A souldiers vvish vnto his soveraigne lord King Iames

A Souldiers wish vnto his Soueraigne Lord King Iames. THrise noble King the wonder of our daies , Giue leaue my Muse may speake thy vertues praise ; A Souldiers hand made rough with Iron warre : Not smoothly can with Poets lines conferre . Aonian bankes he doeth not vse to tread , But march where Mars a warlike step doth lead : If roughly then into his verse he breakes : A Cannons mouth , a boystrous languish speakes . Thence doth he learne : for muskets , pikes , and swords , Doe teach a Souldier : no great choice of words . Yet in the hope of his Dread Soueraignes loue : A Poets skill he thus desires to prooue . Geeat pearlesse Prince I need not to deriue , The line all race which doth our hopes reuiue . Thy kingdome England : knowes thy true dissent , And yealds it selfe vnto thy gouerment . And first , my wish doeth pearcs the Christall skye , And humbly prayes heauens greatest Maiesty ; That in our farre renounde Elizaes stead , Hir Crowne may stand vpon thy princely head . Faire England hath this fortie fowre yeares beene , The Kingdome of the worlds renowned Queene . High Ioue did by the wonder of his hande , Raise her vpon a regall throane to stande ; That by her meanes he might his children bring , With peace to reste vnder her princely winge . When Romes blacke vaile of euerlasting smoake , Did strongly striue the purest light to choake . Euen when the Pope that Antichristian deuill , Had turnd all good into the worst of euill . Changing the truth of euerlasting veritie : Into the dreames of faithles Fryers imagery . Leauing the Oracles of Gods eternall will , Ruling by strength of vaine traditions skill . Seeking to race Christ Iesus kingdome downe , For to vphold an Antichristian crowne . Burning aliue all those that would deny , To yeelde vnto their grosse Idolatrye . When England thus was massicred by Rome , The iust condemned by iniustice dome . Then God in mercy to his children sent , A gracious Queene : to salue their woes lament . Dread soueraigne , your royall selfe no doubt , Haue harde how God did bring this worke aboute . And how he sau'd our Queene from daunger greate , To set her safe vpon a Princely feate . That shee thereby that Gospell might aduance , Which drowned was in darkesome ignorance . And when he had instald her regall throane . She peerelesse liued vpheld by God alone . No forrayne foes could once her land inuade , Proude Spaine to flie by Englands force was made . No treasons plot laide by the best aduice , Of Rome and Spaine could worke hir preiudice . No Popish pardned periur'd traytors vow , To be of force would heauens great God alow . But to the horror of Romes vsupped name . His champions all were brought to publike shame . No hell borne hand distaynde with villany , Could get aduantage gainst her dignitie , For all the treasons bent against her life , Brought traytors to the slead , the rope , the knife . In spight of deuill and hell and men made diuels , God kept her safe from all sinister euils . So that her throane was to the world a wonder ; No king nor Queene like her the heauens cloudes vnder . All her attempts did prosper royally , And crowned were with glorious victorie : Her people so were hallowed for her sake . As that in warre there Pikes did passage make . Through tropes of men the Holland states doe know , By Englands handes there honor first did grow . And Spaine hath seene through cloudes of smoake and fire How Englands fame did to the heauens aspire . More could I speake , but this I breefly tell , Heauens maiden Queene in all thinges prosperd well . And whilste shee liud in peace her scepter swaide , With such renowne as mightie kinges dismaide , Did in amasement say vnto there Lords , Goe see if truth with fames report accordes , Beyond the bowndes of Europekings most great , Did sende to see the Queene of Englands seate . And thus her state in fame all kinges aboue , Was safely kepte by Ioues celestiall loue . And all her time : the beautie of our storie , Shinde in her land with vnecclipsed glorie . The king of peace her his leiutenant made , When as his kingdome did in her kingdome fade . Shee once a Queene the kingdome of heauens Kinge : On earth she made to be a glorious thing . Saluation sound by worlds redeemer sent , Was fetch from forth a sauiours testament . Whose written word for euer firmely stands , Caractered first by Euangelian hands Whose goulden pens commanded were to wright , No more but what heauens king should first indite That king of kinges that mercie most esteem d : That Iesus Christ who vs from hell redeemd , His Gospell was the glorie of our lande , Whereby we learnd the truth to vnderstand . And so