Hadassa: or The history of Queene Ester with meditations thereupon, diuine and morall. By Fra. Quarles.
         Quarles, Francis, 1592-1644.
      
       
         
           1621
        
      
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             Hadassa: or The history of Queene Ester with meditations thereupon, diuine and morall. By Fra. Quarles.
             Quarles, Francis, 1592-1644.
          
           [100] p.
           
             Imprinted [by Felix Kingston] for Richard Moore, and are to be sold at his shop in Saint Dunstans Church-yard, in Fleetstreet,
             At London :
             1621.
          
           
             In verse.
             Printer's name from STC.
             Signatures: A-M⁴ N² .
             Reproduction of the original in the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Esther, -- Queen of Persia -- Poetry -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
     
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           Hadassa
           :
           OR
           THE
           HISTORY
           OF
           QVEENE
           ESTER
           :
           With
           Meditations
           thereupon
           ,
           Diuine
           and
           Morall
           .
        
         
           
             Horat.
             Ode
             6.
             
          
           
             Conamur
             tenues
             ,
             grandia
             ;
             nec
             pudor
             ,
          
           
             Imbellisque
             Lyrae
             Musa
             potens
             vetat
             .
          
        
         
           By
           FRA.
           QVARLES
           .
        
         
           
             AT
             LONDON
          
           ,
           Imprinted
           for
           
             Richard
             Moore
          
           ,
           and
           are
           to
           be
           sold
           at
           his
           shop
           in
           Saint
           Dunstans
           Church-yard
           ,
           in
           Fleetstreet
           .
           1621.
           
        
      
       
         
           
           
           
           TO
           THE
           MOST
           HIGH
           AND
           MIGHTY
           PRINCE
           ,
           RENOWNED
           FOR
           LEARNING
           ,
           PIETY
           ,
           AND
           ALL
           GRACIOVS
           GOVERNEMENT
           :
        
         
           IAMES
           ,
           BY
           THE
           GRACE
           OF
           GOD
           ,
           KING
           OF
           GREAT
           BRITTAINE
           ,
           FRANCE
           AND
           IRELAND
           ,
           DEFENDER
           OF
           THE
           FAITH
           .
        
         
           FRANCIS
           QVARLES
           ,
           HIS
           MOST
           HVMBLE
           SERVANT
           ,
           and
           faithfull
           Homager
           ,
           dedicates
           ,
           presents
           ,
           and
           
             consecrates
             these
             his
             labours
             ,
             to
             receiue
             honour
             from
          
           his
           gracious
           countenance
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           
             glorified
             by
             his
             approbation
          
           .
        
      
       
         
         
         
           A
           PREFACE
           TO
           THE
           READER
           .
        
         
           A
           Sober
           vaine
           best
           suits
           Theologie
           :
           If
           therefore
           thou
           expectst
           such
           elegancy
           as
           takes
           the
           times
           ,
           affect
           some
           subiect
           as
           will
           beare
           it
           .
           
           Had
           I
           laboured
           with
           ouer-abundance
           of
           *
           fictions
           ,
           or
           flourishes
           ,
           perhaps
           they
           had
           exposed
           me
           ,
           censurable
           ,
           and
           disprized
           this
           sacred
           subiect
           :
           Therefore
           I
           rest
           more
           sparing
           in
           that
           kind
           .
        
         
           Two
           things
           I
           would
           treat
           of
           :
           First
           ,
           the
           matter
           ,
           secondly
           ,
           the
           manner
           of
           this
           History
           .
        
         
           
           As
           for
           the
           matter
           ,
           (
           so
           farre
           as
           I
           haue
           dealt
           )
           it
           is
           Canonicall
           ,
           and
           indighted
           by
           the
           holy
           Spirit
           of
           God
           ,
           not
           lyable
           to
           errour
           ,
           and
           needs
           no
           blanching
           .
        
         
           In
           it
           Theologie
           sits
           as
           Queene
           ,
           attended
           by
           her
           handmaid
           
           Philosophy
           ;
           both
           concurring
           ,
           to
           make
           the
           vnderstanding
           Reader
           ,
           a
           good
           Diuine
           ,
           and
           a
           wise
           Moralist
           .
        
         
           As
           for
           the
           Diuinity
           ,
           it
           discouers
           the
           Almighty
           in
           his
           two
           great
           Attributes
           ;
           in
           his
           Mercy
           ,
           deliuering
           his
           Church
           ;
           in
           his
           Iustice
           ,
           confounding
           her
           enemies
           .
        
         
           As
           for
           the
           Morality
           ,
           it
           offers
           to
           vs
           the
           wholy
           practicke
           part
           of
           Philosophy
           ,
           dealt
           out
           into
           Ethicks
           ,
           Politicks
           ,
           and
           Oeconomicks
           .
        
         
           
           The
           Ethicall
           part
           (
           the
           obiect
           whereof
           is
           the
           Manners
           of
           a
           priuate
           man
           )
           ranges
           through
           the
           whole
           booke
           ,
           and
           empties
           
           it selfe
           into
           the
           Catalogue
           of
           Morall
           vertues
           ,
           either
           those
           that
           
           gouerne
           the
           body
           ;
           as
           Fortitude
           ,
           Chap.
           9.
           2.
           and
           Temperance
           ,
           Chap.
           1.
           8.
           or
           those
           which
           direct
           the
           soule
           ,
           either
           in
           outward
           things
           ,
           as
           Liberality
           ,
           Chap.
           1.
           3.
           
           Magnificence
           ,
           Chap.
           1.
           6.
           
           Magnanimity
           ,
           Chap.
           2.
           20.
           and
           Modesty
           ,
           Chap.
           6.
           12.
           or
           in
           conuersation
           ,
           as
           Iustice
           ,
           Chap.
           7.
           9.
           
           Mansuetude
           ,
           Chap.
           5.
           2
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           
           The
           Politicall
           part
           (
           the
           obiect
           whereof
           is
           Publike
           Society
           )
           instructs
           ,
           first
           ,
           in
           the
           behauiour
           of
           a
           Prince
           ,
           to
           his
           Subiect
           ;
           in
           punishing
           his
           vice
           ,
           Chap.
           7.
           10.
           in
           rewarding
           of
           vertues
           ,
           Chap.
           8.
           2
           ,
           15.
           
           Secondly
           ,
           in
           the
           behauiour
           of
           the
           Subiect
           to
           his
           Prince
           ;
           in
           obseruing
           his
           Lawes
           ,
           and
           discouering
           his
           enemies
           ,
           Chap.
           2.
           22.
           
           Thirdly
           ,
           the
           behauiour
           of
           a
           Subiect
           ,
           to
           a
           Subiect
           ;
           in
           mutuality
           of
           loue
           ,
           Chap.
           4.
           7.
           in
           propagation
           of
           peace
           ,
           Chap.
           10.
           3.
           
        
         
           
           The
           Oeconomicall
           part
           (
           the
           obiect
           whereof
           is
           Priuate
           Society
           )
           teacheth
           ,
           first
           ,
           the
           carriage
           of
           the
           Wife
           ,
           to
           her
           Husband
           ;
           in
           obeying
           ,
           chap.
           1.
           22.
           of
           the
           Husband
           ,
           to
           his
           Wife
           ,
           in
           ruling
           ,
           chap.
           1.
           22.
           
           Secondly
           ,
           of
           a
           Father
           ,
           to
           his
           Child
           ,
           in
           aduising
           ,
           chap.
           2.
           7
           ,
           10.
           of
           a
           Child
           ,
           to
           his
           Father
           ,
           in
           obseruing
           .
           chap.
           2.
           20.
           
           Thirdly
           ,
           of
           a
           Master
           ,
           to
           his
           Seruant
           ,
           in
           commanding
           .
           chap.
           4.
           5.
           of
           a
           Seruant
           ,
           to
           his
           Master
           ,
           in
           effecting
           his
           command
           ,
           chap.
           4.
           6.
           
        
         
           Furthermore
           ,
           in
           this
           History
           ,
           the
           two
           principall
           faculties
           of
           the
           soule
           are
           (
           nor
           in
           vaine
           )
           imployed
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           the
           Intellect
           ,
           whose
           proper
           obiect
           is
           Truth
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           
           the
           Will
           ,
           whose
           proper
           obiect
           is
           *
           Good
           ,
           whether
           Philosophicall
           ,
           which
           that
           great
           Master
           of
           Philosophy
           cals
           *
           Wisdome
           ;
           or
           Theologicall
           ,
           which
           we
           poynt
           at
           now
           ,
           hoping
           to
           enioy
           hereafter
           .
        
         
           Who
           the
           Pen-man
           of
           this
           sacred
           History
           was
           ,
           or
           why
           the
           
           name
           of
           God
           (
           as
           in
           few
           other
           parts
           of
           the
           Bible
           )
           is
           vnmentioned
           in
           this
           ,
           it
           is
           immateriall
           ,
           and
           doubtfull
           .
           For
           the
           first
           ,
           it
           is
           enough
           for
           an
           vncurious
           questioner
           to
           know
           ,
           it
           was
           indited
           
           by
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           :
           for
           the
           second
           ,
           let
           it
           suffice
           ,
           that
           ,
           that
           Spirit
           will'd
           not
           here
           to
           reueale
           his
           name
           .
        
         
           
           As
           for
           the
           Manner
           of
           this
           History
           (
           consisting
           in
           the
           Periphrase
           ,
           the
           adiournment
           of
           the
           Story
           ,
           and
           interposition
           of
           Meditations
           )
           I
           hope
           it
           hath
           not
           iniured
           the
           Matter
           :
           For
           in
           this
           ,
           I
           was
           not
           the
           least
           carefull
           ,
           to
           vse
           the
           light
           of
           the
           best
           Expositors
           (
           
             Authoritatis
             quorum
             sum
             germanus
          
           )
           not
           daring
           to
           goe
           vn-led
           ,
           for
           feare
           of
           stumbling
           .
           Some
           say
           ,
           Diuinity
           in
           Verse
           ,
           is
           incongruous
           and
           vnpleasing
           :
           such
           I
           referre
           to
           the
           
             Psalmes
             of
             Dauid
          
           ,
           or
           the
           Song
           of
           his
           sonne
           Salomon
           ,
           to
           be
           corrected
           .
           But
           in
           these
           lewd
           times
           ,
           the
           salt
           ,
           and
           soule
           of
           a
           Verse
           ,
           is
           obscene
           scurrility
           ,
           without
           which
           it
           seemes
           dull
           ,
           and
           liuelesse
           :
           And
           though
           the
           sacred
           History
           needs
           not
           (
           as
           humane
           doe
           )
           Poetry
           ,
           to
           perpetuate
           the
           remembrance
           ,
           (
           being
           by
           Gods
           owne
           mouth
           blest
           with
           Eternity
           )
           yet
           Verse
           (
           working
           so
           neere
           vpon
           the
           soule
           ,
           and
           spirit
           )
           will
           oft
           times
           draw
           those
           to
           haue
           a
           History
           in
           familiarity
           ,
           who
           (
           perchance
           )
           before
           ,
           scarce
           knew
           there
           was
           such
           a
           Booke
           .
        
         
           Reader
           ,
           be
           more
           than
           my
           hasty
           pen
           stiles
           thee
           :
           Reade
           me
           with
           aduice
           ,
           and
           thereafter
           iudge
           me
           ,
           and
           in
           that
           iudgement
           censure
           me
           .
           If
           I
           iangle
           ,
           thinke
           my
           intent
           thereby
           ,
           is
           to
           toll
           better
           Ringers
           in
           .
           Farewell
           .
        
      
       
         
         
         
           THE
           INTRODVCTION
           .
        
         
           
             WHen
             Zedechia
             (
             He
             whose
             haplesse
             hand
          
           
             Once
             swaid
             the
             Scepter
             of
             Great
             Iudah's
             Land
             )
          
           
             Went
             vp
             the
             Palace
             of
             proud
             Babylon
             ,
          
           
             (
             The
             Prince
             Seraiah
             him
             attending
             on
             ,
             )
          
           
             A
             dreadfull
             Prophet
             ,
             (
             from
             whose
             blasting
             breath
             
          
           
             Came
             sudden
             death
             ,
             and
             nothing
             else
             but
             death
             )
          
           
             Into
             Seraiah's
             peacefull
             hand
             betooke
          
           
             The
             sad
             Contents
             of
             a
             more
             dismall
             Booke
             :
          
        
         
           
             Breake
             epe
             the
             leaues
             ,
             those
             leaues
             so
             full
             of
             dread
             ,
          
           
             Reade
             (
             sonne
             of
             thunder
             )
             said
             the
             Prophet
             ,
             reade
             ,
          
           
             Say
             thus
             ,
             say
             freely
             thus
             ,
             The
             Lord
             hath
             spoke
             it
             ,
          
           
             'T
             is
             done
             ,
             the
             world
             's
             vnable
             to
             reuoke
             it
             ;
          
           
             Woe
             ,
             woe
             ,
             and
             heauy
             woes
             ten
             thousand
             more
          
           
             Betide
             great
             Babylon
             ,
             that
             painted
             whore
             ;
          
           
             Thy
             buildings
             ,
             and
             thy
             fensiue
             Towers
             shall
          
           
             Flame
             on
             a
             sudden
             ,
             and
             to
             cinders
             fall
             ;
          
           
             None
             shall
             be
             left
             ,
             to
             waile
             thy
             griefe
             with
             Howles
             :
          
           
             
               Thy
               streets
               shall
               peopl'd
               be
               with
               Bats
               ,
               and
            
             *
             Owles
             :
          
           
             None
             shall
             remaine
             ,
             to
             call
             thy
             places
             voyd
             ,
          
           
             None
             to
             possesse
             ,
             nor
             ought
             to
             be
             enioy'd
             ;
          
           
             Nought
             shall
             be
             left
             for
             thee
             to
             terme
             thine
             owne
             ,
          
           
             But
             helplesse
             ruines
             of
             a
             haplesse
             towne
             :
          
        
         
           
             Said
             then
             the
             Prophet
             ,
             When
             performance
             hath
          
           
             Empty'd
             thy
             Cheekes
             of
             this
             thy
             borrow'd
             Breath
             ,
             
          
           
           
             Euen
             so
             the
             Persian
             Host
             it selfe
             bestur'd
             ,
          
           
             So
             fell
             great
             Babel
             by
             the
             Persian
             sword
             ,
          
           
             Which
             warme
             with
             slaughter
             ,
             and
             with
             blood
             imbru'd
             ,
          
           
             Ne'r
             sheath'd
             ,
             till
             wounded
             Babel
             fell
             ,
             subdu'd
             .
          
        
         
           
             But
             see
             !
             These
             braue
             Ioynt-tenants
             that
             suruiu'd
          
           
             To
             see
             a
             little
             world
             of
             men
             vnliu'd
             ,
          
           
             Must
             now
             be
             parted
             :
             Great
             Darius
             dyes
             ,
             
          
           
             And
             Cyrus
             shares
             alone
             ,
             the
             new-got
             prize
             ;
             
          
           
             *
             He
             fights
             for
             Heauen
             ,
             Heauens
             foemen
             he
             subdues
             :
          
           
             *
             He
             builds
             the
             Temple
             ,
             he
             restores
             the
             Iewes
             ,
          
           
             By
             him
             was
             Zedechias
             force
             disioynted
             ,
          
           
             Vnknown
             to
             God
             he
             was
             ,
             yet
             Gods
             Anoynted
             ;
             
          
           
             But
             marke
             the
             malice
             of
             a
             wayward
             Fate
             ;
          
           
             He
             whom
             successe
             crown'd
             alwaies
             fortunate
             ,
          
           
             He
             that
             was
             strong
             t'
             atchieue
             ,
             bold
             to
             attempt
             ,
          
           
             Wise
             to
             foresee
             ,
             and
             wary
             to
             preuent
             ,
          
           
             Valiant
             in
             Warre
             ,
             successefull
             to
             obtaine
             ,
          
           
             Mustnow
             be
             slaine
             ,
             and
             by
             a
             *
             Woman
             slaine
             .
          
        
         
           
             Accursed
             be
             thy
             sacrelegious
             hand
             ,
          
           
             That
             of
             her
             Patrone
             rob'd
             the
             holy
             Land
             ;
          
           
             Curs'd
             be
             thy
             dying
             life
             ,
             thy
             liuing
             death
             ,
          
           
             And
             curs'd
             be
             all
             things
             ,
             that
             proud
             Tomyris
             hath
             .
             
          
        
         
           
             O
             worst
             that
             Death
             can
             doe
             ,
             to
             take
             a
             life
             ,
          
           
             Which
             (
             lost
             )
             leaues
             kingdom's
             to
             a
             Tyrants
             knife
             :
          
           
             For
             now
             ,
             alas
             !
             degenerate
             Cambyses
             (
             vices
             )
             
          
           
             (
             Whose
             hand
             was
             fill'd
             with
             blood
             ,
             whose
             heart
             with
          
           
             Sits
             crowned
             King
             ,
             to
             vexe
             the
             Persian
             state
             ,
          
           
             With
             heauy
             burthens
             ,
             and
             with
             sore
             regrate
             .
          
           
             O
             Cyrus
             ,
             more
             vnhappy
             in
             thy
             Son
             ,
          
           
             Then
             in
             that
             stroke
             wherewith
             thy
             life
             was
             don
             !
          
           
             Cambyses
             now
             sits
             King
             ,
             now
             Tyrant
             (
             rather
             :
             )
          
           
             (
             Vnlucky
             Sonne
             of
             a
             renowmed
             Father
             .
             )
          
           
           
             Blood
             cries
             for
             Blood
             :
             Himselfe
             reuenged
             hath
          
           
             His
             bloody
             Tyranny
             ,
             with
             his
             owne
             death
             ;
             
          
           
             That
             cruell
             *
             sword
             on
             his
             owne
             flesh
             doth
             feed
             ,
          
           
             Which
             made
             so
             many
             loyall
             Persians
             bleed
             ,
          
           
             Whose
             wofull
             choyce
             made
             an
             indiff'rent
             thing
             ,
          
           
             To
             leaue
             their
             liues
             ,
             or
             lose
             their
             Tyran
             '
             King
             :
          
           
             Cambyses
             dead
             ,
             with
             him
             the
             latest
             drop
             ▪
          
           
             Of
             Cyrus
             blood
             was
             spilt
             ,
             his
             death
             did
             stop
          
           
             The
             infant
             source
             of
             his
             braue
             Syers
             worth
             ,
          
           
             Ere
             after-times
             could
             spend
             his
             riuers
             forth
             .
          
        
         
           
             Tyrant
             Cambyses
             being
             dead
             ,
             and
             gone
             ,
          
           
             On
             the
             reuersion
             of
             his
             empty
             Throne
             ,
             
          
           
             Mounts
             vp
             a
             Magus
             ,
             which
             dissembled
             right
             ,
          
           
             Forging
             the
             name
             of
             him
             ,
             whose
             greedy
             night
             
          
           
             Too
             early
             did
             perpetuate
             her
             owne
             ,
          
           
             And
             silent
             Death
             did
             snatch
             away
             vnknowne
             .
          
           
             But
             when
             the
             tidings
             of
             this
             Royall
             cheat
             ,
          
           
             Tymes
             loyall
             Trumpe
             had
             fam'd
             ,
             th'
             vsurped
             seat
          
           
             Grew
             too
             too
             hot
             ,
             and
             longer
             could
             not
             beare
          
           
             So
             proud
             a
             burthen
             on
             so
             proud
             a
             Chayre
             :
          
           
             The
             Nobles
             sought
             their
             freedome
             to
             regaine
             ,
          
           
             Not
             resting
             ,
             till
             the
             Magi
             all-vvere
             slaine
             ;
             
          
           
             And
             so
             renovvned
             vvas
             that
             happy
             slaughter
             ,
          
           
             That
             it
             solemniz'd
             was
             for
             euer
             after
             ;
          
           
             So
             that
             what
             pen
             shall
             write
             the
             Persian
             story
             ,
          
           
             Shall
             treat
             that
             Triumph
             ,
             and
             write
             that
             dayes
             glory
             ;
          
           
             For
             to
             this
             time
             the
             Persians
             (
             as
             they
             say
             )
             
          
           
             Obserue
             a
             Feast
             ,
             and
             keepe
             it
             holy-day
             ;
          
           
             Now
             Persia
             lacks
             a
             King
             ,
             and
             now
             the
             State
          
           
             Labours
             as
             much
             in
             want
             ,
             as
             it
             of
             late
          
           
             Did
             in
             abundance
             ;
             Too
             great
             calms
             doe
             harme
          
           
             Sometimes
             as
             much
             the
             Sea-man
             ,
             as
             a
             storme
             ;
          
           
           
             One
             while
             they
             thinke
             t'
             erect
             a
             Monarchy
             ;
          
           
             But
             that
             (
             corrupted
             )
             breeds
             a
             Tyranny
             ,
          
           
             And
             dead
             Cambyses
             fresh
             before
             their
             eyes
             ,
          
           
             Afrights
             them
             with
             their
             new-scap'd
             miseries
             ;
          
           
             Some
             to
             the
             Nobles
             would
             commit
             the
             State
             ,
             
          
           
             In
             change
             of
             Rule
             ,
             expecting
             change
             of
             fate
             ;
          
           
             Others
             cri'd
             no
             ,
             more
             Kings
             then
             one
             incumber
             ;
             
          
           
             Better
             admit
             one
             Tyrant
             ,
             than
             a
             number
             :
          
           
             The
             rule
             of
             many
             doth
             disquiet
             bring
             ;
          
           
             One
             Monarch
             is
             enough
             ,
             one
             Lord
             ,
             one
             King
             :
          
           
             One
             saies
             ,
             Let
             's
             rule
             our selues
             ,
             let
             's
             all
             be
             kings
             ;
          
           
             No
             ,
             saies
             another
             ,
             that
             confusion
             brings
             ;
          
           
             Thus
             moderne
             danger
             bred
             a
             carefull
             trouble
             ,
          
           
             Double
             their
             care
             is
             ,
             as
             their
             feare
             is
             double
             ;
          
           
             And
             doubtfull
             to
             resolue
             of
             what
             conclusion
             ,
          
           
             To
             barre
             confusion
             ,
             thus
             they
             bred
             confusion
             ;
          
           
             At
             last
             (
             and
             well
             aduis'd
             )
             they
             put
             their
             choyce
             
          
           
             Vpon
             the
             verdit
             of
             a
             Iuries
             voyce
             ;
          
           
             Seuen
             is
             a
             perfect
             number
             ;
             then
             by
             seuen
             ,
          
           
             Be
             Persia's
             royall
             Crowne
             ,
             and
             Scepter
             giuen
             ;
          
           
             Now
             Persia
             ,
             doe
             thy
             plagues
             ,
             or
             ioyes
             commence
             ;
          
           
             God
             giue
             thy
             Iury
             sacred
             euidence
             :
          
        
         
           
             Fearefull
             to
             chuse
             ,
             and
             faithlesse
             in
             their
             choyce
             ,
          
           
             (
             Since
             weale
             ,
             or
             woe
             depended
             on
             their
             voyce
             ,
             )
          
           
             A
             few
             from
             many
             they
             extracted
             forth
             ,
          
           
             Whose
             euen
             poys'd
             valour
             ,
             and
             like
             equall
             worth
          
           
             Had
             set
             a
             
               Non
               plus
            
             on
             their
             doubtfull
             tongues
             ,
          
           
             Vnweeting
             where
             the
             most
             reward
             belongs
             ,
          
           
             They
             this
             agreed
             ,
             and
             thus
             (
             aduis'd
             )
             bespake
             ;
          
        
         
           
             Since
             bleare-eyd
             mortals
             ,
             of
             themselues
             ,
             can
             make
             
          
           
             No
             difference
             'twixt
             good
             ,
             and
             euill
             ,
             nor
             know
          
           
             A
             good
             from
             what
             is
             only
             good
             ,
             in
             show
             ,
          
           
           
             But
             ,
             with
             vnconstant
             frailty
             ,
             doth
             vary
          
           
             From
             what
             is
             good
             ,
             to
             what
             is
             cleane
             contrary
             ;
          
           
             And
             since
             it
             lies
             not
             in
             the
             braine
             of
             man
             ,
          
           
             To
             make
             his
             drooping
             state
             more
             happy
             ,
             than
          
           
             His
             vnprospitious
             stars
             allot
             ,
             much
             lesse
          
           
             To
             lend
             another
             ,
             or
             a
             state
             successe
             ,
          
           
             In
             vaine
             you
             therefore
             shall
             expect
             this
             thing
             ,
          
           
             That
             we
             should
             giue
             you
             fortune
             ,
             with
             a
             King
             :
          
           
             Since
             you
             haue
             made
             vs
             meanes
             to
             propagate
          
           
             The
             ioyfull
             welfare
             of
             our
             headlesse
             State
             ,
          
           
             (
             Bound
             by
             the
             tender
             seruice
             that
             we
             beare
          
           
             Our
             natiue
             soyle
             ,
             far
             then
             our
             liues
             more
             deare
             )
          
           
             We
             sifted
             haue
             ,
             and
             boulted
             from
             the
             Rest
             ,
          
           
             Whose
             worst
             admits
             no
             badnes
             ,
             and
             whose
             best
          
           
             Cannot
             be
             bettered
             :
          
           
             When
             Chaunticleere
             ,
             (
             the
             Belman
             of
             the
             morne
             )
          
           
             Shall
             summon
             twilight
             ,
             with
             his
             bugle
             horne
             ,
          
           
             Let
             these
             braue
             Hero's
             ,
             drest
             in
             warlike
             wise
             ,
          
           
             And
             richly
             mounted
             on
             their
             Palferies
             ,
          
           
             Attend
             our
             rising
             Sun-gods
             ruddy
             face
             ,
          
           
             Within
             the
             limits
             of
             our
             Royall
             place
             .
          
           
             And
             he
             whose
             lusty
             *
             Stallion
             first
             shall
             neigh
             ,
          
           
             To
             him
             be
             giuen
             the
             doubtfull
             Monarchy
             ;
          
           
             The
             choyce
             of
             Kings
             lies
             not
             in
             mortals
             brest
             ,
          
           
             This
             we
             ;
             the
             Gods
             ,
             and
             fortune
             doe
             the
             rest
             .
          
