A paraenesis to the Prince by VVilliam Alexander of Menstrie

A PARAENESIS to the Prince . 1 LO here ( braue Youth ) as zeale and dutie moue , I labour ( though in vaine ) to find some gift That 's worthie of thy greatnesse , and my loue : But whil'st my selfe aboue my selfe I lift , And would the best of mine inuentions proue , I stand to studie what should be my drift : Yet this the greatest approbation brings , Still to a Prince to speake of princely things . 2 When those of the first age , that earst did liue In shadowie woods , or in a humide caue ; And taking that which th' earth vnforc'd did giue , Would pay but that which Natures need did craue ; Then beasts such numbers did of breath depriue : They following Amphion those retires did leaue ; Who with harmonious sounds brought them together , That each in danger might assist another . 3 Then building walles , they barbarous rites disdain'd , The sweetnesse of societie to find , And all t' attaine that th' vnion entertain'd , As peace , religion , and a vertuous mind : That so they might haue restlesse humors rain'd , Their liberties with lawes they straight confin'd : And of the better sort the best prefer'd , To chastise those , against the lawes that err'd . 4 I wote not if th' ambitious that aspir'd , Ore many realmes to make themselues a right , Or if the worlds disorders so requir'd , That then had put Astraea to the flight ; Or if t' was some whose vertues were admir'd , And eminent in all the peoples sight , That mou'd peace-louers for to reare a throne , And giue the keyes of life and death to one . 5 When as that dignitie did first begin , T' was proper to each prouince and t' each towne ; And as when Forth doth from Benlowmond rin , Shee 's poore of waters , naked of renowne : But taking Teath , Allon , and Douen in , Doth grow the greater still , the further downe , Till that abounding both in power and fame , She striues with th' Ocean , who should brooke the name . 6 Euen so those soueraignties that once were small , Still swallowing vp the nearest neighbring state , With a deluge of men did th' earth appall : And thus th' Egyptian Pharaohs first grew great ; Thus did th' Assyrians make so many thrall ; And thus the Romaines rear'd th' Imperiall seate ; And thus all those great States to worke haue gone , Whose limits and the worlds were all but one . 7 But I le not plunge in such a stormie deepe , That neither hath a bottome , nor a shore ; But in the dust I le let those ashes sleepe , That cloath'd with purple once th' Earth did adore , Of them scarce now a monument we keepe , That haue so thundred in the world before . Their states that by a numbers ruine stood , Were founded and confounded both with blood . 8 If I would call antiquitie to mind , I might me for an endlesse taske prepare . But what ? ambition that was euer blind , Did get with toile that which was kept with care ; And all those mightie Monarchies we find Their falles were famous , as their risings rare : And euer since th' vnconstant world began , All that by vice was lost , which vertue wan . 9 Yet registers of memorable things , Would helpe ( great Prince ) to make thy iudgement sound , Which to the eye a perfect mirrour brings , Where all should glasse themselues that would be crown'd : Seeke out a stage where th' actors all are Kings , The parts heroicke , and the end renown'd ; Which whilst thou in thy cabinet dost sit , Is worthy whiles t' amuse thy growing wit . 10 And do not , do not now the meanes omit To match the time that comes with it that 's by , Since Historie may leade thee vnto it , A pillar whereupon good sprites rely ; The table of all times , the nurce of wit , The square of reason , and the minds cleare eye , That leades th' vndanger'd Reader through huge harmes , Who stands as t' were secure amidst th' alarmes . 11 Nor is it good ouer braue mens liues to wander , As one that at each corner stands amaz'd : No , labour like some one thy selfe to render , Who to the height of glorie hath bene rais'd . So Scipio Cyrus , Caesar Alexander , And that great Pince , chos'd him whom Homer prais'd : Or make ( as which is recent and best knowne ) Thy fathers life a patterne of thine owne . 12 Yet looking great mens liues this much impaires The profit that that benefite imparts , While as transported with preposterous cares : To imitate but superficiall parts , Some for themselues frame of their fancies snares , And shew what follie doth ore-sway their hearts : For counterfeited things do staines imbrace ; And all that is affected hath no grace . 