The doue: or Passages of cosmography. By Richard Zouche ciuillian, of New Colledge in Oxford

THE DOVE : OR PASSAGES OF Cosmography .

BY RICHARD ZOVCHE Ciuillian , of New Colledge in OXFORD .

Sicut Columbae .

LONDON : Printed for George Norton , and are to besould at his shop vnder the blacke Bell , neere Temple-barre . 1613.

TO THE TRVELY Noble , and worthily Honoured , Edward Lord Zouche , St. Maur and Cantelupe , of his Maiesties Priuie-Councell . Right Honorable :

MY resolued assurance , that the mouths of Infants may reueale a truth , makes me who haue not attain'd that perfection of speech , which is reputed worthie to be openly heard , yet hopefully ambitious to be beleeu'd . And truely , I desire no more , but that this simple Intelligencer , who hath brought in a relation of the WORLD to me , may report me againe to the world , one who wish the good of all who are studiously affected , and Honour of those who haue put life into my poore indeauours . How much I am bound both in my selfe , and those whom I esteeme as neare , to your Lordships fauours , I should blush in this idle manner to make profession , did I not thinke that those noble ends , which haue giuen beginning to all your actions , haue enabled you to entertaine with constancie , the slender acknowledgements of great deseruings . But what your Honour did neuer expect in the great vnthankfull , and cannot meet in this little imperfect world of mine , may you finde eternally remembred , in that more glorious and incorruptible to come .

Your Lordships kinsman obliged in duty RICHARD ZOVCHE .

Ad Autorem . ISte tripartitae liber est Descriptio terrae , Et simul ingenij Mappa , typusque tui . Consimili versu pingatur America , su tu Ipse , Columba velut Musa , Columbus eris . THO. LAKE .

TAm paucis , tot , tanta ? quis O , si deforet orbis , Non velit in Libro , Zouche , habitare tuo ? IOAN : HARRIS , N.C.

To my dearely affectionate friend Mr. RICHARD ZOVCHE . THy worke hath tongue , for vs t' admire thy worth , Silence , the voyce of an admiring minde Should then best fit my pen ; but Loue breaks forth And will needs speake what in thy booke I finde , And wrestingly , out of my wonted lynes It makes me shuffle in these hobling rymes . Though t' were not thine , it 's good , but hauing birth From thee , it 's excellent ; who in an houre Flyest o're the forrest of the spatious earth , And of each Eden dost cull out some flowres , And leau'st out nothing , ( this is admirable ) Which to a setled eye can be remarkeable , And in so narrow lines could be discouer'd Of so much World ; ) but thy penne hath vtterr'd , And for this Truth , which men best-bred do know Didst but into the Muses garden goe . Who fearing danger dares not crosse the Sea , And of the Earth desires to know the frame , Let him but read thy worke , and he shall see The worlds faire Symstry by distinguisht names , And by thy Art , his ignorance may know For which most men by Land and Sea doe row : And let him blesse thy wit , and prayses sing that thus with ease dost him such knowledg bring . Ingenious ZOVCHE , liue thy Verses long , Fly faire , and far thy Doue , with her smooth song : Of thy all-Noble name for Armes long knowne , These Lettred times haue thee design'd their owne . Your Louer and friend , Richard Yong.

To the Author . BEhold , a miracle , a singing Doue , Which sweetly sings , yet sings not sweets of Loue . Each studie be her Doue-house , and each breast , Which harbours studious thoughts , her gentle neast . Nic. Stoughton , Int. Temp.

ASpice ; non veneri est deuota Columba ; mouetur Illius , auspicijs , penna , Minerua , tuis . Ergo Deae noctis studiosae Noctua cedat , Dum tu gaudentem luce tueris auém . Car. Herbert , N.C.

The Doue . TAke wing my Muse , and like that siluer DOVE Which o'er the world new-bath'd , did hou't●● fly The low-coucht Seas , and high-plac't Land aboue , Discerne with faithfull , though with fearefull eye , That what both Land and Sea resounding ring Wee may to this All-makers prayses sing . He who directs the Sparrowes tender flight , And sees him safely reach the hurtlesse ground , Guide thee in all thy PASSAGES aright And grant thy Course be sure , they Restin● found From Mount of Oliues , as from Hill of ●●yes , Blest with the Branch of Peace though not of Praise . And you whose Care our Floating house yet saues From sinking in the Deluge of Despayre , Whil'st with poore feather'd oares she passe the waues Of this all-vulgar-breath'd , storme-threatning Ayre : Deare LORD vouchsafe with patient looke t' attend Her flights both trembling rise , and humble end .

The World . TO our small Isle of Man , some well compare The WORLD , that greater Continents huge frame Nor much vnlike eythers Perfections are Their Matter , and their Mixture both the same : Whence M●ns Affection it so much allures , Sith greatest Likenesse greatest Loue procures . But if their outward Formes we looke vpon , Wee shall their Figures diuers plainely see : For mans erected tall Proportion To his heau'n-hoping Soule doth best agree : Whereas the World each way being framed round , The aptest forme for turning Change hath found . Like Natures rarest workemanship , the Eye , The well contriued instrument of seeing , Which by exact and apt Rotunditie , Performes his duty , and preserues his beeing , Of many curious circling Spheares composed , And Orbs , within the Orbs without enclosed .

The Earth . IN midst of which by rarer Engeny , Then Mars and Venus hang in Lemnian net : The Land and Sea imbracing louingly , Making one perfect Globe , in th' ayre were set . Whose interveyning qualities agree To breede and beare what moue , or resting be . Thrice happy Vnion when these Greater things Accord in perfect Loue and Amitie : Whose peace an vniuersall blessing brings , Causing in lesser states sweet harmonie : And euer blessed be his powerfull hand , By whom this Order doth supported stand . Now Rose-cheek't Morning , kindest Friend of Arts , Learnings best Mistresse , my presuming Muse Of all the Earths diffused , sundry parts Thy Neighbour confine Kingdomes first doth chuse , That when her faultie boldnesse shee doth see , If blush she doe not she may learne of thee .

