A select second husband for Sir Thomas Ouerburie's wife, now a matchlesse widow

A SELECT SECOND HVSBAND FOR SIR THOMAS OVERBVRIES ▪ WIFE , NOW A MATCHLESSE WIDOW .

No Muse can make high flight , Whose Lustre lackes Nó Light .

LONDON , Printed by Thomas Creede and Barnard Allsopp , for Iohn Marriott : and are to be sold at his shop at the white Flower-de-luce , neere Fetter Lane end in Fleetstreete . 1616.

To the Reader .

NO Rest is in Motion . The Circle of Opinion is without Center : yet , past that Compasse , no lines haue allowance . One singular Wit ( affecting singularity , in matter and manner of verse ) lately put foote into that Circle , and there so arrests the Worlds iudgement , that it finds no comming forth ; but , lies there forth-comming to be iustified , or condemned , as Reason , in Time shall find Euidence . An Opinion without learning , cannot be good , say the learned . Therefore , in this , to spend mine , were a sinfull prodigality ; because it may be much to little purpose . But I will not long detaine thee , Reader . Fools-bolts are soone shot . Then take mine with thee : it is but light , & shal cost thee nothing . In few ; if all Poets , in their Poems , are said to sing ; then , they make harsh musicke , who , to please Iudgement with the Ditty , offend the Eare with the accent : and , he that sings much , out of tune , though he sing wel , out of cry , may , haply , sing to please himselfe , and few ; but shall be sure to displease many . In well-doing , it is well done to follow ; but , in ill , the imitation is worse than the example . Tomarre the musicke of the Line for the reason of Sense , is against sense and reason : seeing words may bee found as well to fit the tune , as the sense in what line soeuer . But , to affect harshnesse in fashion with some , should be an affectation out of fashion with all : for canst thou not sing sharp in sense but thou must sing flat in sound ? Thou maist : else ( peraduenture ) thou canst SAY ; but ( without peraduenture ) thou canst not SING . Farewell ; and sing in tune ; else fast for me .

I. D.

To the right right Noble , for all that is in Nobility , Art , or Nature , William Earle of Pembrooke , &c. WIT , and my Will ( deere Lord ) were late at strife To whom this Bridegroome I for grace might send . Whose Bride was erst the happiest husbands wife , That ere was haplesse in his Friend , and End . Wit , with it selfe , and with my Will , did warre : For , Will ( good - Will ) desir'd it might be YOU : But , Wit found fault with each particular It selfe had made ; sith YOU were It to view . Alledging YOU had all his Vertue got , And left him gracelesse : so , was loth t' appeare To your cleare eyes : wherwith good . Will grew hot , And said her loue , to YOU , was all as cleare : Then , both agreed YOU should , for lasting-life , Sith best YOU could , make this man match that Wife . Your honors now as euer most humbly deuoted , Iohn Dauies .

A SELECT SECOND HVSBAND FOR SIR THOMAS OVERBVRIE'S WIFE , NOW A WIDOW . MAn is , of men the varied same and summe , As riuers runne the same , and not the same : In Vnitie , the Odds do Odds or'ecome ; Diffring in Time , Place , Person , Face , and Name : Yet , all 's but Man ; and Man is all : that he Should all the World of Men , t' a Woman be . But Man , made like , alike did marre his making ; So , must re-made be , to be like his Maker : Which cannot be without a selfe-forsaking : For , Sinne of Grace can neuer be partaker . Sin made him like Gods most vnlike : then , he To be like him that made him , grac't must be . He must be grac't with Grace and Glory too ; For , God hath both , who made him to his moode : If Men haue both , they win still what they woo : For , nought they woo that is not passing good : " Loue liues in likenes ; then , it dies when it " Meets with Unlikenesse , both in Will , and Wit. In Beauty , I had rather Uertue finde , Than seeke it in Deformitie ; for , Grace The gracefull guides : and Nature makes the Minde The Body like ; the Iewell fits the Case . Beauty 's a beame of Heau'ns DIVINITY : But , vglinesse ( like Hell ) but plagues the Eye . Beautie is good ; for , Goodnes made it so : Which is Loues obiect : yet must good-men be Haters of louing women , if they show Lesse grace than beautie , in their goodnesse : he Is no good husband that a wife will choose For face , but grace ; and grace , but grace to vse . Shape , is but Natures grace to Naturals As well as wise-men : nought then therein lies Worthy those Ladies precious Pectorals That are as good , as great ; and kinde , as wise : Yet where both in , and outward Beautie 's rife , There is an husband worth a Monarchs wife . For , such rare Beauties rauish both the sense Of soule and Body ; such an heauenly sparke Doth feast the eye of the Intelligence , As well as that which sees by light more darke : Queans haue more choice then queens , that are as king●… Then seldom wiue they such celestial things . Where Fortune plaies the Prodigall , there can Beseldome found but what Loue still doth hate ▪ A Rig the wife , a Rake-hell ( oft ) the man , Although a paire of Princes in their state : Aboundance clogs the soule , and so she stics No more than swolne voluptuousnes can rise . Wouldst thou ( wise Virgin ) wiue no man thy foe ? Then taste , before thou touch him : store of salt Eaten with him , doth make him relish so As he both seemes and is : Nay , t is a fault To trust thy touch , or taste ; vnlesse he be By Time , on Trials touch , found right for thee . Right , take not wrong : for , no right golden-back , Right shape , state , birth , nor breeding , I intend : If all these Rights , a right good-mind do lacke , They cannot make right Husband , or right Friend . " He 's most-most-bad , although an Angell still , " That is so bad but meerely in his Will. Forme , is not matter : shape , no substance is : And either neither is to be belou'd Or loth'd , but as its meete , or most amisse : As it with Vice , or Vertue still is mou'd : Then , she that weds for forms sake , wiues a shade Or nought ; or marr'd with nothing that is made . Forme , in an Image , giues no Essence to it : Or , gaue it Essence ; if deform'd it were , It could but moue to hate ; which might vndo it : Then , wouldst thou loue aright ? aright , then , feare Ill-motions ; whereto , worst ill-will is best , Sith therewith naught , that is not worse , can rest . Beauty 's but skin-deepe ; nay , it is not so ; It floares but on the skin beneath the skin , That ( like pure Aire ) scarse hides her fullest flow ; It is so subtill , vading , fraile , and thin : Were she skin-deepe , she could not be so shallow , To win but fooles her puritie to hallow . Say , that a Paire were matcht without a Peere For Beauties grace ; yet , if they should but sin , Their grace were more in crime , then beauty , clear : And frailer then her Tiffany , the skin : Their interchanged raies would then reflect , Either to each , but dulnesse and neglect . Heauen 's outward beauty , loue , and wonder would In all procure , were it but seldome seene ; But , but to Copper , Custome turnes their gold : So , graiest loue of Grace , is euer greene In beautie seld enioy'd ; but , with it cloyd , Both soule and sense thereby is still annoyd . If beautie then , be not faire Uertues Inne , Nay , not her Heau'n , wherein she resteth still , She 's loath'd of sense , if she do lodge but sinne : Though sin and sense be friends ; Sense loues no ill It hath found ill : for ill can nere be lou'd ; Sith nought can loue that good that ill is prou'd A man , in print , or made in waxe , the so words Transferre to our conceit the highest worth Of outward-shape ; which ( dead ) more life affords Than quickest flesh , as nature sets it forth : " Yet , if a man in print , be dull , or dead , " He 's a faire body , but a soule of lead . Nay , though that Body could be made to moue In measures , most immeasurably in grace ; Such measures , yet , but , sinke-apace her loue That is not lewd , if he dance not with GRACE : " A lofty Cap●…oll , is but high to rise " Shaking , like one , nor great , nor good , nor wise . Yet this mad-mean the mean mounts , now , & then ; In marr-age oft : the goodnesse of the backe Is all that is beloued in such men ; Not well to backe them ; sith no such they lacke Whose belles are all backe , to vndergo The bellies charges , that the backe vndo . To flatter Beauty is to raise it hie ( As fowles do shel-fish ) so , to fall , and brast , To prey , at pleasure , on it inwardly ; Than , keepe off such : for they 'l come on too fast ; Such clawers will be scratchers from thy state , And make the bed of loue , the lodge of hate . These , like bemired Dogges , with sawning , file , As Witte it selfe , hath erst obseru'd : then , looke Shee nere be tempted with such gawdy-guile : Lest , with the Baite , she swallow down the Hook . The best mans praises sound , his hart doth ioy , Then , what wil't doe a Woman ? make her toy . Such gawds wil make thee grieue , & griefe go round In her owne Circle : issuing at her mouth , To enter at her Eares : the secret wound , Sharp Praise doth giue , though but for real Truth , Proues oft more mortal than the wounds of death That kil but flesh . Then , keep her from such breath . I would shee should be modest , but not sadde : Yet modest sadnes doth faire lookes decore : As Shadowes doe more life to Pictures adde ; So , sober-lookes , make bright ones beame the more . Beauty and Boldnesse oft togither goe , But still as Foes , themselues to ouerthrow . The praised , will to their owne Musicke dance : For , nought is more melodious in the Eare , Than our high praises that our hearts aduance , And make vs ( ioy'd ) too wanton them to heare . " The more Ambition in our Minde is nurst , " The more our praise wil swell it , til we burst . The greatest good that bad Wiues can disclose , Is Beauty : but , in good Wiues t' is the least : Yet Beauty is , to Sense , a Damaske-Rose , That doth for sweetnesse better Natures best : But