13 All those that of those outward things take hold , Do show by that , they can no higher win . So to resemble Hercules of old , Mark Antonie would beare the Lions skin ; And th' heire of Alcibiades it 's told , Would such a course ( though to his scorne ) begin , Who to seeme like his father that was dead , Would make himselfe to lispe and bow his head . 14 No , who would rightly follow such as those , Must of the better parts apply the powers ; And as th' industrious Bee aduis'dly goes To seize vpon the best , shunne baser flowers : So where thou dost the greatest worth disclose , To compasse that be prodigall of houres , And studie not so much to seeme , as be : Nor seeme not for to know that which we see . 15 And to resemble thy renowned Syre , Thou hast not to affect no slender things : But matchlesse vertues that all minds admire , Whose treasure to t' his realmes great comfort brings : T' attaine to those ( thou Race of kings ) aspire , That they may yeeld thy fame immortall wings : And like the Eaglets prouing thus thy kind , Thou art both his of bodie and of mind . 16 Ah , be not those most miserable soules , That for to fine their iudgements neuer striue , Nor will not looke vpon the learned scroules , That do experience to th' vnpractis'd giue ; But , whilst base slouth each better care controules , Are dead in ignorance , entomb'd aliue ? Twixt such and beasts the difference is but small : They vse not reason , beasts haue none at all . 17 O diuine treasure , that the best sort loues , Life of the soule , reformer of the will , Cleare light , that from the mind , each cloud remoues ; Pure source of vertue , phisicke for each ill ; That in prosperitie a bridle proues , And in aduersitie a pillar still : Of thee the more men get , the more they craue ; And thinke the more they get , the lesse they haue . 18 But if that knowledge be requir'd of all , What should they do this treasure to obtaine , Whom time doth promise in a throne t'enstall , Where they by it of all things must ordaine ? If it make those who by their birth were thrall , As litle kings , whil'st ore themselues they raigne ; Then it must make , when it hath throughly grac'd them , Kings more then kings , and like to him that plac'd them . 19 This is a griefe that all the world bemones , Whilst those lacke iudgement that are borne to iudge , And like to painted tombes , or guilded stones , Are for th' afflicted people no refuge . Kings are their kingdomes hearts , which tainted once , The bodies straight must die , in which they lodge : And those , by whose example many fall , Are guiltie of the murder of them all . 20 The meanes that best make maiestie to stand , Are lawes obseru'd , good counsels brought t' effect : The Crowne the head , the Scepter deckes the hand : But onely knowledge doth the thoughts erect . Kings should excell all them that they commaund , In all the parts that do procure respect : And this a way , to what they would , prepares , Not onely that it 's good , but that it 's theirs . 21 Nor should they seeke respect for , to procure With loath'd tyrannicke deedes , and guards most leud . So Nero did , yet could not so assure The brangling Diademe with bloud imbrude ; Nor as the Persian kings , that liu'd obscure , And of their subiects rarely would be view'd . So one of them was secretly orethrowne , And in his place the murthrer raign'd vnknowne . 22 No , onely goodnesse doth beget regard , And equitie doth greatest glorie win ; To plague for vice , and vertue to reward ; That which they would haue done , for to begin : This is t'authoritie a powerfull guard , And makes a Princes praise ore all to rin ; Whose life his subiects law , clear'd with his deeds , More then Iustinians toiles , good order breeds . 23 All those that ore th' vnbaptiz'd nations raign'd , By barbarous customes sought t' engender feare , And with a thousand tyrranies constrain'd All them that they subdude their yoke to beare : But those whom great Iehoua hath ordain'd , Aboue the Christians lawfull thrones to reare , Must seeke by worth to be obeyd by loue , So hauing raign'd below to raigne aboue . 24 O happie Henrie , that art highly borne , Yet beautifiest thy birth with signes of worth , And though a child , all childish toyes doest scorne , To show the world thy vertues budding forth , Which may by time this glorious yle adorne , And bring eternall Trophees to the North : While as thou doest thy fathers forces leade , And art the hand , while as he is the head . 