EPITHALAMIA: OR NUPTIAL POEMS UPON THE MOST BLESSED AND HAPPY MARRIAGE BETWEEN the High and Mighty Prince FREDERICK the fifth, Count Palatine of the Rhein, Duke of Bavier, etc.  
AND THE MOST VIRTUOUS, GRACIOUS AND THRICE EXCELLENT PRINCESS, ELIZABETH, SOLE Daughter to our dread Sovereign, JAMES by the grace of God King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, defender of the Faith, etc.  
CELEBRATED AT WHITEHALL the fourteenth of February, 1612.  
Written by GEORGE WITHER.  
AT LONDON, Imprinted for Edward Merchant, and are to be sold at his shop over against the Cross in Paul's Churchyard. 1612.   

TO THE ALL-VER TVOUS AND THRICE EXCELLENT PRINCESS, ELIZABETH, SOLE DAUGHTER TO OUR DREAD SOVEREIGN, JAMES BY THE GRACE OF GOD KING OF GREAT BRITAIN, FRANCE AND IRELAND, etc.  
AND WIFE TO THE HIGH AND MIGHTY PRINCE, FREDERICK THE FIFTH, COUNT PALATINE OF THE RHEIN, DUKE OF BAVIER, etc. ELECTOR AND ARCH-SEWER TO THE SACRED ROMAN EMPIRE, DURING THE VACANCY VICAR OF THE SAME, AND KNIGHT OF THE MOST HONOURABLE ORDER OF THE GARTER:  
GEORGE WHITHER WISHETH ALL THE HEALTH, JOYS, HONOUR'S AND FELICITIES OF THIS WORLD IN THIS LIFE, AND THE PERFECTIONS OF ETERNITY IN THE WORLD TO COME.   

To the Christian Readers.  
REaders; for that in my book of Satirical Essays, I have been deemed over Cynical; to show, that I am not wholly inclined to that Vain: But indeed especially, out of the love which in duty I owe to those incomparable Princes, I have in honour of their Royal Solemnities, Published these short Epithalamiaes. By which you may perceive, (how ever the world think of me) I am not of such a Churlish Constitution, but I can afford Virtue her deserved honour; and have as well an affable look to encourage Honesty; as a stern frown to cast on Villainy; If the times would suffer me, I could be as pleasing as others; and perhaps ere long I will make you amends for my former rigour; Mean while I commit this unto your censures; and bid you farewell.  
G. W.   

EPITHALAMION.  

