THE DOVE: OR PASSAGES OF Cosmography.  
BY RICHARD ZOUCHE Civillian, of New College in OXFORD.  
Sicut Columbae.  
LONDON: Printed for George Norton, and are to besould at his shop under the black Bell, near Temple-bar. 1613.   

TO THE TRVELY Noble, and worthily Honoured, Edward Lord Zouche, St. Maur and Cantelupe, of his majesties Privie-councell.  
Right Honourable:  
MY resolved assurance, that the mouths of Infants may reveal a truth, makes me who have not attained that perfection of speech, which is reputed worthy to be openly heard, yet hopefully ambitious to be believed. And truly, I desire no more, but that this simple Intelligencer, who hath brought in a relation of the WORLD to me, may report me again to the world, one who wish the good of all who are studiously affected, and Honour of those who have put life into my poor endeavours. How much I am bound both in myself, and those whom I esteem as near, to your Lordship's favours, I should blush in this idle manner to make profession, did I not think that those noble ends, which have given beginning to all your actions, have enabled you to entertain with constancy, the slender acknowledgements of great deservings. But what your Honour did never expect in the great unthankful, and cannot meet in this little imperfect world of mine, may you find eternally remembered, in that more glorious and incorruptible to come.  
Your Lordship's kinsman obliged in duty RICHARD ZOUCHE.   


Ad Autorem.  
ISte tripartitae liber est Descriptio terrae,  
Et simul ingenij Mappa, typusque tui.  
Consimili versu pingatur America, su tu  
Ipse, Columba velut Musa, Columbus eris.  
THO. LAKE.   

TAm paucis, tot, tanta? quis O, si deforet orbis,  
Non velit in Libro, Zouche, habitare tuo?  
JOAN: HARRIS, N.C.   

To my dearly affectionate friend Mr. RICHARD ZOUCHE.  
THy work hath tongue, for us t'admire thy worth,  
Silence, the voice of an admiring mind  
Should then best fit my pen; but Love breaks forth  
And will needs speak what in thy book I find,  
And wrestingly, out of my wont lines  
It makes me shuffle in these hobbling rhymes.  
Though 'twere not thine, it's good, but having birth  
From thee, it's excellent; who in an hour  
Fliest o'er the forest of the spacious earth,  
And of each Eden dost cull out some flowers,  
And leav'st out nothing, (this is admirable)  
Which to a settled eye can be remarkable,  
And in so narrow lines could be discovered  
Of so much World;) but thy pen hath vtterred,  
And for this Truth, which men best-bred do know  
Didst but into the Muse's garden go.  
Who fearing danger dares not cross the Sea,  
And of the Earth desires to know the frame,  
Let him but read thy work, and he shall see  
The world's fair Symstry by distinguished names,  
And by thy Art, his ignorance may know  
For which most men by Land and Sea do row:  
And let him bless thy wit, and praises sing  
that thus with ease dost him such knowledge bring.  
Ingenious ZOUCHE, live thy Verses long,  
Fly fair, and far thy Dove, with her smooth song:  
Of thy all-Noble name for Arms long known,  
These Lettred times have thee designed their own.  
Your Lover and friend, Richard Yong.   

To the Author.  
BEhold, a miracle, a singing Dove,  
Which sweetly sings, yet sings not sweets of love.  
Each study be her Dove-house, and each breast,  
Which harbours studious thoughts, her gentle nest.  
Nic. Stoughton, Int. Temp.   

ASpice; non veneri est devota Columba; movetur  
Illius, auspicijs, penna, Minerva, tuis.  
Ergo Deae noctis studiosae Noctua cedat,  
Dum tu gaudentem luce tueris auém.  
Car. Herbert, N.C.    

The Dove.  

TAke wing my Muse, and like that silver DOVE  
Which o'er the world new-bathed, did hou't●● fly  
The low-coucht Seas, and high-placed Land above,  
Discern with faithful, though with fearful eye,  
That what both Land and Sea resounding ring  
We may to this All-makers praises sing.   

He who directs the Sparrows tender flight,  
And sees him safely reach the hurtless ground,  
Guide thee in all thy PASSAGES aright  
And grant thy Course be sure, they Restin● sound  
From Mount of Olives, as from Hill of ●●yes,  
Blest with the Branch of Peace though not of Praise.   

And you whose Care our Floating house yet saves  
From sinking in the Deluge of Despair,  
Whilst with poor feathered oars she pass the waves  
Of this all-vulgar-breathed, storme-threatning Air:  
Dear LORD vouchsafe with patient look t'attend  
Her flights both trembling rise, and humble end.    

The World.  

TO our small Isle of Man, some well compare  
The WORLD, that greater Continents huge frame  
Nor much unlike either's Perfections are  
Their Matter, and their Mixture both the same:  
Whence M●ns Affection it so much allures,  
Sith greatest Likeness greatest Love procures.   

But if their outward Forms we look upon,  
We shall their Figures divers plainly see:  
For man's erected tall Proportion  
To his heau'n-hoping Soul doth best agree:  
Whereas the World each way being framed round,  
The aptest form for turning Change hath found.   

Like Nature's rarest workmanship, the Eye,  
The well contrived instrument of seeing,  
Which by exact and apt rotundity,  
Performs his duty, and preserves his being,  
Of many curious circling Spheres composed,  
And Orbs, within the Orbs without enclosed.    

The Earth.  

IN midst of which by rarer Engeny,  
Then Mars and Venus hang in Lemnian net:  
The Land and Sea embracing lovingly,  
Making one perfect Globe, in th'air were set.  
Whose interveyning qualities agree  
To breed and bear what move, or resting be.   

Thrice happy Union when these Greater things  
Accord in perfect Love and Amity:  
Whose peace an universal blessing brings,  
Causing in lesser states sweet harmony:  
And ever blessed be his powerful hand,  
By whom this Order doth supported stand.   

