The vnmasking of a feminine Machiauell. By Thomas Andrewe, gent. Est nobis voluisse satis. Seene and allowed by authority

The vnmasking of a feminine Machiauell . The Argument of this Booke . POssest with sleepe , in silent night , Me thought I found a wofull wight , Whose heart was heauy , looke was sad , In sorrowes colours being clad , In a vast desert all alone , For his desaster making mone , Filling with plaints the tender ayre , Who , when to him I did repayre , His various fortunes and estate , To me did mournfully relate : And did desire I would vnfold , What vnto me by him was told . Haplesse Andrea was he call'd , Whose heart with sorrowes deepe was gal'd . What e're I saw in that strange dreame , My Muse hath chosen for her theame . BLacke vapory clouds , the gloomy night attending , From Acheron to the star'd skye ascending , Twixt heauens bright lamps , and th' earth were interposde , Darkning the rayes cleare Cinthia had disclosde : To poynt the wandring Pilgrims out their wayes , Whilst Titan to th' Antipodes displayes His glorious splendor , when from vs a space His wel-breath'd Coursers runne another race . I seeing thus the sable Curtaynes spread , Before the glittring Windowes , o're my head , Hearing nights Sentinell , the vnluckie Owle , Shricke lowd , thou feareles of the wondring fowle , Who in the day pursuing him with spight , Made himdetest and not indure the light . The greene wood left where Philomel did sing , The lustfull rapine of the Thracian king , Ouid. Met. li. 6 And warned by the Euen that forsooke me , As time requirde , vnto my bed betooke me , Wherein , poore I , of loue left and forlorne , Did meane to rest me till the purple morne . By the shrill musicke of the timely Larke , Should be awakte , to driue away the darke , And make night in her smoaky Charriot drawne , To yeeld her place to the delightfull dawne , Ah , but though me the dayes long course had tyred , I found not then the rest that I desired : For when light Morpheus , that gentle god , Had toucht mine eyes with his sleep-charming rod , I saw such apparitions in a slumber , As fild my heart with pity , feare , and wonder . Do thou , my Muse , my drooping thoughts inspire , Touch my sad soule with true Promethean fire , And be propitious to mine Artlesse pen , That I may shew the visions vnto men , That in th' obscure and melancholy night , Were strangely represented to my sight : Into my Verse such eloquence infuse , That whosoeuer doth my lines peruse , Tib. Foelix quicunque dolore alterius disces posse carer● tu● May learne to shun false friends , finding by reason , The dearer trust , proues oft the deadlyer treason : Guide my weake hand , to bring to end my taske , From falshoods face pull thou the whited maske . AT first me thought vpon a sedgie banke , Where fennish Reeds , & Bulrushes were ranke , That walked in a Riuer that did glide , With pleasing murmur by a Forrest side , I stood , where on the Cristall waters brim , Snow-whiter Swans ruffing their plumes did swim . Vpon this faire and delectable streame , Might beauteous Cithareaes siluer Teame , Haue drawne their mistris in her lightsome Carre , That in the Aire shines like a glorious starre : So euen and cleare this fluent Riuer was , As purest Cristall , or the smoothest Glasse , Through whose transparence piercing with mine eye , A thousand fishes of all sorts I spye . On the sand bottome playing here and there , Securely swimming ▪ being free from feare , On which , poore fooles , as earnestly I looke , Sporting themselues in the soft sliding brooke , On their delights meaning to gaze a while , For a short space my sorrowes to beguile , Such a sad sound did enter in mine eare , As canceld ioyes , and did recall my care : For there ( me thought ) a man in deepe despaire , I heard breathe forth suspires into the ayre , Whose earnfull accents were no sooner gone , But in this dolefull wise he'gan to mone : To playne of Time , of Fortune , and of Fate , Lothing his life , delight being out of date . My sad afflicted soule , breake from my brest , Thy loathed prison , harbour of vnrest : Fly from that horrid place , that doth enclose , Of ioyes not any , but a world of woes : So that time cannot with his course conclude , The paynes by whom thou euer art pursude : But still each howre vpon his ayry wings , The sad memoriall of my sorrowes brings : Vayne is their iudgements that conclude and say , Time either takes the greatest griefe away , Or at the least , when woes haue long bene borne , They seeme the lesse , their anguish is outworne : For now the Sunne hath passed seuen times , In his progression through the watry signes , Since ceaslesse griefe did enter in my brest , Content that banisht and excluded rest : In the consuming of which wofull yeeres , Still cares increase , but comfort none appeares : In stead of lessning of my sorrowes vigor , Time gaue them greater strength , & more stern rigor . And with Time , Fortune that respectlesse Dame , Conspir'd to worke the downfall of my fame : Yet of all other why should she torment me , That neuer gaue me wherewith to content me ? To tread on him , Qui iacet in terram , non habet vnde cadat . no glory can she gayne , That to lay lower , she but striues in vayne , To