Davids hainous sinne. Heartie repentance. Heavie punishment. By Thomas Fuller Master of Arts of Sidnye Colledge in Cambridge

DAVIDS HAINOVS SINNE . HEARTIE Repentance . HEAVIE Punishment .

EXODVS 35. 23.

And every man , with whom was found — Goates ●aire , and red skins of Rammes , and Badgers skins , ●rought them . [ to the building of the Tabernacle ]

Ad Zoilum . Thy Laies thou vtt'rest not , yet carpest mine , Carpe mine no longer , or else utter thine .

By THOMAS FVLLER Master of Arts of Sidnye Colledge in Cambridge .

LONDON , Printed by Tho. Cotes , for Iohn Bellamie , dwelling at the three Golden Lyons in Cornehill . 1631.

To the Honorable Mr. Edwar● Mr. William , and Mr. Christopher Montagu , Sonnes to the Right Honorable , Edward Lord Montagu , of Boughton . FAire Branches of a Stock as faire Each a sonne , and each an heire : Two Ioseph-like , from Sire so sage , Sprung in Autumne of his age ; But a Benjamin the other , Gain'd with losing of his Mother . This fruit of some spare hours I spent To your Honours I present . A King I for my subiect have , And Noble Patrons well may cra●●● Things tripartite are fit for three , With Youths , things youthful best 〈◊〉 Take them therfore in good part , Of him that ever prayeth in heart , That as in height ye waxe apace , Your Soules may higher grow 〈◊〉 Whilst your Father ( like the greene Eagle in his Scutcheon seene , Which with bill his age doth cast ) May longer still and longer last : To see your Vertues o're increase Your Yeares , ere he departs in Peace . Thus I my Booke , to make an end , To You : and you to God commend . Your Honours in all service Tho. Fuller .

DAVIDS Hainous Sinne. 1. HOw Zions Psalmist grieuously offended , How Israels Harper did most foulely slide , Yet how that Psalmist penitent amended , And how tha● Harper patient did abide Deserved chastisement , ( so fitly stil'd , Which wrath inflicted not , but love most mild , Not for to hurt , but heale a wanton child . ) 2. How one by her owne Brother was defiled ; And how that Brother by a Brother slaine ; And how a Fa●her , by his Sonne ex●led : And by a Subject , how a Soveraigne : How Peace procured after Battels fierce , As Sol at length doth sullen cloudes dispierce ; My Muse intends the subject of her Verse . 3. Great God of might , whose power most Soveraigne , D●pends of none , yet all of thee depend , Time cannot measure , neither place containe , Nor wit of man thy Being comprehend : For whil'st I thinke on Three , I am confin'd To One , and when I One conceive in minde I am recal'd to Three , in One combin'd . 4. Thy helpe I crave , thy furtherance I aske , My head , my heart , my hand direct and guide , That whilst I vndertake this weighty taske , I from thy written lore start not aside : Alas , 't is nothing Lord with thee to breake The strong , 't is nothing to support the weake , To make men dumbe , to make an Infant speake . 5 EAch one begotten by immortall seed , Becomes the pitcht feild of two deadly foes , Spirit and Flesh , these never are agreed , With trucelesse warre each other doth oppose ; And though the Spirit oft the Flesh doth quell , It may subdue but can it not expell , So stoutly doth the Iebusite rebell . 6 Now David when on Bathsheba loose eyes He fixt , his heavenly halfe did him disswade ; Turne , turne away thy sight from vanities , Exchange thy object , else thou wilt be made Vnmindfull of thy Soule , her corps to minde , Made for to lose the truth , such toyes to finde , By looking long , made at the last , starke bli●de . 7. What though her face , and body be most faire , Behold , the Sun her beauty doth surpass ; His golden beames surmount her yellow hayre , As far as purest Cristall , dyrtie glasse : Her skinne , as is the skie , not halfe so cleare , Her curious v●ines , for colour come not neare Those azure streaks , that in the Heavens appeare , 8. There let thy hungry sight her famine feede , Whereon it cannot surfet with excesse : Whil'st tongue , heart , harp are tuned vp with speed , The grand-contrivers glory to expresse : Framing with words , to rayse his mighty name , That with a mighty word , did rayse this frame , And by his providence preserves the same . 9. 〈◊〉 let no lustfull thoughts lodge in thy minde , ●●fore that they be borne , they must be kill'd , Or else the man is cruell that is kinde , To spare the foes , wherewith his Soule is spill'd ▪ And if a wanton motion may request , Leave for to lodge a limbe , th' incroaching guest , Will soone command roome to receive the rest . 10. Looke towards the midday Sun , and thou shalt see , A little * * The Tower of Eder , nigh Bethlem , 7. miles from Ier●sale● . tower , o're topps of hills to peepe ; That is the birth place of thy pedygree : Full oft there hast thou fed thy fathers sheepe , And kept his flockes vpon the flowry plaine . But now the Sheepe-hook of a country swaine , Is turn'd the Scepter of of a Soveraigne . 11 God made thee great , oh doe not him disgrace , And by his weighty Statutes lightly set , Hee honour'd thee , oh doe not him debase , Hee thee remembred , doe not him forget : Why should fat * * Deut. 32. 15. Ieshurun so wanton grow , As at his Maisters head , his heeles to throw ? Maister ; that all his feeding did bestow . 12 Behold high Cedars in the valley set , They in thy eyes like little shrubbs doe show , Whil'st little shrubbs vpon mount Oliuet , Seeme lofty Cedars ; men whose states are low Their sinnes are not so obvious to sense , In Princes persons of great eminence , A smaller fault doth seem● a great offence . 