Euthymiæ raptus; or The teares of peace with interlocutions. By Geo. Chapman.

THE TEARES OF PEACE .

INDVCTIO . NOw that our Soueraign , the great King of Peace , Hath ( in her grace ) outlabour'd Hercules ; And , past his Pillars , stretcht her victories ; Since ( as he were sole Soule , t' all Royalties ) He moues all Kings , in this vast Vniuerse , To cast chaste Nettes , on th' impious lust of Mars ; See , All ; and imitate his goodnesse still ; That ( hauing cleard so well , warres outward ill ) Hee , God-like , still employes his firme desires , To cast learn'd ynke vpon those inwarde fires , That kindle worse Warre , in the mindes of men , Like to incense the outward Warre againe : Selfe-loue , inflaming so , mens sensuall bloud , That all good , publique , drownes in priuate good ; And that , sinks vnder , his owne ouer-freight ; Mens Reasons , and their Learnings , shipwrackt quite ; And their Religion , that should still be One , Takes shapes so many , that most know 't in none . Which , I admiring ( since , in each man shinde A light so cleere , that by it , all might finde ( Being well informd ) their obiect perfect Peace , Which keepes the narrow path to Happinesse ) In that discourse ; I shund , ( as is my vse ) The iarring preace , and all their times abuse ; T' enioy least trodden fieldes , and fre'est shades ; Wherein ( of all the pleasure that inuades The life of man , and flies all vulgar feet , Since silent meditation is most sweet ) I sat to it ; discoursing what maine want So ransackt man ; that it did quite supplant The inward Peace I spake of ; letting in ( At his loose veines ) sad warre , and all his sinne . When , sodainely , a comfortable light Brake through the shade ; and , after it , the sight Of a most graue , and goodly person shinde ; With eys turnd vpwards , & was outward , blind ; But , inward ; past , and future things , he sawe ; And was to both , and present times , their lawe . His sacred bosome was so full of fire , That t' was transparent ; and made him expire His breath in flames , that did instruct ( me thought ) And ( as my soule were then at full ) they wrought . At which , I casting downe my humble eyes , Not daring to attempt their feruencies ; He thus bespake me ; Deare minde , do not feare My strange apparance ; Now t' is time t'outweare Thy bashfull disposition , and put on As confident a countnance , as the Sunne . For what hast thou to looke on , more diuine , And horrid , then man is ; as hee should shine , And as he doth ? what , free'd from this worlds strife ; What he is entring ; and what , ending life ? All which , thou onely studiest , and clost knowe ; And , more then which , is onely sought for showe . Thou must not vnderualue what thou hast , In weighing it with that , which more is grac't ; The worth that weigheth in ward , should not long For outward prices . This should make thee strong In thy close value ; Nought so good can be As that which lasts good , betwixt God , and thee . Remember thine owne verse — Should Heauen turn Hell , For deedes well done , I would do euer well . This heard , with ioy enough , to breake the twine Of life and soule , so apt to breake as mine ; I brake into a trance , and then remainde ( Like him ) an onely soule ; and so obtainde Such bouldnesse , by the sense hee did controule ; That I set looke , to looke ; and soule to soule . I view'd him at his brightest ; though , alas , With all acknowledgement , of what hee was Beyond what I found habited in me ; And thus I spake ; O thou that ( blinde ) dost see My hart , and soule ; what may I reckon thee ? Whose heauenly look showes not ; nor voice sounds man ▪ I am ( sayd hee ) that spirit Elysian , That ( in thy natiue ayre ; and on the hill Next Hitchins left hand ) did thy bosome fill , With such a flood of soule ; that thou wert faine ( With ●●clamations of her Rapture then ) To vent it , to the Echoes of the vale ; When ( meditating of me ) a sweet gale Brought me vpon thee ; and thou didst inherit My true sense ( for the time then ) in my spirit ; And I , inuisiblie , went prompting thee , To those fayre Greenes , where thou didst english me . Scarce he had vttered this , when well I knewe It was my Princes Homer ; whose deare viewe Renew'd my gratefull memorie of the grace His Highnesse did me for him : which , in face , Me thought the Spirit show'd , was his delight ; And added glory to his heauenly plight : Who tould me , he brought stay to all my state ; That hee was Angell to me ; Starre , and Fate ; Aduancing Colours of good hope to me ; And tould me , my retired age should see Heauens blessing , in a free , and harmelesse life , Conduct me , through Earths peace-pretending strife , To that true Peace , whose search I still intend , And to the calme Shore of a loued ende . But now , as I cast round my rauisht eye , To see , if this free Soule had companie ; Or that , alone , hee louingly pursude The hidden places of my Solitude ; He rent a Cloude downe , with his burning hand That at his backe hung , twixt me , and a Land Neuer inhabited ; and sayd ; Now , behould What maine defect it is that doth enfould The World , in ominious flatteries of a Peace So full of worse then warre ; whose sterne encrease Deuours her issue . With which words , I view'd A Lady , like a Deitie indew'd ; ( But weeping , like a woman ) and made way Out of one Thicket , that sawe neuer day , Towards another ; bearing vnderneath Her arme , a Coffine , for some prize of death ; And after her ( in funerall forme ) did goe The woddes foure-footed Beasts , by two , and two ; A Male , and Female , matcht , of euerie kinde ; And after them ; with like instinct enclinde , The ayrie Nation felt her sorrowes stings ; Fell on the earth , kept rancke , and hung their wings . Which sight I much did pittie , and admire ; And longd to knowe the dame that could inspire Those Bestials , with such humane Forme , and ruthe ; And how I now should knowe , the hidden Truthe ( As Homer promist ) of that maine defect That makes men , all their inward Peace reiect For name of outward : Then hee tooke my hand ; Led to her ; and would make my selfe demand , ( Though he could haue resolv'd me ) what shee was ? And from what cause , those strange effects had pass ? For whom , She bore that Coffine ? and so