THE MASSACRE of Money. Terunteo seu vitiosa nuce non emitur. LONDON Printed by Thomas Creed, for Thomas bushel. 1602. TO THE Worshipful, virtuous, and most worthy Gentlemen, M. William, and M. Francis Beadles, health, and their hearts content. ALthough your worthiness may seem in all men's judgements to merit a more polished stile, or better contrived plot, than you are likely to find here: yet that my affection may be somewhat answerable to your great deservings, I make bold to tender you this youngling Poesy: which for the worth is not equivalent to your dignity, yet being the first fruits of my labours, I trust will be accepted of you; which if I find, when my riper years shall attain to better knowledge, I will endeavour to make my proceedings answer more fully to your merits. Till then let this slender work be a true signal of the duteous affection I bear you, which to augment, I will endeavour continually. Your approved friend and servant: T. A. Proemium. THou silent nurse of still security, That dost in hollow closerts sh●● mine eyes, Mother of darkness, Queen of secrecy, Pleasing grim labour, with rests liberties. Thou that deathlike enfeeblest every sense, Nox terrae umbra. The shadow of this earth's circumference. Bereave my pen of all amazing fear, Turn disturbation forth to mutinies, Let me be bold in this dark Hemisphere, A thought conceived dream to canonize. And whiles pale Cynthia courts her Paramour, Mu●s amica requies. Muse, sing my dreamt Moneys Massacre. Dread Pallas teach me to anatomize The hidden inside of close errors mask: Let me descry the rank absurdities, That Folly sets her scholars for a task. Folly, blind Folly, is enthronized, Regmar stultiti● 〈◊〉. And for a Queen by fools authorized. Ye foul dissembling fry of flatterers, Coner your faces from my speedy glance, Ye fawning Gnathoes, ye damned pilferers, I will unmask your hooded countenance. Ye gold-intombing hellish usurers, A●ari morientur amissa pecuni●. Foresee yours, and your moneys massacres. I am in labour, and the time expect▪ To be delivered of a 〈◊〉 dream, Good fortune as a midwife I respect, Favour a nurse to cherish my young theme. judicium rerum probatio. " True judgement in the schools of equity, " Weigh my compendious toil and industry. If Niceness daughter, Curiosity, Offer to view these youngling lines of mine, Be bold to tell her that her critic eye Had need wear spectacles, ere she can sign. Nox omnia conduit. " The cloudy acoents whose birth then was found, " When Negro night environed this round. If Aristarchus from his withered lip, Let fall a drop of Aquafortis ho●ie, Or if in satires oil his pen he dip, And in the margeant paint an envious spot. Vultus Index animi. " Tell him (my Muse) if he could see his face, " He would descry mine offered, his disgrace. But whosoever from his impartialleie, Will cast sweet looks on these laborious lines, Weighing my accents with just equity, And so speak of them as in them he finds, Impareum judicium rectissimum. " Him as a fautour honour still will I, " And to his praise, ere bend my poesy. The Massacre of Money. BEfore the heaven had put on heavens face, Or Neptune's waves a chaneled sea had found, Before earth knew her now abiding place, Or air had residence above the ground, Or fire assumed the highest place of all, Mundus non aeternus. To make her brightness more majestical. Before the Sun knew his ecliptic line, Or the round balls of fire their wheeling spheres, Before the forked Moon began to shine, Or any Comet in the air appears, Externa species rei decus. A clottered Chaos, and confused mould, Was all this glorious all, which we behold. But nature's nature, God omnipotent, Bestowed a formal shape on all this frame, Making each thing; erst shapeless, competent, Creating man to celebrate his fame. Then did the golden age replete with treasures, Aurea aetas. Bring in the Cornucopia of pleasures. No threatening law with sharp spurred punishment, Gave out edicts to curb a lawless rout: Black mutiny in prison than was penned, And outrage still was kept aloof by scout. No man came to the judge with cap in hand, St●● pro lege voluntas. The judgement still of every one did stand. The lofty Pines men on the mountains find, That now are ploughing up the Ocean, No sails bigge-bellyed with the wanton wind, Hast to a far removed region. Sua cuique regio rectissiana. Men knew no countries but their native soil, None offered to attempt an others spoil. No town was circled with entrenched walls, No trumpet gave alarm to the fight: No sword was known, nor used: no Iron balls From out the wherring Cannon's mouth took flight. Sine vomere Fertilis ager. No plough did cut the entrails of the earth, Yet all of corn did never know the dearth. Where were your vines? (ye glutted Bacchanals) What winepress had you then to crush your grapes? Where were your junkets? where your festivals? Where were your riots? where your virgin-rapes? Qauls' placent mesioribus ignotis. Men fed on hips and haws, kernels and cherries, Sloes, pears, and bulleiss, apples, nuts, and berries. Yet in this age was every man a king, All freely wearing royal diadems, Content was held the chief and worthiest thing, Exceeding riches, glory, gold, or gems. Regnat quisit contentus. All men were peace-embracers and content, In every mind sat Prince and Precedent. The ground disdained the ploughs uncivil touch, It scorned all muckie putrefaction: Yet did it yield of fruit and grain as much, Abundantia vini dulcedmen tollin. As by the ploughman's toil some function The streams ran milk, and spacious floods of wine Filled up the shores, oh glorious happy time. But now Jove's father into Limbo thrust, The silver age put down the golden world, Pride swollen jupiter judge most unjust, This heap of pleasure to Avernus hurled. jove dimming all golds glorious rays of sunshine, favour summorum humillima extollit. Silver in pride sets up her glittering moonshine. Before of all things was continual spring, But now four seasons of the year are framed, (The date is out of ever-flourishing) Spring, Mens hominum mutationes avida. summer, Autumn, Winter they are named. The air began with fervent heat to swelled, And Hiems nipping cold of all was felt. Then did the ox with weary labour hale The rough ploughshare on Tellus harmless face, Then every man 'gan dig on hill and dale, And in the furrows throw the corn apace. Quid non industria discit? The seas were filled with a frequent oar, That never knew the weight of ship before. The silver age now bad the world adieu, Brass next succeeding, bears supremacy: No sooner did the world his visage view, But strait resigned him all authority. Though base of metal, Aspirant humiles. yet in impudence, He did surpass silver's pre-eminence. He brought the world to brazen ignorance, He taught the soldier to manage arms, He made true judgement stoop to arrogance, In every ear he sounds deaths shrill alarms. neighbour seeks Neighbours, Gens invida gen●●. Nation Nations woe, One country lusts an others overthrow. Iron steps in, and chaseth brass away, Bid virtue now go seek a residence, Error hath here set up continual stay, And