againe 18 Meane while good Ioseph rowes against the tide Nature kind Nature would it selfe display But willing yet a while himselfe to hide He forc'd his Loue Discretion to obey 19 He cals for meat which was seru'd vp in state And at the table he doth sit alone The Hebrewes vvere in order seru'd vvhereat Within himselfe they marveiled each one 20 The Hebrewes and Egyptians severd set For by the Law of the Egyptian Nation They might not at one board together eat Because by them 't was held abomination 21 To count the seuerall dishes of this Feast In these deare times would make my Muse too sad Messes they had the Text saith who had least But Beniamin fiue times their portion had 22 They are full-fed now vvith delicious cates Whose hungry soules did whilome pine for food Such is the change of our vncertaine states After a dead low water comes a flood 23 The fickle vvorld is neuer at one stay Humane affaires roule in vncertaintie Vaine men vve ring the Changes euery day Brings forth to light some new varietie 24 Then let this ceaselesse restlesse agitation Inflame our soules all our affections moue To seeke for rest and a sure habitation In Heau'n the new Ierusalem aboue 25 The Dinner ended Ioseph doth provide To haue each Hebrewes sacke fild full with graine And each mans Coyne in his sackes mouth was tide Thus they haue food for nought yet once againe 26 Into the Sack of his deare Beniamin Hee caus'd his siluer Cup to bee conueyd And by this meanes hee doth occasion winne To haue the youth from his departure stayd 27 As soone as morne displayd her blushing red And câ—eare light shew'd to Trauellers their way Each Hebrew with his chardg from Ioseph sped Little suspecting of a new delay 28 They had not from the Citie traueld farre But Iosephs Steward them in hast pursues Hee ouer-takes them they arrested are And speechlesse stand amaz'd at this sad newes 29 Hee question'd them why ill for good they payd His Lords diuining Siluer Cup was gone They strangers were and false perhaps hee sayd For but themselues himselfe suspected none 30 This sayd at length they thus to him replyde Why should our Lord to vs these speeches say In our sackes mouthes when wee the siluer spyde Brought backe from Canaan wee did it repay 31 â— is vnlikely therefore wee should steale And vse such falshood where such loue wee found Yet search vs all and hee that thus shall deale Let him to death the rest to Prison bound 32 â—ee't so the Steward sayes with that each one Takes from his Loden beast his sacke of corne From eldest Reuben now the search is gone And by degrees come to the youngest borne 33 The siluer Cup is found in the youths sacke The brethren rend their cloathes to find it so Now once againe each man assumes his packe And with sad lookes backe to the Citie goe 34 And hee that whilom seru'd these men in state With dainty dishes at a Princelike board Safe-guards them now as fellowes of stolne-plate So great a change so small time doth afford 35 To Iosephs house they now againe are brought Where hee did stay expecting their surprize For hee was witting of what would bee wrought And theeues now made them that supposd them spyes 36 When they be held his face with shame deiected To bended knees they doe themselues beâ—aâ—e A as quotâ— he what 's this ye haue effected Did you not know that I could tryall make 37 Then Iudah thus What shall we plead or say Vnto my Lord our selues vve cannot free T is Israels God that doth ouâ— sinnes repay And for our theâ—t we must thy bond-men be 38 Nay God forbid that I should vse you so Ioseph to those afflicted men replyed Who stole my Cup himselfe to me doth owe He is my seruant no man else beside 39 The rest depart in peace vnto your Sire Then Iudah on his knees sayes O my Lord Whom as a second Pharaoh we admire Vouchsafe to heare thy servant speake a word 40 When first before my Lord we did appeare It pleas'd him aske if we had Syre or Brother We truely told we had a father deere All we his sonnes and that he had one other 41 A little one begot in his old age Therefore the more belou'd the more respected His brother dead and he the onely gage Left by that Mother whom our Syre affected 42 Then you enioyn'd vs neuer see your face Or bring the youth you might his face behold When to our father we first told our case The sad relation made his old heart cold 43 One of my sonnes