        
         
           
             So
             said
             ,
             the
             people
             ,
             tickl'd
             with
             the
             motion
             ,
          
           
             Some
             tost
             their
             caps
             ,
             some
             fell
             to
             their
             deuotion
             ,
          
           
             Some
             clapt
             their
             ioyfull
             hands
             ,
             some
             shout
             ,
             some
             sing
             ,
          
           
             And
             all
             at
             once
             cri'd
             out
             ,
             A
             King
             ,
             A
             King.
             
          
        
         
           
             When
             Phoebus
             Harbinger
             had
             chac'd
             the
             night
             ,
          
           
             And
             tedious
             Phospher
             brought
             the
             breaking
             light
             ,
          
           
             Complete
             in
             armes
             ,
             and
             glorious
             in
             their
             trayne
             ,
          
           
           
             Came
             these
             braue
             Heroes
             ,
             prauncing
             o're
             the
             playne
             ,
          
           
             With
             mighty
             streamers
             came
             these
             blazing
             starres
             ,
          
           
             Portending
             Warres
             ,
             (
             and
             nothing
             else
             but
             Warres
             ;
             )
          
           
             Into
             the
             royall
             Palace
             now
             they
             come
             :
          
           
             There
             sounds
             the
             martiall
             Trump
             ,
             here
             beats
             the
             Drum
             ,
          
           
             There
             stands
             a
             Steede
             ,
             and
             champes
             his
             frothy
             steele
             ,
          
           
             This
             stroaks
             the
             ground
             ,
             that
             skorn's
             it
             with
             his
             heele
             ,
          
           
             One
             snorts
             ,
             another
             pufs
             out
             angry
             wind
             ,
          
           
             This
             mounts
             before
             ,
             and
             that
             curuets
             behind
             ;
          
        
         
           
             By
             this
             ,
             the
             fomy
             Steeds
             of
             Phaëton
          
           
             Puffe
             too
             ,
             and
             spurne
             the
             Easterne
             Horizon
             :
          
           
             Whereat
             the
             Nobles
             ,
             prostrate
             to
             the
             ground
             ,
          
           
             Ador'd
             their
             *
             God
             ,
             (
             Their
             God
             was
             early
             found
             .
             )
          
        
         
           
             *
             Forthwith
             ,
             from
             out
             the
             thickest
             of
             the
             crowd
             ,
          
           
             In
             depth
             of
             silence
             ,
             there
             was
             heard
             the
             loud
             ,
          
           
             And
             lustfull
             language
             of
             *
             Darius
             Horse
             ,
          
           
             Who
             in
             the
             dialect
             of
             his
             discourse
             ,
          
           
             Proclaim'd
             his
             rider
             ,
             King
             ;
             whereat
             the
             rest
          
           
             (
             Patient
             to
             beare
             what
             cannot
             be
             redrest
             )
          
           
             Dismount
             their
             lofty
             Steeds
             ,
             and
             prostrate
             bring
          
           
             Their
             humbled
             bodies
             to
             their
             happy
             King
             ;
          
           
             
               God
               saue
               the
               King
            
             ,
             they
             ioyntly
             say
             ,
             God
             blesse
          
           
             Thy
             prosprous
             actions
             with
             a
             due
             successe
             ;
          
           
             The
             people
             clap
             their
             sweatty
             palmes
             ,
             and
             shout
             ,
          
           
             The
             bonfires
             smoke
             ,
             the
             bels
             ring
             round
             about
             ,
          
           
             The
             minstrels
             play
             ,
             the
             Parrats
             learne
             to
             sing
             ,
          
           
             (
             Perchaunce
             as
             well
             as
             they
             ,
             )
             
               God
               saue
               the
               King.
            
          
           
             Assuerus
             now
             's
             inuested
             in
             the
             throne
             ,
             
          
           
             And
             Persia's
             rul'd
             by
             him
             ,
             and
             him
             alone
             ;
          
           
             Prooue
             ,
             happy
             Persia's
             Great
             Assuerus
             ,
             prooue
          
           
             As
             equall
             happy
             in
             thy
             peoples
             loue
             .
          
        
         
           
             Enough
             ;
             And
             let
             this
             broken
             breuiate
          
           
           
             Suffice
             to
             shadow
             forth
             the
             downefall
             state
          
           
             Of
             mighty
             Babel
             ,
             and
             the
             conquest
             made
          
           
             By
             the
             fierce
             Medes
             ,
             and
             Persians
             conqu'ring
             blade
             ;
          
           
             Whose
             iust
             succession
             we
             haue
             traced
             downe
             ,
          
           
             Till
             great
             Assuerus
             weare
             the
             Persian
             Crowne
             ;
          
           
             Him
             haue
             we
             sought
             ,
             and
             hauing
             found
             him
             ,
             rest
             :
          
           
             To
             morrow
             goe
             we
             to
             his
             royall
             Feast
             .
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           THE
           ARGVMENT
           OF
           THE
           HISTORY
           .
        
         
           KIng
           Assuerus
           makes
           two
           feasts
           :
           to
           that
           ,
           he
           inuites
           his
           Courtly
           ghests
           ,
           to
           this
           ,
           the
           Citizens
           of
           Susa
           ,
           wherevnto
           he
           sends
           for
           Queene
           Vashti
           ,
           who
           denyes
           to
           come
           ;
           whereupon
           the
           King
           is
           angry
           ,
           and
           referres
           the
           censure
           of
           her
           offence
           to
           his
           Councell
           ,
           who
           giue
           sentence
           that
           shee
           should
           be
           degraded
           from
           her
           Princely
           estate
           :
           Forthwith
           the
           King
           commands
           the
           fairest
           Virgins
           in
           the
           Land
           to
           bee
           brought
           before
           him
           ,
           for
           him
           to
           take
           his
           choyce
           ,
           among
           whom
           Ester
           (
           the
           Orphane
           of
           a
           Iew
           )
           is
           chosen
           ,
           married
           ,
           and
           Crowned
           Queene
           .
           Mordecai
           ,
           Queene
           Esters
           Vnkle
           ,
           discouers
           a
           treason
           ,
           which
           was
           entred
           into
           the
           Records
           :
           Haman
           ,
           the
           son
           of
           Amedatha
           ,
           is
           promoted
           into
           the
           Kings
           fauour
           :
           the
           King
           commands
           his
           Subiects
           to
           bow
           to
           him
           ,
           which
           Mordecai
           alone
           refused
           to
           doe
           :
           whereupon
           Haman
           is
           full
           of
           wrath
           ,
           and
           (
           directed
           by
           a
           lot
           )
           begs
           of
           the
           King
           to
           destroy
           all
           the
           Iewes
           in
           his
           Prouinces
           vpon
           the
           thirteenth
           day
           of
           the
           twelfth
           moneth
           ;
           which
           the
           King
           granting
           ,
           Haman
           sends
           Letters
           in
           the
           Kings
           name
           to
           make
           the
           Massacre
           vpon
           that
           day
           :
           The
           Queene
           vnderstanding
           the
           plot
           ,
           ventures
           in
           to
           the
           King
           ,
           (
           vncalled
           :
           )
           The
           King
           demanding
           the
           cause
           of
           her
           comming
           ;
           she
           inuites
           him
           ,
           and
           Haman
           to
           a
           feast
           :
           They
           come
           :
           the
           King
           is
           pleased
           to
           demand
           her
           further
           suit
           ;
           whereupon
           she
           inuites
           them
           both
           to
           a
           second
           Feast
           .
           In
           the
           meane
           while
           Haman
           ,
           aduised
           by
           his
           wife
           ,
           builds
           vp
           a
           Gallowes
           for
           Mordecai
           ,
           (
           intending
           
           at
           the
           Banquet
           to
           beg
           his
           life
           .
           )
           That
           night
           ,
           the
           King
           (
           indisposed
           to
           sleepe
           )
           reades
           the
           Chronicles
           ,
           where
           hee
           findes
           ,
           that
           Mordecai
           discouered
           a
           Treason
           ;
           which
           seruice
           the
           King
           intending
           to
           reward
           ,
           askes
           Haman
           (
           who
           then
           came
           to
           beg
           Mordecai's
           life
           )
           what
           Worship
           best
           befits
           him
           that
           the
           King
           meanes
           to
           honour
           ?
           Haman
           (
           supposing
           himselfe
           the
           man
           )
           spake
           largely
           :
           whereupon
           the
           King
           commands
           him
           to
           doe
           that
           very
           honour
           to
           Mordecai
           :
           So
           Haman
           goes
           home
           discomforted
           ,
           and
           is
           straight
           sent
           for
           to
           attend
           the
           King
           to
           the
           Queenes
           Feast
           ;
           where
           (
           in
           his
           presence
           )
           the
           King
           vrges
           the
           Queene
           to
           mooue
           her
           suit
           ;
           whereupon
           shee
           humbly
           begs
           hers
           ,
           and
           her
           peoples
           life
           ,
           which
           Haman
           sought
           to
           betray
           :
           wherat
           the
           King
           is
           inraged
           ,
           &
           cōmands
           Haman
           to
           be
           hanged
           on
           the
           Gallowes
           which
           he
           built
           for
           Mordecai
           ,
           and
           giues
           his
           Estate
           to
           the
           Queene
           ,
           and
           his
           Honour
           to
           Mordecai
           :
           The
           Queene
           earnestly
           requests
           the
           King
           ,
           that
           he
           would
           reuerse
           the
           letters
           which
           Haman
           had
           deuised
           for
           the
           Iewes
           destruction
           :
           the
           King
           referres
           it
           to
           the
           Queene
           ,
           and
           Mordecai
           ,
           who
           sent
           Letters
           in
           the
           Kings
           name
           ,
           that
           the
           Iewes
           should
           defend
           themselues
           on
           the
           day
           that
           Haman
           had
           appoynted
           for
           their
           slaughter
           ;
           vpon
           which
           day
           the
           Iewes
           slay
           in
           Susa
           fiue
           hundred
           men
           ,
           and
           the
           ten
           sonnes
           of
           Haman
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           other
           Prouinces
           70000.
           
           Whereupon
           the
           Queene
           desires
           the
           King
           ,
           that
           the
           next
           day
           the
           Iewes
           might
           likewise
           defend
           themselues
           from
           their
           enemies
           :
           and
           that
           the
           dead
           sons
           of
           Haman
           may
           be
           hanged
           vp
           ;
           all
           which
           the
           King
           grants
           :
           so
           as
           the
           Iewes
           slew
           the
           next
           day
           in
           
             Susa
             ,
             300.
          
           men
           ,
           and
           Hamans
           ten
           sons
           were
           hanged
           vp
           ;
           whereupon
           the
           Feasts
           of
           Purim
           are
           instituted
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           Kings
           name
           confirmed
           for
           euer
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           
             Partly
             to
             blow
             the
             coles
             of
             old
             affection
             ,
          
           
             Which
             now
             are
             dying
             through
             a
             forc'd
             subiection
             ;
          
           
             Partly
             to
             make
             his
             Princely
             might
             appeare
             ,
          
           
             To
             make
             them
             feare
             for
             loue
             ,
             or
             loue
             for
             feare
             ,
          
           
             He
             made
             a
             Feast
             :
             He
             made
             a
             Royall
             Feast
             ,
             
          
           
             Fit
             for
             himselfe
             ,
             had
             he
             himselfe
             bin
             Ghest
             ;
          
           
             To
             which
             he
             calls
             the
             Princes
             of
             his
             Land
             ,
          
           
             Who
             (
             paying
             tribute
             )
             by
             his
             power
             stand
             ;
          
           
             To
             which
             he
             calls
             his
             seruants
             of
             Estate
             ,
          
           
             His
             Captaines
             ,
             and
             his
             Rulers
             of
             the
             State
             ,
          
           
             That
             he
             may
             shew
             the
             glory
             of
             his
             store
             ,
          
           
             The
             like
             vnseene
             by
             any
             Prince
             before
             ;
          
           
             That
             he
             may
             boast
             his
             Kingdomes
             beauty
             forth
             ,
          
           
             His
             seruant
             Princes
             ,
             and
             their
             Princely
             worth
             ;
          
           
             That
             he
             may
             shew
             the
             Type
             of
             Sou'raignty
             ,
          
           
             Fulfil'd
             in
             th'
             honour
             of
             his
             Maiesty
             :
          
           
             He
             made
             a
             Feast
             ,
             whose
             time
             did
             full
             extend
          
           
             One
             hundred
             fourescore
             dayes
             before
             an
             end
             :
          
        
         
           
             And
             when
             this
             royall-tedious
             Feast
             was
             ended
             ,
          
           
             (
             For
             good
             more
             common
             't
             is
             ,
             't
             is
             more
             commended
             )
          
           
             For
             meaner
             sort
             he
             made
             a
             second
             Feast
             ;
             
          
           
             His
             Ghests
             were
             from
             the
             greatest
             to
             the
             least
          
           
             In
             Susa's
             place
             ;
             Seuen
             dayes
             they
             did
             resort
          
           
             To
             Feast
             i'
             th
             Palace
             Garden
             of
             the
             Court
             ;
          
           
             Where
             in
             the
             midst
             ,
             the
             house
             of
             Bacchus
             stands
             ,
             
          
           
             To
             entertaine
             when
             Bounty
             claps
             her
             hands
             ;
          
           
             The
             Tap'stry
             hangings
             were
             of
             diuers
             hiew
             ,
          
           
             Pure
             White
             ,
             and
             youthfull
             Greene
             ,
             and
             ioyfull
             Blue
             ,
          
           
             The
             maine
             supporting
             Pillers
             of
             the
             Place
          
           
             Were
             perfect
             Marble
             of
             the
             purest
             race
             ;
          
           
             The
             Beds
             were
             rich
             ,
             right
             Princely
             to
             behold
             ,
             
          
           
             Of
             beaten
             Siluer
             ,
             and
             of
             burnish't
             Gold.
          
           
           
             The
             Pauement
             was
             discolour'd
             Porphyry
             ,
          
           
             And
             during
             Marble
             ,
             colour'd
             diuersly
             ;
          
           
             In
             lauish
             Cups
             of
             oft-refined
             gold
             ,
          
           
             Came
             wine
             vnwisht
             ,
             drinke
             what
             the
             people
             would
             ;
          
           
             The
             Golden
             vessels
             did
             in
             number
             passe
             ,
          
           
             Great
             choyce
             of
             Cups
             ,
             great
             choyce
             of
             Wine
             there
             was
             .
          
           
             And
             since
             Abuse
             attends
             vpon
             Excesse
             ,
             
          
           
             Leading
             sweet
             Mirth
             to
             lothsome
             Drunkennesse
             ,
          
           
             A
             temp'rate
             Law
             was
             made
             ,
             that
             no
             man
             might
          
           
             Inforce
             an
             vndisposed
             Appetite
             :
          
           
             So
             that
             a
             sober
             mind
             may
             vse
             his
             pleasure
             ,
          
           
             And
             measure
             drinking
             ,
             though
             not
             drinke
             by
             measure
             .
             
          
        
         
           
             Meditatio
             prima
             .
          
           
             
               NO
               man
               is
               borne
               vnto
               himselfe
               alone
               ;
            
             
               Who
               liues
               vnto
               himselfe
               ,
               he
               liues
               to
               none
               :
            
             
               The
               World
               's
               a
               body
               ,
               each
               man
               a
               member
               is
               ,
            
             
               To
               adde
               some
               measure
               to
               the
               publike
               blisse
               ;
            
             
               Where
               much
               is
               giuen
               ,
               there
               much
               shal
               be
               requir'd
               ,
            
             
               Where
               little
               ,
               lesse
               ,
               for
               Riches
               are
               but
               hyr'd
               ;
               
            
             
               Wisdome
               is
               sold
               for
               sweat
               ,
               Pleasures
               for
               paine
               ;
            
             
               Who
               liues
               vnto
               himselfe
               ,
               he
               liues
               in
               vaine
               ;
            
             
               To
               be
               a
               Monarch
               is
               a
               glorious
               thing
               ;
            
             
               Who
               liues
               not
               full
               of
               Care
               ,
               he
               liues
               no
               King
               ;
            
             
               The
               boundlesse
               tryumph
               of
               a
               King
               is
               such
               ,
            
             
               To
               sweeten
               Care
               ,
               because
               his
               Care
               is
               much
               :
            
             
               The
               Sun
               (
               whose
               radient
               beames
               reflect
               so
               bright
               )
            
             
               Comforts
               ,
               and
               warmes
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               it
               giues
               light
               ,
            
             
             
               By
               whose
               example
               Phoebe
               (
               though
               more
               dim
               )
            
             
               Does
               counterfeit
               his
               beams
               ,
               and
               shines
               from
               him
               :
            
             
               So
               mighty
               Kings
               are
               not
               ordain'd
               alone
            
             
               To
               pearch
               in
               glory
               on
               the
               princely
               Throne
               ,
            
             
               But
               to
               direct
               in
               Peace
               ,
               command
               in
               Warre
            
             
               Those
               Subiects
               ,
               for
               whose
               sakes
               they
               onely
               are
               ;
            
             
               So
               loyall
               Subiects
               must
               adapt
               them
               to
            
             
               Such
               vertuous
               actions
               as
               their
               Princes
               doe
               :
            
             
               So
               shall
               his
               people
               ,
               euen
               as
               well
               as
               He
               ,
            
             
               Princes
               (
               though
               in
               a
               lesser
               volume
               )
               be
               .
            
             
               ¶
               When
               as
               I
               fixe
               my
               sharpe-contracted
               eye
            
             
               Vpon
               Assuerus
               Feast
               ,
               me
               thinkes
               ,
               I
               spye
            
             
               The
               Temple
               daunce
               ,
               in
               my
               attentiue
               eare
            
             
               (
               Rauisht
               with
               th'Heauenly
               musike
               that
               I
               heare
               )
            
             
               I
               well
               conceiue
               this
               sence-bereauing
               song
               ,
            
             
               Like
               dainty
               warbling
               of
               an
               Angels
               tong
               ,
            
             
               Vashti
               
                 shall
                 fall
                 ,
                 and
              
               Ester
               rise
               ,
            
             
               
                 Sion
                 shall
                 thriue
                 ,
                 when
              
               Haman
               dyes
               .
            
             
               Blest
               are
               the
               meetings
               ,
               and
               the
               Banquets
               blest
               ▪
            
             
               Where
               Angels
               caroll
               musike
               to
               the
               Feast
               ;
            
             
               ¶
               How
               doe
               our
               wretched
               times
               degenerate
            
             
               From
               former
               Ages
               !
               How
               intemperate
            
             
               Hath
               lauish
               custome
               made
               our
               bed-rid
               Age
               ,
            
             
               Acting
               obsceane
               Sceanes
               on
               her
               drunken
               Stage
               !
            
             
               Our
               times
               are
               guided
               by
               a
               lewder
               lot
               ,
            
             
               As
               if
               that
               world
               another
               world
               begot
               :
            
             
               Their
               friendly
               Feasts
               were
               fill'd
               with
               sweet
               sobriety
               ;
            
             
               Ours
               ,
               with
               obsceane
               delights
               ,
               and
               foule
               ebriety
               .
            
             
               Theirs
               ,
               the
               vnualued
               prize
               of
               Loue
               intended
               ;
            
             
               Ours
               seeke
               the
               cause
               ,
               whereby
               our
               Loue
               is
               ended
               .
            
             
               How
               in
               so
               blind
               an
               age
               could
               those
               men
               see
               !
            
             
               And
               in
               a
               seeing
               Age
               ,
               how
               blinde
               are
               wee
               !
            
             
             
               ¶
               Let
               poore
               men
               then
               diuide
               their
               wants
               to
               me
               ,
            
             
               If
               not
               to
               them
               my
               wealth
               diuided
               be
               .
            
          
           
             
               
                 THE
                 ARGVMENT
                 .
              
               
                 
                   The
                   King
                   sends
                   for
                   the
                   Queene
                   ,
                   the
                   Queene
                
                 
                   Denies
                   to
                   come
                   ;
                   His
                   hasty
                   spleene
                
                 
                   Inflames
                   ,
                   vnto
                   the
                   Persian
                   Lawes
                
                 
                   He
                   leaues
                   the
                   censure
                   of
                   his
                   cause
                   .
                
              
            
             
               Sect.
               2.
               
            
             
               
                 TO
                 adde
                 more
                 honour
                 to
                 this
                 Royall
                 Feast
                 ,
                 
              
               
                 That
                 Glory
                 may
                 with
                 Glory
                 be
                 increast
                 ,
              
               
                 Vashti
                 the
                 Queene
                 ,
                 (
                 the
                 fairest
                 Queen
                 on
                 earth
                 )
              
               
                 Shee
                 made
                 a
                 Feast
                 ,
                 and
                 put
                 on
                 iolly
                 mirth
                 ,
              
               
                 To
                 bid
                 sweet
                 welcome
                 with
                 her
                 Princely
                 cheere
              
               
                 To
                 all
                 her
                 Ghests
                 ;
                 Her
                 Ghests
                 all
                 ,
                 women
                 were
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 By
                 this
                 the
                 Royall
                 bounty
                 of
                 the
                 King
              
               
                 Hath
                 well-nigh
                 spent
                 the
                 seuen
                 dayes
                 banqueting
                 .
              
               
                 Six
                 Iouiall
                 dayes
                 haue
                 run
                 their
                 howers
                 out
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 now
                 the
                 seuenth
                 doth
                 wheele
                 the
                 weeke
                 about
                 ,
              
               
                 Vpon
                 which
                 day
                 ,
                 (
                 the
                 Queenes
                 vnlucky
                 Day
                 )
              
               
                 The
                 King
                 ,
                 with
                 iollity
                 intic'd
                 away
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 gently
                 hauing
                 slipt
                 the
                 stricter
                 reynes
              
               
                 Of
                 Temperance
                 ,
                 (
                 that
                 ouer-mirth
                 restraines
                 )
                 
              
               
                 Rose
                 vp
                 ,
                 commanded
                 that
                 without
                 delay
                 ,
              
               
                 (
                 How-e're
                 the
                 Persian
                 custome
                 doe
                 gain-say
                 
              
            
          
        
         
           
             
             
               How
               hast
               thou
               thus
               defil'd
               thy
               Yu'ry
               feet
               !
            
             
               Thy
               sweetnesse
               that
               was
               once
               how
               farre
               from
               sweet
               !
            
             
               Where
               are
               thy
               maiden
               smiles
               ?
               thy
               blushing
               cheeke
               ?
            
             
               Thy
               Lamb-like
               countenance
               ,
               so
               faire
               ,
               so
               meeke
               ?
            
             
               Where
               is
               that
               spotlesse
               flower
               that
               while-ere
            
             
               Within
               thy
               lilly-bosome
               thou
               did'st
               weare
               ?
            
             
               Ha's
               wanton
               Cupid
               snatcht
               it
               ?
               Hath
               his
               Dart
            
             
               Sent
               courtly
               tokens
               to
               thy
               simple
               heart
               ?
            
             
               Where
               dost
               thou
               bide
               ?
               The
               Countrey
               halfe
               disclaimes
               thee
               ;
            
             
               The
               City
               wonders
               when
               a
               body
               names
               thee
               :
            
             
               Or
               haue
               the
               sounding
               Woods
               ingrost
               thee
               there
               ,
            
             
               And
               thus
               fore-stal'd
               our
               empty
               Markets
               here
               ?
            
             
               Sure
               th'
               art
               not
               ,
               or
               hid
               where
               no
               man
               shewes
               thee
               ,
            
             
               Or
               chang'd
               so
               much
               ,
               scarce
               man
               or
               woman
               knowes
               thee
               .
            
             
               ¶
               Our
               Grandame
               Eue
               ,
               before
               it
               was
               forbid
               ,
            
             
               Desired
               not
               that
               Fruit
               ,
               she
               after
               did
               :
            
             
               Had
               not
               the
               Custome
               of
               those
               times
               ordain'd
            
             
               That
               women
               from
               mens
               Feasts
               should
               be
               restrain'd
               ,
            
             
               Perhaps
               
                 (
                 Assuerus
                 )
                 Vasti
              
               might
               haue
               stayd
            
             
               Vnsent
               for
               ,
               and
               thy selfe
               been
               vndenayd
               :
            
             
               Such
               are
               the
               fruits
               of
               myrths
               ,
               and
               Wines
               abuse
               ,
            
             
               Customes
               must
               crack
               ,
               and
               Loue
               must
               break
               his
               Truce
               ,
            
             
               Anger
               ,
               contentious
               Wrath
               ,
               and
               wrathfull
               Hate
            
             
               Attend
               the
               Feast
               ,
               where
               Wine
               's
               immoderate
               .
            
             
               ¶
               More
               difficult
               it
               is
               ,
               and
               greater
               skill
            
             
               To
               beare
               a
               mischiefe
               ,
               than
               preuent
               an
               ill
               :
            
             
               Passion
               is
               naturall
               ,
               but
               to
               bridle
               Passion
               ,
            
             
               Is
               more
               Diuine
               ,
               and
               vertues
               operation
               :
            
             
               To
               doe
               amisse
               ,
               is
               Natures
               Act
               ;
               to
               erre
               ,
            
             
               Is
               but
               a
               wretched
               mortalls
               Character
               :
            
             
               But
               to
               preuent
               the
               danger
               of
               the
               Ill
               ,
            
             
               Is
               more
               than
               Man
               ,
               surpassing
               humane
               skill
               ▪
            
             
             
               Who
               playes
               a
               happy
               game
               with
               crafty
               sleyte
               ,
            
             
               Confirmes
               himselfe
               but
               Fortunes
               Fauourite
               ;
            
             
               But
               he
               that
               husbands
               well
               an
               ill-dealt
               Game
               ,
            
             
               Deserues
               the
               credit
               of
               a
               Gamesters
               name
               :
            
             
               ¶
               Lord
               ,
               if
               my
               Cards
               be
               bad
               ,
               yet
               lend
               me
               skill
            
             
               To
               play
               them
               wisely
               '
               ,
               and
               make
               the
               best
               of
               ill
               .
            
