a discourse upon gondibert an heroick poem / written by sr. william d'avenant ; with an answer to it, by mr. hobbs. gondibert. preface d'avenant, william, sir, - . this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (wing d ). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing d estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a discourse upon gondibert an heroick poem / written by sr. william d'avenant ; with an answer to it, by mr. hobbs. gondibert. preface d'avenant, william, sir, - . hobbes, thomas, - . answer of mr. hobbs to sr. william d'avenant's preface before gondibert. cowley, abraham, - . waller, edmund, - . [ ], [i.e. ] p. chez matthieu guillemot ..., a paris : . commendatory poems on the author's gondibert, by edmund waller and abraham cowley. first ed. cf. bm. reproduction of original in bodleian library. "the ansvver of mr. hobbs to sr. william d'avenant's preface before gondibert": p. - [i.e. ]. eng a r (wing d ). civilwar no a discourse upon gondibert. an heroick poem written by sr. william d'avenant. with an answer to it by mr. hobbs. d'avenant, william, sir d the rate of defects per , words puts this text in the d category of texts with between and defects per , words. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - john latta sampled and proofread - john latta text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a discourse upon gondibert . an heroick poem written by sr. william d'avenant with an answer to it by mr. hobbs . a paris , chez matthiev gvillemot , ruë sainct jaques au coin de la ruë de la parcheminerie , à l'enseigne de la bibliotheque , m.dc.l . to sir william d'avenant , upon his two first books of gondibert , finished before his voyage to america . thus the wise nightingale that leave● her home , her native wood , when storms and winter come , pursuing constantly the cheerfull spring to forreign groves do's her eid musick bring : the drooping hebrews banish'd harps unstrung at babylon , upon the willows hung ; yours sounds aloud , and tell's us you excell no lesse in courage then in singing well : whilst unconcern'd you let your countrey know , they have impoverish'd themselvs , not you : who with the muses help can mock those fates which t●reaten kingdoms , & disorder states . so ovid , when from cesar's rage he fled , the roman muse to pontus with him led : where he so sung , that we through pity's glass see nero milder then augustus was . hereafter such in thy behalf shall be th' indulgent censure of posterity . to banish those who with such art can sing , is a rude crime which its own curse do's bring ages to come shall ne're know how they fought nor how to love their present youth be taught . this to thy self . now to thy matchlesse book , wherein those few that can with judgement look may find old love in pure fresh language told , like new stampt coin made out of angel gold . such truth in love as th'antick world did know in such a style as courts may boast of now . which no bold tales of gods or monsters swell but humane passions , such as with us dwell . man is thy theme , his virtue or his rage drawn to the life in each elaborate page . mars nor b●llona are not named here ; but such a gondibert as both might fear . venus had here and hebe been out-shin'd by thy bright b●r●h● , and thy rhodalind . such is thy happy skill , and such thy ods betwixt thy worthies & the grecian gods . whose deities in vain had here come down , where mortall beauty wears the sovereign crown : such as of flesh compos'd , by flesh and bloud ( though not resisted ) may be understood , ed. waller . to sir william d'avenant , upon his two first books of gondibert , finished before his voyage to america . methinks heroick poesie , till now like some fantastick fairy land did show ; gods , devils , nymphs , witches , & giants race , and all but man , in mans best work had place . thou like some worthy knight , with sacred arms dost drive the monsters thence , and end the charms : instead of those dost men and manners plant , the things wch that rich soil did chiefly want . but even thy mortals do their gods excell , taught by thy muse to fight & love so well . by fatall hands whilst present empires fall , thine from the grave past monarchies recall . so much more thanks from humane kind do's merit the poets fury , then the zelots spirit . and from the grave thou mak'st this empire rise not like som dreadful ghost t' affright our eyes ; but with more beauty and triumphant state then when it crown'd at proud verona sate . so will our god rebuild man's perish'd frame , and raise him up much better , yet the same : so god-like poets do past things rehearse not change , but heighthen nature with their verse . with shame methinks great italy must s●e her conquerours call'd to life again by thee : cal'd by such powerful arts that antient rome may blush no lesse to see her wit o'recome . som men their fancies like their faiths derive , and count all ill but that wch rome do's give : the marks of old , and catholick would find ; to the same chair would truth and fiction bind . thou in these beaten paths disdain'st to tread , and scorn'st to live by robbing of the dead . since time do's all things change , thou think'st not fit this latter age should see all new , but wit . thy fancy , like a flame , her way do's make , and leaves bright tracks for following pens to take . sure t' was this noble boldnesse of the muse did thy desire to seek new worlds infuse : and he're did heaven so much a voyage blesse if thou canst plant but there with like successe ab . cowley . the author's preface to his much honoured friend mr. hobbs . sir , since you have done me the honour to allow this poem a daily examination as it was writing , i will presume , now it hath attain'd more length , to give you a longer trouble ; that you may yield me as great advantages by censuring the method , as by judging the numbers in the matter . and because you shall passe through this new building with more ease to your disquisition , i will acquaint you , what care i took of my materials ere i began to work . but first give me leave ( remembring with what difficulty the world can shew any heroick poem , that in a perfect glasse of nature gives us a familiar and easie view 〈◊〉 our selves ) to take notice of those quarrels , which the living have with the dead : and i will ( according as all times have applyed their reverence ) begin with homer , who though he seems to me standing upon the poets famous hill , like the eminent sea-mark , by which they have in former ages steer'd ; and thought he ought not to be removed from that eminence , lest posterity should presumptuously mistake their course ; yet some ( sharply observing how his successours have proceeded no farther than a perfection of imitating him ) say , that as sea-marks are chiefly usefull to coasters , and serve not those who have the ambition of discoverers , that love to saile in untry'd seas ; so he hath rather proved a guide for those , whose satisfi'd wit will not venture beyond the track of others , then to them , who affect a new and remote way of thinking ; who esteem it a deficiency and meannesse of mind , to stay and depend upon the authority of example . some there are , that object that even in the likelyhoods of story ( and story , where ever it seems most likely , growes most pleasant ) he doth too frequently intermixe such fables , as are objects lifted above the eyes of nature ; and as he often interrogates his muse , not as his ●ationall spirit but as a familiar , separated from his body , so her replyes bring him where he spends time in immortall conversation ; whilst supernaturally he doth often advance his men to the quality of gods , and depose his gods to the condition of men . his successour to fame , ( and consequently to censure ) is virgil ; whose toyles nor virtue canno● free him from the pievishnesse ( or rather curiosity ) of divers readers . he is upbraided by some ( who perhaps are affected antiquaries , and make prioritie of time the measure of excellence ) for gaining his renown by imitation of homer : whilst others ( no lesse bold with that antient guide ) say , he hath so often led him into heaven , and hell , till by conversation with gods and ghosts , he sometimes deprives us of those naturall probabilities in story , which are instructive to humane life : and others a●firm ( if it be not irreverence to record their opinion ) that even in wit , he seems deficient by many omissions ; as if he had design'd a penance of gravity to himself and to posterity : and by their observing that continued gravity , me thinks they look upon him , as on a musician composing of anthemes ; whose excellence consists more in the solemnesse , then in the fancy ; and upon the body of his work as on the body of a giant , whose force hath more of strength , then quicknesse ; and of patience , then activity . but these bold censurers are in danger of so many enemies , as i shall wisely shrink from them ; and onely observe , that if any disciples of unimitable virgil can prove so formall , as to esteem wit ( as if it were levity ) an imputation to the heroick muse ( by which malevolent word , wit , they would disgrace her extraordinary heighths ) yet if those grave judges will be held wise , they must endure the sate of wise-men ; who alwayes have but few of their society ; for many more then consist of their number ( perhaps not having the sullennesse to be of it ) are taken with those bold flights , and think 't is with the muse ( whose noble quarry is men ) as with the eagle , who when he soars high stoopes more prosperously , and is most certain of his prey . and surely poets ( whose businesse should represent the worlds true image often to our view ) are not lesse prudent then painters , who when they draw landschaps , entertein not the eye wholly with even prospect , and a continued flat ; but ( for variety ) terminate the sight with lofty hils , whose obscure heads are sometimes in the clouds . lucan who chose to write the greatest actions that ever were allowed to be true ( which , for fear of contemporary witnesses , obliged him to a very close attendance upon fame ) did not observe that such an enterprize rather beseemed an historian then a poet : for wise poets think it more worthy to seek out truth in the passions , then to record the truth of actions ; and practise to describe mankind just as we are perswaded or guided by instinct , not particular persons , as they are lifted , or levell'd by the force of fate , it being nobler to contemplate the generall history of nature , then a selected diary of fortune : and painters are no more then historians , when they draw eminent persons ( though they term that drawing to the life ) but when , by assembling divers figures in a larger volume , they draw passions ( though they term it but story ) then they increase in dignity and become poets . i have been thus hardy to call him to account for the choyce of his argument , not meerly as it was story , but because the actions he recorded were so eminent , and so near his time , that he could not assist truth , with such ornaments as poets , for usefull pleasure , have allow'd her ; lest the feign'd complexion might render the true , suspected . and now i will leave to others the presumption of measuring his hyperboles , by whose space and heighth they maliciously take the dimension of wit ; and so mistake him in his boyling youth ( which had mervellous forces ) as we disrellish excellent wine when fuming in the lee . statius ( with whom we may conclude the old heroicks ) is as accomptable to some for his obligations to virgil , as virgil is to others for what he owes to homer ; and more closely then virgil wa●ts on homer , doth statius attend virgil , and follows him there also where nature never comes , even into heaven , and hell : and therefore he cannot escape such as approve the wisdome of the best dramaticks ; who in representation of examples , believe they prevail most on our manners when they lay the scene at home in their own countrey , so much they avoid those remote regions of heaven and hell : as if the people ( whom they make civill by an easie communication with reason ( and familiar reason is that which is call'd the civility of the stage ) were become more discreet then to have their eyes perswaded by the descending of gods in gay clouds , and more manly then to be frighted with the rising of ghosts in smoak . tasso ( who reviv'd the heroick flame after it was many ages quenched ) is held both in time and merit , the first of the moderns ; an honour by which he gains not much ; because the number he excells must needs be few , which affords but one fit to succeed him ; for i will yield to their opinion , who permit not ariosto , no nor du bartas , in this eminent ranke of the heroicks ; rather then to make way by their admission for dante , marino and others . tasso's honour too is chiefly allow'd him , where he most endeavours to make virgil his pattern : and again , when we consider from whom virgil's spirit is deriv'd , we may observe how rarely humane excellence is found ; for heroick poesie ( which , if exact in it self , yields not to any other humane work ) flow'd but in few , and even those streams descended but from one grecian spring : and 't is with originall poems as with the originall pieces of painters , whose coppies abate the excessive price of the first hand . but tasso though he came late into the world must have his share in that criticall warre which never ceases amongst the learned ; and he seems most unfortunate , because his errours which are deriv'd from the antients , when examin'd , grow in a great degree excusable in them , and by being his , admit no pardon . such as are his councell assembled in heaven ▪ his witches expeditions through the air , and enchanted woods inhabited with ghosts . for though the elder poets ( which were then the sacred priests ) fed the world with supernaturall tales , and so compounded the religion , of pleasure and mystery ( two ingredients which never fail'd to wo●k upon the people ) whilst for the eternity of their chiefs ( more refin'd by education ) they surely intended no such vain provision ) yet a christian poet ( whose religion little needs the aids of invention ) hath lesse occasion to imitate such fables , as meanly illustrate a probable heaven , by the fashion , and dignity of courts ; and make a resemblance of hell , out of the dreams of frighted women ; by which they continue and increase the melancholy mistakes of the people . spencer may stand here as the last of this short file of heroick poets ; men , whose intellectuals were of so great a making , ( though some have thought them lyable to those few censures we have mention'd ) as perhaps they will in worthy memory out-last even makers of laws , and founders of empire , and all but such as must therefore live equally with them , because they have recorded their names ; and consequently with their own hands led them to the temple of fame . and since we have dar'd to remember those exceptions which the curious have against them ; it will not be expected i should forget what is objected against spencer ; whose obsolete language we are constrain'd to mention , though it be grown the most vulgar accusation that is lay'd to his charge . language ( which is the onely creature of man's creation ) hath , like a plant , seasons of flourishing , and decay ; like plants , is remov'd from one soil to another , and by being so transplanted , doth often gather vigour and increase . but as it is false husbandry to graft old branch●s upon young stocks : so we may wonder that our language ( not long before his time created out of a confusion of others , and then beginning to flourish like a new plant ) should ( as helps to its increase ) receive from his hand new grafts of old wither'd words . but this vulgar exception shall onely have the vulgar excuse ; which is , that the unlucky choise of his stanza hath by repetition of rime brought him to the necessity of many exploded words . if we proceed from his language to his argument , we must observe with others , that his noble and most artfull hands deserv'd to be employ'd upon matter of a more naturall , and therefore of a more usefull kind . his allegoricall story ( by many held defective in the connexion ) resembling ( me thinks ) a continuance of extraordinary dreams ; such as excellent poets , and painters , by being over-studious , may have in the beginning of feavers : and those morall visions are just of so much use to humane application , as painted history , when with the cousenage of lights it is represented in scenes , by which we are much lesse inform'd then by actions on the stage . thus , sir , i have ( perhaps ) taken pains to make you think me malicious , in observing how farre the curious have look'd into the errours of others : errours , which the naturall humour of imitation hath made so like in all ( even from homer to spencer ) as the accusations against the first , appear but little more then repetition in every processe against the rest : and comparing the resemblance of errour in persons of one generation to that which is in those of another age , we may find it exceeds not anywhere , notoriously , the ordinary proportion . such limits to the progresse of every thing ( even of worthinesse as well as defect ) doth imitation give : for whilst we imitate others , we can no more excell them , then he that sails by others maps can make a new discovery : and to imitation , nature ( which is the onely visible power and operation of god ) perhaps doth needfully encline us to keep us from excesses . for , though every man be capable of worthinesse and unworthinesse ( as they are defined by opinion ) yet no man is built strong enough to bear the extremities of either , without unloading himself upon others shoulders , even to the wearinesse of many . if courage be worthinesse , yet where it is overgrown into extremes , it becomes as wild and hurtfull as ambition ; and so what was reverenc'd for protection grows to be abhorred for oppression . if learning ( which is not knowledge , but a continued sailing by fantastick and uncertain winds towards it ) be worthinesse , yet it hath bounds in all philosophers ; and nature that measured those bounds , seems not so partiall , as to allow it in any one a much larger extent then in another ; as if in our fleshy building , she considered the furniture and the room , alike , and together : for as the compasse of diadems commonly fits the whole succession of those kings that wear them ; so throughout the whole world , a very few inches may distinguish the circumference of the head● of their subjects : nor need we repine that nature hath not some favourites , to whom she doth dispense this treasure , knowledge , with a prodigious liberality . for as there is n● one that can be said vastly to exce●● all mankind ; so divers that have i● learning transcended all in some one province , have corrupted many wit● that great quantity of false gold ; and the authority of their stronger science hath often serv'd to distract or perver● their weaker disciples . and as the qualities which are termed good , are bounded , so are the bad ; and likewise limited , as well as gotten by imitation ; for amongst those that are extraordinary , eithe● by birth or brain ( for with the usuall pride of poets , i passe by common crowds , as negligently as princes move from throngs that are not thei● own subjects ) we cannot find any one so egregious ( admitting cruelty and avarice for the chiefest evils ; and errours in government or doctrine , to be the greatest errours ) but that divers of former or succeeding times may enter the scales with them , and make the balance even ; though the passion of historians would impose the contrary on our belief ; who in dispraise of evil princes are often as unjust and excessive as the common people : for there was never any monarch so cruel , but he had living subjects ; nor so avaricious , but that his subjects were richer then himself ; nor ever any disease in government so extremely infectious , as to make an universall anarchy ; or any errour in doctrine so strong by the maintainer , but that truth ( though it wrestled with her often and in many places ) hath at some season , and on some ground , made her advantages and successe apparent : therefore we may conclude , that nature , for the safety of mankind , hath as well ( by dulling and stopping our progresse with the constant humour of imitation ) given limits to courage and learning , to wickednesse and to errour , as it hath ordained the shelves before the shore , to restrain the rage and excesses of the sea . but i feel ( sir ) that i am falling into the dangerous fit of a hot writer ; for , instead of performing the promise which begins this preface , and doth oblige me ( after i had given you the judgement of some upon others ) to present my self to your censure ; i am wandring after new thoughts : but i shall ask your pardon , and return to my undertaking . my argument i resolved should consist of christian persons ; for since religion doth generally beget and govern manners , i thought the example of their actions would prevail most upon our own , by being derived from the same doctrine and authority ; as the particular sects educated by philosophers were diligent and pliant to the dictates and fashions of such as deriv'd themselves from the same master ; but lazy and froward to those who conversed in other schools . yet all these sects pretended to the same beauty , virtue ; though each did court her more fondly , when she was dressed at their own homes by the hands of their acquaintance : and so subjects bred under the laws of a prince ( though laws differ not much in morality or priviledge throughout the civil world , being every where made for direction of life , more then for sentences of death ) will rather die near that prince , defending those they have been taught , then live by taking new from another . these were partly the reasons why i chose a story of such persons as professed christian religion ; but i ought to have been most enclined to it , because the principles of our religion conduce more to explicable virtue , to plain demonstrative justice , and even to honour ( if virtue the mother of honour be voluntary and active in the dark , so as she need not laws to compell her , nor look for witnesses to proclaim her ) then any other religion that ever assembled men to divine worship . for that of the iews doth still consist in a sullen separation of themselves from the rest of humane flesh , which is a fantasticall pride of their own cleannesse , and an uncivil disdain of the imagined contagiousnesse of others ; and at this day , their cantonizing in tribes , and shynesse of alliance with neighbours , deserve not the terme of mutuall love , but rather seems a bestiall melancholy of hearding into their own walks . that of the ethnicks , like this of mahomet , consisted in the vain pride of empire , and never enjoyned a jewish separation , but drew all nations together ; yet not as their companions of the same species , but as slaves to a yoke : their sanctity was honour , and their honour onely an impudent courage , or dexterity in destroying . but christian religion hath the innocence of village neighbourhood , and did antiently in its politicks rather promote the interest of mankind then of states ; and rather of all states then of one ; for particular endeavours , onely in behalf of our own homes , are signs of a narrow morall education , not of the vast kindnesse of christian religion , which likewise ordained as well an universall communion of bosomes , as a community of wealth . such is christian religion in the precepts , and was once so in the practise . but i resolved my poem should represent those of a former age , perceiving 't is with the servants of christ , as with other servants under temporall power , who with all cleannesse , and even with officious diligence perform their duty in their masters sight ; but still as he grows longer absent , become more slothfull , unclean , and false . and this , who ever compares the present with the primitive times ▪ may too palpably and with horrour discern . when i considered the actions which i meant to describe , ( those inferring the persons ) i was again perswaded rather to chuse those of a former age then the present : and in a century so farre removed , as might preserve me from their improper examinations who know not the requisites of a poem , nor how much pleasure they lose ( and even the pleasures of heroick poesie are not unprofitable ) who take away the liberty of a poet , and fetter his feet in the shackles of an historian : for why should a poet doubt in story to mend the intrigues of fortune by more delightfull conveyences of probable fiction , because austere historians have enter'd into bond to truth ? an obligation which were in poets , as foolish and unnecessary as is the bondage of false martyrs , who lie in chains for a mistaken opinion : but by this i would imply , that truth narrative , and past , is the idol of historians , ( who worship a dead thing ) and truth operative , and by e●fects continually alive , is the mistresse of poets , who hath not her existence in matter but in reason . i was likewise more willing to derive my theme from elder times , as thinking it no little mark of skilfulnesse to comply with the common infirmity ; for men ( even of the best education ) discover their eyes to be weak , when they look upon the glory of virtue ( which is great actions ) and rather endure it at distance then near ; being more apt to believe , and love the renown of predecessours , then of contemporaries , whose deeds excelling theirs in their own sight , 〈◊〉 to upbraid them , and are not reverenced as examples of virtue , but envyed as the favours of fortune : but to make great actions credible is the principall art of poets ; who , though they avouch the utility of fictions , should not ( by altering and subliming story ) make use of their priviledge to the detriment of the reader : whose incredulity ( when things are not represented in proportion ) doth much allay the relish of his pity , hope , joy , and other passions : for we may descend to compare the deceptions in poesie to those of them that professe ▪ dextery of hand , which resembles conjuring , and to such we come not with the intention of lawyers to examine the evidence of facts , but are content ( if we like the carriage of their feigned motion ) to pay for being well deceived . as in the choise of time , so of place , i have complied with the weaknesse of the generality of men ; who think the best objects of their own countrey so little to the size of those abroad , as if they were shew'd them by the wrong end of a prospective : for man ( continuing the appetites of his first childhood , till he arrive at his second which is more froward ) must be quieted with something that he thinks excellent , which he may call his own ; but when he sees the like in other places ( not staying to compare them ) wrangles at all he hath . this leads us to observe the craftinesse of the comicks , who are onely willing when they describe humour ( and humour is the drunkennesse of a nation which no sleep can cure ) to lay the scene in their own countrey ; as knowing we are ( like the sonne of noah ) so little distasted to behold each others shame , that we delight to see even that of a father : yet when they would set forth greatnesse and excellent virtue ( which is the theam of tragedy ) publickly to the people ; they wisely ( to avoid the quarrels of neighbourly envie ) remove the scene from home . and by their example i travaild too ; and italie ( which was once the stage of the world ) i have made the theatre , where i shew in either sex , some patterns of humane life , that are ( perhaps ) fit to be follow'd . having told you why i took the actions that should be my argument , from men of our own religion , and given you reasons for the choice of the time and place design'd for those actions ; i must next acquaint you with the schools where they were bred ; not meaning the schools where they took their religion , but morality ; for i know religion is universally rather inherited then taught : and the most effectuall schools of morality , are courts and camps : yet towards the first , the people are unquiet through envie ; and towards the other , through fear ; and alwayes jealous of both for injustice , which is the naturall scandall cast upon authority , and great force . they look upon the outward glory or blaze of courts , as wilde-beasts in dark nights stare on their hunters torches ; but though the expences of courts ( whereby they shine ) is that consuming glory in which the people think their liberty is wasted ( for wealth is their liberty and lov'd by them even to jealousie ( being themselves a courser sort of princes , apter to take then to pay ) yet courts ( i mean all abstracts of the multitude ; either by king , or assemblies ) are not the schools where men are bred to oppression , but the temples where some times oppressours take sanctuary ; a safety which our reason must allow them . for the ancient laws of sanctuary ( deriv'd from god ) provid●d chiefly for actions that proceed●d from necessity ; and who can imagine lesse then a necessity of oppressing the people , since they are never willing either to buy their peace or to pay for war ? nor are camps the schools of wicked destroyers , more then the inns of court ( being the nursery of judges ) are the schools of murderers ; for as judges are avengers of private men against private robbers , so are armies the avengers of the publick against publick invaders ( either civill or forreign ) and invaders are robbers , though more in countenance then those of the high-way , because of their number . nor is there other difference between armies , when they move towards sieges , or battell , and judges moving in their circuit ( during the danger of extraordinary malefactours ) with the guards of the county ; but that the latter is a lesse army , and of lesse discipline . if any man can yet doubt of the necessary use of armies , let him study that which was antiently call'd a monster , the multitude ( for wolves are commonly harmelesse when they are met alone , but very uncivill in heards ) and he will not find that all his kindred by adam are so tame , and gentle , as those lovers that were bred in arcadia : or to reform his opinion , let him ask why ( during the utmost age of history ) cities have been at the charge of defensive walls ; and why fortification hath been practis'd so long , till it is grown an art ? i may now believe i have usefully taken from courts and camps the patterns of such as will be fit to be imitated by the most necessary men ; and the most necessary men are those who become principall by prerogative of blood ( which is seldome unassisted with education ) or by greatnesse of mind , which , in exact definition is virtue . the common croud ( of whom we are hopelesse ) we desert ; being rather to be corrected by laws ( where precept is accompany'd with punishment ) then to be taught by poesie ; for few have arriv'd at the skill of orpheus , or at his good fortune , whom we may suppose to have met with extraordinary grecian beasts , when so successfully he reclaim'd them with his harp. nor is it needfull that heroick poesie should be levell'd to the reach of common men ; for if the examples it presents prevaile upon their chiefs , the delight of imitation ( which we hope we have prov'd to be as effectuall to good as to evil ) will rectifie by the rules , which those chiefs establish of their own lives , the lives of all that behold them ; for the example of life , doth as much surpasse the force of precept , as life doth exceed death . in the choice of these objects ( which are as sea-marks to direct the dangerous voyage of life ) i thought fit to follow the rule of coasting mapps , where the shelv's and rocks are describ'd as well the safe channell ; the care being equall how to avoid , as to proceed : and the characters of men ( whose passions are to be eschu'd ) i have deriv'd from the distempers of love , or ambition : for love and ambition are too often the raging feavers of great minds . yet ambition ( if the vulgar acception of the word were corrected ) would signifie no more then an extraordinary lifting of the feet in the rough wayes of honour , over the impediments of fortune ; and hath a warmt'h ( till it be chaf'd into a feaver ) which is necessary for every virtuous breast : for good men are guilty of too little appetite to greatnesse , and it either proceeds from that they call contentednesse ( but contentednesse when examin'd doth mean something of lazynesse as well as moderation ) or from some melancholy precept left of the cloyster ; where they would make life ( for which the world was onely made ) more unpleasant then death ; as if nature , the vicegerent of god ( who in providing delightfull varieties which virtuous greatnesse can best possesse , or assure peaceably to others , implicitly commanded the use of them ) should in the necessaries of life ( life being her chief businesse ) though in her whole reign she never committed one errour , need the councell of fryars ; whose solitude makes them no more fit for such direction , then prisoners long fette●'d are for a race . in saying this , i onely awaken such retir'd men , as evaporate their strength of mind by close and long thinking ; and would every where separate the soul from the body , ere we are dead , by perswading us ( though they were both created and have been long companions together ) that the preferment of the one must meerly consist in deserting the other ; teaching us to court the grave , as if during the whole lease of life we were like moles to live under ground ; or as if long and well dying were the certain means to live in heaven : yet reason ( which , though the most profitable talent god hath given us , some divines would have philosophers to bury in the napkin , and not put it to use ) perswades us , that the painfull activenesse of virtue ( for faith on which some wholly depend seems but a contemplative boast till the effects of it grow exemplary by action ) will more probably acquire everlasting dignities . and surely if these severe masters ( who though obscure in cells , take it ill if their very opinions rule not all , abroad ) did give good men leave to be industrious in getting a share of governing the world , the multitudes ( which are but tenants to a few monarchs ) would endure that subjection which god hath decreed them , with better order , and more ease ; for the world is onely ill govern'd because the wicked take more pains to get authority ▪ then the virtuous ; for the virtuous are often preach'd into retirement ; which is to the publick as unprofitable as their sleep ; and the erroneousnesse of such lazy rest let philosophers judge ; since nature ( of whose body man thinks himself the chiefest member ) hath not anywhere , at any time , been respited from action ( in her , call'd motion ) by which she universally preserves and makes life . thus much of ambition which should have succeeded something i was saying of love . love in the interpretation of the envious , is softnesse ; in the wicked , good men suspect it for lust ; and in the good , some spirituall men have given it the name of charity : and these are but terms to this which seems a more consider'd definition ; that indefinite love is lust ; and lust when it is determin'd to one , is love ; this definition too but intrudes it self on what i was about to say , which is , ( and spoken with sobernesse though like a lay-man ) that love is the most acceptable imposition of nature , the cause and preservation of life , and the very healthfulnesse , of the mind , as well as of the body ; but lust ( our raging feaver ) is more dangerous in cities , then the calenture in ships . now ( sir ) i again ask you pardon , for i have again digress'd ; my immediate businesse being to tell you that the distempers of love and ambition are the onely characters i design'd to expose as objects of terrour : and my purpose was also to assure you , that i never meant to prostitute wickednesse in the images of low and contemptible people , as if i expected the meanest of the multitude for my readers ( since onely the rabble is seen at common executions ) nor intended to raise iniquity to that heighth of horrour , till it might seem the fury of something worse then a beast . in order to the first , i believe the spartans ( who to dete●●● their children from drunkennesse accustom'd their slaves to vomit before them ) did by such fulsome examples rather teach them to disdain the slaves , then to loathe wine ; for men seldome take notice of the vice in abject persons , especially where necessity constrains it . and in observation of the second , i have thought , that those horrid spectacles ( when the latter race of gladiatours made up the excesses of roman feasts ) did more induce the guests to de●est the cruelty of mankind , then increase their courage by beholding such an impudent scorn of life . i have now given you the accomp● of such provisions as i made for this new building ; and you may next please ( having examin'd the substance ) to take a view of the form ; and observe if i have methodically and with discretion dispos'd of the materialls● which with some curiosity i had collected . i cannot discern by any help from reading , or learned men , ( who have been to me the best and briefest indexes of books ) that any nation hath in representment of great actions ( either by heroicks or dramaticks ) digested story into so pleasant and instructive a method as the english by their drama : and by that regular species ( though narratively and not in dialogue ) i have drawn the body of an heroick poem : in which i did not onely observe the symmetry ( proportioning five books to five acts , and canto's to scenes , ( the scenes having their number ever governed by occasion ) but all the shadowings , happy strokes , secret graces , and even the drapery ( which together make the second beauty ) i have ( i hope ) exactly followed : and those compositions of second beauty , i observe in the drama to be the under-walks , interwea●ing , or correspondence of lesser-design in scenes , not the great motion of the main plot , and coherence of the acts . the first act is the generall preparative , by rendring the chiefest characters of persons , and ending with something that looks like an obscure promise of design . the second begins with an introducement of new persons , so finishes all the characters , and ends with some little performance of that design which was promised at the parting of the first act. the third makes a visible correspondence in the under-walks ( or lesser intrigues of persons ; and ends with an ample turn of the main design , and expectation of a new . the fourth ( ever having occasion to be the longest ) gives a notorious turn to all the underwalks , and a countre-turn to that main design which changed in the third . the fifth begins with an intire diversion of the main , and dependent plots ; then makes the generall correspondence of the persons more discernable , and ends with an easie untying of those particular knots , which made a contexture of the whole ; leaving such satisfaction of probabilities with the spectatour , as may perswade him that neither fortune in the fate of the persons , nor the writer in the representment , have been unnaturall or exorbitant . to these meander's of the english stage i have cut out the walks of my poem ; which in this description may seem intricate and tedious ; but will i hope ( when men take pains to visit what they have h●ard described ) appear to them as pleasant as a summer passage on a crooked river , where going about , and turning back , is as delightfull as the delaies of parting lovers . in placing the argument ( as a proem ) before every canto , i have not wholly follow'd the example of the moderns ; but averted it from that purpose to which i found it frequently used : for it hath been intended by others , as the contents of the chapter , or as a bill of fare at a venetian feast ; which is not brought before the meat to raise an expectation , but to satisfie the longing curiosity of the guests . and that which i have called my argument , is onely meant as an assistance to the readers memory , by containing brief hints , such , as if all the arguments were successively read , would make him easily remember the mutuall dependencies of the generall design ; yet each rather mentions every person acting , then their actions : but he is very unskilfull that by narratives before an historicall poem prevents expectation ; for so he comes to have little successe over the reader ( whom the writer should surprize , and as it were keep prisoner for a time ) as he hath on his enemies , who commanding a party out to take them ( and commonly readers are justly enemies to writers ) imparts openly the design ere he begins the action : or he may be said to be as unluckily officious , as he that leads a wooing to a mistresse , one that already hath newly enjoyed her . i shall say a little , why i have chosen my interwoven stanza of ●our , though i am not obliged to excuse the choice ; for numbers in verse must , like distinct kinds of musick , be exposed to the uncertain and different taste of severall ears . yet i may declare that i beleev'd it would be more pleasant to the reader , in a work of length , to give this respite or pause , between every stanza ( having endeavoured that each should contain a period ) then to run him out of breath with continued couplets . nor do's alternate rime by any lowlinesse of cadence make the sound lesse heroick , but rather adapt it to a plain and stately composing of musick ; and the brevity of the stanza renders it lesse subtil to the composer , and more easie to the singer ; which in stylo recitativo , when the story is long , is chiefly requisite . and this was indeed ( if i shall not betray vanity in my confession ) the reason that prevailed most towards my choice of this stanza , and my division of the main work into canto's , every canto including a sufficient accomplishment of some worthy design or action ; for i had so much heat ( which you , sir , may call pride , since pride may be allowed in pegasus , if it be a praise to other horses ) as to presume they might ( like the works of homer ere they were joyned together and made a volume by the athenian king ) be sung at village-feasts ; though not to monarchs after victory , nor to armies before battel . for so ( as an inspiration of glory into the one , and of valour into the other ) did homer's spirit , long after his body's rest , wander in musick about greece . thus you have the model of what i have already built , or shall hereafter joyn to the same frame . if i be accused of innovation , or to have transgressed against the method of the antients ; i shall think my self secure in believing , that a poet who hath wrought with his own instruments at a new design , is no more answerable for disobedience to predecessours , then law-makers are liable to those old laws which themselves have repealed . having described the outward frame , the large rooms within , the lesser conveyances , and now the furniture ; it were orderly to let you examine the matter of which that furniture is made : but though every owner who hath the vanity to shew his ornaments or hangings , must endure the curiosity , and censure of him that beholds them ; yet i shall not give you the trouble of inquiring what is , but tell you of what i designed their substance , which is wit : and wit is the laborious , and the lucky resultances of thought , having towards its excellence ( as we say of the strokes of painting ) as well a happinesse , as care . it is a web consisting of the sub●ilest threads , and like that of the spider● is considerately woven out of our selves ; for a spider may be said to consider , not onely respecting his solemnesse and taci●e posture ( like a grave scout in ambush for his enemy ) but because all things done , are either from consideration o● chance ; and the works of chance ar● accomplishments of an instant , having commonly a dissimilitude ; but he● are the works of time , and have their contextures alike . wit is not onely the luck and labour , but also the dexterity of the thought ; rounding the world like the sun with unimaginable motion ; an● bringing swiftly home to the memo● universall surveyes . it is the soul powder , which when supprest ( as fo●●idden from flying upward ) blows 〈◊〉 the restraint ; and loseth all force in farther ascension towards heaven ( the region of god ) and yet by nature is much lesse able to make any inquisition downward towards hell , the cell of the devil ; but breaks through all about it ( as farre as the utmost it can reach ) removes , uncovers , makes way for light , where darknesse was inclosed , till great bodies are more examinable by being scattered into parcels ; and till all that find its strength ( but most of mankind are strangers to wit , as indians are to powder ) worship it for the effects , as derived from the deity . it is in divines humility , exemplarinesse , and moderation : in states-men , gravity , vigilance , benigne complacency , secrecy , patience , and dispatch . in leaders of armies , valour , painfulnesse , temperance , bounty , dexterity in punishing and rewarding , and a sacred certitude of promise : it is in poets a full comprehension of all recited in all these ; and an ability to bring those comprehensions into action , when they shall so farre forget the true measure of what is of greatest consequence to humanity● ( which are things righteous , pleasant● and usefull ) as to think the delights o● greatnesse equall to that of poesie ; or the chiefs of any profession mo●● necessary to the world then excelle●● poets . lastly , though wit be not the envy of ignorant men , 't is often o● evil statesmen , and of all such imperfect great spirits , as have it in a less● degree then poets : for though no ma● envies the excellence of that which●● no proportion he ever tasted ( as m●● cannot be said to envy the condition 〈◊〉 angels ) yet we may say the devil envi● the supremacy of god , because he w●● in some degree partaker of his glory . that which is not , yet is accounte●wit , i will but slightly remember which seems very incident to impe●●fect youth and sickly age ; young me ( as if they were not quite delivere from child-hood whose first exerci●● is language ) imagine it consists 〈◊〉 the musick of words , and believe they are made wise by refining their speech above the vulgar dialect : which is a mistake almost as great as that of the people , who think oratours ( which is a title that crowns at riper years those that have practised the dexterity of tongue ) the ablest men ; who are indeed so much more unapt for governing , as they are more fit for sedition : and it may be said of them as of the witches of norway , who can sell a storm for a doller , which for ten thousand they cannot allay . from the esteem of speaking they proceed to the admiration of what are commonly called conceits , things that sound like the knacks or toyes of ordinary epigrammatists : and from thence , after more conversation and variety of objects , grow up to some force of fancy ; yet even then like young hawks they stray and fly farre off ; using their liberty as if they would ne're return to the lure ; and often go at check ere they can make a steddy view , and know their game . old men , that have forgot their first child-hood , and are returning to their second , think it lies in agnominations , and in a kind of an alike tinkling of words ; or else in a grave telling of wonderfull things , or in comparing of times without a discover'd partiality ; which they perform so ill by favouring the past , that , as 't is observ'd , if the bodies of men should grow lesse , though but an unmeasurable proportion in seven years ; yet reckoning from the flood , they would not remain in the stature of frogs : so if states and particular persons had impair'd in government , and increas'd in wickednesse , proportionably to what ▪ old men affirm they have done , from their own infancy to their age ; all publick policy had been long since con●usion , and the congregated world would not su●fice now to people a village . the last thing they suppose to be wit , is their bitter morals , when they almost declare themselves enemies to youth and beauty ; by which severity they seem cruel as herod when he surpris'd the sleeping children of bethleem : for youth is so farre from wanting enemies , that it is mortally its own ; so unpractis'd , that it is every where cozen'd more then a stranger among iews ; and hath an infirmity of sight more hurtfull then blindnesse to blind men ; for though it cannot chuse the way , it scorns to be led . and beauty , though many call themselves her friends , hath few but such as are false to her : though the world sets her in a throne , yet all about her ( even her gravest councellours ) are traytours , though not in conspiracy , yet in their distinct designes ; and to make her certain not onely of distresse but ruine , she is ever pursu'd by her most cruel enemy , the great destroyer , time . but i will proceed no farther upon old men , nor in recording mistakes ; lest finding so many more , then there be verities , we might believe we walk in as great obscurity as the egyptians when darknesse was their plague . nor will i presume to call the matter of which the ornaments or substantiall parts of this poem are compos'd , wit ; but onely tell you my endeavour was , in bringing truth ( too often absent ) home to mens bosomes , to lead her through unfrequented and new wayes , and from the most remote shades ; by representing nature though not in an affected , yet in an unusuall dresse . 't is now fit , after i have given you so long a survey of the building , to render you some accompt of the builder ; that you may know by what time , pains , and assistance i have already proceeded , or may hereafter finish my work : and in this i shall take occasion to accuse , and condemne , as papers unworthy of light , all those hasty digestions of thought which were publish'd in my youth ; a sentence not pronounc'd out of melancholy rigour , but from a cheerfull obedience to the just authority of experience : for that grave mistresse of the world , experience ( in whose profitable schoole those before the flood stay'd long , but we like wanton children come thither late , yet too soon are call'd out of it , and fetch'd home by death ) hath taught me , that the engendrings of unripe age become abortive , and deform'd ; and that after obteining more years , those must needs prophecy with ill successe , who make use of their visions in wine ; that when the antient poets were valued as prophets , they were long and painfull in watching the correspondence of causes , ere they presum'd to foretell effects : and that 't is a high presumption to entertein a nation ( who are a poets standing guests , and require monarchicall respect ) with hasty provisions ; as if a poet might imitate the familiar dispatch of faulconers , mount his pegasus , unhood his muse , and with a few flights , boast he hath provided a feast for a prince . such posting upon pegasus i have long since forborn ; and during my journey in this work have mov'd with a flow place ; that i might make my surveyes as one that travelled not to bring home the names , but the proportion and nature of things : and in this i am made wise by two great examples ; for the friends of virgil acknowledge he was many years in doing honour to aeneas ( still contracting at night into a closer force the abundance of his morning strengths ) and statius rather seems to boast then blush , when he confesses he was twice seven years in renowning the war between argos and thebes . next to the usefulnesse of time ( which here implies ripe age ) i beleev'd pains most requisite to this undertaking : for though painfulnesse in poets ( according to the usuall negligence of our nation in examining , and their diligence to censure ) seems alwayes to discover a want of naturall force , and is traduc'd , as if poesie concern'd the world no more then dancing ; whose onely grace is the quicknesse and facility of motion ; and whose perfection is not of such publick consequence , that any man can merit much by attaining it with long labour : yet let them consider , and they will find ( nor can i stay long ere i convince them in the important use of poesie ) the naturall force of a poet more apparent , by but confessing that great forces ask great labour in managing , then by an arrogrant braving the world , when he enters the field with his undisciplin'd first thoughts : for a wise poet , like a wise generall , will not shew his strengths till they are in exact government and order ; which are not the postures of chance , but proceed from vigilance and labour . yet to such painfull poets some upbraid the want of extemporary fury , or rather inspiration ; a dangerous word , which many have of late successfully us'd ; and inspiration is a spirituall fit , deriv'd from the antient ethnick poets , who then , as they were priests , were states-men too , and probably lov'd dominion ; and as their well dissembling of inspiration begot them reverence then , equall to that which was payd to lawes ; so these who now professe the same fury , may perhaps by such authentick example pretend authority over the people ; it being not unreasonable to imagine , they rather imitate the greek poets then the hebrew prophets , since the later were inspir'd for the use of others ; and these , like the former , prophecy for themselves . but though the antient poets are excus'd , as knowing the weak constitution of those deities from whom they took their priesthood ; and the frequent necessity of dissembling for the ease of government ; yet these ( who also from the chief to the meanest are states-men and priests , but have not the luck to be poets ) should not assume such saucy familiarity with a true god . from the time and labour requir'd to my poem , let me proceed to my assistants ; by which i shall not so much attest my own weaknesse , as discover the difficulties and greatness of such a work . for when solomon made use of his neighbours towards his building , he lost no reputation , nor by demanding those aids was thought a lesser prince ; but rather publish'd his wisedome , in rightly understanding the vast extent of his enterprise : who likewise with as much glory made use of fellers of wood , and hewers of stone , as of learned architects : nor have i refrain'd to be oblig'd to men of any science , as well mechanicall as liberall : nor when memory ( from that various and plentifull stock , with which all observers are furnish'd that have had diversity of life ) presented me by chance with any figure , did i lay it a side as uselesse , because at that instant i was not skilfull to manage it artfully ; but i have staid and recorded such objects , till by consulting with right masters i have dispos'd of them without mistake ; it being no more ●hame to get learning at that very time , and from the same text ; when , and by which , we instruct others ; then for a forward scout , discovering the enemy , to save his own life at a passe , where he then teacheas his party to escape . in remembring mine own helps , i have cons●dered those which others in the same necessity have taken ; and find that writers ( contrary to my inclination ) are apter to be beholding to books then to men ; not onely as the first are more in their possession ( being more con●tant companions then dearest friends ) but because they commonly make such use of treasure found in books , as of other treasure belonging to the dead and hidden under ground ; for they dispose of both with great secrecy , defacing the shape or images of the one , as much as of the other ; through fear of having the originall of their stealth , or abundance discovered . and the next cause why writers are more in libraries then in company , is , that books are easily open'd , and learned men are usually shut up by a froward or envious humour of retention ; or else unfold themselves , so as we may reade more of their weaknesse and vanity then wisdome ; imitating the holiday custome in great cities , where the shops of chaundry and slight wares are familiarly open , but those of solid and staple merchandise are proudly lock'd up . nor indeed can it be expected that all great doctours are of so benigne a nature , as to take pains in gaining treasure ( of which knowledge is the greatest ) with intent to inrich others so easily , as if they stood every where with their pockets spread , and ready to be pickt : nor can we reade of any father , who so farre and secretly adopted his sonne to a book of his own writing , as that his son might be thought authour of that written wit , as much as his father was authour of him : nor of any husband that to his darling wife would so far surrender his wisedome , as that in publick , he could endure to let her use his dictates , as if she would have others think her wiser then himself . by this remembrance of that usuall parcimony in owners of wit , towards such as would make use of their plenty ; i lament the fortune of others , and may wish the reader to congratulate mine ; for i have found friends as ready as books , to regulate my conceptions , or make them more correct , easie , and apparent . but though i am become so wise , by knowing my self , as to believe the thoughts of divers transcend the best which i have written ; yet i have admitted from no man any change of my designe , nor very seldome of my sence ; for i resolv'd to have this poem subsist , and continue throughout , with the same complexion and spirit ; though it appear but like a plain family , of a neighbourly alliance , who marry into the same moderate quality and garb , and are fearfull of introducing strangers of greater ranke , lest the shining presence of such , might seem to upbraid , and put all about them out of countenance . and now , sir , that the reader may ( whom writers are fain to court , draw in , and keep with artifice , so shy men grow of books ) believe me worthy of him , i cannot forbear to thank you in publick , for examining , correcting , and allowing this poem in parcels ere it arriv'd at the contexture : by which you have perform'd the just degrees of proceeding with poets ; who , during the gayetie and wantonnesse of the muse , are but as children to philosophers ( though of some giant race ) whose first thoughts ( wild , and roaming farre off ) must be brought home , watch'd , and interrogated , and af●er they are made more regular , be encourag'd and prais'd for doing well , that they may delight in aiming at perfection . by such a method the muse is taught to become master of her own and others strength : and who is he so learn'd ( how proud soever with being cherish'd in the bosome of fame ) that can hope , ( when through the severall wayes of science , he seeks nature in her hidden walks ) to make his journey short , unlesse he call you to be his guide ? and who so guided can suspect his safety , even when he travels through the enemy's countrey ? for such is the vast field of learning , where the learned ( though not numerous enough to be an army ) lie as small parties , maliciously in ambush , to destroy all new men that look into their quarters . and from such , you , and those you lead , are secure ; because you move not by common maps but have painfully made your own prospect ; and travel now like the sunne , not to inform your self , but enlighten the world . and likewise , when by the strict survey and government that hath been had over this po●m , i shall think to govern the reader ( who , though he be noble , may perhaps judge of supreme power like a very commoner , and rather approve authority , when it is in many , then in one ) i must acquaint him , that you had not alone the trouble of establishing and destroying ; but injoy'd your intervalls and ease by two colleagues ; two that are worthy to follow you into the closets of princes ; if the knowledge of men past , ( of whom books are the remaining minds ) or of the present ( of whom conversation is the usefull and lawfull spy ) may make up such greatnesse , as is fit for great courts : or if the raies that proceed from the poetick planet be not a little too strong for the sight of modern monarchs who now are too seldome taught in their youth , like eaglets to fortifie their eyes by often soaring near the sun . and though this be here but my testimony , it is too late for any of you to disclaim it ; for since you have made it valid by giving yours of gondibert under your hands , you must be content to be us'd by me , as princes are by their prefer'd subjects , who in the very act of taking honour , return it to the giver ; as benefits receiv'd by the creature manifest the power , and redound to the glory of the creatour . i am now , sir , ( to your great comfort , that have been thus ill and long diverted ) arriv'd at my last consideration , which is , to satisfie those who may inquire why i have taken so much pains to become an authour ? or why any man stayes so long sweating at the fire of invention , to dresse the food of the mind , when readers have so imperfect stomachs , as they either devour books with over hasty digestion , or grow to loathe them from a surfet ? and why i more especially made my task an heroick poem ? i shall involve the two first questions in one ; as submitting to be concern'd amongst the generality of writers ; whose enemies being many , and now mine , we must joyn forces to oppose them . men are chiefly provok'd to the toil of compiling books , by love of fame , and often by officiousnesse of conscience , but seldome with expectation of riches : for those that spend time in writing to instruct others , may find leasure to inform themselvs , how mean the provisions are which busie and studious minds can make for their own sedentary bodies : and learned men ( to whom the rest of the world are but infants ) have the same foolish affection in nourishing others minds , as pelicans in feeding their young ; which is , at the expence of the very subsistence of life . 't is then apparent they proceed by the instigation of fame or conscience ; and i believe many are perswaded by the first ( of which i am one ) and some are commanded by the second . nor is the desire of fame so vain as divers have rigidly imagin'd ; fame being ( when belonging to the living ) that which is more gravely call'd , a steddy and necessary reputation ; and without it , hereditary power , or acquired greatnesse can never quietly govern the world . 't is of the dead a musicall glory , in which god , the authour of excellent goodnesse , vouchsafes to take a continuall share ; for the remembred virtues of g●eat men are chiefly such of his works ( mentioned by king david ) as perpetually praise him : and the good fame of the dead prevails by example much more then the reputation of the living , because the later is alwayes suspected by our envy , but the other is cheerfully allow'd and religiously admir'd : for admiration ( whose eyes are ever weak ) stands still , and at gaze upon great things acted farre off ; but when they are near , walks slightly away as from familiar objects . fame is to our sonnes a solid inheritance , and not unusefull to remote posterity ; and to our reason , 't is the first , though but a little taste , of eternity . those that write by the command of conscience ( thinking themselves able to instruct others , and consequently oblig'd to it ) grow commonly the most voluminous ; because the pressures of conscience are so incessant , that she is never satisfi'd with doing enough : for such as be newly made the captives of god ( many appearing so to themselves , when they first begin to wear the fetters of conscience ) are like common slaves , when newly taken ; who , terrifi'd with a fancy of the severity of absolute masters , abuse their diligence out of fear , and do ill , rather then appear idle . and this may be the cause why libraries are more then double-lin'd with spirituall books or tracts of morality ; the later being the spirituall counsels of lay-men ; and the newest of such great volumes ( being usually but transcriptions or translations ) differ so much from the antients , as later dayes from those of old , which difference is no more then an alteration of names , by removing the ethnicks to make way for the sa●nts . these are the effects of their labours , who are provok'd to become authours , meerly out of conscience ; and conscience we may again averre to be often so unskilfull and timorous , that it seldome gives a wise and steddy account of god ; but grows jealous of him , as of an adversary , and is after melancholy visions like a fearful scout , after he hath ill survey'd the enemy , who then makes incong●uous , long , and terrible tales . having confess'd that the desire of fame made me a writer ; i must declare , why in my riper age i chose to gain it more especially by an heroicall poem ; and the heroick being by most allow'd to be the most beautifull of poems , i shall not need to decide the quarrels of poets about the degrees of excellence in poesie : but 't is not amisse ere i avow the usefulnesse of the science in generall ( which was the cause of my undertaking ) to remember the value it had from the greatest and most worthy spirits in all ages : for i will not abstain ( though it may give me the reputation but of common reading ) to mention , that pisistratus , ( though a tyrant ) liv'd with the praise and dy'd with the blessing of all greece , for gathering the scatter'd limbs of homer's works into a body ; and that great alexander , by publickly conversing with it , attain'd the universall opinion of wit ; the fame of such inward forces conducing as much to his conquests , as his armies abroad : that the athenian prisoners were thought worthy of life and liberty for singing the tragedies of euripides : that thebes was sav'd from destruction by the victors reverence to the memory of pindar : that the elder scipio ( who govern'd all the civil world ) lay continually in the bosome of e●nius : that the great numanti● and laelius ( no lesse renown'd ) were openly proud when the romans believ'd they assisted terence in his comedies : that augustus ( to whom the mysteries of universall empire were more familiar then domestick dominion to modern kings ) made virgil the partner of his joyes , and would have divided his businesse with horace : and that lucan was the fear and envy of nero . if we approach nearer our own times , we may add the triumphall entry which the papacy gave to petrarch ; and how much tasso is still the glory and delight of italy . but as in this hasty muster of poet● and listing their confederates , i shall by omitting many , deprive them of that pay which is due from fame ; so i may now by the opinion of some divines ( whom notwithstanding i will reverence in all their distinct habits and fashions of the mind ) ●e held partiall and too bold , by adding to the first number ( though i range them upon holy ground and aside ) moses , david , and solomon , for their songs , psalmes , and anthemes : the second being the acknowledg'd favourite of god , whom he had gain'd by excellent praises in sacred poesie . and i fear ( since poesie is the clearest light by which they find the soul who seek it ) that poets have in their fluent kindnesse diverted from the right use , and spent too much of that spirituall talent in the honour of mortall princes : for divine praise ( when in the high perfection , as in poets , and onely in them ) is so much the uttermost and whole of religious worship , that all other parts of devotion serve but to make it up . gondibert lib. . canto . . . praise , is devotion fit for mighty minds ; the diff'ring world's agreeing sacrifice ; where heaven divided faiths united finds : but pray'r in various discord upward flies . . for pray'r the ocean is , where diversly men steer their course , each to a sev'rall coast ; where all our int'rests so discordant be , that half beg winds by which the rest are lost . . by penitence when we our selves for sake , 't is but in wise designe on pileous heaven ; in praise we nobly give what god may take , and are without a beggars blus● forgiven . . it s utmost force , like powder 's , is unknown ; and though weak kings excesse of praise may fear , yet when 't is here , like powder dang'rous grown , heaven's vault receives what would the palace tear . after this contemplation , how acceptable the voyce of poesie hath been to god , we may ( by descending from heaven to earth ) consider how usefull it is to men ; and among men , divines are the chief , because ordain'd to temper the rage of humane power by spirituall menaces , as by sudden and strange threatnings , madnesse is frighted into reason ; and they are ●ent hither as liegers from god , to conserve in stedfast motion the slippery joynts of government ; and to perswade an amity in divided nations : therefore to divines i first addresse my self ; and presume to ask them , why , ever since their dominion was first allow'd , at the great change of religions , ( though ours , more then any , inculcates obedience , as an easie medicine to coole the impatient and raging world into a quiet rest ) mankind hath been more unruly then before ? it being visible that empire decreas'd with the encrease of christianity ; and that one weak prince did antiently su●fice to govern many strong nations : but now one little province is too hard for their own wise king : and a small republick hath seventy years maintein'd thei● revolt to the disquiet of many monarchs . or if divines reply , we cannot expect the good effects of their o●fice , because their spirituall dominion is not allow'd as absolute ; then it may be ask'd them more severely , why 't is not allow'd ? for whereever there hath been great degrees of power ( which hath been often , and long in the church ) it discovers ( though worldly vicissitude be objected as an excuse ) that the mannagers of such power , since they endeavour'd not to enlarge it , believ'd the increase unrighteous ; or were in acting , or contriving that endeavour , either negligent or weak : for power like the hasty vine , climbs up apace to the supporter ; but if not skilfully attended and dr●ss'd , instead of spreading , and bearing fruit , grows high , and naked ; and then ( like empty title ) being soon uselesse to others , becomes neglected , and unable to support it self . but if divines have fail'd in governing princes ( that is , of being intirely believ'd by them ) yet they might obliquely have rul'd them , in ruling the people ; by whom of late , princes have been govern'd ; and they might probably rule the people , because the heads of the church ( where ever christianity is preach'd ) are te●ra●chs of time ; of which they command the fourth division ; for to no lesse the sabbaths , and dayes of saints amount ; and during those dayes of spirituall triumph , pulpits are thrones ; and the people oblig'd to open their ears , and let in the ordinances and commands of preachers ; who likewise are not without some little regency throughout the rest of the year ; for then they may converse with the laity , from whom they have commonly such respect ( and respect soon opens the door to perswasion ) as shew's their congregations not deaf in those holy seasons , when speaking predominates . but notwithstanding these advantages , the pulpit hath little prevail'd ; for the world is in all regions revers'd , or shaken by disobedience ; an engine with which the great angels ( for such were the devils , and had faculties much more sublim'd then men ) believ'd they could disorder heaven . and 't is not want of capacity in the lower auditory that makes doctrine so unsuccessfull ; for the people are not simple , since the gentry ( euen of strongest education ) lack sufficient defence against them , and are hourely surpris'd in ( their common ambushes ) their shops : for on sacred dayes they walke gravely and sadly from temples , as if they had newly bury'd their sinfull fathers ; at night sleep as if they never needed forgivenesse ; and rise with the next sunne , to lye in wait for the noble , and the studious . and though these quiet cousners are amongst the people , esteem'd their steddy men ; yet they honour the courage , and more active parts of such disobedient spirits , as disdaining thus tamely to deceive , attempt bravely to rob the state ; and the state they believe ( though the helme were held by apostles ) would alwayes consist of such arch-robbers , as who ever strips them , but waves the tedious satisfaction which the lazy expect from laws , and comes a shorter way to his own . thus unapt for obedience ( in the condition of beasts whose appetite is liberty , and their liberty a licence of lust ) the people have often been , since a long and notorious power hath continu'd with divines ; whom though with reverence we accuse for mistaken lenity ; yet are we not so cruell to expect they should behave themselves to sinners like fierce phineas , or preach with their swords drawn , to kill all they cannot perswade : but our meaning is , to shew how much their christian meekness hath deceiv'd them in taming this wilde monster , the people ; and a little to rebuke them for neglecting the assistance of poets ; and for upbraiding the ethnicks , because the poets mannag'd their religion ; as if religion could walk more prosperously abroad then when morality ( respectfully , and bare-headed as her usher ) prepares the way : it being no less true that during the dominion of poesie , a willing and peacefull obedience to superiours becalm'd the world ; then that obedience like the marriage yoke , is a restraint more needfull and advantageous then liberty ; and hath the same reward of pleasant quietnesse , which is antiently had , when adam , till his disobedience , enjoy'd paradise . such are the effects of sacred poesie which charm's the people with harmonious precepts ; and whose aid divines should not disdain , since their lord ( the saviour of the world ) vouchsaf'd to deliver his doctrine in parabolicall fictions . those that be of next importance are leaders of armies ; and such i measure not by the suffrages of the people , who give them respect as indians worship the evil spirit , rather for fear of harm , then for affection ; but esteem them as the painfull protectours , and enlargers of empire by whom it actively moves ; and such active motion of empire is as necessary as the motion of the sea where all things would putrifie , and infect one an other , if the element were quiet ; so is it with mens minds on shore , when that element of greatnesse and honour , empire , stands still ; of which the largenesse is likewise as needfull , as the vastnesse of the sea ; for god ordain'd not huge empire as proportionable to the bodies , but to the minds of men ; and the minds of men are most monstrous , and require more space for agitation and the hunting of others , then the bodies of whales : but he that believes men such moderate sheep as that many are peacefully contain'd in a narrow fold , may be better inform'd in america ; where little kings never injoy a harml●sse neighbourhood , unlesse protected defensively amongst themselves , by an emperour that hath wide possessions , and prioritie over them ( as in some few places ) but when restrain'd in narrow dominion , where no body commands and hinders their nature , they quarrell like cocks in a pit ; and the sun in a dayes travell there , ●ees more battles ( but not of consequence , because their kings though many , are little ) then in europe in a year . to leaders of armies , as to very necessary men ( whose o●fice requires the uttermost aids of art , and nature , and rescues the sword of justice , when 't is wrested from supream power by commotion ) i am now address'd ; and must put them in mind ( though not upbraidingly ) how much their mighty predecessours were antiently oblig'd to poets ; whose songs ( recording the praises of conduct and valour ) were esteem'd the chiefest rewards of victory ; and since nature hath made us prone to imitation ( by which we equall the best or the worst ) how much those images of action prevail upon our minds , which are delightfully drawn by poets : for the greatest of the grecian captains have confess'd , that their counsells have been made wise , and their courages warm , by homer : and since praise is a pleasure which god hath invited , and with which he often vouchsaf'd to be pleas'd when it was sent him by his own poet ; why is it not lawfull for virtuous men to be cherish'd , and magnifi'd with hearing their vigilance , valour , and good fortune ( the latter being more the immediate gift of heaven , because the effect of an unknown cause ) commended , and made eternall in poesie ? but perhaps the art of praising armies into great , and instant action , by singing their former deeds ( an art with which the antients made empire so large ) is too subtle for modern leaders ; who as they cannot reach the heighths of poesie , must be content with a narrow space of dominion : and narrow dominion breeds evil , peevish , and vexatious minds , and a nationall self-opinion , like simple jewish arrogance ; and the jews were extraordinary proud in a very little countrey : for men in contracted governments are but a kind of prisoners ; and prisoners by long restraint grow wicked , malicious to all abroad , and foolish esteemers of themselves ; as if they had wrong in not enjoying every thing which they can onely see out of windowes . our last application is to statesmen ; and makers of laws ; who may be reasonably reduc'd to one ; since the second differ no more from the first , then judges ( the copies of law-makers ) differ from their originals : for judges , like all bold interpteters , by often altering the text , make it quite new ; and states-men ( who differ not from law-makers in the act , but in the manner of doing ) make new laws presumptuously without the consent of the people ; but legislators more civilly seem to whistle to the beast , and stroak him into the yoke : and in the yoke of state , the people ( with too much pampering ) grow soon unruly and draw awry ; yet states-men and iudges ( whose businesse is governing , and the thing to be govern'd is the people ) have amongst us ( we being more proud and mistaken then any other famous nation ) look'd gravely upon poetry , and with a negligence that betray'd a northerly ignorance ; as if they believ'd they could perform their work without it . but poets ( who with wise diligence study the people , and have in all ages , by an insensible influence govern'd their manners ) may justly smile when they perceive that divines , leaders of armies , states-men and iudges , think religion , the sword , or ( which is unwritten law , and a secret confederacy of chiefs ) policy , or law ( which is written , but seldome rightly read ) can give , without the help of the muses , a long and quiet satisfaction in government : for religion is to the wicked and faithlesse ( who are many ) a jurisdiction against which they readily rebell : because it rules severely , yet promiseth no worldly recompence for obedience ; obedience being by every humane power invited with assurances of vi●ible advantage . the good ( who are but few ) need not the power of religion to make them better , the power of religion proceeding from her threatnings , which though mean weapons , are fitly us'd , since she hath none but base enemies . we may observe too , that all virtuous men are so taken up with the rewards of heaven , that they live as if out of the world ; and no government receives assistance from any man meerly as he is good ; but as that goodnesse is active in temporall things . the sword is in the hand of iustice no guard to government , but then when iustice hath an army for her own defence ; and armies , if they were not pervertible by faction , yet are to common-wealths like kings physicians to poor patients ; who buy the cure of their disordered bodies at so high a rate , that they may be said to change their sicknesse for famine . policy ( i mean of the living , not of the dead ; the one being the last rules or designs governing the instant ; the other , those laws that began empire ) is as mortall as states-men themselves ; whose incessant labour make that hectick fever of the mind , which insensibly dispatches the body : and when we trace states-men through all the histories of courts , we find their inventions so unnecessary to those that succed at the helm , or so much envy'd as they scarce last in authority till the inventours are buried : and change of designs in states-men ( their designs being the weapons by which states are defended ) grows as destructive to government , as a continuall change of various weapons is to armies ; which must receive with ruine any sudden assault , when want of practise makes unactivenesse . we cannot urge that the ambition of states-men ( who are obnoxious to the people ) doth much disorder government ; because the peoples anger , by a perpetuall coming in of new oppressours is so diverted in considering those whom their eyes but lately left , as they have not time enough to rise for the publick : and evill successours to power are in the troubled stream of state like succeding tides in rivers , where the mud of the former is hidden by the filth of the last . laws , if very antient , grow as doubtfull and difficult as letters on bury'd marble , which onely antiquaries reade ; but if not old , they want that reverence which is therefore paid to the virtues of ancestours , because their crimes come not to our remembrance ; and yet great men must be long dead whose ills are forgotten . if laws be new , they must be made either by very angels , or by men that have some vices ; and those being seen , make their virtues suspected ; for the people no more esteem able men , whose defects they know , ( though but errours incident to humanity ) then an enemy values a strong army having experience of their errours . and new laws are held but the projects of necessitous power , new nets spread to intangle us ; the old being accounted too many , since most are believ'd to be made for forfeitures : and such letting of bloud ( though intended by law-makers for our health ) is to the people alwayes out of season : for those that love life with too much passion ( and money is the life-bloud of the people ) ever fear a consumption . but , be law-makers as able as nature or experience ( which is the best art ) can make them ; yet , though i will not yield the wicked to be wiser then the virtuous , i may say , offences are too hard for the laws , as some beasts are too wylie for their hunters ; and that vice overgrows virtue , as much as weeds grow faster then medicinable herbs : or rather that sinne , like the fruitfull slime of nilus , doth increase into so many various shapes of serpents ( whose walks and retreats are winding and unknown ) that even iustice ( the painfull pursuer of mischief ) is become weary and amaz'd . after these meditations , me thinks government resembles a ship , where though divines , leaders of armies , states-men , and iudges are the trusted pilots ; yet it moves by the means of winds , as uncertain as the breath of opinion ; and is laden with the people ; a freight much looser and more dangerous then any other living stowage ; being as troublosome in fair weather , as horses in a storm . and how can these pilots steddily maintain their course to the land of peace and plenty , since they are often divided at the helm ? for divines ( when they consider great chiefs ) suppose armies to be sent from god for a temporary plague , not for continuall jurisdiction ; and that gods extreme punishments ( of which , armies be the most violent ) are ordained to have no more lastingnesse then the extremes in nature . they think ( when they consider states-men ) policy hath nothing of the dove , and being all serpent , is more dangerous , then the dangers it pretends to prevent : and that out-witting ( by falshood and corruption ) adverse states , or the people ( though the people be often the greater enemy and more perilsome being nearest ) is but giving reputation to sinne , and that to maintain the publick by politick evils , is a base prostitution of religion , and the prostitution of religion is that unpardonable whoredome which so much anger'd the prophets . they think law nothing but the bible forcibly usurp'd by covetous lawyers , and disguis'd in a paraphrase more obscure then the text ; and that 't is onely want of just reverence to religion which doth expose us to the charges and vexations of law . the leaders of armies , accuse divines for unwisely raising the warre of the world by opposite doctrine , and for being more indiscreet in thinking to appease it by perswasion ; forgetting that the dispatchfull ending of warre is blows ; and that the naturall region for disputes , when nations are engag'd ( though by religion ) is the field of battel , not schools and academies ; which they believe by their restlesse controversies lesse civil then camps ; as intestine quarrel is held more barbarous then forreign war . they think states-men to them ( unlesse dignifi'd with military office ) but mean spies that like african foxes ( who attend on lions , ranging before and about , for their valiant prey ) shrink back till the danger be subdu'd , and then with insatiate hunger come in for a share : yet sometimes with the eye of envy ( which inlarges objects like a multiplying-glasse ) they behold these states-men , and think them immense as whales ; the motion of whose vast bodies can in a peacefull calm trouble the ocean till it boil ; after a little hasty wonder , they consider them again with disdain of their low constraints at court ; where they must patiently endure the little follics of such small favourites as wait even near the wisest thrones ; so fantastically weak seem monarchs in the sicknesse of care ( a fever in the head ) when for the humorous pleasure of diversity , they descend from purple beds , and seek their ease upon the ground . these great leaders say also that law moves slowly , as with fetter'd feet , and is too tedious in redresse of wrongs ; whilst in armies , justice seems to ride poste , and overtakes offenders ere the contagion of crimes can infect others : and though in courts and cities great men fence often with her , and with a forcive slight put by her sword ; yet when she retires to camps , she is in a posture not onely to punish the offences of particular greatnesse , but of injurious nations . states-men look on divines as men whose long solitude and meditations on heaven hath made them strangers upon earth : and 't is acquaintance with the world , and knowledge of man that makes abilities of ruling : for though it may be said that a sufficient belief of doctrine would bege● obedience ( which is the uttermost design of governing ) yet since diversity of doctrine doth distract all auditours , and makes them doubtfully dispose their obedience ( even towards spirituall powers , on which many would have the temporall depend ) therefore states-men think themselves more fit to manage empire then divines ; whose usefulnesse consists in perswasion ; and perswasion is the last medicine ( being the most desperate ) which states-men apply to the distemper of the people : for their distemper is madnesse , and madnesse is best cur'd with terrour and force . they think that leaders of armies are to great empire , as great rivers to the continent ; which make an easie accesse of such benefits as the metropolis ( the seat of power ) would else at vast distances with difficulty reach : yet often like proud rivers when they swell , they destroy more by once overflowing their borders at home , then they have in long time acquir'd from abroad : they are to little empire like the sea to low islands ; by nature a defense from forreigners , but by accident , when they rage , a deluge to their own shore . and at all seasons states-men believe them more dangerous to government then themselves : for the popularity of states-men is not so frequent as that of generalls ; or if by rare sufficiency of art it be gain'd , yet the force of crouds in cities , compar'd to the validity of men of arms and discipline , would appear like the great number of sheep to a few wolves , rather a cause of comfort then of terrour . they think that chief ministers of law by unskilfull integrity , or love of popularity ( which shews the mind as meanly born as bred ) so earnestly pursue the protection of the peoples right , that they neglect the publick interest ; and though the peoples right and publick interest be the same , yet usually by the people , the ministers of law mean private-men , and by the other , the state ; and so the state and the people are divided , as we may say a man is divided within himself , when reason and passion ( and passion is folloy ) dispute about consequent actions ; and if we were call'd to assist at such intestine warre , we must side with reason , according to our duty by the law of nature ; and natures law , though not written in stone ( as was the law of religion ) hath taken deep impression in the heart of man , which is harder then marble of mount sinai . chief ministers of law think , divines in government , should like the penall statutes , be choicely and but seldome us'd ; for as those statutes are rigorously inquisitive after veniall faults ( punishing our very manners and weak constitution , as well as insolent appetite ; so divines ( that are made vehement with contemplating the dignity of the offended ( which is god ) more then the frailty of the offender ) govern as if men could be made angels ere they come to heaven . great ministers of law think likewise that leaders of armies are like ill physicians , onely fit for desperate cures , whose blindnesse calls in the assistance of fortune , during the fears and troubles of art : yet the health they give to a distempered state is not more accidentall then the preservation of it is uncertain ; because they often grow vain with successe , and encourage a restor'd state to such hazards , as shew like irregularity of life in other recover'd bodies ; such as the cautions and antient gravity of law disswades : for law ( whose temperate design is safety ) rather prevents by constancy of medicine ( like a continu'd diet ) diseases in the body-politick , then depends after a permitted sicknesse upon the chance of recovery . they think states-men strive to be as much judges of law as themselves , being chief ministers of law , are judges of the people ; and that even good states-men pervert the law more then evil judges : for law was antiently meant a defensive armour , and the people took it as from the magazin of justice , to keep them safe from each others violence : but states-men use it as offensive arms , with which , in forraging to get relief for supreme power , they often wound the publick . thus we have first observ'd the four chief aids of government , ( religion , arms , policy , and law ) defectively apply'd , and then we have found them weak by an emulous warre amongst themselves : it follows next , we should introduce to strengthen those principall aids ( still making the people our direct object ) some collaterall help ; which i will safely presume to consist in poesie . we have observ'd that the people since the latter time of christian religion , are more unquiet then in former ages : so disobedient and fierce , as if they would shake off the antient imputation of being beasts , by shewing their masters they know their own strength : and we shall not erre by supposing that this conjunction of fourfould power hath faild in the effects of authority , by a misapplication ; for it hath rather endeavoured to prevail upon their bodies , then their minds ; forgetting that the martiall art of constraining is the best ; which assaults the weaker part ; and the weakest part of the people is their minds ; for want of that which is the mindes onely strength , education ; but their bodies are strong by continuall labour ; for labour is the education of the body . yet when i mention the misapplication of force , i should have said , they have not onely faild by that , but by a main errour ; because the subject on which they should work is the mind ; and the mind can never be constraind , though it may be gain'd by perswasion : and since perswasion is the principall instrument which one can bring to fashion the brittle and mishapen mettal of the mind ; none are so fit aids to this important works , as poets : whose art is more then any enabled with a voluntary , and cheerfull assistance of nature ; and whose operations are as resistlesse secret , easie , and subtle , as is the influence of planets . i must not forget ( left i be prevented by the vigilance of the reader ) that i have profe●s'd not to represent the beauty of virtue in my poem , with hope to perswade common men ; and i have said that divines have fail'd in discharging their share of government , by depending upon the effects of perswasion ; and that states-men in managing the people rely not upon the perswasion of divines , but upon force . in my despair of reducing the minds of common men , i have not confest any weaknesse of poesie in the generall science ; but rather infer'd the particular strength of the heroick ; which hath a force that over-matches the infancy of such minds as are not enabled by degrees of education ; but there are lesser forces in other kinds of poesie , by which they may train , and prepare their understandings ; and princes , and nobles being reform'd and made angelicall by the heroick , will be predominant lights , which the people cannot chose but use for direction ; as gloworms take in , and keep the sun's ●eams till they shine , and make day to themselves . in saying that divines have vainly hop'd to continue the peace of government by perswasion , i have imply'd such perswasions as are accompany'd with threatnings , and seconded by force ; which are the perswasions of pulpits ; where is presented to the obstinate , hell after death ; and the civill magistrate during life constrains such obedience as the church doth ordain . but the perswasions of poesie in stead of menaces , are harmonious and delightfull in●inuations , and never any constraint ; unlesse the ravishment of reason may be call'd force . and such force , ( contrary to that which divines , commanders , states-men , and lawyer 's use ) begets such obedience as is never weary or griev'd . in declaring that states-men think not the state wholly secure by such manners as are bred from the perswasions of divines , but more willingly make government rely upon military force ; i have neither concluded that poets are unprofi●able , nor that states-men think so ; for the wisdome of poets , would first make the images of virtue so amiable that her beholders should not be able to look off ( rather gently , and delightfully infusing then inculcating precepts ) and then when the mind is conquer'd , like a willing bride , force should so behave it self , as noble husbands use their power : that is , by letting their wives see the dignity and prerogative of our sex ( which is the husbands harmlesse conquest of peace ) continually maintain'd to hinder disobedience , rather then rigourously impose duty : but to such an easie government , neither the people ( which are subjects to kings and states ) nor wives ( which are subject to husbands ) can peacefully yield , unlesse they are first conquer'd by virtue ; and the conquests of virtue be never easie , but where her sorces are commanded by poets . it may be objected that the education of the peoples minds ( from whence virtuous manners are deriv'd ) by the severall kinds of poesie ( of which the dramatick hath been in all ages very successfull ) is opposite to the receiv'd opinion , that the people ought to be continu'd in ignorance ; a maxime sounding like the little subtletie of one that is a states-man onely by birth or beard , and merits not his place by much thinking ; for ignorance is rude , censorious , jealous , obstinate , and proud ; these being exactly the ingredients of which disobedience is made ; and obedience proceeds from ample consideration , of which knowledge consists ; and knowledge will soon put into one scale the weight of oppression , and in the other , the heavie burden which disobedience layes on us in the effects of civill warre : and then even tyranny will seem much lighter , when the hand of supreme power binds up our load , and layes it artfully on us , then disobedience ( the parent of con●usion ) when we all load one another ; in which every one irregularly increases his fellows burden , to lessen his own . others may object that poesie on our stago , or the heroick in musick ( for so the latter was antiently us'd ) is prejudiciall to a state ; as begetting levity , and giving the people too great a diversion by pleasure and mirth . to these ( if they be worthy of satisfaction ) i reply ; that whoever in government endeavours to make the people serious and grave , ( which are attributes that may become the peoples representatives , but not the people ) doth practise a new way to enlarge the state , by making every subject a states-man : and he that means to govern so mournfully ( as it were , without any musick in his dominion ) must lay but light burdens on his subjects ; or else he wants the ordinary wisdome of those , who to their beasts that are much loaden whistle all the day to encourage their travail . for that supreme power which expects a firm obedience in those , who are not us'd to rejoycing , but live sadly , as if they were still preparing for the ●unerall of peace , hath little skill in contriving the lastingnesse of government , which is the principall work of art ; and lesse hath that power consider'd nature ; as if such new austerity did seem to tax , even her , for want of gravity in bringing in the spring so merrily with a musicall variety of birds ; and such sullen power doth forget that battels ( the most solemne and serious businesse of death ) are begun with trumpets and fifes ; and antiently were continu'd with more diversity of musick . and that the grecian laws ( laws being the gravest endeavour of humane councels , for the ease of life ) were long before the dayes of ly●urgus ( to make them more pleasant to memory ) publish'd in verse : and that the wise athenians ( dividing into three parts the publick revenew ) expended one in playes and showes , to divert the people from meeting to consult of their rulers merit , and the defects of government : and that the romans had not so long continu'd their empire , but for the same diver●ions , at a vaster charge . again , it may be objected , that the precepts of christian religion are sufficient towards our regulation , by appointment of manners ; and towards the ease of life , by imposing obedience ; so that the morall assistance of poesie , is but vainly intruded . to this i may answer , that as no man should suspect the sufficiency of religion by its unsuccessfulnesse , so if the unsuccessfulnesse be confess'd , we shall as little disparage religion , by bringing in more aids when t is in action , as a generall dishonours himself by endeavouring with more of his own forces to make sure an attempt that hath a while miscarri'd : for poesie , which ( like contracted essences seems the utmost strength and activity of nature ) is as all good arts , ●ubservient to religion ; all marching under the same banner , though of lesse discipline and esteem . and as poesie is the best expositour of nature ( nature being mysterious to such as use not to consider ) so nature is the best interpreter of god ; and more cannot be said of religion . and when the judges of religion ( which are the chiefs of the church ) neglect the help of moralists in reforming the people ( and poets are of all moralists the most usefull ) they give a sentence against the law of nature : for nature performs all things by correspondent aids and harmony . and 't is injurious not to think poets the most usefull moralists ; for as poesie is adorn'd and sublim'd by musick , which makes it more pleasant and acceptable ; so morality is sweetned and made more amiable by poesie . and the austerity of some divines may be the cause why religion hath not more prevaild upon the manners of men : for great doctours should rather comply with things that please ( as the wise apostle did with ceremonies ) then lose a proselyte . and even honour ( taught by morall philosophers , but more delightfully infus'd by poets ) will appear ( notwithstanding the sad severity of some later divines ) no unsafe guide towards piety ; for it is as wary and nice as conscience , though more cheerfull and courageous . and however honour be more pleasing to flesh and blood , because in this world it find's applause ; yet 't is not so mercinary as piety : for piety ( being of all her expectations inwardly assur'd ) expects a reward in heaven ; to which all earthly payments compar'd , are but shadows , and sand. and it appears that poesie hath for its naturall prevailings over the understandings of men ( sometimes making her conquests with easie plainnesse , like native countrey beauty ) been very successfull in the most grave , and important occasions that the necessities of states or mankinde have produc'd . for it may be said that demosthenes sav'd the athenians by the fable or parable of the doggs and wolves , in answer to king philips proposition ; and that menenius agrippa sav'd the senate , if not rome , by that of the belly and the hands : and that even our saviour was pleas'd ( as the most prevalent way of doctrine ) wholly to use such kind of parables in his converting , or saving of souls ; it being written , without a parable spake he not to them . and had not the learned apostle thought the wisdome of poets worthy his remembrance , and instructive , not onely to heathens , but to christians ; he had not cited epimenides to the cretans , as well as aratus to the athenians . i cannot also be ignorant , that divers ( whose consciencious melancholy amazes and discourages others devotion ) will accuse poets as the admirers of beauty , and inventours , or provokers of that which by way of aspersion they call love . but such , in their first accusation seem to look carelesly and unthankfully upon the wonderfull works of god ; or else through low education , or age , become incompetent judges of what is the chief of his works upon earth . and poets , when they praise beauty , are at least as lawfully thankfull to god , as when they praise seas , woods , rivers , or any other parts that make up a prospect of the world . nor can it be imagin'd but that poets in praising them , praise wholly the maker ; and so in praising beauty : for that woman who believes she is prais'd when her beauty is commended , may as well suppose that poets think she created her self : and he that praises the inward beauty of women , which is their virtue , doth more perform his duty then before : for our envious silence in not approving , and so encouraging what is good , is the cause that vice is more in fashion and countenance then virtue . but when poets praise that which is not beauty , or the mind which is not virtuous , they erre through their mistake or by flattery ; and flattery is a crime so much more prosperous in others who are companions to greatnesse , that it may be held in poets rather kindnesse then design . they who accuse poets as provokers of love , are enemies to nature ; and all affronts to nature are offences to god , as insolencies to all subordinate officers of the crown are rudenesses to the king . love ( in the most obnoxious interpretation ) is nature's preparative to her greatest work , which is the making of life . and since the severest divines of these later times have not been asham'd publickly to command and define the most secret duties , and entertainments of love in the married ; why should not poets civilly endeavour to make a friendship between the guests before they meet , by teaching them to dignifie each other with the utmost of estimation ? and marriage in mankind were as rude and unprepar'd as the hasty elections of other creatures , but for acquaintance and conversation before it : and that must be an acquaintance of minds , not of bodies ; and of the mind , poesie is the most naturall and delightfull interpreter . when neither religion ( which is our art towards god ) nor nature ( which is gods first law to man , though by man least study'd ) nor when reason ( which is nature , and made art by experience ) can by the enemies of poesie be sufficiently urg'd against it ; then some ( whose frowardnesse will not let them quit an evil cause ) plead written authority . and though such authority be a weapon , that even in the warre of religion , distress'd disputers take up , as their last shift ; yet here we would protest against it , but that we find it makes a false defence , and leaves the enemy more open . this authority ( which is but single too ) is from plato ; and him some have maliciously quoted ; as if in his feign'd common-wealth he had banish'd all poets . but plato saies nothing against poets in generall ; and in his particular quarrel ( which is to homer and hesiod ) onely condemnes such errours as we mention'd in the beginning of this preface , when we look'd upon the antients . and those errours consist in their abasing religion , by representing the gods in evill proportion , and their heroes with as unequal characters ; and so brought vices into fashion , by intermixing them with the virtues of great persons . yet even during this divine anger of plato , he concludes not against poesie , but the poems then most in request : for these be the words of his law . if any man ( having ability to imitate what he pleases ) imitate in his poems both good and evil , let him be reverenc'd , as a sacred admirable , and pleasant person ; but be it likewise known , he must have no place in our common-wealth . and yet before his banishment , he allows him , the honour of a diadem , and sweet odours to anoint his head : and afterwards sayes , let us make use of more profitable , though more severe , and lesse pleasant poets , who can imitate that which is for the honour and benefit of the common-wealth . but those who make use of this just indignation of plato to the unjust scandall of poesie , have the common craft of false witnesses , inlarging every circumstance , when it may hurt , and concealing all things that may defend him they oppose . for they will not remember how much the scholar of plato ( who like an absolute monarch over arts , hath almost silenc'd his master throughout the schools of europe ) labours to make poesie universally current , by giving laws to the science : nor will they take notice in what dignity it continu'd whilst the greeks kept their dominion or language ; and how much the romans cherish'd even the publick repetition of verses nor will they vouchsafe to observe ( though iuvenal take care to record it ) how gladly all rome ( during that exercise ) ranne to the voyce of statius . thus having taken measure ( though hastily ) of the extent of those great professions that in government contribute to the necessities , ease , and lawfull pleasures of men ; and finding poesie as usefull now , as the antients found it towards perfection and happinesse ; i will , sir , ( unlesse with these two books you return me a discouragement ) cheerfully proceed : and though a little time would perfect the third , and make it fit for the presse ; i am resolv'd rarather to hazard the inconvenience which expectation breeds ( for divers with no ill satisfaction have had a taste of gondibert ) then endure that violent envy which assaults all writers whilst they live ; though their papers be but fill'd with very negligent and ordinary thoughts : and therefore i delay the publication of any part of the poem , till i can send it you from america , whither i now speedily prepare ; having the folly to hope , that when i am in another world ( though not in the common sense of dying ) i shall find my readers even the poets of the present age as temperate and benigne as we are all to the dead , whose remote excellence cannot hinder our reputation . and now , sir , to end with the allegory which i have so long continu'd , i shall ( after all my busie vanity in shewing and describing my new building ) with great quietnesse ( being almost as weary as your self ) b●ing you to the back-dore , that you may make no review , but in my absence ; and steal hastily from you , as one who is ashamed of all the trouble you have receiv'd from , sir , your most humble , and most affectionate servant , wil . d'avenant . from the louure in paris , january . . the ansvver of mr. hobbs to sr. william d'avenant's preface before gondibert . sir , if to commend your poem , i should onely say ( in generall terms ) that in the choice of your argument , the disposition of the parts , the maintenance of the characters of your persons , the dignity and vigour of your expression you have performed all the parts of various experience , ready memory , clear judgement , swift and well govern'd fancy , though it were enough for the truth , it were too little for the weight and credit of my testimony . for i lie open to two exceptions , one of an incompetent , the other of a corrupted witnesse . incompetent , because i am not a poet ; and corrupted with the honour done me by your preface . the former obliges me to say something ( by the way ) of the nature and differences of poesie . as philosophers have divided the universe ( their subject ) into three regions , celestial , aeriall , and terrestriall ; so the poets ( whose work it is by imitating humane life , in delightfull and measur'd lines , to avert men from vice , and encline them to virtuous and honourable actions ) have lodg'd themselves in the three regions of mankind , court , city , and countrey correspondent in some proportion , to those three regions of the world . for there is in princes and men of conspicuous power ( antiently called heroes ) a lustre and influence upon the rest of men , resembling that of the heavens ; and an insincerenesse , inconstancy , and troublesome humour of those that dwell in populous cities , like the mobility , blustring , and impurity of the air ; and a plainnesse , and ( though dull ) yet a nutritive faculty in rurall people , that endures a comparison with the earth they labour . from hence have proceeded three sorts of poesie ; heroick , scommatick , and pastorall . every one of these is distinguish'd again in the manner of representation , which sometimes is narrative , wherein the poet himself relateth , and sometimes dramatick , as when the persons are every one adorned and brought upon the theatre , to speak and act their own parts . there is therefore neither more nor lesse then six sorts of poesie . for the heroick poem narrative ( such as is yours ) is called an epick poeme ; the heroick poeme drammatick , is tragedy . the scommatick narrative , is satyre ; drammatick is comedy . the pastorall narrative , is called simply pastorall ( antiently bucolick ) the same dramatick , pastorall comedie . the figure therefore of an epick poem , and of a tragedy , ought to be the same , for they differ no more but in that they are pronounced by one , or many persons . which i insert to justifie the figure of yours , consisting of five books divided into songs or cantoes , as five acts divided into scenes has ever been the approved figure of a tragedy . they that take for poesie whatsoever is writ in verse , will think this division imperfect , and call in sonnets , epigrammes , eclogues , and the like pieces ( which are but essayes , and parts of an entire poeme ) and reckon empedocles , and lucretius ( naturall philosophers ) for poets , and the morall precepts of phocylides , theognis , and the quatrains of pybrach , and the history of lucan , and others of that kind amongst poems ; bestowing on such writers for honour the name of poets , rather then of historians or philosophers . but the subject of a poem is the manners of men , not naturall causes ; manners presented , not dictated ; and manners feigned ( as the name of poesie imports ) not found in men . they that give entrance to fictions writ in prose , erre not so much , but they erre . for poesie requireth delightfulnesse , not onely of fiction , but of stile ; in which if prose contend with verse , it is with disadvantage ( as it were ) on foot , against the strength and wings of pegasus . for verse amongst the greeks was appropriated antiently to the service of their gods and was the holy stile ; the stile of the oracles ; the stile of the laws ; and the stile of men that publickly recommended to their gods , the vows and thanks of the people ; which was done in their holy songs called hymns ; and the composers of them were called prophets and priests before the name of poet was known . when afterwards the majesty of that stile was observed , the poets chose it as best becoming their high invention . and for the antiquity of verse it is greater then the antiquity of letters . for it is certain cadmus was the first that ( from phoenicia , a countrey that neighboureth iudea ) brought the use of letters into greece . but the service of the gods , and the laws ( which by measured sounds were easily committed to the memory ) had been long time in use , before the arrivall of cadmus there . there is besides the grace of stile , another cause why the antient poets chose to write in measured language , which is this . their poems were made at first with intention to have them sung , as well epique , as dramatique ( which custome hath been long time laid aside , but began to be revived in part , of late years in italy ) and could not be made commensurable to the voyce or instruments , in prose ; the wayes and motions whereof are so uncertain and undistinguished , ( like the way and motion of a ship in the sea ) as not onely to discompose the best composers , but also to disappoint sometimes the most attentive reader , and put him to hunt counter for the sense . it was therefore necessary for poets in those times , to write in verse . the verse which the greeks , and latines ( considering the nature of their own languages ) found by experience most grave , and for an epique poem most decent , was their hexameter ; a verse limited , not onely in the length of the line , but also in the quantity of the syllables . in stead of which we use the line of ten syllables , recompensing the neglect of their quantity , with the diligence of rime . and this measure is so proper for an heroick poem , as without some losse of gravity and dignity , it was never changed . a longer is not farre from ill prose , and a shorter , is a kind of whisking ( you know ) like the unlacing , rather then the singing of a muse . in an epigramme or a sonnet , a man may vary his measures , and seek glory from a needlesse difficulty , as he that contrived verses into the forms of an organ , a hatchet , an egg , an altar , and a pair of wings ; but in so great and noble a work as is an epick poeme , for a man to obstruct his own way with unprofitable difficulties , is great imprudence . so likewise to chuse a needlesse and difficult correspondence of rime , is but a difficult toy , and forces a man sometimes for the stopping of a chink to say somewhat he did never think ; i cannot therefore but very much approve your stanza , wherein the syllables in every verse are ten , and the rime , alternate . for the choice of your subject you have sufficiently justified your self in your preface . but because i have observed in virgil , that the honour done to aeneas and his companions , has so bright a reflection upon augustus cesar , and other great romanes of that time , as a man may suspect him not constantly possessed with the noble spirit of those his heroes , and believe you are not acquainted with any great man of the race of gondibert . i adde to your justification the purity of your purpose , in having no other motive of your labour , but to adorn virtue , and procure her lovers ; then which there cannot be a worthier design & more becoming noble poesie . in that you make so small account of the example of almost all the approved poets , antient and moderne , who thought fit in the beginning , and sometimes also in the progresse of their poemes , to invoke a muse , or some other deitie , that should dictate to them , or assist them in their writings , they that take not the laws of art , from any reason of their own , but from the fashion of precedent times , will perhaps accuse your singularity . for my part , i neither subscribe to their accusation , nor yet condem●e that heathen custome , otherwise then as necessary to their false religion . for their poets were their divines ; had the name of prophets ; exercised amongst the people a kind of spirituall authority ; would be thought to speak by a divine spirit ; have their works which they writ in verse ( the divine stile ) passe for the word of god , and not of man ; and to be harkened to with reverence . do not our divines ( excepting the stile ) do the same , and by us that are of the same religion cannot justly be reprehended for it ? besides , in the use of the spirituall calling of divines , there is danger sometimes to be feared , from want of skill , such as is reported of unskilfull conjurers , that mistaking the rites and ceremonious points of their art , call up such spirits , as they cannot at their pleasure allay again ; by whom storms are raised , that overthrow buildings , and are the cause of miserable wracks at sea . unskilfull divines do oftentimes the like , for when they call unseasonably for zeal , there appears a spirit of cruelty ; and by the like errour instead of truth they raise discord ; instead of wisdome , fraud ; instead of reformation , tumult ; and controversie instead of religion . whereas in the heathen poets , at least in those whose works have lasted to the time we are in , there are none of those indiscretions to be found , that tended to subversion or disturbance of the common-wealths wherein they lived . but why a christian should think it an ornament to his poem , either to profane the true god , or invoke a false one , i can imagine no cause , but a reasonlesse imitation of custome ; of a foolish custome ; by which a man , enabled to speak wisely from the principles of nature , and his own meditation , loves rather to be thought to speak by inspiration , like a bag-pipe . time and education beget experience ; experience begets memory ; memory begets judgement and fancy ; judgement begets the strength and structure , and fancy begets the ornaments of a poem . the antients therefore fabled not absurdly , in making memory the mother of the muses . for memory is the world ( though not really , yet so as in a looking-glass ) in which the judgement ( the severer sister ) busieth her self in a grave and rigid examination of all the parts of nature , and in registring by letters , their order , causes , uses , differences and resemblances ; whereby the fancy , when any work of art is to be performed , findeth her materials at hand and prepared for use , and needs no more then a swift motion over them , that what she wants , and is there to be had , may not lye too long unespied . so that when she seemeth to fly from one indies to the other , and from heaven to earth , and to penetrate into the hardest matter , and obscurest places , into the future , and into her self , and all this in a point of time ; the voyage is not very great , her self being all she seeks ; and her wonderfull celerity , consisteth not so much in motion , as in copious imagery discreetly ordered , and perfectly registred in the memory ; which most men under the name of philosophy have a glimpse of , and is pretended to by many that grossely mistaking her embrace contention in her place . but so farre forth as the fancy of man has traced the wayes of true philosophy , so farre it hath produced very marvellous effects to the benefit of mankind . all that is beautifull or defensible in building ; or mervellous in engines and instruments of motion ; whatsoever commodity men receive from the observation of the heavens , from the description of the earth , from the account of time , from walking on the seas ; and whatsoever distinguisheth the civility of europe , from the barbarity of the american salvages , is the workmanship of fancy , but guided by the preceps of true philosophy . but where these precepts fail , as they have hitherto failed in the doctrine of morall virtue , there the architect ( fancy ) must take the philosophers part upon her self . he therefore that undertakes an heroick poem ( which is to exhibite a venerable and amiable image of heroick virtue ) must not onely be the poet , to place and connex , but also the philosopher , to furnish and square his matter , that is , to make both body and soul , colour and shadow of his poem out of his own store : which how well you have performed i am now considering . observing how few the persons be you introduce in the beginning , and how in the course of the actions of these ( the number increasing ) after severall confluences , they run all at last into the two principall streams of your poem , gondibert and oswald , me thinks the fable is not much unlike the theatre . for so , from severall and farre distant sources , do the lesser brooks of lombardy , flowing into one another , fall all at last into the two main rivers , the po , and the adice . it hath the same resemblance also with a mans veins , which proceeding from different parts , after the like concourse , insert themselves at last into the two principall veins of the body . but when i considered that also the actions of men , which singly are inconsiderable , after many conjunctures , grow at last either into one great protecting power , or into two destroying factions ; i could not but approve the structure of your poem , which ought to be no other then such as an imitation of humane life requireth . in the streams themselves i find nothing but setled valour , clean honour , calm counsel , learned diversion , and pure love ; save onely a torrent or two of ambition , which ( though a fault ) hath somewhat heroick in it , and therefore must have place in an heroick poem . to shew the reader in what place he shall find every excellent picture of virtue you have drawn , is too long . and to shew him one , is to prejudice the rest ; yet i cannot forbear to point him to the description of love in the person of birtha , in the seventh canto of the second book . there hath nothing been said of that subject neither by the antient nor modern poets comparable to it . poets are painters : i would fain see another painter draw so true , perfect , and naturall a love to the life , and make use of nothing but pure lines , without the help of any the least uncomely shadow , as you have done . but let it be read as a piece by it self , for in the almost equall heighth of the whole , the eminence of parts is lost. there are some that are not pleased with fiction , unlesse it be bold not onely to exceed the work , but also the possibility of nature : they would have impenetrable armours , inchanted castles , invulnerable bodies , iron men , flying horses , and a thousand other such things which are easily feign'd by them that dare . against such i defend you ( without assenting to those that condemne either homer or virgil ) by dissenting onely from those that think the beauty of a poem consisteth in the exorbitancy of the fiction . for as truth is the bound of historicall , so the resemblance of truth is the utmost limit of poeticall liberty . in old time amongst the heathens , such strange fictions and metamorphoses , were not so remote from the articles of their faith , as they are now from ours , and therefore we are not so unpleasant . beyond the actuall works of nature a poet may now go ; but beyond the conceived possibility of nature , never . i can allow a geographer to make in the sea , a fish or a ship , which by the scale of his map would be two or three hundred miles long , and think it done for ornament , because it is done without the precincts of his undertaking ; but when he paints an elephant so , i presently apprehend it as ignorance , and a plain confession of terra incognita . as the description of great men , and great actions is the constant design of a poet ; so the descriptions of worthy circumstances are necessary accessions to a poem , and being well performed , are the jewels and most precious ornaments of poesie . such in virgil , are the funeral games of anchises . the duel of aeneas and turnus , &c. and such in yours , are the hunting . the battel . the city mourning . the funeral ▪ the house of astragon . the library . and the temples . equal to his , or those of homer whom he imitated . there remains now no more to be considered but the expression , in which consisteth the countenance and colour of a beautifull muse ; and is given her by the poet out of his own provision , or is borrowed from others . that which he hath of his own , is nothing but experience and knowledge of nature , and specially humane nature ; and is the true and naturall colour . but that which is taken out of books ( the ordinary boxes of counterfeit complexion ) shews well or ill , as it hath more or lesse resemblance with the naturall ▪ and are not to be used ( without examination ) unadvisedly . for in him that professes the imitation of nature , ( as all poets do ) what greater fault can there be , then to bewray an ignorance of nature in his poem ; especially having a liberty allowed him , if he meet with any thing he cannot master , to leave it out ? that which giveth a poem the true and naturall colour , consisteth in two things , which are , to know well ; that is , to have images of nature in the memory distinct and clear ; and to know much . a sign of the first is perspicuity , property , and decency ; which delight all sorts of men , either by instructing the ignorant , or soothing the learned in their knowledge : a sign of the later is novelty of expression , and pleaseth by excitation of the mind ; for novelty causeth a dmiration ; and admiration , curiosity ; which is a delightfull appetite of knowledge . there be so many words in use at this day in the english tongue , that , though of magnifick sound , yet ( like the windy blisters of a troubled water ) have no sense at all ; and so many others that lose their meaning by being ill coupled , that it is a hard matter to avoid them ; for having been obtruded upon youth in the schools ( by such as make it , i think , their businesse there , as 't is exprest by the best poet ) with terms to charm the weak and pose the wise . gondib . r. cant. . they grow up with them , and gaining reputation with the ignorant , are not easily shaken off . to this palpable darknesse , i may also add the ambitious obscurity of expressing more then is perfectly conceived ; or perfect conception in fewer words then it requires . which expressions , though they have had the honour to be called strong lines , are indeed no better then riddles , and not onely to the reader , but also ( after a little time ) to the writer himself , dark and troublesome . to the property of expression , i referre that clearnesse of memory , by which a poet when he hath once introduced any person whatsoever , speaking in his poem , maintaineth in him , to the end , the same character he gave to him in the beginning . the variation whereof , is a change of pace that argues the poet tired . of the indecencies of an heroick poem , the most remarkable are those that shew disproportion either between the persons and their actions , or between the manners of the poet and the poem . of the first kind , is the uncomelinesse of representing in great persons the inhumane vice of cruelty , or the sordid vices of lust and drunkennesse . to such parts as those , the antient approved poets thought it fit to suborn , not the persons of men , but of monsters and beastly giants , such as polyphemus , cacus , and the centaurs . for it is supposed , a muse , when she is invoked to sing a song of that nature , should maidenly advise the poet to set such persons to sing their own vices upon the stage ; for it is not so unseemly in a tragedy . of the same kind it is to represent scurrility , or any action or language that moveth much laughter . the delight of an epique poem consisteth not in mirth but in admiration . mirth and laughter is proper to comedy and satyre . great persons that have their minds employed on great designs have not leisure enough to laugh , and are pleased with the contemplation of their own power and virtues , so as they need not the infirmities and vices of other men to recommend themselves to their own favour by comparison , as all men do when they laugh . of the second kind , where the disproportion is between the poet , and the persons of his poem , one is in the dialect of the inferiour sort of people which is alwayes different from the language of the court . another is to derive the illustration of any thing , from such metaphors or comparisons as cannot come into mens thoughts , but by mean conversation , and experience of humble or evil arts , which the persons of an epick poem cannot be thought acquainted with . from knowing much , proceedeth the admirable variety and novelty of metaphors and similitudes , which are not possibly to be lighted on in the compasse of a narrow knowledge . and the want whereof compelleth a writer to expressions that are either defac'd by time , or sullied with vulgar or long use . for the phrases of poesie , as the airs of musick , with often hearing become insipide ; the reader having no more sense of their force , then our flesh is sensible of the bones that sustain it . as the sense we have of bodies , consisteth in change and variety of impression , so also do's the sense of language in the variety and changeable use of words . i mean not in the affectation of words newly brought home from travel , but in new ( and withall , significant ) translation to our purposes , of those that be already received , and in farre fetch't ( but withall , apt , instructive , and comely ) sumilitudes . having thus ( i hope ) avoided the first exception , against the incompetency of my judgement : i am but little moved with the second ; which is , of being bribed by the honour you have done me , by attributing in your preface somewhat to my judgement . for i have used your judgement no losse in many things of mine , which coming to light will thereby appear the better . and so you have your bribe again . having thus made way for the admission of my testimony , i give it briefly thus ; i never yet saw poem that had so much shape of art , health of morality , and vigour and beauty of expression , as this of yours . and but for the clamour of the multitude that hide their envy of the present , under a reverence of antiquity , i should say further , that it would last as long as either the aeneid or iliad , but for one disadvantage . and the disadvantage is this : the languages of the greeks and romans ( by their colonies and conquest ) have put off flesh and bloud , and are become immutable , which none of the modern tongues are like to be . i honour antiquity ; but , that which is commonly called old time , is young time . the glory of antiquity is due , not to the dead , but to the aged . and now , whilst i think on 't , give me leave with a short discord to sweeten the harmony of the approching close . i have nothing to object against your poem ; but , dissent onely from something in your preface , sounding to the prejudice of age . 't is commonly said , that old age is a return to child-hood . which me thinks you insist on so long , as if you desired it should be beleeved . that 's the note i mean to shake a little . that saying , meant onely of the weaknesse of body , was wrested to the weaknesse of mind , by froward children , weary of the controlment of their parents , masters , and other admonitours . secondly , the dotage and childishnesse they ascribe to age , is never the effect of time , but sometimes of the excesses of youth , and not a returning to , but a continuall stay with child-hood . for they that wanting the curiosity of furnishing their memories with the rarities of nature in their youth , and passe their time in making provision onely for their ease and sensuall delight , are children still , at what years soever ; as they that coming into a populous city , never go out of their own inne , are strangers still , how long soever they have been there . thirdly , there is no reason for any man to think himself wiser to day then yesterday , which doth not equally convince he shall be wiser to morrow then to day . fourthly , you will be forced to change your opinion hereafter when you are old ; and in the mean time you discredit all i have said before in your commendation , because i am old already . but no more of this . i believe ( sir ) you have seen a curious kind of perspective , where , he that looks through a short hollow pipe , upon a picture conteining diverse figures , sees none of those that are there painted , but some one person made up of their parts , conveighed to the eye by the artificiall cutting of a glasse . i find in my imagination an effect not unlike it from your poem . the virtues you distribute there amongst so many noble persons represent ( in the reading ) the image but of one mans virtue to my fancy , which is your own ; and that so deeply imprinted , as to stay for ever there , and govern all the rest of my thoughts and affections in the way of honouring and serving you , to the utmost of my power , that am sir , your most humble , and obedient servant , thomas hobbs . january . . finis . three poems upon the death of the late usurper oliver cromwel written by mr. jo. drydon, mr. sprat of oxford, mr. edm. waller. dryden, john, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing d estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) three poems upon the death of the late usurper oliver cromwel written by mr. jo. drydon, mr. sprat of oxford, mr. edm. waller. dryden, john, - . sprat, thomas, - . waller, edmund, - . [ ], p. printed by william wilson, and reprinted for r. baldwin, london : : . reproduction of original in huntington library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng cromwell, oliver, - -- poetry. cromwell, oliver, - -- death and burial -- poetry. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - judith siefring sampled and proofread - judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion three poems upon the death of the late usurper oliver cromwel . written by mr. io. drydon . by mr. sprat , of oxford . by mr. edm. waller . london : printed by william wilson , in the year , . and reprinted for r. baldwin , . heroiqe stanza's , on the late usurper oliver cromwel . written after his fvneral . and now 't is time for their officious hast , who would before have born him to the sky , like eager romans , e're all rites were past , did let too soon the sacred eagle fly . ( ) though our best notes are treason to his fame , joyn'd with the loud applause of publick voice ; since heav'n , what praise we offer to his name , hath render'd too authentick by its choice : ( ) though in his praise no arts can liberal be , since they whose muses have the highest flown , add not to his immmortal memory , but do an act of friendship to their own . ( ) yet 't is our duty and our interest too , such monuments as we can build to raise ; lest all the world prevent what we should do , and claim a title in him by their praise . ( ) how shall i then begin or where conclude , to draw a fame so truly circular ? for in a round what order can be shew'd , where ●ll the parts so equalperfect are ? ( ) his grandeur he deriv'd from heaven alone , for he was great e're fortune made him so ; and wars , like mists that rise against the sun , made him but greater seem not greater grow . ( ) no borrowed bays his temples did adorn , but to our crown he did fresh iewels bring , nor was his vertue poysoned soon as born with the two early thoughts of being king. ( ) fortune ( that easie mistress of the young , but to her ancient servants coy and hard ) him at that age her favourites rank'd among when she her best-lov'd pompey did discard . ( ) he , private , mark'd the faults of others sway , and set as sea marks for himself to shun ; not like rash monacrhs who theiry outh betray by acts their age too late would wish undone , ( ) and yet dominion was not his design , we owe that blessing not to him but heaven , which to fair acts unsought rewards did joyn , rewnads that less to him than us were given ( ) our former cheifs like sticklers of the war. first sought t' inflame the parties , then to poise ; the qnarrel lov'd , but did the cause abhor , and did not strike to hurt but make a noise . ( ) war our consumption was their gainful trade , vve inward bled whilst they prolong'd our pain : he fought to end our fighting , and assaid to stanch the blood by breathing of the vein . ( ) swift and resistless through the land he past , like that bold greek who did the east subdue ; and made to battels such heroick hast as if on wings of victory he flew ( ) he fought secure of fortune as of fame , till by new maps the island might be shown , of conquests which he strew'd where e're he came , thick as the galaxy with stars is sown . ( ) his palms though under weights they did not stand , still thriv'd ; no winter could his laurels fade ; heav'n in his portraict shew'd a vvorkman's hand and drew it perfect yet without a shade . ( ) peace was the prize of all his toyls and care , vvhich vvar had banifh't , and did now restore ; bolognia's vvall thus mounted in the air , to seat themselves more surely than before . ( ) her safty rescued , ireland to him owes , and treacherous scotland to no int'rest true , yet blest that fate which did his arms dispose , her land to civilize asto subdue . ( ) nor was he like those stars which only shine , when to pale mariners they storms portend , he had his calmer influence ; and his mine did love and majesty together blend . ( ) 't is true his count'nance did imprint an awe , and naturally all souls to his did bow ; as wands of divination downward draw , and point to beds where sov'raign gold dothgrow . ( ) when past all offerings to feretrian iove he mars desposd , and arms to gowns made yield , successful councels did him soon approve as fit for close intrigues , as open field . ( ) to suppliant holland he vouchsaf'd a peace , our once bold rival in the british main , now tamely glad her unjust claim to cease , and buy our friendship with her idol gain . ( ) fame of th' asserted sea through europe blown made france and spain ambitious of his love ; each knew that side must conquer he would own , and for him fiercely as for empire strove . ( ) no sooner was the french mans cause embrac'd than the light mounsire the grave don outweigh'd , his fortune turn'd the scale where it was cast , though indian mines were in the other laid . ( ) when absent , yet we conquer'd in his right ; for though some meaner artist's skill were shown , in mingling colours , or in placing light , yet still the fair designment was his own . ( ) for from all tempers he could service draw ; the worth of each with its allay he knew ; and as the confident of nature , saw how she complexions did divide and brew . ( ) or he their single vertues did survay by intuition in his own large breast , where all the rich ideas of them lay , that were the rule and measure to the rest . ( ) when such heroique vertue heaven sets out . the stars like commons sullenly obey ; because it drains them when it comes about , and therefore is a tax they seldom pay . ( ) from this high-spring our foraign conquests flow , which yet more glorious triumphs do portend , since their commencement to his arms they owe , if springs as high as fountains may ascend . ( ) he made us freemen of the continent whom nature did like captives treat before , to nobler prey 's the english lyon sent , and taught him first in belgian walks to rore . ( ) that old unquestioned pirate of the land , proud rome , with dread , the fate of dunkirk har'd ; and trembling wish't behind more alpes to stand , although an alxander were her guard . ( ) by his command we boldly crost the line , and bravely sought where southern stars arise , we trac'd the far fetch'd gold unto the mine , and that which brib'd our fathers made our prize ( ) such was our prince ; yet own'd a soul above the highest acts it could produce to show : thus poor mechanique arts in publick move whilst the deep secrets beyond practice go . ( ) nor dy'd he when his ebbing fame went less , but when fresh lawrels courted him to live ; he seem'd but to prevent some new success ; as if above what triumphs earth can give . ( ) his latest victories still thickest came , as , near the center , motion does increase ; till he press'd down by his own weighty name , did , like the vestal , under spoils decease . ( ) but first the ocean as a tribute sent that giant prince of all her watery heard , and th' isle when her protecting genius went upon his obsequies loud sighs confer'd . ( ) no civil broyls have since his death arose , but faction now by habit does obey : and wars have that respect for his repose , as winds for halcyons when they breed at sea. ( ) his ashes in a peaceful urn shall rest , his name a great example stands to show how strangely high endeavours may be blest , where piety and valour joyntly go . to the reverend dr. wilkins warden of wadham colledge in oxford . sir , seeing you are pleas'd to think fit that these papers should come into the publick , which were at first design'd to live only in a desk , or some private friends hands ; i humbly take the boldness to commit them to the security which your name and protection will give them with the most knowing part of the world . there are two things especially in which they stand in need of your defence . one is , that they fall so infinitely below the full and lofty genius of that excellent poet , who made this way of writing free of our nation : the other , that they are so little proportion'd and equal to the renown of that prince on whom they were written . such great actions and lives deserving rather to be the subjects of the noblest pens and most divine phansies , than of such small beginners and weak essayers in poetry , as my self . against these dangerous prejudices , there remains no other shield than the universal esteem and authority , which your judgment and approbation carries with it . the right you have to them , sir , is not only upon the account of the relation you had to this great person ▪ nor of the general favour which all arts receive from you ; but more peculiarly by reason of that obligation and zeal with which i am bound to dedicate my self to your service . for , having been a long time the object of your care and indulgence towards the advantage of my studies and fortune , having been moulded , ( as it were ) by your own hands , and form'd under your government ; not to intitle you to any thing which my meaness produces , would not only be injustice , but sacrilege . so that if there be any thing here tolerably said , and which deserves pardon , it is yours , sir , as well as he , who is your most devoted and obliged servant . to the memory of the late usurper oliver cromwel pindarick odes . ( ) t is true , great name thou art secure from the forgetfulness and rage of death or envy , or devouring age. thou canst the force and teeth of time endure . thy fame , like men , the elder it doth grow , will of it self turn whiter too without what needless art can do ; will live beyond thy breath , beyond thy hearse , though it were never heard or sung in verse . without our help , thy memory is safe ; they only want an epitaph , that does remain alone alive in an inscription remembred only on the brass or marble stone . 't is all in vain what we for thee can do , all our roses and perfumes will but officious folly shew , and pious nothings to such mighty tombs . all our incence , gums and balm are but unnecessary duties here : the poets may their spices spare their costly numbers and their tuneful feet : that need not be inbalm'd , which of it self is sweet . ( ) we know to praise thee is a dangerous proof of our obedience and our love : for when the sun and fire meet , th' ones extinguish't quite ; and yet the other never is more bright . so they that writ of thee and joyn their feeble names with thine , their weaker sparks with thy illustrious light , will lose themselves in that ambitious thought , and yet no flame to thee from them be brought . we know , blest spirit , thy mighty name wants not addition of another's beam ; it 's for our pens too high and full of theam . the muses are made great by thee , not thou by them . thy fames eternal lamp will live and in thy sacred urn survive , without the food or oyl , which we can give . 't is true ; but yet our duty calls our songs duty commands our tongues , though thou want not our praises , we are not excus'd for what we owe to thee : for so men from religion are not freed . but , from the altars , cloud must rise , though heaven it self doth nothing need ; and though the gods don't want , an earthly sacrifice . ( ) great life of wonders , whose each year full of new miracles did appear ! whos 's every month might be , alone a chronicle or a history ! others great actions are but thinly scatter'd here and there ; at best , all but one single star : but thine the milky way , all one continued light , and undistinguish't day . they throng'd so close , that nought else could be seen scarce any common sky did come between what shall i say , or where begin ? thou mayest in double shapes be shown ; or in thy arms , or in thy gown . like iove sometime with warlike thunder , and sometimes with peaceful scepter in thy hand , or in the field , or on the throne ; in what thy head , or what thy arm hath done . all that thou didst was so resin'd , so full of substance , and so strongly joyn'd ; so pure , so weighty gold , that the least grain of it , if fully spread and beat , would many leaves , and mighty volumes hold . ( ) before thy name was publish't , and whilst yet thou only to thy self wert great : whilst yet thy happy bud was not quite seen , or understood ; it then sure signs of future greatness shew'd ; then thy domestick worth did tell the world , what it would be when it should fit occasion see , when a full spring should call it forth . as bodies , in the dark and night , have the same colours , the same red and vvhite , as in the open day and light ; the sun doth only show that they are bright , not make them so : so whilst , but private walls did know what we to such a mighty mind should owe : then the same vertues did appear though in a less , and more contracted sphear ; as full , though not as large as since they were . and like great rivers , fountains , though at first so deep , thou didst not go ; though then thine was not so inlarg'd a flood yet when 't was little , 't was as clear as good . ( ) 't is true , thou wast not born unto a crown , the scepter 's not thy fathers , but thy own . thy purple was not made at once in haste , but after many other colours past , it took the deepest princely dye at last . thou didst begin with lesser cares and private thoughts took up thy private years : those hands which were ordain'd by fates to change the world , and alter states , practic'd , at first , that vast design on meaner things , with equal mind . that soul , which should so many scepters sway . to whom so many kingdoms should obey , learn'd first to rule in a domestick way : so government , it self began from family , and single man , was by the small relations first of husband and of father nurst and from those less beginnings past , to spread it self , o're all the world at last . ( ) but when thy country ( then almost enthrall'd ) thy vertues and thy courage call'd , when england did thy arms intreat and t 'had been sin in thee , not to be great ; when every stream , and every flood , was a true vein of earth , and ran with blood . when unus'd arms , and unknown war , fill'd every place , and every ear ; when the great storms and dismal night did all the land afright ; ` t was time for thee , to bring forth all our light. thou lest'st thy more delightful peace thy private life and better case ; then down thy steel and armor took , wishing that it still hung upon the hook : when death had got a large commission out throwing her arrows and her stings about ; then thou ( as once the healing serpent rose ) was 't listed up , not for thy self but us . ( ) thy country wounded 't was , and sick before , thy wars and arms did her restore : thou knew'st where the disease did lye and like the cure of simpathy , thy strong and certain remedy unto the weapon didst apply , thou didst not draw the sword , and so away the scabbard throw ; as if thy country shou'd be the inheritance of mars and blood ; but that when the great work was spun war in it self should be undone : that peace might land again upon the shore richer and better than before . the husbandman no steel should know none but the useful iron of the plow ; that bays might creep on every spear . and though our sky was over-spread with a destructive red , 't was but till thou , our sun , didst in full light appear . ( ) when ajax dyed , the purple blood that from his gaping wounds had flow'd turn'd into letters , every leaf had on it writ his epitaph : so from that crimson flood which thou by fate of times wert led unwillingly to shed letters and learning rose , and were renew'd . thou fought'st not out of envy , hope or hate , but to refine the church and state ; and like the romans , what er'e thou in the field of mars didst mow , was , that a holy island thence might grow . thy wars , as rivers raised by a shour which welcome louds do pour ; though they at first may seem to carry all away , with and inraged stream yet did not happen , that they might destroy or the better parts annoy ; but all the filth and mud to scower and leave behind a richer slime , to give a birth to a more happy power . ( ) in field unconquer'd , and so well thou didst in battels , and in arms excel , that steelly arms themselves might be worn out in war as soon as thee . success so close upon thy troops did wait , as if thou first hadst conquered fate ; as if uncertain victory had been first overcome by thee ; as if her wings were clipt and could not flee , whilst thou didst only serve , before thou hadst what first thou didst deserve . others by thee did great things do , triumph'st thy self and mad'st them triumph too : though they above thee did appear , as yet in a more large and higher sphear , thou the great sun , gav'st light to every star. thy self an army wert alone , and mighty troops contain'dst in one : thy only sword did guard the land like that which slaming in the angels hand from men god's garden did defend : but yet thy sword did more than his , not only guarded , but did make this land a paradise . ( ) thou sought'st not to be high or great , not for a scepter or a krown , or ermyne , purple or the throne ; but as the vestal heat thy fire was kindled from above alone . religion putting on thy shield brought thee victorious to the field : thy arms like those which ancient hero's wore vvere given by the god thou didst adore : and all the swords , thy armies had were on an heavenly anvil made . not int'rest , or any weak desire of rule , or empire , did thy mind inspire : thy valour like the holy fire , which did before the persian armies go , liv'd in the camp , and yet was sacred too . thy mighty sword anticipates vvhat was reserv'd for heaven , and those blest seats and makes the church triumphant here below . ( ) though fortune did not hang on thy sword , and did obey thy mighty word ; though fortune for thy side , and thee , forgot her lov'd inconstancy ; amidst thy arms and trophies thou wert valiant , and gentle too ; wounded'st thy self , when thou didst kill thy foe . like steel , when it much work hath past that which was rough doth shine at last ; thy arms by being oftner us'd , did smoother grow ▪ nor did thy battels make thee proud or high ; thy conquest rais'd the state not thee : thou overcame'st thy self in every victory . as when the sun in a directer line upon a polish'd golden shield doth shine , the shield reflects unto the sun again his light ; so when the heavens smil'd on the in fight , when thy propitious god had lent success and victory to thy tent ; to heaven again the victory was sent . ( ) england , till thou didst come , confin'd her valour home ; then onr own rocks did stand bounds to our fame as well as land ; and were to us as well as to our enemies unpassible : we were asham'd , at what we read ; and blush't at what our fathers did ; because we came so far behind the dead . the british lyon hung his main and droopt , to slavery and burthens stoopt , with a degenerate sleep , and fear lay in his den and languish't there ; at whose least voice before a trembling eccho ran through every shore , and shook the world at every rore . thou his subdued courage didst restore , sharpen his claws , and in his eyes mad'st the same dreadful lightning rise ; mad'st him again afright the neighbouring floods his mighty thunder sound through all the woods . thou hast our military fame redeem'd which was lost , or clouded seem'd , nay more , heaven did by thee bestow on us at once an iron age , and happy too . ( ) till thou command'st , that azure chains of waves which nature round about us sent made us to every pirate slaves , was rather burden than an ornament . those fields of sea that washt our shores were plow'd and reap'd , by other hands than ours . to us the liquid mass which doth about us run as it is to the sun , only a bed to sleep in was . and not , as now , a powerful throne to shake and sway , the world thereon . our princes in their hand a globe did shew , but not a perfect one compos'd of earth and water too . but thy command the floods obey'd ; thou all the wilderness of water sway'd ; thou didst but only wed the sea not make her equal , but a slave to thee . neptune himself did bear thy yoke , stooped and trembled at thy stroke : he that ruled all the main acknowledg'd thee his soveraign . and now the conquer'd sea doth pay more tribute to thy thames ; than that unto the sea. ( ) till now our valour did our selves more hurt ; our wounds to other nations were a sport ; and as the earth , our land produced iron and steel which should to tear our selves be ( used . our strength within it self did break , like thundering — cannons crack , and kill those that were nere ; while the enemies secur'd and untouch't were . but now our trumpets thou hast made to sound against our enemies walls in foraign-ground , and yet no eccho back on us returning found . england is now the happy peaceful isle , and all the world the while is exercising arms and wars with forraign or intestine jars . the torch extinguish't here , we lend to others oyl , we give to all , yet know our selves no fear , we reach the flame of ruine and of death where e're we please our swords t'unsheath . hilst we in calm and temperate regions breath . like to the sun , whose heat is hurl'd through every corner of the world ; whose flame through all the air doth go , and yet the sun himself the while no fire doth know . ( ) besides the glories of thy peace are not in number , nor in value less ; thy hand did cure and close the scars of our bloody civil wars ; not only lanc'd , but heal'd the wound ; made us again , as healthy and as sound . when now the ship was well nigh lost after the storm upon the coast , by its mariners endanger'd most ; when they their ropes and helms had left , when the planks asunder clest , and floods came roaring in with mighty sound ; thou a safe land , and harbour for us found , and savedst those that would themselves have drown'd . a work which none but heaven and thee could do , thou mad'st us happy whe're we would or no : thy judgment , mercy , temperance so great , as if those vertues only in thy mind had seat . thy piety not only in the field but peace , when heaven seem'd to be wanted least . thy temples not like janu's only were open in time of vvar : vvhen thou hadst greater cause of fear religion and the awe of heaven possest . all places and all times alike , thy breast . ( ) nor didst thou only for thy age provide , but for the years to come beside , our after-times , and late posterity shall pay unto thy fame , as much as we ; they too , are made by thee . when fate did call thee to a higher throne , and when thy mortal work was done , when heaven did say it , and thou must be gon : thou him to bear thy burthen chose , who might ( if any could ) make us forget thy loss : nor hadst thou him design'd , had he not been not only to thy blood , but vertue kin ; not only heir unto thy throne , but mind . 't is he shall perfect all thy cures and , with as sine a thread , weave out thy loom . so , one did bring the chosen people from their slavery and fears , led them through their pathless road , guided himself by god , he brought them to the borders : but a second hand did settle and secure them , in the promis'd land. upon the late storm , and death of the late usurper oliver cromwel ensuing the same . by mr. waller . we must resign ; heav'n his great soul do's claim in storms as loud , as his immortal fame : his dying groans , his last breath shakes our isle , and trees uncut fall for his funeral pile , about his palace their broad roots are tost into the air ; so romulus was lost : new rome in such a tempest mis't their king , and from obeying fell to worshipping . on oeta's top thus hercules lay dead , vvith ruin'd okes and pines about him spread : the poplar too , whose bough he wont to wear on his victorious head , lay prostrate there . those his last fury from the mountain rent , our dying hero , from the continent , ravish'd whole towns ; and forts from spaniards rest ▪ as his last legacy to britain left . the ocean which so long our hopes confin'd , could give no limits to his vaster mind ; our bounds inlargement was his latest toyl ; nor hath he left us prisoners to our isle ; under the tropick is our language spoke , and part of flanders hath receiv'd our yoke . from civil broils he did us disingage , found nobler objects for our martial rage ; and with wise conduct to his country show'd their ancient way of conquering abroad . ungrateful then , if we no tears allow to him that gave us peace and empire too . princes that fear'd him , grieve , concern'd to see no pitch of glory from the grave is free . nature her self took notice of his death , and sighing swel'd the sea with such a breath that to remotest shores her billows rold , th' approaching fate of her great-ruler told . finis [up]o[n] t[h]e [la]te storm and death of the protector ensuing the same. waller, edmund, - . this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (wing w ). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page image. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing w estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) [up]o[n] t[h]e [la]te storm and death of the protector ensuing the same. waller, edmund, - . broadside. [s.n.], london printed : . in verse. attributed to waller by wing and nuc pre- imprints. imperfect: first words of title mutilated, with loss of print; bracketed letters in title taken from nuc pre- imprints. reproduction of original in the union theological seminary library, new york. eng cromwell, oliver, - -- poetry. great britain -- history -- commonwealth and protectorate, - -- anecdotes a r (wing w ). civilwar no [up]o[n] t[h]e [la]te storm and death of the protector ensuing the same. waller, edmund f the rate of defects per , words puts this text in the f category of texts with or more defects per , words. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion 〈…〉 storm and death of the protector ensuing the same . in that prodigious winde , when lately dy'd this nations scourge , that barbarous regicide , heaven did proclaim with a most dreadful breath , its vengeance on the tyrant at his death . he that all other villains did excell , was not to go with common signs to hell . commets light princes to their sepulchers : his end in storms , was like a conjurers . as first was rome , founded was our new state , and just like hero was our first tyrants fate : wolf nursed romulus , together drew , by liberty proclaim'd an impious crew of banish'd thieves , and bloudy fugitives , such that their neighbors scorn'd to give them wives : strengthen'd with these , having his brother slain , committed rape , with war began his raign . to jupiter he prays for victory , and with religion cloakt his cruelty , till in a tempest from his subjects snacht , he was with thunder to the shades dispacht : in romulus his steps , and by his crimes , up to the throne brittains usurper climbes : the holy hypocrite , first heaven to mock , then brings his righteous sovereign to the block ! gods worship he forbids , his priests reviles , his temples robs , pulls down , or else defiles . to keep what he usurpt by our own jars , upon his peaceful neighbors forceth wars ; assaults their towns , onely to give those graves , whose generous souls repin'd to be his slaves . at length of orphants tears and christian bloud , which he had spilt , the cry became so loud , incensed heaven with a tempestuous winde , swept from the earth this locust of mankinde . and after death , as wicked romulus was deified , so are there some with us , that style this monster hero , hercules , his puny upstart successor to please . how base are flatterers ! even wickedness shall panegericks finde , if 't have success . on the late storm , &c. resign we must , hell his damn'd soul doth claim , in storms as hideous as his cursed fame : his dying screiks affrighted makes 〈…〉 le ; trees are turn'd down for his inferna● pile , and about him round for gibbets , roots are tost : in such a storm great vandermast was lost . ma●● room then for him , hell , who kill'd his king , and ●rom rebelling's fall'n to bellowing . from the top on 's pride this monster now lies dead , with ruin'd soul , and curses 'bout him spread . his latter fury from gods temple rent a sacred * priest , a murthered innocent . houses from towns , corns from their fields lye rest , this as his latest legacy he left . the ocean which so long our isle confin'd , no bounds could give to his ambitious minde : our bonds enlargement was his earnest toyl : to a s●d prison hath he turn'd our isle . under both tropicks are his mischiefs spoke , he ruin'd england , yet would he flanders yoke . in uncivil broyls he did this land engage : the noblest still were objects of his rage . new ways of treason he his countrey show'd , and then conducted regicides abroad . ungrateful man ! no tears we can allow to him that gave us whips and scourges too . usurpers fear and tremble , now you see , the great'st of villains from the grave 's not free . nature her self took notice of his death , and jocoun'd swell'd the sea with such a breath , that to remotest shores her billows rold , and the near fate of this great rebel told . london , printed in the year of our lord , . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a e- * dr. he 〈…〉 . pompey the great a tragedy as it was acted by the servants of his royal highness the duke of york / translated out of french by certain persons of honour. mort de pompée. english corneille, pierre, - . this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (wing c ). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish.this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing c estc r ocm

this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.

early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) pompey the great a tragedy as it was acted by the servants of his royal highness the duke of york / translated out of french by certain persons of honour. mort de pompée. english corneille, pierre, - . waller, edmund, - . dorset, charles sackville, earl of, ?- . sedley, charles, sir, ?- . [ ], , [ ] p. printed for henry herringman ..., london : . a translation of corneille's "la mort de pompée", by waller, the earl of dorset, sir charles sedley and perhaps others. cf. catalogue of the library of j.h. wrenn. , v. , p. - . reproduction of original in huntington library.
eng pompey, -- the great, - b.c. -- drama. shcnopompey the greatcorneille, pierre . b the rate of . defects per , words puts this text in the b category of texts with fewer than defects per , words. - assigned for keying and markup - keyed and coded from proquest page images - sampled and proofread - text and markup reviewed and edited - batch review (qc) and xml conversion

pompey the great . a tragedy . as it was acted by the servants of his royal highness the duke of york .

translated out of french by certain persons of honour .

qui se lectori credere malunt quam spectatoris fastidia ferre superbi : namque equitis quoque jam migravit ab aure voluptas omnis , ad incertos oculos , & gaudia vana . horat.

london , printed for henry herringman , and are to be sold at his shop at the sign of the anchor in the lower walk of the new-exchange . .

