THE SECOND PART OF PHILOMYTHIE, OR PHILOMYTHOLOGIE. CONTAINING certain Tales OF True Liberty. False Friendship. Power United. Faction and Ambition. By THOMAS SCOT Gent. Printed at London, for Francis Constable. 1616. MONARCHIA. Dedicated to all the worthy professors of the Law, who make not private-wealth, but the good and peace of the Commonwealth the end of their studies and practice. Though you (perhaps) be Clyentlesse and few, Friendless and poor, yet 'tis to you Isue For kind acceptance. You alone are they Who by example guide us in our way. You look not on the fee, but on the cause, And follow truth, as truth doth lead the Laws. The rest, with vice, and wealths ill-gotten load, Pass on to death, in glories beaten road. TH'inhabitants of the I'll of Wight did boast, No vermin used to harbour in their coast. Cambden de Insula vectis. This title is given them by our worthy L. chief justice of Eng. For they no hooded Monks, nor Foxes had, Nor Law ⋆ Retrivers who make fools run mad. With their strife-stirring tongues; but lived as free, From these, as by them others cumbered be. And though our whole land cannot boast so far, That we from all such vermin quitted are: Yet happy is our Isle, that's hemmed about With water-walles, to keep our enemies out; Whilst we (as Adam did) in Eden dwell, And scarce of famine in an age hear tell. Where hills are clad with woods, and vales with corn, Whose laden ears do listen to be shorn. Where shepherds neither Lion doubt, nor Bear, Nor ravening Wolf which sheep & shepherd tear; But each in safety dwell, and silly sheep From all but Man, do one the other keep. O happy are we if we know our good, And if our state be rightly understood: To live thus free under so blest a King, Just Magistrates and clergymen, that sing, The songs of Zion in the holy tongue Converting old men, and informing young. No spirit-tyrant Pope, state-tyrant Turk, Can here their bloody ends and projects work; Eut each in safety may his own possess, More free than Kings, because our cares be lesse. But most unhappy are those neighbour lands, Where Peace and Plenty, as two strangers stands; Where bloody war, and bloodless famine ride Upon the ruin'd top of thankless Pride: Where Law destroys, Divinity deceives, And where the crown the care of kingdom leaves. Where men eat men, as beast devoured by beast, The strong the weaker kill, the great the least. Where tyranny in triumph mounted high, Makes truth and innocence in dungeons lie. This tale the difference shows, that we may know How much to God for our good king we owe. An aged Hart, upon mount Carmel bred, Having as Admiral the Navy led From Syria through the Seas, to Cyprus shore, Where all the I'll with green is covered o'er. Happed by a Park to travail, where he spied A younger sad heart, standing close beside Th'imprisoning pale, and uong all his skill To free himself from thence, to larger ill. Good brother (quoth the stranger) let me know, What heavy thoughts they are that vex you so. Why do you sadly so yourself bemoan? Why having friends within come you alone To feed sad melancholy, and invent To do a rash act, which you'll soon repent? The younger Deer made answer, Can ye muse Why I am sad, and wherefore I do use All means to free myself, from being thus A slave to him that's foe to all of us? Know brother, I endure more sorrows here, In one half day, than you in one whole year. For you have liberty to come and go, Though forester and woodman both say no. But I by cruel man, imprisoned keep, Within this wooden walls, where none but sheep Hares, conies, Cows, and other of my kin Are my associates, simple souls within. I have no beast of worth, of birth, or wit, With whom I may converse; but feign to fit My lofty spirit to the lowly strain, Of base companions, sluggish, fearful, vain. No Wolves or dogs come here, whereby decay The exercise of valour and the praise. The traps for vermin, are so thick beset, That oftentimes they some of us do get. The watchful keeper, every night and morn, Commands me rise, and rest with his shrill horn, He with his Lymehound rounds the pale about, For fear lest we be stolen or broken out. He feeds us cheerfully, and doth provide Sufficient meat that's fit for every tide; But being fat, he chooseth which he likes, And through our sides, death's forked arrow strikes. Thus all he doth, is his own turn to serve, And for his own life doth our lives preserve. Then gentle brother help to free me hence, And my swift thanks shall yield you recompense. Stay brother madbrain stay, quoth Lightfoot than If you were out, you'd wish you in again. I was in Syria borne, and every year A dangerous voyage make, for what you here Enjoy with proud contempt. We cannot find " Content on earth, without a thankful mind. You slight your ease and plenty; we, alas! With toil seek that which you with scorn let pass. Our meat is grutchd, we like to robbers watched, So what we feed on, here and there is snatched. The pale you call your prison rather may, Be termed your Castle, Garden, Closet, Stay, To keep out others from those joys of yours, Or to preserve