The maidens blush: or, Ioseph mirror of modesty, map of pietie, maze of destinie, or rather diuine prouidence. From the Latin of Fracastorius, translated; & dedicated to the high-hopefull Charles, Prince of Wales. By Iosuah Syluester.

The Maidens Blush : OR , JOSEPH . CHaste Muse of Muses , that in sacred Layes , With straines vnwonted , dost delight to raise From blacke Obliuion's sad and silent Tents , Th' Heroick Gests and Noble Monuments Of antike WORTHIES , and their fames reuiue , Through euery Age to All that shall suruiue ; Now , Now reuolue th' Authenticall Records Of th' Holy Nation , whom the Lord of Lords Chose for his Owne , ( Whose Line directly came From Princely Loines of faithful ABRAHAM ) : And sweedy tun'd to th' sacred voyce of Truth , Sing That Religious , That rare-Modest Youth ( Good Isaac's Grand-child , and great Iacob's Son ) Whom God indu'd , ( by Dreames ) of things yet done To tell the issue : Tell , ô ! tell Thou All That He indur'd through swelling Enuies Gall ; Till at the last , tryumphing of his Foes , Through Pharao's grace to Princely Place he rose ( As Egypt's Viceroy ) by diuine Decree Fore-sent , a Friend and Founder there to be Of th' happy People , and the holy Seed , From Whence , should Hope of future Life proceed ; And Whence Saluation should be freely giuen , Through th' heauenly Key that shuld re-open Heauen . And , O! Thou Glory of Great STVARTS stemme , Great Iacob's Heire , Great-Britaines Ioy and Gemme , CHARLES , King of Hopes , & Hope-ful Prince of Men , My great Mecoenas , to encheer my Pen , Assist Thou also : and with gentle Gales Of Help-full Fauour , fill my Hopefull Sailes : That maugre Enuie's Rocke and Fortunes Storme , My sacred Voyage I may safe performe , To th' onely glory of my Ghostly Guide , His Churches Profit , and Your Praise , beside ; While , vnder IOSEPH's Wondrous Temperance , His Piety , His Prudent Gouernance , I prophecie Your Princely Vertues Crop , ( Your Parents Prayer , and Your Peoples Hope ) God say Amen . But , Tide for none doth stay , I must aboord , I must mine Anchor waigh . Away to Sea : the Winde is wondrous good , Spread all our Canuas : O how swift we scud ! Through all the Western , and the Mid-land Seas , Arriu'd already to descry ( with case ) The Coast of Ioppa and Samarian Hills , With wealthy Sichems goodly Groues and Fields . Already ( running twixt his winding banks ) Iordan begins to wash our wel-come Planks , Where Hebron's valley our glad Welcome sings , And euen Mount Tabor with the Eccho rings . Th' Old Serpent knew ( for Much to know is giuen Vnto that Hell-god , by the GOD of Heauen ) It was decreed by euerlasting Date , And promised , that there should propagate , From Abraham's happy Stocke , a holy Stem Which should confound th' Infernall Diadem . In doubt whereof , perplext and vexed sore , His Ielousie of Iacob grew the more . The more he enuies Sichem's Shepheard-Prince , As well because , with duer Reuerence Did None obserue and serue th' Eternall Lord , Nor iuster liu'd , nor righter him ador'd . As for the goodly Blessings of his Bed , ( Twelue lusty Sonnes ) likely alone to spread Into a People holy and deuout . Therefore he labours , and he layes-about , With all the Engines of his hellish Hate , That , That deere Issue to exterminate . Especially , that louely Lad ( whose Birth Had happy Stars , presaging holy Worth ; ) IOSEPH , the darling of his Fathers age , Borne of his ( first-lou'd ) second marriage : Whom , Nature-grac's , the Graces nurtur'd fine In liberall Arts , and loue of Law diuine ; Inspir'd his Soule with skill of future things ; His minde aspiring with celestiall wings : To Elders Modest , to his equalls milde , With Piety and Prudence past a Childe . Now , as from flowres whence Bees their hony make , The loathsome Spider doth his poyson take ; Hence did the Fiend in th' other Brethren hatch Close deadly Hate , him harm-lesse to dispatch : Nor would He let the first occasion slip That might aduance his wyly workemanship : For , for the most , to each mans Inclination , He knowes , in time , to offer his Temptation . It hapned then , vpon a Summers day , When as the Sunne had with his parching Ray Driuen all the Brethren all their flocks to driue To the coole Couert that the Woods would giue ; Them-selues set round vnder a shadie Oake , Yong IOSEPH thus gently the rest bespoke . Brothers , I 'le tel you my strange Dream to night , Heare it , I pray ( what euer meane it might , It was an odde one . ) Early , when the Stars Were all call'd in ( excepting Lucifer's , Dayes daily Vsher ) slumbring sweet this Morne , Methought We all were in a field of Corne , All binding Sheaues ; and when we each had One , My Sheafe , me thought , stood bolt vpright alone , And all your Sheaues did instantly incline , And lowly bow their bended tops to mine . Then Iudah , nettled with no little hate Against the Lad , began him thus to rate : Why , saucy Boy , What phant'sies dost thou fable ? Is this your Dreame , you deeme so admirable ? Hath not perhaps some Spirit inspir'd you so ? No doubt there hath : the spirit of Wine , I trowe . But , pray , What Augure doth your wonder bring ? That you ( belike ) shall of vs all be King . Good King of Crickets , line thy Crown with Baies , Lest drunken Vapors some Rebellion raise . The rest concurr'd to gird the harmlesse Boy With flouts and shouts of O God giue you ioy : God saue your Grace . Your Maiesty to come , And tell , in Scorne , their Father all the summe . Hee , good old man , ( not without God within ) He ponders all that he had heard and seene ; As if discerning somewhat in the Lad Of higher straine , than euery stripling had : Yet , to conceale it from the rest he seemes , And bids the Boy beware of guilefull Dreames . But , He , to whom GOD greater Honors meant , Soone after dream'd of grauer Argument . Him seem'd , that , set in stately Eminence , Before his Feet , with humble Reuerence , The Sunne and Moone and Eleuen Stars he saw , Stooping vnto him in obsequious Awe . Which well recording ( for by heauenly grace That Gift he had ) within a little space He tells his Brethren of his second Transe : Who , re-incenst with ragefull Arrogance , Soone shew their Father , with his fatall Dreame , Their rancor , spleene , and cank'red spite extreame . Iacob , at first amazed , calls his Sonne ; And , as interp'ring , thus to chide begun : What! Sirra ; shall I , and your Mother too , And all your Brothers bow our Necks to you ? Shall you be mounted on your Chaire of State , And Wee come All base Beggars to your Gate ? If such a folly haue befum'd your braine , And fill'd your phant'sie with presumptuous vaine , With idle Hopes : away with those Conceits ; Trust not to Dreames , list not to such Deceits So reason-lesse , ridiculous , and light ; Monsters , Chimaera's , shadowes of the Night : Which ( if not good ) it is not God doth send , But some Illusion of the subtle Fiend , To traine our Weakenes to some sinfull Trap ; Or , to betray vs to some dire mis-hap : As from his Cels false Oracles hee wrests , From flight of Birds , and Tripes of mangled Beasts . Hast thou not heard of Belus , Anubis , Ops , Hecate , and other Deities , Whom the blinde Heathen in their Temples haue , Frequent their Altars , and their Rites obserue ; Waiting their Answeres with the humblest Awe , All which is hatefull to our Holy Law ? Therefore be Wise : and looke henceforth we heare No more such Dreames of such phantastike geare . He thus dismist , the rest he milde bespake To calme their storme , and kindly bade them take The Flocks to Field , and driue them soft and faire To Sichem Woods , to feede in cooler aire . Their Fathers bidding they eft-soones obay'd , ( Yong IOSEPH yet at home with him he staid ) Passing the fruitfull Vales and flow'ry Greenes Of plentious Hebron , to those shadie Screenes . But , nor the Verdure of those Hills nor Dales , Nor song of Birds , nor shade of Woods , nor Gales Of whispering Winds , could kill or cancell quite Those odious Dreames they dream-on day & night . Rather , they gather daily more Disdaine , Sharpen their Enuy , giue their Rage the raine , With Threats & Vows ; while the euil spirit too nigh Still stirres and spurs their hatefull Ielousie . Now , twice the Sunne had run his Iourny swift , When the next morning they prepare to shift To Dothan's pleasant Downs for fresher Feed , And to be further off from home ( indeed ) ; And so the longer ere they could reuert , Which they euen loath'd , and hated at the heart . Wherefore ( night after night , day after day ) When , past their wont , their Father saw them stay ; In musefull care his IOSEPH cals he quicke , And bids him Thus : I pree-thee Boy goe seeke Thy Brethren out ( on Sichem Downes they feed , Or neere about ) and bring me word with speed , What vncouth Reason of their stay there is : My minde mis-giues me somewhat is amisse With them , or with their Cattle : hye thee , Lad. Away scuds IOSEPH ( no lesse swift then glad ) As farre as Sichem : but there looking round , Neither his Brethren , nor the Flocks he found . Perplexed then , he calls them one by one ; Hoaw , Brothers ! Ruben ! Leui ! Simeon ! Then , whoops and hallooes with his Treble throat , So loud and shrill , that , to his warbling Note With doubled Ecchoes , Woods and Caues reply : But , not a Brother answers Eare or Eye . By chance , a Wood-man that an Oke did shrowd , Hearing the Lad , and knowing , call'd him lowd , And told him thus ; I heard your Brethren say They would to Dothan : Thither , that 's the way , There shall you finde them with their Cattle safe , In better Pasture then is heere by halfe . Thanks thinks the Lad : and Sichem out of sight , As swift as Roe he runs to Dothan right . When , from a Hill , his Hatefull Brethren spi'd Him yet farre-off : O! yonder comes ( they cry'd ) Our King to-come , whom both the Sun & Moone , And all the Stars must serue and worship soone . We , We base Hindes , borne but for Heards & Neat , Drudging all Day in the Suns scorching heat , Lodging all Night in holes or hollow Trees , Clad but in Lether , or in coursest Freeze , And meanly fed with Bread and Water , most ; While He is set-vp with his Sod and Roast , His Messe of Goats-Milke , and his fill of Wine , In change of Coates , pranked & painted fine ; Snoring all night vpon his ease-full bed , Where , from the Forge of his phantastike head , He feignes these Dreames in meer disdain of vs : But , Brethren , shall we , shall we suffer thus Him and his Scornings ? Shall we be so blinde T' indure him still , till growne a Man , his minde Growne big withall , and bearing proud vpon His Fathers fondnesse , He supplant anon Our Haps and Hopes , vsurping All our due , And so ( in fine ) fulfill his Dreames too-true ? O! We are Buzzards , Blockheads , Cowards all . Why rather heere , where none descry vs shall , Where all things sort , where he is come so pat , Shall we not kill him , and make sure for that ? For , in this Pit we may him deepe interre , And say ( at home ) some hungry Wolfe or Beare ( Whereof the Desarts , not far off , haue store ) Him quicke deuoured , and to peeces tore . While these dire Counsels they together cast , Ruben ( who all , in yeeres and pitty , past ) Cry'd , GOD defend , ô Brethren , GOD defend , Against our Brother we should so offend : O! in his bloud doe not your hands imbrue , Lest Heau'ns drad Vengeance that dire fact pursue On Vs and Ours . Though no man witnesse be , GOD , GOD himselfe is witnesse , and doth see And heare vs all : from him is nothing hid , Hee 's all an Eye that neuer closeth Lid. But , if you needs will of the Lad be quit , Sanz bloud or slaughter , put him in this pit , There leaue him to his Fate . This he aduis'd ; That , resku'd thus from present death deuis'd , He , late at night returning to the Caue , Might hale him vp , and th' harmless stripling saue , To bring him safe vnto his aged Sire , And calme at length his Brethrens enuious Ire . Their Elders Words them All a little mou'd , And his aduice they all at once approu'd : Him downe vnslaine , into the pit to slide , His worse or better Fortune to abide . Then Ruben said ; be Witnesse GOD for Me , How cleere I am from this your Cruelty : And as he spake , him from them far withdrew Into the Woods , to wait what would ensue . By this , was IOSEPH ( full of liuely cheere For hauing found them ) euen arriued neere ; When , fell and furious , they inclose him round , Lay hands on him , his tender hands they bound , With brauing Threats ; Now shall you see ( say they ) Your Dreames fulfill'd : Must not we all obey Your Mightinesse ? Our Sheaues must stoop to you : Yea , to your State , Sunne , Moone , and Stars must bow . Wondring , and frighted with their vncouth guise , In vaine ( alas ! ) in vaine he calls and cries To them for pitty of his Innocence ; While inly Rage , with more Impatience Still egg'd them on , with fell Erynuis brands : And hellish Pluto ( who too-ready stands , Weening to crosse the Destinies Diuine ) Doth all their Edge 'gainst him alone incline . When he perceiu'd ( poor Boy ! ) no vows , no teares Could mollifie those stony hearts of Theirs To hold their hands , already heauing him With violence vnto the Dungeons brim ; His Eyes lift vp towards th' Empyreall Pole , Thus , loud he groned from a greeued soule . Great GOD of Abraham , Isaac , Iacob , too , Who kennest all things , and canst all things doe ; If I sincerely haue ador'd thee still : If I haue gladly done my Parents Will : If I haue liued pious and vpright ; Lord looke vpon me in this wofull plight . Or , if it please Thee , that I heere expire ; Yet spare , ô Lord , ô spare mine aged Sire . And , ô ! my Brethren ( whom , with due respect Of Eldership , I euer did affect ) How-euer Me you pitty not , I pray Pitty our Father ( lest vntimely gray His hoary head come to the graue for greefe ) Let not him heare it : rather say some Theefe , Or knot of Theeues , Mee ( by the way ) bereft ; That some false hope may of my life be left , To lengthen his : though heere ( alas ! ) I lye Dead in these sands , and hid from any eye : And as he spake , his Teares so fast did fall , They stopt his speech , and almost staid withall His Brethrens rage ; till Ruth-lesse Isachar Re-fand the fire . Nay , hauing gone thus farre , We may not now , We cannot safe desist ; For why ? whereon I need not now insist ; Your selues ( said he ) can quickly ghesse , I trow , Mischiefes enow , if now we let him goe . Let vs therefore goe on as wee decreed , Let 's let him downe : Heereto they all agreed , With heart and hand , and did it instantly ; And then Remorselesse , on the Grasse hard by Made no more bones , but sate them down to dinner . O! the dull Conscience of a hardned sinner ! But , from th' Empyreall , through th' Aethereal Pole , GOD looking downe vpon the harmlesse Soule , In tender Pity , and eternall Loue Towards his Owne ; among the Troops ( aboue ) Of winged Heralds , that are euer prest , Expecting gladly his Diuine Behest , To one he beckens , and he bids him Thus ; Right Trusty , hy thee , hy thee down from vs , Toward Samaria , well thou knowest where , And whom thou know'st one day o●dain'd to beare A glorious Part , in honorable Place , Good Isaac's Grand-Child , now in pitious case , Crying for succour from a darke deepe Cell , Against his Brethrens enuious Furie fell : Goe comfort him , poore heart ; but in what kinde , I need not say . Thou seest : thou know'st my minde . So , with his gratious All-directing Nod , Th' Angel , dis-mist , in th' instant spreads abroad Aethereall wings on his Aēreall sides , And through the woundless Welkin swifter glides Then Zephyrus ; or , then ( when mounted high With many Turns , and towring in the Skye ) The stout Ger-Faulcon stoopeth at the Herne , With sodaine Souse , that many scarce discerne : Such was the speed of this Celestiall Bird ( To prosecute , and execute the Word Of his great Master ) towards Dothan Downe , Alighting first vpon Mount Tabor's Crowne , Amaz'd to see his Groues so sodaine greene , And Lawnes so fresh , with flowery tufts betweene . The Hill-born Nymphs with quauering warbles sing His happy - Well-come : Caues & Rocks do ring Redoubled Ecchoes ; Woods and Winds withall , Whisper about a ioyfull Madrigall . But th' Heauenly Herald , from the Mountain eying The Vale about , sees there the Brethren lying Along the Grasse , and busie at their Vittle , And , from a Hill ( thence distant but a little ) Th' Arabian Merchants with their Camels , hard ( As God would haue it ) driuing thither-ward ; Thence instantly he casts his gentle Eye , On wofull IOSEPH , and immediately Descending swift , stands on the dungeons brim , Now shining bright with sodain light from him . Wherewith the Lad at once dismaid and ioy'd , The sacred Torch-man ( to that end employd ) In louely Shape , with sweet and liuely grace , Thus cheeres the Lad ( himselfe a Lad in Face ) . Feare not , deere IOSEPH , deere to God aboue . Thy Fathers GOD , who All doth guide & moue , Hath sent me hither from his heauenly Throne , To comfort and confirme thee , in thy Mone . First , Hence thou shalt be fre'ed : yet , behold , Twise , as a Slaue , thou shalt be bought and sold , Transferd to Memphis , and for many a yeere Shalt liue a Seruant and a Prisoner there . But if thou still haue in abhomination Strange Womens Loue , & strange gods adoration : If still with all thy strength , with all thy heart Thou serue the Lord , and from him neuer start : If in his Waies thou walke , and doe his Will , He will be with thee , for thee , in thee still : So that where-ere thou goe , what-ere thou doe , Fauour and Fortune shall attend thee too . And that thou maist with greater confidence Contemne thy wrongs , and trust his Prouidence , Know for a certaine , he hath destin'd thee A high Estate , and glorious Emperie ; And time will come , when Thou with me shalt view Thy former Dreames in euery part proue true ; When as thy Brethren with selfe-guilty brow , And thy good Father shall before thee bow : When thy Compassion , paying good for ill , Shall saue their liues that meant thee first to kill : Shall feed their mouthes that thought thee once to sterue And buy them seats that sold thee forth to serue And not alone receiue themselues to grace , But them and theirs within thy Kingdome place ; That grown at length in number like the sand , Thence the Almighty with a mighty hand , ( In spight of Enuie and Ambitious sway ) May bring them dry-shod through the Crimson Sea . Directed safe in all their vncouth Way , By Fire by Night , and by a Clowd by Day ; Through the drye Desart , plentifully fed With Quailes from Heauen , & Manna ( Angels bread ) Into a Land where Milke and Hunny flowe ; The happy signe of happier substance though : Where , in due Time ( ô haste ye Times away ) A Golden Age shall see a glorious Day ; A Day full oft to be fore-typ't , fore-told , Fore-promised by Prophets manifold ; When from the Bosome of th' Eternall SIRE , Th' Eternall SONNE ( What may we So admire ! ) ( The SPIRIT o'reshadowing of a Virgin-Mother ) Shall take Man's Nature , & become your Brother ; Old ADAM's Guilt , and Yours to expiate , And wide re-open Heauens long-locked Gate . Concluding heere , to Heau'n the Angell hy'd . IOSEPH , though first distract & stupefi'd , With such a Glory ( and confus'd a-space ) Him re-collects , and re-erects his Face ; Inlie reioycing , deepely rumining , All in his minde maturely pondering . And future Hopes confirme him passing strong , Gainst present feares , and all his Woes & Wrong ; That cheerely thus , with heart and hands erect , His holy Vowes he doth to Heauen direct : Great King of Kings , that rulest All-abroad ; My Fathers , Grandsires , & Great-grandsires God , Almighty Guide and Guard , still gratious be To Vs and Ours , whose trust is all in Thee . Especially , thy fauour , Lord I craue Towards my Father , ready for the Graue : And as for Mee ; how-euer please thee , deale Me sowre or sweet ; or send me Woe or Weale , It shall be welcome , and I well content . Onely deere Father , if that Death preuent Mine eyes ( vnworthy ) of that wished Day , That long long-hoped , happy Holy-Day : When from thy Throne ( whose Glory hath no End ) Thine onely Sonne shall into Flesh descend , At least vouchsafe me , though in shadow dim , As in a Glasse to see and knowledge Him ; And ( thorough Faith ) to feele the sauing Sauour Of this thrice-sacred , gratious , pretious Lauer. So , with an inward and deep sigh , he ceast . The while , Arabians ( Merchants of the