prologue at the house . from greece , the place , where wit and learning grew , to conquering rome , the banish'd muses flew , with other spoils adorning so her state , that all her writers seem but to translate ; from thence the roman eagle on her wing , these entertainments tow'rds the north did bring , of such delights cold regions owe their part , not to kind nature , but to care and art : the peach , the tulip , nectarine and rose , not in our woods , but in our garden grows ; who nothing will but what is home-bred taste , must live content with acorns and with most ; for your diversion we this night present , a fruit which grew upon the continent ; of all that 's french , 't is rank'd among the best , and may prove better in our language dress'd ; as flowers transplanted recompence our toyl , doubling their beauties with their change of soil ; this you must judge of , only make us bold with kind attention , and you shall behold how cleopatra looks , how caesar burns , how pompey dyes , and how cornelia mourns .
the actors names . caesar lepidus antonius senators , and followers of caesar. cornelia wife to pompey . philip freed-man of pompey . ptolomey king of aegypt . cleopatra his sister . photinus achillas counsellors to petolomy . charmion achoreus adherers to cleopatra . septimius a degenerate roman .
pompey . act the first ,
scene the first . enter ptolomey , photinus , achillas , septimius . ptolom . the fates disclose their book , and now we read , what of the father and the son 's decreed . th' amazed gods awhile seem'd all divided , what they demurr'd pharsalia has decided , whose rivers dy'd with blood and rapid made swell with the fury of the roman blade , arms , eagles , bodies , all consus'dly spread , cover her fields infected with the dead , heaps of the slain deny'd a funeral , just nature to their own revenge does call from putrid corps exhaling poysonous airs , enough to plague the guilty conquerours ; this is the title of great caesars cause , at this dire evidence by mars his laws , caesar's absolv'd and pompey guilty cry'd , this pitty'd leader of the juster side , by weary fortune of success bereft , is made a great example , and has left the world a pattern of her rowling wheel , whose dismal turn whole nations with him feel ; he , whose prosperity was wont to vye , with his own wish , from thessaly does fly , the vanquish'd pompey to our ports , our walls , our court approaching for a refuge calls , from his own father in law , his proud defeat seeks where against the tytans a retreat the gods once found , where in despight of all , they that sav'd heav'n he thinks may stop his fall , and sharing the despair on which he 's hurl'd , may give a prop unto the tottering world ; for the world's fate on pompey's fate depends ; and to our aegypt in distress he sends , for aid or ruine , a recruit or grave , we must sink with him or his fortunes save . this tempest friends your grave advice must calm , he brings dread thunder or the welcome palm , he crown'd the father , threatens now the son , memphis he gave , and hazards what h' has done ; his ruine i must share , or else comply with caesar's wish and make my suppliant dye : the first unsafe , the other base and low , i fear injustice or an overthrow , do what i can , to whatsoe're i fly , 't is full of danger or of infamy ; the choice is mine , and you are to consult what to incline me to by your result ; pompey's the theam , and we must have the praise to trouble caesar , or compleat his bays , you sit on both their fortunes , upon more than any council ever sat before . photin . sir , when the sword great causes does decide , justice and right good states-men lay aside , and who will wisely act in such a season , must ballance strength and not examine reason ; weigh your own forces then and pompey's might , his hopes are dash'd , his fruitless valour light ; 't is not from caesar only that he flies , but from the dread reproach and wrathfull eyes of romes great senate , whose best half invites to a rich banquet the pharsalian kites ; he flies the city and the sons of rome , which his defeat to slavery does doom ; he flies the rage of nations and of crowns , that would revenge on him their ransack'd towns , their weakn'd states of men and money drain'd , their reputation by his losses stain'd , the cause of all their woes , hated by all , he flies the whole world shatter'd with his fall ; will you against such opposition stand , and bear his cause up with a single hand ? the hope he had was in himself alone , what might be done , he did , he overthrown you must give way , will you sustain a weight which rome bends under shrinking from her height ? maintain a quarrel that has thunder strook the reeling world , and the great pompey broke ? they that the faults of fortune would amend , and be too just , against themselves offend , whilst indiscreetly kind with vain effort they perish with those friends they would support ; their faith has a brave lustre , but they fall , and honour lessens not the bruise at all . side with the gods , declare your felf for fate , draw not on us their thunder and their hate , ask not how justly , wherefore they chastise , but worship him whom they would have to rise , approve of their decrees , applaud their will , and whom they frown on in obedience kill . by divine vengeance on all sides persu'd pompey involves your aegypt in the fewd ; his head that he has shifted so to save , falling your royal company would have ; his present coming i unfriendly deem , th' effect of hatred rather than esteem ; 't is to destroy you , hither now to fly , and can you doubt if he deserve to dye ? he should have come with bays upon his brows , and with success have seconded our vows ; with feasts and triumphs then we had receiv'd him , 't is his own fate , not we that have deceiv'd him , not him , but his ill fortune we neglect , for to his person we would pay respect ; caesar subdu'd , by the same sword had dy'd , with which less willingly we peirce his side ; under his ruine you must shelter take , and in this storm his death your harbour make , which though the world should reckon as a crime , is but a just compliance with the time ; the strict regard of justice does annoy the power of crowns , and policy destroy ; 't is the prerogative of kings to spare nothing when they their own destruction fear ; he wants no danger whom the care of right keeps from injustice when 't is requisite ; who to his royal power no bound , would have to his own conscience must not be a slave ; and thus you have my counsel mighty sir , who kills the conquer'd , gains the conquerour . achil. photinus , sir , speaks well , but though the day pompey has lost , his person yet i weigh , i reverence that blood the gods did spare , when his whole army such a fate did share ; nor see i reason why it should be spilt , unless it prove a necessary guilt : what needs such rigour ? your estate is sure , who takes no part , can make no forfeiture ; you may stand neuter , as you did before , though caesar's rising fortune you adore , and treat him like a god , by my advice , you shall not make him such a sacrifice , for mars it were too precious , and will give your name a blot you never shall out-live ; it is enough that pompey hither came , and found no succour , to keep you from blame ; the senate by his inclination led , set aegypts crown upon your fathers head , and yet i say not kings should gratefull be , beyond the bounds and rule of policy , they of their people ought more care to shew than gratitude for all that they can owe , a crown bestow'd can lay no obligation on him that takes it to destroy his nation . besides , if every circumstance be weigh'd , what ventur'd pompey in your fathers aid ? he sought thereby to make his credit known , and glory got by rendring him his own , he to the senate an oration made , but caesar's thousand talents did perswade , had not that treasure made your fathers way , in vain had been whatever he could say ; he for you then , for him to caesar you may plead , 't is all with safety you can do , and all you owe him , to receive him here , were to admit a guest that you must fear . a conquer'd consul is so great a thing , that he will bear himself above a king ; forbid him landing then , and spare his head ; but if your majesty will have him dead , command this sword to execute your will , great pompey's blood i 'le be the first shall spill . septim . dread sir , i am a roman , and do know both these commanders and their interest too . to succour pompey were a dangerous part , to chace him hence would gain but half the heart of mighty caesar , and make him your foe , who yet perhaps may to such greatness grow , raising new forces both at land and sea , that he at length with caesor may agree , and both revenge themselves on such a friend , whose cold neutrality did both offend ; in rendring him i no less danger find , caesar to pardon him must seem inclin'd , and with false glory make glad rome believe t is for her sake he lets his rival live , whilst in the secret of his thoughts he knows that his forc'd clemency to you he owes ; free caesar then from danger and from guilt , and let his fortune on your shame be built , pompey destroy'd of caesar we are sure , and from the vengeance of the dead secure ; this my advice is , what achillas said , would give you cause to live of both afraid . ptolom . then to necessity let justice vail , and the plurality of votes prevail , my inclination too favours that doom , which may abate this arrogance of rome ; let her that does the prostrate world bestride , lose at one stroke both liberty and pride ; let pompey dye in whom her hopes do live , to the world 's tyrants-let's a tyrant give , let us contribute to the fates decree , to make them subjects and us monarchs free , at least our masters by this brave resolve in the same servitude we shall involve ; go then achillas , with septimius go , and make us famous by this noble blow ; had heav'n to pompey been propitious , it had not sent him to endanger us . achil. sir , what a king commands is always just . ptolom . hast then , begon , and answer this great trust , which well perform'd , our throne secure you make ; remember rome and aegypt are at stake . exeunt .
scene the second . ptolomey , photinus . ptolom . photinus , this our sister will deceive , that hopes a crown from pompey to receive ; she knows he has our father's will in guard , and sees her way to royalty prepar'd by his arrival , she already plays the queen , and her ambitious hopes betrays , thinking by pompey's friendship and his might to ratifie that will and share my right ; she looks as if she were already grown my mistriss , or my partner in the throne . photin . sir , 't is a motive which i did not urge , that pompey's death will her ill humours purge ; your cause decided by that antient host of our late king , would half the kingdome cost . his will performed will divide your state ; yet wish i not you should your sister hate , by nature's law she ought to have her part , not in the royal throne , but in your heart . to reign in consort little honour brings , and you would seem commissioners not kings ; this way how oft have states distracted been ? but see ! your sister the pretended queen .
scene the third . ptolomey , cleopatra , photinus . cleop. pompey's arriv'd , sir , shall he come alone ? ptolom . achillas and septimius both are gone to wait upon him hither . cleop. are they two enough for him ? ptolom . why , sister , you may go . cleop. were it too much , had you in person gone ? ptolom . yes , i must keep the honour of the throne ? cleop. remember , sir , who plac'd you there , and bow to that great man to whom you so much owe. ptolom . yes , your great man's deserted and o'rethrown , cleop. still he is pompey and gave you the crown . ptolom . 't is pompey's ghost which has oblig'd the ghost of our dead father , let him go and boast those merits past upon his monument , thither perhaps e're long he may be sent . cleop. pompey a ghost ! and sent unto a grave ! is this the welcome he deserves to have ? ptolom . 't is what the gods inspired us to do , and what the kingdoms good compell'd us to . cleop. photin , and such mean counsellours i fear have with base counsel poysoned your ear. photin . the counsel , madam , we must all avow , cleop. peace , till i stoop to mingle words with you . ptolom . she is my sister , let her humour sway , for your known innocence there needs no plea. cleop. sir , let that horrid sentence be recall'd if not too late , nor longer be enthrall'd to these low slaves , but such advice imbrace as heav'n suggests to those of our high race . ptolom . swell'd with the hopes of pompey's friendship , you speak like a queen , and think to make us bow with a false shew of virtue you can hide your interest too , and your ambitious pride . with pompey's death you could be well content , did he not keep our father's testament . cleop. no sir , 't is honour , and not interest , which for great pompey makes me thus contest ; take here a secret , which will let you know my hopes are built upon his mortal foe : when the rude people of this barbarous town , made the late king desert his royal throne , his native soil he left , in hope to find rome's senate to their old confederate kind ; to move their pity we both went along , you but a tender child , my self though young yet of an age to make that beauty known which heav'n had lent me , and some hearts my own ; above the rest caesar his passion shows , declares his love , but yet with caution wooes ; fearing the senate , he puts pompey on , our bus'ness was by their new friendship done ; pompey's authority for his sake we had , and you this way with royal robes are clad . but caesar thus to gain us mighty rome , thought not enough , his love persues us home , his purse as well as heart he open'd wide , and with his treasure our low state supply'd ; his thousand talents which are yet unpaid , over the rebells us victorious made , this knew our dying father , and bestow'd half that on me to whom the whole he ow'd , he knew the kingdome was my beauties prize , and that he ow'd his scepter to these eyes ; betwixt us two by his last will , the land restor'd by caesar does divided stand ; and thus you see it is no partial end , but sense of honour makes me pompey's friend . ptolom . this story is contrived with a dress . cleop. of caesar's coming here is an express ; the cause i have to bear me like a queen , shall by your self , this day perhaps be seen ; for some years past here treated like a slave , my right with-held , which our just father gave , to flatter slaves i have employ'd my breath , lest your bad ministers should plot my death ; from photin and achillas tyranny pompey or caesar now will set me free . one of those two our difference shall decide , and then you 'l know the reason of my pride . exit cleopatra .
scene the fourth . ptolomey , photinus . ptolom . what think you , photin , of this haughty dame ? photin . this secret never to my knowledge came ; confu●'d , uncertain , in my thoughts , i find no mean , whereby this storm may be declin'd . ptolom . shall pompey live then ? photin . no , the rather dye ; this way you must with your fair sister vye for caesar's grace , whose gratitude may prove for such a service equal to his love. ptolom . vvhat if her charms with caesar should prevail ? photin . she must be flatter'd , if you think i fail , vvith wise septimius and achillas you may take advice what you are next to do . ptolom . from the high tower wee 'l look on pompey's fate , and this affair at their return debate . exeunt .
act second ,
scene first . cleopatra sola . cleop. yes , i do love , but must not let the flame dazle me so as to neglect my fame ; my heart feels both its duties , and by turns , it sighs for pompey , and for caesar burns : nor shall the victors passion make me lose the sense of what our house to pompey owes . she that great caesar loves , should in her soul abhorr th' appearance of a crime so foul ; it were an injury to his desire , to think that baseness can foment the fire . enter charmion . charm. vvhat , do you caesar love , and yet would raise aegypt to trample on pharsalia's bays , stop the high course of fate , your force direct 'gainst him you love , and his great foe protect ? love is no tyrant with you i perceive . cleop. vvith their high birth princes this good receive , their souls partake their generous race , and so their rudest passions to their virtue bow , and whilst the dictates of their own high blood they dare observe , illustrious , and all good that they determine , and the ill we find , flows from the counsel of some baser mind ; thus is great pompey lost , the king would save a friend distress'd , photinus diggs his grave . charm. thus then of caesar , we in one person see at once the lover and the enemy . cleop. no , thus i court him , and no charm there is like that of virtue , o're a mind like his . charm. vvhat we desire is easily believ'd , and where we love we soonest are deceiv'd . cleop. know then a queen that holds her honour dear , from no brave man , a low neglect can fear , and whensoe're she owns her high desire , she meets an equal if no greater fire : but this concerns not me , who long ago gave that great conquerour the fatal blow . at rome the haughty man became my slave , and the first marks of his new passion gave ; and since that time , each day , some new express brings me his vows , and tells me his success , through france , through spain , or wheresoe're he flies , fortune attends , and love accompanies , he vvorships me alone , and to my eyes ascribes the fame of all his victories , oft with that hand all reaking in the gore of slaughter'd foes , my pity does implore , beating his breast , and with an humble guise complains of chains amidst his victories , vows he no pleasure took on what he had won , till unto me the high success was known , in whose dear i ove , alone , he can receive the utmost joys the conquer'd world can give : he offers me his glory , to my laws submits that heart and hand the vvorld obeys , so that my rigour , like joves thunder , can make the most vvretched of the greatest man. charm. vvell , i dare swear your charms a power enjoy , vvhich though they boast of , they will ne're employ ; and the great caesar shall no trouble know , if it can only from your rigour grow : but what d' you aim at ? or to what pretend ? another vvife does all fair hopes defend ; the holy band of sacred hymen keep , his soul enchain'd , and all such thoughts asleep . cleop. a fresh divorce so common at this day , may in my favour take those lets away . 't was so he marry'd her , and who can blame him to return her by the way she came ? charm. and who can say but hee 'l serve you so too ? cleop. that sure my better stars wo'nt let him do ; and if propitious heaven but bless my bed with any branch of his illustrious seed , that happy union of our blood will joyn our interest so , he 'll be for ever mine ; and since he hath no children , the new tye will grow upon him , and my youth supply : but whatsoe're befall me , if i may , i le be his bride , and though but one short day our marriage last , the glory ne're can fall to have been once the mighty queen of all the prostrate world ; this my ambition says , to which , be it right or wrong , my soul obeys ; i love the noble heat , and 't is alone the generous passion that a queen may own . charm. 't is not the nearest way to caesar's bed , nor this thought greatness , to save pompey's head. cleop. but 't is the nobl'st , and i should disdain the highest title with the smallest stain ; then wonder not , i pompey thus protect , for so my honour , and his worth , direct . 't is for his hapless virtue all i may , and would to heaven h 'had ta'ne some other way , and hope some friendly storm will yet prevent upon so brave a man our foul intent , forcing his vessel from our faithless shore ; but here comes achoree will tell us more : what , is it done ? and is our cursed land , with the high blood of the great pompey stain'd ? enter achoree . achor . madam , as you commanded , to the place i follow'd 'em , where i in little space saw the whole treason , the great pompey bleed , and every passage of that barbarous deed ; and since you do command me here proclame that glorious death which covers us with shame , hearken ! admire ! and his strange fate deplore . his vessel now in sight of our false shore , had strucken sail , and he with joy beheld our gally's coming which his murderers fill'd , thought our brave king toucht with a generous sense of the sad fortunes of so great a prince , had sent his fleet , but when that he perceiv'd the armed boat , he soon was undeceiv'd ; found the base man ingratefull to such worth , instead of aid had sent his murderers forth . cleop. how great a curse heaven on that prince does send , whom they do power without virtue lend ! how much more blest are they that cannot reach that height of mischief which their natures teach ! whose lives and faults are private , so that fame can lay no lasting blot upon their name ! but this base stain will stick upon our house , whilst memphis stands , or nilus overflows . but how did pompey on the villains look ? achor . he was with wonder , and not terror strook ; some little fear surpriz'd him , but he soon recall'd his temper , and then thought alone , regardless of himself , how he might save his dear cornelia from the present grave ; let us expose alone these silver hairs , to the reception that base land prepares ; fly then he said , wh●lst the whole storm i bear , and to take vengeance by thy restless care ; our noble juba bears a braver mind , with him thy father , and my sons thou'lt find ; yet if they fail , and meet untimely deaths , never despair , whilst the bold cato breaths . thus whilst their loves contest , the fatal bark makes towards them : septimius as a mark of service gives his hand , in his own tongue salutes him emperour , as from the young aegyptian monarch , step , great sir , he said , into this boat , quick-sands and shelves have made our ports unsafe for greater ships ; even then our heroe saw the baseness of the men , yet shew'd no change , but keeping in his face his wonted majesty and fearless grace , with the same count'nance towards his death doth go , wherewith he wont whole kingdoms to bestow . his virtue intire attends him in his fate . of all the followers of his happier state , his freed-man philip then remain'd alone , from him i learnt what i have now made known . and this is all , madam , that he exprest , my eyes have seen , my heart would sigh the rest ; caesar himself when his sad fate he hears , to such misfortunes cann't deny his tears . cleop. o spare not mine , proceed , this one relief , i have , that nothing can increase my grief . achor . far off we saw him coming , and not one of all that troop but his discourse did shun ; which strange contempt made him too well perceive , the entertainment he should soon receive : at length they came to land , and as he stept a shore , achillas that base traitor leapt forth of the boat , and the first wound he made . then all at once basely his life invade ; all of one land , degenerate sons of rome , that should his guard his murderers become , achillas's self that set the villains on , stood yet amaz'd to see 't so boldly done . cleop. ye gods that give the world to civil war , when ye revenge his death our city spare ; find out the hands , and punish not the town , the crime of memphis was by romans done . but how does he receive their treachearous blows ? achor . part of his robe over his face he throws , and without seeing it his fate obey'd , disdain'd the heav'ns that had his cause betray'd , to look at then , lest dying he might seem , or aid , or vengeance to implore of them ; no feeble part though of his failing breath ●ut shew'd him worthy of a nobler death : his head cut off , is by the villains shew'n , like some proud trophie when a battels won , and his dead body to the seas expos'd , floats now at randome in no urn inclos'd ; at such a sight the poor cornelia lost cleop. great gods , in what distraction was she tost ? achor . her mournfull hands to cruel heaven she lifts , yet pays subbmission to its hidden drifts , and then again o'recome with suddain grief , falls in a sound , and seems to hate relief ; her men the while plying the oars amain , with frighted haste the milder sea regain : but yet i fear they cannot scape , for base septimius does them with six vessels chace , vvho to compleat his crime endeavours shews , and pompey even after death persues . cleop. unequall'd villais ! o! accursed brood ! are they not glutted with that hero's blood , that thus his dearer half they do persue , forgetting all that to her sex is due ? achor . mean while achillas doth in triumph bring his horrid present to our faithless king ; the people as he goes astonisht mourn , and from the hated sight their faces turn , a general horrour doth their souls invade , some fear the ground will open , and be made their common grave : others loud thunder hear , to every one does some strange sight appear , so does the guilt distract them , and present unto their thoughts th' excess of punishment ; his freed-man philip in a servants mind , shews yet a courage of the noblest kind , he follows his dead lord , and watches where or to what shore the angry main will bear the headless trunck , that he may duely burn , and put his sacred ashes in an urn ; but as toward africk they cornelia chase , caesar appears , and almost hide the face of spacious neptune with his numerous fleet. cleop. it must be he , in that we plainly see 't . tremble ye villains of this impious land , cleopatra now holds thunder in her hand , may throw 't on whom she will , caesar is come , she is your queen , her angry breath your doom . let us admire the while , th' uncertain state of human greatness , and by pompey's fate learn what our own may be : this prince that sway'd th' imperial senate , whom the world obey'd , whom fortune seem'd to have advanc'd above her own proud reach , who did more terrour move in rome than loudest thunder , whom she saw three times her proud triumphal chariots draw , who in these last extremes and falling state both consulls had companions of his fate , when fortune once neglected him , we see aegyptian monsters of his head decree , we see a photin and achillas straight the great disposers of the highest fate , a king that from his hands a crown receives , him to the hands of basest villains gives ; so pompey falls , and so perhaps one day , the now victorious and great caesar may : but o ye powerfull gods that see my tears , assist my wishes , and avert my fears . achor . madam , the king is coming ? [ enter ptolomey , photinus . ptolom . do you know the honour we are like to have ? cleop. yes , caesar's come , i 'm no more photin's slave . ptolom . sister , you always hate that worthy man. cleop. no , but i now despise the worst he can . ptolom . of what design of his can you complain ? cleop. where we have suffer'd much , fears are not vain ; so great a states-man may do any thing , when he 's assisted by a credulous king. ptolom . i follow his advice , and know 't is good . cleop. i fear th' effects , and see it spares no blood. ptolom . for common safety , all things lawfull are . cleop. that kind of justice , i too justly fear : it cost me late my interest in the throne , and pompey's head to whom you owe your crown . ptolom . he never plaid a greater states-mans part , caesar to gain there was no other art ; you see his haste , and our disorder'd town , before it could have arm'd , had been o'rethrown , but safely now to his victorious hand , your heart i offer , and my own command . cleop. make your own offers , i shall mine propound , you need not thus our interests confound . ptolom . they are but one , since of one blood we be . cleop. you might as well say two of one degree , being soveraigns both , and yet you 'l shortly learn there is some difference in our concern . ptolom . yes sister , for my small dominion ends in narrow bounds , nor beyond nile pretends , but you are caesar's queen , and may command o're ganges , tagus , and the farthest land. cleop. i have ambition , but 't is so confin'd , that thought it dazels me i am not blind . talk not to me of tagus nor of ganges , i know my right , and care not for your changes . ptolom . y' have an advantage , and you 'l use 't i find . cleop. i 'm sure if i do'nt i 'm not of your mind . [ exit . ptolom . i follow'd thy advice , yet all my art , and lowest flattery , but made her start into a farther pride , untill at last tyr'd with such scorn my rage had like t' have past all bounds , and neither minding caesar nor his force , with her high pride have taken such a course , that spight of all her braggs she sooner might implore of pompey than of him a right ; she talks as though sh' already were a queen , and if he do indulge her pride and spleen , and she o're him her boasted empire have , her brother and her king must be her slave ; but le ts prevent her rage , 't is poor to wait , and tamely bear the certain stroaks of fate ; le ts put an end to her too long disdain , le ts from her take the means to please and reign . what ? shall my scepter and undoubted right , so long maintain'd , a wanton smile requite ? photin . sir , give him no pretence to rend your crown from off your head , and joyn it to his own ; that haughty mind which has no other care but to bring cruel slavery and warr where e're he comes , transported with the rage which such a loss must certainly engage a real lover in , though you but justice do , will take th' occasion to become your foe , and then to colour o're his thirst of spoil , your brave revenge will a foul murder style . ptolom . if she once see him she will have the crown . photin . and if she don't , y' are certainly undone . ptolom . i 'le pluck her with me , since i needs must fall . photin . preserve your self i pray , if that be all . ptolom . what! in my crown to see her proudly shine ? scepter , if thou must leave these hands of mine , pass , pass , unto the mighty conquerours . photin . sir , you will better wrest it out of hers . what ever flames he for a while may show , fear not , he shortly must begone we know ; no ardour love can give to such a soul , but what his high designs will soon controul , iberia , africa , are yet possest by the young pompeys and that interest , so great a general would much mistake no other use of his success to make , than to give leisure to such daring sprights , to be again in posture for new fights . ptolom . what human force can long oppose that hand , which neither rome nor pompey could withstand ? and then with lovers haste he will return , and we too late our lost occasion mourn . photin . soon as he has that party quite o'rethrown , he must to rome there to secure his own ; change at his will the model of the state , enjoy the bounty of indulgent fate , and when he 's there , what is 't you may not do ? but for a while you must to caesar bow , constrain your self to please him , we shall find a time to settle all things to your mind ; give freely to his hands your power and crown , and to his high disposal leave your throne ; what ever hopes her haughty mind may fill , i know he must observe your fathers will ; besides , the late great service you have done , bids you be confident of what 's your own ; but whatso'ere he do's , seem to comply , extoll his judgment , praise his equity , till he begon at least , and when we see that time and place with our designs agree , we will revenge our selves , and she shall find the fatal error of her haughty mind . ptolom . thou hast restor'd me to my life and crown ; the greatest blessings that the gods send down on princes , are such counsellours ; le ts go dear atlas of my throne , to meet our foe with all our fleet , present him all we have , that we may all again intire receive .
act third ,
scene first . enter charmion and achoreus . charm. while ptolomey with low respect does haste our aegypts crown at caesars feet to cast , the queen as unconcern'd at home does stay , expecting caesar like respect should pay to her ; what think you of this haughty dame ? acho. 't is a just value set upon the fame of her great beauty , and becomes her place and high extraction of that royal race ; but may i have access ? charm. no , i am sent of the late interview to know th' event , to learn what the strange present did obtain , the thanks of caesar or his just disdain , if his reception of the king were kind , and what success our murtherers do find . acho. the head presented will produce effects much differing from what aegypts court expects , whose flatteries have mis-led their soveraign ; when he took shipping i was in his train ; our navy anchor in good order weigh'd , and a league hence for caesars coming staid , he with full sails advanc't , as mars had grac't his sword with conquest , neptune now as fast favours his course , and to his fleet , as kind as his late fortune , gives a prosperous wind ; when they first meet , our prince dismay'd appears , forgetting what became the crown he wears , shews abject fear , in chearfulness ill feign'd , a servil baseness his behaviour stain'd ; i blush'd to see our ptolomey so near to mighty caesar and no king appear ; caesar that saw fear strike him in amaze , with flattering pity did his spirits raise ; he faintly then the fatal present shows , behold my lord , the last of all your foes . pompey , cornelia , both from me receive more than the gods could at pharsalia give ; here is his head , the other , though she flies , our fleet persuing will soon make your prize . the head discover'd of great pompey slain appear'd as though it would have spoke again , as if it yet were warm enough to have sense of th' affront which to his ghost they gave ; the mouth yet gasping , and the wandring sight seem'd to recall the soul but yet in flight , his dying anger wanted only breath t' accuse the gods for his defeat and death . charm. drawn in small space , large histories have been , so in that point those miseries were seen , that like a deluge the whole world o'respread , e're they could swell so high to reach that head ; could horrour there , contracting all her power make no impression on the conquerour ? acho. the sight like thunder strook him with surprize , as one not knowing what , or how t' advise , his fixed eye a while , and deep suspence from all about him hid his doubtfull sense ; if we may guess , he labour'd to destroy the rising motions of uncomely joy , to which ambition did his thoughts allure , finding his empire o're the world secure , this pleasure with discretion did contest for a short pause , till reason got the best ; though he loves greatness , treachery he hates , weighs the worlds judgment and his own , debates what solid motives urge his joy , or woe , at length concluding , tears his eyes o'reflow , a generous frailty in his temper shines , and to his virtue interest resigns ; out of his sight he sends them with their gift , and with his eyes and hands to heav'n up lift , against the fact in bitter words declares , then silent stood as one opprest with cares , nor to his romans would he make reply , but with deep sighing or an angry eye ; at length with thirty cohorts set on land , both of our ports and gates he took command , plac'd guards with secret orders every where , to make distrust as well as grief appear , speaks as our lord , names pompey , not as one that was his rival , but his dearest son ; there 's what i saw . charm. here 's what the queen would have , and what her prayers from just osiris crave , shee 'l be transported with this welcome news , which to encrease your faithfull service use . acho. i shall , but caesar's come , go let her hear how pale our courtlers look , how dead with fear , and we , as caesar shall his mind disclose , will soon inform her how this new world goes . exeunt .
scene the second . enter ptolomey , caesar and lepidus , antonius . ptolom . my lord , as soveraign here , our throne ascend . caesar. that offer , sir , speaks you not caesar's friend , fortunes worst malice could not set me down to less advantage than upon a throne ; here rome's hard usage would find just excuse , if such a weak temptation could seduce a roman heart from its true character , to stoop at loyalty , disdain'd by her , and giv'n as cheap , 't is bred in our souls frame to hate that quality , and slight the name ; this from great pompey you had sooner known , if your distressed friend y' had dar'd to own , he had this offer of your chair declin'd , if to that worthy you had been thus kind ; you might perhaps , have fallen , but strew'd with bays , no trophees of success had match't that praise , when fortune had betray'd your enterprize , caesar had took delight to help you rise , but since your thoughts had no regard of fame , to that illustrious head whence grew your claim ; which way could he forfeit his life to you , whose homage is to the least roman due ? has fate made me triumphant o're my foes , that aegypts king the conquest should dispose ? my too destructive sword did i unsheath , that you might judge of romans life and death ? i fought to wrest that power from pompeys hands , shall i endure your barbarous commands ? what do you think for this can be your doom , where you pretend a soveraignty o're rome ? affronted more in this illustrious head , than all the blood that mithridates shed ; had i been vanquish'd , your complying thought my head a present had to pompey brought ; thanks to my fortune that i am ador'd , from him retreating i had met your sword ; friendship abhorr'd , and formidable love , that safe or dangerous as our fortunes prove ; but speak , you have too long stood thus confus'd . ptolom . 't is true , but with just cause may be excus'd . a soveragn born that always us'd command , i now in presence of my master stand , my courtiers all with reverence on me look , but with like awe i am by caesar strook , judge then how i should presence have of mind , who from your words such cause of terrour find ; lost in profound respect , how should we clear this double cloud of reverence and fear ? but above all that which confounds me most , is to find caesar friend to pompeys ghost . you urge ingratitude , but this i know , that more to caesar than to him i owe ; your favour first on our dark fortune shin'd , to what he did he was by you inclin'd , our cause i th' senate he did undertake , protecting injur'd princes for your sake , yet vain had been whatever they decreed , unless your bounty had supply'd our need ; the thousand talents you so nobly lent , restor'd us to our throne from banishment . your son we honour'd , while he was your friend , before his force he did against you bend ; before he envy'd your success in warr , and tyrant like began this civil jarr . caesar. hold are you not contented with his death , that thus you blast his glory with your breath ? vent not such slanders as may rome offend , nor him reproach , while you your self defend . ptolom . then we referr to heav'n his secret thought , which all our vows during these warrs besought , that you by prosp'rous arms might be redrest , whose slow resentment was so rudely press'd . how could i think , that it became your friend to spare his life , that did your death intend ? a man whose rage no victory could quel , might have fetch'd succour from the lowest hell , made the wild parthian the sworn foe of rome , and all the east against his father come ; besides , had you his person got , our fear suppos'd your heart too generous would forbear your just revenge , and clemency's excess had still continu'd your unhappiness . these friendly fears of accidents so ill , made us secure you , though against your will ; our forward zeal as guilty you disown , but 't was to serve you , what has been misdone ; nor need you own the fact by which you gain , to keep you innocent i took the stain , the blacker 't is the more it should be priz'd , my fame to your concernment sacrifis'd . caesar. reasons ill grounded your false zeal misled , if what the whole world pray'd for , caus'd your dread , that your too curious fear should thus delude the fairest hope our civil arms pursu'd ; honour engag'd me my proud foes to tame , and then to pardon was my only aim , the feircest enemies i have o'rethrown , for my dear friends and confidents i own . vvhat publique joy had our sad warr ensu'd , if i and pompey o're our former feud , triumphant had in the same chariot rid ? all which your narrow policies forbid . you fear'd my clemency ! o gross mistake ! vvish it were greater now for your own sake ; if by strict rules of justice i were led , i should appease romes anger with your head ; vvithout regard to seeming love , your state , or too late penitence , indulge my fate , and make your throne it self the tragick stage , did not your sister obviate my rage : your guilty blood my pardon only gains , because it runs in cleopatra's veins ; on your base flatterers the fault i lay , and am content their lives the forfeit pay ; guilty or innocent i shall esteem you , as you spare , or as you punish them . mean while to pompey let new altars rise vvith honours , such as to the deities are paid , with sacrifice your crime repair , and in that work imploy your cheifest care ; among your courtiers order this design , and leave me otherwise imploy'd with mine . exit ptolomey .
scene the third . antonius , have you aegypts princess seen ? anton. yes , and all wonders met in that fair queen , heav'n never yet in such a union joyn'd all beauties charms with an accomplish'd mind ; her look with a sweet majesty replete , the coldest hearts invades with conquering heat , her wit surprizes , and her bright eyes so , that were i caesar , i should love her too . caesar. but how does she our offer'd love receive ? anton. as if she durst not , but yet did believe ; with weak denials she invites to sue , and seems not worthy , though she thinks it due . caesar. shall i prevail ? anton. what doubt if you command her , that expects a scepter from your hand ? how should your passion fear to be repell'd ? what can oppose him that has pompey quell'd ? all the objection that her caution brings , is the contempt that romans have of kings ; something she 's troubl'd with calphurnia too , but all will vanish at the sight of you , to pleasing hopes these fears will soon give place , when you shall woo her with a conquerours grace . caesar. le ts go and free her from this trivial fear , by making caesars matchless love appear ; come , le ts away . anton. before you wait on her know that cornelia is your prisoner , brought by septimius , whom his late crimes raise to great expectance of your thanks and praise ; your guards by order when they first took shore , led them tow'rds you without expressing more . caesar. she must come in ; these news untimely stay impatient hopes with languishing delay ; o the excess of greatness that imploys our life in business , and deferrs our joys .
scene the fourth . enter cornelia with a guard. septim . my lord caesar. septimius to your master go , no traitors shall abide with caesar , no degenerate wretch , that roman swords could bring from pompeys camp or mine to serve a king. cornel. caesar , for envious fates that i out-brave can make me but your prisoner , not your slave , expect not that their rage should make me bow to call you lord , that homage is below young crassus , pompey's widdow , scipio's blood , and what 's yet more a roman born , how shou'd i stoop to that who am so much above the power of fortune in my birth and love ? for life , 't is that i blush to own , that i could stay behind when i saw pompey dye ; though pity with rude force impos'd restraint from steel , or waves , it is my shame to want those borrowed helps , for loss of such a friend , excess of grief should lingring torments end ; death were my glory , that your captive i live , is the last degree of misery . caesar. the nature of your grief so violent , does to your thoughts through a dark veil present all black like aegyp●s monsters , this belief of them were just , not where a roman's chief . cornel. o heav'n ! upon my birth what planets shin'd , that i must praise their clemency to find my greatest foe rule here , rather than one my husbands hand restor'd to his lost throne ? caesar , upon your triumphs set less rate , effects produc'd by my disastrous fate , ruine my portion to both husbands paid , theirs , and the whole worlds fortune has out-weigh'd ; 't is i , that with my nuptial knot ill ty'd , twice made the gods forsake the juster side . o that on caesar i had been bestow'd , that rome to my misfortune might have ow'd her freedome , and thy family the bane of blasting stars led thither as my train ; think not to change my hate , a heart like mine though force may captivate , can ne're incline basely to sue , what e're your order threats , cornelia neither trembles , nor intreats . caesar. o worthy half of an illustrious mate , your courage we admire , and mourn your fate , from whence you sprung , this great heart amply proves , and your just title to such worthy loves ; young crassus , pompey's virtues , whose reward fate could not pay , scipio's great soul , the guard of our distress'd and threatned deities speak with your voice , and sparkle in your eyes ; no dame so highly married , and so born , does rome the mistress of the world adorn ; would jove and all the gods your scipio sav'd from punick rage , had heard but what i crav'd , that in your hero's brest no mis-conceit of my design had made him thus retreat to barbarous courts , on us he had rely'd , and stop't his flight to hear me justified , then had i triumph'd with a happier doom over mistakes and strife , not him , and rome , and he his losses recompenc'd might prove in the full treasure of his rivals love : to live his equal , and to dye his friend , of my contention was the only end , his mind once setled in a quiet state , his pardon i had got for partial fate ; and with it gain'd romes alienated heart , when she had known i had in his a part . cornel. caesar , great promises are safely made , where the performance is but to a shade , the way 's too common , and we easily find men to the ashes of their rivals kind ; be still your self , for we receive your hate with better welcome , than a love so late . caesar. yet , madam , since with him these hopes must dye , and envious fates so great a joy deny , to what is left of him , that is , to you , caesar shall render what to both is due . be mistriss of your self , i only pray the favour from you of a two days stay , to be a witness after all your hate , how i resent his loss , revenge his fate , that so the world for all the late spilt flood , may know the price i set on roman blood. madam , i leave you for a moment , see good lepidus , that her attendance be as roman ladies ought , that is , above what 's paid to greatest queens , let all things move at her command . cornel. o cruelty of fate ! that i such virtue should be forc't to hate . exeunt .
act fourth ,
scene first . ptolomey , achillas , photinus . ptolom . beyond belief is the sad news you tell , by the same hand and sword that pompey fell , septimius slain ? achillas , wert thou there , saw'st thou the sad effect of his despair ? achil. i saw him dye , and with his latest breath seem to advise us in the pangs of death to judge of caesars slow advised rage ; wrath soon inflam'd as quickly may asswage , but study'd anger and deliberate hate , grows up with time and carries certain fate : nor must we hope his fury will decline , he calls it ( just revenge ) 't is meer design . with pompey's ghost , a league he would contract , and punishing that much repented act , strives to obtain , ( for caesar grasps at all ) empire and glory by his rivals fall . ptolom . ah! had thy good advice belief obtain'd , without a master ptolomey had reign'd , but kings still chuse ( govern'd by some ill fate ) the worst advice after a long debate ; destiny blinds them , or if any light seem to inform , it but deceives their sight , and with delusive glimmerings leads them on , till they have reach'd their own destruction . photin . i was deceiv'd in caesar all this while , for he his rivals death doth murder style ; but since th' ungratefull tyrant can defame so a great a service with so foul a name , by the same hand let his own blood be spilt , and we in that will wash our former guilt . now i prescribe no bounds to your swoln heart , nor would deferr revenge till he depart , this sharp disease must have a sudden cure , let us no more his insolence indure ; by caesar's death wee 'l pompey 's ghost appease , secure our selves , and give the whole world ease , when rome her self shall call him tyrant too , and owe her peace , and liberty to you . ptolom . photinus , now thy reasons must perswade . shall i descend to be of him affraid , vvhom i have rais'd and made thus to be fear'd ? no , no , my vengeance shall not be deferr'd , that in one day aegypt may twice become the great disposer of the fates of rome ; caesar forget thy pride for battel 's won , and only think of what my power has done ; for pompey fell beneath the fatal stroke , pompey , who once thy envy could provoke , and therefore was as great , the vvorld shall see , that thou art mortal too as well as he : to the dead hero thou art grown so kind , 't were cruelty to keep thee here behind . achil. sir , to our selves it were : at once his fall gives full revenge and safety to us all ; revenge and safety dear to all mankind , and in his death their interests are joyn'd . ptolom . nor shalt thou caesar of thy justice boast , i must appease both romes and pompey's ghost , and of thy insolence revenge will take , vvho spar'st a king but for his sisters sake ; nor shall my fortunes still in danger lye , both of her hate and thy inconstancy , that when you please , those toyes my life and crown , reward a smile , or punishes a frown . no , my respects and fears are laid aside , thou shalt not long enjoy thy cruel pride , and since thou didst command me to prepare victims for pompey with advice and care , i have obey'd thee tyrant , and i see there is no fitter sacrifice than thee , whose blood might sooner on the altar spilt , appease his ghost or expiate our guilt ; but 't is in vain my friends with angry words to threaten caesar ; we must know what swords we can employ to exectue our will , the tyrants army are our masters still : let us consult , and suddenly advise , how to destroy 'em by a close surprize . achil. sir , let us first secure our own defence ; you have six thousand men some two miles hence , which i from several quarters have drawn down for fear of stirs in this tumultuous town ; with all their care the romans have not found a secret sally we have under ground , through which by night unknown to caesars guard , we may conduct them to the palace yard ; for should we now the roman host invade , with trumpets sounding , ensigns wide display'd , head-long we might to death and danger run , and vainly perish e're our work were done . no , at the feast let him receive his doom , doubly before with love and wine o'recome ; then if we can but muster all our powers , i 'm consident the towns-men will be ours ; for i perceive the tyrant does incense their anger 's by his pomp and insolence , and when they saw his vessels under sail , proudly inforce our fearfull fleet to vail , they scarcely could those sparks of anger tame , which we will quickly blow into a flame : but above all the valiant roman band , whom dead septimius lately did command , by all the gods and powers above have sworn , to be reveng'd of caesar's bloody scorn . ptolom . but how to fix our weapons in his breast , if all his guard surround him at the feast ? photin . great sir , the roman souldiers in your pay , amongst the servants of cornelia have met with friends and kinsmen , who may be fit actors all in this great tragedy ; these we shall soon perswade to undertake their tyrants slaughter for their masters sake ; they as cornelia's train have free access , which may assure us of a good success , so that whilst caesar flatters pompey's wife , he would secure , but shall expose his life . but cleopatra comes , smooth your rough brow ; and wisely seem with servil fear to bow ; we must begon being objects of her hate . ptolom . go , and expect me , i 'le be with you straight .
scene the second . ptolomey , cleopatra , charmion . cleop. brother , with caesar i have done my best to make your peace , and calm his angry breast . ptolom . 't was nobly done , i could have hop'd no more , though i had us'd you like your self before ; but your brave lover sister left you soon . cleop. some little tumult raised in the town ; lest that their rage and numbers should encrease he would himself secure the publique peace , and i was glad that i had time to tell this happy news , since none can do 't so well ; i saw great caesars brow without a frown , you need not fear your person nor your crown , caesars so much your friend , that for your sake he 's mov'd to pity , the advice you take of such base counsel , who in every thing will make ye more a tyrant than a king , these men composed of the coursest earth , whose souls are baser than their obscure birth , you give 'em power , and set 'em up to reign , cloath 'em with purple , but 't is all in vain , their native baseness is a foul disease which none can cure , and such men as these faintly let fall , when rais'd to high commands , the weighty scepters from their trembling hands . ptolom . sister , 't is true , and now i find too late , how ill i chose my ministers of state ; had i left them , and been advis'd by you , i 'd liv'd with glory as my equals do , and had deserv'd the kindness which you still retain for me , though i have usd you ill ; my palace then had been the happy place , vvhere caesar might his conquer'd son imbrace , and when the world had found all troubles cease , she ' d been oblig'd to aegypt for her peace ; i as a friend to both , had by the laws of aegypt judg'd of the great roman cause ; but since what 's past can now find no redress , to you i freely may my griefs express , i us'd you ill , and your revenge was shewn in the preserving both my life and crown : subdue your self still in this noble strife , and save photinus and achillas life , they merit death since they offended you , but then my reputation suffers too ; if for my crimes these vvorthless vvretches dye , i shall live heir to all their infamy ; oblige me , sister , let your eyes bright charms melt the stern man like lightning through his arms , that i to you may owe with gratefull shame , my life , my kingdome , and what 's more , my fame . cleop. vvere it in me to punish or forgive , my scorn is great enough to let them live , but to solicit caesar 't will be vain , since by their hands pompey was basely slain ; his blood with caesar's justice will oppose this strange desire of mine to save my foes ; once for your sake i did their pardons crave , he the discourse to something else did vvave , and such a kind of careless cunning us'd , my prayer was neither suffer'd nor refus'd ; but now at your request i 'le fully prove , vvhat interest i have in caesar's love , and i dare hope ptolom . he comes , let me begone , you 'l have more power when you are alone , my presence might another passion move , i 'le wholly leave him to your self and love. exeunt .
scene the third . caesar , cleopatra , antonius , lepidus , charmion , achoreus , romans . caesar. my queen , this storm is laid without much harm , a small commotion gave a great alarm ; but when i left you i began to find a greater tumult in my troubled mind . love , my most powerfull passion made me hate success and greatness , curse the cruel fate that rais'd me , since thus great i cannot spare my self one hour of joy , but some new care still calls me from you , yet i straight again am reconcil'd to fortune , and restrain my causeless passion , nay , adore my bays , since they my hopes as well as person raise to that auspicious height from whence i see , so fair a prospect of felicity , that i dare hope requital of my flame , though my ambitious love make you his aim . you now may caesar with like ardour meet , kings cast their crowns and scepters at my feet ; but if the world a monarch yet contains , who more deserves the glory of your chains , on whose high throne you might with greater state , give laws to nations , and dispose of fate , by force of arms i would my title prove , his rival less for empire than for love , nor should i hope you would my flames allow , till i had made so great a rival bow ; these were the ambitious hopes which have thus farr engag'd your caesar in a civil warr , and that i might this glorious right maintain , i conquer'd pompey on pharsalia's plain ; where e're i fought , your beauty did afford strength to my arm , and sharpness to my sword , and all the fair success i had in arms , were the effects of your bright beauties charms , which in my breast did first this passion move , and now has rais'd me equal to your love , since i without a rival am become master of all the world and head of rome : these are the titles that my valour gave , which love innobles by the name of slave , and i am more than blest if you approve , and perfect the success of humble love. cleop. these honours are too great , i needs must know what cleopatra does to caesar owe , and should i nicely still conceal my flame , i must my love and reason too disclaim ; your high affections did my child-hood grace , when beauty only budded in my face , then first you gave , and since restor'd my crown , after all this i must a passion own , and that my heart no longer can exclude , the force of love and that of gratitude ; but yet alas my glorious birth and fate , the restoration of my crown and state , and all the honours i from you enjoy , my better hopes and my desires destroy , if rome be still the same , my lofty throne instead of raising , casts me lower down , and marks of regal power , like brands of shame , render me more unworthy of your flame . yet i dare hope , since i your power know , and what the gods to so much virtue owe , that i by you this haughty rome shall see , bound in the golden chains of monarchy ; then she shall soon forget the cruel hate , she always bore to kings , while yet a state , growing enamour'd of your scepters awe , whilst your examples serve her for a law ; she shall from you far nobler maxims take , and love all princes for her caesar's sake . how well may i expect this change of rome , from him that could great pompey overcome ? your power i know can greater wonders do , and i implore no other god but you . caesar. when love bids caesar use his utmost force , wonders grow easie , and ne're stop my course ; my ensigns stain'd with gore should i display , i in a march might conquer africa , and the remains of my despised foes , would to my arms , their flying backs oppose , then wanting power , this proud , this haughty rome , should caesars servil flatterer become ; at my return she shall our triumph meet , and cast her pride and hatred at your feet , and whilst i here persue my glorious fate , she shall e're long become my advocate , and with all humble duty beg a race of glorious caesars from your chaste imbrace . this fruit i hope from my victorious bays , rather than large dominion or high praise ; but e're i reach this height of happiness , i must forsake all that i now possess . oh that my foes were men so void of fear , that they durst come and bid me battel here ; now at too dear a rate i conquest buy , since i lose you to gain a victory ; but this my fondness love will disallow , to gain you ever i must leave you now ; where e're they fly i thither must remove , to perfect conquest and deserve your love : but e're i go from those all conquering eyes , let me receive the soul of victories , that all my foes may cry struck with pale dread , he comes , he sees , and we are conquered . cleop. too much great sir , i must such love abuse , which makes me sin , and will my fault excuse ; you gave me freedome , life , and scepter too , which gives me confidence to trouble you ; and i conjure you by loves powerfull charms , by the success which still attends your arms , by your fair hopes and mine , by all that 's good , you would not die my royal robes in blood : be gracious sir , and pardon , or let me , as my first act of soveraignty ; photin and achillas we should disdain , and they are punish'd now they see me reign , and this their crime caesar. ah take some other way , to shew your power , how soon should i obey ? but this my queen is more than tyranny , to lay their baseness and their crimes on me . some worthier subjects to your mercy take , and think what 's done already for your sake , that with the king himself i dare dispence , were not my flames
scene the fourth . caesar , cornelia , cleopatra , achoreus , antonius , lepidus , charmion and romans . cornel. caesar , make some defence , they have design'd thy death , and that thy blood with pompey's gore should make one purple flood . if not prevented , this their close compact , the bloody villains straight will put in act. my slaves are in , from them by tortures try to know the depth of this conspiracy , for i disclaim them . caesar. these are resentments of a roman heart , worthy the man of whom you were a part , his manes sure , who saw that this my care of his revenge did my own death prepare , have so forgot our quarrel and all hate , they 're now the guardian angels of my fate , and in a gratefull and far nobler strife , by you his living part have sav'd my life . in spight of all that treachery could do , pompey 's not dead , he still survives in you ; his noble soul did in your breast make stay , to vanquish caesar this most generous way . cornel. thou art become thine own base flatterer . canst thou believe that i will ought preferr to my revenge ? no , the deplored fate of my dead lord , so just a cause of hate , shall ever be of force to disallow all terms of reconcilement 'twixt us two . my promis'd liberty , let me enjoy , that i that freedome wholly may employ to thy destruction , for where e're i go each man i meet i 'le strive to make thy foe , and in the quarrel of my murder'd lord , engage the world , if thou dar'st keep thy word ; i will pursue thee with a changeless hate , yet here prevent thy base assassinate ; for my desires on juster grounds are built , than to obtain them by so foul a guilt . caesar. madam , but that your self my death prevent , you 'd been at once reveng'd and innocent . cornel. who knows and suffers it , does guilty grow ; i wish thy death , but as a noble foe , that none but pompey's sons their hands should stain , in the high blood of caesar nobly slain ; who arm'd with brave revenge , shall at the head of all thy dreadfull legions strike thee dead , and to my hero's ghost a victim make , whose just revenge you nobly undertake . t' obtain an intire vengeance i 'le ingage all th' active powers of wit inspir'd by rage ; thy life is threatn'd , i am thy defence , my hate is full of care and providence : for now i need not in some forein coast : go seek revenge , which so deferr'd were lost , nor for joves thunder travel africks sands , i see it graspt already in thy hands ; no mortal power can the stroak prevent , on thee i might have turn'd the punishment , but that my reason forc'd me to preferr my pompey's victor to his murderer . nor am i so with rage and passion blind , but that my honour too engag'd i find , to punish the audacious treachery of their base crimes , before thy victory . great rome will have it so , who else would spread her sacred fore-head with a blushing red , that both her noblest heads at once should feel , though crown'd with lawrel , an unworthy steel ; and her great heart which thou believ'st ( in vain ) so shrunk as for to suffer thee to reign , would count thy murderers more her enemies , and her adored liberty despise : none but a roman could impose the yoak , which by a roman only must be broke ; thy ruine here , heav'ns justice would prevent , and be a crime instead of punishment , defrauding my just vengeance , and mankind , of that example thou should'st leave behind . do thou revenge great rome of aegypts crime , and i 'le revenge her if i can of thine ; but now make haste to save thy threaten'd life , and boast thou wert preserv'd by pompey's wife . exeunt .
scene the fifth . caesar , cleopatra , antonius , lepidus , achoreus , charmion . caesar. her noble rage and their bold crime alike my soul with wonder and amazement strike . are these the men great queen you 'd have me save ? cleop. your gracious pardon for my self i crave , your justice i no longer will prevent , go sir , and give them their due punishment . these traitors most of all my death desire , against my crown and person they conspire , you being my support , they but design your death and ruine to make way to mine . just were my anger , yet i must with grief remember that their leader and their chief is still my brother , may i hope again to tempt your pity and this sute obtain that when just rage inflames your noble breast , you would distinguish him from all the rest ? caesar. i will , and must preserve him , for this arm , where you would save , can have no power to harm . despise all fear , these base assassinates can ne're subvert or change our glorious fates ; exposing but a gibbet to their sight , a band of hangmen puts them all to flight , who shall , to work upon their guilty fear , my rods and axes for their ensigns bear . [ exit caesar and romans . cleop. good achoreus , where so e're he goes , be still with caesar , aid him 'gainst my foes , and when their blood imbrues his angry blade , urge thou the promise he so lately made ; be carefull of the king , avert my fears , and spare his blood that i may spare my tears . acho. madam , if all my diligence and care can save his life , you have no cause to fear . exeunt omnes .
act fifth ,
scene first . cornelia , philip. cornel. am i awake , or does some dream obtrude these borrow'd shapes my fancy to delude ? eyes may i trust you ? do i philip see , or my fond wishes make me think 't is he ? to my dead lord , are his last honours paid , and in this urn his noble ashes laid ? sad , but dear object , though thou hast possest with restless passions my afflicted breast , expect no tears , ( our feebler sexes arms ) my cares have no divertion by those charms , they whose weak grief has leisure to complain , may hope that way t' extenuate their pain ; but all the gods to witness here i call , these ashes too , which are above them all with me , 't is just , this heart they rule alone , to which such tyrants all the rest are grown . by you then sacred reliques here i vow ( the highest powers i acknowledge now ) to let no time , nor other mean abate my just revenge , and too well grounded hate ; thy pompey , rome , by aegypts king betraid , to caesar here a sacrifice was made , and i thy walls will never see again , till priest and god be on his altar slain . and you dear ashes aid my just design , imprint it deep within this breast of mine , and in each heart , of what i feel , inspire the like at least , if not so great desire . but tell me philip , by what happy way could'st thou this duty to thy master pay ? to thy assistance what good angel came , helping to light the poor but pious flame ? phil. smeard with his blood , less sensible than he , and wanting breath to curse their cruelty , madam , at length i bent my doubtfull course , where the rough winds the waves on shore did force , long did i search in vain , at last hard by a ●ank of sand , the loved corps i spy ; now it ee'n toucht the shore , and now again the wanton billows threw it to the main , thus still he seem'd to be the sport of fate , not freed by death from fortunes constant hate ; i staid no longer , but leapt in and bore the sacred reliques in my arms a shore ; hard by some pieces of a wrack there lay , such as chance only offer'd in my way with these a funeral pile i rudely dress , the time and place might have afforded less , and now the body scarce had felt the flame , when to my pious cares a partner came ; cordus a roman from the town does stray , and the kind heav'n guided his steps that way ; the headless trunk when once he did but view , by the sad marks he straight great pompey knew ; his eyes then full of tears , o thou , he crys , whom fate hath destind to so high a prize , instead of punishment which thou mayst fear , honour attends thee , and reward is near ; caesar arriv'd does to the world proclame , himself revenger of that sacred name , to which in silence thou dost here direct , the mournfull tribute of thy last respect ; cornelia too forc't to this fatal land , thou maist present these ashes to her hand , with reverence such , the victor does her treat , none but the gods can claim respect so great . this said , he runs while still the corps does burn back to the town , and with him brought this urn , where of your hero now inclos'd doth lie all that was mortal , or knew how to dye . cornel. such piety , what e're my fortune be , the gods can never unrewarded see . phil. scarce had i entred , when i' th' crowded street an armed rout i in disorder meet hasting unto the gate , at which their king expected was some greater strength to bring ; each thinks , though safe , the roman sword he feels , and makes no step , but c●●sar's at his heels , he reeking in their blood , was in a round of armed troops , and with his legions crown'd , i' th' midst , photinus by his sentence stands , yielding his hated head to th' hangmans hands , as soon as in his sight i did appear , he knew me straight , and bid me to draw near , my masters ashes from my arms he took , and to his listning audience thus spoke , ye reliques of a hero , whose great fame i scarce can equal with a conquerours name , see how the traitor does to justice pay life , which from you his treachery took away , receive this sacrifice , and then expect the altars we e're long to you erect , where greater victims shall be offer'd . friend thee to cornelia with this gift i send , to her griev'd heart carry this weak allay , while to her full revenge i make my way . he left me with a sigh , and having first kissed the urn , bequeath'd it to my trust . cornel. alas , 't is no intolerable pain they feel , who for a rivals loss complain ; well may he spend a sigh upon this urn , whose restless fears to softer pity turn ; well may he run to his revenge with haste , when his own danger spurrs him on as fast , since the concern he puts on for our fate , both gains him glory , and secures his state : ●ut caesar's noble , nor will i suspect what grief and envy justly might object . his rivals death has ended all their strife , and this false king conspires against his life ; his peril arms him now , and all that 's done on honours score must not consus'dly run ; love too 's ingag'd , and cleopatra draws the sword that seems to favour pompeys cause ; so many interests in this action joyn , i need not think , that he considers mine ; yet i 'le perswade my self he fights for me , because i 'de do no less , if i were he , for noble minds must on themselves reflect , their guess at others meaning to direct .
scene the second . cleopatra , cornelia , philip , charmion . cleop. i come not here , to interrupt the course of those just tears your powerfull griefs inforce ; madam , i can no more than you neglect what this urn justly may from me expect ; your hero's reliques by a pious hand restor'd , this duty too from me command ; be pleas'd t' admit to these his funeral rites a fellow mourner whom true grief invites , and had my power been equal to my will , this bewail'd hero had been living still , i had preserv'd the owner of your heart , if cruel heav'n had let me play my part ; yet if the sight of what it now does send could for a while your sadder thoughts suspend , if by revenge your sorrows might decrease , i bring you news that cannot fail to please , if yet you know it not , photinus's head. cornel. yes , princess , i have heard the traitor 's dead . cleop. his hastned suffering makes the more amends . cornel. perhaps to you , who in that meet your ends . cleop. wish't for success to all must pleasant be . cornel. where interests differ how can thoughts agree ? if false achillas the same course should run , your vengeance ends when mine is scarce begun . i blush to think that to my hero's shade , so poor a sacrifice as that is made : no , if in order my revenge succeed , till caesar's turn , your ptolomey must bleed . i know that caesar by your love inclin'd , to save him though unworthy has design'd , but the just gods will make his labour vain , for one deserving neither life , nor reign , and to my prayers perhaps this grace afford , that both may perish by each others sword ; then joy once more might be a welcome guest , vvhich else for ever is forbid this breast ; but if my bolder wishes fly too high , may your king bleed , if only one must dye . cleop. the gods not always give what we expect . cornel. yet by the cause we hope for the effect , and seldome 't is the guilty miss their due . cleop. though gods have justice , they have mercy too cornel. yet by the course they have begun to chuse , 't is not their clemency they mean to use . cleop. though angry once , they often milder grow . cornel. our wishes only our concernment show . an injur'd vviddow may have other thoughts , than a kind sister for a brothers faults ; but when 't is known what blood is spilt , you 'l see vvhose prayers are juster , and with heav'n agree . here comes achoreus .
scene the third . cornelia , cleopatra , philip , charmion , achoreus . cleop. alas , in 's looks i see th' unlucky marks of some ill angury ; speak good achoreus , but without disguise , banish my fears , or else my joy surprize . acho. vvhen caesar first the horrid treason knew cleop. ah! 't is not that which i expect from you ; i know he barricadoed up the vault , through which they hop't to have their succours brought , there 'gainst photinus all his force he drew , vvho found the recompence to treason due . achillas warn'd by his companions fate , escapes with ease at the abandon'd gate , him the king follows , whilst antonius lands , to joyn with caesar all the roman bands ; i doubt not but they 've fought , and by this time achillas is rewarded for his crime . acho. madam , success still waits on caesar's sword. cleop. that 's not the business , has he kept his word ? and is my brother safe ? acho. all he could do he has perform'd . cleop. that 's all i wish to know . madam , you see the gods my pray'rs have heard . cornel. the punishment deserv'd , is but deferr'd . cleop. that now he 's sav'd , declares heav'n is appeas'd . acho. at least he had been , if himself had pleas'd . cleop. thy doubtfull words still hold me in suspence ; explane at last their ill agreeing sense . acho. neither your vows , nor caesars , and your care , were arms enough against his high despair ; madam , he 's dead , yet all those glories wait upon him that can crown a princes fate , nearer his fall his virtue more revives , changing his own for many roman lives ; to his brave charge antonius 'gan to yield , and our disordered troops scarce kept the field , when caesar comes , whose presence never fails of doubtfull chance to turn the tottering scales ; there at his masters feet achillas fell the traitor ne're deserv'd to dye so well . ah! too weak providence , which cannot free the bed of honour from adultery , caesar crys out aloud to save the king , words which instead of comfort terrour bring ; for he suspects that from design they came , to keep him for a scaffolds publique shame , his swelling heart with this mistake abus'd , seeks for that death , which every where 's refus'd : our ranks he peirces through and through , and shows what valour can , when to despair it grows ; his bravest men lay breathless on the ground , and he himself was now incompass'd round ; wearied at length , and out of breath , he spies a vessel near the shore and thither flies , after their king the people press so fast , the bark o'recharged perishes at last ; dying in arms new glory he receives , to you a crown , to caesar conquest leaves , who on the place proclames you aegyts queen ; yet in his face strange marks of grief are seen , he mourns his fall , though none of his did touch the life wherein you are concern'd so much : but here he comes , who better can relate his sense of that unhappy princes fate .
scene the fourth . caesar , cornelia , cleopatra , achoreus , &c. cornel. caesar my voyage now no more retard , the traitors have receiv'd their full reward , their king against thy will has suffer'd too , and my revenge has nothing here to do ; this barbarous shore let me no longer view , where every object does my grief renew , and with fresh horrour to my fancy shows , the tragick scene of my unequall'd woes ; the rabble court thee with their servile noise , and thy new triumph all their throats imploys , but what i suffer worse than all the rest , i am oblig'd by him , i most detest ; from this affront 't is time to set me free , and let my hatred act with liberty , only one favour i may still receive , and that is all which honour gives me leave , that pompey's head you will to me return , to add to what expects it in this urn. caesar. 't is fit i should the head to you restore , since you may claim it on so just a score ; but first let 's all the sacred rites attend , which peacefull ghosts unto elizium send ; a stately pile your hand and mine shall light , which may the meanness of the first requite , and in an urn more fit for their repose , the ashes thus united wee 'l inclose , so shall his quiet spirit rest in peace , and by our pious cares all passion cease . this hand which once my sword against him drew , shall build the altars to his virtue due , on which as to the gods wee 'l incense pay , and honours he deserves as well as they ; let us both this from your impatience gain , and for those duties one day more obtain , that done , y' are free , go when you please away , and this your treasure to great rome convey . cornel. no caesar , though i know these ashes be as dear to rome , as they are dear to me , 't is only thy defeat can bring us home , without that triumph we will ne're see rome ; over thy grave our passage thither lies , we have no country , untill caesar dyes , i am for africk , where the warr's begun , by cato , scipio , and my pompey's son ; to these king juba has his forces sent , and fortune her injustice may repent , the reliques of pharsalia there you 'l find , another world against your arms combind ; my self will bring these ashes to the field , and my just tears shall their assistance yield , from rank to rank thus arm'd about i 'le go , and every step shall haste thy overthrow ; the souldiers then may lay their eagles by , this urn shall lead them on to victory , this mournfull object shall their courage wake , and in their souls a deep impression make . to give him his last honours you pretend , honours indeed which on your self descend , i must assist , the victor i obey , but never hope to move my heart this way ; my helpless loss admits of no relief , my hate must be as endless as my grief , that and my life an equal course shall run , and end persuing what i have begun . caesar. nature her ignorance has here confest , to place this spirit in a womans breast . cornel. yet as a roman i must needs confess , my hate prevails not to esteem thee less , at once i praise thee and thy life persue , that to thy virtue , this my honour due ; once set at liberty , i 'le use my art , t' engage both men and gods to take my part , those gods who when our cause was lately tryd , so partial seem'd against the juster side ; those gods that let their thunder idle lye , when they saw pompey for his country dye , in time we hope their errour they may see , and to the vvorld repair that injury ; but though they never mend the fault they made , i have a zeal which does not want their aid , and to destroy thee , if no means prevail , here 's cleopatra that can never fail . i see your flames , and know her beauties force , that you already think of a divorce , your country's laws under your feet you 'l tread , to make your way to an aegyptians bed , then the free romans shall attempt your life , vvithout all scruple , when a queen 's your vvife . in your neglected friends , you 'l hope in vain , vvho in your blood will wash their countrys stain . keeping your word , farewell , for in my stay your love and ruine find the same delay . [ exit .
scene the fifth . cleopatra , caesar , achoreus , &c. rather than caesar's life expos'd shall be unto these dangers for the love of me , i 'le sacrifice my self to his repose , and bless that death , from whence his safety grows , sure in his memory of a better life , though too unworthy to have liv'd his wife . caesar. madam , when only vain designs are left , to such high spirits of all means bereft , nothing their weakness does so well express , as aiming high because they can do less ; kind heav'n will make these ill presages vain , and my unwonted fortune mock their pain . ah! could my love as easie conquest find over these tears , and calm your troubled mind , with such a lover 't is no small disgrace , the worst of brothers should dispute the place . you may have heard with what unwearied care i sought to save him from his last despair , my clemency had so beset him round , no way t' avoid it , but his death was found ; perhaps h 'had conquer'd , could my arms but know resistance such as to my love you shew : success in vain , why didst thou with me stay , since cleopatra i could not obey ? not justly me , but heav'n you must accuse , which to the guilty pardon does refuge , their cruelty to him exalts your fate , now the sole mistress of th' aegyptian state . cleop. 't is true , his death has plac'd me on the throne , and that by no miscarriage of my own . while among mortals here , my lord , we stay , some cloud will still o'recast our brightest day . be not offended though it strange appears , i must receive the conquerour with tears ; his fate was just my reason does perswade , yet nature too must be as well obey'd ; a secret murmur in my soul does rise , if on his empty throne i cast my eyes , t' ascend it then what pleasure can i take , when my blood checks me at each step i make ? acho. my lord , at gate th' impatient people stand , and with loud crys to see their queen demand , accusing those as authors of their wrong , who such a blessing do retard so long . caesar. madam , let 's go , and with the same success begin your empire and their happiness , and now i hope amidst their loud applause , your sighs will cease drown'd with that welcome noise ; and let no image in your fancy rest , of other wounds than what are in my breast ; mean while a noble strife i see will reign , 'twixt your glad court and my ambitious train ; contending who shall there appear most gay , and glory most in this triumphant day , such just occasion for them both are found , pompey reveng'd , and cleopatra crown'd ; these to your throne , those to his altars bow , and i to both eternal honours vow .
finis .
epilogue at the house . i know you look for 't , something we must say , either to praise or to excuse the play ; custom will have it so , and we obey . it came from france , where it had good success , which makes us hope well , though i must confess the mounsieur's something alter'd in his dress . that you may cavil at , and we submit ; but know you mighty judges o' the pit , 't is dangeroue at this time to shew your wit. if by condemning this you stir our rage , wee 'l those , who but translaters were , engage to bring their own inventions on the stage . tremble and be advis'd ; but i was sent ladies to you with a great complement , to say the truth , i knew not what it meant , and so forgot it , pardon want of care with the same mercy as the play you spare , and though twice kind you 're not so kind as fair. your favours with some justice we may claim , the lines are chast and spotless as your fame . ah , let not modest men still bear the blame .
epilogue to the king at saint james's . from vulgar wits that haunt the theater , pompey to you appealing ( royal sir ) hopes for more favour , as the subject bears better proportion to a princes ears . you in your long retreat perhaps might find some forein courts made by this story kind ; this great example of false aegypts fate , instructed kings to set a higher rate upon their faith , and hold their fame too dear , to treat him ill , for whom we languish'd here . they that translated this , but practice now to improve their muse , and make her worthy you , that she hereafter may adorn the stage with your own story , make the coming age admire the firmness of a mind so young , tost in those tempests you indur'd so long . confusion first and horrour shall appear , such as involv'd us , while you absent were , then with a change of scene they shall behold your throne establish'd , and an age of gold ; faith , peace , and piety , that banish'd train , let down from heav'n to make a glorious reign . this they design ( great sir ) if you allow a gracious smile to their endeavours now .
epilogue to the dutchess at saint james's . pompey at length , like ships by tempests tost , though blown a while upon some other coast , has overcome the malice of the wind , and reach'd the haven which he first design'd , this royal audience , and such virtue brought , as madam only in your court is taught . cornelia does not tear her tender cheeks , nor your more gentle ears with borrow'd shrieks : but does lament with passion , such as you ( which heaven avert ) in the like case would do . fair cleopatra does no favour show , but what severest virtue might allow : and mighty caesar does her slave become , with as much honour as he conquer'd rome , when first unsheathing his victorious sword , he seem'd the pattern of your valiant lord , whose matchless conduct might our lions lead , as far as e're the roman eagle spread . and , royal pair , though much he apprehends your doom , yet more he on your grace depends ; he knows your gen'rous temper cannot frown on minds so great , so high , so like your own ; he knows your nature is inclin'd to spare , and no photinus can infect your ear. finis .
directions to a painter for describing our naval business in imitation of mr. waller / being the last works of sir iohn denham ; whereunto is annexed, clarindons house-warming, by an unknown author. denham, john, sir, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing d estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : , : ) directions to a painter for describing our naval business in imitation of mr. waller / being the last works of sir iohn denham ; whereunto is annexed, clarindons house-warming, by an unknown author. denham, john, sir, - . waller, edmund, - . marvell, andrew, - . milton, john, - . [ ], p. s.n.], [london : . a satire in verse. the main part of the work includes reprints of the second advice to a painter and the third advice to a painter, as well as two new sections, none of which can be attributed to denham. both it and clarindon's housewarming have been attributed to andrew marvell. place of publication from wing. reproduction of original in henry e. huntington library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - judith siefring sampled and proofread - judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion directions to a painter . by sir john denham . nay painter , if thou darst design that fight , which waller only courage had to write , if thy bold hands can without shaking draw what ev'n th' actors trembled at when they saw , enough to make thy colours change like theirs , and all thy pencils bristle like their hairs . first in fit distance of the prospect main , paint allen tilting at the coast of spain ; heroick act ! and never heard till now ! stemming of herc'les pillars with the prow ! and how he left his ships the hills to waft , and with new sea-marks cales and dover graft . next let the flaming london come in view , like nero's rome , burnt to rebuild it new ; what less'r sacrifice than this , was meet to offer for the safety of the fleet ? blow one ship up , another thence will grow : see what free cities and wise courts can do ! so some old merchant , to insure his name , marries afresh , and courtiers share the dame : so whatsoe'er is broke , the servants pay 't , and glasses are more durable than plate . no may'r till now , so rich a pageant faign'd , not one barge all the compani●s contain'd . then painter , draw cerulean coventry , keeper , or rather chancelour o' th' sea , and more exactly to express his hue , use nothing but vltra-marinish blew . to pay his fees , the silver trumpet spends , and boat-swains whistle , for his place depends . pilots in vain repeat their compass o'er , until of him they learn that one point more . the constant magnet to the pole do●h hold , steel to the magnet , coventry to gold. muscovy sells us pitch , and hemp , and tar ; iron and copper , sweden ; munster , war ; ashly , prize ; warwick , customs ; cart'ret , pay ; but coventry doth sell the fleet away . now let our navy stretch its canvas wings , swoln like his purse , with tacking like his strings , by slow degrees of the increasing gale , first under sail , and after under sale : then in kind visit unto opdam's gout , hedge the dutch in , onely to let them out . so huntsmen fair unto the hares give law , first find them , and then civilly withdraw . that the blind archer , when they take the seas , the hambrough-convoy may betray with ease . so , that the fish may more securely b●●e , the angler baits the river over night . but painter , now prepare t' inrich thy piece , pencil of ermins , oyl of ambergreece : see where the dutchess with triumpha●t trail of numerous coaches , harwich does assail ! so the land-crabs , at natures kindly call , down to ingender to the sea do crawl . see then the admiral with navy whole , to harwich through the ocean carry co●l : so swallows buried in the sea at spring , return to land with summer in their wing . one thrifty ferry-boat of mother pearl , suffic'd , of old , the citherean girl ; yet navies are but proper●ies when here , a small sea-mask , and built to court your dear : three goddesses in one , pallas for ar● , venus for sport , but iuno in your heart . o dutchess ! if thy nuptial pomp was mean , 't is paid with intrest in thy naval scene . never did roman mark within the nile , so feast the fair egyptian crocodile ; nor the venetian duke with such a state the adriatick marry , at that rate . now painter , spare thy weaker art ; forbear to draw her parting passions , and each tear ; for love , alas ! hath but a short delight : the sea , the dutch , the king , all call to fight . she therefore the dukes person recommends to brunker , pen , and coventry , ●e● friends ; to pen much , brunker more , most coventry : for they she knew were all more fraid then he : of flying fishes one had sav'd the fin , and hop'd by this he through the air might spin ▪ the other thought he might avoid the knell , by the invention of the diving bell ; the ●●i●d had try'd it , and affirm'd a cable coyl● rou●d about him , was impenitrable . but the●e ●he duke rejected , onely chose t● keep far off ; let others interpose . rupert , that knew no fear , but health did want , kept state suspended in a chair volant ; all save his head shut in that wooden case , he she●'d but like a broken weather glass ; but arm'd with the whole lyon cap-a-chin , did represent the hercules within . dear shall the dutch his twinging anguish know ▪ and see what valour whet with pain can do . curst in the ●e●n time be that treach'rous iael , that through h●s princely temples drove the nail . rupert resolv'd to fight it like a lyon , and sandwich hop'd to fight it like arion ; he to prolong his life in the dispute , and charm the holland pirates , tun'd his lute , till some judicious dolphin might approach , and land him safe and sound as any roach . now painter , reassume thy pencils care , thou hast but skirmish'd yet , now fight prepare . and draw the battel terrible to show , as the last judgement was to anneslow . fi●st let our navy scour through silver froth , the oceans burthen , and the kingdoms both ; wh●●e very bulk may represent its birth , from hide and paston , burthens of the earth ; h — whose transcendent panch so swells of late , that he the rupture seems of law and state ; paston whose belly bears more millions than indian carrocks , and cont●ins more tuns . let sh●als of porpo●ses on every side wonder in swiming by our oak● out-vy'd ; and the sea fowl all gaze , t' behold a thing so va●● , mo●e swift and strong than they of wing . but with presaging george , yet keep in sight , and follow for the reliques of a fight . then let the dutch with well-dissembled fear , or bold despair , more than we wish , draw near : at which our gallants , to the sea but tender , and more to fight , their easie stomachs render , wi●h brests so panting , that at ev'ry st●oke you m●ght have felt their hearts b●a● through the oak : wh●●e one concerned in the interval of straining choller , thus did vent his gall : noah be damn'd ! and all his race accurst , who in sea brine did pickle timber first ! what though he planted vines , he pines cut down , he taught us how to drink , and how to drown : he first built ships , and in his wooden wall , saving but eight , e'er since endanger'd all . and thou dutch necromantick fryar , be damn'd , and in thine own first mortar-piece be ram'd ! who first invented canon in thy cell , nitre from earth , and brimstone fetch from hell. but damnd and treble d●mnd be clarendine , our seventh edward , with all his house and line ! who to divert the danger of the war with bristol , ●ounds us on the hollander : fool-coated gownman ! sells , to fight with hance , dunkirk ; dismantling scotland , quarrels france : and hopes he now hath bus'ness shap'd , and power t' out-last our lives or his , and scape the tower ; and that he yet may see , ere he go down , his dear clarinda circled in a crown . by this time both the fleets in reach dispute , and each the other mortally salute : draw pensive neptune biting of his thumbs , to think himself a slave , whoe'er o'ercomes . the frighted nymphs retreating to their rocks . beating their blew brests , tearing their gr●en locks . paint eccho slain , onely th' alternate sound from the repeating cannon do●h rebound . opdam ●ails placed on his naval throne , assuming courage greater than his own ; makes to the duke , and threatens him from far , to nail him to his boards , like a petar ; but in the vain attempt , took fire too soon , and flies up in his ship to catch the moon . mounsieurs like rockets mount aloft , and crack in thousand sparks , then dancingly fal● back . yet ere this happen'd , destiny allow'd him his revenge , to make his death more proud ; a fatal bullet from his side did range , and batter'd lawson : oh too dear exchange ! he led our fleet that day too short a space , but lost his knee ; since dy'd in glory's race : lawson ! whose valour beyond fate did go , and still fights opdam in the l●ke below . the duke himself , tho pe● did not forget , yet was not out of dangers random set . falmouth was there , i know not what to act ; some say 't was to grow duke too , any contract : an untaught bullet in its wanton scope , dashes him ▪ all to pieces , and his hope . such was his rise , such was his fall , unprais`d ; a chance-shot sooner took him than chance rais'd : his shatter'd head the fearless duke distains , and gave the last first-proof that he had brains . bartlet had heard it soon , and thought not good to venture more of royal harding`s blood : to be immortal he was not of age , and did ēvn now the indian prize presage ; and judg`d it safe and decent , cost what cost , to lose the day , since his dear brother`s lost : with his whole squadron straight away he bore , and like good boy , promis'd to fight no more . the dutch auranea careless , at us saild , and promised to do what opdam faild ; smith to the duke doth intercept her way . and cleaves there closer than a remora : the captain wonder'd , and withal disdain'd , so strongly by a thing so small , detain`d , and in a raging brav'ry to him runs , they stab their ships with one anothers guns : they fight so near , it seems to be on ground , and ev'n the bullets meeting , bullets wound . the noise , the smoak , the fire , the sweat , the blood , ●s not to be exprest , nor nnderstood . each captain from his quarter-deck commands , they wave their bright swords glittering in their hands . all luxury of wa● , all man can do ●n a sea-fight , did pass between them two : but one must conquer , whosoever fight , smith takes the gyant , and is made a knight . marlbrough that knew , and durst do more than all , f●lls undistinguisht by an iron-ball : dear lord ! but born under a star ingrate ! no soul more clear , nor no more gloomy fate ! who would set up wars trade that means to thrive ? death picks the valiant out , cowards survive : what the brave merit , th' impudent do vaunt , and none's rewarded but the sycophant : hence all his life he against fortune fenc`d , or not well known , or not well recompenc'd : but envy not this pr●ise 〈◊〉 his memory , none mo●e prepar'd was , or less fit to die . rupert did others and himself excell ; holms , tydiman , minus ; bravely sanson fell . what others did , let one omitted , blame , i shall record , whoe'er brings in his name : but unless after stories disagree , nine o●ely came to fight , the rest to see . now all conspire unto the dutchmens lo●s ; the wind , the fire , we , they themselves do cross . when a sweet sleep began the duke to drown , and with ●oft diadems his temples crown : and fi●st he orders all the rest to watch , a●d they the foe , whilst he a nap doth catch : but lo , brunkar by a secre instinct , slept not , nor needed , he all day had winkt . the duke in bed , he then first draws his steel , whose vertue makes the misled compass wheel . so ere he wak'd ▪ both fleets were innocent : and brunkar member is of parliament . and now , dear painter , after pains , like those , 't were time that i and thou too do repose . but all our navy scap'd so sound of limb , that a sho●t space serv`d to refresh and trim ; and a tame fleet of theirs doth convoy want , laden with both the indies , and levant : p●int but this one scene more , the world`s our own , and halcyon sandwich doth command alone : to bergen we with confidence made haste , and th' secret spoils by hope already taste ; though clifford in the character appear of supra-cargo to our fleet and their ▪ wearing a signet ready to clap on , and seiz all for his master arlington . ruyter whose little squadron skim'd the seas , and wasted our remotest coloneys ; with ships all foul , return'd upon our way ; sandwich would not disperse , nor yet delay ; and therefore like commander grave and wise , to scape his sight and flight , shut both his eyes , and for more state and sureness , cutting true , the left eye closeth , the right mountague ; and even clifford proferr'd in his zeal , to make all safe , t' apply to both his seal . vlysses so , till syrens he had past , would by his mates be pinion'd to the ma●t . now can our navy view the wished port , but there ( to see the fortune ! ) was a fort : sandwich would not be beaten , nor yet beat ; fools onely fight , the prudent use to treat . his cousin mountague by court-disaster , dwindled into the wooden horse`s master , to speak of peace seem'd amongst all most proper , had talbot then treated of nought but copper : o● what are forts , when void of ammuition ? with friends or foes what would we more condition ? yet we three days , till the dutch furnish'd all , men , powder , money , cannon , — treat with wall ! then tydiman , finding the danes would not , sent in six captains bravely to be shot . and mountague , though drest like any bride , and aboard him too , yet was reach'd and dy'd : sad was the chance , and yet a deeper care wrinkled his membrains under forehead fair . the dutch armado yet had th' impudence to put to sea , to waft their merchants thence ; for as if all their ships of walnut were , the more we beat them , still the more they bear . but a good pilot , and a favouring wind , brings sandwich back , and once again did blind . now gentle painter , ere we leap on shore , with thy last strokes ruffle a tempest o'er ; as if in our reproach , the wind and seas would undertake the dutch , while we take ease : the seas the spoils within our hatches throw , the winds both flee●s into our mouths do blow : strew all their ships along the shore by ours , as eas'ly to be gather ▪ d up as flow'rs : but sandwich fears for merchants to mistake a man of war , and among flow'rs a snake . two indian ships pregnant with eastern pearl , and diamonds , sate th' officers and earl : then warning of our fleet , he it divides into the ports , and so to oxford rides . mean while the dutch uniting , to our shames , ride all insulting o'er the downs and thames ! now treating sandwich seems the fittest choice for spain , there to condole , and to rejoyce : he meets the french ; but to avoid all harms ships to ●he groyn : embassies bear no arms : there let him languish a long quarantain , and ne'er to england come , till he be clean . thus having ●ought , we know not why as yet , we 've done we know not what , nor what we get : if to espouse the ocean all this pains ; princes unite , and do forbid the bains : if to discharge phanaticks , this makes more ; for all phanaticks are , when they are poor : or if the house of commons to repay , their prize-commissions are transferr'd away : but for triumphant check-stones if , and shell for dutchess closet , 't hath succeeded well . if to make parliaments as odious pass , or to reserve a standing force , alas ! or if , as just , orange to re-instate , instead of that , he is regenerate : and with four millions vainly giv'n as spent , and with five millions more of detriment , our sum amounts yet onely to have won a bastard orange for pimp arlington . now may historians argue con and pro ; denham says thus ; though always waller so : and he good man , in his long sheet and staff , this pennance did for cromwels epitaph : and his next theam must be o' th' dukes mistress , advice to draw madam l' edificatress . henceforth , o gemini ! two dukes command , castor and pollux , aumarle and cumberland . since in one ship , it had been fit they 'd went in petty's double-keel'd experiment . to the king . by sir john denham . imperial prince ! king of the seas and isles ! dear object of our ioy , and heavens smiles ! what boots it that thy light doth gild our days , a●d we lie basking in thy milder rays ; while swarms of insects , from thy warmth begun , our land devour , and intercept our sun ? thou , like ioves minos , rul'st a greater creet ; and for its hundred cities , count'st thy fleet. why wilt thou that state - daedalus allow , who builds the bull , a labrinth and a cow ? if thou art minos , be a iudge severe , and in 's own maze confine the engineer ▪ o may our sun , since he too nigh presumes , melt the soft wax wherewith he imps his plumes ! and may he falling leave his hated name vnto those seas his war hath set on flame from that inchanter having clear'd thine eyes , thy native sight will peirce within the skies , and view those kingdoms calm with ioy and light , where 's vniversal triumph , but no fight . since both from heav'n thy race and pow'r descend , rule by its pattern there to reascend . let iustice onely awe , and battel cease : kings are but cards in war , they 're gods in peace ▪ directions to a painter . by sir john denham . sandwich in spain now , and the duke in love , let 's with new gen'rals a new painter prove : lilly's a dutchman , danger 's in his art , his pencils may intelligence impart . thou gibson , that amongst the navy small of muscle-shells , commandest admiral , thy self so slender , that thou shew'st no more than barnacle new hatch'd of them before : come mix thy water-colours , and express , drawing in little , what we yet do less . first paint me george and rupert ratling far both in one box , like the two dice of vvar ; and let the terror of their linked name , fly through the air like chain-shot , tearing fame : iove in one cloud did scarcely ever wrap lightning so fierce , but never such a clap . united gen'rals sure are th' onely spell vvherewith united provinces to quell : alas , even they , though shell'd in treble oak , vvill prove an addle egge , with double yolk . and there●ore next uncouple either hound , and loo them at two hares ere one be found : rupert to beaufort ; halloo ! ah there rupert : like the phantastick hunting of st. hubert , vvhen he with airy hounds , and horn of air , pursues by fountain-bleau the witchy hare . deep providence of state ! that could so soon fight beaufort here , ere he had quit taloon . so have i seen , ere humane quarrels rise , fore-boding meteors combate in the skies . but let the prince to fight with rumour go , the gen'ral meets a more substantial foe : ruyter he spies , and full of youthful heat ▪ though half their number , thinks the odds too great . the fowler watching so his watry spot , and more the fowl , hopes for the better shot . though such a limb was from his navy torn , he found no weakness yet , like sampson shorn ; but swoln with sense of former glory won , thought monk must be by albemarle out-done : little he knew with the same armand sword , how far the gentleman out-cuts the lord. ruyter , inferiour unto none for heart , superiour now in number and in art ; ask'd if he thought , as once our rebel-nation , to co●quer theirs too , with a declaration and threatens , though he now so proudly sail , he shall tread back his iter boreale : this said , he the short period , ere it ends , with iron-words from brazen-mouths extends : monk yet prevents him , ere the navies meet , and charges in himself alone a fleet ; and with so quick and frequent motion wound his murthering sides about , the ship seem'd round ; and the exchanges of his circling tire , like whirling hoops , shew'd of triumphant fire . single he doth at their whole navy aim , and shoots them through a porcupine of flame . in noise so regular his cannons met , you 'd think that thunder was to musick set : ah had the rest but kept a time as true , what age could such a martial consort shew ! the listning air unto the distant shore , through secret pipes conveys the tuned rore ; till as the eccho's , vanishing , abate , men feel a dead sound like the pulse of state. if fate expire , let monk her place supply , his guns determine who shall live or dye . but victory doth always hate a rant ; valour 's her brave , but skill is her gallant : ruyter no less with vertuous envy burns , and prodigies for miracles returns : yet he observ'd how still his iron-balls recoy●d in vain against our oaken-walls ; how the hard pelle●s fell away as dead , by our inchanted timber fillipped . leave then , said he , th' invulnerable keel , vve 'll find they'●e feeble , like achilles heel : he quickly taught , pours in continual clouds of chain'd dilemma's through our sinew'd shrouds , forrests of masts fall with their rude embrace , our stiff sails masht , and netted into lace ; till our whole navy lay their wanton mark , nor any ship could sail but as the ark. shot in the wing , so at the powder 's call , the disappointed bird doth flutt'ring fall . yet monk disabled , still such courage shows , that none into his mortal gripe dare close : so an old bustard , maim'd yet loth to yeild ▪ duels the fowler in new-market field . but since he found it was in vain to fight , he imps his plumes the best he can for flight . this , painter , were a noble task to tell , what indignation his great brest did swell ! not vertuous men unworthily abus'd , not constant lover without cause refus'd , not honest merchant broke , nor skilful player h●st off the stage , nor sinners in despair ; not parents mockt , not favorites disgrac●d , not rump by monk or oliver displac'd , not kings depos'd , nor prelates ere they die , feel half the rage of gen'rals when they fly. ah rather than transmit th'story to fame , draw curtains , gentle artist , o'er the shame : cashier the mem'ry of dutell , rais'd up to taste , instead of death , his highness cup : and if the thing were true , yet paint it not , how bartlet , as he long deserv'd , was shot ; though others , that survey'd the corps so clear , said he was onely petrifi'd for fear : if so , th`hard statue mummi`d without gum , might the dutch balm have spar`d , & english tomb. yet if thou wilt , paint minns turn`d all to soul , and the great harman charkt almost to coal ; and iordain old , worthy thy pencils pain , who all the while held up the ducal train : but in a dark cloud cover askew , when he quit the prince to embarque in loeustein ; and wounded ships , which we immortal boast , now first led cap●ive to an hostile coast. but most with story of his hand and thumb ▪ conceal ( as honour would ) his grace's bum , when the rude bullet a large collop tore out of that buttock never turn'd before : fortune ( it seems ) would give him by that lash , gentle correction for his fight so rash . but should the rump perceive 't , they 'd say that mars had now reveng'd them upon aumarle's arse . the long disaster better o'er to vail , paint onely ionas three days in the whale ; for no less time did conqu'ring ruyter chaw our flying gen'ral in his spungy jaw . then draw the youthful perseus all in haste , from a sea-be●st to free the virgin chaste ; but neither riding pegasus for speed , nor with the gorgon shielded at his need : so rupert the sea-dragon did invade , but to save george himself , and not the maid ; and though arriving late , he quickly mist ev'n sails to fly , unable to resist . not greenland seamen that survive the fright of the cold chaos , and half eternal night , so gladly the returning sun adore , or run to spy the next years fleet from shore , hoping yet once within the oyly side of the fat whale , again their spears to hide : as our glad fleet , with universal shout , salute the prince , and wish the second bout . nor winds , long pris'ners in earth's hollow vault , the fallow seas so eagerly assault ; as fiery rvpert , with revengeful joy , doth on the dutch his hungry courage cloy ; but soon unrigg'd , lay like an useless board ; ( as wounded in the wrist , men drop their sword. ) vvhen a propitious cloud between us stept , and in our aid did rvyter intercept . old homer yet did never introduce , to save his herce● , mists of better use . vvorship the sun , who dwell where he doth rise ; this mist doth more deserve our sacrifice . now joyful fires , and the exalted bell , and court-gazzets , our empty triumphs tell ! alas ! the time draws near , when overturn'd , the lying bells shall through the tongues be burn'd ; paper shall want to print that lie of state , and our false fires , true fires shall expiate . stay painter , here a while , and i will stay ; nor vex the future times with my survey : seest not the monky dutchess all undrest ? paint thou but her , and she will paint the rest . this sad tale found her in her outward room , nailing up hangings not of persian loom : l●ke chaste penelope that ne'er did rome ▪ but made all fine against her george came home . upon a ladde● , in her coat , much shorter , she stood , with groom & coachman for supporter ; a●d careless what they saw , or what they thought , with honi pense full honestly she wronght : one te●ter drove , to lose no time nor place , a once the ladder they remove , and grace . vvhilst thus they her translate from north to east , in posture just of a four-footed beast ▪ she heard the news : but alter'd yet no more , than that which was behind , she turn'd before ; nor would come down , but with an handkercher , vvhich pocket soul did to her neck prefer , she shed no tears , for she was too viraginous , but onely snuffling her trunk cartilaginous , from scaling ladder she began a story , worthy to be had in memento mori ; arraigning past , and present , and futuri , vvith a prophetick , if not fiendly fury : her hair began to creep , her belly sound , her eyes to sparkle , and her udder bound ; half vvitch , half prophet ; thus the albemarle , like presbyterian sybil , 'gan to snarl : traytors both to my lord , and to the king ▪ nay now it is beyond all suffering ! one valiant man by land , and he must be commanded out to stop their leaks at sea : yet send him rupert , as an helper meet ; first the command dividing , then the fleet : one may if they be beat , or both be hit , or if they over-come , yet honours split : but reck'ning george already knock'd i' th' head , they cut him out like bief , ere he be dead : each for a quarter hopes ; the first doth skip , but shall fall short though , at the gen●rals●hip : next they for master of the horse agree ; a third the cock-pit begs ; not any me : but they shall know , ay marry shall they do , that who the cock-pit hath , shall have me too . i told george first , as calamy told me , if the king brought these o'er , how it would be : men that there pick his pocket to his face , and sell intelligence to buy a place . t●at their relig`on`s pawn`d for cloathes ; nor care , 't is run so long now , to redeem`t , nor dare . o what egreg`ous loyalty to cheat ! o what fidelity it was to eat ! whilst langdales , hoptons , glenhams ●tarv`d abroad and here true roy`lists sink beneath their load . men that did there affront , defame , betray the king , and so do here ; now who but they ! what! say i men ! nay rather monsters ; men onely in bed , nor to my knowledge then . see how they home return`d in revel rout , with the small manners that they first went out : not better grown , nor wiser all the while , renew the causes of their first exile : as if , to shew the fool what `t is i mean , i chose a foul smock , when i might have clean ▪ first they for fear disband the army tame , and leave good george a gen`rals empty name : then bishops must revive , and all unfix with discontents , to content twenty six : the lords house drains the houses of the lord , for bishops voices silencing the word : o barthol●mew ! saint of their kalendar ! what`s worse , th` ejection , or the massacre ? then culpepper , gloster , and th` princess dy`d ; nothing can live that interupts an hide . o more than humane gloster ! fate did shew thee but to earth , and back again withdrew . then the fat scrivener doth begin to think ●twas time to mix the royal blood with ink. barkley that swore as oft as he had toes , doth kneeling now her chastity depose ; ●ust as the first french card`nal could restore maidenhead to his widdow , niece , and whore. for portion , if she should prove light , when weigh`d , four millions shall within three years be paid , to raise it , we must have a naval vvar , as if `twere nothing but tara — tan — tar : abroad all princes disobliging first , at home all parties but the very worst . to tell of ireland , scotland , dunkirk , 's sad ; or the kings marr`age : but he thinks i`m mad : and sweeter creature never saw the sun , if we the king wish monk , or queen a nun. but a dutch vva● shall all these rumours still , bleed out these humours , and our purses fill ; yet after four days fight , they clearly saw ` t was too much danger for a son-in-law : hire him to leave , for six score thousand pound : so with the kings drums men for sleep compound . but modest sandwich thought it might agree vvith the state-prudence , to do less than he : and to excuse their timerousness and sloth , they found how george might now be less than both first smith must for legorn , with force enough to venture back again , but not go through : beaufort is there , and to their dazling eyes the distance more the object magnifies ; yet this they gain , that smith his time should lose , and for my duke too , cannot interpose : but fearing hat our navy , george to break , might yet not be sufficiently weak ; the secretary , that had never yet intelligence , but from his own gazzet , discovers a great secret , fit to sell , and pays himself for`t , ere he would it tell ; beaufort is in the channel ; hixy here ! ●oxy thoulou ! beaufort is ev`ry where . herewith assembling the supreme divan , vvhere enters none but devil , ned , and nan ▪ and upon this pretence they straight design`d the fleet to sep`rate , and the vvorl● to blind : monk to the dutch , and rupert ( here the vvench could not but smile ) is destin`d to the french. to write the order , bristol`s clerk is chose , one slit in`s pen , the other in his nose ; for he first brought the news , it is his place ; he`ll see the fleet divided like his face , and through the cranny in his grisly part , to the dutch chink intelligence impart . the plot succeeds : the dutch in haste prepar`d , and poor peel-garlick george`s arse they shar`d ; and then presuming of his certain wrack , to help him late , they send for rupert back . officious vvill seem`d fittest , as afraid left george should look too far into his trade . at the first draught they pause with statesmens care , they write it fou● , then copy it as fair ; and then compare them , when at last it s sign`d , vvill soon his purse-strings , but no seal could find ▪ at night he sends it by the common post , to save the king of an express the cost . lord , what adoe to pack one letter hence ▪ some patents pass with less circumference . vvell george , in spite of them thou safe dost ride , lessen`d i hope in nought but thy backside ; for as to reputation , this retreat of thine exceeds their victories so great : nor shalt thou stir from thence , by my consent , till thou hast made the dutch and them repent . ` t is true , i want so long the nuptial gi●t , but as i oft have done , i `ll make a shift ; nor will i with vain pomp accost the shore , to try thy valour at the buoy i`th` nore . fall to thy work there , george , as i do here ; cherish the valiant up , cowards cashier : see that the men have pay , and bief , and beer , find out the cheats of the four millioneer . out of the very beer , they sell the malt ; powder of powder , from powder`d bief the salt. put thy hand to the tub ; instead of oxe , they victual with french pork that hath the pox. never such cotqueans by small arts to wring , ne`er such ill huswives in the managing ! pursers at sea know fewer cheats than they , marr`ners on shore less madly spend their pay . see that thou hast new sails thy self , and spoil all their sea-market , and their cable-coyl . look that good chaplains on each ship do wait , nor the sea-diocess be impropriate : look to the sick and wounded pris`ners ; all is prize ; they rob even the hospital . recover back the prizes too ; in vain we fight , if all be taken that is ta'en . now by our coast the dutchmen , like a flight of feeding ducks , ev`ning and morning light ; how our land-hectors , tremble , void of sense , as if they came straight to transport them hence : some sheep are stoln ; the kingdom`s all arraid , and e`vn presbyters now call`d out for aid . they wish ev`n george divided to command , one half of him at sea , th` other on land. 〈◊〉 ●hat`s that i see ! ah `t is my george agen ! 〈…〉 they in sev'n weeks have rigg`d him then . 〈◊〉 curious heav`ns with lightning him surrounds ▪ 〈◊〉 v●●w him , and his name in thunder sounds . but with the same swift goes , their navy's near : so ere we hunt , the keeper shoots the dee● ▪ stay heav'n a while , and thou shalt see him sail , and george too , he can thunder , lighten , hail . happy the time that i e'er wedded george , the sword of england , and the holland scourge . avaunt rotterdam-dog , ruyter avaunt , thou water-rat , thou shark , thou cormorant . i 'll teach thee to shoot scissers : i 'll repair each rope thou losest , george , out of this hair. 't is strong and course enough ; i 'll hem this shift , ere thou shalt lack a sail , and lie adrift : bring home the old ones ; i again will sew , and darn them up , to be as good as new . what twice disabled ! never such a thing ! now soveraign help him that brought in the king ▪ guard thy posteriors , george , ere all be gone ; though jur●-masts , thou 'st jury-buttocks none . courage ! how bravely ( whet with this disgrace ) he turns , and bullets spits in ruyters face ! they fly , they fly , their fleet doth now divide , but they discard their trump : our trump is hide . where are you now , de ruyter , with your bears ? see where your merchants burn about your ears . fire out the wasps , george , from the hollow trees , cramm'd with the honey of our english bees . ah now they 're paid for guinney : ere they steer to the gold coast , they find it hotter here . turn all your ships to stoves ere you set forth , to warm your traffique in the frozen north. ah sandwich ! had thy conduct been the same , bergen had seen a less but richer flame ; nor ruyter liv'd new battel to repea● , and oftner beaten be , than we can beat . scarce had george leisure , after all his pain , to tie his bre●ches ; ruyter's out again : thr●●e in one year ! why sure this ma● is wood● b●a● him like s●ock-●●sh , or he 'll ne'er be good . i see them both again prepare to try ; they first shoot through each other with the eye . then — but the ruling providence that must with humane projects play , as wind with dust , raises a storm . so constables a fray knock down ; and send them both well cuff'd away . plant now new england fir● in english oak , build your ships ribs proof to the cannon-stroke : to get a fleet to sea , exhaust the land ; let longing princes pine for the command : strong march-panes ! wafers light ! so thin a puff of angry air can ruine all that huff : so champions having shar'd the lists and sun , the judge throws down's award , and they have done , for shame come home , george ; 't is for thee too much to fight at once with heaven and the dutch. woes me ! what see i next ! alas , the fate i see of england , and its utmost date . those flames of theirs at which we fondly smile , ki●dle like torches our sepulchral pile . war , fire , and plague against us all conspire ; we the war , god the plague , who rais'd the fire ? see how men all like ghosts , while london burns , w●nder , and each over his ashes mourns ! curs'd be the man that first begat this war , 〈◊〉 ill hour , under a blazing star. ●o● others sport two nations fight a prize ; between them both , religion wounded dies . so of first troy , the angry gods unpaid , raz'd the foundations which themselves had laid . welcome , though late , dear george : here hadst thou bin , we'd scap'd : ( let rupert bring the navy in . ) thou still must help them out , when in the mire ; gen'ral at land , at plague , at sea , at fire . now thou art gone , see beaufort dares approach , and our fleets angling , as to catch a roach . gibson farewel , till next we put to sea : truth is , thou`st drawn her in effigie . to the king . by sir john denham . great prince ! and so much greater as more wise ; sweet as our life , and dearer than our eyes : what servants will conceal , and councels spare to tell , the painter and the poet dare . and the assistance of an heav'nly muse and pencil , represent the crimes abstruse . here needs no fleet , no sword , no forreign foe ; onely let vice be damn'd , and iustice flow . shake but , like jove , thy locks divine , and frown , thy scepter will suffice to guard thy crown . hark to cassandra's song , ere fate destroy by thine own navy's wooden horse , thy troy. as our apollo , from the tumults wave , and gentle calms , though but in oars , will save . so philomel her sad embroidery strung , and vocal silks tun'd with her needles tongue . the pictures dumb in colours loud reveald the tragedies of courts so long conceald ; but when restor'd to voice inclos'd with wings to woods and groves what once the painter sings . directions to a painter . by sir john denham . draw england ruin'd by what was giv'n before , then draw the commons slow in giving more : too late grown wiser , they their treasure see consum'd by fraud , or lost by treachery ; and vainly now would some account receive of those vast sums which they so idly gave , and trusted to the management of such as dunkirk sold , to make war with the dutch ; dunkirk , de●ign'd once to a nobler use , than to erect a party lawyers house . but what account could they from t●ose expect , who 〈◊〉 grow rich themselves , the state neglect : men who in england have no other lot , than what they by betraying it have got ; who can pretend to nothing but disgrace , vvhere either birth or merit find a place . plague , fire and vvar , have been the nations curse , but to have these our rulers , is a worse : yet draw these ca●sers of the kingdoms wo , still urging dangers from our growing foe , asking new aid for vvar with the same face , as if , when giv'n , they meant not to make peace . mean while they cheat the publick with such haste , they will have nothing that may ease it , past . the law 'gainst irish cattel they condemn , as shewing distrust o' th king , that is , of them . yet they must now swallow this bitter p●ll , or money want , which were the greater ill . and then the king to westminster is brought , imperfectly to speak the chanc'lors thought ; in which , as if no age could parallel a prince and council that had rul'd so well , he tells the parliament he cannot brook vvhat ●re in them like jealousie doth look : adds , that no grieva●ces the nation load , while we 're undone at home , despis'd abroad . thus past the irish , wi●h the money-bill , the first not half to good , as th● other ill . with these new millions might we not expect our foes to vanquish , or our selves protect , if not to beat them off usurped seas , at least to force an honourable peace ? but though the angry fa●e , or folly rather , of our pe●verted state , al●ew us ●ei●her ; could we hope less than to defend our shores , than guard our harbours , forts , our ships & stores ? we hop'd in vain : of these , remaining are , not what we sav'd , but what the dutch did spare . such was our rulers generous stratagem ; a policy worthy of none but them . after two millions more laid on the nation , the parliament grows ripe for prorogation : they rise , and now a treaty is confest , ●gainst which before these state-cheats did protest : a treaty which too well makes it appear , theirs ▪ not the kingdom 's intrest , is their care . 〈…〉 tatesmen of old , thought arms the way to peace ; 〈…〉 thread-bare policies as these : 〈…〉 for the state 's defence , they 〈◊〉 too little for their own expence : or if 〈…〉 they any thing can spare , it is to bu● peace , not maintain a war ▪ for which gre●● work embassadors must go with b●re submissions to our arming foe : thus leaving a defenceles● state behind , vast 〈◊〉 preparing by the belgians find ; against whose 〈◊〉 what can us defend , whilst our great 〈◊〉 here depend upon the dutch good nature : for when peace ( say they ) is making ▪ acts of war must cease . thus were we by the name of truce betray'd , though by the dutch nothing like it was made . here , p●inter , let thine art describe a story shaming our warlike islands ●ntient glory : a scene which never on our seas appear'd , since o●r fi●st ships were on the ocean steerd ; make the du●ch fleet , while we supinely sleep , vvi●hout opposers , masters of the deep : make them securely the thames mouth invade , at once depriving us of that and trade : draw thunder from their floating castles , sent against our forts , weak as our government : draw wollage , deptford , london , and the tower , meanly abandon'd to a forreign power . yet turn their first attempt another way , and let their cannons upon sheerness play ; which soon destroy'd , their lofty vessels ride big with the hope of the approaching tide : make them more help from our remisness find , than from the tide , or from the eastern wimd . their canvas swelling with a prosp'rous gale , swift as our fears make them to chattam sail : through our weak chain their fireships break their way , and our great ships ( unman'd ) become their prey : then draw the fruit of our ill-manag`d cost , at once our honour and our safety lost : bury those bulwarks of our isle in smoak , while their thick flames the neighb'ring country choak . the charles escapes the raging element , to be with triumph into holland sent ; where the glad people to the shore resort , to see their terror now become their sport ▪ but painter , fill not up thy piece before thou paint'st confusion on our troubled shore : instruct then thy bold pencil to relate the saddest marks of an ill-govern'd state. draw th' injur'd seamen deaf to all command , while some with horror and amazement stand : others will know no enemy but they who have unjustly robb'd them of their pay : boldly refusing to oppose a fire , to kindle which our errors did conspire : some ( though but few ) perswaded to obey , use●ess for want of ammunition stay : the forts design'd to guard our ships of war , void both of powder and of bullets are : and what past reigns in peace did ne'er omit , the present ( whilst invaded ) doth forget . surpassing chattam , make whitehall appear , if not in danger , yet at least in fear . make our dejection ( if thou canst ) seem more than our pride , sloth , and ign'rance did before : the king , of danger now shews far more fear , than he did ever to prevent it , care : yet to the city doth himself convey , bravely to shew he was not r●n away : whilst the black prince , and our fifth harry's wars , are onely acted on our theatres : our states-men finding no expedient , ( if fear of danger ) but a parliament , twice would avoid , by clapping up a peace ; the cure's to them as bad as the disease : but painter , end not , till it does appear which most , the dutch or parliament they fear . as nero once , with harp in hand , survey'd his flaming rome ; and as that burnt , he plaid : so our great prince , when the dutch fleet arriv'd , saw his ships burnt ; and as they burnt , he — directions to a painter . by sir john denham . painter , vvhere wast thy former work did cease ? oh `twas at parliament , and the brave peace ! now for a cornucopia : peace all know ●rings plenty with it : wish it be not woe . ●raw coats of pageantry , and proclamations of peace , concluded with one , two , three nations . ●anst thou not on the change make merchants grin ●ike outward smiles , whiles vexing thoughts within ? thou art no artist , if thou canst not faign , and counterfeit the counterfeit disdain . draw a brave standard , rufling at a rate much other than it did for chathams fate . the tow'r-guns too , thundring their joys , that they have scap'd the danger of b●ing ta●en away : these , as now mann`d , for triumphare , not fight : as painted fire for show , not heat or light . amongst the roar of these , and the mad shout of a poor nothing-understanding rout , that think the on-and-off-peace now is true , thou might`st draw mourners for black bartholmew ▪ mourners in sion ! oh `t is not to be discover`d ; draw a curtain curteously to hide them . now proceed to draw at night a bonfire here and there ; but none too bright , nor lasting : for `twas brushwood , as they say , vvhich they that hop`d for coals now flung away ▪ but stay , i had forgot my mother : draw the church of england `mongst thy opera , to play their part too ; or the dutch will say in vvar and peace they`ve born the bells away . at this end then , two or three steeples ringing , at th` other end draw quires , te deum singing ; between them leave a space for tears : remember that `t is not long to th` second of september . now if thou skill`st prospective landskip , draw at distance what perhaps thine eyes ne`er saw : poly●●on , spicy islands , kits , or guinney ; syrrenam , nova scotia , or virginia ? no , no , i mean not these ; pray hold your laughter these things are fa● off , not worth looking after : give not a hint of these : draw highland , lowland mountains and flats : draw scotland first , the holland . see , canst thou ken the scots frowns ? then draw that somthing had to get , but nought to lose . canst thou through fogs discern the dutchmen drink● thos● ▪ buss-skippers , lately capers , stamp to think their catching-craft is over : some have ta`en , to eke their vvar , a vvarrant from the dane . but passing these , their statesmen view a while , in ev ▪ ry graver countenance a smile : copy the piece there done , wherein you 'l see one laughing out , i told you how 't would be ! draw next a pompous interchange of seals ▪ but curs`d be he that articles reveals before he knows them : now for this take light from him that did describe sir edward's fight : you may perhaps the truth on 't doubt ; what tho ? you 'l have it then cum privilegio . then draw our lords commissioners advance , not homewards , but for flanders , or for france ▪ there to parlier a while , until they see how things in parliament resented be . so much for peace . now for a parliament : a petty session draw : with what content , guess by their countenance who came up post , and quickly saw they had their labour lost : like the small merchants when they bargains sell ; come hither iack : what say ? come kiss : farewel . but `twas abortive , born before its day ; no wonder then it dy'd so soon away . yet breath'd it once , and that with such a force , it blasted thirty thousand foot and horse . as once prometheus man did sneez so hard , as routed all that new-rais'd standing guard of teeth , to keep the tongue in order : so down fall our new gallants without a foe . but if this little one could do so much , what will the next ? give a prophetick touch , if thou know how ; if not , leave a great space ▪ for great things to be pourtray`d in their place . now draw the shadow of a parliament , as if to scare the upper world `twere sent : cross your selves , gentlemen , for shades will fright , especially if`t be an english sprite : ●●ermilion this mans guilt , ceruse his fears ; sink th' others eyes deep in his head with cares : another thought some on accounts , to see how his disbursements with receipts agree . peep into coaches , see perriwigs neglected , cross'd arms and legs of such as are suspected , or do suspect what 's coming , and foresee themselves must share in this polutrophy . painter , hast travell'd ? didst thou e`er see rome ? that fam ▪ d piece there , angelo's day of doom ? horrors and anguish of descenders there , may teach thee how to paint descenders here . canst thou describe the empty shifts are made , like that which dealers call , forcing of trade ? some shift their crimes , some places ; and among the rest , some will their countreys too , ere long . draw in a corner gamesters , shuffling , cutting , their little crafts , no wit , together putting : how to pack knaves `mongst kings and queens , to make a saving game , whilst heads are at the stake : but cross their cards , until it be confest , of all the play , fair dealing is the best . draw a veil of displeasure , one to hide , and some prepar`d to strike a blow on 's side ▪ let him that built high , now creep low to shelter , when potentares must tumble , helter skelter . the purse , seal , mace , are gone , as it was fit ; such marks as these could not chuse but be hit : the purse , seal , mace , are gone ; bartholmew day , of all the days i`th`year , they 're ta`en away . the purse , seal , mace are gone , but to another mitre ; i wish not so , though to my brother : i care not for translation to a see , unless they would translate to italy . now draw a sail playing before the wind , from the north-west ; that which it leaves behind , curses or out-cries , mind them not , till when they do appear realities , and then spare not to paint them in their colours , though crimes of a viceroy : deputies have so been serv`d e'er now . but if the man prove true , let him , with pharaoh`s butler , have his due . make the same wind blow strong against the shore of france , to hinder some from coming o`er and rather draw the golden vessel burning , even there , then hither with her fraight returning , ` t is true the noble treasurer is gone : vvise , faithful , loyal ; some say th` onely one : yet i will hope we 've pilots left behind can steer our vessel without southern vvind . vvomen have grosly snar`d the wisest prince that ever was before , or hath been since : and granham athaliah in that nation , vvas a great hinderer of reformation . paint in a new piece painted iezabel ; giv`t to adorn the dining room of hell : hang by her others of the gang ; for more deserve a place with rosamond , iane shore , &c. stay , painter ; now look here`s below a space , i`th`bottom of all this , what shall we place ? shall it be pope , or turk , or prince , or nun ? let the resolve write nescio . so have done . expose thy piece now to the world to see : perhaps they 'l say of it ▪ of thee , of me , poems and paints can speake sometimes bold truths , poets and painters are licentious youths . quae sequuntur , in limine thalami regii , a nescio quo nebulone scripta , reperibantur . bella fugis , bellas sequeris , belloque repugnas et bellatori , sunt tibi bella thori imbelles imbelliae amas , a●daxque videris mars ad opus veneris , martis ad arma venus . clarindon's house-warming . when clarindon had discern`d beforehand , ( as the cause can eas`ly foretel the effect ) at once three deluges threatning our land ; ` t was the season he thought to turn architect . us mars , and apollo , and vulcan consume ; vvhile he the betrayer of england and flander , like the king-fisher chuseth to build in the broom , and nestles in flames like the salamander . but observing that mortals run often behind , ( so unreasonable are the rates they buy-at ) his omnipotence therefore much rather design'd how he might create a house with a fiat . he had read of rhodope , a lady of thrace , who was dig'd up so often ere she did marry ; and wish'd that his daughter had had as much grace to erect him a pyramid out of her quarry . but then recollecting how the harper amphyon made thebes dance aloft while he fidled and sung , he thought ( as an instrument he was most free on ) to build with the jews-trump of his own tongue . yet a president fitter in virgil he found , of african poultney , and tyrian dide , that he begg'd for a pallace so much of his ground , as might carry the measure and name of an hyde . thus dayly his gouty inventions he pain'd , and all for to save the expences of brickbat , that engine so fatal , which denham had brain'd . and too much resembled his wives chocolatte . but while these devices he all doth compare , none sollid enough seem'd for his strong castor ; he himself would not dwell in a castle of air , though he had built full many a one for his master already he had got all our money and cattel , to buy us for slaves , and purchase our lands ; what ioseph by famine , he wrought by sea-battel nay scarce the priests portion could scape from his hands . and hence like pharoah that israel prest to make mortar and brick , yet allow'd them no straw , he car'd not though egypt's ten plagues us distrest , so he could to build but make policy law. the scotch forts & dunkirk , but that they were sold , he would have ●emolisht to raise up his walls ; nay ev'n from tangier have sent back for the mold , but that he had nearer the stones of st. pauls . his wood would come in at the easier rate , so long as the yards had a deal or a spar : his friend in the navy would not be ingrate , to grudge him some timber who fram'd him the war , to proceed in the model he call'd in his allons , the two allons when jovial , who ply him with gallons , the two allons who serve his blind justice for ballance , the two allons who serve his injustice for tallons . they approve it thus far , and said it was fine ; yet his lordship to finish it would be unable ; unless all abroad he divulg'd the de●ign , for his house then would grow like a vegetable . his rent would no more in arreas run to worster ; he should dwell more noble , and cheap too athome , while into a fabrick the presents would mus●er ; as by hook and by crook the world cluster'd of atome . he lik'd the advice , and then soon it assay'd ; and presents croud headlong to give good example : so the bribes overlaid her that , rome once betray'd : the tribes ne'er contributed so to the temple . straight judges , priests , bishops , true sons of the seal , sinners , governors , farmers , banquers ▪ patentees . ●ring in the whole mite of a year at a meal , as the chodder clubs dairy to the incorporate cheese bul●●a●es , beak●s , morley , vvrens fingers with telling were shriveled , and clu●terbuck , eagers & kips ▪ since the act of oblivion was never suc●●selling , as at this benevolence out of the snips . 't was then the chimny-contractors he smoakd , nor would take his beloved canary in kind : but he swore that the patent should ne'er be revok'd ; no , would the whole parliament kiss him behind . like iove under aetna o'erwhelming the gyant , for foundation the bristol sunk in the earth's bowel ; and st. iohn must now for the leads be compliant , or his right hand shall else be cut off with the trowel . for surveying the building , prat did the feat ; but for the expence he rely'd upon worstenholm , who sate heretofore at the kings receipt ; 〈◊〉 receiv'd now and paid the chancellours custome ▪ by subsidies thus both clerick and laick , and with matter profane , cemented with holy , he finish'd at last his palace mosaick , by a model more excellent than lesly's folly. and upon the tarrus , to consummate all , a lanthorn , like faux's surveys the burnt town , and shews on the top by the regal g●lt ball , vvhere you are to expect the scepter and crown fond city , its rubbish and ruines that builds , like vain chymists , a flower from its ashes returning ; your metropolis house is in st ▪ iames's fields , and till there you remove , you shall never leave burning this temple of vvar and of peace is the shrine ; vvhere this idol of state sits ador'd and accurst : and to handsel his altar and nostrils divine , great buckingham's sacrifice must be the first . now some ( as all builders must censure abide ) throw dust in its front , and blame situation : and others as much reprehend his backside , as too narrow by far for his expatiation . but do not consider how in process of times , that for name-sake he may with hyde park it enlarge , and with that convenience he soon for his cr●●● ▪ at tybourn may land , and spare the tower-barge . or rather how wisely his s●all was built near , le●t with driving too far his tallow impair ; when like the good oxe , for publick good chear , he comes to be roasted next st. iames's fair. upon his house . here lies the sacred bones of paul beguiled of his stones . here lie golden briberies , the price of ruin'd families : the cavaliers debenter-wall , fixt on an eccentrick basis ; here 's dunkirk-town and tangier-hall , the queens marriage and all ; the dutchman's templum pacis . upon his grand-children . kendal is dead , and cambridge riding post ? vvhat fitter sacrifice for denham's ghost ? finis . the maid's tragedy altered with some other pieces / by edmund waller, esq. ; not before printed in the several editions of his poems. waller, edmund, - . this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (wing w ). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish.this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing w estc r ocm

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early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the maid's tragedy altered with some other pieces / by edmund waller, esq. ; not before printed in the several editions of his poems. waller, edmund, - . [ ], p. printed for jacob tonson ..., london : . reproduction of original in bodleian library. "poems upon several occasions" running title: p. - . "mr. waller's speech to the house of commons, april . " p. - . "mr. waller's speech july . " p. - . errata: p. .
eng english poetry -- early modern, - . shcnothe maid's tragedywaller, edmund . b the rate of . defects per , words puts this text in the b category of texts with fewer than defects per , words. - assigned for keying and markup - keyed and coded from proquest page images - sampled and proofread - text and markup reviewed and edited - batch review (qc) and xml conversion

the maid's tragedy altered .

with some other pieces .

by edmund waller , esq

not before printed in the several editions of his poems .

london , printed for jacob tonson , at the judges head in chancery lane , near fleet-street . .

most of the following pieces , being unfinish'd , were never intended to be publish'd ; but that a person , who had borrowed a manuscript copy of them , took upon him to print them . the copy from which they were printed , was very imperfect ; and there being noe means left to suppress them , it was thought fit to suffer them to be more correctly printed from the last and truest copies .

the maids tragedy , alter'd by mr. waller .

prologue . scarce should we have the boldness to pretend so long renown'd a tragedy to mend : had not already some deserv'd your praise with like attempt . of all our elder plays , this and philaster have the lowdest fame : great are their faults , and glorious is their flame . in both our english genius is exprest ; lofty and bold , but negligently , drest . above our neighbours our conceptions are : but faultless writing is th' effect of care. our lines reform'd , and not compos'd in haste ; polisht like marble , would like marble last . but as the present , so the last age writ ; in both we find like negligence and wit. were we but less indulgent to our faults , and patience had to cultivate our thoughts : our muse would flourish , and a nobler rage would honour this , than did the graecian stage . thus says our author , not content to see that others write as carlesly as he. tho he pretends not to make things compleat ; yet to please you , he 'd have the poets sweat . in this old play , what 's new we have exprest in rhiming verse , distinguish'd from the rest : that , as the roan its hasty way does make , not mingling waters , thro geneva's lake : so having here the differeut stiles in view , you may compare the former with the new . if we less rudely shall the knot unty , soften the rigour of the tragedy : and yet preserve each persons character : then to the other , this you may prefer . 't is left to you : the boxes and the pit , are soveraign judges of this sort of wit. in other things the knowing artist may judge better than the people : but a play , made for delight , and for no other use , if you approve it not , has no excuse .
enter evadne , with a page of honour . evad. a mintor lost , it were as vain a thing , as 't is prodigious , to destroy the king. compell'd by threats , to take that bloody oath , and the act ill , i am absolv'd by both . this island left with pitty i 'll look down on the king's love , and fierce melantius's frown . these will to both my resolution bring : page , give melantius that , this to the king. exit page with the letters under how hard a fate are women born ! priz'd to their ruine , or expos'd to scorn ! if we want beauty , we of love despair ; and are besieg'd like frontier towns , if fair . the pow'r of princes armies overthrows : what can our sex against such force oppose ? love and ambition have an equal share in their vast treasures ; and it costs as dear to ruine us , as nations to subdue : but we are faulty , tho all this be true . for towns are starv'd , or batter'd e're they yield ; but we perswaded rather than compell'd : for things superfluous neglect our fame , and weakly render up our selves to shame . oh! that i had my innocence again , my untoucht honour : but i wish in vain . the fleece , that has been by the dyer stain'd , never again its native whiteness gain'd . th' unblemisht may pretend to virtue's crown : 't is beauty now must perfect my renown . with that i govern'd him that rules this isle ; 't is that which makes me tryumph in spoile , the wealth i bear from this exhausted court , which here my bark stands ready to transport . in narrow rhodes i 'll be no longer pent ; but act my part upon the continent : asiatick kings shall see my beauties prize , my shining jewels , and my brighter eyes . princes that fly , their scepters left behind , contempt or pitty , where they travel , find : the ensigns of our power about we bear ; and every land pays tribute to the fair. so shines the sun , tho hence remov'd , as clear when his beams warm th' antipodes , as here . exit . enter melantius , with a letter in his hand . she 's gone to perish , if the gods be just ; the sea 's not vast enough to quench her lust. the standing regiments , the fort , the town , all but this wicked sister is our own . oh! that i could but have supriz'd the wretch , e're she that watry element did reach . twice false evadne ; spightfully forsworn , that fatal beast like this i would have torn . tears the paper with fury . but this design admits of no delay ; and our revenge must sind some speedy way . i 'll sound lucippus , he has always paid respect to my deserts : could he be made to joyn with us , we might preserve the state ; and take revenge , without our countrys fate . he loves his brother ; but a present crown cannot but tempt a prince so near the throne . he 's full of honour : tho he like it not , if once he swear , he 'll not reveal the plot. exit . enters the king alone . king. melantius false ! it cannot be : and yet , when i remember how i merit it , he is presented to my guilty mind less to his duty , than revenge inclin'd . 't is not my nature to suspect my friends , or think they can have black malicious ends : 't is doing wrong creates such doubts as these , renders us jealous , and destroys our peace . happy the innocent , whose equal thoughts are free from anguish , as they are from faults . enter a page with a letter . page . 't is from evadne , sir. exit . king. why should she use her pen to me ? 't is some important news ! reads the letter . from aboard my yacht . [ strangely dated . ]

which is now bearing me away from the rage of my offended brothers : i wish you were as safe from their revenge . they aim at your life , and made me swear to take it . they have got the fort , and are assured of the inclinations , both of the soldiers and citizens . my first prayer is to the gods , for your preservation : my next to your majesty , that if they return to their duty , you would afford them your grace .

't is no fain'd tale callianax has told ; the great melantius is as false as bold . the crown we hazard , when at home we stay , and teach our forces others to obey . conduct of armies is a princes art : and when a subject acts that royal part ; as he in glory rises we grow less : while our arms prosper , ruin'd by success . for in a court what can so dreadful be , as one more glorious than our selves to see ! enter melantius and lucippus . such is the general : to lucippus ear , what 't is he trusts , i 'll step aside and hear .
lucipp . how am i caught with an unwary oath , not to reveal the secret , which i loath ! to stain my conscience with my brother's blood , to be a king ! no , not to be a god. he that with patience can such treason hear , tho he consent not , has a guilty ear. unto thy self pronounce the name of king ; that word will keep thee from so foul a thing . [ late , mel. sir , your fond care and kindness comes too to save your brother , or prevent my hate : the people mutiny , the fort is mine , and all the soldiers to my will incline . of his own servants he has lost the heart , and in the court i have the nobler part . unto your self pronounce the name of king ; that word will tell you 't is no trivial thing that you are offer'd : do not storm and frown at my endeavours to preserve the crown . wear it your self ; occasion will not stay ; t is lost , unless you take it while you may . tumult and ruine will o'rewhelm the state ; and you 'll be guilty of your country's fate . luc. aside . some form'd design against the king is laid , let 's try how far our reason may perswade . to him . the crown you value so , my brother bears upon his head , and with it all the cares ; while i enjoy th' advantage of his state , and all the crown can give , except the weight . long may he reign , that is so far above all vice , all passion , but excess of love. and can th' effects of love appear so strange , that into beasts our greatest gods could change ? mel. the deathless gods , when they commit a rape , disguis'd a while , again resume their shape : but princes once turn'd into beasts , remain for ever so ; and should , like beasts be slain . luc. tho more in years , you have a mistress still ; and for that fault would you your soveraign kill ? love is the frailty of heroic minds ; and where great vertues are , our pardon finds . brutes may be chast ; pidgeons , swans and doves , are more confin'd , than we are , in their loves . justice and bounty , in a prince , are things that subjects make as happy as their kings . will you contract the guilt of royal blood ? and rob your country of her chiefest good ? mel. of one , whose lust his family has stain'd , by whose good conduct he securely reign'd . luc. of one , whose choice first made your valour known , and with whose armies you have got renown . 't is all the gratitude subjects can shew , to bear with patience what their princes do . mel. yet brutus did not let proud tarquin scape . luc. the prince his son was guilty of a rape . for joys extorted with a violent hand , revenge is just , and may with honour stand . but should a prince , because he does comply with one , that 's fair and not unwilling , dye ? or is it fit the people should be taught your sisters frailty , with my brothers fault ? mel. let her be known unchast ; so it be said , that he that durst perswade her to 't is dead . luc. the king has wrong'd you : is it just that you mischief to me and the whole nation do ? mel. rather than not accomplish my revenge , just , or unjust , i would the world unhinge . luc. yet of all vertues , justice is the best : valour , without it , is a common pest. pirates and thieves , too oft with courage grac'd , shew us how ill that vertue may be plac'd . 't is our complexion makes us chast or brave ; justice from reason , and from heav'n we have . all other vertues dwell but in the blood , that in the soul , and gives the name of good . justice , the queen of vertues , you despise , and only rude and savage valour prize . to your revenge you think the king and all that sacred is , a sacrifice should fall : the town be ruin'd , and this isle laid wast , only because your sister is not chast . can you expect , that she should be so sage to rule her blood , and you not rule your rage ? both foul distempers are ; but yours the worse , less pleasure has , and brings the greater curse . mel. in idle rhodes philsophers are bred , and you , young prince , are in their morals read . nor is it hard for one that feels no wrong , for patient duty to employ his tongue . oppression makes men mad , and from their breast , all reason does , and sense of duty wrest . the gods are safe , when under wrongs we groan , only because we cannot reach their throne . shall princes then , that are but gods of clay , think they may safely with our honour play ? reward a soldiers merit with a stain to his whole race , and yet securely reign ? farewel ! i know so brave a prince will scorn to tell the secret , unto which he 's sworn . luc. aside . i promis'd secrecy , but did not say i would look tamely on . melantius stay : you have my promise , and my hasty word restrains my tongue , but tyes not up my sword. of other vertues tho you are bereft by your wild rage , i know your valour 's left . swear not to touch my brother , or with speed behind the castle-wall let 's meet . mel. agreed . exit lucip. mel. his well-known vertue , and his constant love , to his bad brother may the people move : i 'll take the occasion , which he gives , to bring him to his death , and then destroy the king. [ ex. mel. enter the king as discovering himself . king. o! what an happiness it is to find a friend of our own blood , a brother kind ! a prince so good , so just , so void of fear , is of more value than the crown i wear . the kingdom offer'd if he would engage , he has refus'd with a becoming rage . for such a brother , to th' immortal god more thanks i owe , then for the crown of rhodes . happy this isle , with such a hero blest ! what vertue dwells not in his loyal breast ? enter strato . str. sir we are lost , melantius has the fort , and the town rises to assault the court : where they will find the strongest part their own : if you 'll preserve your self , you must be gone . i have a garden opens to the sea , from whence i can your majesty convey to some near friend . king. there with your shallop stay . the game 's not lost ; i have one card to play . suffer not diphilus to leave the court , but bid him presently to me resort . [ exit strato . had not this challenge stopt the impendent fate , we must have perisht with the ruin'd state. forts , soldiers , citizens , of all berest , there 's nothing but our private valour left : if he survive , i have not long to reign ; but he that 's injur'd , should be fairly slain . the people for their darling would repine ; if he should fall by any hand , but mine . less wise than valiant , the vain man is gone to fight a duel , when his work was done . should i command my guards to find him , where he meets my brother , and destroy him there : all hope of peace would be for ever lost ; and the wild rabble would adore his ghost . dead , than alive , he would do greater harm , and the whole island , to revenge him , arm . so popular , so mighty have i made this fighting man , while i liv'd in the shade . but 't was a double fault , to raise him so ; and then dishonour on his house to throw . ill govern'd passions in a princes breast , hazard his private , and the publick rest . slaves to our passions we become , and then it grows impossible to govern men. but errors not to be recall'd , do find their best redress from presence of the mind . courage our greatest failings does supply , and makes all good , or handsomely we dye . life is a thing of common use , by heav'n as well to insects as to princes giv'n . but , for the crown , 't is a more sacred thing : i 'll dying lose it , or i 'll live a king. enter diphilus . come , diphilus , we must together walk , and of a matter of importance talk . diph. aside . what fate is this ! had he stay'd half an hour , the rising town had freed me from his power . exeunt . scene changes into a field : into which enter lucippus and melantius , with swords drawin . mel. be yet advis'd , th' injurious king forsake ; death , or a scepter from melantius take . lucip. be thou advis'd , thy black design forsake ; death , or this counsel from lucippus take . mel. youth and vain confidence thy life betray : thro armies this has made melantius way . lucip. drawn for your prince that sworn could wonders do ; the better cause makes mine the sharper now . thy brutal anger does the gods defy ; king are their care : resume thy loyalty : or from thy guilty head i 'll pluck the bays , and all thy triumphs shall become my praise . mel. that shall be quickly try'd . enter the king with diphilus . king. with sword in hand , like a good brother , by your brother stand . diph. glad that your pleasure lies this noble way ; i never did more willingly obey . king. thy life , melantius , i am come to take , of which foul treason does a forfeit make . to do thee honour , i will shed that blood , which the just laws , if i were faultless , should . mel. 't is bravely urg'd , sir ; but , their guards away , kings have but small advantage of the law. king. having infring'd the law , i wave my right as king , and thus submit my self to fight . why did not you your own fierce hand employ , as i do mine , and tell the reason why ? a subject should be heard before he 's slain ? and does less right belong to us that reign ? mel. if , as unjust , i could have thought you brave , this way i chosen had revenge to have . a way so noble ; that i must confess , already i begin to hate you less . so unexpected and so brave a thing , makes me rember that you are my king. and i could rather be contented , since he challeng'd first , to combat with that prince . that so , a brother for a sister chang'd , we may be of your wanton pride reveng'd . king. 't was i that wrong'd you , you my life have sought ; no duel ever was more justly fought . we both have reason for our fatal wrath : nor is it fit the world should hold us both . lucippus to the king apart . me for what nobler use can you reserve , than thus the crown from danger to preserve ? members expose themselves , to save the head : this way he shall be satisfy'd , or dead . melantius to his brother apart . tho foul injustice majesty did stain , this noble carriage makes it bright again . when kings with courage act , sometthing divine that calls for reverence , does about them shine . diph. were we born princes , we could not expect , for an affront receiv'd , greater respect . they that with sharpest injuries are stung , if fairly fought withal , forget the wrong . a thousand pitties , such a royal pair should run this hazard for a wanton fair . mel. let us sight so , as to avoid th' extream either of fearing , or of killing them . lucippus apart to his brother . sir , you should wield a scepter , not a sword ; nor with your weapon kill , but with your word . the gods by others execute their will. k. yet heav'n does oft with its own thunder kill : and when necessity and right command , a sword is thunder in a soveraign's hand . let us dispatch , lest any find us here , before we fight ; or they grow less severe . here they all fight . lucippus to the king. hold sir , they only guard , and still give place to them . fight us , as enemies , or ask for grace . mel. i never thought i could expedient see , on this side death , to right our family . the royal sword thus drawn , has cur'd a wound for which no other salve could have been found . your brothers now in arms our selves we boast , as satisfaction for a sister lost . the blood of kings expos'd , washes a stain cleaner , than thousands of the vulgar slain . you have our pardon , sir ; and humbly now , as subjects ought , we beg the same of you . here they both kneel . pardon our guilty rage ; which here takes end , for a lost sister , and a ruin'd friend . luc. let your great heart a gracious motion feel : is 't not enough , you see melantius kneel ? i 'll be a pledge for both ; they shall be true as heretofore ; and you shall trust 'em too . his loyal arm shall still support the state , and you no more provoke so just an hate . king. rise , brave melantius , i thy pardon sign , with as much joy , as i am proud of mine . rise , valiant diphilus , i hope you 'll both forget my fault , as i shall your just wrath . diph. valour reveal'd in princes does redeem their greatest faults , and crowns them with esteem , use us with honour , and we are your slaves , to bleed for you , when least occasion craves . king. with honour and with trust this land shall know , after my brother , none so great as you . enter the kings guards . mel. if these approach us , sir , by your command ; take back your pardon , on our guard we stand . the king steps between ' em . king. what over-diligence has brought you here ? captain of the guards . such as you 'll pardon when the news you hear amintor is retir'd , aspasia gone ; and a strange humour does possess the town . they arm apace , sir , and aloud declare things which we dare not whisper in your ear. the council met , your guards to find you sent , and know your pleasure in this exigent . this honour'd person you might justly fear , were he not loyal , and amongst us here . they say his merit 's ill return'd , and cry , with great melantius they will live and dye . mel. sir , not your pow'r , but vertue made me bow ; for all he tells you , i did kneeling know . tho now the faithful'st of your subjects , we have been the cause of all this mutiny . go comfort , sir , amintor , while we run to stop the rage of this revolting town ; and let them know the happiness they have in such a royal pair , so just , so brave . lend me your guards , that if perswasion fail , force may against the mutinous prevail . k. to the guards . go , and obey , with as exact a care , all his commands , as if our self were there . aside . he that depends upon another , must oblige his honour with a boundless trust . exeunt king and lucippus . mel. how frail is man ! how quickly changed are our wrath and fury to a loyal care ! this drawn but now against my soveraigns breast , before 't is sheath'd , shall give him peace and rest . exeunt brothers and guards . the scene changes into a forest. enter aspasia . asp. they say , wild beasts inhabit here ; but grief and wrong secures my fear . compar'd to him that does refuse , a tyger's kind , for he pursues . to be forsaken's worse than torn ; and death a lesser ill than scorn . no forrest , cave , or savage den holds more pernicious beasts than men. vows , oaths , and contracts they devise , and tell us , they are sacred tyes : and so they are in our esteem ; but empty names , despis'd by them . women with study'd arts they vex : ye gods destroy that impious sex. and if there must be some to ' invoke your powers , and make your altars smoke , come down your selves , and in their place get a more just and nobler race : such as the old world did adorn , when hero's like your selves were born . but this i wish not for aspacia's sake ; for she no god would for amintor take . the heart , which is our passions seat , whether we will or no do's beat : and yet we may suppress our breath : this let 's us see that life and death are in our power ; but love and hate , depend not on our will , but fate . my love was lawful , when 't was born ; their marriage makes it merit scorn . evadne's husband 't is a fault to love , a blemish to my thought ; yet twisted with my life ; and i that cannot faultless live , will dye . oh! that some hungry beast would come , and make himself aspasia's tomb. if none accept me for a prey , death must be found some other way . in colder regions men compose poyson with art ; but here it grows . not long since ; walking in the field , my nurse and i , we there beheld a goodly fruit ; which tempting me , i would have pluck'd ; but trembling she , whoever eat those berries , cry'd , in less than half an hour dy'd . some god direct me to that bough , on which those useful berries grow ! exit . enter amintor alone . am. repentance , which became evadne so , would no less handsome in amintor show . she ask'd me pardon ; but aspasia i , injur'd alike , suffer to pine and dye . 't is said , that she this dangerous forrest haunts , and in sad accents utters her complaints . if over-taken , e're she perish , i will gain her pardon , or before her dye . not every lady does from vertue fall ; th' injurious king does not possess them all . well i deserv'd evadne's scorn to prove , that to ambition sacrific'd my love. fools that consult their avarice or pride ! to chuse a wife , love is our noblest guide . exit . enter aspasia alone , with a bough full of fair berries asp. this happy bough shall give relief , not to my hunger , but my grief . the birds know how to chuse their fare , to peck this fruit they all forbear . those chearful singers know not why they should make any haste to dye : and yet they couple � can they know what 't is to love , and not know sorrow too ? 't is man alone , that willing dyes ; beasts are less wretched , or less wise. how lovely these ill berries shew ! and so did false amintor too . heav'n would ensnare us ! who can scape when fatal things have such a shape ? nothing in vain the gods create , this bough was made to hasten fate . 't was in compassion of our woe , that nature first made poysons grow ; for hopeless wretches , such as i , kindly providing means to dye . as mothers do their children keep , so nature feeds , and makes us sleep : the indispos'd she does invite to go to bed before 't is night . death always is to come , or past : if it be ill , it cannot last . sure 't is a thing was never known ; for when that 's present , we are gone . 't is an imaginary line , which does our being here confine . dead we shall be , as when unborn ; and then i knew nor love , nor scorn . but say we are to live elsewhere , what has the innocent to fear ? can i be treated worse than here ? justice from hence long since is gone , and reigns where i shall be anon . enter amintor . am. 't is she ; those fatal berries shew the mischief she 's about to do . women are govern'd by a stuborn fate : their love 's insuperable , as their hate . no merit their aversion can remove ; nor ill requital can efface their love. asp. like slaves redeem'd , death sets us free from passion , and from injury . the living chain'd to fortunes wheel , in triumph led , her changes feel : and conquerors kept poysons by , prepar'd for her inconstancy . bays against thunder might defend their brow : but against love and fortune here 's the bough . here she puts some of the berries to her mouth , amintor , strikes the berries out of her hand , and snatches the bough . am. rash maid , forbear ; and lay those berries by , or give them him that has deserv'd to dye . asp. what double cruelty is this ? would you that made me wretched , keep me always so ? evadne has you : let aspasia have the common refuge of a quiet grave . if you have kindness left , there see me laid : to bury decently the injur'd maid , is all the favour that you can bestow , or i receive � pray render me my bough . am. no less than you , was your amintor wrong'd : the false evadne to the king belong'd . you had my promise , and my bed is free ; i may be yours , if you can pardon me . asp. your vows to her were in the temple made ; the sacred altar witness'd what you said . am. the pow'rs above are to no place consin'd , but ev'ry where hear promises that bind . the heav'n , the air , earth , and the boundless sea , make but one temple for the deity . that was a witness to my former vow : none can amintor justly claim , but you . who gives himself away the second time , creates no title , but commits a crime . asp. i could have dy'd but once ; but this believ'd i may ( alas ! ) be more than once deceiv'd . death was the port , which i almost did gain , shall i once more be tost into the main ? by what new gods , amintor , will you swear ? am. by the same gods , that have been so severe ; by the same gods , the justice of whose wrath punish'd the infraction of my former faith . may every lady an evadne prove , that shall divert me from aspasia's love. asp. if ever you should prove unconstant now ; i shall remember where those berries grow . am. my love was always constant ; but the king , melantius's friendship , and that fatal thing ambition , me on proud evadne threw ; and made me cruel to my self , and you . but if you still distrust my faith , i vow here in your presence i 'll devour the bough . asp. snatching the bough from him . rash man , forbear ! but for some unbelief , my joy had been as fatal as my grief : the sudden news of unexpected bliss , would yet have made a tragedy of this . secure of my amintor , still i fear evadne's mighty friend , the king. am. he 's here . enter the king , and his brother , to them . king , turning to his brother . how shall i look upon that noble youth , so full of patience , loyalty , and truth ? the fair aspasia i have injur'd too , the guilty author of their double woe . my passions gone , and reason in her throne , amaz'd i see the mischiefs i have done . after a tempest , when the winds are laid , the calm sea wonders at the wrecks it made . am. men wrong'd by kings impute it to their fate , and royal kindness never comes too late : so when heav'n frowns , we think our anger vain ; joyful and thankful when it smiles again . taking aspasia by the hand . this knot you broke , be pleas'd again to bind , and we shall both forget you were unkind . king. may you be happy , and your sorrows past , set off those joys i wish may ever last . giving the letter . read this amintor . am. evadne fled ! aspasia now you 'll have no more occasion for your bough . enter a messenger . mess. melantius , sir , has let the people know how just you are , and how he 's grac'd by you . the town 's appeas'd , and all the air does ring with repetitions of long live the king. luc. sir , let us to the sacred temple go , that you are safe our joys and thanks to shew . king. of all we offer to the pow'rs above , the sweetest incense is fraternal love. like the rich clouds that rise from melted gums , it spreads it self , and the whole isle perfumes . this sacred union has preserv'd the state ; and from all tempest shall secure our fate : like a well twisted cable , holding fast the anchor'd vessel in the lowdest blast .
epilogue , spoken by the king. the fierce melantius was content , you see , the king should live ; be not more fierce than he . too long indulgent to so rude a time ; when love was held so capital a crime , that a crown'd head could no compassion find ; but dy'd , because the killer had been kind . nor is 't less strange such mighty wits as those should use a style in tragedy , like prose . well sounding verse , where princes tread the stage , should speak their vertue , or describe their rage . by the loud trumpet , which our courage aids , we learn that sound , as well as sense , perswades . and verses are the potent charms we use , heroic thoughts and vertue to infuse . when next we act this tragedy again , unless you like the change , we shall be slain . the innocent aspasia's life or death , amintor's too , depends upon your breath . excess of love was heretofore the cause ; now if we dye , 't is want of your applause .

mr. waller in his first thoughts of altering this play , pitcht upon a design of making evadne go among the vestals . but considering , that the persons in this play are suppos'd to be heathens , who never admitted any but pure virgins among their vestals ; he changed his design . nevertheless before he did so , he had writ the following verses .

evadne . a vestalvow'd , with pity i 'll look down on the king's love , and fierce melantius's frown . but here 's the sacred place , where we may have before we dye , an honourable grave . the dead , and they that live retired here , obtain like pardon from the most severe . knocks at a door . enter governess . gov. the great evadne visiting our cell ! ev. 't is not to visit you ; but here to dwell . can you find room for one so bad as i , that humbly begs she may among you dye ? gov. you that so early can correct your thoughts , may hope for pardon for your greatest faults . happy is she that from the world retires , and carrys with her what the world admires . thrice happy she , whose young thought fixt above , while she is lovely does to heaven make love. i need not urge your promise , e're you find an entrance here , to leave the world behind . ev. my guilty love devotion shall succeed ; love such as mine was , tho' a dangerous weed , shews the rich soile , on which it grew so high , may yield as fair a crop of piety . but of all passions , i ambition find hardest to banish from a glorious mind . yet heav'n our object made , ambition may , as well as love , be turn'd a nobler way : still i ascend ; it is a step above a princes favour , to belong to jove . they go in and the door shuts . enter melantius with a letter . among the vestals ! she 'll corrupt them all , and teach them from their sacred vow to fall .
poems
the triple combat . when thro the world fair mazarine had run , bright as her fellow-traveller , the sun ; hither at length the roman eagle flyes , as the last triumph of her conqu'ring eyes . as heir to julius , she may pretend a second time to make this island bend . but portsmouth , springing from the ancient race of , britains , which the saxon here did chase , as they great caesar did oppose , makes head , and does against this new invader lead . that goodly nymph , the taller of the two , careless and fearless to the field does go . becoming blushes on the other wait , and her young look excuses want of height . beauty gives courage ; for she knows the day must not be won the amazonian way . legions of cupids to the battel come , for little britain these , and those for rome . drest to advantage , this illustrious pair arriv'd , for combat in the list appear . what may the fates design ! for never yet from distant regions two such beauties met : venus had been an equal friend to both , and victory to declare her self seems loth . over the camp with doubtful wings she flys ; till chloris shining in the field she spys . the lovely chloris well attended came , a thousand graces waited on the dame : her matchless form made all the english glad , and foreign beauties less assurance had . yet , like the three on ida's top , they all pretend alike , contesting for the ball. which to determine love himself declin'd , lest the neglected should become less kind . such killing looks ; so thick the arrows fly ; that 't is unsafe to be a stander by . poets approaching to describe the sight , are by their wounds instructed how to write . they with less hazard , might look on and draw the ruder combats in alsatia . and with that foil of violence and rage set off the splendour of our golden age : where love gives law , beauty the scepter sways ; and uncompell'd , the happy world obeys .
prologue for the lady actors . amaze us not with that majestick frown : but lay aside the greatness of your crown . and for that look , which does your people awe , when in your throne and robes you give 'em law ; lay it by here , and use a gentler smile ; such as we see great joves in picture , while he listens to apollo's charming lyre , or judges of the songs he does inspire . comedians on the stage shew all their skill , and after do as love and fortune will. we are less careful , hid in this disguise ; in our own clothes more serious , and more wise . modest at home , upon the stage more bold , we seem warm lovers , tho' our breasts be cold . a fault committed here deserves no scorn , if we act well the parts to which we 're born .
to mr. killegrew , upon his altering his play pandora , from a tragedy into a comedy , because not approv'd on the stage . sir , you should rather teach our age the way of judging well , than thus have chang'd your play. you had oblig'd us by employing wit , not to reform pandora , but the pit. for as the nightingale , without the throng of other birds , alone attends her song : while the lowd daw , his throat displaying , draws the whole assembly of his fellow-daws . so must the writer , whose productions should take with the vulgar , be of vulgar mould : whilst nobler fancies make a flight too high for common view , and lessen as they fly .
on the statue of king charles the first , at charing-cross . that the first charles does here in triumph ride , see his son reign where he a martyr dy'd ; and people pay that reverence , as they pass , which then he wanted , to the sacred brass : is not the effect of gratitude alone ; to which we owe the statue and the stone . but heav'n this lasting monument has wrought , that mortals may eternally be taught ; rebellion , though successful , is but vain ; and kings so kil'd rise conquerors again . this truth the royal image does proclaim , loud as the trumpet of surviving fame .
on the d. of monmouth's expedition into scotland , in the summer solstice , . swift as joves messenger , the winged god , with sword as potent as his charming rod , he flew to execute the kings command , and in a moment reach'd that northern land ; where day contending with approaching night , assists the heroe with continu'd light. on foes surpriz'd , and by no night conceal'd , he might have rush'd , but noble pity held his hand a while , and to their choice gave ' space , which they would prove , his valour , or his grace . this not well heard , his cannon louder spoke , and then , like lightning , thro that cloud he broke ; his fame , his conduct , and that martial look , the guilty scotch with such a terror strook ; that to his courage they resign the field , who to his bounty had refus'd to yield . glad that so little loyal blood it cost , he grieves so many britains should be lost ; taking more pains , when he beheld them yield , to save the flyers , than to win the field : and at the court his interest does employ , that none , who scap'd his fatal sword , should dye . and now these rash bold men their error find , not trusting one beyond his promise kind ; one whose great mind , so bountiful and brave , had learnt the art to conquer , and to save . in vulgar breasts no royal vertues dwell , such deeds as these his high extraction tell ; and give a secret joy to him that reigns , to see his blood triumph in monmouth's veins : to see a leader , whom he got and chose , firm to his friends , and fatal to his foes . but seeing envy , like the sun , does beat with scorching rays , on all that 's high and great : this , ill requited monmouth , is the bough the muses send to shade thy conqu'ring brow. lampoons , like squibs , may make a present blaze ; but time and thunder pay respect to bays , achilles arms dazle our present view , kept by the muse as radiant , and as new , as from the forge of vulcan first they came ; thousands of years are past , and they the same : such care she takes , to pay desert with fame : then which no monarch , for his crowns defence knows how to give a nobler recompence .
of an elegy made by mrs. wharton on the earl of rochester . thus mourn the muses ; on the herse , not strowing tears , but lasting verse : which so preserve the hero's name ; they make him live again in fame . chloris in lines so like his own , gives him so just and high renown : that she th' afflicted world relieves ; and shews , that still in her he lives . her wit as graceful , great and good ; ally'd in genious , as in blood. his loss supply'd , now all our fears are , that the nymph should melt in tears . then fairest chloris , comfort take , for his , your own , and our sake ; least his fair soul , that lives in you , should from the world for ever go .
reflection on these words , pride was not made for man. not the brave macedonian youth alone , but base caligula , when on the throne , boundless in pow'r , would make himself a god ; as if the world depended on his nod. the syrian king to beasts was headlong thrown , e're to himself he could be mortal known . [ line , the meanest wretch , if heav'n should give him would never stop , till he were thought divine . all might within discern the serpents pride , if from our selves our selves did nothing hide . let the proud peacock his gay feathers spread , and wooe the female to his painted bed. let winds and seas together rage and swell , this nature teaches , and becomes 'em well . pride was not made for man : a conscious sense of guilt , and folly , and their consequence destroys the claim ; and to beholders tells , here nothing , but the shape of manhood , dwells .
translated out of french. fade flowers , fade , nature will have it so ; 't is but what we must in our autumn do : and as your leaves lye quiet on the ground , the loss alone by those that lov'd them found ; so in the grave shall we as quiet lye , mist by some few , that lov'd our company . but some , so like to thorns and nettles , live ; that none for them , can , when they perish , grieve .
some verses of an imperfect copy , design'd for a friend on his translation of ovid's fasti. rome's holy-days you tell , as if a guest with the old romans you were wont to feast . numa's religion by themselves believ'd , excells the true , only in shew receiv'd . they made the nations round about 'em bow , with their dictators taken from the plough : such pow'r has justice , faith and honesty ; the world was conquer'd by morality . seeming devotion does but guld a knave , that 's neither faithful , honest , just , nor brave : but where religion does with vertue joyn , it makes a hero , like an angel shine .
of the late invasion and defeat of the turks , &c. the modern nimrod , with a safe delight persuing beasts , that save themselves by flight , grown proud , and weary of his wonted game , would christians chase , and sacrifice to fame . a prince with eunuchs and the softer sex shut up so long , would warlike nations vex ; provoke the german , and neglecting heaven , forget the truce for which his oath was given . his grand visier presuming to invest , the chief imperial city of the west ; with the first charge compell'd in hast to rise , his treasure , tents , and cannon left a prise : the standard lost , and janisaries slain , render the hopes he gave his master , vain . the flying turks , that bring the tidings home , renew the memory of his fathers doom ; and his guard murmurs , that so often brings down from the throne their unsuccessful kings . the trembling sultan's forc't to expiate , his own ill conduct by another's fate : the grand visier , a tyrant tho' a slave , a fair example to his master gave ; he bassa's heads , to save his own made fly , and now , the sultan to preserve must dye . the fatal bow-string was not in his thought , when breaking truce , he so unjustly fought ; made the world tremble with a numerous hoast , and of undoubted victory did boast . strangled he lyes ! yet seems to cry aloud to warn the mighty , and instruct the proud ; that of the great neglecting to be just , heav'n in a moment makes an heap of dust. the turks so low ; why should the christians loose such an advantage of their barbarous foes ? neglect their present ruin to compleat , before another solyman they get ? too late they would with shame , repenting , dread that numerous heard by such a lyon lead . he , rhodes and buda from the christians tore , which timely union might again restore . but sparing turks , as if with rage possest , the christians perish by themselves opprest : cities and provinces so dearly won , that the victorious people are undone . what angel shall descend to reconcile the christian states , and end their guilty toyl ? a prince more fit from heav'n we cannot ask , than britain's king for such a glorious task : his dreadful navy , and his lovely mind , gives him the fear and favour of mankind . his warrant does the christian faith defend ; on that relying all their quarrels end . the peace is sign'd , and britain does obtain , what rome had sought from her fierce sons in vain . in battels won fortune a part doth claim , and soldiers have their portion in the fame : in this successful union we find only the tryumph of a worthy mind : 't is all accomplisht by his royal word , without unsheathing the destructive sword ; without a tax upon his subjects laid , their peace disturb'd , their plenty or their trade . and what can they to such a prince deny , with whose desires the greatest kings comply ? the arts of peace are not to him unknown , this happy way he marcht into the throne ; and we owe more to heav'n than to the sword , the wisht return of so benign a lord. charles by old greece , with a new freedom grac'd above her antique heroes shall be plac'd . what theseus did , or theban hercules holds no compare with this victorious peace ; which on the turks shall greater honour gain , then all their giants and their monsters slain . those are bold tales , in fabulous ages told ; this glorious act the living do behold .
a panegyrick , &c. to o. cromwell . while with a strong , and yet a gentle hand , you bridle faction , & our hearts command ; protect us from our selves , and from our foe , make us unite , and make us conquer too : let partial spirits still aloud complain , think themselves injur'd that they cannot reign ; and own no liberty , but when they may without controul upon their fellows prey . above the waves as neptune show'd his face , to chide the winds , and save the trojan race : so has your highness , rais'd above the rest , storms of ambition tossing us , represt . your drooping country , torn with civil hate , restor'd by you , is made a glorious state : the seat of empire ; where the irish come , and the unwilling scot , to fetch their doom . the sea 's our own ; and now all nations greet , with bending sails , each vessel of our fleet : your power extends as far as winds can blow , or swelling sails upon the globe may go . heaven , that has plac'd this island to give law , to ballance europe , and her states to awe : in this conjunction does on britain smile ; the greatest leader , and the greatest isle . whether this portion of the world were rent by the rude ocean from the continent ; or thus created : sure it was design'd to be the sacred refuge of mankind . hither the oppressed shall henceforth resort justice to crave , and succour at your court : and then your highness , not for ours alone , but for the worlds protector shall be known . fame , swifter than your winged navy , flies through every land , that near the ocean lies , sounding your name , and telling dreadful news , to all that piracy and rapine use . with such a chief the meanest nation blest , might hope to raise her head above the rest : what may be thought impossible to do , for us embraced by the sea and you ? lords of the worlds great waste , the ocean , we whole forrests send to reign upon the sea : and every coast may trouble or relieve ; but none can visit us without your leave . angels and we have this prerogative , that none can at our happy seat arrive : while we descend , at pleasure to invade the bad with vengeance , and the good to aid . our little world , the image of the great , like that amidst the ambient ocean set , of her own growth hath all that nature craves ; and all that 's rare , as tribute from the waves . as egypt does not on the clouds rely , but to her nile owes more than to the sky : so whatsoe're our earth and heav'n denies , our ever constant friend the sea supplies . the taste of hot arabia's spice we know , free from the scorching sun that makes it grow . without that heat , in persian silk we shine ; and without planting , drink of every vine . to dig for wealth we weary not our limbs ; gold , tho the heaviest mettal , hither swims . ours is the harvest , where the indians mow ; we plow the deep , and reap what others sow . things of the noblest kind our own soil breeds ; stout are our men , and warlike are our steeds . rome , tho her eagle thro'tho world had flown , could never make this island all her own : here the third edward , and the black prince too ; france conquering , henry flourisht , and now you ; for whom we stay'd , as did the grecian state , till alexander came to urge their fate . when for more worlds the macedonian cry'd , he wist not thetis in her lap did hide another yet , a world reserv'd for you , to make more great than that he did subdue . he safely might old troops to battel lead , against th' unwarlike persian and the mede ; whose hasty flight did from a bloodless field , more spoil than honour to the victor yield . a race unconquer'd , by their clime made bold , the caledonians arm'd with want and cold , have by a fate indulgent to your fame , been from all ages kept for you to tame . whom the old roman wall so ill confin'd , with a new chain of garrisons you bind : here foreign gold no more shall make them come ; our english iron holds them fast at home . they that henceforth must be content to know no warmer region than their hills of snow ; may blame the sun , but must extol your grace , which in our senate hath allow'd them place : preferr'd by conquest , happily o'rethrown , falling they rise , to be with us made one . so kind dictators made , when they came home , their vanquisht foes free citizens of rome . like favour find the irish , with like fate , advanced to be a portion of our state. whilst by your valour , and obliging mind , nations divided by the sea are joyn'd . holland to gain our friendship is content to be our out-gard on the continent : she from her fellow provinces would go , rather than hazard to have you her foe . in our late fight , when cannons did diffuse ( preventing posts ) the terror and the news ; our neighbours then did tremble at the roar : but our conjunction makes them tremble more . your never failing sword made war to cease ; and now you heal us with the arts of peace : our minds with bounty , and with awe engage ; invite affection , and restrain our rage . less pleasure take brave minds in battels won , than in restoring such as are undone : tygers have courage , and the rugged bear ; but man alone can when he conquers , spare . to pardon willing , and to punish loth : you strike with one hand , but you heal with both : lifting up all that prostrate lye , you grieve you cannot make the dead again to live. when fate or error had our rage misled , and o're these nations such confusion spread : the only cure , which could from heav'n come down , was so much power and clemency in one : one whose extraction from a noble line , gives hopes again that well-born men may shine ; the meanest in your nature , mild and good ; the noblest rest secured in your blood. much have we wonder'd , how you hid in peace , a mind proportion'd to such things as these : how such a ruling spirit you could restrain ; and practice first over your self to reign . your private life did a just pattern give , how fathers , husbands , pious men should live . born to command , your princely vertue slept , like humble david , whilst the flock he kept : but when your troubled country call'd you forth ; your flaming courage and your matchless worth , dazzling the eyes of all that did pretend , to fierce contention gave a prosperous end . still as you rise , the state exalted too , finds no distemper , while 't is chang'd by you ; chang'd like the worlds great scene , when with-out noise the rising sun night's vulgar lights destroys . had you some ages past this race of glory run , with amazement we should read the story : but living vertue ( all atchievements past ) meets envy still , to grapple with at last . this caesar found , and that ungrateful age , which losing him , fell back to blood and rage . mistaken brutus thought to break the yoke ; but cut the bond of union with that stroke . that sun once set , a thousand meaner stars gave a dim light to violence and wars : to such a tempest as now threatens all , did not your mighty arm prevent the fall . if rome's great senate could not weild the sword , which of the conquer'd world had made them lord ; what hope had ours , while yet their power was new , to rule victorious armies , but by you ? you , that had taught them to subdue their foes , could order , teach , and their high spirits compose : to every duty could their minds engage ; provoke their courage , and command their rage . so when a lyon shakes his dreadful main , and angry grows ; if he that first took pain , to tame his youth , approach the haughty beast ; he bends to him , but frights away the rest . then let the muses , with such notes as these , instruct us what belongs unto our peace . your battels they hereafter shall endite , and draw the image of our mars in fight ; tell of towns storm'd , of armies over-run , and mighty kingdoms by your conquest won : how while you thundred , clouds of dust did choak contending troops , and seas lay hid in smoke . illustrious acts high raptures do infuse ; and ev'ry conqueror creates a muse. here in low strains your milder deeds we sing : but then ( my lord ) we 'll bays and olive bring , to crown your head ; while you in triumph ride o're nations conquer'd , and the sea beside : while all the neighbour princes unto you , like josephs sheaves , pay reverence and bow .
upon the death of o. c. we must resign ; heav'n his great soul does claim in storms as loud as his immortal fame : his dying groans , his last breath shakes our isle ; and trees uncut fall for his funeral pile . about his palace their broad roots are tost into the air : so romulus was lost . new rome in such a tempest mist her king ; and from obeying , fell to worshipping . on oeta's top thus hercules lay dead , with ruin'd oaks and pines about him spread . those his last fury from the mountain rent : our dying hero from the continent , ravish'd whole towns ; and forts from spaniards reft , as his last legacy to britain left . the ocean , which so long our hopes confind , could give no limits to his vaster mind : our bounds enlargement was his latest toil ; nor hath he left us prisoners to our isle . under the tropick is our language spoke , and part of flanders hath receiv'd our yoke . from civil broils , he did us disingage ; found nobler objects for our martial rage : and with wise conduct , to his country show'd , their ancient way of conquering abroad . ungrateful then ! if we no tears allow to him , that gave us peace and empire too . princes that fear'd him , grieve , concern'd to see no pitch of glory from the grave is free . nature her self , took notice of his death ; and sighing , swell'd the sea with such a breath : that to remotest shores her billows rowl'd th' approaching fate of their great ruler told .
mr. waller's speech to the house of commons , april . . mr. speaker ,

i will use no preface , as they do who prepare men for some thing in which they have a particular interest : i will only propose what i conceive fit for the house to consider : and shall be no more concerned in the event , than they that shall hear me .

two things i observe in his majesties demands .

first , the supply .

secondly , our speedy dispatch thereof .

touching the first : his majesties occasions for money are but too evident . for , to say nothing , how we are neglected abroad , and distracted at home ; the calling of this parliament , and our sitting here ( an effect which no light cause could in these times have produced ) is enough to make any reasonable man believe , that the exchequ�r abounds not so much in money , as the state does in occasions to use it . and i hope we shall all appear willing to disprove those who have thought to disswade his majesty from this way of parliaments , as uncertain ; and to let him see , it is as ready , and more safe for the advancement of his affairs , than any new , or pretended old , way whatsoever .

for the speedy dispatch required , which was the second thing , not only his majesty , but res ipsa loquitur ; the occasion seems to importune no less : necessity is come upon us like an armed man.

yet the use of parliaments heretofore ( as appears by the writs that call us hither ) was to advise with his majesty of things concerning the church and commonwealth . and it hath ever been the custom of parliaments , by good and wholsom laws to refresh the commonwealth in general ; yea and to descend into the remedies of particular grievances ; before any mention made of a supply . look back upon the best parliaments , and still you shall find , that the last acts are for the free gifts of subsidies on the peoples part , and general pardons on the kings part . even the wisest kings have first acquainted their parliaments with their designs , and the reasons thereof ; and then demanded the assistance , both of their council and purses . but physicians , though they be called of the latest , must not stomach it , or talk what might have been , but apply themselves roundly to the cure. let us not stand too nicely upon circumstances , nor too rigidly postpone the matter of supply , to the healing of our lighter wounds . let us do , what possibly may be done with reason and honesty on our parts , to comply with his majesties desires , and to prevent the imminent ills which threaten us .

but consider ( mr. speaker ) that they who think themselves already undone , can never apprehend themselves in danger : and they that have nothing left , can never give freely . nor shall we ever discharge the trust of those that sent us hither , or make them believe that they contribute to their own defence and safety ; unless his majesty be pleased , first to restore them to the propriety of their goods and lawful liberties , whereof they esteem themselves now out of possession . one need not tell you , that the propriety of goods is the mother of courage , and the nurse of industry , makes us valiant in war , and good-husbands in peace . the experience i have of former parliaments , and my present observation of the care the country has had to choose persons of worth and courage , makes me think this house like the spartans , whose forward valour required some softer musick to allay and quiet their spirits , too much moved with the found of martial instruments . 't is not the fear of imprisonment , or , if need be , of death it self , that can keep a true-hearted english man from the care to leave this part of his inheritance as entire to posterity , as he received it from his ancestors .

this therefore let us first do , and the more speedily , that we may come to the matter of supply ; let us give new force to the many laws , which have been heretofore made for the maintaining of our rights and priviledges , and endeavour to restore this nation to the fundamental and vital liberties , the propriety of our goods , and the freedom of our persons : no way doubting , but we shall find his majesty as gracious and ready , as any of his royal progenitors have been , to grant our just desires therein . for not only the people do think , but the wisest do know , that what we have suffered in this long vacancy of parliaments , we have suffered from his ministers . that the person of no king was ever better beloved of his people ; and that no people were ever more unsatisfied with the ways of levying moneys , are two truths which may serve one to demonstrate the other : for such is their aversion to the present courses , that neither the admiration they have of his majesties native inclination to justice and clemency , nor the pretended consent of the judges , could make them willingly submit themselves to this late tax of ship-money . and such is their natural love and just esteem of his majesty's goodness , that no late pressure could provoke them , nor any example invite them to disloyalty or disobedience .

but what is it then , that hath bred this misunderstanding betwixt the king and his people ? how is it , that having so good a king , we have so much to complain of ? why , we are told of the son of solomon , that he was a prince of a tender heart ; and yet we see , by the advice of violent counsellers how rough an answer he gave to his people . that his finger should be as heavy as his fathers loins , was not his own , but the voice of some persons about him , that wanted the gravity and moderation requisite for the counsellors of a young king. i love not to press allegories too far : but the resemblance of job's story with ours holds so well , that i cannot but observe it to you . it pleased god to give his enemy leave to afflict him more than once or twice , and to take all he had from him ; and yet he was not provoked to rebell , so much as with his tongue : though he had no very good example of one that lay very near him , and felt not half that which he suffered . i hope his majesty will imitate god in the benigner part too ; and as he was severe to job only while he discoursed with another concerning him ; but when he vouchsafed to speak himself to him , began to rebuke those , who had mistaken and mis-judged his case , and to restore the patient man to his former prosperity : so now , that his majesty hath admitted us to his presence , and spoken face to face with us ; i doubt not , but we shall see fairer days , and be as rich in the possession of our own as ever we were .

i wonder at those that seem to doubt the success of this parliament , or that the misunderstanding between the king and his people should last any longer , now they are so happily met . his majesties wants are not so great , but that we may find means to supply him : nor our desires so unreasonable , or so incompatible with government , but that his majesty may well satisfie them . for our late experience , i hope , will teach us what rocks to shun ; and how necessary the use of moderation is . and for his majesty , he has had experiencé enough , how that prospers , which is gotten without the concurrent good will of his people : never more money taken from the subject ; never more want in the exchequer . if we look upon what has been paid ; it is more then ever the people of england were wont to pay in such a time : if we look upon what has been effected therewith � it shews , as if never king had been worse supplyed . so that we seem to have endeavoured the filling of a sieve with water . whosoever gave advice for these courses , has made good the saying of the wise man , qui conturbat domum suam , possidebit ventum . by new ways they think to accomplish wonders ; but in truth they grasp the wind , and are at the same time cruel to us , and to the king too . for if the commonwealth flourish , then he that hath the sovereignty can never want nor do amiss : so as he govern not according to the interest of others ; but go the shortest and the safest ways to his own and the common good.

the kings of this nation have always governed by parliament : and if we look upon the success of things since parliaments were laid by , it resembles that of the grecians , ex illo ftuere & retrò sublapsa referri rês danaum � especially on the subjects part . for though the king hath gotten little ; they have lost all .

but his majesty shall hear the truth from us ; and we shall make appear the errors of those divines , who would perswade us , that a monarch must be absolute , and that he may do all things ad libitum ; receding not only from their text ( though that be a wandring too ) but from the way their own profession might teach them , state super vias antiquas , and remove not the ancient bounds and land-marks which our fathers have set . if to be absolute , were to be restrained by no laws ; then can no king in christendom be so ; for they all stand obliged to the laws christian. and we ask no more ; for to this pillar are our priviledges fixt , our kings at their coronation taking a sacred oath not to infringe them .

i am sorry these men take no more care to gain our belief of those things , which they tell us for our souls health ; while we know them so manifestly in the wrong , in that which concerns the liberties and priviledges of the subjects of england : but they gain preferment ; and then 't is no matter , though they neither believe themselves , nor are believed by others . but since they are so ready to let loose the consciences of their kings , we are the more carefully to provide for our protection against this pulpit-law , by declaring and reinforcing the municipal laws of this kingdom .

it is worth observing , how new this opinion is , or rather this way of rising , even among themselves . for mr. hooker , who sure was no refractory man , ( as they term it ) thinks , that the first government was arbitrary , till it was found , that to live by one mans will , became the cause of all mens misery : ( these are his words ) concluding , that this was the original of inventing laws . and if we look further back , our histories will tell us , that the prelates of this kingdom have often been the mediators between the king and his subjects , to present and pray redress of their grievances : and had reciprocally then as much love and reverence from the people .

but these preachers , more active than their predecessors , and wiser than the laws , have found out a better form of government . the king must be a more absolute monarch , than any of his predecessors ; and to them he must owe it : though in the mean time , they hazard the hearts of his people ; and involve him in a thousand difficulties . for , suppose , this form of government were inconvenient ; and yet this is but a supposition , for these five hundred years it hath not only maintained us in safety , but made us victorious over other nations ; but , i say , suppose they have another idea of one more convenient : we all know how dangerous innovations are , though to the better , and what hazard those princes must run , that enterprize the change of a long establisht government . now of all our kings that have gone before , and of all that are to succeed in this happy race ; why should so pious and so good a king be exposed to this trouble and hazard ? besides , that kings so diverted can never do any great matter abroad .

but while these men have thus bent their wits against the laws of their country ; whether they have neglected their own province , and what tares are grown up in the field which they should have tilled , i leave it to a second consideration : not but that religion ought to be the first thing in our purposes and desires : but that which is first in dignity , is not always to precede in order of time . for well-being supposes a being ; and the first impediment , which men naturally endeavour to remove , is the want of those things , without which they cannot subsist . god first assigned unto adam maintenance of life , and gave him a title to the rest of the creatures , before he appointed a law to observe . and let me tell you , if our adversaries have any such design , as there is nothing more easie , than to impose religion on a people deprived of their liberties ; so there is nothing more hard than to do the same upon freemen .

and therefore ( mr. speaker ) i conclude with this motion , that there may be an order presently made , that the first thing this house will consider of , shall be the restoring this nation in general to the fundamental and vital liberties ; the propriety of our goods , and freedom of our persons : and that then we will forthwith consider of the supply desired .

and thus we shall discharge the trust reposed in us , by those that sent us hither . his majesty will see , that we make more than ordinary haste to satisfie his demands : and we shall let all those know , that seek to hasten the matter of supply , that they will so far delay it , as they give interruption to the former .

mr. waller's speech july . . my lords ,

iam commanded by the house of commons , to present you with these articles against mr. justice crawley , which when your lordships shall have been pleased to hear read , i shall take leave ( according to custom ) to say something of what i have collected from the sense of that house , concerning the crimes therein contained .

then the charge was read , containing his extrajudicial opinions subscribed , and judgment given for ship-money ; and afterward , a declaration in his charge at an assize , that ship-money was so inherent a right in the crown , that it would not be in the power of a parliament to take it away .

my lords ,

not only my wants , but my affections ronder me less fit for this employment : for though it has not been my happiness to have the law a part of my breeding ; there is no man honours that profession more , or has a greater reverence towards the grave judges , the oracles thereof . out of parliament , all our courts of justice are governed or directed by them : and when a parliament is call'd ; if your lordships were not assisted by them , and the house of commons by other gentlemen of that robe , experience tells us , it might run a hazard of being stiled parliamentum indoctorum . but as all professions are obnoxions to the malice of the professors , and by them most easily betrayed ; so ( my lords ) these articles have told you , how these brothers of the coif are become fratres in malo ; how these sons of the law have torn out the bowels of their mother . but this judge ( whose charge you last heard ) in one expression of his , excels no less his fellows than they have done the worst of their predecessors , in this conspiracy against the commonwealth . of the judgment for ship-money , and those extrajudicial opinions preceding the same ( wherein they are joyntly concern'd ) you have already heard : how unjust and pernicious a proceeding that was in so publick a cause , has been sufficiently express'd to your lordships . but this man , adding despair to our misery , tells us from the bench , that ship-money was a right so inherent in the crown , that it would not be in the power of an act of parliament to take it away . herein ( my lords ) he did not only give as deep a wound to the commonwealth , as any of the rest ; but dipt his dart in such a poyson , that , so far as in him lay , it might never receive a cure. as by those abortive opinions , subscribing to the subversion of our propriety , before he heard what could be said for it , he prevented his own ; so by this declaration of his , he endeavours to prevent the judgment of your lordships too ; and to confine the power of a parliament , the only place where this mischief might be redrest . sure he is more wise and learned , than to believe himself in this opinion ; or not to know how ridiculous it will appear to a parliament , and how dangerous to himself : and therefore , no doubt , by saying , no parliament could abolish this judgment ; his meaning was , that this judgment had abolish'd parliaments .

this imposition of ship-money , springing from a pretended necessity ; was it not enough , that it was grown annual , but he must entail it upon the state for ever ; at once making necessity inherent to the crown , and slavery to the subject ? necessity , which dissolving all law , is so much more prejudicial to his majesty than to any of us , by how much the law has invested his royal state with a greater power , and ampler fortune . for so undoubted a truth , it has ever been , that kings , as well as subjects , are involved in the confusion , which necessity produces ; that the heathen thought their gods also obliged by the same ; pareamus necessitati , quam nec homines nec dii superant . this judge then , having in his charge at the assize declared the dissolution of the law , by this supposed necessity ; with what conscience could he at the same assize proceed to condemn and punish men ; unless perhaps he meant , the law was still in force , for our destruction , and not for our preservation ? that it should have power to kill , but none to protect us ? a thing no less horrid , than if the sun should burn without lighting us ; or the earth serve only to bury , and not feed and nourish us .

but ( my lords ) to demonstrate , that this was a supposititious impos'd necessity , and such as they could remove when they pleased ; at the last convention in parliament , a price was set upon it ; for twelve subsidies you shall reverse this sentence . it may be said , that so much money would have removed the present necessity : but here was a rate set upon future necessity ; for twelve subsidies you shall never suffer necessity again , you shall for ever abolish that judgment . here this mystery is revealed , this vizor of necessity is pull'd off : and now it appears , that this parliament of judges had very frankly and bountifully presented his majesty with twelve subsidies , to be levied on your lordships and the commons . certainly there is no priviledge which more properly belongs to a parliament , than to open the purse of the subject : and yet these judges , who are neither capable of sitting among us in the house of commons , nor with your lordships , otherwise than as your assistants , have not only assum'd to themselves this priviledge of parliament , but presum'd at once to make a present to the crown , of all that either your lordships , or the commons of england do , or shall hereafter possess .

and because this man has had the boldness to put the power of parliament in ballance with the opinion of the judges ; i shall entreat your lordships to observe by way of comparison , the solemn and safe proceeding of the one , with the precipitate dispatch of the other . in parliament ( as your lordships know well ) no new law can pass , or old be abrogated , till it has been thrice read with your lordships , thrice in the commons house , and then it receives the royal assent ; so that 't is like gold seven times purified : whereas these judges by this one resolution of theirs , would perswade his majesty , that by naming necessity , he might at once dissolve ( at least suspend ) the great charter two and thirty times confirm'd by his royal progenitors , the petition of right , and all other laws provided for the maintenance of the right and propriety of the subject . a strange force ( my lords ) in the sound of this word necessity , that like a charm it should silence the laws , while we are dispoyl'd of all we have . for that but a part of our goods was taken , is owing to the grace and goodness of the king ; for so much as concerns these judges , we have no more left than they perhaps may deserve to have , when your lordships shall have passed judgment upon them : this for the neglect of their oaths , and betraying that publick trust , which for the conservation of our laws was reposed in them .

now for the cruelty and unmercifulness of this judgment ; you may please to remember that in the old law they were forbid to seeth a kid in his mothers milk ; of which the received interpretation is , that we should not use that to the destruction of any creature , which was intended for its preservation : now ( my lords ) god and nature has given us the sea as our best guard against our enemies , and our ships as our greatest glory above other nations ; and how barbarously would these men have let in the sea upon us , at once to wash away our liberties , and to overwhelm , if not our land , all the propriety we have therein ; making the supply of our navy , a pretence for the ruine of our nation ? for observe , beseech you , the fruit and consequence of this judgment , how this money has prospered , how contrary an effect it has had to the end , for which they pretended to take it : on every county a ship is annually impos'd ; and who would not expect , but our seas by this time should be covered with the number of our ships ? alas ( my lords ) the daily complaints of the decay of our navy tell us how ill ship-money has maintained the sovereignty of the sea ; and by the many petitions which we receive from the wives of those miserable captives at algier , ( being between four or five thousand of our countrymen ) it does too evidently appear that to make us slaves at home , is not the way to keep us from being made slaves abroad : so far has this judgment been from relieving the present , or preventing the future necessity ; that as it changed our real propriety into the shadow of a propriety , so of a feigned it has made a real necessity .

a little before the approach of the gaules to rome , while the romans had yet no apprehension of that danger , there was heard a voice in the air , lowder than ordinary , the gaules are come ; which voice after they had sack'd the city , and besieged the capitol , was held so ominous , that livie relates it as a prodigy . this anticipation of necessity seems to have been no less ominous to us : these judges , like ill boding birds , have call'd necessity upon the state , in a time when i dare say they thought themselves in greatest security . but if it seem superstitious to take this as an omen ; sure i am , we may look on it as a cause of the unfeigned necessity we now suffer ; for what regret and discontent had this judgment bred among us ? and as when the noise and tumult in a private house grows so loud as to be heard into the streets , it calls in the next dwellers either kindly to appease , or to make their own use of the domestick strife ; so in all likelihood our known discontents at home have been a concurrent cause to invite our neighbours to visit us , so much to the expence and trouble of both these kingdoms .

and here , my lords , i cannot but take notice of the most sad effect of this oppression , the ill influence it has had upon the ancient reputation and valour of the english nation : and no wonder , for if it be true that oppression makes a wise man mad ; it may well suspend the courage of the valiant . the same happened to the romans , when for renown in arms they most excell'd the rest of the world ; the story is but short , 't was in the time of the decemviri ( and i think the chief troublers of our state may make up that number . ) the decemviri , my lords , had subverted the laws , suspended the courts of justice , and ( which was the greatest grievance both to the nobility and people ) had for some years omitted to assemble the senate , which was their parliament : this , says the historian , did not only deject the romans , and make them despair of their liberty , but caused them to be less valued by their neighbours : the sabines take the advantage and invade them ; and now the decemviri are forc'd to call the long-desired senate ; whereof the people were so glad , that hostibus belloque gratiam habuerunt : this assembly breaks up in discontent : nevertheless the war proceeds ; forces are raised , led by some of the decemviri , and with the sabines they meet in the field : i know your lordships expect the event : my authors words of his countrymen are these , ne ' quid ductu aut auspicio decemvirorum prospere gereretur , vinci se patiebantur : they chose rather to suffer a present diminution of their honour , than by victory to confirm the tyranny of their new masters : at their return from this unfortunate expedition , after some distempers and expostulations of the people , another senate , that is , a second parliament , is call'd ; and there the decemviri are questioned , deprived of their authority , imprisoned , banish'd , and some lose their lives : and soon after his vindication of their liberties , the romans by their better success , made it appear to the world , that liberty and courage dwell always in the same breast , and are never to be divorced . no doubt , my lords , but your justice shall have the like effect upon this dispirited people ; 't is not the restitution of our ancient laws alone , but the restauration of our ancient courage , which is expected from your lordships . i need not say any thing to move your just indignation , that this man should so cheaply give away that which your noble ancestors with so much courage and industry had so long maintain'd : you have often been told how careful they were , tho' with the hazard of their lives and fortunes , to derive those rights and liberties as entire to posterity as they received them from their fathers : what they did with labour , you may do with ease ; what they did with danger , you may do securely : the foundation of our laws is not shaken with the engine of war ; they are only blasted with the breath of these men , and by your breath they may be restored .

what judgments your predecessors have given , and what punishments their predecessors have suffered for offences of this nature , your lordships have already been so well informed , that i shall not trouble you with a repetition of those precedents : only ( my lords ) something i shall take leave to observe of the person with whose charge i have presented you , that you may the less doubt of the wilfulness of his offence .

his education in the inns of court , his constant practice as a councellor , and his experience as a judge ( considered with the mischief he has done ) makes it appear , that this progress of his through the law , has been like that of a diligent spie through a country , into which he meant to conduct an enemy .

to let you see he did not offend for company ; there is one crime so peculiar to himself , and of such malignity , that it makes him at once uncapable of your lordships favour , and his own subsistence incompatible with the right and propriety of the subject : for if you leave him in a capacity of interpreting the laws ; has he not already declar'd his opinion , that your votes and resolutions against ship-money are void , and that it is not in the power of a parliament , to abolish that judgment ? to him , my lords , that has thus play'd with the power of parliament , we may well apply what was once said to the goat browsing on the vine . rode , caper , vitem ; tamen hinc cum stabis ad aras in tua quod fundi cornua possit , erit :

he has cropt and infring'd the priviledges of a banish'd parliament ; but now it is returned , he may find it has power enough to make a sacrifice of him , to the better establishment of our laws : and in truth what other satisfaction can he make his injur'd country , than to confirm by his example those rights and liberties which he had ruin'd by his opinion ?

for the proofs , my lords , they are so manifest , that they will give you little trouble in the disquisition : his crimes are already upon record , the delinquent and the witness is the same ; having from several seats of judicature proclaim'd himself an enemy to our laws and nation , ex ore suo judicabitur . to which purpose , i am commanded by the knights , citizens , and burgesses of the house of commons , to desire your lordships that as speedy a proceeding may be had against mr. justice crawley , as the course of parliaments will permit .

finis .
errata .

pag. . line . for its , r his . p. . l. ult . in spoil , r. in the spoil . p. . l. . after she 's gone , make ! p. . enters , r. enter . p. . l. ult . king , r. kings . p. . l. . dele ? ib. l. . rember , r. remember . p. . l . passions , r. passion . p. . l. . tempest , r. tempests . p. . l. ult . and our sake , r. and for our sake . p. . l. . guld , r. guild . p. . l. . the , r. these .

