Hiren: or The faire Greeke: By William Barksted, one of the seruants of his Maiesties reuels

The faire Greeke . 1 OF . Amuraths yong spleenfull sonne I sing , His sonne , who to the Strand of Hellespont , And to the great Sea-cost his bounds did bring , Whose Empire so the Grecians did confront , That euen from ●indus , and Thomao Mont ▪ From darke Morea to Corinthian streights , From Burgon to Hungaria's broken wing , His Nauy fetch'd contributary freights . 2 Yong Mahomet , the wanton of her eie , Which teacheth wars , & taught his nonage daies That gaue such hansell of his tyranny , In those first battails , and apprentize sayes , Which did so hotly dart their early rayes , On Sigismond , or that wherein was tane , Philip the noble Duke of Burgondy , With him kept prisoner , ô farre better slaine ! 3 Yong Mahomet to Greece the fatall scourge , Which thither death , and desolation brought , Euen to the faire Constantinoples veirdge , The Grecian Empires chaire , the which he sought For which a huge digested army fought . And at the last , distressed Constantine , And of all Christians did the Citty purge , O shame to Europes Peeres , and Kings diuine . 4 Let Italy take heed , the New-moone threats , To reare his hornes on Romes great Capitall , And doth not Rome deserue such rough defeats , That should be mother of compassion all ? And coünite the states , and principall In league , and loue , which now for trifles iarre , The Persian Sophy shames our Christian feats , Who with the Souldan ioynes gainst Turkish war . 5 Had Constantine , that three times sacred Prince , Beene rescu'd then by power of Christendome , Mathias neuer should haue crau'd defence , Of Germanes , English , Spanish , France , and Rome , Taxes of warre , to these climes had not come : Nor yet the Turke with all his barbarous hoast , Durst with the Catholikes such war commence , Where now they haue heard their drums , & feard their hoast . 6 Who reads or heares the losse of that great town Constantinople , but doth wet his eyes ? Where litle babes from windows were pusht down Yong Ladies blotted with adulteries , Old fathers scourg'd with all base villanies ? O mourne her ruine , and bewish the Turke , eternall depriuation of his Crowne , That durst for paganisme such outrage worke . 7 When Mahomet had man'd the wals , the towne surpriz'd , Great grew the slaughter , bloudy waxt the fight , Like Troy , where all was fir'd , and all despis'd , But what stood gracious in the victors sight . Such was the wo of this great citty right : Here lay a Saint throwne downe , & here a Nun , Rude Sarazens which no high God agnis'd , Made all alike our wofull course to run . 8 And in this deadly dealing of sterne death , And busie dole of euery Souldiers hand , Where swords were dul'd with robbing men of breath Whil'st rape with murder , stalk't about the land , And vengeance did performe her own command , and where 't was counted sin to thinke amisse : There no man thought it till to do all scath , O what doth warre respect of bale or blisse ? 9 There stood an ancient Chappel next the Court , Where sacred Bishops said their morrow Masse . And sung sweet Anthems with a loud report , To that eternall God-head , whose sonne was , Sequestred from the Trinity to passe , Vnder the burthen of the holy Crosse , For our redemption , whose death did retort , The sting of Sathan , and restor'd our losse . 10 Hither was got of silly maides some few , Whom happily no Souldier yet had seas'd , Tendring their spotlesse vows , in child-cold dew , Of virgin teares , to haue the heauens appeas'd But teares too late , must be too soone displeas'd , And hither , like a Tyger from the chase , Reeking in bloudy thoughts , and bloudy shew , Came Amurath himselfe to sacke the place . 11 In Armour clad , of watchet steele , full grim , Fring'd round about the sides , with twisted gold , Spotted with shining stars vnto the brim , Which seem'd to burn the spheare which did them hold : His bright sword drawn , of temper good and old , A full moone in a sable night he bore , On painted shield , which much adorned him , With this short Motto : Neuer glorious more . 12 And as a Diamond in the dark-dead night , Cannot but point at beames on euery side , Or as the shine of Cassiopae a bright , Which make the zodiacke , where it doth abide , Farre more then other planets to be ey'd : So did faire Hirens eyes encounter his , And so her beames did terror strike his sight , As at the first it made e'm vale amisse . 13 O that faire beauty in distresse should fall , For so did she , the wonder of the east , At least , if it be wondrous faire at all , That staines the morning , in her purple nest , With guilt-downe cursed Tresses , rosy drest , Reflecting in a comet wise , admire , To euery eye whom vertue might appall . And Syren loue , inchant with amorous fire . 14 A thousand Bashawes , and a thousand more , Of Ianizaries , crying to the spoile , Come rushing in with him at euery dore , That had not Loue giuen Barbarisme the foile , The faire had beene dishonored in this while . But ò when beauty strikes vpon the heart : What musicke then to euery sence is bore , All thought resigning them , to beare a part . 