25 Thou like that gallant thunderbolt of warre , Third Edwards sonne , that was so much renown'd , Shalt shine in valour as the morning starre , And plenish with thy praise the peopled round . But like to his , let nought thy fortune marre , Who in his fathers time did die vncrown'd . Long liue thy Syre , so all the world desires ; But longer thou ; so natures course requires . 26 Although time once thee by thy birth-right owes , Those sacred honors that men most esteeme , Yet flatter not thy selfe with those faire showes , Which are not altogether as they seeme ; Whose burd'nous waight the bearer but orethrowes , That could before of no such danger deeme . Then if not arm'd in time thou make thee strong , Thou dost thy selfe and many a thousand wrong . 27 Since thou must manage such a mightie state , Now border'd but with th' Ocean and the skies ; Then euen as he , who iustly was cal'd Great , Did ( prodigall of paines to fame t'arise ) With both the parts of worth , his worth dilate , As learn'd as valiant , and as stout as wise : So now let Aristotle lay the ground , Whereon thou after may thy greatnesse found . 28 For if addicted to a base repose , Thou didst ( as thou dost not ) mis-spend thy prime ; O what a faire occasion would'st thou lose , Which after would be rued , though out of time ? Now to a vertuous course thy thoughts dispose , While fancies are not glu'de with pleasures lime . Those that their youth t' a little paines engage , Acquire great ease vnto their perfect age . 29 Now is it time with magnanimious parts , To shew the world what thou pretend'st to be , And for t'imprint in all the peoples hearts , That which thou would'st they should expect of thee ; That so preoccupied with such deserts , They after may applaud the heau'ns decree : When that day comes , which if it come too soone , Then thou and all this Isle would be vndone . 30 And otherwise what trouble should'st thou find , If first not seiz'd of all thy subiects loue ? To deale with diuers humors , and to bind Perchance some mal-contents thy course t' approue ? For then a number would suspend their mind , As doubting what thou afterward might'st proue . And when a Realmes affections thus are cold , Of that aduantage forreiners take hold . 31 I graunt in this thy fortune to be good , That art t' inherit such a glorious Crowne , As once descended from th' annointed blood , That oft hath fild the world with true renowne ; The which still on the top of glorie stood , And not so much as once seem'd to looke downe : For who thy branches to remembrance brings , Count what he list , he cannot but count kings . 32 And pardon me , for I must pause a while , And at a thing that 's worthy to b'admir'd : Since those from whom thou com'st raign'd in this yle , Lo now of yeares euen thousands are expir'd ; Yet none could there them thrall , nor thence exile , Nor neuer fail'd the line so much desir'd . The hundreth and seuenth parent liuing free , May leaue a neuer-conquer'd crowne to thee . 33 Nor hath this onely fortun'd but by chance , Of alterations then there had bene some : But that great Progenie , which still did glance , Would so presage the thing that was to come , That this vnited yle should once aduance , And by the Lion led , all Realmes orecome : For if it kept a little free before , Now hauing much no doubt it must do more . 34 And though our nations long , I must confesse , Did roughly woo before that they could wed , That but endeeres the vnion we possesse , Whom Neptune both combines within one bed : All th' ancient iniuries this doth redresse , And buries that which many a battell bred . A discord reconcil'd ( if wrath expire ) Doth breed the greatest loue and most entire . 35 Of Englands Marie had it bene the chance T' haue made King Philip father of a sonne , The haughtie-minded Spaniards pride t' aduance , All Albions beautie had bene quite orerunne ; Or yet if Scotlands Marie had heir'd France , This yle to liue in thraldome had begunne : Of which , if that a stranger brookt a part , That would to take the other meanes impart . 36 Thus were we from two dangers twise preseru'd , When as we seem'd without recouerie lost , As those that from their freedome freely sweru'd , And suffred strangers of our bounds to bost : Yet were we for this happie time preseru'd , And but to hold it deare a little crost , That of the Stuarts might th' vndanted race , Dominions equall with their minds imbrace , 37 Of that blest progenie th' experienc'd worth , Hath of the people a conceit procur'd , That from the race it neuer can go forth , But as hereditary is thought affur'd : Thus ( sonne of that great monarke of the North ) They are t'obedience happily inur'd , Ore whom thou art expected for to raigne , To haue good ancestors t' is a great gaine . 