horace's art of poetry made english by the right honourable the earl of roscommon. ars poetica. english horace. approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing h estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) horace's art of poetry made english by the right honourable the earl of roscommon. ars poetica. english horace. roscommon, wentworth dillon, earl of, ?- . waller, edmund, - . [ ], p. printed for henry herringman ..., london : . translation of ars poetica. "of this translation, and of the use of poetry, by edm. waller esq.", preliminary p. 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ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion horace's art of poetry . made english by the right honorable the earl of roscommon . london , printed for henry herringman at the blew anchor in the lower walk of the new exchange . . preface . i have seldome known a trick succeed , and will put none upon the reader , but tell him plainly that i think it could never be more seasonable than now to lay down such rules , as if they be observ'd , will make men write more correctly , and judge more discreetly ; but horace must be read seriously or not at all , for else the reader wont be the better for him , and i shall have lost my labour , i have kept as close as i could , both to the meaning , and the words of the author , and done nothing but what i believe he would forgive if he were alive ; and i have often ask'd my self that question . i know this is a field per quem magnus equos arunci flexit alumnus . but with all the respect due to the name of ben. johnson , to which no man pays more veneration than i , it cannot be deny'd that the constraint of rhyme , and a literal translation ( to which horace in this book declares himself an enemy ) has made him want a comment in many places . my chief care has been to write intelligibly , and where the latin was obscure , i have added a line or two to explain it . i am below the envy of the criticks , but if i durst , i would begg them to remember , that horace ow'd his favour and his fortune to the character given of him by virgil and varius , that fundanius & pollio are still valued by what horace says of them , and that in their golden age , there was a good vnderstanding among the injenious , and those who were the most esteem'd were the best natur'd . roscommon . of this translation , and of the use of poetry , by edm. waller esq. rome was not better by her horace taught , than we are here , to comprehend his thought ▪ the poet writ to noble piso , there , a noble piso do's instruct us here , gives us a pattern in his flowing stile , and with rich precepts do's oblige our isle , brittain , whose genious is in verse exprest bold and sublime , but negligently drest ; horace will our superfluous branches prune , give us new rules , and set our harp in tune , direct us how , to back the winged horse , favour his flight , and moderate his force ; tho' poets may of inspiration boast . their rage ill govern'd , in the clouds is lost ; he that proportion'd wonders can disclose , at once his fancy and his judgment shows ; chast moral writing we may learn from hence neglect of which no wit can recompence ; the fountain which from helicon proceeds , that sacred stream should never water weeds , nor make the crop of thorns and thistles grow which envy or perverted nature sow ; well-sounding verses are the charm we use , heroick thoughts , and vertue to infuse ; things of deep sence we may in prose unfold , but they move more , in lofty numbers told ; by the loud trumpet , which our courage aids , we learn that sound , as well as sence , persuades , the muse's friend , unto himself severe , with silent pitty looks on all that err , but where a brave , a publick action shines that he rewards with his immortal lines ; whether it be in counsel or in fight , his countrey 's honour is his chief delight ; praise of great acts , he scatters as a seed , which may the like , in coming ages breed : here taught the sate of verses , always priz'd with admiration , or as much despis'd , men will be less indulgent to their fauts and patience have to cultivate their thoughts ; poets lose half the praise they should have got , could it be known , what they discreetly blot finding new words , that to the ravish't ear may like the language of the gods appear , such as of old , wise bards employ'd , to make unpollish't men their wild retreats forsake , law-giving-heroes , fam'd for taming bru'ts , and raising cities with their charming lutes , for rudest minds , with harmony were caught , and civil life was by the muses taught , so wandring bees would perish in the air , did not a sound , proportion'd to their ear , appease their rage , invite them to the hive , unite their force , and teach them how to thrive to rob the flowers , and to forbear the spoil , preserv'd in winter by their summers toyl , they give us food , which may with nectar vie , and wax that do's , the absent sun , supply . horace of the art of poetry ▪ if in a picture ( piso ) you should see , a handsome woman with a fishes tail , or a man's head upon a horses neck , or limbs of beasts of the most different kinds , cover'd with feathers of all sorts of birds , wou'd you not laugh , and think the painter mad ? trust me that book is as ridiculous , whose incoherent stile ( like sick mens dreams ) varies all shapes , and mixes all extreams , painters and poets have been still allow'd , their pencils , and their fancies unconfin'd , this priviledge we freely give and take ; but nature , and the common-laws of sence , forbid to reconcile antipathys , or make a snake ingender with a dove , and hungry tygers court the tender lambs ; some that at first have promis'd mighty things , applaud themselves , when a few florid lines shine through th' insipid dulness of the rest ; here they describe a temple , or a wood , or streams that through delightful medows run , and there the rainbow , or the rapid rhyne , but they misplace them all , and crowd them in , and are as much to seek in other things , as he that only can design a tree , would be to draw a shipwrack or a storm ; when you begin with so much pomp and show , why is the end so little and so low ? be what you will , so you be still the same . most poets fall into the grossest faults , deluded by a seeming excellence : by striving to be short , they grow obscure , and when they would write smoothly they want strength , their spirits sink ; while others that affect , a lofty stile , swell to a tympany ; some timerous wretches start at every blast , and fearing tempests , dare not leave the shore ; others in love with wild variety , draw boars in waves , and dolphins in a wood ; thus fear of erring , joyn'd with want of skill , is a most certain way of erring still . the meanest workman in the aemilian square , may grave the nails , or imitate the hair , but cannot finish what he hath begun ; what is there more ridiculous than he ? for one or two good fcatures in a face where all the rest are scandalously ill , make it but more remarkably deform'd . let poets march their subject to their strength , and often try what weight they can support , and what their shoulders are too weak to bear , after a serious and judicious choice , method and eloquence will never fail ; as well the force as ornament of verse , consists in choosing a fit time for things , and knowing when a muse should be indulg'd in her full flight , and when she should be curb'd : words must be chosen , and be plac'd with skill , you gain your point , if your industrious art can make unusual words easy and plain , but ( if you write of things abstruse or new ) some of your own inventing may be us'd , ( so it be seldom and discreetly done ) but he that hopes to have new words allow'd , must so derive them from the graecian spring , as they may seem to flow without constraint ; can an impartial reader discommend in varus , or in virgil what he likes ? in plautus or caecilius ? why should i be envy'd for the little i invent , when ennius and cato's copious stile have so enrich'd , and so adorn'd our tongue ? men ever had , and ever will have leave , to coin new words well suited to the age : words are like leaves , some wither every year , and every year a younger race succeeds ; death is a tribute all things owe to fate ; the lucrine mole ( caesars stupendous work ) protects our navys from the raging north ; and ( since cethegus drain'd the pontin lake ) we plow and reap where former ages row'd . see how the tyber ( whose licentious waves so often overflow'd the neighbouring fields , now runs a smooth and inoffensive course , confin'd by our great emperors command ; yet this and they , and all will be forgot ; why then should words challenge eternity , when greatest men , and greatest actions dye ? use may revive the obsoletest words , and banish those that now are most in vogue ; use is the judge , the law , and rule of spe●ch . homer first taught the world in epick verse ( to write of great commanders , and of kings , elegies were at first design'd for grief , though now we use them to express our joy ) ▪ but to whose muse we owe that sort of verse , is undecided by the men of skill . rage with jambick's , arm'd archilochus ▪ numbers for dialogue and action fit and favourites of the dramatick muse. fierce , lofty , rapid , whose commanding sound awes the tumultuous noises of the pit , and whose peculiar province is the stage . gods , heroes , conquerers , olympick crowns ▪ loves pleasing cares , and the free joys of wine , are proper subjects for the lyrick song . why is he honour'd with a poets name , who neither knows , nor would observe a rule ? and chuses to be ignorant and proud , rather than own his ignorance , and learn , let every thing have its due place and time. a comick subject loves an humble verse , thyestes scorns a low and comick stile . yet comedy sometimes may raise her voice , and chremes be allow'd to foam and rail : tragedians too , lay by their state to grieve ; peleus and telephus exil'd and poor , forget their swelling , and gygantick words . he that would have spectators share his grief , must write not only well , but movingly , and raise mens passions to what height he will , we weep and laugh as we see others doe , he only makes me sad who shews the way , and first is sad himself , then ( telephus ) i feel the weight of your calamities , and fancy all your miseries my own , but if you act them ill , i sleep or laugh : your looks must needs alter , as your subject does from kind to fierce , from wanton to severe , for nature forms , and softens us within , and writes our fortunes changes in our face . pleasure enchants , impetuous rage transports , and grief deiects , and wrings the tortur'd soul , and these are all interpreted by speech ; but he whose words and fortunes disagree , absurd , unpitied growes a publick jest . observe the characters of those that speak , whether an honest servant , or a cheat ▪ or one whose blood boils in his youthful , veins ▪ or a grave matron ▪ or a busie nurse , extorting merchants , carefull husbandmen , argives , or thebans , asians or greeks . follow report , or feign coherent things , describe achilles , as achilles was , impatient , rash , inexorable , proud , scorning all judges , and all law but arms ; medaea must be all revenge and blood , ino all tears , ixion all deceit , io must wander , and orestes mourn : if your bold muse dare tread unbeaten paths , and bring new characters upon the stage , be sure you keep them up to their first height . new subjects are not easily explain'd , and you had better chuse a well known theam , than trust to an invention of your own ; for what originally others writ , may be so well disguis'd , and so improv'd , that with some justice it may pass for yours ▪ but then you must not copy trivial things , nor word for word too faithfully translate , nor ( as some servile imitators do ) prescribe at first such strict uneasie rules ▪ as they must ever slavishly observe , or all the laws of decency renounce : begin not as th' old poetaster did , ( troys famous war , and priams fate , i sing ) in what will all this ostentation end ? the laboring mountain scarce brings forth a mouse ▪ how far is this from the meonian stile ? muse , speak the man , who since the siege of troy , so many towns , such change of manners saw . one with a flash begins , and ends in smoak , the other out of smoak brings glorious light , and ( without raising expectation high ) surprizes us with darling miracles , the bloody lestrygons inhumane feasts , with all the monsters , of the land and sea ▪ how scylla bark'd , and polyphemus roard : he doth not trouble us with leda's eggs , when he begins to write the trojan war ; nor writing the return of diomed , go back as far as meleagers death : nothing is idle , each judicious line insensibly acquaints us with the plot ; he chooses only what he can improve , and truth and fiction are so aptly mix'd that all seems uniform , and of a piece . now hear what every auditor expects ; if you intend that he should stay to hear the epilogue , and see the curtain fall ; mind how our tempers alter with our years , and by those rules form all your characters : one that hath newly learn'd to speak and go , loves childish plays , is soon provok'd and pleas'd , and changes every hour his wavering mind . a youth that first casts off his tutors yoke , loves horses , hounds , and sports , and exercise , prone to all vice , impatient of reproof , proud , careless , fond , inconstant , and profuse ▪ gain and ambition rule our riper years , and make us slaves to interest and power ▪ old men are only walking hospitals , where all defects , and all diseases croud with restless pain , and more tormenting fear , lazy , morose , full of delays and hopes ▪ opprest with riches which they dare not use ; ill-natur'd censors of the present age , and fond of all the follies of the past ▪ thus all the treasure of our flowing years , our ebb of life for ever takes away . boys must not have the ambitious cares of men ▪ nor men the weak anxieties of age ▪ some things are acted , others only told ; but what we hear moves less than what we see ▪ spectators only have their eyes to trust , but auditors must trust their ears and you ; yet there are things improper for a scene , which men of judgment only will relate ; maedoea must not draw her murthering knife , and spill her childrens blood upon the stage , nor atreus there his horrid feast prepare , cadmus's , and pr●g●es metamorphosis ( she to a swallow turn'd , he to a snake ) and whatsoever contradicts my sense , i hate to see , and never can believe , five acts are the just measure of a play ▪ never presume to make a god appear ▪ but for a business worthy of a god , and in one scene no more than three should speak . a chorus should supply what action wants , and hath a generous and manly part ; bridles wild rage , loves rigid honesty , and strict observance of impartial laws , sobriety , security and peace , and begs the gods to turn blind fortunes wheel , to raise the wretched , and pull down the proud. ( but nothing must be sung between the acts ▪ but what some way conduces to the plot. ) first the shrill sound of a small rural pipe , ( not loud like trumpets , nor adorn'd as now ) was entertainment for the infant stage . and pleas'd the thin and bashfull audience , of our well meaning frugal ancestors ▪ but when our walls and limits were enlarg'd , and men ( grown wanton by prosperity ) studied new arts of luxury and ease , the verse , the musick , and the scene 's improv'd ; for how should ignorance be judge of wit , or men ▪ of sence applaud the jests of fools ? then came rich cloths and gracefull action in , then instruments were taught more moving notes , and eloquence with all her pomp and charms foretold as useful and sententious truths ▪ as those deliver'd by the delphick god : the first tragedians , found that serious stile too grave for their uncultivated age , and so brought wild and naked satyrs in , ( whose motion , words , and shape were all a farce ) ( as oft as decency would give them leave ) because the mad ungovernable rout , full of confusion , and the fumes of wine , lov'd such variety and antick tricks . but then they did not wrong themselves so much , to make a god , a hero , or a king , ( stripp'd of his golden crown and purple robe ) descend to a mechanick dialect , nor ( to avoid such meanness ) soaring high with empty sound , and aiery notions fly ; for , tragedy should blush as much to stoop to the low mimmick follies of a farce , as a grave matron , would to dance with girles : you must not think that a satyrick stile allows of scandalous and brutish words , or the confounding of your characters . begin with truth , then give invention scope , and if your stile be natural and smooth , all men will trie , and hope to write as well ; and ( not without much pains ) be undeceiv'd . so much good method and ▪ connexion may improve the common and the plainest things . a satyr that comes staring from the woods , must not at first speak like an orator ; but , though his language should not be refin'd , ●t must not be obscene , and impudent , the better sort abhors scurrility , and often censures , what the rabble likes . unpolish'd verses pass with many men , and rome is too indulgent in that point ; but then , to write at a loose rambling rate , in hope the world will wink at all our faults ▪ is such a rash , ill-grounded confidence , as men may pardon , but will never praise ▪ consider well the greek originals , read them by day , and think of them by night ; but plautus was admir'd in former time . with too much patience ( not to call it worse ) hi● harsh , unequal verse , was musick then , and rudeness had the priviledge of wit : when thespis first expos'd the tragick muse , rude were the actors , and a cart the scene , where ghastly faces stain'd with lees of wine , frighted the children , and amus'd the croud ; this aeschilus ( with indignation ) saw , and built a stage , found out a decent dress , brought vizards in ( a civiler disguise ) and taught men how to speak , and how to act ; next comedy appear'd with great applause , till her licentious , and abusive tongue , wakened the magistrates coercive power , and forc'd it to suppress her insolence ; our writers have attempted every way , and they deserve our praise , whose daring muse , disdain'd to be beholden to the greeks , and found fit subjects for her verse at home . nor should we be less famous for our wit , then for the force of our victorious arms ; but that the time and care , that are requir'd to overlook , and file , and polish well , fright poets from that necessary toyl . democritus was so in love with wit , and some mens natural impulse to write , that he despis'd the help of art and rules , and thought none poets till their brains were crack'd ; and this hath so intoxicated some that ( to appear incorrigibly mad ) they cleanliness and company renounce ; for lunacy beyond the cure of art , with a long beard , and ten long dirty nails , pass currant for apollo's livery . o my unhappy stars ! if in the spring , some physick had not cur'd me of the spleen , none would have writ with more success than i ; but i am satisfied to keep my sense , and only serve to whet that wit in you , to which i willingly resign my claim . yet without writing i may teach to write , tell what the duty of a poet is ; wherein his wealth and ornament consist , and how he may be form'd , and how improv'd , what 's fit , what not , what excellent or ill , sound judgment is the ground of writing well : and when philosophy directs your choice to proper subjects rightly understood , words from your pen will naturally flow ; he only gives the proper characters , who knows the duty of all ranks of men , and what we owe to countrey , parents , friends , how judges , and how senators should act , and what becomes a general to do ; those are the likest copies which are drawn , by the original of human life . sometimes in rough and undigested plays we meet with such a lucky character , as being humor'd right and well persu'd , succeeds much better , than the shallow verse , and chiming trifles , of more studious pens ; greece had a genious , greece had eloquence , for her ambition and her end was fame ; our roman youth is bred another way , and taught no arts but those of usury ; and the glad father glories in his child , when he can subdivide a fraction : can souls , who by their parents from their birth have been devoted thus to rust and gain , be capable of high and generous thoughts ? can verses writ by such an author live ? but you ( brave youth ) wise numa's worthy heir , remember of what weight your judgment is , and never venture to commend a book , that has not pass'd all judges and all tests . a poet should instruct , or please , or both ; let all your precepts be succinct and clear , that ready wits may comprehend them soon , and faithfull memories retain them long ; for superfluities are soon forgot . never be so conceited of your parts , to think you may persuade us what you please , or venture to bring in a child alive , that canibals have murther'd and devour'd ; old age explodes all but morality ; austerity offends aspiring youths , but he that joyns instructions with delight , profit with pleasure , carries all the votes ; these are the volumes that enrich the shops , these pass with admiration through the world , and bring their author an eternal fame . be not too rigidly censorious , a string may jarr in the best masters hand , and the most skilfull archer miss his aim ; but in a poem elegantly writ , i will not quarrel with a slight mistake , such as our natures frailty may excuse ; but he that hath been often told his fault , and still persists , is as impertinent , as a musician that will always play , and yet is always out at the same note ; when such a positive abandon'd fopp , ( among his numerous absurdities ) stumbles upon some tolerable lines , i fret to see them in such company , and wonder by what magick they came there . but in long works , sleep will sometimes surprize , homer himself hath been observ'd to nodd . poems ( like pictures ) are of different sorts , some better at a distance , others near , some love the dark , some chuse the clearest light , and boldly challenge the most piercing eye , some please for once , some will for ever please ; but piso ( tho your own experience , join'd with your fathers precepts make you wise ) remember this as an important truth ; some things admit of mediocrity , a counsellor or pleader at the bar , may want messalas powerfull eloquence , or be less read than deep cassellius ; yet this indifferent lawyer is esteem'd ; but no authority of gods nor men , allow of any mean in poesie . as an ill consort , and a course perfume , disgrace the delicacy of a feast , and might with more discretion have been spar'd , so poesie , whose end is to delight , admits of no degrees , but must be still , sublimely good , or despicably ill . in other things men have some reason left ; and one that cannot dance , or fence , or run ; despairing of success , forbears to try ; but all ( without consideration ) write ; some thinking that th' omnipotence of wealth can turn them into poets when they please . but piso , you are of too quick a sight not to discern which way your talent lies , or vainly struggle with your genius ; yet if it ever be your fate to write , let your productions pass the strictest hands , mine and your fathers , and not see the light , till time and care have ripned every line . what you keep by you , you may change , & mend , but words once spoke can never be recall'd . orpheus inspir'd by more than humane power , did not ( as poets feign ) tame savage beasts , but men as lawless , and as wild as they , and first disuaded them from rage and bloud ; thus when amphion built the theban wall , they feign'd the stones obey'd his magick lute ; poets the first instructers of mankind , brought all things to their proper , native use ; some they appropriated to the gods , and some to publick , some to private ends : promiscuous love by marriage was restrain'd cities were built , and usefull laws were made ; so ancient is the pedigree of verse , and so divine a poets function . then homer's and tyrtaeus martial muse , waken'd the world , and sounded loud alarms ▪ to verse we owe the sacred oracles , and our best precepts of morality ; some have by verse obtain'd the love of kings , ( who , with the muses , ease their wearied minds ) then blush not noble piso to protect , what gods inspire , and kings delight to hear . some think that poets may be form'd by art , others maintain , that nature makes them so ; i neither see what art without a vein , nor wit without the help of art can do , but mutually they need each others aid . he that intends to gain th' olympick prize , must use himself to hunger heat , and cold , take leave of wine , and the soft joys of love ; and no musician dares pretend to skill , without a great expence of time and pains ; but every little busie scribler now swells with the praises which he gives himself ; and taking sanctuary in the croud , brags of his impudence , and scorns to mend ▪ a wealthy poet , takes more pains to hire , a flatring audience , than poor tradesmen do to persuade customers to buy their goods . t is hard to find a man of great estate , that can distinguish flatterers from friends . never delude your self , nor read your book before a brib'd and fawning auditor ; for hee 'l commend and feign an extasie , grow pale or weep , do any thing to please ; true friends appear less mov'd than counterfeit ; as men that truly grieve at funerals , are not so loud , as those that cry for hire ; wise were the kings , who never chose a friend till with full cups they had unmask'd his soul , and seen the bottom of his deepest thoughts ; you cannot arm your self with too much care against the smiles of a designing knave . quintilius ( if his advice were ask'd ) would freely tell you what you should correct , or ( if you could not ) bid you blot it out , and with more care supply the vacancy ; but if he found you fond , and obstinate ( and apter to defend than mend your faults ) with silenc leave you to admire your self , and without rival hugg your darling book . the prudent care of an impartial friend , will give you notice of each idle line , shew what sounds harsh , & what wants ornament , or where it is too lavishly bestowed ; make you explain all that he finds obscure , and with a strict enquiry mark your faults ; nor for these trifles fear to loose your love ; those things , which now seem frivolous , & slight , will be of serious consequence to you , when they have made you once ridiculous . a mad dogs foam , the infection of the plague , and all the judgments of the angry gods , we are not all more heedfully to shun , then poetasters in their raging fits , follow'd and pointed at by fools and boys ; but dreaded and proscrib'd by men of sense : if ( in the raving of a frantick muse ) and minding more his verses than his way , any of these should drop into a well , tho he might burst his lungs to call for help , no creature would assist or ▪ pitty him , but seem to think he fell on purpose in . hear how an old sicilian poet died ; empedocles , mad to be thought a god , in a cold fit leap'd into aetna's flames . give poets leave to make themselves away , why should it be a greater sin to kill , then to keep men alive against their will ? nor was this chance ; but a deliberate choice ; for if empedocles were now reviv'd , he would be at his frolick once again , and his pretensions to divinity : t is hard to say whether for sacrilege or incest , or some more unhear'd of crime the rhyming fiend is sent into these men , but they are all most visibly possest , and like a baited bear , when he breaks loose , without distinction seize on all they meet ; none ever scap'd that came within their reach , sticking like leaches till they burst with blood , without remorse insatiably they read , and never leave till they have read men dead . finis . of the lady mary, &c. waller, edmund, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing w estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) of the lady mary, &c. waller, edmund, - . p. printed by t.n. for henry herringman ..., in the savoy [london] : . reproduction of original in huntington library. caption title. imprint from colophon. a poem. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng charles -- ii, -- king of england, - -- poetry. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion of the lady mary , &c. i. as once the lyon honey gave , out of the strong such sweetness came ; a royal hero no less brave , produc'd this sweet , this lovely dame . ii. to her the prince , that did oppose such mighty armies in the field , and holland from prevailing foes could so well free , himself does yield . iii. not belgia's fleet ( his high command ) which triumphs where the sun does rise ; nor all the force he leads by land , could guard him from her conquering eyes . iv. orange with youth experience has , in action young , in counsel old : orange is what augustus was , brave , wary , provident , and bold . v. on that fair tree , which bears his name , blossoms and fruit at once are found ; in him we all admire the same , his flowery youth with wisdom crown'd . vi. empire and freedom reconeil'd , in holland are , by great nassaw , like those he sprung from , just and mild , to willing people he gives law. vii . thrice happy pair ! so near ally'd in royal blood , and virtue too : now love your hearts so fast has ty'd , may none this triple knot undo . viii . the church shall be the happy place , where streams which from the same source run , ( tho' divers lands a while they grace ) unite again and are made one. ix . a thousand thanks the nation owes to him that does protect us all : for while he thus his niece bestows , about our isle he builds a wall. x. a wall like that , which athens had , by th' oracles advice , of wood ; had theirs been such , as charles has made , that mighty state till now had stood . by mr. waller of beconsfield . licensed nov. . . roger l'estrange . in the savoy : printed by t. n. for henry herringman , at the anchor on the new exchange . . on the park at st. jamese's waller, edmund, - . this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (wing w ). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing w estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) on the park at st. jamese's waller, edmund, - . p. printed for tho. dring, [london?] : [ ?] reproduction of original in huntington library. caption title. a poem. eng parks -- england -- london -- poetry. a r (wing w ). civilwar no on the park at st. jamese's. waller, edmund c the rate of defects per , words puts this text in the c category of texts with between and defects per , words. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion on the park at st. jamese's . of the first paradice , ther 's nothing found , trees set by heaven are vanish'd , and the ground , yet the description lasts , who knows the fate of lines that shall this paradice relate ? in stead of rivers rowling by the side of edens garden , here flows in the tide ; the sea that alwayes serv'd his empire , now payes tribute to our princes pleasure too . of antient cities we the founders know , but rivers old as seas to which they go are natures bounty , 't is of more renown to make a river , than to build a town . for future shade young trees upon the bank of the new stream appear in even rank ; the voyce of orpheus , or amphyon's hand in better order could not make them stand . may they increase as fast , and spread their bows , as the high fame of their great owner grows . may he live long enough to see them all dark shadows cast , and as his palace tall . me thinks i hear the love that shall be made , the gallants dancing in the amorous shade , the lovers walking by the river side , they bath in summer , and in winter slide . me thinks i hear the musick in the boats and the loud eccho which returns their notes , whil'st over head a flock of new sprung fowl hang in the air , and do the sun controul , darkning the sky they hover or'e , and shrow'd the wanton saylours with a feathered cloud ; beneath a shoal of silver fishes glides and playes about the gilded barges sides ; a thousand cupids on the billows ride , and sea-nymphs enter with the swelling tide , from thetis sent as spies to make report and tell the wonders of her soveraigns court ▪ all that can living feed the greedy eye , or dead the palat , here you may descry ; the choicest things that furnish'd noah's ark , or peter's sheet , inhabiting this park , all with a border of rich fruit-trees crown'd , whose loaded branches hide the lofty mound . such various wayes the spacious allies lead my doubtfull muse knows not what path to tread . yonder the harvest of cold moneths laid up gives a fresh coolnesse to the royal cup ; here ice like crystal firm , and never lost , tempers hot iuly with decembers frost ; winters dark prison , whence he cannot fly tho the warm spring his enemy draw ny ; strange that extremes should thus preserve the snow high on the alps , and in deep caves below . here a well polish'd mall gives us the joy to see our prince his matchlesse force imploy ; his manly posture , and his gracefull meen , vigour and youth in all his actions seen , his shape so lovely , and his limbs so strong , confirm our hopes we shall obey him long . no sooner has he touch'd the flying ball , but 't is already more than half the mall , and such a fury from his arm hath got as from a smoaking culverin 't were shot . may that ill fate my enemies befall to stand before his anger , or his ball . next this my muse ( what most delights her ) sees a living gallery of aged trees , bold sons of earth , that thrust their arms so high as if once more they would invade the sky . in such green palaces the first kings reign'd , slept in their shades , and angels entertain'd ; with such old counsellors they did advise , and by frequenting sacred groves grew wise ▪ free from the impediments of light and noise , man thus retir'd , his nobler thoughts imployes . here charls contrives the ordering of his states , here he resolves his neighbouring princes fates , what nation shall have peace , where war be made determin'd is in this oraculous shade . the world from india to the frozen north concern'd in what this solitude brings forth his fancy objects , from his view receives the prospect thought , and contemplation gives . that seat of empire here salutes his eye to which three kingdoms do themselves apply , the structure by a prelate rais'd , whitehall built with the fortune of romes capitol , both disproportion'd to the present state of their proud founders , were approv'd by fate . from hence he doth that antique pile behold , where royal heads receive the sacred gold , it gives them crowns , and doth their ashes keep , there made like gods , like mortals there they sleep . when others fell , this standing did presage the crown should triumph over popular rage : hard by that house where all our ills were shap'd the auspicious temple stood , and yet escap'd : so snow on etna doth unmelted ly whence rowling flames , and scattered cinders fly ; the distant countrey in the ruin shares what falls from heaven the burning mountain spares . next , that capacious hall he sees , the room where the whole nation doth for justice come , under whose large roof flourishes the gown , and judges grave on high tribunals frown . here , like the peoples pastor , he doth go , his flock subjected to his view below , on which reflecting in his mighty mind no private passion doth indulgence find ; the pleasures of his youth suspended are , and made a sacrifice to publick care ; here free from court compliances he walks , and with himself , his best adviser , talks ; how peacefull olives may his temples shade for mending laws , and for restoring trade , or how his brows may be with lawrel charg'd for nations conquer'd , and our bounds inlarg'd ; of antient prudence here he ruminates , of rising kingdoms , and of falling states ; what ruling arts gave great augustus fame , and how alcides purchas'd such a name . his eyes upon his native palace bent close by , suggest a greater argument : his thoughts rise higher when he does reflect on what the world may from that star expect vvhich at his birth appear'd , to let us see day for his sake could with the night agree . a prince on whom such different lights do smile born the divided world to reconcile . vvhatever heaven , or high extracted blood could promise , or foretell , he will make good , reform these nations , and improve them more than this fair park from what it was before . printed for tho. dring . a vindication of the king· with some observations upon the two houses. by a true sonne of the church of england, and a lover of his countryes liberty. waller, edmund, - . this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (wing w d). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing w d estc r this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a vindication of the king· with some observations upon the two houses. by a true sonne of the church of england, and a lover of his countryes liberty. waller, edmund, - . [ ] p. [s.n.], london : printed anno domini, . a true sonne of the church of england = edmund waller. signatures: a⁴. title page has ornament with vines and leaves. variant: ornament with grotesque face. pages cropped and stained with slight loss of print. at reel position : , t.p. only is bound with and filmed after an occasional essay by way of parable, in vindication of the ejected ministers from the usual scandal of a schismatical seperation (wing o s). reproduction of the original in the harvard university library. eng charles -- i, -- king of england, - -- early works to . great britain -- history -- charles i, - -- early works to . a r (wing w d). civilwar no a vindication of the king· with some observations upon the two houses. by a true sonne of the church of england, and a lover of his countrye waller, edmund c the rate of defects per , words puts this text in the c category of texts with between and defects per , words. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - john latta sampled and proofread - john latta text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a vindication of the king with some observations upon the two hovses . by a true sonne of the church of england , and a lover of his countryes liberty . london , printed anno domini , . a vindication of the king , &c. i shall not be curious to satisfie the reason of any prepossest opinion , yet since the times hath given an open presse to cleere every imagination which is not stifled in this dampe : i have endeavoured to contract my own meditations in a narrow roome ; and rather expose them to the censure of the most judicious , then rest satisfied alone , and admit this cloudy surface to overwhelme so vast a body . i confesse it was no meane part of my happinesse in our dangerous extreames , to hope for a happy union by that soveraign medicine of a fading state , a parliament and knowing the admirable affection of our gracious soveraign to the peace and quiet of the kingdome , though it was his unspeakable misfortune , never to know the misery of the people , till their discontents were growne to that head , they became almost ( if not altogether uncureable , by those unreasonable monopolies , exacted by some ill affected agents , conducing little to his advantage , but to the furthering of their ambition , who not withstanding , could as easily desert him in his misery , as before be the ready instruments to importune him to this mischiefe , upon pretence of a legall authority , which who knowes not a prince , may bee soone mistaken in , since none can be so silly , as to beleeve him a studied lawyer : yet that this should expose us to so great an adventure , as not only to divest him of this suspected arbitrary power , but to confer an absolute government to any whatsoever , renders me no other action then the poets , incidit in syllam cupiens vitare caribdim . but if you please to take the true state of the businesse , let your impartiall judgement confer with your reason , upon these few notorious truths . what has the king denyed which concern our liberty , and are the undoubted securities of our happinesse , under the regiment of a just and unquestionable monarchy ? are not our rights and properties already establisht this parliament , by such acts of grace , as could never finde presidents from his ancestors , besides the utter extirpation of shipmony , monopolies , upon what pretence soever , those arbitrary courts of justice , high commission , star-chamber , marshalseas , &c. has he not importuned the setling of religion in his purity , and that there might be a law , to secure the tender consciences of those who will not agree the ceremonies . are not the taking away these sufficient ground to desolve our jealosies , if ever we mean to be satisfied . as for their feares , i wish wee had as little reason to suspect the fomenters , as we have the king , who is so clearly divested of any power , to make good the least injustice , that it 's too great a hazard on his part to adventure what our consciences enforce us to make good for him on our part : and the conservation of those are so attested by him ( in the word of a king ) with such unusuall expressions , that if they came from a stranger , ( i suspected not an infidell ) i was bound to beleeve in charity , witnesse those serious asseverations , god so deale with me and my children , as i intend to conserve my parliament in its priviledges , the rights of the subject , and the true profest protestant religion , god so prosper me in what i take in hand . is there yet a further way to establish them , whereby they may be so secure , that a violation may seeme impossible , with out the subversion of the very letter of the law : why is it not proposed if it be no invasion of that just prerogative was never denyed his ancestors ? and what he hath deserved of us , that he may not be as far trusted , is as hard to object , as easily answered . if then we must needes agree that therebeing nothing so cleare , why should any subtile pretences , hinder our desired accommodation , unlesse there be that intend the alteration of our government , and how inconsistant that may prove to a people already managed , under the united order of a vertuous king , daily experience offers it too easie of conjecture . yet for our better satisfaction , le ts weigh the amends we are like to make our selves , from these few inconveniences , amongst the thousands which daily expose themselves to our view . . the unlimited power of the two houses have already assumed into their own hands , a formall all ordinance countermanding , suspending , nay , creating acts of parliament , though not in the name of acts , yet in the power of acts , whereby both king and people are obliged to obey ; how to distinguish this ordinance from an act of state , i am not well satisfied ; yet i have heard it cald treason in one of their members , for this comparison , though with that cautious provisoe , that it should be no leading case to future ages for judges to imitate . is this the security of our undoubted rights we have so long endeavoured : who carries not now his life in his hand , managed by an exact power of a bare vote , which if any contradicts , must suffer under the name of a malignant party , though of their own members , and not proceeded against by the justice of any president acts , but condemned by the votes of the present session ; and if this be not an absolute subversion of the rights of parliament , and destructive to the fundamentall laws of our kingdome ( wherein our liberty consists ) i would fain be satisfied what is , for 't is most apparant to , whosoever examines their ordinary procedings ; we have no law left but what serves their turne ; and if that bee defective , to punish those they please to call delinquents , their legislatiue ordinance can as well supply that defect , as it could make that obnoxious , which till this parliament no man could ever call a fault . . this continuing power of the two houses , which if they had had a mind should ever be remitted , they would have either expressed it in their first demand , and limitted it to a certaine time , wherin they might have compleatly qualified the disquiet countenance of a troubled estate ; or since have endeavoured some remonstrance for our satisfaction in that particular : for i would fain be answered , first , if they sit while they list , and passe what they list , whether they have not ( during their pleasure ) subverted our monarchy by their democracie and invested themselves of a power more arbitrary , then the monarchicall government could pretend to , that having his limitations and rules of law , which the iudges are to answer ( if they mistake ) or those that advise the king ; their democracy having no bounds , be but a thing of yesterday , and which as yet we cannot understand , assuming to themselves the sole power to iudge of our dangers , and propose such remedy , as may answer their pretences . . how every consciencious man can dispence with that sacred oath of allegiance , wherein he cals god to witnesse for the vindication of his princes iust prerogative ▪ and their protestation to maintain an absolute and unlimited power in the two houses , wrested to those ordinances expressely inhibited by his majesties speciall commands ; in my understanding it is to no other purpose , then to lead us into a maze , where when we are lost by our understanding ( which must necessarily be the principall of our subversion , they will offer us a clue , shall either lead us to their premeditated designes ▪ whereby of necessity they will become our masters , or to an inevitable ruine , before we know the reason of our fears and iealousies , being the old rule they so often enveighed against , first to trouble a state , then to subvert the government . let it not be objected now , that i am against parliaments , for ( god knowes ) i am for them , and as zealous for my country as any man that lives : but in my opinion , the best way to secure our liberty had been , that our members of both houses might continue subjects still , lyable to the regiment of those laws which shal be enacted by them , wherein they will have a care of securing their own estates for future , as well as ours , which was certtinly the intentions of our well advised ancestors , in exposing so great a trust into their hands , when the prince called for their advice in matters of greatest concernment ; but by this continued session , they not onely are invested of an absolute power , but are able to make themselves amends at leisure for those monies exhausted out of their estates , while we groan under the insupportable burthen of theirs ( as they call them ) legall taxes : and ●ns they may well be carelesse what laws are past , never intending to be observers , but lords of what they make . . who are these pretended reformers of the common-wealth , but the very instruments who were the favourites during our oppression ; i need not name them to any , who has once attended the epidemicke trouble of our age , and what unheard of conversion we can make of their lives , whereby such a confidence should be reposed in them , as to devest so religious and iust a prince of his unquestionable rights and prerogatives , and confer such an unlimited power so readily upon them , if we return our former senses , renders me amazed ; t is not amisse to ruminate some words his majesty used in his own vindication at new-market , my lords , lay your hands on your hearts , who were the contrivers of these illegall taxes , wherewith you have so incensed my people : to whose advantage were these impositions levied ? are my exchequers at all larger ? or did you not rather conduce to your peculiar benefit , who were the onely perswaders of them , that you have now repayd me with condigne thanks . those favourites being content to be the causers , though not the companions of their princes mis-fortunes : being like crows upon a carkase , that have no sooner bared the bones , but they are flown . are we not yet sensible the rules of policy , not of honesty , to secure their lives and fortunes , not their consciences , exposed you to this politike , not publike service ; and had you not in so exact a course served your turns of these loyall pretenders ; they had been as lyable to the extremity of justice , as the greatest delinquents that underwent the most heavy censures ; and undoubtedly had had their deserved shares , which would have given a better colour to their upright proceedings as they would have you ●o believed . if they had impartially distributed justice amongst the then malignant party : but now that we should be so stupid as to b● circumvented with any pretences whatsoever , which out-strip the essentiall rules of government or reason , and confide in the positive vo 〈…〉 ambitious party ( for ought we know ) would admit my perswa●●●● be a mad-man that could allow that in his opinion , ●ut make th 〈…〉 you will , suppose them to be the most reall and upright 〈…〉 lives and consciences in the whole world : they are but the counsell of the king and kingdom , not their commanders , for the ●ealth of our state is admirably ballanced if that have but his due proportion ; the parliament consisting of three bodies , the king , the lords , and commons , so that if two should be destructive , and the third remayn sound during those laws already in force , there can be no danger to our kingdom , but if either of the two can passe at their pleasure what they will , the third must then of necessity stand for a cypher , for consenting or disagreeing is then of equall value , and in my opinion it is a president of too great an adventure , for suppose the king and the major part of the lords should agree an ordinance or law , wee should think extreamly prejudiciall to the liberty of the subject , our commons should be concluded peremptorily against their consents : i heard an act not long since vouched in president that had bin ratified against their consent of the lords spirituall , where they declared nec possumus nec volumus consentire , and this so rare wee could not finde a second . at the parliament at oxford in h. . when the lords were not there present , they were fain to dissolve the house without passing one act , confirming my first proposition . that the consent of two bodies are not of force to make us laws without the third , much lesse conclude ; the king who is not onely the supream head , but the very soul , whose power gives life to their actions , when their body is once dissolved , besides how in incoherent is it , with that authority committed to them , for if the parliament ( which are onely his great councell ) offer him a bill , which hee is bound to agree , it was more then ever his ancestors were ; and of their counsellors , it must necessarily follow , they are his commanders . we have a maxime with the subject , modus & conventio vincunt legem . in former ages and ever since parliaments were in use , le roy s'aviser a were sufficient authority to make a bill of both houses unwarrantable ; and how the king has lost that right , or what new laws are found out destructive to that prerogative , i never yet read , nor ever shall , unlesse some such new ordinance or bare votes can pretend to such an un warranted power ( whereof there was never yet found a president ) which can have no other operation upon my understanding , then , that the votes of the present members which can at their pleasures dispose the undoubted priviledges of the crown ( by a law recorded onely in their own breasts ) and given out to us under the guilded title of the peoples libertie , when indeed they are but golden chains in stead of bulrushes , and ( reserv'd till occasion shall make it too apparant ) may find out a law of equal force to dispose the crown , when they shall so far debilitate the prince as he shall be no way able to make resistance ; nor when the supporters are not onely undermined but cleerly taken away ; by what reason can we imagine the structure may continue 〈…〉 , that you may be sure we will not unjustly charge them be pleased to observe with me their orders in these few instances . . their countenancing these unwarranted acts , either by a seditious huddle of indigent people , and so procuring petitions to necessitate these premeditated proceedings , or levying an absolute war against the king ; securing us upon no other reasons then that they are the representative body of the kingdome , and therefore our obedience , rather to be expected , then our reason satisfied , which indeed is true enough if they proceeded upon that warranted rule to which no man could refuse observance , or being entrusted by us with the power of preceding parliaments ; that they would pursue points of so high concernment , with the same mature reasons and deliberation , as they have done and then they might well expect our readinesse to secure their actions : but suppose we elect one that should speak or endeavour to exact treason , does our election bid as to secure him , or will future parliaments blame us hereafter for giving up so great a delinquent to the iustice of the laws ? dare we countenance their intentions , who have fetcht presidents from the weakest princes , ( nay , and goe beyond them too ) is the disadvantage of as able a prince as ever yet held the sceptor , nay , and offer their suppositions to the vulgar , if the prince be a foole , a child , &c. ought he not to be governed by his councell , though it be against his consent , if it stand with the publique benefit ? what implication to make of this i understand not , but i am sure that it was none of our meaning when we gave our voice in the election : can an ordinance of parliament without the consent of the king renew a repeated act , and with so bold a countenance trample upon the heels of that parliament in richard the seconds time , and this very repealed act renewed this parliament , be within one step of it , wherein the parliament took the crown and gave it to the then earl of bullingbrook , which was the reason of so much blood in our civill wars , and was not well setled till of late yeeres ? and can we blame the king if he desires shelter from such a storme ? if it be their intentions , sure one bullingbrook will not serve their turns , since there have been equall shares in this so great an adventure . and to vouch the oath of this vsurper h. . which came in at their benevolence to a prince of an unquestionable title , and never offered before or since to any english king that ever we read or heard of ( but with its limitations ) is so far from their loyall pretences , that they are rather to be beleeved studyed mischiefs and endeavours , to embroyle the kingdome in a civill war . . to disingage all that would out of affection or love , interest themselves to secure the kings person , and dignitie , ( it being too apparent to any ordinary understanding ) that such proceedings were never warranted by any presidents of preceding parliaments , or those laws they call fundamentall in our kingdome , they scandalize such with the name of malignant persons , whereby his meniall servants either absolutely refused , or durst not adventure his attendance , and countenance this medley in such a sense , that the king himselfe is perpetually traduced under this obstruse dialect ; which though they dare not put down in plain english , for feare the most violent amongst them should be ashamed to owne it ; yet by such an implication , as the plainest capacitie cannot but blush , and with admiration wonder , whereto this may tend , i would fain be satisfied , what these might not do , when they had once mastered these their malignants : for if you will give us as much reason as the ants , you must beleeve a winter may come , as well as think a summer is come : durst any man then oppose their proceedings , when they have reduced all to their owne termes , doe you not speak your selves the very law , and we as we ought to yeeld no appeale from parliament , being the highest court in the kingdome ; yet in this sense as the king is a part of it ( for otherwise i understand not by what right ) it hath the preheminence of those they call the kings courts , being both conveened by the same royall authority . . the discountenancing any petitions whatsoever ( wherein we desire to interpose our advice for accommodation or otherwise ) though never so agreeing with our laws , unlesse they stand with the sence of their party , as if all our wisedom were shut up in so narrow limits , and these the only men in england iafallible : yet give me leave to aver , that to the number of almost two hundred approved able men , whose warranted judgement and sufficiencies were the onely inducement of their countries election , have been faine to sit still , and see things carryed in this disorderly confusion , ( peremptorily against their earnest endeavours ) and have not been so much as askt their opinions in matters of greatest concernment ; but being unwilling to expose their consciences to so high a guilt , have with drawn themselves as unusefull members of such a body . . to insinuate a beliefe of their care to the vulgar , they have perpetually surmised terrible jealousies , which have produced no other effect , then a desired suspition of the king , yet these offered upon most improbable conjecturs , as every private letter is sufficient grounds to piece up their designes , or by such persons whose private discontents , lead them to offer these high indignities to that sacred person , they were never worthy to serve in the meanest office ; and though there lives were so notorious for their formes extravagancies , they have by these superfluous invectives found countenance , till presuming upon their merits , which were none except to abuse the king , can be called desert ; that they have been given up to rapine , or some such damnable sin , that nature would never have pardoned , if we had had no law ; yet these mens informations , sufficient grounds to traduce the king , these letters most necessary animaduersions to leavie forces , to maintain the kings forts , towns , aed magazines against him , i , and in his own name to , as if they could derive that authority from him , that has no power ( according to your ordinance ) to leavie them in his own defence , though his person is in never so apparant imminent danger ; yet they for his good , and the good of the kingdome , can pretend to this power , and beyond , yet that all is not of that infallibility , let mr. pims letter from sir iohn hotham witnesse with me . i have committed these few observations , to the view of the publique , finding so many bold pamphlets ( with so high impudence ) fly at the face of majesty unreproved , and every corner stinks of this unclean doctrin : yet since it is come to this height , that we must declare our selves , or lose our king , : wherein my purpose failes , my life shall make good to my last breath ; but if religion , reason , and law had not warranted so iust a cause , i should never have adventured to cleare a glasse to so foule a countenance : yet before i conclude , let me propose one question in religion : whether the church was not in its purity in the primitive times ; the world agrees they had in those dayes a king that was no christian ? whether christ had not more power ( then ever any can or dare pretend to since ) to eclipse that regall dignity , if it had been distructive to the church ? yet he refused the lowest office of a magistrate , but gave to caesar the things that were his , for when the yong man came to him and said , lord command my brother that he devide the inheritance with me , he replies , who made me a ruler or a iudge amongst you ? but now , that we having a christian king , professing by his unblemisht life , the same way to salvation with us , protesting to conserve our liberties with his life , to make such an apparant difference , which may be the occasion of the effusion of so much christion blood , upon meere iealousies , will be the most unheard of disloyalty that can be committed to future ages . the passion of dido for Æneas as it is incomparably exprest in the fourth book of virgil. translated by edmund waller & sidney godolphin, esqrs. aeneis. book . english. virgil. approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the passion of dido for Æneas as it is incomparably exprest in the fourth book of virgil. translated by edmund waller & sidney godolphin, esqrs. aeneis. book . english. virgil. waller, edmund, - . godolphin, sidney godolphin, earl of, - . [ ] p. printed, and are to be sold by peter parker, at the leg and star over against the royal exchange in cornhil, london : . the translators names are in braces on the title page. signatures: [a] b-e f⁴[-a , a , f ]. imperfect: leaf f torn. reproduction of the original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - emma (leeson) huber sampled and proofread - emma (leeson) huber text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the passion of dido for aeneas . as it is incomparably exprest in the fourth book of virgil. translated by edmund waller & sidney godolphin . esq rs . — ubi quid datur otî illudo chartis : hoc est mediocribus illis ex vitiis unum — horat. l. sat. ● . london , printed , and are to be sold by peter parker , at the leg and star over against the royal exchange in cornhil , . the argument . dido was espous'd a virgin to sichaeus ; and both liv'd happy in their mutuall love , untill her brother pigmalion , who was then king of tyre , the place of their abode , by some close treachery slew sichaeus in hopes to possesse his great wealth , and to dispose of his wife ; all which , her husbands ghost appearing in her sleep , discovered ; telling her also where hee had hid a considerable treasure , of which pigmalion knew not . this she took , and , in the company of such friends she could best trust , and most hated the tyrant ; fled from thence to seeke her fortune in some safer place . at length arriving on the shore of lybia , partly for mony , partly by the favour of some neighbour-princes , affected with her beauty , and the hope to obtaine her in marriage , shee got possesion of that ground where the famous citty of carthage was afterwards built ; whose foundation she had not only laid , but made some good progresse in the structure ; when the wandring trojan aeneas was by tempest shipwrackt on some part of her dominion . his great fame , good mine , and well relating of his story , prevailed so with her that shee not only repair'd his ships , and feasted him and his company with great magnificence ; but let him so far into her affection , that she esteemed him , ( at least did not doubt but to make him ) her husband . when his necessary pursuit of other designes occasioned his sudden departure , and her tragedy . this fourth book describing only hir passion , deep sense of his ingratitude , and hir death , has been alwayes esteemed the best piece of the best of poets ; has been translated into all languages , and in our days at least ten times by severall pens , into english. it is freely left to the reader ; which he will preferre . this was done ( all but a very little ) by that incomparable person as well for virtue as wit , mr. sidney godolphin only for his own divertion , and with lesse care , then so exact a judgment as his would have used , if he had intended it should have ever been made publick . the passion of dido for aeneas . translated out of the fourth book of virgil . mean while the queen fanning a secret fire , in her own breast revolves her deepe desire she oft reflects upon the princely grace of great aeneas , and that noble race from whence he springs ; her wounded fancy feeds on his discourse , his high heroick deeds , his words his looks , her waking thoughts imploy , and when she sleepes , she sees him with more joy , but seldome sleeps : for when the shades of night had left their empire to the rising light , folding her sister in her armes , she sayes , what unacquainted thoughts , what dreams are these ▪ how great a guest within our walls we hold , how wise in counsell , and in armes how bold ? the mortall seed of man acknowledge feare but this brave prince his equall mind doth beare above all chance . did not my changelesse vow and mine owne will engage me to allow no other love ; my first affection dead and with the soul of my sichaeus fled : were not all joyes growne tastlesse , and the name of love offensive , since i lost that flame ; i might perhaps indulge this one desire . for , anna , i confesse since funerall fire embrac'd sichaeus , this first beame of light hath offered comfort to so dark a night , unwonted motions in my thoughts retriv'd , i find and feel the brand of care reviv'd . but may the earth , while yet alive , devoure this haplesse frame , and jove his thunder poure upon my head , and sink me to that shade that silent deep , whence no returne is made ▪ before i doe those sacred knots unty , which bind me to so deare a memory . he first unto my soul this ardor gave , and may he hold it in his quiet grave , this said , she weeps afresh . anna replyes , o chiefly lov'd and dearer then mine eyes , sad and alone for ever wil you wast your verdant youth , nor natures bounties taste in their due-season ? think you that the dead in their cold urns welcome the tears we shead ? what though no prayrs have yet had power to move your thoughts to entertain a second love ; yet vvill you now with your own heart contest ? nor give admittance to a pleasing guest ? consider where this new plantation lyes , and amidst whom these wall● of carthage rise : here the getulians , fierce numidians there , on either side engage your watchfull fear . propitious heaven● it seems , and juno lead these trojans here with so desir'd an aid : this match will mixe your fortunes and advance the tyrian state above all force or chance . invoke the powers above , with so●t delay engage the dardan prince to longer s●ay : till the swoln seas and winds their fury spend , and calmer gales his purposes attend . this speech revives the courage of the dame and through her burning veines dilates the flame . first to the holy temple they repaire and seek indulgence from above by praire : law-giving ceres , phoebus they invoke , but above all do venus altars smoke propitious to the bands of love ; the queen with her own hands , the heifer's horns between , poures the full bowls , or midst the sacrifice intentive walkes , as the rich odours rise fresh gifts she brings , and with a thought full brain surveyes the panting livers of the slain ; blind prophesies , vain altars , bootlesse prayer how little help they ? while so neer a care presses the queen and mingled with her bloud spreads secret poyson through the purple ●●oud . the haplesse dido is enrag'd by love , and with uncertain thoughts doth wildly move . so when a shepheards roving arrows find and pierce ( to him unknown ) some careless hind she flyes through woods and seeks the streames opprest the deadly arrow rankles in her breast . now to the walls she leads her trojan chief , and with this food she entertain'd her grief shevvs the sidonian-vvealth , and , as she speaks , her ovvn discourse by care diverred breaks ; the evening closes vvith another ●east and there again sh'invites the princely guest to tell his dangers past , and there again she drinks together deeper love and pain . but vvhen the prince ( night's darker ensign spread and sleepy dew upon all mortails shed ) doth bid farewell , she waking there alone deserted mourns that her dear guest is gone ▪ or keeps ascanius in her armes , to prove if likenesse can delude her restlesse love. mean while her stately structures slowly rise , halfe-finisht carthage rude and broken lyes . that high design , to heaven exalted frame , confus'd appears , and li●e a ruine lame . which when survey'd by juno from above and that the queen neglects her fame for love ▪ approaching venus , thus saturnia sayes : what ample trophies , never-dying prayse , to you and to your cupid will be paid ? that two such gods one woman have betray'd . i know with what designe you us'd this art planting aeneas thus in dido's heart , suspecting least these walls of ours might prove faithlesse to him if not secur'd by love ▪ but shall this partiall quarrell never cease ? may we not now ●ixe on eternall peace ? fair dido loves and feels your golden dart ; give but like ardour to aeneas heart , and we wil rule this state with equall power , and give the trojan carthage for a dower . venus replyes ( seeing the wife of jove to crosse the height of roman greatnesse strove with this deceit ) , what madnesse can refuse friendship with you where you a friendship chuse ? but whether jove will favour this designe and the great people in one empire joyn ; this in your prayers , who are his wife , doth lye . juno returns ; impose this taske on me , for what is now in hand let this suffice . the trojan prince with his unhappy prize the wounded queen , to chase the flying dear soon as the beams of morning-light appeare hyes to the fields ; there , on the goodly traine a darkning shower i 'le pour of hayl and raine , shake heaven with thunder , while the pale troop rid● disperst with fear and lo●t without a guide : one cave in her dark bosome shall afford shelter to dido and the trojan lord , and if , as i , propitious to their love you shine ; this shall their hymeneall prove ; all rites shall here be done . venus with smiles consents , but laughs within , at juno's wiles . the morning come , early at light 's first ray the gallant youth rise with the chearfull day : ●harp javelins in their hands , their coursers by they walke amidst the hound's impatient cry : neerer the gates the tyrian peers artend , and waite the queen now ready to descend . her prouder steed as fill'd with high disdain ●tamps the dull earth , & chavves the frothy reine . mounted at last , her golden quiver on ●y'd up with gold , her hair which gold-like shone her purple garment , claspt with gold , in head of her fair troop , the brighter queen doth lead with these the trojans , and their great chief close as one fair stream into another flows . he like apollo in his light and heat when he returnes unto his native ●ear of delos , and fresh verdure doth restore forsaking xanthus and the lycian shore thus he on cynthus tops , his own retreat securely walkes , thus welcome and thus great ●he dryop●ans and the cretans by , ●o doth his quiver clash ; not lesse then he aeneas shines , like beauty's in his face and in his motions like attractive grace . while thus they climb the pathless hills , the cry ●ursuesthe fearfull heards which headlong fly ●own to the vales , and on the boundlesse plain 〈◊〉 longer chase in view of all maintain . but glad ascanius spurrs his willing horse ●ow these , now those , out-passing in the course . he wishes some incensed bore his prey , or lyon from the hills would cross his way . mean while the gathering clouds obscure th● po●● they flash out lightning and in thunder roule : a bitter storme succeeds , the troops divide and ore the hills disperst to coverts ride . one cave in her dark bosome doth afford shelter to dido and the trojan lord. heaven shines with fire , earth shakes at this success the conscious air is fill'd with prodigies . this was the hour , which gave the fatall blow , the pregnant spring of all succeeding woe . tender respects no more have power to move the haplesse queen , no more she hides her love , but doth hir crime express with hymens name , and lives expos'd a theame to various fame . fame the most swift of ills , which in her course and motion spreads , and flying gathers force sprung from a scarce discerned seed , doth tread on the low ground , but lifts to heaven her head . she ( as 't is said ) was of that monstrous birth the latest sister , which the teeming earth brought forth , to war with heaven it self alone ; surviving all her brothers overthrown . thousands of plumes advance her easie flight , as many eyes enlarge her piercing sight , as many eares to catch reports , and then as many tongues to spread those tales agen , the silent night cannot the voyce allay of this ill boading dame , in the bright day she sits upon the citty walls a spy and takes delight all fears to multiply : she now through lybia's empire doth diffuse talk of aeneas , and th' unwelcome news of dido's love , that he late fled from troy such envi'd power and greatness doth enjoy . this the leight dame proclames in every ear and to iarbas doth the message bear ; iarbas who had felt fair didos scorne , joves son of ravisht garamant is born , who hallowed had to his great father's name an hundred altars , which together flame with ceaseless incense to the powers above , eternall fires pledges of humble love . mad with the news , the lybian monarch layes prostrate himself before the throne , and sayes ; all powerfull jove , propitious to the moors whom lybia more then any land adores beholdst thou this ? or doth in vain our fear ascribe just vengeance to the thunderer ? she , who a stranger with out leave have gain'd possession here , from us the power obtain'd to plant a town , hath thought her self above the prize and merit of our ardent love ; yet now with joy receives into our land the flying trojan and his conquered band , resignes to him her beauty , fame , and power , prefers the phrygian to the scorned moore . is this our pay , our recompence , while we consume our flocks in sacrifice to thee ? while thus he pours his grief before the shrines and sacred altars ; mighty jove inclines , looking on carthage and the amorous paire who in their pleasure quench all nobler care . he thus bespeaks his swift ambassadour ; go , son , and hie thee to the tyrian shore and to the dardan prince ( whose generous fire is now betrayed by love , and low desire ) this message bear , 't was not this destiny his fairest mother promis'd us when she preserv'd him from the powerfull arms of grece ; she gave us then far other hopes then these , that he from conquer'd alba should extend his empire to the worlds remotest end , and spread the fame of teucer's mighty race . if in his thoughts these honours have no place , if he have lost all sense of high renown ; ah can he yet envy the towers of rome to his ascanius and fair latium's sway ? this message to the phrygian prince convay , and bid him hoise his sayles ▪ swift mercury takes the command , and through the ayr doth fly his shining wings of gold , and in his hand the ensigne , of his power , his sacred wand ; that wand which long-clos'd eyes doth blesse with light and seals up others in erernall night . with this he cuts the ayr , and yielding clouds ; at length sees atlas top , atlas which shrouds his pine-crown'd head in heaven , and doth sustain incessant stormes of new form'd wind and rain . here first he stoops low as the earth , and then imployes his wings with all their speed agen : till the vast seas orepast and lybia's sands he slacks his course at carthage , and there lands . where when arriv'd he finds the trojan king viewing the walls , intent in ordering the strength and beauty of the new-rais'd town to whom the wing'd cyllenius thus begun : ah , too , too mindlesse of your own affairs , your thoughts immerst in lesse concerning cares , can you in tyrian wealth and greatness joy ? and carthage build , forgetfull of your troy ? great jove , who rules and fills the spacious all the evermoving spheers , the fixed ball , sends me to aske , with what unblest design you do the hopes of better fates resigne , and glory due to teucer's mighty race : if in your thoughts these honours have no place , if you have lost all sense of high renown ; ah , can you yet envy the towers of rome to your ascanius , and fair latium's sway ? hermes ( this said ) returns the ayery way he came ; but cold amazement doth surprize aeneas speechlesse tongue and fixed eyes : his pious fears urge him in haste to fly the too lov'd land and dear captivity . but this resolv'd , what way is left t'infuse th' unhappy queen with this unwelcome news ? a thousand counsells wander in his mind now here , now there , successively inclin'd this he prefers , he calls eurilochus the bold cloanthus , trusted mnestheus , gives them in charge that they the fleet prepare gather their troops but yet disguise their care that he mean while will to the queen impart at some fit time his much divided heart : or when his canvas-wings are spread to fly impute to heaven the sad necessity . thus he resolves and thus commands these peers but nothing can escape the wakefull fears of the enamour'd queen , whose tender breast presages all , by the first change imprest before the ill arrives : already fame ( which lately did the lybian prince inflame ) now takes delight to spred this ill report , that the glad phygians ●o their ships resort preparing flight . the jealous queen pursues through every part the much amazing news . the more she hears , the more inrag'd with grief shee thus at last invades the trojan chief . could thy dissembling heart consent to fly this hated land in cruell secrecy ? perfidious man , canst thou so soon remove the bands of vows , and dearer bands of love ? nor spare one word ? nor shed one tear to save my life descending to the cruell grave ? why yet in winter to the storming maine dost thou expose thy wandring slcet again ? cruell and false ! didst thou not seek a land unknown ? did now the antient ilium stand , were this a time through hazards such as these to seek thy troy through winter winds and seas ? vvhom dost thou flye ? by these unfained tears i do adjure thee , by these loving fears , by my own life , or ( what is more ) by thine , by all that hath oblig'd thee yet of mine , pitty my fall , and shew at least some grace to these my prayrs , if prayrs may yet have place , for thee , the hate and envy i support of the numidians and the lybian court ; for thee i have displeas'd my own , and lost that modesty , which i alone could boast ; that better fame , by which i had surviv'd my funerall fire and after death had liv'd . what have i left , or whither shall i fly ? shall i attend pigmalion's cruelty ? or till iarbus do in fetters lead the proud despiser of his love and bed ? i never could have thought my self undone , had but kind heaven indulg'd me with a son resembling thee , in whose ( though childish ) face i might retrive thy look and princely grace . sad dido pauses here . the trojan chief restrains within the motions of his grief , then thus replyes ; you never can repeat , great queen , the sum of my unquestion'd debt . nor while my active soul informes this frame , ever shall i forget eliza's name . i urge no more , let it suffice that i in thanklesse silence never meant to fly ; nor did i ever to those bonds pretend which now you charge me as a faithlesse friend ; had i bin trusted to design my fate , when troy betrayed fell by the grecians hate , i from the ashes of that dear-lov'd town had there restor'd another ilium . but now the lycian oracle commands , a pollo now assignes th' ausonian lands , and thither bids us send our thoughts and care and only fix our expectation there , fair carthage you and your own work survay a stranger born a forrain scepter sway . and shall it be a crime ( ah lass ! ) if we desire at last to rest in italy ? no night doth pass in which i do not see the old anchises image beckning me ; nor is there day in which i not reflect on my ascanius , and that lov'd aspect to whom by fate th' hesperian town is due . hither of late joves winged herald flew nor did he in delusive dreams appear ; a wake , i did the angry message hear . then fairest queen do not this fate withstand , unwillingly i leave your happy land. while thus he talks , the much distempered dame incenst within , breaks forth into this flame . nor wer 't thou of the gentle goddesse breed , nor art thou sprung from great anchises seed , perfidious man ! but from some savage stock hewn from the marble of some mountain rock for why should i disguise this height of ill and still deceiv'd expect new favour still ? did he let fall one pittying word , one tear ? or did he with one sigh my passion hear ? what shall i do ? for now alasse , i see that neither juno daignes to favour me , nor jove himself looks down with equall eyes , the earth is faithlesse , faithlesse are the skies . shipwrackt and cast upon the barren shore , pursu'd by cruell fates , forsaken , poor , i gave thee harbour in my simple breast ah ill-advis'd , ah too-unmindfull guest i sav'd thy fleet , thy friends , and faithlesse thee ; but now ( for sooth ) apollo's augury the oracles are urged to incite , and angry jove commands thy sudden flight , is heaven concern'd ? doth care of humane fate disturb the calmenesse of th' immortall state ? thou hearst me not , regardlesse of my cry , go then and through the seas seek italy , through the deaf seas and through the angry wind , and such compassion as thou usest find : there mayst thou call on dido's name in vain , i le follow thee , be present in thy paine . and when cold death shall this mixt-frame divide , my ghost shall lacquey by thy frighted side , thou dearly shalt repent ; the news of this shall overtake my soul , and give it blisse . nor waiting answer from the prince she flyes , and wishes she had power to shun all eyes but fainting soon and to her chamber led she threw her self upon her ivory bed . pious aeneas , though his noble breast softned by love was with much grief opprest , though faine he would with gentle words asswage the queens high passion and divert hir rage , suspends not yet his heaven-inspired care but does his fleet without delay prepare . the trojans ply the work , the busie maine is fill'd with noise , the ships now float again : on every side are seen descending down long troops which bring provision from the town . so when the winter-fearing ants invade some heaps of corn the husbandman had made ; the sable army marches , and with prey laden return , pressing the leafy way , some help the weaker , and their shoulders lend , others the order of the march attend , bring up the troops , and punish all delay . what were thy thoughts , sad dido , on that day ? how deep thy sighs ? when from thy tower above thou seest the phrygians in such order move and hear'st the tumult of the clamorous sea. all-conquering love ! who can resist thy sway ? once more the queen to humble tears descends , and language to her grief once more she lends , that she might leave no remedy untry'd nor counsell unexplor'd , before she dy'd . anna , she said , thou seest the peopled sea , the phrygians now their fatall anchors weigh ready to loose ; i feel their great chief's scorn which if foreseen i might perhaps have born . but now i make this one , this last request , you in this faithlesse man have interest you know his gentlest times , and best can find what wayes are left to mollify his mind . go then and use all pitty-moving art and if you can soften his harder heart . not i at aulis , did with greece conspire nor did i bring one brand to troy's last fire i never rent anchises honour'd tomb , why should he then my sad entreaty shun ? i do not urge ( as once ) our marriage tyes those sacred bonds which now he does despise , nor that he would fair italy resigne i only aske respite , and breathing time , till my dejected mind learne to comply ( taught by degrees ) with so great misery . ¶ all this her weeping sister does repeat to the sterne man , whom nothing could intreat . lost here her prayrs and fruit lesse were her tears , fate and great jove had stop't his gentle eares . as when loud winds a well-grown oak would rend up by the roots , this way and that they bend his reeling trunk , and with a boisterous sound scatter his leaves and strew them on the ground : he fixed stands , as deep his root dothly down to the center as his top is high . no lesse on every side the hero prest feels love and pitty shake his noble brest . and down his cheeks though fruitlesse tears do roul , unmov'd remaines the purpose of his soul. then dido urged with approaching fate begins the light of cruell heaven to hate ; her resolution to dispatch and dye confirm'd by many a horrid prodigy . the water consecrate for sacrifice appears all black to her amazed eyes the wine to putrid bloud converted flows which from her , none , not her own sister knows . besides there stood as sacred to her lord a marble temple which she much ador'd , with snowy fleeces and fresh garlands crown'd , hence every night proceeds a dreadfull sound . her husbands voyce invites her to his tomb and dismall owls presage the ills to come , besides , the prophefies of wizards old increast her terrour and her fall foretold , scorn'd and deserted to her self she seems and finds aeneas cruell in her dreames , so , to mad pentheus , double thebes appears , and furies howle in his distempered eares . orestes so with like distraction tost is made to fly his mothers angry ghost . now grief and fury at their height arrive , death she decrees , and thus does it contrive . her grieved sister with a cheerfull grace ( hope well-dissembled shining in her face ) she thus deceives . ( dear sister ) let us prove the cure i have invented for my love . beyond the land of aethiopia lyes the place where atlas doth support the skies ; hence came an old magician that did keep th' hesperian fruit , and made the dragon sleep . her potent charmes do troubled souls relieve and where she lists , makes calmest minds to grieve , the course of rivers or of heaven can stop , and call trees down from th'ayry mountains top . witnesse the gods , and thou my dearest part , how loath am i to tempt this guilty art. erect a pile , and on it let us place that bed where i my ruine did imbrace . with all the reliques of our impious guest , armes , spoyles , and presents ; let the pile be drest , ( the knowing-woman thus prescribes ) that we may rouz the man out of our memory ; thus speaks the queen , but hides the fatall end for which she doth those sacred rites pretend . nor worse effects of grief her sister thought would follow , than sychaeus murder wrought , therefore obeys her ; and now heaped high the cloven oaks and lofty pines do ly , hung all with wreaths and flowry garlands round ; so by her self was her own funerall crown'd . upon the top , the trojan image lyes , and his sharp sword wherewith anon she dyes . they by the altar stand , while with loose hair the magick prophetess begins her prayr on chao's , erebus , and all the gods , which in th' infernall shades , have their aboads she loudly calls besprinkling all the room with drops suppos'd from lethes lake to come . she seeks the knot which on the forehead grows of newfoal'd colts , and herbs by moon-light mowes . a cake of leven in her pious hands holds the devoted queen and barefoot stands , one tender foot was bare , the other shod , her robe ungirt , invoking every god and every power , if any be above which takes regard of ill-requited love . now was the time when weary mortalls steep their carefull temples in the dew of sleep . on seas on earth , and all that in them dwell a deathlike quiet , and deep silence fell , but not on dido , whose untamed mind refus'd to be by sacred night confin'd . a double passion in her breast does move love and fierce anger for neglected love , thus she afflicts her soul , what shall i doo with fate inverted , shall i humbly woo ? and some proud prince in wild numidia born pray to a●cept me and forget my scorn ? or shall i with th' ungratefull trojan goe , quit all my state , and waite upon my foe ? is not enough by sad experience known , the perjur'd race of false laomedon ? with my sidonians shall i give them chase ? bands hardly forced from their native place ? no , dy , and let this sword thy fury tame , nought but thy bloud can quench thy guilty flame . ah sister ! vanquisht with my passion thou betraidst me first , dispensing with my vow . had i bin constant to sycheus still and single-liv'd , i had not known this ill . such thoughts torment the queen's inraged breast , while the dardanian does securely rest in his tall ship for sudden flight prepar'd , to whom once more the son of jove appear'd : thus seem'd to speak the youthfull diety , voice , hair , and col●ur all like mercury . fair venus seed ! canst thou indulge thy sleep ? nor better guard in such great danger keep , mad by neglect to lose so fair a wind ? if here thy ships the purple morning find , thou shalt behold this hostile harbour shine with a new fleet , and fire , to ruine thine . she meditates revenge resolv'd to dy , weigh anchor quickly , and her fury fly . this said , the god in shades of night retir'd amaz'd aeneas with the warning fir'd shakes off dull sleep , and rouzing up his men , behold ! the gods command our flight agen , fall to your oars , and all your canvas spread , what god soe'er that thus vouchsaf'st to lead we follow gladly and thy will obey , assist us stil smoothing our happy way , and make the rest propitious . with that word he cuts the cable with his shining sword ; through all the navy doth like ardour raign they quit the shore and rush into the main plac't on their banks , the lusty trojan sweep nuptunes smooth face , and cleave the yielding deep . aurora now leaving her watry bed , colours the east with a presaging red ; soon as the dawn began to cleer the sky , down to the shore the sad queen cast her ey ; where when she doth the empty port survay , and now the fleet with wings display'd at sea , her hands held up , her golden tresses torne , must we , saies she , of force indure this scorn ? can we not have recourse to arms ? not meet this fraud with fraud ? not burn this wicked fleet ? hast fly , pursue , row , and let every hand snatch up with speed some swift revenging brand . where am i now ? alass what words are these how late this hope ? see how they plow the seas , unhappy dido ! cruell fate devoures thy wretched life , thou feel'st the angry powers , this rage had once bin f●tter then thy love , see how he doth his far-fam'd faith approve ! he who through burning ilium ( as they say ) did bear his country gods untoucht away , who through the flames the old anchises led , why saw i not the perjur'd villain dead ? why did i not on slaine iulus feast and at that banquet make the father guest ? suppose there had bin doubt in the successe what could i fear of all left comfortless ? i should have ruin'd all , father and son , and the whole stock , and then my self among . thou sun who with thy light dost all survay , and juno , witnesse to that fatall day , which seal'd our loves , revengefull hecat● , and all ye powers that see eliza dy receive these prayrs , if , all sea-dangers past , the trojan needs must reach some shore at last ; if nothing can withstand this fixt decree , a peacefull land yet may he never see . war entertain him and a haughty foe and may he never one calme slumber know . hatred pursue him , furies give him chase and rend iülus from his dear imbrace ; himself at last without a grave expos'd a prey to vultures in no urne inclos'd . i forme my latest breath into this prayer : and ò ye tyrians be it then your care t' afflict with war this race in time to come , and send such bloudy offerings to my tomb. our seas their seas , our shores their shores oppose , our armes their armes , and be our children foes : here sighing deep revolving in her mind , what way she might the freeest passage find from hated life . bercea standing by nurse to sycheus ; dearest nurse , saies she , go call my sister , tell her i prepare the magick rites , ordain'd to heal my care . but be she first with water sprinkled thrice and with her bring th'appoynted sacrifice . and you , with pious wreaths your temples bound , enter the circle of the holy ground : i le give the trojans image to the fire , as that consumes so shall my grief expire . the aged nurse obeys with trembling hast and now the queen all bounds of sorrow past her heart opprest , her visage wan and pale and her whole mind bent on her funerall , goes to the place , where stood the sacred pile ; and here diverted by her grief a while melted in tears , at first she doth behold the trojans image , sword , and robes of gold . dear reliques , saies she , while the powers above were so content , the objects of my love , but now my sad reproaches ; at that word she mounts the pile , and draws the shining sword . what 't is to live , enough saies she i know ; and to the wil of fate i nothing ow. nor shall i now a worthlesse ghost descend , having with honour first reveng'd my friend , built him a stately town , happy and more had the false trojan never toucht this shore . then lifting up her hands to strike , shall i dye unreveng'd she saies , however dy . forsaken thus , thus to the shades i hast , and blot out all remembrance of the past . may the false trojan see these flames from far and in his thoughts the fatal omen bare ! with this the bloud came rushing from her side deep in her breast the reeking sword was dy'd . her frighted servants in distraction run and with their cries they fill th' amazed town . such is the noise when the prevailing foes enter a breach and slaughter over-flowes . her frantick sister with a furious pace pierc't to the heart comes running to the place . ah dearest ! saies she , was this fraud for me these altars drest , for such a tragedy ? why was i not invited to thy fate , nor made thy partner in thy worst estate ? ah! you have slain your self and me and all people and nobles in one funerall . o give me leave , if yet you not resign your latest breath , to suck that soul with mine . with that she doth the high rais'd pile ascend and weeping doth imbrace her dying friend , thrice on her armes the queen supports her head and thrice again falls grovelling on her bed . thrice with disclos'd eyes she seeks the light and thrice with sighing folds again her sight . then juno looking with a pittying ey upon so sad and lasting misery since deepest wounds can no free passage give to self-destroyers who refuse to live sent iris down to cut the fatall hayr which done , her whole life vanisht into ayr ; finis . a poem on the present assembling of the parliament, march the th. waller, edmund, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing w estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a poem on the present assembling of the parliament, march the th. waller, edmund, - . p. s.n., [london? : ] reproduction of original in huntington library. attributed to edmund waller. cf. nuc pre- . caption title. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng political poetry, english. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - judith siefring sampled and proofread - judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a poem on the present assembling of the parliament . march the th . . break , sacred morn , on our expecting isle , and make our albion's sullen genius smile ; his brightest glories let the sun display , he rose not with a more important day since charles return'd on his triumphant way : gay as a bridegroom then our eyes he drew , and now seems wedded to his realms anew . great senate , hast , to joyn your royal head , best councell by the best of monarchs swai'd : methinks our fears already are o're-blown , and on our enemies coast their terrour thrown . darlings of fame , you british bards that wrote of old , as warmly as our heroes fought , aid me a bold advent'rer for the fame o' th' british state , and touch me with your flame ; steep my rude quill in your diviner stream , and raise my daring fancy to my theam . give me th' heroick wings to soar as high as icarus did , i wou'd like icarus die ! now i behold the bright assembly met , and 'bove the rest our sacred monarch set , charm'd with the dazling scene , without a crime , my thoughts reflect on th' infancy of time , and wrap me in idea's most sublime . i think how at the new creation , sate th' eternal monarch in his heaven 's fresh state ; the stars yet wondring at each others fires , and all the sons of glory rankt in quires . hail , awfull patriots , peers by birth , and you the commons , for high vertues , noble too ! the first by heav'n , in this assembly plac't , and by heav'ns voice , the people's votes the last . as various streams from distant regions fall , and in the deep their general council call ; conveying thence supplies to their first source , and fail not to maintain their rowling course : our senate thus , from every quarter call'd , and in compleat assembly here install'd , shall deal their influence to each province round , and in our isle no barren spot be found . iustice as plenteous as our thames shall flow in peace the sailer steer , and peasant plow . from foreign wrongs safe shall our publick be , and private rights from home oppressours free : degrees observ'd , customs and laws obey'd , dues , less through force , than fear of scandal , paid . proceed , brave worthies then , to your debates ; nor to decree alone our private fates , but to judge kingdoms and dispose of states . from you , their rise , or downfall , they assume , expecting from our capitol their doom : you form their peace and war , as you approve they close in leagues , or to fierce battele move . and though the pride of france has swell'd so high a warlike empire's forces to defie , to crush th' united lands confed'rate pow'r , and silence the loud belgian lion's roar ; yet let their troops in silent triumph come from vanquisht fields , and steal their trophies home , take care their cannon at iust distance roar , nor with too near a volley rouze our shore ; lest our disdaining islanders advance with courage taught long since to conquer france , seizing at once their spoils of many a year , and cheaply win what they oft bought too dear : their late success but juster fear affords , for they are now grown worthy of our swords . howe're 't must be confest , the gallick pow'rs can ne're engage on equal terms with ours . in nature we have th' odds , they dread , we scorn , the english o're the french are conq'rors born. the terrour still of our third edward's name rebukes their pride , and damps their tow'ring fame ; nor can the tide of many rouling years wash the stain'd fields of cressey and poictiers . a pointed horrour strikes their bosomes still , when they survey that famous , fatall hill , where edward with his host spectator stood , and left the prince to make the conquest good . the eagle thus from her fledg'd young withdraws , trusts 'em t' engage whole troops of kites and daws nor has the black remembrance left their brest how our fifth harry to their paris prest , whilst france wept blood for their hot dauphin's jest. we forc't their cavalry their foot t'ore-run , as tides withstood , bear their own billows down : such was the virtue of our ancestours , and such , on just resentment , shall be ours ; our temper'd valour just pretence requires , as flints are struck , before they shew their fires . finis . fovr nevv playes viz : the seege of vrbin, selindra, love and frienship, tragy-comedies, pandora, a comedy / written by sr. william killigrew ... plays. selections killigrew, william, sir, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing k estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) fovr nevv playes viz : the seege of vrbin, selindra, love and frienship, tragy-comedies, pandora, a comedy / written by sr. william killigrew ... plays. selections killigrew, william, sir, - . stapylton, robert, sir, d. . waller, edmund, - . killigrew, william, sir, - . ormasdes. killigrew, william, sir, - . seege of vrbin. killigrew, william, sir, - . selindra. killigrew, william, sir, - . ormasdes. killigrew, william, sir, - . pandora. [ ], , [ ], , [ ], , [ ], p. printed by hen. hall ..., for ric. davis, oxford : . contains the first edition of the seege of urbin. each play has special t.p. "love and friendship" published, , with title: ormasdes. reproduction of original in huntington library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - olivia bottum sampled and proofread - olivia bottum text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion fovr new playes , viz : tragy-comedies . the seege of vrbin . selindra . love and friendship . pandora . a comedy . written by sr william killigrew , vice-chamberlaine to her maiesty . oxford , printed by hen : hall , printer to the university , for ric : davis , . wit ( like the vvorld ) is so decrepid grown , it wants some crutch , or hint to lean upon . onely you work alone , it may be said , your poëms are created , and not made . you frame the stuffe too , we but shapes and features ; our poëms are our children , yours , your creatures . iust as gods poem , earth ; so vast , so fair , suspended in , not built upon the ayre . poys'd by it's self , ( like archimede's dove , ) your fancy's made t' exist , as ours to move . vve vex the subject that we write upon , vvhil'st all you vvrite is emanation . thus you retrive old time ; for just as then the golden age , was but the iron men ; so to posteri●y it may be told our age is iron , but our wits are gold. for tell me why , the golden age mayn't hence be stil'd from wit , as then from innocence ? he that will chuse your fancy , let him dread to wish for all your wit , without your head. what fan's the ship , the cock-boat would o're-turn , and what in you's but bright , would else-where burn . for marcyas to be pan were pretty fair , too much for pan t' usurp apollo's chair . t. p. scholers , your studies , and your books lay by , unlesse you could with art and industry somthing produce , beyond what here is shown , by one to whom your learning is unknown ; nature in him th' effect of art supplies with stories full of such varieties , and proper language , for all humours fit , so wonderful for judgment , and for wit ; that onely he , so aptly could relate , vvhat his high fancy could alone create . r. t. on pandora . for me to praise your play , were to dispraise ; so weak a bays , can no great trophy raise ; yet my respect commands me fix a name , to you no glory ; yet may prove my shame . prose , though indifferent , yet passes still , verse , if not excellent ! most men count ill : foyls set off iewels , such my lines must be , then to be short , is no ill pollicy . i think , there is rich sence , and language fit , i think , there 's many turns of spritely wit , i 'me sure , you reach what was your highest end , to shew her power , on whom you now depend , vvhose virtue hath , so blest an influence , to make him spirituall ; that more loud sence ; you like clearcus were ; some thought too gay , now chang'd ; witnesse this recantation play. lodowick carlisle . in honoratissimi domini gvlielmi killigraei , & regiae catharinae majestatis vi-camerarii praeclaum , & inculpatissimum drama selindra praconium . quòd prudens tua , quòd modesta musa vitavit petulantiora scenae , nec lenocinium joci procacis ( quod falsò ingenium student vocari ) dum risum movet exuit pudorem ; inculpata tua at sonant theatra quod virgo proba , quod stolata mater quod purus positâ severitate jàm post pulpita perlegat sacerdos ; quòd jurat tibi nullus historionum , aut laeso numine quaeritur venustas , nec constat populo tuum poema impensis animae suae ut crumenae ; quòd ( sermone humili urbium relicto vernis sordidulis & institori ) venam nobilis aulicumque spiras dignum caesaris aure cum requirens summas imperii levare curas ; vult ut desipiat duabus horis ; has dotes reputo tuas secundas : sed , quòd cum veniunt ad implicata , cum scena haereat , & quòd impeditae desperant animi exitum fabellae , quâ vates veteres jovem vocabant ad partes , poterit throno ut crepante narrare ambigui dolos theatri , atque ( ut vincula gordiana quondam pellaeus juvenis ) molesta tollunt infulso gladio . undique plagâ , tu per nescio quam modò citatam ex notâ tibi plebe passionum ( ut quodam noviter reflante vento ) convertes aliò novísque tota compages operis rotis movetur ; neglectis superisque & inferisque per curam facilem domesticamque affectum proprio è sinu petitum salvas attonitos & haesitantes . hanc artem tibi , killigraei , solus tu posces , dubii hanc strophen theatri . t. l. the latine verses translated . that thy wise , and modest muse , flies the stages looser use ; not baudry vvit , does falsely name , and to move laughter , puts off shame . that thy theatres loud noyse , may be virgins chast applause ; and the stol'd matron , grave divine , their lectures done , may tend to thine ! that no actor's made profane , to debase god , to raise thy strain ; and people forc'd that hear thy play , their money , and their souls to pay . that thou leav'st affected phrase , to the shops to use , and praise ; and breath'st a noble courtly vain , such as may caesar entertain , vvhen he weari'd would lay down , the burdens that attend a crown , disband his so●ls severer powers , in mirth and ease dissolve two houres ! these are thy inferious arts , these i call thy second parts ! but when thou carriest on the plot , and all are lost , i' th' subtle knot , when the scene sticks to ev'ry thought , and can to no event be brought , when thus of old , the scene betray'd , poets , call'd gods unto their aid ; who by power might do the thing , art could to no issue bring . as the pellaean prince that broke , vvith a rude and down-right stroke . the perplext and fatall noose , vvhich his skill could not unloose ! thou do'st a nobler art professe , and the coyl'd serpent can'st no lesse stretch out from every twisted fold , in which he lay invove and rould . induce a night , and then a day , vvrap up all in clouds , and then display th' easie , and the even designe , a plot , without a god , divine ! let others bold pretending penns , vvrite acts of gods , that know not mens . in this to thee , all must resigne th'surprize o'th● scene is wholly thine ! of pandora's not being approved upon the stage as a tragedy . sir , you should rather teach our age the way of judging well , then thus have chang'd your play , you had oblig'd us by imploying wit , not to reforme pandora , but the pit : for as the nightingale , without the throng of other birds , alone attends her song , while the loud daw , his throat displaying , drawes the whole assembly of his fellow daws ; so must the vvriter , whose productions should take with the vulgar , be of vulgar mould ; vvhile nobler fancies make a flight too high , for common view , and lessen as they fly . edmund waller . to envy . thou snake that lurk'st under the poets bayes , envy , confesse thy malice to these playes , art thou not vext to see the plots well lay'd , the language pure , and every sentence weigh'd ? new humours ? passion wrought up to that height , men weep , and yet their grief begets delight ? all this by nature done , which showes , the arts infuse themselves , where they find vvit and parts . out of these premises we may infer here will be no work for the censurer ; the wiser critick will do better first ; and for the foolish , let him do his worst . r. stapylton . the seege of urbin . a tragy-comedy . written by sr william killigrew , vice-chamberlaine to her majesty . oxford , printed by hen : hall printer to the university , for ric : davis , . to the author of the siege of vrbin . sir , i have perus'd your playes , and in them find , abundant riches to adorne the mind ; beyond the pleasure of the eares , and eyes , which are delighted most with levities . selindra's characters so great ! and good , maintained throughout ; if fully understood ! shewes , none did ever better plot contrive , or represent a dead shew more alive ! pandora tells , how vertuous women may make vitious men , cast all their ills away ; such wanton wit , in ralliery , so writ ! virtue her selfe , may heare , and practise it . i judge , that by ormasde's , you designe , to teach how friendship 's , more then love , divine ! yet have such characters of both exprest , you leave no argument , to chuse the best . this siege of urbin , more then all does show ; that you , true images of virtue know , and to improve the world , your skill impart , that we may learne to imitate your art. 't is want of wit , and judgment in this age , if we discerne not what adornes the stage ! when passions high , and to the life exprest ! do not raise flames in every worthy brest ; when florio with such subtile art , beguiles our soules concerne , to mingle teares with smiles ; vvhat more can playes afford ? or we desire ? vvhen to our recreations we retire ! vve wish for lines , our reason may command , not such as breaks our braines , to understand . you have a noble pen , and fancy such ! to be more eloquent , would be too much ! s. t. on the siege of vrbin . to the author . sir , since i had the happinesse to read the siege of urbin ; i heare , others plead that all may see 't , and plead with such successe ; that now you 'l wave the stage , and grace the presse . 't will much oblige the nation , for they 'l finde your play stampt with the figure of your minde ; the poëm's noble , nothing vulgar in 't ; you coyne not bullion at the common mint , as wee doe , whose low soules no art can raise : nay ev'n when lov 's infus'd into our playes , slow as a drug , that in the body lies , our phansy works ; yours , like a spirit , flyes , nor does your excellence alone consist in love's soft parleys : you do souldiers list , and carry on designes of warre and state , form'd in a campe and court which you create . and though new poëts , like new starres , appeare : yet still you rise above their highest sphere . 't is true , they write great characters ; but then , how o●ten speak their great like meaner men ; you make a prince do all things like a prince , that 's argument sufficient to evince the dictates that from deepest reason slow , which learned poets dreame but of , you know , if then , he , that has greatest latitude of knowledge merit most ; i may conclude the ●aurell's yours , justly transplanted now , from off the schollar's , to the courtier 's brow . r. stapylton . to his most honoured friend the avthor . sir , when i read your play methought i saw the persons enter and go off , you draw all parts so speaking , so to life , that i felt my eares cosen'd by my well pleas'd fye , and thought i heard the actors , which did there at once present a play and theater . all passages contrived by such just lawes as crown the best of poëts with applause , and challenge to your witt the freshest bayes which can be gather'd from clapt hands , and prayse . the whole intrique a labyrinth , which you through all the windings furnish with a clue , by which the wondring traveller is ledde through wayes past finding out but by your thred . the plot and scenes wrapt up in such disguise ▪ as when a fine cloud darkens the bright skies . yet so , as this shade turnes at length to light , and a faire day-break issues forth of night . the lovers parts , which tread our moderne stage , are the reproach , and dulnesse of our age. where a young gallant fighting for his whore with a curl'd rivall , at a tavern doore , the drawers call'd to reconcile the fray , vvith parish constable , do make the play . your fancy doth in higher regions move , and teach great princes princes wayes of love. kindling in noblest brests the noblest fire , vvhich to fruition by great deeds aspire . thus your lorenzo rais'd a generous flame in his great mistress by a vvarlike fame , and made his wounds , and dangers first obliege his silviana rescued from a siege . and thus your florio did all hearts surprize , first by her valiant sword , then conquering eyes in whose conceal'd sex you both sexes place , mars in her courage , venus in her face . nor is 't a wonder , if thus beautified some wisht her for their bridegroome , some their bride . such marriages are onely framed by you , vvho know to he loves priest , and poët too . m. c. on the siege of vrbin . to the author . miracle of nature , by no arts taught ; borne beyond learning ; with such fancy fraught ! that all thy poems do the vvorld surprise , to finde such treasure , under such disguise . such parts , with so great modesty conceal'd , doubles their valew , when they are reveal'd . thy characters of love , and friendship show , thy heart 's the fountaine , whence those virtues flow . vve fictions write , the poets chiefest part ! thou paint'st thy selfe , and thy own patterne art. e. f. the author to the reader . reader , insteed of justifying my idle howers thus spent ; or beging your applause , for what you may not like ; i desire you to excuse my confidence , for printing so high complements , from my kind friends ; who have here poëtiz'd in praise of what i fear you will not find ! yet if no stones be flung at me , but by those that would be really displeas'd , to be so prays'd : i have hopes to escape , 'till some other kind of marterdome be found for your most humble servant w. k. the actors names of the siege of vrbin . the duke of urbin . camillo . alphonso . corbino . tigillo . borosco . longino . fernando . fernando . five strangers . luco . five strangers . florio . five strangers . pedro. five strangers . maluezzo . five strangers . silviana , the dukes sister . rossina . four ladies of quality . mariana . four ladies of quality . phisora : four ladies of quality . floremlla . four ladies of quality . clara , marianas maid . pages . officers . souldiers . surgion . lodovico , duke of ferrara . his generall . officers . souldiers . prologue . ladies , our author does by me declare , your characters are still his chiefest care ; that what he does present to publique view , hee 'd have as excellent , as he thinks you ; if then his great respect , does make him raise a figure rarely practic'd in our dayes ? to set a lustre on your sex , that may your reserv'd virtues to the world display ! he hopes his age , his fancy may excuse , if it flye low for a romantick muse ! but if the florio's part approve ! he feares no men , who dare pretend to love ; and then , if all who love , do like his play ! no matter , what the rest o' th vvorld do say . the first scene in celestinas bed-chamber in pisa . vvhen the curtaine is drawn up , celestina is seen sitting by a table , in a rich night-gown , a scarfe over her head , holding a dagger in her handkercher , she puts up her scarfe and speaks . celestina . what noyse was that ? or did i dreame ? it seem'd my fathers voyce , to hasten me to church ! the dismall thought of that sad sound , frights my soule , with apprehension of approaching misery ! — a thousand images of strange terrors , do in various shapes appeare , and bring all the sad stories i ever heard , of forced marriage , afresh into my memory ! — if i consent to marry him , or do at all comply ! the guilt of our ensuing evills will be mine ! — my heart shrinks for fear , at these ideas of such ills to come ! that i will try to think my self into the other world. — she pulls her scarfe over her face and sits a while silent . — there is no other way , no remedy but this dagger ! and now the last houre for my resolve ! i shame to tremble thus , yet cannot chuse ! — i know one stroke , will free me from an age of misery ! to which compar'd , the paines of death will seem delightfull ! — i onely fear to go , i know not where ! and childishly do dread , i know not what ! these be the doubts , create this shaking ●it ; which makes me fear this unsteady hand , may misse my heart , if i strike now ! — and yet i must ! for i shall be another man 's to morrow ! and then to kill my selfe , will invade his right ! — it must be now ; i am now mistris of my self , and if i only harm my selfe ! where is the crime ? who ha's the wrong ? — why then , should selfe slaughter be a sinne ? when i am dead , my father may relent , and teach other parents more humanity ; and so free many innocents , from like slavery ! — if then so great a happinesse , unto my selfe accrue ? and so much good to others may insue ! why do i doubt to dye ? — a few thoughts more , and i am ready . she pulls down her scarfe again ; and sits silent . melina knocks aloud at the doore , and cryes out melina . help madam , help ! for heavens sake helpe ! or i am lost ! celestina frighted from her thoughts , runnes in haste to open the doore , and leaves the dagger on the table . [ enter melina . ] celestina . what frights thee thus , what danger threatned thee ? melina . oh madam ! the villane fled , as you approached ! — melina takes up the dagger . ] — ha! what use have you for this ? — was it for this ? that i was now lock'd out . [ aside ] celestina . she has deceiv'd me by a trick , and i must now dissemble . celestina sits again , and pulls her scarfe over her face . melina . madam , t is ominous , to celebrate your wedding eve in sighes ! — when the sun sets in a darke clowd , we say the morning will be foule . celestina . true melina , but if the sunne do set in a red skye ! the same augurs say , the morning will prove faire . melina . some bright red evenings , make us judge so ! but a bloody colour'd skye ! often foreshewes some dismall accident at hand . celestina . no more ; thou hast for an hower or too , repriev'd me from the grave ; — but this handkercher will do the work , as well as that dagger melina ! now i am resolv'd to dye ! melina . and i , as fully bent , to accompany your ghost , unto the other world : dye when you will ! celestina . thou hast no argument for death ! melina . yes madam , i cannot part with you , my sence of your many favours , does work the same effect in me , your troubles do bring you . celestina . to lay thy blood on my head melina , will be cruelty , not love ! and so create a sinne upon my soule , i thought not of ! melina . 't is in you to prevent that evill , by preserving your self , and me , who will not live without you ; have we not suck'd the same milk , and ever since been bred together ! celestina . did ever servant love a mistris thus ! melina . did ever mistris love a servant ! as you have me ! more like a neer relation , then your made ! celestina . high gratitude ! thy returnes , are beyond my obligations . — but would'st thou have me live ? and marry that monster i abhorre . mel. no , i would have you put the marriage off , by a fained sickn●sse , for a while ! and try some lesse dangerous remedy ; then il●e assist . celest. i have twice done so , and by it more insenc'd my angry father , who now has vowed , dead or alive , he will to morrow carry me to church . mel. what if he do ? celest. at the alter then , i l'e sacrifice my life ; if not now . mel. is there no way but death ? celest. yes , i have a way to help my self ; if thou will here ingage thy faith , not to reveale , but to assist in my designe ! my hard hearted father shall not in such hast , hurry me to church ; — my thoughts are hon●st , and my actions shall be honourable : — say melina , shall i trust thee ? or must i die ? mel : i will ingage ; so you will vow to me , not to fall by your own hand ! cele : i doe , i do : — haist now my dearest friend , fetch presently [ she imbraces melina . ] my bothers two new sutes , he made long since for this solemnity ! they will fit us well : — we must be men melina ! and immediatly be gone . melina . men madam ! celest : i men , in shew ! mel : and whither then ? celestina . nay , if you raise doubts allready ! my first resolve , returnes . melina . will you not admit me to consult in the affaire ; you now think fit to trust me with ! celest. yes , yes , but we have no time to counsell now ! — you have heard , how ferraras hot-headed duke , prepares an army for a warre with urbin ? and hopes by force to get the princess silviana for his wife ; against her brothers , and her own consent . mel. i have heard such a discourse ! celest. that discourse is true melina ; — and we must now haste to urbin in our disguise ; there as silvianas voluntier , i 'le fight ; and try what my romantick destiny will be ? — a forraine enemy may give the death i seek ; which my own hands tremble at ! mel : but madam ! celest : no butts melina , you must now obay , make haste to shift our habits , and away . exeunt . the second scene . enter fernando , luco , and maluezzo . fern. we have escap'd their out guards strangely ; they will be round about the town this night luco ; luco . will you stay the siege sir ? fern : i had not else come hither ; maluezzo . have you an argument ? and a concerne , worthy of such hazzard sir. fern : i come ( led by my fate ) to seek an argument , that may prove worthy of greater hazzard , then i shall meet with here ; men who put to sea on great designes , must not shrink at every cloud , in apprehension that a storme is neer ; but if i find no businesse worthy my danger , i can retreat at pleasure . maluezzo . you will be ingag'd in honour , and must not stirre . fernan : if so , i shall abide it cheerfully ; maluezzo , goe you back immediatly , while the way is open , and see all done at home , as i directed . maluezzo . i shall be carefull sir. exit maluezzo . fernan : luco , take you a private lodging for me , before it doe grow darke , and in this place , or on the next rampier , you shall finde me . exeunt severally . enter florio , and pedro. florio . happy , and blest occasion ! for my crosse fate the best ! here i may fall without the crime of my own hands , acting in my long wish'd for death ! here unknown without pitty or reproach , i may sacrifice my loath'd life to appease my inraged father ; whose unnaturall impositions have destroy'd me . methinks melina our disguise , becomes us excellently well , and this town besiedg'd , will keep us undiscover'd while we stay ; — what sayes my fellow souldier ? canst thou fight ? pedro. if my argument to put on breeches , were the same with yours madam ! i should like this habit , and your designe , much better then i doe ; you flye the man you hate , and i leave him i love , to waite on you . florio . i see thy complement in its best dress , ( fidelity ; ) but t is now two late to sigh , or to repent ; we are ingag'd past retreating and must on . pedro. i wonder maddam you do not shake to think what hazzards you must runne ? this looks like leaping into the sea , to avoid shipwrack ; the cure more desperate , then the evill you fly from . florio . not more desperate melina ! i cannot feare , nor fancy an evill , beyond the imbraces of that rich rotten carcas , my unkind father would match me to ; as if guilding a sad heart , would make it happy ! 't is easy to consent to dye , when we consider how much better 't is to be in heaven , then here melina . pedro. true madam , if we be sure , this were the way thither ! but how shall we answer at the resurrection ? for our vira-goships ? for ou● own , and others blood , thus shed ! if our needles should prick our fingers ! and those small wounds fester to gangreens ! that were to dye in our own callings ; but this way to fall , is a kind of self murther , and beyond my faith to merrit heaven , by doing mischiefe to our selves and others , who have no way offended us . florio . i have no thought of mischiefe in my heart towards any , nor is my nature lesse smooth then thine , but my starres have ordain'd me a rugged fate that i cannot subdue . pedro. allow all this , the meanes you still propose , are hopelesse , as the end you aime at ; — how will drawn swords look in our weak ha●s ? how soon will feeble strokes discover our faint hearts ? and lay us open to reproach . florio . thou art mistaken melina , 't is courage , and not strength , that is ●o necess●●y here ; when multitudes fall on , none can observe , whose sword does the execution ; — but thou shalt stay at home , while my dispaire , leads me , where danger strikes the greatest terror ; thou know'st part of my younger dayes , led with my banish'd father , in wilde mountaines , there train'd for this work at hand ! but my businesse is now to dye , as thine to live , 't is not thy valour , i ingag'd to this adventer , but thy fidelity ; who after my decease , must witnesse to the world , the truth of my sad story , least our sex be scandaliz'd ; — you shall not ●ight melina . pedro. if i survive ? will a relation from me , your fellow wanderer , have credit with the world ? i fear your flight from home , and such a romantick death , may prove eternall scandall to your name : innosence , is not enough to justify so bold an act ! florio . conceale me then ; — i carry here an innosence , beyond the reach of censure ; and though i flye that moving sepulcher at home , i have a courage , that dares meet againe my old acquaintance , the ravening wolfe , and hungry bear , rather then be so buried while i live ! melina . is all this danger , to avoid the man that you dislike ? no inclination for another , you would have ? florio . had i been so weak ! as to like any ! i had not found strength , for this bold adventure ; — prethee sweet melina , do not betray me by thy feares , i did believe thee bold , and a fit confident , or i had neer imparted my designe . pedro. i must confesse , i did not fear to go at midnight in the darke , through our long entries , to meet my lover ; those joyes , were ever above the thought of shadowes , but these dangers are of a higher nature madam , our lives , and credits both at stake . florio . fye melina , dost thou own courage , in actions void of modesty ? and shrink when honour bids the hazzard ! — thou makest me tremble now indeed , lest some guilt of thine , should pull a crosse fate on us . pedro. remove those thoughts of me , and all your feares together , for i am arm'd with such a vertuous confidence , as will shrink at no danger , you dare look on ; but will vie perills with you , when occasions call me to it . florio . bravely resolv'd ; thus then let us in private , practice how to wave our swords ! lest we show ignorance , when we have use of she drawes with the scabbard on . them ; — why should not womens hearts agree with such a strength , as our arms have to mannage this sword ? 't is only custome , and a tender education , makes us lesse bold , and active , then the bravest men ; — the amazons we read , have done great things , and my spirit prompts me , to an honourable death , before a wretched life , which makes me thus endeavour , to fall worthy a noble character , for after times to pitty , — or to praise , and wonder at ! pedro. i am now fully confirm'd madam , and hope to see you fight like the brave maid of orleance , who drove the english from those parts of france , when almost all was conquer'd , by that warlike nation ! — — so that in after ages , your renowne , may out-shine hers , that sav'd the gallique crowne ! florio . if france do that bould virgins vallor own ! why should not we , now make that wonder none ? enter : towards them : — — fernando muffled in a gray cloake , behind him five banditee , who seize on his cloake ; he drawes and fights , till florio and pedro rescue him , and beate off the theeves : he returnes , starts as he imbraces florio . fernando . to what angels face , and heroes arme , do i owe my life ? or has great mars put venus figure on ? my amazement is beyond the sence of my deliverance ; — what are you sir ? florio : a stranger , here but now ariv'd . fern. are not you hurt ? florio : i feel none sir ; pray who were those assaulted you ? fern : banditee , who in such times of warre , stand in corners to take clokes ! perd. if this be all the danger , our drawn swords will bring us ? i shall to florio aside . neer be out . enter luco . luco : are these enemies sir ? fern : they are my good angells luco , from heaven sent to guard me ; — have you taken lodgings ? luco : i have . fern : but i must first attend you to your house sir , lest these to florio . villains return upon you : florio : we yet have none , but were inquiring where to lodge , when you came by us . luco : the house that i now came from has roome for all . fern : pray let us lodg together , that i may finde some way to serve you , who have ingaged me so highly . florio : we shall gladly be obliged , as you desire , and will wate on you . fern : by your daring courage , i judge you come to serve the duke , against this insulting enemy , as i doe . florio : we seek imployment ; fern : have you an addresse to any in this court ? florio : we have none , but come to serve as volanteers : fern : my purpose is the same , wee may do well to make our first visits presently to court , and shew our intents to serve the duke , if you approve it ; let us see our lodgings , and then goe . florio : i shall be wholly guided by you sir. fern : shew the house luco . — — methinks that face has in it something more ! aside ▪ then in my life i ever saw before . exeunt . enter duke with camillo , lords and officers . duke : has the enemy taken spade in hand camillo ? cam : yes sir , and is allready breaking ground : duke : wee 'l entertaine 'um at break of day , with a sharp sally , to give them an assay of what courages they are to meet with , let our troopes be ready by day break . camillo : all shall be ready sir ; but methinks the night were fitter for our sally . duke : i like not sallying in the darke , 't is subject to great mistakes , and such accidents , as often makes the best designes uncertaine ; no camillo , the sunne shall see , and shew the vigour we charge with , 't will raise our hearts to higher actions , then a dull shade is worthy of ! our glitring swords , and our inraged eyes , will shew how much we do their warre dispise ! and 'mongst their souldiers such amazement s●ing , they shall not flye , the ruine that we bring . enter the princess to them , with rossina , and phylora at one doore , at the other enter an officer with the foure strangers , fernando , florio , luco , and pedro a little after . duke : take courage silviana , this warre will not prove so terrible , as your feares suggest ! princess . my apprehension sir , is not more , then does become my sex ; when nations are at stake , and my interest must be decided by the hazzards of a warre ; — is it not time to sigh ? and pray , i and to tremble at the thought of such an evill ! though my innosence , and your valour , may be crown'd with victory , it must be purchas'd by the blood of loyall subjects . duke : let them who force the warre , shake at the event ! and answer for the evills . officer : these gentlemen new come to town , desire the honour they salute the duke . to kiss your highnesse hand . duke : you have chosen an ill time , to visit urbin gentlemen ; when the alarums , and hazzards of a besiedged town , allowes no houres for entertainment , or for rest . fern : to hazzard , wee come hither sir ; — honour'd trophies gain'd in so just a warre ! are glorious invitation to virtuous minds , and fill our hearts with sure predictions of a good successe . duke : you prophesie like a friend , and i have faith for what you say , — do these youths belong to you ? fern : no sir , i met them but an hour since , where they sav'd my life , by rescuing me from five or six banditee , — they come to serve you in this warre . duke : your looks invite me to inquire your countrey , and qualities , that i may finde a fit imployment for such worthy persons , who set honour at so high a rate . fern : my name is fernando , and his florio , my ambition sir , is not above a volunteere , i understand not to command ; — but florio i confess looks like somewhat more then he is pleas'd to own . duke : my fancy does concurre with yours , — and i shall study to welcome both , as well as this disturb'd time permits me ; this occasion makes us wink at such banditee for the present , who are bold on all attempts , and in this warre may be of use ; but i should not have judg'd this faire youth fit to mannage arms ! fern : your highnesse will have other thoughts , when you see florio in the field ! the enemy will find him man enough ! duke : what part of italy is so happy ? as to have bred such early vertue ▪ florio : i am of pisa sir ; my businesse is to see the world , and improve my knowledge by my travels . fern : of pisa florio ! know you any of note there ? florio : all sir. fern : pray sir , let us two fight in the same troope , that we may emulate each others actions , in your service . duke : the contest will not be equall , — your looks will strike more terror in an enemy , then gentle florios sword can doe ; i will prevaile with this young souldier , ( if i can ) ! to secure the ladies , while we sally , his courage will abate their feares , who apprehend more danger then is cause for . florio : sir , i shall curse my soft faint looks , if they belye my heart , that covets to get honour by my sword , as much as he , that can frown speaks in anger . most ! — i will either sally this night with fernando , or quit the town before i sleep . duke : this storme which i have rais'd is more bewitching lovely , then thy calme gentle looks were . — the duke imbraces florio . — if you have yours , and i have my desire ; let me again imbrace what i admire ! pedro. i passe for no body all this while ! but if my good sword hold ! [ aside . ] i 'le doe ; i know not what ! rossina : the dukes in love madam , and talks like one of us , to this adonis . princess . they look great , as if they would do service , worthy my brothers highest complements . enter to them camillo the generall . camillo . we are all ready for the sally sir ; i wish your highnesse would reserve your self for the next occasion , we shall have work enough of this kind ; the enemie is strong . duke . i will not be diverted , but my selfe will lead you on ; — here camillo , — let these strangers charge in your troop , next to your self ; they appeare to be of quality , and no doubt have courage to merrit what honours we can give ' um . camillo : they shall be my care sir. duke : call for my armes , 't is time that we make ready . — — retire , lost your feares silviana may our best displease , and doubting men dismay . exit duke and traine . princess . i have a heavinesse about my heart rossina , which i cannot remove ! rossina . your highnesse too much apprehension of the dukes danger , looks like doubting those powers , which protect princes in all just causes . princess . i cannot contradict you , nor can i be lesse concern'd , because this warre is on my account , though i be guiltlesse , the prou'd prince of ferrara demands our principallity in dowre , by which he shewes to have but small esteem of me ; the dukedome must be intayled on me , and my brother tyed from a second marriage ? thus his ambition , not his love , makes warre , for the inlarging his dominions ! rossina : pray madam be pleas'd to retire into the castle , the duke is now on sallying : as they are going off they meet mariana , and phylora , comming in haste . prin : whiter so fast mariana ? why so frighted my phylora ? filora . we came from the tower next to the port , madam . princess . and from thence , what saw you ? to beget this terror ! philora . we saw the duke all in armour , riding before his troops , with so much terror , and such a dust ! that we durst stay no longer , but ranne trembling down , to be neer your highnesse in this danger . prin : so then our own troops , and their dust , have conquer'd you , stout souldiers ! i thought by your amazed looks , the enemy had been entering of our ports . — let me have notice when my brother does returne . exeunt . an alarum sounded a farre off , some skirmishes , then the duke of urbin worsted , two lords slaine by him , and himself in danger , retreats ? and is rescued by the strangers ; exeunt . florio and pedro must not fight on the stage through the whole play . and then reenter the duke with the four strangers followed by camillo , and officers with carbino , and borosco two old lords . duke : are petruchio , and morosino both dead ? camillo : both slaine sir. duke : they shall have solemne funerals : who did deserve more honour , then i can give their memories ; — i saw 'em fall , and hopeing to relieve 'em , had lost my self , if brave fernando , with young florio , had not come timely in to save me : — i owe my life to you gentlemen , and must declare , this great successe is wholly due unto your valours ; 't was you that rallyed us when routed ; t was you that forc'd the enemy to his first retreat , and you have brought us off with honour , when all was desperate ! fern : you over value our endeavours sir ; 't was our good fate to come in timely , but your owne valours wonne the day . duke : this humility looks greater then your actions ; — fernando , i intreat you take command of all our horse , in place of slaine petruchio , — and have the same suit to florio , that he will command my guards in place of morosino fall'n . fern : your highnesse has great commanders here more worthy of this honour , — i have such ingagements on me , that i can accept of no imployment , longer then this seedge lasts . florio : you over load me sir , with a charge too great for my years to undertake . duke . your officers will ease you of all the painfull part ; though i yet know you not : — — my purpose is , to shew how much i prize that vertue , which appeares through your disguise . [ enter to them the princess and ladies , she runs to the duke . ] prin : my prayers are heard , and you are safe return'd ! she runs to meet the duke . duke . i owe my life silviana , and you your thanks to these gallant men , — fernando has shew'd us how to command , and how to fight , and taught all the offices of a great souldier . fern : your complements are such sir ; as i dare not answer , because i must not own them : duke . here i present you silviana , with this ages wonder ! such the duke takes florio by the hand . youth , such beauty , and such a courage ! — as sends thunder from his arme , with such lightning from those bright eyes as did amaze the enemy in fight ; and will in peace with smiles subdue as many . princess . if your discourse were not of warre , i should believe you did describe a mistrisse rather then a man. duke . you have said truer then you think silviana ; for i shall court florio , as mistriss of all the joyes that i can fancy , and love him ! like some devine substance , i have no name for ! florio . you make me blush so much sir , that i must hide my selfe . he is going . duke . stay florio , and i will talke no more thus ; but by my favours judge hereafter , at what rate i value such a miracle of nature , in shew more fit for venus , then the rough discipline of mars ; florio shall be my bosome friend , my surest guide to vertue , and renown ! florio . i am wearied sir , and beg your permission to retire a while . duke . take your own time florio . exit florio . prin : brother , is this rallery ? or do you designe to set up your young favourite , for the court idoll ? if so brave a man , will allow such ●lattery ? we will all adore him too : — but suppose some lady should gaine an interest in florio's heart ? how will you beare such a partner in his friendship ? duke . what you but jest of , is my reall wish , that fair rossina , or some other lady could lay such fetters on him , as might keep him ever here ; — and if my favour can invite any to this victory on florio , i will make his fortune suitable to hers , who ere she be ! rossina . i do submit to try my fortune , but how must i proceed ? i shall never learne to wooe sir. prin : you shall have our assistance rossina . rossina . if you can perswade him to love , leave the rest to me . duke . if rossina be serious ! she shall want no assistance ; — but fernando can do more then all , if he will joyne ! — we may hope success ! fern : i shall be willing to endeavour as you desire , and doubt not [ aside . ] but florio will imbrace such advancement , as you designe him ; — i while he speaks this the duke whispers with silviana . wish it hartily , least the dukes dotage preferre him to his sister , who i fear may look on florio , with some concerne , before i gaine an interest : — silvianas eyes have struck me through , fame was short in her relation . duke . if it be not rossinas good fate to get his love ? i invite you ladies all , to try the magick of your severall beauties , to ingage him so by love , that he may live here with us . princess . what all at once ? the poore man will be smother'd with ladies hearts ; — you 'l fright him from all our sex sir ; pray let rossina try her single fortune first . duke . let us retyre and order this affaire within , though it seem slight , 't is worth our care . exeunt duke . exeunt duke and princess : remaines camillo , borosco , and corbino . camillo . the duke is growne so fond of florio , he regards none of us . corbino . 't is two true , i wish we did know how to help our selves ! borosco . methinks it were an easy work , to raise such jealousies between florio and fernando , as might make them destroy each other , and save us the labour . — i have put fancies in bold fernando's head , to make him envy florios interest in the duke , and cast out words , as if his ayme were silviana , and as if the duke comply'd . corbino . i shall take my time to second what you say ; but let us consult farther , you camillo , have the greatest losse of the dukes savour , and if i observe you right , have envy , and power enough , to execute your revenge : we must not great things attempt without good advice . — — though our designe want neither skill , nor wit ; being ill , it will aske power to mannage it . camillo : i shall contribute what i can , to crush these strangers , ere they grow too strong for us to grapple with ; but let us first advise the duke , if our counsells do not prevale ? — — such vipers must be smother'd in the nest , least they in time do blast our interest . — — see , the duke returnes ; corbino , speak you first , and we will second what you say . enter duke , and servants . corbino . sir , wee have had a serious debate concerning the strangers , and your favours to them ; which they have bravely merrited ! but yet sir , some of your best subjects have apprehension , that your vallew may grow lesse for them , and they become remisse thereon . borosco . he speaks my sense sir ; i would not live to see you loose your peoples hearts , by such neglect of them ! duke . what is your opinion camillo ? do i over vallew the benefits receiv'd ? from these new men ! camillo . i do believe you do sir ; and have begot a censure by it , i could wish were off againe . duke . of what kind camillo . camil. of too much contempt of our own nation , with a kind of adoration ! for the strangers ; as if they alone defended urbin ! and by their swords only ! you expected victorie ! this sir in duty , wee offer to your serious thoughts ; who have commands , our selves too high , to envie any honours , you can place on them . duke . i did look on their merrits i confesse , above my recompence ! and by my favours , hoped to raise their noble hearts to higher actions in this warre : but i shall be more cautious , then to discontent my loyall subjects , who grudge such benefit , as i bestow on gallant men , that saved my life ! camillo . has what i said , offended sir ? duke . no , no , 't is your love of me , and care of my prosperity ! exeunt . second act. enter : — [ fernando , florio , with luco and pedro. ] fern : noble florio , wee have had no time since we first met , to congratulate our good fortunes here . florio . it multiplies my happinesse , that you approve the dukes kindnesse to me sir. fern : 't is somewhat extravagant i confesse ; — such violent affections seldome last , florio . florio . i could wish his favour somewhat lesse , lest it raise great mens envy on me . fern : 't is well weigh'd , for i observe camillo , with other lords , look displeas'd at our advancement , pray observe them better , least i mistake . florio . i see it too , and have endeavour'd what i can , to gaine their loves . fern : that is wisely done , but you may secure your interest here , by marrying into some great family ; by whose power , and allyes , you will be look'd on as a native , or at least be able to contest with any , that shall designe against you . florio . what you mention , was proffer'd me last night , with old corbino's wealthy daughter mariana , and an houre after , i was advis'd to treat with camillo , for his faire neece rossina . fern : which do you incline most too ? florio . they are beauties both , and seem equally indow'd with vertues , fit for their great births ; but i am preingaged , and can comply with neither . fern : so young , and so constant ! is a wonder ! ( i see borosco [ aside . ] guesses right , silviana is his designe ! ) i here the duke intends to wooe you for rossina , and i hope you wisely will consider , what wealth , and honours will be propos'd with her ; and not in a romantick gallantry , preferre some slight promise made in your own country , before so great advancement . florio . i shall never entertaine a thought , that may change my fix'd heart , from its first center , to gaine this dukedome by it . [ aside . ] fern. i do not like this ( 't is the princess ! ) may i know if your heart inhabit here ? is any lady of this court , so happy ? to gaine an interest in florio . florio . no lady here sir ; i assure you , but by my observations , i find you are not free from a growing passion , ( allow me but so much ) and i shall soon guesse , that silviana can be only worthy of fernandos [ he starts . ] heart : — why do you start ? — why so amaz'd sir ? can you doubt to trust a person ? you professe to value , as you have done me . fernando . remove but one doubt , and i am thine for ever ; — does not your own desire that way , raise your jealousie of me ? and make you enquire , what you fear to finde . florio . by all that 's good , — i have no wish for silviana , but will serve fernando with all my interest ; pray sir believe and try me . fern. i do believe , and will trust thee with my heart ; i love the princess , and would gladly make some tryall towards my designe to gaine her ; which is the true cause of my ingaging in this warre : — and now florio , i assure you my quality is such , as she may own my love , for i am — florio . hold sir , i will know no argument but fernandos worth , to ingage me to serve him . fern. you are my good angell hither sent . to guard and guide me in my banishment . [ they imbrace . ] enter : — an officer to fernando . officer . my lord , the councell of warre stay till you come to u'm . fern. i follow , — florio i have much to say when we meet next . ] exit fernando . enter . — duke and lords to florio . duke . why florio , do you absent your self so much ? is fernando a better friend then i ? who dote more on thee , then lovers on their mistris eyes , when their kind hearts comply . florio . though fernando be a noble friend he has but a second place in my heart , — your favours are above the reach of any other person in the world ! duke . now you flatter me , — i can allow you to entertaine a bosome friend , of the other sex before me , but no man florio , must be my rivall , this jealousie speaks my esteem , that willingly would have thee ever in my sight , as the best object to fix my heart on , that i may emulate thy vertues . florio . may my ingratitude be highly punished , when i do value man or woman , more then i do you sir. [ embraces florio . ] duke . i have lov'd , or have believ'd so ! and yet this friendship [ aside . ] makes me doubt it now ; unlesse friendship be a mightier power then love ! but we find no shrines set up , nor any altars burning insence to this unknown deity : the antients sure were ignorant of this most excellent divine humanity ! ( call'd friendship , ) something is here about my heart , i never found before ; and of great vallew sure ! my sister else , would not have jealous feares to loose it ; the excellent fernando , has his dislikes too ! and many of my greatest subjects cannot hide their envy at my smiles on florio ! there must be something more then i discerne in this new kind of passion , which i have no name for ! but an impulsive friendship , which i cannot , nay i dare not wish were lesse ; florios person is clad in so rich virtues , as delights my eyes , and captivates my heart , beyond all the beautious women i have seen ! so that while florios virtues lead me on , i cannot doubt my fate , nor slack my admiration ! [ enter to them , the princess , and ladies . ] duke . you look displeas'd silviana , and something pale of late ! princess . i want your wonted kindnesse sir ; how can my looks be cheerfull ? when florio like a sullen cloud , does interpose between the sunne , that us'd to shine on me ? duke . you chide me kindly silviana ; and in returne , i wish florio were a prince , that i might part with him to you , and by so rich a gift , expresse my vallue of you both . princess . my wish reaches onely to enjoy your conversation as before ; i have no designe to rob you of your soules delight in florio , but do not like that he alone , should have you to himselfe , while i , and all the world do seem neglected ! by which you suffer more then you discerne . duke . suffer silviana ! is it a crime to vallue virtue ? or to be gratefull to the man has sav'd my life ! my favours duely weighed , do not yet reach his merrit . princess . i undervalue not his worth sir ; but grudge he should ingrosse you to himselfe . duke . your judgment , by this jealousie , is eclips'd ; else you would with me discerne the inviting arguments for such a friendship , as i desire to fix here ! 't is friendship silviana , a word so often us'd , and so little understood ! that we loose the highest happinesse this world affords , not knowing how to improve so divine a vertue ! 't is unity of soules , the saints enjoy above , and take delight to see us practise here on earth ! 't is florios vertue i admire , his rich heart i seek , a treasure of more worth , then all the glittering honours , i can ever heap on him . florio . what answer can i make to this ? but blushes ; let my blushes sir , speak for the heart you prize so much , too much ! duke . come silviana , if you will smile on him for my sake , he shall not rob you of my converse , pray let him kisse your hand . enter : — [ fernando in discontent , the princess goes to florio , and he kisses her hand . princess . i will sir ; for i have a full esteeme of his great vertue ; — florio merrits much , but not all your heart sir ; i claime a sisters part ; — florio if i can serve you here ? you may imploy me to my brother boldly . florio . madam , i am many times surpriz'd by the dukes favours , so much too high for me to own , that i do wish 'um lesse . princess . that is beyond my desire sir , i would not lessen his favour to you , but would participate my brothers love . [ aside . ] fernando . this is worse still ! the duke sets him on to court his sister ! but florio is , i hope , too noble to wrong me , that trust him ; — and yet the princess is a high temptation , i must prevent the evill to the duke i foresee , or i am lost ! — the enemies approaches do come on a pace sir , wee must divert them with more frequent sallyes , or they will lodge under our walls , within few dayes . duke . i intend this night , my self to sally , and with all my power , to fall on their last work . fern : that will be too much sir ; i dare undertake with a small party , to destroy all they have yet done . princess . pray brother leave this sally to your officers , and not on all occasions hazzard your own person ; — may you not relie on fernando for his conduct ? duke . it shall now be so , but you would never have me fight silviana . fern : madam , you honour me so much , that i tremble at what i undertook ; — i can encounter all the hazzards of a warre , with lesse concerne ; lest by an ill successe , i lessen your opinion of my conduct : — but yet thus arm'd with your commands ! it were a crime to doubt ! — great sir ; i begge the sole command this night . duke . you shall fernando , and i will rest secure , when so great skill , and courage meet with such a noble soule , 't is to be trusted , as my self were present . [ the duke presents him . ] fern : i begg the honour sir to kiss the princes hand , for this great favour done me . duke . my thanks to silviana for this value of my friend . princess . fernando has allready shew'd he needs no additions sir. fernan. i can have no addition , beyond your highnesse good opinion . — [ exeunt duke , princess , and traine . ] — my hearts ingaged by silvianas eyes , to waste it selfe in dayly sacrifice ; with smother'd sighes my doubt full state bemoane , untill the priest , and alter make us one . exit enter : — camillo with longino and the discontented lords . camillo . these mushrums are grown steeple high allready ! — to perswade the duke against them , were to advance them higher . longino . i differ in opinion from you all , these strangers come to fight for us , and you envy those civilities , the duke affords them . camillo : is it so necessary ; to have a favourite longino ? and he a stranger too ! longino . you talke as if we were princess , and our master at our dispose , he must heare , see , and like only what agrees , with our fancies , or our appetites does please , and so would make the duke , the onely slave in his dominions ! not allow him the freedome of a friend , which is the highest humane consolation ; unhappy men ! whose malice , and ill nature , participate th● curse of hell , while you remaine on earth ; never discerning , or at least not relishing those angelicall delights , which vertuous hearts enjoy , by loving , and obliging one another in great courts ; and seldome happy those princes , who permit detractors neer them . camillo . you are too severe longino , wee have no traiterous thoughts , but set a true value on our prince his favour , which wee feare to loose . longino . i fear you have malitious hearts , and then , i am not fit for your converse , that grumble at what you ought to thank heaven for : — take heed that your ingratitudes , do not make our lambe , put on his lions skinne ; and fright you into better manners . ex : lon : corbino . we must not be so free before longino , he has a graine or two of simple honesty , too much for us ! — now he is gone , wee may proceede ; — my letter will destroy fernando , if you approve it , and he gone , yong florio will want skill , to order his affaires against us all i say let us down with fernando first . borosco . let us see this letter you so much confide in . [ the forged letter as from the enemy . ] fernando , wee wonder you so long delay , what you so boldly undertook , we know you have credit any night you please , to set open the south port , next our new worke , and let us in ! your reward is ready for you . yours l.l. camillo . this no doubt will raise a jealousie , but from whom must this be sent ? by whom brought hither ? and how found ? corbino . i 'le say the trumpet which came this morning to fetch a passe for a herauld , about the interview , did loose it , i found it , read it , and my selfe will shew it to the duke ; who can disprove this ? — camillo . though i like not this shallow plott thus lay'd , i will your councells with a better ayd . exeunt . enterance , florio sitting , and pedro standing by , as in florios lodging . florio . i am intangl'd melina , in such snares , as i shall neer get out of . pedro. pray madam speak that i may understand ; — your snares , and intanglements , be riddles to me ; — love is love , and may be call'd so . florio . love melina ! is there such affinity between love , and hate ? as thou canst not distinguish them , in me ! pedro. i allow you to hate the old foole you fled from ; but methinks the dukes favours , with his so great merrit , might produce affection from the same root , that affords you hate to one who has no merrit . florio . thy argument may justifie a gratitude , fit for a vestall virgin to profess ; but love ( as i have heard ) is of another nature , full of fine fancies , and such gay delights , as will neer comply with my designe to dye . pedro. true madam , but if you were so happy , as to finde an object fit to change your hate , to love ; it would convert your thoughts from death , and be a good argument to live . florio . where canst thou fancy such an object melina ? fit to restore my thoughts to joy , or life ! pedro. the dukes love , deserves a multiply'd returne of kindnesse from you . florio . canst thou believe his friendship to me as a man ? can have any value for a woman wanderer ? though no degree of love , have habitation in my heart , my judgment , and religion , might perswade me to own so great a blessing ; if the gods should send so strange deliverance ! so wonderful a change of fate ! for my unworthynesse . pedro. i like well these judicious thought , and will hope your mallady may in time finde a cure , good natures slow with gratitude , and both together , fill the world with love ; it is , or it will be love madam , though you yet discerne it not . florio . the gods defend our sex , from such a president in me ! a woman to love first ! would be a prodigie . pedro : all this i allow , so you will love the duke , if he love you first . florio . if thou dost think it possible , that i can be in danger of such a slavery as love ? for heavens sake shew me a quick remedy ; for all the stories i have read , present that passion , worse then hate ; and in all ages , has produc'd examples , to deterre our sex from love ; though i am yet safe , the duke is somewhat more then other men ; — give me an antidote melina , that i may be strong against the duk 's assault , if he make any ! lest i find here a double invitation to the grave . pedro. you shall be provided madam . florio . he has a soule so full of gallantry , so rich in vertue , and so great renowne ! i tremble at my second thoughts of thy discourse ; and would not for the world ingage my freedome , on the hazzard of so high contest ! if thou hast a remedy against love ? shew it now , that i may doubly arme , against so great an enemie ! pedro. i have a sure one madam , that which cured me , and does cure all the world ! 't is the onely approv'd remedy . florio . and shall i have it ? if i stand in need ! pedro. yes , if you please to love him , that loves you ; and this is a remedy that seldome failes to cure by fruition . florio . thou art wanton merry , and talk'st thou carest not what , to make me so ; can having what we wish most , lessen its value ? pedro. 't is but too plaine , by having our wish , we come to know , that our desires in love , had rais'd our fancy above what we can ever finde ; this knowledge doth so check the wing of fancy , and desire , ( that love ) as a thing once past his height , must naturally decline ; and fade ; such is the generall frailty of all creatures , to have the like certaine period of decay ; this makes some of our sages , studied in the point , now teach , that vertuous transparent friendship , is a greater , and more durable felicity then love ; but i believe you madam have your wish allready , to the first part of this opinion , you are belov'd , where you love ; and will in time judge of the whole argument , by your own experience . florio . if love be not friendship too ! 't were a sad fate to love , but i am so farre from having what you wish me , this way melina , that my dispaire , is my unhappinesse ; — can the duke love me a woman ? as now a man , when he shall finde his favourite florio , such a counterfite ! will it not beget suspitions of my credit ? and all tho●e glorious actions i have done , become my scandall ? — then if his doutage should passe by all these just exceptions ! may he not think my quality unfit to be his wife ? — these thoughts fill my fancy with such doubts melina ! that when i consider my condition , it makes me desperate . pedro. and gives me hopes of better dayes , madam ! when the duke shall know you a lady of the same blood with princes ; and shall inquire the true cause of your disguise , he will be more in love then now ; — pray let me informe him , and try your destiny . florio . no melina , no , i do conjure thee by thy first vow , and now by all my interest , not to discover me ; for if i outlive this siege , i will returne , and take a holy habit on me , lest my sex suffer by my folly , and the world , think i came co seeke a man , rather then avoide one . pedro. pray madam . — florio . hold , i will here no argument against my resolve ; obey me , or you will destroy me ; love , thus i blow thee off ! death is my businesse here . pedro. though i do not approve what you think fit , i know i must to your command submit . [ enter : the duke to them . ] duke . florio , i observe you love to be retyr'd of late , and i who seek your company , can seldome have it . florio . my heart has no joy like pleasing you sir ; and my retirements are most imploy'd , in studying how to shew my gratitude , that [ embraces florio . ] you may not repent the honours you heap so fast on me . duke . that 's kindly said : — i heare florio that camillo proffers to settle a great fortune on his neece the faire rossina , if you can love her , which i do wish , that i may not fear to loose , what i see so much delight in ! florio . 't is an honour i cannot accept sir , because my heart is preingaged unto another , so fix'd ! that nothing lesse then death , can ere dissolve it ! duke . 't is a cleare answer ; but to me so harsh , i dare not inquire further ; — and yet i must , or by my doubts shall suffer more ! — does the person you love so much , live here ? or may she be brought to dwell with us . florio . the last of these is not impossible , and yet there is great difficulties to effect it ; — pray sir leave me to my own endeavours , and i may bring what you desire to passe , for your favours have so farre ingag'd me , that my soule labours to contrive , how i may live ever in your sight ; believe me sir , i know no joyes on earth , beyond your favours to me . [ aside . ] duke . thou dost revive me florio , — he ( looks so great ! that i could wish his fancy were fix'd on silviana ; ) — may i yet know your quality ? i have some reason to inquire , what may concerne your happinesse , and mine . florio . your highnesse does forget your promise , not to presse , what does concerne me not to reveale . duke . you chide me handsomely , — i onely had a suddaine thought , where to finde a fit match for my dear sister silviana . florio . i can fit her sir , with such a man , as all the ladies of the court will envy ! — 't is fernando , whose quality i know is greater then appeares . duke . thou hast dash'd all my hopes at once , i did wish you florio , would have thought my sister worthy of your selfe . florio . and much too worthy sir , i sweare by all my hopes , my heart is preingag'd where onely death can seperate . enter to them : the princess and ladies . duke . you come silviana aptly , to decide a difference between me and florio , i was inviteing him to offer up his heart to you , — but he preferres your happynesse so much above his own , that he recommends fernando before himself . florio . i madam , and do assure your highnesse , that fernandos birth does equall his great actions , and will be worthy your best thoughts . duke . why thus conceald then ? florio . he is resolv'd by services to lay some obligations on you sir ; before he do reveale himselfe , as also to let the princess see , what for her sake he ventures , ere he speak of love. enter to them : corbino , borosco , who gave the duke an open letter . carbino . i found this letter at the port sir ; as it dropt from the enemies trumpet . duke . to fernando ! give it him ! corbino . pray read it first . duke . why should i read his letter ? 't is not handsome . borosco . such ceremony in a besiedg'd towne , may prove prejuditiall , pray sir read it . duke . who open'd it ? corbino . i did sir ; when i saw an enemy loose it ; 't was my duty to see the inside . [ duke reads it . ] duke : this is the enemies designe , and was lost on purpose to be found , to make us jealous of so brave a man , that he may beat them no more ; — burne it , and say nothing , fernando has given testimony of his truth , beyond the reach of scandall . florio . does any dare to question fernandos truth sir ? corbino . pray sir , let florio give his judgment on the letter ! then burne it . [ florio reads and smiles . ] florio . this is easy to discipher , this comes not from the campe , i suspect a neerer plot ! fernando and my selfe , are much envyed for your favour sir. borosco . does your lordship reflect on me , for such a guilt ? florio . if i did , you should soon know it . corbino . pray sir ; let not sine words deceive you , but consider aside to the duke . well all circumstances , and then judge if fernando may not probably be sent hither by the enemy , wee know not who he is , nor whence he comes ! have no caution for his faith ; why may not he at the next sally doe ? what that letter does invite ! 't is my duty sir to advise you to send him out of the towne , before the evill be too great to remedy . duke . your zeale unto your country corbino , makes you too bold , to charge a seeming guilt , upon a person of his worth ; grounded onely from a letter let fall'n on purpose to abuse us ; suppose they should write the like to you ! — i shall think how to finde this mischiefe out , and if within our own walls , so base an act be prov'd ▪ it shall be severely punish'd . enter fernando to them . duke . fernando , you shall this night sally , with what force you please . florio . not 'till he has clear'd himself sir , — read this fernando . [ he reads it . ] fernando . this is a ●light trick sir ; the enemy that writ this ; is within our walls ; my name is not fernando . corbino . if a disguis'd person ! there is more cause of jealousy , then i saw before . florio . then raise a double jealousy , for my name is not florio ; — when strangers would be conceal'd , we change our names , — not to be hid from you wee dwell with ; but from those at home , who may pursue ! — fernando and i are a like guilty sir. duke . i am not apt for jealousies , nor can i see so foule a guilt ●in fernandos face ! — sir , though prudence might justify your restraint , i am above feare this way , — be still free , and command in chiefe ; this night the sally shall be wholly as you order it . [ offers to goe out . ] fernando . this considence would make a traitor honest ; but sir , to secure your great lords fear of me , i will retire , till i can write an answer to the enemy , such as will soone assure my innosence ; — but yet on second thoughts ; i have a better way ! — you will trust me sir you say ! duke . i doe . fernando . then will i this night by my sally , give them such an answer , as that letter does deserve : and if the guilt be within your own walls ! i shall make them blush at my returne , for aspersing of my innosence . florio . i will be hostage sir till his returne , and suffer death if fernando do prove false . duke . fernando cannot by this sally , more confirme me , then i am assur'd before . exeunt . third act. a cry within , the courts on fire ; then enter some of the guard. guard. where is this fire ? guard. 't is in lord corbinos lodgings . guard. knock , knock lowder . enter servants , and mariana at the window . mariana . fire , fire , come up and help , 't is in my fathers closet , the fire breaks out there . [ a noise within . ] enter : — duke , princess , rossina , florio , and traine under the window . duke . from whence is the mischiefe ? borosco . 't is in corbinos lodging sir ; i have sent after him ▪ mariana above with men and maids , throwing goods out of the window . mariana . the great danger is now over sir ; duke . pull down the next wall , that it passe no further . mariana . my lord borosco , pray set some to guard our goods . she throwes down baggs of money , he heapes them up . borosco . have not our enemies at home done this ? to divert us in the time of sally , what newes from fernando ? duke . he is but now sallyed , hark the alarum is begun . borosco . and the court on fire at the same time ! 't were good to double all the guards , there may be more danger in this fire , then yet appeares . duke . the guards are strong enough , send more hands to quench the fire . [ enter florio . ] florio . they have master'd the great slame sir , but not yet quench'd the fire . mariana throwes down baggs and boxes one box opens and out fails papers . duke . looke to his papers , put them in againe , — what 's here ? the duke takes up a paper . a direction to fernando ! see florio ! florio . 't is a soul coppy of the forg'd letter from the enemy , 't is the same hand sir ; now you see our jealousies are just . duke . i shame to see so great a villany . while they compare the hana enter corbino in haste . corbino . my closet burnt ! and all my goods distroy'd ! oh unhappy man ! duke . it had been well thou hadst thy self been burnt in it , look here vile wretch ! what this fire has brought to our hands ! — thou may'st well tremble at such a crime , for i will make thee an example , to terrify this nation from like villany ! — you of the guard , devide all this treasure among your selves , for your paines , in quenching of the fire ; — and florio , see this wretch a close prisoner ; that fernando may behold what punishment , such treachery shall find from me . corbino . pardon great sir , losse of your wonted favour , begot this envy in me , i beg your mercy sir , duke ▪ such mercy as so base a crime deserves , expect : — while fernando sheds his blood for us , you stamp a brand of treason on so cleare a merit ! — — so great a mischiefe , with so base intent ; no villaine but corbino could invent , — away with him . [ enter officer . ] duke . what newes from the port ? officer . fernando has slighted their last work sir ; and beaten them out of their new trenches , he pursu'd so farre , that their whole camp is now in armes , while your troopes retire in safety . fernando is by this time alighted at the court. duke . fernando has made good his undertaking , let us meet him with our discovery , to welcome his returne ; — what will you do silviana . princess . i shall attend , that you may see i can to vertue bow , though not adore the man ! exeunt . enter : — clara , marianas mayde , at one doore , and pedro at the other . clara. pedro , where is the duke gone ? where the princess ? and where be all our goods ? — i saw you under the window , when i threw down my red cabinet ; pray where be they all ? pedro. the duke , and princess , are gone to meet fernando , but before he went , the duke gave the plunder of all the traytor corbinos goods , unto his guards , who quenched the fire . clara. if my lord be twenty traytors ! i am none , all my goods were thrown down with his , ( but that red cabinet , pedro ! ) doest thou know which of the guard took that ? pedro. you are concern'd as if your portion lay within that little compasse ! — were all your jewels there clara ? clara. the greatest treasure i have , is there , letters pedro , letters of love , from a gentleman , that — pedro. that , what ? that has , or would do something , you are asham'd to own ! is 't not so or so ? clara. neither pedro , there is nothing in any letters , i shall blush at . pedro. that may be too ! — but say ; are you so farre gone ? as to admit of no other suitor ? clara. leave this fooling pedro , he seeks me an honourable way . pedro. which of the honourable wayes ? sweet clara ! clara. marriage . pedro. then i am safe , and may be merry without danger . clara. now you have talk'd me out of my conserne for my cabinet , pray informe me who florio is ! and how it happens ! that he has no affection , for any of our ladies ! pedro. if you will direct me to a conjurer ! i shall inquire , what florio does impart to none ; — come clara , let us not trouble our heads , with what your lady , or my lord thinks ! but let us be merry when we meet . [ he takes her hand . ] clara. keep your distance good pedro , and then be as merry as you please ! my credit is not in the cabinet , as you suppose ! nor yet am i at your dispose . pedro. why so coy bright beauty ? my approach is civell . clara. i can neither by your looks , nor language discerne that ! pedro. if you were not ingaged unto the letter man ! i should have shew'n my esteem of your perfections , in a more serious way clara , i can now have no designe , but mirth , since you declare for a pretender , whose lines you lay up as reliques ! clara. you did mistake me pedro , i only said , that a gentleman did seek , but i told you not , that he had found my heart , which is yet as free as yours . pedro. i am catch'd ! and must come quickly off : — dear clara , i [ aside . ] would advise you , not to cast off a gentleman , who truly loves you on vaine hopes of others liking ! clara. you are doubly deceiv'd now pedro ; i have no designe on your sweet face , your lord , and you , will be both secure in urbin , from being ravish'd by our ladies , or their servants ! if you can direct ! who has my lost cabinet ; i 'le thank ye ; if not ! adiew good pedro. pedro. i am glad i am thus freed . exeunt severally . enter duke , and traine ; who meet from the other doore fernando and officers : a crye without of ioy , from the people . duke . fernando , we bring you joyfull hearts , instead of such triumphall ornaments , as your high actions merrit . fernando . you honour me too much sir , but if the princess own my indevours ! i may hope the scandall of that letter , sticks not on me . duke . wee have found the foul coppy of that forg'd letter , in corbinos closet , and the author of it , shall ere night , suffer as he deserves ! fernando . pray sir forgive him , as i do , his designe has done you good , i had not venter'd full so farre , but to wipe off that scandall ; — and now sir , for marianas sake , i beg that you will pardon her old father . duke . she shall have all his lands immediatly , but i must deterre others from the like horrid actions ; — if i had believ'd him ! and imprison'd you ; what a mischiefe might that barbarous beast have ledde me to ! princes who pardon such crimes , will neer be free from the like vipers , who devoure the good names of the innocent , 't is our work to cherish truth , and vertue , and to banish such monsters as corbino , from the converse of men : he is condemn'd to the dungeon while he lives ! 't is fit that you retire fernando . [ exeunt duke and traine . ] [ florio and fernando stay . ] florio . now they are gone , i will congratulate your victory , with some good hopes , that silviana may comply . fern. florio is my good angell still ; yet i must pitty thee . vnhappie youth , expos'd in●o a crow'd of beauties , where thou freely art allow'd to looke , and chuse ! invited to enjoy a full variety ! in hope to cloye . or ●ix thy fancies , which by nature grow , beyond the power of satisfying so ! flo. if youth , of beauty must be still afraid ▪ why were those glorious objects ever made ? beauty to age , is like a painted fire , warmes not ; though it create a faint desire , that mocks the appetite of old mens eyes , with youthfull wishes , but neer satisfies ; cause age repines , much oftner then recants past follyes ; still lamenting what it wants ! fern. if brightest beauties cannot youth reclaime ! nor raise an old mans fancy to a flame ; by such experience taught , we may conclude , our passions , doe our iudgments still delude ; which leads us on to idolize a face , without inquiring the intrincique grace ! florio take heed , when lovers soare too high , they seldome finde a lucky destiny . flo. my fortune , and my fate in love , will neere be worth my care , nor worthy of your feare ; i will within impart what i have done , and shew , how silviana may be wonne ; [ florio imbraces him . ] exeunt . enter : — camillo and borosco with three officers . camillo . corbino is got o●● at fernandos intercession , and wee are safe . borosco . safe indeed , and freed from all imployment in the state , these strangers are now ●ix'd , unlesse you camillo help us to remove u'm ! camillo . i have away to do it , if you gentlemen will joyne , to free your selves , from this forraigne yoake . [ all. ] wee ▪ l live , and dye with great camillo . camillo . thus then fellow souldiers , at the next generall sally , we will ingage our two young leaders , into the midst of the enemies , and then retreat so suddenly , they shall be cut in pieces , ere they see their danger . borosco . good , very good ; but when will this sally be ? camillo . suddenly i hope , for since fernandos returne , my scouts bring newes , that the enemies whole forces are drawn up , to countenance their men , while they repaire the works fernando slighted ; so that when he has slept a little , i will set florio on fire , to seek their own destruction ; by begging the command my self , that he and fernando may take rest , which will inflame them to goe with us , as private men . borosco . loose no time then , for while such mischiefe cooles , vve may be ' taine in our own traps , like sooles . exeunt . enter the princess with rossina , philora , and floremella . princess . how faires rossina ? does florio yet approach ? rossina . he has no time yet madam , and i am not in h●ste . princess . he loves but little , that cannot sin ●e a time to shew it . philora : the love of such young men , is like stubble set on fire ; which gives so short a heate it warm's not . princess . what is your opinion of fernando's gravity ? philora . he lookes of late , so much concern'd , with his great offices ▪ that such inconsiderable things as wee , are not worth his thought , and is preingag'd to , i believe . floremella . 't were well if any of us , could get one of these constant lovers , to change our breed ! — our young gallants , doe throw their hearts at ladies ●ea●s so fast ; we cannot take them up , before we finde them tumbling at an others f●et . princess . a very good state argument floremella . — — i ft come to voting ! thou shalt have my voice for both , or either of them , at thy choice . [ enter florio to them . ] florio . pray madam , let these ladies stand a little off , that i may impart an a●●ai●e of consequence . princess . rossina pray go not away , you are out of hearing now . florio . 't is time madam to let you know , that fernando loves , and is of quality fit for you to own : ● his respect● so great , he presumes not yet to begge the honour of one visit , nor will own his quality , untill this warre be over , that his actions , may parallel his greatnesse ; and yet for your sake madam , is become a volunteere . princess . i am oblig'd my lord to you , that think me worthy of the man , you honour most ! but i shall admit no courtships , from the greatest prince in a disguise ; nor is it fit for me to guesse at , what he designes to hide . florio . my businesse now , is onely to invite your highnesse , to look● on fernandos actions favourably , and when his merrit has rais'd such a value of him , in your heart , as you could wish he were a prince ! i here ingage m● honour , you shall finde him such . princess . i have no wishes of that nature florio , nor do i fancy such a romance ; but who ere he be ! that wares such vertue in so bright a case ! he merrits my civillity . exeunt . the scene changes . enter at one side duke , camillo , and officers , at the other side enter florio a little after . duke . what you have urg'd camillo , i approve ; and you shall sally with what power you please , since we have men enough , our frequent skirmishes , will weary their new souldiers . florio . another sally sir so soone ! duke . camillo undertakes it with his brigade alone ; you , and fernando shall both rest . florio . pray sir lay no commands on us to stay at home , when great camillo sallyes ; i know fernando , will be more troubled then my selfe , our businesse here is to gaine experience , and we must loose no opportunity to learne . camillo . will lord florio allow us natives , no time to shew our conduct ? and our courage , to serve our prince ? without his assistance ; as if he coveted , the sole glory of the warre . florio . you do mistake me my lord , my businesse is to learne ; i have no thought to eclips your glorious actions , which i desire to immetate ; and with your permission , do begg the dukes leave , that fernando , and my selfe , may ●ight as volunteeres , only to observe how you command ! duke . by no meanes florio . florio . i must not be deny'd sir ; for i allready suffer by my not sallying last , your people say , i have got honours , and offices enough , to keep me from farther hazzards : and this will be fernandos fate too ; if he goe not with camillo ! sir , wee are resolv'd to be in every sally , which if you deny ! our credits will call us to aske your passe , that so we may returne to our countries , with our honours safe . duke . if i cannot intreat ! nor yet command your stay ; i do unwillingly consent ; — camillo , they are in your care . florio . wee will both waite on your lordship . [ exeunt duke and florio . ] camillo . was not this well design'd borosco ? i knew how to inflame young florio so , as to presse on , to both their ruines : — we must charge home at first , they once ingaged , we will retreat , and leave them to a sure destruction . borosco . his fancy of volunteeres , gives oppertunity to place them both in our first ranks , without jealousie . camillo . and by them , i will place a score of my boldest men , with direction , that they suffer not the strangers to advance a foot before them , for the honour of our nation : — you borosco , shall stand with the reserve , just without the port , and my order is , not to move till i send for you ; which shall be too late to rescue our fine gallants ; i have given orders out allready for a present sally ; — wee must make haste ; — before it do grow dark , that no mistake our thus well order'd plot , may useless make ; a mischiefe well design'd , we count halfe done , before the active part , be yet begun . exeunt . enter from one side duke and lords : enter on the other side borosco . duke . is camillo yet gone out ? borosco . they are , and my troopes are drawing forth ! duke . though i hope camillo will have no need of your reserve ; yet be vigilant borosco : be vigilant as you will answer it with your life ! i have by much intreaty , prevail'd with florio to stay with me . borosco . i shall observe my orders , i have the generalls direction sir. duke . and mine ! go now , lest you be stay'd for ! — longino , exit boros● draw all my horse guards from the market place , immediatly unto the port , but go not out , till i give you orders ; i will be ready too . — — accidents in warre , do too often show , that no experience , can all harmes foreknow . tigillo . this is the strongest sally sir you ever made , and yet you apprehend it most ! duke . i do indeed , take more care now , then formerly , because i now know the value of those i venture ; besides a slight mishap to us beseig'd , may fright our friends abroad , from sending in their promised aydes : — i have intelligence tigillo , of some treacherous designe upon the strangers lives ; camillo envies them , but if any plot to their prejudice appeare , camillos life shall answer it . exeunt . [ enter longino with an officer . ] longino . never was sally thus trebly order'd ! — we may thanke florio for all this providence , and to say truth , he does deserve it ; from the duke , and us ; though i feare camillo loves him not ! — hark , they are at it now , — this is my post. officer . all is not well , the discontented lords , had private , and late meetings . longino . the duke has spyes on them . enter the duke and florio with his traine : tigillo meets him from the other doore . tigillo . camillo does retreat sir ; on the first charge retreates ! and hath left a small party ingag'd in ●ight ! duke . longino . longino . sir. duke . leade my guards out , and bid borosco advance with speed , or he shall dye for his delay ! longino . i shall sir. exit longino . duke . this looks like a designe as full of mischiefe ! as camillos heart of envy ; it makes me tremble , to think what danger , brave fernando may be in . [ enter an officer . ] officer . camillo retreates sir ; in great haste , without a stroke retreates : nor will borosco stirre , longino cannot make him move ; fernando is ingag'd past hope of rescue . florio . fernando is betray'd sir : we must be quick , or he is lost ! duke . if camillo still retreat ! the designe is plaine ; and time for me to hazzard now ? camillo dyes for this base act , — this is the plot , this the treachery ! death , and confusion fall on camillo . — my horse , my horse . exeunt . the scene changes . enter the duke , florio , and traine : camillo and his men meet them at the port. duke . where is fernando ? camillo : lost by his own rashnesse . duke . or by your base retreat , without a stroake , destroy'd ! there 's a reward for treachery , or cowardize , which you please ! faces about ! [ kills him . ] — tigillo , i command thee on thy life , to kill borosco at the head of all his troops , and lead his men after me : there mischiefe is too evident ! exeunt duke and traine . [ manet two lords and by camillo . ] camillo . i have my due , that did ill execute , what i so well design'd ! our retreate was too suddaine ; not to ingage at all , made our designe [ dyes . ] too plaine ! — lord. this confession will please the duke . lord. the noyse growes low'd my lord , from the tower , we may see what is doing in the camp. a charge afarre off , not low'd then a retreat : then enter duke , florio , longino , tigillo and officers . duke . we came too late , to rescue brave fernando ! tigillo . borosco is dead sir ; as you commanded . duke . i will reward thy courage , and thy faith tigillo . — a thousand curses follow those traitors to their graves , death cannot expiate their villanies ; — but we must now consider how to redeeme our gallant friend ! florio . by a quick sally , give them no time to breath ; but with all your strength , fall on their head quarters ; and fetch him off by a strong hand : — give me the conduct sir ; and if i faile , i le fall in the attempt . duke . this suits with florios gallantry , and friendship to fernando , but if your successe , prove short of your designe ? he , and wee may so be lost : — i rather think to ransome him for gold. [ enter a souldier taken with fernando . ] souldier . fernando sir is well , and by the enemy well us'd , he has a small guard , and a great tent , in the head quarter , i got the word , and so escap'd . exit duke and traine . duke . let us consult within . florio . stay souldier , have you the word ? souldier . i have sir ; 't is ferrara . florio . dare you be my guide this night , to fetch fernando off ? if i with a few more , do hazzard to his tent ? which you seem to know ! souldier . yes sir , i dare dye in such good company ! florio . no more , take that purse , and attend me at my lodging ; i 'le suddainly be there . exeunt severally . the scene changes to a camp , and in a great tent — appeares the duke of ferrara with fernando and officers . ferrara . be not dejected sir ; such accidents in warre , are frequent , and the bravest men most subject to your misfortune . fernando . to be your prisoner sir , is not my trouble , but to be betraid ! so basely forsaken by camillo and the rest , without a stroake ! lookes like a trechery , you understand not ! — it must be so ; florio was too easily perswaded to abide at home ! — there , there was the designe , for my captivity ! that in my absence , he may be the man ! — what is my ransome sir ; name the summe , and i 'le procure it ; — and returne like a consuming flame amongst ' um . ferrara . no summe , no ransome , for if i understand you right ! the young favourite florio has betray'd you , he jealous that your services , might out-shine his pretences to the princess silviana , and make voyd the dukes solicitations on his behalfe ; ( for thus my camp discourses ) to my amaze and wonder ! that the fond duke should reject me ; and chuse so unknown a man , as florio ! but if his designe be , to raise a private gentleman unto his dukedome ? — 't is great injustice to chuse florio , before you ; — ( i hope this angry man , will doe my businesse ! ) [ aside . ] fernando . the dukes doatage is so great on florio , that he knowes no joy like his advancement ! — but florios falshood , calls my revenge ▪ to cut off all his hopes that way , for if silviana do consent , to crown his aspiring thoughts ! this hand , shall at the alter , stabbe him to the heart . ferrara . you are free sir ; and this moment may depart ; all ceremony lay'd aside , i take my leave ; loose no time sir in such affaires , delayes are dangerous ! francisco , — command the captain of the watch , to attend fernando to the citty gate . i wish you happinesse . fernando . i accept your favour to depart , but am not yet resolv'd to what place . ferrara . by all meanes returne to urbin sir ; now you are free ! — let not florio boast , so strange a victory ! exit ferrara . fernando sits sadly by a table a while silent . fernando . i understand all your kindnesse duke , but did not think , i had appear'd so tame ! so meane ! to remove florio , for his pretence ; camillos treachery , was from a just envy , because he lost that favour , which i gain'd ; — i can excuse him , and borosco , on the same account , but florio to comply ! and the ungratefull duke ! — they merit my revenge . — — if guilty both ! it is decreed ; the duke , and florio both shall bleed . vvhile fernando set silent enter florio alone , the rest stand at doore fernando starts up and drawes . fernando . treason , treason . [ florio drawes and sides with fernando . ] florio . guard thee fernando , i le dye by thee : but where is the enemy ? i see no danger ! fernando . thou art my danger , what mischiefe brings thee hither in disguise ! fer : steps from florio . florio . mischiefe fernando ! have you no better welcome for a friend . fern : for such a friend ! that dar'd to sleep at home , when i was lost . florio . oh barbarous ! you know the dukes commands , and importunities were such ! as i could not refuse to stay ; and you consented too ; yea i have blush'd ever since , and come now by a greater hazzard , to wipe off that shame , which i could not prevent . fernando . you rather come with this excuse , to invite me to a second trust , by which you , and the rest , may some more certaine way destroy me ; but to such faithlesse friends , i shall returne no more . florio . does this hazzard , and my try'd friendship , merit such language ? the duke too , is well repay'd , for his severe justice on camillo , who himself , with his own hand slew , for his base treachery to you : — and on his command , borosco fell , by young tigillos sword : — what expiation do you seeke ? what satisfaction for camillos crime , can you demand ? if all this be argument for so unworthy a distrust ? how can innocence be justifyed ? — pray sir take more time to judge of this , and now trust your selfe with me : i have the word , and can securely passe , i have a bold party too , who stand ready at the port , to favour our retreate . fernando . i need them not , i have my freedome , and have taken leave , can passe whither and when i please , but my judgment on all this , i cannot suddenly summe up , and therefore will not goe . florio . what testimony can you wish ? what assurance have ? beyond this voluntary hazzard of my life , to lead you to the princess silviana ; from whom , you may inquire my friendship , and my faith ! if this be an abuse ! you have then a cause to show your courage , and may call me to account ! but if all this convince you not ! leave me here a prisoner , in your place ; and so revenge those wrongs you onely dreame of . fernando . no , to betray , is worse then to be betray'd ! i scorne to act a treachery that i so much condemne in others ; — i am now resolv'd to goe , and to suspend all further thoughts of jealousy or discontent : — and if my passion for the princess , hath mis-led me into unworthy thoughts of you , or of the duke ; i shall gladly do any pennance you 'l inflict . florio . your own sence , for your mistake , will prove a sharper pennance , then we can wish . fernando . though i have arguments for my distrust , yet florio , and the duke may both be just ! the end of the third act. the fourth act. enter the duke , leaning on florio 's shoulder , follow'd by fernando , longino , tigillo , lords , and officers . duke . to what strange hight florio ! will thy daring heart aspire ? at what point of honour rest ! that i may rejoyce thy dangers past , without new feares for more ensuing hazards comming on . florio . the gods directed what i did , and friendship could expect no lesse , fernando would have done much more for me sir. duke . i do believ 't , but yet methinks , your large soule might afford some roome for me , so much a friend ! as to be consider'd in my concerne for all the dangers you are in . florio . such a presumptuous thought in me , had been a crime , when great fernando's life and fortune was at stake , against a compliment ! duke . i yield , florio must ever conquer . be generall fernando , and you longino , command the horse ; — tigillo take presently the citty keyes from young camillo , and be you governor of urbin ; he shall know , that obedience to his prince , is above his duty to a father ; — if any can make cleare proofe of more conspirators ? they shall have all their lands , and goods for their reward ; — now fernando ! did i apprehend with cause ? were not my private cautions of camillo , worthy your best providence ? fernando . i could not guess at camillos mischiefe i confess ; so great a mallice ! from a gallant man , i never met before ; but when envy , and revenge ( ambitions twin children ) doe wedd their parents cause , no reason can so naturall a rage withhold , nor any limits such unbridled fury bound ! when the high hopes , that all their fancies aym'd at , were cut off , by those honours heap'd on us . this makes me reflect with some compassion , on your severity to persons of their worth , who had no crimes , but what grew from too much vallew of your favour sir ; i wish that our successes had been lesse , or your rewards not full so much ! though narrow hearted princes often blush at merits beyond their wills to recompence , yet some great soules like yours , too often overvallew , and reward such services as ours , when a kind mention , with a smile , would amply satisfie : pardon sir my sorrow for the losse of those two great men , who fell on my account , that shortly must resigne all the envyed offices i hold ; and thereby shew how small an argument their hasty envy took for such a ruine as they design'd on me ; which in few dayes might have been diverted ; for this siege ended , i must be gone sir , as i have frequently to you , and them , declared in publike ; and now to leave so many mourne●s , where i have deserved so well ! will very much eclips my memory when i am gone . duke . i have no argument but their crime , to justify their punishment ; though your clemency might have spared them ; a lesse severity would not become me . lord. camillo at his death , confess'd his guilt ▪ and exclaim'd against his own too hasty a retreat . duke . we know too much of their conspiracy . exeunt . enter the princess with philora , and ladies in her chamber . princess . i wonder why my brother stayes thus long , from seeing me . philora . he has had but little time to order his affaires ; camillo , and borosco being both dead , their commands are of great consequence . [ ent : tigil : ] princess . i have not heard of the like villany ! — what newes tigillo ? how does my brother ? tigillo : well madam , but much troubled for camillos wickednesse , against those he so much loves ; he sent me to excuse his visit to your highnesse , untill he have dispatch'd some great affaires , that do require his presence . princess . are the two strangers well ? tigillo . not both madam , fernando has some hurts : but nothing dangerous . princess . is not my brother much pleas'd to have his florio safe return'd ? tigillo . he is indeed , somewhat fonder then i could wish , but can your highnesse fancy a fitter subject ? for so high a concerne ; who ere beheld a nobler object ? for a prince's favour ? princess . i do not know so fit a man , to make his favourite as florio ; but to dote so much on him , as to consider none of us ! takes from my brothers judgment , and lessens our love to him , i am glad to see him pleas'd , but to see him lost in admiration of a man ! is not well ; — rossina come , — — let us retyre , untill the duke appeares , to raise our hopes , or satisfy our feares . exeunt . as they are going off enter a servant . servant . madam , there is an officer without , who desires accesse to your highnesse , he has a paper in his hand , he sayes of great concerne ! and must himselfe deliver it . exit servant . silviana . admit him , — tigillo , pray stay in the next roome . exit tigillo . [ the ladies stand off . ] [ enter officer . ] officer . madam , i come from the enemy , sent by the duke of ferrara , to mingle with your troopes , which sallyed last ; — amongst whom , i got into the towne , thus in private , to excuse to you alone , the mischiefes by this warre , brought on your people . he offers her a letter , she refuses it . silviana . no , 't is beyond excuse sir : but why this to me in private ? if from ferrara sent ! why not in publique to the duke . officer . 't is not his purpose madam , to humble himselfe unto your [ hee kneels . ] brother , though ferrara do desire thus to lay himself at silvianas feet ( to shew what love can doe ! ) his courage is too high , to stoope before the greatest prince on earth . [ he rises . ] silviana . tell your high hearted master then , my brothers interest and mine , are so mingled ▪ that neither his force , nor subtlest art , can ere devide us ; tell him i despise his love , who with an iron rodd does wooe ; — his former menaces became him better , then this flattery ; i le heare no more . [ offers to goe out . ] officer : then give judgment madam ere you go , on the guilty person you despise ; for if my love cannot prevaile ! to excuse what i have done ; let me by your doome fall ; — ferrara is at your mercy . [ discovers himselfe . ] silviana . sir ; your excuse is bolder then your crime , thus to surprize me in disguise , is as offensive as your warre ; and works the same effect in me , who see through all your designes , but can discerne no love ! — 't is our dukedome you expect , and so much labour for , not me . ferrara . this warre , and my disguise , are both the effects of love madam , and at worst , can be look'd on but as tryalls , whether by your brothers , or your own aversion , i have been rejected ! — i ledde my army hither , to remove his constraint on you , ( as i suppose ) and now freely offer up my selfe a sacrifice , to your dislike , if by that i fall neglected ! such is the power of love , it makes the greatest dangers , most delightfull ! silviana : such romances take not me , your first approaches , and all your treaties were accompanied with such unreasonable demands , and such rude threats ; as shew'd you were a man of blood ; — no characters of gentle love appear'd ; — i remember also the succession was your maine article : that must be setled , or you would not have me ! by which you bound my brother from a second marriage , and would take me , as an appendix to the crowne ! and through all this ! i must now discerne your unvisible love ! — no sir , though the principallity must be my beauties foyle , to raise esteem in you : i can set a value on my self● , above the dukedome you ayme at . ferrara . madam : though i come hither , lifted high , on the delightfull wings of hope ; dispaire must now be my reserve , for my retreate : yet thus by your scornes , arm'd for your revenge ; i shall rather smile , then shrinke at your brothers malice : after this repulse from you ! and shall glory here to fall , lov 's martyr , at your feet . silviana . you shall be safe from all harmes here sir , — i will secure your safe returne , though i answer not your hope , you shall not suffer enter tigil : by this rash visit ; — tigillo , pray see this officer safe convey'd to his campe. ferrara . no madam , now i have put off that clowd , which did secure my passage hither , ( by which my undertaking is perform'd , ) to put it on againe , may looke like feare ! as if i valued safety , at a higher rate then honour ? i will therefore with an open face , — — now i have kneel'd at silvianas feet , pass on , through all the dangers i can meet . silviana . my endeavours , and my wishes , do concurre for your security , but if you suffer ought , by your own rash choice : i shall take care that you have no pretence , to lay a blemish on my innocence : — tigillo waite on the duke as i direct : — i will answer it to my brother . exit princess and ladies . tigillo . i shall not doubt to do , what you command madam . ferrara : i am sad to think tigillo , on those evills , which silviana compells me in honour , now to act. — — for since no submission , can make her relent , vve are oblig'd to fight , though we repent . exeunt . enter florio as in his chamber sitting sadly , pedro by . pedro. madam , what want you ? will you think your selfe into the other world ? florio . i wish i were so happy ! no melina , i am doom'd to more disasters here . pedro. pray impart the trouble of your minde , that i may argue on your griefes , a little to divert you . florio . thou wilt raise my distemper higher , by thy discourse ! but yet i 'le try ; — i was thinking melina , how much better it had been to have stay'd at home , and sufferd all my fathers anger ; — still saying no to his unjust commands ; i might so have shew'd a much more becomming courage , by such sufferings , then thus by ●lying them ; — for had he forc'd me to the church ! ( so often threatned ! ) he could not there compell me to comply ; — i might at worst , have dyed on that account , with honour ! — as now with infamy ! pedro. if you pursue these thoughts ! they will distract you ; 't is childish to look back , when you must pursue , the fortune your first thoughts have led you to ! — does not the dukes love , grow higher and higher still ? — why then do you create evills in your fancy ? beyond what can happen ! florio . oh melina ! had i not better dye ? then ever own my selfe a woman ! when the duke shall finde the favourite he dotes on , to be a transform'd wanderer ! how will he hate himselfe , and me , for placing such a scorne on his great name for ever : — i love , and honour him so much ! i dare not seek the happinesse i wish , but must undiscover'd dye ; — to save my reputation , and his fame . pedro. these are waking dreames madam . florio . and then , if fernando , should discover me ! how will his honour be concern'd ? what vengeance will his just anger finde out for me ? — there is but one way melina , besides death . pedro. may i be trusted with it ? you have made me sadder then i look'd for . florio . the siege ended , i le returne , and take a cloyster ; where i will wash away my shame , in penetentiall teares ; — and if i dye before ▪ i do conjure thee melina , to conceale my sex ; i have adventur'd what i can , to get an honourable death , and 't will not be ; which makes me apprehend , some sadder fortune does attend me . pedro. madam : i have thus farre against my judgment , and my interest , been wholly govern'd by you ; but now i see you will destroy your selfe , i am resolv'd to let fernando , or the duke know your condition , to prevent a greater evill . florio . how melina ! wilt thou betray my trust ? and prove a traytor at the last ! thou dar'st not do so great a villany ! pedro. rather then see you ruin'd , i will do any thing ! — what crymes ? what guilt frights you into this dispaire ? i will no longer be accessary to your destruction , now i can bring you off with honour . she offers to goe off , florio rises and steps between melina and the dore , and drawes . florio . stay melina , — so , now 't is my fault , if you discover me , by all my hopes ▪ ' le k●ll thee instantly , unlesse thou dost now sweare , not to reveale me ; speak quickly : — for when thou art dead , i will by my own hand dye by thee . [ offers at her . ] pedro. hold , and i will , — by this i swear , as you desire . — — but that i do a greater mischiefe feare , your threatned death , should not have made me sweare . enter the duke who drawes and offers at pedro. florio steps in . duke . false villaine , to lift thy hand against thy lord ! [ florio steps between . ] florio . i did assault him sir , in my unjust fury . duke . florio has no unjust fury , pedro must be faulty ! florio . by truths selfe i sweare he is not : the fault was only mine , [ embraces . ] and pedro has made me see my error : — look sir , we are one againe . duke . i do believe it now , — but what then has caus'd this great distemper in you florio ? — am not i yet worthy to be trusted with your concernes ? florio . how can i expresse more value of your favours ? then i have sir , i wish not to live an houre beyond them , by all that 's good , i do speak truth . duke . i know not how to urge a trust , you are resolv'd against : but i plainly see , you have a troubled heart , — say pedro , what is that afflicts your lord ? is it within my reach ? pedro. had you come a minute sooner sir ? you might have known , but now i have sworn . florio . pedro no more : — great sir , i do confesse i have a grief , which i do shame to own , least you should despise , what you now seem pleas'd with : for my heart knowes no griefe , but doubts to hold your favour ! duke . you can have no interest , that i will not make mine : speak florio , is it silviana ? florio . no sir , but what ere it be , i will in time orecome it , and appeare before you with a cheerfull face againe : i beg you will no more inquire it , for i am well already ; your kindness cures all the evills , ever can belong to me . duke . and do i appeare so slight a man ? that you can feare my favours cannot last ! which still increase ! you wrong me much , by so unjust a jealousie . florio . no sir , 't is my own unworthinesse , that frights me ; lest i in time , appeare uncapable of these honours you allow me : i finde the stock of credit i have gain'd , begins to fayle so fast ! that my distractions make me giddy , on the thought of a senister fate . duke . no more of this it troubles me . — i am now going to my sister , whom i have not seen since my last sally : shall i have your company ? [ the duke imbraces him . ] florio . i attend you sir. the scene changes . [ they go off , and reenter at the princes chamber with her . ] duke . i have had so much to do silviana , i could not get free before : and am now come to beg your assistance , in an affaire of mine . prin. of what nature sir : your looks shew trouble in your minde . duke . my trouble is for florio , who has some hidden discontent , that will i feare take him from us ! — and i have hopes , that you may finde , what he will not reveale to me . princess . do you take me for a wise woman brother ? such as deale by magick ; how is it possible ? that i should know florios heart ? if hee 'l conseale it ! duke . i onely wish you would inquire ; — he may say more to you , then me . princess . i obey you sir : — pray my lord be pleas'd to satisfy the duke , by telling me , what those troubles are , he so much apprehends ; and if the cure do lye within my reach , you shall command my best endeavours to serve you . florio . i dare not dally with such excellence ; — one great trouble is , lest fernando , ( my deere friend , ) should perish , by your neglects madam . princess . you see brother , he has no concerne of his own worth naming ; he dotes on fernando , more then you on him . florio . i never can expresse more gratitude unto the duke , and you madam , then by recommending fernando to your thoughts , what can be fancyed in a man ? more then we all see in him ? princess . birth to equall mine ! florio . does that onely hinder ? princess . i cannot yet resolve you . florio . i beg sir , that you will obtaine me the prince's leave , to bring fernando to kiss her hand . duke . i shall not deny your suite florio , as you do mine ; — sister , pray admit his visit , when i appoint the time . princess . you have my consent my lord , when the duke approves it ? flo. madam , i prize● this favour you allow , more then wreath'd lawrels , on fernando's brow . florio kisses her hand and leades her off not seeing fernando enter . enter fernando who seeing this returnes in anger . fernando . this is a dagger at my heart , florio is false , and i too tame ! fernando going back . duke . fernando stay . fernando . i beg your pardon sir , for interrupting of your privacies . duke . we have done , and were now parting : — what newes from the enemy ? fernando . our out guards have taine a prisoner , who sayes , on some intelligence from ferrara , they are resolv'd to storme us , as their last hope , and do prepare for it with speed . duke . we will be ready for 'um ; — our vvalls are strong , and men so brave within ! exeunt . omnes . to startle at their storming , were a sinne . [ enter florio and pedro. ] florio . i have got leave to bring fernando to the princess , on a private visit ; but where to finde him , i know not ! — 't is some happinesse to do a friend that courtesy , which none can do for me . pedro. yes , i could do more for you , if you 'l permit me ? 