Asia . THe worlds true Mother-Land , mans Nurcery , Great ASIA , obiect of diuiner view , Saluted first by Heau'ns all-seeing eye , Soonest by it departing , bid t'adiew . The West yet wrapt in Darknesse shin'd in Light , That since inlightened , lyes inwrapt in Night . CHINA her farthest Region in the East , By Portugals to vs discouered late , Is with much Pleasure , and rich Plentie blest , With People , and with Princes fortunate : Yet most procuring wonder doe excell The Cities where her Prince and People dwell . The skill of Printing and Artillery , Rarest inuentions which these dayes haue seene , ( If we beleeue the Fame which thence doth flye ) Here in the ancient'st times haue practis'd beene : And sure that People is or should be wise , Which say We see with one , They with both eyes ▪ Bord'ring on China Northward lies CATHAY , Rul'd by her Emperour , the mighty Cham , To whom great TARTARIE doth tribute pay : Great Tartary whose farre distended name , Twixt auncient India , and the Icy Sea , Possesseth all to Westerne Muscouy . The Nation sprung from Sires of Scythian race , Not satisfi'ed with Ob , nor Volga's floud , People anew some new vnpeopled place , In guilded sculs carowsing luke-warme bloud , More happy yet in spoyling States well built , Then in erecting where their force hath spilt . As those hayle vollies which the Whirle-winds cast Of leaden drops , from some darke molten showres , Beat downe the fruit , and all the fields lay wast : Led by great Tamberlaine those storming Powres Forc'd Asia's Tyrant , with his prostrate troope , Vnder their fearefull Armes to bend and stoope . Southward from China , doe confining lie The Easterne INDIES whose rich golden sands Vnder conduct of greedy tyranny , Oft felt the violence of warlike bands , Which hoping to proue rich with forreyne spoyle , Forsooke the sweetnesse of their natiue soyle . First Bacchus did this Country ouer-runne , And set vp trophees in the conquer'd East : Oh would he had gone on as he begunne , And neuer turned to subdue the West ! Might Indus bancks haue bore his branching Vines , Nor Europes streams bin stain'd with sweeter wines . Great Alexander next with powerfull might , Without resistance , did these parts subdue , Whil'st the Inhabitants not vs'd to fight Away before his Armie trembling flew . Since subiect vnto him , whose spacious minde Not Gange , nor once farthest Gades confinde . Their state most slauish , Fortune miserable , Their life is painefull , and vnpleasing to them , They others making strong , are made vnable , And wealth which blesseth few , did first vndoe them , Which is no more then hath beene seene of old , They most vnhappy who haue heapt most gold . Their neighbour PERSIA tride this long before , Greatly presuming on her mightie treasure : But fill'd with much , and euer crauing more , Did surfet , and grow sicke with too-much pleasure : For whose disease the Fates did thinke it good The Prince of Macedon should let her bloud . Cyrus , with Natures rarest graces blest , The type of vertue , paragon of Honour , Pluckt from Assyria's proud Imperiall crest A Monarchs Diadem , and plac't it on her : Which they who follow'd , but with ill successe , Vnhappy soone did lose , or leaue much lesse . Yet since those losses , somewhat haue regain'd These sometimes onely expert carpet Knights , That late in Champion Field their vertue train'd , Countries farre of remote , now oft affrights : Their mighty Sophy to that strength is growne , That fear'd of others , he yet feareth none . The west of Asia , once Earths Paradice , Since subiect to the TVRKS most slauish yoke , Hath seene her Cedars reaching to the Skyes , Layd low by his fierce sacrilegious stroke : Her glorious Kingdomes of illustrous fame , Being swallow'd in the deluge of that name . Downe from ARMENIA'S ruder Mountaine tops , This violent impetuous Torrent fell , Whose stronger source impatient of stops , Orewhelmed all th' Inhabitants that dwell Betwixt the greater Sea , nere Trebizond , And that which washeth rich Arabians strond . The CASPIAN Sea which seemes on Ocean , Within his Circuits is restraind and bound : But this outragious race of Ottoman Which hath no end , nor limits euer found : Scorning with bancks or borders to be held , Hath o're Euphrates , and broad Tygris sweld . Great Babylon sometimes ASSYRIA'S pride , By their preuailing armies ouerthrowne , Their fury , and their fiercenesse hauing tride , Now feeles by deere experience of her owne , What griefe Iudaea captiue then sustain'd , When by her Riuers weeping shee complain'd , Yet now no comfort can IVDAEA take In this her Neighbour nations ●uster woe , Her fellowship in miserie may make Her like distressed minde like passion show , Yet not bewaile it , sith her losse more neare , May borrow many , but not lend a teare . This Country by the Midland Sea confin'd . Was once a happy , and a HOLY LAND : To Gods owne peoples heritage assign'd , Manured onely by his royall hand , Then Scaene of heau'nly fauour , since the Stage Of most inhumane , furious , hellish rage . Here HE , who hath the highest Heau'n his Throne , The Earth his foot-stoole , did vouchsafe to make His regall Presence , that thrice-sacred-ONE , Whose mightie vertue Diu'lish forces brake , In humane nature borne to vnder-goe Our most inhumane sinne-reuenging woe . O blessed Loue , of Iuda's blessed King ! O happy Mercy of that blessed Loue ! Let Quires of Angels to his glory sing , Let Earth beneath , let highest Heau'ns aboue Assist poore Man his soules best thoughts to raise , To his distressed soules Redeemers praise . Hierusalem , thou Iuda's choysest Cittie , Beholding all his wonderfull effects , Wer 't chiefest obiect of his tender pittie , But yet his kindnes cruelly neglects : Which foule offence deseruing thy decay , Iordan may witnesse but ne're wash away . Thy glory since to desolation chang'd , Thy Bulwarks , and faire Buildings are defaced , All fauours of the Heau'ns , are quite estrang'd , Thy people fleeing thee , else-where disgraced : And Sion which did Siluer drops distill . Thy Vallyes with salt teares of griefe doth fill . Aboue Iudaea , bord'ring on the West , Of great Armenia , lesser ASIA lyes ; Which on three sides , three famous Seas inuest , Once knowne so many Kingdomes to comprise , Now his entire , whose Tyranny so farre , Sworne foe to peace , hath rauaged in warre . His burthen stiffe-neckt Taurus vndergoes , And slye Moeander by his winding shelfe , Snake-like enwreathed , which so doubtfull flowes , Deludes obseruers , and doth loose himselfe , Vnwilling his strange cruelty to see , Doth euer seeke , but findes no corner free . Betwixt the red Sea , and the Persian bay , From Palaestina to the Southern Maine , Famous ARABIA doth at large display Her triple-folded thrice-illustrous traine , Whose riches into diuers Countries brought , Are with great trauell , and much danger sought . To those faire parts which being farthest plac't , Doe serue as Spicery to other Lands , A tedious fearefull iourney must be pac't , Through Rocky desarts , and Wind-driuen Sands , Where many Merchants trading oft haue bin , Lost in the spatious Wildernes of Sin . Of Baulmes and Spices well this soyle may boast , Whilst Mahomet from hence first issued forth : We enuy not the fruit of this faire coast , Nor ought that to despise the colder North , Which so great distance from those parts remou'd , Haue beene no lesse by bount'ous Heau'n belou'd .

