Naumachia, or Hollands sea-fight

NOBILISSMO , ET GEnerosissimo Domino Georgio , comiti Ingeiensi Anagramma . Georgius Gordonius comes Ingeiensis , Egregio dignus ensi , sic Musis honor ego . CLare , Caledonios , Heros aucture triumphos , Et Scotico titulos exhibiture Polo : Cuius et indomitos generosi pectoris ignes , auxit , Hyperboreas , nix , populata plagas : Teque , tuumque genus claris insigne Trophoeis , norunt Arctophylax , plaustraque pigra gelu , Plaustra per vndosos numquam subitura recessus , dum videant vultus , sidera grata , tuos . Tu long is lumen tenebris , et gente remota Pierijs gratam das Helicona choris . Te Phaebumque suum putat et Caledonia Martem , qui fulges aequè Martis , et artis honor : Ergò armis te bella canant ; te carmine Musae , qui potes et Musis et decus esse tubae : Andraeas Scoticis , taceatque Georgius Anglis , hinc Scoticis Numen , Gorgius alter erit . Honoris tui devotissimus . Ab : Holl.

To the same Noble Earle , two Acrosticke Stanza's . Glory in you is like the Sun , which giues Eternall splendour , yet is often hid , Ore-shadow'd in some clime , when yet he liues Reviving still : the world cannot forbid Glory her beames ; but like fires hid in night Expresse at last a more refulgent light . Grace then the Muses , who can giue you light , Obliuion it selfe can neuer hide , Respect those Sacrifices , by whose might , Demigods soone are wholly Deifide : Onely giue pardon to me , who can giue Nothing else yet , to make you longer liue . A. H.

¶ In Honor of the Noble Marquesse of Huntley , and his true Generous Sonne , the Lord GORDON . THE Royall Eagle Ioves owne Bird , to trie As they report her true borne Progenie , Ere she admit them for her owne , or grace Them to be called of the Eagles race To Phoebus rayes , and the sight-dazing skie Sh' exposes all her vnfleg'd infancy : And those that beare the bastard searching light With eyes vndazled , and with nobler sight Can brooke the iudging flame , these as sure-knowne Indulgently she brings vp for her owne ; But those whose bastard eyes cannot endure The piercing splendor of a light so pure , These as false-got the Royall foule refuses , And onely those which she hath tried , chooses . Thus , Noble Lord your Father , whom of all We truely may the Northerne Eagle call , So doth he soare and still aspire aboue The vulgar pitch ; so for the truest Ioue Hath he in cruell wars borne venfull thunder , Bringing the barbarous High-land sauage vnder : Wherein you his true Sonne he made to try The glorious sunne of Magnanimity . Which you with noble mind so well endur'd , That hence your Father hath been well assur'd Of a true Sonne : So may both Sire and Son Be tri'de at vertues never-setting Sun .

To my friend M. A H. BY this one lim , my Holland , we may see What thou in time at thy full growth maist bee , Which wit , by her owne Symetrie can take , And thy proportion perfectly can make At thy Ascendant : that when thou shalt show Thy selfe ; who reads thee perfectly shall know Those of the Muses by this little light Saw before other where to take thy height . Proceed , let not Apollo's stocke decay , Poets and Kings are not borne euery day . Michael Drayton .

To his louing friend M. Abra : Holland . SEnd forth , young man , from Muses wombe , Thy other Royall births at home , But slowly , slowly send them forth Least for their number , and their worth The enuious hand of fates take hold , And crop thee ; for they 'le thinke th' art old , Ed: Cory .

To my Brother A. H. AS thy first Muse doth wit and learning show , So let true wisdome with thy learning grow . Your Brother , Hen. Holl.

¶ Amico suo Abrahamo Hollando , D. Philemonis F. in Naumachiam suam . NAumachiam lustrando tuam , mihi flumine visus , Ingenij placido deperijse tui : Arma virum , tabulas , galeas , & scuta per vndas Aspicio , & mens est Carmine mersa simul . Emergo ! & tabulas votivas dedico Musae , Docte Hollande tua , quae bene ficta canit . El: Petl .

To my honest friend M. A. H. That this small peece the world should hazard first , Of other better work 's , thy Muse hath nurst ; To wonder I was forc't , vnlesse't be done As a small starre doth vsher forth the Sunne . I. W. I C.

