Ioseph, or, Pharoah's fauourite

IOSEPH , OR , PHAROAH'S FAVOVRITE .

ECCLES. 39.1 , 4.

Hee only that applyeth his minde to the Law of the most high , and is occupied in the Meditation thereof ; shall serue among Great men and appeare before the Prince .

LONDON , Printed by B. A. for Matthew Law , and are to be sold at his Shop in Pauls Church-yard . 1623.

To the right honourable and reuerend Father in God , Iohn Lord Bishop of Lincolne , Lord Keeper of the Great Seale . WHat need I any other Dedication ? Thy life & Iosephs are but one narration He kept King Pharohs Seale which was his Ring Thou art the great-Seale Keeper of our King , And art the neerest seruant to his Throne , And in his seate of Iudgment sitst alone . By him the kingdomes waight , Church , peoples care Committed to thy equall Ballance are , Thus as to Pharoh Ioseph was at Nile , So art Thou to the Monarch of this I le : God make thy seruice like good Iosephs proue , And thee reward with Pharohs Grace and loue , So Thou shalt giue thy Maister high content , And make vs happy in thy Gouernment . Your Lordships most humbly deuoted ROBERT AYLET .

THE FIRST BOOKE OF IOSEPH . Of him , whom God by brethrens enuy sent From Canaan to Egypt , to preuent Great dearth ; I sing ; thou that didst him protect In all his trauels , me in mine direct . NOw dwelt the holy Patriarch Israel At rest , in Canaan in his fathers cell , For Esau now did in mount Seir raigne , One country could not all their flocks sustain : And hauing many stormes and dangers past , Now hop'd in quiet to haue liu'd at last , Freed from his brothers hate and menacing , From Labans cruell gripes and coueting , His teares for losse of Rachel now were dride , For Dina's rape , and Simeons homicide , His sonnes abroad , in Peace their flocks do tend , Ioseph at home , his father doth attend : When lo ! an enuious Spirit ( which did reede , In holy Iacob , Isaacks promisd seede , Which he to come of Ioseph most did feare . Because he to his father was so deare ) One day amongst the sonnes of God appeard , Before the Lord , desiring to be heard : And thus began : Dread Thunderer : be iust , Hast thou not raisd vp sinfull man from dust , To make those heau'nly Mansions , ay his owne , From which thou Angels in thy wrath hast throwne And damn'd ? yet we but once did thee displease , But he offends each houre , yet liues at ease : Iacob in Isaacks Tents doth quiet liue , As with his Blessing he him Peace did giue ; And though by thy Decree man ought attaine To Ioyes of Heau'n , by sorrow , care , and paine ▪ To him thou so benigne and gratious art , Hee sees the Pleasures , neuer feeles the smart ; So as it seemes 't is thy determination , To make base Man for blisse , Vs for damnation : How hast thou blessed him on eu'ry side ? His Children many , his Possessions wide ; His flocks abound and couer all the Land , So thou dost blesse all workes that passe his hand : Well may he serue thee for so great reward , But touch him , thou shalt see his slight regard , Vexe thou but him , or any of his race , And he will thee blaspheme vnto thy face : When thus , th' Almightie ; say thou what thou can , Iacob's a matchlesse , iust and perfect man , Who feareth God , doth good , escheweth ill , Try him or his , so thou no bloud dost spill . Thus now had Satan his desires attain'd , By Iacobs Angell till that time restrain'd ; And since for bloud he could not get permission , He priuily sowes Enuie and Sedition , Which make oft greater rents in Church and State , Then open enmitie and knowne debate : Simeon and Leui , once his Instruments Of murther , vnder couer'd false intents , With the two handmaids sonnes shall kindle hate , And Enuy , for to ouerthrow the state Of simple Ioseph , who in honest sort , To Israel brought his brethrens ill report ; And in plaine meaning did to them vnfold His dreames by day , which God by night had told : Which enuiously this Sp'rit interpreting , As if he of his Brethren would be king ; And for because he was to Iacob deare , And tales to him , as they suspect did beare ▪ He by their malice labours cunningly , To ruine Iacob and his Family In Iosephs losse : Thus did the enuious Fiend Proiect destruction , God a blessed end . Little hereof thought good old Iacob , when He him to Sichem to his bretheren Doth send : where wandring he at last was told ▪ That they at Dothan pastured their fold On side of hill which Sol with chearefull eyes , Salutes and comforts soone as he doth rise ; Vnder a stately Oake , whose armes dispread , From Sunne and Raine all vnder sheltered , Neare fairest meadowes and the Riuer side , These Brethren with their Flockes in Tents abide , More healthfull , pleasant , fruitfull , spatious plaine , Was not in Canaan to be seene againe , Where whilst their Flockes doe feede , they haue good leasure , To leape , dance , caroll , sleepe , and take their pleasure , And they that feele within diuiner motions , In priuate shades may fall to their deuotions , And imitate the plumed heaun'ly Quire , Who in sweete notes Gods goodnesse doe admire ; Hither comes Ioseph , where he first admires The places fertilenesse and faire attires , For his owne coate , all party coloured , Seemd nought to that the ground apparelled : But his ten brethren him no sooner spie , But lo ! here comes the dreamer , all do crie Come let vs kill , and in some pit him cast , Then see how all his Dreames will proue at last . And when our father misseth him , wee le say , Some wicked beast deuour'd him on the way : And had not Prouidence with-held their knife By Ruben , they then taken had his life : Full glad to see his Brethren was the childe , And with a pleasing face vpon them smilde , As little thinking by them to be sold , As they at Nile his glory to behold , As cruell Cain against his brother rose , When nothing lesse good Abel did suppose : And as fierce Simeon came most cruelly On Sichem looking for affinity : So Iacobs sonnes vnwares on Ioseph run , Who kindly to salute them then did come , One bends his fist , another drawes his knife , Another sweares he 'le teare from his life . Wretch ! saith another , thou comest for a spy , That thou returning home maist tell a lye , And vs disgrace in our old fathers eare , And be alone his ioy and darling deare : Lo , saith another , we our sheaues must bring , And do to thee obeisance as our king : One saith , thou art the Sunne , we starres of night , And must all bow , whence we do borrow light : Then stripping off his party coloured coate , They blindfold him , and on the shoulder smote : And said , since thou diuin'st and dreamst so right , Reckon now which of vs thee last did smite . Whilst Lambe-like he before the sharer lies , Mute and amaz'd , yet thus at last replies . Ah brethren deare , though now too late , I proue The peril 's not so great in Hate as Loue : Cain mortall hate did to his brother beare , For that his offrings acceptable were , My father hardly scap't mine Vncles knife , Because he was Rebecca's dearest life : So did you and your mother mine despise , Because she gratious was in Iacobs eyes ; Now him , that neuer did or thought you ill , Because my father loues me , you will kill : To him once , I confesse , I did relate An ill report I heard , not for least hate Or malice that my brethren I did beare , But that you knowing it , might better cleare : That which my father did but folly deeme , To tell mine idle dreames , will you esteeme It capitall ? oh brethren deare , forbeare , If not for loue or pittie , yet for feare Of vengeance , which will follow fratricide , Cains curse shall euer on that house abide , If all consent your Brother here to slay , Iacob hath lost eleu'n sonnes in one day : And whence shall then that blessed one proceede God promisd in our father Isaacks seede ? That cursed Cham , from whom these nations come Which here inhabite , neuer yet haue done So foule a sinne ; nor Nimrods cruell sword Was ere in his owne brothers blood engor'd : A brothers sight rough Esaus fury chaces , And makes him fall to kisses and embraces . Looke on my youth , not halfe so loth to die , As to be slaine by brethrens crueltie , Looke on my innocence . Behold my teares , Respect your and my Fathers grayer haires : Who cannot but with griefe and sorrow die , For losse of me by Brethrens Butchery . Oh! neuer hope this murther to conceale , For though you your owne lips should all vp seale , These beasts , stones , trees , my bloud to heau'n will cry For vengeance , on this bloudy Felony : And that which now you thinke in secret done , Shall be made plaine and clearer then the Sunne . Now Isaack like I lye vnder your knife , And willingly as he could leaue my Life , Were I perswaded 't were the heaun'ly will , But herein Satans purpose you fulfill , And your malicious enuy satisfie : But Lord accept me as I guiltiesse die . These words proceeding from a Soule opprest With anguish , wrought so in his Brethrens brest , That though they willingly all wish him slaine , Yet each from bloud-shed would his hands retaine . Wherefore they him into a dry pit cast , With cold and hunger there to pine and wast , And suddenly they sit them downe to eate , Ne're pitying Ioseph that must sterue for meate : So haue I seene tenne hounds of bloudy kinde , Who long haue chas'd , to kill the harmelesse Hinde ; When they haue lodg'd her in the hunters gin , Whence neuer one escapes , if enterd in ; Turne to their Lodge , where for their labours meede , They on the heart and bleeding intrailes feede . Poore Ioseph had thy Brethren now thee slaine , Thou long since hadst beene rid out of thy paine : But whilst thou seek'st by teares thy life to saue , Thou now art buried quicke within thy graue : What canst thou looke for in this Dungeon vast , But eu'n with cold and hunger here to waste ? Depriu'd of Sunnes most comfortable Light , And euill Sp'rits with horrour thee to fright , Yet as a fauour this was done to thee , Thus are the wickeds mercies Crueltie . But Lord ! the childe to heau'n cries from the pit , And doth to righteous Iudge his cause commit ; Lord thou dost know how innocent I die ; Me saue , and pardon their iniquitie . As when fierce Caine , ( out of base enuying , That God should best accept his offering . ) Had Abel slaine ; His bloud to heau'n did cry , So this childs grieuous Lamentations flye Into Gods eares , who sends the Ishmaelites , First persecutors of the Israelites : From Brethrens malice Ioseph to set free , And saue his life , though lose his Libertie : So he that late escaped being slaine , Is raised vp out of the pit againe , Whom to be rid off , and for present pay , His Brethren sell to be conueid away . And now large shadowes from the Mountaines fall , And Heau'n with his blacke mantle couers all , Phebus for rest in Sea his Steedes bestowes , And from her Sea of rest the Night arose : When Iacobs sonnes amongst themselues deuise To couer their inhumane cruelties : And as we euer see that one foule sinne Begets another , to lye hidden in ; As some their foule adultery to hide , Haue first vs'd Drunkennesse , then Homicide ; So these vniustly 'gainst their Fathers will , One of the Kiddes then in his Flocke doe kill , And dipping in his blood the colourd coate Of Ioseph , it vnto their father brought , And say ; Now see good father dost thou know , Whether this be thy Iosephs coate or no ? As Turtle deare , when seeking for her loue , She finds at cu'n the feathers of a Doue , Begoard with blood late party colourd gay , Concluding now her mate hath beene the prey Of cruell hawke , sends out most piteous cries , And in those dearest blooded feathers dies . So good old Israel , whose dimmer sight , Could scarce discerne of colours by the night , Yet seeing Iosephs coate begoared red , Which lately was so finely coloured : For whom , though long he look'd , and did enquire , Yet saw nor heard least newes of his retire . Cries out , 't is Iosephs coate with blood defild , Some wicked beast deuoured hath the child . I sent him out alone vnwittingly , And therefore guilty of the crueltie . So grieuous were his groanes and lamentation , They turne to sorrow all his habitation , And though his sonnes and daughters all arise To comfort him , the best they can deuise , Yet still the good old man doth groane and crie , Ioseph is lost , I in his coate will die . He with wilde beasts is into peeces torne , I le sooner cease to liue , then cease to mourne . Father saith Dina then , th' vnlucky maid , Why should you without cause be thus dismaid ? Before times I haue often heard you say , Gods Angell you conducted in your way , From hence eu'n vnto the Assyrian plaine , And thence from Laban brought you home againe ; Oh why should you despaire then thus and feare , As God of yours had not as great a care ? What because here a bloody coate you see , Must it be Iosephs needes ? or if it bee , He may , whilst he from cruell beasts did flie , Forsake his coate to scape more speedily : He that this coate found loose vpon the ground , Not any signe of murthering him found , Nor found he either hand , head , foot or bone , Onely this bloody coate lay all alone ; Blooded it seemes with iawes of cruell beast , Which on some other prey had made his feast : " Thus can the whole to sicke good counsell giue , " And easier 't is to teach well , then to liue : But Ruben , Iudah , all his sonnes may rise , And daughters all to comfort him deuise , He rends his clothes , puts sacke cloth on his loines , And for his Ioseph long time weepes and pines , And mourning will goe downe vnto his graue To Ioseph , whom he here shall neuer haue . Meane while to Nile the Midian merchants hie , Laden with Balme , with mirrhe , and Spicerie , When Ioseph , whom if they could truely prize , Was farre more worth than all their merchandize ; Did bondage base vnto his noble minde , More bitter , then death to his body finde ; But hauing none to whom to make his mone , Goes sighing , sobbing to himselfe alone , Vntill a merchant willing him to cheare , That hee might fairer looke , and sell more deare , Enquireth of his parents and his kinde , To put more pensiue thoughts out of his mind ; Know ; saith the gentle childe , my parents came From Heber , whence we Hebrewes haue our name , The fourth from Sem , first of that blessed seede , Th' Almighty chose mankind againe to breede : My Father Iacob who the Birth right bought Of Esau , that Gods Blessing set at nought , Was Isaacks sonne , eu'n Abrams blessed seede , In whom all Nations happinesse may reade . My Mother Rachel , now depriu'd of Life , Was Israels first Loue , but second Wife : Laban both Sonne and Father in one night , Deceau'd ; of 's wife him , me of my Birth right : For when his thoughts in nuptiall Bed embrace My Mother Rachel , Lea's in place : Whereby my Brethren me in yeares surpasse , But I them in my Fathers loue and grace ; For enuy hereof , Lo ! they me haue sold , Thus briefly I my state to you haue told . The Children of the Bond woman were glad , They one now Bound of the Free-womans had : But whilst such talke makes shorter seeme the houres , Behold they now may see braue Memphis Towres , Turrets which seeme to dare the Starry skies , And Temples which like Toppes of Mountaines rise , Whose Phanes and Spires all guilt , with radiant gold , They shining like the Lampes of heau'n behold , Which often with reflecting splendor bright , Seeme to obscure Sols clearest heau'nly Light . When thus the Lad. Good Masters , So must I Now call you , and will serue you chearefully , Tell me what glorious Buildings yonder bee , Whose like in Canaan I did neuer see ; Which seeme , except mine eyes me much doe faile , Like to a Citie that on Sea doth saile , Or Noahs Arke which floting on the Floud , Preseru'd all kinde of Creatures with their food . Boy , saith a Merchant , This is Egypts Plaine , Where neuer yet did fall a drop of raine ; The Waues you see are seu'n-fold headed Niles , Which now doth Ouer-flow the richest soiles , Whence euer Sol by his all quickning heate , Rais'd Corne and Grasse , for Man and Beast to eate : There where you see the Floud like Seas appeare , Will be a Haruest twice within a yeare . Beside , no mortall wight could euer wish , Then 's there more plenty of most dainty Fish : Abram the Father of great Ishmael , ( From whom our Nation ) Famine did compell For succour to descend , into this Land , Where he is said to make them vnderstand The Nature of the highest Deitie , Formes , Lawes , and Natures of the Starry skie , And first them taught to measure out their yeare , By Sunnes iust course : For it doth plaine appeare , That they till then the Moone did measure by , Which makes them bost of such antiquitie , And reckon in their annuall Computation , Thousands of yeares before the Worlds Creation : But though he gaue them in all Arts direction , Yet neuer brought they one to such perfection , As that we call Diuine Astronomie : For in this Country best they might descrie , The formes and orders of the Lamps of Night , Where neuer Clouds obscure them from their sight . First in Caldea Abram learn'd this skill , And grew so well acquainted with Gods will , He knew all things , they say , by Reuelation , Past , present , future , from the Worlds Creation , Till that last minute that it could expire , Which as by Water erst , shall be by Fire . Indeed , saith Ioseph , I haue heard it tould , The first man Adam prophecide of ould , The worlds destruction twice , for sinnes iust hire , The one by Water th' other by the Fire , Seth therefore Adams scholler and his sonne , Not knowing which was first : of earth and stone , Two Pillars built ; The earth against the fire , The stone to stand 'gainst waters raging ire : Where Arts , which long Experience had obserued , He vnto future ages faire preserued , The earthen pillar perisht in the flood , The stone the waters violence withstood , These Heber finding after published In Syria , where first learning flourished : Till Abram , who herein did all excell , Came downe to Egypt , and as you doe tell , Conuerst with one they called Mercury , Whom , with these Arts , he taught the mystery Of one trine God-head , and the worlds creation , Who read the same vnto their neighbour nation . Whence now they are , and shall in time be spred Through all the earthly globe inhabited ▪ Thus they discourse , as if they would foretell Of Gentiles all , which after should excell , In Arts and Sciences ; which now dispread , As men , through all the earth on which we tread : For as the earth empeopled was below By Adam , so all Arts and Learning flow First from the Hebrews , vnto eu'ry nation , As Rules and Precepts come by obseruation : But now the cittie's towres obscure the skies , And make them hold their tongues , and vse their eyes The splendor of those buildings to behold , Where they the second time good Ioseph sold. The end of the first Booke of Ioseph .

