The crowne of all Homers workes Batrachomyomachia or the battaile of frogs and mise. His hymn's - and - epigrams translated according to ye. originall by George Chapman Battle of the frogs and mice. English. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A03505 of text S119240 in the English Short Title Catalog (STC 13628). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 222 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 103 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2018 A03505 STC 13628 ESTC S119240 99854447 99854447 19869 2240899305

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Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A03505) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 19869) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 667:8) The crowne of all Homers workes Batrachomyomachia or the battaile of frogs and mise. His hymn's - and - epigrams translated according to ye. originall by George Chapman Battle of the frogs and mice. English. Passe, Willem van de, 1598-ca. 1637, engraver. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. Homer, attributed name. [12], 143, 148-179, [1], 201-207, [5] p. Printed by Iohn Bill, his Maiesties printer, London : [1624?] "Batrachomyomachia" was attributed in antiquity to Homer, but is probably of a much later date. The hymns and epigrams are not by Homer. In verse. The title page is engraved and signed "Will: Pass: fecit". Variant: title page in an earlier state, with "worckes". Publication date conjectured by STC. The first leaf is blank. With a two-leaf epilogue. Identified as STC 13628a on UMI microfilm. Reproduction of the original in the Folger Shakespeare Library. eng eebo The crowne of all Homers workes Batrachomyomachia or the battaile of frogs and mise. His hymn's - and - epigrams translated according to ye. originall [no entry] 1624 206 38295 235 0 0 0 0 0 61.37 D The rate of 61.37 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the D category of texts with between 35 and 100 defects per 10,000 words. 2002-08 Assigned for keying and markup 2002-09 Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2002-10 Sampled and proofread 2002-10 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2002-12 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion

the CROWNE of all HOMERS WORKES Batrachomyomachia Or the ( Battaile of Frogs and Mise . His Hymn's — and — Epigrams Translated according to yᵉ . Originall By George Chapman .

London , Printed by Iohn Bill , his MAIESTIES Printer .

TO MY EVER MOST-WORTHIE-TO-BE-MOST HONOR'D LORD , THE EARLE OF SOMERSET , &c. NOt forc't by fortune ; but since your free minde ( Made by affliction ) rests in choice resign'd To calme Retreate ; laid quite beneath the winde Of Grace , and Glory : I well know , my Lord , You would not be entitl'd to a word That might a thought remoue from your Repose , To thunder and spit Flames , as Greatnesse does ; For all the Trumps , that still tell where he goes . Of which Trumps , Dedication being One , Me thinks I see you start to heare it blowne . But this is no such Trump as summons Lords , Gainst Enuies steele , to draw their leaden swords , Or gainst Hare-lipt Detraction , Contempt , All which , from all Resistance stand exempt , It being as hard to seuer Wrong from Merit , As meate-indude , from blood ; or blood from spirit . Nor in the spirits Chariot rides the soule In bodies chaste , with more diuine controule ; Nor virtue shines more in a louely Face ; Then true desert , is stuck off with Disgrace . And therefore truth it selfe that had to blesse The merit of it all , Almightinesse ; Would not protect it , from the Bane and Ban Of all Moodes most distraught , and Stygian ; As counting it the Crowne of all Desert , Borne to Heauen , to take of Earth , no part Of false Ioy here , for Ioyes-there-endlesse troth , Nor sell his Birthright for a messe of Broth. But stay and still sustaine , and his Blisse bring , Like to the hatching of the Black-thornes spring , With bitter frosts , and smarting haile-stormes forth ; Fates loue Bees labors ; onely Paine crownes Worth . This Dedication calls no Greatnes then , To patrone this Greatnes-creating Penn ; Nor you to add to your dead calme a breath ; For those arm'd Angells , that in spight of death Inspir'd those flowrs that wrought this poets wreath Shall keepe it euer , Poesies steepest Starr , As , in Earths flaming wals , Heauens seuenfold Carr , ( From all the windes of Neptunes watrie sphere ) For euer guards the Erymanthian Beare . Since then your Lordship , settles in your shade A life retir'd ; and no Retreate is made But to some strength ; ( for else , t is no Retreate , But rudely running from your Battailes heate ) I giue this , as your strength : your strength , my Lord , In Counsailes and Examples , that afford More Guard , then whole Hosts of corporeal powre , And more deliuerance , teach the fatall Howre . Turne not your medcine then , to your disease , By your too set , and sleight repulse of these , The Adiuncts of your matchlesse Odyss●s ; Since on that wisest minde of Man , relies Refuge from all Liues Infelicities . Nor sing these , such diuision from them ; But that these spinn the thred of the same streame , From one selfe Distaffs stuff : for Poesies Pen ( Through al theames ) is t' informe the liues of Men : All whose Retreates , neede strengths of all degrees ; Without which ; ( had you euen Herculean knees ; ) Your foes fresh Charges , would , at length preuaile , To leaue your Noblest suff'rance , no least saile . Strength then , the Obiect is of all Retreates ; Strength needes no friends trust ; strength , your foes defeates . Retire to strength then , of eternall things , And y' are eternall ; for our knowing Spring 's Flow into those things that we truely know ; Which ( being Eternall ) we are render'd so . And though your high-fixt Light passe infinite farr Th' aduicefull Guide , of my still-trembling Starr ; Yet heare what my dischardg'd Peece must foretell , Standing your Poore , and Perdue Sentinell . Kings may perhaps wish , euen your Beggars Voice To their Eternities ; how skorn'd a choice Soeuer , now it lies ; And ( dead I ) may Extend your life to lights extreamest Raie . If not ; your Homer yet , past doubt shall make , Immortall , like himselfe , your Bounties stake Put in my hands , to propagate your Fame , Such virtue reigns in such vnited Name . Retire to him then , for aduice , and skill To know , things call'd worst , Best ; and Best most ill . A fimile illustrating the most renownd seruice of Generall Noris in his Retreate before Gant , neuer before made sacred to Memorie . Which knowne ; truths best chuse ; and retire to still . And as our English Generall , ( whose Name Shall equall interest finde in T'House of Fame , With all Earths great'st Commanders ) in Retreate To Belgian Gant , stood all Spaines Armies heate , By Parma led ; though but one thousand strong : Three miles together thrusting through the throng Of Th' enimies Horse , ( still pouring on their Fall Twixt him & home ) & thunderd through them al : The Gallick Monsiour standing on the wall , And wondring at his dreadfull Discipline ; Fir'd with a Valor , that spit spirit Diuine : In fiue Battaillons randging all his Men ; Bristl'd with Pikes , and flanck't with Flanckers ten ; Gaue fire still in his Rere , retir'd and wrought , Downe to his fixt strength still : retir'd and ●ought ; All the Battaillons of the Enemies Horse Storming vpon him still , their fieriest Force ; Charge vpon Charge laid fresh : he fresh as day Repulsing all ; and forcing glorious way Into the Gates ; that gaspt ( as swounes for Ayre ) And tooke their life in , with vntoucht Repaire : So fight out ( sweet Earle ) your Retreate in Peace ; No ope-warr equalls that , where priuie Prease Of neuer-numberd odds of Enimie Arm'd all by Enuie , in blinde Ambush lie , To rush out , like an open threatning skie , Broke al in Meteors round about your eares . Gainst which , ( though far from hence ) through al your Reres Haue fires prepar'd ; wisdome , with wisdome flanck , And all your forces randge in present ranck ; Retiring as you now fought in your strength , From all the Force laid , in times vtmost length , To charge , and basely , come on you behind . The Doctrine of all which , you here shall finde , And , in the true Glasse of a humane Minde . Your Odysses ; the Body letting see All his life past , through Infelicitie , And manage of it all . In which to friend , The full Muse brings you both the prime and end Of all Arts ambient in the Orbe of Man ; Which neuer darknesse most Cimmerian Can giue Eclipse ; since ( blinde ) He all things sawe And to all , euer since , liu'd Lord , and Lawe . And though our mere-learn'd men ; & Modern wise Taste not poore Poesies Ingenuities , Being crusted with their couetous Leprosies ; But hold her paines , worse then the spiders worke , And lighter then the shadowe of a Corke ; Yet th' ancient learn'd ; heat with celestiall fire , Affirmes her flames so sacred and entire ; Vt non fine Maximo fa●●re Dei comparari n●queat . Pla. in Ioue . That , not without Gods greatest grace she can Fall in the wid'st Capacitie of Man . If yet , the vile Soule of this Verminous time ; Loue more the Sale-Muse ; and the Squirrels chime , Then this full sphere of Poesies sweetest Prime ; Giue them vnenuied , their vaine veine , and vent ; And rest your wings , in his approu'd ascent That yet was neuer reacht ; nor euer fell Into affections bought with things that sell Being the Sunns Flowre ; and wrapt so in his skie , He cannot yeeld to euery Candles eye . Whosemost worthy Discoueries , to your Lordships Iudiciall Perspectiue in most subdude Humilitie submitteth , George Chapman .
The occasion of this Impos'd CROWNE .

AFter this not onely Prince of Poets , but Philosophers , had written his two great Poems , of Iliads & Odysses ; which ( for their first Lights borne before all Learning ) were worthily call'd the Sunne and Moone of the Earth ; ( finding no compensation ) he writ , in contempt of Men , this ridiculous Poem of Vermin , giuing them Nobility of Birth , valorous elocution not inferior to his Heroes . At which the Gods themselues put in amaze , call'd Counsailes about their assistance of either Armie , and the iustice of their Quarrels , euen to the mounting of ●oues Artillery against them , and discharge of his three-forckt flashes : and all for the deuouring of a Mouse . After which sleight and onely recreatiue touch , hee betooke him seriously to the honor of the Gods ; in Hymn's resounding all their peculiar Titles , Iurisdiction , and Dignities ; which hee illustrates at all parts , as he had beene continually conuersant amongst them : and whatsoeuer autentique Poe●ie he omitted in the Episods , contained in his Iliads and Odysses ; he comprehends and concludes in his Hym'ns and Epigrams . Al his obseruance and honor of the Gods , rather mou'd their enuies against him , then their rewards , or respects of his endeauours . And so like a Man verecundi ingenij ( which he witnesseth of himselfe ) he liu'd vnhonord and needie till his death ; yet notwithstanding all mens seruile and manacled Miseries , to his most absolute and neuer-equall'd Merite ; yea euen bursten profusion to Imposture and Impiety ; ●eare our-euer-the Same intranced , and neuer-sleeping Master of the Muses , to his last accent , incomparablie singing .

BATRAXOMYOMAXIA . ENtring the fields , first let my Vowes call on The Muses whole Quire out of Helicon Into my Heart ; for such a Poems sake , As lately I did in my Tables take , And put into report , vpon my knees . A fight so fierce , as might in all degrees Fit Mars himselfe , and his tumultuous hand , Glorying to dart to th' eares of euery land Of all the a a Intending Men : being diuided from all other creatures , by the voice , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being a pe●●phrasis signifying v●ce di●isus , of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 diuido , and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vox . voice-deuided ; And to show How brauely did both Froggs and Mise bestow In glorious fight their forces ; euen the deedes Daring to imitate of earths Giant-seedes . Thus then , men talkt ; this seede the strife begat : The Mouse , once drie ; and scap't the dangerous Cat ; Drench't in the neighbour lake , her tender berde , To taste the sweetnesse of the waue it rer'de . The farre-fam'de Fen-affecter ( seeing him ) said ; Ho ? Stranger ? what are you ? And whence , that tred This shore of ours ? who brought you forth ? replie , What truth may witnesse , lest I finde , you lie . If worth fruition of my loue , and me ; I le haue thee home ; and Hospitalitie Of feast , and gift ; good and magnificent Bestow on thee : For all this Confluent Resounds my Royaltie ; my Name , the great In blowne-vp count'nances ; and lookes of threat , * * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Genas & buccas infl●n● . Physignathus ; ador'd of all Frogs here All their daies durance ; And the Empire beare Of all their Beings . Mine owne Beeing , begot By royall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , qui ex luto nascitu● . Peleus ; mixt in nuptiall knot , With faire a a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Aquarum Regina . Hydromedusa ; On the Bounds Nere which b b The riuer Po , in Italie . Eridanus , his Race resounds . And Thee , mine Eie , makes my Conceipt enclinde To reckon powerfull , both in forme , and Minde : A Scepter-bearer ; And past others farre , Aduanc't in all the fiery Fights of warre . Come then , Thy race , to my renowne commend . The Mouse made answer ; why enquires my friend ? For what so well , know men and Deities , And all the wing'd affecters of the skies ? c c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Gather-crum , or rauish-crum . Psycharpax , I am calld ; d d Sheare-crust . Troxartes seede ; Surnam'de the Mighty-Minded : She that free'd Mine eies from darknesse ; was e e Lick-mill . Lichomyle , King f f Bacon-flitch-deuourer , or gnawer . Pternotroctes Daughter ; shewing me Within an aged houell , the young light : Fed me with figges , and nuts ; and all the height Of varied viands . But vnfolde the cause , Why , 'gainst similitudes most equall lawes ( Obseru'd in friendship ) thou makst me thy friend ? Thy life , the waters only helpe t' extend . Mine , whatsoeuer , men are vs'd to eat , Takes part with them , at shore : their purest cheat , Thrice boulted , kneaded , and subdu'd in past , In cleane round kymnels ; cannot be so fast From my approches kept ; but in I eat : Nor Cheesecakes full , of finest Indian wheat , That f f

〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Extenso & promisso Peplo amictus .

A metaphor taken from ladies veiles , or traines , and therefore their names are here added .

Crustie-weedes weare , large as Ladies traines : g g 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Liuering puddings white skind . Lyurings , ( white-skind as Ladies : ) nor the straines Of prest milke , renneted ; Nor collups cut , Fresh from the flitch : Nor iunkets such as put Palats diuine in Appetite : nor any Of all mens delicates ; thought ne're so many Their Cookes deuise them , who each dish see deckt With all the dainties h h 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Whose common exposition is onely Varijs , when it properly signifies , Ex omni solo . all strange soiles affect . Yet am I not so sensuall , to flie Of fields embattaild , the most fiery crie : But rush out strait ; and with the first in sight , Mixe in aduenture : No man with affright Can daunt my forces ; though his bodie bee Of neuer so immense a quantitie . But making vp , euen to his bed , accesse ; His fingers ends dare with my teeth compresse : His feet taint likewise ; and so soft sease both , They shall not tast Th' Impression of a tooth . Sweet sleepe shall holde his owne , in euery eie Where my tooth takes his tartest libertie : But two there are , that alwaies , far and neare Extremely still , controule my force with feare ; ( The Cat , and Night-Hawke ) who much skathe confer On all the Outraies , where for food I erre . Together with the i i 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Angustus . streights-still-keeping Trap ; Where lurkes deceiptfull and set-spleend Mishap . But most of all the Cat constraines my feare ; Being euer apt t' assault me euery where : For by that hole , that hope saies , I shall scape , At that hole euer , she commits my Rape . The best is yet , I eat no pot-herb grasse , Nor Raddishes ; nor Coloquintida's : Nor Still-greene ; Beetes , nor Parsley : which you make Your dainties still , that liue vpon the lake . The Frog replide : Stranger ? your boasts creepe all Vpon their bellies ; though to our liues fall ; Much more miraculous meates , by lake and land : Ioue tendring our liues with a twofold hand ; Enabling vs to leape ashore for food , And hide vs strait in our retreatfull flood : Which if your will serue ; you may proue with ease . I le take you on my shoulders : which fast sease , If safe arriuall at my house y'intend . He stoopt ; and thither spritelie did ascend , Clasping his golden necke , that easie seat Gaue to his sallie : who was iocund yet ; Seeing the safe harbors of the King so nere ; And he , a swimmer so exempt from Pere . But when he sunke into the purple waue ; He mournd extremely ; and did much depraue Vnprofitable penitence : His haire ▪ Tore by the roots vp , labord for the aire , With his feet fetcht vp to his belly , close : His heart within him , panted out repose , For th' insolent plight , in which his state did stand : Sigh'd bitterly , and long'd to greete the land , Forc't by the dire Neede , of his freezing feare . First on the waters , he his taile did stere Like to a Sterne : then drew it like an ore , Still praying the Gods to set him safe ashore : Yet sunke he midst the red waues , more and more , And laid a throat out , to his vtmost height : Yet in forc'd speech , he made his perill sleight ; And thus his glorie with his grieuance stroue ; Not in such choice state was the charge of loue Borne by the Bull ; when to the Cretane shore He swumme Europa through the wauie rore ; As this Frog ferries me ; His pallid brest Brauely aduancing ; and his verdant crest ( Submitted to my seat ) made my support , Through his white waters , to his royall Court . But on the sudden did apparance make An horrid spectacle ; a water-snake Thrusting his freckeld necke aboue the lake . Which ( seene to both ) away Physignathus Diu'd to his deepes ; as no way conscious Of whom , he left to perish in his lake ; But shunn'd blacke fate himselfe ; and let him take The blackest of it : who amids the Fenn Swumme with his brest vp ; hands held vp in vaine , Cried Peepe , and perisht : sunke the waters oft , And often with his sprawlings , came aloft ; Yet no way kept downe deaths relentlesse force : But ( full of water ) made an heauie Corse . Before he perisht yet , he threatned thus ; Thou lurk'st not yet from heauen ( Physignathus ) Though yet thou hid'st here , that hast cast from thee ( As from a Rocke , ) the shipwrackt life of mee . Though thou thy selfe , no better was than I ( O worst of things ) at any facultie ; Wrastling or race : but for thy perfidie In this my wracke ; Ioue beares a wreakefull eie : And to the Hoast of Mise , thou paines shalt pay Past all euasion . This , his life let say , And left him to the waters . Him beheld , a a Lick-dish . Lichopinax ; plac't in the pleasing fielde : Who shrick't extremely ; ranne and told the Mise ; Who , hauing heard his watry destinies ; Pernicious anger pierst the hearts of all ; And then their Heralds , forth they sent to call A councell early , at Troxartes house , Sad father of this fatall shipwrack't Mouse : Whose dead Corpse , vpwards swum along the lake ; Nor yet ( poore wretch ) could be enforc'd to make The shore , his harbour ; but the mid-Maine swum : When now ( all haste made ) with first morne did come All to set councell ; in which , first rais'd head , Troxartes , angrie for his sonne ; and said ; O Friends , though I alone may seeme to beare All the infortune ; yet may all mette here Account it their case . But ti 's true , I am In chiefe vnhappy ; that a triple flame Of life , feele put forth , in three famous sonnès ; The first , the chiefe in our confusions ( The Cat ) made rape of ; caught without his hole : The second ; Man , made with a cruell soule , Brought to his ruine , with a new-found sleight ; And a most woodden engine of deceipt , They terme a Trap ; mere a a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Interfectrix . Perditrix . Murthresse of our Mise . The last that in my loue held speciall prise , And his rare mothers ; this Physignathus ( With false pretext of wafting to his house ; ) Strang l'd in chiefe deepes , of his bloudy streame . Come then ; haste all , and issue out on them , Our bodies deckt , in our Dedalean armes . This said ; his words thrust all vp in alarmes ; And Mars himselfe , that serues the cure of war ; Made all in their Appropriats circular . First on each leg , the greene shales of a Beane , They clos'd for Bootes ; that sat b b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , ab 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Elaborate concinno . exceeding cleane : The shales they broke ope , Bootehaling by night , And eat the beanes : Their Iacks ; Art exquisite Had showne in them ; being Cats-skins , euery where Quilted with quills : Their fencefull bucklers were , The middle rounds of Can'sticks ; but their speare A huge long Needle was ; that could not beare The braine of any ; but be Mars his owne Mortall inuention . Their heads arming Crowne Was vessel to the kirnell of a nut : And thus the Mise , their powers in armour put . This , the frogs hearing ; From the water , all Issue to one place ; and a councell call Of wicked war ; consulting what should be Cause to this murmure , and strange mutinie . While this was question'd ; neere them made his stand An Herald with a Scepter in his hand , ( g g Enter-pot , or Serch-pot . Embasichytrus calld ) that fetcht his kinde , From h h Cheese-miner . Qui caseum rodendo cauat . Tyroglyphus , with the mightie minde ; Denouncing ill-nam'd war , in these high termes ; O Frogs ? the Mise , sends threats to you of armes And bid me bid ye Battell ; and fixt fight ; Their eies all wounded with Psycharpax sight , Floting your waters , whom your king hath kild . And therefore all prepare for force of field , You that are best borne , whosoeuer held . This said ; he seuer'd ; his speech firing th' eares Of all the Mise ; but frees'd the Frogs with feares , Themselues conceiting guiltie ; whom the King Thus answer'd ( rising . ) Friends ? I did not bring Psycharpax to his end ; He , wantoning Vpon our waters , practising to swimme , a a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Aping or imitating vs . Ap'te vs , and drown'd ; without my sight of him . And yet these worst of Vermine , accuse me Though no way guiltie . Come , consider we How we may ruine these deceiptfull Mise . For my part ; I giue voice to this aduise ; As seeming fittest to direct our deeds . Our bodies decking with our arming weeds ; Let all our Powr's stand rais'd in steep'st repose Of all our shore ; that when they charge vs close ; We may the helms snatch off , from all so deckt , Daring our onset ; and them all direct Downe to our waters . Who not knowing the sleight To diue our soft deeps , may be strangl'd streight ; And we triumphing , may a Trophey rere , Of all the Mise , that we haue slaughter'd here . These words put all in armes ; and mallow leaues They drew vpon their leggs , for arming b b Boot's of warre . Greaues . Their Curets ; broad greene Beetes ; their bucklers were Good thick-leau'd Cabbadge ; proofe gainst any spe're . Their speares , sharpe Bullrushes ; of which , were all Fitted with long ones . Their parts Capitall They hid in subtle Cockleshels from blowes . And thus , all arm'd ; the steepest shores they chose , T'encamp themselues ; where lance with lance , they lin'd ; And brandisht brauelie ; each Frogg full of Minde . Then Ioue calld all Gods , in his flaming Throne And shewd all , all this preparation For resolute warre . These able soldiers , Many , and great ; all shaking lengthfull spe'res : In