King Edward the 2. surnamed Carnaruen was crowned at Westminster at the 22. year of his age the 24. of febru: 1308. he Reigned 19 year. 6 months was de●●sed the 25 of Ia●●●●rius 1326. he was slain in the Castle of barkley in the 43 year of his age.    

THE HISTORY OF EDWARD THE SECOND.  
Surnamed CARNARVAN, one of our English KINGS.  
Together with the Fatal down-fall of his two unfortunate Favourites GAVESTON and SPENCER.  
Now Published by the Author thereof, according to the true Original Copy, and purged from those foul Errors and Corruptions, wherewith that spurious and surreptitious Piece, which lately came forth under the same Title, was too much defiled, and deformed.  
With the Addition of some other Observations both of use and Ornament.  
By F. H. Knight.  
LONDON. Printed by B. A. and T. F. for L. Chapman, and are to be sold at his Shop at the upper end of Chancery-Lane. 1629.   

TO HIS VERY LOVING Brother, Mr. RICHARD HUBERT, the Author of this historical Poëme F. H. Knight, wisheth all Health and Happiness.  
WORTHY SIR:  
I Know that noble Nature's desire more to do good, then to hear● of the good, they do; and therefore, without all farther Compliment, you shall give me leave, Only to say thus much: That (if GOD and Nature had not) yet your many kind and Constant favours to me, and all mine have made me truly your own: which, (as I gladly acknowledge) so I would have the World take notice, That I am both sensible of them, and thankful for them: And now (Sir) being already deep in your debt, I must still run farther upon your score, by committing to your Care and custody this Innocent Child not of my Body, but of my Brain. It is surely of full Age, for It was conceived and borne in Queen Elizabeth's time, but grew to more maturity in King Iames'; and therefore, (as we use to say) It should be now able to shift for Itself: But I that gave It life, finding the weakness thereof, was fully resolved to keep It still at home under mine own wing, and not to let It see the Sun, when lo, (after Twenty years' concealment) when I thought the unfortunate Babe (like to It's Father) even dead to the World, I saw the false and uncomely Picture of my poor Child (taken by a most unskilful hand) offered to the public sight and censure of every judicious Eye: and (though that could not) yet truly I did blush for It, to see It, so nakedly, so unworthily, so mangled and so maimed thrust into the world, that I scarce knew It, and was ashamed to own It: And therefore (good Brother) to vindicate both It and myself from those gross and senseless Errors, wherewith that false Bastard was too foully deformed; I have now sent It abroad to seek Its fortunes, in It's own true shape, and habit: desiring yourself, and every understanding Reader (for I know It is not for the use of every Ordinary Eye) to look upon that former Piece, with scorn and Contempt, and once again to take a resurvay of It, as now It Appears in Its own true feature and posture: It may be you shall find somewhat in It, both to inform the Understanding and to rectify the Affections, and if in any of the Passages thereof, It shall seem either too light, and remiss or too bold, and free, either, too open and tart, or too sparing and reserved; That you must impute, either to the matter, that I handle, or the parties, that I personate, which must of necessity be drawn according to the true Life, both in colours and proportion, or else, the Work will be of very little use, and of less Grace and Ornament, either to myself or others: And so humbly desiring the Almighty to bless You both in Soul, Body and Estate; I rest, not your Servant according to the new and fine, but false Phrase of the Time, but in honest old English, your loving Brother, and true Friend for ever:  
FRAN: HUBERT.   

THE AUTHOR'S PREFACE. (⸫)  

1  
REbellious thoughts why do you tumult so?  
And stri●e to break from forth my troubled breast?  
●t not enough that I myself do know  
The moving Causes of mine own unrest?  
●●s't not enough to know myself distressed?  
O no: Surcharged hearts must needs complain,  
" Some ease it is (though small) to tell our pain.   

2  
Yet weyward thoughts retire unto your home,  
●nto my heart (your proper home) retire.  
There rest in your unrest, till Death ●oth come,  
And Death will come, called by concealed desire,  
" For Coals raked up glow more than open Fire,  
And deepest streams do run with smoothest speed,  
And silent griefs are the true griefs Indeed.   

3  
But if my heart be so In●r'd to groaning,  
Or if my tongue must be the voice of Sorrow,  
Or that my Pen be still Enjoined to moaning,  
Because my night of Care hath never morrow,  
Yet of my grief thus much at least I'll borrow.  
That for a time, I may surcease mine own.  
And tune my Muse to tell another's moan.   

4  
Another's moan to tell my Muse is tuned,  
(If any tune can be in jarring Grief)  
And I a King for subject have assumed,  
An English King: Wh●● whilst he li●'d, was chi●  
In Honour's height, yet died without relief;  
So true is that, which SOLON once did say;  
No man is Happy, till his dying day.   
F. H.   

THE LIFE AND DEATH OF EDWARD the Second.  

5  
IT is thy sad disaster which I sing  
Carnarvan EDWARD: Second of that name,  
Thy Minions pride, thy States ill-managing,  
Thy Peers revolt, the sequel of the same,  
Thy Life, thy Death I sing, thy Sin, thy shame;  
And how thou wert deprived of thy Crown.  
In highest fortunes, cast by Fortune down.   

6  
Did I say Fortune? Nay, by Folly rather,  
By unrespect unto the rules of State.  
For let a Prince assure himself to gather  
As he hath planted: either Love, or Hate.  
Contempt, or Duty: not the works of Fate,  
Much l●sse of Fortune, but of due respects  
To Causes, which must needs produce effects.   

7  
As if a Prince do draw his platform right,  
And then with courage builds upon the same.  
His ends proves happy: But by oversight  
He that is weak, wholly subverts the frame  
Of his own building, and doth Idly blame  
Fortune, the servant to deserving merit,  
But the Commander of the a●ject spirit.   

8  
In which discourse, if I shall hap to touch  
Those faults, which in our time are frequent grown  
Let not the galled offender winch, or grudge.  
For I intent a private wrong to none,  
Only I would have those same errors known  
By which the State did then to ruin run,  
That (warned by theirs) Our Age like sins might shun▪   

9  
Nor do I mean, to bond myself so much,  
As only for to tie me to those Times,  
The causes, courses, consequents I'll touch  
Of later Ages, and of their designs,  
And if detr●ctions breath doth blast my Lines,  
Be it for me, I have for my defence  
The privie-coat of harmless Innocence.   

10  
And thou * great King that now dost wield our State 
JACOBUS, 1   
Building on that, which former times did square  
O let it not be thought to derogate  
From thy perfections; (admirably rare)  
If I some errors of these Times declare.  
" Since never State was so precisely good,  
" But faults have scaped, which could not be with stood   

11  
For men are not like God, complete, divine,  
" Whom neither passions move, nor errors blind,  
" Who is not limited with any time,  
" Nor tied to means, nor into place confined;  
" But free in all, no counter check doth find  
" To contradict the least part of his will,  
" But worketh all in all, and nothing iii.   

12  
" Whereas our humane actions all are mixed,  
" Men live in motion, so do their designs;  
" Nothing is simply good, or firmly fixed.  
" All have defects: Nature itself declines,  
" Darkness oft clouds the clearest Sun that shines.  
" Our purest streams are not without their mud  
" And we mistake, what oft we take for good?   

13  
Besides, Kings needs must see with others Eyes,  
From whence mistake cannot choose but spring,  
And when the offence from Error doth arise,  
Why should men cast the Envy on the King?  
And not on those, that misinform the thing?  
" It is the gall most banes the Kingly throne,  
" That of his faults the least part is his own.   

14  
For he himself is blameless oft (God knows)  
Except it be, because he doth not know  
The noted Scandals, that arise from those  
On whom, he doth his favours most bestow  
Which they abusing, discontents may grow  
Against the Prince, though not deserving them,  
" So apt we are e'en Goodness to condemn.   

15  
Nor must we with a blacking Coal straight brand  
A Prince, or State, because of some defect,  
Who can be free from Sulley (if so scanned)?  
But that same Prince or State deserves respect,  
Whose actions do in general affect.  
And aim at good: for in particulars  
" None can be so complete, but often errs.   

16  
And much they are deceived, that think to find  
A State, without some blemish, or a stain.  
Conceit may cast Ideas in the mind.  
And forge strange forms, in th'inventive brain.  
But States consist of men, and men retain  
One native badge, which unto all doth cleave,  
That is, to be deceived: and to deceive.   

17  
It is the sole Prerogative of Heaven  
Not to be tainted with the smallest error,  
But that Immunity was never given  
To Earth; wise Soloman be thou the mirror  
Where all may see their frailties even with terror.  
Thou moving in perfections higest Sphere  
Fell from thy orb: who hath not cause to fear?   

18  
The Warlike Trumpet sounding to the fight  
Commands the hearing more than doth the Reed.  
Each eye is fixed on the Eagles flight,  
When little Wrens deserve not any heed.  
The greatest men shall have the greatest meed.  
Mark who so list, and they shall find it tried  
" That all men's ears to Prince's tongues are tied.   

19  
Then let the world attend King Edward's words  
(The second Edward's) matter fit for moan,  
Whose smiles gave life, whose frowns did wound like swords  
Whilst he did sit upon the Kingly throne.  
Nor minded now, nor moaned by any One.  
" So time (we see) cuts down with fatal blow  
" As well proud oaks, as humble shrubs below.   

20  
Imagine with yourselves, you see him come  
From forth the deep dark Caverns of the earth,  
Starved, and pined, Nothing but skin and bone  
In Princely plenty suffering want and dearth,  
As naked as an Infant at his birth.  
" So pinching need doth pluck what Pride did plant.  
And wasteful Riot is repaid with want.   

21  
And thus poor Prince (begins his tragic plaint,  
Am I the same that was first Edward's Son?  
By Nature borne to live without restraint.  
Were there for me so many Trophies won?  
By Longshanks, and such great atchivements done?  
I am the same; and he so great did leave me,  
As none (I thought) of Greatness could bereave me.   

22  
But now I find by proof, that One there is  
(And well it is, that there is such an One)  
Who is not hood winked unto our amiss,  
And he can pull us from our Kingly Throne,  
For all our Guards, our Forts, our walls of ●●one.  
Know King how great-soever that thou be,  
The King of Kings still ruleth over thee.   

23  
Thou dost command on Earth, well, be it so,  
That Earth which thou commandest, his footstool is.  
Thy power but reacheth things that are below,  
Heaven, Earth; and Hell are subject unto his.  
Th' Infernal Agents, and the spirits of bliss  
His Servants are, to execute his will,  
" What wants nor might, nor means to punish iii.   

24  
I know, that Nature (apt to overween)  
May easily strain a Prince his thoughts to high.  
I know it is, and evermore hath been  
A common course, to flatter Majesty.  
" Greatness is apt to sin in surcudrie,  
(Yet though) like Hills we overlook low grounds  
All virtuous Kings do know they have their bounds▪   

25  
And therefore, though we have Prerogatives,  
Yet there are certain limits to the same.  
Which keeps not Kings from being Superlatiue●  
To sway (as Gods-lieve-tenants) this fair frame  
And those Aspirers merit death and shame,  
That do repine against those supreme powers  
Whom God hath made his underlings, not ours▪   

26  
Yet grant their State free from coercive force,  
That gives not lawless liberty in all,  
Kings must observe a just and rightful course,  
God is their King, by whom they stand or fall.  
Who all their acts to strict account will call,  
Besides, their Oath, their virtue, their Renown●  
Are Diamantine chains to tie a Crown.   

27  
And such as are not moved with these respects,  
But make their power to serve their will in all,  
Leave them to God, who ruin, sand erects,  
Sets up a David, and pulls down a Saul.  
He prospers: Houses rise: he frowns: they fall,  
'Tis not descents, nor fortune, force, nor fate,  
But God supports, and God supplants a State.   

28  
Nine Kings had reigned since the Conquest here,  
Whom I succeeded in a rightful line,  
My Father (all domestic tumults clear)  
Did war, and win in fruitful Palestine.  
This Northern Sun e'en to the East did shine.  
The French were fearful hearing but his name,  
French, Scots, and Turks aeternized his fame   

29  
No Realm but did resound first Edwards praise.  
No praise was ever won with more deserts,  
And no deserts (though great) could counterpoise  
Much less outbalance his heroic Parts,  
Mars taught him Arms, the Muses taught him Arts,  
Whereby so great he grew, that might there be  
A jove on Earth, that earthly jove was he.   

30  
A King may leave his name unto his Son,  
But to his Son, no King can leave his nature.  
In outward form and shape they may seem one.  
Hi● posture, speech, his Countenance and feature.  
May make the Son be thought the selfsame creature.  
'Tis true, in face Sons may be like their Sires  
But faces like have oft unlike desires.   

31  
For why, our Bodies made of humane seed  
Resemble them, whose matter was our making,  
Yea so far forth as often times we read  
Of many griefs hereditary, taking  
First root from Parent's loins: and not forsaking  
Their Issues issue, until many Ages,  
To woeful masters most unwelcome Pages.   

32  
But minds not cast in any mortal mould,  
Infused from Heaven, not tied unto succession.  
Are freely left, (for so the Maker would)  
Unto his wise all-governing discretion,  
Like softened wax, apt to receive impression.  
But when the form is once imprinted In  
" 'Tis hardly lost, what Nature first did win.   

33  
'Tis somewhat to be borne of virtuous seed,  
An honest belly bears a hopeful Son.  
And yet (we see) goods Parent's often breed  
A wild and wicked Issue, which do run  
Most impious courses, till their lives be done.  
As was the Sire, the Son himself will fashion  
Is probable: but yet no demonstration.   

34  
That virtuous Roman great Germanicus  
One of the peerless worthies of that State,  
Begets Caligula, a Prince most vicious,  
Most bloody, furious, and unfortunate.  
How much Domitian did degenerate  
From his brave Sire, warlike Vespasian.  
Is not unknown to every knowing man.   

35  
The same is truly instanced in me,  
For I was far unlike my worthy Sire.  
A sour Crab, from sweetest Appletree,  
A Cloudy smoke from Sun-bright shining fire.  
And that small good that Nature did inspire,  
By soothing tongues too soon was turned to Ill,  
So smallest ●rost untimely fruit doth kill.   

36  
For when men did perceive my youthful Itch.  
To vain delight, and saw my mind affected  
Unto the flight, where pleasure made the pitch.  
How all my noble studies were neglected,  
My youth with ease, my ease with Lust infected.  
Straight some sowed pillows underneath my sin,  
And praised that most, I most delighted in.   

37  
Upon the earth where is that happy ground  
Wherein such answering Echoes are not heard?  
But most of all such pleasing voices sound  
About King's Courts, there find they best reward,  
And that's the chiefest end, that they regard,  
But that poor Prince which such flies blow upon.  
Shall scarcely know his own Complexion.   

38  
Blessed are those times (saith an * Historian) 
Tacitus.   
The gravest, wisest, worthiest of that kind,  
Wherein 'tis lawful for an honest man,  
Freely to think, to speak, to write his mind.  
And you great earthly Gods shall ever find  
More truly loving hearts, in such free tongues.  
Then in th'impostumed breath of flattering lungs.   

39  
Amongst the rest one Pierce of Gaveston  
(Pleasing in speech, and graceful in behaviour,  
One, that Indeed was second unto none  
In winding in himself to great men's favour,  
That by their hazards he might be the Saver)  
When he did spy the mark whereat I meant  
Straight gave the means to give my bow more bend,   

40  
We lived together e'en from prime of years,  
Whereby our joint affections were combined.  
The mutual consort of our infant Feres  
Doth keep a long possession of the mind▪  
And many deep Impressions leaves behind.  
Wouldst thou have Love to last beyond the tomb.  
Then let it take beginning at the womb.   

41  
So hunts the Hound, and so the Hawk doth fly.  
As at the first entrance they are made, and man'd,  
And so those springing humours seldom dye.  
That in our first conceit Ingraued stand,  
Though childish love seem to be built on sand,  
Yet every one e'en in himself may prove  
He likes it still, what he at first did love.   

42  
Princes, that do intend your Heirs such good  
As shall enable them for to succeed,  
And no way to disparage their high blood,  
O let it be your most respective heed,  
To sow their tender years with virtue's seed.  
For so the well, or ill-manured field  
As it is tilled doth Corn or Cocle yield.   

43  
Inure their youth unto their Peers converse,  
From whence, some seeds of liking first will grow,  
Which e'en the Soul itself in time will pierce  
And prove a constant zeal: from whence will flow  
All duteous offices, that men may show.  
And then, Designs of Prince's happiest prove  
When their great Peers do serve, because they love   

44  
Besides, there is a secret trust reposed,  
In those, whom long assurance hath combined,  
And when we know, how humours are disposed,  
We frame our counsels fitter to the mind.  
" Unsounded Natures sharpest judgements blind  
" And those we entertain with diffidence  
Of whom we have but small experience.   

45  
So that to win a trust, to plant a Love,  
To gain a settled Service of the Peers,  
It is the safest way, that Kings can prove,  
To glue them close e'en in their Infant years,  
And here my Father's Error much appears,  
Who did ingrift me into Gaveston,  
By so uniting both our youths in one.   

46  
He was in face a Cupid, or more fair.  
A Mercury in speech, or else as much.  
In active vigour he was Mars his heir,  
In wit jove. bred Minerva was not such.  
But (O) these gifts will not abide the touch,  
Except with Inward virtues of the mind.  
Both beauty, speech, strength, wit are all refined.   

47  
But why should Nature set so fair a Gloss  
Upon a mind, which sin did so deform?  
Why should she gild, and polish such base dross?  
As if she did the Souls perfection scorn,  
And only would Impiety adorn.  
Or else seduce those minds from judging right,  
Who do conform their censures to their sight.   

48  
But oft we see a sweet and mild aspect,  
A comely presence, winning upon all.  
A face that seems all virtue to affect  
Doth hide a heart of stone, a mind of gall,  
A crabbed will, a Soul to sin most thrall.  
And therefore he in judgement shoots awry  
That takes his level only from his Eye.   

49  
Because, the glorious inside of the mind  
Hath no dependence on the outward form,  
In which, if erring Nature prove unkind,  
And disproportions do the shape deform  
She commonly endeavours to reform  
The body's error, with the minds supply,  
So richest gems in Earth's base entrailes lie.   

50  
" The face is false, the look is but a liar,  
" The habit and the heart do much descent.  
" For good pretences cloak a bad desire.  
" Fair compliments varnish a foul intent,  
" Who doth rely on them may chance repent.  
Which was my Case, and caused my overthrow;  
For I did prise the substance by the show.   

51  
If one may use that word without control,  
If ever any* Metempsicosis was. 
Sardanapalus.   
I think the last* Assyrians 
A transmigration of the soul from one body to another. On● of Pythagoras his dreams.  Monarches soul  
By due descent to Gaveston did pass.  
For he a right Sardanapalus was:  
Drowned in delights (if one may term them so)  
That hatch in lust, and breathe their last in woe.   

52  
This highest Scholar in the School of Sin,  
This Centaur, half a man, and half a Best,  
This pleasing Siren so my soul did win,  
That he was dear to me above the rest  
Look what he said, was Gospel at the least.  
Look what he did, I made my Precedent.  
So soon we learn, what we too late repent.   

53  
This Angell-Diu'll thus shrined in my heart,  
This Dragon having got the golden fruit,  
My very Soul to him I did impart,  
Nor was I ever deaf unto his suit.  
He acted all, I was a silent mute.  
My being seemed to be in him alone  
Plantagenet was turned to Gaveston.   

54  
And having seized me thus into his hands  
(For fear belike lest he should be diseased)  
He thought to tie me still in straighter bands  
By praising that, wherewith my sense was pleased;  
Affirming, that our lives were to be eased  
Of many cumbers, which the curious wise  
Had laid on men, the more to tyrannize.   

55  
For what are Laws, but servile observations  
Of this, or that, what pleased the Maker's mind?  
The selfe-conceited-sowen Imaginations  
Of working brains, which did in freedom find  
Our humane state, which they forsooth would bind  
To what they liked, what liked not, was forbidden,  
So Horse and Mule, with bit and spur are ridden.   

56  
Which well invented scarecrows, though they serve  
For m●d-borne men, to keep them in some awe.  
Yet Princes are not borne, so to observe  
The strict preciseness of th' incombring Law.  
Which their high state to base contempt doth draw.  
Kings made those laws, & Ks. may break them now  
That pleased them then, & this now pleaseth you.   

57  
No, no (sweet Prince) saith he, There is no law  
Can bind a King, but only his desire.  
And that full well Th' Assyrians Monarchs' saw,  
Who had before them borne consuming Fire.  
(Emblem of Regal power) which all admire  
But none must touch, for fear of following harms  
For Fire we know consumes, as well as worms.   

58  
The Spider's web holds fast the silly Fly.  
The Hornet breaks It, like a mighty Lord,  
That* King of Kings 
Alexander magnus.  when he could not untie  
The Gordian knot d●uides it with his Sword.  
That Act of his fit matter doth afford  
For Precedent: were I, as thou shalt be.  
No Law at all, should give a law to me.   

59  
Except it were the golden law of Nature,  
Sweet Nature, (sweetest Mother of us all)  
Who hath infused thus much into each Creature  
To love the Honey, and to loathe the Gall▪  
To serve delight, not to be Sorrow's thrall;  
For pleasure doth with Nature so agree,  
As Bees with hive, as Honey with the Bee.   

60  
For in the Prologue of our Infant play.  
e'en in our Cradle, we do cry, and yell  
For Nurse's breast: why so? For food (you'll say)  
'Tis true: and food (say I) doth please us well,  
As Hunger seems to be a second Hell.  
So that (in truth,) The motive of our Cry,  
Is to be fed, and to be pleased thereby.   

61  
As in our Prologue, so in our next Act  
(I mean in Childish years) who doth not see  
That every thought of ours, and word, and fact  
Do aim at Sport, at Pastime, and at glee?  
Which daily cares, and nightly studies be.  
Witness the checks, the Rods, the blows we take  
The many blows, and all for Pleasure's sake.   

62  
But when our Youth doth step upon the Stage,  
(The sweetest part, that any man can play)  
Then pleasing Love, & hope (loves pleasing page)  
And Courage (hops Attendant night, and day)  
And fortune seldom saying Courage Nay  
With full-sayled course doth carry us amain,  
To seek the Coast, where full content doth reign.   

63  
Not staying here, still Nature draws us on  
To new delights, but of a diverse kind,  
For middle Age to Arms will needs be gone.  
With honour's sweets to feed his hungry mind,  
And what is Honour but a pleasing wind?  
Remember what, the famous * Grecian says, 
Themis●ocles▪   
The sweetest Music is a Mans own praise.   

64  
Next elderage, and Siluer-seeming hairs  
By Nature run full chase still after pleasure.  
For (O) the solace of the waning years!  
To view their Rudducks, & their heaps of treasur●  
To weigh, and tell their gold at every leisure  
How great it is; speak they, that rather choo●●  
Gold should lose them: then they their gold would lose   

65  
The Epilogue of all our former time  
More hunts for joy then any of the rest.  
Decrepit Age doth pray before the prime,  
With weeping eyes, and knocks upon his Bre●●  
And gives his Alms, to them that are distressed,  
And what's his end? that he might Heaven obtain  
" And what is Heaven, but pleasure void of pain▪   

66  
And as the mind hath motions to affect,  
So have we means to satisfy the mind.  
" Our little world is made with much respect,  
Our Mother Nature hath been wise and kind;  
By whom, we have apt Organa assigned  
To execute, what so our thoughts intent,  
" And all our thoughts aim at some pleasing 〈◊〉   

67  
Is not the Head the store-house of conceit  
Plotting the means, to compass our delight?  
Our Eyes Attendants, that do daily wait  
Upon such objects, as may please the sight?  
Witness the cherry-cheek, & brow milk-white.  
Witness no other witness, but my wish,  
How sight, and Soul, both likes, and longs for this.   

68  
What mind, what man, what man of any mind  
That is not touched, & moved with Music's sound?  
Whose deep Impressions work in brutish kind,  
As Dolphynes, Else Arion had been drowned.  
The savage beasts, that would not Orpheus wound  
The senseless stones, whom Phoebus' harp did move  
Do witness all, how all do Music love.   

69  
The bubbling murmur of a sliding Spring  
That seems to run with sweet, yet ●ullen mind.  
By which the winged Quires in Consort sing  
With faire-faced eunuchs (the defects of kind)  
Whose Notes are answered by a soft still wind.  
Some dear loved Dame, bearing her part with kisses  
Who would not think that place a heaven of blisses?   

70  
As head, and ears, and Eyes; So are our hands  
flesh-hooks to draw, and gather all unto us  
That with our pleasure, or our profit stands,  
Thrusting aside, what ever may undoe-us  
For which Employments are allotted to us  
Two hands, two feet, The Agents of our wills.  
To follow rest, and fly from restless Ills.   

71  
" So likewise, in the structure of this frame  
" What is not made with admirable Art?  
So likewise in the guidance of the same,  
What is denied us, that may please the heart?  
Most senseless man (what man so ere thou art)  
That in the very fullness of such store,  
By wilful wants wilt make thyself most poor.   

72  
In heat of Summer, when the burning Sun  
Doth crust the Earth, are there not shady bowers  
Are there not Rivers, that do mildly run?  
And now, and then some cooling dewy showers  
To keep the beauty of the blooming flowers?  
Wherewith our mother Earth (so fairly dressed)  
Seems, to Invite her sons to pleasures feast.   

73  
I will not speak of every day's delight  
They are so various, full of Ratities.  
But are there not sweet pleasures for the night?  
Masks, Revels, Banquets, mirthful Comedies,  
Night-Sunnes, (kind Nature's dearest Prodigies)  
Which work in men with powerful Influence  
As having their first life, best motion thence.   

74  
O glorious Pieces, (the best gifts of Heaven)  
Fairer than those fair lights, that make Earth fair●  
Why were you unto wretched mortals given  
But to be Cordials against heart-eating Care,  
B' Imparting unto us your beauties rare?  
You are the Stars, which when the Sun is se●  
Both heat, and light, and life in us beget.   