who admires not errors eminence? Placet omnibus Error. Who loves not folly? nay we may aver. There is no man but willingly doth err. Treason hath, built her nest amidst the clouds, leveling with aspiring aim at jove: Violence in an ambush Envy shrouds, Pride is associate with lustful love. Habet ars quid fraudi● in autro. Craft here sets up the art of cozening, Ignorance there of spurblind censuring. Even then when Avarice had spread her wings, And covetous desire was waxen fligge, A company of ruder underlings, In the deep entrails of the earth 'gan dig: Placet mirabele cuiquam. When (as amazed they stood) unto their sight Appeared a woman all in silver dight. No sooner had her beauty given a print In the soft table of these mortal hearts; No sooner had her favour made a dint In their weak bosoms, but she plays her part. Verba movent omnes. After her fair enticing countenance, With witching words she puts them in a trance. Mortals (quoth she) whose toils deserve some gain, If for to dig me out the massy deep You have begun and ended all this pain, Though ignorant who should my presence keep, O●bem Pecuni● regnat. Take me, possess me, challenge me your slave, For having me, you seem the world to have. Out of th'infernal bowels of the ground, Near to the Stygian horror of black Dis, Where foul Cimmerian darkness streaks around, (Amidst those cloudy shades my mansion is) I come, Argentum luci● in antro. where Styx doth dim the Fairies sight, Where all is darkness, save my splendours light. My beauty now approaching Phoebus' rays, Loseth the beauty of her shining lamp, Your eyes are dim your mortal judgement says. The Sun hath given me an eternal damp. But purge the grossness of your lying eine, Mendax hyperbole quidem. And you shall see me darken Phoebus' shine. Whilst that my glory midst the clouds was hid, Like to a jewel in an Aethiop's ear; Or as a spot upon a crystal lid, So did my brightness with more pride appear. Myself most fair, Terra tenc● aurum. opposed to clouds most fowl, Sat as an Eagle o'er a formless owl. Ye tongueless caverns of the earth adieu, Farewell black house of Styx-polluted ground: My glory hath been much extolled by you, In your deep holes my brightness first was found. Now I have got th'earth'superficial. Antiquae oblita domus. Farewell dark Styx, black Phlegeton and all. No sooner had her sense bereaving eye, Bewitched with love and admiration, The Idiot sight of this rude company, (Oh palpable and gross illusion) But first avarus master of the crew, Anarus suspicax. Beheld his followers with a jealous view. Strait he exclaims, ye rude Mechanicalls, Do you not tremble at this wonderment? Ye more uncivil than the Bacchanals, Do you not stand amazed at this event? Suum ●uique pulchrum. This is a Queen, behold her majesty, Nay more, a goddess, see her deity. Blessed, divine, glorious, immortal, pure, Sacred, unspotted, and majestical, Whose high supremacy stands ever sure, Whose pedigree is true celestial, Par lovi Pecunia. Whose power is equivalent to the gods, Who dost exceed their majesty by odds. Still let mine eyes be glutted with thy sight, Still let mine ears drink thy harmonious voice, Still let mine hands erect, to thee aright, Beg for thy presence, my desires sole choice▪ Amatum visus prosequitur. Still, oh still, let my hand, mine ear, mine eye, See, hear, and touch thy royal dignity. Gaze still mine eye on her, attractive glory, Feed on her beauty, surfeit on her grace, Be thou in looks her due contributory, Glut thee with view of her resplendent face, Aurum placet oculis. Contemplative desire let never rest, Till thou dost learn her looks be manifest. Hark still with true attention mine ears, When times require, perform your function, Her voice more sweet than motion of the spheres, Or Philomel in her Pavilion. Auris auri sonum appetit. Oh that mine ear mazed with such a sound, Might in a trance lie groveling on the ground, Hands if you durst with a small civil touch, Be witnesses of this heavens ornament, You would be proud your honour should be such, To touch a goddess most omnipotent. Sufficeth me that I may please mine eye, Inops oblatum respuit aurum. Although mine hand touch not that majesty. Goddess, erect thy beauty from the ground, Too base a seat for such an Empress, Since Lady of such honour thou art found, Give no disparaged to thy worthiness. Assume the place of thy great dignity, Se totum Pecunia. And be the mistress of this Empery. No sooner had his lips dame silence closed, But in steps openhanded Prodigus, He with this Lady in an humour glozed, uttering more braves than minuck Roscius. At last in words, Bona verba quaeso. his humour to display, Swelling in pride, to her he thus 'gan say. Lady divine, mistress of golden mines, Earth's precious jewel, heavens paramour, Whose beauty brighter than fair Cynthia shines, All able riches, sweet ambassador. Gracious forerunner of felicity, Adulatio dabit amicos. Constant upholder of high majesty, With joyful news leap to this open breast, A receptacle for thy worthiness: In this hot borough build thy warm dry nest, Where being heated, thou wilt straight confess, A surer covert thou hast never found, Within the massy roundure of the ground. Prodigus non habet suum. Thou shalt view countries that be far remote, Thou shalt with me to our Antipodes, Thou shalt behold the Zones, cold, temperate, hot▪ Thou thousand captives shalt from bonds release. Vrbes pecunia conduit. Thou shalt appoint countries that now lie dead, With habitants to be replenished. Thou shalt a judge bribe with a benefit, Thou shalt rich countries and whole nations buy; Like to an Empress thou by me shalt sit, Whilst I am graced with the Empery. Sic vole sie jubeo. Thy sentence as a graven law shall stand, What case of law doth not lie in thy hand? Thou shalt a pair of foes congluminate, Yet amongst equals breed dissension; None dares presume to be th'associate, What's not effected if thou wish it done? Incendit pecunia bellum. Nations shall fight to see thy gracious favour, Whilst thou secure sits laughing at their labour. Follow my colours, and thy glorious fame, To every ear shall be a frequent sound; All tongues with wondrous love shall speak thy name, Thy presence in all meetings shall be found. Tu linguas incitus. Thy worthy name shall finish every clause, When thou shalt cease to shine, all tongues shall pause. No sooner took his words a period, But Liberalis steps betwixt these two: Ill ere goes double championd 'gainst good, Virtue we see hath somewhat still to do. No Prince that reigneth, but hath enemies, Virtuti vitium. No virtue but endangered by vice. Lady in truth, and fair in verity, In pomp majestic, in show beauteous: In sly appearance full of dignity, In liberal actions most bounteous. Though in thyself lies no disaster cross, Yet in thy usage stands or good, Re dupley usus in omni. or loss. We never knew that Nature's holy Nature Created aught to a preposterous end, Good in itself we know is every creature, And from itself doth good effects intent. Yet using virtue in an evil cause, Honorat causa actum. We guilty are of breaking virtues laws. Silver