FENNOR'S Descriptions, OR A TRUE RELATION OF Certain and divers speeches, spoken before the King and Queen's most excellent Majesty, the Prince his highness, and the Lady ELIZABETH's Grace.  
By WILLIAM FENNOR, His majesties Servant.  
LONDON, Printed by EDWARD GRIFFIN, for GEORGE GIBBS, and are to be sold at his shop in Paul's Churchyard at the sign of the Flower-Deluce. 1616.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE WILLIAM, Earl of Pembroke, LORD Chamberlain of his majesties household, Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter, etc.  
THis silly Infant, borne before the time,  
Got life by reason, though begot in rhyme  
By her true father; she is very young,  
And yet as females quickly find a tongue,  
So doth this changeling babble for a Patron,  
Forsakes her Father, and outruns her Matron.  
At length for her protection she hath found,  
Your honour with a wreath of virtues crowned,  
To whom herself she humbly dedicates  
That knew her birth, and breeding, let the Fates  
Prove happy to the end of your lives race,  
To crown your Greatness, with immortal grace.  
Your Honours ever bounden in all duties, William Fennor.   

To the Gentlemen Readers.  
WOrthy gentlemen, of what degree soever, I suppose this Pamphlet will hap into your hands, before a play begin, with the importunate clamour, of Buy a new Book, by some needy companion, that will be glad to furnish you with work for a turned Taster. I rest well assured some of you will know me at the sight of the infant, to such I commend it for acquaintance sake; others (I make no question) have heard of me, to those I send it, in hope of better acquaintance; A third sort (it may be) never knew me, nor I think care not whether ever they do or no: To them I present it as carelessly as unthrifts spend their anuities. Last to Critics, I wish it may hap as seldom into their hands, as Usurers give alms, or Lawyers plead pro nihil. If any chance to say my invention runs low, in regard I sell relations for demonstrations, to such I answer, not like a light housewife, that will be won before she be wooed; but like a chaste virgin that would be scarce won with wooing: as for example, it is three years since I spoke some of these speeches, and since that time I have been earnestly entreated by noble personages (who have had private copies for their own use) to print it for public delight, at length I consented, & since I am won, have amongst you gallants, let it speed as it will. This is my comfort, how ere it prove in the reading, it was well liked in the rehearsing, by that Imperial power; for whose prosperous continuance we are all in duty bound to pray, Farewell.  
Yours in honest mirth, W. F.   

In Laudem Authoris.  
WHat Enthousiasmos, what celestial spirit,  
what sacred fury doth thy brains inherit?  
When as without the liberty of time,  
with reason thou dost couch thy witty rhyme  
So quick, so nimble, and acute that all  
wise men, will hold thy wit Canonical.  
Why shouldst thou not then wear a wreath of bays,  
nay a whole grove of Laurel to thy praise  
On thy ingenious temples, seeing no man  
can match thee, our times best Ovidian?  
Though in this wit-blest age there's many men,  
have gained them endless glory by their pen,  
Yet none of these could ever say like thee,  
that what they writ, was done extempore.  
Therefore were I thy Patron and possessed  
but half that wealth wherewith some men are blest:  
Thou shouldst for ever in thy life inherit  
means, as were correspondent to thy merit:  
And being dead thy name should live inrouled,  
not in course parchment, but rich leaves of gold.  
john Meltonne.   

In Laudem Authoris.  
WHy hath thy pen been hid in obscure shades,  
or thy lines locked in the dark womb of night,  
Which being published, when thy body fades,  
in earth's deep Caverns may give others light?  
Thy Muse the love of Noblemen persuades  
to shelter her, by their protecting might,  
Gainest pining envy, who with rusty blades,  
stands opposite against good works to fight;  
With belching hate, who her full gorge unlades,  
to make wit loathsome in the vulgar sight  
Of men illiterate, and Mechanic trades,  
that scarce can judge betwixt the wrong and right,  
Of thy endeavours which the heart invades  
of worth (to praise thee) what though Critics bite,  
And through the gulf of base disliking wades,  
so far until she drown herself in spite  
Of all man's succour, other wenching jades  
can like of nothing, but all things indight,  
To their own censures; but bright fame shall spread  
her leaves, where thou shalt live, when thou art dead.  
Tho. Gunson.   

TO HIS FRIEND Mr. FENNOR.  
I Praise thee not because thou art my friend,  
nor would I hate thee, if thou wert my foe,  
But these good parts in thee I must commend,  
which Art and Nature did on thee bestow  
In thy blessed cradle, but go forward still,  
Make thy friends sharers of thy nimble quill.  
J. B.   

THE CONTENTS of this Book.  

1. THe description of a Poet.  
2. The description of the Palsegraves' Country, with an addition of the marriage betwixt the Prince, and Princess, etc.  
3. Cupid's journey to Germany with the effects of the same.  
4. The original of the most noble order of the Garter.  
5. The deciding of the difference betwixt Oxford and Cambridge, about the King's entertainment.  
6. The Gowries and Gunpowder Treason.  
7. A Parliament of Gods in a pastoral song.    

