The springs glorie Vindicating love by temperance against the tenent, sine cerere & Baccho friget Venus. Moralized in a maske. With other poems, epigrams, elegies, and epithalamiums of the authors Thomas Nabbes.

THE SPRINGS GLORIE .

VINDICATING LOVE by temperance against the tenent , Sine Cerere & Baccho friget Venus .

Moralized in a Maske . With other Poems , Epigrams , Elegies , and Epithalamiums of the Authors THOMAS NABBES .

LONDON , Printed by I.D. for Charles Greene , and are to be sold by Nicolas Fussell at the signe of the white Lyon in Pauls Church-yard . 1638.

Optimae spei Iuveni

Domino BENEDICTO ROBERTS , filio natu minori NICOLAI ROBERTS Armigeri , amoris ergò , & observantiae erga parentes , sequentia poemata humillimè dedicat

Thomas Nabbes .

To his intimate and learned friend Master THOMAS NABBES on his ensuing Poems . LEt those who to the world oft publish forth Their owne deserts , in praysing others worth , Throng for a roome ; and pride themselves to be Ranck'd in the front of thy learn'd poesie . It shall suffice mee ( who have never yet Studied to humour others , nor have sweat Like some , two houres in plodding jests , which may At the first sight their authour's wits betray ) To have a meaner roome : for I nor come To begge the reader mittigate thy doome ; Nor with intent to praise thy worke or thee : For that would seeme a plaine Tautologie . Those , whose diviner soules Phoebean flame Hath throughly kindled , such as have a name I' the list of Phoebu's darlings , will admire The eager flames of thy poetique fire . None will dislike ought here , but such dull things Whose soules are out of tune ; When Phoebus sings Some bayards will be bold to judge his straine Harsh and unpleasing ; yet applaud the vaine — — Confused sound of some hoarse pipers voyce , And say 't is rare , and makes an excellent noyse . If that it chance some fancy not thy straine Th' are dull and ignorant ; the wiser traine Will praise thee for 't , and utter still with fame The often mention of thy honour'd name . Let critiques censure , and these lines condemne , Secur'd by thine owne bayes ▪ their rage contemne . C.G. Oxon.

To his honoured friend Master THOMAS NABBES . HAd I the massie wealth of Cheops , then I 'de raise a Piramid unto thy pen That should for State put downe the empty fame Of Mausoleus tombe , blot out the name The Sunnes Colossus had in that same day When it bestrid the spatious Rhodian bay . Let Momus prate ; thou art above him farre : The curre that barkes at , cannot hurt the starre . But why should I presume ? for mee to praise Thy winged raptures , rhapsodies and layes Were with darke Lanterne up and downe to runne , And shew th' admiring world the glittring Sunne . Robert Chamberlain● .

THE SPRINGS GLORY ; Within an Arch of agreeable workmanship , a Scaene of Winter presents it selfe , the Trees and Earth covered with Snow , and in the middle thereof a prospect of a faire house as the Mansion of Christmasse . Venus and Cupid descend . Venus . WIthout good meat and drinke must Venus freeze ? Must I derive my flames and my desire From Ceres and from Bacchus ? shall the fire That burnes in hearts , and payes me solemne rites Kindle from fulnesse and gorg'd appetites ? It shall not Sonne . Learne of thy Sea-borne mother Never to borrow power from any other . The vertue that 's our owne , who dares to claime ? Are not both Gods and men by thy sure ayme , When at their bosomes thou direct'st a Dart. Wounded with passion past the cure of art ? Did not the god of Medicine himselfe want ; ( When he was sttruck by thee ) a soveraigne plant To heale his hurt ? nor did it rancor by Abundance of choyce cates and luxurie ? 'T was meerely thy effect . Why then should we To Ceres or to Bacchus deity Assigne our rights ? Cupid . In part we must ; for they Are aiders in our worke , and therefore may Share in the attributes of power . If wine Did not the spirits and the bloud refine , Making them warme and active , I should throw My shafts at rocks of ice , and from my Bow The winged arrows of desire would flie With empty and succeslesse battery . If Ceres bounties flow'd not , where should I Find any flame to light my torches by ? Fulnesse and ease assist me more then all The helpes I have besides . Venus . And therefore shall They be preferr'd ? Thou art a foolish boy . Their base effects are lust ; they love to joy In what is sensuall onely . Our pure heate Borrowes no activenesse from drinke or meate ; It moves more in the soule . God Bacchus shall Have his due attributes , and Ceres call The plough , crookt sickle , flayle and many more Her owne admir'd inventions , and the store Shee gathers for mens use . But should the mind Make these her only objects , what a blind And dangerous issue of effects would grow From such a seed ! high spirits strive to know More then a common eye sees , and aspire Still upwards like the Piramide of fire , When earth tends to its centre . We must move More then the sense ; else 't is not perfect love . To them Ceres and Bacchus . Here 's Ceres and Lyaeus . Ceres . Wee are told By Maia's sonne that you intend to scould With me and Bacchus . Venus . I have cause to chide . You 'ld rob me of my titles , and beside Make it a gluttons tenent , there can be No love without you . Ceres . And your Deity Hath summond us for this : 't is very good . I must confesse you made your father wood To ravish faire Europa . Having seene Traynes of Arcadian Virgins on the greene Tread their chaste measures , or with nimble pace Through the Parthenian groves , and thickets chace A well-breath'd Stagge , one of them straight-wayes must Be tempted to her ruine by his lust : And this employment Venus still is thine . Venus . Ceres is madd still for her Proserpine : Whose rape hath made her queene of the Abysse . Who to be so rewarded would not kisse The blacke lips of hells king ? and to his bed Bring the short pleasures of a Maydenhead ? Repine not at it then . Ceres . I must whilst day Hath any light , or heavens bright eye a ray . It was your sonnes great act to boast of ; he That suffers not th' infernals to goe free Of his diseases . Bacchus . Rather Ceres mine : For if the God had never tasted wine , Not all the heate of his infernall fire Could e're have thaw'd him into one desire ; Or kindled the least flame in his cold brest Without my vertue . Venus . 'T is an idle jest . Doth Bacchus thinke he can with heate of wine Light the bright flame of love , that is divine , And burnes not from such causes , but takes fire From th' elementall part of pure desire Unmixt with grossnesse ? Thy effects are foule ; And motions of the sense , not of the soule . Subscribe then to our power ; my sonne and I Must have the attributes . Ceres . Let him lay by His quiver rather . Ceres meanes to be The Queene of Love , and Bacchus deity Include all that is Cupids . Venus . First I 'le leave To be immortall , and my selfe bereave Of all that I can claime above the skye , Or under heavens archt roofe , if destiny May give it confirmation . Take a Dart And ayme it at her proud imperious heart To shew in thy revenge what thou canst doe . Cupid . I must not Mother . Wee 'le referre it to Another tryall , and if Bacchus can Confirme what he so saucily began To argue , by example , wee 'le deny Nothing that 's due unto his deity . Bacchus .

