all great Brittain her next heir That mighty James who brought such peaceful days And had for wisdom more than humane praise On whom here Glorious Embassies attend Their Masters with submissive Treaties send Returning all with prudent wonder home As once the Wise from Solomon did come While here the wary Spaniards Courtships poure Their Indian Mines on his more happy shore That Saturnes Golden Age his Raign did show And fled Astraea seems to return now Thus to his royal Son descends his Throne Less great in Fortune than in Virtue known In whom all Graces so divinely met As Heaven took paines his virtue to compleat Who meekness joyn'd with Princely Majesty And each adorn'd by matchless Piety That impious Rebels his just Power withstood Confess'd him both as Man and King most Good While o'r his head the shapes of Angels fly Merlinus wing'd by his Arts mystery And next an Azur'd Vaile before him drew Hides his black Scene of Murder from their view Which done a troop of rough-arm'd men appear Their hands in Sacred Blood embrew'd and war Whose visage look'd as if that Hell had sent Rebels from thence for some such curs'd intent Amongst whom their dire Chiefe like Pluto's shown When his Friends pay black Duties to his Throne Whose eyes were seen like sanguine Balls of Fire While blasts of Sulphur his flam'd Nares transpire And next his Lips dissolve that impious breath Betray'd both King and Subjects to vile death While Rolls of Oathes his mouth disgorges here That must Hells blackest Records ever bear Not long Merlinus does present this sight But in a mist does Image stygian Night This horrid vision from their eyes conveys And soon does figure happy Royal dayes That in great Second Charles this Isle restores Too sadly griev'd by Tyrant Subjects Powers Who here returning seem'd like wish'd for Spring Long suffer'd Winter happily did bring On whom such Triumphs and vast Glories waite As late him wellcom'd to his royal state For which the good transcendent joyes express Assur'd in him of all just happiness And here to represent his Naval Power Ships seem to move upon this wondrous Floore On which the vanquish'd Belgian Vessels fly Yeilding the Seas to his Sov'raignity Whence Brittish Ships in happy Calmes now steere That Indian-Mines in their rich bottomes bear With whatsoe'r to boundless Trade accrewes All which this Sage Prophetickly foreshowes And to consummate with more wonder too Each royal vision represented now Behold great Vortiger does figur'd lead A beaut'ous Princess must with him precede These mighty Glories whence in future springs Th' Illustrious Saxon blood and Brittish Kings Who here did seem so wounding faire and bright As even the Queen is Rivall'd by her sight VVhose Rosie Cheeks express a lovely fear Yet grants this object may her own compare Confessing Heaven does not impartial prove If such a Rival should injoy his Love While Albianus with amazement strook On this above all wonders seen does look Thinking what its appearance should foreshow Or what 's the Science future things can know But Vortiger transported more to see His Figure lead this beaut'ous Imag'ry Since in his Breast the Queens all-powerful beames Already kindled had a Lovers Flames Demands a thousand wayes perplex'd in thought VVhat strange effects in Brittain should be wrought Or if his Art in remote causes saw How unknown Love must give his Soul a Law To whom this mighty Bard did thus reply Renowned Prince in Providence do lie Such secrets Natures high Appartments close Our search cannot discern or wills oppose Though from this glorious Handmaid she does give The world a being and all things that live VVhence such mutations we observe in state And Princes with a secret homage waite VVhile every Passion of our Humane soul This sublime Inclination does controule Nor has Loves power so much endeares the sence Other then Charmes of her bright influence But as we thus from Providence are led VVe follow steps unknown this guide does tread Nor can my deepest science apprehend The meanes producing every admir'd end Though she sometimes this obscure Vaile layes by VVhence in her Face we view her Prophesy That in each star with eyes on us does look And thus we oft may read her future Book From which high Text my Art with humble dread Has in these Visions a deep Comment read Nor such did Spels or Charmes e'r like supply That spoke and mov'd by Nerves of Geometry The Queen and Princes wond'ring at his Art That could such secrets Imag'd thus impart VVhich might even Archymedes here have taught VVhose Geometrick Engins wonders wrought In state withdraw from this stupendious Place No Royal Presence e'r like this did grace Giving Merlinus highest Thanks and Praise Who like Heavens Act had foreshown future dayes The End of the Second Book FINIS ERRATA PAge 38. line 10. read I le express p. 47. l. 12. r. do bid p. 68. l 3. for furious r. wondrous p. 67. r to Arms p. 123. l. 16. r. it self p. 128 l. 18. r. add p. 132. l. 1. r. whom death p. 136. l. 7. r. Ambitions storm p. 146. l. 9. r. triple p. 150. l. 8. r. of these p. 153. l. 4. r. Deity p. 159. l. 3. r. that Hope l. 12. for fifty r. numerous p. 180. l. 8. r. that day p. 184. l. 10. r. do wait p. 186. l. 2. r. Henry youngest The Reader is desired besides these Errata's to excuse the false Comma's directing himself where he shall find any by the Sense of the words
