HILARIA: OR THE TRIUMPHANT Feast for the fifth of August.  
Imprinted at London by Simon Stafford, dwelling near the Red Lion, in the Cloth-Fayre. 1607.   

TO THE KING'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.  
THE great Kings of Persia, (most noble Prince) before they would sit at any Feast, they would talk of Temperance; before they would do any sacrifice: to their Gods, they would speak of justice; and before they would commence any war with the enemies, they would discourse of Fortitude; three principal great virtues, proceeding all from Prudence: without which, Temperance is slothfulness; Fortitude is rashness; and justice mere injury: for unica & sola virtus Principis, prudentia.  
I have presumed therefore (under your majesties favour) to write these few Verses, to honour this our Triumphant and sacred Feast, Hilaria, the fifth of August: not as the greeks, in their Feast Taurilia; nor as the Romans, in their Feast Hecatombaeon: but as Israel, with Music, mirth and Feasts, and to sing Hymns & Psalms for our Triumphs, Feasts, and often victories: so did Israel for the victories of Moses over the Egyptians; of Saul over the Philistims; and of David over the Chananites, with their feast Phase, at jerusalem; and their Feast Phurim, in Persia.  
And sith Angels feasted with men, ministered unto men, and commanded Feasts to be kept of men, to put us in remembrance of God's benefits to men, we should not omit to give thanks for it. For the old Lacedæmonians, in their Feast Phiditia, where was more music and mirth, than meat or drink, had their military dancing, and their Songs, Scholia; to commend the renowned worthiness of such famous men, as defended and saved their Cities and Country, from the Persians and Macedonians.  
So the Athenians, in their Feast Sisisia, where they observed such Temperance, that they would not exceed five Dishes (by Plato's laws) in private Feasts; called, Bellaria Attica: with such care, that they allowed but five Guests. Yet Homer allowed the whole number of Pythagoras, which was ten: but in public victorious Feasts, Plato allowed 28. which was called Symposium Platonis: but when Greece began their first draft to jupiter, and their last draft to Mercurius, than their law was, Aut biberent, aut abirent.  
Among the ancient Romans, in private Feasts, it was decreed, there should not be above seven: for it was a common speech with the Romans, Septem conuivium, novem convicium facere, then Rome by Temperance, being inferior to Spain, in number; to the Africanes in subtlety; to the Grecians, in wit and Stratagems: yet the, Victrix & Domina gentium. But when the late Emperors contended, who should excel in riotous Feasts, Geta would have as many dishes in his Feasts, as could be found upon the name of every Letter in the Alphabet. Lucullus would have so many dishes in his Feast, as were Gods in Rome worshipped. Heliogabulus, so many dishes in his Feast, as could be found in Summer colours out of the earth, and upon the earth; that they sought to exceed Vitellius feast: which was such (for the number of his dishes) that his became a Byword (for a long time) in Rome, Vitellianae patinae. This Feast, Vitellius himself named, Clypeum Mineruae; which might have been better called, Praeludium Veneris.  
But God grant us, that we in great Britain may, in perpetual memory of so great a blessing, give thanks to God, for this our Triumphant, Regal, and Crowned Feast.  
Your majesties most humble and dutiful Servant, Lod: Lloyd.   

THE TRIUMPHANT FEAST for the fifth of August.  

I. Temperancia  
NO Gem, no jewel, no gold I give,  
No pearls from Pactolus, so:  
No Persian, Gaze, no Indian  
Nor Tagus sands I show.  
far greater gifts, I give, O King,  
if Poets may credit bear;  
Four Virtues great, all linked in chain,  
a chain for Kings to wear.  
If Poets of force or fear be dumb,  
Dodoaean trees must speak:  
If Angerona still be mute, 
Angerona, the Goddess of silence.   
than stones will silence break.  
If men may virtue not advance,  
Memnos Image shall:  
And the Olive on Corebus' grave,  
these Halcyon days shall call. 
halcyons days, days of solace & mirth.   
Let Thracians brag of Mars his sword:  
let Greece, of Phoebus' shield:  
Let Romans boast Quirinus' spear:  
to jone great thanks we yield.  
For Trophies just and Triumphs due,  
for Feast to King of Kings:  
Osanna in sky, Alleluiabs on earth,  
both men and Angels sings.  