East ) With Camels loaden with their Country Ware , Myrrhe , Storax , Incense , the most choyce and rare , Comming from Madian , towards Aegypt bound , Were passing by , where on the grassie ground , The Shepheard Brethren sate to eat and talke ; And busie yet , their Teeth and Tongues did walke , Till on the sodaine they descry'd the Men. Whence Iudah thus begins : O Bretheren , Behold how GOD doth better farre prouide , Then we could plot ( more safe for eyther side ) . For , to these Merchants if we sell the Lad , First , a good peece of Money will be had ; Next , of our Brothers bloud we shall be cleere ; And last of all , be sure no more to heare Or newes , or noise , or name of IOSEPH here , Whether to Memph's or Marmorid's they wend. Therefore , forthwith one to them let vs send , The Mart to offer , and the Price to make , As of a Slaue ; and bring their answer backe . They all agree , and one is sent away To driue the Bargaine ; while the rest assay About a Tree-trunke fastning fit a rope , And letting 't downe , to hale their Brother vp . And vp he comes as fresh as Maying Rose , Or Daffadill that in a Garden growes ; As liuely Forme as yerst , as louely Face , Shining with signes of GODS assisting Grace . By this , the Marchants with their Broker came , To see the Ware , and did so like the same , They stood not hucking , of the price to bate ( So good , and so good cheap , who would not ha 't ! ) But , who would ween ( good God! ) that euer He , That was prae-destin'd to such dignitie , To whom such Wealth and Honor should befall , Should thus be sold , and for a price so small ? ( Saue that my Sauiour , Heire of Heauen & Earth , That God-begotten , holy Virgins Birth , Whom Angels serue , whom Cherubins adore , To Iewes his Iudas sold for little more ; ( Woe to His Soule , Woe to my Sinnes therefore ! ) As , Twenty Pence . O base and cursed Thrall ! But , both sides pleas'd , Ioseph must suffer all . Now must he mount on his new Masters packe , Vpon his Camels double bunched backe ; To trot to Nile-ward ( neuer heard of Nile ) As proud and glad of such a Load , the while His gentle Beast , now easiest of the Troop , Aptest to stop , humblest at need to stoop To this new Rider , with a cheerefull Neigh , Lifts light his feet , and still he leads the way . Well : Now the Brethren haue their Brother rid , How shall his Fate , how shall their Hate be hid ? Who , to their Father the sad newes shall bring ? This is the doubt : This they are hammering . In fine , they iump ; first to send home his Coat ( For they had stript him ) and in bloud of Goat Deepe dipping it , Dan is instructed fit In this sad manner to deliuer it To aged IACOB , doubting nothing lesse , Than His mis-hap , or their so Hatefulnesse . Father ( said Dan ) ranging within a Wood , Our Cur did find this Coat , thus stain'd with bloud . Not knowing therefore , whence , nor whose it is , Nor how it came , we thought it not amiss To shew 't you first ; and after harken further , As you thinke fit , in case of Maime , or Murder . But , Father IACOB had no sooner spy'd The spotted Coat , with bloud and durt bedy'd , But , drown'd in Teares , he teares his hoary haire , With Ashes sprent , and rent his garments there , And cries , Alas ! decre IOSEPH , staffe & stay Of all mine Age , so sodaine tane away ! O! O! My Sonne , Who ? How ? What did befall , To murder Thee , to murder Me withall ? Doubtles , no Man : some sauage Beast it was , Some hungry Boare , some hairie Beare , alas ! Where are your Brethren ? Quickly all of you , Through all the Woods , go take a thorow view : You may perhaps at last yet light on him , Or finde at least some Part , some mangled Lim , Some wofull Relique , which I pray bring home , That I may giue it his last Rites , a Tombe : Or rather , let me goe my selfe to seeke , And finde my dead Sonne , or a Death , his Like : And saying so , downe in a swoune he slid , With much a-doo to be recouered . On th' other side , sad Ruben towards night , When th' Euening Star began to twinkle bright , When Sheep & Shepherds to their Cotes were gone All but himselfe , himselfe comes all alone Vnto the Caue , and calling twice or thrice , Why ! Ioseph , Ioseph ; when as none replyes , Dismaid , and doubting , lest in their disdaine , His Brethren there the silly Lad had slaine ; He makes a shift to cut a Holmen Pole , And by that help , gets downe into the Hole , Lookes round about ; but finding nothing there , Gets vp againe , as full of greefe and feare . Then , hopeles , leaues that search to seek the others ; And by the Sheeps tracke , tracking of his Brothers , Soone findes them out ; and out of them will know Both how , and where , they IOSEPH did bestow . They tell him truly how it did befall . A little cas'd ( though little pleas'd withall ) To heare the Lad was yet aliue and safe , ( Though for his thraldome he did inly chafe ) He thus aduises : Brethren , let vs hye Home to our Father , and our best apply To comfort him ; Let vs informe him this , That the Arabians ( as their manner is ) Spying the Lad alone vpon the Way , Pursu'd him , tooke him , stole him quite away ; And while he strugled from them to haue got , With a light hurt he bloudied all his Coate . Which let some Shepheards boy or other bring ( As hauing found it ) to auer the thing : For there be many can affirme ( no doubt ) They lately saw Arabians heere-about . This fitted thus , together home they goe , And doe their best to cheere their Fathers woe . But though perhaps with some smal hope relieu'd , Perpetually ( alas ! ) he mourn'd and grieu'd , Nor could the Torrent of his Teares retaine , Nor outward Solace inly entertaine ; But day and night a bitter life he led , Mostly alone , although aliue , as dead . Meane-while , the Marchant well content & glad , Holds on his Iourney , beares away the Lad ; Wondring to see all things so sute his will , Weather so temp'rate , and the Windes so still , The Waies so dust-lesse , and so durt-lesse faire , The Sunne so friendly , and so fresh the Aire ; Aboue their Wont : for , hauing Heauen to friend , With IOSEPH , Graces , Hope , and Hap do wend. Now , hauing past Iudea's confines quite , From a steepe Hill , they haue anon the sight Of stately Memphis lofty Towres and Walls , With glittering roofes of high & sumptuous Halls Amid a rich and pleasant Plaine , repleat With goodly Heards of Cattell , Sheep , and Neat , With goodly Corne-fields , heere & there between : And , neere the Citie , on a spacious Greene , They might behold , as in some Martiall Muster , Thousands of Youth in seuerall Troops to cluster ; Attending all , Some , manly Exercise ; Some , light and speedy , running for a prize : Some , strongly actiue , wrastling for a fall , Some , hurling Sledges , till they sweat withall : Some , on swift Horse-backe to out-swim the winde ; Some , to shoot backward at their foes behind : Some with their Launces ready coucht in Rest , Wheeling about , to charge in Flanke or Brest : Some , at the Tilt , in strong and steddy course , To breake their Staues , or beare down man & horse Whereon th' Arabians , with th' Isaacian Lad , ( Now very neer ) stood gazing , as right glad , And all most greedy of so various sorts Of Manly Poems , of so warlike sports . An Eunuch of the Kings , one much esteem'd , And Master of those Martiall Games ( it seem'd ) Seeing those Strangers , with so much delight Stand still so long in viewing all the Sight , Sends to inuite them kindely to come neere ; And then perceiuing that they Marchants were , Began to aske , What Ware , what rare deuice , They had to sell ? Nothing , said they , but Spice , And this yong Lad ; Whom if Your Lordship like , Accept as Yours , and freely , we beseek : Or , if you nill accept him gratis , prize As please your selfe ; your fauour shall suffize . Yes , said the Eunuch , I accept your Loue , And of Your Present I so well approue , And prize it so , You could not bring me better : The more my hope , the more am I your debter , Such grace his Face presageth to my minde ; So shall you neuer me vngratefull finde , Said Potiphaer : and then he takes the Lad , And causing him to be right seemely clad , In Silken suit , giues him a Liuory Of Purple , garded with Embroderie . Then on a goodly Horse he sets him vp , The stillest , yet the stateliest in the troope . IOSEPH right ioyfull , from a bashfull Brow , Returnes dumbe Homage , with a gracefull Bow Vnto his Lord : then , re-erect , appeares Taller and trimmer then were all his Peeres . Him , home before ( thus furnisht ) with a Guide , Sends Potiphar vnto his louely Bride . Now Hesperus the Euening on did bring ; When , leauing Fields , the youthfull troops do ring About their Captaine , & attend , in State To guard him home triumphant to his Gate . And louely IOSEPH , hauing had by this A view of his faire Lady-Misteresse ; And of his Office , tutured at large , What him belongd in his Lords Chamber-charge , Him humbly ranked ( of his owne accord ) Among his fellowes to goe meete his Lord . As burnisht Gold amid a heape of Sand , Or Orient Pearle among the Pebble Strand , Such seemed He , among tenne thousand Squires , Whom Men and Matrones , yong and old admires : His pase so graue , his Face so gracious , His eyes and Feet still so officious About his Lord , as fixed still on Him , With steddie Looks , and with as ready Limbe : No lesse within dores then he was without , Actiue and apt in all he went about ; On all occasions , in what-euer kinde , Of Bodie 's Labor , or of Birth of Minde . But aboue all , his faithfull diligence , And mature Wisdome in all Managements , So well accepted and admired are , That not alone vnto his Trustie Care His Lord committed what before he had ; But , ouer All , him onely Steward made . For , Potiphar percein'd that vnder Him , What-ere he had did thriue and prosper trim : His Fields and Flocks more fruitfull then before ; His Fauours greater , and his Honours more : All which , inspired by some secret Test , To his yong IOSEPH he ascrib'd , as Blest . And th' Oracles of Egypt , then a-foot , Seem'd euen to point at , and perswade vnto 't . There was a Peach-Tree growing then amid God Camosh Temple , to him consacred , Which , brought from Persia long agoe , they say , When Isis yerst did all the