38 He that by tyrannie his throne doth reare , And dispossesse another of his right , Whose panting heart dare neuer trust his eare ; For being odious in the peoples sight , Whilst he both hath and giues great cause of feare , Is spoyling all , at last spoil'd of the light : And those that are descended of his blood , Ere that they be beleeu'd , must long be good . 39 Yet though we see it is an easie thing , For such a one his state for to maintaine , Who being by his birth-right borne a King , Doth with the countries loue the crowne obtaine , The same doth many to confusion bring , Whilst for that cause they care not how they raigne . O , neuer throne estabish'd was so sure , Whose fall a vitious Prince might not procure . 40 Thus do a number to destruction runne : And so did Tarquin once abuse his place , Who for th' infamous life he had begunne , Was barr'd from Rome , and ruin'd all his race . So he whose father of no King was sonne , Was father to no King , but in disgrace From Sicile banish'd with the peoples hate , Did die in Corinth in a base estate . 41 And as that Monarke merites endlesse praise , Who hath first founded some renown'd Empire ; So all the world with scornefull eyes may gaze On their degener'd stemmes that might aspire , As hauing greater power their power to raise , Yet of their race the ruine do conspire , And for their wrong-spent life with shame do end : Kings chastis'd once , they get no time t' amend . 42 Those that reposing on their princely name , Can neuer giue themselues to care for ought , But for their pleasures euery thing would frame , As all were made for them , and they for nought , Once th' earth will spoile their bodies , men their fame , Though whilst they liue , all for their ease be wrought ; And those conceits on which they do depend , Do but betray their fortunes in the end . 43 This selfe conceit , doth so the iudgement smoke , That when ought well succeeds with some through it , They on the same with great affection looke , And scorne th' aduise of others to admit . Thus did braue Charles the last Burgundian Duke , Deare buy a battell purchas'd by his wit , Who euer after trusting to the same , Was brought vnto confusion and to shame . 44 O sacred counsell , quintessence of soules ; Strength of the common-wealth , that chaines the fates , And euery danger , ere it come , controules ; The anker of all realmes , staffe of all states , O sure foundation that no tempest foules , On which are builded glorious workes , great seates : If ought with those succeed that scorne thy care , It 's but by chance , and drawes them in a snare . 45 Thrise happie is the King , that hath the grace To chuse a counsell whereon to rely , That loues his person , and respects his place , And like Aristides can whiles cast by All priuate grudge , the publicke cares t' embrace , Voide of ambition , hatred or enuie ; And that they be not to betray their seates , The partiall Pensioners of forreine states . 46 None should but those of that graue number bost , Whose liues haue long with many vertues glaunc'd , As Rome respected the Patritians most , The Nobles ( if themselues ) should first b'aduanc'd ; Yet in such sort that others haue not lost , All hope to rise , then worth would not b'enhaunc'd : For painefull vertue in her course would tire , Were not she hopes t' haue honor for her hire . 47 But such as those a Prince should most eschue , That dignities do curiously affect ; Who doth for any publike charge pursue , He must haue some particular respect . They should be godly , prudent , secret , true , Of whom a King his Councell should erect ; And he , whilst they aduise of zeale and loue , Should not the maniest , but the best approue . 48 There needs a great discretion for to know , To ballance each opinion in his mind : But ah this doth the iudgement oft orethrow , While as he comes within himselfe confin'd , And of the Senate would but make a show , For to confirme that which he hath design'd ; As one that onely hath whereon to rest , For counsellers his thoughts , their seate his brest . 