd Revolts having treasure and people gain'd Invades the Country and much trouble wrought Before to quietnesse things could be brought The King was glad with Sparta to make peace So that he might these tumults soon appease But they in Asia must first restore All Townes held by his Ancestors before The King much profit reapeth by these leagues Re-gaines his own and then the Rebell breaks Whose forces by their helpe were overthrown And so each man again possest his owne The King his sister like Cambyses wed More by his pride then lust thereunto led For Persian Kings did deem themselves so good No match was high enough but their own blood Two sons she bore the youngest Cyrus nam'd A hopefull Prince whose worth is ever fam'd His father would no notice of that take Prefers his brother for his birth-rights sake But Cyrus scornes his brothers feeble wit And takes more on him then was judged fit The King provok'd sends for him to the Court Meaning to chastise him in sharpest sort But in his slow approach ere he came there His fathers death did put an end to 's fear Nothus reign'd nineteen years which run His large Dominions left to 's eldest son Artaxerxes Mnemon MNemon now fits upon his fathers Throne Yet doubts all he injoyes is not his own Still on his brother casts a jealous eye Judging all 's actions tends to 's injury Cyrus o' th' other side weighs in his mind What helps in 's enterprize he 's like to find His interest in the Kingdome now next heir More deare to 's mother then his brother far His brothers litle love like to be gone Held by his mothers intercession These and like motives hurry him amain To win by force what right could not obtain And thought ' it best now in his mothers time By lesser steps towards the top to climbe If in his enterprize he should fall short She to the King would make a fair report He hop'd if fraud nor force the Crown could gaine Her prevailence a pardon might obtain From the Lieutenant first he takes away Some Townes commodious in lesse Asia Pretending still the profit of the King Whose rents and customes duly he sent in The King finding revenues now amended For what was done seemed no whit offended Then next the Lacedemons he takes to pay One Greeke could make ten Persians run away Great care was his pretence those Souldiers stout The Rovers in Pisidia should drive out But least some worser newes should fly to Court He meant himselfe to carry the report And for that end five hundred Horse he chose With posting speed towards the King he goes But fame more quick arrives ere he came there And fills the Court with tumult and with fear The young Queen and old at bitter jars The one accus'd the other for these wars The wife against the mother still doth cry To be the Author of conspiracy The King dismay'd a mighty Hoast doth raise Which Cyrus heares and so fore-slowes his pace But as he goes his Forces still augments Seven hundred Greeks now further his intents And others to be warm'd by this new sun In numbers from his brother daily run The fearfull King at last musters his Forces And counts nine hundred thousand foot and horses And yet with these had neither heart nor grace To loâ—k his manly brother in the face Three hundred thousand yet to Syria sent To keep those streights to hinder
their King he caused to be slain An army of three Millions he led out Against the Bactrians but that I doubt Zoroaster their King he likewise slew And all the greater Asia did subdue Semiramis from Menon he did take Then drown himself did Menon for her sake Fifty two years he reign'd as we are told The world then was two thousand nineteen old Semiramis THis great oppressing Ninus dead and gone His wife Semiramis usurp'd the throne She like a brave Virago play'd the rex And was both shame and glory of her sex Her birth-place was Philistrius Ascalon Her Mother Docreta a Curtezan Others report she was a vestal Nun Adjudged to be drown'd for what she 'd done Transform'd into a fish by Venus will Her beautious face they feign retaining still Sure from this fiction Dagon first began Changing his womans face into a man But all agree that from no lawfull bed This great renowned Empresse issued For which she was obscurely nourished Whence rose that fable she by birds was fed This gallant dame unto the Bactrian war Accompaning her husband Menon far Taking a towne such valour she did show That Ninus of her amorous soon did grow And thought her fit to make a Monarch's wife Which was the cause poor Menon lost his life She flourishing with Ninus long did reigne Till her ambition caus'd him to be slaine That having no compeer she might rule all Or else she sought revenge for Menons fall Some think the Greeks this slander on her cast As of her life licentiâ—â—s and unchast And that her worth deserved no such blame As their aspersions cast upon the same But were her vertues more or lesse or none â—he for her potency must go alone Hâ—â— wealth she shew'd in building Babylon Admâ—â—'d of all but equaliz'd of none 〈◊〉 walls so â—â—ong and curiously were wrought 〈◊〉 after ages skil by them were taught With Towâ—â—s and Bulwalks made of costly stone Quadrangle was the forme it â—ood upon Each Square was 〈◊〉 thousand paces long An hundred 〈◊〉 it had of mertall strong Three hundred sixty foot the walls in heighth Almost incredible they were in breadth Most writers say six chariots might a front With great facility march safe upon 't About the wall a ditch so deep and wide That like a river long it did abide Three hundred thousand men here day by day Bestow'd their labour and receiv'd their pay But that which did all cost and art excell The wondrous Temple was she rear'd to Bell Which in the midst of this brave Town was plac'd Continuing till Xerxes it defac'd Whose stately top beyond the clouds did rise From whence Astrologers oft view'd the skies This to discribe in each particular A structure rare I should but rudely marre Her gardens bridges arches mounts and spires All eyes that saw or ears that hears admires On Shinar plain by the Euphratan flood This wonder of the world this Babell stood An expedition to the East she made Great King Staurobates for to invade Her Army of four Millions did consist Each man beleive it as his fancy list Her Camells Chariots Gallyes in such number As puzzells best hystorians to remember But this is marvelous of all those men They say but twenty ere came back agen The River Indus swept them half away The rest Staurobates in fight did slay This was last progresse of this mighty Queen Who in her Country never more was seen The Poets feign her turn'd into a Dove Leaving the world to Venus soar'd above Which made the Assyrians many a day A Dove within their Ensigne to display Forty two years she reign'd and then she dy'd But by what means we are not certifi'd Ninias or Zamies HIs Mother dead Ninias obtains his right A Prince wedded to ease and to delight Or else was his obedience very great To sit thus long obscure wrong'd of his seat Some write his Mother put his habite on Which made the people think they serv'd