❧ A Caueat to his Muse . WEll Minion you 'le be gadding forth then ? goe , Goe , hast vnto thy speedy ouerthrow : And since thou wilt not take my warning : Hence , Learne thy owne ruine by experience . Alas poore Maid ( if so I her may call Who itches to be prostitute to all Adulterate censures ) were it not for thee Better , to liue in sweet securitie In my small cell , than flying rashly out , Be whoop't , and hiss't , and gaz'd at all about Like a day-owle : Faith Mistris you 'le be put One of these daies to serue some driveling slut , To wrap her sope in , or at least be droven To keepe a Pie from scorching in the Oven ; Or else expos'd a laughing stock to sots , To cloke Tobacco , or stop Mustard pots , Thou wilt be grac't if so thou canst but win To infold Frankincense or Mackrills in , You deem 't forsooth a matter of high worth To haue a fame among 'em : New come forth ; And thinke your chiefe felicity is marr'd If you be not perch't vp in Paules Church-yard Where men a farre may know you in a trice , By some new-fangled , brasse-cut Frontispice . Such book 's indeed as now-dayes can passe Had need to haue their faces made of brasse . Is it not then sufficient for you To stay at home among the residue Of better sisters : where my dearest Will , And other friends would praise and loue thee still : Him and my other harts-halfes I account Intire assemblies , and thinke they surmount A Globe of addle Gallants : I averre , One iudging Plato worth a Theater . But you me thinks of all the rest should feare The searching rayes of censure , least you bleare You tender fame : who can choose but disdaine The first Minerua of an idle braine . Pen'd ere I well was past a boy , or downe With silken mosse , my maiden chin did crowne . Blacke Lycophron redeem'd of late by mee From the darke graue of deepe obscuritie , And taught to stalke in English measures , dreads The censure of the Beast with hundred Heads , And keeps close home : like one from deepe of night That cannot quickly brooke the dazling light . My labour'd Merlin , Brittish Lycophron , Still sitteth in his dreary delue alone , And as yet wary Prophecies , that who Leape into 'th world too soone , themselues vndoe . My devout Holy-dayes yet secret lurke , And dare not frame themselues vnto a worke . My merry Paradoxes , still laughing sit , And dare not mocke the world , in Publicke yet : Yea my deare Syren-twins , keepe still at home Though almost fledg'd and ready now to rome About the world : with hundred crotchets more , My Patromonie , Portion , wealth and store , Yea and these riches so contentfull , I Would not forgoe for all the Treasury Th' Exchequer holds ) wilt thou then of them all Dare in these times distracted clutches fall ? Oh , t is a way that spoiles things haply good When itching youngsters crop themselues i' th bud , And so proue rotten before ripe , to win 't , That they may have their names but seene in print . But seeke not thou about the world to gad Before thou hast an Eagles triall had ; Then dare to Impe thy full fledg'd wings and flie Neerer than other Muses to the skie . Out-face the Sun , and sing such notes as may Approue that thou art worthy of the day . Great glory sure they get and solide fame , Who to obtaine a Month-enduring Name Make monstrous bookes , which did they fill the stalls , Yea were they pil'd vp to the top of Paules Would quickly vent , when for a month or two One shall not passe but he shall heare adoe And fresh enquiries for the booke ; anon Ye shall heare faintly , This , a yeare agon Was a braue booke , this was a booke indeed . Ah haples he who now is put to read The jade-tir'd lines . Thus both such bookes & makers Are both of same fame , and same fate partakers . Liue for a day , and flourish , but at night , Like the short Roses , vanish with the light . But care not thou whether vaine fame doe giue That thou dost now , or maist heerafter liue . And know that Poem's truely fram'd , relie Not on the present but posterity . And learned Poets think 't sufficient gaine If that they after death may but obtaine Their Postume glories : nor thinke that these times Can rightly iudge of well deseruing rimes , We must expect another age , for this Scarce knoweth whether prose or Poem ti 's . For Poem's now admir'd , are onely those Change but the words a little they are prose As plaine as Holinshed , each feeble line , As foot-pac't as this poore L'envoy of mine . But tell me when thou into 'th world art come How wilt thou please the multitude , when some Vnlesse thou canst outbaudy Martial , Or loose-pen'd Arbiter , will stiffly call Thee slight and witlesse : did but this clew lead thee , The greatest Ladies then would daine to read thee And in their perfum'd bosomes would infold Thee willinger , than Chaines of Pearle and Gold , Or Aristotles Problems : great men would make thee Their nere companion , and to Church would take thee . Instead of Psalmes ( if so to Church they goe , God knowes aboue whether they do or no. ) Others there are whose addle empty braines Vnlesse thou fill with loue-sicke-puling straines Will proue starke made against thee : All in all Would haue this garbe : the Prentice at his stall Itching would buzze vpon thee : and each maid That faine would yet dare not professe the trade Because sh' ha's been well brought vp : Infinite The number is will call thee Parasite Because thou medlest not with any things Touching the State , Embassadors or Kings , O such an one , say they : To these replie So deare I will not my repentance buy , Nor will I tread in such vnequall measure , As at my danger to procure you pleasure . But what I can , will striue to blazon forth My Countries honour and my Kings : the worth Of any person who shall merit prayse For such I watch and bite the frantick bayes But the most part are such as those who vow That Muse is dull and drie whose crabed brow Skoul's not forth Satires : the Meere title seene But of a scourge excell's the Faery Queene . To these say thus : would you haue me , a Muse So rude and vnexperienc't to abuse Her harmles quill ? write satyres ? That 's the worke of brazen pens , with danger that dare ierke And sweare their Inke from blushing : which expert In the bad world dare venter to insert Particulars which makes the world to sweare They needs a part in wickednesse must beare They open it so naked : such their spirit Caesar with them is Casar if he merit : For me to satyrize from blow-point age Cloister'd in circuit of a college cage where my experience of Ill nere flew Beyond the lurching of a dish or two , Where sophismes miss't were held crimes out of reason And the not capping fellow's chiefest treason , The greatest Libells there they hold of take Some cowl-slaffe shew or witty Almanaka . And such faults as are punisht by the Deanes I know not what a states corruption meanes , What bribery is ; or what it is to wracke The vulgar neckes , or breake the commons back but satyrists sterne quill must rip vp faults From womb of night whose acting makes the vaults Of Heauen blush , which in a fearefull brood Are hatch't by sin and nourtred by blood Headlong reuenge , Extortion , Orphans crie Are fitt for them , and fearefull Leachery But I a Muse that drinke a milder Chalice Shall I poore snake creepe in and sting the malice Of crimes more fit for Iuvenall , or him That wrap't his lashes in obscure and dim Clouds of reuenge , asham'd to tell the crimes Openly which were acted in those times . To liue in Court I nere so high could rise How should I then begin to satyrize . Nor am I yet so wicked as to bee Experienc't in all iniquity Which satyrists must scourge : I shall in time May be vnto the gall of satyres climbe If this cannot content their quenit enquiry Tell 'em thou hast a brazen pen , with fiery Full fled'gd , heart-goring wings , a stubborne pen Not to be spent on paper but on men With inke steep't full of bitter gall . Now flie Vpon the wings of humble modestie And thy selfe happy herein vnderstand , That thou must come to such a Heroes hand Whose onely name can free thee from the hate Of vulgar preiudice , and vindicate Thee from the Lethe of obliuion . Thus Wishing to thee some lucky Genius Farewell my Muse : and think 't a shame to rush Into the world and seene there once , to blush .

NAVMACHIA , Or the Poeticall Description of a Bloody Sea-fight . AS the Sun once lift vp his burning Lampe On top of hils , and fiery steeds gan stampe Along the blew-floor'd skie , the Charriotier Made his firce horses run a full Carreir : He whipt 'em on , so that their blood there shed , Made the cleare Balcon of the East looke red . He posted on as if he meant not stay To make a Summer , but a winters day : Or as if he had wager'd that his teame , Sooner than wont should souze in western streame : The steeds themselues with speed vnvsuall flie , As frighted at this sea-bred Prodigie . There came along cutting deepe Neptunes brow , A misty masse , to call 't I know not how : Whether a running Towne , or wauing Wood , Or moouing Delos tumbling on the Flood , Which seene a farre scud on the watry way , Prodigious Affrick seemd , or Asia . Who getting Neptunes Pas-port , came to see Their Sister Europe in her brauery . At whose approch the curled billowes rore , And as it comes fearefully roll before . Th' oppressed tower-like Whales lie bellowing vnder , That Neptune seemes t' vsurpe his brothers thunder . The silent Fish presaging future bloud , Against their kind run frighted into th' mud : And had they wings , would from the Sea haue broken , And but for churlish nature would haue spoken To manifest their feare , yet what they might , They fled apace to shun the dreadfull sight . And flying from the Sea in trembling shiuers , With their thicke sholes pester'd the lesser riuers . The Oceans King feeling such weight on 's backe , With leaning on his Trident made it cracke . Had it not been immooveable , they say , The earth this time would faine haue fled away . Th' amazed shore as the fleet neere sounds , Almost forgot to keep 's ordained bounds . The earth and shore so trembling , you 'd ha sayd , Feare , not inclosed winds , this Earth-quake made . Fame with her feet on earth , and head i' th' spheares , With wings plum'd full of wonderment and feares , Flies ore the land , and forth her rumours blazes , And with increasing dire reports amazes . The stoutest courages still as she goes , Sh' augments the power and valour of the foes . Tel's of strange engines , instruments , and whips , Framed to act their cruelty , and ships Prodigious bigge , vizards , and murthering Kniues , Butcherly malls for slaughter , Halters , Giues , And all the men like Giants : Thus she flies Increasing still the Terrour , and with lies Makes a true feare : and ere it was well spide , She sweares the fleet in such a place did ride . And all the men were landed : such a towne , Was battered , and such a castle downe . Another Citty without doubt was ta'ne , And at the winning of it , more men slaine Then it contain'd : Thus monstrous Fame doth range her , And maketh feare more fearefull then the danger . And thus as Fame her flying terrour doubles , Each diuers state is wract with d●uers troubles . Great men doe feare that they here-by shall fall , Which the poore man