quoth he sent to the field Was torne in pieces neuer more seene since Should I depart with this and he should yeeld To death by sicknesse or by violence 44 'T would breake my aged heart my old gray head With griefe and sorrow throw into the graue O my good Lord detaine me in his stead I am his Pledge and to my father gaue 45 My faith for his returne with execration Let Iudah beare the blame for euermore Vnlesse I bring to Israels habitation Young Beniamin euen thus thy servant swore 46 Then since the old mans being doth depend On the Youths life let me thy servant be And with my Brethren backe the stripling send And Iudah will be bound to pray for thee 47 When Ioseph heard his Brothers sad relation He could no longer his affection hide Though great ones present of th' Egyptian Nation Yet Ioseph wept the text saith loud he cryed 48 Avoyd the Roome quoth he let no man stay Except these Hebrewes all the rest depart Then Ioseph to his brethren doth display The inward feelings of his tender heart 49 See Ioseph liues our father make report But they were stricken dumbe with that surprize Be not dismay'd God sent me to the Court For to relieue your wants by my supplyes 50 And this was done to worke your preservations Our fathers God made me his instrument Two yeeres hath famine seiz'd vpon most nations And fiue such yeere of want must yet be sent 51 Therefore returne vnto our aged Syre And from my selfe saâ—ute him in this sort Egypts Protector Ioseph doth desire To see old Isr'el at King Pharaohs Court 52 Himselfe his Childrens Children heards and sheep In fruitfull Goshen land shall haue a Rome Neere to my selfe I them and theirs will keepe From fiue yeeres Famine that is yet to come 53 Remember what I giue in charge ye tell And Iosephs Honours seene by you relate With that on Beniamins faire necke he fell And wept so fast his teares their teares begat 54 This was a wondrous and strange salutation And vnto Egypts King was quickely brought Who was affected so with the relation That till he Ioseph saw full long he thought 55 And seene he sayes vnto thy Brethren say Doe this depart load beasts to Canaan goe And bring your father hither that he may Here with his
conceale We melt our wings and fall by too high flying Prometheus that the fire from Heau'n did steale 85 Was sharply punisht for his enterprise That outward barke containes this pith within Wâ— must not labour to be ouer-wise To prie into Gods Arke it is a sinne 86 We know 't was he that calm'd these billowing seas And brought wrackt Ioseph to his hau'n at laâ—t Else had hee sunke vnder such stormes as these But that Gods hand his Anchor held him fast 87 And now th' eternall and still waking Eye That is all Eye to see to helpe all Hand Lookes downe at last on Iosephs miserie And finds him by affliction fully fann'd 88 And streight he stirres and now all other meanes All hopefull meanes â—oe seeme to fayle him quite Now hee in mercy pitying his extreames Doth rouse himselfe to doe wrong'd Ioseph right 89 O happie men that are in Gods protection No earthly Monarch hath a guard so sure Legions of Angels seruâ— at his direction To fortresse those whom he will haue secure 90 All the whole Creature is at his command The Sunne stands still to wayt on Ioshua The Starres of Heau'n enrolled in his band Doe in their courses fight 'gainst Sisera 91 Nay fire and vvater too are ioy'nd in one Both starres and streames doe their best helpe afford The riuer Kisâ—on vnto armes doth runne To fight the glorious battels of the Lord. 92 The Elements are Marshals of his hoste By night the fiery Pillar and by day The Cloud conducts his people to their coast To which the very Sea it selfe giues way 93 The Vict'lere of his Campe he makes the Winds Somtimes with bread from Heau'n sometimes with Quailes The stony rocke plenty of water finds To giue his Souldiers drinke when water failes 94 O euer to be fear'â— and lou'd withall Fear'd for thy might and for thy mercy lou'd I am all wonder when to mind I call With what strange weights thy motions still are mou'd 95 Ioseph must be releast that 's the Decree And from the Prison to the Court be brought That 's in the Order too And now let 's see How God doth worke till all his will be wrought 96 First vnto Pharaoh Egypts King he sends A double Dreame with which hee 's much perplext He wakes and longs to know what