mournd ? To all which ; with all mildensse , she returnd Aunswere ; that she was Peace ; sent down from heauen With charge , from the Almightie Deitie giuen , T' attend on men ; who now had banisht her From their societies , and made her erre In that wilde desert ; onely Humane loue ( Banisht in like sort ) did a longtime proue That life with her ; but now , alas , was dead , And lay in that wood to bee buried ; For whom she bore that Coffine , and did mourne ; And that those Beasts were so much humane , borne , That they , in nature , felt a loue to Peace ; For which , they followd her , when men did cease . This went so neere her heart , it left her tongue ; And ( silent ) the gaue time , to note whence sprung Mens want of Peace , which was from want of loue : And I observ'd now , what that peace did proue That men made shift with , & did so much please . For now , the Sunne declining to the Seas , Made long misshapen shadowes ; and true Peace ( Here wa●king in his Beames ) cast such encrease Of shaddowe from her ; that I saw it glide Through Citties , Courts , and Countryes ; and descride , How , in her shadowe only , men there liv'd , While shee walkt here i th Sunne : and all that thriv'd Hid in that shade their thrift ; nought but her shade Was Bullwarke gainst all warre that might inuade Their Countries , or their Consciences ; since Loue ( That should giue Peace , her substance ) now they droue Into the Deserts ; where hee sufferd Fate , And whose sad Funerals Beasts must celebrate . With whom , I freely wisht , I had beene nurst ; Because they follow Nature , at their wurst ; And at their best , did teach her . As wee went I felt a scruple , which I durst not vent , No not to Peace her selfe , whom it concernd , For feare to wrong her ; So well I haue learnd , To shun iniustice , euen to doues , or flies ; But , to the Diuell , or the Destinies , Where I am iust , and knowe I honour Truth , I le speake my thoughts , in scorne of what ensu'th . Yet ( not resolv'd in th' other ) there did shine A Beame of Homers fre'er soule , in mine , That made me see , I might propose my doubt ; Which was ; If this were true Peace I found out , That felt such passion ? I prov'd her sad part ; And prayd her call , her voice out of her hart ( There , kept a wrongfull prisoner to her woe ) To answere , why shee was afflicted so . Or how , in her , such contraries could fall ; That taught all ioy , and was the life of all ? Shee aunswered ; Homer tould me that there are Passions , in which corruption hath no share ; There is a ioy of soule ; and why not then A griefe of soule , that is no skathe to men ? For both are Passions , though not such as raigne In blood , and humor , that engender paine . Free sufferance for the truth , makes sorrow sing , And mourning farre more sweet , then banqueting . Good , that deserueth ioy ( receiuing ill ) Doth merit iustly , as much sorrow still : And is it a corruption to do right ? Griefe , that dischargeth Conscience , is delight : One sets the other off . To stand at gaze In one position , is a stupide maze , Fit for a Statue . This resolv'd me well , That Griefe , in Peace , and Peace in Griefe might dwell . And now fell all things from their naturall Birth : Passion in Heauen ; Stupiditie , in Earth , Inuerted all ; the Muses , Vertues , Graces , Now suffer● rude , and miserable chaces From mens societies , to that desert heath ; And after them , Religion ( chac't by death ) Came weeping , bleeding to the Funerall : Sought her deare Mother Peace ; and downe did fall , Before her , fainting , on her horned knees ; Turnd horne , with praying for the miseries ▪ She left the world in ; desperate in their sinne ; Marble , her knees pearc't ; but heauen could not winne To stay the weightie ruine of his Glorie In her sad Exile ; all the memorie Of heauen , and heauenly things , rac't of all hands ; Heauen moues so farre off , that men say it stands ; And Earth is turnd the true , and mouing Heauen ; And so t is left ; and so is all Truth driuen From her false bosome ; all is left alone , Till all bee orderd with confusion . Thus the poore broode of Peace ; driuen , & distrest , Lay brooded all beneath their mothers breast ; Who fell vpon them weeping , as they fell : All were so pinde , that she containde them well . And in this Chaos , the digestion And beautie of the world , lay thrust and throwne . In this deiection , Peace pourd out her Teares , Worded ( with some pause ) in my wounded Eares .

INVOCATIO . O ye three-times-thrice sacred Quiristers , Of Gods great Temple ; the small Vniuerse Of ruinous man : ( thus prostrate as ye lye Brooded , and Loded with Calamitie , Contempt , and shame , in your true mother , Peace ) As you make sad my soule , with your misease : So make her able fitly to disperse Your sadnesse , and her owne , in sadder verse . Now ( olde , and freely banisht with your selues From mens societies ; as from rockes , and shelues ) Helpe me to sing , and die , on our Thames shore ; And let her lend me , her waues to deplore ( In yours , and your most holy Sisters falls ) Heauens fall , and humane Loues , last funeralls . And thou , great Prince of men ; let thy sweete graces Shine on these teares ; and drie , at length , the faces Of Peace , and all her heauen-allyed brood ; From whose Doues eyes , is shed the precious blood Of Heauens deare Lamb , that freshly bleeds in them . Make these no toyes then ; gird the Diadem Of thrice great Britaine , with their Palm and Bayes : And with thy Eagles feathers , daigne to raise The heauie body of my humble Muse ; That thy great Homers spirit in her may vse Her topless flight , and beare thy Fame aboue The reach of Mortalls , and their earthy loue ; To that high honour , his Achilles wonne , And make thy glory farre out-shine the Sunne . While this small time gaue Peace ( in her kinde Throes ) Vent for the violence of her sodaine woes ; She turnd on her right side , and ( leaning on Her tragique daughters bosome ) lookt vpon My heauy lookes , drownd in imploring teares For her , and that so wrongd deare Race of hers . At which , euen Peace , exprest a kinde of Spleene . And , as a carefull Mother , I haue seene Chide her lov'd Childe , snatcht with som feare from danger : So Peace chid me ; and first shed teares of anger .