Now Rose-cheeked Morning, kindest Friend of Arts,  
Learning's best Mistress, my presuming Muse  
Of all the Earth's diffused, sundry parts  
Thy Neighbour confine Kingdoms first doth choose,  
That when her faulty boldness she doth see,  
If blush she do not she may learn of thee.    

Asia.  

THe world's true Mother-Land, man's Nursery,  
Great ASIA, object of diviner view,  
Saluted first by heavens all-seeing eye,  
Soon by it departing, bid t'adiew.  
The West yet wrapped in Darkness shined in Light,  
That since enlightened, lies enwrapped in Night.   

CHINA her farthest Region in the East,  
By Portugals to us discovered late,  
Is with much Pleasure, and rich Plenty blest,  
With People, and with Princes fortunate:  
Yet most procuring wonder do excel  
The Cities where her Prince and People dwell.   

The skill of Printing and Artillery,  
Rarest inventions which these days have seen,  
(If we believe the Fame which thence doth fly)  
Here in the ancientest times have practised been:  
And sure that People is or should be wise,  
Which say We see with one, They with both eyes▪   

Bordering on China Northward lies CATHAY,  
Ruled by her Emperor, the mighty Cham,  
To whom great TARTARY doth tribute pay:  
Great Tartary whose far distended name,  
Twixt ancient India, and the Icy Sea,  
Possesseth all to Western Muscovy.   

The Nation sprung from Sires of Scythian race,  
Not satisfi'ed with Ob, nor Volga's flood,  
People anew some new unpeopled place,  
In guilded skulls carousing lukewarm blood,  
More happy yet in spoiling States well built,  
Then in erecting where their force hath spilled.   

As those hail volleys which the Whirlwinds cast  
Of leaden drops, from some dark molten showers,  
Beat down the fruit, and all the fields lay waste:  
Led by great Tamburlaine those storming Powers  
Forced Asia's Tyrant, with his prostrate troup,  
Under their fearful Arms to bend and stoop.   

Southward from China, do confining lie  
The Eastern INDIESES whose rich golden sands  
Under conduct of greedy tyranny,  
Oft felt the violence of warlike bands,  
Which hoping to prove rich with foreign spoil,  
Forsook the sweetness of their native soil.   

First Bacchus did this Country overrun,  
And set up trophies in the conquered East:  
Oh would he had gone on as he begun,  
And never turned to subdue the West!  
Might Indus banks have boar his branching Vines,  
Nor Europe's streams been stained with sweeter wines.   

Great Alexander next with powerful might,  
Without resistance, did these parts subdue,  
Whilst the Inhabitants not used to fight  
Away before his Army trembling flew.  
Since subject unto him, whose spacious mind  
Not Ganges, nor once farthest Gades confined.   

Their state most slavish, Fortune miserable,  
Their life is painful, and unpleasing to them,  
They others making strong, are made unable,  
And wealth which blesseth few, did first undo them,  
Which is no more than hath been seen of old,  
They most unhappy who have heaped most gold.   

Their neighbour PERSIA tried this long before,  
Greatly presuming on her mighty treasure:  
But filled with much, and ever craving more,  
Did surfeit, and grow sick with too-much pleasure:  
For whose disease the Fates did think it good  
The Prince of Macedon should let her blood.   

Cyrus, with Nature's rarest graces blest,  
The type of virtue, paragon of Honour,  
Plucked from Assyria's proud Imperial crest  
A Monarch's Diadem, and placed it on her:  
Which they who followed, but with ill success,  
Unhappy soon did lose, or leave much less.   

Yet since those losses, somewhat have regained  
These sometimes only expert carpet Knights,  
That late in Champion Field their virtue trained,  
Countries far of remote, now oft affrights:  
Their mighty Sophy to that strength is grown,  
That feared of others, he yet feareth none.   

The west of Asia, once Earth's Paradise,  
Since subject to the TURKS most slavish yoke,  
Hath seen her Cedars reaching to the Skies,  
Laid low by his fierce sacrilegious stroke:  
Her glorious Kingdoms of illustrious fame,  
Being swallowed in the deluge of that name.   

Down from ARMENIA'S ruder Mountain tops,  
This violent impetuous Torrent fell,  
Whose stronger source impatient of stops,  
O'erwhelmed all th'Inhabitants that dwell  
Betwixt the greater Sea, near Trebizond,  
And that which washeth rich Arabians strand.   

The CASPIAN Sea which seems on Ocean,  
Within his Circuits is restrained and bound:  
But this outrageous race of Ottoman  
Which hath no end, nor limits ever found:  
Scorning with banks or borders to be held,  
Hath o'er Euphrates, and broad Tigris swelled.   

Great Babylon sometimes ASSYRIA'S pride,  
By their prevailing armies overthrown,  
Their fury, and their fierceness having tried,  
Now feels by dear experience of her own,  
What grief judaea captive then sustained,  
When by her Rivers weeping she complained,   

Yet now no comfort can JUDAEA take  
In this her Neighbour nations ●uster woe,  
Her fellowship in misery may make  
Her like distressed mind like passion show,  
Yet not bewail it, sith her loss more near,  
May borrow many, but not lend a tear.   

This Country by the Midland Sea confined.  
Was once a happy, and a HOLY LAND:  
To Gods own people's heritage assigned,  
Manured only by his royal hand,  
Then Scene of heavenly favour, since the Stage  
Of most inhuman, furious, hellish rage.   

Here HE, who hath the highest Heaven his Throne,  
The Earth his footstool, did vouchsafe to make  
His regal Presence, that thrice-sacred-ONE,  
Whose mighty virtue Devilish forces broke,  
In human nature borne to undergo  
Our most inhuman sinne-revenging woe.   

O blessed Love, of Iudas blessed King!  
O happy Mercy of that blessed Love!  
Let Quires of Angels to his glory sing,  
Let Earth beneath, let highest Heavens above  
Assist poor Man his soul's best thoughts to raise,  
To his distressed souls Redeemers praise.   

Jerusalem, thou Iudas choicest City,  
Beholding all his wonderful effects,  
Were't chiefest object of his tender pity,  
But yet his kindness cruelly neglects:  
Which foul offence deserving thy decay,  
jordan may witness but ne'er wash away.   

