A military dialogue betweene Philomusus and Miles lively expressing the horrible effects of war, and the unspeakable benefit of peace / by Richard Carter.

Philomusus thus beginneth . WHat suddain winde hath blown you back , How comes this quick return ? Where are the spoyls of warre and wrack : What ailes thee thus to mourn ? It lik'd thee not to bide at home , And work from day to day , But needs ( forsooth ) you must be gone , Philo gives Miles a harsh entertainment A Souldiers part to play . Why look'st thou thin ? why shougst thou so ? Why art thou thus arraid ? Do Souldiers in this habit go ? And with such wages paid ? Thou wents from hence in good attire , And money in thy bag , But back again thou dost retire : Not with one comely rag . Now for my part , I love not jarres : God send me health and peace , I take no pleasure in the warres , My fortunes to increase . I hope your hotnesse at the first , To follow Souldiers train , Is cooled now you have no lust : In warre to gad again . Miles thus replyeth . I Must confesse , I do repent Before the time I thought : And that I have by this attempt , More losse then booty caught . Yet blame I not the Warres therefore , Miles confesseth his ill successe in the Field . But still gives to warre the due prayse thereof . For Warre is such a gaine : Some that were poore return with store , Some rich , come home with shame . As for my losse was small I say , For ( when I went from hence ) I hardly had where with to pay My charges and expence . And thus I warred in this case , Nervus belli pecuni● . In joy for hope of pay : But Coyne was scarce , and Warres did cease : So home I took my way . But as for you and all such like , You flow in wealth at will : I wonder not that you dislike , The bloudy Warres so ill . Your money cannot fight for you , Can wealth defend the Land ? But such as I , and all my crew : Must in your quarrels stand . You do of Souldiers base esteeme , For we are abjects now : The time will come , it may be seen : To Souldiers you may bow . Philomusus respond . WEll now I see you like it well , Still idle to remain : The more thou stirre , the worse you smell , The Proverbe speaketh plain . An honest man some course will take , To live upon some Trade ; Philo proceeds in reproving vagrant Souldiers . And as we do our bargain make ; So is our wages paid . If harme thou catch , whose is the blame ? Not his that did thee hire : For as thou dost thy wages claime , So men thy work require . Thou must not think to loyter then , Most like the idle Drones : Consuming that which other men , Have got with painful groans . These happy times were in my minde , When all were well employd ; When hardly one we could not finde , That idle did abide . But idle persons now do shift , Great multitudes do swarme ; Committing murther , whoredome , theft : And every mortall harme . One saith , he gladly would take pains , Yet work he will not seek : If he one day in work remains , Will play therefore a week . Some wrap their legs with clouts and salve , In corners where they lurk : But Souldiers chiefly think they have , A priviledge from work . Thus vagrant Souldiers go and come , Untill good Laws take place : Then some reforme , and other some Doe die with great disgrace . And Souldiers do with ill intent ; Set all at five , and nine : And when your means you have all spent , All others you repine . If Souldiers can in warre I say , All mortall pains embrace , I nothing doubt but they that may , Aswell take pains in peace . For he that can doe nothing more But Peascods sheale ( they say ) Three quarters of a yeare therefore , For want of worke must play . Miles. WE Souldiers stand in all the strife , For to defend the Land : With Pikes and Gunnes , and losse of life , Your foes we doe withstand . When we have passed all this harme , With great distresse and cost , Some one a Legge , and some an Arme , And other joynts have lost . Yet nothing to us will you give , But poore Nay and delay : Our wants you will not once relieve , But we must packe away . Sometimes a sore or festered wound , Lame souldiers may protect : But such as I ( whose limbes be sound ) We live still in suspect . For vagrant persons now we goe , And scorned here , and there : So that in warre , with mortall foe , We live not in such