          
           
             
               
                 THE
                 ARGVMENT
                 .
              
               
                 
                   The
                   learned
                   Councell
                   plead
                   the
                   case
                   ,
                
                 
                   The
                   Queene
                   degraded
                   from
                   her
                   place
                   ,
                
                 
                   Decrees
                   are
                   sent
                   throughout
                   the
                   Land
                   ,
                
                 
                   That
                   wiues
                   obey
                   ,
                   and
                   men
                   command
                   .
                
              
            
             
               Sect.
               3.
               
            
             
               
                 THe
                 righteous
                 Councell
                 (
                 hauing
                 heard
                 the
                 Cause
                 )
                 
              
               
                 Aduiz'd
                 awhile
                 ,
                 with
                 respit
                 of
                 a
                 pause
                 ,
              
               
                 Till
                 Memucan
                 (
                 the
                 first
                 that
                 silence
                 brake
                 )
              
               
                 Vnseal'd
                 his
                 serious
                 lips
                 ,
                 and
                 thus
                 bespake
                 :
              
            
             
               
                 The
                 Great
                 Assuerus
                 sou'raigne
                 Lord
                 and
                 King
                 ,
                 
              
               
                 (
                 To
                 grace
                 the
                 period
                 of
                 his
                 Banqueting
                 )
              
               
                 Hath
                 sent
                 for
                 
                   Vashti
                   :
                   Vashti
                
                 would
                 not
                 come
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 now
                 it
                 rests
                 in
                 vs
                 to
                 giue
                 the
                 doome
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 lest
                 that
                 too
                 much
                 rashnesse
                 violate
              
               
                 The
                 sacred
                 Iustice
                 of
                 our
                 happy
                 state
                 ,
              
               
                 We
                 first
                 propound
                 the
                 height
                 of
                 her
                 offence
                 ,
              
               
                 Next
                 ,
                 the
                 succeeding
                 Inconuenience
                 ,
                 
              
            
          
        
         
           
             
             
               Thus
               broke
               in
               two
               ,
               he
               did
               anew
               ordaine
            
             
               That
               these
               same
               two
               should
               be
               made
               One
               againe
               :
            
             
               Till
               singling
               Death
               this
               sacred
               knot
               vndoe
               ,
            
             
               And
               part
               this
               new-made
               One
               ,
               once
               more
               in
               two
               .
            
             
               ¶
               Since
               of
               a
               Rib
               first
               framed
               was
               a
               Wife
               ,
            
             
               Let
               Ribs
               be
               Hi'rogliphicks
               of
               their
               life
               :
            
             
               Ribs
               coast
               the
               heart
               ,
               and
               guard
               it
               round
               about
               ,
            
             
               And
               like
               a
               trusty
               Watch
               keepe
               danger
               out
               ;
            
             
               So
               tender
               Wiues
               should
               loyally
               impart
            
             
               Their
               watchfull
               care
               to
               fence
               their
               Spouses
               heart
               :
            
             
               All
               members
               else
               from
               out
               their
               places
               roue
               ,
            
             
               But
               Ribs
               are
               firmely
               fixt
               ,
               and
               seldome
               moue
               :
            
             
               Women
               (
               like
               Ribs
               )
               must
               keepe
               their
               wonted
               home
               ,
            
             
               And
               not
               (
               like
               Dinah
               that
               was
               rauish't
               )
               rome
               :
               
            
             
               If
               Ribs
               be
               ouer-bent
               ,
               or
               handled
               rough
               ,
               
            
             
               They
               breake
               ;
               If
               let
               alone
               ,
               they
               bend
               enough
               :
            
             
               Women
               must
               (
               vnconstrain'd
               )
               be
               plyent
               still
               ,
            
             
               And
               gently
               bending
               to
               their
               Husbands
               will.
            
             
               The
               sacred
               Academy
               of
               mans
               life
            
             
               Is
               holy
               wedlocke
               in
               a
               happy
               Wife
               .
            
          
           
             
               It
               was
               a
               wise
               mans
               speech
               ,
               
                 Could
                 neuer
                 they
              
            
             
               
                 now
                 to
                 command
                 ,
                 that
                 knew
                 not
                 first
                 t'
                 obey
                 :
              
            
             
               Wher
               's
               then
               that
               high
               Command
               ,
               that
               ample
               Glory
               ,
            
             
               Which
               for
               a
               patterne
               (
               left
               in
               endlesse
               story
               )
            
             
               Your
               noble
               Sexe
               in
               former
               dayes
               atchiu'd
               ?
            
             
               Whose
               sounding
               Fame
               no
               after-Times
               outliu'd
               .
            
             
               What
               braue
               Command
               ?
               How
               well-succeeding
               broyles
               ?
            
             
               What
               stately
               Triumphs
               ?
               What
               victorious
               spoyles
               
            
             
               Their
               hands
               achiu'd
               ?
               They
               sway'd
               their
               Scepters
               thē
            
             
               As
               well
               in
               Kingdomes
               ,
               as
               in
               hearts
               of
               men
               ;
            
             
               And
               sweet
               obedience
               was
               the
               lowly
               stayre
            
             
               Mounted
               their
               steps
               to
               that
               Commanding
               chaire
               :
            
             
             
               A
               womans
               Rule
               should
               be
               in
               such
               a
               fashion
               ,
            
             
               Onely
               to
               guide
               her
               houshold
               ,
               and
               her
               Passion
               :
            
             
               And
               her
               obedience
               neuer's
               out
               of
               season
               ,
            
             
               So
               long
               as
               either
               Husband
               lasts
               ,
               or
               Reason
               :
            
             
               Ill
               thriues
               the
               haplesse
               Family
               ,
               that
               showes
               
            
             
               A
               Cocke
               that
               's
               silent
               ,
               and
               a
               Hen
               that
               crowes
               .
            
             
               I
               know
               not
               which
               liue
               more
               vngodly
               liues
               ,
            
             
               ¶
               *
               Obeying
               Husbands
               ,
               or
               commanding
               Wiues
               .
            
          
           
             
               
                 THE
                 ARGVMENT
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Assuerus
                   pleas'd
                   ,
                   His
                   seruants
                   motion
                
                 
                   Propounded
                   ,
                   gaine
                   his
                   approbation
                   .
                
                 
                   Esters
                   descent
                   ,
                   her
                   Iewish
                   race
                   :
                
                 
                   Her
                   beautyes
                   ,
                   and
                   her
                   perfit
                   Grace
                   .
                
              
            
             
               Sect.
               4.
               
            
             
               
                 VVHen
                 Time
                 (
                 that
                 endeth
                 all
                 things
                 )
                 did
                 asswage
                 
              
               
                 The
                 burning
                 Feuer
                 of
                 Assüerus
                 rage
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 quiet
                 satisfaction
                 had
                 assign'd
              
               
                 Delightfull
                 Iu'lyps
                 to
                 his
                 troubled
                 mind
                 ,
              
               
                 He
                 cal'd
                 his
                 old
                 remembrance
                 to
                 account
              
               
                 Of
                 Vashti
                 ,
                 and
                 her
                 Crimes
                 that
                 did
                 amount
              
               
                 To
                 th'summe
                 of
                 their
                 diuorcement
                 :
                 In
                 his
                 thought
              
               
                 He
                 weigh'd
                 the
                 censure
                 of
                 her
                 heedlesse
                 fault
                 :
              
               
                 His
                 fawning
                 seruants
                 willing
                 to
                 preuent
                 him
                 ,
              
               
                 If
                 too
                 much
                 thought
                 should
                 make
                 his
                 loue
                 repent
                 him
                 ,
              
               
               
                 
                   Said
                   thus
                   :
                   (
                   If
                   it
                   shall
                   please
                   our
                   gracious
                   Lord
                
                 
              
               
                 To
                 crowne
                 with
                 Audience
                 his
                 seruants
                 word
                 )
              
               
                 Let
                 strict
                 Inquest
                 ,
                 and
                 carefull
                 Inquisition
              
               
                 In
                 all
                 the
                 Realme
                 be
                 made
                 ,
                 and
                 quicke
                 prouision
              
               
                 Throughout
                 the
                 Medes
                 and
                 Persians
                 all
                 among
                 ,
              
               
                 For
                 comely
                 Virgins
                 ,
                 beautifull
                 and
                 yong
                 ,
              
               
                 Which
                 (
                 curiously
                 selected
                 )
                 let
                 them
                 bring
              
               
                 Into
                 the
                 Royall
                 Palace
                 of
                 the
                 King
                 ;
              
               
                 And
                 let
                 the
                 Eunuchs
                 of
                 the
                 King
                 take
                 care
              
               
                 For
                 Princely
                 Robes
                 ,
                 and
                 Vestures
                 ,
                 and
                 prepare
              
               
                 Sweet
                 Odours
                 ,
                 choyse
                 Perfumes
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 things
                 meet
                 ,
              
               
                 To
                 adde
                 a
                 greater
                 sweetnesse
                 to
                 their
                 sweet
                 ;
              
               
                 And
                 she
                 ,
                 whose
                 perfect
                 beames
                 shall
                 best
                 delight
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 seeme
                 most
                 gracious
                 in
                 his
                 Kingly
                 sight
                 ;
              
               
                 To
                 her
                 be
                 giuen
                 the
                 Conquest
                 of
                 her
                 face
                 ,
              
               
                 
                   And
                   be
                   inthron'd
                   in
                   scornfull
                
                 Vashties
                 place
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 The
                 proiect
                 pleas'd
                 the
                 King
                 ,
                 who
                 made
                 an
                 Act
                 
              
               
                 To
                 second
                 what
                 was
                 said
                 with
                 soone
                 effect
                 .
              
               
                 Within
                 the
                 walls
                 of
                 Shusa
                 dwelt
                 there
                 one
                 ,
              
               
                 By
                 breeding
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 birth
                 a
                 Iew
                 ,
                 and
                 knowne
              
               
                 By
                 th'
                 name
                 of
                 Mordecai
                 ,
                 *
                 of
                 mighty
                 kin
                 ,
              
               
                 Descended
                 from
                 the
                 Tribe
                 of
                 Beniamin
                 ,
              
               
                 (
                 Whose
                 necke
                 was
                 subiect
                 to
                 the
                 slauish
                 yoke
                 ,
              
               
                 When
                 *
                 Ieconiah
                 was
                 surpris'd
                 and
                 tooke
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 carried
                 captiue
                 into
                 Babels
                 Land
                 ,
              
               
                 With
                 strength
                 of
                 mighty
                 Neb'chadnezzars
                 hand
                 ;
                 )
              
               
                 Within
                 his
                 house
                 abode
                 a
                 Virgin
                 bright
                 ,
              
               
                 Whose
                 name
                 was
                 Ester
                 ,
                 or
                 Hadassa
                 hight
                 ,
                 
              
               
                 His
                 brothers
                 Daughter
                 ,
                 whom
                 (
                 her
                 parents
                 dead
                 )
              
               
                 This
                 Iew
                 did
                 foster
                 ,
                 in
                 her
                 fathers
                 stead
                 ;
              
               
                 She
                 wanted
                 none
                 ,
                 though
                 father
                 she
                 had
                 none
                 ,
              
               
                 Her
                 vncles
                 loue
                 assum'd
                 her
                 for
                 his
                 owne
                 ;
              
               
               
                 Bright
                 beames
                 of
                 beauty
                 streamed
                 from
                 her
                 eye
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 in
                 her
                 cheekes
                 sate
                 maiden
                 modesty
                 ;
              
               
                 Which
                 peerelesse
                 beauty
                 lent
                 so
                 kinde
                 a
                 rellish
              
               
                 To
                 modest
                 vertue
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 did
                 imbellish
              
               
                 Each
                 others
                 ex'lence
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 full
                 assent
                 ,
              
               
                 In
                 her
                 to
                 boast
                 their
                 perfect
                 complement
                 .
                 
              
            
          
        
         
           
             Meditatio
             quarta
             .
          
           
             
               THe
               strongest
               Arcteries
               that
               knit
               and
               tye
            
             
               The
               members
               of
               a
               mixed
               Monarchy
               ,
            
             
               Are
               learned
               Councels
               ,
               timely
               Consultations
               ,
            
             
               Rip'ned
               Aduice
               ,
               and
               sage
               Deliberations
               ;
            
             
               And
               if
               those
               Kingdomes
               be
               but
               ill
               be-blest
               ,
            
             
               Whose
               Rule
               's
               committed
               to
               a
               young
               mans
               brest
               ;
            
             
               Then
               such
               Estates
               are
               more
               vnhappy
               farre
               ,
            
             
               Whose
               choycest
               Councellors
               but
               *
               Children
               are
               :
            
             
               How
               many
               Kingdomes
               blest
               with
               high
               renowne
               ,
            
             
               (
               In
               all
               things
               happy
               else
               )
               haue
               plac'd
               their
               Crowne
            
             
               Vpon
               the
               temples
               of
               a
               childish
               head
               ,
            
             
               Vntill
               with
               ruine
               ,
               King
               ,
               or
               State
               be
               sped
               !
            
             
               What
               Massacres
               (
               begun
               by
               factious
               iarres
               ,
            
             
               And
               ended
               by
               the
               spoyle
               of
               ciuill
               warres
               )
            
             
               Haue
               made
               braue
               Monarchyes
               vnfortunate
               ,
            
             
               And
               raz'd
               the
               glory
               '
               of
               many
               '
               a
               mighty
               State
               ?
            
             
               How
               many
               hopefull
               Princes
               (
               ill-aduis'd
            
             
               By
               young
               ,
               and
               smooth-fac'd
               Councell
               )
               haue
               despis'd
            
             
               The
               sacred
               Oracles
               of
               riper
               yeeres
               ,
            
             
               Till
               deare
               Repentance
               washt
               the
               Land
               with
               teares
               !
            
             
             
               Witnes
               thou
               lucklesse
               ,
               and
               succeeding
               *
               Son
            
             
               Of
               (
               wisdomes
               Fauourite
               )
               great
               Salomon
               ;
            
             
               How
               did
               thy
               rash
               ,
               and
               beardlesse
               Councell
               bring
               ,
            
             
               Thy
               fortunes
               subiect
               to
               a
               stranger
               King
               ?
            
             
               And
               laying
               burthens
               on
               thy
               peoples
               neck
               ,
            
             
               The
               weight
               hung
               sadly
               on
               thy
               bended
               back
               .
            
             
               Thou
               second
               *
               Richard
               (
               once
               our
               Brittaine
               King
               ,
            
             
               Whose
               Syr's
               ,
               and
               Grandsyr's
               fame
               the
               world
               did
               ring
               )
            
             
               How
               was
               thy
               gentle
               nature
               led
               aside
               ,
            
             
               By
               greene
               aduisements
               ,
               which
               thy
               State
               did
               guide
               ,
            
             
               Vntill
               the
               title
               of
               thy
               Crowne
               did
               crack
               ,
            
             
               And
               fortunes
               (
               like
               thy
               Fathers
               name
               )
               were
               black
               ?
            
             
               ¶
               Now
               glorious
               Brittaine
               ,
               clap
               thy
               hands
               ,
               and
               blesse
            
             
               Thy
               sacred
               fortunes
               ;
               for
               thy
               happinesse
            
             
               (
               As
               doth
               thy
               Iland
               )
               does
               it selfe
               deuide
               ,
            
             
               And
               sequester
               from
               all
               the
               world
               beside
               ;
            
             
               Blest
               are
               thy
               open
               Gates
               with
               ioyfull
               peace
               ,
            
             
               Blest
               are
               thy
               heaped
               barnes
               with
               sweet
               increase
               ,
            
             
               Blest
               in
               thy
               Councell
               ,
               whose
               industrious
               skill
               ,
            
             
               Is
               but
               to
               make
               thy
               fortunes
               happy
               still
               ;
            
             
               In
               all
               things
               blest
               ,
               that
               to
               a
               State
               pertaine
               ;
            
             
               Thrise
               happy
               in
               my
               dreaded
               Soueraigne
               ,
            
             
               My
               sacred
               Sou'raigne
               ,
               in
               whose
               onely
               brest
               ,
            
             
               A
               wise
               Assembl
               '
               of
               Priuy
               Councels
               rest
               ,
            
             
               Who
               conquers
               with
               his
               princely
               Heart
               as
               far
               ▪
            
             
               By
               peace
               ,
               as
               Alexander
               did
               by
               War
               ,
            
             
               And
               with
               his
               Olife
               branch
               more
               hearts
               did
               boord
               ,
            
             
               Then
               daring
               Cesar
               did
               ,
               with
               Cesars
               sword
               :
            
             
               Long
               mayst
               thou
               hold
               within
               thy
               Royall
               hand
               ,
            
             
               The
               peacefull
               Scepter
               of
               our
               happy
               Land
               :
            
             
               ¶
               Great
               Iudah's
               Lyon
               ,
               and
               the
               Flow'r
               of
               Iesse
               ,
            
             
               Preserue
               thy
               Lynes
               ,
               and
               thy
               Flowers
               blesse
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               
                 THE
                 ARGVMENT
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Faire
                   Virgins
                   brought
                   to
                   Hege's
                   hand
                   ,
                
                 
                   The
                   custome
                   of
                   the
                   Persian
                   Land
                   ;
                
                 
                   Esters
                   neglect
                   of
                   rich
                   attire
                   ,
                
                 
                   To
                   whet
                   the
                   wanton
                   Kings
                   desire
                   .
                
              
            
             
               Sect.
               5.
               
            
             
               
                 ANd
                 when
                 the
                 lustfull
                 Kings
                 Decree
                 was
                 read
                 
              
               
                 In
                 eu'ry
                 eare
                 ,
                 and
                 Shire
                 proclaim'd
                 ,
                 and
                 spred
                 ,
              
               
                 Forthwith
                 vnto
                 the
                 Eunuch
                 Hege's
                 hand
                 
              
               
                 The
                 Beuy
                 came
                 ,
                 the
                 pride
                 of
                 beauties
                 band
                 ,
              
               
                 Armed
                 with
                 ioy
                 ,
                 and
                 warring
                 with
                 their
                 eyes
                 ,
              
               
                 To
                 gaine
                 the
                 Conquest
                 of
                 a
                 Princely
                 prize
                 ;
              
               
                 But
                 none
                 in
                 peerlesse
                 beauty
                 shin'd
                 so
                 bright
                 ,
                 
              
               
                 As
                 louely
                 Ester
                 did
                 ,
                 in
                 Hege's
                 sight
                 ,
              
               
                 In
                 loyall
                 seruice
                 he
                 obserued
                 her
                 ;
              
               
                 He
                 sent
                 for
                 costly
                 Oyles
                 ,
                 and
                 dainty
                 Myrrh
                 ,
              
               
                 To
                 fit
                 her
                 for
                 the
                 presence
                 of
                 the
                 King
                 :
              
               
                 Rich
                 Tyres
                 ,
                 and
                 change
                 of
                 vesture
                 did
                 he
                 bring
                 ;
              
               
                 Seuen
                 comely
                 maids
                 he
                 gaue
                 ,
                 to
                 tend
                 vpon
                 her
                 ,
              
               
                 To
                 shew
                 his
                 seruice
                 ,
                 and
                 increase
                 her
                 honour
                 :
              
               
                 But
                 she
                 was
                 watchfull
                 of
                 her
                 lips
                 ,
                 and
                 wise
                 ,
              
               
                 Disclosing
                 not
                 her
                 kindred
                 ,
                 or
                 alyes
                 :
              
               
                 For
                 trusty
                 Mardocheus
                 tender
                 care
              
               
                 Gaue
                 hopefull
                 Ester
                 Items
                 to
                 beware
              
               
               
                 To
                 blaze
                 her
                 kin
                 ,
                 or
                 make
                 her
                 people
                 knowne
                 ,
              
               
                 Lest
                 for
                 their
                 sake
                 ,
                 her
                 hopes
                 be
                 ouerthrowne
                 ;
              
               
                 Before
                 the
                 Gates
                 he
                 to
                 and
                 fro
                 did
                 passe
                 ,
              
               
                 Wherein
                 inclos'd
                 (
                 the
                 Courtly
                 )
                 Ester
                 was
                 ,
              
               
                 To
                 vnderstand
                 how
                 Ester
                 did
                 behaue
                 her
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 how
                 she
                 kept
                 her
                 in
                 the
                 Eunuchs
                 fauour
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 Now
                 when
                 as
                 Time
                 had
                 fitted
                 eu'ry
                 thing
                 ,
              
               
                 By
                 course
                 these
                 Virgins
                 came
                 before
                 the
                 King.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 Such
                 was
                 the
                 custome
                 of
                 the
                 Persian
                 soyle
                 ,
                 
              
               
                 Sixe
                 months
                 the
                 Maids
                 embalm'd
                 in
                 Myrrh
                 and
                 Oyle
                 ,
              
               
                 Sixe
                 other
                 months
                 perfum'd
                 in
                 odours
                 sweet
                 ,
              
               
                 That
                 perfect
                 lust
                 ,
                 and
                 great
                 excesse
                 may
                 meet
                 ;
              
               
                 What
                 costly
                 Robes
                 ,
                 rare
                 Iewels
                 ,
                 rich
                 attire
                 ,
              
               
                 Or
                 ,
                 curious
                 Fare
                 ,
                 these
                 Virgins
                 did
                 desire
                 ,
              
               
                 'T
                 was
                 giuen
                 ,
                 and
                 freely
                 granted
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 bring
              
               
                 Their
                 bodies
                 to
                 be
                 prostrate
                 to
                 the
                 King
                 :
              
               
                 Each
                 Virgin
                 keepes
                 her
                 turne
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 night
              
               
                 They
                 lewdly
                 lauish
                 in
                 the
                 Kings
                 delight
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 soone
                 as
                 morning
                 shall
                 restore
                 the
                 day
                 ,
              
               
                 They
                 in
                 their
                 bosomes
                 beare
                 blacke
                 night
                 away
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 (
                 in
                 their
                 guilty
                 brests
                 ,
                 as
                 are
                 their
                 sinnes
              
               
                 Close
                 prisoners
                 )
                 in
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 Concubines
                 ,
              
               
                 Euen
                 so
                 are
                 they
                 ,
                 vntill
                 the
                 King
                 shall
                 please
                 ,
              
               
                 With
                 lustfull
                 bayle
                 their
                 bondage
                 to
                 release
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 Now
                 when
                 the
                 turne
                 of
                 Ester
                 was
                 at
                 hand
                 ,
                 
              
               
                 To
                 satisfie
                 the
                 wanton
                 Kings
                 command
                 ,
              
               
                 Shee
                 sought
                 not
                 (
                 as
                 the
                 rest
                 )
                 with
                 braue
                 attire
                 ,
              
               
                 To
                 lend
                 a
                 needlesse
                 spurre
                 to
                 foule
                 Desire
                 ,
              
               
                 Nor
                 yet
                 indeuours
                 with
                 a
                 whorish
                 Grace
                 ,
              
               
                 T'adulterate
                 the
                 beauty
                 of
                 her
                 face
                 :
              
               
                 Nothing
                 she
                 sought
                 to
                 make
                 her
                 glory
                 brauer
                 ,
              
               
                 But
                 simply
                 tooke
                 ,
                 what
                 gentle
                 Hege
                 gaue
                 her
                 :
              
               
               
                 Her
                 sober
                 visage
                 daily
                 wan
                 her
                 honour
                 :
              
               
                 Each
                 wandring
                 eye
                 inflam'd
                 ,
                 that
                 look'd
                 vpon
                 her
                 .
                 
              
            
          
        
         
           
             Meditatio
             quinta
             .
          