13 But grant , no man thy wickednes espies , Surely the Searcher of the reines doth marke Even infant luft , can figg-leaves bleare his eyes ? Or can thy shame bee shrowded in the darke ? Darknes shall then be turned into light , Yea Darknes , is no Darknes , in his sight , But seeme the same to him , both day and night . 14 The Spirit had resolved more to speake , But her halfe-spoken words , the Flesh confounds , Nor wonder is it , she so vs'd to breake Gods Lawes , not passing for to passe their bound● , Against mans rules of manners should offend , Which now impatient longer to attend , Began before her Rivall made an end . 15. If euer Nature la●ishly did throw Her gifts on one , which might haue served more , Yet make them comely , if shee e're did show , The prime , and pri●e , and plenty of her store . Loe , there 's the forme wherein she hath exprest Her utmost power , and done the very best , Her maister-peece surpassing all the rest . 16. 〈◊〉 if ●hose carelesse tresses were attired ? Sure then her face for comelines tra● scends , What now seemes lovely , then wo●ld be admired ▪ If Art might but begin , where Nature ends . Alas , ten thousand pitties 't is indeed , That Princes , on so common fare should feed , Whilst Common men , on princely meat exceed . 17. Alwayes the same doth glut the appetite , But pleased is our palate , with exchange , Variety of dishes doth delight , Then give thy loose affections leave to range : Forbidden things are best , and when we eate What we have slily gotten by deceit , Those morsels onely make the daynty meate . 18. But oh , reserve thy selfe , my maiden Muse , For a more modest subject , and forbeare To tune such wanton toyes , as may abuse , And give distaste vnto a Virgins eare : Such rotten reasons first from Hell did flow , And thither let the same in silence goe , Best knowne of them , that did them never know . 19 Thus hee that conquer'd men , and beast most cruell , ( Whose greedy pawes , with fellon goods were found ) Answer'd Goliah's challenge in a duell , And layd the Giant groveling on the ground : He , that of Philistims , two hundred slue : No whit appalled at their grisly hue , Him one frayle womans beauty did subdue . 20 Man is a Shippe , affections the Sayle , The world the Sea , our sinnes the Rocks and Shelves , God is the Pylot , if hee please to sayle , And leave the stearing of us , to our selves , Against the ragged Rocks wee run amaine , Or else the winding Shelves doe us detaine , Till God the Palinure , returnes againe . 21 YEt Da●id bold to sinne , did ●eare the shame , He shunn'd the sheath , that ran upon the knife , With a fine fetch , providing for his fame , ●ee fetcheth home Vriah to his wife : So under his chaste love , to cloake his owne Vnlawfull lust , to fault most carelesse growne , Most carefull that his fault should not be knowne . 22 〈◊〉 in their plots , God doth befoole the wise , 〈◊〉 wayes that none can trace , all must admire : 〈◊〉 of his house that nigh Vriah lyes , 〈◊〉 David so came short of his desire : The man a nearer l●dging place did use , ( Which made the King on further plots to muse ) And sent home , home to goe , did thus refuse . 23. The pilgrime Arke doth so journe in a tent , In open fields , Ioab my Lord dothlye , And all the souldiers of his Regiment , Have Earth their beds , the Heaven their Canopy : Where bitter blasts of stormy winds are rife . Shall I goe feast , drink , dally with my wife ? Not , as I live , and by your Lordships life . 24. Then by his servants David did conspire , Vriahs lust so dull , with wine to edg● : ( Venus doth freeze , where Bacchus yeelds no fire ) By their constraint , he condescends to pledge One common cup that was begun to all Captaines incamped nigh to Rabba wall ; O●e specially , vnto the Generall . 25 Abishay next is drunke to , Ioabs brother , And this cupp , to a second paves the way , That orderly doth vsher in another ; Thus wine once walking , knowes not where to stay ▪ Yea such a course methodicall they take , In ordering of cupps , the same did make Vriah quite , all order to forsake . 26 His false supporters soone begin to slipp , And if his faltring tongue , doth chance to light On some long word , hee speedily doth clip 〈◊〉 traine therof ; yea his deceitfull sight , All obiects paired doth present to him : As double faces , both obscure and dim ▪ Seeme in a lying looking-glasse to swim . 27. My prayers for friends prosperity , and wealth , Shall ne're be wanting , but if I refuse ; To hurt my selfe , by drinking others health , Oh let ingenious natures mee excuse : If men bad manners this esteeme , then I Desire to be esteem'd unmannerly , That to liue well , will suffer wine to dye . 28. Well did blind Homer see , for to expresse This vice , that spawnes all other ; when he faines , Dame Circe , an inchanting Sorceresse , Who●e cupps , made many men forgoe their braines ▪ Whilst with the witlesse Asse , one purely doats , Others mishaped are , like lustfull Goates , Or swil-ingrossing Swine , with greedy throats . 29 Though bad , yet better was Vriah left , Not quite a beast , though 〈◊〉 a man , disturb'd In minde , but not distracted , nor bereft Of witt , though 〈◊〉 , yet sob●●ly h●e curb'd His lust , being wise , though ignorant , to crosse The Kings designes , who now new thoughts doth tosse , Finding his former project at a losse . 30. The Night with mourning weeds , the world be●ladd , When re●tlesse David , for to mend his matter , Did make it worse ; his na●ed sinne was bad , More Monstrous being mas●t ; they oft doe scatter The chayne , that of Gods lawes vnloose a linke : Hee swam before in sinne , nigh to the briuke , But now he meanes in midst thereof to sinke . 