A panegyrike congratulatorie to the Kings Maiestie Also certaine epistles, by Samuel Daniel.

A PANEGYRIKE CONGRATVLATORIE TO THE KINGS MAIESTIE . Also certaine Epistles , By SAMVEL DANIEL .

Carm●● ai●●t quisquis carmina digna gerit .

A PANEGYRIKE CONGRATVLATORIE TO HIS MAIESTIE . 1 LO here the glory of a greater day Then England euer heretofore could see In all her dayes . When she did most display The Ensignes of her powre , or whenas she Did spread herselfe the most , and most did sway Her state abroad , yet could she neuer be Thus blesst at home , nor euer come to grow To be intire in her full Orbe till now . 2 And now she is , and now in peace therefore Shake hands with Vnion , O thou mightie State , Now thou art all great Brittaine , and no more , No Scot , no English now , nor no debate : No Borders but the Ocean , and the Shore , No wall of Adrian serues to seperate Our mutuall loue , nor our obedience , All Subiects now to one imperiall Prince . 3 What heretofore could neuer yet be wrought , By all the swords of powre , by blood , by fire , By ruine , and destruction , here is brought To passe , with peace , with loue , with ioy desire : Our former blessed vnion hath begot A greater vnion that is more intire , And makes vs more our selues , sets vs at one With Nature that ordain'd vs to be one . 4 Glory of men , this hast thou brought to vs , And yet hast brought vs more than this by farre : Religion comes with thee , peace , righteousnes , Iudgement and Iustice , which more glorious are Then all thy Kingdomes , and arte more by this , Then Lord and Sou'raigne , more than Emperor Ouer the hearts of men that let thee in To more , than all the powres on Earth can win . 5 God makes thee King of our estates , but we Do make thee King of our affection , King of our Loue , a passion borne most free , And most vn-subiect to dominion : And know , that England which in that degree Can loue , with such a true deuotion Those that are lesse than Kings , to thee must bring More Loue , who art so much more than a King . 6 And King of this great Nation , populous , Stout , valiant , powrefull , both by Sea and Land , Attemptiue , able , worthy , generous , Which ioyfully imbraces thy command : A people tractable , obsequious , Apt to be fashion'd by thy glorious hand To any forme of honor , t' any way Of high attempts , thy vertues shall assay . 7 A people so inur'd to peace , so wrought To a successiue course of quietnesse , As th 'haue forgot ( and O b' it still forgot , ) The nature of their ancient stubbornnesse ; Time altred hath the forme , the meanes , and brought The state to that proportion'd euennesse , As t' is not like againe t' will euer come ( Being vsde abroad ) to draw the sword at home . 8 This people , this great State , these hearts adore Thy Scepter now , and now turne all to thee , Toucht with as powrefull zeale , and if not more , ( And yet O more , how could there euer be Than vnto her , whom yet we doe deplore Amidst our Ioy ? ) And giue vs leaue if we Reioyce and mourne , that cannot without wrong , So soone forget her , we enioyde so long . 9 Which likewise makes for thee , that yet we hold True after death , and bring not this respect To a new Prince from hating of the old ; Or from desire of change , or from neglect ; Whereby O mightie Sov'raigne , thou art told What thou and thine are likely to expect From such a faith , that doth not haste to runne Before their time , to an arising Sunne . 10 And let my humble Muse whom she did grace , Begge this one grace for her that now lies dead , That no vile tongue may spot her with disgrace , Nor that her fame become disfigured : O let her rest in peace , that rul'd in peace , Let not her honor be disquieted Now after death : but let her Graue inclose All but her good , and that it cannot close . 11 It addes much to thy glorie and our grace , That this continued current of our loue Runnes thus to thee , all with so swift a pace ; And that from peace to peace we do remoue , Not as in motion put from out our place , But in one Course , and do not seeme to moue , But in more ioy than euer heretofore , And well we may , since thou wilt make vs more . 12 Our Loue we see concurres with Gods great Loue , Who onely made thy way , thy passage plaine , Leuel'd the world for thee , did all remoue , That might the shew but of a let retaine : Vnbarr'd the North , humbled the South , did moue The hearts of all , thy right to intertaine , Held other States imbroyld , whose enuie might Haue fostred factions to impugne thy right : 13 And all for thee , that we the more might praise The glory of his power , and reuerence thine , Whome he hath raisde to glorifie our dayes , And make this Empire of the North to shine : Against all th' impious workings , all th' assayes Of vile disnatur'd vipers , whose designe Was to imbroyle the state t' obscure the light , And that cleare brightnesse of thy sacred right . 14 To whose reproach , since th' issue and successe Doth a sufficient marke of shame returne , Let no penne else blazon their vglinesse ; Be it inough , that God and Men do scorne Their proiects , censures , vaine pretendences : Let not our Children that are yet vnborne , Finde there were any offred to contest Or make a doubt , to haue our kingdome blesst . 15 Bury that question in th' eternall graue Of darknesse , neuer to be seene againe , Suffice we haue thee whom we ought to haue And t' whom all good men knew did appertaine Th' inheritance thy sacred birth-right gaue , That needed n'other suffrages t'ordaine What onely was thy due , nor no decree To be made knowne , since none was knowne but thee . 16 Witnesse the ioy the vniuersall cheere , The speeede , the ease , the will , the forwardnesse Of all this great and spacious State , how deere It held thy Title and thy worthinesse : Haste could not poste of speedy anywhere , But Fame seem'd there before in readinesse , To tell our hopes , and to proclaime thy name , O greater then our hopes , more then thy Fame . 17 What a returne of comfort dost thou bring Now at this fresh returning of our blood , Thus meeting with th' opening of the Spring , To make our spirits likewise to imbudde ? What a new season of incouraging Beginnes t'inlength the dayes dispos'd to good ? What apprehension of recouery Of greater strength , of more abilitie ? 18 The pulse of England neuer more did beate So strong as now : nor euer were our hartes Let out to hopes so spacious and so great , As now they are ; nor euer in all partes , Did we thus feele so comfortable heat , As now the glory of thy worth impartes : The whole complexion of the Common-wealth So weake before , hop'd neuer for more health . 