A funerall poeme. Vpon the death of the most vvorthie and true souldier; Sir Francis Vere, Knight. Captaine of Portsmouth, &c. L. Gouernour of his Maiesties cautionarie towne of Briell in Holland, &c.

A Funerall Poeme . VPON THE DEATH O● THE MOST WORTHY AND TRVE SOVLDIER ; SIR FRANCIS VERH , Knight ; Captaine of Portsmouth , &c. Lord Gouernour of his Maiesties Cautionarie Towne of Briell in HOLLAND , &c. THy Earth's return'd to Earth , from whence it came ; But from thy Spirit rizze thy worthy Fame , Immortall Vere ; and that shall neuer dye ; But with it liue to all Posteritie . How can the Memory of such a Spirit , Whose Actions eu'n of Enuie got his Merit Acknowledgement , Subscription , Approbation ; And made it clearely shine through Emulation , Which with Contracted Cloudes did interpose , Betweene the world and him , to darken those ●lustr●ous honours of his noble worth , Which his eff●ntiall Souldiership brought forth ; ●e euer ruin'd ? Nor can Death or Fate , Confine his Fame to an expiring date ; ●ince all they can doe , is to kill his Earth ; Whose Dust wip'd of his Soule , a second Birth Regenerates the honour of his Acts ●nto Eternity . He that detracts The dead Mans good , defames his owne intent ; ●nd makes obscured vertues , eminent . ●ut ( Noble Vere ) this Monument I raise , With vncorrupted purpose to thy praise . ●ll that I speake , is vnexacted , true and free ; ●rawne clearely from vnalter'd certaintee . For heere I doe ingenuously professe , ●he nature of this Subiect would oppresse ●nd trouble my reposed state of Soule , With contemplating that which should contruleo Our Licences of Conscience , if the due Of this I attribute thee , were vntrue . And you the worthies of our present daies , ●hose ludgements and experience knew his waies ; ●nuersed with his Actions and Intents , 〈◊〉 priuate and in publique managements ; ●o your true vnderstandings it is knowne , ●hat he might claime ●ese honours for his owne . His Minde was like an Empire , rich and strong , In all defensiue pow'r against the wrong , That ciuill tumult or inuasiue Hate Might raise against the peace of her estate . It was a plentifull and fertile ground , Wherin all needfull riches did abound . Labour increas'd what natiuely was bred ; No part was bairen , or ill husbanded . And with the paines of Industrie and witt , In little time , He made such Benefit Of Conuersation ( the Commerce of Mindes ; ) That what his hable obseruation findes In other knowledges of vse , and good , Which in his owne was yet not vnderstood ; Through this rich trade ( wherby al good is known ) Conuerts them home , and plantes them in his owne . Which was so sweet and temperate a seate , Without th' extremities of cold or heate ; That it could easily it selfe apply To eu'ry vsefull Nature , properlie . And so did yeeld such prosperous increase Of vertues qualifi'd for warreand peace ; That not a Mind wherewith He did conferre , Could vtter speech of that particular , Though in the waies which other men profess'd ; Where with his vnderstanding was not bless'd . And whatsoeuer He deliuer'd forth , Inserious things , was of a Solide worth ; Commodiously materiall ; Full of vse ; And free from ostentation and abuse . And as that Empire of his minde was good ; So was her state as strong wherein she stood . Her scituation most entirely lay Within it selfe ; admitting not a way , Nor any open place , infirme or weake , By which offensiue purposes might breake Into her gouernment ; or haue accesse Thorough the most familiar passages That led vpon him , vnder faire pretence , Without discouering they ment offence , Before it was too late to giue retreate To their proceedings . Nor could any heate Or violence of such inuasion , make His passions mutin ' ; or his pow'rs forsake Their proper places . Nothing could disband The strength and order of his minds commaund . For neuer mind her nature better knew ; Or could obserue a discipline more due To such a Nature ; or was fortified With workes were more ingentously applied , To answere all attempts and iniuries , In their owne kinde and seu'rall qualities . And in that scope , ( offences to auoide ) The vse of all those forces was employ'de . Within his Natures lines it might be read ; He was a Souldier borne , aswell as bred . And out of his owne morall Character , He might haue learn'd his Mysterie of Warre . Warre was the Spheare wherein his life did mooue ; And in that course , his actions did approoue , How well his worth did his employment fit ; Th' vnited prouinces can witnesse it ; And will acknowledge gratefully , that Fate Was graciously propicious to their state ; When their most happie Genius gauetheir voic And did direct their wisedomes to make choice Of one so hable and so fit in in all , To be that worthy Nations Generall ; On the sufficiencie of whose commaund , The chiefest hopes of their Successe did stand . And Noble Willough by , thy ludgement knew , And he hath reallie confirm'd it true ; That in his life , thy memorie should liue , For the iudicious fauours thou didst giue To his beginnings . Which did still produce Some Action , promising of what high vse His generous courage , wit , and Industrie , Pract●z'd with Iudgement and dexteritie , Should be vnto that State . In whose braue Warre , When he had brought his seruices so'farre , That they deseru'd the chiefest English charge ; His spirit with his fortune did enlarge It selfe , according to his place . For as His former carriages did duely passe Through those right waies by which he should obey ; Now , he did prooue he knew as right a way How to commaund . And suited all his Course , With correspondent order ; life , and force . He put not on those popular aspects , Which Greatnes oft obsequiously affectes , To winne the vulgar fancie . For he knew , That bum our would distract him from the true And faithfull Course wherein he should attend The publique seruice ; to a priuate ende . And with too easie and familiar sense Make Fauour apprehended . And dispence With such neglect of dutie as proceedes From that presumption which remissnes breedes . But gaue himselfe vnto the publique cause ; And in the due performance of her Lawes , His fauours had their constant residence ; To th' end he might attract mens diligence Directly to their dueties ; and aduance The Armies seruice . For his Countenance Respected men with a Reseruednesse Refer'd to that where with he did expresse His exemplarie actions . So that none Could gather from him any Signe whereon To raise themselues a promise or a hope Of their preferment , but within the scope Of their peeuliar merites . And the waies And manner by the which he vs'd to raise Deseruing men , and did his fauours spread ; Were with as much discretion managed : And nourish'd industrie no lesse . For whan He did bestow preferment on a man ; The gift descended from no second hand , That might diuide a generall commaund ; But from himselfe , as a proprietie Reseru'd vnto his owne authoritie . And often ( vnrequested ) singled forth Some priuate men , whom for desert and worth , He did aduance to some emploiment fit , Before they sought it , or expected it . Hence , did his troupes not onely vnderstand Their hopes to rise depended on his hand ; But that he caried an obseruing eie That would informe him how deseruingly They bore themselues : which did aswell produce Endeuour to doe well , as curbe abuse . And made example , Emulation breed ; Which ( leading vnto gen'rous ends ) doth feede The actiue disposition of the spirit , With a desire to goe beyond in Merit . In which pursuit , his Action still was wont To lead the way to honour . And i'th'front Of danger , where he did his deedes aduance ; In all his gestures and his Countenance , He did so pleasing a consent expresse Of Noble Courage , and free Cherefulnesse ; That his assurance had the pow'r to raise The most deiected spirit into praise And imitation of his worth . And thus , By meanes Heroique and iudicious , He did incline his armies gen'rous part With loue vnto the practise of Desart . And in that moouing Orbe of actiue warre ; His high command was the transcendent Starre , Whose influence , for production of mens worthes , Did gouerne at their militarie Birthes ; And made them fit for Armes . Witnesse the merits , Eu'n of the Chiefest ranckes of warlike Spirits , Who for our Princes Seruice doe suruiue ; Which from his vertues did their worthes deriue . Then ; to reduce th' affections of the rude And ill dispo'sd licentious Multitude ; His wisedome like wise did as amplie show . Tradition and experience made him know , That men in Armies , are more apt t' offend ; And faults to greater danger doe extend There , then in ciuill gouernments ; and are More difficult to be suppress'd in warre Then peace ; and that there 's nothing can restraine Their dissolute affections , but the Reine Of strict and exemplarie punishment . Since of necessitie , such gouernement Must bee ; his entrance ( therefore ) was seuere : Which did possesse them with a timelie Feare . For when a Chiefe comes first into his place ; Then all mens eies are bent vpon the Face Of his Behauiour , with a fix'd regard . In which Attention , they are best prepar'd To take impression what they ought to doe , That he would haue them be accustom'd too . For as his manners , then , report him ; So The reputation of his Name will goe . And thus his name grew hable to suppresse The strong'st Commotions of licenciousnes , Euen in their first conceptions . Or if some Were still so bold to vndergoe his Doome ; Yet in the terrour of his very name They were so long proiecting how to frame And execute their practise safe and free , Without the danger of seueritee ; That if their doubtfulnes did not diuert And vtterly disanimate the heart O their proceedings ; yet their coldenesse brought The Act so impotentlie from the thought ; And made their strong'st performances so lame , That they were ouertaken ere they came To preiudice the publique cause . And now ; When as the few complaints reported how Effectually his labours prosper'd ; and His men grew well conform'd to his command ; With their obedience , he did slacke the bent Of his seueritie in punishment . Yet with so wise a moderation , that His fame to be seuere , continu'd at The full opinion . For the pardons gain'd , Seem'd alwayes difficult to be obtain'd ; As if they rather came through intercession , Then from the purpose of his owne remission . And lenitie , ( which commonly incites A boldenes in disorder'd Appetites , To more offence , ) thus wisely managed ; Offensiue mindes were more discouraged By Mercie , then by Iustice . For when they That stood to die , by some vnlook'd for way Were pardon'd , when they did dispaire to liue ; Th' obseruing Souldiers , instantly , did giue Themselues perswasion , that vndoubtedly The next offendour should be sure to die . And that opinion , like a Centinell Held watch vpon their Actions ; did repell Th' extrauagant eruptions of offence ; Enlarg'd the scope of care and diligence ; And did not onely hold a regular And orderly obedience to the warre ; But likewise did as happily preuent The iust necessitie of punishment On many liues , which vnder a milder course Presumption would incurre ; and law ( of force , To cut off wayes to dang'rous consequence ) Must execute . Thus , that which in the sense Of vulgar apprehension , seem'd to bee A disposition vnto crueltie ; Appear'd a worke that wisedome did proiect With purpose to a contrarie effect . That which malignant Censure would suggest To be a humour cruellie express'd ; That did mens liues regardlesly depriue ; Was of mens liues the best preseruatiue . But to disprooue that idle imputation , ( that made it seeme a vitious inclination , Inherent with his nature ) and augment The sorce of his true honours Argument ; Offences done against his owne estate , ( Which alwayes doth more strongly aggrauate The weight of iniurie to priuate sense , Then publique apprehension of offence ; And stirres mens passions more ; ) haue oftentimes Subduc'd the Malefactors for those crimes , Into the hands of lustice : where he might With approbation and consent of right , Haue satisfied that Nature to the full ; Aswell in punishments that iustly pull On Death , as other grieuous penalties . And yet his hurt that from those faults did rise , And nearely touch'd him , neuer did incense Or mooue his mind , ( Since with no reference They did engage him to the publique cause ; ) To prosecute the rigour of the lawes . But held himselfe sufficiently content , To learne by one , another to preuent . Nor neede I from his martiall scope , digresse ; T'approove that , by his morall cari'ges : Since if we doe proceede to note his course , We shall obserue ; where Mildnes was of force To propagate the Armies seruice , more Then stern-nes ; with conformitie he bore Himselfe . As in the exercise of Armes ; ( Where terrour alwaies generally harmes ; And dulles