Thy glory since to desolation changed,  
Thy Bulwarks, and fair Buildings are defaced,  
All favours of the Heavens, are quite estranged,  
Thy people fleeing thee, elsewhere disgraced:  
And Zion which did Silver drops distill.  
Thy Valleys with salt tears of grief doth fill.   

Above judaea, bordering on the West,  
Of great Armenia, lesser ASIA lies;  
Which on three sides, three famous Seas invest,  
Once known so many Kingdoms to comprise,  
Now his entire, whose Tyranny so far,  
Sworn foe to peace, hath ravaged in war.   

His burden stiffnecked Taurus undergoes,  
And sly Moeander by his winding shelf,  
Snake-like enwreathed, which so doubtful flows,  
Deludes observers, and doth lose himself,  
Unwilling his strange cruelty to see,  
Doth ever seek, but finds no corner free.   

Betwixt the red Sea, and the Persian bay,  
From Palaestina to the Southern main,  
Famous ARABIA doth at large display  
Her triple-folded thrice-illustrous train,  
Whose riches into divers Countries brought,  
Are with great travel, and much danger sought.   

To those fair parts which being farthest placed,  
Do serve as Spicery to other Lands,  
A tedious fearful journey must be paced,  
Through Rocky deserts, and Wind-driven Sands,  
Where many Merchants trading oft have been,  
Lost in the spacious Wilderness of Sin.   

Of balms and Spices well this soil may boast,  
Whilst Mahomet from hence first issued forth:  
We envy not the fruit of this fair coast,  
Nor ought that to despise the colder North,  
Which so great distance from those parts removed,  
Have been no less by bounteous Heaven beloved.    

afric.  

AFRIQVE removed to the Southern parts,  
In form resembling some well-shapen shield,  
Would ill resist the suns more piercing darts,  
But that her uncouth monster-bearing field,  
To Phoebus' angry fury most exposed,  
Within great Neptune's Bauldrick rests enclosed:   

Betwixt the Midland Sea, and Sanguine bay,  
Divided by a little tract of ground,  
Hither from out of Asia, a way  
As o'er a strait, but strong-built Bridge is found,  
Where Nilus' streams, like many branching veins  
Do feed with plenty EGYPT'S fruitful plains.   

Nature disposed herself to recreate,  
As in her fittest workhouse, here doth use,  
(Which Art may wonder at, not imitate)  
Life into new created shapes t'infuse,  
The Sunbeams serve as fire, the work to make,  
The slimy soil as apt each form to take.   

Industrious Art, less potent, not less proud,  
Envying Natures uncompared power,  
Hath there upraised outreaching every cloud,  
Many a gallant, and starre-threatning Tower:  
Whose strange, sky-piercing, flame-resembling spires  
This age distrusts, Antiquity admires.   

Next, near those Cynthia's-kisse-aspiring Hills,  
Where profuse Nilus hides his Bankrupt-head:  
Those tawny troops whose fame all Africa fills.  
Under great PRAESTER JOHN'S conduct are led,  
By whom the Christian ensigns are retained,  
But with some blots of error foully stained.   

And lest some corner more divinely blest,  
From strange Prodigious monsters should be free,  
A late usurped Kingdom's here possessed  
By that rude AMAZONIAN Anarchy,  
Where they, who should a distaff, sceptres sway,  
And Men their Wives imperious rules obey.   

In ZANZIBAR, near to that Southern Cape,  
Which lately from GOOD-HOPE deriu' his name,  
If not by Nature, many an ugly shape  
Have been brought forth by M●●ster-ma●ing Fame,  
Such Creatures hardly could produced be,  
But by th'assistance of her Midwifery.   

There headless some are framed, as Momus would,  
With eyes and mouth, like windows, in their breast;  
Others as cast in Polyphemus mould,  
Of one Light in their forehead stand possessed:  
Some Pygmyes, Men Diminutives▪ maintain  
Like Pawns tall squadrons ●n a chessboard plain   

Hence turning Northward that great Kingdom lies  
Now by the name of MANICONGO known:  
And ri●h GVYNAEA, whose commodities  
The English to their Country oft have shown.  
Then NUBIA Eastward, whose warm sands enfold  
Heaps of the purest, best refined gold.   

The La●● of NEGRO is not far from thence  
Nearer exended to th'atlantic Main:  
Wherein the Blacke-Prince keeps his residence,  
Attended ●y his jetty, coloured train:  
Who in their native beauty most delight,  
And in contempt do print the Devil white.   

With wild Arabia, LYBIA may contend,  
A field of dangers, and unheard of fears,  
Her sands want number, and her Deserts end.  
Inhabited by Lions, Panthers, Bears:  
Such rough possessors of so rude a soil,  
That none, of either, either would despoil.   

Next these the Pastures of NUMIDIA lie;  
Where, with their easily-removing tents,  
The Princes of that wandering Policy  
Do follow still their Grazing Regiments:  
And sure those Troops are worse taught then fed,  
Where Rulers by the Multitude are led.   

From Skye-prop Atlas to that watery Plain,  
Which doth twixt afric and fair Europe run,  
Opposed to Italy, to France, and Spain,  
BARBARIA next, enjoys a milder Sun;  
Whose borders sundry kingdoms do confine,  
Fez, with Morocco, Tunes, Telesine.   

FEZ, long since famous for her fruitful Vines;  
And rich MOROCCO, which with Sugared Reeds  
Sweetens the relish of those sharper wines,  
Which th'other countries bruised cluster bleeds,  
Lie next those Island in the Western main,  
Where Fortunes first, since dwelled Actaeon's train,   

From Carthage ruins, whose yet infant State,  
Bathed in poor Queen Dido's wronged blood,  
Her most strange Love turning to stronger Hate,  
With Rome in long-fixt opposition stood:  
TUNIS and TESELINE derived, do grow  
In fast-bound Friendship with great Europe's foe.    