feare , And when a Souldier would take paines , His service is refus'd : But if from labour he refiaines , He must not be excus'd . If begge , or steale , the Law takes place , Which way then shall we live ? If steale , ( we doe dye with disgrace ) The Law will not forgive . I thinke it better to embrace The Warre ( and purchase Fame ) Than thus to live in time of peace , In such reproach and shame . I can with Musquet travise so , Ho● well plaid boasting Thrasoe . And tosse the tottering Pikes : I know to skirmish with my foe , And when I ought to strike . I know to spurre the Barbed Horse , And how to make my Race , And warily my foes to course , And valiently them chase . I can well scale those fenced Walls , Against which I am sent I want no skill , when time thus falls , Ambushments to prevent . I know to keepe me in array , To march and to retire : And take advantage on the day , When need shall so require . I skilfull am how every wing , In order should be plac'd , For war-like Feasts , in every thing , I will not be out-fac'd . These things are hard for Carpet Knights , Who sleepe in ease and rest : But Souldiers gaine ( though got in fights ) In time of Warre is best . Philomusus . OH boasting Thrasoe , I thee heare , How faine thou wouldst excuse Thy loytering life ; but stay , forbeare , Thou dost thy selfe abuse , What man so mad , or voyd of care , Or of so little wit , That doth not thinke the warres now are In time of peace , unfit . Warre doth disturbe , and vexe each thing , And order doth deface ; And doth dis-throne a right borne King Out of his Regall place . Warre setteth in the selfe-same Throne , Usurpers for to reigne : The Lords and Peers then grieve and groan , When Commons all are slaine . The Virgins ravished most vild , The new borne Infants dye : The Father sees his murther'd child , As he doth wounded lye . The Wife lamenting , weeping goeth , Anon alike doth speed : And still the murthering souldier doth , In shedding blood proceed . Then fiery flames consumes the Towne , When murthering Cannons rore : The Barbed Horses trample downe The fruits of all our store . And noble sparkes , in place most high Are then a Souldiers prey , Some plead for life , some desperately Doe cast themselves away . Who speedeth best hath for his hire The losse of wealth and life : Most stately buildings flame with fire , Whilst swords doe end the strife . The tattering Terrets shake with shot , The battered Bulwarkes breake : Hall , Church , nor Temple , standeth not ; Our strength is then too weak . Thus raging rigour , rules the roast , Rash ruine riddeth all : Yet thou of warre dost brag and boast , As if our losse were small . To this intent , example take , Of Souldiers lewdnesse great : That I may prove these words I speak , I briefly shall repeat . A Tragedie of Souldiers art , Most worthy of all blame : Both for the terrour of the fact , And authours of the same . The Country , place , and parties name , I nominate will not : Because that Christians did the same , But Christ they clean forgot . A sad tragicall Relation . A Captain had ( I say agen ) Obtain'd at Prince his hand , For to conduct a Band of men , Into an other Land . And marching on approached neere , Unto a Peasants Farme : ( For so they terme the Yeomen there , ) This yeoman thought no harme . But ( as he durst not contrary , So did he entertain : The Captain with all courtesie , The Souldiers did remain . Within a Village joyning neere : The Captain onely bee , With other Souldiers he had there , As after you shall see . Who lodged at this Yeomans house , Who feasted them with store : That he might still prevent abuse , Was carefull evermore . This Host three comely Daughters had , The eldest was most faire : Which made the Captain almost mad : His lust was set on fire . Her fore-head high , did register , Her feature men adored : There was not one , like unto her , Like Venus so adorned . Her Crimson cheeks ; and Christ all eyes , Her lips , like Cherries red : Her words right sober , grave , and wise ; Her haire like golden thred . Venus with her could not compare , Queen Dido . Which won the golden Ball : Nor Dido , that sweet Lady faire , Who had the love of all . Her voyce did sing melodiously , To such as did her heare , That all which heard her harmony , Their drooping hearts did cheare . Much further yet I could proceed , Nature did thus adorne : You may in her love-lines still read ; Shee did all basenesse scorne . If outward parts like starres did shine , Which men did plainly see : Doubtlesse her soule was most divine , ( I judge in charity . ) The Captaines Lust this did renew , The estate of those places that are vext with Warre . With furious fiery 〈◊〉 : He bidding honesty adiew , Then snatcht her in his armes . This lustfull Captain would not stay , This Virgin to intreat : But hayling her , by force away , I blush this to repeat . The Devill on this Leatcher eggs , He throws her on a bed : Some ( of his Souldiers held her legs , Her armes , and some her head . Whilst he commited viilany , To feed his lustfull will ; In vain she screeks , lament and cry , None could prevent her ill . This being done , he jeeres her too , I will omit to shew , What bloody teares , and throbs also : Did from this Ravish'd flow . Then did she seek to revenge it , And thereto was she bent , Behold also : how time did hit , To further her intent . She snatching up a Knife which he , ( Had leaf upon the board ) Then suddenly to him stept she : And to the heart him goard . Stone dead he sinketh down that day , The rest were in a Maze : But she did start aside whilst they ; Vpon the corps did gaze . She told her father what was done , And forth with fled away : Alas she knew not where to run , But to the Lord did pray . Desiring rather death , then life : And then report was brought , Vnto the Souldiers of that strife , And who that fact had wrought . The Soulpiers run as they were wilde , Untill they had her found : She being caught , these Tyrants vilde , Fast to a Tree her bound . The Souldiers then discharged there , At her their thund ring shot : So that their bullets left in her , Not one free place or spot . Thus dyde this peerlesse Paragon , For whose death we may grieve : The like to her I know not one : That do amongst us live . I must bewaile the female sexe , And wish they may amend : But yet the Captain did her vexe , And first the Law offend . In this unhappy Tragedy , There many more were slain : The Yeomans house they did destroy , Who did them entertain . This is your warlike havock still , This is the Souldiers trade : Who having got the reyns at will , Run mad like Colts unmade . Consuming all ; and laying waste , Always both night and day : And rushing head-long at the last , Into their own decay . Miles Respond . ANd what of this ? though some do ill , Will you condemne the rest ? As if mens bloud , onely to spill , A Souldier thus were prest , Nay , ( by a Souldiers troth I sweare ) Our Discipline is such : That now in peace , amongst you here , You use not halfe so much . Philomusus . ALL Souldiers not condemned are , Vbi non est bellum , ibi pax perversa . But some we must commend ; Who prudently ( by lawfull Warre ) The Common-weale defend . But better were it , without doubt , ( If God so pleas'd would be ) That there peace the World throughout , Withall of each degree . Miles. I Do confesse it may be said , That ( peace with truth is sweet ) But circumstances duely wai'd , Warre sometimes is as meet . You speak disdainfull of Warre now , I say to you again , In time of peace more mischiefe flow , Then do in Warre remain . First know , that peace doth plenty cause , From plenty still proceeds ; The hurtfull breach of all good Laws ; Prosperities now breeds . As Whoredome , Pride , and Lechery , In time of peace are rife : Contempt of God and man alway , With gluttony and strife . If Souldiers in the Warre do spoyle , The Miser for his gold : In peace the Rich , the poore do foyle , Much more a thousand fold . In Warre by sword , sometimes we die , And then is peace begun : But poore men are by Usury , In time of peace undone . In Warre the Victor shews mercy , Unto his yielding foe ; In peace the debtor loud doth cry , Yet to Gaole must goe . In Warre hard lodging , mean attire , And homely Joans men use : In peace all these with fond desire , Most proudly fools abuse . In Warre the presence of our foes , A view of death doth give : In peace your folly you disclose , And dreame you shall still live . In time of peace true Justice sure , With most can beare no sway ; Yet such great feare