19 Couldst thou but see from Douer to the Mount , From Totnes to the Orchades , what ioy , What cheere , what triumphs , and what deere account Is held of thy renowne this blessed day , A day which we , and ours must euer count Our solemne festiuall , as well we may , And though men thus court Kings still which are new , Yet do they more , where they finde more is due . 20 They feare the humours of a future Prince , Who either lost a good , or felt a bad , But thou hast cleer'de vs of this feare long since , We know thee more , then by reporte we had , We haue an euerlasting euidence Vnder thy hand , that now we neede not dread , Thou wilt be otherwise in thy designes Then there thou art in those iudiciall lines . 21 It is the greatest glory vpon earth To be a King , but yet much more to giue , The institution with the happy birth Vnto a King , and teach him how to liue : We haue , by thee , farre more then thine owne worth , That doth encourage , strengthen , and relieue Our hopes in the succession of thy blood , That like to thee , they likewise will be good . 22 We haue an earnest that doth euen tie Thy Scepter to thy word , and binds thy Crowne ( That else no band can binde ) to ratifie What thy religious hand hath there set downe , Wherein thy all-commanding Sov'raintie Stands subiect to thy Pen and thy Renowne , There we behold thee King of thine owne hart And see what we must be , and what thou art . 23 There great exemplare prototipe of Kings , We finde the Good shal dwell within thy Court ; Plaine zeale and truth free from base flatterings , Shall there be entertain'd and haue resorte : Honest discretion that no cunning brings , But councells that lie right , and that import , Is there receiu'd , with those whose care attends Thee , and the State , more then their priuate ends . 24 There grace and fauour shall not be dispos'de But by proportion , euen , and vpright , There are no mightie mountaines interpos'de Betweene thy beames and vs , t'imbarre thy light , There Maiestie liues not as if inclos'de , Or made a prey t' a priuate benefite : The hand of Powre deales there her owne reward , And thereby reapes the whole of mens regard . 25 There is no way to get vpto respect , But onely by the way of worthinesse : All passages that may seeme indirect , Are stopt vp now , and there in no accesse By grosse corruption , bribes cannot effect For th' undeseruing any offices : Th' ascent is cleane , and he that doth ascend Must haue his meanes as cleane as is his end . 26 The deedes of worth and laudable desarts , Shall not now passe thorow the straight report Of an imbasing tongue , that but imparts What with his ends and humours shal comport : The Prince himselfe now heares , sees , knows , what parts Honour and Vertue acts , and in what sort , And thereto giues his grace accordingly , And cheeres vp other to the like therby . 27 Nor shall we now haue vse of flatterie , For he knowes falsehoode farre more suttle is Than truth ; basenesse than libertie , Feare than loue , t' inuent these florishes : And Adulation now is spent so nie As that it hath no coulours to expresse That which it would , that now we must be faine T'unlearne that Art , and labour to be plaine . 28 For where there is no care to be abus'd , None will be found that dare t' informe a wrong , The insolent deprauer stands confus'd , The impious Atheist seemes to want a tongue , Transform'd into the fashion that is vs'd , All striue t' appeare like those they liue among ; And all will seeme compos'd by that same square , By which they see , the best and greatest are . 29 Such powre hath thy example and respect As that without a Sword , without debate , Without a noyse , ( or feeling in effect ) Thou wilt dispose , change , forme , accommodate Thy kingdome , people , rule , and all effect , Without the least convulsion of the State , That this great passage and mutation , will Not seeme a change , but onely of our ill . 30 We shall continue one , and be the same In Law , in Iustice , Magistrate , and forme , Thou wilt not touch the fundamentall frame Of this Estate thy Ancestors did forme , But with a reuerence of their glorious fame Seeke onely the corruptions to reforme , Knowing that course is best to be obseru'de Whereby a State hath longest beene preseru'd . 31 A King of England now most graciously , Remits the iniuries that haue beene done T' a King of Scots , and makes his clemencie To checke them more than his correction , Th' annoynted blood that staind most shamefully This ill seduced state , he lookes thereon , With th' eye of griefe , not wrath t' auenge the same , Since th' Authors are extinct that caus'd that shame . 32 Thus mightie riuers quietly do glide , And doe not , by their rage their powers professe , But by their mightie workings , when in pride Smal Torrents roare more lowde , and worke much lesse : Peace Greatnesse best becomes : calme power doth guide With a farre more imperious statelinesse , Then all the force of violence can doe , And easier gaines those ends she tends vnto . 33 Then England , thou hast reason thus to cheare , Reason to ioy , and triumph in this wise , When thou shalt gaine so much , and haue no feare To loose aught else but thy deformities : When thus thou shalt haue health and be set cleare From all thy great infectious maladies , By such a hand that best knowes how to cure , And where most lie those griefes thou dost indure . 34 When thou shalt see there is another grace Then to be rich ; Nam vbi cupido diuitiarum inuasit , neque disciplina , neque artes bonae , neque ingenium vllum satis pollet . another dignitie Then money : other meanes for place Then gold : wealth shall not now make honestie ; When thou shalt see the estimation base Of that which most aflicts our misery : Without the which , else couldst thou neuer see Our wayes laide right , not men themselues to bee . 35 By which improouement we shall gaine much more Then by Peru , or all discoueries ; For this way to imbase , is to instore The treasure of the land , and make it rise : This is the onely key t'unlocke the dore , To let out plentie that it may suffice , For more then all this I le , for more increase Of Subiects then , by thee , there can increase . 36 This shal make roome , and place inough for all , Which other wise would not suffice a few , And by proportion Geometricall Shall so dispose to all , what shal be due : As that without corruption , wrangling , brawle , Intrusion , wresting , and by meanes vndue , Desert shall haue her charge , and but one charge , As hauing but one body to discharge . 