the apprehension and conceipt ; ) Hee hated roughnes , violence and heate ; And with a most vnweari'd patientnes , Would labour to insinuate and impresse His demonstrations . Hence it might appeare ; He had a mind so temperatelie cleare And free from passion , that he could applie His Methode to his subiects propertie . And both approoue , that his seueritie Was dedicated to vtilitie . Wherein his Nature did it selfe expresse , Adapted vnto publique bus'nesses ; That had the strength of patience to dispise The bitter censures of malignancies , In managements so subiect to construction ; And fixe himselfe vpon the right conduction Of his affaires , to publique vse dessign'd ; Nor giuen , nor forc'd , to any other end . He was not of that soft and seruile mould , That all impressions takes , and none doth hold ; But his owne Reason in himselfe did raigne ; What she inspir'd , he firmely did retaine . Hee could not flatter Greatnes ; Zanie humours ; Or be obsequious to aswage the Tumours That in corrupted mindes did rise and swell Against him : But did residently dwell Vpon the purpose of a true intent ; In whose successes he was confident . And as his word was , all his deedes were so ; — Veritate , non obsequio . Thus did his Armie in obedience stand , Vnder the Count'nance of a braue Commaund . Which from the force his wisedome did applie , Receiu'd more strength then from 's Authoritie . And as the disposition of the Mind , Was by his gouernement well disciplin'd ; So was the Bodie by his exercise : Practis'd , and perfect in th' actiuities And postures , on the which consist the right Wayes of Agilitie and skill to fight In Armes , and Armies . Where , his hand did show As much as Reason and Experience know , How they should Marshall them . How to compose , Diuide , transpose , conuert , open or close ; Partes , bodies , figures , aspects , distances ; ●n quarter , march , attempts , resistances ; According as the grounds capacity , Or the condition of an enemy Requireth or admits the fittest course Of forme or change ; with order , speede , and force ; And best assurance from defensiue art , To 'th most aduantage in th' offensiue part . And all those other partes , whereof consist The gen'rall worth of such a Martialist ; In him vnited their habilities ; And made him compleate . All his industries , ( aswell in actiues , as contemplatiues ; ) Were such as those whence prouidence deriues Apt instruments to stand in present stead , According to th' occasion offered ; Which either on the principall dessigne , Or some adherent int'rests that entwine And sway the principall ; may fasten on An answerable disposition : And so worke way to prosperous euents ; Aswell in vnexpected accidents , As things proiected and premeditate . In Councell ; he was of so temperate And free a Mind , that Reason in his Soule , Like an imperiall presence , did controule And scilence all those passions that haue force To interrupt the passage of discourse . While to the cleare and vneclipsed eye , Of his strong intellectuall faculty , His well informed knowledge did present The state and Nature of the Argument : The partes ; th' entire ; and eu'ry circumstance That was contingent , or had reference Materiall to the thing consulted on . Which when his free discourse had pass'd vpon ; His iudgement in conclusion , did lay ope The waies , the meanes , the reasons , and the scope , What , how , whereby , and when , and where to doe ; And eu'ry due respect annex'd vntoo , With such demonstratiue and pregnant force ; That , practise without speculatiue discourse ; Nor speculation without practise tried ; Nor both , without great prudence amplified , To know their vses and applie them well ; To his aduise , could make a Paralell . Nor did his knowledge and experience stand Vpon that onely limit of commaund , That Marshalleth an armie fit to fight ; But had as perfect and profound a sight Into the iudgement how it should be led , And with the most aduantage managed , Aswell through all the Bodie of a warre ; As in performance of particular Dependent seruices . As They may note , Who haue perused how his Penne did quote The margent of our Ages great dessignes , With his obseruing and iudicious lines . And in those obiects of the iudgements eie , ( As if he kept a key of Mysterie , ) His vnderstanding