her Son But much it is in more then forty years This fraud in war nor peace at all appears It is more like being with pleasures fed He sought no rule til she was gone and dead What then he did of worth can no man tel But is suppos'd to be that Amraphel Who warr'd with Sodoms and Gomorahs King ' Gainst whom his trained Bands Abram did bring Some may object his Parents ruling all How he thus suddenly should be thus small This answer may suffice whom it wil please He thus voluptuous and given to ease Each wronged Prince or childe that did remain Would now advantage take their own to gain So Province after Province rent away Until that potent Empire did decay Again the Country was left bare there is no doubt Of men and wealth his mother carried out Which to her neighbours when it was made known Did then incite them to regain their own What e're he was they did or how it fel We may suggest our thoughts but cannot tel For Ninias and all his Race are left In deep oblivion of acts bereft And eleav'n hundred of years in silence sit Save a few names anew Berosus writ And such as care not what befals their fames May feign as many acts as he did names It is enough if all be true that 's past T' Sardanapalus next we wil make haste Sardanapalus SArdanapalus Son t' Ocrazapes Who wallowed in all voluptuousnesse That palliardizing sot that out of doores Ne're shew'd his face but revell'd with his Whores Did wear their garb their gestures imitate And their kind t' excel did emulate Knowing his basenesse and the peoples hate Kept ever close fearing some dismal fate At last Arbaces brave unwarily His master like a Strumpet chanc'd to spy His manly heart disdained in the least Longer to serve this Metamorphos'd beast Unto Belosus then he brake his minde Who sick of his disease he soone did finde These two rul'd Media and Babylon Both for their King held their dominion Belosus promised Arbaces aide Arbaces him fully to be repaid The last the Medes and Persians doth invite Against their monstrous King to bring their might Eclosus the Chaldeans doth require And the Arabians to further his desire These all agree and forty thousand make The rule from their unworthy Prince to take By prophesie Belosus strength 's their hands Arbaces must be master of their lands These Forces mustered and in array Sardanapalus leaves his Apish play And though of wars he did abhor the sight Fear of his diadem did force him sight And either by his valour or his fate Arbaces courage he did sore abate That in dispaire he left the field and fled But with fresh hopes Belosus succoured From Bactaria an Army was at hand Prest for this service by the Kings command These with celerity Arbaces meers And with all termes of amity he greets Makes promises their necks for to un-yoak And their Taxations sore all to revoake T'in franchise them to grant what they
could crave To want no priviledge Subjects should have Only intreats them joyn their force with his And win the Crown which was the way to blâ—sse Won by his loving looks more loving speech T' accept of what they could they him beseech Both sides their hearts their hands their bands unite And set upon their Princes Camp that night Who revelling in Cups sung care away For victory obtain'd the other day But all surpris'd by this unlookt for fright Bereft of wits were slaughtered down right The King his Brother leaves all to sustaine And speeds himself to Ninivic amain But Salmeneus slaine his Army fals The King 's pursu'd unto the City wals But he once in pursuers came too late The wals and gates their course did terminate There with all store he was so wel provided That what Arbaces did was but derided Who there incamp'd two years for little end But in the third the River prov'd his friend Which through much rain then swelling up so high Part of the wal it level caus'd to lye Arbaces marches in the town did take For few or none did there resistance make And now they saw fulfill'd a Prophesie That when the River prov'd their enemy Their strong wall'd town should suddenly be taken By this accomplishment their hearts were shaken Sardanapalus did not seek to fly This his inevitable destiny But all his wealth and friends together gets Then on himself and them a fire he sets This the last Monarch was of Ninus race Which for twelve hundred years had held that place Twenty he reign'd same time as Stories tel That Amâ—zia was King of Israel His Father was then King as we suppose When Jonah for their sins denounc'd such woes He did repent therefore it was not done But was accomplished now in his Son Arbaces thus of all becomming Lord Ingeniously with each did keep his word Of Babylon Belosus he made King With over-plus of all treasures therein To Bactrians he gave their liberty Of Ninivites he caused none to dye But suffered with goods to go elsewhere Yet would not let them to inhabite there For he demolished that City great And then to Media transfer'd his seat Thus was the promise bound since first he crav'd Of Medes and Persians their assisting aide A while he and his race aside must stand Not pertinent to what we have in hand But Belochus in 's progeny pursue Who did this Monarchy begin anew Belosus or Belochus BElosus setled in his new old seat Not so content but aiming to be great Incroached stil upon the bord'ring Lands Til Mesopotamia he got in 's hands And either by compound or else by strength Assyria he also gain'd at length Then did rebuild destroyed Niniviâ— A costly work which none could doe but he Who own'd the treasures of proud Babylon And those which seem'd with Sardanapal's gone But though his Palace did in ashes lye The fire those Mettals could not damnifie From rubbish these with diligence he rakes Arbaces suffers all and all he takes He thus inricht by this new tryed gold Raises a Phoenix new from grave o' th old And from this heap did after Ages see As fair a Town as the first Ninivie When this was built and all matters in peace Molests poor Israel his wealth t' encrease A thousand tallents of Menahem had Who to be rid of such a guest was glad In sacred Writ he 's known by name of Pul Which makes the world of differences so ful That he and Belochus one could not be But circumstance doth prove the verity And times of both computed so fall out That those two made but one we need not doubt What else he did his Empire to advance To rest content we must in ignorance Forty eight years he reign'd his race then run He left his new got Kingdoms to his Son Tiglath Palasser BElosus dead Tiglath his waâ—like Son Neyt treads the steps by which his Father won Damascus ancient seat of famous Kings Under subjection by his sword he brings Resin their valiant King he also slew And Syria t' obedience did subdue Iuda's bad King occasioned this War When Resins force his borders sore did mar And divers Cities by strong hand did seize To Tiglath then doth Ahaz send for ease The temple robes so to fulfill his ends And to Assyria's King a Present sends I am thy Servant and thy Son quoth he From Rezin and from Pekah set me free Gladly doth