The owle by Michaell Drayton ...

THE OWLE WHat time the Sunne by his all-quickning power , Giues life and birth to euery plant and flower , The strength and feruor of whose pregnant ray , Buds euery branche and blossomes euery spray ; As the frim sap the yeerly course assyg'nde From the full roote , doth swell the plenteous rynde , The vitall spirits long nourisht at the hart , Flye with fresh fier , to each exterior parte : Which stirres desire in hot and youthfull bloods ; To breath their deare thoughts to the listning woods . With those light flocks the garish fieldes frequent , This frolick season luckylie I went , And as the rest did , did I franckly too , Least is he marck'd , that doth as most men doo . But whether by some casuall defect , All Flowers alike the time did not respect : Some whose new rootes ne're saw a former May , Floorish now faire , those withered quite away , Into my thoughts that incidently brings Th' inconstant passage of all worldly things . The rarest worke whereat wee wonder long , Obscur'd by time that enuie could not wrong . And what in life can mortall men desier , That scarsly comm'n , but quickly doth retier ? The Monarchies had time to grow to head , And at the height their conquered howers fled : And by their wane those latter kingdomes rose , That had their age to winne their howers to lose , Which with much sorrow brought into my minde Their wretched soules so ignorantly blinde , ( When euen the great'st things in the world vnstable ) Clyme but to fall , and damned for a bable . Whil'st thus my thoughts were strongly entertain'd The greatest lampe of heauen his height had gayn'd ; Seeking some shade might lend content to me , Loe neere at hand I spy'd a goodly tree ; Vnder the'xtenture of whose lordly armes , The small Birds warbled their harmonious charmes Where sitting downe to coole the burning heate , Through the moist pores euap'rating by sweate , Yeelding my pleas'd thought to content ( by chance ) Vpon a suddaine drop't into a trance , Wherein me thought some God or power deuine Did my cleere knowledge wondrously refine . For that amongst those sundry varying notes , Which the Birds sent from their Melodious throats Each Siluan sound I truely vnderstood , Become a perfect Linguist of the Wood : Their flight , their song , and euery other signe , By which the world did anciently deuine , As the old Tuskans in that skill profound , Which first great Car , and wise Tyresias found , Diuination by Birds . To me bequeath'd their knowledge , to discry The depth and secrets of their Augury . One I could heare appoynting with his sweeting , A place conuenient for their secret meeting , Others , when Winter shortly should declyne , How they would couple at Saint Valentine . The tim when Birds Couple . Some other Birds that of their Loues for saken , To the close desarts had themselues betaken , And in the darke Groaues where they made aboad , Sang many a sad and mournefull Palinod . And euery Bird shew'd in his proper kinde , What vertue , nature had to him assignde . The pretty Turtle , and the kissing Doue , Their faiths in Wedlock , and chast nuptiall Loue : The Hens ( to women ) sanctitie expresse , Hallowing their egges : the Swallow clenlinesse , Sweeting hir nest , and purging it of dong And euery hower is pickiug ofhir yong . The Herne , by soaring shewes tempestuous showers , The princely Cocke bistinguisheth the howers . The Kite his traine him guiding in the aire , Prescribes the helme , instructing how to stere . The Crane to labour , fearing some rough flawe , With sand and grauell burthening his crawe : Noted by man , which by the same did finde To ballast shippes for steddines in winde . And by the forme and order in his flight , To march in warre , and taught to watch by night . The first of house that ere did groundsell lay , Which then was homely of rude lome and clay Learn'd of the Martin : Philomel in spring , Teaching by art her little one to singe ; By whose cleere voyce sweet musicke first was found , Before Amphyon euer knew a sound . Couering with Mosse the deads vnclosed eye : The little Red-breast teacheth charitye . So many that in sundry things excell , Time scarse could serue their properties to tell . I cannot iudge if it the place should bee , That should present this pretty dreame to mee , That neare the Eaues and shelter of a stacke ( Set to support it ) at a Beeches backe In a stub'd Ttee with Iuy ouer-growne , On whom the sunne had scarsly euer shone : A broade-Fac'd Ceature , hanging of the wing , Was set to sleepe whil'st euery Bird did sing . His drowsy head still leaning on his brest , For all the sweet tunes Philomel exprest : Noe signe of ioy did in his lookes appeere , Or euer mou'd his melancholy cheere . Ascallaphus that brought into my hed , In Ouids changes Metamorphised , Ascallaphus in Bubonem Or very like : but him I read aright , Solemne of lookes as he was slowe of sight ; And to assure me that it was the same ; The Birds about him strangely woundring came . Fye , quoth the Lennet tripping on the spray ; Rowse thee thou sluggish Bird this mirthfull May , For shame come forth and leaue thy Luskye nest , And haunt these Forrests brauely as the best . Take thy delight in yonder goodly Tree , Where the sweet Merle and warbling Mauis bee . Next , quoth the Titmouse which at hand did sit , Shake off this moody melancholly fit . See the small brooks as through these groues they trauell Sporting for ioy vpon the Siluer grauell , Mocke the sweet notes the neighboring Siluans sing With the smooth cadence of their murmuring . Each Bee with Hony laden to the thye , From Palme to Palme ( as carelesly they flye ) Catch the soft winde , and him his course bereaues , To stay and dally with th' inamored leaues . This while the Owle , which well himselfe could beare , That to their short speech lent a listning eare : Begins at length to rowse him in the Beech , And to the rest thus frames his reuerend speech . O all you feathered Quiresters of nature , That mighty power distinguish'd euery creature ; Gaue seuerall vses vnto euery one : As seuerall seedes , or things that liue vpon ; Some as the Larke that takes delight to build , Farre from resort amid the Vastie field . The Pellican in desarts farre abrode , Her deare-lou'd issue safely doth vnload . The Sparrowe and the Robinet agen , To liue neare to the Mansion place of men ; And nature wisely which hath each thing taught , This Place best fitting my content fore-thought , Though not presuming in the statly Trees , Yet where fore-sight lesse threatning danger sees , The tempest thrilling from the troubled ayre , Strikes not the shrub the place of my repayre . The Fowlers snares in Ambush neuer lay'd T' intrap my steps which often you betrayd . A silent sleepe my gentle fellow Birds , By day , a calme of sweet content affords ; By night I tower the heauen deuoy'd of feare , Nor dread the Griphon to surprise me theare . And into many a secret place I peep , And see strange things whilst you securelye sleep . Wonder not Birds