The second part of Philomythie, or Philomythologie Containing certaine tales of true libertie. False friendship. Power vnited. Faction and ambition. / By Thomas Scot Gent..

THE SECOND PART OF PHILOMYTHIE , OR PHILOMYTHOLOGIE .

CONTAINING certaine Tales OF True Libertie . False Friendship . Power Vnited . Faction and Ambition .

By THOMAS SCOT Gent.

Printed at London , for Francis Constable . 1616.

MONARCHIA .

Dedicated to all the worthy professors of the Law , who make not priuate-wealth , but the good and peace of the Common-wealth the end of their studies and practise .

Though you ( perhaps ) be Clyentlesse and few , Friendlesse and poore , yet 't is to you Isue For kinde acceptance . You alone are they Who by example guide vs in our way . You looke not on the fee , but on the cause , And follow truth , as truth doth lead the Lawes . The rest , with vice , and wealths ill-gotten load , Passe on to death , in glories beaten road . TH' inhabitants of the I le of Wight did bost , No vermin vs'd to harbour in their coast . Cambden de Insula vectis . This title is giuen them by our worthy L. chiefe Iustice of Eng. For they no hooded Monkes , nor Foxes had , Nor Law ⋆ Retriuers who make fooles run mad . With their strife-stirring tongues ; but liued as free , From these , as by them others combred be . And though our whole land cannot boast so farre , That we from all such vermin quitted are : Yet happy is our Ile , that 's hemd about With water-walles , to keepe our enemies out ; Whilst we ( as Adam did ) in Eden dwell , And scarce of famine in an age heare tell . Where hils are clad with woods , and vales with corn , Whose laden eares doe listen to be shorne . Where shepheards neither Lyon doubt , nor Beare , Nor rauening Wolfe which sheep & shepheard teare ; But each in safety dwell , and sillie sheepe From all but Man , doe one the other keepe . O happy are we if we know our good , And if our state be rightly vnderstood : To liue thus free vnder so blest a King , Iust Magistrates and Cleargy-men , that sing , The songs of Syon in the holy tongue Conuerting old men , and informing yong . No spirit-tyrant Pope , state-tyrant Turke , Can here their bloudy ends and proiects worke ; Eut each in safety may his owne possesse , More free then Kings , because our cares be lesse . But most vnhappy are those neighbour lands , Where Peace and Plentie , as two strangers stands ; Where bloudie war , and bloodlesse famine ride Vpon the ruin'd top of thanklesse Pride : Where Law destroies , Diuinity deceiues , And where the crowne the care of kingdome leaues . Where men eate men , as beast deuourd by beast , The strong the weaker kill , the great the least . Where tyrannie in triumph mounted hie , Makes truth and innocence in dungeons lie . This tale the difference shewes , that we may know How much to God for our good king we owe . An aged Hart , vpon mount Carmel bred , Hauing as Admirall the Nauy led From Syria through the Seas , to Cyprus shore , Where all the I le with greene is couered o're . Hapt by a Parke to trauaile , where he spide A yonger sad Hart , standing close beside Th' imprisoning pale , and v●ng all his skill To free himselfe from thence , to larger ill . Good brother ( quoth the stranger ) let me know , What heauy thoughts they are that vex you so . Why do you sadly so your selfe bemone ? Why hauing friends within come you alone To feed sad melancholly , and inuent To doe a rash act , which you le soone repent ? The younger Deere made answer , Can ye muse Why I am sad , and wherefore I doe vse All meanes to free my selfe , from being thus A slaue to him that 's foe to all of vs ? Know brother , I endure more sorrowes here , In one halfe day , then you in one whole yeere . For you haue liberty to come and goe , Though forrester and woodman both say no. But I by cruell man , imprisond keepe , Within this woodden walls , where none but sheepe Hares , Conyes , Cowes , and other of my kinne Are my associates , simple soules within . I haue no beast of worth , of birth , or wit , With whom I may conuerse ; but faine to fit My lofty spirit to the lowly straine , Of base companions , sluggish , fearefull , vaine . No Wolues or dogs come here , whereby decaies The exercise of valure and the praise . The traps for vermin , are so thicke beset , That oftentimes they some of vs doe get . The watchfull keeper , euery night and morne , Commands me rise , and rest with his shrill horne , He with his Lymehound rounds the pale about , For feare least we be stolne or broken out . He feeds vs cheerfully , and doth prouide Sufficient meat that 's fit for euery tide ; But being fat , he chooseth which he likes , And through our sides , deaths forked arrow strikes . Thus all he doth , is his owne turne to serue , And for his owne life doth our liues preserue . Then gentle brother helpe to free me hence , And my swift thanks shall yeeld you recompence . Stay brother mad-brain stay , quoth Lightfoot than If you were out , you 'ld wish you in agen . I was in Syria borne , and euery yeere A dangerous voyage make , for what you here Enioy with proud contempt . We cannot find " Content on earth , without a thankfull mind . You slight your ease and plenty ; we , alas ! With toyle seeke that which you with scorn let passe . Our meat is grutchd , we like to robbers watcht , So what we feed on , here and there is snatcht . The pale you call your prison rather may , Be tearmd your Castle , Garden , Closet , Stay , To keepe out others from those ioyes of yours , Or to preserue you from these woes of ours . Whilst we without by Lyons , Leopards , Beares , Wolues , Eagles , Serpents , and a thousand feares , Are howrely vext , beset , besieged so , That as our shadowes , death doth next vs goe . Yet none our deaths reuenge , nor craues account , How our neglected blood is lauisht out . For euen that Man ( which is your guard ) to vs Proclaimes himselfe a foe , most dangerous . He hunts for our destruction cheeres the hound , Rides , runs , whoopes , hollowes , and at euery sound , Rings our shrill deaths bell with so fearefull blast , As charmes our ioynts to heare , whilst hounds make hast To finish our desired death , and glut With our sweet flesh , each vermins maw and gut . Thus doe we die abroad , for euery man Claimes right in vs , and labors all they can , Our weary feet in toyles , nets , snares t' inclose , When you haue friends , to guard you from your foes If therefore you haue told me truth that there You doe no creature but your keeper feare ; O bring me to this prison , shew me how I may obtaine a blessed life with you . Direct me to a leape , i le soone leape in . " T is happinesse , vnhappy to haue been . With that he mounts the pale , adue quoth he , Vaine , wide , wild world ; who serues the law is free .

