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, 1606-1687. 1690 Approx. 116 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 70 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2003-03 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A67349 Wing W521A ESTC R219928 99831375 99831375 35838 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 0 1.0 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 1, no. A67349) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 35838) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 2119:07) 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, 1606-1687. Waller, Edmund, 1606-1687. Maid's tragedy. aut [24], 108, [4] p., [2] leaves of plates : port. printed for Tho. Bennet, at the Half-Moon in St. Pauls Church-yard, London : MDCXC. [1690] With an initial leaf: Licensed, Sept. 26. 1689. Copy has print show-through. Reproduction of the original in the British Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. 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Speeches, addresses, etc. -- Early works to 1800. 2002-11 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2002-12 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2003-01 John Latta Sampled and proofread 2003-01 John Latta Text and markup reviewed and edited 2003-02 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. 26. 1689. EDMOND WALLER . esq r. AEtatis suae . 76. 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 , 1678. 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 1645. 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 , 1641. 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 6. 1641. 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 32 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 4. 1643. 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 .