although my heauie eies , By daie seeme dim to see those vanities . Happie 's that sight the secret'st thinges can spye , By seeming blinde vnto communitie ; And blest are they that to their owne content , See that by night that some by day repent . Caelius . Secure vi dit qui dum omnia nouit opinionem tamen , &c. Did not mine nyes seeme dim to others sight , Without suspect they could not see so right . O sillie creatures , happie is the state , Thatwayes not pittie , nor respecteth hate : Better 's that place though homely and obscure Where we repose in safety and secure , Then where great Birdes with Lordly tallants seaze Eras , Cui plus licet quam par est , &c. Not what they ought , but what their fancies please : And by their power preuailing in this sorte , To rob the poore , account it but a sporte : Therfore of two I chose the lesser euill , Better sit still then rise to meete the deuill . Thus the poore Owle vnhappily could preach , Some that came neere in compasse of his reach , Taking this Item with a generall eare , ( A guilty conscience feeles continuall feare ) Soone to their sorrow secretly do finde , Some that had winck'd not altogether blinde . And finding now which they before had heard , Wisdome not all , in euery garish Bird , Shrewdly suspect that breuyting by night , Vnder pretence that he was ill of sight , Slylie had seene which secretly not kept , Simply they wak'd ; he subtilly had slept . The enuious Crow that is so full of spight , The hatefull Buzzard , and the rauenous Kite . The greedy Rauen that for death doth call , Plinie . Spoyling poore Lambs as from their Dams they fall . That picketh out the dying creatures eye ; The theeuish Dawe , and the dissembling Pye , That onely liue vpon the poorers spoyle , That feede on Dung-hilles by thelothsome foyle . The Woodpecker whose hardned beake hath broke , And perc'd the hart of many a sollid Oke . That where the Kingly Eagle wont to pray In the calme shade in heate of Summers day : Of thousand of faire Trees there stands not one For him to pearch or set his foote vpon . And now they see they safely had him here , T' eschew th' effect of euery future feare : Vppon the suddaine all these murdrous fowle , Fasten together on the harmeles Owle . The cruell Kite because his clawes were keene , Vpon his broad-face wreaks his angry teene . His weasant next the rauenous Rauen plyes , The Pye and Buzzard tugging at his eyes . The Crow is digging at his brest amaine ; The sharp-nebd Hecco stabbing at his brayne , That had the Falcon not by chance bene neere , The naturall loue of the Falcon to the Owle . Plinie . That lou'd the Owle and held him onely deere , Come to his rescue at the present tyde , The honest Owle vndoubtedly had dyde . And whilst the gentle Bird doth yet pursue , The ryot done by this rebellious crue , The lesser Birds that keep the lower spring , There-at much greeue with wofull murmuring , Yet wanting power to remedy his wrongs , Who tooke their liues , restrained not their tonguest The Larke , the Lennet , and the gentler sorte , Those sweete Musitions , with whose shrill reporte , The senceles woods , and the obdurate rocke , Haue oft bene moou'd : the warbling Throstle Cocke , The Ousell , and the Nightingale among That charmes the night calme by her powerfull song , In Phaebus Lawrell that do take delight , Whom Ioues fearce thunder hath no Power to smite . Iustice say they , ah whether art thou fled ? Or this vyle world , hast thou abandoned ? O why fayre vertue wer 't thou made in vaine ? Freedome is lost and libertie is slayne : Whylst some whose power restrained not their rage , Loudly exclame vpon the enuyous age , That rockes for pettie doe resume them eares , The earth so wette with plentie of their teares . But thus it haps in heat of all these things , As Kings rules realms , God rules the harts of Kings , The Princely Eagle leauing his abode , Was from his Court stolne secretly abrode , And from the couert , closely where he stood , To finde how things were censur'd in the wood ; Farre in the thickets might a chattring heare , To which soone lending an officious eare , With a still flight his easie course doth make Towards where the sound he perfectly doth take . At euery stroke ( with his Imperiall wings ) The gentle ayre vnto his feathers clings ; And through his softe and callow downe doth flowe , As loath so soone his presence to forgoe , And being at last arryued at the place Where the poore Owle in miserable case ( For wome much sorowe euery where was heard ) Sadly bemoan'd of many a helples Bird. But when this Princely Iouiall Foule they sawe , As now deliu'red from their former awe : Each little creature lifted vp a wing , With Aue Coesar to their soueraigne King . Who seeing the Owle thus miserablie forlorne , Spoyl'd of his feathers , mangled , scratcht and torne : Wil'd him his name and qualitye to showe , How and wherefore he suffred all this woe . Which the Owle hearing , taking hart therby , Though somwhat daunted with his pearcing eye , ( With a deep sigh ) my soueraigne Leidge , quoth he , Though now thus poore and wretched as you see , Athens sometime the Muses Nurcerie , The source of Science and Philosophie , Allow'd me freedome in her learned Bowers , Where I was set in the Cecropian towers , Armed Bellona ( Goddesse of the field ) Honor'd my Portraict in her war-like Sheild . And for my studie ( of all other Fowle ) To wise Minerua chalenged the Owle . For which , those graue and stil-autentique Sages Which sought for knoledge inthose golden ages , Of whome we holde the science that we haue ; For wisdome , me their Hiroglifique gaue . The frutefull Ceres to great Saturn borne , That first with Sickle cropt the rip'ning Corne , That bore the swartye Acheron , whose birth Scarsely yet perfect , loathing of the earth , And flying all communitie with men , Thrust hos blacke head into the Stigian fen ; Where the Nymph Orphne in th' infernall shade , As in his streame she carelesly did wade : The flood Imbracing craftily beguilde ; By whom soone after she conceau'd with childe , Of her deare sonne Ascallaphus , whose youth Ouid Metam . Lib. quinto . So cherish'd Iustice , and respected truth ; As to the gods he faithfully did tell , The tasted fruit by Proserpine in hell : Which an offence imagined so fowle , Ceres trans-form'd into the harmeles Owle . To our disgrace though it be vrg'd by some , Our harmeles kinde to Creet doth neuer come ; The Cretians euer lyars , nor come we thether , For truth and falshood cannot liue together . And those that spurne at our contented state , With Viperous enuie and degenerate hate ; Striue to produce vs from that Lesbian bed , Wherewith blinde lust the fleshly letcher led On his owne childe , vnnaturally to praye , ( For that fowle fact ) transform'd Nyctimene , Ouid. Metam . Libr. Secund. But sildome seene vnto the publique eye , The shreeking Litch-Owle that doth neuer crye , But boding death and quick her selfe interres , In darksom graues and hollow sepulchers . Thus much , my Soueraigne , whence