BRight Northern Star, and great Minerva's peer,  
Sweet Lady of this Day: Great Britan's dear.  
Lo thy poor Vassal, that was erst so rude,  
With his most Rustic Satyrs to intrude,  
Once more like a poor Sylvan now draws near;  
And in thy sacred Presence dares appear.  
Oh let not that sweet Bow thy Brow be bend,  
To scar him with a Shaft of discontent.  
One look with Anger, nay thy gentlest Frown,  
Is twice enough to cast a Greater down.  
My Will is ever, never to offend,  
These that are good; and what I here intend,  
Your▪ Worth compels me to; For lately grieved,  
More than can be expressed, or well believed:  
Minding for ever to abandon sport,  
And live exiled from places of resort;  
Careless of all, I yielding to security,  
Thought to shut up my Muse in dark obscurity.  
And in content, the better to repose,  
A lonely Grove upon a Mountain chose.  
East from Caer win, midway twixt Arle and Dis,  
True Springs, where Britan's true Arcadia is.  
But ere I entered my intended course,  
Great Aeolus began to offer force.  
* The boisterous King was grown so mad with rage; 
He here remembers, and describes the 〈…〉 te Winter which was so exceeding tempestuous and windy.   
That all the Earth, was but his fury's stage.  
Fire, Air, Earth, Sea, were intermixed in one:  
Yet Fire, through Water, Earth, and Air shone.  
The Sea, as if she meant to whelm them under,  
Beat on the Cliffs, and raged more loud than thunder:  
And whilst the Vales she withsalt waves did fill,  
The Air show'rd Floods, that drenched our highest hill,  
And the proud trees, that would no duty know;  
Lay overturned, twenties in a Row.  
Yea every Man for fear, fell to Devotion;  
Lest the whole Isle should have been drenched in th'ocean.  
Which I perceiving conjured up my Muse,  
The Spirit whose good help I sometime use;  
And though I meant to break her rest no more,  
I was then fain her aid for to implore.  
And by her help indeed, I came to know,  
Why, both the Air, and Seas, were troubled so.  
For having urged her, that she would unfold  
What cause she knew: Thus much at last she told.  
Of late (quoth she) there is by powers Divine;  
A match concluded, twixt Great Thame and Rhine.  
Two famous Rivers, equal both to Nile▪  
The one, the pride of Europe's greatest Isle.  
Th'other disdaining to be closely penned,  
Washes a great part, of the Continent.  
Yet with abundance▪ doth the Wants supply,  
Of the still-thirsting Sea, that's never dry.  
And now, these, being not alone endeared,  
To mighty Neptune, and his watery Herd:  
But also to the great, and dreadful jove  
With all his sacred Companies above,  
Both have assented by their loves inviting:  
To grace (with their own presence) this Uniting.  
jove called a Summons to the World's great wonder;  
'Twas that we heard of late, which we thought thunder. 
The reason of the tempestuous Winter.   
A thousand Legions he intends to send them:  
Of Cherubins and Angels, to attend them:  
And those strong Winds, that did such blustering keep,  
Were but the Tritons, sounding in the Deep;  
To warn each River, petty Stream and Spring,  
Their aid unto their Sovereign to bring.  
The Floods and Showers that came so plenteous down,  
And lay entrenched in every Field and Town:  
Were but retainers to the Nobler sort,  
That owe their Homage at the Watery Court.  
Or else the Streams not pleased with their own store,  
To grace the Thames, their Mistress borrowed more.  
Exacting for their neighbouring Dales and Hills,  
But by consent all, nought against their wills.  
Yet now since in this stir, are brought to ground  
Many fair buildings, many hundreds drowned,  
And daily found, of broken Ships great store,  
That lie dismembered upon every shore:  
With divers other mischiefs known to all  
This is the cause, that those great harms befall.  
Whilst others things, in readiness did make,  
Hell's hateful Hags, from out their prison's brake. 
The cause of all such dangers, as fell out during the distemperature of the air.   
And spitting at this hopeful match, began  
To wreak their wrath, on Air, Earth, Sea and Man▪  
Some having shapes of Romish shavelings got  
Spewed out their venom: and began to plot:  
Which way to thwart it: others made their way  
With much distraction through land and Sea  
Extremely raging. But Almighty jove  
Perceives their Hate, and Envy from above:  
He'll check their fury, and in irons chained,  
Their liberty abused, shall be restrained;  