31 Then for a light , hee speedily did call , ( Thou Dark●es with his project best agree'd ) For paper , pen , and inke , to write withall , Though sure a poniard , might have done the deed , Better if hee in blood had dipped it , And on a sheet of paper what he writ , A winding sheet far better did befit . 32 This certs I know , as Sepian juice did sinke Into his spongy paper , sabling o're The same , with various-formed specks of inke , Which was so pure and lilly-white before : So spots of sinne the writers soule did staine , Whose so ylie tincture did therein remaine Till brinish teares had washt it out againe . 33 Next day , when day was scarce an infant growne , Vriah , ( that no mischiefe did mistrust , As none hee did deserve , but by his owne Did measure all mens dealings to bee just ) Bearing this letter , on his journey past With speed , who needed not to make such hast Whose death , had he gone slow , did come too fast . 34 Thus crafty Maisters , when they minde to beate A ca●elesse boy , to gather birch they send him ; ●he little lad , doth make the rod compleat , ●hinking his Maister therefore will commend him : B●t busily imploy'd , he little t●ough● , Hee made the net , wherein himselfe was caugh● And must be b●●ten , with the birch hee brought . 35. His journey came well to the welcome end , Safe to the * * Rabba , 2 Sam. 12. & 27. Towne of Waters hee attaines , Towne which to force , Ioab his force did bend , ( Nought is so hard , but vincible by paines ) Some with their heads did plot , some with 〈◊〉 Did practise , yea as ready was the band To serve , as was the Captaine to command . 36. So busie Bees , some fly abroad at large , Of f●owry Nectar for to fetch their fill , Some stay at home , for to receive their charge , And 〈◊〉 ●stily , the liquor doe distill : Or bottle it in waxe , whilst others strive , Like ●●urdy Martialls , far away to drive The drowsy Droanes , that harbour in the hiue . 37 The strong-arm'd Archer , from his crooked Bow , Made a strait shaft , with dismall newes to speed Into the towne which ne're return'd to show , The sender , how his message did succeed : Yea heavie bodies , mounted were on high , Dull ston●s , to which Dame Nature did deny Feet● for to goe , Art made them wings to fly . 38 Whilst i● the towne , one with his friend did talk , A sudden stroake did take his tongue away , Some had their leggs arrested , as they walke , By Martiall law , commanding them to stay : Here falls a massy beame , a mighty wall Comes tumbling there , and many men doth ma●le , Who were both slaine , and buried by the fall . 39. Were there not vsed in the dayes of yore , Enough men-murdering Engines● But our age , Witty in wickednes , must make them more , By new found plotts , mens malice to inrage : So that fire-spitting Canons , to the cost Of Christian blood , all valour have ingrost . Whose finding , makes that many a life is lost . 40. Whilst thus the well appointed array sought , Winding in worm-like trenches neare the wall , To humble the proud towers , Vriah brought The speaking paper to the Generall . Who when such language hee therein did finde , H●e thought himselfe , or els the king was blinde , Himselfe in body , or the king in minde . 41 Then hee the letter did peruse againe , The words , the words of David could not bee , And yet the hand , for Da●ids hand was plaine , Hee thought it was , and thought it was not hee : Each little line , he thorowly did view , Till at the length , more credulous he grew , And what he thought was false , he found too tr●e . 42 Now Ioab let thy valour be display'd , Act not a midwife , to a deed vnjust , ●y feare or fauour , be not ouersway'd , ●o proue a Pandar , to a Princes lust ; Returne a humble answer back againe , Let each word breath submission , to obtai●● By prayers , a conquest of thy Soueraigne . 43. Shew how when God and countries good requires , Then substance , soule and body to ingage , Is the ambition of thy best desires , Foes forraine to resist , to quell their rage , How willingly would'st thou thy selfe despise , Count losing of thy goods , a gainfull prize , Lavish thy blood , and thy life sacrifice ? 44 But when Gods lore , directly doth withstand , And where his lawes , the contrary convince , Wee must not breake the heauenly kings command , Whilst we do seeke to please an earthly Prince : The burdens they impose on us to beare , Our dutie is to suffer them ; but where Kings bid , a●d God forbids , we must forbeare . 45 Behold the man , whose valour o●ce surmoun●ed In sacking Zions mount , ( mount not so high As men therein were ha●ghty ) and accounted , Of Worthies chiefe , doth most unworthily : He● that to summe the people of the land Withstood the King , now with the King doth stand Too buxome for to finish his command . 36 Next morne , when early Phoebus first arose , ( Which then arose last in Vriah's sight ) Him Ioab in the forfront did dispose , From whom , the rest recoyled in the fight : Thus of his friends , betray'd by subtill traine , Assaulted of his foes , with might and maine , He lost his life , not conquered , but ●laine . 47 His mangled body , they expose to scorne , And now each cravin coward dare defie him , Outstaring his pale visage , which beforne Were palsy-strook , with trembling to come nigh him ▪ Thus heartlesse hares , with purblind eyes do pee●● In the dead Lyons pawes , yea dastard Deere , Over his breathlesse corps dare domineere .

