Vicissitudo rerum An elegiacall poeme, of the interchangeable courses and varietie of things in this world. The first part.

1. SOme sing the Regall actes of worthy Kings , Some of fell Warres , some of a publique State , Some praise haut Beawty , some praise baser things . Wittes haue their change : Will stands in highest rate . Will , yet , doth wauer , Pennes paint Loue & Hate . Therfore my pen shal publish change in all : One onely Essence standing firme from fall . 2. The Heauens in their peereles pryde may bost , That they in their orbiculer figure Are farre the freest , and by change vntost , Keeping by turne , their Reuolutions sure : Though still reuoluing yet alike endure . As Orbes and Circles figures perfectest , Held by all Artistes to excell the rest . 3. The Heauens seeme of most admired might , Fixed on nothing , yet stand firme and fast . Prouidence Diuine them hath so set aright , Worldes may not waue them , nor vnprop their bast Who then essayes to prooue they will not last , Syth from creating , they are as they were , Not changed by chace , nor alter'd by their stere . 4. These Figures then form'd of most perfect mold Shaped by Science farre exceeding Wit , If they haue change , how may the baser hold , That haue their Vigors b'influence of it ? A powre more potent boue this Powre doth sit , That giues and guides , and swayes all as it list , In whome the Heauens and the rest consist . 5. And all the mouers , and the voluing sphere He first created , and disposed so , As to haue progresse , and againe reuere , To tell the Times , and seasons as they go : Mouing in Circles , daily to and fro , Ginning and ending , as their Circles bee , Greater or lesser , distinct by degree . 6. Ten Spheres in one , Astronomers do hold : The tenth reuoluing in his fixed tide , Twenty foure houres , and then his circle rold , Againe reuolues , powers infinite her guide , From East to West , still on the dexter side : And by her course most swift and impetous . The rest she moueth , most miraculous . 7. For in the selfe same time she moues the rest , Although their mouings contrary to her , Be on sinister part from West to East . And that the ninth Astrologers auerre , Hath forty nine thousand yeeres thus to erre . Thirty thousand to the eighth assign'd , Againe , seuen thousand as the learned find . 8. The Sphere of Saturne in her thirty yeeres Returnes ; and Iupiter in twelue , they sayne , Doth runne his race . Fell Mars in two appeares To end his course : reuoluing backe againe . Sol , Venus , Mercury , haue one yeere to raigne . The Moone the lowest , soone her circle rounds , Twice foureteene daies , & then againe rebounds . 9. This comely course , and order of this frame May challenge most , if ilke Perfection be , Or State not changing , but as still the same : The Heauens yet , a body as wee see , In all her parts from Change cannot be free , Nor still perseuer , as they first were set , Though none haue power , but Power diuine to let . 10. Let Time bee testie in this cause of doubt , That did begin when Heauens and Lights were made : She was , and is , and shall remaine throughout , But not alike , shee flourish'd , gins to fade : Dayes , Weekes , and Months , and Yeeres she makes by trade : All these doe change , none doth alike abide , Summer , nor Winter , Autumne , or Spring-tide . 11. The dayly moouing of this Firmament , Distinguyes frowning Nights from fawning Dayes , And either by such entercourses pent , As they ne passe due time , nor make delayes : None checks the Sunne to shade or send her rayes To banish Darkenes , and to fill with Light , What was eclipsed with the shade of Night . 12. Yet neither Day nor Night continues one , But by reciprocall exchange imparts Each to the other Time , as Time is gone : Time turnes the Yeere into his aptest parts , And Yeere to Yeere lends time likewise by arts , Rising , and falling , changing by degree , The present vnlike the preter yeere wee see . 13. The first and greatest Mouer of the rest , Imparts her moouing to the lesser Spheres , To men and beasts , and creatures as the Test , And tries the bodies that Nature vpreares , Prouing their temper , and their temper steres . Mong all the creatures that are earthly built , Best temper'd stand , distemper'd soonest spilt . 14. Nay , mindes inclines , and manners good and bad , Proceede ( some say ) by moouings and aspects Of Heauens Spheres , and Plannets wherewith clad , That giue and take , and worke the sole effects In Men and Beasts , and in all earthly sects : All which beginne and end by influence , That doth proceede by Heauens concurrence . 15. Vertues and vices , health and sicknesse too , Long and short life , force , feeblenesse , and wit , Yea , well and ill the Heauens egge to doo : All earthly bodies subiect vnto it . Humane affayres prayse-worthie and vnfit , Depend on these , that of themselues are not , But stand created , to their proper lot , 16. Though some prerogatiue aboue the rest They haue . An instrumentall meane onely , And not the cause efficient confest , A fatall Law , or of necossitie , None holds it so that hath fidelitie . Let sacred Wisedome be our studies guide , To stay on him that is , and will abide . 17. The pleasing Sunne , with sweete resplending rayes , Doth rise and set , and yeeldes such influence , As earthly creatures glorie in the dayes , Not in sad nights , that come by consequence , The sunnie beames that comfort passed hence . Men , birds , and beasts , trees , and the hearbes in field , Bemone the lacke of what the day did yeeld . 18. Whereby wee see the Sunne is held a ghest , That with his rayes filles all the fields with glee : The plants , the hearbs , the blossoms , and the rest , Vnfolde in token of gratuitie , Preaching to men , the Sunnes benignitie . That ayne reuiues their members , late neere dead : All creatures ioy to see her beames espred . 19. The Sunnes ascent , and her descent renewes The yeere with change , as she comes farre or neere , Her course oblique , depriues , againe endewes , The earthly bodies , and their powers arere The Solstices and Equinoxes bere : As on the wings of th' Zodiackes twelue signes , They yeeres foure parts diuided by their lines . 