had so deepe a sight , That in dessignes which were without the light Of practise or example , he hath found ( Oft times ) a way , which when he did propound , Was of so difficult and high a straine , That eu'n experienc'd sense could hardl'attaine To find it probable or fit ; vnlesse Approou'd by demonstration and successe . Yet ( of true iudgement constant in pursuit , ) When Action did his Counsaile execute , The progresse and euent subscrib'd in Act , His way for largest vse , was most exact . Nor was his iudgement , onely so mature In purposes , whose distance could indure Deliberate aduise ; but did expresse It selfe , as fully ripe , with readines And order , where the cause would not admitt The Action any time to studie it . And had so present a conce●pt , ( that did Attend occasion as it offered ; ) That when the thunder of a hotte Alarme Hath cald him sodainly from sleepe to arme ; Vpon the instant of his waking , hee Did with such life , and quicke dexteritie , His troupes direct ; the seruice execute ; As practis'd Printers , Sett and Distribute Their Letters : And more perfectly effected ; For what he did , was not to be corrected . And as his Counsailes shew'd his Iudgements merit ; So did his deedes as infinite a Spirit . In Action , both ( contracted ) did embrace ; What one perform'd , was to the others grace . There , wisedome did his Fortitude direct ; And Fortitude his wisedome did protect . For in the Heart of actiue seruices , Where sodaine dangers with a fierce accesse , Haue made surprise vpon him ; vnremoov'd His Iudgement stood ; and there , , was most approou'd His vnderstandings greatnes did appeare In perturbations , least disturb'd , most cleare ; And then gaue amplest witnesse of her worth . All the directions he deliuer'd forth , Were then , most orderly , assur'd and sound . The sense of terrour neuer could confound His Iudgement . Reason did such freedome find , Within the gen'rous greatnes of his Mind ; And was so guarded by his Fortitude From eu'ry violence that would intrude . Which , in such dangers , doth precisely trie The true and natiue Magnanimitie . For nothing doth the Iudgement more torment With rude confusion and astonishment , Then Feare ; which by contraction of the hart , Doth force the power 's of soule from eu'ry part , Out of their proper seates and offices , Into a narrow lymitt ; where the presse And vndistinguish'd croude of faculties , Doth interrupt the passage of aduise . Hence , not improperly , the word might rise , That termes them litle minds , which Cowardize Possesseth . Where , when feare of death doth start The spirits , and makes them flie vnto the heart , They want that competent required space , For eu'ry power in a distinguish'd place , To worke in order . Consequently thence , It may be taken in as apt a sence ; Courage is termed greatnes of the minde , Where Reason with her faculties doth find Sufficient roome , wherein she may dilate Their seu'rall properties , with ordinate Distinction ; ( when inuasiue terrours rise Vpon th' exteriour senses , to surprise Those passages ; ) by making good their grounds , Vnto the largenes of their proper bounds . Yet may we not deseruedly repute That nature worthy this great attribute , Where boundlesse Choler doth predominate . For that extention's rather vast , then great ; And by extreamnes in another kind , As dang'rously disturbes the powers of mind . As Feare contrudes ; so choler doth disperce . But Fortitude , nor violently fierce ; Nor coldly dull ; as prudence doth require , Holds them distinguish'd , mutuall , and entire , For that which is a vertue , will admit All vertue free societie with it . And this was that true valour which the spirit Of this Heroique Worthy did inherit . Now if malignant Censure quarrels it , And say it was a Habite , he did get By custome with such danger ; rather than The natiue vertue of a valiant Man : Let enuie ' please to turne her clearer eye On his Beginnings . They will satisfie ; Or prooue her false . For when he first bore Armes ; Among the first that press'd to front Alarmes ; His Sword thrust formost . And his chiefe desire From the beginning , labour'd to aspire Through enterprise and danger . When the face Of bloodie handed warre , in it's owne place Did first encounter him ; and did appeare In shapes