yet t' is but the Signe where Beauty lyes More worth by grace ; the minds good qualities . Chast Eyes giue Eyes ▪ to Cupid : then , thou must ( If shee be fairely Modest ) haue a care , And helpe her Loue to shunne Adultrers Lust , That by her grace , growes more irregular : For , Innocencie is not alwayes free From causelesse shame : then , help her eyes to see . Her lookes ( if well she looke ) may frolike hope ; And bind it to the good-behauiour too : Yet , this more fires close hearts ( that dare not ope To giue it vent ) which then , by lookes do woo : And though they moue not yet , the ouert thought Makes modesty to blush as she were nought ? And blushing so , makes obseruations eyes Mis-looke into the cause of that effect : Whence rumors runne , while Slanders do arise Against the 〈◊〉 of vertue in affect : Then , sith good-name's ( like glasse ) as frail , as clear , All care should keepe it cracklesse in thy Deer . And if the husband liue as free from thought As act of falsehood to the mariage-bed , Much more the wife should , sith much more shee ought : For , she may staine his blood , and paine his Head : As lieue had I she should b'in deede vntrue , As wrong my right in thought , if it I knew . Ioynes she with me , for issue ; and disioynes Her selfe from me therein , in her best part ? Then , for my share , she lends me but her loynes , While she to one , lesse worthy , giues her hart : What patience can endure my base foes base Should with my land run quite beyond my race . Then , if her heart be gone ; farewell my wife : Nay , farewell I ; perhaps shee 'l me vndo : Or cast about , to cast away my life Backeward , and forward , till I cast It too : Then , if a peerelesse Peere the husband grow , The wife will match-lesse be , to mate him so . The diuell is a matchlesse Alchymist ; He can transmute the richest mettl'd-man To Lead , in her conceit , that is so blist ; And , make her , so , her owne good-fortune ban : But , bann'd be all , that but assist herein , To make the swolne with grace , to burst with sin . To burst with Sinne ! O , that that damndeffect Had neuer Diuell , to occasion it ! Then , Loue might haue what it should best affect Without the Sin of such a banefull fit : " But when the heau'ns , to wrack vs , are decreed , " They blind our iudgements : so , we fal with speed . O Damn'd Desire , what wouldst ? or what is it That should to Change so much thy soule dispose ? No Blisse nor Beauty t is , conceyu'd by Wit : For , Wit the truth of Natures secrets knowes . Though Beauty then seeme Sol , at least as rich , It wil be found but Lune , on Tryalls touch . O! whither wilt , prowd Flesh ? To fall in state ? Think'st , there secure in spight of Spight to stand ? No : soon thou wilt be thrown throgh publike-hate To Ermines ? nay : to Uermines Netherland ; Whre thou bemyr'd with Clay , stil scor'nd shalt lye A Slaua to Spades and Spights iust tyrannie . Good-wit still wins Good-will ; & makes them glad That haue goodwit , yet haue not all goodwill : But yet goodwit , without goodwill , is bad , Being Armed-vice , that wounds , vnwounded still : " That head is head-strong , that is full of Brains ; " And , runnes awry if Grace hold not the Rains . Learning and Wisedome are but seldome-when Ioynd in one Sconse ; sith diuers in their powre . " The greatest Clarks are not the wisest men ; And wise-men oft ( like fools ) for nought do lowre . Then , as a Wife too witty , is too vaine ; So , is a husband , bad , with too much Braine . The search of Wisedom , sith so close it lyes Obscur'd from sight , is full of paines that kill : Then , sith Ire burnes ( like Fire ) in Agonies , A good wise-man , makes no good Husband still : For , hee is wayward , and his Wife must woo For kindenesse ; yet not bee too forward too . Sacred Religion best they loue and know That runne no Bace beyond her ghostly Geale Such make good husbands , paying what they owe To their kinde other Halfe ; not when the whole Is willing , but the Halfe ; though , but for Lust , If shee would what he could , then needs he must . A Man with Woman neuer can be said To sinne , when sinne , by some iust circumstance Is tane away , or iustly so allay'd , That Grace it selfe the same doth countenance : " No deed 's vniust , how ere vniust it bee , " If it be so , but in so iust degree . But Wit and Knowledge so the mind inflate As make it most imperious : then , the Wife That 's matcht to him that is so stiffe in state , Must liue a supple Slaue , else die in strife : Bookes better can the mind ; but what they can They do not , if they meete with such a man . Then let him be diuinely wise ( like GOD ) Glad without Ioy , and Sad , without Offence ; That 's all alike , to beare the Staffe and Rod ; With Temperance , so , to feast his soule and sence : Kinde , and not Wanton ; sober , yet not sowre , Still hauing all his Passions in his powre . Flowe Numbers on deepe streames of Helicon , Which in a world of Arte , are scarce found rife , Till you haue made one Husband - Paragon , To fitte one rare , but Ouer-buried Wife : Hold Colours to the life , while I , by Art . Lyne out a Husband fitte to lyne her Hart. Platonicall Ideas , stand aloofe , And let my purest Pen delineate No Husband meere suppos'd ; but , one of proofe : Without a checke , to giue a Queene the mate : Which may be found in earnest , yet Art can Scarce with Arts colours , paint so rare a Man . Hee is a Lambe , whose All is all so deare That nought of him is vselesse , loue to get : Hee is a Lyon , making Beasts to feare His vertues : so , is milde , sterne , small , and great : Hee is , What not , if good ? and yet to God Hee is not eu'n : yet with him neuer odde . His Byrth and Breeding , ( like his Body ) right ; His Minde , with witty Flashes ( fir'd aboue ) Doth lighten oft , to giue his wife some light To mend her misse ; and all in mirth and loue : For , sowre Reproofs , and Iests , how euer sweet , That come too-sharply , wound when they do greet . For shee ( if truely Noble ) rather had In priuate dye , then publikely be checkt : For , publike shame makes Reas'n , in Greatnes , mad : And GRACES face itselfe will ( so ) be fleckt With Uertues Rosie - rayes . Then , closely moue To check thy mate in Game , to win her loue . God left his Sonne , and he his Sire forewent But for his wife , the Church : then , for his wife Man should himselfe forsake , ere himselfe rent From her that is his ( honor ) life of life : But , bitter taunts and checks , in publike , be A rending her , thy honors life , from thee . God chargeth man to loue ( his bone ) his wife , As his owne flesh ; nay , as himselfe : that is , Both soule , and body : then , decline such strife As may incline thy whole to do amisse . Who hates his wife , his owne shame loues : for she His honor is ; or ( honoured ) would be . Are wiues made helpes , and comforts too , by God ? Then , should they such be made by husbands too . Be man and wife made euen ; yet , be odd ? O! shame for one ; that so , of One makes Two ; Yet cannot make Two , euen ! Shall a Third Be broght to make Two , euen ? That were hard . Then , at her errors winke with open sight , As sacred Loue requires thee : thou must be The Atlas of her frailties ; thou must right What is amisse , in loue , that faults doth see To hide them ; yet , to mend them : so shalt thou But beare thine own Harts-ease , & neuer Rue . Of outward cares thou must the Camell be , And beare them soundly for your Commonwealth Ore highest Lets ; as Cares-domesticke , she Must beare , though sickely , for thy ease and health : Thou canst not presse her more to make her fall , Than still to make her beare the weight of all . Marriage contracted is ( ere it be knit ) For strongth , ( sith two are stronger farre than one ) Yet must the m●…n , with manly strength and wit , Beare all the heautest loads himselfe alone : " The weaker by the stronger must be easd ; " As by the weake , the stronger must be pleasd . And , so Heau'ns queene , y'er knit , contracted was ; To shew ( though heauen holp ) she help must haue But of a feeble husband , and an Asse , The Lord of strength , made feeble , so to saue : Then , must the husband of the happy wife Be strong , to beare her Bale ; and guard her life . For , what an abiect weakenesse is 't to see Her wrong'd by brutish force , defam'd by spight , Yet haue no strength or heart , in no degree Of age , or state , her so great wrong to right : " There is no Woman , though most full of feare ▪ But hates ( as hell ) a cowheard to her pheare . Feare , is to cowardize more painfull farre Then death to the couragious : a faint-heart Is hartlesse but to heare a Trumpeter : Nor is his feare by Nature cur'd , or Art . Then is a wo-mans honour poore in plight , That 's guarded by a man so poore in sprite . Mariage , that is most noble , should haue nought But what is noble in it ; noble-moods To scorne that frailiy , and despise that thought That is not truly noble : mariage-goods Are Ils , if good they be not made by these , Else to haue much , is much , but to displease . It is of knots the sur'st : for , two in one So fast it knits , that death can scarse diuide : Nay , many kindreds it doth so attone , That , to Posteritie , they one abide . The husband , then , for this strong vnitie , Should strongly prop this long Posteritie . * * ( Sm: Serm: 1. ) For Time , it 's noble ; sith at first the God Of th' Uni●…rse , did institute it , when Man lackt an helper ( sith he was but odd ) To fill the world with worlds of other men . He , was an husband call'd yer he had wife : So , next to God , an husband's Lord of life . In Paradise it was ordain'd ; and so , For place it 's noble : and , if innocence May make that noble , which from thence doth flow Nobilitie therein hath residence : " The Lord of loue , who hatred most doth hate , " Is matcht to those that loue in maried state . Then , Time , Place , Person , that did it effect , Being so noble , noble it must be Aboue all Friendships , which we should affect ; Sith it is