75  
Hath then the Mover of this glorious round  
So wisely fitted every thing to pleasure,  
And seems he not his Order to confound  
That to delight doth limit sparing measure?  
And makes himself unworthy of such treasure?  
Is't ever like, He would have made things thus  
But that they should be fully used by us?   

76  
And that I may not run about the field  
But keep myself in Compass of the Ring.  
I will omit the rich, and fruitful yield  
Of pleasure, pointing only at the Spring,  
The taste whereof, such perfect joy doth bring.  
As I do think, no other Heaven there Is,  
Heaven pardon me; If I do think amiss.   

77  
That is (sweet Ned) the Paradise of Love,  
The joy of Life, and life of our conceit,  
The heavenly Fire, infused from above,  
On which the Muses, and the Graces wait;  
The Body's health, Hearts hope, and Nature's bait,  
The quintessence, of pure essential sweet.  
The point, where all the lines of Pleasures meet.   

78  
Sweet love, that hast sweet beauty for thine object  
Kind love, that knits in One two several hearts.  
Great love, to whom the greatest King is subject;  
Pure love, that sublimates our Earthly parts,  
And makes them airy by Ingenious Arts.  
O let my Ned, my Prince, my jove possess  
The joys, I would, but cannot well express.   

79  
And thou (dear Ned) experience but the pleasure  
Try what it is to Love, and be requited,  
And I will pawn my life, (my greatest treasure)  
With one sweet night, thou wilt be so delighted,  
That thou wilt wish, the world were still benighted;  
Then say (sweet Prince) when thou the same dost prove▪  
No heaven but joy: Nor any joy but love.   

80  
O see the fruits of an Ill-governed wit,  
When the sharp Edge thereof, is turned awry.  
When the best graces make men apt, and fit  
To blazon, and to trick Impiety:  
To lay fair Colours on foul Sin, whereby  
Th' Abused sense, (deluded with false shows)  
On a most loathsome witch Enamoured grows.   

81  
We need no Tutors, to be taught to sin,  
We suck that lesson from our mother's breast.  
Nature is easily drawn, to trade therein,  
For that's the traffic that doth please us best,  
Sin is a bold, a most intruding guest;  
And will not be kept out, do what we can  
There's such an union betwixt Sin, and Man.   

82  
What need Invitement? why should Art be used  
To draw that on, which we too much desire?  
Why should our ablest Graces be abused  
To pour more oil upon a flaming Fire?  
But mounting Spirits that fain would soar up higher  
Regard not what they do, nor what they say,  
So they to their own ends may make their way▪   

83  
And then indeed, they are most dangerous  
When they are armed with Learning, wit, and skill.  
Wholesome Ingredients prove most mischievous  
Being applied, only to strengthen Ill;  
For than they work too much upon the will.  
And that full well such damned Doctors know,  
Which makes them use their Art & cunning so.   

84  
It is a certain truth: The best of all  
Being Corrupted, turns unto the worst.  
And so, those hellish Spirits, before their fall  
Most blessed (changed from what they were at first)  
Are now most vile, and wretched, most accursed.  
Look, what degree of Goodness, things retain  
Whilst they are good, being Ill, they so remain.   

85  
But to proceed; By these, and like discourses  
(Whereat thy maiden muse may blush for shame)  
This Gaveston embarked me in such Courses  
As caused my Father's grief, mine own defame.  
Whilst I went on, not sensible of shame,  
Nor of my Father's grief, not heavens just doom  
Nor any future danger, that might Come.   

86  
O see, how soon our sweetest buds are blasted,  
How soon our fairest colours lose their flourish,  
How easily are the Seeds of virtue wasted?  
And noisome weeds of vice how much we nourish  
Which do the Soul of her chief wealth impoverish.  
Youth (apt to stray) is easily led awry,  
We fall by Nature, what need Flattery?   

87  
And yet, it hath too much, to work upon▪  
The unexperience of our younger years,  
The heat of blood, the fury of affection,  
Ungrounded hopes, and vain surmised fears.  
The courses entertained by like compeers.  
one selfe●conceit, our Parents watchful Eye.  
Nay, e'en desert, make all for flattery.   

88  
And soon it will the least advantage find,  
Whereby it may creep into men's conceit.  
Observing first, to what they are inclined.  
Which once perceived, It fits the humour straight,  
Still keeping fashion, but still wanting weight.  
In compliments most seemingly precise,  
And that's th' abused mask to blind weak eyes.   

89  
But like, ●s those diseases faster grow,  
Whose moving causes our Complexions ●eed.  
So far more dangerous is this private foe  
That doth attire himself in friendship's weed,  
Then he that shows his hate by open deed.  
For Arms, or Laws, or Friends may fence the one  
The other God himself must shield, or none.   

90  
So Simon did the Trojan State confound,  
So guilded Tombs are full of rotten Earth,  
So Crocodiles although they weep, they wound,  
So Panthers circumvent with their sweet breath,  
So Sirens though they sing, their tunes are death.  
And yet, as fish bite most at hony-baytes  
e'en so are men most caught with sweet deceits.   

91  
Therefore be pleased to hear a plain discourse.  
Suspect the tongue, that's still tuned to the ear.  
Fair truth is not for nakedness the worse  
But falsehood many Ornaments must wear.  
Lest all her foul deformities appear.  
Which Art can flourish over, fit for Court,  
Whilst simple truth to deserts doth resort.   

92  
And this is that vast Sea of misery  
In which, the greatest Monarches most are drowned,  
That they are seldom free from flattery.  
Pretences being colourably found,  
To soothe that humour, that doth most abound.  
And so the Prince runs on from ill, to worse.  
But still persuaded best of his bad course.   

93  
Whereby the danger on himself doth fall.  
The gain unto the Favourite accrues.  
For wronged Subjects, being grieved withal.  
Forgetting duty, impiously pursues  
Means o● revenge: whence danger oft ensues.  
Mean while the man, that fed the humour so  
Falls off perhaps, and s●apes the coming blow.   

94  
Therefore let Kings prefer them, that are plain.  
And make those great, that do not greatness fear.  
Such serve their Lords for love, and not for gain.  
theyare jewels of the heart, not of the ear.  
They will discover dangers, that are near.  
When oiled tongues will still make all secure,  
" And careless greatness ever stands unsure.   

95  
But why should I give rules, when I kept none?  
Why should I teach, and never could obey?  
Only for this: where I was overthrown  
Others may Look, lest they be cast away.  
And they that make this use, thrice happy they.  
Because, by others wracks themselves may read.  
How to prevent their own mishaps with heed.   

96  
Soothed thus in sin, all goodness was forgotten,  
My Father's words of no esteem were grown.  
And I that scarce seemed ripe, was strait found rotten.  
Like fruit that is from tree untimely blown.  
But that took root, which Gaveston had sown.  
And sprouted so, that It did seed at last:  
So worthless weeds (we see) do grow too fast.   

97  
For at the first, I was ashamed of Sin,  
But sin did say, my greatest sin was shame.  
Then by degrees I did delight therein;  
And from Delight, I did desire the same.  
And my Desires so prosperously did frame.  
That now the chiefest Quere, was this One.  
Whether were worse myself, or Gaveston.   

98  
It is a certain truth: Men do not touch  
The highest point of wickedness at first.  
" Habits or good, or bad, prove to be such  
" By often use, Sin thrives as It is nursed.  
And therefore, kill this Cockatrice (accursed)  
Whilst 'tis an Egg; for if It hatch, and grow,  
It will at last prove a commanding Foe.   

99  
This did my aged Father well perceive,  
And with sad tears (the Messengers of moan)  
He did bewail himself, that he should leave  
His Crown to me, and me to (Gaveston)  
I in my son (saith he) am overthrown.  
My bliss my bane; my peace procures my strife.  
First Edward dies, in Second Edward's life.   

100  
To be a Father was my only joy  
And now my grief it is, to be a Father:  
Why should my solace turn to mine annoy?  
Why planted I Hearts-ease, and Rue must gather?  
As I did sow, I should have reaped rather.  
My hopeful harvest proves but baleful weeds,  
And for the blood I gave, my heart now bleeds.   

101  
For (Oh) how near a touch doth Nature give?  
How searching are the sufferings of our blood?  
How much the Father's soul doth joy, or grieve,  
When he doth see his Issues bad, or good,  
Is hard of any to be understood  
Except by such, whose feeling bowels find,  
What deep Impressions do proceed from kind.   

102  
Wise was the Prince, who playing with his Son,  
And teaching him to ride upon a Reed.  
To whom a great Ambassador did come,  
And seemed to blush at his so childish deed.  
Do not (quoth he) to censure it proceed.  
I only crave a respite of thy doom.  
Till thou thyself art Father of a Son.   

103  
Inferring, that there is a secret love,  
Which untouched hearts can hardly comprehend.  
Would God, the same reciprocal might prove▪  
Oh that kind Nature did sometimes ascend.  
Parents too oft in Indulgence offend  
But Sons more oft in duty prove defective.  
These weyward times are grown so unrespective.   

104  
Nature so wrought, that Cressas' Son cried out,  
Who from his birth before had not spoke word.  
When he did see a Soldier go about,  
To kill the King his Father, with a sword.  
Could Nature then such Precedents afford?  
Was she so powerful then, now weakened so.  
That Sons themselves, do work their Father's woe?   

105  
Or was he not my Son? did brutish lust  
So fire the affections of my dearest Queen  
That sh● unto my bed should prove unjust?  
And by some other, not myself should teem?  
O far be't from my soul, so to misdeem.  
Sweet flower of Castille, sacred was thy vow,  
If ever wife were true, that wi●e wert thou.   

106  
O Elinor, thou wert too good a piece,  
Once to admit the smallest show touch,  
Take all the chastest Dames of Rome, or Greece,  
Whereof foregoing Ages speak so much,  
They can but say at best, That they were such  
As I knew thee to be: and perhaps too.  
Time more than Truth permits them so to do.   

107  
Ill governed Ned, although my soul doth hate  
Thy vicious Errors, as the Stygian flood,  
Which will prove dangerous to thyself, & State,  
Yet Nature works so much upon my blood,  
As that I cannot choose, but wish thy good.  
If ever thou in Hymen's bands be tied.  
Such as thy Mother was, such be thy Bride.   

108  
And in that only wish Included is  
The chiefest, choicest good, that thou canst find.  
Summa Totalis of all earthly bliss  
Is such a wise, as is both wise, and kind.  
chaste, sober, silent, fair in face, and mind.  
And such was she: when therefore thou dost err,  
'Tis from thyself alone, and not from her.   

109  
But foolish man why do I blame my Son?  
Whose yet unknowing years by Ill ad●ice  
Being led away: A dangerous course doth run.  
For Youths hot blood forgets old Ages ye▪  
And while his hand is in, doth throw the dice  
At all that pleasure sets: and thinks to gain▪  
If with the Buy he can discharge the main.   

110  
Sweet Ned, I blame not thee, but Gaveston.  
For he it is that sitteth at the helm  
And steers thy course, with his wind thou art blown  
Nor will he leave, till he doth overwhelm  
In deepest gulf, thyself, and all this Realm,  
For stirring spirits do troubled streams desire.  
And then thrive best, when all is set on fire.   

111  
Observe with all those States that do decline,  
How apt they always are for Innovation.  
How much they do against public good repine,  
And hopefully expect an Alteration.  
That whilst things are unsettled▪ out of fashion.  
They may close up the wounds they had before,  
And by that means their private wants restore.   

112  
Therefore let those that have a grounded State.  
And may live well, join close in any wise  
Against all such, as seek to Innovate,  
If not in duty, yet in sound advice  
To keep such down, as hope perhaps to rise  
Upon their ruins, whose revenues may  
Cut short their lives, sure prove the spoilers pray.   

113  
And with these link such Spirits as fain would rise,  
But are by former great. Ones still suppressed,  
And such do dangerous Stratagems devose,  
Nor will their Eager hopes afford them rest.  
But mount they must, whoever be depressed.  
And little do they force the State's confusion.  
So thereby they to greatness make Intrusion.   

114  
And to this End, they are obsequious still,  
They sooth, they fawn, they seem officious.  
They fit themselves to their great movers will.  
Be't good, or bad, just, or Injurious.  
They serve e'en turns base, and luxurious  
But I'll provide a wholesome Mithredate  
So to prevent the poisons of the State.   

115  
And firmly settled in this resolution,  
By strict command was Gaveston exiled.  
〈◊〉 begged of him to stop the Execution.  
But then my Father shaked his head, and smiled,  
O Ned (saith he) how much art thou beguiled  
To foster that which will thy downfall be,  
And warm the Snake, that will invenom thee.   

116  
● wished myself an Echo at that word,  
That I might boldly then have answered: Thee  
For never was there sharpest-edged sword  
That wounded more, than that same wounded me.  
But go he must, such was the King decree.  
And when he went, then died my bloodless heart,  
So doth the Body from the soul depart.   

117  
The former times have held it policy  
That some offenders should abjure the Land,  
But 'tis indeed an idle vanity.  
And with no rules of regiment can stand,  
For if the matter be with judgement scanned  
It will appear to men considerate  
That Abjuration hurts both Prince and State.   

118  
I do not mean of men, that are not missed,  
(For who respects the hum of a Gnat)  
Such atomy may wander where they list,  
Their muddy pa●es can neither frame the plat,  
Nor feeble hands work danger to the State,  
L●t men of Note be marked; and wary heed  
Be had of them, that may disturbance breed.   

119  
And 'tis not safe, to banish such anon  
As may find means to work his own return.  
So * Bolenbroke stepped into * Richard's 
Rich. 2.  throne. Hen▪  
And he had leisure, afterwards to mourn  
His foolish fault: Such medicines may adjourn  
The present pain a while: But makes the sore  
To ache more felly, than It did before.   

120  
Mild drugs may stir the humours that abound,  
But will not quite expel the growing Ill;  
The Root and Body both remaining sound  
Although the tree be lopped, It thrives It still.  
And when thou hast the Axe, to use at will  
Strike at the Root; and fell it to the ground,  
Rather than pair the boughs & branches round   

121  
For 'tis lost labour, to begin with them.  
They needs must wither, if the other dye.  
And do not fear, though vulgar breath condemn  
Thy Carriage in such courses, whose weak Eye  
" Looks at the present only: And thereby  
Values the rest:" Do thou make good thy end  
" The common sort will ever be thy friend.   

122  
Wise Longshanks, yet in this thou wert not wise▪  
If thou hadst taken the head of Gaveston,  
Those subsequent disasters that did rise  
From him, had been prevented every-one:  
Thy Son had not been shouldered from his throne▪  
Thy people slain, nor Realm to ruin brought  
But so God works, till all his will be wrought.   

123  
" And the whole List of Nature serves his will,  
" Our selves are Instruments unto his ends.  
" Our most reserved drifts he useth still.  
" To work those purposes, which he Intends;  
" Though our devices aim at other ends.  
" He is the Master● wheel, and makes us strike  
No otherwise, than he himself doth like.   

124  
My Gaveston thus driven into exile,  
Myself Committed like a Captive thrall;  
(For so my Father kept me short a while)  
With bitter Curses I did ban them all,  
I drank my Tears, and fed upon my Gall.  
I chafed, and stormed, yet could I not prevail.  
" Needs must: will be, fain would: doth often fail.   

125  
Then were my Colours turned to mournful black  
And I put on the Livery of Care.  
Like to the hopeless Seaman in a wrack  
That sees the greedy wa●es devour his share;  
No otherwise, did thoughtful Edward fare.  
When sad remembrance in my soul did plant  
His lot, my loss; His woe, my pleasures want.   

126  
The chiefest Cordial of my grieved Soul,  
The one, and only Period of my pain.  
Was this: That Death (admitting no Control)  
Would end my Father's wrath, his Life, his Reign  
And then (thought I) Ned will have Pierce again.  
When England's Crown shall make a jove of me  
Then Gaveston my Ganymede shall be.   

127  
As I did hope, so had my hopes success.  
For shortly after died my noble Sire.  
Whilst he prepared the Sco●s for to suppress.  
Low now (quoth I) I have my hearts desire.  
Longshanks is dead: His water, Air, and fire  
Are turned to Earth: and earthy might he be,  
That on the Earth did keep a Crown from me▪   

128  
Yet in that sad dismayful hour of dying,  
No grief did him more feelingly possess,  
Then that his vicious Son all virtue flying  
Should ruin that, by riot, and excess.  
Which he had built with so great carefulness.  
And therefore, for to wean me from such Sins.  
These well tuned Notes this dying Swan begins.   

129  
My Son (quoth he) (for in that name of zeal  
My words may prove of more effectual power)  
Why shouldst thou so with thy sick Father deal?  
As to torment him in his parting hour.  
Whose life hath had his portion full of sour.  
And yet to make my measure fuller still,  
My Son doth daily add unto my ill,   

130  
I know what 'tis e'en sometimes by extremes  
To keep the Crown upright upon the head.  
I know the troubled sleeps and fearful dreams▪  
That hover still about a Princely bed.  
" The worm of greatness (jealousy) is bred.  
" Out of itself; yet this I know withal,  
Our powerful sway doth sweeten all our gall.   

131  
But for thyself, and for my heartbreak grief  
That out of thy sin-ship-wracked youth doth grow  
No Circumstance yields colour of relief.  
The cause excuseless, Limitless the woe  
That doth from thy full Sea of follies flow.  
For foulest faults proceed from powerful Ill  
And Subject's sort themselves to Princes still:   

132  
Thou dost not only by thy vicious living  
Bereave thy Soul of bliss, which virtue wins.  
But also, by the ill-example giving  
Thou dost incite weak minds unto like sins.  
" For certainly, the Subject ever swims  
Just with the stream: so growing like to thee.  
A general Deluge of all sin will be.   

133  
Much better had It been: Thou hadst not been,  
Then that thy being should so ruin all.  
O wherefore was thy birthday ever seen?  
If by thy life, The State Itself doth fall.  
To those foul sins, which wrath from Heaven do call.  
By whose just doom such states confounded are  
By foreign fury, or domestic war.   

134  
For when the seed of sin to ripeness grows  
Then justice with a sith doth mow It down  
This, this It is, that Kingdom's overthrows.  
Lays wast the fields, unpeoples every Town.  
Or if not so, disorders yet the Crown.  
Which, though It prove no general desolation  
Yet many mischiefs grow by Innovation.   

135  
When my heau'n-seeking soul shall leave her Inn,  
And this my flesh closed in a house of Clay.  
Then will my shame survive me in thy sin.  
And babes unborn, will ban my birth, and say;  
His wretched life, gave life to our decay.  
And had no other ill by him been done.  
He sinned too much, in getting such a Son.   

136  
Did I for this endure the dust and Sun?  
Dislodge at midnight, March in midday's heat?  
Were Turkish, French, Welsh, Scottish Trophies wone  
Was all my care employed, to make thee great,  
That sin might dispossess thee of thy Seat?  
O then, I see that greatness soon is gone,  
When God draws not the plot, man builds upon.   

137  
And my devining Solve doth sadl● see  
Thy Ruin in thy riot: Ah my Ned  
When I am gone, a King then shalt thou be,  
But if thou still be with thy passions led,  
Thou wilt not keep the Crown upon thy head.  
My Soul now parting from her earthly Cage  
Foretells thee so in her Prophetic rage.   

138  
And those predictions seldom use to fail  
Which she unfolds in her last ecstasy.  
she's ready now to quit her fleshly jail  
And now she tells thee with free liberty  
Thy Reign, thy life will end in misery,  
If still thou keep'st the ways, thou now art in.  
And dost not leave thy mind, and means to sin.   

139  
Well Son I feel my faltering tongue doth fail,  
Therefore this short Abridgement I do make.  
Fear God, Love goodness, let the right pre●aile.  
eat sudden courses, Parasites forsake.  
Disfavour not thy Peers, their Counsels take  
In thy designs: Revoke not Gaveston,  
For he will prove the Canker of thy Throne.   

140  
Pursue those Scottish wars I have in hand.  
And for because my Soul did make a vow  
Unto my God: to serve in Holy-Land.  
From which, This sickness Interdicts me now,  
Though death disable me, yet do it thou.  
Embowel me, and thither bear my heart,  
That in that worthy work I may have part.   

141  
And you my Lords (speaking unto his Peers)  
Whose wealth, and greatness I have much Increased  
Bee Fathers to my Sons untored years.  
Love him for me, though Longshanks be deceased.  
Let Gavestons' exile be not released.  
Lest his repeal occasion civil strife  
And so first Edward ends both speech, and life.   

142  
Thus death, that Herald that e'en Kings doth summon,  
The Pursuivant, that doth attatch proud Peers.  
The Cittie-Sergeant, whose arrest is Common,  
The errant-Bayliffe, that one Process bears,  
And no place bounds, but serves it in all shires.  
The general Surveyor of each-one  
Did bring my Father to his longest home.   

143  
Whose obsequies, and Ceremonies done.  
Then I was crowned: me thought the Sun did dance.  
And that fair Thames with silver streams did run.  
Me thought, the Stars did all applaud the chance,  
That did my State unto a Crown advance.  
Smile Stars, dance Sun, and River run with mirth,  
Carnarvan Edward is a God on Earth.   

144  
But all the Stars to blazing Comets turned,  
Whose sad uprise presaged my dreatie fate.  
The Rivers seemed, as if they wept, and Mourned.  
The Sun did never shine upon my state.  
Stars, streams, and Sun, saw me unfortunate.  
Disastrous man, so borne to suffer wrack,  
As is the Aethiop to be always black.   

145  
Observe the man, whom fates have slaved to grief  
See how the wretch, that's destined Fortunes foe  
Will be a rub, to turn away relief  
e'en from himself, and work his owne-wrought woe.  
Harm after him: he after harm shall go.  
(Fore-spoken man) he's never but successless,  
Himself his hurt, and yet his hurt redreslesse.   

146  
Nay e'en those very means which he shall use  
In good discretion to prevent the clap  
shallbe returned unto his abuse.  
And serve for pulleys of his own mishap.  
So though he see, he shall not shun the trap.  
And if his ruin were not ripe before,  
His own designs shall hasten It the more.   

147  
The King of * 
ALEXANDER Epiro●  Epire, fearing death at home.  
Forewarned thereof by former Prophecy.  
To Italy forthwith must needs be gone.  
So to prevent his fate by policy.  
But Still he's followed by his destiny.  
In Italy he finds an Acheron,  
The fatal flood, from which he would be gone.   

148  
Fourth Henry was by some blind Bard foretell,  
That he should never dye, till he had seen  
jerusalem: fourth Henry will be old.  
jerusalem for him shall be unseen.  
No, he shall see it, when he lest doth ween.  
He 'sounds at prayers, and by religious men  
Is straight conveyed unto jerusalem.   

149  
(So was the Chamber called, where he was laid)  
And shortly after died the noble King.  
" In vain man strives: the heavens will be obeyed.  
" We may foreknow, but not prevent a thing.  
" Our selves will never cease until we bring  
" Our Fates to full effect: and what we do  
" Shall be but lines, to lead us thereunto.   

150  
For first, I do those Counsellors remove  
That in my Father's time had borne most sway.  
Whereby I did disarm me of their Love,  
To practices, and discontents made way.  
Expose myself to Envy: open lay  
To disadvantage, wanting their advice,  
Whom long experience had made deeply wise.   

151  
Besides, I did the public State some wrong.  
So to cast off those grounded Politicians.  
Who knew to govern, by commanding long.  
Had seen, and well observed men's dispositions.  
And so could tell, when, where, how Impositions  
Were to be raised: how to avoid offence.  
How to gain men, & ends with fair pretence.   

152  
Who likewise knew, how other Kingdoms stood,  
The concordances of each neighbouring state  
How Realms best correspond for either's good.  
How to make Leagues, how to negotiate.  
When to break off, when to Incorporate.  
How far Remotes, and neere-Confiners too.  
Are to be weighed, as they have means to do.   

153  
'Tis not the practice of a day, or twain.  
'Tis not the School, or Sophister's debate.  
'Tis not the froth of every working brain.  
'Tis not the start into a neighbouring State.  
That works men fit to bear a Kingdom's weight.  
When men are fully made, employ them then,  
" For 'tis an Art of Arts to govern men.   

154  
Therefore I lay It for a certain ground,  
Which new-made Princes must not violate  
(Except they will the Commonwealth confounds  
Not to discard those men, that know the State.  
Whose long experience doth ingenerate  
A true, and ready Method to command.  
Both for the Princes good, and for the Land.   

155  
What got the youthful Son of Soloman  
By his neglect of that Sage-sound advice  
Which from his Father's Councillors did come?  
Did It not turn unto his prejudice?  
Did not ten Tribes fall from him in a trice?  
Which never could be glued again in one  
After that rupture and disunion,   

156  
Besides this fault, scarce settled in my State:  
I straight recalled exiled Gaveston.  
Who by my many favours grew so great,  
That I did seem for him, to live alone.  
I Alexander: He Hephestion.  
O no, I wrong them to usurp their names,  
Our loves were like, but far unlike our fames.   

157  
Here I did violate my Father's will,  
And all respect of duty did despise.  
" To wrong the dead, is Sacraligious Ill,  
A clog which on the Conscience ever lies.  
And at the latest gasp for vengeance cries.  
What fears, how many doubts lurk close within  
That restless soul, that's guilty of this Sin?   

158  
When all his joints are racked with dying pain.  
With cold dead sweat all covered over quite.  
What thorny thoughts will then distract his brain?  
How shall he dare t' approach his father's sight?  
Whose dying words he living set so light.  
He'll fear his friends, suspect his wife, and Son,  
And sighing think: They'll do as I have done.   

159  
It is too Common, to betray the trust  
That is in friends by Testators reposed.  
But mark God's judgements, how severe, how just.  
How to the Nature of the Sin disposed,  
e'en I myself was by my Son deposed.  
I that infringed my dying Father's best,  
Was in my life, by my own Son distressed.   