is framed to a good intent, To be reducted to the shape of coin, So to buy corn, land, houses, nutriment, If any man bribe with it or purloin, Turning th'good creature to a wicked use, Sub tegmine usus abusu●. The creature's blameless: 'tis the man's abuse. Give over thyself to my tuition, And in the Lap of virtue build thy nest, This cottage is a secure mansion, Void of all trouble, ever loving rest. Follow my colours, in my ensign shine, joining thy virtue with this power of mine. Verba malorum haud placent. I will addict thee to a noble seat, Within the closure of a liberal purse: Out of thy treasure will I give, and get Unnumbered friends, 'mongst whom I will disburse In liberal measure, Sic parce liberatis. yet with caution, The well got goods of my possession. When the poor tenant fearfully doth stand Careful how to discharge his landlords rend, When Micholmas, or Lady-daye's at hand, Fearing for debt in prison to be penned, Bona be●è. How shall a portion out thy treasury Release the poor man of his misery? Or whensoever steéle-armed poverty Feeding upon the entrails of a man, Driving all shifts to such an ecstasy, That either he must steal or starve anon, Egentibus opes. How shall a portion out thy treasury Buy food to overcome his poverty? Or when an Harbinger of injury By force deprives a poor man of his right, He being of no strong ability▪ To follow law, or keep his own by might, Argentum iura dabit. How shall a portion out thy treasury, Recover right, and beat down injury? Or when a bloodless agues hand doth press On the weak limbs of a diseased creature, His bags being empty, bare, and moneyless, His senses feeble, weak his corpse, frail his nature. Thou canst command Physicians help to cure, Pecunia curate Podagram The miseries and pangs he doth endure. Live thou with me and love my company, Leave wantonizing with abhorred sin: Be thou no agent in foul brothelry, Be thou no den for vice to harbour in. Virtuti nulla au●is aperta. But live with me in modest merriment, Yet if thou wilt not, I must be content. Peace Puritan, avarus 'gins to cry, Fearing his worth should be rejected quite, Plead no more fondling, this sly sympathy, In shows like day, in truth as black as night. Nor canst thou with thy faith and troth precise, Landant quod ●mant. Blind or deceive this virtuous Lady's eyes. Wilt thou relieve a beggar at the door? Ungracious coin, on beggars to bestow, To let that glorious honour we adore, Fall to the hands of a polluted shrew, Quem quam non curate Auaru●. To let the fingers of a common trull, Silver out of thy open purse to pull? 'tis thou that setst idleness abroach, Feeding the lazy humours of a slave; 'tis thou that mak'st base men on us encroach, Giving to all what they desire to have. Thou art an author of licentiousness, Non videt manticae quae in tergo est. Feeder of riot, and of drunkenness. Thou servile bondman to a common groom, Thou that hast goods, to use them knowst not how, Whose house to every runagate gives room, Whose ear to every puling cry doth bow. Thou that to loyt'ring churchmen oft dost give, Bona mali● contempta. More goods than I shall scrape up whiles I live. Dost think this Lady is a servants hire? Shall churchmen have her to possession? No, first let her be molten in the fire, Let her down to the earth, her mansion. Shame that her beauty so celestial, Should be a runagate from one to all. Pecunia sersper enn●. Nor you the son of careless diffluence, Brother to looseness and intemperance, Waster of thrift, master of large expense, Whose wealth is of an hours continuance. Prodigus ignorat 〈◊〉. That in one day throw'st more upon the water, Then can be gathered a thousand after. Thou like an Idiot, loving all but one, Hating that one thou shouldst love best of all, Caring for all, except thyself alone, Who of thy love should be the principal. Alios evehis te devehis. Whilst most thy friends & flatterers thou mak'st rich, All thine own wealth is buried in the dich. Fool, love thyself, cherish thy lusty years, Be still propitious to thyself alone, Shake off those spaniel-fawning flatterers, Be loving to thine own, or kind to none. Love others, but observe this caviar, Adj●fis amicus, ibi charus Thy Love to others doth not weak thy state. Lady, you see their sottish foppery, Both dissipating what you heap together, Abjure, renounce, reject their company, Or you must wend through countries every whither. Alata Pecunia volat. What nation in the world's circumference, But through it in their purses thou must dance. Appeal to me, I am your zealous fauthour, One that will hug you in my bosoms nest: Be you to me my comforts only author, And in this room set up your biding rest. Auari ar●a lemper clansa. Though all the world after your presence gape, Yet hid with me, you from the world shall scape. As if thou muck-hill-scraping Claudian, Whose gouty fingers fit a delving spade; Thou ten degrees under a Gentleman, Continual driver of an halting jade. Thou simple hackney to a little profit, Muka fers nulla ausers. Yet all being done, thou art got master of it. Thou that to get a fat cheeked benefice, Wilt on thy knees creep 〈◊〉 the antic law; Thou that hast even as much respect to vice, As birds with poison filling up their crawe. Fratrum quoque gratia rara. Thou that art ever cozening one or other, Thou that for profit wil● deceive thy brother. As if thy shallow bare simplicity, Could be a pew fellow for such a Queen; As if thy mudde-polluted company, Were object fit of her eyes to beseen●, avant transformed Auar●ia, Multos suscipit auar●ia sormas. Thou art an abject of Petunia▪ Base are the thoughts that dote on thy affection, High is the mind of this unblemished creature; Deformed are they which make these hei● election, Reformed thou seest 〈◊〉 lovely 〈◊〉 No hope of 〈◊〉 is expected there, Non 〈◊〉 nubila stellam. Wherein there doth no likelihood appear. Thou in the dust buildest thy felicity, She sets her pleasure in high majesty: Thou lowly Ant upon the ground dost lie, She mounts with Eagles plumes into the sky. Aspiring thoughts fit not humility, Baseness and splendour are most contrary. Cupit & simia esse generosa. If thou hast skill in some sweet Syramisme, Or thou canst train thy tongue to eloquence, Or metamorphos rugged Barbarism, Into smooth phrases, and fine English sense; Plus barbae quam ingenij. Or canst transform that fusty beard anon, Into some new devised fashion. If thou canst turn those flat venetians, Into a pair of fair Italian hose: If thou canst prove thy hat a gentleman's, Or change the colour of thy sack-soked nose. If thou suppose thy reed-thackt colony, Baucidis tectum celat lovem. Be residence for this great deity, Than it may be she will thy cottage visit, And thou shalt have the presence of this Lady; It may be she will note the mark, yet miss it, It may be she'll deceive thee, and it may be A●ro non pauper affinis. she'll take it for an high indignity, That thou shouldst offer her thy company. But thou base Puritan, who hast much wealth, And on the poor bestowest it frivolously, Dost keep a diet to maintain thy health, Prayest in the Church, and liv'st as modestly. Apage