so transcendent in degree : Woman , was made for man ; and ( for his aide ) Made of that holpe : that holpe , then , must be staid . With Miracles 't was honor'd ; but none such Are done but for Gods glory , and Mens loue To make a Man a God ; least God might grutch That Man ( his Image ) should not be aboue The Angells : so , lest they his Grace should dym , He made himselfe a Man , to grace but him . Then , to his Prototype , if man will bee Like , he must like but what that Type doth please Who loues the married Paires that well agree : But sith men to their wiues are winds and seas , Who moue as men do moue , it them behoues With breath and motion sweete , to win their loues . For , of their Arch-type they this lore do learne ; The Church , his floting Spouse , he moueth so : His blessed wind blowes euer in her sterne , And makes his mercies seas to ebbe and flow As best behoues her , till she hath attain'd The hau'n , for which she was both pleasd & paind The ribbe of man , whereof his wife was made Was crooked : so , though wiues be such by kinde ; Yet man , of God , in wisedome , learn'd , the trade To bow them streight : then , gently them to binde With cords of loue from starting backe againe , Till , without stubburnnesse , they streight remain . Of Earth , his Maker made man : but of bone God made his wife : then , wiues still harder are Than men , for bent : yet , hu●…bands must turne stone , When , throgh their softnes , they their wiues do mar " Men may be hard , and good : but harldy can " A husband soft , e're make a good wise-man . While Eue was made , her Make did soundly sleep But , oft , while husbands sleep , their wiues are marr'd The house-wife , then the house doth hardly keepe : When , in soft-sleepe , she sees he sleepeth hard : Then wakefull be , to keep thy wife from sin , And running out , that marres thy commings in . She made was of the Rib , not of the Head : Then , keepe thy headship , for thine honors sake : And for her grace , and good : and , keepe thy bed ( But sleep not much ) from that which keeps thee wake For , if they touch thy Brow , t' will swell vnseene , Which ranking inward , outward shews thy teene . The fertile - seed-plot of the world should be Free from pollution ; mariage should be cleane : Pure seed , well sowne , from cockle should be free ; That so the crop , or fruite , might be a meane Whereby the t●…ibe , maintain'd , might still endure In name as right , as in fame firme , and pure . And so to keepe it , it behooues thee much To make thy wife no wanton ; for , thou maist Make her thy whore , with many a wanton-touch : Be prudent then , when e're thou with her plai'st : And , set straite limits to thy lust ; for , she Will proue a libertine , if so thou be . It 's thy fault ; though thy right she wrong therein : Art thou her stay , yet mak'st her fall the more ? Yea , fall into adulterous three-fold sinne ? For , so she is thy widow , wife , and whore . Then , let no lawlesse lust the bed pollute , That may make sacred mariage dissolute . Would'st haue the body chast , and not the head ? That cannot be : but , she the body is , Whose head thou art : by thee she 's bred or led To good or ill : then , do not thou amisse . " As good the head were empty , as not full " Of braines to gouerne all beneath the scull . The dueties of the bed may , but may not Be well , perform'd without some secret staine : For , each least wandring thought incurres a blot : From which , what loue could euer thoght restrain ? So , we are all too sinfull , ere we sinne , Sith we by this are all conceiu'd therein . Can the desire but thinke vpon the deede As 't is an Act of Generation , And neuer let the thought , on fancies breede ( Through heate of lust ) some loth'd corruption ? Lust mixt with loue , begets the race of men : Then , who knows lusts iust sise ; or keeps it then ? Say , it 's but so much as but warmes Desier To get our like ; yet who doth mete so much , But in the measure may be found , a layer , Sith Iustice scales are turn'd but with a touch : Whose eye still waits , so , on their turning right That each least tricke of lust is found too light . Then , let thy lust thy pure loue neuer let : For , loue lusts not : or , if it do , it is But complementall , or our likes to get , While loue is kept a-foote the more for this : Yet loue may be so pure and so intire , That it will hate least heate of soraigne-fire . O! to a soule that 's simply pure , it is Irkesome to do pure marriage duest rights : Whose spirit suspects fraile flesh doth still amisse In all her workes : so , with it , still she fights : But women , weak'st of flesh , are yet so strong , As if thou wrong'st thy self , thy right the 'l wrong From sense of ill then keepe her : for , she 's wax To take impressions apt , and hold them too : She 'l lacke no time nor place , nor wit she lacks To do what her will , marr'd by thee , would do : No maruell then , though Fame the bugle winds Thou seek'st thy self : and follow what she finds Teach not thy wife to speake facundiously ; Much lesse affectedly : but still to speake Her natiue dialect with puritie ( Yet short as seld ) when e're she silence breakes : To make thy wife a Parrat , she 'l giue thee A Daw ( perhaps ) or Cuckow for thy fee . Do thou thy selfe what thou wouldst haue her do ( Examples more than Precepts leade the way ) And , of her sex , rehearse Examples too Mellow and moderne : these will runne away With her Affections ; so to emulate Their Vertues that all worlds so celebrate . To keepe Loue greene , forbeare the Custome gray Of lying whollie , with thy Halfe each Night : Yet not sans - leaue , least the Halfe fall away But , with consent , it breedes the more delight In Loues delight : for , that doth but annoy Which loathd Societie doth still enioy . If shee be faire , i't s fowle to bring her to Mad merry-meetings , Reuells , or to Court : Kinde-Natures , as their like , there needs must do ; So there thy Browes may batter'd bee in sport : " That 's hardly kept that many doe desire . Then , not t' enflame her , keepe her out of Fire . If her * * ( Sr Tho: Ouerb : ) Behauiour be a surer Barre , Then is her No : then , tempt not That too much : Shee is a Woman ; so , too weake to warre With Compleat-men , that take but with a Touch : " Many that haue resisted long , with strength , " Yet striuing still , grow weake , & fall at length . The force of Womens loue in vertuous course , Is Lyon-like , not first to be withstood : But sooner tam'de by following than by force : For Bloods made hottest oft , in coldest blood , Like Wells in Winter ; so , the Leacher can Be first a good , and then a Beastly Man . Is shee but young ? Then t' is but young , to bring Thine Olde-acquaintance to her . Is shee olde ? Olde-Doings yet may rise from Communing : Then olde and young from such Occasions holde : Yet not so straite her , as shee may espie , Through pure Restriction , thy grosse Iealausie . There 's none extreamly good , or passing badde Vpon the sudden ; but by slowe degrees . No sober soule is at an Instant madde , But falls too 't peece-meale in her Faculties : First Fantasie , and then Intelligence : Then Iudgement , with each other Inward-sense . So must thou looke thy Wife vntyr'd may runne In Uertues progresse , right , from grace to grace : Sith running backe , she may be ouerrunne By Uice : and so be ruin'd in the Race . Custome , is Natures second-selfe : and so , By Custome shee 'l runne right , and vpright goe . The higher Pow'rs doe second Causes make , As Accessaries to their iust Decrees : And that vnwittingly ; then , make thy Make Vnwares to doe what with thee best agrees , Who art the second Cause , of what shee is ; Then , thou hast chiefest Cause to looke to this . " Its good to keepe a Hatch before the Dore ; And yet that Hatch , to hatch no euill will In Wife nor Friend ; nor yet in rich , nor poore ; But , to doe good , let it but keepe out Ill. An Husband should be carefull of his Wife : Then , can not be too carefull of her life . It s no mistrust of thy Wiues truth , to keepe Thy Chest fast lockt , wherein thy Treasure lyes ; But , for shee may be either Shrew , or Sheepe , Thou letst her keep it , while thou keepst the keyes : And so both keepe it safe , and both enioy That which false-Friends by stealth would but destroy . Care 's no Distrust , the wittiest * * ( Syr Tho: Ouerb : wife . ) Wife hath said , That ere was made for wisest Husbands vse : Care of her Honor , is her Honors ayde : Neglect may bee her Honors deaths excuse : Loue 's Lord himselfe is iealous of his Honor , And loues those that with care do wayt vpon her . Nay , hee is iealous likewise of our Loue ; Yet hee is God of Order , loue , and right : Then , what hee doth in Wisedome , we may proue In Prudence , without jealousie , or spight . If thou do loue thy Wife , thou lou'st her Fame More than her life , sith longer liues the same . Yet looke vpon her Frailtyes with more Loue Then Iudgement , so to hyde them ; for , thou must ( So shee be true to thee ) as often proue As shee desires the Sport , though but of Lust : All haue not Continence , their Fame to crowne : Then must shee be conteyned with her owne . And though it bee a torment to a Man , ( Cold in this kinde ) to force Fire out of Ice : Yet if shee would , hee should , though ill hee can ; Sith sinne it is not then to pleasure Uice . Grace makes sinne Grace , in this necessitie ; Sith Grace , this wrong to Grace doth rectifie . Then , loue her not the worse for this , sith that It is ( perhaps ) Complexions sinne : and so Some other may be thine as deprauate . She matcht to know no more than she might know . Then , if what well she may , she vse at neede , Loue her for that the more , sith don with heede . Man , Wife , and Children are Correlatiues . Then must the Man , his Wife and Children vse As Uessells ( not as Uassalls , chiefly Wiues ) Of Honour , which hee should no way abuse . Gods , and thy grace , must make thy Children good ; And not the grace , nor glory of thy