supplies By beaming softer Language from her eyes While each as Love does this Expression use Have equal hopes and fears which Prince she 'll chuse Who now could wish some other Princess were Her Rival made in virtue and more fair By Heaven to one of these devoted too That she may seem to neithers love untrue And thus perceiving these Heroick hearts Felt with her own Loves equal wounding darts Fears that his flames though gently fann'd may raise Excess of passions rage and fury blaze Then chides her heart that did admit Loves spies To keep discover'd watches in her eyes While she might inward burn and yet conceal The flames her love too rashly does reveal Who knows alass she must not both enjoy Yet cannot either by neglect destroy But hopeless fears a Lover to remain Of both these Princes and yet neither gain And now delay ev'n wisdoms cold despair Does beg of Heav'n to ease this mighty care Which though Times slow and silent feet it use Meets Lovers hearts oft with decrees they 'd chuse And as she had Loves high concern declin'd With thoughts of Empire seems to fill her mind Hnd how of Monarchs they most happy raign While all their Crowns one friendly Power maintain Next stately Pastimes in her Court prepares Thus to delude their anxious hopes and fears With those most fam'd diversions Brittains boast Were then their Courts magnificence and cost But these great Heroes who from Love did bear Too jealous eyes as deeply pierce her care Grieving with theirs her virtues did conspire To wound her Breast with a divided fire Disdaining thus in one despair to live Since death to both or either cure might give And what becomes their Souls and Greatness too Relief upon the Queens Extremes bestow And now some Nights had sad companions spent Weighing fit means to perfect this intent That to the Queen may accidental seem Or as Fate did this Act in kindness deem Yet hope that Heav'n from death will one reprieve Lest dying both the Queen should cease to live And Love a glorious Triumph loose in her That can't else one unto her heart prefer While they as if no stormy passions brought Their souls to shipwrack on these rocks of thought Like bravest Pilots unconcern'd appear And in their looks the calms of Summer wear Thus as they meet in presence of the Queen In strict Endearments and Embrace are seen And as Love slept in Cradles of her eyes Mention no accent his soft rest surprise While she did both their passions weight endure To Heav'n and Time remits her hearts high cure Though love when hope as sparing diet needs Scarce cools the Fever but his flame more feeds And thus with gracious Eloquence does speak 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Princes since my Court you make A Scene where you wore happy victors Bayes Must flourish should Time feel the age of dayes Who now to give his Calends glory calls For warlike Arthurs high Memorials Who fell the last of Brittains Royal Line And with our Foes did fifty Battels joyn For which Fames Trump does an Attendant wait This said In great magnificence and state To Fortitudes admired Fane repair His dust intomb'd with Princes great in warr And where for wonder their vast Spears were plac'd Bold Picts pursu'd or hardy Romans chac'd With Bowes no other might like theirs e'r drew And Armour that Men now would Dwarfish show While Choristers in stately measures sing The Martial Glory of each mighty King With Arthur's Deeds scarce Stories this day blaze That by Times Guilt lose wonders of his Praise Which done to Honor Fortitudes high Name With these brave Relicks Heroes past did Fame In solemne state Devote unto this Fane Their Mighty Spears had fierce Alvatrix slain And warlike Ennius which in Shrines they place That from the Queens Gift Precious Gems did Grace And next to spacious Fields a Progress lead VVere kept devoted to these Glories dead In which they use of Armes and Pastimes held Brittains so far all Nations else excell'd Where they behold how some for Garlands run Swift as Time made them Footmen to the Sun With nimble Wrestlers that most useful show How strengths rough force to skil should conduct owe. And here the Bowmen shoot