Cupidinis ignem. As any maid that lies alone in bed, Fearing the shipwreck of her maidenhead. Thou pure Idea of a woman's face, Thou civil curber of incontinence; Thou that in gesture art as full of grace, As any Lobbe in this circumference. Sue more nitere colinum. Thou that in plainness hast a good proportion, Thou that canst do all things without extortion. Go bid the Clerk ring day-bell earlier, Bid the Churchwarden mend the broken grave, Then go consult with parish-minister, And see the poor man's box his due to have. Dar'st thou aspire to be Pecunia's keeper, Omnia non omnes. Who then to th'ankles never wadedst deeper? No, sweet Pecunia, set thy resting place Within the compass of my Indian chest, A seat convenient for such a grace, Fair Queen, appoint there thy eternal rest. The master of it was an Emperor, Caesaris olim. The next possessor be my Paramour. No more, no more leaned vices ministers, (Quoth Liberalis) silence close your lips; No more let vice lined with those mocks of hers, Seduce your minds with Errors doting slips. No more let Envy in an angry frown, Virtutis invidia non mominerit. Attempt to throw unblemished virtue down. No more thou marshal unto diffluence, Feed-leaudnesse in so bounteous a measure; No more be waster of such great expense, Nor fond throw abroad Pecunia's treasure. Pamper no more the gulf of gluttony, Tandem fatur esto Milanus. No more be Bailiff to foul Brothelry. 'tis thou that feeds the humours of Courtesans, Making thyself a slave to wanton lust: Through thee whole routs of cunning Artisans, Do still decrease, who on thy kindness trust. And when age makes their limbs unserviceable, Thou turn'st them out as drones unprofitable. Non omni temporem val●s What needst thou cast away a hundred pound Upon one suit, nakedness coverture? What need thy knees with forty crowns be bound▪ A lower prized habit were as sure: judis superbia sola est. Only because thou wouldst be counted gay, Thou cast'st in scorn a thousand pound away. Why's thy cloak set with wanton winding lace, As if a labyrinth lay on the cape? 'tis not the tailors credit, nor thy grace, But th'imitate of some fantastic Ape. Etiam & mundus stultescet. Oh Idiot world, to what ripe foolery, Now metamorphosed is thy progeny▪ The poor with weeping voice salu●e thy door, Sighing forth accents of calamity; Yet sorrow near so much, gets near the more, Thou hatest to relieve deep misery. Gnatonem amat. If any Gnato at thy elbows stand, Thou dol'st unto him with a bounteous hand. The Temple as a dungeon thou abhorr'st, The Church thou never gracest with thy shadow: Let us go kill a lightfoot in the forest, Or trace the hare alongst the checkered meadow. Venantucotiosi. Couple thy hounds, and congregate thy men, To hunt the shepherds ●oe out of his ●en. Hast thou a hound matched in mouth like a bell, Whose ears will sweep away the morning dew? Hast thou an horse another Bucephall? Hast thou a proved hawk, penned in the mewe? Resonabilis Echo. up to the groves, mark the discording sound, Of tattling Echo, answering each hound. Take thou the pleasure of this apish world To be the portion of thy happiness: Swell yet with pride, let thy fair locks be curled, Thyself with sweet water and musk address. Yet take pastime: Tempora mutantur. The day (I dread) will come Thou wilt be glad to beg a mite or crumb. It's for the foul in civil cormorant, Who hopes in time to purchase all the earth, And make those things which now abound, be scant, Causing of all things a continual dearth, Unless some power celestial do barie Thy mortal arm to stretch itself so far. Dij prohibeant. What profit to the commons hast procured? How doth thy cou'tous humour please the land▪ What pains to hinder all hast not endured? What close conveyance dost thou use in hand? How often hast thou bribed the judges with gifts, Quem non angulum pecunia. When thou art driven to thy narrow shifts? Like to the Ape thou killest with cherishing, And thou wouldst: hug Pecunia to death: Thou wouldst even choke her midst thy pampering, And with thy kisses clean suck out her breath. In a close chest thou meanest to have her penned, Eadem arc● est carcer avarjs. And keep her there in lasting prisonment. But sure all we about a thing contend, To which we every one have certain right: Let each man take the lot that God doth send, And the possessor yet be free from spite. Is every man contented with her choice? Quem saelis●m habebimus. Then Lady make one happy with thy voice. Not so (quoth she) my skilless ignorance Cannot divine the virtue of you all: Nor is it wisdom to decide by chance, That which may cause repentance to befall. Verbis non virgis. Each truly manifest his dignity, Then will I judge who has the victory. avarus. I labour all the day yet rest at even, After much sorrow finding pleasures gain: Beginning work at five, ending at seven, Then rest is acceptable after pain. Post labores gaudium. I plow my land with a long tedious toil, Yet after reap the harvest of my soil. Prodigus. I all the day 'mongst gallant Ladies brave it, Or at some time-beguiling sweet delight, No pleasure in the land but I still have it, Harmonious lulls me a sleep at night. No sport unless I a spectator be, Prodigus historionem. No mirth, unless I am in company. Nor labour I the livelong summers day, Liberal. Yet still am busied in good actions: Nor do I trifle out the time in play, Yet still use honest recreations. Cum corpore mens. In mind I work, whiles body is at leisure, In body I work, whiles my mind is at pleasure. Auar. Mine eyes love objects that to gains are bend, Those shows be pleasing that are profitable: Mine ears love sounds that are to gains intent, A purchase or a bargain commendable. Dilligo dolum, domum, & donum. Mine eyes applaud a well spied benefit, Mine ears a crafty voice, or sharp-ey'de wit. Mine eyes do wish each object princely crowned, Prodigus. A sceptre or some sence-bereaving sight: Thine ears desire a kings majestic sound, High powers thundering voice, accents of might. Mine eyes applaud a sight-of Lordly pleasure, Mihi sola voluptas. Mine ear a musical harmonious measure. Mine eyes a virtuous demean Love, Liberal. Sweet Poesy, delightful Oratory: Mine ears are pleased with words, that truth behove, With some good carall in an ancient story. Mine eyes applaud nor benefit nor pleasure, Mihi comm●da virtus. Mine ears nor crafty wit, nor Musics measure. I wish each ground mine eye surveys were mine, avarus. Then count I thence what profit would arise, I think a voice that soundeth gains divine, No sweeter Music than commodities. I covet not that which is not mine own, Liberal. I never seek that which I near have sown. I wish each glory did belong to me, Or my estate were far beyond compare: Prod. I wish in me lay chief supremacy, Or none as I so featured, and so fair. Nor I to too much glory do aspire, Libe. Nor too much favour beauteous desire. I step into no spendthrifts company, Aua. Money's incurable presumption. I scorn the Miser's rude society, Prod. Good fellowship's damned contagion. I hate both spendthrifts & a miser's mind, Libe. Some spent, some gotten, yet no less I