Content .

To them Christmasse and Shrovetide Enter . Christmas is personated by an old reverend Gentleman in a furr'd gowne and cappe , &c. And Shrovetide by a fat Cooke with a frying-pan , &c. And see occasion hath comply'd Even with our wish . It cannot be deny'd But these share both our bounties ; have free use Of all our gifts : and if you 'le not refuse A tryall from them — Venus . Let them speake , whil'st we To their dispose referre the victory . Shrovetide .

I say Christmas you are past date , you are out of the Almanack . Resigne , resigne . Let the Oven give place to the Frying-pan , and Minc't-pies yeild superiority to pancakes and Fritters .

Christmas .

Resigne to thee ! I that am the King of good cheere and feasting , though I come but once a yeare to raigne over bak't , boyled , roast , and plum-porridge , will have being in despight of thy lard-ship . Thou art but my fagge-end , and I must still be before thee .

Shrovetide .

But thou wilt never be before-hand . Thou art a prodigall Christmas ; and Shrovetide hath seene thee many times in the Poultry .

Christmas .

Dost scorne my liberality , thou rasty bacon , tallow-faced scullion ? Though thou be as fat as a Flemming , I 'le have Lent choke thee with a red-herring .

Shrovetide .

I 'le arme my selfe for that . In three dayes I can victuall my garrison for seven weekes : and it shall goe hard but I will domineere in Lent despite of the thin-chapt surgeon that makes men skillitons .

Christmas .

As how ?

Shrovetide .

At any Noblemans house , I can licke my fingers in a privy kitchin . Though I bee out of commons in the hall , there 's flesh to be had sometimes in a chamber besides a Landresse . The very three-penny ordinary will keepe me in an upper gallery , and I can be invisible even in the pye-house . Should all faile , the wenches I got with child shall long , and have the Phisitians ticket .

Christmas .

Thou get children !

Shrovetide .

Yes more then Christmas , and better too : for thine are all unthrifts , whores , or murderers . Thy sonne In and in , undid many a Citizen . Thou hast a Daughter called my Ladyes hole , a filthy black slut shee is ; and Put is common in every Bawdy house . 'T is thought Noddy was none of thine owne getting , but an Aldermans , that in exchange cuckolded thee , when thou wast a Courtier . Thou hast one sonne bred up in the Country called Christmas gambolls , that doth nothing but breake mens necks ; and many more that would undoe the Common-wealth , were it not for the Groome porter .

Christmas .

Do'st see these sirrah ?

Shrovetide .

Ceres and Bacchus : I am their worshipper . Were Stewes tolerated , and Venus the Grand Bawd of them , without good meate and drinke , your young Factors would never be able to breake their Masters or Mistresses , nor your shee-silke-worme in Cheape care a button for her foreman .

Ceres . Venus being overcome , I hope will yeeld , Now shee is vanquisht in the open field , And her weake forces scatter'd : nor can they Gather new head to make a second fray . To them Lent enters . Hee is figur'd in a leane Man , his habit like trouses , and what other anticke devices may be thought proper ▪ Venus . Yes : with this champion ; and his fresh supply I 'le wage new warre , and call backe victory . Shrovetide .

This leaue thin-gut starveling , begot by a Spaniard ▪ and nurst at the lower end of Friday-street .

Lent.

Why thou Helluo of hennes and bakon , th●●●●rder houst of collops and egges ; thou that makest the kitchin proclaime its employment through the neighbourhood , with the sent of thy Lard and crumpets , what canst thou boast oft ?

Christmas .

Children , children , thou parcht starveling : thou can●t g●t nothing but Anatomies .

Lent.

Children ! I get more ( I maintaine not their lawfulnesse ) then Christmas and Shrovetide . Oh the vertue of Oysters , Lobsters , Sturgeon , Anchoves , & Caveary . Why thou grout-headed bladder , puft with the windinesse of pared apples coffered in batter : for every Brawne or hogge , either Christmas or thy selfe have demolisht ; I have a thousand Herrings , despight of the Dutchmens wastfull theft , let them rob the foure Seas never so often . Besides , I couple more then the Parson of Pancrace : I meane City woodcocks , with Suburb-wagtailes .

Christmas .

Thou couple !

Lent.

Who more ? Is not S. Valentines day mine ? are not Codds mine , thou codds-head , and Maides mine ? put them together thou wilt find they are things —

Shrovetide .

Thou art a thing of emptinesse , and Lent was ever a Iack by conversion .

Lent.

Such a Iack as can come aloft , and doe Venus more credit then thy fulnesse . Doe not I share of Aries , Taurus , and Gemini ; the Innes I lye at in my progresse . Yet no cuckold can deny but Aries and Taurus should follow Gemini . And it follows , or should , that I having two fathers my selfe , should get most children .