20. The Winter with his siluer hayres beginnes , When Capricorne receiues declining Sunne , As she returnes from Autumne , where she lins : And with his cold and moysture now begunne , Depriues the bodyes of their pride late wonne : And all the creatures that of yore grew gay , By like degrees doe wither and decay . 21. The louely Spring , which liuely lends her skill , To re'install these creatures in their pride , Enters the Ram , and equalize she will The Nights and Dayes . A moyst and hotter tyde , Restoring greene what Winter had vndi'de , And yeelds them vigor that were erst decayde : All sects reioyce to bee thus re'arrayde . 22. Then comes the Summer with her gloornie rayes , Imbracing Cancer , parching hote and drie , Making short nights , and the longest dayes . The Summer Solstice heaues the Sunne so hie , That forthwith she falles and alters by and by The surface of the Earth , and all earthly things . Thus Time turnes the worlds glasse with silent wings . 23. Friendlesse Autumne vnclothes againe apace , All that the Spring had clad so fayre before : The Sunne in Libra with beclouded face , Affords sad nights , longer then of yore , Depriuing sap , and withers by her lore All vegitables , and transformes the rest : A necessarie , but vnwelcome ghest . 24. The Yeere thus parted in her qualities , Yeeldes great effects vnto the Earths creatures , Compounded , termed Elementaries , As of elementall temperatures : Grosse soone decay , the purest best endures : Exceeding in one qualitie it dies : Nought hath true meane that is below the skies . 25. The Moone hath secrets in her times effects , She swayes the humors ouer which she raignes , Increasing , decreasing , full , in aspects , Still she disposeth Bodyes and their Vaines . In her some mysterie , no doubt , remaines , That worketh wonders by the meane of her , Which some affirme so farre : in it they erre . 26. For shee a creature , can yeeld no Euent , Compact , as other elementall things , ( Her vertue in Decrease and Increment ) But purer , and pure qualities she brings , Soring her circuite by diuiner wings : And through the force of her high qualities , She works in Bodies sundrie faculties . 27. As in the Ebbes and flowing of the Deepe , By course , and by reciprocall retreat , Moou'd by the Moone , as she her course doth keepe : The Ebbe makes emptie , Floud againe repleate : The Moone in Forme , the Sea vnlike in Seate , Their like concurrence and like changes shew , The Moone and Sea alike to wane and grow . 28. The Starres that wander , and that fix'd remaine , Do cause in ayre great changes , Cold and Heate , Windes , Thunder , Tempests , and great gusts of Raine , And their Aspects and Oppositions met , Some strange presages of Euents beget , Of Warre , of Death , of Famine , Drought and Pest. Yet nought befalles , but by supernall hest . 29. Though some affirme that these mutations Of changes , and of strange and rare euents , Proceede of such like innouations , As heauenly bodies and their concurrents Worke in the like compounded Elements , And giue them moouing , issue , and successe , As if effects proceeded of the lesse . 30. The lesse , yet great , lesse in respect of one , Who mooues the Moouer of these Moouers all : He , he , the swayer of euents alone : And sinne the cause that moues these to our thrall , That moue and change , and cause men rise or fall : Not as these will , but as the Powers aboue Make them the meanes to checke for change of loue , 31. The greatest changes and most rare euents , In States , in Kingdomes , and in greatest sects , Are sayd to issue of the Spheres dissents The eight and ninth , not by their ioynt aspects , Their awkward moouings breede rarest effects , Not by their natures inclination , But by their motiue trepedation . 32. Besides coniunction of triplicities , Of Saturne , Iupiter , and Mars aspecting , Are held most powerfull principalities , Greatest alterations effecting , Their triplicities duely respecting : Fierie , or ayrie , watrie , or earthly , Th' euent corresponds the triplicity . 33 Of such , some count seu'n since the world begunne , ( Fiue thousand , fiue hundred , sixtie two yeeres , ) The eight shall be when foure yeeres more are come , By testie of the best Astrologers . Presaged thus , it may well summon teares , That he that rules may moderate his ire , Lest World consume with fearefull gusts of fire . 34. Seneca reports , Belus to foresee The vniuersall deluge e're it came : And when the conflagration should be , To burne the masse , as water drown'd the same , When of the Starres such opposition came , As one right line might pierce their circles all In Cancer signe : this last effect should fall . 35. The antique Poets in their Poems tel'd Vnder their fondest Fables , mysteries : By Phaeton , how heauens powers rebel'd In fires force , and by the histories Of Pirrha and Deucalion there lies , The like of waters impetuitie , In part concurring with diuinitie , 36. Which hath reueyl'd the Worlds destruction By water past , her future fall by fire : But holds the cause sinne , not coniunction Of fire or waters selfe-reuenging ire : The Powers diuine commoue them to conspire , To make the earth and earthly bodies nought , That doe defile , what he so pure hath wrought . 37. The Priests of Egypt gazing on the starres , Are sayd to see the Worlds sad ruines past , That had beted by fire and waters iarres : And how the World inconstant and vnchast , Assaylde by these , cannot alike stand fast . Earthquakes and warres , famine , hate , and pest , Bring perils to the earth , and mans vnrest . 38. We at the present see Times changing state , And Natures fearefull alterations , As if Time now did preach the Heauens debate , And starres to band in dismall factions . Strange signes are seene , diuine probations , That some effect will follow of admire , Too late , when come , to say it will retire . 39. The Sunne and Moone eclipsed ne're so much , Comets and strange impressions in the ayre : The tydes and swelling flouds were neuer such : The earth doth tremble , Nature doth impayre , Hid'ous monsters now possesse the chayre , Where erst dame Natures true begotten seede Sate truely graced in her proper weede . 