doth hope to rise withall . The peaceable do hereby feare annoyment , The needy Ding-thrift hereby hopes imployment . The Coward this way feareth he shall die : The valiant looke for immor●ality . The louing Wife doth feare her Husbands life , And he as much is troubled for his Wife . Stout old men wish that they were young againe , Base young men wish that they in age were ta'ne : Women for feare weepe out their tender eyes , Dumpe Infants almost answer to their cryes . In all the disagreement , which is here , They all agree in this , that all doe feare . The Beacons now were fir'd : as if the flame Euen here a contrarity did claime Against the water , whose prodigious light , Men feard on land , as in a stormy night The Sailers feare Orion , which but seene , Pronounces vnto Mariners , the teene Of angry clouds . And now those noble Spirits , Whose onely ayme is by their haughty merits To out-liue fate , and for their Countries good Thinke it a glory to powre forth their blood , Meete all together , as deuote to giue Their owne liues that their Countrymen may liue . Thus in all ages , and we still may trie Of life the worthi'st , readiest are to die . Who hasting to their ships in speed , begin To shew the aduerse party should not win Without resistance , shewing there were made Men as well to defend as to invade . Our Admirall breath 's forth a stout All-arme , The aduerse fleet Ecchoed rebounding , Arme. As when by sound of hollow brasse , or tin The scatterd bees , buzzing with murmurous din , Throng in one heape , to some well-branched tree , Leauing their sweet , and harmelesse the every ; And so by craft betray'd , are in a trice Captiu'd all in their narrow Edifice . Thus at their Captaines voice , the vulgar sort To their assigned stations resort ; With quicke confused hast the tumult 's led , And speed , by too much speed , is hindered . All to their charge with trembling boldnes run , With quaking hand one charges first his Gun , Another girds his threatning sword on 's side ; Some clasps their steelie Helmets ; sheilds are tied On trembling armes apace , that one might then Haue thought th' had been all mouing Iron men . And now the Martiall steely-pointed staues Were snatch't in hast : the heauy murdring Glaues : Bowes bent to slaughter : weighty Courtelaxe : And Darts Death's Harbingers ; the black bill , axe . And other armes which before rusting stood , But now are brought forth to be skour'd with blood . Our saile-wing'd fleet launcheth fro' th' shore now eased Of it's dread burden , nor was th' earth more pleased To see from her one hideous terrour past , That grieu'd to see another come as fast . One might haue thought the battell was begun To see how Neptune first was thorough run , How the sterne brasse his curled forehead tore , And trembling waues were strucke by cruell oare . Each Fleet the Captaines had deuided soone , Into the formes of the halfe-circled Moone ; But as their furious hornes together met , These two halfe-moones a full Moone did beget ; Which like to that in Heauen , as it did goe , Made the fleet waters strangely Ebbe and Flow. Now as with proud aduance they neerer came , Those beasts which gaue the saile-rul'd vessels name , With an aspect more grim than is their life , As breathing nought but bate , and balefull strife , Come fiercely forward all , as if from thence They meant to moue their painted Residence . The Lyon , Elephant , and sauage Hogge , The Libard , Tygre , Ounce , and cruell Dogge Sternely affront each other , one might guesse In midst of Sea a sauage Wildernesse , Wherein with admiration , one might see So many a fierce wild beast , so many a Tree . But now our valiant Generall traversing About the fleet encourag'd them , rehearsing This speech , wherein he brauely did exhort To th' Fight , which ready cut th' Oration short . Courage braue friends , and that is all I pray , Strength cannot want , where Courage leads the way , But what need I th' vndaunted hearts excite , Of them whose eies me thinks already fight ; Looke as ye doe , and ye shall neuer need Weapons , or hands to make your foes to bleed . Your look's shall strike 'em dead , and warlike sight Shall put your fearefull enemies to flight . What ere ye aime at , heere before you lie , Honour , Reuenge , Spoile , Riches , Victorie : Which if they mooue not , see your Natiue Land , Your Nurse , your Mother , see how she doth stand Afarre to marke , which of you best shall render The Meed of Nurture , who shall best defend her , Them will she honour ; brauely then driue backe This vast Sea-monster , which is come to racke Your Nursses entrailes , com't but once to Land , The very Earth will be affraid to stand It 's cruell brunt , whither if reach it can , The blood and teares will make an Ocean Deeper than this : I see 'em now repaire ( O let my Omen vanish into aire . ) Vnto our Land ; see how like Wolues they rage About the coasts , sparing nor sex , nor age . See how they pull strong wals of Citties downe , Leauing the men as naked as the Towne . They raze your sacred Temples , and not leaue A hallowed place , where after ye may heaue Your hands for aide to heav'n : Your Altars frames , These wicked wretches , with prophaned flames Sacrifice to their anger ; yea they dare To open Ghostly Tomb's , and thence lay bare Your Ancestors sad Coffins : whose dead ashes Instead of teares , their Childrens blood be-dashes . They dragge our ancient Parents vnto slaughter , Answering their dying grones with cruell laughter . Our younger Wiues and Sisters they deflour , And basel● make our neerest kinsmen , our Most hated foes ; our tender infants