Christmas .

Who were thy fathers prethee ?

Lent.

Devotion and Pollicy ; and I have begotten Hipocrisie on a holy sister , that despight of all Informers would have flesh , her belly full . Let Christmas and Shrovetide eate and drinke ; I 'le be for Venus , though I feed upon nothing but herring-cobbs .

Venus . Who 's now the conquerour ? Will Ceres now Subscribe unto my power ? and Bacchus bow To Cupids awefull strength ? Ceres . Not till it is Confirm'd by better evidence then his . Lent.

Then mine ! Observe .

Here the Scaene suddenly changeth into a Prospect , with trees budded , the earth somewhat greene , and at one side an old Barne , out of which issues a company of beggars , with a Bag-pipe .

See you these good fellowes , that preferre the warme Sunne , before the scrapps which niggardly Christmas and Shrovetide feast them with ; and would get a better race under a hedge to people New England , then the Seperatists that possesse it . Whilst they entertaine yee , I le summon the Spring , and she shall moderate .

The Beggars dance . Exeunt . After the dance , is heard the chirping of birds ; and whilst the following Song is singing , the Scaene againe changeth into a pleasant Arbour , in which the Spring in a greene robe wrought over with flowers presents her selfe .

The Song . See , see a Metamorphosis , The late gray field now verdant is . The Sun with warme beames glads the earth , And to the springing flowers He gives a new and lively birth By th' ayde of gentle showres . The Lambes no longer bleate for cold , Nor cry for succour from the old : But friske and play with confidence Like Emblemes of true innocence . Chorus . The cheerefull birds their voyces straine● The Cuckow 's hoarse for want of raine . The Nightingale doth sweetly sing , To welcome in the joyfull Spring .

Spring . Thus breake my gloryes forth that late lay hid Within the icye earth , and were forbid By Winters nipping cold to show their heads Above the snowy covering of their beds . The winds not rugged now , but calme and fayre , Sweepe flowry Gardens , and perfume the ayre . The woods shrill Choristers ( whose frozen throtes Late wanted motion , ) now have found their notes ; Strayning their little organes to sound high , And teach men art from Natures harmony . Come you to welcome me ? Ceres . Yes lovely Maid ; And to have judgement from you , who most aide In Loves great worke . Spring . Is there a strife betweene The goddesse of desire , and plenties Queene ? Will they subscribe , I le moderate . All.

Content .

Spring . First heare my reasons ; then my sentence : bent 'Gainst neithers honours , for I must comply Wi●●●●th as vertu●● . Venus Deity Is powerfull over all ; and Ceres gives Each that hath being that by which he 〈◊〉 Yet many times excesse perverts the end Of pure intentions ; and extreames extend Their powers to undoe those acts are free In their owne natures from impuritie ▪ Love ought to be Platonick , and Divine ▪ Such as is onely kindled , and doth shine With beames , that may all darke effects controule In the refin'd parts of the glorious soule . Men doe abuse your gifts , when they delight Onely to please their sensuall appetite , And heat the bloud from fulnesse ; whence there growes No perfect love , but such as onely knowes The coursest difference , and therefore must Presume to owne no other name but lust . In me let Temperance teach you to apply Things to their best ends ; and to rectifie All motions that intend effects , beside What may runne cleere and currant with the side Of purest love : in which let all your jarres Be reconcil'd , and finish your sterne warres . All.

Thus we embrace in peace .

Spring . And I 〈◊〉 Spring Will lead a moderate measure . Chirpers sing Your choysest ayres ; and as our eares they great , Vnto the Musicke we 'le apply our feet . The Spring leades them a measure ; after which they retire backe to the Scaene .

Epilogue . I That of all the seasons am the least , Though first in time , and usher in the rest , Impart my pleasures freely , ●ut desire You 'le not abuse them with excesse . My quire Shall sing as every faire one doth become A chaste Bride , her Epithalamium . Though they are short be pleas'd with these , to you I yearely will returne and bring you new .

The Spring being received into the Scaene it closeth .

The end .