Bloud . A Bloody grace , is but a Beastly glory . For , all the grace of Bloud from Blood proceedes : The brauest Uictor hath the brightest Story . Made of his Acts ; That is , his Bloudy-deedes . Then , from thy Spirit , into thy sonne infuse More then thy Flesh in him could ere effuse . Children are Blessings , if they blessed bee ; Or else , with Cham , accurst . One going wrong More grieues than ten right running : O! ay mee ! This is the Burden of my heauyest Song : Nature's more apt to grieue , then ioy in all ; Sith sold ro Sorrow , by the First Mans fall . It is an vnknowne Good then , to haue none ; If none be had without such cause to mourne , What need we for but Heires to make such mone , Sith when we part , we neuer more returne ? Haue we no Kinne , nor Poore ? if either , then We , haue Heyres : for , all are our deer Brethren . O! but our House , & Name , ( two nameless Things , For decrenesse ) then ( say wee ) must bee extinct ; " But sith Kings come of Slaues , and slaues of Kings , As good its Common , as to be distinct In Reason : and in Nature , all is one ; If oddes there bee , it is in grace alone . What haue wee heere to doe , when we are hence As farre as Heau'n or Hell , and euer there ? Can the Sonnes weale , the Syres woes recompence That 's dampn'd ? or 's future hopes , his present feare ? Or , can heau'ns blisse , b'increasd by the sonnes mirth In Earth ? If neither , leaue thy House to Earth . The World and Wee do at one Instant end : And , eythers Relickes , senseless are to each . Then , from my Sonne , sith I can-not ascend , It skills not though my House receiue a Breache To lette in others : I my Center keepe When well I wake in GOD , and in Earth sleepe . Children , and Comforts , are Correlatiues ; The first being good : or , if but dissolute , How ere wee may be blessed in our Wiues , Yet are wee most accursed in their Fruite : And nought there is , that can this Curse preuent , But GOD , by grace ; and thou , by Gouernment . Our Husband then must know the Rules of RVLE : And when to vse them too ; and vse them then : Else , if an Asse be taught but by a Mule , Hee 'l stil be brutish . Olde must teach Young men ; As wise , the fond ; And so , our Petty-god , In his Homes - heau'n , must vse the staffe , & rod . With which these three must be or cheerd or checkt : Wife , Children , Seruants , in their kindes : but , so As thou maist both thy good , and theyrs effect . The Lambe and Lyon must vnited go To this great Worke ; & with them , still the Fox , To work on These , with Kindnes , craft , & knocks . But , must thy selfe bee subiect to thy Redde ? Thy Wife 's thy Selfe ; or halfe thy selfe , at least . Why ? must not Man ( made like ) be like his God In Iustice ? Did not God , when Man trangrest , Correct him Selfe as Man , for Man ? Then must A Man correct his Wife , when it is iust . Christ , and his Church are Two ; yet make but One : As Man and Wife doe : yet , though shee do erre , He dide t' appease his Ire for That , alone ; And yet , for That , hee oft chastiseth her : So double beats himselfe for Single-sinne ; Himselfe the Shell of his Sweete-selfe within . So , teach thy wife , by ruling , to obay ; And , by obedience , rule with greater might : Thou rul'st aright , when she no worse doth sway , As Kings do when their iudges iudge aright : Good Iudges make ill Kings rule graciously , But , thou must make hers , thy rule glorifie . Yet Blowes are brutish , if thy Wife they touch , Vnlesse she man-kind turne , in furious moode : Then , maist thou giue her more , at least as much As she bestowes ; and all but for her good : " The paine of One that pleasure brings to Two " Made One , makes loue more free & faster too . A man-kind-woman , is a monstrous man : That 's , a she-man , or loth'd Hermophrodite , Taking the name , of what most in her can Do in each sex : then , if she loue to smite , She is a monstrous wo-man , of man-made , But man to marre ; or , making , to inuade . Looke howth ' Angell staid great Abrahams stroke At point to fall : so should the sacred Name O Wife , alone , the falling Blow reuoke Yet fall ●…her sorrow , and the strikers shame : The God of Peace dwels not in Tents of warre ; Much lesse with man and wife that so do iarre . Contention is resembled to a fire ; And fire leaues nought , but worse then nought behind ; That 's , Dust or smoake ; and so , such hate and ire Wasts all , saue ( worst of all ) foule Rumors wind : Which doth pursue their cinders , till they ly In Laethe , or in rotten memory . The voyce of Nature ( which nere sounds amisse ) Still cries , that Peace , is Heau'n ; and warre , is Hell : Is thy wife good ? then great thy Fortune is . If ill ; she is thy crosse : yet beare it well : And how so ere , let nought thy mind offend , But what thou canst , & yet thou wilt not , mend . The parcels of thy selfe ( thy children ) strike When they misdo ; yet , not so ost as then : Some-times to winke at what we do mislike , Is well to see to do like prudent men : That is , when sweetnes , more then sharpnes , will Their proper good , keepe from improper ill . And such an hand still beare thou on the raines , As bridle may , with ease , their Coltish will ; With ease to either ; for , to neither , paines Are pleasing ; so that kindnesse do not kill . As fond Apes do their yong : Thy children , so , Thy will , with ease , shall still both do & know . Yet , to their carriage , euer haue an Eye ; And check when least they trip , lest much they fal : Nay , beare not with them euen the light est lie ; The burden's more than may be borne with-all : So , with strict vse of going-well , they will , With pleasure , beare them selues most vpright still . Thy Seruants ( Portions of thy goods ) if ill , Mend with sound strokes ; but yet remember'd be Thou hast a Master too , and thwartst his will ; Then , strike , for that , as he , for this , should thee : Do as thou wouldst be done to , is his Heast . Than , do no more ; but , so to do , is best . Those of her Sex , set vnder her command , Leaue to her chastisement when they mis-do : The Seruant-maide waits on her Mistresse hand ; Then , by that hand she should be punish't too : It 's far more lowe , then mans worth should aspire , To hurt a maide in sport ; much more in ire . Hirelings , that are not yet as meniall , More freely vse then thy bond-seruants still ; Yet not , as to one good , giue grace to all : But , let thy front distinguish good , from ill : From whose squint-eyes , hide wel thy il-vsd pow'r . For , it they 'l vent with breath as soft as sow'r . Prouision ( soule of hospitalitie ) To Inne it well , must be the husbands care . Magnificence liues by Frugalitie ; Be sparing , then , to spend ; and , spending , spare . Beare , and Forheare : forbeare least vaine expence Of wealth , to beare vp thy Magnificence . Labour , to Be : but , idle be , to Seeme : ( Sith but to seeme is idle ) so , shalt thou Be held more deere , the lesse thou dost esteeme Of thine owne worth . To rise , then , is to bow : But , in thy house thou must retaine that state . That there is fittest to predominate . Thou must b' a King , a Prophet , and a Priest , To gouerne , teach and pray : so Masters ought . To be lesse good than wise , doth ill resist : To be more good than wise , is euill thought For gouernment : for , such will fall at length By the strong pow'r of their owne weaknes strength . When thou dost feast , ( so that the poore fast not ) Feast thou as oft , as well thy state may beare . Haue Guests that haue no pleasure in the pot , But , sadly game some ; witty , as austere : So , shalt thou bind to thee ( in loue , at least ) Men worth thy meate ; in earnest , and in iest . Life , and Societie do so accord , As , if they be diuided , die they will : And , frolicke Fate doth ( lightly ) load that Bord That seeds the honest and the hungry , still : Yet , boord no Buffons , that are boorders broad ; Their Loue is light ; and yet , a heauy loade . They are but Baskets of the Diuels almes , Which keepe his scraps of wit for wicked wills : These wound with will , & then giue witty balms ; With laughter seed ; than , bring in saddest Bills . Meere moaths of great-men ; good-mens eyesores : O! I would , nor good , nor great men , such did know . Then , such to shun , and with them , other Pests , Pray euer to be taught in Wisedomes schooles ; And craue the Master of thy soules requests To blesse thee from the sacrifice of fooles : Be thou not Bell , whose guilefull Priests did eat ( While , senslesse , he lookt on ) his means & meat Let Mornes , and Eu'nings neuer passe their prime : But , with the little Church , or petty state In thy home's signiory pray out that Time , To be preseru'd from Sense so reprobate : Then , Wisedome , Feare , and Loues deuotion shall Be as Triumvirate , to rule thine All. And , when thy life , thus spent , draws neer her date Let Prudence , and Compassion penne thy Will ; For , they 'l make Loue and Right so part thy state , As All shall like ; and , for it , loue thee still : So , Thine , and th' other Thine ( the poore ) shal be Still ioy'd , in griefe ; and , grieu'd , in Ioy , for thee . Now sleeps this husband , in his latest home , While heau'nly glory watcheth when he wakes , To take him to her temple , from his tombe ; Sith Fame , her selfe , of him , an Idoll makes : But , Heau'nly glory , enuy'ng his Fames praise , Swallows Fames beams into her brighter raies . Which will but more discouer ( by their light ) The best of husbands staines , that scarce appeare : By which their own clear raies becom most bright Yet all too browne for her that is more cleare . Then , shine fair Pair , tilsom more heau'nly sprites Do make your glory like the light of lights . And let her Fame flie euer in the Aire Of the sweet'st Muses breath , that ere shal breath The Aire of Art and Nature : till Despaire Damne Enuy , looking stil but for her death : But selfe-life cannot die . Then this deare Wife Shall liue till death be endlesse - Glories life . Finis .