THE SECOND BOOKE OF IOSEPH . NEuer did Adam more lament and plaine , For Abel , by his cruell Brother slaine , Then Iacob mourn'd for fairest Rachels Seede , Nor would by any meanes be comforted : All Day the field his Lamentations heares , All Night his Couch he watreth with his teares : And if least slumber close his blubbring eyes , Him thinkes he sees a cruell Beare surprize His dearest Ioseph ; crying out for aid , And starting vp , awakes , much more afraid , His Spirit 's thus spent , his Body wearied , With groanes , and tossing vp and downe his Bed : Loe , aged Isaack , who had long beene blinde Of 's fleshly eyes , but yet of clearer minde , Comes to his comfort , being thither led By Beniamin , who to him ministred . Long stood he mute , and to the grieuous moanes Of his blist Iacob , ecchoed with groanes , Till's heart with sorrow ready now to breake , With words all weight , he thus begins to speake . Deare Sonne , the staffe and comfort of mine age ▪ The blessed fruit of holy Marriage , Far more to Mee , then to thee Ioseph deare , Mine only Sonne , by Promise , But thou here Hast Beniamin , by thy beloued wife , Faire Rachel , whilst she liu'd thy Ioy and Life : Not that I Ioseph dead or lost doe feare , God that of mee and Abram had such care , Hath no lesse of thee and thy blest seede , In which all happinesse is promised . And if of all , of him especially Who is the chiefe of all thy Family : To whom the Sunne the Moone and Starres must fall , Whose Sheafe his brethrens Sheafs must worship all , Of these two dreames I was a due obseruer , And reade thence he shall be a great preseruer , A figure of that Sauiour great , which shall Himselfe by losing saue himselfe and all . Thus was I once lost to my faithfull sire , When on the Altar kindled was the fire , The knife was ready lift vp by his hand , To sacrifice my Life at Gods command : Thus thou as lost , for more then thrice seuen yeares , Revail'd wert by mine and Rebeccas teares , When Esaus wrath thee draue to Siria plaine , But God Almightie brought thee home againe : And I presage before the reuolution Of thrise seu'n yeares , God will the whole solution of Iosephs dreames with Ioy to thee vnfold , Which shall reuiue thy spirit then being old : Before great Blessings God doth Crosses send , That we may on his Prouidence attend , And see the riches of his grace more cleare , Which hardlier here obtain'd , we hold more deare ▪ Thus Isaac doth interpret Visions darke , As great Mathuselah at building th' Arke , Who liu'd vntill the yeare of th' inundation , As plaine appeares by Ages Computation . Good Israel was wonderfully mou'd At sight of those , he reuerenc'd so and lou'd , His Beniamin but newly taught to stride , Of his blinde Grandsires steppes then being guide , Both which seem'd two good Angels to him sent From heau'n , to ease his griefe and discontent : Wherefore soone rising on his wearie bed , Hauing his Father duly honoured , He answers with a piteous sigh and grone , Ioseph is gone , and I am left alone : Deare Rachels first borne , whom to make my wife , I was a seruant best part of my Life . After we had beene maryed foureteene yeares , Rachel and I , with Prayers , Vowes , and teares , Begg'd him of God : Then did my yeares expire , Which Laban for my two wiues me did hire : One daughter and tenne sonnes I had before , By Leah seu'n , and by my Handmaids foure , But I my Ioseph priz'd them all aboue , As I his Mother more then theirs did loue : And though I churlish did mine Vncle finde , In many things herein he was most kinde , To pay me wages ere my worke was done ; For I had Rachel ere that I begun My first yeares Seruice , whereby seu'n yeares seem'd But a few daies , so I her loue esteem'd : No man had euer more experience Then I of Gods good grace and Prouidence , When I was first to Padan Aram sent , I only with my staffe forth from thee went To Bethel , where th' Almightie Lord to mee Appear'd by Vision , promising to bee My God , and to my Seede the Land to giue , Whereon I slept ; which firmely I beleeue . Then did I vow , so he would me protect Safe in my Iourney , and my wayes direct , Giuing me Bread to eate , and Clothes to weare , The Tenth of all I had , to offer there : God gaue my asking , and abundance more , So as I thence return'd with stocke , and store : And though I long forbare my Vow to pay , God neuer me forgot , vnto this day . I confident , beyond all hope , can proue I him shall see againe , whom so I loue , At the last day : till then , hee 's dead , and gone , No hope before of Resurrection . This is his colour'd Coat , begored red By Iawes of Beasts , which on his Carkasse fed . Were I now blinde , I happy were , then could I not this dismall spectacle behold . But if , saith Isaack , he hath chang'd his Tent For heau'nly home , why should you thus lament , As without hope ? since now he is at rest , Let likewise the remembrance of him rest . Weepe you , because your losse turnes to his gaine ? Your mourning cannot bring him back againe . God , our chiefe comforts oft from vs doth rend , Lest we too much on outward meanes depend . It may be , you your loue so on him set , You thereby did your loue to God forget : Then 's Iustice iustly him from you hath rent , And Mercy giues you cause now to repent . But whether Ioseph liuing be , or dead , Let little Beniamin stand in his stead : What your affection so to him enclin'd , You eu'n the same in Beniamin shall find , Of Rachel both begot in marriage bed , Only this last she neuer suckeled , For in the paines of Birth she left her life , Thus he a tender nurse lost , thou a wife : This Isaacks rubbing on an ancient sore , Made Israel lament more then before ; So as the childe who still was standing by , To heare such mourning weepes for company : And as a Parret , newly taught to prate , The voice doth of another imitate , So cryes the Boy ; good Father , Ioseph's gone , And I alas ! here left am all alone . T' is this fine colour'd coat he wont to weare , Good father let vs it to Ioseph beare , ( For that was euer vnder Iacobs arme ) He may haue neede thereof to keepe him warme . These pleasant reasons from the witty child , Old Iacob of his sorrowes so beguil'd , He was content a while his heart to ease , The better this his dearest Boy to please . And since he Ioseph thought dead , and at rest By little he his Lamentations ceast , But euer little Beniamin would cry , To let him goe to Ioseph by and by . My Boy saith Iacob , if that thou wilt goe To Ioseph , thou must first as Ioseph doe , Be a good Boy , serue God , thy prayers say At Morne , at Night , and oftentimes a day : All lying , swearing , idle talke forbeare , Duly obey and serue thy Parents deare , To any , nor of any speake least ill , And alwaies be obedient to Gods will : For so did Ioseph , therefore I had giu'n Him this fine colour'd coat , But now in heau'n He is most gloriously by God arraid , And sees all Ioyes and Pleasures can be said . By this the Boy to imitate growes faine , Ioseph in all , for hope of Iosephs gaine ; If Iacob any thing would haue him doe , Say Ioseph did it , he would doe it too , If he from any ill would him retaine , Say Ioseph would not do 't , he would refraine : All which he so well ordered , that in fine , The Boy was measur'd all by Iosephs Line , And Iacob so delighted therewithall , He leaues his couch and comes downe to the Hall , Where euer Beniamin his darling deare , Was ready with his pratling him to cheare , Till in the end his loue so on him set , Makes him all griefe for Iosephs losse forget : And pleasure take in Beniamin now more , Then he in Ioseph euer did before . So doth one for his wife oft weepe and crie , As , after her , he would not liue but die , Forbeares his meat , till time of mourning past , Then cheares his spirits , and fals to his repast , And suddenly a second mariage proues , Whome he more dearely then the former loues , And so his deare affection on her sets , He all his former sorrowes quite forgets . Thus liu'd old Iacob many happy yeares With Beniamin , but wisely he forbeares Him to aduenture once out of his sight , Lest as good Ioseph him befall it might . Twelue times through all the Signes the Sunne had past , And now through Gemini was making hast , When he more kindly on his Paramore The Earth did shine , then euer heretofore : Which made the superstitious Cananite Adore this Planet , as a God of might , And by Religion of his owne deuising , To worship the Sunne-setting , well as rising . And amongst other their Inuentions vaine , Dan Phoebus to leaue Delos I le they faine , To court the Nimph of Iordane for his Bride , And her to honour with his fertile side . Therefore her Bankes he richly doth adorne , And Hills and Valleyes fills so thicke with Corne , The eared Lands seeme a continued plaine , Whose eares of Corne stoope to the ground againe , And she proud of the honour of his rayes , Her bosome all with fragrant flowres begayes , The more him with sweet sauours to delight , And seeme more faire embellisht in his sight : Which made the Hills and Dales to laugh and sing ▪ And all the Birds with sweetest warbeling , With them to tune sweet ditties to his praise , Whose heat and Light diuides the night from daies . Seu'n times this Gyant his full course had run , And ended , where his trauell he begun , Whilst Iordans Nimph continues in his grace , Which Canaan made the happyest fruitfull place Of all the Regions , where Sunnes fertile heate , Doth cause the Laborer with Ioy to sweate ▪ But as we alwaies after Drowth see Raine , Warre after Peace , and after Pleasure Paine ; So after plenteous and fruitfull yeares , Great famine , want , and scarcitie appeares In Canaans Land : For seu'n yeares being past Of Plenty ; Famine all the world doth wast . Therefore , they that of late Sols mariage fain'd , Now of his wrath and Iealousie complain'd , That he which with his Beames late cherished All fruits , the Earth in fruitfull bosome bred , Was so inflam'd with Iealousie and Ire , As if he all the Earth would set on fire : So as he either would her seedes not daigne To quicken , or if that the hopefull graine Promis'd a fruitfull haruest at the last , He in his fury all would burne or blast , Thus did those heathen of Gods wonders fable , And vainly construe his workes admirable . But good old Israel who , like Lilly-white Amongst the thornes , fear'd God and did vpright , The glory they did to the Creature giue , Gaue the Creator , who doth euer liue , And looking to the Author of this store , For this his greater plenty , honours more . And takes the Famine for a Chastisement To man for sinne , that so he might repent . But as the plenteous store did nothing breede But Pride and Follies vaine in Canaans seede , ( Excessiue rioting , Lust , Drunkennesse , Amongst the rich : Nicenesse and Idlenesse Amongst the poore : who swinishly eu'n all The Acornes eate , but looke not whence they fall , Consuming all the Corne their land them beares , Not laying vp least store for dearer yeares , But loathing and despising courser graine , Transport it as superfluous for their gaine , So when the Earth denide like store to bring All fall to grudging and to murmuring , And Sol whom , they so honourd at the first For his high fauours , for his Fury curst : And those which late so plenteously were fed In the first yeare , are like to sterue for bread . Yea holy Iacob though he were exempt From Canaans sinnes , yet in their punishment Doth beare his share , and now for want of Bread He feares the ruine of himselfe and seede . And though he sole relyeth on Gods grace , Of which he had good tryall in like case , Neglects no meanes to make supply of store ▪ But thus bespeakes his sonnes , I heretofore , When plenty in your fields did so abound , Wisht that a man amongst you might be found , Who wisely would for future wants prouide , But folly t is for Had I wist to chide , We heare ther 's store of Corne in Egypt land , Yet one doth gaping on another stand ; Oh hast you thither Bread from thence to buy , To saue aliue vs and our Family . The brethren ten , ( for Iacob would not send Downe Beniamin with them ) do soone descend To Egypt , where neare Memphis on the way A graue old Sage they ouertake in gray , Who seem'd by his graue gestures and his motions , To be a Hermit , now at his deuotions . As Isaacke going out one Euen to pray , Seeing his seruant lighting on the way , With faire Rebecca vaild , and all her traine , Left his deuotions them to entertaine ; Eu'n so this Sage , whose eyes on heauen were plast , As they would thither ere his body hast , Seeing these gentle strangers there alight , And him to mutuall courtesie inuite , Leaues his deuotions , and of them enquires , ( Knowing they Hebrewes were by their attires ) In their owne language , what , and whence they are , Which true and plainly they to him declare : And farther tell him that a famine sore Had now consum'd their Corne and all their store , Compelling them from Canaan to goe downe To Egypt , where they knew none , nor were knowne . Therefore saith Ruben , may we you request Vs strangers to informe , as you may best , Of your condition first , next of your king , Your countrey , and your forme of gouerning : And if , as Fame reports , here 's store of graine , And how and where we may the same obtaine , For here , eu'n as at home , we see all wast , No future haruest , nor least signe of Past , And therefore with my brethren I desire To know the cause of what we so admire , Without a Seed-time or a Haruest , Plentie . And Garners full , although the fields be emptie . Brethren said Trismegist , for so he hight , I first must here lay open to your sight , That Being's his goodnesse Power and Prouidence : By which we all haue Motion , Being , Sense , Who , the first cause of all , doth things dispose By Second , these we see , that keepes he close : I am a Priests and Princes eldest sonne , For Priests and Princes are in Egypt one , And to the Sunne , as was our countrey guize , Was consecrate to offer Sacrifice , Great Trismegistus was mine ancester , A King , a Priest , and a Philosopher : Soone as my Tongue mens words could imitate , And , though with little vnderstanding , prate , My parents me instruct to learne by heart The rules of Wisedome , and the lawes of Art , The aspects of the Starres , their seuerall wayes , Coniunctions , Orders , Interposings , Stayes , Flying of Birds , Beasts intrailes , and in fine , All that might make with them a sound Diuine . And well I profited , for ere least haire Of Siluer , with my Golden did appeare , The wisest , I of all my Peeres was deem'd , And most in Temple and in Court esteem'd : Could best of all expound the hardest Theames , Tell men their Fortunes , and interpret Dreames : Thus I the Oracle was many a yeare Of Egypt , and of all the Countries neare ; Till that high Wisdome which things future knowes As present , Them by Dreames to Pharoh showes . Fast by a Riuer side him thought he stood , Whence came vp seu'n fat Kine , well flesht and good , And other seu'n ill-fauour'd Leane , that houre Came vp , and all the faire ones did deuoure : Againe , he slept , and saw seu'n eares of Corne On one root , well-set , ranke , and goodly borne , Which seuen thin blasted , spoild and eate vp cleane , Then Pharoh wak'd , and lo ! it was a dreame . The Morning come , and he sore troubeled , His Sonthsayers are all assembeled , Pharoh thereof to vs makes declaration , But not a man can giue th' interpretation ▪ Our Spheres , Spels , Circles , Birdes , nor Sorceries Had power to discerne these Mysteries : Then Pharoh mou'd , and thenceforth grieuing sore , Forbeares his meate , and comes abroad no more : Vntill his Butler , rais'd againe to grace , Who had forgot his friend in wretched case , Till twice twelue times the Moon with borrowed light , Had fill'd her hornes ( for friends once out of sight , Are eu'n as soone out of a Courtiers minde , " Such Curtesie in Court most Schollers finde ) : Thus said to Pharoh , Sir you cannot yet Chuse but remember , how you did commit Me and your Baker to your Stewards ward , For some misdeeds , which you of vs had heard : Where in the Prison we a young man found , In whom diuinest wisedome did abound , For we a seuerall Dreame had in a night , Which told to him , to vs he read aright ; The Baker to the Gallowes , I to Grace Should be restor'd , and all in three dayes space : This of our Dreames th' interpretation was , All which you saw most truely came to passe . Thus ends the Butler : Pharaoh glad to heare Of ought might ease his longing , wishd him there , Who quickly sent for , shau'd , appareld white , As him became to stand in Pharohs sight , Heard , and as soone his Dreame did right expound , Which by nine yeares experience true is found . For these seau'n faire Kine , and ranke goodly eares , He did interpret seu'n fat fruitfull yeares , The seu'n thin sterued which did them deuower , Seu'n yeares of famine ▪ In a lucky hower For Egypt : for thus store we vp did lay In fruitfull yeares , against this euill day : And not sole happy for our temporall store , But spirituall : For many who before ( Long led in ignorance and errour blind , Till they Gods Truth by good experience find ) To stones and stockes , Sunne , Moone , and Starres did fall Now worship God the maker of vs all : Of which , for euer ( blessed be his name ) A thankfull one I , though th' vnworthiest , am . And hauing all vaine worldly ioyes forsaken , Now to deuotion sole my selfe betaken . Thus ends the Sage : When Iudah , holy Sire , Hearing thy words , Gods goodnesse we admire , Happy that God hath kindled in thy breast , The holy Fire these flames doe manifest : But tell vs what became of that great Sage Which of such store and famine did presage : You told vs how the Butler him neglected , But how hath Pharoh his desert respected ? For great ones , for the most part , doe despise The poore , though they be ne're so iust and wise : And though the Land is by their wisedomes guarded , They are not long respected or rewarded . That 's th' end , saith Trismegist , for which I told The rest . When as King Pharoh did behold Such heaun'ly wisedome , in such youthfull yeares , ( For scarce six Lustres in his face appeares , ) Who counsell'd him with speede for to prouide , A man of vnderstanding , that might guide His vnder Officers , through all the Land , To store vp plenty vnder Pharohs hand : The fifth part e'un of all their Corne and seede , To feede his people in the time of neede : The saying seem'd so good in Pharohs eyes , And all his Seruants , that they soone deuise , ( Because no man in Egypt could be found , In whom the Spirit of God did so abound ) To place him ouer all his house and Land , That all might be eu'n as he should command , Thus now he with the King is all as one , He only sits aboue him in his Throne , Him then most sumptuously apparelling , He made the Lord and Keeper of his Ring , The which he vsed , as the publique Seale , For all his priuate state and Common-weale : And his second Charet brauely plac'd , And with the highest princely honour grac'd : This is the Man hath stor'd vp in the Land Great heapes of Corne , in number like the Sand : For as the Sands cannot be numbered , No more the Plenty he hath gathered . Now twice the Sunne hath his full course nigh past , Since all our Lands haue barren lien and wast ; Nilus no more our Fields hath watered , Nor fertile dewes our fruits haue cherished : And now the dearth in all the Land is sore , As well amongst the Richest as the Poore ; The Garners open'd are , and thence is sold Great store of Corne ; Nor doth this Prince withhold From strangers his Prouision ; For well-ny All Regions hether come them Corne to buy : This man will you for Money Corne afford , For he 's wise , gentle , iust , and feares the Lord : But , whilst the Sage to them this tale relates , They vnawares approach neere Memphis gates , Then to his Cell returnes the aged Sire , They hast into the Citie to enquire More of that Prince , by whom the Corne was sold , Where they their Brother though vnknowne , behold . The end of the second Booke of Ioseph .