The Description of a Poet.  
A Poet's life is most unfortunate,  
Governed by Stars of high malignant fate;  
Yet for his worth thus high my pen shall raise him,  
The rankled tooth of envy never stays him  
From writing nobly. A true Poet can  
Describe the inside of an outward man:  
Kill him in's life time, make him live being dead,  
His lines with Bays adorn his victor's head:  
This is his chiefest blessing to be good:  
But when his writings are not understood,  
(O) ti's a plague beyond man's patient thought,  
What he makes good a multitude makes nought.  
A horrid murderer, or a base thief  
In his foul bosom harbers' lesser grief,  
Then heaven-bred Poesy: they shall be tried  
By upright justice, and their faults descried  
Before a public Bench, hold up their hand  
And plead not guilty, on their just cause stand,  
Twelve men empanelled to find this out  
Before the sentence pass, to clee●e the doubt,  
Of judging rashly. But sweet Poesy  
Is oft convict, condemned, and judged to die  
Without just trial, by a multitude  
Whose judgements are illiterate, and rude.  
Witness Sceianus, whose approved worth,  
Sounds from the calm South, to the freezing North.  
And on the perfumed wings of Zephyrus,  
In triumph mounts as far as Aeolus,  
With more than human art it was bedewed,  
Yet to the multitude it nothing showed;  
They screwed their scurvy jaws and looked awry,  
Like hissing snakes adjudging it to die:  
When wits of gentry did applaud the same,  
With Silver shouts of high loud sounding fame:  
Whilst understanding grounded men contemned it,  
And wanting wit (like fools to judge) condemned it.  
Clapping, or hissing, is the only mean  
That tries and searches out a well writ Scene.  
So is it thought by Ignoramus crew,  
But that good wits acknowledge's untrue;  
The stinckards oft will hiss without a cause,  
And for a bawdy jest will give applause.  
Let one but ask the reason why they roar  
They'll answer, cause the rest did so before.  
But leaving these who for their just reward,  
Shall gape, and gaze, amongst the fools in th'yard.  
Now to our Poets; they are much like mothers,  
That love their own babes far above all others  
Though harder favoured: so a Poet's quill  
With his own labours best doth please his will,  
The reasons this, because he knows the pains  
He took in the Composing, from whose brains,  
A Poet's worth takes birth, at first ti's weak  
Till by the life of Action it doth speak,  
In a square Theatre; yet understand  
The Actor speaks but at the second hand.  
The Poet scans, and knows, what best befits  
His birth whom he adorns with Epithets,  
Congruus accents: but I here strike sail  
That have just cause my weakness to bewail,  
That am no Poet, rather a poor pleader  
For friendly sentence from the judging Reader,  
As you allow the best, forgive what's ill,  
Though harshly wrote accept of my good will.  
FINIS.   

A description of the Palsgrave's Country, as it was delivered in a speech before the King, the Prince, the Lady ELIZABETH, at White-Hall.  By W. F. 

THe morning's Bridegroom with his Rosy cheek  
invites chaste Cynthia to a Royal feast:  
Long for her welcome presence did he seek,  
to grace his Princely region in the East,  
Fair Phebe's light he doth esteem divine,  
to make his splendour 'mongst the Germans shine.   

High Princely Palsgrave, Protestants Protector,  
loud sounding fames report, Germans rich treasure,  
Arch-shewer of the Empire, chief Elector,  
whose yea, or nay, sets up, or puts down Caesar.  
O! let it not in me be thought ambition,  
To show the Country's worth, and Thy condition.   

On the right side of Pals the river Rhyne,  
runs swimming by the banks of pleasant vines,  
Upon whose tops bright Sol so warm doth shine,  
that from the flinty rocks flow Rhenish wines,  
And on the left side glides the gentle main,  
there are few Lands have two such floods again.   

These rivers meet at Mence and are united,  
like Gemeni to swim towards Belgic Seas,  
But upward these sweet waters are divided  
for Pals-Lands comfort and the people ease:  
The Rhine brings boats unto each southward Town,  
but in the North the main brings treasure down   

From Brandenburg and High-born Saxons Land,  
great Chamberlain, and Lord high martial;  
Mence, Triurs, and Cullen, for the Pope's right stand,  
if either side in choice be partial,  
bohemia's King he is indifferent,  
betwixt the Papist and the Protestant.   

These are the seven pillars of the Land,  
on which great Europe Empire standeth fast  
Pals, Brandenburg, and Saxony in one hand,  
unite their strength which makes their powers last:  
The Popish Prelates at these Prince's frown,  
yet these three Protestants uphold the Crown.   

To second them there's Brund-swickes valiant Duke,  
Hessons great landgrave worthy of renown,  
And for the Pope's right there's the Prince of Luke,  
the City Cullen and great Ausburge Town,  
But Frankford's force with Protestants doth hold,  
which by the Palsgrave's power make Papists could.   

In this fair Frankford Caesar was installed,  
this City borders on the Palsgrave's Land,  
'tis richly furnished and most strongly walled,  
well stored with all provision, stoutly man'd.  
But leaving Frankford seated on the main,  
the bridge hath brought me into Pals again.   

Betwixt the Rivers that are named before  
the Palsgrave's Land stands like a Paradise:  
The ground is fruitful yielding vineyards store,  
and mighty woods for hunting exercise  
Stand on the hills, environing the plains,  
these Forests brings the Palsgrave treble gains.   