he'll shut them up, from coming to molest,  
The Merriments of Hymen's holy feast.  
Where shall be knit that sacred Gordian knot,  
Which in no age to come, shall be forgot.  
Which Policy nor Force shall near untie,  
But must continue to eternity.  
Which for the whole World's good was fore-decreed,  
With Hope expected long; now come indeed.  
And of whose future glory, worth, and merit  
Much I could speak, with a prophetic spirit.  
Thus by my Muses dear assistance, finding  
The cause of this disturbance, with more minding  
My Country's welfare, than my own content:  
And longing for to see this Tales event.  
My lonely life I suddenly forsook, 
He noteth the most admirable alteration of the weather a while before these Nuptials.   
And to the Court again, my journey took.  
Mean while I saw the furious Winds were laid;  
The risings of the swelling Waters stayed.  
The Winter, 'gan to change in every thing;  
And seemed to borrow mildness of the Spring.  
The Violet and Primrose fresh did grow;  
And as in April, trimmed both Copse and row.  
The City, that I left in mourning clad,  
Drooping; as if it would have still been sad:  
I found decked up; in robes so neat, and trim,  
Fair Iris, would have looked but stale and dim.  
In her best colours; had she there appeared.  
The Sorrows of the Court I found well cleared,  
Their woeful habits quite cast off, and tired  
In such a glorious fashion; I admired. 
The glorious preparation for this solemnity, the state whereof, is here allegorically described.   
All her chief Peers and choicest beauties too  
In greater pomp, than Mortals use to do;  
Wait as attendants; Juno's come to see;  
Because she hears that this solemnity  
Exceeds fair Hippodamia's, (where the strife  
Twixt her, Minerva, and lame Vulcan's wife  
Did first arise) and with her, leads along;  
A noble, stately, and a mighty throng.  
Venus, (attended with her rarest features,  
Sweet lovely-smiling, and hart-moving creatures,  
The very fairest jewels of her treasure,  
Able to move the senseless stones to pleasure▪)  
Of all her sweetest Saints, hath robbed their shrines;  
And brings them for the Courtier's Valentines.  
Nor doth Dame Pallas, from these triumphs lurk:  
Her Noblest wits, she freely sets on work.  
Of late, she summoned them unto this place,  
To do your masks and Revels, better grace.  
Here 
* Meaning the Sea fight, and the taking of the Castle on the water which was most artificially performed.  Mars himself to, Clad in Armour bright,  
Hath shown his fury, in a bloodless fight;  
And both on land, and water, sternly dressed,  
Acted his bloody Stratagems, in jest.  
Which to the people, frighted by their error;  
With seeming wounds and death did add more terror.  
Besides; to give, the greater cause of wonder;  
jove did vouchsafe, a rattling peal of thunder, 
The fire works he allegeth to those exhalations.   
Comets and Meteors by the stars exhaled,  
Were from the Midle-region lately called:  
And to a place appointed, made repair,  
To show their fiery friscolls in the air.  
People innumerable do resort;  
As if all Europe here would keep one Court.  
Yea Hymen in his safferon-coloured weed;  
To celebrate his rites is full agreed.  
All this I see; which seeing, makes me borrow,  
Some of their mirth a while, and lay down sorrow.  
And yet not this: but rather the delight,  
My heart doth take in the much hoped sight,  
Of these thy glories, long already due:  
And this sweet comfort, that my eyes do view.  
Thy happy Bridegroom; Pr: Co: Palatine,  
Now thy best friend and truest Valentine.  
Upon whose brow, my mind doth read the story,  
Of mighty fame; and a true future glory.  
Me thinks I do foresee already, how  
Princes, and Monarches, at his stirrup bow.  
I see him shine in steel. The bloody fields  
Already won; and how his proud foe yields.  
God, hath ordained him happiness great store:  
And yet in nothing, is he happy more  
Then in thy love, (fair Princess) For unless  
Heaven, like to Man, be prone to fickleness:  
Thy Fortunes, must be greater in effect,  
Then time, makes show of, or men can expect.  
Yet, notwithstanding all those goods of fate;  
Thy Mind, shall ever be above thy state.  
For over, and beside thy proper merit,  
Our last Eliza, grants her Noble spirit.  
To be redoubled on thee; and your names  
Being both one, shall give you both one fames▪  
Oh blessed thou! and they to whom thou gui'st,  
The leave for to attend thee where thou liv'st.  