THE THIRD BOOKE OF IOSEPH . NOw is the time that all the Sheaues must bend To one , now rais'd on high vpon his end , The Sunne , Moone , & Starres eleuen must now To him they meanely erst accounted , bow . For Ioseph now by due desert and right , Is plac'd in honours Chariot shining bright , And all the Corne , the Treasure of the Land , Vnder his sole disposing and Command : For this same Ioseph which the Hebrewes sold , Is he of whom great Trismegist erst told : Who Corne had heap'd vp numberlesse like sand , And was the Ruler ouer Egypts land , When lo ! the brethren tenne before him brought , Low bowing to the ground , him thus besought : Great Lord ! whose wisdome and deserued grace Giue 's thee in Egypt eu'n the second place , Whose Prudence , honour , glory and renowne , Through all the habitable Earth is knowne , Vouchsafe to vs thy Seruants now such grace , As thou hast done to many in our Case : We Brethren all , one mans Sonnes , come to buy Corne to releeue vs and our Family , Except we by thy Clemencie be fedde , We and our Race must die for want of Bread . The Lord of Egypt then who them did know , But was vnknown , Himself strange rough doth show , And now remembring well his Dreames of late , For which these , that thus honour , him did hate , Thus answers : See! you haue a faire pretence , To buy you Corne and Victuall from hence ; But you are come into the Land as Spies , To see wherein our strength and weakenesse lies : I's t like ten Brethren should so farre descend ? None left at home their houses to defend , Or are you all without a house or home , And masterlesse about the Countrie rome ? Truly , saith Iudah , we twelue Brethren bee . All one mans sonnes , of which thou ten dost see , The least , at home , doth with his Father stay , But no man knowes , where th' other is this day : To buy foode are thy Seruants hither come , For vs and for our Families at home : By this , saith then the Prince , the truth I 'le know , Whether you , as I say , be Spyes or no : For , by the life of Pharoh , no man home Shall goe , before your younger Brother come : Take them to Prison , till his comming tryes The truth : By Pharohs life you are but Spyes . Then he three dayes committeth them to ward , Whilst of an answer they themselues prepar'd . Thus , as Gods Minister and Substitute , He vengeance on their sinnes doth retribute , Sinnes now forgot , because so long since past , But though God's slow , he payes them home at last : Yea then , when they themselues thinke most secure For Iosephs wrongs , he pay's them home and sure . Happy who make right vse of Chastisement , Which is to hate , forsake Sinne , and repent : But , they in Prison , Ioseph doth aduise Alone with God , how he may best deuise , Them for their foule offences to correct , And yet his aged Father not neglect , Whom faine he would releeue with store of graine , But feares his Brethren will not come againe . The third day therefore , thus saith Ioseph , heare , Doe this and liue ; for I the Lord doe feare : If you be true men , as you all affirme , Leaue one man bound , the rest all home returne , With Corne for to releeue your Family , Then bring your brother , And not one shall dye , But traffique here as true men in the Land , And I will free your Hostage from his Band. His word preuail'd , But they in conscience Prickt for their cruelty , and foule offence , Long since committed 'gainst this Lord vnknowne , And thinking God now payes them with their owne , Thus one to other to complaine begin ; Ah! how did we against our Brother sinne , When his Soules anguish did to vs appeare , And he besought vs , yet we would not heare : Therefore on vs , this trouble now doth fall , When Ruben thus ; oh ! did I not you all Not to offend against the Lad desire , And now you see God doth his bloud require : Little thinke they that Ioseph by doth stand , And all their speeches plainly vnderstand , Who turnes and weepes , yet soone returnes againe , So Friends afflictions teares from friends constraine . Then taking Simeon he him binds with bands Before their eyes : And secretly commands . To fill their Sackes with Prouender and Graine , And put their Money in their Sackes againe : So they returne with Conscience tiring more , Then all the Miles from Nile to Iordanes shore , As when tenne horse men rouing out for prey , Lose one of their deare fellowes by the way , Though with rich Spoiles they to the campe returne , All for him lost , lift vp their voice and mourne ; So mourne these Brethren nine for Simeons chaine , Their brothers losse was greater then their gaine : But when Gad in the Inne his Sacke vnbindes For Prouender , and there his money findes , Their hearts them failing , all are sore affraid , That they as Simeon likewise were betraid : Ah! What , say they , hath God vpon vs brought For all the wickednesse which we haue wrought ? This thing vpon vs all is iustly come , But most especially on Simeon : Who was the cruellest , and rather would Haue Ioseph slaine ; then to the Merchants sold : But when at home they to their Father tell All that to them in Egypt had befell : And how that they for Spyes were taken there , Imprisoned three dayes , and put in feare ; And that the Man there still kept Simeon bound , Till by inquirie all the Truth he found : And seeing also eu'ry man bring backe The money , which he carryed , in his Sacke : The good old man was wondrously affraid , That Simeon eu'n as Ioseph was betraide : And said , my sonnes you laugh mine age to scorne , You haue my Simeon pawn'd or sold for Corne , Else where should you prouide such store of graine , And yet bring all your Moneys home againe ? But when they farther told him in a word , How rough and sterne they found th' Egyptian Lord ▪ And that their bringing Beniamin must trye , Whether or no they came the Land to Spy ; He thinkes they likewise seeke him to depriue Of Beniamin , his dearest sonne aliue : Wherefore he thus Laments and makes great mone , His brother's dead , and he is left alone ; If mischiefe him befall vpon the way , You bring my head to graue with sorrow gray : The Dearth grows great , Corn's spent , Iacob in vaine Them bids for foode to Egypt hast againe ; We dare not see , say they , the Princes face , Except our youngest Brother be in place : We straight will goe , so him with vs thou send . But ah ! saith Iacob , what did you intend , By telling of the man you had a brother ? Alas , saith Iudah , how could we doe other ? He of our state and kindred did inquire , Saying , what liueth yet your aged Sire ? Haue you a Brother yet ? we told him so , Ah! how could we what he intended know ? But send the Lad with vs , we instantly Will bring you food for all your Family : I am his surety , him of me require , For euer let me beare thy blame and ire , Except I bring him backe : The fault is thine , Else we returned had the second time . Father , saith Ruben , let my Sonnes be slaine , Except I safe doe bring him home againe . As in some Siege when Famine growes so great , That Mothers their owne children deare doe eat , One close her dearest Darling vp doth hide , Lest others her compell it to diuide , And rather chooseth eu'n to sterue and pine , Then cleaue her tender infant in the Chine : So when the Famine now growes grieuous sore In Iacobs house , and like still to be more , He steruing rather chooseth to abide , Then part with his deare darling from his side ; But when he saw himselfe , and all his race With dearest Beniamin , in equall case , That all for want of Bread must sterue and dy , Except from Egypt they had new supply ; He said to them : Since needes it must be so , A present of my hands take ere you goe , Balme , Spice , and Myrrhe with best fruits of the land , Take likewise double money in your hand , And that brought backe returne , as it is right , It may be it was but some ouer-sight , And take your Brother with you , and arise , God send you fauour in the Princes eyes . To free my Simeon , and this my delight , Thus of my Children I am robbed quite : With that he poured out a floud of teares , But hungry Stomackes had nor eyes nor eares , But tooke the Spice and money in their hand , And haste with Beniamin to Egypts Land , From Hebron , three dayes Iourney , passe they right To Memphis , where they lodged all that night , Early ' n the morning , when as Ioseph sate , Dispatching Suitors and affaires of State , Amongst the other suitors in the Hall , He first one of his Brethren spyes , then all ; But most his dearest Beniamin he ei'd , And therefore bids his Steward soone prouide , And take those Hebrewes to some priuate roome , For he would haue them dine with him at noone : 'T is fit that those whom God to Place doth call , Should be to strangers kind and hospitall . Then brought to Iosephs house , they are affraid , The money to their charges should be laid . When Iudah thus : The money we did finde In our Sacks mouths , when we did them vnbinde , We haue brought backe , with money eke to buy New Corne for vs , and all our Family : Peace , saith the Man , your Father's God you sent That treasure , I was paid and well content . And forth-with Simeon out vnto them brought , Who each saluting other , as they ought , Enquire at first of one anothers wealth , But Simeon chiefly of his Fathers health : Then are they to a stately Parlour brought , All hang'd with curious Arras richly wrought By Iosephs Bride , To whom he had made knowne His Kindred , there in curious colours showne , ( For , as her Lord , so she no time mispends , But duely with her Maides , her worke intends : Lo ! Ioseph is the Paterne of her life , Thus a good Husband alwaies makes a wise ) : The Deluge in the first peece was contain'd , Where , but the Arke , nought on the flouds remain'd , But they abated , Lo ! there commeth forth , All liuing ceeeping things vpon the earth , With such varietie and cunning wrought , As plainer folkes them liuing would haue thought , So skilfull Art doth Nature imitate , The Dogges doe seeme to runne , the Lambs to bleate ▪ Here Noah offreth on an Altar built , Of all cleane Beasts to cleanse sinnes foulest guilt ; Good Sem , Arphaxad , Selah ( of whose race Came Heber , whence the Hebrewes ) next had place , And Pelag next , who first diuides the Land , Reu , Serug , Nahor , Tarah next doe stand , From whence comes blessed Abraham , by whom The blessed Seede of Sarahs wombe should come : Here Angels him salute , with God he walkes , And as two friends with God familiar talkes , Here Sarah laughs to heare from her dry wombe , Seede like Sea sands , all numberlesse , should come : Here Isaack's Circumcis'd , Here sacrific'd By Faith , but for his bloud a Lambe suffic'd : Rebecca skins on Iacobs hands here cleaues , Here 's Brother of his Blessing he deceaues : And blessed , straight flyes from his brothers wrath To Laban , where he both his daughters hath : Here he returnes , whom soone as Laban misses , With anger he pursues , but parts with kisses : Here wrestles he with God , lo here he meetes His angry brother , who him kindly greetes : Before one Sheafe , here ten Sheaues seeme to fall , Here Sunne , and Moone , and Starres , it worship all ; Here are ten Brethren playing in the shadowes , Whilst all their flockes are mowing of the Meadows , Like liuely Shepheards all doe dance and sing , That Woods and Hils with Ecchos seeme to ring : When comes a Childe in party-colourd Coat , Them to salute , but all flye to his Throat , And like so many Butchers 'bout a Lamb , Seeke to bereaue him from his dearest Dam , Of all the stories they did there behold , This had most life . For Iosephs wife had told , With her owne hands , it here so cunningly , A man would thinke he saw the Picture cry , And on his knees with vnfeign'd Innocence , To begge his Life of their Maleuolence . This made their eyes those curious sights forbeare , And gastly one vpon another stare , And so amaz'd them , they now surely thought , God all their wickednesse to light had brought : But now that Ioseph is return'd they heare , Therefore their Present ready they prepare . As Abram when he had recouered His Kinsman Lot , and Captiues with him led , Returning by the way with Bread and Wine , Was met by great Melchizedek diuine , And blessed , for that God now by his hand Had sau'd the Prince and People of the Land ; Eu'n so good Ioseph who by paines , not sword , Had sau'd aliue th' Egyptians and their Lord , And daily from fierce Famine succored Such as had died else for want of Bread , Was met with Presents comming to his Hall , And blest as the Preseruer of them all . Amongst the rest these Hebrewes louting low Their Present offer him , who straight would know , How they did all , and if their Father old Liu'd still in health , of whom they last him told : And what is this your Brother young , said he , Of whom you told mee ? They all answer'd yea . God blesse my sonne , saith Ioseph , and retires , To weepe for Ioy , now hauing his desires : But washing's eyes and face , he doth refraine , And to his Brethren soone returnes againe , So calls for meate , he by himselfe alone , Th' Egyptians by themselues are plac'd each one , His brethren by themselues ( For Egypts Nation Are ranked as their ages doe require , Which made them this due order all admire ; To all then from his Board he messes sends , But fiue to one on Beniamins he spends , Lo thus they all eate , drinke , and made good cheare , Till they had drown'd all sorrow , griefe and care . But Ioseph ; who amidst his feasts doth minde Those , that abroad for hunger steru'd and pinde ; Thinkes of his Father old , and doth command His Steward for to fill , streight out of hand , The Hebrews sacks , so full as they can thrust , And put their moneys in their sacks , as first : And in the youngest's sacke his siluer Cup , So in the morning , e're the Sunne was vp , They with their Camels laden are let go , But e're they thence are gone a mile or two , Vp gets the Steward , and them after hies , Whom ouer-taking , thus aloud he cryes : Ah! why haue you rewarded ill for good ? My Master of his Grace hath giu'n you food , And you his Cup wherein he drinketh wine , And wont to Prophecie and to diuine , Purloined haue , oh it is euill done . Good sir , saith Ruben , Thinke not any one Of vs would doe such thing : the money found , Last time , when we our sackes at home vnbound , Was brought to thee againe , most truly told , How should we then or Siluer steale or gold ? Dye let him wheresoeuer it is found ; Wee Bondmen to my Lord for euer bound . He saith the Steward , shall be bound , where wee The Cup shall finde , the other shall goe free : Then taking downe their sackes , they doe begin To search from Ruben , eu'n to Beniamin , There was it found , then all their clothes rend , And backe againe vnto the Citie tend . As Theefes who by the owner ouer-take , In fresh pursuit , with goods about them take And brought before the Iudge , all mercy cry , Without defence , for such their Felony : So they to Ioseph brought ; before him fall , And only vnto him for mercy call . What haue you done , saith he , know you not , I Am able to diuine and Prophecie ? Ah! Iudah saith , what shall thy seruants say , Or doe ? How can we cleare our selues this day ? God hath made plaine thy seruants wickednesse , We are thy Bondmen all , we must confesse , As likewise he with whom the Cup was found , Nay , God forbid , saith Ioseph ; he be bound Who had the Cup , The rest depart in peace To your old Father , haste , why doe you cease . My Lord , saith Iudah , we haue no defence , Yet let me speake one word without offence : At our last beeing heere , thou didst inquire Of this our Brother , and our aged Sire , And we , thy seruants , true and plainly told , We haue a Father which is very old , Who also in his age begat our brother , The only childe aliue now of his mother , His Brother 's dead , and therefore more belou'd , By this my Lord , then answerd , shall be prou'd The truth of all your sayings , Bring him hither That I may see the Brethren all together : We answerd , if the Lad should but depart From his old Father , It would kill his heart ; My Lord repli'd , except he to this place With you returne , forbeare to see my face ; We comming home , this to our Father show , Who to buy Corne againe would haue vs goe , But , wee repli'd ; except the Lad we place Before the Man , wee may not see his face : Ah! saith our Father , you my sonnes well know That I had by his Mother , onely two , One's dead , and gone , if this away you haue , You bring my head with sorrow to the graue : Now if thou vs vnto my Father send , Without the Lad , on whom his dayes depend , Soone as our Father misseth him he dyes , And we be Authors of his miseries . Besides , I suretie for the Lad became , And if I bring him not , must beare the blame : How shall I then my Fathers face behold , Without the Lad be there , except I would Bring on my Fathers house such wrechednesse , As no mans Tongue is able to expresse : With that like Iordanes flouds his teares doe fall , And as he wept , so wept his Brethren all . But Ioseph then no longer could refraine , But biddes forbeare , there may not one remaine Within with him , whilst he himselfe declares Vnto his Brethren , with such cryes and teares , That the Egyptians and Pharoh heare His loud laments , and scarcely can forbeare To mourne with him , who kept them all from mourning : But Ioseph to his Brethren soone returning , Saith , I am Ioseph ; doth my Father liue ? Feare not my Brethren , I you all forgiue . As when a King , that he discouer may Some traitrous plot , his body doth array In such an habit , as none can descry Him from one of that close Conspiracy , Till hearing all the Traitours Coniuring , He shewes himselfe to be their Lord and King . So that they all stand mute and in a maze , And gastly one vpon another gaze : So stand the ten , one looking on another , To see so high their late betraied Brother : Thus at the last , the wicked men shall hide Their face at sight of him they Crucifide , When on his Throne his glory they behold Like Iosephs , who shall like to him be sold. But Beniamin poore harmelesse innocent , After he had endur'd this chastisement , At hearing Iosephs name lifts vp his eyes , And lowder now for Ioy then Sorrow cryes : So shall the innocent at last appeare , To be absolued by their Brother deare . Then Ioseph saith , my Brethren all , draw neare , I am your Brother Ioseph , doe not feare , That very Ioseph you to Egypt sold , But be not greeu'd therewith , nor doe it hold A cruell thing ; For God me sent before , For to preserue your liues with millions more : This is the second yeare , fiue are behinde , When none shall reape , or mow , or sheaues vp binde , God sent me to preserue your Progeny , And saue you by a great deliuery : Not you , I say , but God me hither sent , And made me here , to your astonishment , Great Pharoh's Father , and giu'n free command Ore all his House , and ouer all his Land , Hast to my Father ; Tell him in a word , Thus saith thy Ioseph , God hath made me Lord Of Egypt : Tarry not , but soone come downe , And thou shalt dwell on Goshens fruitfull downe : Thy Children , Childrens children , and thy flocke , Beasts , Asses , Camels , all thy store and stocke : Lo there I sustenance for thee will finde , For those fiue yeares of Famine yet behinde : Your owne eyes see , and Beniamins behold , I all in your owne tongue haue truly told . My glory here then to my Father tell , As you haue seene , and hither hast to dwell , So weeping he vpon the necke doth fall Of Beniamin ▪ and he on his , so all He kisses , and doth after with them talke , Familiarly , as they together walke . As when a Treasure in the earth is found , Fames Trumpet doth it farre and neere resound , So Fame this newes in Pharohs Court doth tell , Which pleased him and all his seruants well : Therefore he thus to Ioseph , out of hand Thy Brethren send with Corne into their Land , To bring their Father and his family , That they may eate my Lands fertilitie . Besides , I will my Charrets thou command For to conuey your Father to my Land , With Wiues and Children , let them leaue their stuffe , Egypt shall furnish them with store enough . Then Ioseph , hasting them away to send , Peace by the way doth thus to them commend : I will not now things past commemorate , Your griefe and sorrow more to aggrauate : For God hath turn'd your morne of griefe and sadnesse , Vnto a day of Feasting , Ioy , and gladnesse , Yet patiently my louing Counsell heare , And , by your former harmes , learne to beware : Let not that wicked Enuyer of mankinde Breede discords , strifes , or quarrels in your minde , Nor question or dispute one with another , Who 's most in fault for selling of your brother : Each of his sinne vnfainedly repent , And giue God glory , who me hither sent , And all the euill you against me thought , Turning to good , this great deliuerance wrought , I send now Charrets by the Kings command , To bring my aged Father to this land : Ten Asses laden all with Egypts good , I likewise send my father for his food : And ten she-Asses lade with corne and bread , That by the way , you may thereof be fed : Changes of Rayment I to each assigne , These fiue my dearest Beniamin are thine ; With these three hundred siluer peeces : So He hath his right , yet you no wrong I do . Let not your eye , cause I am good , be ill , 'T is reason good enough to say , I will : Yet Nature may informe you of another , He is my onely brother by my mother . Enuy him not , because he in mine eyes Most gracious is , nor shall he you despise . Brethren , in loue and amitie combind , Are like small stickes we in a fagot bind : No force them bends , whilst they remaine in one : Disioynd , a child will breake them all alone . Hast ; Fare-you-well ; fall not out by the way W'offend against my Father by your stay , Lo ! thus they flie from Nile to Iordans shore , To tell their Father all you heard before . Ioseph is yet aliue , saith Iudah , and Is Gouernor of all King Pharohs land : Alas ! saith Iacob come you me to flout , Ioseph now liues in heau'n , I make no doubt , He was the Prey long since of cruell beast , I haue his bloody , Coate still in my chest . Ah! saith Dan , to Gods glory we confesse , ( Who hath laid open all our wickednesse ) That we our brother out of enuy fold , When we at Dothan pastured our fold , To Ishmaelites , who after for their gaine , In Egypt , where we found him , sold againe : His colourd Coate which doth with thee abide , We dipt in bloud , our fowlest sinne to hide : Lo ! now thy sonnes on knees before thee fall , And for this our offence beg pardon all : Ioseph vnaskd , our trespasse did remit , Therefore good father also pardon it . As Indian merchant on the sodaine told , His ship is safe arriu'd all lade with gold , Which long since to be cast away he feard , Because he neuer tidings of her heard , First wauers , and it hardly can beleeue , Fearing lest he too sodaine credence giue , But when he sees the Porters bringing in The golden Oare , and Ingots , doth begin For to reuiue : Eu'n so old Israel Misdoubts , when first he heard his children tell Of Iosephs life and glory great at Nile ; But when he thus had wauered awhile , And saw the goodly charrets Ioseph sent , To bring him and his houshold from their tent To Egypt ; and his dearest Beniamin Confirm'd it all for Truth : Behold within , The old mans spirit doth againe reuiue And cryes with Ioy : Ioseph is yet aliue , God pardon you all your Iniquitie , I will goe downe and see him ere I die . The end of the third Booke of Ioseph .

