Radius heliconicus or, the resolution of a free state. Fletcher, R. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A84647 of text R212097 in the English Short Title Catalog (Thomason 669.f.15[83]). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 6 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 1 1-bit group-IV TIFF page image. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2017 A84647 Wing F1356 Thomason 669.f.15[83] ESTC R212097 99870747 99870747 163157 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A84647) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 163157) Images scanned from microfilm: (Thomason Tracts ; 246:669f15[83]) Radius heliconicus or, the resolution of a free state. Fletcher, R. 1 sheet ([1] p.) s.n., [London : 1651] Signed at end: R. Fletcher. Verse - "Fame is the life of action. He that will". Annotation on Thomason copy: "feb 28. 1650". Reproduction of the original in the British Library. eng Great Britain -- History -- Commonwealth and Protectorate, 1649-1660 -- Poetry -- Early works to 1800. A84647 R212097 (Thomason 669.f.15[83]). civilwar no Radius heliconicus: or, The resolution of a free state Fletcher, R. 1651 949 1 0 0 0 0 0 11 C The rate of 11 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the C category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. 2007-05 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2007-05 Apex CoVantage Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2007-06 Mona Logarbo Sampled and proofread 2007-06 Mona Logarbo Text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-02 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion RADIUS HELICONICUS : OR , THE RESOLUTION OF A FREE STATE Emori per virtutem praestat , quam vitam miseram atque inhonestam , ubi alienae superbiae ludibrio fueris , per dedecus amittere . Salust . FAme is the life of action . He that will Grasp at a world , must not be scar'd with ill , Or any puling Sophistry that may Clog a brave mind , or rust it by delay . But Gallantry should ramble in the stile Of roaring Torrents , over-run of foile That worm Obstruction : no Attempts can be Beyond true Valours equipollencie . Beasts were decreed to serve : Man hath a free Tenure and birthright of his libertie . Custome enslaves us all : Our fathers were Blinded , and we born heires of their feare . But our deliv'rance dawns ; and Nature seems To joy there is a Seed that dare redeem's . Hang old Descents , those antique Confirmations Of blushing Cowardise , the shame of Nations . We are those limbs of earth which scorn to stoop To that thing Monarchy , or kisse the poop Of any Lawn-sleev'd hrother : Nay , so far From worshipping a Meteor or a Star In this our Element , we soar above Such Sphears , own no Superior lesse then Jove . Lawes were the curbs of Conquest : thence constraint Made them compulsive duties ; which our quaint Insinuating Politiques did give Soon the fain'd name of a Prerogative : A mild construction , or a glosse upon The cruelty of Domination . Thus captiv'd in Succession ran the Times , And the long Vass'lage of these Northern Climes Link'd to one Family and will . But we That set them up , have vow'd a nullitie Of that grand pressure : Hence our lives & swords Shall be the seals and labels of our words . Religion wings the Cause ; and he that dies In its defence , ne're sinks , but falls to rise . The Creatures , Day , and Elements are things We equally partake bot h slaves and Kings : The Earths productions , Rain , and Seasons are Bounties predestin'd to a common share . Why should we cramp our selvs ? nay , not content With the reins of our Civil Government , There is a pack which strive even as they please To force our soules , and wrest our consciences . But faith will not be pinn'd on any one Synod's decree , or mans opinion . No , there 's a freedome still reserv'd in all For the election of their severall Professions here : which as a publique right We 're bound to vindicate 'gainst Hells despight . And therefore heightned with Camilla's zeale , In rescue of a free-born Common-weale From the base yoke of bondage , we defie All the dependencies of Tyrannie . And by the dint of Arms shall make it plain , There is a Truth commands a Soveraign . Let grov'ling Animals submit for feare , And bow their necks : we cannot center there . Our Resolutions strike a higher string Then Tarquin's Base , Tenor , or Minikin . Which time shall ripen , and successe befriend : The glory of a war is in the end . Servility's a plague look'd to be known When snapt by Moores or Tartars : but at home , Even in the womb conceiv'd us , is a curse Not to be parallel'd in death , or worse . He then that will not when he may go free , Commits a sinne against Nativitie . We are not born in fetters ; Nature gives A manumission to each that lives . No Marshals of restraint which may controule's ; The ties we find are seated in our soules . Transgression 's check'd by Reason ; great Crimes by An inbred Justicer , Civility . These by instinct : the rest we do imbrace As supernaturals , devolve from grace . Adam knew no Star-chamber , ( as we see ) Unlesse you mean the heav'nly Canopie : And there few Bishops sate . The pride and will Of most extortious Tyrannies , are still The sinew of our quarrels , which alone Compell'd us to a Reformation . And since we have begun that fatal work , Wee 'll perfect our Attempts , maugre the Turk , Or any humane nay : howe're , wee 'll fall From brave designs and gallant , if at all . Heathens were wont to s●●l their Libertie With universal ruine : Why should we Be lesse couragious ? Though not Roman bands , Yet we have Roman hearts , and Roman hands . Let envy swell and burst ; Malignancie Curse its hard fate , grow sullen , sick , and die : Whiles our triumphant palms spread & increase ; Like the preservers of a common peace . Caesar , and Cromwell : why , 't is all but C. And why not England now , as Italie ? Rome's Basis was as small , as this whereon We hope to raise our Fame's encomion : Nay , our encouragements are rather more . Smile gentle Fortune , as thou didst before . Then Thames as Tybur shall rejoice to be Crown'd with the spoiles of the worlds royaltie : And all the neighb'ring Continents implore To be imbrac'd under the British lore . 'T is but assay'd , and finish'd ; try'd , and done : The act 's half perfect , that is well begun . R. Fletcher . FINIS .