you from these woes of ours. Whilst we without by Lions, Leopards, Bears, Wolves, Eagles, Serpents, and a thousand fears, Are hourly vexed, beset, besieged so, That as our shadows, death doth next us go. Yet none our death's revenge, nor craves account, How our neglected blood is lavished out. For even that Man (which is your guard) to us Proclaims himself a foe, most dangerous. He hunts for our destruction cheers the hound, Rides, runs, whoops, hollows, and at every sound, Rings our shrill death's bell with so fearful blast, As charms our joints to hear, whilst hounds make haste To finish our desired death, and glut With our sweet flesh, each vermins maw and gut. Thus do we die abroad, for every man Claims right in us, and labours all they can, Our weary feet in toils, nets, snares t'enclose, When you have friends, to guard you from your foes If therefore you have told me truth that there You do no creature but your keeper fear; O bring me to this prison, show me how I may obtain a blessed life with you. Direct me to a leap, i'll soon leap in. " 'tis happiness, unhappy to have been. With that he mounts the pale, adieu quoth he, Vain, wide, wild world; who serves the law is free. Epimythium. There hath been long disputation to find out the true freedom. The world holds opinion that Libertines who do what they list, and lust whatsoever is unlawful are only free men. Cain was founder of this brotherhood. He might do what he list, he was a vagabond exempt from laws, he had a mark of privilege set upon him to keep him from punishment here. Our jesuits and King-killers being exempt from the temporal sword are free of this company. But the child of God whose affections are mortified, who obeiss law for conscience sake, who is a law unto himself, is the only freeman; for to him the Magistrate bears the sword in vain. He would be honest without law, and will be honest if the law should forbid him. Yet would he not resist, but submit himself to power. He is free of that company whereof S. Paul professeth himself one when he saith, I I have learned in all estates to be contented. How much more happy are they who live under the protection of a good king, and wholesome laws, than these are who living here like outlaws go without contradiction out of momentany pleasure & liberty into eternal slavery & punishment. The Cony-burrow. ¶ Dedicated to the lovers of worth, and friends of virtue, who follow truth with a single heart, and speak it with a single tongue. Be innocent, but circumspect withal, The Turtles mate may be the Turtles stall. Be wise yet trust not wit. The traps we make For others, first do our false fingers take. What we delight to use, take pride to wear, Takes us; as Absalon hanged with his hair. Then walk upright, to neither hand incline, There's nought frees innocence, but grace divine. THe Polecat, Ferret, Lobstar, Weasel, made A secret match, the Coney to invade: Which no way they could compass, whilst he kept Himself abroad, when as he fed or slept. At last the Polecat to the Coney went, With this smooth speech. Good cousin my intent Hath been long since t'acquaint you with our kin, And tell ye how our cozenage came in. Your Grandam was my careful fostermother, To your kind sire, I was a fosterbrother; My education, nurture, and my food, I from my youth received from your sweet brood. In recompense whereof, my thankful mind, A fit requital long desired to find. The time is come, for I have lately found, A secret plot, wherein the cunning hound The close dissembling Tumbler, Lurcher swift, With Raynard that knows many a subtle shift. The Eagle and the goshawk, have agreed, Their stomach with your dainty flesh to feed. First they intent the hound shall hunt ye out, And by your footing heat ye once about. Then shall that hypocrite, the Tumbler try, To cheer you of your life, with his false eye. But if he fail, the Lurcher with his speed, Will snatch ye up (they hope) and do the deed. If not the Eagle, Fox, and Goshauke, swear, To eat no meat, till on your limbs they tear. The harmless Coney, at this dire report, Ready to sound, besought in humble sort The wary Polecat him t'instruct and teach A way, how he might scape his foes long reach. Faith (quoth the Polecat) you perhaps might hide, Yourself among thick bushes unespide, But that the Hounds and Lurcher both are there, Whose scents will quickly find ye out, I fear. Again upon the rocks, you might remain, But that the Eagle, Fox, and Goshauke sane they'll watch ye there; so that no other way Remains to scape with life, but night and day To scrape and grate with your forefeet, a den, Within the earth, where safe from beasts and men. And foul, and every bloody foe you shall, Your life securely lead in spite of all. The simple Coney doubting no deceit, Thought treason had not council for a bait. And therefore thanks his foe, and (glad at heart) To dig his own grave useth all his art. A sandy place he seeks, and finding one, Free from all clay, or flint, or other stone, He with his forefeet grates, and makes a burrow, As deep, as if he meant to travail thorough, The