15 For as amongst the rest , she kneel'd sad weeping , In tender passion by an altars side , And to a blessed Saint begins her creeping , He stood loue-wounded , what should her betide , Whilst she saw him turned round , & well nie died . Let darknes shroud quoth she , my soule in night , Before my honor be in Mahounds keeping , Prisoner to enuy , lust , and all vnright . 16 O , if thou beest a Souldier , lend thy sword , To ope the bosomes , where yet neuer lay , Ignoble Souldier , nor imperious Lord , Of all whom war hath grip'd into her sway , Onely remaine we few , let not this day , Begin with vs , who neuer did offend , Or else do all of vs one death afford , If not , kill me , who ne'r was Pagans friend . 17 But now ( said Mahomet ) thou shall be mine , Thine eies haue power to such a great mans hart , If then they worke on me to make me thine , Say thou art wrong'd ? dishonor doth impart No loue , where he may force : but mine thou art , And shalt be only in thine own free choice , What makes me speake , makes me speak thus diuine Else could I threat thee with a conquerors voyce . 18 What you may do ( said she ) I do not know , But know you this , there is a thousand waies , To finde out night before my shamelesse brow , Shall meet that day in guilt of such misrayes , Oh how vniust art thou ? the pagan sayes , To him which sues for a respecting eye , And no ignoble action doth allow , But honor , and thy faires to gratifie . 19 The effect of both is one ( said she ) both spils , And layes my shame o're mastred at thy feet , But greatnesse ( said he ) doth outface all ills , And maiesty ( make sowre apparance sweete , Where other powers than greatnes doth cut meet ? It doth indeed , said she , but we adore , More than a great Earth-monarch whom death kils , Mortall soules , thinke on th' immortall more , 20 Alas faire Christian Saint ( said Mahomet ) So yong , and full of gray hair'd purity , These are but shifts of Friers , tales farre fet . Dearest , I 'le teach thee my diuinity , Our Mecha's is not hung with Imagery , To tell vs of a virgin-bearing-sonne , Our adoration to the Moone is set , That pardons all that in the darke is done . 21 O blinde religion , when I learne , said she ) To hallow it , my body tombe my soule , And when I leaue the mid-day-sunne for thee , Blush Moone , the regent of the nether roule . What I hold deerest , that my life controule , And what I prize more precious then imagery , Heauens , grant the same my bane and ruine be , And where I liue , wish all my Tragedy . 22 A dreadfull curse replide the Saracen , But I will teach thee how to cousen it , An oath in loue may be vnsworne againe , Ioue markes not louers oathes euery whit , Thou wilt repent beside , when riper wit Shall make thee know the magicke of thine eies , How faire thou art , and how esteem'd of men , T is no religion that is too precise . 23 Nor is this all , though this might woo a Greeke , To wantonize with princely Mahomet , Much more by loues inuention could I speake , By which the coldest temper might be heate : But I must hence , a fitter time I 'le set , To conquer thee , Bashawes these spare or spill , Saue Mustapha this maid , since her we like , Conduct vnto our Tent , now warre he will . 24 She like Cassandra thral'd and innocent , Wrang her white hands , & tore her golden haire , Hal'd by the Eunuchs to the Pagans Tent , Speechlesse , and spotlesse , vnpittied , not vnfaire , Whiles he to make all sure , did repaire , To euery Souldier throughout the field , And gaue in charge matters of consequence , As a good generall , and a Souldier should . 25 Then sent he forth , Polidamus to bid , The Drums & Trumpets sound that daies retreit , For in his soule their ratling noyse he chid : For startling Cupid , whose soft bosome streight , Had lodg'd him , & grew proud of such a freight . Beside the sword and fire had swept the streetes , And all did in the victors hands abide , Night like wise came , fit time for Loues stolne-sweets . 26 Thus tumbling in conceits , he stumbled home , In the darke couerture of shady night , Cal'd for a torch , the which his chamber groome , With more then speedy haste did present light : To bed he went , as heauy in his spright , As loue , that 's full of anguish makes the minde ▪ Faine would he sleepe away this martirdome , But loues eyes open , when all else are blinde . 27 What do you talke of sleepe ? talke of the Greeke , For being laid , he now grew almost mad , What is she not as faire ( quoth he ) to like , As Phedria , whom in Corinth once I had ? With that he knock't his Eunuchs vp , and bad , One aske the Grecian maide , what was her name , What she made there , & whom she came to see , And to what end into his Tent she came ? 28 When he was gone , somewhat the fury staid , And beat more temperate in his liuer-vaine , Onely he could not choose but praise the maid , Whose eies from his such womanish drops did strain Did not thy face ( sigh'd he ) such faires containe , It could not be , my heart thou couldst distract , But all abstracts of rarities are laid , In thy faire cheekes so feelingly compact . 29 Thus made , what maiest thou not command , In mighty Amuraths wide Empery ? My tributary loue , and not my land , Shall pay it homage to thy proud bent eye , And they who most abhorre idolatry , Shall tender Catholicke conceites to thee , O arme not honor still for to withstand , And make a foyle of loue , which dwels in me . 