't is strange that so much wit and courage , should produce such folly , and such feares ! — i finde my judgment , is worth twenty such as yours , and i must be bound by oath , to make no use of it . florio . pray leave d●scoursing , and finde out fernando ; i would speak with him ; — make hast , my heart growes light to think what joyes i bring fernando . exit pedro. [ enter fernando to him . ] florio . oh sir ; i have sent to seek you ! fernando . and too soon have found me , thou grear dissembler ! florio . what meanes fernando , by this injurious language to his friend ? fernando . i have no eares to let in thy bewitching charmes a second time ! florio . was ever injury like this ? what have i done , to loose your favour ? fernando . thou courtest the princess , against thy faith given , and my trust ; i have no words for such a treachery as thine ! those flattering eyes , and thy false tongue , shall nere deceive me more . florio . can fernandos great soule , admit so meane a thought ? of such a faith as mine to serve him ! fernando . i have no time to talke , — death is due for such a treachery as thine , were this place sit to throw my fury on thee ! florio . you lessen your own worth sir , by raising groundlesse jealousies on me ; did not my love , and innocence forbid ! i would by silence seem to own the guilt you fancy , and with open armes , now meet the death you threaten ; and i so often wish for ! — but i am more your servant then you discerne , and dare not comply , to bring so great an evill , as shedding innocent blood ! on prince lorenzos head ! fernando . ha! dost thou know me ? florio . yes sir ; or i would not shun death proffer'd from your hand ! which i have by many hazards sought ! though not on this account ! — yet i can shew great lorenzo , a better argument then his unjust jealousie , to sheath his sword here ! for i have ( too confident of my intrinsick vertue , ) contracted such high guilts , your highness never can forgive ! ( yet silviana shall be yours . ) fernando . though i understand thee not , thou hast said enough , to raise my wonder , above my anger ! 'till i know more ! florio . have you never seen a face like mine at pisa ? fernando . not that i remember , or did ever know ! florio . nor shall do now ! — on second thoughts , your unknown enemy , calls for death sir ; i have wrong'd you much ! and my selfe much more . [ florio opens his armes . ] fernando . no , thou hast charm'd me by some magick spell , i dare not touch thee , — who art thou ? florio . you should never know , if by any hand but yours , i could by death have been conceal'd ! — can you not yet call to minde your unfortunate cousin celestina , in this face ? — have my crimes , alter'd me so much ? fernando . celestina as a man ! do all the wonders i have seen ! can it be ? florio . too true sir : — pray let your sword now do , what i have [ sh● kneels . ] so often sought from the enemye ! — i would dye sir ; 't was my businesse here , and 't is high time that i were dead , this place , this hour is fit for such a sacrifice to wrong'd innocence ; for i have defam'd innosence ; rais'd a scandall on the name of vertue ! — the honour of your grear family is concern'd in my disguise ; if i survive this scandall i have rais'd ? your lenity will be condemn'd , as if you had comply'd ! and so the great name of florence will be howted at ! — but when i am dead , you may conceale my name , and not participate my shame ; who do now appeare so strange a monster to my selfe ! that i shall blush to death , if your sword prevent me not . [ he imbraces and raises her . ] fernando . is lovely celestina then ! my envyed rivall , for the faire silviana . florio . you have no rivall sir ; the princess sent me now to bring you to her , on a private visit : — do you believe me yet ? fernando . as an angell sent from heaven ; i believe thee ! but thy good newes cannot stay these teares , for thy selfe now shed : — poore celestina ; i have heard thy sadd story , and thy ill natur'd fathers tyranny , thou fled'st from ; — all thy friends have mourn'd for thee as dead , or so lost ! as never to be found againe ! florio . i am not so happy sir ! fernando . nor i so miserable to loose so great a friend ; — how shall i devide my heart ? between silviana , and celestina ; to thee i owe my life twice sav'd , and all my interest in silviana , by thy helpe gain'd : — all that i have , my being and my bliss , i must derive from thee ; my deer , deer , celestina . celestina . this kindnesse is more comfort , then i did ever hope to finde on earth ! i wish that i coiuld die , thus happy , before the duke does finde his florio is a counterfeite ! — i feare . — — his honour will ingage him to dispise , a wandring woman , in so strange disguise . fernando . lay by thy feares , and put on such a hope as will become thy vertue , and thy birth ; this romance will end well , the fond dukes friendship , will soon turne to love , when he shall see a possibility that florio may be his ! dost thou love him ? florio . i have not dar'd to entertaine a thought , that might lead me to hopes of such a happinesse on earth . fernando . let that hope , take its first rise now from my endeavours ; for when i see my time to unmaske us both , i 'le do it for thy advantage celestina ; — but why did you thus long conceale your selfe from me ? florio . feare to offend you sir ; which was my quarrel with melina , who thretn'd to discover me to you , when the duke found our swords drawne . fernando . is pedro melina too ! — where get you such manly hearts ? and vigour to act such wonders ! florio . alas sir , i did but draw my sword , and wave it 'bout my head , my weak blowes , were only in search of death ; but it seemes the powers above , propitious to my innocence , have turn'd the rugged fate i sought , into glorious trophies i deserve not ; discontent at first , then dispaire , threw me into all the dangers i could finde : — but this discovery , has reduc'd me to a woman , i can now tremble at my own shadow , my courage is quite gone , and i now shake , to thinke , what i have done ! fernando . you must hold up your character , till i see time to owne you , and to declare my selfe ; which shall be suddenly , my deare celestina , thou shall 't be my good angell still ; — wee 'l visit the princess , and first reveale our selves to her ; — trust me to mannage your interest with the duke , as you have mine with silviania ; wee must now prepare for the great interview : — which the enemie so much desires ; — take courage celestina , — — where beauties force , with vertue does combine , they cannot fayle to prosper a designe . exeunt . the fifth act. enter clara , and pedro severally , in great hast . clara. deare pedro , take care of me , they say we shall be storm'd , and sack'd ! pray what is sack'd ? pedro. all the mayds above fifteen years old , by the enemy found in towne , must be put in sacks , and thrown into the river . clara. this is a short warning , to provide against so great an evill ! but i hope you may finde favour to preserve me , sweet pedro take me to thy care . pedro. i shall do my best for thee , if i fall not in the assault ! a good day pretty one . [ offers to go , she holds him . ] clara. why in such haste ? pedro. i am commmanded to attend the interview , and must be gone . clara. i understand not what that is ! pedro. why , 't is a committee of inspection , on the princess silviana . clara. you confound me pedro , with hard words , is it any thing about the sacks ? and the river ! i am so afraid ! i know not what to doe ! pedro. take courage clara , i will preserve you , as my friend : i shall be missed , if i stay longer now ! clara. thank ye deare pedro ; — but i will hide my selfe how ever ! — this young white liver'd boy may courage lack ! to keep me from the river , and the sack. exeunt severally . [ an interview . ] enter at one doore the duke of urbin , with fernando , florio , lords , officers , and guards , who range on that side . enter the duke of ferrara , with lords , and officers who range on the other side . enter the princess silviana , with all the ladies , who stand under the scene , between the rowes of men. urbin . what be your demands lodovico ? what is the argument of this parlye , you have desir'd . ferrara . silviana is my argument , whom you detaine more like a prisoner , then a sister you ought to love , and honour , by matching with some prince , fitter for her birth , and beauty , then a nunnery ! which your thrifty kindnesse , would perswade her to . urbin . and you bring us this warre , with your advise , to teach us better purposes ! ferrara . i do ! lest my councels prevaile not ; — i have at a distance profess'd love , and treated long in vaine , which brings me now in person , to demand silviana from captivity . urbin . is it her person , or my dukedome ? you expect ? which invites you to this insolent way of wooeing ? ferrara . 't is both , and what both our parents did designe , when we were children , in case you left no issue male. urbin . silviana is now of age to please her selfe , and if she desire it ; i may treat farther on fit termes . ferrara . madam : i have wav'd the common way of wooing , to appeare before you with such an army , as will justifie my love , great as my selfe ! and worthy of your best favours ; which i feare your brother does obstruct . silviana . i never heard 'till now , that love , and terror , did inhabit in one brest ; fright me you may , but winne me never , by the desolation you have made ; a lover by such bloody characters set off , is what ever i shall flye from . — urbin . now sir , does this shew my compulsion for a nunnery ? ferrara . i see she has her lesson perfect , you all comply , to send me home with scornes ! yet i must lay before you , the evills of a towne taken by assault , where fire , and sword , do often without limits sway ! which is my last argument , and what i hope ; will invite fernando ( who knowes the accidents of warre , ) to mediate such a peace , as will divert the desolation that may follow . fernando . 't will not become me , to advise against the interest of the prince i serve ; — for if my intelligence be true ! your citty of ferrara , is , or will soon be ; in more danger of the fire , and sword you mention , then urbin at present is : — 'twere an infamy irreparable , to suffer the princess silviana , to be ravish'd from her brothers arms , by one she is so much averse to ! — such force sir , can have no pretence to love ! [ to the duke ] ferrara . are you of that opinion too ? — sir ; this confirmes what i have heard , and what in my camp so freely is discours'd ! that your great generall , is an ambitious lover ; — but if silviana can submit to so meane approaches ! i shall scorne the competition , though in my just anger , i lay this citty levell with the earth . fernando . the meane generall you slight so much , has never yet presum'd to look with confidence , on the faire princess eyes ; so farre from daring to pretend , or own that love you so boldly guesse at ! that my adresses are yet cloathed in the humble habit of a servant ; to be silvianas souldier , i account more honour , then to be ferraras duke . — ferrara . this insolence , i shall in few houres correct . fernando . you judge amiss , and will in few houres finde , this hand can crush ferrara into ayre ! — — when every drop of blood in urbin shed , shall be repair'd with a ferrarians head . — but that i dare not do any thing that looks like ingratitude , for those favours i received , when i was prisoner in your campe ; though i know the freedome , which you gave was on designe that my inraged revenge , might open you a way to your pretence for the faire princess : — yet benefits receiv'd must be own'd , as they appeare unto the world ! and on that account , i can forget these reproaches , thrown out against you know not who ! and aske your pardon for my too hasty , harsh reply , and imbrace you as my friend , i , and serve you too ! in any way , that will not prejudice my faith , ingag'd unto this princess . ferrara . this calme language is more insolent , then your pretence ! which i scorne alike ; arme you for defence , lest we give lawes to your high courages ; — madam , i have no wish so ill , for your contempt of me , but i can sorrow to see you fall so low , as this souldiers love . fernando . madam , thus often urg'd ; i beg your leave to challenge this great prince , to a single combat in your sight , then judge by our successe , whether fate approves of my humility , or of his insolent [ pats off his perriwig . ] demands ! — see lodovico , your rivall is your equall , and my army now , by my command is at ferraras gates : — yet i●le take no advantage of my power , ( so much more then yours ! ) but with my single sword , will justify my love to silviana , does transend all your pretences ; and yet before we fight , i once more proffer you my friendship , with a faithfull heart . ferrara . lorenzo duke of florence ! who we thought in france : i accept the combat , and with my sword will justify my claime , against so brave an enemy . urbin . this combat i must not allow here ; — lodovico , if you reject the duke of florence friendship ! and contemne mine : you may retire in safety , but if you please to storme us : we are prepar'd to smile , when you frown most . ferrara . those frownes you slight so may prove fatall unto vrbin . exit ferrara . urbin . why have you made such hazzards , in this disguise sir. lorenzo . my fathers sudden death call'd me in hast from france , where i heard of this warre thretning you : — i shall informe you at more leasure , how i became concern'd for silviana , which brought me in this disguise to her rescue . urbin . how can i returne this obligation ! to a prince , so much greater then my selfe ? lorenzo . one smile from silviana , will be a full recompence for all my service ; on that foundation , i shall raise high hopes , that she approves my love . silviana . smiles are but slight expressions of a gratefull heart sir ; but if you can build the noble structure of true love ? on such uncertainties ! i must consider of so weighty a concerne , before i smile : — love is a history , so many wayes describ'd , i do not know a harder riddle to expound , then what love is . lorenzo . love is indeed a mystery , full of such strange varieties , that all the world endeavours to fix it , according to their own fancies ; so absolutely contradictory in most men , that some think lov's centrick happinesse , will neer be found ; though all pretend to have it . but madam i am guided by those rules , that heav'n directs my worship unto it ; — my whole heart is wholly yours , and my unforc'd marriage is the undoubted testimony of that truth ; all meaner passions which we in gaytye call love , deserves a meaner name ; — when i lay my life , and fortune at your feet , and set my crown upon your head , i have no better arguments for love. silviana . nor i a thought that contradicts what you have said sir ; but dare not rashly answer your desires , lest it suit not with the esteem you have of me . vrbin . no more of this now silviana , — we must prepare for an assault ; — 't is their last hope ! lorenzo , whom will you appoint for general ? lorenzo . who but silvianas souldier ! can pretend to that honour sir ; give me your orders as before . [ loren : reads the orders . ] urbin . i obey , — this paper does order every man his post , by which you see i have had thoughts of this before . lorenzo . i wish sir , you would change florios post , and give him the charge to guard the castle , where the princess may be by him secur'd , from all accidents . duke . i thank you for this care , it shall be so . florio . how have i deserv'd this from you sir ? loren. you have enough deserv'd my care florio , and i who know the duke would account your losse , ( next to his town ) the greatest do justify my councell , to have you as safe as honour will allow . duke . lorenzo is my friend . florio . but not mine , give me leave then , as i ought , to lead my guards where your selfe fights in person sir , and i will be content to change my post. lorenzo . let it be as he desires sir ; yet i must againe advise you to secure florio next your selfe , he may prove worthy of all your care , and of your highest favour sir. duke . he is allready so , but you speak in a misterious tone methinks ! lorenzo . this assault , i conceive will be their last attempt , and i would gladly prevent a mischiefe that may trouble you ; — i know florios worth now , — get my arms luco . luco . they are ready sir. exeunt lorenzo , and luco . duke . lorenzos words , and his behavior show , something of florio , more then i yet know . [ enter town-officers to the duke . ] officer . sir ? by the severall noyses in the campe , 't is evident they make ready for an assault ! officer . we have faire warning to defend our selves , our men are mad to be upon the wall. duke . lead them presently unto their ports , as great lorenzo shall direct : 't was bravely done to give us warning , and to keep his word , shewes mettle gentlemen ! — where is prince lorenzo ? and where florio gone ? officer . we met them just now sir , in the lobby , which joynes to the princess lodgings . duke . this is no fit time for complements , — go to your severall commands , i shall be with you suddenly . exeunt severally . enter lorenzo , florio with the princess in her chamber , the ladies stand off . florio . madam lorenzo beggs the honour to kiss your hand , before the assault begins , that as your souldier he may fight this day . princess . forenzos merit , justly may expect what i can serve him in . loren. madam ; i seek not yet a favour beyond your owning of me for your souldier , — i suppose my actions , and my looks , have better shew'd , then now my language can , how much i love ! princess . it did not become me to inquire more of you sir , then you were willing to reveale , yet florio long since did let fall words , to make me know your quality , did equall mine ; and i only wonder'd why you thought not fit to trust me with it . lorenzo . because i would first know your opinion of me madam , else my name , not i , might have wooed for me , and if thus i had been rejected ! i might have retyr'd in my disguise , without a pnblique scorne , of being refus'd ; which ferraras prow'd duke , would have much rejoyc'd at ; but if you madam will so farre honour me , as to allow your souldier now to kiss your hand , on his hope of future happinesse , i have no doubt of our successe . princess . yes , and shall have my prayers for your protection . lorenzo . may your happinesse , equall your vertues madam , i must hasten to the walls . [ he kisses her hand . ] florio . when i have brought the princess to her lodgings , i will finde out the duke , and follow you . princess . you shall go now florio , this is no time for ceremony , my brother is unsafe , when you are from him . — — heaven guard the innocent , and only smight , the bould invadors , of anothers right . exeunt severally . [ an alarum farre off . ] enter officers they meet the duke , who enters at the other dore. officer . the enemy comes on so fast sir , you can hardly reach your posts in time . duke . i come , — lorenzo is by this time on the walls , haste every man unto his post. [ enter florio . ] duke . i was sending for you florio , — call for my armes , and bring those i bespoke for florio too , we will put on our armes together , and fight neer to one another ; — make hast . enter with armes for both , they speak as they are arming , florios armes are like those of pallas . flor. let me retyre to the other room sir ; and put mine on there . duke . no , i will have you arme here , that i may see how my fancy sits you ! florio . i feare sir , that this may look like such a presumption , as i dare not own ; — to be thus habitted , will raise a censure on me . duke . on my head let the censure fall , 't is my will ; — make more haste , lest we be miss'd ! florio . i am at your dispose sir. duke . be vigilant , but not over bold ; let judgment guide thy [ the duke armes as he speaks . ] courage florio , that no blow fall in vaine ; — reserve thy greatest vigour , 'till some eminent occasion call for such reliefe , as may be worthy of thy hazzard . florio . i shall observe all your directions sir , my chiefe businesse is , to guard your person ; which if i do not ! let the gods turne from me , when i call on them . [ he looks on florio with wonder . ] duke . i shall be safe in thy care i know , — methinks this coppy , does equall the best originall , i ever saw presenting pallas ; stand off a while , that now pigmalion like , i may adore the figure i have made ; — though nature bravely had her part perform'd before , yet art , and fancy i perceive , may such additions give , as will natures best workmanship set off . florio . you make me blush so much sir , that i shall forget to frown , when i shake my javelin at the enemy . duk. thy smiles will make that weapon useless , on all that do behold thee ; — though we to dieties alone our temples build , and shrines set up , if florio be this day , as prosperous as before ! i will for him a golden statue make , that after ages our palladium may extoll , above that unfortunate , fam'd patroness of troy. [ an alarum within . ] florio . hark sir ; we may be wish'd for , while we dally here . duke . come then , the victory must sure be ours , — the enemy will sooner charge a flaming cloud , then florio in this dresse ! exeunt . [ enter the princess ; with phylora and floremella . ] princess . the assaults begun phylora , and my brother not yet there ! philora . lorenzo orders all , and we are sate by his great courage , and his skill in arms ; and yet by this noyse round the towne , it seems the walls are every where attach'd . princess . 't is so philora , and we are a lost prey , to their greater numbers , the temple is a fitter place for us . philora . the gods are every where , and our good wishes are receiv'd as prayers . princess . that shout was from the enemy , now i dispaire ! philora . your feares create mistakes madam ; that shout was neere us , it must be from our own men ! that joyfull noyse was victory to us , it can be nothing lesse then victory ! where is that courage sled ? you had the other day ! when i was frighted without cause . princess . a towne thus storm'd ! has somewhat more of terror in it , then all the former sallyes had ; my heart shrinks now with apprehension , and dismay . [ enter an officer . ] officer . madam , the day is ours , the enemy is quite beaten off , and the great duke of florence , with longino in the head of all our horse , is now sallyed on the reare of the retreating enemy . princess . my thanks to heav'n for our successe , — the severall noyses from the walls , created such variety of feares , that i was much dismay'd till you came in . officer . there was argument enough for apprehension madam ▪ for the wall was gain'd , and the duke your brother , sore opprest with multitudes , was beaten off ; and fall'n amid'st the press , where his high courage , rather tyr'd , then vanquish'd , had been lost ; if the all conquering florio , with his guards , had not come timely in to his reliefe ; who with such vigour , and such force renew'd the fight , that the amaz'd enemy , ran headlong from the walls againe , and struck such terror in the rest of their assailing friends , that altogether sled , in great confusion to their campe. princess . all this i do rejoyce at ; but methinks those shouts of joy , are chang'd into a dismall silence on the suddaine ! why do not the streets ring , with acclamations for our victory ? good heav'n preserve the duke , i have some apprehension that he may be hurt . officer . no hurt appear'd at my departure , only florio was beaten down , by an accidentall shot , at randome from the slying enemie ; after which , i saw him stand ; though but weakly . princess . let us retyre phylora , till my brother does arive . exeunt . enter the duke with others his shirt bloody , bearing in florio , neere dead , they set him in a chayre , with pedro , helping to dresse him . duke . a surgeon , a surgeon , my dukedome for a surgeon ! — gently , gently set him downe , florios death strikes deep ! friendship i finde takes faster hold on hearts then love ! — poore youth , he slew quick as lightning to my rescue , and as i fell , ( oppress'd by multitudes ; ) he scatter'd them like frighted birds , at an approaching storme ; — and thus by saving me , has lost himselfe ; by an accidentall shot from the beaten flying enemy ! — but sure the gods will not permit , that so great vertue from the world be taine , lest offended nature into its first chaos shrinke . — — through suddaine horror , and a just disdaine , to hold the world up , after florio slaine . [ enter surgeons . ] duke . now surgeon shew your skill , while i powre out my prayers to heav'n for his recovery . [ he leanes against the wall and weeps . ] [ enter silviana , and philora , with ladies . ] duke . oh silviana ! i am undone , — florio is slaine , friendship is ravish●d from the earth ! and all my joyes sled with it ! — speak surgeon does he live ? surgeon . here is life sir , but little hope of long continuance , unlesse what we apply , do suddenly shew better signes . duke . by what unknown crymes have i provok'd heav'n ? when vertue is thus punish'd ! thus to shew me paradice , and cast me into hell , is more then nature can submit to , and not repine . enter lorenzo , and longino with the duke of ferrara prisoner , and his officers prisoners . lor. we bring you joy sir ; and a full viory , with this great prisoner . urbin . here is no roome for joy lorenzo , i am destroy'd by victory ! see where death in triumph sits ! prowder of that prey , then for all the heroes in past ages fall'n . lorenzo . ha! florio slaine ! how could this happen after i was gone ! and the day wonne ! — i may now curse my selfe , for not preventing this , — how short are those glittering joyes we so much labour for ! when all the glories we have gain'd , are in a moment turn'd into heart breaking griefes ! — i am undone too ! [ lorenzo weeps over florios head . ] urbin . he receiv'd this wound in rescuing me ; — can bold lorenzo weep ? and be so much concern'd for me ? — is he as great in sorrow ? as in armes ? — will he outfight ? and now outweep me too ! ye [ duke leanes over florios head on the other side . ] powers above ! if ever you heare prayers from a sad heart sent . — let florios soule and mine expyre together ; — oh lorenzo ! you cannot fancy what i feele ! the losse of such a friend , is unsupportable ; lorenzo . alas sir , your sorrowes will go higher yet ! when you know who florio is ! — i have a greater losse in florio , then you discerne , or can pretend to ! which will no longer now be hid : — hold surgeon , — and let the ladies help to undresse her , she is a lady , and my neer relation sir , who loves you more , then you love florio . [ he starts from the chayre . ] duke . a woman lorenzo ! oh do not mock me with a hope to make this losse beyond mortallity to beare : a woman ! let me gaze on this dying wonder ; 'till my eyes drop out , — ( and lov's me , as i do florio ! ) that is impossible ! — this is a fatall blow indeed ! — oh sister ! now your help ! — surgeon if she live , thou shalt be , whatever i can make thee great : work , worke , apply the rarest remedies , — some help from heav'n , or i am lost ! a woman ! florio a woman ! and in my rescue dye ! and love me too ! oh this is much , too much to know , and to outlive . [ he lies on the ground . ] surgeon . pray sir , a little patience , her eyes have some small motion now , — ladies your help is usefull here . [ the duke rises . ] duke . gently deere silviana , kind philora gently , every touch she suffers , grates on my heart ; — florio thy love was not well mannag'd ; — the more i think , the more i am amaz'd ! — give her life , or strike me dead ! a woman ! lorenzo . i sir , a woman , and of noblest birth ! [ the duke kneels and holds her hand . ] duke . i value not her birth , 't is vertue thus adorn'd , that i adore ! [ he kneeles and hold her head . ] — blest figure of those shapes which do inhabit heav'n , — she looks up silviana ! and may live ! runne good alphonso , runne . alphonso . whither sir ; and why ! duke . fetch my mothers diadem , and royall robe , flye now alphonso exit alpho : flye ! — i have a thousand thoughts at once ; what triumphs i will make , what trophies raise ! if my faire saint survive ; — but if she dye ! these glitring fancies will be drench'd in blood , lorenzo ! i will swimme in blood , to overtake her ghost , when ever she departs . surgeon . now she is drest , pray give her leave to rest a little . loren. my prophetique soule foresaw some mighty evill towards , when i desir'd that florio might not fight to day . duke . one word of woman , had prevented all ; — to conceale her sex lorenzo , was as cruell , as unkinde ; that known ; she had been safe , and i most happy . lorenzo . i now wish that i had broke my oath to celestina , and run all hazzards by it . duke . now i understand those her misterious vow 's , so often made to me ; which i then took for gratitude ; — how blinde was love ! — rather how powerfull is thy deity , oh love ! what mighty things do those by thee inspir'd produce ? when the weak hands of this soft sex , can raise such emulation in the bravest men ! — and can outdoe us too ! in what they undertake : — how strangely dull was i , that did not all this while by sympathetick love , her sex discerne , through this disguise ? enter alphonso with crowne and robes , the duke puts them on florio as he slumbers . duke . helpe me lorenzo to put on these robes , — so , — now sir , you shall see that i do credit what you have said ; — and in assurance of her love to mee , here in the sight of heav'n , i take this lady to my wife ; thus she shall live , or thus dye my dutches ; — silviana , — [ he looks at florio earnestly . ] our victory does yet so dismall show , no ruine could have caus'd a greater woe . — my heart , my heart lorenzo , shrinks away so fast , that i shall fall ; — how dull were we silviana ? to think such beauty could belong to man ! [ leanes on alphonso . ] princess . or such courage be in woman found ! duke . lorenzo , i am distracted with so many wonders breaking out at once ! that my shatred heart , can yet finde no joy to entertaine so great a guest as you ; nor inquire what accident did bring you hither ? lorenzo : fame of silvianas vertues , brought me hither sir ; where i unlook'd for , met , poore celestina , my unhappy cousin , who — — did , from her fathers rigid kindnesse flye , led by her starres , to this sad destiny . [ the duke imbraces him and weeps . ] princess . did ever any age such mischiefe know ? or two such courages such sorrow show ? duke . if celestina live ? urbin shall shine in triumphs , to speak lorenzos welcome : — but if she dye , i have no life that i can call a minute mine ; i must not , will not , cannot survive so great a losse ! princess . she wakes , she wakes ! and looks up cheerfull . [ the duke kneels and holds her hand . ] duke . flye to the temples , and rich insence burne , proclaime a publique feast throughout the towne ; let all the holy orders in procession go , make solemne vow 's to heav'n , for celestinas life ! — now let the citty , there devotions pay , for victory ; and keep this holliday ! [ celestina wakes , speaks faintly . ] celestina . is this a vision ? or is it reall what i see ? these robes i understand not , — the duke kneeling ! the princess , and lorenzo weeping ! — i do either dreame ! or i am dead ! — why all this to me ? duke . to the dutchess of urbin , this is due ; heav'n celestina has heard my prayers , and will i hope , preserve your life , to raise my dispairing soule , above the world , if you consent ? triumphant love , with such resplendant rayes adorn'd , will change these sullen clouds , into a glorious shine , throughout my land ; and every heart rejoyce at our felicities . celestina . lorenzo then , has made himselfe , and me known to you sir ; — which does beget such shame , as makes my soule retyre , from what it most joyes in : — can you value such a counterfeit as i ? duke . can i be thankfull ! for the greatest blessing , men have on earth ? all had been well , if lorenzo had declar'd you sooner ! celestina . my businesse was to dye unknown , lest my disguise , should raise a scandall on my name for ever ! lorenzo knew me not till yesterday . duke . this disguise celestina , has by mistakes brought all this evill on us ; let us no more mention it ; but implore heav'n for your recovery . lorenzo . how will you dispose of your great prisoner sir. urbin . as my friend , now celestina lives ! these arms shall be your only bonds , while you are with us ; — i owe all the felicities i now [ to ferrara ] enjoy , to you sir , — i had neer seen florio , nor found lorenzo here , without this warre : and if lodovico can submit ? to what the gods have thus decree'd ; we may be ever friends ; but i shall impose no rules for you to follow , who are as free here , as at ferrara ; for i intend a jubilee to all , who will participate my joyes . lodovico . though my success , affords no argument for joy , i can acknowledg your civilities ; and must submit unto those powers , who order our designes , according to their wills , not ours . lorenzo . i have a heart to serve lodovico too ; if it may be receiv'd ! lodovico . since victory has decided our contest , 't were uselesse to hold up such animosity , as can afford no remedy ; i shall therefore strive to regulate my heart , unto my fortune . duke . wee must now begg your pardon sir , and yours silviana , our high transports , for these strange accident , have too long diverted our respects for you sir. lorenzo . if silviana do yet dare to own me ? little ceremony wil be needfull here . princess . if i had not long since seen through your disguise ! somewhat of greater worth , then your low equipage allow'd ; you had not found so quick a passage to my heart . duke . 't is my part to joyne your hands , now you avow your hearts united : i wish you as much joy sir , as you have help'd me to , by celestinas love. loren. i can have none beyond , what i rejoyce to see you have sir. duke . how is it celestina ? does your heart with your health comply ? to make me happy ? celestina . yes sir , now all my doubts are vanish'd , i have time to look back on my dispaires , with pleasure ; and to rejoyce , and wonder at your love ! so much beyond my merit , or my hope ! duke . though habits sexes often may devide , they could not celestinas vertues hide ; vvhich gave such lustre to young florios name , it rais●d my wonder ! and begot this ●lame . which ever must admire that blest disguise , when florio shew'd me celestinas eyes . thus mighty love triumph'd , in friendship drest , though his magnetick vertue , seem'd supprest . finis . the epilogve to the siege of vrbin . epilogues we know , if well fitted ! may either excuse , or else set off the play ! but our fantastick author does believe , his doublet may be wor'ne without a sleeve ! he will no epilogue allow ; the pit he sayes , of late , hath surfeted of wit ; [ poynts to the pit. ] and therefore has this new rigg'd pinnace launc'd into these deeps ; and now too farre advanc'd without a rudder : yet if friends ! you may with gentle gales this guidlesse barke convey through all its dangers , to the wished port ; and so prove pilots of the noblest sort . selindra . a tragy-comedy . written by sr william killigrew . oxford , printed for the author , and are to be sold by ric : davis , . the actors names of selindra . lascares , emperour of greece . phillocles , lascares his son. ordella , lascares his daughter . secropius , lascares his favourite . cleonel , secropius his son. selindra , a great lady attending ordella , and supposed daughter of periander ; but is astella , princess of hungary . periander , a great lord of ciprus . three ladies attending ordella . antillacus , generall of greece . armanthus , general of the horse . antenor , great lords of greece . gillon , great lords of greece . officers . guards . servants . pages . trebello , king of hungary . these appear not . barzanes , his eldest son. these appear not . trebello's youngest son. astella , his onely daughter . orsanes , generall of hungary . lords . officers . pollidor , hungarians . tennedor , hungarians . tecknor , hungarians . titius , hungarians . servants . hungarians . scene is the emperors palace at bizantium . the first act. enter two lords , antenor and gillon . ante : this rumor through the town of prince phillocles being crowned king of hungary is beyond cregit ! gillon : who is author of this discourse ? ante : it has no author , a packet to the emperor is brought by the common post , who only said , the last post told him so . gillon : and that last post , might hear it from another ; — what does the emperor declare ? ante : we shall know now , his letters are in his hand . enter lascares emperor of greece , with cecropius , cleonell , and guards . empe : have you yet learnt cecropius , from whence this rumour comes concerning hungary ? cecro : i can by no means find the author sir ; yet the whole town is full of it , 't is in all mens mouths that prince phillocles is crown'd king of hungary , yet none know why they say it ? emp : it cannot be , these letters are but three dayes old , in which antillacus only mentions phillocles return'd to belgrade , having chased the germanes home : — enter the princess ordella , selindra , and ladies to them . emp : daughter , i sent for you to partake the newes these letters bring ; they speak phillocles his victories over the bold germanes , by which we gather , he will be shortly here ; — we will welcome his returne ordella , with a solemne triumph , to raise his great thoughts to higher actions ; — to this end i sent for you , to think of some new way to entertain the princess astella , who no doubt your brother will bring with him . or. sir , i am so pleas'd to hear my brother 's well ; i cannot yet enjoy his conquest . emp : cecropius , be it your care to see these triumphs ordered for phillocles , as they were for me , when i return'd victorious out of asia ; and cleonel thy charge is to summon all our young nobility , unto a royal turnament , and be thy self the glory of our court. cle : you make me blush sir. cecro : it shall be as you direct sir ; but how soon does the prince write his motion will be this way ? emp : my letters are from our general antillachus in hast ; who by the next , doth promise a full relation . or : have you no letters from my brother sir ? empe : not yet ordella ; which i much wonder at ? he kisses the emperors hand . enter armanthus in mourning . — what newes armanthus ? arman : sir , the prince sent me before , to give you notice of his approach . emp : his approach ! how near ? arman : he is about a league behind sir. emp : is this habit , and thy sad looks , the signes of victory ? are phillocles and you alone return'd ? is all lost armanthus ? arman : your army is safe sir , the germanes have quitted hungary as you have heard , and that crown also has been offred unto phillocles . emp : and by him received i hear ; why then is this sad shew ? why such sorrowes in thy face ? while we were ordering triumps to receive phillocles , thou hast surpriz'd us with such sadness , as becomes ruined states onely . arman : 't is for no lesse a losse i mourn sir , for by your victories , so sad a fate is befallen hungary , that all noble hearts will feel some sorrow for it , though they merrited no less ! emp : make me know it . arman : when we had freed hungary from the germane warre , and while the brave prince pollinesso , with phillocles was conquering , and returning from the germane confines back to belgrade , the old king trebellio , and his eldest son barzanes , repented the conditions made with your majesty , for the re-delivery of moldavia ; they forgot the benefit received by our grecian swords , and prepare to send home phillocles , loaden with scorns , instead of trophies . emp : strange insolence ! and as high a perjury as ever provok'd heaven ! what followed ! how did pollinesso bear himself ? arman : the young prince pollinesso was a firm friend to phillocles , and endeavour'd what he could , to divert his fathers , and his brothers wicked purposes . emp : i 'le make the whole nation shrink under my just anger . arman : it will not need sir , for as they securely sought to seize on prince phillocles ( who lodged in the same castle with them ) it so pleas'd the gods , that he by a quick securing of himself , the same night the plot was laid , did accidentally occasion all their ruines , though he intended no harm unto their persons . emp : their ruines ! are they dead ? all dead ! arman : they are sir , and their crimes , not worthy of that sorrow the prince has for them , had not the innocent pollinesso fallen with them ! emp : by what accident fell he ? arman : pollinesso to do phillocles service , was that fatall night conceal'd , where he in a by-room , might discover his fathers wicked councells , unto which he was never call'd , by reason of his avowed love to phillocles ; so that when we from the princes lodgings surpriz'd the castle gate , the alarum rouz'd the hungarians from their close couucil , and discovered pollinesso where he stood hid , who being in that amaze , compell'd by his father and barzanes , to fly with them unto a little postern gate , ( to us unknown ) that led unto the river , where all entering a small fisher boat , they hasted down the stream to their own camp , which they found newly destroy'd by our army : ( a mischief they designed that night on us ; ) frighted by this ruine , they all return into their boat , and by a suddain wind that arose , were all drown'd in the rough danube . emp : why had not pollinesso notice of your purpose ? arman : we had no time , nor could we come where he stood conceal'd , if phillocles had delay'd , he had been lost ; and then , our designe being only to seize on trebellio , and barzanes persons ; we could apprehend no danger towards pollinesso . ordel : where is astella ? how did she escape ? how does she bear her father and her brothers losse ? how does she look on phillocles ? and how become the crown , and throne , now they are her own ? arman : after this sad accident , phillocles was inform'd that astella was convey'd away before the warre , on purpose to abuse him ; but where conceal'd , none knew but those who were with trabellio drown'd . emp : but how has phillocles despos'd the affairs of hungary ? arman : the hungarians much amaz'd at astellas absence ; did urge phillocles to accept the crown , as by the hand of heaven thrown on him , but he without delay , delivered up the sole power and trust unto orfanes , and five more , untill astella might be found ; and then by the consent of all , he did command antillacus in his return with the army , to take possession of moldavia , which by a double right is now again rejoyn'd unto your empire sir. emp : my sonne has been two quick , in ordering so great affaires ! enter prince phillocles , and lords in mourning ; with servants he kneels and rises . he kneels and rises . emp : phillocles , the gods are just , they have blest thy undertakings , which thou shouldst not grieve , but thank them for , they have saved me a labour too , in punishing those ingratefull perjur'd princes . phil : had not pollinesso fallen , i had not cast away a sigh for all the rest , for him , my whole life spent in sorrow , is not enough , he was as noble , as the others were unworthy ; he and i , contracted such a friendship , you would have thought but one heart had given life to both . emp : thou hast done ill phillocles , so rashly to dispose so great affaires without my councell ; i hear you have given away a kingdome , in a complement . phil : sir , what i have done , will not abate my interest there ; i have also made a promise to search for astella , in our neighbour islands , where 't is most like she is concealed . emp : that will be near as great a folly as the other : to what purpose will you run such a bazzard ? rather meet our army , and return with it to belgrade , there let astella find you securing her interest , in her absence . phil : i cannot with my honour do it sir , astella may then believe , i sought the ruine of her family , to gain the crown on my self . emp : what if she do ? you may at leisure inform her of the truth ; — i do command you , to lay by your further thought of this fond journey , to search for astella ; is this a time to act romances in ? when the whole whole world is in combustion round us ; think better on it phillocles . ordel. i hope my brother will not throw himself on dangers , without a good argument to justifie his actions ; this new journey , gives me new fears for you . a phil : i shall consider ere i go ordella , and at your lodgings this night , expresse my joy to see you . exeunt omnes . b sel : oh! oh! cle : selindra weeping ! — has the sad tale of hungary , drawn these tears from your fair eyes madam ? sel : good my lord , spare me a while , i am not sit for courtship now . cle : i cannot with honour leave you in the power of such an enemy , as your sorrow is . sel : you cannot deliver me from a greater then your self this time . cle : that is not kindly said selindra , scarce civil , if you consider my long love , and my respects . s●l : my lord , you know i ever shun'd your love , and as much as in me lay , avoided those respects , you now upbraid me with . cle : i do confesse you have , t is therefore i now come , to presse you to declare , if i may ever hope to gain more favour from you ; my sute is present marriage , may i hope for such happinesse at last , if not now ! sel : as i never have , so i shall never give you cause to think it . cle : so fair , so innocent , so gentle , and so severe ! i never saw before ; but i shall hope to find you in a better humour , at some other time selindra ; your father interrupts me now . exit cleonel . enter periander to selindra . sel : unhappy day that i was born , and more unhappy this , that i she weeps . have liv'd to hear such mischief on . oh periander ! my father , and my brothers are all dead , murther'd by phillocles , betray'd , and slain by pollinesso's dead , my onely comfort is for ever gone , and yet i live to tell it ! peri : madam the crown of hungary is now yours , and phillocles but the instrument sent by the gods to punish your parents crimes ; their perjury pull'd this judgment on their own heads . sel : it does not become you my lord to tell me so , nor yet to think it , if you consider lascare's covetous nature , and phillocles ambitious spirit , you might with me , see all this was design'd to ruine my family , and so to get the crown unto themselves ; but i shall soon revenge it on dissembling phillocles , and bring such a ruine into greece , as no time shall parallel ; — here to pollinesso ghost , i vow phillocles his life , if ever i can safely reach it ! peri : madam take heed , least you like them , do pull a second mischief on your self ; phillocles you see is noble , he leaves the crown she kneeles . to you , when offer'd him by all your subjects ; he lov'd pollinesso ! you have no argument against phillocles , he laments him , as much as you can . sel : i periander , and in sorrow seeks me too ; no doubt , but he would gladly have me in his power to murther . per : i cannot think so ; but madam you should now consider where you are , and in whose power ; in my opinion , you must keep this disguise , with all the art you can ; and lay by your sorrow for a while , not practice any thing towards revenge , nor by a look discover such a thought , untill i can go to belgrade , there make orsanes , and the rest , know that you live ; that we may find some way to fetch you home with safety ; where you may with security prosecute your revenge . sel : i shall take your advice my lord , now you comply in my revenge , and study to disguise my grief till your return , but can admit no thoughts , but my revenge on phillocles ; pollinesso my dear brother , i will celebrate thy funerals , in such a manner ! as shall speak my love to thee ; and hate to him that murther'd thee — — no roman pile , e're made so great a flame ; i 'le sacrifice this empire , to thy name . per : madam , this passion will piscover , and destroy you in spight weeps . of my endeavours . sel : i have now done my lord , indeed i have . peri : i can have no faith madam , unlesse you will now promise in presence of our gods , to hide this anger , and not to discover your self till my return , unlesse some eminent necessity require , for you will be lost , when known unto lascares . sel : i do ingage as you desire , and shall — enter ordella to them with ladies . or : in tears selindra ! what cause hast thou to weep ? per : my present departure for ciprus , makes her thus childish . or : will your stay there be long my lord ? per : not many dayes madam . or : come selindra , thou shalt go with me , i 'le divert these tears , by shewing thee my griefes , which thou wilt be concern'd for , if thou dost love me ! exeunt omnes the sceene changes . re-enter ordella , and selindra , in ordella 's chamber . sel : madam , i am very sensible of your greif , and do not approve of the prince his journey , to search for astella . or. you must not only not approve it selindra , but with me condemn it , as a rash , and hazzardous undertaking ; besides the folly of seeking one he never saw , one that he hath no ingagement to ! what madnesse will it be for phillocles , to put himself within her power ? before he knowes how she resents her friends deaths ? for if there were such affection between astella and pollinesso , ( as is said ) the sight of phillocles , must needs raise a passion in her , such as may destroy my ( aside ) brother , before his innocence can appear ; — ( how 's this ? can these tears fall for her fathers absence a few dayes ? or is it for what i utter ? selindra weeps . i hope she is not so much concern'd for phillocles ; ) — selindra i do take it ill , that you thus lament your fathers absence , who runnes no hazzard ? above my sorrow , for my brothers dangerous journey , in search of astella . sel : madam my tears were re-call'd by your highnesse sighes , by your trouble for the prince his journey , your favours have been such to me , that i were unworthy , if i should not weep , as well as smile with you . ( aside ) or : 't is handsomly put off , — i thank thee selindra , and do so little doubt thy love , that i do beg thy best arguments to assist me , that we together may convince my brother , and prevail with him to stay . sel : madam , i shall obey your commands ; and observe your directions , as farre as will become me : but i do fear , the prince will condemn me of much rudenesse , if i shall interpose my vain opinions , against his purposes ; good madam , do not put me to do , what hereafter you will blame me for . or : fear it not selindra , i love thee better , then to throw away thy credit so ! — see where my brother comes . enter phillocles , ordella meets him kindly , yet sadly too . selindra aside . sel : i have a hard taske on me ! ( to complement the man i hate to death . phil : why so sad my deer sister ; your looks speak a sorrow through your smiles ! ordel : can you aske ? and know your self to be the cause of it , can phillocles be in danger ? and ordella , not be sad ! can you think smiles would become my face ? when my heart shrinks to think of your rash journey , to seek astella you know not where ; i can no more put off my feares , then my affection for you . phil : dearest ordella , let not a mistaken cause of fear for me , beget such a trouble in you ; there is no danger in my purpos'd journey , i shall onely search the grecian isles , where none dares do me harme , you know i am engag'd in honour to performe , what i have so publiquely declar'd , and i am sure you love my honour , equall with my person . ordel : i do so , and could i see the necessity you urge , to search for astella , my passion should submit to your reason , and that i may not flatter my own affection , i shall now submit unto selindra's opinion , who has no reason to be partiall to either of our arguments ; i prethee good selindra , speak freely , what thou thinks't of my brothers journey . selin : truly sir , if i may judg ! the princess tells you what you should better consider of , then i think you yet have ; not that i do apprehend any dangerous hazzards in the journey , as she does , nor can i finde any arguments fit to perswade you from attempting dangers , when your honour calls you to them ; give me leave sir , only to aske , how your honour is concerned to make this search ? why do you intend so great a trouble to your self ? from whence is this value of astella ? who you never saw ; why does your highness seek a woman that has never oblidged you ? nor you her , but by the ruine of her family , incens'd her . phil : 't is true that i have never seen , nor oblig'd astella in particular ; but i have by many hazards of my life endeavour'd both ; the fame of her excelling beauty , and greater vertue , begot in me a desire to serve her , and her whole family , which i did faithfully , in freeing hungarie from the germane yoak : 't was an unhappy fate befell her parents , by themselves pull'd on them , not by me intended ; in which sad losse , i beare so great a share , that i have no peace within , untill i have made my innocence unto astellas self appear , that she may see , that i had no design to hurt the princes persons , nor to conquer hungarie . selin : what you have bravely done in that warre , deserves a trophie , and from astella no lesse value , when she shall be well enformed of all that past there ; 'till then sir , the princess thinks it not fit for you to visit astella , because we often see great princes vertues , does not answer the report fame gives them . ordel : most true , selindra , my heart presages a ruine if you goe ; could i lay by my affection to you , and put on astellas cause , i would undertake to confute those arguments , you so much trust in : methinks i see you kneeling , and the inraged astella deaf to all you say , swelling with anger , for brave pollinesso's losse , and ready to sacrifice your life ! come selindra if ever i have deserved love from thee ! shew it now by assisting me my own way , by thy best language : do thou stand forth , and as astella , receives my over-confident brother , spare him not selindra , but suppose you had a brother as dear to you , as pollinesso [ she pulls selindra to act astella : she stands before the chaire of state. ] was to her , and that beloved brother , by phillocles his rash attempt , sent to his untimely grave : let loose some teares , to accompany those i have shed , and for my sake , put on a look so mixt with majesty , grief , and anger , as may present her part thou play'st : ( i , that look will do it . ) sel : madam , you see my ready obedience to your commands ; but will the prince permit such boldnesse ? phil : yes selindra , since nothing else will satisfie my sister , i am content for once , to beare a part in this childs play , — on condition ordella , that you put off your sadnesse , if i prevaile ! ordella . i shall , so you will stay at home , if she do get the better of you ! [ he turn●s to selindra and sees her looks angry — ] phil : content : — can selindra frown in jest ? methinks she looks as if she would do it to the life ordella ? sel : yes phillocles , i can frown when i have just cause ! and will make thee repent this rash attempt to visit me , thou hast beyond my hope , put thy self into my power to punish . phil : how that angry cloud spreads ! can those bright lights suffer an eclips , and not portend some fatall ruine ? what if they do ! shall i shake at thunder , that cannot reach me ? be concern'd for an unjust anger ! no , not though the gods did threat : — but astella will not nourish a thought mis-be-coming her vertue , nor so much lessen her great name , by a mistaken passion , to harm a man , whose endeavours were to serve her . selin : a mistaken passion phillocles ! are not my father and my brothers dead ? though not by thy hand butchered , yet by thy attempts they fell ; is not the glory of our name extinguish'd ? the honour of men fall'n ? all lost in pollinesso's death ! phil : astellas self is not more free , then i was , from intending evill to her friends ; they forc'd me to secure my self ; by which they were all lost , their plots , and perjuries , pull'd this ruine on them : onely pollinesso was not guilty , he would not comply with fierce barzanes envious designes , nor with his fathers blacker purposes ; pollinesso was a witnesse of my hazards in that warre , and did partake an equall share in them , and in the victory ; we often seal'd our vowes of amity , in our best blouds together , which did beget so mutual a love , that our soules moved ever one way ; i would rather have dyed with pollinesso , then live thus to lament his losse ; by these unfained teares i would . sel : thou speakst a language so pleasing to my eares , that i could wish my vow to sacrifice thee to my brothers ghost , had never past my lips , for i can see , and value all thy noble actions ; and judge the guilt of my own friends that fell , and can beare the losse of all , but pollinesso ! — he you say dyed innocent , free from the other crimes , full of honour , rich in vertue , in the blossome of his age , my onely joy fell : — and you , my onely hate , shall dye so too ! your worth , your youth , and your innocence , will make my oblation acceptable to those powers i have vowed you too ; — vain man , canst thou think pollinesso's ghost will be appeased with words ? or teares ! if thou wert ever worthy my brothers love , shew it now , in couragious dying to his memory , for by all our gods thou dyest ; — a guard there ! [ she is interrupted by ordella . ] ordella . 't is bravely done selindra , thou madest me start , and shake to see thee look , and hear thee speak , with such awfull majesty ! — how is it brother ? how do you think astellas selfe will receive you ? when one so unconcern'd , can use you thus ! do you yield yet ? have we the better argument ? [ philocles and selindra stand both amazed . ] phil : yes you have . ordel : you 'l stay then ! phil : i think i shall . ordel : my deer , deer selindra , let me kisse thee , thou hast oblidged me beyond my power to gratifie , beyond my expression to acknowledg ; — the emperor , and the whole empire shall thank thee for phillocles his safety ; — come my brother , let us now finde my father ; this change will please him . exeunt ambo . selin . how near lost was i , on his fresh mention of pollinesso's death ! how dangerous a work did i undertake ; and how happily brought off , by the princess ordellas timely interruption ! — i thought my selfe within my strengths at belgrade , and phillocles in my power to punish ; i must no more of these games , 't is my disguise preserves my life , and i do care only to live to be reveng'd on phillocles , the author of all my sorrowes . — oh! but the princess ordella sits too neer my heart , to suffer that ; she is my friend ; if i destroy her beloved brother ! i wound her to death ; at lest give her the same intollerable grief for phillocles , i now suffer for pollinesso . — oh! horrid ingratitude ! oh miserable astella ! my obligations to ardella , do infringe my vowes to heaven : — ye gods , direct me so ; that these differing passions may not distract me ; i would do , what should become me best , and please you most , though my own life , in the attempt be lost . exit selindra . the second act. [ enter emperor , cecropius and cleonel . ] emp : what think you cecropious , of phillocles his love ? cecr . mighty sir , what you have said , was my thought , when i first heard of the prince his stay , and had been now my councel , as the best way to secure his interest in hungary , by which astella must submit unto the will of him , that has allready woon hearts of all her people . cleon : sir , you know i have long lov'd , and long sought selindra's love ; and lovers eyes are quick to discover the like looks in others ; 't is my duty ( as well as my own concern ) to tell your majestie , that i have observed selindra's good looks , to be the orators , that have put off the prince his journey , not his kinde sisters importunity , and when your own observation , shall informe you better , your majesty will finde this , no causelesse jealousie in me . cecropious . what he tells you sir , is the whisper of the court , but i look on it slightly , the prince may have a minde to a wench , and selindra is a pretty one ; but sir , in my opinion , you should take no notice of such youthfull passages ; the prince cannot think her a fit wife , and then , no matter who is his mistress . emp : cecropious i do think it worthy my care , to prevent an evill ; the crown of hungary can be no way mine , but by astella ; we see selindra is rich in beauty , and more rich in virtue ; if not by birth great enough to be his wife ; she is too good , to be his wanton mistress ; phillocles is young , and young men are apt to be in love ! he is as gallant , as great , and if his affection should meet a repulse , ( as 't is most like from selindra ; ) these sparks we now see , may grow to such a flame , as neither we , nor he can quench : i will observe him , and set spies on them , [ aside . ] some of my own spies , cleonell may be jealous without a cause ! i will sift ordella too ! enter phillocles to them , in rich cloathes , with ordella , selindra , lords , ladies , and train , all fine . emp : daughter , you have wrought a good work on your brother ; thy interest i see , has prevail'd , beyond my intreaty , or my command , i thank thee for it ordella , and am glad phillocles , to find that your eares are open unto reason , indeed the journey would not have suited with your other great actions ; i like well ●hy gallant spirit ; but i like not to hazzard a kingdome for a complement . phillocles . sir , i do thus low beg pardon for my first disobedience [ she kneels . ] to your commands , and do confesse , my sister wrought my consent to stay ; yet i must tell you sir ; 't was because her arguments complyed with your commands , nor was your command her least argument . emp : thus let me imbrace the greatest comfort of my life , thou [ he holds their armes under his , and walks as he speaks . ] shalt set ever next my heart ; — give me thy hand ordella , and thine phillocles ; what wealth is there beyond these ? what joyes beyond those i feel ? thus supported ! i am the envy of princes ; may all the blessings heaven can bestow , fall on you both for this love , and this obedience to your old dying father ; — tell me phillocles : how stands the aff●ires of hungary ? i have had late intelligence , that some commotions do appeare there ; if so ? since you have thus discreetly laid aside the search of astella , in my judgment , 't will be next best , that you repaire to belgrade with your army , there by your presence , to keep the people in obedience , untill astella be found ; we know the hungarians are a busie headed people phillocles . phil. sir , i have left the government of that state , in those hands that will neglect no meanes to invite astella home ; they love her sir ; and do want no power to secure the kingdome for her ; my presence at belgrade , would rather deterre astella , then invite her home , and may be justly thought , i meant to force , what i yet doubt to sue for : in my opinion sir , i ought to hear more from thence , before i stirre that way , but my opinion , and my will , shall submit to your commands . emp : thou art still on thy complements , but my gray haires are not convinc'd by such arguments , think better on what i propose , though i do not command , but onely wish it ; while i instruct your [ phillocles and the rest goe off . ] sister with my reasons , that she , and you may consult together . [ he whispers with ordella . ] ordel. i shall obey you sir , and weigh well what you have said , i shall not be wanting in my care for selindra , nor in my love unto my brother . emp : i am satisfied ordella , and do only wonder why he will not lead the army into hungary ! where such apparent need is of his presence . ordella . he will go , if you will have him sir. emp : i will think further on it a day or two . this while cleonel courts selindra , she shewes dislike to him . emp : cleonel i see loses no time , in the warre he makes , ply her hard young man , those knit browes do often prove the cipher to a smiling heart , and yet cleonel i must tell you , that i approve not this whining way of wooing ; most women like to be approach'd with such alacrity , as shewes the mettle men are made of ; where is thy heart young man ? cle. mighty sir , one frown from bright selindras eyes , has power to shake me into attomes , to unman me quite ! emp : i think so , and must my selfe wooe for thee , how is it faire [ he speaks to selindra . ] one , that you neglect such honour ? and such wealth , as cleonel brings with him ? he is a man in my eye worthy the greatest subject of my empire : — or is it the nice lovers part you thus do act in publique , while your united hearts delight in private ? say selindra , when shall our court flourish in triumphs for your wedding ? — while ordella provides ornaments for you , it shall be my care to set forth cleonel like himselfe , and fit for such a mistresse : — tell me when selindra , when shall this jolly time be ? come i must presse you for my friend . selin : i am very sensible of this honour you now do me sir , yet cannot chuse but wonder why your majesty thinks fit to presse me to a publique answer . emp : you have delayed it long enough , 't is a good time to declare now . selin : i obey sir , and do confesse that i have ever had a true value of cleonels worth ; i have also observed your favour to hm , and do believe that he may make the best of women happy ; but yet i think not fit to entertain his love , i have more noble thoughts , then to incourage him with hopes , of what i never can afford him , such a returne , as his merit may justly expect from one more worthy then my self ; i must declare that my purpose is not to marry , but to attend the princess so long , as that honour may be permitted , and her highnesse favour shall continue to me . emp : may all thy wishes be ever on thee , happy will that man be , that gets such a treasure , as this fair cabinet containes : i am vanquish'd cleonel , and i advise thee to teare this serpent from thy heart , before it be too big for thee to graspe ; — ( observe you this ordella ? ) — phillocles are thy thoughts yet for belgrade ? phillo . they shall be sir , if you command it . exeunt lascares , cecropius , and cleonel . phillo : ordella can you guess , why my father does now urge my absence ? that so late inforc'd my stay ? ordel : does not the affaires of hungary require you there ? phillo . no ordella , i should not then wonder at his pressing me to goe ! [ enter messenger . ] messen : madam , the emperor calls for you . ordel : i 'le o're take him presently ; — i have much to say to you brother , pray stay my returne : good selindra entertaine him in my chamber , with cleonels last melancholly song , i like so well . [ phillocles and selindra sit within the scene . ] the song : cloris we see the offended gods , at first do shew , and shake their rodds , that they may rather threat , then strike , so we foregoe , what they dislike : these faulty streams , shall flow no more above their banks , as heretofore : nor swelling tempest from my breast , henceforth thy virgin cares molest : all shall be fashion'd to thy will , so thou wilt let me love thee still : my lips shall not a word let go , that may offend to tell thee so : but to dissemble , or deny that i do love thee were a lye , would staine my soule : 't will prove a spot , to look as if i lov'd thee not . philo. this charity becomes you madam , and cleonels lines i see are smiled on , though himself be not , but why did you with such severity , in publique disclaime his interest , and seem to reject a man so worthy , when the emperor himself woed for him ? selin . 't is the princess ordellas pleasure , that i should learn his song sir , and not my fancy to the maker of it , though his love , and respects , may challenge a greater complement from me , for i shall ever acknowledg obligations to cleonel , yet not think fit to treat a marriage in my fathers absence , by whom i shall be wholly rul'd in that matter , if he think fit to make that choice for me , i must submit . philo. give me leave madam so farre to interest my selfe in your affaires , as to aske if your thoughts for cleonel be such , that you will phillocles takes her hand , she shewes dislike . not admit the like profession from another ; for though my father cannot match him in his dominions , i believe that i can find you a servant , as faithfull , and as full of love ; one every way as worthy your favours , one that will out●bid cleonel , to gaine selindra , do but — [ he offers to kiss her hand . ] selin : i beg your highnesse pardon , for some time . exit seli : phil : thus to leave me while i was speaking to her , is a scorne i look'd not for ; — selindra was not wont to be so rude , nor i so foolish , sure my looks and language rendred me ridiculous , so slight , that she blush'd for me , which to hide she thus withdrew , leaving me to wonder at my self , that am of late become , what i want a name for ; — if this be love , and this the effects of love , i 'le teare the monster from my heart , and be my self againe , before it grow too mighty for me ; — my hands cannot reach it , no force can touch it , 't is a subtile foe , not to be compell'd ; 't is reason onely must prevaile ; — selindra loves , and dissembles her affection to cleonel , neglecting me ; — how unworthy then am i , that seek to separate united hearts ; how fond , to covet what another does enjoy ; how much am i now fall'n below my self , by this passion ? [ he throwes himself on the couch sadly . ] [ enter ordella and selindra . ] ordel : when went my brother hence selindra ? selin : he sits there madam . ordel : my father i fear has too much cause for what he said ; prethee leave us a while selindra , and let none disturb us . [ ordella goes to phillocles , he starts at her approach . ] phillo : oh selindra ! ordella . she is not here , why do you stare thus on me ? are you not well ? phillo : onely a little dull for want of sleep ordella ; but why sent the emperor for you in such haste ! ordel : to tell me that phillocles does love selindra , and to enquire my thoughts of it ; i answered boldly , that you were too noble to dishonour selindra , and too wise to neglect astella and a crown , for such an idle fancy ; — i have confirm'd him that you have not such a thought , because i saw him troubled at it ; — but what is this that thus distracts you ? phil : ha! what sayes my dearest sister ? ordel : ye gods defend that i be not mistaken ; brother what have you done with your self , since i went hence ? phillo : my head is full of the affaires of hungary , i was contriving how i should secure astella in her throne , and thinking of a thousand other things ; but why did my father send for thee ? ordel : this is very strange , i told you why , and you regard me not , it was about selindra . phillo : about selindra ; prethee ordella let us talke of something else , — thou weepest ! ordel. how can i chuse but weepe ! to see you thus distracted , and all my hopes of future joyes dying in me ? — phillocles has left to love me , he dares not trust me with his heart ! he loves , and by dissembling seeks to hide his love from me , that can dye for him . phillo : i am guilty ordella , thy charms o'recome me , and i do submit to thy severest judgment , i do love selindra , and would do more then thou canst fancy , to gaine her love ; now my heart lyes open , thou wilt find the wound is deep ordella , touch it gently my dear sister . ordel : 't will not be cured then phillocles , i must launce it to the quick , and you must indure to hear , that cleonel , and she , have been long contracted , and onely do disguise their loves , because cecropius seeks selindra for himself , 't is only untill her fathers return , they thus dissemble it . phil : contracted ordella ! thou hast blasted all my hopes , destroy'd me in the twinckling of an eye , the gods have not a greater curse in store to throw upon me , is this thy cure ? i shall sink under the burthen of this remedy ! fare-well ordella , fare-well for ever ! for i am undone for ever ! [ phillocles going out in haste turns back . ] orde : stay phillocles , i can cure thee yet ; i 'le stroke thy wound , and try how that will work , they are not contracted , that i ever heard , it was my pure affection that thus abus'd your ears : by my fathers command , i was in the bud to crush your love , which by their pretended contract , i thought best to do : can my brother pardon my zeale to serve him this way ? and yet trust my love . phil : i can do both ordella , now thou hast restored me to life againe ; come let us sit , that i may at large declare my purpose concerning selindra , — do you remember ordella , that day you made selindra act astella ? how i was then convinc'd , and overcome by her ; how she spake then ! and with what majesty she appear'd ! methought then , if selindra were not borne a queen , yet she was design'd to be one ! from the hour i lov'd her , ( and you the occasion of my love , ) i have since observed her strictly , and well weighed all her perfections , and considered cleonels hopelesse suit to gain her : if she can afford me love ordella ; i would wade deep in blood , — it would look like vanity , to tell thee how great things i would do to win a value from her . ordel : when i consider selindra's beauty , and her worth , i cannot blame your admiration of her , truly brother , i do wish your desires upon you , but know not how i can comply , or how to serve you this way ? phil : i have weighed all kinds of arguments ordella , and do allow them to be good worldly thoughts , fit for princes that have no other heaven on earth then their wealth , and their dominions ! — i tell thee ordella to be emperour of all the world ! is poverthy , without selindra ! if thou lovest me , thou wilt use thy interest to perswade her to cast off all thoughts for cleonel , and receive me , who she yet shuns ▪ — now my sister , speak comfort to my soule ; that must languish untill you ingage for me . [ ordella sits silent a while and he staring on her . ] ordel : i have been thus long silent phillocles , to consider how i might comply with your desires , and not break my fathers trust , do but shew me an honourable way , and i will serve you with the same zeal you wish it ; but if i should consent ? how can you avoid cleonel ? or how disguise your love from my father ? phill : wee 'l think of twenty wayes to blinde the old mans eyes , and as for cleonel , i will so overload him with wealth , and honours , that he shall gladly give up his interest in selindra , ( if he have any ! ) but if he refuse ! i will become his rivall publiquely , i will either carr● the faire prize , or loose my self ordella ; say now , will you strain a co●●plement with my fathers trust to save thy brothers life and honour ▪ ordella . pardon me heaven ! if i offend by varying from my 〈◊〉 ther 's trust , to save my brothers life and honour ! phillocles now i am yours , imploy me like a sister that you love , put me not to use artifices unworthy of that value , the world now holds me at . phil by all our gods , i 'le rather perish , then permit thee to act any thing unworthily : dearest ordella loose no time to make known my affection to selindra , while i seek cleonel , to make him mine . ord : since no argument can prevaile against your passion , i am content to be directed by you . phill : thou wilt make me happy then ordella ! beyond all the state arguments . — — the greatest polititian can invent , or brightest messenger from heaven's sent . [ leads her off . ] [ enter cleonel . ] cleo. this falls out well for my designes upon selindra , the prince his absence , will give me opportunity to effect , what his presence might prevent , for 't is now most evident that selindra slights my professions in hope of phillocles , who is become my rival ; by subtilties i must therefore compasse , what my power and credit cannot reach : the prince is too mighty for me , to contest with ? but this new [ enter phillocles . ] warre , will do my work , — see where he comes , how full of thoughts he is of late ! this love transformes us all . phil : i 'le share the empire with him if he consent ! if he will not ! i 'le force my way . — [ he sees cleonel . ] cleo : sir , the emperour sent me to signify unto you the newes from belgrade , that astella is arriv'd there , and is rejected by those you left to govern ; 't is his pleasure sir , that you prepare to march , with all possible speed to her reliefe . phil : i have just now received an express from thence , which inform me of a faction there , that did hope to have set up a counterfeit astella , but those tumults are allayed , the plot being discover'd , all the partakers fled the country ; i therefore hold it fit to hear again from thence , before i stirre : but if my father will needs have his army march into hungary , i shall advise him to conferre the honour of that warre , cleonell on you . cle. on me sir , i am neither worthy , nor capable of so great a charge ; your highnesse does me much honour in this thought , but i must not presume to accept the favour , lest the emperor do think me so vaine to seek it . phillo : why cleonel ? thy forward youth promises great things , and i know the emperor will be pleas'd to see me joyn to heap honours on thy deserving head ; i will undertake it with my father , and shall not doubt to say , thou wilt deserve the sole command of all our forces . [ aside . ] cleon : if the emperor consent , i am cozen'd ; your highnesse does 〈◊〉 load me with your favours , i shall not live to expresse my gratitude , much less to merrit such honours . phill : i tell thee cleonel , 't is in thy power to lay an obligation on me , such an obligation cleonel , as half my empire cannot recompence ; — say , may i hope such kindnesse from thee ? but if it be not in thy heart , do not flatter me into a hope of what i shall not find . cle : sir as you are my prince , my duty binds me to serve you with the hazzard of my life , and fortunes . phil i thank thee for thy love , as i do all that will like thee , say , and do as much , but i would have ingagements unto thee , beyond the common complement of other subjects . cle : your many favours sir , have so much obliged me beyond all others , that your commands ( what ere they be ) shall make me happy . phil : take heed cleonel , do not ingage too fast ; for i shall demand , what thou hold'st dearer then thy life ; darest thou hear me now ? cle : speak boldly sir , i am yours , and all that 's mine is so ; i hope [ speaks aside ] he will discover his love to me . phil : thou art indeed my fate , or i am thine , — i would have thee give up to me , thy interest in selindra , dissolve all ingagements , between her and you : — my dearest friend ; thus thou mayest bequeath [ phillocles embraces him . ] an empire to me , that i prize farre above this i am born to , — start not at it , for i will wear thee in my bosome , thou shalt be the greatest , and the richest man in greece ! cleon : without selindra ! phil : i , without selindra ! cleo : what is all greece worth ? without selindra ! good sir , give me leave a little to consider on this matter ; — sure he has solicited [ aside . ] selindra for himself , and receiv'd a repulse ; — it may well be , that she has express'd to him , some value of me , beyond what i my self can yet discern ; he would not else thus rashly , nay thus madly tempt me ! 't is so : — sir , do i mistake , or you did demand , that i should give my interest in selindra , up to you ! phil. thou doest not mistake , 't is only that can make me happy . cleo : and onely that i cannot grant , i can no more consent to part with the hope of such a happinesse , then with my interest in heaven ; pray sir , finde some other way to try my faith. phil : the gods cannot give thee a means to oblige me another way , themselves cannot blesse me with a gift , that i can prize beyond selindra ! cleo : and you would have me debauch this young lady , for your private pleasure ? phil : by all that 's holy , i would marry her . cleo : marry her ! what shall then become of hungary , and astella ? phill : thou shalt have that crown , and her ; i 'le woe her for thee , i 'le fight that conquest o're again , and give it thee , if she refuse ! cleo : will you get the emperors coment , to this exchange ? phill : yes , or i will do it without him . cleo : ( all this shall to the emperor , ) but if you can do neither ? this [ aside . ] inestinable jewel you would have me throw away . phill : will it be thrown away , if placed on me ? cleo : i might have put my words into a courtlier phrase i do confesse ; but i can never mould my heart to such a forme , as shall consent to make my tongue bettay it : i swear by all that 's good , i never can relinquish my interest in selindra ; i do prize my weak hopes there , above all the wealth , and honours , you can lay down to purchase it . phil : he has abus'd me all this while ; to get the secret out , which shall now consume him ; since he will not consent , this base treachery , shall be my first step to climb unto selindra ▪ [ phillocles stands silent musing . ] cleo : i shall now perswade lascares to believe , that the prince loves selindra : — while he is musing , i 'le steale off , lest a tempest do fall [ aside . ] on me . [ cleonel is goeing out . ] phil : stay cleonel , i have more to say ; i have considered my rash suit , and cannot with justice , quarrel with thee , for not parting with such a treasure as selindra is ; but i must call thee to account for thy late smiles , and false fawning on me , and for thy base treacherous kindnesse , by which thou hast betray'd me to reveale a secret , too great to trust thee with : — thus i lay by my greatnesse , and as a private injured man , i draw my sword to kill thee . cleo : but i must not lift up mine against my prince , i have been ever taught to draw my sword in your defence , and shall be as glad to serve you with it , as i should be proud to use it in this cause against any other man ; i dare scarce shew it you sir. [ he drawes . ] phil : i have now made my self thy equal , by my rivalship in love ; either defend thy self , or by heaven i 'le kill thee . they fight , phillocles hurts and disarms cleonel ; as the emperor comes in , phillocles throwes cleonel his sword , and goes out . [ enter the emperor , cecropius , and attendants . ] emp : what insolence is this , so near us ? cleonel this posture does not become you , in this place . cleo : you will pardon it sir , when you shall know i only drew to save my life , not to offend the prince , who swelling with rage , came like a ruine on me , because i would not quit my interest in selindra unto him , to be his wife sir. emp. is this true cleonel ? cleo : you 'l find it true sir , i could have had astella , and her crown for my consent ; 't is some pleasure to deny another , what i cannot get my self . emp : he has not hurt thee ? cleo : not much sir , you came in just as he fell on me . emp : this must be timely cared for ; cecropius send presently and fetch selindra to your lodgings , this night she shall be your charge , to morrow let her be sent back to ciprus to her father ; and be you sure cecropius , that phillocles do neither see her , nor send to her this night . [ enter ordella , selindra , with ladies . ] cecro : she is here sir , with the princess . ordel : where is my brother sir ? emp : he is gone hence hurt ordella , ( i wish he were else ) fighting forsooth for love ! you now see what mischiefe your fondnesse to selindra , has produc'd ; your brothers life endangered , and the empire tottering : cecropius take selindra to your care , as i commanded , let her be sent home , attended as befits her quality : — ordella come you with me . all goes off but cecropius , cleonel and selindra . [ exit cleonel and harkens at the scene . ] cecro . leave us a while cleonel , — madam , you now see the evils i foretold , are come to passe , these young fiery spirits , will never submit to suffer either to enjoy you : do but consider how happy you may be , by being mine , though i am not so young ; yet many men of my years have made young ladies happy : of my love , you have had long tryal , my power , my honours , and my wealth , will prove as pleasant , as the smooth chin of cleonel : — phillocles his wife you cannot be , his mistriss i hope you scorne to be ; much may be said lady , on this argument , but the time allowes it not , to morrow early you must to sea , unlesse you will blesse me , by being mine . cleo : is it even so my good father ? i shall shew you a trick for [ he peeps in ] your trick , if my skill faile not ! selin : my lord , i must now give you the same answer i have ever done , that i can never have affection for you . cecro : no matter , few old mens wives have any . sel : my lord , i do submit unto the emperours commands , pray let me be sent away . cecro : 't is my humble love , begets this contempt ! — i must try [ aside . ] her another way ; — madam , you know the emperours humour well , and you have heard how eagerly he covets to joyne hungary to greece , by phillocles his match with astella , and how much he abhorres his love to you , is evident : the truth is selindra , you are this night by his command , to be ravished by my son cleonel , to that end sent thither , which will allay the gallant prince his appetite to marry you , and remove all further feares of that matter : 't is yet in your own power madam by obliging me , to prevent cleonels force , who for undertaking so base an act , ought to be dispis'd . sel : ravish'd , i 'le rather dye , then suffer cleonel , or yield to be your wife , the gods will not permit such wickednesse ! cec : please you to retire unto your lodging lady : — there is no [ he leads her in and returnes . ] way to winne this foolish girle , i am angerd even to hate her , yet cannot chuse but love her ; — but why should i loose this opportunity ? i may now do , what i only invented for cleonel , — i shall curse my self when she is gone , and when no possibility is left , wish it had been so : it shall be ; — if when i have ravish'd her , she can consent , i 'le marry her , if she will not , i 'le poyson her , and being dead at sea , hire the marriners to throw her over-board , i will about it while my blood is high ! — — venus propitious be to my designe : i 'le offer insence onely at thy shrine . the third act. [ enter phillocles . ] phill. given to cecropius custody ! that is to cleonels embraces ; i must see her : — is cecropious , or cleonel within ? serv : they are sir. [ he knocks at cecropius 's lodgings , and enter three servants with swords . ] philo : is selindra yet at rest ? serv : yes sir , long since . phill : is it so late ? i do believe you do mistake , and she is not ; [ phillocles offers to enter , and they stop him . ] — what means this rudenesse ? serv : the emperor has given command , that neither your highnesse , nor any from you , should visit selindra ; besides sir , all within are now at rest . phil : my fathers command ! this is some designe from cleonel : [ a noyse within . ] — are they all at rest say you ? — whence then is this noyse i hear ? serv : we know not sir. [ this way the noyse is . ] phill : hark , the same noyse againe , 't is within — stand by , — villains give way , or i shall force my passage through your hearts , — by [ goes out and returnes . ] heaven 't is a womans voice ! — it is selindra's voice ! she calls for help too ! selin : help , oh help ! murther , murther . [ he hearkens at the scene . ] phillocles enters , breaks open a doore within , and cecropious is seen strugling with selindra , phillocles takes cecropious by the coller , and as he offers to kill him , cleonel enters , and holds his sword at selindra 's brest . cleo : by my fathers soule , i will strike with thee phillocles . phillocles . thou darest not be so barbarously base , to harme such innocence ! here they look at one another in this posture a while , then phillocles throws by cecropius , and runs at cleonel ; he quits selindra , and meets phillocles ; while they sight , the others run out & raise the court. enter the emperor , with train and guard , who part them . emp : phillocles , i have thus long winked at your follies , hoping that my mildnesse would have begot a better temper in you , but i now see your sore requires a corisive : go to your lodgings , and as you value my displeasure , move not from thence without my leave ; — you of the guard , wait upon the prince , and let him not stirre out , as you [ exit phillocles with the guard. ] will answer it to me , — cecropius , let all leave us but your self ; — and now informe me of this fray , and how he came hither , against my command . [ exeunt omnes . ] cecro : mighty sir , the prince forced my servants from the door , and found me threatning selindra ; and frighting of her , as if i meant a rape , which i only fain'd ; intending to take off phillocles his affection that way , by which he might apply his thoughts towards astella , for if the prince should marry selindra ! how can hungary be yours ? this sir , is the truth . emp : i wish thou hadst done , what thou onely talkest of , for this young man , will ruine all my hopes of hungary , if we do not prevent him ! — it must be poyson cecropius ; i see no lesse will do it ; selindra [ cleonel peeps in . ] must dye , and that presently . cecro : and shall sir , if you so direct ; by to morrow night it shall be done . emp : be it so then , 't will be the least evil ; and the onely way to secure all the rest ; let her be poysoned . exeunt ambo ▪ [ enter cleonel . ] cleo : poyson her , my curiosity was to good purpose at this time ; was ever gray haires so wicked ? how to prevent this mischief i know not ; — selindra will never credit it from me ; yet i will urge her hard , and if i do get belief , and by this means bring my designs to pass ! i shall finde doores too strong for phillocles to force : — love and venus guide me . cleonel goes out and returns selindra flying before him , with a knife drawn , which she holds at her brest . sel : hold cleonel , if thou presumest to touch me , this knife shall be my rescue . cleo. will this distance , with my obedience , and my humility remove [ he steps back and kneels . ] your fears ? — by selindra's self i swear , my only businesse is to save that life you threaten ; — does my heart and my looks so ill agree ? that you can fear harm from me ! selin : art not thou cecropius's son ? and does not his wilde blood , runne in thy vaines ? cleo. no madam , i am no whit allied unto cecropius the ravisher ; he was a man when he made me , and is now become a monster ; such as i dread to see selindra under his roof . sel : my lord , that posture does neither become you , nor me , — pray [ he rises and comes towards her . ] come no nearer ! cleo : you will pardon my approach when you shall know the cause of this unseasonable visit ; i have by accident o're heard the emperor , give my father order to poyson you , and he is providing to do it , this next night . selin . i am glad to hear they are grown so mercifull , death is lesse dreadful then his rape , — but how can i credit this from you ? and how avoid it , if i do ? cleo : can selindra believe , my love could ere conceale such a mischief ? or that i will omit any endeavour , to preserve her from it ? selin . were not cleonel a kin to the ravisher ; i might believe he would detect a poysoner . cleo : if i tell you a false word , may suddain plagues seize on me , and if you please to make me the blest instrument of your escape ; the honour will be ample recompence for any hazzard i shall runne : i have madam , a strong castle within the forrest , about a league from hence , thither i can convey you first , and then whither you please . selin : pray my lord leave me a few minutes , that i may consider [ exit cleonel . ] this great concern : — 't is very like , that he who would have ravish'd , may consent to poyson twenty such as i , rather then loose his hopes of hungary : — i like well to fly from this near death , but i like not to trust my self to cleonel ; there may be more danger at his castle , then in the death i would fly from ; if i discover my self unto ordella ! she will solicite me for phillocles ( who i must ever hate ) this will prove more desperate then all the rest : — i must trust cleonel , though [ she calls cleonel . ] he be of a fiery spirit , his honour was never yet tainted : — i will look gently on him , and ingage him if i can to be true to me : — my lord , i [ he enters ] have weighed my dangers , and your councel to avoid them , and i will trust my self to you , so you will swear to carry me directly unto belgrad , ( and not to your castle ) i have friends in hungary , who will protect me , and there i shall have time to consider of your hazzards for me . cleo : by our house-hold gods i swear to do it , by this fair hand , i will observe my oath , and what ever else you shall command me : — though it be late , we must this night depart , you must make ready , while i take order for my servants , and my horses . selin : may i not see the princess e're i go ? will not to morrow night be time enough ? cleo : to morrow night brings death , beyond all power to hinder ; we should be going while we talk : — let no fears disturb you madam , i can command the opening of the ports at any hour ; all shall be according to your wish . selin : heaven grant it cleonel ; — — when i remember the strict vow you made , it were impiety to be afraid . [ exeunt severally ▪ ] [ enter phillocles , and guard. ] phil : let the boy only stay , and sing the song i like . the song . come , come , thou glorious object of my sight , oh my ioy ! my life , my only delight ! may this glad minute be blest to eternitie . see how the glimmering tapors of the skie , do gaze , and wonder at our constancy . how they crowd to behold ! what our armes do infold ! how all do envy our feliceties ! and grudg the triumphs of selindras eyes : how cynthia seeks to shroud her cressent , in you cloud ! where sad night puts her sable mantle on , thy light mistaking , hasteth to be gone ; her gloomy shades give way , as at the approach of day ; and all the planets shrink , in doubt to be eclipsed by a brighter deity . look , oh look ! how the small lights do fall , and adore , vvhat before the heavens have not show'n ! nor their god-heads known : such a faith ! such a love ! as may move mighty iove from above to descend ; and remain , amongst mortals again . phill : enough boy begon . enter ordella , to visit him as in her chamber , the guard at the doore appearing . phill : thou art welcome ordella , let us sit , and talk sadly . ordel : my coming is to divert this sadness which you too much indulge . phill : does not my sorrow become me ordella ? canst thou wish me merry , when thou considerest my condition ? who is there now in greece more scorn'd then phillocles ? ordel : who more honour'd ? thy victories shine bright upon thee , thy vertues are unparallel'd , thy self ador'd by thy own subject , and by other nations coveted ; let not my brother provoke the gods , by his ingratitude . phil : thou art mistaken my dear sister , i am not that phillocles thou meanest ; not he that chased the germanes out of hungary , i am one that cleonel dares rival , and with a single arme , can check my force ; a poore contemn'd prisoner i am , a man with half a soul thou seest ; do i not become my goale ? ordell : i am sad my self to hear you talk thus ; — but , my brother , your affaires do require your present counsel ; pray let us consider how selindra may be secur'd from farther danger . [ phillocles starts up hastily . ] phill : is selindra in danger ? speak ordella , what danger ? who dares threaten her ? ordel : you mistake me brother , i was about to tell you that ●n my opinion , she will be safe at ciprus , and do think fit when she takes leave of me , to let her know your love , and resolution to marry her , which will soon dash cleonels hopes ; this i could not yet do , by reason she was so suddainly committed to cecropius ; — your looks do fright me , and your unquiet thoughts , will ruine you . phil : thou art my only comfort , thou shalt still direct , and i 'le obey , prithee ordella chide me when i do amiss ; methinks thy looks speak good successe ; i do approve her absence for a while at ciprus , because you like it , and i will have patience too , because you say 't is fit . ordello . patience will become you best , and best suit with your affaires . phil : thou councell'st well ordella , but canst not fancy what a broken heart endures ; — my whole soul labours under the burden of my love , and to that is added her neglects more weighty , and to this double load , my fathers unjust anger falls up on me , as if i were not sinking fast enough before ! ordel : my fathers anger will be soon over . phil : i wish it not ordella , may his fierce anger urge him on to my destruction , it will be handsomer to fall so , then to perish by selindra's scorns . ordel : you raise imaginary evils that are not ; i am confident selindra has no thought for cleonel , nor can i doubt but she will meet your love , with as bright a flame as yours is . phi : oh! that i could suffer such a hope , or such a thought possesse me ; i would then meet my fathers frowns , and blow away his thunder ; did selindra love me ! i would wage a second war with heaven , to gain her , and be more proud to fall her martyr in so high attempt ! then sit next to jove , with her neglects upon me . [ enter antenor . ] ante : madam , the emperor sent me to see if selindra were here with you . ordel : what means my father by this ? is she not a prisoner with cecropius ? ante : she was , but is now missing , at which cecropius is halfe madde . [ enter antillacus to them . ] antil : madam , i come to let you know that by day-break cleonel , with selindra past the ports , and about two hours after , were met on that way , that leads to his castle . phil : let them that love me follow me . phillocles snatches antillacus his sword and runnes at his guard who give way . as phillocles goes out , he meets lascares . and cecropius , and wounds cecropius in the arme. emp. traytor , villain : — stay all ; i do command you stay antillachus : — see the court-gates lock'd , that none go after him ; — cecropius do you retire and look to your hurt , he meant it at thy heart old man ; may thy sons good sword revenge it on him , if they meet , and he fall under it . ordel : oh sir ! let not your curses follow my brother , he has afflictions enough without them . emp : peace ordella , thy tendernesse doth too much nourish thy brothers follies , i would rather he should not be , then be thus e●●eminate ; i have fought many battles , and done great things to settle this empire ; and think you it will be kept , and govern'd by a heart with a dart in it . ordell : good sir , let not my brothers single errour put from your memory all his great actions , if you would speak mildly to him of his love , i do believe your arguments may move him more , then all this rigour can ; he has a noble spirit , such as you did like , and i know he loves you sir. emp : let me know when he returnes . exeunt emperor . ordell : are any gone after phillocles ? enter to ordella , armanthus , gillon ladies . arman : yes madam , we think antillacus is gone with antenor . ordel : but can they overtake him time enough , before he reaches cleonel ? gillon . no doubt they may ▪ [ enter to them antillacus , and antenor . ] ordell : not yet gone antillacus ? antil : madam , all the court-gates , are by the emperors expresse command lock'd up , and guards set , that no man now can passe . ordel : is it not madnesse to hazzard him alone against cleonel and his company ? my lords , do you mean to give obedience to this rash command ? and suffer phillocles to perish thus ; when my fathers anger is allay'd , hee 'l curse your modesty , if not punish it , in case my brother do miscarry . antil : madam , we have no way to follow the prince , unlesse your selfe command the guards to let us passe . ordel : come then with me ; i will stand my fathers anger when it goes highest , rather then let my brother fall thus neglected . exeunt omnes . [ enter phlllocles . ] phlllo : those at the castle , do not hear of cleonel , nor expect him there ; sure antillacus did mistake them , or i him , which way now to take i know not : — 't is strange antillacus and antenor stay so long , i must not quit this road , untill they come : — hark i hear men and horses within the wood , my businesse is to search every where : love guide me to her rescue , or my death . [ exit phillocles . ] enter cleonel , leading selindra , followed by four servants . cleo : how is it now madam ? your spirits seem to be return'd , are you yet strong enough to ride on ? we have rested long . selin : i hope i am , 't was the blow which the bough gave my head , makes me thus ill , the bushes kept me from the ground , so that my fall could not hurt me . cleo. the day is farre spent madam , and we shall be no sooner mist , then follow'd ; pray let us to horse , there is a place near , where we may rest for one night secure . selin : my head growes diszey with this little motion , i fear i cannot sit upon my horse yet ; — methinks you might hide me here in these thick bushes untill night , and when 't is dark , find some better means to carry me away . cleo : 't will not be safe to stay longer , so near our enemies . [ enter phillocles . ] phil : 't is cleonel ; — turne this way traytor : cleonel holds up selindra , and sends his men to phillocles . cleo : take the prince without harme , if you can . phil : am i not worthy thy own sword ravisher ? [ they fight . ] phillocles runnes desperately among the men , passes them , and comes up to cleonel , they all incompasse him , fighting : selindra runnes amongst them and parts 'um selin : i beg your patience sir ; — and do command thine cleonel , but here me speak , i do conjure you both , — phillocles , brave prince , look on me with pitty , and on cleonel with justice ; my life being sought several wayes by lascares , and cecropius , i have endeavour'd to preserve by flight ; you must therefore look on cleonel as trusted , and imployed by me , being ingaged by oath to carry me to belgrade , to my friends there . phil : thou art betray'd selindra , lost for ever ; this is not the way to belgrade , you are now within a mile of his castle , this way leads to no other place ; — thou persidious villain , canst thou smile at such a treachery ? cleo. yes phillocles , and will be my own carver now , i must be first serv'd here : — do you two carry her to horse , i 'le soon o're take you . [ he delivers selindra to two of his men . ] selin : to horse cleonel ; — i 'le rather dye , then stir a foot that way . cleo : force her to horse , we have no time to talk . phil : force her ! thou cursed slave , i 'le sacrifice thee ere she goes . cleonel and his two men sight with phillocles , while the other two force off selindra : — selin : the gods preserve the prince ; help , help , murther , treason , treason : — exeunt with selindra . vpon her cryes , enter six travelors , pollidor the chief . poll : let some help those that cry , let others search the wood , i 'le towards the clashing swords ; — how 's this ! three to one ! pollidor runs at cleonel and diverts him , just as phillocles had kill'd one man , at which instant the other man hurts phillocles in the back , and seeing this rescue , he runs into the vvood ; phillocles runs after him that fled , believing it had been cleonel , whom he could not see , because pollidor having run cleonel through the heart , was fallen himself upon him , who being by cleonel run into the throat , lay also as dead covering cleonel . enter to them the rest of the travelors , with selindra very weak , who when they see pollidor dead , do let selindra fall , who lies on the ground while they take up pollidor , and dress his wounds . tene : curs'd be that woman , accurs'd our fate to loose our prince [ they dress him as they talke . ] teck : now the blood issues at the wound , it may prove not mortall . titi. the blood only choak'd him as he lay , you see his eyes look chearfully . [ kneels . ] tene : ye gods , if any do take care of hungary , look down on pollinesso , and restore him to us . selin : what 's that he said ? — was it pollinesso that he named ? [ she looks up : ] titius . the king will live , thanks to heaven for his deliverance . selin : they call him king too ; pollinesso's name , gives me strength ; — but that face is none of mine , and yet that name makes that face lovely to me ; — how i fool my self with vain hopes , of what cannot be ! [ she lies down againe sadly . ] ten : how is it sir ? your looks are lively , and your wound , though it did at first seem desperate , is not very dangerous . polli : my tongue moves heavily , and painfully , losse of blood makes me faint too ; — how shall i travell with these wounds ? — my stay here will be very dangerous , and my journey to belgrade , too long for one so weak as i am . ten : the same gods that have preserv'd you to this day , will not let you fall thus . [ he faints and slumbers . ] selin : they talke of belgrade too ; who can this be ? — give me way , that i may gaze on this wonder . she rises , crowds in amongst them , and stares on pollidor . tene : away wild woman , thou author of this mischief . selin : he looks up again ! those eyes are mine , i know 'um now ! [ she offers to imbrace him . ] tene : throw her off , teare her away , she disturbs him , sure she is madde . [ yhey pull her from him . ] selin : 't is you are mad , 't is you that love him not ; why do you haile me thus ? whither will you dragge me ? did you not call him pollnesso . titi. yes . selin : king pollinesso ! titi : i think we did . selin : that name is mine , those wounds are mine then ! [ she offers to go to him , but they hold her off . ] titi : i wish they were . selin : and so do i with all my heart , pray let me go to him , i can heal him with my tears ; — i 'le suck his wounds well , for i have heard wounds have been cur'd so . tene : how comes his name in her mouth . teck : 't was not well done of us , to name him as we did , best to strangle her , lest she discover us . titi. shall i shoot her in the head ? though the act be horrid , 't is better she perish , then all wee . teck : let us first hear what she will say to him , we shall have time enough to kill her after . selin : i pray who are all you ? tene : we are the hurt mans servants lady , pray who are you ? by whom we have receiv'd such dammage . selin : if my eyes deceive me not , i may be happy ; but am yet , the most miserable , accurs'd woman living . titi : i think so too . — [ aside . ] polli : what woman is that weeps so ? tene : 't is she you rescued sir. polli : did i rescue her ? — losse of blood makes my eyes dazzle , and my fancy work even to a lightnesse ; that face brings to my memory something that i have known : — why does she weep ? and why do you hold her so rudely tenedor . [ pollidor and selindra both look earnestly at each other . ] selin . in charity to me sir , though they know it not , for had they sooner let me know that pollinesso liv'd ! my suddain joy had slain me : polli : what is this she sayes ? titi : she is a witch sir i think . selin : does not my brother know me yet ? have my sorrowes wrought such a change , that pollinesso should not know me ? polli : oh! my astella , pardon my dull sight ; for i am very weak . [ he faints . ] selin : would i had dyed , rather then be rescued at this rate , so joyful , and so sad a day i have not seen before . teck . he does but slumber madam , and 't is good he should do so . selin : but slumber say you , it looks so like death ! that i would dye to see it ! tene : madam , the joy will out-live the sorrow of this day , the prince's hurt is without danger ; — can your goodnesse pardon the rude words which my selfe , and these lords in our distraction speake ? selin : alas my lord , i was not sensible of what you sayd , my mind was so o're-loaden with my griefs , and so intent on pollinesso ! that i heard you not ; now while my brother takes this rest , pray make me know how he escaped , when my father and barzanes fell , and why he has been thus long conceal'd . tene : madam , in that sad day , pollinesso in vain attempting to save his father , was with my self , and these you see here , cast on a sandy bank , from whence by good swimming we got to shoar , and have been since disguised for fear of lascares , in several princes courts soliciting for aid , to force the grecians to quit their stolen possession of hungary ; when in the midst of pollinesso's preparation , he hears that phillocles had resign'd the crown to be preserv'd for you ; this made us lay aside all further preparation for a warre , and thus disguis'd to passe this way to belgrade : it seems by destiny directed to your recsue . selin : i shall find some fitter time for my own story , 't were good that we removed my brother , — he wa●kes : — how are you sir , has this repose refresht you ? polli : i am something better then i was astella , and shall soon be well , now i may look on thee . selin : and i most happy ! my brother you must give us leave to remove you to some place of rest , and safety , and you must be still conceal'd ; which these new wounds , with your perriwig will be disguise enough . polli : i shall be directed by you . sel : you must also a little counterfeit your voice , lest you be remember'd by it ; for should lascares know who were in his power , all his hopes of hungary would vanish , untill he saw you dead ; i am call'd selindra here . poll : who were those robbers ? and how came you amongst them ? selin : 't was cleonel , who did beguile me , after he had sworn to carry me to belgrade , was conveying me to his own castle . pol : was not cecropins's son ? and will not his death , be our ruine if we stay here ? sel : my interest in the princess ordella , will secure you , and his guilt was such a crime , as can expect no justice from the law to touch you ; besides the rescue you brought the prince , will merrit a reward , — but where is phillocles ? where is the prince ! we are all lost indeed , if he be fallen : i have been so much distracted , that i mist him not till now ! tecknor . what prince mean you madam ? selin : prince phillocles ! 't was he my brother rescued ; runne , look , search about the wood , for heaven sake search ; — unfortunate astella , and unworthy , that could thus long forget him ; now polliness● lives ! i have no hate to phillocles ; methinks his vertues now look gloriously upon him — but how shall i look on ordella ? if her beloved brother have lost his life , to save my honour ! pol : was it phillocles that i found fighting with cleonel and his two men ? selin : 't was he . polli : 't is strange i knew him not , but i now remember as i came in , he did persue the man that fled into the wood , — ( let some looke that way , ) selindra i must glory in my wounds , that have sav'd thee from false cleonel , and relieved phillocles , who my soul thirsts to see , next thy self most dear to me . sel : and mine trembles at his absence . enter phillocles to them bloody , and weary , leaning on his sword ; he calls before he is seen to enter . phil : selindra , selindra , is selindra safe ? — has she any mercy yet for phillocles ? selin : she is safe and happy too , now she sees you alive sir ; my heart is so much disturb'd by my fears and joyes , that i know not how to expresse she goes kindly to him . my gratitude : good sir , let these strangers dress your wounds , they have shewed much skill on this hurt man. phil : my wounds are but slight scratches when selindra smiles ; my joyes are much more dangerous then my wounds . selin : my life sir , and my honour you have saved , i must look on you with devotion ! pray be pleas'd to own these our redeemers , and give them some assurance of your protection , they fear cleonel's death may by cecropius's power with the emperor , prove their destruction . phill : i will be their security , selindras redeemers shall command my life ; of what country are they ? tene : hungarians sir , men that since the late warre , have sought fortunes in forraign lands , and now on private affaires , were returning home . [ selindra brings phillocles to pollidor . ] phillo : unto you sir , i have a great obligation , such as my whole life shall express my zeale to serve you , for by you selindra lives . polli : sir , i am rewarded much above my merrit , and shall bless the occasion that gave me power to serve you . [ enter antillacus and antenor . ] antilla : sir , the emperour 's much inraged at cecropius's hurt you gave him , and at your departure , staid us till now ; — is this cleonels , or your own blood sir ? phillo : 't is neither , cleonel fell by that noble hand , whose timely ayd deliver'd selindra from a rape , and me from death ; my arme antillacus , is grown weak of late , and thy good sword so dull , it will do nothing in my hand . ante : but sir , how comes it that you thus neglect your wounds . phillo : i have businesse of more weight to think on , now selindra smiles : — antenor , pray haste you back unto ordella , and desire her to be the first relator of cleonels death , bid her tell my father of his horrid treachery , and let her magnifie these strangers sent by the gods to save the innocent , and to chastise the perjur'd ravisher ; make haste antenor , and tell ordella that i am in paradice ! ante : she will be glad to hear that you are well sir. phillo : well antenor , why thou art well , and so is he , and he , we are all well ; but i am blest with all my heart can wish for ; tell my sister the gentle , and the fair selindra smiles , and let her think the rest ! — i am all ayre , antillacus pray thee help me to rub my wounds , a little smart may let me know that i am mortall . [ exit antenor . ] antill : if i mistake not sir , you 'l finde smart enough in your fathers rage , when he hears of cleonels death . phil : some anger will do well antillacus , to allay this joy within me . selin : i have some fears too , lest cecropius's malice may ruine us , you know his power sir. phill : let not my divinest mistris have so mean a thought of my power to serve her , let not a sad look appear on this day , that you have dain'd to smile on phillocles : madam , 't is time that we were moving towards the town , with our wounded friend ; how must i call him ? selin : i think they call him pollidor ; sir , though my confidence in you be equal to the value you are pleas'd to set on me , i cannot chuse but fear lascares's anger , when i think on cleonel . phil : believe me selindra , i will rather dye , then let them suffer . [ he leads off selindra , the rest take up pollidor . ] phil : thus let us march in triumph to the town , aloud proclaiming pollidor's renown ; while the arched heaven do ecco its content , to see selindra freed from ravishment . exeunt omnes . the fourth act. enter emperor , ordella , cecropius , antenor , and servants . cecrop : sir , i beg the due execution of our lawes on murderers . ordel : and i sir , beg mercy for those that have sav'd my brothers life . emp : i may not hearken to thy suit ordella , the lawes must be inviolable , to pardon such a murther , would pull down vengeance on my own head , on thine too , on all our family . [ she weeps . ] cecro . when you remember cleonels faith , and his many services , i hope sir you will not deny me justice . emp. cecropius you shall have justice ; — go you antenor , and command the provost of the city that he seize selindra , and her fellow murtherers , let them be all close prisoners in the black tower ; by to morrow this time , shall their bloods be shed , as they shed cleonels . ordel : did you say selindra should be prisoner sir. emp : i did . ordel : good sir , call back antenor till you have heard me speak . emp : i may not ordella . ordel : who can forbid you to be merciful ? and just ? you break the lawes of hospitality in this ; selindra is a stranger , she is innocent , and cannot suffer justly ; cleonel was full of horrid guilt , and was cut off by a just hand ; — the travellers too , have saved phillocles his life ; good sir , let not cecropius malice , perswade you to do , what you will blush to think on after . emp : they shall have justice , and a legal tryall . ordel : oh sir ! where is your wonted mercy ? whither is that goodnesse fled ? how have i lost your favour ? that cannot with my tears , nor prayers prevale on your mistaken anger . [ enter phillocles , antillacus and armanthus . ] phill : is it your majesties command , that selindra should be a prisoner ? emp : must i aske your leave ? phil : though not my leave sir , i cannot chuse but wonder at such rigour ! emp : you have leave to wonder on . phill : thus low sir , i do humbly beg selindra's inlargement , and an equall tryal for those that rescued us ; — [ he kneels . ] emp : selindra as chief accessary must abide the sentence of the law , in this case of cleonel : — phillocles thy mean love has drown'd all my favours , and eclip'st all thy former actions ; from this time i shall study to forget thee , unlesse thou wilt forget selindra , and lead the army to relieve astella . phill : i shall obey you sir in this , and all things else , so you will be pleas'd to send selindra safe to ciprus , and set those innocent men free , that saved my life . emp : degenerate fool , i shall cure this disease in thee ; cecropius send presently for the judges , command them by virtue of this my signet , to put the lawes in present execution , upon thy sons murtherers ; let the rigour of the law passe on them all . phil : ye gods , to what purpose are men innocent ? why is virtue prays'd , and taught us ? — good sir , consider how you do murther these innocents , with a shew of law , and a pretence of justice . emp : how dare you talke thus ? phil : you make me desperate sir. emp : do not raise my temper higher , lest i cut thee off , as if thou wer 't no part of me ; — they shall dye . phill : had the gods so pleas'd , i wish my self the meanest of your subject , for i am now a slave unto your passions , and must inherit the curse that 's due to all your guilts , such as i shake to think on ; 't is you sir , that have murthered cleonel , 't was your poyson that selindra fled from ; by your confining me , you gave cecropius first , and cleonel next , the power to become ravishers ; pray let the law take notice of this ! — it may free innocent persons . emp : who am i ? is this gallant my son , or my soveraigne ? phil : sir i do see fire , and fury in your eyes , and am prepar'd to meet it , 't is better to dye with those are noble , then to live thus neglected ; by my hand two of cleonels men fell , 't is i am guilty of that sin of rescuing selindra from a rape : let your justice , and your lawes , grow famous by my blood , 't will please cecropius well ; by all our gods i ▪ le not out-live those innocents . emp : t is fit to take thee at thy word . the emperor draws and runs at phillocles to kill him , ordella steps between . phil : it will become your own hand best . ordel : have you another son sir , when you have slain my brother ? [ phillocles is going out . ] emper : antenor , call in my guard , and carry phillocles to the new castle ; see that he be safe , and close there , as you will answer it with your life ; — i shall not trust you in the army now sir. [ here all intercede . ] ordel : pray sir re-call this severe command , my brother has no danger in him , you saw he did not avoid death , when your hand offer'd it . emp : antenor , i will be obeyed ; — by heaven he dyes that dares dispute my will. [ spaks aside ] phill : if i go to prison ? selindra dyes , there is none can help her , [ he kneels . ] and then , i shall have time hereafter , to lament her sad fate ; sir , i aske your pardon for the harsh words i utter'd , i did believe those truths might touch you , and move compassion towards those you threaten so much rigour too : but i now see your anger has decreed them dead , and that you have the same thought for me ; my last sute is , that since we may not live , we may dye together : i shall submit to any kind of death sir ; but i have vowed to be no more confin'd . emp : you of the guard seize on him . [ as the guard comes toward him he draws . ] phil : against imprisonment , i shall endeavour what i can ; command my death sir , and i will welcome it . [ opens his armes . ] emp : kill him ; — kill the traytor ; — dares none stirre to do it ? is my breath grown so weak ? i le try my own strength then . the emperor snatches a partizan from one of the guard , and wounds phillocles in the breast slightly , phillocles holding down his sword opens his arms and receives the wound , they search his wound , set him in a chair , while the emperor stands amaz'd at what he had done . ordell . oh , my brother 's slain ! how cruel , and unnaturall a deed is this ? [ enter cecropius . ] cecro : the surgeons say the chiefe prisoner will not live till morning ; i beg sir , that the sentence may passe on the rest . the emperor gives cecropius no answer , only points to phillocles , le ts fall the partizan till then in his hand , and exit with cecropius . antil : 't was well the emperors age did not permit his force to act his will , the wound has not past the bone madam , 't is but a slight cut in the flesh . arman : 't is time that you hasten to the army , for while cecropius holds his power , you cannot be safe here . ordell : he advises well brother , untill my father be dispossest of this evill spirit that reignes in him , i wish you away too . phil : i think it must be so ; the souldiers i hope have not forgot their love to me ; — my dear sister , pray will you ore-take my father lest in this sit he slay all our friends ; say that selindra did sly willingly with cleonel , and that she regards not my love , say any thing to gaine a little time , untill i may do something to relieve them . ordel : i shall do my best : — ordella at the door meets the emperor with selindra in his hand , and pollidor led in , he delivers selindra to ordella , and points to them to set pollidor by phillocles , then goes out with cecropius and servants . ordell : what means my father by this dumb shew ? polli : where are we now tenedor ? tene : truly sir , i know not , but i see friends here . polli : who are they ? tene : those that brought you in , were the emperor , and cecropius ; you know prince phillocles , that whispers with selindra , that other sure is the princess ordella . polli : is that the princess ordella ? phill : your presence madam gives me strength , and your kind looks , give life unto my drooping spirits . selin : how miserable am i sir , that am the occasion of all these evils . phil : your own sufferings are the onely evills to be lamented , i could curse my self , that brings such troubles on you ; — but madam we forget to comfort this gallant man , by whose sword we enjoy our lives : — sir , can you pardon me that undertook so much , and can so little serve you ? polli : it was an injury sir , to think i would receive my life , ransom'd by your death . phill : by my wound pollidor , i have appeas'd my fathers rage ; by thy wounds selindra lives , and through all these clouds , i see the tempest ceasing ; — cannot selindra speak to him ? selin : i have a heart as full of gratitude as yours sir , but not yet any means to shew it ; i shall make it my businesse to serve him . phill. has my dear sister no complement for pollidor ? by whose valour she enjoyes selindra , and me . ordel : yes phillocles , i am studying how to expresse it , for you two have left nothing for me to say : sir , i can only thank you o're again for my brothers , and my friends preservation , by which you have obliged me , and the whole empire , and do deserve some publique honour , and high recompence . polli : what honour , or what recompence can outweigh this you now heap on me ? madam , if what i have done , be a service that you will own , i have no wish beyond it ; i shall ever on this day keep a solemn feast unto the gods , that did direct my course that way , and gave me power to become as happy here , as in elizium . phill : let those lodgings next to mime , be made ready for pollidor , i will not trust him farther from me ; — antillacus , go you with as little noyse as may be to the army , and let the souldiers know , that i will suddainly be with them ; some lead out pollidor . [ exeunt omnes . ] [ enter the emperor and cecropius . ] cecro : 't was not revenge , for cleonel , made me presse your majesty to do justice on his murtherers , but to cut off selindra , by which phillocles might have no hindrance to gain astella ; — but sir , since you have freed the prisoners , and are content , the prince shall marry selindra , i have done ; if you sir , can lay by all thoughts of astella ; and that crown , i shall soon forget a private losse . emp : i must laugh cecropius to see how thou art abus'd by my feigned shew of kindnesse , which i only did , to heal the wound i gave ; had i another son , by whom i might gaine hungary , phillocles had found my force , answerable to my anger ; but i confesse i did relent , upon a suddain thought , which made me strike so feebly at him , for now to loose phillocles , were to throw hungary away , and to destroy selindra , were by another kind of stroak to destroy phillocles . cecro : what other way have you sir ? that i cannot yet fancy . emp : a sure one cecropius , away that cannot faile , i will give loose reins to my sons love , let him run on , and joy in his beloved selindra , whose sweets once had , and his young appetite allayed , ( as most violent passions soonest are ) then 't will be best to take away selindra by a poyson ; then it may be done without suspition , while i urge on the marriage , joyne in all the nuptiall jollities , and put on such pleasing looks , as shall make thee doubt my purpose , though thou knowest my heart . cecro : i see not yet how this can get astella , or that crown . emp : thou art grown so dull of late , that thou seest nothing ; while this joy lasts , astella may be found , and then selindra dying , what can hinder phillocles from getting astella ? cecro : i do submit sir , and must applaud your purpose , 't is a design i do confesse , much above my reach , and the first mischief i have come short in . exeuut ambo . pollidor seen in his chamber , enter to him phillocles and ordella , and selindra , the servants go off . phil : you look chearfully to day pollidor , we may hope to see you abroad shortly . polli : i believe i might venture now sir , though my surgeons be not of my mind ; but sir , how do you find the good old emperor dispos'd . phil : i like not my fathers smiles pollidor , his suddain starts into such extreams , make me apprehend more danger in his kindnesse , then his rage ; so that to prevent all further evils , i have a purpose to repaire unto the army ; and 't is ordella's wish , as well as mine , that selindra would trust her self with me there . polli : that may secure you both , but will not selindra's honour suffer ? ordel : now that selindra's interest , and his are become one , i see no reason she should fear to go , nor indeed any scruple why their marriage may not be privatly , and presently dispatch'd , for while the businesse lingers thus , they give hopes to such endeavours as would divert it , and do runne daily hazzards , by staying here . phillo : ordella argues what my soul wishes , but selindra's looks do not consent to make me so soon happy . selin : sir , my loooks do be-lye my heart , if they shew ought that would delay a happinesse to you , for i have none beyond yours : — but sir , above all other reasons , pollidor ( not being yet able to attend you ) if he be left behind , will hardly escape cecropius's fury ? phil : most true selindra , he will be in danger , i shall therefore attend his recovery ; without him i will not move ; nor will i put a thought in act without thy councel . ordel : you have both said well , but in my judgment , this is no fit time for such complements , when your lives are daily sought . polli : if you be resolv'd to attend my recovery , i shall propose a sudden fancy of mine , to that purpose , which may secure us : phill : speak it pollidor . polli : suppose selindra do ask the princess leave to return to cyprus , and give out that she only expects , her fathers coming to convey her thither . — sir , you may court selindra publikely while she stayes , and she seem to neglect your love , and put on a shew of kindnesse unto me , as in gratitude for my hazzards in her redemption , i will also counterfeit affection to selindra , and give out , that i am of better quality then i seem : this sir , if well manag'd , will be ground enough , to deceive their best spies , and for some time secure us all . phillocles . i approve your thought pollidor , and if selindra can undertake her part , doubt not me , i 'le put on such a seeming jealousie , as shall puzzle the old fox cecropius himself . selindra . i shall easily observe my directions , and soon learn to be civil to a man , i owe so much to ! phillo : come ordella , while they practise love , we will reconcile us to the emperor , and try to bring him on a present visit to pollidor , before this sit of his good nature leave him . ordel : selindra we must find you sitting in a more familiar way with pollidor , then ordinary conversation does allow . [ exeunt phillocles and ordella . ] selindra . i shall obey you madam : — now they are gone , we may enjoy our selves , this happy design of yours , will afford us many houres of freedome . pollidor . my soul is joyed to look on thee astella ! selin : and my happinesse too great to be exprest by words ! that you live ! makes this earth a paradice to me ; my heart can scarce make roome for phillocles , it is so full of pollinesso ! polli : i am all thine astella . [ she embraces him . ] [ enter to them tenedor , tecknor , and others . ] tenedor . is it time sir , that you retir'd to rest , you spend your spirits , by so much discourse , which does retard your cure . teck : you should neglect no means sir , for your recovery , lest by a long stay here , some accident unlook'd for , may make you known . tenedor . i wonder phillocles does not call to mind that he has seen you . pollidor . he believes me dead , as all others do ; but i shall observe the best rules for my recovery however : — now astella we have time to hear how you were conveyed from belgrade , pray make me know how you came hither ! selin : that same night that you departed to the army , and our first embassadors went towards greece , to implore lascares's aid against the germanes , i was by my fathers own hand deliver'd unto periander , whom i was to call father ; and by him was brought to ciprus , where the plague then raging , he transports me with his family to this town . pollidor . how came you into the court then ? selin : on the first feast-day , i went with periander to the temple , that i might see the emperor , and the printess ordella , where the princess casting her eyes on me , found mine so fixed on her , that i could not remove them , but blush'd , and still look'd on her ; by what power led , i know not ; but she took a fancy to have me live with her , which periander durst shew no dislike to : thus was i , to my great joy , call'd to court , where i became a companion to the princess : within a short time cleonel had affection for me , which did not free me from old cecropius dotage : of which , with prince phillocles his worthy love , you shall know hereafter , for i have now held you too long from your repose . pollidor . dearest astella thy words are balsome to my wounds . exeunt lords . [ pollidor and selindra embrace . ] enter emperor , phillocles , ordella , cecropius , and traine , and see them embracing . phillocles . your majesty will not think this honour too much for pollidor , when you shall know he is of better quality then he seems ; — ha ! what do i see ? [ they embrace and rise disturb'd . ] emp : that which should teach thee to have nobler thoughts philloces , think on this surprize . phil : how they are disturb'd ! ordel : they do it rarely well . [ aside . ] emp : sir , i am now come to excuse the imprisonment you had , and to give you thanks for my sons life ; i shall now endeavour to recompence your merit , rather then trouble you with words . poll : great sir , this honour , with the many other favours i receiv'd , do shame me to think that you allow me a merrit i cannot own , but if the gods do give me life , my onely businesse shall be to seek occasions to serve you and yours . emp : i shall contribute what i can to your health , and will please my selfe , with the expectation of great things from you . while they talk , the emperor observes phillocles courting selindra , and she neglecting him ; the emperor observes pollidor to be troubled at their courtship , and is pleased at it . poll : sir , you oblige me beyond words , to utter my sense of your favours . emp : my purpose is to give you a kind welcome , and a respect suitable to your worth , and quality : — fair maid , i know not well how [ he goes to selindra . ] to frame my discourse to you , whom i have so ill treated ; but i shall no more disturb your joyes , i do now make it my suit , that you will defer your return to ciprus , i shall lay my commands on ordella , to deny you her consent to go . selin : sir , the favours and honours i have received here , are farre beyond the ills you mention ; and my happinesse such , in the princesse ordella's love , that i lament the thoughts of my departure , but when i consider the mischiefes past , and foresee worse like to follow , 't were madnesse not to fly them ; when my father is return'd , i shall renew my suit , to have the princess leave , to leave this place , and until then , make it my care , to tend this hurt man , my redeemer ! to whom i owe my life and honour ! emp : selindra , if i can adde any thing unto thy happinesse , i shall do it gladly , for thou art something more , then ever i have found in woman . exeunt emperor and cecropius . phill : what thanks do we owe pollidor for this disguise ! it takes ordella , beyond our hopes ; did you observe how my father eyed us , while he talked to pollidor ? ordella . yes , and do believe cecropius and he are gone to compare their notes , for that fox was very vigilant . phill : selindra , let us enjoy this blest minute . phillocles leads selindra to the couch , and ordella goes to pollidor . ordel : sir , while the two lovers whisper , pray oblige me with the knowledge of the occasion of your coming into these parts , by which we have received so great an obligation ; and if you please ? to passe this time with the relation of your own story , unlesse with your selfe , you would conceale it . poll : madam , my story is not worthy your eares , nor my self this honour : — yet i have a story , — such as will make me blush to utter , though no crime do belong to it : — nor am i what i seem , and yet not fit to appear other , — but madam , your commands are too high honours to be neglected , my own resolutions shall give way , and my nearest concernes submit to your will. ord : i perceive you are disturb'd at my curiosity to know , what i believe you would conceal ; it may be you have vowed not to discover ; truly sir , for want of what to say , i onely said it . poll : madam , i was surpriz'd by your approach , which made my tongue appeare lesse ready then my heart to obey you ; your commands , madam , are sufficient to dissolve any vowes of mine , and since you will vouchsafe to hear , i shall relate . [ phillocles and selindra come to them . ] phill : how are you sir ? methinks your eyes do shew some anguish in your wounds , do we not trouble you ? here phillocles and selindra interrupt pollidor , which puts him into some passion , for he now began to love ordella . ord : we have done ill to stay thus long , selindra 't is your fault , you should have directed better . poll : no madam , my houre to rest is not so precisely to be kept , nor have i any pains upon me , as the prince thinks ; my wounds heal the faster for your company . ord : you are civil sir. poll : madam , the prince's kindnesse , and his care , is not at this time necessary : — pray sir , if your occasions call you not , do not go yet . phill : pollidor we know your civility is great , out discretion must not be the lesse , i see you are disturb'd , and know your pains are great upon you ; make no reply , wee 'l soon visit you againe ; come ordella , let us leave selindra to her charge ; good rest unto my friend , all joyes unto my mistriss . exeunt phillocles and ordella poll : beshrew your kindnesse at this time , — how like tantalus was i ? selin : what mean you by this passion brother ? shall i call the surgeons ? poll : no selindra , they have no skill in my disease . selin : you speak , and look , as if you wanted sleep , pray retire to rest . poll : rest selindra ! where can i find rest ? phillocles has taken all rest from me ! did you not observe how the princess came to me ? and how she threw her favours on me ! when in the height of all my joy , your approach destroyed me . selin : if this be all ! i must smile , to hear you sigh brother . poll : all selindra ! doest thou mock me ? are thy own flames so weak ? thou smilest at mine ! selind : i cannot chuse but smile , when i rejoyce to see my wishes fall so fast upon me : you love the princess , and she will love you , she must , she shall , nay , i doubt she does already ! and have some fear , the work will be too easie , if i undertake it . poll : now thou mockest me more , then thou didst before ! prithee selindra be serious , and do not play with what torments me . selin : what can be more serious ? then to make a marriage between so great a princess , and the king of hungary ? pray where can she make a better choice ? or who can better plead your suit then i ? look to your wounds brother , leave this affair to me . exit : poll : my best wishes do attend thee , she has rais'd in me such doubtfull hopes , that they begin to vanish with her , and such fears to lose what i never had , do throng so fast upon me , that on the sudden i am orewhelm'd , — — with doubts , with joyes , with fears , so strangely mixt ! my heart is hell , untill my hopes be fixt . the fifth act. [ enter selindra pensive , cecropius meets her . ] cecro : good day unto the bright selindra ? selin : may your lordship find many such . [ she is going out ] cecro : why do you sly me , madam ? i come in dilligence to make known to you , what concerns you more , then any other businesse can , towards which you make such haste from me . selin : i fled not from your lordship , nor did i perceive , that you had ought to say to me ; what is your pleasure now ? cecro : my businesse is , to preserve you from a certain ruine , and to set you above the reach of mischiefe , as high in honour , as you are in beauty , and in vertue . selind : i were much unworthy such a favour , and not mistress of any virtue , if i should not return a befitting gratitude . cecro : know then selindra , you are design'd unto your grave ; your wedding robe , will prove your winding sheet , if i prevent it not ; the emperor puts on this shew of kindnesse , onely to destroy you with lesse noise ; he does consent that phillocles by a present marriage , should satisfie his appetite ; after which you shall be poysoned , that the prince may have no object between him and astella : this by all our grecian gods is true , and this i have consented to . selin : can there be such a wickedness 'mongst men ! cecro : can you doubt it , that have seen so much ? or can you think lascares will consider such a life as yours , when it does interpose between the crown of hungary and him ? selin : if this be so , how can i avoid it ? shall i think you will betray the emperors trust , to oblige me ! cecro : madam , if you would please to look on your faithfull servant with equal eyes , and on your dangers with judicious thoughts , you 'l see that phillocles his love brings death ; — and pollidor methinks , should not have gain'd an interest where phillocles pretends . selin : my lord , i must confesse what you have said , is worthy my most serious thoughts , — but my lord , 't is not fit that i treat farther in this affaire , until my father doth return ; if you please to move him in it , my obedience shall follow his will. cecro : of his consent i make no doubt , my best mistriss ; joyes , and greatnesse do attend selindra when she smiles on me ! [ she suffers him to kisse her hand . ] selind : but how can you secure your self , and me from phillocles ? will not his rage , raise a revenge as ruinous , as this you would have me fly from ? cecro : good madam , let not so mean a thought remain with you ; i have lascares scepter in my hand , and all the frontier towns in my command ; the souldiers too , since phillocles forsook them , are become mine ; if my fair mistress would by one kind look confirme my joyes , it would encourage me to let her see , at what a rate i value her . selin : i blush to think that i have smil'd so much , upon so short acquaintance , pray heaven you have not a design , to destroy me this way ! cecro : can you think i will destroy my souls onely joy ? to remove all such fears , i will now put my life into your hands . selin : how my lord ! your life ? cecro : you have heard , madam , how the hungarian army marches towards grecce , it does so : drawn in by me , to my aid they come , to assist me to get selindra , and to set lascares crown upon her head ! if she will deserve it ? — we are interrupted now , — think on me , and thou shalt wear this imperial crown , selindra , within few howers . exit cecropius . [ enter to her phillocles , and ordella . ] phil : what has caus'd thy clouded brow selindra ? has that viper vext thee ? selin : he has frighted me , and will anger us all , if he be not prevented ; such horrid mischiefes he has in love to me reveal'd , as i shake to think on . ordella . to what tune runne they ? selin . to several tunes , some to love , some to private blood-shed , others to publick warre , and in summe to ruine all that 's good ; — the emperor will permit our marriage sir , and after poyson me , that you may have leisure to gaine astella ; but above all , cecropius treachery must be lookt to ; he has call'd in the hungarian army , to make me his by force : he talked of a crown too , that i should weare , if i would comply with him , and at that word you interrupted us : good sir , make it a little more your businesse to prevent these devils , and their designes . phill : there is danger in this , worthy our best care , selindra , i see our stay here , will still occasion new designs on us . ordel : and you too late , i fear , will find my counsel good , why may not i have credit to protect pollidor in your absence ? phill : i think you may , but yet 't is not fit to hazzard such a friend , to the fury of that monster cecropius ; besides , selindra is now engaged in honour , to stay for him . ●elin : truly sir , i think i am in honour bound , not rashly to throw away a man , that has preserv'd us both ; but sir , when you shall consider that his wounds do now permit him to walk abroad , a few dayes more , will get him strength to ride with us : during which time , i can secure all by dissembling a little kindnesse to cecropius , by which , i shall also discover his treaty with the hungarians . ordel : pollidor is much oblig'd to you selindra , i like well this noble humour in you . phill : it does become her , my dear sister , it shall be my care to look after cecropius now , and if necessity require , i will remove him speedily ; i must leave you for some houres ordella , to attend my father ; farewel , my bright mistriss ; pray let your care continue unto pollidor , and let not fall your kindnesse to cecropius , he may confesse to you , what no tortures can draw from him . exit phillocles . selind : it does concern me sir. ord : it does indeed , selindra , thy gratitude to pollidor , looks hansomely ; methinks as he recovers health , he growes comely , he seems to me , as if he were above the ordinary rank of men , i dare say he has a noble soule . selin : madam , you judge right , did you converse as i do daily with him , you should wonder at such worth ; methinks i see greatness in his looks , and do observe that he holds in that lustre , with more advantage , then others shew it forth : ord : he is sure some great prince disguis'd , selindra ! and a happy man he is , that has found one that can discover his conceal'd perfections to the life ! [ enter tenedor to selindra . ] tened : madam , my master is now awake , and begs the favour of a visit . exit tenedor . selin : i shall follow your lordship , when i have brought the princess to her chamber . ord : is he a lord too , selindra ? ●elin : did i call him lord , madam ? ord : ask when you see him next , go selindra ; this ceremony to me is needlesse , i shall find the way alone ; 't is fitter that you attend your charge , pollidors wounds will not heal out of thy fight , selindra : — i cannot chuse but wonder what kind of entertainment you can find , for so many houres , with so great a stranger , as pollidor ! [ speaks aside ] selin : sure she is jealous , and i have been too free in praising him ; — pollidor and i , do spend more houres discoursing of ordella's beauties , then of all other matters ; he admires your perfections , madam ; his other wounds are slight , compar'd with those , he received from your eyes : for — ordel : hold , selindra , i delight not in such saucy thoughts from pollidor , nor does it become you to heare , much less to relate them unto me : i do feare selindra , you hope by this invention , to dazle my eyes , that i may not discover your own affection to this pollidor ; take heed you fall not from that vertue you are valued for , if you do deceive my trust , or phillocles his love ! you will be neither worthy his anger , nor my pitty . selin : let me fall under the weight of both your angers , when i deserve ill from either of you , your jealousie afflicts me madam . [ she weeps . ] ordell : i hear my brother coming , retire , that he may not see thy tears , and meet me in the garden after supper , then i will hear more of this , and till then , suspend my jndgment of thee . exit selindra . [ enter phillocles . ] phil : why went selindra weeping out ? and what troubles you my dear sister ? ordel. i am not troubl●d now sir : pray how did you find my father ? in what temper is he ? phill : well ordella , all is safe yet ; but i cannot be satisfied untill you tell me why selindra weeps ; — your silence will beget doubts more troublesome , then the knowledge can be . ordel : 't was nothing but an argument that fell between us . phil : that argument ordella , if thou lov'st my peace , that argument ! ordel : i may wrong selindra by it , and trouble you without a cause , when i am certainly informed , you shall be so , till then , pray do not urge me farther . phil : i am so weak a man in thy esteem , thou darest not trust me with my self ; ordella , thy discourse will disturb me much , unless thou lettest me know the whole matter . ordel : my unwillingnesse to tell you , is now become the onely cause i feare to do it , for i was questioning selindra onely , about her frequent visits to pollidor , which it seems i put into such language , as made her weep ; this on my credit is the truth , are you now satisfied ? phil : i am satisfied that we have the same thoughts , your judgement on this matter , confirms my observations , which till now , took no hold on me ; — if she prove false , thus i can blow her off ; — but pollidor , shall pay deare for his treachery . enter to them pollidor , very weak in rich cloaths ; a staff in his hand . polli . madam , 't is fit that i visit you before the temple , and pay my first vowes at your shrine , offering up a life devoted to your service . ordel : you owe your health sir , next to the gods , unto selindra's care , such a gratitude i have not seen before , nor such a zeale as hers , to serve you . polli : my obligations to selindra , i must rank after the honours i have received from you madam : — pray sir , how does the emperor , [ he turns to phillocles . ] and cecropius , take this fained love between selindra and me ? how does it work with them ? phill : since selindra dwelt with you , the whole court believes it is a mutuall love ; onely my sister and my self , have other thoughts . polli : ( those last words came coldly out , i must remove this jealousie ; ) i am glad sir that you are secur'd by it , and i am joy'd to have a hand in any thing , that shall conduce to serve you , i do professe my medicines have not so much wrought my cure , as the joy i have to see such unparalleld virtues , and affections meet , as is yours , and the good selindra's ; day day she tires her tongue in praising phillocles , and stiil growes fresh , by talking of you sir ; i cannot wish you greater happinesse on earth , then you will have with her , may it last while you last , and may eternall curses light on those that wish it less . phil : i thank you sir , and will hope to prosper , as you pray for me , and next to selindra , and my sister , place you by my heart . polli : you honour me too much , and will make me proud , i must take my leave sir , my strength is not yet enough confirm'd , to stay long abroad . exit pollidor . phil : the gods go with thee , thou man of honour . ordel : what think you brother of this complement ? phil : i think him really , what he seems . ordel : i wish i could do so too , but when i call to mind that selindra unto me , did talk just thus of pollidor , as he now discours'd to you of her , methinks it looks like a designe . phil : does pollidor presume to pretend to you ? ordel : so selindra would have me think , which indeed was the main cause of my anger , and her tears . phill : i am not willing to be jealous , nor yet so fond , as not to be sensible , when there is just cause ; ordella let us smooth our browes , and observe them farther , such a guilt cannot be long hid , and untill we be confirm'd by some better proof , 't is unworthy in us to suspect them , on our surmises only , since what they do , is by our direction . ordel : 't is not my nature to judg ill of any , and i hope selindra will deserve better ; i am converted , and now we are thus secure , why may not you go to the army , and leave selindra with me ; pollidor in your absence , may court her in publick , which will confirm my father in his mistake , when he sees me dislike it . phill : i like it well ordella : what will you do this evening ? ordel : i have some businesse for a while ; selindra after supper , will meet me in the garden , pray come to us there . phil : bid your boy attend us with his lute then , it may so happen that i must take leave this night , for i hear that the hungarian army comes on apace . [ enter antenor to them . ] ante : the emperor sends you word sir , that cecropius has deliver'd all the frontier towns to the hungarians , and himself advances in the head of that army towards us . phil : dispatch a post unto antillacus , bid him advance towards the traytor , i will this night set forth , and by day break shall reach him . ante : sir , antillacus retreats before the enemy , his men fewer in number , are so disheartned by cecropius's revolt , they dare not look on the hungarians . phil : let the page call pollidor , to my sisters chamber presently , we will take leave there , and depart immediatly ; come ordella , this is somewhat quicker work then i expected ; bid my servants make what hast they can , to meet me here at my return . exit omnes . [ enter periander with a lady , as in ordella 's chamber . ] lady . my lord , since you went hence , the court has been in daily tumults about phillocles his love unto your daughter . perian : is selindra so much in favour with the gods , as to be look'd on by prince phillocles ? lady . the prince seeks no other heaven but her , and as the world thinks she neglects him , and loves one pollidor . perian : madam , i cannot raise my faith to what you say , nor can i joy in such a blessing , untill i know the emperor does approve it ; pray madam , where may i find selindra ? lady . she is now with the princess in the garden , i shall let her know your lordship is return'd . [ exit lady . ] perian : you obliege me madam ; — though i have been long absent , i have not been idle , nor could i well have made more haste hither , cousidering how many great affairs i have dispatch'd , since i went hence . [ enter selindra to him . ] selin : oh sir ! you are welcome , i have with some trouble , and some fear expected your returne . peri : madam , i stay'd the longer , by reason of those tumults i found at belgrade , a false astella was set up by euticus , and his faction , but so soon as i made known , that you liv'd , both sides laid down their arguments , though not their armes , which i advis'd as the best means to bring you home in safety . selin : but why does our army enter greece . perian : that 's the riddle madam , the old fox cecropius gave notice to the hungarians , that the emperor purpos'd in his own person to invade them , since phillocles had refus'd it , and would by a conquest joyn that crown to his empire ; he insinuates also , that if the hungarians would assist him in his design , he would make the emperor unable to harme them , by delivering up all the frontier towns into their hands . selin : and what is his design ? perian : onely by their power , to force the emperor to deliver you , and one pollidor up to him : this i perswaded orsanes , and the rest to hearken too , and my long stay was to see the towns deliver'd to orsanes , which is done , and cecropius fooll'd by his vaine hopes , marches in the head of your army , which comes on apace , only to receive your commands madam . selin : the gods reward you , for i never can ; — but here is newes periander , beyond what you tell ; pollinesso lives , lives here under the name of pollidor ; and see where he comes ; — oh! my brother we [ enter pollidor . ] are happy above our wish ; this is periander , who has so much obliged me . polli : i hope i shall live to thank you sir. peri : sir , i am rewarded in the good i have done , if my services do prove such in your esteem . selin : my brother , you must dispatch periander back unto the army , to give orsanes and the rest , notice that you live ; — cecropius has rendred all the towns , and comes on demanding to have me deliver'd to his lust . poll : wee shall order him at leisure , our care to informe orsanes , must indeed be speedy ; — periander , though i cannot command , i may intreat you that know our affaires , to return unto orsanes , and give him notice , that i intend this night , to set forth with phillocles , and will come over to him , with my first opportunity ; bid him march fairly through the country , and take heed that antillacus ingage him not to fight , till i arrive ; if you ride hard ; you may be back with us , before we part from hence , for i hear cecropius is not far off . peri : by my speed sir , judge my zeal to serve you . poll : as you passe by my lodgings , pray send all my servants to attend me in the next room , from hence we shall take horse this evening ; — now astella , methinks the gods do smile on hungary , and [ exit periander . ] on us ; if ordella would be gracious ! pollinesso were most happy ; how does my love prosper , astella ? selin : i can make no certain judgment on it yet . poll : canst thou not procure me one smile before we part ? selin : 't will not be possible , if you depart this night ; i could wish we had more time , because i now propose some pleasure in my woeing for you ; methinks the storms that i have rais'd , look merrily , now the calm is certain , and so nigh , i have so light a heart , that i could play with dangers , if any were within my reach . [ they sit . ] to them enter phillocles , and ordella , who stand unseen behind them , sitting on the couch . poll : let me embrace and kisse thee , my dear , dear selindra ; thou art so great a joy unto my soul , that i lament to part one minute from thee ; when we meet next , we shall embrace more freely . embraces . selin : that you must go from me , grieves me ; must you needs go with phillocles ? may you not stay one day longer with me ? [ she weeps . ] poll. i dare not , do not weep thus , thy tears will prove ill omens , and i become a superstitious fool , to fear i know not why ! selin : how can i chuse but lament to part with , what is dearer to me then my life ; pray do not go this night , bestow this night on me . polli : i swear thou makest me sad , prethee speak more chearfully , and dry thy eyes , least phillocles perceive thy tears , and ordella do discover us , and so unmask us both , before we be prepar'd . selin : no matter for their jealousie , are not we above the reach of malice now ? phillocles drawes , and offering to strike , is held by ordella . polli : not yet selindra , we may be ere-long , till then , 't is not good to provoke any , it is by your advice to , that we should be still disguis'd . selin : yes , and 't is my opinion still ; but when phillocles is gone who can discover us ? phil : the gods , who will not suffer such impiety to be longer hid , let me loose ordella , and i will cut these twisted monsters into atomes that their united souls , may so expire together . [ the women part and hold them . ] polli : why thus inraged sir ? phil : canst thou ask false man ? we have heard and seen , all that has past between ye . poll : it may be so , and yet be mistaken , in all you have heard , and seen too ; — sir , if you will have a little patience , you shall see your mistake , and be sorry for this injurious language , when you know to whom you speak . phillocles offers to runne at him , but is held by ordella . selin : good madam , perswade the prince to hear us , and there will be no cause to fight . ordel : thou worst of women , how dares thy lips move towards me ? selin : for heavens sake madam hear us , you will too late repent this rashnesse else ; we are both as innocent , as you can wish . ordel : brother you may do well to hear them , and revenge at leasure ; pray lay by this anger for a while , and take it up again , when you see cause ; they are in your power to punish , as you please . phill : i thank thee ordella , they are so ; — i am tame , and now you may say on . poll : sir , if you have heard ; and seen what past between us , i do confess you have reason for your anger , and our fondnesse doth deserve blame , but not death ; 't is true , that we have negligently shew'd , what we might better have conceal'd ; necessity therefore now compells us to discover what we yet meant not to do , that our innocency may no longer suffer . phil : your innocence ! exit phillocles . polli : madam , the prince his absence , gives me opportunity to begge your pardon for selindra , and my self , who have too long hid our affections from you , and our selves also ; for she is my sister , and will ere long , appear worthy phillocles his best thoughts , and i do hope my self , when i shall dare to be my self , may have leave to say , my life is vowed to serve you . ordel : sir , you are mistaken , i am not to be deceved by this slight trick ; — you would gaine time to escape my brothers vengeance . polli : no madam , you will shortly see , i am above it ; and if — [ enter phillocles with a guard. ] phillo : seize on that traytor . [ pollidor steps to the other door , and calls alone . ] poll : tenedor , periander , tecknor , treason ; — what means this madnesse [ they enter , and both parties stand ranged on either side . ] phillocles ? a reasonable man should hear another speak ; if i do not satisfie all your doubts , you shall find that i dare meet your fury ; and shall raise stormes as high , as you can wish to see . phil : pray unfold this mistery , i do attend you . pollidor leads selindra to phillocles who steps back from her . — polli : let this pledge speak for us both , for i can have no other interest , then to give her up into your armes sir , send your guards off , and this riddle shall be as easie , and as pleasant , as it now looks harsh , [ phillocles steps back . ] — phillocles will blush , when he shall know from whom he slyes , and by whose hand offer'd to him . phil : i understand you not , nor do i care ; — hark , what noyse is this ? enter the emperor , with his train , and his guard , swords drawn , crying , arme , arme , as they enter . emp : what 's this ? a warre within his owne walls ; phillocles is this a time for private brawls ? when the hungarians are at your gates ? phill : i am ready to depart sir ; and shall send them back , much faster then they now come on ; i beg your pardon sir , for my neglect . [ enter gillon . ] emp : what newes brings gillon ? gill. antillacus sends you word sir , that you must prepare to receive him with the army , under the town walls , his souldiers have so many pannick fears , he dares not lead them out , to face the enemy , he also wishes that prince phillocles would draw out the court regiments , to hearten his dejected men . emp : i think 't were better to receive them within the walls , untill their shame , do out-face their fears ; tell antillacus , my old armes are on , and that i will my self strike the traytor in the face . phil : hast back good gillon , and tell antillacus ; if he can defend his camp till i arrive , i wish him not to move this way ; my looks will send those ungratefull people home , if not , i have a flame within me , will consume them all . — i beg your pardon sir , for my neglect . emp : repaire it by your speedy succour , i shall take present order for what the town can afford us . exit the emp : phil : ordella , i have a warre within , that will consume me . orde : i hope this great affair will divert your thoughts , and remove your trouble . phil : for some few dayes it may ; — farewell my dear sister ; — and when i return , you shall hear from me sir. [ to pollidor . ] [ phillocles is going out . ] polli : i shall not stay behind you sir , my wounds is not so ill , are to keep me from waiting on you ; when this hurry , and your anger is over , i hope you will be at leasure to hear me out , and be pleas'd rather to finde you can be mistaken , then me guilty . phil : i will by no means suffer it , 't will be no charity , to permit you to hazzard selindra's interest , by new dangers . polli : sir , your scornes , shall have no more power to stay me , then your anger has , i will along . phil : but you shall not ; i do suspect you will betray me to your country-men , and dare not trust you with me . pol : all this will not do , i know you do not doubt me that way ? and i do swear , unlesse you break the bonds of hospitality , ( and do imprison me ) i will along . phil : and i will rather do it , then have your company , if you desist not . poll : phillocles will not so much blemish his great name ! imprison me that sav'd your life ; — me , that am vowed to stand , or fall with you ; — sir , i must chide you now , you do too long hold up a causelesse anger , you know not why ; too long neglect the great affair that calls you hence ; — i will stay no longer for you , but go do the work , before you come . [ pollidor is going off . ] phill : stay pollidor , thou hast confounded all my reason , such a mixture of noblenesse , nee'r met with such a treachery till now ; though i do know thee false , and do resolve with my own hand to kill thee ; i will trust thee this way , and do now intreat thee to stay till to morrow , that my father comes . poll : i obey . phil : oh! my dear sister , once more farewell , i am now fall'n from paradice to hell. ordel : the gods go with you , and your action bless , while i retire , and pray for your successe . [ exeunt all but pollidor and selindra . ] poll : we will be gone selindra , and face phillocles , in the head of our own army ; — what newes periander ? [ enter periander . ] peri : sir , i am come to fetch you to your army , i can convey you thither , before you are mist here . selin : we are ready now , how farre off is the army ? peri : you may hear their drums madam , at the city gates . poll : come , let us hasten to our troops : — when instruments of warre , from warre release , 't is a good omen , to a happy peace . exeunt . enter at one doore the emperor , phillocles , antillacus , armanthus , gillon , and the grecian army . enter at the other door cecropius , orsanes , and other lords with the hungarian army . emp : thou art a bold ill man cecropius , thou art ungratefull to thy country , and my trust . cecro : sir , i have but hid my gratitude under this old armor , which is onely now put on , to obtain what my prayers could not , — i demand justice sir , for cleonels blood , which you have hitherto denied me , in favour to his murtherers . emp : this fained modesty , is more impudent , then thy armes are , thou knowest i was more eager then thy self , to do justice on those that slew thy son , and thou seest clearly , our lawes cannot touch them for his fall . cecro : was not cleonel slain by pollidor ? and was not selindra accessary ? and does not our lawes condemn such murtherers to dye ? emp : no , thou knowest they do not , thou knowest thy son was by a just hand punish'd , and that pollidor deserves prayse and reward . phil : good sir , spend no more breath on this vile man , the slave is not worthy your anger : — foolish hungarians , ingratefull perjur'd people : — orsanes , i did not look for this from you ; — but my sword shall speak my vengeance . [ offers to charge . ] orsan : prince phillocles has not in grcece a more faithful servant then orsanes ; pray sir lay by this passion but a few minutes , and you shall see that i have labour'd hard , to bring your own desires , to their wish'd ends : — and cecropius the main agent in it all ! phil : why do your actions , and your words so disagree ? orsanes knowes our grecian hearts cannot be compell'd , when we have time to draw our swords . orsan : great sir , your actions , have enought declar'd your worth unto the world , and to our nation most ; which we shall ever own , though now by some necessity compell'd , we do appear as enemies , in the behalf of this good man , who has ingag'd us to deliver up a lady call'd selindra , and one pollidor , to his hands , which he by strong arguments assur'd us , would be for your , and for our future happinesse : this done , we are all at phillocles command . phil : those two you mention , are of late become unworthy of my thoughts ; yet your engagement was barbarous , to undertake you know not what : sound the charge . [ a shout within . ] orsan : hold phillocles , i have entertain'd you with discourse thus long , only till i might hear that shout behind us : — hark , hark , sir ! now the time is come , for us to keep our oaths made to cecropius , and to manifest our love to phillocles , — make way there for the king. the hungarian army opens , and through them enter pollinesso crown'd , leading in astella ; orsanes delivers them both unto cecropius . phill : what riddle 's this ? what wonders do i see ? [ takes her hand . ] cecro : take away that shadow of a king , to present death orsanes ; and now selindra you are once more at my dispose : and you sir , that think you can command the world ! shall find this weak old arm , can justifie my title here . orsan : have i now perform'd my oath unto the great cecropius ? cecro : you have . orsan : i must then set this lady free , from the danger of our swords . — [ a shout of joy . ] [ he delivers astella to pollinesso , and kneels . ] orsan : long live the king of hungary . cecro : i am betrayed . phill : pollidor ! and selindra ! why is he crown'd ! emp : they are confederates with cecropius , on which design they have thus long liv'd amongst us . poll : orsanes , lay that monster , at his masters feet ; there to receive a doom worthy his treachery , and ingratitude . [ they deliver up cecropius . ] phill : pollidor , what mean these misteries ? poll : all respects to phillocles . phil : how comes selindra then with thee ? and that crown upon thy head ? i tell thee pollidor , if selindra can neglect me , i can contemn her ; and not envy thee that mis-becoming crown thou wearest , which i will tear from off thy swelling browes , and trample on it , when 't is mine by a second conquest . [ pollidor leads selindra to phillocles , and he retires . ] poll. — will phillocles forsake the list ? fly from such a foe ! send for the princess ordella then , that we may meet on equall termes . phil : you are merry sir , my gentle temper i see , begets contempt from your great courage . poll : no sir , you are mistaken still , i am your servant , and do value phillocles , more then he can contemne me : — orsanes , bring my standard hither : — carry this , and my crown , unto the princess ordella ; lay [ gives him his crown . ] them at her feet , and if she dains to take them up , tell her your king , with his whole people , do wait on her commands . phil : i understand not what these riddles mean ! poll : if phillocles be yet at leasure to hear me speak , i shall soon remove this wonder ? phil : if pollidor prove worthy , i shall not trust my eyes nor ears for ever . poll : but when prince phillocles shall know that pollinesso speaks , he will believe no hand has more right , to deliver up astella into his arms , then i : do you not know me yet sir ? he pulls off his perriwig and patch from his eye . phil : nor yet know my self ! — antillacus , do i wake ? or is this a phantosm that i think i see ? [ phillocles stands amaz'd . ] ant : 't is as strange to me , sir ! emp : while my sons wonder lasts , let me imbrace you sir , and obtaine both yours , and astellas pardon , and chide you both in the same breath ; why did you suffer us to walk so long in this unhappy darknesse ? and runne so many hazzards , which this light would have avoided . poll : there was no other way to obtain this light , while cecropius eclips'd your glory sir. phil. does pollinesso live ? can he forget my crimes ? and forgive my blindnesse ! pol : can phillocles pardon my concealment ? by which he was so blinded ? [ they embrace . ] phill : there is but one happinesse on earth beyond holding pollinesso thus ! poll : to me too , there can be onely one above it ! — and that is ordellas leave to love her : — but sir , have you no room for selindra in your heart ? [ points to selindra . ] phil : i dare not look that way : i dare not have a hope so high , as pardon from her . — i am so full of guilt , that i dare not live longer to think of my unworthinesse . [ offers to draw . ] selind : what have i done sir , that you should be thus cruel to me ! will you not look on me ? [ enter ordella and orsanes . ] phil : i shall blush to death , if you speak thus again ! ast : will phillocles turn from me ever ? phil : yes madam , as asham'd to look on you ; i have a guilt within , that takes my manhood from me ! — shall i dare to think you can forgive my unworthy jealousie ? ast : if you can forgive me that provok'd you to it ? i can meet you thus . phil : and i , fall as low as earth will let me , to receive your pardon . [ they embrace : ] [ he throwes himself at her feet . ] ord. i am so much amaz'd at what i see , that i know not which way to turne me ! emp : this way , ordella , if you will by me , be guided to felicity ? — this is pollinesso's wish too , if i mistake not ! [ the emperor leads ordella to pollinesso . ] polli : 't is my ambition sir , my highest hope on this side heaven . ord : and my honour , that pollinesso has such thoughts for me ; but sir , 't will ask some time for me to raise my wishes to such a value of your worth , that we may meet on equal termes . phil : pollinesso's merit , and his worth is such , that when he sayes he loves ; — 't is argument enough to gaine the greatest queen : — ordella , the gods smile upon us now : — and you , sir , i hope concurre with heaven in our felicities . emp : my prayers and my blessings shall not be wanting : let pollinesso give sentence on cecropius , before we go unto the temple . poll : let him live for ever banish'd from this happy climate , which he has so long polluted with his venimous breath . emp : antillacus see it done . exit with cecropius . ast : madam , can you pardon my disguise ? ord : i cannot well tell what to answer ! to find selindra worthy , is a concerne greater then astella can be to me ; and that you now are astella , does not more raise my wonder , then that you were selindra , does confirme my love , and my respects to you , madam . ast : i have a heart too full of joy to keep this distance any longer ? [ the two ladies embrace . ] phi : we now loose time , that might be better spent , in sacrificing for this blest event ! emp. lead on then to the temple , and proclaime a publick feast , in bright astellas name ; while we do march in a triumphant state , that all the city may participate our joyes , now phillocles captivity is chang'd into a triple victory . finis . love and friendship , a tragy-comedy . written by sr william killigrew , vice-chamberlane to her maiesty . oxford , printed by hen : hall printer to the university , for ric : davis , . the actors names of ormasdes . cleandra , queen of ci●her●a . ormasdes , her general , a prince of greece . old titus , admiral ; young titus , his son. cleobulus , great lords of citherea . nearcus , great lords of citherea . chiron . great lords of citherea . ladies attending the queen . servants to ormasdes . doctors . guards . nearcus his servants . embassador , from valeriana king of treconia . mariana , his sister . cleon , embassador servants . erillos . embassador servants . ladies to mariana . other servants to the embassador . pages . surgeons . love and friendship . the scene in the island of citherea . the first act. [ enter menetius , and nearcus ; a messenger meets them . ] mess : my lords , the queen sends me to let you know that she is safe , and her whole fleet secure . mene : the queens safety , is welcome newes to all , though from the castle top , we saw the fight ; none could so clearly the success discern ; as to rejoyce for her security , till you arriv'd . near : 't was bold , and bravely done , with lesse numbers to assault so great a fleet , so near home ! i wonder how they got intelligence ? so just , to know the queens return from greece . mess : to assault us , was farre from their design ; they fell by chance amongst our ships i th' night , as they were passing by ; found us secure , and unprepar'd for such an accident : so we together sail'd , 'till day appear'd ; then our great admirall , and his brave son , with their two squadrons , did begin the fight : — the queens ship was attaqued on every side , in which , ormasdes by the gods was plac'd , that by his hand , cleandra might be freed , as by a miracle ! her dangers such ! and his achievements so beyond them all ! that my relation , ' would romance appear , to tell you , how he acted every where . men : i hope this accident , will now perswade the queen , that she no more such journies make : great princes to such visits are not bound , where complements do so great danger bring . near : though cleandra's visit , may not admit of a state argument to justifie a danger ; — she had reason to return some high respect , unto the grecian court , where she so long , in so great splendor liv'd , before she had this citherean crown : nor was it now amiss to shew the power , and glory , of so great a fleet , as greece nee'r saw before ! by which , our renew'd league , will be more valu'd , and our nation fear'd . mene : i have no argument for a dispute ; — this visit past , she needs no other make ; but sir , how comes ormasdes here again ? what great affair , occasions his return ? near : how can the grecian empire so long spare , so great a captain ? and so much belov'd . messen : that happy emperor ; who has no warre , did give ormasdes liberty once more , to grant cleandra's sute , for his return , that he may now confirm , what he has wonne , lest his late trophies in the zelnian warre , be tumbled down ! for we may doubt ! those kings who border zelnia , will not long indure such losse ; as will cleandra's crown secure . though her great ancestor that kingdome won , and left it to his most unhappy son ; who all those princes tributaries made . that in affection call'd him to their aide . mene : harke nearcus , harke how the people shout ! as if the queen were now , come near the shore ; pray sir , command the guards advance with speed , unto the port ; nearcus , i do fear , the queen may land , while we are tri●ling here . exit . enter cleandra queen of citherea , ormasdes a prince of greece . her generall with his arme in a scarfe , old titus admiral , young titus , lords , ladies , and traine . admi : the gods have given you a full victory , and all your fleet will be in port , by noon . queen : i have thank'd the gods , titus , and do see yours , and your sons merits , in this great work : but have not words that can expresse my thanks to brave ormasdes , for preserving me ; had you seen my danger , when the bold turks with assured victory , my cabin forc't ! and how by his hand , from that ruine freed ! you would with me admire , if not adore the force which rescued , with so great a power ! my fear , my wonder , and my joy , so mixt , i had no time for any thought betwixt my danger , and my safe deliverance , which did the price of that great work inhance ! the bloody trophies of ormasdes sword ; surpas'd what mars to hector did afford . [ ormasdes faints , and leans on young titus . ] adm : he faints , this remove to land , makes him weak ; — how do you sir ? ormas : my soul , titus , shrunk away , much asham'd , to hear my service by cleandra fam'd , too much for any modest man to own , that my weak arm , should rescue her alone ! queen . i am amaz'd , thus suddainly to find the gods so cruel , who have been so kind ! thus to eclips the joyes they freely gave , shews they repent the mercy , which did save ; ormasdes death , will now so dismall be , i cannot sacrifice for victory . unlesse the fates this mischief do divert ! it will our triumphs , into tears convert . y. tit : his wounds shew not the danger you conceive ; madam , you prophesie so great an ill , the fates themselves , will tremble to fulfill . ormas : i am well madam , only blush to hear , that my slight wounds , should be so much your care ; if great cleandra , do mean acts admire , brave men , will not to high attempts aspire . enter to them , nearcus , cleobulus , and cithareans , they kiss cleandras hand , a noyse of joy within from the people . cleo : madam , the publick joy for your return , does shew how much we did your absence mourn . qu : my peoples joy brings me great happinesse , and your love , my lords , my true value has : but still i must your gratitudes direct unto ormasdes , by whose powerfull hand , cleandra was preserv'd , and now restor'd . ormas : madam , you reward my small endeavors done , with praise above , the merit of a man ! queen . i can afford ormasdes as much worth , and honour , as the antient heroes had , so he will me such gratitude allow , as sutes with my great benefits receiv'd ; — — what fleet nearcus , lies within our port ? near : 't is from treconia madam , here 's arriv'd a brave embassador , from that great king , who here has long expected your return ; his equipage is rich , and with him shines , a lady he calls sister ; hither come , to wonder at the glories of your court , while we do all admire , their princely port ! qu : he shall have present audience , to excuse his long attendance ; give him a respect : beyond the reach , or thought of a neglect ; [ exit nea : ] — do you nearcus , bring him to us now ; — — cleobulus , what newes from zelnia ? cl : the frontiers have been frequently attaqu'd , since you went hence , but no great dammage done . ormas : i beg the honour madam to chastise those haughty rebels , for their insolence . qu : the whole world knowes , ormasdes can command the fortune of a warre ; why then should you ? as if your name were yet obscure ! desire new dangers ? but you covet a renown , beyond the value of the zelnian crown ; else , you 'd secure my people from their fear , by your consent to be my vice-roy there . or : such proffer'd gifts from princes , are not us'd to be neglected , and much lesse refus'd ! but i must not your majesty permit , to load me with an honour so unfit ! as will eclips the merit you allow , when gifts shine brighter , then my actions do . qu : is there no way ormasdes to remove these niceties ? must i for ever own your benefits ? and make you no return ! how little do i seem to your great eye ? who scorn i should your service gratifie . ormas : i have in greece , all my relations left , to serve you madam , and am hither come , with a sixt zeal to wish , and to obey , what ever you command ! and only fear my inclination may my tongue direct , to beg what you 'l deny : though i affect . qu : though i your sute dislike , i will consent , and from your happinesse , raise my content . or : with your permission madam , i would beg leave to retire unto the little lodge , within the forrest , half a league from hence , where after all my travels , i may find ease for my body , and refresh my mind , with the soft solace of a private life , free from affairs , and courts eternal strife . qu : this is farre beyond my fears ormasdes ! 't is no wonder you my favours slight ! when you do our society dislike . but i will not your purpose now oppose , though i your counsels , and your friendship lose ; who in debates can speak , in fight command , and order all , that in disorder stand , — — can nothing alter your desire from this ? ormas : not , unlesse troubles be preferr'd to bliss . queen . ormasdes , it shall be as you desire , and freely , when you please , you may retire . ormas : though i a while absent my self from court , i shall be ready to lay by my books , when you do call me to put armour on , stories tell , that great men the like have done . queen ▪ though i know no example , i believe what e're ormasdes shall make choice to do , may be a president , that will ingage brave men to follow , in the future age. ormas : your majesty in this , has given me more content then all the favours proffer'd me before . exit ormasdes . y. tit : is this his humour ? or some fancy grown from passion for some love , to us unknown ; queen . no , titus , he has ever been observ'd , a great contemner of amores , and does true friendship more esteem , then idle love . y. tit : the more like now to be so much concern'd , when touch'd ; our mortal bodies are so frail , that we may love , and know not what we aile ! vvhy , does your majesty think friendship can vvith as much force as love , transport a man ? queen . not to such frensies , as wild brains create , vvhen fancy cannot change the course of fate — — vvhen love to faces with the face decay , a virtuous friendship will for ever sway . — — i wish you , titus , when he first retires , to try how farre your friendship can prevail , to get the secret from ormasdes soul ; 't is for his good , that he his griefs impart ▪ true friendship will allow a little art , vvhen the design does nothing more import , but bringing of ormasdes back to court. tit : i shall be joy'd , and happy if i can bring back to court ! so excellent a man. [ enter an officer and ormasdes . ] officer . the embassador attends your majesty . queen . admit him. [ the queen sits . ] [ enter embassador , and his train . ] embas : madam , my master , the treconian king , salutes you in these letters , and by me , congratulates your zelnian victorie ; but does lament , that he no share acquir'd , in that great conquest , he so much desir'd : he was ambitious , madam , to command in that near warre , and not as neuter stand . when strangers merits do such triumphs claime , while he to you unknown , sat still with shame . but since ormasdes conduct , and his skill , with such high valour , has fulfill'd your will. he envies not so great a souldiers praise , but would have shar'd in his triumphant bayes . qu : if i had known valeriana's mind , he might my thanks have shar'd , and not repin'd . emb. i have commission also , to propose a league between your kingdomes , and your selves , such , as new conquer'd zelnia will secure , that cithereas peace , may long endure . — — your beauty madam , more then crowns invite , valerianus wishes to unite your hearts ; and then , your scepters may be double fixt , when both do love obey . he begs , that he in person may appear , to plead his love , and treat this great affair . queen : valerianus friendship i approve , but never shall consent to treat of love ; 't would raise my dead lords ashes in his urn , if i should to a second lover turn ? your great kings proffer'd league , i do imbrace , with fit affection , and a chearfull face : — declaring to the world , how i respect , his person , though i must his sute reject . emb : i shall acquaint my master , — and beg leave i may your majesties commands receive , without the ceremonies that belong , to a state audience , in a formal throng . queen . you shall have free accesse , as you desire , and now my lord , i must a sutor be , that your faire sister will in court appear ! who , i am told , is come to visit me . emb : that , madam , should have been my next request , that you , my dearest sister , would permit , to kiss your hand , who does attend without . queen . will you , ormasdes , please to bring her in ? and make my excuse , who did not know she was so neer . exit ormas : if you had brought her to the audience ! she should have been as welcome as you wish . emb : though all the world adore cleandras name ! on the faint notions of a common fame : i now can testify ! and will declare , your virtues , to your beauties equall are . queen . your compliments require not a reply , you over-valew my civilitie . [ enter ormasdes , with mariana . ] qu : you do me , and my country , honour more , then any lady ever did before . mar : i have done my self a favour madam , and 't is your majesty that honours me ; the fame of citherea i confesse , may princes hither bring , but my address , is to cleandras self , that i might see , the virtue fam'd for such divinitie . qu : madam , if you such flatteries throw out , you will your welcome spoil , and make me doubt you rather come to mock , then to admire ! on such another word ? i shall retire . mari : i can be silent madam , while i live , but must speak truth , when you this freedome give . qu : we then will change our argument , and place , lest i do chide , whom i intend to grace . exeunt all but nearcus and cleobulus . cleob : did you observe , with what forc'd modesty the embassador supprest his anger ? when his masters sute , so briskly was denied . near : yes , and how suddain his sad looks changed , when bright cleandra did so soon admit his private visits ; as if himself were struck ! and did no further presse his masters sute . cle. i have other thoughts , that made me believe , the lady he calls sister , is his love. near : such things have been , and mariana may his mistris be ; whose beauty in my eye , does farre surpasse cleandras majesty . and now you put these thoughts into my head , i did observe marianus eyes and his , did a long practiz'd silent language shew , while they by turns did entertain the queen . cleob : but i had second thoughts , led me to think , i did sometimes perceive marianas eyes , on brave ormasd●s fixt ; and seem'd to take such a survey , as purchasers do make . near : i doubt mariana has not an estate , to purchase him , at great cleandras rate . cleo : let us observe them better next , and see if it be art ; or their simplicitie . exeunt . [ enter embassador and mariana . ] emb : i have undone my self , mariana ! for now beyond resistance i do love ; and find cleandr will by her neglects , dash all my hopes , and turn from my respects . mari : there does not a just cause to me appear , for such a doubt ; much lesse to raise dispair : because cleandr runs not at first sight , into the arms , of such a wandring knight . though your state arguments , cannot procure to treat ; she may but a short siege indure , when as your self , a king you do appear ! the castle may be won , by love , or fear . emb : no mariana , i have heard , and seen too much , the brave ormasdes stands between me , and my happiness , his retirement is to cloke their close love , and to prevent pretenders ; or such scandal , as would rise , if openly in court , without disguise ! such unproportion'd love should ere be known , which shewes they dare not their affections own . mar : what need such dissembling ? to hide that love , which all the cithereans do approve ; and publickly do pray , his great renown , might be rewarded with cleandra's crown . to publick fame , i therefore credit give , they not in love , but in true friendship live . emb : such friendship between man , and woman , may 'mongst silly people make a holy-day . no callenders of mine , shall ere admit of a red letter , for a counterfet . mar : the gods defend , brother . emb : why , mariana ? what is your concern ? to blush , because we do their crimes discern ! can you believe , that a platonick flame , has power to canonize cleandras name ? mar : i blush for you , who now so boldly dare , against the person that you love ! declare . emb : your words , and looks , do not at all agree , but shame for your ormasdes infamie . he is the man in marianas eye , whose blushes would his vices justifie . mari : though i his virtues honour , and admire the glorious actions of his life , my heart is not in any danger to be lost . emb : when a heart is so well lost , mariana ! 't will soon be found , i did believe my own , as fast fixt as yours , yet at first sight of the fair queen , 't was from its center forc'd . mari : i , brother , your businesse was to lose it . emb : but the blind deity considers not our purposes , he wounds at randome still ; — — i wish thou wouldst ingeniously confesse , if in thy thoughts ormasdes be not grown the handsomest , and gallantest of men ; whose famous actions , in our western world , may well excuse thy wonder , and thy love ; — i wish thy beauties could his heart ingage , that i might have no rival for the queen . mari : to oblige my dear brother , i will try , what may be done , for your security . emb : thy whole life , never can oblige me more ▪ — ormasdes is a great prince in greece , and i for thee , will make him greater yet , by my additions in treconia ; if you can think him worthy of your love ? — our forces joyn'd , may double conquest gain ; when sever'd , both indeavours may prove vain . mar : while you talk thus , i had as good confesse : what you so much believe , and do allow , i gladly would obtain , if i knew how . emb : that was well said , let us to councel then — suppose ● court the queen in my own shape ▪ mar : i think 't is best that you do first inquire , how farre the subtle queen does stand ingaged unto ormasdes , that you may not kneel to her , if she unto another bow ? emb : it will not be amisse , that i inquire , of some great man in power , who i may bribe : — such as cleandra's trust does most admit , to plead my masters cause , and argue it : — — what if i first ormasdes self do try ? 't will search his love , and his fidelity . mari : i am not fit to judge , nor can advise ; but will with prayers assist your enterprize . emb : i 'le visit him , and if he guilty be , i shall confound his great securitie . mari : i fear you sooner will your self destroy , then by your furious passions him anoy . emb : will you go with me to ormasdes lodge ? lest i disturb his solitary soul , and with my rude breath , harm the man you love . mari : i 'de rather be the subject of your mirth , then great ormasdes should such rage discern , as from your arguments will soon arise . emb : no , i 'le approach him with my gentle looks , as calme , and smooth , as virgins when they smile , such as our tender yielding hearts beguile ; but if ormasdes do a lover prove ! he will my hopes and fears to anger move ; — — soone quench these flames , or make them brighter burne ! do you attend the queen 'till my return . exeunt severally . enter ormasdes , a book in his hand , as talking to young titus . orma : i never liv'd till now , you think me dead — does my dear friend believe , what i have said ? y. titus . sir , if the friendship you allow , be more then an airie name ? you will now permit , that i as freely speak , as i do love . orm : titus friendship would have honored cato , and now my self am prouder of advise . from titus , then for all my victories . tit : thus then cleandra thinks , and so do i , this lonenesse will your sorrowes multiply ▪ passions conceal'd , do nourish discontent , but if reveal'd , much mischief may prevent : 't is my ambition to obtain this trust , if great ormasdes thinks i dare be just ! ormas : by all our ▪ i know no discontent , nor has my quiet brest a passion in 't . — titus . hold ormasdes , hear me out ; who now come to let you know , that i , and many more who love you , do believe that you repine , because cleandra is so much reserv'd ; and dare not own the passion that you have . — if this be your trouble , trust it to me ; and you shall soon perceive , what i can do , in satisfaction to your highest wish : — i do so farre incourage , and assure , what i have mentioned ; is the nations hope ; who pray that great cleandra may comply in all , that will ormasdes satisfie . thus my affection , has my heart exprest , and i expect an answer i may trust . ormas : what you have uttered , titus ; i believe , and scorn to think such friendship can deceive . by the same sacred tye , i you conjure , to credit me , who seriously do vow . i only chose this solitary life , to ease my body , and repose my mind ; i have no passion , nor do grief sustain , nor have a wish beyond cleandras smile , and titus friendship ; which i 'le near beguile . titus . sir , i am bound to credit what you say , and shall no more endeavour by discourse , to alter such well grounded purposes : but must we never hope for your return to court ? where you with the same freedome may enjoy , what private houres you can desire , and not thus put the world so wholly off ; which surely was , with all its glories made , for use of man , and its felicities to be by us injoyed , without a crime . ormas : yes , titus , but we vain men mistake , and from our fickle infancy propose , glittering felicities we never find , for as we grow up to the injoyments , of what riper years bring with them , we see that our desires do daily higher grow , and our fruitions , but foundations lay , t' entertain our busie brains , a new way : so that we seldome contentation have , in what we do possess ; but forward look , and only find some pleasure in the way , towards the end we aime at ; which obtain'd , brings not those real joyes , we did expect ; only affords some rel●sh which invites our idle fancies , to seek new delights ; — how unhappy then , is our best happinesse ? when no fruitions , can our fond hearts bless . still subject to unsatisfied desires , that from quench'd ashes , does beget new fires . thus all our appetites , do make us slaves , and from our cradles , lead us to our graves . y. titus . have the gods only given us active souls ? and no objects , fit for them to fix on ? orma : to think on those gods , will afford our hearts , a full variety , of lasting joyes ; with which our earthly fancies cannot mix , when on coelestial happinesse we fix . titus . i shall e're long this argument revive , and shew , how you are buried alive ! where is that valour , and that virtue gone ? whither that courage fled ? i doated on . though you can passion , and desire sustain , you must not quit the court , as if disdain of all the glories that a court can give , could not perswade you there again to live ▪ — i must now leave you to attend the queen ; — exit titus . ormas : a clearer virtue i have never seen . exeunt omnes severally . enter the queen , embassador , mariana , old titus , and traine . emb : madam , shall i return without a hope ? no gratious answer to my masters sute ! queen : mr lord , i fully have declar'd , that way . embass : never to marry madam ! queen : 't is my opinion now . emb. will you permit my master to appear ? whose person may bring arguments to prove it necessary to allow his love. queen . by no means my lord , i shall not admit his visit , if he come on that affair ! but must against his coming now declare : emb : how can you , madam , thus declare against a person , and a passion you see not ? or prejudge , what you will think hereafter ! his presence , may change this severity . queen . i have consider'd all that can be said , urge it no more . [ the embassador stands concern'd . ] exit queen and train . mar : brother , — sir , — what do you ail ? what strange looks do you put on ? you will be discovered ! emba : i , mariana , 't is now my businesse , to try if this scene changing , may not change cleandra's stubborn heart ; when she shall see this borrow'd habit thrown away , if then she scorn my love , i will break off the league , and in my own right will a warre declare , for her so lately conquer'd zelnian crown , and there will try , if her conceal'd gallant , the great ormasdes , may once more be drawn from sanctuary , to defend her right , from my just rage ; — i will now visit him . mari : this humour is not fit for complement . emb : fear not , mariana , i 'le not wrangle now , my businesse is to bribe that mighty man , and make him plead my cause to the fair queen , — but if i find him rotten at the heart ! i shall unmask him , spite of all his art. mari : that is what i fear . exeunt . the second act. enter the embassador , with ormasdes , who holds a book in his hand , they sit on chairs by a table . ormas : your lordship by this visit , honours me ; emb : my visit brings you businesse of the state , you must not take it for a complement . ormas : what is your businesse then ? emb : i have observed , ormasdes , the queens sence is yours , in her affairs of consequence , she moves by you ; this brings me to consult my masters marriage , for a full result ! for i conceive valerianus name of so great credit ! and so high a fame ! that our two nations , by our princes joyn'd ; though our surrounding neighbors were combind , our territories would be safe , and we should thank the gods for such tranquilitie . but when a lady rules , they may presume , and their rebellious principles assume ; if great ormasdes shall be call'd away , and fair cleandra left alone to sway . ormas : i know sir , that cleandra does esteem the stout treconians friendship , as she ought ; and i know she honours your brave young king , whose martial acts , have gain'd him through the world , a character so noble , and so great ! that she with joy this proffer'd league , does treat ▪ onely dislikes the marriage you propose , on good state arguments , as i suppose , in judgment , and affection to her son , she will not raise a rival to his crown . and for her angry neighbors , she believes the zelnian warre , has so much wisdome taught , they will not suddainly , unurg'd , provoke , a queen , so powerfull , and so fortunate . emb : suppose valcrianus take offence ? and look on this neglect , as an affront ! because he onely did propose this league , to introduce his sute , which he conceives , will both our nations equally advance ; but if laid by with scorn i suppose he then , do joyn with your old enemies ? and claim his fathers title to the zelnian crown ; what may the hazzards , and the issue be ? if a new warre , dispute your victorie ? ormas : i will not prophecy the sad event , that so unjust a warre may justly bring upon so gallant , and so wise a king ! emb : suppose then , that i have his commission ? to lay by the treaty of this new league , untill the marriage be agreed unto ; and if deny'd ! i must proclaim his right to zelnia ; and your late conquest bring , to a new question , with a powerfull king. ormas : if valerianus be so fixt , we must no hazards fear , in warrs that are so just . emb. your great successes have high thoughts begot , above your conquest , which i value not ? but wish such evils as we now foresee , may be avoided by our industry ; for 't will become your wisdome , and your trust , t' advise cleandra to this happy match ; wherein if you prevail , i have full power , now to conferre on you , the first , and best of our treconian principalities . ormas : you do me wrong , and are in this unjust , to think that i will break cleandra's trust , which i do value 'bove your masters crown ! and therefore boldly will advise the queen not to admit it his suit , on arguments which must an evil consequence produce , to her sons right , if she comply , and by it , lessen her own dignity . emb : if my imployment , anger did allow , and my own honour would permit , to strike a book-man ! this rude language , i 'de correct . orm : if the queens honour were not more concern'd ! in a respect to your imployment due ; you soon should find , how little i do value you ! the book-man would not from your master take this insolence ; but for cleandras sake i do forbear ; pray visit me no more . emb : fear it not ; when valerianas knowes how little worth , cleandras honour is ! he will this league , and her alliance scorn ; who puts ormasdes into this disguise , to hide her lover , from her peoples eyes ? ormas : this is beyond sufferance . [ ormasdes grapples with the embassador . [ enter the queen , y. titus , and train , who part them . ] queen . hold , ormasdes , i heard his insolence — — sir , you have leave to go aboard your fleet , where you only can be safe ; begon then , without reply be gone ; for if 't be known ! what you have said ! my people may revenge my wrong , before your master do me right . — exit emb : in anger . — ormasdes you must in this , my will obey , your wonted judgment must your passion sway : while i by a quick warre , with fire and sword , require such justice as he must afford . ormas : madam , the conduct of that warre i beg . queen . if you this passion will lay by till then ! you shall : but no more of this anger now ; i came to take the ayre this afternoon , but will deferre it , 'till another day . — pray be pacifi'd , you shall not stir out ; i do intreat , and do command you stay . titus stay you , 'till this heat be over . exit queen and train . ormas : titus , my friend ; i have a flame within , that will consume my heart , if you help not ! y. titus . do you doubt my assistance , to serve you , in any way you can prescribe a friend ? or : i 'le rather thank thee for 't , then doubt thy love , th' embassador can this night hardly reach coriola ! where we , in a swift boat by break of day , to morrow may arrive ; if some hours hence ! we in the dark , imbark ! y. titus : i guesse your purpose , and i will obey ; yet i would gladly have an argument , to justifie what you intend to do ; lest forreign princes should condemne our state , that lawes of nations rashly violate ; and so cleandras honour , suffer more , then by his insolence , she did before . ormas : how can he justifie those words he spoke ? his rude language , the law of nations broke . for when a publick minister puts off that sacred shadow , which should him protect ; and dares in such vil'd language give affronts , to a much greater monarch then his own ! that minute , his commission did expire ; when he his cloak of majesty laid by ; and like a ruffen , talk'd so lavishly . y. titus . this i confesse , is reason for revenge , but if the world our action not approve ? pray think , what we shall urge for our excuse , in case we can no president produce ? ormas : a president titus ! where will he show , that nations do embassadors allow to be so barbarously base , as he ? when he dares make his act , a president ! i will another shew , and kill him for 't . in the first age , no presidents , were known , and in ours , this shall be my creation : 't is not cleandras work , nor is it thine ; the glory or the shame is onely mine . titus my heart would break , if i permit that man to brag , as he will do at home ; how he has brav'd ormasdes to his face ! and on cleandra thrown so foul disgrace . y. titus . since i your resolution cannot change , pray name the place , and hour , and i 'le not faile . ormas : some three houres hence , wee 'l at the ferry meet , where a swift well-man'd boat , you must provide , my motion may some jealousie beget , of what we do intend ; and must perform ; if our best speed , can but this mad-man reach ? i shall his fury , better manners teach . exeunt . [ enter cleandra , mariana , old titus , cleob : and ladies . ] queen . madam , you are now got so near my heart , that i am sad to think that we must part . mariana . and i too soon do find , that i too late am now involved in my brothers fate . we leave our hearts behind , though we now fly , this place by our impulsive destiny . my soul has not a wish , can send me hence , if i could stay on any just pretence . queen . why may you not stay here mariana ? and let him go , we will a friendship make , such as thy virtue justly may expect , and my affection give , if here you 'l live ? mari : i am unhappy madam , who must be at his dispose , has done you injurie , so great ! that i must suffer while i live . queen . rather then you shall suffer , i 'le forgive . mar : your pardon is , beyond your power , i fear , unlesse you will admit his master here ? queen . his pardon then is farre beyond my reach , if for his king , his own concern be such ! and yours , so much for him ; i must consent to part with both ; yet i could be content , to see him for your sake , i and forget , what he so rashly has against me said , thy tears for him , have satisfaction made . mar : my brother is already on his way , and has ordered boats for me to follow , where i expect to find his rage too high , to hearken to such mercy , as i bring , unlesse cleandra will admit his king ▪ queen . i have not seen such uselesse rage before ; whom but himself can his mad fury harm ? mar : it is a riddle i dare not expound . queen . dare not mariana ? am i so low in your esteem ? you dare not let me know , what you dare do ? this secret i confesse , has onely power to make me love thee lesse . mari : i cannot , i have sworn not yet to say what 't is , to him i 'me doubly tied t' obey : but since your goodnesse , can so soon forgive , so great a crime , i 'le try to bring him back , and if i can prevail , for his consent , i 'le shew the cause of his distemperment . — queen . you have his pardon , and may now persue , your own design , to bring him back with you ; but if he chuse to go , and set you free , your self shall be much welcomer to me . mar : your words incourage me to take no leave , but cherish hopes which may my heart deceive , with present thoughts , rather to smile then mourn , as a good omen to my quick return . queen . you nearcus , shall conduct mariana to coriola , and at your own house , as you passe by ; pray treat her as my friend . near : i shall be carefull in it , madam . exeunt nearcus and mariana . queen : i love her , and am somewhat more concern'd to part with her ; then i can make you see ! adm. she has by her behaviour , gain'd esteem from all the court , and from the nation too . queen . i wonder titus none of you lament , when so great beauty from the court is sent ! admi : your majesty has shew'd enough for all . queen . i do mean love , titus , and did expect her beauty , should have fir'd a hundred hearts ! and by the powerfull charms of her bright eyes , o're-ruled our citherean destinies . adm : my heart , madam , has been so often burnt , there is no substance left , that can take fire ; indeed i wonder how the rest have scap'd ! cleob : nearcus , and my self , had other thoughts of this great beauty , which did secure us ; we do mariana for his mistris take , few sisters travel for a brothers sake ! queen . how cleobulus ! have you any ground for this ? to justifie so vile a thought ▪ cle : onely the freedome , which they daily us'd , with this new way , for men who have no wives , to carry sisters into forraign courts ! queen : though not in use , it does not sure deserve , a censure so severe ! such innocence , in mariana , did to me appear , that i should sooner judge her good , if bad , then blemish such perfections by a thought it cannot be ! so insolent a guilt ! he durst not own ! nor such a scandall raise , on his own name ! and on his country too ! i command you to suppresse this thing , i am asham'd a cithereans heart , should entertain a thought of such a crime ! we bring our own worth in question then , when we asperse the worth of other men . cle : they were but thoughts , as rashly then tane up , as now thrown out ; with no design to wrong the innocent ; i wish her virtue may our thoughts convince , and she be justified . queen . keep firm there my lord , for all those who live near princes eares , should weigh how they let fall a word that may a womans honour blast ; if i were apt to credit your report ? and on your ground lesse jealousie affront such virtue ! what a sin were it in you ? to make me guilty of so great a crime ! cleobulus . i am sorry for my rash opinion , since it offends your majesty so much ! queen . it is the bane of courts , when we permit those near us , to asperse the innocent ; if our strict lawes for petty theft , gives death ? how much a greater punishment is due for robbing a good name ? a sin so vil'd , and so unknown ! no punishment was made by way of prophesie , for crimes to come ! if i did think this malice from your heart , i would for ever banish you my court. cleob : your majesty does raise your anger now , above my guilt ; which had no mischief in 't . queen . i am no farther angry with you now , but take occasion to declare my sence , against all such , as defame innocence . 