rawle Scarce borne , being borne vnto their funerall . These things , which , heav'n be thank't , I but suppose , Vnlesse yee helpe will once aduance our foes . Say that our Nauy be farre lesse than theirs , Haue not great ships , amids their swift carriers Beene staid by little Remoraes : Then on , And let not this cold Element , whereon We are to fight , quench those couragious flames Which burne in euery manly brest , that aimes At immortality , but strike so sterne , That the dumbe fishes may heereafter learne To speake your praises , and each waue report Vnto it's neighbour , in how valiant sort Ye fought , till that the Oceans vtmost bound , And farthest Thule with your fame shall sound : Yea that the Sun , when he at night shall presse This way , may goe and tell th' Antipodes What acts he saw ; nor yet of ayd despaire , The Sea it selfe , if need shall aske , will spare A thousand of his streaming arm 's for you , All fish prooue sword-fish to fight for our due . Thinke for no refuge heere to flie , your hand Not feet must bring you backe againe to land : No longer will the time with vs dispence , What my speech wants , my sword shall recompence . Now 'twixt a thousand liues , a thousand death 's Of time one little winged minute breath 's The loud-mouth'd Gun , onely expects the fire , At touch of which , as burnt , it should expire It 's skrieking voice , groning that so much death Should be accomplish't by th' infectious breath Of it's dire mouth ; Darts ready are to part To hide their heads in some ill fortun'd hart . Arrowes , and Muskets leuel'd , seeme to kill , Before they can in act , in fierie will . One might haue thought viewing this fearefull sight , 'T had bin the picture of a Navall Fight . But harke th' amazing signes of battell sound , Making the lands remote , and rockes rebound : The shrill voic't Trumpet and couragious drum , In barbarous language bid the foes to come . Death's horrid vizar now begins t' appeare , In their pale faces ; terrour , and gastly feare In their amazed hearts doth panting rise , And future blood bath's in their fiery eyes . Sterne Cruelty aduanceth in their lids , With headlong fury stalking in the mids : Apelles present here or one so skil'd , Might haue made pictures hence that would haue kil'd . The thundring Ord'nance now began to rent Th' amazed aire , the flames before it sent , Seeme lightning , and as deadly bullets flie : Prodigious haile seem'd to powre downe the skie , Smoake made a clowdy mist , and all together Seeme on the sea to make tempestuous weather . To call for ayd here , stands as much instead , As in that place , when from a doubtfull head . The seauen-mouth'd Nilus , with a desperate shocke , Headlong doth tumble from th' amazed rock ; Making the people on the neighbouring shelues , That hearing him , they cannot heare themselues ; Thus the fights noyse made many a man to fall In troublous death , a silent Funerall . Alas those Elements which vse t' vp hold Our crazy liues , with their iust heate , and cold , Making compact our bodies constitution , Striue now to cause it 's vtter dissolution The quicke and piercing fire , as it doth burne Their wofull carkasses , doth freezing turne Their minds to quaking feare , and I hill despaire , The liquid , flitting , and all-searching aire Admitts remorsles shot , and murdring darts Denying breath at last to coole their harts . The theevish water though it ran away With suttle shifts , did notwithstanding slay And swallow most , with a deuouring flood , Onely poore earth , starke , still , astonished stood . Who viewing this would not haue thought a wonder That without raine , wind , lightning , haile , or thunder Or hidden shelues , or rocks sea-ambusht back Or any temrest , ships should suffer wrack ? That one might heere haue term'd it , choose you whether A strong Calme , or calme tempestuous wether . See winged arrowes posting through the skie How quicke they hast froth ' battells rage to flie The trembling speares , as souldiers doe them shake , Seeme at their Maisters dangrs that they quake : The flashing swords , which sheathed once they ware , Seeme now to feare , being vnarm'd and bare . But now each fleet , each ship with hope-full pride Clash altogether , furious , side to side . As when two winds in blacke tempestuous wether , With boistrous wings impetuous meete together With their vntamed and resistles iustle , Making high turrets shake , and cedars rustle , Where in light shirmish they remaine contending , Till out of breath th' are faine to make an ending Now death 's at hand , and night together keepe Cleare life , and dreadfull death's blacke iron sleepe , Fierce rage , sad griefe , blind Fury now grow higher , Good cause when sence of touch and hearing nigher Men now with men contend , and ships with ships , One body 'gainst another ; here one skips Into his enemies deck , but beaten back He leaps to 's owne , of which if so he lacke , He fall's in sea ; much like a wave , whose head By vrging winds vnto the shore is led , And thence by brest of the oft-drowned shore Taking a blunt repulse , for spight doth rore , And staggering runs backe ; and is this all Ambition aymes at , in the way to fall ? Their tired sences labour'd in such wise , That they grew dull with too much excercise Their troubled eyes , viewing such gastly sights , Wisht that sad darkenesse cancell'd all their hights : That horrid noise the battell made , was such , Hearing heard nothing , ' cavse it heard so much Tast is of death , ranke blod pollutes the smell , What feeling felt they all did feele too well . Such a confusion racks their senses