An Encomium on the le●den Steeple at Worcester , repayred after a long time of neglect in the yeare 1628. by the then Deane , who is now the right Reverend , and right Honourable the Lord Bishop of London , and Lord high Tr●●surer of England . IF e're the Thespian Maidens did inspire A breath of raptures warm'd with sacred fire , Let them assist . And you whose songs have rays'd The● fames above their ●oines , and so prays'd Th'Aegyptian Pyramis ; The Deli●n Fane ; Th'Ephesian Te●ple holy to Diane ; With Romes vast wonder ; Mansoleus shrines ; The Sunnes G●●oss●s ; thus to make them shine In their dead a●●res , may you G●nij● Passe all by transmigration into me . But chiefly thou blest * * The Founder canonized for his sancti●y . Saint , now made divine , Crown'd with rewards of glory sweetly shine On these submissive vowes . Let me invite Thy holy freenesse to accept the ●uite Of his devotion , who doth on●ly show His will to pay what thousands ab●er owe. And thou rare fabrick , who dost comprehend Proportionsbeauty in a perfect end Of all her elements , which formed stand On thy octaedra base , let no black hand Blot out thy name ; for thou deserv'st the skill Of all that ever climb'd the Muses hill . Since thy Hi●●a's strength for many an age Hath conquer'd stormes , and the 〈◊〉 Of bur●ing 〈…〉 Have taught prev●●●ion to thei● 〈…〉 frien● I 'le sing thy fame ; and tell the * * One that begged the Steeple to have sold th● timber and lead ; which was opposed by the Citizens . Northerne spye That would have rais'd himselfe by beggery How into rounds he might convert thy squares ▪ Transgressing thus a Geometrick rule , He prov'd himselfe ● true proportion'd fule . When ●rom thy altitude I doe survey The distan● risings of th'unequall way That leads beyond perceptio●● warry eye ; Th' exalted mountaines joyning to the skie : The confluence of so ●any various ●eames Doe drowne my seeing 〈◊〉 ga●e● with their 〈◊〉 And stupifie the s●●se . Sometimes ●●aine I view the subiect regious ▪ wh●● my 〈◊〉 With a 〈◊〉 labours ; and 〈◊〉 Beyond all comprehension , till the Si●●●● Seemes to decline , and with his g●lden chin To kisse thy bowle , and fire him●elfe therein ▪ When freed from this 〈…〉 I descend To contemplate thy wonder● e●ery end Gives new beginning to a second birth Of artfull prodigies to fright the earth : And make thy fo●me seeme a demonstrative Of those Platonick worlds in ●●mber five ▪ Containing angles inf●nite ●n shew As those small puncts , f●om whose concretion grow What else may be divided . Let such dreames ( Rays'd from opinions fanci● ) be the theames Of their fanatick founders ; whilst to thee I attribute no immortality , As part of what must perish ▪ such a trick Would make me seeme ● wilfull heretick 'Gainst Natures doctrine and de●ase thy glory By false allusi●●● 〈◊〉 thy st●ry Be drawne from what thou art : a perfect frame To figure out the greatnesse of his name , That did at thy erection justifie By miracles his blessed * * At the building thereof ● workman falling from aloft lay for dead : Whom the Founder passing by revived and made whole by praying over him . Recorded in the window of the Cloister . sanctitie . A pile exalted stands thy bulke within , ( Which doth uphold thy superficiall skin ) Of consecrated Oakes : Olympian Iove Had none so faire in 's Dodonean grove . In these each regularitie doth designe By a transverse , or a perpending line Some principle of Art ; which shewes the eye Of understanding what 's Geometrie . As thou dost climbe thy forme contracts each side Into a point , which makes a Pyramide : And then a Globe corrects thy high ascent From joyning with the firie element , Fearing your correspondence . There doth sit The watchfull Cock ( of care an Embleme fit ) To guard thee from surprizals , and to show From what bad coast the envious windes doe blow ▪ Who with their batteries have assayl'd thee long ; And would enforce thy chastitie ( though strong ) To a base prostitution ; and unite Thee with thy * * A steeple joyning to it , upon which it seem'd to bee falling . sister steeple by their might In fatall ruines . But thy conquests prove Time hath beene kinder : and ( for age may love Faire beauties , raising heates from cold desires ) He meanes to claspe thee in his latest fires . Thy * * The outside being all lead . ponderous outside now weighes downe my skill , Though it susteine it selfe . Some learned will Dispos'd it so for feare the weight might crack The earths strong axletree , or sinewed back . So had our glory with the rest beene lost ; And all in new confusion had beene tost : Unlesse thy beauty once againe might move A reconcilement by the power of Love That he might thee enjoy . But why in vaine Doe I dilate what 's greater then the straine Of my weake powers ; ●ince what I so desire To comprehend I onely can admire . Yet I will be thy champion to defend Thy fame against opposers , and contend With * * Some that writ base libels upon it . those that Satyre thee ; that vainly spend Their froth collections for the hated end Of scorne and laughter , and neglect to pay Their talents lent them by the King of day . And though * * The repayring thereof neglected , till the Deanes comming thither . some lately strove to rust thee more Then times continuance ever did before . Vertue hath sent good spirits from her clime Who will preserve thee to the length of time : Repayre thy breaches , and adorne thy brow , And make thee shine againe to us below . And for these vowes which I have payd thy worth , Oh might I begge , that when my soule goes forth Of this foule earth , to climbe above thy head , And that the rest be reckoned with the dead , Thou wouldst preserve my dust within thy wombe : So should poore Irus have a Celsus tombe .