find. avarus. I do not feed a strumpet with large gifts, The greatest of all human misery. Prod. I do not use cos'nages unlawful shifts, An upright conscience infect enemy. Lib ●. Nor feed I strumpets, nor use cozenage, But hating both, both's downfall do presage. Aua. Gold is my life: then life what dearer is? Gold is my heart: who doth not love his heart? Prod. Glory's my comfort, shall I glory miss? Glory's my love, shall love from me depart? Liberal. Gold's dear to me, yet far lesse dear than life, Glory is good, vain glory breedeth strife. Auar. That week's unblessed that doth not help me gain, That day's accursed that doth decrease my number. Prod. The place is Hell, that breeds my smallest pain, The time is fatal that doth work my cumber. A time I hope for gain, a time for grief, Liberal. One time breeds danger, other yields relief. Au●r. Lady choose me, my riches do excel, And I will make thee mistress of them all. Prodigus. Lady choose me, that in the city dwell, Near to the court, a place celestial. Libe. Lady choose whom thou wilt, content & I, Will stand to our edict in destiny. Pecunia. Nor must my treasures on the waters fall, Then will they sink and never more be found: I must not feed a spendthrift prodigal, Nor let my heaps of gold with him abound, una dies dissoluit Craesum Who in a day dissolveth more in cheer, Then the rich Indian Mines yield in a year. Nor must I live with a nice Puritan, One that doth fear to counterfeit or lie, One that near uttereth a word in vain, A precise master of simplicity. Hence diffluence, avaunt poor purity, For I cashier you both my company. Pura ma●odiosa. Come sweet avarus, hug me in thine arms, Increase my heaps by thy assidual toil, Keep me secure from life-pursuing harms, Preserve my splendour from all spotting soil. Into thy bosom will I creep my love, Quis respuit anrum? And on thy breast lie like an harmless dove. Embrace me, kiss me, I am only thine, Fortune says so, who contradicts her will? Love me, adore me, be thou only mine, We lovers are, and lovers shallbe still. Let crab tree-might use all authority, Lex mea iura tenet. The law through bribes shall curb his enmity. Enraged Prodigus blushing to see (Even 'mongst the wicked, pride hath overthrow) A clown preferred before his dignity, Burning in wrath, and mad in outward show, Drew the revenger of all given disgrace, Quo tandem iracundia. His sword, and ran it at avarus face. Running, I know not what celestial power Stopped the success of his adventurous case; But when his wrinkled 〈◊〉 began to lower, And his carrier had budged one proffered pace, Three Goddesses (their shapes did tell me so) An jupiter aspicit Irum. Prevent 〈◊〉 ill occasion d●●oe. The first was like to lives imperial wife, Yet lesser both in name and dignity▪ 'tis she that hath possession of the knife, Which cuts all humans vital thread: 'tis she Sua sint cuique That is the great commandress of the fates, Giver of noble worths, and low estates. Mistress of chance, great Queen of destiny, Ordresse of lots, causer of alterations, The puller down of jovial majesty, And high erecter of base usurpations. Volubilis estsors. Whose mind a tottering carries hence, Proud of her own high valued excellence. Her name is Fortune: on her right side stands A Nymph, that bore her ever turning wheel; On th'other side a King, who with his hand Held out a globe, which like a bowl, did reel. Fortune had after her, attendants three, Parcae ne domina pareunt. The fatal sisters of the Destiny. The next to her succeeds Vice swaggering, Her face being gilded over, homes on her head; Her Nymphs support a fair tree flourishing, Laden with fruit, with guilt leaves honoured. In●ertilis arbour. In every grain, in every branch thereof, The gazer's eye might well behold a scoff. The last was Virtue, least in estimation, A coxcomb on her beauteous head was placed, Before a spotless white, behind, coronation, With crowns and lovely garlands she was graced, Non hominem vestis. Her rob full of bright-shining stars was set, By hands thrust out of clouds as black as I eat. Three Nymphs in mourning vestures all arrayed, Brought out a tree, half green, half withered, Virtue herself weeping (poor hapless maid) To see all men upon her worth to tread. Whiles she is proud to wear the scorn of sots, Nescit stultitia vorum. And have her garment dight with envious spots. Stand not amazed poor mortals at this sight, Fort. Lift up your eyes▪ if my great majesty Damp not you oplique sense: my radiant light Dull not your intellectual perspicacy. Nay do not fall: Quem vult fortuna tradit. if I begin to frown You need not fall down, for I'll spurn you down. See you this Globe, this little toy called world, Lying in due subjection to my powers? Sometimes my hand into the air it hurled, And then create I Kings and Emperors. Sometimes I turn it, Ex officina princeps. and invest a clown, Miraculously with a Prince's crown. 'tis I that tumble honour to the ground, And in the earth hide royal majesty; 'tis I that an unconquered foe astounded, Giving an Idiot best felicity. I set a sottish cap on virtues head, I cause vice chiefly to be honoured. Vertus ignota I thrust a coward into honour's chair, And make a soldier bareheaded stand, Whilst they sit proudly scoffing his affair, That dare not counterview an armed band. I lift up fools, and to the wiser send A most perplexed life, Haud longa sunt bona. and sudden end. I turn fair learning out to beggary, And in ragged vestments cloth an upright wit, I tread upon the neck of royalty, And unto wisdom give a raining bit. Gallo dantur iemmae. I gilled false brows with fairest diadems, And to the dunghill cock give richest gems. I (to conclude) am mistress of the world, All mortal things are in my regiment: Frown, I cross fortunes to the earth are hurled. Smile I, good haps answer each man's content. Ventos non Iubee. I have the four winds tutourd in good awe, The world her breath doth from this bosom draw. Virtue thou droop'st, the more we make thee mirth, Vice. The more thou turn'st away thy scornful face: If I look up to heaven, thou on the earth, If I on earth, strait thou on heaven dost gaze. Laugh I, thou weepest: sigh I, thou art then merry, Flet virtus, rider vitium. And when thou seest me lusty, thou art weary. As if this stubborn opposition Foolish contrarying of my humours choice, Could get thee glories commendation, Verba ventosa sapienti videntur. Or to thy laud bend but one only voice. Be of my school, and honour Vices meed, And thou shalt be adored wench indeed. 