Europe.  

THe Complement of this inferior Globe,  
Fair Amphitrite, Nature's chiefest pride,  
Thrice glorious with her silver-waved rob,  
With Islands, as with jewels beautified:  
Within her Arms enfolded, sets apart  
EUROPE, the Earth's sure Head, the World's sound Hart.   

Where swift Iberus with true lowliness,  
Performs his duty to the Midland main,  
The great and lesser BALEARIDES,  
First in the straits do guard the coasts of Spain,  
Whose expert Youth, were wont, the smallest thing  
To strike far distant with their well-ruled sling.   

Then as the Holmes, two sturdy umpires met  
Betwixt the quar'ling Welsh, and English tides,  
In equal distance each from other set,  
As both removed from fair Severn's sides:  
SARDINIA next with CORSICA doth stand  
Twixt the fierce Roman and fell Punick Land.   

Triangled SICILY, some Authors say,  
Was once one with th'Italian Continent,  
Till working Neptune twixt them digged a way  
With force of his three forked Instrument:  
Rebel to Heaven here Aetna upward casts,  
To daunt the Lightning, Sulphure-fuming blasts.   

Little MELITA which Paul's innocence,  
Scaping the water, at the fire did try.  
More to the South-coast situate from hence,  
Hath been renowned for their Chivalry,  
Who driven from Rhodes near Caria, here withstood  
The profuse wasters of poor Christians blood.   

Next, CANDY, Cradle of reputed jove,  
With Nectar-dropping Vines is overspread:  
Whence Eastward sacred to the Nymph of Love,  
CYPRUS erects her Myrtle-crowned head.  
Well twixt these two hath Neptue put some space,  
Whose fruits once met in one, mar any place.   

The ARCH-SEA rolling from th'unruly North,  
Doth seem to threaten Candyes overthrow;  
But that the troops of CYCLADES stand forth  
To break the fierceness of his furious blow,  
Like Xerxes fearful Army, Asia's wonder,  
Cutting in broken streams his strength asunder.   

Above that are those straits so much renowned,  
Which Europe scarce from Asia separate,  
Where Helle first, Leander since was drowned,  
By them made famous, though unfortunate,  
Yet (so from smallness things to Greatness rise:)  
The GREATER-Sea beyond this passage lies.   

Such is that Channel, by whose slender sides,  
As through her Sluice, the vast MAEOTIS Pond  
Charged with full fraught Greatness, hardly slides  
From out her round shores close in circling bond:  
Which TANAIS falling from the frozen Hills,  
With his cold, almost Crystal current fills.   

Near Tanais with Tartary confined,  
Along the Northern Ocean, doth lie  
With waist Livonia in the West conjoined  
The spacious Empire of vast MUSCOVY,  
Whose Duke like Boreas in his big-built Hall,  
Doth foes at hand affright, far off appall.   

SWEDEN and NORVVAY in the same degree,  
Save what a narrow Isthmus doth retain,  
Quite from the Earth almost divided be,  
Pulled by the strong Arm of the Baltic Main,  
Which wrong peace making Winter doth prevent,  
And them congealed binds to the Continent.   

Next POLAND, Southward, doth her bounds extend  
Down from Muscovia towards Hungary,  
Which divers other Countries comprehend,  
Whose confines round about her confines lie,  
Pleasant Massovia, rich and fruitful Russia,  
Cold Pomerania, and much colder Prussia.   

Within the compass of two goodly Rivers,  
Sav●s and Teissa, ploughed with many a flood,  
Which up to Ister all his store delivers:  
Ister disperseth to the Country's good,  
Unhappy HUNGARY by Nature's blessed.  
Much good possessing by much ill possessed.   

Eastward environed round about with Hills,  
As with the strongest Rampires of defence,  
In peace her Valleys TRANSYLVANIA tills  
Somewhat secured from Turkish violence:  
So he who to that Empire hath given way,  
Hath also means and power to make it stay.   

Beyond Danubius many branching streams,  
Which through the East of Europe stately run,  
revived by the more relieving beams,  
Of a director, and more Southern Sun:  
Illyricum, Dalmatia, and Thrace,  
Changing their names, retain their ancient place.   

THRACE on three sides is washed with Neptune's waves,  
Yet is no fruitful, nor delightsome soil,  
Her old Inhabitants were old Rome's slaves,  
Her new Rome now made new invaders spoil,  
Where th'Orient Empires Seat, by him 's aspired,  
Whose rule like Phaëtons, the world hath fired,   

In equal parallel to Thrace confines  
Ancient DALMATIA, through well tempered veins  
Which once diffusing her rich golden Mines,  
Now equal bondage, with poor Thrace sustains,  
Her low-layd Temples sleeping in the dust,  
And brightest glory quite ore-grown with rust,   

Below it GREECE the dismal Sepulchre  
Of Learning, Virtue, Valour, Policy,  
Which once were flourishing and famous there,  
Since in rude Barbarism do buried lie,  
Seems what she hath been now unapt to show,  
Object of Fury, Image of strange woe.   

Had Helen in her undissembling glass,  
Viewing the wrinkles which her age had wrought,  
Foreseen what misery should come to pass,  
To her disfigured Country, her sad thought  
(So scarce fair Dames beholding foul are pleased,  
Had not she much been joyed, had much been eased.   

Olympus, unto whom the Clouds gave way,  
To upstart Tyranny submits, and bows:  
Parnassus once Crowned with the verdant Bay,  
With saddest Cyprus shrouds his mourning brows,  
And Tempe, robbed of all her pleasing weeds,  
With spiteful furrows wounded weeps and bleeds.   

Athens, Miuerua's Chapel, Phoebus' Choir,  
Within whose Cloisters, those pure vestal Maids  
The Muses, kept their ever-burning fire  
Whose light, our cold, dark ignorance upbraids,  
From broken ruins, and her vaults scarce found  
No voice, but voice of horror's used to sound.   