my fathers came Now for the cause of this my present shame , Few words may serue a mischiefe to vnfolde , For in short speech long sorrow may be tolde . But for my freedome that I vsd of late , To lanch th' infection of a poysoned state , Wherein my free and vncorrupted tongue , Lightly gaue taste of their injurious wrong . The Kyte , the Crow , and all the Birds of pray , That thy Liedge people hauock night and day ; Rushing vpon me , and with foule despight , Thus haue they drest me in this piteous plight . The Eagle now a serious eare that lent , To the religious and deuout intent , Of the good Owle , whom too injurious fate Had thus rewarded ; doth commiserate The poore distressed Bird , hoping to heare What all the rest through negligence or feare , Smothred in silence , and had buried still , Couering the sore of many a festred ill , Not onely grants him libertie of speech , But further dayning kindly to beseech , The vertuous Bird no longer to refraine : Who thus emboldned by his Soueraigne , At length his silence resolutely brake , And thus the Eagles majestie be-spake . Mightie , said he , though my plaine homely words , Haue not that grace that elegance affoords . Truth of it selfe is of sufficient worth ; That needs no glosse of arte to set it forth . These hoary plumes like mosse vpon that Oake , By seeing much , yet suffring more I tooke . Long haue I seene the worlds vnconstant change , Ioy mooues not me , affliction is not strange . I care not for contempt , I seek not fame , Knowledge I loue , and glory in the same . Bartas . Th' ambicious judgment seat I neuer sought , Where God is solde for Coyne , the poore for nought . I am a helples Bird , a harmles wretch , Wanting the power that needfull is to teach . Yet care of your great good and generall weale , Vnlocks my tongue , and with a feruent zeale Breakes through my lips which otherwise were pent Pithago To that seuere Graue Samnites document . I knowe before my harmles Tale be tolde , The gripple Vulture argues me too bolde . The Cormorant ( whome spoyle cannot suffice ) Stickes not to charge and slander me with lyes . The Parrts taxe me to be vainely proud , And all crye shame the Owle should be allow'd , Which with this Axiome doth them all confute , When Kings bid speake , what subject can be mute ? The latest winter that rore-went our prime , O nightie prince , vpon a certaine time I got into thy Pallace on a night , There to reuiue my melancholy spright , And there ( for darknes ) wayting all alone , To view ( by night ) what Lords by day looke on , Where I beheld so many Candles light , As they had mok'd the Tapers of the night . Where for it grew vpon the time of rest , And many , great sinceritie profest , Expecting prayer should presently proceed ; To aske forgiuenes for the dayes misdeed , There is soft Downe the liquerous Sparow sat , Pamper'd with meates , proud , insolent and fat . His Drugs , his drinks , and sirrops doth apply , To heat his blood and quicken luxury ; Which by his billing female was imbrac'd , Clasping her wings about his wanton waste . O God thought I , what 's heere ? by light within , Where some in darknes should haue fear'd to sin . The Cormorant set closely to deuise How he might compasse strange Monopolies . The gawdy Gold-finch and his courtly mate , The iolly Bunting power-full in the state , Quickly agreed , and but at little stick ; To share a thousand for a Bishoprick , And scramble vp some feathers from the Larke , What though a Pastor and a learned Clarke ? And for his reuerence though he weare a Cowle , Mantuan Bardo cuculatus caput , &c. Yet at his entrance he must pay them tole . I saw a Buzzard scorning of the blacke , That but of late did cloath his needy backe With Ostridge feathers had adorn'd his crest , As he were bred a Faulcon at the least . Thus strouts he daily in his borrowed plume And but or shame he boldly durst presume , With Princely Eglets to compare his sight : Not the proud Iris in her coullers dight , Could with this base Kyte equally compare . What fowle before him stood not humbly bare ? No lesse then Lords attending euerie beck , At his commaund his betters brooke his check . But O my Liedge , the Birds of Noble race , Knowe whence he is and who affoords him grace , And inlie greeue to see a seruile mate , Crept vp by fauour to out-braue a State . The poore Implumed Birds that by offence , Or some disgrace haue lost preheminence Can poynt and say , this feather once was mine : Some winck , some would , some greeue , & some repine Besides all this , I saw a Bird did scower , A Serpents teeth , that daily did deuoure , Widdowes and Orphanes , yet th' Egiptian Sawes , Commend this Bird for clensing Serpents Iawes . For the base Trochyle thinketh it no paine , To scowre vile Carion for a sauorie gaine . When soone I saw about the Serpents nest , Whil'st this slaue Bird his nastie grinders drest . A thousand little Flyes , as many Birdes , Of labouring Bees , a thousand thousand heards , A thousand sundrie Foule , that strangely carp And curse that beake that made his goomes so sharp . Yet in this base Bird I might well discry , The prosperous frute of thriuing Policy . Casting mine eye and looking through a glasse , I saw a Gos-howke ( that in state did passe ) That by faire showes did mens affections feele , Golde ( his attendant ) alwaies at hes heele . Whole Mannors did him reuerence as he staid , Whose name ( if written ) could possession plead In any Lordship that adioyned his : Lawe was his vassall , he and purchase kis . Zeale was his foole , and learning was his ieaster , Pride was his page , and Gluttony his taster . A thousand suters wayted at his hand , Some call'd his honor Patrone of the land ; The sole commaunder of the Common-weale , And vnto him they humbly all appeale . When in a Closset strangely I beheld , That was adjoyning to a pleasant field , How euery suter when he was retyr'd Bought out his peace , or his promotion hy'rd ; Yet what he wonne with cursses was rewarded , When the poore Birds for bribes alone regarded . To th' secret of all secrets when I came , Hauing mine eyes euen glewd with griefe & shame : I tell not how the vulture fate apart , Spending the blood and marrow of his hart , And by all meanes his faculties t' apply , To taynt the Phoenix by his surquedry , That of her kinde had she bene more then one , Claudian : de Phoenice . ( Parent and Infant to her selfe alone ) This heauenly Bird ( in touching their defame ) Had had her purple soyled with their shame . And for the Turtle would not be vnchaste , Her did they banish to the barren waste . I dare not say how euery sorte were searched , Nor dare I tell how Auarice was perched Vnder the pillow of the grauest head , ( That freedome with the golden world is dead ) How age had cast off a religious life , Humor of late become Opinions wife . Counsaile secure , nor Companies with care , The wit that woundeth zeale , accounted rare . But whither wandreth my hye rauish't Muse ? O pardon Leidge , the feirce exclaimes I vse ; And