First they enrich his Country (large) with wood,  
secondly, they afford him venison store,  
Thirdly, for hunting pleasures they are good,  
to rouse the Stag, or chase the tusked Boar:  
If man on earth would choose a place of pleasure,  
His Country yields it in exceeding measure.   

On rocky cliffs his stately Castles stand,  
like to mount Zion built of Marble stone;  
With turrets out of which he views his Land,  
such worthy prospects here are few or none.  
Their air it is so wholesome kind and sweet,  
they seldom die till death and age do meet.   

At Bachrade stands a Castle on a cleft,  
and underneath a City of some state,  
Which ever is his eldest sons by gift,  
it would seem tedious if I should relate  
Each several Castle, but let me report  
the state of Hedelberge his Princely Court.   

Palace of pleasure and a house of State,  
his winter's White-Hall, and his summers Hampton,  
A River glideth underneath the gate,  
which brings him plenty, nothing hath he lack on:  
There stands a vessel which shall near want wine,  
so long as earth bears fruit, or sun doth shine.   

Brave Knights and Barons on his grace attend,  
His Countries ordered by a martial:  
All strangers do his government commend,  
because in nothing he is partial,  
But deals withal according to desert,  
which makes all people honour him in heart.   

His Court is pleasant, and his person Royal,  
his Council grave, his Officers care true;  
His Gentry faithful, and his Commons loyal,  
his lands are fruitful, what can then ensue?  
Nothing but his Religion, which is grounded  
upon the Gospel that hath Rome confounded.   

In him there flows the best of Art and Nature,  
himself like David, and his Court like Zion;  
Of lovely visage and of comely stature,  
yet full of majesty as is a Lion,  
For with severity his grace is kind,  
justice and pity in his heart are joined.   

What may be in a Prince in him their flows,  
excepting Vice for that he ever hated;  
What should be in a Prince in him their grows:  
for England's good this good Prince was created,  
His Laws are just his government is civil,  
he doth pursue good and escheweth evil.   

Many brave Castles his fair Land doth yield,  
and toll houses upon the river Rhyne,  
Which underneath his Castles he doth build,  
to store his Coffers with all Country coin,  
Each passage boat before they pass away,  
unto these Toll-houses must custom pay.   

Five Princes in this iron age survive,  
which makes it seem the silver world again:  
To match them hardly shall we find out five  
yet we'll forbear to speak of France or Spain,  
Five heirs, five youths, five kinsmen, and five Princes,  
Of one Religion, though in five Provinces.   

Young Prince of Hesson is the first must enter,  
to act his virtues on the world's Theatre;  
'tis hard to find a young man on earth's centre,  
that is a virtue lover and vice hater,  
Old Landsgraves' glass hath many hours to run,  
whilst all his virtues liveth in his Son.   

Young Prince of Brundswicke craves the second place,  
whose virtues with him brings a noble spirit:  
he's mild and courteous, mixed with majestic grace,  
his praise is not so much as he doth merit:  
A Prince, a Scholar, and a travailer,  
a peaceful youth and yet a Soldier.   

Young Prince of Brandenbergh, Prince absolute,  
for now thou reignest in thy Father's stead;  
Thy ears are open unto everr suit,  
thy hand is prone to every worthy deed,  
Many degrees thy virtues do commence,  
Brandenburg never had a better Prince.   

Young Prince of Pals, or Palsgrave of the Rhine,  
were this a Chronicle and the letters gold;  
To register thy virtues most divine,  
to make all Nations wonder to behold,  
Thy grace of all their goodness doth allow,  
But all their graces to thy goodness bow.   

Young Prince of England period of my praise,  
thy virtues now thou interest fills the round,  
Subduing evil and all good to raise,  
thy powers ready now my praise is crowned:  
Four kingdoms comfort, and Great Britain's joy,  
mischief befall him that thinks the annoy.   

These Princes several virtues do agree,  
and in a true conjunction symphathize;  
When Princely fruit springs from a royal tree,  
there future branches to the like state rise:  
Each of these are their Country's joyful hope,  
friends to the Gospel, foes toth' Devil and Pope.   

Three matchless Virgins in this wanton age,  
virtue doth here commend for the world's mirror,  
Their hallowed feet tread on Dyanes' stage,  
their spotless thoughts are free from female error:  
In framing of these three, Nature did well,  
but made a fourth that doth herself excel.   

Hessons fair Virgin one of virtues train,  
Lady of pleasure, and the Nymph of peace,  
Whose face the stamp of beauty doth contain,  
which in her lively image near shall cease;  
A match fit for a Prince, sweet Saintlike creature,  
wonder of all that gaze on thy fair feature.   

brunswick's bright Virgin, Germans lovely rose,  
whose vestal lamp shines like the Moon at full,  
Thou art admired by the Dutch-land Froes,  
Saxony vows thy blowming bud to pull:  
A Prince of virtues and a Princess true  
who can deny, when such for love do sue.   

Brandingburghs Sister of an Angel's face,  
the top of virtue and the branch of beauty;  
Of humble, modest, and majestic grace,  
the gods have strove who first should show their duty,  
Diana and Venus are for her at strife;  
which choice is best for her, a maid or wife.   