           
             
               WHen
               God
               had
               with
               his
               All-producing
               Blast
               ,
            
             
               Blowne
               vp
               the
               bubble
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               plac't
            
             
               In
               order
               that
               ,
               which
               he
               had
               made
               in
               measure
               ,
            
             
               As
               well
               for
               needfull
               vse
               ,
               as
               ioyfull
               pleasure
               :
            
             
               
                 Then
                 out
                 of
                 earthy
                 mould
                 he
                 fram'd
                 a
              
               *
               creature
            
             
               Farre
               more
               Diuine
               ,
               and
               of
               more
               glorious
               feature
            
             
               Than
               earst
               he
               made
               ,
               indu'd
               with
               vnderstanding
               ,
            
             
               With
               strength
               victorious
               ,
               &
               with
               awe
               commanding
               ,
            
             
               With
               Reason
               ,
               Wit
               ,
               replete
               with
               Maiesty
               ,
            
             
               With
               heauenly
               knowledge
               ,
               and
               Capacity
               ,
            
             
               True
               embleme
               of
               his
               Maker
               :
               Him
               he
               made
            
             
               The
               sou'raigne
               Lord
               of
               all
               ;
               Him
               all
               obay'd
               ;
            
             
               Yeelding
               their
               liues
               (
               as
               tribute
               )
               to
               their
               King
               ;
            
             
               Both
               Fish
               ,
               and
               Bird
               ,
               and
               Beast
               ,
               and
               euery
               thing
               :
            
             
               His
               body
               's
               rear'd
               vpright
               ,
               and
               in
               his
               eye
               ,
            
             
               Stand
               Radient
               beames
               of
               awfull
               sou'rainty
               ;
            
             
               All
               Creatures
               else
               pore
               downward
               to
               the
               ground
               ,
            
             
               Man
               lookes
               to
               heauen
               ,
               and
               all
               his
               thoughts
               rebound
               :
            
             
               Vpon
               the
               Earth
               (
               where
               tydes
               of
               pleasures
               meet
               )
            
             
               He
               treads
               ,
               and
               daily
               tramples
               with
               his
               feet
               ;
            
             
               Which
               reade
               sweet
               Lectures
               to
               his
               wandring
               eyes
               ,
            
             
               And
               teach
               his
               lustfull
               heart
               to
               moralize
               :
            
             
               *
               
                 Naked
                 he
                 liu'd
                 ,
                 nak'd
                 to
                 the
                 world
                 he
                 came
              
               ;
            
             
               For
               he
               had
               then
               nor
               fault
               to
               hide
               ,
               nor
               shame
               :
               
            
          
           
             
               
               
                 He
                 lik't
                 them
                 all
                 ,
                 but
                 when
                 with
                 strict
                 reuye
                 ,
              
               
                 He
                 viewed
                 Esters
                 face
                 ,
                 his
                 wounded
                 eye
                 
              
               
                 Sparkl'd
                 ,
                 whilst
                 Cupid
                 with
                 his
                 youthfull
                 Dart
                 ,
              
               
                 Transfixt
                 the
                 Center
                 of
                 his
                 feeble
                 heart
                 ;
              
               
                 Ester
                 is
                 now
                 his
                 ioy
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 her
                 eyes
                 ,
              
               
                 The
                 sweetest
                 flower
                 of
                 his
                 Garland
                 lyes
                 :
              
               
                 Who
                 now
                 but
                 
                   Ester
                   ?
                   Ester
                
                 crownes
                 his
                 blisse
                 ;
              
               
                 And
                 hee
                 's
                 become
                 her
                 prisoner
                 ,
                 that
                 was
                 his
                 :
              
               
                 Ester
                 obtaines
                 the
                 prize
                 ,
                 her
                 high
                 desert
              
               
                 Like
                 Di'mond's
                 richly
                 mounted
                 in
                 his
                 heart
                 ;
              
               
                 Iö
                 ,
                 now
                 
                   Iö
                   Hymen
                
                 sings
                 ;
                 for
                 she
                 
              
               
                 That
                 crownes
                 his
                 ioy
                 ,
                 must
                 likewise
                 crowned
                 be
                 :
              
               
                 The
                 Crowne
                 is
                 set
                 on
                 Princely
                 Esters
                 head
                 ,
              
               
                 Ester
                 sits
                 Queene
                 in
                 scornfull
                 Vashties
                 stead
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 To
                 consecrate
                 this
                 Day
                 to
                 more
                 delights
                 ,
                 
              
               
                 In
                 due
                 solemnizing
                 the
                 nuptiall
                 rites
                 ,
              
               
                 In
                 Esters
                 name
                 ,
                 Assuerus
                 made
                 a
                 Feast
                 ,
              
               
                 Inuited
                 all
                 his
                 Princes
                 ,
                 and
                 releast
              
               
                 The
                 hard
                 taxation
                 ,
                 that
                 his
                 heauy
                 hand
              
               
                 Laid
                 on
                 the
                 groning
                 subiects
                 of
                 his
                 Land
                 ;
              
               
                 No
                 rites
                 were
                 wanting
                 to
                 augment
                 his
                 ioyes
                 ,
              
               
                 Great
                 gifts
                 confirm'd
                 the
                 bounty
                 of
                 his
                 choyce
                 :
              
               
                 Yet
                 had
                 not
                 Esters
                 (
                 lauish
                 )
                 tongue
                 descri'd
              
               
                 Her
                 Iewish
                 kin
                 ,
                 or
                 where
                 she
                 was
                 aly'd
                 ;
              
               
                 For
                 still
                 the
                 words
                 of
                 Mordecai
                 did
                 rest
              
               
                 Within
                 the
                 Cabbin
                 of
                 her
                 Royall
                 brest
                 ,
              
               
                 That
                 was
                 as
                 plyent
                 (
                 being
                 now
                 a
                 Queene
                 )
              
               
                 To
                 sage
                 aduice
                 ,
                 as
                 ere
                 before
                 sh
                 'ad
                 been
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 It
                 came
                 to
                 passe
                 ,
                 as
                 Mardochaeus
                 sate
                 
              
               
                 Within
                 the
                 Portall
                 of
                 the
                 Princes
                 gate
                 ,
              
               
                 He
                 ouer-heard
                 two
                 seruants
                 of
                 the
                 King
                 ,
              
               
                 Closly
                 combin'd
                 in
                 hollow
                 whispering
                 ,
              
               
               
                 (
                 Like
                 whistling
                 Notus
                 that
                 foretells
                 a
                 raine
                 )
              
               
                 To
                 breathe
                 out
                 treason
                 '
                 gainst
                 their
                 Soueraigne
                 :
              
               
                 Which
                 ,
                 soone
                 as
                 loyall
                 Mardochaeus
                 heard
                 ,
                 
              
               
                 Forthwith
                 to
                 Esters
                 presence
                 he
                 repair'd
                 ;
              
               
                 Disclos'd
                 to
                 her
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 her
                 care
                 commended
              
               
                 The
                 Traitors
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 treason
                 they
                 intended
                 :
              
               
                 Whereat
                 ,
                 the
                 Queene
                 (
                 impatient
                 of
                 delay
                 )
                 
              
               
                 Betrayd
                 the
                 Traitors
                 ,
                 that
                 would
                 her
                 betray
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 to
                 the
                 King
                 vnbosom'd
                 all
                 her
                 heart
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 who
                 her
                 Newes-man
                 was
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 desert
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 Now
                 all
                 on
                 hurly-burly
                 was
                 the
                 Court
                 ,
              
               
                 Fild
                 with
                 the
                 foulenesse
                 of
                 this
                 sad
                 report
                 :
              
               
                 The
                 watch
                 was
                 set
                 ,
                 pursuit
                 was
                 sent
                 about
                 ,
                 
              
               
                 To
                 guard
                 the
                 King
                 ,
                 and
                 finde
                 the
                 Traitours
                 out
                 ,
              
               
                 Who
                 found
                 ,
                 and
                 guilty
                 found
                 ,
                 by
                 speedy
                 triall
                 ,
                 
              
               
                 (
                 Where
                 witnesse
                 speakes
                 ,
                 what
                 boots
                 a
                 bare
                 deniall
                 ?
                 )
              
               
                 Were
                 both
                 hang'd
                 vp
                 ,
                 vpon
                 the
                 shamefull
                 tree
                 :
                 
              
               
                 (
                 To
                 beare
                 such
                 fruit
                 let
                 trees
                 ne'r
                 barren
                 be
                 ▪
                 )
              
               
                 And
                 what
                 successe
                 this
                 happy
                 Day
                 afforded
                 ,
              
               
                 Was
                 in
                 the
                 Persian
                 Chronicles
                 recorded
                 .
              
            
          
           
             Explicit
             Hist
             .
          
        
         
           
             Meditatio
             sexta
             .
          
           
             
               THe
               hollow
               Concaue
               of
               a
               humane
               brest
            
             
               Is
               Gods
               Exchequer
               ,
               and
               therein
               the
               best
               ,
            
             
               And
               sum
               of
               all
               his
               chiefest
               wealth
               consists
               ,
            
             
               Which
               he
               shuts
               vp
               ,
               and
               opens
               when
               he
               lists
               :
            
             
               No
               power
               is
               of
               man
               :
               To
               loue
               ,
               or
               hate
               ,
            
             
               Lyes
               not
               in
               mortals
               brest
               ,
               or
               pow'r
               of
               Fate
               :
               
            
          
           
             
             
               
                 Who
                 was
                 the
                 issue
                 of
                 a
                 Royall
                 breed
                 ,
              
               
                 The
                 off-cast
                 off-spring
                 of
                 the
                 cursed
                 seed
              
               
                 Of
                 Amalek
                 ,
                 from
                 *
                 him
                 descended
                 right
                 ,
              
               
                 That
                 sold
                 his
                 birth-right
                 for
                 his
                 Appetite
                 ;
              
               
                 Haman
                 his
                 name
                 ;
                 His
                 fortunes
                 did
                 improue
                 ,
                 
              
               
                 Increast
                 by
                 fauour
                 of
                 the
                 Princes
                 loue
                 :
              
               
                 Full
                 great
                 he
                 grew
                 ,
                 preferd
                 to
                 high
                 command
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 plac'd
                 before
                 the
                 Princes
                 of
                 the
                 Land
                 :
              
               
                 And
                 since
                 that
                 honour
                 ,
                 and
                 due
                 reuerence
              
               
                 Attend
                 ,
                 where
                 Princes
                 giue
                 preeminence
                 ;
              
               
                 The
                 King
                 commands
                 the
                 seruants
                 of
                 his
                 State
                 ,
              
               
                 To
                 suit
                 Respect
                 to
                 Hamans
                 high
                 estate
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 doe
                 him
                 honour
                 ,
                 fitting
                 his
                 degree
                 ,
              
               
                 With
                 vayled
                 Bonnet
                 ,
                 and
                 low
                 bended
                 knee
                 :
              
               
                 They
                 all
                 obseru'd
                 ;
                 But
                 aged
                 Mordecai
                 
              
               
                 (
                 Whose
                 stubborne
                 ioynts-neglected
                 to
                 obey
              
               
                 The
                 seed
                 ,
                 which
                 God
                 with
                 infamy
                 had
                 branded
                 )
              
               
                 Stoutly
                 refused
                 what
                 the
                 King
                 commanded
                 ;
              
               
                 Which
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 seruants
                 of
                 the
                 King
                 had
                 seene
                 ,
              
               
                 Their
                 fell
                 disdaine
                 ,
                 mixt
                 with
                 an
                 enuious
                 spleene
                 ,
              
               
                 Inflam'd
                 ;
                 They
                 question'd
                 how
                 he
                 durst
                 withstand
              
               
                 The
                 iust
                 performance
                 of
                 the
                 Kings
                 Command
                 :
              
               
                 Daily
                 they
                 checkt
                 him
                 for
                 his
                 high
                 disdaine
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 he
                 their
                 checks
                 did
                 daily
                 entertaine
              
               
                 With
                 silent
                 slight
                 behauiour
                 ,
                 which
                 did
                 proue
              
               
                 As
                 full
                 of
                 care
                 ,
                 as
                 their
                 rebukes
                 of
                 loue
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 Since
                 then
                 their
                 hearts
                 (
                 not
                 able
                 to
                 abide
              
               
                 A
                 longer
                 suffrance
                 of
                 his
                 peeuish
                 pride
                 )
              
               
                 (
                 Whose
                 scorching
                 fires
                 ,
                 passion
                 did
                 augment
                 ,
                 )
              
               
                 Must
                 either
                 breake
                 ,
                 or
                 finde
                 a
                 speedy
                 vent
                 :
                 
              
               
                 To
                 Haman
                 they
                 th'
                 vnwelcome
                 newes
                 related
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 what
                 they
                 said
                 ,
                 their
                 malice
                 aggrauated
                 .
              
               
               
                 Enuie
                 did
                 ope
                 her
                 Snake-deuouring
                 Iawes
                 ,
              
               
                 Foamd
                 frothy
                 blood
                 ,
                 and
                 bent
                 her
                 vnked
                 Pawes
                 ,
              
               
                 Her
                 hollow
                 eyes
                 did
                 cast
                 out
                 sudden
                 flame
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 pale
                 as
                 ashes
                 lookt
                 this
                 angry
                 Dame
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 thus
                 bespake
                 !
                 Art
                 thou
                 that
                 man
                 of
                 might
                 ,
              
               
                 That
                 Impe
                 of
                 Glory
                 ?
                 Times
                 great
                 Fauorite
                 ?
              
               
                 Hath
                 thy
                 deserued
                 worth
                 restor'd
                 againe
              
               
                 The
                 blemisht
                 honour
                 of
                 thy
                 Princely
                 straine
                 ?
              
               
                 Art
                 thou
                 that
                 Wonder
                 which
                 the
                 Persian
                 State
              
               
                 Stands
                 gazing
                 at
                 so
                 much
                 ,
                 and
                 poynting
                 at
                 ?
              
               
                 Filling
                 all
                 wondring
                 eyes
                 with
                 Admiration
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 euery
                 loyall
                 heart
                 with
                 Adoration
                 ?
              
               
                 Art
                 thou
                 that
                 mighty
                 He
                 ?
                 How
                 haps
                 it
                 then
              
               
                 That
                 wretched
                 Mordecai
                 ,
                 the
                 worst
                 of
                 men
                 ,
              
               
                 A
                 captiue
                 slaue
                 ,
                 a
                 superstitious
                 Iew
                 ,
              
               
                 Slights
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 robs
                 thee
                 of
                 thy
                 rightfull
                 due
                 ?
              
               
                 Nor
                 was
                 his
                 fault
                 disguis'd
                 with
                 Ignorance
                 ,
              
               
                 (
                 The
                 vnfee'd
                 Aduocate
                 of
                 sinne
                 )
                 or
                 Chance
                 ,
              
               
                 But
                 backt
                 with
                 Arrogance
                 and
                 foule
                 Despite
                 :
              
               
                 Rise
                 vp
                 ,
                 and
                 doe
                 thy
                 blemisht
                 honour
                 right
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 Vp
                 (
                 like
                 his
                 deepe
                 Reuenge
                 )
                 rose
                 Haman
                 then
                 ,
                 
              
               
                 And
                 like
                 a
                 sleeping
                 Lion
                 from
                 his
                 Den
                 ,
              
               
                 Rouz'd
                 his
                 relentlesse
                 Rage
                 ;
                 But
                 when
                 his
                 eye
              
               
                 Confirm'd
                 the
                 newes
                 Report
                 did
                 testifie
                 ,
              
               
                 His
                 Reason
                 straight
                 was
                 heau'd
                 from
                 off
                 his
                 henge
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 Fury
                 rounded
                 in
                 his
                 eare
                 ,
                 Reuenge
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 (
                 like
                 a
                 rash
                 Aduiser
                 )
                 thus
                 began
                 :
              
            
             
               
                 There
                 's
                 nothing
                 (
                 Haman
                 )
                 is
                 more
                 deare
                 to
                 man
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 cooles
                 his
                 boyling
                 veynes
                 with
                 sweeter
                 pleasure
                 ,
              
               
                 Than
                 quicke
                 Reuenge
                 ;
                 for
                 to
                 reuenge
                 by
                 leisure
                 ,
              
               
                 Is
                 but
                 like
                 feeding
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 stomacke
                 's
                 past
                 ,
              
               
                 Pleasing
                 nor
                 eager
                 appetite
                 ,
                 nor
                 taste
                 :
                 
              
            
          
        
         
           
             
             
               ¶
               Lord
               ,
               let
               my
               fortunes
               be
               or
               rich
               ,
               or
               poore
               :
            
             
               If
               small
               ,
               the
               lesse
               account
               ;
               if
               great
               ,
               the
               more
               .
            
          
           
             
               
                 THE
                 ARGVMENT
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Vnto
                   the
                   King
                   proud
                   Haman
                   sues
                   ,
                
                 
                   For
                   the
                   destruction
                   of
                   the
                   Iewes
                   :
                
                 
                   The
                   King
                   consents
                   ,
                   and
                   in
                   his
                   name
                
                 
                   Decrees
                   were
                   sent
                   t'
                   effect
                   the
                   same
                   .
                
              
            
             
               Sect.
               8.
               
            
             
               
                 NOw
                 when
                 the
                 yeere
                 had
                 tum'd
                 his
                 course
                 about
                 ,
                 
              
               
                 And
                 fully
                 worne
                 his
                 weary
                 howers
                 out
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 left
                 his
                 circling
                 trauell
                 to
                 his
                 heire
                 ,
              
               
                 That
                 now
                 sets
                 onset
                 to
                 th'
                 ensuing
                 yeere
                 ,
              
               
                 Proud
                 Haman
                 (
                 pain'd
                 with
                 trauell
                 in
                 the
                 birth
                 ,
              
               
                 Till
                 after-time
                 could
                 bring
                 his
                 mischiefe
                 forth
                 )
              
               
                 Cast
                 Lots
                 ,
                 from
                 month
                 to
                 month
                 ,
                 from
                 day
                 to
                 day
                 ,
              
               
                 To
                 picke
                 the
                 choycest
                 time
                 ,
                 when
                 Fortune
                 may
              
               
                 Be
                 most
                 prospicious
                 to
                 his
                 damned
                 plot
                 ;
              
               
                 Till
                 on
                 the
                 last
                 month
                 fell
                 th'
                 vnwilling
                 Lot
                 :
              
               
                 So
                 Haman
                 guided
                 by
                 his
                 Idoll
                 Fate
                 ,
              
               
                 (
                 Cloking
                 with
                 publike
                 good
                 his
                 priuate
                 Hate
                 )
              
               
                 In
                 plaintiffe
                 tearmes
                 ,
                 where
                 Reason
                 lent
                 the
                 rellish
                 ,
              
               
                 Vnto
                 the
                 King
                 ,
                 his
                 speech
                 did
                 thus
                 imbellish
                 :
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Vpon
                   the
                   limits
                   of
                   this
                   happy
                   Nation
                   ,
                
                 
              
               
                 There
                 flotes
                 a
                 skumme
                 ,
                 an
                 off-cast
                 Generation
                 ,
              
               
               
                 Disperst
                 ;
                 despis'd
                 ,
                 and
                 noysome
                 to
                 the
                 Land
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 Refractory
                 to
                 the
                 Lawes
                 ,
                 and
                 thy
                 Command
                 ,
              
               
                 Not
                 stooping
                 to
                 thy
                 Power
                 ,
                 but
                 despising
              
               
                 All
                 Gouernment
                 ,
                 but
                 of
                 their
                 owne
                 deuising
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 stirre
                 the
                 glowing
                 embers
                 of
                 diuision
                 ,
              
               
                 The
                 hatefull
                 mother
                 of
                 a
                 States
                 sedition
                 ,
              
               
                 The
                 which
                 (
                 not
                 soone
                 redrest
                 by
                 Reformation
                 )
              
               
                 Will
                 ruine
                 breed
                 to
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 thy
                 Nation
                 ,
              
               
                 Begetting
                 Rebels
                 ,
                 and
                 seditious
                 broyles
                 ,
              
               
                 
                   And
                   fill
                   thy
                   peacefull
                   Land
                   ,
                   with
                   bloody
                   spoyles
                   :
                
                 
              
            
             
               
                 Now
                 therefore
                 ,
                 if
                 it
                 please
                 my
                 gracious
                 Lord
                 ,
              
               
                 To
                 right
                 this
                 grieuance
                 with
                 his
                 Princely
                 sword
                 ,
              
               
                 That
                 Death
                 ,
                 and
                 due
                 Destruction
                 may
                 be
                 sent
                 ,
              
               
                 To
                 take
                 the
                 Couie
                 of
                 this
                 rabblement
                 ,
              
               
                 Vnto
                 the
                 Royall
                 Treasure
                 of
                 the
                 King
                 ,
              
               
                 Ten
                 thousand
                 siluer
                 Talents
                 will
                 I
                 bring
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 Then
                 gaue
                 the
                 King
                 ,
                 from
                 off
                 his
                 heedlesse
                 hand
                 ,
                 
              
               
                 His
                 Ring
                 to
                 Haman
                 ,
                 with
                 that
                 Ring
                 ,
                 command
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 said
                 :
                 Thy
                 proffer'd
                 wealth
                 possesse
                 ,
              
               
                 Yet
                 be
                 thy
                 iust
                 Petition
                 ne'rthelesse
              
               
                 Entirely
                 granted
                 .
                 Lo
                 ,
                 before
                 thy
                 face
              
               
                 Thy
                 vassals
                 lye
                 ,
                 with
                 all
                 their
                 rebell
                 race
                 ;
              
               
                 Thine
                 be
                 the
                 people
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 power
                 thine
                 ,
              
               
                 To
                 doome
                 the
                 Traitors
                 their
                 deserued
                 Fine
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 Forthwith
                 the
                 Scribes
                 were
                 summon'd
                 to
                 appeare
                 ,
                 
              
               
                 Decrees
                 were
                 written
                 ,
                 sent
                 to
                 eu'ry
                 Shiere
                 ;
              
               
                 To
                 all
                 Lieutenants
                 ,
                 Captaines
                 of
                 the
                 Band
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 all
                 the
                 Prouinces
                 throughout
                 the
                 Land
                 ,
              
               
                 Stil'd
                 in
                 the
                 name
                 and
                 person
                 of
                 the
                 King
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 made
                 authentick
                 with
                 his
                 Royall
                 Ring
                 ;
              
               
                 By
                 speedy
                 Post-men
                 were
                 the
                 Letters
                 sent
                 ;
              
               
                 And
                 this
                 the
                 summe
                 is
                 of
                 their
                 sad
                 content
                 :
              
            
             
               
               
                 
                   Let
                   eu'ry
                   Prouince
                   in
                   the
                   Persian
                   Land
                   ,
                
                 
              
               
                 
                   (
                   Vpon
                   the
                
                 *
                 
                   Day
                   prefixt
                   )
                   prepare
                   his
                   hand
                   ,
                
              
               
                 To
                 make
                 the
                 Channels
                 flow
                 with
                 Rebels
                 blood
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 from
                 the
                 earth
                 to
                 root
                 the
                 Iewish
                 brood
                 :
              
               
                 And
                 let
                 the
                 softnesse
                 of
                 no
                 partiall
                 heart
                 ,
              
               
                 Through
                 melting
                 pitty
                 ,
                 loue
                 ,
                 or
                 fond
                 desert
                 ,
              
               
                 Spare
                 either
                 young
                 or
                 old
                 ,
                 or
                 man
                 ,
                 or
                 woman
                 ,
              
               
                 But
                 like
                 their
                 fault
                 ,
                 so
                 let
                 their
                 plagues
                 be
                 common
                 ;
              
               
                 Decreed
                 ,
                 and
                 sealed
                 by
                 our
                 Princely
                 Grace
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 giuen
                 at
                 Sushan
                 ,
                 from
                 our
                 Royall
                 Place
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 So
                 Haman
                 fill'd
                 with
                 ioy
                 (
                 his
                 fortunes
                 blest
              
               
                 With
                 faire
                 succeeding
                 of
                 his
                 foule
                 request
                 )
              
               
                 Laid
                 care
                 aside
                 to
                 sleepe
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 the
                 King
                 ,
              
               
                 Consum'd
                 the
                 time
                 in
                 iolly
                 banqueting
                 :
              
               
                 Meane
                 while
                 ,
                 the
                 Iewes
                 ,
                 (
                 the
                 poore
                 afflicted
                 Iewes
              
               
                 Perplext
                 ,
                 and
                 startl'd
                 with
                 the
                 newbred
                 newes
                 )
              
               
                 With
                 drooping
                 heads
                 ,
                 and
                 selfe-imbracing
                 armes
                 ,
              
               
                 Wept
                 forth
                 the
                 Dirge
                 of
                 their
                 ensuing
                 harmes
                 .
                 
              
            
          
        
         
           
             Meditatio
             octaua
             .
          
           
             
               OF
               all
               diseases
               in
               a
               publike
               weale
               ,
            
             
               No
               one
               more
               dangerous
               ,
               and
               hard
               to
               heale
               ,
            
             
               (
               Except
               a
               tyrant
               King
               )
               then
               when
               great
               might
            
             
               Is
               trusted
               to
               the
               hands
               ,
               that
               take
               delight
            
             
               To
               bathe
               ,
               and
               paddle
               in
               the
               blood
               of
               those
               ,
            
             
               Whom
               iealousies
               ,
               and
               not
               iust
               cause
               oppose
               :
            
             
               For
               when
               as
               haughty
               power
               is
               conioynd
            
             
               Vnto
               the
               will
               of
               a
               distemper'd
               mind
               ,
            
             
             
               
                 What
                 e'r
                 it
                 can
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 it
                 will
                 ,
              
               
            
             
               It
               in
               it selfe
               ,
               hath
               power
               to
               fulfill
               :
            
             
               What
               mischiefe
               then
               can
               linger
               ,
               vnattempted
               ?
            
             
               What
               base
               attempts
               can
               happen
               ,
               vnpreuented
               ?
            
             
               Statutes
               must
               breake
               ,
               good
               Lawes
               must
               go
               to
               wracke
               ,
            
             
               And
               (
               like
               a
               Bowe
               that
               's
               ouerbent
               )
               must
               cracke
               :
            
             
               Iustice
               (
               the
               life
               of
               Law
               )
               becomes
               so
               furious
               ,
            
             
               
                 That
                 (
                 ouer-doing
                 right
                 )
                 it
                 prooues
                 iniurious
                 :
              
               
            
             
               Mercy
               (
               the
               Steare
               of
               Iustice
               )
               flyes
               the
               Citty
               ,
            
             
               And
               falsly
               must
               be
               tearm'd
               ,
               a
               foolish
               Pitty
               :
            
             
               Meane
               while
               the
               gracious
               Princes
               tender
               brest
            
             
               (
               Gently
               possest
               with
               nothing
               but
               the
               best
            
             
               Of
               the
               disguis'd
               dissembler
               )
               is
               abus'd
               ▪
            
             
               And
               made
               the
               cloke
               ,
               wherewith
               his
               fault
               's
               excus'd
               :
            
             
               
                 The
                 radient
                 beames
                 that
                 warme
                 ,
                 and
                 shine
                 so
                 bright
                 ,
              
               
            
             
               Comfort
               this
               lower
               world
               with
               heate
               ,
               and
               light
               ,
            
             
               But
               drawne
               ,
               and
               recollected
               in
               a
               glasse
               ,
            
             
               They
               burne
               ,
               and
               their
               appoynted
               limits
               passe
               :
            
             
               Euen
               so
               the
               power
               from
               the
               Princes
               hand
               ,
            
             
               Directs
               the
               subiect
               with
               a
               sweet
               command
               ,
            
             
               But
               to
               peruerse
               fantasticks
               if
               confer'd
               ,
            
             
               Whom
               wealth
               ,
               or
               blinded
               Fortune
               hath
               prefer'd
               ,
            
             
               It
               spurres
               on
               wrong
               ,
               and
               makes
               the
               right
               retire
               ,
            
             
               And
               sets
               the
               grumbling
               Common-wealth
               on
               fire
               :
            
             
               Their
               foule
               intent
               ,
               the
               Common
               good
               pretends
               ,
            
             
               And
               with
               that
               good
               ,
               they
               maske
               their
               priuate
               ends
               ,
            
             
               Their
               glorie
               's
               dimme
               ,
               and
               cannot
               b'vnderstood
               ,
            
             
               Vnlesse
               it
               shine
               in
               pride
               ,
               or
               swimme
               in
               blood
               :
            
             
               Their
               will
               's
               a
               Law
               ,
               their
               mischiefe
               Policy
               ,
            
             
               Their
               frownes
               are
               Death
               ,
               their
               power
               Tyranny
               :
            
             
               Ill
               thriues
               the
               State
               ,
               that
               harbours
               such
               a
               man
               ,
            
             
               That
               can
               ,
               what
               e'r
               he
               wills
               ,
               wills
               ,
               what
               he
               can
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               May
               my
               vngarnisht
               Quill
               presume
               so
               much
               ,
            
             
               To
               glorifie
               it selfe
               ,
               and
               giue
               a
               touch
            
             
               Vpon
               the
               Iland
               of
               my
               Sou'raigne
               Lord
               ?
            