The Teares of Peace . Peace . THou wretched man , whome I discouer , borne To want , and sorrowe , and the Vulgars scorne : Why haunt'st thou freely , these vnhaunted places , Emptie of pleasures ? empty of all Graces , Fashions , and Riches ; by the best pursude With broken Sleepe , Toyle , Loue , Zeale , Seruitude ; With feare and trembling , with whole liues , and Soules ? While thou break'st sleepes , digst vnder Earth , like moules , To liue , to seeke me out , whome all men fly : And think'st to finde , light in obscuritie , Eternitie , in this deepe vale of death : Look'st euer vpwards , and liu'st still beneath ; Fill'st all thy actions , with strife , what to thinke , Thy Braine with Ayre , and skatterst it in inke : Of which thou mak'st weeds for thy soule to weare , As out of fashion , as the bodies are . Interlo . I grant their strangenesse , and their too ill grace , And too much wretchednesse , to beare the face Or any likenesse of my soule in them : Whose Instruments , I rue with many a Streame Of secret Teares for their extream defects , In vttering her true forms : but their respects Need not be less'ned , for their being strange , Or not so vulgar , as the rest that range With headlong Raptures , through the multitude : Of whom they get grace , for their being rude . Nought is so shund by Virtue , throwne from Truth , As that which drawes the vulgar Dames ▪ and Youth . Pea. Truth must confesse it : for where l●ues there one , That Truth or Vertue , for themselues alone , Or seekes , or not contemns ? All , all pursue Wealth , Glory , Greatnesse , Pleasure , Fashions new . Who studies , studies these : who studies not And sees that studie , layes the vulgar Plot ; That all the Learning he gets liuing by , Men but for forme , or humour dignifie ( As himselfe studies , but for forme , and showe , And neuer makes his speciall end , to knowe ) And that an idle , ayrie man of Newes , A standing Face ; a propertie to vse In all things vil● , makes Booke-wormes , creepe to him : How scorns he bookes , and booke-worms ! O how dim Burnes a true Soules light , in his Bastard eyes ! And , as a Forrest ouer-grow'n breedes Flyes , Todes , Adders , Sauadges , that all men shunne ; When , on the South-side , in a fresh May Sunne , In varied Heards , the Beasts lie out , and sleepe , The busie Gnatts , in swarms a buzzing keepe , And guild their empty bodies ( lift aloft ) In beames , that though they see all , difference nought : So , in mens meerly outward , and false Peace , Insteade of polisht men , and true encrease , She brings forth men , with vices ouer-growne : Women , so light , and like , fewe knowe their owne : For milde and humane tongues , tongues forkt that sting : And all these ( while they may ) take Sunne , and spring , To help them sleep , and florish : on whose beames , And branches , vp they clime , in such extreams Of proude confusion , from iust Lawes so farre , That in their Peace , the long Robe sweeps like warre ; Int. That Robe serues great men : why are great so rude , Pea. Since great , and meane , are all but multitude ? For regular Learning , that should difference set Twixt all mens worths , and make the meane , or great , As that is meane or great ( or chiefe stroke strike ) Serues the Plebeian and the Lord alike . Their obiects , showe their learnings are all one ; Int. Their liues , their obiects ; Learning lov'd by none . You meane , for most part : nor would it displease That most part , if they heard ; since they professe , Contempt of learning : Nor esteeme it fit , Noblesse should study , see , or count'nance it . Pea. Can men in blood be Noble , not in soule ? Reason abhorres it ; since what doth controule The rudenesse of the blood , and makes it Noble ( Or hath chiefe meanes , high birth-right to redouble , In making manners soft , and man-like milde , Not suffering humanes to runne proude , or wilde ) Is Soule , and learning ; ( or in loue , or act ) In blood where both faile then , lyes Nobless wrackt , Interlo . It cannot be denyde : but could you proue , As well , that th' act of learning , or the loue , ( Loue being the act in will ) should difference set , Twixt all mens worths , and make the meane or great , As learning is , or great , or meane in them ; Then cleare , her Right , stood to mans Diadem , Pea. To proue that Learning ( the soules actuall frame ; Without which , t is a blanke ; a smoke-hid flame ) Should sit great Arbitresse , of all things donne , And in your soules , ( like Gnomons in the Sunne ) Giue Rules to all the circles of your liues ▪ I proue it , by the Regiment God giues To man , of all things ; to the soule , of man ; To Learning , of the Soule . If then it can Rule , liue ; of all things best , is it not best ? O who , what god makes greatest , dares make least ? But , to vse their tearms ; Life is Roote and Crest To all mans Cote of Nobless ; his soule is , Field to that Cote ; and learning differences All his degrees in honour , being the Cote . Simi . And as a Statuarie , hauing got An Alablaster , bigge enough to cut A humane image in : till he hath put His tooles , and art to it ; hew'n , formd , left none Of the redundant matter in the Stone ; It beares the image of a man , no more , Then of a Woolf , a Cammell , or a Boare : So when the Soule is to the body giuen ; ( Being substance of Gods Image , sent from heaven ) It is not his true Image , till it take Into the Substance , those fit forms that make His perfect Image ; which are then imprest By Learning and impulsion ; tha inuest Man with Gods forme in liuing Holinesse , By cutting from his Body the excesse Of Humors , perturbations and Affects ; Which Nature ( without Art ) no more eiects , Then without tooles , a naked Artizan Can , in rude stone , cut th' Image of a man . How then do Ignorants ? who , oft , we trie , Int. Rule perturbations , liue more humanely Then men held learnd ? Pea. Who are not learn'd indeed ; More then a house fram'd loose , ( that still doth neede The haling vp , and ioyning ) is a house : Nor can you call , men meere Religious , ( That haue good-wills , to knowledge ) Ignorant ; For , virtuous knowledge hath two waies to plant ; By Powre infus'd , and Acquisition ; The first of which , those good men , graft vpon ; For good life is th' effect , of learnings Act ; Which th' action of the minde , did first compact By infusde loue to Learning gainst all ill , Conquests first step , is to all good , the will . Int. If Learning then , in loue or act must be , Meane to good life , and true humanitie ; Where are our Scarre-crowes now , or men of ragges , Of Titles meerely , Places , Fortunes , Bragges , That want and scorne both ? Those inuerted men ? Those dungeons ; whose soules no more containe The actuall light of Reason , then darke beasts ? Those Cloudes , driuen still , twixt Gods beame and their brests ? Those Giants , throwing goulden hils gainst heauen ? To no one spice of true humanitie given ? Peace . Of men , there are three sorts , that most foes be To Learning and her loue ; themselues and me : Actiue , Passiue , and Intellectiue men : Whose selfe-loues ; Learning , and her loue disdaine . Your Actiue men , consume their whole lifes fire , In thirst of State-height , higher still and higher , ( Like seeled Pigeons ) mounting , to make sport , To lower lookers on ; in seeing how short They come of that they seeke , and with what trouble ; Lamely , and farre from Nature , they redouble Their paines in flying , more then humbler witts , To reach death , more direct . For Death that sits , Vpon the fist of Fate , past highest Ayre , ( Since she commands all liues , within that Sphere ) The higher men aduance ; the neerer findes Her seeled Quarries ; when , in bitterest windes , Lightnings , and thunders , and in sharpest