And hapless we, that must of force let go,  
The matchless treasure, we esteem of so.  
But yet, we trust 'tis for our good, and thine:  
Or else thou shouldst not, change thy Thame for Rhyne.  
We hope, that this will the uniting prove,  
Of Countries, and of nations by your love.  
And that from out your blessed loins, shall come;  
Another terror, to the Whore of Rome:  
And such a stout Achilles as shall make,  
Her tottering Walls, and weak foundation shake.  
For Thetis-like, thy fortunes do require:  
Thy Issue should be greater, than his sire.  
But (gracious Princess) now since thus it fares:  
And God so well for you, and us, prepares.  
Since he hath deigned such honours, for to do you  
And shown himself, so favourable to you.  
Since he hath changed your sorrows, and your sadness  
Into such great, and unexpected gladness.  
Oh now remember, for to be at leisure  
Sometime to think on him, amidst your pleasure!  
Let not these glories of the world deceive you  
Nor her vain favours of yourself bereave you.  
Consider yet, for all this jollity,  
Y'are mortal, and must feel mortality.  
And that God can in midst of all your joys▪  
Quite dash this pomp, and fill you with annoys,  
Triumphs are fit for Princes; yet we find,  
They ought not wholly to take up the mind.  
Nor yet to be let past, as things in vain,  
For out of all things, wit will knowledge gain.  
Music may teach, of difference in degree,  
The best tuned Commonweals will framed be.  
And that he moves, and lives, with greatest grace;  
That unto Time, and Measure, ties his pace.  
Then let these things be 
* He declares what use is to be made of these shows & triumphs, and what meditations the mind may be occupied about when we behold them.  Emblems, to present.  
Your Mind, with a more lasting true content.  
When you behold the infinite resort,  
The glory and the splendour, of the Court:  
What wondrous favours, God doth here bequeath you,  
How many hundred thousands, are beneath you:  
And view with admiration your great bliss,  
Then with yourself you may imagine this.  
'tis but a blast, or transitory shade;  
Which in the turning of a hand, may fade.  
Honours, which you yourself did never win.  
And might, (had God been pleased) another's been.  
And think, if shadows have such majesty;  
What are the glories of eternity?  
Then by this image of a fight on sea,  
Wherein you heard the thundering canons plea;  
And saw flames, breaking from their Murdering throats;  
Which in true skirmish, fling resistless shots.  
Your wisdom may (and will no doubt) begin;  
To cast what peril a poor Soldiers in.  
You will conceive his miseries and cares,  
How many dangers, deaths and wounds he shares.  
Then though the most passed over, and neglect them  
That Rhetoric, will move you to respect them.  
And if hereafter, you should hap to see  
Such Mimic Apes; (that courts disgraces be)  
I mean such Chamber-combatants; who never  
Wear other helmet, than a hat of Bever.  
Or near board Pinnace but in silken sail,  
And in the steed of boisterous shirts of mail,  
Go armed in Cambric? if that such a Kite,  
(I say) should scorn an Eagle in your sight:  
Your wisdom judge (by this experience) can:  
Which hath most worth, Hermaphrodite, or man.. 
* Fire works.   
The night's strange * prospects, made to feed the eyes;  
With Artful fires, mounted in the skies:  
Graced with horrid claps of sulphury thunders;  
May make you mind, jehovahs' greater wonders.  
Nor is there any thing, but you may thence  
Reap inward gain; aswell as please the Sense.  
But pardon me (oh fairest) that am bold,  
My heart thus freely, plainly, to unfold.  
What though I know, you knew all this before:  
My love this shows, and that is something more.  
Do not, my honest service here disdain,  
I am a faithful, though an humble Swain.  
I'm none of those, that have the means or place;  
With shows of cost to do your Nuptials grace:  
But only master, of my own desire,  
Am hither come, with others to admire.  
I am not of these Heliconian wits;  
Whose pleasing strains the Courts know humour fits.  
But a poor rural Shepherd, that for need:  
Can make sheep Music, on an Oaten reed.  
Yet for my love (Isle this be bold to boast)  
It is as much to you, as his that's most:  
Which; since I no way else, can now explain,  
If you'll in midst of all these glories, deign  
To lend your ears unto my Muse so long:  
She shall declare it, in a wedding song.    