             
               What
               language
               shall
               I
               vse
               ,
               what
               new-found
               word
               ,
            
             
               T'
               abridge
               the
               mighty
               volume
               of
               his
               worth
               ,
            
             
               And
               keepe
               me
               blamelesse
               ,
               from
               th'vntimely
               birth
            
             
               (
               Of
               false
               reputed
               flattery
               ?
               )
               He
               lends
            
             
               No
               cursed
               Haman
               pow'r
               ,
               to
               worke
               his
               Ends
            
             
               Vpon
               our
               ruine
               ,
               but
               transferres
               his
               grace
            
             
               On
               iust
               desert
               ,
               which
               in
               the
               vgly
               face
            
             
               Of
               foule
               Detraction
               ,
               (
               vntoucht
               )
               can
               dare
               ,
            
             
               And
               smile
               till
               black-mouth'd
               Enuy
               blush
               ,
               and
               tare
            
             
               Her
               Snaky
               fleece
               .
               Thus
               ,
               thus
               in
               happy
               peace
            
             
               He
               rules
               ,
               to
               make
               our
               happinesse
               increase
               ,
            
             
               Directs
               with
               loue
               ,
               commands
               with
               Princely
               awe
               ,
            
             
               And
               in
               his
               brest
               he
               beares
               a
               liuing
               Law
               :
            
             
               Defend
               vs
               thou
               ,
               and
               heauens
               thee
               defend
               ,
            
             
               And
               let
               proud
               Hamans
               haue
               proud
               Hamans
               end
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               
                 THE
                 ARGVMENT
                 .
              
               
                 
                   The
                   Iewes
                   ,
                   and
                   Mordecai
                   lament
                   ,
                
                 
                   And
                   wayle
                   the
                   height
                   of
                   their
                   distresses
                   :
                
                 
                   But
                   Mordecai
                   the
                   Queene
                   possesses
                   ,
                
                 
                   With
                   cruell
                   Hamans
                   soule
                   intent
                   .
                
              
            
             
               Sect.
               9.
               
            
             
               
                 NOw
                 when
                 as
                 Fame
                 (
                 the
                 daughter
                 of
                 the
                 earth
                 
              
               
                 Newly
                 dis-burthen'd
                 of
                 her
                 plumed
                 birth
                 )
              
               
                 From
                 off
                 her
                 Turrets
                 did
                 her
                 wings
                 display
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 pearcht
                 in
                 the
                 sad
                 eares
                 of
                 Mordecai
                 ,
              
               
                 He
                 rent
                 his
                 garments
                 ,
                 wearing
                 in
                 their
                 stead
                 
              
               
                 Distressed
                 sackcloth
                 :
                 on
                 his
                 fainting
                 head
              
               
                 He
                 strowed
                 Dust
                 ,
                 and
                 from
                 his
                 showring
                 eyes
              
               
                 Ran
                 flouds
                 of
                 sorrow
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 bitter
                 cryes
              
               
                 His
                 griefe
                 saluted
                 heauen
                 ;
                 his
                 groanes
                 did
                 borrow
              
               
                 No
                 Art
                 ,
                 to
                 draw
                 the
                 true
                 pourtraict
                 of
                 sorrow
                 ,
              
               
                 Nor
                 yet
                 within
                 his
                 troubled
                 brest
                 alone
                 ,
              
               
                 (
                 Too
                 small
                 a
                 stage
                 for
                 griefe
                 to
                 trample
                 on
                 )
              
               
                 Did
                 Tyrant
                 sorrow
                 act
                 her
                 liuely
                 Sceane
                 ,
              
               
                 But
                 did
                 inlarge
                 (
                 such
                 griefe
                 admits
                 no
                 meane
                 )
              
               
                 The
                 lawlesse
                 limits
                 of
                 her
                 Theater
              
               
                 i
                 th'
                 hearts
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 Iewish
                 Nation
                 ,
                 where
              
               
                 (
                 With
                 no
                 dissembled
                 Action
                 )
                 she
                 exprest
              
               
                 The
                 liuely
                 Passion
                 of
                 a
                 pensiue
                 brest
                 .
                 
              
            
          
        
         
           
             
             
               Aboue
               ,
               or
               here
               below
               ;
               And
               he
               that
               doth
            
             
               Inioy
               the
               one
               ,
               may
               neuer
               taste
               of
               both
               ;
            
             
               Sweating
               ,
               and
               constant
               labour
               wins
               the
               Goale
            
             
               Of
               Rest
               ;
               Afflictions
               clarifie
               the
               soule
               ,
            
             
               And
               like
               hard
               Masters
               ,
               giue
               more
               hard
               directions
               ,
            
             
               Tut'ring
               the
               nonage
               of
               vncurb'd
               affections
               :
            
             
               Wisedome
               (
               the
               Antidote
               of
               sad
               despaire
               )
            
             
               Makes
               sharpe
               Afflictions
               seeme
               not
               as
               they
               are
               ,
            
             
               Through
               patient
               suffrance
               ,
               and
               doth
               apprehend
               ,
            
             
               Not
               as
               they
               seeming
               are
               ,
               but
               as
               they
               end
               :
            
             
               To
               beare
               Affliction
               with
               a
               bended
               brow
               ,
            
             
               Or
               stubborne
               heart
               ,
               is
               but
               to
               disallow
            
             
               The
               speedy
               meanes
               to
               health
               ;
               salue
               heales
               no
               sore
               ,
            
             
               If
               misapply'd
               ,
               but
               makes
               the
               griefe
               the
               more
               :
            
             
               Who
               sends
               Affliction
               ,
               sends
               an
               end
               ;
               and
               He
            
             
               Best
               knowes
               what
               's
               best
               for
               him
               ,
               what
               's
               best
               for
               me
               :
            
             
               '
               
                 T
                 is
                 not
                 for
                 me
                 to
                 carue
                 me
                 where
                 I
                 like
              
               ;
            
             
               Him
               pleases
               when
               he
               list
               ,
               to
               stroake
               or
               strike
               :
            
             
               I
               'le
               neither
               wish
               ,
               nor
               yet
               auoyd
               Tentation
               ,
            
             
               But
               still
               expect
               it
               ,
               and
               make
               Preparation
               :
            
             
               If
               he
               thinke
               best
               my
               Faith
               shall
               not
               be
               tride
               ;
            
             
               (
               Lord
               )
               keepe
               me
               spotlesse
               from
               presumptuous
               pride
               :
            
             
               If
               otherwise
               ;
               with
               triall
               ,
               giue
               me
               care
               ,
            
             
               By
               thankfull
               patience
               ,
               to
               preuent
               Despaire
               ;
            
             
               Fit
               me
               to
               beare
               what
               e'r
               thou
               shalt
               assigne
               ;
            
             
               I
               kisse
               the
               Rod
               ,
               because
               the
               Rod
               is
               thine
               .
            
          
           
             
               How-e'r
               ,
               let
               me
               not
               boast
               ,
               nor
               yet
               repine
               ,
            
             
               With
               triall
               ,
               or
               without
               (
               Lord
               )
               make
               me
               thine
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               
                 THE
                 ARGVMENT
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Her
                   aydimplor'd
                   ,
                   the
                   Queene
                   refuses
                
                 
                   To
                   helpe
                   them
                   ,
                   and
                   her selfe
                   excuses
                   :
                
                 
                   But
                   (
                   vrg'd
                   by
                   Mordecai
                   )
                   consents
                
                 
                   To
                   die
                   ,
                   or
                   crosse
                   their
                   foes
                   intents
                   .
                
              
            
             
               Sect.
               10.
               
            
             
               
                 NOw
                 when
                 the
                 seruant
                 had
                 return'd
                 the
                 words
                 
              
               
                 Of
                 wretched
                 Mordecai
                 ,
                 like
                 poynted
                 swords
                 ,
              
               
                 They
                 neere
                 impierc't
                 Queen
                 Esters
                 tender
                 hart
                 ,
              
               
                 That
                 well
                 could
                 pitty
                 ,
                 but
                 no
                 helpe
                 impart
                 ;
              
               
                 Ballast
                 with
                 griefe
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 the
                 burthen
                 foyld
                 ,
              
               
                 (
                 Like
                 Ordnance
                 ouer-charg'd
                 )
                 she
                 thus
                 recoyld
                 :
              
            
             
               
                 Goe
                 ,
                 Hatach
                 ,
                 tell
                 my
                 wretched
                 kinsman
                 thus
                 ,
                 
              
               
                 The
                 case
                 concernes
                 not
                 him
                 alone
                 ,
                 but
                 vs
                 :
              
               
                 We
                 are
                 the
                 subiect
                 of
                 proud
                 Hamans
                 hate
                 ,
              
               
                 As
                 well
                 as
                 you
                 ;
                 our
                 life
                 is
                 poynted
                 at
              
               
                 As
                 well
                 as
                 yours
                 ,
                 or
                 as
                 the
                 meanest
                 Iew
                 ,
              
               
                 Nor
                 can
                 I
                 helpe
                 my selfe
                 ,
                 nor
                 them
                 ,
                 nor
                 you
                 :
              
               
                 You
                 know
                 the
                 Custome
                 of
                 the
                 Persian
                 State
                 ,
              
               
                 No
                 King
                 may
                 breake
                 ,
                 no
                 subiect
                 violate
                 :
              
               
                 How
                 may
                 I
                 then
                 presume
                 to
                 make
                 accesse
              
               
                 Before
                 th'
                 offended
                 King
                 ?
                 or
                 rudely
                 presse
              
               
                 (
                 Vncall'd
                 )
                 into
                 his
                 presence
                 ?
                 How
                 can
                 I
              
               
                 Expect
                 my
                 suit
                 ,
                 and
                 haue
                 deseru'd
                 to
                 dye
                 ?
                 
              
            
          
        
         
           
             
             
               Must
               suit
               his
               deare
               indeuour
               to
               his
               might
               ;
            
             
               Each
               one
               must
               lift
               ,
               to
               make
               the
               burthen
               light
               ,
            
             
               Prouing
               the
               power
               ,
               that
               his
               gifts
               afford
               ,
            
             
               To
               raise
               the
               best
               aduantage
               for
               his
               Lord
               ,
            
             
               Whose
               substitute
               he
               is
               ,
               and
               for
               whose
               sake
            
             
               We
               liue
               and
               breathe
               ;
               each
               his
               account
               must
               make
               ,
            
             
               Or
               more
               ,
               or
               lesse
               ;
               and
               he
               whose
               power
               lacks
            
             
               The
               meanes
               to
               gather
               honey
               ,
               must
               bring
               waxe
               :
            
             
               Fiue
               Talents
               double
               fiue
               ,
               two
               render
               foure
               ;
            
             
               Wher
               's
               little
               ,
               little
               's
               crau'd
               ,
               where
               much
               ,
               ther
               's
               more
               :
            
             
               Kings
               by
               their
               Royall
               priuiledge
               may
               doe
               ,
            
             
               What
               vnbefits
               a
               mind
               to
               search
               into
               ,
            
             
               But
               by
               the
               force
               of
               their
               Prerogatiues
               ,
            
             
               They
               cannot
               free
               the
               custome
               of
               their
               liues
               :
            
             
               The
               silly
               Widdow
               ,
               (
               from
               whose
               wrinkled
               browes
            
             
               Faint
               drops
               distill
               ,
               through
               labour
               that
               she
               owes
            
             
               Her
               needy
               life
               ,
               )
               must
               make
               her
               Audite
               too
               ,
            
             
               As
               well
               as
               Kings
               ,
               and
               mighty
               Monarkes
               doe
               :
            
             
               The
               world
               's
               a
               Stage
               ,
               each
               mortall
               acts
               thereon
               ,
            
             
               As
               well
               the
               King
               that
               glitters
               on
               the
               Throne
               ,
            
             
               As
               needy
               beggers
               :
               Heau'n
               Spectator
               is
               ,
            
             
               And
               markes
               who
               acteth
               well
               ,
               and
               who
               amisse
               .
            
          
           
             
               ¶
               What
               part
               befits
               me
               best
               ,
               I
               cannot
               tell
               :
            
             
               It
               matters
               not
               how
               meane
               ,
               so
               acted
               well
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               
                 THE
                 ARGVMENT
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Vnto
                   the
                   King
                   Queene
                   Ester
                   goes
                   ,
                
                 
                   He
                   (
                   vnexpected
                   )
                   fauour
                   showes
                   ,
                
                 
                   Demands
                   her
                   suit
                   ,
                   shee
                   doth
                   request
                
                 
                   The
                   King
                   and
                   Haman
                   to
                   a
                   Feast
                   .
                
              
            
             
               Sect.
               11.
               
            
             
               
                 WHen
                 as
                 Queene
                 Esters
                 solemne
                 three
                 dayes
                 Fast
                 
              
               
                 Had
                 feasted
                 heauen
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 sweet
                 repast
                 ,
              
               
                 Her
                 lowly
                 bended
                 body
                 she
                 vnbow'd
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 (
                 like
                 faire
                 Titan
                 breaking
                 from
                 a
                 cloud
                 )
              
               
                 She
                 rose
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 her
                 Royall
                 Robes
                 she
                 clad
              
               
                 Her
                 liuelesse
                 limmes
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 a
                 face
                 as
                 sad
              
               
                 As
                 griefe
                 could
                 paint
                 ,
                 (
                 wanting
                 no
                 Art
                 to
                 borrow
              
               
                 A
                 needlesse
                 helpe
                 to
                 counterfeit
                 a
                 sorrow
                 ,
                 )
              
               
                 Softly
                 she
                 did
                 direct
                 her
                 feeble
                 pace
              
               
                 Vnto
                 the
                 inner
                 Court
                 ,
                 where
                 for
                 a
                 space
                 ,
              
               
                 She
                 boldly
                 stood
                 before
                 the
                 Royall
                 Throne
                 ,
              
               
                 Like
                 one
                 that
                 would
                 ,
                 but
                 durst
                 not
                 make
                 her
                 mone
                 :
              
               
                 Which
                 when
                 her
                 gracious
                 Lord
                 did
                 well
                 behold
                 ,
              
               
                 His
                 heart
                 relented
                 ,
                 (
                 Fortune
                 helpes
                 the
                 bold
                 )
              
               
                 And
                 to
                 expresse
                 a
                 welcome
                 vnexpected
                 ,
              
               
                 Forth
                 to
                 the
                 Queene
                 his
                 Scepter
                 he
                 directed
                 ;
              
               
                 Whom
                 (
                 now
                 imboldn'd
                 to
                 approch
                 secur'd
                 )
              
               
                 In
                 gracious
                 tearmes
                 ,
                 he
                 gently
                 thus
                 coniur'd
                 :
              
            
             
               
               
                 What
                 is
                 't
                 Queene
                 Ester
                 would
                 ?
                 What
                 sad
                 request
                 
              
               
                 Hangs
                 on
                 her
                 lips
                 ,
                 dwells
                 in
                 her
                 doubtfull
                 brest
                 ?
              
               
                 Say
                 ,
                 say
                 ,
                 (
                 my
                 lifes
                 preseruer
                 )
                 what
                 's
                 the
                 thing
                 ,
              
               
                 That
                 lyes
                 in
                 the
                 performance
                 of
                 a
                 King
                 ,
              
               
                 Shall
                 be
                 deny'd
                 ?
                 Faire
                 Queene
                 ,
                 what
                 e'r
                 is
                 mine
              
               
                 Vnto
                 the
                 moyty
                 of
                 my
                 Kingdom
                 's
                 thine
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   So
                   Ester
                   thus
                
                 :
                 If
                 in
                 thy
                 Princely
                 eyes
                 
              
               
                 Thy
                 loyall
                 seruant
                 hath
                 obtain'd
                 the
                 prize
              
               
                 Of
                 vndeserued
                 fauour
                 ,
                 let
                 the
                 King
              
               
                 And
                 Haman
                 grace
                 my
                 this-dayes-banqueting
                 ,
              
               
                 To
                 crowne
                 the
                 dainties
                 of
                 his
                 handmaids
                 Feast
                 ,
              
               
                 Humbly
                 deuoted
                 to
                 so
                 great
                 a
                 Ghest
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 The
                 motion
                 pleas'd
                 ,
                 and
                 fairly
                 well
                 succeeded
                 :
              
               
                 (
                 To
                 willing
                 minds
                 ,
                 no
                 twice
                 intreaty
                 needed
                 )
              
               
                 They
                 came
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 Queene
                 Esters
                 troubled
                 face
                 ,
              
               
                 Rob'd
                 of
                 the
                 sweetnesse
                 of
                 her
                 wonted
                 Grace
                 ,
              
               
                 The
                 King
                 read
                 discontent
                 ;
                 her
                 face
                 diuinde
              
               
                 The
                 greatnesse
                 of
                 some
                 further
                 suit
                 behinde
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 Say
                 ,
                 say
                 ,
                 (
                 thou
                 bounteous
                 haruest
                 of
                 my
                 ioyes
                 )
                 
              
               
                 
                   (
                   Said
                   then
                   the
                   King
                
                 )
                 what
                 dumpish
                 griefe
                 annoyes
              
               
                 Thy
                 troubled
                 soule
                 ?
                 Speake
                 ,
                 Lady
                 ,
                 what
                 's
                 the
                 thing
              
               
                 Thy
                 heart
                 desires
                 ?
                 By
                 th'
                 onour
                 of
                 a
                 King
                 ,
              
               
                 My
                 Kingdomes
                 halfe
                 ,
                 requested
                 ,
                 I
                 'le
                 diuide
              
               
                 To
                 faire
                 Queene
                 Ester
                 ,
                 to
                 my
                 fairest
                 Bride
                 .
                 
              
            
             
               
                 Lo
                 then
                 the
                 tenor
                 of
                 my
                 deare
                 Request
                 ,
              
               
                 
                   (
                   Replide
                   the
                   Queene
                   ,
                
                 )
                 Vnto
                 a
                 second
                 Feast
                 ,
              
               
                 Thy
                 humble
                 suitor
                 doth
                 presume
                 to
                 bid
              
               
                 The
                 King
                 ,
                 and
                 Haman
                 ,
                 as
                 before
                 she
                 did
                 :
              
               
                 Now
                 therefore
                 ,
                 if
                 it
                 please
                 my
                 Gracious
                 Lord
                 ,
              
               
                 To
                 daine
                 his
                 Royall
                 presence
                 ,
                 and
                 afford
              
               
                 The
                 peerlesse
                 treasure
                 of
                 his
                 Princely
                 Grace
                 ,
              
               
                 To
                 dry
                 the
                 sorrowes
                 of
                 his
                 Handmaids
                 face
                 ,
              
               
               
                 Then
                 to
                 my
                 Kingly
                 ,
                 and
                 thrice-welcome
                 Ghest
                 ,
              
               
                 His
                 seruant
                 shall
                 vnbosome
                 her
                 Request
                 .
                 
              
            
          
        
         
           
             Meditatio
             vndecima
             .
          
           
             
               HE
               that
               inuites
               his
               Maker
               to
               a
               Feast
               ,
            
             
               (
               Aduising
               well
               the
               greatnesse
               of
               his
               Chest
               )
            
             
               Must
               clense
               his
               dining
               roome
               from
               foule
               infections
               ,
            
             
               And
               sweepe
               the
               Cobwebs
               of
               his
               lewd
               Affections
               ,
            
             
               And
               then
               prouide
               such
               Cates
               ,
               as
               most
               delight
            
             
               His
               Palate
               ,
               and
               best
               please
               his
               Appetite
               :
            
             
               And
               such
               are
               holy
               workes
               ,
               and
               pious
               deeds
               ,
            
             
               These
               are
               the
               dainties
               whereon
               heau'n
               feeds
               :
            
             
               Faith
               playes
               the
               Cooke
               ,
               seasons
               ,
               directs
               ,
               and
               guides
               ;
            
             
               So
               man
               findes
               meate
               ,
               so
               God
               the
               Cooke
               prouides
               :
            
             
               His
               drinke
               are
               teares
               ,
               sprung
               from
               a
               midnight
               cry
               ,
            
             
               Heau'n
               sips
               out
               Nectar
               from
               a
               sinners
               eye
               ;
            
             
               The
               dining
               Chamber
               ,
               is
               the
               soule
               opprest
               ;
            
             
               God
               keepes
               his
               Reuels
               in
               a
               Sinners
               brest
               :
            
             
               The
               musick
               that
               attends
               the
               Feast
               ,
               are
               grones
               ,
            
             
               Deepe-sounding
               sighes
               ,
               and
               lowd-lamenting
               mones
               :
            
             
               Heau'n
               heares
               no
               sweeter
               musick
               ,
               than
               complaints
               ;
            
             
               The
               Fasts
               of
               sinners
               ,
               are
               the
               Feasts
               of
               Saints
               ,
            
             
               To
               which
               heau'n
               daynes
               to
               stoop
               ,
               &
               heau'ns
               hie
               King
            
             
               Transcends
               ,
               whil'st
               all
               the
               Quire
               of
               Angels
               sing
               ,
            
             
               And
               with
               such
               sense-bereauing
               Sonnets
               fill
            
             
               The
               hearts
               of
               wretched
               men
               ,
               that
               my
               rude
               Quill
            
             
               (
               Dazeld
               with
               too
               much
               light
               )
               it selfe
               addressing
            
             
               To
               blaze
               them
               forth
               ,
               obscures
               them
               in
               th'
               expressing
               :
            
             
             
               Thrice
               happy
               man
               ,
               and
               thrice
               thrice
               happy
               Feast
               ,
            
             
               Grac'd
               with
               the
               presence
               of
               so
               great
               a
               Ghest
               ;
            
             
               To
               *
               him
               are
               freely
               giuen
               the
               *
               priuie
               keyes
            
             
               Of
               heauen
               and
               earth
               ,
               to
               open
               when
               he
               please
               ,
            
             
               And
               locke
               when-e'r
               he
               list
               ;
               In
               him
               it
               lies
            
             
               To
               ope
               the
               showring
               floud-gates
               of
               the
               skyes
               ,
               
            
             
               Or
               shut
               them
               at
               his
               pleasure
               ;
               In
               his
               hand
            
             
               The
               Host
               of
               heauen
               is
               put
               ;
               If
               he
               command
               ,
            
             
               The
               Sunne
               (
               not
               daring
               to
               withstand
               )
               obeyes
               ,
               
            
             
               Out
               runnes
               his
               equall
               howres
               ,
               flyes
               backe
               ,
               or
               stayes
               ,
            
             
               To
               him
               there
               's
               nought
               vneasie
               to
               atchieue
               ;
               
            
             
               Hee
               'le
               rouze
               the
               graues
               ,
               and
               make
               the
               dead
               aliue
               .
            
             
               ¶
               Lord
               ,
               I
               'me
               vnfit
               t'
               inuite
               thee
               to
               my
               Home
               ,
            
             
               My
               Cates
               are
               all
               too
               course
               ,
               too
               meane
               my
               Roome
               :
            
          
           
             
               Yet
               come
               and
               welcome
               ;
               By
               thy
               pow'r
               Diuine
               ,
            
             
               Thy
               Grace
               may
               turne
               my
               water
               into
               Wine
               .
            
          
           
             
               
                 THE
                 ARGVMENT
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Good
                   Mordecai's
                   vnreuerence
                
                 
                   Great
                   Hamans
                   haughty
                   pride
                   offends
                   :
                
                 
                   H'acquaints
                   his
                   wife
                   with
                   the
                   offence
                   ;
                
                 
                   The
                   counsell
                   of
                   his
                   wife
                   and
                   friends
                   .
                
              
            
             
               Sect.
               12.
               