insult o're me a wretch , can neuer rayse her , But will make all men iustly to disprayse her , And hold her base , that on so poore a wight , Would exercise her cruelty and spight : For when sh' ath done her worst , & deadliest frownd , She cannot driue me lower then this ground , In whose cold bosome were I once inuested , My thoughts should then haue ease , that yet n'ere rested . I neither hope for honour , gape for wealth , Nor wish to liue , although in perfit health . The thing that I desire , for which I pray , Is tha●●y time may soone be past away . O let my dayes of life be short and few , And euen vanish , as the vaporous dew , That from the grasse exhaled by the Sunne , Is soone forgot , as it is quickly gone , And let the howres appoynted till I die , New impe their wings , more speedily to flie , And till that I haue runne my weary race , Let time not turne vnto his wonted pace . This mournfull speech , to which I well attended , Begun in griefe , in sighes being sadly ended . Wondring thereat a while I stood amazed , Like him that on Medusaes head had gazed , Knowing that he whose passion I did heare , Although I saw him not , must needs be neare . At length I did resolue , ( doubts set aside ) To find him out , what euer did betide : From the faire Riuer , to the thick-leau'd wood , I hasted then , and often listning stood There in a couert , wherein he did hide him , I walkt not farre , but suddenly espide him : The sight of whom would haue enforst to mone , The sterne Dolopian , or the Mirmidon . Vnder a broad Oake on the earth he lay , His head downe cast ( as loth to see the day ) His guiltlesse heare was like his garments ren● Such the sharp anguish of his discontent . Attir'd he was in tawny , as forlorne , Despisde , disgrac'd , reiected , held in scorne . The ground whereon he lay , was watred well With teares abundant from his eyes that fell : His callow chinne did silently declare , He was too young to haue to doe with care . I comming neere him , he raisde vp his head With heauy motion , as a man halfe dead : And euen as I was ready for to speake , He sigh'd againe , as if his heart would breake . I grieued then to see so sad a sight , Thus fram'd my speech vnto that wofull wight : What e're thou art , in whose bleake looke appeares More signe of sorrowes , then of many yeres : Thy deepe complaints that in mine eares did enter , Were the occasions of my bold aduenture , To find thee out , not to deride thy state , But for to comfort thee disconsolate , Whose mones being heard , if charitably felt , Might make th' obdurate Ithacan to melt . Let me entreat , although I am a stranger , To know thy state , misdoubt not any danger , By the discouery of thy cause of griefe , Which being conceald , can neuer haue reliefe . Fea●● not deceit in me , for first that Sunne , Which gloriously before our eyes doth runne , Shall from his lofty spheare fall to the ground , Ere faithlesse I , or treacherous be found : And if my best endeuours may asswage The burning furie of thy passions rage , On my vnfained word thy selfe assure , With speed I will thy remedie procure : For he griefes vigour can the best discerne , That their effects hath felt , and needs not learne . Herewith he raised his deiected eyes , That on the earth were fixt , and thus replies : Vnhappie I , whose wretched state affords A greater multitude of woes then words : So that my speech vnable is t' expresse , For thy great kindnes , my true thankfulnesse : Yet from my brest shall sooner flye my spirit , Then the impress'd memoriall of thy merit . Thy faith I feare not , for euen in thy eye , Methinks pure Truth securely I espie . The cause of my arriuall here was thus : My fortunes euer inauspicious , Forst me in solitarie Groues to range , My selfe entending from the world t'estrange , Meaning to shunne community with men , And rather chose in some forsaken den , To spend th' irreuocable course of time , Clipping my hie thoghts wings that once did clime , Imped with expectations fiery plumes , To Honours Mansion , whom no age consumes : Then failing of my hopes , being ouertaken , With trecherous practises to liue forsaken ; Or being an obiect to all vulgar eyes , Each Hind might descant on my miseries : Wherfore long wandring through vncouth wayes , To find a place to consummate my dayes , Whereas no eye might euer find me out , At my heart-breaking discontent to flout , That I vnheard to the deafe woods might plaine me , Where of my raging fits none might restraine me : At length in this vaste Forrest here I found A Caue deepe mined in the solid ground , Whose entrance blacke as the foule mouth of hell , Seem'd to inuite my sorrowes there to dwell : Where I vnseene might long obscurely rest , In sable darkenes my minde fitting best . For he that hath a melancholy spright , Before cleare day preferres the darkest night . About it round were bushes ouergrowne , Where any path had bene could scarce be knowne ▪ Which shew'd the same was Desert , vnfrequented , The meeter Mansion for one discontented . Within , it well cohered with my mind ; For euery place for want of light seemd blind ; Except that through a clift appear'd a sparke , Sent from the Sunne to fright the fearefull darke . Here did I meane the