160  
Me, that did wrong a Sire, a Son did wrong.  
I that did show myself degenerate  
As I had sown, so did I reap er'e-long,  
Such sin It is▪ our Faith to violate.  
O deepest doom, of all foreseeing fate  
How wisely are thy fearful judgements fitted.  
To punish sin, as Sin was first Committed.   

161  
The Giants heaped up hills, to climb the Sky,  
I honours heaped, that Gaveston might climb,  
They did contend with jove, and fell thereby.  
He with my Peers, and perished in his prime.  
They thrived at first, but fell in after time.  
His Prologue sweet, but sad was his last Act.  
So fairest glass (men say) is soon cracked.   

162  
These were the honours, that he did attain,  
The Earl of Cornwall, and the Lord of Man,  
Chief Secretary, Lord great Chamberlain.  
And for his wife he Gloucester's sister won▪  
Aspiring men, see how great Monarches Can.  
Advance their states, whom they do deign to favour.  
" Who serves y● King, doth seldom lose his labour.   

163  
Though Poets fictions seem to savour much  
Of Idle Error, yet they have their sense.  
King Midas turned to Gold all he did touch.  
The Moral this: The favour of a Prince  
His gracious touch may gild without offence  
The greatest wants: and make him for to soar  
A lofty Pitch, that flagged the wing before.   

164  
Not all the painful passages one spends  
In serious Contemplation of deep Arts,  
Nor any-one Employment so commends  
The Agent (though a man of rarest parts)  
As when the Prince but One sweet smile Imparts  
One Look of Love, One Eye-glance of delight  
Hath power to change dark Clouds, to Sun's most bright.   

165  
The Eyes of Kings, are more than simply Eyes  
They are the Stars that do predominate  
Th' affairs of men, and in their Influence lies  
The good, or bad of every-ones estate.  
They are the Primum Mobile of Fate.  
They whirl about our Fortunes as they list.  
And as they favour, men are Cursed, or Blessed.   

166  
A Kings smooth brow, Is the true dwelling place  
Of Honour, wealth, dependency, respect.  
And in his frowning forehead lives disgrace,  
Death, Exile, want, a general neglect,  
A world of wrongs let that poor wretch expect.  
Be it: All Rivers to the Sea must run.  
And every Light receive light from the Sun.   

167  
Let them be great, whom Kings resolve to grace,  
It is a Privilege, that is their own.  
To raise such as they please to wealth, or place,  
Is truly proper to the Kingly throne  
And hath not been denied to any-One.  
Lewes th' eleventh did say he spent his Reign,  
In making, and in marring men again.   

168  
Some by the School, some by the Laws do mount,  
Some by the Sword, and some by Navigation.  
All streams have heads, though not the selfsame fount;  
Shall only Kings admit a Limitation  
How high, for what desert, or of what Nation  
They shall advance? It were a wretched thing  
On that Condition to become a King.   

169  
To make new Creatures, Is the Prince's due,  
And without murmur let him have his own.  
The danger only Is to him that's new,  
For Envy ever waits on such anon  
Both from those men, that are not so well grown,  
And from great houses too, who straight will fear  
Lest such new Stars should thrust them from they● Sphere   

170  
And those which once have got the highest stair  
Will keep them down, that mount with too much haste▪  
'Tis best (say some) to rise but soft and fair.  
If thou wilt gain thy journey's end at last,  
Tyre not thy means by posting overfast.  
Stir like a Dial, unperceived to move:  
So shalt thou gather strength, and purchase love▪   

171  
And therefore, they that found a Family,  
Must gather wealth, live under their estates,  
Make great pretences of Humility.  
Ally themselves with graced Confederates,  
Serve Great men's turns, so to avoid their hates.  
For Cerberus with Hony-sops was pleased,  
And Malice must with Mildness be appeased.   

172  
Then let It be his work, that next succeeds  
To raise himself unto a farther height,  
By home-Imployments, or by foreign deeds.  
Or by unlading some of that rich freight  
Of wealth, which he had stored: And that will straight  
Bring Honour to his house: That golden key  
To all designs opens a ready way.   

173  
Nor shall ●ee find such eager Opposition,  
Time having worn out all his Father's foes.  
Or else perhaps altered their dispositions  
By Gifts, by Matches, by Obsequious shows,  
Or else perchance for fear of future blows.  
And so some few descents from heir to heir  
The newness of the House will varnish fair.   

174  
Where sudden Greatness ruined Gaveston,  
Whom I too much preferred before my Peers,  
Who did possess me more than any One,  
From whence; grew many jealousies and fears  
Close discontents, which at first appears  
Of little moment, worthless of respect,  
But proved such scars, as we did least expect.   

175  
It is the praise and blessing of the Sun  
To make his heat, and light both general;  
Princes are Suns, and both must freely run  
An open Course, and not be several  
Unto some few, but common unto all.  
The poorest he that breathes, this Song may sing  
We all have Interest in the Air and King.   

176  
And this too much did speak my heady passion,  
Who like pure water should have had no taste,  
This Error did my government disfashion  
That Gaveston unworthily was graced.  
And made too great a monster, huge, and vast;  
Who in this growth being unproportionall,  
Became offensive to himself, and all.   

177  
The Court, which in my Father's life-time seemed  
A Senate-house of siluer-headed Sages.  
Might now a pompous Theatre be deemed  
Pestered with Panders, Players, and with Pages.  
Of my ensuing fall, too true presages.  
And yet in show, It seemed fairer far,  
So Comets glister more than any Star.   

178  
But (O) the quiet of that happy Land.  
Where aged Nestor's bear the chiefest sway.  
Where strength of mind, more rules than force of hand▪  
Where Old men bid, and Young men do obey,  
Where Ages winter guideth youths sweet May.  
But when the foot, or hand Commands the head,  
The Body than is many ways misled.   

179  
Let silver hair, and long-experienced Age  
Be sole directors of each enterprise.  
Let youth be as an Actor on the Stage,  
To execute, what stayder-heads device;  
For Youth is Active, Age discreet, and wise.  
Youth is more daring, but precipitate.  
Age more judicious, and considerate.   

180  
Yet should not Statists be too-aged men,  
Because, by too much time their spirits decay;  
They Earthy grow, and Melancloly then  
Heavy, and dull (their Edge being worn away)  
Weyward, and teachy, wrangling all the day;  
Full of morosity, and which is worse,  
Extremely given to gripe, and fill the purse.   

181  
Besides, we see, some men are ripe betimes,  
Like Summer fruit, soon pleasing to the taste.  
And if those Spirits in whom such virtue shines  
May be with Greatness, and Employments graced  
They Come to full maturity at last,  
Men of exceeding worth, when they are grown.  
Both for their Country's good, & for their own.   

182  
But to myself: Who did neglect my Peers,  
And only did divote myself to pleasure.  
Loved I? Why Love itself loves youthful years.  
Spent I? Why Kings should not be ●laues to treasure.  
Herd I not Subjects suits? I had no leisure.  
Did I neglect my Peers converse? What then?  
jove is not tied, to sort himself with men.   

183  
When they did say that Scottish Bruce did burn  
My Northern borders, and did waste the same.  
Then sighing I to Gaveston would turn,  
And say (sweet Pierce) myself feels fancy's flame.  
I saw, I love, I die for such a Dame.  
Cupid (I fear) to me a Bruce will prove,  
My Holds by him, my heart is fired by Love..   

184  
With these, and many more fantastic toys  
I shifted-off my Council, when they came.  
I had not time enough to spend in joys,  
Why should I spare one minute from the same.  
Let them that list, by wars go out for fame  
I force it not, give me those pleasing wars;  
Where blows are given, but such as cause no scars.   

185  
But when the field, is to a field bed turned.  
When Eyes like sharpest Lances pierce, yet please.  
When amorous Hearts with equal flames are burned.  
When Foes lie down, our fury to appease,  
And lips on lips redouble blows of ease.  
When brave assaults are not by Death controlled,  
In such a band who would not be enrolled.   

186  
The Roman Monster Heliogabilus.  
And Persian Xerxes never fortunate;  
Might well be thought to live again in us,  
We prized our Pleasures at so high a Rate.  
Such was our sad, and still-succeslesse Fate.  
In Peace, our Faults procured our decays,  
In War, our Fortunes made us Runaways.   

187  
The luckless Battles fought, whilst I did Reign  
With Robert Bruce, that noble English-Scot.  
Sad Monuments unto the world remain,  
" That vicious Life with Monarches thriveth not;  
" For Sin and shame are tied with Gordions' knot:  
" And those Designs, do prove successless quite,  
" That are Contrived by men drowned in delight.   

188  
Mark but the Maps of all Antiquity.  
True Registers, vnfalsifyed Records,  
The voice of Time (which we call History)  
And 'twill be found, that every Age affords  
Plenty of proof to fortify my words.  
Each place, each time do pregnant witness bear,  
Who Riot most, to Ruin are most near.   

189  
When Sin did over flow, the Deluge Came.  
Th' Assyrians then did lose their Monarchy  
When their last * King did live most out of frame 
SARDANAPALUS.   
And was o'erwhelmed with Sensuality.  
The Persians than did wrack their Empirie.  
When wealth, & Lust, and ease did most abound  
Which also did the Roman State confound.   

190  
The Danes did first set footing in this Land,  
Because Lord Buerus wife was ravished here.  
The Saxon forces got the upperhand,  
When Vortiger held Hengists * Daughter deer. 
ROWEN.   
And still our Realm to ruin hath been near  
When ripened Sin hath gathered strongest head.  
So stalled Steers are to the shambles led.   

191  
Thus Edward said: And this our Age hath seen  
Like Instance, of a neere-confining State,  
Never was France more deadly sick of sin.  
Never was Goodness grown more out of date.  
Never did Princes more preposterate  
Their private lives, and public regiment.  
And as they Lived so died Impenitent.   

192  
Never Religion served for more pretences.  
Never were Nobleses more ambitious.  
Never like Inundation of offenccs.  
Never were Churchmen less religious.  
Never were Commons more seditious.  
Such plotting, Counterplotting policies,  
Such massacres, such barbarous Cruelties.   

193  
Such Impious Courses, such Impunity  
Never was seen, less blushing, and more shame▪  
Never had Sin so great Immunity.  
Never was ever all so out of frame  
As in those wretched times: Till the fierce flame▪  
Of Civil fury, and the foreign foe  
Did make poor France the stage of tragic wo●   

194  
And without doubt, had not that * Man of men: 
HENRY, 4. the Great.   
The mighty Atlas of that falling State  
Been raised by God, to give new life, e'en then  
That famous Kingdom of so ancient date  
By home ambition, and by foreign hate  
Had breathed her last, being Sin-sick unto deat●  
And much a do there was, to give her breath.   

195  
But that great Spirit was a blessed instrument  
To give new strength unto much weakened France.  
That Heau'n-blest Country never shall repent  
That she did Henry Bourbon so advance.  
For next to God, It was his happy chance  
By matchless virtue to revive again  
That sinking State which Sin had almost slain.   

196  
" For still the eye of wrath doth overlook  
" The wicked actions of obdurate men,  
" The Court of heaven doth keep a titeling book,  
" Wherein are entered all our sins, and when  
" The score is full, let's look for payment then.  
And O, what Prince what Commonwealth can stand  
When God doth scourge it with a rigorous hand.   

197  
And let us make this use of their neere-wracke,  
" Forbear to sin, for fear of punishment.  
" God is not senseless, though he seem to slack.  
" He gives us day, in hope we will repent;  
" But use grows more, the longer debts are lent▪  
And God forbears, and winks at our abuse  
" That we might have less colour of excuse.   

198  
I could not choose, when I had yoked my team,  
But make this furrow to enrich my field.  
I now return to my Intended Theme.  
And Edward wishes, that his Reign might yield  
Fit Precedents for Princes, how to wield.  
That weighty Province, which they do sustain.  
And thus continues his discourse again.   

199  
When my chief Peers did see, how things mischance  
And those mischances did Impute to Sinne.  
My Sin to him, whom I had so advanced,  
To banish him again, they then begin,  
And made myself to have a hand therein▪  
Their force, my fear compelled me thereunto,  
" 'Tis hard, when Princes are enforced to do.   

200  
It is the chiefest good, of Kingly Reign  
That it is free, from base compelling fear.  
And 'tis again the Kingdom's chiefest bane  
Not to admit wise Council to the Eare.  
Away with Awe: hold admonition dear,  
" Fears figure ne'er should meet with Kingly Eyes,  
" But on the Backs o● flying Enemies.   

201  
But the fair lovely picture of Advice  
Should still be placed in the Prince's sight.  
Thrice happy Kings that are both stout, and wise,  
You scorn Control, but set not Council light  
Not fear, but virtue makes you to do right.  
Y'are, Kings indeed: and may securely rest  
Whilst fears are lod'gd within a weaker breast   

202  
Te Solum vercor: Is a Princely word  
Speaking to him, that Is Lord Paramount  
And supreme Princes so should bear the sword  
As but to him, they need give no account.  
Which they shall do, If (as they do Surmount  
In greatness (so in goodness they excel,  
'Tis certain: He rules all, that governs well.   

203  
And none doth so, but the selfe-governor  
That his own private passions can Command.  
Which make a slave, e'en of an Emperor,  
If once they grow, to get the upper hand.  
And soon deep searching Spirits will understand  
And find a Prince that's weak: and ride him so,  
That he must place, as they will have him go.   

204  
Whereof myself may be a Precedent  
Who was so ouer-awed by my great Peers  
That Gaveston was doomed to banishment,  
And now my Soul (full fraught with griefs, and fears  
Was in her motions restless (like the Spheres  
But not so fixed) Now go he should: now should not.  
So woman like I would: and straight I would not.   

205  
Yet ere he went, (as go he must, and did)  
Dear Prince (saith he) wherein have I misdone?  
That I am banished thus? Doth Edward bid,  
His poor (yet but his own poor Pierce) to shun  
His gracious sight? must I from England run?  
He bids: I must: Farewell: yet think of me.  
Though body goes, yet stays my Soul with thee.   

206  
What were these words, but each to me a wound?  
Whereat my very lifeblood gashed out.  
I would have spoke: but words with tears drowned  
Whilst giddy passion hurled my brains about.  
Confusedly I spoke: O do not doubt:  
Those cursed Peers: It is not long of me  
Though Body stays, yet goes my Soul with thee.   

207  
Mourn not (sweet Prince) saith he: O do not mourn.  
Let never tears disgrace those graceful eyes:  
Is not enough, that I am thus forlorn?  
Must woes from me, (as clouds from Sea) arise?  
My dear, dear Liege, let it at least suffice,  
That still you have the better part of me  
My Body they command, my Soul is free.   

208  
Cease, cease my Pierce, thy tongue doth wound my heart.  
I grieve to see: because I see thy grief.  
Farewell: and yet me thinks we should not part.  
And yet we must: Well: this be thy relief:  
Thou bearest a field of gold: A King in chief.  
Thou shalt be Ireland's Governor for me.  
Wouldst thou might stay, or I might go with thee.   

209  
At Parting, thus with wanton grief we played.  
He went to Sea, and I to Sorrow went;  
And yet, my heat of lust was not allayed.  
My treasure that to Ireland was sent.  
And there by Gaveston in triumphs spent.  
Who now seemed greater, than he was before,  
So vines being cut, increase, and thrive the more.   

210  
And here my Peers did in true judgement fail.  
So to remove, not take him quite away.  
Who once returning, needs must seek to quail  
The adverse part: that laboured his decay,  
Dead Dogs can neither bark, nor bite (men say)  
But angered Curs more fiercely still return,  
And wronged mind● with greater fury burn.   

211  
Better It is, still to dissemble hate  
Then first to enter into discontent,  
And leave him great, whom thou didst wrong of late  
Who having means, and sharpened in Intent  
May easily work some dangerous event.  
Either strike not, or (else besure) strike so.  
That thou thyself need fear no after blow.   

212  
Besides, they did the more exasperated,  
By opposition, my enraged ire;  
And as for Gaveston, (whom they did hate)  
They did inflame me with a greater fire.  
His absence setting edge on my desire.  
" For Princes kept from what they do affect,  
" Do hurry to their ends without respect.   

213  
What ever stops the Current of a Stream  
Is swept away with furious violence.  
" Force is effectless against a strong extreme,  
But if one will with labour, and expense  
Divert the course, and turn the Channel thence.  
'Tis possible, that he in time pevailes,  
For Art doth compass, when resistance fails.   

214  
Philosophers do hold, (and truly too)  
That lightning oft, (the sheath untouched (the blade  
Consumes: The reason why it doth so do  
Is, by the one there's small resistance made,  
Being full of Pores: Th' other hard to Invade  
Doth set itself against that heavenly shot  
Which quite consumes, because it pierceth not.   

215  
I cannot fit the awful wrath of Kings  
More properly, then to this wondrous fire  
Which once inflamed, consumes resisting things,  
Breaks up the bounds, that limit their desire,  
And by depressing down, still mounteth higher.  
" Whereas strong passion borne with patience,  
" Spends on Itself, and dies without offence.   

216  
My Peers soon saw, which way the Hare did run,  
And therefore gave consent to his repeal.  
Not Caesar (when Pharsalia field he won)  
Did triumph more than I, when they did Seal  
And did subscribe the ruin of our weal.  
Then all was well, whilst all did well agree,  
But All proved Ill for all, and worst for me.   

217  
For Gaveston after he did return  
Of all my former favours once possessed,  
His full-sayled Fortunes held my Peers in scorn,  
Nor could he any equal well digest,  
Though I was King in show, in him did rest  
The Kingly power: all was at his Command,  
And nothing done, that did not pass his hand.   

218  
Such overswelling greatness was the Cause  
That made my Peers report: His cursed Dam  
To be a Witch: And (that by force of Laws,  
She suffering fort) was burned for the same  
And that her Son like practices did frame  
Upon myself: and by such hellish Art  
Had skrew'd himself so far into my heart.   

219  
It is too true, my dotage was extreme.  
And I did prise him at so high a Rate,  
That he, my Crown, my life weighed at a beam,  
Above them both, I him did estimate.  
Which was indeed my folly, and his fate.  
But that the same was wrought by Magic Spell.  
Is such a Tale, as old wives use to tell.   

220  
Witchcraft may work upon the Body much,  
But there's no fascination of the mind.  
The Soul is free from any Magic touch.  
Nor can enchanting charms or loose, or bind  
The powers and faculties thereto assigned,  
Spirits may suggest, they may persuade to ill,  
But all their power cannot compel the will.   

221  
It is the sole Prerogative of Heaven,  
'Tis God's peculiar, to command the heart.  
That damned Imposter had his power given  
From the most high, ere he with all his Art  
Could work on him, in whom he had most part.  
Seduced Ahab falls by his persuasion.  
But It is God, that first grants the Commission.   

222  
The Prince of Darkness may corrupt the brain,  
And so work strongly upon th' Imagination,  
Which being abused, oft becomes most vain  
In the conceiting a strange transmutation,  
Of It's own self, into some wolvish fashion.  
Which is no other▪ (As our Doctors say)  
Then the disease called Lycantropia.   

223  
He may, (and doth oft times) delude the sight,  
By offering strange Phantasmaes' to our Eyes.  
And then the judgement is perverted quite;  
When 'tis seduced by such erroneous Spies,  
As brings us no Intelligence, but lies.  
A thousand like devices he hath got  
To make us think he doth, what he doth not.   

224  
Besides, when any Error is committed,  
Whereby we may Incur or loss, or shame.  
That we ourselves thereof may be acquitted,  
We are too ready to transfer the blame  
Upon some Witch: That made us do the same.  
It is the vulgar Plea, that weake-ones use,  
I was bewitched: I could nor will: nor choose.   

225  
But my affection was not caused by Art  
The witch that wrought on me, was in my breast.  
My Gaveston wholly possessed my heart  
And that did make him swell above the rest,  
But 'tis not safe so high to build one's nest:  
For bubbles fullest blown do soon break,  
And Trees are ever at the top most weak.   

226  
Content doth seat Itself in lowly dales  
Out of the dint of winds, and stormy showers.  
There sit, & sing melodious Nightingales,  
There run fresh cooling streams, there grow sweet flowers  
There heat and cold are fenced by shady bowers.  
And there is wealth at will: But this we know,  
The grass is short, that on the hill doth grow.   

227  
O Gaveston! why dost thou then aspire  
To be so Great, when greatness stands on ye.  
If thou shouldst slip, as now thy place is higher  
So will thy fall be greater: In a trice  
he's down that stands on Pinnacles: Be wise,  
Stand low, stand sure: But (oh) I speak in vain  
" For men will mount, though sure to stoop again.   

228  
How Gaveston (the third time banished)  
Did live in Dutch-land, where he found no rest.  
How he returned, How I as famished  
Did feed on him, as on some dainty feast.  
How ill my Peers his presence did digest,  
I do but touch at: Now my Muse unfold  
How till his fall he bore him proud, and bold.   

229  
Suppose him spleenful, melancholy, sad.  
And me in my affections passionate.  
Think him revengeful, think me doting-mad;  
Think, how I loved, and think, how he did hate;  
And think him then, thus to expostulate.  
Grieved with precedent, feared with future wrong  
Thus did this Siren tune his baleful song.   

230  
O King (no King) but shadow of a King;  
Nay, do not frown, but hear me what I say,  
I speak in Zeal, (though harshly I do sing)  
Thou op'st a gap unto thine own decay  
By suffering thy proud Peers to bear such sway.  
For look how much the shadows length doth grow  
So much the Sun declines, and goes more low.   

231  
Thy waxing is their wain: Thy Ebb, their tide.  
When they are strongest, thou art weak and faint.  
Turn every stone, to quell their growing pride.  
It fits not Kings to brook the least restraint.  
Disgrace, Exile, close Durance, or Attaint  
For seeming Crimes, to bring them into hate  
These are the means to reassure thy State.   

232  
Now thou art King in show, but not Indeed,  
Those petty Pawns do check, and mate thee too.  
All is reversed, that is by Thee decreed,  
They do enjoin Thee what thou hast to do,  
And what they will, thou art Compelled unto.  
But though thy pleasure bend another way  
Yet things must pass, as they are pleased to sway.   

233  
They have Allies, to strengthen their designs.  
They back themselves with strong Conferates.  
Their seeming Zeal the vulgar undermines,  
The wiser sort for fear insinuates;  
And so they gain assurance of all States.  
Some by the gloss of fair deportment, and  
Some by a hard and over-awing hand.   

234  
Besides, they raise men, that are popular,  
And by their means the People's hearts they steal  
Themselves seem just, their courses regular,  
They make pretences (for the Commonweal)  
Of Reformation, of religious Zeal.  
And by these Colours which they do pretend  
They bring their complots to successful end.   

235  
But more than this: The wealth of all thy Land  
Is in their hand, or else at their dispose,  
Whereby they have an absolute Command  
Of many Lives, which are maintained by those  
Great bounties, which from their abundance flows.  
For they must needs remain at their devotion,  
That have from them their being, & their motion.   

236  
These are the close Consumptions of thy State,  
Which by these Antidotes thou must restore.  
Be served by such, as thou hast raised of late,  
Advance new Creatures, of no note before;  
And such will still depend on thee therefore.  
For wanting means, except thou grace them still  
They must remain obliged to thy will.   

237  
Let them be stirring Spirits of air and fire,  
Apt both to make, and to maintain a Faction.  
Ambitious, Active, hungry to aspire.  
Not fooled with fear, but bold for any action,  
True to their ends, but false in faith and paction;  
And such being graced and favoured by the time,  
Will in despite of spiteful envy Climb.   

234  
Whose growth, thy Peers will malice, and detest,  
And seek to stop: Which they not brooking well  
Will nourish mutual hatred in their breast;  
And rancorous Envy in their souls will swell.  
From whence revenge, and greedy thirst to quell  
The adverse party: Cannot but proceed.  
And so Confusion to them all Indeed.   

239  
Mean while, thou underhand must feed the flame  
And secretly, give heart to either side.  
And which is weakest, lean thou to the same,  
Whereby thou shalt Confound the adverse pride.  
And if thy doubling, chance to be espied,  
Make it an open quarrel, and be sure  
To rid them first, that may most harm procure.   

240  
This lesson was by Tarquin well expressed,  
When with his wand he did behead those flowers,  
That any way did overgrow the rest.  
As who should say: Be jealous of great Powers,  
And Cut them down, whose growth near equals ours.  
For that same Throne is but a slippery Seat,  
That suffers any to be overgreat.   

241  
Make penal Laws, to Cut off their retainers.  
Wrest from their hands all public great command.  
Grace them in show, but not to make them gainers  
Keep them aloof, let them not understand  
The Passages of State, at any hand.  
Do not Commit thy forces to their trust,  
Lest having minds, th'ave means to be unjust.   

242  
Where e'er they live, (though they be far removed)  
Yet, let them be survay'd with careful Eye.  
Such as are near to them, and dear loved,  
To whom their Inward thoughts most open lie;  
Win them by gifts, and by close policy,  
To serve thy turn, with true Intelligence  
Of any thing, that may procure offence.   

243  
Gain to thyself by all means (if thou can)  
His bosom friend, the Consort of his life.  
So did Sejanus (that deep knowing man)  
Obtain the Love of Livia, Drusus wife,  
(With whom he lived in jealousy and strife)  
And by that course found means to make away  
His Opposite, who laboured his decay.   

244  
If they do sue, do not thou favour then,  
Let all advancements be derived from thee.  
So shalt thou wean from them, the hearts of men,  
And they will only thy dependants be.  
For there men serve, where they preferment see.  
Lastly, what Stratagem thou dost Intent,  
Let shows of virtue colour still thy end.   

245  
These are the baits, to fish for wisest Peers,  
The younglings may be caught with easier means.  
Let Siren pleasure love their youthful years,  
Let Lust, expense, and riotous extremes,  
(To which their youth by course of Nature leans)  
Let followers, change of beauties, pompous pride  
Infect their minds, and wrack their states beside.   

246  
Yet, If thou see a likely growing Plant (great)  
Whose spreading branches may in time grow  
Lodge him at home, let him Employment want,  
And useless wither in his Native seat;  
For Ease and rest will Chill his active heat,  
And lulled in pleasures of a safe delight,  
Relinquish mounting thoughts of honour quite.   

