VErtumnus being attired in his accustomed habit of changeable silke , Vertumnus God of the yeare . had newly passed through the first and principall Court-gate of heauen : to whom for a farewell , Description of the Spring . and to shewe how dutifull he was in his office , Ianus ( that beares two faces vnder one hood ) made a very mannerly lowe legge , and ( because he was the onely Porter at that gate ) presented vnto this King of the monethes , all the New-yeares gifts , which were more in number , and more worth then those that are giuen to the great Turke , or the Emperour of Persia : on went Vertumnus in his lustie progresse , Priapus , Flora , the Dryades , and Hamadryades , with all the woodden rabble of those that drest Orchards and Gardens , perfuming all the wayes that he went , with the swéete Odours that breath'd from flowers , hearbes and trées , which now began to péepe out of prison : by vertue of which excellent aires , the skie got a most cleare complexion , lookt smug and smoothe , and had not so much as a wart sticking on her face : the Sunne likewise was freshly and verie richly apparelled in cloth of gold like a bridegroome ; and in stead of gilded Rosemary , the hornes of the Ramme , Vpon the 23 of Marche the Spring begins , by reason of the Sunnes entrance into Aries . ( being the signe of that celestiall bride-house where he laie , to be marryed to the Spring ) were not like your common hornes parcell-gilt , but double double-gilt , with the liquid gold that melted from his beames : for ioy whereof the Larke sung at his windowe euery morning , the Nightingale euery night : the Cuckooe ( like a single-sole Fidler , that réeles from Tauerne to Tauerne ) plide it all the day long : Lambes friskte vp and downe in the vallies , Kids and Goates leapt too and fro on the Mountaines : Shepheards sat piping , country wenches singing : Louers made Sonnets for their Lasses , whilest they made Garlands for their Louers : And as the Country was frolicke , so was the Citie mery : Oliue Trées ( which grow no where but in the Garden of peace ) stood ( as common as Béech does at Midsomer , ) at euery mans doore , braunches of Palme were in euery mans hande : Stréetes were full of people , people full of ioy : euery house séemde to haue a Lorde of misrule in it , in euery house there was so much iollity : no Scritch-Owle frighted the silly Countryman at midnight , nor any Drum the Citizen at noone-day ; but all was more calme than a still water , all husht , as if the Spheres had bene playing in Consort : In conclusion , heauen lookt like a Pallace , and the great hall of the earth , like a Paradice . But O the short-liu'de Felicitie of man ! O world of what slight and thin stuffe is thy happinesse ! Iust in the midst of this iocund Hollday , a storme rises in the West : The Queenes sicknes . Westward ( from the toppe of a Ritch-mount ) descended a hidious tempest , that shooke Cedars , terrified the tallest Pines , and cleft in sunder euen the hardest hearts of Oake : And if such great trées were shaken , what thinke you became of the tender Eglantine , and humble Hawthorne ? they could not ( doubtlesse ) but droope , they could not choose but die with the terror . The Element ( taking the Destinies part , who indéed set abroach this mischiefe ) scowled on the earth , and filling her hie forehead full of blacke wrinckles , tumbling long vp and downe , ( like a great bellyed wife ) her sighes being whirlewindes , and her grones thunder , at length she fell in labour , and was deliuered of a pale , meagre , weake childe , named Sicknesse , whom Death ( with a pestilence ) would néedes take vpon him to nurse , and did so . This starueling being come to his full growth , had an office giuen him for nothing ( and that s a wonder in this age ) Death made him his Herauld : attirde him like a Courtier , and ( in his name ) chargde him to goe into the Priuie Chamber of the English Queene , to sommon her to appeare in the Star-chamber of heauen .

The sommons made her start , but ( hauing an inuincible spirit ) did not amaze her : yet whom would not the certaine newes of parting from a Kingdome amaze ! But she knewe where to finde a richer , Her death . and therefore lightlie regarded the losse of this , and thereupon made readie for that heauenlie Coronation , being ( which was most strange ) most dutifull to obay , that had so many yeares so powrefully commaunded . She obayed deaths messenger , and yéelded her body to the hands of death himselfe . She dyed , resigning her Scepter to posteritie , and her Soule to immortalitie .