Thus they contend each hour ' boat all three;  
Diana speaks, Virgins hearken to my voice,  
Keep yourselves single if you would live free,  
Venus says sports in bed cause maids rejoice.  
But let them chide, I can judge neither rude,  
till the fourth virgin wife the jar conclude.   

England's fair Phoenix, Europe's admiration,  
of matchless beauty, yet of virtue rare;  
A kingdoms comfortable consolation  
who ever rarest is, yet she is rarer.  
Now in the East she lets her splendour shine▪  
all do confess she is a light divine.   

She seeing Diana and loves Queen at odds,  
Diana made claim, bright Venus swore she'd have her,  
At last the cause being heard before the gods;  
Hymen stood up and this sweet sentence gave her,  
For chaste virginity, mates hast thou none,  
and being wed like thee, shall scarce be one.   

Poets leave writing of the Grecian Queen,  
and of Aeneas, Lady Venus' son:  
Two rarer beauties shortly shall be seen  
in Almany, when England's pride is won.  
Make haste young Prince, swim lively down the Rhine,  
to style her peerless Princess Palatine.   

Lend all your hands to knit this Princely knot,  
all everlasting joy bind sure the same;  
A noble Prince, a Princess without spot,  
will fill the trump of ever sounding fame:  
All Europe's bells that joyful day shall ring,  
Pals hath joined power, with England's royal King.   
FINIS.   

Cupid's journey to Germany and the effects of the same.  
WHen Hymen had his sentence ended,  
He of the gods was much commended,  
Venus was buxom blithe and glad  
But Dyans' front with frowns looked sad,  
Almain was filled with loves desires  
Their heart flamed Citharean fires,  
Oldenburgs' Earl and Hessons Prince  
Sent presents from their heart's Province:  
Love in a rich shape crossed the main  
From Courtly France and haughty Spain,  
With hope to gain this matchless prize.  
But storms of Non-suite did arise,  
Which filled their sails with discontent,  
And blew them back incontinent.  
Then Cupid took a box of balm,  
And gave to Neptune for a calm;  
To Aeolus he sent a ring,  
Entreating him no sighs to fling:  
In his sails forefront thus he went  
To th' Seas embarked with sweet content,  
Sweet Zephyrus to win a wreath  
Into loves sails goodwill did breath,  
Which soon conveyed him to the Rhine  
Where Bacchus quaffs up Rhenish wine.  
There Cupid feasted in each Court  
And at the length met true report,  
Whose news did cause the boy admire,  
Filling his heart with ardent fire.  
And presently he mounts the skies,  
To crave one of his mother's eyes:  
She grants the suit and thus she spoke,  
I'll do it for the Prince's sake.  
Her left eye she placed in his for'head,  
Which made the God of love adored.  
He took his leave and humbly bends,  
And from her Deity descends;  
The winged youth who understood,  
His way by's eye through thickest wood,  
Where Silvian took up her stay,  
And met with Cupid on the way,  
But she from him began to fly,  
When she perceived he had an eye,  
Lest he her nakedness should see  
She shrouds herself behide a tree.  
For Autumn that the field bereaves  
Had left her nought but withered leaves.  
Cupid amazed kept still the path  
Which brought him to a private bath,  
And close by it a thicket stood,  
More like an Arbour than a Wood,  
The willows twisted arm in arm,  
To keep the Bower in winter warm,  
And in the summer when the sun  
Through the high Meridian run,  
He cannot pierce in with bright eyes  
But peep through hole cut chequer wise.  
This Arbour filled with naked Imphes,  
The thrice three Muses and their Nymphs.  
Diana with sundry flowers crowned  
Begird abount with Virgins round:  
Cupid drew nigh and got a sight,  
Which bred in him no small delight.  
None did deny the shamefast boy,  
But in him took exceeding joy  
Save Diana, whose wrath did invade her,  
Until at length all did persuade her  
To smiling mirth which she allows  
And took her viol from the bows,  
Whereon most sweetly she did play  
A well contrived Roundelay.  
Which ravished so the god of Love,  
That he a question thus did move.  
You Nymphs and Goddesses of grace,  
How do you call this sacred place:  
This is (quoth they) the Muse's fountain,  
Impayled with many a craggy mountain,  
The name of it is Helicon:  
Hence Germans bounds first borders on,  
It parts the low Dutch from the high,  
And here great Caesar's crown doth lie:  
We know young Archer thou art sent,  
To wound a Prince with loves content;  
Thy shaft shall not be shot in vain,  
For he a fair Princess shall gain:  
Whose beauty no Appelles needs,  
Her virtues all our worths exceeds.  
But hast thee Cupid, fly away,  
And Hymen crown their Nuptial day:  
The one eyed boy took leave of all,  
And took up's bow which he lets fall.  
His quiver on his back he hung,  
And spread both wings and up he sprung;  
With matchless swiftness to the Rhine,  
Which shows the way to Palatine:  
But being driven in by storms,  
He was constrained to lodge at Worms.  
The City's worth the God admires,  
And the next day he dined at Spires.  
But e'er the night approached nigh,  
He came to the University;  
Called Hedelberg a famous place,  
Where he beheld the Prince's grace  
Well mounted on a stately steed,  
Which did Bucephalus exceed.  
The day had left the Eastern Coast,  
And to fair Thetis galloped post;  
Which made the German mountains dark,  
Cupid drew nigh to view the mark:  
And at his bosom sent a shaft,  
Which after it a tincture left;  
No sooner Cupid dedicates  
This stroke, but strait he elevates  
To the gods, where he a lecture red,  
How love had metamorphosed  
This Prince's heart perplexed with pain,  
Which caused him to cross the main  
To Britain's Coast, first Grave-send gains him,  
And England bravely entertains him.  
The Court his company desires,  
London the lovely Prince admires;  
Such joy sprung forth on every side,  
That all the God's man's mirth envied:  
Therefore they held a Parliament,  
How they might work his discontent,  
Last they agreed (O! dismal day)  
To take our chiefest hope away.  
Grim visaged death presumed to strike  
A Prince that never had his like;  
For as his virtue all excelled  
His valour was unparalleled  
Heaven took his worth, earth knew his want,  
And made a general complaint;  
Great Britain clad in sable black,  
With endless tears lament his lack.  
This hopeful match begot great gladness,  
But Henry's death a solemn sadness.  
And had not these two opposites  
Met, England sure had lost her wits:  
For had their been no funeral,  
To stay this happy Nuptial  
This Kingdom being overjoyed,  
With mirth herself might have destroyed.  
So had their been no Nuptial,  
After this dreary funeral,  
This Island would herself confound,  
Of force to drown with her own tears  
A heart of cork. Therefore the Scene,  
'Twixt mirth and mourning kept the mean.  
And time which all things doth expel,  
Provided for this Kingdom well:  
For though he took our hope away,  
He left behind a second stay,  
Whom heavens highest hand preserve  
For he all goodness doth deserve.  
Thus leaving hearts with sorrows clad,  
For him whose like earth never had;  
'tis fit my pen pursue the carriage,  
Of this selected sacred marriage:  
Twixt these two Prince's dignity,  
Who were with all solemnity,  
Joined with the forefront of the spring,  
In Nuptial bands before a King.  
But time that for no King will stay,  
Conducts this Virgin bride away;  
Towards her new confines, blest conten  
Attended on her grace in Kent:  
The trees stood all in suits of green,  
To guard this Nymph-like nature's Queen.  
She leaves a Land where she is known,  
To see a strange Land of her own.  
The lovely Nightingale did sing,  
Her sweet farewell from England's King.  
Thus after many parting stories,  
Time brought them to their territories:  
And ear twelve months their course had run  
Betwixt them they possessed a Son.  
This blessed news the Seas sent post,  
To comfort us for him we lost;  
From Henry's ashes, there is sprung,  
A second Henry, who ear long  
We hope shall in this Land arrive,  
The hearts of all men to revive:  
And greet his royal grandsire's reign,  
The Queen and's Uncle Charlamayne.  
Whom heaven still protect and bless,  
With royal issue to possess  
This Kingdom, Sceptre, and bear sway,  
Till Sun and Moon do pass away.  
FINIS.   