our Queene on Christ hir faith did ground As that her fame did through earths kingdomes found And Christ did vnto her his loue reueale , When as by him hir hand had power to heale : Hir snow white palme by faith had vertue such , As that the sicke shee healde with gratious touch . Thousands diseasd that did her mercy pray , Toucht by her hand were safely sent away . And for by faith , the sicke were thus redreste : Her sound beliefe , was by that truth expreste . That faith in Christ whose written veritie , Was dayly preacht by Englands ministry , Vnto our Queene a croune of glorie sent , Whose precious beautie was her souls content . For to obey that law which Christ had taught , Our Queene her selfe and all her subiects brought , Thence did proceede the glory of her state ; No strength had power hir hopes to ruinate , And therein stood a Souldiers name renound , When he should fight for her whome Christ had crownd . And when by her that Christ our heauenly Lord , Rulde like a King by scepter of his word ; Then God , then Christ , then Queene , then countries lawes : Helde in themselues a most supreame applause . No cause can well a souldiers name commend , But when his sword shall all those rights defende . And for them all a souldiers armes I beare , My quarel's iust nor men nor deuils I le feare . But now my Queene whome I haue thus commended , Hir heauenly soule is vnto heauen ascended . Her peaceful raigne in peace did ende her dayes , Heauen hath her soule , the earth retaines her prayse . And now I will a soueraygne looke to finde , Indu'd with all the vertues of her minde . And thus my king my vearse shall now returne , To thee whose heart with godly zeale doth burne . God left our Queene this kingdome to maintaine , Whilste by his worde he taught thee how to raygne , For in the kingdome where thy rule was seene , The lawe of Christ hath in that kingdome binne . Thy royall thro ane and scepter bearing hande , Did striue with truth in equall life to stande . Most prudent , wise , and iust in euery thing , Approued was Prince Iames then Scotlands king . And for thy heart with God did stand vpright , He now hath raisd thee to a greater might . Great King how may thy heart with ioy bee glad , When God to one three kingdomes more doth add . How good a thing is it that God to serue , Who thus rewardeth them that well deserue ? Great king I know thy euer righteous heart , Will dignifie the worth of thy desart . And make vs blessed by thy vertues grace , Because thy soule the way of truth doth trace . Well may I say thy prudence thought vpon , That God hath sent a second Salomon . Whose wisedome shall adorne his kingly name , And to all kingdomes memorise his fame . Thy royall hand O king hath wisely tried , To proue thy heart deuinely sanctified . Thy Angell spirit with Dauids pen doth wright And wisedome giues thy minde a glorious light . Cloauen tongs of fire haue made thy muse deuine , In all thy words a heauenly grace doth shine . Thy worke approues thy exercise hath binne , In holy writte true iudgement thence to winne . With how great ioy may all good people say , A godly kinge shall Englands scepter swaye . Whose royall selfe with kingly domination . Shall build his house vpon a firme foundation . For such hath beene his vertues preparation , That God for him will blesse his kingdoms nation . England regard how God hath thee respected , And how thy weale is still by him protected . And now whilst that it may be calde thy day , Tourne to thy God and all his lawes obay . Peruse thy state & then thou mayest beholde , The loue of God with merces many fould . Euen when the time was come that wilde ones wisht , Euen then their hopes were presently dismiste . And quiet peace with gratious calme contente , Proclaimed King whose princely regiment , Shall wrap thy glory in a golden vale , And make thy fame , the star-bright skies to scale , Thy house of honour , shall be built a new : And in their state , thou shalt thy nobles view . But this I charge , where iustice made surprise , Let not a thought so much as mutinise : I speake with loue vnto my countreyes weale , There is no salue , hath power dead things to heale : But euerie branch of honour that doth liue , God vnto them their antient honours giue : That England may for many hundred yeeres , Attend her King with all her princely Peeres . And this I hope in glorious sort to see , When great King Iames our crowned King shall bee . Pray England then God may thy Soueraign blesse : In whome consisteth all thy happinesse , Thus mightie King thy owne is giuen to the , Thy selfe alone is Englands Maiestie , Come to thy kingdomes , in peace thy Crowne enioy , Who wish not so , Gods iudgements them