Warre doth procure : It chaseth vice away . If that the cause of Warre be good , The end then proveth so : If not ; our sins , they have withstood , Vice is our greatest foe . Philomusus . ALas , poore silly simple man , What , are thy wits thine own ? Thou speakest much , but little can , To good effect be showne . And sure I am of this always , 'T is hard for one to take : From peace , her due deserved prayse , Or good of ill to make . Thou saist peace breeds plentiousnesse That freely I confesse : But ( saying store breeds idlenesse ) Therein thou do'st digresse . Wine is not drunken of it self , Though Drunkards it abuse : Nor idlenesse proceeds from pelfe , Though some it leudly vse . Nowe Judge thyself whether that man , In idlenesse doth rest , When he doth labour what he can : Of store to be possest . Or he that hath not wherewithall , His empty maw to feed ; With tooth and naile , and hand doth hall , For to supply his need . We live in peace , with what we got , You live in Warre , and want ; It doth appeare , we loyter not : But you in worke are scant . If you more idle did not live , In warre then we in peace : Plenty breeds not idlenesse , but the abuse thereof . You freely would to others give , And not their goods decrease . You say there are of vices swarms , In peace and plenty now ; But I conceale a thousand harms , From bloudy warres that flow . I rather plough , and sow in field , With sweat to get my bread : Then in the Warres with golden shield , A Troop of Horses lead . O noble , Athens , hadst thou used , Dame Pallas gift aright : Thy walls had then not been abus'd , But still had stood in sight . Before the walls were raized above , And ere the Town had name ; Or God Neptune with Pallas strove : For honour of the same . Their strife was this : first Neptune smote , Neptunus est Deus Maris , vel Mare ipsum . A Rock with Trident Mace : From whence a warlike Horse did trot , Well harnessed in that place . Then Pallas smote the ground most free , With Javelin she did beare : From whence afresh , green Olive Tree , Did presently appeare . The warlike Horse did represent , In warre most good successe : The Olive Tree : did with consent , To Athens peace expresse . Then wisely Athens took their course , In one they did agree : Forsaking Neptunes armed Horse , They choosed Pallas Tree . If they fore-seeing victory , Did rather seek for peace , How much more then ought we then they , From doubtfull wars to cease ? Now Souldiers leave Tou-to-lo-gie , If men in peace do wrong : Good Laws have now free liberty ; To punish them ere long . Miles. BVt by your leave I am not mad : My wits are not yet flowne : I doe not make a good thing bad : Nor speake of things unknowne . Epe-mi nun-das doth report , That under Cloak of peace , ( Vice vaunteth out , with pompe and port ) But vertue doth encrease . Sodom and Gomor , in the plaine , With divers Cities more ; There did not one of them remaine ( But onely little Zoar. ) These liv'd in peace , and fond desire , Geu . 19. Fearing no warre at all : Till from the Lord Brimstone and fire , Did downe upon them fall . When did Darius Kingdomes jarre , Who Asia all possest ? But when he was unarm'd for warre , And gave himselfe to rest . You trim your selves in Peacocks plumes , Security and sloth are forerunners of destruction . Sporting in Venus Court : You are besmear'd with sweet perfumes , And use each want on sport . A Helmet hides your handsome face , Oh take heed of a Gunne . Your Mistris you cannot embrace , If Mars his course you runne . You are foole bent , with fond intent , To dance in Venus string : To all delights you are attent , All care away you sing . What did you never heare this truth , What stories do report : Of Hercules ; how in his youth There did to him resort , Two Ladies , one a dainty dame , In stately Robes beclad , The other plain of Natures frame , These found the yongster sad . To Hercules these females came , But one with wanton tricks , The other vnto fight for fame . His youthfull courage pricks . But Hercules he did detest , The first ; and all she said : Unto the second Ladies heast , He during life obeyed . By Hercules his choice and fate , We easily may gesse ; That peace makes men effeminate , Which Warre will soon suppresse . Philomusus . NOw Tully doth