body of the earth, and meet the Sun, When it unto the Antipodes doth run. Which having finished, he prepares a feast, And there the Polecat is the chiefest guest. The Lobster, Ferret, Weasel too must go, To joy him in his house, they love him so; And their great friend, the siluer-suited Snake, Must needs along with them, and merry make. He welcomes them, and doth before them set, What iunckets he with purse or pains could get. The lions Court hath not a dainty dish, But he provides it, even beyond their wish. " Yet they that long for blood, till blood be shed, " Cannot be satisfied, though fully fed. Ingratitude! thou monster of the mind, Art thou not only proper to mankind? Is there a beast that can forget his friend, And for his own ends, work his fellows end? Is there a beast whose lust provokes him kill The beast that did him good, near wished him ill? Is there a beast who under kindness can Dissemble hate? O then thrice happy man! Thou art not only he that kill'st thy brother, Some beasts there are that murder one another. Some fowls, some fishes, Serpents some there are Who pray upon their kind in open war. And some that under friendship falsely feigned, With fellows murder have their natures stained. Nay there is one who can so cover evil, That man may judge him Angel, find him devil. He first with sweetmeats poisoned Adam's seed, Since when of sweet meats wisest men take heed. So need not these bold guests, they eat and drink And then rise up to play; but never think Aught fadgeth right, till they have brought to pass The purposed plot for which this meeting was. Therefore (dissemblingly) the Polecat 'gins, To lick and catch the Coney, and so wins hold underneath his throat, which having fast, The tragedy gins, the sport is past. For all assault him then on every part, Some at his sides, some at his head and heart. Some at his belly, but the poisonous Snake, Doth at his tail a deadly issue make. The helpless Coney sues, entreats, and strives, But he must die had he ten thousand lives. Each foe his greedy gorge with blood doth glut And with his fweet flesh cram each hollow gut. " But blood that's sweet in taste, is not so sound, " To feed upon, as milk that's easier found. The Snake with poisonous touch had venom spread. Through all the swelling veins, from tail to head. And they had sucked the black infection in; A fitting vengeance for their crying sin. Strait they their stomachs find not well at ease, And something feel, that doth their minds displease. The Weasel first suspects the Snake, for he Can never with a Serpent well agree; Says, they are poisoned all by one base slave, Whose company the Ferret needs would have. The Snake replies, he did no more but what He was appointed to perform by plot. And if they foolishly had eat their last, He could not mend with sorrow what was passed. They find it true, but find it now too late, Each raving dies, and yields constrained by fate. Yet ere they die, all do their farewell take, By shaking teeth together on the Snake. Who deadly wounded, crawls but faintly thence, Confounded with the guilt of his offence. And heeding not his way, by good mishap, Became a prisoner to the warriners trap. This feast was ended thus, death took away, And where they did not well we mend it may. Epimythium. Some are of opinion that wisdom consisteth in the ability to give good counsel. But I think the knowledge how to take good counsel, and how to discern the differencs of advise, is the principal part of wisdom. That Frog in AEsope which in a great drought spying water in a deep pit advised his fellow to leap down, that they might be satisfied and live there, gave good counsel and seemed to be a pattern of the first wisdom spoken of. But the other Frog that refused his advise, and dived deeper than the present time, than the bottom of the pit with this question; But if the water fail us there, how shall we then get out or how shall we live there? was a figure of the second wisdom, and teacheth us that it is harder to take good counsel then to give it. Let us therefore beware in this point, and learn to look a little beyond that good which is first and most apparent in every project, The second and third good is that which we must rest on: for truth is often most remote and nearest the bottom, all that swims uppermost is the froth and false good and fraud. The House of Fame. Dedicated to all the noble attendants of Royalty in the Camp of Virtue, who fight for the honour of the Church and Commonwealth. Till now of late we feared that loud report, Of Cressy field, Poicters, and Agincourt, Fought by our Kings and Princes heretofore, Had not been true, or should be told no more. We wondered if those Nobles ever were Whom fame for arms and bounty did prefer. We doubted all our Countries had forgot, The deed of Audely or believed it not. We thought our Nation was of worth bereft, When bows and arrows and brown bills were left. But see, occasion now hath turned our eyes, To inward wars where greater wonders rise. To see affection conquered, lust chastisd'e, Pride humbled, Murder slain, all vice