Davids hearty Repentance . 1 THE tongue of guiltlesse blood is never ti'd In the earth's month , & though the greedy ground Her gaping crannies quickly did provide , To drinke the liquor of Vriah's wound , Yet it with moanes , be scattered the skies , And the revoicing Eccho , with replies , Did descant on the playn song of the cries . 2 Hereat the Lord , perceiving how the field , Hee sow'd with grace , and compast with an heape , Of many mercies , store of sinnes did yeild , Where he expected store of thankes to reape , With flames of anger , furnace-like he burn'd For patience long despis'd , and lewdly spurn'd Is at the length to raging fury turn'd . 3 Then all the Creatures , mustered their traine , From Angells vnto worms , the biinde did see Their Lord disgrac't , whose honour to maintaine Things wanting life , most liuely seeme to be ; R●fusing all to serve Man , that refus'd : To serve his God , all striving to be us'd , To punish him , his maker ●hat a bus'd : 4 Please it your Highnes , for to giue me leave , I l'e scorch the wretch to cinder● , said the Fire ; Send me , said Aire , him I l'e of ●reath bereave ; No , quoth the , earnest Water , I desire His soylie sinnes with del●ges to scoure ; Nay , let my Lord quoth Earth ; imploy my pow●● With yawning chapps , I will him quick deuou●● 5 Soone with a word , the Lord appeas'd this strife , Injoyning silence , till he did vnfold That precious volume , cald The booke of life , Which the the Printer , priuiledg'd of old , Containing those he freely did imbrace , Nor ever would I wish an higher grace , Than in this Booke to have the lowest place . 6 Within this Booke , hee sought for Davids name , Which having found , he prof●ered to blot , ( And David surely well deserv'd the same , That did his nature so with sinne bespot , Though none are blotted out , but such as never Were written in , nothing Gods love can sever , Once written there , are written there for ever . ) 7 Strait from his throne , the Prince of peace arose , And with embraces did his Father binde , Imprisoning his armes , he did so close , ( As loving 〈◊〉 on an oake did winde , And with her curling flexures it betraile ) His father glad , to finde his force to fayle , Strugled , as one not willing to prevaile . 8 Thus then began the Spotlesse lambe to speake , ( One wo●d of whom , would rend the sturdy rocke ; Make 〈◊〉 - scorning Adamant to breake , And vnto 〈◊〉 , perswade the sensles stocke , Y●a God hims●●f● , that knowes not to repent , Is made by his petitions , penitent , Hi●●●stice made , with Mercy to relent ) 9 Why doth my Fathers fury burne so fierce ? ●hall Persian lawes vnalterable stand ? And shall my Lord decree , and then reverse , ●nact , and then repeale , and countermand ? Tender thy credit , gracious God , I crave , And kill not him , thou didst conclude to save , Can these hands blot , what these hands did ingrave ? 10. Hath not thy wisdome , from eternity , Before the worlds foundation first was lay'd , ●ecree'd , the due time once expir'd , that I ●hould Flesh become , and Man borne of a Maide ? To live in poverty , and dye with pa●ne , That so thy Sonne , for sinners vilely slaine , Might make vile Sinners b●e thy Sonnes againe . 11. Let me , oh let me , thy feirce wrath asswage , And for this sinner , begg a full di●charge , What though hee justly doth prouoke thy rage ? Thy Iustice I will satis●ie at large . If that the Lord of life must murder'd bee , Let 〈…〉 , this murd'rer may goe free , My Meritts cast on him , his Sinnes on me . 12. Thus speaking , from his fragrant cloaths there went A pleasant breath , whose odour did excell , Myrrh● , Al●●s , and Cassia for sent , 〈◊〉 all perfum'd his Father with the smell , Whereat his smoothed face most sweetly smil'd , And hugging in his arms , his dearest child , Return'd these welcome words , with voyce 〈◊〉 mild● 13 Who can so pleasing violence withstand ? Thy crauing , is the hauing a request , ●uch mild intreaties , doe my heart command , The 'mends is made , and pacifi'd I rest : As far as Earth , from Heaven doe distant lye , As Ea●t is parted from the Westerne skye , So far his sinnes , are sever'd from mine eye . 14 ●ereat the heavenly Quire , lift vp their voyce , Angells and Saints imparadis'd combine , Vpon their golden Violls , to rejoyce , ●o rayse the prayse of the coelestiall Trine , All in their so●gs a sacred strife exprest , Which should sing better , and surpasse the rest , All did surpasse themselves , and sang the best . 15. Then said the Fire , my fury I recant , Life-hatching warmth , I will ●or him provide : I● Davids breathlesse lungs do chance to pant , Said Aire , I l'e fanne them with a windy tide : With moisture , I l'e said Water , quench his heat , And I his hunger , quoth the Earth , with meat , Of marrow , fatnesse , and the flower of Wheat . 16 Thus when a Lord , long buried in disgrace , A King ●o former favor doth restore , With all respect the Court doth him embrace , Fawning as fast , as they did flowte before : Whose smiles , or frownes , are but the bare reflex● Of the Kings face , and like to this direction , Where hee affects , they settle their affection . 17 PLaine-dealing Natha● , prese●tly was sent : Nathan , than whom , was none more skil'd to lanch 〈◊〉 festred soule , and with a se●rching tent , 〈◊〉 sound the sore ; more cunning none to stanch A bleeding-hearted sinner , nor more kinde , With swadling cloaths of comfort , for to binde Vnjoynted members , of a troubled minde . 18 〈◊〉 did not flow with wealth , which envye breeds , ●●or yet was he with pe●ury opprest ; ●●ant is the cause , from which co●●●mpt proceeds : 〈◊〉 meanes were in the meane , and that 's the best . High hills are parcht with h●●te , or hid with snow , And humble dales , soone drown'd , that lie too low , Whilst happy graine , on hanging hills doth grow . 19. For sundry duties , he did dayes devide , Making exchange of worke , his recreation , For prayer , he set the precious morne aside , The midday he bequeath'd to meditation : Sweete sacred stories , he reserv'd for night ▪ To reade of Moses meeknes , Sampsons might , These were his joy , these on●ly his delight . 20. But now dispensing with his dayly taske , To court he comes , and wisely did invent , Vnder a parable , his minde to maske , Seeming to me●ne nought lesse , than what he meant ▪ And Lapwing-like , round fluttering a while , With 〈…〉 praeface and a witty wile , Hee made 〈◊〉 King himselfe for to beguile , 21 Thus he that thought all mortall men to cheate , And with false shewes , his secret sinnes to shade , Was couzned by the innocent deceite , Of one plaine Prophet , and directly made , As he a Iudge sate on the bench , to stand , At barr a prisoner , holding * * Thou art the man . up his hand , * * The man that hath done this thing shal dye . But first condemned by his owne command . 22 Go● fond affectors of a flanting straine , Whose sermons strike at sinnes with slenting blowes , Give me the man that 's power●ull and plaine , The Monste● Vice , vnmasked to expose : Such Preachers doe the soule , and marrow part , And cause the guilty conscience to smart , Such please no itching eares , but peirce the heart . 23. This made King Davids marble minde to melt , And to the former temper to returne , ●hawing his frozen breast , when as he felt The lively sparks of grace therein to burne , Which vnder ashes cold , were choakt before ; And now hee weeps , and wayles , and sighs full sore , Though sure such sorrow , did his joy restore . 24. So have I seene one slumber'd in a swound , Whose sullen soule into his heart did hye , His pensive frien'ds , soone heave him from the ground ▪ And to his face life-water doe apply : At length , a long-expected sigh doth strive To bring the wellcome newes , the man's alive , Whose soule at last , doth in each part ariue . 25 ●hen to his Harpe , he did himselfe betake , ●His tongue-tide harpe , long growne out of request , ) ●nd next to this his glory must awake , ●he member he of all accounted best : Then with those hands , which hee for griefe did wring , Hee also lightly strikes the warbling string , And makes one voice serve both to sob and sing . 26 ●hat heavenly voyce to heare , I more desire , ●han Syren's sweetest songs , than musicke made ●y Philomele chiefe of the winged quire ; Or him , whose Layes so pleasing , did perswade Stones for to lack●y , when he went before , Or that brave harper , whom unto the shore , His hackny Dolphin safely did restore .