40. Such changes neuer haue beene seene of yore , In Countries and in Kingdomes , as of late , Manners , and Lawes , and Religions lore , Neuer were prized at so meane a rate : Such are the changes of this earthes estate , It may bee sayd , Times wings beginne to frie , Now couching low , that erst did soare so hie . 41. Yea , now is proou'd the progresse of the Sunne To differ farre from pristine gredience : The Solstices and Equinoxes run , As in pretended disobedience . The Sunne obserued by Artes diligence , Is found in foureteene hundred yeeres to fall , Neere twelue Degrees towards the Center ball . 42. The Zodiack and all her partes and signes Alter the course , that first they were assign'd , And all the orbe of Heauen so combines , As she vnto her Period inclin'd . Time past , farre greater then that is behind , Doth prooue the Heauens in their greatest Pride , Subiect to changes and to waue aside . 43. Some eke affirme the earthly Sphere to erre : First set the Center of the concaue Spheres Now start aside , ( supposed not to sterre . ) If so , the Power that Earth and Heauen steres , By it foreshowes the purpose that he beares , That all the Creatures that he made so fast , Shall by Degrees alter , weare and wast : 44. Yet all the Changes that succeed below , Proceed of Mouing : Mouing double is : The first and chiefe , moues , yet not moued so : The other mouers mooue by force of this , But to moue rightly or to moue amis . Without the first high Prouidence diuine , They are vnable of their owne incline . 45. Guyded they yeeld such influence of force , As notwithstanding alteration , They seeme to shew by fatall course , remorce To creatures in their generation : And by successiue propagation , Corrupted things renew , grow , and decay Vncessantly , by natures fatall way . 46. The changes which successiuely accrew Vnto the creatures of this lower part , And bodies which the Elements endew With habite , and which cunning Natures art Contriues with ornaments , that in her mars Are had , proceede of contraries , That in them breede such strange varieties . 47. For things compounded of the Elements , Partake the like compounded faculties Themselues vnlike , in vertue and contents Make all their subiects contraries , And mut ' all discord in their offices , Producing fruits , and in them enmitie , Whereby they change by fatall destinie . 48. The water thicked , doth resemble stone Or earthie matter : vaporating , ayre : The ayre enlightened , and her vertue gone , Resembles fire : the fire extinct , comes ayre : Ayre thicked , and by grosse impayre , Gets cloudes and mistie vaporation . All haue alternate variation . 49. So these that wee call Elements , are not , But onely like , and not indeede the same : As each partaketh of the others lot , Hath not selfe - nature , but the fayned ' name , Yet is it seene from whence each of them came , Like to the thing that each resembles most . From these corrupt comes al the earthly host . 50. Yet so prepared , as the Power aboue Doth first decree to shape the lowest things , Discrepant and diuers , as it list , approue Voyde of all forme . Hence formall bodie springs In couert order , with concealed wings : Nature her selfe flies to and fro vnseene : Till things haue life , none sees where she hath beene . 51. Then viuall each thing wrayes his faculties , And what in it hath chiefe Predominance , Hot , cold drie , or moyst , meerely contraries , All in one body haue like penetrance , But farre vnlike in supreme gouernance : The chiefe in force subdue the feeble sort , And foyle in fine the body they support . 52. The Elements repugnant each to each , Yet seeme they all each other to imbrace : But each on other makes alternate breach , As one growes potent , th' other in disgrace : Their Powers vnequall , not their natures base Doth winne or lose , and gaines contempt or prayse . None seemes a coward , weakest giues essayes . 53. As when a Sparke that most partakes of Fire , Contendes a while , as farre as Power permits , To dry a Floud , Force fayleth , not Desire : Likewise a Drop contendeth where it hittes , To quench a Flame , that quenchles is by Wittes : Such Feede they foster , not of equall Force : That which preuayleth , yeeldeth no Remorce . 54. The Earth a massie Lumpe , is lowest set : The Water it surrounds , and lies diffuz'd Through and about this Orbe as friendly met : Yet do they striue as if eche were abuz'd . Ballanced they pend , mut'ally confuz'd . The Fire and Ayre , light , are surmounted hie : Yet ech polluted with his Neighbour by . 55. The Fire , though highest and in purest place , Betweene the Heauens and the ayrie Sphere , Seemes not , yet hath , more then the Ayres disgrace : For when she volueth , and reuolues arere , She comes deformed by her often stere : And forced downeward to the ayry cell , Fals to the Earth , and so her Forces quell . 56. The Ayre that swayes the region next to Fire , Is in the vpper part most absolute , Most thin and pure , most like her first inspire : Her lowest grosse , the middle meane acute : She thus vnequall in her tryple sute , Stands most corrupted here with vs beneath , Corrupting bodies that by her do breath . 57. And most inconstant of the rest she fares , Most variable in her best estate , Turn'd as the Place , whereon she lights prepares , And as the Starres aspect and haue their Gate : So she comes pure or of a grosser rate , With Exhallations and with Vapors thicke , That rise and fall , and in her Lymit sticke : 58. Whence grow the Clowdes , the Thunder , & the Windes , Hayles , Frost and Snowe , and Changes manifold , Which do afflict the Earth , and earthy kinds , With Natures striuings , oft tweene Hot and Cold. Descent oft forced , and Ascent controld , Mooues Warres aboue in ayrie firmament , Tweene water-clouds and others discontent . 59. Then fals the Rayne erst raysed by the Sunne , Of watry vapors , flying from below , Forc'd downe againe , like twist arere vnspun : And thus the Clowdes by course do come and goe . The Ayre now calme , forthwith fell winds do blow . What more inconstant then the Ayre can be , Whereby all Bodies breathe , and change we see ? 