The report of her death ( like a thunder-clap ) was able to kill thousands , it tooke away hearts from millions : for hauing brought vp ( euen vnder her wing ) a nation that was almost begotten and borne vnder her ; that neuer shouted any other Aue than for her name , neuer sawe the face of any Prince but her selfe , neuer vnderstoode what that strange out landish word Change signified , how was it possible , but that her sicknes should throw abroad an vniuersall feare , The generall terror that her death bred . and her death an astonishment ? She was the Courtiers treasure , therefore he had cause to mourne : the Lawyers sword of iustice , he might well faint : the Merchants patronesse , he had reason to looke pale : the Citizens mother , he might best lament : the Shepherds Goddesse , and should not he droope ? Onely the Souldier , who had walkt a long time vpon wodden legs , and was not able to giue Armes , though he were a Gentleman , had brisseld vp the quilts of his stiffe Porcupine mustachio , and swore by no beggers that now was the houre come for him to bestirre his stumps : Vsurers and Brokers ( that are the Diuels Ingles , and dwell in the long-lane of hell ) quakt like aspen leaues at his oathes : those that before were the only cut-throates in London , now stoode in feare of no other death : but my Signior Soldado was deceaued , the Tragedie went not forward .

Neuer did the English Nation behold so much black worne as there was at her Funerall : It was then but put on , to try if it were fit , for the great day of mourning was set downe ( in the booke of heauen ) to be held afterwards : that was but the dumb shew , the Tragicall Act hath bin playing euer since . Her Herse ( as it was borne ) séemed to be an Iland swimming in water , for round about it there rayned showers of teares , about her death-bed none : for her departure was so sudden and so strange , that men knew not how to wéepe , because they had neuer bin taught to shed teares of that making . They that durst not speake their sorrowes , whisperd them : they that durst not whisper , sent them foorth in sighes . Oh what an Earth quake is the alteration of a State ! Looke from the Chamber of Presence , to the Farmers cottage , and you shall finde nothing but distraction : the whole Kingdome séemes a wildernes , and the people in it are transformed to wild men . The Map of a Countrey so pittifullie distracted by the horror of a change , if you desire perfectlie to behold , cast your eyes then on this that followes , which being heretofore in priuate presented to the King , I thinke may very worthily shew it selfe before you : And because you shall sée them attirde in the same fashion that they wore before his Maiesty , let these fewe lines ( which stoode then as Prologue to the rest ) enter first into your eares .