posting houres to spend , Till with my death my dolours should haue end . At this he stops , when suddenly againe , His eyes let fall a showre of teares amaine . Then I replide , Though moysture now be scant , Thy shady ground none of thy teares doth want : They comfort not , but th' earth doe rather burne , Which were it sensible , for thee would mourne : Preserue them then , spend not thy store in vayne , Be not too lauish of such deare bought rayne . We see each day , that the fond prodigall Liues vnregarded , hauing wasted all . Stay now thy teares , t is woman-like to weepe , Concealment of thy case no longer keepe ; But vnto me doubtlesse participate Thy fortunes crossed by some angry fate : And all my whole endeuours shal be bent , These ills to cure , or future to preuent : Harken to counsell , be not obstinate , Lest good aduice doe after come too late . Oh but ( quoth he ) When on some shelfe of sand , Lying not farre off from the harbouring strand , A luckles Pylot , being there a stranger , His Barke hath burst , vnskilfull of the danger . His counsell then would be but all in vaine , Mant. Vtile non est , consilium post facta dare , quod oportuit an● That would cry out , You should haue kept the maine . Yet for thy kindnesse and thy louing offer , All that I haue , my humblest thanks I proffer , Which as my selfe , low at thy feet I lay , And for thy better hap will euer pray : And to declare that I do hold it hatefull , For such great courtesie to be vngratefull , My tragick haps to heare , since thou dost long , I le briefly tell thee . By a Sirens song , Or by a voyce worse then the Mermaids sound , That made Vlisses feare to runne a ground , I was allurde to anchor in the roade , Where cursed policy made her abode , In womans habit that her selfe did hide , Such her deceits , as scarce could be espide : Yet would I not , the noble female sexe Should thinke in her I modeld their defects : For I protest , I hold , in all their kinde , Not such another any man can finde : As soone the single Phoenix might be found To haue a mate , as she her match on ground . That damned Politician Machiauell , That , some say , had his Maximes out of hell , Had he but beene a scholler vnto her , To learne his Arte , need not haue gone so farre . She of her owne would haue imparted store Of cursed plots , ne're thought vpon before , Such and so deepe , as none could e're deuise , But her great Grandsire , father of all lyes , With the Hienaes voyce can she beguile , And weepe , but like the Nile bred Crocadile , That on the pray she instantly deuoures , Dissembling teares in great abundant powers . With the Cameleon can she change her hiew , Like euery obiect that her eye doth view . Proteus was neuer halfe so mutable , As she vnconstant , of her word vnstable : Her eyes like Basilisks dart poyson out : Her oyled toung assists to bring about Her plots to their ineuitable end , Which to contriue , she all her time doth spend . She hath a conscience ( full of guilty dread ) Will stretch like Cheuerell in her working head , Dwell damned thoughts to mischiefe euer bent , And in her brayne are all ills resident : She , whose false heart for to Annatomize , Volumes importable will scarce suffice : She , that in youth was bad , in age farre worse , That had some rauenous Tiger to her nurse ; With the sweet straine of her alluring toung , Drew silly mee , my yeres though very young , Neuer before acquainted with deceit , Not able to discerne th' inticing bait , To follow her , till in a fatall toyle , Which she had pitcht , my poore estate to spoyle , I was ensnarde : and when she saw me taken , She plainde on me of all my friends forsaken : For leauing them , their speeches not respecting , To follow her , their counsailes graue neglecting , I felt iust plagues , yet had my wealth bin all , That I had lost in my vnlucky fall , I should not haue disquieted my foule With such sad thoghts , as no ioyes might controule . But with my meanes at that vnhappie tide , My reputation hazzarded beside : The worth of which fayre iewell I held more , Then Europes magasins vnualued store , Since that my name in countrie and in towne , Hath giuen argument to euery Clowne : By which rude Peasants to be censured , Whose best conceits like them are basely bred , Who could indure this ? made me hither flie , Loathing to liue where euery vulgar eye Should stare on me , where euery abiect Slaue , With toungs enuenomd should my worth depraue : For such the nature of the rascall Hinds , That haue no other then deiected minds , That crost by Fortune the best tempred spirit , Shal be by them held most deuoyd of merit . O pardon me , that thus I breake the bounds Of helpelesse patience ; for the yet greene wounds , By trechry made , though euer angry sore , Now being new handled , do rage ten times more , Which makes my toung , that of my woes doth speak , Vrgde by sharp anguish in extreames to breake . The summe in briefe , of all that I can say , Is , that a cursed creature did betray My infant fortunes , my hopes blossomes blasted , My natiue starres , with blacke clouds ouercasted . Why but , quoth I , if thou no more disclose , Then this compendious abstract of thy woes , Like Tantalus , who for his punishment , Is doom'd