Davids Heavie Punishment . 1 MOst true it is , when Penitents by grace Acquitted are , the pardon of their sinnes , And punishments release , do ●oth imbrace , Like to a paire of vndivided twinns , Parted they cannot be , they cleave so fast , Yet when the tempest of Gods wrath is past , Still his afflicting hony-shower doth last . 2 But let the Schooles , these thorny points dispute , Whose searching sight can naked truth discry , Sculking in Errors arms , and are acute , ●ine-●ingred with distinctions to ●ntye Knotts more than Gordian , these men never mist The slender marke , like * * ●●dges 20. 16. those in whose left fist , There did so much dexterity consist . 3 Meane time , my Muse , come see how prettily The patient Infant doth it selfe behave , Infant , but newly borne , now neare to * * The death of King David's Child . dye , That from the cradle , posted to the grave , See with what silent signes , and sighes full faine , Poore heart , it would expresse where lies the paine , Complaining , that it knowes not to complaine . 4 Stay cruell Death thy hand for pitty hold , Against some aged grand-fire bend thy bow , That now hath full , twice forty winters told , Whose head is silver'd or'e , with ages snow : Dash out this Babe , out of thy dismall bill , And in exchange , let him thy number fill , So may be life , his friends enjoy him still . 5. Those hands to hurt another , never sought , Which cannot helpe themselues , they are so weake ; His heart did never hatch a want on thought , His tongue did never lye , that cannot speake : By wrong and violence , he ne're did wrest The goods , wherewith his Neighbour is possest , Whose strength scarse servs to suck his nurse's brest 6 ●ut ah , this Infant 's guilt from him proceeds , T●at knew the least , when most he sought to know , Who was most nak't , when cloathed in his weeds , Best cloathed then , when naked he did goe : In vayne the wit of wisest men doth strive , To cut off this intayle , that doth derive Death unto all , when first they are alive . 7 As when a tender Rose begins to blow , Yet scarse unswadled is , some wanton maide Pleas'd with the smell , allured with the show , Will not reprive it , till it hath display'd The folded leaves , but to her brest applie's Th' abortive budd , where coffined it lye's Losing the blushing Dye , before it die's ▪ 8 So this babes life , newly begun , did end Which sure receiv'd the substance , though not sign'd With graces seale ; God freely doth attend His ordinance , but will not be confin'd Thereto , when 'ts not neglected , nor despis'd , They that want Water are by Fire baptiz'd , Those sanctifi'd , that ne're were circumcis'd . 9 Sweet Babe , one Sabboth thou on earth didst see , But endles Sabboths , doest in heaven survive , Grant , Death of joyfull howers deprived thee , Thou hadst seene yeares of sorrowes , if alive : True , thou we●t borne a Prince , but now art crown'd A ●ing by Death , sleepe therefore in the ground Sweetly , vntill the Tr●mpet last shall sound . 10 By this childs death , King David did sustaine One losse ; but wh●re this misery did end , More miseries began : as in a chayne , One linke , doth on another linke depend : His l●st , with lust , his slaying with a slaughter Must punish't be : proportion'd therafter To Mother sinne , is punishment the Daughter . 11. AMnon advis'd by Ionadab , a fit Of sicknesse faines : Men wickedly inclin'd , Worse counsellers , ( that with great store of wit Have dearth of grace ) most easily may find ; And Thamar's * * The deflowring of Thamar . hands , his meate must onely make : Ah happy age , when Ladies learn't to bake , And when Kings Daughters knew to knead a cake . 12 Rebecka was esteem'd of comely hew , Yet not so ●ice ●er comelinesse to keepe , But that shee wa●er for the cammells drew ; Rachell was faire , ● et fedd her fathers sheepe , But now for to supply Rebeck'as place , Or doc as Rachell did , is counted base , Our dainty dames , would take it in disgrace . 13 But quickly did his ●ea●tly lust declare , That he , to eate her daynties , had no neede , He for the cooke , not for the cates did care , Shee was the dish , on whom he meant to feed : Oh how she pray'd , & strove with might & maine And then from striving , fell to prayers againe , But prayers , and striving , both alike● in vayne . 14 Thus a poore Larke imprison'd in the cage Of a Kites claws , most sweetly sings at large Her owne Dirge whilst shee seeks to calme his rage , And from her jaylor , sue's for a discharge ; Who passing for no musick that surpast , To feede his ●ares , whilst that his gutts doe fast , On her that pray'd so long , doth prey at last . 15 Then with dust-powdre'd haire she sore bewayles , And punisht on he●selfe , her brothers sinne , Parting her maiden livery with nayles , That parted was with colours , and wherein White streaks , their owners innocence did show ; The bashfull Red , her modesty ; the row Of Sable , sorrowed for the wearers woe . 16 Comfort thy selfe more vertuous , than faire , More faire , than happy virgin , mourne with measure , Sinnes unconsented to , no soules impaire , That must be done perchance with bodies pleasure , Which with the griefe of soule may be constrain'd The casket broke , the jewell still remain'd , Vntoucht , which in the casket was contain'd . 17. IN his brest * * The murdering of Amnon . Absolon records this wrong : Out of our minds , good turns doe quickly passe , But injuries there in remaine too long , Those scraul'd in dust , but these ingrav'd in brasse , One Sun-set for our anger should suffice , Which in his wrath set oft , oft did arise , With yearly race , surrounding twice the skies . 18. Now when his fruitfull flocks , which long had wor● Their wollen coates , for to make others hot , Were now to forfeit them , and ●o be shorne , ( Sure from the silly sheepe , his ●ivelish plott , Their owner never learnd ) hee finds a way , To worke revenge , and called on that day , His brothers to a feast , which pro'vd a fray . 