World suruay , By her owne hand was planted , for Posterity , To be a famous Monument of Verity . Heereon , arriuing from farre wanderings , Bright-shining Apis , with change-colour'd wings , Faire Apis setled ; after whom did muster A mighty Swarme , which hung all in a Cluster Vpon one Bough . This wonder blowne abroad Among the Bards , they vouch that it did boad , Some Stranger should from forrein parts arriue ; And after him , a mighty people hyue , Through whom the house of Potiphar should rise To wondrous Wealth and goodly dignities . Weening therefore these Augures all fulfild In IOSEPH now , him euery one well-will'd , Him euery one accordingly respected , Him euery one for this the more affected . But faire Tempsar ( wife of Potiphar ) Aboue the rest , his Parts did high prefer : Him more then All shee inlie did admire , And still beholds him with a young desire . Yet , ignorant what furie would ensue The pleasing Passion she did so pursue : What wily Godling to beguile her , sought To snare her freedome in a seruile thought ; As yet she vented neyther Sigh nor Teare : All yet was sweet , no bitter Fit , no Feare . Which th' enuious Prince of Styx and Acheron , Malignant Father of confusion , Mans deadly Foe , obseruing ; and beside , That Isaac's seed still happy multiplied : In fell despight , and full of desp'rate rage , He calls a bird of his infernall Cage , A cruell Harpy , full of wicked Wile , A thousand waies , the wisest to beguile . Go , hye , saith He , my darling , hye thee quicke To faire Iempsar ; she is Phantsie-sicke Already . Therefore so insinuate , That more and more thou her intoxicate : Breath in her bosome , blowe-in new infection , Kindle the Tinder of her light affection To such a flame , that neither Gods nor men May be of Power to put it out agen : And , doe thy best ( for that I most desire ) If possible , set IOSEPH ( too ) a fire : But , if on him , thou nothing canst preuaile , Returne to her , her Phantsie re-assaile , Fill her with Phrenzie , and with Furie double Still burne her fell , till all her Friends she trouble : Till with disgrace , disdain'd , and desperate , She turne her deere Loue to as deadly Hate : Till then , desist not ; but persist and ply To play thy Part with Art and Subtilty . He , glad and ready for the worst of Ills , With Stygian puddle halfe a Viall fills , Blending some bitter , sharp-sweet wine withall : Then snatching quicke one of the snakes that craule About Alecto's grim and ghastly Browes , Away he hies to Potiphar his House , Within his bosome hiding what he had , And formally iust in the Form him clad Of Iphicle , the Lady Iempsars Nurse ; With better credit , to beguile the worse . Then , to her Lady hauing made a ducke , Sweet Madame ( said she , fie on all ill lucke ) What sad disaster , what misfortune rife , Hath made poore IOSEPH weary of his Life ? My selfe , of late , haue seene him oft , forlorne Sit sole and sighing , and haue heard him mourne , Wishing for Death . And when I sought to know The secret cause of his exceeding woe : O! Mother ( said he ) whether I conceale it , Needs dye I must , or whether I reueale it . Inquire not therefore ; for , t is better end , With my sad life , my sorrowe 's cause vnkend . Not so , my Sonne ( said I ) for oft a Wound Discouer'd , is recouer'd , and made sound ; Which , hid a while , would gangrene to the bone : Tell boldly ( Lad ) art thou in loue with none ? If that be cause of thy distresse ; Why Boy Be of good cheere , Thou shalt thy Deare enioy . Hope well , and haue well : So shalt thou ; or else I 'le charme Loues Passion with some stronger spels . With bashfull Blush , then said he , yes , I loue : Be witnesse , Gods , how earnest I haue stroue To strangle it ! How I haue labour'd long ! How loth ( alas ! ) my Lord in thought to wrong ! More wishing Death : Death now make good my triall , Happy were I , to liue and dye so loyall . And , saying so , on his faire Cheekes hee powres A Sea of Teares , in Pearle and Crystall showres : So that , I see , without quicke Remedie , For loue of you ( Madame ) the Youth will dye . Alas ! then said the Lady , Woe is me , For his Misfortune and his Miserie ; To me right tragicke is the tale you tell : For , truth to say , I loue him but too well , And would enioy him , if I could or durst ; But ô ! I cannot , ô , I may not : first , For sacred Lawes , for Hymen's secret yoake , ( Which neuer any yet , vnpunisht , broke ) For feare of danger , and dishonors brand , And dreadfull vengeance of my Husbands hand . Why , my deere Daughter , damned Nurse replies , The Gods doe laugh at Louers iniuries : And with thy Wedlocke thou maist well dispense , On so good ground of so great consequence , As is the sauing of a Life so yong , So innocent , that neuer yet did wrong ; Vnlesse it be a wrong to loue too much , Or die for Loue ( Who would not die for such ! ) Louers must dare , and wise-men must not dread The worst of Dangers that is threatened : For , euen the Gods haue Louers in their gard , And Loue and Pitty they will still reward . I haue a Water of a soueraine vse ( Th' extracted Spirit of many a Chymick Iuyce ) Which inlie ta'n , in a perplexed Case , Expells the Doubt , and shews Truth 's naked Face ; That , far from ambage , th' vndistract affection May of the better freely make election . If therefore , Madam , yet you stand diuided , What Part to take ; to haue your doubts decided , I 'le giue it you : and as she spake , she gaue The hellish philtre made of Stygian waue . Thanks , deerest Mother , said her Ladiship , And taking all , not with a fearefull sip , But full Carouse , lifting her hand on high , Quaft off the poyson , drew the goblet drye . This done , the Daemon with a Beldams face , Towards Iosephs chamber hies with hobling pase ; Where he was praying , and deuoutly praysing The God of Gods , for his so gracious raising : But when the false Fiend in his Portall spi'd A heauenly Warder ( both his Guard and Guide ) With threatfull brandish of a shining Blade , More speed them good , headlong he downward made In dreadfull Maze ; and , as the fowlest Fowle , Transformes him quicke into a Scrieching-Owle , Night's horrid Monster , houering long aloofe , At last pearcht on Iempsars Chamber roofe . The wretched Iempsar , hauing quaffed vp The brim and bottome of the Stygian Cup , Now all alone , she feeles her all a-fire , Bloud , Bones , and Marrow , burning in desire ; Sad , silent , sighing , in a wondrous Fit ; And all for Ioseph , nigh beside her wit , Now on her bed she falls , and by and by Flings vp againe ; and to and fro doth fly From place to place ; soone weary of the best , Runs euery where , and no where findeth rest ; Like one whose brest a burning Feuer fryes , Or whom some Serpents sting doth agonize . At last she breakes out ; and Alas ! quoth Shee , What , what is this that thus tormenteth me ? O! is it Loue ? or was it not the Drinke I tooke right now ? No : it is Loue I thinke , 'T is surely Loue , Loue in extreamity , And but faire IOSEPH gently helpe , I dye . Then help , Sweet-heart , come , be thou boldly mine : Come be my Loue , and I will still be thine . Both liuing louing , wee 'll die guiltlesse both Of eythers blood : be witnesse Gods how loth I would incur so fell , so foule a staine , To kill such Louer with vnkinde disdaine . Duly and truly , while I ought and could , I serued Hymen , till ( alas ! ) contrould By higher Godheads more Imperiall Right : He fauour me , as now I feele his might Farre , farre exceed weake Womans opposition . He will no doubt ; and daine vs both Tuition . Sith wont , himselfe , to loue , he as a Louer Will pity Passions , and our pleasures couer . Thus hauing said , impatient of delay , Efren she calls ( Efren a Maid , that aye Vs'd , as most trusty , diligent and charie , Her Mistresse Errands to and fro to carry ) Goe quickly Efren , seeke me IOSEPH out , And if the businesse he is now about Be not too earnest , and too instant too , But what he may as well heereafter doe , Bid him forth-with to come and speake with Mee . Wingd with her words , about it straight runs she : And , after summons , IOSEPH comes anon Vp to his Lady ; who then all alone , First with a Blush , and bashfull glanse among , From quiuering bosome , with a shiuering tongue , Thus breakes the Ice ( stil bidding him come neerer ) Deare , my deare Ioseph , then mine own Eyes dearer . Shall I intreat thee , what I might command , To answer truly what I shall demand ? Madame , said he , Should I be false to you ? What ere it be , I sweare to tell you true . I heare ( quoth she ) that thou art deepe in Loue : If it be true ( thou must thy Truth approue ) Thou maist not hide it ; though my selfe were she , For whom thou sufferest , thou must tell it me : Confesse it freely : and I must confesse As much to Thee ; for , Thee I loue no lesse : So , louing Both , we shall haue matuall Fewell , Nor Thou to Mee , nor I to Thee be cruell : Ioyne hands , ioyne hearts , how happy manifold ! How great ! how grac't ! how will I heap thee gold ! Thus she protests , and with a sodaine kisse Vpon his Lips she seales her Promises . He , red for shame , selfe-sadly ruminates His Heauenly Angels sacred Caueats Against Temptations and Attempts vniust , Of Idoles seruice , and vnlawfull Lust : Internall praying for supernall Strength , In modest manner Thus replies at length : Madame , what euer of my Loue you heare , How-euer feruent , or how deepely-deere ; If you haue heard it , as ( perhaps ) impure , Vnchaste , vnhonest Loue ; I you assure None loue I so ; nor wish I ( I protest ) So to be lov'd : and of my Lady , least . My Lord , you know , hath nothing from me kept , I all command , onely your selfe except : And shall I then , disloyall , Traitor proue Vnto my Lord ; and to My God aboue ? No , God forbid : No , rather let me dye ; And in the sands vnburied euer lye , A prey to Birds and Beasts : and as he spake , She and her Chamber did he quick forsake . Shee , seeing then her Hopes so sodaine dasht , Her selfe deluded ; as with Lightning flasht , Stands first a while mouelesse , amaz'd and mute ; Then grindes a Groan , and many sighes pursue 't : Then wrings her hands , falls backward on her bed , Distract in minde , her colour pale and dead . All which obserued by that Diuell-Owle , Vpon the Roofe , he putteth off the Fowle , And re-puts-on Nurse Iphicle a space , To visit Iempsar in so pitious Case . Alas ! quoth she , What ailes my Lady deere ? My tender Nursling , What hath hapned heere ? Why are you daunted and deiected so ? Be of good Cheere ; be of good Comfort : Lo , I , I am heere ; looke on me , looke , my Lamb , Your helpe at need , your louing Nurse I am . At name of Nurse , her somewhat she erects , And with these Taunts a frowning glance reflects : Nurse , once a Nurse , or Mother more then Nurse , But now a Step-dam , or some Furie worse . Thou , thou hast kill'd mee , thou hast quite vndone me , Thou toldst me Ioseph was enamoured on me , Deep , to the Death ; & when I come to proue him , Alas ! he loues not , nor will let me loue him : Nay , Prayers , Proffers , Presents cannot moue him Thou , thou hast made me make my selfe a mocke ; To shame my Name , to staine my House & Stocke , To wrong my Lord , to breake my Faith , to fall ; Thou wert the Author , thou the cause of all . What wanteth more , but with a murderous blade , This guilty Soule to send to endlesse shade ? False Iphicle doth her as sharpe reproue ; Ah , foolish woman , vnexpert in Loue : What wonder was it , if a bashfull boy , Vntraind , vntoucht ( as Virgin ) first were coy To heare of Loue , a Nouice , yet a Stranger , Doubtfull of you , perhaps ; fearefull of danger . 