The School of Virtue, stately Theatre,  
Of bravest, men-beseeming action,  
Whose Laws excelling far, exceeded were,  
By Customs easily, and truly done:  
Like feeble milo's arms enerued, and dead▪  
Old Lacedaemons virtuous strength is fled.   

And Theban walls, raised by the powerful sound  
Of rare Amphion's sweet well-fingerd Lute,  
Humbly saluting the debased ground,  
Lie razed with noise of Trumpets, Drums, and Flute  
Which Instruments, if any, may be said  
Here to have true, and quick Division played.   

Where like a second Midland Sea the pride  
Of swelling ADRIA, doth distend her shores,  
Opposed to Italy, whose armed sides  
Oft fear th' approaching of Slavonian oars:  
ILLYRICUM whilst turcism it o'erflows,  
Feels not her billows nor respects her blows.   

Some rather curious how the Earth should stand,  
Then careful how similitudes do run,  
Have likend to a Leg, th'ITALIAN Land:  
But since it hath so many conquests won,  
It far more fitly might compared be  
Unto an Arm, the limb of Chivalry.   

Her Wealth, her sinews, and her rivers veins,  
Her Buildings were her Bones, her People Marrow,  
Yet whilst she Mars his warlike Spear sustains,  
At length was wounded with young Cupid's arrow,  
Since of Bellona'es' ensigns dispossessed,  
On Venus' pillow long hath lain at rest.   

The pleasant Land of labour, Naples seat,  
Where first appeared that contagious sore,  
Which since contracted by the Frenchmens heat,  
They farther Westward o'er the Alps have boar,  
By female luxury impaird, was fain  
To seek her physic in the Fields of Spain.   

Life-feeding humours drawn from every part,  
Tiber engrossing, hath that Ulcer bred  
Impostemed Rome, which quite confounding Art,  
Hath o'er the Bosom of all Europe spread.  
O! may some Royal Heau'n-graced hand assuage  
This swelling Evils Kings-stroke-asking rage!   

Florence by Arno almost compassed round,  
The perfect Beauty of the Tuscan plains,  
If well disposed it continuing sound  
Infectious anguish not so much sustains  
To her great Medici, who have withstood  
The common danger, owes her chiefest good.   

The Gate of Italy transporting far,  
The sundry plenties of her fair increase,  
Long foe to Venice in the fiercest war,  
Corrival in the softst delights of Peace,  
With strong-mand Galleys Genua scours the seas,  
With well-rigd Pinnaces seeks Rhodes of ease.   

Like hundred armed Briareus, the Po,  
Stretched forth on Lumbardyes delightful bed,  
With dropsy humours makes her overflow,  
By which surcharged not discreetly fed,  
Oft times her Sponges (Milan's Duke put by)  
Suck her abundance, and do soak her dry.)   

Bathed in the Adriatiques farther wave,  
As some fair Seanymph, famous Venice sits,  
Whom all the praise which fiction freely gave  
To Seaborn Venus, far more truly fits  
Earth's richest jewel, Beauty's brightest Star,  
Mother of Love, Love of the God of War.   

The Eagle, badge of Sovereign Majesty,  
Upon one breast dividing many heads,  
The sundry parts of scu'red GERMANY,  
At large displayed, shadowing over-spreads,  
Whence much distracted, that fair body stays,  
Whose chiefest parts are bend so divers ways.   

Where it on Italy doth next confine,  
Closing with Hungary, doth OSTRICH rest:  
Renowned Ostrich, whose Prince-branching Line  
Stretched through the yielding, and declining West,  
With various windings hath attained of late,  
Many a far and near encompassed state.   

Like great Danubius' unresisted source,  
Their fame extended to the larger main,  
By sundry conquered Islands takes his course,  
Observed of Italy obeyed of Spain,  
Thence through the straits close passage having pierced  
By th' Ocean, to both Indies is dispersed.   

Iser, and Oenus which from tyrol flows,  
Having their homage to Bavaria done,  
With Licus which the bounds of Suevia shows,  
And many highborn streams which downward run:  
Against the Turks encroaching power combined,  
To Austria's Current have their forces joined.   

Mora which to Moravia lends her name,  
Her tribute duly uncompelled doth bring:  
And great Odera Slesia's chiefest fame,  
With younger Albis, hold him for their King.  
The Waser, Rhine, the Maze, the Sceld though free,  
Yet to Danubius all inferior be.   

The Oder having Slesia's bounds outgone,  
Doth Brandenbourghs fair Marquisate salute,  
Whose double Marches now both ranged in one,  
'mongst Germane Princedoms bears a choice repute;  
Thence in the Baltic Ocean up resigned  
Her freezing streams cold entertainment find.   

Near to BOHEMIA'S farthest Eastern skirt,  
As from the Earth's breast, yet small Albis crawls,  
Where, with th'Hercinian Forests Pale begirt,  
And stately Mountains strong surrounding walls,  
Till with Multavia joined she breaks the bay,  
From out her Country hardly finds a way.   

From thence through Saxony she takes her course,  
Where meeting Sala, (whose fair streams divide  
Turinge from Misnia) with more strengthened force,  
She goes t'encounter with the Northern tide:  
O'er which prevailing near to juitlands' Coasts,  
In triumph towards Denmark's Court she posts.   

Hail DENMARK'S Court, seat of a faithful King,  
Sweet nursery of Britain's Sovereign QUEEN,  
Fountain of all our joy, from whom do spring  
The Hope of Thames, and Happiness of Rhine;  
Latona like which makes the Albion Land,  
Her children's Well-rockt Cradle firmer stand.   

The Hassian confines quickly passing by,  
Waser upon Westphalia longer stays,  
Whence Em to Freeslands Embden seems to fly,  
Wing'd with affection, which detests delays:  
Where in the watery region both do meet,  
And each embracing other kindly greet.   

Down from the Alps-spring Cloud-despising heads,  
Europe's perpetual well-filled Conduits, flow  
(Whose farre-dispersed moisture all overspreads)  
The Rhine, the Rhosne, the Danow and the Po,  
Po and Danow towards the rising Sun,  
Sothward the Rhosne, the Rhine doth Northward run.   