despisd'e. And all old virtues freshly now reneude, By fair examples as the Sun ere viewed. In which brave war of wonders (passing far All other conflicts that compounded are Of love and hate) each Lord who lends a hand To fight 'gainst vice for virtue, doth this land More honour than his Ancestors before In conquering France, and shall be famed for't more. Some for their Prudence who found out and led, Others for zeal through whom the enemy fled. Others for Art, whose skill the squadrons placed Others for justice who the enemy chased. And some for Constancy, who held it out. And still unwearied, not unwounded fought. But none more fame attained then mercies squire, Who begged to give, all saving in desire. He Audely-like taught Courtiers how to crave What they might give away, and giving save, Save free from fear of forfeiture or loss, Or the re-begging or the next years cross. Or envies eyesore, or the Commons hate, Or poors complaint, or grievance of the state. To him and to the rest, this tale is sent, How soever taken with a good intent. FAme that in Homer's time a vagrant was, Without a house and home, did after pass In stately structures all the mixed race Of Semdeities, and every place Built her a Court, assisted by the Rages Of sundry Poets in succeeding ages. For every one did something add, to frame More space and room for their friends narrow fame. Which as they purchased, still to her they gave And that's the cause, themselves so little have. This Fame hath now her house glazde all with eyes, The rafts, beams, balks, nerves, sinews, arteries; The doors wide open, ears; hanged round about With nimble tongues, and covered so without. All things are seen and heard the wide world o'er Which touch that place, and farthest off the more. The House of Fame built up four stories high, Stands in an open plain, in which doth lie Four sister twins, True fame, and good the first, And eldest are; false and bad fame the worst. And youngest pair, yet swiftest are in flight And though last borne, yet oft come first to light. These last dwell in two darker rooms below, Among the thick Crowds where all errors grow. There keep they Court, where Scandals, Libels, lies, Rumours, Reports, Suspicions, calumnies, Are favourites and Governors of State, Whose practice 'tis true worth to ruinated. False fame lives lowest, and true Fame above, Bad Fame next false, good fame next, true doth move: Yet good fame sometime doth with false fame stay, And bad fame sometime doth with true fame play. But false and true (opposed) will never meet, Nor bad and good fame, one the other greet. It so fell out (as oft strange things befall) A gallant Knight, arrived at that fair Hall, Attended on with such a noble sort, Of warlike squires, as filled this spacious Court. Who curiously inquiring o● the rout, Whose Court it was, could no ways find it out. For contradictions crossed each other so, As truth from falsehood he could no ways know. Bad fame did call it hers, and said, she was A guide to such as unto glory pass. False Fame did call it hers; he saw they lied, For 'bove their heads, two brighter Queens he spied. True fame spoke to him then, and let him know, That she and good fame did the building own, Being elder borne, to Titan and the Earth, Before the giants war: when th'other's birth Long since was subject to their parent's sin, And heavens curse which now they lived in. For as those Giants 'gainst the Gods did war, So these to truth professed enemies are; Had by strong hand, and fraud, usurpd her state, And to express to virtue utmost hate, Had bard all passage to their houses hie, That mortal men might in oblivion die Or have their memories blasted, glories killed By eating time, with lies and slanders filled. She wished him then if he his good desired To have repeated, or his spirit aspired To worthy honour as old knights had wont, (Whose swords not rust, but too much use did blunt) That he would use some means to set them free, Whereby his blessed name might eternizd be. Good Fame than told him, that the only way, How he this enterprise accomplish may, Was by the help of mercy, prudence, art, justice and zeal, and Constancy of heart. All their known friends to summon up in arms, To force the place, and to disperse those swarms Of idle vagabonds; who kept below And hated good Fame, would not true fame know. Then (since the stairs of fame were broken down, And doors stopped up to glory and renown) She willed him make an engine wherewithal, He might her lodging and her sister's scale. And so himself in spite of peril, raise Above the reach of envy, or dispraise. The Knight (in spirit ravished with delight To hear their speech, to see their goodly sight) Mounts his fierce Coursers back, with which at hand His Squires attend upon his strict command. Wills every one of them to take a dame, Such as the Ladies of the house did name, Who there attended that they might direct This high attempt, with order and respect. The Squires with willing minds the knight obeyed, And each behind them took a lovely maid. Prudence directs her Squires to lead the