EGYPT'S FAVOURITE.  
The History of JOSEPH, divided into four parts:  

1. josephus in Puteo: or, The unfortunate Brother.  
2. josephus in Gremio: or, The chaste Courtier.  
3. josephus in Carcere: or, The innocent Prisoner.  
4. josephus in Summo: or, The Noble Favourite.   
Together with old Israel's Progress into the Land of Goshen.  
By Francis Hubert, Knight, and sometime one of the Six Clerks of his Majesty's High Court of CHANCERY.  
LONDON, Printed by A. M. for L. Chapman, and are to be sold at his Shop at the upper end of Chancery Lane next Holborn. 1631.   

THE STATIONER to the READER.  
Courteous Reader, I need not by these few lines invite thee to survey this ensuing divine Poemè; the true worth, that it contains, hath saved me that labour. The Author hereof (being my worthy Friend) ere he had fully perfited the same, was himself translated to the place of all perfection, and changed the Egypt of this world, for the full fruition of a celestial Canaan. In his life my desertless self was so endeared unto him, that he pleased to bestow upon me the Copy thereof, and I have taken the pains to make that public, which was before smothered in silence, and perhaps might have been buried in oblivion. Many years sithence he writ a Work entitled, The History and Reign of EDWARD the second, with his miserable and cruel death: But the same being by supremest Authority forbidden to be printed, was for a long time charily kept, us a jewel in his secret Cabinet, or rather (amongst diverse other Works of his excellently well composed) as a chief ornament of his own private Library, till at length some Sacrilegious hand, (pardon me if I so tear me it) stole this Wedge of Gold, and for gain, without allowance of Authority, or knowledge of the Author, brought it to the Press: but so much dross was mixed therewith, & such foul faults escaped the 〈◊〉 ●●, that it had almost quite lost its first par● To remedy this, the Author was induced 〈◊〉 use me as an Instrument to print the 〈◊〉 it was originally composed; the which with his assistance I effected: but the sale thereof was so hindered by the former Impression of the false Copy, that the true one found little or no success. Now once again (gentle Reader) I have ventured to present to thy view this second Work of the same Author, which if the reading thereof may both profit and pleasure thee, I shall reap a satisfaction of mine own desires, and thyself good contentment for time so well expended. Farewell.  
L. C.   

THE AUTHOR'S INVOCATION.  
NOr high Olympus, nor Pernassus' hill,  
Nor famed Pierian Sister's I implore,  
(The Poet's Patrons) to assist my quill,  
A higher pitch my Eagle-Muse aoth soar.  
Thou that taughtst Ishai's youngest son to sing  
The Songs of Zion; with thy heavenly dews  
Inspire my heart, as thou didst Zion's King,  
And sacred drops into my quill infuse.  
Thou that didst love the voice of that sweet Singer,  
And David's golden Harp in tune didst keep,  
Teach me that heavenly Instrument to finger,  
Who David-like now sing to Israel's Sheep.  
Thou Son of David, David's Lord and King,  
Assist my Muse, for now she takes her wing.   

EGYPT'S FAVOURITE.  
JOSEPH in PUTEO. OR, The Unfortunate Brother.  

1  
Of all the worldly blessings which from heaven  
(Like gracious dew) did fall on Jacob's head,  
I do not think there was a greater given,  
Then were the sons that from his loins were bred.   

2  
It is a Cordial to the Father's heart,  
To see himself so often multiplied,  
The like was never made by Chemic Art,  
There's no extraction of such strength beside.   

3  
And in this blessing jacob had a part,  
For Jacob's Zodiaque had twelve several Signs,  
(I mean his sons) whose influence did impart  
A powerful strength to him, and his designs.   

4  
Of all the rest, I was his pretiest boy,  
And to my father from my cradle dear,  
Son of his age, therefore perhaps his joy,  
As by my partie-livery may appear.   

5  
Or else perhaps 'twas for my Mother's sake,  
To whom his soul with chains of love was tied,  
Which caused him cheerfully to undertake  
Twice seven years service, to make her his Bride.   

6  
O Love, thou art the perfect Adamant,  
Which breaks all Hammers, wearies every arm●  
Thou hast no sense of danger, or of want,  
No apprehension of ensuing harm.   

7  
But thou art carried in a full career,  
With highest speed to what thou dost desire,  
Labours are sweet, and difficulties dear,  
To compass that whereto thy hopes aspire.   

8  
Unwearied love or labours not at all,  
Or else at least doth make all labours light,  
Witness my father jacob, Laban's thrall,  
Or Rachel's rather (for to speak more right)   

9  
Faint with heaven's frost by night, heaven's fire by day,  
Which (though distasteful) jacob yet puts over,  
Thinking all Months alike for one sweet May,  
O such a thing it is to be a Lover.   

10  
And well it may be that I was affected  
For my dead mother's sake, whom he held dear:  
But sure it is, that I was much respected,  
And Rachel's love in joseph did appear.   

11  
For he did love me more in truth and show,  
Then all the children that he had beside,  
Who thereupon did discontented grow,  
His love to me made me to be envy'de.   

12  
Alas, that from a root so sweet should spring  
So noisome, and so venomous a flower:  
But thus (we see) it holds in cuery thing,  
Great fortunes, great affections, place and power   

13  
Are subject to great envy: men will hate  
That eminence, which they cannot attain:  
It may be Nature's fault, it may be Fate,  
It may be Custom, which few can restrain.   

14  
What E'er the cause be, that's th'effect (we see)  
e'en brothers of one back will make it good,  
My father's love had fatal been to me,  
If gracious heaven had not their wills withstood.   

15  
He loves, they hate: and to fill up the stream,  
And swell the humour of their rankling hate,  
(So God would have it) I must have a dream,  
Which (foolish lad) to them I did relate.   

16  
Dreams are the Daughters of the silent Night,  
Begot on diverse Mothers, most, most vain;  
Some bred by dayes-discourse, or dayes-delight,  
Some from the stomach fuming to the brain.   

17  
Some from Complexion; Sanguine Constitutions  
Will dream of Masks, Plays, Revels, Melody:  
Some of dead bones, and ghastly apparitions,  
Which are the true effects of Melancholy.   

18  
And some are merely forged to private ends,  
And (without doubt) some are Prophetic to,  
Which gracious God out of his goodness sends,  
To warn us what to shun, or what to do.   

19  
Or to discover what in time will come,  
Either for private, or for public weal:  
Such was my dream, a true presaging one,  
Which to my brothers thus I did reveal:   

20  
Me thought we were together in the field  
Binding of sheaves, Mine riseth, stands upright,  
Your sheaves encompass mine, but stoop an● yield,  
And honours mine: Dreamer, we know your spirit   

21  
The brethren say: shalt thou rule over us?  
Thou Lord it so? Proud boy, it shall not be.  
A second dream I had, and told it thus:  
The Sun, the Moon, the Stars I seemed to see;   

22  
The Stars In saw eleu'n in number were,  
And all to me (as honouring) did bow,  
I told it so, that jacob did it hear,  
Who frowned upon me with an angry brow.   

23  
Must I, your Mother, and your Brethren be  
Your vassals? at your feet (proud boy) be cast?  
'Tis more than time (I see) to humble thee,  
And lance that windy humour swells so fast.   

24  
And thus in outward show old Israel chides,  
To cool his spleenful sons, whose wrath did flame:  
But inwardly the double dream he hides,  
And all his thoughts still work upon the same.   

25  
The sons of jacob now in Sechem keep  
Their flocks (the story says:) go boy (quoth he)  
See how thy brethren fare, and how the sheep,  
And bring a true relation unto me.   

26  
From Hebron sent joseph now takes his way  
To Sechem ward: wand'ring, a man he met,  
Of who he doth inquire, if he can say  
Aught of his brethren? Is to Dothan set:   

27  
For thither they would go, I heard them say:  
He gives him thanks, and after them doth go:  
joseph take heed, thou walk'st a dangerous way,  
In thine own blood thou findest a bosom foe.   

28  
They spied him soon, before he came much nigher,  
So Eagle-eyed is Envy on her prey,  
And strait against his life they do conspire,  
And to themselves with hatfull scorn they say:   

29  
Yond comes the Dreamer: now he's in our power,  
Le's cut his throat, than cast him in some pit,  
And say some savage beast did him devour,  
Teach him to dream: See what will come of it.   

30  
Vile man, thou art a creature worse than beast,  
If powerful heaven do not restrain thy will,  
A Wolf, a Devil doth dwell within thy breast,  
Which always stirs thee to extremest ill.   

31  
And there's no tinder that's so apt to fire,  
As is thy wicked Nature to consent;  
we're easily drawn to what we do desire,  
And our desires are most to mischief bend.   

32  
'Tis hateful for one man to kill another,  
Though causeful fury doth distract the sconce:  
But O, what is it then to kill a brother?  
And in cold blood, and that without offence?   

33  
Yea, and to offer at a father's life,  
For out of his dear love they well might gather,  
That e'en that murderous blow, that bloody knife  
That stabbed the son, might chance to kill the father.   

34  
But when that minds are bend to do amiss,  
There's no respects that can the same control,  
His other brethren were resolved of this,  
But Reuben only had some touch of soul,   

35  
And therefore this conspiracy withstands,  
Use we no force (quoth he) use rather wit,  
He is our br●ther, lay no violent hands  
Upon his life, yet cast him in the pit.   

36  
And thus he said, intending to restore  
To Israel's arms the comfort of his age,  
D●r●ct denial had inflamed them more,  
There's no opposing to a pretent rage:   

37  
What ever stops the current of a stream,  
Is swept away with furious violence,  
〈◊〉 is effectless 'gainst a strong extreme:  
But yet a man with labour and expense   

38  
May turn the channel to another course,  
he's oft a gainer that can purchase time:  
Therefore give way whilst fury runs in force,  
Which being spent, then on with thy design.   

39  
And Reuben means to make advantage so,  
Unto whose motion all the rest content;  
joseph mean while is come, but doth not know  
(Poor innocent) the drift of their intent.   

40  
And as men joyful of this happy meeting,  
They bid him welcome with a false embrace:  
As felons true men handle, such their greeting,  
And soon (perforce) they strip him of his case.   

41  
joseph did more than wonder what they meant,  
He knew the parties were his father's sons,  
By whom he was in visitation sent,  
And with a pleasing Embassy he comes:   

42  
He looks into himself, and finds all well,  
Good Lord (thought he) what do my brothers mean?  
I know no cause should make them thus to swell:  
But finding that their fury grew extreme,   

43  
He speaks them fair, with tears he doth entreat  
They would respect his blood, his love, his youth,  
What was his fault (he asked) that was so great?  
For he knew none that he had done in truth:   

44  
He tells them, He was none of Esa●s brood,  
Who with their father strove e'en in the womb,  
But he derived was from Jacob's blood,  
Whose purer streams in all their veins did run:   

45  
Yet wrathful Esa● with their Sire incensed,  
Both for the birthright, and the blessing too,  
Did not proceed to murder (though pretenced)  
And would they act what he forbore to do?   

46  
Indeed good Abram (common great grandsire  
Unto them all) resolved to sacrifice  
Unto his God (for he did so require)  
His deare-deare Lamb, more dear than his own eyes:   

47  
But he had special Warrant for the deed,  
'Twas not a work of will, his own device,  
God did command, why should not Izhak bleed?  
Obedience is the truest sacrifice.   

48  
But they had no Commission for his death,  
Where was their Warrant so to spill his blood?  
Who signed the same? for the received his breath  
From God, to yield again when he thought good.   

49  
If God required it, he was well content,  
But 'twas no work of his, 'twas their own will,  
Which executed, they would soon repent,  
For fearful justice waits on fearless ill.   

50  
With that they interrupted his discourse:  
Words were but lost (they said) he must not preach,  
His part was Patience: So with brutish force,  
(First having stripped him) without farther speech   

51  
They cast him strait into the deadly pit:  
And then (as well discerning of the state)  
In triumph round about the same they sit,  
And eat and drink, and jest at Joseph's fate.   

52  
Indeed (brave spirits) 'tis a noble act,  
Deserving much, and memorable fame,  
Laurel at least: well, look into the fact,  
'Twill fill your souls with grief, your brows with shame.   

53  
You have betrayed a young and hopeful Lad,  
Alone without the help of any other:  
The chiefest comfort that his father had,  
Who is your father to, and he your brother.   

54  
Add more to this, he was an innocent,  
Whom causeless hate so foully did betray,  
In love and kindness by a father sent,  
And Messengers are sacred (as men say)   

55  
Besides, your root grew in the Holy Land,  
Never before tainted with such a sin,  
Izhak will surely grieve (if understand)  
To think his Nephews have so bloody been.   

56  
But all this while the Bird that's in the breast,  
Is fast asleep, and no disturbance makes,  
'T was wont to be a Nightingale at least,  
But now 'twil prove a Screech-owl when it wakes.   

57  
The Frontispiece of sin is fair in show,  
A pleasant Porter always keeps the gate,  
But being in, it is the house of woe,  
Of fear, of shame, and of all deadly fate.   

58  
But I must leave the brothers as they be,  
Who now securely triumph in their wrong,  
Distressed joseph, I return to thee,  
The subject of my ill-made, well-meant Song.   

59  
Me thinks I see how this poor youth doth lie,  
Unmanly thus, unnaturally used,  
Thinking the pi● his grave, fixing his eye  
On heaven, that sees, helps innocents abused.   

60  
Me thinks I hear him say, and saying weep,  
How unexampled is my wretchedness?  
My sea of sorrow is so very deep,  
That there's no line to fathom my distress.   