shew like Centaures ; or the Gyants Host. When ( sweetlie smiling , ) he enquir'd who , most Of all th' immortalls , pleas'd to adde their aide To Froggs or Mise : and thus to Pallas said ; O daughter ? Must not you , needs aid these Mise ? That with the Odors , and meate sacrifice Vs'd in your Temple , endlesse triumphs make ; And serue you , for your sacred victles sake ? Pallas repli'd ; O Father , neuer I Will aid the Mise , in anie miserie . So many mischiefes by them , I haue found ; a a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Lanas , eo quod colus cingant se● coronent . Which our learned sect translate eating the crownes that Pallas wore . Eating the Cotten , that my distaffs crown'd ; My lamps still banting , to deuoure the oyle . But that which most my minde eates , is their spoile Made of a veile , that me in much did stand : On which , bestowing an elaborate hand ; A fine woofe working ; of as pure a thre●d ; Such holes therein , their Petulancies fed ; That , putting it to darning ; when t' was done ; The darner , a most deare paie stood vpon For his so deare paines ; laid downe instantlie ; b b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Partus et id quod partu ●●●dit Mater . Metap . hic appellatur f●●nus quod ex vsura ad nos redit . Or ( to forbeare ) exacted vsurie . So , borrowing from my Phane , the weed I woue ; I can by no meanes , th' vsurous darner , moue To let me haue the mantle to restore . And this is it , that rubs the angrie sore Of my offence tooke , at these petulant Mise . Nor will I yeeld , the Froggs wants , my supplies , For their infirme mindes ; that no confines keepe ; For I , from warre retir'd ; and wanting sleepe ; All lept ashore in tumult ; nor would staie Till one winck seas'd myne eyes : and so I laie Sleeplesse , and pain'de with headach ; till first light The Cock had crow'd vp . Therefore , to the fight Let no God goe assistent ; lest a lance Wound whosoeuer offers to aduance ; Or wishes but their aid ; that skorne all foes ; Should any Gods accesse , their spirits oppose . Sit we then pleas'd , to see from heauen , their fight . She said ; and all Gods ioin'd in her delight . And now , both Hosts , to one field drew the iarre ; Both Heralds bearing the ostents of warre . And then the a a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 C●lex vi●arius . wine-Gnats , that shrill Trumpets sound Terriblie rung out , the encounter , round . Ioue thundred ; all heauen , sad warrs signe resounded . And first , b b Lowd-mouth . Hypsiboas , c c Kitchen-vessell licker . Lychenor wounded , Standing th' impression of the first in fight . His lance did , in his Lyuers midsts alight , Along his bellie . Downe he fell ; his face , His fall on that part swaid ; and all the grace Of his soft hayre , fil'd with disgracefull dust . Then d d Hole-dweller . Qui for 〈…〉 . Troglodytes , his thick iaueline thrust In * * Mud-borne . Pelions bosome ; bearing him to ground : Whom sad death seas'd ; his soule flew through his wound . a a Beet-deuourer . Sentlaeus next , Embasichytros slew ; His heart through thrusting : then b b The great bread-●ater . Artophagus threw His lance at c c The great Noise-maker , shrill or bigg-voic't . Polyphon ; and strooke him quite Through his midd-bellie : downe he fell vpright : And from his fayre limms , took his soule her flight . d d The lake-louer . Lymnocharis beholding Polyphon Thus done to death ; did with as round a stone As that the mill turnes ; Troglodytes wound Neare his mid-neck ; ere he his onset found : Whose eyes , sad darknes seas'd . e e Qui lambit culinaria vasa . Lychenor cast A flying dart off , and his ayme so plac't Vpon Lymnocharis ; that f f 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 intentissime dirigo , vt certum ictum inferam . Sure he thought The wound he wisht him : nor vntruely wrought The dire successe ; for through his Lyuer flew The fatall lance ; which when g g The cabbage-eater . Crambaphagus knew ; Downe the deepe waues neare shore ; he , diuing , fled ; But fled not fate so ; the sterne enimie fed Death with his life in diuing : neuer more The ayre he drew in ; his Vermilian gore Staind all the waters ; and along the shore He lay extended ; his fat entrailes laie ( By his small guts impulsion ) breaking waie Out at his wound . h h Paludis Incola . Lake-liuer . Lymnisius , neare the shore Destroid Tyroglyphus : which frighted sore The soule of i i Qui in Calamintha herba palustra habitat . Calaminth ; seeing comming on ( For wreake ) k k Bacon-eater . Pternoglyphus : who got him gon With large leapes to the lake ; his Target throwne Into the waters . l l Qui Aquit delectatur . Hydrocharis slew King m m Collup-deuourer . Pternophagus , at whose throte he threw A huge stone ; strooke it high ; and beate his braine Out at his nostrills : earth blusht , with the staine His blood made on her bosom . For next Prise ; Lichopinax , to death did sacrifice n n Mudd-●loeper . Borborocoetes faultlesse faculties ; His lance enforc't it ; darknes clos'd his eyes . On which when o o Leeke-or scalion louer . Brassophagus , cast his looke ; p p Kitchin smell , hanter , or hunter . Cnisodioctes , by the heeles he tooke ; Dragg'd him to fenn , from off his natiue ground ; Then seas'd his throte , and souc't him , till he droun'd . But now ; Psycharpax wreakes his fellows deaths ; And in the bosome of q q Fennstalker . Pelusius sheathes , ( In center of his Lyuer ) his bright lance : He fel before the Author of the chance ; His soule to hell fled . Which r r Qui per lutum it . Pelobates Taking sad note of ; wreakefully did sease His hands gripe full of mudd ; and all besmear'd ; His forhead with it so ; that scarce appeard The light to him . Which certainely incenst His fierie splene : who , with his wreake dispenst No point of tyme ; but rer'd with his strong hand A stone so massie , it opprest the land ; And hurld it at him ; when , below the knee It strooke his right legge so impetuouslie ; It peece-meale brake it ; be the dust did sease , Vpwards euerted . But a a Vociferator . Craugasides Reuendg'd his death ; and at his enimie Dischardg'd a dart ; that did his point implie In his mid-bellie . All the sharp-pil'de speare Got after in ; and did before it beare His vniuersall entrailes to the earth , Soone as his swolne hand , gaue his iaueline birth . b b Eate-corne . Sitophagus , beholding the sad sight , Set on the shore ; went halting from the fight , Vext with his wounds extremelie . And to make Waie from extreme fate , lept into the lake . Troxartes strooke , in th' insteps vpper part , Physignathus ; who , ( priuie to the smart His wound imparted ) with his vtmost hast Lept to the lake , and fled . Troxartes cast His eye vpon the foe that fell before ; And , ( see'ng him halfe-liu'de ) long'd againe to gore His gutlesse bosome ; and ( to kill him quite ) Ranne fiercely at him . Which c c Scallian-deuourer . Prassaeus sight Tooke instant note of ; and the first in fight Thrust desp'rate way through ; casting , his keene lance Off at Troxartes ; whose shield turn'd th' aduance The sharpe head made : & checkt the mortall chance . Amongst the Mise fought , an Egregiouse Young spring all ; and a close-encountring Mouse : Pure d d Bread-betraier . Artepibulus-his deare descent : A Prince that Mars himselfe shewd , where he went ( Call'd e e Scrap or broken-meat-eater . Meridarpax . ) Of so huge a might ; That onely He still , dominer'd in fight , Of all the Mouse-Host . He aduancing close Vp to the Lake ; past all the rest arose In glorious obiect ; and made vant that He Came to depopulate all the progenie Of Froggs , affected with the lance of warre . And certainely ; he had put on as farre As he aduanc't his vant ; ( he was indude With so vnmatcht a force , and fortitude ) Had not the Father , both of Gods and Men Instantly knowne it ; and the Froggs ( euen then Giuen vp to ruine ) rescude with remorse . Who , ( his head mouing , ) thus began discourse : No meane amaze , affects me to behold Prince Meridarpax , rage so vncontrold , In thirst of Frogg-blood ; all along the lake : Come therefore still ; and all addression make ; Dispatching Pallas , with tumultuous Mars , Downe to the field , to make him leaue the wars : How a a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Validus se●● potens in retinendo . Potently soeuer he be said , Where he attempts once ; to vphold his head . Mars answered ; O Ioue ; neither she nor I ( With both our aides ) can keepe depopulacie From off the Froggs . And therefore arme we all ; Euen thy lance letting brandish to his call From off the field : that from the field withdrew The Titanois ; the Titanois that slew ; Though most exempt from match , of all earths seedes So great and so inaccessible deeds It hath proclaim'd to men ; bound hand and foot , The vast Enceladus ; and rac't by th' root The race of vpland Gyants . This speech past ; Saturnius , a smoking lightening cast Amongst the armies ; thundring then so sore , That with a rapting circumflexe , he bore All huge heauen ouer . But the terrible ire , Of his dart , sent abroad , all wrapt in fire , ( Which certainely , his very finger was ) Amazde both Mise and Froggs . Yet soone let passe Was all this by the Mise : who , much the more ; Burnd in desire t'exterminate the store Of all those lance-lou'd souldiers . Which , had beene ; If , from Olympus , Ioues eye had not seene The Froggs with pittie ; and with instant speede Sent them assistents . Who ( ere any heede Was giuen to their approch ) came crawling on With a a

〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Incudes ferentes : Or Anuile-back't .

〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Incus , dicta per syncopen , quasi nullis Ictibus fatigetio .

Anuiles on their backs ; that ( beat vpon Neuer so much ) are neuer wearied , yet : Crook-pawd ; and wrested on , with foule clouen feet : b b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Forcipem in ●re habens . Tongues in their mouths : Brick-backt , all ouer bone , Broade-shoulderd ; whence a ruddie yellow shone . Distorted , and small thigh'd : had eyes that saw Out at their bosomes . Twice foure feet did draw About their bodies . Strong neckt ; whence did rise Two heads ; nor could to any hand be Prise . They call them Lobsters ; that eat from the Mise , Their tailes ; their feet ; and hands ; and wrested all Their lances from them so ; that cold Appall The wretches put in rout , past all returne . And now the Fount of light forbore to burne Aboue the earth . When ( which mens lawes commend ) Our Battaile , in one daie , tooke absolute end . The end of Homers Battaile of Frogges and Mise .
AL THE HYMNES OF HOMER . An Hymne to Apollo . I Will remember , and expresse the praise Of heauens far-darter , the faire King of daies . Whom euen the Gods themselues feare , when he goes Through Ioues high house ; and when his goodly bowes He goes to bend ; all from their Thrones arise , And cluster neare , t' admire his faculties . Onely Latona , stirs not from her seate Close by the Thunderer ; till her sonnes retreat From his dread archerie ; but then she goes ; Slackens his string ; and shuts his Quiuer close ; And ( hauing taken to her hand , his bowe , From off his able shoulders ) doth bestowe Vpon a Pinne of gold the glorious Tiller ; The Pinne of gold fixt in his Fathers Piller . Then doth she to his Throne , his state vphold ; Where his great Father , in a cup of gold Serues him with Nectar ; and shews all , the grace Of his great sonne . Then th' other gods take place . His gracious mother , glorying to beare So great an Archer , and a sonne so cleare . All haile ( O blest Latona ! ) to bring forth An issue of such All-out-shining worth , Royall Apollo , and the Queene that loues The hurles of darts . She in th' Ortygian groues , And he , in cliffie Delos ; leaning on The loftie Oros ; and being built vpon By Cynthus Prominent : that his head reares Close to the Palme , that Inops fluent cheares . How shall I praise thee ? farre being worthiest praise ? ( O Phoebus ) to whose worth , the law of layes In all kindes is ascrib'de ? If feeding flocks By Continent , or I le ; all eminen'st rocks Did sing for ioy : Hill-tops , and floods in song Did breake their billows , as they flow'd along To serue the sea . The shores , the seas , and all Did sing as soone , as from the lap did fall Of blest Latona , thee the ioy of Man . Her Child-bed made , the mountaine Cynthian In rockie Delos , the sea-circled Ile : On whose all sides , the black seas brake their Pile , And ouer-flowd for ioy , so franck a Gale The singing winds did on their waues exhale . Here borne ; all mortalls liue in thy commands . Who euer Crete holds ; Athens ; or the strands Of th' Ile Aegina ; or the famous land For ships ( Euboea : ) or Eresia ; Or Peparethus , bordring on the sea . Aegas ; or Athos , that doth Thrace diuide And Macedon . Or Pelion , with the pride Of his high forehead . Or the Samian Ile ; That likewise lies neare Thrace ; or Scyrus soile ; Ida's steepe tops . Or all that Phocis fill : Or Autocanes , with the heauen-high hill : Or populous Imber : Lemnos without Ports ▪ Or Lesbos , fit for the diuine resorts , And sacred soile of blest Aeolion . Or Chius that exceeds comparison For fruitfulnes : with all the Iles that lie Embrac't with seas . Mimas , with rocks so hie . Or Loftie-crownd Corycius ; or the bright Charos : or Aesagaeus dazeling height : Or waterie Samos ▪ Mycale , that beares Her browes euen with the circles of the spheares . Miletus ; Cous ; That the Citie is Of voice-diuided-choice humanities . High Cnidus ; Carpathus , still strooke with winde . Naxus , and Paros ; and the rockie-mind Rugged Rhenaea . Yet through all these parts , Latona , great-growne , with the King of dares , Trauailde ; and tried , If any would become To her deare birth , an hospitable home . All which , extremely trembled ( shooke with feare ) Nor durst endure , so high a birth to beare , In their free States : though , for it , they became Neuer so fruitfull ; till the reuerend Dame Ascended Delos ; and her soile did sease With these wing'd words : O Delos ! would'st thou please To be my sonne Apolloes natiue seat ; And build a welthie Phane to one so great : No one shall blame , or question thy kinde deede . Nor thinke I , thou , dost Sheepe or Oxen feede , In any such store ; Or in vines exceede ; Nor bring'st forth such innumerable Plants ; ( Which often make the rich Inhabitants Careles of Deitie . ) If thou then should'st rere A Phane to Phoebus : all men would confer Whole Hecatombs of beeues for sacrifice , Still thronging hither . And to thee would rise Euer vnmeasur'd Odors ; should'st thou long Nourish thy King thus ; and from forreigne wrong The Gods would guard thee ; which thine owne addresse Can neuer compasse for thy barrennesse . She said ; and Delos ioi'd ; replying thus : Most happie sister of Saturnius ? I gladly would , with all meanes entertein The King your sonne ; being now despis'de of men ; But should be honord with the greatest then . Yet this I feare ; Nor will conceale from theee ; Your Sonne ( some say ) will author miserie In many kindes : as being to sustein A mightie empire ouer Gods , and Men , Vpon the holie-gift-giuer the earth . And bitterly I feare , that when his birth Giues him the sight , of my so barren soile He will contemne ; and giue me vp to spoile : Enforce the sea to me ; that euer will Oppresse my heart , with many a watrie hill . And therefore , let him chuse some other land , Where he shall please ; to build at his command Temple and Groue , set thick with many a Tree . For wretched Polypusses , breed in me Retyring chambers ; and black sea-calues , Den In my poore soile , for penurie of Men. And yet ( O Goddesse ) would'st thou please to sweare The Gods great oath to me , before thou beare Thy blessed Sonne here ; that thou wilt erect A Phane to him , to render the effect Of mens demands to them , before they fall ; Then will thy sonnes renowne be generall ; Men will his name , in such varietie call . And I shall , then , be glad , his birth to beare . This said ; the Gods great oath , she thus did swere : Know this ( O earth ! ) broad heauens inferior sphere , And of blacke Styx , the most infernall lake ( Which is the grauest oath , the Gods can take ) That here shall euer rise to Phoebus Name An odorous Phane , and Altar ; and thy fame Honor , past all Iles else , shall see him emploid . Her oath thus tooke , and ended ; Delos ioi'd In mightie measure , that she should become , To farr-shot Phoebus birth the famous home . Latona then , nine daies and nights did fall In hopeles labor : at whose birth were all Heauens most supreame , and worthie Goddesses . Dione , Rhaea ; and th' Exploratresse ( Themis ; ) and Amphitrite , that will be Pursu'd with sighs still . Euery Deitie Except the snowie-wristed wife of Ioue : Who held her moodes aloft ; and would not moue . Onely Lucina , ( to whose virtue vowes Each Child-birth patient ) heard not of her throwes ; But sat ( by Iuno's counsaile ) on the browes Of broad Olympus , wrapt in clouds of gold . Whom Ioues proud wife , in enuie did with-hold ; Because bright-lockt Latona , was to beare A Sonne so faultles ; and inforce so cleare . The rest ( Thaumantia ) sent before to bring Lucina to release the enuied King : Assuring her , that they would strait confer A Carquenet , nine cubits long , on her , All wouen with wires of Gold . But chargd her then , To call apart from th' Iuorie-wristed Queene The child-birth-guiding Goddesse ; for iust feare Lest , her charge vtter'd , in Saturnia's eare ; She , after , might disswade her from descent . When winde-swift-footed Iris , knew th' intent . Of th' other Goddesses ; away she went ; And instantly she past , the infinite space Twixt Earth , and Heauen ; when , comming to the place Where dwelt th' Immortals ; strait without the gate She gat Lucina ; and did all relate The Goddesses commanded ; and enclin'd , To all that they demanded , her deare Minde . And on their way they went , like those two Doues That , walking high-waies , euery shadow moues Vp from the earth ; forc't with their naturall feare . When entring Delos ; she that is so deare To Dames in labor , made Latona strait Prone to deliuerie ; and to weild the wait Of her deare burthen , with a world of ease . When , with her faire hand ; she a Palme did sease And ( staying her by it ) slucke her tender knees Amidst the soft meade ; that did smile beneath Her sacred labor , and the child did breath The aire , in th' instant . All the Goddesses Brake in kinde teares , and shrikes for her quicke ease : And Thee ( O Archer Phoebus ) with waues cleere Washt sweetly ouer , swadled with sincere And spotlesse swath-●ands ; and made then to flow About thy breast , a mantle , white as snow ; Fine , and new made ; and cast a Veile of Gold Ouer thy forehead . Nor yet forth did hold Thy mother , for thy foode , her golden brest : But Themis in supply of it , addrest Louely Ambrosia ; and drunke off to thee A Bowle of Nectar ; interchangeablie With her immortall fingers , seruing thine . And when ( O Phoebus ) that eternall wine Thy tast had relisht ; and that foode diuine : No golden swath-band longer could containe Thy panting bosome : all that would constraine Thy soone-easd God-head ; Euery feeble chaine , Of earthy Child-rights ; flew in sunder , all . And then didst thou thus , to the Deities call : Let there be giuen me , my lou'd Lute and Bow ; I 'le prophecie to men ; and make them know Ioues perfect counsailes . This said ; vp did flie From brode-waide Earth , the vnshorne Deitie , Far-shot Apollo . All th' Immortalls stood In steepe amaze , to see Latonaes brood . All Delos , looking on him ; all with gold Was loden strait ; and ioi●d to be extold By great Latona so ; that she decreed , Her barrennesse , should beare the fruitfulst seed Of all the Iles , and Continents of earth ; And lou'd her , from her heart so , for her birth . For so she florisht ; as a hill that stood Crownd with the flowre of an abundant wood : And thou ( O Phoebus ) bearing in thy hand Thy siluer bow : walk'st ouer euery land . Sometimes ascend'st the rough-hewne rockie hill Of desolate Cynthus : and sometimes tak'st will To visit Ilands ; and the Plumps of men . And manie a Temple ; all wayes , men ordein To thy bright God-head : Groues , made darke with Trees , And neuer shorne , to hide ye Deities . All high-lou'd Prospects ; all the steepest browes Of farr-seene Hills : and euery flood that flowes Forth to the sea ; are dedicate to Thee . But most of all ; thy mindes Alacritie Is rais'd with Delos ; since to fill thy Phane There flocks so manie an Ionian , With ample Gownes , that flowe downe to their feet : With all their children ; and the reuerend Sweet Of all their pious wiues . And these are they That ( mindefull of thee ) euen thy Deitie Render more spritelie , with their Champion fight Dances , and songs , perform'd to glorious sight ; Once hauing publisht , and proclaim'd their strife . And these are acted with such exquisite life That one would say , Now , the Ionian straines Are turn'd Immortalls ; nor know what Age meanes . His minde would take such pleasure from his eye , To see them seru'd , by all Mortalitie . Their men so humane ; women so well-grac't ; Their ships so swift ; their riches so encreast , Since thy obseruance . Who ( being all , before Thy opposites ) were all despis'd , and poore . And to all these , this absolute wonder add , Whose praise shall render all posterities gladd : The Delian Virgines , are thy handmaides , All ; And , since they seru'd Apollo ; iointly fall Before Latona , and Diana too In sacred seruice : and doe therefore know How to make mention of the ancient Trimms Of men , and women ; in their well-made Hymns ; And soften barbarous Nations with their song's . Being able , all , to speake the seuerall tongu's Of forreine Nations ; and to imitate Their musiques there , with art so fortunate , That one would say ; there euery one did speake , And all their tunes , in naturall accents breake . Their songs , so well compos'd are ; and their Art To answer all soundes , is of such Desart . But come Latona ; and thou king of Flames , With Phoebe Rectresse , of chaste thoughts in Dames ; Let me salute ye , and your Graces call Hereafter to my iust memoriall . And you ( O Delian Virgins ) doe me grace , When any stranger of our earthie Race Whose restlesse life , Affliction hath in chace ; Shall hither come ; and question you ; Who is To your chaste eares , of choicest faculties In sacred Poesie ; and with most right Is Author of your absolut'st delight ; Ye shall your selues doe , all the right ye can , To answer for our Name : The sightlesse man Of stonie Chios . All whose Poems , shall In all last Ages , stand for Capitall . This for your owne sakes I desire ; for I Will propagate mine owne precedencie , As far as earth shall well-built cities beare ; Or humane conuersation , is held deare . Not with my praise direct ; but praises due ; And men shall credit it , because t is true . How euer , I 'le not cease the praise I vow To farre-shot Phoebus , with the siluer bow ; Whom louely-hair'd Latona gaue the light . O King ? Both Lycia , is in Rule thy Right ; Faire Moeonie , and the Maritimall Miletus ; wisht to be the seate of all . But chiefely Delos , girt with ●illowes round , Thy most respected empire doth resound . Where thou to Pythus wentst ; to answer there , ( As soone as thou wert borne ) the burning eare Of many a far-come , to heare future deeds : Clad in diuine , and odoriferous weeds . And with thy Golden Fescue , plaidst vpon Thy hollow Harp ; that sounds to heauen set gone . Then to Olympus , swift as thought hee flew To Ioues high house ; and had a retinew Of Gods t' attend him . And then strait did fall To studie of the Harp , and Harpsicall , All th' immortalls . To Whom , euery Muse With rauishing voices , did their answers vse , Singing Th' eternall deeds of Deitie . And from their hands , what Hells of miserie , Poore Humanes suffer ; liuing desperate quite . And not an Art they haue ; wit , or deceipt , Can make them manage any Act aright : Nor finde with all the soule they can engage , A salue for Death , or remedie for Age. But here , the fayre-hayrd graces ; the wise Howres ; Harmonia , Hebe , and sweet Venus powres , Danc't ; and each others , Palme , to Palme , did cling . And with these , danc't not a deformed thing : No forspoke Dwarfe ; nor downeward witherling ; But all , with wondrous goodly formes were deckt , And mou'd with Beauties , of vnpris'd aspect . Dart-deare - Diana , ( euen with Phoebus bred ) Danc't likewise there ; and Mars a march did tred , With that braue Beuie . In whose consort , fell Argicides , th' ingenious Sentinell . Phoebus-Apollo , toucht his Lute to them ; Sweetely , and softly : a most glorious beame Casting about him , as he danc't , and plaid ; And euen his feet , were all with raies araide . His weede and all , of a most curious Trymm , With no lesse Luster , grac't , and circled him . By these , Latona , with a hayre that shin'd Like burnisht gold ; and , ( with the Mightie Minde ) Heauens Counsailor , ( Ioue ; ) sat with delightsome eyes To see their Sonne , new rankt with Deities . How shall I praise thee then , that art all praise ? Amongst the Brides , shall I thy Deitie raise ? Or being in loue , when , sad , thou wentst to wowe The Virgin Aza ? and didst ouerthrowe The euen-with-Gods , Elations Mightie seed ? That had of goodly horse , so braue a breed ? And Phorbas ; sonne of soueraigne Triopus ; Valiant Leucippus , and Ereutheus ; And Triopus , himselfe , with equall fall ? Thou but on foot ; and they on horsebacke all ? Or shall I sing thee , as thou first didst grace Earth with thy foot ; to finde thee forth a place Fit to pronounce thy Oracles to Men ? First from Olympus , thou alightedst then , Into Pieria ; Passing all the land Of fruitles Lesbos , chok'● with drifts of sand . The Magnets likewise , and the Perrhabes ? And to Iolous variedst thy accesse ? Cenaeus Topps ascending ; that their Base Make bright Euboea ; being of ships the Grace . And fixt thy faire stand , in Lelantus field ; That did not yet , thy mindes contentment yeeld , To raise a Phane on ; and a sacred Groue . Passing Eurypus then ; thou ma●'st remoue Vp to earths euer-greene , and holyest Hill . Yet swiftly , thence too , thou transcendedst still To Mycalessus , and did'st touch vpon Teucmessus , apt to make greene 〈◊〉 on , And flowrie field-bedds . Then thy Progresse found Thebes out ; whose soile , with onely woods was crown'd . For yet was sacred Thebes , no humane seate ; And therefore were no Paths , nor high waies beat On her free bosome , that flowes now with wheat . But then , she onely , wore on it , a wood . From hence ( euen loth to part , because it stood Fit for thy seruice ) thou put'st on Remoue To greene Onchestus ; Neptunes glorious Groue ; Where new-tam'd horse , bredd , nourish nerues so rare , That still they frolick , though they trauaild are Neuer so sore ; and hurrie after them Most heauie Coches : but are so extream ( In vsuall-trauaile ) fierie-and-free ; That though their cochman , ne're so masterlie Gouernes their courages ; he sometimes must Forsake his seat , and giue their spirits their lust : When , after them , their emptie coach they drawe , Foming , and Neighing , quite exempt from awe . And if their Cocheman , guide through any Groue Vnshorne , and vow'd to any Deities Loue : The Lords encocht , leap out ; and all their care Vse to allaie their fires , with speaking faire ; Stroking , and trimming them ; and in some queach , ( Or strength of shade ) within their nearest reach , Reigning them vp ; inuoke the deified King Of that vnshorne , and euerlasting spring ; And leaue them then , to her preseruing hands , Who is the Fate , that there , the God commands . And this was first , the sacred fashion there . From hence thou wentst ( O thou in shafts past Pere ) And found'st Cephyssus , with thy all-seeing beames ; Whose flood affects , so many siluer streames ; And from Lylaeus , poures so bright a waue . Yet forth thy foot flew , and thy faire eyes gaue The view of Ocale , the rich in towrs ; Then , to Amartus , that abounds in flowrs . Then to Delphusa , putt'st thy progresse on , Whose blessed soile , nought harme fall breeds vpon . And there , thy pleasure , would a Phane adorne And nourish woods , whose shades should ne're be shorne . Where , this thou told'st her ; standing to her close : Delphusa ? here I entertaine suppose To build a farr-fam'd Temple ; and ordein An Oracle t' informe the mindes of Men : Who shall for euer , offer to my loue Whole Hecatombs . Euen all the men that moue In rich Peloponesus ; and all those Of Europe ; and the Iles the seas enclose ; Whom future search of Acts , and Beings brings : To whom I 'le prophecie the truths of things In that rich Temple , where my Oracle sings . This said ; The all-bounds-reacher , with his bowe , The Phanes diuine foundations did foreshowe ; Ample they were ; and did huge length impart ; With a continuate Tenour , full of Art . But when Delphusa look't into his end ; Her heart grew angrie , and did thus extend It selfe to Phoebus : Phoebus ? since thy minde A farr-fam'd Phane , hath in it selfe design'd , To beare an Oracle to men , in me ; That Hecatombs , may put in fire to thee ; This let me tell thee , and impose for staie Vpon thy purpose : Th' Inarticulate neye Of fire-hou'd horse , will euer disobaie Thy numerous eare ; and mules will for their drinke Trouble my sacred springs ; and I should thinke That any of the humane Race , had rather See here , the burreys of rich Coches gather , And heare the haughtie Neys of swift-hou'd horse , Than ( in his pleasures place ) conuert recourse T' a Mightie Temple ; and his wealth bestow On Pieties ; where his sports may freely flow , Or see huge wealth , that he shall neuer owe . And therefore , ( wouldst thou beare , my free aduise ; Though Mightier farre thou art , and much more wise O King , than I ; thy powre being great'st of all ) In Crissa , vnderneath the bosomes fall Of steepe Paranassus ; let thy minde be giuen To set thee vp a Phane ; where neuer driuen Shall glorious Coches be , nor horses Neys Storme neare thy well-built Altars ; but thy praise Let the faire race of pious Humanes bring , Into thy Phane , that Io-Paeans sing . And those gifts onely let thy Deified minde Be circularlie pleas'd with ; being the kinde And fayre-burnt-offrings , that true Deities binde . With this ; His minde she altered ; though she spake Not for his good ; but her owne glories sake . From hence ( O Phoebus ) first thou mad'st retreat ; And of the Phlegians , reacht the walled seat ; Inhabited with contumelious Men : Whoe , sleighting Ioue ; tooke vp their dwellings then Within a large Caue , neare Cephyssus Lake . Hence , swiftly mouing ; thou all speed didst make Vp to the tops intended ; and the ground Of Crissa , vnder the-with-snowe-still croun'd ( Parnassus ) reacht ; whose face affects the west : Aboue which , hangs , a rock that still seemes prest To fall vpon it ; through whose brest doth runn A rockie Caue , neare which , the King the Sunn Cast to contriue a Temple to his minde ; And said ; Now heere , stands my conceipt inclin'd To build a famous Phane , where still shall be An Oracle to Men ; that still to me Shall offer absolute Hecatombs ; as well Those that in rich Peloponessus dwell ; As those of Europe ; and the Iles that lie Walld with the sea ; That all their paines applie T' employ my counsailes . To all which will I True secrets tell , by way of Prophesie , In my rich Temple ; that shall euer be An Oracle , to all Posteritie . This said ; the Phanes forme he did strait present , Ample , and of a length of great extent ; In which Trophonius , and Agamede ( Who of Erginus , were the famous seed ) Impos'd the stonie Entrie : and the Heart Of euery God had , for their excellent Art . About the Temple dwelt , of humane Name Vnnumbred Nations ; it acquir'd such Fame ; Being all of stone , built for eternall date ; And neare it did a Fountaine propagate A fayre streame farr away ; when Ioues bright seed , ( The King Apollo ) with an arrow , ( freed From his strong string ) destroid the Dragonesse That Wonder nourisht ; being of such excesse In size , and horridnesse of monstrous shape , That on the forc't earth , she wrought many a rape ; Many a spoile , made on it ; many an ill On crooke-hancht Herds brought ; being impurpl'd still With blood of all sorts : Hauing vndergone The charge of Iuno , with the golden Throne , To nourish Typhon the abhorr'd affright And bane of mortalls . Whom , into the light Saturnia brought forth , being incenst with Ioue ; Because the most renowm'd fruit of his loue ( Pallas ) he got , and shooke out of his braine . For which ; Maiestique Iuno , did complaine In this kinde , to the blest Court of the skies ; Know all ye sex-distinguisht Deities ; That Ioue ( assembler of the cloudie throng ) Beginns with me first ; and affects with wrong My right in him ; made by himselfe , his wife ; That knowes and does the honor'd marriage life , All honest offices ; and yet hath he Vndulie got , without my companie Blew-eyd Minerua : who of all the skie Of blest Immortalls is the absolute Grace . Where , I haue brought into the heauenly Race , A Sonne , both taken in his feet and head ; So oughly ; and so farr from worth my bedd , That ( rauisht into hand ) I tooke and threw Downe to the vast sea , his detested view . Where Nereus Daughter Thetis ; ( who , her waie With siluer feet makes , and the faire araie Of her bright sisters ) sau'd , and tooke to guard . But , would to heauen , another , yet , were spar'd , The like Grace of his God-head . ( Craftie mate ) What other scape canst thou excogitate ? How could thy hears sustaine to get alone , The grey-eyd Goddesse ? her conception , Nor bringing forth , had any hand of mine ; And yet know all the Gods , I goe , for thine To such kinde vses . But I 'le now employ My braine to procreate a masculine Ioy ; That'mongst th' immortalls , may as eminent shine ; With shame affecting , nor my bedd , nor thine ; Nor will I , euer , touch at thine againe ; But farr , fly it , and thee : and yet will raigne Amongst th' Immortalls euer . This spleene spent , ( Still yet left angrie ) farre away she went ; From all the Deathlesse ; and yet praid to all ; Aduanc't her hand , and e're she let it fall Vs'd these excitements ; Heare me now ( O Earth ? ) Brode Heauen aboue it ; and ( beneath your birth ) The Deified Titanoys ; that dwell about Vast Tartarus ; from whence sprung all the Rout Of Men and Deities : Heare me all ( I say ) With all your forces ; and giue instant way T' a sonne of mine , without Ioue ; who yet may Nothing inferiour proue , in force to him ; But past him spring as farre , in able lim , As he past Saturne . This , pronounc't , she strooke Life-bearing Earth so strongly ; that she shooke Beneath her numb'd hand : which when she beheld ; Her bosome with abundant comforts sweld ; In hope all should , to her desire extend . From hence , the Yeare that all such proofes giues end ; Grew round ; yet all that time , the bed of Ioue Shee neuer toucht at ; neuer was her loue Enflam'd to fit nere his Dedalian Throne , As she accustomed ; to consult vpon Counsells kept darke , with many a secret skill ; But kept her Vow-frequented Temple still , Pleas'd with her sacrifice ; till now , the Nights And Daies accomplish't ; and the yeares whole rights , In all her reuolutions , being expir'de ; The Howres , and all , run out , that were requir'd , To vent a Birth-right ; she brought forth a Sonne , Like Gods , or Men , in no condition ; But a most dreadfull , and pernicious thing Call'd Typhon ; who on all the humane Spring Confer'd confusion : which , receiu'd to hand By Iuno ; instantly , she gaue command ( Ill to ill adding ) that the Dragonesse Should bring it vp , who tooke , and did oppresse With many a misery ( to maintaine th' excesse Of that inhumane Monster ) all the Race Of Men , that were of all the world the grace . Till the farre-working Phoebus ; at her sent A fierie Arrow ; that inuok't euent Of death gaue , to her execrable life . Before which yet ; she lay in bitter strife , With dying paines ; gr●ueling on earth , and drew Extreme short respirations ; for which slew A shout about the aire ▪ whence , no man knew But came by power diuine . And then she lay Tumbling her Tr●ncke ; and winding euery way About her nastie Nest ; quite leauing then Her murtherous life , embr●'d with deaths of Men. Then Phoebus gloried ; saying , Thy selfe now lie On Men-sustaining Earth , and putrifie : Who first , of Putrifaction , was inform'd . Now on thy life , haue Deaths cold vapors stormd ; That stormd'st on Men the Earth-f●d , so much death , In enuie of the Of-spring , they made breathe Their liues out , on my Altars ; Now from thee , Not Typhon shall enforce the miserie Of merited death ; nor shee , whose name implies Such scath ( Chymaera ) but blacke earth make prise To putrifaction , thy Immanities . And bright Hyperion , that light , all eyes showes , Thyne , with a night of rottennesse shall close . Thus spake he glory'ng ; and then seas'd vpon Her horrid heape , with Putrifaction Hyperions louely powrs ; from whence , her name Tooke sound of Python ; and heauens soueraigne flame Was surnam'd Pythius ; since the sharp-eyd Sunn , Affected so , with Putrifaction The hellish Monster . And now Phoebus minde Gaue him to know , that falsehood had strooke blinde Euen his bright eye ; because it could not finde The subtle Fountaines fraud . To whom he flew , Enflam'd with anger ; and in th' instant drew Close to Delphusa ; vsing this short vow ; Delphusa ? you must looke no longer now To vent your fraud's on me ; for well I know Your scituation , to be louely worth A Temples Imposition ; It poures forth So delicate a streame . But your renowne Shall now no longer shine here , but mine owne . This said ; he thrust her Promontorie downe , And damn'd her fountaine vp , with mightie stones ; A Temple giuing consecrations , In woods adioining . And in this Phane all On him , by surname of Delphusius call . Because Delphusa's sacred flood and fame His wrath affected so , and hid in shame . And then thought Phoebus , what descent of Men To be his Ministers , he should retein ; To doe in stonie Pythos sacrifice . To which , his minde contending ; his quicke eies He cast vpon the blew Sea ; and beheld A ship , on whose Masts , sailes that wing'd it sweld : In which were men transferr'd , many and good That in Minoian Gnossus , eate their food , And were Cretensians ; who now are those That all the sacrifising dues dispose ; And all the lawes , deliuer to a word Of Daies great King , that weares the golden sword : And Oracles ( out of his Delphian Tree That shrowds her faire armes in the Cauitie Beneath Parnassus Mount ) pronounce to Men. These , now his Priests , that liu'd as Merchants then , In trafficks , and Pecuniarie Rates , For sandie Pylos and the Pylean States , Were vnder saile . But now encounterd them Phoebus Apollo , who into the streame Cast himselfe headlong : and the strange disguise Tooke of a Dolphine , of a goodly ●ise : Like which ; He leapt into their ship , and lay As an Ostent of infinite dismay . For none , with any strife of Minde could looke Into the Omen . All the shipmasts shooke ; And silent , all sate , with the feare they tooke . Armd not ; nor strooke they saile ; But as before , Went on with full Trim : And a foreright Blore , Stiff ; and from forth , the South ; the ship made flie . When first , they stript the Mal●●e Promont'rie : Toucht at Laconias soile ; in which a Towne Their ship ariu'd at , that the Sea doth Crowne , Call'd Tenarus ; A place of much delight To men that serue Heauens Comforter of sight . In which are fed , the famous flocks that beare The wealthie Fleeces ; On a delicate Laire Being fed , and seated : where the Merchants , faine Would haue put in ; that they might out againe , To tell the Miracle , that chanc't to them ; And trie if it would take the sacred streame , Rushing far forth , that he againe might beare Those other Fishes that abounded there , Delightsome companie ; Or still would stay , Abord their drie ship . But it failde t' obay . And for the rich Peloponesian shore , Steer'de her free saile ; Apollo made the Blore Directly guide it : That , obaying still Reacht drie Arena ; And , ( what wish doth fill ) Faire Aryphaea ; And the populous height Of Thryus ; whose streame ( siding her ) doth weight With safe passe on Alphaeus . Pylos sands And Pylian dwellers : keeping by the strands On which th' Inhabitants of Crunius dwell : And Helida , set opposite to Hell . Chalcis , and Dymes reach't ; And happily Made saile by Pheras : All being ouer-ioide With that francke Gale , that Ioue himselfe emploid . And then amongst the cloudes , they might descrie , The Hill , that far-seene Ithaca , calls her Eie . Dulichius , Samos , and , ( with timber grac't ) Shadie Zacynthus . But when now they past Peloponesus all : And then , when show'de The infinite Vale of Crissa , that doth shroud All rich Moraea , with her liberall brest : So francke a Gale , there flew out of the West , As all the skie discouered ; t was so great , And blew so from the verie Counsell seat Of Ioue himselfe : that quickly it might send The ship through full Seas , to her iourneys end . From thence , they saild , ( quite opposite ) to the East , And to the Region , where light leaues his rest . The Light himselfe being sacred Pylot there ; And made the Sea-trod ship , ariue them nere The Grapefull Crissa ; where he rest doth take ; Close to her Port , and sands . And then forth brake The far-shot King ; like to a starre that strowes His glorious forehead , where the Mid-day glowes , That all in sparkles , did his state attire , Whose Luster leapt vp , to the spheare of fire ; He trodd , where no waie op'te ; and pierst the place That of his sacred Tripods , held the grace ; In which , he lighted such a fluent flame , As guilt all Crissa ; In which , euery Dame And Dames faire daughter ; cast out vehement cries At those fell fires , of Phoebus Prodigies : That shaking feares , through all their fancies threw . Then ( lik the mindes swift light ) Againe he flew Backe to the ship ; shap't like a youth in Height Of all his graces : shoulders broad , and streit , And all his haire , in golden currls enwrapt : And to the Merchants , thus , his speech he shap't : Ho ? strangers ? what are you ? and from what seat Saile ye these waies , that salt and water sweat ? To traffick iustlie ? Or vse vagrant scapes Voyde of all rule ? Conferring wrongs , and Rapes ( Like Pyrats ) on the men , ye neuer sawe ? With mindes proiect ; exempt from list , or Lawe ? Why sit ye heere so stupified ? nor take Land while ye may ? Nor deposition make Of Nauall Arms ? when this the fashion is Of men Industrious ! who , ( their faculties Wearied at sea , ) leaue ship , and vse the land For foode , that with their healths , and stomacks stand . This said ; with bold mindes , he their brest suppli'd , And thus made answer , the Cretensian guide ; Stranger ? because , you seeme to vs no seed Of any mortall , but celestiall breed , For parts , and person ; Ioy your steps ensue , And Gods make good , the blisse , we thinke your due . Vouchsafe vs true relation , on what land We here ariue ? and what men ▪ here command ? We were for well-knowne parts bound ; and from Crete ( Our vanted countrie ) to the Pylian , ●ea● Vow'd our whole voyage . Yet ariue we here , Quite crosse to those wills , that our motion● stere . Wishing to make returne some other way ; Some other course desirous to assaie . To pay our lost paines . But some God hath fill'd Our frustrate sayles ; defeating what we will'd . Apollo answerd : Strangers ? though before Yee dwelt in wooddie Gnossus ; yet no more Yee must be made , your owne Reciprocalls To your lou'd Cittie , and faire seueralls Of wiues , and houses . But ye shall haue bere My wealthie Temple ; honord farre and nere Of many a Nation : for my selfe am Son To Ioue himselfe ; and of Apollo won The glorious Title ; who thus safelie through The seas vast billows , still haue held your plough . No ill intending , that will let yee make My Temple here , your owne ; and honors take Vpon your selues ; all that to me are giuen . And more : the counsailes of the King of Heauen , Your selues shall know ; and with his will receiue Euer the honors , that all men shall giue . Doe as I say then instantly ; strike saile ; Take downe your Tackling ; and your vessell hale Vp , into land : your goods bring forth , and all The instruments , that into sayling fall ; Make on this shore , an Altar : fire enflame ; And barley white cakes , offer to my name . And then , ( enuironing the Altar ) pray , And call me , ( as ye sawe me , in the day When from the windie seas , I brake swift way Into your ship ; ) Delphinius : since I tooke A Dolphins forme then . And to euery looke That there shall seeke it ; that , my Altar shall Be made A Delphian memoriall From thence , for euer . After this ; ascend Your swift blackship , and sup ; and then intend Ingenuous Offerings to the equall Gods That in celestiall seates , make blest abods . When , ( hauing staid , your helthfull hungers sting ) Come all with me ; and Io-Paeans sing All the waies length , till you attaine the state , Where I , your oppulent Phane haue consecrate . To this , they gaue him , passing diligent eare ; And vow'd to his obedience , all they were . First striking sayle , their tacklings then they los'd ; And ( with their Gables stoop't ) their mast impos'd Into the Mast roome . Forth , themselues then went ; And from the sea into the Continent Drew vp their ship ; which farr vp from the sand They rais'd , with ample raf●ers . Then , in hand They tooke the Altar ; and inform'd it on The seas nere shore ; imposing thereupon White cakes of barley : Fire made ; and did stand About it round ; as Phoebus gaue command ▪ Submitting Inuocations to his will . Then sacrifis'd to all the heauenly Hill Of powrefull God heads . After which , they eat Abord their ship ; till with 〈◊〉 foot rep●ea● ; They rose ; nor to their Temple , vs a delay . Whom Phoebus vsherd ; and ●oucht ; all the way His heauenly Lute ; with Art , aboue admir'd ; Gracefully leading them . When all were fir'd With zeale to him ; and follow'd wondring , All , To Pythos ; and vpon his name did call With Io-Paeans , such as Cre●ans vse . And in their bosomes did the deified Muse Voices of honey-Harmonie , in fuse . With neuer-wearie feet , their way they we●● ; And made , with all alacritie , asce●t Vp to Parnassus ; and that long●d-f●● place Where they should liue ; and be of men , the Grace . When , all the way ; Apollo show'd there still Their farr-stretch● valleys , and their two-topt Hill ; Their famous Phane ; and all ▪ th●● All could eaise , To a supreame height , of their Ioy ▪ and praise . And then the Cre●an Captaine , thus enquir'd Of King Apollo ; Since you haue retir'd ( O Soueraigne ) our sad liues , so farr from friends And natiue soile ; ( because so farr extends Your deare mindes pleasure ) tell vs how we shall Liue in your seruice . To which question call Our prouident mindes ; because we see not croun'd This soile , with store of vines ; nor doth abound In welthie meddows ; on which , we may liue , As well as on men , our attendance giue . He smil'd , and said ; O men , that nothing know And so are follow'd , with a world of woe ; That needs will succour care , and curious mone And poure out sighs , without cessation ; Were all the riches of the earth your owne . Without much busines ; I will render knowne ; To your simplicities , an easie way , To wealth enough ; Let euery man puruaie A skeane , ( or slaught'ring steele ) and his right hand ( Brauely bestowing ) euermore see mann'd With killing sheepe , that to my Phane will flowe , From all farr Nations . On all which bestowe Good obseruation ; and all else they giue To me ; make you your owne All ; and so liue . For all which , watch before my Temple well ; And all my counsailes , aboue all , conceale . If any giue vaine language ; or to deeds ; Yea , or as farr as iniurie proceedes ; Know that , ( at losers hands ) for those that gai●e ; It is the lawe of Mortalls , to sustaine . Besides ; yee shall haue Princes to obay , Which , still , yee must ; and ( so yee gaine ) yee may . All , now , is said ; giue All , thy memories stay . And thus to thee , ( Ioue and Latona's Sonne ) Be giuen all grace of salutation . Both thee and others of th' Immortall state ; My song shall memorize , to endlesse date . The end of the Hymne to Apollo .