30 By this time was the Carpet-page return'd , And told the prince the Greeke was Hiren hight , But so she wept , & sigh'd , & grieu'd , & mourn'd , As I could get no more ( said he to night , And weeps ( said Amurath ) my loue so bright . Hence villaine ▪ borrow wings , flie like the winde , Her beauteous cheeks with hot tears wil be burnd Fetch her to me : ô loue too deafe , too blind ! 31 Then crossing both his armes athwart his breast , And sinking downe , he fet a soule taught grone , And sigh'd , and beat his heart , since loue possest , And dwelt in it which was before his owne . How bitter is sweet loue , that loues alone , And is not sympathis'd , like to a man ? Rich & full cram'd , with euery thing that 's best , Yet lyes bed-sicke , whom nothing pleasure can . 32 Sometimes he would inuoke sweet Poets dead , In their own shapes , to court the maid with words But then he fear'd least they her maiden head Shold win from him : them somtimes arms & swords , His old heroike thoughts , new roome affords , And to the field he would : but then loue speakes , And tels him Hiren comes vnto his bed , Which dasheth all , and all intendments breakes . 33 And lo indeed , the purple hangings drawne , In came faire Hiren in her night attire , In a silke mantle , and a smocke of lawne , Her haire at length , the beams of sweete desire ) Her breasts all naked , ô inchanting fire ! And siluer buskins on her feet she wore , Though all the floore with Carpet-worke was strawn Yet were such feet too good to tread that floore . 34 Now Mahomet bethinke thee what is best , Said she , compell me I will speake thy shame , And tell thy hatefull fact , at euery feast , Singers in balads shall berime thy name , And for dishonoring me spot thy faire fame : But if — : No more chast maid said Mahomet : Though in thy grant consists all ioy and rest , I will not force thee , till thou giue me it . 35 But say I languish , faint , and grow forlorne , Fall sicke , and mourne : nay pine away for thee , Wouldst then for euer hold me yet in scorne ? Forbid my hopes , the comfort that should be In hopes in do●ting hopes which tire on me : O be not as some women be , for fashion , Like sun-shine daies in clouds of raine still borne , The more you 'l loue , the more shal grow my passion . 36 And then he clasp'd her frosty hand in his , An orient pearle betwixt two mother shels , And scal'd thereon a hearty burning kisse , Kisses in loue , force more then charmes or spels , And in sweet language ; hopes desires foretels , Ah louely Greeke , what heart hast thou ( quoth he ) What art thou made of ? fire dissolueth yee , Tygers relent , yet thou l't not pitty me . 37 Dwel'st thou on forme ? I can confirme thee than , Sibilla liues to tell she did repent . Let Latmus speake what it of Delia can , And it will eccho her loue-languishment . Chaste eyes sometimes reflect kind blandishment : Beside , thy soueraigne will thy subiect be , Once a great king , now a despised man , A vassall , and a slaue to Loue and thee . 38 Why dost thou weep ? t is I shold drown mine eies And burst my heart with languor , and dispaire , I whom thy vnrelenting thoughts despise , I who can woo thee by no sute , nor prayer , Yet doating mad for thee , ô cruell faire , I sweare by this diuine white daizy-hand , The loue I beare thee , in my heart it lies , Whose searching fire , no reason can withstand . 39 Wilt thou be mine ? here shalt thou liue with me , Free'd from oppression , and the Souldiers lust , Who if thou passe my Tent , will seize on thee , And they are rude , and what they will thou must . O do not to the common Kestrels trust , They are not as the Eagles noble kinde , But rough , and daring in all villany : Honor with me , with them scarce safety finde . 40 Honor and safety , both in true loue is , And Mahomet is zealous , ô loue him : With him ioy euery thing that tasts of blisse , Pompe , honor , pleasure , shews , and pastimes trim , Care dwels not where he dwels , nor sorrow grim Onely till now , that he for Hiren mournes : A Greeke whom he , would bring to paradice , He ner'e took thought , but now he sighs & burns . 41 Wilt thou be his , on thee shall waite and tend , A traine of Nymphs , and Pages by thy side , With ●aunes , horse , coach , & musicke which shall lend The spheares new notes in their harmonies pride , When thou wilt walke , and publikly be ey'd , To bring thee in thy hie way , cloath'd with flowers Shall sent like Tempe when the graces send , To meet each other in those fragrant bowers . 42 At home shall comick Masques , & night disports Conduct thee to thy pillow , and thy sheetes , And all those reuels which soft loue consorts , Shall entertaine thee with their sweetest sweets . And as the warlike God with Venus meetes , And dallies with her in the Paphian groue , Shall Mahomet in bed shew thee such sports , As none shall haue , but she which is his loue . 43 Againe : No more againe ( saies she ) great king , I know you can do much , and all this to , But tell me when we loose so deere a thing , Shame can we take pride in , in publike shew : Think you the adulterate owle , then wold not so ? No , no , nor state , nor honor can repure , Dishonor'd sheet's , nor lend the owle daies wing Ignoble shame a King cannot recure . 