247  
But if his Temper soar so high a Pitch,  
As that his working virtue must have vent.  
Engage him in some Action, by the which  
H●s harvest may be Death, or Discontent.  
Yet make a show to grace his hardiment,  
With highest honours, and so thrust him on  
To such Attempts, as death still waits upon.   

248  
Which (if he miss, as Heaven may bless him so)  
Yet will the managing of such designs  
Afford fit matter for his overthrow:  
If prosperous fortune any ways declines.  
For Commonly the vulgar sort repines  
Against all Actions, that do want success,  
And in their humours weigh the Agents less.   

249  
And so they lie more open to their wrack  
When they have once Incurred a Common hate.  
And then some fair occasion cannot lack  
Either by Death to cancel their life's date,  
Or at the least, to weaken so their state;  
As that the Prince need fear no future harm,  
That may proceed from their unjointed arm.   

250  
And having cleared thyself of such: Yet then  
(That thou must keep thy Majesty and State)  
Thou needs must entertain some Noble men.  
But frothy bubbles full of Idle prate,  
Who study fashions, know their place (scarce that)  
All whose sweet worth is fetched from dead men's Tombs,  
And they themselves less worthy than their Grooms.   

251  
Let them discourse of Kindred, and Allies,  
My Uncle Earl, my Cosi●● Duke, or so.  
Who living did this, or that enterprise.  
And tell how his great Grandsire's horse did go,  
When he in France encountered with his Foe.  
Graco these (sweet Pr:) These thy Court-Cōmet● bee  
And pray for them: They'll never pray on thee.   

252  
Thus must thy twigs be limned, thy nets displayed  
To catch these birds, that soar up to the Sun.  
And when these wise foundations once are laid,  
'Tis almost ended, what is well begun.  
Then art thou King Indeed: Then hast thou won  
Unto thyself, an absolute estate.  
Till when, The Lion lives but in the Grate.   

253  
Thus did this hellish Are cast the ball  
Or Discontent, betwixt me, and my Peers.  
Whose wicked Counsels (flowing from the gall)  
Filled them with fury, me with needless fears,  
And set us altogether by the Ears;  
Whilst either side (neglecting Common good)  
Sought only how to spill each others blood.   

254  
Ill Counsels seem most fair at the first show  
And promise much, but in their managing,  
Many vnthought of difficulties grow.  
And in their end (which crowneth every thing)  
They prove unprosperous, and do ruin bring.  
They have an ea●●e birth, Dangers attend  
Their progress: And in wretchedness they end.   

255  
It is a wise man's part; sound to weigh  
The Counsels given: And to observe withal  
The giver's private ends: because they may  
In their advice upon some passage fall,  
That may perhaps prove prejudicial  
Unto th' Advice: They (their own true friends)  
Aiming at nothing, but their private ends.   

256  
Which in this Council given by Gaveston  
Was obvious for every Eye to see.  
Who in his spleenful heart still thought upon  
His own revenge, and so advised me  
To that, which with his ends did best agree.  
Which drew my Peers to Arms, who vowed e'●t long  
His head should answer for his cursed tongue.   

256  
I wished the trees were turned to armed troops,  
And all the bows were Pikes, their hearts to wound▪  
All other birds the Princely Eagle stoops,  
The Lion Roars: The Beasts shake at the sound,  
Why should not I their daring pride Confound?  
That saw cily usurp upon my right,  
But Lions are no Lions wanting might.   

258  
My Peers did strike, whilst that the steel was ho●  
And Still came on to seize upon their prey.  
What should we do, Complain? It booted not.  
Go leavy men? Our men did disobey.  
Sue for a Truce? They would not grant a day.  
Submit ourselves, and so some pity crave,  
Me hurt they would not, him they would not save   

259  
That Prince Indeed is to be held most wise  
That by his virtues doth his State secure.  
But he's not so, that means to tyrannize  
And doth not seek by forces to assure  
His own designs: for let him be most sure;  
A Prince that's weak, and yet doth govern ill,  
Is subject to a thousand dangers still.   

260  
O Sacred Virtue, what a powerful guard  
Art thou? What a strong Power of defence?  
All hearts are won to reverence and regard  
Thy awful worth: Thou neither giv'st offence,  
Nor takest It: Men are not without sense,  
But they both see, and taste, and love, and nourish,  
That Real good, by which themselves do flourish.   

261  
What understanding Soul, that doth not know,  
And knowing love, and loving will not spend  
The dearest blood, that in his veins doth flow,  
To guard, and give unto that Prince, whose end  
To public more than private good doth bend?  
He shall be ever able to command  
At will, his Subject's purse, his heart, his hand.   

262  
Flight was our best defence, and fly we did.  
So silly Doves before proud Falcons fly.  
Till Gaveston in Scarborow. Castle hid  
My Peers surprised: Whom War wicks Earl Sir Guy  
Beuchamp beheaded: 
The death of GAVESTON.  So my Pierce did dye.  
A gloomy night conclude his fair morn  
And Fortune's darling ended Fortune's scorn.   

263  
O what is honour but an exhalation?  
A fiery meteor soon extinct and gone,  
A breath of People, and the Tongues relation,  
That straight is ended when the voice is done,  
A morning dew, dried up with miidday Sun.  
A ceasing sweet, like Danae's golden shower.  
That both began, and ended in an hour.   

264  
There breeds a little Beast, by Nilus' Streams,  
Which being borne, when Phoebus first doth rise,  
Grows Old, when he reflects his hottest beams,  
And when at night to Western Seas he hies,  
Then life begins to fail, and straight It dies.  
Borne, old, and dead, and all but in a day  
Such honour Is, so soon it wears away.   

264  
How much more happy is that sweet estate  
That neither creeps too low: nor soars too high?  
Which yields no matter to contempt, or hate.  
Which others not disdain, nor yet envy,  
Which neither do●s, nor takes an injury.  
But living to itself in sweet Content,  
Is neither abject, nor yet insolent.   

266  
He lives indeed, and spends his course of time  
In truest pleasure, that this life can yield.  
He hath set hours, to pray at e'en, and Prime  
He walks abroad into his quiet field  
And studies, how his home affairs to wield.  
His Soul, and Body make one Commonwealth.  
His Counsels Care, to keep them both in health.   

267  
He fears no poisons in his meats and drinks,  
He needs no guard, to watch about his bed.  
No teacher undermines him, what he thinks,  
No dangerous projects hammer in his head,  
He sits and sees how things are managed.  
And by observing, what hath erst been done.  
He levels oft, how future things will run.   

268  
If he would live with Kings, and mighty men,  
He doth converse with them in History.  
If he would know the Heavenly motions, Then  
He takes his Globe, he reads Astronomy,  
His Maps, and Chartes do teach Cosmography.  
And whilst in his safe Cell he studying stands,  
In one short hour, he sails both Sea & Lands.   

269  
And tired (perhaps) with the discovery  
Of foreign things, He comes more nearer home,  
He looks into himself with careful Eye,  
That little world, (that is indeed his own)  
He travailes-in, which being truly known,  
Affords enough, for wonder and delight,  
When he hath learned, to know himself aright.   

270  
How far removed from this true Happiness  
Are those high Climbers, that grow overgreat?  
They always eat the Bread of Carefulness,  
And sad suspicion ushers in their meat.  
They sleep on Thorns: (If any sleep they get)  
Being troubled, both to deal, and to discard.  
Unguarded they do fear, and fear their Guard.   

271  
O greatness! though thou seem'st fair gilded. over  
Yet Inwardly, thou art but wretchedness.  
So have I known, a Costly habit cover  
A Body full of Soars, and filthiness.  
Thy very marrow is but rottenness.  
An Alpe to Clime, An ye to stand upon,  
A very Hell of Hell's, if had, and gone.   

272  
The Earl of Cornwall (causer of the War)  
Thus being dead, they laid their weapons down.  
Protesting all, They would not go so far  
As to be thought disloyal to the Crown,  
But they did seek the Realms, and my Renown.  
Which was eclipsed in him, whom they had slain,  
But England's Sphere would now grow fair again.   

273  
But still dark Clouds did shadow England's Sphere,  
And bitter storms, on gloomy Clouds dependant.  
Unfortunate, and fatal every year,  
Whilst hapless Edward was chief Lord ascendant.  
Malignant Stars on me were still attendant,  
Though at my birth jove smiled with sweet aspect  
Yet froward Saturn did my life direct.   

274  
For though distasted Gaveston was dead,  
Yet Edward lived, and lived to farther Ill,  
For still I was by my affections led,  
I willed no Law: yet used no Law but will,  
My Peers disgraced, my people grieved still.  
The Spencers, hay succeeded Gaveston.  
Ill changed to worse: and worst: two Ills for one   

275  
These Spencers (now the Subject of my Song)  
Descended of a Race of great esteem.  
The elder Hugh (the Father) lived long  
A man of worth, and happy days had seen.  
Till his ambitious Son did overween.  
Whose greatness caused the Father to aspire,  
And at the last did wrack both Son, and Sire.   

276  
O what hast thou (Old man) to do with Court?  
Thy Books, and Beads had better been for thee.  
Live still retired, and do not now resort  
To stormy tempest, Age doth Ill agree  
With great Concourses, and vulgar mutinee.  
It rather craves Immunity, and rest,  
And peaceful ease, with tumults not distressed.   

277  
Whose joints being racked, and tortured with the Gout  
Can scarce endure the stirring of a straw  
Who being unwieldy, must be borne about.  
Whose golden Ewer is cracked with many a flaw,  
Who hath no grinders left in either jaw.  
Whose strong men bow, whose keepers shake & tremble,  
Whose meager looks, pale death doth most resemble.   

278  
But this Ambition is a boiling iii.  
Honour doth make dead Cinders glow again.  
What aged One so great, but by his will  
Would fain grow greater? Age doth still retain  
Two Humours: Hope of Life: Desire of Gaine.  
And this was that, which made Old Spencer clime.  
When he was past the Autumn of his time.   

279  
The younger Hugh (the Son of this old man)  
Was of an active Spirit, and able brain,  
Who with the Barons at the first began  
To side himself: They favouring him again  
For Gaveston made him Lord Chamberlain.  
That he in place so near about the King.  
Might give them notice still of every thing.   

280  
Thinking, (because he was by them preferred)  
He still would cleave to them in their designs.  
But (unjudiciall men) herein they erred.  
A swelling Spirit hates him, by whom he climbs;  
As ivy kills the tree whereon It twines.  
So rising men, when they are mounted high.  
Spurn at the means, that first they mounted by.   

281  
Because, they think such favours challenge still,  
An equal correspondency of Love..  
Which ties them, to be pliant to their will.  
And as the lower Spheres by those above  
Are whirled about, so they by them must move.  
And do what they insultingly obtrude.  
Or else be censured for Ingratitude.   

282  
And such well mettled men cannot digest  
To be obsequious to another's mind,  
Their haughty Spirits will not let them rest,  
Till those precedent bands which did them bind.  
By open opposition are untwined.  
And such a public rupture doth restore  
Their liberty, which was lngaged before.   

283  
And greatness holds it needful policy.  
To rid his hands of them, that did it raise.  
By entering into open Enmity,  
And so to cut them off without delays.  
These were, and are the Courses of our days;  
Who list observe both old, and modern times  
Shall find I write no fables, though some Rhymes.   

284  
I will not touch particulars at all,  
I play the ball, let others mark the chase.  
The Spencers do my wand'ring muse recall.  
Who being near the King in chiefest place,  
Did heap up much, and that in little space.  
For all things had from them their passage then,  
Who turned to gold all matters, and all men.   

285  
The chiefest Peers were underhand kept down,  
The Minions of the King got every place.  
Though Edward had, yet Spencer's ruled the Crown.  
And being both made Earls in highest grace,  
Did heap up much, and that in little space.  
They wronged, they cared not whom: such was their lust  
" And sudden greatness grows too soon unjust   

286  
Especially, If (like a mole) it works  
Only in Earth, how greedy's such a Man?  
How slyly he in close advantage lurks  
To compass a whole Country, if he can.  
Still gripping all, that Comes within his span.  
What wealth, wit, friends, force can do, good, or Ill,  
Shall, must be practised for to please his will.   

287  
The Princes favours do for Pulleys serve  
To draw on men to be at his command.  
e'en Seats of judgement shall from justice swerve,  
If they may bring a Title to his hand.  
And if some Reverend Fathers shall withstand.  
Then weed them out: They will not serve a turn,  
Such men are fit for Marryres: Let them burn.   

288  
His Agents must be of another mould,  
Sharp-sighted into other men's estate.  
Pliant to do what their great Master would,  
Close, cunning to dissemble love, or hate,  
Well-spoken, powerful to Insinuate.  
Seemingly honest, out wardly precise.  
By which they may their close complots disguise.   

289  
These are the Pipes of lead, that do Convey  
Those practices, that from their head do spring.  
And so, these seconds come to bear great sway,  
Are legged and crouched unto, for fear they sting  
These buy, and build, and beg: and raise & wring  
Farmer, Esquire, Knight, and Baron too,  
And Prince, and all with whom they have to do.   

290  
And this Indeed was the most dangerous Rock  
Whereon I split, and so at last did drown.  
This was my Error: This the stumbling block  
At which I fell, and cast my Fortunes down,  
This lost my people's hearts, (and that the Crown)  
My Minions rapine, and unjust oppression,  
And my too much Indulgent Indiscretion.   

291  
My Peers were malcontent, being unrespected.  
My Soldiers mutinous for want of Pay.  
My Court with all Licentiousness infected.  
My People poor, with Taxes pared away,  
And apt for Innovation every day:  
All out of joint, dejected, and dismayed.  
Only the Spencers, and their Consort swayed.   

292  
I sold, they bought, I wasted, they did thrive.  
They had abundance, I was Indigent.  
Theirs was the honey, mine the ransacked hive,  
Which made them grow bold, tart, and insolent,  
And thereby caused a Common discontent.  
Of all whose Crimes, I did Incur the blame,  
Because my heat gave life unto the same.   

293  
Princes attend (for I do speak in Zeal)  
'Tis not enough, that you yourselves be just.  
But you must Look into the Commonweal;  
And see that those whom you do put in trust,  
Do govern by the Law, not by their Lust.  
" For he indeed the wrong doth perpetrate,  
" That may redress, yet doth It tolerate.   

294  
And so you make their wickedness your own  
By suffering them to sin without Control.  
But let not Widows tears bedew your Throne.  
Nor poor men's sighs sent from a grieved Soul.  
Nor Orphans prayers (which heaven doth still enrol)  
Nor common curses caused by public grievance,  
Draw judgements down on you, for their mischievance.   

295  
Kings must use some: And may choose of the best,  
But let them still remember, what men are,  
Let not all Laws be locked up in one breast.  
Let not ones only Censure make or mar;  
For men have passions, which oft strain them far.  
" The most sees least: few best: But none sees all,  
" Who hath not, doth: who doth not, yet may fall.   

296  
I do not bark against Authority,  
My heart did never lodge unreverend thought.  
Heaven knows, how I adore just Sovereignty,  
How oft my soul with upheaved hands have sought  
Unto that God, whose precious blood us bought.  
For our right virtuous * King, 
JACOB. I.  This peaceful State  
And all those powers, he doth subordinate.   

297  
Long before this, how often have I prayed  
Unto th' Almighty's supreme Majesty.  
And in a faithful Zeal devoutly said;  
When loved ELIZA (of blessed memory)  
Shall pay the debt of all mortality.  
And leave her Crown upon this Earth, To be  
Translated to a Crown in Heaven with thee.   

298  
Do not again a Conquering William bring,  
Nor an intruding Stephen, to steer our helm.  
Let neither power, nor practice make a King  
That hath not lawful Title to the Realm,  
Lest Civil broils (so caused) should overwhelm  
The fortified foundations of our Land  
Which thou hast laid by thine ELIZA'S hand.   

299  
And if one beam of thy resplendent light  
Most fair, all gladding Sun chance to descend  
Upon this short Abridgement, which I write.  
Let no conceit thy Sacred self offend;  
For It was chiefly moulded to this end,  
To show, how much ourselves obliged stand,  
For that firm Peer, that now doth bless our Land.   

300  
Which by Collation of those gloomy days  
Appear more full of Comfort, and Content.  
But I go on: Muse, keep the beaten ways,  
Whilst Spencer's ruled with Common discontent.  
e'en God himself inflicted Punishment;  
Upon the Prince, the People, and the Land,  
Which felt the weight of his afflicting hand.   

302  
The King himself was full of diffidence,  
And sought to strengthen his Partiality.  
The Lords (not brooking Spencer's Insolence)  
Did league themselves with strong formality.  
The best were guilty of neutrality.  
The vulgar sort were tided up, and down.  
As fortune pleased to favour, or to frown.   

302  
The Earth herself (as sorrowing for her Sons,  
Or weary of their foul misgovernment)  
Grew out of heart, and barren so becomes.  
Not yielding men, sufficient to be spent,  
But seemed to droop away with languishment.  
So may we see, how God unfructifies,  
A fruitful Land, for men's Impieties.   

303  
The louring heavens do seem to drop down tears  
As if they wept, to wash the sinful Earth,  
Infectious fogs, and gloomy clouds appears;  
which choke the growth of all things in their birth,  
Heaven, Earth, and All conspired to make a dearth.  
O see, when God takes Arms against his Land,  
He can enrol all Creatures in a band.   

304  
Great was the want, of that unhappy time,  
The Earth not yielding her accustom'd-store,  
And that which was, whilst greedy men purloin  
And hoard It up: They make the Famine more,  
Grinding thereby the faces of the poor.  
As if God's heavy hand were too too light,  
Unless e'en Man should study man's despite.   

305  
Such men are Traitors e'en to Nature's law,  
And do conspire against the Common good.  
They wring the bread out of the poor man's jaw,  
By keeping up the Corn, whilst they want food  
But without doubt, God will require their blood.  
Their guiltless blood, which from the earth shall cry  
And beg revenge for such Impiety.   

306  
If but one spark of Grace in them did dwell.  
Did they respect humane Society,  
Had they a hope of Heaven, or fear of Hell;  
Or any little sense of Piety,  
Did they in heart conceive a Deity,  
And that most Just, most wise, most powerful too,  
They would forbear, what God forbids to do.   

307  
But neither fear of God, nor Love of men,  
Nor just Compassion of a Public ill  
Can work upon their steely hearts: And then  
" Coercive means best fits a stubborn will,  
Else they'll be hardened in their malice still.  
For often times (we see) where Nature fails  
Law Interposes, and indeed prevails.   

308  
The ancient Roman state in It's chief Pride,  
When It was governed with most sound advice:  
Had Leges Frument arias, to provide  
That Corn should not grow to too high a Price,  
And sure It was a course both Just and wise,  
When men grow monstrous, e'en against their kind,  
We must like Monsters them enclose and bind.   

309  
But now I must not be misunder stood,  
I do not pass a heavy Censure here,  
Upon such men, as for the general good  
Store up the plenty of a fruitful Year.  
And keep it safe, till more cause doth appear,  
To vent the same: And when such cause shall be,  
As they were frugal, so they must be free.   

310  
Religious joseph in the Egyptian Land  
Stored up much grain, and at an easy Rate,  
He had his warrant signed with Gods own hand.  
Both for the public good of the whole State  
(To which he did that grain Communicate)  
And to relieve his Father's family,  
In those ensuing years of Scarcity.   

311  
And so we may (and must) after like fashion  
When there is great abundance to comein.  
Provide both for the wants of our own Nation,  
And to help those that our Confiners been  
" Frugal provision never was a Sinne.  
It is a just, and honest Policy  
So to provide against necessity.   

312  
But in a time of Dearth, when there is want▪  
Then for a man to hoard, and hide his grain,  
With an Intent, to make the same more scant;  
And so to raise the price for his own gain,  
Is such a Sin, as were I to ordain  
A Law against It, for the Common good,  
I should (with Drac●) write that Law in blood.   

313  
But (O) what times are these wherein we live?  
In which, we neither can Endure the Sore  
Nor yet the Salve; The Causes why we grieve,  
Nor yet the means, which should our states restore.  
Once Pharaoh's Kine (which were but lean & poor)  
Devoured the fat: Those times are altered clean  
For now we see, The fat devours the lean.   

314  
But whilst, Impatient hunger did constrain  
The vulgar sort, to eat unhealthy food,  
A great Mortality began to reign,  
Spilling too much (but most Ploebeian) blood.  
And after Dearth came Death with angry mood.  
Lo wretched man, how woes still come in gross  
And after One succeeds a second Crosse.   

315  
When God severely scourgerh any Land  
He seconds Plagues with plagues, and woes with woes.  
He taketh his three-stringed whip in hand  
Of Dearth, of death, of home, or foreign Foes,  
And from these three all desolation grows.  
What true Content, what rest to man remains,  
When ills by Ounces: Good scarce comes by Grains.   

316  
And to increase the current of my Care,  
A slavish Groom (john Poydras was his name)  
Borne in the West; At Exeter, did dare  
To bruit abroad, that he form Longshanks came,  
And I a Changeling was supposed the same  
That he in truth was, Edward's lawful Son,  
And by a Nurse this treachery was done.   

317  
But afterward, (of his untruth convicted)  
He did confess that he was moved to that  
By those black Arts, that God hath Interdicted,  
And by a Spirit, in likeness of a Cat,  
Who did assure him, by this damned plat.  
He should unto the Sovereignty attain.  
But a poor Rope served to prevent his Reign.   

318  
here, give me leave a little while to dwell  
Upon the Nature of this accident,  
First I observe: The Devils cannot foretell  
Before things Come, what will be their event;  
If that the same be properly Contingent.  
That is, That may be, and not be aswell.  
And such no Devil, no Spirit can foretell.   

319  
All future things, that have, or may be told,  
Are in themselves, or by their causes known.  
Things in themselves God only can unfold,  
And yet sometimes he doth Impart his own  
And proper knowledge, of such things to Come  
Unto such Agents, as he please t'inspire  
With some small sparkles of his heavenly fire.   

320  
Such were the holy Prophets in their days  
Who Only by th' Infusion of his Grace,  
foretell strange things, such likewise did he raise  
At several times, e'en from the Gentle Race,  
And in that Rank some do the Sibyl's place.  
Who by the glimmering of his glorious Light,  
Of things to come, did oft divine aright.   

321  
Those things that by their causes are conceived  
Do either follow of necessity,  
(Therefore in them e'en men are not deceived)  
Or grounded else on probability,  
Or they do hit by mere contingency.  
The first, the devils most certainly conceive,  
Guess at the second, In the last deceive.   

322  
And yet because of long Experience,  
And by their wondrous knowledge in all the Arts  
And for no Earthly substance dims their sense  
And by their speedy motion, which Imparts  
A present knowledge, from remotest parts.  
I grant they fully comprehend those things,  
Which unto us great admiration brings.   

323  
But when in truth, The things are so Concealed,  
As neither causes nor effects appear,  
Then those occurrents are by them revealed  
In such a sort, as double sense may bear,  
Always ambiguous, cloudy, never clear.  
And such were those same Oracles of Old,  
That were by Phoebus, or by Hamon told.   

324  
I will be no retailer of such wares,  
For they are cheap, and common unto all.  
But I observe, what comes to such men's shares.  
I note the fearful judgements, that do fall  
Upon such Artists, as do use to call.  
Which both the ancient Annals do record,  
And modern stories of our times afford.   

325  
Some burnt with fire, as Zoroaster was,  
And some the Earth did swallow up alive.  
As Amphiraus, when that he did pass  
To Thebes: Some their own Spirits did deprive  
Of breath, and so Pope Benedict did thrive,  
The ninth of that same name, whose vital line  
The devil himself by strangling did untwine.   

326  
Nicephorus, and so Abdias tells,  
How Simon Magus flying in the Air,  
By Magic Art, and by enchanting spells,  
Fell down, and broke his bones at Peter's prayer,  
And so he died in horror and despair.  
O God how far thy hand is stretched out,  
To pour down vengeance on this damned Rout.   

327  
But to return, from whence I did digress,  
Besides this Common confluence of ill,  
Those wars I undertook, God did not bless,  
But evermore they were successelesse still;  
Because I failed both in advice and skill.  
Which being managed without due respect,  
How could their ends, but sort to such effect.   

328  
Most true It is: A Power of fearful Hearts,  
That by a Princely Lion is but led,  
Shall in the field exploit more glorious parts,  
Then Armed Lions with ● Hart, their head;  
Besides, Wars thr●ue as they are managed.  
And in the stream of Action, sound advice,  
Prevails as much, as doth bold enterprise.   

329  
A Ship well manned, well victualled, tackled well  
Without a skilful Pilot steer the same,  
Doth in that marry world in danger dwell,  
Look what the Pilot is to that huge frame,  
To armed Troops the chieferaine is the same.  
Who wanting either Courage, or foresight,  
Ruins himself, and all his army quite.   

330  
In managing of Civil home designs,  
If any Council, be not wisely fitted,  
There yet remains some spark in after times  
To execute, what was before omitted,  
Or to correct, what was before committed.  
But in the field, when Armies join in shock  
One only Error brings all to the block.   

331  
And hence (as I conceive) It doth proceed,  
That excellent Commanders are so rare.  
Because they must be very wise Indeed,  
To take the least advantages that are,  
And very valiant to attempt, and dare.  
And (O) how seldom meet in one these twain;  
A Lion's heart, joined with a Fox's brain.   

332  
Troy only stories forth one Hectors fame.  
One Alexander Name of (Great) did merit.  
One Hannibal from Carthage only Came.  
And but one Pyrrus Epire did Inherit,  
So sparing are the Heavens of such a spirit.  
That no one Climate hath produced many  
And many one hath searce been blest with any.   

333  
The Theban State no greatness did attain  
But only in Epaminundas time.  
Who being dead: That did grow weak again,  
He was the Sun, that lightened all that Clime,  
His setting was their fall: His rise their Prime.  
Before Inglorious, after of no name,  
Such powerful virtue from that Chieftain came.   