hayles Fate casts her off at States ; when lower Sayles Slide calmely to their ends ▪ Your Passiue men ( So call'd of onely passing time in vaine ) Passe it , in no good exercise ; but are In meates , and cuppes laborious ; and take care To lose without all care their Soule-spent Time ; And since they haue no meanes , nor Spirits to clime , Like Fowles of Prey , in any high affaire ; See how like Kites they bangle in the Ayre , To stoope at scraps , and garbidge ; in respect , Of that which men of true peace should select ; And how they trot out , in their liues , the Ring ; With idlely iterating oft one thing , A new-fought Combat , an affaire at Sea ; A Marriage , or a Progresse , or a Plea . No Newes , but fits them , as if made for them , Though it be forg'd , but of a womans dreame ; And stuffe with , such stolne ends , their manlesse breasts , ( Sticks , rags , and mud ) they seem meer Puttocks nests : Curious in all mens actions , but their owne ; All men , and all things censure , though know none . Your Intellectiue men , they study hard Not to get knowledge , but for meere rewarde . And therefore that true knowledge that should be Their studies end , and is in Nature free , Will not be made their Broker ; hauing powre ( With her sole selfe ) to bring both Bride , and dowre . They haue some shadowes of her ( as of me , Adulterate outward Peace ) but neuer see Her true , and heauenly face . Yet those shades serue ( Like errant Knights , that by enchantments swerue , From their true Ladyes being ; and embrace An ougly Witch , with her phantastique face ) To make them thinke , Truths substance in their arms : Which that they haue not , but her shadowes charmes , See if my proofes , be like their Arguments That leaue Opinion still , her free dissents . They haue not me with them ; that all men knowe The highest fruite that doth of knowledge grow ; The Bound of all true formes , and onely Act ; If they be true , they rest ; nor can be rackt Out of their posture , by Times vtmost strength ; But last the more of force , the more of length ; For they become one substance with the Soule ; Which Time with all his adiuncts shall controule . But since , men wilfull may beleeue perchance ( In part of Errors two-folde Ignorance , Ill disposition ) their skills looke as hie And rest in that diuine Securitie ; See if their liues make proofe of such a Peace , For Learnings Truth makes all lifes vain war cease ; It making peace with God , and ioines to God ; Whose information driues her Period Through all the Bodies passiue Instruments ; And by reflection giues them Soule-contents , Besides , from perfect Learning you can neuer Wisedome ( with her faire Reigne of Passions ) seuer ; For Wisdome is nought else , then Learning fin'd , And with the vnderstanding Powre combin'd ; That is , a habite of both habits standing ; The Bloods vaine humours , euer countermaunding . But , if these showe , more humour then th' vnlearn'd ; If in them more vaine passion be discern'd ; More mad Ambition ; more lust ; more deceipt ; More showe of golde , then gold ; then drosse , less weight ; If Flattery , Auarice haue their soules so giuen , Headlong , and with such diuelish furies driuen ; That fooles may laugh at their imprudencie , And Villanes blush at their dishonestie ; Where is true Learning , proov'd to separate these And seate all forms in her Soules height , in peace ? Raging Euripus , that ( in all their Pride ) Driues Shippes gainst roughest windes , with his fierce Tide , And ebbes and flowes , seuen times in euerie daie ; Toyles not on Earth with more irregulare swaye , Nor is more turbulent , and mad then they . And shine ; like gould-worms , whom you hardly finde , By their owne , light ; not seene ; but heard like winde . But this is Learning ; To haue skill to throwe Reignes on your bodies powres , that nothing knowe ; And fill the soules powers , so with act , and art , That she can curbe the bodies angrie part ; All preturbations ; all affects that stray From their one obiect ; which is to obay Her Soueraigne Empire ; as her selfe should force Their functions onely , to serue her discourse ; And , that ; to beat the streight path of one ende Which is , to make her substance still contend , To be Gods Image ; in informing it , With knowledge ; holy thoughts , and all formes fit For that eternitie , ye seeke in way Of his sole imitation ; and to sway , Your lifes loue so , that hee may still be Center To all your pleasures ; and you , ( here ) may enter The next lifes peace ; in gouerning so well Your sensuall parts , that you , as free may dwell Of vulgare Raptures , here ; as when calme death Dissolues that learned Empire , with your Breath . To teach , and liue thus , is the onely vse , And end of Learning . Skill that doth produce But tearmes , and tongues , and Parrating of Arte , Without that powre to rule the errant part ; Is that which some call , learned ignorance ; A serious trifle ; error in a trance . And let a Scholler , all earths volumes carrie , He will be but a walking dictionarie : A meere articulate Clocke , that doth but speake By others arts ; when wheeles weare , or springs breake , Or any fault is in him ; hee can mend No more then clockes ; but at set howres must spend His mouth , as clocks do ; If too fast , speech goe Hee cannot stay it ; nor haste if too slowe . So that , as Trauaylers , seeke their peace through storms , In passing many Seas , for many forms , Of forreigne gouernment ; indure the paine Of many faces seeing ; and the gaine That Strangers make , of their strange-louing humors ; Learn tongues ; keep note books ; all to feed the tumors Of vaine discourse at home ; or serue the course Of State employment , neuer hauing force T' employ themselues ; but idle complements Must pay their paines , costs , slaueries , all their Rents ; And , though they many men knowe , get few friends : So couetous Readers ; setting many endes To their much skill to talke ; studiers of Phrase ; Shifters in Art ; to flutter in the Blaze Of ignorant count'nance ; to obtaine degrees And lye in Learnings bottome , like the Lees , To be accounted deepe by shallow men ; And carue all Language , in one glorious Pen ; May haue much fame for learning : but th' effect Proper to perfect Learning ; to direct Reason in such an Art , as that it can Turne blood to soule , and make both , one calme man ; So making peace with God ; doth differ farre From Clearkes that goe with God & man to warre . Int. But may this Peace , and mans true Empire then , By learning be obtainde ? and taught to men ? Pea. Let all men iudge ; who is it can denie , That the rich crowne of ould Humanitie , Is still your birth-right ? and was ne're let downe From heauen , for rule of Beasts liues , but your owne ? You learne the depth of Arts ; and ( curious ) dare By them ( in Natures counterfaits ) compare Almost with God ; to make perpetually Motion like heauens ; to hang sad Riuers by The ayre , in ayre ; and earth , twixt earth and heauen By his owne paise . And are these vertues giuen To powrefull Art , and Vertue 's selfe denied ? This proues the other , vaine , and falsified . Wealth , Honour , and the Rule of Realmes doth fall In lesse then Reasons compasse ; yet , what all Those things are giuen for ( which is liuing well ) Wants discipline , and reason to compell . O foolish men ! how many waies ye vex Your liues with pleasing them ? and still perplex Your liberties , with licence ? euery way Casting your eyes , and faculties astray From their sole obiect ? If some few bring forth ( In Nature , freely ) something of some worth ; Much rude and worthlesse humour runs betwixt ; ( Like fruit in deserts ) with vile matter mixt . Nor ( since they flatter flesh so ) they are bould ( As a most noble spectacle ) to behould