49 But what auailes a Senate in this sort , Whose pow'r within the Capitoll is pent ? A blast of breath that doth for nought import , But mocks the world with th' vnperform'd intent : Those are the councels that great states support , Which neuer are made knowne but by th' euent , Not those where wise men matters do propose , And fooles thereafter as they please dispose . 50 Nor is this all that ought to be requir'd In this assembly , that 's the kingdomes soule , That with a knowledge more then rare inspir'd , A common wealth like Platoes in a scroule They can paint forth ; meanes must by them b'acquird , The torrent of disorder to controule , And arming with authoritie their lines , To act with iustice that which wit designes . 51 Great Empresse of this vniuersall frame , The Atlas on whose shoulders States are staid , That swayst the raines that all the world do tame , And makes men good by force with red arraid , Disorders enemie , virgin without blame , Within whose ballance good and bad are weigh'd ; O soueraigne of all vertues , without thee Nor peace , nor warre can entertained be . 52 Thou from confusion all things hast redeem'd : Th' assembly of th' Amphictions had bene vaine , And all those Senates that were most esteem'd , Wer't not by thee their councels crown'd remaine ; And all those lawes had but dead letters seem'd , Which Solon or Lycurgus did ordaine . Wer 't not thy sword made all alike to die ; And not the weake , while as the strong scap'd by . 53 O not without great cause all th' Ancients did Paint Magistrates , that were t'explane the lawes , Not hauing hands , so briberie to forbid , Which them from doing right too oft withdrawes : And with a veile the Iudges eyes were hid , Who should not see the partie , but the cause . Gods Deputies that his tribunall reare , Should haue a patent , not a partiall eare . 54 The lacke of Iustice hath huge euils begun , That by no meanes could be repair'd againe . The famous Sire of that more famous sonne , For whom , while as he sleeping did remaine , One did appeale , till that his sleepe was done : And whom a widdow did discharge to raigne , Because he had not time on plaints t' attend , Did lose his life for such a fault in th' end . 55 This Iustice is the vertue most diuine , Which showes kings like the King of kings inclin'd , Whose sure foundations nought can vndermine , If once within a constant brest confin'd : For otherwise she cannot clearely shine , While as the Magistrate oft changing mind , Doth whiles aduance , and whiles is slow to strike , And being suggested , is not still alike . 56 Vse mercie freely , Iustice as constrain'd : Th' one must be done , though th' other be more deare : And whiles the forme may make the deed disdain'd , Whilst Iustice tasts of Tyrrannie too neare : One may be iustly , yet in rage arraign'd , Whilst reason rul'd by passions doth appeare . Once Socrates , because ore-com'd with ire , Did from correcting one ( till calm'd ) retire . 57 Those that want meanes their anger to asswage , Do others oft , whiles rob themselues of breath . Fierce Valentinian surfetting in rage , By bursting of a veine did bleed to death : And Theodosius still , but then thought sage , Caus'd murther thousands being drunke with wrath , Who to preuent the like opprobrious crime , Caus'd still suspend his edicts for a time . 58 All th' actions of a vertuous king proceed Forth from the source of a paternall loue , To chastise or cherish as Realmes haue need , For which he more then for himselfe doth moue ; Who many a millions ease that way to breed , Makes sometime some his indignation proue ; And like to Codrus , cares not death t' embrace , If for the countries good , and peoples peace . 59 This Ladie , that so long vnarm'd hath stray'd , Now holds the ballance , and doth draw the sword , And neuer was more gloriously array'd , Nor in short time did greater good affoord . The state that to confusion seem'd betraid , And could of nought but bloud and wrongs record , Now freed from trouble and intestine rage , Doth boast for to restore the golden age . 60 Thus doth thy father ( generous Prince ) prepare A way for thee t' attaine t'immortall fame , And layes the grounds of greatnesse with such care , That thou maist build great workes vpon the same . Then since thou art to haue a field so faire , Whereas thou once maist eternize thy name , Begin , while as a greater light thine smothers , And learne to rule thy selfe , ere thou rul'st others . 