EPITHALAMION.  

VALENTINE, good morrow to thee, 
The Marriage being on Saint Valentine's day the author shows it by beginning with the salutation of a supposed Valentine.   
Good I wish, though none I do thee:  
I would wait upon thy pleasure,  
But I cannot be at leisure.  
For I owe this day, as debtor,  
To (a thousand times) thy better,   

Hymen now will have effected  
What hath been so long expected:  
Thame thy Mistress, now unwedded;  
Soon must with a Prince be bedded.  
If thou'lt see her Virgin ever,  
Come, and do it now, or never.   

Where art thou, oh fair Aurora?  
Call in Ver and Lady Flora.  
And you daughters of the Morning,  
In your neat'st, and feat'st, adorning:  
Clear your foreheads, and be sprightful;  
That this day may seem delightful.   

All you Nymphs, that use the Mountains,  
Or delight in groves, and fountains;  
Shepherdesses, you that dally,  
Either upon Hill or valley;  
And you daughters of the Bower,  
That acknowledge Vesta's power.   

Oh you sleep too long; awake ye,  
See how Time doth overtake ye:  
Hark, the Lark is up and singeth,  
And the house, with echoes ringeth.  
Precious hours, why neglect ye,  
Whilst affairs, thus expect ye?   

Come away, upon my blessing,  
The bride-chamber, lies to dressing:  
Strew the ways, with leaves of Roses,  
Some make garlands, some make poses,  
'tis a favour an't may joy you▪  
That your Mistress will employ you.   

Where's 
* Scuerne.  Sabrina, with her daughters;  
That do sport about her waters;  
Those that with their locks of Amber, 
* Wales.   
Haunt the fruitful hills of Camber;  
We must have to fill the number;  
All the Nymphs of Trent and Humber.   

Fie; your haste, is scarce sufficing,  
For the Bride's awake and rising.  
Enter beauties, and attend her:  
All your helps▪ and service lend her.  
With your quaint'st, and newest devices:  
Trim your Lady, fair Thamisis.   

See she's ready: with joys greet her,  
Lads, go bid the Bridegroom meet her.  
But from rash approach advise him,  
Lest a too much joy surprise him.  
None I ere knew yet, that dared:  
View an Angel, unprepared.   

Now unto the Church she hies her,  
Envy bursts, if she espies her.  
In her gestures, as she paces,  
Are united all the Graces:  
Which who sees and hath his senses,  
Loves, inspite of all defences.   

Oh most true majestic creature.  
Nobles did you note her feature  
Felt you not an inward motion,  
Tempting Love to yield devotion▪  
And as you were e'en desiring.  
Something check you, for aspiring▪   

That's her Uerive which still tameth  
Loose desires: and bad thoughts blameth.  
For whilst others were unruly,  
She observed Diana truly:  
And hath by that means, obtained,  
Gifts of her that none have gained.   

yond's the Bridegroom d'ye not spy him?  
See how all the Ladies eye him.  
Venus' his perfection findeth,  
And no more Adonis mindeth:  
Much of him my heart divineth:  
On whose brow all Virtue shineth.   

Two such Creatures Nature would not,  
Let one place long keep: she should not:  
One she'll have, (she cares not whether)  
But our Loves can spare her neither.  
Therefore ere we'll so be spited;  
They in one shall be united.   

Nature's self, is well contented,  
By that means, to be prevented.  
And behold, they are retired,  
So conjoined, as we desired:  
Hand in hand, not only fixed,  
But their hearts, are intermixed.   

Happy they, and we that see it,  
For the good of Europe be it.  
And hear Heaven my devotion,  
Make this Rhine and Thame an Ocean: 
Tiber is the River which runneth by Rome.   
That it may with might and wonder,  
Whelm the pride of * Tiber under.   

Now yond * Hall their persons shroudeth, 
Whithall.   
Whither all this people crowdeth.  
There they feasted are with plenty,  
Sweet Ambrosia is no dainty.  
Grooms quaff Nectar: for there's meeter,  
Yea more costly wines, and sweeter.   

Young men all, for joy go ring ye,  
And your merriest carols sing ye.  
Here's of Dam'zells many choices,  
Let them tune their sweetest voices.  
Fet the Muses too, to cheer them:  
They can ravish, all that hear them.   

Ladies, 'tis their highness pleasures,  
For to see you, foot the Measures:  
Lovely gestures addeth graces,  
To your bright, and Angel faces.  
Give your active minds the bridle:  
Nothing worse, then to be●dle.   

UUorthies, your affairs forbear ye,  
For the State a while may spare ye:  
Time was; that you loved sporting,  
Have you quite forgot your Courting?  
joy the heart of Cares be guileth:  
Once a year Apollo smileth. 
Simel. in anno ridet Appol.    

Fellow shepherds, how I pray you,  
Can your flocks at this time stay you?  
Let us, also hie us thither,  
Le's lay all our wits together.  
And some Pastoral invent them,  
For to show the love we meant them.   

I myself though meanest stated,  
(And in Court now almost hated)  
Will knit up my 
* Abuses strip and whipped.  Scourge, and venture  
In the midst of them to enter:  
For I know, there's no disdaining,  
Where I look for entertaining.   