60. And if Astrologers aucthority May passe for proofe of th' issue of the winds , The Sunne doth rayse the winds cal'd Easterly : And Iupiter the Northern in their kinds . The Southern Mars , the Moone the Wester bindes . Some hold the Zodiacks triplicities , To cause in th' windes such strange diuersities . 61. From East three signes of nature hot , and drie , That are subiected to Equator line : Then from the Pole Antarctick as they lie , Three other signes the Southerne assigne , The hot and moyst , three other then combine In Occident , and in Septentrion , The cold and moyst sway as the rest alone . 62. These foure are windes accounted principall , That haue alternate chiefe preeminence : These haue againe foure windes collaterall . All eight intire , sway with high diligence , Eight other halfe windes of lesse efficence : Betweene them each an equidistant part : All thirtie two , which manage Nauticke art . 63. These yet inconstant , full of change do blow , Their natures differ , and their properties , And alter as the part from whence they grow , And place whereon they light , hath qualities : And moouing thus , breede strange diuersities In earth , and earthie bodies , and the seas : Which mou'd , no wit nor weapons them appease . 64. The water next , and most contiguous Vnto the ayre , hath like varieties ; Now calme and quiet , now more impetous , Wherein the ships and mightie Argosies Flote vnder sayle , making the voyages , That feede one countrey with anothers fruit . Perill makes not the greedie gainer mute . 65. Yet in his trafficke is alternate state . Now golden gaine is guide vnto his ioy : His ioy now alters , sorrow in like rate . The seas are sullen , and the winds beene coy , Their often combates coyners of annoy : The windes , and seas , and element of ayre Combining , bring stout hearts vnto despayre . 66. The waters that the highest Powers haue set In secret celles , and vallies of the deepe , Suround the earth , as if they had no let . High powers their rage in limits fast doth keepe , Taming the bellowes that do mount so steepe , And suffers not the proudest waues to passe , Nor to breede perill to the earthie masse . 67. The seas , a vniuersall powerfull band , Linckt in the earth with veynes and concaue springs , That serue as barres to enter-locke the land , And which throughout , a needfull moysture brings , Wherewith refresh'd all vegitable things Do yeeld their branches , buds , and bloome , and fruit , Selfe earth to drie , to decke them so in sute . 68. Meere reason may admire to see the seas , Raging with waues , as if infirnall fire Them boyl'd , or furies reft the earth of ease , And by and by the tempest to retire Of selfe accord , without ilke humane hyre , And rest appeased , calme , in quiet case , And as in loue , the earth againe imbrace . 69. Earth yeelds the seas , a seat to rest them on , And waters all by nature ponderous : Though misty Fogges , through exhalation Ascend , they fall againe more humidous , In droppes or mystes , sometimes contagious , And fill the brookes and riuers of the land Who hasten soone vnto the marine strand . 70. So as the Waters in earths bowels spred , And Riuers that do runne as ornaments , Vpon th' earths surface , are not in her bred , But friendly lent , the Oceans excrements , Rising and falling by swayde accidents Salt from the Seas , by th' ayre refresh'd againe , To shew what changes , earth and seas sustaine . 71. The earth the waters doth support and beare , The Ocean hath tryple motions , From East to West , from North to South arere . Thirdly the ebbings , and the fluctions , Sixe houres rising , sixe howers digressions : So eke the sea term'd Mediterrany , And other waters of that faculty . 72. The motiue causes who so seekes to know , The first that moueth from the East to West , The firmament is sayd to moue it so : And that the spheres are moued and adrest , To volue and reuolue by the higher hest . Where by the Waters take their orders gate , Not of selfe nature , but so destinate . 73. The fall from North to South is sayd to bee , For that the waters in Septentrion , Are full and farre the highest in degree , Engendred most in that cold Region : In South the sunnes hot exhalation , Abates those Seas , to which the greater fall By changing courses , yet perpetuall . 74. The third that maketh ebbes and flowing tydes , Hath beene , and is the Moones volution , Most changing , in one state she neuer bides , Full , halfe full , and of bicorned fashion , White , pale , & red , then cleere , then spotted on : Sometimes apparent , sometime hidden so , As none perceiueth where the Moone doth go . 75. Sometime shee shineth in the merkish night : Sometime she riseth in the brightest day : Sometimes eclipsed , cleane depriu'd of light : Sometimes below , sometime in higher way : Neuer at one , but euer in estray : East , South , and West , her course vncertaine seene : Artists best know , how all her courses beene . 76. The Moone thus changing , in her mouings make Like changes in the vniuersall seas , Whose ebbes and flouds like changes by her take , And neither seemeth to haue constant ease : No art or force their mouings may appease : But as the Powers diuine of yore them set , So they keepe course , vntill that power do let . 77. Till then the Moone moues with the Heauens Sphere : Twentie foure howres she takes her turne to runne : Two ebbes , two flowes , in seas she makes appeare : Sixe houres shee flowes , in sixe her ebbe is done : In sixe doth each performe her taske begunne . Increast and decreast , assignd and kept aright , Approue the powers that guide them , of great might . 78. Yet still vnlike , shee doth increase and fall Alternately , as time and place assigne : Seu'n dayes sh'increasing to her highest wall , Seu'n dayes likewise , shee doth againe decline . Sea-men the first , Spring-tydes aptly define : The latter or decreasing streames they call ▪ Nepe-tides , when seas grow to the low of all . 79. These tydes againe are of vnequall state : That swelling high , this lower ayn by farre : The next more higher , or of lower rate . All other tydes haue like alternate Iarre , Alwayes afflicted with intestine warre , That makes the Mariner to sigh or sing , Hurl'd downe , or heau'd aloft by Neptunes wing . 