THE FOVRTH BOOKE OF IOSEPH . NOw Iacobs tents abound with such great store Of corne , which they had wanted heretofore ; As if God had heau'n's windows opened , And to his chosen thence had rained bread : Which he as lib'rally participates , Vnto his Neighbours and Confederates Of whom then taking leaue , soone as he might , He to Bersheba iourneyed that night , Full twenty miles ; where freed from heathen eyes , He to his God might offer sacrifice , And saith thus to his sonnes : this is the place , Where the Egyptian Agar first found grace , When as Gods Angell made her see the well Which sau'd the life of her and Ishmael . Here let vs vp to God an Altar reare For sacrifice : that God which did appeare To Abraham and Isaacke , also may To vs appeare as well vpon our way , And in our Iourney vs direct aright : Then in a Dreame and Vision of the night , When sleepe his bodyes senses seized all , God to his Soule doth Iacob , Iacob , call . I am the God vnto thy fathers knowne , Then feare not into Egypt to go downe , For I will goe with thee , and make thee there A mighty people : Therefore do not feare , But they shall come againe : And Iosephs hand Shall close thine eyes in the Egyptian land . Then early from Bersheba all arose , And in the Waggons all themselues dispose , ( Sixty seu'n which with Ioseph and his sonnes Before in Egypt iust to seu'nty comes ) Leauing the high montanous craggy hills Of Pharan , neare th' Arabian rocky shells Vpon their left hand ; bend downe , on the right To that which the Egyptian sea is hight , Where a plaine way from thence to Egypt guides Ore Sihor , which from Canaan it diuides By South , as great Euphrates doth diuide Chalde , by North , from Canaans fruitfull side . Here Iacob , who doth all occasions take , Gods promise certaine to his sonnes to make , Thus tells them : By this Riuer's is bordered The land God promised to Abrams seede ; From this Egyptian Riuer , all the lands 1. Kin. 4.21 . Are giu'n vs , eu'n to great Euphrates sands , A King of Iudahs seed one day shall raigne Gen. 15.18 called there the riuer of Egypt . A cittie so called . Ore all from Sihor , to the riuer maine ; Sihor on South , shall border Iudahs side , Euphrates , Dan : so sure as God did guide Ioseph to Egypt to prouide vs graine , He to this land will bring vs backe againe : Then by this Prouerbe men shall vnderstand , From Dan vnto Bersheba all the land , Oh how can you incredible this deeme ? Who haue in Egypt , Iosephs glory seene ; That harder was then this to bring to passe : This promisd , but that neuer hoped was , Then , fording Sihor , they through Kedar past , A countrey barren , sauage , wild and wast , Call'd so of Kedar , sonne of Ishmael : Here Iacob eke occasion seekes to tell Gen. 25.13 Of Gods great goodnesse , them a land to giue , Not fruitlesse , barren , where the dwellers liue , As here , of Couin , Rapine , Theft and spoile , But a most pleasant and well watered soyle , Where plenty both of corne and wine do grow , A land which doth with Milke and Honey flow . Besides , what cause haue we our God to praise , Who vs conducts throgh these most dangerous waies , Amidst these Robbers , without feare or dread , As late he at Bersheba promised . There was a cittie , Called Ostracina or Cheres . built of costly matter A goodly outside , but it wanted water , Like to a lampe , that shineth faire and bright , But wants the Oyle , that should maintaine the light : Or like some outside gallants complement , That lacks minds inward grace and ornament . From Kedar passing towards Casius mount , They vp vnto a goodly citty mount , Where stood a goodly temple dedicate , To Iupiter , thence Casius nominate : Not that huge mount which doth in Syria lie , Which one reports to be neare foure miles high , Plin lib. 5. cap. 22. This citty eu'n on Egypts border stands , And is the vtmost of the Hagarian lands . Here Iacob grieues at the abhomination Of his neare kindred , and his neighbour nation His vnckle Ishmael , who with him came By Hagar , from the loynes of Abraham , And in his flesh receiu'd the Circumcision , But falne to foulest heathenish superstition . Oh my deare sonnes ! beware ; I speake to all , How you to foule Idolatry doe fall , Leauing that God , which made the heau'ns alone , To worship Idoles made of wood and stone ; And , by religion of mans vaine deuising , Adore Moone , Planets , Starres , Fire and Sun-rising . How are we bound , aboue all other nations , To blesse God for our often preseruations ! But most for that God vs hath giu'n his light , And chosen vs to worship him aright , This Idole , whom these heathen Casius name , With Hammon Iupiter's the very same , In Canaan worshipt ; eu'n that cursed Cham , From whence the Cananites receiue their name , Whom holy Noah in malitious pride , As Ishmael good Isaacke , did deride . Now fiue times had Auroras tresses bright Chased away the shadowes of the night , Since Iacob came from Hebron with his traine , And now was iournying on his way againe To Egypt , when thus Ruben doth begin , That place where we last lodged , is the In , Where Gad his money in his sacke did finde , When he for Prouender did it vnbinde , Lo there before vs is the fruitfull downe Of Goshen ; there aboue is Ram'sis towne : Not one more pleasant , spacious , fruitfull plaine For pasture is in all the world againe ; There Pharohs pleasure is , that we shall keepe Our Camels , Asses , all our flockes and sheepe : Not ten miles thence are those two citties great , Which Pharoh houlds for his Imperiall Seate . The one call'd On , Egypt's Metropolis , The other Memphis , whose large circuit is By measure seuenteene miles and more about , But On is three miles larger out of doubt ; One with three thousand paces measure may , Betwixt these two huge citties , the midway , There 's Iosephs country house , whence to the court He at his ease and pleasure may resort . Whether the King lye at his Memphian Bowers , Or in his stately On s more princely Towers : If God shall guide vs on our Iourney right , Thou mayst see yet thy Iosephs face ere night . Then Iacob sends out Iudah , from that place To Ioseph , rightly to direct the face Of Iacob , and of all his sonnes and traine , And hasten backe to bring him word againe . Then Ioseph takes his Chariot for to meete , His aged father , and him duely greete : As when good Iacob at Mahanaun met Gods host , in order like an Army set , When Esau threatned his last ouerthrow , So doth the glory of these worthies show , Iosephus ad Heroum oppidum Iacobo occurrit . Ios. lib. 2. Antiq. ca. 4. When they do both in Goshens plaine appeare , And each vnto the other draweth neare : Ioseph begins to welcome his great Sire , And Iacob Iosephs glory doth admire , And but they Idol worship both abhorred , They one another surely had adored . As when this Iacob after twenty yeares With Laban spent , to Isaacke ould appeares , They each in other wondrously delight , So do these Worthyes two in mutuall sight , Ioseph forgets his honour and his state , And weepes on Iacobs necke , eu'n as he sate , And Israel forgets he was his sonne , And as did Ioseph , would to him haue done . Clouds may , not Muses can expresse their teares , So long forbearance mutually endeares Them each to other : but old Israel To Ioseph saith , since I may with thee dwell , And see thee in such great prosperitie , Lo ! willingly I am content to die . So haue I seene a faire and tender Lambe , Purloynd by wicked hand from louing Dam , Long mist , at last , when both do meete againe , With louing Bleatings fill both hills and plaine ▪ Iosephus ibidem . Yea so th' old man with ioy was extaside , It wanted little but he there had dide , But pious Ioseph , with great care and paine , By chafing brought him to himselfe againe . Both being then in Ioseph's Chariot plast , Iacob begins thus with Gods fauours past : Many all done by Chance and Fortune deeme , And little of Gods Prouidence esteeme , I wish such would in all my life obserue , How all mens actions here Gods purpose serue : It was not Chance made Esau set at nought His birthright , for a messe of Potage bought : Nor the deuise alone of my deare mother , That got my fathers Blessing from my brother ; For 's anger kindled thus , it forth me driues To Laban , where I children get and wiues . 'T was Labans churlishnesse and auarice Inrich'd me , by a new and strange deuice , Colours before his yeaning Ewes to spread , Which made white sheepe bring Lambs discoulered , These he to me for wages did allow , And suddenly they to a number grow . The murmuring of Labans sonnes constraine Me with my household to hast home againe , Whom Laban followes with an angry hart , But God vs made good friends before we part . Lo ! Esaus feare at Peniel by night Brought me to wrestle with the Lord of might ; Whose blessing so away his fury chases , He turnes his threates to kisses and embraces . Simeon and Leui , cruell instruments , From Sichem made me to remoue my tents To Bethel ; where my house of Idolls clear'd I vp an Altar to th' Almightie reard ; And payd my Tenth as I to him did sweare , When first from Esau's wrath I fled or feare , And saw a Ladder , which from Earth did tend To heau'n , whereby the Angels did descend : Now last thy brethrens enuy spite and hate , By selling thee , haue sau'd my life and state ; For but for thee , we all had perished , Amongst the Cananites for want of Bread . That God causd all these things , it is most cleare , For in the most he did to me appeare , As late when I to Egypt should descend , Thus all doth on Gods Prouidence depend . Long did I thee as dead lament and plaine , And neuer hop'd to see my sonne againe , And so did Isaack thy deare Gransire grieue , But neuer would , that thou wer 't dead , beleeue , In God he was so confident and bold , And in the dreames , which thou before hadst told , As if , though blind , he had foreseene this day , But now in heauenly Ioyes he liues for ay . Some ten yeares since , him dying in his bed , I and my brother Esau buried . Oh! my deare sonne , my soule is much delighted , As to relate , eu'n so to heare recited Gods goodnesse , towards his ; therefore vnfould How God preseru'd thee since thy brethren sold Thee to the Ishmaelites : for thrice seu'n yeare Are past , since I least newes of thee did heare : Good Iacob had no sooner made an end , But Ioseph was as as ready to commend Gods care and Goodnesse in his preseruation , From all his troubles : in this next narration . I know not whether , by their fault or Fate , It oft befalleth great men in the state , Rich , wise and happy in their Princes grace , Comely in body , beautifull in face , To be conioyned to a wanton wife , Which sowreth all the sweetnesse of their life : This was the fault or Fortune of a Peare Of Pharohs , to the King his Master deare ; My master Potiphar , who , as I weene , Had in his youth a skilfull Merchant beene , And Stewarded so frugally his owne , That Pharoh wise , to whom all this was knowne , Mad him chiefe steward ; they that can hold fast Their owne , their Masters treasure seldome wast . He that did by experience vnderstand , How things are hoist vp , bought at second hand , Hearing that Merchants stor'd with spicery , Were come to towne , goes his owne selfe to buy The King his masters , and his owne prouision , , , Thrift stands not on nice court-like superstition . Amongst some other wares then to be sold , A faire young Hebrew lad , he doth behold , Adorn'd and set out in the fairest guise , As horses to be sold at higher prize . A price once pitchd , and I by running tride , As some do horses , ere they buy them , ride , Was sold to Potiphar , who for his table Me bought , as we our horses for our stable ▪ I of this change was most exceeding glad , For now I ease for paine and trauell had , For hard fare , Good ; but as a gratefull minde , Returnes ay thankes , where Benefits they finde , So did I my good Lords munificence Requite with Industry and diligence : And for I found he pleasd my Master best , That pleasd my Mistresse well ; aboue the rest , I to obserue her was most diligent , And all means vsde to giue her best content : So that by Prudence more then taking paine , I both their Loues and Fauours sought to gaine . For who so will obserue , shall euer find Best way to please ▪ is to obserue the mind And the affection of men of state , And thereunto themselues accommodate : Therefore a blisse on good men to attend , But misery on wicked to depend , Both prou'd by me , who , for my seruice true , Was by my Lord preferd to honour due , And for like seruice to my wicked dame , Was brought to prison , obloquy and shame . This my faire Mistresse , ( for no other name I giue her willing , ay to hide her shame , ) Some meane mechaniques daughter seemes to be , First matcht in her owne order and degree , But raisd to wealth and honour from the dust , Thinks all to little for her Pride and Lust : And as a man that stands on steeple high , His equals erst doth now like Crowes descry , So she now clambred vp on honours Spire , Thinkes all to low her greatnesse to admire . Soone might I in her scornfull lookes descry Her haughtinesse , and my base slauery , But bearing then an honest gentle minde , Omit no seruice that may fauour finde , Which so succeedes , that ere the Crescent bright Had fild her hornes with brothers borrowed light , I by my diligence of her did gaine Sweet smiling lookes , in stead of proud disdaine . And now the enuious spirit , which sought of late To ruine by my Fathers loue , my state , Me by my Mistresse lust seekes to intrappe , And dandle in vile sinfull pleasures lappe . Damnd sparke of hell ! Base counterfet of loue , And those pure warming flames from heau'n aboue , Which so true louers hearts in one vnite , That they enioy , without offence , delight : Therefore true loue , like morne is faire and bright ; Lust like an Ympe begot of blackest night ; But later dayes , since Rapines did abound , Do Lust and Loue most wickedly confound ▪ This baser Lustfull Loue the Spirit did chuse ( As he did first the Serpent to abuse The weaker Eue ) this proudest dame to traine To tast the fruit forbidden by deaths paine , And kindling in her eyes first lustfull fire , This Sense presents it with her foule desire To Reasons brighter eye , which soone that flame Makes to returne into her cheekes , with shame . Reason with this base Passion striued long , Put one weake , as the other groweth strong : But nought so checks her Pride and courage braue , As stooping to an hated Hebrew slaue : That she who now did sit in highest grace , Should thus her honour great and state debase , As to become a vassall to her slaue , Pride many womens chastities doth saue . But now the violence of lustfull flame Had sear'd the Reason of th' Egyptian Dame , Who waiting till her Lord to Court was gone , Thus , smiling , set vpon me all alone . Faire Hebrews sonne , whose equall neuer I Yet saw , nor do I thinke Sols searching eye In all his trauels from the East to West , A Beautie sees with thine fit to contest , Not that hereby I vnderprize mine owne , Mine no Superiour , Thine hath neuer knowne An equall , and though Fates vs vp did reare In sundry Climates , yet since now appeare , In one Horison , Sunnes so equall bright , Let 's each on other shine with mutuall light , Let thy bright Beames vpon my Beautie shine , I on thee will reflect both thine and mine : Deare seruant , do not thou my grace despise , Thee I alone can make to honour rise , Thou seest how Potiphar alone doth stand In Pharohs grace , and rules both Court and Land . To the I loue , I dare be bold to say , I Potiphar , the Court and Kingdome sway : See then thy happinesse , a slaue of late , In me to rule all Egypts glorious state : And if the Fates vs send a lucky heire , Which may like to his Parents seeme most faire , All hearts he by thy Beautie shall command , And by my right inherit all our land : Sweet Ioseph , let not frownings cloud thy face , Soure lookes thy glorious Beautie do disgrace . Let 's take th' occasion now we are alone , As Bodyes so our soules to ioyne in one . So may we with good likelyhood suppose Bright Phebus with faire Cynthia to close , When ioyning for their mutuall delight , They seeme eclipsed to the vulgars sight . As when some lustfull Prince alone , vnseene , Doth tempt the faithfull handmaid of his queene ▪ To win her to his will and wicked lust , The modest maid considring well the trust Of her great Dame ; whom if she so offended , She iustly were of God and man condemned , Prayes and intreates his awfull maiestie Her not to force to such iniquitie , And breake the sacred Lawes ( for lustfull rage ) Of faithfull trust and holy marriage ; So I poore wretch , whose fresh and youthfull chin Fine softest downe , to shadow did begin , Strangely amaz'd , and grieu'd at this foule fact , Abhorring eu'n the offer as the act : Yet with all due respect and reuerence , Did shew my duty and obedience : And thus replide : deare Mistresse , you shall find Me ready ay , to satisfie your mind , In all , where I may iustly you obay , And not my heauenly Masters will gainsay . My master all commits vnto my hand , Nor knoweth he , how his owne state doth stand , No man is greater in his house then I , Nor doth he to my custody denie Ought but thy selfe ; because thou art his wife , His onely comfort , deare delight , and life : How can I to this sinne then condescend , And not against my fathers God offend ? The simple rude , saith she , a sinne it call , But here at Court , 't is no offence at all ; Those that are most seuere against this vice , Delight it most , Oh 't is a deepe deuice Of Polititians , to make a law , To hold their children , wiues and fooles in aw , When they , then keepe it , nothing lesse intend , But at their pleasures diuersly offend : I know not one braue spirit in Pharohs Court , That this esteems of other then a sport , And yet their faire yong lusty able wiues Must , like reclused virgins , leade their liues ; For my part I haue learned this by kind , Such measure as men meete vs , they shall find : Then blushing she doth Teares like Pearles distill , For she had teares and Blushes at her will . But I replide , good Madame , be content , I cannot to your arguments consent : To proue from Greatnesse , lawfulnesse to euill , Is for to draw a Paterne from the Deuill , Who is the greatest worldly Potentate , Yet no excuse 't is him to imitate : For great mens faults they are vnsearch'd , vnkowne To me ; I haue enough to mend my owne : They that seuerely iudge sinne , yet delight Therein , they iudge themselues , and yet iudge right : And who do thus Gods iudgements iust abuse , Must neuer hope , that greatnesse shall excuse , Will you , because men wrong your sexe , offend , Your Maker ? God such wickednesse defend , Embrace true chastitie of flesh and mind , Which honours men and graceth womankind . But notwithstanding she , from day to day , Me wooes , yet would I not her voyce obay , But shun'd , by all good meanes , her company , Till one day she occasion did espy , I being in my closet all alone , And in the house not of the houshold one : Then all inrag'd with Fury heate and Lust , Like hungry Hawke that hath a Partridge trust , She on my garment ceasde immodestly And cride , come sleepe with me , or else I die . Not Rachels losse , my Brethrens rage , nor yet The feare of Famine lying in the pit , Nor Midians bondage did me so perplexe , As now this womans furious Lust doth vexe , Who as the cruell Serpent's said to wind About the noble Elephant by kind ; So winds this wicked monster , womans shame , About me to my sorrow and her blame What shall I fly ? she me too fast doth hold , Shall I cry out ? for shame be it not told A manlike heart did for a woman cry , Oh who can but bewayle my misery ! Should I but now to dalliance consent , Me followes honour , pleasure , worlds content , But if that I this offerd grace reiect , Bondage , disgrace , a prison I expect , But fearing more diuine reuenging hand , Then racke , disgrace , imprisonment or band , Taking more pleasure in a conscience sound , Then all wealth , honours , ioyes she did propound , Acquite my body , though I left behind My garment , and out of the rome doe winde : So haue I seene some modest country maid , With some vnciuill vsage much dismaid , Closely her Aprons strings , to escape , vntie , And left it with the clowne , away to flie . Who can the Leopards fell rage display , Chasing a Pilgrim fast vpon the way , And laying on his Cloke her cruell pawes , Eu'n ready to deuoure him in her Iawes , Who strucke with sudden terrour and affright , Forsakes his Cloake and scapes by winged flight , May tell the rage of this most cruell Dame , Who now hath nothing left , but spight and shame : Then raging , that her Beautie which she priz'd Aboue all others , should be so despis'd , Shee cals her Seruants in , and to them told , How that base Hebrew slaue was growne so bold , And proud of hers , and her deare husbands grace , That now he did aspire into his place ; And would haue slept with her , had she not cride , All which his garment left here testifide , Which vp vntill her Lords returne , she laid , Then with my Coate her malice she displaid ; For which my Lord , me into Prison cast , My daies in paine and miserie to waste ; Thus lightly crediting the accusation , And his false Wifes most guilefull simulation , He by his rashnesse lost a seruant iust , And still maintaines a strumpets Pride and Lust. But as a six-squar'd Dye , or carued stone , How euer cast , stands still vpright , all one , So was I constant in Aduersitie , As resolute in my prosperitie : That God which me had erst deliuered From Brethrens Fury , and me honored In time of my vniust captiuitie , Me leaues not now in this Calamitie , Oh happy they ! whose Conscience them acquite , That heere they suffer wrong for doing right , So but a while Gods leisure they attend , They sure shall haue a good and happy end : Let Tyrants rage , they God as gentle , kind , In Prison , as in Paradise doe finde : Wherefore though I was of my Coate bereft , My masters Grace , and Fauour , and now left In stinking dungeon , yet I felt no harme , God gaue me power my Iailours hands to charme ; And sent me in the Prison-Keepers sight , Fauour and grace for Potiphars despight . For now that former diligence , which gain'd Mee fauour with my Lord , like trust obtain'd Mee in the Prison , so that to my care , Lo all the Prisoners committed are : The Keeper lookes to nought vnder his hand , God euer prospers all I did command . About this season , as it oft befals , Great Fauorites in Court haue suddaine falls , By their owne faults , or others accusation , Or by their Lords dislike and alteration Of Fauorites : Two Lords of high regard In Pharohs Court , committed are to warde : The Keeper these doth to my trust commend , That I with diligence should them attend : These wanton Courtiers which had formerly Liu'd all in plentie , ease , and Iollitie , Acknowledging nor seruing other God Then Pharoh , and now chast'ned with his rod ; As without soules this change of Fortune beare , But I by all meanes sought my charge to cheare , And told them , if indeed they guiltlesse were , The iustest King of Heau'n would finde them cleere ; And if they had through frailtie him offended , So they their sinnes confessed and amended , Hee eu'n as willing was them to forgiue , As they in 's Grace and fauour here to liue : How earthly Kings our bodies might enchaine , But still our soules in Freedome did remaine : With many such good words I sought to please My charge , who found therein no little ease , And grew lesse heauy ; till both in one night Had seuerall Dreams , which did them much affright , Which soone as I had heard , I right aread , And as I told , so all things followed . Such Visions are not like Dreames naturall , Which ordinary vs in sleepe befall : They in our Soules deeper impressions leaue , Then such as commonly the Sense deceiue ; Which in the Fantasie worst reuell keepe , When Common-sense the Master is a sleepe ; And doe th' Imagination vaine delight Sometime with hope , sometime with Feare affright , Working most on th' affections of the minde , When Sleepe the Bodies senses fastest binde , For eu'n in Sleepe , Griefe , Ioy , Feare , Hope , Hate , Loue , The soules affections wake , and liuely moue . God often by such Visions tels men plaine , What things they ought to doe , and what refraine , Sometimes by Dreames to them are promised Great Blessings , and great curses threatened : God oft thus shewes one his determination , And giues another the interpretation , Thus vnto me two Dreames by night he told , Which , as they proue , my Grand-sire did vnfold , Thus Pharohs Seruants first , and next their King See things to come , But the interpreting Was giu'n to me , which done , I told them plaine , Interpreting to God as Dreames pertaine : And now who thinkes , but that I thought it long Yet two yeares to abide in Prison strong ? After I had so well interpreted His dreame , whom now the King so honored , But hauing learn'd with Patience to attend Gods leasure , and to hope vnto the end , Eu'n at that time , when as I least expected , So long of Pharohs Cup-bearer neglected , He that doth all things heere by weight and measure , On whom they all attend to doe his pleasure , By one poore Dreame but from an heathen King , What 's long before decreed to passe doth bring : I rais'd to Grace , the World from Famine quite , The Butler doth acknowledge his ore-sight : South sayers weakenesse is discouered , And God is all in all acknowledged , My Brethren bold are to Repentance brought For all the wickednesse , which they had wrought : And this my wicked Mistris may reclame , And bring her to acknowledgement with shame , And make my master see his foolish passion , And learne to Iudge by better information : My two first Dreames proue true which I had told , My Fathers spirit reuiu'd now being old : Pharoh thus gaines the wealth of all his Land , And must acknowledge it from Gods owne hand , Thus all the parts of this sweet sacred story , Are for mans good , but end all with Gods glory , All these are now the Consequence and Theames Of mine , of Pharohs and his seruants Dreames . See farther heere , Satans Maleuolence , And mans will freely serue Gods prouidence : Satan sought by my brethrens Crueltie , In me to ruine Isaacks Family . My brethren me of wilfull enuie sould , And for the twentie siluer peeces told , The Midian Merchants bought me for their gaine , And into Egypt meant to sell againe : God hither sent me Graine heere to prouide , Else thou and all thy sonnes for want had dide : Thus Satan sought dishonour of Gods name , And all for this my Brethren rightly blame , Goodmen such Merchant's Couetise detest , That buy and sell Gods Image as a beast : But God who 's only powrefull , good , and wise , From all these euils makes the Good arise . But I thus hauing in great Pharohs grace , Obtain'd the first , in Realme the second place : First pray to God me to direct aright , To vse this fauour and my borrowed Light ; Nor sought I mine owne honour , wealth , and praise , But his , who did me from the Dungeon raise , And therefore , first take care for publike good , Prouiding 'gainst the Future Famine food : Wherefore , I first through Egypt Circuit ride And garners great in eu'ry place prouide , In those seu'n fruitfull yeares to fill with store Of eu'ry Graine : And sith it is no more Vertue to purchase , then preserue , no tide I slipt , but did most carefully prouide , To kill all Vermine , cut off all excesse Of Gluttonie , and beastly Drunkennesse : Abate all needlesse Beasts , Dogges , Mules and Horse , Ridde idle Rogues and Vagrants , which are worse Then Catter-pillars to consume the store , To rob the richest and to sterue the poore : No Corne out of the Land let I goe out , But buy in rather from the Coasts about , And many Forrests which before did ly All waste , I vnto Tillage did apply : Thus I proceede , and God so blest my hand , That all things prosper ouer all the Land . But when the yeares of plentie all are past , And all the Land of Egypt lyeth waste , So that they liue of former yeares remaines , Which them perhaps a month or two sustaines , The people first of Pharoh seeke supply , Who them to Ioseph sends ; I suddenly Set ope the Barnes , and sell for money out The Corne to all the Nations round about . Now is the time indeed , that I might buy Castles and Lands for my Posteritie , But I all money bring to Pharohs hand , To be the strength , and sinewes of the Land : If Pharoh will bestow on me a Place , Or money to buy Land , I of his Grace Will House and Land , as I my Office hold : Strangers in purchasing may be too bold . When all their money 's spent with buying bread , One yeare with Corne I them for Cattell fedde : But when the next yeare they in neede doe stand , I will for Corne their Bodies buy and Land , But all for Pharoh : whereby growing strong , He and his Empire may continue long : And to establish more his Segnurie , From Place to Place I will each Colonie Transplant , who on the East of Nile abide , I will remoue vnto the other side : Thus Pharoh Lord of Egypt shall be knowne , By Seisin , none shall say this is mine owne . Thus haue I seene when