to stand in the moyst Element Vp to the chinne , yet can by no meanes drinke : For as he striues to taste , downe the waues sinke : His vnstauncht thirst , although exceeding sore , The sight of water aggrauateth more . So I , before thou spak'st , hote with desire To heare thy haps , am now set all on fire : To quench which ardor , oh let me intreat , That from th' originall thou wilt repeat The true cause of thy grieuous discontent , Wrought by some inauspicious accident ▪ If , as thou sayst , some daughter to the Deuill , Borne to do mischiefe , exercisde in euill , Haue by some wicked plot betrayd thy youth , Abusde thy trust , vnder pretence of truth , From female Machiauell pull thou the maske , Tell me her name , and it shall be my taske , Her person so to portreyt with my pen , As I will make her odious vnto men : The blazon that my vpreard Muse shall giue her , Shall make her infamy long to out-liue her , That babes vnborne , which after-times shall breed , Her shames memoriall in my lines shall reed . " Though wrackful time brasse monuments deuoure , " Verse shall suruiue vnto the latest houre : " And when the proud Pyramides to dust , " Age shall outweare , & steele consume with rust : " Then like Apolloes Lawrell , euer greene , " Shall Verse be verdant , and vnchang'd be seene ; " Such is the power of high-bred Poesy , Ouid. Carminae quem tribuunt , fama perenuis erit . " That it can euen to perpetuity " Eyther make glorious , or as much disgrace " The noble minded , or th' abiected base : " Alcides labours , Theseus lasting fame , " Achilles deeds , and Hectors noble name , " A thousand yeres had now in silence slept , " If Poesy their gloryes had not kept " In her great Register , nor had this age " Knowne Tarquins rape , nor madde Orestes rage . " Who could haue told faire Lucrece chastity , " Or wise Vlisses wiues great constancy ? " Euen in her tombe had Cleopatraes pride " Bene now inter'd , the fame had neuer dide . " If Poets had not in their Tables pend , " All for examples to this purpos'd end , " The good might imitate the good , and they , " From vertues pathes that run their course astray , " Might backe returne into the way againe , " That leadeth to the faire Elizian plaine . With Scilla , Mirrha , and Calipsa fell , With Messaline , and Heccate of hell , With the Bellides and the shame of Greece , And her that did betray the golden fleece , And all those infamous that liu'd of olde , Whose names by sacred Poets are inrold , As a companion shall thy foe be plac'd , Whose memory by time shall ne're be ra●'d . Then let not former passed times more grieue thee : But hope of future better happe relieue thee . A mischiefe meant , perhaps may be preuented : But once hapt , t is in vayne to be lamented . Cease then with bootlesse words for to complaine . Then he reuiu'd his sad discourse againe . A wofull Tale thou vrgest me to tell , Whose heauy Accents like the passing Bell , Such melancholy Musicke foorth will sound , As thy attending eares will deepely wound : Nay , if my sorrowes giue me leaue to speake Vnto the ende , teares can not choose but breake From out thine eyes that formerly restraind , Longer in limittes will not be containd . Full twice seuen times from my vnhappy birth , The comfortable Spring had cheerd the earth , And thawd the frosty bosome of the ground , Wherein all Plants in Icie cheines were bound : When presently in coates of greene appeare , All trees and herbes that beautify the yeare : The Spring soone past , Aprill and gorgeous May Declar'd how swift earths pleasures post away . The lusty Summer proudly comming on , Was as the former soone dispatcht and gone , Who by the withering of the garish Flowres , Shew'd how consuming time vaine toyes deuoures : Which Note to men might be th' remembrancer , Before light follies vertues to preferre . Then mellow Autumne that declines to cold . Not young as Summer , nor as Winter old , By whose rough blasts all trees before faire leau'd , Of their greene liueries were soone bereau'd : For which the Birds from their mellifluous throats , Sadly did sound full many mournfull noates , Euen then when all things sensibly did mone The sharpe approach of cold frosts comming on , Began the ground of my intestine griefe , That long expected , but ne're found reliefe : When by the wan inexorable Death , My dearest Parent lost his vitall breath , Whose tender care , whose counsayle being reft me , Content took leaue , ioyes fled , and pleasures left me : For like a shippe that lucklessely had lost Her skilfull Pilot on an vnknowne coast , With wrackfull tempests being roughly driuen , Her sides by proud waues ready to be riuen , Fearefully strikes all her swelling sayles , Her Flagges lett 's fall , her hie top-gallants vayles , Best course to steare for safty knowing not whether , But liues at mercy of the winde and weather : So far'd my selfe and my vnsettled state , My Parents liues thrid being clipt by fate , Who was that Pilot that my course did guide , Secure from danger of that stormy tide , He thus deceasd , for me in fatall time , I not contented in this peacefull clime , To spend my youth determined to range , Of forreine lands to see the various change : Youth being full of wandring appetites , Nature it selfe to nouelties incites : At length , the rumor of the bloudy iarres , Th' vnkind discensions , th' vntamed warres , That then the fertile Netherlands afflicted , Where peace was exild , quiet interdicted , Made me resolue my freedome to forsake , My selfe intending solely to betake Vnto a Souldiers life , hoping to gaine Honor and Reputation for my paine . It was not want that made me leaue the soile Where I was borne , in Belgia to turmoyle , For lacke of meanes , but an enflamde desire To raise my hopes , that did too hye aspire : Knowing if raging stormes of warre should rise , Their fury in our Ile to exercise , ( Where vnaffrighted peace had long time flourisht , The land enriching where she had bene nourisht , ) In forreine broyles experience I should learne , The feates of Armes expertly to discerne , That in my countreyes and my Princes right , I might be able with aduice to fight : From happy England with no ill intent , To try my fortunes sodainly I went . A Southwest gale for Flushing fitly blew , When from the Rode the little Pinnisse flew , Wherein I was embarkt , faire Douer leauing , When as black night her head was first vp-heauing . Safely arriu'd , to Gelderland I hasted , That sword and ardent fire had welnigh wasted , There did I march in cold , in scalding heat , By night and day in Armour all compleat ; Lay on the ground , in frost , in snow , in rayne , Exposde my selfe each minute to be slayne : All trauailes I delightfully endurde , To which addicted I was soone inurde . In these tumultuous sturres did I remaine , Till that great conflict with the powers of Spaine , Where the high Archdukes army on the sands Were fought withall by those vnconquered bands , Led by Nassaw . Here could I tell the Story , How either Hoste was rang'd in all their glory , How each Esquadron marcht , and by whom led , The glorious acts of those aliue or dead , The true forme of the fight , did not my griefe Enforce my toung to stay or be but briefe : Yet shall not that great day be cleane o'repast , Whose fame no time can e're haue power to waste , But in compendious maner will declare The fight wherein my Fortunes had a share . Newport battell , In. 22,1600 The morne lookt red , whose blushing did bewray The fatall bloudshed should ensue that day : The rackie clouds on th' earth distilled dew , In pearly drops , which plainly did foreshew , Heauen grieued at that sacred day prophan'd , That by the Lord for prayer was ordain'd . Assist my Muse , my fainting toung direct , Breathe a new spirit in mine intellect , That by thy wondrous power and glorious might , I may be able to vnfold the fight 'Twixt two great Armies both alike engag'd , Both with sterne furie terribly enrag'd : The one contending for the Soueraignty , Th' other resolu'd to die for liberty . The Duke of Brabant clad in angry Armes , Of warlike Souldiers leading wondrous swarmes , That suddenly vnlookt for he withdrew From Venlo , Derst , and Herntalls , to pursue Th' vnited Prouinces vndaunted powers , That razd his Castles , ouerthrew his Towers , Destroyde his Villages , spoyld all his Corne , Leauing the Countrey as a land forlorne : Seeing faire Flaunders girdled all in fire , Moued with pity and repleat with ire , Reuenge to his great courage giuing wings , Him after vs like a black tempest brings : But comne neere Newport he was roughly met By hardy Scots , and Dutch , that thought to let His passage o're a Bridge that he had past : Such their ill fortunes , or their little haste . Betwixt these powers , at the first enterview , Was bloudy greeting , fatall Bullets flew , Like stormes of Hayle , till lucklessely at length , Our Regiments being ouerprest with strength Of th' Archdukes multitudes , were put to flight , Of whom eight hundred there were slaine outright . Proud of these fortunes , our insulting foes Aduaunc'd with speed to deale more deadly blowes , Of their owne powers superbiously presuming , Of our whole force to haue the full consuming : But our great God , his chosen that defends , Brought their hie hopes to vnexpected ends . When now both armies on the euen sands Were come in sight , and proudly tooke their stands , Then all the Regiments of either side Were rang'd in order , neere the surly tide . Both furnisht well , both rich in their array : Which was most glorious , it was hard to say : The place being couerd with such armed crowds , As seem'd to menace heauen and dare the clouds . Of either part , Courage , the Captaines cry , By your true valours win the day , or die . Vnto our English Troope , hie-sprited Vere Did vse perswasions to extinguish feare . But e're the resolute Battalians came To down-right stroakes , — Cannons dischargde bullets in fire wrapt round , Circled in smoke , whose terror-breathing sound , Like the blacke bolt of Ioues Imperiall thunder , With hideous noyse the thin ayre shakes asunder . There might you see a deadly shott that strikes , In a thicke sand our strong embatteld pikes , Renting the rankes , make shattred Splinters flie , As they were sent to bandy with the skie : Souldiers some slaine outright , some deadly torne , From the thicke prease confusedly are borne . Whilst o're the sands these brazen Lions roar'd , And interchangeably the soyle