334  
Therefore in truth, I do not jump with those  
Who think the Prince for Conduct in the field,  
Should both himself, and common wealth repose  
Upon some-Chiestain, whilst himself doth wield  
The home-affaires: which more assurance yield.  
In show I grant: but weigning every thing.  
Such seeming safeties certain dangers bring.   

335  
For if Ambition seize upon the Soul  
(As 'tis a passion apt to entertain.  
And once possessed, no just respects Control)  
I would advise the Prince that than doth reign  
To doubt th' event: 'Tis worse to complain,  
Then be complained of: & who doth not know  
How many Kings have been uncrowned so.   

336  
This was y● Rock, that wracked great Mer●uees Line▪  
And brought the Crown of France to martels Race;  
For Childericke was forced to resign  
To Pepin (martels Son) his Princely place.  
And so likewise Hugh Capit did displace  
The Line of Pepin, and advanced his own,  
Because in war his worth was greater grown.   

337  
A Subject may in shape a Prince excel▪  
A Subject may more than his Sovereign know  
Either in Arts, or in discoursing well.  
He may be stronger to unhorsed his foe,  
And yet no danger to the Sceptre so,  
But if in Arms the Subject grows too great,  
The Prince may chance be set besides his Seat.   

338  
Therefore let Princes labour to attain  
The Art of war, by all the means they can;  
Because, It doth enable him to reign,  
And makes him greater, than a private man.  
That often hath the Supreme Title won  
Of sole Commander: which who doth possess  
Is scarce a Prince: and yet but somewhat less.   

339  
To have such troops of Soldiers at command,  
To have such store of wealth, which men affect,  
To have such potent means by Sea or Land,  
To execute what e'er they would effect,  
To be observed with duty and respect;  
By foreign States, and home dependency,  
Are shadows at the least of Sovereignty.   

340  
And he that oft hath tasted that delight,  
Wherewith such powerful greatness doth bewitch,  
Is hardly brought, to humble so his Spirit,  
As not to think himself above the pitch  
Of Common men: More eager is the Itch  
To mount the top, of One, that's up half way,  
Then his, that still at lowest step doth stay.   

341  
Therefore the Prince, whose forces, and whose Arms  
By other, than himself Commanded been,  
Must (for prevention of ambitious harms)  
Have many Chieftains to Employ therein,  
So shall no One be able for to win  
So strong a party, but another may  
Serve for a Help: to be crossed in his way.   

342  
But is there then, No Cement for to join  
The Prince, and powerful Peer so close, so fast,  
That th' one shall not suspect, nor th' other clime?  
Or is the state of things so strangely placed  
That men cannot be good with greatness graced?  
Must Princes fear the noblest virtues still?  
Or must a Subject use such virtues Ill?   

343  
O no, such minds a gloss of virtue bear,  
But no essential part of her partake,  
" A Kingly Nature cannot nourish fear,  
" And virtuous souls Love good for goodness sake,  
" And only that their Actions aim do make.  
Where such as borrow virtues for a time,  
Are dangerous men, and very apt to climb.   

344  
Especially, If their designments bend  
To Compass that, which we dependence call,  
If all their actions level at this end,  
T'endear themselves unto the General,  
They will be easily drawn to throw at all,  
When they have got the dice into their hand,  
By having often Conduct, and Command.   

345  
The Antidote for Princes to preserve  
Their States vndangered from such poisonous plats  
Is only justice: which who doth observe  
In all designs, to men of all estates,  
And is not swayed with Fears, Hopes, Loves, or Hates.  
Or any passion, but goes eu'nly on  
That Prince is wise, and doth secure his Throne.   

346  
Let all the Politickes that breathe this day  
Rack their conceits, until they break their brain.  
They never shall invent a better way  
Whereby a Prince may with assurance reign,  
Then to be truly just: and to retain  
An e'en proportion Arithmaticall,  
Which giveth equal justice unto all.   

347  
This is the Mother both of Love, and Fear,  
This doth engender duty, and desire.  
This doth the Prince from all suspicion clear,  
Because it doth Cutoff the means to aspire,  
This distributes to all deserved Hire,  
Whereby the Subject having his just due,  
Doth rest Contented, and Contented, true.   

348  
And you great Stars, whose powerful Influence  
May work so much, be not Irregular:  
Mo●e fairly in your Orbs without offence,  
Be Nobles truly, and not Titular;  
But stay my Muse, how apt art thou to err.  
From thy first path, return, and make it plain;  
That Arms are safest for a Sovereign.   

349  
Not only ro prevent aspiring harms  
Would I have King's Commanders of their own.  
But chiefly I would have them practise Arms,  
That their great spirits might be the better shown,  
And have more vent to make their virtues known.  
For greatness doth much in opinions rest,  
And that's maintained by being in action best.   

350  
Besides, 'tis certain, all men wish to serve  
Rather in the King's eye, then by his Ear  
Nothing inflames the Soul, more to deserve,  
More quickens honour, more expelleth fear,  
Then when the Prince in presence doth appear.  
To check the Coward, & with praise, and merit  
To grace the Actions of a gallant Spirit.   

351  
This of all Causes, that I can Conceive  
Made Alexander Monarch of the East.  
It is a mighty motive, not to leave  
Their Sovereign Prince in danger, or distressed,  
Ill thrive they here on Earth (in heaven unblessed)  
That think not so: And grant (O dearest Lord)  
That men, and Angels to my prayers accord.   

352  
Wise was that State, and very well advised  
Whose forces being often put to flight,  
Still finding bad success, at length devised  
To bring their Infant Prince into the fight,  
e'en in his Cradle, that his very sight  
Might give them better heart; which proved most true,  
For they did fight, and fight did subdue.   

353  
Besides, those under-officers that are  
Employed, according to each several place,  
Will with more Faith, and more respective Care  
Intent their Charge before the Prince's face,  
So to avoid both danger, and disgrace.  
And then the Common Soldier serveth best,  
When he's respected most, and fleeced least.   

354  
And (though I know Examples do not prove)  
Yet is the state of things not so Confounded.  
But that those selfsame motives still may move,  
On which their resolutions then were grounded.  
Therefore since Nor-man William first was Crowned,  
Who list survey our Kings, cannot but yield  
Their states thrived best, who most did keep y● field   

355  
Yet, if the Prince by Age disabled be,  
Or otherwise, by any like defect;  
Or if the Sex with Arms doth not agree,  
Then let them make fit choice, with much respect  
Of men of greatest virtues, to direct  
Their martial forces, and the more they train  
In such Designs, The safer is their Reign.   

356  
Because that Prince with more assurance lives  
That doth rely on many, then on One.  
For nothing sooner apt occasion gives  
To swelling Spirits, for to work upon,  
Then if they often have Command alone.  
Especially, If men do hold them such,  
As without them, The State cannot do much.   

357  
Besides, it causeth Envy on all parts,  
Many malignant humours will be bred;  
If that the Prince all powerfulness Imparts  
Solely to One, which eu'nly quartered  
Sets many Spirits on work: Who all are fed  
At least with hopes, which else perhaps might fall  
To practice, If one hand engrossed all.   

358  
Nor would I have the Prince to nourish fears  
Or jealousies, of such as well deserve.  
But let them make, and keep great spirits theirs,  
And let their favours, and their bounties serve  
As chains to bind them, that they may not swerve  
From loyal Duty: Stronger is that Tie,  
Then Cunning practice, or stern Cruelty.   

359  
And since, they must have Agents of their will  
For Execution of their erterprises,  
Or be themselves Engaged in action still.  
Let nor ungrounded fears, and false surmises  
Unapt their means, and cross their own devices.  
" For who suspects, when no cause doth appear,  
" Doth give a cause to that, which he doth fear.   

360  
So Commodus, and Bassia●●● so  
(Two Princes of a most mistrustful brain)  
Did spin the third of their own overthrow  
By diffidence, which they did entertain  
Of their own Creatures, by whom they were slain  
Only to save themselves: Whilst causeless fear  
Did make them guilty, which before were clear.   

361  
Where lives the man, that may in peace possess  
The happy blessings of a private state?  
Yet prostitutes himself to wretchedness,  
To Care of mind, to body's Toil, to hate  
Of Envy, to the violence of Fate,  
To teachy times; To dangers imminent,  
If virtue finds no grace, but discontent.   

362  
Therefore let Princes weigh their Servants merits,  
And grace them most, that have deserved best,  
So shall respected virtue raise new spirits.  
And every noble heart, and gentle breast  
Will boil with Zeal, which will not let them rest  
Till they have robbed of blood each several vein,  
To do due service to their Sovereign.   

363  
But if the Prince too much distrustful be,  
Sad, sour, and of a melancholy mind,  
Hard of access, close-handed, nothing free,  
To best deservers ever most unkind.  
Let such an One assure himself to find  
False hearts, and feeble hands, but certain hate  
If any danger threatens his estate.   

364  
Besides, the foul defacing of his glory,  
And the remembance of his living shame,  
Which will recorded be in every story,  
And every Annual will report the same,  
And tax with hateful tyranny his Name.  
And why should Kings be so Ill-governed  
That their black deeds should live, when they dead?   

365  
A Thousand years, and more are gone, and past,  
Since that justinian did the Empire sway  
And yet his foul dishonour still doth last;  
And will do still, whilst there is night, and day.  
Because he did unworthily repay  
Thy Services (good BELLISARIUS)  
To whom he was unjustly Tyrannous.   

366  
What though he did pluck forth those Eyes of thine?  
(The cheerful Lamps y● lightened those dark days)  
Yet thy great Acts (maugre his malice) shine  
As bright, 
Da obulu●●● Bellisario urinator, que●● Inuidia, no●● culpa cac●●●●●it, form●● suaepetition●●  and glorious as the Sunny rays,  
And Time both sees, and speaks thy lasting praise.  
What though he made thee * beg from door to door?  
Thou shalt be rich in honour, he but poor.   

367  
Besides, God doth Ingratitude detest▪  
But loves kind offices from man to man;  
For sweetness, goodness, private States are blest.  
And much more Kings: Because, indeed they can  
Do much more good: They measure not by th' span  
But by the Ell: And as their means are more,  
With abler wings so must they higher sore.   

368  
And (O dear God, the fountain of all good)  
How much obliged are these times to thee?  
For our most blessed * Prince, 
JACOB. I.  of greatest blood;  
And yet of greater virtue; Happy we,  
Yea ten times happy, that have lived to see  
So many rare perfections joined in One.  
And that same-One to sit upon our Throne.   

369  
I do not purpose to perfume my Rhymes  
With the false ●ash of servile Flattery,  
I rather 〈◊〉 too bold with these our Times.  
But I appeal to God's Allseeing Eye  
(To which our closest drifts do open lie)  
How my true Pen writes from my feeling heart,  
When I (Great King) out shadow what thou art.   

370  
And (O) how blest, how dear the heavens do love  
That happy State, where virtuous Princes sway?  
O sweet Experience, now by thee we prove,  
We taste, we touch that blessing every day,  
And grant (All-guiding God) that long we may  
Long in himself, and so long in his Race,  
Till Time unto Eternity give place.   

371  
But whither hath my Zeal, my Souls desire  
With fervent passion led my Pen astray?  
To my first subject now I will retire,  
And bring my Muse into the beaten way,  
And ●ing of thy disaster, and decay;  
O fatal Edward, whose Ill-governed Crown  
Both ruined others, and thyself cast down.   

372  
But yet of all the multiplicity  
Of several Ills, that do unhappy life;  
There was no greater Infelicity  
Than was the falsehood of his faulty Wife,  
" That bosom wound, that deadly-poysoned knife  
" That stabs the Soul, and never finds relief;  
" But kills with outward shame, & inward grief.   

373  
O what a Chaos of Confused ill  
Is in the Compass of this Sin Contained?  
First, violation of GOD'S Sacred will.  
Next Parents, Brothers, Sisters are defamed,  
The Commonwealth by Bastardy is stained.  
Inheritances wrongfully possessed.  
The Husband scorned, 6 Wife loathed, 7 And babes unblessed.   

374  
The festrous Sore grows to a dangerous head,  
Now Mortimer begins to play his prize.  
A braver spirit Nature never bred,  
Of goodly presence, to attract the Eyes,  
Of sweet Discourse, wherein great Influence lies  
Of high resolve, and of a noble heart,  
No want of Nature, and all Aid of Art.   

375  
This was the Paris, which my Helen won,  
And this Promethius stole my heavenly fire.  
This was the Eagle, airing in the Sun,  
" he's more than man, that can restrain desire,  
Especially, being waged by such a hire.  
A Queen, and young, and fair, he's half a jove  
" Whom honour, youth, & beauty cannot move.   

376  
And (though there be no just excuse for sin).  
Yet ISABELLA, This will I say for thee.  
" 'Tis hardly kept, what many strive to win,  
" The finest Cloth doth soon stain (we see)  
Perhaps thou took'st thy Precedent from me.  
'Twas like for like: though in thee wrong It were  
Yet was It right and just for me to bear.   

377  
Besides, He did employ all potent means  
To undermine the bulwark of her breast,  
And (O) that Sex too much by Nature leans  
To Change of loves: What need it be oppressed,  
With winning Art? But men will do their best  
To scale the Fort: And till the same be won,  
" It is undone, desired: Repent done.   

378  
And after many sweet enticing baits,  
When he had something dived into her heart,  
He then fit opportunity awaits,  
To act the last, and best of all his part,  
Wherein he was to show his Master Art.  
Which having got: Thus he begins the field,  
To conquer her, that of herself did yield.   

379  
Fair Queen (qd. He) may I behold thy beauty?  
Why not, (quoth she) The Sun is seen of all.  
And shall I speak, respecting still my duty?  
Why not (qd. she?) jove hears the Captive thrall?  
Shall not disdain on my endeavours fall?  
Fear not (qd. she) great minds take all in worth,  
Not Pearl, but Flint sends sparks of fire forth.   

380  
Then beauteous Queen, my words shall vent my woe,  
I love: how sweet were that same sound from thee?  
For once (qd. she) I am pleased to play the Echo,  
I love: It is no perfect point (quoth he)  
The sentence wants, except your Grace adds: Me  
You said not so, I made but repartition,  
To greatest sums (fair Queen) needs no addition.   

381  
Why then (qd. she) what is't that I should add?  
Add fancy to affection gracious Queen,  
Let not desire in tawny weeds be clad,  
No suit becomes sweet Love, so well as green,  
Add Love to love, Love will more lovely seem.  
Believe me (sweet) stolen fruit contenteth most,  
Then spare not that, which being spared is lost.   

382  
Ah Mortimer, Thou knowst (qd. she) I may not.  
Madam (qd. he) I know you may, but will not.  
What if I will? Why then sweet Queen delay not.  
Edward will know: why say he doth, It skils not:  
Fame will defame: fame well may hurt, but kills not.  
Danger may grow: That will endear delight,  
So darkest grounds make white to show more white.   

383  
Thou wilt be false: then Sun lose thou thy light,  
Why being Eclipsed, thou knowst it oft doth so.  
Let water burn: I know thou hitt'st It right,  
From England's Baths such boiling waters flow,  
Be Constant Moon, when I unconstant grow,  
That fitteth well: She changing: You untrue:  
Nay you the Moon, and I the man in you.   

384  
I'll cry: Do Madam, Shed some tears for joy.  
You wrong me much, yet wronged you will not tell▪  
I pray thee leave: 'Tis but an Idle Toy:  
'Tis true: and Toys please Ladies passing well?  
I cannot yield: No, women must but spell  
Men put together: That's my part to play:  
I'll cry: I'll kiss, and so begin the fray.   

385  
You will: Nay then I must, because you will,  
Women are weak (poor souls) and dare not fight  
Whoever rises, we go downward still,  
And yet fond men will say, that we are light,  
Well, 'tis our Fortunes, and the destinies spite.  
I am Content, because I cannot choose,  
'Tis best to take, what boots not to refuse.   

386  
Thus Mortimer did steal this fleece of gold,  
That story (so applied) doth Ill agree:  
She rather was Medea, fierce, and bold,  
And gave away that golden fleece: 'Twas she  
That let another griffe upon my Tree  
The fruit of sin, and shame; whence did proceed,  
Matter, that made me both to blush, and bleed.   

387  
O woman! Thou art ever in extremes,  
Either an Aetna or a Caucasus:  
Or burning, like the Dog-starres fiery gleams,  
Or like North winds too bleak, and boisterous.  
Either too mirthful, or too mischievous.  
Yet of the twain (since needs thou wilt be such)  
Thy fire is better, than thy frost by much.   

388  
Thy overloving may prove jealousy  
And that's an amorous sickness, a kind pain,  
But hatred Is the Dame of Cruelty,  
And at the very Lifeblood still doth Aim.  
But leaving this: Go to thy Looms again  
Unwearied Muse: till thou hast woven at will  
The woeful story of poor Edward's Ill   

389  
'Tis not the Air, whereby we live, and breath,  
'Tis not the Earth, the Mother of us all,  
Nor Stars above, nor is it Hell beneath,  
Nor yet those Spirits which we our Demons call,  
Nor chance, which seems to sway things casual.  
That are the sole-efficients of our Evils  
We, to ourselves, are either Gods, or Devils▪   

390  
But I was still the latter of the twain,  
My selfe-wrought woe bears witness of the same.  
And you great Lords, y● lived, whilst I did reign  
And were consumed with the furious flame  
Of my enraged wrath, I will not blame  
Your wayward Pride, nor yet my wife's untruth.  
My seed was Sin, my Crop was shame, and ruth.   

391  
And when did ever that accursed field  
Bear other harvest, than such thriflesse weed?  
Can poisoned fountains wholesome waters yield?  
Or do not worms out of corruption breed?  
Mischief the D●m pregnant with sinful seed.  
Brings forth her daughter Misery at last,  
And they are always glued together fast.   

392  
There can be no divorce between these twain,  
They mix, or rather they incorporate.  
Like to the Poles of Heaven it doth remain  
Constant and fixed: Sin is unfortunate,  
Still drawing judgements down, on each estate.  
which sometimes are deferred, not following straight,  
But what time looseth, is repaid with weight.   

393  
How many houses have been raised by Sin,  
And flourished fair, for one, or two descents.  
But still the third unprosperous hath been,  
And God hath crossed them, with some strange events  
Whereof these times yield many precedents.  
But stay my Muse, If thou wilt shun offence  
Thou must not meddle with the present Tence.   

394  
Speak of the Spencers mighty in their days,  
Let Edward be the Subject of thy Pen.  
Who did his Minions to such greatness raise  
That the whole State was by them managed then,  
As men with Counters, So do Kings with men,  
Sometimes they stand for halfpences, and anon  
What was but so, becomes a Million.   

395  
But when my Peers did see, how I was bend  
To make base waxen wings to mount the sky,  
Whilst their fair Plumes were plucked which vile contempt.  
And they depressed with scorn and Injury.  
To late-left Arms they got them by and by.  
They moved war, the Spencers to remove,  
Hate armed them, and I was armed by Love..   

396  
They levied men, I likewise men did levy.  
Both raised all the Forces we could make:  
A Tyrant's hand (they say) was too too heavy.  
A traitor's head (I said) became a stake.  
They vowed redress, I vowed revenge to take.  
We met, and meeting fought, & fight found,  
No hurt more grieves, then doth a self-wrought wound.   

397  
O English Peers! relinquish Impious Arms,  
Build not your weightiest actions upon sand.  
'Tis not the Colour of pretended harms,  
Nor seeming zeal unto your Native Land.  
Nor reformation (though you bear in hand  
The people so) of some abuse of Laws  
That can make lawful your unlawful Cause.   

398  
These are▪ (and ever have been) those smooth Oils  
With which foul treason seeks to paint her face:  
That she might seem fair, pleasing, full of smiles,  
So to win love, and gain the people's grace,  
Who silly Gudgeons ever bite apace.  
Until the fatal hook be swallowed down▪  
Wherewith Ambition Angles for a Crown.   

399  
Who ever practised against Prince, or State  
But always did pretend the Common good?  
Thereby to draw into contempt, or hate.  
The course of government, as than it stood.  
This hath been still the marrow, life, and blood  
Of such Attempts: But here the rule stands fast,  
" What's thought-on first, Is executed last.   

400  
For when that once their private turn is served,  
The care of Commonwealth Is laid aside,  
That did but wh●t the knife, with which they carved  
For their own good: That vizor did but hide  
Some Secret ends, not fit to be descried  
Until accomplished: which once brought to pass  
The Common State stands as before it was.   

401  
And for to angle men, Crimes must be made  
Against the Prince: I if he be without touch,  
So that no just exceptions can be had.  
Then must the Imputation rest on such  
Who being near the Prince▪ are used much.  
For this is certain:" They that stand on high,  
" Are fairest marks for foulest obloquy.   

402  
But though the Arrow seemeth at them aimed,  
Yet through their sides it wounds the Prince's breast  
Whose reputation cannot be but stained  
By their reproach, whom they do favour best.  
And they that kill the birds, would spoil the nest.  
But what's intended, must be closely wrought,  
And that pretended, which was never thought.   

403  
Why should vain man still daub his actions thus  
With outward whit-lime, that are pitched within,  
" e'en wicked Kings must be Endured by us.  
" What ere the cause be, Treason is a sin,  
" Rebellious Arms cannot true honour win.  
" The sword is not the Subjects: His defence  
" In all extremes: Is Prayer, and Patience.   

404  
Therefore dear spirits, die not your silver Arms  
Into a Sanguine, with your Mother's blood.  
Let not uncivil hands cause civil harms;  
For private grief, confound not public good,  
" Not all the water in the Ocean flood  
" Can wash the Sin from you, and your Allies,  
" For Treason lives, although the Traitor dies.   

405  
Sweet Trent! How were thy Christall-waters stained  
With English-bloud, that was at Burton shed.  
Let Burrow-bridge a Golgotha be named,  
A field of death, wherein lay buried  
So many people, and all Natives bred.  
Against foreign foes, had those lives been Employed;  
We had not grieved, though they had nobly died.   

406  
At last, the doubtful victory proved mine,  
The Barons lost the day, and lost their lives.  
Their heads went-off, whose hearts did so repine  
Against their Prince," For treason seldom thrives,  
" That great allseeing God, whose knowledge diues  
" Into the deepest secrets of the Soul,  
" unjust attempts in justice doth Control.   

407  
Great * Lancaster, 
Tho. Plantagenet Earl of Lancaster.  than whom. No greater Earl  
This greatest Isle of Europe had before,  
Good Lancaster: in goodness such a Pearl,  
That him the vulgar sort did long adore,  
Had then his head struck off, and many more  
e'en of the greatest, felt the selfsame stroke,  
" So lightning spares the shrub▪ & rends the Oak.   

408  
And here be pleased, to make this observation,  
The Popular, and over-powerfull Peer.  
That doth Command too much in any Nation  
Breeds in his Prince, both jealousy and fear,  
Is envied e'en of those of his own Sphere.  
Vntunes the vulgar: tumults the whole State,  
And to himself proves most unfortunate.   

409  
That make-king * Warwick 
Richard 〈◊〉 Earl of Warwick. 〈…〉  having th' English Crown  
Pinned on his sleeve, to place where he thought best,  
Who set up * Princess, and did pull them down.  
How did he toil the Land with his unrest?  
How did his sword rip up his Mother's breast?  
Whose greatness, and his popularity  
Wrought both his own, and others Tragedy.   

410  
O that we could not Instance in our days,  
Then some of matchless virtues had not so  
By popular dependency, and praise  
Been drawn to fatal courses, full of woe,  
Which caused their own, and others overthrow.  
But wishes come too late, when things are done,  
And men are borne to that, they cannot shu●.   

411  
" Yet prudent men a present use may make  
" Of errors past: And they are truly wise,  
" That do from others their Instructions take  
" Not from themselves: It is too dear a price  
" So to buy wit: Be ruled by my advice.  
" Learn to be wise, yet not at thine own cost,  
" But shun those ways where thou seest others lost.   

412  
The sword was sharp, and wounded every where,  
Many great men of noble quality,  
In several places were beheaded here,  
For being Actors in that treachery,  
Which always proves a mournful Tragedy.  
And though I know, The sword is due to such,  
Yet should a Prince forbear to strike too much.   

413  
For often Executions in a State  
Especially of men of fashion  
First stir up pity, then dislike, then hate,  
Then close complaint, than combination  
Then follows practise for some Alteration▪  
And that Indaungers all, if not withstood:  
And though unprosperous yet It spills much blood.   

414  
And that same Throne, that's often wet with bood  
Is very slipp'rie, apt to catch a fall.  
Yielding no hours rest, no pleasures good,  
Sleeping on Thorns, and feeding upon gall.  
Still thinking, and still thinking Ill of all.  
Ha●●●ed with restless fears, whilst day doth last  
And then at night, with fearful dreams aghast,   

415  
Our Stories do report third Richard so,  
And without doubt, He did too much let blood,  
Always mistrustful, both of friend, and foe.  
Ready to strike them, that but near him stood,  
Fearful to all, such was his furious mood.  
And fearing all, as one that knew too well  
How many souls did wish his soul in hell.   

416  
O that a Prince might see a Tyrant's mind,  
What Monsters, what Chimaeras therein are.  
What horrors in his Soul, he still doth find,  
How much himself is with himself at war,  
Ever divided, full of thoughtful Care.  
What Pistols, Poniards, Poisons he conceits,  
And thinks each one for his destruction waits.   

417  
Besides, It is indeed no Policy  
(Except it be in a mere Turkish state)  
To make the Crown a Common Butchery,  
To govern all by fear, which breedeth hate  
In noble minds, and doth exasperate  
A freeborn People: Where the Turkish race  
Fear best Commands, being servile, poor, & base.   

418  
Princes rewards should fall like gentle Rain,  
Which coming softly, doth the longer last,  
That their sweet relish might still fresh remain.  
Their Executions should be done in haste,  
Like sudden furious storms, that soon are past.  
Because, when once the violence Is done,  
Th' offence thereof might be forgot and gone.   