The Original and continuance of the most Noble Order of the Garter, as it was spoken before the King's Majesty, on Saint GEORGE'S day last: Anno Dom. 1616.  By W. FENNOR. 

EDward the third, that truly Potent King,  
whose Temples worthily wore England's Crown:  
This Noble Order, of whose fame I'll sing,  
invents for Britain's Trophy of renown.  
Salsburies' Countess, hath all Ladies graced,  
that loose their Garter, yet keep Honour chaste.   

From Honoured chastity the Garter fell,  
and in a moment rose to royalty:  
King Edward graced this Lady's favour well,  
who humbly bends his kingly Majesty,  
catched up the ribbon had a leg inbraced  
that never capored with a step unchaste.   

The Lady dies her cheeks with tell-tale red  
which blabs she blushes, that her Garters found,  
By him that had advanced it to a head,  
which with Imperial dignity was crowned:  
The Nobles murmur, and the King by chance  
perceived, spoke honey soit quy maly pense.   

Exchanges lawless love for lawful Arms,  
buckles on ' armour, weells his warlike sword,  
Beats his braced Drums, Trumpets sounds alarms:  
thus like bold Hector road he to the field,  
Subdued his foes, and for his deeds in fight,  
of the rich Garter was installed a Knight.   

Which bred such lustre in each Noble breast,  
as if new Troy had mustered up the Sons,  
Of strong backed Priam, and amongst the rest,  
the bold black Prince toth' field most fiercely runs;  
And with his sword hammored in Vulcan's forge,  
made the French Dennys kneel to English George.   

For which he with the Garter was installed,  
and made a Knight of that most Noble Order;  
With many other Nobles that were called  
worthy by fame, that ancient, true Recorder.  
The Garter bred such lustre in great hearts,  
each strove for excellence in Arms and Arts.   

Saint Patrick's Cross, did to the Garter veil,  
Saint jaques Order waxed with anger pale:  
Saint David's leek began to droop i'th' tale,  
Saint Dennys he sat mourning in a dale;  
Saint Andrew looked with cheerful appetite,  
as though toth' Garter he had future right.   

But Dragon-killing George that still depends  
upon the Garter since third Edward's days;  
In this age present hath as many friends,  
as well deserving high eternal praise:  
As any ages ever had before,  
never at one time better; never more.   