Epimythium .

There hath been long disputation to find out the true freedome . The world holds opinion that Libertines who doe what they list , and lust whatsoeuer is vnlawfull are onely free men . Caine was founder of this brotherhood . He might doe what he list , he was a vagabond exempt from lawes , he had a marke of priuiledge set vpon him to keep him from punishment here . Our Iesuits and King-killers being exempt from the temporall sword are free of this company . But the child of God whose affections are mortified , who obeis law for conscience sake , who is a law vnto himselfe , is the onely freeman ; for to him the Magistrate bears the sword in vaine . He would be honest without law , and wil be honest if the law should forbid him . Yet would he not resist , but submit himselfe to power . He is free of that company whereof S. Paul professeth himselfe one when he saith , I I haue learned in al estates to be contented . How much more happy are they who liue vnder the protection of a good king , and wholesome lawes , then these are who liuing here like outlawes goe without contradiction out of momentany pleasure & liberty into eternal slauery & punishment .

The Cony-burrow .

¶ Dedicated to the louers of worth , and friends of vertue , who follow truth with a single heart , and speake it with a single tongue .

Be innocent , but circumspect withall , The Turtles mate may be the Turtles stall . Be wise yet trust not wit . The traps we make For others , first doe our false fingers take . What we delight to vse , take pride to weare , Takes vs ; as Absalon hangd with his haire . Then walke vpright , to neither hand encline , There 's nought frees innocence , but grace diuine . THe Polcat , Ferret , Lobstar , Weasel , made A secret match , the Cony to inuade : Which no way they could compasse , whilst he kept Himselfe abroad , when as he fed or slept . At last the Polcat to the Cony went , With this smooth speech . Good cousen my intent Hath been long since t' acquaint you with our kin , And tell ye how our cousenage came in . Your Grandame was my carefull fostermother , To your kind sire , I was a fosterbrother ; My education , nurture , and my foode , I from my youth receiued from your sweet brood . In recompence whereof , my thankfull mind , A fitte requitall long desired to finde . The time is come , for I haue lately found , A secret plot , wherein the cunning hound The close dissembling Tumbler , Lurcher swift , With Raynard that knowes many a subtill shift . The Eagle and the Goshauke , haue agreed , Their stomacke with your dainty flesh to feed . First they intend the hound shall hunt ye out , And by your footing heate ye once about . Then shall that hypocrite , the Tumbler trie , To cheare you of your life , with his false eie . But if he faile , the Lurcher with his speed , Will snatch yee vp ( they hope ) and doe the deed . If not the Eagle , Fox , and Goshauke , sweare , To eat no meat , till on your lims they teare . The harmlesse Cony , at this dire report , Ready to sound , besought in humble sort The wary Polcat him t' instruct and teach A way , how he might scape his foes long reach . Faith ( quoth the Polcat ) you perhaps might hide , Your selfe among thicke bushes vnespide , But that the Hounds and Lurcher both are there , Whose sents will quickly find ye out , I feare . Againe vpon the rocks , you might remaine , But that the Eagle , Fox , and Goshauke saine Thei 'l watch ye there ; so that no other way Remaines to scape with life , but night and day To scrape and grate with your forefeet , a den , Within the earth , where safe from beasts and men . And foule , and euery bloody foe you shall , Your life securely lead in spight of all . The simple Cony doubting no deceit , Thought treason had not councell for a bait . And therefore thanks his foe , and ( glad at heart ) To dig his owne graue vseth all his art . A sandy place he seeks , and finding one , Free from all clay , or flint , or other stone , He with his forefeet grates , and makes a burrow , As deepe , as if he ment to trauaile thorow , The body of the earth , and meet the Sunne , When it vnto the Antipodes doth run . Which hauing finisht , he prepares a feast , And there the Polcat is the chiefest guest . The Lobster , Ferret , Weasel too must goe , To ioy him in his house , they loue him so ; And their great friend , the siluer-suited