420  
One limb of that great body, that did band  
Itself against me, in their factious frays  
Was Mortimer: Who yet upon Command  
Came● In before the fight, and I straightways  
Sent to the Tower, to spend his weary days  
In wretched bands: restrained from liberty,  
But walls of stone keep not out Destiny.   

421  
Which either finds, or makes itself away.  
For Mortimer, thus sent unto the Tower  
To free himself doth labour night, and day,  
And by a sleepy Potion, which had power  
To make men slumber, till a certain hour.  
He found the means (his Keepers so made fast,  
To make escape: and got to France at last.   

422  
This was not done without my Queen's consent,  
Whose head, and hand were working in the same.  
Little thought I, That, that way the Hare went,  
But Sir Stephen Segrave * only I did blame. 
Constable of the Tower.   
Wretched mankind, how bold we are, to frame  
Hopes to ourselves: How blind to see our ill,  
That lest we fear, what most doth hurt us still.   

423  
Do but Conceive, how much we strain at Gnats  
And swallow Camels down without respect.  
How hoodwinked are we to discern those plaits  
That hurt us most, how ready to suspect  
Our friends for foes, how apt we are t' effect  
Our own disaster: Mortimer goes free,  
And others die, that less had wronged me.   

423  
Observe the weakness of Mortality,  
It sees but little, and It can do less.  
Yet, I allow not of fatality,  
Except that word be used to express  
That all Commanding Power, that doth suppress,  
Support, set up, pull down, doth all in all,  
e'en in those Actions, that seem casual.   

424  
Now did I think myself, my State as sure  
As if great Atlas did uphold the same.  
The dross being purged, my gold must needs be pure,  
The smoke once gone, my fire must brightly flame  
Their Eyes were out, the marked, & marred my game.  
They had no hearts to dare, nor tongues to preach,  
Nor hands to fight, nor busy heads to reach.   

425  
But heartless, hapless, yea and headless too  
Are those disturbers of our awful Reign.  
Who would prescribe their Prince, what he should do,  
And when, and where, and why, & whom refrain  
Like 〈◊〉, whom their Tutors do restrain.  
" To play with Edg tools Is a dangerous thing,  
" And 'tis no May again to Control a King.   

426  
Thus in a Calm, I feared no storm at all,  
But yet too soon a sudden Cloud did rise.  
From whence such store of wintry storms did fall  
As for my shroud, no shelter might suffice,  
Until pale Death had closed my tearful Eyes.  
O bring with you, whoever reads my fall,  
Sad thoughts, wet Eyes, and wailing words withal.   

427  
And thus It was: I sent my Queen to France,  
And after her, The Prince my Son I sent,  
To treat a Peace; but see the fatal chance.  
They brought home War, although for Peace they went.  
Th' Ambitious woman, she was fully bend  
To have sole rule, and meant to put me down.  
So Ninus once did lose both life and Crown.   

428  
There is more mercy in the Tiger's claw,  
Less venom in the Scorpion's sting doth lie,  
More pity in the hungry Lion's paw,  
Less danger in the Basilisk his Eye.  
Hiaena, that doth call the goers by,  
The Panther's breath, and Crocodiles false tears  
Have truer hearts, then faithless women bears.   

429  
Let loser's speak, for they will not be let,  
I lost my Crown, my Life I also lost,  
My glorious rising had a gloomy set.  
My Wife the Sea, wherein my bark was tossed,  
The rock, wherein I suffered shipwreck most.  
She Clytaemnestra: Agamemnon ay,  
Whom false Aegistus foully caused to dye.   

430  
His part my Rival Mortimer did play  
Whom ISABELLA my Queen so well did love,  
That still in France she meant with him to stay  
As One that would the self same fortunes prove,  
And move, no otherwise then he did move.  
Mean while, The Cuckoo hatched in Edward's nest  
And in my Boat his Oar was liked best.   

431  
They that enjoy, and joy in their own Loves,  
Whose virtuous souls no secret sins do stain.  
Who never did unlawful pleasures prove,  
But truly loving are so loved again.  
Thrice happy they, more true Contentment gain  
Then those that have the change & choice of many  
And using all, are never loved of any.   

432  
For streams divided run a shallower Course  
Than they, that only in one Channel run.  
A mind unchaste, doth ever like them worse  
That are obtained, than those that are unwon.  
Because, It thinks some pleasure is to Come  
Which yet, it hath not found; and never ill  
Did seem so sweet, but something wanted still.   

433  
For how can Sin afford a full delight  
When 'tis indeed a mere privation?  
As well may darkness be the Cause of light,  
And Heaven to Hell be turned by transformation,  
As Wickedness yield perfect Contentation.  
" The virtuous Pleasures are Complete & sound,  
" And lawful is at last delightful found.   

434  
But Lust is deaf, and hath no Ear to hear  
The cunning Charmer, charm he ne'er so well.  
Which did too much in Isabella appear.  
Who did resolve with Mortimer to dwell  
And both of them did labour to expel,  
Me from my Kingdom: and to please the time  
They made my Son the colour of their Crime.   

435  
And here observe, the foul effects of Lust,  
What Treasons, Murders, outrage from It springs,  
How both to God, and man it is unjust.  
How it defiles all States, Confounds all things  
And at the last, to utter ruin brings.  
How much more pure is that most holy fire,  
Which God doth bless, & men themselves desire.   

436  
I never heard of any he or she  
Although themselves were lewd, and vicious  
That ever wished their Offspring for to be  
Like to themselves: but good and virtuous.  
There's some thing in the Soul, that worketh us  
T' affect the good we had at our Creation,  
Whereof (being lost) we wish a restauration.   

437  
As Mortimer, and Isabella my Queen  
Practised in France, so here they had their factions  
Of Earls and Barons: Men of great esteem,  
Both wise, and stout to manage any actions.  
And the poor Commons (grinded with Exactions)  
To Innovation were not easily led,  
And nothing wanted, but an able head.   

438  
But he that was chief workman of the frame,  
Which drew the plot at home for all the rest,  
Who afterwards did build upon the same  
A Bishop was: Yet Churchmen should be best,  
But oftentimes Sin lurks within the breast▪  
When sacred Titles, and religious names,  
Are but the Covers of uncomely shames.   

439  
'Twas * Tarlton, 
ADAM DE ORLETON or TARLTON, B●sh●p of Hereford.  whose great spleen, and working brain,  
Was the Producter of this Monster first.  
Who for some private wrong he did sustain.  
An inward hate, and bosom treason nursed  
Against his Prince: Which afterwards did burst  
Into those open flames, from whence did grow  
As hateful Ills, as ever Age did show.   

440  
May then Religion be a Cloak for Sin?  
Can holiest Functions serve but for pretences?  
Are Churchmen Saints without, & Diu'ls within▪  
Dare men make God a colour for offences?  
Knowing with what fierce wrath he recompenses▪  
e'en simple Sinners, that scarce know his will,  
Then much more those, whose knowledge serves for ill▪   

441  
Most reverend Priesthood, how art thou profaned  
How comes thy glorious Lustre so obscure,  
That e'en thy very Title is defamed?  
The Cause is plain: Professors are impure,  
Their lives do hurt, more than their tongues do cure▪  
For Laymen think all lawful that they do,  
And with that thought, are easily drawn thereto   

442  
And so there grows a Confluence of all Sinne.  
For Sheep will wander, If the Shepherd stray.  
Small Boats must drown, If great ships cannot swi●▪  
If Doctors fail, what shall poor Pupils say?  
God help the blind, If clear Eyes miss the way▪  
Though Sin doth ever draw with it, a Curse;  
Yet doth the Author, make the sin the worse.   

443  
But to myself: I doubted what to do.  
(For weighty Causes challenge heedful care)  
I feared the French, I feared my Subjects too,  
I wanted Crowns, the Sinews of the war.  
Those that I had, I thought not good to sp●r●.  
But freely sent them to the King of France,  
For fear he should his Sister's part advance.   

444  
Whereby from thence she had no Aid at all.  
O what a pleasing Orator is Gold?  
How well he speaks, that tells a golden tale?  
And yet, It loves not to be heard but told;  
Although It sweetly sounds to young, and old.  
Orpheus did make the stones strange wonders do,  
But this can move both stones, and Orpheus too.   

445  
Philip Macedon did besiege a Hold,  
Which some did tell him, was not to be won.  
He answers: If an Ass laden with Gold  
Can come unto 't; The work is to be done.  
Such is the heat, and lustre of this Sun  
That It doth melt the hearts, and blind the Eyes  
Both of the brainless vulgar, and the wise.   

446  
Which when my Queen, and Mortimer perceived  
They leaving France, to Henault went for Aid.  
And there with honour, they were well received,  
Forces prepared, and Ensigns were displayed,  
And Ships were rigged, and nothing was delayed  
That might advance their Enterprise begun,  
So deepest Seas with smoothest silence run.   

447  
They took the Sea, 
By Narwich in Essex.  and landed at the last  
At * Orwell Hau'n, a deadly Gulf to me  
And thither their Confederates did haste,  
Both Lords, and Commons seemed to agree;  
As winds, & waves Consent, when wracks shallbe.  
All turned their faces to the rising Sun,  
Because my date was done, and I undone.   

448  
But when the voice of Eagle-winged fame  
Did spread abroad the cause of their repair.  
And seemed still to justify the same  
By due succession of my Son and heir,  
My hope to fear: My fear turned to despair.  
And my despair on these two grounds was laid,  
My Peers were false, my Partisans dismayed.   

449  
Then did I fly from London, where I lay,  
Because they seemed partially affected,  
And in my flight did often weep, and say,  
To what hard haps art thou (poor Prince) subjected?  
What gloomy Stars have thus thy State infected?  
That they should hate, who ought to love thee rather,  
A hapless King, a Husband, & a father.   

450  
Most mighty Monarches have been oft distressed,  
Whom yet their wives have loved with tender Care,  
And many in their matches cursed, are blest  
Yet in their Issue: But my case is rare,  
In all of them my fortunes fatal are.  
They hurt me most, that should protect me rather  
A hapless King, A husband, and a father.   

451  
Some say, that Kings are Gods upon the Earth▪  
And Marriage quasi Merri-age some surmise.  
God give us joy (they say) at children's birth.  
What God am I whom traitorous men despise?  
And Marriage from my Marriage doth arise.  
There reap I Care, where most Content doth gather,  
A hapless King, a Husband, and a Father.   

452  
As thus I fled, My Queen pursues amain,  
So runs the Hare for life, the Hound for Prey.  
Few followed me: But thousands were her train,  
So Flies swarm thickest in a Sunshine day.  
At last at Oxford, did she make some stay  
With all her Troops: and did deliberate  
What Course to take with me, and with the State▪   

453  
There did her Tutor Tarlton think it fit  
Of their chief drift remonstrance for to make.  
Who being of good Discourse and pregnant wit?  
To broach the matter, first did undertake.  
He Preached: His Text was this, My head doth Ake,  
Whereon dilating, he did seem to prove  
That Subjects might an Aching head remove.   

454  
And in that Compass he included me.  
And so Concluded, I should be Deposed.  
A dangerous, and detested Heresy,  
By some infernal fury first Composed  
In Hell: Where long the monster lay enclosed.  
Till Impious Spirits, swollen with insolence  
To curb all Christian Princes brought it thence.   

455  
Why should such Devilish Principles be broached,  
By them, that seem to bring God's Embassy?  
Why should the Pulpit be so much reproached  
As to be made a place to tell a lie?  
To serve a Turn, to soothe Impiety.  
But they that only their own Ends affect,  
Nor God, nor man, nor Heaven, nor Hell respect.   

456  
No worthy mind will charge me to disclose  
With Cursed Cham my Father's secret shame.  
If my free Muse do somewhat touch at those  
Of holy Church, whose Actions full of blame  
Have soiled themselves (not function) with defame,  
Nor is 't a wonder, though those blinded times,  
Did hatch both monstrous men, and monstrous Crimes.   

457  
William whose Sword did seat him in this throne  
Brought with him Odo Bishop of Bayon.  
Whose Pride, whose lust, whose Irreligion,  
Whose Simony to buy the Sea of Rome  
Incensed his Brother to just wrath: By whom  
Th' aspiring Priest in Prison was restrained,  
And not released, as long as William reigned.   

458  
And had that headstrong man been still held in,  
(Rufus) thy reign had been more easy far.  
For having head, he laboured still to win  
All discontented Spirits, (who ever are  
Apt to take fire) unto a Civil war.  
And the Corrupted humours drawn to a head,  
In Prince and State great Inflammations bred.   

459  
When second Henry wore the Diadem  
How did Ambitious Becket toil the State?  
Who made the Pope to Interdict the Realm?  
Who with the French King did Confederate?  
Who underhand nursed man and wives debate?  
Who drew the Son to Arms against the Sire?  
'Twas Becket, that most kindled all this fire.   

460  
What bitter storms had almost wracked the state  
By Clergy practise whilst King john did Reign?  
Six years the Realm stood Excommunicate,  
And under Interdiction did remain.  
People and Peers drawn from their Sovereign.  
Lewes of France brought in to wear the Crown,  
If by his forces john were shouldered down.   

461  
Who almost sinking with so rough a blast,  
Finding himself unable to withstand.  
To save his Crown, was forced at the last,  
For to resign unto the Pope this Land,  
And by a Rent to farm it at his hand.  
Then all was well: The Clergy turn was served,  
Lewes was Cursed, and john had well deserved.   

462  
Do Kingdoms then serve but for Tennis-balles  
For holy Church to racket up and down?  
Must Sceptres be disposed by Bishops Palles?  
Or shall a Prince make forfeit of his Crown  
If a proud Prelate chance to fret and frown?  
If they can Carry it so, I like their wit;  
But sure I am: 'Tis not by holy writ.   

463  
When Straw his base rebellious troops did gather  
And drew the Commons to a dangerous head.  
One Ball a Priest, or one of Baal's Priests rather,  
By those seditious Libels, which he spread.  
By foolish doting Rhymes he much misled  
The vulgar sort, and made their madness more,  
Which of Itself did rage too fast before.   

464  
When* Lancaster King * Richard 
HENRY, 4.  did depose  
His chief Assistant Thomas Arundel, 
RICH. 2.   
Primate of England did absolve all those  
That joined in that soul Action, to expel,  
Their lawful King, and did in substance tell  
The very Tale, that Tarlton first had told.  
So oft this Realm by them was bought, and sold   

465  
Whilst Humphrey Duke of Glouster ruled the Stat●  
(Henry the sixth then being under Age)  
What bloody Tumults, what Intestine hate  
Were here untimely raised by * Benforts rage 
Bishop of Winchester.   
Which was so fell, that nothing could assuage  
His rancorous spleen, nor would he stint y● strif●  
Till by close practice Glouster lost his life.   

466  
Richard the 3. that did usurp the Crown,  
And swom through blood to get the Kingly plac●  
Had he not Shaw a Clerk of great Renown?  
(Before that time high in the people's grace)  
Who at Pauls-Cro●●e did Bastard Edward's race.  
Defamed the dead, forged, wrested, soothed up 〈◊〉  
Ventured his Soul, a tyrant's Love to win.   

467  
But stay, I handle with too hard ● touch  
The Church's wounds, that now are fairly healed.  
Then were the hoodwinked times: then were they such  
In those dark days, now is the truth revealed,  
And now those former Errors are repealed.  
And now the Sun illumines all our Clime  
Most Learned Fathers answer you the time.   

468  
Bee (as you should be) Lamps to give us light,  
And shining Stars to grace our firmament,  
Though you do teach, and we believe aright,  
Yet minds unsettled sooner will be bend,  
When they shall see your words, and works consent.  
And therefore let your lives your faith express,  
And prove by practice, what you do profess.   

469  
Nor speak I this, to tax this present Age  
Either of Ignorance, or Indevotion,  
Let envy swell and burst with It's own rage,  
Yet my free Soul shall truly vent her notion  
Those Revered men, that now attain promotion  
Are for the most part such, as do excel  
As well in Learning, as in living well.   

470  
Whilst Mortimer, my Queen, and Tarlton played  
Their pageant thus: The Current went so swift,  
That I thought fit, until the fury stayed,  
In some close-private place a while to shift,  
And (for the land seemed Cross unto my drift)  
I did resolve, by Sea to seek some Clime)  
Where I might harbour, till some happier time.   

471  
And so I left the Land, and took the Seas.  
But Sea and Land conspired unto my taking,  
For neither plaints, nor prayers could appease  
the winds, & waves, which fared, as they were making  
Sharp war betwixt themselves: whilst I stood quaking  
For fear lest I the subject of their strife,  
Should end their war, by ending of my life.   

472  
And yet, thrice happy had poor Edward been,  
If Death had ended then his weary days.  
For cast on Shore in Wales: I lived unseen  
In pathless woods, and unfrequented ways  
With those few friends, whom whilom I did raise  
Baldock, Reading, young Spencer, and no more.  
Who in my fall, their ruin did deplore.   

473  
Of all the swarms, that followed Kingly Reign,  
Of all the friends that faw'nd on awful pride,  
Lo, only this poor Remnant did remain,  
Whose ●ortunes glued to mine, made them t' abide,  
A true-love knot, with sad affliction tied.  
For wretched men Compassionate each other,  
And kind Compassion is affection's mother.   

474  
O see, what quicksands Honour treads upon?  
How Icy is the way, that Greatness goes?  
A mighty Monarch late Attended-on  
With supple hams, smooth brows, submissive shows,  
For many followers, now hath many foes.  
For ●aw●ing friends, from falling fortunes run  
As Persians used to Curse the setting Sun.   

475  
When jove had made the chief of all his Creatures  
Which we call Man: (A little world indeed)  
The Gods did praise his well proportioned features  
Each in their functions serving others need.  
But prying Momus taking better heed  
Observed at last one Error in his Art;  
Because he made no windows in man's heart.   

476  
O that the glorious Architect of man  
Had made transparent Glasses in his breast,  
What place should be for Politicians then?  
How should dissembling grow in such request?  
And machiavillian Athiesme prosper best.  
But temporizing is the way to Clime,  
There is no music without keeping time.   

477  
I shall not do amiss, If now I sing  
Those heavy Anthems our sad Consort made,  
Whilst they did warble to their wretched King,  
(As we did Sorrowing sit in silent shade)  
The Sudden downfall, Reeling Greatness had▪  
Baldock (quoth I) ou● of Philosophy,  
Distil some medicine for our Misery.   

478  
Dear Prince (quoth he) whom late our Eyes beheld  
In greatest Glory, that the world could see.  
Whilst thou with awful Majesty didst wield  
The public State, let It no wonder be,  
If some few Stars prove opposite to thee.  
Since in their favour none so firmly stood,  
But they have given them grief, as well as good.   

479  
Do but observe the Favourite of Chance.  
Her chiefest Minion, highest in her Grace,  
Philip's great * Son, 
ALEXANDER.  whom she did so advance.  
Who did subdue the East in little space.  
Unto whose Arms th' Amazed world gave place.  
Whose Actions are the subject of all Stories,  
He poisoned dies amidst a world of glories.   

480  
I list not wade in telling tragic Tales  
Sufficeth this: All greatness is unsure.  
" Storms rage more fiercely on the hills, than dales.  
" Shrubs better than high Cedars winds endure.  
" Those Colours soon stain, that are most pure.  
" O let him grasp the Clouds and span the sky.  
" That can assure himself felicity.   

481  
In all, that this same massy world doth hold  
There is a certain mixture to be found  
Either of dry, or moist, or hot, or cold.  
Of which, If any One too much abound  
The body so affected proves unsound.  
But being kept in just proportion  
They do maintain a healthful union.   

482  
So fares It in our fortunes, and our State,  
Nothing is simply sweet, or simply sour.  
Our weal is mixed with woe, our love with hate,  
Our hope with fear, & weakness with our power,  
" Bright Moons breed mists, the Sunshine morn a shower.  
And as there is an Autumn, & a Spring.  
So change by course is seen in every thing.   

483  
The wind that's now at South, will change to Nore,  
The greenest grass will turn to withered Hay,  
The Seas both ●bbe and flow at every shore.  
The Moon doth wax and wain, yet not decay,  
Day draws on night, & night draws on the day.  
Ourselves once babes, now men, now old, straight none,  
Do plainly prove a change in every-one.   

484  
Wise Politicians, and deepe-sighted Sages  
That have discoursed of Commonwealths with Care,  
Both of our time, and of precedent Ages,  
Observe in them a birth, when first they are,  
A growth, which oft extendeth very far.  
A s●ate, wherein they stand, and change withal,  
And then at last, A final fatal fall.   

485  
Rome had her being first from Romulus,  
Her growth, from Consuls, that were annual▪  
Her State most flourished in Octa●ius.  
Many Conversions, Three most principal,  
From Kings to Consuls, Last Imperial.  
And (O) who sees not she is ruined,  
And in her ruins now lies buried?   

486  
The greatest, and best grounded Monarchy  
Hath had a Period, and an overthrow.  
" There is no Constant perpetuity  
" The stream of things is carried to and fro,  
" And doth in ever-running Channels go.  
If then great Empires are to changes bending  
What weaker States are warranted from ending?   

487  
Ruins of Kingdoms, and their fatal harms  
From one of these same causes do arise.  
From Civil fury, or from foreign Arms  
Or from some plague doomed from the angry skies,  
Or worn by wasting time dissolved dies.  
For as the fruit once ripe falls from the Tree.  
So Commonwealths by Age subverted be.   

488  
If these be Rocks that shipwreck Monarchies,  
Are private States exempted from the same?  
Where lives the man hath such Immunities?  
'Tis hard to scape vnscorched in Common flame,  
Or parts to stand, when ruined is the frame.  
Those public harms that Empires do decay  
In private states do bear a greater sway.   

489  
Five hundred years some that are curious wise,  
Would have the Period of a public State.  
And they appoint for private families  
Some Six, or seven descents the utmost date,  
I dare not so precisely Calculate.  
But without doubt there is a fixed Time,  
In which all States have both their Even & Prime.   

490  
Let these be motives (O dejected great●One)  
To calm the Tempest of thy stormy Care,  
And though I must confess it well may fret-one,  
Thy past and present fortunes to compare;  
Yet, since in all things changes common are.  
Think Ebbed estates may flow, & think withal,  
What happ's to One, to every-one may fall.   

491  
Thus Balducke ceased, and Reading thus begun  
(But first his eyes dewed down a weeping rain)  
O thou (once glorious now Eclipsed) Sun  
Now thou art clouded, yet mayst clear again,  
With Courage therefore hopeful thoughts retain.  
For oft those winds that draw the Clouds together,  
By their disperses occasions fairer weather.   

492  
But I intent no Comment on this Text,  
Nor will I harrow that which he did sow;  
What I apply to thy sad Soul perplexed  
With those dismays that from thy Fortune's flow,  
Out of th' assured grounds of truth doth grow▪  
Then make good use thereof, and learn thereby  
This Sovereign Salve for thy sad melody   

493  
All things, that boundless thought can once conceive,  
Sacred, profane, of Elements composed,  
Unbodied Spirits, or what else doth receive  
A being: when, or where, or how disposed,  
Within one Triple Circle are enclosed.  
Being Eternal, or perpetual,  
Or else indeed but merely Temporal.   

494  
That is Eternal, which did not begin  
Nor ever ends: and only God is so,  
" Who hath for ever, and from ever been,  
" Whon no place circumscribes, nor times forego  
" Nor limits bound, nor thoughts can fully know.  
" Whom we so much the more ought to admire  
" How much the less to knowledge we aspire.   

495  
That is perpetual, which in time began,  
But never any time shall end again.  
Such are the Angels, such the Soul of man,  
Such are those Spirits, that live in restless pain  
Rebellions Spirits, against their Sovereign.  
All these were formed, as pleased the makers will,  
Once to begin, but to continue still.   

496  
Lastly, those things are counted Temporal,  
Which hath beginnings, and shall have their ends,  
And in that rank, the world itself shall fall.  
So honour, riches, strength, Allies and friends,  
All which by Nature to corruption bends.  
And in this sense, 'Tis true Philosophy,  
" What doth begin, shall end most certainly.   

497  
And therefore make not things so weak & vain  
To be thy God, as if they were Eternal,  
Nay, do not prise them, as an equal gain  
Unto thy Soul, which Is perpetual,  
But hold them, as they are but Temporal  
And since their Nature is, to cease to be,  
Think, they observe but their due course with thee.   

498  
The spacious world Is Fortune's Tennis-Court,  
Men are the Balls, which with her Racket (Time)  
Sh●e toasts too and fro, for his disport,  
Some times above, some times beneath the line,  
Now bounding, straight struck dead, but yet in fine,  
All go into the hazard, that's the grave,  
And they once gone, she other balls must have▪   

499  
Now we are those, with whom she plays her set,  
And she doth ply us with hard strokes amain,  
Yet thereby may we this advantage get▪  
Not to depend on her, that is so vain  
Whose favour, soon is won, soon lost again.  
Then let us not fix our affections here,  
But let our hopes move in a higher Sphere.   

500  
So silenced he: and then spoke Spencer so,  
To my discourse (dear Prince) vouchsafe thine Ears,  
And since we all do share alike in woe,  
Let me have leave, to tune my voice like theirs.  
" United forces greater virtue bears,  
And all of us level our Aims at this,  
To make thee think the world, but as It is.   

501  
Which (O) that our experience proved not true,  
Would we did sit upon the quiet strand,  
And thence behold the wrack like to ensue,  
And pity others, we secure on Land;  
But now our states in doubtful hazard stand  
Succeeding Ages in our fall may read,  
" How all things hang but by a slender thread.   

502  
Such in the sad-condition of each state  
Annexed to It, by Eternal doom,  
Which is enroled in the book of Fate,  
From whence, our least occurrents here do come  
That happen from the Cradle, to the Tomb.  
For though our fortunes seem but Casual,  
The finger of the highest is in all.   

503  
And 'tis a work of his All-guiding will,  
Whose boundless knowledge sees what is the best,  
In our whole life to mingle good with Ill,  
Contents with crosses, quiet with unrest,  
Lest we should hold the world in such request.  
That for the same, we should abandon Heaven  
And sour ourselves, with too much earthly Leau'n.   