'tis not this plain domestic achornisme, This imitation of the common lay, 'tis not this sottish habit of precisme, Can make thee be beloved: no wench, go gay, Flourish in new commenced fashions, Sis nobis homo. And thou shalt work strange operations. Because thine eyes be surer witnesses Then thy incredulous ear, tarry and view My well replenished schools, true worthiness, The sight will make thee bid precisme adieu, And think this show far to exceed the Lay junonis nuptias excellit. That honoured juno at her wedding day. The usher that thou seest, doth guide the place, Teaching their steps indenting passages, Is Folly, lo in what conceited race She leads them on: Vix natum ingenium extinguitur. her usual offices Doth teach them fondness, wanton reveling, Lightness of mind, and wits extinguishing. The first and primate of my school is this, He that hath won the golden prize away, All scraping covetousness, that would have his, All that upon th'earth's massy round doth stay. avaritia since fu●●. Pecunia is his peculiar, Money his god, coin his familiar. He thinks ere long to be the world's chief master, To bring all wealth to his subjection; he's ever getting, never found a waster, 'tis he that Argentum hath in tuition. Fair Aurum's presence now the Indians miss, Semper est pauper, tamen. For she hath sworn for ever to be his. The second scholar is his opposite, The eldest son to dissolution, Borne to great lands, yet in his head so light, That all is spent in dissipation. Scattering that in a minute, which his father Was his whole life's time busied to gather. Vbi diffuis diploidem. He father's all these new found fashions, And patronizeth all fantastic shows: The very Ape of imitations, Yet wondered at, like to an owl 'mongst crows. His servants are the Parasite and Pander, Danus tibi non Aedipus. And he to all such slaves, is a commander. The third is Envy, in whose Iron paws, More savage than was ever Myrmidon, Lies balls of wildfire near an heap of straws, To burn in flames who ere he cast it on. Il●uidia volat. Armed with revenge, he rangeth up and down, Tearing his hairs from off his bared crown. Two poisonous snakes within his fists he gripes, As if for anger he could sting his flesh: An Owl he keeps, to waken with her shrieks, To work revenge even whiles his wrath is fresh. Inuido placent & nex & nox. Swifter abroad than Aeolus he rangeth, And all his plots to dire effects he changeth. The fourth is sluggish-headed Idleness, His eyes sink in his head through ceaseless sleep, His pace keeps pace with the snails slothfulness, His sight doth an accustomed closet keep. Inertia quanta? Snorting he lies all night, dreaming all day, So idly doth he pass the time away. He is the father of those dreaming fools That creep like worms (more ugly they than worms) Trembling to do their office in the schools, Fraied with the least tempestuous winds or storms. Heavier than lumps of lead, or heaps of clay, Plunbans es Harder than mountains to be moved away. The fifth is daintie-throated gluttony, Whose chief employed servants be all cooks, He studies new-devised cookery, Strange junkets, wondrous dishes: His house is nought but kitchen, Tune coqu●● than I fear Himself at length will prove a kitchiner. He loves no fellows but good trenchermen, None follow him, but they are smel-feasts named: A well dressed supper he full soon will ken, Out of his house he quite hath hunger shamed. Hunger exiled, Testantur genae. depart unto thy cell, His very looks thy sharpest force will quell. The sixth is Pride, clad like the morning Sun, When 'mongst the Pine trees on th'heaven-threatening mountains, He seeks his Clymene, his vestal Nun, Or else at night hard by some nuptial Fountain Wearing a jewel dangling at her ear, Cuius laetissima. Worth a king's revenues every year. Ladies upon her train attend and wait, Like to some goddess, or some Nymph divine Her habit shows her: in her own conceit Her glory doth obscure bright Phoebus' shine. She deems herself fair beauties quintessence, Venusne mortalis. Mistress of glory, Queen of Eminence. The seventh and last of these superior rows, Is mine own darling, hight licentiousness, That beauteous Siren that enchants with shows, The very soul of Virtue blemishlesse. Enticing bait hung on a golden hook, Piscibus sit esca. That can bewitch each doting gazers look. Her breasts lie open to display the nests, Where all the Graces make their residence: Fair smooth, dugge-rising, and descendant breasts, Clear snow white neck hedged with a silk soft fence. Te videmus non tua. Thrice fairer than my tongue can render thee, The perfect mirror of formosity. These be the chiefest scholars that I keep, The firm upholders of great vices seat: All these my fellow darlings jy-cleape, Cause they as I be ever fortunate. Vilorum est ne concordia● Their powers be great, themselves are capital, Their states alike, most vicious, one, and all. A rabblement of petty graduates Fill up the other angule of my seat: As malice cloystured in some low estates, Blasphemous oaths another corner get. Hoc lingua illud mens. Lying sits still inventing truthless wonders. Swearing evacuateth oaths like thunders. Virtue if thou my scholar eke wilt be, adjoin thyself to this society: Raze off this badge of lean-faced purity, Assume to thee some princely majesty. Te●mine tegeris. Thy virtue thus obscured in the world's eye, Doth give disparaged to thy dignity. Think'st thou the world will love a dungeon, Whose entrance breeds no pleasure to the eye? Although within that loathed mansion Worlds of delights, ages of pleasure lie. Specietne approbat. When th'outsides ugly show men's eyes do greet, From it, straight from it, all their love doth fleet. How are thy inward parts be beautifi'de, Be sure without to bear a proud appearance, Within set baseness, and without set pride, The badge of honour is true jovisance. Put on some glorious beams that may inflame The hearts of men to honour thy great name. Labeius accipe plumus. Dear mistress (quoth the Nymphs) now be thyself, And like thyself shine in thy glorious feature: Chase hence this scum, this dross, this flourished pelf, This out-adorned, in-polluted creature. Let the world laugh, Vitij olent intestina. fantastic follies net Shall now be torn, all men shall Virtue get. Happy, thrice happy is that purer mind Whom wisdom keepeth an adopted heir: Oh sacred patron to a wit refined, Valiant upholder of a soul so fair. Virtue I serve, Virtutime. and serving her I find All loose affections slaves to my pure mind. Happy content the curber of my will, Teaching necessity to dance in woe: Giving to forward thoughts a rain, to still The fickle humours, which e'er changing go. Virtue on earth sole monarch thee hath crowned, Sorte mea contentus. Over all petiie virtues that are found. What a nice brawling keep these cats precise Of petty virtues and content of mind? Vice. First should these hands quite race out both these eyes, Ere Fortune me so ceremonious find. here's much ado about a thing of noughts, Concerning quiet, Parturiunt montes. and the ease of thoughts. Cheek●-dimpling laughture, set thy merry fool Amidst the sadness of this drooping rout: Show them a franklin dancing in a hole, Whiles his young squire singes hooby in and out. Asinus asininum fert dominum. Show them a long-eard Ass his master beating, Thou standing by, and both them Asses swearing. Show them a shaven rustic, in whose beard Hiems cold Ice, not Hymen's blooms are rise: His gouty fingerels enwristing ha●d The tender-jointed roundure of his wife. Aspice caput. Whiles she doth dally & his hairs adorn, She plants upon his head a goodly horn. See there a monkey (oh faire-featured beast) Creep to his mistress warm laps mansion, Where her