80. The Moone North-east , doth make the sea at full : South-east , low water . Thus the Moone doth guide ▪ Not onely humors , making sharpe or dull . Wittes , sences , bodyes ( as some verifide ) But sea and land , as things vnto her tide . And as she wauers , and oft changeth state , So do the things by her thus destinate . 81. Oft doe some Riuers , and some fountaines drie : Oft doth the earth yeeld forth new water-springs : Oft doth reuiue , what seemed erst to die : Oft doubtfull ginning , sweetest issue brings : Oft greatest comfort growes by grieuous things . Nothing the same , and as the same abides , But God the guide , nought standeth firme besides . 82. Hee is that essence that beganne of nought : Hee is that Moouer of the moouing skies : Hee is the concord that true vnion wrought : Hee is the meane by whom all destinies Turne to the ends , that hee did first deuise . Yet are the Heauens and the Earth maintain'd By discord excellent , that hee ordain'd . 83. Can discord then ( so much dispraysed ) bee The meane to keepe things by their contraries ? Can enmitie haue such equall degree , As may make vnion in qualities ? Hath sad contention such sweete faculties , As may support in true tranquillitie , The bodyes wherein is disvnitie . 84. Then did Heraclitus conceiue it right , Who did affirme the parents of all things To be good concord in a discord pight . And Homer said , Who blameth contendings ▪ Reprooueth Nature in distributings . Empedocles did call that amitie , That had and held concording enmitie . 85. Yet thus , this disagreement must bee set , As in the discord bee no power to wrong : For why ? supremest haue no fatall let , But will preuaile , as they become too strong . Therefore such meane must them be set among , As though things bee compact of contraryes , They must by ballance , haue like quantities . 86. Or else sadde ruine will surprize the thing , Where in the Elements are at a iarre , Where eke the principles diuided , bring Into the body , such internall warre , As striues for victorie , to make or marre . And sodainely the body pines or dies , For that the strongest works most maladies . 87. The Heauens haue their moouings contrarie , But equally disposed , vphold the rest : Where , if they mou'd one way , their harmonie All of one straine , of discord dispossest , They soone would runne to ruine al opprest : Like to a clocke , whose wheeles runne all one way , Rash , of no vse , without a counterstay . 88. The Planets also in their faculties , Are set by Prouidence , that did foresee , That if they were without their contraries , Among themselues some sodain change would be . A meane therefore to keepe the Heauens free From sodaine ruine , Power diuine hath set ( As moderator ) termes , that none may let . 89. Milde Venus as a meane , is placed neere Vnto fell Mars , to counterchecke his ire , And helping Iupiter , next to the Sphere Of malignant Saturne , lest they conspire , And wrecke the Iurie of their fell desire Vpon the rest : if they were not control'd , Their wrath would worke the worlds ill manifold . 90. The world inferior , composed stands , Of Elements , which are by nature foes : And each with other , in his nature bands , And each his force and malice doth disclose . Yet are all bodies wholly fram'd of those : And their due order and proportion Conserueth long , discording vnion . 91. None must exceede in his extreme degree : For all by nature , reft of mixtion , Are so vnequall , nothing can bee Formed of one , without destruction . But of the foure , equall proportion Is found the fountaine , whence doth flow the seede , Where of all creatures in the earth do breede . 92. For in this worldes great masse are found to lie , Earth , Water , Ayre , and Fire , Sunne , Moone , and Starres , Matter and forme , substance , and quantitie , Simple , compound , actiue , and passiue warres . These of themselues haue such diurnall iarres , As trie the body , yet preserue it so , As discord seemes a friend , and not a foe . 93. In humane bodies is a discord set , Choler and bloud , fleame and melancholie , These foure the foure complections beget : Among them Nature hath sent enmitie . Yet stands the bodie of this contrarie , Which could not liue , if one alone did raigne : One too too strong , the other three complaine . 94. All other bodies are compos'd as this , Not of a like , but of vnlike in kind . As praysed body Oeconomick is , Of husband , wife , and children them assign'd , Lord and slaue , master and seruant wee find To liue vnlike , yet in good harmonie , If true concording discord beautifie . 95. A body politike , or publike state , Hath like dissents , which yet assenting stands : The King , the subiect , and the magistrate , Noble and base , rich , poore , peace , and warlike bands , Law , religion , idle , working handes , Old , yong , weake , strong , good men and euill bee Dislike in parts , yet in consort agree . 96. All Arts haue discord , yet in vnitie Concording , as in musicke , high and low , Long and short , these compose the harmonie . The paynter doth by contraries forth show By liuely hand , what Nature doth bestow , By colours , white , blacke , red , and greene and blew : These contraries depaynt right Natures hew . 97. Nothing appeares , or can bee sayd the thing , Without the contrarie : darke from the light , Sicknesse from health , cold winter from the spring , True peace from warre , sweete loue from foule despight , Iust from vniust , truth from the thing vnright , None can distinguish , but by qualities , That are discouer'd by their contraries . 98. Who can discourse of griefe , that neuer grieu'd ? Who speakes of colours , that could neuer see ? Who preacheth ioyes , that is of ioy bereau'd ? Who thinkes of freedome , that was neuer free ? Some contraries accord , some disagree . Yet perfit is Dame Natures art in things : For by dissent , she true assenting brings . 