61  
O by what name shall I express my ill,  
It is not banishment that I endure,  
I am too truly in my Country still;  
But banishment were better, more secure.   

62  
Earth is my Country, and in earth I am,  
And yet I am not in my proper place:  
For I was borne to walk upon the same,  
And with my feet to trample on her face.   

63  
Now am I in her arms, or bowels rather,  
Into my Mother's womb alive I go:  
O jacob, my beloved and loving Father,  
Didst thou beget me, to be swallowed so?   

64  
I know that she embraces all at last,  
She is the Centre unto which we tend;  
But yet with me she makes preposterous haste,  
Her right begins but when my life doth end,   

65  
And then she may with justice seize on me,  
Now she intrudes before her lawful time:  
O common Parent, I do wrong to thee,  
Thou art not to be charged with this crime.   

66  
Yet Earth is the sole Agent of my ill,  
But 'tis indeed a more refined Clay,  
'Tis breathing, walking Earth (against thy will)  
Makes me close prisoner in thy womb this day,   

67  
Where I am neither living, nor yet dead,  
And yet am both: I know not what I am:  
But this I know, that never was there bred  
Amongst all men a more disastrous man,   

68  
Which am deprived of that common good,  
That all Mankind, nay very beasts possess,  
Air, light, heat, motion, and all hope of food,  
Who (though I live) yet can I not express   

69  
The powers and acts of life: and (which is worse)  
Have able active Organs for the same,  
And e'en those blessings do increase my curse;  
For had I been descrepit, blind, or lame,   

70  
Benumbed with Palsies, sinew-crackt with cramps,  
Without all use of limbs and senses to,  
I should not have been choked with Earth's cold damps,  
Nor in my grave have lived as now I do.   

71  
Nay, e'en those nobler graces of the mind,  
Wit, Understanding, judgement, Memory,  
Serve all as one sad Index, for to find,  
And read my woeful History thereby,   

72  
And the more active-able that they are,  
The more they set my sufferings on the rack,  
A feeling knowledge is more wretched far,  
Then a dull stupid nonsense, that doth lack   

73  
True apprehension of its proper ill,  
And therefore slightly entertains distress,  
Conceiving sorrows are most pregnant still,  
In ignorance is senseless happiness.   

74  
O how extremely wretched is that man,  
Whose greatest blessings turn unto his curse?  
All his endeavours (do e'en what h●e can)  
Serve but as meanus to make his fortunes worse.   

75  
But joseph, whither doth thy stormy passion  
(Which doth indeed but swell thy misery)  
Transport thee from thyself in such a fashion,  
As thou art almost fallen to lunacy?   

76  
Why dost thou vent thy sorrows to the earth?  
Sh●e hears thee not: 'Tis bootless to complain,  
Besides thou hast no surplusage of breath,  
Why dost thou make such waste thereof in vain?   

77  
Rather improve the same unto the best,  
Think not on earth, advance thyself to heaven,  
If there be hope of help, there doth it rest,  
And one'y by that hand it must be given.   

78  
And thus resolved, this Phoenix, in his nest,  
Not built-with Spices and Arabian Gums,  
But of hard flints, with toads & slow-worm ● dressed,  
An humble suppliant to his God becomes.   

79  
And being in the bowels of the Earth,  
The 
* Antiperisteses  cold thereof augments his inward heat,  
Which from his heart breaks forth into his breath,  
And thus (sweet incense) mounts to Gods high seat.   

80  
Father of Heaven, let not my brother's hate  
(Their causeless hate) prevail against my blood;  
Thou canst their malice and their spleen abate,  
And turn their plots and projects to my good.   

81  
They are but like to Pipes which do convey,  
The stream of action, that doth flow from thee:  
The work (as 'tis a work) is thine: but they  
(As 'tis a sin) they only guilty be.   

82  
They are thy instruments, though now they jar,  
And thou canst sweetly tune them, as thou wilt,  
Extract my peace from forth this civil war,  
And thine own glory raise out of their guilt.   

83  
But if my sins (which be in number great)  
Have shut thine ear, and barred up mercy's gate,  
Forgive my brothers yet, I thee entreat,  
And lay not to their charge their murderous hate.   

84  
But let this pit (that now must be my tomb)  
Bury my body, and wi●hall, their shame,  
O never let it to the world be known,  
That Jacob's sons were guilty of ●uch blame.   

85  
Especially show mercy to my Sire,  
Let his grey head in peace go to his grave,  
And once again I humbly thee desire,  
Forgive my brothers, and thy servant save.   

86  
joseph, thy body in the pit I find,  
(That's earth in earth) out thy more noble part,  
Thy purer soul (from earthly dross refined)  
Mounts up to heaven, to which thou send'st thy heart.   

87  
In faithful prayer: an Agent of such trust,  
So graceful, and so powerful to prevail,  
That though thyself seems buried in the dust,  
Yet that makes way to heaven, and will not fail   

88  
With such effect to prosecute thy cause,  
To treat and mediate for thee with thy Lord,  
That though thou seem'st e'en in destruction's jaws,  
His mighty arm will timely help afford.   

89  
As here a troop of Ishmaelites came by,  
Merchants (it seems) they were, to Egypt bound,  
Laden with Balm, and Myrrh, and spicery,  
Such precious things as were in Gilead found.   

90  
So and more ancient is the Intercourse,  
By which one Country traffics with another,  
And (as we see) oft times an able Nurse  
Supples the wants of a defective Mother:   

91  
So doth, one Climate with its native wealth  
Furnish another, and by such supplies  
We have most sovereign Simples for our health,  
Pearl, Gold, and divers-rich Commodities:   

92  
For this World's deep unsounded Architect,  
Hath not confined all blessings to one Land,  
Ea●h Country labours under some defect,  
Which must be helped by another's hand.   

93  
And 'tis the chiefest cause, and use of Trade,  
To bring in others wealth, and vent our own,  
And to that end long Voyages are made,  
e'en to remotest Climates, erst unknown.   

94  
But what? me thinks my Muse doth travail too,  
And bends herself unto a foreign cost,  
Return again to what thou hast to do,  
Else will thy fruitless labour all be lost.   

95  
When judah did these Merchant strangers see,  
Some spar●e of Pity, or Hypocrisy  
Did seem to touch his heart: Let us (quoth he)  
Sell yonder Lad, that in the pit doth lie:   

96  
For, say we kill him, and the murder keep  
Secret as night; Alas, will that avail us?  
His blood will cry when we are fast asleep,  
And our own Conscience to the Bar will hale us.   

97  
Beside, there is no profit in his blood,  
Where by his sale there may arise some gain,  
Let us respect both his and our own good,  
Such pleasing motions are not made in vain.   

98  
judah prevails: Out of the pit they draw him,  
They play the Merchants, and to Merchants sell  
The lovely Boy: And when these strangers saw him,  
They offered ready Cash, they liked so well.   

99  
Of silver twenty pieces was the price:  
They pay the Money, and they take their ware,  
And now the brethren study a devices  
To cloak their sin, that is their chiefest care.   

100  
At length they do this stratagem devise,  
They stain with blood of a slain Kid or Goat,  
(To cast a must before their father's eyes)  
The Ensign of his love, the party Coat.   

101  
That they resolve to bring unto their Sire,  
And say they found it so with blood defiled:  
A murderer will ever prove a liar,  
How easily is an honest heart beguiled?   

102  
Thy I ambe into the field why hast thou sent?  
Why made such wolves the keepers of thy sheep?  
Shall we condemn men's actions by th'event,  
When all success is buried very deep?   

103  
Into a father's heart how could it sink,  
So many sheep-hear●s Butchers all should be?  
How could old Israel once conceive or think,  
That such sour Crabs should grow upon his tree?   

104  
The stock was good that he had grifted in,  
And God had blessed it with much goodly fruit,  
And as ●heir birth, so had their breeding been,  
His precepts and their practice did not suit.   

105  
But say he might mistrust some of his sons,  
Simeon and Levi had been soiled in blood;  
But this within no reach of reason comes,  
That such a general guilt should taint his brood:   

106  
That all his sons should so conspire in one,  
To ●pill the blood of a poor Innocent:  
Where was his judah when it should be done?  
Without all doubt he never would consent.   

107  
Besides, no cause, nor colour did appear,  
Why they should be so cruel to a brother:  
A virtuous soul that in its self is clear,  
Is hardly drawn to think ill of another.   

108  
And yet (we see) brother did brother kill  
Long before this: Cain innocent Abel slew:  
But sure there was this difference 'twixt their ill,  
That was a single Duel: they but two:   

109  
But this was ten to one: yet I confess,  
One of the ten was touched unto the heart,  
And showed at least some sparks of tenderness,  
And saved his life by taking of his part.   

110  
And yet it seems he saw him in the pit,  
Yea in the pit (the Emblem of his grave)  
But blame not Reuben, ' ● was a work of wit,  
Or honest wit, whose purpose was to save:   

111  
For he did mean the lad home to have led,  
Witness the rending of his clothes and hair,  
When he returned found not, supposed him dead,  
(It seems, that in the s●le he had no share)   

112  
But when the deed was done, he was content  
(●o hide his brother's shame) to tell a lie,  
In vice how easily multi●udes assent?  
How quickly sin with sin doth multiply?   

113  
Most men have itching fingers to shed blood,  
And to Revenge as to a Feast they go,  
But unto actions, honest, fair, and good,  
We creep like snails, or men benumbed with snow.   

114  
But whither strays my Muse? By this the Boy  
Arrives at Egypt, Jacob's heart doth burn,  
To bear some tidings of his long-mist joy,  
And with strange tidings (lo) his son's return.   

115  
He reads their message written in their face,  
But cannot rea●e the tablets of their hearts,  
Sad looks at least, and sighs must seem to grace  
That Tragedy, wherein they played their parts.   

116  
But (O) we know that looks are often liars,  
Who can judge truly by the out ward show?  
We practise how to palliate our desires,  
No more of man, but the bare bark we know.   

117  
And yet it may be they were touched indeed  
With sad remembrance of their fact so soul:  
There are some wounds that inwardly do bleed,  
And ghastly looks come from a troubled soul.   

118  
Vice well may paint her face, and mask her brow,  
And look aloft with a bold strumpet's eye:  
But Conscience, what a biting worm art thou?  
When thine own thoughts do give thy looks (the lie)   

119  
Where is my son (quoth jacob) where is he?  
Why do I not behold my Joseph's face?  
Lo, this is all of him that we did see,  
The brethren said, and then they showed his case.   

120  
And when old Israel saw this kill sight,  
A wicked beast (he cries) hath slain my son:  
Good aged Father, thou art in the right,  
It was a beast indeed, a bloodie-one.   

121  
That monster Envy seyzd upon thy child,  
And with his Harpies Talons gripped him so,  
That from thy sight joseph is exiled,  
And thou art left to waste thine age in woe.   

122  
Mean while (me thinks) I see these fratricides  
Hanging their heads, as it with sorrow smitten,  
False compliment, foul actions often hides:  
For hearts are seldom in the foreheads written.   

123  
Well, though you could deceive a poor old man,  
(Who would not think, that from his Crystal spring  
Should slow such muddy streams) go (if you can)  
And blind Heaven's eye, that sees, marks every thing,   

124  
Whose present justice (though it seem to sleep●)  
Will surely wake, and call you to the Bar,  
The Court of Heaven a Register doth keep,  
Where all our daily deeds enroled are:   

125  
Therefore (dissembling men) go make your peace,  
Prepare (whilst you have time) or your account,  
Let your true tears petition for release:  
Tears (●gainst waters nature) up will mount,   

126  
Even to the highest Heavens, and there will cry  
For grace and mercy, 'gainst your crying sin:  
There is great virtue in a weeping eye,  
And tears (dumb Orators) when you begin   

127  
To plead for pardon, seldom sue in vain,  
You are successful advocates of ours:  
Marble is pierced with often drops of rain,  
How then is mercy moved with such sweet showers?   

128  
But all this while doth jacob dwell in tears,  
Why should he longer live now Ioseph's slain?  
Love (whilst the loved lives) is full of tears,  
And dead, than grief begins his tragic reign.   

129  
And the more strong and fervent that it was,  
So much the more it breaks forth into passion:  
A heart half hot breaths forth a cold (alas)  
And suits itself in black, perhaps for fashion.   

130  
But the sad soul that's truly touched indeed,  
With loss of that, which it did hold so dear,  
A long time after of that wound doth bleed,  
And e'en till Death the scar will still appear.   

131  
So jacob will go mourning to his grave, 
Gen. 37.35.   
Though all his sons and daughters do their best  
To comfort him, but he'll no comfort have,  
His heart was killed before in Joseph's breast.   

132  
Good kind old Father, cheer thyself again,  
Hope in the bottom of the basket lies,  
It may be that thy joseph is not slain,  
Love is too often full of jealousies:   

133  
Thou shalt survive with these thy teare-drownd eyes  
To see thy joseph next the Kingly throne,  
To see him nurse thee and thy families,  
And in a foreign Land make Israel known.   

134  
O the great goodness of All-pow'rfull God,  
How wondrously doth he his works dispose?  
That he can fetch our comforts from the rod,  
And raise our fortunes by the means of foes.   

135  
'Twas not the brother's malice, nor their wit,  
That could the Wisdom of high heaven prevent,  
They draw the Plot, but God doth build on it,  
They serve his ends against their own intent.   