37 Whereby the all-incheering Maiestie Shall come to shine at full in all her parts , And spread her beames of comfort equally , As being all alike to like desarts ; For thus to checke , imbase and vilifie Th' esteeme of wealth , will fashion so our harts To worthy ends , as that we shall by much More , labor to be Good , then to be Rich. 38 This will make peace with Law , restore the Barre T' her ancient silence , where Contention now Makes so confus'd a noyse , this will debarre The fostring of debate , and ouerthrow That ougly monster that fowle rauener Extortion , which so hideously did grow , By making prey vpon our misery , And wasting it againe as wickedly . 39 The strange examples of impou'rishments , Of sacriledge , exactions , and of waste , Shall not be made nor held as presidents For times to come , but end with th' ages past : Whenas the State shall yeeld more suppliments ( Being well imploy'd ) then Kings can well exhaust ; This golden meadow lying ready still Then to be mow'd , when their occasions will . 40 Fauour , like pitie , in the hearts of men Haue the first touches euer violent , But soone againe it comes to languish , when The motiue of that humour shall be spent : But being still fed with that which first hath beene The cause thereof , it holds still permanent , And is kept in , by course , by forme , by kinde , And Time begets more ties that still more binde . 41 The broken frame of this disioynted State , Being by the blisse of thy great Grandfather , Henry the seauenth , restor'd to an estate More sound then euer , and farre stedfaster , Owes all it hath to him , and in that rate Stands bound to thee that art his successor : For without him it had not beene begunne , And without thee , we had beene now vndone . 42 Hee , of a priuate man , became a King , Hauing indur'd the weight of tyrannie ; Mourn'd with the world , complain'd & knew the thing That good men wish for in their misery Vnder ill Kings : saw what it was to bring Order and Forme to the recouery Of an vnruly State : conceiu'd what cure Would kill the cause of this distemp'rature . 43 Thou , borne a King , hast in thy State , indur'd The sowre affronts of priuate discontent With subiects broiles ; and euer beene inur'd To this great mystery of gouernment : Whereby thy Princely wisedome hath allur'd A State to peace , left to thee turbulent : And brought vs an addition to the frame Of his great worke , squar'd fitly to the same . 44 And , both you ( by the all-working prouidence That fashions out of dangers , toyles , debates , Those whom it hath ordained to commence These first , and great establishments of States ) Came when your aide , your powers experience ( Which out of iudgement best accommodates These ioynts of rule ) was more then most desir'd , And when the times of need the most requir'd . 45 And as he lay'd the modell of this frame , By which was built so strong a worke of State , As all the powers of changes in the same ; All that excesse of a disordinate And lustfull Prince : nor all that after came , Nor Childe , nor stranger , nor yet womens fate , Could once disioynt the couplements , whereby It held together in iust Symetry . 46 So thou likewise art come as fore-ordain'd To re-inforce the same more really , Which oftentimes hath beene but entertain'd By th' onely stile , and name of Maiestie : And by no other councells oft attain'd Those ends of her inioy'd tranquilitie , Then by this forme , and by th' incumbrances Of neighbor states that gaue it a successe . 47 That hadst thou had no title ( as thou hast The onely right , and none hath else a right ) We yet must now haue beene inforcde t' haue cast Our selues into thy armes , to set all right ; And to auert confusion , blood-shed , waste , That otherwise vpon vs needes must light : None but a King , and no King else beside Could now haue sau'd this State from being destry'd . 48 Thus hath the hundreth yeare brought backe againe The sacred bloud lent to adorne the North , And here return'd it with a greater gaine , And greater glory than we sent it forth : Thus doth th' all-working Prouidence retaine , And keepe for great effects the seede of worth , And so doth point these stops of time thereby , In periods of vncertaine certainty . It is iust a hundred yeares since the Lady Margaret was married to IAMES the fourth , King of Scots . 49 Margaret of Richmond ( glorious Grandmother Vnto that other precious Margaret , From whence th' Almightie worker did transferre This branch of peace , as from a roote well set ) Thou mother , author , plotter , Councellor Of vnion , that didst both conceiue , beget , And bring forth happinesse to this great State , To make it thus intirely fortunate : 50 O couldst thou now but view this faire successe , This great effect of thy religious worke , And see therein how God hath pleas'd to blesse Thy charitable Councels , and to worke Still greater good out of the blessednesse Of this conioyned Lancaster and Yorke : Which all conioyn'd within , and those shut out , Whom nature and their birth had set without . 51 How much hast thou bound all posterities In this great worke , to reuerence thy name ? And with thee , that religious , faithfull , wise , And learned Mourton who contriu'd the same , And first aduis'd , and did so well aduise , As that the good successe that thereof came , Shewdwel , that holy hands , cleane thoughts , cleare harts Are onely fit to act such glorious parts . 52 But Muse , these deare remembrances must be In their conuenient places registred , When thou shalt bring sterne Discord to agree , And bloody warre vnto a quiet Bed : Which worke must now be finished by thee : That long hath layne vndone , as destined Vnto the glory of these dayes , for which Thy vowes and verse haue laboured so much . 53 Thou euer hast opposed all thy might Against contention , fury , pride and wrong , Perswading stil to hold the course of right , And Peace hath beene the burthen of thy Song , And now thy selfe shalt haue the benefite Of quietnesse which thou hast wanted long , And now shalt haue calme peace , and vnuion , With thine owne warres , and now thou must go on . 54 Onely the ioy of this so deare a thing Made me looke backe vnto the cause , whence came This so great good , this blessing of King , When our estate so much requir'd the same , When we had neede of powre for the well-ord'ring Of our affaires : neede of a Spirite to frame The world to Good , to Grace and worthinesse , Out of this humour of Luxuriousnesse . 