Afrique . AFRIQVE remoued to the Southern parts , In forme resembling some well-shapen shield , Would ill resist the Sunnes more piercing darts , But that her vncouth monster-bearing field , To Phoebus angry fury most expos'd , Within great Neptunes Bauldrick rests inclos'd : Betwixt the Midland Sea , and Sanguine bay , Deuided by a little tract of ground , Hither from out of Asia , a way As o're a straight , but strong-built Bridge is found , Where Nilus streames , like many branching vaines Doe feed with plenty AEGYPTS fruitfull plaines . Nature dispos'd her selfe to recreate , As in her fittest worke-house , here doth vse , ( Which Art may wonder at , not imitate ) Life into new created shapes t'infuse , The Sun-beames serue as fire , the worke to make , The slymy soyle as apt each forme to take . Industrious Art , lesse potent , not lesse proud , Enuying Natures vncompared power , Hath there vprais'd outreaching eu'ry cloud , Many a gallant , and starre-threatning Tower : Whose strange , sky-piercing , flame-resembling spires This age distrusts , Antiquitie admires . Next , neere those Cynthia's-kisse-aspiring Hils , Where profuse Nilus hides his Bankrupt-head : Those tawny troopes whose fame all Afrike fils . Vnder great PRAESTER IOHNS conduct are led , By whom the Christian ensignes are retain'd , But with some blots of error fowly stain'd . And least some corner more diuinely blest , From strange Prodigious monsters should be free , A late vsurped Kingdom 's here possest By that rude AMAZONIAN Anarchy , Where they , who should a distaff , scepters sway , And Men their Wiues imperious rules obay . In ZANZIBAR , neare to that Southern Cape , Which lately from GOOD-HOPE deriu' his name , If not by Nature , many an vgly shape Haue beene brought forth by M●●ster-ma●ing Fame , Such Creatures hardly could produced be , But by th' assistance of her Midwifry . There headlesse some are fram'd , as Momus would , With eyes and mouth , like windowes , in their breast ; Others as cast in Polyphemus mould , Of one Light in their fore-head stand possest : Some Pygmyes , Men Diminutiues ▪ maintaine Like Pawnes tall squadrons ●n a chesse-boord plaine Hence turning Northward that great Kingdome lyes Now by the name of MANICONGO knowne : And ri●h GVYNAEA , whose commodities The English to their Country oft haue showne . Then NVBIA Eastward , whose warme sands enfold Heapes of the purest , best refined gold . The La●● of NEGROES is not far from thence Nearer exended to th' Atlanticke Maine : Wherei● the Blacke-Prince keepes his residence , Attended ●y his ietty , coloured traine : Who in their natiue beautie most delight , And in contempt doe print the Diuell white . With wilde Arabia , LYBIA may contend , A field of dangers , and vnheard of feares , Her sands want number , and her Desarts end . Inhabited by Lyons , Panthers , Beares : Such rough possessors of so rude a soyle , That none , of eyther , eyther would despoyle . Next these the Pastures of NVMIDIA lye ; Where , with their easily-remouing tents , The Princes of that wandring Policie Doe follow still their Grazing Regiments : And sure those Troopes are worser taught then fed , Where Rulers by the Multitude are led . From Skye-prop Atlas to that watry Plaine , Which doth twixt Africk and faire Europe runne , Oppos'd to Italy , to Fraunce , and Spayne , BARBARIA next , enioyes a milder Sunne ; Whose borders sundry kingdomes doe confine , Fez , with Marocco , Tunes , Telesine . FEZ , long since famous for her fruitfull Vines ; And rich MAROCCO , which with Sugred Reedes Sweetens the relish of those sharper wines , Which th' other Countryes bruised cluster bleedes , Lye next those Island in the Westerne maine , Where Fortunes first , since dwelt Actaeons trayne , From Carthage ruines , whose yet infant State , Bathed in poore Queene Didoes wronged bloud , Her most strange Loue turning to stronger Hate , With Rome in long-fixt opposition stood : TVNIS and TESELINE deriu'd , doe grow In fast-bound Friendship with great Europes foe .