Their owne liues ; and ( like sacred light ) to beare There Reason inward : for the Soule ( in feare Of euerie sort of vice , shee there containes ) Flies out ; and wanders about other mens ; Feeding , and fatting , her infirmities . And as in auntient Citties , t' was the guise To haue some Ports of sad , and haplesse vent , Through which , all executed men they sent ; All filth ; all off all , cast from what purg'd sinne ; Nought , chaste , or sacred , there going out , or in : So , through mens refuse eares , will nothing pearse That s good , or elegant ; but the sword ; the herse ; And all that doth abhorre , from mans pure vse , Is each mans onely Siren ; only Muse. And thus , for one God ; one fit good ; they prise These idle , foolish , vile varieties . Int. Wretched estate of men , by fortune blest ; That being euer idle , neuer rest ; That haue goods , ere they earne them ; and for that , Want art to vse them . To bee wonderd at Is Iustice ; for Proportion , Ornament ; None of the Graces , is so excellent . Vile things , adorne her : me thought , once I sawe How , by the Seas shore , she sat giuing lawe Euen to the streames , and fish ( most loose , and wilde ) And was ( to my thoughts ) wondrous sweet and milde ; Yet fire flew from her that dissolued Rocks ; Her lookes , to Pearle turnd pebble ; and her locks , The rough , and sandy bankes , to burnisht gould ; Her white left hand , did goulden bridles holde ; And , with her right , she wealthy gifts did giue ; Which with their left hands , men did still receiue ; Vpon a world in her chaste lappe , did lye , A little Iuory Book , that show'd mine eye , But one Page onely ; that one verse containde , Where all Arts , were contracted , and explainde ; All policies of Princes , all their forces ; Rules for their feares , cares , dangers , pleasures , purses , All the fayre progresse of their happinesse here , Iustice conuerted , and composed there . All which I thought on , when I had exprest Why great men , of the great states they possest , Enioyd so little ; and I now must note The large straine of a verse , I long since wrote . Which ( me thought ) much ioy , to men poore presented ; God hath made none ( that all might be ) contented . Peace . It might ( for the capacitie it beares ) Be that concealed and expressiue verse , That Iustice , in her Iuorie Manuell writ ; Since all Lines to mans Peace , are drawne in it . For great men ; though such ample stuffe they haue To shape contentment ; yet , since ( like a waue ) It flittes , and takes all formes , retayning none ; ( Not fitted to their patterne , which is one ) They may content themselues ; God hath not giuen , To men meere earthly , the true Ioyes of heauen ; And so their wilde ambitions either stay ; Or turne their headstrong course , the better way . For poore men ; their cares may be richly easde ; Since rich ( with all they haue ) liue as displeasde . Int. You teach me to be plaine . But what s the cause , That great , and rich , whose stares winne such applause ; With such enforc't , and vile varieties , Spend time ; nor giue their liues glad sacrifice ; But when they eate , and drinke , with tales , iests , sounds ; As if ( like frantique men , that feele no wounds ) They would expire in laughters ? and so erre From their right way ; that like a Trauayler , ( Weariest when neerest to his iourneys ende ) Time best spent euer , with most paine they spend ? Pea. The cause , is want of Learning ; which ( being right ) Makes idlenesse a paine ; and paine delight . It makes men knowe , that they ( of all things borne Beneath the siluer Moone , and goulden Morne ) Being onely formes of God ; should onely fix One forme of life to those formes ; and not mix With Beasts in formes of their liues . It doth teach , To giue the soule her Empire ; and so reach To rule of all the bodies mutinous Realme ; In which ( once feared ▪ She then takes the Helme , And gouernes freely ; stering to one Port. Then , ( like a man in health ) the whole consort Of his tun'd body , sings ; which otherwise , Is like one full of weiward maladies , Still out of tune ; and ( like to Spirits raisde Without a Circle ) neuer is appaisde . And then , they haue no strength , but weakens them ; No greatnes , but doth crush them into streame ; No libertie , but turnes into their snare ; Their learnings then , do light them but to erre ; Their ornaments , are burthens ; their delights , Are mercinarie , seruile Parasites , Betraying , laughing ; Feends , that raisde in feares , At parting , shake their Roofes about their eares ; Th' imprison'd thirst , the fortunes of the Free ; The Free , of Rich ; Rich , of Nobilitie ; Nobilitie , of Kings ; and Kings , Gods thrones ; Euen to their lightning flames ; and thunder-stones . O liberall Learning , that well vsde , giues vse To all things good ; how bad is thy abuse ! When , onely thy diuine reflection can ( Th●● lights but to thy loue ) make good a man ; How can the regular Body of thy light , Informe , and decke him ? the Ills infinite , That ( like beheaded Hydra's in that Fen Of bloud , and flesh , in lewd illiterate men ) Aunswere their amputations , with supplyes That twist their heads , and euer double rise ; Herculean Learning conquers ; And O see How many , and of what fowle formes they be ? Vnquiet , wicked thoughts ; vnnumbred passions ; Poorenesse of Counsailes ; howrely fluctuations ; ( In entercourse ) of woes , and false delights ; Impotent wils to goodnesse ; Appetites That neuer will bee bridl'd ; satisfied ; Nor knowe how , or with what to be supplyed ; Feares , and distractions , mixt with greedinesse ; Stupidities of those things ye possesse ; Furies for what ye lose ; wrongs done for nonce ; For present , past , and future things , at once Cares vast , and endlesse ; miseries , wolne with pride ; Vertues despisde , and vices glorified . All these , true Learning calmes , and can subdue : But who turnes learning this way ? All pursue Warre with each other , that exasperates these ; For things without ; whose ends are inward peace ; And yet those inward Rebels they maintaine . And as your curious sort of Passiue men , Thrust their heads through the Roofs of Rich & Poore ; Through all their liues , and fortunes , and explore Forraigne , and home-affayres ; their Princes Courts , Their Counsaile , and Bedchambers for reports ; And ( like free-booters ) wander out , to win Matter to feede their mutinous Route within ; ( Which are the greedier still ) and ouershoote Their true-sought inward Peace , for outward boote ; So Learned men , in controuersies spend ( Of tongues , and tearmes , readings , and labours pend ) Their whole liues studies ; Glorie , Riches , Place , In full crie , with the vulgare giuing Chace ; And neuer , with their learnings true vse striue To bridle strifes within them ; and to liue Like men of Peace , whome Art of Peace begat : But , as their deedes , are most adulterate , And showe them false Sons , to their Peacefull Mother , In those warres ; so their Arts , are prov'd no other . And let the best of them , a search impose Vpon his Art : for all the things shee knowes ( All being referd , to all , to her vnknowne ) They will obtaine the same proportion That doth a little brooke that neuer ran Through Summers Sunne ; compar'd with th' Ocean . But , could he Oracles speake ; and wright to charme A wilde of Sauadges ; take Natures Arme , And plucke into his search , the Circuit Of Earth , and Heauen ; the Seas space , and the spirit Of euerie Starre : the Powers of Herbs , and Stones ; Yet touch not , at his perturbations ; Nor giue them Rule , and temper , to obay Imperiall Reason ; in whose Soueraigne sway , Learning is wholly vs'd , and dignified ; To what end serues he ? is his learning tryed That comforting , and that creating