A HYMNE TO HERMES . HErmes , the Sonne of Ioue and Maia , sing , ( O Muse ) th' Arcadian , & Cyllenian King : They rich in flocks ; he heauen enriching still , In Messages , return'd with all his will . Whom glorious Maia ( The Nimph rich in haire ) Mixing with Ioue , in amorous affaire ; Brought forth to him : sustaining a retre at From all th' Immortalls of the blessed seat ; And liuing in the same darke Caue ; where Ioue Inform'd , at mid-night , the effect of loue , Vnknowne to either man or Deitie : Sweet sleepe once , hauing seas'd the ielous eye Of Iuno , deckt with wrists of iuorie . But when great Ioues high minde was consummate , The tenth moneth had in heauen confin'de the date Of Maias Labour ; And into the sight She brought , in one birth , Labours infinite . For then she bore a sonne , that all tried waies Could turne , and winde , to wisht euents , assaies . A faire tongu'd , but false-hearted Counsellor . Rector of Ox-stealers ; and for all stealths , bore A varied finger . Speeder of Nights spies And guide of all her dreames obscurities . Guard of dore-Guardians : and was borne to be Amongst th' immortalls , that Wing'D Deitie , That in an instant , should doe acts would aske The Powres of others , an Eternall Taske . Borne , in the Morne ; He form'd his Lute at Noone ; At Night stole all the Oxen of the Sunne ; And all this in his Births first day was done ; Which was the fourth of the encreasing Moone . Because Celestiall lims , sustain'd his straines ; His sacred swath-bands , must not be his chaines . So ( starting vp ) to Phoebus Herde he stept ; Found strait , the high-roof't Caue where they were kept ; And ( th' entrie passing ) he th' inuention found , Of making Lutes ; and did in wealth abound By that Inuention ; Since He first of all , Was author of that Engine Musicall . By this meane , mou'd to the ingenious worke : Nere the Caues inmost ouerture , did lurke A Tortois , tasting th' odoriferous grasse ; Leisurely mouing ; and this Obiect was The motiue to Ioues Sonne ( who could conuert To profitablest vses , all desert That nature had in any worke conuaid ) To forme the Lute : when ( smiling ) thus he said ; Thou mou'st in me , a note of excellent vse ; Which thy ill forme , shall neuer so seduce T'euert the good , to be inform'd by it , In pliant force , of my forme-forging wit . Then the slowe Tortois , wrought on by his minde ; He thus saluted ; All ioy to the kinde Instinct of nature , in thee ; Borne to be The spirriter of Dances ; companie For feasts , and following Banquets ; grac't and blest For bearing light to all the interest Claim'd in this Instrument . From whence shall spring Play faire , and sweet ; to which may Graces sing . A prettie painted cote , thou putt'st on here ( O Tortois ) while thy bill-bred vitall sphere Confines thy fashion ; but ( surpris'd by me , ) I 'le beare thee home ; where thou shalt euer be A Profit to me ; and yet nothing more Will I contemne thee , in my merited store . Goods , with good parts got , worth and honour gaue : Left goods , and honors , euery foole may haue . And since thou first , shalt giue me meanes to liue , I 'le loue thee euer . Virtuous qualities giue To liue at home with them , enough content ; Where those that want such inward ornament , Fly out for outward ; their life , made their lode ; T is best to be at home ; Harme lurks abroad . And certainely , thy vertue shall be knowne Gainst great-yll-causing incantation , To serue as for a Lance , Or Ammulet . And where , in comfort of thy vitall heat , Thou now breathst but a sound confus'd , for song ; Expos'd by nature ; after death , more strong Thou shalt in sounds of Art be ; and command Song infinite sweeter . Thus with either hand He tooke it vp ; and instantly tooke flight Back to his Caue , with that his home-delight . Where , ( giuing to the Mountaine Tortois vents Of life and motion ) with fit Instruments Forg'd of bright steele ; he strait inform'd a Lute . Put neck , and frets to it ; of which , a sute He made of splitted quills ; in equall space Impos'd vpon the neck ; and did embrace Both backe , and bosome . At whose height ( as gynns T' extend , and ease the strings ) he put in pynns . Seuen strings , of seuerall tunes , he then applied ; Made of the Entrailes of a sheepe well dried ; And throughly twisted . Next he did prouide A Case for all ; made of an Oxes Hyde ; Out of his counsailes to preserue as well , As to create : and all this Action fell Into an instant consequence . His word , And worke , had indiuiduall accord . All being as swiftly to perfection brought ; As any worldly mans , most rauisht thought , Whose minde , Care cuts , in an infinity Of varied parts , or passions instantly ; Or as the frequent twincklings of an eye . And thus his House-delight giuen absolute end ; He toucht it ; and did euery string extend ( With an exploratorie spirit assaid ) To all the parts , that could on it be plaid . It sounded dreadfully ; to which he sung ; As if from thence , the first , and true force spr●ng That fashions Virtue . God , in him did sing . His play was likewise an vnspeakable thing ; Yet , but as an extemporall Assay , Of what showe , it would make , being the first way , It tryed his hand ; or a tumultuous noise ; Such as at feasts , the first-flowr'd spirits of Boies Poure out in mutuall contumelies still : As little squaring with his curious will ; Or was as wanton , and vntaught a Store . Of Ioue and Maia , that rich shoes still wore , He sung ; who sufferd , ill reports before , And foule staines , vnder her faire titles bore . But Hermes sung , her Nation , and her Name Did itterate euer . All her high-flowne fame Of being Ioues Mistresse ; celebrating all Her traine of seruants ; and collaterall Sumpture of Houses , all her Tripods there , And Caldrons huge ; encreasing euery yeare . All which she knew ; yet felt her knowledge flung With her fames losse ; which ( found ) she more wisht sung . But now ; he , in his sacred cradle laid His Lute so absolute ; and strait conuaid Himselfe vp to a watch-towre , forth his house ; Rich , and diuinely Odoriferous ; A loftie wile , at worke in his conceipt ; Thirsting the practise of his Empires height . And where Impostors rule ; ( since sable Night Must serue their deeds ) he did his deeds their right : For now the neuer-resting Sunne , was turn'd For th' vnder earth , and in the Ocean burn'd His Coch , and Coursers . When th' ingenious spie Pieria's shadie hill , had in his eye ; Where the immortall Oxen of the Gods In ayres flood solac't their select Abods ; And earths sweet greene floure , that was neuer shorne ; Fed euer downe ; And these the wittie-borne ( Argicides , ) set serious spie vpon : Seuering from all the rest ; and setting gone Full fiftie of the violent Bellowers . Which driuing through the sands ; he did reuerse ( His births-craft trait remembring ) all their houes ; And them transpos'd , in opposite remoues ; The fore , behinde set ; The behinde , before ; T' employ the eyes , of such as should explore . And he himselfe ( as slye-pac't ) cast away His sandalls , on the sea-sands . Past display ; And vnexcogitable thoughts , in Act Putting ; to shunn , of his stolne steps , the Tract . Mixing , both Tamrisk ; and like-Tamrisk sprayes , In a most rare confusion , to raise His footsteps vp from earth . Of which sprayes , he ( His armefull gathering , fresh from off the Tree , ) Made for his sandalls , Tyes ; both leaues , and tyes Holding together ; and then fear'd no eyes That could affect his feets discoueries . The Tamrisk boughs he gather'd , making way Backe from Pieria : but as to conuaie Prouision in them , for his iourney fit ; It being long ; and therefore needing it . An ould man , now at labour , nere the field Of greene Onchestus ; knew the verdant yield Of his fayre armefull ; whom th' ingenious Sonne Of Maia , therefore ; salutation Did thus beginn to ; Ho ? ould man ! That now Art crooked growne , with making Plants to grow ! Thy nerues will farr be spent ; when these boughs shall To these their leaues , confer me fruit , and All. But see not thou , what euer thou dost see ; Nor heare , though heare ; But all , as touching me Conceale ; since nought , it can endamage thee . This , and no more he said ; and on draue still His brode-browd Oxen. Many a shadie Hill , And many an echoing valley ; many a field Pleasant , and wishfull , did his passage yield Their safe Transcension . But now , the diuine And black-browd Night ( his Mistresse ) did decline Exceeding swiftly ; Daies most earely light Fast hasting to her first point ; to excite Wordlings to worke ; and in her Watch-towre , shone , King Pallas-Megamedes seed , ( the Moone ) When through th' Alphaean flood , Ioues powerfull Sonne Phoebus-Apollo's ample-foreheaded Herd ( Whose necks , the laboring yoke , had neuer spher'd ) Draue swiftly on ; and then into a stall ( Hillie ; yet past to , through an humble vale And hollow Dells , in a most louely Meade ) He gatherd all ; and them diuinely fedd With Odorous Cypresse ; and the rauishing Tree That makes his Eaters , lose the memorie Of name , and countrie . Then he brought , withall ; Much wood ; whose sight , into his serch let fall The Art of making fire . Which thus he tried : He tooke a branch of Lawrell , amplified Past others , both in beautie , and in sise ; Yet , lay next hand ; rubb'd it ; and strait did rise A warme fume from it . Steele , being that did raise ( As Agent ) the attenuated Baies To that hot vapor . So that , Hermes found Both fire first ; and of it , the seede , close bound In other substances ; and then , the seed He multiplied ; of sere-wood making feed The apt heat of it ; in a pile Combin'de , Laid in a lowe Pit ; that inflames strait shin'de ; And cast a sparkling crack vp to the Skye ; All the drie parts , so feruent were , and hye In their combustion . And how long the force Of glorious Vulcan , kept the fire in course ; So long was he , in dragging from their stall , Two of the crook-hancht Herd : that ror'd withall ; And rag'd for feare , t' approch the sacred fire : To which did all , his dreadfull powrs aspire . When ( blustring forth their breath ) He on the soile , Cast both , at length ; though with a world of toile . For long he was , in getting them to ground After their through-thrust , and most mortall wound . But worke , to worke , he ioin'd ; the flesh and cut , Couerd with fat ; and ( on treene broches put ) In peeces rosted . But , in th' Intestines The black blood , and the honorarie chines , Together with the carcases , lay there Cast on the cold earth , as no Deities chere . The Hydes , vpon a rugged rock he spred ▪ And thus were these now , all in peeces shred , And vndistinguisht from Earths common herd ▪ Though borne for long date ; and to heauen endeard ; And now must euer liue , in dead euent . But Hermes , h●rehence , hauing his content , Car'd for no more ; but drew to places euen , The fat-works , that , of force , must haue for heauen Their capitall ends ; though stolne ; and therefore were In twelue parts cut , for twelue choice Deities chere , By this deuotion . To all which , he gaue Their seuerall honors ; and did wish to haue His equall part thereof ; as free , and well As th' other Deities ; but the fattie smell Afflicted him , though he immortall were ; Play'ng mortall parts ; and being , ( like mortalls ) here . Yet his proud minde , nothing the more obayde For being a God , himselfe ; and his owne aide Hauing to cause his due : And though in heart Hee highly wisht it ; but the weaker part Subdu'd the stronger ; and went on , in ill . Euen heauenly Powre , had rather haue his Will , Then haue his Right ; and will 's the worst of All , When but in least sort , it is criminall ; One Taint , being Author of a Number , still . And thus ( resolu'd to leaue his hallow'd Hill ) First , both the fat parts , and the fleshie , All Taking away ; at the steepe-entryed stall He laid all ; All , the feet and heads entire ; And all the sere-wood ; making cleare with fire . And now , he leauing there then , all things done And finisht , in their fit perfection ; ( The Coles put out ; and their black Ashes throwne From all discouerie , by the louely light The cherefull Moone cast ; shyning all the Night ) He strait assum'd a nouell voices note ; And in the whirle-pit-eating-flood , aflote He set his sandalls . When now , once againe The-that-morne-borne - Cyllenius , did attaine His Homes diuine height ; all the farr-stretcht waie No one blest God , encountring , his assaie ; Nor Mortall Man ; nor any Dogg durst spend His-borne-to-barke-mouth at him ; till , in th' end , He reacht his Caue ; and at the Gate went in Crooked , and wrapt into a fold so thin , That no eye could discouer his repayre ; But as a darknesse , of th' Autumnall ayre . When , going on ; fore-right ; he strait arriu'd At his rich Phane : his soft feet quite depriu'd Of all least noise , of one that trod the earth ; They trod so swift , to reach his roome of Birth . Where , In his swath-bands , he his shoulders wrapt , And ( like an Infant , newly hauing scap't The teeming streights ) as in the Palms he lay Of his lou'd Nurse . Yet instantly would play ( Freeing his right hand ) with his bearing cloth About his knees wrapt ; and strait ( loosing both His right and left hand ) with his left , he caught His most-lou'd Lute . His Mother yet , was taught His wanton wiles ; nor could a Gods wit lie Hid from a Goddesse ; who did therefore trye His answer , thus : Why ( thou made all of sleight ) And whence ariu'st thou , in this rest of Night ? Improuident Impudent ; In my conceipt Thou rather shouldst be getting forth thy Gate , With all flight fit , for thy endanger'd State ; ( In merit of th' Ineuitable bands , To be impos'd by vext Latona's hands Iustly incenst for her Apollo's harms ) Thenly thus wrapt , as ready for her arms , To take thee vp , and kisse thee : Would to heauen , ( In crosse of that high grace ) Thou hadst beene giuen Vp to Perdition ; ere poore mortalls beare Those blacke banes , that thy father Thunderer Hath planted thee of purpose to confer , On them , and Deities . He return'd replie ; As Master of the feates of Policie ; Mother ? why ayme you thus amisse at me ? As if I were a Sonne that Infancie Could keepe from all the skill , that Age can teach ? Or had in cheating , but a childish reach ? And of a Mothers mandats , fear'd the breach ? I mount that Art at first ; that will be best When all times consummate their cunningest . Able to counsaile , Now my selfe , and thee , In all things best , to all Eternitie . We cannot liue like Gods here , without gifts ; No , nor without corruption , and shifts . And much lesse , without eating ; as we must In keeping thy rules , and in being Iust ; Of which we cannot vndergoe the lodes . T is better here , to Imitate the Gods , And wine , or wench out all times Periods ; To that end , growing rich in readie heapes ; Stor'de with Reue●news ; being in corne-fielde reapes Of infinite Acres ; then to liue enclos'd In Caues , to all Earths sweetest ayre expos'd . I , as much honor hold , as Phoebus does ; And if my Father please not to dispose Possessions to me ; I my selfe will see If I can force them in , for I can be Prince of all Theeues . And if Latona's Sonne Make after my stealth , Indignation ; I 'le haue a Scape , as well as ●e a Serch , And ouertake him with a greater lurch . For I can post to Pythos ; and breake through , His huge house , there ; where harbors wealth enough ; Most precious Tripods ; Caldrons ; Steele , and Gold ; Garments rich wrought ; and full of liberall fold : All which will I , at pleasure owne ; and thow Shalt see all ; wilt thou but thy ●ight bestow . Thus chang'd great words ; the Go●e-hyde-wearers Sonne , And Maia , of Maiestique fashion . And now the Ayre-begot Aurora rose From out the Ocean-great-in-ebbs-and flows ; When , at the ne●er-shorne , pure-and-faire Groue , ( Onchestus ) consecrated to the loue Of round and long-neckt Neptune ; Phoebus found A man whom heauie yeares , had prest halfe roun● ▪ And yet at worke , in plashing of a Fenc● About a Vineyeard ; that had residence Hard by the high-way ; whom Latona's Sonne ; Made it not strange , but first did question , And first saluted : Ho ? you ? Aged syre That here are hewing from the Vine , the Bryre ; For certaine Oxen , I come here t' enquire Out of Pieria ; femalls All ; and rer'd All , with hornes wreath'd , vnlike the common Herde ; A Cole-black Bull , fed by them all alone ; And all obseru'd for preseruation Through all their foodie , and delicious Fen ; With foure fierce Mastifs , like one-minded men . These left their Doggs , and Bull ; ( which I admire ) And when was nere set , Daies eternall fire ; From their fierce Guardians ; from their delicate fare , Made clere departure . To me then declare ; ( O ould man , long since borne ) If thy graue raie Hath any man seene , making stealthfull waie With all those Oxen ! Th' olde man made replie ; T is hard ( O friend ) to render readily , Account of all , that may inuade mine eye ; For many a Trauailer , this high-way tredds ; Some in much ills serch ; some , in noble thredds Leading their liues out ; but I , this young Day Euen from her first point , haue made good display , Of all men , passing this abundant hill , Planted with Vines ; and no such stealthfull ill , Her light hath showne me : But last Euening late , I sawe a Thing , that shew'd of childish state ; To my ould lights ; and seem'd as he pursude A Herd of Oxen , with braue Heads indude ; Yet but an Infant ; and retainde a Rodd ; Who warilie , both this , and that way trodd , His head still backwards turn'd . This th' ould Man spake ; Which he well thought vpon ; and swiftly brake Into his Pursuit , with abundant wing ; That strooke but one plaine ; ere he knew the thing That was the Theefe ; to be th' Impostor borne ; Whom Ioue yet , with his Sonnes name did adorne . In studie , and with Ardor , then the King ( Ioues dazeling Sonne ) plac't his exploring wing On sacred Pylos , for his forced Heard ; His ample shoulders ▪ in a cloud ensphear'd Of fierie chrimsine . Strait , the steps he found Of his stolne Herd : And said ; Strange sights confound My apprehensiue powers : for here I see The Tracts of Oxen ; but auersiuelie Conuerted towards the Pierian Hills , As tredding to their Meade of Daffodills ; But , nor mine eye , Mens feet , nor Womens drawes ; Nor hoarie Wolues , nor Beares ▪ nor Lyons Paws ; Nor thick-neckt Bulls they show . But hee that ●oes , These monstrous Deeds , with n●uer so swift shooes ; Hath past from that howre hither ; but from hence , His foule course , may meete , fouler consequence . With thi● , tooke Phoebus wing ; and Hermes still , ( For all his Threats ) secure lay in his Hill Wall'd with a woodd ; and more ▪ ● Rock , beside Where a Retreat rann , deepely multiplide In blinding shadows ; and where th' endlesse Bride ; Bore to Saturnius , his Ingenious Sonne : An Odor , worth a Hearts desire , being throwne , Along the Heauen-sweet Hill ; on whose Herb , fedd , Rich flocks of sheepe , that bow not where they tredd Their horney Pasterns . There , the light of Men , ( Ioues Sonne Apollo ) strait descended then , The Marble Pauement , in that gloomie Den. On whom , when Ioue , and Maia's Sonne set eye , Wroth for his Oxen : On then , instantly His Odorous swath-bands , flew ; in which , as close Th' Impostor lay ; As in the coole repose Of cast-on Ashes , Harths of burning Coles Ly in the woods hidd , vnder the Controules Of skilfull Colyers : Euen so close did lie Inscrutable Hermes in Apollo's eye . Contracting his great God-head , to a small And Infant likenesse ; feet , hands , head and All. And as a Hunter hath beene often viewd , From Chace retir'd with both his hands embrewd In his Games blood ; that doth for water call To clense his hands ; And to prouoke withall Delightsome sleepe ; new washt and laid to rest ; So now lay Hermes in the close comprest Chace of his Oxen. His New-found-out Lute ; Beneath his arme held ; As if no pursuite But that Prise , and the virtue of his play , His heart affected . But to Phoebus , lay , His close Heart , open : And he , likewise , knew The braue Hyll-Nymph there ; and her deare Sonne , new ▪ Borne ; and as well wrapt , in his wiles , as weed's . All the close shroud's too , for his Rapinous deedes , In All the Caue , he knew : and with his key He open'd three of them ; In which there lay Siluer , and Gold-heapes ; Nectar infinite store ; And Deare Ambrosia ; and of weedes she wore , ( Pure white , and Purple ) A rich Wardrobe shin'de ; Fit for the blest States , of powrs so diuin'de . All which discouerd ; Thus to Mercurie He offerd Conference : Infant ? you that lie Wrapt so in swath-bands ; Instantly vnfold In what conceald Retreats of yours you bold My Oxen stolne by you ; Or strait we shall Iarr , as beseemes not , powrs Celestiall . For I will take , and hurle Thee to the Deepes Of dismall Tartarus ; where ill Death keepes His gloomie , and inextricable fates ; And to no Eye , that light Illuminates , Mother , nor Father , shall returne thee free , But vnder Earth , shall Sorrow fetter thee , And few repute thee , their Superiour . On him replied , Crafts subtlest Counsailor ; What cruell speech hath past Latona's Care ! Seekes be his stolne-wilde-Cows , where Deities are ? I haue nor seene , nor ●eard ; nor can report ▪ From others mouthes , one word of their resort To any strang r. Nor will I , to gaine A base Reward , a false Relation faine . Nor would I ; Could I tell . Resemble I An Ox-Theefe ? Or a Man ? Especiallie A man of such a courage ; such a force As to that labour goes ? That violent course ? No Infants worke is That . My powres aspire To sleepe , and quenching of my hungers fire With Mothers Milke ; and gainst cold shades , to arme With Cradle-cloths , my shoulders ; and Baths warme , That no man may conceiue , the warr you threat Can spring , in cause , from my so peace full heat . And euen amongst th' Immortalls it would beare Euent of absolute Miracle , to heare A new-borne Infants forces should transcend The limits of his Dores ; much lesse contend With vntam'd Oxen. This speech nothing seemes To sauour the Decorum of the Beames Cast round about the Ayre Apollo breakes , Where his diuine minde , her intention speakes . I brake but yesterday , the blessed wombe , My feet are tender , and the common Tombe Of men , ( the Earth ) lies sharpe beneath their tred . But , ( if you please ) euen by my Fathers head I 'le take the great Oath ; That nor I protest My selfe , to Author on your Interest Any such vsurpation ; Nor haue I Seene any other , that felloniously Hath forc't your Oxen. Strange thing ! what are those Oxen of yours ? Or what are Oxen ? knowes My rude minde , thinke you ? My eares onely touch At their renowne , and heare that there are such . This speech he past , and euer as he spake Beames from the hayre , about his eye-lidds brake ; His eye-brows , vp , and downe cast ; and his eye Euery way look't , askans , and careleslie . And he , into a