Snake , Must needs along with them , and merry make . He welcomes them , and doth before them set , What iunckets he with purse or paines could get . The Lyons Court hath not a dainty dish , But he prouides it , euen beyond their wish . " Yet they that long for blood , till blood be shed , " Cannot be satisfied , though fully fed . Ingratitude ! thou monster of the minde , Art thou not only proper to mankind ? Is there a beast that can forget his friend , And for his owne ends , worke his fellowes end ? Is there a beast whose lust prouokes him kill The beast that did him good , nere wisht him ill ? Is there a beast who vnder kindnesse can Dissemble hate ? O then thrice happy man ! Thou art not only he that kilst thy brother , Some beasts there are that murther one another . Some foules , some fishes , Serpents some there are Who pray vpon their kind in open war . And some that vnder friendship falsly faind , With fellowes murther haue their natures staind . Nay there is one who can so couer euill , That man may iudge him Angell , find him diuell . He first with sweetmeats poysond Adams seed , Since when of sweet meats wisest men take heed . So need not these bould guests , they eat and drink And then rise vp to play ; but neuer thinke Ought fadgeth right , till they haue brought to passe The purposde plot for which this meeting was . Therefore ( dissemblingly ) the Polcat gins , To licke and catch the Cony , and so wins Hould vnderneath his throat , which hauing fast , The tragedy begins , the sport is past . For all assault him then on euery part , Some at his sides , some at his head and heart . Some at his belly , but the poisonous Snake , Doth at his tayle a deadly issue make . The helplesse Cony sues , intreats , and striues , But he must die had he ten thousand liues . Each foe his greedy gorge with blood doth glut And with his fweet flesh cram each hollow gut . " But blood that 's sweet in tast , is not so sound , " To feed vpon , as milke that 's easier found . The Snake with poisonous touch had venome spred . Through all the swelling vaines , from taile to head . And they had suckt the blacke infection in ; A fitting vengeance for their crying sinne . Straight they their stomackes find not well at ease , And something feele , that doth their minds displease . The Weasel first suspects the Snake , for he Can neuer with a Serpent well agree ; Saies , they are poisond all by one base slaue , Whose company the Ferret needs would haue . The Snake replies , he did no more but what He was appointed to performe by plot . And if they foolishly had eat their last , He could not mend with sorrow what was past . They find it true , but find it now too late , Each rauing dies , and yeelds constraind by fate . Yet ere they die , all doe their farewell take , By shaking teeth together on the Snake . Who deadly wounded , crawles but faintly thence , Confounded with the guilt of his offence . And heeding not his way , by good mishap , Became a prisoner to the warriners trap . This feast was ended thus , death tooke away , And where they did not well we mend it may .

Epimythium .

Some are of opinion that wisedome consisteth in the ability to giue good counsell . But I think the knowledge how to take good counsell , and how to discerne the differencs of aduise , is the principall part of wisedome . That Frog in AEsope which in a great drought spying water in a deepe pit aduised his fellow to leape downe , that they might be satisfied and liue there , gaue good counsell and seemed to be a patterne of the first wisedome spoken of . But the other Frog that refused his aduise , and diued deeper then the present time , then the bottome of the pit with this question ; But if the water faile vs there , how shall we then get out or how shall we liue there ? was a figure of the second wisedome , and teacheth vs that it is harder to take good counsell then to giue it . Let vs therefore beware in this point , and learne to looke a little beyond that good which is first and most apparant in euery proiect , The second and third good is that which we must rest on : for truth is often most remote and neerest the bottome , all that swims vppermost is the froth and false good and fraud .

The House of Fame .

Dedicated to all the noble attendants of Royalty in the Campe of Vertue , who fight for the honor of the Church and Common-wealth .