61 For still true magnanimitie we find , Doth harbor soone in an Heroicke brest . To match Miltiades , whose glorie shin'd , Themistocles ( a child ) was rob'd of rest . Yet striue to be a Monarke of thy mind : For as t' attempt great things , all else detest , A generous emulation spurres the sprite ; So vaine ambition blinds the courage quite . 62 Whilst of th' illustrious liues thou look'st the storie , Abhorre those Tyrants that still swim'd in bloud ; And follow those , that to their endlesse glorie , High in their subiects loue by vertue stood . O! be like him , who on a time was sorie , Because , while as he chanc'd to do no good , There hapned but one day for to expire : That was the worlds delight , the heau'ns desire . 63 But as some gaine great states by being humaine , Some through their lenitie lose what they haue . Englands sixt Henry could not liue and raigne , But being simple , did huge foiles receaue : And Scipioes armie mutined in Spaine , That through his gentlenesse their charge did leaue . O! to the state it brings great profit oft , For to be whiles seuere , and not still soft . 64 To guide his Coursers warely through the skie , Earst Phoebus did his Phaëton require , Saying , from the straight way if he swaru'd by , The heau'ns would burne , or th' earth would be on fire . So doth twixt two Extremes each vertue lie , To which the purest sprites ought to aspire : He liues most sure that no extreame doth touch , Nothing would be too litle , nor too much . 65 Some kings , whom all men did in hatred hold , Whose breasts with auaritious thoughts were torne , As wretch'd Vespasian sought to gather gold By base and abiect meanes , that braue minds scorne . Such whilst they seeke not t' haue their greed control'd , But how they may their treasuries adorne , Are , though like Croesus rich , whil'st wealth them blinds , Yet still as poore as Irus in their minds . 66 And some againe as foolish fancies moue , That praise without discretion do pursue , In stead of liberall , prodigall do proue ; Then whilst their treasures they exhausted view , With Subsidies their subiects do commoue , And spoile whole realmes for to enrich a few , Whilst with authoritie their pride they cloake , That ought to die by smoake for selling smoake . 67 But ô the Prince most loath'd in euery land , It 's one that 's giuen to lust , who hardly can Free from some great mischiefe a long time stand ; For all the world his deeds with hatred scan . Should he that hath the honour to command The noblest creature ( great Gods image ) man , Be to the vilest vice , the bafest slaue , The bodies plague , soules death , and honors graue ? 68 Th' vnnaturall monster , that retir'd apart , Amongst his concubines began to spinne , Tooke with the habite too a womans heart , And ended that which Ninus did begin . Faint-hearted Xerxes , that did gifts impart To them that could deuise new waies to sinne , Though back't with worlds of men in th' enemies sight , Had not the courage for to see them fight . 69 Thus doth soft pleasure but abase the mind , And making one to seruile thoughts descend , Doth make the bodie weake , the iudgement blind , A hatefull life , an ignominious end : Where those that did this raging tyrant bind With vertues chaines , their triumphes to attend , Haue by that meanes a greater glorie gain'd , Then all the victories that they attain'd . 70 The valorous Persian that refus'd t' haue gaz'd Vpon Pantheas beauties , t' ease his toiles , His glorie by that continencie rais'd , More then by Babylons and Lidiaes spoiles : The Macedonian Monarke was more prais'd , Then for triumphing ore so many soiles , That of his greatest foe ( though beauteous seene ) He chastly entertain'd the captiu'd Queene . 71 Thus haue stil-gas'd-at Monarkes much a do , That all the worlds disorders to redresse , Should shine like to the Sunne , the which still lo The more it mounts aloft , doth seeme the lesse : They should with confidence go freely to , And trusting to their worth , their will expresse : Not like French Lewis th' eleuenth , that did maintaine , That who could not dissemble , could not raigne . 72 But for to guard their state , the strongest barre , And best refuge in euery dangerous storme , It is , to be a gallant man of warre , And t' haue a heart t' attempt , hands to performe ; Not that they hazard should their state too farre , And to each souldiers course their course conforme . The skilfull Pilots at the rudder sit : Let others vse their strength , and them their wit . 