Europe . THe Complement of this inferiour Globe , Faire Amphitrite , Natures chiefest pride , Thrice glorious with her siluer-waued robe , With Islands , as with Iewels beautified : Within her Armes enfolded , sets apart EVROPE , the Earths sure Head , the Worlds sound Hart. Where swift Iberus with true lowlinesse , Performes his dutie to the Midland mayne , The great and lesser BALEARIDES , First in the Streights doe guard the coasts of Spaine , Whose expert Youth , were wont , the smallest thing To strike far distant with their well-rul'd sling . Then as the Holmes , two sturdy vmpires met Betwixt the quar'ling Welsh , and English tydes , In equall distance each from other set , As both remoued from faire Seuernes sides : SARDINIA next with CORSICA doth stand Twixt the fierce Roman and fell Punick Land . Triangl'd SICILY , some Authors say , Was once one with th' Italian Continent , Till working Neptune twixt them dig'd a way With force of his three forked Instrument : Rebell to Heau'n here Aetna vpward casts , To daunt the Lightning , Sulphure-fuming blasts . Little MELITA which Paules innocence , Scaping the water , at the fire did trie . More to the South-coast scituate from hence , Hath beene renowned for their Chiualry , Who driu'n from Rhodes neere Caria , here withstood The profuse wasters of poore Christians bloud . Next , CANDY , Cradle of reputed Ioue , With Nectar-dropping Vines is ouer-spread : Whence Eastward sacred to the Nymph of Loue , CYPRVS erects her Myrtle-crowned head . Well twixt these two hath Neptue put some space , Whose fruits once met in one , marre any place . The ARCH-SEA rowling from th' vnruly North , Doth seeme to threaten Candyes ouer-throw ; But that the troopes of CYCLADES stand forth To breake the fiercenesse of his furious blow , Like Xerxes fearefull Army , Asia's wonder , Cutting in broken streames his strength asunder . Aboue that are those STREIGHTS so much renown'd , Which Europe scarce from Asia separate , Where Helle first , Leander since was drown'd , By them made famous , though vnfortunate , Yet ( so from smalnesse things to Greatnesse rise : ) The GREATER-Sea beyond this passage lyes . Such is that Channell , by whose slender sides , As through her Sluce , the vast MAEOTIS Pond Charged with full fraught Greatnesse , hardly slides From out her round shores close in circling bond : Which TANAIS falling from the frozen Hils , With his cold , almost Chrystall current fils . Neare Tanais with Tartary confin'd , Along the Northerne Ocean , doth lye With wast Liuonia in the West conioyn'd The spacious Empire of vast MVSCOVY , Whose Duke like Boreas in his big-built Hall , Doth foes at hand affright , farre off appall . SWEDEN and NORWAY in the same degree , Saue what a narrow Isthmus doth retaine , Quite from the Earth almost diuided be , Pull'd by the strong Arme of the Baltick Mayne , Which wrong peace making Winter doth preuent , And them congeal'd bindes to the Continent . Next POLAND , Southward , doth her bounds extend Downe from Muscouia towards Hungary , Which diuers other Countries comprehend , Whose confines round about her confines lye , Pleasant Massouia , rich and fruitfull Russia , Cold Pomerania , and much colder Prussia . Within the compasse of two goodly Riuers , Sav●s and Teissa , plowd with many a floud , Which vp to Ister all his store deliuers : Ister disperseth to the Countries good , Vnhappy HVNGARY by Nature's blest . Much good possessing by much ill possest . Eastward enuirond round about with Hils , As with the strongest Rampires of defence , In peace her Valleyes TRANSYLVANIA tils Somewhat secur'd from Turkish violence : So he who to that Empire hath giu'n way , Hath also meanes and power to make it stay . Beyond Danubius many branching streames , Which through the East of Europe stately runne , Reuiued by the more relieuing beames , Of a directer , and more Southern Sunne : Illyricum , Dalmatia , and Thrace , Changing their names , retaine their antient place . THRACE on three sides is washt with Neptunes waues , Yet is no fruitfull , nor delightsome soyle , Her old Inhabitants were old Romes slaues , Her new Rome now made new inuaders spoyle , Where th' Orient Empires Seat , by him 's aspir'd , Whose rule like Phaëtons , the world hath fir'd , In equall parallell to Thrace confines Antient DALMATIA , through well temp'red vaines Which once diffusing her rich golden Mines , Now equall bondage , with poore Thrace sustaines , Her low-layd Temples sleeping in the dust , And brightest glory quite ore-grown with rust , Below it GREECE the dismall Sepulcher Of Learning , Vertue , Valour , Pollicy , Which once were flourishing and famous there , Since in rude Barbarisme doe buried lye , Seemes what she hath bene now vnapt to show , Obiect of Fury , Image of strange woe . Had Helen in her vndissembling glasse , Viewing the wrinckles which her age had wrought , Foreseene what misery should come to passe , To her disfigur'd Countrey , her sad thought ( So scarce faire Dames beholding foule are pleas'd , Had not she much bene ioyd , had much bene eas'd . Olympus , vnto whom the Clouds gaue way , To vpstart Tyranny submits , and bowes : Parnassus once Crown'd with the verdant Bay , With saddest Cyprus shrowdes his mourning browes , And Tempe , rob'd of all her pleasing weeds , With spitefull furrows wounded weeps and bleeds . Athens , Miuerua's Chappell , Phoebus Quire , Within whose Cloysters , those pure vestall Maydes The Muses , kept their euer-burning fire Whose light , our cold , darke ignorance vpbraids , From broken ruines , and her vaults scarce found No voyce , but voyce of horror 's vs'd to sound . The Schoole of Vertue , stately Theater , Of brauest , men-beseeming action , Whose Lawes excelling farre , exceeded were , By Customes easily , and truely done : Like feeble Miloes armes eneru'd , and dead ▪ Old Lacedaemons vertuous strength is fled . And Theban wals , raised by the pow'rfull sound Of rare Amphions sweet well-fingerd Lute , Humbly saluting the debased ground , Lye raz'd with noyse of Trumpets , Drums , and Flute Which Instruments , if any , may be sayd Here to haue true , and quick Diuision plaid . Where like a second Midland Sea the pride Of swelling ADRIA , doth distend her shoares , Oppos'd to Italy , whose armed sides Oft feare th' approaching of Slauonian oares : ILLYRICVM whilst Turcisme it ore-flowes , Feeles not her billowes nor respects her blowes . Some