44 Now say mine eies & cheeks are faire , what then ? Why so are yours , yet do I dote on you ? Beauty is blacke , defam'd by wicked men , And yet must euery beauty make men sue ? Too good is worse then bad , you seeme too true Too easie , passionate , loue-sicke , and kinde , Then blame not me , that cannot so soone ren Your course : the fault is in your forward minde . 85 But say great prince , I had a wanton eye , Would you adde Syrius to the sommer sunne ? And whurle hote flaming fire where tow doth lie By which combustion all might be vndone ? For loke how mightier greater Kings do run Amisse , the fault is more pernicious , And opens more to shame and obloquy , Then what we erre in , or is done by vs . 46 A Monarch , and a mighty Conquerour To doate , proues euery woman is his better , But I 'le be true to thee ( said he : ( One houre ( Said she ; ) but what for truth , when it is fitter We keepe our own , then haue a doubtful debter . But I will sweare , said he : So Iason did , Replide faire Hiren , yet who faithlesse more , or more inconstant to his sworne loues bed ? 47 Too many mirrors haue we to behold , Of mens inconstancy , and womens shame . How many margent notes can we vnfold , Mourning for virgins that haue bene too blame ? And shall I then run headlong to the flame ? I blush , but it is you should be ashamed , For know , if that you neuer haue beene told , Vertue may be inforc'd , but not defamed . 48 Faire louely Prince , let warre your triumphs be , Go forward in the glittering course you run , The kingly Eagle strikes through Atomie , Those little moates that barre him from the Sun , Then let not both of vs be here vndone , You of your Conquest , I of Chastitie . And pardon my rude speech , for lo you see , I plead for life , and who 's not loath to dye ? 49 Death of my fame , which oft proues mortal death Witnesse the Prince-forc'd chaste Lucretia , Ere I like her be rap'd , ô reaue my breath , And gainst thy nature , take a yeelding pray , That will embrace death , before thee this day . If thou loue me , shew it in killing me , Thy sword had neuer yet a chaster sheath , Nor thou , nor Mahound a worse enemy . 50 He heard nor this , nor ought of what she said , For all his senses now were turn'd to eyes , And with such fired gaze he view'd this maid , That sure I thinke not Hermes mysteries , Nor all his Caducean nouelties , That flow from him like a slye winding streame , ( To which the Gods gladly their eares haue laid ) Could once haue mou'd him from this waking dreame . 51 But sighes he sends out on this embassie , Liegers that dye ere they returne againe , Poore substitutes to coape with chastity . She knew the pleading of their Liege was vaine , And all his teares like to a Mel-dew raine , That falles vpon the floures , to defloure . Yet , for t was tedious , she did aske him why , Each sigh was o're him such a conquerour . 52 By heauen he swore , and made his Eunuch start , I sigh to coole Loues fire , then kist her hand : For know , thou wonder of the Easterne part , He need not counterfeite that can command : But by thy middle , Cupids coniuring wand , I am all loue , and faire beleeue my vow , Sprung from a Souldier , now a louers heart , He sweares to loue , that neuer lou'd till now . 53 Not halfe so faire was Hellen , thy pre'cessor , On whom the firy brand of Troy did dote , For whom so many riuall kings to succour , Made many a mountaine pine on Symois floate , Whilst fame to this day , tels it with wide throat . Hector fell wounded in that warlike stir , Peleus did faint , Aiax that lusty warriour , Then blame not me , that loue one far 'boue her . 54 Nature deuis'd her owne despaire in thee , Thine eye not to be match'd , but by the other , Doth beare the influence of my destiny . And where they stray , my soule must wander thither Beauty of beauty , mother of Loues mother . All parts he praises , coming to her lip , Currall beneath the waues , vermilion dye , And being so neere , he wold not ouerslip . 55 Now tyres the famish'd Eagle on his pray , Incorporating his rude lips in hers , Sucking her balmey breath soft as he may : Which did more vigor , through his brest disperse , Such kisses louers vse at first conuerse . All parts were to that center drawne I wis , Close as the dew-wormes at the breake of day , That his soule shew'd , as t' were a melting kisse . 56 Till breathles now , he breath'd into her loue , Who scorn'd to take possession by degrees , No law with her strange passion , will he proue , But hauing interest , scorn'd one inch to leese , Cupid , shee le set thee free withouten fees . But though his wings she well nie set on fire , And burn'd the shaft , that first her brest did moue , Yet Cupid would be Lord of her desire . 57 T is sayd , Aurora blushes euery morne , For feare that Titan should her fault espy , And blushes so did Hirens cheekes adorne , Fearing least Mahomet perceiu'd her eye . Louers are blind , and what could he espy . No , t was the hidden vertue of that kisse , That her chast lips were nere vs'd to beforne , That did vnframe her , and confirme her his . 58 Louers beleeue , lips are inchanted baites , After fifteene , who kisses a faire maide , Had need to haue friends trusty of the fates , For by my muse ( I sweare ) I am a afraid , Hee 's Iourney-man already in Loues trade . A kisse is porter to the caue of loue , Well see , and you may enter all the gates : " Women were made to take what they reproue . 