73 In Mars-his mysteries t' acquire renowne , It giues Kings glorie , and assures their place : It breeds them a respect amongst their owne , And makes their neighbours feare to lose their grace . Still all those should , that loue to keepe their crowne , In peace prepare for warre , in warre for peace : For as all feare a Prince that dare attempt , The want of courage brings one in contempt . 74 And ( royall Of-spring ) that hast cause t' aspire , As one to whom thy birth high hopes assign'd , This well becomes the courage of thy Sire , That traines thee vp according to thy kind . He , though the world his prosp'rous raigne admire , In which his subiects such a comfort find , Hath ( if once mou'd the bloudie art t' imbrace ) That wit for to make warre , which now keepes peace . 75 And ô how this ( deare Prince ) the people charmes , That flocke about thee whiles in rauish'd bands , To see thee young , yet manage so thine armes , And haue Mineruaes mind , Bellonaes hands . This exercise thy tender courage warmes ; And still true greatnesse but by vertue stands : Agesilaus said , no King could be More great , vnlesse more vertuous , then he . 76 Although that all of thee great things expect , Thou as too litle mak'st their hopes asham'd : As he that on Olympus did detect The famous Thebans foote , his bodie fram'd : By thy beginnings so we may collect , How great thy worth by time may be proclaim'd : For who thy actions doth remarke , may see , That there be many Caesars within thee . 77 Though many a realme by long experience finds , That all the greatest blessings peace imparts , As that which to good order all men binds ; Yet breeds this Isle , still populous in all parts , Such vigorous bodies , and such restlesse minds , That they disdaine t' imbrace Mechanicke arts ; And being haughtie cannot liue in rest : Yea , t' hold such idle , it 's a dangerous pest . 78 Earst prudent Cato told in some few howres , What danger to the Romaines did redound , While as they raz'd the Carthaginian towres ; By which , while as they stood , still meanes were found With others harmes to exercise their powers ; The want whereof their greatnesse did confound . For when no more with forraine foes imbroil'd , Straight with intestine warres the state was spoil'd . 79 No , since this soyle that in great sprites abounds , Can hardly nurce her nurcelings all in peace , Then let vs keepe her bosome free from wounds , And spend our furie in some forraine place . There is no wall can limite now our bounds , But all the world will need walles in short space , T' hold backe our troupes from seizing on new thrones : The marble chaire must passe the Ocean once . 80 What furour ore my iudgement doth preuaile ? Me thinkes I see all th' earth glaunce with our armes , And groning Neptune charg'd with many a saile : I heare the thundring trumpet found th' alarmes , Whilst all the neighbring nations do looke pale ; Such sudden feare each panting heart disarmes , To see those martiall minds together gone , The Lion and the Leopard in one . 81 I ( Henrie ) hope with this mine eyes to feed , Whilst , ere thou wearst a crowne , thou wear'st a shield , And when thou making thousands for to bleed , That dare behold thy count'nance and not yeeld , Sturres through the bloudie dust a foaming steed , An interested witnesse in the field , I may amongst those bands thy Grace attend , And be thy Homer , when the warres do end . 82 But stay , where fliest thou ( Muse ) so farre astray ? And whilst affection doth thy course command , Dares thus aboue thy reach attempt a way , To sing to th' Heire of Albions warlike land , Who gotten hath , his generous thoughts t'array A Royall gift out of a Royall hand ; And hath before his eyes , that type of worth , That starre of state , that Pole that guides the North. 83 Yet ore thy father lo ( such is thy fate ) Thou hast this vantage , that may profit thee , An orphan'd Infant setled in his seate , He greater then himselfe could neuer see : Where thou maist learne by him the art of State , And by another what thy selfe shouldst be : Whilst that which he had onely but heard told , Thou may'st practis'd in all his course behold . 84 And this aduantage long mought thou retaine , By which to make thee blest the heau'ns conspire ; And labour of his worth to make thy gaine , To whose perfections thou maist once aspire ; When as thou shew'st thy selfe , whil'st thou dost raigne , A Sonne that 's worthie of so great a Sire , And with his Scepters , and the peoples harts , Dost still inherite his Heroicke parts . W. A. FINIS .