'T was not the course : you haue miscarried it . Then be not hartlesse , neither hopelesse yet , For I will once more vndertake the matter , I le chide his rudenesse , and instruct him better How to behaue him : Haue you Patience But for three daies , and on the fourth from hence Will reigne a gracious Starre , whose milde Aspect On Loue and Louers gently doth reflect ; Vnder whose Radiance , in Coniunction sweet , Hymen and Cupid in one instant meet . With these her Words Iempsar , part re-cheard , Her sinking heart againe a little rear'd : Then Goe , said she , the Gods grant better speed : And that we may the better now succeed , We will the while the sacred powers implore , Frequent their Altars , and their Shrines adore . Next morning therefore , by what time the Sun With glittering Rayes had gilt the Horizon , Iempsar decks her , goodly to behold , In Scarlet , set with Iewels and with Gold ( But much more goodly for her louely grace , And natiue Beauties of her Forme and Face ) And to the Temple with a Traine she tends , Of Matrons , Maidens , Seruants , Neighbors , Friends . Among the rest , the Steward also went , Faire-featur'd IOSEPH , with his Eyes downe bent , As inlie pitying with a griefe vnshowne , His Ladies Passions as he did his owne : For , he suppos'd her gaite to Church had bin To seeke for Mercy , and forsake her sinne : But , nothing lesse ; Shee all the gods requires , To friend her loue , and further her desires : And so the next day , and the next ensuing , And euery day still greater Gifts renuing , The reaking Entrailes of her Offrings viewing . But , when the fourth , long-wished , wel-come day Titan 'gan burnish with his burning Ray , Haile happy day ( said shee ) haile holy Lights , That fauours Louers , and that loue delights : And by your power and gracious Influence , Preserue the Worlds perpetuall Increments . And then she sends for the beloued Lad : Who , selfely good , suspecting nothing bad , Supposing now his Mistresse minde reclaim'd , At least from daring what before she aim'd , Comes instantly : Shee , by the Nurse seduc't , Presuming All to her content conduc't ; Nor sooner spies him , but she springs for haste , About his necke her Iuory Armes she cast : Shee holds him , hugs him ; saying , Welcome Mine , Mine , Mine thou art , and I am onely Thine : Then , Why delay we ? Why defer wee thus Our ioynt delights , sith none can hinder vs ? Why burn we Day-light ? Hence with Fear & Sloth . Let 's mix our Loues . This Bed will serue vs Both : She leapes vpon 't , and like a Nay-lesse Wooer , Holding his Cloake , she puls him hard vnto her . The goodly Youth , as beautifull as blamelesse , Amaz'd , asham'd , to see his Lady shamelesse , Roplyes , Alas ! ( Thus sharpe reprouing her ) Late Noble Wife of Noble Potipher , What mood ? what madnes hath obdur'd your mind , To dare these Pranks , vncomely and vnkinde ? To shame your Selfe , your Sex , your House , your State , To wrong my Lord , and me vnfortunate ? These are the fruits of Ease-full Idlenesse , Of wanton Pride , of wastfull Pamprednesse ; From whence the Fiends ( our foes ) aduantage cull , To kill our Soules , and fill our Sins-sacke full : For , 't is not Iphicle , your Nurse , your Friend , As you suppose : no , 't is a hellish Fiend , A Hag , a Furie sent from Sulphury Styx , That thus deludes you with deceits and tricks : Shee dar'd , and did attempt to tampt me too ; But , God forbad : she me no hurt could doe . I saw her shrinking out , as I came in : I know the fained forme she masketh in : I feele the Sulphury fume , the filthy Sent She left behinde her , when away she went . He hauing spoken ; from behinde the dore , The subtle Fury ( lurking there before ) With sodaine rush did crush the posts in sunder ; And comming in , fills all with feare and wonder ; When ghastly squinting , griezly , Thus she spake With hellish voyce : Indeed you doe miss-take , False , Iphicle I am not : I am one Oh th' Odious Sisters , sent from Acheron , I 'll make you proue it now : then forth she drew A poysonous Snake , and it at IOSEPH threw : But , th' Heauenly Warder still repeld it back , And all th' endeuours frustrate still did make : Vnable therefore Him to hurt at all , Towards Iempsar doth it softly crawle , With slippery windings , wrigling to and fro : Into her skirts at length it twineth so , That vp it creepes , and quicke into her gets , Gnawes all her bowells , and despitefull spets His hellish poyson in her inmost heart . The Lad , thus frighted , quick away did start , To his owne Chamber ; and perplext in minde , Forgetfull he had left his cloake behinde . Seeing him fled , and feeling in her wombe The fretting Venome ; wholly ouercome , In ragefull fury , sodainely she falls , And , Help , Help , Help , with a loud Cry she calls , So loud and shrill , that all the Court it heard , And all the house , and neighbours neere it scar'd ; As if within had ●●●ne some sodaine fire Which instantly would to the roofe aspire . Help , Women , Help , quicke , quickly . O! the Slaue , The Iew , the Rascall , the yong Hebrew knaue , Euen now ( ô Gods ! ) finding me heere alone , ( O the bold Villaine ! Hath the like been known ? ) Dar'd t' haue defil'd great Potiphar his Bed ; And , but my Nurse me timely rescued , Had rauisht me ( O , horrid thing to thinke ! ) But hearing Helpe , away the Slaue did slinke , And left , for haste , his Cloak behind him heere . With Hue and Crye , pursue him far and neere , Lay hold on him , and lay him fast in Hold ; And let my Lord of his Abuse be told . Thus fell Iempsar her complaint prefers . All which , and more , false Iphicle auers , And aggrauares , adiudging him exempt From pitie , fit to hang for such attempt So insolent , so impudent ; and whets The hearers hearts . Then close away she gets , Vnseene , and Owle-like in a Clowd inuolv'd , Her borrow'd Body into Aire dissolv'd ; Descending swift from whence she came , to tell Her good-ill seruice , and successe , in Hell . Poore IOSEPH then his fellowes felly seaze ; And , hasty , hurry him towards Little-Ease : Faine would he speake , but none would hear a word ; None , none at all , and least of all his Lord , Whom the Report already had incenst ; Yet not with Death to haue him recompenc't : But , in a Dungeon ( worse then Death ) to dwell , For worst Offenders the most loathsome Cell ; There , kept Close-Prisoner , to be barely fed With puddle-water , and with Barly-bread . But , better kept by his supernall Keeper ( Yet , more his dear , the more their woes be deeper ) A winged Watch-man shining heauenly bright , Is sent to IOSEPH ( when the first sad Night With sable Courtin had beclowded all ) Who entring ( through the Wicket and the Wall ) Into the Prison , with a new-come Ray Lightning the dungeon , driuing Night away , With spirituall Comforts , and with speeches kinde , Cancels his feares , and well confirmes his minde . This , from a Tower th' Aegyptian Keeper spy'd : Some God , some God is in the Light , he cry'd . I know , such Splendor , and the speech I heard , If it be God , it must be needs inferd This Lad is guiltlesse of the crime pretended . For , Innocents iust IOVE hath aye defended . Thenceforth , to IOSEPH bare he great respect , A kinde of Reuerence , with a kinde Affect ; Tooke off the Irons from his hands and feete ; Fed , lodg'd him better , made his prison sweet ; Visits him oft , intreats him friendly faire , With louing Comforts ; lets him take the Aire . Now , twice foure Roundels Phoebe had compleat , When , on suspicion of some treacherous feat Of poys'ning Pharao's Bread ( as went the Fame ) Two were committed from the Court ( by name , The Kings chiefe Baker , and chiefe Butler , too ) To the same Gaile where IOSEPH hath to doe . For , now his Keeper trusted him so deepe , He made him Keeper , and of nought took keepe . In short time after , Eyther , in one night Dreamed a Dream ; whence the next morrow light , Pain'd and perplexed , what they might portend , Too sadly serious seem'd they to perpend . Which IOSEPH noting : Gentlemen , I pray , How hap ( quoth he ) you are so sad to day . To-night ( sayd they ) we dreamed each a Dreame , But none we finde that can interpret them : And that 's our trouble . Can you tell them me ? Come , let me heare them , if you can , quoth he ; It may please God we may haue sight therein . Right gladly , said the Butler , I 'll begin . Me thought I saw a greene and goodly Vine , With three faire Branches , budding , blowing fine , Then flowring fresh , then swelling Clusters blush , Whose spumy Iuyce in Pharao's cup I crush , Which with my hand into his hand I raught , Whereof the King tooke-in his wonted Draught . Then , thus the Lad : I 'll tel your Dreams Portent . First , by that goodly Vine your Life is Meant ; The Buds , Flowers , Fruits , be fruits your selfe haue bore , Your Seruices , your Vertues