59 A kisse is the first Tutor and instinct , The guider to the Paphian shrine and bowers , They who before ne're entred loues precinct , Kissing shall finde it , and his sundry powers . O how it moues this continent of aires , And makes our pulse more strong & hye to beat , Making vs know when lips are sweetly linck't , That to those Kickshawes 'longs more dainty meate . 60 And so indeed bewitched Hiren knowes , The pressure of his lips was not in vaine , Seldome proue women friends vnto their foes , But when with ouer kindnesse they are tane , So weake professors do swalow their owne bane : Shew them the axe they 'l suffer martyrdome , But if promotion to them you propose , And flattery , then to the lure they come . 61 Thus Mahomet blinds her with Cupids vaile , And this new conuertite building on hope , Loue makes folks hardy , alas the flesh is fraile , Dispences now a little with the Pope : And from restrictions giues her heart more scope . O Liberty , Author of heresie . Why with such violent wing dost thou assaile , To hurry vertue to impiety . 62 No pardon will she now implore of Rome , Her selfe she pardons twenty times an houre , Nor yet an heretike her selfe doth doome , Since she hath Mahomet within her power . O loue too sweet , in the digestion sower ! Yet was he made , as nature had agreed , To match them both together from her wombe , And be a ioyfull grandam in their seed . 63 A face Nature intended for a maister peece , And louely as the maide ( though a blacke pearle ) Painters and women say , an Eben fleece , Doth well beseeme the shoulders of an Earle : Blacke snares they were , that did entrap this girle Each haire like to a subtile serpent taught her , Of the forbidden fruit to taste a peece , Whil'st Eue is stain'd againe here in her daughter . 64 His eyes were stuck like Comets in his head , As if they came to treate of nouelties , And bring the world and beautie into dread : That he must conquer chastest chastities . O who such tempting graces could despise , All voluntarie sinnes soules may refraine , But Natures selfe that of the flesh is bred , Such power she hath , that vice she will retaine . 65 Let me , faire Greeke , a little plead for thee , Like a vaine Orator , more for applause , And swolne commends , of those are standers by , Then profits sake , or goodnesse of the cause . If men that vpon holy vowes do pawse , Haue broke , alas , what shall I say of these , The last thing thought on by the Deitie , Natures step-children , rather her disease . 66 Maide , why commit you wilfull periurie ? To you I speake that vowe a single life , I must confesse y' are mistresse of beauty : Which beautie with your oaths is still at strife . Then know of me , thou , widow , maide or wife , She that is faire and vowes still chast to stand , Shall find an opposite to constancie , Fooles Oracles last not , are writ in sand . The end of the first Tome .

TO THE PERFECTION OF Perfection , and wisedome of Womanhood , the intelligent , and worthily admired , ELIZABETH Countesse of Darby , wife to the thrice-noble WILLIAM Earle of Darby . WHen as the skilfull Statuaries make , The image of some great & worthy one , They still , as they intend his forme to take , Forecast the Basis he shall rest vpon , Whose firme infixe thunders nor winds can shake , Nor Time , that Nature deads to liue alone . So ( worthiest Lady ) may I proudly vaunt , ( Being neuer guilty of that crime before ) That to this Laye , which I so rudely chaunt , Your diuine selfe , which Dian doth adore , As her maids her , I haue select to daunt Enuy : as violent as these nam'd before . Vertue and beauty both with you enioy . Gorgon and Hydra ( all but death ) destroy . Your honors from youth oblig'd , WIL. BARKSTED .

The second Tome . 67 LOng did this beautious martyr keep her faith , Thinking that Mahomet was full of error : Treading that high coelestiall milkie path , Virginity , that did produce hels terror , Yet knowing loue in Princes turnes to wrath , She meanes to catch his fancies with her cunning : But so resistlesse is this Princes feruor , Though he imprison loue , still feares his cunning . 68 For like a Castle seated on a rocke , Besieg'd by thousands danger each way spread , That had withstood the battery of warres shock : The liuing making bulwarkes of the dead . So did this Virgins thoughts to her hart flock , Wiuing her danger , when her powers were lost : Hyrena will yeeld vp her maiden head , A gift to make loue proud , or silence bost . 69 He gently woes her with the misers God , The Indians ignorance , and vertues slaue , Bright flaming gold , for where that ha's abode , All doores flies open to the wish we craue . Gold is mans mercy , and his makers rod , She loues the King for honor and for riches , He makes her eyes his heauen , her lap his graue , A womans face oft Maiesties bewitches . 70 When news is brought him that his foes are come , He catches straite this maiden in his armes , Calling for musicke that is now his drumme : I le keepe thee safe ( quoth he ) for other harmes , Tho spoke in thunder they to me are dumbe . To counsell now they call him with low duty , But her Idea so his sences charmes , He drownes all speech in praising of her beauty . 