55 And bring vs backe vnto our selues againe , Vnto our ancient natiue modestie , From out these forraine sinnes we entertaine , This loathsome surfets ougly Gluttony , From this vnruly and this idle vaine Of wanton and superfluous brauery , The wracke of Gentry , spoile of Noblenesse , And spare vs by thy temperate Sobernesse . 56 When Abstinence is fashion'd by the Time , It is no rare thing to be abstinent , But then it is , when th' Age full fraught with crime Lies prostrate vnto all misgouernment . And who is not licencious in the prime And heate of youth , nor then incontinent When out of might he may , he neuer wil ; No power can tempt him to that taste of ill . 57 Then what are we t' expect from such a hand That doth this sterne of faire example guide ? Who will not now shame to haue no command Ouer his lusts ? Who would be seene t' abide Vnfaithful to his vowes ; to infringe the band Of a most sacred knot which God hath tide ? Who would now seeme to be dishonoured With th' uncleane touch of an vnlawfull bedde ? 58 What a great checke wil this chaste Court be now To wanton Courts debaucht with Luxurie ? Where we no other Mistresses shall know But her to whom we owe our loyaltie : Chaste Mother of our Princes whence doe grow Those righteous issues , which shall glorifie And comfort many Nations with their worth , To her perpetuall grace that brought them forth . 59 We shall not feare to haue our wiues distain'd , Nor yet our Daughters violated here By an Imperiall lust , that being vnrain'd Will hardly be resisted any where . Hee will not be betraid with ease , nor train'd With idle rest , in soft delights to weare His time of life . But knowes whereto he tends , How worthy mindes are made for worthy ends . 60 And that this mighty worke of vnion now Begunne with glory , must with grace run on And so be clos'd , as all the ioynts may grow Together firme in due proportion ; A worke of power and iudgement that must shew All parts of wisdome , and discretion That man can shew : that no clowd may impaire This day of hope , whose morning shewes so faire . 61 He hath a mightie burthen to sustaine Whose fortune doth succeed a gracious Prince , Or where mens expectations intertaine Hopes of more good , and more beneficence : But yet he vndergoes a greater paine , A more laborious worke , who must commence The great foundation of a Gouernement , And lay the frame of order , and content . 62 Especially where mens desires do runne A greedy course of eminencie , gaine , And priuate hopes ; weighing not what is done For the Republicke , so themselues may gaine Their ends , and where few care who be vndone , So they be made , whil'st all do entertaine The present motions that this passage brings With th' infancie of change , vnder new Kings . 63 So that the weight of all seemes to rely Wholy vpon thine owne discretion , Thy iudgement now must only rectifie This frame of pow're , thy glory stands vpon : From thee must come , that thy posterity May ioy this Peace , and hold this vnion : For whil'st all worke for their owne benefite , Thy only worke must keepe vs all vpright . 64 For did not now thy full maturitie Of yeares and wisedome , that discerne what shewes , What arte , and colours , may deceiue the eye , Secure our trust that that cleere iudgement knowes Vpon what grounds depend thy Maiestie , And whence the glory of thy greatnesse growes , We might distrust least that a side might part Thee from thy selfe , and so surprize thy hart . 65 Since th' arte but one , and that against thy breast Are laide all th' ingins both of Skil and Wit And all th' assaults of Cunning are addresst With stratagems of Arte to enter it : To make a prey of grace , and to inuest Their powres within thy loue , that they might sit , And stirre that way which their affection tends , Respecting but themselues , and their owne ends . 66 And see'ng how difficult a thing it is To rule , and what strength is requir'd to stand , Against all the'interplac'd respondences Of combinations , set to keepe the hand And eye of power from out the prouinces , That Auarice may draw to her command , Which , to keepe hers , she others vowes to spare , That they againe to her might vse like care . 67 But God that rais'd thee vp to act this parte , Hath giuen thee all those powers of worthinesse , Fit for so great a worke , and fram'd thy hart Discernible of all apparences : Taught thee to know the world , and this great Art Oford'ring man , Knowledge of Knowledges , That from thee , men might reckon how this State Became restor'd , and was made fortunate . 68 That thou the first , with vs , in name , might'st be The first in course , to fashion vs anew , Wherein the times hath offred that to thee , Which seldome t'other princes could accrew : Thou hast th' aduantage onely to be free , T' imploy thy fauours where they shall be dew , And to dispose thy grace in generall , And like to Ioue , to be alike to all . Est Iupiter omnibus idem . 69 Thy fortune hath indebted thee to none , But t' all thy people vniuersally , And not to them , but for their loue alone , Which they account is placed worthily : Nor wilt thou now frustrate their hopes , whereon They rest , nor they faile in their loyaltie ; Since no Prince comes deceiued in his trust , But hee that first deceiues , and prooues vniust . 70 Then since we are in this so faire a way Of Restauration , Greatnesse and Command , Cursed be hee that causes the least stay In this faire worke , or interrupts thy hand , And cursed hee that offers to betray Thy graces , or thy goodnesse to withstand , Let him be held abhorr'd , and all his race Inherite but the portion of disgrace . 71 And hee that shall , by wicked Offices , Be th' author of the least disturbancie , Or seeke t' auert thy godly purposes , Be euer held the scorne of infamie : And let men but consider their successe Who Princes loues abus'd presumptuously , They shall perceiue their ends doe still relate , That sure God loues them not whom men do hate . 72 And it is iust , that they who make a prey Of Princes fauours , in the end againe , Be made a prey to Princes , and repay The spoiles of miserie with greater gaine ; Whose sacrifices euer doe allay The wrath of men , conceiu'd in their disdaine : For that their hatred prosecuteth still , More then ill Princes , those that make them ill . 73 But both thy iudgement and estate doth free Thee , from these powres of Feare and Flattery , The conquerours of Kings , by whom we see Are wrought the acts of all impietie : Thou arte so set , as th' hast no cause to be Iealous , or dreadfull of disloyaltie , The pedestall whereon thy Greatnesse stands , Is built of all our hearts , and all our hands .