Thus farre the Prologue , who leauing the Stage cléere , the feares that are bred in the womb of this altring kingdome do next step vp , acting thus : THe great impostume of the realme was drawne Euen to a head : the multitudinous spawne Was the corruption , which did make it swell With hop'd sedition ( the burnt seed of hell . ) Who did expect but ruine , bloud , and death , To share our kingdome , and deuide our breath ? Religions without religion , To let each other bloud , confusion To be next Queene of England , and this yeere The ciuill warres of France to be plaid heere By Englishmen , ruffians , and pandaring slaues , That faine would dig vp gowty vsurers graues , At such a time , villaines their hopes do honey , And rich men looke as pale as their white money . Now they remoue , and make their siluer sweate , Casting themselues into a couetous heate , And then ( vnseene ) in the confederate darke , Bury their gold without or Priest or Clarke , And say no prayers ouer that dead pelfe , True : gold 's no Christian , but an Indian elfe . Did not the very kingdome seeme to shake , Her pretious massie limbs ? did she not make All english cities ( like her pulses ) beate With people in their veines ? the feare so great , That had it not bin phisickt with rare peace , Our populous bower had lessend her increase . The spring-time that was dry , had sprong in bloud , A greater dearth of men , than e're of foode : In such a panting time , and gasping yeere , Victuals are cheapest , only men are deere . Now each wise-acred Landlord did despaire , Fearing some villaine should become his heire , Or that his sonne and heire before his time , Should now turne villaine , and with violence clime Vp to his life , saying , father you haue seene King Henry , Edward , Mary , and the Queene , I wonder you 'le liue longer ! then he tells him Hee s loth to see him kild , therfore he kills him . And each vast Landlord dyes lyke a poore slaue , Their thousand acres make them but a graue , At such a time , great men conuey theyr treasure Into the trusty City : wayt the leisure Of bloud and insurrection , which warre clips , When euery gate shutts vp her Iron lips ; Imagine now a mighty man of dust , Stands in a doubt , what seruant he may trust , With plate worth thousands : Iewels worth farre more , If he proue false , then his rich Lord proues poore He calls forth one by one , to note theyr graces , Whilst they make legs , he copies out theyr faces , Examines theyr eye-browe , consters theyr beard Singles theyr Nose out , still he rests afeard , The first that comes , by no meanes hee le allow , Has spyed three Hares starting betweene his brow , Quite turnes the word , names it Celeritie , For Hares do run away , and so may hee , A second shewne : him he will scarce behold , His beard 's too red , the colour of his gold , A third may please him , but t is hard to say , A rich man 's pleasde , when his goods part away . And now do cherrup by , fine golden nests Of well hatcht bowles : such as do breed in feasts , For warre and death cupboords of plate downe pulls , Then Bacchus drinkes not in gilt-bowles , but sculls . Let me descend and stoope my verse a while , To make the Comicke cheeke of Poesie smile ; Ranck peny-fathers scud ( with their halfe hammes , Shadowing theyr calues ) to saue theyr siluer dammes , At euery gun they start , tilt from the ground , One drum can make a thousand Vsurers sownd . In vnsought Allies and vnholesome places , Back-wayes and by-lanes , where appeare fewe faces , In shamble-smelling roomes , loathsome prospects , And penny-lattice-windowes , which reiects All popularitie : there the rich Cubs lurke , When in great houses ruffians are at worke , Not dreaming that such glorious booties lye Vnder those nasty roofes : such they passe by Without a search , crying there 's nought for vs , And wealthy men deceiue poore villaines thus . Tongue-trauelling Lawyers faint at such a day , Lye speechlesse , for they haue no words to say . Phisitions turne to patients , theyr Arts dry , For then our fat men without phisick dye . And to conclude , against all Art and good , Warre taints the Doctor , let s the Surgion blood .

Such was the fashion of this Land , when the great Land-Lady thereof left it : Shée came in with the fall of the leafe , and went away in the Spring : her life ( which was dedicated to Virginitie , both beginning & closing vp a miraculous Mayden circle : for she was borne vpon a Lady Eue , and died vpon a Lady Eue : her Natiuitie & death being memorable by this wonder : the first and last yeares of her Raigne by this , that a Lee was Lorde Maior when she came to the Crowne , and a Lee Lorde Maior when she departed from it . Thrée places are made famous by her for thrée things , Greenwich for her birth , Richmount for her death , White-Hall for her Funerall : vpon her remouing from whence , ( to lend our tiring prose a breathing time ) stay , and looke vpon these Epigrams , being composed .

Thus you sée that both in her life and her death she was appointed to be the mirror of her time : And surely , if since the first stone that was layd for the foundation of this great house of the world , there was euer a yeare ordeined to be wondred at , it is only this : 1603. A more wonderfull yeere than 88. the Sibils , Octogesimus , Octauus Annus , that same terrible 88. which came sayling hither in the Spanish Armada , and made mens hearts colder then the frozen Zone , when they heard but an inckling of it : that 88. by whose horrible predictions , Almanack-makers stoode in bodily feare , their trade would be vtterly ouerthrowne , and poore Erra Pater was threatned ( because he was a Iew ) to be put to baser offices , than the stopping of mustard-pots , that same 88. which had more prophecies waiting at his héeles , than euer Merlin the Magitian had in his head , was a yeare of Iubile to this . Platoes Mirabilis Annus , ( whither it be past alreadie , or to come within these foure yeares ) may throwe Platoes cap at Mirabilis , for that title of wonderfull is bestowed vpon 1603. If that sacred Aromatically-perfumed fire of wit ( out of whose flames Phoenix poesie doth arise ) were burning in any brest , I would féede it with no other stuffe for a tweluemoneth and a day than with kindling papers full of lines , that should tell only of the chances , changes , and strange shapes that this Protean Climactericall yeare hath metamorphosed himselfe into . It is able to finde ten Chroniclers a competent liuing , and to set twentie Printers at worke . You shall perceiue I lye not , if ( with Peter Bales ) you will take the paines to drawe the whole volume of it into the compasse of a pennie . As first , to begin with the Quéenes death , then the Kingdomes falling into an Ague vpon that . Next , followes the curing of that feauer by the wholesome receipt of a proclaymed King . That wonder begat more , for in an houre , two mightie Nations were made one : wilde Ireland became tame on the sudden , and some English great ones that before séemed tame , on the sudden turned wilde : The same Parke which great Iulius Caesar inclosd , to hold in that Déere whom they before hunted , being now circled ( by a second Caesar ) with stronger pales to kéepe them from leaping ouer . And last of all ( if that wonder be the last and shut vp the yeare ) a most dreadfull plague . This is the Abstract , and yet ( like Stowes Chronicle in Decimo sexto to huge Hollinshead ) these small pricks in this Sea-card of ours , represent mightie Countreys ; whilst I haue the quill in my hand , let me blow them bigger .