Want or Waste compell A Gallant his Inheritance to sell , ( Lest any right in him should still be thought ) Giue place to him that hath the purchase bought , And in another Countrie dwelling hire , Whether he with his houshold may retire . Thus will I doe with all the Common Lands , But for the Sacred in the Prophets hands , To Muses and to Learning dedicate , Or to Religious vses consecrate , I thinke it Sacriledge indeed to touch , Could all by this example learne as much : And let the Priests their Portions freely eate , Whose Braines in youth for vnderstanding sweate , Their age in Prayers and Perswasions spend , To saue the Good , and wicked to amend . When I seau'n yeares haue furnisht them with bread , I in the eighth will furnish them with seede To sowe their Land , The fifth of whose increase Shall be the Kings : The other foure in Peace , They and their Housholds eate : And this shall stand For euer as a Law in Pharohs Land : The Priests Lands only shall be euer free , For to the Lord they consecrated bee . Now , as I said , when I did Circuit ride , And Egypts Land suruai'd from side to side : One thing of greatest vse I did obserue , Which doth perpetuall memory deserue , Which , if it once were rightly vnderstood , Would force all studious of the publique good To doe , speake , write , of this most rare inuention , Till to effect they brought what next I mention : A peece of Land an Istmos , Barre , or stay , Twixt Midland-Sea , and the Arabian Bay , Suppos'd some a a Sex aut septem miliaeria a capite Delta admare rubrum . Gorop . Hisp. lib. 6. Herod plus distantiae po●it . lib. 2. ten Miles ouer at the most , Adioineth fast vnto th' Egyptian Coast , Which if one by a Channel did diuide , Both Seas might each into the other slide . This if it were once b b Psamni . thus Egyptorum Rex hoc tentauit , sed oraculo interpellatus desutit . Herod . ibidem . nauigable made , Would bring , to Kings and people of each trade , Such wondrous gaine as cannot be expected , With endlesse fame to those which it effected : For it would ope an easie way and prest To saile from Europe , Affricke , Asia-West Within few daies to the rich Indyes place , Which hardly now is done in three yeares space : How might all dwellers on the earth hereby , Soone be enriched by their Industrie ? When by this Channel Merchants might conuey , Exchange of Merchandize so neare a way , Eu'n from the Northerne Iles and Westerne Lands To China , Ganges , and the Indian Sands . This proiect I to Pharoh did commend , Intreating him this princely worke t' intend , But some base mindes , actiue in nought but ill , Men of acedious spirits , and little skill , Who are most forward ay to vilisie All workes of Honour , Art , and Industrie , Were ready this most noble worke to stay , Saying a Beare , or Lyon's in the way . This Isthmos , say c c Eedam significat aggerem perpetuum nullo modo rumpendum : Gorop . lib. 6. Hisp. they , is ordain'd by fate , To barre these Seas that they should neuer meete , But euermore remaine a fatall Damme , Betwixt them both ; and therefore call'd Eedam . A fancie vaine , which from mistaken name Some superstitious wisards idely frame , For 't is not call'd Eedam , and though it were , Who for this name would this attempt forbeare ? For Eedam notes in language d d Cimbrica seu Germanica . Gorop . which they meane , A e e Dam significat aggerem fluctibus Maris & aquarum oppositum . Gorop . Herm lib 4. Ee. significat firmum . firme strong water-course great Bankes between ; So from that name they might more truly gather , This Isthmos should be a firme current rather . For waters course ; which I more boldly say , Because not Eedam it , but f f Hebraite sic vocatur & sic vocandae est . Eetham ay Was call'd , and so is still ; by which is ment That with his double g g Etham dicitur vel ab Hebraeo Thaam ( permecathesin ) qd. significat geminum quiae inter duo maria positum est : vel ab Ethah quod significat curro quia Ethan olim futurus est locus vbi mare currat . side the Seas close pent , Shall one day haue a Current faire and great , In which the waues of both those Seas shall meete , And haue so large a passage , Ships may turne , As they goe to the Indies or returne . And whereas these fantastique men doe dreame , This to effect impossible doth seeme . They without reason , selfe-conceited , wise , Against the publike profit this deuise ; High h h Athas mons . celissimus factus est nauigabilis à Xerxe , Plut. Iust. & alij . Mountaines , Rockes of flint haue bin made plaine , And forc'd to yeeld a passage to the Maine , Yea who knowes not that far more harder i i Quales sunt obelisci 4. quorum v. nusquisque erat 480. cubitorum longitudine . things , Haue beene effected by the Egyptian Kings , But neuer any of such Eminence , Nor any that could bring such recompence As this ; For little labour , cost and paine , Would to th' whole world bring infinite great gaine . Another let they tell as fond and vaine , That if this Barre be cut , th' Arabian Maine Doth rise so high , his waues would ouer-flow All th' Egyptian plaines , they ly so low : But I vpon my view could not descry Twixt Sea and Land such inequallitie : But howsoeueuer Earth , stones , and that doth rise From digging of the Channell , would suffice To raise Sea walles , for a most strong defence , Against the waters rage , and violence , And more secure on either side the shore , From ouerflowing then it was before , But though I haue small hope to win this Nation , To cut this shorter course , for Nauigation , Yet when that King to whose high Scepters sway , All Nations , will they , nill they , must obey , Shall rule as well o're Asia ' and Europes Lands , As China , India , and Arabian Sands . Some potent Monarch will himselfe alone , Or many Princes ioyning all in one , Will take this Noble enterprize in hand , And make this shorter passage to each Land , If not for th' ease and good of Nauigation , Yet for Gods Gloryes farther propagation , That so his Words and Wisedomes glorious sound , May through all Corners of the Earth resound , This for the publique good I haue made knowne , In Egypt , as I now to thee haue showne , Now whilst I for the Publique take such care , Pharoh at home a helpe doth me prepare , A Princes daughter , Egypts ornament , For whom King Pharoh with her Father sent , And welcomes thus : Great On ! who by thy place , Art to me next , and second in my grace ; Ioseph is first , whose merits to display , To light a candle were in clearest day : All Nilus Borders doe resound his fame , And honour most-deseruedly his name : Strength , youth , and vigour in his face appeares , And wisedome in his heart of graiest haires : His Beauty , as his Vertue hath no paire , Him would I match with Asenah thine heire , I know he is a stranger in this place , And wants Possessions , yet in Pharohs grace , And he thou know'st deserueth at my hands , To haue a part in all my Goods and Lands . The reuerend Priest replyes : Dread Soueraigne , Lo ! all the Place and honour I obtaine In Egypt , I acknowledge from thy grace : Which is enough to raise to highest place The meanest , But thou dost a match propound , Where Vertues more then honours doe abound : Amongst the many Fauours thou hast done Thy Seruant , this I deeme the highest one , A Priest to be so gracious in thy sight , To match his Childe with Pharohs Fauorite : May 't please your Grace to aske the maids consent , But by her lookes , I see shee is content , For then her vaile ( where modestly she shrouds Her radiant Rayes , as Sol doth his in clouds ) Put off , such heau'nly Beautie did disclose , As if another Sunne in Court arose , Which as the Rising Sunne the Courtiers all Adore , and like a Queene before her fall : Then Pharoh saith , her taking by the hand , By silence thy consent we vnderstand , Good daughter , thou art like thy Parents faire , As of their Goods , be of their Graces heire : A fitter match for Ioseph none can find , If to thy Bodies grace thou suit thy minde , So , as thine outward Beauties heaun'ly shine , Thine inward shall b' Angellicall diuine , Oh! Labour to be glorious within , So Gods , mans Iosephs fauour thou shalt win , The King forth with then sends for me in haste , And first repeating all things as they past , With his owne hand her giues me for my Bride , Assuring vs for euer to abide As louing , as our Fathers naturall : When humbly I vpon my face did fall , And first gaue thankes , as dutie did require To Pharoh , next vnto her holy Sire . As when Garden Adam all alone Saw Eue , flesh of his flesh , Bone of his Bone , He her embrac'd , kiss'd and so highly priz'd , As if all Beautie were epitomiz'd In his faire Rib , now with the Body met , ( Two Sunnes , which but for sinne had neuer set ) So I , who , though in honour , was alone In Egypt , till I met my flesh and Bone , Sweete Asenah , in whose faire eyes and face , I saw my mother Rachels comely grace ; This Egypts Gem , whose eies I did behold , Like radiant Diamonds faire set in Gold ; Embrace , kisse , loue her , and her Grace admire , And set her as the Bound of my desire : Thinking I now did reape with treble gaine , The Crop of all my trauell care and paine . Then in the presence of the Court and King , I courted her with this speech following . Faire Lady whose high Grace and Beautie seene To me your seruant , may become a Queene . Yet art , ( such is thine humblenesse ) content To be poore Iosephs : without complement , I am all yours , nor doe I lesse esteeme Your worth , because you it so meanely deeme : Our Sexes duety to your Sexe I know , Is you to Court intreate and humbly woe , But since that seruice you to me remit , I will so much remaine more in your debt . My time is pretious , therefore let me show To you in briefe , what Iosephs wife must doe . It is not this worlds false , vaine glittering glory , So full of hazard , lubrique , transitorie , At which I aime : 'T is an eternall place , Where we shall liue for ay in blessed case , Whether the gods , Th' Egyptians wont to serue , Can neuer bring you : He that will preserue This Land from Famine by th' interpretation Of Pharoh's Dreames , must bring to this saluation ▪ One God with Ioseph must his wife adore , One God one true Religion , and no more : God iealous is , no Idol-stocke or stone , May be his Riuall , God , and Truth is one : These worldly shewes delights and vanitie , As Mortall with our Mortall Bodies die , The Pleasures which I speake off ay remaine , Eternall thus for Temporall we gaine . This God my Fathers with their wiues haue serued Who to this day from dangers me preserued , This God me from the dungeon deepe did raise To be thy Husband , him for euer praise : Madame , your King and Father are content , But your owne mouth must shew your free consent . When fairest Asenah long silence breakes , And as an Angell sent from Heau'n thus speakes : Good sir such is my due and filiall awe , My Fathers iudgement is to me a Law , Much more my Soueraignes : But such worth in you I see and heare of , I should rather sue , But for my Sexes bashfull modesty , For such an honour , rather then deny : Nor shall I meanely of my selfe thus deeme , To honour him , whom King and Realme esteeme Their Father , and the Kingdomes Fauourite . What greater Grace befals a mortall wight ? Sir , that Religion , which my holy Sire Taught me his child , inform'd my soules desire , Worlds Glory , Pompe , and vainenesse to despise , But thy Religion makes men heau'nly wise , And brings them by an vpright conuersation , To happy euer lasting habitation . Therefore as thy Religion our transcends , As aiming at more high and happy ends , So greater is my Ioy and happinesse , To match , where I it truly must professe . So sure as that ( whereof thou didst diuine By Dreames ) shall come to passe , so am I thine : Thy God shall be my God , and mine thy Nation , In earth , graue , heau'n one be our habitation : What thou approu'st as good , the same doe I ; With thee , Sweete Hebrew , let me liue and dye . Pardon : A womans Tongue knowes no content , Yea , is enough t' expresse a Maids consent . Lo thus Hearts , hands , words , wishes , ioin'd in one , Two by Consent , become one Flesh and Bone . Then princely On begins : Lo God hath tide These two in one , Let no Man them diuide : Deare Daughter , I to Ioseph thee commit , Thou therefore must thy Fathers house forget , And people : so shall sonnes before thee stand , Fit to beare rule as Princes in the Land : That God whom Pharoh , On and Ioseph serue , Who , as he all things made , doth all preserue , God who of things to come to Pharoh told By Dreames , which none but Ioseph could vnfold , When God him from the Dungeon did aduance , To saue vs by a great Deliuerance , God Authour sole , and end of happinesse , This holy Marriage and this Vnion blesse Of the Egyptian , and the Hebrew Nations ; And make them happy in their Generations , And honour ay in heau'n our Sou'raigne King , As he his Seruants honours in this thing . The King thus pleas'd in royall pompe and state With sumptuous Feasts and showes doth celebrate Our Marriage day , where all with Musique rings , And King and Court a happy Hymen sings . Happy I hope though with an Heathen Dame , Whose Grace and Vertues I the rather name , That you may know we here as elsewhere finde , Some good as well as bad of woman-kind , As a loose wicked wife of Potiphar , So a most pious childe of Putiphar : But why should I time in her praises spend , Since her owne Workes , her best of all commend , God me hath giu'n , by her , two louely Boyes , Before the Famine , which are all my Ioyes : Lo ! here shee kindly comes with all her traine , Her welcome Father for to entertaine : For now they all at Iosephs gate arriue , Where Pharohs Peares , and Seruants all doe striue , How best their Loues and Seruice shew they may , To adde more honour to this happy day . When Asenah , first kneeling downe , begun Oh holy Father , of a blessed sonne , Blesse me thy Daughter ; Blessed shall they be , Whom thou dost blesse : As welcome now to me , As dearest Ioseph to his Fathers sight . All Egypts glory yeelds not such delight . When Iacob , Daughter ; Fitter 't is for me , To your great state , to bow my humble knee , But rightly you of me a blessing craue , No other Dower to bestow I haue , The Lord on thee from Heau'n all Blessings shower : But Iacobs tongue not hauing farther power , Now to expresse his Wondrous Ioy and Loue , His eyes produce abundant Teares to proue His ioyfull soule , for Iosephs happy state , When Iosephs Steward tells him it was late And supper time : Wherefore they all addrest Themselues , in their due order , to the feast .