19 What Amnon drunke in wine , in blood he spilt , Which did the dainties marre ▪ and meate defile , Cupps ▪ carpetts , all with goary streakes were gilt , Seeming to blush , that cruelty so vile ▪ So fowly savage , should the banquet staine : Thus he that being well , did sicknesse faine ▪ Not being sicke , was on a suddaine slaine ▪ 20 The rest refused on the meate to feede , Whose bellies were so full with griefe , and feare To feele , what they had seene ; away they speed To ride : but Fame did fly , fame that doth weare An hundred listning eares , an hundred eyes , An hundred prating tongues , she dayly plies , Tongues , that both tell the truth , and tattle lyes ▪ 21. She gets by going , and doth gather strength , As balls of snow , by roling more doe gaine , She whispr'd first , but lowdly blaz'd at length , All the Kings Sonnes , all the Kings sonnes are slaine : The pensive Court , in dolefull dumps did rue This dismall case , till they the matter knew , Would all bad news , like this , might prove untru● 22. Goe silly soules , that doe so much admire , Court-curious incertainment , and fine fare , May you for mee obtaine what you desire , I for your fowles of Phasis do not care , If that such riots at your feasts be rife , And all your meate , so sowrely sauc'd with strife ▪ That guests to pay the shot , must lose their life . 23 Happy those Swaines , that in some shady bower , Making the grasse th●i● cloath , the ground their board , Doe feede on mellow fruite , or milks fine flower , Vsing no wine , but what their wells afford : At these did malice never bend her bow , Their state is shot f●●e , it is set so low , They overlooke , that would them overthrow . 24 FAst unto Geshure , flies the fatricide , To shelter there himselfe , the sentence sore O● angry justice , fearing to abide , Oh happy turne had he return'd no more , Who wonted guise , kept in a country strange , Those that abroad , to forraine parts do range , Their climate , not conditions doe exchange : 25. Return'd : at entrance of the Court he * * Absolons aspiring to the kingdome . stands , If any sutors there he chanc't to finde , Hee steales their hearts , by taking of their hands , And sucked out their soule , with kisses kinde : He of their name , cause , citty cloth inquire , Proud men prove base , to compasse their desire , They lowest crouch , that highest do aspire . 26. Before such kisses come vpon my face , Oh , let the deadly Scorpion me sting , Yea rather than such armes should me imbrace , Let curling Snakes about my body cling : Than such faire words , I 'de rather heare the fowle Vntuned schreeching of the dolefull Owle , Or heare the direfull mountaine Wolfe to howle . 27 Some men affirme , that Absolon doth sound In the worlds oldest tongue [ of peace a father ] But certs I know that such mistake their ground ▪ [ Rebellious sonne ] sure it importeth rather : And yet why so ? sith since I call to minde , Than the Clementes none were more vnkind , Then Innocent , more nocent none I finde . 28 Then borrowing the plausible disguise Of holinesse , he mas'kt his plot so evill , Vnder the good pretence of sacrifice , ( A Saint dissembled is a double Devill . ) But sure were these the vowes , he went to pay ▪ His Sire , that harmelesse sheepe he vow'd to slay , Who o're mount Olives weeping fled away . 29. This makes mee call my Saviours griefe to minde , Who on * * Luk● 19. 4● . this mount , because the Iewes were growne So wicked , those that said they saw , so blind , Mourn'd for their sins , that mourn'd not for their own : Much did hee weepe for others that forbad , Others to weepe for him , whose being sad Hath made his Saints , for ever since , full glad . 30. Downe comes the King to Iordan : on the sand ●f that the saylors chance to ground the boat , ● flood of teares they straitwayes did command , Whos● large accession , made the vessell floate : And if a blast of winde , did chance to faile , So greivously the people did bewayle , Their very ●ighs might serve to stuffe the sayle . 31 Thus was the King ▪ in his owne land exil'd , His subjects were his hoast , and he their guest , Whose place was ill supplied by his child , ( Vnhappy Bird defiling his owne nest ) That tooke his fathers wives , in open ●ight , Those that do want of grace the shun-shine bright , Extinguish oft dim Natures candle light . 32 ▪ The blushing Sun , no sooner did behold ●o beastly lust , but sought his face to shrowd , And shrinking in his beames of burnish't gold , Was glad to sculke within a sullen cloud : The shamefac't birds , with one wing faine to fly , Did hold their other fanne before their eye , For feare they should such filthinesse espie . 33 What needed he , to keepe alive his name , Erect a pillar ? Sure this damned deed , Makes us remember , and detest the same , That in the worlds last doating age succeed : Yea when that Brasse , that seemeth time to scorne , Shall be by all-devouring time out-worne , His name they'se beare in minde that are not borne ▪ 34 ▪ But * * Ac●itophel hanging himselfe . he that gave this counsell , did not speed ▪ Who speeding home on witlesse asse amaine , ( Asse that for wit , his rider did exceed , ) 'Cause he his will at Court could not obtaine , Did make his Will at home : the peevish el●e Amongst his houshold parts his cursed pel●e , Carefull of that , but carelesse of himselfe . 35 Oh suddaine thought of thy mortality ! Thou art not yet so thorough worne with age , None in thy face such Symptoms can espy , Which should so neare approaching death praesage : Thy state is not distempered with heate , Thy working pulse doth moderatly beate , All outward things seeme whole , seeme all compleate . 