Vpon the losing of his way in a Forrest parting from his company to goe home , towards the evening . YOu that have ever wander'd in the darke , And thinking to hit home , still mist the marke , Listen , whilst to the world I doe relate A sad disaster , which the will of Fate Dispos'd me to through error . Gently blew The murmuring winds , and where th' earths sweetnesse grew It scatter'd choyce perfumes : which did invite To satisfie our senses appetite My selfe and others . Th' instrument of heate Cloth'd in his glory , from his azure seate Directed cheerefull beames . So forth we went To suck the purer ayre , and Southward bent Our wanton course : when spungie clowds began ( As if the Sunne had squeez'd them ) to drop raine . This made us to retire : by which we see All things are subject to incertaintie . The golden tressed ruler of the day Had now for his bright beames made open way . Our number then increast , and so together We journied with delight ; but knew not whether . A house at length did entertaine us , where We dranke no English Ale , nor German Beere , Nor Welch Metheglin ; having stay'd a while A * * Perry . pleasant juyce was brought , made us beguile Time with more words then matter . Weary now And surfeited with pleasures , hast did blow The sayles of my desires , nor would I stay For any guide to teach me lose my way . Th'inflating liquor having made me blind , I that came in before went out behind . Here Error first began the Tragick jest : I tooke the North for South , the East for West . Darknesse increast ; and night the ayde to harmes Hugg'd the worlds fabrick in her Ebon armes . When ( oh the fate of darknesse ) 'cause 't was night ; Or misled by that Error , or some sprite ; Or the conceited mischiefe which men call The king of Fairies Poast ; or whether all Had met in counsaile to contrive my harme ; Or witcht to 't by some other envious charme ; I mi●t the path , straying through unknowne places ; And alwayes backwards went with forward paces . Oh thou that art my lifes commanding light Th'ascendent in my birth , was it thy might And powerfull influence did direct my will To be the better meanes of a worse ill ? And * * An Astrologer in the company that maintained a nuncius inanimatus to bee effected by the beames of the Moone , and many other ridiculous things . Hermes thou whose understanding eye Sees all the secrets of Phylosophie ; Thou cunning Moule that knowst to worke thy way Through thickest mysteries to the cleerest day Of radiant knowledge , was not this dayes fate Writ in thy booke of Moones predestinate For griefe and danger ? Yes , thou knew'st 't was writ ; And by prevention couldst have hindred it . But 't was my error onely : had she shone I should have read it plainly in the Moone : For such thy powerfull art is , it can bind The starres in characters to speake thy mind . Now being thus from loving friends divided Into a desart Forrest was I guided , Where horrour did present a thousand feares , But none of meeting Lyons , Wolves , or Beares . Yet there were divers beasts ; and never a one But I would have beene glad to feed upon . Yet my sharpe hunger I was forc't to brooke : Unlesse the divell there was ne're a cooke . And here some thoughts of him made me suppose That every tree I saw had cloven toes . And when I spy'd the glimpses of a hill , I durst have sworne that walkt , and I stood still . A Salamander I did oft expect ; A Pigmie or a Sylvan to direct My knowledge to some treasure : but my mind Was vainly bent on what I ne're could find . My friends that now had mist me , scatterdly Were gone abroad with lights to search for me . But all in vaine : their showtes I did mistake For Owles ; and thought each light a flaming Drake . So that by shunning of their guidance thus I prov'd my ●elfe the ignis fatuus . Meeting a ragged colt , I fear'd the elfe ; And then I thought 't was time to blesse my selfe . But every thing I met with ranne away As if I were a greater sprite then they . Arm'd with a mighty staffe , but patience none , In silent language I began to moane My sad mishap ; which could not answer'd be By any there , but with like silencie . But ●ow at length it wonne my cruell fate To be a little more compassionate . Hearing a dogge barke I lift up mine eye When through the foggy ayre I could descrye A ragged chimney , and a roofe that had Two trusse of straw upon 't : this made me glad . He that this weather-beaten Mansion own'd * * A Smith● hou●e . Being newly gone to bed , sweet slumbers crown'd His labour with sound rest : the fire was then Newly put out ; for had it burning beene , Mixt with the noyse of hammers , who can tell But that I might have taken it for hell . Onely the doores were fast , and Hilax voyce Was a shrill treble , not a hellish noyse Like Cerberus . By this arriv'd , I heard The people snorting : Then I greatly fear'd A sharpe repulse . But using gentle words , With , Friend I am a servant of my Lords , I enter'd ; where the rest of night I nested , And m'almost tired spirits warmly rested . And after Chanti●lo●re had summond day I payd some thankes , and homewards hit my way . And sure 't was left behind ; else in this fit 'T was ten to one but I had lost my wit.

Vpon excellent strong Beere which he dranke at the Towne of Wich in Worcester shire where Salt is made . THou ever youthfull god of wine , Whose burnisht cheekes with rubies shine ; And browes with ivye chaplets crown'd , Wee dare thee here to pledge a round . Thy wanton grapes we doe detest ▪ Here 's richer juyce from barly prest . Let not the Muses vainly tell What vertue 's in the horse-hoofe well , That scarce one drop of good blood breeds , But with meere inspiration feeds : Oh let them come and tast this Beere , And water hence-forth they 'le forsweare . If that the Paracelsian crew The vertues of this liquor knew , Their endlesse toyles they would give o're , And never use extractions more . 'T is Medicine ; meate for young and old ; Elixir ; bloud of tortur'd gold . It is sublim'd ; it 's calcinate ; 'T is rectified ; precipitate : It is Androgena Sols wife ; It is the Mercury of life . It is the quintescence of Malt ; And they that drinke it want no Salt ▪ It heales ; it hurts ; it cures ; it kills : Mens heads with proclamations fil● . It makes some dumbe , and others speake ; Strong vessels hold , and crack't ones leake . It makes some rich , and others poor● ▪ It makes , and yet marres many a scor● :

On a black speck in forme of a starre under a faire Ladies eye . WHat prodigie is this to fright The well-pleas'd sense from its delight ? To see a Starre whose light is turn'd Into sad black , as if it mourn'd : When plac'd in such a heaven , where Nothing but gladnesse can appeare . 'T is Merope , who yet doth hide Her glory being stellified . And blushing at her mortall choyce When all her sisters doe rejoyce By Gods embrac't , hath left the skie To steale more lustre from this eye . But comming neere that globe of light , By chance the lids close in the sight , And so prevent the theft , whereby Shee is ecclipst eternally . Nor will shee ever more in heaven Be seene to make the number seven . Onely if this fayre one were But fixt a constellation there Whence shee descended , 't were a grace To be a darke starre on that face Above the other sixe we see Shine on the Monsters crooked knee .

An Elegie on the death of the hopefull Mr. WILLIAM ROBERTS , aged 11. Sonne to the Worshipfull NICHOLAS ROBERTS Esquire . WHat subject hath Death brought for my sad Mu●● To practise art , and sorrow on ? to use ( Her lightsome layes , & spritefull ayres lay'd by ) Some mixture of Cromatick harmonie : 'T is a sad subject , and requires each tone And cadence to be finisht in a groane . Words such as we from griefe can onely heare , Strayning the heart-strings that restraine them there ▪ 'T is a sad subject now , that living might Have beene an equall object of delight With any one that fancy could devise To please the inward , or the outward eyes . A youth in whose sweet face each grace did dwell , As if there were their Acidalian well : And that they left Boetias cooling streames To warme their naked beauties in his beames . A youth whose colours , symetrie and eye Made up a forme to paint a Cupid by . Yet ( 'gainst the tenent ) Natures livelier part Should still excell the workmanship of art . A youth whose fayre and glorious mind became The Mansion of all vertues that have name . And by his inclination did expresse More age in 's youth , then manyes age possesse . But now Deaths ashye hand hath chang'd the hew Of those bright cheekes where Roses lately grew : And triumphs o're his earth , that yet will be In spight of Fate more conquerour then he . Come Libitina then ; deck thy sad browes With wreathes of funerall Yough , and Cypresse boughes . Command thy flaming altars to be drest With spice stolne from a dying Phenix nest . Let every teare that falls upon his urne Into a Pearle ( and that most orient ) turne , 'Till they have rais'd a pile , whose costly frame May make forgotten Mausoleums name . But why should empty wishes thus be spent ? His corpes enough enrich his monument . And the long sacred clay is hallowed more By holding of his reliques , then before . You then whom nature , or respects doe tye T' expresse affection by the outward eye Weepe not for 's losse so much , since it hath given A shrine more to the earth , a Saint to heaven .