136  
They feared the Youth should live to be their Lord,  
And therefore made him (as they thought) a slave:  
But their own tongues those Titles shall afford,  
Which they so feared, and yet so freely gave.   

137  
But stay my Muse, me thinks thou flagg'st the wing,  
As if thy plumes were wet with Jacob's rain,  
Who e tearful sorrows will not let thee sing,  
Till he hath dried his aged eyes again.   
Timens Deum, non habet quod time at ulterius.   

THE CHASTE COURTIER.  
JOSEPH in GREMIO. OR, The Faithful Servant.  

1  
Brave gallant Youths, the hope and pride of Courts,  
Whose haughty spirits active fire inflames,  
Claiming by Birth (as Charter) your disports,  
Chiefly the sweet Prerogative of Dames,   

2  
Take my Survey with a true-iudging eye,  
I shall be found a Masterpiece of Nature,  
For form, and fortune of great rarity,  
Not paralleled by any common Creature.   

3  
I was borne free, but (lo) I now must serve,  
I was a youth borne fair and fit for action,  
My duteous service did so well deserve,  
As soon I won into my Lord's affection.   

4  
O no, it was not any worth in me,  
That made such way into my Master's heart:  
This stream (great Sea of goodness) flowed from thee,  
Thou Sun of grace and glory didst impart   

5  
One beam of brightness to my clouded state.  
It was indeed thy heavenly influence,  
Whose virtue drew me from the pit of late,  
And now works strongly on my Master's sense,   

6  
Whose apprehension made him quickly find,  
That God was with me, and did bless my ways,  
That was the Loadstone drew his steely mind,  
My lustre did reflect from Heavens fair rays.   

7  
All under-planets were in opposition,  
I was a stranger borne, and e'en from thence,  
He might de●ue a very just suspicion,  
Strangers are entertained with d●fidence.   

8  
I was but green, and tasted of the tree,  
Va●ipe for service, or for secrecy,  
And no true judgement could he make of me,  
He could not take my height to suddenly.   

9  
But grant I were completely honest, yet  
By unexperience I was useless made  
For any grea● employment, and that Bit  
Might hold me hard, till I was better weighed.   

10  
But all these heavy morsels are digested,  
Heaven had so whetted on his appetite,  
That he did seem e'en with my service feasted,  
And relished all my actions with delight.   

11  
So (like a Mushroom) in a night I grew  
So great in grace, that I had in my hand  
All that was his, so much, he scarcely knew  
What he should ●at, or drink; his coin, his land,   

12  
His whole Revenue, jewels, Stock and Plate,  
Indeed himself was managed by my hand,  
He seemed the servant, whilst I swayed the state,  
For all his fortunes were at my command.   

13  
This was a gallant and vnlook'd-for Rise,  
Much for a youth and stranger to attain:  
But thus it pleased (I say not Destinies)  
But Providence, who ●ides Fate with his reign.   

14  
Still I increased in favour and in grace,  
And (which is strange) grew great, yet not envied,  
And being of comely presence, fair of face,  
Of winning carriage, and well qualified,   

15  
My Lady-Mistresse cast an amorous eye  
Upon my form, which her affections drew,  
She was Love's Martyr, and in flames did fry,  
But (like a woman) did that love pursue   

16  
Wisely and cunningly: To my dear Lord  
A true and faithful servant she commends me;  
And he that durst rely upon her word,  
Alas, not guessing once what she intends me,   

17  
Adds fuel to the fire, that scorched her heart,  
My youth, my form, my behaviour he admired,  
He read a Lecture on each several part,  
And prays her cherish what she most desired.   

18  
Which for his sake (the says) she will effect,  
And sith I was so high in his opinion,  
Who was her soul, I should have her respect,  
And thenceforth be her Favourite, her Minion:   

19  
For well she knew, himself was so complete  
In judgement, and in every worthy part,  
That 'twas no common virtue that could get  
So near, and dear a place within his heart.   

20  
And she had learned (by his example taught)  
To favour virtue, though it seem dejected,  
And thus she masked the foulness of her thought,  
And made her way to what she most affected.   

21  
From that time forward she would cast such looks  
To all my actions, give such commendation,  
As one but meanly read in Cupid's books,  
Might know the stories end by th'insinuation.   

22  
She used me like a son, not like a slave;  
Or (if that Title, full of hean'nly fire,  
Fits not her hellish heat) then let it have  
Some other name, to palliate her desire,   

23  
Which oft wrought in her passionate extremes,  
She draws me to discourse, 〈◊〉, friendly, c●o●e,  
She questions me both o● my wants and means,  
And largely offers full supply of those.   

24  
Hebrew (she says) me thinks you do not look  
With that aspect, that you were w●nt to do,  
Your heart is not your own: I doubt, y'are taken  
With some Egyptian beaut e: Is't not so?   

25  
Come tell me truly, and I here protest  
By P●tipher himself, whom thou hold'st dear,  
Who loves thee too, next to myself the best,  
In this thy love, my love too shall appear.   

26  
I'll be thy spokes-woman, for thee I'll woo.  
With that he blushes: which she soon espies,  
And (heeding well the beauty of his hue)  
Sh●e blush her blush, with him to sympathise.   

27  
But he that did not, would not, at least, know,  
Whither her speech and soft discourse did tend:  
M●daine (replies) now by the love I owe  
To Putipher, and shall vn●ill my end,   

28  
And next my duty to you (fairest Dame)  
No woman's love yet ever touched my heart,  
I thank my God, I never knew that flame:  
But were it scorched (me thinks) 〈◊〉 impart   

29  
It to your goodness. Pray thee (quoth she) do.  
And so I will (quoth he) when I am shot:  
I owe myself unto my Lord and you.  
And may she perish that affects thee not.   

30  
Thus softly to herself (of him unheard)  
The Lady spoke: And glad that he was free,  
Within herself she plotted and conferred  
How Joseph's love by her might compassed be.   

31  
Woman, thou art a fair and winning Creature,  
Did I say coming too, I should not lie:  
And yet that word doth not express thy nature,  
For thou art seeking too, if men would fly.   

32  
But 'tis thy Tenure to be sought unto,  
Men woo by Custom, that's thy Copie-hold,  
We sue for that which thou art sick to do,  
And art all fire, yet seemest yche cold.   

33  
And why shouldst thou not colour thy desire?  
Since thou hast learned to colour head and face,  
Which are indeed but Beakons set on fire,  
To give us warning (if we had the grace   

34  
To apprehendi●) o● thy foes arriving,  
Old age a●d time, which are thy greatest foes,  
'Gainst whom, thou and thy Boxes will be striving,  
But strivest in vain; thou canst not conquer those.   

35  
For Age will seize thy colours in the field,  
Thy youths fair colours, being red and white,  
That great Commander, Time, will make thee yield,  
And foreign aids will fail thee in the fight.   

36  
But whither dost thou stray, my wand'ring Muse?  
I do not think, that in those ancient times,  
Though women could their husbands then abuse,  
They were not guilty yet of these new crimes.   

37  
But than it was (I hope not now) the guise,  
To make all means answer unto their ends,  
O●r age breeds fools: the women than were wise,  
And had, and kept, and used their private friends.   

38  
But (O) you virtuous and unspotted Dames,  
That now are tved with Hymen's golden chain,  
Whose holy thoughts ne'er dreamt of unchaste flames.  
But truly loving, are so loved again.   

39  
Who (as that worthy Roman Lady said)  
Do know no other but your husband's breath:  
True Turtles, Virgin wives, that never strayed  
From ways of life, into the paths of death.   

40  
Frown not upon my Muse, and her free Song,  
Nor cast into the Urn a coale-blacke stone,  
Your Virtue is your own: Nor is't a wrong,  
To blaze the errors of one faulty one:   

41  
Let her unchasteness serve but as a foil  
To make your constant virtue shine the more:  
Some weeds will grow e'en in the richest soil,  
Nor do we prise the same the less therefore.   

42  
Then on, my Muse, and fear not to relate  
Those songs of death, which this fair Siren sung:  
Poor joseph, once betrayed by too much hate,  
Now too much love (I fear) will do thee wron.   

43  
For on a ●ay, (●he servants all being out,  
By accident, or purpose sent away,  
But ●●re it was her wit brought it about)  
The Lady on her Day-bed slumbering lay,   

44  
And (as she wished) this Hebrew had access,  
The house was void, and all things did conspire  
To make her set abroach her filthiness.  
joseph (quoth she) approach, and quench my fire:   

45  
I must confess I love thee, and no longer  
Can this my passion hide from thee, my Love;  
De●erre not (gentle youth) thou shouldst be stronger  
In thy desires, being Man: for Men must move.   

46  
Come, lie thee down, and hug me in thine arms:  
(With that the clothes that covered the bed  
She cast aside) and then displayed such charms,  
As would have raised a man, e'en almost dead.   

47  
Fear not (soft youth) for here are none but we:  
Lust-blinded woman, thou art much awry,  
An eye (standing upon a staff) doth see,  
(The Emblem of his knowledge is the eye,   

48  
And of his power the staff) He sees thee well,  
And he will strike thee too wi●h his strong arm,  
The shapeless unseen Devil (the Prince of hell)  
Stands by thee too, and prompts thee to thy harm.   

49  
And thine own Conscience is a witness now,  
And will, in time, ●e a tormentor too:  
But (all respects removed) she labours how  
To compass that which she resolved to do.   

50  
And therefore thus continues her black spell,  
joseph (fair joseph) thou hast stolen my heart,  
Heartless I cannot live: Sweet v●e me well;  
'Tis she that begs, that might command in part.   

51  
This icy youth (when thus he heard her speak)  
Looks pale for sorrow, like a man half dead,  
And with a sigh (as if his heart would brea●e)  
Bashfully modest, thus to her he said:   

52  
Madam, you are a wise and virtuous woman,  
And know what 'tis to break a sacred trust;  
This unment Parley (which you now do● summon)  
Must try, if to my Lord I will prove just.   

53  
Yourself except (dear Lady) what is his,  
But ● may freely v●e it as mine own?  
And sh●● is thine too, seal it with a kiss:  
'Tis strange, a youth of flesh should be a stone.   

54  
Milksop, what ' dost thou fear? Here's none can see:  
Or say they should, there's none that dare relate:  
Great Lords have sought what's freely offered thee,  
And w●●h some hazard would be glad to have't.   

55  
The pride of Egypt's Court I have withstood,  
And am esteemed a chaste and modest D●me,  
To thee 〈◊〉 prostitute my blood,  
And shall I be denied? Fie boy, for shame   

56  
Collect thy spirits, wrong not thy Country so;  
Doth Palestine ●aire Eunches only breed?  
Are Canaan's children's bodies made of snow?  
Or upon Agnus castus do they feed?   

57  
Without all doubt thy father was not such,  
When he made love unto his lovely Fere:  
Thou wrong'st both ours, & thine own sex too much,  
But most of all thou wrong'st thyself (my dear.)   

58  
By Heaven I do not speak to sift thy faith,  
There is more fire, more passion in my speech,  
Grant me thy love, and presently (she saith)  
(Yet once again I humbly thee beseech)   

59  
Or by th'Egyptian Gods, (and then she swore)  
As forcing her she would an outcry make:  
She loved him much, but she should hate him more,  
If now her proffered favours he forsake.   

60  
Still mute he stands: nor doth one sign express,  
That might give comfort to her foul desire:  
Still grew she hotter from his backwardness,  
Denial like a bellowes blows the fire.   

61  
Yet finding Man and Youth speak in his blood  
Rebellious thoughts, to which he was not used,  
And that her words grew not to be withstood,  
They were with so much love, and sting ●ffused.   

62  
First, he betakes himself unto his God:  
Shall I (quoth he) offend that dreadful Power,  
That whips all sinners with a steely rod?  
Whose wrath (like flaming fire) doth all devour.   

63  
O could I act this ill without his sight,  
I might be drawn to hazard this sweet sin:  
Or (say he saw it) were he not of might,  
To plague me for't, I might offend therein.   

64  
Or (both to grant his knowledge and his might)  
Were I not sure it were against his will,  
The pleasing taste of such a dear delight  
Might easily work me to commit this ill.   

65  
But (O fair Dame) I know my God too well,  
Too well, so to provoke him to my death,  
My death of soul and body both in hell,  
In hell, where there's no ease, nor end of breath.   

66  
And with this point he breaks the dangerous thrust;  
And could we all be drawn unto this ward,  
Without all doubt we should have little lust,  
To rush so into sin without regard.   

67  
But (O) the present pleasure of the sense  
Is such a Pulley, to draw on consent,  
That we are hurried headlong to th'offence,  
And never think on following punishment.   

68  
And that same soul unto the left hand leans,  
Or rather with full pace doth thither bend,  
That in the quest of good neglects the means,  
And in the acts of ill forgets the End.   

69  
Besides this first safe lock, joseph recourses  
Next to his Master's favours and his trust,  
And those good thoughts his Mistress love divorces,  
And were strong repercussives to her lust:   

70  
Can I (quoth he) abuse so dear a Love,  
So great a trust, as is reposed in me?  
By such an act I very well might prove  
Myself a slave, and worthy so to be.   

71  
For all the gracious favours he hath done me,  
Shall I requite him with so great a wrong?  
Yourself would hate me, if you so had won me:  
For Lust is hot at hand, but lasts not long.   

72  
Kind thankfulness doth dwell with noble minds,  
But never comes in kenning of a slave,  
A present profit only works on hinds,  
All former favours have one birth, one grave.   