way, (Who follows her direction cannot stray.) At length they come unto a fruitful wood, Wherein a world of upright timber stood; Tall Cedars, Cypress, Pine and royal Okes, With country Elmes, and Ash for plough and yokes. The learned Laurel, and the weeping Myrrh, The smarting Birch, and the sweet smelling Fir Grew there in order, and all trees beside, Wherein the thrifty Woodreeve taketh pride. The knight surveys all this, yet finds not one Fit to be field; till Prudence lights upon A proud strait Asp, whose waveing top did lean On a slight Poplar, with some shrubs between. The cursed Eldar, and the fatal Yew, With Witch, and Nightshade in their shadows grew; Whose sapless tops, with mildews often stood, And grew self-seare, and overtopped the wood. The Raven & Shreikeowle there did build their nests, And at their roots did harbour harmful beasts. Which Prudence saw, but mercy would not see, Till she perceived how every other ttee Drooped underneath the height of these alone, And could not thrive, or grow till these were gone. She therefore (joined with Constancy and Zeal) Besought sharp justice, who doth evenly deal Her wary blows, to fell all these with speed; Who soon consents, and soon performs the deed. At every stroke she fetched, the trees did groan, The rest did echo laughter to their moan. And now they lie along, their branches topped, Their bark piled off, their trunks asunder chopped. Then Art with rule and line, these useless payer Frames (engine-like) a strait cloud climbing stair To mount Fame's house; this ●uery Squire doth rear And bravely on their backs do thither bear. But Mercy seeing all the other meant To burn the Chips, to save them she is bend. And, with her Squire, the knight prays, let them lie, For he shall gain, and glory get thereby. Since chips which cut from Asp and Poplar be, Do soon take root, each grows a goodly tree. The knight consents, and fenceth round the spring. Whose forward growth doth hope of profit bring. And now, together to the house of Fame With speed they pass, where first the falsest Dame Salutes them with a lie, and saith she hears Her Sisters are together by the ears, And have destroyed each other; this she had From her Twin-sister, who tells rumours bad.! They slight her leasings, and with speed assay To raise the lather, where bold Zeal makes way, But false Fame and her Sister, lay about To hinder her, with all their rascal rout. Slander, foolhardiness, and heartless fear, With foolish Pity, and false Love was there, Damned Infidelity, and secret Hate, And treason too, that close dissembling mate. Who all with open mouth, and open lies, All ways to stop this honoured work devise. They rail, and fight, entreat, and curse and ban. The Knight proceeds, in scorn of what they can. And mounts the ladder, with his sword in hand, Which soon disparkles, such as dare withstand. Zeal hales him up, and Prudence guides him right, True Constancy encourageth the fight, Mercy saves all the innocent, who swarm For company, not with intent of harm; Art order every act, the engine stays And helps the Knight step after step, to praise The lusty squires below, with sword and lance, Withstand bad fame, whilst Justice doth advance Her heavy hatchet, and strikes off the head Of both the leaders, and there leaves them dead. Which when their troops discover, they forsake Th'usurped fortress, and themselves betake To heady flight, into a marsh near hand, Where many whispering reeds and Osiers stand. There they like outlaw, do themselves enclose, In wilful banishment, with all the foes Of this good knight, whose valour undertook This high attempt, that Fame might rightly look On all deservers, and that man might find, Like freedom for his tongue, as for his mind. That virtue might be crowned by true fame, And honest meaning live with honoured name. Which promise gladly both the sisters swore, In solemn form; and now as heretofore The freedom of their tongues they both possess; And worth is known from base unworthiness. The knight they humbly thank, and him they crown The Sovereign of glory and renown. Which style, Fame's trumpeters the four winds blow Through th'earth's four quarters, that the world may know Th'extent of virtuous actions, how no power Can stop their passage, nor lank Time devour Their sweet remembrance; which shall live as long As nature hath an ear, or eye, or tongue. To every Squire than they this favour give, That after death their Fames shall ever live; For still those Ladies, whose employment they So well advanced, shall duly night and day Repeat their labours, and prefer them far Beyond Alcides' works, as peace doth war Surpass in glory, or those works we do, When others wills, and ours we conquer too. Now'tis proclaimed that if we tell no lies, We may with boldness speak and fear no spies. That what this age hath done, this age may hear, As well repeated now as the next year. That all our words ourselves shall first expound, And that no forced construction shall confound Our honest meaning, but be't ill or well, We may with freedom our opinions tell. Since no man dares