THE BEAM OF BRIGHTNESS.  
Or The three fair Sisters of Christendom.  
Containing: A Disputation between the three famous Cities in Europe.  
Viz. Venice, Paris and London, with their differences.  
Composed by William Venner, Gentleman.  
AT LONDON Printed for john Wright, and are to be sold at his shop in Newgate Market, near Christ-church. 1611.   

To the right Worshipful Sir John Watts, Knight, one of the prudent foreseeing Aldermen of this honourable and famous City of London.  
IN the time of your honourable government in this City, it was my chance right worshipful to rhyme before you, and being more worthily esteemed, than my deserts could merit, I did think it a point of my duty, to dedicate this worthless work, only to show a kind of thankfulness, assuring myself that since I received grace for extempore, this poor Invention shall scape free from disgrace, having so worthy a Patron to defend it, Thus commending a ring posy rather than an Epistle I end, wishing your Worship's endless felicity.  
Your worships at all duty William Venner.   

To the courteous, not captious Reader, health.  
I Make no doubt, but there are many of my countrymen which have seen the beauty and riches both of Paris and Venice, who may happily blame me for my brief description. But gentle reader I answer it thus, I could Willingly have given them a larger praise, had their merit been equal with London's: And this moreover I desire those which shall mislike my Labour to mend it, and none shall be more willing and ready to applaud them then myself. I have begun the foundation, if any please to build upon it, I shall thank him for beautyfiing my rough building, But hoping they will judge of me, as I would do of them in this case, I leave it to their mildest and most favourable censure.  
Your friend, W. V.   

The three fair Sisters of Christendom, containing a Disputation of the three famous Cities in Europe, and their differences: viz. Paris in France, Venice and London.  

Paris to London.  
PRoud English Sister fall upon thy knee,  
and ask forgiveness of my angry gate:  
Thy shining beauty hath dishonoured me,  
thy feigned love deserves my mortal hate.  
Know I am Paris that doth check thee so,  
Whose fame & beauty through the world doth go.   

London to Paris.  
Fair famous sister, 'tis no swelling pride,  
that makes me termed the beauty of the earth:  
What all men give, thy envy cannot hide,  
although thou seekest for to advance thy birth,  
Thus much I'll speak without reproach to thee,  
Thou know'st when thou wast servant unto me.   

Venice to London.  
Peace prating girl, call her not thy inferior,  
she hath that in her, thou canst not obtain:  
Both I and she, will now be thy superior,  
to call thee Sister now we both disdain.  
I am engird with Seas, she with the land,  
And what canst thou have more at thy command?   

London to Venice.  
Venetia's virgin mask thy blushing face,  
thy walls salt water are, salter's thy sin:  
Thy common Courtesans showeth thy deep disgrace  
though by their lust thou dost much profit win.  
Thou harbourest murder, rape, and jealousy,  
My maiden-streetes do scorn their company.   

Both to London.  
Dost thou accuse us of so small abuses,  
we can condemn thy streets of twenty more:  
First thy Stage Players serving for no uses,  
but to enrich themselves to make thee poor.  
Next cozening wits that on poor gulls are whetting  
And all thy shops polluted are with cheating.   

London to both.  

Blush both with shame, for this you have reported,  
since I am governed with the sword of right:  
True justice in my maiden Town is seated,  
whose honour makes my beauty shine more bright:  
My wedded Lord doth sit in justice chair,  
For to advance me, thrice honoured Lord Mayor.   

And for those players that do so offend you,  
they can lay open all your secret vices:  
And for your virtues they likewise will commend you,  
you speak but what foul envy you intises:  
Within my maiden walls I scorn to hear them.  
Yet all the world for action comes not near them.   

But to come to, a near particular,  
chant out your worths wherewith you are endued:  
When you have done with terms familiar,  
I'll show you what within me may be viewed.  
She that her fame with truth doth most make glister  
Shall be esteemed for the worthiest Sister.    

Both to London.  
We are content, thy motion's reasonable,  
beshrew the heart of them that would deny it:  
And let it be recorded in a table,  
that all may read our praises that pass by it.   

Paris.  
Pray sister peace (if I be not mistaken,)  
Her pride and state shall by my worth be shaken.   

Venice.  
Paris begin, and London listen to it,  
her fair description will force thee look pale:  
If not, than London know, Venice will do it,  
yet will we both vouchsafe to hear thy tale.  
Cheerly sweet London, do not look so thin,  
Me thinkest thou faintest before our tale begin.   