distroy , Coraga then for that s a Souldiers tearme , Thy God oh King shall shield thy throne from harme : Thy heart obeyes the scepter of his word . Strong therfore will he make thy kingdomes sword , Come then braue prince , make Englands earth to ring : With hundred thousands tongues , that cries God saue the King The hearts of England are in preparation , To dignifie thy glorious Coronation . Come with the spring , in the our sping doth florish Thy royall hand shall Englands kingdome norish : The heauens and earth agrees with choise of time , To raise thy fame aboue the clouds to clime : God makes a promise that thy Raigne shall bee , As was our Queenes in princely dignitie : For well we know the written truth shall stand , Like gold to gild the Churches in thy land : Imperious prince be then thy right possest , And make thy Queene , a glorious Emperest . Thy Royall race incorporated right : In bloud of Kings that were of greatest might , Tels that thy name with glorious power shal grow , And that the world thy valiant strength shal know . And as I thinke diuinest destenie , Did promisse at thy blest natiuitie , That in thy race there should be something done , Whose glorious fame through all the world shall ronne . And in this hope , thy kingdome England liues , Thy happy issue such great comfort giues ; A King , a Queene , a Prince , a Duke , all these Great titles , do thy Englands people please : For they reioyce to see each princely bud , That springs from forth King Henries Royall bloud . And now whilst that the world , a world is cald , No doubt thy throne is in thy line instald : This makes the land thy presents to expect , Whose prudent wisedom must her weale protect : Thy nobles heere vnited all in one , Humbly attends their King to wait vpon : Thy Citie London , doth it selfe addresse , The loue vnto her soueraigne to expresse . There shall the King a hundred thousand see , Lift vp their hands , and bow an humble knee : And crie King Iames , God by thy power defend , Their echoing shouts shall to the heauens ascend : The commons all , thinks long to see that day , God saue the King , their hearts desires to say ; Thy England in all pompe of Royaltie , Prepares great King thy throne to dignifie : The wealth of England all her gold and treasure , Offers it selfe vnto king Iames his pleasure . A fleet of ships , inricht with wars great thunder , Whose force hath causde earthes nations all to wonder , That Nauie Royall , the terrour of Spaynes feare , The name and fame of great King Iames doth beare : The strength of England , and each defensiue towne , Offers themselues vnto king Iames his Crowne : For Englands Crowne is made his proper owne , The great king Iames for Englands king is knowne : Great Caesars tower , with her vnualued store , Doth with her strength & wealth king Iames adore : And Englands Court doth for his presence craue , That gallant state doth wish king Iames to haue : The pleasure of faire Englands pleasant land , Doth giue it selfe into king Iames his hand . All those rich honours that befits a king , They will themselues vnto their Soueraigne bring : The lawes of England will themselues deriue , From great king Iames his high prerogatiue . The Church in England our sweet Sauiours spouse Next vnto Christ king Iames her head allowes . And Ireland which did in rebellion stand , Is conquered now , vnto king Iames his hand . And thus great King thy greatnesse doth excell , All princes that in Europes compasse , dwell : And now my wish desires that day to see , When Iames the king of England crown'd shal be . That then my eyes may my dread Soueraingne vew When all his owne becomes his proper due , Then doe I looke that Gods Lieutenant heere , Shall like earths God most gloriously appeere : Armd in the strength of true saluations law Thereby to keepe his kingdomes land in awe , And then oh King , heauens Lord shal be thy God , Who in his wrath will with an Iron rod : Bruse and break downe the strength of euery arme , That but attempts to doe thy highnesse harme , And then thy Crowne shall sure establisht be , To the Oh King and thy posteritie . Because thy heart vpon thy God doth wait , He will thy throne exalt to highest height : A race of princes from thy loynes shall spring , And each of them shall be a mightie King . Thy seed for euershall thy throane adorne , And Kings and Queenes shal to thy sons be borne : From the and thine shall dangers force be bard , Gods Angels shall be your coelestiall gard , When forraigne kings against thy state shall rise , Thy England shall their forces soone surprise : God shall in armes thy warlike vangard lead , And make thy foes thy battails fight to dread : That when their eyes