here-tofore , Which shall be guerdon'd , you restor'd to grace ; The three faire Branches are but three dayes space , When in your wonted manner you shall bring The wonted Cup vnto your Lord the King . Then , when with Pharaoh you shall gracious be ( If I be worthy ) but remember me , And that vnworthy I am heere detain'd . The Baker , hearing This thus right explain'd , Said , let me also , if you please , I pray , Report my Vision ; and your Verdict say . Me thought I had three Baskets on my head , Two full of Flower , the third of finest Bread , Made with most Art and Cunning that I might ; But , all anon the Birds deuoured quite . Then said the good Interpre'r : Things to come Are knowne to GOD ; Men often faile in some : Yet , what I ghesse and gather of this matter , I 'll tell you true : I cannot , may not , flatter . That which you saw the Baskets filled with , Of diuers kindes , your Life betokeneth : The Flower your former , simple and sincere ; The Bread , your later , compound ( as it were ) Of all deceipts , Theft , Plotting , Poysoning , Treason , and all discouer'd to the King ; Who , for reward of these fowle Crimes , by Law Will hang you vp : and then the Birds you saw , Rav'ns , Vultures , Eagles , Kites & carren Crowes , Shall eat your Carcase , peck your Eyes and Nose . Within three daies , your Baskets number notes : Yet I may erre , and you may change your Lots . For , GOD doth change , when Men do change from ill , His mediate Worke , not his immediate Will. This past , their Parts both diuers pondering , On the third day came Warrant from the King , To cleare and to declare the Butler Quit , And hang the Baker , at first sight of it . Accordingly , from Prison both are brought ; But , to a diuers End , with diuers thought : Th' one with reproach , th' other with good report ; Th' one to the Cart , the other to the Court ; Th' one to the Gallowes , th' other to be grac't Of Prince and Peeres , and in his roome re-plac't ; With Caps and Claps , with cheerful shouts & songs Wellcom'd , rewarded , honor'd for his wrongs . Thrice through the Zodiak had Hyperian pranc't , And fourthly now his fiery Teeme aduanc't , When quiet stretcht vpon his Iuory bed , In sweetest sleepe , well toward Morning-sted , To mighty Pharao the Almighty sent A double Dreame , of so deepe Consequent , That wondring much , the King awoke withall , Conceiuing it some high Prognosticall . Wherefore , forth-with he summons farre & wide , Through Aegypt and Chaldea , from each side , All that had knowledge in Astrologie , Cunning in Spels , or Skill in Prophecie , Or could fore-tell by Magick from below ; Or from aboue , by Oracles fore-show ; Or by in-sight of Sacrificed Heards ; By Fire , by Water , or by Flight of Birds , Or by their Songs ; by Sand , by Geomancy ; Or by what-euer Heathen Feat or Phantsie . Then swarm'd the Court with Sages of all sorts , Of diuers habits , and of diuers ports . Some on their Heads wore Hornes , hairy & horrid , Som with thick Turbands did surround their forehed , Some with high Miters , some with trayling whoods , Some with rich Garlands , set with precious Studs ; But , broad long-bearded all , adown their Chinne , With sad aspect , and of a sallow skinne . Whom when before him Pharaoh had admitted , He tells his Dreames , first ; then ( as him befitted ) Propoundeth Honors and rich Recompence To whom-soeuer shall expound the sense , And sets them dayes , & nights , & times , & houres , To bring their Answere : But ( beyond their powers ) Daies , Nights , Times , Hours , they break , none doth appeare T'explane the Dreame , or the Kings doubt to cleare : Neyther their Spheres , Spels , Circles , Sorceries , Birds , Beards , nor Miters , could decypher This. Angry therefore , and thenceforth grieuing deepe , The King would hear none , but did priuate keepe . The Butler then remembring ( at the last ) During his Durance what before had past , ( Which hitherto , as Courtiers , yet , for most , Good Turnes receiv'd , he had forgot , or crost . ) How truly IOSEPH by their Dreames did tell , What to the Baker and himselfe befell ; Fell on his knees , and cryes vnto the King , Pardon , My Liege , my stolid lingering , To tell your Highnesse , in this manner mou'd , What ( late ) in prison I both saw and prou'd . Your Maiesty ( no doubt ) remembers yet , Your Baker and my selfe you did commit To your High Marshalls Tower ; where then wee found An Hebrew Youth , a Prisoner ( on false ground , As may be ghest ) late Page to Potiphar . Both growne in time with him familiar , Both of vs dreamed in one very night ; Both of our Dreames to Him we did recite ; Both he expounded ; and both did succeed To both of vs , as he of both did reed . To me , said he , Thou shalt in three daies space , Returne to Court , recouer Place and Grace : But , to the Baker ; Thou ( said he ) that day Shalt be hangd vp , for rauening Birds a Prey , Vnlesse thy faults thou canst so quicke repent , That change of life thy threatned death preuent : ( For , GOD doth change , when men do change from Ill , His mediate Worke , not his immediate Will . ) All which , for True , before your Eyes is cleere ; The Baker hangd : and I your Butler , heere . Vpon my Life , my Lord , your hidden Dreame That Lad will read : he hath some Spirit supreame . Herewith the King re-cheerd , and inly glad , Commands him straight , Go , quickly fetch the Lad , And in Our Name him instantly inlarge . Forthwith he hies him to performe his charge ; Gets forth the Prisoner , shifts him , suits him prest , Of his owne cost , and hath him barb'd and drest ; And then conducts him , bashfull , to the King ; Who well beholds the Lad , likes euery thing ; Then questions thus : They tell me , Youth , that you Interpret Dreames ; now , tell me , Tell they true ? My gracions Lord , said IOSEPH , God alone Immediately knows Dreames ; and other none , Saue onely such to whom that sacred Gift Th' Almighty daignes : I may my Prayer lift Vnto my GOD for you , my Lord , and shall : It may be , He will grant this grace withall . For , ay with speciall care he guides the things , That long to Kings ; as onely King of Kings . A while then inly did he meditate : Then , prayes the King his Visions to relate . Me thought , said Pharaoh , by Niles banke I stood , And sodainely from out the siluer Flood , Came seauen faire Kine , which ranging far & wide , Fed in the Meades along the Riuers side , On Oxe-lips , Cowes-lips , Trifole and the rest , Which for the Altar fat our Beasts the best . Scarse had I turn'd mine eye , when on the shore , Me-thought in th' instant came vp 7. Kine more , With staring haire , too-weake to stand alone , Ill-fauoured , lanke , and leane , bare skin & bone ; As poorely fed , With Holly , Broome , and Heath , Anatomies , or liuing Formes of Death . Amaz'd with this , yet was I more anon , When these ( me thought ) for hunger , set vpon The former seuen , and so to worke did fall , That sodainely they had deuour'd them all . Heerewith I waked : and anon agen Sweet slumber caught me , and I dreamed then I saw seuen goodly full faire Eares of Corne , Rise from one straw , scarce able to be borne : And by and by , seuen other Eares there sprung Light , chaffie , blasted , thin and closely clung , Which in like manner greedily did eat And quicke consume the 7. full Eares of Wheat . These were my Dreames , which I haue oft propounded To many , yet by none can be expounded . Now , if for Thee this Honor be reseru'd , If Thee alone my deeper Dreames deserv'd ; Then , happy Youth , reioyce with all thy heart , Eternall Fame shall trumpet thy desart : And , with Reward we shall so richly store thee , That in all Aegypt none shall be before thee . Great King , said Ioseph , both your Dreams be one , Sent downe from God , to be reueal'd by none ( How-euer wise , how euer full of Parts , How-euer complete in all depth of Arts ) Saue by some Vessell of his owne Election , To whom he daignes the grace of his direction : And therefore could your Sages nothing show , Not knowing God , though All-thing els they know . Know this , ô King : God by This Vision sends , To let you know what shortly he intends . Your seuen fat Bullocks are seuen fruitfull yeeres , Which through all Aegypt shal oreflow your shieres , While Nile , far fatter than to-fore he wont , Shall farder spread his slimy Sweat vpon 't ; When happy Memphis shall such Plenty see , That your old Barnes shall , all , too little be : Your Riekes , your Garners , and your Bartons , All , Too narrow for your Crops , too short , too small ! And , to confirme it , that it shall be so , Your seuen full Eares but the same thing fore-show . Now be you pleas'd , my great and gracious Prince , To heare the rest with heed and Patience : For , 7. poore yeeres these 7. rich years shall follow , Whose Penury their Plenty soone shall swallow ; When Nile shall shrinke into his Chanell , nye Leauing the Ridges and the Furrows dry , Fields scorched , parched , burned euen to dust , Both Solstices like deawlesse and adust : No Torrents gushing from the Mountain tops , Nor ( vnder Cancer ) on the Aethyops Any returne of Winter's Moist againe , Nor any help of sweet and timely Raine : So that the Husband cannot plough his Land ; Or if he could , he should but plough the sand , And cast his Seed amid the same to burne , Without all hope of any Crops returne , Or of increase : but rather prest , for need , To quit his Plough , and on his Oxen feed . Your seuen leane Bullocks , & seuen slender Eares , Deuouring , shew these seuen deuouring yeeres . This is your Dreame , ô King ; and doubled Thus , That , more assured , more solicitous , More speedily you may prouide before ( Thus warn'd by GOD ) a Salue vnto this Sore . Which , how to doe , ( of me if you demand ) I would aduise you first through all the Land , To build new Garners , long and large enough , From time to time to store vp all the stuffe , That may be spared thoroughout your State , During those Yeares of Plenty fortunate ; Allowing onely for each Households need , And for their Land , a Competence of Seed . You must haue also Treasure ready still To buy this Store , if well proceed you will . And to this end , let there a man be sought Discreet and wise , to wield it as it ought . Let him haue