loftie whistling fell ; As if he idle thought , Apollo's spell . Apollo ( gently smiling ) made Replie ; O thou Impostor ! whose thoughts euer lye In labour with Deceipt ! For certaine , I Retaine Opinon ; that thou , ( euen thus soone ) Hast ransackt , many a House ; and not in one Nights-worke alone ; nor in one Countrie neither Hast beene beseeging , House and Man together ; Rigging , and rifeling all waies ; and no Noise Made with thy soft fee●e , where it all destroies . Soft therefore , well ; and tender thou maist call The feet that thy stealthe , goe , and fly withall . For many a field-bredd Herdsman . ( vnheard still ) Hast thou made drowne , the Ca●er●s of the Hill Where his Retreates lie , with his helplesse teares , When any flesh-stealth thy desire endea●●● ▪ And thou encountrest , either flocks of sheepe Or Herds of Oxen ! vp then doe not sleepe Thy last Nap , in thy Cradle ; but come downe ; ( Companion of black Night ) and for this Crowne Of thy young Rapines ; beare ( from all ) the state And stile of Prince Theefe , into endlesse Date . This said ; he tooke the Infant in his Armes ; And with him , the remembrance of his harmes ; This Praesage vtt'ring ; lifting him aloft ; Be euer more , the miserablie-soft Slaue of the bellie ; Pursuiuant of all And Author , of all mischiefs Capitall . He scorn'd his Prophesie so ; he Nees'd in 's face Most forciblie ( which hearing ) his embrace He loth'd ; and burl'd him gainst the ground ; yet still Tooke seate before him ; though , ( with all the ill He bore by him ) he would haue left full faine That Hewer of his heart , so into twaine . Yet salu'd all thus ; Come ! ( you so swadl'd thing ; Issue of Maia , and the Thunders King ; Be confident ; I shall hereafter finde My brode-browd Oxen. My Prophetique minde So farr from blaming this thy course ; that I , Foresee thee , ( in it , ) to Posteritie The guide of All Men , ( All waies , ) to their ends . This spoken ; Hermes , from the Earth Ascends ; Starting Aloft ; and as in Studie went ; Wrapping himselfe , in his Integument ; And thus askt Phoebus ; Whither force you Me ( Farr-shot ; and farr most powrefull Deitie . ) I know ( for all your fayning ) y' are still wroth , About your Oxen ; and suspect my Troth . O Iupiter ? I wish the generall Race Of all Earths Oxen , rooted from her face . I steale your Oxen ? I againe , professe That neither , I , haue stolne them ; nor can ghesse Who else should steale them . What strange Beasts are these Your so-lou'd Oxen ? I must say ( to please Your humor thus farr ) that euen My few Hoowres Haue heard their fame . But be the sentence yours Of the Debate betwixt vs ; Or to Ioue ( For more indifferencie ) the Cause remoue . Thus when the Solitude-affecting God , And the Latonian seede , had laid abroad All things betwixt them ; ( though not yet agreed ; Yet , might I speake ) Apollo did proceede Nothing vniustly , to charge Mercurie With stealing of the Cows , he does denie . But his Profession was , with filed speach , And Crafts faire Complements , to ouerreach All ; And euen Phoebus . Who because he knew His Trade of subtletie ; He still at view Hunted his Foe , through all the sandie waie Vp to Olympus . Nor would let him stra●e From out his sight ; but kept behinde him still . And now they reacht , the Odoriferous Hill Of high Olympus , to their Father Ioue , To Arbitrate the Cause , in which they stroue . Where , before both ; Talents of iustice were Propos'd for him , whom Ioue should sentence Clere , In cause of their contention . And now About Olympus , ( euer-crown'de with snow ) The rumor of their controuersie flew . All the Incorruptible , to their view , On heavens steepe Mountaine , made return'd repaire . Hermes and He , that light hurls through the ayre ; Before the Thunderers knees stood : who begunn , To question thus farr , his Illustrious Sonne : Phoebus ? To what end bringst thou Captiue here Him in whom my Minde , putts delights so deare ? This New-borne Infant ? that the place supplies Of Herrald yet , to all the Deities ? This serious busines , you may witnesse , drawes The Deities whole Court , to discusse the cause . Phoebus replied : And not vnworthie is The cause , of all the Court of Deities . For you shall heare , it comprehends the weight Of Deuastation ; and the verie height Of spoile , and rapine , euen of Deities rights . Yet you ( as if my selfe lou'd such delights ) Vse words that wound my heart . I bring you here An Infant , that , euen now , admits no Pere In rapes and robb'ries . Finding out , his Place , ( After my measure of an infinite space ) In the Cyllenian Mountaine . Such a one In all the Art of opprobration , As not in all the Deities , I haue seene ; Nor in th' Obliuion-marckt-whole Race of men . In Night , he draue my Oxen from their Leas ; A long the loftie rore-resounding Seas : From out the Rode way quite : the steps of them So quite transpos'd , as would amaze the beam● Of any mindes eye : being so infinite much Inuolu'd in doubt ; as showd a Deified touch Went to the works performance . All the way Through which , my cross-hou'd Cows hee did conuaie , Had dust so darklie-hard to serch ; and He So past all measure , wrapt in subtiltie . For , nor with feet , nor hands , be form'd his steps , In passing through the drie waies sandie heap's : But vs'd another counsaile to keepe hidd His monstrous Tracts ; that showd as one had slid On Oke , or other Boughs ; That swept out still The footsteps of his Oxen ; and did fill Their prints vp euer ; to the Daffodill ( Or daintie feeding Meddow ) as they trodd , Driuen by this cautelous , and Infant God . A Mortall Man yet , saw him driuing on His Prey to Pylos . Which when he had done And got his Passe sign'd , with a sacred fire In peace ; and freely ( though to his desire Not to the Gods , he offerd part of these My rauisht Oxen ) he retires , and lies Like to the gloomie Night in his dimm Denn , All hid in darknesse ; and in clouts againe , Wrapt him so closely ; that the sharpe-seene eye Of your owne Eagle , could not see him lye . For with his hands , the ayre he rarified ( This way , and that mou'd ) till bright gleames did glide About his Being ; that if any eye Should dare the Darknesse ; Light appos'd so nie Might blinde it quite , with her Antipathie . Which wile he woue , in curious care t'illude Th' Extreame of any eye , that could intrude . On which relying ; he outrageouslie ( When I accus'd him ) trebled his replie ; I did not see ; I did not heare ; nor I Will tell at all ; that any other stole Your brode-browd Beeues . Which an Impostors soule Would soone haue done ; and any Author faine Of purpose onely , a Reward to gaine . And thus he colourd truth , in euery lie . This said ; Apollo sate ; and Mercurie , The Gods Commander , pleas'd with this replie . Father ! I 'le tell the truth ; ( for I am true And farr from Art to lie . ) He did pursue Euen to my Caue , his Oxen : this selfe daie ; The Sunn , new raising his illustrious raie . But brought with him , none of the Bliss-indu'd , Nor any ocular witnesse ▪ to conclude , His bare assertion . But his owne command Laid on with strong , and necessarie hand , To showe his Oxen. Vsing Threats to cast My poore , and Infant powrs , into the Vast Of ghastlie Tartarus ; because he beares Of strength-sustayning youth , the flaming yeares . And I , but yesterday produc't to light By which , it fell into his owne fre sight That I , in no similitude apper'd Of powre to be the forcer of a Herde . And credite me ( O Father , since the Grace Of that name , in your stile , you please to place ) I draue not home his Oxen , no nor preast Past mine owne threshold ; for t is manifest , I reuerence , with my soule , the Sunn ; and all The knowing dwellers , in this heauenly Hall . Loue you ; obserue the least : and t is most cleare In your owne knowledge , that my Merits beare No least guilt of his blame . To all which , I , Dare adde , heauens great oath , boldly swearing by All these so well-built Entries of the Blest . And therefore when I saw my selfe so prest With his reproches ; I confesse I burn'd In my pure gall ; and harsh replie return'd . Adde your aid to your Yonger then ; and free The scruple fixt in Phoebus Ielousie . This said ; he winckt vpon his Sire ; and still His swath-bands , held beneath his arme ; no Will Discernd in him , to hide , but haue them showne . Ioue laught aloud at his Ingenious Sonne , Quitting himselfe with Art , so likely wrought , As showd in his heart , not a rapinous thought . Commanding Both , to beare attoned mindes And seeke out th' Oxen ; In which serch he bindes Hermes to play the Guide ; and show the Sunn ( All grudge exilde ) the Shrowd to which he wunn His fayre-eyd Oxen. Then ; his forehead bow'd For signe it must be so ; and Hermes show'd His free obedience . So soone , he inclin'd To his perswasion , and command , his minde . Now then , Ioues Iarring Sonnes , no longer stood ; But sandie Pylos , and th' Alphaean flood Reacht instantly ; and made as quick a fall On those rich-feeding fields , and loftie stall Where Phoebus Oxen , Hermes safelie kept ; Driuen in , by night . When sodainely he stept Vp to the stonie Caue ; and into light Draue forth the Oxen ▪ Phoebus at first sight Knew them the same : and saw apart dispread Vpon a high-rais'd rock ; the hydes new flead Of th' Oxen sacrifis'd . Then Phoebus said ; O thou in craftie counsailes vndisplaid ! How couldst thou cut the throtes , and cast to Earth Two such huge Oxen ? being so young a birth , And a mere Infant ? I admire thy force And will , behinde thy back . But this swift course Of growing into strength , thou hadst not need Continue any long Date , O thou seed Of honor'd Maia ! Hermes , ( to shew how He did those Deedes ) did forthwith cut and bow Strong Osiers in soft folds ; and strappl'd strait One of his hugest Oxen : all his weight Lay'ng prostrate on the earth , at Phoebus feet : All his foure clouen houes , easly made to greete Each other vpwards ; all , together bro●ght . In all which bands yet , all the Beasts powres wrought To rise , and stand ; when all the Herd about The mighty Hermes , rusht in , to help out Their fellow from his fetters ; Phoebus view Of all this , vp to Admiration drew Euen his high forces : And sterne lookes he threw At Hermes for his Herds wrong ; and the place To which he had retir'd them ; being in grace And fruitfull riches of it , so entire : All which , set all his force , on enuious fire . All whose heat , flew out of his eyes in flames : Which faine he would haue hidd , to hide the shames Of his ill gouern'd passions . But with ease Hermes could calme them ; and his humors please Still at his pleasure ; were he ne're so great In force , and fortitude ; and high in heat . In all which , he his Lute tooke ; and assaid A Song vpon him ; and so strangely plaid ; That from his hand , a rauishing horror flew . Which Phoebus , into laughter turn'd ; and grew Pleasant past measure ; Tunes so artfull clere Strooke euen his heart-strings ; & his minde , made heare . His Lute so powerfull was , in forcing loue ; ( As his hand rul'd it ) that from him it droue All feare of Phoebus ; yet he gaue him still The vpper hand ; and ( to aduance his skill ) The vtmost Miracle ; he plaid sometimes , Single awhile ; In which , when all the Clymes Of rapture he had reacht ; ( to make the Sunn Admire enough ) O then , his voice would runn Such points vpon his play ; and did so moue , They tooke Apollo Prisoner to his loue . And now the deathlesse Gods , and deathfull Earth He sung ; beginning , at their eithers Birth , To full extent of all their Emperie . And , first ; the honor to Mnemosyne ( The Muses Mother ) of all Goddesse states He gaue ; euen forc't too 't , by the equall fates . And then ( as it did in Prioritie fall Of Age , and Birth ) He celebrated All. And with such Elegance , and Order sung ; ( His Lute still toucht , to stick more off his tongue ) That Phoebus heart , with infinite loue , he eate . Who therefore thus , did his Deserts entreate : Master of Sacrifice ! chiefe soule of feast ? Patient of all paines ? Artizan so blest ; That all things thou canst doe , in any One. Worth fiftie Oxen is th' Inuention Of this one Lute . We both , shall now ; I hope ; In firme peace , worke , to all our wishes scope . Informe me , ( thou that euery way canst winde , And turne to Act , all wishes of thy minde ) Together with thy birth , came all thy skill ? Or did some God , or God-like man instill This heauenly song to thee ? Me thinks I heare A new voice ; such as neuer yet came nere The brest of any ; either Man , or God ; Till in thee , it had Prime , and Period . What Art ? what Muse ? that medicine can produce For cares most curele●●e ? what inueterate vse ; Or practise of a virtue so profuse , ( Which three , doe all the contribution keep● That Ioy , or Loue conferrs , or pleasing Sleepe ) Taught thee the soueraigne facture of them all ? I , of the Muses , am the capitall Consort , or follower : ( and to these belong The grace of dance ; all worthie waies of song ; and euer-florishing verse : the delicate Set And sound of Instruments . ) But neuer yet Did anything so much affect my minde With ioy , and care to compasse ; as this kinde Of Song and Play : that for the spritely feast Of florishing assemblies , are the best And aptest works , that euer Worth gaue Act. My powres with admiration stand distract , To heare , with what a hand to make in loue , Thou rul'st thy Lute . And ( though thy yongst howres moue , At full art , in ould counsailes . Here I vow ( Euen by this Cornell Dart , I vse to throw ) To thee , and to thy Mother ; I 'le make thee Amongst the Gods , of glorious degree . Guide of Mens waies , and Theirs . And will impart To thee , the mightie Imperatorie Art : Bestowe rich gifts on thee ; and in the end Neuer deceiue thee . Hermes ( as a friend That wrought on all aduantage ; and made gaine His Capitall obiect ) thus did entertaine Phoebus Apollo : Doe thy Dignities ( Farr-working God ; and circularlie wise ) Demand my vertues ? without enuie I Will teach thee to ascend my facultie . And this Day thou shalt reach it ; finding me , In Acts and Counsailes , all waies kinde to thee ; As one that all things knows : And first tak'st seat Amongst th' immortalls ; being good , and great . And therefore to Ioues loue , mak'st free accesse , Euen out of his accomplisht Holinesse . Great gifts , he likewise giues thee ; who ( fame saies ) Hast wunn thy greatnesse , by his will : his waies . By him know'st all the powers Propheticall ( O thou farr-worker ) and the fates of all . Yea ; and I know thee rich ; yet apt to learne : And euen thy Wish , dost but discerne , and earne . And since thy soule , so burns to know the way To play and sing as I doe : sing , and play . Play ; and perfection in thy play employ ; And be thy care , to learne things good ; thy Ioy . Take thou my Lute ( My Loue ) and giue thou me , The glorie of so great a facultie . This sweet-tun'd consort ; held but in thy hand ; Sing ; and perfection in thy song command . For thou , alreadie , hast the way to speake Fayrely , and elegantly ; and to breake All eloquence into thy vtterd minde . One gift from heauen found , may another finde . Vse then , securely , this thy gift ; and goe To feasts , and dances , that enamour so ; And to that couetous sport of getting glory , That Day , nor Night , will suffer to be sory . Whoeuer , does but say , in verse ; sings still : Which he that can ; of any other skill Is capable ; so he be taught by Art , And wisedome ; and can speake , at euery part Things pleasing to an vnderstanding Minde : And such a one , that seekes this Lute , shall finde . Him still it teaches easely , though he plaies Soft voluntaries onely ; and assaies As wanton , as the sports of children are . And ( euen when he aspires to singular In all the Mast'ries he shall play or sing ) Findes the whole worke , but an vnhappie thing : He ( I say ) sure ; shall of this Lute be King . But he ; whoeuer , rudely sets vpon , Of this Lutes skill , th' Inquest , or Question ; Neuer so ardently , and angrilie ; Without the aptnesse , and habilitie Of Art , and Nature fitting : neuer shall Aspire to this ; but vtter triuiall And idle accents ; though sung ne're so lowd , And neuer so commended of the Crowde . But thee I know ( O Eminent Sonne of Ioue ) The fiery Learner , of what euer Loue Hath sharpn'd thy affections to achiue . And thee , I giue this Lute ; let vs now liue Feeding vpon the Hill-and-horse-fed Earth Our neuer-handled Oxen : whose deare Birth ( Their femalls fellowd with their Males ) let flowe In store enough hereafter ; nor must you ( How-euer-cunning hearted your wits are ) Boile in your Gall , a Grudge too circulare . Thus gaue he him his Lute ; which he embrac't ; And gaue againe , a Gode , whose bright head cast Beames like the light forth ; leauing to his care His Oxens keeping . Which , with ioyfull fare , He tooke on him . The Lute Apollo tooke Into his left hand ; and aloft he shooke Delightsome sounds vp ; to which God did sing . Then were the Oxen , to their endlesse Spring Turn'd ; and Ioues Two illustr'ous Off-springs flew Vp to Olympus , where it euer snew ; Delighted with their Lutes sound all the way . Whom Ioue , much ioi'd to see ; and endlesse stay Gaue to their knot of friendship . From which date ; Hermes gaue Phoebus , an eternall state In his affection : whose sure pledge and signe His Lute was ; and the Doctrine so diuine , Iointly conferd on him . Which well might be True Symbole of his Loues simplicitie . On th' other part ; Apollo , in his friend Form'd th' Art of Wisedome ; to the binding end Of his vow'd friendship ; and ( for further meede ) Gaue him the farr-heard fistularie Reede . For all these forms of friendship , Phoebus yet Feard that both forme , and substance were not mett In Mercurie's intentions : and , in plaine , Said , ( since he saw him , borne to craft and gaine ; And that Ioues will had him the honor done , To change at his will , the possession Of others Gods ) be fear'd his breach of of vowes , In stealing both his Lute , and comming Bowes . And therefore wisht , that what the Gods affect , Himselfe would witnesse ; and to his request His head Bow ; swearing by th' Impetuous flood Of Styx ; that of his whole possessions , not a Good He would diminish ; but therein maintaine The full content , in which his Minde did raigne . And then did Maia's Sonne , his fore-head bow : Making , by all that he desir'd , his vow : Neuer to prey more vpon any Thing , In iust possession of the farr-shot King ; Nor euer to come neare , a House of his . Latonian Phoebus , bowd his Brow to this , With his like promise ; say'ng , Not any One Of all the Gods , nor any Man , that , Sonne Is to Saturnius ; is more deare to me ; More trusted , nor more honord , is then thee . Which , yet , with greater Gifts of Deitie , In future I 'le confirme ; and giue thy state A Rodd that riches shall accumulate ; Nor leaue the bearer , thrall to Death , or fate Or any sicknesse . All of Gold it is ; Three-leau'd ; and full of all felicities . And this shall be thy Guardian ; this shall giue The Gods to thee , in all the truth they liue . And finally , shall this the Tutresse be Of all the words , and workes , informing me From Ioues high counsailes ; making knowne to thee All my instructions . But to Prophesie ( O best of Ioues belou'd ) and that high skill ; Which to obtaine , lies burning in thy will ; Nor thee , nor any God , will Fate let learne . Onely Ioues minde , hath insight to discerne What that importeth ; yet am I allowd ( My knowne faith trusted ; and my forhead bowd ; Our great Oath taken , to resolue to none Of all th' immortalls , the Restriction Of that deepe knowledge ) of it All , the Minde . Since then it sits , in such fast bounds confinde , ( O Brother ) when the Golden rodd is held In thy strong hand ; seeke not to haue reueal'd Any sure fate , that Ioue will haue conceald . For no man shall , by know'ng , preuent his fate ; And therefore will I hold , in my free state The powre , to hurt and helpe , what man I will , Of all the greatest ; or least toucht with ill ; That walke within the Circle of mine eye ; In all the Tribes , and Sexes , it shall trye . Yet , truely , any man shall haue his will To reape the fruites of my Prophetique skill ; Whoeuer seekes it , by the voice , or wing Of Birds , borne truely , such euents to sing . Nor will I falfly , nor with fallacies Infringe the truth , on which his faith relies ; But he that Truths , in chattering plumes would finde ; ( Quite opposite to them , that prompt my Minde , ) And learne by naturall forgers of vaine lyes , The more-then-euer-certaine Deities ; That man shall Sea-waies tred , that leaue no Tracts ; And false , or no guide finde , for all his facts . And yet will I , his Gifts accept as well As his ; to whom , the simple truth I tell . One other thing to thee , I 'le yet make knowne ( Maia's exceedingly renowned sonne And Ioues ; and of the Gods whole session The most ingenious Genius . ) There dwell Within a crooked Crannie , in a Dell Beneath Parnassus ; certaine sisters borne , Call'd Parcae ; whom extreame swift wings adorne ; Their Number three ; that haue vpon their heads White Barly floure still sprinckled ; and are maids ; And these are schoole-Mistresses of things to come , Without the gift of Prophecie : of whom ( Being but a boy , and keeping Oxen , nere ) I learn'd their skill ; though my great Father were Careles of it , or them . These flying from home , To others roofes ; and fedd with Hony-come , Command all skill ; and ( being enraged then ) Will freely tell the Truths of things to Men. But if they giue them not , that Gods sweete meat ; They then are apt , to vtter their deceit , And leade Men from their way . And these will I Giue thee hereafter ; when their scrutinie And truth ; thou hast both made , and learn'd , and then ; Please thy selfe with them ; and the Race of men ( Wilt thou know any ) with thy skill endeare : Who will , ( be sure ) afford it greedie eare ; And heare it often , if it proue sincere . Take these ( O Maia's Sonne ) and in thy care , Be Horse , and Oxen : all such Men as are Patient of labour ; Lyons ; white-tooth'd Bores ; Mastifs , and flocks , that feede the flowrie shores ; And euery foure-foot Beast : all which shall stand In awe of thy high Imperatory hand . Be thou to Dis too , sole Ambassador ; Who ( though all gifts , and bounties he abhor ) On thee he will bestowe , a wealthie One. Thus King Apollo , honor'd Maia's Sonne , With all the rights of friendship : all whose loue Had Imposition , from the Will of Ioue . And thus , with Gods and Mortalls Hermes liu'd ; Who truely helpt but few ; but all deceiu'd With an vndifferencing respect ; and made Vaine words , and false perswasions his Trade . His Deeds , were all associats of the Night ; In which , his close wrongs , car'd for no mans Right . So all salutes to Hermes , that are due ; Of whom , and all Gods , shall my Muse sing true . The end of the Hymne to Hermes .