't is a prince his chief businesse to be just , the gods impose on us no higher trust ! we have no petty faults , to answer for , universal justice , is our great work , and those who shall divert it , to destroy the fame , or fortune of an enemy , deserves to be thrown off with infamy . exit queen and ladies . [ remains the admiral and cleobulus . ] adm : i have not seen the queen in such a heat ! you have offended her some other way ? cleob : not that i know of , in this kind ever ! adm : what devil , made you talk thus to her now ? you knowing that she is so good her self , she makes a doubt , that any of her sex can do amisse ! and 't is great noblenesse ! cleo : there is a kind of pixe divel , dwells in many courts , that haunts our idle heads , and prompts us , when we know not what to say ; to entertain great princes with reports of others , so to please , and passe the time ; this foolish spirit , i think , entred me . adm : you gave cleandra cause , for your reproof , for how can princes judge malice from mirth ? when cunningly thrown out , with specious shewes , of probabilities ; when those aspers'd , are never call'd to answer for themselves , the queen did excellently well , to chide you , whom she loves ; that none may ere presume the like hereafter ! for if princes be born credulous ? malicious persons may defame a nation , if they please , this way . cleob : i know i was to blame , but from this day , i 'le hold my peace , 'till i know what to say . exeunt . enter nearcus , with mariana and servants at his house , in their way to coriola . mari : where are we now my lord ? this house stands well near : it is my poor habitation , madam ; here i must treat you , by the queens command , 't is the mid-way unto coriola . mar : 't is a noble , and a most pleasant seat ; has it no mistris , sir ? are you single ? nearcus . i am only that way , happy madam ; mariana . you have a mistris then ? or do you call it happinesse ? that you as yet , have none ? near : will you please madam , to view the garden ? the rest of the traine stay looking on the pictures , and see them not go out . exit nearcus with mariana . . lady . that piece methinks , does look as if it liv'd . lady . i do preferre that smiling figure first ; whose hand is it , my lord ? lord. i have not skill enough to know the hands , though i love pictures : — pray observe the next , is not this sleeping venus rarely done ? see how that cupid in the tree , stands off ! lady . 't is rare indeed , that satyr , and the rest of the whole piece , is excellently good ! lady . let us look into the next room , my lord. lord. this way they went , and this way must return . [ they go out and returne hastily . ] lord : the doors are lock'd , and we can passe no way . lady . is this by accident ? or on command ? lord. let us attend a while , and we shall see from the next chamber window , where they be . exeunt . [ enter nearcus with mariana in the garden . ] mar : i have no argument for further talk , and now am weary grown , with this long walk ; where is the beauty ? you so much admire ! your praises have in me rais'd some desire , to see this wonder of our sex ! that i , may judge your skill , and with your choice comply . [ nearcus locks the doore , and kneels . ] near : she is here already , oh she is here ! a brighter beauty , never can appear ! mar : why d' ye lock the door , my lord ? why kneel to me ! you make my heart some tremblings feel by this surprise ; and i do doubtfull stand , what of kind treachery , you have in hand ! it looks ! — yet , like a lionness betray'd into the toyles ; i scorn to be afraid . near : i have no argument for either now , but a distracted heart ; that knowes not how t' excuse , what i have done ! — 't is love , has brought me to this precipice , and too late taught , that i from hence , shall head-long tumble down , if you disdain to save ; oh do not frown ! rather take this , and while you may , prevent offers his sword. your own near ruine , and my rash intent ; — — that angry look , and those enraged eyes , pierce like quick lightning , from the stormy skies ; they melt my heart , and make me trembling stand , to beg what love , and nature may command . mariana . love ! do the cithereans by such arts ! such force ! and treachery ! winne ladies hearts ? fie , fie nearcus , this does not agree with love ! nor with cleandras trust to thee ; i shame to find such ills ! and blush to chide : — repent , and i thy infamy will hide ; oh! 't is the basest of all crimes to be justly condemn'd , for infidelity ; and with a treachery , my trust beguile , beyond the story of the crocodile . near : what dares not love attempt ? when it goes high , like mine ? your ships are ready , oh too nigh ! the wind is fair ; and i , no time but this , to woe ; no other means to reach my bliss ! the queens command , and my desires here meet , to throw my life , and fortune , at your feet ; that by this desperate course , you now may see , your love , or scorn , i make my destinie . mar : nearcus , how would you prevaile my dreams ! instruct me not , to answer such extreams ! near : i would have you mistris of me , and mine , before we part , made so , by vowes divine : mar : 't is a short warning , to a work so great ! is this cleandras love ? and this your treat , to strangers ? do you think my lips , my heart does hold so loose ? as at first sight , to part with it to you ? what do you find in me , so slight ? that looks like so much levitie . near : if you 'l afford more time ? i will proceed with caution , and respect ! and shall take heed how i offend ; if you 'l resolve to stay , or to comply , my passion will obey . — if not ! i must this desperate course persue , and trust my ruine or successe to you — who does in desperate attempts ingage , can seldome at first sight , th' event presage : — love led me on , and reason comes too late , now to retreat ; this fortune , is my fate . mar : your language , and your looks , do rather threat , then woe ; which does in me such scorn beget , as to an enemy , that does invade , — that innocence , you have bereft of aid ; and boldly dare impose on a free heart , what should be won by love , not such base art ! near : give me but time to woe ! and i will fear , and tremble in your sight ; with zeal appear , and the same duty , i approach the gods , when my offences , make me fear their rods ! it is not i , ( as your affairs do stand ) but high necessity , makes me command ; that all the remnant of my life , you may triumph ! for my ambition 's to obey . mar : think you by force , that i shall ere think fit , to yield my self to such a counterfeit ? i am not born unto so mean a fate , as to submit unto the man , i hate : nor will i be thus frighted , to comply with so contemptable a destiny . near : i must confesse , i can by no disguise lessen , or hide the guilt , of this surprize ; but by some greater crime , more amply shew , that a distracted passion may soon know , to act such evills , as i fear to think ; but do not set me in dispair thus sink ; speak so , as that i may some hope retain , and you 'l restore me to my self again . mar : stand by vil'd man , and let me passe , who waits ? near : none within call ; that now can help ! the fates themselves have not the power to set you free , nor can you hope for safety ; but from me ! no storm at sea , nor in it ships on fire ; creates more terrors then my wild desire brings me ! here is a tempest in this brest , above all them ; since raging love possest my heart , i am become a walking storm ; reason and virtue , are both wrack'd , no form observ'd , while this confusion bears the sway , none knowes to govern ; but must all obey , if we cannot resist ; then to cry no , is madnesse , when we must to ruine go ! mar : i have no power , but must my brothers will obey ; i must his mind , not yours fullfill ; lest his great pride , and anger may destroy , what you 'd preserve , and frustrate all your joy . near : if my high birth , and quality do prove lesse then your own , i will expect no love ; but hazzard all my hopes , on his consent , let his denial sign my punishment . mar : if your birth equal mine , and he consent to joyn our hands ! i have no argument against your hopes ; but must be mistris still , of my own heart ; not part with my free-will ; yet now nearcus , i do promise you , what truth and honour dictates , i will do . near : unlesse you both do ere you go comply , — you shall soon see , that i know how to dye . mar : pray call my servants down , that i may see your truth , and find my self at liberty . [ he calls at the door . ] near : now madam , that my life 's at your dispose , your self secure , i humbly do propose , you will before the gods , confirm by vow , what you have freely promis'd to me now . mar : by all those powers , i 'le keep my promise made , and never fail to own , what i have said . near : it is enough , a kiss of your fair hand , must satisfie the man , you may command ; nearcus has no soul , cannot be blest , untill his love , with love you do invest . [ enter servants , and all go off together . ] the third act. enter the embassador , as at coriola , with cleon , erillos , and train . embass : this piazzo cleon , is magnificent ; i have not seen any so beautifull ! cle : it shews the princes treasure , and their minds , are alike great , who can so soon erect , so vast a city , which in every part , deserves to be as much admir'd , as this ! embass : we may walk through it , ere my sister comes ! erillos . you may , the river side is your best view . cleon : there is a boat now coming to the shore . erillos . those who land , seem to be of quality ! embass : i see no woman yet with them appear ! they are very brave , and come towards us ! do any of you know , who these may be ? cleon : young titus landed first , but as i think it is ormasdes , who now leads the troop : embass : if so ! i must expect some angry words , from the offended queen . enter ormasdes , and y. titus , with servants , who come up close to the embassador without any respect . embass : what means this kind of rudenesse gentlemen ? ormas : it speaks my businesse , who am hither come , to scourge that pride , you so much glory in . and with this hand , that insolence chastise , which boldly durst indeavour to defame , by base surmises , great cleandras name . — — titus , i beg as you love my honour , he turns to titus . if i do fall ! let none come in to help ! — sir , you shall have fair play , that we may see , to the embass : how insolence , and courage do agree ! titus makes roome . emb : i shall soon satisfie the doubt you make ; to his followers . — stand off ; he dyes that stirs to my relief ; or by a word let fall , does make me known ! they fight , ormasdes hurts and disarms him . [ enter mariana , and servants , who run in and part them . ] mar : ormasdes hold ; it is a king you wound ! it is valerianus you fight with . ormas : my self a prince of greece , of the same blood with our great emperor , will justifie what i have done ; and to the world declare , if any man do wrong me in disguise ! i do his titles , and himselfe despise . exit ormasdes , titus , and train . mar : oh gods ! my prophetick soul , did long since fore-see this evil ! oh let not — king. hold valeriana ; there are no gods ! nor shall one altar in my kingdome stand , to honour those we foolishly call gods ! i will erect new temples unto chance , which giddily , thus governs us below . valer : take heed sir , lest you do provoke those powers ! ( you now despise ! ) to punish your contempt ! king. i will not own those gods , those empty names , who cannot shelter us from publick shames ! valer : the gods be just , and you are much to blame , 't was not ormasdes , who the king ore-came : it was his virtue conquer'd your offence , your guilt gave victory to innosence . king. will you become my judge ? will you condemne my life , and honour ? a fit sacrifice , to your belov'd ormasdes fatall sword ; fool , from this hour , i do thy blood disclaim , and will forget i ever knew thy name ; — erillos , let my goods be sent aboard , i will not stay a minute longer here , then my necessity compells me to . valer : i have prevail'd with the much injur'd queen , to lay her anger by , and to forgive those rash words you spoke , and have her leave to bring you to her sight again , with hopes she may her inclinations change , when known ! your fury did proceed from love alone . king. my love is vanish'd , and my heart too full of my revenge , to think of my return ; till i can pull cleandra from her throne ! i hope ormasdes will take care of you , who plead his cause , and are to love , so true ! men : sir , though your wounds be slight , if you remove ! so soon ? we cannot answer for your life . king. i 'le rather dye at sea , then live on shore , make haste good cleon ; lead me to my boat. cleon : will you leave the princess , in a strange land ? thus unkindly cast her off ; for ever ? because her love did argue for your good ! king. and thee , that dares so boldly her excuse , who does my honour , and her own abuse . [ the princess sounds . ] cleon : look sir , she dyes ! your unkindnesse kills her . king. she cannot do her self and me more right , then to dye now ! but she cannot depart , while great ormasdes , triumphs in her heart ! — — see how his name , her fainting soul revives ! she recovers . lead on , or i shall laugh to see her dye ! that can raise trophies for my infamy . exit king and train . valer : what cruelty is this ? to leave me here ! who love him better , then he loves himself ; — you 'l be all ruin'd , if you stay with me ! cleon : what we have said , has ruin'd us enough , if his unruly rage , can reach so farre ? mene. i think 't were best that you return to court , and do cleandra's proffer'd friendship try , i have all your brothers jewels here , which will defray your charges while you stay . valeriana . 't is a plentifull provision for us ; but where is young nearcus , all this while ? cleon : he has not yet appear'd , since we arriv'd . enter to them ormasdes , young titus , nearcus , and servants , ormasdes stands off . near : madam , can you forgive , what i have done ? and own the author of so great a crime ? who saw not then a princess in disguise , but was captiv'd by mariana's eyes ! valer : my lord , i do forgive , and shall forget , so you repent ! and i will serve you too , with all my power , and interest in the queen . near : if that be all , would i had guilty been , of greater crimes , then my good natur'd sin . y. titus . madam , we hear your brother is unkind , but by cleandra's favours you may find , some means to reconcile you unto him . valer : i am most happy in cleandra's love . y. titus . will you permit ormasdes in your boat ? or shall he seek some other passage home ? mar : i could have wish'd ormasdes lesse concern'd , or that his courage had not been so great ; but cannot quarrel him on this account ; he was oblig'd to right cleandra's wrongs ; and must in justice be applauded for 't . ormas : madam , i thank the gods for my successe , and now with the same breath , can humbly beg , that you 'l forgive , what they so late approv'd ! val : sir , it will not become me , his sister , — now to congratulate your victory , who have just cause , to mourn my brothers fate ; from whence my own misfortunes , have their date : ormas : madam , shall we attend you to your boat ? valer : let titus order all , as he thinks fit ! i am ready now for my remove . exeunt . titus leads off valeriana , the rest follow . [ enter cleobulus and chyron . ] chy : the queen is troubled , and her guards are sent with speed , ormasdes quarrel to prevent : cleob : she must secure th' embassadors return , lest all our neighbour nations do complain , and say , we give occasion for a warre ; which the treconians claim cannot pretend , nor the rejected marriage justifie . chyron : valerianus has an antient claim to zelnia , which may beget a warre ! if the treconians do a quarrel seek ? there wants no title to a prince provok'd . cleob : ormasdes will rejoyce , to see that day ! chy : he is our nations darling , and deserves , cleandras favour ; but methinks he looks as if his heart were higher then his head ! cleo : i have been lately chid for jugling looks , and dare not say , what i believe , i see . [ enter to them cleandra , old titus , and ladies . ] queen . you tell such wonders from coriola . that i want faith for them ! how comes this newes ? adm : madam , a messenger but not arriv'd , saw the combate done , and heard nearcus say , they would attend valerianas back , unto your majesty ; ( whereas the wonder ? ) princes have been in forreign courts disguis'd ! qu : but have you ever such strange humours found ? a prince , where vice and virtue is so mixt ! adm : no , i have not , nor such a president ! as now ormasdes gives us to correct such impudence , as near before was known . queen . if i were not concern'd , i should approve , what he has done , though now i must not own ? adm : for publique thanks on his behalf , i move . — — why should we thus , our honest thoughts disguise ? when virtuous actions virtue justifies . queen . had not ormasdes stir'd ! by armes i might compel his master to have done me right . adm : by warre , thousands of guiltlesse persons might have suffer'd , for one mans over-sight . queen . you have reason titus , and i shall judge ormasdes act , as he deserves from me ; who with my nation , am so much oblig'd , i must approve , whatever he will own ! — let the young princess lodgings be prepar'd , fit for my friend , and sister to a king. [ enter to them , valeriana , y. titus , nearcus , and servants . ] queen . you are welcome madam , and i am glad to have you on these termes ; do not weep to part with , what your virtue could not keep ! val : i am happy , by my unhappinesse , for by your favour madam , i may find some remedy , for my afflicted mind . queen . be sure , what citherea can afford , is yours ; and all cleandra does command , with me rejoyce , to see you safe return'd ; — but where is ormasdes ? i must chide him . near : he is retir'd madam to avoid your sight . y. titus . ormasdes thinks it duty , and respect , not to appear at court , till you direct ! queen . pray fetch him hither now ; i hope you can exit tit : with me forgive so excellent a man ! whose passion never does his reason sway , but followes on , when virtue leads the way . valer : i have no anger to ormasdes , since young titus did my brothers crime relate , i hope this letting blood , will do him good , when this affront at home is understood ! queen . your justice , and your charity is great , and i do see no reason but you may admit ormasdes in my company ; i am inform'd , he has a slight hurt too ! valeriana . my furious brother will be glad indeed ! that brave ormasdes , by his hand does bleed . this accident , if you 'l be pleas'd to call my brother back ? may reconcile us all . queen . i never shall consent to his desires , though i my anger , and revenge remove , in complement to you , whom i do love . [ enter to them ormasdes , and young titus . ] ormas : madam , if doing justice , have displeas'd ! i do repent , and now your pardon beg . queen . since his great insolence , and your revenge , no age can parallel ! both must submit to such a censure as the world thinks fit . ormas : your pardon madam , is not all my sute , i beg your interest to obtain like grace from this sad lady ! my wole soul is vext , to see such innocence , so much perplext . queen . i can now secure you there ormasdes , she does discreetly judge , what you have done , was , what a man of honour could not shun . — is not this truth valeriana ? speak ? valer : stands surpris'd . val : yes madam , i do think , i did say so ! she sighes and weeps . qu : what suddain change is this ? can your soft heart , conceal a thought of ill ? towards the man you have excus'd ? and seem'd to smile upon ! near : she does love ormasdes , and i am lost . valer : weeps . qu : pray leave us , all with-draw ! to the next room : — exeunt . — what have i said ? that can disturb you thus ? impart your griefs , and i will share in them . val : i dare not shew 'um with an open face ! qu : and why , you cannot have a guilt so great , that i cannot forgive ; speak it freely . valer : has not my face , my guilty heart betray'd ? queen . i understand you not ! valer : — i am safe then , and may my sorrow hide . aside . queen . madam , what means this talking to your self ? while i stand by neglected ! is your trust so great ? that you can doubt i will be just ? valer : i doubt my self great queen , and fear not you ; aside : she 's jealous of me , and my thoughts too true ! she loves ormasdes , and most unhappy i , am forc'd to smile on my own tragedy ; i know no way to hide my broken heart , unlesse i do immediately depart ! — — madam , i beg your pardon , and your passe , i must begon , lest i too late alass ! by my distempers here , deserve your blame , and raise my memory , eternall shame . queen . you are not well sure , this distracted talk , requires physitians to consult , i 'le send ; — vale : oh no! there needs no more consult for this , you only can restore me unto bliss ! queen . and can you doubt , that i will not ? valer : i ●ear so ! queen : what i can do , be you assur'd , i will. valer : what i desire , may be more priz'd by you , then is the citherean diadem ! — will you know now ? and if not grant ! forgive ? for i am desperate on the suddain grown . and am resolv'd to make my weaknesse known . queen : speak it aloud , or in my bosome breath . imbraces her . the troubles of thy soul , let not a thought be hid , but freely shew , how much you trust my love , and you shall find me kind , and just . valer : do not you madam , value ormasdes person ? and his service above all mens ? queen . yes , i do . valer : you are just , and worthy ; — and i am — valer : faints . queen . help , help , some help there ! enter ormasdes , titus , nearcus , and ladies , who take up valeriana . nearcus . 't is love , upon my life ! aside . queen . leave us again , the dangers over now ; ormas : i beg your permission to retyre . queen . my best wishes still attend ormasdes . exit ormasdes , with the rest . valer : what can i say , t' excuse what i have done ? queen . speak plainly your full thoughts , and i 'm your friend ; but if you longer dally with my love ! you will my friendship , unto anger move . valer : i know you have discover'd by my words , that your esteem of him , you boldly own , becomes the ground of my distraction ; queen . you love him then ! that look declares it now ! and so do i , or i would nee'r consent , to give him unto you ; if this cure grow within my reach ! ormasdes shall be yours . valer : is not your majesty ingag'd to him ? queen . indeed , i am not so in love with him , but i can second your desires ; and will with all my power endeavour to perswade ormasdes , that he meet with open armes , so great a blessing , by the gods design'd ; though i must part with what i value most , your passion never shall by me be crost . valer : madam , your kindnesse to me flowes so fast , that i am now in danger to be lost , by my abundant joy for this successe you give , of unexpected happinesse . queen . remove these sullen clouds , from thy fair eyes , and be thy self again , for i will shew ormasdes suddainly , how great a bliss , the heav'ns prepare to crown his virtue with . valer : the gods reward you with your highest wish ! that you may never want , what you desire , my spirits fail so fast ! i must retire . exit . her maids lead her off , leaning on them , and shewing much weakness . queen . do so ; what 's this . i have so rashly done ! thrown off ormasdes i depended on ! must i perswade him quit that interest here , vvhich for my sake , he purchased so dear ! — how ill shall i repay his service past ? if i advise , this banishment at last ; what a rash promise , has my pitty made ? by thus proposing my improper ay'd ! though by the secret charms of sympathy , her passion won my reason to comply ; i must on this imployment titus use , my honour will my active part excuse . — but if his arguments should not prevail ? and by my nicety , the businesse fail ? — if she should perish so ? and i repent too late , that ill ! which i may yet prevent ; — i must about it then , and loose no time , lest my nice complements do prove a crime ! — my faith is past , and i will now proceed , though brave ormasdes do condemn the deed. exit with train . enter nearcus , with valeriana in her chamber , her ladies stand off , but go not out . near : madam , my desperate state , and high transport , you may complain of , though not blame me for 't ; your eyes , like bright misguiding fires , betray my wandring soul , and make me loose my way . 't is now too late , to see that i am lost , led by those guides , to this obdurate coast , where neither rocks appear , nor crossing tides ; yet this expected safety , ruine hides ! — but i must claim you by a solemn vow , made in the sight of heav'n ; and am come now , to prove my birth , which you will not deny , is with your own of equall quality ; these are such arguments , for your consent , i cannot think , you dare your vowes repent . vale : it cannot well be thought , and much lesse said , that i repent a promise , never made ; how could such hasty words , strict vowes appear ? which my surprise , then made me speak in fear ! when you to seize me , stretch'd those lions paws , and threatn'd 'gainst all hospitable lawes ! worse then death to me ; what might i not do ? to get from such a monstrous beast as you ! near : did my humility such danger threat ? or my submission , with such horror treat ! were it even so , as you your self have said ! i might my own conditions , then have made . valer : did you not all my servants first exclude ? and me into a lonenesse so delude , as that no rescue could be had ! to free me from your trayterous captivitie . when you with humble looks , strong fetters laid , and words let fall , which made my soul afraid ; and caus'd me use some little art , to gain your trust , that i my freedome might obtain . near : 't is true indeed , and you reproach me well , or else you might another story tell ! for i confesse , i did too much ! to prove the humble passion of a gentle love ; and much too little , now to justifie my high affections , or my fact denie . had i with vigour , my first step persu'd , you might have wish'd my vows , with yours renew'd . valer : you talk , as now , i at your mercy were ; as if you still might threat ; and i must fear ! but i shall make you know your self , and me , if you proceed not with more modesty ! and shall soon let cleandra understand , how well you treated me ! on her command . near : though i do shake , and tremble at your frown , cleandras anger , cannot bow me down . for if my suffering no compassion move , nor your past vowes , make you regard my love ! you shall then see , how little i esteem this life , you will not with a smile redeem ! valer : i am not thus ingratefull as you say , so i may be secur'd another way ; — i did not threat , till you aspers'd my name , by this false promise , you unjustly claim . for though your birth flow from a noble spring , 't is something lesse , then daughter to a king. and more , i must the secret now impart , that brave ormasdes long since , had my heart . near : madam , i have no plea beyond my love , if that , do of too mean a value prove ! think how your honour stands ingag'd by vow , and that my all , depends upon it now ! yet here i do before the gods professe , to quit my title , if my birth be lesse ! val : from nearcus , the gods will me protect , who boldly must a subjects claim , reject . near : which i am not ; but a prince nobly born , as is cleandra ! though you now do scorn the man , who lay'd his greatnesse at your feet , without a thought , of royalty to meet ! your virtue , and your beauty did engage my heart to love ; and did create that rage , you now so much condemn ; and make me shame i did no more , who was so much to blame ! val : you do amaze me ! knows cleandra this ? near : she yet does not , but must do , when i plead ! my title to valerianas bed. for madam , you can onely now be mine , made so by humane lawes , and by divine . val : what ere you are ! i do much scorn to think of being compell'd , and will strong poyson drink , rather then be by such a trick betray'd , or of your scandalous reports , afraid ; your first attempt was base ; and now as vain your hopes are ; you are a prince ! i do disdain to have a thought for him , who poorly can , demand , what 's given to another man. i must this injury at last reveal , and to the queen , for justice now appeal . near : i am content , then let cleandra judge . val : i 'le hear no more . exit with ladies . near : what a strange heat i feel , that alwayes burn , yet do not waste , cannot to ashes turn ! but like a fire-flaming statue stand , to warn the world , not to approach this land ; ye gods ! how cruel is your doom ? that she melts not ; but should an icie mountain be , of power to kindle such tormenting fires , where her own frozen heart , has no desires . exit ▪ the fourth act. enter cleandra , with ormasdes , the lords , and ladies stand off . queen : i shall allow your argument for war , if the treconian do provoke so far ! but how shall i , valeriana free ? from her fierce brothers great barbaritie ; and how estate her in her mothers land ! if her mad brother , should that right withstand ! though she do now desire but what 's her own , if he should dye ; she must ascend that throne . ormas : i have heard so , and that , by my rash act , she suffers , which makes me repent the fact ! queen . her virtues , do her beauty far excell , and in my judgment , have no parallel ; what is your thought ? will not the man be blest ? whom gods with such felicities invest ! ormas : i doubt not madam , her perfections may in hearts of men ; above her scepter sway . queen . she has wonne me , to a concern so high , as if my own , were the same destiny with hers ; my thoughts do labor where to treat a marriage , with some prince , worthy so great a queen ; can you ormasdes find me one to recommend ? will greece afford us none ? ormas : madam , if citherea can produce none fit ! for greece , there will need no excuse ; — queen . i think so too , unlesse ormasdes will himself , thus my prophetick foul fulfill : that does such glories , and such joyes foresee , as may indure unto eternitie . — ormas : me madam ! does your majesty think me a man , worthy of so great felicitie ? alas i am too old , now to begin to love ! you may as soon learn me to spin ; — my sword , and armor , into needles turn , as teach my age , in youthfull flames to burn . queen . 't is you ormasdes , are the man so blest , her love to you , she has to me confest ; and me in honour has ingag'd to try , if i can now perswade you to comply . ormas : madam , i hope you do not thus abuse your servant , cause my nature does refuse , such correspondence with your sex , as might ingage a braver man ; oh do not fight against my weaknesse ! that must now confesse , i never unto lady made addresse ; and onely chose this solitary place , that i might here some quiet thoughts imbrace . — sure madam , you mistake ; how can it be ? that she should covet such antipothy ! — can the good gods to her be so unkind ? to let such excellence , become so blind ? queen . think you her self knowes ? what her self desires ? or that she has no sence , of those quick fires , that do consume her ! can you doubt such love ? which through dispair , did then so mortal prove ! that but to name ormasdes , she did dye , 'till you appear'd , to change that destiny ; — and when you all retir'd , she did confesse , her life depended on her good successe ; your glorious acts , had raised so loud a fame , that she was first in love with your great name ! which brought her hither , with a full intent , to judge , and justifie , that argument . ormas : madam , i must believe what you avow , and do so farre your argument allow , that it has rais'd in me , a greater warre , then i was ever in ; and am so farre from slighting this affair , that i descry , my certain ruine , by this victory . the gods cannot afford lesse punishment , if i refuse to hear ! and if consent ! i 'm lost to all my joyes on earth ; for fa●e has not in store , nor can the gods create an evill , i fear more , then to deny , what you command ; though a sad destiny ; — can nothing lesse then my destruction ? save this excellence ? from an untimely grave ! queen . if i could see this danger you foretell ? ormasdes harmes should make no other well ! though valeriana do my pitty move , ormasdes friendship , is before her love in my esteem ; but if this match unite your hearts ? it will our children then invite , to imitate our friendship , and so ●ye fast knots , for everlasting amitie . ormas : my mind can move my body any way , but my hard heart , will not my will obey ; my utmost power , my soul to mourn shall teach , 'cause my affection , is beyond my reach ! queen . if you oppose not , but your ear will lend , i doubt not , but the gods your heart will bend this way , and your good nature in short time , will make you wish for , what you judge my crime ▪ ormas : although i cannot wish , and must not chuse , i would not madam willingly refuse , what you advise ; but boldly meet my fate ; that no one thought , may a vain fear create , lest you should judge my slacknesse for neglect , because i graspe not , what i cann't affect . queen : can you such pleasure take , in this disguise ? be thus retir'd ? and all that 's good despise , when offer'd ! do you fear ? or scorn to meet this excellence now fallen at your feet ! — is your great heart ormasdes , onely made for dangerous attempts ? shall it be said ? this parragon of all our sex ! now dyes , because ormasdes , does her love despise ! ormas : no madam , i do suffer more , then she does for her self ! hers is my miserie ; i dare not virtue , with vain hopes abuse , i cannot love ; and therefore do refuse to dally with so bright a saint , whose shrine , compels all hearts to bow before 't , but mine ; i am not capable of love ; not blest that way ! my heart 's with other flames possest . queen . all flames you feel , would vanish , did you see valeriana in such misery ; as she endures ! now fetching her last breath , enquiring your health , neglecting her own death . thus my compassion has her sorrowes learn'd , i weep her tears , while you stand unconcern'd ! ormas : madam , your passion does my pitty move , though my dull heart cannot consent to love ; my resolution is now fixt ; i 'le try my self to vanquish , or her martyr dye ! — i swear , i did not hear that she was ill , and now it does my soul with horror fill , for her concern ; no danger is so great , but i will rather dye in 't then , retreat . queen . 't is bravely said , but dare you try the effect , of one short visit ? after such neglect ! ormas : thus provok'd ! if your majesty stands by ! i will not such a visit now deny . queen . you speak , and look , as if you meant to fright , much rather , then revive her by your sight ! ormas : madam , to complement , i have no skill , nor can be pleas'd , if lov'd against my will ! yet sensible , and civil , i can be , though it do prove unfortunate to me . queen . when shall i bring this comfort ? to revive her fainting soul ; if she be still alive . ormas : is she really so weak ; so soon grown thus ill ? i have no skill , in this unknown mystery of love ! but will boldly try , what i can do , for her recovery . queen . high passions do weak bodies sooner bring to the graves mouth , then any other thing ; her despairs , are of a much longer date , though suddain sicknesse do break out thus late ; — when i your humour , did a first reherse , and shew'd , how your whole life had been averse to love ; she sigh'd , and presently grew pale , despair that minute , made her spirits fail ; and so transported by her fancy , fell , as if my doubts , had rung her passing bell . orm : though i cannot speak , nor do yet know how to look ; i 'm ready to attend you now ! queen . i fear so suddain , and so great a joy ! as your approach ; may equally destroy ! let me her heart prepare , that by degrees , she may but hope retain , before she see the comfort , that your visit brings ; and then ormasdes may ere long , prove best of men. ormas : madam , i do my self to you submit , pray order me in all , as you think fit . queen . you shall then stand unseen , while i do tell this welcome story , which will make her well : and then by what you 'l see , you may observe , how my true friendship will from both deserve ! who have no wish beyond ormasdes good , when time shall make me rightly understood . ormas : madam , i have now no more to say , but that i will your majesty obey . queen . you shall not stirre ormasdes till i send . exit queen and traine . [ enter to him nearous . ] ormas : did you not meet cleandra going out ? near : yes , but i have businesse of importance , pray let us withdraw , and be more private . ormas : come this way then : — they go out , and re-entey . ormas : why have you drawn me to this inner room ? is the secret , of so piercing quality ? that fewer walls then these , cannot contain't ! near : it is my lord of a high nature grown , i must impart it to your self alone ; — you and i must kill one another now ; ormas : may not i live ? though you are pleas'd to dye ? near : no sir , since 't is decreed that i must die . i am resolv'd to have you company . — there 's a sword , the same with mine , defend you . ormas : hold a while ▪ — — may not i know the cause of this hatred ? near : i have no hatred , yet endeavour must , that we together may revert to dust . though you by chance have rob'd me of my right — i 'de not out-live ormasdes , if i might ! ormas . from whence does this strange kindnesse to me grow ? say , for i will not fight , untill i know ! near : this then , will teach you to defend your self : runs at him ; he puts his sword by , and holds him . ormas : i shall call my servants , unlesse you now show the cause of this distracted fury ? near : i will : — lets him go . — valeriana's my quarrel ; she throwes neglects on me , and dotes on you . ormas : you are mistaken sure , and much abus'd ! it is not possible ! — she dotes on me ! who never courted lady in my life ! near : by all that 's good , she told me so her self . ormas : this must be some design , beyond my reach ! but if true ? from whence does my guilt arise ? who never heard of your pretence , 'till now ! nor have a serious thought for hers , to me ; if such a folly , do her heart possesse ; am i to answer for her guiltinesse ? near : i do accuse you , of no guilt at all ; but joy to think , if by my hand you fall ; it will create in her such miserie , as will adorn my death with victorie . ormas : if such revenge , and malice you intend , where is the love , that you so much pretend ? near : wee 'l talk of that , as our two souls expire ; she flatter'd me with hopes , that blew my fire , she threw out vowes to marry me , and now in hope of you , disowns that holy vow . ormas : made vowes to marry you ! and yet love me ! pray shew me how , this story does agree ? i swear , i never had a thought of love to lady in my life ; and will now quit the interest you pretend , rather then fight — for such imaginary dreams , as this . near : you must fight . nearcus offers at him : he rings a bell. enter servants . ormas : no , disarm him , — so , now leave us alone , — exeunt . — nearcus , i have lov'd you , and shall still , if you 'l permit ! what does this story mean ? near : by hea — valeriana did ingage to marry me ; if my birth equal'd hers ! but now repents , in hope to marry you . ormas : this story growes stranger , and stranger still , does your birth equal hers ? on which you ground your title , and on which her vow was made . near : it does , ormasdes , and did hers exceed , when i first urg'd that sacred vow she made ; she but a subject , unto me appear'd . ormas : and are you other now ? near : yes , have you not heard that prince orontes , brother to our late king , had a young son call'd leonatus , who by sad mishap , fencing with the prince , hurt him in the eye , of which hurt he dyed ; and the king inrag'd , made vowes to sacrifice the murtherer ; as if the mischief , purposely were done ! in order to his own succession ; — — ( after cleandra ; ) who was then married , to a young prince in greece , and setl'd there . orm : i 'ave often heard the queen , with sighs lament her brothers losse , by that sad accident : and say , she pittied leonatus death , as innocent ! for that unhappy youth , she heard , was drown'd , endeavouring to escape her fathers vengeance , he unjustly vow'd . near : she was mis-inform'd , my lord , he yet lives ; 't was by this fatall hand , her brother fell ; and i accurs'd , that have thus long surviv'd ! to fall a mis-becoming sacrifice , to love ; by a disdainfull ladies eyes ▪ after so long concealment , and so safe ! by old nearcus , put in this disguise , bred as his son ; but now , i life despise ; and call to have that justice on me done , which i have us'd much industry to shun . ormas : you tell me wonders , of a different kind , of which i shall enquire ; and if i find valeriana stands ingag'd to you ? and all this story of your self prove true ! i will my best endeavors soon imploy , this grosse mistake of me , to rectifie . near : if my addresse , do find no good successe ! the businesse of my life , shall be to dye , and whether by your hand , or by command from our great queen ? it is the same to me , the princess must my life , or death decree . ormas . i shall conceal your name , untill i see , i may reveal it with securitie ; and in few hours , if my desires succeed ! you shall from all your doubts , and fears be freed . near : you will oblige me ever , if you do ! exit near : ormas : my hour is come , to wait upon the queen , unto valeriana , where this newes , i hope will bring me off , from the first rock : — — by valeriana to be thus lov'd ! and by cleandra , for another woo'd ! and by nearcus kill'd , i know not why ! to me is a new kind of misterie . exit . enter valeriana , brought in very weak , lying on a couch , with physitians , and servants ; she speaks very faintly . valer : is not the queen return'd to court yet ? lady . no , madam . valer : i wish she were ; my heart dissolves so fast ! that i do find , i shall few minutes last . she faints . doctor . your fancy does your weaknesse much increase , this passion , is the worst of your disease . enter queen , and ormasdes , she sets him to stand unseen . doctor . oh madam ! you are much wish'd for here . queen . let all withdraw , i must be private now , onely do you ormasdes , stand unseen ; — — how is it with my friend ? val : i 'm glad that you are come to close my eyes , my spirits waste so fast , that i must dye ! queen : i hope not yet valeriana . val : a lasse madam , i had not liv'd till now , but for the joy my broken heart conceives , in hopes to hear ormasdes is grown well , before i leave this world. queen . 't was the distemper of an ague fit , and he is now so farre from being sick , that he without , begs leave to visit you . val : me , did you say ? to visit me madam ! will ormasdes visit me ? is it so ? queen . yes , he 's without , and does by me desire you will admit him ; — why are you silent ? now my endeavours prosper to your wish ! val : does wise cleandra think it will be sit ? that i in such a passion leave this world ! as i shall do , if i see ormasdes ! — — i shame to think that he should see me dye , yet cannot chuse , but wish it hartily ! queen . shall i call him in then ? why do you doubt ? val. oh madam , i dare not see him ; must not ! you have said something , to bring him hither ! makes me fear to see him ; it must not be ! queen . pray see him , and let this great crime , be mine ; his presence , may your troubl'd heart revive . val : he cannot madam , for 't is now too late ! i do feel here , the heavy hand of death , is crushing me to ayre . she faints in the queens arms. queen . ormasdes your help ! she dies , she dies ! he drawes , and proffers to kill himself . ormas : by all our gods , i will dye with her then ! queen . she lives again ! ormasdes your help now ; — he flings away his sword and helps . — so , let her head lye a little from us . he kneels , and holds her hand . ormas : for heav'n sake madam , tell what i must say ? or what now must do ? is she not dead still ? queen . does not her hand inform you , that she lives ? is it not warme ? ormas : oh yes ! 't is warm , but i , who never dar'd thus boldly touch a ladies hand till now ; understand not how to use it , as i ought ! he kisses her hand . queen : there needs no other kindnesse , then you shew , — how is it now valeriana ? val : well madam , too well , i fear , to last so : i dare not look that way , because i blush to think how i have scandaliz'd my sex ! and how ormasdes now is justified ! in his contempt of women , for my sake ! i have no power to take away my hand , yet dare not own , to leave it with him longer . ormas : oh why ? what has ormasdes ever done ? justly to merrit this dissertion ? val : pray madam , say something in my behalf ; either to hide , or to excuse my shame . queen . turn this way then , and let your eyes excuse that guilt , which will ormasdes disabuse . they turn her . ormas : she looks desperately ill ! queen . 't is only weaknesse , and no danger in 't ; pray call her servants , and let us retire . ormas : retire ! you have engag'd me now so farre , that i must see the battle wonne , or lost ! before i can consent , to a retreat . queen . 't is late , and she must sleep . ormas : why madam , so she may , though i be by ! i 'le sit as silent as the god of sleep , and here attend , while her tir'd servants rest . queen . you will not watch all night ormasdes ? ormas : oh but i will madam ; watch night , by night , till she recover ! this is my fixt post , appointed by the gods ; not your command , nor any force , has power to take me hence ; while this good sword will hold for my defence . takes up his sword . queen . why so fierce , and violent ormasdes ? i am much joy'd , to see you thus concern'd ! and on this quarrel , am not like to fight with such a man at arms , by candle-light ! ormas : for heav'n sake madam , pardon my rash words , and disrespect unto your majesty ; for i do scarce know what i say , or do ; i am become a stranger to my self , so suddainly transform'd , that i would hide me from your sight , if i durst stir from hence ! queen . i will forgive , so you 'l let me direct your future actions , i 'le your love protect ! ormas : if you 'l command ? — i gladly will obey . queen . you must submit , to what she does appoint . ormas : most willingly . valer : sighs aloud , and weeps . queen . does our discourse , these sighs , and tears produce ? val : you have said nothing that will need excuse . these tears slow from joy , and gratitude , to you great queen , who by this act , include more pious pitty , then past stories tell ; — to make ormasdes counterfeit so well ! — this thought rais'd those unruly sighs you heard , and madam , now it makes my soul afraid , to see so great a courage thus submit , to flatter me , because you think it fit ; — at your command , to put on this disguise , in kindnesse unto one , he does despise . queen . do you then think his kindnesse counterfeit ? can his great soul consent , to such deceit ? valer : i can yet find no argument , for ground , to change so great contempt , as i have found , into so high esteem ! as he does now , by your advice , in charity allow ; that my last minutes , may some pleasure have , he yields , to send me smiling to my grave . queen . you cannot judge so ill , of him you love ; nor can so brave a man , so worthless prove ! val : i do confess , i should be glad to find all real that i see ; and his great mind the same brave character he had , maintain through his whole life ; and not that glory stain ; but if 't be real , this comes now too late , his kindnesse cannot change the course of fate ! queen . think not of death , for if you will endure the tryall ? i will undertake the cure ; i see your sufferings do compassion move , which in most generous hearts , does turne to love. ormas : madam , i know not what , you do call love , nor how in that fantastick sphear to move ! i cannot talk the language lovers use , when they design fair ladies to abuse ; nor can i yet , by this experience guesse , if love , or a distraction , does possesse , my heart ? give me but leave to watch this night , that while you sleep , i may my heart invite , to tell me what it ails ! if it be love ? what all the world allows ! i shall approve : and then , i 'le rather dye , then e're forsake what i avow , or what i undertake . queen . pray madam , give him leave to watch this night some serious thoughts may set his fancy right . he has lyen often on the frozen ground , on lesse occasion , and more danger found . valer : i shall not rest then , though you think it fit , i shall condemn my self , if i submit . queen . 't is somewhat more then custome does allow , i must confess ; but how to help it now , who knows ? you see he is resolv'd to beat us all , if we but mention his retreat . ormas : pray let not this my first sute be deny'd , but give me leave to sit on yonder side , as silent as sleep self ; my body shall be fixt , as is that figure on the wall. queen . let him valeriana , pray consent , 't will prove his honour , or his punishment ! ormas : who can have more care ? who so fit as i , to watch ? who am resolv'd with her to dye . — good rest unto your majesty . he leads off the queen . queen . he 'l turn me out , if i refuse to go ! — but why ormasdes do you tremble so ? ormas : this shaking fit may to a feaver turn , and i , e're day , in loves bright flames may burn . exeunt omnes . the fifth act. valeriana is discover'd a sleep on a couch , with doctors , and ladies all asleep about her , ormasdes rises from the ground , at the couch side . ormas : all eyes are shut , all hearts can rest , but mine , i 've something here , that will not let me sleep : — t is love , i am bewitch'd , or it is love ! that thus disturbs my body , and distracts my mind ; no other passion works like this ! well then , if it be love ! where 's the wonder ? the wisest , bravest , and the greatest men , have been in love as much , or more then i ; — but why then was i , thus long without it ? why did not bright cleandras beauty burn ? why was not this fire kindl'd untill now ? how comes valeriana by this power ? to wound me deeper , then cleandra did ! my kind , loving heart , how comes this to passe ? valeriana sighs and groans aloud . ormas : ha! her spirit by that sigh informs me , that doubl'd groan , struck through my wavering soul , oh thou divinest power ! what ere thou art ! i do submit , valerianas groans , are all sufficient arguments for love ! it seems , my stony heart , was proof against all charms , but deep fetch'd sighs , and dying groans ; by which , 't is now made supple , and so soft , that it is ready to take any form ; that sick valeriana shall direct ; — — great god of love , forgive my past neglects , and now restore this lady to her health , then i with insense will thy altars load , thy temple with those trophies , now adorn , which my whole life prepar'd , for mars and iove . since they allow me to submit to love ! valer : wakes and calls . valer : drusilla . ormas : madam , your servants do all sleep , but i. valer : i would not have wak'd you , ormasdes . ormas : you have not madam , i have not slept yet ; pray let your servant know what 't is you want ! val : i want assurance of a thing i doubt . ormas : can i give you that assurance ? val : yes . ormas : and will you not lay that command on me ? val : do they all sleep ? ormas : they do . val : ormasdes i would know , what i do fear , you are pre-ingag'd never to tell me ; ormas : by your fair self , i swear , i 'm not ingag'd in any kind , but may , and will impart , what ever in my knowledge , you inquire . val : my first doubts does still remain , that the queen upon assurance of my suddain death , has won you , thus to flatter my last hours , like glittering sun-shine upon dying flowers . ormas : madam , by all that 's holy , she has not : what shall i say ? what do ? to gain your faith ? val : you have done it now ; i am satisfied . and do believe all 's truth , ormasdes speaks , but i do fear this truth appears too late . orm : why madam ? have you made vowes against me ? will no repentance ? nor no pennance serve , to wash away my sins against your sex ; will you , that universall quarrel wed ? and bring destruction on your servants head ? val : vowes ormasdes , and those against you made ! oh do not take away the joy you gave , by such a thought ; i never wish'd , nor pray'd , for blessing upon earth , beyond your love , which you in charity , so amply shew , that i do doubt i dream , what i injoy . ormas : madam , you do now misjudge my passion , to call that charity , which may be love for ought i know ; this so late acquaintance , with my new heart , is short , and my transports so great , it must be madnesse , if not love : for , give me leave to swear , that i will know no other joyes then yours , nor thoughts admit , but with design to serve , and honour you . val : i do now wish the gods my life would spare , and make me worthy of ormasdes care . ormas : madam , you speak a language of respect to me , who merrit nothing but neglect ; your favours flow so fast , they over-whelm my heart with joyes , and raise my soul so high , it turns amazement into extacy ! val : i should not talk thus , if i did not see 't ; t is harde for you now to hide , then shew 't : i do not fear your passion will go lesse , but doubt by death to loose , what i possesse . ormas : you cannot dye madam , i have no fear to find so great a curse , from heav'n sent , i onely doubt i sleep ! and fear to wake lest this abundant blisse should vanquish quite , and so involve me in eternal night ; may i presume to beg a favour yet ? which will my fancy ●ix , and so confirm my doubtfull soul 't is real , and no dream . val : you may . ormas : i beg that ring you wear ; but if of price too great for me ? pardon my avarice . val : 't is a trifle , ask something of more worth . ormas : sure nothing can of greater value be if you repent , what you now promis'd me . val : you ask , what is not in my power to give ! my dying mother with this ring , bequeath'd her curse , if ever i did part with it ! but to the man i meant to make my lord. ormas . 't is a charm not to be dissolv'd , by me ; who dare not touch it , on the termes you name ; i was ambitious to wear it madam , but onely as your servant , not your lord. val : it never can be had , on easier termes ; ormasdes you must have this , and me together , alive or dead , you must have both , or neither . ormas : all my limbs do tremble , at what i hear , i dare not understand the words you speak , lest my mistakes , do give you an offence , beyond a pardon , for such impudence . val : you do not mistake me , nor can you erre ! if you 'l avow , this kindnesse that you shew . ormas : by all our gods , i think my flame is love , i know no other name for what i feel , but if you doubt ? propose a way to try , and as it proves , declare my destiny . val : i will consider on some way to try , but must submit unto this drowsinesse , for some minutes time , 't will take me from you ! pray sir , command the musick now to play . [ he steps to the door then . ] [ musick playes a while . ] ormas : she has talk'd her self into a repose , now i will try to get a little rest. that my tir'd fancy , may at last be fixt . valeriana counterfets to sleep , ormasdes lyes on the ground by her couch , and while he sleeps , she puts the ring on his finger ; then the musick ends . val : so — when he calls to mind , what i have said ; he can expect no more , then i now give ; — great goddesse of pure hearts , protect my fame , and this rash act , forgive ; which frights me now ; to such repentance , with such suddain pain , i am resolv'd to take it off again , she offers to take it off , and cannot . — his hand is so fast clos'd , i cannot do 't ; and to wake him in the attempt , is worse ; such boldnesse may a double censure get , i blush to think how rashly i begun , and now repent the folly i have done : — — his hand opens : — and now 't is mine again , she takes off the ring , musick playes ; she sleeps in earnest , while the musick is . oh blest accident ! [ enter the queen , and train . ] queen . wake them not ; has ormasdes walk'd to night ? from that corner , hither , in his sleep ? did any of you hear them talk i th' night ? doctor . not i madam . first lady . nor i. second lady . i heard none stirre madam . ormasdes wakes , and upstarts . ormas : the queen ; is it so late ? queen . you have had a hard lodging my lord. ormas : i have had the happiest night madam ; and am richer far then both the indies ; — ormasdes starts , and looks distractedly for something lost . — ha! i am undone , undone for ever ! queen . what look you for my lord ? what have you lost ? ormas : i had it now , just now , on this finger ! i look for treasure madam , worth the world ; he searches . — 't was no dream , it must be here abouts ! — i beg your pardon madam , for this search , which does concern my life , and honour too . queen . this is the strangest passion , i ere ●aw , has your great losse , no name to know it by ? ormas : yes , i have lost valerianas ring . queen . you did but dream , see , 't is on her finger : ormas : how ! 't is so indeed , do i not dream now ? or do the gods us men with shadowes mock ? when we do seek such great felicities , as they allow us not to have below ! — what a strange height of bliss ? am i fall'n from ? qu : has this one night , such mutual friendship gain'd ? that the prophetick ring , could be obtain'd ! ormas : i know not what to say , nor what to think ! i know not when i sleep , or when i wake ! yet must believe that ring , was mine this night ; and i have lost that treasure ▪ childishly : some kind friend strike me hard , that i may feel i now am waking ; your pardon madam , for my disaster makes me almost mad . valeriana wakes . queen . how have you slept valeriana ? val : very well madam , for one so weak ! ormas : did you not wake about mid-night madam ? val : not that i remember . ormas : was ever man so much abus'd in 's sleep ? val : ormasdes , what means your disorder'd looks ? queen . he finds his waking fancies , are much lesse delightfull , then his sleeping happinesse . orm : i dream't madam , that ring you prize so much , was this night , by you , put on my finger ; when a thousand , thousand joyes fell on me , which now waking , i have no name for . val : my ring ormasdes ! and on your finger ! and by me put on ! 't was a dream indeed ! i hope , you do not waking , think it fit , that i should waking do so bold an act . ormas : madam , it does not become me to say i wish , what you do not allow ; nor dare i tell so great a lye , as to deny , the joy i dream'd of , when i thought i saw , and did believe i felt , it once was mine . val : 't is farre from my serious thoughts ormasdes , after such high passion , as i have shew'd , now to raise any discontent in you , but do not lessen your esteem of me , by the acquisition of such favours , as you your self , in others would condemn ! have we not both , at first sight , done enough , to justifie , what we professe ; i fear too much on my part , did not cleandra own , all that she has done , on my behalf . ormas : i submit , and will wish , and think , and do what the wise queen , and you advise me to . queen . ormasdes has not lost his time i see , nor my design for your recovery , fall'n short ! the gods in their good time will bring you to give , and him to accept the ring . may your new friendship never know decay , but freely both command , and both obey : — i must now leave you for an hour , or two . ormas : leads the queen to the door , and returns . ormas . madam , is this a fit time to enquire nearcus story ? may i now desire you , to unriddle the bold claim , he makes . val : you shall hereafter have it all at large , onely know now , he us'd a violence , in shew , with such unparallel'd deceits ! such insolent demands , so cunning couch'd ! his threats , with humble looks , so plain disguis'd ; that at first sight , i found , i was surpriz'd ; then , to avoid his purpose , i was forc'd , to use such doubtfull words , to bring me off , his madnesse did interpret his own way ; while i was safe , by what i wisely said , to farther my escape , when so afraid ! thus was cleandras trust , and mine abus'd ; a baser treachery , was never us'd . ormas : you have inform'd me fully of his fact . i suddainly will find nearcus out , and hurle such vengeance , on his curs'd head , aside that all the world shall say , 't is well he 's dead . [ they carry off valeriana . ] exeunt omnes . [ enter nearcus . ] near : 't is strange , i hear not of ormasdes yet ! if he oblige me really ! i 'm his , if not ! i shall resume my first resolves , this his delay , begets more jealousies , then my impatient burning heart , can bear . — [ enter ormasdes . ] near : — now sir , how have i prosper'd in your hands ? ormas : as you deserve . near : how is that ? ormas . with much scorn rejected . near : is that my merrit , in your opinion ? ormas : in mine , as in cleandras , and in all ! who have heard the ground of your false claim , which the fair princess , and her servants tell ; — a treachery so base , an act so foul ! that all do think , nearcus has no soul. near : this you dare justifie ? ormas : i had not dar'd to tell it else ! me thinks my looks might shew , my businesse was to find you out , and now to let you know , i must defend the princess , in a cause so just . — before i knew valerianas heart , or was at all acquainted with my own ; i judg'd your cause , against her innocence . but now inform'd the right from all , i find no argument , in justice to compell , such a forc'd promise to nearcus made , should now to leonatus be perform'd . your jugling arts , and your disguised name , with your unworthy force , ore throws your claim . near : you are become a subtle orator , since you convers'd with ladies ; but i shall your great eloquence , with this steel convince ; i am not to be frighted by big words , we now must try the temper of our swords . ormas : we must indeed , though i lament , my hand should harm a man , unto the queen aly'd . near : shall that scruple , and this good sword once more , teach you to call for help ? as heretofore ! ormas : i may change your opinion , with my own . near : come then . they fight , ormasdes runs him through , disarms him . ormas : get surgeons for nearcus presently ; my hurt is slight . exit ormasdes . enter surgeons , or servants , who carry off nearcus . enter the queen , in valerianas chamber , with her , and attended by old titus , old nearcus , lords and ladies , a full train . queen . 't is by your good nature , valeriana , that this mans evil spirit threatens us , had you reveal'd nearcus treachery ! his punishment had suted with his crime . val : madam , i do confesse my lenity may have imbolden'd him to higher ills , which my just complaint , might have prevented ; but then , how hard a censure should i gain ? by ruining so eminent a man ! who from his principles of honour fell , through love to me , though i contemn'd his hopes , his passion made me pitty his distresse , so far , as his first error to forgive , in hope he might in better order live . queen . you argue well , and ought to justifie your gentle disposition , to forgive . mercy , does a young princess , much adorn , but i am bound to vindicate my self , my nation suffers , if i be not just , to punish crimes like this ! i break my trust ; he is the first , that ever da●'d asperse the citherean name , by such a fact , as no past chronicle , can parallel ! i shake to think , how great your danger was ! and how much greater might have been my shame , to trust a man , who values not his fame . val : let not his faults your anger higher raise , the punishment he feels , by ill successe , is a just doom , for his unworthinesse . queen . his sentence must , to after times appear , lest my story be blemish'd with a thought , that i did wink at such a crime as this ! my people will exclaim , the gods will frown , if such a wickednesse unpunisht passe ! he must dye valeriana , his house be burnt , the ashes scatter'd in the ayre , with prayers t' appease our citherian gods , we cannot offer a lesse sacrifice . val : for my sake , let his doom , be banishment . if i have any favour in your eyes ? make not me guilty by that sacrifice . she kneels . queen . rise madam , you shall govern as you please . [ enter to them ormasdes , and young titus . ] queen . ormasdes , are you hurt , by that vil'd man ? ormas : it is too little , to be call'd a wound ! i come now , to beg nearcus pardon ; 't was i that did inforce him to this fight . val : and i , most wrong'd , who freely do forgive . queen . the wrong was done to me valeriana , i put you in his power , my trust , he broke ; my honour , for your safety , was ingag'd ! our nation suffers , by his villany ; the citherean honour calls for justice , against so barbarous a breach of faith ; nor was it you provok'd , but were compell'd by him to fight , for innocence aspers'd ! ormas : madam , though i shall never justifie nearcus actions ; his misfortune may admit excuse ; because humane nature is subject to passions , which the best men can never mannage , as they ought ! how then , may valeriana's beauty guilty be ? that did excite nearcus love ; and led him into this distraction , past his power ! to mannage his own heart ; ( as we think best ; ) if so ! 't is she has turn'd him to a beast ; but when your majesty shall call to mind , the gallant service by this mad-man done ; you will then pitty his distraction . [ enter to them nearcus , brought in a chair . ] queen . what means this boldnesse ? near : madam , i come not to beg your pardon , but to justifie my actions , and my self ; against ormasdes , who does now with-hold valeriana , my betroathed wife , confirm'd by vows , in presence of the gods. queen . now ormasdes ! is he fit for pardon ? ormas : yes madam , as a distracted person ! near : why do you wrong my person , and my cause ? to call my just title , a distraction ; do me justice cleandra , or give me death ! queen . you may have both your wishes in good time : cleobulus , guard him to the castle . val : pray madam , let his doom be banishment , because his crime , went not beyond intent . queen . madam , he must thank you , for his life then ; — cleobulus , see him a close prisoner , untill his wounds , permit his banishment . near : i do your proffer'd mercies , all refuse , and either death , or valeriana chuse . queen . lead him to banishment : make him obey . near : hold a little : — cleandra look , this way , t is leonatus calls ; he who at foyles , the young prince your brother slew ; and fled your fathers rage , ( untill his death ! ) then shelter'd by this borrow'd name , return'd , and in nearcus family secur'd , by this disguise ; liv'd as his only son , who dyed , as i return'd ; — is it death yet ? queen . no , this insolence , shall not change your doom , nor your confest disguise , ( long known to me , ) force a punishment beyond the merrit of that sad mishap ! which i believe was fatall accident ! no purpos'd crime ! though my father look'd on his onely son , by your hand slain , with such revenging rage ! as might his losse become , and him ingage to throw out vowes , that justice should persue , so great a traytor , as he then thought you ; for your succession after me , became his fancies object , which encreas'd your blame . — but i , who have exactly been inform'd , of my dead brothers love , and yours , now must for that sad accident , to you be just , near : i 'le rather quit my innocence , then own — your mercy , when you justice do deny ; give me the fair princesse , or give me death . queen . i cannot with justice , give you either ; how can i , a free princes will compell ? or how ormasdes true pretence deny ? or how afford you death , for that offence , which your unluckie hand , did act by chance . near : would i had dyed , the day of my return , since great cleandra dares not do me right ; but suffers false ormasdes to possesse , what is my due ; i all your mercy scorn , and will the worst of tyranny endure . queen . i have imploy'd you as my brothers friend , thus long , not at his murtherer conniv'd ! and untill now , by force compell'd , my face to frequent smiles , in favour of your worth , while my heart ak'd , to think what you had done ! but you of late , unworthy our great name , have scandaliz'd the citherean fame , boldly to own a crime so great ! as may insence , the world to question your first innosence ! which clearly shewes , you are for mischief built , that dar'd to entertain so base a guilt ! — my mercy may prove sin , unlesse betimes , my justice do prevent your farther crimes . near. must i be held ? and baited thus to death ! be torn , and tortur'd by a womans breath ? queen . see my command obey'd cleobulus . — i shall take order for an equipage , fit for your great , and shall now confine you to an island near , from whence you may return , if you out-live me , and mine ! — remove him hence . ne : hold a while ! — curse on , curse light on you all , for this unjustice , which you mercy call ; tyrants , cruel tyrants , your jugling art , lay by , and strike a dagger through my heart ; — if ormasdes any honour have in store ? he 'l fight another bout upon the shore , as i take ship ; and if i chance to dye ! my soul shall then applaud thy victory , and sing thy praise to the infernal ghosts , that they may chuse thee captain of their hosts , when thou com'st down ! — let not a ladies word destroy , by piercing deeper then thy sword ! — — will you not answer ? cruel , and unjust ! ye gods ! why put you scepters into womens trust ? who crushes me to raise a cowards name ! whom i will in the elizium fields defame , no honor'd ghost of troy , shall there own thee , the grecian , and the roman souls , with me will trample on thy cowards neck , with scorn , — poor shadow of a gallant man , only born to lye in ladies laps , perfum'd , and curl'd ! — i 'le poste thee coward , in the other world. they force him away , on the queens back with her hand . adm : t is strange , that none of us should know him ! y. tit : the general opinion he was drown'd , made us not see through his disguise ; admir : but his strange passion does amaze me most . ormasdes wedding , will his frenzy cure ; when love does see no possibility , desires , and hopes , will vanish by degrees . y. tit : we see dispairs , work often other wayes . queen . he has disturb'd me , but i 'le forget him ; — valeriana come , let us consult , the ceremony of your wedding-day , ormasdes joyes , and yours , will blow away the farther thought , of leonatus crimes . val : our wedding madam ! i see no reason for so great a haste ! now we are secure . or : madam , since you have rais'd my hopes so high ! it were a sinne to doubt my destiny ! yet say , when shall my thoughts so fixt remain ? that i may never think i dream again . val : ormasdes , not too fast , we must proceed with much discretion , to so great a deed ! the eyes of all this nation , do behold our actions , and may think my part too bold , if i again shall do ; what i repent ! it would deserve a double punishment ; my over-hasty love , was once my crime , i must redeem that fault , by taking time to finish , what so violent begun , lest into greater errors , i do run ; — — a year or two's delay , will adde much grace to our young love , which time cannot deface . ormas : why have you led me forth , with gentle gales ? into this dangerous deep ? why fill'd my sails , with such propitious winds ? us would convey me safe to my wish'd port , the nearest way . why do you now abstruct this happy course ? as if you wish'd for storms ! or something worse ! why thus forsake the light ? to sailith● dark , as if you sought out hazzards , for this bark , in which , you are the onely fraight , that i , can fear to loose ; by my mortality . oh! do not then my joyes to time betray , lest you do ruine all , by your delay ! queen . how valeriana ! must this scene of love , fall from its height ? and now no farther move ! does your quick conquest of ormasdes ? make him lesse worthy ? when we such pris'ners take , as might our selves command ! if they will serve ! we cannot give them more , then they deserve ; consider well , lest you , your self destroy , if thus , you do deferre ormasdes joy ! val : madam , you , and the world too well do know , my love to him , can now no higher grow ! i onely thus stand off , lest he despise , a conquest gain'd , without an enterprize . and that by injur'd sex , hereafter may judge of my innocence , by this delay ; honour forbids , that we in haste ingage , rash actions often , ill events presage . though i , ( like a tall ship that spreads her sails , when she is carried on , with prosperous gales ; to her wish'd port ! ) do sigh , to be delay'd , and blame the remora , by which i 'm staid . ormas : honour , and fancy , at great distance stand ; you have no argument for this command , but your own nice , unnecessary thought , by which your virtue , may become a fault ! t is true , that my neglects to woman kind , may urge , that i should now no favour find ; till my whole life be spent , to gain a bliss , to crown my latests hours with joyes , like this ! i do confesse such judgment were my due , from all the women in the world , but you ; — who have no argument , nor a pretence , why you should prove the rod for my offence : val : ormasdes true , i only now would prove , by some short time , the temper of your love ; and shew the world , that mine was not in hast , though its first motion mov'd so fierce and fast ! it makes me blush to think , that this great queen , and her whole nation , have such weaknesse seen ! as all commanding love , forc'd me to show , oh! 't is a bold attempt , when women wooe ! ormas : what ere the vulgar think , great princes may , the dictates of their greater souls obey ; 't is a self-doubting sin , when you alone , dare not avow , what gods , and men do own . queen . these cautious wayes , are onely fit for such as have suspected virtues ; you are much above the reach of censures ; — 't was i , that woo'd him first , mine be the infamy , who boast the active part , with the successe , and would not for the world , it had been lesse ! it does become me , now to see your hands united , as your hearts ! — if my commands be slighted ! and my self not understood ! when i require what 's for your mutuall good , i shall repent the kindnesse , i have shown , and wish , you never had ormasdes known . val : madam , when you command , i must submit ; — but will ormasdes waking think it fit ? now to accept this ring ? and safer keep what he desires , then when h' last did sleep ; i had some pleasure , and no little pain ; to put it on , and steal it off again . but now , since gods and you , do all agree ! receive this bond of my captivity . ormas : i kiss the hand , that freely gives it now , may thunder strike me dead , when i do bow to other earthly power , or wish a blisse , that heaven can give , the gods allowing this ! ormasdes heart , shall into insence turn , and in bright flames , before this altar burn ; so long as my fair saint , does not despise , to look upon so mean a sacrifice — — to you great queen , i know not what to say , how to expresse a gratitude , that may declare the glory of your life to be a perfect pattern , for posteritie . qu. brave lord , your triumphs , and your trophies still increase our wonder ! and our nation fill , with such esteem , as all my people may , with honour , keep your wedding , holy-day . and in our story , after ages show , friendship , and virtue , did together grow . finis . pandora , a comedy . by s ir william killigrew , vice-chamberlaine to her maiesty . oxford , printed by hen : hall printer to the university , for ric : davis , . the names of the actors . the prince of syracusa . theodocia his daughter . pandora , a great lady of the prince his family . lindamira , a lady of quality . lonzartes , right heire to the principality . clearcus , a lord of the prince his kindred . silvander , a young lord of the court. aristonicus , three councellors . clothero , three councellors . ormuseus , three councellors . teretia , ladies attending the princess . philora . ladies attending the princess . three more attending ladies . for pandora . three more attending ladies . and lindamira . men-dancers . vvomen-dancers . sanga , lacquies . and geta. lacquies . an old-vvoman . the prologve . lovers to you i come , without a bribe , from one that boasts himselfe of your own tribe , and therefore hopes , that your good natures may on his behalf , above your iudgments sway : vvhat you 'le see here is naturall , all pretence he disavowes , to vvit , or eloquence : vvith friendship he presents you , and with love , such as are wont in his free breast to move ; such passions as he feels , our author writes , and humours such , as he observes , indites : from conversation bringing to the stage , vvhat he does think , will please the presents age. and if you do not grudge your time here spent , he will accept it for a complement . pandora : or the converts . the scene in syracutia . first act. enter lonzartes and clearchus in long grey cloaks over their rich cloaths , with sanga and geta , two lacques carrying lanthornes , the two lords enter a private house , the two servants stay . san. come geta , our lords have no more use of us , we may go sleep ! geta. 't is a fair time indeed to sleep , when day begins to break ? — this is a lew'd life , that our lords do lead . san : why man ? the night was made for labourers to rest ; and for great lords to revel in , come away . geta. my lord , is not half so ill as thine . sanga . what 's that to thee , or me , come away ; wee 'l go to beggars hall , and be as merry as our lords . geta. no , no , i will no more ●ully my credit , in thy company ; i converse with our tall dary-maid , who affords me honours , thou canst not guesse at sanga ! oh the great felicities ! that do belong to chast imbraces ? as i imagine ! san : i like imbraces well . geta : i mean by wedlock man : san : a cox comb thou art , and a cuckold thou wilt be ; adiew fool. geta. adiew rogue . exeunt severally . a noise within , re-enter clearchus , and lonzartes , in the darke . clearcus . botts on thy slippery heeles ; we are undone ! lon. let us draw , and stand upon guard , i hear some call within ! cle : what was that strange noyse , you made ? lonza : at the bottom of the staires i fell , which gave the alarum to the doggs , and they wak'd all the family ! [ enter old-woman . ] woman . oh my lord ! what have you done ? all the house are up , pray stand close a while , — are you alone ? cle : yes , yes . exit old-woman . lonz : thou art a very villain clearcus , thus to betray a poore wench , that loves thee ; and to force me accept a favour i abhorre to think on . cle : be the blame mine , i have no joy in any thing , unlesse my friend participate ; — if i have any skill in woman ; you will thank me for this favour , and say , you never had the like of angelica . lon : suppose she will not consent ? must i ravish her ? — you say she knowes not of my coming . cle : i swear she does not . lonz : would i were out again , these romances please not me ; — pray how must i proceed ? cle : thus , she is in bed , the room is dark , i 'le entertaine her with discourse , while you undresse ; then i 'le retire , and soon returne with light , to let her see , my friend and i , must be as one man to her . lon : i wonder all women do not hate thee , thou doest abuse all them that trust thee . cle : you are deceiv'd lonzartes , such silly girles , do take it for a complement , to recommend them to a noble friend ! lonz : well , i must now be subject to thy will , and do submit to do , what i detest ! — me thinks this is a kind of rape i undertake ; — thou art too wild for my converse clearcus . clearcus . hold your peace . [ enter old-woman . ] vvoman . hist , hist , my lord ! cle : here , here . vvoman : give me your hand , softly , softly , follow me . exeunt woman , leading them off , holding hands . enter the old prince of syracusa , with silvander , aristonicus , clothero , ormuseus , and traine . prlnce . how does lonzartes bear his suppression aristonicus ? now he is full-man grown . ariston : like a wise man sir , that will not seem to see , what he cannot remedy . pri : i have better thoughts for him , then he has for himselfe ; if clearcus spoyle him not ! ariston : when more years have overcome some evils , incident to youth ▪ i hope he will be worthy your highest favours sir. prin : some of you should advise him to a little more sobriety , then clearcus will allow of ; — i apprehend silvander , that the corinthian will quarrel , for my refusing to treat his marriage with theodosia , whom i design another way : — she has aversion to him . sil : the princes's may be excus'd for her dislike , unto so fierce a man , the corinthian prince , is all fire , and fury , which does fright , not winne affection . prin : if theodosia will be advised by me , i shall provide better for her ; — you know lonzartes right silvander ! if he were reclaim'd , i would wish him to my daughter . sil : i have some thoughts sir , that lonzartes does consort with wild clearcus , and complies in all his vanities , onely to avoid your jealousie , of his higher thoughts of interest in the state ! he is no foole sir. prin : i wish it prove not too much his nature , to be so debauch'd , for he has not higher thoughts of state-interest , then i have for him ; he has been wrong'd silvander , and i will endeavour to do him right , if hee 'l be worthy of it . exeunt omnes . [ enter lonzartes and clearcus in a garden . ] cle : why this grave face to me lonzartes ? lonz : thou art so wild , that i have lost my credit by conversing with thee , which i must redeem , by keeping better company hereafter . cle : wisely resolved , and in good time declared ; — i have indeed observ'd , that you of late converse with ladies , and delight in rich lac'd sattin , and in silver petticoates ; as if you meant to turn apostate ; from the freedome we have had , and now seek your game in secret , my lonzartes . lonz : if i should , pray which is most honourable ? and most suitable to my quality ? the dayly terrour of getting such diseases as inhabit your dark houses , has frighted me into better purposes . cle : your quality ! i wish your prince-ship had all the ladies you desire , so i might have like freedome with their maids . lonz : i shall not spoyle your market , but leave you those cheap cattel , at your own price . cle : see the difference now , between your pride , and my humility ; you have studied , learn'd discourses too , such as must justifie your conversion ( as you call it ) but have never weighed the difference of our crimes ; — such thoughts lonzartes , do move my tender conscience , to take what i can find , for ready money ; which i freely enjoy , without those frights you daily feel . lon : thou dost mistake me , and exclaimest against crimes , i never understood . cle. you can counterfeit i know , and may cozen all the world , but me ! i will not give my freedome up , to such follies as you serve , to be master of all your wishes . lon : i shall not labour to convert you , but will take leave to dispise your mean wayes , while you envy mine . cle : envy ! by violinus eyes , i do dispise you , and your wayes , and will wager any thing you dare , that i enjoy this night a beauty more exact , then any cloath of gold-dame you treat with , i envy you ! no , i pitty you lonzartes , that after such experience , at your years , you should be fool'd so ; confesse now seriously , if you have ever met a better shape , a softer , or a whiter skin , or any more sweet , or more bewitching faire , and lovely , then my angelina . lonz : if i have not ! what then ? cle : why ? she shall be fine , and rich arraid , when i so please ! i can call her sultaness too ! and by my fancy , raise her above those , the world allowes of . lon : i do believe thee , and thy fancy , alike extravagant . cle : but why so serious on the suddain ? and so dull ? you shall have good chear , and good company to night , at the old place . lonz : i shall get an ill conscience by it ! cle : that sauce , agrees not with the dainties we must feed on , pray lay by your conscience , untill morning . lonz : i wish i were well rid of thee , all thy rhetorich shall never ingage me , to meet such company again . cle : why pray , how can you spend your time better ? lonz : i do begin to hate my self , and will love thee no longer . cle : very good ; — are not you the most debauch'd man in syracusa ? ( except my self ! ) how come you by this impudence ? to blush for going to a merry meeting ? is not your own lodging , beyond a scandal ? are not all the wenches in that street , your pentioners ? — not love me ; i will study to scorne you , and your love for ever ; i dispise a man , that does forsake his principles . lonz : i begin to hate thy over-much lewdnesse , and to see my own deformities . cle : not love me ! lon : come , i do love thee , too well i love thee , shall we go home , and put off this meeting ? cle : lonzartes , though i do love your friendship , i do hate this humour in you , that thus would lay a blemish on me . enter to them lindamira and teretia , not at first seen by them . ter : see lindamira , the two wild princes are in our way , how shall we get by ' um ? linz : put on a confidence beyond theirs , and 't will amaze them ! ter : can that be ? lin : i 'le be your forlorne hope , do but second me , and i 'le secure your pass this time ; — you 'l see them start , shoot aside , as from a basaliske ! the honest woman ! ter : barbarous ! — i have heard indeed , they shun all virtuous women ! lin : they alwaies look over us , as if they saw us not ; but where they have an interest , or hope to gain it , they can like subtil serpents , humbly creep , to flatter , and betray . [ he now sees the ladies . ] cle : a prize , a prize lonzartes , each of us one ; let us reconcile for this booty , and dispute at leasure ; — yon close walk invites ; which will you assault ? lin : neither , they are both virtuous ? cle : who knowes that ? have they done sucking ? lin : dost thou think there be none virtuous , beyond their infancy ! cle : yes , much too many , but i hope better of these ; give me the woman , and keep her virtue to your selfe : — i 'le charge 'um both , there may be a criticall minute for me ; — fair ladies . [ to them . ] lin : hold my lord , you are out at first , one of us is very brown i assure you . cle : you do not think your self so , or if you do , you think brown the best madam . lin : i do indeed , think my beauty such , as may prejudice your lordship , if you dwell on it ; which gave me boldnesse , to interrupt your set speech ; lest you engage past retreating ; — our businesse is to find the princess . cle : and ours , to entertain those , who have nothing else to do . lin : how would you entertain us my lord ? cle : as young gallants , use to treat fair ladies ; with love , and our best service . lin : i have no imployment for so great a servant as your lordship , and for love , i understand it not . cle : that you may do , is my ambition . lin : nay , if you be come to ambition already ! i guesse your love will grow to such a monster , in a moment , that i dread the thought on 't . cle : you cut me off so short , you cannot apprehend , what i would say . lin : therefore i do it , because i do not care to hear . cle : what have i done madam , to merrit this neglect from you ? lin : in the behalf of all our sex , i am the chosen champion , against all men , who do believe all women do admire ' um . cle : when shall i have leave to speak ? that i may informe you better . lin : when i have done . cle : when will that be ? lin : when i am gone . cle : how can you be inform'd in absence ? lin : as much as i desire to know , i know already , — my good wishes shall attend your lordship ; — come teretia ; we may find the princess in the other walks . exeunt . lon : now sir , how do you like this ladies mettle ? cle : why , well , i like her , and her humour very well . lon : you thought her a sure prize . cle : i did but hope so at the first , now i am sure of her , she is my own , if ever we do meet alone ; — by this severity , she has cozen'd teretia , and you , and confirm'd me . lon : i must laugh , to think how thou art mistaken , in this innocent freedome virtuous women use , and would give a good summe , to see thee but converse a moneth or two , with persons of honour , which i believe would reclaime thee , and fix those virtues , now lost in a chaos of wild actions . cle : i marry , if you could shew me a woman , that would not be wonne ; i would fancy some delight , to passe away an hour to two , at idle times ; but all that i do meet with are mine , before i wish it , so that i am alwaies forc'd to stand upon my guard amongst ' um . lon : that 's no wonder , amongst those women you converse with ; — shall i chuse you a mistris ? and if you get her ! let the reproach be mine . cle : shall she be worth my pains ? if so ! i will think on 't , when i have time to throw away ; — come will you go with me yet ? lon : i 'le stay here a while . cle : i 'le go before then , and make ready for you . exit . lon : what pitty 't is , such parts should be so drown'd ! — though i resolve to quit , i 'me guilty still , if longer i do countenance his ill . enter to him , as in the garden , the princess theodocia , pandora , lindamira , teretia , and ladies , and silvander . theod : lonzartes , i have been laughing at lindamiras relation of clearcus humour ; she sayes , she has abus'd him his own way , in the behalf of honest women , whom he declares against . lon : the encounter indeed was pleasant , but the successe is beyond her guesse ! for she thinks , that her neglects , have dash'd his hopes , by which he is grown confident , that her seeming scornes , were onely to dazle our eyes , while he doubts not to gain an interest . lin : i wish him joy my lord , of his quick victory , the next encounter , will decide this difference of opinions . pan : but how dare you lindamira , enter the lists of wit , with young clearcus , who has the sharpest tongue in syracusa . lin : there is no contest so easie , his whole discourse to women , is ever of love , or something like it ! and does believe that all our souls , delight in nothing else , which makes me interrupt him still as he begins , and never hear him out . sil : is that civil , to a person , of his quality ? the : is he not angry , when you slight him so ? lin : no madam , i am his mirth , and he is mine . lonz : if pandora would permit ! i do fancy his conversion might be wrought by her , and his eclips'd virtues , made to shine brighter then his vices do . sil : 't will be a noble undertaking madam . lin : i wish he were within my cure . pan : wee 'l joyne our forces lindamira , for i shall easily consent unto so good a work , as may reclaim so great a person as clearcus ; a man so near allied unto the duke ! but how must this charitable work be done ? lonz : if you madam , will admit his visits ? for a moneth or two , the cure of course will follow ; for he who never yet convers'd with civill woman , will surely be concern'd , when he shall see the harmlesse mirth , that virtue does allow , to persons of your quality ! pan : so , i be obliged no further then to civil visits , his birth does require that for him , which i deny to no man. lin : leave the rest to me . the : how happy are you cousin , that may dispose of your self as you please ! i must speak , and look , and move , as my father , and the state directs me . pan : great princes indeed , are bound to some strict rules , most subjects understand not ? lin : your highnesse complains without a cause , we hear the duke will leave you to your own choise , only he will recommend . the : when parents recommend , 't is so like command , it frights me to think whom it may be . pan : now you are safe from the corinthian , have no fear untill you see occasion for it . the : i wish my dear cousin , you would marry too , i should then like it better : i now dread to put on that yoak , by all the world so much desired ? pan : will my being in the pound , get your highnesse out of it ? why would you have me runne the hazzard , to loose that happinesse i now am sure of ? by a single life ; — if men did ever appear in their own likenesse ! we might chuse some one , amongst many , worth the having , but in our sights , they are allwayes disguis'd in such shapes , and humours , as they believe we like best , and so cozen us , and themselves too ; for if they make us unhappy ; it seldome failes , but we make them so . lin : no oracle ever spoke truer ; i am of your sect madam , ( as to matters of faith ! ) yet i would gladly have a husband , though it be dangerous to put my heart into anothers keeping , ( and as my learn'd author sayes , ) to give my freedome up , unto i know not whom ! ( nor ever can do , till i have him ) — this were a sad condition madam , if we had not the same arts to cosen them , that think to cosen us . the : would i could get a merry heart , like yours lindamira . lin : i 'le present your highnesse with a piece of mine , i have enough for both . enter messenger . mess : madam , the prince calls for you . the : i attend him , pray cousin go with me to my father . exeunt ladies : lon : a few such excellent women , would make this world a paradice ! — how have i walk'd in the dark , 'till now ? how strongly been misled , by my affection to clearcus ? that have approv'd , and acted in all his ills , begun upon designe , and led on , till custome has allmost chang'd my nature , but will no more now . [ enter clearcus to him . ] cle : how now lonzartes ? walking alone ? take heed the devil find thee not at leasure . lon : a greater then thy self , can hardly find me . cle : very gravely replyed , if i mistake not , you are whimpering after some great lady , and now practizing to play the fool wisely , to spend your time , adoring you know not who , nor why ! lon : thou art still i th' wrong . cle : let us meet then , at the old place to night . lon : that 's a freedome , i shall never take more , you have converted me , beyond all the homilies i ever read , you have made me ashamed of my self for being so long like you . cle : oh hypocrite ! what new piece have you got ? that i must not be trusted with ; come tell me , and i 'le cry up your austere purpose , and rail at your conversion , as if i did believe it ! lon : when you see me next in ill company , lam then that hypocrite you mention . cle : out upon these tender consciences , they spoyl more mirth , then they are worth ; let old folks hear homilies , while we enjoy the time we have , and not whine away our youth , on dreams of virtue , which signifie we know not what ! lon : peace clearcus , thou are not half so ill as thou appearest , but dost glory in talking worse , then thou canst be . cle. what should we talk of more , then what we most delight in ? lon : of nothing lesse , because we often do delight , in what we ought not own ; — is 't not enough to offend the gods through frailty , which perverse nature does invite us to ; but we must provoke heaven , beyond sence , and appetite , by our discourse , as if we studied to defie those powers , we ought to tremble at . cle : i hate hypocrisie . lon : and i abhorre to aggravate my crimes , by such unnecessary boastings , as thy wild brain delights in ; when i offend , i am sorry for it , dost thou all honesty despise , all virtue slight ? cle : how lonzartes , will you confine honesty , and virtue , to the fruition of one woman only ? fie , what a scandal is this to mankind ? as if there were no honesty , nor virtue but in such chast breasts as yours ? what an affront to this good company , pray speak gentlemen , is any here of his opinion ? can you lonzartes shew me one young man , that looks as he were guilty ? or any so old , who would be thought so weak ? — is this a fit design , to set up your title to the dukedome ? lon : i see this is not the hour for your conversion . cle : nor shall ever live to see that hour , i hope . lon : nor you i fear , ever live to tast , and relish the true felicity obtain'd , by such a conquest on thy self ; but i will pray for thee , and thy conversion . cle : i had rather your lordship were at ierusalem , then see that day of my conversion ; what have i done lonzartes ? to deserve such ill from you , do not provoke me to a revenge . lon : revenge , for what ? cle : can you aske for what ? suppose the gods should hear your prayers , and turn my heart , how miserable a man were i , how should i spend my time , for forty years to come ; is it not enough to forsake your cause , but you must seduce me too ? lonzartes , if you pray for me , i shall curse you heartily ; i dare stay no longer with him . exit clearcus . lon : if this brave man this humour could expell , his virtues would his vices far excell . i have put on this cloak of wantonness onely to avoid being thought a serious man , left the duke grow jealous of my pretentions to his crown ; — while the duke is civil , and i am safe ; — he shall be so too ? — but if i finde designes against me ; i have friends , and force enough , to gain my right by this ; — oh but theodocia does unman me quite ; — when i look on her , all these high thoughts do vanish , and i become the humblest creature in the court : i have no title , that i ere shall owne , unlesse she daine to raise me to the throne . the second act. enter lonzartes alone , clearcus hoarkning at the doore . lon : oh cloris , cloris ! what strange unwonted pains i feel ? what fears ? what new disease congeales my blood ? — if it be love , 't will not offend the gods , because my soule does now rejoyce to find , beauty and virtue so divine , that both may be well worshipp'd at one shrine . [ clearcus chaps him hard on the shoulder . ] cle : are you talking in your sleep lonzartes ? or is it some divine meditation , thus transports you ? lon : you are too rude clearcus . cle : i cry you mercy sir , you can be angry then i see ; i thought your conversion , had set you above such passions , as we wicked men are subject to . lon : i do confesse thou didst make me start , and speak hastily , but i am not angry , nor can be with thee : [ imbraces him . ] cle : i 'le try your temper presently , — oh! beauty , and virtue so divine ! both may be worshipped in one shrine ; ha , ha , ha . lon : what of this , you heard me repeat an old song . cle : an old song , to a new tune lonzartes : dost thou pray for my conversion this way ? must i get a cloris to sigh after ? — as thou dost ; — i have heard all , and have observ'd thee too , i and do guesse who cloris is , — come , tell me quickly , that way to oblige me to silence ; for if by my own skill , i do discover her , i 'le lay thee open to the world , tell me who cloris is , left i tell thee ; adiew . exit . lonzar . how can he discover that i love ? when i know it not yet my self ! — yet i may admire her , and by my adoration of her virtues — — be by them , from all meaner passions freed , when this new virtue , shall my vice exceed . exit . enter geta. geta. what the devil ailes my lord ? his wonted mirth is changed into hey hoes , and twenty times a day , he sends me on sleeveless errands , that he may be alone ; i think lord clearcus will prove the wisest man at last ; — i have been five times this morning to enquire , if the princess be in health ! if she be stirring , or if near ready ! if she go to the temple ! — and after dinner i must enquire , if she have dyned ! if she comes forth in publick ! if she ride abroad ; and thus twenty times a day , he tires me , with these silly errands , when i might ask them all at once , and save much labour ; i 'le try if i can find some way to contract these embassies ; — 't is well for my lord , that his man is wiser then himselfe . exit . [ enter silvander with lindamira and her maid . ] silvand : do not my looks lindamira enough expresse , what i would say ? linda : yes , to me , who do discern your passion thus suppressed , more cleare , then by those loud noyses , which some lovers most delight in . sil : but how shall i be assured , this is not rallery ? lin : cannot you judge by my looks , as well as i by yours ? what kind of security do you require ? i have no citizens that will be bound for my good behaviour ! sil : a serious word or two , with a kind look confirm'd , will secure me against the world. lin : will this look serve ? and i am yours , suffice for words ? with this hand given from my heart ! ingage beyond your wish . sil : it does , may i be — lin : nay , no strong lines i beseech you , make me not jealous by professing more , then i expect . sil : i am confirmed , past ever doubting more . [ he kisses her hand . ] lin : i shall try your temper , if my merry humour hold ! sil : 't is that free innocence , takes me ! lin : and that i can afford enough of , at an easie rate . [ enter clearcus to them , silvander goes off . ] lin : your lordship was going another way , pray let not me divert you , my lodging is farre off . cle : madam , i have long sought an opportunity to kiss your hands there . lin : you may do it here , and save the labour of going so farre for nothing . cle : do you call that honour nothing , which i do prize above the world ? and would give all my interest on earth , to purchase one kiss of your fair hands , by a free consent . lin : the world is little beholding to your lordship , for so low a value , that will give all your interest on earth , for a kiss of my hand , and this , i must in civility , look , as if i did believe . cle : i 'le swear it madam . lin : that 's as easy done , as said , but i am hard of faith. cle : how shall i obtain more credit ? lin : i 'le shew you a short way ; bring me a conveyance of half your land , and you shall have two kisses of my hand , three if you please ; and as you like your market , you may have more , for the other half of your estate ! and this is much cheaper , then to give all the world at once for such an honour ! cle : why do you mock me ? who truly love , and honour you , above all women ! by those fair eyes i do . lin : how can i believe it ? when i know you talk thus , to every woman that you meet . cle : may my hopes neer prosper , if you are not the onely object of my heart . he offers to kiss her hand . lin : no touching good my lord , my affaires calls me away , i must be gone . cle : and i must wait on you home madam . lin : i le rather stay here this twelve-month , then give your lordship that trouble . cle : am i such a monster , in the opinion of all women , as you make me ? lin : i must take care you make not me one ; — oh happy deliverance ! enter to them , theodocia , and pandora , and silvander . cle : this is such a piece of nicety , as i neer met before ; — these are no company for me . exit . the : stay clearcus , i would speak with you ; — my cousin pandora tells me , you court lindamira , which her self does not much deny . cle : i am practising i must confesse , how to talk to ladies , and have learnt some speeches to that purpose , whereof lindamira has had her share . theod : you have mocked her then ! and intend her only for your mirth ! [ he makes a legg . ] lin : methinks his silence , and that legg , shewes more love to me , then i know what to do with . [ aside . ] sil : excellent girle ! how she playes with his wanton humour ! [ enter to them lonzartes . ] cle : nay , if lonzartes fall on me too ? i shall be over-whelmed with wisdome . lon : now there is some hope of him , his look is civillized already . pan : are you not pleased clearcus ? to see the whole court concerned for you ? to see your self so valued , methinks it should stirre up the noble blood of your great ancestors , to set you on to such actions , as may out-shine their stories , and not loose one day more , in your wild wayes . cle : madam , your language , and your looks , agree with your great soul ; i can be proud to be so taught , when the princess theodocia , and you direct , 't were great stupidity to shew neglect ; but in my opinion madam , one of a family is enough to be a saint ; — 't would take from great lonzartes credit , and render his conversion no rarity ▪ if i should become virtuous too , in the same year . the : pandora , and i , are much obliged to you , for your good opinion of us , i wish all our sex were so too . cle. my opinion , and my practise , differ very much madam ; i do honour virtue in your sex , as much as any man ; but my tallent lies the other way , lonzartes does enough illustrate the platonick name , and eminently maintaine , that high s●raffick flame , which is above my reach . lon : tell me now clearcus , is there not more rellish in this conversation ? then with your getinas , and your angelinas ! — that blush shewes well , there is some hopes of grace in that blush . cle : hold your pratling , my conversion does not belong to you . lon : i hope i may direct you to a lady , that will work that wonder . cle : hold your peace then , till we be alone . the : wee 'l be gone pandora , and not hinder so good a work ; — you shall neither of you go with us , ●but if you please clearcus , lindamira may walk with you a little longer . cle : no madam , i have enough of her already , she out-wits me ; we shall neer agree . lin : i have got credit enough for a young souldier , by my honourable retreat , from so hot a charge . exeunt silvander and ladies . lon : let us now persue our argument , for thy conversion . cle : it comes on a pace ; — what a fine gentleman are you grown , since the spirit of chastity has possest you ? and you hope th●t i will live chast , that i may have the honour , and felicity to be in love ! — to be a fool ! to intangle my self in netts that i shall neer get out of ! i 'le none of it . lon : let my old friendship so farre prevaile , that on my request you will sometimes converse with ●andora , if thy visits do ingage her to undertake thy cure ! and she do work that miracle ! she must value what her self has made worthy of her self ; for so wilt thou be , if thy wandring fancy , were once fixt ? cle : so then all this bussle , is to make me in love ; though you know , i have been a thousand times in love already . lon : i clearcus , i know thy thousands , but i would have thee once in love . cle : i never will be mad , as you are ; yet to give you , and the world satisfaction in this point ; i will condemne my selfe to one moneths pennance , and make experiment to look , and talk as idlely with pandora , as you do with your divinest cloris ! — if i were sure pandora were not to be won ; i could fancy a pretty kind of pastime , by raising my desires to hopes of what i cannot have ! but i could never meet a woman yet , that was impregnable ; and my nature is not capable of being converted , by any that i can conquer ; — pray sup at my chamber this night . lon : i will not fayle , if you will go with me unto pandora ? — and visit her , while this good motion 's warm , 'gainst all your fears , i 'le fit you with a charm . cle : i go . exeunt . enter pandora with lindamira and ladies in her chamber , and silvander . pand : lindamira , you must be my second , they will be two to one else . lin : gladly madam , i cannot wish a gentler enemy , then him that thinks he has me at his mercy . pan : but if you be over-sharp upon him , you may hinder the great work , we undertake ! and make him hate all honest women for our sakes . lin : i shall use him with more art , and lead him on with hopes , that all our sex do scramble for him ; — if i can fit his fancy , and his wit , i 'le ingage him in a concerne for you , and then mannage my young gallant to my will , till i confute his common places , so often urged to the prejudice of ladies , i cannot fancy better sport , then to see 〈◊〉 mad in love with you madam . pan : the gods forbid , i would not cure him at that rate , for my own sake , and his ; left that prove a greater evil , then he now has ; i shall be very careful , to give him no incouragement , for thoughts of that nature , my undertaking is not beyond a common civility , as to all others of his rank . lin : that will do it , if i mistake not ; — and catch you both i hope , — here he comes ? enter lonzartes , and clearcus . lon : madam , i have brought my friend , to kiss your hand . cle : thus farre madam , in order to my ingagement , i have given you the trouble of the first visit , i ever made against my will. pan : your lordship , does me honour ; came you now from court ? cle : yes madam , and left the princess theodocia in great complements with her kind father , who has now declared against the proud corinthian , and given theodocia , her free choice where she please . pan : you tell me newes , beyond my hopes , this will raise the princess drooping spirits again ; i wonder she is not here by this time . lon : the duke and she , are not yet parted madam ; — how now lindamira , are you tonguetyed ? no welcome for my friend , to encourage him to like of civil company ; — you look as if you feared to loose your gallant . cle : no , no , she knowes she has too fast hold of my heart , to part so easily . lin : 't is honour enough for me , to be in the number of your martyrs sir. [ she sighes . ] pan : how long have you two been acquainted ? lin : ever since last night madam . [ she sighes ] pan : and dost thou sigh already ? lin : 't is only to give you warning by my harmes . pan : i thank your care , but i am arm'd against the world● cle : that 's good newes lonzartes , there is some hope , she has made firme resolves against wedlock ; that i may assault her with security . — [ aside . ] lon : you may , you may . cle : madam , you speak , as if you held mankind at a defiance . pan : by way of marriage i do , but i can value all men that i see worthy . cle : he must be a bold man , who does designe beyond the favours you allow , but have you made vowes against marriage madam ? pan : no vowes , but such resolves , as are unchangeable . lon : you are severe to men . lin : if all women were of your opinion madam ? how should the world be peopled . cle : i marry madam , that was well urg'd . pan. i thought lindamira you would have been on my side . lin : so i am , when you are in the right , this is our common cause ; suppose you bring these two lords , and they bring twenty more , to be of your judgment , and this heresie should spread ; what will become of us , who think of nothing else but marriage ? lon : she tells you true madam , when her own concern is at stake , you may excuse her . pan : i do , and will make good my argument alone . cle : never to marry madam ? pan : never my lord , is my full resolve . cle : you are the happiest , and the wisest lady living ! and i the joyfullest man , if you 'l permit me to adore you at this distance , for i am of your own opinion madam . lin : two fannaticks well met . pan : so long as your respects be free from love , my house is open to you . cle : you are all witnesses , that this lady does adopt me her avow'd gallant , on the conditions before mentioned : — you give me leave madam to talk of love , and to carry up this jest , as high , as he who really does love . pan : i do , so it be ever in publick ; all private visits , and all whisperings are excepted . cle : 't is enough madam ; — this is a pretty kind of entertainment , i never thought of : lonzartes , thou art in the right , this will he sport beyond my hope . lon. but how does lindamira like , to see her new gallant , thus taken from her ? cle : 't is her own fault , she might , have ●ix'd me another way , if she had been wise ! pan : indeed lindamira , i thought not of your concern , and did conclude too rashy , but i will use my interest on your behalf . lin : — 't will not be needfull madam , i know all his professions to you , are meant to me . cle : very prettily contrived , — this is a new kind of wit , i never heard of ; so then you are to love me , in spite of your teeth , and i you , and i you , in spite of mine ; what will this come to at last ? lon : mirth man , all the year a constant mirth : — is not this better then spending your time in a smoaky house , with your old acquaintance ? cle : i cannot tell you that , till i have tryed this , as long as i have the other . lin : pray my lord , do not peswade your friend , all this earnest is a jest , i allow you as much mirth as you please , so the conclusion be serious . pan : we must leave the successe unto the fates ; — clearcus may in time have pitty on you lindamira , he does not yet believe , you are in earnest . cle : nor ever shall do madam , till i see her heart break , and then 't will be too late . lin ▪ he dissembles well , for so young a schollar madam . lon : we have don● all well methinks , and now t is time that we retire . cle : how soon may i make my next visit to you madam ? pan : as often as you please my lord , at publique houres . exeunt silvander , and the two lords . lin : how did i perform my part madam ? pan : you fell too soon into your humour , he sees you mock him . lin : that 's all i ayme at , he has too much wit to be abused ; my onely business is to let him see , that he cannot cozen me ; — i believe you will see this sceen changed , at his next visit , if i have any skill , you will be troubled with him . pan : i am arm'd at all points , against all men , and him most . [ enter theodocia , and ladies . ] the : oh cousin ! i am freed from all my fears , and come to rejoyce with you . pan. i have rejoyced already madam , and have begun a sceen of mirth , will hold us long ; — had your highnesse come a little sooner , you had found the late convert lonzartes , and his friend clearcus here , who is become my avowed gallant , and looks as if he liked our company already . the : then you have hopes to cure him ; — pray order it so , as i may come to your next meeting , my heart is now so light , that i could play with any thing ; — can i have no part in your comedy ? lin : for two reasons , your highness can onely be a looker on , 't is petty treason to make love to you , though in jest ; and then your beauty is too dangerous to be dallied with ; these be edge-tools , too sharp for us to play with . the : why may not princes participate in such innocent mirth● we make stricter rules then need ; true virtue will shine through such thin clouds , without a prejudice , and be above the reach of vile tongues . pan : i madam , if you could shew a rule , to distinguish between innocence , and guilt ; — but we often see that angelical virtues are aspersed , by malicious tongues , and no quality exempt , from rude censures . lin : i differ in opinion , princes may enjoy harmlesse mirth , as freely as we ; to be too much reserved , does look like disguise . the : i would be so merry lindamira , as should defie all scandall , and with an open face , justifie it to the world ; to wear alwayes a stiff-state look is intollerable . pan : private persons may be bold that way , when few eyes observe , — but princes are set on pirameds , for all to see , and imitate . the : you shall not fright me from your mirth , with this grave lecture , are they not both , my near relations , whom you endeavour to reclaime ? why may not i share it so worthy a designe , — i fear lindamira she doubts lest i may gain her gallant from her . lin : she may well be jealous , if your highnesse undertake him , i shall have small hopes , if you two quarrel for him . the : why lindamira ? is silvander vanished ? lin : no madam , the more trophies i can fairly get by victories on others , will raise his conquest higher , who gaines me from the rest . the : thou art safe , and mayest say any thing , silvander is thy security , against all scandall , though you carry it thus unconcern'd , the secret spreads . lin : 't is time it should do so , now we do own our love , 't is fit the secret should be known . your highness may assist , while you look on , though onely wee , the active part do own . the : let us retire to council then . exeunt . [ enter teretia , and geta. ] ter : what is thy businesse honest geta ? how does lonzartes thy brave lord ? geta. my lord is in good health of body madam , his brains are onely out of order . ter : how meanest thou geta , has he got a blow on his head ? geta : onely some fumes from his heart madam , makes his head addle , 't is call'd the spleen of late , and much in fashion ; his lordship does desire to know the princess mind this morning , what she means to do all day ? ter : this will be a hard question , to the princess fasting , why would he know all this now ? geta. because he has some great affairs for me to mannage , and cannot spare me to ask , so o●ten as i use to do . ter : of what nature , be thy particular queries geta ? geta. he would know how she slept last night ? in what health now ? by what hour she will be drest ? when to her devotions ? and then , where she walks this morning ? and if she dine in publique ? then , how she intends to passe her time till night ? else i must come twenty times , for what you may at once dispatch me . ter : and does lonzartes send thee , to enquire all this at once ? geta. these women are so silly , they cannot reach a deep design ; [ aside . ] — no , but he does every day make me trouble my self , and every body that i meet , to ask these questions severally , which i would do at once , to shew him i am a man of quick dispatch . ter : oh! is that the matter ? i can fit thee with one answer to all these ; — tell thy lord , the princess did take cold last night , and will keep her bed all day . geta. i like it well , and wish her highnesse would do so this moneth . ter. out traytor , i 'le make thy lord braine thee for that wish . geta : why madam ? i meant no harm , 't was but to save you the trouble , and me the same questions to morrow , and so on till dooms-day , i think ! ter : well sirra , for this time , i 'le not complain of you , this jest shall excuse your knavery . geta. this will be a play-day for me , i like this lying a bed well . exeunt . the third act. [ enter lonzartes and clearcus . ] clear. tell me then , who cloris is ! lon : thou art so mad , i dare not trust thee . clear : i will know now , or break all friendship ! lon : i have not interest enough , to make a visit yet , and thou wouldst have me own , that i do love , before i do ! clear : tell me but who she is ! what your hopes are ! and what you wish ! that i may joyne , in your designe . lon : i have yet not designe , nor any hope , for what i wish ! clear : but do you think any woman may not be , what you can wish ? if you approach her the right way ! lon : thou art so much divell grown , thou canst not discerne the angelicall nature that is in those , who are virtuous of that sex ; thou hast no tincture of goodnesse left , but art become a monster of man-kind ! clear : all this , will not fix your herecy on me ! i shall never learne to flatter a few grave matrons , to be laugh'd at , by all that are worth wishing for ! — come , shall i know cloris yet ? this is the last time of asking . lon : ere long , you shall ; if i do prosper in my pretence ! clear : oh! is it come to a pretence ! then look to your self , lest i discover cloris to the world ! and make you wish , that you had trusted me . enter to them , theodocia , pandora , lindamira , teretia , and ladies , and silvander . the : where did you leave my father lonzartes ? lon : i have not seen the prince to day madam . the : i was told , that you were just now walking with him . cle : that may well be madam , for his brains do crow of late ; — do ye see how he stands ; lonzartes , the princess speaks to ye . lon : to me , does your highness command me any thing ? silvander and lindamira entertain themselves in whisper . cle : did not i tell you madam , that his brains are turn'd , he neither hears , nor sees of late ; the idea of his seraffick love , takes him wholly up , from all converse with us mortals . lon : hold your prating , or i shall be angry . pan : what has made you so grave of late lonzartes ? all your wo●●ted mirth is gone . lon : no man is alwayes in good humour madam . cle : he 's in love madam , on my knowledge , o're head and eares in love. pan : in love , lonzartes , i thought you had not been at leasure , to be in love ; — 't is your fault clearcus , that have not councell'd your friend better . cle : thus am i chid for your follies , who reject all my councels , and refuse all my approv'd antidotes , which do preserve me against that serpent ( you call love ) while he convers'd with me , he was safe madam . lonz : thou hast fool'd enough clearcus , the princess , and all the company are weary of it : — if your highnesse allow him this fredome , he will grow troublesome . the : is it love lonzartes ? or is clearcus onely merry with you ? lon : your highnesse knowes him too well , to credit all he sayes this way , he is at this time , very angry , that i have chid him for his lewd life , and hath with-drawn my self from his ill company , which he im●putes to my being in love. cle : i say he is in love , most seriously in love ; shall i unmask this grave reformado , and shew you the lady now ? the : if lonzartes be content , i would gladly see her , whom he thinks worthy of his heart . cle : no matter for his consent madam , so you like it : — and thus i [ he holds them all to lonzartes , one by one . ] begin my tryal ; — by your good leave lady — t is not here ; — nor is it this ; — nor is it you lady ? lin : i lament the losse of such an honour . lon : thou art become a pretty fool clearcus , dost thou not observe how all the court do laugh at thee ? cle : yes , and shall make them laugh at you , e're i have done ; if pandora will make the next tryal . pan : i am content to try , what this will come to . cle : now sir , have at you ; — t is not your good fortune neither madam . the : how can you make lonzartes an amends , for all this abuse ? cle : i will give him present satisfaction , if your highnesse will permit me to bring him to you ? the : to me ! think you lonzartes is in love with me ? cle : t is a cloris in the clouds , one much above his reach , which you onely are madam . the : with all my heart , i shall be proud to own his conversion , as a trophie of my honour . cle : see if his guilt do not make him avoid the tryal ; — stop him [ lonzartes is going out . ] there ; lonzartes , the princess calls you . lon : i le cut thy throat . [ he holds lonzartes to the princess . ] cle : he threatens me , — guilty i 'le warant ; — now madam , do you see no alteration in his face ? — no change yet ? speak all , — you a●e all assistants in this judgment . [ lonzartes throwes him off in anger . ] lon : it will disturb a saint , to be thus subject to the fancies of a foole . the : be not disturb'd lonzartes , you take this in earnest , which we look on as a jest , only to passe the time ; clearcus has more wit , then to be in earnest . lon : i hope your highnesse will not preferre his follies , before my professions , who disclaim such a presumption . the : if you turn this jest to earnest lonzartes , i shall believe clearcus ; — i take it now as ralliery ; — i wonder lindamira you get not hold of some young lovers heart ? lin : i have twenty in store madam , more then i know what to do with . pan : then you allow as many lovers , as you can get , and mean to chuse the best . lin : i think t is credit for women to be admir'd and honour'd by worthy men ; it shewes a value , to move so many , to a generall esteem , and must be the womans fault if she deserve a censure . the : you are in the right lindamira , men may designe , but women may destroy , faster then they can build ; my thanks , unto clearcus for our mirth . cle : mirth ought to be our business madam . — — the angry gods affords cross fates , to give us griefes enough , and troubles while we live . exeunt lonzartes and clearcus severally . enter the prince and lords , who meet the ladies going off . prince . we were now discoursing of your gallant pandora , have you hopes to work this miracle . pan : this lady and i , have ventred our credits on his conversion sir. prince . to reclaim him , were a good work ; bnt suppose he fall in love with either of you . pan : at his peril that , let lindamira look to her self , i am safe . lin : i have a sure retreat sir , 't is but seeming to comply , and hee 'l give ore ; for he can love none that he can conquer , and i am resolv'd rather to be vanquish'd , then not to be rid of him , when i see my time . sil : could all her beauty with my love expire , her flowing wit , would still create new fire . aside . [ enter to them clearcus and lonzartes . ] prince . you two i know , come now from exercising of your troops . cle : no sir , we went hence just now ; i wish my troop here to guard me . prince . have you an enemy in view clearcus ? cle : i have many sir , that have rob'd me of my peace , i cannot sleep of late , but have a thousand fancies , which do set my brains on fire . prince . take heed it prove not love . cle : that is the danger sir , for if pandora do keep her resolve for single life ; i may be in love ; for i do feel strange alterations , that i know not what to make of ! lin : have you no affection left for me my lord ? can you so soon forget your last nights professions ? cle : now sir , you see how i am assaulted , i shall be pull'd in pieces presently . prince . silvander and i , will secure you from lindamira . cle : if i were assured you could sir , i should like her wit , and humour well , — but i fear , — if i should be in earnest , she would be so too . lin : you see his inclination is for me madam , so that what ever he shall say to you hereafter , is meant to me . cle : nor so , nor so , sweet lady , i do respect pandora , above all her sex ; you throw out hooks , to catch young gallans , she neglects those are laid for her , that 's my danger . prince . what riddle is this clearcus ? dost thou desire that thy desires may not be answered ? cle : yes sir , from some persons , for if my love be return'd , all ends in the fruition , ( as most examples shew , ) but if pandora keep her resolve for single life , then i can raise my fancy while i live , to adoration of her beauty , and that virtue , with a continual delight , which will last while i last , so she do never yeild ! the : you are then my lord , the happiest lover living , for you will find my cousin , just as you wish . pan : pray madam , answer not too fast for me , for if i find clearcus a person of such noble nature , beyond what i did ever hope to mee● in man ; i may change my opinion of men , for his sake ; and therefore 't is best to find some other sport , lest we destroy each other . [ he starts . ] cle : look you now ? i am treypand ! ●he : start not clearcus , she but mocks you , you are both ingaged for ●his moneth , to entertain us , and your selves , no going off now . pan : i shall not break covenants . cle : nor i madam , though i do sometimes reminde you , of your resolve against marriage , whereon depends my bliss , secure me but of that , and i am ever yours . pan : i shall endeavour what i can , to give you that satisfaction . cle : i kiss your fair hand on that word , which has given new life to my doubtfull heart , and now i do defie lonzartes gravity , to put his heart in a more loving dress , then mine shall be hereafter . prince . if lonzartes can love too , my wonder ceases ! the : he is my servant sir , and has a chief part in the comedy . prince . i like your pastime well , but me thinks lonzartes looks as if he were compell'd unto his part , and will do it scurvily . lin : that 's the sport sir , and will afford the more variety . lon : i shall be glad sir , if i might be excus'd . the : by no means servant , what an affront is this , that i must beg your favour , in the face of the whole court to own me ? prince . you must not be so grave lonzartes , all is for our mirth . cle : now sir , have not i done your work for you ? lon : would thou wert hang'd , hold thy peace . cle : give me better words , or i 'le talk aloud . lon : was ever man thus hamper'd between jest and earnest ? lin : they are comparing notes in private ; there 's trechery in their faces ; i 'le play no more . prince . when begins the love clearcus ? this is only talking of it . cle : it is begun already sir ; if i had not valued this excellent lady above the world ; i had not taine this care to secure my interest to a perpetuity . lin : madam , you are not to believe a word of this , for he has with the same grave face , sworn the same to me but yesterday . cle : that was in jest madam , but now every action of my life , shall justifie each syllable i utter unto you . pan : i shall endeavour to believe it my lord● , and yet allow you the same christian liberty with lindamira , and the rest , as you had before . cle : madam , you speak , as though you did not value my respects , now my whole soul is set to serve , and honour you alone . pan : i must confess , i cannot change my faith , so fast as you do your discourse ; — and then , as i remember , my lesson is to keep my distance , lest i loose my lover . cle : true madam , as to comply , but you are to see , and credit my ambitious love , and to admit it with the same esteem , i serve you . pan : how can i do that , and not return you love for love ? and then you will dispise me ; pray my lord , at your next visit , bring my part in writing , that i may not erre in it . prince . she is in the right clearcus , you now seem to seek such contradictions , as all the court will laugh at ; consult with lonzartes , against your next visit . exit prince and train . lon : if he will follow my advise , he may do well sir ; — now we are alone , tell me what crotchets next ? prethee make me understand what thou wouldest have pandora do ? cle : i think you were best release me the residue of my month , that i may go seek my wits , where i last left them ; — must i see none of my old friends , untill this month be over ? lon : if you consider your promise , not see one of them . cle : then shall i be lost , if those preservatives be all forbid me ; i do find already love will be predominant . lonz : the better for you if it be ; — let us now talke seriously ; — suppose pandora may be won , can you fancy a happiness on earth , beyond having her ? cle : yes , i do fancy that having twenty , is better then any one in christendome ! lon : thou dost not love then , else , that one belov'd , has more variety then a thousand . cle : make but that good , i 'le marry her to morrow . lon : you think then she is already at your dispose . cle : when she once sees that i am in earnest , she will be , who will have her ; and the truth is lonzartes , i do like her best of all i ever talk'd with , and have great fear that i shall be like other men , who never value what they have , which makes me covet what i cannot get . lon : suppose some other do obtaine her , while you are thus long resolving ? cle : nay , i am resolv'd no other shall ever have her . lon : and you resolve for her too . cle : yes , she cannot in honour ingage to any , while i pretend . lon : art thou turn'd fool , to think thus ? be more serious , or thou wilt be dispis'd . cle : why do you not allow me some reliefe then ? to live a whole moneth honest , will put my blood into a flame ; i have tempted all i meet , and all within these walls prove honest . lon : by your own experience then , you will find that courts are nurseries of virtue , and are onely scandaliz'd by such vild persons , as would have the clearest innocence aspers'd , that their own guilts might be no wonder ; — you find few virtuous persons , amongst censurers . cle : that 's true , but take heed lonzartes , you do not lead me into snares that will destroy me , for i allready find some inclination ; towards pandora , which i am asham'd to own , lest i be laugh'd at . lon. you have reason , for there can none of us believe thee . cle : you have made me a fine gentleman in a few dayes : — if pandora be of your mind , adiew to your philosophicall love. lon : i hope thou art too fast to free thy self . — thou playest with flames , which undiscover'd burn , untill they do thy heart to ashes turn . exit lon ▪ cle : did ever man betray himself as i have done ? by putting fetters on in jest , which already are become so fixt , i cannot shake 'um off , but must humbly beg , to be allow'd to worsh●p that divine nature , i so much dispis'd in virtuous women , and must now confess : — if i do neither faith , nor favour find , the god of love is just , though he be blind . exit . note , that all the play through , when silvander and lindamira speaks not , th●y are to whisper 〈◊〉 in priva●e discourse . [ enter theodocia and lindamira . ] lin : if your highness do consider lonzartes's worth , and his great birth , as it deserves ; whose ancestor was not many ages since , by yours , but by this dukedome , on a nice point , ( as i have heard ; ) so that to me lonzartes's love , looks like a divine direction , to his restauration . the : i am of pandora's mind for single life , and have as small a value for that idle passion you call love , as she . lin : your highnesse may as well judge what they do in china , as guesse at our felicities that love ? — i can kiss the ground that my silvander treads on , with more relish , then all other joyes can bring me . the : you have high fancies that lead you on to hopes , which you may never find . lin : those hopes are more delightfull ! then an age of dull life without them ; if your highness did converse as much with me , as with pandora , i should convert you . the : why do you not then change her severity , against men ? lin : i had not the honour to be known to her , before her heart was set another way ; but yet i●le try what i can do . the : i wish silvander may answer your expectation lindamira ; but if such honour , and such bliss accompany your loves , why thus long carried on i th' dark ? and why not yet avow'd . lin. 't is now avow'd unto the duke , though i took time to know my gallant , before i did admit his love , and on long tryal found his silent looks , did speak more truth , then such loud noyses , as most passions make ; we whisper our hearts to one another , with a sincerity beyond the reach of lowd professions . the : you praise silvander as if you meant to sell him . lin : he is no prince madam , and is therefore safe from you . the : the lesse safe , if i so pleas'd ; — do you believe his virtue , and his love so great , that i could not win him from you , for a friend of mine ? lin : i do , and shall not think him a losse , who can be won from me , by the greatest princess in the world ? the : if i could once see such a man , i might change my opinion . lin : why don't you try lonzartes ? the : he is too much concern'd to be play'd with ; — you dare not venture your fine man then ? lin : i dare , and do desire it withall my heart , and do voluntarily ingage , not to work against your highnesse . the : and i am resolv'd to try his faith to you , it may cure lonzartes to see himself neglected , when anothers chosen , though but in jest , for i can pitty , though i do not love him . lin : and 't is my desire to have silvanders faithfull love , made eminent by this temptation . [ enter lonzartes , and silvander to them . ] the : in what humour left you clearcus my lords ? lon : in such as does become his greatnesse madam . the : most brave men are often puffed up with vain glory , that does eclipse those virtues , which themselves do over-value . lin : your highnesse is severe to men , but all are not so vain . the : most are , when we do value them too much , — yet i confess i am well pleased , when i find men worthy my esteem . lin : how does that appear ? when your highnesse does dispise mankind by your resolves against them . the : to shew how much you are mistaken ; help me to unpin this jewel ; — wear this silvander for my sake ; i 'le own it to the world , that i do value men of worth. sil : madam , i understand not what this kind of favour means ; i hope your highness does not chuse me for mirth . the : do you silvander raise mirth from my favour ? — come with to lin : aside . me lindamira ; — i do command you to stand near us , within hearing ; — i will not runne the hazzard of any censure , by this tryal to satisfie my curiosity , concerning lovers , such high romantick lovers ! who soar above the reach of all temptations . lin. i shall obey you madam , though i desire it not . exeunt ladies . [ the men stand amazed . ] sil. can you guess lonzartes , what this tends to ? lon. t is a riddle farre beyond my understanding . exit lonz : [ lindamira re-enters to silvander . ] lin. wake , wake silvander , the sun shines bright upon thee ; theodocia dotes on thy virtues , and will advance thy youth , much faster then thy own wishes can propose . sil : how lindamira ! have you so mean thoughts of me ? lin : so high thoughts , why may not the princess neglect the corinthian , for you ? such things have been in story . sil : you speak , as if you wish'd it . lin : can i wish you well , and not applaud it ? sil : you cannot fancy me a greater curse , unlesse your own heart be turn'd against me . lin : the princess desires your company in the next room ; i can stay no longer . exit lindamira . sil : i have so much to think on , that i know not what to say ; — the princess unexpected favours , with lindamira's no concern , begets such wonder , as does amaze me ! — i will not go ; — and yet i must , or make my self ridiculous , by judging what i cannot guesse at . exit . [ enter lonzartes . ] lon : have i thus long ador'd the princess ? and still approach'd her with the same trembling , i draw near the alter , for this scorn at last ! — before my face , to court a man , she knowes ingaged unto another , a man of so much lower quality then i ; this i confesse does make my faith stagger ; — silvander was as much surpriz'd as i , — lindamira too , was out of tune ; — if theodocia can go less , this change will be more my admiration , then her virtue was . [ enter lindamira , passing in by him . ] lon : now madam , whither so fast ? lin : to see which way the winde blows ; — pray my lord , where is your heart now ? lon : in the princess lodgings , with yours ; — or can you tell me better where your own is ? lin : i change my mind so often , that i know not where i left it last . lon : are you no more concerned ? suppose silvander change his opinion ? princess have mighty power to overcome mens hearts . lin : why then his opinion will be chang'd ? — i cannot value him , that leaves to value me ; — methinks my lord , the princess favour to silvander , should abate your passion for her . lonzar : my desires go no higher , then to look , and wonder at her perfections ! my esteem cannot be call'd love , beyond what duty , and obedience does allow ; — but how does silvander receive this great honour ? lin : they are now in private ; you may judge by his exalted looks when you see him next ; — i am glad your lordship is no more concern'd . lon : this is a forc'd discourse lindamira , pray do not mock me , who have a true value of your worth . lin : the truth is , the princess often angred at my confidence in silvanders love ; onely now tryes if she can shake his faith , by higher propositions ; — and my hope is , that his virtue may beget in her , some better thoughts for men , which will do your businesse , and confirm mine , for silvander is above temptation ; and i think lonzartes does deserve what he desires . lon : you oblige me to say , your confidence does merrit the greatest faith from man ; but is silvander of your plot ? lindam : no , 't would then be none , nor i no tryal have of his sincerity . lon : these are dangerous sports , and we too late may find them so ; the princess and you are both too bold , and do too much rely on your own beauties . lin : if silvander can be won , i can smile at such a losse . lon : 't is easie to say so , when you fear it not ; but i have seen stout hearts fall to pieces by such a blow ; — you have setled my heart again , and i advise you from these dangerous sports , lest they blow up your joyes , when you are most secure : we know our present minds , but cannot foresee what we shall like to morrow : — our nature with such frailty is indow'd , t is well if present moments be allow'd ! exeunt severally . enter theodocia , and silvander , two ladies at a distance ; lindamira is seen near observing them . the : is your heart my lord so fixt on lindamira , that no person , nor any argument , can e're prevail with you to change ? sil : our souls madam , are so united , that i hope death can only make that separation . the : can no fortune , nor any quality invite you to honours , and happinesse , beyond what you can ever hope from lindamira ? nor a greater beauty dis-ingage your heart from her ? sil : none can ever move me to a thought of change madam . the : what if she have chosen higher , and gives way for your preferment also . sil : i can smile at all this , when your highnesse is so merry ; — lindamira and i madam , do understand a happinesse , can never be dissolv ▪ d ; we are above temptation . the : suppose my father be her choice , will you pretend to love , and hinder her advancement , by your claim ? — suppose my dear couzin pandora , have like affection unto you ; and puts on this severity to others , in design onely to gaine you ? will you let such a beauty , of so high virtue and extraction dye for you ? sil : your highness sure does fancy what is impossible ? — but if all this were so , i could dye in gratitude to serve pandora , but do preferre lindamira's love , and virtue , above the brightest beauty , or greatest empire this world has . the : can there be such worth in men ? how have i been mis-informed ? [ aside . ] — princes who do not converse , know not the world they live in , but take all on trust from others ; — you believe that i am now in jest silvander , and do not deal so freely , as i expect . sil : by all thats — i am sixt , past altering ; — if your highness knew the joyes , which do accompany united hearts , you would sooner undertake to pull down stars from heaven , then hope a separation , where true love triumphs . the : i am fully satisfyed , that lindamira has what she deserves , a worthy lover ; — appear now lindamira , and call in lonzartes , with the rest : — i am converted . [ enter lindamira with lonzartes and ladies . ] the : here madam , you are coupled by the gods , silvander does deserve your confidence ; — now wear that jewel , i before gave you in jest sir , as a mark of my favour , for your approv'd virtue . lindam : has your highnesse any better thoughts for marriage , then you had ? the : i have found an honest worthy man , beyond my expectation ; — lonzartes you look sad . lon : my heart is not so full of feathers as it was , but is of late become a lump of lead . the : we have indeed been all too serious of late ; come lindamira , let us find some entertainment to refresh us on the sea this evening ; lonzartes , you , and clearcus may go with us , if you please ? exeunt all but lonzartes . lon : your highnesse does honour us ; — what these various fancies tend to , is above my understanding ; — as nature has fram'd women of a more refined matter , then us men , so she has given to some , souls so much above ours excellent , that their intrincique purity , dazles our judgments , more then their brightest beauty does our eyes ; — theodocia is certainly without blemish ; — yet may have some notions of my love , which she thinks not fit to cherish , because she likes not me : — and yet may have a virtuous concern for my birth , and sufferings , such as her good nature is unwilling to destroy ; — 't is theodocia's excellencies makes me thus humbly seek my right , as her gift ; else my sword should make my way to ascend this throne , which is my own ; — but no more of that yet : — — for if i can be rightly understood , my love may save the expence of so much blood . exit . the fourth act. pandora with lindamira are seen sitting on a couch ; enter clearcus to them , they rise . cle. madam , 't is a felicity to love you though neglected ; by what name then shall i call my joy ? now you allow my love , to what height raise my thoughts ? — shall i dare to enter upon such a state of bliss ? — to be thus snatch'd into so much light , from the long chaos i have liv'd in , may prove more ruinous to me , then that hell i came from . pan : my lord , you speak a new language i understand not . cle : alas madam , i have this night seen visions ! and do find my passion , growing much above my own command ; — for when i look on your eyes , i forget that there are gods , and shall do such idolatry to you , as will provoke them , to make me more miserable , then you can wish me happy ; — bnt when i consider how vast a chasme , your resolves have made between us ; i sink into such an abyss of misery , that i can nee'r get out of . pan : i understand you lesse , and lesse ; — the more you say , the more you do confound my judgment . lin : all this madam , is onely to let us see , how he could talk ; if any woman were worthy of his real love ; — pray my lord proceed , — i shall take notes and edifie . [ pulls out a table-book . ] cle : your mirth madam , is now out of season , when every word i utter , flowes from my wounded heart . lin : why do you not speak to me then ? who can change my mind as often as your self ? i was made for you ; this lady is impregnable . cle : i yield lindamira , let not your wit destroy a man , that does submit to mercy ; i beg quarter . lin : oh! do you so ? pan : 't is enough lindamira , that he does confesse himself o'recome , let it be registred amongst our victories ; — and now my lord , what is your next desire ? cle : my next madam ! i have scarce begun with this , you do mistake all i say for mirth ; does not my looks and language shew an alteration ? — all those chymeras , that did possess my idle head , are vanished , and i become a serious man : — your miracle is already wrought , and i now see the onely way to my felicitie , is to gain what i so much contemn'd . lin : excellently well acted , this might cozen twenty , that did not know him . pan : you shall do well my lord to pursue this new path , untill you do obtain a general opinion of your virtue ; but i hope you would not have us credit it at first sight ! cle : though my love cannot yet gain credit in your esteem , do not deny me the joy to think , that you see how much i love , and honour you . pan : this is too serious for our comedy my lord. cle : nothing can be too serious madam , to expresse my love , by which the gods are pleas'd to bring me to them ; thus by forbidding what might intice me to slight paradice , by having had you here : — 't is fit then that i submit , and raise a joy from what i am now too apt to repine at , for 't is a blessing to be so fixt , as antidates my elizium here on earth ; this souls joy will endure like its own nature , unto eternity . pan : what think you of this lindamira ? lind : i think he is in love , he talkes such nonsence ! pan : you are cured then clearcus , and will unto the prince confess your conversion , if we call you to it ? cle : propose a way for my acknowledgment , and try . lin : let us take time madam to consider of it , lest we loose half the entertainment by our haste , and so spoil the jest . cle : madam , let not this ladies mirth prevaile with your good nature , to afflict a man , who can live only by your smiles . pan : i must confesse i have some pain , to hold in my smiles thus long , for this serious way of fooling , i expected not from you my lord. cle : why madam , do you take all this for jest still ? pan : yes indeed do i. cle : by all the powers above , i do adore you , next to them i worship . lin : that 's no oath madam , for he worships none : pan : i have the same thoughts lindamira , and am safe . cle : what a monster am i grown , give me credit madam , or give me death ? — if i do not love you , let iove strike me with suddain thunder , or i will gladly seal what i have said with my best blood , if nothing less will satisfie . pan : hold clearcus . [ he drawes . ] lin : oh! let him alone , hee 'l not hurt himself , he only hopes to fright us . pan : my lord you fright me now , and since you think fit to turne our commick scene into a tragedy ; i shall quit my part in it ; and from this time , admit no farther visits from you : — let us retire lindamira , his converse growes dangerous . exeunt ladies . cle : this had been my fate , had i ingaged a little farther , and this the fruit of chast , virtuous love ; what a folly 't is , to give our freedomes up , unto the will of women , so humbly to obey , those we are created to command : — but i am safe yet , and will now play with 'um , at their own game ; and through a seeming sorrow for my rejection , laugh at them , who think to laugh at me . [ enter lonzartes . ] lon : a good day unto my friend . cle : you speak too late lonzartes , this is a fatal day , and i am studying how i may make it more eminent by death , then by my sufferings . lon : why what 's the matter man ? have you visited the ladies before they are drest ? and made 'um froward . cle : thy love lonzartes has ruin'd me ; — yet i thank thee for my conversion , i shall now dye a sober man. lon : thy looks speak some disaster , tell me the worst , that i may joyn to find a remedy . cle : in a word then , i do love pandora , as she deserves , and did so to the life expresse my love ; that in spight of lindamiras mirth , she did believe it , and has forbid my farther visits . lon : 't is not possible that she can be so fool'd , she forbad thee in jest , come let us go to her now . cle : i 'le swear she did forbid me , and in great anger turn'd from me , i dare not go . lon : this is pretty , wouldst thou have me believe thou lovest ? cle : lonzartes , i am not in humour to be play'd with . lon : nor i in humour to be fool'd ; what would'st thou have me say , when thou talk'st thus to me ? thou in love ! ha , ha . cle : what shall i say ? what do , to beget faith in thee ? — pandora's resolution against marriage , which i so much rejoyc'd at , is fatally become my scourge , and i must dye , or have her . lon : that 's the onely way to obtain belief ; do but hang thy self , and then a printed ballad ( the dary-maids greatest faith ; ) will make them swear thou dyedst for love . cle : do my looks agree with so much jest ? does not my face declare , my heart does love ? lon : no , nor ever can do to me , wouldst thou have me belye my self , that thou mayest laugh at me ? these shallow plots are lost on me . exit lonzartes . cle : this is right , had i been fool'd into the platonick pound ; i might have knock'd my head against the walls , and never been believed ; — thus i blow away those bubbles , ●hose ayrie lectures of chast love ! which lead silly mortals into slavery ; — ha sanga . [ enter sanga . ] sanga . your pleasure sir. cle : go presently , and summon all that merry crew , ( who danc'd the other day , ) to sup with me this night ; and bid the musick come . exit sanga . sanga . i go sir ▪ cle : i will retreat while i am safe , and be arm'd against my wise , virtuous , chast friends , with their cobweb netts , so subtilly laid to catch me ; — thus i throw all their inchantments off ; — and now like the grand seignor , after some great victory atcheiv'd ; — i will retire to my seraglio . exit . enter the duke , with theodocia , pandora , lindamira , teretia , and train : — and silvander . duke . you tell me a story beyond belief theodocia , clear●us playes with you all this while ; he love ? the : if pandora be mistaken , he will triumph over women-kind for ever ▪ pan : i wish it were no worse sir , 't is i who now am to be pittied , who for the common sport , and for his good , have brought an evill on my self , i cannot bear . duke . why pandora , he is descended of our own blood , and his estate proportionable to his birth ? so that if you can raise his virtues above his vices , you 'l have no cause to murmur at his love . pan : true sir , if i were nor ingag'd to a single life , much might be said , to set clearcus's merrits above mine . lin : is there no dispensation for such resolves madam ? when it may be disputed , whether the gods approve them ? — they give us lawes enough , we need none of our own making . pan : my heart will nee'r consent to alter my resolves . lin : we shall have enough to do then . the. let us all agree to laugh him out of it . lin : you will find little cause for mirth , when you see clearcus next madam . the : can so few hours , alter a man of his temper , so much ? lin : he is asham'd of his first principles , and is angry at that shame ; he hates himself for loving , and loves so much , he dares not wish it less ; this mixture of passions , does beget such a confusion of thoughts , that makes him look as if he had fed on nought but sighes , and tears this twelve mounth ; and i fear we shall have cause to turn our laughter into sorrow for him . duke . i 'le give him commands that shall divert him ; — come with me theodocia . ezeunt duke and theodoci● . lin : 't is great pitty so brave a man should be so lost . pan : 't is so lindamira , but how can it be help'd ? must i become mad , because he is so ; — 't was not a rash word , by chance let fall , but on debate and mature judgment , because i saw none so happy after marriage as before ; — why may not i then live and dye , as free as i was borne ? lin : you see why , because the gods do not allow so great felicity on earth , as might keep us from ever wishing to be with them ; pray who ever heard of a pair of true lovers , that desir'd to be in heaven , if they might stay here till doomsday ? 't is therefore for our good , that such united hearts are so rarely to be found on earth ; take heed pandora , that you bring not more evils on your head , then you fore-see . pan : i must now bear my fortune as i may . lin : though you have not met with many happy marriages , i have heard of some , who all their lives have had a constant spring of love ; their passions so high , and joyes so great , each striving to raise the others happinesse above their own ; this i believe , and hope for ; — methinks till i am married , i am a thing laid by , as if forgotten by the gods. pan : 't is not high passions , nor great joyes , i doubt to find , but their continuance ; — suppose the gallant lovers , to the warres be sent , what terrours will possess their frighted ladies , 'till their return ? and if miscarry ? what will their whole lives have to joy at after ? lin : those who stay at home , may have equall dangers , these are anticipated dreams of evils , that may never happen ; then you conceive not the joy those dangers bring , when they are over ; this world affords us nothing to relish our delights by , but such accidents , as love , which some fears , and dangers bring ; 't is sharps , make sweet , the sweeter ! pan : but if i am satisfied with less ioyes , without those pains you find so usefull , why must i try to gaine more happiness ? then i do wish for , when i have joyes enough allready . lin : joyes enough madam ! there is no such thing in nature , as enough of what we love . pan : i am weary of this idle talk . lin : and i know no better entertainment . [ enter to them lonzartes , and silvander . ] pan : how think you silvander , is clearcus what he seems ? sil : lonzartes knows him best madam . lon : i do believe he loves , though i seem not to credit him , and am now resolv'd to play with his passion , as he has done with mine ; 't will entertain the princess rarely , to see how i shall anger him . sil : is he enough fix't ? to be so abus'd , for if neither men , nor women have any faith in his budding love , he may fly off for ever . lon : i am now going to see what humour he is in . sil : i 'le wait on you . pan : pray do , and let me know how i must behave my self , that would not hurt him . lin : i can direct you best , if you 'l trust your self to me ! pan : i shall trust you as farre as any , in this affaire ; let us consult within . exeunt . enter clearcus and sanga , with men , and women dancers . cle : welcome my dear friends , i will be no more seduc'd by grave lonzartes fooleries ; this night shall re-unite us , while we live : — is the musique come ? san : not yet sir. cle : i have broke through their nets , and now the day , and night are ours to revel in ; we will be so merry , that our hearts shall seem much lighter then our heels . [ enter sanga . ] sanga . lonzartes , and silvander are without . cle : they are come as i could wish , i 'le entertain 'um , as they deserve ; they are my kind , chast , virtuous , well-wishing spies ; — pray [ exeunt dancers . ] retire all into that gallery , while i dispatch my court-friends : — sanga , shut the windowes close , then call 'um in , and say , that i am grown sad of late , monstrous sad ! — now for a grave face to suit with my exit sanga . disquise ; i have some fear my sides will burst , with holding in my laughter . [ he sits in a sad posture . ] [ enter sanga with lonzartes , and silvander . ] sanga . softly pray ; — for a strange melancholy has seiz'd him on the suddain ; — he is now talking to pandora . sil : she is not here ! san : he entertains her idea in her absence , with the same passion , he would her ; — the only sure way for a lovers happinesse ; — hark . cle : blessed angel , turn not away ; — these tears must be my daily incence , offer'd at your feet ; if you refuse this tribute ? from my captiv'd heart , you 'l turn the elizium i enjoy , to hell : oh stay ! and take my soul with thee ; — that gentle look ! that : — lon : why so sad fond lover ? let not one repulse dismay so great a [ lon : interrupts him . ] conqueror ; thy next charge may prove more prosperous ; — we come to councel thee clearcus , and to raise thy drooping spirits by new hopes ! cle : or to laugh at my affliction ! whose soul is sunk so low by my dispair , that all my spirits are vanished ; i must submit to my cativity lonzartes . [ he sighes . ] lon : that sigh had almost blown me over , yet i am glad to see this , and am now full satisfied thou art in love , in love clearcus ; — let me imbrace my fellow-prisoner , we will now shake our shackles , to the same sad tune together . cle : i know you come to mock me ; but i must bear it . lon : oh no! who can have so hard a heart ? we pitty you , and have some fears pandoras heart will break , when we relate your mighty sufferings ; — but if i should sit thus in the dark ? would it create the like angelical idea in my brain , clearcus ? cle : this is barbarous , to catch a lyon in your toyles , and bait him like an asse ; — thus to render my passion ridiculous , will beget pandoras scorn , and may prove my destruction ! lon : if she discern not your passion , how can she proportion her favours , to your merrit ? cle : do i deserve this mirth from you ? thus to heighten my affliction . lon : do you not ? — all that i can do this twelve-month , will not bring me on equal termes , for thy abuses : — remember how you held me to the ladies , and made me your mirth , by which scandal , you destroy'd my credit with the princess , this is my revenge , ha , ha . cle : 't was a great scandal indeed ! to procure you the princess leave to love her ; by my means you have obtain'd a happinesse , beyond your hopes , which all your whining poetry , or your eternall sighes , could never reach ; — for which special service ; — prethee good sweet lonzartes spare me : — by our old friendship i do beg : — by [ hangs on him . ] thy own virtue , and unparalel'd chast heart , i do conjure thee , not to raise a publique mirth , out of my souls sorrow , which you have brought me to . lon : well then , if i find you do continue thus humbly penitent , and truly thus afflicted , i will shew more mercy , then i found from [ embraces clearcus : ] you : — come chear up , we will sigh , and condole together , and if possible ? so order our sad hearts , that both may the same moment break , and infect the world with such a sorrow ! as may fright the female sex , from like rigour unto men : so shall we become a noble sacrifice to love , for the good of a whole nation . — or if you please , wee 'l send for some of our old gang , to dance , and drink these melancholly vapours from our hearts ; to let the ladies see , their beauties are not so destructive , as we make them believe . [ clearcus imbraces lonzartes with great joy . ] cle : i marry lonzartes ; now , thou talkest like a phylosopher , now , thou prescribest the onely remedy for our disease ! sanga , — bid the musick strike a chearful ayre , and then call in those friends in the next room : — nay , if you allow this way of cure ? i shall soon expel loves venome from my heart , into my heeles . [ embraces lon : ] lon : what is all this clearcus ? art thou mad still ? lonzartes starts back . cle : i am wise , and do not mean to quit my cool , pleasant , flowry paths , for your consuming flames of restless love , who walke on tops of steeples , and at that height , plead , that your chast desires , are pleasing to the gods ; — but i , who know the end of such fair flashes , as at first appear , with such folded armes , and down cast looks , are but steps , to approach the ladies fingers ends ; — — then by degrees grown bolder , you aspire , till nought but ruine , quench the subtle fire . [ enter dancers . ] lon : what doest thou mean by this misterious language ? and this rabble here ? cle : i mean to follow thy advise , — to sigh only when i make love to ladies , ( their backs turn'd ) i mean to dance , and sing as often as i can , that their neglects may pierce no deeper then their eyes discern ; — here lonzartes , this girle will cure the bite of a tarantula , and drive the poyson from thy heart . lon : out hypocrite ; — is this thy love unto pandora ? was all thy passions counterfeit , the other day ? cle : no , 't was fairly growing up to equal thine in all sincerity of noble thoughts ; but the nice lady , would not permit it to take so deep root as yours , before she blasted all my hopes , and in a moment let me see , that love is like a bitter po●ion , which many tast , and flying away , rather chusing their disease , then so ill a relished remedy ; this made me return to my old antidotes lonzartes ; — what think you of a heat or two , before you go ? — call in the musique . sil : pandora was to blame , to throw him off so rashly . lon : let us retyre silvander , this ayre is infected . exeunt lonzartes and silvander . cle : go whine fond lover , go whine , i say , go whine , while we chear our hearts with wenches , and wine , i say go whine . exeunt omnes . herethey dance . [ enter lonzartes , lindamira , and ladies . ] lin : i do not wonder that he is fallen off , 't was what i feared , when his passion went so high ; i saw pandora was concern'd , but we will bring it on again . lon : you are mistaken madam , all he said then was jest , for he is now as mad as ever ; — i left him incirculed with six wild men , and as many wanton girles , prepar'd to dance , and revel all the night . lin : there is no harm in dancing my lord , unlesse they do catch cold ; you judge clearcus by what is past ; but when i see him with pandora next , i 'le give my opinion of his concern . lon : by what means may their meeting be procured ? lin : wee 'l think on 't . [ enter theodocia , and ladies to them . ] the : i am sorry lonzartes , that pandora has cast off clearcus , which has occasioned his relapse , when a little patience , would have setled him in the way of virtue . lon : 't is every way , what i expected not ; his love was as strange , as his rejection , and his relapse in the old humour , beyond all the rest ; — i know not what to think of him . lin : let us bring them once more together , and i 'le undertake to guesse at both their hearts ; it may be govern ' um . lon : i madam , but how shall they be brought together ? when both , would rather see a basaliske , then one another . lin : you may be mistaken my lord , who judge by what you see , when 't is our businesse , and our virtue , not to shew our hearts , 'till a full tryal , that men are worthy of them ; — then you forget , that clearcus conversion , must be by one , he cannot conquer . the : but if he will neither conquer , nor be subdued , how can his conversion follow ? lin : if your highnesse can contrive an interview , i have a fancy in my head , that may reconcile them , and effect what we all wish . the : i will send presently for pandora , and intreat my father , to pretend some businesse , to call clearcus hither . lon : he will suspect . lin : let him come , no matter what he suspects . the : do you lonzartes , once more see what humour he is in . — — we must endeavour , and not fear to try , but trust the event , unto their destiny . exeunt severally . [ enter duke with silvander and lords . ] duke . i ever thought clearcus did but mock , and laugh at their designes ; his brain is not yet ripe for serious love : — but how does theodocia look on lonzartes ? sil : with much neglect sir. duke . that is not well , have you silvander instructed lindamira , that she may inform theodocia of lonzartes title to this dukedome ? and how much better then a forraine prince , her marrying him , will be applauded by our people , who are not ignorant of his pretence . sil : i have sir , and the princess gives a serious ear to it , though she yet makes no reply ; a little of your councel , and authority , i believe may incline her to a better value of him . duke . that shall not be wanting , lonzartes is all that i can wish in a successor ; — and his love looks so without design , that i will cherish it , and try to win my daughter to comply . sil : your highness will gain a double interest in all your subjects hearts , by this honour to lonzartes , who has merrits proportionable to your favour , and his birth , all which his love gives lustre to . duke . i see it silvander , and will recompence his faith , and his humility , with my advice to theodocia , who yet knowes not his story . sil : the princess must needs hear , what every body talks , and all do wish ! duke . i shall now inform her fully of lonzartes right , too long held from him : bid him meet me at my daughters chamber ; i will no longer hide my purpose for him : — — his birth and virtue , with his constant love , declares he never can unworthy prove . exeunt , the fifth act. [ enter lonzartes and clearcus . ] cle : no , i 'le never see her more . lon : do you not love at all ? cle : nor ever will , methinks love is like a smooth water , that invites men to bath , and tumble in it with delight , untill they be destroyed by serpents , which in the bottom undiscover'd lie . lon : what means this similie ? cle : this serpents bite , has metamorphized you into a whining lover , into the shaddow of a man , of late become a shape without a soul ; why must i busie my head with such chymeras's , when i can please my self , to my hearts wish , my own way ? — prethee sweet suppress'd prince , do not forsake me thus , for specious shewes of happinesse , or vaner hopes of better dayes , then you will ever find in court ; — you are now safe , but when you grow wise , and serious , it will in the dukes head great jealousies create ; to let him see your virtue may be dangerous ; and your pretence appear worthy of his fear . lon : that hazzard is better , then what i now suffer , in the opinion of my best friends , who believe this wildnesse , is my nature , or such as may beget a habit in me , which i can nee'r put off ; and thus my security in this disguise , may become my ruine ; — i wish i could perswad you clearcus , to shew forth that virtue , all the world would wonder at . cle : to what end i pray ? if the good duke would give me imployment fit for his kinsman ? and worthy of my sword , i could soon be my self : but now i have nothing else to do , and therefore play away my time in folly ; and 't is a hard question which is best ? for we know that too much wisdome , does undoe more men , then it advances , or else begets eternal slavery , to state affairs , where the wisest , ever walk on needles points ; — i have weighed these things , and do believe 't is better to maintain the peace , and the security i now live in , unregarded , then to be advanc'd according to my birth . lon : but you will loose the dukes favour , and become contemptable to the whole court , if you continue thus extravagant , what designe can i have , by my desire , to see you great and glorious ? cle. have i not tryed , and been misled : yielded to your wise maximes , against my own better judgment , and been rejected in the height of my endeavours , to be ( as you call it ) great , and glorious , is not this true ? does not pandora with the whole court , scorne me but for seeming . wise . lon : yes , in part , 'cause they believe it not . cle : i will no more of your advice , 'till you can cure your self . lon : i have an honourable argument for my love . cle : who has not ? untill he be dispis'd ! lon : was it not your own desire to be neglected ? did you not declare against all women , that you could conquer ? you left pandora no way for victory , but by rejecting you ; so that i can conclude a good su●csess , from what you raise dispair . cle : ha! think you pandora did reject me , in compliance with my humour only ? lonzar : what else ? can she be angry with you , for loving her too much ? cle : you do surprize me with a discourse i look'd not for ; — but i will be no more abus'd ; — i will not see her . lonzar : how can you be reconcil'd then ? shall she make love to you ? cle : no , i abhorre that thought , beyond her anger , a woman wooe , that were preposterous ! lon : will you treat by embassadours ? and wed by proxie ? clear : nor so , that 's only fit for princes , who cannot meet to treat . lon : will you have her ? if she declares she would have you ? cle : i shall never like her change of mind . lon : can ' you tell whether you would have her , or not ? cle : that 's a harder question , then the other . lon : will you have her by compulsion ? cle. that were a tyranny , would make her hate me ever . lon : shall the duke by his prerogative power , in spight of both your teeth , compel you both to compliance ? cle : let me think on this a little , at first sight this looks likely to agree us : — if two impossibilities can make one possible ? this might do our businesse . lon : well , what do you resolve ? cle : nothing , why do you tempt me to farther evils ? — i know not what to resolve , nor what to say ; — but will no more of love , my heart shakes at the thought of my last tryal ; — i blush to think how much lesse then man i was , and hovv much more then woman , i created her , in those fevv houres i lov'd ; — [ enter a messenger . ] messen : the duke calls for lonzartes . lon : i 'le attend his highnesse presently ▪ cle : i take you for my friend lonzartes ; — do not discourse me into a ruine , you will share in . lon : i have no rule for friendship above my desire to see you happy . cle : i believe it sir , and beg your pardon for my distracted language ; — i must attend the duke too . lon : and i. exeunt . enter pandora and lindamira . pan : you tire me lindamira , and chide me for a fault , i cannot own ; i had no other way to free my self . lin : you might have check'd his approaches with somewhat lesse severity , your rigour may beget despair in him . pan : dispair of what ? my undertaking was only on the dukes command , to afford him civil visits , which i have done , in hope of his conversion . lin : you did give o're , before the work was perfected . pan : you speak as if the design to set him free , were to inslave me , to the humour of a mad man. lin : the wildest young men , do often prove the soberest at the last ; and the truth is madam , we do all desire to see you , and clearcus , convert one another ; so to beget that unity of hearts , which the world seeks most . pan : do you believe that i , who have a prejudice against the best of men , can e're esteem the worst ? lin : if clearcus were under that notion ! i should have other thoughts ; but when i consider such men reclaim'd , do often make good husbands i have hopes of him . pan : if his wildnesse were his only fault , time , and experience might reclaim him . lin : if these be your only exceptions madam , i wish you would trust me to mannage this affair . pan : you must not talk me into an intreque , which i avoid ; — i do not love him . lin : you will do , when you have him , i know many have done so after marriage , who did not before . pan : that is too bold a venture for me , who have no faith in men ; and those examples you mention so rarely to be found , my courage dares not undertake it ; pray no more of this . lin : the princess desires your company at court this evening . pan : i did intend to wait on her . [ enter duke , theodocia , and lonzartes . ] duke . i have given you arguments enough on his behalf , which his dejected looks you see declare ; — your favours theodocia should not be restrain'd , because his adoration is so great , he dares not beg 'um ; come near lonzartes . the : lonzartes's worth is understood , beyond the weak rhetorick of flattering words ; he cannot wish to be more valued , then he is by me . lon : nor will i ever sue for favours , beyond these you now afford me madam ; — may i confirm my hopes , by understanding what you say , my own way ? the : you may , for since my father does so much advise for marriage , i may alter my opinion , when i find just cause to value men , above my resolves against them . lon : for heavens sake madam say no more , my breast cannot contain these spreading joyes you give me , my hopes increase too fast , for my dispairing heart , to comprehend these honours you allow , without an extacy ! duke . theodocia , i shall nee'r revoke the freedome i have given , to make your own choice , though i direct you to lonzartes , to whom our ancestors have done wrong . the : this your indulgence sir , makes me more cautious , how i proceed ; — marriage is a concern so great , i dare not at once resolve it , and the same day chuse the man : — i can yet only say , that i have alter'd my opinion , in favour of lonzartes . lon : my amazement , and my concern are too great , to answer madam , my felicity is above the reach of a reply . duke . theodocia , i have given you my best councel , and my full consent to please your self . the : i thank you sir , and i will endeavour to regulate my heart to your advise , and to lonzartes wish ; — give me but time to examine , and approve , what i am willing to submit to . enter pandora , and lindamira to them , with silvander . duke . how is it madam , that you quit the field ? before your undertaking be perform'd . pan : i have done my part sir , which was on your command , to allow him civil visits ; and to entertain the princess , i complyed with lindamira , to try how our raleary would work on him , which did produce so unlook'd for an effect , that i was forc'd to quit my part , to save my self : duke . were you in danger to be lost then ? — i did not think clearcus had prevail'd so farre ; but if he be reclaim'd , he will be worthy your esteem . pan : your highnesse did mistake me , i was in no danger to be lost through love , nor at all concern'd ; for a man who does declare against all worth in women , where he can get an interest : pray sir , make me understand what you would have me do ? duke . we would have you marry clearcus . pan : whether he will or no ; — if i consent , can you prevail with him ? duke . do you comply , wee 'l try what we can do ? pan : i would not be treypand into a marriage , i am so much averse to , in confidence of his old humour , think my self secure , and be so lost ! lin : you may venture safely madam , you see he is so great a coward , that he only dares pursue them that fly him , do but charge , and he will runne away . pan : if i were sure of that ! i would seem any thing , to be freed from farther trouble . lon : trust me madam , he is now worse then ever . duke . lonzartes , pray use your interest to bring him to us now . exit lonzartes . the : do you think cousin , we have a design to harm you ? pan : no , but your highnesse disputes me into a condition , your self does not approve ; pray shew me the way to this felicity , that i may credit what you say , by what you do . the : will you then ingage to marry clearcus ? the same day i marry ? pan : shall i chuse your man ? as you would mine ? the : suppose i have already chosen . pan : i thought your highnesse had been of my opinion ; but if provided , i give you joy . the : now you runne too fast the other way , i am only towards marriage . pan : that journey seldome proves long madam , when we look towards it . lin : that was said like a sage sibell , the quintessence of truth , in few words , 't is but a willing mind , and then — pan : prethee lindamira help me to be rid of this uncertain man. lin : i know no better councel , then to be in love with him , or to seem so , for if he should take you at your word , and marry , that may do your work ; for i once knew a lady , who chose to marry an importunate sutor , that she might be rid of him , and was so ; for soon after marriage , they parted , and never met more . pan : you are allwayes in jest , i would have serious councell now . lin : you have had my story twice over , to no purpose . duke . by all my observations , i cannot judge , whether clearcus , or you pandora , be most extravagant . lin : your highnesse may do well , to put them into the colledge of half mad folks , where they will either cure one another , or become quite mad together ; when their disease is known , some remedy may be found ; 't is now past judgment , what either of them ayle ! the : lindamira saies well , 't is very strange you will not declare so farre , as to let us see how we may serve you . pan : do but leave me to my self , and i am well madam . the : many sick people are of that opinion , when in most danger , and must therefore by their friends be govern'd . pan : as many healthy people , think themselves sick , when they are not , and by seeking remedies for nothing , do create evils , they never can finde cure for ; such high passions as lindamira's , do never let us rest in peace , but do create perpetuall storms . lin : you argue well madam , if a dull calme , were the onely happinesse , appointed us on earth , then one degree from being a sleep , would prove our greatest bliss ; — sure no age did e're produce , two such icy-hearted ladies , as the princess , and you . [ enter to them lonzartes and clearcus . ] lin : here comes a homely , and a jigg hand in hand ; — now for the second part to the same tune , of love me , and love me not . duke . clearcus , it troubles me to see you delight in a retired darknesse , or else to walk in such clouds , as we cannot see through ; i would perswade you to regain pandora's good opinion . cle : is the mistery of love , to be discuss'd in publique sir ? duke . with us , who are so near alli'd unto you both ; i think it may , because we all know what you both profess in private , and now desire to hear , what you will face to face avow ; and we intreat you pandora , first to shew , why you threw off clearcus . pan : you do amaze me sir , to examine me as a criminal ! duke . you have no cause for this displeasure pandora , but mis-judge our love and our respects ; we know your worth , and would to the world illustrate that virtue , you design to smother by a single life ; i allow your purpose , did become your younger dayes , and did expresse an angelicall innocence ; but i question whether now , on mature judgment , you may not do better for your self , and us , to reclaim clearcus . pan : you demand impossibilities from me , for if i should change my mind , he will change his too ; pray shew me a rule to reclaim him by , before you do condemn me . duke . we onely desire you will afford him the same civility , as did first induce him to adore that virtue he dispised before . pan : i have done this . the : you did begin , but you gave o're too soon . lin : and all her kindness but in jest too madam , which he discern'd . duke . how do you answer this ? lindamira was of your councel . pan : i undertook him but in jest , and was by him injoyn'd to such severity , as i perform'd , and 't was then thought , the onely way to vindicate our sex , and to work his conversion , which he at first did counterfeit so well , as to deceive , and fright me from his farther visits . lin : was his love so terrible ? pan : to me it was , who thought him uncapable of ever having noble thoughts , for any of our sex. duke . but when you found him growing worthy , why did you not cherish that virtue ? as your own creation . lin : because she fear'd , her virgin vow might be defil'd , by owning such a man●child of her own begetting ; for he began to aske her blessing , 'till she laugh'd him into so great anger , that one day he proffer'd to kill himself , which gave end unto our comedy . pan : if his cure had lain within the reach of raleary , i had gloried in my part , but never shall consent to inslave my self unto the humours of a man , who cannot be a minute in one mind ; his imaginations are beyond the moon , and would have , he knowes not what ▪ duke . clearcus , you have heard your charge ; — guilty or not guilty ? lin : guilty sir. cle : i shall never want your good word madam ; — lindamira tells you true sir , i am guilty . duke . of what ? cle : of all the crimes , that offended lady does object ; pray sir pronounce my doom , and put me out of pain . duke . will you submit then , and obey it ? cle : if it can put me out of pain , i will ? duke . i doubt it not ; — my sentence is , that you revive that love you shew'd unto pandora lately . cle : oh sir , the very name of love , puts me into a shaking fit ; for heavens sake , give me halters , poysons , daggers , any means to let out life , rather then renew those torments , which i felt that hour i lov'd . lin : pray sir , give me leave , to put him some interrogatories . duke . do so . lin : your lordship has confest , that you have lov'd one hour , and must have some reason why you lov'd no longer ; shew us that reason , or for ever hold your peace , and submit to judgment . the : how clearcus , nonplust by a judge in petticoates ? [ clearcus stands mute . ] lin : why madam ? many of our sex have puzled the wisest men ; — give him leave to think a little ; but if what i have said , has struck your lordship dumb , hold up your finger , — 't is enough ; — he has [ he hold it up . ] nothing to say for himself , but submits unto the mercy of the court ; i understand him sir ; — and have now found a remedy for both their evils ; — if you will trust me with your hand my lord , i will not harm it : — and if i have credit enough madam ! to be trusted with your hand [ clearcus gives his hand . ] too , pray lay it without fear on mine , that i may try a charm i have , to conjure out the evil spirits , that possesse you both ; — you may at your own pleasure , take back your hands ; — only let me hold 'um , while i pronounce my charm within . [ pandora turns away . ] duk. pandora i intreat you to try lindamira's charm , give her your hand , she deals not with the divel . [ pandora gives her hand . ] lin : the divel i work by sir , is truth , drest in her rich robe of innocence ; — if truth do not convince both these delinquents , my charm will have no power on them ; — my lord you have in this great assembly , often said , that you could never value any woman you could win ; — if now you have found this lady , as impregnable , as you can wish , she is your fate ; — hold sir , remember you are dumb , 'till i [ he proffers to speak . ] have done ; — now madam , i must speak serious sence to you , who stand here the expectation , and the wish of all the court ; — yet i know , you must not consent to give your hand to him , nor in a look , or word comply , with what i say ; for if you yield , clearcus will forsake the field : — i shall therefore only put your hands together , no marriage , nor no contract make , onely desire that you will thus hand in hand , retire a while with me in private , to apply my charm , who now do pray , that all the evils which ever did befall the most unhappy lovers , may light on him , or you , that shall their hand remove , before my charme does work ; now come with me . exeunt hand in hand . duke . what the issue of this will be , i cannot guesse ; — now theodocia , i must remind you of lonzartes , who dares not approach you , on his own behalf , who is , what you can wish , to make you happy ; and i do again invite you to crown his unparalell'd humility , with a bliss , he presumes not once to mention , lest it offend you ; i have also a state argument you understand not theodocia , your two interests in this dukedome , thus united , will make it flourish ; — lonzartes has been wrong'd . the : i know his wrong sir , and have observ'd his sufferings , or i had never dallied with his love ; lonzartes's clear soul is adorn'd with more glories , then this crown will bring him . duke . if then your hearts agree , give me your hands ; — here lonzartes is the best reward i have , to incourage modesty , and worth ; whey they do in one heart combine , as now in thine . lon : great sir , i am so much surprized , so over-loaden with my joyes , that i have nought but blushes to expresse my gratitude ; — nor know i how to welcome this unlook'd for honour from the princess , who dains to raise her humblest servant from her feet , to set me on a throne , incirculed with more joyes , then that you now restore me to . [ he kisses her hand . ] the : keep still your character lonzartes , as i will mine , high transports in love , are not long liv'd , i fear . lon : i shall be madam , whatever you direct , though this unlook'd for happinesse , do raise my heart above my own command , for such an excess of joy , is hard to mannage . [ kisses her hand . ] [ enter lindamira to them . ] lin : i may now wish your highness joy i hope , now your fannatick love , conformes to the law of nations ; — now you may talk your pleasure against high passions madam ; — and methinks you sir , do look as if you lik'd this better then that wise sect of ayrie lovers , whose phylosophy doth teach , not to desire , what they can never reach . lon : you are madam the best phylosopher i ever met , and do deserve to have a golden statue in loves-temple set . duke . but how have you disposed of your fantastick couple ? 't is that great work , must crown all your undertakings lindamira . lin : that goes on excellently well sir , i have left them sitting on a couch , with their hands still ●ixt , eagerly gazing on each others eyes , as if through them , they could discern the inside of each others hearts ; by their no motion , and their stedy looks , i can foresee they vvill be of one mind suddainly . the : why could not vve see this experiment ? lin : oh madam , my charm will not work in company ; lovers will seemingly dispise , what they like most , only to deceive observing eyes ; i believe they held off thus long , for shame to own what they had so publickly declar'd against ; and to themselves will hardly dare to let their hearts appeare these two dayes ; — they must look themselves into an agreement , for no words can ever reconcile their first principles . if their hands , do not their hearts discover , i 'le no more pretend to charm a lover . the : may we not peep at the hanging , and stand unseen . duke . let us not turn this serious work into a jest , unlesse lindamimira do approve it ; none shall stir that way . lin : i can place you so , as you may see and hear too . the : pray sir be pleas'd to look on them , our testimony may be of use . duke . come then . lindam : your highness must stand silent , or you 'l hinder my projection . the : we will , we will. exeunt . they all re-enter behind the couch , and stand on each side of the stage ; then is discover'd pandora , and clearcus holding hands , and sitting on a couch , a while silent , looking on each other ; then clearcus proffers to kiss that hand he holds , she puts him back with her other hand , and turns her face from him , — he sighes : — cle : turn not away those beautious lights , have guided me to heaven ; nor look as if you were in pain , to see my heart thus chang'd , from a rude destraction , to an extasie of bliss ; from a deformed satyr , with a confus'd chaos of dark thoughts , and blacker actions , by your glorious beauties , and brighter virtues , new form'd into the figure of a man , emulating those excellencies i admire in you : — oh turn this way , and own what is your own creation ; by your perfections rais'd from what was worse then nothing , to something now , too worthy to be cast away ; i should this happy hour believe my self were in elizium ; did not this fair , soft hand , and those bright eyes assure me i yet live ; from whence some divine instinct , teaches my rude nature to adore , what i never understood before . pan : i do not like to be thus long left alone , to be expos'd unto your passion , and the worlds censure ; lindamira has deceiv'd my trust ; — i now see your plot , and her design discover , but will no longer suffer the abuse . [ offers to rise . ] cle : be not so cruel unto your self and me , think on the curse hangs over us , if we remove our hands 'till she return . pan : 't is too much foolery , to give faith to ! cle : remember we complied , to what she said ; by which her words are registr'd in heaven , and have ingaged the gods by our consent . pan : 't was rashly done , and i repent ; — when will this subtle sorceress return ? my innocense will justifie my blind consent , to which i was misled by my fidelity and trust , and will no longer fear to take away my hand . [ offers to rise . ] cle : oh take not your hand away , untill the holy charm have rectified your heart , and therein created so much charity , as in a moment may remove your scorns , and teach you love ; for i , who so long slighted your neglects , and fled all civil favours from your sex , do now tremble at the thought of parting hands , untill our hearts like them , become united . pan : do you believe lindamira mistris of such magick ? that her words have power to reconcile dissenting hearts , like ours : cle : yes , i find them work on me , and hope the same effect on you , else why sit we here obeying those commands she left ? why fear we to offend those powers she did invoke ? — when you consider this , i hope you dare not stirre a finger towards such impiety ! pan : though lindamira's virtue be approv'd , i was surprized by her inticing words , and by the duke compell'd to do , i know not what ; — and therefore will no longer now obey . [ offers to rise ; he holds her . ] cle : stay , oh stay , and let the fatal curse strike me alone ; my guilts have merrited what e're can fall on me ; — do but command me to remove my hand , and i 'le obey ; that you may see how much your power prevails , above my fear of lindamira's threats : if so , i may divert your harms : i will against my nature , and my faith , destroy all hopes of future bliss , to pull this ruine on my self , which else may light on you : — say , must it be ? [ pandora sits silent a while . ] pan : if i command your hands remove , and her curse should after follow you , my unblemish'd innocense may suffer more , then all your crimes can merrit : — i have no faith in charmes , nor cause to apprehend her curses can reach me , and yet — — my doubts and fears , my reason does dismay , i know not what to do , nor what to say ; the wonder is so great , i am afraid , aside . some god this serpent , has an angel made , and now indow'd him with coelestial art , to force obedience from my stubborn heart . cle : 't is worthy your consult , before you do destroy a body and soule : here , a ready sacrifice to set you free , for now i find that lindamira's charm does higher work ! and now again , that dazling light display , which did my heart in flame the other day : ye gods , i do implore your power to move , aside . the bright pandora , to allow my love ; 't will be the same , if now clearcus dies , by thunder struck , or by pandora's eyes ! pan : lindamira's virtue , and her wit , are much more powerfull , then her charms ; — ( which i contemn , ) but you my lord , have now by chance thrown out such words , i shake to think on ; — your body and your soul , are now at stake , you say ; — and by your looks i read , you think our fortunes , and our fates , depend on my reply ; — and so do i ; — this is then too great a work , for so few minutes to dispatch ; we must look up clearcus , and from above seek ayde ! — 't is piety , when we our hearts submit , to undergo , what e're the gods think fit . cle : 't is so , let us hasten to the temple then , there celebrate : — [ they rise up . ] this happy issue of so strange contest , wrought by the gods , must by the gods be blest . he kisses her hand , three or four times in joy . cle : where is this powerfull sibell gone ? whose sacred charms do dis-inchant fantastick hearts . lin : i am here sir , with witnesse enough , to hold pandora to her word . cle : let me adore thy divine virtue lindamira ? who hath shew'd such skill , to raise dead folks to life ; for we were dead in follies , and are now become true converts sir. duke . this is great newes , you are both well come to your wits again , which does declare lindamira a great artist . the : what sayes pandora for her self ? pan : i have both waies done too much , either to excuse , or justifie my self ; silence becomes me madam . lin : let the clock strike twice , before we credit what they say , or else make all sure , by i clearcus take thee pandora , &c. duke . lindamira is my oracle ; — give me your hand pandora , and yours clearcus . may they most wretched live , and cursed dye , who shall this knot endeavour to untye . the : my prayers concur with yours sir , and now dear cousin , what i wish'd is come to passe , that you and i might on the same day be married : thus for our good we see the gods fulfill what they designe , though much against our will. pan : your great example madam , is sufficiennt to lead me from all my own resolves to follow you , and if now clearcus be reclaim'd , we must own all our happinesse to lindamira's wit , who has conquer'd both , when neither of us could subdue the other ; and now clearcus i hope will seek occasions to shew the world by his own actions , the noble stock he is descended from . cle : by your permission madam , i shall set my heart towards my prince his , and my countries service ; — i beg imployment sir , on the next gallies you send out , lest idlenesse corrupt my busie brain . lin : mark that sir , he is allready wavering ; madam take heed , how you take the spirit of uncertainty , ( in the habit of a man. ) pan : you speak too late , the uncertain man is now my certain fate . cle ▪ some diversions are necessary madam , to look on the same objects ever , dulls , and tyres the best eyes ; but lindamira can say nothing , i dare contradict . duke . you shall command in chief clearcus , to shew the world , the vigour you have too long hid . lon : joyes on joyes , light on clearcus head . they embrace . cle : may those joyes be multiplied on you sir ; my redeemer , and now become my prince . duk● . we must conclude this happy day lindamira , by joyning silvanders hand with yours , if your mirth will give us leave to be so serious . lin : that is a serious jest sir , i have long look'd for . duk. come near silvander ; — which of you two is most pleas'd now ? both. i sir. duke . who spoke first ? both. i sir. duke . this is a good omen to a joyfull life ; may you be both as happy , as ever love made any . sil : we are happy to our wish sir. lin : he speaks for himself sir , on hopes of more then he may find . duke . wee 'l celebrate these weddings suddainly , and see that lindamira's praise be in loud hymenealls sung through all the city , to incourage the like virtuous , and noble undertakings . lin : i thank your highnesse for your good opinion , but shall love you for this gift of my silvander , above all your other favours ; now silvander , let us dwell arme in arme , and dayly show our loves increase , that all the world may know our hearts ; now the fair princess does confesse , that wedlock may afford true happinesse . epilogue . ladies , our author has so great respect to your fair sex , he fears some grosse defect in his best characters , may prove so short , of your perfections , he needs pardon for 't . if such sad fate , do now attend his play , in 's cloak , thus muffl'd , he will sneak away ; but if you lik't , he will on tip-toe go , that all the world , may the proud author know . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e a phillocles embraces his sister ordella , and leads her out after the emperor . b onely selindra stayes and sits in a chair . c cleonel returns . a poem on st. james's park as lately improved by his majesty. written by edmund waller, esq; waller, edmund, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing w thomason e _ this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (thomason tracts ; :e [ ]) a poem on st. james's park as lately improved by his majesty. written by edmund waller, esq; waller, edmund, - . p. printed [by thomas ratcliffe and edward mottershead] for gabriel bedel and thomas collins at the middle-temple-gate, london : . in verse. printers' names from pforzheimer catalogue. an earlier, unauthorized edition was published with title "on the park at st. jamese's" (wing w ). separate poem begins p. with caption title "of our late war with spaine..." reproduction of the original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng charles -- ii, -- king of england, - -- poetry -- early works to . st. james's park (london, england) -- poetry -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a poem on st. james's park as lately improved by his maiesty . written by edmund waller , esq tudor rose london , printed for gabriel bedel and thomas collins at the middle-temple-gate . . on st. james's park as lately improved by his maiesty . of the first paradise there 's nothing found , plants set by heav'n are vanisht , & the ground ; yet the description lasts , who knows the fate of lines that shall this paradise relate ? instead of rivers rolling by the side of edens garden , here flowes in the tyde ; the sea which alwayes serv'd his empire , now pays tribute to our prince's pleasure too . of famous cities we the founders know : but rivers , old as seas , to which they go , are natures bounty ; 't is of more renown to make a river then to build a town . for future shade young trees upon the banks of the new stream appear in even ranks : the voice of orpheus or amphions hand in better order could not make them stand . may they increase as fast , and spread their boughs , as the high fame of their great owner growes ! may he live long enough to see them all dark shadows cast , and as his palace tall . me thinks i see the love that shall be made , the lovers walking in that amorous shade , the gallants dancing by the rivers side , they bath in summer , and in winter slide . methinks i hear the musick in the boats , and the loud eccho which returnes the notes , whilst over head a flock of new sprung fowle hangs in the aire , and does the sun controle : darkning the aire they hover or'e , and shrowd the wanton saylors with a feather'd cloud . the ladies angling in the cristal lake , feast on the water with the prey they take . a thousand cupids on the billows ride , and sea-nimphs enter with the swelling tyde : from thetis sent as spies to make report , and tell the wonders of her soveraign's court. all that can living feed the greedy eye , or dead the pallat here you may descry , the choicest things that furnisht noahs ark , or peters sheet , inhabiting this park : all with a border of rich fruit-trees crown'd , whose loaded branches hide the lofty mound . such various wayes the spacious alleys lead , my doubtful muse knows not what path to tread . yonder the harvest of cold months laid up , gives a fresh coolnesse to the royal cup ; there ice like christal , firm and never lost , tempers hot july with decembers frost , winters dark prison ; whence he cannot flie , though the warm spring , his enemy grows nigh : strange ! that extreames should thus preserve the snow , high on the alpes , and in deep caves below . here a well-polisht mall gives us the joy to see our prince his matchless force imploy ; his manly posture and his graceful mine vigor and youth in all his motion seen , his shape so comely and his limbs so strong confirm our hopes we shall obey him long . no sooner has he toucht the flying ball , but 't is already more then half the mall , and such a fury from his arm has got as from a smoaking culverin 't were shot : may that ill fate my enemies befall to stand before his anger or his ball . near this my muse , what most delights her sees ▪ a living gallery of aged trees ; bold sons of earth that thrust their armes so high as if once more they would invade the sky . in such green palaces the first kings reign'd , slept in their shades , and angels entertain'd : with such old counsellors they did advise and by frequenting sacred groves grew wise ; free from th' impediments of light and noise man thus retir'd his nobler thoughts imploys ▪ here charles contrives the ordering of his states , here he resolves his neighb'ring princes fates : what nation shall have peace , where war be made , determin'd is in this oraculous shade : the world , from india to the frozen north , concern'd in what this solitude brings forth . his fancy objects from his view receives , the prospect thought and contemplation gives : that seat of empire here salutes his eye , to which three kingdoms do themselves apply . the structure by a prelate rais'd , white-hall , built with the fortune of romes capitol ; both disproportion'd to the present states of their proud founders , were approv'd by fates . from hence he does that antique pile behold , where royal heads receive the sacred gold ; it gives them crowns , and does their ashes keep ; there made like gods , like mortals there they sleep : when others fell , this standing did presage , the crown should triumph over popular rage : hard by that house where all ours ills were shap't ; th' auspicious temple stood , and yet escap'd . so snow on aetna does unmelted lie , whence rolling flames and scatter'd cinders flie ; the distant countrey in the ruine shares , what falls from heav'n the burning mountain spares . next that capacious hall , he sees the room , where the whole nation does for justice come : under whose large roofe flourishes the gown , and judges grave on high tribunals frown . here he does like the peoples pastor goe , his flock subjected to his view below : on which reflecting in his mighty mind , no private passion does indulgence finde ; the pleasures of his youth suspended are , and make a sacrifice to publick care . here free from court compliances he walks , and with himself , his best adviser , talks ; how peaceful olive may his temples shade , for mending laws , and for restoring trade : or how his brows may be with laurel charg'd . for nations conquer'd , and our bounds inlarg'd : of ancient prudence here he meditates , of rising kingdoms and of falling states : what ruling arts gave great augustus fame , and how alcides purchas'd such a name : his eyes upon his native palace bent close by , suggest a greater argument , his thoughts rise higher when he does reflect , on what the world may from that star expect which at his birth appear'd to let us see day for his sake could with the night agree ; a prince on whom such different lights did smile , born the divided world to reconcile : what ever heaven or high extracted blood , could promise or foretell , he will make good : reform these nations , and improve them more , then this fair park from what it was before . of our late war with spaine and first victory at sea near st. lugar . now for some ages had the pride of spain made the sun shine on half the world in vain , whilst she bid war to all that durst supply the place of those her cruelty made die : of natures bounty men forbore to taste , and the best portion of the earth lay wast . from the new world her silver and her gold , came like a tempest to confound the old ; with these accomplishing her vast designs , europe was shaken with her indian mines . when brittain looking with a just disdain , upon this guilded majesty of spain , and knowing well that empire must decline , whose chief support and sinews are of coin , her native force and virtue did oppose to the rich troublers of the worlds repose . and now some months encamping on the main , our naval army had besieged spain , they that the whole worlds monarchy design'd are to their ports by our bold fleet confin'd , frown whence our red-crosse they triumphant see , riding without a rival on the sea : others may use the ocean as their road ; onely the english make it their abode : our oaks secure as if they there took root ; we tread on billows with a steady foot . mean while the spaniards in america , near to the line the sun approaching saw : and hop'd their european coasts to find cleard from our ships by the autumnal wind : their huge capacious gallions stuft with plate , the labouring winds drive slowly towards their fate : before st. lugar they their guns discharge to tell their joy or to call forth a barge : this heard , some ships of ours , though out of view , and swift as eagles to the quarrey flew : so heedlesse lambs which for their mothers bleat ▪ wake hungry lyons and become their meat . arriv'd , they soon begin that tragick play , and with their smoaky cannon banish day ; night , horrour , slaughter with confusion meets , and in their sable armes imbrace the fleets ; through yeelding planks the angry bullets flie , and of one wound hundreds together die , born under different stars one fate they have , the ship their coffin , and the sea their grave . bold were the men who on the ocean first spread their new sayles when shipwrack was the worst ; more danger now from man alone we find then from the rocks , the billows or the wind ; they that had sayld from near th' antartique pole , their treasure safe and all their vessels whole , in sight of their dear countrey ruin'd be , without the guilt of either rock or sea ; what they would spare our fiercer art destroys , surpassing stormes in terrour and in noise : once jove from ida did both hosts survey , and when he pleas'd to thunder part the frey ; heaven here in vain that kind retreat should sound , the louder canon had the thunder drown'd . some we made prize , while others burnt and rent with their rich lading to the bottom went , down sinks at once , so fortune with us sports , the pay of armies and the pride of courts : vain man ! whose rage buries as low that store , as avarice had digg'd for it before ! what earth in her dark bowels could not keep from greedy hands , lies safer in the deep ; where thetis kindly does from mortals hide those seeds of luxury , debate and pride : and now into her lap the richest prize fell with the noblest of our enemies . the marquis glad to see the fire destroy wealth that prevailing foes were to enjoy : out from his flaming ship his children sent to perish in a milder element : then laid him by his burning ladies side , and since he could not save her , with her dy'd ; spices and gums about them melting fry , and phoenix like in that rich nest they die ; alive in flames of equal love they burn'd , and now together are to ashes turn'd ashes , more worth then all their funeral cost , then the huge treasure which was with them lost . the reader is desired to take notice , that a false copy of these verses on st. james's park was surreptitiously and very imperfectly printed in one sheet , without the authors knowledge and consent , several lines being there left out . finis . upon the late storme, and of the death of his highnesse ensuing the same, by mr. waller waller, edmund, - . this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (wing w ). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page image. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing w estc r this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) upon the late storme, and of the death of his highnesse ensuing the same, by mr. waller waller, edmund, - . sheet ([ ] p.) printed for h.h., london : [ ] date of publication from wing. verse - "we must resigne; heaven his great soul do's claime". reproduction of the original in the harvard university library. eng cromwell, oliver, - -- poetry -- early works to . great britain -- history -- commonwealth and protectorate, - -- early works to . a r (wing w ). civilwar no upon the late storme, and of the death of his highnesse ensuing the same, by mr. waller. waller, edmund c the rate of defects per , words puts this text in the c category of texts with between and defects per , words. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion upon the late storme , and of the death of his highnesse ensuing the same , by mr. waller . we must resigne ; heaven his great soul do's claime in stormes as loud , as his immortall fame ; his dying groanes , his last breath shakes our isle , and trees uncut fall for his funerall pile , about his pallace their broad roots are tost into the aire ; so romulus was lost : new rome in such a tempest mis't her king , and from obeying fell to worshiping . on oeta's top thus hercules lay dead with ruin'd okes , and pines about him spread ; those his last fury from the mountaine rent , our dying hero from the continent ravish't whole townes ; and forts from spaniards reft as his last legacy , to brittain left , the ocean which so long our hopes confin'd could give no limits to his vaster mind ; our bounds inlargment was his latest toyle ; nor hath he left us prisoners to our isle ; under the tropick is our language spoke , and part of flanders hath receiv'd our yoke . from civill broyles he did us disingage , found nobler objects for our martiall rage , and with wise conduct to his country show'd their ancient way of conquering abroade : ungratefull then , if we no teares allow to him that gave us peace , and empire too ▪ princes that fear'd him , grieve , concern'd , to see no pitch of glory from the grave is free . nature her selfe tooke notice of his death , and sighing swel'd the sea , with such a breath that to remotest shores her billowes rould , th'approching fate of their great ruler told . london printed for h. h. upon her majesties new buildings at somerset-house waller, edmund, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page image. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing w estc r estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : or : ) upon her majesties new buildings at somerset-house waller, edmund, - . single sheet ([ ] p.) printed for henry herringham ..., london : . reproductions of originals in huntington library and british library. broadside. in verse. attributed to edmund waller. cf. bm. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng palaces -- england -- early works to . broadsides - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - chris scherer sampled and proofread - chris scherer text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion upon her maiesties new buildings at somerset-house . great queen , that does our island bless with princes , and with palaces ; treated so ill , chac'd from your throne , returning you adorn the town , and with a brave revenge do show , their glory went , and came with you ; while peace from hence , and you were gone your houses in that storm o'rethrown , those wounds which civil rage did give , at once you pardon and relieve : constant to england in your love , as birds are to their wonted grove , ●hough by rude hands their nests are spoil'd , there , the next spring , again they build : accusing some malignant star , not britain , for that fatal war , your kindness banishes your fear , resolv'd to fix for ever here : but what new myne this work supplies ? can such a pile from ruine rise ? this like the first creation shows , as if at your command it rose ; frugality , and bounty too , those differing virtues , meet in you ; from a confin'd well manag'd store you both imploy , and feed the poor : let forein princes vainly boast the rude effects of pride , and cost , of vaster fabriques , to which they contribute nothing , but the pay : this , by the queen her self design'd , gives us a pattern of her mind ; the state , and order does proclaim the genius of that royal dame , each part with just proportion grac'd , and all to such advantage plac'd that the fair view her window yields , the town , the river , and the fields entring , beneath us , we descry , and wonder how we came so high ; she needs no weary steps ascend , all seems before her feet to bend , and here , as she was born , she lies high , without taking pains to rise . london , printed for henry herringman at the anchor in the lower walk in the new-exchange . anno dom. . instructions to a painter for the drawing of the posture & progress of his ma[jes]ties forces at sea, under the command of his highness royal together with the battel & victory obtained over the dutch, june , / by edm. waller, esq. waller, edmund, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing w estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) instructions to a painter for the drawing of the posture & progress of his ma[jes]ties forces at sea, under the command of his highness royal together with the battel & victory obtained over the dutch, june , / by edm. waller, esq. waller, edmund, - . p. printed for henry herringman ..., london : . first complete edition. an anonymous broadside, containing the first part of the poem, was published, , under a slightly different title. reproduction of original in huntington library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng war poetry, english. anglo-dutch war, - -- poetry. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - john latta sampled and proofread - john latta text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion instructions to a painter , for the drawing of the posture & progress of his maties forces at sea , under the command of his highness royal. together with the battel & victory obtained over the dutch , june . . ut , qui vos , imperatores vestros , & anglorum res gestas semper ornavit , humanitate vestrâ levatus , potius quam acerbitate violatus esse videatur . cicero pro arch. poet. by edm. waller esq london , printed for henry herringman , at the anchor on the lower walk of the new exchange . . instructions to a painter , for the drawing of the posture and progress of his maties forces at sea , under the command of his highness royal . together with the battel and victory obtained over the dutch june . . first draw the sea , that portion which between the greater world , and this of ours is seen ; here place the british , there the holland fleet , vast floating armies , both prepar'd to meet : draw the whole world , expecting who shall raign , after this combate , o're the conquer'd main ; make heav'n concern'd , and an unusual star declare th'importance of th' approaching war : make the sea shine with gallantry , and all the english youth flock to their admiral , the valiant duke , whose early deeds abroad , such rage in fight , and art in conduct show'd ; his bright sword now a dearer int'rest draws , his brothers glory , and his countries cause . let thy bold pencil , hope , and courage spread through the whole navy , by that heroe led ; make all appear , where such a prince is by , resolv'd to conquer , or resolv'd to die : with his extraction , and his glorious mind make the proud sails swell , more than with the wind ; preventing cannon , make his louder fame check the batavians , and their fury tame : so hungry wolves , though greedy of their prey , stop when they find a lion in their way . make him bestride the ocean , and mankind ask his consent , to use the sea and wind : while his tall ships in the barr'd channel stand , he grasps the indies in his armed hand . paint an east-wind , and make it blow away th' excuse of holland for their navies stay ; make them look pale , and the bold prince to shun , through the cold north , and rocky regions run ; to find the coast where morning first appears , by the dark pole the wary belgian steers , confessing now , he dreads the english , more then all the dangers of a frozen shore , while from our arms security to find , they fly so far , they leave the day behind : describe their fleet abandoning the sea , and all their merchants left a wealthy prey ; our first success in war , make bacchus crown , and half the vintage of the year our own : the dutch their wine , and all their brandee lose , disarm'd of that , from which their courage grows ; while the glad english , to relieve their toil , in healths to their great leader drink the spoil : his high command to africk's coast extend , and make the moors before the english bend , those barbarous pirates willingly receive conditions such , as we are pleas'd to give ; deserted by the dutch , let nations know , we can our own , and their great business do ; false friends chastise , and common foes restrain , which worse then tempests did infest the main . within those streights make smyrna-fleet with a small squadron of the english meet ; like falcons these , those like a numerous flock , of fowl , which scatter to avoid the shock ; there paint confusion in a various shape some sink , some yield , and flying some escape : europe and africa from either shore spectators are , and hear our cannon roar , while the divided world , in this , agree , men that fight so , deserve to rule the sea. but neerer home , thy pencil use once more , and place our navy by the holland shore ; the world they compass'd , while they fought with spain , but here already they resign the main : those greedy mariners , out of whose way , diffusive nature could no region lay , at home , preserv'd , from rocks and tempests lie , compell'd , like others , in their beds to die ; their single towns th' iberian armies press't , we all their provinces at once invest , and in a month , ruine their traffique , more , then that long war , could in an age before . but who can always on the billows ly ? the watry wilderness yields no supply ; spreading our sails , to harwich we resort , and meet the beauties of the british court , th' illustrious dutchess , and her glorious train , like thetis with her nymphs , adorn the main ; the gazing sea-gods , since the paphian queen sprung from among them , no such sight had seen ; charm'd with the graces of a troop so fair , those deathless powers for us themselves declare , resolv'd the aid of neptuno's court to bring , and help the nation where such beauties spring : the souldier here his wasted store supplies , and takes new valour from the ladies eyes : mean while , like bees , when stormy winter 's gone , the dutch ( as if the sea were all their own ) desert their ports , and falling in their way our hamburgh merchants are become their prey ; thus flourish they , before th' appoaching fight , as dying tapers give a blazing light. to check their pride , our fleet half victuall'd goes , enough to serve us , till we reach our foes , who now appear , so numerous and bold , the action worthy of our arms we hold ; a greater force , then that which here we find , ne're press'd the ocean , nor employ'd the wind. restrain'd a while by the unwelcom night , th' impatient english scarce attend the light ; but now the morning , heav'n severely clear , to the fierce work indulgent does appear ; and phoebus lifts above the waves his light , that he might see , and thus record the fight : as when loud winds from different quarters rush , vast clouds incountring , one another crush , with swelling sails , so , from their several coasts , joyn the batavian , and the british hoasts ; for a less prize , with less concern and rage , the roman fleets at actium did engage ; they for the empire of the world they knew , these for the old , contend , and for the new : at the first shock , with blood , and powder stain'd , nor heav'n , nor sea , their former face retain'd ; fury and art produce effects so strange , they trouble nature , and her visage change : where burning ships the banish'd sun supply , and no light shines , but that by which men dy , there york appears , so prodigal is he of royal blood , as ancient as the sea , which down to him , so many ages told , has through the veins of mighty monarchs roll'd ; the great achilles march'd not to the field , till vulcan that impenetrable shield and arms had wrought ; yet there no bullets flew , but shafts , and darts , which the weak phrygians threw ; our bolder heroe on the deck does stand expos'd , the bulwark of his native land , defensive arms laid by , as useless here , where massie balls the neighbouring rocks do tear : some power unseen those princes does protect , who for their country thus themselves neglect . against him first opdam his squadron leads , proud of his late success against the swedes , made by that action , and his high command , worthy to perish by a princes hand : the tall batavian in a vast ship rides , bearing an army in her hollow sides , yet not inclin'd the english ship to board , more on his guns relies , then on his sword , from whence a fatal volley we receiv'd , it miss'd the duke , but his great heart it griev'd , three worthy persons from his side it tore , and dy'd his garment with their scatter'd gore : happy ! to whom this glorious death arrives , more to be valu'd than a thousand lives ! on such a theatre , as this , to dy , for such a cause , and such a witness by ! who would not thus a sacrifice be made , to have his blood on such an altar laid ? the rest about him strook with horrour stood , to see their leader cover'd or'e with blood ; so trembl'd jacob , when he thought the stains of his sons coat had issu'd from his veins : he feels no wound , but in his troubled thought , before for honour , now revenge he fought , his friends in pieces torn , the bitter news not brought by fame , with his own eyes he views ; his mind at once reflecting on their youth , their worth , their love , their valour , and their truth , the joys of court , their mothers , and their wives to follow him abandon'd , and their lives , he storms , and shoots ; but flying bullets now to execute his rage , appear too slow ; they miss , or sweep but common souls away , for such a loss , opdam his life must pay : encouraging his men , he gives the word , with fierce intent that hated ship to board , and make the guilty dutch , with his own arm , wait on his friends , while yet their blood is warm : his winged vessel like an eagle shows , when through the clouds to truss a swan she goes ; the belgian ship unmov'd , like some huge rock inhabiting the sea , expects the shock : from both the fleets mens eyes are bent this way , neglecting all the business of the day , bullets their flight , and guns their noise suspend , the silent ocean does th' event attend , which leader shall the doubtful vict'ry bless , and give an earnest of the wars success ; when heav'n it self for england to declare , turns ship , and men , and tackle into air ; their new commander from his charge is tost , which that young prince had so unjustly lost , whose great progenitors with better fate , and better conduct sway'd their infant state. his flight tow'rds heav'n th' aspiring belgian took , but fell , like phaeton , with thunder strook , from vaster hopes than his , he seem'd to fall , that durst attempt the british admiral ; from her broad-sides a ruder flame is thrown , than from the fiery chariot of the sun ; that bears the radiant ensigh of the day , and she the flag that governs in the sea. the duke ill pleas'd that fire should thus prevent the work which for his brighter sword he meant , anger still burning in his valiant breast , goes to compleat revenge upon the rest ; so on the guardless herd , their keeper slain , rushes a tyger in the lybian plain . the dutch accustom'd to the raging sea , and in black storms the frowns of heav'n to see , never met tempest which more urg'd their fears , than that which in the prince his look appears ; fierce , goodly , young , mars he resembles , when jove sends him down , to scourge perfidious men , such as with foul ingratitude have paid both those that led , and those that gave them aid ; where he gives on , disposing of their fates , terror and death on his loud cannon waits , with which he pleads his brothers cause so well , he shakes the throne to which he does appeal ; the sea with spoil his angry bullets strow , widows and orphans making as they go ; before his ship , fragments of vessels torn , flags , arms , and belgian carcasses are born , and his despairing foes to flight inclin'd , spread all their canvase to invite the wind : so the rude boreas where he lists to blow makes clouds above , and billows fly below , beating the shore , and with a boysterous rage does heav'n at once , and earth and sea ingage : the dutch elsewhere , did through the watry field perform enough to have made others yield ; but english courage growing as they fight , in danger , noise , and slaughter takes delight , their bloody task , unwearied still , they ply , only restrain'd by death , or victory : iron and lead , from earths dark entrails torn , like show'rs of hail from either side are born ; so high the rage of wretched mortals goes , hurling their mothers bowels at their foes , ingenious to their ruine , every age improves the arts , and instruments of rage ; death-hast'ning ills nature enough has sent , and yet men still a thousand more invent . but bacchus now , which led the belgians on so fierce at first , to favour us begun ; brandee and wine , their wonted friends , at length render them useless , and betray their strength : so corn in fields , and in the garden flowers , revive , and raise themselves with moderate showers ; but over-charg'd with never-ceasing rain , become too moist , and bend their heads again : their reeling ships on one another fall , without a foe enough to ruine all : of this disorder , and the favouring wind , the watchful english such advantage find , ships fraught with fire among the heap they throw , and up the so intangled belgians blow ; the flame invades the powder-rooms , and then their guns shoot bullets , and their vessels men ; the scorch't batavians on the billows float , sent from their own to pass in charon's boat. and now our royal admiral , success with all the marks of victory does bless ; the burning ships , the taken , and the slain proclaim his triumph o're the conquer'd main : neerer to holland as their hasty flight carries the noise and tumult of the fight , his cannons roar , fore-runner of his fame , makes their hague tremble , and their amsterdam ; the british thunder does their houses rock , and the duke seems at every door to knock ; his dreadful streamer like a comets hair threatning destruction , hastens their despair , makes them deplore their scatter'd fleet as lost , and fear our present landing on their coast. the trembling dutch th' approaching prince behold as sheep a lion leaping tow'rds their fold ; those piles which serve them to repel the main they think too weak his fury to restrain : what wonders may not english valour work , led by th' example of victorious york ? or what defence against him can they make , who at such distance does their country shake ? his fatal hand their bulwarks will o'rethrow , and let in both the ocean and the foe : thus cry the people , and their land to keep , allow our title to command the deep , blaming their states ill conduct to provoke those arms which freed them from the spanish yoke . painter , excuse me , if i have a while forgot thy art , and us'd another stile ; for though you draw arm'd heroes as they fit , the task in battel does the muses fit ; they in the dark confusion of a fight discover all , instruct us how to write , and light and honour to brave actions yield , hid in the smoak and tumult of the field . ages to come shall know that leaders toil , and his great name on whom the muses smile ; their dictates here let thy fam'd pencil trace , and this relation with thy colours grace . then draw the parliament , the nobles met , and our great monarch , high above them set , like young augustus let his image be , triumphing for that victory at sea , where aegypts queen , and eastern kings o'rethrown . made the possession of the world his own . last draw the commons at his royal feet , pouring out treasure to supply his fleet ; they vow , with lives and fortunes to maintain their kings eternal title to the main , and with a present to the duke approve his valour , conduct , and his countries love. to the king. great sir , disdain not in this piece to stand supream commander both of sea and land : those which inhabit the celestial bower , painters express with emblems of their power ; his club alcides , phoebus has his bow , jove has his thunder , and your navy you. but your great providence no colours here can represent , nor pencil draw that care which keeps you waking , to secure our peace , the nations glory , and our trades increase ; you for these ends whole days in counsel sit , and the diversions of your youth forget . small were the worth of valour , and of force , if your high wisdom govern'd not their course ; you as the soul , as the first mover you vigour and life on every part bestow , how to build ships , and dreadful ordnance cast , instruct the artists , and reward their haste : so jove himself , when typhon heav'n does brave , descends to visit vulcan's smoaky cave , teaching the brawny cyclops how to frame his thunder mixt with terrour , wrath , and flame . had the old greeks discover'd your abode , crete had not been the cradle of their god , on that small island they had look'd with scorn , and in great britain thought the thunderer born . finis . divine poems by edward waller esq. poems. selections waller, edmund, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing w estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) divine poems by edward waller esq. poems. selections waller, edmund, - . p. printed for henry herringman, and are to be sold by jos. knights and fran. saunders ..., in the savoy [london] : . reproduction of original in huntington library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng christian poetry, english -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - emma (leeson) huber sampled and proofread - emma (leeson) huber text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion divine poems . by edmond waller esq licensed , octob. . . rob. midgley . in the savoy : printed for henry herringman ; and are to be sold by jos. knight and fran. saunders , at the sign of the anchor in the lower walk of the new-exchange in the strand . . of divine love. . canto's . . asserting the authority of the scripture , in which this love is reveal'd . . the preference and love of god to man in the creation . . the same love more amply declared in our redemption . . how necessary this love is to reform mankind , and how excellent in it self . . shewing how happy the world would be if this love were universally embrac'd . . of preserving this love in our memory , and how useful the contemplation thereof is . canto i. the grecian muse has all their gods surviv'd nor jove at us , nor phoebus is arriv'd ; frail deities , which first the poets made , and then invok'd , to give their fancies aid ! yet if they still divert us with their rage , what may be hop'd for in a better age ? when not from helicons imagin'd spring , but sacred writ , we borrow what we sing : this with the fabrick of the world begun , elder than light , and shall out-last the sun. before this oracle ( like dagon ) all the false pretenders , delphos , hammon , fall ; long since despis'd , and silent they afford honour and triumph , to th' eternal word . as late philosophy our globe has grac'd , and rowling earth among the plannets plac'd , so has this book intitl'd us to heav'n , and rules to guide us to that mansion giv'n : tells the conditions , how our peace was made , and is our pledge for the great authors aid ; his power in nature's ampler book we find , but the less volume does express his mind ; this light unknown , bold epicurus taught , that his blest gods vouchsafe us not a thought , but unconcern'd , let all below them slide , as fortune do's , or humane wisdom , guide . religion thus remov'd , the sacred yoke , and band of all society is broke : what use of oaths , of promise , or of test , where men reguard no god but interest ? what endless war would jealous nations tear , if none above , did witness what they swear ? sad fate of unbelievers , ( and yet just , ) among themselves to find so little trust ! were scripture silent nature would proclaim , without a god , our falshood and our shame , to know our thoughts , the object of his eyes , is the first step , t'wards being good , or wise ; for thô with judgment we on things reflect , our will determines , not our intellect ; slaves to their passion , reason men imploy , only to compass what they would enjoy ; his fear , to guard us from our selves , we need , and sacred writ , our reason do's exceed ; for thô heaven shows the glory of the lord , yet something shines more glorious in his word , his mercy this ( which all his work excells ) his tender kindness , and compassion tells , while we inform'd by that celestial book , into the bowels of our maker look . love there reveal'd , which never shall have end , nor had beginning , shall our song commend , describe it self and warm us with that flame , which first from heav'n , to make us happy , came . canto ii. the fear of hell , or ayming to be blest , savours too much of private interest ; this mov'd not moses , nor the zealous paul , who for their friends abandon'd soul and all ; a greater yet , from heav'n to hell descends , to save and make his enemies his friends : what line of praise can fathom such a love , which reacht the lowest bottom from above ? the royal prophet , that extended grace , from heav'n to earth , measur'd but half that space ; the law was regnant , and confin'd his thought , hell was not conquer'd , when that poet wrote ; heav'n was scarce heard of , until he came down to make the region , where love triumphs , known ; that early love of creatures yet unmade , to frame the world th' almighty did perswade ; for love it was , that first created light , mov'd on the waters , chac'd away the night from the rude chaos , and bestow'd new grace on things dispos'd of , to their proper place ; some to rest here , and some to shine above , earth , sea , and heav'n , were all th' effects of love. and love would be return'd ; but there was none that to themselves , or others yet were known ; the world a palace was , without a guest , till one appears , that must excel the rest : one like the author , whose capacious mind , might by the glorious work , the maker find , might measure heaven , and give each star a name , with art and courage the rough ocean tame ; over the globe , with swelling sails might go , and that 't is round , by his experience know , make strongest beasts obedient to his will , and serve his use , the fertile earth to till . when by his word , god had accomplisht all , man to create , he did a council call ; imploy'd his hand , to give the dust he took a graceful figure , and majestick look ; with his own breath , convey'd into his breast life and a soul , fit to command the rest , worthy alone to celebrate his name for such a gift , and tell from whence it came ; birds sing his praises , in a wilder note , but not with lasting numbers , and with thought : mans great prerogative ; but above all his grace abounds , in his new favorites fall . if he create , it is a world he makes ; if he be ang'ry , the creation shakes ; from his just wrath our guilty parents fled , he curst the earth , but bruis'd the serpents head . amidst the storm , his bounty did exceed , in the rich promise of the virgins seed ; thô justice death , a satisfaction craves , love finds a way to pluck us from our graves . canto iii. not willing terror should his image move , he gives a pattern of eternal love ; his son descends , to treat a peace with those , which were , and must have ever been his foes ; poor he became , and left his glorious seat , to make us humble , and to make us great ; his business here was happiness to give to those , whose malice could not let him live ; legions of angels , which he might have us'd , for us resolv'd to perish , he refus'd ; while they stood ready to prevent his loss , love took him up , and nayl'd him to the cross. immortal love , which in his bowels reign'd , that we might be , by such a love constrain'd to make return of love ; upon this pole our duty does , and our religion rowle . to love is to believe , to hope , to know , 't is an essay , a taste of heav'n below . he to proud potentates would not be known , of those that lov'd him , he was hid from none ; till love appear , we live in anxious doubt , but smoak will vanish , when that flame breaks out . this is the fire , that would consume our dross , refine , and make us richer by the loss . could we forbear dispute , and practice love , we should agree , as angels do above ; where love presides ; not vice alone does find no entrance there , but vertues stay behind : both faith and hope , and all the meaner train of moral vertues , at the door remain ; love only enters , as a native there , for born in heav'n , it do's but sojourn here . he that alone , would wise and mighty be , commands that others love , as well as he : love as he lov'd , how can we soare so high ? he can add wings , when he commands to fly : nor should we be with this command dismay'd , he that example gives , will give his aid ; for he took flesh , that where his precepts fail , his practice as a pattern may prevail ; his love at once , and dread instructs our thought , as man he suffer'd , and as god he taught ; will for the deed he takes , we may with ease obedient be , for if we love , we please ; weak thô we are , to love is no hard task , and love for love , is all that heav'n do's ask : love , that would all men just and temperate make , kind to themselves , and others , for his sake , t is with our minds , as with a fertile ground ; wanting this love , they must with weeds abound ; unruly passions , whose effects are worse , than thorns and thistles springing from the curse . canto iv. to glory man , or misery is born , of his proud foe the envy or the scorn ; wretched he is , or happy in extreme , base in himself , but great in heav'ns esteem ; with love , of all created things , the best , without it more pernitious than the rest ; for greedy wolves unguarded sheep devour but while their hunger lasts , and then give or'e ; man 's boundless avarice his want exceeds , and on his neighbours , round about him , feeds ; his pride , and vain ambition are so vast , that deluge-like , they lay whole nations wast ; debauches and excess , thô with less noise , as great a portion of mankind destroys . the beasts and monsters , hercules opprest , might in that age , some provinces infest ; these more destructive monsters , are the bane of ev'ry age and in all nations reign ; but soon would vanish , if the world were blest with sacred love , by which they are represt : impendent death , and guilt that threatens hell , are dreadful guests , which here with mortals dwel , and a vext conscience mingling with their joy thoughts of despair , do's their whole life annoy : but love appearing , all those terrours fly , we live contented , and contended dye ; they in whose brest , this sacred love has place , death as a passage to their joy embrace . clouds and thick vapours which obscure the day the suns victorious beams may chase away ; those which our life corrupt , and darken , love the nobler star , must from the soul remove ; spots are observ'd in that which bounds the year , this brighter sun moves in a boundless sphear ; of heav'n the joy , the glory , and the light , shines among angels , and admits no night : canto v. this iron age , so fraudulent and bold , toucht with this love , would be an age of gold , not as they fain'd , that oaks should hony drop , or land neglected bear an unsown crop : love would make all things easy , safe , and cheap , none for himself , would either sow , or reap : our ready help , and mutual love would yeild a nobler harvest , than the richest field ; famine and dearth , confin'd to certain parts , extended are , by barrenness of hearts ; some pine for want , where others surfeit now , but then we should the use of plenty know ; love would betwixt the rich and needy stand , and spread heav'ns bounty with an equal hand ; at once the givers , and receivers bless , encrease their joy , and make their sufferings less . who for himself no miracle would make , dispens'd with nature , for the peoples sake ; he that long fasting would no wonder show , made loaves and fishes , as they eat them , grow ; of all his power , which boundless was above , here he us'd none , but to express his love ; and such a love would make our joy exceed , not when our own , but other mouths , we feed . laws would be useless which rude nature awe , love changing nature , would prevent the law ; tygers , and lyons , into dens we thrust , but milder creatures with their freedom trust . divels are chain'd , and tremble ; but the spouse no force but love , nor bond , but bounty , knows : men , whom we now , so fierce and daing'rous see , would guardian angels to each other be : such wonders can this mighty love perform , vultures to doves , wolves into lambs transform . love , what isaiah prophecy'd , can do , exalt the valleys , lay the mountains low ; humble the lofty , the dejected raise , smooth , and make strait , our rough and crooked ways . love , strong as death , and like it , levels all , with that possest , the great in title fall ; themselves esteem , but equal to the least , whom heav'n with that high character has blest . this love , the center of our union , can alone bestow compleat repose on man ; tame his wild appetite , make inward peace , and forrein strife among the nations , cease ; no martial trumpet should disturb our rest , nor princes arm , thô to subdue the east ; where for the tomb , so many hero's , taught by those that guided their devotion , faught ; thrice happy we , could we like ardor have to gain his love , as they to win his grave ! love as he lov'd , a love so unconfin'd with arms extended would embrace mankind , self love would cease , or be dilated , when we should behold , as many selfs , as men , all of one family ; in blood ally'd , his precious blood , that for our ransome dy'd : canto vi. thô the creation , so divinely taught , prints such a lively image in our thought , that the first spark , of new created light from chaos struck , affects our present sight : yet the first christians did esteem more blest the day of rising , than the day of rest ; that ev'ry week , might new occasion give , to make his triumph in their memory live . then let our muse compose a sacred charm to keep his blood , among us , ever warm ; and singing , as the blessed do above , with our last breath , dilate this flame of love. but on so vast a subject , who can find words that may reach th' ideas of his mind ? our language fails , or if it could supply , what mortal thought can raise it self so high ? despairing here , we might abandon art , and only hope to have it in our heart ; but though we find this sacred task too hard , yet the design , th' endeavour brings reward ; the contemplation does suspend our woe , and makes a truce with all the ills we know . as saul's afflicted spirit , from the sound of david's harp , a present solace found ; so on this theame while we our muse engage , 〈◊〉 wounds are felt , of fortune , or of age : 〈◊〉 ●…e love to meditate is peace , 〈◊〉 makes all care of meaner things to cease . amaz'd at once and comforted to find a boundless pow'r so infinitely kind ; the soul contending to that light to fly from ●…er dark cell , we practice how to dye ; imploying thus the poets winged art , to reach this love , and grave it in our heart . joy so compleat , so solid and severe , would leave no place for meaner pleasures there ; pale they would look , as stars that must be gone , when from the east the rising sun comes on . floriferis ut apes in saltibus omnia libant , sic nos scripturae depascimur aurea dicta ; aurea perpetuâ semper dignissima vitâ . nam divinus amor , cum caepit vociferari , diffugiunt animi terrores : — — lucr. exul eram , requiesque mihi , non fama petita est , mens intenta suis ne foret usque malis . namque ubi mota calent sacrâmea pectora musâ , altior humano spiritus ille malo est . de trist. of divine poesie . two canto's , occasioned upon sight of the d chapter of isaiah turn'd into verse by mrs. vvharton . canto i. poets we prize , when in their verse we find some great employment of a worthy mind . angels have been inquisitive to know the secret , which this oracle does show . what was to come isaiah did declare , which she describes , as if she had been there ; had seen the wounds , which to the readers view , she draws so lively , that they bleed anew . as ivy thrives , which on the oak takes hold , so with the prophets may her lines grow old , if they should dye , who can the world forgive ? such pious lines ! when wanton sapho's live . who with his breath his image did inspire , expects it should foment a nobler fire : not love which brutes as well as men may know , but love like his , to whom that breath we owe. verse so design'd , on that high subject wrote , is the perfection of an ardent thought : the smoak which we from burning incense raise , when we compleat the sacrifice of praise . in boundless verse the fancy soars too high , for any object , but the deity . what mortal can with heav'n pretend to share in the superlatives of wise and fair ? a meaner subject when with these we grace , a giants habit on a dwarf , we place . sacred should be the product of our muse , like that sweet oyl , above all private use : on pain of death forbidden to be made , but when it should be on the altar laid . verse shows a rich inestimable vein , when drop't from heav'n , 't is thither sent again . of bounty 't is that he admits our praise , which does not him , but us that yield it raise . for as that angel up to heav'n did rise , born on the flame of manoah's sacrifice . so wing'd with praise , we penetrate the sky , teach clouds and stars to praise him as we fly : the whole creation , by our fall made groan , his praise to eccho , and suspend their moan . for that he reigns , all creatures should rejoyce , and we with songs supply their want of voyce , the church triumphant , and the church below in songs of praise a present union show : their joys are full , our expectation long ; in life we differ , but we joyn in song . angels , and we , assisted by this art , may sing together , thô we dwell apart . thus we reach heav'n , while vainer poems must no higher rise , than winds may lift the dust. from that they spring ; this from his breath that gave to the first dust , th' immortal soul we have , his praise well sung , our great endeavour here , shakes off the dust , and makes that breath appear . canto ii. he that did first this way of writing grace , converst with the almighty face to face . wonders he did in sacred verse unfold , when he had more than eighty winters told : the writer feels no dire effects of age , nor verse that flows from so divine a rage . eldest of poets , he beheld the light , when first it triumph'd 'ore eternal night . chaos he saw , and could distinctly tell how that confusion into order fell . as if consulted with , he has exprest the work of the creator and his rest . how the floud drown'd the first offending race , which might the figure of our globe deface . for new made earth , so even and so fair , less equal now , uncertain makes the air : surpriz'd with heat , and unexpected cold early distempers make our youth look old . our days so evil , and so few , may tell that on the ruines of that world we dwell . strong as the oaks that nourish't them , and high , that long-liv'd race did on their force rely , neglecting heav'n : but we of shorter date , should be more mindful of impendent fate . to worms that crawle upon this rubbish here , this span of life may yet too long appear . enough to humble , and to make us great , if it prepare us for a nobler seat . which well observing , he in numerous lines , taught wretched man , how fast his life declines : in whom he dwelt , before the world was made , and may again retire , when that shall fade . the lasting iliads have not live'd so long , as his and deborah's triumphant song . delphos unknown , no muse could them inspire , but that which governs the coelestial quire. heav'n to the pious did this art reveal ; and from their store succeeding poets steal . homer's scamand●…r for the trojans faught , and swell'd so high , by her old kishon taught : his river scarce could fierce achilles stay ; hers more succesful , swept her foes away . the hoast of heav'n , his phaebus and his mars , he arms , instructed by her fighting stars . she led them all against the common foe : but he misled by what he saw below , the powers above , like wretched men , divides , and breaks their union into different sides . the noblest parts which in his hero's shine , may be but copies of that heroine . homer himself , and agam●…mnon , she the writer could , and the commander , be . truth she relates , in a sublimer strain than all the tales the boldest greek could feign . for what she sung , that spirit did indite , which gave her courage , and success in fight . a double garland crowns the matchless dame ; from heav'n her poem , and her conquest came . thô of the jews she merit most esteem : yet here the christian has the greater theam . her martial song describes how sisera fell , this sings our triumph over death and hell. the rising light employ'd the sacred breath of the blest virgin and elizabeth , in songs of joy , the angels sung his birth : here , how he treated was upon the earth trembling we read ; th'affliction and the scorn , which for our guilt , so patiently was born . conception , birth , and suffering , all belong tho various parts , to one caelestial song : and she , well using so divine an art , has in this consort , sung the tragick part . as hannah's seed was vow'd to sacred use , so here this lady consecrates her muse. with like reward may heav'n her bed adorn , with fruit as fair as by her muse is born . of the paraphrase on the lords prayer , written by mrs. wharton . silence , you winds , listen etherial lights , while our urania sings what heav'n indites ; the numbers are the nymphs , but from above descends the pledge of that eternal love. here wretched mortals have not leave alone , but are instructed to approach his throne ; and how can he to miserable men deny requests , which his own hand did pen ? in the evangelists we find the prose , which paraphras'd by her a poem grows ; a devout rapture , so divine a hymn , it may become the highest seraphim ; for they like her in that coelestial quire , sing only what the spirit does inspire . taught by our lord and theirs , with us they may for all , but pardon for offences , pray . some reflections of his upon the several petitions in the same prayer . i. his sacred name , with reverence profound , should mention'd be , and trembling at the sound , it was jehovah , 't is our father now , so low to us , does heav'n vouchsafe to bow , brethren to him that taught us how to pray , and did so dearly for our ransom pay . ii. his kingdom come : for this we pray in vain , unless he does in our affections raign : absurd it were to wish for such a king , and not obedience to his scepter bring . iii. his will be done ; in fact 't is always done , but as in heav'n , it must be made our own : his will should all our inclinations sway , whom nature and the universe obey . iv. it is not what our avarice hoards up , 't is he that feeds us , and that fills our cup , like new-born babes , depending on the breast , from day to day we on his bounty feast ; nor should the soul expect above a day to dwell in her frail tenament of clay : the setting sun should seem to bound our race , and the new day a gift of special grace . v. that he should all our trespasses forgive , while we in hatred with our neighbours live ; though so to pray , may seem an easie task , we curse our selves when thus inclin'd we ask : this prayer to use , we ought with equal care our souls as to the sacrament prepare : the noblest worship of the power above , is to extol , and imitate his love : not to forgive our enemies alone , but use our bounty that they may be won . vi. guard us from all temptations of the foe , and those we may in several stations know : the rich and poor in slippery places stand , give us enough , but with a sparing hand ; not ill-perswading want , nor wanton wealth , but what proportion'd is to life and health : for not the dead , but living sing thy praise , exalt thy kingdom , and thy glory raise . — favete linguis — virginibus puerisque canto , horat. finis . a worthy speech made in the house of commons this present parliament, . that parliaments are the onely way for advancing the kings affaires. that the restoring of the property of goods and freedome of the subject is a chiefe meanes to maintaine religion and obedience to his majestie. by mr. waller. waller, edmund, - . this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (thomason e _ ). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing w thomason e _ estc r this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (thomason tracts ; :e [ ]) a worthy speech made in the house of commons this present parliament, . that parliaments are the onely way for advancing the kings affaires. that the restoring of the property of goods and freedome of the subject is a chiefe meanes to maintaine religion and obedience to his majestie. by mr. waller. waller, edmund, - . [ ], p. printed for john nicholson, london : . annotation on thomason copy: " " with the zero crossed out; and " ". reproduction of the original in the british library. eng england and wales. -- parliament -- early works to . great britain -- politics and government -- - -- early works to . a r (thomason e _ ). civilwar no a worthy speech made in the house of commons this present parliament, .: that parliaments are the onely way for advancing the kings a waller, edmund d the rate of defects per , words puts this text in the d category of texts with between and defects per , words. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a worthy speech made in the hovse of commons this present parliament , . that parliaments are the onely way for advancing the kings affaires . that the restoring of the property of goods and freedome of the subject is a chiefe meanes to maintaine religion and obedience to his majestie . by mr. waller . london , printed for john nicholson , . mr. wallers speech in the house of commons this present parliament . . mr. speaker , j will use no preface as they doe who prepare men to something to which they would perswade them and move their affections , i will onely propose what i thinke fit for the house to consider , and shall be no more concerned in the event then they that shall heare me . two things are considerable which i observe in his majesties demands ; first , the supply : secondly , our speedy dispatch thereof , touching the first his majesties occasions for money are too evident ; for ( to say nothing ) how are we neglected abroad , or distracted at home , the calling of this parliament and our sitting heere is an effect which no light cause could in those times have produced , and enough to make any reasonable man beleeve that the exchequer abounds not so much in money as the state doth in occasions to use it , and i hope we shall appeare willing to disprove those who thought to disswade his majesty from this way of parliaments , as doubting it uncertaine , and to let him see it is as ready and more safe for the advancement of his affaires then any new ( or pretended old way ) whatsoever . . now mr. speaker , for the speedy dispatch required ▪ which was the second thing , which not onely his majesty but ( res ipsa loquitur ) the occasion seemes to importune no lesse , nec●ssity is come upon us like an armed man , and yet the use of parliaments heretofore ( as appeares by the writs which call us hither ) was to advise with his maiesty of things concerning the church and common-wealth ; and mr. speaker , it hath ever been the custome of parliaments by good and wholsome lawes to refresh the common-wealth in generall , yea to descend into the remedies of particular grievances before any mention made of supply , looke back on the best parliaments and still you shall find that the last acts are for the free gift of the subjects on the peoples part , and generall pardons on the kings part , even the wisest of kings have first acquainted their parliaments , with their designes and the reasons thereof , and then demanded the assistance both of their counsels and purses . but mr. speaker , physitians though they be called of the latest , must not stomack it or talke what might have beene but apply themselves roundly to the cure . let us not stand too nicely upon circumstances , nor to rigidly post the matter of supply to the healing of our lighter wounds , let us doe what may be supplyably done with reason and honesty on our parts , to comply with his m●jesties desires , and to prevent the eminent evills that threaten us . but consider mr. speaker , that they who thinke themselves already undone can never apprehend themselves in danger , and they that have nothing left can never give freely ; nor shall we ever discharge the trust of those that sent us hither , or make them beleeve that they contribute to their owne defence and safety , vnlesse his majesty be plea●ed first to restore them to the propriety of their good and lawfull liberties , wh●reof they esteeme themselves now out of possession . i need not tell you , that the propriety of our goods is the mother of courage and nurse of industry , which makes us valiant in warre and good husbands in peace , the experience i have of former parliaments , and my present observations of the care ye country hath had to choose persons of worth & courage makes me thinke this house like the spartans whose forward valours required some faster musique to allay and quiet their spirits , too much moved with the sound of martiall instruments . it is not the feare of imprisonment or ( if need be ) of death it selfe that can keepe a true hearted englishman from the care to leave his part of the inheritance as intire to posterity as he received it from his ancestors . this therefore let us first doe ( and the more speedily ) that we may come to the matter of supply , let us give new force to the many lawes which have beene heretofore made for the maintaining of rights and priviledges , and to restore this nation to the fundamentall and vitall liberties , the propriety of our goods and freedome of our persons ; no way doubting but that wee shall find his majesty as gracious and ready as any of his royall progenitors have been to grant our just desires therein , for not onely the simplest doe thinke but the wisest doe know ; that what we have suffered , we have suffered for his ministers , but the person of no king was ever better beloved of his people , and that no people were ever better satisfied with the wayes of levying of monies are two truths which may serve to demonstrate the other , for such is their occasion to the present courses , that neither the admiration they have of his majesties inclination to justice and clemency , nor the pretended cont●nt of the iudges could willingly submit themselves to this late tax , and such is their naturall love and just esteeme of his majesties goodnesse , that no late pressure could provoke them nor any example invite them to disloyalty or disobedience . but what is it that hath bred this misunderstanding betwixt the king and the people , how is it that having so good a king we have so much to complaine of ? why mr. speaker , we are told of the sonne of solomon that he was a prince of a tender heart , and yet by the advice of violent counsellors , how rough an answer he gave his people , that his finger should be heavier then his fathers loynes . i dare say , that it was not his owne but the voyce of some persons about him , that wanted the gravity of moderation requisite for the counsellors of a young king . i love not to presse allegories too farre , but the resemblance of iobes story with ours holds so well , that i can not but observe it to you : it pleased god to give his enemies to afflict him , and yet he was no● provoked to rebell against him so much as with his tongue ( although he had no good example of one that lay neere him ) and felt not the halfe which he suffered . i hope his majesty will imitate god in being neere it too , and as he was severe to iob onely whilst he discoursed with another concerning him , but when he vouchsafed himselfe to speake to him , began to rebuke those who had mistaken and misjudged his case , and to restore the patient man to his former prosperity : so now his majesty hath admitted us his presence and spoken face to face with us , i doubt not but we shall have fairer dayes and be as rich in the possession of our owne , as ever we were i cannot but wonder at those who seeme to doubt the successe of this parliament , or the misunderstanding betwixt the king and the people should last any longer now we are so happily met . his majesties wants are not so great but that we may finde meanes to supply them nor our desires so unreasonable or so incompatible with government , but that his majesty , may well sat●sfie them , for our late experience i hope will teach us what roc●… to shun , and how necessary the use of moderation is , and for his majesty he hath had experience enough , how that prospereth which is gotten without the concurrent good will of the people , for never more money was taken from the subject , nor never more want in the exchequer , if we looke upon what we have payd it is more then the people of england ever did in such a time , if wee looke upon what hath beene effected therewith , it seemes wee have acted the belides part , whose punishment was the filling of a sive with water : whosoever gave advise for these courses hath made good the saying of the wise man , qui conturbat domum suam possidebit ventum , by new wayes they thinke to accomplish wonders , but in truth they grase the wind and are in the meane time ambobus achilles , cruell to us and to the king too , for let the common wealth flourish and then , he that hath the soveraignty can never want or doe amisse so as he governes not according to the interest of others , but goe the shortest and safest wayes to his owne and the common good with regard how they stand in order to any private mans desires or preservation , the kings of this nation have alwayes governed by parliaments : if wee looke upon the successe of things since parliaments were layd by , it resembles that of the grecians , ex illo fluere & retro sublapsa referri res danaum , especially in the subjects part , for though the king hath gotten little the subjects have lost all ; but his majesty shall now heare the truth from us , and we shall make to appeare the errours and wandrings up and downe of our divines , who would perswade us that a monarch can be absolute , and that the king may doe all things ad libidinem ; receding not onely from their text , though that be a wandering too but from the way which their owne profession might teach thēstare super vias antiquas , & remoove not the ancient bounds and land markes which our fathers have set . if to be absolute were to be restrained by no lawes , then can no king in christendome be so , for they all stand obliged to the lawes of christians , and we aske no more , for to this pillar are our priviledges fixt , our kings at their coronation taking a solemne oath , not to enfring them . i am sorry these men take no more care of informing our faith of those things which they told us for our soules health whilst we know them manifestly in the wrong , in that which concernes the libertie , and priviledges of the subjects of engl●nd ▪ but they get promotion and preferment , and then it is no matter though they neither beleeve themselves nor are beleeved of others : but since they are so ready to let loose the consciences of our kings , we must be the more carefull to provide for our protection against the pulpit law , by declaring and reinforcing the municipall lawes of this kingdome . it is worth the observing , how now this opinion or rather this way of rising is ever amongst themselves & , yet mr. hooper who sure was no refractory man ( as they tearme him ) thinkes that the first government was arbritary , vntill it was found that to live by one mans will , became the cause of all mens miseries , and that this was the originall of inventing lawes ; and mr. speaker , if we looke further back , our histories will tell us that the prelates of this kingdome , have often been the mediators betweene the king and his subjects and to present and pray for redresse to their grievances , and had then as much love and reverence from the people as now they want ▪ but these preachers are more active then their predecessours , and wiser then the lawes , who have found out a better forme of government , the king must be a more absolute monarch then any of his predecessours , and to them he must owe it though in the meane time they hazard the hearts of his people and involve him into a thousand difficulties ; for suppose the forme of government were convenient ( yet this is but a supposition ) for these yeares it hath not onely maintained us in safety , but hath made us victorious over other nations : but , i say , suppose they have another idea of one more convenient , we all know how dangerous innovations are , though to the better , and what hazard those princes run that enterprise the change of long established government . now mr. speaker , of all our kings that have gone before , and of all that are to succeed in this happy race , why should so good and so pious a king be exposed to this trouble and hazard besides that kings so diverted can never doe any great things abroad . but mr. speaker , whilst these men have bent their wits against the lawes of their country , whether they have neglected their owne charge , and what tares are growne up in the field , which they should have tilled , i leave it to a second consideration , not but that religion ought to be the first thing in our purposes and desires ; but that which is first in dignity is not alwaies to preceed in order of time ▪ for well being supposed a being , and the first impediment which men naturally endeavour to remove , is the want of those things without which they cannot subsist . god first assigned unto adam maintainance of life , and gave him a title above the rest of the creatures before he appointed him a law to observe , and let me tell you , that if our adversaries have any such designe , as there is nothing more easie then to impose religion on people deprived of their liberties , so there is nothing more hard then to doe it upon free-men ; and therefore ( mr , spe●ker ) i conclude with this motion , that an order may be presently made , that the first things this house will consider of , shall be the restoring this nation in generall to its fundamentall liberties , the propriety of our goods , and the freedome of our persons , and that then we will forthwith consider of the supply so much desired , and thus we shall discharge the trust reposed in us by those that sent us hither , his majesty will see that we will make more then ordinary haste to satisfie his demands , and we shall let all those know , that seek to hasten the matters of supply , that they will so farred ●●lay it , as they give interruption to the former . finis . poems, &c. written upon several occasions, and to several persons by edmond waller. poems. selections waller, edmund, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) poems, &c. written upon several occasions, and to several persons by edmond waller. poems. selections waller, edmund, - . the fifth edition, with several additions never before printed. [ ], , [ ] p. : port. printed for h. herringman, and are to be sold by j. knight and f. saunder ..., [london] : . "the table" [i.e. index]: p. [ ]-[ ] at end. 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ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - olivia bottum sampled and proofread - olivia bottum text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion sed carmina major jmago poems , &c. written upon several occasions , and to several persons : by edmond waller , esq licensed , may . . roger l'estrange . the fifth edition , with several additions never before printed . non ego mordaci distrinxi carmine quenquam , nulla venenato littera mista ioco est . printed for h. herringman , and are to be sold by j. knight and f. saunder at the blew anchor in the lower walk of the new exchange . . the printer to the reader : when the author of these verses ( written only to please himself , and such particular persons to whom they were directed ) returned from abroad some years since , he was troubled to find his name in print , but somewhat satisfied to see his lines so ill rendred that he might justly disown them , and say to a mistaking printer , as one did to an ill reciter , — male dum recitas , incipit esse tuum . having been ever since pressed to correct the many and gross faults ( such as use to be in impressions wholly neglected by the authors ) his answer was , that he made these when ill verses had more favour and escaped better , than good ones do in this age ; the severity whereof he thought not unhappily diverted by those faults in the impression , which hitherto have hung upon his book , as the turks hang old rags ( or such like ugly things ) upon their fairest horses and other goodly creatures , to secure them against fascination ; and for those of a more confin'd understanding , who pretend not to cens●●e ) as they ad m●re most what they least comprehend , so his verse● ( maimed to that degree that himself scarce knew what to make of many of them ) might that may at least have a title to some admiration , which is no small matter , if what an old author observes be true , that the aim of orators , is victory ; of historians , tr●●● and of poets , admiration ; he had reason therefore to indulge those faults in his book whereby it might be reconsiled to some , and commended to others . the printer also be thought would fore the worse , if those faults were amended ; for we see maimed statues sell better than whole ones , and clipt and washt many go about when the entire and weighty lies ●oarded up . these are the reasons which for above twelve years past he has opposed to our request ; to which it was replyed , that as it would be too late to recal that which had so long been made publick , so might it find excuse from his youth ( the season it was produced in ) and for what had been dome source and now added , if it commend not his poetry , it might his philosophy , which teaches him so chearfully to bear so great a calamitr , as the loss of the best part of his fortune ( torn from him in prison , in which , and in 〈◊〉 , the best portion of his life hath also been spent ) that he can still sing under the burthen , not unlike that roman , — quem demisere philippi decifis humilem p●nnis inopemque patorn ▪ et laris , & ●undi — whose spreading wings the civil war had clipt ▪ and him of his old patrimony stript , who yet not long after could say , musis amicus tristitiam & metus tradam protervis in mare creticum portare ventis . — they that acquainted with the muses be , sand care and 〈◊〉 by the winds to sea. not so much moved with these reasons of ours ( or pleas'd with our r●●●●●s ) as wearied with our importunity , he has at last given no leave , to assure the reader , that the poems which have been so long and so ill set forth under his name , are here to be found as he first ●uit them ; as also to add some others which have since been compos'd by him . and though his advice to the contrary might have discourag'd us , yet observing how often they have been reprinted , what price they have born , and how earnestly they have been always inquired after , but especially of late , making good that of horace , — melioradies , ut vina , poemata reddit ; some vinsos being ( like some wines ) recommended to our taste by time and age , we have adventured upon this new and well corrected edition , which for our own sakes , as well as thin● , we hope will succeed better than be apprehended . vivitur ingenia , c●tera mortis erunt . postscript . not having the same argument as at first to persuade the author that i might print his verses more correctly , which he found so ill done at his return ; i have now , adventured , without giving him farther trouble by , importuning him for a new permission , to collect all that i can find , either left out of the former edition , or such as have been since made by him ; to which i am the more encouraged , because the first ( thô most of them were compos'd fifty or sixty years since ) seem still new , which would be more strange in so changing a language , had it not been by him improv'd , which may make one think it true that i have heard from some learned criticks , that virgil when he said — nova carmina pango . meant not verses that were never seen before ( for in that sence all at first are new ) but such as he thought might be ever new. may these still appear to be so for the diversion of the readers , and interest of 〈…〉 〈…〉 their humble servant . to the king on his navy . where e're thy navy spreads her canvas wings , homage to thee , and peace to all she brings . the french and spaniard , when thy flags appear ; forget their hatred , and consent to fear . so iove from ida did both hosts survey , and when he pleas'd to thunder , part the sray . ships heretofore in seas like fishes sped , the mighty still upon the smaller fed . thou on the deep impofest nobler laws , and by that justice hast remov'd the cause of those rude tempests , which for rapine sent , too oft alas , involv'd the innocent . now shall the ocean , as thy thames , be free from both those fates , of storms , and piracy : but we most happy , who can fear no force but winged troops , or pegasean horse : 't is not so hard for greedy foes to spoil another nation , as to touch our soil . should natures self invade the world again , and o're the center spread the liquid main ; thy power were safe , and her destructive hand would but enlarge the bounds of thy command . thy dreadful fleet would stile thee lord of all , and ride in triumph o're the drowned ball. those towers of oak o're fertile plains might go , and visit mountains where they once did grow . the worlds restorer never could endure , that finish'd babel should those men secure , whose pride design'd that fabrick to have stood above the reach of any second flood : to thee his chosen more indulgent , he dares trust such power with so much piety . of the danger his majesty ( being prince ) escaped in the road at saint andrews . now had his highness bid farewel to spain , and reach't the sphere of his own power , the main ; with british bounty in his ship he feasts , th'hesperian princes , his amazed guests ; to find that watry wilderness exceed the entertainment of their great madrid . healths to both kings , attended with the rore of cannons eccho'd from th' affrighted shoar , with loud resemblance of his thunder prove bacchus the seed of cloud eompelling iove . while to his harp divine arion sings the loves and conquests of our albion kings . of the fourth edward was his noble song ; fierce , goodly , valiant , beautiful and young : he rent the crown from vanquisht henries head ; rais'd the white rose , and trampled on the red : till love triumphing o're the victor's pride , brought mars and warwick to the conquer'd side ; neglected warwick ( whose bold hand like fate , gives and resumes the scepter of our state ) wooes for his master , and with double shame , himself deluded ; mocks the princely dame , the lady bona ; whom just anger burns ; and forein war with civil rage returns . ah spare your sword , where beauty is to blame ; love gaveth ' affront , & must repair the same : ( eyes when france shall boast of her , whose conquering have made the best of english hearts their prize ; have power to alter the decrees of fate , and change again the counsels of our state. what the prophetick muse intends , alone to him that feels the secret wound , is known . with the sweet sound of this harmonious lay about the keel delighted dolphins play ; too sure a sign of seas ensuing rage , which must anon this royal troop engage : to whom soft sleep seems more secure and sweet , within the town commanded by our fleet. these mighty peers plac'd in the gilded barge , proud with the burden of so brave a charge : with painted oars the youths begin to sweep neptunes smooth face , and cleave the yielding deep , which soon becomes the seat of sudden war between the wind and tide , that fiercely jar . as when a sort of lusty shepherds try their force at foot-ball , care of victory makes them salute so rudely breast to breast . that their encounters seem too rough for jest : they ply their feet , and still the restless ball tost too and fro is urged by them all : so fares the doubtful barge'twixt tide and winds ; and like effect of their contention finds . yet the bold britains still securely row'd ; charles and his virtue was their sacred load : than which a greater pledge heaven could not give , that the good boat this tempest should out-live . but storms encrease , and now no hope of grace among them shines , save in the princes face . the rest resign their courage , skill and sight to danger , horror , and unwelcome night . the gentle vessel , wont with state and pride on the smooth back of silver thames to ride , wanders astonish'd in the angry main ; as titans car did , while the golden rein fill'd the young hand of his advent ' rous son , when the whole world an equal hazard run to this of ours ; the light of whose desire waves threaten now , as that was skar'd by fire . th' impatient sea grows impotent and raves , that ( night assisting ) his impetuous waves should find resistance from so light a thing : these surges ruin , those our safety bring . th' oppressed vessel doth the charge abide ; only because assail'd on every side : so men with rage and passion set on fire , trembling for hast , impeach their mad desire . the pale iberians had expir'd with fear ; but that their wonder did divert their care ; to see the prince with danger mov'd no more , than with the pleasures of their court before . god-like his courage seem'd , whom nor delight could soften , nor the face of death affright : next to the power of making tempests cease , was in that storm to have so calm a peace . great maro could no greater tempest feign ; when the loud winds usurping on the main , for angry iuno , labour'd to destroy the hated reliques of confounded troy. his bold aeneas , on like billows tost , in a tall ship , and all his country lost , dissolves with fear ; and both his hands upheld , proclaims them happy whom the greeks had quel'd in honourable fight : our hero set in a small shallop ; fortune in his debt , so near a hope of crowns and scepters , more than ever priam , when he flourish'd , wore ; his loyns yet full of ungot princes , all his glory in the bud ; lets nothing fall that argues fear : if any thought annoys the gallant youth , 't is loves untasted joys , and dear remembrance of that futal glance , for which he lately pawn'd his heart in france . where he had seen a brighter nymph than she that sprung out of his present foe , the sea. that noble ardor , more than mortal fire , the conquer'd ocean could not make expire ▪ nor angry thetis , raise her waves above th'heroick princes courage , or his love ; t was indignation , and not fear he felt , the shrine should perish , where that image dwelt . ah love forbid ! the noblest of thy train should not survive to let her know his pain : who nor his peril minding , nor his flame , is entertain'd with some less serious game among the bright nymphs of the gallique court ; all highly born , obsequious to her sport : they roses seem , which in their early pride , but half reveal , and half their beauties hide ; she the glad morning , which her beams does throw , upon their smiling leaves , and gilds them so : like bright aurora , whose re●ulgent ray foretells the fervor of ensuing day ; and warns the shepherd with his flocks retreat to lea●ie shadows , from the threatned heat . from cupids strings , of many shafts that fled , wing'd with those plumes which noble fame had shed , as through the wondring world she flew , and told of his adventures haughty , brave and bold , some had already touch'd the royal maid ; but love's first summons seldom are obey'd : light was the wound ; the prince's care unknown , she might not , would not yet reveal her own . his glorious name had so possest her ears , that with delight those antique tales she hears of iason , theseus , and such worthies old , as with his story best resemblance hold . and now she views , as on the wall it hung , what old musaus so divinely sung : which art with life and love did so inspire , that she discerns , and favours that desire , which there provokes th'advent'rous youth to swim , and in leanders danger pities him : whose not new love alone , but fortune seeks to frame his story like that amorous greeks . for from the stern of some good ship appears a friendly light , which moderates their fears : new courage from reviving hope they take , and climbing o're the waves , that taper make ; on which the hope of all their lives depends ; as his on that fair hero's hand extends . the ship at anchor like a fixed rock breaks the proud billows , which her large sides knock ; whose rage restrained foaming higher swells , and from her port the weary barge repels ; threatening to make her , forced out again , repeat the dangers of the troubled main . twice was the cable hurl'd in vain ; the fates would not be moved for our sister states : for england is the third successfull throw , and then the genius of that land they know : whose prince must be ( as their own books devise ) lord of the scene , where now his danger lies . well sung the roman bard ; all human things of dearest value hang on slender strings . o see the then sole hope , and in design of heaven our joy , supported by a line : which for that instant was heaven's care above , the chain that 's fixed to the throne of iove ; on which the fabrick of our world depends ; one link dissolv'd , the whole creation ends . of his majesties receiving the news of the duke of buckingham's death . so earnest with thy god , can no new care , no sense of danger interrupt thy prayer ? the sacred wrestler till a blessing given , quits not his hold , but halting conquers heav'n : nor was the stream of thy devotion stopp'd ; when from the body such a limb was lopp'd , as to thy present state was no less maim ; though thy wise choice has since repair'd the same . bold homer durst not so great virtue feign in his best pattern , of patroclus slain ; with such amazement as weak mothers use , and frantick gesture , he receives the news : yet fell his darling by th' impartial chance of war , impos'd by royal hector's launce ; thine in full peace , and by a vulgar hand torn from thy bosom , left his high command . the famous painter could allow no place for private sorrow in a princes face : yet , that his piece might not exceed belief , he cast a veil upon supposed grief . 't was want of such a president as this , made the old heathen frame their gods amiss . their phaebus should not act a fonder part for their fair boy , than he did for his heart ; nor blame for hyacinthus fate his own , that kept from him wish'd death ; hadst thou been known . he that with thine shall weigh good david's deeds , shall find his passion , not his love exceeds . he curst the mountains where his brave friend dy'd ; but let false ziba with his heir divide : where thy immortal love to thy best friends , like that of heaven , upon their seed descends . such huge extreams inhabit thy great mind : god-like , unmov'd ; and yet like woman , kind . which of the ancient poets had not brought our charles his pedigree from heaven , and taught how some bright dame comprest by mighty iove , produc'd this mixt divinity and love ? to the queen , occasioned upon sight of her majesties picture . well fare the hand , which to our humble sight presents that beauty , which the dazling light of royal spendor hides from weaker eyes ; and all access ( save by this art ) denies . here only we have courage to behold this beam of glory ; here we dare unfold in numbers thus the wonders we conceive : the gracious image seeming to give leave , propitious stands , vouchsasing to be seen ; and by our muse saluted , mighty queen , in whom th'extreams of power and beauty move ; the queen of britain , and the queen of love. as the bright sun ( to which we owe no sight of equal glory to your beauties light ) is wisely plac'd in so sublime a seat , t' extend his light , and moderate his heat : so happy 't is you move in such a sphear ; as your high majesty with awful fear , in humane breasts might qualify that fire , which kindled by those eyes had flamed higher , than when the scorched world like hazard run , by the approach of the ill guided sun. no other nymphs have title to men's hearts , but as their meaness larger hope imparts : your beauty more the fondest lover moves with admiration , than his private loves ; with admiration ; for a pitch so high ( save sacred charles his ) never love durst fly . heaven that preferr'd a scepter to your hand , favour'd our freedom , more than your command : beauty had crown'd you , and you must have been the whole worlds mistriss , other than a queen . all had been rival's ; and you might have spar'd ' or kill'd and tyranniz'd without a guard. no power atchiev'd , either by arms or birth , equals love's empire , both in heaven and earth . such eyes as yours , on iove himself have thrown as bright and fierce a lightning as his own : witness our iove , prevented by their flame in his swift passage to th' hesperian dame ; when , like a lion , finding in his way to some intended spoil , a fairer prey ; the royal youth pursuing the report of beauty , found it in the gallique court. there publique care with private passion fought a doubtful combate in his noble thought : should he confess his greatness , and his love , and the free faith of your great brother prove , with his achates breaking through the cloud of that disguise which did their graces shroud , and mixing with those gallants at the ball , dance with the ladies and out-shine them all ; or on his journey o're the mountains ride ? so when the fair leucothoe he espy'd , to check his steeds , impatient phaebus earn'd ; though all the world was in his course concern'd . what may hereafter her meridian do , whose dawning beauty warm'd his bosome so ? not so divine a flame , since deathless gods forbore to visit the defil'd abodes of men , in any mortal breast did burn ; nor shall ; till piety and they return . vpon his majesties repairing of pauls . that shipwrackt vessel which th'apostle bore , scarce suffer'd more upon melitas shore , than did his temple in the sea of time ; ( our nations glory , and our nations crime ) when the first monarch of this happy isle , mov'd with the ruine of so brave a pile , this work of cost and piety begun , to be accomplish'd by his glorious son ; vvho all that came within the ample thought of his wise sire , has to perfection brought . he like amphion makes those quarries leap into fair figures from a confus'd heap : for in his art of regiment is found a power , like that of harmony in sound . those antique minstrels sure were charles-like kings cities their lutes , and subjects hearts their strings , on which with so divine a hand they strook , consent of motion from their breath they took . so all our minds with his conspire to grace the gentiles great apostle , and deface those state-obscuring sheds , that like a chain seem'd to confine and fetter him again ; vvhich the glad saint shakes off at his command , as once the viper from his sacred hand : so joys the aged oak , when we divide the creeping ivy from his injur'd side . ambition rather would affect the fame of some new structure , to have born her name : two distant virtues in one act we find , the modesty and greatness of his mind ; which not content to be above the rage and injury of all-impairing age , in its own worth secure , doth higher climb , and things half swallow'd from the jaws of time reduce ; an earnest of his grand design to frame no new church , but the old refine : which spouse-like may w th comely grace command more than by force of argument or hand . for doubtful reason few can apprehend ; and war brings ruin where it should amend : but beauty with a bloodless conquest , finds a welcome soveraignty in rudest minds . not ought which sheba's wondring queen beheld amongst the works of solomon , excell'd his ships and building ; emblems of a heart large both in magnanimity and art. while the propitious heavens this work attend , long wanted showers they forget to send ; as if they ment to make it understood , of more importance than our vital food . the sun which riseth to salute the quire already finish'd , setting shall admire how private bounty could so far extend ; the king built all , but charles the western end : so proud a fabrick to devotion given , at once it threatens and obliges heaven . laomedon that had the gods in pay , neptune , with him that rules the sacred day , could no such structure raise ; troy wall'd so high , th' atrides might as well have forc'd the sky . glad , though amazed , are our neighbour kings , to see such pow'r employ'd in peaceful things . they lift not urge it to the dreadful field ; the task is easier to destroy , than build . — sie gratia regum pieriis tentata modis . horat. the country to my lady of carlisle . madam , of all the sacred muse inspir'd , orpheus alone could with the woods comply ; their rude inhabitants his song admir'd , and natures self in those that could not lye . your beauty next our solitude invades , and warms us , shining through the thickest shades . nor ought the tribute , which the wondring court pays your fair eyes , prevail with you to scorn the answer and consent to that report , which eccho-like the country do's return : mirrors are taught to flatter , but our springs present th' impartial images of things . a rural judge dispos'd of beauties prize , a simple shepherd was preferr'd to iove ; down to the mountains from the partial skies came iuno , pallas , and the queen of love , to plead for that , which was so justly given to the bright carlisle of the court of heaven . carlisle ! a name which all our woods are taught , loud as his amarillis to re●ound ; carlisle ! a name which on the bark is wrought of every tree that 's worthy of the wound . from phoebus rage , our shadows , and our streams , may guard us better than from carlisle's beams . the countess of carlisle in mourning . when from black clouds no part of sky is clear , but just so much as lets the sun appear ; heaven then would seem thy image , and reflect those sable vestments , and that bright aspect . a spark of virtue by the deepest shade of sad adversity is fairer made ; nor less advantage doth thy beauty get , a venus rising from a sea of jet . such was th' appearance of new formed light , while yet it strugled with eternal night . then mourn no more ; lest thou admit encrease of glory , by thy noble lords decease . we find not that the laughter-loving dame mourn'd for anchises ; 't was enough she came to grace the mortal with her deathless bed , and that his living eyes such beauty fed : had she been there , untimely joy through all mens hearts diffus'd , had mar'd the funeral . those eyes were made to banish grief : as well bright phoebus might affect in shades to dwell , as they to put on sorrow ; nothing stands but power to grieve , exempt from thy commands . if thou lament , thou must do so alone ; grief in thy presence , can lay hold on none . yet still persist the memory to love of that great mercury of our mighty iove , who by the power of his enchanting tongue , swords from the hands of threatning monarchs wrung . war he prevented , or soon made it cease , instructing princes in the arts of peace : such as made sheba'scurious queen resort to the large-hearted hebrews famous court. had homer sat amongst his wondring guests , he might have learn'd at those stupendous feasts , with greater bounty , and more sacred state the banquets of the gods to celebrate . but o! what elocution might he use , what potent charms that could so soon infuse his absent masters love into the heart of henrietta , forcing her to part from her lov'd brother , country , and the sun , and like camilla o're the waves to run into his arms ; while the parisian dames mourn for their ravish't glory : at their flames no less amaz'd , than the amazed stars , when the bold charmer of thessalian wars with heaven it self , and numbers does repeat which call descending cynthia from her seat. in answer to one who writ against a fair lady . what fury has provok't thy wit to dare with diomede , to wound the queen of love , thy mistriss's envy , or thine own despair ? not the just pallas in thy breast did move so blind a rage , with such a different fate ; he honour won , where thou hast purchast hate . she gave assistance to his trojan foe ; thou that without a rival thou mayest love , dost to the beauty of this lady owe , while after her the gazing world does move . canst thou not be content to love alone , or is thy mistress not content with one ? hast thou not read of fairy arthurs shield , which but disclos'd , amaz'd the weaker eyes of proudest foes , and won the doubtful field ? so shall thy rebel wit become her prize . should thy iambicks swell into a book , all were confuted with one radiant look . heav'n he oblig'd that plac'd her in the skies , rewarding ph●ebus , for inspiring so his noble brain , by likening to those eyes his joyful beams : but phoebus is thy foe , and neither aids thy fancy nor thy sight ; so ill thou rim'st against so fair a light. on my lady dorothy sidneys picture . such was philoclea , such mucidorus flame ; the matchless sidney that immortal frame of perfect beauty on two pillars plac't : not his high fancy could one pattern grac't with such extremes of excellence compose , wonders so distant in one face disclose : such cheerful modesty , such humble state , moves certain love , but with a doubtful fate : as when beyond our greedy reach we see , inviting fruit on too sublime a tree . all the rich flow'rs through his arcadia found , amaz'd we see , in this one garland bound . had but this copy , which the artist took from the fair picture of that noble book , stood at calanders ; the brave friends had jarr'd , and rivals made , th' ensuing story marr'd . just nature first instructed by his thought , in his own house thus practis'd what he taught . this glorious piece transcends what he could think ; so much his blood is nobler than his ink. to vandike . rare artisan ! whose pensil moves not our delights alone , but loves from thy shop of beauty , we slaves return , that enter'd free - the heedless lover does not know whose eyes they are that wound him so : but confounded with thy art , inquires her name that has his heart . another who did long refrain , feels his old wound bleed fresh again , with dear remembrance of that face , where now he reads new hopes of grace : nor scorn , nor cruelty does find ; but gladly suffers a false wind to blow the ashes of despair from the reviving brand of care : fool that forgets her stubborn look , this softness from thy finger took . strange that thy hand should not inspire the beauty only , but the fire : not the form alone , and grace , but act and power of a face . may'st thou yet thy self as well , as all the world besides , excel ; so you th'unseigned truth rehearse ; that i may make it live in verse why thou couldst not at one assay , that face to after-times convey , which this admires ; was it thy wit to make her oft before thee fit ? confess , and wee 'l forgive thee this ; for who would not repeat that bliss , and frequent sight of such a dame , buy with the hazard of his fame ? yet who can tax thy blameless skill , though thy good hand had failed still ? when natures self so often errs : she for this many thousand years seems to have practis'd with much care , to frame the race of women fair ; yet never could a perfect birth produce before to grace the earth : which waxed old , e're it could see her that amaz'd thy art and thee . but now 't is done , o let me know where those immortal colours grow , that could this deathless piece compose in lillies , or the fading rose ? no , for this thest thou hast climb'd higher than did promethe●s for his fire . of the lady who can sleep when she pleases . no wonder sleep from careful lovers flies to bath himself in sacharissi's eyes ; as fair astrea once from earth to heaven by strife and loud impiety was driven : so with our plaints offended and our tears ; vvise somnus to that paradice repairs , vvaits on her vvill and wretches do's forsake to court the nymph , for whom those wretches wake ! more proud than phoebus of his throne of gold is the soft god , those softer limbs to hold ; nor would exchange with iove , to hide the skies in darkning clouds , the power to close her eyes : eyes which so far all other lights controul , they warm our mortal parts , but these our soul. let her free spirit , whose unconquer'd breast holds such deep quiet , and untroubled rest , know , that though venus and her son should spare her rebel heart , and never teach her care ; yet hymen may inforce her vigils keep , and for anothers joy suspend her sleep . of the mis-report of her being painted . as when a sort of wolves infest the night with their wild howlings at fair cynthia's light ; the noise may chase sweet slumber from our eyes , but never reach the mistris of the skies : so with the news of sacharissa's wrongs , her vexed servants blame those envious tongues ; call love to witness , that no painted fire can scorch men so , or kindle such desire : while unconcerned she seems mov'd no more with this new malice , than our loves before ; but from the height of her great mind looks down on both our passions , without smile or frown : so little care of what is done below hath the bright dame , whom heaven affecteth so . paints her , 't is true , with the same hand which spreads like glorious colours through the flowry meads ; when lavish nature with her best attire clothes the gay spring , the season of desire . paints her , 't is true , and does her cheek adorn with the same art wherewith she paints the morn : with the same art , wherewith she gildeth so those painted clouds which form thaumantias bow . of her passing through a crowd of people . as in old chaos heaven with earth confus'd , and stars with rocks , together crush'd and bruis'd ; the sun his light no further could extend than the next hill , which on his shoulders lean'd : so in this throng bright sacharissa far'd , oppress'd by those who strove to be her guard : as ships though never so obsequious , ●all foul in a tempest on their admiral a greater favour this disorder brought unto her servants , than their awful thought durst entertain , when thus compell'd they prest the yielding marble of her snowy breast . while love insults , disguised in the cloud , and welcome force of that unruly croud . so th' amorous tree , while yet the air is calm , just distance keeps from his desired palm : but when the vvind her ravish't branches throws into his arms , and mingles all their boughs ; though loath he seems her tender leaves to press , more loath he is that friendly storm should cease , from whose rude bounty , he the double use at once receives , of pleasure and excuse . the story of phoebus and daphne applied . thirsis a youth of the inspired train , fair sacharissa lov'd , but lov'd in vain : like phoebus sung the no less amorous boy ; like daphne she as lovely and as coy : with numbers he the flying nymph pursues , with numbers such as phoebus self might use . such is the chase , when love and fancy leads , o're craggy mountains , and through floury meads ; invok'd to testifie the lover's care , or form some image of his cruel fair : urg'd with his fury like a wounded deer , o're these he fled , and now approaching near , had reach't the nymph with his harmonious lay , whom all his charms could not incline to stay ; yet what he sung in his immortal strain , though unsuccessful , was not sung in vain : all but the nymph , that should redress his wrong , attend his passion , and approve his song . like phoebus thus , acquiring unsought praise , he catcht at love , and fill'd his arm with bays . fabula phoebi & daphnis . arcadiae juvenis thirsis , phaebique sacerdos , ingenti frustra sacharissae ardebat amore : hand deus ipse olim daphni m●jora canebat , nec fuit asperior daphne , nec pul●hrior illa : carminibus phoebo dignis premit ille fugacem per rupes , per saxa , volans per florida vates pascua ; formosam nunc his componere nympham , nunc illis crudelem insana mente solebat : audiit illa proculmiserum , ●itheramque sonantem , audiit , at nullis respectexit mota querelis ; ne tamen omnino caneret , desertus , ad alta sidera perculsi , referunt nova carmina montes . sic non quaesitis cumulatus la●dibus olim elapsa reperit daphni sua laurea phoebus . of mrs. arden . behold , and listen , while the fair breaks in sweet sounds the willing air , and with her own breath fans the fire vvhich her bright eyes do first inspire . vvhat reason can that love controul , vvhich more than one way courts the soul ? so when a flash of lightning falls on our abodes , the danger calls for humane aid , which hopes the flame to conquer , though from heaven it came : but is the winds with that conspire ; men strive not , but deplore the fire . to amoret . fair , that you may truly know what you unto thirsis owe ; i will tell you how i do sacharissa love , and you . joy salutes me , when i set my blest eyes on amoret : but with wonder i am strook , when i on the other look . if sweet amoret complains , i have sense of all her pains ; but for sacharissa i do not only grieve , but die. all that of my self is mine , lovely amoret , is thine ; sacharissa's captive fain would untie his iron chain ; and those scorching beams to shun , to thy gentle shadow run . if the soul had free election to dispose of her affection , i would not thus long have born haughty sacharissa's scorn : but 't is sure some power above , vvhich controuls ours vvill in love. if not love , a strong desire to create and spread that fire in my breast , solicites me beauteous amoret , for thee . 't is amazement , more than love , which her radiant eyes do move ; if less splendor wait on thine , yet they so benignly shine , i would turn my dazelled sight to behold their milder light . but as hard 't is to destroy that high flame , as to enjoy : which , how easily i may do heaven ( as easily scal'd ) does know . amoret , as sweet and good as the most delicious food , which but tasted , does impart life and gladness to the heart : sacharissa's beautie's wine , which to madness doth incline ; such a liquor as no brain that is mortal , can sustain . scarce can i to heaven excuse the devotion , which i use unto that adored dame ; for 't is not unlike the same , vvhich i thither ought to send : so that if it could take end ; 't would to heaven it self be due to succeed her , and not you , vvho already have of me all that 's not idolatry ; vvhich , though not so fierce a flame , is longer like to be the same . then smile on me , and i will prove , wonder is shorter liv'd than love. on the head of a stag. so we some antique hero's strength learn by his launces weight and length ; as these vast beams express the beast , vvhose shady brows alive they drest : such game , while yet the world was new , the mighty nimrod did pursue . vvhat huntsman of our feeble race , or dogs , dare such a monster chase ? resembling with each blow he strikes the charge of a whole troop of pikes . o fertile head , which every year could such a crop of wonder bear ! the teeming earth did never bring so soon , so hard , so hugh a thing ; which , might it never have been cast , each years growth added to the last , these lofty branches had supply'd the earths bold son 's prodigious pride ; heaven with these engines had been scal'd , when mountains heap'd on ▪ mountains fail'd . to a lady in a garden . sees not my love , how time resumes the glory which he lent these flow'rs ? though none should taste of their perfumes , yet must they live but some few hours ; time , what we forbear , devours . had hellen or th' egyptian queen , been nere so thrifty of their graces ; those beauties must at length have been the spoil of age , which finds out faces in the most retired places . should some malignant planet bring a barren drought , or ceaseless show'r upon the autumn , or the spring , and spare us neither fruit nor flow'r ; winter would not stay an hour . could the resolve of loves neglect preserve you from the violation of coming years , then more respect were due to so divine a fashion ; nor would i indulge my passion . the misers speech in a masque . balls of this mettal slack'd atlanta's pace , and on the amorous youth bestow'd the race venus , the nymphs mind measuring by her own , whom the rich spoils of cities overthrown had prostrated to mars , could well advise th' adventurous lover how to gain the prize . nor less may iupiter to gold ascribe ; for when he turn'd himself into a bribe , who can blame danae , or the brazen tow'r , that they with-stood not that almighty show'r ? never till then , did love make iove put on a form more bright , and nobler than his own : nor were it just , would he resume that shape , that slack devotion should his thunder scape . 't was not revenge for griev'd apollo's wrong , those asses ears on mida's temples hung : but fond repentance of his happy wish , because his meat grew mettal like his dish . would bacchus bless me so ; i 'de constant hold unto my wish , and dye creating gold. on the friendship betwixt two ladies . tell me lovely loving pair , why so kind , and so severe ? why so careless of our care , only to your selves so dear ? by this cunning change of hearts , you the power of love controul ; while the boys deluded darts , can arrive at neither soul. for in vain to either breast still beguiled love does come ; where he finds a forreign guest , neither of your hearts at home . debtors thus with like design , when they never mean to pay ; that they may the law decline , to some friend make all away . not the silver doves that flie , yoakt in citharea's car ; not the wings that lift so high , and convey her son so far , are so lovely , sweet , and fair , or do more ennoble love , are so choicely matcht a pair , or with more consent do move . of her chamber . they taste of death that do at heaven arrive ; but we this paradise approach alive . instead of death , the dart of love does strike , and renders all within these walls alike : the high in titles , and the shepheard here , forgets his greatness , and forgets his fear : all stand amaz'd , and gazing on the fair , loose thought of what themselves , or others are ; ambition loose , and have no other scope , save carlisl●s favour to imploy their hope . the thracian could ( though all those tales were true the bold greeks tell ) no greater wonders do ; before his feet , so sheep and lions lay fearless and wrathless , while they heard him play : the gay , the wise , the gallant , and the grave , subdu'd alike , all , but one passion have : no worthy mind , but finds in hers there is something proportion'd to the rule of his . whilst she with cheerful , but impartial grace , ( born for no one , but to delight the race of men ) like phoebus , so divides her light , and warms us , that , she stoops not from her height . of loving at first sight . not caring to observe the wind , or the new sea explore , ●natcht from my self , how far behind , already i behold the shoar ! ●ay not a thousand dangers sleep 〈◊〉 the smooth bosome of this deep ? ●o : 't is so rockless and so clear , ●hat the rich bottom does appear ●av'd all with pretious things , not torn ●●om shipwrackt vessels , but there born . ●weetness , truth , and every grace , ●hich time and use are wont to teach , 〈◊〉 eye may in a moment reach , ●nd read distinctly in her face . someother nymph with colours faint , and pensil slow may cupid paint , and a weak heart in time destroy ; she has a stamp , and prints the boy , can with a single look inflame the coldest breast , the rudest tame . the self banished . it is not that i love you less than when before your feet i lay : but to prevent the sad encrease of hopeless love , i keep away . in vain ( alas ! ) for every thing which i have known belong to you , your form does to my fancy bring , and makes my old wounds bleed anew . who in the spring from the new sun , already has a fever got , too late begins those shafts to shun , which phoebus through his veins has shot ; too late he would the pain asswage , and to thick shadows does retire ; about with him he bears the rage , and in his tainted bloud the fire . but vow'd i have , and never must your banisht servant trouble you ; for if i break , you may mistrust the vow i made to love you too . song . go lovely rose , tell her that wastes her time and me , that now she knows , when i resemble her to thee , how sweet and fair she seems to be . tell her that 's young , and shuns to have her graces spy'd , that hadst thou sprung in desarts , where no men abide , thou must have uncommended dy'd . small is the worth of beauty from the light retir'd ; bid her come forth , suffer her self to be desir'd , and not blush so to be admir'd . then die , that she , the common fate of all things rare , may read in thee ; how small a part of time they share , that are so wondrous sweet and fair . thirsis , galatea . th. as lately i on silver thames did ride , sad galatea on the bank i spy'd : such was her look as sorrow taught to shine ; and thus she grac'd me with a voice divine . gal. you that can tune your sounding strings so well of ladies beauties , and of love to tell ; once change your note , and let your lute report the justest grief that ever toucht the court. th. fair nymph , i have in your delights no share ▪ nor ought to be concerned in your care : yet would i sing , if i your sorrows knew , and to my aid invoke no muse but you . gal. hear then , and let your song augment ou● grief ▪ which is so great , as not to wish relief : she that had all which nature gives or chance , whom fortune joyn'd with virtue to advance , to all the joys this island could afford , the greatest mistriss , and the kindest lord : who with the royal mixt her noble bloud , and in high grace with gloriana stood ; her bounty , sweetness , beauty , goodness , such , that none e're thought her happiness too much : so well inclin'd her favours to confer , and kind to all , as heaven had been to her . the virgins part , the mother , and the wife , so well she acted in this span of life , that though few years ( too few alas ! ) she told , she seem'd in all things , but in beauty , old . as unripe fruit , whose verdant stalks do cleave close to the tree , which grieves no less to leave the smiling pendant which adorns her so , and until autumn , on the bough should grow : so seem'd her youthful soul not easily forc't , or from so fair , so sweet a seat divorc't . her fate at once did hasty seem and slow , at once too cruel , and unwilling too . th. under how hard a law are mortals borr whom now we envy , we anon must mourn : what heaven sets highest , and seems most to prize , is soon removed from our wondring eyes . but since the sisters did so soon untwine so fair a thread , i 'll strive to piece the line . vouchsafe sad nymph to let me know the dame , and to the muses i 'll commend her name , make the wide countrey eccho to your moan , the listning trees and savage mountains groan : what rocks not moved when the death is sung of one so good , so lovely , and so young ? gal. 't was hamilton , whom i had nam'd before ; but naming her , grief lets me say no more . the battel of the summer-islands . cant. i. what fruits they have , and how heaven smiles vpon those late discovered isles . aid me be●●ona , while the dreadful fight betwixt a nation and two whales i write : seas stain'd with goar , i sing , advent'rous toyl , and how these monsters did disarm an isle . berm●das wall'd with rocks , who does not know , that happy island , where huge lemons grow , and orange trees which golden fruit do bear , th'hesperian garden boasts of none so fair ? where shining pearl , coral , and many a pound , on the rich shore , of amber-greece is found : the lofty cedar , which to heaven aspires , the prince of trees , is fewel for their fires : the smoak by which their loaded spits do turn , for ●ncense might , on sacred altars burn : their private roofs●on od'rous timber born , such as might palaces for kings adorn . the sweet palmettas a new b●cchus yield , with leaves as ample as the broadest shield : under the shadow of whose friendly boughs they sit carowsing , where their liquor grows . figs there unplanted through the fields do grow , such as fierce cato did the romans show , with the rare fruit inviting them to spoil carthage the mistriss of so rich a soil . the naked rocks are not unfruitful there , but at some constant seasons every year , their barren tops with luscious food abound , and with the eggs of various fowls are crown'd : tobacco is the worst of things , which they to english land-lords as their tribute pay : such is the mould , that the blest tenant feeds on precious fruits , and pays his rent in weeds : with candid plantines , and the jucy pine , on choicest melons and sweet grapes they dine ; and with potatoes fat their wanton swine . nature these cates with such a lavish hand pours out among them , that our courser land tastes of that bounty , and does cloth return , which not for warmth , but ornament is worn : for the kind spring which but salutes us here , inhabits there , and courts them all the year : ripe fruits and blossoms on the ●ame trees live ; at once they promise , what at once they give : so sweet the air , so moderate the clime ; none sickly lives , or dies before his time . heaven sure has kept this spot of earth uncurst , to shew how all things were created first . the tardy plants in our cold orchards plac'd , reserve their fruit for the next ages taste : there a small grain in some few months will be a firm , a lofty , and a spacious tree : the palma christi , and the fair papah , now but a seed ( preventing natures law ) in half the circle of the hasty year project a shade , and lovely fruit do wear : and as their trees in our dull region set but faintly grow , and no perfection get ; so in this northern tract our hoarser throats utter unripe and ill-constrained notes : where the supporter of the poets style , phoebus , on them eternally does smile . o how i long ! my careless limbs to lay under the plantanes shade , and all the day with am'rous airs my fancy entertain , invoke the mus●s , and improve my vein ! no passion there in my free breast should move ▪ none but the sweet and best of passions , love : there while i sing , if gentle love be by that tunes my lute , and winds the strings so high , with the sweet sound of sacharissa's name , i 'll make the listning savages grow tame . but while i do these pleasing dreams indite , i am diverted from the promis'd fight . canto ii. of their alarm , and how their foes discovered were , this canto shows . though rocks so high about this island rise , that well they may the num'rous turk despise ; yet is no humane fate exempt from fear , which shakes their hearts , while through the isle they hear a lasting noise , as horrid and as loud as thunder makes , before it breaks the cloud . three days they dread this murmur , e're they know from what blind cause th' unwonted sound may grow : at length two monsters of unequal size , hard by the shoar a fisher-man espies ; two mighty whales , which swelling seas had tost , and left them prisoners on the rocky coast ; one as a mountain vast , and with her came ● cub not much inferior to his dame : ●ere in a pool among the rocks engag'd , ●hey roar'd like lions , caught in toyls , and rag'd : ●he man knew what they were , who heretofore ●ad seen the like lie murdered on the shore , ●y the wild fury of some tempest cast ●he fate of ships and shipwrackt men to taste . ●s careless dames whom wine and sleep betray 〈◊〉 frantick dreams their infants overlay : so there sometimes the raging ocean fails , and her own brood exposes ; when the whales against sharp rocks like reeling vessels quasht , though huge as mountains , are in pieces dasht ; along the shore their dreadful limbs lie scatter'd , like hills with earthquakes shaken , torn & shatter'● hearts sure of brass they had , who tempted first , rude seas that spare not what themselves have nurs● the welcome news through all the nation sprea● to sudden joy and hope converts their dread . what lately was their publique terror , they behold with glad eyes as a certain prey ; dispose already of th'untaken spoil , and as the purchase of their future toil , these share the bones , and they divide the oyl ; so was the huntsman by the bear opprest , whose hide he sold before he caught the beast . they man their boats , and all their young men arm with whatsoever may the monsters harm ; pikes , halberts , spits , and darts that wound so far , the tools of peace , and instruments of war : now was the time for vig'rous lads to show what love or honor could invite them too ; a goodly theatre where rocks are round with reverend age , and lovely lasses crown'd ▪ such was the lake which held this dreadful pair within the bounds of noble warwicks share : warwicks bold earl , than which no title bear● a greater sound among our british peers ; and worthy he the memory to renew , the fate and honor to that title due ; whose brave adventures have transferr'd his name , and through the new world spread his growing fame . but how they fought , & what their valour gain'd , shall in another canto be contain'd . canto iii. the bloody fight , successless toyl , and how the fishes sack'd the isle . the boat which on the first assault did go struck with a harping iron the younger ●o ; who when he felt his side so rudely goar'd , loud as the sea that nourish't him he roar'd . ●s a broad bream to please some curious tast , while yet alive in boyling water cast , ●ex't with unwonted heat , boyls , flings about the scorching brass , and hurls the liquor out : so with the barbed javeling stung , he raves , and scourges with his tayl the suffering waves : like spencer's talus with his iron flayl , ●e threatens ruin with his pondrous tayl ; dissolving at one stroke the battered boat , and down the men fall drenched in the moat : with every fierce encounter they are forc't to quit their boats , and fare like men unhorst . the bigger whale like some huge carrack lay , which wanteth sea room , with her foes to play : slowly she swims , and when provok'd she wo'd advance her tail , her head salutes the mud ; the shallow water doth her force infringe , and renders vain her tails impetuous swinge : the shining steel her tender sides receive , and there like bees they all their weapons leave . this sees the cub , and does himself oppose betwixt his cumbred mother and her foes : with desperate courage he receives her wounds , and men and boats his active tayl confounds . their forces joyn'd , the seas with billows fill , and make a tempest , though the winds be still . now would the men with half their hoped prey be well content , and wish this cub away : their wish they have ; he to direct his dam unto the gap through which they thither came , before her swims , and quits the hostile lake , a pris'ner there , but for his mothers sake . she by the rocks compell'd to stay behind , is by the vastness of her bulk confin'd . they shout for joy , and now on her alone their fury falls , and all their darts are thrown . their lances spent ; one bolder than the rest with his broad sword provok'd the sluggish beast : her oily side devours both blade and heft , and there his steel the bold bermudian left . courage the rest from his example take , and now they change the colour of the lake : blood flows in rivers from her wounded side , as if they would prevent the tardy tide , and raise the flood to that propitious height , as might convey her from this fatal streight . she swims in blood , and blood do's spouting throw to heaven , that heaven mens cruelties might know . their fixed javelins in her side she wears , and on her back a grove of pikes appears : you would have thought , had you the monster seen thus drest , she had another island been . roaring she tears the air with such a noise , ( as well resembled the conspiring voice of routed armies , when the field is won ) to reach the ears of her escaped son . he ( though a league removed from the fo ) hastes to her aid ; the pious trojan so neglecting for creusas life his own , repeats the danger of the burning town . the men amazed blush to see the seed of monsters , human piety exceed : well proves this kindness what the grecians sung , that loves bright mother from the ocean sprung . their courage droops , and hopeless now they wish for composition with th'unconquer'd fish : so she their weapons would restore again , through rocks they 'd hew her passage to the main . but how instructed in each others mind , or what commerce can men with monsters find ? not daring to approach their wounded foe , whom her couragious son protected so ; they charge their muskets , and with hot desire of full revenge , renew the fight with fire : standing a looff , with lead they bruise the scales , and tear the flesh of the incensed whales . but no success their fierce endeavours found , nor this way could they give one fatal wound . now to their fort they are about to send for the loud engines which their isle defend . but what those pieces from'd to batter walls would have effected on those mighty whales , great neptune will not have us know , who sends a tyde so high , that it relieves his friends . and thus they parted with exchange of harms ; much blood the monsters lost , and they their arms. song . peace , babling muse , i dare not sing what you indite ; her eyes refuse to read the passion which they write ; ●he strikes my lute , but if it sound , threatens to hurl it on the ground : and i no less her anger dread , ●han the poor wretch that feigns him dead , ●hile some fierce lion does embrace ●is breathless corps , and licks his face ; wrap't up in silent fear he lies , torn all in pieces if he cries . of love. anger in hasty words or blows , it self discharges on our foes , and sorrow too finds some relief , in tears which wait upon our grief : so every passion , but fond love , unto its own redress does move ; but that alone the wretch inclines to what prevents his own designs ; makes him lament , and sigh , and weep , disordred , tremble , fawn and creep ; postures which render him despis'd , where he endeavours to be priz'd . for women , born to be controul'd , stoop to the forward and the bold , affect the haughty and the proud , the gay , the frollick , and the loud . who first the gen'rous steed opprest , not kneeling did salute the beast ; but with high courage , life and force approaching , tam'd th' unruly horse . unwisely we the wiser east pity , supposing them opprest with tyrants force , whose law is will , by which they govern , spoyl and kill : each nymph but moderately fair , commands with no less rigor here . should some brave turk , that walks among his twenty lasles bright and young , and beckens to the willing dame preferr'd to quench his present flame , behold as many gallants here , with modest guise , and silent fear , all to one female idol bend , whilest her high pride does scarce descend to mark their follies , he would swear that these her guard of eunuchs were ; and that a more majestique queen , or humbler slaves he had not seen . all this with indignation spoke , in vain i strugled with the yoke of mighty love ; that conquering look , when next beheld , like lightning strook my blasted soul , and made me bow lower than those i pitied now . so the tall stag upon the brink of some smooth stream about to drink , surveying there , his armed head , with shame remembers that he fled the scorned dogs , resolves to try the combat next ; but if their cry invades again his trembling ear , he straight resumes his wonted care ; leaves the untasted spring behind , and wing'd with fear , out-flies the wind . to phillis . phillis , why should we delay pleasures shorter than the day ? could we ( which we never can ) stretch our lives beyond their span ; beauty like a shadow flies , and our youth before us dies ; or would youth and beauty stay , love hath wings , and will away . love hath swifter wings than time ; change in love to heaven does clime . gods that never change their state , vary oft their love and hate . phillis , to this truth we owe , all the love betwixt us two : let not you and i require , what has been our past desire ; on what shepherds you have smil●d , or what nymphs i have beguil'd ; leave it to the planets too , what we shall hereafter do ; for the joys we now may prove , take advice of present love . to phillis . phillis , 't was love that injur'd you , and on that rock your thirsis threw , who for proud caelia could have dy'd , whilst you no less accus'd his pride . fond love his darts at random throws , and nothing springs from what he sows : ●rom foes discharg'd as often meet the shining points of arrows fleet , in the wide air creating fire , as souls that joyn in one desire . love made the lovely venus burn in vain , and for the cold youth mourn ▪ who the pursuit of churlish beasts , preferr'd to sleeping on her brests . love makes so many hearts the prize , of the bright carliles conquering eyes , which she regards no more than they , the tears of lesser beauties weigh : so have i seen the lost clouds pour , into the sea a useless shower , and the vext sailors curse the rain , for which poor shepherds pray'd in vain . then phillis , since our passions are govern'd by chance , and not the care but sport of heaven , which takes delight to look upon this parthian flight of love , still flying or in chase , never incountring face to face ; no more to love we 'll sacrifice , but to the best of deities ; and let our hearts which love disjoyn'd , by his kind mother be combin'd . song . while i listen to thy voice , ( chloris ) i feel my life decay , that powerful noise calls my flitting soul away . oh! suppress that magick sound , which destroys without a wound . peace chloris , peace , or singing die ; that together you and i , to heaven may go : for all we know , of what the blessed do above , is , that they sing , and that they love . song . stay phoebus , stay , the world to which you flie so fast , conveying day from us to them , can pay your hast , with no such object , nor salute your rise with no such wonder , as de mornay's eyes . well do's this prove , the error of those antique books , which made you move , about the world ; her charming looks would fix your beams , and make it ever day , did not the rowling earth snatch her away . to amoret . amoret , the milky way , fram'd of many nameless stars , the smooth stream where none can say , he this drop to that prefers ; amoret , my lovely foe , tell me where thy strength does lie ; where the power that charms us so , in thy soul , or in thy eye ? by that snowy neck alone , or thy grace in motion seen , no such wonders could be done : yet thy wast is streight and clean , as cupids shafr , or hermas rod , and powerful too , as either god. to my lord of falkland . brave holland leads , & with him falkland goes : who hears this told , and does not straight suppose we send the graces and the muses forth , to civilize , and to instruct the north ? not that these ornaments make swords less sharp ; apollo bears as well his bow as harp ; and though he be the patron of that spring , where in calm peace the sac●ed virgins sing , he courage had to guard th'invaded throne of love , and cast th' ambitious ●iants down . ah ( noble friend ) with what impatience all that know thy worth , and know how prodigal of thy great soul thou art , longing to twist bays with that ivy , which so early kist ▪ 〈…〉 thy youthful temples , with what horror we think on the blind events of war and thee ? to fate exposing that all-knowing breast , among the throng as cheaply as the rest : where oaks and brambles ( if the cops be burn●● confounded lie to the same ashes turn'd . some happy wind over the ocean blow this tempest yet , which frights our island so ▪ guarded with ships , and all the sea our own , from heaven this mischief on our heads is thrown . in a late dream the genius of this land , amaz'd , i saw , like the fair hebrew stand , when first she felt the twins begin to jar , and found her womb the feat of civil war : inclin'd to whose relief , and with presage of better for●un● for the present age , heav'n sends , quoth i , this discord for our good , to warm , perhaps , but not to waste our bloud , to raise our drooping spirits , grown the scorn of our proud neighbours , who ere long shall mourn , ( though now they joy in our expected harms ) we had occasion to resume our arms. a lion so with self provoking smart , his rebel tail scourging his nobler part , calls up his courage , then begins to roar , and charge his foes , who thought him mad before . for drinking of healths . let bruits and vegetals , that cannot think , so far as drought and nature urges , drink : a more indulgent mistriss guides our sprights , reason , that dares beyond our appetites ; she would our care as well as thirst redress , and with divinity rewards excess : deserted ariadne thus supply'd ▪ did perjur'd theseus cruelty deride ; bacchus imbrac'd , from her exalted thought banish'd the man , her passion , and his fault . bacchus and phoebus are by iove ally'd , and each by others timely heat supply'd : all that the grapes owe to his ripening fires , is paid in numbers which their jucie inspires . wine fills the veins , and healths are understood , to give our friends a title to our blood : who naming me , doth warm his courage so , shews for my sake what his bold hand would do . on my lady isabella playing on the lute . such moving sounds , from such a careless touch so unconcern'd her self , and we so much ! what art is this , that with so little pains transports us thus , and o●r our spirit reigns ? the trembling strings about her fingers crow'd , and tell their joy for every kiss aloud ▪ small force there needs to make them tremble so , touch't by that hand who would not tremble too ? here loves takes stand , and while she charms the ear , empties his quiver on the listning deer ; musick ●o softens and disarms the mind , that not an arrow does resistance find . thus the fair tyrant celebrates the prize , and acts her self the triumph of her eyes . so nero once , with harp in hand survey'd his flaming rome , and as it burnt he play'd . to a lady singing a song of his composing . chloris your self you so excel when you vouchsafe to breath my thought , that like a spirit with this spell of my own teaching i am caught . that eagles fate , and mine are one , which on the shaft that made him die , espy'd a feather of his own wherewith he wont to soar so high . had eccho with so sweet a grace , narcissus's loud complaints return'd , not for reflexion of his face , but of his voice the boy had burn'd . of the marriage of the dwarfs . design or chance makes other wive , but nature did this match contrive ; eve might as well have adam fled , as she deny'd her little bed to him , for whom heaven seem'd to frame , and measure out this only dame. thrice happy is that humble pair beneath the level of all care ; over whose heads those arrows flie of sad distrust and jealousie ; secured in as high extream , as if the world held none but them . to him the fairest nymphs do show like moving mountains topt with snow ; and every man a polyph●me does to his galatea seem ; none may presume her faith to prove , he profers death that profers love. ah ( chloris ) that kind nature thus from all the world had server'd us , creating for our selves us two , as love has me for only you . loves farewel . treading the path to nobler ends , a long farewel to love i gave ; resolv'd my country and my friends all that remain'd of me should have ; and this resolve no mortal dame , none but those eyes could have o'rthrown . the nymph , i dare not , need not name , so high , so like her self alone . thus the tall oak which now aspires above the fear of private fires , grown and design'd for nobler use , not to make warm , but build the hou●e , though from our meaner flames secure , must that which falls from heaven indure . from a child . madam , as in some climes the warmer sun makes it full summer e're the spring 's begun ' and with ripe fruit the bending boughs can load , before our violets dare look abroad : so measure not by any common use , the early love your brighter eyes produce . when lately your fair hand in womens weed , wrap't my glad head , i wish't me so indeed , that h●sty time might never make me grow out of those favours you afford me now ; that i might ever such indulgence sind , and you not blush , or think your self too kind , who now i fear while i these joys express , begin to think how you may make them less ; the sound of love makes your soft heart afraid , and guard it self , though but a child invade , and innocently at your white brest throw a dart as white , a ball of new faln snow . on a girdle . that which her ●lender waste confin'd , shall now my joyful temples bind ; no monarch but would give his crown , his arms might do what this has done . it was my heaven's extreamest sphear , the pale which held that lovely dear ; my joy , my grief , my hope , my love , did all within this circle move . a narrow compass , and yet there dwelt all that 's good , and all that 's fair : give me but what this riban bound , take all the rest the sun goes round . the apology of sleep . for not approaching the lady , who can do ▪ any thing but sleep when she pleaseth , my charge it is those breaches to repair which nature takes from sorrow , toil and care ▪ rest to the limbs , and quiet i confer on troubled minds ; but nought can add to her , whom heaven and her transcendent thoughts have plac'd above those ills , which wretched mortals taste . bright as the deathless gods , and happy she , from all that may infringe delight , is free ▪ love at her royal feet his quiver lays , and not his mother with more haste obeys . such real pleasures , such true joys suspence , what dream can i present to recompense ? should i with lightning fill her awful hand , and make the clouds seem all at her command ; or place her in olympus top , a guest among th'immortals , who with nectar feast : that power would seem , that entertainment short of the true splendor of her present court ; where all the joys and all the glories are of three great kingdoms , sever'd from the care . i that of ●umes and humid vapours made , ascending do the seat of sense invade , no cloud in so serene a mansion find , to over-cast her ever-shining mind ; which holds resemblance with those spotless skies , where flowing nilus want of rain supplies ; that christal heaven , where phoebus never shrouds his golden beams , nor wraps his face in clouds . but what so hard which numbers cannot force ▪ so stoops the moon , and rivers change their course : the bold maeonian made me dare to steep ioves dreadful temples in the dew of sleep . and since the muses do invoke my power , i shall no more decline that sacred bower , where gloriana th●ir great mistriss lies , but gently taming those victorious eyes , charm all her senses ; till the joyful sun without a rival half his course has run : who , while my hand that fairer light confines , may boast himself the brightest thing that shines . at pens-hurst . while in the park i sing , the listning deer attend my passion , and forget to fear . when to the beeches i report my flame , they bow their heads as if they felt the same : to gods appealing , when i reach their bowrs with loud complaints , they answer me in showrs ▪ to thee a wild and cruel soul is given , more deaf than trees , and prouder than the heav'n . loves ●oe profest , why dost thou falsly ●eign thy self a sidney ▪ from which noble strain he sprung , that could so far exalt the name of love , and warm our nation with his flame , that all we can of love or high desire , seems but the smoak of am'rous sidneys fire . nor call her mother , who so well do's prove , one breast may hold both chastity and love. never can she , that so exceeds the spring in joy and bounty , be suppos'd to bring one so destructive ; to no humane stock we owe this fierce unkindness , but the rock , that cloven rock produc'd thee , by whose side nature to recompence the fatal pride of such stern beauty , plac'd those healing springs , which not more help , than that destruction brings . thy heart no ruder than the rugged stone , i might ●ike orpheus with my numerous moan melt to compassion ; now my trait●●ous song , with thee conspires to do the singer wrong ▪ while 〈◊〉 i suffer not my self to lose the memory of what augments my woes ▪ but with my own breath still foment the fire , which flames as high as fancy can aspire . this last complaint th'indulgent ears did pierce of just apollo , president of verse : highly concerned , that the muse should bring damage to one whom he had taught to sing ; thus he advis'd me , on yo● aged tree , hang up thy lute , and hye thee to the sea , that there with wonders thy diverted mind some truce at least may with this passion find . ah cruel nymph ! from whom her humble swai● flies for relief unto the raging main ; and from the winds and tempests do's expect a milder fate , than from her cold neglect : yet there he 'll pray that the unkind may prove blest in her choice ; and vows this endless love springs from no hope of what she can confer , but from those gifts which heav'n has heap'd on her . another . had sacharissa liv'd when mortals m●de choice of their deities , this sacred shade had held an altar to her power , that gave the peace and glory which these allays have : embroidred so with flowers where she stood , that it became a garden of a wood : her presence has such more than humane grace , that it can civilize the rudest place ; and beauty too , and order can impart , where nature ne'r intended it , nor art. the plants acknowledge this , and her admire no less than those of old , did orpheus's lire : if she sit down , with tops all towards her bow'd , they round about her into arbors crowd ; or if she walk , in even ranks they stand , like some well-marshall'd and obsequious band . amphion so made stones and timber leap into fair figures from a confus'd heap : and in the symmetry of her parts is found a power , like that of harmony in sound . ye lofty beeches , tell this matchless dame , that if together ye fed all one flame , it could not equalize the hundredth part of what her eyes have kindled in ●y heart . go boy , and carve this passion on the bark of yonder tree , which stands the sacred mark of noble sidneys birth ; when such benign , such more than-mortal making stars did shine ; that there they cannot but for ever prove the monument and pledge of humble love : his humble love , whose hope shall ne'r rise higher than for a pardon that he dares admire . to my lord of leicester . not that thy trees at pens-hurst groan oppressed with their timely load , and seem to make their silent moan , that their great lord is now abroad : they to delight his tast or eye , would spend themselves in fruit , and dye . not that thy harmless deer repine , and think themselves unjustly slain by any other hand than thine , whose arrows they would gladly stain : no , nor thy friends which hold too dear that peace with france , which keeps thee there . all these are less than that great cause , which now exacts your presence here , wherein there meet the divers laws of publick and domestick care . for one bright nymph our youth contends ▪ and on your prudent choice depends . not the bright shield of thetis's son , for which such stern debate did rise , that the great ajax telamon refus'd to live without the prize , those achive peers did more engage , than she the gallants of our age . that beam of beauty which begun to warm us so when thou wert here , now scorches like the raging sun when syrius does first appear . o fix this flame , and let despair redeem the rest from endless care ! to a very young lady . why came i so untimely forth into a world , which wanting thee could entertain us with no worth or shadow of felicity ? that time should me so far remove from that which i was born to love . yet fairest blossom do not slight that age which you may know so soon ; the rosie morn resigns her light , and milder glory to the noon : and then what wonders shall you do , whose dawning beauty warms us so ? hope waits upon the flowry prime , and summer though it be less gay , yet is not lookt on as a time of declination or decay . for with a full hand that does bring all that was promis'd by the spring ▪ song . say lovely dream , where couldst thou find shadows to counterseit that face ? colours of this ●lorious kind , come not from any mortal place . 〈◊〉 heaven it self thou sure wer't drest with that angel-like disguise ; thus deluded am i blest , and see my joy with closed eyes . but ah this image is too kind to be other than a dream ! cruel sacharissa's mind never put on that sweet extreme . fair dream , if thou intend'st me grace , change that heavenly face of thine ; paint despis'd love in thy face , and make it to appear like mine . pale , wan , and meager let it look , with a pity-moving shape , such as wander by the brook of lethe , or from graves escape . then to that matchless nymph appear , in whose shape thou shinest so , softly in her sleeping ear , with humble words express my wo. perhaps from greatness , state , and pride , thus surprised she may fall : sleep does disproportion hide , and death resembling equals all . song . behold the brand of beauty tost ; see how the motion does dilate the flame : delighted love his spoils does boast , and triumph in this game . fire to no place confin'd , is both our wonder and our fear , moving the mind , as lightning hurled through the air. high heaven the glory does encrease of all her shining lamps this artful way ; the sun in figures such as these joys with the moon to play . to the sweet strains they advance , which do result from their own spheres ; as this nymphs dance , moves with the numbers which she hears . on the discovery of a ladies painting . pigmaleons fate reverst is mine . his marble love took flesh and bloud ; all that i worshipt as divine , that beauty now 't is understood , appears to have no more of life than that whereof he fram'd his wife . as women yet who apprehend some sudden cause of causeless fear , although that seeming cause take end , and they behold no danger near , a shaking through their limbs they find , like leaves saluted by the wind : so though the beauty do appear no beauty , which amaz'd me so ; yet from my breast i cannot tear the passion which from thence did grow , nor yet out of my fancy rase the print of that supposed face . a real beauty , though too near , the fond narcissus did admire ; i dote on that which is no where , the sign of beauty feeds my fire : no mortal flame was e're so cruel as this , which thus survives the fuel . to a lady from whom he received a silver pen. madam , intending to have try'd the silver favour which you gave , in ink the shining point i dy'd , and drench'd it in the sable wave : when griev'd to be so foully stain'd . on you it thus to me complain'd . suppose you had deserv'd to take from her fair hand so fair a boon ; yet how deserved i to make so ill a change , who ever won immortal praise for what i wrought , instructed by her noble thought ? i that expressed her commands to mighty lords and princely dames , always most welcome to their hands , proud that i would record their names , must now be taught an humble stile some meaner beauty to beguile . so i , the wronged pen to please , make it my humble thanks express unto your ladyship in these : and now 't is forced to confess , that your great self did nere indite , nor that to one more noble write . on a brede of divers colours , woven by four ladies . twice twenty slender virgin fingers twine this curious web , where all their fancies shine ; as nature them , so they this shade have wrought soft as their hands , and various as their thought . not iuno's bird , when his fair train dispread , he wooes the female to his painted bed ; no not the bow which so adorns the skies , so glorious is , or boasts so many dies . to my lord of northumberland upon the death of his lady . to this great loss a sea of tears is due ; but the whole debt not to be paid by you : charge not your self with all , nor render vain those show'rs the eyes of us your servants rain . shall grief contract the largeness of that heart , in which nor fear nor anger has a part ? virtue would blush , if time should boast ( which dries her sole child dead , the tender mothers eyes ) your minds relief , where reason triumphs so over all passions , that they ne'r could grow beyond their limits in your noble breast , to harm another , or impeach your rest . this we observ'd , delighting to obey one who did never from his great self stray : whose mild example seemed to engage th' obsequious seas , and teach them not to rage . the brave emilius , his great charge laid down , ( the force of rome , and fate of macedon ) in his lost sons did feel the cruel stroke of changing fortune , and thus highly spoke before romes people : we did oft implore that if the heav'ns had any bad in store for your emilius , they would pour that ill on his own house , and let you flourish ●till . you on the barren seas ( my lord ) have spent , whole springs and summers , to the publick lent : suspended all the pleasures of your life , and shortned the short joy of such a wife : for which your countrey 's more obliged , then for many lives of old , less-happy men . you that have sacrific'd so great a part of youth and private bliss , ought to impart your sorrow too , and give your friends a right as well in your affliction , as delight : then with emilian courage bear this cross , since publick persons only publick loss ought to affect : and though her form and youth , her application to your will and truth , that noble sweetness , and that humble state all snatch'd away by such a hasty fate , might give excuse to any common breast , with the huge weight of so just grief opprest ; yet let no portion of your life be stain'd with passion , but your character maintain'd to the last act ; it is enough her stone may honoured be with superscription of the sole lady , who had power to move the great northumberland to grieve and love . to my lord admiral of his late sickness and recovery , with joy like ours , the thracian youth invades orpheus returning from th' elizian shades , embrace the hero , and his stay emplore , make it their publick suit , he would no more desert them so , and for his spouses sake , his vanisht love , tempt the lethean lake : the ladies too , the brightest of that time , ambitious all his lofty bed to clime , their doubtful hopes with expectation feed , who shall the fair euridice succeed ▪ euridice , for whom his num'rous moan makes listning trees , and salvage mountains groan : through all the air his sounding strings dilate sorrow , like that which touch'd our hearts of late● your piing sickness , and your restless pain , at once the land affecting , and the main : when the glad news that you were admiral , scarce through the nation , spread , 't was fear'd by all , that our great charles , whose wisdom shines in you , would be perplexed how to chuse a new . so more than private was the joy and grief , that at the worst , it gave our souls relief : that in our age such sense of virtue liv'd , they joy'd so justly , and so justly griev'd . nature , ( her fairest lights eclipsed , ) seems her self to suffer in those sharp extremes : while not from thine alone thy blood retires , but from those cheeks which all the world admires ▪ the stemm thus threatned , and the sap in thee , droop all the branches of that noble tree : their beauty they , and we our loves suspend , nought can our wishes , save thy health intend ▪ as lillies overcharg'd with rain they bend their beauteous heads , & with high heaven contend ; fold thee within their snowy army , and cry he is too faultless and too young to die : so like immortals round about thee they si● , that they fright approaching death away : who would not languish by so fair a train , to be lamented and restor'd again ? or thus with-held , what hasty soul would go , though to be blest ? o're her adonis so fair venus mourn'd , and with the precious showr of her warm tears cherisht the springing flow'r . the next support fair hope of your great name , and second pillar of that noble frame , by loss of thee would no advantage have , but step by step pursues thee to the grave . and now relentless fate , about to end the line which back ward does so far extend , that antick stock which still the world supplies with bravest spirits , and with brightest eyes , kind phoebus interposing , bid me say such storms no more shall shake that house , but they like neptune , and his sea-born neece , shall be the shining glories of the land and sea : with courage guard , and beauty warm our age , and lovers fill , with like poetick rage . ala malade . ah lovely amoret , the care of all that know what 's good or fair , is heaven become our rival too ? had the rich gifts conferr'd on you , so ample thence the common end of giving lovers , to pretend . hence to this pining sickness ( meant to weary thee to a consent of leaving us ) no power is given , thy beauties to impair ; for heaven sollicites thee with such a care , as roses from their stalks we tear , when we would still preserve them new , and fresh as on the bush they grew . with such a grace you entertain , and look with such contempt on pain , that languishing you conquer more , and wound us deeper than before . so lightnings which in storms appear ▪ scorch more than when the skies are clear . and as pale sickness does invade your frailer part , the breaches made in that fair lodging , still more clear make the bright guest your soul , appear . so nymphs o're pathless mountains born , their light robes by the brambles torn from their fair limbs , exposing new and unknown beauties to the view of following gods , increase their flame , and haste to catch the flying game . of the queen . the lark that shuns on losty boughs to build ; her humble nest , lies silent in the field ; but if the promise of a cloudless day , aurora smiling , bids her rise and play , then straight she shews , 't was not for want of voic● or power to climb , she made so low a choice : singing she mounts , her airy wings are stretcht towards heaven , as if from heaven her note she fetch so we retiring from the busie throng , use to restrain th' ambition of , our song ; but since the light which now informs our age breaks from the court indulgent to her r●ge , thither my muse , like bold promethe●s , flies● to light her torch at gloriana's eyes . those sovereign beams , which heal the wounded soul and all our cares but once beheld controul ; there the poor lover that has long , endur'd some proud nymphs scorn , of his fond passion cur'd fares like the man who first upon the ground a glow worm spy'd supposing he had found a moving diamond , a breathing stone ( for life it had , and like those jewels shone : ) he held it dear , till by the springing day . ●nform'd , he threw the worthless worm away . she saves the lover as we gangreens stay , by cutting hope , like a iopt limb , away : this makes her bleeding patients to accuse high heaven , and these expostulations use : could natu●e then no private woman grace ( whom we might dare to love ) with such a face , such a complexion , and so radiant eyes , such lovely motion , and such sharp replies ? beyond our reach , and yet within our sight , what envious power has plac'd this glorious light ? thus in a starry night fond children cry for the rich spangles that adorn the skie ; which though they shine for ever fixed there , with light and influence relieve us here . all her affections are to one enclin'd , her bounty and compassion to mankind : to whom while she so far extends her grace , she makes but good the promise of her face : for mercy has ( could mercies self be seen ) no sweeter look than this propitious queen ; such guard and comfort the distressed find from her large power , and from her larger mind , that whom ill fate would ruine , it prefers , for all the miserable are made hers . so the fair tree whereon the eagle builds , poor sheep from tempests , & their shepherds shields : the royal bird possesses all the bows , but shade and shelter to the flock allows . joy of our age , aud safety of the next , for which so oft thy ●ertile womb is vext : nobly contented , for the publick good to waste thy spirits and diffuse thy blood : what vast hopes may these islands entertain , where monarchs thus descended are to reign ? led by commanders of so fair a line , our seas no longer shall our power confine . a brave romance who would exactly frame , first brings his knight from some immortal dame ▪ and then a weapon , and a flaming shield , bright as his mothers eyes , he makes him wield . none might the mother of achilles be , but the fair pearl , and glory of the sea ; the man to whom great maro gives such fame from the high bed of heavenly venus came ; and our next charles , ( whom all the stars design like wonders to accomplish ) springs from thine . vpon the death of my lady rich. may those already curst ●ssexian plains , where hasty death and pining sickness reign● prove all a desart , and none there make stay , but ●●v●ge beast , or men as wilde as they . there the fair light which all our island grac'd , like hero's taper in the window plac'd , such fate from the malignant air did find , as that exposed to the boisterous wind . ah cruel heaven ● to snatch so soon away her , for whose life had we had time to pray , with thousand vows and tears we should have sought that sad decrees suspension to have wrought . but we ( alass ) no whisper of her pain heard , till 't was sin to wish her here again . that horrid word at once like lightning spread , strook all our ears , the lady rich is dead . heart rending news , and dreadful to those few who her resemble , and her steps pursue . that death should license have to rage among the fair , the wife , the vertuous , and the young ! the paphiam queen from that sierce battle born , with goared hand and veil so rudely torn , like terror did among th'immortals breed , taught by her wound that goddesses may bleed . all stand amazed , but beyond the rest th'heroique dame whose happy womb she blest , mov'd with just grief expostulates with heaven , urging the promise to the obsequious given , of longer life ; for ne'r was pious soul more apt t' obey , more worthy to controul . a skilful eye at once might read the race of caledonian monarchs in her face , and sweet humility ; her look and mind , at once were losty , and at once were kind . there dwelt the sorn of vice , and pity too , for those that did what she disdain'd to do : so gentle and severe , that what was bad at once her hatred and her pardon had . gracious to all , but where her love was due , so fast , so faithful , loyal , and so true , that a bold hand as soon might hope to force . the rouling lights of heaven , as change her course . some happy angel , that beholds her there , instruct us to record what she was here : and when this cloud of sorrow 's over-blown , through the wide world we 'l make her graces known . so fresh the wound is , and the grief so vast , that all our art and power of speech is waste : here passion sways ; but there the muse shall raise eternal monuments of louder praise . there our delight complying with her fame , shall have occasion to recite thy name , fair sacharissa , and now only fair : to sacred friendship we 'l an altar rear , such as the romans did erect of old , where on a marble pillar shall be told the lovely passion each to other bare , with the resemblance of that matchless pair , narcissus to the thing for which he pin'd , was not more like , than yours to her fair mind : save that you grac'd the several parts of life , a spotless virgin , and a faultless wife : such was the sweet converse 'twixt her and you , as that she holds with her associates now . how false is hope , and how regardless fate , that such a love should have so short a date ! lately i saw her sighing , part from thee ( alas that such the last farewel should be ! ) so look 't astraea , her remove design'd : on those distressed friends she left behind : consent in vertue knit your hearts so fast , that still the knot , in spight of death does last : for as your tears and sorrow-wounded soul prove well that on your part this bond is whole : so all we know of what they do above , is , that they happy are , and that they love . let dark oblivion and the hollow grave content themselves our frailer thoughts to have : well chosen love is never taught to die , but with our nobler part invades the skie : then grieve no more , that one so heavenly shap'd the crooked hand of trembling age escap'd ; rather since we beheld her not decay , but that she vanish'd so entire away : her wondrous beauty and her goodness merit , we should suppose that some propitious spirit , in that celestial form frequented here , and is not dead , but ceases to appear . to the queen-mother of france upon her landing . great queen of europe , where thy off-spring wears all the chief crowns , where princes are thy heirs . as welcome thou to sea-girt britains shore , as erst latona ( who fair cinthia bore ) to delos was . here shines a nymph as bright , by thee disclos'd , with like increase of light . why was her joy in belgia confin'd ? or why did you so much regard the wind ? scarce could the ocean ( though inrag'd ) have tost thy soveraign bark , but where th' obsequious coast pays tribute to thy bed : romes conquering hand more vanquish'd nations under her command never reduc'd ; glad berecinthia , so among her deathless progeny did go ; a wreath of flowers adorn'd her reverent head , mother of all that on ambrosia fed : thy godlike race must sway the age to come , as she olympus , peopled with her womb . would those commanders of mankind obey their honor'd parent , all pretences lay down at your royal feet , compose their jarrs , and on the growing turk discharge these wars : the christian knights that sacred tomb should wrest from pagan hands , and triumph o'r the east ; our englands prince and gallia's dolphin might like young rinaldo , and tancredo fight in single combate ; by their sword again the proud argantes and fierce soldan slain ; again , might we their valiant deeds recite , and with your thuscan muse exalt the fight . to the mutable fair. here caelia for thy sake i part with all that grew so near my heart ; the passion that i had for thee , the faith , the love , the constancy , and that i may successful prove transform my self to what you love . fool that i was so much to prize those simple virtues you despise , fool that with such dull arrows strove , or hop'd to reach a flying dove ; for you that are in motion still decline our force , and mock our skill . who like don quixot do advance against a wind-mill our vain launce . now will i wander through the air , mount , make a stoop at every fair , and with a fancy unconfin'd ( as lawless as the sea or wind ) pursue you wheresoe'r you fly , and with your various thoughts comply . the formal stars do travel so , as we their names and courses know , and he that on their changes looks , would think them govern'd by our books . but never were the clouds reduc'd to any art the motion us'd by those free vapors are so light , so frequent , that the conquer'd sight despairs to sind the rules that guide those gilded shadows as they slide . and therefore of the spacious air ioves royal consort had the care : and by that power did once escape , declining bold ixions rape ; she with her own resemblance grac'd a s●ining cloud which he embrac'd . such was that image , so it smil'd with seeming kindness which beguil'd your thirsis lately when he thought he had his fleeting caelia caught . t was shap'd like her , but for the fair he fill'd his arms with yielding air : a fate for which he grieves the less , because the gods had like success . for in their story one ( we see ) pursues a nymph , and takes a tree : a second with a lovers haste soon overtakes whom he had chac'd ; but she that did a virgin seem , possest appears a wandering stream : for his supposed love a third lays greedy hold upon a bird ; and stands amaz'd to find his dear , a wild inhabitant of the air . to these old tales such nymphs as you give credit , and still make them new , the am'rous now like wonders find in the swift changes of your mind . but caelia if you apprehend the muse of your incensed friend ; nor would that he record your blame , and make it live , repeat the same , again deceive him , and again , and then be swears he 'll not complain . for still to be deluded so , is all the pleasure lovers know , who , ( like good faulkners ) take delight , not in the quarrey , but the flight . of salley . of iason , theseus , and such worthies old , light seem the tales antiquity has told . such beasts and monsters as their force opprest some places only , and some times infest ; salley that scorn'd all power and laws of men , goods with their owners hurrying to their den , and future ages threat'ning with a rude and savage race successively renew'd , their king despising with rebellious pride , and foes profest to all the world beside , this pest of mankind gives our hero fame , and through th'obliged world dilates his name . the prophet once to cruel agag said , as thy fierce sword has mothers childless made , so shall the sword make thine ; and with that word he hew'd the man in pieces with his sword : just charls like measure has return'd to these , whose pagan hands had stain'd the troubled seas ; with ships they made the spoiled merchant mourn , with ships their city and themselves are torn . one squadron of our winged castles sent o'r-threw their fort , and all their navy rent : for not content the dangers to increase , and act the part of tempests in the seas , like hungry woolves these pirats from our shore , whole flocks of sheep , and ravish't cattell bore ; safely they might on other nations prey , fools to provoke the soveraign of the sea : mad cacus so whom like ill fate perswades the herd of fair alcmena's seed invades ; who for revenge , and mortals glad relief , sack'd the dark cave , and crush'd that horrid thief . moroccos monarch wondring at this fact , save that his presence his affairs exact , had come in person to have seen and known the injur'd worlds revenger , and his own . hither he sends the chief among his peers , who in his bark proportion'd presents bears to the renown'd for piety and force , poor captives manumiz'd and matchless horse . puerperium . you gods that have the power , to trouble , and compose all that 's beneath your bower , calm silence on the seas , on earth impose . fair venus in thy soft arms , the god of rage confine , for thy whispers are the charms which only can divert his fierce design . what though he frown , and to tumult do incline , thou the flame , kindled in his breast can'st tame , with that snow which unmelted lies on thine ? great goddess give this thy sacred island rest , make heaven smile , that no storm disturb us , while thy chief care our halcyon builds her nest . great gloriana , fair gloriana , bright as high heaven is , and fertile as earth , whose beauty relieves us , whose royal bed gives us both glory and peace . our present joy , and all our hopes increase . of a lady who writ in praise of mira. while she pretends to make the graces known of matchless mira , she reveals her own , and when she would anothers praise indite , is by her glass instructed how to write . to one married to an old man. since thou wouldst needs , bewitcht with some ill charms , be buried in those monumental arms : all we can wish , is , may that earth lie light upon thy tender limbs , and so good night . to flavia song . t is not your beauty can ingage my wary heart : the sun in all his pride and rage , has not that art ; and yet he shines as bright as you , if brightness could our souls subdue . 't is not the pretty things you say , nor those you write , which can make thirsis heart your prey : for that delight , the graces of a well-taught mind , in some of our own sex we find . no flavia , 't is your love i fear , loves surest darts , those which so seldom fail him are headed with hearts ; their very shadows makes us yield , dissemble well , and win the field . the fall. see how the willing earth gave way to take th' impression where she lay . see how the mould as loath to leave so sweet a burden , still doth cleave close to the nymphs stain'd garment ; here the coming spring would first appear , and all this place with roses strow , if busie feet would let them grow ; here venus smil'd to see blind chance it self , before her son advance , and a fair image to present of what the boy so long had meant : 't was such a chance as this made all the world into this order fall : thus the first love●s , on the clay of which they were composed lay ; so in their prime with equal grace met the first patterns of our race : then blush not ( fai● ) or on him frown , or wonder how you both came down ; but touch him , and he 'll tremble strait , how could he then support your weight ? how could the youth alas , but bend when his whole heaven upon him lean'd ? if ought by him amiss were done , 't was that he let you rise so soon . of silvia . our sighs are heard , just heav'n declares the sense it has of lovers cares : she that so far the rest out-shin'd , silvia the fair whiles she was kind ; as if her frowns impair'd her brow , seems only not unhandsome now : so when the sky makes us endure a storm , it self becomes obscure . hence 't is that i conceal my flame , hiding from flavia's self her name : lest she provoking heaven should prove how it rewards neglected love . better a thousand such as i their grief untold should pine and die ; then her bright morning over-cast with sullen clouds should be de●ac't . the budd . lately on yonder swelling bush , big with many a coming rose , this early bud began to blush , and did but half it self disclose ; i pluck't it , though no better grown , and now you see how full 't is blown . still as i did the leaves inspire , with such a purple light they shone as if they had been made of fire , and spreading so , would flame anon : all that was meant , by air or sun to the young flower , my breath has done . if our loose breath so much can do , what may the same inform's of love , of purest love and musick too when flavia it aspires to move : when that , which life-less buds perswades to wax more soft , her youth invades . upon ben. johnson . mirror of poets , mirror of our age ! which her whole face beholding on thy stage , pleas'd and displeas'd with her own faults , indures a remedy like those whom musick cures : thou hast alone those various inclinations which nature gives to ages , sexes , nations : so traced with thy all-resembling pen that what ere custom has impos'd on men ; or ill got habit , which deforms them so , that scarce a brother can his brother know , is represented to the wondring eyes of all that see or read thy comedies : who ever in those glasses looks , may find the spots return'd , or graces of his mind : and by the help of so divine an art at leasure view and dress his nobler part . nar●iss●s couzened by that flatt'ring well , which nothing could but of his beauty tell , had here discovering the deform'd estate of his fond mind , preserv'd him self with hate ; but vertue too , as well as vice , is clad in flesh and blood so well , that plato had beheld what his high fancy once embrac't vertue with colours , speech , and motion grac't : the sundry postures of thy copious muse who would express , a thousand tongues must use ; whose fate 's no less peeuliar than thy art , for as thou couldst all characters impart : so none could render thine , who still escapes like proteus in variety of shapes : who was , nor this , nor that , but all we find , and all we can imagine in mankind . to mr. george sands , on his translation of some parts of the bible . how bold a work attempts that pen , which would inrich our vulgar tongue with the high raptures of those men , who here with the same spirit sung , wherewith they now assist the quire of angels , who their songs admire ? what-ever these inspired souls were urged to express did shake , the aged deep , and both the poles ; their num'rous thunder could awake dull earth , which does with heaven consent to all they wrote , and all they meant . say ( sacred bard ) what could bestow courage on thee , to soar so high ? tell me ( brave friend ) what help'd thee so to shake of all mortality ? to light this torch , thou h●st climb'd higher , than he who stole celestial fire . chlorus and hilas . made to a sarabran . c●l . hilas , ô hilas , why sit we mute , now that each bird saluteth the spring ▪ wind up the slackned strings of thy lute , never canst thou want matter to sing : for love thy brest does fill with such a fire , that whatso'er is fair , moves thy desire . hil. sweetest you know , the sweetest of things , of various flowers the bees do compose , yet no particular taste it brings of violet , woodbind , pink or rose : so love the result is of all the graces which flow from a thousand several faces . chl. hilas , the birds which chant in this grove , could we but know the language they use , they would instruct us better in love , ●nd reprehend thy inconstant muse : for love their breasts does fill with such a fire , that what they once do chuse , bounds their desire . hil. chloris , this change the birds do approve , which the warm season hither does bring ; time from your self does further remove ●ou , than the winter from the gay spring : she that like lightning shin'd while her face lasted , the oak now resembles which lightning hath blasted . under a ladies picture . such hellen was , and who can blame the boy that in so bright a flame consum'd his troy ? but had like virtue shin'd in that fair greek , the am'rous shepherd had not dar'd to seek , or hope for pity , but with silent moan , and better fate had perished alone . in answer of sir john suckling's verses . pro. stay here , fond youth , and ask no more , be wi●e ▪ knowing too much , long since lost paradise . con. and by your knowledge we should be bereft of all that paradise which yet is left . pro. the vertuous joys thou hast , thou wouldst , shoul● still last in their pride , and wouldst not take it ill if rudely from sweet dreams , and for a toy thou awak't , he wakes himself that does enjoy . con. how can the joy or hope which you allow be stiled vertuous , and the end not so ▪ talk in your sleep , and shadows still admire● 't is true , he wakes that feels this real fire , but to sleep better ; for who e're drinks deep of this nepenthe , rocks himself asleep . pro. fruition adds no new wealth , but destroys , and while it pleaseth much , yet still it cloys : who thinks he should be happier made for that 〈◊〉 reasonably might hope he might grow fat by eating to a surfeit , this once past , what relishes ? even kisses lose their taste . con. ●●essings may be repeated , while they cloy , but shall we starve , cause surfeitings destroy ? and if fruition did the tas●e impair of kisses , why should yonder happy pair , whose joys , just himen warrants all the night , ●onsume the day too in this less delight ? ●ro . urge not 't is necessary ; alas ! we know the homeliest thing that mankind does , is so . the world is of a large extent we see , and must be peopled , children there must be , so must bread too ; but since there are enough born to that drudgery . what need we plough ? con. i need not plough , since what the stooping hinde gets of my pregnant land , must all be mine : but in this nobler tillage 't is not so ; for when anchises did fair venus know , what interest had poor vulcan in the boy , famous aeneas , or the present joy ? pr● . women enjoy'd , what e'retofore they have been , are like romances read , or scenes once seen : fruition dulls , or spoils the play much more than if one read , or knew the plot before . con. plays and romances read , and seen , do fall in our opinions , yet not seen at all whom would they please ? to an heroick tale , would you not ●●sten , lest it should grow stale ? pro. 't is expectation makes a blessing dear , ●●aven were not heaven , it we knew what it were . con. if 't were not heaven , if we knew what it were , ● would not be heaven to those that now are there . pro. as in prospects we are there pleased most , where something keeps the eye from being lost , and leaves us room to guess ; so here restraint , ●●lds up delight , that with excess would faint . con. 〈◊〉 preserves the pleasure we have got ▪ 〈…〉 〈…〉 in goodly prospects who contracts the space , or takes not all the bounty of the place ? we wish remov'd what standeth in our light and nature blame for limiting our sight , where you stand wisely winking that the view of the fair prospect may be always new . 〈◊〉 . they who know all the wealth they have are po●● he 's only rich that cannot tell his store . con. not he that knows the wealth he has , is poor , but he that dares not touch , nor use his store . to a friend of the different success of their loves . thrice happy pair of whom we cannot kno● which first began to love , or loves most now fair course of passion where two lovers 〈◊〉 , and run together , 〈…〉 successful youth , whom love has taught the way to be victorious in the first essay . sure love 's an art best practised at first , and where th'experienc'd still prosper worst ; i with a different fate pursu'd in vain the haughty calia , till my just disdain of her neglect , above that passion born , did pride to pride oppose , and scorn to scorn , now she relents , but all too late to move a heart directed to a nobler love ; the scales are turn'd , her kindness weighs no more , now , than my vows and service did before : so in some well wrought hangings you may see how hector leads , and how the grecians flee ; ●ere the fierce mars his courage so inspires ▪ ●hat with bold hands the argive fleet he fires ; 〈…〉 there from heaven the blew ey'd virgin falls ●nd frighted tro● retires within her walls . they that are foremost in that bloody race turn head anon , and give the conqu'rors chace ▪ so like the chances are of love and war , that they alone in this distinguish'd are : in love the victors from the vanquish'd flie , they flie that wound , and they pursue that die . an apology for having loved before , they that never had the use of the grapes surpri●ing juyc● ; to the first delicious cup , all their reason render up : neither do not care to know , whether it be best or no. so they that are to love inclin'd ; sway'd by chance , not choice or art , to the first that 's fair or kind , make a present of their heart ▪ 't is not she that first we love , but whom dying we approve . to man that was i' th ●evening made , stars gave the first delight ; admiring in the gloomy shade , those little drops of light . then at aurora , whose fair hand remov'd them from the skies , he gazing toward the 〈◊〉 did stan● ▪ she entertain'd his eyes , but when the bright sun did appear , all those he can despise , his wonder was determin●d there , and could no higher rise ; he neither might , nor wisht to know a more refulgent light ▪ for that ( as mine your beauties now ) imploy'd his utmost sight . to zelinda . fairest piece of well form'd earth , urge not thus your haughty birth : the power which you have o're us lies not in your race , but in your eyes : none but a prince● alas that voice confines you to a narr●● choice ! should you no honey vow to taste , but what the master-bees have plac't in compass of their cells , how small a portion to your share would fall ? nor all appear among those few , worthy the stock from whence they grew ? the sap which at the root is bred in trees , through all the boughs is spred ; but vertues which in parents shine , make not like progress through the line ▪ 't is not from whom , but 〈◊〉 we live ; the place does oft those graces give great iuli●s on the mountains bred , a flock perhaps , or herd , had led , he that the world subdu'd ▪ had been but the best wrestler on the green : 't is art and knowledge which draw forth the hidden seeds of native worth ; they blow those sp●rks ▪ and make them rise into such flames as touch the skies to the old heroes hence was given a pedigree which reacht to heaven ▪ of mortal seed they were not held . which other mortals so excell'd ▪ and beauty too in such excess as yours , zeli●da claims no less . smile but on me ; and you shall scorn henceforth to be of princes born . i can describe the shady grove where your lov'd mother slept with iove , and yet excuse the faultless dame , caught with her spouses shape and name ; thy matchless form will credit bring to all the wonders i shall sing . on mr. john fletcher's plays . fletcher , to thee we do not only owe all our good plays , but all those other too , thy wit repeated , does support the stage , credits the last , and entertains this age , no worthies form ' d by any muse but thine could purchase robes , to make themselves so fine . what brave commander is not proud to see thy brave mela●ti●s in his gallantry . our greatest ladies love to see their scorn out-done by thine , in what themselves have worn ; the impatient widow e're the year be done , sees thy aspasia weeping in her gown . i never yet the tragick strain assay'd , deterr'd by that inimitable maid . and when i venture at the comick stile , thy scornful lady seems to mock my toil . thus has thy muse at once improv'd and marr'd our sport in plays by rendring it too hard ; so when a sort of lusty shepherds throw , the bar by turns , and none the rest out-go so far , but that the best are measuring casts , their emulation , and their pastime lasts ; but if some brawny yeoman of the guard step in and toss the axle-tree a yard or more beyond the furthest mark , the rest , despai●●ing stand , their sport is at the best . to chloris . chloris since first our calm of peace was frighted hence , this good we find , your favours with your fears increase , and growing mischie●s make you kind : so the fair tree which still preserves her fruit and state , whil'st no wind blows , in storms from that uprightness swerves , and the glad earth about her strows with treasure from her yielding boughs . on st. james's park , as lately improved by his majesty . of the first paradice there 's nothing found , plants set by heav'n are vanisht , & the ground ▪ yet the description lasts ; who knows the ●ate of lines that shall this p●radice relate ? instead of rivers rowling by the side of eden's garden , here flows in the tyde ; the sea which always serv'd his empire , now pays tribute to our prince's pleasure too : of famous cities we the founders know ; but rivers old , as seas , to which they go , are nature's bounty ; 't is of more renown to make a river than to build a town . for future shade young trees upon the banks of the new stream appear in even ranks : the voice of orpheus or amphion's hand in better order could not make them stand ; may they increase as fast , and spread their boughs , as the high fame of their great owner grows ! may he live long enough to see them all dark shadows cast , and as his place tall . methinks i see the love that shall be made , the lovers walking in that amorous shade , the gallants dancing by the rivers side , they bathe in summer , and in winter slide . methinks i hear the musick in the boats , and the loud eccho which returns the notes , whilst over head a flock of new sprung fowl hangs in the air , and does the sun controul : darkning the sky they hover o're , and shrowd the wanton sailors with a feather'd cloud : beneath a shole of silver fishes glides , and plays about the gilded barges sides ; the ladies angling in the chrystal lake , feast on the waters with the pray they take ; at once victorious with their lines and eyes they make the fishes and the men their prize ; a thousand cupids on the billows ride , and sea-nymphs enter with the swelling tide , from thetis sent as spies to make report , and tell the wonders of her sovetaign's court , all that can living feed the greedy eye● or dead the palat , here you may desory ▪ the choicest things that furnisht na●h's ark , or peter's sheet , inhabiting this park●● all with a border of rieh fruit-trees or own'd , whose loaded-branches hide the lo●ty mound . such various ways the spacious allies lead , my doubtful muse knows not what path to tread ▪ ●onder the harvest of cold months laid up , ●ives a fresh boolness to the royal cup , there ice , like chrystal , firm , and never lost , tempers hot iusy with decembers frost , winters dark prison , whence he cannot flie , though the warm spring his enemy draws nigh : ●trange ! that extremes should thus preserve the snow high on the alps , or in deep caves below . here a well-polisht mall gives us the joy to see our prince his matchless force imploy ; his manly posture and his graceful meen vigor and yo●th in all his motion seen , his shape ●o lovely , and his limbs so strong , confirm our hopes we shall obey him long : no sooner has he toucht the flying ball , but 〈…〉 more than hals the mall ▪ and such a fury from his arm has got as from a smo●king culverin 't were shot . nere this my muse , what most delights her , sees , a living gallery of aged trees ; bold sons of earth that thrust their arms so high , as if once more they would invade the sky ; in such green palaces the first kings reign'd , slept in their shades , and angels entertain'd : with such old counsellors they did advise , and by frequenting sacred groves grew wise ; free from th impediments of light and noise man thus retir'd his nobler thoughts imploys : here charles contrives the ordering of his states , here he resolves his neighb'ring princes fates : what nation shall have peace , where war be made determin'd is in this oraculous shade ; the world from india to the frozen north , concern'd in what this solitude brings forth . his fancy objects from his view receives , the prospect thought and contemplation gives : that seat of empire here salutes his eye , to which three kingdoms do themselves apply , the structure by a prelate rais'd , whitehall , built with the fortune of rome's capitol ; both disproportion'd to the present state of their proud founders , were approv'd by fate ; from hence he does that antique pile behold , where royal heads receive the sacred gold ; it gives them crowns , and does their ashes keep ; there made like gods , like mortals there they sleep making the circle of their reign complete , those suns of empire , where they rise they set : when others fell , this standing did presage the crown should triumph over popular rage , hard by that house where all our ills were shap'd , th' auspicious temple stood , and yet escap'd . so snow on aetna does unmelted lie , whence rowling flames and scatter'd cinders flie ; the distant countrey in the ruine shares , what falls from heav'n the burning mountain spares . next , that capacious hall he sees the room , where the whole nation does for justice come . under whose large roof flourishes the gown , and judges grave on high tribunals frown . here like the peoples pastor he does go , his flock subjected to his view below ; on which reflecting in his mighty mind , no private pa●●ion does indulgence find ; the pleasures of his youth suspended are , and made a sacrifice to publick care ; here free from court compliances he walks , and with himself , his best adviser , talks , how peace●ul olive may his temples shade , for mending laws , and for res●oring trade ; or how his brows may be with laurel charg'd , for nations conquer'd , and our bounds inlarg'd : of ancient prudence here he ruminates . o● rising kingdoms , and of falling states : what ruling arts gave great augustus fame , and how alcides purchas'd such a name : his eyes upon his native palace bent close by , suggest a greater argument , 〈◊〉 thoughts rise higher when the does restect● on what the world may from that star expect which at his birth appear'd to let us see day for his sake could with the night agree ; a prince on whom 〈◊〉 different lights did smile● born , the divided world to reconcile : whatever heaven or high extracted blood could promise or foretell , he will make good ; refors●● these . nations and improve them more ▪ than this fair park from what it was before . to sir william d'avenant upon his two fir●● books of gondibert , written in ●rance thus the wi●e nightingale that leaves her ho●● her native wood , when storms and winter 〈◊〉 pursuing constantly the chearful spring , to forein groves does her old musick bring ; the 〈…〉 unstrung ▪ at 〈◊〉 , upon the willows hung ▪ yours sounds aloud , and tells us you excell no less in cou●●ge , than in singing well ; whilst unconcern'd you let your countrey know . they have impoverished themselve● , not you ; who with the muses help can mock those fates which threaten kingdoms , and disorder states . so ovid when from c●sar 's rage he fle● , the roman muse to pontus with him led ; where he so sung , that we through pities glass , see nero milder than augustus was . hereafter such in thy behalf shall be th'indulgent censure of posterity . to banish those who with such art can sing , ●●a rude crime which its own curse does bring : ●ges to come , shall ne'r know how they fought , nor how to love their present youth be taught . this to thy self . now to thy matchless book , wherein those few that can with judgment look , may find old love in pure fresh language told , like new stampt-coin made out of angel-gold . such truth in love as th'antique world did know . in such a stile 〈◊〉 courts may boast of now . which no bold tales of gods or monsters swell , but humane passions , such as with us dwell . man is thy ●heme , his vertue or his rage drawn to the life in each elaborate page . mars nor be●ona are not named here ; but such a gondibert as both might fear . venus had here , and hebe been out-shin'd , by the bright birtha , and thy rhodalind . such is thy happy skill , and such the odds betwixt thy worthies and the grecian gods . whose deities in vain had here come down where mo●● al beauty wears the soveraign crown such as of flesh compos'd , by flesh and blood ( though not resisted ) may be understood . to my worthy friend mr. wase , the translator of gratius . thus by the musick we may know when noble wits a hunting go through groves that on parnassus grow . the muses all the chase adorn , my friend on pegasus is born , and young apollo winds the horn. having old gratius in the wind . no pack of critiques e're could find or he know more of his own mind . here huntsmen with delight may read how to chuse dogs for scent or speed , and how to change or mend the breed . what arms to use , or nets to frame , wild beasts to combat or to tame , with all the mysteries of that game . but ( worthy friend ) the face of war in antient times does differ ●ar from what our fiery battles are . nor is it like ( since powder known ) that man so ●ruel to his own , should spare the race of beasts alone . no quarter now but with the gun , men wait in trees from sun to sun , and all is in a moment done . and therefore we expect your next should be no comment but a text , to tell how modern beasts are vext . thus would i further yet engage your gentle muse to court the age with somewhat of your proper rage . since none does more to 〈◊〉 owe , or in more languages can show those arts which you so early know . to the king , upon his majesties happy return . the rising sun complies with our weak sight , first gilds the clouds , then shews his globe of light at such a distance from our eyes , as though he knew what harm his hasty beams would do . but your full maiesty at once breaks forth in the meridian of your reign , your worth , your youth , and all the splendor of your state , wrapt up , till now , in clouds of adverse fate , with such a floud of light invade our eyes , and our spread hearts with so great joy surprize , that , if your grace incline that we should live , you must not ( sir ) too hastily forgive . our guilt preserves us from th' excess of joy , which scatters 〈◊〉 , and would life destroy . all are obnoxious , and this faulty land like f●inting hester does before you stand , watching your scepter , the revolted sea trembles to think she did your foes obey . great brit●●i● , like blind rolipheme , of late in a wild r●ge became the scorn and hate of her proud neighbors , who began to think , she , with the weight of her own force would sink but you are come , and all their hopes are vain , this giant isle has got her eye again ; now she might spare the ocean , and oppose your conduct to the fiercest of her foes : naked , the graces guarded you from all dangers abroad , and now your thunder shall . princes , that saw you , different passions prove , for now they dread the object of their love ; nor without envy can behold his height , whose conversation was their late delight , so semele contented with the rape of iove disguised in a mortal shape , when she beheld his hands with lightning fill'd , and his bright rayes , was with amazement kill'd , and though it be our sorrow and our crime to have accepted life so long a time without you here , yet does this absence gain no small advantage to your present reign : for , having view'd the persons and the things , the councils , state and strength of europe's kings , you know your work ; ambition to restrain , and set them bounds , as heav'n does to the main : we have you now with ruling wisdom fraught , not such as books , but such as practice taught : so the l●st sun , while least by us enjoy'd , is the whole night , for our concern imploy'd : he ripens spices , fruit , and precious gums , which from remotest regions hither comes . this seat of yours , from th' other world remov'd , had archimede's known , he might have prov'd his engines force , fixt here , your power and skill make the world's motion wait upon your will. much suffering monarch , the first english born , that has the crown of these three nations worn , how has your patience , with the barbarous rage of your own soil , contended half an age ? till ( your try'd vertue , and your sacred word , at last preventing your unwilling sword ) armies and fleets , which kept you out so long , own'd their great sovereign , and redrest his wron● when straight the people , by no force compell'd ▪ nor longer from their inclination held , break forth at once , like powder let on fire , and with a noble rage their king require ▪ so th'injur'd sea , which from her wonted course , to gain some acres , avarice did force , if the new banks , neglected once , decay , no longer will from her old channel ●tay , raging , the late-got land the over●●ows , and all that 's built upon 't to ruine goes . o●●enders now , the chiefe●● , do begin to strive for grace , and expiate their 〈◊〉 all winds blow fair , that did the world imbroil , your vipers treacle yield , and 〈…〉 , if then such praise the macedonian got , ●or having rudely cut the gordian knot ; what glory 's due to him that could divide ●uch ravell'd int'rests , has the knot unty'd , and without stroke so smooth a passage made , where craft and malice such impeachments laid ▪ but while we praise you , you ascribe it all to his high hand , which threw the untoucht wall of self-demolisht ierico so low : his angel 't was that did before you go , tam'd savage hearts , and made affections yield , like ears of corn when wind salutes the field . thus patience crown'd : like iob's your trouble end ▪ having your foes to pardon , and your friend● : for though your courage were so firm a rock , what private v●rtue could endure the shock ? like your great master , you the storm withstood , and pitied those who love with ●railty shew'd . rude indians torturing all the royal race him with the throne and dear bought scepter grace 〈…〉 : what region could be found , where yo●● h●roick head had not been crown'd ? the next experience of your mighty mind , 〈◊〉 how you combat fortune now she 's kind ; and this way too , you are victorious found , ●●e flatters with the same success she frown'd ; while to your self severe , to others kind , with power unbounded , and a will confin'd , of this vast empire you possess the care , 〈◊〉 softer part falls to the peoples share : ●●●ey and equal government are things which subjects make as happy as their kings . faith law , and piety , that banisht train , 〈◊〉 and truth , with you return again : 〈◊〉 cities trade , and countries easre life 〈…〉 strife . your reign no less assures the ploughman's peace , than the warm sun advances his increase ; and does the shepherds as securely keep from all their fears , as they preserve their sheep . but above all , the muse inspired train triumph , and raise their drooping heads again ; kind heaven at once has in your person sent their sacred judge , their guard , and argument . nec magis express● vultus per aenea signa quam per val is op●● mores , animique 〈◊〉 c●rorum apparent — to my lady morton on new-years-day , ● . at the louvre in paris . madam , new-years may well expect to find welcome from you , to whom they are 〈◊〉 still as they pass , they court , and smile on you , and make your beauty as themselves seem new . to the fair villars we dalkith prefer ; and fairest morton now as much to her ; so like the sun 's advance your titles show ; which , as he rises , does the warmer grow . but thus to stile you fair , your sexes praise ; gives you but mirtle , who may challenge bay● ▪ from armed foes to bring a royal prize , shews your brave heart victorious , as your eyes ; 〈◊〉 iudeth marching with the general 's head , 〈◊〉 give us passion when her story 's read , what may the living do which brought away ; though a less bloudy , yet a nobler prey ? who from our flaming troy , with a bold hand 〈◊〉 her fair charge , the princess , like a brand , ●brand preserv'd to warm some princes heart 〈◊〉 make whole kingdoms take her brother's part 〈◊〉 venus from prevailing greeks did shrowd 〈◊〉 hope of rome , and sav'd him in a cloud ; this gallant act may cancel all our rage , begin a better , and absolve this age . dark shades become the portraict of our time , here weeps misfortune , and there triumphs cri●● let him that draws it hide the rest in night , this portion only may endure the light , where the kind nym●h changing her ●aultless shap● becomes unhandsome , handsomly to s●●pe , when through the guards , the river , and the s●● faith , beauty , wit and courage , made their 〈◊〉 as the brave eagle does with sorrow see the forest wasted , and that lofty tree which holds her nest about to be o'●e thrown before the feathers of her young are grown , she will not leave them , nor she cannot stay , ●ut bears them boldly on her wings away ; so fled the dame , and o're the ocean bore her princely burthen to the gallick shoar . born in the storms of 〈◊〉 this royal fair , produc'd 〈…〉 , though now she flies her native isle , less kind , ●ess safe for her , than either sea or wind , shall , when the blossom of her beauty 's blown , see her great brother on the british throne , where peace shall smile , and no dispute arise , but which rules most , his scepter , or her eyes . of a fair lady pl●ying with a snake . strange that 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 to start at love , and play with snakes . by this and by her coldness 〈◊〉 her servants have a task too hard , the tyrant has a double guard . thrice happy snake , that in her sleeve may boldly creep , we dare not give our thoughts so unconfin'd a leave : contented in that nest of snow he lies , as he his bliss did know , and to the wood no more would go . take heed , ( fair eve ) you do not make another tempter of this snake , a marble one so warm'd would speak . to his worthy friend master e'velyn , upon his translation of lucretius . that chance and atoms make this all in order democratical , where bodies freely run their course without design , or fate , or force . in english verse lucretins sings as if with pegasean wings , he soar'd beyond our utmost sphere , and other world 's discovered there ; his boundless and unr●ly wit to nature does no bounds permit ; but boldly has remov'd those bars , of heaven , and earth , and seas , and stars , by which she was before suppos'd by moderate wits to be enclos'd , till his ●ree muse threw down the pale , and did at once dispark them all . so vast this argument did seem that the great author did esteem the roman language , which was spred ●'re the whole world in triumph led too weak , too narrow to unfold the wonders which he would have told . this speaks thy glory , noble friend , and british language does commend ; for here lucretius whole we find , his words , his mu●ick , and his mind , thy art has to our co●●try brought all that he writ , and all he thought . ovid translated , virgil too , shew'd long since what our tongue could do ; nor lucan we , nor harace spar'd , only lucretius was too hard ▪ lucretius , like a fort did stand untoucht , till your victorious hand did from his head this garland bear . which now upon your own you wear : a garland made of such new bays , and sought in such untr●dden ways , as no man's temples e're did crown , save this fam'd authors and your own , part of the th book of virgil 〈◊〉 , beginning — talesque miseri●●● 〈◊〉 fertquer fertq●e for o● . — and ending with ▪ adnixi torquent spumas & caerula v●rrunt . all this her weeping sister does repeat to the stern man , whom nothing could intreat ; lost were her pray' is , and fruitless were her tears , fate and great iove had stop'd his gentle ears . as when loud winds a well-grown oak would rend up by the roots , this way , and that they bend his reeling trunk , and with a boisterous sound scatter his leaves , and strow them on the ground , he fixed stands , as deep his root doth ●ie , down to the centre , as his top is high . no less on every side the hero prest , feels love and pity shake his noble brest , and down his cheeks though fruitless tears do roul , unmov'd remains the purpose of his soul. then dido urged with approaching fate begins the light of cruel heaven to hate ; her resolution to dispatch and die confirm'd by many a horrid prodigy . the water consecrate for sacrisice , appears all black to her amazed eye● , the wine to putrid bloud converted flows , which from her , none , not her own sister knows . besides there stood as sacred to her lord a marble temple which she much ador'd , with snowy fleeces and fresh garlands crown'd , hence every night proceeds a dreadful sound . her husband 's voice invites her to his tomb , and dismal owls presage the ills to come . besides , the prophesies of wizards old increast her terror and her fall for●told . scorn'd and deserted to her self she seems , and finds aeneas cruel in her dreams . so , to mad pentheus , double thebes appears , and furies howl in his distempered ears , orestes so with like distraction toft , is made to flie his mothers angry ghost . now grief and fury , at their height arrive , death she decre●s , and thus does it contrive ▪ her grieved sister with a chearful grace , ( hope well-dislembled shining in her face ) she thus deceives . ( dear sister ) let us prove the cure i have invented for my love. beyond the land of aethi●pia lies the place where atlas does support the shies ; hence came an old magician that did keep th' hesperian fruit , and made the dragon sleeps ; her potent charms do troubled souls relieve , and where she lists , makes calmest minds to grieve , the course of rivers or of heaven can stop . and call trees down from th' airy mountains 〈◊〉 . witness ye gods , and thou my deatest part , how loth i am to tempt this guilty art. erect a pile , and on it let us place that bed where i my ruine did embrace . with all the reliques of our impious guest , arms , spoils , and pr●sents , let the pil● be 〈◊〉 ( the knowing-woman thus prescribes ) that we may 〈◊〉 the man out of our 〈◊〉 thus speaks the queen , but hides the fatal end for which she doth those sacred 〈◊〉 pretend . nor worse effects of grief her sister thought would 〈…〉 murder wronghs , therefore obeys 〈◊〉 , and now 〈◊〉 high the 〈◊〉 oaks 〈…〉 hung all with wreaths and 〈◊〉 garlands round ; so by her self was her own 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . upon the top , the trojan's image lies , and his sharp sword where with anon the dies . they by the altar stand , while with loose hair the magick propheress begins her prayer , on chao's , e●ebus , and all the gods , which in the infernal shades have their abodes , she loudly calls , besprinkling all the room with drops suppo●'d from l●thes lake to come , she seeks the 〈◊〉 which on the forehead grows of new-foal'd col●● and he●bs by moon-light mows . a cake of leaven in her pions hands holds the devoted queen , and barefoot stands , one tender foot was bare , the other 〈◊〉 , her robe ungi●● invoking every god , and every power ; if any be above which takes 〈…〉 love now was the ti●e when weary mortals steep the●● careful temples in the dew of sleep . on seas , on earth , and all that in them dwell , a death like quiet , and deep silence fell , but not on dido , whose untamed mind refus'd to be by sacred night confin'd : a double passion in her breast does move love and fierce anger for neglected love. thus she afficts her soul , what shall i do ? with fate inverted shall i humbly wooe ? and some proud prince in wild numidi● born , pray to accept me , and forget my scorn ? or shall i , with th' ungrateful trojan go , quit all my state , and wait upon my foe ? is not enough by sad experience known , the perjur'd race of false l●oinedon ? with my sidoni●●i shall i give them chace ? bands hardly for●ed from their native place ? no , dye , and let this sword thy fury tame , nought but thy bloud can quen●h this guilty flame . ah sister ! vanquisht with my passion thou betrayd'st me first , dispensing with my vow . had i been constant to sycbaeus still , and single-liv'd , i had not known this ill . such thoughts torment the queens inraged breast , while the dardani●n does securely rest in his tall ship for sudden flight prepar'd , to whom once more the son of iove appear●d , thus seems to speak the youthful deity , voice , hair , and colour , all like mercury . fair 〈◊〉 ! canst thou indulge thy sleep ? nor better guard in such great danger keep , mad by neglect to lose so fair a wind ? if here thy ships the purple 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , thou shalt behold this hostile harbor shine with a new fleet , and fire , to ruine thine ; she meditates revenge resolv'd to dye , weigh anchor , quickly , and her fury flie . this said , the god in shades of night retir'd . amaz'd aeneas with the warning fir'd , shakes off dull sleep , and rouzing up his men , behold ! the gods command our flight agen ; fall to your oars , and all your canvas spread , what god soe're that thus vouchsaf'st to lead , we follow gladly , and thy will obey , assist us still smoothing our happy way , and make the rest propitious . with that word he cuts the cable with his shining sword ; through all the navy doth like ardor reign , they quit the shore , and rush into the main ; plac't on their banks , the lusty trojans sweep neptune's smooth face , and cleave the yielding deeps . of a war with spain , and a fight at sea. now for some ages had the pride of spain made the sun shine on half the world in vain ; while she bid war to all that durst supply the place of those her cruelty made dye . of nature's bounty men forbore to taste , and the best portion of the earth lay waste . from the new world her silver and her gold came , like a tempest , to confound the old . feeding with these the brib'd elector's hopes , alone she gave us emperors and popes ; with these accomplishing her vast designs , enrope was shaken with her indian mines . when britain looking with a just disdain upon this gilded majesty of spain , and knowing well that empire must decline , whose chief support and sinews are of coin ; our nations solid vertue did oppose . to the rich troublers of the worlds repose . and now some months incamping on the main , our naval army had besieged spain . they that the whole world's monarchy design'd , are to their ports by our bold fleet confin'd , from whence our red-cross they triumphant see , riding without a rival on the sea. others may use the ocean as their road , only the english make it their aboad , whose ready sails , with every wind can flie , and make a cov'nant with th' unconstant skie ; our oaks secure , as if they there took root , we tread on billows with a steady foot . mean while the spaniards in america near to the line the sun approaching saw , and hop'd their european coasts to sind clear'd from our ships by the autumnal wind : their huge capacious gallions stuft with plate the lab'ring winds drive slowly towards their ●ate . before st. lucar they their guns discharge , to tell their joy , or to invite a barge ; this heard some ships of ours ( though out of view ; and swift as eagles to the quarry ●lew : so heedless lambs which for their mothers bleat , wake hungry lions , and become their meat . arriv'd , they soon begin that tragique play , and with their smoaky cannons banish day ; night , horror , slaughter , with confusion meets , and in their sable arms imbrace the fleets . through yielding planks the angry bullets , flie , and of one wound hundreds together die : born under different stars one fate they have , the ship their coffin , and the sea their grave . bold were the men which on the ocean first spread their new sails , when shipwrack was the worst ; more danger now from man alone we find than from the rocks , the billows , or the wind ; they that had sail'd from near th' antar●ick pole , their treasure safe , and all their vessels whole , in sight of their dear countrey ruin'd be without the guilt of either rock or sea. what they would spare , our siercer art destroys , surpassing storms in terror and in noise ; o●ce iove from ida , did both hosts survey , and when he pleas'd to thunder , part the fray ; here heaven in vain that kind retreat shou'd sound , the louder cannon had the thunder drown'd . some we made prize , while others burnt and rent with their rich lading , to the bottom went , down sinks at once ( so fortune with ●s sports ) the pay of armies , and the pride of courts . vain man ! whose rage buries as low that store , as avarice had dig'd for it before ; what earth in her dark bowels could not keep from greedy hands lies safer in the deep , where thetis kindly does from mortals hide those seeds of luxury , debate and pride . and now into her lap the richest prize fell with the noblest of our enemies , the marquis glad to see the fire destroy wealth , that prevailing foes were to enjoy , out from his flaming ship his children sent to perish in a milder element ; then laid him by his burning ladies side , and since he could not save her , with her dy'd . spices and ●ums about them melting fry , and phoenix-like , in that rich nest they die ; alive in flames of equal love they burn'd , and now together are to ashes turn'd ; ashes more worth than all their funeral cost , than the huge treasure which was with them lost . these dying lovers , and their floating sons suspend the fight , and silence all our guns ▪ beauty and youth about to perish finds such noble pity in brave english minds , that the rich spoil forgot , their valors prize , all labour now to save their enemies . how frail our passions● how soon changed are our wrath and fury to a friendly care ? they that but now for honour and for plate made the sea blush with bloud , resign their hate , and their young foes endeav'ring to retrive , with greater hazard than they fought , they dive . epitaph to be written under the latine inscription upon the tomb of the onely son of the lord , andover . 't is fit the english reader should be told in our own language what this tomb do's hold : 't is not a noble corps alone do's lie under this stone , but a whole family ; his parents pious care , their name , their joy , and all their hope , lies bur●ed with this boy ; this lovely youth , for whom we all made moan , that knew his worth , as he had been our own . had there been space , and ●ears enough allow'd , his courage , wit , and breeding , to have show'd , we had not found in all the numerous rowl of his fam'd anoestors , a greater soul , his early vertues to that ancient stock give as much honour , as from thence he took . like buds appearing e're the frosts are past , to become man he made such fatal haste , and to perfection labor'd so to climb , preventing slow experience and time , that 't is no wonder death our hopes beguil'd ; he 's seldom old , that will not be a child . to the queen , upon her majesties birth-day , after her happy recovery from a dangerous sickness . farewel the year ▪ which threatned so the fairest light the world can show ; welcome the new , whose every day restoring what was snatch'd away by pining sickness from the fair , that matchless beauty does repair so fast , that the approaching spring . which do's to flow●y meadows bring what the rude winter from them 〈◊〉 , shall give her all she had 〈◊〉 . but we recover not so fast the sense of such a danger past ; we that esteem'd you sent from heav'n , a pattern to this island giv'n , to shew us what the bles●'d do there , and what alive they practis'd here , when that which we immo●●al thought , we saw so near destruction brought , felt all which you did then endure and tremble yet , as not secure ; so though the sun victorious be , and from a dark eclipse set free , th' influence which we fondly fear , afflicts our thoughts the following year : but that which may ●elieve our care , is that you have a help so near for all the evils you can prove , the kindness of your royal love : he that was never known to mourn , so many kingdoms from him torn ; ●is tears reserv'd for you , more dear , more priz'd than all those kingdoms were ▪ for when no h●aling art prevail'd , when cordials and elixars ●aild , on your pale cheek he dropt the show'r , reviv'd you like a dying flow'r . nunc itaque & versus & caetera ludiera pono , quid verum , atque decens , curo , & rogo , & omnis in hoc sunt instructions to a painter , for the drawing of the posture and progress of his majesties forces at sea , under the command of his highness-royal : together with the battel and victory obtain'd over the dutch , iune . . first draw the sea , that portion which between the greater world , and this of ours is seen ; here place the british , there the holland fleet , vast floating armies , both prepar'd to meet : draw the whole world , expecting who sho● 〈◊〉 ●fter this combat , o're the conquer'd main ; make heav'n concern'd , and an unusual star , declare th'importance of th' approaching war● make the sea● shine with gallantry , and all the english youth flock to their admiral , the valiant duke , whose early deeds ab●oad , such rage in fight , and art in conduct show'd ; his bright sword now a dearer int'rest draws , hi● brothers , glory , ●nd his countries cause . let thy bold pencil , hope , and courage spread through the whole nav● , by that hero● led ; make all appear , where such a prince is by , resolv'd to conquer , or resolv'd to die : with his extraction , and his glorious mind make the proud sails swell , more than with the 〈◊〉 eventing cannon , make his louder fame 〈◊〉 the batanians , and their fury tame : 〈◊〉 wolves , though greedy of their prey , 〈◊〉 when they find a lion in their way . 