let my Barque ( throgh gales of your good grace Through these rough Seas ) bear sayle a little space . Scarse had these words found vtrance through my lips But ther-with all a pratling Parrot skips About the priuat lodging of his Peeres . His eyes were watchfull , open were his eares . He had a tongue for euery language fit , A cheuerell Conscience , and a serching wit . Comming in hast as he hadcrost the Mayne , And brought some strange intelligence from Spayne Yet euen at mid-night ( for the Rogue was poore ) I found him knocking at a great mans doore ; And where of course the wise are turnd away , His errand brookes no dilatorie stay , But presently conducted ( by a light ) Into a Chamber very richly dight , Where sat the Vulture with a dreadfull frowne , Proud and ambitious , gaping for renowne : His talents red with blood of murthered foules , His full eye quickly euery vay controles . Which when this Parrot sted fastly beheld , His feathers brisled and his stomack sweld ; Anp to the Vulture openeth where he sat , ( Whose eares attentiue listing still thereat ) The state and hauiour of each priuate man , Layd out for searching Auarice to scan . Whereby strict rule and subtilties in art , Such traqs are set , as not a man can start . And where th' offenders maintenance was great , Their working heads they busily doe beat , By some strange quiddit or some wrested clause , To finde him guiltie of the breach of lawes , That he this present injurie to shift , To buy his owne , accounts a Princely guift . And for a cloake to their corrupt Decrees , The Vulture with this subtill Bird agrees ; That they that thus conuicted are aparte , Shall be surpriz'd by policy and arte . Then picke they forth such theeues as hace the light , The black ey'd Bat ( the watch-man of the night ) That to each priuate family can prie , And the least slip can easily discrie ; And since his Conscience is both loose and la , ge , Is onely set to vnder-goe this charge ; Adrest to drinke of euery priuate Cup , And not a word slips but hecakes it vp . To minister occasion of discourse , And ther-with-all , some dingerous Theame in-force , To vrge a doubtfull speech vnto the worst , To broach new treasons and disclose them first ; Where-by him-selfe still cleeres : and vn-awares Intraps the Foule , vnskilfull of these snares . And ( against law ) he beares his Lords Protection , As a it meane and by the States direction . O worthy Birds , preuent this ill in time , And suffer not this rau'nous Bat to climbe ; That is occasion of the bests offence , The brat of ryot and of indigence , The moath and canker of the Common-weale , Bred by corruption to disquiet zeale . Holla thou wandring Infant of my braine , Whither thus fling'st thou ? yet diuert thy strayne ; Returne we back vnto our former gate , From which a little we digrest of late , And leaue this monster beating of his head , The honest Owle hath quickly stroke him dead . And forth agame the Parrot let vs finde , That winning credit so the world doth blinde , Vnder protection of so dread a hand , Spoyles and familes ransacketh thy land . The Pellican that by his fathers teaching , Hath with deuout zeale folow'd wholsom preaching That rent his bosome and inforc'd his toung , To teach his tender and beloued young . When now these fauters of all vile abuse Haue found a stand where they may note his vse , How father-like he giues affliction bread , Conuerting soules ; through blind-folde error led . The naked Orphan in his bosome wraps , With the poore widdow doth bewaile her haps ; And neuer reaps his plentious field so cleane , But leaues his haruest that the poore may gleanc ; Steps in this false pye , this promoting wretch , Closely betrayés him that hee giues to each : And for his deedes of charity and grace , Roots vp his godly Hospitale place . Most like to that sharp-sighted Alcatras , The Alcatras . That beates the ayre aboue the liquid glasse : The New-wotlds Bird , that proud imperious fowle , Whose dreadfull presence frights the harmeles Owle : That on the land not onely workes his wish , But on the Ocean killes the flying fish . Which since the Owle hath truely done his arrant , O Princely Eagle looke vnto this tyrant : But if my words thou willfully impung , Thy pcacefull Empyre that hath flourish'd long , Headlong at length shall to confusion runne ; As was this great globe ere the world begunne : When in an huge heape and vnweldie masse , This All was shut and nature smothered was . And in this Lumpe and Chaos out of frame , The contraries conuers'd and one became , Strictly together th' Elaments were clasp'd And in their rough hands one the other grasp'd : That each did others quallitie deface , Beautie was buried , light could finde no place . But when th' al-seeing Soueraigne did disperse , Each to his place vpon the vniuerse , To his owne region and his contrarie ; Enuy'd his place , impungn'd his qualitie . Fyer , Aire , Earth , Water , in their Mansion sate , By that great God to them appropriate . All is compos'd within this goodly roome ; A perfect shape this Embrion is become ; Which thus disseuered by their friendly jarres , Contriue the worlds continuance by their warres . So in confusion members are inclosd , To frame a state if orderly dispos'd : For to the proud maleuolent aspect , Of angry Saturne that would all direct , The long exiled but Imperious Loue , When for his regal Soueraigntie he stroue , With god-like state and presence of a King ; Calmes Saturnes rage , his furie limiting . But leaue we those vnto their owne decay , Other occasions hasten vs away : Let Princes viewe what their poore subjects trye , Blinde is that sight , that 's with anothers eye ; It is full time that we should get vs hence , O mightic Soueraigne Oceans of offence , Stand here opposed in my passing by , When in a Chamber nere thy Maiestie A jetting Iaye accomplished and braue , That well could speake , well could him-selfe behaue ; His Congeis Courtly , his demeanor rare , As strangely fashion'd as his clothes he ware ; Which could each man with complement salute , And to the Wood-Cocke fram'd a speciall sute . Who him imbracing like a braineles foole , Desir'd him sit , commaunding him a stoole . The jolly Iaye thus graced by a Peere , Pluckes vp his spirits , and with a formall cheere Breakes ther-with-all into most strange reports , Of Flemmish newes , surprising Townes and Fortes . Of troubles rais'd in France against the King , Spanish Armadoes and embattailing , Protesting method in Intelligence To be a thing mightie consequence ; And pawnes his soule , he can deuise away , Which put in acte , the Leaguers loose the day , To frame a Bridge of Bow-string o're the Rhine , Supplant the Alps and lay them smooth and plaine , And that if all the Princes of the North , Will with an Armie Royall set him forth , Before the yeere expyr'd that is to come , He will with Burbon new be-leaguer Rowe . Then of his knowledge in the Cabalist , And what pertaines vnto an Exorcist . Then of Philacters what their vertue be , Homers