DIVERS ELEGIES TOVCHING THE DEATH OF THE NEVER TOO MVCH PRAISED AND PITIED , SIR THOMAS OVERBVRY . T' Insult vpon the wretched , is a Crime That harsh and hatefull makes the smoothest Rime . If One all Ils , in one should perpetrate , His Person should be priuiledg'd from hate In loue , that makes men God-like : for , if God Be grieu'd , where he hath cause to vse his Rod , The griefe is for the Person , not the paine , Which partly he , in loue , doth ( so ) sustaine . He made not Death : nor , doth he take delight To damne , for doing wrong ; but , for his right : Nor , for his right grieues soules to ruinate But dy'd , in loue , to saue them from his hate . The Iudge that would be lik'st him , when he giues His Doome on the Delinquent most that grieues , Powders his words in Eye-brine , so to tast Of grace , to them , that ( so condemn'd ) are grac't . Then , let no fault , how-euer capitall , The faultie Person make so loth'd of al , That he , for it , should so be'rest of heart , As , in despaire , to wracke his better part . Though one should ruine all the world , yet he ( If we could helpe it ) should not damned be : For , for but temp'rall faults , eternall Torters We cannot wish t' our killers , and be Martyrs . But , yet , ( O yet ! ) To let the good-man die For goodnesse shewne , without our lowdest cry For Iustice , for so damn'd , so diu'lish Crime , Were iust damnation to the Place and Time Wherein we liue ; and Priests might sermon thus ; " T were better to be ill than good , with vs . Enough , for that : but , ne're enough of Him That so was wrackt : Then , flow my Tears , & swim Sad Muse therein , till thou attaine the Port Of his Arts-fame , beneath his Good-report . And yet that fame aboue our sight doth fly , For rich composure in sweete Poesie ; And , percht so hie aboue our cunnings spheare , That All may follow still ; but , None come neere . No Line in his rich - Numbers confluence But more than bounds a boundlesse Sea of sense . Through all the Cauernes of a Braine as pure As euer did the Queene of Art immure They glyded still , with vnconceiued sleight , Yer they to view , transported his conceit . Nor onely so ; but , held the best things vaine That easly fall into a world of Braine : But onely that he tooke , that hardly fals Into the Braines of Arts best Generals ? That ere his Theughts obiected were to sight , Our Sense might wel perceiue his thoughts to fight For place and grace , and all to grace his Wife ( Now matchles widow ) were they thus in strife . His Common-sense , and phantasie conuey'd , Their Obiects to his Iudgement , to be weigh'd But for hervse ; yet so , as hee is thought To be the Best that euer Arte hath wrought . His Mindes cleare Eye pry'd narrowly , to spie What well would grace her , yer it come to Eye . Not like some idle Poets of our Time , That ouersee great Reason , for small Ryme : And from Inuention , take what comes vnwaigh'd ( By Iudgement , with the Understandings ayde ) To farse great Bookes , with Ignorance farre greater : Which neretheless , oft better sell than better . Minerua , mend this Misse : or take them hence , That strangle innocent Intelligence , With lines too rude for Mules : But our Apollo Made none , that made not all his Priests to follow Drawne by the Eares , to the Similitude Of his Artes beauty , and Beatitude . But , enuious FATE ( vnable to abide A Man , that was , like God , so glorifide For faire Desert ) with Uenom did inuent A way to bane the wittiest Innocent That euer dyde to liue : for , liue hee must , And shall , in fame , a Martyr , in his dust . For , wrackthe was for his Integrity , By the high hand of Pow'r , and Iniury : Who , for but leading blinded Loue aright , Was ( ah ! ) misdone by that Loues banefull spight . O pittie , past compare ! O dire Euent Of truest loues so laudable intent ! Words cannot vtter it ; and Wit 's too weake To shew the ruth of it . Swell heart , and breake . Then , sith nor words nor wit can ere suffise To shew the ruth that from lesse fals doth rise ; And t'vndergoe the blaze of this distresse , Makes my Pen straddle with the heauinesse , Rest here sad Pen ; sith all thy sable Teares Are lighter than this Cause of cares and feares : For , if from thee but one Teare should descend So blacke as It , that Teare would feare a Fiend ; Or if , through thee , one Teare should fall in Print So sad as it , that Teare would teare a Flint . I. D.

An Epitaph . WIt , Art , and Nature made a three-fold warre To reigne , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 peace , in him which here doth lie : Wit straue with Art ; and both ( though regular ) With Nature , ioyning , straue for Soueraigntie . But , Prudence , with her powr's , ( still bent to peace Keeping the Sconse , that did his whole command ) The warre surceased for his Worthinesse ; That onely It had then the vpper-hand . Yet selfe-diuided-honesty beheld That peace , in warre with her owne Charitie . Then , bent her powr's to make their powr's to yeeld So , all subdu'd to selfe-Integrity . But , Fate ( best friend but to the most profane , ) Stirr'd vp the hand of Hate , in heart of Pow'r , ( And all in shew of Loue ) to worke his bane ; So , from Minerua's crown soone cropt this flow'r : Yet ere it went , it left such Aire , ( though dimme ) As makes all sweete that sauours but of him .

Mirum in Modum . IFeuer Time or Fate produc't such Crimes As may shake hell with horror but to neare , The instant NOW may flow to After-times To drownd them with amazement , griefe , and feare : For , if the fluxion of this instant NOW Effect not That , noght wil that Time doth know . Yet Time , as yet , but shewes ( as through a glasse ) Part of the whole ; but , by that parts extent Iudgement may guesse , in euill , it doth passe As farre beyond beliefe , as precedent : Loue fain would hide it ; yet heau'ns iustest hate Deems that grace damnd , that it would palliate . Yet Iustice nought reueales , but for the day Wherein her tryals be ; and , that 's no more Than the Offender doth himselfe bewray ; Which is but part of trecheries greater store : This poyson-plague is so contagious , that T is fear'd it spreds , to inwards of more state . Should I my selfe , at whom Loue first doth aime , ( And yet not selfe-loue ) so offend , I should In Conscience damne my selfe t' an hell of shame ; Sith neither Time nor Place such sinne do hold : " For , greatest Crimes but to extenuate , " Is but the Doers crime to aggrauate . To cloke a fault so fowle , and yet so cleare , Is , in the Sunne , the vgliest Toade to hide With banefull aire ; through which it doth appear More vgly farre , and by it more espide . " Then , Penitence , not Impudence , doth win " The greatest grace t'acquit the greatest Sin . None otherwise then as the Lion's said To spare to spoyle his humble yeelding prey : So , by high'st grace is highest Iustice staid At point to strike , when yeelders mercy pray : But her t' affront with pride , or stubbornnesse , Makes her more horrid ; and grace , mercilesse . Say , Greatnesse ; What accompt wilt make to heau'n For making those that tend thee , to attend On nought but mischiefe not to be forgiu'n ? Standst thou not charg'd with both their crime & If so ; a world of Penitence must cleare end ? A sinne so base , perform'd at rate so deere . And ( O! ) suppose you heare your captiue's cals , Deepe groanes , and out-cries while in 's bowels rag'd An hell of heate ; yet moand but by the wals Resounding but his griefe 's cries vnasswag'd : In whom the force of Nature ( being yong ) Wrastled with paine , his torments to prolong . As Life , and Nature had , with Bane , and Death Conspir'd , to make him feele more Deaths than one ; So groan'd he stil , as Death would seise each breath He fetcht for life ; yet liu'd but still to groane : " Yea , groane alone : and that , in hells of paine , " Augments the griefe : nay , makes it more than raigne . Hee tooke no meate : but in it Poyson tooke ; Nor Drinke he drank , but brewed was with Bane : Yet , as if poyson had it selfe for sooke , It ceas'd to kill , but yet grew more immane : For , so it rag'd within him , that it made His Heart-strings crack ; yet did their breach euade . Iustice ( great Arbitresse of all that 's done In Time or Place ) though outwardly but blinde ( Because shee knowes no persons ) needs must run Vpon thee blind-old , led thereto by Kind : For , nought stands in her way , but down it goes ( Though high as heau'n ) to hellish ouerthrowes . Then deem I MERCY well prouides for such As so offend , by Iustice , so to fall : For , so , thogh for their crime , their soules do grutch Yet haue they Time , and helpes more speciall : Then others further off the stroke of DEATH , To saue their soules , with losing well their breath . That happie-haplesse Soule ( the last of Three That First were Well-misdone , for this misdeede ) Being bound to Death , yet spake as being free ; And praisd the Iustice that his death decreede : So seem'd , to glorie in his death of shame , Sith it did glorifie hie Iustice Name . Had Grace met Arte and Nature , in his Head , As Courage in his Heart , with Cunning met : He might haue rul'de those that haue gouerned : But rising with the Sommer-Sunne now set : Did set with him , by whome hee did ascend : Whence brightly falling , grac't a gloomy end . A Friend of Faith , or Heau'ns most faithfull Friend Still pray'd to know the number of his Dayes : To be prepar'd the better for his Ende : Then , hee that knowes his latest moment , stayes On ●…rer Ground , thogh neer Deaths horrid house , Than they that stand on Rocks more dangerous . A prease of People ( prest to pray for grace For him that dies ) at heau'ns bright gates do beat : And wings make of their Words to fanne the Face Of Highest Iustice , so to coole her heate : This was His priuiledge , that so did die , Heau'd vp to Heauen , past reach of Infamie . A violent-death , then , to the soule is mild ; But , on the BED of Death , most sterne is Hee : Where oft he makes our Minds & Manners wild ; Then , Grace nor Nature with it doth agree : But Hee ( Al-wise , repos'd in Passions strife ) Held this strait Death , the easiest dore of LIFE . The force of feare those succors ( oft ) betray Which Reason offers ; but this ill-good Man No councell held with feare in Deaths affray ; But , in his Triall , tryde what Reason can Affoord for fence , without distracted mood ; So , made his worst of Ill , his best of Good . To fall from Fortune , sitting on her Knee , From Wife and Children , and what else is deare , Yet from the helpes of Reas'n not once to flee , Is compleat Uertue ; making Uice to cleare Her way to GLORY through shames nether hell : This Cast was ill ; but , thus , he plaid it well . So well , a Cast so ill is seldome plaid , Scarse in a world of Time we meete with such : whose worth ( too cheap imploid ) in iudgment waid Was found more deare then cleare on tryals Touch : Abstracting from his fault , worth makes his fame To fly to heau'n , to glorifie his shame . If those in this sadde Playes Catastrophe , Play their dire Parts , no worse : all Dignitie Is lesse then is their Blisse , and gloryes-Sea , Wherein , ore-wholm'd they shall still liuing dye : " But Courage comes from Heau'n ; & it must giue " That Worth , in Death , on which Fame still shall liue . But t' is an Hell to all voluptuous hearts , To leaue Youth , Beauty , Honors , Wealth , and all That 's deere to Sense , to play such dismall parts ; And from the height of State , with shame to fall : " But , what of pure necessitie must bee , " Must well be borne , to honor high-Degree . For , publike-hate , though for the hatefull'st Cause , Will soone be turn'd to Loue , by playing well Unpittyed parts : Nay , it makes Iustice pawse Ere doome them death , who ( neere it ) so excell . Thogh Common-hate the great'st Offenders teares , Yet it bewails their wel-born death with Teares . For , though it burne , as quenchlesse : yet it is Extinguisht quite , by seeing loth'd ones play Beloued Parts , in Death , or Miseries : Their Eyes ( that hold their hearts ) their hearts doe sway . " A ruthfull Obiect , though most loath'd before , " Is pittyed , when fell Spight can doe no more . O Diu'll , how canst thou , ( beeing , as thou wast In thy Creation most Angelicall ; And but in Will , for one prowd Thought , disgrac't ) How canst thou ioy in so much griefe of all ? Why art so prest , but on meere Fraylties Spells , For Mankindes plague , to leaue the nether Hells ? What Charmes and Incantations haue such strength As from those Holls to hale thee , there being bound With Chaines of Darknesse , of the shortest length ? Lyes it in their words Sense , or in their sound ? No ; t is no word of Reprobation can Command thy Seruice , but to cousin Man . Thou art a Spirit : and therefore canst thou looke Into the Brest of NATVRE : and thence take Her chiefest Secrets ( from the darkest Nooke ) Or Loue , or Lust , t' enflame , enrage , or slake : Thou canst by such make Puppets , tho of lead , To strike Desire , in liuely'st Bodyes , dead . Thou on the Bodyes oft of blessed Soules , Hast leaue to vse thy pow'r in various kindes ; But , for theyr Good : else Hee thy pow'r controules That guards their souls from harm : tron ill , their minds ; Yet waking and asleepe , thou canst to fight Produce but Shades , to make the Minde too light . And Mindes so light , will lightly nothing weigh Of Shame and heauyest Death , that lye betweene Them , and their Ends : who make it but a Play To drowne a Comedye ( through hate and teene ) In Blood and Bane : such Turners were of late , Asturnd , vpon these Poles , such Spheares of Fate . Can Witch-craft , in the Abstract , so bewitch The Mindes of those of Minde and Meanes , to be So base for Lucre , so to touch Shames Pitch As still will cleaue to theyr Posteritie ? But Charmes can make no soules to sinne so sore , But such as GRACE had less , for sinne , before . Now ( prostrate ) let me , deer Liege , turne my speech To thee , who in thy Iustice lookst ' like God : No such Crime spat'st thou ; yet , stand'st in the Breach Thy Iustice makes , to stay Heau'ns iustest rod : So thou ( like God ) dost grieue , when thou hast cause To cut off those , whom thou hast made , by lawes . And though thou lose their Bodyes with iust griefe , To please thy iuster Iustice ; yet , thy Care ( Deare Care ! ) to giue their fainting soules reliefe , Yer Death , giues leisure : so , doost spoyle and spare , In iust Ires grace : that ( tho thou them forgo ) The HEAD , doth with the Members suffer so . Drad Lord , I would , thy patience were not prou'd So much with crimes of so immense extent ; And , that thou , sphear of all our State , wert mou'd Vpon no aduerse Poles of discontent : So , should thy lower spheares of rule , obay But thine ; and moue , as thine , their diffrent sway . The Care 's a Canker to thy sacred life Thou hast to keepe thy compound people , one . Twixt worlds of aduerse powrs are worlds of strife , Which humane-powre can scarce in shew attone . O , then , who weighs a Burden of such stresse , But is opprest with weight past Heauinesse ! But we , ( that lie as farre from wealth as warres ) In low obscuritie of state , do see ( With sight the more contracted ) all the starres That light to see thy cause of iealousie : Whose oppositions , in thy spheare of Pow'r , Oft giue , for which we grieue , thee cause to low'r But , as an Arch , of many stones composd , Would fall but that they one another let : So , may their odds , in thy states Arch inclosd , Make it more euen ; so , more strength to get : Though one Stone fall to ruine , let his place Be soon supplyd by one of greater grace . Then , the more weight of powre they do sustaine , The firmer will the ARCH be , to vphold Thine HONORS burden , folded in thy TRAIN , And make thy state and stay more manifold . So shall thy stay , when states re-chaosd lie , Make thee great Steward to ETERNITIE . Finis .