begoard , A shippe of warre was come into the Bay , That opposite vnto our foe-men lay , Who from her armed side , her sterne , her chace , Sent yron postes into their troupes apace , So thicke she shot , that he which had bene nie her , Would haue conceyued she had bin light on fire . Another , that the Holland Ensigne bare , That on her poope plaid with the wanton ayre , This former there did second in such sort , As in the aduerse campe made bloody sport . The angry Duke against those stormy ships , His deadly Cannons turnd , from whose blacke lips , Flew forth the black Ambassadors of death , That rag'd like suries in the vaults beneath , To whose dire message they would haue replide In termes alike , had not the falling tyde Made them stand off , and beare into the Maine , Who thus being gone , to vs began againe Their thundring language , answered with the same , Their shot with shot , their fire with burning flame . At length began the sterne and horrid fight , Whose smoke and dust made day like dismall night , When as the powers that long had stood oppos'd , Ranne altogether , and with fury clos'd , Pikes , Pikes encounter , shot at shot let flye , All Nations on their seueral Patrons crie , The Trumpets clangor & the Drums hoarce sound , With Souldiers shout , each others noyse confound . There murdrous Muskets like quick lightnings flasht , Whose balles ones face with tothers bloud bedasht : Of eyther part the Ensignes brauely flying , Some nobly fighting , some as nobly dying : In th' Armies both was hope , Virg. Inter vtrumque volat dubiis victoria pennis . whilst vnto neyther Proud Victory enclind , but fauour'd eyther : With various fortunes , full three bloudy howers , Endur'd the sternerage of these warlike powers : Till at the last , the ouer-mastered foe , From field was forst with greatest losse to goe , To quit their armes , their Ensignes leaue forlorne , That but euen now by them were proudly borne . When they the field had thus abandoned , Most slain , some wounded , & the remnant fled , Vpon the sandy bankes and in the fields , Lay broken Pikes , bruz'd Helmets , batterd shields , The proud Burgonian Crosses kisse the ground , Their Bearers lying in a deadly swound , And hardy Captayns striuing for the day , Euen in the places where they fought , they lay , With troupes of Souldiers , whom they stoutly led , Some kild outright , some dying , but not dead : One gaspes for breath , another mercy cries , And begs of him vpon whose sword he dies . Virg. O ter , quaterque beat● Retreit being sounded , those of ours remayning , Came to their colours for their friends complaining , Of whom some buried , others not interd , Whose funeralls were longer time deferd . Who dies with honour , though he want a graue , Virg. Facilis iactura sepulchri . No greater happinesse at all can haue . But soft , where am I now ? me thinks too farre I haue discoursd the fortunes of the warre . When I began , I briefly meant to tell The Battels fury , where ten thousand fell : But being entred , I could not conclude , Till to the end the story I pursude . This euer-famous day thus brauely wonne , The Troopes disperst , each to their Garison , Adorn'd with honour , and inrich't with spoyle , To take their rest after laborious toyle : I then determined , whilst the wars did cease , To visit England , crown'd with golden peace : To giue more speed to my resolu'd intent , From thence a Letter came , vnto me sent From one that euer I accounted deare : Whose faithfull loue I thought had neuer Peere . One , for whose sake I other friends neglected , Was rul'd by him , still did what he directed . Which Paper , as the Poste to me deliuers , My hand vnwont , as in a feauer shiuers : At which ( being strange ) I could not chuse but muse ; And as the smooth Indorsement I peruse , Breaking the seale , the waxe so fastned cleaues , As seem'd vnwilling to let loose the leaues : But forced open , as th 'ad bene halfe blinde , Mine eyes 'gan dazle , and no way could finde , Where to beginne the sweet sowre Lynes to read , From whence my fatall sorrowes ground proceed . Mens sences , sudden altering out of reason , Doe bode ill lucke , or do fore-shew some treason . At length my hand 'gan stay , and eke mine eyes On th' obiect fixed , that before them lyes , Thus I begunne . Since happy Fates ordaine Thou hast suruiu'd , where multitudes were slaine , From out those Lands , breeding dissension blacke , Vnto thy natiue soyle with speed come backe : Whereas my euer-waking industrie , Hath gotten meanes to eleuate on hie Thy tender fortunes , which if thou neglect , Succeding times will ne're haue power t' effect . If thy estate , thy Country , or my loue Thou would'st increase , hold'st deare , or any wayes may moue , Leaue tedious toyles , and warres affording paine , And write not backe , but come thy selfe againe . This letter read , the messenger of light Not thrice from th' earth had chac'd away blacke night , Who sunke to hell , the father of the day , To all the world his glory did display : But in a small boat plide with striuing Oares , I bade adue vnto the Belgicke shores , Vnhappy farewell , and disastrous fate , To leaue bright honour , and o'rethrow my state : Being come aboord , our sailes a stiffe