See, me thinks the very season, 
He noteth the mildness of the winter which excepting that the beginning was very windy, was as temperate as the spring.   
As if capable of Reason;  
Hath lain by her native rigour,  
The fair Sunbeams have more vigour.  
They are Aeols most endeared:  
For the air's stilled, and cleared.   

Fawns, and lambs, and kids do play,  
In the honour of this day.  
The shrill Blackbird, and the thrush  
Hops about in every bush:  
And among the tender twigs,  
Chant their sweet harmonious jigs   

Yea, and moved by this example, 
Most men are of opinion that this day every bird doth choose her mate for that year.   
They do make each Grove a temple:  
Where their time the best way using,  
They their Summer loves are choosing.  
And unless some Churl do wrong them.  
There's not an odd bird, among them.   

Yet I heard as I was walking,  
Groves and hills by Echoes talking.  
Reeds, unto the small brooks whistling;  
Whilst they danced, with pretty rushling.  
Then for us, to sleep 'twere pity:  
Since dumb creatures are so witty.   

But oh Titan, thou dost dally,  
High thee to thy Uesterne valley.  
Let this night one hour borrow;  
She shall paid again, to morrow.  
And if thou'lt that favour do them,  
Send thy sister Phoebe to them.   

But she's come, herself unasked: 
By these he means the 2. Masques, one of them being presented by the Lords, the other by the Gentry.   
And brings * Gods and Heroes masked.  
None yet saw, or heard in story,  
Such immortal, mortal glory.  
View not, without preparation:  
Lest you faint, in admiration.   

Say my Lords, and speak truth barely,  
Moved they not exceeding rarely?  
Did they not such praises merit,  
As if flesh had all been spirit?  
True indeed, yet I must tell them,  
There was One did far excel them.   

But (alas) this is ill dealing,  
Night unwares away is stealing.  
Their delay, the poor bed wrongeth,  
That for Bride, with Bride groom longeth:  
And above all other places,  
Must be blest, with their embraces.   

Revelers, than now forbear ye,  
And unto your rests prepare ye▪  
Let's a while your absence borrow,  
Sleep to night, and dance to morrow.  
We could well allow your Courting,  
But 'twill hinder, better sporting.   

They are gone; and Night all lonely,  
Leaves the Bride with Bridegroom only.  
Muse now tell; (for thou hast power  
For to fly through wall or tower.)  
What contentments their hearts cheereth;  
And how lovely she appeareth.   

And yet do not; tell it no man.  
Rare conceits may so grow common;  
Do not to the Vulgar show them,  
('tis enough that thou dost know them.)  
Their ill hearts, are but the Centre,  
Where all misconceaving enter.   

But thou Luna that dost lightly,  
Haunt our downs and forests nightly.  
Thou that fauor'st generation,  
And art help, to procreation:  
See their issue thou so cherish,  
I may live, to see it flourish.   

And you Planets in whose power,  
Doth consist, these lives of our;  
You that teach us Divinations,  
Help with all your Constellations:  
For to frame in Her a creature,  
Blest in Fortune, wit, and Feature.   

Last; oh you Angels ward them,  
Set your sacred Spells to guard them:  
Chase away such fears, or terrors,  
As not being; seem through errors.  
Yea let not a dreams molesting,  
Make them start, when they are resting.   

But THOU chiefly; most adored;  
That shouldst only, be implored.  
Thou to whom my meaning tendeth,  
Whether ere in show, it bendeth:  
Let them rest to night from sorrow  
And awake with joy to morrow.   

Oh, to my request be heedful,  
Grant them that, and all things needful.  
Let not these, my strains of Folly,  
Make true prayer be unholy,  
But, if I have here offended:  
Help, forgive, and see it mended.   

Deign me this. And if my Muses  
Hasty issue, she peruses;  
Make it unto her seem grateful,  
Though to all the World else, hateful.  
But how ere, yet Soul persever,  
Thus to wish her good, for ever.   