Tiglath this advantage take And succours Ahaz yet for Tiglath's sake When Rezin's slain his Army over-thrown Syria he makes a Province of his own Unto Damascus then comes Iudah's King His humble thankfulnesse with hast to bring Acknowledging th' Assyrians high desert To whom he ought all loyalty of heart But Tiglath having gain'd his wished end Proves unto Ahaz but a feigned friend All Israels Land beyond Iordan he takes In Galilee he woful havock makes Through Syria now he marcht none stopt his way And Ahaz open at his mercy lay Who stil implor'd his love but was distress'd This was that Ahaz which so much transgrest Thus Tiglath reign'd and wart'd twenty seven years Then by his death releas'd was Israels fears Salmanasser or Nabonasser 10 years TIglath deceas'd Salmanasser is next He I sraelites more then his Father vext Hoshea their last King he did invade And him six years his tributary made But weary of his servitude he sought To Aegypts King which did avail him nought For Salmanasser with a mighty Hoast 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 Ioshua's time had been Estate Did Justice now by him eradicate This was that strange degenerated brood On whom nor threars nor mercies could do good Laden with honour prisoners and with spoyl Returns triumphant Victor to his soyl Plac'd Israel in 's Land where he thought best Then sent his Colonies theirs to invest Thus Iacobs Sons in exile must remain And pleasant Canaan ne're see again Where now those ten Tribes are can no man tel Or how they fare rich poor or ill or wel Whether the Indians of the East or West Or wild Tartarians as yet ne're blest Or else those Chinoes rare whose wealth and Arts Hath bred more wonder then beleefe in hearts But what or where they are yet know we this They shal return and Zion see with blisse Senacherib 7 years SEnacherib Salmaneser succeeds Whose haughty heart is shewn in works and deeds His Wars none better then himself can boast On Henah Arpad and on Ivah least On Hena's and on Sepharuaim's gods 'Twixt them and Israels he knew no odds Until the thundring hand of heaven he felt Which made his Army into nothing melt With shame then turn'd to Ninivie again And by his Sons in 's Idols house was slain Essarhadon HIs Son weak Essarhadon reign'd in 's place The fifth and last of great Belosus race Brave Merodach the Son
lifted up on high But yet in Babell he must still remain And native Canaan never see again Unlike his father Evilmerodach Prudence and magnanimity did lack Faire Aegypt is by his remissenesse lost Arabia and all the boardering coast Wars with the Medes unhappily he wag'd Within which broiles râ—ch Croesus was engag'd His Army routed and himselfe there slain His Kingdome to Belshazzar did remain Belshazzar UNworthy Belshazzar next weares the Crown Whose prophane acts a sacred pen sets down His lust and cruelty in books we find A Royall State rul'd by a bâ—uitish mind His life so base and dissolute invites The Noble Persians to invade his rights Who with his own and Uncles power anon Layes siedge to 's regall seat proud Babylon The coward King whose strength lay in his walls To banquetting and revelling now falls To shew his little dread but greater store To chear his friends and scorn his foes the more The holy vessells thither brought long since Carous'd they in and sacrilegious Prince Did praise his gods of mettall wood and stone Protectors of his Crown and Babylon But he above his doings did deride And with a hand soon dashed all his pride The King upon the wall casting his eye The fingers of his hand-writing did spy Which horrid sight he fears must needs portend Destruction to his Crown to 's Person end With quaking knees and heart appall'd he crys For the Soothsayers and Magicians wise This language strange to read and to unfold With guifts of Scarlet robe and Chaines of gold And highest dignity next to the King To him that could interpret clear this thing But dumb the gazing Astrologers stand Amazed at the writing and the hand None answers the affrighted Kings intent Who still expects some fearfull sad event As thus amort he sits as all undone In comes the Queen to chear her heartlesse son Of Daniel tells who in his Grand-fires dayes Was held in more request then now he was Daniel in haste is brought before the King Who doth not flatter nor once cloake the thing Re-minds him of his Grand-fires height and fall And of his own notorious sins withall His drunkennesse and his prophainnesse high His pride and sottish grosse Idolatry The guilty King with colour pale and dead There hears his Mene and his Tekel read And did one thing worthy a King though late Perform'd his word to him that told his fate That night victorious Cyrus took the town Who soone did terminate his Life and Crown With him did end the race of Baladan And now the Persian Monarchy began The end of the Assyrian Monarchy The Second Monarchy being the Persian begun under Cyrus Darius being his Vnckle and his Father in Law reigning with him about two years CYrus Cambyses Son of Persia's King Whom Lady Mandana did to him bring She Daughter unto great Astiages He in descent the seventh from Arbaces Cambyses was of Achemenes race Who had in Persia the Lieutenants place When Sardanapalus was over-thrown And from that time had held it as his own Cyrus Darius Daughter took to wife And so unites two Kingdoms without strife Darius was unto Mandana brother Adopts her Son for his having no other This is of Cyrus the true pedigree Whose Ancestors were royal in degree His Mothers Dream and Grand-fires cruelty His preservation in his misery His nourishment afforded by a Bitch Are fit for such whose eares for fables itch He in his younger dayes an Army led Against great Cressus then of Lidia head Who over-curious of wars event For information to Apollo went And the ambiguous Oracle did trust So over-thrown of Gyrus as was just Who him pursues to Sardis takes the town Where all that doe resist are slaughter'd down Disguised Cressus hop'd to scape i' th throng Who had no might to save himself from wrong But as he past his Son who was born dumbe With pressing grief and sorrow over-come Amidst the tumult bloud-shed and the strife Brake his long silence cry'd spare Cressus life Cressus thus known it was great Cyâ—us doome A hard decree to ashes he consume Then on a Pike being set where all might eye He Solon Solon Solon thrice did cry Upon demand his minde to Cyrus broke And told how Solon in his hight had spoke With pitty Cyrus mov'd knowing Kings stand Now up now down as fortune turnes her hand Weighing the age and greatnesse of the Prince His Mothers Vnckle stories doe evince Gave him at once his life and Kingdom too And with the Lidians had no more to doe Next war the restlesse Cyrus thought upon Was conquest of the stately â—abylon Now trebble wall'd and moated so about That all the world they neither feare nor doubt To drain this ditch he many sluces cut But till convenient time their heads kept shut That night Belshazzar feasted all his rout He cuts those banks and let