Hannibal strove for Rome's triumphant bays.  
Scipio for the Carthaginians bough;  
But thankless Senators did dim the rays,  
of these two worthies, and would not allow,  
Nor wreath, nor branch, they died and left their fame  
unto the glory of the Garters name.   

Impartially a royal King bestows it,  
upon some Subject worthy of the wearing;  
His Arms advanced within a Church that owes it,  
the oath administered in public hearing,  
Which being falsified, the Honours crossed,  
by Heraldry, the Arms, and Garter lost.   

Say that a man long languishing in love,  
whose heart with hope and fear grows cold and warm:  
Admit some pity should his sweetheart move,  
to knit a favour on his feeble arm;  
All parts would join, to make that one joint strong,  
to appose any that his love should wrong.   

The Garter is the favour of a King  
clasping the leg, on which man's best part stands;  
A poesy in it, as in a Nuptial ring,  
binding the heart, to their liege Lord in bands;  
That whilst the leg hath strength, or the arm power,  
to kill that Serpent would their King devour.   

For which the George is as a Trophy worn,  
and may it long, and long remain with those,  
Which to that excellent dignity are borne:  
as opposites unto their Country's foes.  
God keep our King and them from Rome's black pen,  
let all that love the Garter say, Amen.   
FINIS.   

The Deciding of the Difference betwixt the two Universities, Oxford and Cambridge, about the King's entertainment, spoke before his Majesty at Theobalds', the xiii. of july, 1615.  By W. F. 
Pernassus' and the fountain fell at odds,  
Who should give best content unto the gods:  
The mountain spoke, 'tis not thy fen can yield  
Such learned Arts, nor can thy foggy fieled,  
Give such delightful taste to gods or men,  
As my sweet shady groves; Helicon then  
Returns this answer, though thou that stands on high,  
My brains are moist when thine are hot and dry.  
But leaving this upbraiding argument,  
To stand to trial dar'st thou be content:  
(Dare? quoth Parnassus) yes I dare and will,  
Make trial when thou dar'st not show thy skill.  
Thus throwing down their Gauntlets they appealed,  
Unto the Gods who justly with them dealed:  
jove sent his nimble footed Mercury,  
With all the Trophies of high Heraldry,  
To signify unto the learned Mount,  
That kingly jove himself made full account  
To visit him in's progress; she or'ioyed,  
Her chiefest, choicest, curest wits employed;  
To give him welcome, Sylvian left the woods,  
Herdsmen their cattle, Townsmen from their goods  
Fled with amazement to be hold the show  
Of royal majesty. Amongst this row  
Stepped in some forty of Helconians race,  
Amongst the Pernasitians took their place,  
To view in secret note the whole event  
Of his receiving, welcome, and content,  
And where a word or letter was mistook,  
To Brack a gram it in a Table-book.  
Time turned three hour glasses, whilst they stood  
Expecting him whose sight should do them good:  
But on a sudden all their voices sums,  
A joyful general clamour, yond he comes,  
See, see, whose that rides with agility;  
Peace, peace, that's one of the Nobility,  
Who passed by in state and due degree;  
And after them his Royal Majesty.  
Drawn by the winged Coursers of the sun,  
About whose Chariot thousand people run:  
With shouts of joy the multitude still speaks,  
Welcome dread King, the Students, Vivat Rex:  
The Herdsmen moved to testify their loves,  
Bestowed on him a pair of hunting gloves.  
So ushard him unto Parnassus' hill,  
And there to welcome him show'd their best skill,  
With Masking, revels, and a Comedy,  
Which was performed very solemnly.  
In penning it the Poet pains did take,  
To cause jove sleep, though he himself did wake.  
But when their sports were passed, great jove retired,  
Yet at their learned arts he much admired:  
Helycons Nymphs returned to their Cell,  
And there the whole discourse of all did tell:  
Which when some heard, they laid their heads together,  
And made a Ballad of the Buck-skins leather.  