rather curious how the Earth should stand , Then carefull how similitudes doe runne , Haue likend to a Legg , th' ITALIAN Land : But since it hath so many conquests wonne , It farre more fitly might compared be Vnto an Arme , the limb of Chiualry . Her Wealth , her sinewes , and her Riuers veynes , Her Buildings were her Bones , her People Marrow , Yet whilest she Mars his warlike Speare sustaines , At length was wounded with yong Cupids arrow , Since of Bellona'es ensignes dispossest , On Venus pillow long hath layn at rest . The pleasant Land of labour , Naples seat , Where first appeared that contagious sore , Which since contracted by the Frenchmens heat , They farther Westward or'e the Alps haue bore , By female luxury impaird , was faine To seeke her physicke in the Fields of Spaine . Life-feeding humours drawne from eu'ry part , Tyber engrossing , hath that Vlcer bred Impostem'd Rome , which quite confounding Art , Hath o're the Bosome of all Europe spred . O! may some Royall Heau'n-grac'd hand asswage This swelling Euils Kings-stroke-asking rage ! Florence by Arno almost compast round , The perfect Beautie of the Tuscan plaines , If well disposed it continuing sound Infectious anguish not so much sustaines To her great Medici , who haue withstood The common danger , owes her chiefest good . The Gate of Italy transporting farre , The sundry plenties of her faire increase , Long foe to Venice in the fiercest warre , Corriuall in the softst delights of Peace , With strong-mand Gallyes Genua scours the seas , With well-rigd Pinnaces seekes Rodes of ease . Like hundred armed Briareus , the Po , Stretcht forth on Lumbardyes delightfull bed , With dropsie humours makes her ouerflow , By which surcharged not discreetly fed , Oft times her Spunges ( Millaines Duke put by ) Suck her abundance , and doe soke her dry . ) Bath'd in the Adriatiques farther waue , As some faire Sea-nymph , famous Venice sits , Whom all the prayse which fiction freely gaue To Sea-borne Venus , farre more truely fits Earths richest Iewell , Beauties brightest Starre , Mother of Loue , Loue of the God of Warre . The Eagle , badge of Sou'raigne Maiestie , Vpon one breast deuiding many heads , The sundry parts of scu'red GERMANIE , At large displayed , shadowing ouer-spreads , Whence much distracted , that faire body stayes , Whose chiefest parts are bent so diuers wayes . Where it on Italy doth next confine , Closing with Hungary , doth AVSTRICH rest : Renowned Austrich , whose Prince-branching Line Stretcht through the yeelding , and declining West , With various windings hath attaind of late , Many a farre and neere encompast state . Like great Danubius vnresisted source , Their fame extended to the larger maine , By sundry conquerd Islands takes his course , Obseru'd of Italy obey'd of Spaine , Thence through the streights close passage hauing pierc't By th' Ocean , to both Indies is disperst . Iser , and Oenus which from TYROLL flowes , Hauing their homage to Bauaria done , With Licus which the bounds of Suevia showes , And many high-born streams which down-ward run : Against the Turks encroaching power combin'd , To Austria's Current haue their forces ioyn'd . Mora which to Morauia lends her name , Her tribute duely vncompell'd doth bring : And great Odera Slesia's chiefest fame , With yonger Albis , hold him for their King . The Waser , Rhine , the Maze , the Sceld though free , Yet to Danubius all inferiour be . The Oder hauing Slesia's bounds out-gone , Doth Brandenbourghs faire Marqui●ate salute , Whose double Marches now both rang'd in one , Mongst German Princedomes beares a choise repute ; Thence in the Baltick Ocean vp resign'd Her freezing streames colde entertainment finde . Neare to BOHEMIA'S farthest Eastern skyrt , As from the Earth's breast , yet small Albis crawles , Where , with th' Hercinian Forrests Pale begyrt , And stately Mountaines strong surrounding wals , Till with Multauia ioyn'd she breakes the bay , From out her Country hardly findes a way . From thence through Saxony she takes her course , Where meeting Sala , ( whose faire streames diuide Turinge from Misnia ) with more strength'ned force , She goes t' encounter with the Northern tyde : O'er which preuailing neare to Iuitlands Coasts , In triumph towards Denmarkes Court she posts . Haile DENMARKES Court , seate of a faithful King , Sweet nurcery of Brittaines Sou'raigne QVEENE , Fountaine of all our ioy , from whom doe spring The Hope of Thames , and Happinesse of Rhene ; Latona like which makes the Albion Land , Her Childrens Well-rockt Cradle firmer stand . The Hassian confines quickly passing by , Waser vpon Westphalia longer stayes , Whence Em to Freeslands Embden seemes to flye , Wing'd with affection , which detests delayes : Where in the watry region both doe meete , And each imbracing other kindly greete . Downe from the Alps-spring Cloud-despising heads , Europes perpetuall well-fill'd Conduits , flow ( Whose farre-dispersed moysture all o'er-spreads ) The Rhene , the Rhosne , the Danow and the Po , Po and Danow towards the rising Sunne , Sothward the Rhosne , the Rhene doth Northward runne . Rhene through the fighting Switzers Cantons past , Downe from those Countries loftie verge descends Through Basell , and by Strasbourg ; then with hast Meetes Neccar , which faire Heidelberg commends : Whose lesser streames which Wittenberg confine , Growne big doe honour Rhenes Count Palatine . Now stay you gentle streames , and let that ayre Which sweetens your pure waues , refresh my Muse , Ne'er may my Silence passing by that Paire , Which make Earth happy , courteous Heau'n abuse . What Loue-taught Turtles onely best expresse , Lesse may my Doue adorne , admire no lesse . Here the faire SHEWER of th' Imperiall Court , Prince of those Princes which doe Caesars make : In Honours Palace , ioyn'd to Vertues Fort , Where equall pleasure Loue and Beautie take , Reside ( ô worthy of immortall breath ! ) Faire FREDERICK , and fair'st ELIZABETH . He as another Mercury on Earth , Deputed faithfull Arbiter of Right : Shee like cleare Cynthia of Caelestiall birth , From Brittaine SVNNE deriuing heauenly Light : In sweet Coniunction matcht , doe truely show , What happy States to high-plac't Vertues owe . Thence Rhene and Neccar friendly take their way To Mentz , where Maenus from Franeouia rose , Doth for their comming with attendance stay , And kindely with them downe to Collen goes : Mosella passing