99. Yet hath not Nature made that earthly thing , But made to it some thing the contrarie : And each to each extends a fatall sting : Birdes , beasts and plants , haue all antipathy : Tweene God and good men , onely sympathie , Whose sacred spirit by his sweete inspire , Seasons our soules with sacred sweete desire . 100. Yet man is not free from his fatall foe , That first supplanted Adam , antique sire , And works to wrecke on Adams line , like woe : Beleeuers onely make this foe retire . Sacred Messiah payde that deathfull hire , Whereby wee liue , and haue eternitie , Though here beclowded with the contrary . 101. What passionate inconstancie haue men , Which shew affections so contrarie ? No creature to a creature worse hath ben , Then man to man , who in hot enmitie , Hath wrought each other deadly destinie . Yea , some that deerely lou'd before , comes foes , And foes come friends : some work themselues their woes . 102. Nay , man within himselfe hath selfe debate , His soule and body are at deadly feede . Yet man himselfe is as a publike state , And reason Prince seemes so to sway that steede , As foule concupiscence that sowes her seed In fleshie furrowes to corrupt the soule , Should not preuaile , but haue her due controule . 103. No maruaile then , if brutish creatures beene In priuate warre , the Millet and the Pike , The Cocke and Foxe , the Eagle and the Wren , The Kite , and Crow , the Tode and Spider like , That doe each other of selfe-nature strike : Which makes each sect to stand in feare to fall , Sith each hath foes , and foes are full of gall . 104. What makes a Kingdome to continue long , But feare of foes , that breedes preuenting mindes , And mindes forbidding to do neighbours wrong , Lest Iustice punish , where deseruing binds ? Nought but securitie a kingdome blindes . But when it sees apparent enemies , It then takes heede , they are her contraries . 105. The Lacedemons made stout Athens feare . The Romanes rouzed Carthage , then secure . The Saxon furies did the Brytens weare . All states haue foes , and yet they may endure : Though peace to pietie should best allure . Yet is it seene where is no feare of thrall , That state soone stumbles , and hath sorest fall . 106. For pride pricks people that are free from foes . And riches rauish mindes , dip'd in desires , To clime aloft . And pleasantly hee rowes , That hath no winde nor tyde to checke aspires : When he but seemes to rowe , indeede retires . All haue their ends ▪ and all are borne to change , Cros'd , or at quiet , all like race doe range . 107. And though the Elements distributed , As may be thought , in true proportion : And bodies feele them not distempered , Fit lineaments and due coniunction : There will in fine be yet confusion . For what so is compact of contraries , By combates fall to mortall maladyes . 108. Then is it seene that earth , and earthly things , Conserued long by Heauens influence , And Elements , the foure pretended kings , That keepe all creatures in obedience : Although they haue most due ingredience , Their discord seeming most sweete concordance , In fine they perish by distemperance . 109. Now let vs see the earth , and all her parts , Her places , and her strange diuersities , And how the Heauens aspects are found by arts To worke in men , and things antipathyes , Or by consent of Clymats , simpathies , How plants and fruites , how birds and fishes fare , That all throughout this orbe dispersed are . 110. The Heauens and earth diuided by the Zones , Appeare to haue fiue fit partitions , Two cold , one hote , and two temperate ones . Some seeke to proue by strong assertions , The cold and hote , of these diuisions , Were not , nor may at all bee habited : Two onely are , that are well tempered . 111. The Zones , they say , beneath the poles , are cold , And so exceede , in that extreame they kill The creatures that in them doe couet hold . The middle Zone , neath Equinoxe as ill , That burnes the creatures subiect to her will : And onely two , that lie on either side , Do foster men and creatures vndenide . 112. Yet is it found by due experience , That all haue people and commodious things , And Natures might and sweete beneficence , So swayes the Clymats , and such issue brings Vnto this orbe of earth , and earthly things , As all her parts and limits are beset With men and fruite , that Nature daignes to get . 113. Yea , in the North , vnder the coldest clime , Dwell sundrie people , and great Nations , Long since , and some found in this latter time , Diuers in tongues and habitations , In Lawes , Religions , and in fashions . And though the cold ingender Ice and Snow , Men trauaile , traffick , plant , warre , ayre , and sow . 114. As they that dwell in Lythuania , Lyuonia , Sweden , and Estoteland , Perima , Condora , Noua , Zembla , In Norway , Muscouia , and Finland , In Iseland , Freysland , and in Lappen-land . These and farre more , lie in Septentrion , Though a distempered and cold Region . 115. Yet when the Sunne brings to them wished light , And thawes the waters , erst congeal'd with cold , Then doth retire their long and wearie night , And fruits , and plants , and trees them then vnfold , And make the earth more sweeter to behold . And men that erst in couert caues did dwell , Like winter sleepers , rouze them from their cell . 116. For as all Regions are found to lie On th' one , or th' otherside th' equator line : Their distance farre , or their propinquitie , Doe shew how much or little they decline , Which doth the length of nights and dayes define . And as the Sunne comes neere , the dayes doe grow , And as shee passeth from , the nights doe so . 117. The limites that do bound the world about , Are South , and North , East , and West opposited : The first two , firme and stable seeme throughout . Two last moue , as Sunne comes low or hight'ned In the Zodiacke , and signes obliqued . Which makes the East and West to alter so , ( Some hold ) as Sunne is seene to come and go . 118. And though the countreyes in extremities Of hot and cold , seeme much distempered : They yeeld of precious things varieties , Wherewith all other parts are plenished . For Nature sweetely hath distributed Her friendly fruites to all , that all may see , That good , and great , and full of fruites is she . 