73  
And had not Heaven directed Joseph's heart,  
He might have thought it, (in a reach of wit)  
This Lady's Glue, and mine may well impart  
A hopeful means of future benefit.   

74  
But joseph knew, that fortunes raised by sin,  
Are like to Summer fruit, that soon will rot;  
And therefore no such motives work on him,  
Greanesse is good, but not by lewdness got.   

75  
Who thinks by means unlawful to prevail,  
Doth build his fortunes upon brittle sand,  
Whose weak foundations cannot choose but fail,  
When glorious virtue doth securely stand.   

76  
Though Earthquakes come, yea though the Heavens do fall,  
A spotless Conscience stands without control,  
It needs no props to stay itself withal,  
But hath its strength from motions of the soul.   

77  
This is a steadfast Rock, and every wave  
Turns but to froth that beats against the same,  
The care to keep this calm, was that which gave  
joseph support against his lustful Dame.   

78  
For from the Lady, ma●ger smiles and tears,  
And all her baits that unto lewdness tend,  
He lose perforce doth break, (the cloak he wears,  
Left in her hand) himself away doth wend:   

79  
Which seen, deluded Lust becomes a rage,  
Her flow of love turns to a flood of hate,  
Fowl secrecies each other may engage,  
But never truly will incorporate.   

80  
Murder and Rape she cries: (his Mantle left)  
The Ravisher (as one afraid) is fled:  
She looks like one of sense and wits bereft,  
Ravished in truth, and not imagined.   

81  
Her outcry's heard, and Putipher returns,  
He knew the voice, and wonders at the cause,  
Which when he heard, excuse him, though he burns  
To be revenged of joseph by the Laws.   

82  
My Lord (quoth she) the slave so dear to you,  
Whom you made Ruler of your house and State,  
Emboldened by your love, so saucy grew,  
As needs he would mine honour violate:   

83  
Nay, and by force too: But your Love armed fear,  
And (though alone) enabled me to cry,  
Which heard (base slave) he fled: See Putipher,  
The Ensign of your Hebrews modesty.   

84  
With that she shows his robe, and then she weeps,  
For joy, to think what danger she had past,  
Into her Lords arms flies, and there she keeps  
Her hold, as drowning folks (they say) do fast.   

85  
Did the slave think I could be false (quoth she)  
Or that I would unsavoury pleasures prove?  
Can courser cates be welcome unto me,  
That have been feasted with thy sweets of Love?   

86  
Oft have I drunk, (and yet I still am dry)  
Of purest Nectar, from thy lips distilling,  
Commanding Cupid dwelleth in thine eye,  
And binds me to be thine, were I unwilling.   

87  
O Putifer, I have no Heaven but thee,  
I cannot move but only in thy sphere:  
Dear is my life, mine honour dear to me,  
Then Life and Honour too, thou art more dear.   

88  
And therewithal (as languishing in love)  
With a soft sigh she strains him in her arms,  
Joseph's desire might stirring passions move:  
Lust up in arms soon stirs with small alarms.   

89  
Let go (dear Wife) he cries: 'tis now high time  
To punish goatish and ungrateful youth:  
Weep not, his blood shall expiate his crime,  
Unto the world proclaim his fault, thy truth.   

90  
With much ado to part she is content;  
But by all Love, all powerful spells adjures,  
Her Lord should not remit the punishment,  
Which jealous angry Putipher assures.   

91  
O woman, thou art ever in extremes,  
Either an Aetna, or a Caucasus,  
Or burning, like the Dog-starr's fiery gleams,  
Or like the bleak Northwind benumbing us.   

92  
joseph (who went not far) was quickly found,  
And brought before his angry Lord, whose face  
Speaking his fury: he in irons bound,  
Was straight committed to th'offenders place.   

93  
'Twas then no time to plead: upon thy jury  
Had I been summoned, heard the Evidence  
The Lady gave, poor joseph, I assure thee,  
I should have found thee guilty of th'offence,   

94  
All things did so concur, the time, the place,  
The circumstances, her report, her tears,  
Th'amazed looks of her sad-seeming face,  
The servants absence, joined to Potiphers',   

95  
The beauty of his form, his fire of age,  
His parts of Nature against himself reflect,  
His greatness in the house, the Lady's rage,  
His robe, her cry, his flight, all urge suspect.   

96  
Man could have judged no less, and but a woman,  
No creature could her malice so express:  
This was a new way then, perhaps, since common,  
Sweet youth, I can but pray for thy release.   

97  
But he that is the God of Innocence,  
And will not not see the Just (though scourged) fall:  
How he in prison kept, how freed from thence,  
If winds blow well, the Muse discover shall.   

98  
For now she's grieved so much with Joseph's wrong,  
That she but heavily and harshly sings;  
A troubled mind doth make an untuned Song,  
As muddy water flows from trampled springs.   
Timens Deum, non habet quod time at ulterim.   

JOSEPH IN CARCERE.  
OR, The Innocent Prisoner.  

1  
FRom hopes of Court, to horrors of a jail,  
From great respect, from friends, from wealth, from place,  
Unto a loathsome dungeon without Bail;  
A woeful fall: yet this was Joseph's case.   

2  
They which of late did crouch with cap and knee,  
And would have done worse offices perhaps,  
In his reproach are open now and free,  
With bitter tongues discoursing his mishaps.   

3  
Now is he censured by the vulgar breath,  
For a most base, and most unthankful slave,  
For a perfidious villain, worthy death,  
And after death, unworthy of a grave.   

4  
'Tis wretchedness too much to be cast down;  
What is it then to fall with infamy?  
But he that is to any greatness grown,  
Upon a change must look for obloquy.   

5  
Unhappy Virtue cannot be secure,  
Scarce from the hands, not from the tongues assault,  
Fair actions foul constructions must endure,  
When our misfortunes shall be thought our fault.   

6  
Nay Putipher himself is construed too,  
And pierced, perhaps, by the Plebeian wind,  
In that he would so undiscreetly do,  
As lay such trust upon an unknown Hind.   

7  
Thou many-headed Monster that art bred  
Out of the vulgar m●d, without all brain,  
How easily is thy erring judgement led?  
To pass a sudden sentence, idle, vain,   

8  
Without all certain ground, without all weight,  
Nay, without any scanning of the matter:  
But thou art swayed with a received conceit,  
And thy light air soon turneth into water:   

9  
For rashly-heady, thou art easily borne  
Now unto one, straight to another mind:  
So have I seen a field of eared Corn  
Bending all South, blown with a Southern wind,   

10  
And let the same but shift into the North,  
Then stalks and heads, and all do bend that way:  
And can that man be wise, of real worth,  
That doth on such light puffs his fortunes lay?   

11  
But stay: Me thinks myself forgets my course,  
And I begin to sail without my Card,  
Though empty Casks without all true discourse,  
Are in their censures sudden, sour and hard,   

12  
Yet he that looks with other eyes than men,  
And finds the heart untainted with offence,  
Binds whom we free, & frees whom we condemn,  
'Tis he alone that safegards innocence.   

13  
And oft he works beyond the reach of man,  
We cannot fathom him with our short line,  
We may as well grasp Heaven within our span,  
As sound the depth of what he doth design.   

14  
How could it be conceived by man's discourse,  
That gives and fetters were the means to rise?  
Yet all-commanding God doth take that course,  
And joseph must be raised by enemies.   

15  
Me thinks I see him looking on his hands  
Fast ●ound with chains, which unto heaven he rears,  
And are (says he) these heavy iron bands  
The golden bracelets that poor virtue wears?   

16  
Had my too cruel brothers been so chained,  
I had not then been thus in prison penned,  
Such manacles their furies had restrained,  
And I had been as free, as innocent.   

17  
Or had I with my Lady changed embraces  
When in her arms she would have clasped me fast,  
I had not tasted then of these disgraces,  
Which will (I fear) prove fatal at the last.   

18  
Virtue, I thought, had been a real thing,  
But now I find, that 'tis an airy name:  
Hate did my brothers, lust my Lady sting,  
Yet neither they nor she feel smart or b●ame.   

19  
But I that only a mere Patient was,  
And not an agent with them in their sin;  
'Tis I alone that undergo the lash,  
And I must smart for what they faulted in.   

20  
Me thinks my crop should have been like my seed,  
I planted Virtue, that sweet smelling Rose,  
And can that root such stinging Nettles breed?  
But there is use of Nettles, so of foes.   

21  
Why was I called joseph? that's Increasing,  
And does not I increase in misery?  
My name was rightly given, for without ceasing  
My strange disasters daily multiply.   

22  
Yet job had been a fitter name for me:  
job, Sorrowful, or hated, which you will:  
For that sad name doth both ways well agree  
With those sad fortunes that pursue me still.   

23  
For am I not a man made up of sorrow,  
Whose matter, and whose form is wretchedness;  
Unhappy now, but shall be more to morrow,  
My days are but additions to distress.   

24  
That Sun, that sees me breathing out my ill,  
Will shortly see me without any breath:  
Malice and means, a woman and her will,  
Lust and neglect; the very sounds of death.   

25  
And that will be the period of my pain,  
The short and sweet compendium of all woe:  
Weakhearted joseph, raise thy spirits again,  
Collect thyself, be not dejected so.   

26  
Oft hast thou heard thy father jacob say,  
There was a Libra amongst the Signs of Heaven,  
Who always did in equal Balance weigh  
The acts of men, and kept the Scales most even.   

27  
And without doubt, when thou art truly weighed,  
Thou shalt go current, though thou suffer now:  
Heaven must not be contested, but obeyed,  
To whose just ends all Mortals needs must bow.   

28  
And joseph, he that raised thee from the pit,  
When thy enraged brothers played their part,  
Can find both time and means, when he thinks fit,  
To free thee from this dungeon where thou art.   

29  
But say he do not, why should wretched dust  
Be so much daring, as to question God?  
Whose Counsels oft are secret, ever just:  
If therefore still he please to use the rod,   

30  
Bee it for me, I have for my defence  
Armour of Proof, to bear all blows withal,  
A spotless and a peaceful Conscience,  
And that is safer than abrazen wall.   

31  
And, joseph, though thy sufferings be most great,  
Yet think upon the letters of thy name,  
Which being inverted bring some comfort yet:  
For (Hope Is) is joseph his Anagramme:   

32  
And there is Hope; nay, there's assurance rather,  
Where God is pleased to interpose his hand,  
Who out of Poisons Antidotes doth gather,  
As by the Story here we understand:   

33  
For in close prison where poor joseph lies,  
Mewed up in bolts and chains to death and shame,  
Pursued by many dangerous enemies,  
Th'abused agents of a lustful Dame:   

34  
There, (e'en unlooked for there) upon a day,  
(And sure 'twas God that put it in his mind)  
The jailor thought his Prison to survey,  
Where many souls, and foul ones he doth find.   

35  
Some theft, some bloody murder did commit:  
joseph, thy name is calendared for lust,  
Which they termed Rape; and (which did add to it)  
Thy Lady's Rape, against thy Lords dear trust.   

36  
Whom when the jailor views, through his fair face,  
A fairer soul and heart he sees within,  
(Inspired no doubt) he finds the jailors grace,  
Who did not only quit him of the sin,   

37  
But of the pain: From chains he sets him free,  
And (which was strange) he gives to him the charge  
Of all his fellow-prisners: so that he  
Was both a prisoner, and was yet at large.   

38  
joseph the prison kept, God joseph keeps,  
And he finds favour e'en amongst the bad:  
The jailor was secure, eats, drinks, and sleeps,  
And trusted this fair youth with all he had.   

39  
And all that joseph did, (and he did all)  
Did prosper far beyond all expectation:  
Thus God can raise, whom men would have to fall,  
And this was strange and worthy admiration.   

40  
But see more wonders yet: some few days past,  
Pharaoh's chief Butler fell into disgrace,  
An● from the Court, was into Prison cast,  
And that (we see) is oft a Courtier's case.   

41  
What was his fault, I list not to define,  
Great Kings are men, and subject unto Ire,  
Perhaps he did not please his taste with wine,  
Small faults do oft add fuel to their fire.   

42  
Perhaps some other itched to have his place,  
Which could not be, till he was first removed:  
The fall of one is oft another's grace:  
Such tricks are played at Cards, and well approved   

43  
And this (for aught I know) might be his case,  
But the true Cause I find not in the Text,  
But this I find: The Butler's in disgrace,  
And in the Prison too, and much perplexed.   

44  
But yet this somewhat qualifyde his grief,  
My Lord the Baker is committed too,  
And some good Natures hold it some relief,  
To have their friends partakers of their woe.   

45  
Some fatal star in Egypt ruled this year,  
So many stars of Court from their Orbs fell,  
And yet no blazing Comet did appear:  
Which to great states do dire events foretell.   

46  
But now these Lords to Joseph's care committed,  
Are entertained by him with much respect:  
Nothing that might content them was omitted,  
Yet misery meets often with neglect.   

47  
Sweet Natures do behold calamity,  
With Eyes of pity, not of churlish scorn,  
'Tis base to triumph over misery,  
To tread upon a poor dejected worm.   

48  
Wouldst thou behold the Picture of a slave?  
This very Character shall speak him right,  
Be sure to find him insolently brave,  
Against that man, whom fortune doth despite.   

49  
He is a fearful Tyrant to affliction,  
A Phalaris unto a sinking state:  
Nor doth he weigh the causes of dejection,  
'Tis fault enough to be unfortunate.   

50  
joseph is better moulded: He doth well  
And gently use his charge (though in distress)  
Affliction's wayward, apt to s●et and swell,  
It need not to be galled with bitterness.   