In Mambre, Abraham's Feast was best, 
The Oak of Mambre, wber Abraham dwelled.   
where Angels three were Guests:  
The like did Lot in Sodom keep,  
where Angels two did feast.  
With Music, mirth, with Hebrew songs,  
the jews kept Phases Feast,  
And jews in Persia Phurim kept,  
but not for Persian guests.  
The Indians feast at Ganges crowned,  
the greeks with Crownets on:  
In Persian feast with Tyra on, 
Tiara, or Sydaris which the kings of Persia wore on their beads. Due commendation of some Noblemen in Court. Curtius, & Decius same.   
Their kings to tend upon.  
Of all such crowns as Kings were crowned,  
who best should crowned be:  
They that conquered Kingdoms six,  
or saved Kingdoms three?  
Whose names and fame ought famous be,  
e'en from the Isles of Orchades:  
Through lands, through seas; and Kingdoms great,  
to the furthest part of Gades.  
The cause why Curtius should be in steel,  
or Decius wrought in brass:  
Or both Phileny in ivory set,  
to save their country, it was.  
Were Dion, Hermodius in silver set,  
who saved two Cities free:  
Their names should sure be in silver set,  
that saved Kingdoms three.  
For justice yields, and countries claim  
a Laurel Crown for such,  
Before such bloody conquerors Crowns,  
like Scythian Tamburlaine much.  
Shake Morpheus off, take Moroes pen,  
in Homer's verse indite:  
Of Fame, of Virtue and virtuous men,  
a second Illiad write.  
Not of Antonius' lust in Rome,  
Cleopatra's love to please,  
Nor Tarquin's fame with fancies fond,  
on Lucres▪ haste to seize.  
Though valiant greeks for Priam's Town, 
Priam's Town was Troy.   
have filled the world with fame:  
Yet Helen's rape, by Priam's son,  
did Priam's Town defame.  
The fault unchaste Aeneas did,  
made Dido's brood rebel:  
That Hanibals more for Dido died,  
than Rome could Scipios tell.  
The bower which stout Bellona holds,  
the Fort where Vesta breeds:  
Mars could never shake that Fort,  
where Temperance chaste doth feed.  
Xerxes, that could eat up Greece, 
Temperance much commended.   
and drink the Grecian seas:  
E'en Xerxes, that would be Titan called,  
could not Dame Temperance please.  
Had strong Alcides' conquered lust,  
that conquered what he would.  
By conquering lust, he had conquered more,  
then strong Alcides could.  
Could be that gained the world with fame,  
gain greater fame in life;  
Then Sysigambis honour save,  
great King Darius' wife?  
For Champions chaste more guerdon gained, 
Chastity commended.   
than gained Achilles' force,  
By slaughter great of Phrygian Knights,  
of spoil of Hector's corpse.  
One Phineas chaste stayed judas plague:  
one joseph to Egypt sold,  
By Temperance chaste, in Egypt did,  
what he in Egypt would.  
Let Scipio serve Saturnus Tomb,  
let Silla Apollo tend;  
Let Numa wait the Egerian Nimph.  
To jove our knees we bend.  
Shall Temperance drink of Cyrses Cup,  
by Sirens thereto trained?  
Shall Mars in Phoebus' Chariot sit,  
through Vulcan's Forge being stained? 
By Vulcan's Forge is meant, the adultery of Mars with Venus.   
virtues then thus coupled fast,  
and linked like Homer's chain:  
On Jacob's Ladder scale the Skies,  
and Crowns of glory gain.   

II. Fortitudo.  
MIght Romans of Camillus brag?  
might Greece of Theseus boast?  
Might Perseus vaunt of Perseus' Fame,  
had Perseus' Fame been lost?  
Had Kingdoms heard of Cyrus' Name?  
Had worlds known Caesar's Fame?  
Had Fame itself been spoken of,  
had Pen not writ the same?  
Milciades Fame and Triumphs great, 
Milicades fame.   
Themistocles moved so much:  
Themistocles said, he could not sleep,  
Milciades Fame was such.  
So Caesar said of Philip's son:  
so Philip's son dismayed,  
To hear what fame Achilles had,  
Oh happy Achilles, said.  
But Envy still on Virtue tends,  
even hard at photion's heel,  
And fain would clip Timoleon's wings,  
Timoleon's wings being steel.  
Could Caesar brook great Pompey's fame,  
whose fame the world embraced?  
Or could Octavius well digest,  
Antonius' name so graced?  