London to both.  
Stretch out your fame unto the largest bower,  
I'll sit and hear your praise with patience:  
Know worthy sisters, that it is my order,  
to grace a stranger's words with audience,  
Report the truth, and then my grief is cured,  
I'll speak no falsehood, be ye both assured.   

Paris description of herself.  

My name is Paris, London view my face,  
know I am Grandmother to mighty France,  
And am well situated in a place,  
where gods and goddesses may seem to dance.  
In me there flows fair fountains & sweet springs,  
I am the seat of the first Christian King's.   

My riches passeth all my skill to tell,  
yet thus much to report I may be bold:  
What other Cities have, I have to sell,  
from meanest metal, to the purest gold▪  
Oranges, Limmons, White and Claret wine,  
London, thou borrowest from my tree and Vine.   

I want for nothing that the earth can yield,  
my government is civil, rich, and fair,  
I stand on dry ground in a pleasant field,  
the heavens breath in me, their wholesome air.  
Except sweet Venice, none in Europa's horrizon,  
Compares with Paris, Paris without comparison.   

For my religion, 'tis the Roman faith,  
in me the holy Monks and Friars sing:  
The holy Vicar, much good of me saith,  
whose love I do esteem above my King.  
Rich in religion, rich in wealth and all,  
Last; whiles the world stands, Paris cannot fall.    

Venice to London.  
How likes fair London of the French maids words  
I am assured I shall not need to speak:  
I see thy heart is cut as 'twere with swords,  
and thou for Lady Paris art too weak.  
Therefore I count my speeches should be vain,  
Unless thy pride should stir me up again.   

London to both.  
Pardon me both, I was almost a sleep,  
to hear the singing of the holy Friars,  
Me thought their bells such rattling did keep,  
within my ears: yet grant me my desires.  
Fair Venice speak your worth, Paris defend it,  
And when you both have done, I'll help to mend it.   

Venice description of herself to London.  

I know that I thy patience shall disturb,  
but yet poor London, thou of force must hear me,  
Know I am Venice, mistress of the Orb,  
no humane force on th'earth, there's can fear me.  
My walls are mighty galleys on the main,  
I fear not Room, nor stand in awe of Spain.   

No rattling Cart or Wagon runs in me,  
but gentle Gundels swimming o'er the stream.  
I am admired for my courtesy,  
great Dukes do quail, if I of anger dream.  
I'll beg for no King's love, deride all hate,  
I'm more than Venice, the Venetian state.   

In rich attire all my men go clad,  
my women masked from the scorching sun,  
To trade with me all foreigners are glad,  
I gain by all, and all by me have won.  
Each Courtesan that doth in me remain,  
Doth tribute pay out of the gold they gain.   

Thus do I dwell securely in the sea,  
what I can wish is brought me by the main:  
And though salt water comes in every where,  
yet all my wells sweet water do contain,  
Of all the world my state is holden wise,  
All call me the fair flower of merchandise.   

For my religion Paris, 'tis like to thine,  
I love the Pope and seem not to gainsay him:  
But if he once command the least of mine,  
I'll smile at his command, and not obey him.  
Thus do I live a famous Virgin free,  
Commanding all, yet none commandeth me.    

Paris to London.  
I wounded thee but this fair Queen hath slain thee  
her royal praise hath struck thee to the heart:  
And London know we ever will disdain thee,  
if thou from us in this dumb show depart.  
Therefore le's here what you can briefly say,  
Although you bear your share of shame away.   

London to both.  
I must confess you are exceeding fair,  
and both your largeness far surpasseth mine:  
Paris is rich, Venice is full of ware,  
and both well stored with fruit and choicest wine:  
Since this and more my eye in you doth see,  
give leave, I'll show you what there is in me.   

Both to London.  
Speak free thy mind for we are both content,  
and will acknowledge thou art wondrous kind.  
Sith that thy judgement is so friendly spent,  
upon our worths, our favour thou shalt find.  
We long to hear thy worth what it may be,  
If thou canst equal ours we'll all agree.   

London's Description.  

First Lady Paris I address to you,  
you stand on Champion ground and so do I,  
No stately shipping comes unto your view:  
thanks be to heaven my dwellings not so dry,  
Paris wants seas, Venice wants hills of chalk,  
London wants neither water, nor sweet walk.   

At both your riches London doth not grudge,  
if thou desire some of my wealth to see,  
Walk but directly over my fair bridge,  
to my exchange and then you'll honour me,  
From thence to Paul's, & more wealth shall be spied,  
But wink not with your left eye in Cheapside.   