the river out And to the walls securely marches on Not finding a defendant thereupon Enters the town the sottish King he slayes Upon earths richest spoyles his Souldiers preys Here twenty yeares provision he found Forty five mile this City scarce could round This head of Kingdoms Caldes excellence For Owles and Satyres makes a residence Yet wondrous Monuments this stately Queen Had after thousand yeares faire to be seen Cyrus doth now the Jewish captives free An Edict makes the Temple builded be He with his Vnckle Daniel sets on high And caus'd his foes in Lions den to dye Long after this he ' gainst the Sythians goes And Tomris Son an Army over-throwes Which to revenge she hires a mighty power And sets on Cyrus in a fatall houre There routs his Hoast himself she prisoner takes And at one blow worlds head she headlesse makes The which she bak'd within a But of bloud Using such taunting words as she thought good But Zenophon reports he dy'd in 's bed In honour peace and wealth with a grey head And in his Town of Pasargada lyes Where Alexander fought in hope of prize But in this Tombe was only to be found Two Sythian bowes a sword and target round Where that proud Conquerour could doe no lesse Then at his Herse great honours to expresse Three Daughters and two Sons he left behind Innobled more by birth then by their mind Some thirty years this potent Prince did reign Unto Cambyses then all did remain Cambyses CAmbyses no wayes like his noble Sire But to enlarge his state had some desire His reign with Bloud and Incest first begins Then sends to finde a Law for these his sins That Kings with Sisters match no Law they finde But that the Persian King may act his minde Which Law includes all Lawes though lawlesse stil And makes it lawful Law if he but wil He wages warre the fifth year of his reign ' Gainst Aegypts King who there by him was slain And all of Royal bloud that came to hand He seized first of life and then of Land But little Marus scap'd that cruel fate Who
grown a man resum'd again his state He next to Cyprus sends his bloudy Hoast Who landed soon upon that fruitful coast Made Evelthon their King with bended knee To hold his own of his free courtesie The Temples he destroyes not for his zeal But he would be profest god of their Weal Yea in his pride he ventured so farre To spoyl the Temple of great Jupiter But as they marched o're those desart sands The stormed dust o'r-whelm'd his daring bands But scorning thus by Jove to be out-brav'd A second Army there had almost grav'd But vain he found to fight with Elements So left his sacrilegious bold intents The Aegyptian Apis then he likewise slew Laughing to scorn that calvish sottish crew If all his heat had been for a good end Cambyses to the clouds we might commend But he that 'fore the gods himself preferrs Is more prophane then grosse Idolaters And though no gods if he esteem them some And contemn them woful is his doome He after this saw in a Vision His brother Smerdis sit upon his throne He strait to rid himself of causlesse fears Complots the Princes death in his green years Who for no wrong poore innocent must dye Praraspes now must act this tragedy Who into Persia with Commission sent Accomplished this wicked Kings intent His sister whom incestuously he wed Hearing her harmlesse brother thus was dead His woful fate with tears did so bemoane That by her Husbands charge she caught her owne She with her fruit was both at once undone Who would have born a Nephew and a Son O hellish Husband Brother Vnckle Sire Thy cruelty will Ages still admire This strange severity one time he us'd Upon a Judge for breach of Law accus'd Flayd him alive hung up his stuffed skin Over his Seat then plac'd his Son therein To whom he gave this in rememberance Like fault must look for the like recompence Praraspes to Cambyses favourite Having one son in whom he did delight His cruell Master for all service done Shot through the heart of his beloved son And only for his fathers faithfullnesse Who said but what the King bad him expresse 'T would be no pleasant but a tedious thing To tell the facts of this most bloody King Fear'd of all but lov'd of few or none All thought his short râ—ign long till it was done At last two of his Officers he heart Had set a Smerdis up of the same years And like in feature to the Smerdis dead Ruling as they thought good under his head Toucht with this newes to Persia he makes But in the way his sword just véngeance takes Unsheathes as he his horse mounted on high And with a Martall thrust wounds him i th' thigh Which ends before begun the Persian Waâ—re Yeelding to death that dreadfull Conquerer Griefe for his brothers death he did expresse And more because he dyed issulesse The Male line of great Cyrus now did end The Female many ages did extend A Babylon in Egypt did he make And built fair Meroe for his sisters sake Eight years he reign'd a short yet too long time Cut off in 's wickednesse in 's strength and prime The inter Regnum between Cambyses and Darius Hyslaspes Childlesse Cambyses on the sudden dead The Princes meet to chuse one in his stead Of which the cheife were seven call'd Satrapes Who like to Kings rul'd Kingdomes as they please Descended all of Achâ—menes blood And kinsmen in account to th' King they stood And first these noble Magi 'gree upon To thrust th' Imposter Smerdis our of throne Their Forces instantly they raise and rout This King with conspirators so stout Who little pleasure had in his short reigne And now with his accomplyces lye slaine But yet 'fore this was done much blood was shed And two of these great Peers in place lay dead Some write that sorely hurt they ' scap'd away But so or no sure t is they won the day All things in peace and Rebells throughly queâ—'d A Consultation by the States was held What forme of Government now to erect The old or new which best in what respect The greater part declin'd a Monarchy So late crusht by their Princes Tyranny And thought the people would more happy be If governed by an Aristocracy But others thought none of the dullest braine But bâ—tter one then many Tyrants reigne What arguments they us'd I know not well Too politicke t is like for me to tell But in conclusion they all agree That of the seven a Monarch chosen be All envie to avoyd this was thought on Upon a Green to meet by rising Sun And he whose Horse before the rest should neigh Of all the Peers should have precedency They all attend on the appointed houre Praying to Fortune for a Kingly power Then mounting on their snorting coursers proud Darius lusty stallion neighed full loud The Nobles all alight their King to greet And after Persian manner kisse his feet His happy wishes now doth no man spare But acclamations ecchoes in the aire A thousand times God save the King they cry Let tyranny now with Cambyses dye They then attend him to his royall roome Thanks for all this to 's crafty Stable-groome Darius Hyslapses DArius by election made a King His title to make strong omits no thing He two of Cyrus Daughters now doth wed Two of his