it portends What the Dreames were I leaue you to the Text 97 Then doth he send and summon to the Court All Egypts Magi to expound his Dreames They heare them told but cannot make report Vnto the King what this his Vision meanes 98 And that was strange Th' Egyptians were renownd Aboue all Nations for their skill that way In hidden Learning they were held profound And so the sacred Text doth seeme to say 99 Witnesse beside the skill they labour'd so In that abstrute and secret Mysterie Of Hieroglyphicke Art which they did shew In an obscure deepe-shadow'd Charactrie 100 But yet in this the Magi must be blind Because the taske for Ioseph was reseru'd And now the Butler wakes and cals to mind Forgotten Ioseph vvhom he thus preferr'd 101 Great King I must confesse my fauâ—t this day And craue your pardon I haue broke a vow Which once I made when I in prison lay Vnto an Hebrew and remember now 102 When as my Lord was vvith his servants vvroth And put his Baker and my selfe in chaines A vision in one night appear'd to both And theâ—e this Hebrew pris'ner it explaines 103 And as he did divine it did succeed You hang'd your Baker tooke me to your grace Th' inspired Prophet can your Dreame aread Make haste quoth Pharaoh let me see his face 104 And now is Ioseph sent for to the Court And new adorn'd doth looke as fresh as May And well he might doe so there 's reason for 't Good fortunes breed good blood good spirits men say 105 Being come the King doth take him by the hand Eu'n Kings know to be kind to gaine their ends Although no phrase did fit him but command Yet he vnto a milder forme descends 106 And welcome sayes I had a Dreame this night And what is meant thereby I faine would learne And thou in Visions hast I heare insight Thy piercing eye heau'ns secrets doth discerne 107 And then hee tels him what before he told To Egypts Magi. Ioseph streight replies Your double dreame one meaning doth infold And that God will not hide from Pharaohs eyes 108 In me it is not but the God of Heau'n Shall answere Pharaoh to his hearts desire Poore puffe-past Man here is example giu'n Vnto thy swelling thoughts not to aspire 109 Not to assume the glory and the praise Vnto thy selfe of what is giu'n to thee Thy parts are but reflections from those Rayes By whose faire beames thy clouds dispersed be 110 Cymerian darknesse doth possesse thy spirit If gracious God be pleas'd to lend thee light Wilt thou ascribe it to thy proper merit And steale from him that which is his in right 111 Wilt thou vnto thy Netts doe sacrifice And hug thâ— selfe in th' armes of thine owne loue If thou beest 〈◊〉 leâ—rned rich and wisâ— Know 't is the 〈◊〉 â—phere that makes thee moue 112 Thy graces are but Donatiues from Heau'n The good is thine returne the glory thither For feare God take away what he hath giu'n And he that made thee grow doth make thee wither 113 What is not this great Babel I haue built To shew my power perpetuate my name Alas poore Prince thy outside is but guilt A sudden storme will wash away the same 114 For whilst the word was yet eu'n in thy mouth A voyce from Heau'n did tell thee heauy newes Promotion comes not from the North or South Heau'ns influence onely doth all good infuse 115 I could not choose when I had yoak'd my Teame But make this furrow to enrich my field And now I doe returne to Pharaohs Dreame Whose Exposition Ioseph thus doth yeeld 116 The seu'n fat Oxen that you saw ascend That were so faire to sight in your first dreame Seu'n yeeres of ioyfull plentie doe portend Seu'n yeeres of famine the seu'n leane ones meane 117 The Eares of Corne divine the selfe same thing But God is good and what he meanes to doe He now is pleas'd to shew vnto the King And giue him warning ere it shall ensue 118 After seu'n yeeres of store seu'n yeeres of want Of bitter famine shall the land oppresse Wherein both bread and food shall be â—o scant As all the land shall mourne for barrennesse 119 Twice did my God present it to your view Because he would haue Pharaoh marke it well When God speaks one thing twice beleeue 't is true Make vse great King of what I doe foretell 120 Cull out some man that 's provident and wise And let him be Surveyor of your Land Let him collect the fruits that shall arise From forth the first seu'n yeeres of plentie and 121 Let every Towne and