Nepenthe and of his degree ; Each seuerall vse in practique what it is ; How much he wants that doth these secrets misse , And by some little piller in that place , To giue some Window or some Chymnie grace , Now to proportion presently doth run , And talkes of the Collossus of the Sun : Of Columes the Diameters doth tell , Euen from the Bace vnto the Capitell . And by the Roose he something both allude , And will demonstrate of the Magnitude . And what is all this from his addle pate , But like a Starling that is taught to prate , And with a lisping garbe ( this most rare man ) Speakes French , Dutch , Spanish , and Italian . No day doth passe , he doth his compasse misse , To send to that Lord , or to visit this , And kissing of his clawe , his Cox-combe bare , Is come to see how their good graces fare . And presently vnto their face reports , Their rare perfections woundred at in Courts ; Scratching the Ideot by his itching eares ; Heauens spit downe vengeance or dissolue in teares , And send the Ibis to repulse our shame , The Bird Ibis , a destroyer of the locust . Plinie . to driue those Locusts to whence first they came . Woe to these slaues whose shape the deuill tooke , To tempt the holy Esay at his booke . O morall Mantuan liue thy verses long , Honor attend thee and thy reuerend Song . Who seekes for truth ( say'st thou ) must tread the path Of the sweet priuate life , which ennies wrath , Which poys'ned tongues , which vaine affected prase Can-not by scorne suppresse , by flatrery raise . For Adulation but if search be made , His dayly mansion and his vsuall trade , Is in the Monarchs Court , in Princes Halles , Where Godly zeale he by contempt inthralles . There calles he euill good , the good tearmes euill , And makes a Saint of an incarnate deuill . These boldely censure and dare set at naught , The noblest wit , the most Heroique thought . This Carion Iaye approaching to the spring Where the sweet Muses wont to sit and sing , With filthy ordure so the same defyl'd , As they from thence are vtterly exyl'd . Banish their issue , from whose Sacred rage Flowes the full glory of each plentious age . Still with the Prophets chalenging their partes , The sweet Companions of the Liberall Artes . Those rare Promethij fetching fire from Heauen ; To whome the functions of the Gods are giuen , Raysing fraile dust with their redoubled flame , Mounted with Hymnes vpon the wings of Fame ; Ordayn'd by nature ( Truch-men for the great ) To fire their Noble harts with glorious heat . You Sun-bred Ayerie , whose immortall birth Beares you aloft beyond the sight of earth , The heauen-tuch'd feathers of whose sprightly wings , Strikes ( from aboue ) the Pallaces of Kings , By how much neerer you ascend the Skye , Doe lessen still to euery mortall eye ; Who in this time contemptfull greatnes late Scorn'd and disgrac'd which earst renown'd hir state . O basterd mindes vnto this vylenes brought , To loath the meanes which first your honors wrought But who their great profession can protect , That rob them selues of their owne due respect ? For they whose mindes should be exhal'd and hye , As free and noble as cleere Poesye , In the slight fauour of some Lord to come , Basely doe crouch to his attending grome . Immortall gift that art not bought with golde ! That thou to peasants should be basely solde ! And thus euen cloy'd with busines of the Court , To neighbour Groues inuyting my resort , Where I suppos'd the solitarie Owle Might liue secure vnseene of any fowle ; Loe in a valley peopled thick with trees , Where the soft day continuall Euening sees , Where in the moyst and melancholy shade , The grasse growes rancke , but yeelds a bitter blade . I found a poore Crane sitting all alone . That from his brest sent many a throbbing grone ; Groueling he lay , that sometime stood vpright ; Maim'd of his joynts in manie a doubtfull fight . His Ashie coate that bore a glosse so faire , So often kis'd of the enamored aire ; Worne all to ragges and fretted so with rust , That with his feete he troad it in the dust : And wanting strength to beare him to the springs , The spyders woue their webbs euen in his wings : And in his traine their filmie netting cast , He eate not wormes , wormes eate on him so fast . His wakefull eies that in proud foes despight , Had watch'd the walles in many a Winters night , And neuer winck'd nor from their object fled , When heauens dread thunder ratled ore his head , Now couered ouer with dimme cloudy kelles , And shruncken vp into their slymie shelles . Poore Bird that striuing to bemoane thy plight , I cannot do thy miseries their right ; Perceiuing well he found me where I stood , And he alone thus poorely in the Wood : To him I stept desiring him to showe , The cause of his calamitie and woe . Nights-Bird ( quoth he ) what mak'st thou in this place To view my wretched miserable case ? Ill Orators are aged men at Armes , That wont to wreake and not bewayle their harmes : And repetition where there wants reliefe , In less'ning sorow , but redoubleth greefe . Seuen sundrie Battails , seru'd I in the feeld , Against the Pigmies , in whose battered sheeld , My prowes stands apparantly expres'd , Besides these scarres vpon my manly breast , Along the Mid-land coasts my troupes I led , And Affrickes pride with feare astonished ; And maym'd I was of this decrepit wing , When as the fowle from the Proponticke spring , The Sea from Hellespont to Bosphorus Thracius . Fild all Th' Egean with their stemning ores , And made the Iles euen tremble from the shores . I saw when from the Adriaticke seas ; The crosse-adoring Fowles to Europs praise , Before Lepanto and Morae a fought , wrought Where heauen by winde , earths wonder strangely Weary at length and trusting to my worth , I tooke my flight vnto the happie North : Where nobly bred as I was well ally'd , I hop'd to haue my fortune there supply'd , But there arryu'd , disgrace was all my gayne , Experience scorn'd of euery scuruye swayne . Other had got for which I long did serue . Still fed with wordes whil'st I with wants did sterue . Hauing small meanes but yet a mighty hart , How ere in fame , not honor'd for desart , That small I had , I forced was to gage , To cure my wounds and to sustaine mine age ; Whil'st those that scarce did ere beholde a foe , Exult and triumph in my ouer-throwe . And seeing in vayne with miserie I stroue , Retyr'd me to this solitarie Groue ; Where in dispayre ( euen loathing of my breath ) I long to dwell in the colde armes of death . Heere sanke downe in a sound and could no more , And I returne from whence I came before . Where by the way the countrie Rooke deplor'd , The grip and hunger of this rauenous Lord . The cruell Castrell which with deuilish clawes , Scratcheth out of the miserable iawes Of the poore tennant , to his ruyne bent , Raysing new Fynes , redoubling auncient rent ; By strong inclosure of olde Common land , Rackes the deare sweate from his laborious hand , Whil'st he that digs for breath out of the stones , Cracks his stiffe Sinewes and