36 But ghostly is thy g●iefe : thou that by treason , Against thy Leige , so lately wast combin'd , Thy passions now rebell against thy Reason ▪ Reason , that is the Soveraigne of thy minde , And seeke for to disturbe it from the throne : Strive , strive to set these civill broyles at one , Order thy selfe , and let thy house alone . 37 A chayne of hempe , he to his necke made fast , By tying of which knot , hee did vntye The knot of Soule and Body , and at last Stopping the passage of his breath , thereby A passage for his Soule , wide opened hee : Thus traytors , rather than they should goe free , Themselves the hangmen of themselves will bee . 38 His friends , to balme his body spare no cost , With spices seeking to perfume a sinke , For certs I know , their labour was but lost , His rotten memory , will ever stinke , His soule thereby was nothing bettered , Because his corps were bravely buried , Tombes please the living , profit not the dead . 39 How many worthy Martyrs vilely slaine , Made meate for fowles , or for the fire made fuell , Though ground , they could not for a grave obtaine , Were not lesse happy , but their foes more cruell , Vnburied bodies made not them unblest , Their better halfe , did finde an heavenly rest , And doth injoy , joyes not to be exprest . 40 Leave we the Traytor thus , vpon whose hearsse , My Muse shall not a precious ●eare mis-spe●d , Proceeding to bemoane in dolefull verse , How * * The battell betwixt Absalon and Davids men . two great bands , with cruell blowes contend , Whole clouds of arrowes , made the skye to lowre , Dissolv'd at length , into a bloody showre , Till Steele kill'd many , wood did more devo●re . 41 Oh , let it not be publish't in the path ▪ That leads unto th' incestuous seed of Lot ▪ Tell not these tidings in the towne of Gath , In Ascalon , see ye proclaime it not , Least these rejoyce at this calamity , Who count your fame , their greatest infamy , Your wofull jarrs , their wellcome melody . 42 Had Rachel now reviv'd , her sonnes to see , Their bloody hands , would make her heart to bleed , Each a Benoni unto her would be ; Had Lea● liv'd to see herselfe agree'd To fall out with herselfe , with teares most sure , She would have made her tender eyes past cure , Who ever wonn , she must the losse endure . 43 The conquest ( which her verdict long suspended ) Hover'd aloft , not knowing where to light ; But at the last , the lesser side befreinded With best successe ; the other put to flight , More trusted a swift foote , than a strong fist , Most voices oft of Verity have mist , Nor in most men , doth Victory consist . 44 The gracelesse sonne was plung'd in deepe distresse , For earth his weight , no longer would endure , The angry heavens denied all accesse , Vnto a wretch so wicked , so impure : At last the heavens and earth with one consent , A middle place , vnto the monster lent , Above the earth , beneath the firmament . 45 His skittish Mule , ran roving in the fields , And up high hills , downe dales , o're woods did prance , Seeming with neighing noyse , and wanton heeles , In token of great joy to sing and dance , That now her maister , she should beare no more , ( An heauy bulke , whose sinnes did weigh so sore ) Now rid of him , that rid on her before . 46 Cry Absolon , cry Absolon amaine , And let thy winged prayers , pierce the skye , Oh to the spring of pitty , soone complaine , That ne're is dammed up , not drained dry , Thy fault confesse , his favour 〈◊〉 implore , Much is thy misery , his mercy more , Thy want is great , but greater is his store . 47 Condemne thyselfe , and he shall thee acquitt , Doe thou but pray , hee 'le pitty thy estate , Confesse thy debt , he will the same remit , It never was too soone , it s ne're to late : Alas ; long sinners scarse at last relent , Hee gives not all offenders to repent , That granteth pardon to all penitent . 48 Whilst thus his life suspended was on high , Bold-ventrous loab opened his heart , ( Heart , where much treason lurked privily ) And peir'ct his body with a triple dart : Then Crimson blades of grasse , whereon he bleeds , Did straitwayes dye , and in their roome succeeds A fruitfull wildernesse , of fruitlesse weeds . 49. When David heard the Victory was gain'd , But his sonne lost ( as Iordan waxing ranke , Or'e flowes the land , and scornes to be restrain'd , To have his Tide , ti'de in a narrow banke ) Surges of sorrow in his heart did rise , And brake the watry sluces of his eyes , Who lightned thus himselfe , with heauy cryes ▪ 50 My sonne , whose body had of grace the fill , My sonne , whose soule was so devoid of grace , Without my knowledge , and against my will , My sonne , in cause so bad , so strange a place : My sonne , my sonne , for which I most complaine ▪ I feare in soule , as in the body slaine , Would I might dye , that thou migh'st live againe ▪ 51 Now when this griefe was swallow'd , not digested , The subjects ●lock't , King David to restore , Who in an instant , love what they detested , Detest in th' instant ▪ what they lo●'d before : People like weather-cocks wav'd with the wind ▪ We constant , in unconstancy may finde ▪ As time counts minutes , so they change their mind . 52 Amongst the rest , that came the King to meete , Lam●-●egd Mephibosheth , but loyall hearted , Was one , that never washt his cloaths , or ●eete ( Except with teares ) since David first departed ▪ Feete , which by fall from nur●e● armes began To halt , with him a child ▪ so fast she ran , That he could never goe , when growne a man ▪ 53. Not much unlike , if it give no distaste , That reall truths . I doe with trifles match , Whilst that my posting Muse , with headlong haste Doth strive her rurall Layes for to dispatch , Halting Invention , for the want of heede , And lame unjoynted lines from her proceede , And seldome things done speedily , doe speed . 54. But here an vnexpected jarre arose , Whilst people , for most part in Prince contended ▪ Which grew from bitter words to bloody blowes , The King , quoth Iudah , of our Tribe descended , Hee of our flesh is flesh , bone of our bone : Nay , answer'd Israel , in the King wee owne Ten parts , a single share is yours alone . 