with dext'rous aimes Whence Ages past this Isle such Prowess claimes Whose force in Guns black use though now laid by Gave Deaths where their fierce Thunders useless fly Some next the Race on Brittish Coursers take More swift than those Epyrus Glories speak Or such the Barbes neat kind at this Day Fame Or the Arabick generous Horse can claime Of these the Victors Browes with Palmes are spread Pleas'd with the Glory to be Conqu'rors led And lest Fames Trump should not their Praises bear Exulting Neigh shrill Joyes find wings of Ayre And thus for wonder some on backs of Steeds They here enforce unto their utmost speeds Pierce Marks with Arrows or as Chariots glide Their swift Carreers as happy Shafts do guide To whom the Queen does Silver Quivers give And that the use of Bowes more fam'd might live Invites the Princes with her self to try Which Shaft of theirs with happy'st Aime shall fly And thus a Jewel from her Breast she takes For their Bright Marke at which her Arrow makes Such dext'rous wing as it the Ring of Gold Pierces this object to their aimes did hold Which done these mighty Heroes Shafts take Flight Dubious which to the Gemm most near does light But Albianus's did chance to rest Nearest the Queens Loves measure judgeth best Which the Great Vortiger resenteth so As Love with theirs had bent his Partial Bow Scarcely concealing those resolves of Fate Their Hearts in this high Cause decreed so late But Fate that had occasion duely chose Gives to his Flames an outward seem'd repose And as the Queen a grievous Part must bear Makes her spectator of Loves danger here Who with a longing Glory to behold The stately Tournments Brittains held of old Gladly the Princes with their Chiefs does see Renowning thus Great Arthur's Memory While in a Marble Throne her Person 's plac'd That with his Mighty Warlike Figure 's grac'd Beneath whom these in costly Arms sit round Tables like those in Arthur's Court were found When his bold Knights and Heroes Triumphs made For Conquests or such stately Pastimes had Or else in Honor of Fam'd George held Feasts To entertain such valiant Brittains Guests And hence in shining Armes the Princes rise To lead the way to these Solemnities While after they had strict Embracings past The Queen nor any thought were meant their last Albianus does to Vortiger convey This fatal Whisper If both fall this day 'T is but Loves Justice or if one survive May then Loves Mercy him Bonduca give At which great Vortigers stout heart does melt That Wars deep wounds had unconcern'd still felt And now his Eyes permits to shed some Tears Wishing his Death may end this Princes Cares Thus Mounted with their Chiefs and Brittish Knights Select
bright Whose shining seates the antient Royal Race Of Brittish Kings in their past glories grace Which as this presence with due wonder saw A Cloud-like Curtain did before it draw As oft the setting-Suns bright face does wear Made by his Art of some such matter here Then shapes of Heroes represents to view The Queen from her late dreadful vision knew To be of that sterne Nations mighty Race Succeeding time did Saxon Monarchs place Whose Visage look'd as if compos'd they were Of Natures Roughest Elements for War Each in a Martial Cassock clad of blew The Armes of Nobles blaze or Princes shew While Warlike Hengist with a brandish't Spear And furious Horsa foremost do appear Those fatal Brothers first trod Brittish shore To lead through Seas of blood fierce Saxon power Next these passe Scepter'd Kings of this high line With Alfred must in story ever shine For all such virtues Subjects Reverence draw And gave this Isle first English Name and Law Who no less fam'd in War his mighty state The Conquer'd Trophies of fierce Danes does wait Whose bloody onsets this Isle long withstood Before they Raign'd or mix'd with Native blood And here Great Edmund who vast Battels fought With Danish Knute are to sole Combat brought As this day Story enterpriz'd does fame Where Severne Banks are wash'd by his rough stream But pardon Reader if my Muse hence spare To fing these Nations long divided War Or how from Blood and Arms their Kings did raign Which must thy toyles and tears together gain While with this wondrous vision I descend To Royal Edward Saxon Kings does end Nature Divinely Issue did deny Since few succeeding match'd his Piety And briefly from this Artists deeds relate How Norman Kings possest this mighty State Since their first William Rul'd by Conquests claim And left its Throne at once rough Laws and Fame On whom attending here those Heroes stand First serv'd his Arms and planted in this Land Whence so much of our Noble Blood since streams And speaks the honor of their Acts and Names Next to Great William Rufus does appear Who dy'd his Successor