71 One tels him that the Christians are in field . You do not marke her beauty , he replies . Two mightie Cities to their power doth yeeld : Note but the lustre sparkling from her eyes . Your subiects hearts , against your life are steeld : Her tongue is musick , that strikes wonder dumbe . Your people struck with warre by millions dyes : If she but frowne then I shall ouercome . 72 Shall I feare this worlds losse enioying heauen , Or thinke of danger when an Angel guards me ? Can greater glory to my life be giuen , Then her maiesticke beauty that rewards me ? Nay is not he of happinesse bereau'd , That neuer saw her face nor heard her voyce , And those that win our loue , or most regards me , Confesse that we are godlike in our choice . 73 He left his Ianisaries in a trance , And to her priuate chamber straite enioyes , His bloud within his azure veines doth dance : In loue th' effects are seene before the cause : For nectar'd kisses and a smile by chance , Are but loue branches , though they grow vp first , And Cupid thus confines vs in his lawes , To tast the fountaine ere we quench our thirst . 74 Night like a Princes pallace full of light , Illumin'd all the earth with golden starres , Here Art crost Nature , making day of night : And Mahomet prepares him for loues warres . A banquet is ordain'd to feed delight , Of his Imperiall bountie with expences : A heauen on earth he presently prepares , To rauish in one hower all her sences . 75 Her eyes could glance no way but saw a iewell , As rich as Cleopatra gaue her loue . Pictures haue power to warme ice with loues fewell . The gentle treading of the Turtle-doue , The Camels lust that in his heate is cruell : And Iupiter transformed from a man , When with his breast the siluer streame did moue , And rauish Leda like a snowy Swan . 76 The table furnisht , to delight the taste , With food aboue Ambrosia diuine , Such as would helpe consumptions that did wast : The life bloud , or the marrow , Greekish wine , So high one draught would make Dian vnchast . Nectar is water to this banquets drinke , Here Aesculapius did his art resigne , And pleasure drown'd with standing on the brink . 77 To please her hearing Eunuches sang as shrill , As if that nature had dismembred them , All birds that ecchoes musicke through the bill , Sang ioy to her in an vndittied antheme : An artificiall heauen stands open still , Filling the roofe with a sweet vnknowne noyse , Downe fals a clowd like a rich diadem , And showes a hundred naked singing boyes . 78 The sence of smelling with all rare deuises , That rich Arabia or the world can yeeld , The dew of Roses and choise Indian spices , The purest of the garden and the field . The earth to part with these rare gifts now nises , And vowes no more her nature so profuse , Shall let her sweets be from her breast distild , To feed their vanitie with her abuse . 79 Then in a rich imbroidred bed of downe , Pluck't from the constant Turtles fethered breast , Vpon her head he set imperiall crowne , And to her goes : Now is his soule at rest . This night he counts the end of his renowne , The sence of feeling , she feeles by his power , And like a subiect yeelds to his request , Whilest Mahomet a virgin doth deflower . 80 Now feares this flower deflowr'd his loue will waine , Wishing the lustfull act had bin vndoon , The pleasure cannot counteruaile the paine , For still she thinkes with torment joy is woon , His loue growes full , she gets it now with gaine : He like a ring of gold insets his iewell , But fearing of his force she should disdaine , Till sighes and kisses did inflame Loues fewell . 81 Then like the God of Warre , caught in a net , He twin'd his Venus , danger was not nigh , And as a Diamond compar'd with Iet , , So show'd her sparkling eye against his eye . The sunne-gaz'd Eagle now this done doth get , And gently gripes her , hurting not his pray , She sounds with pleasure , second sweets are high And wishes Phoebus blinde all night , no day . 82 The red-cheek't morning opens now her gate , And busie day breathes life into the world , The heauens great coachman mounted is in state , And darknesse from the aire to hell is hurld . Now pleasures king by day light sees his mate , Whil'st she lay blushing like the damaske rose , His ietty haire she with her fingers curld , He hug'd her fast , least he his ioyes should lose . 83 Her fight begot in him a new desire , For that is restlesse alwaies in extreames , Nought but saciety can quench loues fire . Now throgh the christal casement Phoebus beames Dazled those twinckling starres that did aspire , To gaze vpon his brightnesse being a louer . Tasting her petulans in waking dreames , To hide her from the sunne , he doth her couer . 84 Then sweet breath'd musicke , like the chime of spheares , Did rauish pleasure , till this paire did rise : More wonder then that sound was to men eares Was her rare beauty to the gazers eyes . Ioy was so violent , the rockes it teares , The noise and triumphs beates vpon the aire , And like ambition pierceth through the skies , That Ioue loo'kt downe on her that was so rare . 85 Thus Mahomet both day and night doth spend , In obseruation of her eyes and pleasure , Growing so iealous , least he should offend , His soules perfection , natures vnspent treasure . If she but speake to him , he low doth bend , And such a seruitude he doth discouer . Neglecting of himselfe in that grosse measure , That Hiren clips her slaue , no Emperour . 