Rhine through the fight Swissers Cantons passed,  
Down from those Country's lofty verge descends  
Through basel, and by Strasbourg; then with haste  
Meets Neccar, which fair Heidelberg commends:  
Whose lesser streams which Wittenberg confine,  
Grown big do honour Rhein's Count Palatine.   

Now stay you gentle streams, and let that air  
Which sweetens your pure waves, refresh my Muse,  
Ne'er may my Silence passing by that Pair,  
Which make Earth happy, courteous Heaven abuse.  
What Love-taught Turtles only best express,  
Less may my Dove adorn, admire no less.   

Here the fair SHOWER of th'imperial Court,  
Prince of those Princes which do Caesar's make:  
In Honour's Palace, joined to virtues Fort,  
Where equal pleasure Love and Beauty take,  
Reside (o worthy of immortal breath!)  
Fair FREDERICK, and fairest ELIZABETH.   

He as another Mercury on Earth,  
Deputed faithful Arbiter of Right:  
She like clear Cynthia of Celestial birth,  
From Britain SUN deriving heavenly Light:  
In sweet Conjunction matched, do truly show,  
What happy States to high-placed Virtues owe.   

Thence Rhine and Neccar friendly take their way  
To Mentz, where Maenus from Franeovia rose,  
Doth for their coming with attendance stay,  
And kindly with them down to Collen goes:  
Mosella passing Triers them first o'er-takes,  
And entertained once, no more forsakes.   

So would these Mitred Cities once profess,  
Truth's worth apparent, which they conscious see,  
Albis and Oder might consent no less,  
The Duke and Marquis both conjoined agree:  
That Germane Diadem designed to bare,  
Rhenus with swelling Isther might compare.   

From Collen passing down along by Cleve,  
Then through Gelder's reaching Holland, all  
Together of the Continent take leave,  
And in among the Zealand Islands fall.  
Where Noble ●●sle doth keep with English bands,  
Flushing, the key of all the Nether-lands.   

The Maze confining Lutzenbourg, descends,  
Meeting with Sambre at Namur, to Liege:  
Then Brabant's halfe-encompast coast defends  
From neighbouring Gulick, and near Gelder's Siege:  
And passing well-maned Huisden, joins at length  
To Rhein's more worthy force, his wel-met strength.   

To them the Sceld, rising near Cambray speeds,  
Which leaving Artois borders on the West;  
Through Henault comes to Tourney, then proceeds  
To Gaunt in Flanders, where not finding rest,  
It makes to Antwerp, by whose safe convoy  
It doth at length a long-wished end enjoy.   

Belge's fair Daughters midst these floods remain.  
Of which with low obeisance some do bow,  
Bearing up Isabel th' Infanta's train,  
For whose dear Love obliged in Nuptial vow,  
Her cousin Ostrich from the Church estranged,  
His scarlet Bonnet for steel Beaver changed.   

The rest to Faith's allegiance firm adhere,  
Freed by the Christian Faith's Defendress aid,  
Her Champions having them secured from fear,  
And Superstitions strong encroaching stayed:  
All virtuous Captains, most praiseworthy all,  
Brave Norris, Sidney, Vere, and Vuedall.   

And may not Envy here my Love debar  
Or Zouches name be in my name depressed,  
Both 
* William and Allan Zouche.  you who yet attend the charge of war,  
And 
a Henry and Francis Zouche  you whose happy Souls in Peace do rest,  
Dear, love-deserving Brothers, aught to be,  
By them remembered, not forgot by me.   

FRANCE, Europe's Eden, Western Paradise,  
Part paled with Mountains, moated part with Seas  
The famous Seed-plot of the Flower de Lice,  
Wants nothing which the curious sense muy please,  
Except the easy Arbour of Repose,  
Under the shadow of the Sovereign Rose.   

The more than earthly once reputed Powers,  
Driven from the troubled and distempered East,  
There placing since their fancy-pleasing Bowers,  
Where they more freely might disport and feast:  
Choicest delights of them esteemed most dear,  
Seem to have planted and disposed here.   

Ioues Oak, whose root he makes his conscious pillow,  
And thicke-leaued boughs his shady Canopy:  
Si●ke-thoughted Juno's pale forsaken Willow,  
Crown of contempt-conceiving jealousy,  
That on the airy Mountains, this doth grow  
Where Crystal Rivers through cool Valleys flow   

Under the Laurels, worth adorning wreaths,  
Mars▪ and Apollo joined in friendship rest;  
Yet Mars short-winded angry accents breaths,  
Late basely of great HENRY dispossessed,  
And fierce Apollo hath lamenting left,  
Of his divine Duke Bartas quite bereft.   

Amongst the olives fruite-concealing leaves,  
Pallas and all the Virgin Muses sing,  
To cheerful CERES, well-grown ripened sheaves,  
The rural Nymphs as rarest posies bring,  
Venus and Cupid midst the myrtels sport,  
The Elms do Bacchus and his Vines support.   

Great Britain's Ocean with his conquering tide,  
Passing the entrance of their yielding shore,  
Hath proved their plenty, and repressed their pride,  
Hath tried their virtue not impaird their store,  
And much admiring most himself admired,  
His right reserved, hath his force retired.   

The fairest offspring of the floudy Peers,  
With due observance to his Crystal Throne,  
Do pay the tribute of their silver tears:  
Rich Seyne, sweet Loire, & great Garond, the Rhone  
Hasting his banke-disdaining course t'enlarge,  
Doth in the straighter Seas his stream discharge.   

Through Geneua's clear and constant Lake  
He comes to Lions, having left Savoy,  
Where meeting Soane from Burgundy, they take  
By Daulphny to Avignon, thence with joy,  
Passing by Provence, they at Arles attain  
A spacious entrance to the Midland Maine.   

Well-planted champaign Seyne first watering falls  
On Paris, situate in the Isle of France,  
About whose stately Cities goodly walls,  
Many of Amphitrites daughters dance,  
Till all conjoining Norman Vales give place,  
They reach the Harbour of the Haven of grace.   