A HYMNE TO VENVS . THe force ( O Muse ) and functions , now , vnfold , Of Cyprian Venus , grac't with Mines of Gold . Who , euen in Deities , lights Loues sweet desire ; And all Deaths kindes of men , makes kisse her fire : All Ayres wing'd Nation ; all the Belluine ; That or the Earth feedes , or the Seas confine . To all which appertaine , the loue and care Of well-crown'd Venus works . Ye three there are , Whose mindes , she neither can deceiue nor moue ; Pallas , the seede of Aegis-bearing - Ioue ; Who still liues Indeuirginate ; her eyes Being blew , and sparkling like the freezing skies : Whom all the Gold of Venus , neuer can Tempt to affect her facts , with God or Man . She louing strife , and Mars-his working Bones ; Pitcht fields , and fights , and famous Artizanes , Taught earthie men first , all the Arts that are ; Charriots , and all the frames vehiculare ; Chiefely with brasse , arm'd , & adorn'd for warre . Where Venus , onely soft-skinnd wenches fills With wanton House-works , and suggests those skills Still to their studies . Whom Diana neither , That beares the Golden distaff ; and together Calls Horns , and Hollows ; and the cries of Houndes ; And ownes the Epithete of louing sounds For their sakes ; springing from such spritely sports ; Can catch with her kinde Lures . But hill resorts To wilde-Beasts slaughters ; accents farr-off heard Of Harps , and Dances ; and of woods vnsheard The sacred shades she loues ; yet likes as well Citties where good men , and their off-spring dwell . The third , whom her kinde Passions nothing please ; Is Virgine Vesta ; whom Saturnides Made reuerend with his counsailes : when his Sire That aduers counsailes agitates , lifes fire Had kindled in her ; being his last begot . Whom Neptune wow'd , to knit with him the knot Of honord Nuptialls ; and Apollo too ; Which , with much vehemence , she refus'd to doe ; And sterne Repulses , put vpon them both . Adding to all her vows ; the Gods great Oath ; And touching Ioues chynn , ( which must consummate All vows so bound ) that she would hold her state ; And be th' Inuincible Maid of Deities Through all her daies dates . For Saturnides Gaue her a faire gift , in her Nuptialls stedd ; To sit in midst of his house , and be fedd With all the free , and richest feast of Heauen : In all the Temples of the Gods being giuen The prise of honor . Not a mortall Man , ( That either of the powrs Olympian His half-birth hauing ; may be said to be A mortall of the Gods ; or else that he ( Deities wills doings ) is of Deitie ) But giues her honor , of the amplest kinde . Of all these Three ; can Venus , not a Minde Deceiue , or set on forces to reflect . Of all powrs els yet , not a sex , nor sect , Flies Venus ; either of the blessed Gods ; Or Men , confin'de in mortall Periods . But euen the Minde of Ioue , she doth seduce , That chides with Thunder so , her lawlesse vse In humane Creatures ; and by lot is giuen Of all , most honor ; both in Earth , and Heauen . And yet euen his all-wise , and mightie Minde ; She , when she lifts , can forge affectes to blinde , And mixe with mortall Dames , his Deitie : Conceald , at all parts , from the ielous eye Of Iuno ; who was both his sister borne , And made his wife ; whom beautie did adorne Past all the B●●ie of immortall Dames ; And whose so chiefely-glorified Flames Crosse-counsailde Saturne got ; and Rhaea bore ; And Ioues pure counsailes , ( being Conqueror ) His wife made of his sister . I , and more ; Cast such an amorous fire into her minde As made her ( like him ) with the Mortall kinde Meete in vnmeete bedd ; vsing vtmost haste ; Lest she should know , that he liu'd so vnchaste , Before her selfe , felt that fault in her heart ; And gaue her tongue , too iust edge of Desert To tax his lightnes . With this End , beside , Lest laughter-studying Venus , should deride The Gods more then the Goddesses ; and say That shee the Gods commixt in amorous play , With mortall Dames ; begetting mortall seede T'Immortall sires ; and not make Goddesses breede The like with mortall Fathers . But t'acquite Both Gods and Goddesses of her despite , Ioue tooke ( euen in her selfe ) on him , her powre ; And made her with a mortall Paramoure Vse as deform'd a mixture , as the rest ; Kindling a kinde affection in her brest To God-like-limm'd Anchises ; as he kept 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Altissimum habens virticem , cuiuss●mmitas ipsum polum ●●●●ngit . On Idas-top-on-top-to-heauens-Pole heapt , Amongst the manie fountaines there , his Herd ; For after his braue Person had apper'de To her bright eye ; her heart flew all on fire ; And ( to amaze ) she burn'd in his desire . Flew strait to Cyprus , to her odorous Phane And Altars , that the people Paphiane Aduanc't to her . Where , ( soone as entred ) shee The shyning gates shut ; and the Graces three Washt ; and with Oiles of euerlasting sent , Bath'd , as became , her deathlesse lyneament . Then her Ambrosian Mantle she assum'd ; With rich and odoriferous Ayres perfum'd ; Which being put on ; and all her Trimms beside Fayre , and with all allurements amplified ; The All-of-Gold-made-laughter-louing Dame ; Left odorous Cyprus ; and for Troy became A swift Contendresse ; her Passe cutting All Along the cloudes ; and made her instant fall On fountfull Ida ; that her Mother-Brests Giues to the Preyfull broode , of sauage Beasts . And through the Hill she went , the readie way T' Anchises Oxstall , where did fawne and play About her blessed feet , Wolues griflie-gray ; Terrible Lyons ; many a Mankind Beare ; And Lybberds swift , insatiate of red Deare . Whose sight so pleas'd , that euer as she past Through euery Beast , a kindely Loue she cast : That in their Denns-obscur'd with shadowes deepe ; Made all , distinguisht , in kinde Couples , sleepe . And now she reacht the rich Pauilion Of the Heroe ; In whom heauens had showne A fayre and goodly Composition . And whom she in his Oxstall found , alone ; His Oxen feeding in fat Pastures , by ; He walking vp , and downe ; sounds clere , and hye , From his harp striking . Then , before him , shee Stood like a Virgine , that inuinciblie Had borne her beauties ; yet alluringly Bearing her person ; lest his rauisht eye Should chance t' affect him , with a stupid feare . Anchises seeing her , all his senses were With wonder stricken ; and high-taken-heed●s Both of her forme ; braue stature ; and rich weedes . For , for a vaile ; she shin'd in an Attire That cast a radiance , past the Ray of fire . Beneath which , wore she guirt to her , a Gowne Wrought all with growing-rose-budds ; reaching downe T' her slender smalls ; which buskinns did diuine ; Such as taught Thetis siluer Feete to shine . Her soft white neck ; rich Carquenets embrac't ; Bright , and with gold , in all variety grac't ; That , to her brests ( let downe ) lay there and shone , As at her ioyfull full , the rising Moone . Her sight show'd miracles . Anchises Heart , Loue tooke into his hand ; and made him part With these high Salutations ; Ioy , ( O Queene ? ) Whoeuer of the Blest , thy beauties beene , That light these Entries ! Or the Deitie That Darts affecteth ; or that gaue the eye Of Heauen , his heat and Luster ! Or that moues The hearts of all , with all-commanding Loues ? Or generous Themis ? Or the blew-eyd Maid ? Or of the Graces , any that are laid With all the Gods , in comparable skales ? And whom Fame , vp to Immortalitie calles ? Or any of the Nymphs , that vnshorne Groues , Or that this fayre Hill-habitation loues ? Or valleys , flowing with earths fattest Goods ? Or Fountaines , pouring forth , eternall floods ? Say , which , of all thou art ; that in some place Of circular prospect , for thine eyes deare grace I may an Altar build , and to thy Powres Make sacred all the yeares deuoted Howres , With consecrations sweet , and oppulent . Assur'd whereof ; be thy benigne Minde bent To these wisht blessings of me ; giue me parts Of chiefe attraction in Troian hearts . And after ; giue me the refulgencie Of most renownd , and rich Posteritie ; Long , and free life ; and Heauens sweet light as long ; The peoples blessings ; and a health so strong ; That no disease , it let my life engage ; Till th' vtmost limit , of a humane Age. To this , Ioues seede , this answer gaue againe ; Anchises ? happiest of the humane straine ? I am no Goddesse : why , a thrall to Death Think'st thou like those , that immortality breath ? A woman brought me forth , my Fathers Name Was Otreus ( If euer his high fame Thine eares haue witnest ) for he gouernd all The Phrygian State : whose euery Towne , a wall Impregnable embrac't . Your tongue , ( you heare ) I speake so well , that in my naturall spheare ( As I pretend ) It must haue taken prime . A woman likewise , of the Troian clime Tooke of me , in her house , the Nurses care From my deare Mothers Bosome ; and thus are My words of equall accent , with your owne . How , here , I come ; ( to make the reason knowne ) Argicides , that beares the Golden Rod Transferd me forciblie from my Abod Made with the Maiden Traine , of her that ioies In Golden shafts ; and loues so well the noise , Of Hounds , & Hunters ( Heauens pure-liuing powre ) Where many a Nymph , and maid of mighty Dowre , Chast sports emploid All circkl'd with a Crowne Of infinite Multitude , to see so showne Our maiden Pastimes . Yet from all the Fayre Of this so forcefull concourse ; vp in Ayre The Golden-Rodd-sustaining - Argus Guide , Rapt me in sight of all ; and made me ride Along the Clouds with him ; enforcing me Thro●gh many a labour of Mortalitie : Through many an vnbuilt Region ; and a rude , Where sauage Beasts , deuour'd Preys warme , and crude ▪ And would not let my feares , take one foots tred On her by whom , are all Liues comforted ; But said , my Maiden State , must grace the Bed Of King Anchises : And bring forth to thee Issue as faire , as of diuine Degree . Which said , and showing me thy mouing Grace ; Away flew he vp , to th' Immortall Race . And thus came I to thee : Necessitie With her steele stings ; compelling me t'applie To her high Powre , my will . But You must I , Implore by Ioue ; and all the reuerence due , To your deare Parents ; who ( in bearing you ) Can beare no meane saile ; leade me home to them An vntoucht Maid : being brought vp in th' extreme Of much too cold simplicitie ; to know The fiery cunnings , that in Venus glow . Show me to them then ; and thy Brothers borne : I shall appeare none , that , parts disadorne ; But such as well may serue , a Brothers wife ; And show them now , euen to my future life ; If such , or no , my Present , will extend . To Horse-Breede-vary'ng Phrygia , likewise send T' Informe my Sire and Mother of my State , That liue for me , extreame disconsolate . Who Gold enough , and well-wouen weedes will giue . All whose rich Gifts , in my Amends receiue . All this perform'd ; adde celebration then Of honord Nuptialls ; that by God and Men Are held in reuerence . All this while she said ; Into his bosome , iointly , she conuaid The fires of loue ; when ( all enamourd ) He In these terms answered : If Mortalitie Confine thy Fortunes ; and a woman were Mother to those attractions that appeare In thy admir'd forme ; thy great Father giuen High Name of Otreus ; and the Spie of Heauen ( Immortall Mercurie ) th' enforce-full cause That made thee lose the Prize of that applause , That modestie , immaculate Virgines giues : My wife thou shalt be call'd , through both our liues . Nor shall the powrs of Men , nor Gods withhold My fiery resolution , to enfold Thy bosome in mine armes ; which here I vow To firme performance , past delay ; and Now. Nor ( should Apollo with his siluer Bow Shoote me to instant death ) would I forbeare To doe a deede , so full of cause so deare . For with a Heauen-sweet woman , I will ly , Though strait I stoope the house of Dis , ' and die . This said ; he tooke her hand ; and she tooke way With him ; her bright eyes casting round ; whose stay She stuck vpon a bed , that was before Made for the King , and wealthie couerings wore . On which , Beares Hydes , and bigg-voic't Lyons lay ; Whose Preyfull liues , the King had made his Prey , Hunting th' Idalian Hills . This Bed when they Had both ascended ; first he tooke from her The fierie weede , that was her vtmost weare . Vnbutto'nd her next rosie Robe ; and los'd The Gyrdle , that her slender wast enclos'd . Vnlac't her buskinns ; all her Iewellrie Tooke from her neck , and brests ; and all lay'd by , Vpon a Golden-studded Chaire of State . Th'Amaze of all which , being remou'd : euen Fate , And counsaile of the equall Gods gaue way To this ; that with a Deathlesse Goddesse lay A deathfull Man : since , what his loue assum'd , Not with his conscious knowledge , was presum'd . Now when the shepherds , and the Herdsmen , all , Turnd from their flowrie Pasture , to their Stall ; With all their Oxen ; fat , and frolick sheepe ; Venus , into Anchises , cast a sleepe , Sweet , and profound ; while , with her owne hands now With her rich weeds , she did her selfe indow : But so distinguisht ; that he clere might know : His happie Glories ; Then ( to her desire Her heauenly Person ; put in Trimms entire ) Shee by the bed stood , of the well-built Stall , Aduanc't her head , to State Celestiall , And in her cheekes , arose the radiant hew Of rich-cround Venus , to apparant view . And then she rou●'d him from his rest ; and said ; Vp ( my Dardanides ) forsake thy bed . What pleasure , late emploid , let ts Humor steepe Thy lidds , in this inexcitable sleepe ? Wake , and now say , If I appeare to thee Like her , that first , thine eyes conceited me . This started him from sleepe ; though deepe , and deare , And passing promptlie , he enioy'd his eare . But when his eye saw Venus neck , and eyes , Whose beauties could not beare the Counterprise Of any other : downe his owne eyes fell ; Which pallid feare , did from her view repell : And made him , with a maine respect beside ; Turne his whole person from her state ; and hide ( With his rich weede appos'd ) his royall face ; These wing'd words vsing ; When , at first , thy Grace , Mine eyes gaue entertainment ; well I knew Thy state was Deified : but thou told'st not true ; And therefore let me pray thee ; ( by thy Loue Borne to thy Father , Aegis-bearing Ioue ) That thou wilt neuer let me liue to be An abiect , after so diuine degree Taken in fortune ; but take ruth on me . For any Man that with a Goddesse lies ; Of interest in immortalities , Is neuer long liu'd . She replied ; Forbeare ( O happiest of Mortall Men ) this feare : And rest assur'd ; that ( not for me , at least ) Thy least ills feare fits ; no nor for the rest Of all the Blessed ; for thou art their friend ; And so farr from sustaining instant end ; That to thy long-enlarg'd life ; there shall spri●g Amongst the Troians , a deare Sonne , and King ; To whom shall many a Sonne ; and Sonnes Sonne rise In euerlasting-great Posterities . His Name Aeneas : therein keeping life ; For euer , in my much-conceipted griefe ; That I ( immortall ) fell into the bed Of one whose blood , Mortality must shed . But rest thou comforted ; and all the Race That Troy shall propagate , in this high grace ; That , past all Races else , the Gods stand nere Your glorious Nation ; for the formes ye beare And Natures so ingenuous , and sincere . For which , the great in counsailes ( Iupiter ) Your Gold-lockt Ganymedes did transfer ( In rapture farr from mens depressed fates ) To make him Consort with our Deified states ; And skale the Top● of the Saturnian skies ; He was so meere a Marueile in their eyes . And therefore from a Bolle of Gold he fills Redd Nectar ; that the rude distension kills Of windes that in your humane stomacks breede . But then did Languor , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cuius Memoria erit perpetua . on the Liuer feede Of Tros ( his Father ) that was King of Troy ; And euer did his memorie employ With losse of his deare bewtie so bereuen ; Though with a sacred whirlewinde ●apt to heauen . But Ioue ( in pittie of him ) saw him giuen Good compensation ; sending by Heauens Spye , White-swift-hou'd Horse ; that Immortality Had made firme spirrited ; and had ( beside ) Hermes to see his Ambassie supplied With this vow'd Bountie ( vsing all at large That his vnaltered counsailes gaue in charge ) That he himselfe , should Immortality breath , Expert of Age , and Woe , as well as Death . This Ambassie exprest , he mourn'd no more ; But vp , with all his inmost minde he bore ; Ioying that he , vpon his swift-hou'd Horse , Should be stustain'd in an eternall course . So did the golden-thron'de Aurora , raise Into her Lap ; another that the praise Of an Immortall fashion , had in Fame ; And of your Nation , bore the Noble Name : ( His Title Tython ) who , not pleas'd with her , As she his louely Person , did transfer ; ( To satisfie him ) she bad aske of Ioue , The Gift of an Immortall for her Loue . Ioue gaue ; and bound it with his bowed Brow ; Performing to the vtmost point , his vow . Foole that she was ; that would her loue engage ; And not , as long aske , from the Bane of Age , The sweet exemption ; and Youths endlesse flowre . Of which , as long , as both the grace and powre His person entertainde ; she lou'd the Man ; And ( at the fluents of the Ocean Nere Earths extreame bounds ) dwelt with him : but when ( According to the course of aged Men ) On his faire head ; and honorable Beard ; His first gray hayres , to her light eyes apperd ; She left his bed ; yet gaue him still , for food The Gods Ambrosia ; and attire as good . Till , euen the hate of Age , came on so fast That not a lyneament of his was grac't With powre of Motion ; nor did still sustaine ( Much lesse ) the Vigor had , t' aduance a vaine ; The virtue lost , in each exhausted lim● , That , ( at his wish ) before would answer him ; All Powrs so quite decaid ; that when he spake , His voice , no perceptible accent brake : Her counsaile , then , thought best ; to striue no more ; But lay him in his bed , and lock his Dore. Such an Immortall ; would not I wish thee , T' extend all daies so , to Eternitie . But if , as now , thou couldst performe thy course In Grace of Forme , and all corporeall force To an eternall Date ; Thou then should'st beare My Husbands worthie Name ; and not a Teare , Should I neede raine , for thy deserts declinde , From my All clouded bitternesse of minde . But now , the sterne storme of relentlesse Age Will quickly circkle thee ; that waites ●'engage All Men alike ; euen Lothsomnesse , and Bane Attending with it , euery humane ●ane : Which euen the Gods bate . Such a Penance lies Impos'd on flesh and bloods infirmities . Which I my selfe must taste , in great degree , And date as endlesse ; for consorting thee . All the Immortalls , with my opprobrie Are full , by this time ; on their Hearts so lie , ( Euen to the sting of Feare ) my cunnings vs'd ; And wiuing conuersations infus'd , Into the bosomes of the best of them , With women , that the fraile and mortall stream Doth daily rauish . All this long since done . Which now , no more but with effusion Of teares ; I must in Heauen , so much as name : I haue so forfaited , in this , my Fame , And am impos'd , paine of so great a kinde For so much erring , from a Goddesse Minde . For I haue put beneath my Gyrdle here , A Sonne , whose sire , the humane mortall sphere Giues Circumscription . But when first the light His eyes shall comfort ; Nymphs that hant the height ; Of Hills ; and Brests haue , of most deepe receit ; Shall be his Nurses : who inhabit now A Hill of so vast , and diuine a Brow , As Man , nor God , can come at their Retreates . Who liue long liues , and eat immortall Meates ; And with Immortalls , in the exercise Of comely Dances , dare contend ; and rise Into high Question , which deserues the Prise . The light Sileni , mix in loue with These ; And of all Spies , the Prince Argicides : In well-trymmd Caues , their secret meetings made . And with the liues of these ; doth life inuade Or odorous firre Trees ; or high-forheaded Okes ; Together taking their begetting strokes . And haue tbeir liues and deaths , of equall Dates ; Trees bearing louely , and Delightsome states ; Whom Earth first feedes , that Men initiates . On her high Hills , she doth their states sustaine , And they , their owne heights , raise as high againe . Their Growghts together made ; Nymphs call their Groues ; Vowd to th' Immortalls seruices , and loues . Which mens steeles therefore touch not ; but let grow . But when wise Fates , times for their fadings know ; The faire Trees still , before the faire Nymphs die ; The Bark about them ; growne corrupt , and drie ; And all their boughs ( falne ) yeeld to Earth her right ; And then the Nymphs liues , leaue the louely Light . And these Nymphs , in their Caues , shall nurse my Son ; Whom ( when in him , Youths first grace is begun ) The Nymphs , his Nurses , shall present to thee , And shew thee what a Birth , thou hast by Me. And ( sure as now I tell thee all these things ) When earth , hath cloth'd her plants , in fiue faire springs ; My selfe will make returne , to this Retreate ; And bring that Flowre of thy enamour'd heate ; Whom when thou then seest , Ioy shall fire thine eyes ; He shall so well Present the Deities . And then into thine owne care take thy Sonne ; From his calme seat , to windie Ilion . Where , if strickt question , be vpon thee past , Asking what Mother , bore beneath her wast So deare a Sonne ; answer , as I afford Fit admonition , nor forget a word ; They say a Nymph , call'd Calucopides , That is with others , an inhabitresse On this thy wood-crownd Hill ; acknowledges That she , his life gaue . But if thou declare The Secrets , truth ; and art so mad to dare ( In glory of thy fortunes ) te approue , That rich-crownd Venus , mixt with thee in loue ; Ioue ( fir'd with my aspersion , so dispred ) Will , with a wreakefull lightning , dart thee dead . All , now , is told thee ; comprehend it All. Be Master of thy selfe ; and doe not call My Name in question ; but , with reuerence vow To Deities angers , all the awe , ye owe . This said ; shee reacht Heauen , where ayres euer flowe ; And so ( O Goddesse ) euer honord be In thy so Odorous Cyprian Emperie ; My Muse , affecting first , thy Fame to raise ; Shall make Transcension now , to others Praise . The end of the first Hymne to Venus .
To the same . THe Reuerend Rich-crownd , and Faire Queene , I sing ; ( Venus ) that owes in Fate the fortressing , Of all Maritimall Cyprus : Where the force Of gentle-breathing Zephire sterde her Course Along the waues of the resounding Sea ; While , yet , vnborne , in that soft fome she laie That brought her forth ; whom those faire Howrs that beare The Golden-bridles ; ioyfully stood nere ; Tooke vp into their armes ; and put on her Weed's of a neuer-corruptible weare . On her immortall head , a Crowne they plac't ; Elaborate ; and with all the beauties grac't That Gold could giue it . Of a weight so great ; That , to impose , and take off ; it had set Three Handles on it ; made for endlesse hold , Of shyning Brasse ; and all adorn'd with Gold . Her soft neck ; all with Carquenets was grac't ; That stoop't , and both her siluer brests embrac't , Which euen the Howrs themselues weare in resort , To Deities Dances ; and her Fathers Court. Grac't at all parts ; they brought to Heauen her graces ; Whose first sight seene ; all fell into embraces ; Hugg'd her white bands ; saluted ; wishing , all , To weare her Maiden Flowre in festiuall Of sacred Hymen : and to leade her home . All , to all admiration , ouercome With Cytheraea , with the violet Crowne . So , to the black-Browd-sweet-spoke ; All Renowne ; Prepare my Song ; and giue me , in the end , The victory ; to whose Palme , all contend . So shall my Muse , for euer honour thee , And ( for thy sake ) thy faire Posteritie .