TO SIR THO: EGERTON KNIGHT , LORD KEEPER OF THE GREAT SEALE OF ENGLAND . WEll hath the powreful hand of Maiestie , Thy worthines , and Englands happe beside , Set thee in th' aidfulst roome of dignitie , As th' Isthmus , these two Oceans to diuide Of Rigor and confus'd Vncertaintie , To keepe out th' entercourse of wrong and pride , That they ingulph not vp vnsuccoured right By th' extreame current of licencious might . Now when we see the most combining band , The strongest fasting of societie Law , whereon all this frame of men doth stand , Remaine concussed with vncertaintie , And seeme to foster rather than withstand Contention , and embrace obscuritie , Onely t' afflict , and not to fashion vs , Making her cure farre worse than the disease . As if she had made couenant with Wrong , To part the prey made on our weakenesses , And suffred Falshood to be arm'd as strong Vnto the combate as is Righteousnes , Or suted her , as if she did belong Vnto our passions , and did euen professe Contention , as her only mystery , Which she restraines not , but doth multiply . Was she the same sh 'is now in ages past , Or was she lesse when she was vsed lesse ? And growes as malice growes , and so comes cast Iust to the forme of our vnquietnesse ? Or made more slow , the more that strife runnes fast , Staying t' undo vs ere she will redresse ? That th' ill shee checks seemes suffred to be ill , When it yeelds greater gaine than goodnesse will . Must there be still some discord mixt among The Harmonie of men , whose moode accords Best with Contention , tun'd t' a note of wrong , That when war failes , peace must make war with words , And b'arm'd vnto destruction euen as strong , As were in ages past our ciuill swordes ; Making as deepe , although vnbleeding wounds , That when as furie failes , wisedome confounds . If it be wisedome , and not cunning , this Which so imbroyles the state of truth with brawles , And wrappes it vp in strange confusednesse As if it liu'd immur'd within the walls , Of hideous termes fram'd out of barbarousnesse And forraine Customes , the memorials Of our subiection , and could neuer be Deliu'red but by wrangling subtiltie . Whereas it dwells free in the open plaine , Vncurious , Gentile , easie of accesse : Certaine vnto it selfe , of equall vaine , One face , one colour , one assurednesse ; It 's Falshood that is intricate , and vaine , And needes these laborinths of subtilnesse . For where the cunningst cou'rings most appeare It argues still that all is not sincere . Which thy cleere ey'd experience well discries , Great Keeper of the state of Equitie , Refuge of mercie , vpon whom relies The succour of oppressed miserie : Altar of safegarde , whereto affliction flies From th' eger pursuite of seueritie : Hauen of Peace , that labourst to withdraw Iustice , from out the tempests of the Law . And set her in a calme and euen way , Plaine and directly leading to redresse , Barring these counter-courses of delay These wasting dilatorie processes : Ranging into their right , and proper ray , Errors , demurs , essoines ; and trauerses , The heads of Hydra springing out of death That giues this Monster malice still new breath . That what was made for the vtilitie . And good of man , might not be turn'd t' his hurt To make him worser by his remedie , And cast him downe , with what should him support : Nor that the State of Law might loose thereby The due respect , and reu'rence of her porte , And seeme a trap to catch our ignorance And to intangle our intemperance . Since her interpretations and our deedes , Vnto a like infinitie arise , As be'ng a Science , that by nature breeds Contention , strife and ambiguities : For altercation controuersie feeds , And in her agitation multiplies : The field of Cauell lying all like wide , Yealds like aduantage vnto eyther side . Which made the graue Castillian King deuise A prohibition , Ferdinand king of Castile . that no Aduocate Should be conuaid to th' Indian Colonies , Lest their new setting , shaken with debate , Might take but slenderroote , and so not rise To any perfect growth of firme estate , For hauing not this skill , how to contend , Th' vnnourisht strife would quickely make an end . So likewise did th' Hungarian , when he saw These great Italian Bartolists , The king of Hungarie . who were Call'd in , of purpose to explane the Law , T' imbroyle it more , and make it much lesse cleere , Caus'd them from out his Kingdome to withdraw With this infestious skill someother-where : Whose learning rather let men farther out , Difficultatem facit doctrinae . And opened wider passages of doubt . Seeing euen Iniustice may be regulare ; And no proportion can there be betwixt Our actions which in endlesse motion are And th' Ordinances which are alwayes fixt . Tenne thousand Lawes more , cannot reach so farre , But Malice goes beyond , or liues immixt So close with goodnesse , as it euer will Corrupt , disguise or counterfeite it still . And therefore did those glorious Monarchs , ( who Deuide with God the Stile of Maiestie For being good , and had a care to do The world right , and succour honestie ) Ordaine this sanctuarie wherevnto Th' opprest might flie , this seate of Equitie Whereon thy vertues sit with faire renowne , The greatest grace and glory of the Gowne . Which Equitie being the soule of Law The life of Iustice , and the Spirite of right , Dwell's not in written Lines , or liues in awe Of Bookes ; deafe powres that haue nor eares , nor sight : But out of well-weigh'd circumstance doth draw The essence of a iudgement requisite : And is that Lesbian square , that building fit , Plies to the worke , not forc'th the worke to it . Maintaining still an equall paralell Iust with th' occasions of humanitie , Making her iudgements euer liable To the respect of peace and amitie : When surly Law , sterne , and vnaffable , Cares onely but it selfe to satisfie : And often , innocencie skarse defends , As that which on no circumstance depends . But Equitie that beares an euen raine Vpon the present courses , holds in awe , By giuing hand alittle , and doth gaine By a gentle relaxation of the Law ; And yet inviolable doth maintaine The end whereto all constitutions draw ; Which is the well-fare of societie Consisting of an vpright pollicie . Which first being by Necessitie compos'd , Is by Necessitie maintain'd in best estate , Necessitas est lex temporu● . Where , whenas Iustice shal be ill dispos'd It sickens the whole body of the State : For if there be a passage once disclos'd That Wrong may enter at the selfe-same gate Which serues for Right , cladde in a coate of Law , What violent distempers may it draw ? And therefore dost thou stand to keepe the way , And stoppe the course that malice seekes to runne And by thy prouident Iniunctions stay This neuer ending Altercation ; Sending contention home , to th' end men may There make their peace , whereas their strife begun : And free these pestred streets they vainely weare Whom both the State , and theirs , do need elsewhere . Lest th' humor which doth thus predominate Conuert vnto it selfe all that it takes ; And that the law grow larger then debate , And come t' exceede th' affaires it vndertakes : As if the onely Science of the State That tooke vp all our wits for gaine it makes ; Not for the good that thereby may be wrought Which is not good if it be dearely bought . What shall we thinke when as ill causes shall Inrich men more , and shall be more desir'd Then good , as farre more beneficiall ? Who then defends the good ? who will be hir'd To intertaine a right , A remedie for defending ill causes . whose gaine is small ? Vnlesse the Aduocate that hath conspir'd To pleade a wrong , be likewise made to runne His Clients chaunce , and with him be vndunne . So did the wisest nations euer striue To binde the hands of Iustice vp so hard , That lest she falling to prooue Lucratiue Might basely reach them out to take reward : Ordaining her prouisions fit to liue Out of the publike as a publike Guard That all preserues , and all doth entertaine , Whose end is onely glory , and not gaine . That eu'n the Scepter which might all command , Seeing her s' vnpartiall , equall , regulare , Was pleas'd to put it selfe into her hand ; Whereby they both grew more admired farre . And this is that great blessing of this land , That both the Prince and people vse one Barre , The Prince , whose cause , ( as not to be withstood ) Is neuer badde but where himselfe is good . This is that Ballance which committed is To thy most euen and religious hand ; Great Minister of Iustice , who by this Shalt haue thy name , still gratious in this land : This is that seale of pow're which doth impresse Thy Acts of right , which shall for euer stand : This is that traine of State , that pompously Attends vpon thy reu'rent dignitie . All glory else besides , ends with our breath , And mens respects scarse brings vs to our graue : But this of doing good , must out-liue Death , Aud haue a right out of the right it gaue : Though th' act but few , th' example profiteth Thousands , that shall thereby a blessing haue . The worlds respect growes not but on desarts , Powre may haue knees , but Iustice hath our harts .