The Quéene being honored with a Diademe of Starres , France , Spaine , and Belgia , lift vp their heads , preparing to do asmuch for England by giuing ayme , whilst she shot arrowes at her owne brest ( as they imagined ) as she had done ( many a yeare together ) for them : and her owne Nation betted on their sides , looking with distracted countenance for no better guests than Ciuill Sedition , Vprores , Rapes , Murders , and Massacres . But the whéele of Fate turned , a better Lottery was drawne , Pro Troia stabat Apollo , God stuck valiantlie to vs , For behold , vp rises a comfortable Sun out of the North , whose glorious beames ( like a fan ) dispersed all thick and contagious clowdes . The losse of a Quéene , was paid with the double interest of a King and Quéene . The Cedar of her gouerment which stoode alone and bare no fruit , is changed now to an Oliue , vpon whose spreading branches grow both Kings and Quéenes . Oh it were able to fill a hundred paire of writing tables with notes , but to sée the parts plaid in the compasse of one houre on the stage of this new-found world ! Vpon Thurseday it was treason to cry God saue king Iames king of England , King Iames proclaymed . and vpon Friday hye treason not to cry so . In the morning no voice heard but murmures and lamentation , at noone nothing but shoutes of gladnes & triumph . S. George and S. Andrew that many hundred yeares had defied one another , were now sworne brothers : England and Scotland ( being parted only with a narrow Riuer , and the people of both Empires speaking a language lesse differing than english within it selfe , as tho prouidence had enacted , that one day those two Nations should marry one another ) are now made sure together , and king Iames his Coronation , is the solemne wedding day . Happiest of all thy Ancestors ( thou mirror of all Princes that euer were or are ) that at seauen of the clock wert a king but ouer a péece of a little Iland , and before eleuen the greatest Monarch in Christendome . Now — Siluer Crowds Of blisfull Angels and tryed Martirs tread On the Star-seeling ouer Englands head : Now heauen broke into a wonder , and brought forth Our omne bonum from the holesome North ( Our fruitfull souereigne ) Iames , at whose dread name Rebellion swounded , and ( ere since ) became Groueling and nerue-lesse , wanting bloud to nourish , For Ruine gnawes her selfe when kingdomes flourish . Now are our hopes planted in regall springs , Neuer to wither , for our aire breedes kings : And in all ages ( from this soueraigne time ) England shall still be cald the royall clime . Most blisfull Monarch of all earthen powers , Seru'd with a messe of kingdomes , foure such bowers ( For prosprous hiues , and rare industrious swarmes ) The world conteines not in her solid armes . O thou that art the Meeter of our dayes , Poets Apollo ! deale thy Daphnean bayes To those whose wits are bay-trees , euer greene , Vpon whose hye tops , Poesy chirps vnseene : Such are most fit , t'apparell Kings in rimes , Whose siluer numbers are the Muses chimes , Whose spritely caracters ( being once wrought on ) Out-liue the marble th' are insculpt vpon : Let such men chant thy vertues , then they flye On Learnings wings vp to Eternitie . As for the rest , that limp ( in cold desert ) Hauing small wit , lesse iudgement , and least Art : Their verse ! t is almost heresie to heare , Banish their lines some furlong , from thine eare : For t is held dang'rous ( by Apolloes signe ) To be infected with a leaprous line . O make some Adamant Act ( ne're to be worne ) That none may write but those that are true-borne : So when the worlds old cheekes shall race and peele , Thy Acts shall breath in Epitaphs of Steele .