BACCHVS , OR The Pyrats . OF Dionysus ( Noble Semeles Son ) I now intend to render Mention : As on a prominent shore , his person shone , Like to a Youth , whose flowre was newly blone . Bright azure Tresses , plaid about his head ; And on his bright brode shoulders , was dispred A purple Mantle . Strait he was descride By certaine Manly Pyrats , that applide Their vtmost speede to prise him ; being abord A well-built Barck ; about whose brode ●ides ror'd The wine-black Tyrrhene Billows : Death as black Brought them vpon him , in their future wrack . For soone as they had purchast but his view ; Mutuall signes past them ; and ashore they flew : Tooke him ; and brought him , instantly aborde ; Soothing their Hopes , to haue obtain'd a Horde Of riches with him ; and a Ioue-kept King To such a Flowre , must needes be naturall spring . And therefore-strait , strong Fetters they must fetch , To make him sure . But no such strength would stretch , To his constrain'd Powrs . Farr flew all their Bands From any least force , done his feet , or hands . But he sate casting smiles , from his black eyes At all their worst . At which Discoueries Made by the Master : he did thus dehort All his Associats ; Wretches ? Of what sort , Hold ye the Person , ye assaie to binde ? Nay , which of all , the Powre fully-diuin'de Esteeme ye him ? whose worth yeelds so much weight , That , not our well-built Barck , will beare his freight . Or Ioue himselfe he is ; Or he that beares The siluer Bowe ; Or Neptune . Nor appeares In him the least resemblance of a Man ; But of a straine ; at least Olympian . Come ! Make we quick dismission of his state ; And on the black-soild earth , exonerate Our sinking vessell , of his Deified Lode : Nor dare the touch , of an intangible God . Lest windes outragious , and of wrackfull scath ; And smoking Tempests , blowe his fiery wrath . This well-spoke Master , the Tall captaine gaue Hatefull , and horrible language : call'd him slaue ; And bad him mark the prosperous gale that blew ; And bow their vessell , with her maine saile , flew . Bade all take armes ; and said , their workes requir'de ; The cares of Men ; and not of an inspir'de , Pure zealous Master . His firme hopes being fir'de With this Opinion ; that they should ariue In Aegypt strait ; or Cyprus ; or where liue Men whose braue breaths , aboue the Northwinde blowe ; Yea , and perhaps beyond their Region too . And that he made no doubt , but in the end , To make his Prisoner , tell him euery friend Of all his off-spring : Brothers : Wealth , and All ; Since that Prise , certaine , must some God let fall . This said ; the Most , and maine-saile ; vp he drew , And in the maine sailes midd'st , a franck Gale blew ; When all his ship tooke arms , to braue their Prise . But strait , strange works apperde to all their eyes : First ; sweete wine , through-their swift-black Barck did flow ; Of which , the Odors , did , a little , blowe : Their fiery spirits , making th' Ayre so fine , That , they in flood were there , as well as wine . A meere Immortall-making sauour rose ; Which on the Ayre , the Deitie did Impose . The Sea-Men see'ng All ; Admiration seas'd . Yet instantly , their wonders were encreas'd : For on the Top saile , there rann , here , and there , A Vine that Grapes did , in abundance beare ; And in an instant , was the ships maine Mast With an obscure-greene-Iuies armes embrac't , That florisht strait , and were with Buries grac't ; Of which , did Gyrlonds , circle euery brow Of all the Pirats ; and no One knew how . Which when they sawe , they made the Master stere Out to the shore : whom Bacchus made forbeare , With showing more wonders ; On the Hatches , He Apper'd a terrible Lyon , horriblie Roring ; and in the Mid-deck , a Male Beare , Made with a huge Mane : making all , for feare Crowd to the sterne , about the Master there : Whose Minde , he still kept , dantlesse , and sincere . But on the Captaine rusht and rampt , with force So rude , and sodaine ; that his maine recours Was to the Maine-Sea strait : and after him , Leapt all his Mates ; as trusting to their swimm ; To fly foule Death . But so ; found what they fled , Being all to Dolphinns , metamorphosed . The Master , he tooke Ruth of ; sau'd , and made . The blessedst Man , that euer tried his Trade . These few words giuing him : Be confident Thou God-inspir'd Pylot ! In the Bent Of my affection , readie to requite Thy late-to-me-intended benefite . I am the Roring God , of spritely Wine : Whom Semele , ( that did , euen Ioue incline , To amorous Mixture , and was Cadmus care ) Made issue to the Mighty Thunderar . And thus , all Excellence of Grace to thee , Sonne of sweete-count'nance-cary'ng Semele . I must not thee forget , in least Degree , But pray thy spirit , to render so , my song , Sweete , and all waies , in order'd furie , strong .
To Mars . MArs Most strong : Gold-helm'd ; making Chariots crack ; Neuer without a shield , cast on thy back . Minde master towne-guard ▪ with darts neuer driuen . Strong-handed ; Allarmes ; fort , and fence of heauen . Father of Victory , with faire strokes giuen . Ioint surrogate of Iustice , lest she fall ; In vniust strifes , a Tyrant . Generall , Onely of Iust. Men , iustly . That dost beare Fortitud's Scepter . To Heauens fiery sphere Giuer of circulare motion : betweene That , and the Pleiad's that still wandring bene . Where thy still vehemently-flaming Horse , About the third Heauen , make their fiery course . Helper of Mortalls ; Heare ! As thy fires giue The faire , and present boldnesses that striue In Youth for Honor ; being the sweete-beamd Light That darts into their liues , from all thy Height The Fortitudes , and Fortunes , found in fight . So , would I likewise wish to haue the Powre To keepe off , from my head , thy bitter Howre ; And that false fire , cast from my soules lowe kinde , Stoope to the fit rule , of my highest Minde . Controuling , that so eager sting of wrath , That styrrs me on still , to that horrid scath Of warr ; that God still sends to wreake his splene ; ( Euen by whole Tribes ) of proud iniurious Men. But O thou euer-blessed ! Giue me still , Presence of minde , to put in Act , my will Varied , as fits , to all Occasion . And to liue free ; vnforc't ; vnwrought vpon ; Beneath those Lawes of Peace , that neuer are Affected with Pollutions Populare Of vniust hurt ; or losse to any One ; And to beare safe , the burthen vndergone Of Foes inflexiue , and inhumane hates ; Secure from violent , and harmefull Fates .
To Diana . DIana praise ( Muse ) that in Darts delights ; Liues still a Maid , & had nutritiall rights With her borne-Brother , the farr-shooting Sunn . That doth her all of Gold-made-Chariot runn In Chace of Game ; from Meles that abounds In black-browd Bull-rushes ; ( and where her Hounds , She first vncouples ; ioyning there , her Horse ) Through Smyrna ; carried in most fiery course To Grape-rich Claros . Where ( in his rich hom● , And constant expectation she will come ) Sits Phoebus , that the siluer Bowe doth beare ; To meete with Phoebe , that doth Darts transferre As farr as He his shafts . As farr then , be Th● chaste Fame shot ( O Queene of Archerie ) Sacring my song , to euery Deitie .
To Venus . TO Cyprian Venus , still my verses vow : Who Gifts , as sweete as honey doth bestow On all Mortality . That euer smiles ; And rules a face , that all foes reconciles . Euer sustaining in her hand , a Flowre , That all desire keepes , euer in her Powre . Haile then O Queene of well-built Salamine , And all the state , that Cyprus doth confine : Informe my song , with that celestiall fire , That in thy beauties , kindles all desire . So shall my Muse , for euer honour Thee , And any other , thou commend'st to Me.
To Pallas . PAllas Minerua ; Onely I beginne To giue my song ; that makes warrs terrible Dinne : Is Patronesse of Citties ; and with Mars Marshall'd in all the care , and cure of wars : And in euerted Citties , fights , and Cries . But neuer doth her selfe , set downe , or rise , Before a Cittie ; but at both times Shee , All iniur'de people , sets on foot , and free . Giue , with thy warrs force , Fortune then to Me ; And with thy Wisedomes force , Felicity .
To Iuno . SAturnia , and her Throne of Gold I sing ; That was of Rhaea , the eternall spring ; And Empresse of a beautie ; neuer yet Equall'd in height of Tincture . Of the great Saturnius ( breaking Ayre , in awfull Noise , ) The farr-fam'd wife , and sister ; whom in ioies Of high Olympus , all the blessed Loue ; And Honour , equall , with vnequall'd Ioue .
To Ceres . THe Rich-hayr'd , Ceres , I assaie to sing ; A Goddesse , in whose Grace the naturall spring Of serious Maiestie it selfe , is seene : And of the wedded , yet in grace stil green , ( Proserpina , her Daughter ) that displaies A Beautie , casting euery way her Raies . All Honor to thee ( Goddesse : ) keepe this Towne ; And take , thou , chiefe charge of my songs Renoune .
TO THE MOTHER OF The Gods . MOther of All ; both Gods , and Men , Commend ( O Muse ) whose faire Forme did from Ioue descend ; That doth with Cymball sounds , delight her life ; And tremulous diuisions of the Fife . Loues dreadfull Lyons Rores ; and Wolues hoarse Houles , Syluane Retreates ; and Hills , whose hollow knoules , Raise repercussiue soundes about her eares . And so , may , Honour , euer crowne thy yeares , With All-else Goddesses ; and euer be Exalted in the Muses Harmonie .
TO LYON-HEARTED Hercules . ALlcides , ( Force-fullest of all the Broode Of Men , enforc't with neede of earthie foode , ) My Muse shal memorise ; the son of Ioue ; Whom , in faire-seated Thebs ( commixt in loue With great Heauens sable-cloude-assembling state ) Al●mena bore to him . And who ( in date Of daies forepast ) through all the Sea was sent And Earths inernarable Continent , To Acts , that King Eurystheus had decreede . Did many a Petulant , and Imperious Deede Himselfe ; and therefore , suffer'd many a Toile . Yet now inhabites the illustrious Soile Of white Olympus ; and Delights his life With still young Hebe ; his well-anckled wife . Haile , King ; and Sonne of Ioue ; vouchsafe thou Me Virtue ; and her Effect , Felicitie .
To Aesculapius . WIth Aesculapius , ( the Phisition ) Sonne , That cur'd all sicknesse , and was Phoebus M● Muse , makes Entrie ; to whose life gaue yield Diuine Coronis , in the Dotian field , ( King Phlegius Daughter : ) who , much Ioy on Men Conferd in deare Ease , of their yrkesome Paine . For which ; my salutation ( worthy King ) And vowes to thee paid , euer when I sing .
TO CASTOR AND POLLVX . CAstor and Pollux , ( the Tyndarides ) Sweete Muse illustrate ; that their Essences Fetch from the high forms of Olympian Ioue ; And were the faire fruits of bright Leda's Loue . Which shee produc't , beneath the sacred shade Of steepe Taygetus ; being subdu'd ; and made To serue Affections of the Thunderer . And so , all Grace to you ; whom all Auer , ( For skill in Horses , and their Manage geuen ) To be the brauest Horsemen , vnder Heauen .
To Mercurie . HErmes , I honor , ( the Cyllenian Spie ) King of Cyllenia , and of Arcadie With flocks abounding : and the Messenger Of all th' immortalls ; that Doth still inferre Profites of infinite valew to their store : Whom to Saturnius , bashfull Maia bore ; Daughter of Atlas ; and did therefore flie Of all th' immortalls , the Societie , To that darcke Caue ; where , in the dead of Night , Ioue ioind with her , in Loues diuine Delight ; When Golden sleepe , shut Iuno's iealous eye , Whose arms had wrists , as white as Iuorie ; From whom , and all , both Men , and Gods beside , The faire-hayrd Nymph , her scape kept vnderscride . Ioy to the Ioue-got then , and Maia's Care ; Twixt Men and Gods , the generall Messenger : Giuer of good Grace ; Gladnesse , and the Flood Of all that Men , or Gods , account their Good .
To Pan. SIng ( Muse ) this chiefe of Hermes loue-got Ioies ; Goate-sooted , Two-horn'd ; amorous of noise . That through the faire-Greenes , al adorn'd with Trees Together goes , with Nymphs ; whose nimble knees , Can euer● Dance , foot ; That affect to scale The most inaccessible Tops of all Vprightest rocks : and euer vse to call On Pan , the bright-hayr'd God of Pastorall . Who yet , is leane , and louelesse ; and doth owe By lot , all loftiest ▪ Mountaines , crown'd with snowe ; All Tops of Hills , and cliffie Highnesses : All Siluan Copses , and the Fortresses Of Thorniest Queaches , here and there doth roue . And sometimes , ( by allurement of his loue ; ) Will wade the watrie softnesses . Sometimes ( In quite oppos'de Capriccios ) he climes The hardest Rocks , and highest : euery way Running their Ridges . Often will conuaie Himselfe vp to a watch-Towrs Top ; where sheepe ; Haue their Obseruance : oft through Hills as steepe , His Gotes he runns vpon ; and neuer rests . Then turns he head ; and flies on sauage Beasts , Mad of their slaughters . So most sharpe an eye Setting vpon them ; as his Beames let flie Through all their thickest Tapistries . And then ( When Hesp'rus calls to folde , the flocks of Men ) From the greene Clossets , of his loftiest Reedes , He rushes forth ; and Ioy , with Song , he feedes . When , ( vnder shadow , of their motions , set , ) He plaies a verse forth , so profoundly sweet ; As not the Bird that in the flowrie Spring ( Amidds the leaues set ) makes the Thickets ring Of her sowre sorrowes , sweetened with her song , Runns her diuisions varied so , and strong . And then the sweete-voic't Nymphs , that crowne his mountaines ; ( Flockt round about , the deepe-black-watred fountaines ; Fall in with their Contention of song . To which , the Echoes , all the Hills along Their repercussions add . Then here , and there ( Plac't in the midd'st ) the God , the Guide doth beare Of all their Dances ; winding in , and out . A Lynces Hide ( besprinckled round about With blood , cast on his shoulders . And thus He With well-made songs , maintaines th' alacritie Of his free minde , in silken Meddows crownde With Hyacynths , and Saffrons ; that abound In sweete-breath'd Odors : that th' vnnumber'd grasse ( Besides their sents ) giue as through all they passe . And these , in all their pleasures , euer raise The blessed Gods and long Olympus , praise : Like zealous Hermes ; who ( of all ) I said Most Profits , vp , to all the Gods conuaide . Who , likewise , came into th' Arcadian state ; ( That 's rich in Fountaines ; and all celebrate For Nurse of flocks . ) Where , he had vowd a Groue ( Surnam'd Cyllenius ) to his God-heads loue . Yet euen himselfe ( although a God he were Clad in a squallid sheepskinn ) gouernd there A Mortalls sheepe . For soft Loue , entring him , Conformd his state , to his conceipted Trimm . And made him long , in an extreame degree , T' enioy the fayre-hayrd Virgine Dryope . Which , ere he could ; she made him consummate The florishing Rites of Hymens honord State . And brought him , such a peece of Progenie , As showd ( at first sight ) monstrous to the eye ; Gote-footed , Two-horn'd ; full of noise , euen Then ; And ( opposite quite to other children ) Told ( in sweete laughter ) he ought death no Teare . Yet strait his Mother start ; and fled , in feare The sight of so vnsatisfying a Thing ; In whose face , put forth , such a bristled spring . Yet the most vsefull Mercurie embrac't , And tooke into his armes , his homely-fac't : Beyond all measure ioyfull with his sight : And vp to heauen with him , made instant flight , Wrapt in the warme skinne , of a Mountaine Hare : Set him by Ioue ; and made most merrie fare To all the Deities else , with his Sonnes sight ; Which , most of all , fill'd Bacchus with delight ; And Pan they call'd him , since he brought to All , Of Mirth so rare ; and full a Festiuall . And thus , all honor to the shepherds King : For Sacrifice to Thee , my Muse shall sing .
To Vulcan . PRaise Vulcane , now Muse ; whom Fame giues the Prise , For Depth , & Facture , of al Fordge deuise ; Who , with the skie-eyd Pallas , first did giue Men , rules of buildings , that before did liue , In Caues , and Denns ; and Hills like sauage Beasts : But now , by Art-fam'd Vulcans Interests In all their ciuill Industries ; waies cleare Through th' All-things-bringing-to-their-Ends , ( the yeare ) They worke out to their Ages ends ; at ease Lodg'd in safe Roofes , from Winters vtmost prease . But Vulcan ; stand propitious to Me ; Virtue safe , granting , and Felicitie .
To Phoebus . O Phoebus ! Euen the Swann from forth her wings , ( Iumping her proyning-banck ) thee sweetly sings , By bright Peneus , whirle-pit-making-streames . Thee , that thy Lute ; mak'st sound so to thy Beames . Thee , first and last , the sweete-voic't singer , still Sings ; for thy songs-all-songs-transcending skill . Thy Pleasure then ; shall my song still supply : And so salutes thee , King of Po●sie .
To Neptune . NEptune , the mighty Marine God , I sing ; Earths mouer ; & the fruitles Oceans king . That Helicon , and th' Aegan Deepes dost hold . O thou Earth-shaker ; Thy Command , two-fold The Gods haue sorted ; making thee , of Horses The awfull Tamer ; and of Nauall Forces The sure Preseruer . Haile ( O Saturns Birth ) Whose gracefull greene bayre , circkles all the Earth . Beare a benigne minde ; and thy helpfull hand , Lend All , submitted , to thy drad Command .
To Ioue . IOue , now I sing ; the greatest , & the best , Of al these Powrs , that are with Deitie blest . That farr-off , doth his dreadfull Voice , diffuse ; And ( being King of All ) doth all conduce To all their Ends. Who ( shut from all-Gods else With Themis ; that the lawes of all things tells ) Their fit Composures , to their Times doth call ; Wedds them together ; and preserues This All. ( geuen ; Grace then ( O farr-heard Ioue ) the grace t' hast Most glorious , & most great of Earth & Heauen .
To Vesta . VEsta , that ( as a seruant ) Ouersees King Phoebus hallowd house : in all degrees Of Guide about it ; on the sacred shore Of heauenly Pythos : and hast euermore Rich balms distilling from thy Odorous hayre ; Grace this House , with thy huswifely repaire . Enter , and bring a Minde that most may moue , Conferring , euen the great in counsailes , Ioue : And let my verse taste , of your eithers loue .
TO THE MVSES AND APOLLO . THe Muses Ioue , and Phoebus , now I sing ; For from the farr-off-shooting Phoebus , spring All Poets , and Musitions ; and from Ioue Th' Ascents of Kings . The Man , the Muses loue , Felicitie blesses ; Elocutions choice In Syrrup lay'ng , of sweetest breath , his voice . Haile ( Seede of Ioue ) my song , your honors , giue ; And so , in Mine , shall yours , and others , liue .
To Bacchus . IVie-Crown'd Bacchus , Iterate in thy Praises , ( O Muse ) whose Voice , all loftiest Echoes raises ; And He with all th' illustrous seede of Ioue ; Is ioinde in honor : being the fruite of Loue To him , and Semele-the-great-in-graces : And from the King , his Fathers kinde embraces , By faire-hayrde Nymphs , was taken to the Dales Of Nyssa ; and with curious Festiuals Giuen his faire Grought ; far from his Fathers view , In Caues , from whence , eternall Odors flew . And in high number of the Deities plac't ; Yet , when the many - Hymne-giuen God , had past His Nurses Cares ; in Iuies , and in Baies All ouer Thicketed ; his varied waies To syluan Couerts , euermore he tooke With all his Nurses ; whose shrill voices shooke Thickets , in which , could no footes Entrie fall ; And he himself made Captaine of them All. And so ( O Grape-abounding Bacchus ) be Euer saluted by my Muse , and Me. Giue vs to spend with spirit , our Howres out here ; And euery Howre , extend to many a Yeare .
To Diana . DIana , ( that the Golden Spyndle , moues ; And loftie soundes , as wel as Bacchus loue● A bashfull Virgine , and of fearefull hearts The Death-affecter , with delighted Darts ; By Sire , and Mother , Phoebus Sister borne ; Whose Thigh , the Golden Falchion doth adorne ) I sing ; who , likewise , ouer Hills of shade , And Promontories , that vast windes inuade , ( Amorous of Hunting ) bends her all-gold Bowe ; And sigh-begetting Arrows doth bestowe , In fates so dreadfull ; that the Hill-Tops quake ; And Bristlde woods , their leauie foreheads shake ; Horrors inuade Earth ; and fishie Seas Impassiond furies ; nothing can appease The dying Braies of Beasts ; and her Delight In so much Death , affects so with affright , Euen all inanimate natures . For while shee Her sports applies ; Their generall Progenie Shee all waies , turnes vpon , to All their Banes : Yet , when her fierie Pleasures finde their wanes ; ( Her yeelding Bowe vnbent ) to th' ample House ( Seated in Delphos , rich , and Populous ) Of her deare Brother , her Retreats aduance . Where , Th' Instauration of delightsome Dance Amongst the Muses , and the Graces , shee Giues forme ; In which , her selfe the Regencie ( Her vnbent Bowe hung vp ; and casting on A gracious Robe ) assumes ; and first sets gone The Dances Entrie ; to which , all send forth Their heauenly voices ; and aduance the worth Of her faire-anckl'd Mother ; since , to light Shee Children brought , the farr most exquisite In Counsailes , and Performances ; of all The Goddesses , that grace the heauenly Hall . Haile then , Latona's faire-hayrd seede , & Ioues ; My song shall euer , call to Minde your Loues .
To Pallas . PAllas-Minerua's Deitie , the renown'd : My Muse , in her variety , must resound ; Mightie in counsailes ; whose Illustrous Eyes , In all resemblance , represent the skies . A reuerend Maid of an inflexible Minde : In Spirit , and Person , strong : of Triple kinde ; Fautresse of Citties , that iust Lawes maintaine ; Of Ioue-the-great-in-counsailes , very Braine Tooke Prime existence : his vnbounded Brows , Could not containe her ; such impetuous Throw's Her Birth gaue way to ; that abrode she flew , And stood in Gold arm'd , in her Fathers view , Shaking her sharpe Lance : all Olympus shooke So terriblie beneath her ; that it tooke Vp , in amazes , all the Deities there . All Earth resounded , with vociferous Feare . The Sea was put vp , all in purple Waues ; And settld sodainly , her rudest Raues . Hyperions radiant Sonne , his swift-hou'd Steedes , A mighty Tyme staid ; till her arming weedes , As glorious as the Gods , the blew-eyd Maid Tooke from her Deathlesse shoulders : but then staid All these distempers ; and heauens counsailor , Ioue , Reioic't that all things else , his stay , could moue . So I salute thee still ; and still in Praise Thy Fame , and others , shall my Memorie raise .