51  
I know not how these Lords did spend the day,  
But in one night they both fell on a Dream:  
Dreams a●e the daughters of the wine (some say)  
But this was no such vapour, no such steam.   

52  
joseph (as was his use) doth early wake,  
Sad Care, and quiet sleep were ever foes,  
A thinking soul doth heavy Eyelids make,  
For want of timely rest, and sweet repose.   

53  
His Charge, his Care was great, and soon he rises,  
And rising, finds his prisoners much perplexed;  
To tell the cause, he gently them advises,  
And fairly asked, what so their temper vexed?   

54  
They answer freely: They had seen that night  
A Vision, or a Dream, they knew not whether,  
And this the rather did them so affright,  
Because what it should mean, they cannot gather.   

55  
But joseph then replies: Dreams are from God,  
(That God whom joseph serves) please you unfold  
The same, by me they may be understood,  
Which cannot be expounded, if not told.   

56  
Gladly they tell the Youth what they had seen,  
And first the Butler doth his Vision show:  
Me thought (quoth he) I saw a Vine all green,  
Put forth three stocks, and from those stocks did grow   

57  
Leaves, branches, grapes, that were both ripe & fair;  
●nto my hand (me thought) I took the cup,  
And pressed the grapes: The King was debonair,  
Received the liquor fairly, drunk it up.   

58  
joseph replies: The Dream is very good,  
●nd (noble Lord) this is th'interpretation:  
●y the three stocks three days are understood,  
That will restore thee to thy former station.   

59  
And when my Lord before the King shall stand,  
And give him wine, as he was wont to do,  
And he shall take the Goblet from thy hand,  
Remember joseph, Partner of thy woe.   

60  
And by thy noble self, I thee adjure,  
Who now canst tell what is a Prisoners case,  
Remember me to Pharaoh, and procure  
My liberty, from this delightless place.   

61  
Who am a stranger, and by force was brought,  
Out of my native Country to this land,  
Sold by my brethren, and by Merchants bought,  
And why kept here, I scarcely understand.   

62  
Thus joseph thought it fit, to use his friends,  
To compass his deliverance, if he can:  
He must use means, that will attain his Ends:  
Good fortune hath forlworne a careless man.   

63  
We must not think, that wished felicity  
Will drop down from the clouds, like showers o● rain,  
Ourselves must watch all opportunity,  
Use all Endeavour, if we will attain   

64  
What we desire: Some say, that jupiter  
Doth tell his blessings: and the price we pay,  
Is our own labour: and they much do err,  
Who think by standing still, to end their way.   

65  
But I go on: when joseph had foretell,  
The Butler thus, It seems the Divination,  
Did likewise Please the Baker: who grew bold,  
To tell his Dream, hoping like Explanation.   

66  
Me thought (he says) I bo●re upon my head,  
Three Baskets, full of baked meats, and of bread,  
And round about the uppermost there fled,  
Birds of the Air, that from that basket fed.   

67  
The Augur says: Three baskets three days be,  
In fine whereof, prepare to lose thy head,  
And thou shalt hanged be upon the Tree,  
And with thy flesh, The Birds and Ravens be fed.   

68  
The hours spend quickly: and that very day,  
The third (I mean the Critic of the dream)  
Was Pharaoh's birth day: (As the Text doth say)  
Wherein he feasts the Nobles of his Realm,   

69  
And to make good what was divined before,  
The King the Baker hangeth by command,  
But did the Butler to his place restore,  
Who gave again his Cup into his hand.   

70  
And this great Lord (so must I call him now)  
Regaining Honour, promises forgot,  
And (as some Courtiers do) neglects his vow,  
Per Dures made: such vows we know bind not.   

71  
Why should he take to heart another's harm?  
He had no feeling how poor joseph fared,  
Himself (he thanks his starr●s) was well & warm,  
What others suffered, he nor felt, nor cared.   

72  
Indeed we dote upon ourselves too much,  
And that divides us from all due respect:  
Nature (we see) doth often lose her touch;  
Then 'tis not strange, that strangers should neglect   

73  
The loving service, and kind entertain  
Of honest joseph, are forgotten quite;  
Look what he did, was b●t for hope of gain,  
And all he did, no more than was his right.   

74  
Unthankfulness is ever apt to find,  
At least some colours wherewithal to paint:  
Good turns received we give unto the wind,  
And in requital we are dull and faint.   

75  
Because it is no pleasing Meditation  
For mounting men, that are to greatness grown,  
Always to think upon their Obligation,  
And what an answering kindness must be shown.   

76  
Two years of days run on, and all this while  
The Butler (drunk with honour) sound sleeps,  
No care of joseph, and of his exile,  
He dreams not, and his vow therefore not keeps.   

77  
And here my musing thoughts are at a stand,  
And I do more than marvel, that so long  
Poor joseph scaped the knife; the bloody hand  
Of his enraged Lord, whose thought of wrong,   

78  
Of most unworthy wrong (as he might deem)  
Might whet him to the worst of punishment:  
But grant, that Time did cool his boiling spleen,  
And that the malice of his madness spent   

79  
On its own matter, did extinguish so,  
As fiery meteors in th● fee●ing Air,  
The vapours being consumed whence they did grow,  
Cease of themselves: but that his Dames despair   

80  
Of ever now attaining her black ends,  
Armed with the fury of neglected love,  
Impatient with revenge, which never lends  
One thought of peace, but doth with madness move,   

81  
To bring his plotted Tragedy to act,  
And so to free herself from all her fears,  
How she (I say) should so long time protract,  
As not to work his end within these years,   

82  
Is more than my conceit can dive into.  
But (O) thou deep unsounded Providence,  
We must admire what thou art pleased to do,  
And not survey thy works by our weak sense.   

83  
Thick clouds and darkness do encompass thee,  
And are about thy great Pavilion;  
Wonder we may, and must adorers be  
Of all thy works: but we must let alone   

84  
All curious Queres, and all busy prying  
Into those secrets which thou dost conceal:  
We melt our wings, and fall, by too high flying;  
Prometheus, that the fire from Heaven did steal,   

85  
Was sharply punished for his enterprise:  
That outward bark contains this pith within,  
W● must not labour to be overwise;  
To pry into God's Ark, it is a sin.   

86  
We know 'twas he that calmed these billowing seas,  
And brought wracked joseph to his haven at la●t,  
Else had he sunk under such storms as these,  
But that God's hand (his Anchor) held him fast.   

87  
And now th'eternal and still waking Eye,  
(That is all Eye to see, to help all Hand)  
Looks down at last on Joseph's misery,  
And finds him by affliction fully fanned,   

88  
And straight he stirs: and now all other means,  
(All hopeful means) ●oe seem to fail him quite,  
Now he (in mercy pitying his extremes)  
Doth rouse himself, to do wronged joseph right.   

89  
O happy men that are in God's protection,  
No earthly Monarch hath a guard so sure:  
Legions of Angels seru● at his direction,  
To fortress those, whom he will have secure.   

90  
All the whole Creature is at his command,  
The Sun stands still to wait on joshua,  
The Stars of Heaven (enroled in his band)  
Do in their courses fight against Sisera.   

91  
Nay, fire and water too are join in one,  
Both stars and streams do their best help afford,  
The river Kis●on unto arms doth run, 
judg. 20.21   
To fight the glorious battles of the Lord.   

92  
The Elements are Marshals of his host,  
By night the fiery Pillar, and by day  
The Cloud conducts his people to their coast,  
To which the very Sea itself gives way.   

93  
The Vict'lere of his Camp he makes the Winds,  
Sometimes with bread from Heaven, sometimes with Quails;  
The stony rock plenty of water finds,  
To give his Soldiers drink when water fails.   

94  
O ever to be fear'●, and loved withal,  
(Feared for thy might, and for thy mercy loved)  
I am all wonder, when to mind I call,  
With what strange weights thy motions still are moved.   

95  
joseph must be released: that's the Decree,  
And from the Prison to the Court be brought,  
That's in the Order too: And now let's see  
How God doth work, till all his will be wrought:   

96  
First unto Pharaoh (Egypt's King) he sends  
A double Dream, with which he's much perplexed:  
He wakes, and longs to know what it portends;  
(What the Dreams were, I leave you to the Text)   

97  
Then doth he send, and summon to the Court  
All Egypt's Magis, to expound his Dreams:  
They hear them told, but cannot make report  
Unto the King, what this his Vision means,   

98  
And that was strange: Th' Egyptians were renowned  
Above all Nations, for their skill that way,  
In hidden Learning they were held profound,  
And so the sacred Text doth seem to say.   

99  
Witness beside the skill they laboured so,  
In that abstrute and secret Mystery  
Of Hieroglyphic Art, which they did show  
In an obscure deepe-shadowed Charactrie.   

100  
But yet in this the Magis must be blind,  
Because the task for joseph was reserved;  
And now the Butler wakes, and calls to mind  
Forgotten joseph, whom he thus preferred:   

101  
Great King, I must confess my fau●t this day,  
And crave your pardon: I have broke a vow  
Which once I made (when I in prison lay)  
Unto an Hebrew, and remember now:   

102  
When as my Lord was with his servant's wrath,  
And put his Baker, and myself in chains,  
A vision in one night appeared to both,  
And the●e this Hebrew prisoner it explains.   

103  
And as he did divine, it did succeed,  
You hanged your Baker, took me to your grace,  
Th' inspired Prophet can your Dream aread.  
Make haste (quoth Pharaoh) let me see his face.   

104  
And now is joseph sent for to the Court,  
And (new adorned) doth look as fresh as May,  
And well he might do so, there's reason for't:  
Good fortunes breed good blood, good spirits (men say.)   

105  
Being come, the King doth take him by the hand,  
(e'en Kings know to be kind, to gain their ends)  
Although no phrase did fit him but command,  
Yet he unto a milder form descends,   

106  
And (welcome) says: I had a Dream this night,  
And what is meant thereby I fain would learn;  
And thou in Visions haste (I hear) insight,  
Thy piercing eye heaven's secrets doth discern.   

107  
And then he tells him, what before he told  
To Egypt's Magi. joseph straight replies:  
Your double dream one meaning doth enfold,  
And that God will not hide from Pharaohs eyes.   

108  
In me it is not; 
Gen. 41.16  but the God of Heaven  
Shall answer Pharaoh to his hearts desire.  
Poor puff-paste Man, here is example given  
Unto thy swelling thoughts, not to aspire.   

109  
Not to assume the glory and the praise  
Unto thyself, of what is given to thee:  
Thy parts are but reflections from those Rays,  
By whose fair beams thy clouds dispersed be.   

110  
Cimmerian darkness doth possess thy spirit;  
If gracious God be pleased to lend thee light,  
Wilt thou ascribe it to thy proper merit?  
And steal from him that which is his in right?   

111  
Will't thou unto thy Nets do sacrifice? 
Hab. 1.16   
And hug th● self in th'arms of thine own love?  
If thou be'st 〈◊〉, learned rich, and wis●,  
Know, 'tis the 〈◊〉 sphere that makes thee move.   

112  
Thy graces are but Donatives from Heaven,  
The good is thine, return the glory thither,  
For fear God take away what he hath given,  
And he that made thee grow doth make thee wither   

113  
What, is not this great Babel I have built 
Dan. 4.30   
To show my power, perpetuate my name?  
Alas (poor Prince) thy outside is but guilt,  
A sudden storm will wash away the same.   

114  
For whilst the word was yet e'en in thy mouth,  
A voice from Heaven did tell thee heavy news,  
Promotion comes not from the North or South,  
Heaven's influence only doth all good infuse.   

115  
I could not choose when I had yoked my Team,  
But make this furrow to enrich my field,  
And now I do return to Pharaohs Dream,  
Whose Exposition joseph thus doth yield:   

116  
The seven fat Oxen that you saw ascend,  
That were so fair to sight in your first dream,  
seven years of joyful plenty do portend,  
seven years of famine the seven lean ones mean.   

117  
The Ears of Corn divine the self same thing:  
But God is good, and what he means to do,  
He now is pleased to show unto the King,  
And give him warning ere it shall ensue.   

118  
After seven years of store, seven years of want,  
Of bitter famine shall the land oppress,  
Wherein both bread and food shall be ●o scant,  
As all the land shall mourn for barrenness.   

119  
Twice did my God present it to your view,  
Because he would have Pharaoh mark it well:  
When God speaks one thing twice, believe 'tis true;  
Make use (great King) of what I do foretell.   

120  
Cull out some man that's provident and wise,  
And let him be Surveyor of your Land,  
Let him collect the fruits that shall arise  
From forth the first seven years of plenty, and   

121  
Let every Town and City Garners build,  
Where they may safely lay up corn and grain;  
And when those Garners are so stored and filled,  
Take care (O King) it be not spent in vain.   

122  
The King was glad to hear the Divination,  
And his great servants were as glad as he:  
What man so fit as thou in all the Nation,  
(The King replies) in whom heavens graces be?   

123  
Be it as thou hast said: Thyself alone  
Shall be the Regent of my Land and State.  
Only myself will sit upon the Throne,  
And next myself I thee subordinate.   

124  
With that he takes the Signet from his hand,  
And therewith Joseph's finger doth invest;  
A golden chain (the Ensign of command)  
Puts on his Neck: clads him in linen vest.   

125  
And on his second Chariot makes him ride,  
Whilst through the Court the Trumpets sound his name,  
By officers, who were therein employed,  
Who seemed most forward to perform the same.   