all And his commands can neuer be withstood He smiles and men doe rise He frownes they fall 6 The Planets are but agents of his will They rule in vs sometimes he rules them euer The Trine aspect is the most blessed still Who 's vnder that can be vnhappy neuer 7 Ioseph was so vvho but of late was seene Eu'n in his depth of Winter almost dead And loe a sudden Spring hath made him greene Much growne in height and very greatly spread 8 Obserue the flowes and ebbes of Mans estate See how that part of the still turning vvheele Which was but low and toucht the ground of late Is now the highest and will straight wayes reele 9 Downe to the Center No man is so fix'd But that he may be soone remoou'd againe The vvorld hath nothing simple all is mix'd An houre of pleasure and a day of paine 10 Therefore what ere thou be doe not despaire Loose not thy fortunes and thy hopes together Thy Morning 's foule thine Euening may be faire For Mans estate doth alter like the weather 11 Oft haue I heard some aged men foretell Or following Raine by th'aking of their bones I doe not like that Almanacke so well I de rather fetch my skill from sweating stones 12 For stones some say will sweat against a raine That may be so but this is certaine true Our states haue somtimes cramps then sound again Then sicke againe and then comes health anew 13 Ioseph you saw late in a deadly swoune Now he recouers and to strength doth grow Who notwithstanding all his great renowne Doth not forget why he was raysed so 14 Hee knowes although hee were a Magistrate T' was not for his owne ends or for his ease But to prouide for and preserue the state Which seuen yeares bitter famine els would seyze 15 Hee thinkes vpon his worke hee hath to doe Hee mouldes his busines in his carefull minde Great King braue Court deare wife to all adue Ioseph must sayle now with another winde 16 Hee 's Country-bound and now hee doth prouide For following famine In the yeares of store 'T is good men say to take both Wind and Tyde And whil'st they both serue well to ply the Oare 17 Mee thinkes I doe behold this labouring Bee How hee flyes vp and downe to store his hiue And sweetest time hee gathers most from thee And so must all Bees doe that meane to thriue 18 There are some happy houres which if wee take Wee crowne our labours with desir'd successe And if thâ—se fitting seasons wee forsake Wee well may wish them more but find them lesse 19 Hee builds hee gathers and hee layes vp grayne The best of his abilityes hee spends In ceass-lesse labour and vnwearied payne That hee may bee successfull in his ends 20 It was no May-game that hee had in hand His charge was weighty and requir'd him all Men that are great in Place and in command Are not their owne must not bee seuerall 21 They must be like the Sunne whose common flame Affordeth heate and light to euery-one Ther 's more in greatnes then the very name It hath much matter for to worke vpon 22 The prudent states-man often-times doth wake Whil'st sweet Repose seales vp the vulgar Eye His countrey care oft makes his head to ake With forging thousand formes of policie 23 And without doubt they which sit neere the healme And haue the greatest steerage of the state Are the most painefull seruants of the Realme To whom the Prince his power doth delegate 24 Both for his owne and for his Countreys good Which must be the chiefe end of their endeauors So Ioseph is imployd to gather food And in that seruice seuen yeeres he perseuers 25 And the Almightie pleas'd to blesse him so That he did store vp graine in such a measure As that the number numberlesse did grow And yet he was not barr'd from lawfull pleasure 26 For in those yeeres God gaue him two fayre Boyâ—s To be the staffe of his declining Eld And in those blessings Iosephs soule more joyes Then in the greatest honours that he held 27 Manasseh Ephraim comforts of his life You are his glory and his strength beside Himselfe divided was his loving wife His children vvere himselfe but multiplide 28 So many selues will make one selfe long liu'd In whom he still shall liue when he is dead Egypt saw Iosephs end yet hee surviu'd In those faire boughs that from his root were spred 29 But I must to my taske for Time goes on And as men say flies with a Swallowes vving The yeeres of plentie soone are past and gone And famine nâ—w thrusts forth her deadly sting 30 And then how Ioseph did himselfe deport How well he