The king's entertainment at Cambridge.  Now time with stealing steps doth swiftly haste,  
Imagine seven years completely passed;  
When jove remembering the God's request,  
Hath ta'en his royal journey North by East;  
To visit the distressed Helicon,  
Whose face till now his eye near looked upon.  
Parnassus hearing, that he thither would,  
From frozen Alps sent forth a bitter cold;  
Which did congeal the waves of Neptune so,  
That all the water in the air turned snow.  
And from the ponderous clouds, fell down in flakes,  
Covering high mountains, filling dales and lakes.  
By which the little brooks forsook their bounds;  
And waters all the passages so drown'ds,  
That thousands durst not venture, yet his Grace  
Held firm his resolution, spite the face  
Of grisled Hiems, or strene Boreas,  
Aeolus, Auster, or sweet Zephyrus.  
Thither he would to view the learned skill,  
Betwixt the fountain and Parnassus hill.  
Minerva hearing this, she calls the Clowns,  
And rustic swains, and said, put on your gowns:  
You first shall meet his Majesty in order,  
By the advice and wit of your Recorder:  
Out road the rustics in their glittering pride,  
And when they had their royal jove espied,  
Upstart God Pan, who with a studied speech  
His kingly Majesty he did beseech;  
That he'd be pleased still to protect his darling,  
Before his Croch came near by half a furlong.  
Moreover that the Nymphs might bear no sway,  
Above them and their wives by night or day.  
And furthermore their good wills to unfold,  
They gave a silver cup was three years old:  
So gave him way, he on rides toward's the Town,  
Met by Minerva in a scarlet gown;  
Who spoke a rare speech, of such high deserning;  
That at the very first she show'd her learning.  
Which when jove heard he road unto the Cell,  
And after was conducted to the well;  
Where he most freely of the water tasted,  
And for four days this royal pastime lasted.  
But when Minerva's maids their wits had spent,  
Great jove retired thence incontinent:  
Yet at his parting graciously did say,  
He would return and visit them in May.  
Which promise he performed, Parnassus then  
Wrote sharp invectives from her whipping pen,  
Which sent to Helicon, were back retorted,  
Thus these two worthies the wide world have sported.  
Th' are like two famous Castles in one Town,  
Who for their worths would put each other down:  
Or like a jealous husband who breeds strife,  
If he espy another looks on's wife.  
Two beauteous Virgins cannot well endure,  
One man unto them both should be made sure:  
Were there a difference 'twood be no contention,  
But being equals both, breeds this dissension.  
But to conclude, Parnassus is the mountain,  
Of learned Arts; and Helicon the fountain,  
And this is all I'll say of both, I think  
The one gives food to us, the other drink:  
Then why should they each others worth control,  
Since they can both give Physic for the soul?  
FINIS.   

A speech concerning the Gowries treason, and the Gun-Powder-Plot: spoken before the King's Majesty, at the Bishop's Palace at Salysbury, Alias Sarum, the fifth of August. 1615.  By W. F. 
NO Poet's Muse can better tidings bring  
Then mine: the safety of a royal King;  
Yet I with words cannot describe the faction,  
So well as you, dread King, which tried the action  
Of base deluding Traitors: whose invention  
Proceeded from the author of dissension.  
Whose black plots in the heart all mischief sows,  
Which not prevented to rank Treason grows.  
As this day well can witness to all ages,  
The Gowries cruel and insatiate rages:  
Well may their titles style them go awry,  
Who in their bypaths led a King to die.  
But th'almighty for his chosen stands,  
And strikes amazement, stays the villains hands,  
That are lift up against his true Anointed,  
All praise be to him, that all disappointed;  
Nay, gave unto your Majesty such strength,  
To grapple with your Butcher, till at length  
He show'd his power, as once to Abraham,  
And in the place of Isaac sent a Ram;  
Who rushing through the midst of bramble thorns,  
He gored the Gowries with his two edged horns;  
Which deed hath raised his name eternally,  
And hurled them down to lasting infamy.  
For whosoever speaks of Ramseyes' name,  
Shall found it to the Gowries endless shame:  
Or whilst the fifth of August can give light,  
Let men give praises to the God of might.  
And let it be as Holiday observed,  
Wherein your grace by wonder was preserved.  
Or who soever shall that day remember  
Let him record the fifth of cold Novenber,  
Where they the devils highest plot shall read;  
Who sought not to destroy the royal seed  
Alone: but with it all posterity,  
The Gentry and the State's Nobility.  
Making this Land a Chaos in an hour,  
After replant in it their foreign power:  
But heaven's just, when he begins to speak,  
And sent a warning in Mounteagles' beak;  
As he by joseph did to Pharaoh tell,  
Of scarcity for th'good of Israel.  
So in your royal heart he sent a doubt,  
By which the height of Treason was found out:  
And the base Traitors for their works rewarded,  
Thus a good Prince is by the Angels guarded.  
What Plots were laid 'gainst Queen Elizabeth,  
To cut her off by an untimely death?  
Yet maugre all their blasted black infection  
She lived, till heaven called her by election.  
Enjoy abounding, and her Princely Throne,  
She left unto your Majesty alone:  
Whom God hath placed with a peaceful hand,  
The like hath scarce been heard in any Land;  
To have so many foes, and all turn friends  
By th'which the sword of war, toth' Olive bends.  
I guess the reason since you entered here,  
The Lion rampant keeps the rest in fear:  
The Dragon is dismissed, whose poisonous breath;  
Hath oft been cause of many a thousands death.  
And in the place you have put the Unicorn,  
T' expel the poison with his precious Horn;  
By which each royal subject safe may dine,  
And taste the proper fruit of his own vine:  
Then if ingrateful men will this record,  
Can they forget to praise or laud the Lord  
For his preserving, of you many ways,  
Giving them peace in your most happy days.  
Sure who forgets, is an ungrateful guest,  
Not worthy to enjoy this peaceful feast:  
Which God continue many, many years,  
And still preserve you from all foreign fears:  
False plots at home, ever confounding those,  
Who in their heart profess to be your foes.  
But let good subjects Haleluiah sing  
To God, for the protecting our good King,  
O! let their prayers invocate again,  
God long preserve your grace, Amen, Amen.  
FINIS.   

A Pastoral Sonnet containing a Parliament of the Gods.  