〈◊〉 him bestride the ocean , and mankind 〈◊〉 his consent , to use the sea and wind : ●hile his tall ships in the barr'd channel stand , 〈◊〉 grasps the indies in his armed hand . paint an east-wind , and make it blow away 〈◊〉 excuse of holland for their navies stay ; ●ake them look pale , and the bold prince to shu●● , through the cold north , and rocky regions run ; ●o find the coast where morning first appears , ●y the dark pole the wary belgian steers , confessing now , he dreads the english more , ●han all the dangers of a frozen shore ; ●hile from our arms security to find , ●hey flie so far , they leave the day behind ▪ describe their fleet abandoning the sea , and all their merchants left a wealthy prey ; our first success in war , make bacchus crown , and half the vintage of the year our own : the dutch their wine , and all their brandy lo●● disarm'd of that , from which their courage grow● while the glad englsh , to relieve their toil , in healths to their great leader drink the spoil : his high command to africks coast extend , and make the moors before the english bend : those barbarous pirates willingly receive conditions , such as we are pleas'd to give ; deserted by the dutch , let nations know , we can our own , and their great business do ; false friends chastise , and common foes restrain , which worse than tempests did infest the main . within those streights make holland's smirna fle●● with a small squadron of the english meet ; like falcons these , those like a numerous flock of fowl , which scatter to avoid the shock . there paint confusion in a various shape , some sink , some yield , and flying some escape : ●●rope and africa from either shore ●ectators are , and hear our cannon roar ; while the divided world , in this agree , men that fight so , deserve to rule the sea. ●ut nearer home , thy pencil use once more , 〈◊〉 place our navy by the holland shore ; the world they compass'd while they fought with 〈◊〉 here already they resign the main : spain , those greedy mariners , out of whose way , ●issusive nature could no region lay , ●t home preserv'd , from rocks and tempests lie● ▪ compel'd , like others , in their beds to die ; their single towns th' iberian armies prest , we all their provinces at once invest , and in a month ruine their tra●●ique more , than that long war could in an age before . but who can always on the billows lie ? the watry wilderness yields no supply ; spreading our sails , to harwich we resort , and meet the beauties of the british court , th' illustrious dutchess , and her glorious train , like thetis with her nymphs adorn the main ; the gazing sea-gods , since the paphian queen sprung from among them , no such sight had se● charm'd with the graces of a troop so fair , those deathless powers for us themselves 〈◊〉 resolv'd the aid of neptune's court to bring , and help the nation where such beauties sprin● the soldier here his wasted store supplies , and takes new valor from the ladies eyes : mean while like bees when stormy winter's goo● the dutch ( as if the sea were all their own ) desert their ports , and falling in their way ●ur hamburgh merchants are become their prey ; thus flourish they , before th' approaching fight , as dying tapers give a blazing light. to check their pride , our fleet half victual'd goes ; ●nough to serve us till we reach our foes , who now appear so numerous and bold , the action worthy of our arms we hold ; a greater force than that which here we find , ●●'re press'd the ocean , nor employ'd the wind. ●estrain'd a while by the unwelcom night , ●h ' impatient english scarce attend the light. but now the morning , heav'n severely clear , ●o the flerce work indulgent does appear ; and phoeb●s lists above the waves his light , that he might see , and thus record the fight : as when loud winds from different quarters rush , ●ast clouds incountring , one another crush ▪ with swelling sails , so , from their several coasts , join the batavian and the british hoasts . for a less prize , with less concern and rage , the roman fleets at actium did engage ; they for the empire of the world they knew . these for the old contend , and for the new : at the first shock , with blood and powder stain'd nor heaven , nor sea , their former face retain'd ; fury and art produce effects so strange , they trouble nature , and her visage change : where burning ships the banish'd sun supply ▪ and no light shines , but that by which men die ▪ there york appears ▪ so prodigal ▪ is he of royal blood as ancient as ▪ the sea ▪ which down to him so many ages told , has through the veins of mighty monarchs roll'd the great achilles march'd not to the field , till vulcan that impenetrable shield and arms had wrought , yet there no bullets flew , ●ut shafts and darts , which the weak ph●ygians threw ; our bolder heroe on the deck does stand expos'd the bulwark of his native land ▪ defensive arms ●aid by , as useless here , where massie balls the neighbouring rocks do tear : some power unseen those princes do's pro●●ct , who for their countrey thus themselves neglect . against him first opdam his squadron leads , proud of his late success against the suedis , made by that action , and his high command , worthy to perish by a princes hand : the tall batavian in a vast ship rides , ●aring an army in her hollow sides , ●t not inclin'd the english ship to board , 〈…〉 , than on his sword , from whence a fatal volly we receiv'd , it miss'd the duke , but his great heart ● griev'd ; three worthy persons from his side it tore , and dy'd his garment with their scatter'd gore : happy ! to whom this glorious death arrives , more to be valu'd ●han a thousand lives ! on such a theatre , as this , to die , for such a cause , and such a witness by ! who would not thus a sacrifice be made , to have his blood on such an altar laid ? the rest about him strook with horror stood , to see their leader cover'd o●re with blood ; so trembl'd iacob , when he thought the stains of his sons coat had issued from his veins : he feels no wound , but in his troubled thought before for honour , now revenge he fought , his friends in pieces torn , the bitter news not brought by fame , with his own eys he views ; 〈◊〉 mind at once reflecting on their youth , their worth , their love , their valour , and their truth , the joys of court , their mothers and their wives to follow him abandon'd , and their lives . he storms , and shoots ; but flying bullets now to execute his rage , appear too slow ; they miss , or sweep but common souls away , for such a loss , opdam his life must pay : encouraging his men , he gives the word , with fierce intent that hated ship to board , and make the guilty dutch , with his own arm , wait on his friends , while yet their blood is warm : his winged vessel like an eagle shows , when through the clouds to truss a swan she goes ; the belgian ship unmov'd , like some huge rock inhabiting the sea , expects the shock : from both the fleets mens eyes are bent this 〈◊〉 neglecting all the business of the day , bullets their flight , and guns their noise suspend , the silent ocean does th' event attend , which leader shall the doubtfull vict'ry bless , and give an earnest of the wars success ; when heav'n it self for england to declare , turns ship , and men , and tackle into air ; their new commander from his charge is ●o●t , which that young prince had so unjustly lost , whose great progenitors with better fate , and better conduct sway'd their infant state. his flight tow'rds heav'n th' aspiring belgian took ▪ but fell like phaeton with thunder strook , from vaster hopes than his , he seem'd to fall , that durst attempt the british admiral : from her broad-sides , a ruder flame is thrown , than from the fiery chariot of the sun ; that bears the radiant ensign of the day , and she the flag that governs in the sea. the duke ill pleas'd that fire should thus prevent the work which for his brighter sword he meant , anger still burning in his vallant breast , goes to compleat revenge upon the rest ; so on the guardless herd their keeper slain , rushes a tyger in the lybian plain . the dutch accustom'd to the raging sea , and in black storms the frowns of heav'n to see , never met tempest which more urg'd their fears , than that which in the prince his look appears ; fierce , goodly , young , mars he resembles , when iove sends him down to scourge per●idious men , such as with foul ingratitude have paid both those that led , and those that gave them aid ; where he gives on , disposing of their fates , terror and death on his loud cannon waits , with which he pleads his brothers cause so well ▪ he shakes the throne to which he does appeal ; the sea with spoil his angry bullets strow , widows and orphans making as they go ; before his ship , fragments of vessels torn , flags , arms , and belgian carcasses are born , and his despairing fo●s to flight inclin'd ▪ spread all their canvas to invite the wind : so the rude boreas where he lists to blow , makes clouds above , and billows flie below ▪ beating the shore , and with a boisterous rage does heav'n at once , and earth , and sea ingage : the dutch elsewhere , did through the watry field perform enough to have made others yield ; but english courage growing as they fight , in danger , noise , and slaughter takes delight ; their bloody task , unwearied still , they ply , only restrain'd by death , or victory : iron and lead , from earths dark entrails torn , like show'rs of hail from either side are born ▪ so high the rage of wretched mortals goes , hurling their mothers bowels at their foes , ingenious to their ruine , every age improves the arts , and instruments of rage ; death hast'ning ills nature enough has sent , and yet men still a thousand more invent . but bacchus now which led the belgians on so fierce at first , to favour us begun ; brandee and wine , their wonted friends , at length render them useless , and betray their strength : so corn in fields , and in the garden flowers , revive , and raise themselves with moderate show●●● ; but overcharg'd with never-ceafing rain , become too moist , and bend their heads again : their reeling ships on one another fall , without a foe enough to ruine all : of this disorder , and the favouring wind , the watchful english such advantage find , ships fraught with fire among the heap they throw , and up the so intangled b●lgians blow ; the flame invades the powder-rooms , and then their guns shoot bullets , and their vessels men ; the scorcht batavians on the billows float , sent from their own to pass in charon's boat. and now our royal admiral , success with all the marks of victory does bless ; the burning ships , the taken , and the slain , proclaim his triumph o're the conquer'd main : nearer to holland as their hasty flight carries the noise and tumult of the fight , his cannons roar , forerunner of his fame , makes their hague tremble , and their amsterdam ▪ the eritish thunder does their houses rock , and the duke seems at every door to knock ; his dreadful streamer like a comets hair threatning destruction , hastens their despair , makes them deplore their scatter'd fleet as lost ▪ and fear our presen● landing on their coast. the trembling dutch th' approaching 〈◊〉 behold , as sheep a lion leaping tow'rds their fold ; those piles which serve them to repel the main . they think too weak his fury to restrain : what wonders may not english valor work ▪ led by th' example of victorious york ? or what defence against him can they make , who at such distance does their countrey shake ? his fatal hand their bulwarks will o'rethrow , and let in both the ocean and the foe : thus cry the people , and their land to keep , allow our title to command the deep , blaming their states ill conduct to provoke those arms which freed them from the spanish yoke . painter , excuse me , if i have a while forgot thy art , and us'd another stile ; for though you draw arm'd heroes as they sit , the task in battel does the muses ●it ; they in the dark confusion of a fight discover all , instruct us how to write , and light and honour to brave actions yield , hid in the smoke and tumult of the field . ages to come shall know that leaders toil , and his great name on whom the muses smile ; their dictates here let thy fam'd pencil trace and this relation with thy colours grace . then draw the parliament , the nobles met , and our great monarch , high above them set ; like young august●s let his image be , triumphing for that victory at sea , where egypts queen , and eastern kings o'rethrown , made the possession of the world his own . last draw the commons at his royal feet , pouring out treasure to supply his fleet ; they vow with lives and fortunes to maintain their king 's eternal title to the main , and with a present to the duke approve his valor , conduct , and his countries love. to the king . great sir , disdain not in this piece ●o stand supreme commander both of sea and land ▪ those which inhabit the celestial bower , p●imers express with emblems of their pow'r ; his club al●ides , phoebus has his bowe , iove has his thunder , and your navy you. but your great providence no colours here can represent ; nor pencil draw that care which keeps you waking , to secure our peace , the nations glory , and our trades increase ; you for these ends whole days in council sit , and the diversions of your youth forget . small were the worth of valor and of force , if your high wisdom govern'd not their course ; you as the soul , as the first mover you vigor and lif● on every part bestow , how to build ships , and dreadful ordinance cast , instruct the artists , and reward their haste : so iove himself , when typhon heav'n does brave ▪ descends to visit vulcan's smoky cave , teaching the brawny cyclops how to frame his thunder mixt with terror , wrath and flame . had the old greeks discover'd your abode , crete had not been the cradle of their god , on that small island they had look'd with scorn , and in great britain thought the thunderer born . to a friend of the authors , a person of honovr : who lately writ a religious book , entituled , historical applications , and occasional meditations upon several subjects . bold is the man that dares ingage for piety , in such an age. who can presume to find a guard from scorn , when heaven 's so little spar'd ? divines are pardon'd , they defend altars on which their lives depend : but the prophane impatient are when nobler pens make this their care . for why should these let in a beam of divine light to trouble them ▪ and call in doubt their pleasing thought , that none believes what we are taught ? high birth and fortune warrant give , that such men write what they believe ▪ and feeling first what they indite , new credit give to ancient light. amongst these few our author brings his well-known pedigree from kings . this book , the image of his mind , will make his name not hard to find . i wish the throng of great and good made it less eas'ly understood . to mr. henry lawes , who had then newly set a song of mine in the year . verse makes heroick vertue live , but you can life to verses give : as when in open air we blow , the breath ( though strain'd ) sounds flat and low ; but if a trumpet take the blast , it lifts it high , and makes it last : so in your ayrs our numbers drest make a shrill sally from the brest of nymphs , who singing what we pen'd , our passions to themselves commend , while love victorious with thy art governs at once their voice and heart ; you by the help of tune and time , can make that song which was but rime . noy pleading , no man doubts the cause , or questions verses set by laws . as a church-window thick with paint , le ts in a light but dim and faint ; so others with division hide the light of sence , the poets pride , but you alone may truly boast that not a syllable is lost ; the writers and the setter's skill at once the ravisht ears do fill . let those which only warble long , and gargle in their throats a song , content themselves with vt , re , mi , let words and sence be set by thee . vpon her majesties new buildings at somerset-house . great queen , that does our island bless , with princes and with palaces ; treated so ill , chac'd from your throne , returning , you adorn the town , and with a brave revenge do show , their glory went and came with you . while peace from hence , and you were gone your houses in that storm o'rethrown those wounds which civil rage did give , ●t once you pardon and relieve : constant to england in your love , as birds are to their wonted grove , though by rude hands their nests are spoil'd , there , the next spring again they build : accusing some malignant star , not britain , for that fatal war , your kindness banishes your fear , resolv'd to fix for ever here . but what new mine this work supplies ? can such a pile from ruine rise ? this like the first creation shows , as if at your command it rose ; frugality , and bounty too , those differing virtues meet in you ; from a confin'd well-manag'd store you both employ , and feed the poor : let foreign 〈…〉 boast the rude 〈…〉 pride and cost , of 〈…〉 to which they contribute nothing , but the pay : this , by the queen her self design'd , gives us a pattern of her mind ; the state and order does proclaim the genius of that royal dame , each part with just proportion grac'd , and all to such advantage plac'd , that the fair view her window yields , the town , the river , and the fields entring , beneath us we descry , and wonder how we came so high ; she needs no weary steps ascend , all seems before her feet to bend , and here , as she was born , she lies high , without taking pains to rise . on the picture of a fair youth taken after he was dead . as gather'd flowers , whilst their wounds are new , look gay and fresh , as on the stalk they grew , torn from the root that nourist them , a while , not taking notice of their fate , they smile , and in the hand , which rudely pluckt them , show fairer than those that to their autumn grow ; so love and beauty still that visage grace , death cannot fright them from their wonted place alive the hand of crooked age had marr'd those lovely features , which cold death has spar'd no wonder then — the rest is lost . epigram upon the golden medal . our guard upon the royal side , on the reverse , our beauty's pride here we discern , the frown and smile , the force and glory of our isle ; in the rich medal both so like immortals stand , it seems antique , carv'd by some master , when the bold greeks made their iove descend in gold , and danae wond'ring at that showr , which falling , storm'd her brazen tow'r ; britannia there , the fort in vain had batter'd been with golden rain ; thunder it self had fail'd to pass , vertue 's a stronger guard than brass . of a tree cut in paper . fair hand that can on virgin-paper write , yet from the stain of ink preserve it white , whose travel o're that silver field does show , like track of leveretts in morning snow ; love's image thus in purest minds is wrought , without a spot or blemish to the thought ; strange that your fingers should the pencil foil without the help of colours , or of oil ; for though a painter boughs and leaves can make , 't is you alone can make them bend and shake , whose breath salutes your new created grove like southern winds , and makes it gently move ; orpheus could make the forest dance , but you can make the motion and the forest too . to a lady from whom he received the foregoing copy which for many years had been lost . nothing lies hid from radiant eyes , all they subdue become their spies : secrets , as choicest jewels are presented to oblige the fair , no wonder then , that a lost thought should there be found , where souls are caught . the picture of fair venus , that , for which , men say , the goddess sate , was lost , till lilly from your look , again that glorious image took ; if vertue 's self were lost , we might from your fair mind new copies write : all things , but one , you can restore , the heart you get returns no more . the night-piece , or a picture drawn in the dark . darkness , which fairest nymphs disarms , defends us ill from mira's charms ; mira can lay her beauty by , take no advantage of the eye , quit all that lilly's art can take , and yet a thousand captives make ; her speech is grac't with sweeter sound , than in another's song is found , and all her well-plac'd words are darts , which need no light to reach our hearts . as the bright stars and milky way , show'd by the night , are hid by day ; so we in that accomplisht mind , helpt by the night , new graces find , which by the splendor of her view dazled before we never knew ; while we converse with her , we mark no want of day , nor think it dark ; her shining image is a light fixt in our hearts , and conquers night ; like jewels to advantage set , her beauty by the shade does get ; there , blushes , frowns , and cold disdain , all , that our passion might restrain is hid , and our indulgent mind presents the fair idea kind . yet friended by the night , we dare , only in whispers , tell our care ; he that on her his bold hand lays with cupid's pointed arrows plays , they , with a touch , they are so keen , wound us unshot , and she unseen ; all near approaches threaten death , we may be shipwrackt by her breath . love favour'd once , with that sweet gale , doubles his haste , and fills his sail , till he arrive , where she must prove the haven , or the rock , of love ; so we th' arabian coast do know , at distance , when the spices blow , by the rich odour taught to steer , though neither day , nor stars appear . of english verse . poets may boast [ as safely-vain ] their work shall with the world remain : both bound together , live , or die , the verses and the prophecy . but who can hope his lines should long last in a daily-changing tongue ? while they are new , envy prevails , and as that dies , our language fails . when architects have done their part , the matter may betray their art ; time , if we use ill-chosen stone , soon brings a well-built palace down . poets that lasting marble seek , must carve in latine or in greek ; we write in sand , our language grows , and like the tide our work o'reflows . chaucer his sense can only boast , the glory of his numbers lost , years have defac'd his matchless strain ; and yet he did not sing in vain ; the beauties which adorn'd that age , the shining subjects of his rage , hoping they should immortal prove , rewarded with success his love. this was the generous poet's scope , and all an english pen can hope to make the fair approve his flame , that can so far extend their fame . verse thus design'd has no ill fate , if it arrive but at the date of fading beauty , if it prove but as long-liv'd as present love. sung by mrs. knight , to her majesty on her birth-day . this happy day two lights are seen , a glorious saint , a matchless queen ; both nam'd alike , both crown'd appear , the saint above , th' infanta here : may all those years which catherine the martyr did for heav'n resign , be added to the line of your blest life amongst us here . for all the pains that she did feel , and all the torments of her wheel : may you as many pleasures share ; may heaven it self content with catherine the saint . without appearing old , an hundred times may you , with eyes as bright as now this welcome day behold . to his worthy friend sir thomas higgons , upon his translation of the venetian triumph . the winged lion's not so fierce in ●ight as liber's hand presents him to our sight , nor would his pencil make him half so fierce , or roar so loud as businello's verse ; but your translation does all three excell , the fight , the piece , and lofty businel : as their small gallies may not hold compare with our tall ships , whose sails employ more air ▪ so does th' italian to your genius vaile , mov'd with a fuller and a nobler gale : thus while your muse spreads the venetian story , you make all europe emulate her glory : you make them blush , weak venice should defen● the cause of heaven , while they for words contend ▪ shed christian blood , and populous cities raze , because the'yre taught to use some different phraze . 〈◊〉 list'ning to your charms we could our jars compose , and on the turk discharge these wars ▪ our british arms the sacred tomb might wrest from pagan hands , and triumph o're the 〈◊〉 : and then you might our own high deeds recite , and with great tasso celebrate the fight . epitaph . here lies charles candish : let the marble stone that hides his ashes , make his virtue known : ●eauty and valor did his short life grace , ●he grief and glory of his noble race : ●arly abroad he did the world survey , ●s if he knew he had not long to stay ; saw what great alex●nder in the east , and mighty julius conquer'd in the west ; then with a mind , as great as theirs , he came to find at home occasion for his fame ; where dark confusion did the nations hide , and where the juster was the we●ker side two loyal brothers took their sovereign's part ; imploy'd their wealth , their courage , and their art ▪ the elder did whole regiments afford , the younger brought his conduct and his sword ; born to command , a leader he begon , and on the rebels lasting honour won : the horse instructed by their general 's worth , still made the king victories in the north ; where candish fought , the royalists prevail'd , neither his courage nor his judgment fail'd ; the current of his victories found no stop ; till cromwel came , his parties chiefest prop ▪ equal success had set these champions high , and both resolved to conquer , or to die : vertue with rage , fury with valor ●●rove ; but that must fall which is decreed above . cromwel , with odds of number , and of fate , remov'd this bulwark of the church and state ; which the sad issue of the war declar'd , and made his task to ruine both less hard : so when the bank neglected is o'rethrown , the boundles torrent doth the countrey drown . thus fell the young , the lovely , and the brave , strow bays and flowera on his honoured grave . of her royal highness mother to the prince of orange , and of her portraict written by the late dutchess of york while she lived with her. heroick nymph , in tempests the support , in peace the glory of the british court , into whose arms the church , the state , and all that precious is , or sacred here , did fall . ages to come , that shall your bounty hear , will think you mistriss of the indies were : thô streighter bounds your fortune did consine , in your large heart was found a wealthy mine ; like the bles't oil , the widow's lasting feast , your treasure , as you pour'd it out , increas't . while some your beauty , some your bounty sing , your native isle do's with your praises ring : but above all , a nymph of your own train , gives us your character in such a strain , as none but she , who in that court did dwell , could know such worth , or worth describe so well : so while we mortals here at heav'n do guess , and more our weakness than the place express ; some angel , a domestick there , comes down , and tells the wonders he hath seen and known . to the dutchess of orleans , when she was taking leave of the court at dover . that sun of beauty did among us rise , england first saw the light of your fair eyes ; in english too your early wit was shown ; favour that language which was then your own , when , though a child , through guards you made your way , what fleet or army could an angel stay ? thrice happy britain ! if she could retain whom she first bred within her ambient main . our late-burnt london in apparel new shook off her ashes to have treated you ; but we must see our glory snatcht away , and with warm tears increase the guilty se● : no wind can favour us ; how e're it blows , we must be wreckt , and our dear treasure lose sighs will not let us half our sorrows tell ; fair , lovely , great , and best of nymphs , farewell ▪ written on a card that her majesty tore at ombra . the cards you ●are in value rise , so do the wounded by your eyes : who to celestial things aspire , are by that passion rais'd the higher . to the dutchess , when he presented this book to her royal highness . madam , i here present you with the rage , and with the beauties of a former age ; wishing you may with as great pleasure view this , as we take in gazing upon you : thus we writ then , your brighter eyes inspire , anobler flame , and raise our ●●nius higher : while we your wit and early knowledge fear , to our productions we become severe ; your matchless beauty gives our fancy wing ▪ your judgment makes us careful how we sing . ●ines not compos'd , as heretofore , in haste , ●olisht , like marble , shall like marble last ; and make you through as many ages shine , as tasso has the hero's of your line : thô other names our wary writers use , you are the subject of the british muse , dilating mischief to your self unknown , men write , and die , of wounds they dare not own ; so the bright sun burns all our grass away , while it means nothing but to give us day . these verses were writ in the tasso of her royal highness . tasso knew how the fairer sex to grace , but in no one , durst all perfection place : in her alone , that owns this book , is seen , clorinda's spirit , and her lofty meen , sophronia's piety , erminia's truth , armida's charms , her beauty , and her youth . our princes here , as in a glass , do's dress her well-taught mind , and every grace express : more to our wonder , than rinaldo fought , the hero's race excels the poet's thought , upon our late loss of the duke of cambridge . the failing blossoms which a young plant bears , ingage our hope for the succeeding years : and hope is all which art or nature brings at the first tryal to accomplish things . mankind was first created an essay , that ruder draft the deluge washt away : how many ages past , what blood and toil before we made one kingdom of this isle ? how long in vain had nature striv'd to frame a perfect princess e're her highness came ? for joys so great we must with patience wait , 't is the set-price of happiness complete . as a first●fruit heaven claim'd that lovely boy , the next shall live , and be the nation 's joy. translated out of spanish . thô we may seem importunate , while your compassion we implore ; they whom you make too fortunate , may with presumption vex you more . of the lady mary , &c. as once the lion honey gave , out of the strong such sweetness came ; a royal hero no less brave , produc'd this sweet , this lovely dame : to her the prince that did oppose such mighty armies in the field , and holland from prevailing foes could so well free , himself does yield : not belgia's fleet ( his high command ) which triumphs where the sun does rise , nor all the force he leads by land , could guard him from her conquering eyes . orange with youth , experience has ; in action young , in council old : orange is what augustus was , brave , wary , provident , and bold : on that fair tree , which bears his name , blossoms and fruit at once are found ; in him we all admire the same , his flow'ry youth with wisdom crown'd . empire and freedom reconcil'd , in holland are by great nassaw ; like those he sprung from , just and mild , to willing people he gives law. thrice happy pair ! so near ally'd , in royal blood , and virtue too ; now love has you together ty'd , may none this triple knot undo . the church shall be the happy place , where streams which from the same source run , thô divers lands awhile they grace , unite again and are made one . a thousand thanks the nation ows to him that does protect us all ; for while he thus his neece bestows , about our isle he builds a wall ; a wall like that which athens had , by th' oracles advice , of wood : had theirs been such as charles has made , that mighty state till now had stood . to the servant of a fair lady . this copy of verses being omitted in the former edition . fair fellow-servant , may your gentle ear prove more propitious to my slighted care , than the bright dames we serve ; for her relief ( vext with the long expressions of my grief ) receive these plaints ; nor will her high disdain forbid my humble muse to court her train : thy skilful hand contributes to our woe , and whets those arrows which confound us so . a thousand cupids in those curls do sit , those curious nets thy slender fingers knit : the graces put not more exactly on th' attire of venus , when the ball she won , than that young beauty by thy care is drest , when all our youth prefers her to the rest . you the soft season know , when best her mind may be to pity or to love inclin'd ; in some well-chosen hour supply his ●ear , whose hopeless love durst never tempt the ear of that 〈◊〉 goddess : you ( her priest ) declar● what offerings may propitiate the fair , rich orient pearl , bright stones that n're decay , or polisht lines which longer last than they : for if i thought she took delight in those , to where the chearful morn do's first disclose ; ( the shady night removing with her beams ) wing'd with bold love , i 'de flie to fetch such gems ▪ but since her eyes , her teeth , her lip excels , all that is found in mines or fishes shells ; her nobler part as far exceeding these , none but immortal gifts her mind should please : the shining jewels greece , and troy bestow'd on spar●an's queen , her lovely neck did lode , and snowy 〈◊〉 ●ut when the town was burn'd , those fading 〈◊〉 were to ashes turn'd ▪ her beauty too had perish● and her fame , had not the 〈…〉 from the flame . vpon the earl of roscommon's translation of horace de arte poetica : and of the use of poetry . rome was not better by her horace taught , than we are here to comprehend his thought ▪ the poet writ to noble piso there , a noble piso do's instruct us here , gives us a pattern in his flowing style , and with rich precepts do's oblige our isle ; britain , whose genius is in verse exprest ●old and sublime , but negligently drest . horace will our superfluous branches 〈◊〉 give us new rules , and set our harp in tune ; direct us how to back the winged horse , favour his flight , and moderate his force . thô poets may of inspiration boast ; their rage ill govern'd , in the clouds is lost . he that proportion'd wonders can disclose , at once his fancy and his judgment shows . chaste moral writing we may learn from hence ; neglect of which no wit can recompence : the fountain which from helicon proceeds , that sacred stream should never water weeds ; nor make the crop of thorns and thistles grow , which envy or perverted nature sow . well sounding verses are the charm we use , heroick thoughts , and vertue to infuse ; things of deep sence we may in prose unfold , but they move more , in lofty numbers told ; by the loud trumpet , which our courage aids , we learn that sound , as well as sence , perswades . the muse's friend unto himself severe ; with silen● pity looks on all that e●r ; but where a brave , a publick action shines ; that he rewards with his immortal lines . whether it be in council or in fight ; his countries honour is his chief delight : praise of great acts he seatters , as a seed , which may the like , in coming ages breed . here taught the fate of verses , always priz'd with admiration , or as much despis'd ; men will be less indulgent to their faults , and patience have so cultivate their thoughts : poets lo●e hal● the praise they should have got , could it be known what they discreetly blot : finding new words , that to the ravisht ear may like the language of the gods appear ; such as of old , wife bards employ'd , to make unpolisht men their wild retreats forsake ; law giving heroes , fam'd for taming brutes , and raising cities with their charming lutes : for rudest minds with harmony were caught , and civil life was by the muses taught . so wandring bees would perish in the air , did not a sound proportion'd to their ear , appease their rage , invite them to the hive , unite their force , and teach them how to thrive , to rob the flowers , and to forbear the spoil ; preserv'd in winter by their summers toil , they give us food , which may with nectar vie , and wax , that do's the absent sun supply . epitaph on sir george speke . under this stone lies vertue , youth , unblemisht probity and truth : just unto all relations known , a worthy patriot , pious son. whom neib ouring towns so often sent , to give their sence in parliament ; with lives and fortunes trusting one , who so discreetly us'd his own . sober he was , wise , temperate ; contented with an old estate , which no soul a varice did increase , nor wanton luxury make less . while yet but young , his father dy'd , and left him to an happy guide : not lemuel's mother with more care did counsel or instruct her heir ; or teach with more success her son the vices of the time to shun . an heiress she , while yet alive , all that was her's to him did give : and he just gratitude did show to one that had oblig'd him so ; nothing too much for her he thought , by whom he was so bred and taught ; so early made that path to tread , which did his youth to honour lead . his short life did a p●ttern give , how neighbors , husbands , friends should live . the vertue of a private life exceed the glorious noise and strife of battels won ; in th●se we find the solid in●rest of mankind . approv'd by all , and lov'd so well , tho' young , like fru● that ripe , he fell . of her majesty on new-years day , . what revolutions in the world have been , how are we chang'd , since first we saw the queen ? she , like the sun , do's still the same appear , bright as she was at her arrival here : time has commission mortals to impair , but things celestial is oblig'd to spare . may ev'ry new-year find her still the same , in health and beauty as she hither came ; when lords and commons with united voice , th' infanta nam'd , approv'd the royal choice : first of our queens , whom not the king alone , but the whole nation lifted to the throne . with like consent , and like desert was crown'd the glorious prince , that do's the turk confound . victorious both ; his conduct wins the day , and her example chaces vice away . thô louder fame attend the martial rage ; 't is greater glory to reform the age. a presage of the ruine of the turkish empire , presented to his majesty on his birth-day . since iames the second grac'd the british throne , truce well observ'd has been infring'd by none . christians to him their present union ow , and late success against the common foe : while neighb'ring princes , loath't to urge their fate , court his assistance , and suspend their hate . so angry bulls the combat do forbear , when from the wood a lyon do's appear . this happy day peace to our island sent , as now he gives it to the continent . ● prince more fit for such a glorious task than england's king , from heav'n we cannot ask : ●e great and good , proportion'd to the work , their ill-drawn swords shall turn against the turk . such kings , like stars , with influence unconfin'd , ●●ine with aspect propitious to mankind ; ●avour the innocent , repress the bold , ●ndwhile they flourish , make an age of gold. bred in the camp , fam'd for his valor young , at sea successful , vigorous and strong ; his fleet , his army , and his mighty mind esteem and revrence through the world do find ▪ a prince with such advantages as these , where he persuades not , may command a peace ▪ britain declaring for the juster side , the most ambitious will forget their pride ; they that complain , will their endeavors cease , advis'd by him incline to present peace ; join to the turks destruction , and then bring all their pretences to so just a king. if the successful troublers of mankind , with laurel crown'd , so great applause do find ; shall the vext world less honour yield to those that stop their progress , and their rage oppose ▪ next to that pow'r , which do's the ocean ●w , is to set bounds , and give ambition law. the british monarch shall the glory have , that famous greece remains no longer slave ; that source of art and cultivated thought , which they to rome , and romans hither brought . the banisht muses shall no longer mourn ; but may with liberty to greece return : thô slaves , ( like birds that sing not in a cage ) they lost their genius and poetick rage ; homers again , and pinda●s may be found , and his great actions with their numbers crown'd . the turk's vast empire do's united stand ; christians divided under the command of jarring princes , would be soon undone , did not this hero make their int'rest one ; peace to embrace , ruine the common foe , exalt the cross , and lay the croissant low . thus may the gospel to the rising sun be spread , and flourish where it first begun ; and this great day , so justly honour'd here , known to the east , and celebrated there . haec ego longaevus cecini tibi m●xime regum : ausus & ipse m●nu juvenum tentare laborem . virgil. of divine love. . canto's . asserting the authority of the scripture , in which this love is reveal'd . the prefer●nce and love of god to man in the creation . the same love more amply declared in our redemption . how necessary this love is to reform mankind , and how excellent in it self . sh●wing h●w happy the world would be if this love were univers●lly embrac'd . of preserving this love in our memory , and how useful the contemplation thereof is . canto i. the grecian muse has all their gods surviv'd ▪ nor iove at us , nor phoebus is arriv'd ; frail deities , which first the poets made , and then invok'd , to give their fancies aid ! yet if they still divert us with their rage , what may be hop'd for in a better age ? when not from helicon's imagin'd spring , but sacred writ , we borrow what we sing : this with the fabrick of the world begun , elder than light , and shall out-last the sun. before this oracle ( like dagon ) all the false pretenders , delphos , hammon , fall ; long since despis'd , and silent they afford honour and triumph to th' eternal word . as late philosophy our globe has grac'd , and rowling earth among the planets plac'd ; so has this book intitl'd us to heav'n , and rules to guide us to that mansion giv●n : tells the conditions , how our peace was made ▪ and is our pledge for the great author's aid ▪ his power in nature's ampler book we find ; but the less volume do's express his mind . this light unknown , bold epicurus taught ▪ that his blest gods vouchsafe us not a thought ; but unconcern'd , let all below them slide , as fortune do's , or humane wisdom , guide ▪ religion thus remov'd , the sacred yoke , and band of all society is broke : what use of oaths , of promise , or of test ▪ where men regard no god but interest ? what endless war would jealous nations tear , ●f none above did witness what they swear ? sad fate of unbelievers , ( and yet just ) among themselves to find so little trust ! were scripture silent , nature would proclaim , without a god , our falshood and our shame . to know our thoughts , the object of his eyes , is the first step towards being good , or wise ; for thô with judgment we on things reflect , our will determines , not our intellect : slaves to their passion , reason men employ only to compass what they would enjoy ; his fear , to guard us from our selves , we need , and sacred writ our reason do's exceed . for the heaven shows the glory of the lord , yet something shines more glorious in his word ; his mercy this ( which all his work excels ) his tender kindness , and compassion tells : while we inform'd by that celestial book , into the bowels of our maker look . love there reveal'd , which never shall have end , nor had beginning , shall our song commend ; describe it self , and warm us 〈◊〉 that flame , which first from heav'n , to make us happy , came . canto ii. the fear of hell , or aiming to be blest , savours too much of private interest ; this mov'd not moses , nor the zealous paul , who for their friends abandon'd soul and all : a greater yet , from heav'n to hell descends . to save , and make his enemies his friends ▪ what line of praise can fathom such a love , which reacht the lowest bottom from above ? the royal prophet , that extended grace from heav'n to earth , measur'd but half that space : the law was regnant , and confin'd his though● ▪ ●ell was not conquer'd , when that poet 〈◊〉 ▪ heav'n was ●earce heard of , until be came down to make the region , where love triumphs , known ▪ that early love of creatures yet unmade , to ●●ame the world th' almighty did perswade : for love it was , that first created light , mov'd on the waters , cha●'d away the night from the rude chaos , and bestow'd new grace on things dispos'd of to their proper place ; some to rest here , and some to shine above : earth , sea , and heav'n , were all th' effects of love ▪ and love would be re●urn'd ; but there was none ▪ that to themselves , or others yet were known : the world a palace was , without a guest , till one appears , that must excel she rest ; one , like the author , whose capacious mind might by the glorious work , the maker find ; might measure heaven , and give each star a name ▪ with art and courage the rough 〈…〉 ; over the globe , with swelling sails might go , and that 't is round , by his experience know ; make strongest beasts obedient to his will , and serve his use the fertile earth to till . when by his word , god had accomplisht all ; man to create , he did a council call ; imploy'd his hand , to give the dust he took a graceful figure , and majestick look ; with his own breath , convey'd into his breast life and a soul fit to command the rest , worthy alone to celebrate his name for such a gift , and tell from whence it came : birds sing his praises , in a wilder note , but not with lasting numbers , and with thought , man's great prerogative . but above all his grace abounds , in his new favorites fall . if he create , it is a world he makes ; ●f he be ang'ry , the creation shakes : from his just wrath our guilty parents fled ; he curs't the earth , but bruis'd the serpent's head . amidst the storm , his bounty did exceed , in the rich promise of the virgins seed ; thô justice death as satisfaction craves , love finds a way to pluck us from our graves . canto iii. not willing terror should his image move , he gives a pattern of eternal love ; his son descends , to treat a peace with those , which were , and must have ever been his foes ; poor he became , and left his glorious seat , to make us humble , and to make us great ; his business here was happiness to give to those , whose malice could not let him live : legions of angels , which he might have us'd , for us resolv'd to perish , he refus'd ▪ while they stood ready to prevent his loss , love took him up , and nail'd him to the cross ▪ immortal love ! which in his bowels reign'd , that we might be by such a love constrain'd to make return of love ; upon this pole our duty does , and our religion rowle . to love is to believe , to hope , to know , 't is an essay , a taste of heav'n below . he to proud potentates would not be known , of those that lov'd him , he was hid from none . till love appear , we live in anxious doubt ; but smoke will vanish , when that flame breaks out : this is the fire , that would consume our dross , re●ine , and make us richer by the loss . could we forbear dispute , and practise love , we should agree , as angels do above . where love presides , not vice alone does find no entrance there , but vertues stay behind ▪ both faith and hope , and all the meaner train of moral vertues , at the door remain ; love only enters , as a native there , for born in heav'n , it do's but sojourn here . he that alone , would wise and mighty be , commands that others love , as well as he : love as he lov'd , how can we soar so high ? he can add wings , when he commands to flie : nor should we be with this command dismay'd , he that example gives , will give his aid ; for he took flesh , that where his precepts fail , his practice as a pattern may prevail ; his love at once , and dread instructs our thought , as man he suffer'd , and as god he taught ; will for the deed he takes , we may with ease obedient be , for if we love , we please ; weak thô we are , to love is no hard task , and love for love , is all that heav'n do's ask : love , that would all men just and temperate make , kind to themselves , and others , for his sake . 't is with our minds , as with a fertile ground ; wanting this love , they must with weeds abound ; unruly passions , whose effects are worse , than thorns and thistles springing from the curse . canto . iv. to glory man , or misery is born , of his proud foe the envy or the scorn ; wretched he is , or happy in extreme , base in himself , but great in heav'ns esteem ; with love , of all created things , the best , without it more pernicious than the rest . for greedy wolves ung●arded sheep devour but while their hunger lasts , and then give or'e ; man 's boundless avarice his want exceeds , and on his neighbors , round about him , feeds : his pride , and vain ambition are so vast , that deluge●like , they lay whole nations wast ; debauches and excess , thô with less noise , as great a portion of mankind destroys . the beasts and monsters , hercules opprest , might in that age , some provinces infest ; these more de●●ructive monsters , are the bane of ev'ry age , and in all nations reign ; but soon would vanish , if the world were blest with sacred love , by which they are represt . impendent death , and guilt that threatens hell , are dreadful guests , which here with mortals dw●ll● , and a 〈◊〉 conscience mingling with their joy thoughts of despair , do's their whole life annoy : but love appearing , all those terrors flie , we live contented , and contented die ; they in whose breast , this sacred love has place , death as a passage to their joy embrace . clouds and thick vapors which obscure the day , the suns victorious beams may chase away ; those which our life corrupt , and darken , love , the nobler star , must from the soul remove : spots are observ'd in that which bounds the year , this brighter sun moves in a boundless sphere ; of heav'n the joy , the glory , and the light , shines among angels , and admits no night . canto v. this iron age , so fraudulent and bold , toucht with this love , would be an age of gold ; not as they feign'd , that oaks should honey drop , or land neglected bear an unsown crop : love would make all things easy , safe , and cheap , none for himself , would either sow , or reap : our ready help , and mutual love would yield a nobler harvest , than the richest field . famine and dearth , confin'd to certain parts , extended are , by barrenness of hearts ; some pine for want , where others surfeit now , but then we should the use of plenty know : love would betwixt the rich and needy stand , and spread heav'ns bounty with an equal hand ; at once the givers , and receivers bless , encrease their joy , and make their sufferings less . who for himself no miracle would make , dispens'd with nature for the peoples sake ; he that long fasting would no wonder show , made loaves and fishes , as they eat them , grow . of all his power , which boundless was above , here he us'd none , but to express his love ; and such a love would make our joy exceed , not when our own , but other mouths we feed . laws would be useless which rude nature awe , love changing nature , would prevent the law ; tygers , and lyons , into dens we thrust , but milder creatures with their freedom trust . devils are chain'd , and tremble ; but the spouse no force but love , nor bond , but bounty , knows : men , whom we now , so 〈◊〉 and dang'rous see , would guardian angels to each other be : such wonders can this mighty love perform , vultures to doves , wolves into lambs transform . love , what isaiah prophecy'd , can do , exalt the vallies , lay the mountains low : humblethe lofty , the dejected raise , smooth , and make strait , our rough and crooked ways . love , strong as death , and like it , levels all ; with that possest , the great in title fall , themselves esteem , but equal to the least , whom heav'n with that high character has blest . this love , the centre of our union , can alone bestow complete repose on man ; tame his wild appetite , make inward peace , and foreign strife among the nations cease : no martial trumpet should disturb our rest , nor princes arm , thô to subdue the east ; where for the tomb ●●o many hero's , taught by those that guided their devotion , faught . thrice happy we , could we like ardor have to gain his love , as they to win his grave ! love as he lov'd , a love so unconfin'd with arms extended would embrace mankind . self-love would cease , or be dilated , when we should behold , as many selfs , as men ; all of one family , in blood ally'd , his precious blood , that for our ransom dy'd . canto vi. thô the creation , so divinely taught , prints such a lively image in our thought , that the first spark of new created light from chaos struck , affects our present sight : yet the first christians did esteem more blest the day of rising , than the day of rest ; that ev'ry week might new occasion give , to make his triumph in their memory live . then let our muse compose a sacred charm to keep his blood , among us , ever warm ; and singing , as the blessed do above , with our last breath dilate this ●lame of love. but on so vast a subject , who can find words that may reach th' idea's of his mind ? our language fails , or if it could supply , what mortal thought can raise it self so high ? despairing here , we might abandon art , and only hope to have it in our heart ; but though we find this sacred task too hard , yet the design , th'endeavor brings reward ; the contemplation does suspend our woe , and makes a truce with all the ills we know . as saul's afflicted spirit , from the sound of david's harp , a present solace found ; so on this theam while we our muse engage , no wounds are felt , of fortune , or of age : on divine love to meditate is peace , and makes all care of meaner things to cease . amaz'd at once , and comforted to find a boundless pow'r so infinitely kind ; the soul contending to that light to flie from her dark cell , we practise how to die ; imploying thus the poet 's winged art , to reach this love , and grave it in our heart . joy so complete , so solid and severe , would leave no place for meaner pleasures there ; pale they would look , as stars that must be gone , when from the east the rising sun comes on . floriferis ut apes in saltibus omnia libant , sic nos scripturae depascimur aurea dicta ; anrea perpetuâ semper dignissima vitâ . nam divinus amor , cum coepit vociferari , diffugiunt animi terrores : — lucr. exul eram , requiesque mihi , non fama petita est , mens intenta suis ne foret usque malis . namque ubi mota calent sacrâ mea pectora musâ , altior humano spiritus ille malo est . de trist. of divine poesie , two cantos , occasioned upon sight of the d chapter of isaiah , turn'd into verse by mrs. wharton . canto i. poets we prize , when in their verse we find some great employment of a worthy mind . angels have been inquisitive to know the secret , which this oracle does show . what was to come isaiah did declare , which she describes , as if she had been there ; had seen the wounds , which to the reader 's view , she draws so lively , that they bleed a new . as ivy thrives , which on the oak takes hold , so with the prophets may her lines grow old ; if they should die , who can the world forgive ? such pious lines ! when wanton sapho's live . who with his breath his image did inspire , expects it should foment a nobler fire : not love which brutes as well as men may know ; but love like his , to whom that breath we owe. verse so design'd , on that high subject wrote , is the perfection of an ardent thought : the smoke which we from burning incense raise , when we complete the sacrifice of praise . in boundless verse the fancy soars too high , for any object , but the deity . what mortal can with heav'n pretend to share in the superlatives of wise and fair ? a meaner subject when with these we grace , a giants habit on a dwarf we place . sacred should be the product of our muse , like that sweet oil , above all private use : on pain of death forbidden to be made , but when it should be on the altar laid . verse shows a rich inestimable vein , when dropt from heav'n , 't is thither sent again : of bounty 't is that he admits our praise , which does not him , but us that yield it raise . for as that angel up to heav'n did rise , born on the flame of manoah's sacrifice : ●o wing'd with praise , we penetrate the sky , teach clouds and stars to praise him as we fly ; the whole creation , by our fall made groan , ●●is praise to eccho , and suspend their moan for that he reigns , all creatures should rejoice , and we with songs supply their want of voice . the church triumphant , and the church below in songs of praise their present union show : their joys are full , our expectation long ; in life we differ , but we join in song . angels , and we , assisted by this art , may sing together , thô we dwell apart . thus we reach heav'n , while vainer poems must no higher rise , than winds may lift the dust. from that they spring ; this from his breath that gave to the first dust , th ' immortal soul we have : his praise well sung , our great endeavor here , shakes off the dust , and makes that breath appear . canto ii. he that did first this way of writing grace , converst with the almighty face to face . wonders he did in sacred verse unfold , when he had more than eighty winters told : the writer feels no dire effects of age , nor verse that flows from so divine a rage . eldest of poets , he beheld the light , when first it triumph'd 'ore eternal night ; chaos he saw , and could distinctly tell how that confusion into order fell : as if consulted with , he has exprest the work of the creator and his rest. how the floud drown'd the first offending race ; which might the figure of our globe deface : for new made earth , so even and so fair , less equal now , uncertain makes the air : surpriz'd with heat , and unexpected cold early distempers make our youth look old : our days so evil , and so few , may tell that on the ruines of that world we dwell . strong as the oaks that nourish't them , and high , that long-liv'd race did on their force rely , neglecting heav'n : but we of shorter date , should be more mindful of impendent fate . to worms that crawl upon this rubbish here , this span of life may yet too long appear : enough to humble , and to make us great , if it prepare us for a nobler seat. which well observing , he in numerous lines , taught wretched man , how fast his life declines : in whom he dwelt , before the world was made , and may again retire , when that shall fade . the lasting iliads have not liv'd so long , as his and deborah's triumphant song . delphos unknown , no muse could them inspi●e , but that which governs the coelestial quire. heav'n to the pious did this art reveal ; and from their store succeeding poets steal . homer's scamander for the trojans faught , and swell'd so high , by her old kishbon taught ▪ his river scarce could fierce achilles stay ; hers more successful , swept her foes away . the host of heav'n , his ph●ebus and his mars , he arms , instructed by her ●ighting stars . she led them all against the common foe : but he misled by what he saw below , the powers above , like wretched men , divides , and breaks their union into different ●ides , the noblest parts which in his hero's shine , may be but copies of that heroine . ho●● himself , and agamemnon , she the writer could , and the commander , be truth she relates , in a sublimer strain than all the tales the boldest greek could feign : for what she sung , that spirit did indite , which gave her courage , and success in fight . a double garland crowns the matchless dame ; from heav'n her poem , and her conquest came . thô of the iews she merit most esteem : yet here the christian has the greater theme . her martial song describes how sisera fell , this sings our triumph over death and hell. the rising light employ'd the sacred breath of the blest virgin and elizabeth in songs of joy ; the angels sung his birth : here , how he treated was upon the earth trembling we read ; th' affliction and the scorn , which for our guilt , so patiently was born . 〈…〉 and suffering , all belong thô 〈…〉 to one coelestial song : and 〈…〉 using so divine an art , has in this con●ort , sung the tragick part . as hann●h's seed was vow'd to sacred use , so here this lady consecrates her muse. with like reward may heav'n her bed adorn , with fruit as fair as by her muse is born . of the paraphrase on the lords prayer written by mrs. wharton . silence , you winds , listen etherial lights , while our vrania sings what heav'n indites ; the numbers are the nymphs , but from above descends the pledge of that eternal love. here wretched mortals have not leave alone , but are instructed to approach his throne ; and how can he to miserable men deny requests , which his own hand did pen ? in the evangelists we find the prose , which paraphras'd by her a poem grows ; a devout rapture , so divine a hymn , it may become the highest seraphim ; for they like her in that coelestial quire , sing only what the spirit does inspire . taught by our lord and theirs , with us they may for all , but pardon for offences , pray . some reflections of his upon the several petitions in the same prayer . i. his sacred name , with reverence profound , should mention'd be , and trembling at the sound ▪ it was iehovah , 't is our father now , so low to us , does heav'n vouchsafe to bow : psal. . . he brought it down , that taught us how to pray , and did so dearly for our ransom pay . ii. his kingdom come : for this we pray in vain , unless he does in our affections raign : absurd it were to wish for such a king , and not obedience to his scep●or bring ; whose yoke is easy , and his burthen light , his service freedom , and his judgments right . ii● . his will be done ; in fact 't is always done , but as in heav'n , it must be made our own : his will should all our inclinations sway , whom nature and the universe obey . happy the man , whose wishes are confin'd to what has been eternally design'd ; referring all to his paternal care , to whom more dear , than to our selves we are . iv. it is not what our avarice hoards up ; 't is he that feeds us , and that fills our cup : like new-born babes , depending on the brest , from day to day we on his bounty feast ▪ nor should the soul expect above a day to dwell in her frail tenement of clay : the setting sun should seem to bound our race , and the new day a gift of special grace . v. that he should all our trespasses forgive , while we in hatred with our neighbours live ; though so to pray may seem an easy task , we curse our selves when thus inclin'd we ask : this prayer to use , we ought with equal care our souls as to the sacrament prepare ▪ the noblest worship of the power above , i● to extoll , and imitate his love : not to forgive our enemies alone , but use our bounty that they may be won . vi. guard us from all temptations of the foe , and those we may in several stations know : the rich and poor in slippery places stand ; give us enough , but with a sparing hand : not ill-persuading want , nor wanton wealth ; but what proportion'd is to life and health . for not the dead , but living sing thy praise , exalt thy kingdom , and thy glory raise . — favete linguis — virginibus puerisque canto , horat. of the last verses in the book . when we for age could neither read nor write , the subject made us able to indite . the soul with nobler resolutions deckt , the body stooping , does herself erect : no mortal parts are requisite to raise her , that unbody'd can her maker praise . the seas are quiet , when the winds give o're ; so calm are we , when passions are no more : for then we know how vain it was to boast of fleeting things , so certain to be lost . clouds of affection from our younger eyes conceal that emptiness , which age descries . the soul 's dark cottage , batter'd and decay'd . let 's in new light thrô chinks that time has made stronger by weakness , wiser men become as they draw near to their eternal home : leaving the old , both worlds at once they view , that stand upon the threshold of the new. — miratur limen olympi . virgil. finis . the table . to the king , on his navy . pag. of the dang●r his majesty ( being prince ) es●aped in the road at saint anderes . of his majesties * receiuing the ne●s of the duk● of buckingham's death . to th● queen , occasioned upon sight of her majesties picture . vpon his majesties repairing of pauls . the country to my lady of carlisse . the countess of carlisle i● mourning . in answer to one who writ against a fair lady . on my lady dorothy sidneys picture . to vandike . of the lady who can sleep when she pleases . of the misreport of her being painted . of her passing through a crowd of people . the story of phoebus and daphne applied . fabula phoebi & daphnis . of mrs. arden . to amorett . on the head of a stag. to a lady in a garden . the misers speech in a mask . on the friendship betwixt two ladies . of her chamber . of loving at first sight . the self banished . song . thirsis , galatea . the battel of the summer islands in three canto's . song . of love. to phillis . to phillis . song . song . to amorett . to my lord of falkland . for drinking of healths . on my lady isabella playing on the lute . to a lady singing of a song of his composing . of the marriage of the dwarfs . loves farewel . ● from a child . on a girdle . the apology of sleep : for not approaching the lady who can do anything but sleep when she pleaseth . at pens-hurst . another . to my lord of leicester . to a very young lady . song . song . on the discovery of a ladies painting . to a lady from whom he received a silver pen. on a brede of divers colours , woven by four ladies to my lord of northumberland upon the death of his lady . to my lord admiral , of his late sickness and recovery 〈◊〉 malade . of the queen . vpon the death of my lady rich. to the queen-mother of france upon her landing . to the mutable fair. of salley . puerperium . of a lady who writ in praise of mira. ●o one married to an old man. ibid. to flavia , a song . ●he fall. of silvia . the budd . vpon ben. johnson . to mr. george sands , on his translation of some parts . of the bible . chloris and hilas , made to a saraban . vnder a ladies picture . in answer of sir john suckling's verses . to a friend of the different success of their loves . an apology for having loved before . to zelenda . on mr. john fletcher's plays . to chloris . on st. jame's park , as lately improv'd by his majesty . ibid. to sir william davenant , upon his two first books of gondibert , written in france . to my worthy friend , the translator of gratius . to the king , upon his majesties happy return . to my lady morton on new-years-day . at the louvre in paris . of a fair lady playing with a snake . ● to his worthy friend mr. e'velyn upon his translation of lucretius . part of the fourth book of virgil translated . vpon a war with spain , and a fight at sea. epitaph , to be written under the latine inscription upon the tomb of the only son of the lord andover . to the queen upon her majesties birth-day , after her happy recovery from a dangerous sickness . instructions to a painter , for the drawing of the posture and progress of his majesties forces at sea , under the command of his highness-royal . together with the battel and victory obtained over the duch , june . . to the king. to a friend of the authors ; a person of honour , who lately writ a religious book , entituled , historical applications , and occasional meditations upon several subjects . to mr. henry laws , who had then newly set a song of mine in the year . vpon her majesties new buildings at somerset-house . on the picture of afair youth taken after he was dead . epigram upon the golden medal . of a tree cut in paper . to a lady from whom be received the foregoing copy which for many years had been lost . the night-piece , or a picture drawn in the dark . of english verse . so●g by mrs. knight , to her majesty on her birth-day . to his 〈◊〉 by friend sir thomas higgons , upon his tran●●tion of his venetian triumph . epitaph . of her royal highness , mother to the prince of orange , and of ●er portr●ictt , written by the late dutchess of york white she lived with her . ● to the dutchess of orleans , when she was taking leave of the cours at dover . written on a cord that her majesty tore at ombra . to ●he dutchess when he presented this book to her royal highness . verse writ in the tasso of her royal highness . vpon our late loss of the duke of cambridge . translated out of spanish . of the lady mary , &c. ibid. to the servant of a fair lady . vpon the earl of roscommon's translation of horace de arte poetica : and of the use of poetry . epitaph on sir george speke . of her majesty on new-years-day . a presage of the ruine of the turkish empire , presented to his majesty on his birth-day . of divine love. of divine poesie . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e supposed to be the lord berkley of bethley . the vvorkes of edmond vvaller, esquire, lately a member of the honourable house of commons in this present parliament works. waller, edmund, - . this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (wing w ). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing w estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the vvorkes of edmond vvaller, esquire, lately a member of the honourable house of commons in this present parliament works. waller, edmund, - . [ ], p. printed for thomas walkley, london : . in verse and prose. first ed. cf. dnb. "imprimatur na. brent. decem. . " reproduction of original in huntington library. "mr. vvallers speech[es] in parliament": p. - . eng a r (wing w ). civilwar no the vvorkes of edmond vvaller esquire, lately a member of the honourable house of commons, in this present parliament. imprimatur na. brent. waller, edmund f the rate of defects per , words puts this text in the f category of texts with or more defects per , words. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - emma (leeson) huber sampled and proofread - emma (leeson) huber text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the vvorkes of edmond vvaller esquire , lately a member of the honourable house of commons , in this present parliament . imprimatur na. brent . decem. . . london , printed for thomas walkley . . of his majesti●s receiving the newes of the duke of buckinghams death . so earnest with thy god , can no new care : no sense of danger interrupt thy prayer ? the sacred wrestler till a blessing given quits not his hold , but halting conquers heaven : nor was the stream of thy devotion stopp'd when from the body such a limb was lopp'd , as to thy present state was no lesse maime , though thy wise choice has since repair'd the same ; bold homer durst not so great vertue ●ain in his best pattern● of patrolus slaine , with such amazement as weake mothers use , and ●rantick gesture he receives the news : yet fell his darling by th'impartiall chance of war , impos'd by royall hectors lance , thine in full peace , and by a vulgar haud torne from thy bosome left his high command . the famous painter can allow no place for private sorrow in a princes face : yet that his price might not exceed beliefe , he cast a ●ail upon supposed grie●e . t was want of such a president as this made the old heathen frame their god amisse . their phoebus should not act a fonder part for the fair boy , then he did from his heart ; nor blame for hiaci●thus fate his owne that kept from him wi●h'd death , had'st thou bin known . yet he that weighs with thine good davids deeds , shall finde his passion , not his love exceeds . he curst the mountaines where his brave friend dy'd , but lest salfe ziba with his heir divide : where thy mottall love to thy blest friends , like that of heaven upon their seed descends . such huge extreams inhabit thy great minde , god-like unmov'd , and yet like woman kinde ; which of thy ancient poets had not brought our charles his pedigree , from heaven and taught how some bright dame comprest by mighty love produc'd this mixt divinity and love ? to the king on his navy . vvhere ere thy navy spreads her canvas wings homage to thee , and peace to all she brings : the french and spaniard when thy flags appear forget their hatred , and consent to fear . so love from ida did both hoasts survey , and when he pleas'd to thunder part the fray . ships heretofore in seas like fishes sped , the mightiest still upon the smallest fed . thou on the deep impos'st stricter lawes , and by that justice hast remov'd the cause of those rude tempests which for rapine sent , too o●t alas , involv'd the innocent . now shall the ocean as thy thames be fre● from both those ●ates of stormes and pi●acie ▪ but we most happy , who can fear no force but winged troops , or pegasean horse . t is not so hard for greedy foes to spoyle another nation as to touch our soyle . should natures selfe invade the world againe , and ore the center spread the liquid main : thy power were safe , and her 〈◊〉 hand , would but enlarge the bounds of they command . thy dreadfull sleete would 〈◊〉 let thee lord of all , and ●ide in triumph ore the drowned ball . those towers of oake ore ●ertile plaines might 〈◊〉 and visit m●untains where they once did grow . the worlds restorer once could not endure that finish'd bahell should those men secure : whose pride design'd , that fabricks should have stood above the reach of any second sloud . to thee his ●●osen more indulgent he dares trust such power with so much piety . vpon his majesties repairing of pauls . that shipwrackt vessel which th'apostle boro scarce suffer'd more upon melitas shore , then did his temple in the sea of time ( our na●ons glory , and our n●●ions crime . ) when the first monarch of this happy isle ▪ mov'd with the ruine of so brave a pile , this worke of cost and pie●y begun to be accomplish'd by his glorious son : who all that came within the ample thought of his wise sire , has to perfection brought . he like amphion makes those quarries leap into fair figures from a consus'd heap : for in his art of regiments is found a power like that of harmony in sound . those antique minstrels sure were charles like kings , cities their lutes , and ful jects hearts their strings ; on which with so divine a hand they strook consent of motion from their breath they took . so all our mindes with his conspire to grace the gentiles great apostle , and deface those state observing sheds , that like a chaine seem'd to confine and fetter him againe ; which the glad saint shakes off at his command as once the viper from his sacred hand : so joyes the aged oake when we divide the creeping ivy from his injur'd side . ambition rather would effect the same of some new structure ; to have 〈◊〉 her name two distant vertues in one act we finde the modesty , and greatnesse of his minde ; which not content to be above the rage and injury of all impairing age , in its owne worth secure , doth higher clime , and things half swallow'd from the jaws of time reduce an earnest of his grand designe to frame no new chuch , but the old resine : which spouse like may with comly grace command 〈◊〉 then by force of argument or hand . for doubtfull reason few can apprehend , and war brings ruine , where it should amend . but beauty with a bloodlesse conquest findes a welcome sovereignty in rudest minds . not ought which shebas wondring queen beheld amongst the works of solomon excell'd , his ships and building ; emblems of a heart large both in magnanimity and art : while the propitious heavens this worke attend , long wanted showres they forget to send ; as if they meant to make it understood of more importance then our vitall food . the sun which riseth to salute the quire , already finish'd , setting shall admire how private bounty could so far extend ; the king built all , but charles the westerne end : so proud a fabrick to devotion given , at once it threatneth and obligeth heaven . laomedon that had the gods in pay , neptune , with him that rules the sacred day , could no such structure raise , troy wall'd so high , th'atrides might as well have forc'd the sky . glad , though amazed , are our neighbour kings to see such power employ'd in peacefull things , they list not urge it to the dreadfull field , the taske is easier to destroy , then build , of the danger of his majesty ( being prince ) escaped all the rode at saint an●tere . nor had his highnesse bid farewell to spaine , and reacht the sphere of his own power the main ▪ with brittish bounty in his ship he sea●s , th'hesperian princes , his amazed guests ; to finde that watry wildernesse exceed the entertainment of their great madrid . healths to both kings attended with he rore of cannons eccho'd from th'effrightod shore ; with loud , esemblance of his thunder prove bacchus the seed of cloud compelling love ; w●ile to his harpe divine , arion sings t●e loves and conquests of our albion kings , of the fourth edward was his noble song , fierce , goo●ly , valiant , beautifull and young . he rent the crowne from vanquisht henries head , rais'd the whi●e rose , and trampled on the red : till love triumphing ore the victors prids , brought mars and warwick to the conquer'd side : neglected warwick ( whose bold hand like fate gives and resumes the scepter of our state ) wooes for his master , and with double shame himselfe deluded , mocks the princely dame . the lady bona whom just anger burnes , and forreigne was with civill rage returnes : ah spare ) our swords where beauty is too blame , love gave th'affront , and must repaire the same : when france shall boast of her whose conquering cies have made the best of english hearts their prize ; have power to alter the decree of fate , and change againe the councels of our state . what the proph●tick muse intends alone to him that feels the secret wound is knowne : with the sweet sound of this harmonious lay about the keele delighted dolphins play : too sure a signe of seas ensuing rage , which must anon this royall troope engage : to whom soft sleep seems more secure and sweet within the towne commanded by our fle●t . these mighty peers plac'd in the guilded barge , proud with the burden of so brave a charge ; with painted oars the youth begin to sweep neptunes smooth face , and cleave the yelding deep , which soon becomes the seat of sudden war between the wind and tide that siercely jar ; as when a sort of lusty shepherds try their force at foot-ball , care of victory makes them salute so rudely breast to breast , that their encounters seem too rough for jest . they ply their feet , and still the restlesse ball tost too and fro is urged by them all . so fares the doubtfull barge 'twixt tide and winds , and like effect of their contention ●inds ; yet the bold britaines s●ill securely row'd , charles and his vertue was their sacred load : then which a greater pledge heaven could not give that the good boat , this tempest should outlive : but storms encrease , and now no hope of grace among them shines , save in the princes face . the rest resigne their courage , skill and sight to danger , horrour , and unwelcome night . the gentle vessell wont with state and pride on the smooth back of silver thames to ride ; wanders astonish'd in the angry maine as titans car did , while the golden raine fill'd the young hand of his adventrous son when the whole world an equall hazard run to this of ours : the light of whose desire , waves threaten now , as that was skar'd by fire , the impatient sea grows impotent and raves that ( night assisting ) his impetuons waves should finde resistance from so light a thing : these surges ruine , those our safety bring . th'oppressed vestell doth the charge abide , only because as●ail'd on every side . so men with rage and passion set on fire , trembling for haste impeach their mad desire . the pale iberians had expir'd with fear : but that their wonder did divert their care , to see the prince with danger mov'd no more then with the pleasures of their court before . god-like his courage seem'd whom nor delight could soften , nor the face of death affright . next to the power of making tempests cease was in that storme , to have so calme a peace . great maro could no greater tempest faine when the loud windes usurping on the maine ; for angry iuno labour'd to destroy the hated reliques of confounded troy : his bold eneas , on like billows tost in a tall ship , and all his countries lost : dissolves with fear , and both his hands upheld , proclaimes them happy whom the greeks had quel'd ▪ in honourable sight our hero set in a small shallow fortune in his debt ; so nearo a hope of crowns and scepters more then ever priam , when he slourish'd , wore his loynes yet full of ungot princes , all his glory in the bud ; lets nothing fall , that argues fear : if any thought anoyes the gallant youth , 't is loves untasted joy●s , and deare remembrance of that fatall glance , for which he lately pawn'd his heart in france : where he had seen a brighter nimph then she that sprung out of his present foe ; the sea that noble ardor more then mortall fire , the conquered ocean could not make expire : nor angry thetis , raise her waves above the heroique prince , his courage , or his love , t was indignation , and not feare he felt , the shrine should perish where that imaged welt . ah love forbid , the noblest of thy straine should not survive to let her know his paine : who nor his perill minding , nor his flame , is entertain'd with some lesse serious game among the bright nimphs of the gallique court , all highly borne , obsequious to her sport : they roses seem within their early pride , but halfe reveal , and halfe their beauties hide . she the glad morning which her beams doth throw , upon their smiling lea●es , and gild them so : like brihht aurora , whose refulgent ray foretells the fervour of ensuing day : and warnes the shepherd with his ●locks retreat to leafie shadows from the threatned heat . from cupids string of many shasts that fled wing'd with those plumes which noble same had shed : as through the wondring world she flew and told of his adventures haughty , brave and bold : some had already touch'd the royall maid , but loves first summons seldome are obey'd , light was the wound the princes care unknowne , she might not , would not , yet reveale her owne . his glorious name had so possest her ears , that with delights , those antique tales she heares of inson , thesous , and such worthies old , as with his story best resemblance hold . and now she viewes , as on the wall it hung what old musens so divinely sung : which art with life and love did so inspire that she discernes , and favours that desire : which there provokes th'adventrous youth to swim and in leanders dangers pities him ; whose not new love alone but fortune seeks to frame his story like that amorous greeks . for from the sterne of some good ship appears , a friendly light which moderates their fears : new courage from reviving hope they take , and climbing ore the waves that taper make ; on which the hope of all their lives depends , as his on that fair heroes hand extends . the ship at anchor like a fixed rock breaks the proud billows which her large sides knock ; whose rage restrained foming higher swells , and from her port the weary barge repells ; threatning to make her forced out againe , repeat the dangers of the troubled maine . twice was the cable hurl'd in vaine ; the fates would not be moved for our sister states : for england is the third successefull throw , and then the genius of that land they know : whose prince must be ( as their owne books devise ) lord of the scene , where now the danger lyes . well sung the roman bard , all human things of dearest value , hang on slender strings . o see the then ●ole hope , and in designe of heaven our joy supported by a line : which for that instant was heavens care above the chaine that 's fixed to the throne of iove ; on which the fabricke of our world depends , one linck dissolv'd , the whole creation ends , to the queen , occasioned upon fight of her majesties picture . well fare the hand which to our humble sight presents that beauty which the dazling light of royall splendor hides from weaker eyes : and all excesse ( save by this art ) denies . here only we have courage to behold this beam of glory , here we dare unfold in numbers thus the wonders we conceive ; the gracious image seeming to give leave propitious stands , vouchsafing to be seen ; and by our muse saluted mighty queen ▪ in whom th'extreams of power and beauty move the queen of brittain and the queen of love . as the bright sun ( to which we owe no sight ) of equall glory to your beauties light , is wisely plac'd in so sublime a seat t' extend his light , and moderate his heat . so happy t is you move in such a sphere as your high majesty with awfull fear , in humane breasts might qualifie that fire which kindled by those eyes had flamed higher , then when the scorched world like hazard run by the approach of the ill guided sun . no other nimphs have title to mens hearts , but as their meannesse larger hope imparts : your beauty more the fondest lover moves with admiration then his private loves ; with admiration . for a pitch so high ( save sacred charles his ) never love durst flye . heaven that preferr'd a scepter to your hand favour'd our freedome , more then your command . beauty had crown'd you , and you must have bin the whole worlds mistris , other then a queen . all had bin rivals ; and you might have spar'd , or kill'd and tyranniz'd without a guard . no power atchiev'd , either by arms or birth equalls loves empire , both in heaven and earth . such eyes as yours , on iove himselfe have throwne as bright and fierce a lightning as his owne : witnesse our iove prevented by their flame in his swift passage to the ●esperian dame . when ( like a lion ) finding in his way to some intended spoile a fairer prey . the royall youth pursuing the report of beauty , found it in the gallique court : there publique care with private passion fought a doubtfull combate in his noble thought . should he confesse his greatnesse , and his love , and the free faith of your great brother prove . with his achates breaking through the cloud of that disguise which did their graces shroud ; and mixing with those gallants at the ball , dance with the ladies and outshine them all : or on his journey ore the mountaines ride ; so when the fair le●cothee he espy'd to check his steeds ; impatient phebus carn'd , though all the world was in his wars concern'd , what may hereafter her meridian doe , whose dawning beauty warm'd his bosome so : not so divine a flame , since deathlesse gods forbore to visite the defil'd abodes of men , in any mortall breast did burne , nor shall till piety and they returene . the apology of sleep : for not approaching the lady who can do any thing but sleep when she pleaseth . my charge it is , those breaches to repaire which nature takes from sorrow , toil and care , rest to the limbs and quiet , i confer on troubled minds ; but nought can adde to her whom heaven & her transcendent thoughts have plac'd above those ills which wretched mortals taste . bright as the deathlesse gods , and happy she from all that may infringe delight , is free ; love at her royall fe●t his quiver layes , and not his mother with more haste obeyes . such reall pleasures , such true joyes suspence , what dream can i present to recompence ? should i with lightning fill her a wfull hands , and make the clouds seem all at her commands ; or place her in olimpus top , a guest among th'mortalls who with nectar feast : that power would seem that entertainment short of the true splendor of her present court ; where all the joyes and all the glories are of three great kingdomes , sever'd from the care , i that of sumes and humid vapours made , ascending doe the seat of sen●e invade . no cloud in so serene a mansion finde to over-cast her ever shining minde , which holds resemblance with those spotlesse skies , where flowing nilus want of raine supplies . that christal heaven , where phoebus never shrouds his golden beams , nor wraps his face in clouds . but what so hard which numbers cannot force , so stoops the moon , and rivers change their course . the bold moenian made me dare to steep ioves dreadfull temples in the dew of sleep . and since the muses do invoke my power . i shall no more decline that sacred bower where gloriana their great mistresse lyes , but gently taming those victorious eyes , charme all her senses ; till the joy full sun without a rivall hal●e his course has run : who while my hand that ●airer light confines may boast himself the brightest thing that shines . the country to my lady of carlile . madam : of all the sacred muse inspir'd , orpheus alone could with the woods comply their rude inhabitants his song admir'd , and natures selfe in those that could lye . your beauty next our solitude invades , and warms us shining , through thickest shades . nor ought the tribute which the wondring cou●● paies your fair eies , prevail with you o● scorne the answer and consent to the report which eccho-like the country doth return . mirrors are taught to flatter , but our springs present th'impartiall images of things . a rurall judge dispos'd of beautics prize , a simple shepherd was preferr'd to iove , down to the mountains from the partial skies came iano , pallas , and the queen of love , to plead for that which was so justly given to the bright carlile of the court of heaven , catlile a name which all our words are taught , loud as his amarillis to resound . carlile a name which on the barke is wrought of every tree that 's worthy of the wound . from phoebus rage , our shadows , and our streams , may guard us better then from carliles beams . the countesse of carlile in mourning . vvhen from black clouds no part of skie is clear but just so much as lets the sun appear : heavens then would seem thy image , and reslect those sable vestments , and that bright aspect . a sparke of vertue by the deepest shade of sad adversity is fairer made ; nor lesse advantage doth thy beauty get a venus rising from a sea of jet . such was the appearance of new formed light while yet it strugled with eternall night : then mourne no more lest thou admit encrease of glory by the noble lords deccase . we finde not that the laughter loving dame mourn'd for anchises ; ● was enough she came to grace the mortall with her deathlesse bed , and that his living eyes such beauty fed : had she bin there , untimely joy through all mens hearts diffus'd , had mar'd the funerall . those eyes were made to banish griefe : as well bright phoebus might affect in shades to dwell , as they to put on sorrow ; nothing stands but power to grieve , exempt from thy commands : if thou lament , thou must doe so alone griese in thy presence , can lay hold on none : yet still persi●t the memory to love of that great mercury of our mighty iove : who by the power of his enchanting tongue swords from the hands of threatning monarchs wrung war he presented , orsoon made it cease , instructing princes in the arts of peace : such as made sheba's curious queen resort to the large hearted hebrews famous court . had homer sate among his wondring guests , he might have learn'd at those stupendious feasts , with greater bounty , and more sacred state . the banquet of the gods to celebrate . but o! what elocution might he use , what potent charmes that could so soon infuse his absent masters love into the heart of henrietta for cing her to part from her lov'd brother , country , and the sun , and like camilla ore the waves to run into his armes , while the parisian dames mourne for their ravish't glory at her flames ? no lesse amaz'd then the amazed stars , when the bold charmer of theslalia wars with heaven it selfe , and numbers does repeat , which call discending cinthia from her seat . in answer to , &c. vvhat ●ury has provok't thy wit to da●e with diomed , to wound the queen of love thy mistris envy , or thine owne detpair ? not the just pallas in thy heast did move . so blind a rage with such a different fate , he honour won , where thou hast purchast ●●re she gave assistance to his trojanfoe ; tho● that without a rivall thou maicst love ▪ dost to the beauty of thy lady owe , while after her the gazing world does move canst thou not be content to love alone , or is thy mistris not content with one ? hast thou not read of fairy arthurs shield , which but disclos'd , amaz'd the weaker eyes of proudest foe , and won the doubtfull field ? so shall thy rebell wit become her prize . should thy iambecks swell into a book , all were con●uted with one radiant loook . heaven he oblig'd that place her in the skies , rewarding phoebus , for inspiring so his noble braine by likening to those eyes his joyfull beams , but phoebus is thy foe : and neither ayds thy fancy not thy sight , so ill thou rim'st against so faire a light . on my lady dorothy sidneyes picture . such was philo●lea , and such dorus flame , the matchlesse sidney that immortall frame of perfect beauty on two pillars plac't ; not his high fancy could one patterne grac't : with such extreams of excellence compose wonders so distant in one face disclose : such cheerfull modesty , such humble state , moves certaine love , but with as douotfull fate ; as when beyond our greedy reach we see inviting fruit on too sublime a tree . all the rich flowers through his arcadia found amaz'd we see , in this one garland bound . had but this copy which the artists tooke from the fair picture of that noble book , stood at calanders the brave friends had jarr'd , and rivalls made , the ensuing story marr'd . just nature fi●st instructed by his thought in his own house thus practiz'd what he taught . this glorious piece transcend● what he could think : so much his blood is nobler then his ink . to vandike . rare artisan , whose pensill moves not our delights alone , but loves : from thy shop of beauty , we slaves return that enter'd free . the headlesse lover does not know whose eyes they are that wound him so : but con●ounded with thy art , inquires her name that has his heart : another who did long refrain feels his old wound bleed fresh again ; with deare remembrance of that face , where now he reads new hopes of grace : nor scorne , not cruelty does finde , but gladly suffers a false winde to blow the ashes of despaire from the reviving brand of care : foole that forget'st her stubborne looke , this softnesse from thy finger tooke : strange that thy hand should not inspire the beauty only but the fire : not the forme alone and grace , but act and power of a face : may'st thou yet thy selfe as well , as all the world beside excell ; so thou 〈◊〉 truth rehearse ( tha● i may m●ke it live in verse ) why tho● couldst not at one assay that face to after times convey , which this 〈◊〉 ; was it thy wit to make her of before thee fit ? cons●sle ▪ and wee 'l forgive thee this , for who would not repeat that blisse , and frequent sight of such a dame buy with the hazard of his same ? yet who can tax thy blamelesle skill , though thy good hand had failed still ? when natures selfe so often erres , she for this many thousand years seems to have practis'd with much care , to frame the race of women faire ; yet never could a perfect birth produce before to grace the earth : which waxed old ere it could see her that amaz'd thy art and thee . but now'us done , o let me know where those immortall colours grow , that could this deathlesle piece compose in lillies , or the fading role : no for this thest thou hast clim'd higher th●n did prometheus for his fire . as pens-hurst . vvhile in this parke i sing , the listning dee●e attend my passion , and forget to fear . when to the beeches i report my slame , they bow their heads as if they felt the same : to gods appealing , when i reach their bowrs with loud complaints , they answer me in showrs , to thee a wilde and cruell soule is given , more de●s then trees , & prouder then the heaven . loves so prof●st , why dost thou falsely faine thy selfe a sidney ? from which noble straine he sprung , that could so far ●x●l● the name oflove , and warme our nation with his flame : that all we can ●f love or high desire , seems but the smoak of amorous sidneyes fire : nor call her mother who so well doe prove , one breast may hold both chastiry and love : never can shee , that so exceeds the spriag in joy and bounty , be suppos'd to bring one so destructive , to no humane stock we owe this fierce unkindnesse ; but the rock , that cloven rock produc'd thee , by whose side nature to recompence the fatall pride ofsuch stern beauty , plac'd those healing springs which not more helpe then that destruction brings , thy heart no ruder then the rugged stone , i might like orpheus with my numerous moan melt to compassion ; now my traitrous song , with thee conspires to do the singer wrong : while thus i suffer not my selfe to lose the memory of what augments my woes : but with my owne breath still soment the sire which flames as high as fancy can aspire . this last complaint th'indulgent ears did pierce of just apollo president of verse highly concerned , that the muse should bring damage to one whom he had taught to sing : thus he advis'd me on yon aged tree , hang up thy lute , and high thee to the sea , th●t there with wonders thy diverted minde some truce at least my with affection finde . ah cruell nimph from whom her humble swaine flies for reliefe unto the raging maine : and from the windes and tempests doth expect a milder fate then from her cold neglect : yet there hee 'le pray that the unkinde may prove blest in her choice , and vows this endlesse love springs from no hope of what she can confer but from those gifts which heaven has heap'd on her . at pens-hurst . had dorothea liv'd when mortals made choice of thier deities , this sacred shade had held an altar to her power that gave the peace and glory , which these alleys have embroydred so with flowers where she stood , that it became a garden of wood : her presence has such more then humane grace that it can civilize the rudest place , and beauty too , and order can impart where nature nere intended it , nor art . the plants acknowledge this , and her admire no lesse then those of old did orpheus lire : if she sit downe with tops all toward her bow'd . they round about her into arbours crowd : or if she walke , in even ranks they stand like some well marshall'd and obsequious band . amphion so made stones and timber leap into fair figures from a confus'd heap : and in the symetry of her parts is found a power like that of harmony in sound . ye● lof●y beeches tell this matchlesse dame that if together ye fe●d all on one flame ; it could not equalize the hundred part of what her eyes have kindled in my heart . goe boy and carve this passion on the barke of yonder tree , which stands the sacred marke of noble sidneys birth ; when such beninge , such more then mortall making stars did shine : that there they cannot bu● for ever prove the monument and pledge of humble love : his humble love whose hope shall nere rise higher then for a pardon that he dares admire . to my lord of lei●●ster . not that thy trees at pens-hurst grone oppressed with their timely load , and seem to make their silent moan , that their great lord is now abroad : they to delight his taste or eye would spend themselves in fruit and dye . not that thy harmlesse deere repine , and thinke themselves unjustly staine by any other hand then thine , whose arrows they would gladly staine : no nor thy frien●s which hold too deare that peace with france which keeps thee there ; all these are lesse then that great cause , which none exacts your presence here , wherein there meet the divers laws of publiqae and domestique care . for one bright nimph our youth contend● . and on your prudent choice depends . not the bright shield of thetis sun , for which such steroe debate did rise , that the great ajax , telemon ●●efus'd to live without the prize . those achave peers did more engage , then she the gallants of our age . that beam of beauty which begun to warme us so when thou wert here , now scorches like the raging sun when syri●s does first appeare . o six this slame , and let despaire redeem the rest from endlesse care● to my young lady lucy sidney . vvhy came i so untimely forth into a world which wanting thee could entertaine us with no worth or shadow of felicity ? that time should me so far remove from that which i was borne to love . yet fairest blossome doe not slight that age which you must know so soon , the rosie morne resignes her light , and milder glory to the moon : and then what wonders shall you doe , whole dawning beau●y warmes us so ? hope waits upon the slowry prime , and summer though it be lestle gay ▪ yet is not look't on as a time of declination or decay . for with a full hand that doth bring all that was promis'd by the spring . of the lady who can sleep when she pleases . no wonder sleep from carefull lovers ●lyes to bathe himself in sacharissa's eyes . as faire aftrea once from earth to heaven by strife and loud impiety was driven : so with our plaints offended , and our tears wife somnus to that paradise repaires , waits on her will , and wretches does forsake to court the nimph for whom those wretches wake : more proud then phoe●us of his throne of gold is the soft god those softer lims to hold : nor would exchange with love to hide the skies in darkning clouds the power to close her eyes : eyes which so far all other lights controul , they warme our mortall parts , but these our soule : let her free spirit whose unconquer'd breast holds such deep quiet and untroubled rest : know that though venus and her son should spare her rebell heart , and never teach her care : yet hymen may inforce her vigils keep , and for anothers joy suspend her sleep . of the mis-repore of her being painted . as when a sort of wolves infelt the night with their wilde howlings at fair cinthia's light , the noyse may chase sweet slumber from our eyes , but never reach the mistresse of the skies : so with the news of sacharissa's wrongs , her vexed servants blame those envious tongu●● . call love to witnesse that no painted fire can scorch men so , or kindle such desire : while unconcerned she seems mov'd no more with this new malice then our loves before : but from the height of her great mind looks down on both our passions without smile or frown : so little care of what is done below hath the bright dame whom heaven affecteth so , paints her : 't is true with the same hand which spreads like glorious colours through the flowry m●ads . when lavish nature with her best attire clothes the gay spring , the s●ason of desire . paints her , 't is true , does her cheek adorne with the same art wherewith she paints the morne : with the same art wherewith she gildeth so those painted clouds which forme thaumantias●ow . of her passing through a crowd of people . as in old chaos heaven with earth confus'd , and stars with rocks together crush'd and bruis'● . the sun his light no further could extend then the next hill which on his shoulders lean'd : so in this throng bright sacharissa far'd , oppress'd by those who strove to be her guard : as ships though never so obsequious , fall foule in a tempest on their admirall : a greater ●avour this disorder brought unto her servants then their a w●●ll thought durst entertain , when thus compell'd they prest the yeelding marble of her snowy br●ast : while love insults disguised in a cloud , and welcome force of the unruly crowd . so th'amorous tree while yet the aire is calme . just distance keeps from his desired palme . but when the winde her ravish't branches throws into her armes , and mingles all their bows : though loath he seems her tender leaves to presse . more loath he is that friendly storme should cease : from whose rude bounty , he the double use at once receives of pleasure and excuse . song say lovely dreame , where couldst thou find● shades to counterfeit that face ? colours of this glorious kinde , come not from any mort●ll race . in heaven it selfe th●u sure wer't dre●t with that angell-like disguise ▪ thus deluded am i blest , and see my joy with closed eyes . but at this image is too kinde to be other then a dream cruell sacharissa's minde never put on that sweet extream . faire dream if thou intend'st me grace change that heavenly face of thine , paint despis'd love in thy face , and make it to appear like mine . pale , wan , and meager let it looke , with a pity moving shape , such as wander by the brook of lethe , or from graves escape . then to that matchlesse nymph appear , in whose shape thou shinest so softly in her sleeping ear , with humble words expresse my woe . perhaps from greatnesse , state , and pride , thus surprised she may ●all : sleep does disproportion hide , and death resembling equalls all . song . behold the brand of beauty tost ; see how the motion does delate the flame : delighted love his spoyles does boast , and triumph in this game . fire to no place confin'd , is both our wonder and our fear , moving the mind , like lightning hurled through the aire . high heaven the glory does encrease of all her shining lamp this artfull way , the sun in figures such as these joyes with the moon to play . to the sweet strains they advance , which doe result from their owne fear ▪ as the nimphs dance , moves with the numbers which she hears . to amorett . faire that you may truly know what you un●o t●irsis owe , i will tell you how i doe sacharissa love and you . joy salutes me when i set my ble●t eyes on amorett : but with wonder i am strooke when i on the other looke . if sweet amoret complaines , i have sence of all her paines ; but for sacharissa , i doe not only grieve , but die , all that of my selfe is mine lovely amoret is thine ; sacharissa's captive faine would untie his iron chaine . and those scorching beames to 〈◊〉 to thy gentle shadow run : if the soule had free election to dispose of her affection , i would not thus long have borne haughty sacharissa's scorne ; but 't is some pure power above , which controuls our will in love . if not love , a strong desir● to cr●ate and spread that fire in my br●asts , solicites me beaut●ous am●ret for thee . t is amazement more then love which her radiant eyes doe move ; if lesse splendor wait on thine , yet they so benignly shine . i would turne my dazelled sight to behold their milder light , but as hard t is to destroy that high flame , as to enjoy ; which , how easily i may doe heaven ( as easily ●cal'd ) do'es know : amoret as sweet and good as the most delicious food , which but tasted doth impart life and goodnesse to the heart . sacharissa's beauty , wine , which to madnes doth incline . such a liquor as no braine that is mortall can sustaine . scarce can i to heaven excuse that devotion which i use unto that adored dame ; for t is not unlike the same which i thither ought to send ; so that if it could take end t' would to heaven it selfe be due to succeed her and not you , who already have of me all that 's not idolatry ; which though not so fierce a flame is longer like to be the same . then smil● on me , and i will prove , wonder is sho●ter liv'd , then love . the story of phoebus and daphne appli'd . thirsis a youth of the inspired traine , fair sacharissa lov'd , but lov'd in vaine : like ph●bus s●ng the no l●sse amorous boy , like daphne she as lovely and as coy : with numbers he the flying nimph pursues , with numbers such as phoebus selfe might use : such is the chase when love and fancie leads ore craggy mountaines and through slowry meads ; invoke to testifie the lovers care , or forme some image of his cruell fair : urg'd with his fury like a wounded deere , ore these he fled , and none approaching near ; had reacht the nimph with his harmonious lay , whom all his charmes could not incline to stay . yet what he sung in his immortall straine , though unsuccessefull , was not sung in vaine : all but the nymph that should redresse his wrong , attend his passion , and approve his song . like phoebus thus acquiring unsought praise , he catcht at love , and fill'd his arme with bayes . of mrs. ardea . behold , and listen while the faire breaks in sweet sounds and wil●ing air● . and with her owne breath fanns the fire which her bright eyes doe sust inspire : what reason can that love controule , which more then one way courts the soule ? so when a slash of lightning falls on our abodes , the danger calls for humane aid , which hopes the flame to conquer , though from heaven it came . but if the winde with that conspire , men strive not but deplore the fire . on the discovery of a ladies painting . pigmaleons fate reverst is mine , his marble love tooke flesh and bloud ; all that i worship is divine : that beauty now 't is understood , appears to have no more of life then that whereof he fram'd his wife . as women yet who apprehend some sudden cause of 〈◊〉 fear , although that seeming cause take end . and they behold no danger near : a shaking through their limbs they finde like leaves saluted by the winde . so though the beauty doe appeare , no beauty which amaz'd me so , yet from my brea●t i cannot tear the passion which from the●ce did grow ▪ nor yet out of my fancy rase the print of that supposed face . a reall beauty though too neer , the fond narcissus did admire ; i do●● on that which is no where , the signe of 〈◊〉 ●teeds my fire : no mortall fl●me was ●●e so cruell as this which thus surviv●s the fewell . to a lady from whom he received a silver pen . madam , intending to have tride the silver favour which you gave , in ink the shining point i dide , and drencht it in the sable wave : when griev'd to be so fowly stain'd , on you it thus to me compla●●'d . suppose you had deserv'd to take from her faire hand so faire a boone , yet how deserved i to make so ill a change , who ever woon immortall prai●e for what i wrought , instructed by her noble thought . i that e●pr●ss●d her commands to migh●y lords and princely dames , alway●s most welcome to their hands , proud that i would record their names . must now be taught an humble stile some meaner b●●uty to beguile . so i the wronged pen to please , make it my humble thanks expresse unto your ladiship in these , and now t is forced to confesse that your great self did nere indite ; nor that to one more noble write . on a brede of divers colours , woven by foure ladyes . twice twenty slender virgin finger twine , this curious web where all their fancies shine ; as nature them , so they this shade have wrought soft as their hands , and various as their thought . not iuno's bird when his faire traine dispread , he woes the female to his painted bed : no not the bow which so adorns the skies , so glorious is , or boasts so many dies . on the head of a stag . so we some antique hero's strength learn by his launces , weight and length ; as these vast beams expresse the beast , whose shadie browes alive they drest . such game while yet the world was new , the migh●y nimrod did pursue . what 〈◊〉 of our feeble race , or dogs dare such a 〈◊〉 chase ? resembling with each blow he strikes the change of a whole troop of pikes : o fer●ile head which every yeare could such a crop of wonder bear i the teeming ea●●h did never bring so soon , so hard , so huge a thing ; which might it never have been cast each years growth added to the last : these lofty branches had supply'd the earths bold sons prodigious pride : heaven with these engines had bin seal'd when mountains heap'd on mountains fail'd . to a lady in retirement . sees not my love how time resumes the glory which he 〈◊〉 these flowers ; though none should ●aste their sweet perfumes , yet must they live but some few houres , time what we forbear devoures . had hellen , or th' aegyptian queen , bin 〈◊〉 so 〈◊〉 of their graces , the 〈◊〉 beauties must at le●gth have bin the 〈◊〉 of age which finds out faces in the most retired places . should some malignant planet bring a barren drought or ceaselesse showre upon the autumne or the spring ; and spare us neither fruit nor flower winter would not stay an houre . could the resolve of loves neglect preserve ye from the violation of comming years , then more respect were due to so divine a fashion , nor would i divulge my passion . the misers speech in a mask . balls of this mettall slack'd atlanta's pace , and on the amo●ous youth bestow'd the race : venus , the nymphs mind measuring by her own , whom the rich spoyles of cities overthrown had prostrated to mars could well advise th'adventrous lover how to gain the prise : nor le●●e may iupiter to gold ascribe , when he turn'd himselfe into a bribe : who can blame ●diana or the brazen tower , that they which stood not the almighty showre ; never till then did love make iove pat on a forme more bright and noble then his owne ? nor were it just would he resume that shape that slack devotion should his thunder scape . ●twas not revenge for griev'd apollos wrong those asses ea●s on mida's temple hung ; but fond repentance of his happy wish , because his meat grew mettall like his dish . would bacchus blesse me so , i de constant hold unto my wish , and dye creating gold . to my lord of northumberland upon the death of his lady . to this great losse a sea of tears is due , but the whole debt not to be paid by you : charge not your self with all , nor render vain those showers the eyes of us your servants raine . shall grief contract the largenesse of that heart , in which nor fear not anger ha● a part ? vertue would blush , if time should boast ( which cries , her sole child dead their tender mothers eyes ) your minds relief , where reason triumphs so over all passions , that they nere could grow beyond their limits in your noble breast , to harm another , or impeach your rest . this we observ'd , delighting to obey one who did never from his great self stray : whose milde example seemed to engage th'obsequious seas , and teach them not to rage . the brave emilius his great charge laid down , ( the force of rome , and fate of macedon ) in his lo●t sons did feel , the cruell stroke of changing fortune , and thus highly spoke before romes people ; we did oft implore that if the heavens had any ill in store , for your emil●us they would powre it still on his own house , and let you flourish still . you on the barren sea ( my lord ) have spent , whole springs and summers to the publique lent : suspended all the pleasures of your life , and shortned the short joy of such a wife . for which your countrey 's more obliged then for many lives of old , lesse happie men . you that have sac●ific●d to great a part of youth and private b●sse , ought to impart your sorrow too , and give your friends a right as well in your affliction , as delight : then with emilian courage bear this crosse , since publique persons onely publique losse ought to affect , and though her form and youth , her application to your will and truth , that noble sweetnesse , and that humble state all snatcht away by such a hasty fate , might give excuse to any common brest , with the huge weight of so such grief opprest . yet let no portion of your life be stain'd with passion , but your character maintain'd to the last act ; it is enough her stone may honoured be with superscription of the sole lady , who had power to move the great northumberland to grieve and love . to my lord admirall of his late sicknesse and recovery . vvith joy like ours the thracian youth invades or pheus returning from th●●elisian shades , embrace the hero , and his stay implore , make it their publick suit , he would no more desert them so , and for his spouses sake , his vanish't love t●mpt the lethean lake : the la●ye● 〈…〉 ●rightest of that time , ambi●●ous all his lo●●y bed to c●●me . their doubtfull hopes with expectation feed who shall the faire euridice succeed : euridice for whom his num●rous moan makes listning trees , and salvage mountains groan : through ●ll the aire his sounding strings dilate sorrow like that which touch our hearts of late : your pining sicknesse and your restlesse pain , at once the land aff●cting , and the main , when the glad news that you were admirall , scarce through the nation spread 't was fear'd by all ▪ that our great charles , whose wisdome shines in you , would be perplexed how to chuse anew . so more then private was the joy and griefe , that at the worst , it gave our soules reliefe : that in our age such sense of vertue liv'd , they j●y'd so justly , and justly griev'd : 〈◊〉 her fairest lights eclipsed seems h●r selfe to suffer in those sharpe extreams ; while not from thine alone thy bloud retires , but from those cheeks which all the world admires . the stem thus threatned , and the sap in thee droop all the branches of that noble tree : their beauty they and we our loves suspend , noug●t can our wishes , save thy health intend : as lillies overcharg'd with raine they bend their beauteous heads , and with high heaven contend ●old th●e within their snowy armes , and cry 〈◊〉 is too faultlesse , and too young to dye : so like immortalls round about thee they 〈◊〉 , that they fright approaching death away : who would not languish by so fair a train , to be lamented and restor'd again ? or thus with-held , what hasty soule would go , though to the blest , ore young adonis so ? fair venus mourn'd , and with the pretious showre of her warme tears cherish't the springing flower . the next support fair hope of your great name , and second pillar of that noble frame : by losse of thee would no advantage have , but step by step pursues thee to the grave . and now rel●ntl●sse fate about to end the line which backward does so far extend , that antique stock which still the world supplye● with bravest spirits , and with brightest eyes . kinde phoebus interposing bid me say such storms no more shall shake that house , but they like neptune , and his sea-borne neece shall be the shining glories of the land and sea : with courage guard , and beauty warme our age , and lovers fill with like poetique rage . on the friendship betwixt sacharissa and amorett . tell me lovely loving paire , why so kinde , and so severe ? why so carelesse of our care , only to prove your selves so deare ? by this cunning change of hearts , you the power of love controule , while the boyes deluded darts , can arrive at neither soule . for in vain to either breast still beguiled love does come , where he finds a forrain g●uest . neither of your hearts at home . debtors thus with like designe , when they never meane to pay : that they may the law decline , to some friend make all away . not the silver doves that flie , yoak't in cithar●●s carr , not the wings that lift so high , and convey her son so farre . are so lovely , sweet , and faire , or do more enable love , are so choicely matcht a paire , or with more content do move . a la malade . ah lovely am●ret the care of all that know what 's good or faire● is heaven become our rivall too , had the rich gifts conferr'd on you . so amply thence the common end , of giving lovers to pretend . hence to this pining sicknesse to weary thee to a con●ents meant of leaving us ) no power is given , thy beauties to impaire the heaven : solicites thee with such a care , as roses from their stalks we tare : when we would still preserve them new , and fresh as on the bush they grew . with such a grace you entertain , and look with such contempt on pain that languish in you , conquer more , and wound us deeper then before . the lightnings which in stormes appear , scorch more then when the skies are clear . and as pale sicknesse does invade your frailer part , the breaches made in that faire lodging still more clear , make the bright ghuest your soul appear . so nimphs ore pathlesse mountains born , their light robes by the brambles torn from their faire limbs , exposing new and unknown beauties to the view , of following gods increase their flame , and haste to catch the flying game . of her chamber . they taste of death that do at heaven arive , but we this paradise approach alive . instead of death the dart of love does strike , and renders all within , these walls alike : the high in titles and the shepheard here forgets his greatnesse , and forgets his fear : all stand amaz'd and gazing on the faire loose thought of what themselves or others are : ambition loose , and have no other scope , save carliles favour to imploy their hope . the thracian could ( though all those tales were true the bold greeks tell ) no greater wonders doe , before his feet , so sheep and lions lay fearlesse and wrathlesse while they heard him play the gay , the wise , the gallant , and the grave , subdu'd alike all ▪ but one passion have : no worthy minde but finds in hers there is something proportion'd to the rule of his : whilest she with cheerfull , but impartiall grace , ( born for no one , but to delight the race of men ) like phoebus , so divides her light , and warmes us that she stoops not from her height . of loving at first sight . not caring to observe the winde , or the new sea explore , snatch't from my selfe how far behinde , already i behold the shore . may not a thousand dangers sleep in the smooth bosome of this deep ? no : 't is so rocklesse , and so clear , that the rich bottome does appear pav'd all with pretious things not torne from shipwrackt vessells , but there borne . sweetnesse , truth , and every grace , which time and youth are wont to teach , the eye may in a moment reach , and read distinctly in her face some other nymph with colours faint , and pensill slow may cupid paint ; and a weake heart in time destroy , she has a stamp and prints the boy , can with a single look inflame the coldest breast , the rudest tame . the selfe banished . it is not that i love you lesse then when before your feet i lay : but to prevent the sad encrease of hopelesse love , i keep away . in vain ( alas ) for every thing which i have knowne belong to you : your forme does to my fancy bring , and make my old wounds bleed a●●w . whom the spring from the new sun , already has a feaver got ; too la●●●●gins those shafts to shun which phoebus through his veines has shot . too late he would the paine asswage , and to thick shadowes does retire ; about with him he bears the rage , and in his tainted bl●ud the fire . but vow'd i have , and never must your banish'd servant trouble you ; for if i break you may mistrust the vow i make to love you too . of the queene . the larke that shuns on lofty bough to build her humble nest , lyes silent in the field : but if the promise of a cloudlesse day , aurora smiling bids her rise and play : then straight she shews 't was not for want of voice , or power to climbe , she made so low a choice ; singing she mounts , her angry wings are stretch't towards heaven , as if from heaven her note she fetcht . so we retiring from the busie throng , use to restrain th'ambition of our song ; but since the light which now informs our age breaks from the court indulgent to her rage : thither my muse , like bold p●●metheus flyes to light her torch at gloriana's eyes . those sovereign beams which heal the wounded soul , and all our cares , but once beheld controul ; there the p●or lover that has l●ng endur'd some proud nimphs scorne , of his fond passion cur●d ; fares like the man who first upon the ground a glow-worme spy'd , supposing he had found a moving diamond , a breathing stone ( for life it had , and like those jewells shone : ) he held it dear till by the springing day inform'd he threw the worthlesse worme away . she saves the lover as we gangreen stay by cutting hope like a lop't limb away : this makes her bleeding patients to accuse high heaven , and these expostulations use : could nature then no private woman grace ( whom we might dare to love ) with such a face , such a compl●xion , and so radiant eyes , such lovely motion , and such sharp replies ? beyond our reach , and yet within our sight , what envious power has plac't this glorious light ? thus in a starry night fond children cry f●● the rich spangles that adorne the skie , which though th●y shine for ever fixed there , with light and influence relieve us here . a●● her affections are to one incli●'d , 〈…〉 and compassion to mankind : to whom while she so far ex●ends her grace , she ●akes but good the promise of her face : fo● mercy has ( could mercies selfe be seen ) no 〈…〉 then this prop●tious queen ; such guard and comfort the distressed finde from her large 〈◊〉 , and from her larger minde , that whom 〈◊〉 would ruine , it prefers , for all the miserable are 〈◊〉 ●ers . so the fair tree whereon the eagle builds poore sheep from tempest , and their 〈◊〉 shields . the royall bird possesses , all the bows , but shade and shelter to the ●lock allowes . joy of our age , and safety of the next , for which so oft thy fertile wombe is ●ext : nobly contented , for the publique good to waste thy spirits , and diffu●e thy bloud : what vast hopes may these islands entertain , where monarchs thus descended are to reigne ? led by commanders of so fair a line , our seas no longer shall our power confine . a brave romance who would exactly frame , first brings his knight from some immortall dame : and then a weapon , and a flaming shield , bright as his mothers eyes he makes him weild . none might the mother of achilles be , but the fair pearle , and glory of the sea . the man to whom great maro gives such fame from the high bed of heavenly venus came ; and our next charles , ( whom all the stars designe like wonders to accomplish ) springs from thine . song . goe lovely rose , tell her that wasts her time and me , that now she knows when i resemble her to thee how sweet and fair she seems to be . tell her that 's young , and shuns to have her grace spy'd that hadst thou sprung in desarts where no men abide , thou must have uncommonded dy'd . small is the worth of beauty from the light retir'd ; bid her come forth , suffer her selfe to be desir'd , and not blush so to be admir'd . then dye that she , the common fate of all things rare may read in thee how small a part of time they share , that are so wondrous sweet and fair . thirsis , galatea . th. as lately i on silver thames did ride , sad gal●tea , on the banck i spy'd : such was her looke as sorrow taught to shine , and thus she grac●t me with a voice divine . gal. you that can tune your sounding strings so well of ladies beauties , and of love to tell ; once change your note , and let your lut● report the justest griefe that ever touch●t the court . th. fair nimph , i have in your delights no ●●●re , nor ought to be concerned in your care : yet would i sing if i your sorrows knew , and to my aid invoke no muse but you . gal. hear then , and let your song augment our gri●● which is so great as not to wish reliefe : she that had all which nature gives or chance , whom fortune joyn'd with vertue to advance , to all the joyes this island could afford the greatest mistris , and the kindest lord : who with the royall mixt her noble bloud , and in high grace with gloriana stood . her bounty , sweetnes , beauty , goodnes , such , that none ere thought her happines too much : so well inclin'd her favours to confer , and kinde to all , as heaven had bin to her : the virgins part , the mother , and the wife , so well she a●ted in this span of life ; that though few years ( too few alas ) she told , she seem'd in all things but in beauty old . as unripe fruit , whose verdant stalks doe cleave close to the tree , which grieves no lesse to leave the smiling pendant which adornes her so , and 〈◊〉 autumne , on the bough shou●d grow : so 〈◊〉 her youthfull soul not easily fore't . or from so fair , so sweet a seat divorc't : h●r fare at once did hasty seem and slow , at once too cruell and unwilling too . th. under how hard a law are mortalls born , whom now we engage , we anon must mourn : what heaven sets highest , and seems not to prize , is soon removed from our wondring eyes : but since the sisters did so soon untwine so 〈◊〉 a thread , 〈◊〉 strive to peece the line . vouchsafe sad nymph to let me know the dame , and to the muses i le commend her name : make the wide country eccho to your moan , the listning trees and savage mountains groan : what rocks not moved when the death is sung of one so good , so lovely , and so young . gal. 't was hamilton whom i had nam'd before , but naming her ; griefe lets me say no more . tabula phoebi & daphnis . arcadia juvenis thirsis , phoebique sacerdos , ingenti frustra galateae ardebat amore . haud deus ipse o●●m daphni majora canebat , nec fuit asperior daphne , neo pulc●rior illa : carminibus phoebo dignis premit ille fugacem per rupes , per saxa , volans per florida vates pascua , formosam nunc his componere nimpham , hunc illis crudelem insana m●nte solebat : audiit illa proculmiserum citheramque sonant●m , audiit at nullis respexit mota querelis ; ne tamen omnino caneret , desertus ad alta sidera perculsi , referunt nova carmina mon●●● ; sic non quaesitis cumulatus laudibus olim elapsa reperit daphni sua laurea phoebus . the battell of the summer islands . canto i. what fruit they have , and how heaven smiles vpon those late discover'd lsles . aide me bell●na while the dreadfull fight betwixt a nation and two whales i write : seas stain'd with goar , i sing advent●rous toyle , and how these monsters did disarme an i●le . bermud●● wall'd with rocks , who does not know that happy island where h●ge lemons grow , and orange trees which golden fruit doe bear , the hesperian garden boasts of ●●ne so fair ? where shining pearle , corall , and many a pound on the rich shore , of amber-greece is found : the lofty cedar which to heaven aspires , the prince of trees is fewell for their fires : the smoak by which their loaded spits do turne for incense , might on sacred altars burn . there private roofs on od'rous timber borne , such as might pallaces for kings adorne : the sweet palmettas , a new bacchus yeeld with leaves as ample as the broadest shield : under the shadow of whose friendly boughs they fit carrowsing , where their liquor grows : figs there unplanted through the fields doe grow , such as fierce cato did the romans shew ; with the rare fruit inviting them to spoyle , carthage the mistris of so rich a soyle : the naked rocks are not unfruitfull there , but at some const●nt seasons every year : their barren top with loucious food abound , and with the egges of various fowles are crown'd : tobacco is their worst of things which they to english land-lords as their tribute pay : such is the mould , that the blest tennant feeds on pretious fruits , and payes his rent in weeds : with candid plantines and the jucy pine , on choicest melons and sweet grapes they dine , and with potato's fat their wanton swine : nature these cates with such a lavish hand powres out among them , that our cou●●er land tastes of that bounty , and does cloth return , which not for warmth , but ornament is worne : for the kinde spring which but salutes us here inhabits there , and courts them all the year : ripe fruits and blossomes , on the same trees live , at once they promise what at once they give : so sweet the aire , so moderate the clime , none sickly lives , or dyes before his time . heaven sure has kept this spot of earth uncurst to shew how all things were created first : the tardy plants in our cold orchards plac't , reserve their fruits for the next ages taste : there a small graine in some few months will be a firme , a lofty , and a spacious tree : the parma christi , and the fair papah , now but a seed ( preventing natures law ) in halfe the circle of the hafty year project a shade , and lovely fruit doe wear : and as their trees in our dull region set but faintly grow , and no perfection get : so in this northerne tract our hoa●●er throats utter unripe and ill constrained notes , where the supporter of the poets stile , phoebus on them eternally does smile . o how i long my carelesse limbs to lay under the plantanes shade , and all the day with am'rous eyes my fancy entertaine , invoke the muses , and improve my veine : no passion there in my free breasts should move , none but the sweet and best of passions love : there while i sing if gentle love be by that tunes my lute , and winds the strings so high : with the sweet sound of sacharissa's name , i le make the listning salvages grow tame . but while i doe these pleasing dreams indite , i am diverted from the promis'd ●ight . canto ii. of their affright , and how their foes discovered were , this canto shews . though rocks so high about this iland rise , that well they may the num'rous turk despise ; yet is no humane fate exempt from fear which shakes their hearts , while through the i le they hea● a lasting noise , as horrid and as loud as thunder makes before it breaks the cloud . three dayes they dread this murmur ere they know from what blind cause th'unwonted sound may grow : at length two monsters of unequall size hard by the shore a sisher man espies ; two mighty whales , which swellings seas had tost , and left them prisoners on the rocky coast , one as a mountaine vast , and with her came a cub not much inferior to his dam : here in a poole among the rocks ingag'd , they roar'd like lions caught in toyles and rag'd : the man knew what they were , who heretofore had seen the like lye murdered on the shore , by the wild fury of some tempest cast the fate of ships and shipwrackt men to taste ; as carelesse dames whom wine and sleep betray to frantick dreams their infants overlay : so there sometime the raging ocean failes , and her owne brood exposes when the whales against sharpe rocks like reeling vessels quash't , though huge as mountains , are in peeces dash't ; along the shore their dreadfull limbs lye scatter'd , like hills with ear hquakes shaken , torn and shatter'd : heart sure of bras●e they had who tempted first , rude seas that spare not what themselves have nurst . the welcome news through all the nation spread , to sudden joy and hope converts their dread . what lately was their publique terror , they behold with glad eyes as a ce●taine prey ; dispose already of th'untaken spoyle , and as if purchase of their future toyle , these share the bones ▪ and they div●le the oyle ▪ so was the 〈◊〉 man by the bear opprest , whose hide he sold before he caught the beast . they man their boats , and all their young men arm with whatsoever may the monsters harme ; pikes , holberts , spits and darts , that wound so far the tools of peace , and instruments of war : now was the time for vigrous lads to shew what love or honour could invite them too ; a goodly theatre where rocks are rou●d with reverend age , and lovely lasses crown'd : such was the lake which held this dreadfull pare within the bounds of noble warwicks share : warwick● bold earle , then which no title bears a greater sound among our brittish peers : and worthy he the memory to renew the fate and honour , to that title due ; whose brave adventures have transferr'd his name , and through the new world spread his growing fame . but how they fought , and what their valour gain'd , shall in another ca●●o be contain'd . canto iii. the bl●udy fight , succeslesse toyle , and how the fish sack'd the isle . the boat which on the first assault did goe stroke with a harping iron the younger foe ▪ who when he felt his side so rudely goar'd loud as the seas that nourish't him he roar'd ; as a broad bream to please some curious taste , while yet alive in boyling water cast ; 〈◊〉 with unwonted heat , boyles , flings about the sco●ching brasse , and h●rles the liquor out : so with the barbed javeling stung , he raves , and scourges with his tayle the suffering waves ; like fairy talas with his iron slayle , he threatens ruine with his pondrous tayle ; dissolving at one stroak the battered boat , and downe the men fall drenched in the moat : with every fierce encounter they are forc't to quit their boats , and fare like men unhorst . the bigger whale like some huge carrack lay , which wanteth sea roome , with her foes to play ; slowly she swims , and when provok'd she woud advance her tail , her head salutes the mud . the shallow water doth her force infringe , and renders vaine her tails impet●ous swinge . the shining steele her tender sides receive , and there like bees they all their weapons leave . this sees the cub , and does himself oppose betwixt his cumbred mother and her foes : with desperate courage he receives her wounds , and men and boats his active tayl confounds . their surges joyn'd , the seas with billows fill , and make a tempest , though the winds be still . now would the men with half their hoped prey be well content , and wish this cub away : their wish they have , he to direct his dam unto the gap through which they thither came , before her swims , and quits the hostile lake , a pris'ner there , but for his mothers sake . she by the rocks compell'd to stay behind , is by the vastnesse of her bulks confin'd . they shout for joy , and now on her alone their furie fals , and all their darts are thrown : their launces spent ; one bolder then the rest with his broad sword provok'd the sluggish beast : her oyly side devoures blade and heft , and there his steel the bold bermudian left . courage the rest from his example take , and now they change the colour of the lake . blood flows in rivers from her wounded side , as if they would prevent the tardie tide ; and raise the flood to that propitious height , as might convey her from this fatall streight . she swims in blood , and blood do's spouting throw to heaven , that heaven mens cruelties might know . their fixed javelings in her side she weares , and on her back a grove of pikes appears . you would have thought had you the monster seen thus drest , she had another i sland been : roaring she teares the ayre with such noise , ( as well resembled with conspiring voice of routed armies , when the field is won ) to reach the ears of her escaped son . he ( though a league escaped from the foe ) hasts to her aid , the pious trojan so neglecting for creusas life his own , repeats the danger of the burning town , the men amazed blush to see the seed of monsters , humane pietie exceed , well proves this kindnesse what the grecians sung , that loves bright mother from the ocean sprung . their courage droops , and hopelesse now they wish for composition with th'unconquer'd fish : so she their weapons would restore again , through rocks they 'd hew her passage to the main . but how instructed in each others mind , or what commerce can men with monsters find . not daring to approach their wounded ●o , whom her couragious son protected so : they charge their musket , and with hot desire of fell revenge , renew the fight with fire . standing alooffe with lead , they bruise the scales , and tare the flesh of the incensed whales . but no successe their fierce endeavours found , not this way could they give one fatall wound ▪ now to their fort they are about to send for the loud engines which their isle defend . but what those peices fram'd to batter walls would have effected on those mighty whales , great neptune will not have us know , who finds a tyde so high that it relieves his friends . and thus they parted with exchange of harms , much blood the mon●●ers lost , and they their arms . vpon the death of my lady rich. may those already cu●st essexian plains , where hasty death and pining sicknesse raigns , prove all a desart , and none there make stay , but savage beasts , or men as ill as they . there the faire light which all our island grac'd , like hero's taper in the windows plac'd ; such fate from the malignant ayre did find , as that exposed to the boystrous wind . ah cruell heaven to snatch so soon away her , for whose life had we had time to pray , with thousand vows and tears we should have sought , that sad decrees suspension to have wrought . but we ( alas ) no whisper of her pain , heard till t was sin to wish her here again . that horrid word at once like lightning spread , strook all our eares , the lady rich is dead . heart rending news , and dreadfull to those few who her resemble , and her steps pursue . that death should licence have to rage among the faire , the wise , the vertuous , and the young . the paphian queen from that fierce battell born , with goared hand and vail so rudely torne : like terror did among th'immortals breed , taught by her wound that god●sses might bleed : all stand amazed , but 〈◊〉 the rest th'heroique d●me whose happie wombe she blest , mov'd with just grief expostulates with heaven , urging that promise to th'obsequious given , of longer life , for nere was pious soul more apt t' obey , more worthy to controul . a skilfull eye at once , might read the race of caledonian monarchs in her face ; and sweet humility her look and mind , at once were lofty , and at once were kind . there dwelt the scorn of vice , and pity too , for those that did what she disdain'd to doe : so gentle and severe , that what was bad at once her hatred and her pardon had . gracious to all , but where her love was due , so fast , so faithfull , loyall and so true , that a bold hand as soon might hope to force the rowling lights of heaven , as change her course . some happie angel that beholds her there , instruct us to record what she was here : and when this cloud of so●row's over-blown , through the wide world wee le make her graces known . so fresh the wound is , and the grief so vast , that all our art and power of speech is waste . here passion swayes ; but there the muse shall raise eternall monuments of louder praise . there our delight complying with her fame , shall have occasion to recite thy name , faire sacharissa , and now onely faire , to sacred friendship wee le an altar reare such as the romanes did erect of old , where on a marble pillar shall be told the lovely passion each to other bare , with the resemblance of that matchlesse paire , narciss●s to the thing for which he pin'd , was not more like then yours to her fair mind : save that you grac'd the severall part of life , a spotlesse virgin , and a faultlesse wife . such was the sweet converse twixt her and you , as that she holds with her associates now . how false is hope , and how regardlesse fate , that such a love should have so short a date ? lately i saw her sighing part from thee ( alas that that the last farewell should bel ) so look't astr●● , her remove design'd on those distressed friends she left behind : consent in vertue knit your heart so fast , that still the knot in spight of death does last : for as your tears and sorrow-wounded soule prove well that on your part this bond is whole : so all we know of what they doe above is that they happy are , and that they love ; let darke oblivion and the hollow grave content themselves our frailer thoughts to have : well chosen love is never taught to dye , but with our nobler part invades the skie : then grieve no more , that one so heavenly shap'd the crooked hand of trembling age escap'd ; rather since we behold her not decay , but that she vanish'd so entire away : her wondrous beauty and her goodnesse merit , we should suppose that some propitious spirit , in that coelestiall forme frequented here , and is not dead , but ceases to appeare ▪ to the queen mother upon her landing . great queen of europe where thy off spring wears all the chief crowns , whose princes are thy heirs as welcome thou to sea girt brittains shore ▪ as ●rst latona ( who faire cinthia bore ) to delos was . here shines a nymph as bright , by thee disclos'd , with like increase of light . why was her joy in belgia confin'd ? or why did you so much regard the wind ? scarce could the ocean ( though inrag'd ) have tost thy soveraign bark ; but where th' obsequious coast pay tribute to thy bed : romes conquering hand more vanquish'd nations under her command , never reduc'd : glad berecinthia , so among her deathlesse progenie did goe , a wreath of towers adorn'd her reverend head , mother of all that on ambro●ia ●ed : thy godly race must sway the age to come , as shee olympus , peopled with her womb , would those commanders of mankind obey their honoured parent , all pretences lay down at your royall feet , compose the jarres , and on the growing turk discharge these warres : the christian knights that sacred tomb should wrest , from pagan hands , and triumph o're the east . the englands princes , and gallias dolphin might like young rinaldo , and tancredo fight in single combate ; by their swords again the proud argant●s , and fierce soldans slain . again , might wee their deeds recite , and with your thuscan exalt the sight ▪ song . peace babling muse , i dare not sing what you indite : her eyes refuse to read the passion which they write . she strikes my lute , but if it sound , threatens to hurle it on the ground . and i no lesse her anger dread , then the poore wretch that fains him dead . while some fierce lion does embrace his breathlesse corps , and lick his face . wrap't up in silent fears he lies , torn all in peices if he cries . of love . anger in hasty words or blows , it self discharges on our foes . and sorrow too , finds some relief , in tears which wait upon our grief . so every passion but fond love unto its own redresse does move . but that alone the wretch inclines to what prevents his own designes : makes him lament , and sigh , and weep , disordred , tremble , fawn and creep , postures which render him despis'd , where he endeavours to be priz'd ▪ for women borne to be controul'd stoop to the forwards and the bold , affect the haughty and the proud , the gay and frollick , and the loud ; who first the gen'rous steed opprest ▪ not kneeling did salute the beast ; but with high courage life and force approaching , tam'd th'unruly horse : unwisely we , the wiser east pity supposing them opprest with tyrants force whose law is will , by which they governe , spoyle and kill each nymph , but moderately faire , command with no lesse rigour here . should some brave turke that walks among his twenty lasses bright and young , and beckens to the willing dame preferr'd to quench his present flame : behold as many gallants here . with modest guise , and silent feare , all to our female idoll bend , whilest her high pride does scarce descend ; to marke their follyes he would sweare that these her guard of eunuchs were ; and that a more majestique queen , or humbler slaves he had not seen . all this with indignation spoke , in vaine i strugled with the yoke of mighty love , that conquering looke , when next beh●ld like lightning stroke my blasted soule , and made me bow lower then those i pitied now . so the tall stag upon the brink of some smooth stream about to drink● : surveying there his armed head , with shame remembers that he fled . the scorned dogs resolves to try the combates next , but if their cry invades again his trembling eare , he straight resumes his wonted fear . leaves the untasted spring behind , and wing'd with fear out-flyes the wind . to the mutable faire . here coelia for thy sake i part with all that grew so neer my heart : the passion that i had for thee , the faith , the love , the constancle ▪ and that i may successefull prove , transform my self to what you love . fool that i was so much to prize those simple vertues you despise . fool that with such dull arrows strove , or hop'd to reach a flying dove . for you that are in motion still , decline our force , and mock our skill . who like don quix●t do advance against a wind-mill our vain launce . now will i wander through the aire , mount make a stoop at every faire , and with a fancy unconfin'd ( as lawlesse as the sea or wind ) pursue you whereso●re you flie , and with your various thoughts comply . the formall stars do travell so , as we their names and courses know , and he that on their changes looks , would think they govern'd by our books . but never were the clouds reduc'd to any art , the motion us'de : by these free vapours are so light , so frequent , that the conquer'd sight despair to find he rules that guide those gilded shadows as they slide . and therefore of the spatious aire ioves royall consort had the care : and by that power did once escape , declining bold ●xions rape . she with her own resemblance grac'd , a shining cloud which he embrac'd . such was that image so it smil'd , with seeming kindnesse which begui●'d your thirsis lately when he thought he had his fleeting coelia caught . t was shap'd like her , but for the faire he fil●'d his armes with yeelding aire . a fate for which he grieves the lesse , because the gods had like successe . for in their story one ( we see ) pursues a 〈◊〉 , and takes a tree . a second with a lovers haste soon overtakes whom he had chac't . but she that did a virgin seem 〈◊〉 , appears a wand●ing stream . 〈◊〉 his suppo●ed love a third 〈◊〉 greedy hold upon a bird : 〈◊〉 stands amaz'd to find his deare , a wilde inhabitant of th'ayre . to these old tales such nymphs as you give credit , and still make them new . the am'rous now like wonders find in the swift changes of your mind . but coeli● if you apprehend the muse of your incensed friend : nor would that he record your blame , and make it live repeat the same . again deceive him and again , and then he sweares hee 'l not complain . for still to be deluded so , is all the pleasures lovers know . who , like good faulkners take delight , not in the quarrey , but the flight . of salley . of iason , these●s and such worthies old , light seeme the tales antiquity has told : such beasts and monsters as their force opprest some places onely , and sometimes infest . salley that scorn'd all power and laws of men , goods with their owners hurrying to their den . and future ages threatning with a crude and savage race successively renew'd . their king despising with rebellious pride , and foes profest to all the world beside , this pest of mankind gives our hero fame , and through th'obliged world dilates his name . the prophet once to cruell agag said , as thy fierce sword has mothers childlesse made : so shall the sword make thine : and with that word he hew'd the man in peices with his sword . just charles like measure has return'd to these , whose pagan hands had stain'd the troubled seas ; with ships they made the spoiled merchant mourn , with ships their city and themselves are torn . o●e squadron of our winged castles sent ore-threw their fort , and all their navy rent . for not content the dangers to encrease , and act the part of tempest in the seas , like hungry woolves these pirates from our shore , whole flocks of sheep and ravish'd cattell bore . safely they did on other na●ions prey , fools ●o provoke the soveraigne of the sea . mad cacus●o whom like ill fate perswades the heard of faire alcmena's seed invades . who fo● reve●ge , and mortals glad relief , sack'd the dark cave , and crush'd that horrid theif . moroccos monarch wondring at this fact , save that his presence his aff●irs exact , had come in person to have seen and known the injur'd worlds revenger , and his own . hither he sends the chief among his peers , who in his bark well chosen presents bears to the renown'd for piety and force , poore captives manumiz'd and matchlesse horse . to mrs. braughton . faire fellow servant may your gentle ●are prove more propitious to my ●leighted care : then the bright dames we serve , for her relief , ( vext with the long expressions of my grief ) receive these plaints , nor will her high disdain forbid my humble muse to court her train . so in those nations which the sun adore , some modest persian , or some weak ey'd more , no higher dares advance his dazled sight then to some gilded cloud , which neer the light of their ascending god adorns the east , and graced with his beams out-shines the rest . thy skilfull hand contributes to our woe , and whets those arrows which confounds us so : a thousand cupids in those curls do 〈◊〉 , those curious nets those slender fingers knit . the graces put not more exactly on th'attire of venus , when the ●all she won , then sacharissa by thy c●re is drest , when all our youth prefers her to the rest . you the soft seasons know when best her mind may be to pity or to love enclin'd , in some well chosen houre supply his fear , whose hopelesse love drust never tempt the ●are of that stern godd●fse you ( her priest ) decl●re what offerings ma● propitiate the faire rich orient pearl , bright stones that neer decay , or pollisht lines which longer last then they . for if i thought she took delight in those , to where the cheerfull morne does first disclose , ( the shadie night removing of her beams ) wing'd with bold love , i de slie to fetch such gems . but since her eyes , her teeth her lip excels all that is found in mines , or fishes shels : her nobler part as far exceeding these , none but immortall gifts her mind can please . those shining iewels greece and troy bestow'd , the snowy wrists and lovely neck did load , of sparta's queen . but when the town was burn'd , those fading glories were to ashes turn'd : her beauty too had perish'd , and her fame , had not the muse redeem'd them from the flame . puerperium . you gods that have the power , to trouble , and compose all that 's beneath your bower , calme silence on the seas , on earth impose . faire v●nus in thy soft armes , the god of rage confine , for thy whispers are the charmes which onely can divert his fierce design . what though hee frown , and to tumult do incline , thou the flame , kindled in his breast can'st tame , with that snow which unmelted lies on thine ? great goddesse give this thy sacred ●sland rest , make heaven smile , that no storm disturb us , while thy chief care our halcyon builds her nest . great gloriana : faire gloriana , bright as high heaven is , and fertile as earth , whose beauty relieves us , whose royall bed gives us both glory and peace . our present joy and our hopes increase . to phillis . phillis , why should wee delay pleasures shorter then the day ? could wee ( which wee never can ) stretch our lives beyond their span ? beauty like a shaddow flies , and our youth before us dies , or would youth and beauty stay , love hath wings and will away . love hath swifter wings then time , change in love to heaven does clime . gods that never change their state , varyed oft their love and hate . phillis , to this truth wee owe , all the love betwixt us two : let not you and i inquire , what has been our past desire , on what shepherds you have smil'd , or what nymphs i have beguil'd . leave it to the planets too , what wee shall hereafter doe : for the joyes wee now may prove , take advice of present love . to phillis : phillis , t was love that injur'd you , and on that rock your thirsis threw , who for proud coelia could have dy'd , whilst you no lesse accus'd his pride . fond love his darts at random throws , and nothing springs from what hee sowes , from foes discharg'd as often meet , the shining points of arrows fleet , in the wide aire creating fire , as soules that joyn in one desire . love made the lovely venus burn in vain , and for the cold youth mourn ; who the pursuite of churlish beasts , preferr'd to sleeping on her breasts . love makes so many hearts the prize , of the bright calisles conquering eyes , which shee regards no more then they , the teares of lesser beauties weigh . so have i seen the lost clouds powre , into the sea a uselesse shower , and the vext saylers curse the rain , for which poore shepherds pray'd in vain . then phillis , since our passions are govern'd by chance , and not the care but sport of heaven , which takes delight to look upon this parthian flight of love , still flying or in chase , never incountring face to face ▪ no more to love wee le sacrific● , but to the best of deities . and let our hearts which love disjoyn'd , by his kind mother bee combin'd . song . vvhile i listen to thy voyce , chloris , i feel my life decay , that powerfull noyse calls my flitting soule away . oh suppresse that magick sound , vvhich destroyes without a wound ! peace chloris peace , or singing die , that together you and i , to heaven may goe , for all wee know : of what the blessed doe above is that they sing , and that they love . song . stay phoebus , stay , the world to which you flye so fast : conveying day , from us to them can pay your hast , vvith no such object , nor salute your ris● vvith no such wonder , as de mornay's eyes . well doe this prove , the errour of those antique bookes , which made you move , about the world her charming lookes would fix your beams , and make it ever day , did not the rowling earth snatch her away . to amoret . amoret , thy milky way , fram'd of many namelesse starres , the smooth stream where none can say , hee this drop to that preferres . amoret , my lovely foe , tell mee where thy strength does lie , where the power that charmes us so , in thy soule , or in thy eye ? by that snowy neck alone , or thy grace in motion seen , no such wonders could bee done ▪ yet thy waste is streight and clean ▪ as cupids sheft , or hermes rod , and powerfull too as either god , to my lord of falkland . brave holland load , and with him falkland goes , who hears this told and does not streight suppose wee send the graces and the muses forth , to civilize , and to instruct the north ? not that these ornaments make swords lesse sharp , apollo weares as well his bow as harp ▪ and though hee bee the patron of that spring , where in calm peace , the sacred virgins sing . hee courage had to guard th' invaded throne of love , and cast th' ambitious giants down . ah ( noble friend ) with what impatience all that know thy worth , and know how prodigall of thy great soule thou art , longing to twist bayes with that ivy , which so early kist thy youthfull temples ? with what horror wee think on the blind events of warre and thee ? to fate exposing that all-knowing brest , among the throng as cheaply as the rest : where oakes and brambles ( if the copse bee burn'd ) confounded lye to the same ashes turn'd . some happy wind over the ocean blow this tempest yet , which hights our island so . guarded with ships , and all the sea our own , from heaven this mischief on our heads is thrown . in a late dream the genius of this land , amaz'd , i saw , like a faire hebrew stand , when first shee felt the twins begin to jarre , and found her womb the seat of civill warre : inclin'd to whose relief , and with presage of better fortune for the present age , heaven send's , quoth i , this di●cord for our good , to warme , perhaps , but not to waste our blood , to raise our drooping spirits , grown the scorn of our proud neighbours , who ere long shall mourn , ( though now they joy in our expected harmes ) wee had occasion to resume our armes . a lyon so with self-provoking smart , his rebell taile scourging his nobler part , calls up his courage , then begins to roare , and charge his foes , who thought him madde before . of a lady who writ in praise of mira. while shee pretends to make the graces known , of matchlesse mira , shee reveales her own , and when shee would anothers praise indite , is by her glasse instructed how to write . to one marryed to an old man . since thou wouldst needs , bewitcht with some ill charms , bee buryed in those monumentall armes : all wee can wish , is , may that earth lye light upon the tender limbs , and so good night . for drinking of healths . ● et bruites , and vegetalls , that cannot think , so farre as drought and nature urges drink : a more indulgent mistres●e guides our sprights , reason , that dares beyond our appetites , shee would our ●are as well as thirst redresse , and with divinity rewards excesse . deserted ar●adn● thus supply'd , did 〈◊〉 theseus cruelty deride , bacchus 〈◊〉 from her exalted thought , b●●●sh'd the man , her passion , and his faut● bacchus and p●oebus are by iove ally'd , and each by others timely heat supply'd : all that the grapes owe to his lightning fires , is paid in numbers which their juyce inspires . wine fills the veins , and healths are understood , to give our friends a title to our blood : who naming mee , doth warme his courage so , shews for my sake what his bold hand would do . to flavia , song : t is not your beauty can ingage my wary heart : the sun in all his pride and rage , has not that art : and yet hee shines as bright as you , if brightnesse could our soules subdue . t is not the pretty things you say , nor those you write , vvhich can make thirsis heart your prey , for that delight : the graces of a well-taught minde , in some of our own wee finde . no flavia , t is your love , i feare loves surest darts , those which so seldome faile him are headed with hearts . their very shaddowes make us yeeld , dissemble well , and win the field . on my lady isabella playing on the lute . such moving sounds , from such a carelesse touch , so unconcern'd her self , and wee so much : vvhat art is this , that with so little paines , transports us thus , and o're the spirit reignes ? the trembling strings above her fingers proud , and tell their joy for every kisse aloud : small force there needs to make thee tremble so , touch't by that hand ; who would not tremble tro ? heer love takes stand , and while shee charms the eare empties his quiver on the listning deere : musick so softens and disarmes the mind , that not an arrow does resistance find . thus the faire tyrant celebrates the prize , and acts her self the triumph of her eyes , so nero once with harpe in hand , survay'd his flaming rome , and as it burnt he play'd . the fall . see how the will-earth gives way to take th'impression where she lay : see how the mould as loath to leave so sweet a burden , still doth cleave close to the nymphs stain'd garment ? here the comming spring would first appear , and all this place with roses strow , if busie feet would let them grow . here venns smil'd to see blinde chance it selfe , before her son advance , and a fair image to present of what the boy so long had meant : ● was such a chance as this made all the world into this order fall : thus the first lovers , on the clay of which they were composed lay ; so in their prime with equall grace met the first patternes of our race : then blush not ( faire ) or on him frowne , or wonder how you both came downe ; but touch him , and hee l tremble strait , how could he then support your weight ? how could the youth alas , but bend when his whole heaven upon him lean'd ? if ought by him amisse were done , ● was that he let you rise so soon . of silvia . our sighs are heard , just heav'n declares the sense it has of lovers cares ; she that so far the rest outshin'd , silvia the faire whiles she was kinde ; as if her frowns impair'd her brow , seems only not unhandsome now : so when the skie makes us endure a storme , it selfe becomes obscure . hence 't is that i conceale my flame , hiding from flavias selfe her name ; lest she provoking heaven should prove how it rewards neglected love ; better a thousand such as i their griefe untold should pine and dye : then her bright morning overcast with sullen clouds should be defac't . the budd . lately on yonder swelling bus●● , big with many a comming rose , this early bud began to blush , and did but halfe it self disclose ; and pluck't it , though no better g●owh● ; yet now you see how full t is blow●● ; still as i did the leaves inspire , with such a purple light they shon as if they had bin made of fire , and ●preading so would flame anon : all that was meant by ayre or sun to the young flower my breath has done . if our loose breath so much can doe , what may the same informe's of love , of purest love and musick too when flavia it aspires to move : when that which lifele●se buds per●wades to wax more ●oft her youth invades . to a lady singing a song of his composing . chloris your selfe you so excell when you vouchsafe to breath my thought , that like a spirit with this spell of my owne teaching i am taught . that eagles fate and mine are one which on that shaft that made him dye , espy'd a feather of his owne wherewith he meant to soare so high . had eccho with so sweet a grace , narcissns loud complaints return'd , not for reflexion of his face : but of his voyce the boy had mourn'd . at the mariage of the dwar●fes . the signe or chance makes others wive , but nature did this match contrive ; eve might as well have adam fled as she deny'd her little bed to him for whom heaven seem'd to frame , and measure out this only dame . thrice happy is that humble paire beneath the levell of all care ; over whose heads those arrows ●lye of sad distrust and jealousie : secur'd in as high extream , as if the world held none but them . to him the fairest nimphs doe shew like moving mountains top't with snow : and every man a polipheme does to his galatea seem : none may presume her faith to prove , he pro●fers death that proffers love . ah ( cloris ) that kind nature thus from all the world had sever'd us ; creating for our selves us two , as love has me for only you . vpon ben. iohnson . mirror of poets , mirror of our age ! which her whole face beholding on thy stage ; pleas'd and displeas'd with her owne faults , indures a remedy like those whom musique cures : thou hast alone those various inclinations which nature gives to ages , sexes , nations : hast tracked with thy all-re●embling pen what ever custome has impos'd on men : or ill got habit which deserts them so , that scarce one brother can the brother know , is representing to the wondring eyes of all that see or read thy comedies : who ever in those glasses looke , may finde the spots return'd or graces of the minde : and by the helpe of so divine an art at leisure view and dresse his nobler part . narcissus couzened by that ●latt'ring well , and nothing could but of his beauty tell , had here discovering that the deform'd stat● of his fond mind preserv'd himsel●e with hate ; but vertue too as well as vice , is clad in flesh and bloud so well , that plato had beheld what his high fancie once embrac't , vertue with ●olours , speech , and motion grac't : the sundry postures of thy copious muse , who would expre●se a thousand tongues must use ; whose fate 's no lesse peculiar then thy art , for as thou couldst all characters impart : 〈◊〉 none could render thine who still escapes ●ike prot●us in variety of shapes : who was , nor this , nor that , but all wee finde , and all wee can imagine in mankinde . to mr. george sands , on his translation of some parts of the bible . how bold a work attempts that pen , which would inrich our vulgar tongue , with the high raptures of those men , who here with the same spirit sung : wherewith they now assist the quire of angels , who their songs admire ? what-ever those inspired soules were u●ged to expresse did shake , the aged deep and both the poles their num'rous thunder could awake dull earth , which does with heaven consent , to all they wrote , and all they meant . say ( sacred bard ) what could bestow courage on thee , to ●oare so high ? tell me● ( brave friend ) what help'd thee so to shake off all mortality ? to light this torch thou hast climb'd higher , then he● who stole coelestiall fire . chloris and hilas . chl. hilas Ô hilas why sit we mute , now that each bird saluteth the spring : winde up the slackned strings of thy jute , never canst thou want matter to sing ? for love thy breast does fill with such a fire , that what●oe're is faire , moves thy desire , hil. swe●test you know , the sweetest of things , of various flowers the bee's doe compose , yet no particular taste it brings of violet , woodbind , pink , or rose : so love the resultance is of all our graces which ●low from a thousand severall faces . chl. hilas , the birds which chant in this grove , could we but know their language they use , they would instruct us better in love , and reprehend thy inconstant muse : for love their breasts does fill with such a fire , that what they once doe choose , bound their desire , hil. chloris this change the birds doe approve , which the warme season hither does bring ; times from your selfe does further remove you , then the winter from the gay spring : she that like lightning shin'd while her face lasted , the oak now resembl●s which lightning have blasted . vnder a ladies picture . such hellen was , and who can blame the boy , that in so bright a flame consum'd his troy ? but had like vertue shin'd in that fair gre●k , the am'rous shepheard had not dar'd to seek ▪ or hope for pity , but with silent moan , and better fate had perished all alone . in answer of sir iohn sucklings verses . con. stay here fond youth , and aske no more , be wise , knowing too much , long since lost paradise . pro. and by your knowledge we should be bere●t of all that paradise which yet is left . con. the vertuous joyes thou hast thou would●t should still last in their pride , and wouldst not take it ill : if rudely from sweet dreams , and for a toy thou awak't the wakes himselfe that does enjoy . pro. how can the joy or hope which you allow be stiled vertuous , and the end not so ? talk in your sleep and shadows still admire , 't is true , he wakes that feels this reall fire , but to sleep better ; for who ere drinks deep of this nepenthe , rocks himselfe asleep . con. fruition adds no new wealth , but destroyes , and while it pleaseth much yet still it cloyes : who thinks he shall be happier made for that , as reasonably might hope he might grow fat by eating to a surfet , this once past , what relishes ? even kisses lose their taste . pro. blessings may be repeated , while they cloy , but shall we starve , cause surfeiting destroy ? and if fruition did the taste impaire of kisses : why should yonder happy paire where joyes , just himen , warrants all the night consume the day too in this le●●e delight . con. urge not tis necessary ; alas we know the homeliest thing that mankinde does is so . the world is of a large extent we see , and must be peopled , children there must be , so must bread too , but s●●ce there are enough borne to that drudgery , what need we plough ? pro. i need not plough since what the stooping hinde gets of my pregnant land , must all be mine : but in this nobler tillage t is not so , for when anchises did fair venus know what intrest had poore vulcan in the boy , great bold aeneas , or the present joy . con. women enjoy'd what 〈◊〉 tofore they have been , are like romances read , or scenes once seen : fruition dulls , or spoyles the play much more then if one read , or knew the plot before . pro. playes and romances read , and seen , do fall in our opinions , yet not seen at all : whom would they please ? to an heroick tale , would you not listen , least it should grow stale ? con. t is expectation makes a blessing dea●e , heaven were not heaven , if wee knew what it were . pro. if 't were not heaven , if wee knew what it were , t would not bee heaven to those that now are there . con. as in prospects wee are there pleased most , where something keepes the eye from being lost , and leaves roome to gue●●e ; so here restraint , holds up delight , that with exce●se would faint . pro. restraint preserves the pleasure wee have got , but hee n●ere has it , that injoyes it not . in goodly prospects who contracts the space , o●●akes not all the bounty of the place ? wee wish remov'd what ●tandeth in our light , and nature blam'd for limitting our sight , where you stand wisely winking at the view of the 〈◊〉 prospect , may bee alwaies new . con. 〈◊〉 who know all the wealth they have , are poore : 〈◊〉 onely rich that cannot tell his store . pro. not hee that knows the wealth hee has is poore , but hee that dares not touch nor use his store . to a. h : of the different successe of their loves . thrice happy paire of whom wee cannot know , which first began to love , or loves most now : fair course of passion where two lovers start , and run together , heart still yoak't in heart : successefull youth , whom love has taught the way , to bee victorious in thy first essay . sure lov 's an art best practized at first , and where th' experienc'd still prosper worst . i with a different fate pursu'd in vain the haughty coelia , till my just disdain of her neglect , above that passion born ; did pride to pride oppose , and scorn to scorn . now s●ee relents , but all too late to move a heart diverted to a nobler love : the scales are turn'd , her kingdom weighs no more , now , then my vows and service did before : so in some well wrought hangings , you may see how hector leads , and how the grecians fly , here the fierce mars his courage so inspires , that with bold hands the argive fleet hee ●ires , but there from heaven the blew ey'd virgin falls , and frighted troy retires within her walls . they that are formost in that bloody place , turn head anon and gives the conquerours chace : so like the chances are of love and warre , that they alone in this distinguish'd are : in love the victors from the vanquish'd fly , they flye that wound , and they pursue that dye ▪ an apologie for having loved before . they that never had the use of the grapes surprizing juyce ; to the first delicious cup , all their reason render up : neither doe nor care to know , whether it bee the best or no . so they that are to love inclin'd ; sway'd by chance , not choyce , or art : to the first that 's fair or kind , make a present of their heart : t is not shee that first wee love , but whom dying wee approve . to man that was i th' evening made , starres gave the first delight : admiring in the glooming shade , those little drops of light . then at a●rora , whose faire hand remov'd him from the skies : hee gazing towards the east did stand , shee entertain'd his eyes . but when the bright sun did appear , all those hee gan dispise , his wonder was determin'd there , hee could no higher rise . hee neither might , nor wisht to know a more re●ulgent light : for that as mine , your beauties now , imploy his utmost sight . palamede to zelinde , ariana , lib. . fairest peice of well form'd earth , urge not thus your haughty birth : the power which you have o're us , lies not in your race , but in your eyes . none but a prince , alas , that voy●● confines you to a narrow choyce ! should you no honey vow to taste , but what the master bees have plac't in compasse of their cells , how small a portion to your share would fall ? nor all appeare among those few , worthy the stock from whence they grew : the sap which at the root is bred , in trees , through all the boughes is spred , but vertues which in parents shine , make not like progre●se through the line . t is not from whom , but where wee live ; the place does oft those graces give . great iulius on the mountains bred , a flock perhaps , or herd had led . hee that the world subdu'd , had been but the best wrastler on the green . t is art and knowledge , which draw forth the hidden seeds of native worth : they blow those sparks , and make them rise into such ●lames , as touch the skies ▪ to the old hero's hence was given , a pedigree which reach'd to heaven , of mortall seed they were not held , which other mortals so excell'd , and beauty too in such excesse as yours , zelind● , claimes no lesse . smile but on mee , and you shall scorn , henceforth to bee of princes born . i can describe the shady grove where your lov'd mother slept with iove , and yet excuse the faultlesse dame , caught with her spouses , shape , and name : thy matchle●se f●rm will credit bring , to all the wonders i shall sing . finis . mr. vvallers speech in parliament . . against the prelates innovations , false doctrin , and discipline ; reproving the perswasion of some clergie-men to his majesty of inconveniencies : who themselves , instead of tilling the ground , are become sowers of tares . vvith a motion for the fundamentall , and vitall liberties of this nation , which it was wont to have . mr. speaker , wee shall make it appear● , the err●urs of divines who would that a monarch , can bee absolute , and that hee can do all things ad libitum , receding not onely from their text , ( though that bee wandring too ) but from the way their own profession might teach them . stare super vias antiquas , and remove not the ancient bounds and land●marks , which our fathers have set . if to bee absolute , were to bee restrained by no lawes : then can no king in christendom bee so , for they all stand obleidged to the lawes christian , and wee ask no more , for to this pillar , bee our priviledges fixt . our kings at their coronation , having taken a sacred oath , not to in●ringe them , i am sorry these men take no more care , for the informing of our faith of these things , which they tell us for our soules health ; whilest wee know them so manife●tly in the wrong way , in that which concernes the liberties and priviledges of the subjects of england . they gain preferment , and then it is no matter , though they neither beleeve themselves , nor are beleeved by others , but since they are so ready , to let loose the conscience of our kings , wee are the more carefully to proceed , for our protection against this pulpit-law , by declaring , and rein●orcing municipall laws of this kingdom . it is worthy the observation , how new this opinion , or rather this way of rising , is ●ven amongst themselves . for , ( mr. speaker ) mr. hooker , who was no refractory man , ( as they term it ) thinks that the first government was arbitrary , untill it w●● found , that to live by one mans will , becomes all mens misery ; these are his words , and that these were the originall of inventing laws . and ( mr. speaker , ) if wee look farther back , our hi●tories will tell us , that the prelates of this kingdom , have often been the mediators , between the king and his subjects , to present and pray redresse of their grievances , and had reciprocally then , as much love and reverence from the people . but these preachers , more active then their predece●sors , and wiser than the laws , have found out a better form of government . the king must be a more absolute monarch , then any of his predecessors , and to them be must owe it , though in the mean time , they hazard the hearts of his people , and involve hi● into a thousand dif●iculties . for suppose , this form of gover●ment were inconvenient ; ( mr. speaker ) this is but a supp●sition ; for this five ●undred years , it ●ath not only maint●ined us in safety , but made us victorious over other nati●ns : but suppose , this form of government were inconvenient ; and they have another idea of one more convenient ; we all know , how dangerous innovations are , though to the better ; and what hazard those princes run , that enterprize the change of a long establis●ed government . now ( mr. speaker ) of all our kings that have gone before , and of all that are to succeed in this happy race , why should so pious , and so good a king , be exposed to this trouble and hazard ? besides , that king so diverted , can never do● any great matters abroad . but ( mr. speaker ) whil●●● these men have thus bent their wits against the law of their co●ntry ; have they not neglected their owne profession ? what tares are growne up in the field , which they should have tilled ? i leave it to ● second consideration , not but religion be the first thing in our purposes and desires : but that which is first in dignity , is not alwayes to preceed in order of time , for well-being , supposes a being ; and the first impedi●ent which men n●t●●ally , endeavour to remove , is the want of those things , with●ut which they cannot subsist . god first a●signed unto adam , ●●intenance of l●fe , and added to him a title to the re●t of the creat●res , befor● he appointed law to observe . and let me tell you ▪ that i● our adversaries have any ●uch define , as there is nothing more easie . then to impose re●igion on a people ●eprived of their liberties , so there is no●hing more hard , then to doe the same upon free-men . and therefore ( mr. speaker ) i conclude with this motion , that there may be an order presently made , that the first thing this house goes about , shall be the restoring of this nation in generall , to the fundamentall and vitall liberties ▪ the prosperity of our goods , and freedome of our persons ; and then we will forth-with , consider of the supply de●●red . and thus shall we discharge the tru●● reposed in us , by those that sent us hither : and his majesty ●hall see , that wee will make more then ordinary ●aste to satisfie his demands ; and wee shall let all those know that seek to ha●●en the matter of supply , that they will so far delay it , as they give no interruption to the former . mr. wallers speech in parliament , at a conference of both houses in the painted chamber iuly . . my lords , i am commanded by the house of commons , to present you with these articles against mr. justice crawley , which when your lordships shall have been pleased to heare read , i shall take leave ( according to custom ) to say somshing of what i have collected from the sense of that house concerning the crimes therein conteined . here the charge was read conteining his extrajudiciall opinions subscribed , and judgement given for ship-money , and afterward a declaration in his charge at an assize , that ship-money was so inherent a right in the crown , that it would not be in the power of a parliament to take it away . my lords , not only my wants but my affections render me lesse fit for this imployment : for though it has not been my happinesse to have the law a part of my breeding , there is no man honours that profession more , or has a greater reverence towards the grave judges the oracles thereof . out of parlament all our courts of justice are governed or directed by them , and when a parlament is call'd , if your lordships were not assisted by them , and the house of commons by other gentlemen of that robe , experience t●lls us it might run a hazard of being stiled parlamentum indo●torum . but as all professions are obnoxious to the malice of the professours , and by them most easily betrayed , so ( my lords ) these articles have told you how these brothers of the coyf are become fratres in malo ; how these sons of the law have torne out the bowels of their mother : but this judge ( whose charge you last heard ) in one expression of his excels no lesse his fellows , then they have done the worst of their predecessours , in this conspiracy against the common-wealth . of the iudgement for ship-money , and those extrajudiciall opinions preceding the same ( wherein they are jointly concern'd ) you have already heard , how unjust and pernicious a p●●ceeding that was in so publique a cause , has been su●ficiently express'd to your lordships : but this man , adding despaire to our mi●ery , ●ells us from the bench , that ship-money was a right so inherent in the crown , that it would not be in the power of an act of parliament to take it away . herein ( my lords ) hee did not onely give as deepe a wound to the commonweal●h as any of the rest , but dipt his dart in su●h a poyson , that so farre as in him lay , it might never receive a cure . as by those abortive opinions subscribing to the subve●sion of our propriety , before he heard what could bee said for it , he prevented his own , so by this declaration of his , hee indeavours to prevent the judgement of your lordships too , and to confine the power of a parliament , the onely place where this 〈◊〉 might be redrest : sure he is more wise and learned , then to beleeve himself in this opinion , or not to know how ridiculous it would appeare to a parliament , and how dangerous to himselfe , and therefore no doubt but by saying no parliament could abolish this judgement , his meaning was that this judgement had abolish'd parliaments . this imposition of ship-money springing from a pretended necessity , was it not enough that it was now grown annuall , but hee must in●ayle it upon the state for ever , at once making necessity inherent to the crown , & slavery to the subject ? necessity , which dissolving all law is so much more prejudiciall to his majesty then to any of us , by how much the law has invested his royall state with a greater power , and ampler fortune , for so undoubted a truth it has ever bin , that kings as well as subjects are involv'd in the confusion which necessity produces , that 〈◊〉 heathen thought their gods also obliged by the same , pareamus necessitati qaam nec homines nec dii superant : this judge then having in his charge at the assize declar'd the dissolution of the law , by this suppos'd necessity , with what conscience could hee at the same assize proceed to condemne and punish men , unlesse perhaps he m●ant the law was still in force for our destruction , and not for our preservation , that it should have power to kill , but none to protect us ; a thing no lesse horrid then if the sun should burn without lighting us , or the ●arth serve only to bury and not to feed and nourish us . but ( my lords ) to demonstrate that this was a supposititious impos'd necessi●y , and such as they could remov● when they pleas'd , at the last convention in parliament a price was set upon it , for twelve subsidies you shall reverse this sentence ; it may be said that so much money would have removed the present necessity , but here was a rate set upon future necessity , for twelve subsidies you shall never suffer necessity againe , you shall for ●ver abolish that judgement ; here this mystery is revealed , this visour of necessity is pull'd off , and now it appeares that this parliament of judges had very frankly and bountifully presented his majesty with twelve subsidies to be levyed on your lordships , & the commons : certainly there is no priviledge which more properly belongs to a parliament , then to open the purse of the subject , and yet these tudges , who are neither capable of sitting among us in the house of commons , nor with your lordships , otherwise then as your assistants , have not only assum'd to themselves this priviledge of parliament , but pr●sum'd at once to make a present to the crown of all that either your lordships or the commons of england do , or shal her a●t●r possess . and because this man has had the boldnes ●o put the power of parliament in ball●nce with the opinion of the iudges , i shall intreat your lordships to observe by way of comparison the solemne and safe proceeding of the one , with the precipitate dispatch of the other . in parlament ( as your lordships know well ) no new law can passe , or old be ab●ogated , till it has been thrice read with your lordships , thrice in the commons house , and then it receives the royall assent , so that 't is like gold seven times purified ; whereas these iudges by this o●e resolu●ion of thei●s would perswade his majesty , that by naming necessity he might at once dissolve ( at least s●spend ) the great charter times confirm'd by his royall progenitours , the petition of right , and all other lawes provided for the mainten●nce of the right and propriety of the subj●ct ; a strange force ( my lords ) in the sound of this word necessity , that like a charme it should silence the lawes , while we are dispoyl'd of all we have , for that but a part of our goods was taken is owing to the g●ac● and goodnesse of the king , for so much as conc●rnes these iudges , we have no more left then they perhaps may de●●rve to have , when your lordships shall ●ave passed iudgement upon them : this for the n●glect of their oaths , and betraying that publique tr●st , which for the conservation of our laws was reposed in them . now for the cruelty & unmercifulnes of this judgement , you may please to remember that in the old law they were forbid to seeth a kid in his mothers milk , of which the received interpretation is , that we should not use that to the destruction of any creature which was intended for its preservation : now ( my lords ) god and nature has given us t●● sea as our best guard against our enemies , and our ships as our greatest glory above other nations , and how barbarously would these men have let in the sea upon us , at once to wash away our liberties , and to overwh●lm , if not our land , all the propriety wee have therein , making the supply of our navy , a pretence for the ●uine of our nation ; for observe i beseech you the fruit and consequenc● of this judgement , how this money has prospered , how contrary an effect it has had ●o the end for which they pretended to take it : on every county a ship is annually impos'd , and w●o would not expect , but our seas by this time should bee covered with the number of our ships ? alas ( my lords ) the daily complaints of the decay of our navy tell us how ill ship-money has maintaind t●e soveraignty of the sea ; and by the many petitions which wee receive from the wives of those miserable captives at algier ( being between foure and five thousand of our country-men ) it does too ev●dently appeare that to make us slaves at home , is not the way to keep us from being made slaves abroad ; so farre has this judgement been from relieving the present , or preventing the fu●ure necessity , that as it changed our reall propriety into the shadow of a propriety , so of a feigned it has m●de a reall necessity . a little before the approach of the gaules to rome , while the romans h●d yet no apprehension of that danger , there was heard a voyce in the ayre , lowder then ordinary , the gaules are come , which voyce after they had sack'd the city , and besieged the capitoll , was held so ominous , that livie relat●s it as a prodigy ; this anticipation of necessity seems to have been no l●sse ominous to us ▪ these ●udges like ill boading birds have call'd necessity upon the state in a time when i dare say they thought themselves in greatest security ; but if it seem superstitious to take this as an omen , sure i am , we may look on it as a cause of the unfained necessity we now suffer , for what regret and discontent had this judgment bred among us ? and as when the noyse and tumult in a private house growes so loud as to be ●eard into the streets , it calls inthe next dwellers ●ither kindly to appease , or to make their own use of the domestick strife ; so in all likelihood our knowne discontents at home have been a concurrent cause to invite our neighbors to visit us so much to the expence and trouble of both these kingdomes . and here , my lords , i cannot but take notice of the most sad effect of this oppression , the ill influence it has had upon the ancient reputation and valour of the english nation : and no wonder , for if it be ●rue that oppression makes a wise man mad , it may well suspend the courage of the valiant : the same happened to the romans , when for renown in armes they most ●xcell'd the rest of the world ; the story is but short , `twas in the time of the decemviri ( & i think the chiefe troublers of our state may make up that number , ) the decemviri , my lords , had subverted the lawes , suspended the courts of iustice , & ( which was the greate●t grievance both to the nobility and people ) had for some years omi●ted to assemble the senate , which was their parliament : this , sayes the historian , did not only deject the romans , and make them despaire of their liberty , but ●ansed them to be iesse valued by their neighbors : the sabines take the advantage and invade them ; and now the ` decemviri are forc'd to cal the long-desired senate whereof the people were so glad , that hostibus belloque gratiam habuerunt : this assembly breaks up in discontent , neverthelesse the war proceeds ; forces are raised , led by some of the decemviri , & with the sabines they meet in the field : i know your lordships expect the event : my authors words of his country men ar● these , ne quid du●●●● aut auspicio decemvirorum prospere g●reretur , vinci se paticbantur , they chos● rather to suffer a present diminution of their honour , then by victory to confirm the tyranny of their new masters : at their r●turn from this unfortunate expedition , after some distempers & expostulations of the people , another senate , that is , a second parliament , is cal'd , and there the d●cemviri are questioned , deprived of their authority , imprisoned , banish'd , and some lose their lives : & soon after this vindication of their liberties , the romans by their better succ●sse made it appeare to the world , that liberty and courage dwell alwaies in the same brest , & are never to be divorced . no doubt , my lords , but your iustice shall have the like effect upon this dispirited people ; 't is not the restitution of our ancient laws alone , but the restauration of our ancient courage which is expected from your lordships : i need not say any thing to move your just indignation , that this man should so cheapely give away that which your noble ancestors with so much courage and industry had so long maintain'd : you have of●en bin told how carefull they were though with the hazard of their lives & fortunes , to derive thos● rights and liberties as entire to posterity as they received them from their fathers ; what they did with labour you may doe with ease , what they did with danger you may doe securely : the foundation of our lawes is not shaken with the engine of warre , they are onely blasted with the breath of these men , and by your breath they may be restored . what iudgements your predecessors have given , and what punishments their predecessors have suffered for offences of this nature , your lordships have already been so well informed , that i shall not trouble you with a repetition of those precedents : onely ( my lords ) something i shall take leave to observe of the person with whose charge i have presented you , that you may the lesse doubt of the wilfulnesse of his offence . his education in the innes of court , his constant practice as a councellour , and his experience as a iudge ( considered with the mischiefe hee has done ) makes it appeare that this progresse of his through the law , has been like that of a diligent spie through a country , into which hee meant to conduct an enemy . to let you see hee did not offend for company , there is one crime so peculiar to himselfe , and of such malignity , that it makes him at once uncapable of your lordships favour , and his own subsistence incompatible with the right and propriety of the subject : for if you leave him in a capacity of interpreting the laws , has hee not already declared his opinion , that your votes and resolutions against ship-money are voyd , and that it is not in the power of a parliament to abolish that judgement ? to him ▪ my lords , that has thus plaid with the power of parliament , wee may well apply what was once said to the goat browsing on the vine . rode , caper , vitem , tamen hinc cum stabis ad ar●● in tua quod fu●di cornus possit , erit : hee has cropt and infring'd the priviledges of a banish'd parliament , but now it is returned , hee may finde it has power enough to make a sacrifice of him , to the better establishment of our lawes ▪ and in truth what other satisfaction can ●e make his injur'd cou●try , then to confirm by his example those rights and liberties which hee had ●uin'd by his opinion ? for the proofes , my lords , they are so manifest , tha● they will give you little trouble in the disquisition ; his crimes are already upon record , the delinquent and the witnesse is the same ; having from severall seats of iudicature proclaim'd himselfe an enemy to our laws and nation , ex ore suo judi●abit●r . to which purpose i am commanded by the knights , citizens , and burgesses of the house of common● , to desire your lordships that as speedy a proceeding may bee had against mr. iustice crawley , as the course of parliaments will permit . mr. wallers speech in the hoves of commoms on tuesday the th of iuly , . being brought to the barre , and having leave given him by the speak●r , to say what hee could for himselfe , before they proceeded to expell him the house . mr. speaker , i acknowledge it a great mercy of god , and a great favour from you , that i am once more suffered to behold this honourable assembly . i m●ane not to make use of it to say any thing in my own defence by justification or denyall of what i have done , i have already confessed enough to make me● appeare , worthy not onely to bee put out of this house , but out of the world too . all my humble request to you is , that if i seeme to you as unworthy to live , as i doe to my selfe , i may have the honour to receive my death from your own hands , and not b●e exposed to a tryall by the counsell of warre : what ever you shall think mee worthy to suffer in a parliamentary way , is not like to finde stop anywhere else . this ( sir ) i hope you will bee pleased for your own sakes to grant mee , who am already so miserable , that nothing can bee added to my calamity , but to bee made the occasion of creating a president to your own disadvantage ; besides the right i may have to this , consider i beseech you , that the eyes of the world are upon you , you govern in chief , and if you should expose your own members to the punishment of others , it will bee thought that you either want power , or leisure to chasti●e them your selves : nor let any man despise the ill consequence of such a president as this would bee , because hee seeth not presently the inconveniences which may insue : you have many armies on foot , and it is uncertain● how long you may have occasion to use them . souldiers and commanders ( though i know well they of the parliaments army , excell no le●se in modesty , then they doe in courage ) are generally of a nature ready to pretend to the utmost power of this kind , which they conceive to bee due to them , and may bee too apt upon any occasion of discontent to make use of suc● a president as this . in this very parliament you have not been without some taste of the experience hereof , it is now somewhat more than two y●are● since you had an army in the north , paid and directed by your selves , and yet you may bee pleased to remember there was a considerable number of offi●ers in that army , which joyned in a petition or remonstrance to this house , taking notice of what some of the members had said here , as they supposed to their disadvantage , and did little lesse then require them of you ; 't is true , there had been some tampering with them , but what has happened at one time , may wisely be thought possible to fall out again at another . sir , i presume but to point you out the danger ; if it bee not just , i know you will not do mee the wrong to expose mee to this tryall ; if it bee just , your army may another time require the same justice of you , in their own behalfe , against some other member , whom perhaps you would be lesse willing to part with . necessity has of late forced you into untrodden paths ; and in such a case as this where you have no president of your own , you may not do amisse to look abroad upon other states and senates , which exercise the ●upream power , as you now do here . i dare confidently say you shall find none either antient of modern , which ever exposed any of their own order to bee tryed for his life by the officers of their armies abroad , for what hee did , while hee resided among them in the senate . among the romans the practice was so contrary , that some inferiour officers in their army farre from the city , having been sentenced by their generall , or commander in chief , as deserving death by their discipline of warre , have neverthelesse ( because they were senators ) appealed thither , and the cause has received a new hearing in the senate . not to use more wor●s to perswade you to take heed that you wound not your selves thorow my sides in violating the priviledges belonging to your own persons , i shall humbly desire you to consider likewise the nature of my offence , ( not but that i should bee much ashamed to say any thing in diminution thereof : god knows 't is horrid enough , for the evill it might have occasioned ) but if you look neere it , it may perhaps appear to be rather a civill then a martiall crime , and so to have title to a triall at the common law of the land ; there may justly bee some difference put between me● and others in this businesse . i have had nothing to doe with the other army , or any intention to begin the offer of violence to any body . it was only a civill pretence to that which i then foolishly conceived to bee the right of the subject . i humbly refer it to your considerations , and to your consciences . i know you will take care not to shed the blood of war in peace , that blood by the law of war , which hath a right to bee tryed by the law of peace . for so much as concerns my self and my part in this businesse , ( if i were worthy to have any thing spoken , or patiently heard in my behalfe ) this might truely be said , that i made not this busines●e but found it , it was in other mens hands long before it was brought to me , and when it came , i extended it not , but restrained it . for the propo●itions of letting in part of the kings army , or offering violence to the members of this house , i ever disallowed and utterly rejected them , what it was that moved mee to entertain discou●se of this businesse so far as i did , i will tell you ingeniously , and that rather as a warning for others , than that it make any thing for my self ; it was onely an impatience of the inconve●ences of the present warre , looking on things with a carnall eye , and not minding that which chiefly ( if not onely ) ought to have been considered , the inestimable value of the cause you have in hand , the cause of god and of religion , and the nec●ssiti●●s you are forced upon for the maintenance of the same ; as a just punish●ent for this neglect , it pleased god to de●er● and suffer m●e with a fatal blindnesse , to bee led on , and ●gaged in such counsels as were wholly disproportioned to the rest of my life ; this ( sir ) my own conscience tels me was the caus● of my failing , and not malice , or any ill habit of mind , or disposition toward the common-wealth , o●●o the parliament : for from whence should i ●●ve it ? if you look on my birth , you will not find it i● my blood : i am of a stock which hath bo●n you better fruite : if you look on my education , it hath been almost from my child-hood in this house , and among the best sort of men ; and for the whole practice of my life till this time , if another were to speak for me , he might reasonably say , that neither my actions out of parliament , nor in my expressions in it , have savoured of dis-affection or malice to the liberties of the people , or priviledges of parliament . thus sir , i have set be●ore your eyes , both my person and my case , wherein i shall make no such defence by denying , or extenuating any thing , i have done , as ordinary delinquents doe , my addresse to you , and all my plea shall only be such as children use to their parents , i have offended ; i co●fesse it , i never did any thing like it before ; it is a passage unsui●able to the whole course of my life beside , and for the time to come , as god that can bring light out of darknesse , hath made this businesse in the event usefull to you , so a so hath hee to me● : you have by it made an happy discov●ry of your enemies , and i of my selfe , and the evill principles i walkt by ; so that if you look either on what i have been heretofore , or what i now am , and by gods grace assi●tin● ▪ mee , shall alwayes continue to bee , you may perhaps think mee fit to bee an example of your compassion and ●lemency . sir , i shall no sooner leave you , but my life will depend on your breath , and not that alone , but the subsistence of some that are more innocent . i might therefore shew you my children , wh●m the rigour of your lustice would make compleat orphans , being already motherle●se . i might shew you a f●mily , wherein there are some unworthy to have their share in that mark of infamy which now threatens us : but something there is , which if i could shew you , would move you more then all this , it is my heart , which abhorres what i ●●ve done , more , and is more sever● to it self , then the severest iudge can bee . a heart ( mr. speaker ) so awakned by this a●fliction , and so intirely d●voted to the cause you maintain , that i earnestly desire of god to incline you , so to dispose of mee , whether for lif● or for death , as may most conduce to the advancement thereof . sir , not to trouble you any longer , if i dye , i shall dye praying for you ; if i live , i shall live serving you , and ●ender you back the use and imployment of all those dayes you shall adde to my life . af●er this , having withdrawn himselfe , hee was called in again , and ( being by the speaker required thereto ) gave them an exact account how hee came first to the knowledg● of this businesse ; as also what lords were acquainted there with , or had ingaged th●mselves therin . finis . a collection of poems on affairs of state; viz. ... / by a- m-l, esq.; and other eminent wits. ; most whereof never before printed. approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing c a estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a collection of poems on affairs of state; viz. ... / by a- m-l, esq.; and other eminent wits. ; most whereof never before printed. marvell, andrew, - . dryden, john, - . sprat, thomas, - . waller, edmund, - . [i.e ] p. [s.n.], london, : printed in the year, mdclxxxix [ ] reproduction of original in the university of illinois (urbana-champaign campus). library. advice to a painter -- hodge's vision -- britain and raleigh -- statue at stocks-m. -- young statesman -- to the k- -- nostradamus prophecy -- sir edmondbery godfrey's ghost -- on the king's voyage to chattam -- poems on oliver / by mr. dryden, mr. sprat, and mr. waller. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng political poetry, english. political satire, english. great britain -- history -- restoration, - -- poetry. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - elspeth healey sampled and proofread - elspeth healey text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a collection of poems on affairs of state ; viz. advice to a painter . hodge 's vision . britain and raleigh . statue at stocks — m — young statesman . to the k — nostradamus prophecy . sir edmundbury godfrey 's ghost . on the king's voyage to chattam . poems on oliver , by mr. dryden , mr. sprat , and mr. waller . by a — m — l esq and other eminent wits . most whereof never before printed . london , printed in the year , mdclxxxix . advice to a painter , by a. m. esq spread a large canvass , painter , to contain the great assembly , and the num'rous train , where all about him shall in triumph sit abhorring wisdom and despising wit , hating all justice and resolv'd to fight . first draw his highness prostrate to the south , adoring rome , with this speech in his mouth . most holy father , being joyn'd in league with father p — s , d — y , and with teague , thrown at your sacred feet , i humbly bow , i and the wise associates of my vow ; a vow , nor fire nor sword shall ever end , till all this nation to your footstool bend : thus arm'd with zeal and blessings from your hands , i 'le raise my papists , and my irish bands ; and by a noble well-contrived plot , manag'd by wise fitz — and by scot , prove to the world , i 'le have old england know , that common sense is my eternal foe . i ne'r can fight in a more glorious cause , than to destroy their liberty and laws , their house of commons , and their house of lords , parliaments , precedents and dull records ; shall these e'r dare to contradict my will , and think a prince o th' blood can e'r do ill ? it is our birth-right to have power to kill . shall they e're dare to think they shall decide the way to heaven , and who shall be my guide ? shall they pretend to say , that bread is bread , or there 's no purgatory for the dead ? that extream unction is but common oyl , and not infallibly the roman spoil ? i will have villains in our notions rest , and i do say it , therefore it 's the best . next painter draw his m — by his side , conveying his religion and his bride ; he who long since abjur'd the royal line , does now in popery with his master joyn . then draw the princess with her golden locks , hastning to be envenom'd with the p — and in her youthful veins receive a wound , which sent n. h. before her , under ground ; the wound of which the tainted ch — fades , laid up in store for a new set of maids . poor princess , born under a sullen star , to find such welcome when you came so far ! better some jealous neighbour of your own had call'd you to a sound , tho' petty throne , where 'twixt a wholesom husband and a page , you might have linger'd out a lazy age , than on dull hopes of being here a q — e're twenty dye , and rot before fifteen . now painter shew us in the blackest dye , the counsellors of all this villany : cl — d , who first appear'd in humble guise , was always thought too gentle , meek and wise : but when he came to act upon the stage , he prov'd the mad cethegus of our age ; he and his d — ke had both too great a mind , to be by justice or by law confin'd ; their boyling heads can hear no other sounds than fleets and armies , battails , blood and woun'd 's ; and to destroy our liberty they hope , by irish talbot , and old doting pope . next talbot must by his great master stand , laden with folly , flesh , and ill-got land ; he 's of a size indeed to fill a porch , but ne're can make a pillar of the church ; his sword is all his argument , not his book , alt ho no scholar , he can act the cook ; and will cut throats again , if he be paid ; in th' irish shambles he first learn'd the trade . then painter shew thy skill , and in fit place , let 's see the nuncio a — ll's sweet face . let the beholders by thy art espy his sense and soul , as squinting as his eye . let b — s autumnal face be seen , rich with the spoils of a poor algerine , who trusting in him , was by him betray'd ; and so shall we when his advice's obey'd : great heroes to get honour by the sword , he got his wealth by breaking of his word ; and now his daughter he hath got with child , and pimps to have his family defil'd , next painter draw the rabble of the plot , g — n , fitz g — d , loftus , porter , scot : these are fit heads indeed , to turn a state , and change the order of a nations fate ; ten thousand such as these shall ne'r controul the smallest atom of an english soul. old england on a strong foundation stands , defying all their heads and all their hands , it s steady basis never could be shook , when wiser men her ruin undertook : and can her guardian angels let her stoop at last , to madmen , fools , and to the pope ? no painter , no close up this piece and see , this crowd of traitors hang'd in effigie . hodge , a countryman , went up to the piramid , his vision . when hodge had numbred up , how many score the airy piramid contain'd , he swore , no mortal wight e'r climb'd so high before . to th' best advantage plac'd , he views around , th' imperial throne with lofty turrets crown'd , the wealthy store-house of the bounteous flood , whose paceful tide o're-flows our land with good : confused forms fleet by his wondring eyes , and his soul too , seiz'd by divine surprize . some god it seems had entred his plain breast , and with 's abode that rustick mansion blest . a mighty change he feels in ev'ry part ; light guides his eyes , and wisdom rules his heart : so when her pious son , fair venus show'd his flaming troy , with slaughter'd dardan's strow'd , she purg'd his optick films , his clouded sight , then troy's last doom he read by heaven's light ; such light divine did seize the dazling eyes of humble hodge . regions remote , courts , councils , policies the circling wills of tyrants treacheries he views , discerns , deciphers , penetrates , from charle's dukes , to europe's armed states . he saw the goatish king in his alcove , with secret scenes of his incestuous love ; to whom he spoke : cease , cease , o charles , thus to pollute our isle ; return , return to thy long wisht exile ; there with thy court desile the neighb'ring states . and by thy crimes participate their fates . he saw the duke in his curst divan set to 's vast designs reaching his pigmy-wit , with a choice knot of the ignatian crew , who th' way to murthers and to treasons shew : dissenters they oppress with laws severe that whilst we wound these innocents , we fear their cursed seed we may be forc'd to spare . twice the reform'd must fight a double prize , that rome and france may in their ruines rise . old bonner single hereticks did burn , these reform'd cities into ashes turn , and ev'ry year new fires make us mourn . hybernian tories plot his cruel reign , and thirst for english martyrs blood again . our valiant youth abroad must learn the trade of unjust war , their countrey to invade ; others at home must grind us to prepare our gallick necks their iron yoke to wear . ships , once our safety and our glorious might , are doom'd with worms and rottenness to fight ; whilst france rides sovereign o're the british main , our merchants robb'd , and brave sea-men slain : t' insure his plot , france must his legions send , rome to restore , and to enthrone his friend : thus the rash phaeton with fury hurl'd , and rapid rage , consumes the british world. blast him , o heaven , in his mad career , and let these isles no more his frenzy fear : curst — whom all mankind abhor ; false to thy self , but to thy friend much more , to him who did thy promis'd pardon hope , ( coleman . and with pretended transports kiss the rope ; ore-whelm'd with grief , and gasping out a lie , deceiv'd , and unprepar'd , thou letst him die with equal gratitude and treachery . britannia and raleigh . by a. m. brit. ah raleigh , when thou didst thy breath resign to trembling james , would i had quitted mine . cubs did'st thou call them ? hadst thou seen this brood of earls , dukes , and princes of the blood ; no more of scottish race thou wouldst complain these would be blessings in this spurious reign . awake , arise from thy long blest repose ; once more with me partake of morlace woes . ra. what mighty pow'r hath forc'd me from my rest ? oh mighty queen , why so untimely drest ? brit. favour'd by night , conceal'd in this disguise , whilst the lewd court in drunken slumber lies , i stole away , and never will return , till england knows who did her city burn ; till cavaliers shall favourites be deem'd , and loyal sufferers by the court esteem'd , till liegh and galloway shall bribes reject ; thus osburn's golden cheat i shall detect : till atheist l — le shall leave this land , and commons votes shall cut-nose guards disband ; till kate a happy mother shall become , till charles loves parliaments , and james hates roome . ral. what fatal crimes make you for ever fly your once loved court and martyrs progeny ? brit. a colony of french possess the court ; pimps , priests , buffoons in the privy chamber sport ; such slimy monsters ne'r approacht a throne since pharaoh's days , nor so defil'd a crown . in sacred ear tyrannick arts they croak , pervert his mind , and good intentions choak ; tell him of golden indies , fairy lands , leviathan , and absolute commands . thus fairy-like the king they steal away , and in his room a changling lewis lay . how oft have i him to himself restor'd , in 's left the scale , in 's right hand plac'd the sword ? taught him their use , what dangers would ensue , to them who strive to separate these two ? the bloody scotish chronicle read o're , shew'd him how many kings in purple gore were hurl'd to hell by cruel tyrant lore . the other day fam'd spencer i did bring , in lofty notes tudor's blest race to sing ; how spain's proud powers her virgin arms controul'd , and gold'n days in peaceful order roul'd ; how like ripe fruit she dropt from off her throne , full of grey hairs , good deeds , and great renown . as the jessean hero did appease sauls stormy rage , and stopt his black disease ; so the learn'd bard , with artful song supprest the swelling passion of his canker'd breast , and in his heart kind influences shed of country lore by truth and justice bred : then , to perform the cure so full begun , to him i shew'd this glorious setting sun. how by her peoples looks pursu'd from far , so mounted on a bright celestial car , out-shining virgo , or the julian star. whilst in truths mirrour this good scene he spy'd , enter'd a dame , bedeckt with spotted pride , fair flower de luce within an azure field , her left hand bears the ancient gallick shield , by her usurp'd ; her right a bloody sword , inscrib'd leviathan , our soveraign lord ; her towry front a fiery meteor bears , an exhalation bred of blood and tears ; around her jove's lewd rav'nous curs complain , pale death , lust , tortures , fill her pompous train : she from the easie king truth 's mirrour took , and on the ground in spiteful fall it broke ; then frowning thus , with proud disdain she broke . are thred-bare virtues ornaments for kings ? such poor pedantick toys teach underlings . do monarchs rise by virtue or by sword ? who e're grew great by keeping of his word ? virtue 's a faint green-sickness to brave souls , dastards their hearts , their active heat controuls : the rival god , monarchs of th' other world , this mortal poyson amongst princes hold ; fearing the mighty projects of the great , shall drive them from their proud coelestial seat , if not o're-aw'd : this new-found holy cheat , those pious frauds too slight , t' insnare the brave , are proper acts of long-ear'd rout t' inslave . bribe hungry priests to deifie your might , to teach your will 's , your only rule to right ; and sound damnation to all that dare deny 't . thus heaven designs ' gainst heaven you should turn , and make them fear those powers you once did scorn . when all the gobling interest of mankind , by hirelings sold to you shall be resign'd ; and by impostures god and man betray'd , the church and state you safely may invade ; so boundless law in its full power shines , whil'st your starv'd power in legal fetters pines . shake off those baby bands from your strong arms , henceforth be deaf to your old witches charms ; tast the delicious sweets of sovereign power , 't is royal game whole kingdoms to deflower . three spotless virgins to your bed i 'le bring , a sacrifice to you their god and king : as these grow stale we 'l harras human kind , rack nature till new pleasures you shall find , strong as your reign , and beauteous as your mind . when she had spoke , a confus'd murmour rose of french , scotch , irish , all my mortal foes , some english too , o shame ! disguis'd i spy'd , led all by the wise son-in-law of hyde ; with fury drunk , like baccanels they roar , down wth that common magna charta whore : with joynt consent on helpless me they flew , and from my charles to a base goal me drew ; my reverend age expos'd to scorn and shame , to prigs , bawds , whores , was made the publick game . frequent addresses to my charles i send , and my sad state did to his care commend : but his fair soul transform'd by that french dame , had lost a sense of honour , justice , fame . like a tame spinster in 's seraigl he sits , besieg'id by whores , buffoons and bastards chits ; lull'd in security , rowling in lust , resigns his crown to angel cromwel's trust . her creature o — e , the revenue steals , false f — ch , knave ang — ery , misguide the seals ; mack-james the irish biggots does adore : his french and teague commands on sea and shore : the scotch scalado of our court two isles , fale l — le with adure all defiles . thus the states right marr'd by this hellish court , and no one left these furies to cast out : ah vindex come , and purge the poison'd state ; descend , descend , e're the cure's desperate . ral. once more great queen thy darling strive to save , rescue him again from scandal and the grave ; present to 's thoughts his long scorn'd parliament , the basis of his throne and government : in his deaf ears sound his dead fathers name , perhaps that spell may his ill soul reclaim ; who knows what good effects from thence may spring ? 