Triers them first o'er-takes , And entertained once , no more forsakes . So would these Mitred Cities once professe , Truths worth apparent , which they conscious see , Albis and Oder might consent no lesse , The Duke and Marquisse both conioyn'd agree : That German Diadem design'd to bare , Rhenus with swelling Isther might compare . From Collen passing downe along by Cleue , Then thorough Gelders reaching Holland , all Together of the Continent take leaue , And in among the Zeland Islands fall . Where Noble ●●sle doth keepe with English bands , Flushing , the key of all the Nether-lands . The Mase confining Lutzenbourg , descends , Meeting with Sambre at Namur , to Liege : Then Brabants halfe-encompast coast defends From neighb'ring Gulick , and neere Gelders Siege : And passing well-man'd Huisden , ioynes at length To Rhenes more worthy force , his wel-met strength . To them the Sceld , rising neere Cambray speeds , Which leauing Artois borders on the West ; Through Henault comes to Tourney , then proceedes To Gaunt in Flanders , where not finding rest , It makes to Antwerpe , by whose safe conuoy It doth at length a long-wisht end enioy . Belge's faire Daughters midst these flouds remaine . Of which with low obeysance some doe bowe , Bearing vp Isabel th' Infanta's traine , For whose deare Loue oblieg'd in Nuptiall vowe , Her coosen Austrich from the Church estrang'd , His scarlet Bonnet for steele Beauer chang'd . The rest to Faiths allegeance firme adhere , Freed by the Christian Faiths Defendres ayde , Her Champions hauing them secur'd from feare , And Superstitions strong encroaching staid : All vertuous Captaines , most praise-worthy all , Braue Norris , Sydney , Vere , and Vuedall . And may not Enuy here my Loue debarre Or Zouches name be in my name deprest , Both * * William and Allan Zouche . you who yet attend the charge of warre , And a a Henry and Francis Zouche you whose happy Soules in Peace doe rest , Deare , Loue-deseruing Brothers , ought to be , By them remembred , not forgot by mee . FRANCE , Europes Eden , Westerne Paradice , Part pal'd with Mountaines , moated part with Seas The famous Seed-plot of the Flowre de Lyce , Wants nothing which the curious sense muy please , Except the easie Arbour of Repose , Vnder the shadow of the Sou'raigne Rose . The more then earthly once reputed Powers , Driu'n from the troubled and distemper'd East , There placing since their fancy-pleasing Bowers , Where they more freely might disport and feast : Choysest delights of them esteem'd most deare , Seeme to haue planted and disposed here . Ioues Oake , whose root he makes his conscious pillow , And thicke-leau'd boughes his shady Canopy : Si●ke-thoughted Iuno's pale forsaken Willow , Crowne of contempt-conceiuing Iealousie , That on the ayrie Mountaines , this doth grow Where Crystall Riuers through coole Vallyes flow Vnder the Lawrels , worth adorning wreaths , Mars ▪ and Apollo ioynd in friendship rest ; Yet Mars short-winded angry accents breaths , Late basely of great HENRY dispossest , And f●arce Apollo hath lamenting left , Of his diuine Du Bartas quite bereft . Amongst the Oliues fruite-concealing leaues , Pallas and all the Virgin Muses sing , To chearefull CERES , well-growne ripened sheaues , The rurall Nymphs as rarest posyes bring , Venus and Cupid midst the myrtels sport , The Elms doe Bacchus and his Vines support . Great Britaines Ocean with his conquering tide , Passing the entrance of their yeelding shore , Hath prou'd their plenty , and represt their pride , Hath tride their vertue not impaird their store , And much admiring most himselfe admir'd , His right reserued , hath his force retir'd . The fayrest of-spring of the floudy Peeres , With due obseruance to his Crystall Throne , Doe pay the tribute of their siluer teares : Rich Seyne , sweet Loyre , & great Garond , the Rhone Hasting his banke-disdaining course t' enlarge , Doth in the streighter Seas his streame discharge . Thorough Geneua's cleare and constant Lake He comes to Lyons , hauing left Sauoy , Where meeting Soane from Burgundy , they take By Daulphny to Auignion , thence with ioy , Passing by Prouence , they at Arles attaine A spatious entrance to the Midland Mayne . Well-planted Champaigne Seyne first watring fals On Paris , scituate in the Isle of Fraunce , About whose stately Citties goodly wals , Many of Amphitrites daughters daunce , Till all conioyning Norman Vales giue place , They reach the Harbour of the Hau'n of grace . Hence did that worthy Duke first hoyse his Sayle . Whom Right conducted , Conquest seem'd t' attend , Fortune assisted with a prosprous gale , The floure of Vertue Fraunce along did send , Which vnto English fields remou'd , and set , Prepar'd a roome for great Plantaginet . Amongst them , not the meanest of the flocke , Allan , the Earle of lesse Brittain came , Deriuing from the stemmes of antient Stocke , That sometimes flourishing , now fading name : Which though it little to earths moysture owe , Blest by the deaw of Heau'n againe may grow . The siluer Crescent , in the sable skye Seemes to resemble Loyres cornuted streames , But farther follow'd with attending eye : It lookes like full-fac'd Phaebe's scattring Beames , She midst the lesser Stars great lustre showes , This mongst the Minor flouds abundant flowes . Rising in Auergne it descends to Neuers , Then passing Orleans , turneth downe to Tours , Whence bending vnto Nants , it Poictou seuers From Brittaine , where this horne of plenty powers Her much encreased scarce contained store , Ouer the surface of the Westerne shore . So when the second Henry first set forth , Simply attended with the strength of Mayne : Proceeding forward his attractiue worth , Adding braue spirits to his spreading traine , Whilst to a larger state his Hopes aspire , His late-got-greatnes all the Land admire . From out the Frontier Hils , through Gascony , Garond to Toulouse lesse obserued goes , Then entertaining from all parts supply , Passeth to Bordeaux , and by passing growes , That ere at Blay it reach the watry realme , Her Sea-beseeming-waues the Land ore-whelme . How did the Sou'raigne of St. George his Knights , His new enobled Garter here aduance , Whilest his admired Order's worth incites The states succeeding of amazed France , To follow after , though preceded farre , With Badge of Golden Fleece , and sparkling Starre ? Crecy and Poitiers saw the Princely Bands , Ecclips with