THE FIFTH BOOKE OF IOSEPH . SOone as Aurora , with her blushing face , Vsherd the Gyant out to run his race , His longest Iourney from the East to West , Good Ioseph , though he ouernight did feast , Eu'n all th' astates of Egypt with their traine , His father in more state to entertaine , Gets vp and with his seruants all repaires Vnto a chappell by , to publike praiers , Which Pharoh had giu'n Ioseph there to serue God , who from famine Egypt did preserue , No time to men of action is so free For their deuotions , as the Mornings bee , Especially for those that liue at Court , Where they make Dinners long , but Prayers short , But they done ; Ioseph doth his speech direct Thus to his Brethren : you perhaps expect , That I , now for mine owne and houses grace , Should raise you all to honourable place , And make you Lords at least in Pharohs land , But if you wisely things will vnderstand . And know that honour ladeth more then graces , If wealth and vertues answer not your places , No grace nor honour can giue such contents To you , as quietly to liue in tents . You that haue had your Breeding in such sort , Cannot obserue the Niceties of Court : They , whose ambition would be ouer all , The higher climb'd oft take the greater fall : Equals enuy ▪ Superiours such disdaine , Inferiours maligne , all seeke their gaine , Grace and Preferment by anothers frowne ; Who get vp seeke to thrust the other downe . Courtiers are Dials , whilst Sol on them shines , Obseru'd of all , else but as painted Lines . Many Court-honour onely do admire , And as another heau'n on earth desire : These onely looke on outward splendour , showne , Our inward cares and dangers are vnknowne , None would enuy our glory and content , Knew they the weight and cares of gouernment : They Altas burthen on their shoulders brare , To whom committed is the publique Care , Besides most stand in such high slippery places , I would not haue their hazard for their graces . I speake not to dehort from gouernment The wise , for feare of griefes and discontent , Vnder this burthen they must bow their backe , Lest if the wicked rule all goes to wracke : But who are prudent , moderate and wise , Are rather raisd for worth , then seeke to rise : And such like tubs on their owne bottome stand , Nor neede the least support of others hand ; When they which want this true worth of their owne , No sooner clamberd vp , but tumble downe , The first like fixed Starres stand firme and fast , Last make faire showes , like Comets , but sonne wast , Their matter is pure elementall fire , Of these ambitious humour and desire : Such is the Humour of Ambition vaine , For grace and offices to take much paine , Wherein they neuer comfort take nor rest , So feare of loosing doth their mind molest : When could they their faire Fortunes vse aright , They Freedome might enioy with much delight . I fiue of you , my brethren , will present To Pharoh , who I know hath an intent To giue you any honour you require , But you his Fauour onely shall desire , And tell him plainely how you haue been bred , And heards and cattell all your life time fed . ( My reason is , for that this occupation Is here in Egypt of small reputation ) Desiring you of his high grace may hold , Some pastures onely for your flocks and fold , Where you may serue God free from care and strife ▪ And pray for Pharohs long and happy life : Should I you all now raise to Dignitie , Ones Folly ruine might the Family ; Many vnited stronger are then one , But 't is most : what more safe to stand alone : Especially so high ; where one mans fall May make a breach , and so indanger all . Oh happinesse , if knowne , of country bowers ! Where in Deuotion they their freer howers May spend , and with Groues citizens sweet sing Diuinest praises to the heau'nly King : Where free from plots and vndermining Arts , All may the Truth speake boldly from their hearts , ( For to a goodman 't is no little paine To flatter for the greatest grace and gaine ) There may they see their Lambs grow great and more , And heauenly blessings on their stocke and store ; There may they see corne thriue vpon their lands , And God to prosper all workes passe their hands : Happy whose lot falls in so faire a ground , Such pleasures are at Court but seldome found ; But le ts make hast , my brethren to the court , My businesse is long , my time but short . And now had Phoebus climb'd vp to such height , His beames did warme the world , as well as light , When Israell old ; with trauell wearied , Slept sound , till waking , he much wondred ( Thinking himselfe at first in his owne tents ) To see such costly gorgeous ornaments : But soone remembring where he did abide , He turnes to Leah lying by his side : And thus begins , Deare wife ! should I suruay Gods blessings from my birth , vnto this day , And in a summe his benefits recount ; They would my dayes , nay eu'n my howres surmount . His Goodnesse , Wisedome , Foure , Loue in those past Shin'd seuerall , but all now in this last : Goodnesse in drawing so much good from ill , To worke the sound good purpose of his will : His powre herein is manifestly showne , In raising vp the meeke , and throwing downe The prowd ; his heauenly wisedome did foresee : And told vs all by dreames which now we see : The Starres eleu'n to Ioseph bow'd long sence , Now we the Sunne and Moone him reuerence : And lastly here appeares his wondrous Loue That all for 's glory and our good doth proue . Thus Israel doth Gods benefits recite , Beginning in the morning eu'n till night . But whilst he thus Gods Bounty magnifide Like fairest Ewe with twin Lambs by each side , Comes Asenah , on either hand a sonne , Smugge , liuely , like two Rabbets newly run : Which seemd their mothers gracefull steps to guide , As two trim Squires that leade to Church a Bride , The tender boyes , whose mothers pious care , Before had taught themselues aright to beare , Downe on their knees before their Grandsire fall , And sweetly to him for his blessing call : The good old man whose heart doth dance for ioyes To see his Nephews , thus begins , sweete boyes , Which like two fairest Iuly flowers showne , Or buds of damaske Roses scarcely blowne . Oh these my daughter giue you more content Then Egypts wealth and costliest ornament . Me thinks they hang vpon each arme of thine , Like two faire Clusters on a fruitfull Vine . These shall renew our dying memory , And vs reuiue vnto Posteritie . Behold I see in little Ephraims face , My dearest Rachels louely lookes and grace . Manasses like to Ioseph doth appeare , Who aboue all his brethen was my deare . But oh ! my daughter , how much am I bound To you , for vndeserued fauours found ; But Ioseph more ; a Princesse of your state So lowly to descend to be his mate ? God make him worthy of your grace and loue , And that he may as acceptable proue To you his deare , as he was wont be blest With highest fauours , alwayes of the best . For he at home in Bondage , Prison , Court , In grace was alwayes with the better sort . I Potiphar the Gaoler , and the King Best lou'd and trusted him in euery thing : Then Asenah ? I wish you were obserued Here , my deare father , as you haue deserued : As for your sonne no noblenesse of birth , Nor Egypts dowers can counteruaile his worth , Who me hath taught the vanity of state , Me worthy make as happy of my mate ; Such is his worth and noblenesse of mind , I wonder not that he should fauour find Amongst the best : But shall I you intreate To tell your daughter , what you vse to eate , For here you all must as at home command , We but desire your will to vnderstand . Daughter saith Iacob I was neuer nice Nor dainty to consume things of high price , That 's alwayes best you easiliest can prepare , Better are homely Cates then forraine fare . My heards my foode , my sheepe my clothing breade , No better weare I , nor no other feede : Sixe score and ten yeares haue I beene content To liue on milke , fruits , and such nourishment : Yet few or none that to mine age attaine , So strong of body are , and free from paine : But aboue all , the weather being faire , I loue to walke abroad in freshest aire ; After my mornings draught to stirre , is good For to refresh the Spirits and warme the blood , This is the way diseases to preuent , I thanke God , I neere knew what phisicke ment . Thus whilst they talke in plaine familiar sort , Lo Ioseph vnexpected comes from Court , And tells his father , how he did present His brethren to the King , who is content Them to employ according to their breeding , In looking vnto sheepe and cattell feeding , And now he much desires to see your face , And with all Courtly honour you to grace : I ( Iacob saith ) with all my heart will goe To that good King , that Ioseph honours so , But I desire of him no greater grace , Then to liue in his Land and see thy Face , I hope he likewise will conceiue my breeding , And leaue me to my flockes and Cattell feeding . Ioseph his Father then to Pharoh brings , Who doing first Obeisance due to Kings Begins , oh ! blessed , blest thou euer be , That rais'd my Ioseph to such Dignitie , From Dungeon where stockes did his Limbs enroule , And yrons enter'd eu'n into his Soule , To rule all Egypt by thy borrowed might , And be alone great Pharohs Fauorite . And blest be ay for thy Benignitie , Who sauest me and all my Family From perishing ; Alas ! for want of food , God render in thy Bosome all thy good , And double thy fore-Fathers daies vpon Thee , and thy seede that sit vpon thy throne . Thus ends the Sage : when Pharoh thus replide , How much more cause haue I to blesse the tide , That noble Ioseph did to Egypt driue , To saue me and my people all aliue : Come hither Iacob , let me thee embrace , How can I but loue thee , and all thy race , Whom now as Cause and Author I doe see Oh Ioseph ? Father of all mine and mee : It ioyes me Israel most exceedingly , When I thy sonne in ought can gratifie , To whom my Kingdome , Life , and all I ow , As thou and thine , and all the people know : God sent thy Ioseph , as a man before , To lay vp here against this famine store , For had we not by his foresight beene fed , We , thou and all , for want , had perished . Thy Ioseph doth informe my Senatours , And Wisedome teach vnto my Counsellours : Well may he rule then ore my house and Land , And all my substance haue at his command , I am to this by Prouidence but led , God hath indeed thus Ioseph honored . Thou seemst of no lesse wisedome and defert , Then good old father , tell how ould thou art , And in what course , thou hast worne out this terme , I aske not to examine , but to learne : Examples more then precepts teach to liue ; Good King , saith Iacob , thou doest eu'n reuiue My older age to heare thy wondrous loue To Ioseph , whom more then my selfe I loue . But seeing thou inquirest of mine age , Know that the dayes here of my Pilgrimage A hundred and full thirty yeares haue beene , The dayes are few and ill which I haue seene , Nor haue I yet attained to the age , And dayes of my forefathers Pilgrimage . Two things I studdy here especially , The first to liue well , second well to die , For what is all our life once gone and past , But eu'n a way vnto our happy last . The terme from whence to all flesh is the wombe ; That whither all doe hasten is the Tombe . He happiest here who findeth on the way , Fewest impediments his course to stay . Some passe through sicknesse , pouerty , some wealth , Honour , preferment , pleasure , strength and health , Some equally of both participate , This is the meane , yet safe and happiest Fate , The highest I did euer here aspire : And in this state I still to liue desire . The highest honours to your Grace are due , For God hath with a Kingdome honourd you , Whereof you haue your selfe most worthy showne , In looking to Gods glory , not your owne . Wisely therefore , I speake it to your praise , You honour them , whom God would haue you raise , And in your Kingdome prudently depresse , Those whom God hateth for their wickednesse . Thus needs your Gouernment must happy be , When King and Senatours in one agree , The proud to cast downe , and to raise the iust , So may the Rulers one another trust . God that from Famine vs deliuered , And by a dreame foretold , thee counselled Both for thy land , and houshould to prouide , And all the world , which else for want had dide , Feede thee with inward and spirituall grace , And giue in heau'n an euerlasting place , For this , I your poore Beadsman , night and day , Will in a homely countrey cottage pray . Pharoh much ioy'd , would faine haue entertaind , And him at his owne boord with bread sustaind ▪ But good old Iacob modestly denide , And sayd , How long haue I on earth to bide ? I cannot now of good from ill make choyce , Nor musique iudge by instrument or voyce , Why should I be a burthen to the King ? And he reward so my small-meriting , But let my sonne for me before thee stand , And ready alwayes be at thy command . Good man , saith Pharaoh , I haue giu'n command To place thee in the fattest of my Land , The Land of Goshen be a habitation To thee , thy children and thy generation There is best pasture-ground for them to keepe , Their Camels , Asses , Cattell , Gotes and Sheepe . To raise to place of honour I desire Thee and thy sonnes , but they of me require Still to be Heardsmen : wherefore the most bould And actiue , I make Rulers of my fould . Then Iacob blessing Pharoh did depart Out of his presence with a ioyfull heart . Seu'nteene yeares after in prosperitie , Liu'd Iacob and did greatly multiplie , And Ioseph in his former Grace did stand , Still vnder Pharoh ruling all the Land . Nor might be ere out of his masters sight , Because he was his onely Fauorite , Till one day Ioseph , absent from the Court , Pharoh bespeakes his seruants in this sort . Nere thrise ten times the Sunne with panting horse Hath run through heau'n his swift and yeerly course , Since first arose in this our hotter clime , That hebrew Sun , which euer since did shine , And all the time he did in court appeare , We haue had Spring and Summer all the yeare , I cannot eate by day nor sleepe by night , Without his Beames most comfortable bright : That honest man , in whose ingenuous face , A man may reade what in his heart hath place , Now , by my life , I higher doe esteeme This Hebrew , then great Egypts Diademe . Nor is it to the least of you vnknowne , He hath beene better to me then my Crowne , And beares still for me , to all mens content , The weight of all my kingdomes gouernment , In those seu'n yeares of Famine and of Store , When his employments greater were and more , If he were but one day out of my sight , I certaine was to heare from him at night , But now of 's light hath beene neere three daies pause Yet no man here will tell to me the cause . When thus the Butler ( who by Pharohs grace Restor'd was as he dream'd to 's former place ) Dread Soueraigne ! some small clouds do in this sort Shadow his beames , which wont to shine at Court : But no defect in his ay-constant light , He 's still the same , and shines as euer bright . Ioseph at home for Pharohs health now prayes , To Israels God , these are his mourning dayes . His father old now sleepes in happy rest , Who dying made to him this last request . My dearest sonne the honour of my race , If in thy sight thy father hath found grace , ( For though thou art my sonne by true relation Yea I am subiect to thy domination ) Now graciously and truely with me deale , Not for my priuate , but our common weale ; Well do I know that our posteritie , Will soone admire faire showes and vanitie , And not regard the land of happinesse , The Type of future and of present blesse , Therefore to me , my dearest Ioseph , sweare , Thou wilt not me in Egypt here enterre , But safely carry to the land of Rest. With my forefathers there my Bones to rest , It may be ours will sooner hasten thither , Where all their Fathers Bones doe lye togither . Then Ioseph sware and Israel worshipped , The Feare of Isaack sitting on his bed . These words he me desir'd , with many teares , That I would publish in King Pharohs eares , And Licence of thee to that end obtaine , Which done he would to Court returne againe . When Pharoh thus : Is that good old man dead , Like apple ripe in Autumne gathered ? We all must follow , who can tell how soone , Some fall at night , at morning , some at noone ? But I desire , if any here can tell , How that good old man dide , that liu'd so well , For most what it befals mortalitie , As they haue liued here , eu'n so to dye . Good Ioseph , saith the Butler , thus me told , That Iacob growing weake , as he grew old , He Ephraim and Manasses his two sonnes , Takes with him , and vnto his Father comes , Wherewith his weakenesse greatly comforted , He takes his strength , and sits vp in his bed . And thus begins : My sonne , my Ioseph deare , The God Almightie did to me appeare At Luz in Canaan , where he did me blesse , And promise to my seede much fruitfulnesse , Assuring me to make a mightie Nation , And giue that Land vnto my Generation : For those two sonnes God here hath giu'n to thee , Before my comming , thou shalt giue them me , As Simeon and Ruben , they are mine , Thy Children since begotten , shall be thine ; These two , I meane , shall be two Tribes , The rest In these Tribes names , shall be of Land possest ▪ For I a double portion thee allot , As my First borne : Because I thee begot Of Rachel deare , my first , my lawfull Wife , Who on my hand in Canaan left her life , Her there , alas ! I buried on the way To Ephrata , call'd Beth'lem to this day . But what are these two Lads ? my Ioseph deare , My sonnes saith Ioseph God first gaue me heere : Oh! bring them me saith Iacob to this place , Before I die , to kisse , blesse , and embrace : Sweet Boyes ! Good Ioseph , I nere thought indeed To see thy face , but now I see thy seede : The old man then , though he were dimme of sight , His left hand on Manasses , and his right On younger Ephraim layes , and wittingly , Thus blesseth Ioseph in his Progeny : God in whose sight I here haue walk'd alway , Who all my Life-long fed me to this day , The God of Abram , and great Isaacks dread , And th' Angell which hath me deliuered From euill , blesse these Lads , and let my name With name of Isaack and of Abraham , Be in them nam'd and in their Tribes renew'd ; And grow on earth eu'n to a multitude . But it displeasing was to Iosephs sight , To see on Ephraims head , him lay his right , And on Manasses his left hand to place ; And would his First borne with the right hand grace , But Iacob nould , but said I know indeed Thy First-borne shall be great : But lo ! the seede Of Ephraim , shall be greater farre then he , And a more strong and mightie people be . Thus aged Iacob bless'd them both that day , And said in thee let Israel blesse and say , God send thee Ephraims and Manasses store , But Ephraim he Manasses set before : Then said he , Lo ! I die , now out of hand , And God shall bring you to your fathers land , Then ere he dide , he swan-like sung this song , Most sweete , because he liu'd not after long .