504  
For who sees not, how much the world bewitches?  
Who feels not, how the flesh is apt to yield?  
Especially, made insolent with riches,  
How hard It is Prosperity to wield?  
How proudly fighteth Sin with such a shield?  
When lustful ease, hot wines, and stirring fare  
Are Satan's baits, to draw us to his snare.   

505  
We may e'en of ourselves an instance make,  
When did we entertain such thoughts as these?  
Oh, when did we this Theme for Subject take?  
When sin begot with greatness, nursed with ease,  
Confirmed with use, did seek all means to please.  
The present humour, that did most delight,  
And framed our minds according to our might.   

506  
But now afflicting sorrow doth assail us,  
We tune our Consort to another key;  
We change our minds, because our means do fail us.  
And those lewd motives being removed away  
Which did induce us so to run astray.  
We now recall our wand'ring thoughts again,  
And from our troubles take our truest Aim.   

507  
O sad affliction, though thou seem'st severe,  
Yet oftentimes thou drawest us unto God,  
" Who strikes, for to instruct, & Clouds, to clear.  
" So doth the tender father use the rod  
" So bitterest herbs in medicines o●t are sod.  
Of easy Reynes who doth no reckoning make,  
Must needs be ridden with a rougher brake.   

508  
We were too full of rust, and sinful soil,  
Which like a Canker eats into the Soul,  
Our gracious God is pleased to use this file  
To take that rust off, that did make us foul,  
And since his Actions are without Control.  
Let's meet his blessed will without submission,  
For he knows best, what's best for our condition.   

509  
If thus thou do●st account, thou reck'nest e'en,  
And thou shalt sum thy Sorrows with delight.  
" God strikes on earth, that he may stroke in heaven,  
" He gives a Talon, when he takes a mite.  
And lest thy Soul should live in endless night,  
He sends his Herald only to this end,  
That thou mayst be his follower: He thy friend.   

510  
He ceased: I said: Spencer I find It true,  
e'en from myself I can th● proof derive,  
" Calamity doth fashion us anew,  
" Remorseful grief, into the Soul doth dive  
" And sorrow makes repentant thoughts to thrive.  
" But full-fed men, and fortunes soaring high,  
" Care neither how to live, nor how to dye.   

511  
I must confess the truth: The time hath been  
Whilst my sweet-canded Fortune lasted still,  
I never thought on things, that were unseen,  
I only was obsequious to my will,  
My sense my God: whose lusts I did fulfil.  
And my deluded Soul did place it's good,  
Only in that, that pleased my wanton blood.   

512  
How often did I plot Impiety?  
And fashion It, upon my sinful bed,  
Still hunting after ●resh variety.  
Longing to act, what was in fancy bred,  
How much were all occasions welcomed?  
By which, I might add heat unto my fire,  
And still new forms, were framed by new desire.   

413  
And that, I might do Ill without Control,  
Without all check, or touch of Conscience,  
How often did I say unto my Soul?  
Enjoy a present good: Be ruled by sense;  
Not by opinion, or conceit, from whence  
Some curious brains have forged strange Novelties,  
But be thou wise, and follow realties.   

514  
But Spencer, now I find, I was a fool,  
And like Ixion did a cloud Embrace.  
Calam●tie hath set me to a School  
Where (though I feel more grief) I find more grace.  
And now I see, how wretched was my case,  
Whilst being bewitched with false felicity,  
I thought Religion but mere policy.   

515  
But now my Soul groans with the weight of sin,  
And I lie prostrate at my Maker's feet.  
I do confess, how sottish I have been,  
How my distaste hath taken sour for sweet,  
I find a God, whose judgements now I meet.  
Damned Atheist, thou that sayest, There is no God  
Thou wilt confess one, when thou feelest his rod.   

516  
Let Pharaoh live at rest, and he will wage  
War against heaven: and ask who Is the Lord.  
Nay more, and more, the Tyrant still will rage,  
Till God draw forth his sharp avenging sword,  
Till his just plagues no breathing time afford.  
Then▪ I have sinned, Pray for me, Let them go.  
And then, who God Is, Pharaoh learns to know.   

517  
So doth the Sharpest briar hear sweetest Rose,  
And bittrest Po●ions purge the body best▪  
How woundrously doth God his works dispose  
That e'en by Crosses he can make us blest?  
And hatch our chiefest joy in sorrow's nest,  
Then let us not repine against his doom,  
But wove our web, as he hath warped our loom.   

518  
And Reading, of the world thou readest aright.  
It is indeed, but merely temporal,  
And those dear pleasures, wherein men delight,  
Friends, honours, riches, all are Casual,  
And as they have their honey, so their gall.  
There's nothing certain in the world but this,  
" That every worldly thing uncertain Is.   

519  
Whom Rosy Phoebus rising in the East  
Hath seen aloft in glory and renown,  
Before he took his lodging in the West,  
Hath often seen as low dejected down▪  
That man, that in the morning wore the Crown▪  
Had not ere night, nor Crown nor head to wear,  
So full of frailties are our fortunes here.   

520  
These were our parleys as we sat alone,  
These tearful Tributes duly were defrayed,  
Now did we walk, and weep, now sit, & groan  
Till faithless Welch me (friendless wretch) betrays  
Unto their hands, who straight, ways me conueys  
To K●nnelworth, where I imprisoned lay,  
And never after saw one happy day.   

521  
The proof whereof we do not only see,  
But by a self experience we do feel,  
Others to us have taught, others shall be  
Informed by us? how that part of the wheel  
That's now aloft, doth straight ways downward reel▪  
And never rests at any certain stay,  
But up and down wears out a weary way.   

522  
The Spencers both the Father, and the Son  
Descended of an ancient worthy race,  
By whose directions all designs were done,  
And nothing passed without their special grace,  
They were so great in power, so high in place.  
Both died such wretched deaths, as men may say▪  
A gloomy night shut up a glorious day.   

523  
To use the Frenchman's phrase, under an Oak  
They both of them at several times did dye,  
Their Bodies quartered by the Hangman's stroke▪  
Their Heads cut off, were placed very high;  
As Spectacles, for every envious Eye.  
Which done, says form of Law by lawless will,  
Though they deserved It, was unjust and Ill   

524  
The Son (Gloucester's proud Earl) so great before,  
Had a white Paper fixed upon his head.  
Wherein (both to disgrace and grieve him more)  
In * Capital letters were Caractred 
Quid glori●●vis potens i●● moliti●●ud●   
Those words, that in one of the Psalms are read;  
For so the two and fiftieth doth begin,  
Thou Mighty Man, why dost thou boast i● Sin?   

525  
Unhappy Lord, It was enough to dye,  
It was too much, to dye with s●orne and shame.  
" Men should not trample upon misery,  
" Since every Mother's Son may share the same,  
I know he was in many things too blame.  
Proud, griping, cruel, Well: Say what you can,  
Yet give me leave to say: He was a man.   

526  
I write not Idly, do not read me so;  
I pray observe, upon what slippery way,  
" Greatness, (that is too great) doth ever go  
" How apt It is to catch a fall, and they  
" That so do slip, how readily they may  
" Break their own necks: without especial grace,  
" They fall not soft, that fall from an high place.   

527  
Besides, who will observe the Course of things  
From Conquering Williams Reign, till this our age,  
Shall find, how those great Favourites of Kings  
Have by themselves been brought to tragic stage  
Or proved unprosperous by the vulgar rage  
Or weeded up by him that next succeeds,  
Such dangerous humours swelling greatness breeds.   

528  
Thou shalt not need, to travail very far  
To fetch in matter, to inform thy mind▪  
Of which, our Stories true relaters are,  
Study but them, Thou shalt not fail to find  
Particular Examples, in each kind▪  
I am, but as an Index to a Book  
To point thee too 't: Turn thou the leaves and look.   

529  
Ask Wolsey, Ask Lord Cromwell, Both will say  
That Prince's Minions do but hold at will.  
That, favours never were Free holds, but they  
Are soon transferred from one t' another still;  
That, as the wind doth change▪ So must the Mill.  
Be turned about, and every-one doth know,  
" Winds do not always in one quarter blow.   

530  
Empson, and Dudley flourished very fair,  
And mighty were, during seventh Henry's reign;  
But he being dead, his next succeeding Heir  
Did cut them down, and they did fall again.  
They had their waxing, and they had their wane.  
And for the vulgar rage, who doth not know,  
How many mighty men have perished so.   

531  
I was myself deposed by Parliament  
From Princely rule, as one not fit to reign  
Both Peers, and people, all did give consent,  
That I unkinged in durance should remain,  
And sent their Agents to me, to explain  
That if I would not to my Son resign,  
They'd choose a Prince out of some other Line.   

532  
O England's Peers, weigh what you take in hand,  
Look but with judgement, into your design,  
That which you now attempt, will wrack the Land  
The wounds whereof, will bleed in aftertime,  
And Babes unborn, will Curse your hateful crime.  
For what so doth pervert the course of things  
Wrath, Envy, death, and desolation brings.   

533  
There is a lawful, and a certain right,  
Which always must be kept Inviolate.  
And being infringed by practice, or by might▪  
Draws fearful judgements down upon a State.  
Then you, or yours will wish (although too late)  
That I had kept my rightful Interest still,  
And you had not been Agents in this iii.   

534  
When your own children shall each other wound  
And with accursed hands gore either's breast;  
When Civil fury shall your state confound,  
Then will you say; His Ghost is not at rest  
His, whom unjustly we have dispossessed.  
The second E●wards: for whose Sacrifice  
Your N●phews than shall pay a bloody price.   

535  
Never (O never) was the rightful Course  
Of this our Crown perverted, or suppressed.  
But still the same hath been the fatal source  
Of many mischiefs, and of much unrest.  
And as the Land hath been therewith oppressed  
So the usurpers never kept it long  
In any quiet, what they got with wrong.   

536  
William who with his sword did get the Crown,  
Winning by Conquest, what he kept with Care  
(The true & lawful heir being shouldered down)  
Like a wood-Lyon (His own word) did fare  
Against the English, whom he did not spare  
Or young, or old, that were of worth, and place.  
And for the rest, He yoked with bondage base.   

537  
And as he toiled the Land, with his unrest,  
So tasted he his share of misery.  
Robert rebels: a Bird of his own nest,  
The Normans break forth into mutiny,  
T●● ' oppressed English hatch conspiracy.  
Always in Foreign broils▪ or Civil strife,  
And so wastes forth a wretched weary life.   

538  
Nay Death, the Period-maker of all moan  
e'en against Nature, follows him with spite,  
The mighty Prince of thousands waited-on  
Being dead, Is left alone forsaken quite,  
No Son, no friend, to do him his last right.  
None, that vouchsafed to give him burial,  
But unregarded lay, despised of all.   

539  
Nay more, The ground where he should be Interred  
Anselm Fitz-Arthur (his dead bones to spite)  
Claimed as his own, (A thing not ever heard)  
And for the Prince (there dead) by lawless might  
Had wormed him out of that, which was his right.  
On God's behalf, He did forbid them all  
Within his Earth, to give him burial.   

540  
Nor would he cease the challenge he had made,  
Nor yet, durst they inter his Corpses therein,  
Until a sum of money was defrayed  
With which, they paid a ransom for his sin  
So much a do had this great Prince to win  
That which none doth the poorest wretch deny.  
A bed of peace, where his dead bones might lie.   

541  
Nor was the stream of misery thus stayed,  
The date of our Affliction lasted still.  
There is not yet, sufficient ransom paid,  
The Ill-got Sceptre, must be swayed as Ill,  
Rufus succeeds, and still more blood doth ●pill.  
Still havocks more, and still doth Tyrannize,  
Until by sudden violence, he dies▪   

542  
Nor did the Crown stand well on any head,  
Till * Ben. Clarke got the Sceptre in his hand, 
HENRY, 1.   
Who to the Saxon Maude being married.  
Some beams of comfort cheered the drooping Land,  
And then our State in peaceful terms did stand.  
Till Henry died: and Steephen unjustly got▪  
The Crown, and set new troubles here on foot.   

543  
Then burst there forth, an all consuming flame,  
The Empress Ma●de sought to require her right.  
Steephen had the Crown, and he would keep the same;  
Until She could recover It by fight.  
Then followed all the hostile Acts of spite.  
Sword, fire, Rapes, murders, leaguers, waist and wrack.  
And nothing of extremest Ills did lack.   

544  
So hath unjust Succession scourged this Realm  
At length Steephen dies, after a wretched Reign  
Then Second Henry wears the Diadem,  
In whom, the rightful Title did remain,  
And then our state did happy fortunes gain.  
Then did our strength increase, our bounds extend;  
And many nations to our yoke did bend.   

545  
And Richard his brave Son did next succeed  
In a just Course, and all things prospered well.  
In S●ria he did many a worthy deed,  
The Eastern world of his exploits can tell,  
And many thousand miscreants sent to Hell,  
By his unconquered Arms: have proved long since  
That Curede Lion was a peerless Prince.   

546  
He dead, young Arthur should have had the Crown,  
The Son of jeffrey, who was Henry's Son  
Had not King john his Uncle put him down,  
Who being hauld on by Ambition  
Diverts the Course of true succession▪  
Makes himself King usurps the Prince's name,  
And murders Arthur, to secure the same.   

547  
And now (O now) begins our Tragedy,  
Where Death and horror only Actors are.  
john governs (as he got) preposterously  
And doth both with his Peers, and Clergy jar.  
Then janus sets wide●ope the gates of war.  
And then the Land with blood was overflown,  
And none could safely call his own, his own.   

548  
Then were the Cities sacked, the fields laid waist,  
The Virgins forced, the Marriage bed defiled.  
Then were the ancient Monuments defaced.  
The Ports vntrafficked landed up, and spoiled.  
e'en God himself seemed hence to be exiled.  
The land was Cursed, all Sacred rights were bard  
And Six years' space, no public prayers were heard.   

549  
Then did the King lease forth the Realm to Rome.  
Then did the Peers to France betray the Crown.  
O heavens great King, how fearful is thy doom?  
How many mighty Plagues canst thou pour down  
Upon a Nation, If thou please to frown.  
Arthur, It was the wrong done thee of late,  
That made just Heaven so to afflict our State.   

550  
But yet, might not his death that did the deed,  
Be a Peace-offering to redeem the Sin?  
Why should the Land of the one wound still bleed?  
Or wherefore died not his offence with him?  
Was not the measure heap'd-vp to the brim  
Both of the Ills he suffered, and had done,  
But that the guilt must prosecute the Son?   

551  
O no: Although third Henry was the man  
In whom, The lawful Title was Invested  
(For Arthur dead, the right was then in john  
And john decea'sd, the same in Henry rested)  
Yet, that the world should see, ●ow God detested  
Such wrongful means, Acts so unjustly done,  
The Father's whip is made to lash the Son.   

552  
For still did Civil fury wound the state  
During the time of Henry's pupillage,  
And still the Peers swollen with Intesti●e hate  
Against their harmless Prince, being under age  
Combine themselves with France: & when that rage  
Was spent, the Barons-warre broke forth again,  
So full of troubles was third Henry's reign.   

553  
He dead, my Father Longshanks than did reign,  
And in due Course succeeded next his Sire;  
Then all afflictions did begin to wain,  
And England did to peace and wealth aspire.  
Nor did the stream of bliss flow ever higher:  
Then when first Edward managed the State,  
Prudent in Peace, and in wars fortunate.   

554  
That Noble Prince to me my birth did give,  
Whom I succeeded in a rightful line.  
You all have sworn Allegiance whilst I live,  
And will you now enforce me to resign?  
Will you again with wicked hands unt wine  
That Sacred chain, whereon depends our good,  
And drown this Island once again in blood?   

555  
O, If you do disorder thus the Crown,  
And turn the lawful course another way.  
If you unjustly wring from me mine own,  
You spin a Thread, to work our own decay  
And my prophetic Soul doth truly say  
The time will come, when this unjust design;  
Will plague yourselves, your sons, and mine own line.   

556  
For from my Stock two branches shall arise  
From whom shall grow such great dis-union,  
As many thousand lives shall not suffice  
To reunite them both again in One,  
England shall waste more dear blood of her own,  
Against herself, than would suffice t' obtain  
All France, and conquer Germany, and Spain.   

557  
Thou wert too true a Prophet fatal King,  
And thy Presages were too ominous.  
From thee, and from thy worthy Son did spring  
Those Families, that so afflicted us;  
For York and Lancaster litigious  
For the Crowne-right, did make the Sword their plea,  
And so white Albion grew to be a red-Sea.   

558  
But when that men are bend to do amiss,  
Then all persuasions are but spent in vain.  
The Parliament was resolute in this  
That I their King no longer should remain.  
Whereto If I opposed myself: 'Twas vain.  
They were resolved: And my perverseness might  
Make them perhaps to do my Son less right.   

559  
Which when I heard, think how my soul did war  
Within Itself, which way I should incline.  
Dear was my Son, myself was dearer far,  
By my Eclipse must I procure his shine?  
Cannot he reign, unless I now resign?  
My Father died ere I could get the Crown.  
I live: And yet my Son must put me down.   

560  
My Son? (Alas poor Prince) It is not he,  
For many Wolves mask in that Lamb's attire.  
Proud Mortimer, 'Tis thou uncrownest me.  
Luxurious Queen, This is thy foul desire,  
And moody Tarleton (bellowes of this fire)  
'Tis you that are the marrow of this sin  
My Son doth serve, but for the outward skin.   

561  
You are the wheels that make this Clock to strike  
My fatal hour; The last of all my good,  
For this is not the height of your dislike.  
" Death is the fruit, when Treason is the bud,  
" Such practices do always end in blood.  
" When others stumble, Kings fall headlong down  
" There is no mean betwixt a Grave & Crown▪   

562  
" For this is certain: Sin doth always find  
" Within Itself sufficient cause of fear.  
" 'Tis dangerous, to trust a guilty mind.  
" The Creditor removed, the debt's thought clear  
" Men hate whom they have wronged, & hating fear  
" And fearing will not cease, till they have proved  
" All means, by which the cause may be removed.   

563  
Therefore, would I might lead a private life  
In some sequestered place, which none might see.  
Where I may seek, to reconcile the strife  
That Sin hath made, betwixt my God, and me.  
For if the ransom of my Crown might free  
My life from slaughter, little would I grieve,  
" There's none so wretched but desires to live.   

564  
And yet why should I lose or life or Crown?  
Are lives, or Crowns so light and easy losses?  
'Tis vain to ask, why fortune list to frown,  
Or to dispute the causes of our Crosses▪  
When Ships at Sea, storms winds and billows tosses  
It boots not ask, why winds and storms should rise,  
" All ruling heaven respects not humane why's?   

565  
Cato would know a reason of the Gods  
Why Pompey should by Caesar vanquished be?  
Whose cause was better (as he thought) by odds.  
Cato, thou seest Events, thou canst not see  
Their causes: They are kept reserved from thee,  
In God's close Cabinet, being safely laid;  
And he must not be questioned, but obeyed.   

566  
The stately Steed that champs the steely bit,  
And proudly seems to menace friend and foe,  
Doth fling, and foam, and boundeth oft, and yet  
Poor beast perforce he is enforced to go.  
e'en so fared I: and since It must be so,  
As good the same should seem to come from me,  
'Twas best to will, what 'gainst my will would be.   

567  
And so I made a solemn resignation  
Of all my right and Title to my Son,  
And there withal an earnest Protestation  
(Which was with sighs, & weeping tears begun)  
How much I grieved, that I had so misdone,  
As to procure thereby my People's hate,  
And so be thought unworthy of the State.   

568  
Which since I was, I willingly would give  
Unto my Son my throne of Majesty;  
Desiring them, to give me leave to Live,  
And not too much tread on my misery:  
For I had once their Faith, and fealty.  
Which, though I now discharged, & set them free,  
Though not obey, yet should they pity me.   

569  
The Crown had often made my head to Ache,  
And I prayed God, my Son felt not the same.  
Whom they should not less value for my sake,  
Since by his virtue he might salve my shame.  
And well I hoped, my Precedent would tame  
All youthful humours, which are easily led  
Unto those courses which Confusion bred.   

570  
And here, (though grief my senses did overwhelm  
And I did swo●ne, ere forms could finished be)  
Yet * Thomàs Trussell Knight for all the Realm 
Speaker of the Parliament.   
Did then renounce Allegiance unto me  
And of all Faith and Service set men free.  
My Steward broke his staff: my State before  
Was now discharged, and I was King no more.   

571  
Mark what pretences wrong can make of right,  
How loath men seem against justice ●o offend.  
O Sacred virtue! Thou art full of might,  
When e'en thy foes thy Title will pretend,  
As if thy only shadow could amend  
All Impious Acts: But now 'tis grown an use  
Thou must be made a Bawd unto abuse.   

572  
Well, well wise Politickes! With formal shows  
Your lawless Actions you have gilded over.  
And now the stream in a smooth channel goes.  
My resignation now doth fairly Cover  
Your foul Abuse: But Time will truth discover.  
That's current now, that will not always go,  
" Forms serve for men: God Is not served so▪   

573  
Your hands can not wipe off the holy-Oyle  
Which he hath laid on Kingly Majesty.  
Nor your devices wash away the soil  
From your own Souls of wilful Perjury  
To God: To me of Infidelity.  
Use all your Art, you never can get free  
From that just Oath▪ you gave to God, and me.   

574  
When I had thus departed from my Crown,  
I did bewail the wayning of my State.  
Poor Prince (said I) how low art thou cast down  
From that high Heaven, which thou inioy'dst of late?  
Thou hast no prospect, but an Iron-grate.  
Thy costly Hangings, ragged walls of stone,  
And all thy solace, solitary moan.   

575  
Now of a Cushion thou must make a Crown,  
And play the mock-king with it on thy head.  
And on the Earth (thy chair of State) sit down,  
And why not so? Since thou art Earthly bred.  
But for a Sceptre how wilt thou be sped?  
Why, take a brand, and shake it in thy hand,  
And now, thou art a King of high Command.   

576  
All guiding Heaven what change do I endure?  
Once wealth at will: But wealthy now in want.  
Then men my pleasure, now my pain procure.  
Then sumptuous houses, now one Chamber scant.  
Then thoughts of rest, now restless thought doth plant  
The sad remembrance of my wretched fate,  
What now I am, and what I was of late.   

577  
Me thinks, the Birds upbraid me in their songs  
And early sing my shame in every place.  
Me thinks, the waters murmur forth my wrongs,  
And in their course discourse of my disgrace.  
Me thinks, the Sun doth blush to see my face.  
The whistling winds (me thinks) do witness this,  
" No grief so great, as to have lived in bliss.   

578  
When I complain to Echo of head-aching,  
She sounds a King: And yet no King am I.  
In silent night, when I my rest am taking,  
I dream of Kings, yet I unkinged doth lie.  
And till sweet sleep seales-up my weary Eye.  
I cannot fix my thought on any thing,  
Bu● tells me strait; that once I was a King.   

579  
That once I was, (ay me) that now I am not,  
And now I am not, would I had been never.  
Less feels he want, that yet to plenty came not.  
" To have been happy: Is unhappy ever,  
But to forget myself I will endeavour.  
One of the Souls perfections, Memory  
Is unto me a Cause of misery.   

580  
Restless remembrance, how dost thou torment  
The feeling Soul, with a sad apprehension  
Of former pleasure, present discontent?  
Of many wrongs in Act, more in Intention  
And they without all compass of prevention.  
" It is some Comfort (though a wretched one)  
" To know, Our sorrows are at their high-noon.   

581  
" But to feel misery in a high degree,  
(And sure, I am not senseless of my smart)  
" Yet still to fear, that It will worse be,  
" Is a most eating Corr'siue to the heart.  
But (O) my thoughts why do you bear a part  
In these sad dumps: This plainsong only sing,  
I was not borne, nor shall I dye a King.   

582  
So when the tempest of my stormy passion  
(which at the first, wrought strongly on my sense)  
Was somewhat calmed, than I in better fashion  
Began to sift the moving Causes, whence  
My great disasters did at first Commence.  
And after such a serious scrutiny,  
I found, That Sin had caused my misery.   

583  
I did forget my duty to my God,  
My Subjects they neglected theirs to me.  
It was high time for him to use the rod,  
And lash me me fondly: When that he did see  
How milder medicines could not work on me,  
" When the still growing Gangreane hazards life,  
" The skilful Surgeon needs must use the knife.   

584  
I writ awry, and God hath ruled me thus  
With his blacke-lead, to make my lines more straight,  
" It is a justice sweet and gracious,  
" To make a daring Sinner feel the weight  
" Of his own sins; and so unload the freight  
Wherewith the burdened Soul, did sink before  
" The more we feel, humbled we are the more.   

585  
And God is gracious, when by punishments  
He makes the Sinner see his woeful case  
Who upon sight and sense thereof reputes;  
Humbling himself before th' Almighty's face,  
And that makes way unto ensuing grace:  
For then doth CHSIST that good Samaritan  
Pour Wine and Oil into the wounded Man.   

586  
When the seared Soul (that feels no smart at all,  
But is by pleasure nuzzled in its Ill)  
Doth still remain a poor Captived Thrall  
To Sin, and Satan: Who commands him still  
Both in his understanding, and his will.  
Till at the last comes death, and rings his knell;  
Who living fears not, dying findeth Hell.   

587  
This I know true, by selfe-experience;  
For being thus mured up in misery.  
I than began to have a feeling sense  
Of mine own Sins: which blinded liberty  
Kept from my sight: Or did so qualify,  
That I did hold myself in best estate,  
When my condition was most desperate.   

588  
But seeing now my danger: I began  
To cast about, how to prevent the iii.  
I found, there was nor help nor hope, in man;  
For they that wronged me now, would wrong me still,  
And they had able means to work their will.  
At last I found a Supreme Deity,  
Who could or mend, or end my misery.   