119. She hath ordain'd the Indies of the East , With Pearle of price , with sto●●es of highest deeme , The Emerald , the Ruby , and the rest , Which potent Princes hold in such esteeme : As in respect , the purest gold doth seeme More base then these , yet these more base then it , Tride by the Test , the Quintessence of Wit. 120. Thence comes the Elephant , a beast of might , Of maiestie , and humane courtesie : And the * * The Rinoceros a beast , whose parts are all Phisicall . Rinoceros with vertues dight : Whose bloud , bones flesh , and skin , haue secrecie , As Phisicke rules hold most salutarie . There is also the loftie Palme , a tree , That beares a fruit , whereof good wine may bee . 121. And thence the silke , high Honours ornament , Or rather Sirick , comes from Sirrick steede ; In great esteeme , yet but wormes excrement , That liues and dyes , and dying leaues a seede , That dieth not , but of it other breede . High Peeres beholden to this silly beast , Deck them with that , which it esteemeth least . 122. Arabia South , not of lesse consequence , Yeeldes forth her talent , sable Ibony , Finest Cottons , Mirrhe , and sweetest incense , And Iewrie , which of yore had dignitie , Affords the loftie Cedar , and sweete Balsamy : So much imbraced for her vertues might , In healing hurts of wounded men in fight . 123. Moluccaes in the farthest part of West , Yeelds Pepper , Cloues , Mace , Cinamon , and spice , Ginger , Nutmegs , and Phisick drugs the best . Yea , from the South comes many things of price . Else where are found by nauticke arts deuice , Sweete Ciuet , and the finest Cassia , That Marchants bring from Aethiopia . 124. In Callicute the ayre most temperate , The countrey neuer touch'd with pest : All trees and plants are still in greene estate , Yeelding each month new fruites , then in request : Fayre , sweete , and pleasant : diuers yet in test . Which eke doe differ from all other frutes , In colour , forme , and in their diuers sutes . 125. In Syria , where stood fayre Paradise , As antique writers doe the place assigne , About Damascus , Natures benedice , Appeares in corne , in flesh , in fruit , in wine , Quinces , Pomegranets , and fruits of that line , Oliues and Almonds , and the fragrant Rose , Sing sundrie prayses by their sweete disclose . 126. But contrarie this blessing is deni'de To many people fell and barbarous : To them that in Tartara abide , And in Arabia , robustious , That follow cattel , liuing beastious , Moouing by troupes , feeding on milke and grasse , Seldome returning , as they erst did passe . 127. But in the countreyes of Ciuilitie , Where Lawes do leade , and where Religion guides , The people there , liue well and decently , And plant , and sow , reape , and what besides May yeeld supplie , fit for all wants and tydes . These changing courses , shew dame Nature may Giue , or depriue ▪ none countermaundes her way . 128. Her vertues streames , and bountie richly flow , From parts and Clymates best etempered , Where ayre and waters holsomely bestow Health and fertilitie , things gloried Of men and beasts , that bee well qualified , In vigor , colour , and complection , But in extreames ill constitution . 129. The Ethiopians neere to the sunne , With parching beames , that on them doe reflect , Their colours blacke , some tawnie , some are dunne , The head and beard are frisled of that sect , Their bodies drier by the same effect , Sharp witted , fierce , sterne , and of warlike minds , And differ much from them of colder kindes . 130. The people in Septentrionall parts , In countries cold , and Icie regiments , Haue softer skinne and white , yet brutish hearts : For these extreames breede seele good rudiments : Yet in them both natures habiliments . Their stature tall , their courage cruell set , As heate and moysture their extremes beget . 131. Like difference in other things is found , In herbes , in trees , and things inanimate , They grow or wither as they like the ground : Things of one kind stand not in like estate , Too hot or cold , too drie or humidate . All vegitables doe proue best in land , Where ayre is sharpe , yet not too sharpe at hand . 132. Some plants applaude , ( yet as their nature willes ) On driest ground , some on the moyster steede : Some on the vallyes , some aloft the hilles . Pine trees and Ceders , and the Firre agreed , To choose high mountaines for their better breed . The Oke and Beech , the Ashe and Hazell tree , In lower land and Forrests best agree . 133. The Alder , Popler , and the Willow loue To liue below , where rilles of water runne . Each creature seekes ( by nature ) best behoue : Their will perseuers , as it first begunne . Art yet may alter , and it may be wonne , To like the place which was not first assign'd , Yet not , if nature doe it counterbind . 134. For if the Orange and the Lemon trees , Be brought from Spaine , and set in English soyle , They grow perchance , their nature yet they leese : And he that plants them , lendes a fruitlesse toyle : As wash a Moore ( blacke still ) Art hath the foyle . Nature preuaileth , maugre industrie , In things where Nature will haue dignitie . 135. The Vine and Figge tree do refuse to grow In Babylon , yet found a fertill land . And Indie Occident , doth seeme a foe To Oliue trees , there planted , will not stand But fruitlesse , none therefore doth take in hand , To sowe or set , the kernelles roote none take : They loose their labour that doe triall make . 136. No place is yet of that sterrilitie , But yeeldes a portion and beneuolence To man , a subiect who hath soueraigntie Ouer all creatures . Natures efficence ▪ Begets and leaues them to mans diligence : And diligence discreete obtaines the lot Of life and libertie , which sloth hath not . 137. For gold and siluer , lead , and tynne lie dead , And sundrie precious things , in minerals : None find the celles wherein these things bee bred , But such as diue into the earths entrals . Which art and labour find out by trials . For Nature giueth men hands , feete , and eyes , To worke , to walke , to see , hearts to deuise . 