gale stretches , Which holding faire , the ship soone England retches , On which cleare coasts in safety thus arriu'de , Many reioycing that I there suruiu'de , Free from the losse of limbs that others felt , That likewise in the late sterne conflict delt , Gaue me kind welcome more then I deseru'd , Ioying from danger that I was preseru'd . Preseru'd from danger , said I ? no , not so , But was reserued to a greater woe : O had I dide where Yaxley , Honniwood , And more braue Gallants in their hie blood , Couragious fighting , fell downe all imbrude , This home-bred mischiefe had I then eschude ! But since the Destenies did thus ordaine , I must confesse , t is bootlesse to complaine . Long time e're I returnd , the meanes was plotted , Whereby my reputation was bespotted , That shooke my state betwixt that friend of mine , Whose words I held as Oracles diuine , Who to my soule and secrets still was neere , Apollo n'ere held Hiacinth more deere : And her whose tongue for cunning may compare With Greekish Sinon , and with Circes share : Each hunny word she spake , like Magick writtes , Were able to enchant the deepest wittes : She for the hope of Auaricious gaine , Will sweare and forsweare , flatter , lie and faine : Her owne child a Polygamist she made , By her vile counsaile . Cursed be her trade , That hopes not heauen , nor respecteth hell , Where , in dire torments , lesse offenders dwell : Each circumstance ( quoth he ) should I entend , T' vnfold to thee , discoursing to the end Her practises , as well may vndertake To number Libick sands , and firme land to make Of Thetis playnes , where on a Dolphin rides That aged god , the surly sea that guides . Let this suffice , that she is such a one , As but Medea there was neuer none . Write what I say , though I conceale her name , It pleaseth me ynough she read her shame With blushing cheekes , if any sparke of grace , ( Which I misdoubt ) be liuing in her face . Scarce had he ended , when we saw from farre , As we imagined , a waiged Carre , Which comming neere vs , presently I knew , 'T was Morpheus Coach that foure night Rauens drew , The wheeles did make no noise , yet so fast ran , As could beguile the very sight of man : With soft Arabian silke 't was ouer-couerd , About the which , light dreames & visions houerd : The Curtaines of the same were made of Rings Of the quicke Battes that Vesperugo brings , To flie as Harbengers before the night , When to th' inferiour Spheare the Sun giues light . His Teame being come vnto vs , Morpheus staid , And looking foorth , euen thus ( me thoght ) he said , Loe , I the sonne of griefe-beguiling sleepe , That neuer any certaine forme doe keepe , But in what shape I list assume , can flie , From earth to hell , from thence vnto the skie , To thee Andrea , haue my course directed , Who of all other holdst thy selfe reiected : Thou knowst , a thousand visions I presented , In gloomy night , thinking to haue contented Thy grieued soule , yet all was but in vayne , Shaddowes of ioyes more did increase thy payne . But now I come to carrie thee , euen where Thou shalt behold obiects repleat with feare : Yet I well know , the sight thereof will please thee , And of the burthen of thy sorrowes ease thee : Stand not to answere , but with speed ascend Vp in my Coach , and take with thee thy friend , That may with vs such wonders strange behold , As seene , as dreadfull , fearefull to be told . Mournefull Andrea and my selfe being plac'd By Morpheus side , the Chariot ran in haste , Till suddenly vpon a banke it stands , Whereas the sleepe-god tooke vs by the hands , And going forth , thus comfortably said , What sight soe're you see , be not afraid , I le goe before your footsteps to direct , Dangers at all by no meanes do suspect . Him as our guide , we follow to a place , I thinke scarce seene by any mortall face : For in a vale , where Titan ne're displayes The radiant brightnes of his golden rayes , Where neither lowly shrub , nor lofty tree , Nor leafe , nor grasse , nor any plant we see , We found a vast and melancholy Caue , Virg. Facilis descensus Auerni . That op'ned like a hollow wide-mouth'd graue : Wherein we enter through a passage made , Easily descending to th' infernall shade . At length we saw ( was neuer such a sight , 'Mongst all the gastly visions of the night ) Farre vnderneath vs , such a place to lie , As could affright the most vndaunted eye ; Where Thunderclappes and fiery lightnings flash , Where boystrous tempests storme , dread hailstones dash , From whence did come a sound astonishing , Of wofull shreekes , that fearefully do ring Into our eares . Then 'gan Andrea thus , Where are we now ? speake , gentle Morpheus : Oh , wherfore hast thou brought vs , where our eyes Meete such sterne obiects ? Then the God replies : The place that vnderneath , farre off you see , Though strange to you , is not vnknowne to mee : It is that Chaos , that confused Den , Where are th' eternall punishments for them , That surfetting in sinne euen from their birth , Inferni poenarum descriptio . Cal●r . Without true penitence doe leaue the earth : Here all lewd actions , fruits of foule desire , Tormented are with euerlasting fire , Whose burning fury vnextinguisht powers , Being but compared