own husband (yet scarce he with rest) Once in one twelve month hath access upon. Bestia cum b●st●js. Thrice happy beast that granted art that place Which men desire, yet still kept off a space. Show them a Dyer wedding with a Bear, As if his colours could transform the beast, Or to the corpses another feature rear, Or metamorphose her rugged hairy breast Vetus Asinus nunquam sapiens. Into some smooth and amiable form, But 'tis impossible, she's too much worn. How (ah how) can mine ears (Virtue began) Abide the hearing of these vicious evils? How can mine eyes behold base vice to scan The top of honour with these glorious devils? Ignoras pudorem. Injurious strumpet hide thy face for shame, For heaven itself doth hate thy odious name. Think'st it a glory to behold those fools, Climbing by grease unto the height of sin? Tak'st thou a pleasure to behold thy schools With Oceans of wit drowned sots to swim? Thou horrid map of vile inequity, Ridet. Xanthus. Laughest thou to see thine own impiety? If I would boast, I could arrest thine eyes With fairer objects than thou yet didst see: I could acquaint thine ears with harmonies, Sweeter than Syrens-chaunting melody. But who knows not that who so Virtue loves, Borum & appeto & expeto Vice from his eyes as odious removes. To countercheck thy peacock-plumed pride, I have a scholar called Humility, Though poor without, yet inly beautifi'de With hidden treasure, and fair dignity. Pride is most rich in show, but bare in mind, But him in show poor, Simia quamuis ornata. in soul rich I find. To countervail lusts great pre-eminence, And all the crew of those licentious fires, I have affection ruling continence, Honesty's mistress, Queen of chaste desires, A holy vestal, Vestalem te judico. whose virginity Parts not but with her soul from spotless body. The mean betwixt mudde-raking covetousness, And looseness offspring, careless diffluence, I have this liberal sparing bounteousness, Free giver, yet with equal conscience. Virtue on both sides stands environed With two extremes, Medina saepissime virtus. both vices chronicled. To contrary thy envies biting hate, And all the honour of maliciousness: I have pure meekness, who in all estate Is still content with humble lowliness. Nec vis, nec lenitas. Hating ambitious envies angry sting, Loving a mild and equal censuring. If I would lay the glory of my school Open to every vicious gazer's eye, I should amaze the sottish doting fool, Quite overcome with incredulity. Nescit me mundus. But since the world my virtue doth not know, They hate my walks, and follow vice their woe. Whiles I alone do walk alongst the streets, Each vassal 'gins to spit at me in scorn: The more my honour, for ere this life fleets He shall be bandied, and of joy forlorn. Te propria reijciet domina. Be quite rejected of his proper dame, And die a death of unrecovered shame. This is the end of all thy minions, Most wretched, fearful, and detestable: What's the precedent life's progression, When the life's end is found so horrible? Finis acta probar. An evil act, attracts an evil end, And by the issue still the worth is kened. The end to which each man the world doth see, Is to extol our high Creator's glory: Each of thy scholars doth the contrary, And to the devil are contributory. Sufficet esse ●eruum. Oh honourable service, office high, To undertake Hobgoblins baylifry. Who but those men whom Follies chanting tongue, Hath metamorphosed unto mindless sots? Who but whom Vices witching Sirens song, Hath quite transformed to witless Idiots, Will fly from Virtue, Placent Nigerimia nigro. soul's restorative, To cleave to Vice, poisons ministrative? Cassandra thou presaging Prophetess, (Thrice happy, if as soon believed as heard) Why breathest thou tidings of happiness, Amidst a rock of Adamants upreard? Whose breast thy silver news cannot yperse, Bona non adminuntur. What credit they which Virtue doth rehearse. Deformed strumpet, or if uglier name, May to a most detested wretch be right, Blush monster, blush agent, to stubborn shame, The underprop of Satan's powerful might. Seducing mischiefs, Tenebrosum est vitium. teaching ruder wights, That Vice doth rule by day, Virtue by nights. Though I have like a pilgrim walked somewhile, Meating by steps the earth's circumference, With loser garments overcasting still, The modest splendour of my Eminence, Numquam sero Trying if any breast that Virtue loved, Would have this lump of sin from's heart removed. But since my virtue was but modesty, And all my garments simple plainness deemed: Since my companion was integrity, Meekness my page, (baseness of all esteemed) I'm so rejected, Quem mihi monstras that each man (oh grief) loves not himself, if I him seem to lief. But now nor thou presumptuous impudent, Shameless upbraider, tyrannising dame. Shalt with thy sugared tongue to pleasure bend, Slurry with scandal Virtues glorious name, Angelus in ●oro. Nor like an Angel canonised be, Wiles I am beaten with deep misery. Nor thou dame cross bliss, recling mistress chance, State altering tyrant, who impurity up to the height of honour dost advance, But treadest with envious foot on piety. Non semper Apollo valibis No more shalt thou with mischiefs cross my darling, No more shall Virtues servants fear thy snarling. Learning shall flourish inaugre all thy power, Ripe wit shall scorn thy tyrannising front, All shall disdain thy hearts astounding tower, Not one shall reck thy looks; look near so scant. Contento placent etiam in fortunia. Meekness with smiling censure shall disdain The fell infliction of disaster pain. Nor mistress Minx that hight Pecunia, Whom Vice constrains to be her feruitour, Fortuna's darling, the world's Helena, avarus life, lief, love, and nurture, Liberali non deest bursa. Shall cause a liberal purse empty to be, And fill the bags of infrugalitie. Now what a railing mistress Virtue keeps, (Quoth Vice) standest thou upon thy pantostes? Or dost thou think that Vice and Fortune sleeps, And cannot hear thy railing menacies? men's irritas● I'll have a bi●●e to ta'en that too free tongue, Or else it will insult o'er me ere long. Nay sure (quoth Fortune) she overthrows us all, Who knows not but that Virtue can plead well? For she hath honeyed Eloquence at call, And Rhetoric even at her beck doth dwell. But if her pride be over peremptory, Res fustibu● agi. Our hands and not our tongues shall win the glory. Virtue because thou deemest thy power worth Beyond the estimation of compare, We mean to wring thy deepest power forth, And ere we leave, leave all thy glory bare. For why, Nolentem incitas. these insultations do spur on Our forward force of indignation. The Challenge. Vice and myself with all our followers, Whose power we certain are thou canst not daunt: Will and command thee with thy servitors, Either to our injunctions to grant, That is to yield thyself for Vices slave, Te tua manus. Or with thy hand dig thy eternal grave. If thou refuse obeisance due to yield Unto these articles; with speed prepare To meet us with an army in the field, Where both shall try their powers in the war. Arm all thy troops, jacente sole, emicat luna. for thou