of terrour to impresse a Feare : He met it smiling . And did make it yeeld , That he brought Courage with him to the field . And when but in a priuate ranque he seru'd ; That vertue made him publiquely obseru'd . And was th' effectuall Cause that did aduance His fortunes to a higher countenance . The first examples of his worth in Act ; Were like to that whose valour did attract Th' impartiall Eye of valiant Williams ; And In honour of him publish'd with his hand , In a discourse now extant , then put forth ; Where he to his effect , reports his worth . Braue Vere was by his Scarlet Cassock known ; Who at th' assaults both of the Fort and Towne , Stood alwaies in the Head of th' Armed Men. Where , hauing twice beene hurt and wounded , when My selfe ( with other of his friends desire ) Requested him that then he would retire ; His answere was , that He had rather die Tenne times vpon a breach ; then once to lie Vnder the hand of death within a House . &c. Thus at the first , his vndertaking showes It selfe ; and no occasion doth omit , That might giue witnesse of his worth in it . And as his Courage , then , was true to'●h waies Through which hee did's deserued fortunes raise ; To his particular and priuate good : So for the publique seruice when he stood , It euer was so faithfull to the lawes Of that integritie he ought the cause He seru'd ; that when occasion did present His obseruation with some accident Within the enemie , that did inuite The side he seru'd in , to attempt a fight ; With promise of good seruice to the state ; Though dangers might make it infortunate To his particular ; and did obiect Their terrours to disanimate th' effect . And though the presence of superiour place , Did show no disposition to embrace The enterprise . When nothing did enforce His Courage , but his voluntarie course ; If promise of good sernice did inuite ; Through dangers he expos'd himselfe to fight , Against all difficulties that withstood ; And wonne his honour , with his losse of blood . And what his sword could not directly hit ; He circumuented by the power of wit . Vsing that licence ( only ) which in warre Hath iust allowance , though irregular . Where he shew'd all wherewith wit can assist The workings of a Stratagematist ; Without conducting them to their successe , Through any passage of perfidiousnes . And th' vndertakings of his indvstrie Were caried with such dext'rous secrecie ; That while the Breath of his divulg'd pretence , Suited with fit ostentiall instruments , Transported expectation to that face ; And made him look'd for in another place ; His expedition ere it was suspected , Set forth , ariu'd , attempted , and effected . And where his purposes requir'd no name ; His Actions euermarch'd before their fame . And ( for a cloze ) to crowne his worth ; Bless'd Fate Did render all his Actions fortunate . Witnes the best performances of warre ; Whereby th' vnited Netherlanders , are Entirely of their owne prouinces possest : With aduantageous footing on the rest . Mongst which atchieuements , Nieuport and Ostend ( those famous seruices ) doe comprehend Large interest in the deserts , whereby They haue attain'd to that prosperitie . And of those Actions , ( They themselues consesse ) He was an instrument to the successe ; Elected by Heau'ns high Omnipotence , To manifest his gracious prouidence , In fauour of their cause . Nor did he lesse , In any of his other seruices . And when the GLORY of the Warre did cease ; Retir'd with Honour . And expir'd in peace . Leauing his deathlesse memory and Fame , To be an honour to that Noble Name And familie , from whence he had descent : Which by his luster 's made more eminent . And now , Great Britaine , though thou dost possesse The SOVERAIGNE Ioy of Peace and happinesse ; And feel'st no Reason why thou should'st disperse Or spend a teare vpon a Souldiers Hearse ; Yet for the sake eu'n of thy blessed Peace , Thou maist lament this worthy Mans decease . For Warre 's a subiect , that may comprehend The greatest wisedome , Nature can extend Vntoo ; to manage it . Whose Noblest wayes , Proou'd Him a Worthy ; Heroë of his dayes . His praise may iustly ( then ) extend thus farre ; Hee was a Man , fit both for Peace and Warre . Whose Monument , while Historie doth last ; Shall neuer be forgotten or defac'd . Cyril Tourneur .