Hence did that worthy Duke first hoist his Sail.  
Whom Right conducted, Conquest seemed t'attend,  
Fortune assisted with a prosperous gale,  
The flower of Virtue France along did send,  
Which unto English fields removed, and set,  
Prepared a room for great Plantagenet.   

Amongst them, not the meanest of the flock,  
Allan, the Earl of less Britain came,  
Deriving from the stems of ancient Stock,  
That sometimes flourishing, now fading name:  
Which though it little to earth's moisture owe,  
Blest by the dew of Heaven again may grow.   

The silver Crescent, in the sable sky  
Seems to resemble Loyres cornuted streams,  
But farther followed with attending eye:  
It looks like full-faced Phaebe's scattering Beams,  
She midst the lesser Stars great lustre shows,  
This 'mongst the Minor floods abundant flows.   

Rising in Auvergne it descends to Nevers,  
Then passing Orleans, turneth down to Tours,  
Whence bending unto Nants, it Poictou severs  
From Britain, where this horn of plenty powers  
Her much increased scarce contained store,  
Over the surface of the Western shore.   

So when the second Henry first set forth,  
Simply attended with the strength of Main:  
Proceeding forward his attractive worth,  
Adding brave spirits to his spreading train,  
Whilst to a larger state his Hopes aspire,  
His late-got-greatnes all the Land admire.   

From out the Frontier hills, through Gascony,  
Garond to Toulouse less observed goes,  
Then entertaining from all parts supply,  
Passeth to Bourdeaux, and by passing grows,  
That ere at Blay it reach the watery realm,  
Her Sea-beseeming-waves the Land o'erwhelm.   

How did the Sovereign of St. George his Knights,  
His new ennobled Garter here advance,  
Whilst his admired Orders worth incites  
The states succeeding of amazed France,  
To follow after, though preceded far,  
With Badge of Golden Fleece, and sparkling Star?   

Crecy and Poitiers saw the Princely Bands,  
Eclipse with feathr'y Clouds the lowering day:  
And Agincourt in danger, trembling stands,  
Whilst Henry's valour o'er it towering lay:  
Each place but passable by searching fame,  
Gave way to Nevil's, and great Talbots name.   

NExt France the Pirenean Hills descry,  
SPAIN, as the Orchard of th'Hesperides,  
Whose golden fruit, observed with wary eye  
A stern and watchful Guardian did possess;  
Now blest the wealth and happy is that soil  
Whose keepers care 's not feared, nor stranger's spoil.   

Under those stately Mountains shady side,  
Entrenched by great Iberus, lies Navarre,  
Whence nearer to that Sea which Spain divides  
From parched Africa, Southward seated are  
Hot Arragon, and those choyce-hearbed-fields  
Of good Valenc'a, which such plenty yields.   

These, and those Seigneuries which here, erewhile  
No great Superiors, free controlment brooked,  
Are by the lofty Turrets of Castille,  
Upon t'Herculian Pillars raised, overlooked,  
Her mounted Ordinance commanding all,  
Betwixt Navarre, and farthest Portugal.   

The Western Ocean doth confine the shore  
Of wealthy Portugal, where Tagus' sands  
Mixed with abundance of Gold-yeelding ore,  
Was sifted by some Guilt-approving hands,  
Wohse Mettall-minded hard affection would  
Turn with refining all they touched to gold.   

Now on poor Protestants such Art they use,  
Whom they with all pursuit do first inquire,  
And having found, do sift, and sifted bruise,  
At last their soundness they explore with fire:  
And though they never will their stamp admit,  
To pass with Angels they do make them sit.   

Fair Andaluzia which had once repute,  
For giving weary Phoebus' welcome rest,  
Feeds her Sivilians with Gold-seeming fruit:  
Oh! would they were with us indeed so blest  
Who far more truly entertain the Light,  
Repelling errors wrong-protecting Night.   

There Boetis which doth fall near Cadis bay,  
Seing the English ensigns fair displayed,  
Stopping her troubled course, began to stay,  
And feeling her vast body much dismayed:  
Up ●oward Corduba where first she bred,  
Her blood contracting back retired and fled.   

The winged Chariots, which out-sayld the wind,  
Led by great Essex, with much ease did pass  
Beyond Plus ultra, and have left behind  
Trophies above the Monuments of Brass,  
Of which may yet these peaceful times relate,  
Loving our own, though theirs we leave to hate.   

Thence as that Navy, where the flower of Greece  
Returned from Colchos, whilst they come from Spain,  
Bravely enriched with the Golden Fleece,  
And ride triumphing o'er the Sea-greene-plaine:  
Great Britain Glories Capitol dilates,  
The close-bard entrance of her Crystal gates.   

GReat BRITAIN shadow of the starry Spheres  
Selfe-viewing Beauties true presented Grace  
In Thetis Myrrhour, on this Orb appears,  
In Worth excelling, as extolled in Place:  
Like the rich Crusade on th'imperial Ball,  
As much adorning as surmounting all.   

Bounded within the watery Firmament,  
Whose ever-moving streams about it role,  
She measures forth her length in fair extent,  
Towards the Southern, from the Northern Pole:  
Betwixt her Rivers Zone-dividing Lines,  
Each City like a Constellation shines.   

Auon and Twede her Tropics, Zodiack-wise  
Pass Trent and Severn: to the springing Morn  
Trent goes declining, Severne bending lies  
Down by the Western, freez-cloathed Capricorn.  
Thames, as th'Equator, doth more even run,  
Proud with the Mansions of her biding Sun   

Majestic SUN, long may thy kind aspect  
Shed down sweet influence upon this Clime,  
Beyond all Envy, as without Defect,  
Ruling but never altering our Time,  
Till passing from our teare-bedewed eyes,  
Thy Glory in another Heaven shall rise.   