power , as in your Royall Name , Through all your Kingdome to dispose the same ; And vnderneath him to subordinate Sub-Officers , to serue him and the State . Thus IOSEPH counseld : & the while the King , With silence all maturely pondering , At last breakes out in ioyfull admiration , There is ( no doubt ) a Diuine Inspiration In this yong man . Without a spirit Diuine , Of future things , none could so deepe define : There is none like him , none to match him neere , In all Chaldaea , nor in Egypt heere . Then , on his necke , shedding a showre of Ioy , The King imbrac't , and kindely grac't the Boy ; Then , thus bespake him : Seeing God hath giuen Thee this to know , and to foreshew , from Heauen ; I know not one so wise and so discreet , Nor for this Office than thy selfe more meet . Thee , next to me , shall all my people serue , And call thee Sauiour : Thou dost them preserue . Then , on his backe a Purple robe he dons , Embossed round with rich and Orient Stones ; About his necke a massie Chaine of Gold , And on his finger ( as they wont of old ) A royall Signet , a most precious Ring ( Not to be worn by any , but the King , Or his Vice-gerent , whom he doth esteeme And will haue deemed Second vnto Him ) Which Pharaoh there then plucked from his owne , To put on IOSEPH's , that he might be knowne To be the Second to Himselfe , in all . Then , on a Steed , the second in his Stall , ( Or second Chariot ) in this solemne Pompe He makes him ryde ; and with the sound of Trumpe Proclaimes , before him that they bow the knee To his Vice-gerent , to This Second Hee , To this Preseruer of their State ; or rather To this ( adopted Sonne ) their Countries Father ; This Prince of Worth , this more then Man , this Miracle , This happy , holy , Heauen-inspired Oracle ; Who , the Kings Dreames in time interpreting , Had sav'd themselues , their Country & their King . With all these Honors , and with Wealth conferd , With all applause good IOSEPH is preferd , To rule all Aegypt : which with great Dexteritie , Wisedome and Worth , Care , Courage , & Sincerity , He executes : And first , his Circuit rides O're all the Land ; Barnes euery where prouides , Which in those Plentious Yeeres he fils with Store , Of euery kinde . And , sith it is no more Vertue to purchase than preserue what 's got , He slips no time , but prudently doth plot To kill all Vermine , cut off all Excesse Of Gluttony and beastly Drunkennesse ; Abates their need-les Beasts , Dogs , Mules , & Horse , Rids idle Roagues and Vag'rants , that be worse ; And rather buyes-in , from the Coasts about , Than by a Licence Iets a Corne goe out . Thus he proceeds : and GOD so blest his hand , That all things prosper'd ouer all the Land . There was a City call'd Heliopolis , ( Whose Surname from the Sunne deriued is ) Whose Prince ( a Priest too , to Apollo's Grace ) Had one faire Daughter , ( faire indeed of Face And outward Feature ; but , much more diuin'd For inward Beauties , Graces of the minde ) Whom Phoebus oft consulted with , had show'n , Not to be matcht to any of their Owne : But , by a higher Fate , reserv'd to be A Strangers Bride , with greater Dignity To raise her Name , and honor her Posterity . This Oracle at IOSEPH points in Verity , Thinks Phoebus Priest and great King Pharaoh , too : And to this end , th' Isaacian Prince they wooe . When Aegypt now seuen happy yeeres had had , All plentifull , all prosperous and glad ; It pleas'd the King , with Royall Pomp and State , These Nuptiall Bands to knit and consummate With sumptuous feasts ; and ( to prolong their ioyes ) With Tilts and Tourneys , Dances , Maskes , & toyes , So long , that now the seuen rich Years , at last , Were ended all , and all their Plenty past . And now , Sol's Palfreys , hauing past the Twins , Were posting hotly towards Cancer's Innes , When the Aegyptians could no more perceiue Nile's ouer-flood , nor any mud to leaue ; But , pure , vnpudled on the sand to slide , And in his Bottom him well-neere to hide : Their whilome fertile soyle now serely riues , Yawnes wide for thirst , no hope of Haruest giues : If any seed be sowne , it neuer springs , Or neuer buds , or neuer beares ; or brings Vnhappy Darnell , or dry Poppy seed , Or is deuour'd by Vermines hungry breed . So that they liue of former Yeeres remaines , Which hardly yet the first hard Yeere sustaines ; But men are faine to Grasse and Rats to fall , To harmelesse Creatures , vncleane Beasts and all . Then , to the King , City and Country fly To sue for Comfort , and to seeke supply : He to his Vice-roy IOSEPH them refers ; He , instantly to vnder-Officers , Who ( by His Order ) furnish all their Wants , At equall Price ; yet doe so high aduance The Kings aduantage , that from farre and nye The Wealth of all runnes to his Treasury : His Checquer's full : yet had they past ( alas ! ) Scarce foure hard yeeres , and had 3. more to passe . What shall they do , poor soules ? How will they shift ? Now nothing haue they , but their bare Lands left : Those they would sell ; but , Who ( Alas ! ) shuld buy ? None hath the Purse , except the King . They try The Prudent Vice-roy : who approues the thing , Bargains and buyes a Fift part for the King . This Famine raging fiercely euery where , Fame bruits abroad ( which came to Iacobs eare ) That yet in Aegypt they were stor'd so well , That they had Corne enough , and some to sell : Old Izrael therefore calling vp his Sonnes , You see , saith he , our short Prouisions : You see how like we are to starue and pine , And perish all , without the hand Diuine : I heare there 's Corne in Aegypt to be bought ; Methink , ere now , you shuld your selues haue thoght It time to goe : Goe , get you quickly thither , Take Coine and Sacks : goe , hye you all togither , Saue Beniamin . The other Tenne agree , And , furnisht fit , set forth immediately . Arriv'd in Aegypt , they eft-soones enquire The Great Corne-Master ; lowting lowe , desire Corn for their money ; IOSEPH knows them brim To be his Brethren : but they know not Him . He well remembers their vnkindnesse past , ( And , wrong receiv'd , draws strong reuenge too fast . ) Yet , for Gods sake , his Fathers , and his Brothers ( Yong Beniamin's ) he spareth all these others ; And speakes to Them , but strangely and austere : Whence ? what are you ? you ( Sirs ) that cluster there ? My Lord , Your Seruants are one Iacobs Sonnes ; We come from Canaan ( where our Father wonnes ) Compeld by Famine , ( which there rageth sore ) To seeke your Fauour ; of your happy Store , To daign vs for our Money what you may . Our Father hath great Houshold to defray , Himselfe , Eleuen of Vs , our Little Fry , Shepheards and Bondmen a great company : And therefore hither are we come , my Lord , To craue the Helpe your Fauour may afford , To saue so many liues , that may be able , And shall be willing ( some way seruiceable ) To thanke your Lordship : for , our Father raignes As King in Sichem , and he stocks the Plaines With goodly Flocks of many Thousand Sheepe , And store of Cattle of all kindes doth keepe : Vouchsafe vs therefore of your Corne , we pray , That we may liue , what euer price we pay : For , we come hither , not to beg , but buy . * To buy ? said IOSEPH ; nay , I doubt to spye : Spyes are ye all ; so many sturdy Clownes To troope at once through all our Forts & Towns , To view and to suruay our Strength and store , And so the weakenesse of the Land explore . Yet tell me of your Father and your Brother : But , I beleeue neyther the one , nor other : Where 's your Commission ? Where 's your Fathers Test ? Why came not that one Brother with the rest ? Or why came you so many ? It is cleere * You come to spy : and you shall buy it deere . Thus , though his heart did melt , his bowels yerne , He faines him fierce , and beares him roughly stern . They , prostrate all , beseech him not suspect Them any such . Our comming was direct , We sweare ( say they ) : The witnes we implore Of th' onely GOD our Father doth adore , Our Father sent vs ; Famine droue vs hither ; For Corne we come : and that we come together , Our need , our number , and our distance , craue At once as much as we at once can haue : Our other Brother is but yet a Lad ( And all the comfort that our Father had ) Too yong to trauell such a iourney yet ; Which , vpon vs our Father layd , more fit . We thought on no Commission : for , indeed In such a case we thought there none should need . Be good vnto vs , good my Lord , we pray , Pity our Father , ( and if pity may Pearce you at all ) pity our Brothers case , Pity our Babes , the hope of all our Race . Twixt ouer-ioyd , his eyes will needs run ouer , Which , yet a while , he turnes aside to couer : Then , thus returnes ; Your cunning answer showes That you are false . Truth needs not such a Glose : I am resolv'd , and can belieue no other . By th' Life of Pharaoh , till you fetch your Brother , You shall not hence , one Hostage shall remaine , The rest shall goe well loden home with graine : This fauour will I doe , expect no other , Nor moue me more , vntill you bring your brother , To testifie your Stories are not lyes : Else , by the life of Pharaoh you are Spies . ( Here , Sirra , Marshall , take them to your charge , Looke none of them be let to goe at large ) I 'll giue you three daies Respit , to revolue ; Then let me heare what herein you resolue . They ( inly prickt in their owne conscience For cruelties committed , now long since , 'Gainst this their vnknowne Brother , now a Prince ) Among themselues debating what was best ( Seeing the Vice-roy did so deepe protest ) Thought most expedient , and resolue in briefe , To send home Nine , loden with such reliefe , To fetch their Brother ; leauing one behinde : Which Part , by Lot , to Simeon was assign'd ; Whom they for Hostage to the Prince present , ( Vpon the third day ) with their full intent . Then he commands their Sacks with Corn be fill'd : They pay for it ; but , secretly he will'd , That each mans money should againe be put Into his Sacke , and then the Sacke re-shut . So , now their Hostage in safe custody , They lade their Asses , and full heauily Leaue Aegypt and their Brother ; hying home , Vnto Samaria : where no sooner come , But their olde Father , forthwith missing one , Cryes , Where 's your