55 Whilst sparkes of discord thus began to smoake , To ●inde the bellowes , Sheba did conspire , ( * * The sonne of Belial . Sheba that proudly did disdaine the yoke ) And blowing of a trumpet , blew the fire : Then those that claimed ten , disdain'd all part In David , taught by his seducing art , They discontented to their tents depart ▪ 56 This Rebell , Ioab whilst to quell he strives , A nameles woman ( in the booke of life Her name is kept , that kept so many lives ) Procur'd that he , who stirred up the strife , The body of the Common-wealth to rend From Prince the head , whereon it did depend , With head , from body rent , his life did end . 57 By his death many Citizens surviv'd , The losse of Traytors blood , did prove their gaine , Soone cea'st the flood of Discord , thence deriv'd , When they the factious fountaine did restraine . This warre , a vile man with * * What part have we in David , &c. a word did rayse , Vnto his shame , which to her endlesse prayse , A worthy Woman with a * * His head shall be thrown , &c. word allaies . 58 So in our land , a noble Queene arose , As we have heard our fathers oft relate , A Maide , yet Manly to confound her foes , A Maide and yet a Mother to the State : Which she weake , like to crumbling bricke did finde , Which strong , as lasting marble she resign'd , Gold and Gods worship , both by her refin'd . 59 She having florished in great renowne , In spite of power , and policy of Spaine , Did change her earthly , for an heavenly crowne , And cea'st to rule o're men , with God to raigne : Fourty and foure Novembers fully past , ( Aie me that winged time should post so fast ) To Christ her love , she wedded was at last . 60 This Sunne thus set , there followed no Night In our Horizon , strait another Sunne , Most happily continued the light , Which by the first was hopefully begunne : And , what might most amaze all mortall eyes , Never before out of the Northen skies , Did men behold bright Phoebus to arise . 61. Arts did increase his fame , he did increase The fame of Arts , and counting twice eleven Twelve months upon his throne , this Prince of peace , By falling to the Earth , did rise to Heaven : Then downe our chee● stears hot & cold did flow , Those for the Sire decea'st , expre'st our woe , Those joy , for his succeeding Sonne did show . 62. Live gracious Leige , whose Vertues doe surmount All flattery , and Envy them admires , C●nter of grace and greatnesse , liv●●o Cou●t , Till that thy kingdome with the world expires : Wee subjects wish thee worst , that love thee best , Who here long to injoy thee , ●oe request , That late thou mayst injoy an heavenly rest . 63 And thou young Prince , hope of the future age , Succeed to Fathers Vertues , Name , and Crowne , A new Starre did thy Saviours birth praesage , His death , the Sun eclipsed did renowne : But both of these conjoyned to adorne Thy wellcome birth , the Sun with ag● so worne , Did seeme halfe dead , and a young starr was borne . 64 ▪ But what dost thou , my ventrous Muse , praesume So far above thy dwarf-like strength to straine ? Such soaring soone will melt thy waxen plume , Let those heroike sparks , whose learned braine , Doth merit chapletts of victorious bayes , Make Kings the subjects of their lof●y layes , Thy worthlesse praysing doth their worth dispraise 65 Strike saile , and to thy matter draw more neare , And draw thy matter nearer to an end ▪ Though nought prayse-worthy in thy verse appeare , Yet strive that shortnesse may the same commend : Returne to see , where Ioah homeward goes , To see his Friends , that had subdu'd his foes ; His souldiers , and himselfe there to repose . 66 Thus when two adverse winds , with strong command , Summon the Sea , the waves that both do feele , Dare follow neither , but in doubt do stand , Whilst that the shipps with water drunke doe reele With men , for griefe of drowning , drown'd in griefe , Vntill at length , a Calme brings them reliefe , And stills the storme , that had so long beene briefe . 67 Oh that I might but live to see the day , Day , that I more desire , than hope to see ) When all these bloody discords done away , Our Princes , in like manner might agree : When all the world , might smile in perfect peace , And these long-lasting broyls , at length might cease Broyles , which ( alas ) doe dayly more increase . 68 ●he Neatherlands , with endlesse warrs are tost , ●ike in successe , to their unconstant tide , ●osing their gettings , gaining what they lost . ●enmarke both sword , and Ba●tick seas divide : More blood , than juice of grape nigh Rhine is shed ; And Brunswicke Land will not be comforted , But cryes , My Duke , alas , my Duke is dead . 69 The warrs in France , now layd aside , not ended , Are onely skinned ouer with a scarre , Yea haughty Alps , that to the clouds ascended , Are ouer-climbed with a bloody Warre : And Maroes birth place Mantua , is more Made famous now for Mars , and battell sore , Than for his Muse , it famed was before . 70 Sweden to stopp th' Imperiall flood provides , ( May his good cause , be crown'd with like successe , And they , that now please none , to please both sides May they themselves , his trusty friends expresse . ) But Turks the Cobweb of their Truce , each howr● Doe breake , they wayte a time , but want no powre Nor will , warr-wearied Christians to deuoure . 71 But let the cunning Chymicke , whose exact ●kill , caused Light from darknesse to proceed , Out of disorder order can extract , Make in his due time all these jars agree'd , Whose greiuances may be bemoan'd by men , By God alone redressed ; and till then ● hey more befitt my Prayers than my Pen. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . FINIS .

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