WAlking of late it was my chance,  
To view Flora's rosy bowers;  
When drowsy Morpheus into a trance,  
Did confine me certain hours  
Where I might spy, very much resort pass to amain  
And one did come unto me this meeting to explain.  
Come, quoth he, prepare thyself to go,  
Where thou shall attend,  
I to thee the full event will show  
Whereto and what end:  
Strait me thought I was conveyed away,  
Whereunto my sense he did display,  
How that this meeting was of all the Gods,  
And that brave Mars and Vulcan fallen were at odds:  
Vulcan as plaintiff did for justice cry,  
Cause Mars which was defendant, did with Venus' lie.  
And moreover would discover,  
but (alas) it was, his fate:  
Whilst he's working, they are lurking,  
how they may cornute his pate▪  
Strait a dissension there arose,  
Who in judgement chief should sit,  
Fearing that man would hold them as foes,  
Each of other thought most fit.  
At last it past, that bright Sol as Umpire needs must stand,  
For why, his eye underneath the Spheres,  
hath chief command.  
Phoebus' at the last did condescend,  
Yet with this condition  
Cynthia might sit as Venus' friend,  
jointly in commission:  
Presently was set a chair of State,  
On which the pale faced Luna sat;  
Next jove and juno, did assume their place;  
Then Saturn, Aeolus, and Neptune with his Mace.  
After Apollo with the Muses nine,  
And blacked faced Pluto took his place by Proserpina:  
And below, there sat a row of Shepherds,  
Which adore God Pan;  
Each one sitting, all thing fitting,  
strait a silence there began.   

A civil silence being proclaimed,  
One there stood up presently,  
And as I deem he was Mercury named,  
Which full loud began to cry  
O yes, than he pausd a while and began again,  
O yes, silence in the Court on further pain.  
Thus O yes, being thrice proclaimed,  
they begin to plod,  
On the inditements which pertained  
'gainst this worldly god.  
Strait a jury of twelve shepherds Swains,  
Which with rural pastime keep the plains;  
Impanneled were the sole events to prove  
'Twixt Noble Mars, and Venus fair, the Queen of love.  
Without Attorneys Mars and Vulcan plead,  
And Venus absent, Cupid stood in's mother's stead:  
Vulcan still swore, Mars did ill,  
in wronging of his marriage bed;  
Which was 'cause 'gainst reason laws,  
he always wore a Heart-like head.  
Mars in reply was resolute,  
As he e'er in the field did fight,  
And soon he did poor Vulcan confute  
Sometime might, may o'ercome right.  
Yet he did 'gree unto all that Vulcan could report,  
And would withhold, if this age would yield him better sport.  
For, quoth Mars, alas, I am kept so long  
From my wont use,  
‛ It's no marvel though I Vulcan wrong  
With so small abuse.  
Idly I sleep in Lady's laps,  
Childishly I am dandled on their paps;  
Armour, shield, sword, which oft my foes did chase,  
Are into silks and velvets turned, O too too base,  
I that before my foes in field did just,  
Now in a downbed lie, whilst all my Armour doth rust,  
Soldiers now, alas must bow,  
unto each silken feathered Swain;  
That before had gold good store,  
besides the credit they did gain.  
Thus having ended, the jury refin'd  
The sole verdict, which did say,  
Mars in no error at all they could find,  
But the Fault in Cupid lay:  
Which then began to excuse himself, but all in vain,  
And swore no more rustic clowns,  
henceforth his love should gain.  
Crooked Vulcan seeing that his suit,  
Might no whit prevail  
On poor Cupid, which alas stood mute,  
He began to rail,  
Hud wink't boy, how darest thou be so bold,  
As let fly those shafts whose heads were gold;  
It had been fitter shot with them of lead,  
Then Mars had ne'er made me to wear a horned head.  
Cupid made answer, urging this disgrace  
If horns thou were,  
thou needest not fear to break thy face;  
Sol stood up & drank a cup of Nectar, to his fellow gods  
Which being done, he thus begun,  
to sentence this there fore past odds.   

Cupid, quoth Phoebus, hold up thy hand,  
Hear thy sentence from my lips;  
Twelve months I banish thee the Fairy Land,  
'Cause bright Mars thou dost eclipse,  
Thy flight with spite, hath bereft soldiers thy chiefest joy  
In place of disgrace, hath took up her seat,  
to work annoy:  
Well, quoth Cupid, I your wills obey, but i'll match you all;  
And no doubt, ea're long i'll find a day,  
when to mind i'll call;  
How that you wronged the God of love,  
As the stout of all in time shall prove:  
Peace else, quoth jove, what dost thou threaten me?  
Yes jove, ere long, shall find me strong,  
to o'er match the●▪  
The Court being ended, long they did not stay  
They to their Mansions, Cupid banished, went away.  
Then came he that first led me,  
with charge my vision to indite▪  
'Twixt wars King, and loves bright Queen,  
to relate 〈…〉 spite▪  
He being gone, my eyes anon, from sleep 〈…〉  
their ha●ery frenge▪  
Now remains▪ I take some pains▪  
in the relating loves revenge▪   
FINIS.   

Gentle R●●der, in Cupid's journey to Germany, there is 〈◊〉 a line misplaced, being the second line of the last page 〈…〉.  
Of force to drowned with her own tears, read  
With her own tears, of force to drowned.