TO THE LORD HENRY HOWARD , ONE OF HIS MAIESTIES PRIVIE COVNCEL . PRaise , if it be not choice , and laide aright , Can yeeld no lustre where it is bestowde , Nor any way can grace the giuers Arte , ( Tho 'it be a pleasing colour to delight , ) For that no ground whereon it can be shew'd Will beare it well , but Vertue and Desart . And though I might commend your learning , wit , And happy vttrance , and commend them right , As that which decks you much , and giues you grace , Yet your cleere iudgement best deserueth it , Which in your course hath caried you vpright , And made you to discerne the truest face , And best complexion of the things that breed The reputation and the loue of men . And held you in the tract of honestie Which euer in the end we see succeed , Though oft it may haue interrupted bin , Both by the times and mens iniquitie . For sure those actions which do fairely runne In the right line of Honor , still are those That get most cleane , and safest to their end , And passe the best without confusion , Either in those that act or else dispose , Hauing the scope made cleere whereto they tend . When this by-path of cunning doth s'imbroile And intricate the passage of affaires , As that they seldome fairely can get out ; But cost , with lesse successe , more care and toile Whilst doubt and the distrusted cause impaires Their courage , who would else appeare more stout . For though some hearts are builded so , that they Haue diuers dores , whereby they may let out Their wills abroad without disturbancie , Int'any course , and into eu'ry way Of humour , that affection turnes about , Yet haue the best but one t' haue passage by . And that so surely warded with the Guarde Of Conscience and respect , as nothing must Haue course that way , but with the certaine passe Of a perswasiue right , which be'ng compard With their conceipt , must thereto answere iust , And so with due examination passe . Which kind of men , rais'd of a better frame Are meere religious , constant and vpright , And bring the ablest hands for any ' effect , And best beare vp the reputation , fame And good opinion that the Action 's right , When th' vndertakers are without suspect . But when the bodie of an enterprise Shall goe one way , the face another way , As if it did but mocke a weaker trust , The motion being monstrous cannot rise To any good , but falls downe to bewray That all pretences serue for things vniust . Especially where th' action will allow Apparancie , or that it hath a course Concentrike with the Vniuersall frame Of men combind , whom it concerneth how These motions turne and intertaine their force , Hauing their being resting on the same . And be it , that the vulgare are but grosse Yet are they capable of truth , and see , And sometimes gesse the right , and doe conceiue The Nature of that text , that needes a glosse , And wholy neuer can deluded be , All may a few , few cannot all deceiue . And these strange disproportions in the traine And course of things , do euermore proceede From th' ill-set disposition of their minds , Who in their actions cannot but retaine Th' incumbred formes which do within them breede , And which they cannot shew but in their kindes . Whereas the wayes and councells of the Light , So sort with valour and with manlinesse , As that they carry things assuredly Vndazeling of their owne or others sight : There be'ng a blessing that doth giue successe To worthinesse , and vnto constancie . And though sometimes th' euent may fall amisse , Yet shall it still haue honour for th' attempt , When Craft begins with feare , and endes with shame , And in the whole designe perplexed is . Vertue , though luckelesse ; yet shal skape contempt , And though it hath not hap , it shall haue fame .

TO THE LADY MARGARET COVNTESSE OF CVMBERLAND . HE that of such a height hath built his minde , And rear'd the dwelling of his thoughts so strong As neither Feare nor Hope can shake the frame Of his resolued powres , nor al the winde Of Vanitie or Malice , pierce to wrong His setled peace , or to disturbe the same , What a faire seate hath he from whence hee may The boundlesse wastes , and weilds of man suruay . And with how free an eye doth he looke downe , Vpon these lower Regions of turmoyle , Where all these stormes of passions mainely beate On flesh and blood , where honor , power , renowne Are onely gay afflictions , golden toyle , Where Greatnesse stands vpon as feeble feete As Frailtie doth , and only great doth seeme To little mindes , who do it so esteeme . He lookes vpon the mightiest Monarchs warres But onely as on stately robberies , Where euermore the fortune that preuailes Must be the right , the ill-succeeding marres The fairest and the best-fac't enterprize : Great Pyrat Pompey lesser Pyrates quailes , Iustice , he sees , as if seduced , still Conspires with powre , whose cause must not be ill . He sees the face of Right t' appeare as manyfold As are the passions of vncertaine man , Who puts it in all coulours , all attires To serue his ends , and make his courses hold : He sees that let Deceit worke what it can , Plot and contriue base wayes to high desires , That the all-guiding Prouidence doth yet All disappoint , and mockes this smoake of wit . Nor is he moou'd with all the thunder crackes Of Tyrants threats , or with the surly brow Of power , that prowdly sits on others crimes , Chardg'd with more crying sinnes , then those he checks : The stormes of sad confusion that may grow Vp in the present , for the cumming times , Appall not him , that hath no side at all But of himselfe , and knowes the worst can fall . Although his hart so neere allied to earth , Cannot but pittie the perplexed State Of troublous , and distrest mortalitie , That thus make way vnto the ougly birth Of their owne sorrowes , and doe still beget Affliction vpon imbecilitie : Yet seeing thus the course of things must run , He lookes thereon , not strange , but as foredun . And whilst distraught Ambition compasses And is incompast , whil'st as craft deceiues And is deceiu'd , whil'st man doth ransack man And builds on bloud , and rises by distresse , And th' inheritance of desolation leaues To great expecting hopes , he lookes thereon As from the shore of peace with vnwet eye And beares no venture in impietie . Thus , Madame , fares the man that hath prepar'd A rest for his desires , and sees all things Beneath him , and hath learn't this booke of man , Full of the notes of frailtie , and compar'd The best of glory with her sufferings , By whom I see you labour all you can To plant your heart , and set your thought as neere His glorious mansion , as your powres can beare . Which , Madame , are so soundly fashioned , By that cleere iudgement that hath caried you Beyond the feeble limits of your kinde , As they can stand against the strongest