Fire That fashions men ? or that which doth inspire Citties with ciuile conflagrations , Countries , and kingdomes ? That Art that attones All opposition to good life , is all ; Liue well ye Learnd ; and all men ye enthrall . Interl● . Alas they are discourag'd in their courses , And ( like surpris'd Forts ) beaten from their forces . Bodies , on Rights of Soules did neuer growe With ruder Rage , then barbarous Torrents flowe Ouer their sacred Pastures ; bringing in Weedes , and all rapine ; Temples now begin To suffer second deluge ; Sinne-drownde Beasts , Making their Altars crack ; and the filde Nests Of vulturous Fowles , filling their holy places ; For wonted Ornaments , and Religious graces . Pea. The chiefe cause is , since they themselues betraie ; Take their Foes baites , for some particular swaie T' inuert their vniuersall ; and this still , Is cause of all ills else ; their liuing ill . Int. Alas ! that men should striue for others swaie ; But first to rule themselues : And that being waie To all mens Bliss ; why is it trod by none ? And why are rules so dully lookt vpon That teach that liuely Rule ? Pea. O horrid thing ! T is Custome powres into your common spring Such poyson of Example , in things vaine ; That Reason nor Religion can constraine Mens sights of serious things ; and th' onely cause That neither humane nor celestiall lawes Drawe man more compasse ; is his owne slacke bent T' intend no more his proper Regiment . Where ; if your Actiue men ( or men of action ) Their Policie , Auarice , Ambition , Faction , Would turne to making strong , their rule of Passion , To search , and settle them , in Approbation Of what they are , and shal be ( which may be By Reason , in despight of Policie ) And in one true course , couch their whole Affaires To one true blisse , worth all the spawne of theirs ; If halfe the idle speech , men Passiue spend , At sensuall meetings , when they recommend Their sanguine Soules , in laughters , to their Peace , Were spent in Counsailes how they might decrease That frantique humour of ridiculous blood ( Which addes , they vainely thinke , to their liues flood ) And so conuerted , in true humane mirth , To speech , what they shall be ( dissolv'd from Earth ) In bridling it in flesh ; with all the scope Of their owne knowledge here ; and future hope : If ( last of all ) your Intellectiue men Would mixe the streames of euery iarring Penne. In one calme Current ; that like land flouds , now Make all Zeales bounded Riuers ouer-flowe ; Firme Truth , with question , euery howre pursue ; And yet will have no question , all is true : Search in that troubled Ocean , for a Ford That by it selfe runnes ; and must beare accord In each mans self ; by banishing falshood there , Wrath , lust , pride , earthy thoughts ; before elsewhere . ( For , as in one man , is the world inclosde , So to forme one , it should be all disposde : ) If all these would concurre to this one end , It would aske all their powres ; and all would spend Life with that reall sweetnesse , which they dreame Comes in with obiects that are meere extreame : And make them outward pleasures still apply Which neuer can come in , but by that key ; Others aduancements , others Fames desiring ; Thirsting , exploring , praysing , and admiring ; Like lewd adultererers , that their owne wiues scorne , And other mens , with all their wealth , adorne . Why , in all outraying , varyed ioyes , and courses , That in these errant times , tire all mens forces , Is this so common wonder of our dayes ? That in poore foretimes , such a fewe could raise So many wealthy Temples , and these none ? All were deuout then ; all deuotions one ; And to one end conuerted ; and when men Giue vp themselues to God ; all theirs goes then : A few well-giuen , are worth a world of ill ; And worlds of Powre , not worth one poore good-will . And what 's the cause , that ( being but one Truth ) spreds About the world so manie thousand heads , Of false Opinions , all self-lov'd as true ? Onely affection , to things more then due : One Error kist , begetteth infinite . How can men finde truth , in waies opposite ? And with what force , they must take opposite wayes When all haue opposite obiects ? Truth displaies One colourd ensigne ; and the world pursues Ten thousand colours : see ( to iudge , who vse Truth in their Arts ; ) what light their liues doe giue : For wherefore doe they study , but to liue ? See I Eternities streight milke-white waie , And One , in this lifes crooked vanities straie ; And , shall I thinke he knowes Truth , following Error ? This ; onely this ; is the infallible myrror , To showe , why Ignorants , with learn'd men vaunt , And why your learn'd men , are so ignorant . Why euery Youth , in one howre will be old In euery knowledge ; and why Age doth mould . Then ; As in Rules of true Philosophie There must be euer due Analogie Betwixt the Powre that knowes , and that is knowne , So surely ioynde that they are euer one ; The vnderstanding part transcending still To that it vnderstands , that , to his skill ; All , offering to the Soule , the Soule to God ; ( By which do all things make their Period In his high Powre ; and make him , All in All ; So , to ascend , the high-heauen-reaching Skale Of mans true Peace ; and make his Art entire , By calming all his Errors in desire ; ( Which must preceede , that higher happinesse ) Proportion still , must trauerse her accesse Betwixt his powre , and will ; his Sense and Soule ; And euermore th' exorbitance controule Of all forms , passing through the bodies Powre , Till in the soule they rest , as in their Towre . Int. But ; as Earths grosse and elementall fire , Cannot maintaine it selfe ; but doth require Fresh matter still , to giue it heate , and light ; And , when it is enflam'd ; mounts not vpright ; But struggles in his lame impure ascent ; Now this waie works , and then is that waie bent , Not able , straight , t' aspire to his true Sphere Where burns the fire , eternall , and sincere ; So , best soules here ; with heartiest zeales enflam'd In their high flight for heauen ; earth-broos'd and lam'd ) Make many faint approches ; and are faine , With much vnworthy matter , to sustaine Their holiest fire ; and with sick feathers , driuen , And broken Pinions , flutter towards heauen . Peace The cause is , that you neuer will bestowe Your best , t' enclose your liues , twixt God , and you ; To count the worlds Loue , Fame , Ioy , Honour , nothing ; But life , ( with all your loue to it ) betrothing To his loue ; his recomfort ; his rewarde ; Since no good thought calls to him , but is heard . Nor neede you , thinke this strange ; since he is there , Present : within you ; euer , euery where Where good thoughts are ; for Good hath no estate Without him ; nor himself is , without That : If then , this Commerce stand twixt you entire ; Trie , if he either , grant not each desire ; Or so conforme it , to his will , in staie ; That you shall finde him , there , in the delaie , As well as th' instant grant ; And so prooue , right How easie , his deare yoke is ; and how light His equall burthen : whether this Commerce Twixt God and man , be so hard , or peruerse ( In composition ) ; as , the Raritie , Or no-where-patterne of it , doth implie ? Or if , in worrhy contemplation It do not tempt , beyond comparison Of all things worldly ? Sensualitie , Nothing so easie ; all Earths Companie , ( Like Rubarb , or the drugges of Thessalie ) Compar'd , in taste with that sweet ? O trie then If , that contraction ( by the God of men ) Of all the lawe , and Prophets , layd vpon The tempting Lawyer ; were a lode , that None Had powre to stand beneath ? If Gods deare loue , Thy Conscience do not , at first sight approue Deare , aboue all things ? And , so passe this shelfe ; To loue ( withall ) thy Neighbour as thy selfe ? Not , loue as much ; but as thy selfe ; in this , To let it be as free , as thine owne is ; Without respect of profit , or reward , Deceipt , or flatterie ; politique regard , Or anie thing , but naked Charitie . Interlo . I call , euen God , himselfe ; to testifie ( For men , I know but fewe ) that farre aboue All to be here desir'd ; I rate his loue . Thanks to his still-kist-hand , that so hath fram'd My poore , and abiect life ; and so , inflam'd My soule with his sweete , all-want-seasoning loue ; In studying to supply , though not remoue , My desert fortunes , and vnworthinesse , With some wisht grace from him ; that might expresse His presence with me ; and so dignifie , My life , to creepe on earth ; behold the skie , And giue it meanes enough , for this lowe plight ; Though , hitherto , with no one houres delight , Heartie or worthie ; but in him alone ; Who , like a carefull guide , hath hal'd me on ; And ( euery minute , sinking ) made we swimme , To this calme Shore ; hid , with his Sonne , in him : And here , ay me ! ( as trembling , I looke back ) I fall againe , and , in my hauen , wracke ; Still being perswaded ( by the shamelesse light ) That these are dreames , of my retired Night ; That , all my Reading ; Writing ; all my paines Are serious trifles ; and the idle vaines Of an vnthriftie Angell , that deludes My simple fancie ; and , by Fate , extendes My Birth-accurst life , from the blisse of men : And then ; my hands I wring ; my bosome , then Beate , and could breake ope ; fill th' inraged Ayre ; And knock at heauen , with sighs ; inuoke Despaire , At once , to free the tyr'd Earth of my lode ; That these recoiles , ( that , Reason doth explode ; Religion damns ; and my arm'd Soule defies ; Wrastles with Angels ; telling Heauen it lies , If it denie the truth , his Spirit hath writ , Grauen , in my soule , and there eternisde it ) Should beat me from that rest ; and that is this ; That these prodigious Securities That all men snore-in ( drowning in vise liues The Soules of men , because the bodie thriues ) Are Witch-crafts damnable ; That all learnings are Foolish , and false , that with those vile liues square ; That these sowre wizzards , that so grauely scorne Learning with good life ; kinde gainst kinde suborne ; And are no more wise , then their shades , are men ; Which ( as my finger , can goe to my Penne ) I can demonstrate ; that our knowledges , * * Knowledge of our selues . ( Which we must learne , if euer we professe Knowledge of God ; or haue one Notion true ) Are those , which first , and most we should pursue ; That , in their searches , all mens actiue liues , Are so farre short of their contemplatiues ; As Bodies are of Soules ; This life , of Next : And , so much doth the Forme , and whole Context Of matter , seruing one ; exceede the other ; That Heauen , our Father is ; as Earth our Mother . And therefore ; in resemblance to approue , Who are the true bredde ; fatherd by his loue ; ( As Heauen it selfe , doth only , virtually Mix with the Earth ; his Course still keeping hie , And Substance , vndisparag'd ; ( though his Beames Are dround in many dung-hils ; and their Steames , ( To vs ) obscure him ; yet he euer shines : ) So though our soules beames , digge in bodies Mines , To finde them rich discourses , through their Senses ; And meet with many myddins of offences , Whose Vapours choke their Organes ; yet should they Disperse them by degrees ; because their swaie ( In Powre ) is absolute ; And ( in that Powre ) shine As firme as heauen ; heauen , nothing so diuine . All this , I holde ; and since , that all truth else , That all else knowe , or can holde ; staies and dwelles On these grounds vses ; and should all contend ( Knowing our birth here , serues but for this end To make true meanes , and waies , t' our second life ) To plie those studies ; and holde euery strife To other ends ( more then to amplifie , Adorne , and sweeten these ) deseruedly ) As balls cast in our Race ; and but grasse knitt From both sides of our Path ; t' ensnare our wit : And thus , because , the gaudie vulgar light Burns vp my good thoughts , form'd in temperate Night , Rising to see , the good Moone oftentimes ( Like the poore virtues of these vicious times ) Labour as much to lose her light ; as when She fills her waning horns ; And how ( like men Raisd to high Places ) Exhalations fall That would be thought Starres ; I le retire from all The hot glades of Ambition ; Companie , That ( with their vainenesse ) make this vanitie ; And coole to death , in shaddowes of this vale : To which end , I will cast this Serpents skale ; This loade of life , in life ; this fleshie stone ; This bond , and bundle of corruption ; This breathing Sepulcher ; this spundge of griefe ; This smiling Enemie ; this household-thiefe ; This glasse of ayre ; broken with lesse then breath ; This Slaue , bound face to face , to death , till death ; And consecrate my life , to you , and yours : In which obiection ; if that Powre of Powers That hath reliev'd me thus farre ; with a hand Direct , and most immediate ; still will stand Betwixt me , and the Rapines of the Earth ; And giue my poore paines , but such gratious birth , As may sustaine me , in my desert Age , With some powre , to my will ; I still will wage Warre with that false Peace , that exileth you ; And ( in my prayd for freedome ) euer vow , Teares in these shades , for your teares ; till mine eyes Poure out my soule in better sacrifise . Peace . Nor doubt ( good friend ) but God , to whom I see Your friendlesse life conuerted ; still will be A rich supply for friends ; And still be you Sure Conuertite to him . This , this way rowe All to their Countrie . Thinke how hee hath shew'd You wayes , and by wayes ; what to bee pursew'd , And what auoyded . Still , in his hands be , If you desire to liue , or safe , or free . No longer dayes take ; Nature doth exact This resolution of thee , and this fact : The Foe hayles on thy head ; and in thy Face Insults , and trenches ; leaues thee , no worlds grace ; The walles , in which thou art besieged , shake . Haue done ; Resist no more : but if you take Firme notice of our speech , and , what you see ; And will adde paines to write all ; let it be Divulged too . Perhappes , of all , some one May finde some good : But might it touch vpon Your gratious Princes liking ; hee might doe Good to himselfe , and all his kingdomes too : So virtuous , a great Example is ; And that , hath thankt , as small a thing as this ; Here being stuffe , and forme , for all true Peace ; And so , of all mens perfect Happinesse . To which , if hee shall lend his Princely eare , And giue commandement ( from your selfe ) to heare My state ; tell him you know me ; and that I , That am the Crowne of Principalitie , ( Though thus cast off by Princes ) euer vow Attendance at his foote ; till I may growe Vp to his bosome ; which ( being deaw'd in time With these my Teares ) may to my comforts clyme : Which ( when all Pleasures , into Palseys turne , And Sunne-like Pomp ; in his own clowds shal mourne ) Will be acceptiue . Meane space I will pray , That hee may turne , some toward thought this way ; While the round whirlewindes , of the earths delights Dust betwixt him and me ; and blinde the sights Of all men rauisht with them ; whose encrease ( You well may tell him ) fashions not true Peace . The Peace that they informe ; learns but to squat , While the slye legall foe ( that leuels at Warre , through those false lights ) soudainly runs by Betwixt you , and your strength ; and while you lye , Couching your eares ; and flatting euerie lymme So close to earth , that you would seeme to him The Earth it selfe : yet hee knowes who you are ; And , in that vantage , poures on , ready warre .