But who can square the wind with Line,  
or fire in Balance weigh?  
Who back can call the day that's past,  
or can man's mind display?  
Apelles thought no colours could  
paint shining Phoebus' face:  
Pythagoras, for Mercurius shape,  
all Timber judged too base.  
Not one might play on Hermes Pipe,  
save only Orpheus could:  
Neither one might ride Bucephalus on, 
Bucephalus, Alexander's horse.   
but only one might bold.  
What need I name the Prince that can,  
if justice do him right:  
Or seek another Caesar out,  
sith Fame hath named the Knight?  
The knot which Gordius knit so fast,  
that could Philippides break:  
The net which Vulcan made so strong,  
it was for Mars too weak.  
On, noble Prince, to Martius' field,  
among the Roman Crew:  
Make challenge in Olympian games,  
Pentatlon claim for due.  
Sound Trumpets for Clitoneus out, 
Pentatlon the five Exercises in Greece, in the Games of Olympia.   
Euryalus call to field:  
C●●●●e combat for Theagenes crowns,  
else he his Crowns must yield.  
Sail thence, and seek Palladium out,  
bring Peplon proud from Greece;  
From Greece to Colchos, sail on, Prince,  
attempt the Golden Fleece,  
With Ajax claim, and challenge make  
to Achilles' Armour brave:  
Let Paris seek for Gyges' ring,  
Menelaus' Harp to have.  
Seek Myrmydons out; seek Pyrrhus' Mates, 
Myrmidons. Achilles' soldiers▪ Knights of Dolops, Pyrrhus' Soldiers. The lively Image of Fortitude.   
the Knights of Dolops Land:  
Led on your Knights, and claim the field,  
from Argiraspides band.  
Sat on Roman Scipio's seat,  
seek out some Carthage new:  
Let India be the upshot mark,  
claim Africa for thy due.  
One Scipio made Numantia smoke;  
One Brennus, Rome could shake:  
One Noble Britain may aswell,  
make great Toledo quake.  
A branch of Noble Brutus' brood,  
on Caesar's fame to feed:  
A bough of ancient Dardan stock,  
to honour Hector's seed.  
Marcellus for his prowess great,  
The sword of Rome was called:  
All Rome have said, old Fabius was,  
the Roman Target staled.  
Thebes made Pelopidas for their walls, 
Pelopidas. Lisander's praise. Pericles.   
Pericles Athens hand:  
Still was Lisander, Spartas legs,  
for Sparta on to stand.  
One Lion thought Leonidas best,  
before three handred Deeres:  
Then one poor fearful Deer, before  
three hundred Lions peers.  
We have Leonidas on before,  
with Marcellus sword in hand;  
In him we have Lisander's legs,  
For Britain's on to stand.  
The Loadstone of great Britain soil,  
the Lamp that shines so bright:  
The Fort where Fame and Manhood lodge,  
and Countries candlelight.  
The Persian Knights, Mellophori called, 
The kings of Persias old soldiers. Calasiries, the king of Egypt's chief band.   
on whom did Persia rest:  
They ware but Cyrus' name on sleeve:  
Yours wear the George on breast.  
The noble Bands of Egypt Kings,  
Calasiries sometime called:  
They had but Pharaohs Colours on:  
Yours are with Garters staled.  
These Scorpions like Altenian Snakes,  
whose natures strange are such:  
That they do sting their neighbours by,  
but strangers never touch.  
They seek with Pharton, Phoebus' charge,  
with Pharton down they shall:  
They think to fly with Icarus wings,  
they must with Icarus fall.  
Their Magic Ring their Salomon's Key, 
Superstitious Papistry.   
their star of Rempha failed:  
Their Figure mist, their Dagon sell,  
Their Planets quite are quaiied.  
No fire can hurt the Diamond pure,  
no rust the Emerald touch:  
No dung hill can infect the Sun,  
their virtues rare are such.  
Could hungry Lions on Daniel prey?  
could fire on Sidrach seize:  
Might fish in Sea on jonas feed,  
when these their God did please?  
This King hath Eclus at command,  
this, Neptune great can check:  
This hath the Sun, the Moon, the Stars,  
and heavens all at a beck.  
Could Pharaos' force on Moses fall?  
could Saul work David's woe?  
Could Esau's wrath on jacob feed,  
when Jacob's God said, No?  