138. Which well is seene among men qualifi'd In sacred gifts , learning to liue aright : They onely rule , they onely rectifi'd , Doe onely polish Nature with Arts light , Disposing creatures pleasing to the sight : As Plants and trees , gardens and Orchyards fayre , Fraught with fayre fruites in the holsom'st ayre . 139. In this doth Europe farre excell the rest . Spaine , Italy , France , high , low Germany , And England Northmost , equall with the best . The first most famous for sterrillitie : The last hath fame for sweete fertillitie . They haue the art that nature beautifies , And nature giues the rest their dignities . 140. Thus prouidence diuine distributes things To men and people , and to Nations Peculiar . Most bountifull shee brings Vnto them all change of conditions . Land lendes to Land such contributions , As may supplie each others needfulnesse . That land wants most , that wants Truths heedfulnesse . 141. Yet in the barreynest , where truth is not , And where true light lends not releeuing rayes , There yet haue beene , and are some gifts by lot , That sauour , some , ( as blemish'd ) of disprayes , And some of vertue , all grow by essayes . Essayes breede vse , vse , custome , custome , arts , Arts ayding Nature , perfit both their parts . 142. The parts of Nature , yet most absolute , Not subiect to the Art , for Art shee breedes : If shee denie , Arts all stand dumbe and mute , Art onely growes from Natures working deedes , Which first did sowe in Aristotle seedes , That grew to branches , others brake the same And planted in their braines , thence Logicke came . 143. Auicen and Gallen , and the most of skill , That first did find the simples Natures out , Were not first helpers , but at first did kill . Nature gaue wit , wit held the thing in doubt : Doubt then made proofe , proofe brought the thing about , And found the hearbs , fit Physick for vnsound : Phisicke minerals Paracelsus found . 144. Geometrie the mother of all Arts , Was not at first found by a former Art : Nature did first deliniate those parts , That Wits and Willes might come vnto her mart , And buy by practise ( to adorne the heart ) The principles of Art , as Archimedes did , Archytas too , and other , to some hid . 145. Art in Astrologie grew by degree , The Babylonians excel'd therein : Imperfect first , til Nature gaue to see : Anaximandes did the art begin : Since many famous in the same haue bin . But if high Nature doe forbid the skill , None comes to Art , vsing what meanes he will . 146. Yet some by nature haue such apt incline To this or that , as holpen by Arts light , Doe see the secrets of that Art ( for signe ) To which if they attribute meanest might , They soone attaine , when others not so dight , May striue and struggle to atchieue the same , But yet in vaine , Nature , not will , to blame . 147. To some yet , are some common faculties , And people of some lands haue priuate skill , In some peculiar trades and mysteries , Which doe preuaile by Nature more then will , As if the soyle did learne them what they nill ▪ But there it seemes Nature and vse agrees : And willing minds seldome their labour leese . 148. The Scithians did will , and vse to ride : They grew so excellent , they gained fame , Their horses and good horsemanship their pride . By Bowes the Parths and Medes gat greatest name : And English Archers famous for the same . But now of late , by course they leaue the thing That got them fame , and glorie to their King . 149. The Irishmen strong and robustious , Vse for offensiue weapons , armed darts , Their armes are actiue , bodies valerous , Casting by force , assisted by their arts : No people equalize them in these parts . Their natures and their educations one , Makes them most famous in these arts alone . 150. Although of yore the Sarmates and the Getes , Cretens , Armaspi , and the Perses were Admired most excelling in these fetes , Th' Irish soyles most dreadfull darters rere , Who in the skirmish skip them here and there , Ouer the bogges , that tremble as they runne : The bullet vnborne , darts and arrowes wonne . 151. But men their maners and their properties Doe alter so , that all things alter too , Subiect to them , and to their faculties : As time doth men , so men inuention woo , And things do follow as the founders doo . Man onely erreth from right reasons way , Fed by fond fancie , guide vnto estray . 152. Who doth not see the state of sickle man , His changing courses and his diuers turnes , Tweene aged yeeres , and time he first began , How time his termes from time to time adiurnes ? Time tries him still , to triumph him he wurnes , And will not let him glorie long in blisse , In this short progresse where no glorie is . 153. Before his birth hee lies as in a caue , Inclos'd with gore , an vgly shape hee beares : Then by degrees hee gins some forme to haue , And represents what after hee appeares , A humane body : then hee comes with teares From cell of darkenesse , and partakes the light , A silly creature , and of silly might . 154. Then hee forthwith liues , and forthwith he dies , Though liuing long , hee lingers and decayes From youth to age , hee pining , mortifies : Although hee seeme to glorie in his dayes , His day to die comes stealing , though it stayes . And when he seemeth to haue constant state , A change chops in , of more inconstant rate . 155. Man neuer standeth , but like wauing tyde , That comes and goes , now calme , then full of ire : Now sings he sweete , all sorrowes layd aside , Then groweth griefe , welcome to no desire , Heau'd vp , hurl'd downe , dismay'd , or in aspire : Grac'd now , then in disdaine , now in the sunne Of sweetest fauour : then eclips'd , vndonne . 156. Th' inconstant state of man inconstant , mooues My constant Muse to mourne and pause a while , Sad and in silence , as my state approoues , Beset with sorrowes , comforts in exile , Fed with imperfect promise ( wounding smile . ) Reft of releefe , the worlds change I sing . This first approou'd , a second part I bring . 157. Wherein the changes of mans glorie seene , Of Cities , Kingdomes , tongues , and Nations , Shall well approoue , Time strong , a checklesse Queene , Yeeldes not to idle allegations , That fruitlesse fancie frames for fashions , To colour sinne , and gloze fond vanitie , With fayned habite of sweete pietie . FINIS .