My honourable Lord doth govern me,  
with his wise brethren and a worthy sheriff:  
Where equity and justice you shall see,  
in larger measure than you can believe,  
As wide as is the world my fame doth ring,  
I am a seat for Prince for Queen and King   

I am arts Mistress and the tradesman's nurse,  
I am the high way to Parnassus' mount:  
How many strangers come with laden purse,  
to buy the water of my Nimphy fount.  
For trades I am a plain community,  
For art a tenfould University,    

Both to London.  
Peace speak no more, our anger is abated,  
No more we'll strive for sovereignty:  
Thy worth of us is now beloved, not hated,  
give us thy hand we'll swear true amity.  
Venice is fair, Paris is large and wide,  
London is rich it cannot be denied.   

London to both.  

You interrupt me ere my tale is done,  
four Terms are holden in me every year:  
My countrymen unto me ride and run,  
and do enrich me, yet I am not dear,  
Yet this is nothing to that I now shall tell,  
By which you both shall say I do excel.   

My masters can command their servants so,  
they must fulfil it without all reply:  
If they command, their men with speed to go,  
with willing mind all sloth they do defy.  
Yet give me leave I must speak one thing more,  
More worth than all, that I have spoke before.   

For my Religion it is profound,  
in jesus Christ I build my chiefest hope:  
God's word, the sacred scripture is my ground,  
and not the devilish doctrine of the Pope.  
You both are blinded with his false illusion,  
which not foreseen will work your own confusion.    

Both to London.  
Sweet sister peace for you have shamed us both,  
and pricked our consciences with endless grief:  
We must give thee the best, though we are loath,  
yet hast thou got it and thou must be chief  
Think kindly of us, worthiest of the three,  
And let our Traffic with thee still be free.   

London to both  

Think you of me, as I will do of you,  
no pride nor envy dwelleth in my heart:  
You gave me that which is mine own by due,  
yet still with me you shall have sister's part:  
Use me for traffic and transporting still,  
My heart is free to think the least of ill.   

Now farewell Sisters England calls me hence,  
and I must go, good haps betid you both,  
Yet thus much understand without offence,  
to change my wealth with both I would be loath.  
Yet will I yield the best on this condition,  
That you cast off your grounded superstition.    

Paris to both.  
Farewell sweet London thou hast conquered me,  
I now must take my leave and fly for France:  
My study shall be to speak well of thee,  
thy words have struck poor Paris in a trance,  
Fair sister Venice thrice farewell to thee,  
But to brave London I must servant be,   

London to Paris.  
Nay say not so, no servant you shall be,  
Dublin and Edinburgh my fair handmaids are,  
Fair Holland's Girls their duties show to me,  
'tis I delivered them from hand of war,  
Paris, in love, fair London takes thy hand,  
To thee united in a true-love's band.   

The Beam of Brightness. Paris adieu.  
Much honoured Maid, eternised be thy fame,  
may Paris live to do thee service still:  
heavens plague on them, that seek to work thy shame,  
or have intent to wroke thee any ill.  
The wind is North, and I will post to France,  
Where London's name, I Paris will advance.   

Venice to London.  
Paris is gone to France, but wretched I,  
will hast unto the Adriattick sea:  
My streets shall salt tears weep, and near be dry,  
sith that I am constrained to obey.  
Yet lovely London, this report of me,  
I am the second, worthiest next to thee.   

London to Venice.  
Be sure me Venice, but I will report,  
thy fame and credit may coequal mine:  
Yet one thing there is wanting in thy Court,  
which I contain, that is God's word divine.  
Yet truly Venice, this I'll say to thee,  
I love thee, and thou shalt have peace with me.   

Venice farewell.  
More lovely than my love can set thee forth,  
more famous far, than fame hath skill to call thee:  
My might is much, but little to thy worth,  
and thus I wish all endless joys befall thee.  
London command me, where thou wilt and when,  
God prosper thee, thus Venice says Amen.   

London's Conclusion.  

They both are gone, and left me hear alone,  
I wish them well, though first they envied me,  
I ever shall enjoy my native home.  
to let my countrymen my beauty see.  
Venice commands the Seas, Paris the land,  
London, both sea and land, at her command.   

Great God preserve my royal Emperor,  
the Queen, the Prince, the Council, & my Lord,  
His worthy brethren, and each venturour,  
that can for them and me their love afford.  
Plant Preachers in me, to beat vices down,  
Last with thy hand defend my maiden town.  
Amen.    
FINIS.