86 Her chamber is her prison ( O most willing ) And there like house-doues they each other woo At first shee 'l shun him , after fall a billing , And with imagination make him doo . Thy eies quoth Mahomet , saues thousands killing For all my force vpon thee shall be spent , Thy warres directions I do best allow , Thy Armes my Armour , and thy bed my Tent. 87 Who doth offend this paramour , straight dyes , As certainly , as if pronounc'd by fate , Who doth with duty please her , needs must rise , Her face directeth both his loue and hate . The grosest flatterer is held most wise . Now reignes swolne gluttony , red lust , and pride : For when the heart 's corrupted in a state , Needs must the other parts be putrifide . 88 The commons like wolues , bark against the moone And sweare they wil depose him from his throne : The Nobles whisper , and intend , that soone . Some one shal let their griefe to him be knowne . To scape that office now is each mans boone , Who speakes against her whets a fatall knife , For he replyes , I loose but what 's mine owne , As sure as we haue life , you loose that life . 89 They stand amaz'd , by hearing their own feares Each viewing other with a face extracted : Some praying , cursing , other shedding teares , To see a Louer by a Souldier acted . Patience doth foole vs that so long forbeares , To tell our Emperour hee 's turn'd a monster , And to such ease and vices so contracted . The world , his birth , and titles doth mis-conster . 90 Then Musstapha , beloued of the Turke , Stood vp , and said , I hazard will my head , Know Countrymen , I le vndertake this worke , And if I fall , lament me being dead . No flattery within this breast shall lurke : For that to Princes eares is now grown common Whilest Mahomet to haue his pleasure fed , Doth loose the worlds sway for a fickle woman . 91 Vnto her priuate chamber ! straight he goes , And findes his soueraigne sleeping on her lap , On suddaine wakes him : Sir , here are your foes , The sound amaz'd him like a thunder-clap : Although you sleep , awak't are all our woes . The franticke Emperour vpon him stares , Relate in briefe the worst of our mishap , Man cannot wrong vs , when a God not dares . 92 This danger Mehomet , attends thy reigne , The Gods are angry with thy lustfull ease , Thy priuate pleasure is the Empires paine , To please your selfe you all the world displease : The Sophy , German , and the King of Spaine , Begirt they safety with the ribbes of death . Then worthy Prince , your wonted valour cease , And take my counsel , though it cost my breath . 93 You are but the shadow of an Emperour , Not really effecting what you are , A slothfull Epicure , a puling louer , That now en'e trembles at the name of warre , Obliuion all thy former acts do couer , Most willing to remoue you I will dye , The sunne of honour now is scarce a starre , Vertue at first was sire to Maiesty . 94 The Emperour vpon his subiect stares , As if a Gorgons head he there had seene , How comes it vassall , that thy proud tonge dares , Speake to remoue mee from this heauenly queene ? The gods wold liue on earth , to haue their shares In my Hirena : Sirra , you want nurture : Thy life I will not touch now in my spleene , But in cold bloud it shall depart with torture . 95 I feare not death , repli'd bold Mustapha , At your command I 'le clime a steepy rocke , Then headlong tumble downe into the sea , Or willingly submit me to the blocke , Disrobe my nature , and my body flea : Yet in that tyranny I 'le speake my minde , And boldly like a Souldier stand deaths shocke , Concluding , lust can strike the Eagle blinde . 96 His haughty words amaz'd this king of loue , Thou wert not wont to speake thus without duty . Can her embraces so my soule remoue ? And must he be a coward dotes on beauty ? Such rarity of pleasure I do proue , In her enioying , that my soule is fed , With that variety , to speake her truly , Each night she giues me a new maiden-head . 97 Yet shall my subiects know my power in this , That I can rule mine owne affection : I pardon freely what thou speak'st amisse , Knowing it sprung from loue , and thy subiection : Your eies shall see me rob the earth of blisse , A sight too sad , all heauen strike men with terror , And in that act cast such reflexion . That kings shall see themselues in me their mirror . 98 Go , tell my Bashaes , and the noble bloud , I do inuite them to a royall dinner , And there I 'le shew them loue can be withstood : Yet he that wrongs my Greeke is such a sinner , He cannot cleanse himselfe , washt in loues flood . Fortune this fate vpon my loue hath hurld , The Monarkes of the earth in hope to win her , Against her beauty would stake all the world . 99 Leaue vs : and be thou comforted my faire , I will aduance thee bou'e the stile of woman : Let not my words bring thee vnto dispaire , Thou shalt imbrace the Gods , for her 's no man Worthy to taste thy sweetes , they are so rare . Drawn by the Phoenix thou through heauen shalt ride And Saturn wounded by loues litle bowman Shall get his sonne to haue thee stellifide . 