feathr'y Clouds the lowring day : And Agincourt in daunger , trembling stands , Whilst Henryes valour ore it towring lay : Each place but passable by searching fame , Gaue way to Neuils , and great Talbots name . NExt France the Pirenean Hils descry , SPAYNE , as the Orchard of th' Hesperides , Whose golden fruit , obseru'd with wary eye A sterne and watchfull Gardian did possesse ; Now blest the wealth and happy is that soyle Whose keepers care 's not feard , nor strangers spoile . Vnder those stately Mountaynes shady side , Entrencht by great Iberus , lyes Nauar , Whence nearer to that Sea which Spaine deuides From parched Africke , Southward seated are Hot Arragon , and those choyce-hearbed-fields Of good Valenc'a , which such plenty yeelds . These , and those Seigneuries which here , erewhile No great Superiours , free controulement brookt , Are by the lofty Turrets of Castile , Vpon t'Herculian Pillars rais'd , ore-lookt , Her mounted Ordinance commanding all , Betwixt Nauar , and farthest Portugall . The Western Ocean doth confine the shore Of wealthy Portugall , where Tagus sands Mixt with abundance of Gold-yeelding ore , Was sifted by some Guilt-approuing hands , Wohse Mettall-minded hard affection would Turne with refining all they touch't to gold . Now on poore Protestants such Art they vse , Whom they with all pursuite do first enquire , And hauing found , doe sift , and sifted bruise , At last their soundnes they explore with fire : And though they neuer will their stamp admit , To passe with Angels they doe make them sit . Faire Andaluzia which had once repute , For giuing weary Phoebus welcome rest , Feedes her Siuilians with Gold-seeming fruite : Oh! would they were with vs indeed so blest Who farre more truely entertaine the Light , Repelling errours wrong-protecting Night . There Boetis which doth fall neere Cadis bay , Seing the English ensignes faire displayd , Stopping her troubled course , beganne to stay , And feeling her vaste body much dismayd : Vp ●oward Corduba where first she bred , Her bloud contracting back retir'd and fled . The winged Charriots , which out-sayld the wind , Led by great Essex , with much ease did passe Beyond Plus vltra , and haue left behinde Trophees aboue the Monuments of Brasse , Of which may yet these peacefull times relate , Louing our own , though theirs we leaue to hate . Thence as that Nauy , where the flowre of Greece Return'd from Colchos , whilest they come from Spaine , Brauely enriched with the Golden Fleece , And ride triumphing ore the Sea-greene-plaine : Great Brittaine Glories Capitoll dilates , The close-bard entrance of her Crystall gates . GReat BRITTAINE shadow of the starry Sphears Selfe-viewing Beauties true presented Grace In Thetis Myrrhour , on this Orbe appeares , In Worth excelling , as extoll'd in Place : Like the rich Croisade on th' Imperiall Ball , As much adorning as surmounting all . Bounded within the watry Firmament , Whose euer-mouing streames about it role , She measures forth her length in faire extent , Towards the Southern , from the Northern Pole : Betwixt her Riuers Zone-diuiding Lines , Each Citie like a Constellation shines . Auon and Twede her Tropicks , Zodiack-wise Passe Trent and Seuern : to the springing Morne Trent goes declining , Seuerne bending lyes Downe by the Western , freez-cloath'd Capricorne . Thames , as th' Equator , doth more eeuen runne , Proud with the Mansions of her biding Sunne Maiesticke SVNNE , long may thy kinde aspect Shed downe sweet influence vpon this Clime , Beyond all Enuy , as without Defect , Ruling but neuer altering our Time , Till passing from our teare-bedewed eyes , Thy Glory in another Heau'n shall rise . T●●● soone our IVLIAN-STARRE late Prince of Light , The sparkling lustre of whose vertuous ray To Brittaine hearts content with shortest Night , Promis'd the comfort of eternall day : Too soone expir'd , ô worthy long to proue The worlds great Wonder , & his Countries Loue . And faire ELISA midst the glistering Crew , Which as our glorious Cynthia seemes renew'd , Lately remouing from our fainting view , Her presence with all graces bright endew'd , For Latmus shade , doth spend her precious houres On Rhenus Banks amidst the Myrtle Bowres . Yet like those glistring Emblems neare the Pole , Still aboue Earths Horizon el●uate . May our Heroicke Princes name controule The Starry Orders of this well-rul'd State , And Brittaines Chariot as the Northern Wayne , With great Arcturus ioyne her CHARLEMAIGNE . A stately Burs , built in the Western Strand , Renowned Exeter farre off doth seeme : But London , Exchange-Royall of the Land , Is obiect of the Peoples best esteeme : So whilst the glorious Day-star shines more bright , Cleare Hesperus obscur'd doth giue no light . Sweet-seated Sals-bry , Wilshyres ornament , Neighb'red with Plaines , graced with goodly Vallies , Like some delightfull Garden of Content , Watring with siluer streames her well-squar'd allies , But that it doth more firme and surely stand , Doth seeme another Venice in our Land . Bathe , fairely-built , throughout the World is knowne For her most wholesome strength-repayring Springs , But she which hath so strange effects oft showne , With ill successe did lend her Founder wings : Poore worme-like creeping men she might restore , Ne'er make them borne to goe , like Birds to soare . Bristow , the Marchants Magazin , enclos'd With Rocky Hils , by Auons streame imbrac't , Faire by industrious workemanship compos'd As by great Natures wisedome firmely plac't , Viewing her verdant Marsh , may well disdaine Romes somtimes-glory , Mars his Champian plaine . Old Winchester , the auncient seate of Kings , For vertue , and for valour much renowned , So subiect vnto change are earthly things , In stead of Diadem with Bayes is crowned . Where worthy Wicchams children now mainetaine The fame once known by great king Arthurs traine . Oxford by Isis Crystall streames confin'd , And well-discerning Cambridge , Learnings Payre , Excell those Lamps which once on Ida shin'd : Bright Iuno shew'd , cleare Pallas , Venus faire ; But eyther of these thrice illustrious eyes , Doth Brightnes , Clearnesse , Fairnesse all comprise . As that true Ensigne of th' Almighties Loue , Liuely displayed in the Cloudy Skye , The gazers eye astonished doth moue To wonder at such strange varietie : Rain-bow-resembling London , Englands Blisse , The Heau'ns great Mercy , and Earths Maruell is .