By these Comments it appeares that by this time king Iames is proclaimed : The ioyes that followed vpon his proclayming . now dooes fresh bloud leap into the chéekes of the Courtier : the Souldier now hangs vp his armor and is glad that he shall féede vpon the blessed fruits of peace : the Scholler sings Hymnes in honor of the Muses , assuring himselfe now that Helicon will be kept pure , because Apollo himselfe drinkes of it . Now the thriftie Citizen casts beyond the Moone , and séeing the golden age returned into the world againe , resolues to worship no Saint but money . Trades that lay dead & rotten , and were in all mens opinion vtterly dambd , started out of their trance , as though they had drunke of Aqua Caelestis , or Vnicornes horne , and swore to fall to their olde occupation . Taylors meant no more to be called Merchant-taylors , but Merchants , for their shops were all lead forth in leases , to be turned into ships , and with their sheares ( in stead of a Rudder ) would they haue cut the Seas ( like Leuant Taffaty ) and sayld to the West Indies for no worse stuffe to make hose and doublets of , than beaten gold : Or if the necessitie of the time ( which was likely to stand altogether vpon brauery ) should presse them to serue with their iron and Spanish weapons vpon their stalls , then was there a sharp law made amongst them , that no workeman should handle any néedle but that which had a pearle in his eye , nor any copper thimble , vnlesse it were linde quite through , or bumbasted with siluer . What Mechanicall hardhanded Vulcanist ( séeing the dice of Fortune run so swéetly , and resoluing to strike whilst the iron was hote ) but perswaded himselfe to be Maister or head Warden of his Company ere halfe a yeare went about ? The worst players boy stoode vpon his good parts , swearing tragicall and buskind oaths , that how villainously soeuer he randed , or what bad and vnlawfull action soeuer he entred into , he would in despite of his honest audience , be halfe a sharer ( at least ) at home , or else strowle ( that 's to say trauell ) with some notorious wicked floundring companie abroade . And good reason had these time-catchers to be led into this fooles paradice , for they sawe mirth in euery mans face , the stréetes were plum'd with gallants , Tobacconists fild vp whole Tauernes : Vintners hung out spick and span new Iuy-bushes ( because they wanted good wine ) and their old raine-beaten lattices marcht vnder other cullors , hauing lost both company and cullors before . London was neuer in the high way to preferment till now ; now she resolued to stand vpon her pantoffles : now ( and neuer till now ) did she laugh to scorne that worme-eaten prouerb of Lincolne was , London is , and Yorke shall be , for she saw her selfe in better state then Ierusalem , she went more gallant then euer did Antwerp , was more courted by amorous and lustie suiters then Venice ( the minion of Italy ) more loftie towers stood ( like a Coronet , or a spangled head-tire ) about her Temples , then euer did about the beawtifull forehead of Rome : Tyrus and Sydon to her were like two thatcht houses , to Theobals : the grand Cayr but a hogsty . Hinc illae lachrimae , She wept her belly full for all this . Whilst Troy was swilling sack and sugar , and mowsing fat venison , the mad Gréekes made bonefires of their houses : Old Priam was drinking a health to the wodden horse , and before it could be pledgd had his throat cut . Corne is no sooner ripe , but for all the pricking vp of his eares he is pard off by the shins , and made to go vpon stumps . Flowers no sooner budded , but they are pluckt and dye . Night walks at the héeles of the day , and sorrow enters ( like a tauerne-bill ) at the taile of our pleasures : for in the Appenine height of this immoderate ioy and securitie ( that like Powles Steeple ouer-lookt the whole Citie ) Behold , that miracle-worker , who in one minute turnd our generall mourning to a generall mirth , does now againe in a moment alter that gladnes to shrikes & lamentation .

Here would I faine make a full point , The Plague . because posteritie should not be frighted with those miserable tragedies , which now my muse ( as Chorus ) stands readie to present . Time would thou hadst neuer bin made wretched by bringing them forth , Obliuion would in all the graues and sepulchers , whose rancke iawes thou hast already closd vp or shalt yet hereafter burst open , thou couldst likewise bury them for euer .