100 Go decke thy beauty with heauens ornament , Shine Cinthia like with iewels in the night , As she with starres stucke in heauens firmament ; But thine , the greater will deface her light , Making her yeeld to thee her gouernment . On Saturnes top thy face shall gaine opinion , Beyond cold Phoebe shining out so bright , Thou shalt be courted by her loue Endimion . 101 Let ioy possesse thy heart , and be thou proud , In sight of all the Turkish Emperours Peares , Let not thy sunne of beauty in a cloud , Be hid from those , whose eies with deawy teares , For want of thy pure heate in shades do shroud , Their drooping forheads , but thy beames exhales All misty vapours , and the welkin cleares , Like putrifying lightning , or Ioues balles . 100 Then hand in hand they passe out of the roome , Her beauty like a blazing starre admired , Well may I tearme it so , it shew'd the doome , Of her liues date that instant was expired . Now to the presence chamber they are come , Where all in reuerence kisse the humble earth , Here nature tooke her own , and death hath hir'd , To giue that backe againe , which she gaue birth . 103 Now stands in the midst , and thus begins , ( Taking the faire Hirena by the hand : ) Which of you here , that such a creature wins , Would part with her , for honor , loue , or land ? The gods were enuious when they made those sins Which are th crowns of this fraile worlds content , Nor can it with their humane reason stand , To thinke our ioyes begets our punishment . 104 View but her hand , her lip , her brow , her eyes , The smalnesse of her waste , and comely stature , And let your iudgement bou'e your hatred rise , Then you must needs confesse , she excels in feature . That you are onely fooles , I truly wise , Doe not her presence admiration strike , And broken is her frame by angry nature , For feare she wrongs herselfe , and make the like , 105 What man that hauing toild in hidden Art , Spent all his youth , and substance to the bone , All bookes and knowledge in the deepest part , To finde that Phoenix , that gold-getting stone , And hauing it , to comfort his weake heart , Shall he his seruants , wife , or friends to please , With his owne eies go see that iewell throwne , Into the bottomelesse and gaping seas . 106 Or which of you can haue the fortitude , to lop a limbe off , or pull out an eye , Or being in a heauenly seruitude , To free your selues would with the damned lye ? Offorce with me you now must all conclude , That mortall men are subiect to loues rod , But heere you shall perceiue that onely I , Am natures conquerour , and a perfect God . 107 Then with a smiling looke , he came vnto her , And kist her , bad her pray , and then he smil'd , I must not in my constancy now erre , Since by mine owne tongue I a God am sti'ld . He drawes a fatall Turkish Simiter , With it he parts her body from her head . And though his tyranny did proue so vile , She seem'd to mocke him smiling being dead . 108 Vntill he tooke it in his bloudy power , And then a crimson floud gusht out a pace , The fauor chang'd from smiling , and look't sower . And senceles teares ran trickling downe her face , As who should say , I thought within this hower , For me thou wouldst haue oppos'd heauen with strife , That earthly being is like falling glasse , To thee I lost virginity and life . 109 Long stood he mute , and gaz'd vpon her forme , Till Mustapha came in to play his part , His eies shot lightning like a horrid storme , Then with his fauchion runs him through the hart , O could this diuell my soule so tranforme , That I must eate that snake in him did lurke , But this is hels instruction , the blacke Art . To giue our sins the means by which they work . 110 O my Hirena , Mahomet then cries , Looke through the orbes , & see an Emperour sad Detaine her not you rulers in the skies , But send her once more , to make Monarkes glad . My soule to thine like Tartars shaft now flies , They held his arme , or else he had done the deed This mighty Mahomet with loue growne mad , Can nothing ease you , but your heart must bleed . 111 Where is that God-head due vnto your birth , Descended from the Prophet Mahomet , Recall your spirits to their former mirth , And keep your colour constant like the Iet , Now shew your fortitude , be God on earth , Marshall your men , giue eare vnto your Drum , And let your valour with the sunne being set , With the resplendancy burne Christendome . 112 Awake dull mate , and leaue this trance , Be perfect man , as thou hast here thy being , Not subiect vnto passion or chance ; But like thy selfe , with Kingly thoughts agree , Our siluer moone to heauen we will aduance , And Christendome shall mourne for Hirens fall , That heathen Princes our braue acts seeing , Shall yeeld the world to vs , we king of all . 113 And for my loues vnkindly Tragedy , A thousand Citties for her death shall mourne , And as a relicke to posterity , Our priests shall keep her ashes in their vrne , And fame to future times with memory , Shall sound her glory , and my loues effects , For , till this vniuersall Masse doth burne , Her beauty rests the wonder of her sex . 114 Now order my affaires for bloudy warre , For heere I vow this loue shall be my last , No more shall downy pleasure , like a barre , Stop my designes that now at honour gast , Shoote prophet on my forhead a blessed starre , A Tygers fiercenesse , and my heart shall moue , Because with Hiren all affections past , I 'le pitty none , for pitty be gets loue . FINIS .