SPECVLVM PRODITORI . This takes the vulgar Eare That loues the plaine and cleare : But , neither mine , nor those That hugge proude Verse in Prose . KIngs , Gods on Earth , so call'd by Him of Heau'n , How dismall is your Deities estate ! Who while you life do giue , are life bereau'n ; And oft , for too much lone , get too much hate : Whose surest Forecasts , stand on sixe and seauen ; Which , with you ( Soueraignes ) subiect are to Fate . What Diu'lls can enuie , then , such Dcities , Whose Heau'ns are hells , of short-sweet - miseries ? Toyle ye to shield their liues , that shoot at yours ; And make your selues , of Soueraigns , sou'rain slaues ? Spending your Brains , & strengths , & precious howrs As if yous selues dig'd , for your selues , your graues For , th' hollow subiect ( graue - like ) you deuoures ; Whom ye make hollow , oft with welfare's waues , For , if ye fill Ambition , Spight , or Feare , Ye fill the Sailes wil quite you ouer-beare . Men-beasts , borne subiect , yet can neuer beare Your births allotment ! What ? O what is it That makes yee , like vile timber-wormes to weare The Poasts sustaining you ? What grace , or Wit , Appears in facts , where your owne fals appeare ? Will ye needs rise , to fall ? not ( sure ) still sit ? If needs ye will , foule be your fairest fall ; Sith ye would rise , by ouerthrowing All. Cannot the ten times worse then ill successe Of gracelesse Gowries worse , farre worse assay , With heaps of horrors so your thoughts oppresse , That these should freez your souls w cold dismay . Danger & Death ( ye heard ) could not distress Our heau'n holp King ; who throgh both made his way . For , kings are Gods , who with a frowne can make The Arme of flesh , for feare , all force forsake . Or know you not a crowne is of such weight , That no disloyall hand can it transferre , But crusht it is to nothing with it straight ? Cannot this thought your hands from this deterre ? On Treason doth an hell of horrors waite ; Which , in it selfe , against it selfe doth warre . Then , that which in it selfe is at this stay , Must fall ( else Truth doth lie ) and soone decay . Conspirators haue nought but pale mistrust , Sad thoughts and terrors euer them attending : B●… , Princes , on their sides , haue subiects iust , T●…r Guards , their Maiesties , their Lawes defending ( What hart dare , maugre al these , be vniust ) All these their powrs against the traitor bending : Then how can Traitors be so ouer-bold , When such great fears their harts do vnderhold ? Their tyred wits ( though beaten night and day ) Can make no shift a traitorous life to saue : The gultie conscience doth it selfe bewray ; And thoughts turmoild , no staid aduisement haue : Feare strikes them so , that ( tost ) they cannot stay , But iudgement makes vncertaine as a waue : The flowing streames of honied Eloquence Can nere sustaine the weight of great offence . Pure Innocents with vndefiled tongue , By instinct of Nature , haue perswasiue powre : But guilty ones , defilde with bloud and wrong , Their faltring tongues , are euer most vnsure ; So full of Discords is Rebellions Song , That it no eare in tune can ought allure : Though Art aid Falshood , with her powrs , yet shal Truth , naked , trip them ; so they needs must fall . The bended brow of Iustice , sore dismayes The guiltie , though their wits in glory shine ; And sickle Feare their iudgement still betrayes , Presenting strange Chimeras to their eyne ; Which so the soule with horror ouer-layes And Reasons right discourse so wrests in fine , That all that from the Minde or Mouth proceeds Within it selfe , then , disagree must needs . The passions of annoy more strongly worke Within the mind then those from ioy proceeding : Now , if sweet Ioys , in merry minds that lurke , Do hinder Reason , strange distraction breeding , Much more will feare of pains , all paines exceeding Reason must then , of force , forsake the Helme , When waues of woe the bodies barke orewhelme . Who enter Treasons maze , are like the men That runne too desperately into the Sea ; If they escape , it will be iudged then That they were fortunate the wracke to flee , And out of Dangers mouth to come agen : But if they perish , then it said will be , They cast themselues in , to be cast away , By desp'rate fore-cast , cause of their decay . For , as an Arrow glanceth on a stone For want of softnesse in the stone to stay it : So treason lightly will be ouerthrowne , Though for fit time , Wit willeth to delay it , And keepe the same the while from all vnknown , That likely God nor man can well bewray it ; Yet out it will , and like an Arrow glance Vpon the foyling Flint , of hard mischance . A blessed death , a cursed life excuseth ; ( For , no man's truly blest before his end ) So , a curst death , a blessed life accuseth : But , when that life and death , to death doth tend , It seems the soule , life wilfully refuseth ; For , she in life , and death , doth but offend : From such a life and death , grace keeps all those That to Prides Naturals are mortal foes . The more that Empire doth enlarge her bounds , The more is Fortunes empire ouer it ; Who scorns to thrust at slaues , but kings she wounds And on their Seats doth oft make slaues to sit : And sitting there , in sport , she them confounds ; So , bandies kings , and slaues , as she thinks fit : But , slaues are racket , kings are her hand - bals ; Which being greater , haue the harder fals . Senec. These seldom meet with siluer-hairs , though care Doth ( for that tincture ) Time anticipate ; The Liege that lies on beds , that sumptuous are , Sleeps more in feare than beggers at his gate : Whom the gray morne hath seene high , past compare , The blushing eu'n hath seen in abiect state . A world of mouthes they feed , & courts they keep Whose stabbing dreams do make them start in sleep . The purple robe is oft re-purpelled With royall blood , that from the heart doth stream ; When homly rags ( thogh rent ) are nere made red With th' owners bloud , sith they do range a reame And yet not rule it , as the Sceptered . These sleepe secure , in many a golden dreame , While Princes lie on thorns of pricking feares , That make their daies to interdict their yeares . In tooth som'st disb the banefull baite doth lie ; And Treason diues into the sweetest wine ; At euery bit they feare her treachery , And doubt , each draught they drinke , they drink their fine . O! if as through a glasse we might espy The swarms of fears , and cares , their hearts confine We would not stoope to gather vp a crowne , If as the crowne , the cares must be our owne . The princely Ports no sooner ope are set , But diuelish Enuie glides through all vnseene : But hates as hell , the Neat-heards Cabinet Whilst ( Princely Peasant , with his Sommers queen ) Hee frolicks it , as free from dread as debt : And liuing so , a King himselfe doth weene : But , if he erre , it is an error sweete , To meet Kings thoughts , and not their cares to meete . In Maple Mazer , or Beach-bowle hee quaffes , And lifts it not to mouth with shaking hands : His Loue and Hee , eats , drinks , and sleeps , & laffs , And shee obeyes , and hee in loue commands : Twixt them are neither Iealousies nor Chases , For breaking Wedlock , or Subiections Bands : But , they enioy Loue , peace , and merriment , And therewithall , the Kingdom of Content . They fear not Fortunes frowns , nor way her fawns ; Their great'st ambition is to liue to loue : Much Coyn they need not , much less pretious pawns That by a Cow can liue , and pleasures proue , Yea , feede with her , on Sallets in the Launds , In Weeds yelad , as homely spunne as woue ; Milke being their best meat , & sowr whay theyr wine , And when they hunger , then they sup & dine . They can no skill of States deepe policies , Not will they wade in deepes so dangerous : This makes them liue so free from Tragedies That are to Heau'n and Earth so odious : They Actors are in Past'rall Comedies , That tend to Loue , and Mirth harmonious . O heauenly-earthly life , life for a King : That liues with nothing , as with eu'ry - thing . They seeldome passe the vnreturned wayes That leade t'infernall Ioues Dominions . Their silly Soule ( with hopes assurance ) stayes On CHRIST his Crosse , & Faith's Conclusions : They doo distaste the delicate Assayes Of Schoolemens Craft , and nice distinctions : Nature and Grace in silence guides them well , Whilst Doctors deep , dispute themselues to Hell . Grace hates all sinne , with hate most exquisit ; But none , so much ( though more , then much , the least ) As shee doth pride ; for , that distracts the wit , Contracts the Soule to sinne , makes Man a Beast , Confines Societie , alone to sit ; Makes will a Law , and wrongs the Worst and Best . This is Ambition , this is damned Pride , Which God , nor Man , haue patience to abide . The steppes of Mans ascent , on Fortunes-wheele , Must needs be slippery , sith it is so steepe : The Topp's most wau'ring , ready still to reel ; The going downe , is like as in the Deepe A Shippe goes downe , with ouerturned Keele ; When ore a mounting Billow shee doth sweepe : And if the fall from High-estate be such , How dreadfull is it then , to mount too much ? For , Dignitie on Uertue , grounded is . Then , if the ground doe faile , and false become , The more is built thereon , the sooner t is Sinking to ground , and ruin'd all or some : The more our Pow'r , the more of Peace we misse , If Uertue aduerse powres doe not orecome : That Enuy , which high pride did life-inspire , Humility must kill , or make retire . I knew a Man , vnworthy as I am , And yet too worthie for a counterfeit Made once a King ; who though it were in game , Yet was it there where Lords and Ladyes met ; Who honor'd him , as hee had bene the same , And no subiectiue dutie did forget ; When to him-selfe he smil'd , and said , lo here I haue for noght , what Kings doe buy so deere . No odds there was in shew ( and but in show , Kings are too often honour'd ) saue that he Was but twelue gamesome daies to king it so ; And kings , more yeares of soueraigne misery . His raigne was short and sweet , theirs long in wo. He after liu'd : they , with or for theirs , die . He had a tast of raigne , with powre to leaue ; They cannot tast , but life must take or giue . Kings for the treasons to them offered Must offer them that offer it , whereby The body still may hold vp hie the head , Lest otherwise they both too low might lye : Yet by this meanes , blood , oft , with hate , is shed , If bloud so shed , do fall or much , or hie ; But he without bloud did be ●…e●…ead his foes , So made him friends indeed , of foes in showes . He