gouern'd his long-gather'd graine And how all Egypt did to him resort For needfull food whose sale brought in great gaine 31 To his Lords coffers how he bought their Land Their goods their cattell and themselues vvithall The sacred Writ will make you vnderstand Egypt farewell for Canaan now doth call 32 Yet this before I goe obserue it well And 't is but touch'd to shame our wretched Time Alâ—hough wise Ioseph as the Text doâ—h teâ—l Did make a purchase of th'Egyptian Clime 33 To his Kings vse yet did he hold his hand From buying of the Priests that which was theirs He would not meddle vvith the Holy land 'T was consecrated therefore he forbeares 34 Such a irreligious purchase yet the King Supplyes them with all necessary food Though thé their fields no fruitful crops did bring Yet they that serued for the common good 35 T' was iust the common-good should serue for them Eu'n Heathen people held it pietie To furnish with fit meanes religious men Although they worship'd a false Dietie 36 How then should wee respect and honour too The faithâ—ull seruants of the liuing Lord And so wee see our sacred Soueraigne doe And O mee thinkes his Copie should afford 37 A fayre example for to guide our hand In other things Autoritie swayes much And wee are willing Apes to great command But yet in this wee haue too little touch 38 And so indeed wee haue in all deuotion Our heau'n is on the Earth wee sweate for that Our Ayme's at wealth at honour and promotion And in pursuite of them w' are very hot 39 But stay â—y Muse why dost thou change thy course For thou wert shipt and bound for Canaan Where famine likewise raged with great force Eu'n Iacob wants that vvas a vvealthy man 40 That had both Coyne and Cattell at command Strong in his issue and belou'd of God Yet now hee 's vnder his afflicting hand Whose dearest children cannot scape the rod. 41 And he doth often rule them with blacke Lead That he may keepe them straighter in the line And left by rest there should a rust be bred By filing them hee doth them oft refine 42 Therefore thou happy soule that seekes for Heau'n Expect not here a Deluge of delight If God
not to mee And shall I likewise Beniamin forgoe Why haue you done these things since these things be Against your father and all worke his woe 81 What doe you find your owne affections such As that you hold the lesse of Children light In my sad soule I feele another touch And nature workes in mee with powerfull might 82 The motions of a tender father's loue An vnâ—ouch'd heart can hardly comprehend But you are fathers too and well may proue Eu'n by your selues that nature doth discend 83 I cannot yeeld that Beniamin should goe His brother's dead and hee is left alone If hee should die I should but liue in woe And dying goe into my graue with moane 84 When hee was borne his mother was bereft mee My dearest Rachell see you make mee weepe And nothing now of her but him is left mee And as her dying Pledge I him will keepe 85 Thus hee resolu'd but famine still growes hot The food was almost spent that late was brought In Canaan there was little to bee got A new supply from Egypt must bee sought 86 The stately Steed that champes the steely bit And proudly seemes to menace friend and foe Doth fling and foame and boundeth oft and yet Poore beast perforce hee is inforc'd to goe 87 And good-old Israell so it fares with thee Thy Beniamin must goe there is no boot For all thy other sonnes in this agree That without him they will not stirre a foot 88 Better at home to end their weary race And with their dearest friends together dye Then goe and seeke for death in a strang place And that with publicke scorne and infamie 89 Besides his Iudah earnest 〈◊〉 did make That to his care hee would commit his sone His deare-lou'd Darling hee would vndertake For his returne which should be safe and soone 90 Iacob replyes it must bee so I see Well take with you the best fruits of the land Gifts silent speakers but preuailers bee For Haukes come not vnto an emptie hand 91 Therefore take somewhat of each seu'rall thing To shew your thankfull mindes in worst extreames A better fortune greater gifts would bring But your poore present answeares to your meanes 92 And in your hand the money hither brought Doubly returne for feare some ouersight By you my sonnes should formerly be wrought And take your brother too my chiefe