vnto that of yours , Would make it seeme or nothing , or scarce warme , Like Winters Sun-beames , not of power to harme . Aetna still couered with sulphure fume , And ardent Hecla shall by time consume : But this , whose feruour waters n'ere asswage , Shall haue continuall and vnceasing rage . Then are there likewise euer-freezing lakes , Frigus . As sharpely cold , where 'mongst the Icy flakes , That cut like razors the vnhappie wights , Are tost like red-hot bloomes , by vgly Sprights , Whose horrid lookes most fearefull to behold , Aspectus daemonum Torment as bad , as the congealing cold . Dragons , Morsus serpentum fell Serpents with enuenom'd stings , That plague alike both slaues and tyrant kings , There in each place in such abundance crall , As * * Insula serpentum plena . Auerni fetor . Ophiusae neuer saw at all . Their wounds are worse then Adders , earth-bred Snakes , Or Basilisks , or Aspes , or Ibis makes . The loathsome sauours of this Acheron , Neuer exhaled by th' attractiue Sunne , Are there farre worse , in th' earth then any bred , Then strangling brimstone , or th' vnburied dead , And there imprisoned in the vault of hell , Obscuritas loci . Doth nights blacke Nurse , Cimerian darknesse dwell : Whose pitchy temples are ingirt with clouds , That in her looke affrighting horrour shrouds : Whereas vnstaunched Famyne wanting bread , Fames . Eates balles of wildfire , drinketh scalding lead : To aggrauate which wofull paines , the place Remou'd from God his fauour and his grace : Dispositio loci . There terrour , feare and desolation , Haue their eternall habitation : Gnashing of teeth , howling , and woful weeping , Are in the dismall concaue neuer sleeping . There wights afflicted , still for death are crying , Deadly tormented , yet are neuer dying . There bloudy Nero , cruell Commodus , Luxurious Tarquine , drunke Vitellius , Tarpeia false , Semiramis vnchaste , Are euery one in their due order plac'd : There periur'd slaues , beastly Adulterers , Accursed Atheists , biting Vsurers , With murdrous Ruffins that delight in blood , Shall all be plagu'd in the Sulphurean Flood . Thither that foule staine of the female kinde , Whose deep fetcht othes are lighter then the winde , That by dissembling and abusing trueth , Blasted the blossomes of thy tender youth , Her liues course finisht ( if deepe penitence Wash not away her foule offence ) Shall come but in her flint-vnyelding brest , Where liues a guilty conscience wanting rest , Are wicked thoughts , that in a mighty band , In order plac'd as Sentinels do stand , To barre good motions entrance , that driuen thence , In worthyer places search for residence : She , the true patterne of detested pride , There shall not borrow an old Coach to ride : But in a fiery flaming Chariot , By Dragons drawne insufferably hot , Shall progresse thorough Hell : for her false haires , Snakes in their folds shall winde about her eares : In stead of hired cheynes of burnisht gold , Shall Iron linkes her wretched corps enfold , And torments more then this : for none can tell The tenth of tortures that are vsde in hell . But for thy selfe , if I diuine aright , Thy hopes shall mount with an auspicious flight , Thy fortunes that late crost , thou still holdst vaine , Shall haue a time to flourish fresh againe : I know the meanes by which thou shalt aduaunce Thy owne estate , euen in despight of chaunce ▪ — Vt quondam Te●thrantia regna te●enti , Sic tibi res eadem , vul●us opemque fer●● . Doth not my prophecie reioyce thy spright ? And bonds of sorrowes cancell with delight ? Speake man : But why thus holdst thou downe thy head ? Why is thy looke so sad ? thy colour dead ? Quoth he , I grieue for her vnhappy sake , I feare e're long shall come into this Lake , Though my attempting hopes she layd in dust , Though she be most perfidious and vniust : These paines I wish her not but doe desire , If yet some small sparke of celestiall fire Be vnextinguisht in her brest , it may Breed quick repentance , and auoyd decay . But , gentle Morpheus , if thou be of power , Transport her Genius hither but one houre , That with an intellectuall feeling sence , May see all sinnes eternall recompence : And then ( no doubt ) the vision will controule The wicked motions working in her soule . This said , our guide ascendeth vp againe , Whom we attend , leauing the place of paine : And being from the dusky denne come forth , Cold Charlzis Wayne was set directly North , When winged Morpheus once more silence brake , And to Andrea thus the God he spake : When I am gone , thinke not thou art deluded , Thy fortunes are by desteny concluded : Into whose secret brasen-leaued booke , They curteously did giue me leaue to looke : Wherein by fate vndoubtedly I finde , Time shall effect according to thy minde . By this , broke from the mornings cold embrace , Saturnes bright sunne aduaunc'd his royall face , Whose glorious looke , pale night astonished , That fearefull of his presence swiftly fled ▪ He mounting then his Carre damaskt with fire , Made his free horse gallop th' accustomd gire , When sleepe departing , did vnlocke mine eye , Whereat my dreames like mistie vapors flye : And onely left the memory behinde , Of the strange Vision that disturb'd my minde . FINIS .