Neeces takes to nuptiall bed By which he cuts their hopes for future times That by such steps to Kingdoms often climbs And now a King by marriage choyce and bloud Three strings to 's bow the least of which is good Yet more the peoples hearts firmly to binde Made wholsome gentle Laws which pleas'd each mind His affability and milde aspect Did win him loyalty and all respect Yet notwithstanding he did all so well The Babylonians ' gainst their Prince rebell An Hoast he rais'd the City to reduce But strength against those walls was of no use For twice ten months before the town he lay And fear'd he now with scorn must march away Then brave Zopirus for his Masters good His manly face dis-figures spares no bloud With his own hands cuts off his eares and nose And with a faithfull fraud to 'th town he goes Tels them how harshly the proud King had dealt That for their sakes his cruelty he felt Desiring of the Prince to raise the siege This violence was done him by his Leige This told for enterance he stood not long For they beleev'd his nose more then his tongue With all the Cities strength they him betrust If he command obey the greatest must When opportunity he saw was fit Delivers up the town and all in it To loose a nose to win a Town 's no shame But who dare venture such a stake for th' game Then thy disgrace thine honour 's manifold Who doth deserve a Statue made of gold Nor can Darius in his Monarchy Scarse finde enough to thank thy loyalty But yet thou hast sufficient recompence In that
To come and to release him in his need The like of Leonatus he requires Which at this time well suited his desires For to Antipater he now might go His Lady take i' th' way and no man know Antiphilus the Athenian Generall With speed his forces doth together call Striving to stop Leonatus that so He joyn not with Antipater that foe The Athenian Army was the greater far Which did his match with Cleopatra mar For fighting still whilst there did hope remain The valiant Chief amidst his foes was slain ' Mongst all the Captains of great Alexander For personage none was like this Commander Now to Antipater â—raterus goes Blockt up in Lamia still by his foes Long marches through Cilicia he makes And the remains of Leonatus takes With them and his he into Grecia went Antipater releas'd from 's prisonment After this time the Grecks did never more Act any thing of worth as heretofore But under servitude their necks remain'd Nor former liberty or glory gain'd Now dy'd about the end of th' Lamian warre Dimosthencs that sweet tongu'd oratour Craverus that Antipater now joyn In love and in affiaity combine Creteâ—us doth his daughter Phisa wed Their friendship may the more be strengthened Whilst they in Macedon doe thus agree In Asia they all asunder be Perdicas griev'd to see the Princes bold So many Kingdoms in their power to hold Yet to regain them how he did not know For 's Souldiers ' gainst those Captains would not goe To suffer them goe on as they begun Was to give way himself might be undone With Antipater t' joyn sometimes he thought That by his help the rest might low be brought But this again dislikes and would remain If not in word in deed a Soveraigne Desires the King to goe to Macedon Which of his Ancestors was once the throne And by his presence there to nullifie The Acts of his Vice-royes now grown so high Antigonus of Treason first attaints And summons him to answer these complaints This he avoyds and ships himself and 's Son Goes to Antipater and tels what 's done He and Craterus both with him now joyn And ' gainst Perdicas all their strength combine Brave Ptolomy to make a fourth now sent To save himself from dangers eminent In midst of these Garboyles with wondrous state His Masters Funerals doth celebrate At Alexandria in Aegypt Land His sumptuous monument long time did stand Two years and more since Natures debt he paid And yet till now at quiet was not laid Great love did Ptolomy by this act gain And made the Souldiers on his side remain Perdicas hears his foes are now combin'd ' Gainst which to goe is troubled in his minde With Ptolomy for to begin was best Near'st unto him and farthest from the rest Leaves Eumenes the Asian coast to free From the invasions of the other three And with his Army into Aegypt goes Brave Ptolomy to th' utmost to oppose Perdicas surly carriage and his pride Did alienate the Souldiers from his side But Ptolomy by affability His sweet demeanour and his courtesie Did make his owne firme to his cause remaine And from the other daily some did gaine Pithon next Perdicas a Captaine high Being entreated by him scornfully Some of the Souldiers enters Perdica's tent Knocks out his braines to Ptolomy then went And offers him his Honours and his place With stile of the Protector would him grace Next day into the Camp comes Ptolomy And is of all received joyfully Their proffers he refus'd with modesty Confers them Pithon on for 's courtesie With what he held he now was well content Then by more trouble to grow eminent Now comes there newes of a great victory That Eumenes got of the other three Hâ—d it but in Perdicas life arriv'd With greater joy it would have been receiv'd Thus Ptolomy rich Aegypt did retaine And Pithon turn'd to Asia againe Whilst Perdicas thus staid in Africa Antigonus did enter Asia And fain would draw Eumenes to their side But he alone now faithfull did abide The other all had kingdomes in their eye But he was true to 's masters family Nor could Craterus whom he much did love From his fidelity make him once move Two battells now he fought and had the best And brave Craterus slew amongst the rest For this great strife he pours out his complaints And his beloved foe full sore laments I should but snip a story into verse And much eclipse his glory to rehearse The difficulties Eumenes befell His stratagems wherein he did excel His policies how he did extricate Himself from out of labyrinths intricate For all that should be said let this suffice He was both valiant faithfull patient wise Python now chose protector of the State His rule Queen Euridice begins to hate Perceives Aridaeus must not king it long If once young Alexander grow more strong But that her Husband serve for supplement To warm the seat was never her intent She knew her birthright gave her Macedon Grandchild to him who once sat on that throne Who was Perdicas Philips elder brother She daughter to his son who had no other Her mother Cyna sister to Alexander Who hâ—d an Army like a great Commander Ceria the Phrigian Queen for to withstand And in a Battell slew her hand to hand Her Daughter she instructed in that Art Which made her now begin to play her part Pithons commands She ever countermands What he appoints She purposely withstands He wearied out at last would needs be gone Resign'd his place and so let all alone In 's stead the Souldiers chose Antipater Who vext the Queen more then the other farre He plac'd displac'd controld rul'd as he list And this no man durst question or resist For all the Princes of great Alexander Acknowledged