To the Reader . READER :

IF thy Patience be not too much discouraged , aduenture on the little Common-weale of my poore thoughts . I euer rather admired then professed Poetry , the necessitie of my Studies , to which a higher direction then mine owne choyse hath appointed mee , forbidding the one , and that delight , which beyond ordinary content receiued in all sorts of Learning , hath beene presented to me in this , occasioning the other : yet haue I , as my leasure gaue me leaue , taken to my selfe in this idlenesse that reliefe , which in other varietie most doe thinke they may iustly vse . I know some whose credit hath challenged respect exceeding strong in preiudice against the composing and reading such trifles , yet the excellency of diuers in this kinde , commended by others , whom I haue no warrant to distrust , makes my small experience thinke , that some Muses , like Silke-wormes , spinne a fine threed for necessary vse , as many like Spiders curious webs for vnprofitable admiration . His censure who affirmed the reading of Amadis du Gaule as dangerous to youth , as of Macciauel pernitious to old men , was , as the Author , truly generous ; yet I presume it extends not to all which without proclaiming title to wisdome and iudgement , seeme rais'd or fashioned by imagination . There is , who hath vndertaken to illustrate by places of the Arcadia , all the points of the Art of speaking : I will adde ( which is as much as Achilles his Father desired Chiron should teach his Sonne ) hee is rude that cannot discerne , or exceeding austere that scornes to obserue therein , worthy behauiour and carriage both in priuate and common businesse : And one as vnderstanding in the Pollicie of Letters and Peace , as La Noue was experienced in the Discipline of Armes , and a troubled State , by exquisite vnfolding of some fabulous Stories , makes it plaine , that the Cesternes of these times , deriue the fulnes of their wisdome , by no other conueyance then such narrations , from the purer springs of all antiquitie . To whom he had yeelded his assent ; who , imploying his faithfull labours in teaching to beleeue , I know had care he might not be disprou'd , and farther graceth Poetry , with the choise appellation of the Soules woing-Suite ; in which diuers ( their excellencie carrying them higher ) haue shewed their thoughts not vnfit for solemne , yea Sabaoth deuotions . And truely , they who will be pleas'd to credit our owne tongue , and age , may finde our present , and later Poets , capable of that commendation , which was giuen the antienst among the Greekes : That if their writings were preserued , no part of Learning should wholy perish . Spencer , hauing as well deliuered Morall , and Heroicall matter for vse and action , as Du Bartas ( now ours ) Naturall and Diuine , for study and meditation . I would not diminish the worthy reputation of other Volumnes ; for mine owne part , it being knowne to some , I haue spent time in them , I should be loth to be thought ignorant of that , which I am perswaded all that know doe well allow . But as the plaine way affecteth most , the neerest many , so I am sure there are some , who , had they beene shewed that which was pleasing , would haue prooued successefull , when they haue returned exceeding empty from Systems and Commentaries .

What I haue attempted in this subiect , was long since excellently performed by Dionysius in Greeke , and diuers in Latin , whose example hath giuen me some incouragement , but no more direction then Magellan to Syr Francis Drake , shewing the Straights might be past , not instructing how . Some places may seem obscure , but I intend it to those who vnderstand , or desire to know something in this Argument : I haue not touched all , because I would be short , and haue vsed shortnes , as vnwilling to sweat , and make a labour of my sport , as any fastidious lookers on are quickly apt to distast satietie . As it is , Reader , I indifferently leaue it to thy discretion : what esteeme thou wilt be pleased to put on it , is in thy power , how I may valew thy esteeme remaines in mine .

FINIS .

Notes, typically marginal, from the original text

Notes for div A15870-e4860