An Epigramme on an old unhandsome , yet lustfull woman ; who was discovered to weare drawers of black taffata . THe divel 's in 't : did ever Witch In mourning cloth her wrinckled breech Vnlesse the Incubus were dead That had her wither'd maidenhead ? Why that part veil'd ? the face left free , That hath no lesse deformitie ? A pox on both , the reason 's smelt : Shee 'd have one seene , the other felt . That neither sense into mislike might grow , Though she be light , she keepes all darke below .

On a faire Lady , whom a meane Gentleman hearing her sing , and play , fell in love with . IM sure in heaven . No mortall eare Did ever such sweet Musicke heare . A voyce as if each ravishing note Were relisht from an Angels throte . Apply'd to cordes are strooke so cleere , As if each finger mov'd a spheare . So full expressing every part . That concord need no other art . Besides , my instruments of sight Are dazzell'd with a glorious light . The Sun 's but shaddow to her eye ; And day more darke then midnights skye . Yet midst this heaven there is a hell : The spice she breathes I may not smell . Nor dare to quench my longing sipp One drop of Nectar from her lipp . Nor touch her hand ; much lesse what 's hidden , And by a stricter law forbidden . But might I purge my earth to move In her high orbe so farre above My pitch of flight ; or but aspire To rarifie it with her fire , I 'de in a perfect heaven be In spight of my mortalitie .

An Epithalamium on the hopefull happy Mariage of Master BVRLACYE , and Mistris ALICE BANKES married in December . 1637. VP grey-ey'd morning , combe thy golden hayre , And with thy blushes staine the freckled ayre . Rouse the forgetfull Sunne from Thetis bed , And bid him shake the tresses on his head ; That flames of light may usher in his way , And give beginning to a glorious day . Vpon the God of Unions altars see What piles are kindled of rich spicery . As when the Phenix in her pregnant death Expires her soule with her Panchaian breath . Me thinkes th' art lazie Phebus . If thou please To dwell so long with our Antipodes , Remaine there still : thy radiance wee 'le supply With brighter beames shot from the Brides faire eye : That shall create a day where thy light failes In darkest bottomes of Cimmerian vales : And through all seasons their effects dispence Above the power of thy weake influence . December shall translate himselfe to May , And with the Summers sweetes checker her away . And t is his hope her lasting course will bring A change in time for him to lead the Spring . The Northerne ayre that mov'd with waving ice Melted , as if 't would quench the sacrifice , And clowd the dayes pompe . But from those cold showres Shall grow new issues of most fragrant flowres , Warm'd into life , and taking perfect birth Where her soft steps doe fructifie the earth . As shee doth passe the birds shall streine their thro●●s . And beate the ayre with artificiall notes , Forgetting wildnesse . Yea , sad Philomel Shall cease the story of her fate to tell , And tone delightfull ayres , such as are song To Victorie by a triumphing throng . Now Sir to meet your joyes , your selfe addresse , Cloth'd in the glory of a happinesse , Which beauty , cha●titie , and constant love Make absolute , and is confirm'd above . Take to your soft embraces a pure frame Where all the vertues dwell that have a name . When every sense is fill'd , in them you 'le find Endlesse delights to feast th' immortall mind . Being possest of all that chast desire Can warme your active soules to with his fire , Enjoy them without change : to such as you The repetition will present them new . Whilst all mens zealous wishes are to see Those pleasures blest in a posteritie .

On a Mistresse of whose affection hee was doubtfull . WHat though with figures I should raise Above all height my Mistresse praise : Calling her cheeke a blushing rose , The fairest Iune did e're disclose . Her forehead Lillies , and her eyes The luminaries of the skies . That on her lippes Ambrosia growes , And from her kisses Nectar flowes : Too great hyperboles ; unlesse Shee loves me , shee is none of these . But if her heart , and her desires Doe answer mine with equall fires , These attributes are then too poore . Shee is all these , and ten times more .

An Elegie on a lovely young child drown'd at London Bridge , in the yeare 1335. WHere 's funerall Goddesse ? why doth she delay The solemne rites belong to this sad day ? Slights she so small a Herse ? will she denie The dues belong to every memorie ? Come and attend them , whence thou shalt derive A glory great as Fate did ever give Thy last respected Deity : shalt have As much true honour by his little grave , As if it were some great Colossus tombe Swelling a Mountaine from the earths stretcht wombe ▪ And thou unruly streame that didst deprive His parents of their chiefest joy alive , What sinne of his made thee the instrument And meanes , of such a seeming punishment ? His innocence ne're tempted heaven ; his face Might move some wanton God to an embrace . Which makes me thinke thy amorous Geneus might Attempt him from us for his Catamite . If so , you were good waters , and doe winne Eternall songs for hindring such a sinne . But this sufficeth not . Eyes flow amaine , As if they meant to drowne him once againe . Or fearing you asham'd of what y' have done Should into Neptunes boundlesse bosome runne , To hide your selves leaving the channell dry , Their floud of teares should that defect supply . Or else congeal'd to Pearles , a shrine should be To keepe his ashes , and his memory .