for chief this old Commander After a while to Macedon he makes The King and Queen along with him he takes Two Sons of Alexander and the rest All to be order'd there as he thought best The Army with Antigonus did leave And government of Asia to him gave And thus Antipater the ground-work layes On which Antigonus his height doth raise Who in few years the rest so over-tops For universall Monarchy he hopes With Eumenes he divers Battels fought And by his sleights to circumvent him sought But vaine it was to use his policy ' Gainst him that all deceits could scan and try In this Epitomy too long to tell How neatly Eumenes did here excell That by the selfe-same traps the other laid He to his cost was righteously repaid Now great Antipater the world doth leave To Polisperchon then his place he gave Fearing his Son Cassander was unstay'd Too young to beare that charge if on him lay'd Antigonus hearing of his decease On most part of Assyria doth seize And Ptolomy now to encroach begins All Syria and Phenicia he wins Now Polisperchon 'gins to act in 's place Recals Olimpias the Court to grace Antipater had banisht her from thence Into
Epire for her great turbulence This new Protector 's of another minde Thinks by her Majesty much help to finde Cassander could not like his father see This Polisperchons great ability Slights his commands his actions he disclaimes And to be great himselfe now bends his aymes Such as his father had advanc'd to place Or by his favour any way did grace Are now at the devotion of the Son Prest to accomplish what he would have done Besides he was the young Queens favourite On whom 't was thought the set her chief delight Unto these helps in Greece he seeks out more Goes to Antigonus and doth implore By all the Bonds 'twixt him and 's father past And for that great gift which he gave him last By these and all to grant him some supply To take down Polisperchon grown so high For this Antigonus needed no spurs Hoping still more to gaine by these new stirs Straight furnisht him with a sufficient aide Cassander for return all speed now made Polisperchon knowing he did relye Upon those friends his father rais'd on high Those absent banished or else he slew All such as he suspected to him true Cassander with his Hoast to Grecia goes Whom Polisperchon labours to oppose But had the worst at Sea as well as Land And his opponent still got upper hand Athens with many Townes in Greece besides Firme to Cassander at this time abides Whilst hot in wars these two in Greece remaine Antigonus doth all in Asia gaine Still labours Eumenes might with him side But to the last he faithfull did abide Nor could Mother nor Sons of Alexander Put trust in any but in this Commander The great ones now began to shew their minde And act as opportunity they finde Aridaeus the scorn'd and simple King More then he bidden was could act no thing Polisperchon hoping for 's office long Thinks to enthrone the Prince when riper grown Euridice this injury disdaines And to Cassander of this wrong complaines Hatefull the Name and House of Alexander Was to this proud vindicative Cassander He still hepâ— fresh within his memory His Fathers danger with his Family Nor counts he that indignity but small When Alexander knockt his head to th' wall These with his love unto the amorous Queen Did make him vow her servant to be seen Olimpias Aridaeus deadly hates As all her Husbands children by his Mates She gave him poyson formerly 't is thought Which damage both to minde and body brought She now with Polisperchon doth combine To make the King by force his seat resigne And her young Nephew in his stead t' inthrone That under him she might rule all alone For ayde goes to Epire among her friends The better to accomplish these her ends Euridice hearing what she intends In hast unto her deare Cassander sends To leave his Seige at Tagra and with speed To come and succour her in this great need Then by intreaties promises and coyne Some Forces did procure with her to joyne Olimpias now enters Macedon The Queen to meet her bravely marched on But when her Souldiers saw their ancient Queen Remembring what sometime she had been The Wife and Mother of their famous Kings Nor Darts nor Arrowes now none shoots nor flings Then King and Queen to Amphipolis doe fly But soone are brought into captivity The King by extreame torments had his end And to the Queen these presents she doth send A Halter cup of Poyson and a Sword Bids chuse her death such kindnesse she 'l afford The Queen with many a curse and bitter check At length yeelds to the Halter her faire neck Praying that fatall day might quickly haste On which Olimpias of the like might taste This done the cruell Queen rests not content Till all that lov'd Cassander was nigh spent His Brethren Kinsfolk and his chiefest friends That were within her reach came to their ends Digg'd up his brother dead ' gainst natures right And throwes his bones about to shew her spight The Courtiers wondring at her furious minde Wisht in Epire she still had been confin'd In Pelloponesus then Cassander lay Where hearing of this newes he speeds away With rage and with revenge he 's hurried on So goes to finde this Queen in Macedon But being stopt at Straight Tharmipoley Sea passage gets and lands in Thessaly His Army he divides sends part away Polisperchou to hold a while in play And with the rest Olimpias pursues To give her for all cruelties her dues She with the flow'r o' th Court to Pidna flyes Well fortified and on the Sea it lies There by Cassander she 's block'd up so long Untill the Famine growes exceeding strong Her Cousen of Epire did what he might To raise the Seige and put her foes to flight Cassander is resolv'd there to remaine So succours and endeavours proves but vaine Faine would she come now to capitulate Cassander will not heare such is his hate The Souldiers pinched with this scarcity By stealth unto Casander daily fly Olimpias wills to keep it to the last Expecting nothing but of death to taste But he unwilling longer there to stay Gives promise for her life and wins the day No sooner had he got her in his hands But made in Judgement her Accusers stand And plead the blood of their deare Kindred spilt Desiring Justice might be done for guilt And so was he acquitted of his word For Justice sake she being put to th' sword This was the end of this most cruell Queen Whose fury yet unparalleld hath been The Daughter Sister Mother Wife to Kings But Royalty no good conditions brings So boundlesse was her pride and cruelty She oft forgot bounds of Humanity To Husbands death 't was thought she gave consent The Authours death she did so much lament With Garlands crown'd his head bemoan'd his Fates His sword unto Apollo consecrates Her out-rages too tedious to relate How for no cause but her inveterate hate Her Husbands Wife and Children after 's death Some flew some fry'd of others stopt the breath Now in her age she 's forc't to taste that Cup Which she had often made others to sup Now many Townes in Macedon supprest And Pellas faine to yeeld amongst the rest The Funeralls Cassandra celebrates Of Aridaeus and his Queen with state Among their Ancestors by him there laid And shewes of lamentation for them made Old Thebes he then re-built so much of fame And rais'd Cassandria after his name But leave him building others in their urn And for a while let 's into Asia turn True Eumenes endeavours by all skill To keep Antigonus from Susha still Having Command o' th treasure he can hire Such as nor threats nor favour could acquire In divers battels he had good successe Antigonus came off still honourlesse When victor oft had been and so might still Pencestas did betray him by a wile Antigonus then takes his life unjust Because he never would let go his trust Thus lost he all for his fidelity Striving