126  
Because that joseph now is in his spring,  
But if a Winter should but chance to come,  
Those Nightingales that now so sweetly sing,  
I doubt, would change their notes, or else be dumb.   

127  
Nay (which is worse) they would like Adders be,  
And hiss and bite: Greatness trust not too much,  
Unto a smiling brow, a Cringing knee,  
A soothing tongue: they'll scarce abide the touch,   

128  
When they are truly brought unto the Test:  
Momus did find an error in jove's Art,  
Because he made no windows in man's breast,  
By which he might both see and know his heart.   

129  
Well joseph now is mounted very high,  
And God hath raised him to a lofty Pitch,  
Whose Agent Pharaoh still doth multiply:  
His favours to him: He grows great and rich.   

130  
The eyes of Kings are more than common eyes,  
They are the stars that do predominate,  
Th'affairs of men, and in their influence lies,  
The good or bad of every one's estate.   

131  
They are the Primum Mobile of all,  
They whirl about our fortunes, as they list:  
Their motions make Inferiors rise or fall:  
And as they favour, we are cursed or blessed.   

132  
Though Poets fictions seem to savour much  
Of Idle Errors, yet they have their sense:  
King Midas turned to gold all he did touch,  
The moral is: the favour of the Prince.   

133  
This gracious hand can work the like effect,  
Not India's richest mines breed purer gold,  
Then those fair Rays of comfort that reflect,  
From th'eyes of Kings: there grows that precious mould.   

134  
Whose smooth and smiling brow is the true place,  
Of honour, wealth, respect, dependency,  
And in his frowning Forehead dwells disgrace,  
Common contempt, hate, wrong, and poverty.   

135  
And it is fitting, that it should be so,  
All Light must be derived from the Sun,  
And as all Rivers from the Sea first flow,  
So they again into the Sea must run.   

136  
Pharaoh still studies to do joseph good,  
A●d (●o complete the pleasures of his life)  
Fair Asenath, of grace and Princely blood,  
A beauteous Virgin, must be Joseph's wife.   

137  
Asenath, Daughter of the Prince of On:  
Thus for his servants gracious God provides,  
Who after troubles and affliction,  
Fills up their joys: as rivers the Springtides.   

138  
Now you have seen a true particular  
Of Joseph's fortunes, weigh them at a Beam,  
His sour, his sweet, his loss, his gain confer,  
'Twill be a useful and delightful Theme.   

139  
joseph removed from Canaan's fruitful Soil,  
Planted in Egypt, with great growth is blessed;  
In vulgar Phrase this may be called Exile,  
But that's a man's best country where he's best.   

140  
In Canaan joseph in a Pit I find,  
Here I do see him next the Regal Throne,  
There he hath many brothers, but unkind:  
Here many favours are by strangers shown.   

141  
But he's divided from a Father's sight,  
To whom he was as dear, as his own Eyes:  
In lieu whereof a monarch of great might,  
e'en Pharoahs' love old Jacob's loss supplies.   

142  
And yet he is not lost: He shall be met,  
With a more tender touch of true delight:  
So broken bones prove stronger, being well set,  
And darkest grounds make white to seem more white.   

143  
The Ishmalites did sell him for a slave,  
But (lo) he's raised to be a powerful Lord:  
The Prison, (that at least was meant his grave)  
The means of his advancement doth afford.   

144  
His first disaster did arise from dreams,  
And dreams must cure the wounds that dreams did make  
Friends oft do fail their friends in their extremes,  
But God his servants never doth forsake.   

145  
'twas he that made this Metamorphosis,  
And mark how all his works are sitted right:  
The Prison to a Palace changed is,  
The iron grates to Prospects of delight.   

146  
His Alchemy did turn the gyves he wore,  
(The iron gyves) Into a golden chain,  
With course and common cates he fed before,  
Now Sea and Land both give him entertain.   

147  
Without all doubt joseph did often bear,  
The bitter burden of offensive scorn:  
Now (
* A word of honour amongst them.  Abrech, Abrech) sounds in every ear,  
Whilst in ● is Chariot he's in Triumph borne.   

148  
The loathsome Savours change to sweet-perfumes,  
The Prison garment to a Robe of Price,  
The groans of wretched Souls to cheerful tunes,  
All hell indeed is ●urn'd to Paradise.   

149  
And for th'embraces of an unchaste Dame,  
(Whose softest touch is but an Aspics sting,  
Whose fairest looks do breed a hellish flame,  
Whose sweetest breath a deadly damp doth bring)   

150  
joseph enjoys the pure and heavenly heat  
Of both a lawful and delightful bed,  
Whose virtuous pleasures only are complete,  
From whence there is nor shame, nor sorrow bred.   

151  
Well, than I see the Proverb holdeth true,  
Bees make not honey one●y for the bad,  
Triumphant Virtue shall attain his due,  
Whose acts endswel, though the first scenes be sad.   

152  
Where sin seems Sugar to us at first taste,  
Which oft we swallow down with deep delight,  
But still it ends in bitterness at last,  
And proves to be a deadly Aconite.   

153  
Well, joseph is at rest with his fair Fere,  
And that (my weary Muse) is fit for thee.  
For this time (lo) I pitch my Pillars here,  
And (Ne plus ultra) shall my Posy be.   
Timens Deum, non habet quod time at ulterius.   

JOSEPH IN SUMMO. OR, The Noble Favourite.  


1  
NOw after thunder and tempestuous storms,  
The purged air grows to be calm & clear,  
And all the stars put on their fairest forms,  
To smile on joseph each one from its Sphere.   

2  
Old froward Saturn (erst malevolent)  
Is now appeased by his more gentle Son,  
Whose sweet aspect hath made him eminent,  
And he is seated next the Kingly throne.   

3  
Stern Mars, that but of late was bend to blood.  
Being now with Venus in conjunction.  
Hath changed his fury to a milder mood,  
And now from Arms he●●●s to Amours won,   

4  
Sol shines upon him with his cheerful rays,  
Who gives him wealth; and Hermes eloquence,  
And Cynthia she her brightest beams displays,  
And he grows fruitful by her influence.   

5  
But these are not the givers of our good,  
'Tis only God that doth command them all,  
And his commands can never be withstood:  
He smiles, and men do rise; He frowns, they fall.   

6  
The Planets are but agents of his will,  
They rule in us sometimes, he rules them ever:  
The 
* Alluding to the blessed Trinity.  Trine aspect is the most blessed still,  
Who's under that can be unhappy never.   

7  
joseph was so, who but of late was seen,  
e'en in his depth of Winter almost dead;  
And (lo) a sudden Spring hath made him green,  
Much grown in height, and very greatly spread.   

8  
Observe the flows and ebbs of Man's estate;  
See how that part of the still turning wheel,  
Which was but low, and touched the ground of late,  
Is now the highest, and will strait ways reel   

9  
Down to the Centre: No man is so fixed,  
But that he may be soon removed again,  
The world hath nothing simple: all is mixed,  
An hour of pleasure, and a day of pain.   

10  
Therefore what ere thou be, do not despair,  
Lose not thy fortunes, and thy hopes together:  
Thy Morning's foul, thine Evening may be fair,  
For Man's estate doth alter like the weather.   

11  
Oft have I heard some aged men foretell  
Or following Rain, by th'aking of their bones;  
I do not like that Almanac so well,  
I'd rather fetch my skill from sweeting stones:   

12  
For stones (some say) will sweat against a rain:  
That may be so: but this is certain true,  
Our states have sometimes cramps, then sound again,  
Then sick again, and then comes health anew.   

13  
joseph you saw late in a deadly swoon,  
Now he recovers, and to strength doth grow,  
Who (notwithstanding all his great renown)  
Doth not forget why he was raised so.   

14  
He knows although he were a Magistrate,  
'Twas not for his own ends, or for his ease,  
But to provide for, and preserve the state,  
Which seven years bitter famine else would seize.   

15  
He thinks upon his work he hath to do:  
He moulds his business in his careful mind:  
Great King, brave Court, dear wife to all adieu,  
joseph must sail now with another wind.   

16  
he's Country-bound: and now he doth provide,  
For following famine, In the years of store:  
'Tis good (men say) to take both Wind and Tide,  
And whilst they both serve well, to ply the Oar.   

17  
Me thinks, I do behold this labouring Bee,  
How he flies up and down to store his hive,  
And (sweetest time) he gathers most from thee,  
And so must all Bees do that mean to thrive.   

18  
There are some happy hours which if we take,  
We crown our labours with desired success,  
And if th●se fitting seasons we forsake,  
We well may wish them more, but find them less.   

19  
He builds, he gathers, and he lays up grain,  
The best of his abilities he spends,  
In ceass-lesse labour, and unwearied pain:  
That he may be successful in his ends.   

20  
It was no May-game that he had in hand,  
His charge was weighty, and required him all;  
Men that are great in Place, and in command,  
Are not their own, must not be several.   

21  
They must be like the Sun, whose common flame,  
Affordeth heat and light to every-one,  
there's more in greatness then the very name,  
It hath much matter for to work upon.   

22  
The prudent statesman oftentimes doth wake,  
Whilst sweet Repose seals up the vulgar Eye:  
His country care oft makes his head to ache,  
With forging thousand forms of policy.   

23  
And without doubt, they which sit near the helm  
And have the greatest steerage of the state,  
Are the most painful servants of the Realm,  
To whom the Prince his power doth delegate.   

24  
Both for his own, and for his Country's good,  
Which must be the chief end of their endeavours:  
So joseph is employed to gather food,  
And in that service seven years he persevers.   

25  
And the Almighty pleased to bless him so,  
That he did store up grain in such a measure,  
As that the number numberless did grow,  
And yet he was not barred from lawful pleasure:   

26  
For in those years God gave him two fair Boy●s,  
To be the staff of his declining Eld,  
And in those blessings Joseph's soul more joys,  
Then in the greatest honours that he held:   

27  
Manasseh, Ephraim, (comforts of his life)  
You are his glory, and his strength beside,  
Himself divided was, his loving wife,  
His children were himself, but multiplied:   

28  
So many selves will make oneself long lived,  
In whom he still shall live, when he is dead:  
Egypt saw Joseph's end, yet he surviued  
In those fair boughs, that from his root were spread.   

29  
But I must to my task, for Time goes on,  
And (as men say) flies with a Swallows wing:  
The years of plenty soon are past and gone,  
And famine n●w thrusts forth her deadly sting:   

30  
And then how joseph did himself deport,  
How well he governed his long-gathered grain,  
And how all Egypt did to him resort  
For needful food, whose sale brought in great gain   

31  
To his Lords coffers: how he bought their Land,  
Their goods, their cattle, and themselves withal,  
The sacred Writ will make you understand.  
Egypt farewell: for Canaan now doth call.   

32  
Yet this before I go, (observe it well)  
And 'tis but touched, to shame our wretched Time:  
Although wise joseph (as the Text do●h te●l)  
Did make a purchase of th'Egyptian Clime   

33  
To his King's use: yet did he hold his hand  
From buying of the Priests that which was theirs,  
He would not meddle with the Holy land,  
'T was consecrated: therefore he forbears   

34  
Such a irreligious purchase: yet the King,  
Supplies them, with all necessary food:  
Though the their fields no fruitful crops did bring;  
Yet they that served for the common good,   

35  
'Twas just the common-good should serve for them,  
e'en Heathen people held it piety,  
To furnish with fit means religious men:  
Although they worshipped a false Deity.   

36  
How then should we respect and honour too,  
The faithful servants of the living Lord?  
And so (we see) our sacred Sovereign do:  
And (O) me thinks his Copy should afford   

37  
A fair example, for to guide our hand;  
In other things Authority sways much:  
And we are willing Apes to great command:  
But yet in this we have too little touch.   

38  
And so (indeed) we have in all devotion,  
Our heaven is on the Earth: we sweat for that:  
Our Ayme's at wealth, at honour, and promotion,  
And in pursuit of them, weare very hot.   

39  
But stay, ●y Muse, why dost thou change thy course?  
For thou wert shipped and bound for Canaan,  
Where famine likewise raged with great force;  
e'en jacob wants, that was a wealth man,   

40  
That had both Coin, and cattle at command,  
Strong in his issue, and beloved of God:  
Yet now he's under his afflicting hand,  
Whose dearest children cannot scape the rod.   

41  
And he doth often rule them with black Lead,  
That he may keep them straighter in the line.  
And (left by rest there should a rust be bred)  
By filing them he doth them oft refine.   

42  
Therefore thou happy soul, that seeks for Heaven,  
Expect not here a Deluge of delight:  
If God doth make thy cares and comforts e'en,  
It is a work of Mercy, not of right.   

43  
When jacob heard, that Egypt's store did yield  
Sufficient grain, e'en for a foreign good,  
He calls to him his sons, and then he willed  
They should for Egypt make, to buy some food.   

44  
He needs not bid them spur (the Proverb says)  
Whom bitter famine on their way doth drive,  
They take their father's blessing, go their ways:  
And speed for Egypt, where they soon arrive.   

45  
To joseph brought, their business they declare,  
And to the ground their humble knees they bow,  
Without his warrant they can have no ware:  
And by the name of Lord salute him now.   

46  
joseph his brethren sees, and wonders much,  
And now his former dreams he calls to mind:  
He bears himself, as if he had no touch,  
Of nature in him: strives to be unkind.   

47  
He knew them well: but would not know them now  
O, they were spies, and came to search the land,  
Come was their Colour, but they practised how  
To bring all Egypt under their command.   