589  
O than my Soul, advance thy thoughts to heaven.  
If there be hope of help, there it doth rest,  
And only by that hand it must be given  
That festered sore, that matters in thy breast?  
That worm within thee, will not let thee rest.  
Till thy Repentance, makes thy peace with God  
And thou canst bless his hand, and kiss his Rod.   

590  
Heau'n-seeking Soul, (whoever that thou be)  
Let me acquaint thee with one meditation.  
Which was like Ajax's buckler unto me  
A seven-fold shield, tempered in such a fashion  
As did abate the Edge of all temptation.  
And this It was: As I sat musing long,  
My hart grew hot, and I spoke with my tongue.   

591  
Number the Moats, that in the Sunbeams fly.  
Number the Sand, upon the beachy shore.  
Number the sparkling Diamonds of the sky.  
But number not my sins: for they are more,  
Yet join in one, Moats, Sands, Stars, Sins, All ●oure.  
Nay, be they many more, than all these are,  
The mercies of my God are more by far.   

592  
And mine he is: and all those mercies mine,  
Not by deserving worth, that is in me;  
But by that Interest, which is truly thine  
(O blessed JESUS) and transferred from thee  
To me most sinful wretch: So mine they be.  
So God is mine: And this I fully know,  
Because my blessed JESUS makes him so.   

593  
But how comes JESUS to be thine? By faith,  
Which Apprehends him, and applies him too.  
That may be false: O no: The Spirit saith  
(The Sacred Spirit) That all which he did do  
Whilst he did live, And all he suffered too  
By his free Grace doth unto me pertain,  
Nay, Is made truly mine: And there's my claim.   

594  
Thy Claim is grounded on a weak foundation,  
What if that Spirit doth inform a Lye.  
Then where's thy strange presumption of Salvation?  
O no: It is God's Spirit certainly.  
And he's a God of truth, and verity.  
How knowst thou this? Because his motions tend  
To make me good and happy at my end.   

595  
Because he makes me see my own demerit,  
And what is lustily due to me by right,  
And then he Comes, and like a blessed Spirit  
Presents my gracious Saviour to my sight,  
Makes me lay hold on Christ, with all my might.  
And tender him unto the God of heaven  
To clear my score, & make our reckon e'en.   

596  
In these good thoughts, I spent my best of Time,  
My Cousin * Leicester well respecting me, 
Henry Earl of Leicester kept him at Kenelworth.   
Which to my foes did seem a heinous Crime.  
Who after Consultation did agree,  
Some less Indulgent should my keepers be.  
And * Gurney, 
Tho. Gurney job. Maltrevers, Knights.  and, * Maltrevers chosen were,  
To rid me of my life, them of their fear.   

597  
They that have Ears to hear of my extremes,  
And feeling hearts, to comprehend my woes.  
And yet have Eyes as dry as Sunny beams,  
Whence no moist Tears (poor Pities tribute) flows.  
Within such minds whole mines of marble grows  
Flint-hearted men that pity not my moan,  
Some Gorgon's head, hath turned your hearts to stone.   

598  
And what have I to do with stony hearts?  
With men of marble, what have I to do?  
I take no pleasure in Pygmalion's Arts,  
I would not work on stone, or marble woo  
He loved his stony-maide, and had her too.  
She was transformed at his incessant moan,  
So were my foes, but changed from men to stone.   

599  
And would to God, I had been changed like them,  
Then without sense, I should have borne my pain.  
" And senseless hapless are halfe-happie men,  
" who feel no grief, what need they much complain,  
But I was touched, being struck in every vein.  
That my extremes, to their desires might bring  
The fatal Period, whence their fears did spring.   

600  
And first, They hurried me from place to place,  
〈…〉 might have Intelligence of me.  
〈…〉 clothed me with garments vile and base,  
〈◊〉 myself, that I unknown might be,  
And least, I should the cheerful daylight see.  
I still removed, when Sol his course had run,  
My day was night, & Moonshine was my Sun.   

601  
I did lament, that woes to words might yield,  
And said: Fair Cynthia with whose brightsome shine  
This sable-night doth beat a silver shield.  
Yet thou art gracious to these griefs of mine.  
That with thy light dost cheer my weeping Eyes.  
Thou borrowest light, to lend the same to me,  
I lighten those, that my Eclipsers be.   

602  
The glorious Sun (thy Brother) lends thee light,  
My Son makes me obscure, unlike to thee.  
En●i●●ions love, thou didst with love require,  
My love distresseth, and disdaineth me;  
Yet both too like in often changing be.  
O no, for thou being waned, dost wax again,  
But still her love continues in the wain.   

603  
Some do ascribe the Ocean's ebbs and flows  
Unto thy Influence, working in the same.  
I wot not that, but this poor Edward knows,  
Men ebb and flow, as Fortune list to frame;  
Whose smiles, or frowns do make or mar our game.  
Then since we all must stoop unto her lure,  
When she is false, how may our states be sure.   

604  
But cease (fair Phoebe) cease thy beauteous shine,  
Spend not thy rays on such a wretch, as I;  
Against whom the very Heavens themselves repine,  
Whose presence, All good-boading stars do fly,  
Then give me leave, that I obscure may dye.  
And suffer me, unsought, unseen to go;  
" Some ease It is, not to be known in woe.   

605  
And that, the humid vapours of the night  
Might be of force, to make weak nature fail  
They made me ride cold, and bareheaded quite  
To whom both hats & heads were wont to veil,  
Whilst I with prosperous wind at will did sail.  
But now, I was reproached with hateful Crimes,  
O Times, O Men; O Change of men, and Times.   

606  
Think not, that I was Marble, not to have  
A sense of Ill, after a feeling fashion,  
Which made me sometimes for to fret, and rave,  
Sometimes to weep▪ and humbly beg compassion,  
As I was swayed by variable passion.  
Remembering what I was, some storms did pass,  
And straight a calm, remembering what I was.   

607  
Traitors (quoth I) Why do you use me thus?  
Know you not me? Forget you whom I am?  
Was not great Longshanks Father unto us?  
I Kingly Edward, Second of that name?  
Why kneel you not? Oft have you done the same.  
Why should you not? since you are sworn to do It,  
And by our birthright we are borne unto It.   

608  
From forth the Loins of many Kings came I,  
This head hath been Impaled with a Crown,  
And will you now a simple Hat deny?  
I'll be revenged: They do not fear my frown,  
Too well, too well they know, my Sun is down.  
My day is done, Now doth my night begin;  
And Owls, not Eagles use to fly therein.   

609  
I have been Graced, let me be gracious now,  
I have Commanded, Let me now request.  
Your sometime. King hath humble knees to bow,  
And weeping Eyes to crave some little rest;  
Man's heart is flesh: He hath no flinty breast.  
One * Aristomines had a hairy heart 
●linius.   
But you are stones: else would you rue my smart.   

610  
And that I might be wretched every way,  
That every sense might have his proper pain.  
The Bird, to whom Promethius was a prey.  
The waking Serpent, that doth rest restrain,  
Hunger I mean, did gnaw on me amain  
Hunger, which often forced me eat such food,  
As weakened Nature, and corrupted blood.   

611  
I that Lucullus-like, was served at will,  
With whatsoever Sea, or Land affords,  
Would now be glad of Crumbs, to feed my fill,  
Such want doth often follow wasteful boards,  
Better the frugal fare of Roots, and gourds,  
Which keeps the Soul and body both in health,  
And God doth bless with great increase of wealth.   

612  
Chameleons feed upon the piercing Air,  
O that kind Nature, had but made me such,  
The Salamander doth Its strength repair  
Amidst the fire, when It the flame doth touch,  
Against whose happy state I did not grudge,  
But only wished myself, to have like means  
For hunger is th' Extremest of Extremes,   

613  
I thought sometimes, to Eat my very flesh,  
My brawn-lesse arms would do some little good,  
But still my stomach loathed such a mess,  
And would not serve me to digest my blood.  
My teeth should rather tear the stones for food,  
I'd soften them with tears, & ceaseless moans,  
But stones were hard, and men more hard than stones,   

614  
And for to make me fret myself to death,  
They crossed, and thwarted me in every thing,  
Sweete-sugred words like to the Panther's breath,  
You pleasing Tongues, whose Chimes so sweetly ring▪  
Where are you now? why soothe you not your King  
Yea, so you will: But that is not my Case  
And flatterers tune not to the mean, or base,   

615  
How deadly Is the venom of fair tongues?  
Whose Nectar-tearms do seem more smooth than oil  
And all the breath, that cometh from their lungs  
Is sweet in show, but full of gall, and guile.  
Believe me, There's more danger in their smile  
Then in their frown: for seen is soon detected.  
" But they hurt most, that are the least suspected.   

616  
O why are Princes like to brazen Pots  
Which being great, are lifted by the Ears?  
Little see they, their reaches, and their plots,  
Whose tongues are tuned to soothe them many years  
Till turns are served: & than It straight appears.  
That Honey gone, the Combs are soon rejected,  
And wanting means, the man is less respected.   

617  
May it please your Highness: was my wont style:  
Whose pleasure now is less esteemed than mine:  
Did I look Cloudy? Who durst seem to smile?  
Or was I pleasant? Who durst then repine?  
Spoke I? Apollo's words were less divine.  
What e'er I did, Applause graced every thing.  
And this the cause: Because, I was a King.   

618  
But now the Springtime of my Bliss is done,  
Those Nightingales that did so sweetly sing  
In this my winter, all are fled, and gone  
Nay turned to Serpents, that both hiss and sting.  
So Bells to Marriage-Feasts, and Burials ring.  
A King: No King: Hap, and mishap doth bring,  
And none so hapless, as a King, no King.   

619  
And that my words might unrespected be,  
And neither they, nor I regarded aught.  
They gave it out, my senses failed me,  
And I was mad, and helpelesly distraught,  
'Tis true, I have been mad, and dear bought  
My madness: I was mad, when I did blot  
My Soul with Sin: When I my God forgot.   

620  
But now my senses are restored again,  
And I begin to see, how mad I was;  
To put my trust, in things that are so vain,  
To change my heavenly gold, for earthly glass,  
To dote on shadows, letting substance pass,  
And now my God hath purged that Lunacy.  
With bitter Potions of Calamity.   

621  
And (O) this sickness is too general,  
The world doth groan under this mad disease,  
This frantic humour doth distract us all,  
We only seek the present sense to please,  
And whilst we live, so we may float at ease.  
We quite forget the place, where we must Land,  
The Throne of judgement, where we all must stand.   

622  
Why should mankind, be so extremely mad,  
As for the short fruition of base pleasure,  
(Which often Is repent, when 'tis had)  
To lose a soul, more worth than Worlds of treasure?  
This is Indeed a madness above measure.  
Thus once I raved, and therefore now I rue,  
Thus rave you now, and therefore so shall you.   

623  
And lest my Torments should but seem to cease  
Or breathe a while, They would not let more rest,  
Of quiet sleep (The harbinger of peace  
The Common Inn both unto man and beast)  
My weary Eyes could never be possessed,  
My head waxed light, yet heavy was my heart;  
Two Contraries, One Cause, but no desert.   

624  
I that had once so many Princely bowers,  
And in the same, so many beds of state,  
With sweet Perfumes, and beauteous Paramouts  
And melody, such as at Pluto's gate  
Once Orpheus played, and all most delicate  
To charm the senses, and bewitch the Soul,  
Must now not sleep one hour without Control.   

625  
O justice! what a Tally dost thou keep  
Of all our sins, and how thou payest them right?  
" Though God doth wink, yet doth he never sleep  
" The Eye of heaven sees in the darkest night.  
My waist of Time in sleep (then thought but light)  
Was chalked up, and now he pays the score  
With want of that, which I abused before.   

626  
Fond men (quoth I) you have in all been cruel,  
But yet in this, you are too much unwise,  
If to my Torments you would add more fuel,  
You should permit some slumber to mine Eyes,  
That being waked, fresh sorrow might arise,  
Nor can I last, my strength with watching spent,  
" For bows grow weak, that never stand unbent   

627  
Besides, Continual thinking of my woe  
So dulls my senses, that I feel It less,  
" As Paths grow plain, whereon we always go  
" So Hearts grow hard, that never find redress,  
And you will make me senseless by excess.  
I know, you hate me, show your hate therefore,  
And let me slumber, for to vex me more.   

628  
And that my grief might work on me the more  
By apprehension of my present fall,  
And sad remembrance of my state before.  
They wreathed a Crown of Hay: & therewithal  
They Crowned me: and King eftsoons did call.  
Phurp, Phurp, (say they) God save this jolly King  
O save me God whom Devils to death would bring.   

629  
And thou meek Lamb, that by thy precious blood  
Hast made Atonement 'twixt my God, and me,  
(Which was more Sovereign for a sinners good  
Than sweetest myrrh, or purest balm could be)  
In my weak steps I somewhat follow thee.  
The Sponge, the Spear, the Cross, y● Crown of thorn  
Thy ensigns are, and may not else be borne.   

630  
Thy head was Crowned with Thorn, mine but with Hay.  
Thou knewest no sin, my sins the sands exceed.  
Well may I follow, when thou leadest the way,  
And (O) that I might follow thee Indeed  
Then of the Tree of Life, my soul should feed.  
My soul that hath no other hope but this,  
Who will be thine, Thou always wilt be his.   

631  
Sweet Saviour Christ, these are the hopes I have,  
Though they afflict me, yet my Soul is thine.  
A Tyrant cannot reach beyond the grave  
These fiery trials make me brighter shine  
Thou wilt relieve me, when thou see'st thy time  
Or I shall end: 6 Or they at last will cease.  
Thou wilt give patience till thou giv'st release,   

632  
And that I might e'en of myself be hated,  
They shaved off all my beard in my disgrace.  
The Instrument a Razor blunt, rebated.  
And from a muddy ditch, near to that place  
They fetched cold filthy water for my face.  
To whom I said, that e'en in their despite,  
I would have warm: My tears should do that right.   

633  
These drops of brine, that pour down from mine eyes,  
Mine eyes, cast up to heavens high glorious frame,  
That from, whence God all earthly deeds descries.  
That God, that guerdons sin with death & shame.  
Shall witness, yea, and will revenge the same.  
That you have been most cruel to your King,  
Whose death, his Doom: His doom your deaths will bring.   

634  
Unmanly men, Temember what I was,  
And think withal, what you yourselves may be,  
I was a King: A powerful King I was:  
You see my tall, and can yourselves be free?  
But you have friends, why, you were friends to me  
And yet, you see how much your love is changed;  
So others loves from you may be estranged.   

635  
But you are young, and full of able strength,  
And am not I? What boots my strength or youth,  
Both now seem firm, but both shall fail at length,  
" Old Age cold Ache: and both sad grief pursueth,  
But you are wise, the more should be your ruth  
Of mine estate, whose wrack may teach you this  
That baleful chance may cloud your greatest bliss.   

636  
You are not, No, you are not Beasts by birth,  
Nor yet am I made of a seneclesse stone.  
We all are framed, and all shall turn to Earth,  
You should have feeling Souls, for I have one.  
Then see me at least, relenting to my moan.  
I Pity crave, and craving let me have It,  
Because one day yourselves may need to crave It.   

637  
But these sad motives could not work at all  
In their hard steely hearts the least remorse.  
They rather added wormwood to my gall,  
And exercise of Ills did make them worse.  
So violent streams hold an their wont course.  
And being fleshed in Cruelty before,  
Use made the habit perfect more and more.   

638  
And lest one torment should be left untried,  
They shut me in a vault, and laid by me  
Dead Carcases of men, who lately died,  
That their foul stink my fatal bane might be,  
These were the Objects that mine eyes did see.  
These smells I felt, with these I did converse,  
And unto these, These plaints I did rehearse.   

639  
O happy Souls, whose bodies here I see  
(For you have played your parts, and are at rest)  
Yet somewayes hapless, you may seem to be  
That which your bodies I am thus distressed.  
Perhaps you grieve (If that you know at least)  
That by your means, your King is thus tormented.  
Grieve not (dear souls) for I am well contented.   

640  
'Tis not your bodies (senseless as they are)  
That do inflict these Torments on your King,  
But the fierce Agents of proud Mortimer,  
Fron them my plagues proceed as from their spring,  
And (O) just Heaven! Let them their tribute bring  
Back to the Ocean, whence they first did flow,  
And in their passage, still more greater grow.   

641  
But what poor souls have you deserved so ill?  
That being dead, you must want burial.  
Nothing but this: I must my fates fulfil,  
And still be plagued with woes unnatural,  
My wretchedness must still transcend in all.  
The living, and the dead must do me spite,  
And you (alas) for me must want your right.   

642  
But you are happy, free from sense of wrong;  
Here are your bodies, but your souls are well.  
Death, do not thou forbear thy stroke too long,  
That with these happy souls my soul may dwell.  
And soul be glad to go: Here is thy Hell.  
And e'en in this, thouart happy, that 'tis here,  
O better so, Then it should be elsewhere.   

643  
What seest thou now, but Objects of disgrace?  
What dost thou hear, but scorns, and words of spite,  
What dost thou touch, that Is not vile and base?  
What dost thou smell, but stench both day and night?  
What dost thou taste, that may procure delight?  
Thy sight, thy hearing, touching, taste and smell  
All cry for Heaven, for here is now thy Hell.   

644  
This darksome Vault, the house of Acheron,  
These wicked men like Fiends do torture me.  
This miseries sink resembles Phlegeton,  
My acted Sins like fearful furies be,  
And he that would a whole Infernal see.  
Let him observe the plagues, that I endure,  
And he shall find them Hells true portraiture.   

645  
The Earth itself, is weary of my pain,  
And like a tender Mother moans for me,  
From me thou cam'st, return to me again,  
Within my womb I'll keep the safe (quoth she)  
And from these vile abuses set thee free.  
Never shall these fell Tyrants wrong thee more,  
He that pays death, dischargeth every score.   

646  
These bodies that thou seest thy Brothers were,  
Subject to many wants, and thousand woes,  
They now are cleared from Care, and freed from fear,  
And from the pressures of Insulting foes,  
And now, they live in joy, and sweet repose,  
Thyself canst witness, that they feel no woe,  
And as they rest, e'en thou shalt rest thee so.   

647  
Their eyes, that whilst they lived oft Tided tears  
Thou seest, how sweetly they Enjoy their rest,  
Those harsh unpleasing sounds that wronged their Ears,  
Are turned to Angels tunes among the blessed.  
Their Souls that were with pensive thoughts possessed,  
Now in their Maker's bosom without end,  
Enjoy that peace, whereto thy Soul doth bend.   

648  
And thou hast need of peace (poor wretched Soul)  
If ever any Soul had need of Peace.  
God being in Arms against thee doth enrol  
All Nature in his list, which doth not cease  
To fight against thee, and doth still Increase  
Thy wretchedness, forbear rebellious dust,  
To war with him, who is most great and just,   

649  
O would to God, that I had died ere this,  
Then had my sins been fewe● than they are.  
Then had my Soul long since reposed in bliss,  
That now Is wand'ring still in ways of Care,  
" Lives grief exceeds life's good without Compare.  
Each day doth bring a fresh supply to Sorrow,  
Most wretched now, yet shallbe more to morrow.   

650  
My careful mother might have helped me  
When I lay sprawling in her tender womb.  
If she had made her burdened Belly be  
My fruitless birth-bed, and my fatal Tomb,  
Sure had she known her Son's accursed doom.  
She never would have wronged herself so much,  
To bear a wretch, save whom was never such.   

651  
My tender Nurse is guilty of these pains,  
She might have put some poison in my pap,  
Or let me fall, and so dashed out my brains,  
When she full oft did dance me on her lap,  
A thousand ways had freed me from mishap.  
But he whom Heaven ordains to live distressed,  
Death will delay to set that wretch at rest.   

652  
For Death's the weary Pilgrim's rest and joy,  
This world of woes a hard and flinty way,  
Our birth the path, that leads to our annoy  
Our friends are fellow●passengers to day  
And gone to morrow, Honour Is a stay  
That either stops, or leads us else amiss▪  
Pleasures are thieves, that Intercept our bliss.   

653  
And in the passage, as the way doth lie  
We meet with several Inns, wherein we rest  
Some at the Crown are lodged, and so was I:  
Some at the Castle: So am I distressed;  
Some at the Horn, That married folks do feast.  
Though men have diverse Inns, yet all men have  
One home, to which they go, & that's the grave.   

564  
Yet whilst we travail Fortune like the weather,  
Doth alter fair or foul, so doth our way  
If fair, than Friends like fowls do flock together,  
If foul, Each man doth shift a several way  
Only our virtues, or our vices stay  
" And go with us, whose endless memory,  
Doth make us live, or dye Eternally.   

655  
This Is the freight, that men cannot unload  
No, not by death▪ Therefore Mortality  
Work for thyself, whilst here thou hast abode  
For on the present hath dependency  
Either thy endless bliss or misery.  
And death's the Convoy to conduct us home  
Come death to me, that I to rest may Come.   

656  
Perhaps thou fearest me, being great and hie,  
" O death! Man were a thing Intolerable  
" Were he not mortal: But e'en Kings must dye.  
" No privilege doth against death Enable,  
Both fat and lean are dishes for his Table.  
The difference this: The poore-one hath his grave,  
The great-one, he his Monument must have.   

657  
" Our fates may be conceined, but not Controlled,  
" Before our dated time we cannot dye,  
" Our days are numbered, and our minutes told  
" Both life and death are destined from on high.  
And when that God, that rules the Imperial sky  
Shall find It fit, than thou shalt go in peace,  
Mean while with patience look for thy release.   

658  
Thus unto Care I paid his due: Complaint,  
And joined withal my tributary tears,  
Such my laments (for grief finds no restraint)  
As they at last, did come unto their Ears,  
That by the Castle past, which caused such fears  
In their selfe-guilty souls, that used me so,  
As they resolved by death to end my woe.   

659  
To which effect came Letters from the Court,  
Written by Tarleton, at the Queen's command,  
In such a cloudy, and ambiguous sort,  
That diverse ways, one might them understand  
By pointing them; That if they should be scanned,  
He and his Letters might be free from blame,  
And they Delinquents, that abused the same.   

660  
The words were these: * (Kill Edward 
Edward um●● occidere nolit● timere b●num est.  do not fear  
'Tis good) which being Commaed diversely  
As pleased the Reader, double sense may bear.  
O Art! Thou art the Earth's chief treasury  
But being Employed to practise villainy,  
What monstrous births from thy fair womb do spring,  
So Grammar here is made to kill a King.   

661  
Which to effect, They first removed me  
From forth the place, where I before did lie,  
And made a show, as if they seemed to be  
Compassionated, for my misery.  
And would hereafter grant Immunity  
From such unworthy usage: So we see,  
The Sun shines hot, before the shower will be.   

662  
But being overwatched, and wearied too,  
Nature was much desirous of some rest,  
Which gave them opportunity to do  
What they desired, for being with sleep oppressed  
They clap great massy Beds upon my breast.  
And with their weight, so kept me down withal,  
That breath I could not, much less Cry, or Call.   

663  
And then into my Fundament they thrust  
A little horn, as I did grovelling lie,  
And (that my violent death might shun mistrust)  
Through that same horn, a red hot Spit, whereby  
They made my guts and bowels for to fry.  
And so Continued, till at last they found,  
That I was dead, yet seemed to have no wound.   

664  
And here I pitch the Pillars of my pain,  
Now, Ne plus ultra, shall my Poesy be,  
And thou which hast described my tragic reign,  
Let this at least give some content to thee,  
That from disastrous fortunes none are free.  
Now take thy web out of the Looms again;  
And tell the world, that all the world Is vain.    

THE AUTHORS Noli peccare.  

1  
Forbear to Sin: 
Deus videt.  God hath thee still in sight,  
Nothing is hid from his all seeing Eye.  
Though thou puttest on the Sables of the night,  
Thou canst not cloud thyself from him thereby;  
All time, all place, all Ends, and all thy means  
He better sees, than thou the Sun's bright beams.   

2  
Forbear to Sin: The Angels 
Angel● tristantur.  grieve for thee  
When by thy Sin thou grievest thy loving Lord.  
Those noble natures our Attendants be,  
To whom both day and night they do afford  
Their dearest service: O unkind too much  
To cause their grief, whose love to thee is such.   

3  
Forbear to Sin: 
Diabolus accusat.  For e'en that damned Fiend  
That moved thee first, and soothed thee in thy Sin.  
When he hath once attained his cursed End,  
And made thee Act his ill, will strait begin  
To aggravate thy guilt: he'll urge thy shame  
Against thyself, that urged thee to the same.   

4  
Forbear to Sin: 
Conscientiaterret.  For out of Sin doth breed  
A biting worm, that gnaws the Sinner still.  
Devouring wolf, that on thyself dost feed,  
Black Register, that dost record our iii.  
And makes the Soul the book, where thou dost write  
Sad thoughts by day, and fearful dreams by night.   

5  
Forbear to Sin: 
Mors minatur.  Death standeth at the Door,  
Ready to Enter on thy house of Earth.  
One day being spent, The lesser is thy store  
Of time to come: Man dies from his first birth.  
Who ever writes, or speaks of any-One,  
Still ends his tale with Mortuus est, he's gone.   

6  
Forbear to Sin: 
●●dicium instat.  There is a day of Doom,  
There are Records, where thy sins are Enrolled,  
There is a just and fearful judge, from whom  
Lies no appeal: Who cannot be controlled  
Whom teares-almes, prayers may here to mercy move  
But then there is no place for peace or love.   

7  
Forbear to Sin: 
●nferni ●cr●ciant.  Because there is a Hell,  
Where ceaseless, easeless, Endless torments be,  
Where Diu'ls, & all the damned Souls do dwell,  
Whom Millions of years shall never free.  
Where to remain, Is grievous past Conceit,  
And whence, not any hope to make retreat.   

Therefore (to End as I did first begin)  
Let these respects make thee forbear to Sin.   

— Quorum si singula, duram  
Flectere non possunt, possunt tamen Omnia, Mentem.   
FRAN. HUBERT Miles. Timens Deum, non habet quod timeat ulterius.  
FINIS.