then with old Seleuchus makes Who his fair daughter Stratonica takes Antiochus Seleuchus dear lov'd son Is for this fresh young Lady-half undone Falls so extreamly sick all fear his life Yet dares not say he loves his fathers wife When his disease the skilfull Physician found He wittily his fathers mind did sound Who did no sooner understand the same But willingly resign'd the beauteous dame Cassander now must die 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 should excell The eld'st enrag'd did play the vipers part And with his Sword did pierce his mothers heart Rather then Philips child must longer live He whom she gave his life her death must give This by Lysimachus soon after slain Whose daughter unto wife he 'd newly ta'n The youngest by Demetrius kill'd in fight Who took away his now pretended right Thus Philips and Cassander's race is gone And so falls out to be extinct in one Yea though Cassander died in his bed His seed to be extirpt was destined For blood which was decreed that he should spill Yet must his children pay for fathers ill Jehu in killing Ahabs house did well Yet be aveng'd must th' blood of Jesreel Demetrius Cassanders kingdomes gains And now as King in Macedon he reigns Seleuchus Asia holds that grieves him sore Those 〈◊〉 untries large his father got before These to recover musters all his might And with his son in law will needs go fight There was he taken and imprisoned Within an Isle that was with pleasures fed Injoy'd what so beseem'd his Royalty Onely restrained of his liberty After three years he dyed left what he 'd won In Greece unto Antigonus his son For h s posterity unto this day Did nâ—'r regain one foot in Asia Now dyed the brave and noble Ptolomy Renown'd for bounty valour clemency Rich Aegypt left and what else he had won To Philadelphus his more worthy Son Of the old Heroes now but two remaine Seleuchus and Lysimachus those twaine Must needs goe try their fortune and their might And so Lysimachus was slaine in fight 'T was no small joy unto Seleuchus breast That now he had out-lived all the rest Possession he of Europe thinks to take And so himselfe the only Monarch make Whilst with these hopes in Greece he did remaine He was by Ptolomy Cerannus slaine The second Son of the first Ptolomy Who for rebellion unto him did sly Selencbus was as Father and a friend Yet by him had this most unworthy end Thus with these Kingly Captaines have we done A little now how the Succession run Antigonus Seleuchus and Cassander With Ptolomy reign'd after Alexander Cassanders Sons soone after 's death were slaine So three Successors only did remaine Antigonus his Kingdoms lost and 's life Unto Seleuchus author of that strife His Son Demetrius all Cassanders gaines And his posterity the same retaines Demetrius Son was call'd Awigonus And his againe also Demetrius I must let passe those many battels fought Between those Kings and noble Fyrrus stout And his son Alexander of Epire Whereby immortall honour they acquire Demetrius had Philip to his son He Perseus from him the kingdom 's won Emillius the Roman Generall Did take his rule his sons himself and all This of Antigonus his seed's the fate Whose kingdomes were subdu'd by th' Roman state Longer Seleuchus held the Royalty In Syria by his posterity Awiochus Soter his son was nam'd To whom Ancient Berosus To much fam'd His book of Assurs Monarchs dedicates Tells of their warres their names their riches fates But this is perished with many more Which we oft wish were extant as before Antiochus Theos was Soters son Who a long warre with Egypts King begun The affinities and warres Daniel set forth And calls them there the Kings of South and North This â—â—cos he was murthered by his wife Seleuchus reign'd when he had lost his life A third Seleuchus next sitâ— on the seat And then Antiochus surnam'd the great Seleuchus next Anttiochus succeeds And then Epiphanes whole wicked deeds Horrid massacres murders cruelties Against the Jewes we read in Macchabees By him was set up the abomination I 'th' holy place which caused desolation Antiochus Eupator was the next By Rebells and imposters daily vext So many Princes still were murthered The Royall blood was quite extinguished That Tygranes the great Armenian King To take the government was called in Him Lucullus the Romane Generall Vanquish'd in fight and took those kingdomes all Of Greece and Syria thus the rule did end In Egypt now a little time we 'l spend First Ptolomy being dead his famous son Cal'd Philadelphus next sat on the throne The Library at Alexandria built With seven hundred thousand volumes fill'd The seventy two interpreters did seek They might translate the Bible into Greek His son was Evergetes the last Prince That valour shew'd vertue or excellence Philopater was Evergete's son After Epiphanes sat on the Throne Philometer then Evergetes again And next to him did false Lathurus reigne Alexander then Lathurus in 's stead Next Auletes who cut off Pompey's head To all these names we Ptolomy must adde For since the first that title still they had Fair Cleopatra next last of that race Whom Julius Caesar set in Royall place Her brother by him lost his trayterous head For Pompey's life then plac'd her in his stead She with her Paramour Mark Antony Held for a time the Egyptian Monarchy Till great Augustus had with him a fight At Actium slain his Navy put to flight Then poysonous Aspes she sets unto her Armes To take her life and quit her from all harmes For 't was not death nor danger she did dread But some disgrace in triumph to be led Here ends at last the Grecian Monarchy Which by the Romans had its destiny Thus Kings and Kingdoms have their times and dates Their standings over-turnings bounds and fates Now up now down now chief and then brought under The Heavens thus rule to fill the earth with wonder The Assyrian Monarchy long time did stand But yet the Persian got the upper hand The Grecian them did utterly subdue And Millions were subjected unto few The Grecian longer then the Persian stood Then came the Romane like a raging flood And with the torrent of his rapid course Their Crownes their Titles riches beares by force The first was likened to a head of gold Next armes and breast of silver to behold The third belly and thighs of brasse in sight And last was Iron which breaketh all with might The Stone out of the Mountaine then did rise And smote those feet those legs those arms and thighs Then gold silver brasse iron and all that store Became like chaffe upon the threshing floor The first a Lion second was a Beare The third a Leopard