Shall Spanish brags, or Romish pride,  
whom Goths so conquer could:  
Whom vandals brood, and agar's seed,  
as servile slaves have sold,  
Such Scythian tokens send to Rome, 
The Scythians Embassage to Darius' king of Persia.   
as was to Persia sent?  
A Mouse, a Frog, a Sparrow, a Shaft,  
whereby the Scythians meant;  
They should run like Miso, or swim like Frogs,  
or Sparrows like should flee:  
Else Scythians shafts should Persians daunt,  
which Persians strait should see.   

FOUR Prudentia.  
NOW Atlas heavy loaden comes,  
with world of Globes on back,  
Saith, Fortitude is that famous King,  
which Kingdoms keeps from wrack.  
Simandius comes with justice in,  
and justice most commends,  
And saith that justice is that King,  
which Kingdoms all defends.  
More force, saith Temperance, in Samgar's goad,  
then in Philistian sword:  
More strength in little David's sling,  
then great Goliath words.  
Then Prudence said, and Sentence gave;  
Be wise as Serpents be:  
For wisdom binds such Serpents fast,  
lest Serpents such go free.  
As fire in Flint is found by sleight,  
and oil in jest by heat:  
So wisdom most, by virtue sought,  
and not by forces great.  
In midst of Peace, and quiet rest,  
in Arms would Cecrops he:  
Th'events of war, in time of Peace, 
Cecrops.   
great janus would foresee. 
janus double faced.   
When Sun doth shine most bright in sky,  
the Crab the Oysters snatch.  
When Circe's sang most sweet to sense,  
than was Ulysses catched.  
Think how the Olinthians town was ta'en,  
by trust to Lasthenes leers.  
Forget not Babel great was won,  
by false Sopyrus tears.  
Think on Troy, and Trojan horse,  
by Sinon bought and sold. 
The Trojan horse.   
Think none might yield Troynovant up:  
but false Androgeus could.  
Since secret cankers hidden lie  
in Damask Rose unknown,  
Till storms do come, and Tempests rise,  
and Rose itself be blown.  
Had Croesus thought on Solon's saying,  
who judged himself so strong,  
Then nothing could king Croesus' harm,  
nor do king Croesus wrong.  
One that lurked in Egypt long,  
whom Apres trusted most,  
Such treason Apres found in trust, 
Treason often found on trust.   
that Apres Egypt lost.  
The swords, the shields, the hands, the eyes,  
the legs that Kings stand on,  
Antigonus said, were faithful friends,  
for Kings to stand upon.  
The Stars keep rank, the Pole about,  
some march, some watch, some ward:  
Some range abroad, some turn about,  
Some tends the Pole to guard.  
Have hands abroad, have eyes at home,  
Search where these Serpentsbe, 
jesuits & Seminaries.   
Who fain would build, and make their nests,  
in some sacred Cedar Tree.  
These Serpents sought this famous I'll,  
the I'll of Britain called:  
Should now the I'll of Serpents be,  
or the I'll of satires staled?  
So many Ajax fit for war,  
to please a Prince at list,  
As were Ulysses like for peace,  
a Theban Captain wished.  
In Rome grew many captains great,  
few Captains Rome did good:  
And Greece had many valiant greeks,  
few greeks with Greece long stood.  
When Envy grew in Greece so great, 
Envy the enemy of great States.   
could Greece on Grecians look?  
When Rome with Romans fought in Rome,  
could Rome a Roman brook?  
Oh happy Athens, had Athens more  
Aristides like in store:  
And twice happy Rome had been,  
had Rome Fabritius more. 
Darius' wish.   
Darius' wished so many friends,  
Zopirus like in store;  
As one Pomegranate kernels had,  
Darius wished no more.  
Ten Nestor-like Agamemnon wished,  
Agamemnon wished but so:  
Ten like Aeacida in field with Prince:  
what need a Prince have more?  
By such we sleep in quiet peace,  
and live full safe at rest:  
And crave of God, which Chaanan kept,  
that Britain so be blest:  
Where second Brutus sits on Throne;  
Where Brutus third excel:  
And Britain Great, reviv'd again,  
which world far off can tell.   

Most liberal gifts I gave, O King,  
If King will credit Pen:  
My Heart, my Life, my Love, myself,  
my Books and children ten.  
But Caesar may, if Caesar will,  
on me like Caesar look,  
Make me to sing more sweeter Notes,  
than Swan, in Severne Brooke.   
FINIS.