            
             
               
                 THat
                 day
                 went
                 Haman
                 forth
                 ;
                 his
                 swolne
                 brest
                 
              
               
                 Was
                 fill'd
                 with
                 ioyes
                 ,
                 and
                 heart
                 was
                 full
                 possest
              
               
               
                 Of
                 all
                 the
                 height
                 Ambition
                 could
                 require
                 ,
              
               
                 To
                 satisfie
                 her
                 prodigall
                 Desire
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 But
                 when
                 he
                 passed
                 through
                 the
                 Palace
                 Gate
                 ,
                 
              
               
                 (
                 His
                 eye-sore
                 )
                 aged
                 Mardocheus
                 sate
                 ,
              
               
                 With
                 dauntlesse
                 head
                 vnbar'd
                 ,
                 and
                 knee
                 vnbent
                 ,
              
               
                 Vnapt
                 to
                 fawne
                 ,
                 with
                 slauish
                 blandishment
                 :
              
               
                 Which
                 when
                 Great
                 Haman
                 saw
                 ,
                 his
                 boyling
                 brest
                 
              
               
                 (
                 So
                 foule
                 disdaine
                 vnable
                 to
                 digest
                 )
              
               
                 Ran
                 o're
                 ;
                 his
                 blood
                 grew
                 hot
                 ,
                 and
                 new
                 desires
              
               
                 Incenst
                 ,
                 and
                 kindled
                 his
                 auenging
                 fires
                 :
              
               
                 Surcharg'd
                 with
                 griefe
                 ,
                 and
                 sicke
                 with
                 male-content
              
               
                 Of
                 his
                 distemper'd
                 passion
                 ,
                 home
                 he
                 went
                 ;
              
               
                 Where
                 (
                 to
                 asswage
                 the
                 swelling
                 of
                 his
                 sorrow
              
               
                 With
                 words
                 ,
                 the
                 poorest
                 helpes
                 distresse
                 can
                 borrow
                 )
              
               
                 His
                 wife
                 ,
                 and
                 friends
                 he
                 summon'd
                 to
                 partake
              
               
                 His
                 cause
                 of
                 discontent
                 ,
                 and
                 thus
                 bespake
                 :
              
            
             
               
                 
                   See
                   ,
                   see
                   ,
                   how
                   Fortune
                   with
                   a
                   lib'rall
                   hand
                   ,
                
                 
              
               
                 Hath
                 with
                 the
                 best
                 ,
                 and
                 sweetest
                 of
                 the
                 Land
                 ,
              
               
                 Crown'd
                 my
                 desires
                 ,
                 and
                 hath
                 timely
                 blowne
              
               
                 My
                 budded
                 hopes
                 ,
                 whose
                 ripenesse
                 hath
                 out-growne
              
               
                 The
                 limits
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 height
                 of
                 expectation
                 ,
              
               
                 Scarce
                 to
                 b'inioyd
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 a
                 Contemplation
                 :
              
            
             
               
                 See
                 ,
                 see
                 ,
                 how
                 Fortune
                 (
                 to
                 inlarge
                 my
                 breath
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 make
                 me
                 liuing
                 in
                 despight
                 of
                 Death
                 )
              
               
                 Hath
                 multiplide
                 my
                 loynes
                 ,
                 that
                 after-Fame
              
               
                 May
                 in
                 my
                 stocke
                 preserue
                 my
                 Blood
                 ,
                 my
                 Name
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 To
                 make
                 my
                 honour
                 with
                 my
                 fortunes
                 euen
                 ,
              
               
                 Behold
                 ,
                 my
                 gracious
                 Lord
                 the
                 King
                 hath
                 giuen
              
               
                 And
                 trusted
                 to
                 my
                 hand
                 the
                 sword
                 of
                 Pow'r
                 ;
              
               
                 Or
                 life
                 ,
                 or
                 death
                 lies
                 where
                 I
                 laugh
                 or
                 lowre
                 :
              
               
                 Who
                 stands
                 more
                 gracious
                 in
                 the
                 Princes
                 eye
                 ?
              
               
                 How
                 frownes
                 the
                 King
                 ,
                 if
                 Haman
                 be
                 not
                 by
                 ?
              
            
             
               
               
                 Ester
                 the
                 Queene
                 hath
                 made
                 the
                 King
                 her
                 Ghest
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 (
                 wisely
                 weighing
                 how
                 to
                 grace
                 the
                 Feast
              
               
                 With
                 most
                 aduantage
                 )
                 hath
                 (
                 in
                 policy
                 )
              
               
                 Inuited
                 me
                 :
                 And
                 no
                 man
                 else
                 but
                 I
              
               
                 (
                 Onely
                 a
                 fit
                 Companion
                 for
                 a
                 King
                 )
              
               
                 May
                 taste
                 the
                 secrets
                 of
                 the
                 banqueting
                 :
              
            
             
               
                 Yet
                 what
                 auailes
                 my
                 wealth
                 ,
                 my
                 place
                 ,
                 my
                 might
                 ?
              
               
                 How
                 can
                 I
                 rellish
                 them
                 ?
                 with
                 what
                 delight
                 ?
              
               
                 What
                 pleasure
                 is
                 in
                 dainties
                 ,
                 if
                 the
                 Tast
              
               
                 Be
                 in
                 it selfe
                 distemper'd
                 ?
                 Better
                 Fast
                 :
              
               
                 In
                 many
                 sweets
                 ,
                 one
                 sowre
                 offends
                 the
                 Pallate
                 ;
              
               
                 One
                 loth
                 some
                 weed
                 annoyes
                 the
                 choycest
                 Sallat
                 :
              
               
                 What
                 are
                 my
                 riches
                 ?
                 What
                 my
                 honour'd
                 Place
                 ?
              
               
                 What
                 are
                 my
                 children
                 ?
                 or
                 my
                 Princes
                 Grace
                 ,
              
               
                 So
                 long
                 as
                 cursed
                 Mordecai
                 furuiues
                 ?
              
               
                 Whose
                 very
                 breath
                 infects
                 ,
                 whose
                 life
                 depriues
              
               
                 My
                 life
                 of
                 blisse
                 ,
                 and
                 visage
                 sternly
                 strikes
              
               
                 Worse
                 venime
                 to
                 mine
                 eyes
                 ,
                 than
                 Basilisks
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 When
                 Haman
                 then
                 had
                 lanc'd
                 his
                 rip'ned
                 griefe
              
               
                 In
                 bloody
                 tearmes
                 ,
                 they
                 thus
                 appli'd
                 reliefe
                 :
              
            
             
               
                 Erect
                 a
                 Gibbet
                 ,
                 fifty
                 Cubits
                 hie
                 ,
                 
              
               
                 Then
                 vrge
                 the
                 King
                 (
                 what
                 will
                 the
                 King
                 denie
              
               
                 When
                 Haman
                 sues
                 ?
                 )
                 that
                 slauish
                 Mordecai
              
               
                 Be
                 hang'd
                 thereon
                 ;
                 his
                 blood
                 will
                 soone
                 allay
              
               
                 The
                 heate
                 of
                 thine
                 ;
                 His
                 cursed
                 death
                 shall
                 fame
              
               
                 The
                 highnesse
                 of
                 thy
                 power
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 shame
                 ;
              
               
                 So
                 when
                 thy
                 suit
                 shall
                 finde
                 a
                 faire
                 euent
                 ,
              
               
                 Goe
                 banquet
                 with
                 the
                 King
                 ,
                 and
                 liue
                 content
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 The
                 Counsell
                 pleas'd
                 :
                 The
                 Gibbet
                 fairely
                 stands
                 ,
              
               
                 Soone
                 done
                 ,
                 as
                 said
                 :
                 Reuenge
                 findes
                 nimble
                 hands
                 .
                 
              
            
          
        
         
           
           
             Meditatio
             duodecima
             .
          
           
             
               SOme
               Eu'ls
               I
               must
               approue
               ,
               All
               Goods
               ,
               I
               dare
               not
               ,
            
             
               Some
               are
               and
               seeme
               not
               good
               ;
               some
               seeme
               ,
               and
               are
               not
               :
            
             
               In
               chusing
               Goods
               ,
               my
               heart
               shall
               make
               the
               choyce
               ,
            
             
               My
               flattring
               eye
               shall
               haue
               no
               casting
               voyce
               ;
            
             
               No
               outward
               sence
               may
               chuse
               an
               inward
               blisse
               ,
            
             
               For
               seeming
               Happinesse
               least
               happy
               is
               :
            
             
               The
               eye
               (
               the
               chiefest
               Cink-port
               of
               the
               Hart
               )
            
             
               Keepes
               open
               doores
               ,
               and
               playes
               the
               Panders
               part
            
             
               To
               painted
               pleasures
               ,
               luring
               the
               Affections
               ,
            
             
               And
               maskes
               foule
               faces
               vnder
               false
               complections
               ;
            
             
               It
               hath
               no
               pow'r
               to
               iudge
               ,
               nor
               can
               it
               see
            
             
               Things
               as
               they
               are
               ,
               but
               as
               they
               seeme
               to
               be
               .
            
          
           
             
               There
               's
               but
               one
               happinesse
               ,
               one
               perfect
               blisse
               ;
            
             
               But
               how
               obtaind
               ,
               or
               where
               ,
               or
               what
               it
               is
               ,
            
             
               The
               world
               of
               nature
               ne'r
               could
               apprehend
               ,
            
             
               Grounding
               their
               labours
               on
               no
               other
               end
            
             
               Then
               supposition
               ,
               dinersly
               affecting
            
             
               Some
               one
               thing
               ,
               some
               another
               ,
               still
               proiecting
            
             
               Prodigious
               fancies
               ,
               till
               their
               learned
               Schooles
            
             
               Lent
               so
               much
               knowledge
               ,
               as
               to
               make
               them
               fooles
               :
            
             
               One
               builds
               his
               blisse
               vpon
               the
               blaze
               of
               Glory
               ,
            
             
               Can
               perfect
               happinesse
               be
               transitory
               ?
            
             
               In
               strength
               ,
               another
               summes
               Felicity
               :
            
             
               What
               horse
               is
               not
               more
               happy
               farre
               than
               he
               ?
            
             
               Some
               pile
               their
               happinesse
               on
               heapes
               of
               wealth
               ,
            
             
               Which
               (
               sicke
               )
               they
               'd
               loath
               ,
               if
               gold
               could
               purchase
               health
               ;
               
            
          
           
             
               
               
                 Be
                 done
                 to
                 him
                 the
                 King
                 shall
                 most
                 affect
                 ;
              
               
                 In
                 Robes
                 Imperiall
                 be
                 his
                 body
                 drest
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 brauely
                 mounted
                 on
                 that
                 very
                 Beast
              
               
                 The
                 King
                 bestrides
                 ;
                 then
                 be
                 the
                 Crowne
                 of
                 State
              
               
                 Plac'd
                 on
                 his
                 lofty
                 browes
                 ;
                 let
                 Princes
                 waite
              
               
                 Vpon
                 his
                 Stirrop
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 triumph
                 leade
              
               
                 This
                 Impe
                 of
                 Honour
                 ,
                 in
                 Assuerus
                 stead
                 ;
              
               
                 And
                 to
                 expresse
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 his
                 name
                 ,
              
               
                 Like
                 Heralds
                 ,
                 let
                 the
                 Princes
                 thus
                 proclaime
                 ,
              
               
                 This
                 peerlesse
                 honour
                 ,
                 and
                 these
                 Princely
                 rites
              
               
                 Be
                 done
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 in
                 whom
                 the
                 King
                 delights
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Said
                   then
                   the
                   King
                
                 ,
                 (
                 O
                 sudden
                 change
                 of
                 fate
                 !
                 
              
               
                 Within
                 the
                 Portall
                 of
                 our
                 Palace
                 Gate
              
               
                 There
                 sits
                 a
                 Iew
                 ,
                 whose
                 name
                 is
                 Mordecai
                 ,
              
               
                 Be
                 he
                 the
                 man
                 ;
                 Let
                 no
                 peruerse
                 delay
              
               
                 Protract
                 ;
                 But
                 what
                 thy
                 lauish
                 tongue
                 hath
                 said
                 ,
              
               
                 Doe
                 thou
                 to
                 him
                 :
                 So
                 Haman
                 ,
                 sore
                 dismaid
                 :
              
               
                 His
                 tongue
                 (
                 ty'd
                 to
                 his
                 Roofe
                 )
                 made
                 no
                 reply
                 ,
              
               
                 But
                 (
                 neither
                 daring
                 answere
                 ,
                 nor
                 deny
                 )
              
               
                 Perforce
                 obeyd
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 his
                 Page
                 became
                 ,
              
               
                 Whose
                 life
                 he
                 sought
                 to
                 haue
                 bereau'd
                 with
                 shame
                 :
              
               
                 The
                 Rites
                 obserued
                 ,
                 Mordecai
                 return'd
              
               
                 Vnto
                 the
                 Gate
                 ,
                 Haman
                 went
                 home
                 and
                 mourn'd
                 ,
              
               
                 (
                 His
                 visage
                 muffled
                 in
                 a
                 mournfull
                 vale
                 )
              
               
                 And
                 told
                 his
                 wife
                 this
                 melancholy
                 Tale
                 ;
              
               
                 Whereat
                 amaz'd
                 and
                 startl'd
                 at
                 the
                 newes
                 ,
              
               
                 Despairing
                 ,
                 thus
                 she
                 spake
                 ;
                 If
                 from
                 the
                 Iewes
                 
              
               
                 This
                 Mordecai
                 deriue
                 his
                 happy
                 line
                 ,
              
               
                 His
                 be
                 the
                 Palme
                 of
                 victory
                 ,
                 not
                 thine
                 ;
              
               
                 The
                 highest
                 heau'ns
                 haue
                 still
                 conspir'd
                 to
                 blesse
              
               
                 That
                 faithfull
                 seed
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 afaire
                 successe
                 ,
              
               
                 Haue
                 crown'd
                 their
                 iust
                 designes
                 :
                 If
                 Mordecai
              
               
               
                 Descend
                 from
                 thence
                 ,
                 thy
                 hopes
                 shall
                 soone
                 decay
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 melt
                 like
                 waxe
                 before
                 the
                 mid-day
                 Sunne
                 .
              
               
                 So
                 said
                 ,
                 her
                 broken
                 speech
                 not
                 fully
                 done
                 ,
              
               
                 Haman
                 was
                 hasted
                 to
                 Queene
                 Esters
                 Feast
                 ;
              
               
                 To
                 mirth
                 and
                 ioy
                 ,
                 an
                 indisposed
                 Ghest
                 .
                 
              
            
          
        
         
           
             Meditatio
             decimatertia
             .
          
           
             
               
                 THere
                 's
                 nothing
                 vnder
                 heauen
                 more
                 glorifies
              
               
                 The
                 name
                 of
                 Kings
                 ,
                 or
                 in
                 a
                 subiects
                 eyes
              
               
                 Winnes
                 more
                 obseruance
                 ,
                 or
                 true
                 loyalty
                 ,
              
               
                 Than
                 sacred
                 Iustice
                 ,
                 shared
                 equally
                 :
              
               
                 No
                 greater
                 glory
                 can
                 belong
                 to
                 Might
                 ,
              
               
                 Than
                 to
                 defend
                 the
                 feeble
                 in
                 their
                 right
                 ;
              
               
                 To
                 helpe
                 the
                 helplesse
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 wrongs
                 redresse
                 ,
              
               
                 To
                 curbe
                 the
                 haughty-hearted
                 ,
                 and
                 suppresse
              
               
                 The
                 proud
                 ;
                 requiting
                 eu'ry
                 speciall
                 Deed
                 
              
               
                 With
                 punishment
                 ,
                 or
                 honourable
                 meed
                 :
              
               
                 Herein
                 Kings
                 aptly
                 may
                 deserue
                 the
                 name
              
               
                 Of
                 Gods
                 ,
                 inshrined
                 in
                 an
                 earthly
                 frame
                 ;
              
               
                 Nor
                 can
                 they
                 any
                 way
                 approach
                 more
                 nye
              
               
                 The
                 full
                 perfection
                 of
                 a
                 Deity
                 ,
              
               
                 Then
                 by
                 true
                 Iustice
                 imitating
                 heauen
              
               
                 In
                 nothing
                 more
                 ,
                 than
                 in
                 the
                 poyzing
                 euen
              
               
                 Their
                 righteous
                 ballance
                 :
                 Iustice
                 is
                 not
                 blind
                 ,
              
               
                 As
                 Poets
                 faine
                 ,
                 but
                 with
                 a
                 sight
                 refin'd
              
               
                 Her
                 Lyncian
                 eyes
                 are
                 cleer'd
                 ,
                 and
                 shine
                 as
                 bright
              
               
                 As
                 doe
                 their
                 errours
                 ,
                 that
                 deny
                 her
                 sight
                 ;
              
               
                 The
                 soule
                 of
                 Iustice
                 resteth
                 in
                 her
                 eye
                 ;
              
               
                 Her
                 Contemplation
                 is
                 to
                 descry
                 
              
               
               
                 Thy
                 hand
                 maid
                 hath
                 found
                 fauour
                 ;
                 let
                 my
                 Lord
              
               
                 Grant
                 me
                 my
                 life
                 (
                 my
                 life
                 so
                 much
                 abhorr'd
                 ,
              
               
                 To
                 doe
                 him
                 seruice
                 )
                 and
                 my
                 peoples
                 life
                 ,
              
               
                 Which
                 now
                 lye
                 open
                 to
                 a
                 Tyrants
                 knife
                 :
              
               
                 Our
                 liues
                 are
                 sold
                 ,
                 't
                 is
                 I
                 ,
                 't
                 is
                 guiltlesse
                 I
                 ,
              
               
                 Thy
                 loyall
                 Spouse
                 ,
                 thy
                 Queene
                 and
                 hers
                 must
                 dye
                 ;
              
               
                 The
                 spotlesse
                 blood
                 of
                 me
                 ,
                 thy
                 faithfull
                 Bride
                 ,
              
               
                 Must
                 sivage
                 the
                 swelling
                 of
                 a
                 Tyrants
                 pride
                 :
              
               
                 Had
                 we
                 been
                 sold
                 for
                 drudges
                 ,
                 to
                 attend
              
               
                 The
                 busie
                 Spindle
                 ,
                 or
                 for
                 slaues
                 ,
                 to
                 spend
              
               
                 Our
                 weary
                 howers
                 to
                 deserue
                 our
                 bread
                 ,
              
               
                 So
                 as
                 the
                 gaine
                 stood
                 but
                 my
                 Lord
                 in
                 stead
                 ,
              
               
                 I
                 had
                 been
                 silent
                 ,
                 and
                 ne'r
                 spent
                 my
                 breath
                 :
              
               
                 But
                 neither
                 he
                 that
                 seekes
                 it
                 ,
                 nor
                 my
                 Death
                 ,
              
               
                 Can
                 to
                 himselfe
                 the
                 least
                 aduantage
                 bring
                 ,
              
               
                 (
                 Except
                 Reuenge
                 )
                 nor
                 to
                 my
                 Lord
                 the
                 King.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 Like
                 to
                 a
                 Lion
                 rouzed
                 from
                 his
                 rest
                 ,
              
               
                 Rag'd
                 then
                 the
                 King
                 ,
                 and
                 thus
                 his
                 rage
                 exprest
                 :
              
            
             
               
                 Who
                 is
                 the
                 man
                 ,
                 that
                 dares
                 attempt
                 this
                 thing
                 ?
                 
              
               
                 Where
                 is
                 the
                 Traitor
                 ?
                 What
                 ?
                 Am
                 I
                 a
                 King
                 ?
              
               
                 May
                 not
                 our
                 subiects
                 serue
                 ,
                 but
                 must
                 our
                 Queene
              
               
                 Be
                 made
                 the
                 subiect
                 of
                 a
                 villaines
                 spleene
                 ?
              
               
                 Is
                 not
                 Queene
                 Ester
                 bosom'd
                 in
                 our
                 heart
                 ?
              
               
                 What
                 Traitor
                 then
                 dares
                 be
                 so
                 bold
                 ,
                 part
              
               
                 Our
                 heart
                 ,
                 and
                 vs
                 ?
                 Who
                 dares
                 attempt
                 this
                 thing
                 ?
              
               
                 Can
                 Ester
                 then
                 be
                 slaine
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 the
                 King
                 ?
              
            
             
               
                 Repli'd
                 the
                 Queene
                 ,
                 The
                 man
                 that
                 hath
                 done
                 this
                 ,
                 
              
               
                 That
                 cursed
                 Haman
                 ,
                 wicked
                 Haman
                 is
                 :
              
            
             
               
                 Like
                 as
                 a
                 Felon
                 shakes
                 before
                 the
                 Bench
                 ,
              
               
                 Whose
                 troubled
                 silence
                 proues
                 the
                 Euidence
                 ,
              
               
                 So
                 Haman
                 trembled
                 ,
                 when
                 Queene
                 Ester
                 spake
                 ,
              
               
                 Nor
                 answere
                 ,
                 nor
                 excuse
                 ,
                 his
                 Guilt
                 could
                 make
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 The
                 King
                 ,
                 no
                 longer
                 able
                 to
                 digest
              
               
                 So
                 foule
                 a
                 Trechery
                 ,
                 forsooke
                 the
                 Feast
                 ,
              
               
                 Walk'd
                 in
                 the
                 Garden
                 ,
                 where
                 consuming
                 rage
              
               
                 Boyl'd
                 in
                 his
                 heart
                 ,
                 with
                 fire
                 (
                 vnapt
                 t'
                 asswage
                 .
                 )
              
               
                 So
                 Haman
                 pleading
                 guilty
                 to
                 the
                 fault
                 ,
              
               
                 Besought
                 his
                 life
                 of
                 her
                 ,
                 whose
                 life
                 he
                 sought
                 .
              
               
                 When
                 as
                 the
                 King
                 had
                 walk'd
                 a
                 little
                 space
                 ,
              
               
                 (
                 So
                 rage
                 and
                 choller
                 often
                 shift
                 their
                 place
                 )
              
               
                 In
                 ,
                 he
                 return'd
                 ,
                 where
                 Haman
                 fallen
                 flat
              
               
                 Was
                 on
                 the
                 bed
                 ,
                 whereon
                 Queene
                 Ester
                 sate
                 ;
              
               
                 Whereat
                 the
                 King
                 new
                 cause
                 of
                 rage
                 debates
                 ,
              
               
                 (
                 Apt
                 to
                 suppose
                 the
                 worst
                 ,
                 of
                 whom
                 he
                 hates
                 )
              
               
                 New
                 passion
                 adds
                 new
                 fuell
                 to
                 his
                 fire
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 faines
                 a
                 cause
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 it
                 blaze
                 the
                 higher
                 :
              
               
                 Is
                 't
                 not
                 enough
                 for
                 him
                 to
                 seeke
                 her
                 death
                 ,
                 
              
               
                 (
                 
                   Said
                   he
                
                 )
                 but
                 with
                 a
                 Lechers
                 tainted
                 breath
                 ,
              
               
                 Will
                 he
                 inforce
                 my
                 Queene
                 before
                 my
                 face
                 ?
              
               
                 And
                 make
                 his
                 Brothell
                 in
                 our
                 Royall
                 Place
                 ?
              
            
             
               
                 So
                 said
                 ,
                 they
                 vailed
                 Hamans
                 face
                 ,
                 as
                 he
              
               
                 Vnfit
                 were
                 to
                 be
                 seene
                 ,
                 or
                 yet
                 to
                 see
                 :
              
            
             
               
                 Said
                 then
                 an
                 *
                 Eunuch
                 sadly
                 standing
                 by
                 ,
                 
              
               
                 In
                 Hamans
                 Garden
                 ,
                 fifty
                 Cubits
                 high
                 ,
              
               
                 There
                 stands
                 a
                 Gibbet
                 ,
                 built
                 but
                 yesterday
                 ,
              
               
                 Made
                 for
                 thy
                 loyall
                 seruant
                 Mordecai
                 ,
              
               
                 Whose
                 faithfull
                 lips
                 thy
                 life
                 from
                 danger
                 freed
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 merit
                 leads
                 him
                 to
                 a
                 fairer
                 meed
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Said
                   then
                   the
                   King
                
                 ,
                 It
                 seemeth
                 iust
                 and
                 good
                 ,
                 
              
               
                 To
                 shead
                 his
                 blood
                 ,
                 that
                 thirsted
                 after
                 blood
                 ;
              
               
                 Who
                 plants
                 the
                 tree
                 ,
                 deserues
                 the
                 fruit
                 ;
                 't
                 is
                 fit
              
               
                 That
                 he
                 that
                 bought
                 the
                 purchase
                 ,
                 hansell
                 it
                 :
              
               
                 Hang
                 Haman
                 there
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 his
                 proper
                 good
                 ;
              
               
                 So
                 let
                 the
                 Horseleach
                 burst
                 himselfe
                 with
                 blood
                 :
              
               
               
                 They
                 straight
                 obey'd
                 :
                 Lo
                 here
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 Pride
                 :
              
               
                 Now
                 rests
                 the
                 King
                 appeas'd
                 ,
                 and
                 satisfi'de
                 .
                 
              
            
          
        
         
           
             Meditatio
             decimaquarta
             .
          
           
             
               CHeere
               vp
               ,
               and
               caroll
               forth
               your
               siluer
               ditty
               ,
            
             
               (
               Heau'ns
               winged
               Quiristers
               )
               and
               fill
               your
               Citty
            
             
               (
               The
               new
               Ierusalem
               )
               with
               iolly
               mirth
               :
            
             
               The
               Church
               hath
               peace
               in
               heauen
               ,
               hath
               peace
               on
               earth
               ;
            
             
               Spread
               forth
               your
               golden
               pinions
               ,
               and
               cleaue
            
             
               The
               flitting
               skies
               ;
               dismount
               ,
               and
               quite
               bereaue
            
             
               Our
               stupid
               senses
               with
               your
               heauenly
               mirth
               ,
            
             
               For
               lo
               ,
               there
               's
               peace
               in
               heauen
               ,
               there
               's
               peace
               on
               earth
               :
            
             
               Let
               Haleluiah
               fill
               your
               warbling
               tongues
               ,
            
             
               And
               let
               the
               ayre
               ,
               compos'd
               of
               Saintly
               songs
               ,
            
             
               Breathe
               such
               Celestiall
               Sonnets
               in
               our
               eares
               ;
            
             
               That
               whosoe'r
               this
               heauenly
               musicke
               heares
               ,
            
             
               May
               stand
               amaz'd
               ,
               and
               (
               rauish't
               at
               the
               mirth
               )
            
             
               Chaunt
               forth
               ,
               There
               's
               peace
               in
               heauen
               ,
               there
               's
               peace
               on
               earth
               ;
            
             
               Let
               Mountaines
               clap
               their
               ioyfull
               ,
               ioyfull
               hands
               ,
            
             
               And
               let
               the
               lesser
               Hills
               trace
               o'r
               the
               lands
            
             
               In
               equall
               measure
               ;
               and
               resounding
               Woods
               ,
            
             
               Bow
               downe
               your
               heads
               ,
               and
               kisse
               your
               neighb'ring
               floods
               :
            
             
               Let
               peace
               and
               loue
               exalt
               your
               key
               of
               mirth
               ;
            
             
               For
               loe
               ,
               there
               's
               peace
               in
               heauen
               ,
               there
               's
               peace
               on
               earth
               :
            
             
               You
               holy
               temples
               of
               the
               highest
               King
               ,
            
             
               Triumph
               with
               ioy
               ;
               Your
               sacred
               Anthemes
               sing
               ;
            
             
               Chaunt
               forth
               your
               Hymnes
               ,
               and
               heauenly
               Roundelayes
               ,
            
             
               And
               touch
               your
               Organs
               on
               their
               deeper
               keyes
               :
            
             
             
               For
               Haman's
               dead
               that
               daunted
               all
               your
               mirth
               ,
            
             
               And
               now
               there
               's
               peace
               in
               heau'n
               ,
               there
               's
               peace
               on
               earth
               :
            
             
               Proud
               Haman's
               dead
               ,
               who
               (
               liuing
               )
               thee
               opprest
               ,
            
             
               Seeking
               to
               cut
               ,
               and
               seare
               thy
               Lilly
               brest
               ;
            
             
               The
               rau'ning
               Fox
               ,
               that
               did
               annoyance
               bring
            
             
               Vnto
               thy
               Vineyard
               ,
               's
               taken
               in
               a
               Spring
               .
            