which four wings did rear The last more strong and dreadfull then the rest Whose Iron teeth devoured every beast And when he had no appetite to eate The residue he stamped under 's feet But yet this Lion Bear this Leopard Ram All trembling stand before that powerfull Lambe With these three Monarchies now have I done But how the fourth their Kingdoms from them won And how from small beginnings it did grow To fill the world with terrour and with woe My tired braine leaves to a better pen This taske befits not women like to men For what is past I blush excuse to make But humbly stand some grave reproof to take Pardon to crave for errours is but vaine The Subject was too high beyond my straine To frame Apologie for some offence Converts our boldnesse into impudence This my presumption some now to requite Ne suter ultra crepidum may write AFter some dayes of rest my restlesse heart To finish what begun new thoughts impart And maugre all resolves my fancy Wrought This fourth to th' other three now might be brought Shortnesse of time and inability Will force me to a confus'd brevity Yet in this Chaos one shall easily spy The vast limbs of a mighty Monarchy What e're is found amisse take in best part As faults preceeding from my head not heart The Roman Monarchy being the Fourth and last beginning Anno Mundi 3213. STout Romulus Romes Founder and first King Whom vestall Rhea into th' world did bring His Father was not Mars as some devis'd But Aemulus in Armour all disguis'd Thus he deceiv'd his Neece she might not know The double injury he then did doe Where Shepheards once had Coats and Sheep their Folds Where Swaines and rustick Peasants made their Holds A Citty faire did Romulus erect The Mistris of the World in each respect His Brother Remus there by him was slaine For leaping o're the Walls with some disdaine The Stones at first was cimented with bloud And bloudy hath it proy'd since first it stood This City built and Sacrifices done A forme of Government he next begun A hundred Senators he likewise chose And with the stile of Patres honour'd those His City to replenish men he wants Great priviledges then to all he grants That wil within these strong built walls reside And this new gentle Government abide Of Wives there was so great a scarsity They to their neighbours sue for a supply But all disdaine alliance then to make So Romulus was forc'd this course to take Great shewes he makes at Tilt and Turnament To see these sports the Sabins all are bent Their Daughters by the Romans then were caught For to recover them a Feild was fought But in the enâ— to finall peace they come And Sabins as one people dwelt in Rome The Romans now more potent 'gin to grow And Fedinates they wholly over-throw But Romulus then comes unto his end Some faining say to heav'n he did ascend Others the seven and thirtyeth of his reigne Affirme that by the Senate he was slaine Numa Pompilius NVmt Pompilius is next chosen King Held for his Piety some sacred thing To Janus he that famous Temple built Kept shut in peace but ope when blond was spilt Religious Rites and Customs instituted And Priests and Flamines likewise he deputed Their Augurs strange their habit and attire And vestall Maids to keep the holy fire Goddesse Aegeria this to him told So to delude the people he was bold Forty three veares he rul'd with generall praise Accounted for some god in after dayes Tullus Hostilius TUllus Hostilius was third Roman King Who Martiall Discipline in use did bring War with the antient Albans he doth wage The strife to end six Brothers doe ingage Three call'd Horatii on Romans side And Curiatii three Albans provide The Romans Conquereth others yeeld the day Yet for their compact after false they play The Romans sore incens'd their Generall slay And from old Alba fetch the wealth away Of Latine Kings this was long since the Seat But now demolished to make Rome great Thirty two years doth Tullus reigne then dye Leaves Rome in wealth and power still growing high Ancus Martius NExt Ancus Martius sits upon the Throne Nephew unto Pomphilius dead and gone Rome he inlarg'd new built againe the wall Much stronger and more beautifull withall A stately Bridge he over Tyber made Of Boats and Oares no more they need the aide Faire Ostia he built this Town it stood Close by the mouth of famous Tyber flood Twenty foure yeare th' time of his royall race Then unto death unwillingly gives place Tarquinius Priscus TArquin a Greek at Corinth borne and bred Who for sedition from his Country fled Is entertain'd at Rome and in short time By wealth and favour doth to honour climbe He after Martius death the Kingdome had A hundred Senatours he more did adde Warres with the Latins he againe renewes And Nations twelve of Tuscany subdues To such rude triumphs as young Rome then had Much state and glory did this Priscus adde Thirty eight yeares this Stranger borne did reigne And after all by Ancus Sons was slaine Servius Tullius NExt Servius Tullius sits upon the Throne Ascends not up by merits of his owne But by the favour and the speciall grace Of Tanaquil late Queen obtaines the place He ranks the people into each degree As wealth had made them of abilitie A generall Muster takes which by account To eighty thousand soules then did amount Forty foure yeares did Servius Tullius reigne And then by Tarquin Priscus Son was slaine Tarquinius Superbus the last Roman King TArquin the proud from manners called so Sate on the Throne when he had slaine his soe Sextus his Son doth most unworthily Lucretia force mirrour of chastety She loathed so the fact she loath'd hâ—r life And shed her guiltlesse blood with guilty knife Her Husband sore incens'd to quit this wrong With Junius Brutus rose and being strong The Tarquins they from Rome with speed expell In banishment perpetuall to dwell The Government they change a new one bring And people sweare ne're to accept of King The end of the Roman Monarchy being the fourth and last A Dialogue between Old England and New concerning their present troubles Anno 1642. New England ALas deare Mother fairest Queen and best With honour wealth and peace happy and blest What ayles thee hang thy head and crosse thine armes And sit i' th dust to sigh these sad alarms What deluge of new woes thus over-whelme The glories of thy ever famous Realme What meanes this wailing tone this mourning guise Ah tell thy Daughter she may simpathize Old England Art ignorant indeed of these my woes Or must my forcâ—d tongue these griefâ—s disclose And must my selfe dissect my tatter'd state Which ' mazed Christendomâ— stands wondring at And thou a childe a Limbe and dost not feele My weakned fainting body now to reele This Phisick-purging-potion I have taken Will bring Consumption or an