to do the thing which he. Would not have all the world both hear and see. These orders ratified, they fall to sport, And fill with masks and revels all the Court. The seqell refer to Fame's relation, Whose golden trump sounds us a blessed nation. Satellitium. Dedicated to all that stand Sentinel, that watch and ward in defence of this kingdom, especially to the strength and guard of the State. Be of one mind; Religion ties a knot, Which none undoes, by practice or by plot. But if in that we differ, be our breed Within one house, or womb, of all one seed, " 'tis severed soon by hate, respect, or gold, Which Law can never soldier, art make hold. " Faith only joins, what nothing sunder can. " Beasts love for benefits, for virtue man.. WHo guarded round about with Parthian bows, Or Spanish pikes; or hedged and dikt with rows Of sturdy janissaries, or the shot Of hardy Swizzars, or the valiant Scot And after these with walls of steel and brass, Hemmed in so close that scarce the air may pass Betwixt the cliffs, is not so free from doubt, As is that King whom love doth guard about. Whom subjects love doth guard, because that he Guards them from all oppression, and makes free His noble favourers to desert and worth, Spreading his radiant virtues frankly forth, That both his own may find, and neighbours know, What glorious fruit doth from religion grow. How sweet an odor justice sends to heaven, How rare example is to Princes given. By virtuous deeds, to stop the mouths of those, Who vnreform'd are reformations foes. Such one sleeps safe within the arms of love, Divine regard doth all his subjects move To due obedience; and with sacred awe Binds conscience, with a stronger bond than law. Such heaven informs, whilst hell doth undermine, And spite of darkest plots with grace divine Doth hedge about, that naked in the arms Of enemies he is preserved from harms. They sleep securely, feed on wholesome cates, Angels their beds make, cooks their delicates Gives Antidotes 'gainst poisons, doth defend 'Gainst damned witches, and their God the fiend, No jesuits at their elbows can do hurt, Nor troops of Papists that their courts engird. For God doth them in his blessed arms enclose, Safe, though their chiefest favourites were foes. O happy then good Kings proceed, Psal. 45. ride on, Grow up in glory, as you have begun. Ride on for truth's sake, look on either band, How you are guarded with a heavenly hand Of blessed spirits, who shall lead you still In holy paths, and guide your steps from ill. These being with you, Psal. 91. you shall boldly tread Upon the Lion, and the Dragon's head, And trample danger underneath your feet, As men tread stones, or dirt within the street, Which only spraids them; your heaven-garded state Is safer far, then that of Mithridate, The King of Pontus, unto whom befell, What strange adventure in this tale I tell. This King perceiving well there was no band, Of duty, love, or nature, AElianus. could withstand The strong enticement of corrupting gold, Or base lust, or humour overbold, Or fond ambition (which makes empty slaves Swim bladder borne upon the floating waves Of false Opinion, with the arm of pride, Of borrowed power, and ignorance beside) But that these would pervert the faith they had, And cause them after farther hopes run mad; Did to prevent all this, a guard provide Of faithful beasts, whose strength had oft been tried. A Bull, a Horse, a Hare, the Captains were, Of this strong guard, whose force did nothing fear But falsehood, and Ingratitude, and Treason, From which they were as free, as man from reason Why knowing more than beasts, he should not hate As they do, to be treacherous, and ingrate. These three together being put to feed, And sport themselves till there were farther need Of their known faith, together long did dwell In peace and love, till on a time it fell That they with rest and ease full fed and fat, Had time to play, to dally, and to chat. Then did the wanton heart propound a course, Betwixt himself and the courageous Horse. The warlike Horse did dare the horned Bull To make one in the race, who strait way full Of burning, choler, and adusted blood, Bad cowards run, he for no footman stood. 'twas meet for them that durst not stand it out, To use their heels, his heart was too too stout. The angry heart replies, there's none of you, But may to me as to your better bow, I swifter than the Horse, my feet can use, And for my head, the Bull i'll not refuse To combat with, my courage I am sure Is like my strength as able to endure, And do, as either of you dare or can, And more I am esteemed by royal man. Those Serpents which you run from, I seek forth, And tear them with my teeth as nothing worth. And as my life to man is sweet and pleasing, So is my death, each part some sorrow easing. My horns all mortal poison can expel, My marrow makes stiff jointed misers well. My fat yields strength and sweetness; that fierce lad Achilles, never otherspoonemeat had. Which made him such a Captain, every part Is physical and comforteth the heart. Yea even my excrements the dropsy cures, My tears, like