48  
How soon may greatness draw the innocent,  
At least within the seeming gripe of laws?  
And if it be to rigorous courses bend,  
How readily it finds, or makes a cause?   

49  
The brethren tell him, that they came to buy,  
Food for their father, and their families,  
That they his servants meant no trachery,  
That they were neither borne, nor bred for spies.   

50  
That they were one man's sons, who had two more,  
And that the youngest with their Sire was left,  
And that the other was (long time before)  
By fatal accident from him bereft.   

51  
ay, thence it is, that I suspect you spies,  
You go not hence, except that youth come hither,  
By this you shall be wried (joseph replies)  
As by a third they parleyed thus together.   

52  
there's no contesting with great joseph now:  
They must to Prison, whither they were sent,  
Till farther time more l●●sure did allow,  
And better means, to sound their whole intent.   

53  
Imprisonment, thou art the living grave,  
Wherein to bury men, whilst they are quick,  
And yet the soul may freest motions have:  
Although the body be immured with brick,   

54  
For nothing can confine the working soul,  
That may recourse unto Heavens glorious frame,  
And compass all the world without control,  
And fee, and sound the actions of the same.   

55  
An able active 
* Sir Ib. Palmer died with john D. of Northumban ●. ●. Mary. joh. St●●  Gentleman of worth,  
That lost his head when Mary swayed the State,  
Upon the Scaffold freely gave it forth,  
That he had learned more in the Tower of late,   

56  
Then in the course of all his life beside,  
Being vvell-traveiled, well-imployd at home;  
And yet (quoth he) whilst I did there abide,  
I got more knowledge in yond little room,   

57  
(Pointing unto a corner of the Tower)  
Then before that I ever could attain:  
For there I learned to know Gods supreme power,  
Myself a sinful worm, the world most vain.   

58  
O happy man, that studiest well this art;  
And happy place that made him study so:  
And blessed Books (dear bolts) that did impart  
Such sacred, secret Science, which few know,   

59  
And fewer care to learn: and that's the cause  
Why our desires so do●● on vanity,  
That we are carried hoodwinked without pause,  
Into unseen, but certain materie.   

60  
I may e'en of myself an instance make:  
When did I entertain such thoughts as these?  
Oh when did I this theme for subject take?  
Whilst sin (begot with wealth, and nursed with ease,   

61  
Confirmed with use) did only sway my will,  
Without all care of God, myself, or other.  
But this is not the story of my ill,  
The brothers call me, shut up by a brother,   

62  
And so restrained, and all removed from them:  
Me thinks, I seem to see them how they stare  
Each upon other, like amazed men,  
Wondering both why, and how, and where they are.   

63  
A three days durance they endured there:  
joseph, thou keep'st not just proportion,  
One day the Pit contained thee, and was clear  
Of thee again before the setting Sun.   

64  
The punishment in this transcends th'offence,  
e'en like for like, had been equality:  
Yet joseph, this I'll say in thy defence,  
And truly, without partiality.   

65  
Their act was diu'llish, and unnatural,  
Which ●ast upon thee many-yeares-restraynt,  
In daily fear of death (the gall of gall)  
Whilst their unsuffring souls no care did taint.   

66  
No thought of thee, no pity of thy wrong,  
And therefore now they very justly bear  
This short, and easy durance: thine was long,  
And undeserved: thou free, they faulty were.   

67  
And yet it seems, that Joseph's soul did grieve;  
For sending for them, thus to them he said:  
I likewise fear your God: do this, and live  
Let one of you a Prisoner here be stayed,   

68  
The rest return unto your aged Sire,  
Both his, and your own wants shallbe supplied,  
But bring your brother with you I require,  
For that's the Test whereby you shallbe tried.   

69  
joseph had spoke the word, they must obey;  
And yet they took it to the very heart,  
And to themselves in their own language say,  
That these their sufferings came by due desert.   

70  
Although that they were spotless of this crime,  
Wherewith unjustly they were charged withal,  
Yet when they cast th'account of their whole time,  
And summed up all their acts in general,   

71  
They found a Brother missing, whom they sold,  
(Stirred up by spleenful hatred) to his grave,  
And now there are by sad Remembrance told,  
That they must Legem talionis have.   

72  
Now Conscience giveth better Evidence,  
Who is both Witness and Tormentor too,  
And Reub●● now upbraids them with th'offence,  
Now see, what your blind malice made you do.   

73  
I wished you not to sin against the youth,  
But you were deaf as Adders, would not hear,  
Now is his blood required: And now in truth,  
Your seed of sin this crop of shame doth bear.   

74  
They do confesseth confesseth Indictment, 'twas too true,  
Their brother's blood did for just vengeane cry,  
And now the hand of Heaven pays them their due,  
And they are caught in their impiety.   

75  
O sin, the fretting corr'siue of the heart,  
The biting worm that breeds within the breast,  
A sure, but sad remembrancer thou art,  
No rest till done, and then indeed no rest.   

76  
Well, now there's no resisting Joseph's will:  
Of all extremes 'twas best to choose the least:  
Simeon as Pledge must stay in prison still,  
(For so was Joseph's choice) for all the rest,   

77  
Who were dismissed in peace, and all their sacks  
By Joseph's Officers were filled with grain,  
Who likewise put their moneys in their packs,  
And what they brought, restored to them again.   

78  
Home they return, and to their father tell  
How Egypt used them, what the Ruler said,  
Of all things in the voyage them befell,  
A short, plain, true narration to him made.   

79  
You may conceive, that aged Israel,  
Herd the relation with a great distaste:  
And inwardly his grieved heart did swell,  
Till thus it leapt into his tongue at last.   

80  
Ios●ph is not: Simeon is not to me,  
And shall I likewise Benjamin forgo?  
Why have you done these things: since these things be  
Against your father, and all work his woe.   

81  
What, do you find your own affections such,  
As that you hold the less of Children light?  
In my sad soul I feel another touch,  
And nature works in me with powerful might.   

82  
The motions of a tender father's love:  
An untouched heart can hardly comprehend:  
But you are fathers too: and well may prove,  
e'en by yourselves: that nature doth descend,   

83  
I cannot yield, that Benjamin should go,  
His brother's dead, and he is left alone:  
If he should die, I should but live in woe,  
And dying, go into my grave with moan.   

84  
When he was borne, his mother was bereft me,  
My dearest Rachel (see, you make me weep)  
And nothing now of her, but him is left me,  
And (as her dying Pledge) I him will keep.   

85  
Thus he resolved: but famine still grows hot,  
The food was almost spent, that late was brought:  
In Canaan there was little to be got:  
A new supply from Egypt must be sought.   

86  
The stately Steed that champes 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.   

87  
And good-old Israel, so it fares with thee,  
Thy Benjamin must go: there is no boot,  
For all thy other sons in this agree:  
That without him, they will not stir a foot.   

88  
Better at home to end their weary race,  
And with their dearest friends together dye:  
Then go and seek for death in a strange place,  
And that with public scorn, and infamy.   

89  
Besides his judah earnest 〈◊〉 did make,  
That to his care he would commit his sone:  
His deare-loued Darling, he would undertake,  
For his return: which should be safe, and soon.   

90  
jacob replies: it must be so (I see)  
Well, take with you the best fruits of the land,  
Gifts silent speakers, but prevailers be:  
For Hawks come not unto an empty hand.   

91  
Therefore take somewhat of each several thing,  
To show your thankful minds in worst extremes:  
A better fortune greater gifts would bring:  
But your poor present answers to your means.   

92  
And in your hand the money hither brought,  
Doubly return: for fear some oversight  
By you my sons should formerly be wrought:  
And take your brother too, my chief delight.   

93  
And when that you have done all that you may,  
God make you gracious in the great-mans' eyes,  
For only he must guyed you in your way:  
And give a blessing to your enterprise.   

94  
ay, holy father, that's the point indeed,  
Now thou hast hit the nail upon the head,  
The best of our endeavours cannot speed,  
If by the hand of heaven not seconded.   

95  
Vain are their thoughts, that think their watching can  
Preserve that City, which God doth not keep,  
And theirs as vain, who quit all use of man,  
And think that God will guard them, though they sleep   

96  
Where to our safety our sedulity,  
Is requisite: God seldom works alone,  
Neglect of means is fond credulity,  
First for the Lord, 
judg. 7.18 , and then for Gideon.   

97  
And that's the only course that men can take,  
Unto God's blessing join thine own endeavour,  
Heaven helps not him, that doth himself forsake,  
The end and means do always go together.   

98  
But stay my muse, me thinks thy pace is slow,  
Thou mak'st no speed in thy intended way:  
Perhaps thouart tired with travel to and fro,  
Then take thine Inn until some other day.   

99  
Or else perhaps the famine makes thee faint,  
Which works too strongly in thy feeble brain:  
I, there's the ga●l: These are thy years of want,  
Some better times will make thee sing again.   
Timens Deum, non habet quod time at ulterius.   

The Continuation.  

1  
AFter a blessing from their aged Sire,  
To Egypt land the Brethren be●d their course,  
A speedy help such sad extremes require,  
They needs must haste, whom griping famine force.   

2  
Some time being spent, and weary travel past,  
Once more they gain the wished for Land of food,  
And once again before the face at last,  
Of their known Lord, but unknown Brother stood;   

3  
Who had their errand, e'er they could it tell,  
He knew 'twas Hunger forced them to that place:  
'Twas Egypt's food that must that Monster quell,  
And that could not be had without his grace.   

4  
He could not likewise choose but call to mind  
Their cruel and vnnat'●all insolence,  
How once with envy more than famine pynd,  
To thraldom they betrayed his innocence.   

5  
Without regard of duty to their Sire,  
Or pity to the moans of him their brother:  
Now time served fit for to repay their hire;  
Yet all these faults his tender love doth smother,   

6  
And his mild Heart relents to see their want  
They were his Brothers though before unkind,  
Perhaps (saith he) their error they recant  
And if they do, shall they not pardon find?   

7  
So fed, his Benjamin he doth behold,  
Th●n calls his Steward, wills him to prepare  
Plenty of Meat. Those Hebrew-strangers should  
dine at his hoame, and of his bounty fare.   

8  
To Joseph's house the Steward leads these Men,  
They went unwilling being ●ore afraid,  
Their hearts misgave them s●me state-plot even then  
To work their Bondage cunningly was laid.   

9  
And therefore to the Steward they confess  
That food of him they once had bought before  
Fear was so powerful, they could do no less  
Their full confess ' on pardon doth implore.   

10  
They told him that the price, last paid for Grain,  
Was unexpected found in each Man's sack,  
But they that silver, and as much again  
For new supplies had honestly brought back.   

11  
The Steward says, all's peace, be not dismayed  
Your God, your father's God that silver gave,  
I had your money; for the Corn ye paid:  
And you, your Symion left for pledge shall have.   

12  
Them all, into his Lords fair house he guides  
Prepares them water for to wash their Feet,  
And for their Beasts he provender provides,  
With other things for their refreshment meet.   

13  
Mean while the great Lord they prepare to greet,  
With those rich presents they from Canaan brought  
He's now retured from Court, lo at his Feet  
They prostrate fall, and him of grace besought.   

14  
To buy some food his favour they desire,  
He kindly greets them, raiseth them from ground  
And quest'ond them how fared their aged Sire  
The good old Man, they spoke off; safe and sound?   

15  
They lowly bowed again, then make reply  
Our aged Sire thy servant yet doth live  
Where with on Benjamin he cast his Eye,  
And loving looks unto the Lad doth give,   

16  
Is this the youth of whom ye erst did tell,  
To thee my son (he said) God gracious be:  
With that kind Nature in his breast doth swell,  
H s bowels y●rnd his Mother's son to see.   

17  
Moved by affection, he from them withdraws,  
And in his private chamber weeps amain:  
Then dries his eyes after a little pause,  
With cheerful looks he visits them again.   

18  
Mean while good joseph rows against the tide,  
Nature, kind Nature would itself display,  
But (willing) yet a while himself to hide,  
He forced his Love, Discretion to obey.   

19  
He calls for meat, which was served up in state,  
And at the table he doth sit alone:  
The Hebrews were in order served, whereat  
Within himself, they marveiled each one.   

20  
The Hebrews and Egyptians severed set:  
For by the Law of the Egyptian Nation,  
They might not at one board together eat,  
Because by them 'twas held abomination.   

21  
To count the several dishes of this Feast  
In these dear times, would make my Muse too sad,  
Messes they had, the Text saith, who had least,  
But Benjamin five times their portion had.   

22  
They are full-fed now with delicious cates,  
Whose hungry souls did whilom pine for food,  
Such is the change of our uncertain states,  
After a dead low water, comes a flood.   

23  
The fickle world is never at one stay,  
Humane affairs roll in uncertainty,  
Vain men, we ring the Changes: every day  
Brings forth, to light, some new variety.   

24  
Then let this ceaseless, restless agitation  
Inflame our souls; all our affections move  
To seek for rest, and a sure habitation  
In Heaven the new jerusalem above.   

25  
The Dinner ended, joseph doth provide  
To have each Hebrews sack filled full with grain,  
And each man's Coin in his sacks mouth was tie:  
Thus they have food for nought yet once again.   

26  
Into the Sack of his dear Benjamin,  
He caused his silver Cup to be conveyed,  
And by this means he doth occasion win,  
To have the youth from his departure stayed.   

27  
As soon as morn displayed her blushing red,  
And c●eare light showed to Travellers their way,  
Each Hebrew with his chardg from joseph sped:  
Little suspecting of a new delay.   