Till now of late we feard that lowd report , Of Cressy field , Poicters , and Agincourt , Fought by our Kings and Princes heretofore , Had not been true , or should be tould no more . We wondred if those Nobles euer were Whom fame for armes and bounty did prefer . We doubted all our Countries had forgot , The deede of Audely or beleeud it not . We thought our Nation was of worth bereft , When bowes and arrowes and brown bills were left . But see , occasion now hath turnd our eyes , To inward wars where greater wonders rise . To see affection conquerd , lust chastisd'e , Pride humbled , Murther slaine , all vice despisd'e . And all old vertues freshly now reneude , By faire examples as the Sun ere vewd . In which braue war of wonders ( passing far All other conflicts that compounded are Of loue and hate ) each Lord who lends a hand To fight gainst vice for vertue , doth this land More honor then his Ancestors before In conquering France , and shall be famd for 't more . Some for their Prudence who found out and led , Others for zeale through whom the enemy fled . Others for Art , whose skill the squadrons placed Others for Iustice who the enemy chased . And some for Constancy , who held it out . And still vnwearied , not vnwounded fought . But none more fame attaind then mercies squire , Who begd to giue , all sauing in desire . He Audely-like taught Courtiers how to craue What they might giue away , and giuing saue , Saue free from feare of forfeiture or losse , Or the re-begging or the next yeeres crosse . Or enuies eye-sore , or the Commons hate , Or poores complaint , or greuance of the state . To him and to the rest , this tale is sent , How soeuer taken with a good intent . FAme that in Homers time a vagrant was , Without a house and home , did after passe In stately structures all the mixed race Of Semdeities , and euery place Built her a Court , assisted by the Rages Of sundry Poets in succeeding ages . For euery one did something ad , to frame More space and room for their friends narrow fame . Which as they purchast , still to her they gaue And that 's the cause , themselues so little haue . This Fame hath now her house glazde al with eies , The rafts , beames , balkes , nerues , sinewes , arteries ; The dores wide open , eares ; hangd round about With nimble tongues , and couerd so without . All things are seene and heard the wide world ore Which touch that place , and farthest off the more . The House of Fame built vp foure stories hie , Stands in an open plaine , in which doth lie Foure sister twins , True fame , and good the first , And eldest are ; false and bad fame the worst . And yongest payre , yet swiftest are in flight And though last borne , yet oft come first to light . These last dwell in two darker roomes below , Among the thicke Crowdes where all errors grow . There keepe they Court , where Scandals , Libels , lies , Rumors , Reports , Suspicions , calumnies , Are fauorites and Gouernors of State , Whose practise 't is true worth to ruinate . False fame liues lowest , and true Fame aboue , Bad Fame next false , good fame next , true doth moue : Yet good fame somtime doth with false fame stay , And bad fame sometime doth with true fame play . But false and true ( opposd ) will neuer meete , Nor bad and good fame , one the other greete . It so fell out ( as oft strange things befall ) A gallant Knight , ariued at that faire Hall , Attended on with such a noble sort , Of warlike squires , as fild this spatious Court . Who curiously enquiring o● the rout , Whose Court it was , could no waies find it out . For contradictions crost each other so , As truth from falshood he could no waies know . Bad fame did call it hers , and said , she was A guide to such as vnto glory passe . False Fame did call it hers ; he saw they lide , For 'boue their heads , two brighter Queens he spide . True fame spake to him then , and let him know , That she and good fame did the building owe , Being eldest borne , to Titan and the Earth , Before the Gyants war : when th' others birth Long since was subiect to their parents sinne , And heauens curse which now they liued in . For as those Gyants gainst the Gods did war , So these to truth professed enemies are ; Had by strong hand , and fraud , vsurpd her state , And to expresse to vertue vtmost hate , Had bard all passage to their houses hie , That mortall men might in obliuion die Or haue their memories blasted , glories kild By eating time , with lies and slanders fild . She wisht him then if he his good desired To haue repeated , or his spirit aspired To worthy honor as old knights had wont , ( Whose swords not rust , but too much vse did blunt ) That he would vse some meanes to set them free , Whereby his blest name might eternizd be . Good Fame then told him , that the only way , How he this enterprize accomplish may , Was by the helpe of mercy , prudence , art , Iustice and zeale , and Constancy of heart . All their knowne friends to summon vp in armes , To force the place , and to disperse those swarmes Of idle vagabonds ; who kept below And hated good Fame , would not true fame know . Then ( since the stayres of fame were broken downe , And dores stopt vp to glory and renowne ) She wild him make an engine wherewithall , He might her lodging and her sisters scale . And so himselfe in spite of perill , raise Aboue the reach of enuy , or dispraise . The Knight ( in spirit rauisht with delight To heare their speech , to see their goodly sight ) Mounts his fierce Coursers backe , with which at hand His Squires attend vpon his strict command . Wils euery one of them to take a dame , Such as the Ladies of the house did name , Who there attended that they might direct This high attempt , with order and respect . The Squires with willing minds the knight obaide , And each behind them tooke a louely maide . Prudence directs her Squires to lead the way , ( Who followes her direction cannot stray . ) At length they come vnto a fruitfull wood , Wherein a world of vpright timber stood ; Tall Cedars , Cypres , Pine and royall Okes , With country Elmes , and Ash for plow and yokes . The learned Laurell , and the weeping Mirrh , The smarting Birch , and the sweet smelling Firr Grew there in order , and all trees beside , Wherein the thrifty Woodreeue taketh pride . The knight suruaies all this , yet finds not one Fit to be feld ; till Prudence lights vpon A proud straight Aspe , whose waueing top did leane On a slight Poplar , with some shrubs betweene . The cursed Eldar , and the fatall Yewe , With Witch , and Nightshade in their shadowes grew ; Whose saples tops , with mildewes often stood , And grew self-seare , and ouertopt the wood . The Rauen & Shreikeowle there did build their neasts , And at their roots did harbour harmefull beasts . Which Prudence saw , but mercy would not see , Till shee perceiu'd how euery other ttee Droop'd vnderneath the height of these alone , And could not thriue , or grow till these were gone . She therefore ( ioynd with Constancie and Zeale ) Besought sharpe Iustice , who doth euenly deale Her warie blowes , to fell all these with speed ; Who soone consents , and soone performes the deed . At euery stroke she fetcht , the trees did grone , The rest did eccho laughter to their mone . And now they lye along , their branches topt , Their barke pild off , their trunks asunder chopt . Then Art with rule and line , these vselesse payer Frames ( engine-like ) a straight clowd climing stayer To mount Fames house ; this ●uery Squire doth reare And brauely on their backs do thither beare . But Mercy seeing all the other ment To burne the Chips , to saue them she is bent . And , with her Squire , the knight praies , let them lye , For he shall gaine , and glory get thereby . Since chips which cut from Aspe and Poplar bee , Do soone take roote , ech growes a goodly tree . The knight consents , and fenceth round the spring . Whose forward growth doth hope of profit bring . And now , together to the house of Fame With speede they passe , where first the falsest Dame Salutes them with a lye , and saith shee heares Her Sisters are together by the eares , And haue destroyde ech other ; this she had From her Twin-sister , who tells rumors bad . ! They slight her leasings , and with speed assay To raise the lather , where bold Zeale makes way , But false Fame and her Sister , lay about To hinder her , with all their rascall route . Slander , foole-hardines , and heartles feare , With foolish Pittie , and false Loue was there , Damnde Infidelitie , and secret Hate , And treason too , that close dissembling mate . Who all with open mouth , and open lyes , All waies to stop this honord worke deuise . They raile , and fight , intreat , and curse and ban . The Knight proceeds , in scorne of what they can . And mounts the ladder , with his sword in hand , Which soone disparkles , such as dare withstand . Zeale hales him vp , and Prudence guides him right , True Constancie encourageth the fight , Mercy saues all the innocent , who swarme For companie , not with intent of harme ; Art orders euery act , the engine staies And helpes the Knight step after step , to praise The lusty squires below , with sword and lance , Withstand bad fame , whilst Justice doth aduance Her heauy hatchet , and strikes off the head Of both the leaders , and there leaues them dead . Which when their troopes discouer , they forsake Th' vsurped fortresse , and themselues betake To heady flight , into a marsh neere hand , Where many whispering reeds and Osiars stand . There they like out-lawe , doe themselues inclose , In wilfull banishment , with all the foes Of this good knight , whose valure vndertooke This high attempt , that Fame might rightly looke On all deseruers , and that man might finde , Like freedome for his tongue , as for his mind . That vertue might be crowned by true fame , And honest meaning liue with honored name . Which promise gladly both the sisters swore , In solemne forme ; and now as heretofore The freedome of their tongues they both possesse ; And worth is knowne from base vnworthinesse . The knight they humbly thanke , and him they crown The Soueraigne of glory and renowne . Which stile , Fames trumpetters the fowre winds blow Through th' earths foure quarters , that the world may know Th' extent of vertuous actions , how no power Can stop their passage , nor lanke Time deuoure Their sweet remembrance ; which shall liue as long As nature hath an eare , or eye , or tongue . To euery Squire then they this fauour giue , That after death their Fames shall euer liue ; For still those Ladies , whose imploiment they So well aduanc't , shall duly night and day Repeate their labors , and prefer them far Beyond Alcides workes , as peace doth war Surpasse in glory , or those works we doe , When others wills , and ours we conquer too . Now'tis proclaimd that if we tell no lies , We may with boldnesse speake and feare no spies . That what this age hath done , this age may heare , As well repeated now as the next yeere . That all our words our selues shall first expound , And that no forc't construction shall confound Our honest meaning , but bee 't ill or well , We may with freedome our opinions tell . Since no man dares to doe the thing which he . Would not haue all the world both heare and see . These orders ratified , they fall to sport , And fill with maskes and reuells all the Court . The seqell refer to Fames relation , Whose golden trumpe sounds vs a blessed nation .