shalt honour us By making our large force victorious. Proud Imp (quoth Virtue) these audacious words Argue in thee a most presumptuous spirit, Although no crab but some good juice affords, This plot doth both thy joy and mine inherit. Wherefore ere Virtue stoop to be a slave, Nescit virtus seruitudineo●. she'll die in field, and there expect a grave. The fittest place for war let me assign, (The weaker combatant may choose his ground) I know thou deemest the conquest even now thine, Thy hundredth soldiers to my one is found. Ne angulo fiat. Then for pure pity let me point the place, When I am to receive mine own disgrace. There is an Island bordering by France, By ancient yore y cleped Albion: Worthy of self, whom worthier Peers advance, Unto the name of Honour's mansion. In●●la ●aelix. A royal seat of jovial Monarchy, Full of vnconqu'rd rule to sovereignty. Time-honoured Albion having lost this name, Is by the name of England famoused: William the conqueror first won the same, Rude then, and savage, scarce inhabited. Hi● virtus. His royal issue have enlarged the land, And made it famous by their conquering hand. Thither repair to bring thy troops with thee, There will we try the fortune of the day: To whom great jove assigns the victory, The conquered to them shall stoop and say, Victoria certa est. Since heavens Creator, thee the victor made, I have my corpses at thy feet captive laid. This said, they parted: Fortune smiling still To think of virtues future overthrow: Vice merry walking with conceited will, Laughing sometimes to think on virtues woe. Virtue was modest hoping victory, Modestia vincit. Trusting the Gods would give her sovereignty. High-minded Fortune, virtues envious foe, Straight put a supplication up to jove: That on her side the peers of heaven might go, And all from Virtue would their grace remove. But Maya's son these Letters intercepted, Ingenium vir●uti amicum. And others in their room to jove directed. As from his sister Virtue he did write, Craving assistance 'gainst the Queen of chance; And 'gainst proud Vice her envious opposite, jove smiled and said he Virtue would advance. Nor should proud vice, Virtus non Furtunae in seruiet. nor haughty mistress Chance Be able to withstand her puissance. With that he straight enjoined Mercury With winged speed to post to virtues tent, Bid her assured be of victory, For I have vowed that Fortune shall repent That ever she assumed Vices part, Quis non tremit frato jove? And swore that Virtue mistressed his heart. Swifter than lightling Tripos flies away, And preinformes her of what should ensue; Virtue reviving to him thus 'gan say, Celestial brother I am bound to you, For being such my Fautour unto jove, iovi mea omnia. To whom I owe both zeal and duteous love. Sweet brother give immortal thanks to him, Whose bounty far exceeds a mortal boon; Virtue I trust now Vices power shall dim, And Vice lie dead that all this while hath shone. Oh blessed day, oh three times blessed hour, Vi●tus super omnia latidem. When jove hath given Virtue celestial power. This said, into the air mounts Ma●a's son, When at his coming to Jove's closet door, Fortune he spied, who then to knock begun, But Tripos staying her from knocking mor●, Non vacat exiguis iovi. Told her that jove was quiet and at rest, Charging no wight his study should molest. Fortune departs frustrate of her pretence, And now the day of battle is assigned: Virtue now glitters in her excellence, Clad in most glorious habit, all refined. Hic est pulchritudo. A lovelier Damosel never eye could view, Beauty in others feigned, in her was true. The breastplate that she wore was lively Faith, That did repel all darts y-throwne at her: Hope as a fortress fore herself she laith, To keep away each vicious menacer. Omnes haec fert testudo capus. Her headpiece is fair Comfort, which being on, She seems to scorn, dread, death, confusion. Next to her succeed Liberality, A valiant Captain, warlike Colonel: With many Virtues in his company, This a Lieutenant, that a Sentinel. Vim virtus habebit. Thus was her army filled on every side, Whole troops of souls unto her hourly hi'de. Yet the least wing of Vices mighty host, Was three times more than Virtues to tall band: Till warlike Pallas did to Virtue post, And promised help with her all conquering hand. An Palladis arma? Virtue rejoiced, and in most humble manner Desired Pallas to erect her banner. Venus saw this, and made amain to Vice, Vowing to lend her all her woman's power: Mars missing his sweet Venus, in a trice Departs to Fortune's band in angry stour. Where spying Venus, Stygias iuraverit umbras. straight by Styx he swore, To follow Vices colours evermore. jove seeing this, took thunder in his hand, Descending all in lightning on the ground: Amazed and aghast doth Virtue stand, Till jove doth waken out her drowsy stound, And bids her be of comfort, Phaebum hodiè obscuras. for this day She should outshine in Glory Phoebus' ray. The battle joined, Vice held up conquering hand, Till jove disdaining further dalliance, Scattered his thunderbolts midst Vice's band, Which clean amazed the impious Queen of chance, To see her army groveling on the ground, Quis iovi ne opponi●; Scarce one alive, yet not one dead was found. Virtue now hasteth unto Vice's camp, There taking all her servants prisoners; Now Virtue Fortune's glory quite doth damp, She and her crew be only conquerors. Fortune was made confess, Vineuntur gigantes. and Vice to kneel, Both true to her, that scorned her at their heel. jove gave straight charge to have them closely kept, For breaking forth to such vile outrages: Pecunia now to virtues lappey-lept, Begging for pardon for her stubborness. Virtue forgave her, Vltionem nescit Arere. and forthwith disbursed her To Liberatis charge who straighwaies-pursed her: Vice they imprisoned, oh would they had slain her, For she corrupted straight the jailers heart; Indeed what closest prison could detain her, Who with such witching passions acts her part? Vitium repit sancium. She crept abroad, though with a mortal wound, But in short space recovered and was found. jove now departing, Virtue did command, In England to set up her chiefest rest; She should find favour at Eliza's hand, With whom fair wisdom builded had his nest. Virtus habet Elizabetham. The Gods ascend to heaven, Virtue departs T'our more then mortal Queen, ruler of hearts. Fortune now frets to see herself thrown down, And Virtue lifted to such dignity, Truth at the last attained due renown, Pecunia is disposed thriftily. Anglia aetaten● habet auream. England thou art Pleasures-presenting stage, The perfect pattern of the golden age. Never be date of this felicity, Never be alteration of this joy. Never, ah never fail thy dignity. Never let Fortune cross thee with annoy. Te sospite Anglia sospes. Never let Virtue by Vice suffer death. Never be absent our Elizabeth. Ever for ever England's Beta be, Feared of Forraines, honoured of thine own, Ever let treason stoop to sovereignty. Ever let Vice by Truth be overthrown. Vivat Regina. Ever grant heavens Creator, of our Queen, We still may say she is, not she hath been. FINIS.