To Vesta , and Mercurie . VESta I sing , who , in Bequest of Fate , Art sorted out , an euerlasting State In all th' Immortals high-built roofes , & all Those of Earth-dwelling Men : As generall And ancient honors , giuen thee for thy gift Of free-liu'd Chastitie ; and precious Thrift . Nor can there amongst Mortalls , Banquets be ; In which , both first and last , they giue not Thee Their endlesse Gratitudes , in pourd-out wine ; As gracious sacrifice , to thy diuine And vsefull virtues ; being inuok't by All , Before the least Taste of their Festiuall In wine or foode , affect their appetites . And thou , that of th' adorn'd with all Delights , Art the most vsefull Angell : borne a God Of Ioue , and Maia ; of Heauens golden Rodd The sole Sustainer ; and hast powre to blesse With All good , All Men ( great Argicides ) Inhabit all Good houses ; see'ng no wants Of mutuall mindes loue , in Th' inhabitants . Ioine in kinde blessing with the bashfull Maid And all-lou'd Virgin , Vesta ; eithers aid Combin'd in euery Hospitable House : Both being best seene , in all the gracious House-works of Mortalls . Iointly follow then Euen from their youths , the mindes of dames and men . Haile then , ould Daughter of the ouldest God , And thou great bearer of Heauens golden Rodd ? Yet not to you , alone , my vowes belong ; Others as well , claime T'Homage of my song .
TO EARTH THE Mother of all . MOther of all things , the well-founded Earth , My Muse shall memorise ; who al the birth Giues foode , that al her vpper regions breede ; All that in her diuine diffusions feede In vnder Continents : All those that liue In all the Seas ; and All the ayre doth giue Wing'd expeditions ; Of thy bounties eate Faire Children , and faire fruites , thy labors sweate ; ( O great in reuerence : ) and referd to thee For life , and death , is all the Pedigree Of Mortall humanes . Happie then is He Whom the innate Propensions of thy Minde Stand bent to honor . He shall all things finde In all abundance : All his Pastures yield Herds in all plenties : All his roofes are fill'd With rich possessions : He , in all the swaie Of Lawes best orderd , cuts out his owne way In Citties shining with delicious Dames ; And takes his choice of all those striuing Flames . High happinesse , and riches , ( like his Traine ) Follow his Fortunes ; with delights that raigne In all their Princes . Glorie inuests his Sonnes ; His Daughters , with their croun'd selections Of all the Cittie , frolick through the Meades ; And euery one , her calld-for Dances treads Along the soft-flowre of the clauer Grasse . All this , with all those , euer comes to passe , That thy loue blesses , Goddesse full of grace , And treasurous Angell t' all the humane Race . Haile then , Great Mother of the Deified kinde ; Wife to the Cope of Starrs ? sustaine a Minde Propitious to me , for my Praise ; and giue ( Answering my minde ) my vows fit Meanes to liue .
To the Sun . THe radiant Suns diuine renowne , diffuse ( Ioues Daughter , great Calliope my Muse ) Whom Ox-ey'd Euryphaessa gaue Birth , To the bright seede of starrie Heauen and Earth . For the farr-fam'd Hyperion tooke to Wife His sister Euryphaessa ; that life Of his high Race , gaue , to these louely Three , Aurora with the Rosie-wrists , and shee That ownes th' enamouring tresses ( the bright Moone ) Together , with the neuer-wearied Sunne . Who , ( his Horse mounting ) giues , both Mortalls light And all Th' immortalls . Euen to horror , bright A blaze burns from his Golden Burgonet Which to behold , exceeds the sharpest set Of any eyes intention : Beames so cleare It allwaies powres abroade . The glorious cheare Of his farr-shining Face , vp to his Crowne , Casts circular Radiance : that comes streaming downe About his Temples ; his bright Cheekes , and all Retayning the refulgence of their Fall . About his bosome flowes so fine a Weede As doth the thynnesse of the winde exceede In rich context : beneath whose deepe folds flie His Masculine Horses , round about the skie ; Till in this Hemisphere , he renders staie T' his gold-yo'kt Coch , and Coursers : and his way ( Let downe by Heauen ) the heauenly Cocheman makes Downe to the Ocean , where his rest he takes . My Salutations then , faire King , receiue , And , in propitious returnes Relieue My life with Minde-fit means ; & then from Thee And all the race of compleate Deitie My song shall celebrate those halfe-God states , That yet , sad deaths condicion circulates . And whose braue Acts , the Gods shew men , that they As braue may ayme at ; since they can but die .
To the Moone . THe Moone , now Muses , teach me to resound , Whose wide wings measure such a world of ground . Ioues Daughter , deckt with the mellifluous Tongue ; And seene in All , the sacred Art of Song . Whose deathles Brows , when shee from Heauen displaies , All Earth she wraps vp , in her Orient Raies . A Heauen of Ornament in Earth is rais'd , When her Beames rise . The subt'le Ayre is sais'd Of delicate splendor , from her Crowne of Gold ; And when her siluer Bosome is extoll'd , Washt in the Ocean ; In Daies equall'd Noone , Is Mid-night seated : but when shee puts on Her farr-off-sprinckling-Luster-Euening weedes ; ( The Moneth in two cut : her high-brested Steedes ; Man'de All with curl'd flames ; put in Coch and All , Her huge Orb fill'd ) her whole Trimms Then exhall Vnspeakable splendors , from the glorious skie . And , out of that State , Mortall Men implie Many Praedictions . And , with Her then ( In Lo●● mixt ) lay , the King of Gods and Men ; By whom , ( made fruitfull ) she Pandaea bore , And added her State , to th' immortall Store . Haile , queene , & Goddesse , th' iuorie-wristed Moone Diuine , Prompt ; faire-hayr'd . With thy grace begun My Muse shall forth , and celebrate the praise Of Men whose states , the Deities did raise To Semideities : whose deedes t'endlesse Date Muse-lou'd , and sweete-sung Poets celebrate .
TO CASTOR AND POLLVX . IOues faire Sonnes , Father'd by Th' Oebalian King , Muses-well-worth-All Mens beholdings , sing : The Deare Birth , that Bright-Anckl'd Laeda bore ; Horse-taming Castor ; and the Conqueror Of Tooth-tongu'd ▪ Momus ( Pollux : ) whom beneath St●epe-Browd Taygetus , she gaue half-God breath ; In Loue mixt with the black-cloudes King of heauen : Who , both of Men and ships , ( being Tempest driuen , When Winters wrathfull Empire , is in force Vpon th' Implacable Seas ) preserue the course . For when the Gusts beginn ; ( if nere the shore ) The Sea-Men leaue their ship ; and ( euermore Bearing two milke-white Lambs aboard ; ) they now Kill them ashore , and to Ioues Issue vow , When , though their ship ( in height of all the rore The windes and waues confound ) can liue no more , In all their hopes ; then sodainely appeare Ioues sauing Sonnes ; who both their Bodies beare Twixt yellowe wings , downe from the sparkling Pole . Who strait , the rage of those rude Winds controle , And all the high-waues couch into the Brest Of T'hoarie Seas . All which sweete signes of rest To Sea-Mens labors , their glad soules conceiue , And End to all their yrckesome grieuance giue . So ( once more ) to the swift-horse-riding Race Of Royall Tyndarus , eternall Grace .
TO MEN OF Hospitalitie . REuerence a Man , with vse Propitious , That Hospitable rights wants ; and a house , ( You of this Cittie , with the seate of State To Ox-eyd Iuno vowd ) yet situate Nere Pluto's Region . At the extreame Base Of whose so high-hayrd Cittie ; from the Race Of blew-wau'd Hebrus louely Fluent ( grac't With Ioues begetting ) you diuine Cups Tast.
Certaine Epigramms AND OTHER POEMS of Homer . To Cuma . LEnd hospitable Rights , and house-respect , You that the Virgine with the faire eys deckt , Make Fautresse of your stately-seated Towne : At foot of Sardes , with the high-haird Crowne , Inhabiting rich Cuma : where ye Taste Of Hermus heauenly Fluent ; all embrac't By curld-head whyrlpits : And whose waters moue From the diuine seede , of immortall Ioue .
IN HIS RETVRNE To Cuma . SWiftlie my feete sustaine me to the Towne , Where Men inhabit , whom due Honors Crowne : Whose Mindes with free-giuen faculties , are mou'd ; And whose graue Counsailes , best of Best approu'd .
VPON THE SEPVLCHER OF MIDVS , Cut in Brasse , in the FIGVRE OF A VIRGINE . A Maid of Brasse , I am , Inf●ixed here T'Eternise Honest Midus Sepulcher . And while the streame , her fluent seede receiues ; And steepe trees curle their verdant brows with leaues ; While Phoebus , rais'd aboue the Earth giues sight ; And T'humorous Moone , takes Luster from his light ; While floods beare waues ; and Seas shall wash the shore ; At this his Sepulcher , whom all deplore , I 'le constantly Abide ; All passers by Informing ; Here , doth Honest Midus Lie .
CVMA REFVSING HIS OFFER T'ETERNISE THEIR STATE , THOVGH BROVGHT THITHER by the Muses . O To what Fate , hath father Ioue giuen O're My friendles life ; borne euer to be Pore ? While in my Infant state , he pleas'd to saue Mee ; Milke , on my reuerend Mothers knees , he gaue Me ▪ In delicate , and curious Nurserie . Aeolian Smyrna , seated neare the Sea ; ( Of glorious Empire ; and whose bright sides Sacred Meletus siluer Current glides ) Being natiue Seate to me . Which ( in the force , Of farr-past Time ) the Breakers of wilde Horse ; ( Phriconias Noble Nation ) girt with Towres : Whose Youth in fight , put on with fiery Powres . From hence , ( the Muse-maids , Ioues illustrous seed● Impelling me ) I made impetuous speede ; And went with them to Cuma ; with Intent T'Eternise all the sacred Continent And State of Cuma . They ( in proud Ascent From off their Bench ) refus'd with vsage fierce The sacred voice which I auerre , is Verse . Their follies yet , and madnesse borne by Me Shall by some Powre , be thought on futurely ; To wreake of him whoeuer , whose tongue sought With false empaire , my fall . What fate , God brought Vpon my Birth , Iile beare with any paine ; But vndeseru'd Defame ; vnfelt , sustaine . Nor feeles my Person ( deare to me , though Pore ) Any great lust , to linger , any more In Cuma's holy Highwaies : but my Minde ( No thought empaird , for cares of any kinde Borne in my body ) rather vowes to trie The Influence of any other skie , And spirits of People ; bredd in any Land ▪ Of ne're so slender , and obscure Command .
AN ASSAIE OF HIS BEGVNNE ILIADS. I Lion , and all , the braue-Horse-breeding Soile ( Dardania ) I sing ; that many a Toile Impos'd vpon the Mighty Grecian Powrs , Who were of Mars , the manlie Seruitours .
TO THESTORS SONNE ▪ Inquisitiue of HOMER , Homer intimated in this his Answer to Thestorides , A will to haue him learne , The knowledge of himselfe , before hee enquir'd so curiously the causes of other things . And from hence , had the great Peripatetique ( Themistius ) his most graue Epiphoneme , Anima quae seipsam ignorat , quid sciret ipsa de alijs ? And therefore ( according to Aristotle ) aduises all Philosophicall Students , to beginne with that Studie . ABOVT THE CAVSES OF THINGS . THestorides ? Of all the skills vnknowne To errant Mortals ; there remains not One , Of more inscrutable Affaire , to finde Than is the true State of a humane Minde .
To Neptune . HEare Powreful Neptune , that shak'st Earth in Ire ; King of the great Greene , where dance All the Quire Of faire-hayr'd Helicon ; giue prosperous Gales And good passe , to these Guiders of our sailes : Their Voyage rendring happily directed , And their Returne , with no ill Fate affected . Grant , likewise , at rough Mimas lowest rootes , ( Whose strength , vp to her Tops , praerupt rocks shootes ) My Passage safe arriuall ; and that I My bashfull disposition may applie To Pious Men ; and wreake my selfe vpon The Man whose verball circumuention In Me , did wrong , t'Hospitious Ioues whole state , And T'Hospitable Table violate .
To the Cittie Erythraea . WOrshipfull Earth ; giuer of all things good ? Giuer of , euen Felicitie ; whose flood The Minde all-ouer steepes , in honey Dewe . That , to some Men , dost infinite kindenesse shew ; To others that despise thee , art a Shrew . And giu'st them Gamesters galls ; who , once , their Maine Lost with an ill cāhce ; fare like Abiects slaine .
To Mariners . YE waue-trod Watermen ; As ill as shee That all the Earth in Infelicitie Of Rapine plunges . Who vpon youre Fare As steru'd-like-rauenous , as Cormorants are . The liues ye leade , ( but in the worst Degree ) Not to be enuied , more then Misery . Take shame , and feare the Indignation Of him that Thunders from the highest Throne ( Hospitious Ioue ) who , at the Back , prepares Paines of abhord effect , of him that dares The Pieties breake , of his Hospitious squares .
The Pine . ANy Tree else , beares better Fruit then Thee , That Idas Tops sustaine ; where euery Tree Beares vp in aire , such perspirable Heights , And in which , Ca●●s , and sinuous Receipts Creepe , in such great abundance . For , about Thy rootes ( that euer , all thy Fruites put out As nourisht by them , equall with thy Fruites ) Poure Mars his Iron-Mines their accust pursuites . So that when any Earth-encroching Man Of all the Martiall Broode Cebrenian ; Plead neede of Iron ; They are certaine still , About thy Rootes , to satiate euery Will.
TO GLAVCVS : WHO WAS SO MISERABLIE , SPARING ; THAT HE FEARED ALL MENS ACCESSE TO HIM GLaucus ? though wise enough ; yet one word more , Let my aduice add , to thy wisedomes store ▪ For t' will be better so . Before thy Dore Giue still thy Mastifs Meate ; that will be sure To lie there , therefore , still ; and not endure ( With way-laid eares ) the softest foot can fall ; But Men , and Beasts , make fly Thee and thy stall .
AGAINST THE SAMIAN MINISTRESSE OR NVNNE . HEare Me ( O goddesse ) that inuoke thine eare : Thou that dost feede , and forme the youthfull Yeare . And grant that this Dame , may the loues refuse And Beds of Young Men ; and affect to vse Humanes whose Temples , hoary hayres distaine ; Whose Powrs are passing coye ; whose Wils would faine .
WRITTEN ON THE COVNSAILE Chamber . OF Men ; Sonnes are the Crownes , of Citties Towres : Of Pastures , Horse , are the most bewtious Flowres : Of Seas , ships are the Grace ; and Money still With Traines , and Titles , doth the Family fill . But Royall Counsailors ; in Counsaile set , Are Ornaments past All , as clearely great ; As Houses are that shining fires enfolde , Superior farr , to Houses nak't and colde .
THE FORNACE CALL'D IN TO SING BY POTTERS . IF ye deale freely ( O my fierie Friends , As ye assure ) I 'le sing , and serue your Ends. Pallas : Vouchsafe thou here , inuok't Accesse ; Impose thy hand vpon this Fordge ; and blesse All Cups these Artists earne so ; that they may Looke black still with their depth ; and euery way , Giue all their Vessels a most sacred Sale . Make all well burn'd ; and Estimation call Vp to their Prices . Let them marcket well ; And , in all high-waies , in abundance sell. Till Riches to their vtmost wish arise ; And as thou mak'st them rich ; so make me wise . But if ye now , turne all to Impudence ; And think to pay with lies , my Pacience ; Then will I summon gainst your Fornace , All Hells harmefull'st spirits ; Maragus , I 'le call ; Sabactes , Asbett , and Omadamus , Who , ylls against your Art , Innumerous Excogitates , supplies , and multiplies . Come Pallas then ; and all command to rise : Infesting Fordge , and house with fire , till All Tumble together , and to Ashes Fall : These Potters selues , dissolu'd in Teares as small . And as a Horse-cheeke , chides his foming Bit So let this Fordge , murmure in fire , and flit ; And all this stuffe , to ashie ruines runne . And thou ( O Circe ) Daughter of the Sunne ; Great-many-Poison Mixer ; come ; and poure Thy cruell'st Poisons , on this Potters floore ; Shiuering their vessells ; and themselues affect With all the Mischiefes possible to direct Gainst all their Beings , vrdg'd by all thy feends . Let Chiron , likewise come ; and all those friends ( The Centaures ) that Alcides fingers fled , And All the rest too , that his hand strooke dead ( Their Ghosts excited ; ) come and macerate These Earthen Men ; and yet with further Fate Affect their Fornace ; All their teare-burst Eyes Seeing , and mourning for their Miseries . While I looke On , and laugh their blasted Art , And them to Ruine . Lastly ; if , apart , Any lies lurking , and sees yet ; his Face Into a Cole , let th' angrie fire embrace ; That all may learne by them ; in all their lust To dare Deedes Great ; to see them great and Iust.
EIRESIONE OR The Oliue Branch . THe Turrets of a Man of infinite Might ; Of infinite Action ; substance Infinite , Wee make accesse to ; whose whole Being rebounds From Earth to Heauen ; & nought but Blisse resounds . Giue entrie then , ye Dores ; more riches yet Shall enter with me ; All the Graces met In ioy of their fruition : perfect Peace Confirming All ; All crown'd with such encrease , That euery emptie Vessell in your House May stand repleate , with all thing precious . Elaborate Ceres , may your Larders fill With all deare Delicates ; and serue in still . May , for your Sonne , a Wife make wisht approch , Into your Towrs ; and rapt in , in her Coch With strong-kneed Mules . May yet , her state proue staid With honord Huswiferies : Her faire hand laid To artfull Loomeworks ; and her nak't feet treade The Gumme of Amber , to a Golden Beade . But I 'le returne ; Returne ; and yet not presse Youre bounties now assaid , with oft Accesse ; Once a yeere , onely ; as the Swallow prates , Before the welthie Springs wide open Gates . Meane time I stand at yours : nor purpose stay More time t' entreate . Giue , or not giue ; away My feet shall beare me ; that did neuer come , With any thought , to make your House , my Home .
TO CERTAINE FISHER-BOYES PLEASING HIM WITH INGENIOVS RIDDLES . YEt from the bloods , euen of your-selfe-like sires , Are you descended ; that could make ye heires To no huge hords of Coine ; nor leaue ye Able To feede Flocks of innumerable Rabble . The end of all the endlesse works of Homer .
THe Worke that I was borne to doe , is done . Glory to him , that the Conclusion Makes the beginning of my life : and Neuer Let me be said to li●e , till I liue Euer ▪ Where 's the outliuing of my Fortunes then , Ye errant vapors of F●mes Lernean Fenn ? That ( like possest stormes ) blast all ; not in Herde With your abhorr'd heads : who ▪ because casher'de By Men , for Monsters ; thinck Men , Monsters All , That are not of your pyed Hood , and your Hall . When you are nothing but the scumm of things , And must be cast off : Droues , that haue no stings , Nor any m●re soule , then a stone hath wings . Auant ye Haggs ; your Hates , and Scandalls are , The Crownes , and Comforts of a good Mans Care ; By whose impartiall Perpendiculare ; All is extuberance , and excretion All , That you your Ornaments , and glories call . Your wrie Mouthes censure right ? your blister'd Tongues , That licke but itches ? and whose vlce●ous Lungs Come vp at all things permanent , and sound ? O you ( like flies in Dreggs ) in Humors droun'd ; Your loues , like Atoms , lost in gloomie Ayre ; I would not retriue with a wither'd Haire . Hate , and cast still your stings then ; for your kisses Betray but Truth ; and your Applaud's , are Hisses . To see our supercilious wizerds frowne ; Their faces falne like Foggs ; and coming downe , Stincking the Sunn out ; make me shine the more : And like a checkt flood , beare aboue the shore , That their prophane Opinions faine would set , To what they see not ; know not ; nor can let . Yet then , our learn'd Men , with their Torrents come Roring from their forc't Hills , all crown'd with ●ome , That one not taught like them , should learne to know Their Greeke rootes , & from thence the Groues that grow , Casting such rich shades , from great Homers wings : That first , and last , command the Muses springs . Though he 's best Scholler , that through paines and vows ; Made his owne Master onely ; all things know's . Nor pleades my poore skill ; forme ; or learned Place ; But dantlesse labor , constant Prayer , and Grace . And what 's all their skill , but vast varied reading ? As if brode-beaten High-waies had the leading To Truths abstract , and narrow Path , and Pit ? Found in no walke , of any worldly wit . And without Truth ; all 's onely sleight of hand , Or our Law-learning , in a Forraine Land ; Embroderie spent on Cobwebs , Braggart show Of Men that all things learne ; and nothing know . For Ostentation , humble Truth still flies , And all confederate fashionists , defies . And as some sharpe-browd Doctor , ( English borne ; ) In much learn'd Latine Idioms can adorne A verse with rare Attractions ▪ yet become His English Muse , like an ●●●ach●ean in Loome , Wrought spight of Pallas ; and therein be●raies More tongue then truth , beggs , and adopts his Bayes ; So Ostentation , hee bee neuer so Larded with labour , to suborne his showe ; Shall soothe within him , but a bastard soule , No more Heauen heyring , then Earths sonne the Moule . But as in dead Calmes , emptiest smokes arise Vncheckt , and free ; vp , strait into the skies ; So drousie Peace , that in her humor steepes All she affects , le ts such rise while she sleepes . Many , and most Men , haue of wealth least store , But None the gracious shame that fits the Pore ; So most learn'd Men , enough are Ignorant ; But few the grace haue , to confesse their want , Till Liues , and Learnings , come concomitant . For from Mens knowledges ▪ their Liues-Acts flowe ▪ Vaine glorious Acts then , vaine proue all they know . As Night , the life-enclining starrs , best showes ; So liues obscure , the starriest soules disclose . For me ; let iust Men iudge by what I show In Acts expos'd , how much I erre , or knowe ▪ And let not Enuie , make all worse then nought With her meere headstrong , and quite braineles thought : Others , for doing nothing ; giuing All ; And bounding all worth in her bursten Gall. God and my deare Redeemer , rescue Me From Mens immane , and mad Impietie ; And by my life and soule , ( sole knowne to them ) Make me of Palme , or Yew , an Anadem . And so , my sole God , the thrice sacred Trine , Beare all th' Ascription , of all Me and Mine . Supplico tibi Domine , Pater et Dux rationis nostrae ; vt Nostrae Nobilitatis recordemur , qua tu nos ornasti ; et vt tu nobis prestò sis , vt jis qui per sese mouentur ; vt et à Corporis contagio , Brutorumque affectuum repurgemur ; ●osque superemus , atque regamus ; et , sicut decet ; pro instrumentis jis vtamur . Deinde , vt nobis Adiuneto sis ; ad accuratam rationis nostrae correctionem ; et coniunctionem cum jis qui verè sunt , per lucem veritatis . Et tertiùm , Saluatori supplex oro ; vt ab oculis animorum nostrorum , caliginem prorsus ab●tergas ; vt norimus bene , qui Deus , aut Mortalis habendus , Amen . Sine honore viuam , Nulloque Numero ero .
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