't is god-like good to save a falling king. brit. as easily learn'd vertuoso's may with the dogs blood his gentle kind convey into the wolf , and make him guardian turn , to the bleating flock , by him so lately torn ; if this imperial juice once taint his blood , 't is by no potent antidote withstood . tyrants , like leprous kings , for publick weal , should be immur'd , lest the contagion steal over the whole . th' elect of the jessean line , to this firm law their scepter did resign . to the serene venetian state i 'le go , from her sage mouth fam'd principles to know ; with her , the prudence of the ancients read , to teach my people in their steps to tread ; by their great pattern such a state i 'le frame , shall eternize a glorious lasting name . till then , my raleigh teach our noble youth , to love sobriety and holy truth : watch and preside over their tender age , lest court corruption should their soul engage : tell them how arts and arms in thy young days employ'd our youth , not taverns , stews and plays : tell them the generous scorn their rise does ow to flattery , pimping and a gawdy shew : teach them to scorn the corwells , p — s , neils , the clevelands , osborns , berties , lau — ails , poppea , tegoline and arteria's name , who yield to these in lewdness , lust and fame . make 'em admire the talbots , sidneys , veres , drake , cav'ndish , blake , men void of slavish fears , true sons of glory , pillars of the state , on whose fam'd deeds all tongues and writers wait ; when with bright ardour their bright souls do burn , back to my dearest country i 'le return . tarquin's just judge and caesar's equal peers , with them i 'le bring , to dry my peoples tears . publicola with healing hands shall pour balm in their wounds , and shall their life restore : greek arts and roman arms in her conjoyn'd , shall england raise , relieve opprest mankind . as jove's great son th' infested globe did free from noxious monsters , hell-bred tyranny ; so shall my england in a holy war , in triumph bear slain tyrants from afar ; her true crusado shall at last pull down the turkish crescent and the persian sun. freed by my labours , fortunate blest isle , the earth shall rest , the heaven shall on thee smile ; and this kind secret for reward shall give , no poysonous serpent on the earth shall live . on the statue at stocks-market . as citizens , that to their conquerors yield , do at their own charge their own citadel build ; so sir robert advanced the king's statue , a token of a broker defeated , and lombard-street broken . some thought it a mighty and gracious deed , obliging the city with a king on a steed ; when with honour he might from his word have gone back , who that waits for a calm , is absolv'd by a wreck : by all , it appears from the first to the last , to be as revenge and as malice forecast , upon the kings birth day to set up a thing , that shews him a monkey , more like than a king. when each one that passes , finds fault with the horse , yet all do assure that the king is much worse : and some by the likeness , sir robert suspect , that he did for the k — his own statue erect . to see him so disguis'd , the herb-women chide , who upon their panniers more decently ride : and so loose are his feet , that all men agree sir william peak sits more faster than he : but a market they say doth fit the king well , who oft parliaments buys , and revenues doth sell : and others , to make the similitude hold , say his majesty himself is oft bought and sold . surely this statue is more dangerous far , than all the dutch pictures that caused the war ; and what the exchequer for that took on trust , may henceforth be confiscated for reasons most just . but sir robert , to take the scandal away , doth the fault upon the artificer lay ; and alledges the thing is none of his own ; for he counterfeits only in gold , not in stone . but sir knight of the vine , how came't in your thought , that when to the sc — id your liege you had brought , with canvas and deals you ere since do him cloud , as if you had meant it his coffin and shroud ? hath blood him away , as his crown he convey'd ? or is he to clayton's gone in masquerade ? or is he in his cabal in his — set ? or have you to the compter remov'd him for debt ? methinks for the equipage of this vile scene , that to change him into a jack-pudding you mean , or else thus expose him to popular flout , as tho' we had as good have a king of a clout . or do you his errors out of modesty vail with three shatter'd planks , and the rags of a sail , to expose how his navy was shatter'd and torn , the day that he was restored and born ? if the judges and parliament do not him enrich , they will scarcely afford him a rag to his breech . sir robert affirms they do him much wrong ; 't is the gravers work to reform so long . but alas , he will never arrive at his end ; for 't is such a king no chizzel can mend : but with all his faults pray give us our king , as ever you hope december or spring : for though the whole world cannot shew such another , we had better have him than his p — ' d brother . a young gentleman , desirous to be a minister of state , thus pretends to qualifie himself . to make my self for this employment fit , i 'le learn as much as i can ever get of the honourable g — y of r — wit : in constancy and sincere loyalty , i 'le imitate the grateful shaftsbury ; and that we may assume the churches weal , and all disorder in religion heal , i will espouse lord h — 's zeal : to pay respect to sacred revelation , to scorn th' affected wit of prophanation , and rout impiety out of the nation : to suppress vice and scandal to prevent , buck — 's life shall be my precedent , that living modal of good covernment . to dive into the depth of statesmen's craft , to search the secrets of the subtlest heart , and hide my own designs with prudent art : to make each man my property become , to frustrate all the plots of france or rome , none can so well instruct as my lord moon ; for moral honesty in deed and word , lord w — r example will afford ; that , and his courage too , are on record . to the king. great charles , who full of mercy , wouldst command in peace and pleasure this , his native land ; at last take pity of this tottering throne , shook by the faults of others , not thine own . let not thy life and crown together end , destroy'd by a false brother and a friend . observe the danger that appears so near , that all your subjects do each minute fear : one drop of poison , or a papist-knife , ends all the joy of england with thy life . brothers , 't is true , by nature , should be kind ; but a too zealous and ambitious mind , brib'd with a crown on earth , and one above , harbours no friendship , tenderness , or love : see in all ages what examples are of monarchs murther'd by their impatient heir . hard fate of princes , who will ne're believe till the stroke's struck which they can ne're retrieve ▪ nostradamus's prophecy . by a. m. for faults and follies london's doom shall fix , and she must sink in flames in sixty six ; fire-balls shall fly , but few shall see the train , as far as from white-hall to pudding-lane , to burn the city , which again shall rise , beyond all hopes , aspiring to the skies , where vengeance dwells . but there is one thing more ( though its walls stand ) shall bring the city lower : when legislators shall their trust betray , saving their own , shall give the rest away ; and those false men by th' easie people sent , give taxes to the king by parliament : when bare-fac'd villains shall not blush to cheat , and chequer-doors shall shut up lumbard-street : when players come to act the part of queens , within the curtains , and behind the scenes : when sodomy shall be prime min'sters sport , and whoring shall be the least crime at court : when boys shall take their sisters for their mate , and practice incests between seven and eight : when no man knows in whom to put his trust , and e'en to rob the chequer shall be just ; when declarations , lie , and every oath shall be in use at court but faith and troth ; when two good kings shall be at brentford town , and when in london there shall be not one ; when the seat's given to a talking fool , whom wise men laugh at , and whom women rule ; a min'ster able only in his tongue , to make harsh , empty speeches two hours long ; when an old scotch covenant shall be the champion for th' english hierarchy ; when bishops shall lay all religion by , and strive by law t' establish tyranny ; when a lean treasurer shall in one year make himself fat , his king and people bare ; when th' english prince shall english men despise , and think french only loyal , irish wise ; when wooden shoon shall be the english wear , and magna charta shall no more appear ; then th' english shall a greater tyrant know than either greek or latin story show ; their wives to 's lust expos'd , their wealth to 's spoil , vvith groans to fill his treasury they toil ; but like the bellides must sigh in vain ; for that still fill'd flows out as fast again ; then they with envious eyes shall belgium see , and wish in vain venetian liberty . the frogs too late , grown weary of their pain , shall pray to jove to take him back again . sir edmondbury godfrey 's ghost . it happen'd in the twilight of the day , as england's monarch in his closet lay , and chiffinch step'd to fetch the female prey ; the bloody shape of godfrey did appear , and in sad vocal sounds these things declare : " behold , great sir , i from the shades am sent , " to shew these wounds that did your fall prevent . " my panting ghost , as envoy , comes to call , " and warn you , lest , like me , y' untimely fall ; " who against law your subjects lives pursue , " by the same rate may dare to murther you . " i , for religion , laws , and liberties , " am mangled thus , and made a sacrifice . " think what befel great egypt's hardned king , " who scorn'd the profit of admonishing . " shake off your brandy slumbers ; for my words " more truth than all your close cabal affords : " a court you have with luxury oregrown , " and all the vices ere in nature known ; " vvhere pimps and panders in their coaches ride , " and in lampoons and songs your lust deride . " old bawds and slighted vvhores , there tell , with shame , " the dull romance of your lascivious flame . " players and scaramouches are your joy ; " priests and french apes do all your land annoy ; " still so profuse , you are insolvent grown , " a mighty bankrupt on a golden throne . " your nauseous palate the worst food doth crave ; " no wholsom viands can an entrance have : " each night you lodge in that french syren's arms " she strait betrays you with her wanton charms ; " works on your heart , softned with love and wine , " and then betrays you to some philistine . " imperial lust does o're your scepter sway ; " and though a soveraign makes you to obey . " yet thoughts so stupid have your soul possess'd , " as if inchanted by some magick priest . " next he who ' gainst the senate's vote did wed , " took defil'd h. and hesti to his bed : " fiend in his face , apostle in his name , " contriv'd to wars to your eternal shame . " he ancient laws and liberties defies ; " on standing guards and new raised force relies : " the teagues he courts , and doth the french admire , " and fain he would be mounted one step higher . " all this by you must needs be plainly seen , " and yet he awes you with his darling spleen . " th' unhappy kingdom suffered much of old , " when spencer and loose gaveston controull'd ; " yet they by just decrees were timely sent , " to suffer a perpetual banishment . " but your bold states-men nothing can restrain , " their most enormous courses you maintain ; " witness that man , who had for divers years " pay'd the cubb-commons , pensions and arrears ; " though your exchequer was at his command , " durst not before his just accuser stand , " for crimes and treasons of so black a hue , " none dare to prove his advocate but you . " trust not in prelates false divinity , " who wrong their prince , and shame their deity , " making their god so partial in their cause , " exempting kings alone from humane laws . " these lying oracles they did infuse " of old , and did your martyr'd sire abuse . " their strong delusions did him so inthral , " no cautions would anticipate his fall. " repent in time , and banish from your sight " the pimp , the whore , buffoon , church-parasite ; " let innocence deck your remaining days , " that after-ages may unfold your praise . " so may historians in new methods write , " and draw a curtain 'twixt your black and white . the ghost spake thus , groan'd thrice , and said no more : straight in came chiffinch hand in hand with whore : the king tho' much concern'd with joy and fear , starts from the couch and bid the dame draw near . vpon the king's voyage to chatham , to make bulwarks against the dutch : and the queen's miscarriage thereupon . when james our great monarch , so wise and discreet : was gone with three barges , to face the dutch fleet ▪ our young prince of wales ( by inheritance stout ! ) was coming to aid him and peep'd his head out ; but seeing his father without ships or men , commit the defence of us all to a chain , taffee was frighted , and sculk'd in again ; nor thought , while the dutch domineer'd on our road ▪ it was safe to come further , and venture abroad : not walgrave , or th' epistle of seignieur le duke , made her majesty sick , and her royal womb puke : but the dutch-men pickeering at dover and harwich , gave the ministers agues , and the queen a miscarriage ; and to see the poor king stand in ships of such need , made the catholicks quake , and her majesty bleed ; and i wish the sad accident don't spoil the young prince , take off all his manhood , and make him a wench : but the hero his father no courage did lack ; who was sorry on such a pretext to come back : he mark'd out his ground , and mounted a gun , and 't is thought without such a pretence he had run ; for his army and navy were said to increase , as appears ( when we have no occasion ) in peace : nay , if the dutch come , we despise 'em so much , our navy incognito will leave 'em i' th' lurch , and ( to their eternal disgrace ) we are able to beat 'em by way of a post and a cable ; why was this , sir , left out of the wise declaration , that flatter'd with hopes of more forces , the nation ? 't would have done us great good to have said , you intended , the strength of the nation the chain should be mended ; though we thank you , for passing so kindly your word , ( which never was broke ) that you 'd rule by the sword ; this promise we know you meant to fulfill ; and therefore you have reason ( by gad ) to tak 't ill , that the bishops , the bishops did throw out the bill . three poems on the death of the late usurper oliver cromwell . written by mr. john dryden , mr. sprat of oxford , and mr. edm. waller . heroick stanza's , on the late vsurper oliver cromwell , written after his funeral , by mr. dryden . i. and now 't is time ; for their officious hast , who would before have born him to the sky , like eager romans e're all rites were past , did let to soon the sacred eagle fly . ii. though our best notes are treason to his fame , join'd with the loud applause of publick voice ; since heaven , what praise we offer to his name , hath rendred too authentick by its choice ; iii. though in his praise no arts can liberal be , since they whose muses have the highest flown , add not to his immortal memory ; but do an act of friendship to their own : iv. yet 't is our duty , and our interest too , such monuments as we can build , to raise , lest all the world prevent what we should do , and claim a title in him by their praise . v. how shall i then begin , or where conclude , to draw a fame so truly circular ? for in a round , what order can be shew'd , where all the parts so equal perfect are ? vi. his grandeur he deriv'd from heaven alone , for he was great ere fortune made him so , and wars like mists that rise against the san , made him but greater seem , not greater grow . vii . no borrow'd bays his temples did adorn , but to our crown he did fresh jewels bring ; nor was his vertue poison'd soon as born , with the too early thoughts of being king. viii . fortune ( that easie mistriss to the young , but to her ancient servants coy and hard ) him , at that age , her favourites rank'd among , when she her best lov'd pompey did discard . ix . he private , mark'd the faults of others sway , and set as sea-marks for himself to shun ; not like rash monarchs , who their youth betray , by acts their age too late would wish undone . x. and yet dominion was not his design , we owe that blessing not to him but heaven , which to fair acts unsought rewards did join , rewards that less to him , than us were given . xi . our former chief like sticklers of the war , first sought t' inflame the parties , then to poise : the quarrel lov'd , but did the cause abhor , and did not strike to hurt , but make a noise . xii . war , our consumption , was their gainful trade ; he inward bled , whilst they prolong'd our pain ; he fought to end our fighting , and assay'd to stanch the blood by breathing of the vein . xiii . swift and resistless through the land he past , like that bold greek , who did the east subdue , and made to battels such heroick haste , as if on wings of victory he flew . xiv . he fought secure of fortune as of fame , still by new maps the island might be shown , of conquests which he strew'd where e're he came , thick as the galaxy with stars is sown . xv. his palms , though under weights they did not stand , still thriv'd , no winter could his laurels fade : heaven in his portraict shew'd a workman's hand , and drew it perfect , yet without a shade . xvi . peace was the prize of all his toil and care , which war had banishd , and did now restore : bolognia's walls thus mounted in the air , to seat themselves more surely than before : xvii . her safety , rescued ireland , to him owes , and treacherous scotland to no int'rest true , yet bless'd that fate which did his arms dispose her land to civilize , as to subdue . xviii . nor was he like those stars which only shine , when to pale mariners , they storms portend ; he had his calmer influences , and his mien did love and majesty together blend . xix . t is true his countenance did imprint an awe , and naturally all souls to his did bow , as wands of divination downward draw , and point to beds where sov'raign gold doth grow . xx. when past all offerings to pheretrian jove , he mars deposed , and arms to gowns made yield , successful councels did him soon approve , as fit for close intrigues , as open field . xxi . to suppliant holland he vouchsaf'd a peace , our once bold rival in the british main , now tamely glad her unjust claim to cease , and buy our friendship with her idol , gain . xxii . fame of the asserted sea through europe blown , made france and spain ambitious of his love ; each knew that side must conquer he would own , and for him fiercely , as for empire strove . xxiii . no sooner was the french- man's cause imbrac'd , than the light monsieur , the grave don outweigh'd ; his fortune turn'd the scale where it was cast ; though indian mines where in the other laid . xxiv . when absent , yet we conquer'd in his right ; for though that some mean artist's skill were shown in mingling colours , or in placing light ; yet still the fair designment was his own . xxv . for from all tempers he could service draw ; the worth of each with its allay he knew ; and as the confident of nature saw how she complections did divide and brew . xxvi . or he their single vertues did survey , by intuition in his own large breast , where all the rich idea's of them lay , that were the rule and measure to the rest . xxvii . when such heroick vertue , heaven set out : the stars like commons sullenly obey ; because it drains them when it comes about ; and therefore is a tax they seldom pay . xxviii . from this high spring , our foreign conquests flow , which yet more glorious triumphs do portend ; since their commencement to his arms they owe , if springs as high as fountains may ascend . xxxix . he made us free-men of the continent , whom nature did like captives treat before ; to nobler preys the english lion sent , and taught him first in belgian walks to roar . xxx . that old unquestion'd pirate of the land , proud rome , with dread the fate of dunkirk heard ; and trembling wish'd behind more alpes to stand , although an alexander were her guard. xxxi . by his command , we boldly cross'd the line , and bravely fought where southern stars arise , we trac'd the far-fetch'd gold unto the mine , and that which brib'd our fathers made our prize . xxxii . such was our prince , yet own'd a soul above the highest acts it could produce or show : thus poor mechanick arts in publick move , whilst the deep secrets beyond practice go . xxxiii . nor died he when his ebbing fame went less , but when the fresh laurels courted him to live ; he seem'd but to prevent some new success , as if above what triumphs earth can give . xxxiv . his la test victories still thickest came , as near the center , motion doth increase ; till he press'd down by his own weighty name , did , like the vestal , under spoils decease . xxxv . but first the ocean as a tribute sent that giant prince of all her wat'ry herd ; and th' isle , when her protecting genius went , upon his obsequies loud sighs conferr'd . xxxvi . no civil broils have fince his death arose , but faction now by habit does obey ; and wars have that respect for his repose , as winds for halcyons when they breed at sea. xxxvii . his ashes in a peaceful urn shall rest , his name a great example stands to show , how strangely high endeavours may be blest , where piety , and valour jointly go . to the reverend dr. wilkins , warden of wadham colledge in oxford . sir , seeing you are pleased to think fit that these papers should come into the publick , which were at first design'd to live only in a desk , or some private friends hands ; i humbly take the boldness to commit them to the security , which your name and protection will give them , with the most knowing part of the world. there are two things especially , in which they stand in need of your defence : one is , that they fall so infinitely below the full and lofty genius of that excellent poet , who made this way of writing free of our nation : the other , that they are so little proportioned and equal to the renown of that prince , on whom they were written . such great actions and lives , deserving rather to be the subjects of the noblest pens and most divine phansies , than of such small beginners and week essayers in poetry as my self . against these dangerous prejudices , there remains no other shield , than the universal esteem and authority , which your judgment and approbation carries with it . the right you have to them , sir , is not only on the account of the relation you had to this great person , nor of the general favour which all arts receive from you ; but more particularly by reason of that obligation and zeal , with which i am bound to dedicate my self to your service : for having been a long time the object of your care and indulgence towards the advantage of my studies and fortune , having been moulded ( as it were ) by your own hands , and formed under your government ; not to intitle you to any thing which my meanness produces , would not only be injustice , but sacriledge : so that if there be any thing here tolerably said , which deserves pardon , it is yours sir , as well as he , who is your most devoted and obliged servant . to the happy memory of the late usurper oliver cromwel . by mr. sprat of oxon. pindarick odes . i. 't is true , great name , thou art secure from the forgetfulness and rage of death , or envy , or devouring age ; thou canst the force and teeth of time endure : thy fame like men , the elder it doth grow , will of its self turn whiter too , without what needless art can do ; will live beyond thy breath , beyond thy hearse , though it were never heard or sung in verse . without our help , thy memory is safe ; they only want an epitaph , that does remain alone alive in an inscription , remembred only on the brass , or marble stone . 't is all in vain what we can do : all our roses and perfumes will but officious folly shew , and pious nothings , to such mighty tombs . all our incense , gums , and balm , are but unnecessary duties here : the poets may their spices spare , their costly numbers and their tuneful feet : that need not be imbalm'd , which of it self is sweet . ii. we know to praise thee is a dangerous proof of our obedience and our love : for when the sun and fire meet , th' one 's extinguish'd quite ; and yet the other never is more bright : so they that write of thee , and join their feeble names with thine , their weaker sparks with thy illustrious light , will lose themselves in that ambitious thought ; and yet no fame to thee from thence he brought . we know , bless'd spirit , thy mighty name wants no addition of anothers beam ; it 's for our pens too high , and full of theme : the muses are made great by thee , not thou by them . thy fame 's eternal lamp will live , and in thy sacred urn survive , without the food of oil , which we can give . 't is true ; but yet our duty calls our songs , duty commands our tongues . though thou want not our praises , we are not excus'd for what we owe to thee ; for so men from religion are not freed . but from the altars clouds must rise , though heaven it self doth nothing need , and though the gods don't want an earthly sacrifice iii. great life of wonders , whose each year full of new miracles did appear ! whos 's every month might be alone a chronicle , or a history ! others great actions are but thinly scatter'd here and there ; at best , but all one single star ; but thine the milky-way , all one continued light of undistinguish'd day ; they throng'd so close , that nought else could be seen , scarce any common sky did come between : what shall i say or where begin ? thou may'st in double shapes be shown , or in thy arms , or in thy gown ; like jove sometimes with warlike thunder , and sometimes with peaceful scepter in his hand , or in the field , or on the throne . in what thy head , or what thy arm hath done , all that thou didst was so refin'd , so full of substance , and so strongly join'd , so pure , so weighty gold , that the least grain of it if fully spread and beat , would many leaves and mighty volumes hold ▪ iv. before thy name was publish'd , and whilst yet thou only to thy self wer't great , whilst yet thy happy bud was not quite seen , or understood , it then sure signs of future greatness shew'd : then thy domestick worth did tell the world what it would be , when it should fit occasion see , when a full spring should call it forth : as bodies , in the dark and night , have the same colours , the same red and white , as in the open day and light , the sun doth only show that they are bright , not make them so : so whilst but private walls did know what we to such a mighty mind should owe , then the same vertues did appear , though in a less and more contracted sphere , as full , though not as large as since they were : and like great rivers , fountains , though at first so deep thou didst not go ; though then thine was not so inlarg'd a flood ; yet when 't was little , 't was as clear as good . v. 't is true thou wast not born unto a crown , thy scepter 's not thy father's , but thy own : thy purple was not made at once in haste , and after many other colours past , it took the deepest princely dye at last . thou didst begin with lesser cares , and private thoughts took up thy private years : those hands , which were ordain'd by fates , to change the world , and alter states , practis'd at first that vast design on meaner things with equal mind . that soul , which should so many scepters sway , to whom so many kingdoms should obey : learned first to rule in a domestick way : so government it self , began from family , and single man , was by the small relations , first , of husband , and of father nurs'd , and from those less beginnings past , to spread it self o'er all the world at last . vi. but when thy country , ( then almost enthrall'd ) thy vertue , and thy courage call'd ; when england did thy arms intreat , and 't had been sin in thee not to be great : when every stream , and every flood , was a true vein of earth , and run with blood ; when unus'd arms , and unknown war fill'd every place , and ever ear ; when the great storms , and dismal night did all the land affright ; 't was time for thee , to bring forth all our light. thou left'st thy more delightful peace , thy private life , and better ease ; then down thy steel and armour took , wishing that it still hung upon the hook. when death had got a large commission out , throwing her arrows , and her stings about ; then thou ( as once the healing serpent rose ) wast lifted up , not for thy self , but us . vii . thy country wounded was , and sick before thy wars and arms did her restore : thou knew'st where the disease did lie , and like the cure of sympathy , thy strong , and certain remedy , unto the weapon didst apply ; thou didst not draw the sword , and so away the scabbard throw ; as if thy country shou'd be the inheritance of mars and blood ; but that when the great work was spun , war in it self should be undone ; that peace might land again upon the shore , richer and better than before : the husbandmen no steel should know , none but the useful iron of the plow ; that bays might creep on every spear : and though our sky was overspread with a destructive red ; 't was but till thou our sun didst in full light appear . viii . when ajax died , the purple blood that from his gaping wound had flow'd , turn'd into letters , every leaf had on it wrote his epitaph : so from that crimson flood which thou , by fate of times , wert led unwillingly to shed , letters , and learning rose , and were renewed : thou fought'st not out of envy , hope , or hate , but to refine the church and state , and like the romans , what e'er thou in the field of mars didst mow , was , that a holy island thence might grow . thy wars , as rivers raised by a shower , with welcome clouds do pour : though they at first may seem , to carry all away with an inraged stream ; yet did not happen that they might destroy , or the better parts annoy : but all the filth and mud to scour , and leave behind anothr slime , to give a birth to a more happy power . ix . in fields unconquer'd , and so well thou did'st in battels and in arms excel , that steely arms themselves , might be worn out in war as soon as thee . success , so close upon thy troops did wait , as if thou first had'st conquer'd fate ; as if uncertain victory had been first overcome by thee ; as if her wings were clipp'd , and could not flee , whilst thou did'st only serve , before thou had'st what first thou did'st deserve . others by thee did great things do , triumph'd'st thy self , and made'st them triumph too ; though they above thee did appear , as yet in a more large , and higher sphere : thou , the great sun gav'st light to every star. thy self an army wert alone , and mighty troops contain'dst in one : thy only sword did guard the land , like that which flaming in the angel's hand , from men god's garden did defend : but yet thy sword did more than his , not only guarded , but did make this land a paradiee . x. thou fought'st not to be high or great , not for a scepter , or a crown , or ermyn , people , or the throne : but as the vestal heat ▪ thy fire was kindled from above alone ; religion putting on thy shield , brought thee victorious to the field . thy arms like those , which ancient heroes wore , were given by the god thou did'st adore ; and all the words thy armies had , were on an heavenly anvil made ; not int'rest , or any weak desire of rule , or empire did thy mind inspire ; thy valour like the holy fire , which did before the persian armies go , liv'd in the camp , and yet was sacred too : thy mighty sword anticipates , what was reserv'd for heaven and those bless'd seats , and makes the church triumphant here below . xi . though fortune did hang on thy sword , and did obey thy mighty word ; though fortune for thy side and thee , forgot her lov'd unconstancy ; amidst thy arms and trophies thou wert valiant and gentle too , wounded'st thy self , when thou did'st kill thy foe ; like steel , when it much work has past , that which was rough does shine at last : thy arms by being oftner us'd did smoother grow ; nor did thy battels make the proud or high ; thy conquest rais'd the state , not thee : thou overcam'st thy self in every victory : as when the sun , in a directer line , upon a polish'd golden shield doth shine , the shield reflects unto the sun again his light : so when the heavens smil'd on thee in fight , when thy propitious god had lent success , and victory to thy tent , to heav'n again the victory was sent . xii . england till thou did'st come , confin'd her valour home ; then our own rocks did stand bounds to our fame as well as land , and were to us as well , as to our enemies unpassable . we were asham'd at what we read , and blush'd at what our fathers did , because we came so far behind the dead ▪ the british lion hung his main , and droop'd , to slavery and burthen stoop'd , with a degenarate sleep and fear lay in his den , and languish'd there ; at whose least voice before , a trembling eccho ran through every shore , and shook the world at every roar ; thou his subdued courage didst restore , sharpen his claws , and in his eyes mad'st the same dreadful lightning rise ; mad'st him again affright the neighbouring floods , his mighty thunder sound through all the woods ▪ thou hast our military fame redeem'd , which was lost , or clouded seem'd : nay more , heaven did by thee bestow on us , at once an iron age , and happy too . xiii . till thou command'st , that azure chains of waves , which nature round about us sent , made us to every pirate slaves , was rather burthen than an ornament ; those fields of sea , that wash'd our shores , were plow'd , and reap'd by other hands than ours . to us , the liquid mass , which doth about us run , as it is to the sun , only a bed to sleep on was : and not , as now a powerful throne , to shake and sway the world thereon . our princes in their hand a globe did shew , but not a perfect one , compos'd of earth , and water too . but thy commands the floods obey'd , thou all the wilderness of vvater sway'd ; thou did'st but only wed the sea , not make her equal , but a slave to thee . neptune himself did bear thy yoke , stoop'd , and trembled at thy stroke : he that ruled all the main , acknowledg'd thee his soveraign . and now the conquer'd sea , doth pay more tribute to thy thames , than that unto the sea. xiv . till now our valour did our selves more hurt ; our vvounds to other nations were a sport ; and as the earth , our land produc'd iron and steel , which should to tear our selves be us'd . our strength within it self did break , like thundring canons crack , and kill'd those that were near , while the enemies secur'd and untouch'd were . but now our trumpets thou hast made to sound , against our enemies walls in foreign ground ; and yet no eccho back to us returning found . england is now the happy peaceful isle , and all the world the while , is exercising arms and wars , with foreign , or intestine jars . the torch extinguish'd here , we lend to others oil , we give to all , yet know our selves no fear ; we reach the flame of ruine , and of death , where e're we please , our swords to unsheath , whilst we in calm , and temporate regions breath ; like to the sun , whose heat is hurl'd through every corner of the world ; whose flame through all the air doth go ; and yet the sun himself , the while no fire doth know . xv. besides the glories of thy peace , are not in number , nor in value less . thy hand did cure , and close the stars of our bloody civil wars ; not only lanc'd ; but heal'd the wound , made us again as healthy , and as sound , when now the ship was well nigh lost , after the storm upon the coast , by its mariners indanger'd most ; when they their ropes and helms had left , when the planks asunder cleft , and flouds came roaring in with mighty sound ; thou a safe land , and harbour for us found , and saved'st those that would themselves have drown'd : a work which none but heaven and thee could do , thou made'st us happy ▪ whe'r we would or no : thy judgment , mercy , temperance so great , as if those vettues only in thy mind had seat : thy piety not only in the field , but peace , when heaven seemed to be wanted least : thy temples not like janus open were , open in time of war , when thou hadst greater cause of fear religion and the awe of heaven possest all places and all times alike thy breast . xvi : nor didst thou only for thy age provide , but for the years to come beside ; our after-times , and late posterity , shall pay unto thy fame as much as we ; they too are made by thee : when fate did call thee to a higher throne , and when thy mortal work was done , when heaven did say it , and thou must be gone , thou him to bear thy burthen chose , who might ( if any could ) make us forget thy loss : nor hadst thou him design'd , had he not been not only to thy blood , but vertue kin ; not only heir unto thy throne , but mind , 't is he shall perfect all thy cures , and with as fine a thread weave out thy loom : so one did bring the chosen people from their slavery and fears , led them through their pathless road , guided himself by god. he brought them to the borders ; but a second hand did settle , and secure them in the promised land. vpon the late storm , and death of the late vsurper oliver cromwel ensuing the same , by mr. waller . we must resign ; heav'n his great soul does claim , in storms as loud , as his immortal fame ; his dying groans , his last breath shakes our isle , and trees uncut fall for his funeral pile . about his palace their broad roots are tost into the air : so romulus was lost . new rome in such a tempest mist their king , and from obeying-fell to worshipping . on oeta's top thus hercules lay dead , with ruin'd oaks and pines about him spread ; the poplar too , whose bough he wont to wear on his victorious head , lay prostrate there : those his last fury from the mountain rent ; our dying hero , from the continent , ravish'd whole towns , and forts from spaniards reft , as his last legacy to britain left ; the ocean which so long our hopes confin'd , could give no limits to his vaster mind ; our bounds enlargement , was his latest toil , nor hath he left us prisoners to our isle : under the tropick is our language spoke , and part of flanders hath receiv'd our yoke . from civil broils , he did us disingage , found nobler objects for our martial rage ; and with wise conduct to his country show'd , their ancient way of conquering abroad : ungrateful then , if we no tears allow to him , that gave us peace and empire too ; princes that fear'd him , griev'd , concern'd to see no pitch of glory from the grave is free ; nature her self , took notice of his death , and sighing swell'd the sea with such a breath , that to remotest shores her billows rowl'd , th' approaching fate of her great ruler told . finis . instructions to a painter for the drawing of a picture of the state and posture of the english forces at sea, under the command of his royal highness in the conclusion of the year waller, edmund, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page image. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing w estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) instructions to a painter for the drawing of a picture of the state and posture of the english forces at sea, under the command of his royal highness in the conclusion of the year waller, edmund, - . sheet ([ ] p.) [s.n.], london : . reproduction of original in harvard university libraries. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng war poetry, english. anglo-dutch war, - -- poetry. broadsides -- england -- th century. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion instructions to a painter for the drawing of a picture of the state and posture of the english forces at sea , under the command of his royal highness in the conclusion of the year . first draw the sea , that portion which between , the greater world , and this of ours is seen : here place the british , there the holland fleet , vast floating armies , both prepar'd to meet . draw the whole world , expecting who shall raign after this combat , o're the conquer'd mayn ; make heav'n concern'd , and an unusual star declare th' importance of th' approaching war. make the sea shine with gallantry , and all the english youth flock to their admiral the valiant duke , whose early deeds abroad such rage in fight , and art in conduct show'd . his bright sword , now , a dearer int'rest draws , his brothers glory , and his country's cause . let thy bold pencil hope and courage spread through the whole navy by his highness led ; make all appear , where such a prince is by , resolv'd to conquer , or resolv'd to dye . with his extraction and heroick mind , make the proud sails swell more than with the wind . preventing cannon , make his lowder fame check the batavians , and their fury tame . so hungry wolves , though greedy of their prey , stop , when they find a lyon in their way . make him be-stride the ocean , and man-kind ask his consent to use the sea and wind : while his tall ships in the bar'd chanel stand , he grasps the indies in his armed hand . paint an east-wind , and make it blow away . th' excuse of holland , for their navies stay ; make them look pale , and the bold prince to shun , through the cold north , and rocky regions run ; to find the coast , where morning first appears by the dark pole , the wary belgian stears , confessing now he dreads the english more than all the dangers of a frozen shoar ; while , from our arms , security to find , they fly so far they leave the day behind . describe their fleet abandoning the sea , and all their merchants left a wealthy prey . our first success in war , make bacchus crown , and half the vintage of the year our own ; the dutch their wine , and all their brandy lose , dis-arm'd of that from which their courage grows . while the glad english to relieve their toyl , in healths to their great leader drink the spoyl . his high command to africks coast extend , and make the moor before the english bend ; those barb'rous pyrats , willingly receive conditions , such as we are pleas'd to give . within those streights make hollands smyrna fleet , with a small squadron of the english meet ; like falcons these , those like a numerous flock , of scattering fowl , which would avoid the shock . there paint confusion in a various shape , some sink , some yield , and flying some escape ; europe and africa from either shoar spectators are , and hear our cannon roar . while the divided world in this agree , men that fight so , deserve to rule the sea. london ; printed in the year . a poem on the present assembly of parliament, november th. waller, edmund, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing w estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a poem on the present assembly of parliament, november th. waller, edmund, - . [ ], p. printed for george powell ..., london : . reproduction of original in huntington library. an alteration and adaptation of the author's a poem on the present assembling of the parliament, march the th, . advertisement: p. . created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng political poetry, english. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - emma (leeson) huber sampled and proofread - emma (leeson) huber text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a poem on the present assembly of parliamnt , november th . . licensed , november th . . ro. l'estrange . london , printed for george powell over against lincolns-inn-gate . . a poem on the present assembly of parliament , november th . . break sacred morn on our expecting i 'le , and make our albion's sullen genius smile ; his brightest glories let the sun display , he rose not with a more auspicious ray , since god-like iames receiv'd * imperial state , our only recompence for charles his fate . a joyful bridegroom then , our eyes he drew , and now seems wedded to his realms anew : since when our panick fears are quite o're-blown , and on our enemies coast the terror thrown . ye ancient bards that britain's glory wrought as warmly as our british heroes fought , be still assisting to your country's fame , and in my daring song revive your flame . behold , behold , the bright assembly plac'd , and with our monarch's sacred presence grac'd : transported with a vision so sublime , our thoughts review the infant-pride of time , we think how at the new creation sate th' eternal monarch in his heavens fresh state ; the stars yet wondring at each others fires , and all the sons of glory rank'd in quires . as various streams from distant regions fall , and in the deep their gen'ral counsel call , conveying thence supplies to ev'ry source , and fail not to maintain the rowling course ; our senate thus from ev'ry quarter met , and with our peers in awful council set , dispense their influence to each province round , and in our i 'le no barren spot is found . justice as freely as our thames shall flow , in peace the sailer steer , and peasant plow , our publick safe from foreign wrongs shall be , and private rights from home-oppressors free . proceed brave worthies then to your debates , and by your counsels to direct our fates . thus , iames the pious , valiant , wise and just , performs not only yours , but europe's trust ; whose power or prudence makes their discords cease , where he perswades not , he commands a peace . so ( if small things with great may be compar'd ) we oft have seen two monarchs of the herd , upon some long-disputed plain engage with equal vigour , and with equal rage ; their goring horns are in the contest worn , the harrass'd earth is in the combat torn ; but if a lion from the hill descends , their fury ceases , and the battel ends . what though the gallick pride has swell'd so high ▪ a war-like empires forces to defie , to crush united states , confederate powr , and quite suppress the belgian lions roar ; yet let their troops in silent triumph come from conquer'd fields , and steal their trophies home . take care their cannon at just distance roar , nor with too near a volley rouze our shore . the terror still of our third edward's name rebukes their pride , and checks their towring fame : nor can the tide of many rowling years , vvash the stain'd fields of cressey and poictiers . a conscious terror strikes their bosoms still , vvhen they behold that famous fatal hill , where edward , with his host , spectator stood , and left the prince to make the conquest good . such was the vertue of our ancestours , and such , on due resentment , shall be ours ; averse from acting , as receiving wrong , vveak states support , and terror to the strong ; vvhose temper'd vallour just pretence requires , as flints are struck before they shew their fires . once more great patriots in the nation 's stead , vvith due respect , the loyal muses plead , since from your gen'rous trust our peace did spring , joyn'd with the matchless conduct of our king. secure the blessing you so well begun , and take for pattern what your selves have done . so albion to her ancient fame shall grow , by heaven's decrees above , and yours below . nor shall your influence in our lesser world lie pent , but through the universe be hurl'd : thence christian leagues shall firmly be combin'd , while turks and rebels equal fate shall find . thus earth and seas with safety shall be blest , and peace as calm as their great masters breast . heaven to our i 'le this priv'ledge does allow , besides her self to have no pow'rful foe . by rocks and seas fenc'd round from foreign harms , and only liable to in-bred arms. such shocks ( alas ! ) too oft we have endur'd , but ev'n from home-bred rage are now secur'd : no storm can rise while caesar guides the helm , while you support the throne , and he the realm . our faith and freedom trusted in his hand , immoveable as fate 's decrees must stand . usurpers from their promise may retreat , and common-wealths their publick trust defeat , while each his private interest does pursue , but heaven's and britain's monarch must be true . finis . advertisement . a devout exercise for every day of the month , together with meditations upon the most important truths of the gospel , translated from the last edition of the original , enlarged by the author . sir tho. moor's vtopia in english. all sorts of law-books printed for , and sold by george powel over against lincolns-inn gate . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e * the coronation , april , . the second part of mr. waller's poems containing, his alteration of the maids tragedy, and whatever of his is yet unprinted: together with some other poems, speeches, &c. that were printed severally, and never put into the first collection of his poems. waller, edmund, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing w a estc r this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the second part of mr. waller's poems containing, his alteration of the maids tragedy, and whatever of his is yet unprinted: together with some other poems, speeches, &c. that were printed severally, and never put into the first collection of his poems. waller, edmund, - . waller, edmund, - . maid's tragedy. aut [ ], , [ ] p., [ ] leaves of plates : port. printed for tho. bennet, at the half-moon in st. pauls church-yard, london : mdcxc. [ ] with an initial leaf: licensed, sept. . . copy has print show-through. reproduction of the original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng english poetry -- early works to . speeches, addresses, etc. -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - john latta sampled and proofread - john latta text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the second part of mr. waller's poems . containing , his alteration of the maids tragedy , and whatever of his is yet unprinted : together with some other poems , speeches , &c. that were printed severally , and never put into the first collection of his poems . — siquis tamen haec quoque siquis captus amore leget . london , printed for tho. bennet , at the half-moon in st. pauls church-yard . mdcxc . licensed , sept. . . edmond waller . esq r. aetatis suae . . the preface . the reader need be told no more in commendation of these poems , than that they are mr. waller's : a name that carries every thing in it , that 's either great or graceful in poetry . he was indeed the parent of english verse , and the first that shew'd us our tongue had beauty and numbers in it . our language owes more to him than the french does to cardinal ri●hlieu , and the whole academy . a poet cannot think of him , without being in the same rapture lucretius is in , when epicurus comes in his way . tu pater & rerum inventor , tu patria nobis suppeditas praecepta : tuesque ex inclyte , chartis floriferis ut apes in sallibus omnia libant omnia nos itidem depascimur aureadicta : aurea , perpetua semper dignissima vita . the tongue came into his hands , like a rough diamond ; he polish'd it first , and to that degree that all artists since him have admired the workmanship , without pretending to mend it . sucklyn and carew , i must confess , wrote some few things smoothly enough , but as all they did in this kind was not very considerable , so 't was a little later than the earliest pieces of mr. waller . he undoubtedly stands first in the list of refiners , and for ought i know , last too ; for i question whether in charles the second's reign , english did not come to its full perfection ; and whether it has not had its augustean age , as well as the latin. it seems to be already mix'd with foreign languages , as far as its purity will bear ; and , as chymists says of their menstruums , to be quite sated with the infusion . but posterity will best judge of this — in the mean time , 't is a surprizing reflection , that between what spencer wrote last , and waller first , there should not be much above twenty years distance : and yet the one's language , like the money of that time , is as currant now as ever ; whilst the other 's words are like old coyns , one must go to an antiquary to understand their true meaning and value . such advances may a great genius make , when it undertakes any thing in earnest ! some painters will hit the chief lines , and master strokes of a face so truly , that through all the differences of age , the picture shall still bear a resemblance . this art was mr. waller's ; he sought out , in this flowing tongue of ours , what parts would last , and be of standing use and ornament ; and this he did so successfully , that his language is now as fresh as it was at first setting out . were we to judge barely by the wording , we could not know what was wrote at twenty , and what at fourscore . he complains indeed of a tyde of words that comes in upon the english poet , o'reflows whate're he builds : but this was less his case than any mans , that ever wrote ; and the mischief on 't is , this very complaint will last long enough to confute it self . for though english be mouldring stone , as he tells us there ; yet he has certainly pick'd the best out of a bad quarry . we are no less beholding to him for the new turn of verse , which he brought in , and the improvement he made in our numbers . before his time , men rhym'd indeed , and that was all : as for the harmony of measure , and that dance of words , which good ears are so much pleas'd with , they knew nothing of it . their poetry then was made up almost entirely of monosyllables ; which , when they come together in any cluster , are certainly the most harsh untunable things in the world. if any man doubts of this , let him read ten lines in donne , and he 'll be quickly convinc'd . besides , their verses ran all into one another , and hung together , throughout a whole copy , like the hook't attoms , that compose a body in des cartes . there was no distinction of parts , no regular stops , nothing for the ear to rest upon — but as soon as the copy began , down it went , like a larum , incessantly ; and the reader was sure to be out of breath , before he got to the end of it . so that really verse in those days was but down-right prose , tagg'd with rhymes . mr. waller remov'd all these faults , brought in more polysyllables , and smoother measures ; bound up his thoughts better , and in a cadence more agreeable to the nature of the verse he wrote in : so that where-ever the natural stops of that were , he contriv'd the little breakings of his sense so as to fall in with ' em . and for that reason , since the stress of our verse lyes commonly upon the last syllable , you 'll hardly ever find him using a word of no force there . i would say if i were not afraid the reader would think me too nice , that he commonly closes with verbs , in which we know the life of language consists . among other improvements , we may reckon that of his rhymes . which are always good , and very often the better for being new . he had a fine ear , and knew how quickly that sense was cloy'd by the same round of chiming words still returning upon it . 't is a decided case by the great master of writing . quae sunt ampla & pulchra , diu placere possunt ; quae lepida & concinna , ( amongst which rhyme must , whether it will or no , take its place ) cito satietate afficiunt aurium sensum fastidiosissimum . this he understood very well , and therefore , to take off the danger of a surfeit that way , strove to please by variety , and new sounds . had he carried this observation ( among others ) as far as it would go , it must , methinks , have shown him the incurable fault of this jingling kind of poetry , and have led his later judgment to blank verse . but he continu'd an obstinate lover of rhyme to the very last : 't was a mistress , that never appear'd unhandsome in his eyes , and was courted by him long after sacharissa was forsaken . he had rais'd it , and brought it to that perfection we now enjoy it in : and the poet's temper ( which has always a little vanity in it ) would not suffer him ever to slight a thing , he had taken so much pains to adorn . my lord roscommon was more impartial : no man ever rhym'd truer and evener than he ; yet he is so just as to confess , that 't is but a trifle , and to wish the tyrant dethron'd , and blank verse set up in its room . there is a third person , the living glory of our english poetry , who has disclaim'd the use of it upon the stage , tho no man ever employ'd it there so happily as he. 't was the strength of his geinus that first brought it into credit in plays ; and 't is the force of his example that has thrown it out agen . in other kinds of writing it continues still ; and will do so , till some excellent spirit arises , that has leisure enough , and resolution to break the charm , and free us from the troublesome bondage of rhyming . as mr. milton very well calls it , and has prov'd it as well , by what he has wrote in another way . but this is a thought for times at some distance ; the present age is a little too warlike : it may perhaps furnish out matter for a good poem in the next , but 't will hardly encourage one now : without prophesying , a man may easily know , what sort of lawrels are like to be in request ? whilst i am talking of verse , i find my self , i don't know how , betray'd into a great deal of prose . i intended no more than to put the reader in mind , what respect was due to any thing that fell from the pen of mr. waller . i have heard his last printed copies , which are added in the several editions of his poems , very slightly spoken of ; but certainly they don't deserve it . they do indeed discover themselves to be his last , and that 's the worst we can say of ' em . he is there iam senior : sed cruda deo viridisque senectus . the same censure perhaps will be past on the pieces of this second part . i shall not so far engage for 'em , as to pretend they are all equal to whatever he wrote in the vigour of his youth . yet they are so much of a piece with the rest , that any man will at first sight know 'em to be mr. waller's . some of 'em were wrote very early , but not put in former collections , for reasons obvious enough , but which are now ceas'd . the play was alter'd , to please the court : 't is not to be doubted who sat for the two brothers characters . 't was agreeable to the sweetness of mr. waller's temper , to soften the rigour of the tragedy , as he expresses it ; but whether it be so agreeable to the nature of tragedy it self , to make every thing come off easily , i leave to the criticks . in the prologue , and epilogue , there are a few verses that he has made use of upon another occasion . but the reader may be pleased to allow that in him , that has been allowed so long in homer and lucretius . exact writers dress up their thoughts so very well always , that when they have need of the same sense , they can't put it into other words , but it must be to its prejudice , care has been taken in this book to get together every thing of mr. waller's , that 's not put into the former collection ; so that between both , the reader may make the set compleat . it will perhaps be contended after all , that some of these ought not to have been publish'd : and mr. cowly's decision will be urg'd , that a neat tomb of marble is a better monument , than a great pile of rubbish , &c. it might be answer'd to this , that the pictures and poems of great masters have been always valu'd , tho the last hand weren't put to ' em . and i believe none of those gentlemen that will make the objection would refuse a sketch of raphael's , or one of titian's draughts of the first sitting . i might tell 'em too , what care has been taken by the learned , to preserve the fragments of the ancient greek and latin poets : there has been thought to be a divinity in what they said , and therefore the least pieces of it have been kept up and reverenc'd , like religious reliques . and i am sure , take away the mille anni , and impartial reasoning will tell us , there is as much due to the memory of mr. waller , as to the most celebrated names of antiquity . but to wave the dispute now of what ought to have been done ; i can assure the reader , what would have been had this edition been delay'd . the following poems were got abroad , and in a great many hands : it were vain to expect that amongst so many admirers of mr. waller , they should not meet with one fond enough to publish ' em . they might have staid indeed , till by frequent transcriptions they had been corrupted extreamly , and jumbled together with things of another kind : but then they would have found their way into the world. so 't was thought a greater piece of kindness to the author , to put 'em out ; whilst they continue genuine and unmix'd ; and such , as he himself , were he alive might own . prologue to the maids tragedy . alter'd by mr. w. scarce should we have the boldness to preter so long renown'd a tragedy to mend , had not already some deserv'd your praise with like attempt : of all our elder plays , this and philaster have the lowdest fame , great are their faults , and glorious is their flame . in both our english genius is exprest ; lofty and bold , but negligently drest . above our neighbours our conceptions are , but faultless writing is th' effect of care. our lines reform'd , and not compos'd in haste ; polisht like marble , would like marble last . but as the present , so the last age writ ; in both we find like negligence and wit. were we but less indulgent to our faults , and patience had to cultivate our thoughts . our muse would flourish , and a nobler rage would honour this , than did the graecian stage . thus says our author , not content to see that others write as carelesly as he , tho he pretends not to make things compleat , yet to please you , he 'd have the poets sweat . in this old play , what 's new we have exprest in rhiming verse , distinguish'd from the rest : that , as the roan its hasty ways does make , not mingling waters , thro geneva's lake : so having here the different stiles in view , you may compare the former with the new . if we less rudely shall the knot unty , soften the rigour of the tragedy : and yet preserve each persons character : then to the other , this you may prefer . 't is left to you : the boxes and the pit , are soveraign iudges of this sort of wit. in other things the knowing artist may iudge better than the people : but a play , made for delight , and for no other use , if you approve it not , has no excuse . enter evadne , with a page of honour . evad. amintor lost , it were as vain a thing , as 't is prodigious , to destroy the king. compell'd by threats , to take that bloody oath , and the act ill , i am absolv'd by both . a vestal vow'd , with pity i look down on the kings love , and fierce melantius frown . these will to both my resolutions bring : page , give melantius that , these to the king. exit page with letters . under how hard a fate are women born ! priz'd to their ruine , or expos'd to scorn ! the pow'r of princes armies overthrows : what can our sex against such force oppose ? love and ambition have an equal share in their vast treasures , and it costs as dear to ruine us , as nations to subdue : but we are faulty , tho all this be true . for towns are starv'd , or batter'd e're they yield : but we perswaded rather than compell'd : for things superfluous neglect our fame , and weakly render up our selves to shame . but here 's the sacred place , where we may have , before we dye , an honourable grave . the dead , and they that live retired here , obtain like pardon from the most severe . she knocks and the abbess enters . abb. the great evadne visiting our cell ! evad. 't is not to visit you , but here to dwell . can you find room for one so bad as i , that humbly begs she may among you dye ? abb. you that so early can correct your thoughts , may hope for pardon for your greatest faults . happy is she , who from the world retires , and carries with her what the world admires ! thrice happy she , whose young thoughts fix'd above , while she is lovely , does to heav'n make love. i need not urge your promise , e're you find an entrance here , to leave the world behind . evad. my guilty love devotion shall succeed . love , such as mine was , tho a dang'rous weed , shews the rich soyl , on which it grew so high , may yield as fair a crop of piety . but of all passions , i ambition find hardest to banish from a glorious mind . yet heav'n our object made , ambition may , as well as love , be turn'd a nobler way . still i ascend — it is a step above a princes favour , to belong to iove . they both go in , and the door shuts . enter melantius alone , with a letter in his hand . mel. among the vestals ! she 'll corrupt them all , and teach them from their sacred vow to fall . the standing regiments , the fort , the town , all but this wicked sister is our own . o! that i could but have surpriz'd the wretch , before she did the place of refuge reach ! that fatal beast , maliciously forsworn , twice false evadne , thus i would have torn . tears the paper with fury but this design admits of no delay , and our revenge must find some speedy way . i 'll sound lucippus , he has always paid respect to my deserts : could he be made to joyn with us , we might preserve the state ; and take revenge , without our countrys fate . he loves his brother , but a present crown cannot but tempt a prince so near throne . he 's full of honour : tho he like it not , if once he swear , he 'll not reveal the plot. exit . the king enters alone . king. melantius false ! it cannot be , and yet when i remember how i merit it , he is presented to my guilty mind less to his duty , than revenge inclin'd . 't is not my nature to suspect my friends , or think they can have black malicious ends . 't is doing wrong creates such doubts as these , renders us jealous , and destroys our peace . happy the innocent , whose equal thoughts are free from anguish , as they are from faults . enter page with a letter . page . 't is from evadne , sir. exit . king. why should she use her pen to me ? 't is some important news ! reads the letter . from among the vestals . [ strangely dated ! ] where i am retir'd from the rage of my offended brothers . i wish you were as secure from their revenge . they aim at your life , and made me swear to take it . they have got possession of the fort , and are assur'd of the inclination both of the souldiers and citizens . my first prayer is to the gods for your preservation ; my next to your majesty , that if they return to their duty , you would afford them your grace . enter about the middle of the letter melantius and lucippus whispering . o my presaging thoughts ! how right are you ! all that callianax affirm'd is true . the crown we hazard , when at home we stay , and teach our forces others to obey . conduct of armies is a princes art : and when a subject acts that royal part , as he in glory rises , we grow less : while our arms prosper , ruin'd by success . for in a court what can so dreadful be , as one more glorious than our selves to see ! seeing them whisper . but there 's melantius — to lucippus ear ; what 't is he trusts , i 'll step aside and hear . he hides himself , to hearken to their discourse . lucipp . how am i caught with an unwary oath , not to reveal the secret , which i loath ! to stain my conscience with my brothers blood , to be a king ! no , not to be a god. he that with patience can such treason hear , tho he consent not , has a guilty ear. unto thy self pronounce the name of king ; that word will keep thee from so foul a thing . mel. sir , your fond care & kindness comes too late , to save your brother , or prevent my hate : the people mutiny , the fort is mine , and all the souldiers to my will incline ; of all his servants he has lost the heart , in his own court i have the nobler part : unto your self pronounce the name of king ; that word will tell you 't is no trivial thing that you are offer'd : do not storm and frown at my endeavours to preserve the crown . wear it your self ; occasion will not stay ; 't is lost unless you take it while you may . tumult and ruine will o'rewh●lm the state , and you 'll be guilty of your countrys fate . luc. aside . some form'd design against the k. is laid ; let 's try how far our reason may perswade . to him . the crown you value so , my brother bears upon his head , and with it all the cares ; while i enjoy th' advantage of his state , and all the crown can give , except the weight ▪ long may he live , that is so far above all vice , all passion , but excess of love. and can th' effects of love appear so strange , that into beasts our greatest gods can change ! mel. the deathless gods , when they commit a rape disguis'd a while , again resume their shape ; but princes once turn'd into beasts , remain for ever so , and should , like beasts , be slain . luc. tho more in years , you have a mistress still and for that fault would you your soveraign kill love is the frailty of heroic minds , and where great vertues are our pardon finds . brutes may be chast ; pidgeons , swans and doves are more confin'd , than we are , in their loves . justice and bounty , in a prince , are things that subjects make as happy as their kings . will you contract the guilt of royal blood ? and rob your country of her chiefest good ? mel. of one , whose lust his family has stain'd , by whose good conduct he securely reign'd . luc. of one , whose choice first made your valour known , and with whose armies you have got renown . 't is all the gratitude subjects can shew , to bear with patience what their princes do . mel. yet brutus did not let proud tarquin scape . luc. the prince his son was guilty of a rape . for joys extorted with a violent hand , a just revenge might with your honour stand . but should a prince , because he does comply with one , that 's fair , and not unwilling , dye ? or is it fit the people should be taught your sisters frailty , with my brothers fault ? mel. let her be known unchast , so it be said , that he that durst perswade her to 't is dead . luc. the king has wrong'd you : is it just that yo● mischief to me and the whole nation do ? mel. a brave man rather than not take reveng● just , or unjust , should the whole world unhing● luc. yet of all vertues , justice is the best , valour , without it , is a common pest. pirates and thieves , too oft with courage grac'd shew us how ill that vertue may be plac'd . 't is our complexion makes us chast or brave ; justice from reason , and from heav'n we have . all other vertues dwell but in the blood , that in the soul , and gives the name of good ; justice , the queen of vertues , you despise , and only rude and savage valour prize . to your revenge you think the king and all that sacred is , a sacrifice should fall : the town be ruin'd , and this isle laid wast , only because your sister is not chast . can you expect , that she should be so sage to rule her blood , and you not rule your rage ? both soul distempers are , but yours the worse , less pleasure has , and brings a greater curse . mel. in idle rhodes philosophers are bred , and you , young prince , are in their morals read . nor is it hard for one that feels no wrong , for patient duty to employ his tongue . oppression makes men mad , and from their breast , all reason does , and sense of duty wrest . the gods are safe , when under wrongs we groan , only because we cannot reach their throne . shall princes then , that are but gods of clay , think they may safely with our honour play ? reward a souldiers merit with a stain to his whole race , and yet securely reign ? farewel ! i know so brave a man will scorn to tell the secret , unto which he 's sworn . luc. aside . i promis'd secresy , but did not say i would look tamely on . to him . melantius stay : tho you surpriz'd me , and my hasty word restrains my tongue , it tyes not up my sword. of other vertues tho you are bereft by your wild rage , i know your valour 's left . swear not to touch my brother , or with speed behind the castle-wall let 's meet . mel. agreed . exit . lucip. mel. his well-known vertue , and his constant love , to his bad brother may the people move : i 'll take the occasion , which he gives , to bring him to his death , and then destroy the king. ex. mel. enter the king as discovering himself . king. o! what an happiness it is to find a friend of our own blood , a brother kind ! a prince so good , so just , so void of fear , is of more value than the crown i wear . the kingdom offer'd , if he would engage , he has refus'd with a becoming rage . happy this isle , with such a hero blest ; what vertue dwells not in his loyal breast ? enter strato . str. sir , we are lost , melantius has the fort , and the town rises to assault the court : wherein they 'll find the strongest part their own : if you 'll preserve your self , you must be gone . i have a garden opens to the sea , from whence i can your majesty convey to some near friend . king. there with your shallop stay : the game 's not lost , i have one card to play . suffer not diphilus to leave the court , but bid him presently to me resort . exit strato . had not this challenge stopt the impendent fate , we must have perisht with the ruin'd state. forts , souldiers , citizens , of all bereft , there 's nothing but our private valour lest : if he survive , i have not long to reign ; but he that 's injur'd should be fairly slain . the people for their darling would repine , if he should fall by any hand , but mine . less wise than valiant , the vain man is gone to fight a duel , when his work was done . should i command my guards to find him , where he meets my brother , and destroy him there , all hope of peace for ever would be lost , and the wise rabble would adore his ghost . dead , than alive , he would do greater harm , and the whole island , to revenge him , arm . so popular , so mighty have i made this fighting man , while i liv'd in the shade . but 't was a double fault to raise him so , and then dishonour on his house to throw . ill govern'd passions in a princes breast , hazard his private , and the public rest . but errors , not to be recall'd , do find their best redress from presence of the mind . courage our greatest failings does supply , and makes all good , or handsomely we dye . life is a thing of common use , by heav'n as well to flyes , as unto princes giv'n . but , for the crown , 't is a more sacred thing : i 'll dying lose it , or i 'll live a king. enter diphilus . come , diphilus , we must together walk , and of a matter of importance talk . diph. aside . what fate is this ! had he stayd half an hour , the rising town had steed me from his power . exeunt : scene changes into a field : into which enter lucippus and melantius , with swords drawn . mel. be yet advis'd , th' injurious king forsake ; death , or a scepter from melantius take . lucip. be thou advis'd , thy black design forsake ; death , or this counsel from lucippus take . mel. youth and vain confidence thy life betray ; thro armies this has made melantius's way . lucip. drawn for your king , that sword would wonders do ; the better cause makes mine the sharper now . thy brutal anger does the gods defy ; kings are their care , resume thy loyalty : or from thy guilty head i 'll pluck the bays , and all thy triumphs shall become my praise . mel. that shall be quickly try'd . enter the king with diphilus . king. with sword in hand ' like a good brother , by your brother stand . diph. glad that your pleasure lies this noble way . i never did more willingly obey . king. thy life , melantius , i am come to take , of which foul treason does a forfeit make . to do thee honour , i will shed that blood , which the just laws , if i were faultless , should . mel. 't is bravely urg'd , sir ; but , their guards away , kings have but small advantage of the law. king. having infring'd the law , i wave my right as king , and thus submit my self to fight . why did not you your own sierce hand employ , as i do mine , and tell the reason why ? a subject should be heard before he 's slain : and does less right belong to us that reign ? mel. if , as unjust , i could have thought you brave , this way i chosen had revenge to have . a way so noble , that i must confess , already i begin to hate you less . so unexpected and so brave a thing , makes me remember that you are my king. and i would rather be contented , since he challeng'd first , to combat with that prince . that so , a brother for a sister chang'd , we may be of your wanton pride reveng'd . king. 't was i that wrong'd you , you my life have sought ; no duel ever was more justly sought . we both have reason for our fatal wrath : nor is it fit the world should hold us both . lucippus to the king apart . me for what nobler use can you reserve , than thus the crown from danger to preserve ? members expose themselves , to save the head : this way he shall be satisfy'd , or dead . melantius to his brother apart . tho foul injustice majesty did stain , this noble carriage makes it bright again . when kings with courage act , something divine that calls for reverence , does about them shine . diph. were we born princes , we could not expect for an affront receiv'd ; greater respect . they that with sharpest injuries are stung , if fairly fought withal , forget the wrong . a thousand pitties such a royal pair should run this hazard for a wanton fair . mel. let us fright so , as to avoid th' extream either of fearing or of killing them . lucippus apart to his brother . sir , you should wield a scepter , not a sword , nor with your weapon kill , but with your word . the gods by others execute their will. k. yet heav'n does oft with its own thunder kill : and when necessity and right command , a sword is thunder in a soveraign's hand . let us dispatch , lest any find us here , before we fight ; or he grow less severe . here they all fight . lucippus to the king. hold sir , they only guard , and still give place , to them . fight us , as enemies , or ask for grace . mel. i never thought i could expedient see , on this side death , to right our family . the royal sword thus drawn , has cur'd a wound for which no other salve could have been found . your brothers now in arms our selves we boast , as satisfaction for a sister lost . the blood of kings expos'd , washes a stain cleaner , than thousands of the vulgar slain . you have our pardon , sir ; and humbly now , as subjects ought , we beg the same of you . here they both kneel . pardon our guilty rage , which here takes end , for a lost sister , and a ruin'd friend . luc. let your great heart a gracious motion feel : is 't not enough , you see melantius kneel ? i 'll be a pledge for both , they shall be true as heretofore ; and you shall trust 'em too . his loyal arm shall still support the state , and you no more provoke so just an hate . king. rise , brave melantius , i thy pardon sign , with as much joy , as i am proud of mine . rise , valiant diphilus , i hope you 'll both forget my fault , as i shall your just wrath . diph. valour reveal'd in princes does redeem their greatest faults , and crowns them with esteem . use us with honour , and we are your slaves , to bleed for you , when least occasion craves . king. with honour and with trust this land shall know , after my brother , none so great as you . enter the kings guards . mel. if these approach us , sir , by your command , take back your pardon , on our guard we stand . the king steps between ' em . king. what over-diligence has brought you here captain of the guards . such as you 'll pardon when the news you hear amintor is retir'd , aspasia gone , and a strange humour does possess the town . they arm apace , sir , and aloud declare things which we dare not whisper in your ear. the council met , your guards to find you sent , and know your pleasure in this exigent . this honour'd person you might justly fear , were he not loyal , and amongst us here . they say his merit 's ill return'd , and cry , with great melantius they will live and dye . mel. sir , not your power , but vertue made me bow ; for all he tells you , i did kneeling know . tho now the faithfulst of your subjects , we have been the cause of all this mutiny . go comfort , sir , amintor , while we run to stop the rage of this revolting town ; and let them know the happiness they have in such a royal pair , so just , so brave . lend me your guards , that if perswasion fail , force may against the mutineers prevail . k. to the guards . go , and obey , with as exact a care , all his commands , as if our self were there . he that depends upon another , must oblige his honour with a boundless trust . exeunt king and lucippus . mel. how vain is man ! how quickly changed are his wrath and fury to a loyal care ! this drawn but now against my soveraigns breast , before 't is sheath'd shall give him peace and rest . exeunt brothers and guards . and the scene changes into a forrest . enter aspasia . asp. they say , wild beasts inhabit here ; but grief and wrong secure my fear . compar'd to him that does refuse , a tyger's kind , for he pursues . to be forsaken's worse than torn , and death a lesser ill than scorn . oh! that some hungry beast would come , and make himself aspasia's womb ! if none accept me for a prey , death must be found some other way . not long since , walking in the field , i and my nurse , we there beheld a goodly fruit ; which tempting me , i would have pluck'd ; but trembling she , whoever pluck'd those berries , cry'd , in less than half an hour dy'd . some god direct me to the bough , on which those useful berries grow ! exit . enter amintor alone . am. repentance , which became evadne so , would no less handsome in amintor show . she ask'd me pardon ; but aspasia i , injur'd alike , suffer to pine and dye . 't is said , that she this dangerous forrest haunts , and in sad accents utters her complaints . not ev'ry lady does from vertue fall , th' injurious king doesn't possess 'em all . women are govern'd by a stubborn fate , their love 's insuperable as their hate . no merit their aversion can remove , nor ill requital can efface their love. if i can find her , e're she perish , i will gain her pardon , or before her dye . well i deserv'd evadne's scorn to prove , that to ambition sacrific'd my love. fools that consult their avarice or pride ! to chuse a wife , love is our noblest guide . exit . enter aspasia alone , with a bough in her hand , ful● of fair berries . asp. this happy bough shall give relief , not to my hunger , but my grief . in colder regions men compose poyson with art , but here it grows . how lovely these ill berries show ! and so did false amintor too . heav'n would ensnare us — who can scape , when fatal things have such a shape ? the birds know how to chuse their fare , to peck this fruit they all forbear . those chearful singers know not why they should make any haste to dye : and yet they couple — can they know love , without knowing sorrow too ? nothing in vain the gods create this bough was made to hasten fate . 't was in compassion of our woe , that nature first made poysons grow ; for hopeless wretches , such as i , kindly providing means to dye . as mothers do their children keep , she feeds us , and she makes us sleep : the indispos'd she does invite to go to bed before 't is night . death always is to come , or past : if it be ill , it cannot last . sure 't is a thing was never known ; for when that 's present , we are gone . 't is an imaginary line , which does our being here confine . dead we shall be , as when unborn ; and then i knew nor love , nor scorn . but say we are to live elsewhere , what has the innocent to fear ? can i be treated worse below , than here ? or more unjustly ? no! justice from hence long since is gone , and reigns where i shall be anon . like slaves redeem'd , death sets us free from passion , and from injury . the living chain'd to fortunes wheel , in triumph led , her changes feel : and conquerors kept poysons by , prepar'd for her inconstancy . bays against thunder might defend their brow : but against love and fortune here 's the bow. here she puts some of the berries to her mouth enter amintor in haste , strikes the berries out of her . hand , and snatches the bough . am. rash maid , forbear ; and lay those berries by , or give them him that has deserv'd to dye . asp. what double cruelty is this ? would you that made me wretched , keep me always so ? evadne has you : let aspasia have the common refuge of a quiet grave . if you have kindness left , there see me laid : to bury decently the injur'd maid , is all the favour that you can bestow , or i receive — pray render me my bough . am. no less than you , was your amintor wrong'd : the false evadne to the king belong'd . you had my promise , and my bed is free ; i may be yours , if you can pardon me . asp. your vows to her were in the temple paid , the sacred altar witness'd what you said . am. the pow'rs above are to no place confin'd , but every where hear promises that bind . the heav'n , the air , earth , and the boundless sea. make but one temple for the deity . that was a witness to my former vow : none can amintor justly claim , but you . who gives himself away the second time , creates no title , but commits a crime . asp. i could have dy'd but once ; but this believ'd , i may ( alas ! ) be more than once deceiv'd . by what new gods , amintor , will you swear ? am. by the same gods , that have been so severe by the same gods , the justice of whose wrath. punish'd the infraction of my former faith . may every lady an evadne prove , that shall divert me from aspasia's love. asp. if ever you should prove inconstant now , i shall remember where these berries grow . am. my love was always constant ; but the king , melantius friendship , and that fatal thing ambition , me on proud evadne threw ; and made me cruel to my self , and you . but if you still distrust my faith , i vow here in your presence i 'll devour the bough . asp. snatching the bough from him . rash man , forbear ! if not restrain'd by doubt , from my stretcht heart my spirits would fly out . but for the mixture of some unbelief , my joy had been as fatal as my grief . the sudden news of unexpected bliss , would yet have made a tragedy of this . secure of my amintor , still i fear evadne's mighty friend , the king. am. he 's here . enter the king , and his brother , to them . king , turning to his brother . how shall i look upon that noble youth , so full of patience , loyalty , and truth ? the fair aspasia i have injur'd too , the guilty author of their double woe . my passion gone , and reason in the throne , amaz'd i see the mischiefs i have done . after a tempest , when the winds are laid , the calm sea wonders at the wrecks it made . am. men wrong'd by kings impute it to their sate , and royal kindness never comes too late : so when heav'n frowns , we think our anger vain ; joyful and thankful when it smiles again . taking aspasia by the hand . this knot you broke , be pleas'd again to bind , and we shall both forget you were unkind . king. may you be happy , and your sorrows past , set off those joys i wish may ever last . but , madam , make not that fair fruit your food : it is the greatest poyson in the wood. am. she knows it , sir ; yet , had not i made haste , upon these berries she had broke her fast . k. read this . am. evadne with the vestals ! now you 'll have no more occasion for this bough . enter a messenger from melantius , applying himself to the king. mess. melantius , sir , has let the people know how just you are , and how he 's grac'd by you . the town 's appeas'd , and all the air does ring with repititions of long live the king. luc. sir , let us to the sacred temple go , that you are safe our joy and thanks to shew . king. of all we offer to the pow'rs above , the sweetest incense is fraternal love. like the rich clouds that rise from melted gums , it spreads it self , and the whole isle perfumes . for such a brother , to th' immortal gods more thanks i owe , than for the crown of rhodes . epilogue , spoken by the king. the fierce melantius was content , you see , the king should live ; be not more fierce than he . too long indulgent to so rude a time ; when love was held so capital a crime , that a crown'd head could no compassion find ; but dy'd , because the killer had been kind . nor is 't less strange such mighty wits as those should use a style in tragedy , like prose . well sounding verse , where princes tread the stage , should speak their vertue , or describe their rage . by the lowd trumpet , which our courage aids , we learn that sound , as well as sense , perswades . and verses are the potent charms we use , heroic thoughts and vertue to infuse . when next we act this tragedy again , vnless you like the change , we shall be slain . the innocent aspasia's life or death , amintor's too , depends upon your breath . excess of love was heretofore the cause ; now if we dye , 't is want of your applause . epilogue , design'd upon the first alteration of the play ; when the king only was left alive . aspasia bleeding on the stage does lye , to shew you still 't is the maids tragedy . the fierce melantius , &c. as before , to — the killer had been kind . this better natur'd poet had repriev'd gentle amintor too , had he believ'd the fairer sex his pardon could approve who to ambition sacrific'd his love. aspasia he had spar'd ; but for her wound , neglected love , there could no salve be found . when next we act this tragedy again , unless you like the change , i must be slain . excess of love was heretofore the cause ; now if i dye , 't is want of your applause . some verses that seem to be a part of the foregoing play. no forrest , cave , nor savage den , holds more pernicious beasts , than men. vows , oaths , and contracts they devise , and tell us they are sacred tyes . and so they are , in our esteem ; but empty names despis'd by them . women with studied arts they vex : ye gods , destroy that impious sex ! and if there must be some t' invoke your pow'rs , and make your altars smoke ; come down your selves , and in their place , get a more just , and nobler race : such as the old world did adorn , when heroes , like your selves , were born : but this i wish not for aspasia's sake ; for she no god would for amintor take . epitaph on the lady sidly . here lyes the learned savil's heir , so early wise , and lasting fair ; that none , except her years they told , thought her a child , or thought her old . all that her father knew or got , his art , his wealth , fell to her lot : and she so well improv'd that stock ; both of his knowledge and his flock ; that wit and fortune reconcil'd , in her , upon each other smil'd . whilst she to ev'ry well-taught mind was so propitiously inclin'd ; and gave such title to her store , that none , but th' ignorant , were poor . the muses daily found supplys both from her hands , and from her eyes . her bounty did at once engage , and matchless beauty warm their rage . such was this dame in calmer days , her nations ornament and praise . but , when a storm disturb'd our rest , the port and refuge of th' opprest . this made her fortune understood , and look'd on as some public good . so that , her person and her state exempted from the common fate , in all our civil fury she stood , like a sacred temple , free . may here her monument stand so , to credit this rude age ; and shew to future times , that even we some patterns did of vertue see : and one sublime example had of good , among so many bad . epitaph , unfinished . great soul , for whom death will no longer stay , but sends in haste to snatch our bliss away . o cruel death ! to those you take more kind , than to the wretched mortals left behind ! here beauty , youth and noble vertue shin'd , free from the clouds of pride that shade the mind . inspired verse may on this marble live , but can no honour to thy ashes give . the triple combat . when thro the world fair mazarine had run , bright as her fellow-traveller , the sun ; hither at length the roman eagle flys , as the last triumph of her conqu'ring eyes . as heir to iulius , she may pretend a second time to make this nation bend . but portsmouth , springing from the ancient race of britains , which the saxon here did chase , as they great caesar did opppose , makes head ; and does against this new invader lead . that goodly nymph , the taller of the two , careless and fearless to the field does go . becoming blushes on the other wait , and her young look excuses want of height . beauty gives courage ; for she knows the day must not be won the amazonian way . nor does her grace the better title want ; our law 's indulgent to the occupant . legions of beauties to the battel come , for little britain these , and those for rome . drest to advantage , this illustrious pair arriv'd , for combat in the list appear . venus had been an equal friend to both , and victory to declare her self seems loth . what may the fates design ! for never yet from distant regions two such beauties met ? over the camp with doubtful wings she flys , till chloris shining in the field she spys . the lovely chloris shining well attended came , a thousand graces waited on the dame. her matchless form made all the english glad , and foreign beauties less assurance had . yet , like the three on ida's top , they all pretend alike , contesting for the ball. which to determine love himself declin'd , lest the neglected should become less kind . such killing looks ! so thick the arrows fly ! that 't is unsafe to be a stander by . poets approaching to describe the fight , are by their wounds instructed how to write . they , with less hazard , might look on and draw the ruder combats in alsatia . and with that foil of violence and rage set off the splendour of the golden age : where love gives law , beauty the scepter sways ; and uncompell'd , the happy world obeys . to mr. killegrew , upon his altering his play pandora , from a tragedy into a comedy , because not approv'd on the stage . sir , you should rather teach our age the way of judging well , than thus have chang'd your play. you had oblig'd us by employing wit , not to reform pandora , but the pit. for as the nightingale , without the throng of other birds , alone attends her song : while the lowd daw , his throat displaying , draws the whole assembly of his fellow-daws . so must the writer , whose productions should take with the vulgar , be of vulgar mould : whilst nobler fancies make a flight too high for common view , and lessen as they fly . some verses belonging to a copy in the first part of his poems , entitled , vpon a war with spain , and a fight at sea : the close of it was originally thus . with these returns victorious mountagu , with lawrels in his hand , and half peru. let the brave generals divide that bough , our great protector hath such wreaths enough . his conquering head has no more room for bays : then let it be ▪ as the glad nation prays . let the rich ore forthwith be melted down , and the state fix'd by making him a crown . with ermin clad and purple , let him hold a royal scepter , made of spanish gold. on the picture of a fair youth , taken after he was dead . this copy is printed imperfectly in the first part of his poems . as gather'd flowers , whilst their wounds are new , look gay and fresh , as on the stalk they grew ; torn from the root that nourish'd 'em , a while , not taking notice of their fate , they smile ; and in the hand , which rudely pluckt 'em , show fairer than those that to their autumn grow : so love and beauty still that visage grace , death cannot fright 'em from their wonted place ; alive the hand of crooked age had marr'd those lovely features , which cold death has spar'd . no wonder then he sped in love so well , when his high passion he had breath to tell , when that accomplish'd soul in this fair frame , no business had but to perswade that dame : whose mutual love advanc'd the youth so high , that , but to heav'n , he could no higher fly . long and short life . circles are prais'd , not that abound in largeness , but th' exactly round . so life we praise , that does excel not in much time , but acting well . prologue to the lady actors . amaze us not with that majestic frown , but lay aside the greatness of your crown . for your diversion here we act in jest ; but when we act our selves , we do our best . you have a look , which does your people awe , when in your throne and robes you give 'em law. lay it by here , and give a gentler smile ; such as we see great ioves in picture , while he listens to apollo's charming lyre , or judges of the songs he does inspire . comedians on the stage shew all their skill , and after do as love and fortune will. we are less careful , hid in this disguise ; in our own clothes more serious , and more wise . modest at home , upon the stage more bold , we feign warm lovers , tho our breasts be cold . a fault committed here deserves no scorn , if we act well the parts , to which we 're born . to mr. creech , on his translation of lucretius . what all men wisht , tho few cou'd hope to see ▪ we are now blest with , and oblig'd by thee . thou from the ancient learned latin store , giv'st us one author , and we hope for more . may they enjoy thy thoughts — let not the stage the idl'st moment of thy hours engage . each year that place some wondrous monster breeds , and the wits garden is o're-run with weeds . there farce is comedy , bombast call'd strong ; soft words , with nothing in 'em , make a song . 't is hard to say they steal 'em now adays , for sure the ancients never wrote such plays . these scribbling insects have what they deserve , not plenty , nor the glory for to starve . that spencer knew , that tasso felt before , and death found surly ben exceeding poor . heaven turn the omen from their image here , may he with joy the well-plac'd lawrel wear : great virgil's happier fortune may he find , and be our caesar , like augustus , kind . but let not this disturb thy tuneful head , thou writ'st for thy delight , and not for bread ; thou art not curst to write thy verse with care , but art above what other poets fear . what may we not expect from such a hand , that has , with books , himself at free command ? thou know'st in youth what age has sought in vain and bring'st forth sons without a mothers pain : so easie is thy sense , thy verse so sweet , thy words so proper , and thy phrase so fit , we read , and read again , and still admire whence came this youth , and whence this wondrous fire pardon this rapture , sir ; but who can be cold and unmov'd , yet have his thoughts on thee ▪ thy goodness may my several faults forgive , and by your help these wretched lines may live : but if when view'd by your severer sight , they seem unworthy to behold the light , let them with speed in deserv'd flames be thrown they 'll send no sighs , nor murmur out a groan , but dying silently your justice own . on the d. of monmouth's expedition into scotland , in the summer solstice , . swift as ioves messenger , the winged god , with sword as potent as his charming rod , he flew to execute the kings command , and in a moment reach'd that northern land ; where day contesting with approaching night , assists the heroe with continu'd light. on foes surpriz'd , and by no night conceal'd , he might have rush'd ; but noble pity held his hand a while , and to their choice gave space , which they would prove , his valour , or his grace . this not well heard , his cannon louder spoke , and then , like lightning , thro that cloud he broke ; his fame , his conduct , and that martial look , the guilty scotch with such a terror strook , that to his courage they resign the field , who to his bounty had refus'd to yield : glad that so little loyal blood it cost , he grieves so many britains should be lost ; taking more pains , when he beheld them yield , to save the fliers , than to win the field . and at the court his interest did employ , that none , who scap'd his fatal sword , should dye and now these rash bold men their error find , not trusting one beyond his promise kind ; one whose great mind , so bountiful and brave , had learnt the arts to conquer and to save . in vulgar breasts no royal vertues dwell , such deeds as these his high extraction tell ; and gives a secret joy to him who reigns , to see his blood triumph in monmouth's veins : to see a leader , whom he got and chose , firm to his friends , and fatal to his foes . but seeing envy , like the sun , does beat with scorching rayes , on all that 's high and great ; this , ill requited monmouth , is the bough the muses send to shade thy conqu'ring brow. lampoons , like squibs , may make a present blaze , but time and thunder pay respect to bays . cover'd with dust at one another thrown , how can the lustre of their wit be shown ! achilles arms dazles our present view , kept by the muse as radiant and as new , as from the forge of vulcan first they came ; thousands of years are past , and they the same : such care she takes , to pay desert with fame . then which no monarch , for his crowns defence knows how to give a nobler recompence . pride . not the brave macedonian youth alone , but base caligula , when on the throne , boundless in pow'r , would make himself a god ; as if the world depended on his nod. the syrian king to beasts was headlong thrown , e're to himself he could be mortal known . the meanest wretch , if heav'n should give him line would never stop , till he were thought divine . all might within discern the serpents pride , if from our selves nothing our selves did hide . let the proud peacock his gay feathers spread , and wooe the female to his painted bed. let winds and seas together rage and swell , this nature teaches , and becomes 'em well . pride was not made for man : a conscious sense of guilt , and folly , and their consequence destroys the claim ; and to beholders tells , here nothing , but the shape of manhood , dwells . of tea , commended by her majesty . venus her myrtle , phoebus has his bays ; tea both excels , which she vouchsafes to praise . the best of queens , and best of herbs we owe , to that bold nation , which the way did shew to the fair region , where the sun does rise ; whose rich productions we so justly prize . the muses friend , tea , does our fancy aid ; repress those vapours , which the head invade : and keeps that palace of the soul serene , fit on her birth-day to salute the queen . panegyrick upon o. cromwell . while , with a strong , and yet a gentle hand , you bridle faction , & our hearts command protect us from our selves , and from our foe , make us unite , and make us conquer too let partial spirits still aloud complain , think themselves injur'd that they cannot reign and own no liberty but when they may without controul upon their fellows prey . above the waves as neptune show'd his face , to chide the winds , and save the trojan race ; so has your highness , rais'd above the rest , storms of ambition tossing us represt . your drooping country , torn with civil hate , restor'd by you , is made a glorious state : the seat of empire , where the irish come , and the unwilling scot , to fetch their doom ▪ the sea 's our own , and now all nations greet , with bending sails each vessel of our fleet : your power extends as far as winds can blow , or swelling sails upon the globe may go ▪ heaven , that has plac'd this island to give law ▪ to ballance europe and her states to awe ▪ in this conjunction does on britain smile ▪ the greatest leader and the greatest isle . whether this portion of the world were rent by the rude ocean from the continent ; or thus created ; sure it was design'd to be the sacred refuge of mankind ▪ hither the oppress'd shall henceforth resort justice to crave , and succour at the court : and then your highness , not for ours alone , but for the worlds protector shall be known . fame , swifter than your winged navy flies , through every land that near the ocean lyes , sounding your name , and telling dreadful news , to all that piracy and rapine use . with such a chief the meanest nation blest , might hope to lift her head above the rest ▪ what may be thought impossible to do , for us embraced by the sea and you ▪ lords of the worlds great waste , the ocean we whole forrests send to reign upon the sea ▪ and every coast may trouble or relieve ; but none can visit us without your leave ▪ angels and we have this prerogative , that none can at our happy seat arrive , while we defend , at pleasure to invade the bad with vengeance , and the good to aid . our little world , the image of the great , like that amidst the ambient ocean 's set of her own growth hath all that nature craves , and all that 's rare , as tribute from the waves ▪ as egypt does not on the clouds rely , but to her nile owes more than to the sky ▪ so whatsoe're our earth and heav'n denies , our ever constant friend the sea supplies : that taste of hot arabia's spice we know , free from the scorching sun that makes it grow ▪ without the heat in persian silks we shine ▪ and without planting , drink of every vine : to dig for wealth we weary not our limbs ▪ gold , tho the heaviest mettal , hither swims ▪ ours is the harvest , where the indians mow ▪ we plow the deep , and reap what others sow ▪ things of the noblest kind our own soil breeds ▪ stout are our men , and warlike are our steeds . rome , tho her eagle through the world has flown could never make this island all her own here the third edward , and the black prince too , france-conquering henry flourisht , and now you for whom we stay'd , as did the grecian state , till alexander came to urge their fate . when for more worlds the macedonian cry'd , he wist not thetis in her lap did hide another yet a world reserv'd for you to make more great than that he did subdue ▪ he safely might old troops to battel lead , against the unwarlike persian and the mede ; whose hasty flight did from a bloodless field ▪ more spoyl than honour to the victor yield : a race unconquer'd , by their clime made bold , the caledonians , arm'd with want and cold ▪ have by a fate indulgent to your fame ▪ been from all ages kept for you to tame ▪ whom the old roman wall so ill confin'd , with a new chain of garrisons you bind : here foreign gold no more shall make them come , our english iron holds them fast at home ▪ they that henceforth must be content to know no warmer region than their hills of snow ▪ may blame the sun , but must extol your grace , which in our senate hath allow'd them place : preferr'd by conquest , happily o'rethrown , falling they rise , to be with us made one : so kind dictators made , when they came home , their vanquisht foes , free citizens of rome ▪ like favour find the irish ▪ with like fate , advanced to be a portion of our state ▪ whilst by your valour , and obliging mind , nations divided by the sea are joyn'd : holland to gain our friendship is content to be our out-guard on the continent ▪ she from her fellow provinces would go , rather than hazard to have you her foe ▪ in our late fight , when cannons did diffuse ( preventing posts ) the terror and the news , our neighbours they did tremble at the roar ▪ but our conjunction makes them tremble more . your never-failing sword made war to cease , and now you heal us with the arts of peace ▪ our minds with bounty and with awe engage , invite affection , and restrain our rage ▪ less pleasure take brave minds in battels won , than in restoring such as are undone : tygers have courage , and the rugged bear , but man alone can when he conquers spare ▪ to pardon willing , and to punish loth , you strike with one hand , but you heal with both : listing up all that prostrate lye , you grieve you cannot make the dead again to live. when fate or error had our rage misled , and o're these nations such confusion spread , the only cure which could from heav'n come down , was so much power and clemency in one ; one whose extraction from a noble line , gives hopes again that well-born men may shine , the meanest in your nature , mild and good , the noblest rest secured in your blood. much have we wondered how you hid in peace a mind proportion'd to such things as these ▪ how such a ruling spirit you could restrain , and practice first over your self to reign ▪ your private life did a just pattern give , how fathers , husbands , pious men should live ▪ born to command , your princely vertue slept , like humble david , whilst the flock he kept ; but when your troubled country call'd you forth , your flaming courage and your matchless worth , dazzling the eyes of all that did pretend , to fierce contention gave a prosperous end ▪ still as you rise the state exalted too , finds no distemper whilst 't is chang'd by you ; chang'd like the worlds great scene , when without noise the rising sun nights vulgar light destroys . had you some ages past , this race of glory run , with amazement we should read the story ; but living vertue ( all atchievements past ) meets envy still to grapple with at last : this caesar found and that ungrateful age , which losing him , fell back to blood aud rage . mistaken brutus thought to break their yoke , but cut the bond of union with that stroke : that sun once set , a thousand meaner stars gave a dim light to violence and wars : t was such a tempest as now threatens all , did not your mighty arm prevent the fall . if rome's great senate could not weild the sword , which of the conquer'd world had made them lord , what hope had ours , whilst yet your power was new to rule victorious armies but by you ? you that had taught them to subdue their foes , could order ▪ teach , and their high spirits compose ▪ to ev'ry duty could their minds engage , provoke their courage , and command their rage : so when a lyon shakes his dreadful main , and angry grows , if he that first took pain to tame his youth approach the haughty beast , he bends to him , but frights away the rest . then let the muses with such notes as these , instruct us what belongs unto our peace ; your battels they hereafter shall endite , and draw the image of our mars in fight tell of towns storm'd , of armies over-run , and mighty kingdoms by your conquest won ; how while you thundred , clouds of dust did choak contending troops , and seas lay hid in smoke : illustrious acts high raptures do infuse , and ev'ry conqueror creates a muse ▪ here in low strains your milder deeds we sing ▪ but then ( my lord ) we 'll bays and olive bring to crown your head , while you in triumph ride o're nations conquer'd , and the sea beside ; while all the neighbour princes unto you , like ioseph's sheaves , pay reverence and bow . upon the late storm , and death of the late usurper o. c. we must resign heav'n his great soul does claim in storms as loud as his immortal fame : his dying groans , his last breath shakes our isle , and trees uncut fall for his funeral pile . about his palace their broad roots are tost into the air : so romulus was lost : new rome in such a tempest mist their king , and from obeying fell to worshipping . on oeta's top thus hercules lay dead , with ruin'd oaks and pines about him spread ; the poplar too , whose bough he wont to wear on his victorious head , lay prostrate there . those his last fury from the mountain rent ; our dying hero from the continent ravish'd whole towns , and forts from spaniards reft , as his last legacy to britain left . the ocean which so long our hopes consin'd , could give no limits to his vaster mind : our bounds enlargement was his latest toil , nor hath he left us prisoners to our isle . under the tropick is our language spoke , and part of flanders hath receiv'd our yoke . from civil broils he did us disingage , found nobler objects for our martial rage ▪ and with wise conduct to his country show'd ▪ their ancient way of conquering abroad : ungrateful then , if we no tears allow to him , that gave us peace and empire too ▪ princes that fear'd him , griev'd , concern'd to see no pitch of glory from the grave is free : nature her self , took notice of his death , and sighing , swell'd the sea with such a breath , that to remotest shores her billows rowl'd , th' approaching fate of her great ruler told . to chloris . the two following copies are in the edition printed . chloris , what 's eminent we know , must for some cause be valued so ; things without use , tho they be good , are not by us so understood . the early rose made to display her blushes to the youthful may , doth yield her sweets , since he is fair , and courts her with a gentle ayre . our stars do shew their excellence , not by their light , but influence ; when brighter comets , since still known fatal to all , are lik'd by none : so your admired beauty still , is by effects made good or ill . madam , as in some climes , the warmer sun makes it full summer e're the spring 's begun , and with ripe fruit the bending boughs can load , before the violets dare look abroad : so measure not by any common use , the early love your brighter eyes produce . when lately your fair hand , in womans weed , wrapt my glad head , i wish'd me so indeed , that hasty time might never make me grow out of those favours you afford me now ; that i might ever such indulgence find , and you not blush , or think your self too kind , who now i fear while i these joys express , begin to think how you may make them less : the sound of love makes your soft heart affraid , and guard it self , though but a child invade ; and innocently at your white breast throw a dart as white , a ball of new faln snow . an epigram on a painted lady with ill teeth . were men so dull they could not see that lyce painted , should they flee like simple birds into a net , so grosly woven and ill set ; her own teeth would undo the knot , and let all go that she had got . those teeth fair lyce must not show , if she would bite : her lovers , though like birds they stoop at seeming grapes , are disabus'd , when first she gapes ; the rotten bones discover'd there , show 't is a painted sepulcher . to my lady — madam , your commands for the gathering of these sticks into a faggot , had sooner been obeyed , but intending to present you with my whole vintage : i stayed till the latest grapes were ripe , for here your ladiship hath not only all i have done , but all i ever mean to do in this kind : not but that i may defend the attempt i have made upon poetry , by the examples ( not to trouble you with history ) of many wise , and worthy persons of our own times : as sir philip sidney , sir fra. bacon , cardinal perron , the ablest of his country-men ; and the former pope , who they say , instead of the triple crown , wore sometimes the poets ivy , as an ornament , perhaps , of lesser weight and trouble . but , madam , these nightingals sing only in the spring , it was the diversion of their youth . as ladies learn to sing and play when they are children , what they forget when they are women . the resemblance holds further , for as you quit the lute the sooner , because the posture is suspected to draw the body awry , so this is not always practised without some villany to the mind , wresting it from present occasions , and accustoming us to a still somewhat removed from common use . but that you may not think his case deplorable , who had made verses , we are told , that tully ( the greatest wit among the romans ) was once sick of this disease , and yet recover'd so well , that of almost as bad a poet as your servant , he became the most perfect orator in the world. so that not so much to have made verses , as not to give over in time , leaves a man without excuse ; the former presenting us with an opportunity , at least , of doing wisely ; that is , to conceal those we have made ; which i shall yet do , if my humble request may be of as much force with your ladiship , as your commands have been with me : madam , i only whisper these in your ears ; if you publish them , they are your own , and therefore as you apprehend the reproach of a wit , and a poet , cast them into the fire ; or if they come where green boughs are in the chimney , with the help of your fair friends , ( for thus bound , it will be too hard a task for your hands alone ) to tear them in pieces ; wherein you shall honour me with the fate of orpheus , for so his poems , whereof we only hear the form ( not his limbs as the story will have it ) i suppose were scattered by the thracian dames . here , madam , i might take an opportunity to celebrate your vertues , and to instruct you how vnhappy you are , in that you know not who you are ; how much you excel the most excellent of your own : and how much you amaze the least inclined to wonder of your sex. but as they will be apt to take your ladiship for a roman name , so would they believe that i endeavoured the character of a perfect nymph , worshipp'd an image of my own making , and dedicated this to the lady of the brain , not of the heart of your ladiships most humble servant e. w. mr. wallers speech in parliament , . about innovations in doctrine and discipline , &c. we shall make it appear , the errors of divines , who would that a monarch can be absolute , and that he can do all things ad libitum ; receding not only from their text , ( though that be wandring too ) but from the way their own profession might teach them . stare super vias antiquas , and remove not the ancient bounds and landmarks which our fathers have set . if to be absolute , were to be restrained by no laws , then can no king in christendom be so , for they all stand obliged to the laws christian , and we ask no more ; for to this pillar be our priviledges fixt , our kings , at their coronation , having taken a sacred oath not to infringe them . i am sorry these men take no more care , for the informing of our faith of these things , which they tell us for our souls health , whilst we know them so manifestly in the wrong way , in that which concerns the liberties and priviledges of the subjects of england . they gain preferment , and then it is no matter , though they neither believe themselves , nor are believed by others ; but since they are so ready to let loose the conscience of our kings , we are the more carefully to proceed for our protection against this pulpit-law , by declaring , and reinforcing , municipal laws of this kingdom . it is worthy the observation , how new this opinion , or rather this way of rising , is even amongst themselves . for ( mr. speaker ) mr. hooker , who was no refractory man ( as they term it ) thinks that the first government was arbitrary , until it was found , that to live by one mans will , becomes all mens misery ; these are his words , and that these were the original of inventing laws . and ( mr. speaker ) if we look farther back , our histories will tell us , that the prelates of this kingdom , have often been the mediators between the king and his subjects , to present and pray redress of their grievances , and had reciprocally then , as much love and reverence from the people . but these preachers , more active than their predecessors , and wiser than the laws , have found out a better form of government . the king must be a more absolute monarch than any of his predecessors , and to them he must owe it , though in the mean time they hazard the hearts of his people , and involve him into a thousand difficulties . for , suppose this form of government were inconvenient ; ( mr. speaker ) this is but a supposition ; for this five hundred years , it hath not only maintained us in safety , but made us victorious over other nations . but suppose this form of government were inconvenient , and they have another idea of one more convenient , we all know how dangerous innovations are , though to the better , and what hazards those princes run , that enterprize the change of a long established government . now ( mr. speaker ) of all our kings that have gone before , and of all that are to succeed in this happy race , why should so pious , and so good a king , be exposed to this trouble and hazard ? besides , that king so diverted , can never do any great matters abroad . but ( mr. speaker ) whilst these men have thus bent their wits against the law of their country , have they not neglected their own profession ? what tares are grown up in the field which they should have tilled ? i leave it to a second consideration , not but religion be the first thing in our purposes and desires : but that which is first in dignity , is not always to preceed in order of time , for well-being supposes a being ; and the first impediment which men naturally endeavour to remove , is the want of those things ; without which they cannot subsist . god first assigned unto adam maintenance of life , and added to him a title to the rest of the creatures , before he appointed a law to observe . and let me tell you , that if our adversaries have any such design , as there is nothing more easie , than to impose religion on a people deprived of their liberties , so there is nothing more hard , than to do the same upon freemen . and therefore ( mr. speaker ) i conclude with this motion , that there may be an order presently made , that the first thing this house goes about , shall be the restoring of this nation in general , to the fundamental and vital liberties , the prosperity of our goods , and freedom of our persons ; and then we will forthwith consider of the supply desired . and thus shall we discharge the trust reposed in us , by those that sent us hither : and his majesty shall see , that we will make more than ordinary haste to satisfie his demands ; and we shall let all those know that seek to hasten the matter of supply , that they will so far delay it , as they give no interruption to the former . mr. waller's speech in parliament , at a conference of both houses in the painted chamber , july . . my lords , i am commanded by the house of commons , to present you with these articles against mr. justice crawley , which when your lordships shall have been pleased to hear read , i shall take leave ( according to custom ) to say something of what i have collected from the sense of that house , concerning the crimes therein contained . here the charge was read , containing his extrajudicial opinions subscribed , and judgment given for ship-money ; and afterward , a declaration in his charge at an assize , that ship-money was so inherent a right in the crown , that it would not be in the power of a parliament to take it away . my lords , not only my wants , but my affections render me less fit for this imployment ; for though it has not been my happiness to have the law a part of my breeding , there is no man honours that profession more , or has a greater reverence towards the grave judges , the oracles thereof . out of parliament , all our courts of justice are governed or directed by them ; and when a parliament is call'd , if your lordships were not assisted by them , and the house of commons by other gentlemen of that robe , experience tells us , it might run a hazard of being stiled parliamentum indoctorum . but as all posessions are obnoxious to the malice of the professors , and by them most easily betrayed , so ( my lords ) these articles have told you how these brothers of the coyf are become fratres in malo ; how these sons of the law have torn out the bowels of their mother . but this judge ( whose charge you last heard ) in one expression of his , excels no less his fellows , than they have done the worst of their predecessors , in this conspiracy against the commonwealth . of the judgment for ship-money , and those extrajudicial opinions preceding the same ( wherein they are jointly concern'd ) you have already heard , how unjust and pernicious a proceeding that was in so publick a cause , has been sufficiently express'd to your lordships ; but this man , adding despair to our misery , tells us from the bench , that ship-money was a right so inherent in the crown , that it would not be in the power of an act of parliament to take it away . herein ( my lords ) he did not only give as deep a wound to the commonwealth as any of the rest , but dipt his dart in such a poyson , that so far as in him lay , it might never receive a cure. as by those abortive opinions , subscribing to the subversion of our propriety , before he heard what could be said for it , he prevented his own , so by this declaration of his , he endeavours to prevent the judgment of your lordships too , and to confine the power of a parliament , the only place where this mischief might be redress'd : sure he is more wise and learned , than to believe himself in this opinion , or not to know how ridiculous it would appear to a parliament , and how dangerous to himself ; and therefore , no doubt but by saying no parliament could abolish this judgment , his meaning was , that this judgment had abolish'd parliaments . this imposition of ship-money springing from a pretended necessity , was it not enough that it was now grown annual , but he must entail it upon the state for ever , at once making necessity inherent to the crown , and slavery to the subject ? necessity , which dissolving all law , is so much more prejudicial to his majesty than to any of us , by how much the law has invested his royal state with a greater power , and ampler fortune ; for so undoubted a truth it has ever been , that kings as well as subjects , are involv'd in the confusion which necessity produces , that the heathen thought their gods also obliged by the same , pareamus necessitati quam nec homines nec dii superant : this judge then having in his charge , at the affize , declar'd the dissolution of the law , by this suppos'd necessity , with what conscience could he at the same assize , proceed to condemn and punish men , unless perhaps he meant the law was still in force for our destruction , and not for our preservation , that it should have power to kill , but none to protect us ; a thing no less horrid , than if the sun should burn without lighting us , or the earth serve only to bury , and not to feed and nourish us . but ( my lords ) to demonstrate that this was a supposititious impos'd necessity , and such as they could remove when they pleas'd ; at the last convention in parliament , a price was set upon it , for twelve subsidies you shall reverse this sentence : it may be said that so much money would have removed the present necessity , but here was a rate set upon future necessity ; for twelve subsidies you shall never suffer necessity again , you shall for ever abolish that iudgment . here this mystery is revealed , this vizor of necessity is pull'd off , and now it appears , that this parliament of judges had very frankly and bountifully , presented his majesty with twelve subsidies , to be levied on your lordships , and the commons . certainly , there is no priviledge which more properly belongs to a parliament , than to open the purse of the subject , and yet these judges , who are neither capable of sitting among us in the house of commons , nor with your lordships , otherwise than your assistants , have not only assum'd to themselves this priviledge of parliament , but presum'd at once to make a present to the crown , of all that either your lordships , or the commons of england do , or shall hereafter possess . and because this man has had the boldness to put the power of parliament in ballance with the opinion of the judges , i shall intreat your lordships to observe by way of comparison , the solemn and safe proceeding of the one , with the precipitate dispatch of the other . in parliament ( as your lordships know well ) no new law can pass , or old be abrogated , till it has been thrice read with your lordships , thrice in the commous house , and then it receives the royal assent ; so that 't is like gold seven times purified : whereas , these judges by this one resolution of theirs , would perswade his majesty , that by naming necessity , he might at once dissolve ( at least suspend ) the great charter times confirm'd by his royal progenitors , the petition of right , and all other laws provided for the maintenance of the right and propriety of the subject ; a strange force ( my lords ) in the sound of this word necessity , that like a charm it should silence the laws , while we are dispoyl'd of all we have , for that but a part of our goods was taken is owing to the grace and goodness of the king , for so much as concerns these judges , we have no more left than they perhaps may deserve to have , when your lordships shall have passed judgment upon them : this for the neglect of their oaths , and betraying that publick trust , which for the conservation of our laws was reposed in them . now for the cruelty and unmercifulness of this judgment , you may please to remember that in the old law they were forbid to seeth a kid in his mothers milk ; of which the received interpretation is , that we should not use that to the destruction of any creature , which was intended for its preservation : now ( my lords ) god and nature has given us the sea as our best guard against our enemies , and our ships as our greatest glory above other nations , and how barbarously would these men have let in the sea upon us , at once to wash away our liberties , and to overwhelm , if not our land , all the propriety we have therein , making the supply of our navy , a pretence for the ruine of our nation ; for observe i beseech you the fruit and consequence of this judgment , how this money has prospered , how contrary an effect it has had to the end , for which they pretended to take it : on every county a ship is annually impos'd , and who would not expect , but our seas by this time should be covered with the number of our ships ? alas ( my lords ) the daily complaints of the decay of our navy tell us how ill ship-money has maintained the soveraignty of the sea ; and by the many petitions which we receive from the wives of those miserable captives at algier , ( being between four or five thousand of our county-men ) it does too evidently appear that to make us slaves at home , is not the way to keep us from being made slaves abroad ; so far has this judgment been from relieving the present , or preventing the future necessity , that as it changed our real propriety into the shadow of a propriety , so of a feigned it has made a real necessity . a little before the approach of the gaules to rome , while the romans had yet no apprehension of that danger , there was heard a voice in the air , lowder then ordinary , the gaules are come , which voice after they had sack'd the city , and besieged the capitol , was held so ominous , that livie relates it as a prodigy ; this anticipiation of necessity seems to have been no less ominous to us : these judges like ill boding birds have call'd necessity upon the state in a time when i dare say they thought themselves in greatest security ; but if it seem superstitious to take this as an omen , sure i am , we may look on it as a cause of the unfeigned necessity we now suffer , for what regret and discontent had this judgment bred among us ? and as when the noise and tumult in a private house grows so loud as to be heard into the streets , it calls in the next dwellers either kindly to appease , or to make their own use of domestick strife ; so in all likelihood our known discontents at home have been a concurrent cause to invite our neighbours to visit us , so much to the expence and trouble of both these kingdoms . and here , my lords , i cannot but take notice of the most sad effect of this oppression , the ill influence it has had upon the antient reputation and valour of of the english nation : and no wonder , for if it be true that oppression makes a wise man mad , it may well suspend the courage of the valiant : the same happened to the romans , when for renown in arms they most excell'd the rest of the world ; the story is but short , 't was in the time of the decemviri ( and i think the chief troubles of our state may make up that number , ) the decemviri , my lords , had subverted the laws , suspended the courts of justice , and ( which was the greatest grievance both to the nobility and people ) had for some years omitted to assemble the senate , which was their parliament : this , says the historian , did not only deject the romans , and make them despair of their liberty , but caused them to be less valued by their neighbours : the sabines take the advantage and invade them ; and now the decemviri are forc'd to call the long desired senate whereof the people were so glad , that hostibus belloque gratiam habuerunt : this assembly breaks up in discontent , nevertheless the war proceeds ; forces are raised , led by some of the decemviri , and with the sabines they meet in the field : i know your lordships expect the event : my authors words of his country men are these , ne quid ductu aut auspicio decemvirorum prospere gereretur , vinci se patiebantur , they chose rather to suffer a present diminution of their honour , than by victory to confirm the tyranny of their new masters : at their return from this unfortunate expedition , after some distempers and expostulations of the people , another senate , that is , a second parliament , is call'd , and there the decemviri are questioned , deprived of their authority , imprisoned , banish'd , and some lose their lives ; and soon after this vindication of their liberties , the romans by their better success , made it appear to the world , that liberty and courage dwell always in the same breast , and are never to be divorced . no doubt , my lords , but your justice shall have the like effect upon this dispirited people ; 't is not the restitution of our ancient laws alone , but the restauration of our ancient courage which is expected from your lordships : i need not say any thing to move your just indignation , that this man should so cheaply give away that which your noble ancestors with so much courage and industry had so long maintain'd : you have often been told how careful they were , though with the hazard of their lives and fortunes , to derive those rights and liberties as entire to posterity as they received them from their fathers ; what they did with labour you may do with ease , what they did with danger you may do securely : the foundation of our laws is not shaken with the engine of war , they are only blasted with the breath of these men , and by your breath they may be restored . what judgments your predecessors have given , and what punishments their predecessors have suffered for offences of this nature , your lordships have already been so well informed , that i shall not trouble you with a repetition of those precedents : only ( my lords ) something i shall take leave to observe of the person with whose charge i have presented you , that you may the less doubt of the wilfulness of his offence . his education in the inns of court , his constant practice as a councellour , and his experience as a judge ( considered with the mischief he has done ) makes it appear that this progress of his through the law , has been like that of a diligent spie through a country , into which he meant to conduct an enemy . to let you see he did not offend for company , there is one crime so peculiar to himself , and of such malignity , that it makes him at once uncapable of your lordships favour , and his own subsistence incompatible with the right and propriety of the subject : for if you leave him in a capacity of interpreting the laws , has he not already declared his opinion , that your votes and resolutions against ship-money are void , and that it is not in the power of a parliament to abolish that judgment ? to him my lords , that has thus play'd with the power of parliament , wee may well apply what was once said to the goat browsing on the vine . rode , caper , vitem , tamen hinc cum stabis ad aras in tua quod fundi cornua possit , erit : he has cropt and infring'd the priviledges of a banish'd parliament , but now it is returned , he may find it has power enough to make a sacrifice of him , to the better establishment of our laws ; and in truth what other satisfaction can he make his injur'd country , than to confirm by his example those rights and liberties which he had ruin'd by his opinion ? for the proofs , my lords , they are so manifest , that they will give you little trouble in the disquisition ; his crimes are already upon record , the delinquent and the witness is the same ; having from several seats of judicature proclaim'd himself an enemy to our laws and nation , ex ore suo judicabitur . to which purpose i am commanded by the knights , and citizens , and burgesses of the house of commons , to desire your lordships that as speedy a proceeding may be had against mr. justice crawley , as the course of parliament will permit . mr. waller's speech in the house of commons , on tuesday , july . . being brought to the bar , and having leave given him by the speaker , to say what he could for himself , before they proceeded to expel him the house . mr. speaker , i acknowledege it a great mercy of god , and a great favour from you , that i am once more suffered to behold this honourable assembly . i mean not to make use of it to say any thing in my own defence by justification or denyal of what i have done , i have already confessed enough to make me appear , worthy not only to be put out of this house , but out of the world too . all my humble request to you is , that if i seem to you as unworthy to live , as i do to my self , i may have the honour to receive my death from your own hands , and not be exposed to a tryal by the council of war : what ever you shall think me worthy to suffer in a parliamentary way , is not like to find stop any where else . this ( sir ) i hope you will be pleased for your own sakes to grant me , who am already so miserable , that nothing can be added to my calamity , but to be made the occasion of creating a president to your own disadvantage ; besides the right i may have to this , consider i beseech you , that the eyes of the world are upon you ; you govern in chief , and if you should expose your own members to the punishment of others , it will be thought that you either want power , or leisure to chastize them your selves : nor let any man despise the ill consequence of such a president as this would be , because he seeth not presently the inconveniences which may insue : you have many armies on foot , and it is uncertain how long you may have occasion to use them . souldiers and commanders ( though i know well they of the parliaments army , excel no less in modesty than they do in courage ) are generally of a nature ready to pretend to the utmost power of this kind , which they conceive to be due to them , and may be too apt upon any occasion of discontent to make use of such a president as this . in this very parliament you have not been without some taste of the experience hereof ; it is now somewhat more than two years since you had an army in the north , paid and directed by your selves , and yet you may be pleased to remember there was a considerable number of officers in that army , which joyned in a petition or remonstrance to this house , taking notice of what some of the members had said here , as they supposed to their disadvantage , and did little less than require them of you ; 't is true , there had been some tampering with them ; but what has happened at one time , may wisely thought possible to fall out again at another . sir , i presume but to point you out the danger ; if it be not just , i know you will not do me the wrong to expose me to this tryal ; if it be just , your army may another time require the same justice of you , in their own behalf , against some other member , whom perhaps you would be less willing to part with . necessity has of late forced you into untrodden paths ; and in such a case as this where you have no president of your own , you may not do amiss to look abroad upon other states and senates , which exercise the supream power , as you now do here . i dare confidently say you shall find none either antient or modern , which ever exposed any of their own order to be tryed for his life by the officers of their armies abroad , for what he did , while he resided among them in the senate . among the romans the practice was so contrary , that some inferiour officers in the army far from the city , having been sentenced by their general , or commander in chief , as deserving death by their discipline of war , have nevertheless ( because they were senators ) appealed thither , and the cause has received a new hearing in the senate . not to use more words to perswade you to take heed that you wound not your selves thorough my sides , in violating the priviledges belonging to your own persons ; i shall humbly desire you to consider likewise the nature of my offence , ( not but that i should be much ashamed to say any thing in diminution thereof : god knows 't is horrid enough , for the evil it might have occasiooed ) but if you look near it , it may perhaps appear to be rather a civil than a martial crime , and so to have title to a trial at the common law of the land ; there may justly be some difference put between me and others in this business . i have had nothing to do with the other army , or any intention to begin the offer of violence to any body . it was only a civil pretence to that which i then foolishly conceived to be the right of the subject . i humbly refer it to your considerations , and to your consciences . i know you will take care not to shed the blood of war in peace , that blood by the law of war , which hath a right to be tryed by the law of peace . for so much as concerns my self and my part in this business , ( if i were worthy to have any thing spoken , or patiently heard in my behalf ) this might truly be said , that i made not this business but found it , it was in other mens hands long before it was brought to me , and when it came , i extended it not , but restrained it . for the propositions of letting in part of the kings army , or offering violence to the members oi this house , i ever disallowed and utterly rejected them . what it was that moved me to entertain discourse of this business so far as i did , i will tell you ingenuously , and that rather as a warning for others , than that it make any thing for my self ; it was only an impatience of the inconveniences of the present war , looking on things with a carnal eye , and not minding that which chiefly ( if not only ) ought to have been considered , the inestimable value of the cause you have in hand , the cause of god and of religion , and the necessities you are forced upon for the maintenance of the same ; as a just punishment for this neglect , it pleased god to desert and suffer me with a fatal blindness , to be led on , and ingaged in such councils as were wholly disproportioned to the rest of my life ; this ( sir ) my own conscience tells me was the cause of my failing , and not malice , or any ill habit of mind , or disposition toward the common-wealth , or to the parliament : for from whence should i have it ? if you look on my birth , you will not find it in my blood : i am of a stock which hath born you better fruit : if you look on my education , it hath been almost from my child-hood in this house , and among the best sort of men ; and for the whole practice of my life till this time , if another were to speak for me , he might reasonably say , that neither my actions out of parliament , nor in my expressions in it , have savoured of dis-affection or malice to the liberties of the people , or priviledges of parliament . thus sir , i have set before your eyes , both my person and my case , wherein i shall make no such defence by denying , or extenuating any thing , i have done , as ordinary delinquents do , my address to you , and all my plea shall only be such as children use to their parents , i have offended ; i confess it , i never did any thing like it before ; it is a passage unsuitable to the whole course of my life beside , and for the time to come , as god that can bring light out of darkness , hath made this business in the event useful to you , so also hath he to me : you have by it made an happy discovery of your enemies , and of my self , and the evil principles i walk'd by so that if you look either on what i have been heretofore , or what i now am , and by gods grace assisting me , shall always continue to be , you may perhaps think me fit to be an example of your compassion and clemency . sir , i shall no sooner leave you , but my life will depend on your breath , and not that alone , but the subsistence of some that are more innocent . i might therefore shew you my children , whom the rigour of your justice would make compleat orphans , being already motherless . i might shew you a family , wherein there are some unworthy to have their share in that mark of infamy which now threatens us : but something there is , which if i could shew you , would move you more than all this , it is my heart , which abhors what i have done , more , and is more severe to it self , than the severest judge can be . a heart ( mr. speaker ) so awakned by this affliction , and so intirely devoted to the cause you maintain , that i earnestly desire of god to incline to you , so to dispose of me , whether for life or for death , as may most conduce to the advancement thereof . sir , not to trouble you any longer , if i dye , i shall dye praying for you ; if i live , i shall live serving you , and render you back the use and imployment of all those days you shall add to my life . after this , having withdrawn himself , he was called in again , and ( being by the speaker required thereto ) gave them an exact account how he came first to the knowledge of this business , as also what lords were acquainted therewith , or had ingaged themselves therein . finis . the epitaph on mr. waller's monument in beconsfield church-yard in buckinghamshire : written by mr. rymer , late historiographer-royal . on the west-end . edmundi waller hic jacet id quantum morti cessit ; qui inter poetas sui temporis facile princeps , lauream , quam meruit adolescens , octogenarius haud abdicavit . huic debet patria lingua quod credas , si graecÈ latinÈque intermitterent , musae loqui amarent anglicÈ . on the south-side . heus , viator ! tumulatum vides edmundum waller qui tanti nominis poeta , et idem avitis opibus , inter primos spectabilis , musis se dedit , et patriae . nondum octodecenalis , inter ardua regni tractantes sedem habuit , À burgo de agmondesham missus . hic vitae cursus ; nec oneri defuit senex ; vixitque semper populo charus , principibus in deliciis , admirationi omnibus . hic conditur tumulo sub eodem rara virtute et multa prole nobilis uxor , maria ex bressyorum familia , cum edmundo waller , conjuge charissimo : quem ter et decies laetum fecit patrem , v filiis , filiabus viii ; quos mundo dedit , et in coelum rediit . on the east-end . edmundus waller cui hoc marmor sacrum est , coleshill nascendi locum habuit ; cantabrigiam studendi ; patrem robertum et ex hampdena stirpe matrem : coepit vivere iii o martii , a. d. mdcv. prima uxor anna edwardi banks filia unica haeres . ex prima bis pater factus ; ex secunda tredecies ; cui et duo lustra superstes , obiit xxi octob . a. d. mdc lxxxvii . on the north-side . hoc marmore edmundo waller mariaeque ex secundis nuptiis conjugi , pientissimis parentibus , piissimÈ parentavit edmundus filius . honores bene-merentibus extremos dedit quos ipse fugit . e l.w.i.f. h.g. ex testamento h. m. p. in jul. mdcc . a panegyrick to my lord protector by a gentleman that loves peace, union, and prosperity of the english nation. waller, edmund, - . this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (wing w ). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing w estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a panegyrick to my lord protector by a gentleman that loves peace, union, and prosperity of the english nation. waller, edmund, - . p. printed by thomas newcomb ..., london : . reproduction of original in huntington library. one of two editions published in the same year. eng political poetry, english -- early works to . a r (wing w ). civilwar no a panegyrick to my lord protector, by a gentleman that loves the peace, union, and prosperity of the english nation. waller, edmund b the rate of defects per , words puts this text in the b category of texts with fewer than defects per , words. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - john latta sampled and proofread - john latta text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a panegyrick to my lord protector , by a gentleman that loves the peace , union , and prosperity of the english nation . claudian : &c. gaudet enim virtus testes sibi jungere musas , carmen amat quisquis carmine digna gerit . london , printed by thomas newcomb , in thames-street over against baynards-castle , . a panegyrick to my lord protector , while with a strong , and yet a gentle hand you bridle faction , and our hearts command ; protect us from our selves , and from the foe ; make us unite , and make us conquer too ; let partial spirits still aloud complain , think themselves injur'd that they cannot raign , and own no liberty , but where they may without controule upon their fellows prey . above the waves as neptune shew'd his face to chide the winds , and save the trojan race ; so has your highness rais'd above the rest storms of ambition tossing us represt : your drooping country torn with civill hate , restor'd by you , is made a glorious state ; the seat of empire , where the irish come , and the unwilling scotch to fetch their doome . the sea 's our own , and now all nations greet with bending sayles each vessel of our fleet ; your power extends as farr as winds can blowe , or swelling sayles upon the globe may goe . heav'n , that has plac'd this island to give lawe , to balance europe , and her states to awe , in this conjunction does on brittain smile , the greatest leader , and the greatest ile ; whether this portion of the world were rent by the rude ocean from the continent , or thus created , it was sure design'd to be the sacred refuge of mankind . hither th' oppressed shall henceforth resort , justice to crave , and succour at your court ; and then your highness , not for ours alone , but for the worlds protector shall be known : fame , swifter then your winged navie , flyes through every land that near the ocean lyes , sounding your name , and telling dreadfull newes to all that piracy and rapine use : with such a chief the meanest nation blest , might hope to lift her head above the rest ; what may be thought impossible to doe for us embraced by the sea and you ? lords of the worlds great waste , the ocean , wee whole forrests send to raigne upon the sea , and ev'ry coast may trouble or relieve , but none can visit us without your leave ; angels and we have this prerogative , that none can at our happy seat arrive , while we descend at pleasure to invade the bad with vengeance , or the good to aide : our little world , the image of the great , like that amidst the boundless ocean set , of her own growth has all that nature craves , and all that 's rare as tribute from the waves ; a egypt does not on the clouds rely , but to her nyle owes more , then to the sky ; so what our earth , and what our heav'n denies , our ever constant friend , the sea , supplies ; the taste of hot arabia's spice we know , free from the scorching sun that makes it grow ; without the worm in persian silks we shine , and without planting drink of every vine ; to digg for wealth we weary not our limbs , gold , though the heavy'st metall , hither swims ; ours is the harvest where the indians mowe , we plough the deep , and reap what others sowe . things of the noblest kinde our own soyle breeds , stout are our men , and warlike are our steeds ; rome , though her eagle through the world had flown , could never make this island all her own ; here the third edward , and the black prince too , france conqu'ring henry flourisht , and now you for whom we stay'd , as did the grecian state , till alexander came to urge their fate : when for more worlds the macedonian cry'de , he wist not thetis in her lapp did hide another yet , a world reserv'd for you to make more great , then that he did subdue : he safely might old troops to battail leade against th' unwarlike persian , and the mede , whose hastie flight did , from a bloodless field , more spoyle then honor to the victor yield ; a race unconquer'd , by their clyme made bold , the calidonians arm'd with want and cold , have , by a fate indulgent to your fame , bin , from all ages , kept , for you to tame , whom the old roman wall so ill confin'd , with a new chain of garisons you bind , here forraign gold no more shall make them come , our english iron holds them fast at home ; they , that henceforth must be content to know , no warmer region then their hills of snow , may blame the sun , but must extoll your grace , which in our senate has allow'd them place ; preferr'd by conquest , happily o'rethrowne , falling they rise , to be with us made one ; so kinde dictators made , when they came home , their vanquish'd foes , free citizens of rome . like favor find the irish , with like fate advanc'd to be a portion of our state ; while by your valour , and your courteous mind nations divided by the sea are joyn'd . holland , to gain your friendship , is content to be our out-guard on the continent ; shee from her fellow-provinces would goe , rather then hazard to have you her foe : in our late fight when cannons did diffuse preventing posts , the terror and the newes our neighbor-princes trembled at their rore , but our conjunction makes them tremble more . your never-fayling sword made war to cease , and now you heale us with the arts of peace , our minds with bounty , and with awe engage , invite affection , and restrain our rage : less pleasure take , brave minds in battails won , then in restoring such as are undon , tygers have courage , and the rugged bear , but man alone can , whom he conquers , spare . to pardon willing , and to punish loath , you strike with one hand , but you heal with both , lifting up all that prostrate lie , you grieve you cannot make the dead again to live : when fate , or error had our age mis-led , and o'r these nations such confusion spred , the onely cure which could from heav'n come down , was so much power and clemency in one . one , whose extraction from an ancient line , gives hope again that well-born men may shine , the meanest in your nature milde and good , the noble rest secured in your blood . oft have we wonder'd how you hid in peace a minde proportion'd to such things as these ? how such a ruling-spirit you could restrain ? and practice first over your self to raign ? your private life did a just pattern give how fathers , husbands , pious sons , should live , born to command , your princely vertues slept like humble david's , while the flock he kept ; but when your troubled countrey call'd you forth , your flaming courage , and your matchless worth dazeling the eyes of all that did pretend to fierce contention , gave a prosp'rous end : still as you rise , the state exalted too , finds no distemper , while 't is chang'd by you . chang'd like the worlds great scene , when without noise , the rising sun nights vulgar lights destroyes . had you some ages past , this race of glory run , with amazement , we should read your story ; but living virtue , all atchievements past , meets envy still to g●apple with at last . this cesar found , and that ungrateful age which losing him , fell back to blood and rage : mistaken brutus thought to break their yoke , but cut the bond of union with that stroke . that sun once set , a thousand meaner stars , gave a dim light to violence and wars , to such a tempest , as now threatens all , did not your mighty arm prevent the fall . if romes great senate could not weild that sword , which of the conquer'd world had made them lord , what hope had ours , while yet their power was new , to rule victorious armies but by you ? you that had taught them to subdue their foes , could order teach , and their high spirits compose , to every duty could their minds engage , provoke their courage , and command their rage . so when a lyon shakes his dreadfull mayn , and angry growes , if he that first took pain to tame his youth , approach the haughty beast , he bends to him , but frights away the rest . as the vex'd world to finde repose at last it self into augustus arms did cast ; so england now does with like toyle opprest , her weary head upon your bosome rest . then let the muses with such notes as these instruct us what belongs unto our peace ; your battails they hereafter shall indite , and draw the image of our mars in fight : tell of towns storm'd , of armies over-run , and mighty kingdomes by your conduct won ; how while you thunder'd , clouds of dust did choak contending troops , and seas lay hid in smoak : illustrious acts high raptures doe infuse , and every conqueror creates a muse . here in low strains your milder deeds we sing , but there ( my lord ) wee 'll bayes and olive bring to crown your head , while you in triumph ride o're vanquish'd nations , and the sea beside ; while all your neighbor-princes unto you like joseph's sheaves pay rev'rence and bow . finis . a speech made by master waller esquire in the honourable house of commons concerning episcopacie whether it should be committed or rejected. waller, edmund, - . this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (wing w ). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing w estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; :e , no ) a speech made by master waller esquire in the honourable house of commons concerning episcopacie whether it should be committed or rejected. waller, edmund, - . [ ], p. s.n.] [london? : iuly , . reproduction of original in thomason collection, british library. eng episcopacy -- early works to . a r (wing w ). civilwar no a speech made by master waller esquire, in the honorable house of commons, concerning episcopacie, whether it should be committed or rejecte waller, edmund c the rate of defects per , words puts this text in the c category of texts with between and defects per , words. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - emma (leeson) huber sampled and proofread - emma (leeson) huber text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a speech made by master waller esquire , in the honorable house of commons , concerning episcopacie , whether it should be committed or rejected . 〈…〉 a speech made by mr waller esquire , in the honourable of house of commons , concerning episcopacy , whether it should be committed or rejected . mr speaker , there is no doubt but the sense of what this nation hath suffered from the present bishops , hath produced these complaints , and the apprehension men have of suffering the like in time to come , make so many desire the taking away of episcopacy . but i conceive it is possible that we may now not take a right measure of the mindes of the people by these petitions , for when they subscribed them , the bishops were armed with a dangerous commission , of making new canons , imposing new oathes , and the like , but now we have disarmed them of that power : these petitioners lately ; did look upon episcopacy , as a beast armed with hornes and clawes , but now that we have cut and pared them , ( and may if we see cause , yet reduce it into narrower bounds ) it may perhaps be more agreeable ; howsoever if they be still in passion , it becomes us soberly to consider the right use and antiquity thereof , and not to comply further with a generall desire , then may stand with a generall good , we have already showed , that episcopacy , and the evils thereof , are mingled like water and oyle ; we have also in part severed them . but i beleeve you will finde that our lawes and the present government of the church are mingled like wine and water , so inseparable , that the abrogation of at least a hundred of our lawes is desired in this petition . i have often heard a noble answer of the lords commended in this house , to a proposition of like nature , but of lesse consequence , they gave no other reason of their refusall but this , nolumus mutare leges angliae : it was the bishops , was so answered then , and it would become the dignitie and wisedome of this house , to answer the people now with a nolumus mutare . i see some are moved with a number of hands against the bishops , which i confesse , rather inclines me to their defence , for i look upon episcopacy , as a counter-scarf , or outwork , which if it be taken by this assault of the people , and withall this mysterie once revealed , that we must deny them nothing when they aske it thus in troopes , we may in the next place , have as hard a taske to defend our propriety , as we have lately had to recover it from the prerogative . if by multiplying hands , and petitions , they prevail for an equality in things ecclesiasticall , this next demand perhaps may be leaegraria , the like equality in things temporall . the roman story tels us , that when the people began to flock about the senate , and were more curious to direct and know what was done , then to obey , that common-wealth soon came to ruine . their legem rogare grew quickly to be a legem ferre , and after , when their legions had found that they could make a dictator , they never suffered the senate to have a voyce any more in such election . if this great innovation proceed , i shall expect a flat and levell in learing too , as well as in church preferments . horos alit artes , for though it be true , that grave and pious men do study for learning sake , and imbrace vertue for it self , yet it is as true , that youth ( which is the season when learning is gotten ) is not without ambition , nor will ever take paines to excell in any thing , when there is not some hope of excelling others in reward and dignity . there are two reasons chiefly alleadged against our church government . first scripture , which ( as some men thinks ) points out another form . secondly , the abuses of the present superiors . for scripture i will not dispute it in this place , but am confident that when ever an equ all division of lands and goods shall be desired , there will be as many places in scripture found out , which seem to favour that , as there are now alleadged against the prelacy or preferment in the church , and as for abuses where you are now in the remonstrance told , what this and that poore man hath suffered by the bishops , you may be presented with a thousand instances of poor men , that have received hard measure from their land-lords , and of worldly goods abused , to the injury of others , and disadvantage of the owners , and therefore mr speaker my humble motion is , that we may settle mens ' mindes herein , and by a question declare our resolution to reform , that is , not to abolish episcopacy . finis . three poems upon the death of his late highnesse oliver lord protector of england, scotland, and ireland written by mr edm. waller, mr jo. dryden, mr sprat of oxford. upon the late storme and of the death of his highnesse ensuing the same waller, edmund, - . this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (wing w ). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing w estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) three poems upon the death of his late highnesse oliver lord protector of england, scotland, and ireland written by mr edm. waller, mr jo. dryden, mr sprat of oxford. upon the late storme and of the death of his highnesse ensuing the same waller, edmund, - . dryden, john, - . poem upon the death of his late highness oliver, lord protector of england, scotland, and ireland. sprat, thomas, - . to the happie memory of the most renowned prince oliver, lord protector. [ ], [i.e. ] p. printed by william wilson and are to be sold in well-yard neer little st. bartholomew's hospitall, london : . reproduction of original in huntington library. heroique stanza's consecrated to the glorious memory of his most serene and renowned highnesse oliver, late lord protector of this common-wealth, &c. / [john dryden] -- to the happie memory of the most renowned prince, oliver, lord protector, &c. / [thomas sprat] -- upon the late storme and death of his highnesse ensuing the same / by mr. waller. eng cromwell, oliver, - -- poetry. a r (wing w ). civilwar no three poems upon the death of his late highnesse oliver lord protector of england, scotland, and ireland. written by mr edm. waller. mr jo. waller, edmund c the rate of defects per , words puts this text in the c category of texts with between and defects per , words. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - emma (leeson) huber sampled and proofread - emma (leeson) huber text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion three poems upon the death of his late highnesse oliver lord protector of england , scotland , and ireland . written by mr edm. waller . mr io. dryden . mr sprat , of oxford . london , printed by william wilson , and are to be sold in well-yard neer little st. bartholomew's hospitall . . heroique stanza's , consecrated to the glorious memory of his most serene and renowned highnesse oliver late lord protector of this common-wealth , &c. written after the celebration of his funerall . and now 't is time ; for their officious haste , who would before have born him to the sky , like eager romans ere all rites were past did let too soon the sacred eagle fly . . though our best notes are treason to his fame joyn'd with the loud applause of publique voice ; since heav'n , what praise we offer to his name , hath render'd too authentick by its choice : . though in his praise no arts can liberall be , since they whose muses have the highest flown add not to his immortall memorie , but do an act of friendship to their own . yet 't is our duty and our interest too such monuments as we can build to raise ; lest all the world prevent what we should do and claime a title in him by their praise . . how shall i then begin , or where conclude to draw a fame so truly circular ? for in a round what order can be shew'd , where all the parts so equall perfect are ? . his grandeur he deriv'd from heav'n alone , for he was great e're fortune made him so ; and warr's like mists that rise against the sunne made him but greater seem , not greater grow . . no borrow'd bay's his temples did adorne , but to our crown he did fresh iewells bring , nor was his vertue poyson'd soon as born with the too early thoughts of being king . ( ) fortune ( that easie mistresse of the young but to her auncient servants coy and hard ) him at that age her favorites rank'd among when she her best-lov'd pompey did discard . . he , private , mark'd the faults of others sway , and set as sea-mark's for himself to shun ; not like rash monarch's who their youth betray by acts their age too late would wish undone . . and yet dominion was not his designe , we owe that blessing not to him but heaven , which to faire acts unsought rewards did joyn , rewards that lesse to him than us were given . . our former cheifs like sticklers of the warre first sought t' inflame the parties , then to poise ; the quarrell lov'd , but did the cause abhorre , and did not strike to hurt but make a noise . warre our consumption was their gainfull trade , we inward bled whilst they prolong'd our pain : he fought to end our fighting , and assaid to stanch the blood by breathing of the vein . . swift and resistlesse through the land he past like that bold greek who did the east subdue ; and made to battails such heroick haste as if on wings of victory he flew . . he fought secure of fortune as of fame , till by new maps the island might be shown , of conquests which he strew'd where e're he came thick as the galaxy with starr's is sown . . his palmes though under weights they did not stand , still thriv'd ; no winter could his laurells fade ; heav'n in his portraict shew'd a workman's hand and drew it perfect yet without a shade . . peace was the prize of all his toyles and care , which warre had banisht and did now restore ; bolognia's wall thus mounted in the ayre to seat themselves more surely then before . . her safety rescu'd ireland to him owes and treacherous seotland to no int'rest true , yet blest that fate which did his armes dispose her land to civilize as to subdue . . nor was he like those starr's which only shine when to pale mariner they stormes portend , he had his calmer influence ; and his mine did love and majesty together blend . . 't is true , his count'nance did imprint an awe , and naturally all fouls to his did bow ; as wands of divination downward draw and point to beds where sov'raign gold doth grow . . when past all offerings to feretrian iove he mars depos'd , and arms to gowns made yield , successefull councells did him soon approve as fit for close intrigues , as open field . . to suppliant holland he vouchsaf'd a peace our once bold rivall in the british main now tamely glad her unjust claime to cease , and buy our friendship with her idoll gaine . . fame of th'asserted sea through europe blown made france and spaine ambitious of his love ; each knew that side must conquer he would own and for him fiercely as for empire strove . . no sooner was the french man's cause embrac'd than the leight mounsire the grave don outwaigh'd , his fortune turn'd the scale where it was cast , though indian mines were in the other layd . . when absent , yet we conquer'd in his right ; for though some meaner artist's skill were shown in mingling colours , or in placing light , yet still the faire designment was his own . . for from all tempers he could service draw , the worth of each with its alloy he knew ; and as the confident of nature saw how she complexions did divide and brew . . or he their single vertues did survay by intuition in his own large brest , where all the rich idea's of them lay , that were the rule and measure to the rest . . when such heröique vertue heav'n sets our , the starrs like commons sullenly obey ; because it draines them when it comes about , and therefore is a taxe they seldome pay . . from this high-spring our forraign-conquests flow which yet more glorious triumphs do portend , since their commencement to his armes they owe , if springs as high as fountaines may ascend . . he made us freemen of the continent whom nature did like captives treat before , to nobler prey 's the english lyon sent , and taught him first in belgian walks to rore . . that old unquestion'd pirate of the land proud rome , with dread , the fate of dunkirk har'd ; and trembling wish't behind more alpes to stand , although an alexander were her guard . . by his command we boldly crost the line and bravely fought where southern starrs arise , we trac'd the farre-fetchd gold unto the mine and that which brib'd our fathers made our prize . . such was our prince ; yet own'd a soul above the highest acts it could produce to show : thus poor mechanique arts in publique moove whilst the deep secrets beyond practice goe . . nor dy'd he when his ebbing fame went lesse , but when fresh lawrells courted him to live ; he seem'd but to prevent some new successe ; as if above what triumphs earth could give . . his latest victories still thickest came as , neer the center , motion does increase ; till he , pres'd down by his own weighty name , did , like the vestall , under spoyles decease . . but first the ocean as a tribute sent that gyant prince of all her watery heard and th' isle when her protecting genius went upon his obsequies loud sighs confer'd . . no civill broyles have since his death arose , but faction now by habit does obey : and warrs have that respect for his repose , as winds for halcyons when they breed at sea . . his ashes in a peacefull urne shall rest , his name a great example stands to show how strangely high endeavours may be blest , where piety and valour joyntly goe . to the reverend dr wilkins warden of wadham colledge in oxford . sir , seeing you are pleas'd to think fit that these papers should come into the publique , which were at first designd to live only in a desk , or some private friends hands ; i humbly take the boldnesse to commit them to the security which your name and protection will give them with the most knowing part of the world . there are two things especially in which they stand in need of your defence . one is , that they fall so infinitely below the full and lofty genius of that excellent poet , who made this way of writing free of our nation : the other ; that they are so little proportion'd and equall to the renown of that prince on whom they were written . such great actions and lives deserving rather to bee the subjects of the noblest pens and most divine phansies , than of such small beginners and weake essayers in poetry , as myselfe . against these dangerous prejudices , there remains no other shield than the universall esteem and authority , which your judgement and approbation carries with it . the right you have to them , sir , is not only upon the account of the relation on you had to this great person , nor of the generall favour which all arts receive from you ; but more peculiarly by reason of that obligation & zeal with which i am bound to dedicate my selfe to your service . for , having been a long time the object of your care and indulgence towards the advantage of my studies and fortune , having been moulded ( as it were ) by your own hands , and form'd under your government ; not to intitle you to any thing which my meanesse produces , would not only be injustice but sacrilege . so that if there be any thing here tolerably said , and which deserves pardon , it is yours , sir , as well as he , who is you most devoted and obliged servant . to the happie memory of the most renowned prince , oliver lord protector , &c. pindarick ode . . t is true , great name , thou art secure from the forgetfulnesse and rage of death or envie , or devouring age . thou canst the force and teeth of time endure ; thy fame , like men , the elder it doth grow , will of it selfe turn whiter too without what needlesse art can do ; will live beyond thy breath , beyond thy hearse , though it were never heard or sung in verse . without our help , thy memory is safe ; they only want an epitaph , that does remain alone alive in an inscription remembred only on the brasse or marble stone . t is all i● vain wh●t we fo● thee can doe , all our roses and perfumes will but officious folly shew , and pious nothings to such mighty tombes all our incense gumms and balm are but unnecessary duties here : the poets may their spices spare their costly numbers and their tunefull feet : that need not be imbalm'd , which of it selfe is sweet . . we know , to praise thee is a dangerous proof of our obedience and our love : for when the sun and fire meet , th'one 's extinguish't quite ; and yet the other , never is more bright . so they that write of thee , and joyn their feeble names with thine , their weaker sparks with thy illustrious light , will lose themselves in that ambitious thought , and yet no flame to thee from them be brought . we know , bles't spirit , thy mighty name wants not addition of another's beam ; it 's for our pens too high , and full of theam . the muses are made great by thee , not thou by them ; thy fame 's eternall lamp will live and in thy sacred urne survive , without the food or oyle , which we can give . t is true ; but yet our duty calls our songs , duty commands our tongues , though thou want not our praises , we are nor excus'd fo● what we owe to t●ee for so men from religion are not freed . but , from the altars , cloud must rise , though heaven it selfe doth nothing need ; and though the gods do'nt want , an earthly sacrifice . . great life of wonders , whose each year full of new miracles did appear ! whose every moneth might be , alone , a chronicle or a history ! others great actions are but thinly scatter'd here and there ; at best , all but one single starr : but thine the milkie way , all one-continued-light , and undistinguish't day . they throng'd so close , that nought else could be seen , scarce any common sky did come between . what shall i say , or where begin ? thou mayst in double shapes be shown ; or in thy armes , or in thy gown . like jove sometime with warlick thunder , and sometimes with peacefull scepter in thy hand , or in the field , or on the throne ; in what thy head , or what thy arme hath done . all that thou didst was so refin'd so full of substance , and so strongly joyn'd ; so pure , so weighty gold , that the least grain of it , if fully spread and beatt , would many leaves , and mighty volumes hold . . before thy name was publish't , and whilst yet thou only to thy self wert great ; whilst yet thy happy bud was not quite seen , or understood ; it then sure signs , of future greatness shew'd ; then thy domestick worth did tell the world , what it would bee when it should fit occasion see , when a full spring should call it forth . as bodyes , in the dark and night , have the same colours , the same red and white , as in the open day and light ; the sun doth only show that they are bright , not make them so : so whilst , but private walls did know what we to such a mighty mind should owe : then the same vertues did appear though in a lesse , and more contracted sphear ; as full , though not as large as since they were . and like great rivers , fountains , though at first so deep , thou didst not goe ; though then thine was not so inlarg'd a flood yet when 't was little , 't was as cleer as good . . 't is true , thou wast not born unto a crown , thy scepter 's not thy fathers , but thy own . thy purple was not made at once in haste , but , after many other colours past , it took the deepest princely dye at last . thou didst begin with lesser cares and private thoughts , took up thy private years : those hands which were ordain'd by fates to change the world , and alter states , practiz'd , at first , that vast design on meaner things , with equal mind . that soul , which should so many scepters sway to whom so many kingdomes should obay , learn'd first to rule in a domestick way : so government , it self began from family , and single man , was by the small relations first of husband and of father nurst and , from those lesse beginnings past , to spread it self , o're all the world at last . . but when thy country ( then almost enthrall'd ) thy vertues and thy courage call'd when england did thy armes intreat and t'had been sinne in thee , not to be great ; when every stream , and every flood , was a true vein of earth , and ran with blood when unus'd armes , and unknown war , fill'd every place , and every eare ; when the great stormes and dismal night did all the land afright ; 't was time for thee , to bring forth all our light . thou left'st thy more delightfull peace thy private life and better ease ; then down thy steel and armour took , wishing that it stil hung upon the hook ; when death had got a large commission out throwing her arrows , and her stings about ; then thou ( as once the healing serpent rose ) was 't lifted up , not for thy self , but us . . thy country wounded 't was , and sick before , thy wars and armes did her restore : thou knew'st where the disease did lye and , like the cure of sympathy , thy strong and certain remedy unto the weapon didst apply . thou didst not draw the sword , and so away the scabbard throw ; as if thy country ●●ou'd be the inheritance of mars and bloud ; but that when the great work was spunne war in it self should be undone : that peace might land again upon the shoare richer and better than before . the husbandman no steel should know none but the usefull iron of the plow ; that bayes might creep on every spear . and though our skie was over-spread with a destructive red , 't was but till thou , our sun , didst in full light appear . . when ajax dyed , the purple blood that from his gaping wounds had flow'd turn'd into letters , every leafe had on it writ , his epitaph : so from that crimson flood which thou by fate of times were led unwillingly to shed letters and learning rose , and were renew'd . thou fought'st not out of envy , hope , or hate but to refine the church and state and like the romans , what e're thou in the field of mars didst mow , was , that a holy island thence might grow . thy wars , as rivers raised by a shoure which welcome clouds do poure ; though they at first may seem to carry all away , with an inraged stream , yet did not happen , that they might destroy or the better parts annoy ; but all the filth and mud to scower and leave behind a richer slime , to give a birth to a more happy power . and make new fruits arise , in their appoynted time . . in field unconquer'd , and so well thou didst in battails , and in armes excell , that steelly armes themselves might be worn out in warre , as soon as thee . successe so closse upon thy troops did waite , as if thou first hadst conquered fate ; as if uncertain victory had been first overcome by thee ; as if her wings were clipt , and could not flee whilst thou didst only serve . before thou hadst what first thou didst deserve , others by thee did great things do , triumph'st thy self , and mad'st them triumph too : though they above thee did appear , as yet in a more large and higher sphere thou the great sun , gav'st light to every starre . thy self an army wert alone and mighty troops contain'dst in one : thy only sword did guard the land like that , which flaming in the angel's hand from men god's garden did defend : but yet thy sword did more than his , not only guarded , but did make this land a paradice . . thou sought'st not to be high or great , not for a scepter or a crown , or ermyne , purple , or the throne ; but as the vestal heat thy fire was kindled from above alone . religion putting on thy shield brought thee victorious to the field : thy armes like those which antient hero's wore were given by the god thou didst adore : and all the swords , thy armies had were on an heavenly anvill made . not int'rest , or any weak desire of rule , or empire , did thy mind inspire : thy valour , like the holy fire , which did before the persian armies go , liv'd in the camp , and yet was sacred too . thy mighty sword anticipates what was reserv'd for heaven , & those blest seats and makes the church triumphant here below . . though fortune did hang on thy sword , and did obey thy mighty word ; though fortune for thy side , and thee , forgot her lov'd inconstancy ; amidst thy armes and trophies thou wert valiant , and gentle too ; woundedst thy selfe , when thou didst kill thy foe . like steel when it much work hath past that which was rough , doth shine at last ; thy arms by being oftner us'd , did smoother grow ; nor did thy battails make thee proud or high ; thy conquest rais'd the state , not thee : thou overcam'st thy selfe , in every victorie . as when the sunne , in a directer line upon a polish'd golden shield doth shine , the shield reflects unto the sun again his light : so when the heavens smil'd on thee in fight , when thy propitious god had lent successe and victory to thy tent ; to heaven again the victory was sent . . england , till thou didst come , confin'd her valour home ; then our own rocks did stand bounds to our fame , as well as land ; and were t us , as well as to our enemies , unpassable : we were asham'd , at what we readd ; and blusht , at what our fathers did ; because we came so farre behind the dead . the brittish lyon hung his main and droopt , to slavery and burthens stoopt , with a degenerate sleep , and fear lay in his den , and languish't there ; at whose least voice before a trembling eccho ran , through every shoare , and shook the world at every roare . thou his subdued courage didst restore sharpen'dst his clawes , and in his eyes mad'st the same dreadfull lightning rise ; mad'st him again afright the neighbouring floods his mighty thunder sound through all the woods . thou hast our military fame redeem'd which once was lost , or clouded seem'd ; nay more , heaven did by thee bestow on us at once an iron age , and happy too . . till thou command'st , that azure chaines of waves which nature round about us sent made us to every pyrat slaves , was rather burthen , then an ornament . those fields of sea that washt our shores were plowgh'd and reap'd , by other hands then ours . to us the liquid masse which doth about us run as it is to the sunne , only a bed to sleep in , was . and not , as now , a powerfull throne to shake and sway , the world there on . our princes in their hand a globe did shew , but not a perfect one compos'd of earth and water too . but thy command , the floods obey'd ; thou all the wildernesse of water sway'd ; thou didst but only wed the sea not make her equall , but a slave to thee . neptune himselfe did bear thy yoke , stooped and trembled at thy stroke : he that ruled all the maine acknowledg'd thee , his soveragne . and now the conquered sea doth pay more tribute to thy thames ; then that , unto the sea . till now our valour did our selves more hurt ; our wounds to other nations , were a sport ; and as the earth , our land produced iron and steel , which should to teare ourselves . be used . our strength within it selfe did breake , lkie thundering cannons-crack , and kill those that were neer ; while th'enemies , secure and untouch't were . but now our trumpets thou hast made to sound against our enemies walls in forraign-ground , and yet no eccho back on us returning found . england is now the happy peacefull isle , and all the world the while is exercising armes and warrs with forrain or intestine jarrs . the torch extinguish't here , we lend to others oyle ; we give to all , yet know our selves no feare , we reach the flame of ruine and of death where ere we please our swords t' unsheathe . vvhilst we in calm & temperate regions breathe : like to the sunne , whose heat is hurl'd through every corner of the vvorld ; vvhose flame through all the aire doth go and yet the sun himself the while , no fire doth know . , besides the glories of thy peace are not in number , nor in value lesse ; thy hand did cure and close the scarrs of our bloody civill warrs ; not only lanc'd , but heal'd the wound ; made us again , as healthy and as sound . when now the ship was welnigh lost after the storme upon the coast , by its best mariners endanger'd most ; when they their ropes and helms had left when the plancks asunder cleft , and floods came roaring in with mighty sound ; thou a safe land , and harbour for us found , and saved'st those that would themselves have drown'd . a work which none but heaven & thee could do thou mad'st us happie whe're we would or no : thy judgment , mercy , temperance so great as if those vertues only in thy mind had seat . thy piety not only in the field but peace when heaven seeemd to be wanted least . thy temples not like ianu's only were open in time of warr : when thou hadst greater cause of feare religion and the awe of heaven possest , all places and all times alike , thy breast . . nor didst thou only for thy age provide but for the yeares to come , beside our after-times , and late posterity shall pay unto thy fame , as much as we . they too , are happy made by thee . when fate did call thee to a higher throne , and when thy mortall work was done , when heaven did say it , and thou must be gon : thou him to bear thy burthen chose , who might ( if any could ) make us forget thy losse : nor hadst thou him design'd , had he not bin not only to thy blood , but vertue kinn ; not only heire unto thy throne , but minde . t is he shall perfect all thy cures and , with as fine a thread , weave out thy loom . so , one did bring the chosen people from their slavery and feares , led them through their pathlesse road , guided himselfe by god , he brought them to the borders : but a second hand did settle and secure them , in the promis'd land . upon the late storme and death of his highnesse ensuing the same . by mr. waller . we must resigne ; heav'n his great sold do's claim in storms as loud , as his immortall fame ; his dying groanes , his last breath shakes our isle , and trees uncutt fall for his funerall pile , about his pallace their broad roots are tost into the aire ; so romulus was lost : new rome in such a tempest mis't her king , and from obeying fell to worshipping . on oeta's top thus hercules lay dead with ruin'd okes , and pines about him spread ; the poplar too , whose bough he woont to wear on his victorious head , lay prostrate there . those his last fury from the mountain rent , our dying-hero , from the continent , ravish't whole towns ; and forts , from spaniards rest , as his last legacy , to brittain lest . the ocean which so long our hopes confin'd could give no limits to his vaster mind ; our bounds inlargment was his latest toyle ; nor hath he left us prisoners to our isle ; under the tropick is our language spoke , and part of flanders hath receiv'd our yoke . from civill broyls he did us disingage , found nobler objects for our martiall rage ; and with wise conduct to his country show'd their ancient way of conquering abroad : ungratefull then , if we no tears allow to him that gave us peace , and empire too . princes that fear'd him , grieve , concern'd , to see no pitch of glory from the grave is free . nature her selfe took notice of his death , and sighing swel'd the sea , with such a breath that to remotest shores her billows rold , th' approching fate of her great-ruler told . finis . an honorable and learned speech made by mr. waller in parliament against the prelates innovations, false doctrin and discipline, reproveing the perswation of some clergie-men to his majestie of inconveniencies : vvho themselves instead of tilling the ground are become sowers of tares : vvith a motion for the fundamentall and vitall liberties of this nation which it was wont to have. waller, edmund, - . this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (wing w ). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing w estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; :e , no ) an honorable and learned speech made by mr. waller in parliament against the prelates innovations, false doctrin and discipline, reproveing the perswation of some clergie-men to his majestie of inconveniencies : vvho themselves instead of tilling the ground are become sowers of tares : vvith a motion for the fundamentall and vitall liberties of this nation which it was wont to have. waller, edmund, - . [ ], p. printed for richard smithers, [london?] : . reproduction of original in thomason collection, british library. eng church and state -- england -- early works to . a r (wing w ). civilwar no an honorable, and learned speech made by mr. waller in parliament, against the prelates innovations, false doctrin, and discipline; reprovei waller, edmund c the rate of defects per , words puts this text in the c category of texts with between and defects per , words. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion an honorable , and learned speech made by mr. waller in parliament , against the prelates innovations , false doctrin , and discipline ; reproveing the perswation of some clergie-men to his majestie of inconveniencies : vvho themselves , instead of tilling the ground , are become sowers of tares . vvith a motion for the fundamentall , and vitall liberties of this nation , which it was wont to have ▪ printed for richard smithers , . mr. waller his speech , in parliament . mr. speaker , wee shall make it appeare ; the errour of divines who would that a monarch can be absolute , and that he can doe all things ad libitum receding not only from their text , ( though that bee wandring too ) but from the way their own profession might teach them . stare super vias antiquas , and remoove not the ancient bounds and land-marks , which our fathers have set . if to be absolute , were to be restrained by no lawes ; then can no king in christendom bee so , for they all stand obleidged to the lawes christian , and we aske no more , for to this pillar , be our priviledges fixt . our kings at their coronation , having taken a sacred oath , not to infring them , i am sorry these men take no more care , for the informing of our faith of these things , which they tell us for our soules health ; whilst we know them so manifestly in the wrong way , in that which concernes the liberties and priviledges of the subjects of england . they gain preferment , and then it is no matter , though they neither beleeve themselves , nor are beleeved by others . but since they are so ready , to let loose the conscience of our kings , we are the more carefully to proceed , for our protection against this pulpit-law , by declaring , and reinforcing municipall lawes of this kingdom . it is worthy the observation , how now this opinion , or rather this way of rising is even amongst themselves . for , ( mr. speaker ) mr. hooker , who was no refractory man , as they terme it thinks that the first goverment was arbitrary , untill it was found , that to live by one mans will , becoms all mens misery ▪ these are his words , and that these were the originall of inventing lawes . and ( mr. speaker , ) if wee looke farther backe , our histories will tell us , that the prelates of this kingdom , hath often been the mediators , between the king and his subjects , to present and pray redresse of their greivances , and had reciprocally then , asmuch love and reverence from the people . but these preachers more active then their predecessors , and wiser then the lawes , have found out a better forme of government . the king must bee a more absolut monarch , then any of his predecessors , and to them he must owe it , though in the meane time , they hazard the hearts of his people , and involve him into a thousand difficulties . for suppose , this forme of government were inconvenient ; ( mr. speaker , ) this is but a supposition ; for this five hundred yeares , it hath not onely maintained us in safety , but made us victorious over other nations : but suppose , this form of government were inconvenient ; and they have another idea of one more convenient ; wee all know , how dangerous innovations are , though to the better ; and what hazard those princes runne , that enterprize the change of a long established government . now , ( mr. speaker , ) of all our kings that have gone before , and of all that are to succeed in this happy race , why should so pious , and so good a king , be exposed to this trouble and hazard ? besides , that king so diverted , can never doe any great matters abroad . but , mr. speaker , whilst these men have thus bent their witts , against the law of their country ; have they not neglected their own profession ? what tares are grown up in the field , wch they should have tilled ? i leave it to a second consideratiō , not but religion be the first thing in our purposes and desires ; but that which is first in dignity , is not alwayes to preced in order of time ; for well-being , supposes a being ; and the first impediment which men naturally , endeavour to remoove , is the want of those things , without which they cannot subsist . god first assigned unto adam , maintenance of life , and added to him a title to the rest of the creatures , before he appointed a law to observe . and let me tell you , that if our adversaries have any such designe , as there is nothing more easie , then to impose religion on a people deprived of their liberties , so there is nothing more hard , then to do the same upon free-men . and therefore ( mr. speaker ) i conclude with this motion , that there may be an order presently made , that the first thing this house goes about , shal be , the restoring of this nation in generall , to the fundamentall and vitall liberties , the prosperity of our goods , and freedome of our persons : and then we will forth-with , consider of the supply desired . and thus shall we discharge the trust reposed in us , by those that sent us hither ; and his matie shall see , that wee will make more then ordinary hast to satisfie his demands ; and we shall let all those know that seeke to hasten the matter of supply , that they will so farre delay it , as they give no interruption to the former . finis . to the kings most excellent majesty e. w., gent. waller, edmund, - . this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (wing w ). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing w estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; :e , no ) to the kings most excellent majesty e. w., gent. waller, edmund, - . [ ], p. printed by l. n. for benjamin allen ..., london : . wing attributes authorship to edmund waller. a letter deprecating the impending civil war. reproduction of original in thomason collection, british library. eng great britain -- history -- civil war, - . a r (wing w ). civilwar no to the kings most excellent majesty. e.w. gent. waller, edmund c the rate of defects per , words puts this text in the c category of texts with between and defects per , words. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - john latta sampled and proofread - john latta text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion to the kings most excellent majesty . e. w. gent. london . printed by l.n. for beniamin allen dwelling in popes-head alley . . to the kings most excellent majesty . sir , there is nothing more pernitious in a body of state than jealousie , 〈◊〉 that of love , hath a double passion of fear● and hate ; this causeth the patient to think all remedies too weake for the danger ; and certain it is , that such as advise either to sooth their princes humor , or for their own particular advantage may well be heard , but ought not to be followed . i confesse , i had thought since the departure of some that was neare unto you , that none would have ventured to have incroched your favours any more to their owne particular advantage , whereby your good subjects are deprived of those blessings that ought to be common to all , how ever the benefit that king david found by the reasonable counsell of a woman ( when he was upon a desperate designe ) hath given me some encouragement , and i make bold to return to your majesty for patronage ; what then the great god hath joyned toge●●er , let no man dare to put asunder . for as much then as it hath pleased the great god to bring your majesty and parliament together , let no man dare to put asunder : and yet so it is , that there are many in these dayes who desires nothing so much , as to make a difference between your majesty and your parliament , but beleeve it , sir , who ever they are , they are no friend to caesar , how ever , i will smite david to the wall , is become profitable to the church and state , and well it is for the innocent that wicked men cannot keep their owne counsels , god fetcheth their thoughts out of their mouths , or their countenance to be a reasonable prevention to the godly , which otherwise might proceed to a present execution for your parliament ; they are even wearied both from ireland and england , with several complaints , and they have a long time travelled , as it were , with child , and fain would they bring forth a son , but behold there is no strength to bring forth ; that counties and cities petition , sure it is because they have just cause of complaint , let then the sighes of the poore come before you , and since your majesty have refused to heare the petition of both houses by the hands of the lord of essex his excellence ; call to mind the saying of iob , if i did despise ( saith iob ) the cause of my man servant , or of my maid servant , when they contended with mee , what then shall i doe when god riseth up , and when he visiteth , what shall i answer . true it is , by reason of some evill minded people , the crown is become full of cares , and many that have brought your majesty into them , have with orpha left you , and the more to blame they . for to ingage your majesty in an action , the successe whereof can be but slight and of small moment , whereas the miscarrying may beget dangerous defects to your majesty and the whole state , and better it were for your majestie to fore-see the dangers at first , and prevent them , or desist from the motion ; for your parliament they have met with many fears , difficulties and oppositions , and although they have already stayed the tyde , yet untill i saw them remaine firme and constant , i had thought that both moses and paul had died without issue , but me thinks i see them now quitting themselves like men , and are not willing to suffer three kingdoms to perish , for that they cannot preserve it by ordinary wayes , and it is not fit a father should suffer his son to be drowned for feare of pulling him out by the haire of the head ; and sure i am , it were lawfull to cure a sick man without asking his consent , if he were capable of remedies : for your parliament , they seek not themselves , if they had , they would have been wearied after so much labour afore now , how ever for discharging of their duty they are defamed , despised , and neglected of many , yet i doubt not but god whose battels they fight will provide a due reward of their patience , and sure i am your majsty is happie in them , though you will not come nigh them , nor be ruled by them : but know , if you still withstand them , halfe the thanks will be lost , besides al this while you loseth honour ; for by reason of your evill councellours men are not apt to beleeve you : wherefore , o king , give me leave to say unto you as ioab said to the king , sam. . now therefore arise and speak comfortable to your people ; and if you doe not , the parliaments enemies will at length be yours , and that will bee worse unto you than all the evill that befell you from your youth untill now . but if your majesty will yet hearken unto them , you will winne them to obedience with kindnesse , and in so doing , you will make good that which you were sent for , whose care ought to bee imployed for the good of your subjects , knowing that their love is your greatest safety , and their prosperity your greatest honour and felicity , and this is that , which will make your bed easie for you when you shall possesse the just title to the crowne , with the love of your people , and sure i am that the countenance of it with the willing applause of the subject is the nighest way to a blessing : true it is , were it not for flatterers and evill councellors your parliament would appeare just men unto your majesty , the lord jesus christ had many enemies , but there was made known one iudas : your parliament have many iudases , but one enemie , and if your majesty would know him , it is he that hates to be reformed ; and for your parliament , they may justly take up the saying of david , and were it papist or an open enemie that should envie them , and so speak evill of them , the offence was not so great : but as david said when his familiar friend that eat bread at his table and had communion together : this , even this , is that which troubled him . most gracious soveraign , if you love god , set your selfe against this kind of men ( that set your majesty against your parliament , and call to remembrance the principall contrivers of former plots , doubtlesse they that now blow the coales will heat the fornace ; they owe you a good turn , and will ( if they can ) pay it , you see their hearts by their deeds ; prove your faith so too , the best worke that you can doe , is to doe the best you can against them , or suffer it to bee done upon them . i must confesse the church and state alwayes thrived , and was made a gainer by forraigne jarres , but by home-division it loseth honour , and suffereth much by civill warres , the lord so assist your majesty that you gaine peace at home , that so you need not care with whom you war abroad : the church of god was twice preserved in aegypt , in abraham and iacob , in christ ; and who knows but that your majesty a fourth time , nay , forever may be a means to preserve a church to god : true it is , there is pro and con , and much adoe about the setling of the government of the church . it is no matter what this man or that man say to the law then , and to the testimonies , and if any man refuse to come in , compell them all . most gracious soveraig● , there are many sorts of people that are enemies to your majesty , and your kingdoms . papists , l. bishops , flatterers , and evill councellors , and monopolizers : my humble suite is that your majesty should deal with them all , as moses dealt with his rod , and whilst it wa● a rod , he held it familiar in his hand , but when once a serpent , he fled from it . it is true , the losse of these men would be the churches gaine , and whilest god is effecting what hee purposeth concerning them and your parliament . i shall desire with david to attend the issue in silence ; knowing that modest beginnings , and hopefull proceedings makes happie endings , and if your majesty would but returne , the work would be perfected , and if i should but heare of your returne : i would with abigail make haste to fall downe before you : however troubles begun , more feared , yet not ended , that they were past , and the three kingdomes united in a posture to serve the living god . i would die next , so i might save the rest . i conclude with a story of old-age ; a mother being mis-informed against her sonne , and threatning him very sore to beat him , he brake out into these tearmes ; mother , doe not beat too hard , for wee must bee friends . finis .