here Th' had Reason now to wish they sencelesse were . Grim death in purple , stalkes vpon the hatches , With pale and griesly lookes see how he snatches Hundreds a once vnto him , till the dreary Lean-face't ill-favord Death of death grew weary . See on the sea how thousand Bodies float From their great ships hasting to Charons Boat , Which crabbed Skuller now might thinke it meet His old-torne Boate should be new-chang'd a Fleet. The tumults noise pierc't the blew-arched skie The chrystall Aire fill'd with a deadly crie , Onely in this was blest , as blowes abounded , It could be euer cut , yet neuer wounded . The silent Earth glad that shee was debarr'd From this sad Fight , yet inwardly was heard The dreadfull strokes rebounding loud , to mone And Eccho made her yeeld a hollow grone , But this cause chiefly made her most to raue , That to her due the sea should prooue a graue . Neuer did strong-breath't Aeolus disturbe The sea so much , When he can hardly curbe His madding pages , when they raging muster To quarrell with the waues , or whistling bluster Among the well-set trees , and branched bowgh's Singing through chinks of some decayd house : Nor sterne Orion with his stormy light Appalling shipmen , doth so much affright The soone moov'd sea , as did this battels noise , Which Neptune answer'd with his bellowing voice , Who as the Fleet 's vrg'd neerer to the strand Which tumbling pace , ran frighted vp the sand , That had not bounds restrain'd his element , His watery vaile had cloth'd the Continent . The fearefull winds on th' Ocean durst not rome , But least they should be smother'd kert at home . And there sat sighing : Clouds their rane doe keepe , Though ready at the battells sight to weepe , Least their pure drops with gore-blood should be staind So that no winds blew , nor from heauen it rain'd ; Maruaile not yet at tempests on the flood So many teares stream'd , and such streames of blood , Nor without winds are waues to be admir'd , So many grones and dyings brea'ths expir'd . The Oceans skaly , silent wandring nation Seeing pale armed troups inuade the station Of their vast kingdome , downe the sanguine flood Fearefully glide , fearing their future food . The tender Nymph's who with their siluer feete Vse on the plaines of crisped Thetys meete , Where tripping prettely th' are wont to dance Themselues , into a heauenly slwmbring trance Of sweet repose , at these in humane shocks With haire all torne creepe into th' hollow rockes Wher shrouded they to meditate began , No rocke so flinty as the heart of man , The rocks though alwaies struck by waters fury , The rockes yet patient beare this iniury ; Yea Thetis selfe whose woombe enriched bare That fearefull Thunder of the Troian war Stubborne Achilles , who in fight did win Such glory , wisht that warr 's had neuer bin . So she , with all her trembling watery peers Augment the brinish sea , with brinish teares . Ships now begin to burne , that one might see Neptunes and Vulcans consangunity Yea now these ships , which free from water stood , Strangly begin to sinke with humane blood , Which as from thence with fearefull gush it ran , Fill'd vp the wrinkles of the Ocean , Making with purpose gastly gored hue , Of one Red sea which was before , now two : Which sea so full of Dead , it hence might come Well to be called , Mare Mortuum . The quaking ships with murmuring guns are rent , Whose wounded sides the gored streames doe vent Of dead and wounded men , who lay therein , As if they had their Beeres or coffin's bin : They lay therein and as the ships did goe Seem'd bloody , bloodles , dead , and mooving too . The furious fire with flames doth vndermine The towring Mast , made of the lofty Pine , So that same tree which oft hight's Nuptiall's , Now Cypresse-like doth burne at Funerall's . And eaten by the galling flames , at last Fall's downe the huge , high , heauy weighted Mast , And as great things are wont , fell not alone Killing a troupe nor of it's foes , but owne . The tacklings , sail 's , and cables now doe burne , And fire casts Anchors , neuer to returne . About their eares the whistling bullets sung , And wandring wild-fire made th' affrighted throng Croud into corners speedily , and they That durst stand men , to sensles fire giue way . As when with in the fat Trinacriansoile , Inflamed Aetna doth begin to boile , When nak't Pyracmon , with his round-ey'd fellowes , Sweatinh heaue vp their huge strong-breathed bellowes , Thundring vpon their steeled Anviles top To furnish armour for their smoaky shop ; Their pondrous hammers , and redoubling , makes Enceladus belch out his sulph'ry flakes Of veng-full wrath , then may you see blackesmoke Vomiring out , wrapt , in a pitchy cloke , And the hard bowels of the mountaine , torne By fetter'd fire , with a strange bounding borne Vp to the cloulds , whose fearefull fall to shun , The neighbouring people with a maz'ment , run To shroudin'g Dens , hiding them closely vnder , Fearing from high , and from below a thunder . Then did th' inhumane battels fury rage , Nor could the sea th' increasing flames asswage . And Mars himselfe , in Adamantine armes , With a hoarse voice rores out against all-armes , He that would now haue travailed to hell , Might haue seene weary sweating Charon well In feruent labour , with his mossy oares Tugging pale shaddowes to th' ore-swarmed shores ; Which on the bancks as they lamenting crept , Wailing Cocytus in compassion wept . Acheron flow'd with griefe , and as they say , Lethe it selfe could neuer forget this day , The Furies whin'd , by Plutoes Iudgement cast , Who sware their rage was farre by men surpast , One coming heere might tired Clotho spie , How she could fearse her weary arm 's apply To turne the wheele ; and Lachesis repine Who sware she could not threds of mortalls twine So fast as they were cut ; you might haue seene Atropos raging with remorsles teene And seeking each where for some greetty stone To whet her sheeres , whose edge was dulled growne With too much cutting of their fatall thread , Whose haples liues this gastfull battell shed . Fire now and water did not each contend , But seeme their power so mutually to lend , That at this time there many a one became Burn't in the sea and drowned in the flame . This one good hap to carkasses did fall , Th' had fire to burn 'em at their funerall . The mangled ships not fearing to be drencht , Gladly take breaches , thereby to be quencht . But now thou Tisiphonc , infernall Muse Rouzing thy selfe from Stygian sleepe , peruse The various Images of dreary Fate Hapning in this sad Fight , and Intimate Them to my mind , which well , I thinke , agree , Not with a sweete , and heauenly Muse , but thee . Th' Industrious Pilot sitting at the sterne , Where in a little card , he can discerne The vast vncertainetie of Neptunes haunt Ruling swift ships by powerfull Adamant , Here as he sits retir'd , and watchfull minds The frequent change of two and thirty winds Comes an vnruly shot , and him doth force To certaine death , change his vncertaine course , So he that wont stern blasts in truce to bind , Could not foresee when he should loose his wind , From stormes , and Mists of Death he could not free Himselfe , who wont the Tempests curbe , but he Who bearding Neptune , vs'd on th' Ocean float , Is now controll'd in Charons little boat . The Master ranging vp and downe the Deck , And wounded mortally , to him doth beck His Mate , who hasting to his ayd in vaine Is there together with the Maister slaine , And at once ended with him his liues Date , Proouing himselfe truely the Masters Mate . The Trumpetter , with braue reuiuing sound Quickning their dying harts , is fell'd to th' ground , And as in 's mouth he still the brasse did wield , His dying breath made it a dead march yeeld , And hauing lent his Trumpet so much breath In 's life , it turn'd him some againe at 's death . The Drummer with his nimble hand repeating His doubled blowes , without compassion beating His harmlesse drum , which seem'd with groning cry To murmur at his Maisters cruelty , Sodenly two rash bullets rudely come Tearing both skin of drumer , and the Drum , Drummer of life , of sound the Drum 's bereft : So Drum , and Drummer both are speechles left . The Gunner as with nimble hast he runs To fire his seldome-vaine-reporting Guns , His head a leaden-winged bullet hits And his hard braine-pan into peeces splits , He of a thousand this alone might vaunt , That of his death he was not ignorant , And this true riddle might of him abide , He liued once by 's Death , by 's life now dide . Here comes a Captaine , with vndaunted face , Encouraging his souldiers to the Chace , And being about to say , be braue and bold , An vntaught bullet rudely bids him hold , And as death's mist in his dull eyes did wander , Beseeching ayd he left to be commander , And he whose voice from fainting thought to call them , By 's dying grone doth fearefully apall them : This leader faithfull to his vtmost breath Can onely now lead them the way to Death . See how to steale the wauing flagg , one climbs Vp by the cards , but being espied betimes Tangled i' th' ropes , he is of life bereft , And so is hang'd for his intended Theft . But the cords burnt wherin his leggs were bound , He gets a Pirats death both hang'd and drown'd . Some vnder hatches closed , in despaire Mount vp their foes with powder into the aire , Which done it seem'd a strange prodigious sight A troupe of armed men to maske the light : It seemeth yet that they no damage meant 'em , Who the next way vp into heauen sent 'em Making them flie , beyond Dae dalian skill , In the vast aire , without a winged quill , Giuing to them a strange vnwonted death , Who hauing aire too much yet wanted breath . See see the lot of sad Mortality , Our chiefest help 's , helpe oft to Miserie , Some men who came secure from future harmes Inroll'd in well-proou'd steely clothed armes . Fall by mischance into the sea 's dire hand , Whence being vnarm'd they might haue sworn to land : Their armes doe sinke , and without mercy end 'em So kill'd by that which chiefly should defend 'em . One with his Musket ready to giue fire Aymes at another aduerse Muskettier , But his match missing fire , hee 's forc't to die By the others matches true fidelity , By which he di'de , can scarc'ly well be knowne , Whether by th' others Musket or his owne . See there a Coward wanting heart t' abide The daunting face of the fierce aduerse side , Slinketh behind the next , not caring whither , Comes a mad shot , and kill 's 'em both together ; Praise him in this , for though his life outdar'd him To equall th' other , yet his death compar'd him . Neuertheles if truly ye doe mind him , As in his life , in 's death he came behind him . One seeming now his side begin to faile Shew's them their colours , while himselfe lookes pale , Sure by this man some Omen ill was showne , To keepe their colours , who could loose his owne . Those men who chanced in the ships to fall The cruell sea was made their buirall . And into th' waues without remorse were throwne , Poore men , slaine by their foes , drownd by their owne . A Fisherman who nigh them cut the Maine Sitting in 's boate was with a bullet slaine , And the barke fir'd wherein he dead did