head Passion can make , invr'd to any hew The world can cast , that cannot cast that minde Out of her forme of goodnesse , that doth see Both what the best and worst of earth can bee . Which makes , that whatsoeuer here befalles , You in the region of your selfe remaine , Where no vaine breath of th' impudent molests , That hath secur'd within the brasen walls Of a cleere conscience , that without all staine Rises in peace , in innocencie rests : Whilst all what malice from without procures , Shews her owne ougly heart , but hurts not yours . And whereas none reioyce more in reuenge Then women vse to doe , yet you well know , That wrong is better checkt , by being contemn'd , Then being pursu'd , leauing to him t auenge To whom it appertaines , wherein you show How worthily your Clearenesse hath condemn'd Base malediction , liuing in the darke , That at the raies of goodnesse still doth barke . Knowing the heart of man is set to be The centre of his world , about the which These reuolutions of disturbances Still roule , where all th' aspects of miserie Predominate , whose strong effects are such As he must beare , being powrelesse to redresse , And that vnlesse aboue himselfe he can Erect himselfe , how poore a thing is man ? And how turmoyld they are that leuell lie With earth , and cannot lift themselues from thence , That neuer are at peace with their desires , But worke beyond their yeares , and euen deny Dotage her rest , and hardly will dispence With Death : that when ability expires , Desire liues still , so much delight they haue To carry toile , and trauaile to the graue . Whose ends you see , and what can be the best They reach vnto , when they haue cast the summe And recknings of their glory , and you know This floting life hath but this Port of rest , A heart prepar'd that feares no ill to come : And that mans greatnesse rests but in his show ; The best of all whose dayes consumed are , Eyther in warre , or peace conceiuing warre . This Concord ( Madame ) of a wel-tun'd minde Hath beene so set by that all-working hand Of heauen , that though the world hath done his worst , To put it out , by discords most vnkinde , Yet doth it still in perfect vnion stand With God and Man , nor euer will be forc't From that most sweete accord , but still agree Equall in Fortunes inequalitie . And this note ( Madame ) of your Worthines Remaines recorded in so many Hearts As time nor malice cannot wrong your right In th inheritance of Fame you must possesse , You that haue built you by your great desarts , Out of small meanes , a farre more exquisite And glorious dwelling for your honoured name Then all the gold of leaden mindes can frame . S. D.

TO THE LADY LVCIE , COVNTESSE OF BEDFORD . THough virtue be the same when low she stands In th' humble shadowes of obscuritie As when she either sweats in martiall bands , Or sits in Court , clad with authoritie : Yet Madame , doth the strictnesse of her roome Greatly detract from her abilitie : For as inwalld within a liuing tombe Her handes and armes of action , labour not ; Her thoughts as if abortiue from the wombe , Come neuer borne , though happily begot . But where she shath mounted in open sight An eminent , and spacious dwelling got . Where shee may stirre at will , and vse her might , There is she more her selfe , and more her owne : There in the faire attyre of honour dight , She sits at ease and makes her glory knowne , Applause attends her hands , her deedes haue grace , Her worth new-borne is straight as if fulgrowne , With such a goodly and respected face Doth vertue looke , that 's set to looke from hie , And such a faire aduantage by her place Hath state and greatnesse to doe worthily . And therefore well did your high fortunes meete With her , that gracing you , comes grac't thereby , And well was let into a house so sweete So good , so faire ; so faire , so good a guest , Who now remaines as blessed in her seate , As you are with her residencie blesst . And this faire course of knowledge whereunto Your studies , learned Lady , are addrest , Is th' onely certaine way that you can goe Vnto true glory , to true happines : All passages on earth besides , are so Incumbred with such vaine disturbances , As still we loose our rest , in seeking it , Being but deluded with apparances . And no key had you else that was so fit T' vnlocke that prison of your Sex , as this , To let you out of weakenesse , and admit Your powers into the freedome of that blisse That sets you there where you may ouersee This rowling world , and view it as it is , And apprehend how th' outsides do agree With th' inward being of the things , we deeme And hold in our ill-cast accounts , to be Of highest value , and of best esteeme . Since all the good we haue rests in the mind , By whose proportions onely we redeeme Our thoughts from out confusion , and do finde The measure of our selues , and of our powres . And that all happinesse remaines confind Within the Kingdome of this breast of ours . Without whose bounds , all that we looke on , lies In others Iurisdictions , others powres , Out of the circuit of our liberties . All glory , honor , fame , applause , renowne , Are not belonging to our royalties , But t'others wills , wherein th' are onely growne . And that vnlesse we finde vs all within , We neuer can without vs be our owne : Nor call it right , our life we liue in . But a possession held for others vse , That seeme to haue most in t' rest therein . Which we do so disseuer , parte , traduce , Let out to custome fashion and to shew As we enioy but onely the abuse , And haue no other Deed at all to shew . How oft are we constrained to appeare With other countenance then that we owe , And be our selues farre off , when we are neere ? How oft are we forc't on a clowdie hart , To set a shining face , and make it cleere . Seeming content to put our selues apart , To beare a part of others weaknesses : As if we onely were compos'd by Arte , Not Nature , and did all our deedes addresse T'opinion , not t' a conscience what is right : As fram'd b'example , not aduisednesse Into those formes that intertaine our sight . And though Bookes , Madame , cannot make this minde , Which we must bring apt to be set aright , Yet do they rectifie it in that kinde , And touch it so , as that it turnes that way Where iudgement lies : And though we cannot finde The certaine place of truth , yet doe they stay , And intertaine vs neere about the same . And giue the Soule the best delights that may Encheere it most , and most our spirits inflame To thoughts of glory , and to worthy ends . And therefore in a course that best became The cleerenesse of your heart , and best commends Your worthy powres , you runne the rightest way That is on Earth , that can true glory giue , By which when all consumes , your fame shal liue .