precious lewels, man allures. To seek them up, wheres'euer they be shed. My skin great Captains wear when I am dead; And boast that they have such a coat of proof, Which wounds withstands, whence venom stands aloof. Then why (O base creatures) dare you brag And match yourselves with the long living Stag? My life is long, cause I with cost am wrought, But nature slights your lives, as good for nought. The crested Horse, with fiery eyes did show, What inward rage did in his hot blood flow To hear this bold speech uttered, and with head Tost in the air his hardened hooves doth tread The sc ornd earth with contempt, than thus breaks out; O thou the fearfullest of all the rout Of hunted beasts, how haps it that you dare With me your master and your Lord compare? Forget ye my pre-eminence? the love Man bears me? how one spirit seems to move Me and my rider? that we start and run, Stop, turn, trot, amble, as we were but one? Have you at any time been called to war, Where none but Captains and great Soldiers are? Trusted to hear their Counsels? on your back Borne the Commander of that royal pack? I have done this and more, borne him about Through worlds of danger, and then bornehim out. He trusts me when his legs he dare not trust, And when his hands fail then perform I must. Nay when he fails himself in every part, I add another life, another heart. In war I thus befriend him, in his need, And so in peace, I help his wants to feed. I till his land that else would barren be, Bear all his carriage, and am seldom free From sum employment, but must near him stand As being fit, and apt for his command. If he to visit friends abroad doth far, I must along with him, true friends we are. If he intends to hunt such beasts as you, For sport, or hate, or need, he lets me know The time, the place, the end, and we agree, I see the sport, and hunt as well as he. How often have I seen some fearful Hart, Perhaps your sire, at my dread presence start. Fly hence with utmost speed, and never slack His willing pace, when I upon my back Bearing my noble master have at length O'retane the lubber, having lost bis strength? Whilst I still forming courage, breathing spirit, Have sought another conquest long ere night; And after that a third, unwearied yet, Yet you yourself as Parallel will set To match and overmatch my worth, my force; As if weak Stags might brave the peerless Horse. For physical receipts i'll easily yield, Alive I profit man, you being killed. This makes him seek your death, my live to save, Yet being dead my parts their virtues have. Which I refer to others to relate, As scorning Hog-like to do good so late. This only I conclude, If man should choose To save but one, he'd both of you refuse. The armed Bull swelled, puffed and roared aloud, To hear the Hart so bold, the Horse so proud. And all the while they spoke, he tossed about With horns and hooves the dust; then bellowed out This bolder brave; What ignorance is this, That causeth both of you, so much amiss To boast yourfalse worths, and neglect the true, Which rests in me, belongs to none of you? The Wolf, the Greyhound, and each questing cur, Makes thee poor trembling Hart keep such a stir, To shift thy layer, as if thy life were lost, With every faint blast, that the leaves down tossed. And this courageous Horse, that makes a coil, Of wounds in war, and tilling of the soil, With many other uses fit for man. (As they that least can do, best cavil can) Let this his answer be, the spur and bit Shows man trusts nor his courage, nor his wit. For if he tire or faint, his spur provokes, And pricks him forward, with continual strokes. And if with headstrong heat, he madly rides, The bridle curbs him, and his folly guides. " All voluntary acts the actors praise, " Not such as others by constraint do raise. " Out of our natures, whilst we easily are " Made instruments either of peace, or war. Else might our horned Herds, the rescue boast Of Hannibal, Plutar. in vita Han. and his distressed host, When he with lights and torches tied to us, Escaped the trap, of lingering Fabius. But truth is far from such ostents, Cunctando restituit r 〈…〉. Enni●● those deeds We call our own, which from our choice proceeds. The yoke we bear, and wherewithal we till The earth for man, is by constraint, not will. What comfort from our flesh, or from our Cows, By calves, or milk, or Cheese or Butter flows, Or physical receipts, as they are more, And usefuller, than what you both before Have mentioned, so freely I confess Man hath in them the glory more or less. His wit and industry, in them is seen, And th' Author's goodness from whom first we been, War is the good you glory in, which springs From man's ambitious ignorance, and brings Wants, woe, and death, with many ills beside, To scourge us all, through our great master's pride. Then at the best, you are but slaves to such, As feeding you, food to their like do grudge. And through your force, their own revengements take, Whilst you to stout men, cowards equal make. For what from you they borrow, they must grant They fear their foes enjoy, whilst they do