without an Heir While Henry younger does usurp the Throne And Robert to both elder sadly shown His eyes put out by that ambitious Fate Made Henry younger seise his Royal state Who clouded thus his hands to heaven does spread T' invoke their crimes should thence be punished Nor did remain a Male Prince of his Line Leaving his Crown in beaut'ous Maud to shine Whose glorious love Plantagenet inthron'd Whom France at such dear cost of Arms renown'd Descending thence their eyes were entertain'd With all of that high Lineage here since raign'd Of which the first unhappy Prince was John If evil Kings from Subjects hate are known And here with troubled looks he seems to view Those first bold Charters Englands Freedom shew Which to this day supremest Law has stood But speaks that Ages Crime since got with blood Near whom the mighty Barons sternly wait Who made his Power by Arms legitimate From which black Vail too late Rebellion springs And Treason seems but now past Acts of Kings His Son succeeding Lion-like next sought To rend that knotty toyl forc'd Law had brought But finds his Subjects made too boldly free E'r to resign their ill-got Liberty Three Edwards then inthrone this Royal Race The first of which both Peace and warre did grace Whose valour Impious Saracons did rue And hardy Scots save his ne'r Conquest knew But soon alass in his luxurious Son Declin'd that glory did his Armes renown Until his Grandson did revive his Fame And in France trophy'd a like Edwards Name And had his mighty First-born next him reign'd What Empire might not Brittish Armes have gain'd Whose like not Greece or Rome Produc'd in warre And had of all been greatest Conquerer But he a Princely Son less happy left In his youths flower of Crown and Life bereft When Lancasters bold Line possest his Throne And rais'd a Royal warre so bloody known Of whom Fifth Henry is most glorious seen Who conquer'd France and its fair Heir made Queen Leaving that Realms possession to his Son Whose zeal to heaven lost there what he had won And here with heavenly looks as Angels shew That humane Figures represent to view Beholds that cruel hand and bloody stroke His Life too good for mortal Rule had took Next whom in dismal Images are shown Such Princes fell in warre each Line to crown VVhile Lancasters the fatal Red Rose bear And Yorks the white not guiltless though right Heir Which Vision pass'd a joyfull glorious sight Presents here objects vary'd with delight Where Marriage Rites each Royal Lineage joyn And Lancasters high Blood with Yorks does shine In that fair Princess fam'd fourth Edward left His young unhappy Males of life bereft Whose tender Glories their fierce Unckle seiz'd And from a false Protector King was rais'd Thus was Great Tenders mighty Reign here seen Espous'd a Soveraign in Yorks Heiress Queen VVhile Ages warre to love does Trophies yield Who crowns in this great Bride His Bosworth Field No less in Peace his Conduct sage appears Whence Kings too oft indulge their Thrones high cares Whose active Prudence swayes each Royal State That crave his wise allowance to be Great Some he more near endears unto his Crown In his fair Princely Daughters-Matches known Who court his Blood to give their Crowns wise Kings And all Great Brittain since one Scepter brings Next here 's display'd his wondrous Treasures sight That speaks his Royal Thrift and Monarchs might Though some this Avarice call not Princely Care Whilst he too much his Subjects griev'd to spare From which high Juncture that eight Henry springs VVho had in one soul many mighty Kings Though his great Copy bears some marks of ill Since Law he made less Powerful than his will And here his several Queens too sadly known His frailer Loves advanc'd unto his Throne In mourning Vails this profound Bard does show VVho from their Fates is call'd Loves Tyrant too To whom succeeds a Son in years though young That reign'd small time as his fierce Rule was long Wise before man and as for men too good Dy'd Flower of Princes in an early Bud. Next whom appears his elder Sisters Raign Whose zeal our Stories more than Rule complain Which pious Crime her Subjects did deplore Since Faith her guilty made of cruel power Shewing that zeal when it too furious grows Promotes not Faith but 'gainst it raises Foes And as her Fathers Consorts deaths did leave A Curse his Lawless bed must thence receive His great begotten issueless were seen Ending his Lyneage in a Virgin-Queen Though more in Soul than Nature could convey Teaching Men Rule and Women to obey And had she not been guilty of that stroke Her fair allyanc'd blood so spotless took Her virgin Robes had been far brighter wore And she the wonder dy'd of Soveraign power While Heaven that scarcely could her loss repair Preserv'd for