Satellitium .

Dedicated to all that stand Sentinell , that watch and ward in defence of this kingdome , especially to the strength and guard of the State .

Be of one minde ; Religion tyes a knot , Which none vndoes , by practise or by plot . But if in that we differ , be our breed Within one house , or wombe , of all one seede , " T is seuerd soone by hate , respect , or gold , Which Law can neuer soulder , art make hold . " Faith only ioynes , what nothing sunder can . " Beasts loue for benefits , for vertue Man . WHo guarded round about with Parthian bowes , Or Spanish pikes ; or hedg'd and dikt with rowes Of sturdie Ianisaries , or the shot Of hardy Swizzars , or the valiant Scot. And after these with walles of steele and brasse , Hemd in so close that scarce the ayre may passe Betwixt the cliffes , is not so free from doubt , As is that King whom loue doth guard about . Whom subiects loue doth guard , because that he Guards them from all oppression , and makes free His noble fauourers to desert and worth , Spreading his radiant vertues frankly forth , That both his owne may finde , and neighbors know , What glorious fruit doth from religion grow . How sweet an odor Iustice sends to heauen , How rare example is to Princes giuen . By vertuous deeds , to stop the mouthes of those , Who vnreform'd are reformations foes . Such one sleepes safe within the armes of loue , Diuine regard doth all his subiects moue To due obedience ; and with sacred awe Binds conscience , with a stronger bond then lawe . Such heauen informes , whilst hell doth vndermine , And spite of darkest plots with grace diuine Doth hedge about , that naked in the armes Of enemies he is preseru'd from harmes . They sleepe securely , feed on holesome cates , Angels their beds make , cookes their delicates Giues Antidotes gainst poysons , doth defend Gainst damned witches , and their God the fiend , No Iesuits at their elbowes can do hurt , Nor troopes of Papists that their courts ingirt . For God doth them in his blest armes inclose , Safe , though their chiefest fauourites were foes . O happy then good Kings proceed , Psal. 45. ride on , Grow vp in glory , as you haue begun . Ride on for truths sake , looke on either band , How you are guarded with a heauenly hand Of blessed spirits , who shall lead you still In holy paths , and guide your steps from ill . These being with you , Psal. 91. you shall boldly tread Vpon the Lyon , and the Dragons head , And trample danger vnderneath your feete , As men tread stones , or dirt within the street , Which only spraids them ; your heauen-garded state Is safer far , then that of Mithridate , The King of Pontus , vnto whom befell , What strange aduenture in this tale I tell . This King perceiuing well there was no band , Of duty , loue , or nature , AElianus . could withstand The strong inticement of corrupting gold , Or baser lust , or humor ouerbold , Or fond ambition ( which makes empty slaues Swim bladder borne vpon the floting waues Of false Opinion , with the arme of pride , Of borrowed power , and ignorance beside ) But that these would peruert the faith they had , And cause them after farther hopes run mad ; Did to preuent all this , a guard prouide Of faithfull beasts , whose strength had oft been tried . A Bull , a Horse , a Hare , the Captaines were , Of this strong guard , whose force did nothing feare But falshood , and Ingratitude , and Treason , From which they were as free , as man from reason Why knowing more then beasts , he should not hate As they doe , to be treacherous , and ingrate . These three together being put to feed , And sport themselues till there were farther need Of their knowne faith , together long did dwell In peace and loue , till on a time it fell That they with rest and ease full fed and fat , Had time to play , to dally , and to chat . Then did the wanton Hart propound a course , Betwixt himselfe and the couragious Horse . The warlike Horse did dare the horned Bull To make one in the race , who straight way full Of burning , choller , and adusted blood , Bad cowards run , he for no footman stood . T was meet for them that durst not stand it out , To vse their heeles , his heart was too too stout . The angry Hart replies , ther 's none of you , But may to me as to your better bow , I swifter then the Horse , my feet can vse , And for my head , the Bull i le not refuse To combat with , my courage I am sure Is like my strength as able to indure , And doe , as either of you dare or can , And more I am esteemd by royall man . Those Serpents which you run from , I seeke forth , And teare them with my teeth as nothing worth . And as my life to man is sweet and pleasing , So is my death , each part some sorrow easing . My hornes all mortall poyson can expell , My marrow makes stiffe ioynted misers well . My fat yeelds strength and sweetnesse ; that fierce lad Achilles , neuer otherspoonemeat had . Which made him such a Captaine , euery part Is physicall and comforteth the heart . Yea euen my excrements the dropsie cures , My teares , like precious lewels , man allures . To seek them vp , wheres'euer they be shed . My skin great Captaines weare when I am dead ; And boast that they haue such a coat of proofe , Which wounds