consumes his bones ; Yet forc'd to reape continually with strife , Snarling contention feeding on his life . Yet hoping Fortune bettered by his heyres , He hath their loue , his hate made onely theires ; Laboring to keepe him in his quiet state , When enuie doth his gathered Manors threat : And being fauored of sonie higher Peere , Who not for Loue , inforcing by his feare , Which by their Clownish industrie and art , Now to the Court reduce him from the Cart , With slight prouision that defrayes his charge , Whil'st with his graine he ballast manie a Barge , And to his gripple Auarice he serue , What recks this rancke-hinde if his Countrie sterue ? Hell on that wealth is purchased with shame , Gold in the Trunck , and in the graue defame : Yet his clawes blunt and when he can no more , The needie Rooke is turn'd out of the doore . And lastly doth his wrechednes bewayle , A bond-slaue to the miserable Iayle . Thus wearied with the sight of worldly crimes , The wane of kingdomes , and the change of times ; Betooke my selfe by searching to espye , What sinnes in secret did in Cities lye : For there I deem'd where law had chiefest force , Strongly to limmit euery lewder course , Things turn'd to nature and disdain'd excesse , That plaguy foe to humaine happines . And as I went ( with busie search about ) Casting by cunning how to finde them out , I found the Fesant that the Hauke doth feare Seeking for safetie bred his Aerye there : Yet is accus'd through close informing hate , By lawles lending to offend the state . Who being Rich , and louing coyne and ease , Still buyldeth lowe for feare he should displease . Yet the Blad - Buzzard being appoynted Iudge , To this base , muddy , miserable , drudge : A paire of young ones taking from his nest , And leaues this fearefull Recreant the rest , Who giues him thankes his goodnes would so doe , Might take the Aerye and the old one too . He liued best that most liu'd out of sight : I dare not say that Birds were all vpright ; For some had golden Beaks but brasen clawes , That held the guildes to minister their lawes : The Castrell for possession of his heyre , Is by the Ringtayle offered woundrous faire , To haue a match betwixt their goodly breed , T increase their lands , and raise their happie seed . But the coye Castrell turnes it to a mocke , And scornes to match in his ignoble stocke , For which the Ryng-taile by a secret plot , Subbornes the Starling , which hath closely got , To be the Broker slylie to seduce The Castrels Heyre , by giuing thriftlesse vse . And in strong Statutes to enthrall him so , To lyme him sure which way so ere he goe . For this young Foule ( drawen from his fathers eye ) Will with the fond world swimme in vanitye . The subtil Ring-tayle neuer thus doth leaue , Till he the Castrell cunningly deceiue . And caught this young one in the Cities snare , Deuoures his Mannors ere he be aware . Mongst which the Dawe ( by giuing of a bribe ) Became a Clerke amongst the learned Tribe ; That being a Bankerout , a dis-honest better ; Can get his liuing onely by the letter , Whil'st Arts goe beg , and in a seruile weed , Are made the slaues of penurie and need . The Goose exyled , humbly doth appeale To all the Birds , professing faith and zeale . And though he proueth by the Roman book , Plutarke . What care to keep the Capitall he took ; Yet is not heard : The Doue with-out a gall Columba sine felle . Is left forsaken , and contemn'd of all . There growes such difference and such strange confusions , Twixt old decrees , and later Institutions : Yet being inspyr'd , desisteth not to speake , To edifie the conscience that is weake , And by approoued arguments of 's owne , By scriptures , Fathers , and greate writers knowne , Discouereth their abhominable trade ; So that the Storke their vmpyre being made , Iudgeth the Dawe should from the Church be driuen , To prate in corners , and to preach by Euen . And since his arte and cunning was so scant , To haue no patron but the Ignorant ; And by his doctrine onely teaching fooles , To be exilde and hiss'd out of the Schools . Hence like the seede Thebes-buylder Cadmus throwes , More armed mischiefes sudainely arose : The Bittor brings his action gainst the Quayle , And on th' arest allowes him hardly bayle ; Because he durst presume amongst the Reeds , To let his Lemmon where his female breeds . And Mistris Titmouse a neate merrie dame , With her friend Wagtaile , one of speciall name ; Su'de by the Cucco in his proper wronge , For accusation of a sclanderous tongue . That to the barre his Aduocate doth bring , That hath by rote the acts of many a King . The Lawes , the Statutes and decrees assignde , Customes so old , as almost out of minde . A day of hearing good my Lord cries hee , For Master Cucco that retaineth me ; Whom the lewd Wagtayl basely hath abus'd , In'so vyle tearmes as cannot be excus'd : The parties likewise present here in Courte , And t is a case that well deserues reporte : For which a Iury summoned with speed , And to the tryall presently proceed . The Braine-bald Coot a formall witlesse Asse , Must now the fore-man on this matter passe : The Sottish Dotterill , ignorant and dull ; And next to him the Mawe-cram'd gluttonous Gull . The Lecherous Mallard cal'd vnto the booke , The squealing Lapwing , the rediculous Rooke , The witles Woodcock , and his neighbour Snite , That will be hyr'd to passe on euery rite , With all the rest empanyled to wayte : Which when the Iurye fullie was compleyte , Cald to the Barre , admitted and alow'd : Vp start the Pecocke insolent and prowd ; Of goodly stature and of gratious porte , In presence of the honorable court : Thus for the Playntiffe learnedly began . My Lord ( saith he ) was neuer worthy man , So nobly bred and of so high descent , Of so faire liuely-hood , and so large a rent As is the Cucco , when our plea shall trye , His losse sustained by their infamye . First for the worth and honor of his name , You may the better censure his defame ; From mightie Birds descended euery way , And by his birth ( the messenger to may ) His house still loyall , and his Coate as faire , His fathers tunes he neuer did impaire . His name and nature doe so well agree , As showes his blood repurifyed to bee . In frutefull Sparta , it is since now long , That famous Greece tooke notice of his wrong , When for his wanton and vnchaste desire , A thousand ships stuf'd with reuengefull fire , To Tenedos the proud Aegean laddes , Whence sprang those high immortall Illiades . And since the Romans from the Asian broyles , Return'd with conquest and victorious spoyles . The Cuci heere continually haue beene , As by their auncient Euidence is seene . Liuius . Of Consull Cuccus , from whose mightie name , These liuing Cuccos lineally came . To him , the Auncients , Temples did erect , Which with great pompe and ornament were deckt . Th' Italians call him Becco ( of a nod ) With all the reuerence that belongs a god . What though in loue supposed to be vs'd , What is his vertue need not be excus'd ? The wise man