A PRESENTATION Intended for the Prince his Highnesse on his Birthday the 29 of May , 1638. annually celebrated . A Curtaine being drawne , an Ale-house is discovered , out of which Time drives certaine ignorant , and yet Great undertaking Almanack-makers . Time . ANd must I still be vext ! shall my gray age Be play'd upon , as if I were a Page To your fond Art , not Nature : did not live But by the stipend which you yearely give . Your owne 's but fourty shillings , and that price Bindes you to order me by sage advice With Ticho Brach , and Ptolomy , so farre You dare out-doe a learn'd Albumazar . And with Predictions cheat the faith of men , That make your bookes their gods ; and from your raigne Or drought foretold inhaunce the price of graine , This is the end of your high practise . 1. Alm. Wee Doe all by just rules of Astrologie . Time . Starre-gazing idiots , you Astrologers ! That understand not what the name inferres . You have not enough Grammar to conceive The words true Etymon ; and therefore leave Your vaine replies , lest I apply them to Another use . 2. Alm.

What would Time have us doe ?

Time . Not fright credulitie with this yeares wonders ; Eclipses ; tempests ; frosts ; snowes ; stormes and thunders . And you that sad fates sadly doe report In borrowed Latine from the Innes a court ; Let not great Princes ; Statesmen , and whole Nations Suffer this yeare by your Prognostications : As if you could the fates of all men teach , When your conjecture hath obtain'd the reach Of probabilitie : for which your eares May stand in time as fixt starres on the spheares Of some round pillory . 'T will teach you how 'T is judgement to be silent , though you know . 3. Alm.

Why Astra regunt homines .

Time . 'T is true : Starres governe men ; but Time shall governe you ; And regulate your studies : or he 'le be No longer ruler o're his Pentarchie . You shall not stuffe your annuall bookes with rimes Bought of the Ballad-mongers of the times ; In which ( and that shewes little Poetrie ) He must enveigh 'gainst wine and venerie . Prescribe the fittest time for cutting cornes : And when the Pigges should feare the gelders hornes . These are your labours ; and by such as these Each of you shewes himselfe Philomates . You likewise thinke 't is grace your yeares workes are Fixt on the backside of some chalkie barre , Where 's your owne score , perhaps for Ale or Beere You will not pay 'till the Platonick yeare . 4 Alm.

Time Satyres me .

Time . Indeed Time cannot lye : You know his Motto : {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} . 'T is well that you can make the country Squire For two pence yearely a Chronologer . Tell him how long 't is since the world began ; And since the Conquest every Monarches raigne . Then with this store enabled hee 's complete ; Can welcome friends with talke as well as meate . Before poore tenants have their rent to pay The Landlord's skilfull in the quarter day : Knowes every Termes returnes , and when he 's ti'de By a Subpaena on his mare to ride To London ; where he onely learnes to boast How much his journey , and his law-sutes cost . 2. Alm.

Time knowes that we are schollers .

Time . So you are ; And learn'd ones too : whose speculations dare Reach at sublime things , when you cannot spye What snakes of folly at your owne feet lye . 3. Alm.

What would Time have us then ?

Time . I 'de have you be . Not vaine prescribers of mens destinie ; But Registers of actions , such as may Challenge deserv'dly a peculiar day To every owner . You me thinkes should show The executions done by th' English bow , When black Prince Eaward bravely did advance His Ensignes through the very heart of France . I will have all the world observe this day , So glorious by the birth of him , that may Fill volumes with his acts , and challenge more Then all the great Heroes went before . 4. Alm.

Such things as those Historians ought to day .

Time . Be nothing , or be you Historians too . Practise a reformation , or ( fond Elves ) Chang'd into Satyres you shall lash your selves . Exit . 1. Alm. Is the gray dotard gone ? Wee are then alone : Good fellowes every one Let 's call my hostesse Ioane . 2. Alm.

Well said rithmer ; thy halting verses will hardly support the fat cripple any longer that begs with them . Would wee had some Ale .

3. Alm.

Hang this Time that would alter our profession , which is of equall antiquitie with him . Suppose wee have abilities ; must we use them as he please ? No : let us inspire our selves with Ale , and compile an everlasting Ephimerides .

1. Alm. Where 's the stock-boy ? Doe not mock boy : Lest I knock boy Your learn'd block boy . 3. Alm.

Hast thou none left of thy sixe yeares before hand ? If the Stationers refuse to trust , our bookes shall never more credit the Company with rubricks in the title .

2. Alm.

Wee 'le try all the houses in the Zodiac ; and if they will not trust , wee 'le pull' downe the signes .

3. Alm.

Here is the signe of the Moone , the rendevous of our fraternitie . If the worst comes to the worst , wee 'le pawne Time for the reckoning .

4. Alm.

By your favour we may more easily spend him .

Hostesse enters . 3. Alm.

Here comes shee will fill us the comfortable liquor .

2. Alm.

By the dozen ?

3. Alm.

By the score boy . Wilt not Hostesse ?

Host.

No indeed sir . I 'le hazard no more upon your next yeares Almanack . You say there 's a man in the Moone drinkes Claret ; keepe him company . The woman at the Moone will keepe her Ale for better customers .

3. Alm.

Shall wee have no Ale then ?

Hostesse .

Not a cockle-shell full without money before-hand .

3. Alm.

Here 's two groats ; fetch every man his pot , and before we drinke a health wee 'le curse thee .

Host.

The Foxe will fare the better . Exit .

3. Alm.

Maist thou have alwayes pennilesse guests like us , 'till thou pawne thy petticoate to pay the Brewer , and thy glorious shelves shine not so much as with an earthen platter . Instead of Shoelane hangings may the walls of thy house be painted with chalke ; and the figures of no more valew then cyphars . Mayst thou weekly be subject to informers , and thy forfeited licence be put to the last use of wast paper .