28  
They had not from the City travelled far,  
But Joseph's Steward them in haste pursues:  
He over-takes them, they arrested are,  
And speechless stand amazed at this sad news.   

29  
He questioned them, why ill for good they paid,  
His Lords divining Silver Cup was gone,  
They strangers were, and false perhaps he said:  
For but themselves, himself suspected none.   

30  
This said, at length they thus to him replied:  
Why should our Lord to us these speeches say,  
In our sacks mouths when we the silver spied,  
Brought back from Canaan we did it repay.   

31  
● is unlikely therefore we should steal,  
And use such falsehood where such love we found:  
Yet search us all, and he that thus shall deal,  
Let him to death, the rest to Prison bound.   

32  
●ee't so, the Steward says; with that each one,  
Takes from his Laden beast his sack of corn,  
From eldest Reuben now the search is gone,  
And by degrees come to the youngest borne.   

33  
The silver Cup is found in the youth's sack,  
The brethren rend their clothes to find it so,  
Now once again each man assumes his pack,  
And with sad looks back to the City go.   

34  
And he that whilom served these men in state,  
With dainty dishes at a Princelike board,  
Safeguards them now as fellows of stolne-plate,  
So great a change so small time doth afford.   

35  
To Joseph's house they now again are brought:  
Where he did stay expecting their surprise,  
For he was witting of what would be wrought,  
And thieves now made them that supposed them spies   

36  
When they be held his face, (with shame dejected)  
To bended knees they do themselves be●a●e:  
A as (quot● he) what's this ye have effected;  
Did you not know that I could trial make?   

37  
Then judah (thus) What shall we plead or say  
Unto my Lord, ourselves we cannot free,  
'tis Israel's God that doth ou● sins repay,  
And for our the●t we must thy bondmen be.   

38  
Nay God forbid that I should use you so,  
joseph to those afflicted men replied,  
Who stole my Cup, himself to me doth owe,  
He is my servant, no man else beside.   

39  
The rest depart in peace unto your Sire.  
Then judah on his knees says, O my Lord,  
Whom as a second Pharaoh we admire,  
Vouchsafe to hear thy servant speak a word:   

40  
When first before my Lord we did appear,  
It pleased him ask, if we had Sire or Brother:  
We truly told, we had a father dear,  
All we his sons, and that he had one other,   

41  
A little one, begot in his old age,  
Therefore the more beloved, the more respected,  
His brother dead, and he the only gage,  
Left by that Mother, whom our Sire affected.   

42  
Then you enjoined us, never see your face,  
Or bring the youth, you might his face behold:  
When to our father we first told our case,  
The sad relation made his old heart cold.   

43  
One of my sons (quoth he) sent to the field,  
Was torn in pieces, never more seen since,  
Should I depart with this, and he should yield  
To death, by sickness, or by violence,   

44  
'Twould break my aged heart, my old grey head  
With grief and sorrow throw into the grave:  
(O my good Lord) detain me in his stead,  
I am his Pledge, and to my father gave   

45  
My faith for his return, with execration,  
Let judah bear the blame for evermore,  
Unless I bring to Israel's habitation,  
Young Benjamin: even thus thy servant swore.   

46  
Then since the old man's being doth depend  
On the Youth's life, let me thy servant be  
And with my Brethren back the stripling send  
And judah will be bound, to pray for thee.   

47  
When joseph heard his Brother's sad relation,  
He could no longer his affection hide  
Though great ones present, of th' Egyptian Nation  
Yet joseph wept, the text saith, loud he cried.   

48  
Avoid the Room, quoth he, let no man stay  
Except these Hebrews, all the rest depart,  
Then joseph to his brethren doth display  
The inward feelings of his tender heart.   

49  
See joseph, lives our father? make report,  
But they were stricken dumb with that surprise  
Be not dismayed, God sent me to the Court  
For to relieve your wants, by my supplies.   

50  
And this was done to work your preservations,  
Our father's God made me his instrument,  
Two years hath famine seized upon most nations,  
And five such year of want must yet be sent.   

51  
Therefore return unto our aged Sire  
And from myself, salute him in this sort;  
Egypt's Protector joseph doth desire  
To see old Isr'el at King Pharaohs Court.   

52  
Himself, his children's Children, herds and sheep,  
In fruitful Goshen land, shall have a Rome  
near to myself, I them, and theirs will keep  
From five years' Famine that is yet to come.   

53  
Remember what I give in charge ye tell,  
And Joseph's Honours seen by you relate,  
With that on Benjamins fair neck he fell,  
And wept so fast, his tears, their tears begat.   

54  
This was a wondrous and strange salutation,  
And unto Egypt's King was quickly brought  
Who was affected so with the relation  
That till he joseph saw, full long he thought.   

55  
And seen, he says, unto thy Brethren say  
Do this, depart, load beasts, to Canaan go  
And bring your father hither that he may  
Here with his household live, and let him know.   

56  
'Tis Pharaohs will, the best of Egypt's land  
Ye shall possess, and ye shall eat the fat,  
e'en Egypt's fat. This more I do command,  
You give them Chariots, to convey them, that   

57  
Their father, children, wives may come at ease,  
They shall be welcome, unto Egypt's King,  
Care not for stuff, nor utensils, for these  
Pharaoh shall give them, and what other thing   

58  
Egypt is master of, my land is yours  
The best of all my land, 'tis Pharoahs' gift;  
We well may call that ours which God assures,  
ti's he from ashes unto Thrones can lift.   

59  
I am so overjoyed I cannot write,  
What were the joys the brethren did conceive?  
But sure I am each heart must needs be light;  
For Royal Gifts joyful impressions leave.   

60  
They came to Egypt Merchantlike at best:  
But home are carried like great Lords in state,  
Their journey was for bread, now they may feast,  
Both Horse and Servants, many on them wait.   

61  
These (once unkind) their Brother stripped, but he  
Doth give them change of raiments of the best:  
To his loved Benjamin he was more free,  
And five times more did give him, than the rest.   

62  
For Israel's journey joseph doth provide,  
And by the way, what dainties he should eat,  
And ten shee-Asses sent to him beside,  
All heavy loaden with the purest wheat.   

63  
And thus set forth, joseph each one salutes,  
And wills them in their travail to agree:  
Unfeigned concord best with Brethren suits,  
Small jorres, amongst you so linked, great discords be.   

64  
Who best instructs, doth best example give,  
This good do I, is better, than this Do,  
Most by the Eye, few by the Ear do live,  
Fair actions do compel, good words but woo.   

65  
He that had showed himself so kind a Brother,  
Beyond their hope, beyond all expectation,  
Had by his pattern taught them love each other,  
They go; and bring jacob this gratulation.   

66  
joseph is yet alive, and, which is more,  
'Tis he that rules all Egypt: Israel heard,  
And his Heart failed, he was so moved therefore,  
But when he saw the gifts that were conferred,   

67  
And did behold the Chariots joseph sent,  
His Heart revived (whom would not such a sight  
Recall from Death?) and then incontinent,  
Like one new moulded, full of active spirit.   

68  
joseph, saith he, doth live, my child is found  
And like a Man distract with joy doth cry,  
I have enough, may, now my joys abound,  
I will go down, and see him ere I die:   

69  
'tis time, these happy travellers oppressed  
With their long voyage make a little stay,  
Israel (good night) my weary Muse must rest,  
To Egypt will be work for a new day.  
O gr●ious God, thou searcher of each heart,  
Thou three in Person, but in Essence ●e:  
Some Heavenly power to my weak Muse impart:  
To end the sacred task she works upon.     

Jacob's PROGRESS.  

1  
MEe thinks I see in what religious wise,  
Old jacob unto Beersheba went,  
I hear him pray, I see him sacrifice,  
And on his knee his heart to God present.   

2  
From Israel's God I hear him crave protection,  
In this his long, and last peregrination,  
For though to joseph Egypt bore affection:  
She had strange Gods, was full of fornication.   

3  
Ibis, and Apis, Crocodiles, and Leeks,  
Such beastly stinking Gods she did adore,  
Against these and the like old Israel seeks,  
And from the true God doth true grace implore.   

4  
And mark the issue of his good intention,  
God, Izaacs God doth meet him the midway,  
And of his mercies infinite propension,  
That night in vision thus to him did say.   

5  
jacob, go down to Egypt, do not fear,  
I am thy God along with thee will go:  
And I will make thee a great nation there;  
Who could despair, that was encouraged do.   

6  
And I will surely bring thee up again,  
joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes,  
Me thinks I see new blood in each old Vain,  
Me thinks I see him cheerfully arise.   

7  
How like a Giant to his course he runs,  
His Heart with joy, with heavenly joy inspired  
And how he ranked, and marshaled his sons,  
And from his native soil how he retired.   

8  
Canaan adieu, thy father 〈◊〉  
The top, the hope, the glory of thy Nation,  
Takes his last leave, for ever birds farewell,  
Goshen henceforth must be his habitation.   

9  
M● thinks I see him like an aged tree,  
Digged up by th' Roots, and in a new soil planted,  
That grows no more, at least, no more to thee,  
Leaves now, for fruit bears, those but thin & scanted.   

10  
Me thinks I see him now in triumph ride,  
I here his Chariot-wheels: his Horse's neigh,  
I see his Sons, and Daughters by his side,  
And how they march in order on the way.   

11  
His Sons his children's children, Sheep, and Ox,  
Their goods, & all that carriage worth they thought  
Horse, Cattles, Ass, and in one word their stocks,  
They drive from Canaan, and to Egypt brought.   

12  
I could, but that your memories 'twould cumber,  
Tell you the names of all their families,  
All his son's names, threescore and six in number,  
Which Scripture saith descended from his thighs,   

13  
Besides his Son's wives; thus old Israel takes  
His progress into Egypt, like a Prince,  
judah his son, his Harbinger he makes,  
Who went before to give intelligence   

14  
Of Jacob's coming: which when joseph knew  
His father was at hand, and did draw near,  
He mounts his Chariots, and with all his crew,  
Rides forth to meet him, moved by love and fear.   

15  
You sons of Belial, that advanced to state  
Forget your Parents, nay your Parents scorn,  
See how well duty in a Magistrate  
Shows to a Sire, though but a Shepherd borne.   

16  
My Lord Protector from his Chariot lights,  
And craves his father's blessing on his knee,  
Before great Lords, his Peers; in all their sights  
To teach them Duty, and Humility.   

17  
Rise blessed son, hereafter ever be  
The worthy favourite, through the world styled  
Thine arms the Stork emblem of piety,  
Thine honoured name, on fames record be filled.   

18  
At Gos●en was this interview (we find)  
(Is that an interview we may it call)  
When Egypt's Ruler on his knee inclined,  
And on his neck his reverend Sire doth fall.   

19  
There weeps a good while too, the tears he shed  
Were tears of kindness and of inward joy;  
And when for weeping, he could speak (he said)  
Now let me dye; since I thy sight enjoy.   

20  
Do but imagine, he that was so tender,  
When to his brethren first made himself known,  
How he his kindness to his Sire doth render?  
And to his father's house what love was shown.   

21  
Egypt's great-Patron was not now to learn  
His compliments and courtly entertainments,  
But by his deeds his kindred might discern,  
His welcomes were not shows, nor verbal feynments.   

22  
They found a real hearty bien venu:  
Egypt's best soil elected for their seat,  
No sooner come, but had to Pharoahs' view,  
Who like a royal King doth them entreat.   

23  
joseph himself in person made their way,  
And doth to Pharaoh reu're●t Israel bring:  
He tells his brethren too, what they should say,  
And how behave themselves before the King.   

24  
Five of his brethren with the good old man,  
Were to the Court and to the presence brought:  
Long stayed not there, but the Egyptian,  
Pharaoh appears. Old jacob kneels: besought   

25  
The God of Israel; the true God to bless  
The life of royal Pharaoh, keep his Crown,  
And give him his desires and good success,  
And fill his Cup with honour and renown.   

26  
The King beheld old jacob with delight:  
His grave aspect, his age he doth admire,  
And being greatly pleased with his sight,  
His studies and his age he doth inquire.   

27  
jacob replies, the number of my days,  
A hundred thirty years do speak me old;  
Evil and few, compared, ●hort every ways,  
To those good days, my ancestors have told.   

28  
Thy servant and his sons in arts and books  
Have little skill, our only education,  
Have been to keep our flocks: our shepherd's hooks  
Those are thy servant's ways & recreation.   

29  
Thus joseph had before hand them advised,  
Happy t'avoid th'Egyptians emulation:  
(For they were scholars) haply 'twas devised,  
They might together her follow their vocation.   

30  
And so not mingling with the unknown nation,  
Not suck their eu●ls: joseph knew the trade  
Of keeping sheep, was an abomination  
To Egypt, Joseph's brethren Pharaoh made   

31  
Rulers of all his Cattle, all his Flocks.  
They are in office now, who late like spies,  
Were in disgrace: thus fortune plays and mocks,  
Changes, throws down, erects unto the skies.   

32  
Fortune said I? mine error I recant:  
It is a Pagans voice, an Atheists phrase,  
'Twas Abraham's God, that Israel new doth plant:  
The Author and the cause of all good days.   

33  
Youth to your trust, good father to thy rest,  
Repose thy weary limbs, thy progress done:  
Goshen, fat Goshen entered and possessed,  
Sleep in the bosom of thy watchful son.   

34  
The remnant of thy days in comfort spend,  
Grow, plant new nations, do thou find a grave,  
My muse that brought thee to thy journey's end,  
Doth here shake hands, and leave to part doth crave.   
FINIS.