telles ( if nature be our guide ) In following her , we sildome slip aside . And in this Bird ( who can her power deny ) If nature fram'd him to communitye ? Then wisely thus considering his profession , You reuerend Iudges of this lawfull Session : As you are patrones of the righteous cause , Vouchsafe my clyent judgement . Heere doth pause . Scarce could the Peacocke his conclusion make , When straight his turne the Turkie-cocke doth take A learned Lawyer ( worthy of his gowne ) Of reputation both in Court and towne . And to the Bench for audience hauing cry'd , Thus to the Peacock learnedly reply'd . Graue reuerend fathers of the Law ( he said ) The matter that our aduersaries plead Is vaine and idle ; we the poynt inforce Against the Cucco and his lawles course . The Peacock here a cunning speech hath made , To help his clyent and vpholde his trade ; But strip this maske that doth conceale the cause , Examine each perticuler and clause Gainst proose so poore , so indigent of truth , The Bastard Cucco bringing from his youth , First lay'd and hatch'd vp in a nothers nest , Such vilenes raign'd in his base parents breast , Who since that time they neuer sought for shame , Plinic . Nor but their vice dare for his birth-right claime : The Hedge-Sparrow , ( this wicked Bird that bred ) That him so long and diligently fed , ( By her kinde tendance ) getting strength and power , His carefull Nurse doth cruelly deuower : Base as his byrth , so baser is his trade , And to the world a bye-word now is made : No Nation names the Cucco but in scorne , And no man heares him , but he feares the horne : No month regards him but lasciuious Maye , Wherein whil'st youth is dallying with the daye ; His song still tends to vanitie and lust : Amorous deceits ; poligamies injust . But to cut off these tedious allegations , The Lawe commands these publicke defamations , Be straightly punish'd in the Noblest men . Why should you spare the cursed Cucco then ? Who all his life to lewdnes being bent , Rightly deserues the publick'st punishment . Then gentle Iurors , good men , and elect , As vou your safeties carefully respect , If loues sweet Musick and his blisfull cheere ; E're touch'd your harts or mollify'd your eare ; Tender the case , and euermore the wed Shall praise your conscience both at borde and bed . Thus said , he ceas'd ; the Iurors step't aside , Wisely consulting , warily they tryde The circumstance of euery secret sin ; Thus they return'd and brought their verdict in , Cast is the Cucco guiltie of the deede , And for a fine , for his deserued meed Allowes to Mistres Titmouse for hir charge , That she shall after haue her tayle at large : And when she Reuells as she did before , T' exclude the Cucco freely out of dore : And such offenders as they could present , Likewise adiudg'd deserued punishment . The Ringdoue plag'd with Maggots in the Mawe , The Woodcocke gets the swelling of the crawe , The Crowe with dropsie ( whil'st yet liuing ) rottes , The Quayle a Leaper fild with lothsome spottes . The Buzzard of the Letergie is sicke , The Kyte with Feuors falleth Lunaticke , The Epilepsy grew vpon the Iaye , And of a sweat the Bunting drops away . When now the Owle that with a vigelent eye , All these demensions perfectly could trye : Fore-sawe the perrill threatned vnto all , Apt by their loose credulitie to fall , And whose preuention if they did fore-slowe , Their vtter spoyle immedately should growe . My friends ( quoth he ) looke warily about , Many the daungers which you are to doubt : This gallant Oke wherein so oft you play , Perhaps ( at length ) your safetie may betray . And though his shade be delicate and sweet , His truncke beares lyme that may intrap your feet . If , fearing what is requisite and fit , You like my judgement and allowe my wit ; Yours is the good : but if you fondly deeme , Things be within , as outwardly they seeme ; Head-long runne on , and fall into the snare , And say a freind once warn'd you to beware . Thus spake the Owle , whose talke could not be heard , So little , fooles good counsell doth regard , But thinking frensy him his witts beguylde , The honest Bird despightfully reuilde . But marke their end who set aduice at naught , Fooles still too deare haue sound experience bought ; The Husband-man surueying of his ground , Mong'st all the trees this Oke had quickly found : And by all signes and likely-hood of trade , The Birds therein there nightly roosting made . And by the lyme that issued from the tree , They all entangled easily might bee . Taking the same , he spreads it on the sprayes , And through the thicket closely creepes his wayes . When the sad arndern shutting in the light , Wan-sighted Cynthia ( Lady of the night ) Proudly ascending the aetherial state , Whence the bright Phoebus but dismounted late , The dull-ey'd euening his moyst vapours threwe , Strewing the still earth with sweet showers of deawe . When euery Bird replenished with foode , Clapping his stretch't wings liuely from the wood , And on each small branch of this large-lymb'd Oke Their prettie lodgings carelesly they toke , No ill suspecting , fondly vnawares , Quickly entangled in the Fowlers snares . Whose mournfull chirping and their chattering cryes Incites the Owle before his hower to ryse , And hearing from his melancholy seate , The Birds them-selues thus wofully to beate , ( The deed discouered with the mornings light ) Flewe from his pearch : though greeued at the sight , Yet with a smile , his wisdome that became , Which mock'd their folly , though bemoan'd their shame , Quoth he , you foolish Burgers of the field , That in contempt my counsailes lewdly held That , where at late you did but laugh and jeere , Now to your ruyne plainly doth appeere The greatest thing you lightly are to lose , Onely your plumes that fortune can dispose . T is yet a comfort in the depth of smart ; Enuye but seazeth on the outward part . But present perill in a thing of price , Rather craues action then doth stay aduice . Therefore to help you will my power assay : Where-with his wing doth presently display , And with his clawes , the birds of euery kinde Pluckes from the lyme , that left their plumes behinde . The little Robin featherles and free . Regreets the Owle with many a cap and knee . The warbling Mauis mirth-full Peans sung , The Nightingale with her melodious tongue Gaue him such musicke ( to declare their thanks ) That springes and riuers dance aboue theirbanks ; That ( with the repercusion of the Ayre ) Shooke the great Eagle sitting in his Chayre : Which from the mountaine ( with a radiant eye ) Brau'd the bright Cressit of the glorious skye ; Moouing his princely majestie to see , Whence this applause so sodainly should bee , Whose sinewed wings ( in their resistles course ) Beat the thinne Ayre , with such a viloent force , That the light Birds drip't head-long from the skyes , The rocks and forrests trembling with the noyes , Some-what amaz'd at this vn-usuall sight , To see his people in this piteous plight : His soueraigne eare doth