             
               ¶
               Seem'd
               not
               thy
               Spouse
               vnkind
               ,
               to
               heare
               thee
               weepe
               ,
            
             
               And
               not
               redresse
               thee
               ?
               Seem'd
               he
               not
               asleepe
               ?
            
             
               No
               ,
               (
               Sion
               )
               no
               ,
               he
               heard
               thy
               bitter
               pray'r
               ,
            
             
               But
               let
               thee
               weepe
               :
               for
               weeping
               makes
               thee
               faire
               .
            
             
               The
               morning
               Sunne
               reflects
               ,
               and
               shines
               most
               bright
               ,
            
             
               When
               Pilgrims
               grope
               in
               darknesse
               all
               the
               night
               :
            
             
               The
               Church
               must
               conquer
               ,
               e'r
               she
               gets
               the
               prize
               ,
            
             
               But
               there
               's
               no
               conquest
               ,
               where
               's
               no
               enemies
               :
            
             
               The
               Day
               is
               thine
               ;
               In
               triumph
               make
               thy
               mirth
               ,
            
             
               For
               now
               there
               's
               peace
               in
               heauen
               ,
               there
               's
               peace
               on
               earth
               :
            
             
               What
               man
               's
               so
               dull
               ,
               or
               in
               his
               braines
               vndone
               ,
            
             
               To
               say
               ,
               (
               because
               he
               sees
               not
               )
               There
               's
               no
               Sunne
               ?
            
             
               Weake
               is
               the
               faith
               ,
               vpon
               a
               sudden
               griefe
               ,
            
             
               That
               sayes
               ,
               (
               because
               not
               now
               )
               There
               's
               no
               reliefe
               :
            
             
               God's*
               bound
               to
               helpe
               ,
               but
               loues
               to
               see
               men
               sue
               :
               
            
             
               Though
               datelesse
               ,
               yet
               the
               bond
               's
               not
               present
               due
               .
            
             
               ¶
               Like
               to
               the
               sorrowes
               of
               our
               Child-bed
               wines
               ,
            
             
               Is
               the
               sad
               pilgrimage
               of
               humane
               liues
               :
            
          
           
             
               But
               when
               by
               throes
               God
               sends
               a
               ioyfull
               birth
               ,
            
             
               Then
               find
               we
               Peace
               in
               heauen
               ,
               and
               Peace
               on
               earth
               .
               
            
          
        
         
           
           
             Meditatio
             decimaquinta
             .
          
           
             
               TO
               breathe
               ,
               's
               a
               necessary
               gift
               of
               nature
               ,
            
             
               Whereby
               she
               may
               discerne
               a
               liuing
               Creature
            
             
               From
               plants
               ,
               or
               stones
               :
               'T
               is
               but
               a
               meere
               degree
            
             
               From
               Vegitation
               ;
               and
               this
               ,
               hath
               she
            
             
               Like
               equally
               shar'd
               out
               to
               brutish
               beasts
            
             
               With
               man
               ,
               who
               lesse
               obserues
               her
               due
               behests
            
             
               (
               Sometimes
               )
               than
               they
               ,
               and
               oft
               by
               accident
               ,
            
             
               Doe
               lesse
               improue
               the
               gift
               in
               the
               euent
               :
            
             
               But
               man
               ,
               whose
               organs
               are
               more
               fairly
               drest
               ,
            
             
               To
               entertaine
               a
               farre
               more
               noble
               Ghest
               ,
            
             
               Hath
               ,
               through
               the
               excellence
               of
               his
               Creation
               ,
            
             
               A
               Soule
               Diuine
               ;
               Diuine
               by
               inspiration
               ;
            
             
               Diuine
               through
               likenesse
               to
               that
               pow'r
               Diuine
               ,
            
             
               That
               made
               and
               plac'd
               her
               in
               her
               mortall
               shrine
               ;
            
             
               From
               hence
               we
               challenge
               lifes
               prerogatiue
               ;
            
             
               Beasts
               onely
               breathe
               ;
               'T
               is
               man
               alone
               doth
               liue
               ;
            
             
               The
               end
               of
               mans
               Creation
               ,
               was
               Society
               ,
            
             
               Mutuall
               Communion
               ,
               and
               friendly
               Piety
               :
            
             
               The
               man
               that
               liues
               vnto
               himselfe
               alone
               ,
            
             
               Subsists
               and
               breathes
               ,
               but
               liues
               not
               ;
               Neuer
               one
            
             
               Deseru'd
               the
               moity
               of
               himselfe
               ,
               for
               he
            
             
               That
               's
               borne
               ,
               may
               challenge
               but
               one
               part
               of
               three
               ;
            
             
               Triparted
               thus
               ;
               his
               Country
               claimes
               the
               best
               ;
            
             
               The
               next
               ,
               his
               Parents
               ;
               and
               Himselfe
               ,
               the
               least
               .
            
             
               He
               husbands
               best
               his
               life
               ,
               that
               freely
               giues
            
             
               It
               for
               the
               publike
               good
               ;
               He
               rightly
               liues
               ;
            
             
             
               That
               nobly
               dies
               :
               't
               is
               greatest
               mastery
               ,
            
             
               Not
               to
               be
               fond
               to
               liue
               ,
               nor
               feare
               to
               dye
            
             
               On
               iust
               occasion
               ;
               He
               that
               (
               in
               case
               )
               despises
            
             
               Life
               ,
               earnes
               it
               best
               ,
               but
               he
               that
               ouer-prizes
            
             
               His
               dearest
               blood
               ,
               when
               Honour
               bids
               him
               dye
               ,
            
             
               Steales
               but
               a
               life
               ,
               and
               liues
               by
               Robbery
               .
            
             
               ¶
               O
               sweet
               Redeemer
               of
               the
               world
               ,
               whose
               death
            
             
               Deseru'd
               a
               world
               of
               liues
               !
               Had
               Thy
               deare
               breath
            
             
               Been
               deare
               to
               Thee
               ;
               Oh
               had'st
               Thou
               but
               deny'd
            
             
               Thy
               precious
               Blood
               ,
               the
               world
               for
               e'r
               had
               dy'd
               :
            
          
           
             
               O
               spoyle
               my
               life
               ,
               when
               I
               desire
               to
               saue
               it
               ,
            
             
               By
               keeping
               it
               from
               Thee
               ,
               that
               freely
               gaue
               it
               .
            
          
           
             
               
                 THE
                 ARGVMENT
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Letters
                   are
                   sent
                   by
                   Mordecai
                   ,
                
                 
                   That
                   all
                   the
                   Iewes
                   ,
                   vpon
                   the
                   day
                
                 
                   Appointed
                   for
                   their
                   death
                   ,
                   withstand
                
                 
                   The
                   fury
                   of
                   their
                   foe-mens
                   hand
                   .
                
              
            
             
               Sect.
               16.
               
            
             
               
                 FOrthwith
                 the
                 Scribes
                 were
                 summon'd
                 to
                 appeare
                 :
                 
              
               
                 To
                 eu'ry
                 Prouince
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 eu'ry
                 Shiere
              
               
                 Letters
                 they
                 wrote
                 (
                 as
                 Mordecai
                 directed
                 )
              
               
                 To
                 all
                 the
                 Iewes
                 ,
                 (
                 the
                 Iewes
                 so
                 much
                 deiected
                 )
              
               
                 To
                 all
                 Lieu-tenants
                 ,
                 Captaines
                 of
                 the
                 Band
                 ,
              
               
                 To
                 all
                 the
                 States
                 and
                 Princes
                 of
                 the
                 Land
                 ,
              
               
               
                 According
                 to
                 the
                 phrase
                 ,
                 and
                 diuers
                 fashion
              
               
                 Of
                 Dialect
                 ,
                 and
                 speech
                 of
                 eu'ry
                 Nation
                 ;
              
               
                 All
                 which
                 was
                 stiled
                 in
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 King
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 canonized
                 with
                 his
                 Royall
                 Ring
                 :
              
               
                 Loe
                 here
                 the
                 tenor
                 of
                 the
                 Kings
                 Commission
                 ;
              
            
             
               
                 Whereas
                 of
                 late
                 ,
                 (
                 through
                 Hamans
                 foule
                 sedition
                 ,
                 )
                 
              
               
                 Decrees
                 were
                 sent
                 ,
                 and
                 spred
                 throughout
                 the
                 Land
                 ,
              
               
                 To
                 spoyle
                 the
                 Iewes
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 impartiall
                 hand
                 ,
              
               
                 (
                 Vpon
                 a
                 day
                 prefixt
                 )
                 to
                 kill
                 ,
                 and
                 slay
                 ;
                 
              
               
                 We
                 likewise
                 grant
                 vpon
                 that
                 very
                 day
                 ,
              
               
                 Full
                 power
                 to
                 the
                 Iewes
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 defence
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 quit
                 their
                 liues
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 a
                 Recompence
                 ,
              
               
                 To
                 take
                 the
                 spoyles
                 of
                 those
                 they
                 shall
                 suppresse
                 ,
              
               
                 Shewing
                 like
                 mercy
                 to
                 the
                 mercilesse
                 .
              
               
                 On
                 posts
                 ,
                 as
                 swift
                 as
                 Time
                 ,
                 was
                 this
                 Decree
              
               
                 Commanded
                 forth
                 ;
                 As
                 fast
                 as
                 Day
                 they
                 flee
                 ,
              
               
                 Spurr'd
                 on
                 ,
                 and
                 hast'ned
                 with
                 the
                 Kings
                 Command
                 ,
              
               
                 Which
                 straight
                 was
                 noys'd
                 ,
                 &
                 publisht
                 through
                 y
                 e
                 Land
                 ,
              
               
                 As
                 warning
                 to
                 the
                 Iewes
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 prouision
              
               
                 To
                 entertaine
                 so
                 great
                 an
                 opposition
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 So
                 Mordecai
                 (
                 disburthen'd
                 of
                 his
                 griefe
                 ,
              
               
                 Which
                 now
                 found
                 hopefull
                 tokens
                 of
                 reliefe
                 )
              
               
                 Departs
                 the
                 presence
                 of
                 the
                 King
                 ,
                 addrest
              
               
                 In
                 Royall
                 Robes
                 ,
                 and
                 on
                 his
                 lofty
                 Crest
              
               
                 He
                 bore
                 a
                 Crowne
                 of
                 gold
                 ,
                 his
                 body
                 spred
              
               
                 With
                 Lawne
                 ,
                 and
                 Purple
                 deeply
                 coloured
                 :
              
               
                 Fill'd
                 are
                 the
                 Iewes
                 with
                 triumphs
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 noyse
                 
              
               
                 (
                 The
                 common
                 Heralds
                 to
                 proclaime
                 true
                 ioyes
                 :
                 )
              
               
                 Like
                 as
                 a
                 prisner
                 muffl'd
                 at
                 the
                 tree
                 ,
              
               
                 Whose
                 life
                 's
                 remou'd
                 from
                 death
                 scarce
                 one
                 degree
                 ,
              
               
                 His
                 last
                 pray'r
                 said
                 ,
                 and
                 hearts
                 confession
                 made
                 ,
              
               
                 (
                 His
                 eyes
                 possessing
                 deaths
                 eternall
                 shade
                 )
              
               
               
                 At
                 last
                 (
                 vnlook'd
                 for
                 )
                 comes
                 a
                 slow
                 Reprieue
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 makes
                 him
                 (
                 euen
                 as
                 dead
                 )
                 once
                 more
                 aliue
                 :
              
               
                 Amaz'd
                 ,
                 he
                 rends
                 deaths
                 Muffler
                 from
                 his
                 eyes
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 (
                 ouer-ioy'd
                 )
                 knowes
                 not
                 he
                 liues
                 ,
                 or
                 dyes
                 ;
              
               
                 So
                 ioy'd
                 the
                 Iewes
                 ,
                 whose
                 liues
                 ,
                 this
                 new
                 Decree
              
               
                 Had
                 quit
                 from
                 death
                 and
                 danger
                 ,
                 and
                 set
                 free
              
               
                 Their
                 gasping
                 soules
                 ,
                 and
                 (
                 like
                 a
                 blazing
                 light
                 )
              
               
                 Disperst
                 the
                 darknesse
                 of
                 th'approching
                 night
                 ;
              
               
                 So
                 ioy'd
                 the
                 Iewes
                 :
                 and
                 with
                 their
                 solemne
                 Feasts
                 ,
              
               
                 They
                 chas'd
                 dull
                 sorrow
                 from
                 their
                 pensiue
                 brests
                 :
              
               
                 Meane
                 while
                 ,
                 the
                 people
                 (
                 startl'd
                 at
                 the
                 newes
                 )
              
               
                 Some
                 grieu'd
                 ,
                 some
                 enui'd
                 ,
                 some
                 (
                 for
                 feare
                 )
                 turn'd
                 Iewes
                 .
                 
              
            
          
        
         
           
             Meditatio
             decimasexta
             .
          
           
             
               AMong
               the
               Noble
               Greekes
               ,
               it
               was
               no
               shame
            
             
               To
               lose
               a
               Sword
               ;
               It
               but
               deseru'd
               the
               name
            
             
               Of
               Warres
               disastrous
               fortune
               ;
               but
               to
               yeeld
            
             
               The
               right
               and
               safe
               possession
               of
               the
               Shield
               ,
            
             
               Was
               foule
               reproach
               ,
               and
               man-lesse
               cowardize
               ,
            
             
               Farre
               worse
               than
               death
               to
               him
               that
               skorn'd
               to
               prize
            
             
               His
               life
               before
               his
               Honour
               ;
               Honour
               's
               wonne
            
             
               Most
               in
               a
               iust
               defence
               ;
               Defence
               is
               gone
               ,
            
             
               The
               Shield
               once
               lost
               :
               The
               wounded
               Theban
               cry'd
               ,
            
             
               How
               fares
               my
               Shield
               ?
               which
               safe
               ,
               he
               smil'd
               ,
               &
               dy'd
               ▪
            
             
               True
               Honour
               bides
               at
               home
               ,
               and
               takes
               delight
            
             
               In
               keeping
               ,
               not
               in
               gaining
               of
               a
               Right
               ;
            
             
               Scornes
               vsurpation
               ,
               nor
               seekes
               she
               blood
               ,
            
             
               And
               thirsts
               to
               make
               her
               name
               not
               great
               ,
               as
               good
               :
            
             
             
               God
               giues
               a
               Right
               to
               man
               ;
               To
               man
               ,
               defence
            
             
               To
               guard
               it
               giu'n
               ;
               But
               when
               a
               false
               pretence
            
             
               Shall
               ground
               her
               title
               on
               a
               greater
               Might
               ,
            
             
               What
               doth
               he
               else
               but
               warre
               with
               Heau'n
               ,
               and
               fight
            
             
               With
               Prouidence
               ?
               God
               sets
               the
               Princely
               Crowne
            
             
               On
               heads
               of
               Kings
               ;
               Who
               then
               may
               take
               it
               downe
               ?
            
             
               No
               iuster
               Quarrell
               ,
               or
               more
               noble
               Fight
               ,
            
             
               Than
               to
               maintaine
               ,
               where
               God
               hath
               giu'n
               a
               Right
               ;
            
             
               There
               's
               no
               despaire
               of
               Conquest
               in
               that
               warre
               ,
            
             
               Where
               God's
               the
               Leader
               ;
               Policy
               's
               no
               barre
            
             
               To
               his
               Designes
               ;
               no
               Power
               can
               withstand
            
             
               His
               high
               exployts
               ;
               within
               whose
               mighty
               Hand
            
             
               Are
               all
               the
               corners
               of
               the
               earth
               ;
               the
               hills
            
             
               His
               fensiue
               Bulwarks
               are
               ,
               which
               ,
               when
               he
               wills
               ,
            
             
               His
               lesser
               breath
               can
               bandy
               vp
               and
               downe
               ,
            
             
               And
               crush
               the
               world
               ,
               and
               with
               a
               winke
               ,
               can
               drowne
            
             
               The
               spacious
               Vniuerse
               in
               suds
               of
               Clay
               ;
            
             
               Where
               Heau'n
               is
               Leader
               ,
               Heau'n
               must
               win
               the
               Day
               :
            
             
               God
               reapes
               his
               honour
               hence
               ;
               That
               combat's
               safe
               ,
            
             
               Where
               hee
               's
               a
               Combatant
               ,
               and
               ventures
               halfe
               :
            
             
               
                 Right
                 's
                 not
                 impair'd
                 with
                 weaknesse
                 ,
                 but
                 preuailes
              
               
            
             
               In
               spight
               of
               strength
               ,
               when
               strength
               and
               power
               failes
               :
            
             
               Fraile
               is
               the
               trust
               repos'd
               on
               Troopes
               of
               Horse
               ;
            
             
               Truth
               in
               a
               handfull
               ,
               findes
               a
               greater
               force
               .
            
          
           
             
               ¶
               
                 Lord
                 ,
                 maile
                 my
                 heart
                 with
                 Faith
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 my
                 Shield
                 ,
              
            
             
               And
               if
               a
               world
               confront
               me
               ,
               I
               'le
               not
               yeeld
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               
                 THE
                 ARGVMENT
                 .
              
               
                 
                   The
                   bloody
                   Massacre
                   :
                   The
                   Iewes
                
                 
                   Preuaile
                   :
                   their
                   fatall
                   Sword
                   subdues
                
                 
                   A
                   world
                   of
                   men
                   ,
                   and
                   in
                   that
                   fray
                   ,
                
                 
                   Hamans
                   ten
                   cursed
                   sonnes
                   they
                   slay
                   .
                
              
            
             
               Sect.
               17.
               
            
             
               
                 NOw
                 when
                 as
                 Time
                 had
                 rip'ned
                 the
                 Decree
                 ,
                 
              
               
                 (
                 Whose
                 Winter
                 fruit
                 vnshaken
                 from
                 the
                 tree
              
               
                 Full
                 ready
                 was
                 to
                 fall
                 )
                 and
                 brought
                 that
                 Day
                 ,
              
               
                 Wherein
                 pretended
                 mischiefe
                 was
                 to
                 play
              
               
                 Her
                 tragicke
                 Seane
                 vpon
                 the
                 Iewish
                 Stage
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 spit
                 the
                 venome
                 of
                 her
                 bloody
                 rage
                 ,
              
               
                 Vpon
                 the
                 face
                 of
                 that
                 dispersed
                 Nation
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 in
                 a
                 minute
                 breathe
                 their
                 desolation
                 ;
              
               
                 Vpon
                 that
                 day
                 (
                 as
                 patients
                 in
                 the
                 fight
                 )
              
               
                 Their
                 scatter'd
                 force
                 ,
                 the
                 Iewes
                 did
                 reünite
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 to
                 a
                 head
                 their
                 straggling
                 strength
                 reduc'd
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 with
                 their
                 fatall
                 hand
                 (
                 their
                 hand
                 disus'd
              
               
                 To
                 bathe
                 in
                 blood
                 )
                 they
                 made
                 so
                 strong
                 recoyle
                 ,
              
               
                 That
                 with
                 a
                 purple
                 streame
                 ,
                 the
                 thirsty
                 soyle
              
               
                 O'rflowd
                 :
                 and
                 on
                 the
                 pauement
                 (
                 drown'd
                 with
                 blood
                 )
              
               
                 Where
                 neuer
                 was
                 before
                 ,
                 they
                 rais'd
                 a
                 flood
                 :
              
               
                 There
                 lyes
                 a
                 headlesse
                 body
                 ,
                 here
                 a
                 limme
                 
              
               
                 Newly
                 dis-ioynted
                 from
                 the
                 trunke
                 of
                 him
                 
              
            
          
        
         
           
             
             
               Heau'n
               fought
               for
               Isr'el
               ,
               weakned
               Pharo's
               heart
               ,
            
             
               Who
               had
               no
               Counter-god
               to
               take
               his
               part
               :
            
             
               What
               meant
               that
               cloudy
               Piller
               ,
               that
               by
               day
               
            
             
               Did
               vsher
               Isr'el
               in
               an
               vnknowne
               way
               ?
            
             
               What
               meant
               that
               fi'ry
               Piller
               ,
               that
               by
               night
            
             
               Appear'd
               to
               Isr'el
               ,
               and
               gaue
               Isr'el
               light
               ?
            
             
               'T
               was
               not
               the
               secret
               force
               of
               Moses
               Rod
               ,
               
            
             
               That
               charm'd
               the
               Seas
               in
               twayne
               ;
               'T
               was
               Moses
               God
            
             
               That
               fought
               for
               Isr'el
               ,
               and
               made
               Pharo
               fall
               ;
            
             
               Well
               thriues
               the
               Fray
               where
               God's
               the
               Generall
               :
            
             
               'T
               is
               neither
               strength
               ,
               nor
               vndermining
               sleight
            
             
               Preuailes
               ,
               where
               heauen
               's
               ingaged
               in
               the
               fight
               .
            
             
               ¶
               Me
               list
               not
               ramble
               into
               antique
               dayes
               ,
            
             
               To
               manne
               this
               Theame
               ,
               lest
               while
               Vlysses
               strayes
               ,
            
             
               His
               heart
               forget
               his
               home
               Penelope
               :
            
             
               Our
               iolly
               Brittaine
               findes
               sufficient
               Plea
            
             
               To
               proue
               her
               blisse
               ,
               and
               heau'ns
               protecting
               power
               ,
            
             
               Which
               had
               she
               mist
               ,
               her
               glory
               ,
               in
               an
               hower
            
             
               Had
               falne
               to
               Cinders
               ,
               and
               had
               past
               away
            
             
               Like
               smoke
               before
               the
               wind
               ;
               Which
               happy
               Day
               ,
               
            
             
               Let
               none
               but
               faithlesse
               Traitors
               euer
               faile
            
             
               To
               consecrate
               ,
               and
               let
               this
               Age
               entayle
               ,
            
             
               Vpon
               succeeding
               times
               Eternity
               ,
            
             
               Heau'ns
               highest
               loue
               ,
               in
               that
               Dayes
               memory
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               
                 THE
                 ARGVMENT
                 .
              
               
                 
                   The
                   sonnes
                   of
                   Haman
                   (
                   that
                   were
                   slaine
                   )
                
                 
                   Are
                   all
                   hang'd
                   vp
                   :
                   The
                   Iewes
                   obtaine
                
                 
                   Freedome
                   to
                   fight
                   the
                   morrow
                   after
                   ;
                
                 
                   They
                   put
                   three
                   hundred
                   more
                   to
                   slaughter
                   .
                
              
            
             
               Sect.
               18.
               
            
             
               
                 
                   WHen
                   as
                   the
                   fame
                   of
                   that
                   dayes
                   bloody
                   newes
                
                 
              
               
                 
                   Came
                   to
                   the
                   King
                   ,
                   he
                   said
                   ,
                
                 Behold
                 ,
                 the
                 Iewes
                 
              
               
                 Haue
                 wonne
                 the
                 Day
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 their
                 iust
                 defence
                 ,
              
               
                 Haue
                 made
                 their
                 wrong
                 ,
                 a
                 rightfull
                 recompence
                 ;
              
               
                 Fiue
                 hundred
                 men
                 in
                 Susan
                 haue
                 they
                 slaine
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 that
                 remainder
                 of
                 proud
                 Hamans
                 straine
                 ,
              
               
                 Their
                 hands
                 haue
                 rooted
                 out
                 ;
                 Queene
                 Ester
                 ,
                 say
                 ,
              
               
                 What
                 further
                 suit
                 (
                 wherein
                 Assuerus
                 may
              
               
                 Expresse
                 the
                 bounty
                 of
                 his
                 Royall
                 hand
                 )
              
               
                 Rests
                 in
                 thy
                 bosome
                 :
                 What
                 is
                 thy
                 demand
                 ?
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Said
                   then
                   the
                   Queene
                
                 :
                 If
                 in
                 thy
                 Princely
                 sight
                 
              
               
                 My
                 boone
                 be
                 pleasing
                 ,
                 or
                 thou
                 take
                 delight
              
               
                 To
                 grant
                 thy
                 seruants
                 suite
                 ,
                 Let
                 that
                 Commisssion
              
               
                 (
                 Which
                 gaue
                 the
                 Iewes
                 this
                 happy
                 dayes
                 permission
              
               
                 To
                 saue
                 their
                 liues
                 )
                 to
                 morrow
                 stand
                 in
                 force
                 ,
              
               
                 For
                 their
                 behalfes
                 that
                 onely
                 make
                 recourse
              
               
                 To
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 let
                 that
                 cursed
                 brood
              
               
                 (
                 The
                 sonnes
                 of
                 Haman
                 ,
                 that
                 in
                 guilty
                 blood
                 ,
              
               
               
                 Lye
                 all
                 ingoar'd
                 ,
                 vnfit
                 to
                 taint
                 a
                 Graue
                 )
              
               
                 Be
                 hang'd
                 on
                 Gibbets
                 ,
                 and
                 (
                 like
                 co-heires
                 )
                 haue
              
               
                 Like
                 equall
                 shares
                 of
                 that
                 deserued
                 shame
                 ,
              
               
                 Their
                 wretched
                 father
                 purchas'd
                 in
                 his
                 name
                 :
              
            
             
               
                 The
                 King
                 was
                 pleas'd
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Decree
                 was
                 giuen
              
               
                 From
                 Susan
                 ,
                 where
                 'twixt
                 earth
                 and
                 heauen
                 ,
              
               
                 (
                 Most
                 vndeseruing
                 to
                 be
                 own'd
                 by
                 either
                 )
              
               
                 These
                 cursed
                 ten
                 (
                 like
                 twins
                 )
                 were
                 borne
                 together
                 :
              
            
             
               
                 When
                 Titan
                 (
                 ready
                 for
                 his
                 Iournall
                 chase
                 )
              
               
                 Had
                 rouz'd
                 his
                 dewy
                 locks
                 ,
                 and
                 Rosie
                 face
              
               
                 Inricht
                 with
                 morning
                 beauty
                 ,
                 vp
                 arose
              
               
                 The
                 Iewes
                 in
                 Susan
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 bloody
                 blowes
              
               
                 So
                 roughly
                 dealt
                 ,
                 that
                 in
                 that
                 dismall
                 day
                 ,
              
               
                 A
                 lease
                 of
                 hundreds
                 fell
                 ,
                 but
                 on
                 the
                 prey
                 
              
               
                 No
                 hand
                 was
                 laid
                 ,
                 so
                 ,
                 sweet
                 and
                 iolly
                 rest
              
               
                 The
                 Iewes
                 enioy'd
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 a
                 solemne
                 Feast
                 ,
              
               
                 (
                 Like
                 ioyfull
                 Victors
                 dispossest
                 of
                 sorrow
                 )
              
               
                 They
                 consecrated
                 the
                 ensuing
                 morrow
                 ;
              
               
                 And
                 in
                 the
                 Prouinces
                 throughout
                 the
                 Land
                 ,
              
               
                 Before
                 their
                 mighty
                 ,
                 and
                 victorious
                 hand
                 ,
              
               
                 Fell
                 more
                 than
                 seuenty
                 thousand
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 prey
                 
              
               
                 They
                 seaz'd
                 not
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 mem'ry
                 of
                 that
                 day
                 ,
              
               
                 They
                 solemnized
                 their
                 victorious
                 Gests
                 ,
              
               
                 With
                 gifts
                 ,
                 and
                 triumphs
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 holy
                 Feasts
                 .
                 