withstands , whence venome stands aloofe . Then why ( O baser creatures ) dare you brag And match your selues with the long liuing Stag ? My life is long , cause I with cost am wrought , But nature slights your liues , as good for nought . The crested Horse , with fiery eies did show , What inward rage did in his hot blood flow To heare this bold speech vttered , and with head Tost in the ayre his hardned hoofes doth tread The sc ornd earth with contempt , then thus breaks out ; O thou the fearefullest of all the rout Of hunted beasts , how haps it that you dare With me your master and your Lord compare ? Forget ye my preheminence ? the loue Man beares me ? how one spirit seems to moue Me and my rider ? that we start and run , Stop , turne , trot , amble , as we were but one ? Haue you at any time been calld to war , Where none but Captaines and great Souldiers are ? Trusted to heare their Councels ? on your backe Borne the Commander of that royall packe ? I haue done this and more , borne him about Through worlds of danger , and then bornehim out . He trusts me when his legs he dare not trust , And when his hands faile then performe I must . Nay when he failes himselfe in euery part , I adde another life , another heart . In war I thus befriend him , in his need , And so in peace , I helpe his wants to feed . I till his land that else would barren be , Beare all his carriage , and am sildome free From sum imploiment , but must neere him stand As being fit , and apt for his command . If he to visit friends abroad doth fare , I must along with him , true friends we are . If he intends to hunt such beasts as you , For sport , or hate , or need , he lets me know The time , the place , the end , and we agree , I see the sport , and hunt as well as he . How often haue I seene some fearefull Hart , Perhaps your sire , at my dread presence start . Fly hence with vtmost speed , and neuer slacke His willing pace , when I vpon my backe Bearing my noble master haue at length O'retane the lubber , hauing lost bis strength ? Whilst I still forming courage , breathing sprite , Haue sought another conquest long ere night ; And after that a third , vnwearied yet , Yet you your selfe as Paralell will set To match and ouermatch my worth , my force ; As if weake Stags might braue the peerlesse Horse . For physicall receipts i le easily yeeld , Aliue I profit man , you being kild . This makes him seeke your death , my liue to saue , Yet being dead my parts their vertues haue . Which I refer to others to relate , As scorning Hog-like to doe good so late . This only I conclude , If man should choose To saue but one , hee 'd both of you refuse . The armed Bull sweld , puft and roard alowd , To heare the Hart so bold , the Horse so proud . And all the while they spake , he tost about With hornes and hoofes the dust ; then bellowed out This bolder braue ; What ignorance is this , That causeth both of you , so much amisse To boast yourfalse worths , and neglect the true , Which rests in me , belongs to none of you ? The Wolfe , the Greyhound , and each questing cur , Makes thee poore trembling Hart keepe such a stir , To shift thy layer , as if thy life were lost , With euery faint blast , that the leaues downe tost . And this couragious Horse , that makes a quoile , Of wounds in war , and tilling of the soyle , With many other vses fit for man . ( As they that least can doe , best cauill can ) Let this his answer be , the spur and bit Shewes man trusts nor his courage , nor his wit . For if he tyre or faint , his spur prouokes , And prickes him forward , with continuall strokes . And if with headstrong heat , he madly rides , The bridle curbes him , and his folly guides . " All voluntary acts the actors praise , " Not such as others by constraint doe raise . " Out of our natures , whilst we easily are " Made instruments either of peace , or war . Else might our horned Heards , the rescue boast Of Hannibal , Plutar. in vita Han. and his distressed hoast , When he with lights and torches tyde to vs , Escapt the trap , of lingring Fabius . But truth is far from such ostents , Cunctando restituit r 〈…〉 . Enni●● those deeds We call our owne , which from our choice proceeds . The yoke we beare , and wherewithall we till The earth for man , is by constraint , not will . What comfort from our flesh , or from our Cowes , By calues , or milke , or Cheese or Butter flowes , Or physicall receipts , as they are more , And vsefuller , then what you both before Haue mentioned , so freely I confesse Man hath in them the glory more or lesse . His wit and industry , in them is seene , And th' Authors goodnesse from whom first we been , War is the good you glory in , which springs From mans ambitious ignorance , and brings Wants , woe , and death , with many ills beside , To scourge vs all , through our great masters pride . Then at the best , you are but slaues to such , As feeding you , foode to their like doe grutch . And through your force , their owne reuengements take , Whilst you to stout men , cowards equall make . For what from you they borrow , they must grant They feare their foes enioy , whilst they doe want . Thus therefore all the nobler nations vse To fight on foot , whilst coward● rather choose