TO THE LADY ANNE CLIFFORD . VNto the tender youth of those faire eyes The light of iudgement can arise but new And yong the world appeares t' a yong conceit , Whilst thorow th' vnacquainted faculties The late inuested soule doth rawly view Those Obiects which on that discretion waite . Yet you that such a faire aduantage haue , Both by your birth , and happy powres t'out-go , And be before your yeares , can fairely guesse What hew of life holdes surest without staine , Hauing your well-wrought hart full furnisht so With all the images of worthinesse , As there is left no roome at all t' inuest Figures of other forme but Sanctitie : Whilst yet those cleane-created thoughts , within The Garden of your innocencies rest , Where are no notions of deformitie Nor any dore at all to let them in . With so great care doth shee , that hath brought forth That comely body , labour to adorne That better parte , the mansion of your minde , With all the richest furniture of worth , To make y'as highly good as highly borne , And set your vertues equall to your kinde . She tells you how that honour onely is A goodly garment put on faire desarts , Wherin the smallest staine is greatest seene , And that it cannot grace vnworthinesse ; But more apparant shewes defectiue partes , How gay soeuer they are deckt therein . She tells you too , how that it bounded is , And kept inclosed with so many eyes , As that it cannot stray and breake abroade Into the priuate wayes of carelessenesse , Nor euer may descend to vulgarize , Or be below the sphere of her abode . But like to those supernall bodies set Within their Orbs , must keep the certaine course Of order , destin'd to their proper place ; Which only doth their note of glory get . Th' irregulare apparances inforce A short respect , and perish without grace . Being Meteors seeming hie , but yet low plac't , Blazing but while their dying matters last , Nor can we take the iust height of the minde , But by that order which her course doth shew : And which such splendor to her actions giues , And thereby men her eminencie finde , And thereby only do attaine to know The Region , and the Orbe wherein she liues . For low in th' aire of grosse vncertaintie , Cofusion onely rowles , Order sits hie . And therefore since the dearest thing on earth , This honour , Madame , hath his stately frame From th' heau'nly order , which begets respect , And that your nature , vertue , happy birth , Haue therein highly interplac'd your name , You may not runne the least course of neglect . For where , not to obserue , is to prophane Your dignitie , how carefull must you be To be yourselfe , and though you may to all Shine faire aspects , yet must the vertuous gaine The best effects of your benignitie : Nor must your common graces cause to fall The price of your esteeme t' a lower rate , Then doth befit the pitch of your estate . Nor may you build on your sufficiency , For in our strongest partes we are but weake , Nor yet may ouer-much distrust the same , Lest that you come to checke it so thereby , As silence may become worse than to speake ; Though silence women neuer ill became . And none , we see , were euer ouerthrowne By others flattery more than by their owne . For though we liue amongst the tongues of praise And troopes of soothing people , that collaud All that we do , yet t' is within our harts Th' ambushment lies , that euermore betraies Our iudgements , when our selues become t' applaud Our owne abilitie , and our owne parts . So that we must not onely fence this forte Of ours , against all others fraud , but most Against our owne , whose danger is the most , Because we lie the neerest to doe hurt , And soon'st deceiue our selues , and soon'st are lost By our best powres that do vs most transport . Such are your holy bounds , who must conuay ( If God so please ) the honourable bloud Of Clifford , and of Russell , led aright To many worthy stemmes whose off-spring may Looke backe with comfort , to haue had that good To spring from such a branch that grew s'vpright ; Since nothing cheeres the heart of greatnesse more Then th' Ancestors faire glory gone before .

TO HENRY WRIOTHESLY ERLE OF SOVTHAMPTON . Nonfert vllum ictum illaesa foelicitas . HE who hath neuer warr'd with misery , Nor euer tugg'd with Fortune , and Distresse Hath had n'occasion nor no field to trie The strength and forces of his worthinesse : Those partes of iudgement which felicitie Keepes as conceal'd , affliction must expresse ; And only men shew their abilities , And what they are , in their extremities . The world had neuer taken so full note Of what thou arte , hadst thou not beene vndone , And onely thy affliction hath begot More fame then thy best fortunes could haue done : For euer by aduersitie are wrought The greatest workes of admiration , And all the faire examples of renowne , Out of distresse and misery are growne . Mutius the fire , the torturs Regular , Did make the miracles of Faith and Zeale : Exile renown'd , and Grac'd Rutilius : Imprisonment , and Poyson did reueale The worth of Socrates : Fabricius Pouertie did grace that Common-weale More then all Syllaes riches got withstrife , And Catoes death did vie with , Casars life . Not to b'vnhappy is vnhappinesse ; And miserie not t' haue knowne misery : For the best way vnto discretion is The way that leads vs by aduersitie : And men are better shew'd what is amisse , By th' expert finger of Calamitie , Then they can be with all that Fortune brings , Who neuer shewes them the true face of things . How could we know that thou could'st haue indur'd With a reposed cheere , wrong and disgrace , And with a heart and countenance aslur'd Haue lookt sterne Death , and Horror in the face ? How should we know thy soule had bin secur'd In honest councels , and in wayes vnbase ? Hadst thou not stood to shew vs what thou wert , By thy affliction , that descride thy heart . It is not but the Tempest that doth shew The Sea-mans cunning : but the field that tries The Captaines courage : and we come to know Best what men are , in their worst ieoperdies : For lo , how many haue we seene to grow To hie renowne from lowest miseries , Out of the hands of death , and many a one T' haue bin vndone , had they not bin vndone . He that indures for what his conscience knowes Not to be ill , doth from a patience hie Looke , onely on the cause whereto he owes Those sufferings , not on his miserie : The more h'indures , the more his glory growes , Which neuer growes from imbecilitie : Onely the best compos'd , and worthiest harts , God sets to act the hard'st and constant'st parts .

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