A stiffe and fréezing horror sucks vp the riuers of my bloud : my haire stands an end with the panting of my braines : mine eye-balls are readie to start out , being beaten with the billowes of my teares : out of my wéeping pen does the inck mournefullie and more bitterly than gall drop on the pale-fac'd paper , euen when I do but thinke how the bowels of my sicke country haue bin torne . Apollo therefore and you bewitching siluer tongd Muses get you gone , Inuocate none of your names : Sorrow and Truth , sit you on each side of me , whilst I am deliuered of this deadly burden : prompt me that I may vtter ruthfull and passionate condolement : arme my trembling hand , that it may boldly rip vp and Anatomize the vlcerous body of this Anthropophagized plague : Anthropophagi are Scithians that feede on mens flesh . lend me Art ( without any counterfet shadowing ) to paint and delineate to the life the whole story of this mortall and pestiferous battaile , & you the ghosts of those more ( by many ) then 40000. that with the virulent poison of infection haue bin driuen out of your earthlie dwellings : you desolate hand-wringing widdowes , that beate your bosomes ouer your departing husbands : you wofully distracted mothers that with disheueld haire falne into swounds , whilst you lye kissing the insensible cold lips of your breathlesse Infants : you out-cast and downe-troden Orphanes , that shall many a yeare hence remember more freshly to mourne , when your mourning garments shall looke olde and be forgotten ; And you the Genij of all those emptyed families , whose habitations are now among the Antipodes : Ioyne all your hands together , and with your bodies cast a ring about me : let me behold your ghastly vizages , that my paper may receiue their true pictures : Eccho forth your grones through the hollow truncke of my pen , and raine downe your gummy teares into mine Incke , that euen marble bosomes may be shaken with terrour , and hearts of Adamant melt into compassion .

What an vnmatchable torment were it for a man to be bard vp euery night in a vast silent Charnell-house ? hung ( to make it more hideous ) with lamps dimly & slowly burning , in hollow and glimmering corners : where all the pauement should in stead of gréene rushes , be strewde with blasted Rosemary , withered Hyacinthes , fatall Cipresse and Ewe , thickly mingled with heapes of dead mens bones : the bare ribbes of a father that begat him , lying there : here the Chaples hollow scull of a mother that bore him : round about him a thousand Coarses , some standing bolt vpright in their knotted winding shéetes : others halfe mouldred in rotten Goffins , that should suddenly yawne wide open , filling his nosthrils with noysome stench , and his eyes with the sight of nothing but crawling wormes . And to kéepe such a poore wretch waking , he should hear no noise but of Toads croaking , Scréech-Owles howling , Mandrakes shriking : were not this an infernall prison ? would not the strongest-harted man ( beset with such a ghastly horror ) looke wilde ? and runne madde ? and die ? And euen such a formidable shape did the diseased Citie appeare in : For he that durst ( in the dead houre of gloomy midnight ) haue bene so valiant , as to haue walkte through the stil and melancholy stréets , what thinke you should haue bene his musicke ? Surely the loude grones of rauing sicke men : the strugling panges of soules departing : In euery house griefe striking vp an Allarum : Seruants crying out for maisters : wiues for husbands , parents for children , children for their mothers : here he should haue met some frantickly running to knock vp Sextons ; there , others fearfully sweating with Coffins , to steale forth dead bodies , least the fatall hand-writing of death should seale vp their doores . And to make this dismall consort more full , round about him Bells heauily tolling in one place , and ringing out in another : The dreadfulnesse of such an houre , is in-vtterable : let vs goe further .

If some poore man , suddeinly starting out of a sweet and golden slumber , should behold his house flaming about his eares , all his family destroied in their sléepes by the mercilesse fire ; himselfe in the verie midst of it , wofully and like a madde man calling for helpe : would not the misery of such a distressed soule , appeare the greater , if the rich Vsurer dwelling next doore to him , should not stirre , ( though he felt part of the danger ) but suffer him to perish , when the thrusting out of an arme might haue saued him ! O how many thousandes of wretched people haue acted this poore mans part ? how often hath the amazed husband waking , found the comfort of his bedde lying breathlesse by his side ! his children at the same instant gasping for life ! and his seruaunts mortally wounded at the hart by sicknes ! the distracted creature , beats at deaths doores , exclaimes at windows , his cries are sharp inough to pierce heauen , but on earth no eare is opend to receiue them .