want. Thus therefore all the nobler nations use To fight on foot, whilst coward● rather choose To share with beasts in glory, and to get Themselves a name, through your fool hardy heat. So you on them, and they on you depend, Such service judgement never did commend. And thus in sportive war, and warlike sport, You do your rider from himself transport. Whilst you not manlike grow, but beastlike he Resembles you, in all these sports we see. Yea often to mischance you do betray Your heedless rider, and in midst of play Precipitate his sudden fortune so, That who hath you afriend, shall need no foe; But may himself, a happy man proclaim, If by your means he escapes without a maim. But now if either of you, think you can, Out of your own worths, prove more fit for man, And better able to defend, and guard, Him whom we serve, from whom we have reward, Then I can with my horns, and harnast hide, Proceed to trial, I defy your pride; And with bold challenge summon you to fight, A triple combat, to decide the right. They both with eager appetite accept These wished conditions, and by this have stepped Far from each other; all prepared do stand At full career, to join this treble band. The field triangle wise they evenly cast, And each with rage expects, that dreadful blast, Which warns them charge. Each roareth out his wrath, Nor other need of drums or trumpets hath. The Hart doth bray, the bounding Steed doth neight The Bull doth bellow, deep, and loud and high. The earth doth tremble, and the air doth shun, This dreadful thunder; as when laden gun Spits forth its load, in scorn to be restrained, The air gives way unto the bullets chained, As dreading to resist so mighty force, Thus meet the valiant Bull, the Hart and Horse. The Hart and Horse first touch tha'ppointed place Being more swift, and apt for the race. And let each other, with much danger feel The force of horned head, and armed heel. But ere a second bout they can perform, In comes the boisterous Bull, like winter's storm, And severs them with such a violent push, That they amazed, turn giddy with the rush. But (nimble both and active) they repay The sturdy Bull, with all the speed they may. The Hart with his broadhornes, doth make him reel But the kind Horse, upholds him with his heel. The Bull thanks neither, for the one did pierce His hollow flank, the other much more fierce, Did break a rib, and bruise his shoulder blade, And taught him with less choler to invade. Yet th'ods is soon recovered with his horn, Which hath the belly of the Courser torn. And rend one weaker beam, from branched heart, As trees by thunder riven, or cloven athwart. The subtle heart, then shuns those ruder blows, And tho'ds of handistrokes too dearly knows. The Horse taught by his wounds, doth keep aloof, And stands upon defence, with hardened hoof. The Bull assaults them both with watchful eye, And seeks how he advantages may spy. The Horse and heart upon their guard do stand, In doubt and jealousy, on either hand. The Bull assaults the heart, but he gives way, And slips his fury with what slight he may. Yet turns not head, as fearful cowards will, But wefes aside, to tire his foe with skill. The Bull than strikes the Horse a deadly cuff, But he requites him with a counterbuff. The Hart strikes in betwixt, the Bull turns round, The Horse leaps right up, doth curvet, and bound; So at one instant, fatally they meet; The Bull his doath meets from the Horse's feet, The heart th'advantage takes, the Horse aloft Strikes his one horn into his belly soft, Which there hangs fast; the Horse doth with his fall. Breaks the Heart's neck, this is the end of all None hath the conquest, all of them are slain. Their deaths not doubted, long they there remain, Till that the King their Master, having need Of their attendance, goes his guard to feed, For none might tend them else, lest they acquainted With others bribes, by treason should be tainted. So enters he the place, and there he spies What doth affright him, all his comfort lies Dead at his feet, then sadly going near Their carrion corpses, he doth a murmur hear, As armed soldiers in a City sound, Or fire in th'air, or wind within the ground. And doubting the success, three several swarms He sees prepared for fight, and up in arms. Bees from the Bull, Wasps from the Horse do start, And Hornets from the melancholy Hart. He motion's peace, and hopes to part the fray, They send three soldiers, who sends him away. For each of them doth fix his venomed sting, Within the flesh of the amazed King. He flies with speed from thence, they fight it out; The conquest all expect, all fear and doubt. But what befell I know not; this I know, The King cried out aloud. Epimithium. The evils that grow From pride, ambition, and excess of grace, " Like thankless curs, fly in their master's face. " Beasts will be beasts, do bounty what it can, " 'tis cast away, that's given to worthless man. O Princes banish faction from the Court, It sours all actions, leavens every sport. And at the last, when it should sweetly close, From one false friend riseth a thousand foes. FINIS.