vpon thy glory looke , Their backes shall turne before a blow be strooke : And when they flie to scape their dangers thrall , On their owne swords themselues by heapes shall fall . The files and ranks vpon thy battels wing , Amidst their troops shall heauenly Angels sing : Whose musicke shall thy men incourage so , As boldly they vpon their foes shall go . Thy rearward strength shall Angell hands defend , A heauenly host shall on thy powers attend ; Thy battell shall with such great force be knit , As all thy foes shall neuer enter it : Thy troopes of horse , thy picht batalia garding , Thy proudest foes shal feare thier valiant charging Thy Royall selfe in kingly dignitie , With ioy shalt see thy glorious victorie . This to effect when warres allarams come , Great multiudes shall wait vpon thy drom : Thy kingdome can no doubt afford the then , A hundred hundred thousand fighting men . But our long peace free from contentious iarre , Hath made them such great strangers vnto warre : That want of skill wil worke thy kingdoms wrong , Vnlesse they learne what things to warre belong . I wish that peace warres children nourish might , So as they may defend their mothers right : That when as danger brings it selfe in sight , They well may know to order euery fight . For God commands each welcommended means Be vsde to shield a kingdome from extreames : Thus by our God thy kingdomes state erected , Shall by his loue securely be protected : And thus King Iames shall to his Crowne retaine , The glory of our late Elizaes Raigne . And adde vnto his glories now begun , More then could by a mayden Queene be done . In which attempt , when Iustice giues the word , I then desire to vse a Souldiers sword : And in my heart thus much I contemplate , I shall not need the lines effeminate : A Ladies letter shall not a Souldier shake , Nor be of force , a Captaines name to make . But due desart , a Souldiers cause shall plead , And tri'de experience shall the vangard lead : Those bodies that shall for their countrey bleed , No reason but their countrey should them feed . And Englands law for them prouideth so ; But now our name vnto our King shall go . My Soueraigne King , my life is onely thine , And nothing else within this world is mine : And whilst my God shal suffer me to liue , My liues imployment to my King I giue . And when you please that Souldiers vsde shall bee , My Soueraigne Lord , euen then remember mee : In dust and blood my life I le sacrifice , To serue my king gainst Englands enemies . My little skill it were in vaine to boast , But were I tried amidst a warlike hoast , I would not thinke but be sufficient then , In warres aray , to range tenne thousand men : Yet in my heart I Englands peace preferre , And not desire to see a causelesse warre . But for my God , my Christ , my King , my land , I readie am to take my sword in hand . These humble lines an infant muse hath fed , And left them rough , not wisely pollished . Vnfit to swimme vnto that blessed shore , Where springs the tree of sacred wisedomes lore : Where Maiestie lockt vp in princely eyes , With mercie mixt in Courts of safetie lies . Yet that word mercie , bids my muse to flie , Vnto the throane of Englands Maiestie . And hauing wisht to him all happiest health , At 's princely foot she humbly throwes her selfe : I cannot smooth with flatteries filed phrase , Wherein doth stand a Poets gilded prayse . A warlike pike is made a Souldiers pen , Where with is writ the deeds of worthy men . And like a Souldier with a subiects zeale , I thus my loue vnto my King reueale ; And wish all good , with an vnfained heart , That heauen and earth can to his grace impart . Humbly my wish vnto his period comes , Praying for King , for Queene , for princely Sonnes , Vnto them all my God thy loue expresse , Protect them safely , increase their happinesse . And in thy mercie let not Englands sinne , Blast the fresh flowers of our glorious spring : Vnite two lands that but by name stands parted , Their people blesse , and make them single harted . England and Scotland , let all their Lords agree , And serue their King in loues best puritie : Then Irelands rebels full soone there is no doubt , From doing harme will all be raced out . These Kingdomes God in peace together knit , That on his throne King Iames may safely sit . So in their hopes those minds shall quickly quaile , That thought ere this the Pope should most preuaile : The selfe same law which Christ himselfe did teach The selfe same law , shall Englands pastors preach : And all Gods children shall reioyce with ioy , To see their King , the beast of Rome destroy : Thus England now prouide thy triumphs games , In honour of thy mightie prince King Iames.