Host. Host enters with drinke , and exit presently .

Stop your mouth sir .

3. Alm.

Hast thou brought Ale ? cry thee mercy . Here 's a health to the Prince , whose Birth-day Time would have should be the whole subject of an Almanack .

4. Alm.

Let him give the conceipt to a Poet ; it may be worth a day to him .

They drinke , and are transformed into Satyres , hornes growing out of their heads . 3. Alm. Time enters .

Ha! hath Circes given us an inchanted cup ; or are our wives turn'd City Witches ? These are fine jestes .

Time .

'T is your owne idle humour makes you beasts .

3. Alm.

Forgive us Time .

Time . Nay dance a Horne-pipe now . That done perhaps I 'le crop your well-growne brow . They dance : at the end whereof their hornes fall away . 3. Alm.

Ha! wee are men againe .

Time . Hence : since you sleight all counsaile that is mine , I 'le employ others in my great designe . Time drives them forth . A Symphonie of Musicke with chirping of Birds , singing of Nightingales and Cuckoes . The Scaene changing into a pleasant Garden , Time brings in May , attended by Flora and Vertumnus , who sing the following Song .

The Song . On , gently on ; the skye is faire : Arabian winds perfume the ayre , As they the Easterne gardens sweepe , Or Amber floating on the deepe . Such sweets doe here the sense bewitch . The Phenix pile is not so rich . Chorus . Here is a presence , from whose eyes An influence awes all destinies . A Sunne that can with one bright ray Make where it shines 〈…〉 Sing , sweetly sing . The chirping birds Have got new notes , and better words . What Nature wants Art doth supply , And makes it perfect harmony . Such sounds doe here enrich the eares , Above the Musick of the Spheres . Chorus . Here are presented to the tuft Ripe fruits and early , that will last . For such we banish Nectar hence , Here 's perfect May in every sence .

Time . Welcome to Time thou comfort of the earth , That with the warme do we giv'st a lively birth To all her glories , which cold winter late Wrapt in his clowdes of ice : she desolate Vngarnisht then , wore nothing on her head But snow and barrennesse , nor was her bed Cover'd with greene : then heavens crystall eye Seldome peepe out of his bright canopie . But now thou hast unto the infant Spring Given perfection ; and thy blessings bring The Summers hopes on . Thou Times Queene shalt be Whilst Flora and Vertumnus waite on thee . Thou own'st a glory yet transcends the best Of these , as day light doth the the time of rest . This day , that makes Time young , in hope to see A thousand revolutions e're he be Dissolv'd , to gaze on Trophies shall adorne The Princes life , and acts was this day borne . Goe my delight , exhaust the treasurie Of all thy pleasures ; to his graciouslye Present the choycest . May . I have none that are Worthy his high acceptance they are farre Inferiour to the things that should set forth The fulnesse of his glory and his worth . The pastimes which belong to me are rude , Fitter for course ones , and the multitudes Yet ( so the error may be pardon'd ) they Shall enter to delight him as they may . A Morisk Dance . Time . Hee 's pleas'd with this Greatnesse and goodnesse ayme At such proportion in his Princely frame , That every part of him , his heart , his eyes , Expresse them in a due equallitye . I have another to present him , then Wee 'le yeeld to change . May . I 'le never change whilst men Keepe registers of Time . And though it be Custome , that they doe chiefly welcome me At my first entrance , this shall be my day As th' onely one that trownes the pride of May . I 'le weare no other flowres upon my head But the Deluce ; with Roses , white and red ; And the stout Thistle : each of which implies An Embleme full of sacred Mysteries . The Lillie and the Rose are beauties flowres : They deck ; the Thistle shall defend his bowers . The white and red Rose thornelesse , signifie A gentle rule : The Lillie , soveraigntie . The Thistle strength and power to quell his foes That rudely dare attempt to gather those . Besides , these severall flowers doe appertaine To Nations subject to his future raigne . And this is all poore May can straine her powers To doe ; to make her Garland of his flowers . And cause men yearely on this day to see His name preserv'd unto posteritie . Time hath some rich thing to present . Time . I have ( As Time is powerful ) summond from the grave Eight Princes all of Wales , whose histories Shall be instruction , and their memories Present Heroick actions so this mind , That though their fortunes were not alwayes kind , Their vertues he shall strictly imitate , And make those vertues awfull over Fate . Vertumnus you , and Flora you be gone . And if their ayrie formes are quite put on Let them appeare ; whilst lovely May and I Listen to th' Birds and Natures harmonie . Another Symphonie with 〈…〉 the Scaene is varied into a glorious expression of Elizium in which appeare the eight 〈…〉 eight Princes of Wales , distinguisht by the severall impresses , and inscriptions on their Shields . Who whilst the following song is singing , approach the Presence salute the Prince , then place themselves in a figure for the Dance .

The Song . From th' Earth where honour long hath slept , And noblest dust ( as treasure kept ) By hallowing clay hath made it shine More glorious then an Indian mine , These brave Heroick shadowes come To sport in this Elizium . Chorus . For theirs and this doe both agree In all but the Eternitie . From th' ayre , or from the Spheares above As they in perfect concord move . Let Musick sound , and such is may Equall his hope that rules the day . Thus doe we welcome you to night Vnto our Mansion of delight . Chorus . For yours and this doe both agree In all but the Eternitie . The Dance ended they retire , whilst Time speakes the Epilogue .

Time . OLd Time leaves all his blessings that he may Here with this presence ; and will every day Confirme possession . Sadly sets the Sunne After his dayes course cheerefully was runne . The Moone lookes pale ; the Tapers dimnly burne : The feare of your departure makes them mourne . Sweet rest attend ye all : Good night 't is late , Many birth-dayes may you thus celebrate .

Time being received into the Scaene it closeth .

The END