THus ends the Day, together with my Song;  
Oh; may the joys thereof continue long.  
Let Heavens just, allseeing, sacred power;  
Favour this happy jubilee, of your:  
And bless you, in your chaste embraces so,  
We Britan's, may behold before you go.  
The hopeful Issue, we shall count so dear  
And whom, (unborn) his foes already fear.  
Yea I desire, that all your sorrows may;  
Never be more, than they have been to day,  
Which hoping; For acceptance now I sue,  
And humbly, bid your Grace, and Court adieu.  
I saw the sight, I came for; which I know,  
Was more than all, than world beside could show.  
But if amongst Apollo's Lays you can,  
Be pleased, to lend a gentle ear to Pan:  
Or think your Country Shepherd, loves as dear,  
As if he were a Courtier, or a Peer:  
Then I, that else must to my Cell of pain,  
Will joyful, tnrne unto my flock again.  
And there, unto my fellow shepherds tell,  
Why you are loved; wherein you do excel:  
And when we drive our flocks a field to graze them,  
So chant your praises, that it shall amaze them:  
And think that Fate, hath now recalled from death,  
Their still-lamented, sweet Elizabeth.  
For though they see the Court, but now and then  
They know desert as well as Greater men:  
And honoured Fame, in them doth live or die;  
As well, as in the mouth of Majesty.  
But taking granted, what I here entreat:  
At heaven for you, my devotions beat,  
And though I fear, fate will not suffer me,  
To do you service, where your Fortunes be:  
How ere my skill, hath yet despised seemed,  
(And my unripened wit, been misesteemed.)  
When all this costly Show, away shall flit,  
And not one live, that doth remember it:  
If envies trouble, let not to persever;  
I'll find a means, to make it known for ever.    

CERTAIN EPIGRAMS CONCERNING MARRIAGE.  

Epigram 1.  
'tIs said; in Marriage above all the rest  
The children of a King find comforts least,  
Because without respect of Love, or Hate  
They must, and oft be, ruled by the State:  
But if contented Love; Religions care;  
Equality in State, and years declare  
A happy Match (as I suppose no less)  
Then rare, and great's Eliza's Happiness.   

Epigram 2.  
GOd was the first that Marriage did ordain,  
By making One, two; and two, One again.   

Epigram 3.  
Soldier; of thee I ask, for thou canst best,  
Having known sorrow, judge of joy and Rest.  
What greater bliss, then after all thy harms,  
To have a wife that's fair, and lawful thine:  
And lying prisoned twixed her ivory arms;  
There tell, what thou hast scaped by powers divine?  
How many, round thee, thou hast murdered seen;  
How oft thy soul hath been near hand expiring,  
How many times thy flesh hath wounded been:  
Whilst she thy fortune, and thy worth admiring,  
With joy of health; and pity of thy pain;  
Doth weep, and kiss, and kiss, and weep again.   

Epigram 4.  
Fair Helen having stained her husband's bed,  
And mortal hatred twixed two Kingdoms bred,  
Had still remaining in her; so much good  
That Heroes, for her, lost their dearest blood:  
Then; if with all that ill, such worth may last,  
Oh what is she worth, that's as fair and chaste!   

Epigram 5.  
OLd Orpheus, knew a good wives worth so well,  
That when his died, he followed her to hell:  
And for her loss, at the Elysian Grove,  
He did not only Ghosts, to pity move:  
But the sad Poet breathed his sighs so deep;  
'tis said the Devils could not choose but weep.   

Epigram 6.  
LOng did I wonder, and I wondered much,  
Rome's Church should from her Clergy take that due,  
Thought I why should she that contentment grudge?  
What, doth she all with continence endue?  
No; but why then are they debarred that state?  
Is she become a foe unto her own?  
Doth she the membèrs of her body hate?  
Or is it for some other cause unshown?  
Oh yes; they find a woman's lips so dainty;  
They tie themselves from one; cause they'll have twenty.   

Epigram 7.  
WOmen, as some men say, unconstant be,  
Perhaps a few; and so no doubt are men:  
Nay if their 'scapes, we could so plainly see,  
I fear, that soarce there will be one, for ten.  
Men, have but their own lusts that tempt to ill;  
Women have lusts, and men's allurements to:  
Alas, if their strengths cannot curb their will;  
What should poor women, that are weaker do?  
Oh they had need, be chaste, and look about them,  
That strive against lust within, and knaves without them.