delight 93 And when that you haue done all that you may God make you gracious in the great-mans eyes For onely hee must guy'd you in your way And giue a blessing to your enterprize 94 I holy father tha 's the poynt indeed Now thou hast hit the nayle vpon the head The best of our endeuours cannot speede If by the hand of heau'n not seconded 95 Vaine are their thoughts that think their watching can Preserue that Cittie which God doth not keepe And their's as vaine who quit all vse of man And thinke that God will guard them though they sleepe 96 Where to our safetie our sedulitie Is requisite God seldome workes alone Neglect of meanes is fond credulitie First for the Lord and then for Gideon 97 And that 's the only course that men can take Vnto Gods blessing ioyne thyne owne endeuour Heau'n helpes not him that doth him-selfe forsake The end and meanes doe alwayes goe together 98 But stay my muse mee thinkes thy pace is slow Thou mak'st no speed in thy intended way Perhaps th' art tyr'de with trauell to and fro Then take thyne Inne vntill some other day 99 Or els perhaps the famine makes thee faynt Which works too strongly in thy feeble braine I ther 's the gaâ—l These are thy yeares of want Some better times will make thee sing againe Timens Deum non habet quod time at vlterius The Continuation 1 AFter a blessing from their aged Syre To Egypt land the Brethren beâ—d their course A speedy helpe such sad extreames require They needs must haste whom griping famin force 2 Some time being spent and weary travell past Once more they gaine the wisht for Land of food And once againe before the face at last Of their knowne Lord but vnknown Brother stood 3 Who had their errand e'r they could it tell He knew 't was Hunger forc'd them to that place 'T was Egypts food that must that Monster quell And that could not be had without his grace 4 He could not likewise choose but call to mind Their cruell and vnnat'â—all insolence How once with envie more then famine pynd To thraldome they betrayd his innocence 5 Without regard of dutie to their Syre Or pitie to the moanes of him their brother Now time seru'd fit for to repay their hyre Yet all these faults his tender loue doth smother 6 And his mild Heart relents to see their want They were his Brothers though before vnkind Perhapps saith hee their error they recant And if they doe shall they not pardon find 7 So fed his Beniamin he doth behold Thâ—n calls his Steward wills him to prepare Pâ—enty of Meat Those Hebrew-strangers should Dyne at his hoame and of his bounty fare 8 To Iosephs house the Steward leads these Men They went vnwilling being â—ore afraid Their hearts misgaue them sâ—me state-plot ev'n then To worke their Bondage cunningly was layd 9 And therefore to the Steward they confesse That food of him they once had bought before Feare was so powrefull they could doe no lesse Their full confess ' on pardon doth implore 10 They told him that the price last paid for Graine Was vnexpected found in each Mans sacke But they that silver and as much againe For new supplies had honestly brought backe 11 The Steward saies all 's peace be not dismay'd Your God your fathers God that silver gaue I had your money for the Corne ye payd And you your Symion left for pledge shall haue 12 Them all into his Lords faire house he guides Prepares them water for to wash their Feete And for their Beasts he provender provides With other things for their refreshment meet 13 Meane while the great Lord they prepare to greet With those rich presents they from Canaan brought He 's now retur'd from Court loe at his Feete They prostrate fall and him of grace besought 14 To buy some food his favour they desire He kindly greets them rayseth them from ground And quest'ond them how far'd their aged Syre The good old Man they spake off safe and sound 15 They lowly bow'd againe then make replye Our aged Syre thy servant yet doth liue Where with on Beniamin he cast his Eye And loving lookes vnto the Lad doth giue 16 Is this the youth of whom ye earst did tell To thee my sonne he said God gracious be With that kind Nature in his breast doth swell H s bowels yâ—rnd his Mothers sonne to see 17 Moou'd by affection he from them vvithdrawes And in his priuate chamber weepes amaine Then dries his eyes after a little pause With cheerefull lookes he visits them