fall . Which gratis , burnt , gaue him his Funerall True to thy Maister , kind boat , who with him Didst oft in life , and now in death do'st swim With him aliue in water that didst tire Thy waue-beat sides , dy'st now with him in fire . Yet me thinks thou shouldest not deserue this turne Who so oft plung'd with him which shouldest burne , Yet saile with him t' Elysium , saile the faster , In Carons stead that thou maist waft thy Maister , Strang Boat which thus we not amisse may call His Life , Death , Charon and his Funerall . A Noble man that was a Renegate , While he against his King doth boldly prate , A shot takes off his head , as if t were reason That he should be beheaded for his Treason . A baser fellow while he dares complaine And raile against his once owne Soveraigne , A true Liege-man , as he thus boldly brags , Striketh him vp , and his vile body drags About the ship , and while he vainely begs , Remosles cutteth off his armes and legs , And thinking then to throw him in the tide Hee 's caught vpon an Anchor on the side , That one beholding rightly might haue sed , He iustly was hang'd , drawne , and quartered . Some fearing swords , into the sea doe flie , And so for feare of death , feare not to die . Some fall into the Ocean stain'd with gore , Which from their former wounds had gusht before , Which kill'd not them , as it from them was spil'd , But entring into them againe , th' are kil'd . Heeres one about to strike , his foe doth fall Into the sea , before he can recall His erring stroke , striking the sea to stay him , The Ocean in revenge o' th blow doth slay him . One fearing death doth faine to die and bleed , And while he is in faining , dies indeed . Another being about to strike his foe Looseth at once his arme and threatning blow : His left arme shiuering , reaches at the other , But cut atwaine , lies with it's equall Brother , Both ioyn'd , though both devided , as in spight Of Death , they meant to part their last good-night , By shaking hands : the miserable truncke As loth to part , fainting vpon them sunke . One seeing them together thus , might say , There a whole bodie , all in peeces lay . See two with sturdy grapple , striuing whether Should overcome , both fall in sea together ; Embracing both till they haue lost their breath , And seeme though foes in life , yet friends in death . Two brothers slaine , as they together stood , One then might sweare , they were allied in blood . Other two , who so nigh resembling , were A lov'd mistake vnto the parents deare , ( Cruell death sever'd them ) and that one left Poore parents knew , of errour now bereft : He left eternall cause of griefe renewes , Who still aliue , still his dead brother shew's : And yet to them this comfort still he giues , Th' one cannot die , so long as th' other liues . The wounded souldiers , now that all else failes , To stop their wounds , doe teare their woful sailes : Poore men who after they were overthrowne Had torne those wings , wherby they might haue flown . One with his bleeding ready to expire , Thinks with his blood , to quench the ship on fire : And so in mids of flames he bleeding stands , Tearing new wounds with his kind cruell hands . And grieu'd to see his blood so little profit , He oft adds teares to helpe the quenching of it . Till at last fainting he is faine to fall , Into the sea , which made his Funerall : And bleeding in it from each mangled lim , He quenched it , and it extinguish't him . See a poore wretch with both armes cut asunder , Distracted leapt into the water vnder Meaning to swim , but see the wofull wretch With how much toile he laboureth to stretch His raw-veind stumps , which for his armes before Gush nothing now , but streames of deadly gore : Faine would he catch t' vphold his wavering life Some kind remaine o' th ship , but all his strife Doth make him sooner to be out of breath , And wanting armes he yet embraces death . One getteth this , by hauing lost his eies , In that he cannot see his miseries , Anothers legges are gone , that who him sees Might thinke he did begge pardon on his knees . What refuge now is left ? when if they shun Th' approaching sword , into the fire they run : Shunning the fire , they into waterfall , So no way wants a certaine Funerall . Thus after strange vnheard of sort they lie , And death , by many deaths , makes one man die . The mangled ships no longer can withstand Th' intruding sea , and Mars his fiery brand ; But sinking downward one might then haue thought Them gone t' helpe Charon to waft ore his fraught . The conquer'd fleet prickt now with desperate stings Of horror , wish their army did of wings Onely consist ; but now as if it stood Tyed with fast anchors to the stubborne flood Mooues not away , but void of all instruction , Venter their owne , to hasten the destruction Of their once Maisters , who into corners creepe , As among Wolues , a flocke of trembling sheepe . Much like a silly Doue , whose broken wing Hath tried the Talons of the aiery King , And lieth panting on the bloody ground Striving to flie from 's enemies rebound . Alas poore bird , it wants that winged oare Which should it's wonted scape to it restore : And so at length with silent patience crouching , It 's made a prey to the fierce bird encroching . Thus fleet and bird lie i' th same wofull plight , Whose onely wish is to be put to flight . The Sunne no longer could endure to see 'Mongst humane men such inhumanity : Therefore his Horses , bathing in their fome , With posting speed hast to their watrie home . Where yet a while they all amazed flood , Finding in stead of Sea , a Sea of Blood . FINIS .