Iacobs last blessing . Sith , my deare sonnes , I haue not long to dwell On earth , come hither : and I will you tell , What shall come on you in the latter dayes , Assemble and attend your Fathers Sayes : 1 1 Ruben My first borne Ruben , thou that art the might , And first beginning of my strength by right , Thou shouldst haue all my Power and Dignitie , Which thou hast lost by thine iniquitie : Vnstable water ! thou shalt not be head , Because thou wentst vp to thy fathers bed , For then indeed thou didst my couch defile , And thy true right of first-borne lost the while : 2 2 Simeon & Simeon and Leui , Brethren , instruments 3 3 Leui. Of cruelty , neare to your fathers tents , My soule come not neare to their congregations , Mine honour ioyne not in their machinations , Who in their Wrath the Sichemites slew all , And in their Fury digged downe a wall : Curst be their wrath , for it was voyd of shame , And Fiercenesse which was cruelly to blame , Lo ! I their seede in Iacob will diuide , And them abroad in Israel scatter wide . 4 4 Iudah Iudah is next , whom all his brethren praise , Thine hand be in thine enemies necke alwayes , Thy Fathers Children thee shall stoupe before , Lo Iudah like a Lyons whelpe shall rore , My sonne comes like a Lion from the spoile , Who laid him downe , and couch'd himselfe awhile , Eu'n like a Lion or a Lionesse , Who dares awake him from his sleepinesse ? The Scepter from his race shall neuer start , Nor a Law giuer from his feete depart , Till the Messias come , who to him shall By his great powre the Nations gather all ; Lo ! he shall binde his Foale vnto the Vine , His Colt vnto the Branch , His Cloke in Wine Is washt ; His Cloths with bloud of grapes bedight , Eyes red with wine : His Teeth with milke are white . The Sea-Haun's Zabulon shall dwell beside , 5 5 Zabulon . And 's Border eu'n to Sidon shall diuide , Like a strong Asse shall Isachar couch low Betweene two burthens , 6 6 Isachar . And for he doth know , That rest is good in such a pleasant Land , Shall stoupe and be anothers to command . Dan shall be Iudge and one of Israels Tribes , 7 7 Dan. A serpent by the way him well describes , Or Adder in the path , horse-heeles to gall , Vntill he make the rider backward fall : To be a Iudge's a dangerous Vocation , Lord I haue waited long for thy Saluation . An host of men God downe in warre shall cast , 8 8 Gal. Yet they shall ouer-come him at the last . Aser from fattest Lands his bread shall bring , 9 9 Aser . And shall enioy eu'n pleasures for a King . Napthalim is as nimble as the hind , 10 10 Napthalim . But fauour seekes with pleasing words to finde : Ioseph's like plant by well , whose boughs are small , 11 11 Ioseph . Yet run vp flourishing vpon the wall : With shooting many Archers haue him harm'd And with sharpe Darts to 's hindrance him disarm'd ; But he stands fast , his armes are made so strong By God , to whom all strength and powre belong , His glory all his Brethrens doth excell , And hee 's become a stone in Israel : His Fathers God shall helpe him from aboue , And the Almightie with his Blessings proue : With Blessings that from hight and depth shall come , With Blessings of the Breasts and of the Wombe , To thee thy Fathers Blessings be more strong , Then those that doe from mine , to me belong : From th' vtmost hils they light on Iosephs head , That from his Brethren once was seuered . 12 12 Beniamin . Beniamin like a Wolfe shall spoile : The prey He shall diuide by night , and eate by day : Thus Iacob of each seuerall prophecide , What should to their Posteritie betide : Some call it his last will : Then to them all , He dying spake these words in generall . We all are Pilgrims on the way , our home Is Heau'n ; as all men enter by the Wombe , So through the Gate of Death , we all must driue , Before we at this Citie faire arriue : Lusts of our youth , Infirmities of age , Make few and ill our daies of Pilgrimage , All spend like Lamps , some blowne out with a blast , Some waste , some melt , some hold out till the last : Like fruit all blow , bud , grow greene , ripe , then fall ; Bud , blossome , greene , or ripe , we perish all : And turn'd to dust , are vnder Deaths subiection In Graue , vntill the day of Resurrection . Eu'n as our ages , so we change our minde , For those things we doe most delightfull finde To Child-hood , Youth disdaines ; our Youth-full fires Accord not with our riper yeares desires : Old-age in none of all the three delights , The reason 's plaine , we serue our appetites : Truth and Religions path we leaue to treade , And follow as our Lusts and Pleasures leade ; Which alter with our bodies constitutions , And these are sensuall , beastly resolutions : But who doth his affections measure by Right rules of Reason , and of Pietie , Them neuer alters , but is still the same , All tending to the glory of Gods name : No change of state , age , health , wealth , constitution , Can alter such desires and resolution . This Life 's a minute to Eternitie , Like mite vnto the Globes immensitie , Like droppe compard vnto the Ocean Maine , Yet here we either all must lose or gaine ; Vpon this mite , droppe , minute doth depend , All Blisse , we aye continue as we end . All Gods most gracious , glorious promises , But types and Shadowes are of future Blesse ; Phari on Land , vs to the Port to light ; And guide our Barkes through worlds darke misty night , In all our voiage , through worlds Ocean-wast , Are many Rockes and dangers to be past ; Without are Satan and the Worlds infections , Within , our Lusts , vaine , fraile , and vile affections , Which like so many Traitours readiely Against the Pilot ay to mutiny ; But most in danger of them all we stand , When nearest we approch vnto the Land : So some escape the boistrous raging Sea , And neere the Port doe wrecke vpon the Lea : I looking backe my span like daies behold , Like a fantastique Dreame or tale new told , And were I now them to begin againe , I should all worldly vaine delights refraine , Yea could you see heau'ns Ioyes by Faiths cleare eyes , You would with me Worlds Pleasures vaine despise , And runne fast to the marke you set before Your end ; to liue with God for euermore . As th' aire is hottest neerest to the Sunne , Brookes deeper , neerer to the Sea they runne , So nearer to your end ; doe you aspire To grow in grace , and glow with heaun'ly fire ; Now goe I hence , and shall be seene no more , Haue mine examples alwaies you before , So Isaack followed faithfull Abraham , I holy Isaack , from whose loines I came , What we did well doe you the like : But when We did amisse , obserue we were but men . Oh let your wisedome shine with your gray haires , Most of you now draw neere to seu'nty yeares , Ioseph is fifty seu'n , a child eu'n when The most of you , were growne vp to be men . Seau'nty seau'n yeares a single life I led , God since hath seau'nty to them numbred ; The youngest nor the strongest haue no power , To adde a minute to their fatall hower . Deferre not of Repentance then the date , Now is the time , to morrow is too late , Count all mens ages that on earth remaine , More die before , then to your daies attaine , And should you old Mathuselaes surmount , The longer life , the greater your account ▪ I will not exprobrate offences past , Repent , amend , and turne to God at last , Leaue off to sinne , his Promises beleeue , You cannot aske so much as God will giue , You are a chosen seede , a holy race , Not by desert , or worthinesse , but Grace . Oh make it knowne to all your Generations , God vs hath chose before all other Nations , To walke here worthy of this Grace diuine , And like to purest heau'nly Tapers shine , In this worlds mistie darke obscured night , Whose euill workes abhorre to see the light . Expect not worlds vaine glory , Pompe and state , Those that liue Godly here , the world will hate , But God doth euer them most highly prize , Who here are meanest in the wickeds eyes . The World will you deride , and say that this , But some vaine , peeuish , single humor is , Or some light idle motion , which doth rise From some meane , ignorant , conceited wise , Despise their censures , for I certaine know The spirit , whence such heau'nly motions flow : What care I how their worldly wisdome deeme , Of them , So they with God be in esteeme ? Oh! were my words now written in a booke , That who , so list to learne , on them might looke , Or with a Diamonds point engrauen plaine , On Adamant , for euer to remaine . I know that my Redeemer true and iust Liues , and shall raise vs at the last from dust , And though the wormes my skin and flesh destroy , I God shall in my body see with ioy , Eu'n with mine owne ; and with no other eyes : But now my spirit begins so high to rise , As if she meant to leaue this habitation , And flye to heau'n , by holy contemplation ; Oft hath she striu'd to rise before this day , As weary of her brittle Tent of Clay , But hath beene by the weight thereof deprest , But now shee feeles her selfe from thence releast , I cannot last , my Lampe so fast doth spend , And now burnes clearest , nearest to the end , Farewell deare sonnes ; my Blessing on you all Continue to your after-Ages shall . Oh God of Life ; now thou dost me denie , The Powre to liue , me willing make to die . These all are those twelue Tribes of Israel , Which good old Iacob blest and wished well , Besides the blessing to each seuerall , Wherein he told them what should after fall : And now as Ioseph erst he made to sweare , So chargeth he eu'n all his Children there , To lay him in that place of Buriall , Where his fore-fathers were interred all : Thus when his swan-like song was at an end , And all commanded that he did intend , He plucked vp his feete into the Bed , And was vnto his people gathered . Oh happy man ! saith Pharoh , God me send Eu'n such a life , and such a happy end . Lo , farther Pharoh did that day command , That all his Peeres and Nobles of the Land , Should goe with Ioseph and his Brethren all , To honour holy Iacobs funerall : Where they seu'n dayes made so great Lamentation , They draue the Cananites to admiration : And after he was buried in this sort , Ioseph returnes againe to Pharohs Court , His Brethren vnto Goshen , where in peace , They Liued , and did mightily increase , Till Ioseph was an hundred ten yeares old , So that he Ephraims children did behold , To their third Generation , and the seede Of Machir , eldest of Manasses Breed , Sate on his knees : Then saith he , lo I die , But God will visit you assuredly , And in that Land , a place for you prepare , As he to Abram , Isaack , Iacob sware , Then , as I sware to Iacob , to me sweare , Thither my Bones with you from hence to beare , His Brethren sware : So Ioseph , as I told , Dide honourably being very old , Whose Body they imbalmed in a Chest , And after carryed to the land of Rest : Where they erect a Pillar on his graue , And thereupon this Epitaph engraue :

FINIS .

IOSEPHS Epitaph . HIs Fathers Darling , mothers deare delight . Obiect of Satans malice , Brethrens spite : To Master iust ; chaste , faithful to his Dame : In Prison free , condemn'd , yet void of blame : From Dungeon raisd to highest reputation , By Wisdome , Counsell , Dreames , and Diuination : Thus God by him a great deliuerance wrought , In sauing them , who his destruction sought : A diligent , wise , prouident Obseruer , And therefore of Mankinde a great preseruer . In Padan borne , In Canaan nourished , In Midian bound , in Aegypt honoured , From whence his soule flew to eternall Rest , His Bones here in like expectation rest . He sau'd from Famine , King , Priests , People all , For which his seede and Nation they enthrall : Vnworthy Aegypt ! of this sacred Vrne , Who such rewards for merits dost returne .

SVSANNA was of all thy Poems best , But IOSEPH her excels , as shee the rest .

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