Conclusio . THus , by the way , to humane Loues interring , These marginall , and secret teares referring To my disposure ( hauing all this howre Of our vnwordly conference , giuen powre To her late-fainting issue , to arise ) She raisde her selfe , and them ; The Progenies Of that so ciuile Desert , rising all ; Who fell with her ; and to the Funerall ( She bearing still the Coffine ) all went on . And , now giues Time , her states description . Before her flew Affliction , girt in storms , Gasht all with gushing wounds ; and all the formes Of bane , and miserie , frowning in her face ; Whom Tyrannie , and Iniustice , had in Chace ; Grimme Persecution , Pouertie , and Shame ; Detraction , Enuie , foule Mishap and lame ; Scruple of Conscience ; Feare , Deceipt , Despaire ; Slaunder , and Clamor , that rent all the Ayre ; Hate , Warre ▪ and Massacre ; vncrowned Toyle ; And Sickenes ( t' all the ●est , the Base , and Foile ) Crept after ; and his deadly weight , trode downe Wealth , Beautie , and the glorie of a Crowne . These vsherd her farre of ; as figures giuen , To showe , these Crosses borne , make peace with heauen ▪ But now ( made free from them ) next her , before ; Peacefull , and young , Herculean silence bore His craggie Club ; which vp , aloft , hee hild ; With which , and his forefingers charme hee stild All sounds in ayre ; and left so free , mine eares , That I might heare , the musique of the Spheres , And all the Angels , singing , out of heauen ; Whose tunes were solemne ( as to Passion giuen ) For now , that Iustice was the Happinesse there For all the wrongs to Right , inflicted here . Such was the Passion that Peace now put on ; And on , all went ; when soudainely was gone All light of heauen before vs ; from a wood Whose sight , fore-seene ( now lost ) amaz'd wee stood , The Sunne still gracing vs ; when now ( the Ayre Inflam'd with Meteors ) we discouerd , fayre , The skipping Gote ; the Horses flaming Mane ; Bearded , and trained Comets ; Starres in wane ; The burning sword ; the Firebrand , flying Snake ; The Lance ; the Torch ; the Licking fire ; the Drake : And all else Metors , that did ill abode ; The thunder chid ; the lightning leapt abrode ; And yet , when Peace came in , all heauen was cleare ; And then , did all the horrid wood appeare ; Where mortall dangers , more then leaues did growe ; In which wee could not , one free steppe bestowe ; For treading on some murtherd Passenger , Who thither , was by witchcraft , forc't to erre . Whose face , the bird hid , that loues Humans best ; That hath the bugle eyes , and Rosie Breast ; And is the yellow Autumns Nightingall ; Peace made vs enter here secure of all ; Where , in a Caue , that through a Rocke did eate The monster , Murther , held his impious Seat : A heape of panting Harts , supported him ; On which , he sate , gnawing a reeking lymme , Of some man newly murtherd . As he eate His graue-digg'd Browes , like stormy Eaues did sweat , Which , like incensed Fennes , with mists did smoke ; His hyde was rugged , as an aged Oke With heathie Leprosies ; that still hee sed With hote raw lyms , of men late murthered . His Face was like a Meteo● flashing blood ; His head all bristl'd , like a thornie wood ; His necke cast wrinkles , like a Sea enrag'd ; And , in his vast Armes , was the world engag'd , Bathing his hands in euerie cruell deed ; Whose Palmes were hell-deepe lakes of boyling lead ; His thighes were mines of poyson , torment , griefe ; In which digg'd Fraude , and Trecherie , for reliefe ; Religions Botcher , Policie ; and Pride ; Oppression , Slauerie , Flatterie glorified ; Atheisme , and Tyranny , and gaine vniust ; Franticke Ambition , Enuie , shagge-heard Lust ; Both sorts of Ignorance ; and Knowledge swell'd ; And ouer these , the ould wolfe Auarice held A goulden Scourge , that dropt , with blood and vapor ; With which , he whipt them to their endlesse labor . From vnder heapes , cast from his fruitfull thyes , ( As ground , to all their damn'd Impieties ) The mourneful Goddesse , drew dead Humane Loue ▪ Nor could they let her entrie , though they stroue ; And furnac't on her , all their venemous breath ; ( For ; though all outrage breakes the Peace of death ) She Coffind him ; and forth to Funerall All helpt to beare him : But to sound it all , My Trumpet fayles ; and all my forces shrinke . Who can enact to life , what kils to thinke ? Nor can the Soules beames beat , through blood & flesh , Formes of such woe , and height , as now , afresh , Flow'd from these Obiects : to see Poesie Prepar'd to doe the speciall obsequie , And sing the Funerall Oration ; How it did showe , to see her tread vpon The breast of Death ; and on a Furie leane ; How , to her Fist , ( as rites of seruice then ) A Cast of Rauens flew ; On her shoulders , how The Foules , that to the Muses Queene we vow , ( The Owle , and Heronshawe ) ●a●e how , for her hayre , A haplesse Comet , hurld about the Ayre Her curled Beames : whence sparkes , like falling starres , Vanisht about her ; and with windes aduerse , Were still blowne back ; To which the Phoenix flew ; And ( burning on her head ) would not renew : How her diuine Oration did moue , For th' vnredeemed losse of humane Loue ; Obiect mans future state to reasons eye ; The soules infusion ; Immortalitie ; And proue her formes firme , that are here imprest ; How her admirde straines , wrought on euery Beast ; And made the woods cast their Immanitie , Vp to the Ayre ; that did to Citties flye In Fewell for them : and , in Clowds of smoke , Euer hang ouer them ; cannot be spoke ; Nor how to Humane loue ( to Earth now giuen ) A lightening stoop't , and rauisht him to heauen , And with him Peace , with all her heauenly seede : Whose outward Rapture , made me inward bleed ; Nor can I therefore , my Intention keepe ; Since Teares want words , & words want teares to weepe .

Corollarium ad Principem . THus shooke I this abortiue from my Braine ; Which , with it , laie in this vnworthy paine : Yet since your HOMER had his worthy hand In vent'ring this delaie of your Command , To end his Iliades ; deigne ( Great Prince of men ) To holde before it your great Shielde ; and then It may , doe seruice , worthy this delaie , To your more worthy Pleasure ; and I maie Regather the sperst fragments of my spirits , And march with HOMER through his deathless merits , To your vndying graces . Nor did he Vanish with this slight vision ; but brought me Home to my Cabine ; and did all the waie Assure me of your Graces constant staie To his soules Being , wholly naturalliz'd And made your Highnesse subiect ; which he priz'd , Past all his honours helde in other Lands ; And that ( because a Princes maine state stands In his owne knowledge , and his powre within ) These works that had chiefe virtue to beginne Those informations ; you would holde most deare ; Since false Ioyes , haue their seasons to appeare Iust as they are ; but these delights were euer Perfect and needefull , and would irke you neuer . I praying for this happie worke of heauen In your sweete disposition ; the calme Euen Tooke me to rest ; and he with wings of Fire , To soft Ayres supreame Region did aspire . By the euer most humbly and truly dedicated to your most Princely graces . GEO. CHAPMAN .