T●●● soon our JULIAN-STARRE late Prince of Light,  
The sparkling lustre of whose virtuous ray  
To Britain hearts content with shortest Night,  
Promised the comfort of eternal day:  
Too soon expired, o worthy long to prove  
The world's great Wonder, & his Countries love.   

And fair ELISA midst the glistering Crew,  
Which as our glorious Cynthia seems renewed,  
Lately removing from our fainting view,  
Her presence with all graces bright endued,  
For Latmus' shade, doth spend her precious hours  
On Rhenus' Banks amidst the Myrtle Bowers.   

Yet like those glistering Emblems near the Pole,  
Still above Earth's Horizon elevate.  
May our Heroic Prince's name control  
The Starry Orders of this well-ruled State,  
And Britain's Chariot as the Northern Wain,  
With great Arcturus join her CHARLEMAIGNE.   

A stately Burrs, built in the Western Strand,  
Renowned Exeter far off doth seem:  
But London, Exchange-Royall of the Land,  
Is object of the People's best esteem:  
So whilst the glorious Daystar shines more bright,  
Clear Hesperus obscured doth give no light.   

Sweet-seated Sals-bry, Wilshyres ornament,  
Neighb'red with Plains, graced with goodly Valleys,  
Like some delightful Garden of Content,  
Watering with silver streams her well-squared allies,  
But that it doth more firm and surely stand,  
Doth seem another Venice in our Land.   

bath, fairely-built, throughout the World is known  
For her most wholesome strength-repayring Springs,  
But she which hath so strange effects oft shown,  
With ill success did lend her Founder wings:  
Poor wormlike creeping men she might restore,  
Ne'er make them borne to go, like Birds to soar.   

Bristol, the merchants Magazine, enclosed  
With Rocky Hills, by Auons stream embraced,  
Fair by industrious workmanship composed  
As by great Nature's wisdom firmly placed,  
Viewing her verdant Marsh, may well disdain  
Rome's somtimes-glory, Mars his Champion plain.   

Old Winchester, the ancient seat of Kings,  
For virtue, and for valour much renowned,  
So subject unto change are earthly things,  
In stead of Diadem with Bayes is crowned.  
Where worthy Wicchams children now maintain  
The fame once known by great king Arthur's train.   

Oxford by Isis' Crystal streams confined,  
And well-discerning Cambridge, Learning's Pair,  
Excel those Lamps which once on Ida shined:  
Bright juno show'd, clear Pallas, Venus' fair;  
But either of these thrice illustrious eyes,  
Doth Brightness, Clearness, Fairness all comprise.   

As that true Ensign of th'Almighties Love,  
Lively displayed in the Cloudy Sky,  
The gazer's eye astonished doth move  
To wonder at such strange variety:  
Rain-bow-resembling London, England's Bliss,  
The heavens great Mercy, and Earth's Marvel is.    

To the Reader.  
READER:  
IF thy Patience be not too much discouraged, adventure on the little Commonweal of my poor thoughts. I ever rather admired than professed Poetry, the necessity of my Studies, to which a higher direction than mine own choice hath appointed me, forbidding the one, and that delight, which beyond ordinary content received in all sorts of Learning, hath been presented to me in this, occasioning the other: yet have I, as my leisure gave me leave, taken to myself in this idleness that relief, which in other variety most do think they may justly use. I know some whose credit hath challenged respect exceeding strong in prejudice against the composing and reading such trifles, yet the excellency of divers in this kind, commended by others, whom I have no warrant to distrust, makes my small experience think, that some Muses, like Silkworms, spin a fine thread for necessary use, as many like Spiders curious webs for unprofitable admiration. His censure who affirmed the reading of Amadis du Gaul as dangerous to youth, as of Macciavel pernicious to old men, was, as the Author, truly generous; yet I presume it extends not to all which without proclaiming title to wisdom and judgement, seem raised or fashioned by imagination. There is, who hath undertaken to illustrate by places of the Arcadia, all the points of the Art of speaking: I will add (which is as much as Achilles his Father desired Chiron should teach his Son) he is rude that cannot discern, or exceeding austere that scorns to observe therein, worthy behaviour and carriage both in private and common business: And one as understanding in the Policy of Letters and Peace, as La Nove was experienced in the Discipline of Arms, and a troubled State, by exquisite unfolding of some fabulous Stories, makes it plain, that the Cisterns of these times, derive the fullness of their wisdom, by no other conveyance than such narrations, from the purer springs of all antiquity. To whom he had yielded his assent; who, employing his faithful labours in teaching to believe, I know had care he might not be disproved, and farther graceth Poetry, with the choice appellation of the Souls woing-Suite; in which divers (their excellency carrying them higher) have showed their thoughts not unfit for solemn, yea Sabaoth devotions. And truly, they who will be pleased to credit our own tongue, and age, may find our present, and later Poets, capable of that commendation, which was given the antienst among the greeks: That if their writings were preserved, no part of Learning should wholly perish. Spencer, having as well delivered Moral, and Heroical matter for use and action, as Du Bartas (now ours) Natural and Divine, for study and meditation. I would not diminish the worthy reputation of other Volumes; for mine own part, it being known to some, I have spent time in them, I should be loath to be thought ignorant of that, which I am persuaded all that know do well allow. But as the plain way affecteth most, the nearest many, so I am sure there are some, who, had they been showed that which was pleasing, would have proved successful, when they have returned exceeding empty from Systems and Commentaries.  
What I have attempted in this subject, was long since excellently performed by Dionysius in Greek, and divers in Latin, whose example hath given me some encouragement, but no more direction than Magellan to Sir Francis Drake, showing the straits might be passed, not instructing how. Some places may seem obscure, but I intent it to those who understand, or desire to know something in this Argument: I have not touched all, because I would be short, and have used shortness, as unwilling to sweat, and make a labour of my sport, as any fastidious lookers on are quickly apt to distaste satiety. As it is, Reader, I indifferently leave it to thy discretion: what esteem thou wilt be pleased to put on it, is in thy power, how I may value thy esteem remains in mine.  
FINIS.