presently addresse , Willing to heare the cause of their distresse , To whom the poore Owle ) his obedience done ) Thus to his Liedge Lord , reuerently begon . Monarche of all that beat the ayre with wings , Thou Bird of Ioue , beloued amongst kings : Here stands an Oke well tymbred , largely spred , That many a day hath borne his curled head , Aboue his fellowes dwelling farre and neere , That in the Forrest neuer found his peere ; Whose root well fastned in the frutefull ground , His barke so louely and his heart so sound , ( Through his great wealth ) grew insolent and proud , Because the Birds that in his boughs did shrowd , Vnto his praise continually did sing , And kept their vigils to th' enamored spring . The virgin-huntresse sworne to Dians Bowe , Here in this shade hir quarries did bestowe , And for their Nimphals , building amorous Bowers , Oft drest this tree with Anadems of flowers ; And Flora chose her Nurcery here to shield , Her tender buds the Infants of the field . By which , this tree grewe arrogant in time , In his ranck sap hath bred a loath-some slyme , Whose nature and vile qualitie is such , Strongly to holde what euer it doth tutch , And not content to minister this meane , Which in short time might haue vndone vs cleane ; But euen his boughs the Birds haue honoured so , Lastly imploy'd vnto their generall woe , That when thy subjects dreading no deceit , Came to this Tree as to their safe retreit Falsely betrai'd , and he that sped the best , Hardly escap't , with feathers at the least . Those that I could as I had power and might , Though with much paine , yet lastly did acquight . The rest whose freedome doth exceed my reach , O King of Birds I humbly thee beseech In mercy , let thy mightines puruay , To ransome from this imminent decay . When now the Eagle cutting off his tale , And euen for sorrowe wexing wan and pale ; At which sad sight , this poore implumed crew , Stand faintly trembling in their Soueraigns view : And hauing strech't his Lordly tallant forth , To show th' acceptance of this deed of worth ; You sillye Birds , you wretched Foules ( quoth he ) Hence-forth let this a freindly warning be . Had you ( as nature and our lawes admit ) Built where your noble Auncestors did sit , Wisely prouiding to maintaine their state , Whose names and freedomes you participate , You had not thus bene spoyled of your goods , For subtiltie now dwelleth in the woods . For if too high and haughtily you soare , Those see your falles that houer neere the shoare . If in the Cedar you your nests dispose , The dreadfull lightning euer threatneth those . If in the lowe earth ( in the flattering shade ) The Foulers snares there secretly are laide . Then my deere subjects , as you wish my good , Or haue respect to your succeding brood , Let your wise fathers an example giue , And by their rules learne thriftily to liue . Let these weake Birds , that want wher-with to fight , Submit to those that are of grip and might . Let those of power , the weaker still protect , So none shall need his safetie to suspect ; Suppressing those enormities that are , Whose cure belongs vnto our Soueraigne care . For when wealth growes into a fewe mens hands , And to the great , the poore in many bands ; The pride in Court doth make the Countrie leane , The abject rich holdes auncient honor meane . Mens wits employ'd to base and seruyle shifts , And Lay-men taught , by learn'd mens subtill drifts ; Ill with this state 't must incidently fare . For euen as from th' infection of the ayre , Sundry contagious sicknesses proceed , These mischiefes more continually do breed . Shun beastly lust ( you young well feathered Foule ) That wounds the body , and confounds the soule . That as the subtil'st of the Syrens brood , Bindes all the spirits and ouer-comes the blood ; Darkning the purenes of the inward light , Weakneth the sense and murd'reth reason quite . And you that sit as Iudges of the Lawe , Let not vile gaine your equall Ballance drawe . O! still retaine the Ethiopians guise , ( As iust and vpright , as select and wise ) That in their judgements ( sacred and profound ) Dispos'd them euer meekely on the ground , To showe the Angels ( siting ouer head ) Them were to judge , as they had censured . Thus spake the Eagle , when with muttering noyse The rest attentiue to his power-full voyce ; Giuing a signall of their admiration , The Owle this while in serious contemplation Softly replyes : O mightie soueraigne ! With all the Synod of thy winged traine , Th' aboundant ioyes that in my hart do throng , Require more organs then the onely tongue . O blessed Birds ! how sweet is your subjection Vnder the safe and absolute protection ? Of so exact and excellent a King , So sole and perfect in his gouerning : The reason this ( my graue selected Peeres ) Because t is knowne that in these latter yeeres , The peacefull state prepost'rously disturb'd , By such whose power the great haue hardly curb'd . The iocund Throstle for his varying note , Clad by the Eagle in a speckled coate , Because his voye had judgment for the Palme , Suppos'd him selfe sole patrone of our calme . All say , for singing he had neuer peere : But there were some that did his vertue feare . Why should'st thou then ambitiously despise The manly Falcon ? on whose courage lyes The Kingdomes safetie , which abroad doth rome , By forraigne warres to keepe vs safe at home . I knowe , the straine of an alluring tongue Can tye the full eare and detaine it long , But other fortunes , and the altred place , Craue new directions and an actiue grace . The former vertue may consist alone , But better two ( if firmly ioyn'd in one ) Experience once ( by seruice in the warres ) Did quote his strong Authorityes in scarres ; But in this latter time , it hath beene said , The tongue doth all contemning th' others aid . Virtue whose chiefe praise in the act doth stand , Could wish the tongue still coupled with the hand . But in the Cocke which death vntimely wrack't , In him was both the elegance and act . O when that Bird was rauish'd from our sight , ( Intombing him ) the world intomd'd delight . Lot neuer accent passe my mournfull pen , That leaues his fame vnregistred to men . The Muses vayled with sad Cypres tree ; Vpon his graue , shall powre their teares with mee . O! if the world can weep so many teares As his losse craues , or if in Heauen appeares More plentious sorow ; let them both agree T'lament that hower that reft the earth of thee . O! thought I not some spirit could giue thee more Then this small portion of my scantled store ! I would not leaue ( I first would leaue to liue ) To giue thee fame : O who can greater giue ? This said : sunk downe , as growing faint with speaking , Sighing withall , as though his hart were breaking . The Princely Eagle pittying of his plight , To cheere the poore Owle doing all he might . The Birds applauding with a free consent Followed the Eagle ( with deuout intent ) To the great mountaine , to haue all amended : Thus I awak't , and heere my Dreame was ended . FINIS .