houshould liue aud let him know 56 'T is Pharaohs will the best of Egypts land Ye shall possesse and ye shall eat the fat Eu'n Egypts fat This more I doe command You giue them Chariots to conveigh them that 57 Their father children wiues may come at ease They shall bee welcome vnto Egypts King Care not for stuffe nor vtensils for these Pharoah shall giue them and what other thing 58 Egypt is master of my land is yours The best of all my land t is Pharoahs gift Wee well may call that ours which God assures Ti 's hee from ashes vnto Thrones can lift 59 I am so ouerioy'd I cannot write What were the Ioyes the brethren did conceiue But sure I am each heart must needs bee light For Royall Gifts ioyfull impressions leaue 60 They came to Egypt Merchant-like at best But home are caried like great Lords in state Their iourney was for bread now they may feast Both Horse and Seruants many on them vvaite 61 These once vnkind their Brother stript but he Doth giue them change of raimâ—nts of the best To his lov'd Benjamin he was more free And fiue times more did giue him then the rest 62 For Israels journey Ioseph doth provide And by the way what dainties he should eate And ten shee-Asses sent to him beside All heavy loaden with the purest wheat 63 And thus set foorth Ioseph each one salutes And wills them in their travaile to agree Vnfayned concord best with Brethren sutes Small jâ—rres 'mongst you so link'd great discords be 64 Who best instructs doth best example giue This good doe I is better then this Doe Most by the Eye few by the Eare doe liue Faire actions doe compell good words but wooe 65 He that had shew'd himselfe so kind a Brother Beyond their hope beyond all expectation Had by his paterne taught them loue each other They goe and bring Iacob this gratulation 66 Ioseph is yet aliue and which is more 'T is he that rules all Egypt Israel heard And his Heart fail'd he was so moov'd therefore But when he saw the gifts that were conferr'd 67 And did behold the Chariots Ioseph sent His Heart reviu'd whom would not such a sight Recall from Death and then incontinent Like one new moulded full of actiue spright 68 Ioseph saith he doth liue my child is found And like a Man distract with joy doth cry I haue enough may now my joyes abound I will goe downe and see him ere I die 69 T is time these happy travellers opprest With their long voyage make a little stay Israel good night my weary Muse must rest To Egypt will be worke for a new day O grâ—ious God thou searcher of each heart Thou three in Person but in Essence â—e Some Heavenly power to my weake Muse impart To end the sacred taske she works vpon IACOBS PROGRESSE 1 MEe thinkes I see in what religious wise Old Iacob vnto Beersheba went I heare him pray I see him sacrifice And on his knee his heart to God present 2 From Israels God I heare him craue protection In this his long and last peregrination For though to Ioseph Egypt bore affection She had strange Gods was full of fornication 3 Ibis and Apis Crocodiles and Leekes Such beastly stinking Gods shee did adore Against these and the like old Israel seekes And from the true God doth true grace implore 4 And marke the issue of his good intention God Izaacs God doth meet him the mid-way And of his mercies infinite propension That night in vision thus to him did say 5 Iacob goe downe to Egypt doe not feare I am thy God along with thee will goe And I will make thee a great nation there Who could dispaire that was encourag'd doe 6 And I will surely bring thee vp againe Ioseph shall put his hand vpon thine eyes Me thinkes I see new blood in each old Vayne Me thinkes I see him cheerefully arise 7 How like a Gyant to his course he runnes His Heart with joy with heavenly joy enspir'd And how he ranckt and marshalled his sonnes And from his natiue soyle how he retyr'd 8 Canaan adue thy father 〈◊〉 The top the hope the glory of thy Nation Takes his last leaue for ever birds farewell Goshen hencefoorth must be his habitation 9 Mâ— thinkes I see him like an aged tree Diggâ—d vp by th' Rootes and in a new soyle planted That growes no more at least no more to thee Leaues now for fruit beares those but thin skanted 10 Mee thinkes I see him now in triumph ride I heere his Chariot-wheeles his Horses neigh I see his Sonnes and Daughters by his side And how they march in order on the way 11 His Sonnes his Childrens children Sheepe and Oxe Their