preferre ill peace , Before a most just Warre : Therefore when Foxes teach the Geese Great danger is not farre . For Pius Anthonius said , I better like of peace ; Then other Kingdomes to invade : My glory to increase . And Andrianus also said ; He rather would divide , Small bounds in peace , then make aside , To conquer Kingdomes wide . For Warr that changeth peace ( I say ) Is like a harebrain Colt : That leaves the plain and beaten way , Ore Hedge and Ditch to bolt . Not peace , but the abuse of peace , The abuse ; takes not away the use . Gods anger doth provoke , When Sodome did her sin increase , Gods wrath on them did smoake . I say not but that wisdome would , In peace we should prepare : Against our foes , alwayes we should , Still have a watchfull care . I wish our ships may multiply , And in our Havens ride , And that we may both farre and nigh , Artillery provide . I wish our youth with Marshall strain , May train in every place : By means hereof we may attain , Great skill in little space . Miles. INdeed your words I understand , But oh how brave a thing , It is when fame in every Land , Our valiant Prowesse ring . But heare me now , I tell you what , To this you needs must yield ; No fame can be compar'd with that , That is obtain'd in field . Thus famé doth frump them to their face , Who do all Warre deride ; Such do condemme the Eagles grace , And praise the Peacocks price . Philomusus . THou seemest to have a valiant heart , Thou countst of bloud but light : Consider thou a Christian art , And they that with thee fight Are Christians too aswell as wee . What should there be more said ? In Truth , and Peace , we must agree : As members of one head . The Heathen they were still at odds , God was to them unknown ; And every man , ador'd his gods , Or Idols of his own . But Christians have one God most good : That God we worship all . Know thou , that shedding Christians blood , Is not a trespasse small . Lucre of gain did move their hands , To Warre , and bloody Rage : For quarrels small on forreigne Lands , Ungodly Warres do wage . As they their Triumphs did erect , So envie did abound ; And they ( whom least they did suspect : Did first their pride confound . ) Where is the Parsian Macedon ? And Roman Empire wide ? And Thesius , that valiant one ? And Hercules beside ? Alexander , with thousands more , Which I omit to name ; Did hazard life , and all their store , To follow fleeting fame . What can you say , now of these men , That shed of blood such store ? For , take away the cause , and then ; Their fame remayns no more . Yet such as you ( as Tully says ) That nothing have to lose : Hee that hath nothing of his own , would have all things common . Are forward still in brawles and frayes , For then your profit grows . In troubled waters you may fish ; Not waying others wracks For blood and Warre , you ever wish , To satisfie your lack . And now ( my friend ) since that our King , And Countrey rest in peace , Forbeare to strike this jarring string , From blood and brawls now cease . But when by Law thou shalt be prest , Obey the King alway , Then thou shalt have my wishes best : That thou maist winne the day . Miles. YOur words with me do now prevaile , And this I adde beside , In vain the shipman hoysts his Saile : Against both Winde and Tyde . And now I see you partly yield , To Mars his honour right : True fame obtained is in field ; When Souldiers bravely fight . Philomusus . I Say ( indeed ) that Fame always , In lawfull Warre is good : And worthy prayse ( if otherwise , It may not be withstood . ) But all those Kings I more prayse yet , That rule in peace aright : Then such as have a pregnant wit , Against their foes to fight . To this Cicero is not wrong , Who says let weapons yield To men in Gowns that use the tongue , Romulus primus rex Romanorum . Numa Pomphilius vir Sabinus Romanorum rex , secundus à Romulo . Resigne the conquered field . Though Romulus fought valiantly , As Rome can witnesse well : Yet Numa ( ruling quietly ) Did Romulus excell . But lo , what need I rove to Rome ? To fetch examples farre Great peace we do enjoy at home ; And are not vext with Warre . ( Lord ) blesse King Charles with peace & health And still preserve his Grace : With Nestors age , and Craesus wealth To rule in Regall place , Give to thy