To share with beasts in glory , and to get Themselues a name , through your foole hardy heat . So you on them , and they on you depend , Such seruice iudgement neuer did commend . And thus in sportiue war , and warlike sport , You doe your rider from himselfe transport . Whilst you not manlike grow , but beastlike he Resembles you , in all these sports we see . Yea often to mischance you doe betray Your heedlesse rider , and in midst of play Precipitate his soddaine fortune so , That who hath you afriend , shall need no foe ; But may himselfe , a happy man proclaime , If by your meanes he scapes without a maime . But now if either of you , thinke you can , Out of your owne worths , proue more fit for man , And better able to defend , and guard , Him whom we serue , from whom we haue reward , Then I can with my hornes , and harnast hide , Proceed to triall , I defie your pride ; And with bold challenge summon you to fight , A triple combat , to decide the right . They both with eager appetite accept These wisht conditions , and by this haue stept Far from each other ; all prepard doe stand At full carere , to ioyne this trebble band . The field triangle wise they euenly cast , And each with rage expects , that dreadfull blast , Which warnes them charge . Each roreth out his wrath , Nor other need of drums or trumpets hath . The Hart doth bray , the bounding Steed doth neight The Bull doth bellow , deepe , and lowde and high . The earth doth tremble , and the ayre doth shun , This dreadfull thunder ; as when laden gun Spits forth its load , in scorne to be restraind , The ayre giues way vnto the bullets chaind , As dreading to resist so mighty force , Thus meete the valiant Bull , the Hart and Horse . The Hart and Horse first touch tha'ppointed place Being more swift , and apter for the race . And let each other , with much danger feele The force of horned head , and armed heele . But ere a second bout they can performe , In comes the boystrous Bull , like winters storme , And seuers them with such a violent push , That they amazde , turne giddy with the rush . But ( nimble both and actiue ) they repay The sturdie Bull , with all the speed they may . The Hart with his broadhornes , doth make him reele But the kinde Horse , vpholds him with his heele . The Bull thanks neither , for the one did pearce His hollow flanke , the other much more fearce , Did breake a rib , and bruise his shoulder blade , And taught him with lesse choller to inuade . Yet th'ods is soone recouer'd with his horne , Which hath the belly of the Courser torne . And rent one weaker beame , from branched Hart , As trees by thunder riuen , or clouen athwart . The subtle Hart , then shuns those ruder blowes , And tho'ds of handistrokes too dearely knowes . The Horse taught by his wounds , doth keep aloofe , And stands vpon defence , with hardned hoofe . The Bull assaults them both with watchfull eye , And seeks how he aduantages may spie . The Horse and Hart vpon their guard do stand , In doubt and iealousie , on either hand . The Bull assaults the Hart , but he giues way , And slips his furie with what slight he may . Yet turnes not head , as fearefull cowards will , But wefes aside , to tyre his foe with skill . The Bull then strikes the Horse a deadly cuff , But he requites him with a counterbuff . The Hart strikes in betwixt , the Bull turnes rownd , The Horse leaps right vp , doth coruet , and bownd ; So at one instant , fatally they meete ; The Bull his doath meets from the Horses feet , The Hart th aduantage takes , the Horse aloft Strikes his one horne into his belly soft , Which there hangs fast ; the Horse doth with his fall . Breakes the Harts necke , this is the end of all None hath the conquest , all of them are slaine . Their deaths not doubted , long they there remaine , Till that the King their Master , hauing neede Of their attendance , goes his guard to feed , For none might tend them else , least they acquainted With others bribes , by treason should be tainted . So enters he the place , and there he spies What doth affright him , all his comfort lies Dead at his feet , then sadly going neere Their carrion corpes , he doth a murmur heare , As armed souldiers in a City sound , Or fire in th' ayre , or wind within the ground . And doubting the successe , three seuerall swarmes He sees prepard for fight , and vp in armes . Bees from the Bull , Waspes from the Horse do start , And Hornets from the melancholly Hart. He motions peace , and hopes to part the fray , They send three souldiers , who sends him away . For each of them doth fix his venomd sting , Within the flesh of the amazed King . He flies with speed from thence , they fight it out ; The conquest all expect , all feare and doubt . But what befell I know not ; this I know , The King cride out aloud . Epimithiū . The euils that grow From pride , ambition , and excesse of grace , " Like thanklesse curs , flie in their masters face . " Beasts will be beasts , doe bounty what it can , " T is cast away , that s giuen to worthlesse man . O Princes banish faction from the Court , It sowres all actions , leauens euery sport . And at the last , when it should sweetly close , From one false friend riseth a thousand foes . FINIS .