goods all that carriage worth they thought Horse Cattâ—ll Asse and in one word their stockes They driue from Canaan and to Egypt brought 12 I could but that your memories t would cumber Tell you the names of all their families All his sonnes names threescore and sixe in number Which Scripture saith descended from his thighes 13 Besides his Sonnes wiues thus old Israel takes His progresse into Egypt like a Prince Iudah his sonne his Harbinger he makes Who went before to giue intelligence 14 Of Iacobs comming which when Ioseph knew His father was at hand and did draw neere He mounts his Chariots and with all his crew Rides foorth to meet him moov'd by loue and feare 15 You sonnes of Belial that advanc't to state Forget your Parents nay your Parents scorne See how well duty in a Magistrate Shewes to a Syre though but a Sheepheard borne 16 My Lord Protector from his Chariot lights And craues his fathers blessing on his knee Before great Lords his Peeres in all their sights To teach them Duty and Humility 17 Rise blessed sonne heereafter ever be The worthy favorite through the world styled Thine armes the Storke embleme of piety Thine honourd name on fames record be filed 18 At Gosâ—en was this interview wee find Is that an interview wee may it call When Egypts Ruler on his knee enclind And on his neck his reuerent Sire doth fall 19 There weepes a good while too the teares hee shed Were teares of kindnesse and of inward ioy And when for weeping hee could speake he sed Now let mee dye since I thy sight enioy 20 Doe but imagine hee that was so tender When to his brethren first made himselfe knowne How hee his kindnesse to his Sire doth render And to his fathers house what loue was showen 21 Egypts great-Patron was not now to learne His complements and courtly entertainements But by his deeds his kindred might discerne His welcomes were not shewes nor verball feynments 22 They found a reall hearty bien venu Egypts best soyle elected for their seat No sooner come but had to Pharoahs view Who like a royall King doth them entreat 23 Ioseph himselfe in person made their way And doth to Pharoah reu'reâ—t Israel bring Hee tels his brethren too what they should say And how behaue themselues before the King 24 Fiue of his brethren with the good old man Were to the Court and to the presence brought Long stayd not there but the Egyptian Pharoah appeares Old Iacob kneeles besought 25 The God of Israel the true God to blesse The life of royall Pharoah keepe his Crowne And giue him his desires and good successe And fill his Cup with honour and renowne 26 The King beheld old Iacob with delight His graue aspect his age hee doth admire And being greatly pleased with his sight His studies and his age hee doth enquire 27 Iacob replyes the number of my dayes A hundred thirty yeares doe speake mee old Euill and few compar'd â—hort euery wayes To those good dayes my ancestors haue told 28 Thy seruant and his sonnes in arts and bookes Haue little skill our onely education Haue beene to keepe our flockes our sheepheards hooks Those are thy seruants wayes recreation 29 Thus Ioseph had before hand them aduis'd Happy t' auoyd th' Egyptians emulation For they were schollers haply 't was deuis'd They might together her follow their vocation 30 And so not mingling with the vnknowne nation Not suck their euâ—ls Ioseph knew the trade Of keeping sheepe was an abomination To Egypt Iosephs brethren Pharoah made 31 Rulers of all his Cattle all his Flockes They are in office now who late like spyes Were in disgrace thus fortune playes and mockes Changes throwes downe erects vnto the skies 32 Fortune sayd I mine error I recant It is a Pagans voice an Atheists phrase 'T was Abrahams God that Israel new doth plant The Author and the cause of all good dayes 33 Youth to your trust good father to thy rest Repose thy weary limbes thy progresse done Goshen fat Goshen entred and possest Sleepe in the bosome of thy watchfull sonne 34 The remnant of thy dayes in comfort spend Grow plant new nations doe thou find a graue My muse that brought thee to thy iourneyes end Doth here shake hands and leaue to part doth craue FINIS * Antiperistesis Gen. 37.35 Iudg. 20.21 Gen. 41.16 Hab. 1.16 Dan. 4.30 * A word of honour amongst them * Alluding to the blessed Trinitie * Sir Ib. Palmer died with Iohn D. of Northumban â— â— Mary Ioh. Stâ—â— Iudg. 7.18