              
            
          
        
         
           
             Meditatio
             decimaoctaua
             .
          
           
             
               THe
               Doctrine
               of
               the
               Schoole
               of
               Grace
               discents
            
             
               From
               Natures
               (
               more
               vncertaine
               )
               rudiments
               ,
            
             
             
               And
               are
               as
               much
               contrayr
               ,
               and
               opposite
            
             
               As
               Yea
               ,
               and
               Nay
               ,
               or
               blacke
               ,
               and
               purest
               white
               :
            
             
               For
               nature
               teaches
               ,
               first
               to
               vnderstand
               ,
            
             
               And
               then
               beleeue
               ;
               but
               grace
               doth
               first
               command
            
             
               Man
               to
               beleeue
               ,
               and
               then
               to
               comprehend
               ;
            
             
               Faith
               is
               of
               things
               vnknowne
               ,
               and
               must
               intend
               ,
            
             
               And
               so
               are
               aboue
               conceit
               ;
               What
               we
               conceiue
               ,
            
             
               We
               stand
               possest
               of
               ,
               and
               already
               haue
               ,
            
             
               But
               faith
               concernes
               such
               things
               ,
               as
               yet
               we
               haue
               not
               ,
            
             
               Which
               eye
               sees
               not
               ,
               eare
               heares
               not
               ,
               heart
               conceiues
               not
               ;
            
             
               Hereon
               ,
               as
               on
               her
               ground-worke
               ,
               our
               saluation
            
             
               Erects
               her
               pillers
               ;
               From
               this
               firme
               foundation
               ,
            
             
               Our
               soules
               mount
               vp
               the
               new
               Ierusalem
               ,
            
             
               To
               take
               possession
               of
               her
               Diademe
               ;
            
             
               God
               loues
               no
               sophistry
               ;
               Who
               argues
               least
            
             
               In
               graces
               Schoole
               ,
               concludes
               ,
               and
               argues
               best
               ;
            
             
               A
               womans
               Logicke
               passes
               heere
               ;
               For
               't
               is
            
             
               Good
               proofe
               to
               say
               ,
               
                 'T
                 is
                 so
              
               ,
               because
               
                 it
                 is
              
               :
            
             
               Had
               that
               old
               *
               Patr'arch
               cours'd
               with
               flesh
               and
               blood
               ,
            
             
               Bad
               had
               his
               faith
               been
               ,
               though
               his
               reasons
               good
               ;
            
             
               If
               God
               bid
               doe
               ,
               for
               man
               to
               question
               ,
               Why
               ?
            
             
               Is
               but
               an
               interrogatiue
               deny
               :
            
             
               The
               fleshly
               ballances
               of
               our
               conceits
               ,
            
             
               Haue
               neither
               equall
               poysure
               ;
               nor
               iust
               weights
               ,
            
             
               To
               weigh
               ,
               without
               impeachment
               ,
               Gods
               designe
               ;
            
             
               There
               's
               no
               proportion
               'twixt
               things
               Diuine
               ,
            
             
               And
               mortall
               :
               Liuely
               faith
               may
               not
               depend
               ,
            
             
               Either
               vpon
               th'
               occasion
               ,
               or
               the
               end
               .
            
             
               ¶
               The
               glorious
               Suns
               reflected
               beames
               suffise
               ,
            
             
               To
               lend
               a
               luster
               to
               the
               feeblest
               eyes
               ,
            
             
               But
               if
               the
               Eye
               too
               couetous
               of
               the
               light
               ,
            
             
               Boldly
               outface
               the
               Sunne
               ,
               (
               whose
               beames
               so
               bright
            
             
             
               And
               vndispers'd
               ,
               are
               too-too
               much
               refin'd
            
             
               For
               view
               )
               is
               it
               not
               iustly
               strucken
               blind
               ?
            
             
               I
               dare
               not
               taske
               stout
               Samson
               for
               his
               death
               ;
               
            
             
               Nor
               wandring
               Ionah
               ,
               that
               bequeath'd
               his
               breath
            
             
               To
               raging
               Seas
               ,
               when
               God
               commanded
               so
               ;
               
            
             
               Nor
               thee
               (
               great
               Queene
               )
               whose
               lips
               did
               ouerflow
            
             
               With
               streames
               of
               blood
               ;
               nor
               thee
               (
               O
               cruell
               kind
               )
               
            
             
               To
               slake
               the
               vengeance
               of
               a
               womans
               mind
               ,
            
             
               With
               flowing
               riuers
               of
               thy
               subiects
               blood
               ;
            
             
               From
               bad
               beginnings
               ,
               God
               creates
               a
               good
               ,
            
             
               And
               happy
               end
               :
               What
               I
               cannot
               conceiue
               ,
            
             
               Lord
               ,
               let
               my
               soule
               admire
               ,
               and
               beleeue
               .
            
          
           
             
               
                 THE
                 ARGVMENT
                 .
              
               
                 
                   The
                   Feast
                   of
                   Purim
                   consecrated
                   :
                
                 
                   Th'
                   occasion
                   why
                   't
                   was
                   celebrated
                   ;
                
                 
                   Letters
                   wrote
                   by
                   Mordecai
                   ,
                
                 
                   To
                   keepe
                   the
                   mem'ry
                   of
                   that
                   Day
                   .
                
              
            
             
               Sect.
               19.
               
            
             
               
                 SO
                 Mardocheus
                 throughout
                 all
                 the
                 Land
                 
              
               
                 Dispers'd
                 his
                 Letters
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 command
              
               
                 To
                 celebrate
                 these
                 two
                 dayes
                 memory
              
               
                 With
                 Feasts
                 ,
                 and
                 gifts
                 ,
                 and
                 yeerly
                 iollity
                 ,
              
               
                 That
                 after
                 ages
                 may
                 record
                 that
                 day
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 keepe
                 it
                 from
                 the
                 rust
                 of
                 time
                 ,
                 that
                 they
              
               
               
                 Which
                 shall
                 succeed
                 ,
                 may
                 ground
                 their
                 holy
                 mirth
              
               
                 Vpon
                 the
                 ioyes
                 ,
                 those
                 happy
                 dayes
                 brought
                 forth
                 ,
              
               
                 Which
                 chang'd
                 their
                 sadnes
                 ,
                 &
                 black
                 nights
                 of
                 sorrow
                 ,
              
               
                 Into
                 the
                 brightnesse
                 of
                 a
                 gladsome
                 morrow
                 ;
              
               
                 Whereto
                 the
                 Iewes
                 (
                 to
                 whom
                 these
                 Letters
                 came
                 )
              
               
                 Gaue
                 due
                 obseruance
                 ,
                 and
                 did
                 soone
                 proclaime
              
               
                 Their
                 sacred
                 Festiuals
                 ,
                 in
                 memory
              
               
                 Of
                 that
                 dayes
                 ioy
                 ,
                 and
                 ioyfull
                 victory
                 :
              
               
                 And
                 since
                 the
                 Lots
                 (
                 that
                 Haman
                 did
                 abuse
                 ,
                 
              
               
                 To
                 know
                 the
                 dismall
                 day
                 ,
                 which
                 to
                 the
                 Iewes
              
               
                 Might
                 fall
                 most
                 fatall
                 ,
                 and
                 ,
                 to
                 his
                 intent
                 ,
              
               
                 Least
                 vnprospitious
                 )
                 were
                 in
                 th'
                 euent
              
               
                 Crost
                 with
                 a
                 higher
                 Fate
                 ,
                 than
                 blinded
                 Chance
                 ,
              
               
                 To
                 worke
                 his
                 ruine
                 ,
                 their
                 deliuerance
                 :
              
               
                 They
                 therefore
                 in
                 remembrance
                 of
                 the
                 Lot
              
               
                 (
                 Whose
                 hop'd-for
                 sad
                 euent
                 succeeded
                 not
                 )
              
               
                 The
                 solemne
                 Feasts
                 of
                 *
                 Purim
                 did
                 inuest
                 ,
                 
              
               
                 And
                 by
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 Purim
                 call'd
                 their
                 Feast
                 ;
              
               
                 Which
                 to
                 obserue
                 with
                 sacred
                 Complement
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 ceremoniall
                 rites
                 ,
                 their
                 soules
                 indent
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 firmly'inroll
                 the
                 happy
                 memory
              
               
                 Ith'hearts
                 of
                 their
                 succeeding
                 progeny
                 ,
              
               
                 That
                 time
                 (
                 the
                 enemy
                 of
                 mortall
                 things
                 )
              
               
                 May
                 not
                 ,
                 with
                 hou'ring
                 of
                 his
                 nimble
                 wings
                 .
              
               
                 Beat
                 downe
                 the
                 deare
                 memoriall
                 of
                 that
                 time
                 ,
              
               
                 But
                 keepe
                 it
                 flowring
                 in
                 perpetuall
                 prime
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 Now
                 ,
                 lest
                 this
                 shining
                 day
                 in
                 times
                 progresse
                 
              
               
                 Perchance
                 be
                 clouded
                 with
                 forgetfulnesse
                 ,
              
               
                 Or
                 left
                 the
                 gaulled
                 Persians
                 should
                 debate
              
               
                 The
                 bloody
                 slaughter
                 ,
                 and
                 re
                 vlcerate
              
               
                 In
                 after-times
                 ,
                 their
                 former
                 misery
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 blurre
                 the
                 glory
                 '
                 of
                 this
                 dayes
                 memory
                 ,
                 
              
            
          
        
         
           
             
             
               
                 THE
                 ARGVMENT
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Assuerus
                   Acts
                   vpon
                   Record
                   :
                
                 
                   The
                   iust
                   mans
                   vertue
                   ,
                   and
                   reward
                   .
                
              
            
             
               Sect.
               20.
               
            
             
               
                 ANd
                 Assuerus
                 stretcht
                 his
                 heauie
                 hand
                 ,
                 
              
               
                 And
                 laid
                 a
                 Tribute
                 ,
                 both
                 on
                 Sea
                 ,
                 and
                 Land
                 ;
              
               
                 What
                 else
                 he
                 did
                 ,
                 what
                 Trophies
                 of
                 his
                 fame
                 ,
              
               
                 He
                 left
                 for
                 Time
                 to
                 glorifie
                 his
                 Name
                 ,
              
               
                 With
                 what
                 renowne
                 ,
                 and
                 grace
                 ,
                 he
                 did
                 appay
              
               
                 The
                 faithfull
                 heart
                 of
                 loyall
                 Mordecai
                 ;
              
               
                 Are
                 they
                 not
                 kept
                 in
                 endlesse
                 memory
                 ,
              
               
                 Recorded
                 in
                 the
                 Persian
                 History
                 ?
              
               
                 For
                 Mordecai
                 possest
                 the
                 second
                 seat
                 
              
               
                 In
                 all
                 the
                 Kingdome
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 name
                 was
                 great
                 ;
              
               
                 Of
                 God
                 and
                 man
                 his
                 vertues
                 were
                 approu'd
                 ,
              
               
                 By
                 God
                 and
                 man
                 ,
                 both
                 honour'd
                 ,
                 and
                 belou'd
                 ;
              
               
                 Seeking
                 his
                 peoples
                 good
                 ,
                 and
                 sweet
                 prosperity
                 ,
              
               
                 And
                 speaking
                 ioyfull
                 peace
                 to
                 his
                 posterity
                 .
                 
              
            
          
        
         
           
           
             Meditatio
             vltima
             .
          
           
             
               THus
               thriues
               the
               man
               ,
               Thus
               prosper
               his
               endeuors
               ,
            
             
               That
               builds
               on
               faith
               ,
               and
               in
               that
               faith
               perseuers
               ▪
            
             
               ¶
               
                 It
                 is
                 no
                 losse
                 ,
                 to
                 lose
                 ;
                 no
                 gaine
                 ,
                 to
                 get
                 ,
              
            
             
               If
               he
               that
               loses
               all
               ,
               shall
               win
               the
               Set
               :
            
             
               God
               helpes
               the
               weakest
               ,
               takes
               the
               losers
               chayre
               ,
            
             
               And
               setting
               on
               the
               King
               ,
               doth
               soone
               repaire
            
             
               His
               losse
               with
               vengeance
               ;
               Hee
               's
               not
               alway
               best
            
             
               That
               takes
               the
               highest
               place
               ,
               nor
               he
               the
               least
            
             
               That
               sits
               beneath
               :
               for
               outward
               fortunes
               can
            
             
               Expresse
               (
               how
               great
               ,
               but
               )
               not
               how
               good
               's
               the
               man
               :
            
             
               Whom
               God
               will
               raise
               ,
               he
               humbles
               first
               a
               while
               ;
            
             
               And
               where
               he
               raises
               ,
               oft
               he
               meanes
               to
               foyle
               .
            
          
           
             
               ¶
               
                 It
                 matters
                 not
                 (
                 Lord
                 )
                 what
                 my
                 fortunes
                 be
                 ,
              
            
             
               May
               they
               but
               leade
               ,
               or
               whip
               me
               home
               to
               thee
               .
            
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A10262-e190
           
             Audire
             fabulas
             ,
             est
             impedimentum
             cognitioni
             veritatis
             .
             Arist.
             2.
             
             Metaphis
             .
          
           
             The
             excellence
             and
             vse
             of
             this
             History
             .
          
           
             Heiland
             in
             Eth.
             Mores
             instituūt
             ad
             virtutem
             .
          
           
             Arist
             .
             Eth
             3.
             
             Obiectum
             voluntatis
             non
             est
             nisi
             bonum
             .
             Arist
             .
             Eth.
             10.
             
          
           
             De
             dubijs
             non
             definies
             ,
             sed
             suspensam
             teneas
             sententiam
             ;
             Seneca
             de
             formali
             vita
             .
          
        
         
           Notes for div A10262-e510
           
             Ierem.
             52.
             
          
           
             *
             Isay
             13.
             21.
             
          
           
             Darius
             dyes
             .
          
           
             Cyrus
             ,
             King
             alone
             .
          
           
             *
             Carionis
             Chro.
             lib.
             2.
             p.
             81.
             
               2.
               
               Chro.
               36.
               23.
            
             
          
           
             *
             Carionis
             Chro.
             lib.
             2.
             p.
             81.
             
               2.
               
               Chro.
               36.
               23.
            
             
          
           
             Isay
             4.
             45.
             
          
           
             *
             Tomyris
             .
             Cyrus
             dyes
             .
          
           
             Tomyris
             Queen
             of
             the
             Massagetans
             .
          
           
             Cambyses
             King
             succeeded
             Cyrus
             
          
           
             Cambyses
             dyes
             .
          
           
             *
             Chro.
             Carionis
             .
             lib.
             2.
             p.
             89.
             
          
           
             A
             Magus
             succeeds
             Cambyses
             .
          
           
             Smerdis
             .
          
           
             The
             Magi
             slaine
             by
             the
             Persians
             .
          
           
             
               The
               feast
               is
               called
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               slaughter
               of
               the
               Magi.
            
          
           
             Otanes
             .
          
           
             Darius
             ,
             Gobrias
             ,
             Asphatines
             ,
             Hidarnes
             .
          
           
             They
             put
             the
             choyce
             of
             their
             King
             to
             seuen
             Electors
             .
          
           
             The
             speech
             of
             the
             Electors
             .
          
           
             *
             The
             Persians
             did
             dedicate
             Horses
             to
             their
             God
             ,
             which
             was
             the
             Sunne
             .
          
           
             *
             The
             Persian
             worshipped
             the
             Sunne
             .
          
           
             *
             Heroditus
             in
             medio
             Tholiae
             Iustin.
             
          
           
             *
             Stiled
             Assuerus
             ,
             whom
             Metactines
             calls
             Artaxerxes
             .
          
           
             Ester
             ▪
             1.
             1.
             
          
        
         
           Notes for div A10262-e3580
           
             The
             King
             makes
             a
             Feast
             to
             his
             Princes
             .
          
           
             The
             King
             makes
             another
             Feast
             to
             the
             common
             people
             .
          
           
             The
             description
             of
             the
             banqueting
             house
             .
          
           
             Whereon
             they
             vsed
             to
             feast
             .
          
           
             A
             Law
             against
             immoderate
             drinking
             .
          
           
             Explicit
             Hist.
             
          
           
             Hesiod
             .
          
           
             Chap.
             1.
             9.
             
             
               Queene
               Vashti
               makes
               a
               Feast
            
             .
          
           
             The
             King
             sends
             for
             Queene
             Vashti
             .
          
           
             Chap.
             1.
             16.
             
          
           
             Memucan's
             speech
             .
          
           
             Genes
             .
             34.
             2.
             
          
           
             Costa
             dura
             est
             &
             difficiliter
             flectitur
             :
             Sphinx
             .
             Ioh.
             Stig
             .
             in
             Poematis
             ▪
             Coniugium
             humanae
             diuina
             Academia
             vitae
             est
             .
          
           
             Hand
             vlla
             vnquam
             salua
             mansit
             familia
             ,
             partes
             priores
             vxor
             in
             qua
             gesserit
             .
             Euripid.
             in
             Androm
             .
          
           
             Non
             placet
             mihi
             ista
             domus
             ,
             in
             qua
             Gallina
             cantat
             ,
             Gallus
             tacet
             .
          
           
             *
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             Chap.
             2.
             1.
             
          
           
             The
             Kings
             seruants
             speech
             to
             the
             King.
             
          
           
             The
             King
             pleased
             with
             the
             speech
             .
             Mordecaies
             parentage
             .
          
           
             *
             1.
             
             Sam.
             9.
             1.
             
          
           
             *
             2.
             
             Kin.
             24.
             15.
             
          
           
             Esters
             parentage
             ,
             vertue
             ,
             and
             beauty
             .
          
           
             Explicit
             Hist
             .
          
           
             *
             Iuuines
             meribus
             .
          
           
             *
             Rehoboam
             .
             1.
             
             King.
             12.
             8.
             
          
           
             *
             Sonne
             to
             the
             blacke
             Prince
             .
          
           
             Chap.
             2.
             8.
             
          
           
             Virgins
             brought
             to
             the
             Eunuch
             Hege
             .
          
           
             Hege
             affects
             Ester
             .
          
           
             The
             Persian
             custome
             .
          
           
             Esters
             behauiour
             .
          
           
             Explicit
             Hist
             .
          
           
             *
             Genes
             .
             1.
             26.
             
          
           
             *
             Gen.
             2.
             25.
             
          
           
             The
             King
             fauoured
             Ester
             .
          
           
             Ester
             made
             wife
             ,
             and
             Queene
             .
          
           
             The
             Nuptials
             celebrated
             .
          
           
             Mordecai
             ouer-heares
             treason
             .
          
           
             Discouers
             it
             to
             the
             Queene
             .
          
           
             The
             Queene
             discouers
             it
             to
             the
             King.
             
          
           
             The
             traitors
             pursued
             .
          
           
             Found
             ,
             and
             tryed
             .
          
           
             Hanged
             .
          
           
             *
             Esau
             .
          
           
             Haman
             comes
             into
             fauour
             with
             the
             King.
             
          
           
             Mordecai
             refuseth
             to
             reuerence
             Haman
             .
          
           
             The
             Kings
             seruants
             complaine
             of
             Mordecai
             ,
             to
             Haman
             .
          
           
             Hamans
             passion
             .
          
           
             Chap.
             3.
             7.
             
          
           
             Hamans
             speech
             to
             the
             King.
             
          
           
             His
             request
             .
          
           
             The
             King
             grants
             Hamans
             suit
             .
          
           
             The
             Decree
             was
             made
             .
          
           
             The
             Decree
             .
          
           
             *
             The
             13.
             day
             of
             the
             twelfth
             month
             ,
             which
             was
             part
             of
             February
             ,
             part
             of
             March.
             
          
           
             Explicit
             Hist
             .
          
           
             Paling
             .
             Cui
             ius
             est
             ,
             ius
             non
             me●uit
             ,
             ius
             obruitur
             vi
             .
          
           
             Summum
             ius
             est
             summa
             iniuria
             .
          
           
             Simile
             .
          
           
             Chap.
             4.
             1.
             
          
           
             Mordecaies
             passion
             .
          
           
             Cahp
             .
             4.
             9.
             
          
           
             Esters
             message
             to
             Mordecai
             .
          
           
             Chap.
             54.
             
          
           
             The
             Kings
             speech
             to
             the
             Queene
             .
          
           
             The
             Queene
             inuites
             the
             King
             to
             a
             feast
             .
          
           
             The
             Kings
             speech
             to
             the
             Queene
             .
          
           
             The
             Queene
             inuites
             the
             King
             ,
             and
             Haman
             to
             a
             second
             feast
             .
          
           
             Expl.
             Hist
             .
          
           
             *
             The
             power
             of
             a
             faithfull
             man.
             Math.
             16.
             19.
             and
             18.
             18.
             
          
           
             *
             The
             power
             of
             a
             faithfull
             man.
             Math.
             16.
             19.
             and
             18.
             18.
             
          
           
             1.
             
             King.
             18.
             45.
             
          
           
             2.
             
             King
             20.
             9.
             
             Iosh
             .
             10.
             12.
             
          
           
             1.
             
             King.
             17.
             22.
             2.
             
             King.
             4.
             35.
             
             Act.
             9.
             40.
             
          
           
             Chap.
             5.
             9.
             
          
           
             Mordecai
             neglects
             his
             seruice
             to
             Haman
             .
          
           
             Haman
             discontented
             .
          
           
             Hamans
             speech
             to
             his
             wife
             and
             friends
             .
          
           
             The
             answere
             of
             Hamans
             wife
             and
             friends
             .
          
           
             Expl.
             Hist
             .
          
           
             The
             Kings
             reply
             .
          
           
             Hamans
             wife
             speakes
             to
             him
             .
          
           
             Expl.
             Hist
             .
          
           
             Solon
             .
             Praemio
             &
             poena
             conseruatur
             resp
             .
          
           
             The
             Kings
             answere
             .
          
           
             The
             Queenes
             reply
             .
          
           
             The
             Kings
             speech
             .
          
           
             Harbona's
             speech
             to
             the
             King.
             
          
           
             The
             King
             commands
             to
             hang
             Haman
             .
          
           
             Explicit
             .
             hist
             .
          
           
             By
             promise
             .
          
           
             Chap.
             8.
             9.
             
          
           
             The
             Kings
             commission
             .
          
           
             *
             The
             13.
             day
             of
             the
             twelfth
             moneth
             .
          
           
             The
             ioy
             of
             the
             Iewes
             ▪
             Simile
             .
          
           
             Expl.
             Hist.
             
          
           
             Nil
             fortitudine
             indigemus
             ,
             si
             omnes
             iusti
             simus
             ,
             Plutarch
             .
          
           
             Chap.
             9.
             1.
             
          
           
             The
             Massacre
             .
          
           
             Exod.
             13.
             21.
             
          
           
             Exod.
             14.
             16.
             
          
           
             5.
             
             Nouemb.
             
          
           
             Chap.
             9.
             11.
             
          
           
             The
             Kings
             speech
             to
             the
             Queene
             .
          
           
             The
             Queenes
             Answere
             .
          
           
             300.
             in
             Susan
             slaine
             by
             the
             Iewes
             .
          
           
             75000.
             slaine
             by
             the
             Iewes
             in
             the
             Prouinces
             .
          
           
             Explicit
             hist
             .
          
           
             *
             Abraham
             ▪
             Gen.
             22.
             10.
             
          
           
             Iudg.
             16.
             30.
             
          
           
             Iona.
             1.
             12.
             
             Ester
             9.
             13.
             
          
           
             Ester
             9.
             14.
             
          
           
             Chap.
             9.
             20.
             
             
               Mordecai
               sends
               letters
               to
               celebrate
               a
               Feast
               yeerly
               .
            
          
           
             The
             originall
             of
             the
             feasts
             of
             Purim
             .
          
           
             Interp.
             Lo●●
             .
          
           
             Ester
             ,
             and
             Mordecai
             send
             letters
             to
             confirme
             the
             feasts
             of
             Purim
             .
          
           
             Chap.
             10.
             1.
             
          
           
             The
             greatnesse
             and
             vertue
             of
             Mordecai
             .
          
           
             Expl.
             Hist
             .