Brother ? Where 's my Simeon ? What , is he sicke , or dead ( I doubt me rather ) ? Neyther , said Iuda , dead , nor sicke , good Father : Hee 's well in Health , but doth for pledge remaine In Aegypt , till we all goe backe againe , And bring with vs our Brother Beniamin : For , such conditions must we enter in , Or else we could haue brought you nothing thence . The Man we dealt with , a Great Man , a Prince , Next to the King , at our arriuall there , Askt many questions , whence , and what we were : Whether we had a Father , or a Brother , In what estate , how old ; and many other . We , doubting nothing , told him truly all : Then , more austere , and more maiesticall , Now I perceiue ( saith he ) that you are Spies , And all your Answeres are so many Lyes : You come but to suruay our Strength , and Store , To finde our Weakenes , and our Wants explore : You tell me of your Father and your Brother , But I belieue neyther the one , nor other . Where 's your Commission ? Where 's your Fathers Test ? Why came not that one Brother with the rest ? Or , Why came you so many ? It is cleare , You come to spye , and you shall buy it deare . We answerd for our selues the best we could : All would not serue : Th' issue was this ; we should Leaue one for Hostage , and the other Nine Should bring home Corne , and bring him Beniamin , Or neuer to returne vnto that place , Or neuer dare to looke him in the face : For , by the Life of Pharaoh , we were spies , ( That is his Oath ) and all our Words were Lyes . Good Father Iacob hauing heard all this , With many a sigh ( as sorrowes manner is ) Is there , saith he , vnder the Heau'ns bright Eye , Another Father so distrest as I ? One Sonne is lost ; another , Prisoner left In a strange Land ; another , now bereft ( By your deuice , or your aduice at least ) And all of you ( I doubt me ) all the rest To be extinct , while I suruiue in feares Of so bad newes to come to my sad eares . First would to God ( so God were not displeas'd ) My dayes were ended , and my sorrowes eas'd . Thus speaking wept he , and thus weeping spake . His Sonnes with Comforts seeke his Care to slake , Saying , The Godly should not feare so deepe , Sith God his seruants will more safely keepe . Then to their Sacks : Each hauing his vnknit , Each findes his money in the mouth of it . Amazed all : sad Iacob , there-upon , Sons , Sons , ( said he ) there lackt but this alone : This is enough to kill all Hope ( as vaine ) . For , if to Egypt you returne againe , The mighty Man that fain'd you Spies before , Will find you Theeues now ; & what need he more , Hauing so sisted , and so sought your Coat , To finde a hole , that he might cut your throat ? No , no ( I sweare ) my Beniamin , my Boy , Mine onely comfort left , mine onely Ioy , I will not hazard on so tickle ground : You , you shall goe that are so promise-bound , If you thinke good , and God will haue it so : And when you are determined to goe , I 'll giue you all the golden good I haue , Iewells and Coyne , your Brother to vn slaue And saue your selues ; and to bestow in Corne , If God be pleased that you shall returne . On th' other side , against his Fathers Feares , Sad Iuda thus intreats him , euen with Teares . Deare Father , heare vs first ; and then I pray Haue Care of vs , and of your selfe this day . For , how shall we vnto that Man returne , Who solemnly hath by his Pharaoh sworne , Except we bring our brother Beniamin , Nor we , nor he that is there cooped in , Shall be dismist : nor shall we haue the grace To heare his voyce , or euer see his face ; Where , GOD he knowes , what shall of vs become : And how much better shall you be at home ? How will you liue ? Where will you haue to feed This multitude , if there we doe not speed ? Father , for Gods sake follow my aduice : Vpon my perill , stand not off so nice . This Lad will saue both vs and you , and all ; And , on my life , no hurt shall him befall : Two tender pledges leaue I heere of mine ; If he miscarry , let Them pay the Fine . Then doubt not , Father , lay your feare aside , And prudently for you and yours prouide . That thus our money was return'd ; no doubt , By his direction it was brought about : But , for a pitte-fall , or for Pity , rather , It is vncertaine : this is certaine , Father , He is reported , ouer all that Coast , To be a good man , and a godly-most ; And , if the Whole be partly ghest by Part , We saw some tokens of a tender heart : For , while to him we there did sad relate The sad distresses of our present state , Of you and of our Brother , and our Brats ; Our misery he so compassionates , That hee euen wept : which though hee thought to hide , And turn'd away , yet many of vs spy'd . Wherefore , good Father , let vs lose no time ; Prolong no longer , neyther doubt the Clime , Nor feare the man , nor faint for any thing : We shall be safe vnder th' Almighties wing . This , vrg'd with teares ; the Old man , ouercome , Cryes , Go on Gods name , God re-guide you home : Goe when you will , and with you take the Lad , And some best Presents that may here be had In this hard time ; Myrrhe , Storax , Almonds , Hony , Gumme , Cinnamon , and therewith , double Money , Both for the former which you brought againe , And for the New , if Now you shall obtaine . And We the while will pray and pay our vowes , To th' euerlasting Patron of our house . The Lord of Hosts , our Fathers God and ours , To prosper and protect you with his pow'rs . Blushing Aurora sweetly peeping out , When Sol againe had brought his Teeme about , The Father and the Sonnes , together all , All vp and ready , on their knees doe fall In due Deuotion , as they daily wont : Then to their Breakfast ( not to dwell vpon 't ) Furnisht of what their Iourney did require , Gifts , Money , Beniamin . Their tender Sire , Weeping , Him kissing , and imbracing , Thus Bids sad Adieu : Deare Sonne , Ay prosperous Thy iourney be . If Fates thee safe restore , Then wish I life ; for Teares he could no more . Then to the rest ; imbracing , blessing all , While all for Blessing on their knees do call . They to their long-hard iourney settling them , Leauing Samaria and Ierusalem ; Past Idumaeas Palmy Groues , and past Syrbonian Moores , Arabian Desarts vast ; At length arriue on Egypts wealthy Coast , And reach at last their Memphis wished most . Whom gladly IOSEPH entertaineth there , And instantly lets out his Prisoner . Admitted then to gratious Audience , Thus Ruben spake : When we , Right Noble Prince , Returned home , had to our Father done Your high Commands touching his yonger Sonne , Whom you required to be hither brought ; Opening our Sacks to shoot the Corne we bought , In euery Sacke we found our seuerall Sum ( Which God he knowes , wee know not , how should come . ) Our Father hearing what was come to passe , And , seeing it , deep-sighing , cry'd , Alas ! Alas ! My sonnes , I see some sad Mis-hap Hangs ouer vs : and all our old good hap Is crost and canceld . Sees Heav'ns glorious eye Another Father so distrest as I ? Twelue sonnes I had , and one ( alas ! ) is lost ; Another , Prisoner in a forren coast ; Another , now ( mine only comfort left ) Surrepted Thus , and You withall bereft : And all of you to goe I wot not whither ( Made Theeues ) perhaps to perish all togither . We comfort , We thus presse with all our powers , O Father , trust our Fathers God and ours And for the Man that now in Aegypt swayes , He is most iust , most gentle . Him they praise For their Preseruer , and their Father there Pious and pure : then , What is thence to feare ? Wonne with our words , at last with much adoe , He granted vs to bring his Darling too . Goe then , said he , God to and fro direct you ; And with his wings of Fauour still protect you . Take with you Beniamin ; and take withall ( Such as our Country yeelds ) these Presents small , Gumme , liquid Storax , bitter Almonds , Honey , Myrrhe , Cinnamon : take also double money , To pay both for the Corne you had before , And for as much as now you shall bring more : And to that iust Man ( as you say ) commend Me and my Sonne : pray him to stand a Friend , To pity Him , and You , and Me , and All. So all good Hap to Him and You befall . While this he spake ; The Prince , with much adoe Refraining Teares , cryes , Welcome all of you , Your Selues , your Presents , and your Brother here , Who quits you from suspect : Be of good Cheere , Goe wash your weary Limbes from soile & sweat , And soone I pray come sit with me at meat . Thus said the Prince The seruants , some prepare Bath for their Foet ; some Vessels ; some their Fare ; Buttry and Pantry , some ; some spread the Table ; And other-some , as busie in the Stable . Him-Selfe the while dispatcht affaires of State , Heard Suites for Food , appointed each their Rate ; And then returnes vnto his Guests againe ; Showes them his stately House , his Stuff , his Train , His gold and siluer Plate , ingrau'n , imbost , Couches and Carpets of a wonderous Cost ; And round about , most sumptuous to behold , Deepe Arras Hangings , all of silke and gold , Of sundry Stories there so liuely wrought , That , almost , liuing were the Figures thought ; Such sprightly Postures , and so speaking Gestures , So natiue Visages , so naturall Vestures . Faith-famous Abra'm , after Heav'ns behest , Leads heere his Isaac to be kill'd , as Beast . The Lad here loads the Asse with Holmen sprayes : The Father makes the Pile : Hereon he layes His bond-led , blind-led Sonne : his hand , heau'd vp , An Angell holds , and there is held a Tup . There , Iacob , flying his rough Brothers wrath , Hyes him amaine towards his natiue Path , His Fathers ancient Seat , and happy Realme , Betwixt swift Tigris , and th' Euphratean Streame . There , at a Well his Vncle's Daughter aides , Drawing vp Water for the tender Maides : There , on the Downes he tends their Fathers sheep , Seruing for Rachel double Prentiship . While Isr'els glad Sonnes ( at this wealth amaz'd , Now full of Hope , on these things greedy gaz'd , Great IOSEPH calls ( for , Supper was gone vp . ) Come , giue vs Water : It is time to sup : Then , tall , he sets him in his Iuory Chaire , And bids them sit , and treats them wondrous faire . Heere , Death preuenting Fracastorius , This , late begun , He left vn-ended Thus. FINIS .