sate in state , that mirth , and loue did stay ; They sit in state that hate oft vndermines ; He , without feare , had some to take assay ; But they haue such , for feare of sodaine fines : He poyson'd some ( to play as kings might play ) But t was with Suger and perfumed wines : He went with guards , yet stabbing feared not : They go with guards , yet feare the stab or shot . He could deuise with Ladies , if he could Deuise with Ladies , without all suspect ; If they do so they do not as they should , For 't will be sayd their h●…nors they neglect : He could command , and haue all as he would ; But their commands oft haue not that effect . Then who had better Raigns , iudge all of sense , Either a king indeed , or in pretence . A conscience cleere out-dares Death to the face , Laughing to scorne his greatest tyranny ; And with vnconquerd patience doth disgrace His vtmost malice , spight , and villany : She winneth place of Death , by giuing place , And by her yeelding , getteth victorie : Yea , triumphs ouer Death , through vertues might : For Uertue liues , when Death hath spet his spight . Neuer did Feare attend on Innocence : She Wayters scornes , that with her dare not dye . Though she from wrong and danger seeke defence , And may ( if well shee may ) from eyther fly : Yet is her Courage of that excellence , That if shee meet them she dares both defie . Then to be Innocent , is still to dare Death , Hell , and Vengeance , yea all Deaths that are . This makes the Prince his person to expose To Pistoll , Poyson , Dagger , and the like ; Among them all ( so arm'd ) hee freely goes , And starts not ( as dismayd ) when they do strike . This make them deem ( deer harts ) they haue no foes Because they weene they rule without mislike ; And if some hellish hand them ouer-beare , They die , as liue they did , without all feare . Within their Count'nance , Mirth , with Grauitie ( Graue for their place & mirth , their grace to show ) In peace doe striue for the precedencie : Both which so sweetly grace them as they go ; As makes the publike loue , on them to pry : With Eyes , which teares of ioy ( vnfain'd ) ore-flow , While Princely kindenesse doth it selfe imploy , To ope like Floud-gates , into Seas of Ioy . When the sterne Tyrant ( with a folded Front , And Eyes disturbed , through suspicious feare ) Doth starting stalke , as if Death did confront His steppes , and to his Eyes did still appeare ; His Hand on Hilt hee beares , Death to affront : Yet ghastly lookes , as hee still flying were ; And when a Mouse doth crie , or Leafe doth shake , Out goes the Dagger , yet with feare doth quake . He feares his life , but more the second - death ; Which death , he doubts , will second death of life : This makes him strait the dagger so vnsheath T'in counter the first deaths approching knife ; Lest , being ouerthrowne , he should beneath Still liue in strife , as he hath liu'd in strife ; The losse of Kingdome , life , and feare of that , Makes him ( as mad ) to do he knows not what . Who would a Scepter hold , in such an hell , Like a commanding Fiend in horror still , Where subiects , like his passions aye rebel So liue as Sou'raigne of a world of ill ? And in nought , but in naught so to excell Is God ( as much as in man lies ) to kill : Which is the cause ( as proofe hath often told ) It 's hard to see an hellish Tyrant old . Imbrude with blood , or else in poyson drencht , Away wends he the way the others sent ; For with his bloud , his thirst of bloud is quencht ; So , with a plague , repaid what hee hath lent : Nor shal his bloud , that flowes amaine be stencht , Sith Heau'n and Earth against him still are bent . " For , when both heau'n & earth , pursues the spoyle ; " No place but Hell is left then , to recoyle . Gods Armies march , some seene , but most vnseen ; Those seene , may be lookt to , but not lookt ore ; And how ere vile , Pride some of them may ween , Yet men most high , are oft foyld by the low'r : But th' vnseene Armies haue such Weapons keene And pow'r to vse them , that all Flesh they gore : Who are so flye , that no mans wisedome may Their Ambushments auoyde , or them bewray . For , can an Heart be wise that is profane ? ( Nay , fleshly wise ? wee will dismisse the Spirite ? ) It cannot be ; for , Wisedome's in the wane When t is forsaken of the Heauenly light : A crazed Soule , must needs be Wisedomes bane , whose pow'rs want pow'r to vse their natiue might : For , when the Soule 's vnquiet through offence , Her fumes blinde Iudgement , and Intelligence . We may not doe ill , that thence good may springs Nor ceasse to do good , thogh ill thence may grow ; The Ill that growes from good , is no ill thing : And to reape such , wee still much good shuld sow , It s ill to haue Gods hate , with loue of King ; And worse , that hate to haue for loue more low . Then to be good , in Death's to be secure : And to bee ill , in life's to be vnsure . The Sunne sees not a more detested thing Than is a Traitor , whose fowle Crime is such That they which loue the Craft , the Crafts-man sting With deadly hate , and words that wound as much : And he that would of other Crimes be King , Abhorre , but once this loathed Crime to touch . That Hand that can behead a Common-weale , Must haue an heart , to helpe , of Flint or Steele . And they that would transforme a Monarchy ( Confirm'd by many faire descents of Kings ) T' an headlesse misproporrion'd Anarchy ( That Rule and Order to Confusion brings , To th' end to giue Misrule more libertie ) Are most condemn'd , if not most damned things . For , what Man can ( though halfe a Diuell ) see All drown'd in Gore , to purple his Degree ? Traitor ! ô word , of force to make a Man Teare out his Eyes , that they see not the light ! Which All , with bitter Execrations , ban , And at the very name , do spet in spight . Traitor ! ô gall ! which no Gall suffer can , Odious to Heau'n and Earth . to Day and Night ; The very Aire of such a loathed name , The Ioynts of strongest Patience can vnframe . What can the Hart of Man excogitate More odious , or in nature , or in name , Than Treason ? which eu'n Hell it selfe doth hate , Although it be aduantag'd by the same . For Hell holds Traitors more degenerate From Nature , then her Fiends ; so , more to blame : For Fiends , by nature , are most impious ; But Men most impious , are most monstrous . A Sou'raigns bloud is sacred , and of pow'r To draw down Angels , from their glorious sphears , With Vialls , full of plagues , on Realmes to powre , ( If it be spilt by spight ) Nay Princes hayres Are numbred , and who makes but one vnsure , shal feel that wrath , whose heat the mountains mears : O t' is a dreadfull thing but once to dreame , In Physicke , to make Royall bloud to streame . T is Bloud of blouds ; for , while it is bloud-warme : And carries life with it through all the Veines . It doth preserue the subiects blood from harme , That cold of feares to freeze else strait constrains : Then 't is the life-bloud of a Kingdoms Arme , Which , while it 's liuely , her whole state sustaines : O then how precious ought ( in all mens eyes ) Such bloud to be wherein such vertue lies ? Words , but in Wormewood steept , ate too too weake To blazon Treasons bitter tyranny ; None but soule-wounding words for it are meete , Because it wounds the Soule of Soueraigntie : Then Treason , thus , my Muse , thy guilt doth grcete , ( Which is the quintessence of villany ) Curst be Thought , that thinks but on that Thought , That thinks thou art not ten times worse then naught . The Conclusion to Sir . Thomas Ouerbury . Thou find'st more honor in th' vntimely Graue Deere Ouerbury , then a King can haue With all kings pow'r : for , they can giue no grace Beyond the span of life ; Poore spacelesse-space ! Then , blessed was thy death , how euer bannd It might be deem'd by thee , for being ban'd : Sith Death , by poison , did but reaue thy breath ; But with That poyson , thou hast poyson'd Death . So , from his hand his weapon thou did wrest ; And , for thy safety , sheath'd it in his Brest . Yet comes thine honor , though it reach thus hie , Short of thy merit for loues-puritie ; And , for as much besides , as Wit and Art Can value giue to any Head or Heart . Thou wast a Pythias to an Anti-Damon , Who , for thy true loue , prou'd to thee a Demon. Had he bene Damon in integritie , A King ( perhaps ) had made a Trinitie Of friends with you ; for , your loue - Angel-like Had made him make that Body-politicke ; As whilom-did a Keisar in like case : But three can nere make one , if one be base , And two be deare ; sith Dissimilitude Dissolues the knot of Loues beatitude . Fortune on thee , in him , did smile and lowre ; Smile in his fortunes , in thy wisedomes powre : But lowr'd on thee , when he ( false ladder ) rose For thee to climbe , to both your ouerthrowes . He rose and fell from thee ; and thou by him Didst rise and fall : but thou , in bane didst swim Past Laethe ; and in bloud and blame he tydes ( As farre beyond , as shame , past shame , abides ) With winds of his owne sighes , without one teare Of any ruthfull Eye , though nere so neere . But , sith nought stayd him to thee , but the aire Of words ; who would ascend by such a staire ? Thou being on his brest , through want of stay For thy worths-weight , from thee he fell away : But , thou camst first to ground ; and , with the fall , Thy bowels brake , all-pickl'd with thy gall : Thy Ghost , yet ( if she know what mortals do ) Must needs exult ; and haue compassion too , To heare thy praises peald-out as they be ; And see such iustice done , on earth , for thee . Yea , as thy Ghost had leaue , in wrathfull moode ; To surfet with thy foes delicious - blood , Which from the hie in place , still headlong , streams Through thy late Soueraigns dearst of Diadems , To fresh the flowres thereof , and her so cloy , That she , as sicke therewith , is greeu'd with ioy . So as thy shrill Uindicate's now do ring With groanes about the Palace of the King ; As if thy Soule , in blisse , in some degree Did Suffer paine with sufferers for thee . And if she ( plagu'd ) in life did hell endure , Through their close hate who did thy death procure , T' is openly reueng'd , so home , that all The world may see thy worth's-weight in their fall . For , as pure gold best knowne is by the TEST In fire : so , that deere vertue of thy Brest , In flames of Loue , and fi'ry-tryals tride , Doth make thy Worth , in greatnesse , far more wide Than Time : for , when he ( stretcht out ) is laid forth Thy glory shall entombe him in thy WORTH . FINIS .

Notes, typically marginal, from the original text

Notes for div A19911-e1420