Gospell passage free , To flourish every where , Make Christians all in Faith agree : In Europe farre , and neere . The fertile earth by tillage all , Re-yields in time her store : Each fruitfull thing of moment small . Doth prosper daily more . We nothing want ( if Grace we have ) To be in heart content ; With thankfulnesse for to receive , Those gifts which God hath sent . Religion here is grounded pure , Like England , now no Coast Throughout the bounds of Europe sure , Hereof , like us may boast . For Discipline like ancient Rome ; For wise , brave men of might : A Thebes for wealth : wee are become , Corinth and Athens right . Our King doth prize his people high , Their goods , and lives , alway : And all true subjects willingly , His Highnesse do obey . Both Prince and Peeres , with noble train With solid Councell sage , Do seem , for to renew again ; The former golden Age . Foule crimes , we see , now punish'd be , And good men have reward : Now Justice hath to each degree , Of Judgement true regard . O happy Realme , King Charles happy , O happy subjects all : O that we knew , how happily : Our happinesse doth fall . Then should we highly prize the Reigne , Of our Renowned King : With melody and mirth amayne , Our Muses thus would sing . Our King with Kingly Majesty , Sol 〈…〉 And other vertues rare ; ( Wherein to Solomon full high ; His Grace we may compare . ) You that with Envy do corrode , Like grisly Gorgons fell : With tumours great like Aesops Toade , Gorgonius : So Rammish and Goat-like do all Hereticks , and Schimaticks smell . In poysoned Malice swell . Will you to Hell your selves engage ? Know God will work his will : Not spightfull Saul for all his rage , Could good King David kill . Your spight is spide , your knots are known , Your secrets are bewrayde : And God upon your plots hath blowne , Your selves you have betraide . The like successe God grant to those , That wish King Charles ill : ( O God ) prevent our mortall foes , Thy Church oh prosper still . Thy Tents how goodly garnisht be , Great Britaine greatly grac't ? No Nation can compare with thee ; Great priviledge thou hast . Had I the learned Homers strain , Or Virgils stately speech : If Tullies tongue I could obtain , Thy prayse I should impeach , Therefore in silence leave I will , Thy full flourishing fame To wiser wits , and learned quill ; To publish forth the same . An Ivy-bush is hung in vain . Where good Wine is to sell : Here now I shall my selfe contain , And still thus pray I will . ( O Lord ) with walls of brass 〈…〉 e , Environ Britain round , When all the World shall her admire , Prayse shall to God rebound . Thus to my purpose , now I come , From which I have digrest , ( Brave Souldier ) this shall be the summe : Leave Warre , and live at rest . Enjoy those fruits of Peace that fall Philo. hath not a long tongue and a short hand . I will relieve thy lack : This money take ; and therewithall , Buy rayment for thy back . If thou didst know , that small increase , Which other Nations taste , Then wouldst thou more esteeme of peace , And make to Warre lesse haste . Now whilst this peace we do behold , Let us ensue the same : With heart , and voice , still as we should , Thus prayse , and laud Gods Name . And render to our famous King , Such firme Allegeance true ; Those fruits the Gospell forth doth bring : From faithfull subjects due . Miles returneth thanks to Philomusus . FOr this great love to me you shew , Most hearty thanks I give : I purpose still to pray for you , Whilst here on earth I live . ( Good sir ) let not my misery , Offensive be a whit , Too bold behav'd my self have , My ignorance remit . Your counsell now I do embrace , ( As reason doth require ) And that the Lord would give me grace , The same I must desire . I wish good Warrs may prostee well , With triumph and increase , To subdue all that do rebell : Against our King of peace . As God hath blest his peacefull Raigne , Those yeares , already past , Oh still let him and his remayne : In peace that aye shall last . And now in peace , whilst here I live , I shall be ready prest : To peace and Prince , my selfe will give , In Warre to do my best . Philomusus concludeth . I Like thy resolution well ; Thereto I doe agree : Let thou and I together dwell . We both as one will bee . FINIS .