A PARAENESIS to the Prince  
By WILLIAM ALEXANDER of Menstrie.   printer's device of Richard Field (McKerrow 192) ANCHORA SPEI 
LONDON, Printed by RICHARD FIELD for EDWARD BLOUNT. 1604.   

A PARAENESIS to the Prince.  

1  
LO here (brave Youth) as zeal and duty move,  
I labour (though in vain) to find some gift  
That's worthy of thy greatness, and my love:  
But whilst myself above myself I lift,  
And would the best of mine inventions prove,  
I stand to study what should be my drift:  
Yet this the greatest approbation brings,  
Still to a Prince to speak of princely things.   

2  
When those of the first age, that erst did live  
In shadowy woods, or in a humid cave;  
And taking that which th'earth unforced did give,  
Would pay but that which Natures need did crave;  
Then beasts such numbers did of breath deprive:  
They following Amphion those retires did leave;  
Who with harmonious sounds brought them together,  
That each in danger might assist another.   

3  
Then building walls, they barbarous rites disdained,  
The sweetness of society to find,  
And all t'attain that th'union entertained,  
As peace, religion, and a virtuous mind:  
That so they might have restless humours reigned,  
Their liberties with laws they strait confined:  
And of the better sort the best preferred,  
To chastise those, against the laws that erred.   

4  
I wot not if th'ambitious that aspired,  
o'er many realms to make themselves a right,  
Or if the world's disorders so required,  
That then had put Astraea to the flight;  
Or if 'twas some whose virtues were admired,  
And eminent in all the people's sight,  
That moved peace-lovers for to rear a throne,  
And give the keys of life and death to one.   

5  
When as that dignity did first begin,  
'Twas proper to each province and t'each town;  
And as when Forth doth from Benlowmond run,  
she's poor of waters, naked of renown:  
But taking Teeth, Allon, and Doven in,  
Doth grow the greater still, the further down,  
Till that abounding both in power and fame,  
She strives with th'Ocean, who should brook the name.   

6  
Even so those sovereignties that once were small,  
Still swallowing up the nearest neighbouring state,  
With a deluge of men did th'earth appall:  
And thus th'Egyptian Pharaohs first grew great;  
Thus did th' Assyrians make so many thrall;  
And thus the Romans' reared th'imperial seat;  
And thus all those great States to work have gone,  
Whose limits and the worlds were all but one.   

7  
But I'll not plunge in such a stormy deep,  
That neither hath a bottom, nor a shore;  
But in the dust I'll let those ashes sleep,  
That clothed with purple once th'Earth did adore,  
Of them scarce now a monument we keep,  
That have so thundered in the world before.  
Their states that by a numbers ruin stood,  
Were founded and confounded both with blood.   

8  
If I would call antiquity to mind,  
I might me for an endless task prepare.  
But what? ambition that was ever blind,  
Did get with toil that which was kept with care;  
And all those mighty Monarchies we find  
Their falls were famous, as their rise rare:  
And ever since th'unconstant world began,  
All that by vice was lost, which virtue won.   

9  
Yet registers of memorable things,  
Would help (great Prince) to make thy judgement sound,  
Which to the eye a perfect mirror brings,  
Where all should glass themselves that would be crowned:  
Seek out a stage where th'actors all are Kings,  
The parts heroic, and the end renowned;  
Which whilst thou in thy cabinet dost sit,  
Is worthy whiles t'amuse thy growing wit.   

10  
And do not, do not now the means omit  
To match the time that comes with it that's by,  
Since History may lead thee unto it,  
A pillar whereupon good spirits rely;  
The table of all times, the nurse of wit,  
The square of reason, and the minds clear eye,  
That leads th'undangered Reader through huge harms,  
Who stands as 'twere secure amidst th'alarms.   

11  
Nor is it good over brave men's lives to wander,  
As one that at each corner stands amazed:  
No, labour like some one thyself to render,  
Who to the height of glory hath been raised.  
So Scipio Cyrus, Caesar Alexander,  
And that great Pince, choosed him whom Homer praised:  
Or make (as which is recent and best known)  
Thy father's life a pattern of thine own.   

12  
Yet looking great men's lives this much impairs  
The profit that that benefit imparts,  
While as transported with preposterous cares:  
To imitate but superficial parts,  
Some for themselves frame of their fancies snares,  
And show what folly doth o'ersway their hearts:  
For counterfeited things do stains embrace;  
And all that is affected hath no grace.   

13  
All those that of those outward things take hold,  
Do show by that, they can no higher win.  
So to resemble Hercules of old,  
Mark Antony would bear the Lion's skin;  
And th'heir of Alcibiades it's told,  
Would such a course (though to his scorn) begin,  
Who to seem like his father that was dead,  
Would make himself to lisp and bow his head.   

14  
No, who would rightly follow such as those,  
Must of the better parts apply the powers;  
And as th'industrious Bee advisedly goes  
To seize upon the best, shun base flowers:  
So where thou dost the greatest worth disclose,  
To compass that be prodigal of hours,  
And study not so much to seem, as be:  
Nor seem not for to know that which we see.   

15  
And to resemble thy renowned Sire,  
Thou hast not to affect no slender things:  
But matchless virtues that all minds admire,  
Whose treasure to t'his realms great comfort brings:  
T'attain to those (thou Raze of kings) aspire,  
That they may yield thy fame immortal wings:  
And like the Eaglets proving thus thy kind,  
Thou art both his of body and of mind.   

16  
Ah, be not those most miserable souls,  
That for to fine their judgements never strive,  
Nor will not look upon the learned scrolls,  
That do experience to th'unpractised give;  
But, whilst base sloth each better care controls,  
Are dead in ignorance, entombed alive?  
Twixt such and beasts the difference is but small:  
They use not reason, beasts have none at all.   

17  
O divine treasure, that the best sort loves,  
Life of the soul, reformer of the will,  
Clear light, that from the mind, each cloud removes;  
Pure source of virtue, physic for each ill;  
That in prosperity a bridle proves,  
And in adversity a pillar still:  
Of thee the more men get, the more they crave;  
And think the more they get, the less they have.   

18  
But if that knowledge be required of all,  
What should they do this treasure to obtain,  
Whom time doth promise in a throne t'enstall,  
Where they by it of all things must ordain?  
If it make those who by their birth were thrall,  
As little kings, whilst o'er themselves they reign;  
Then it must make, when it hath thoroughly graced them,  
Kings more than kings, and like to him that placed them.   

19  
This is a grief that all the world bemoans,  
Whilst those lack judgement that are borne to judge,  
And like to painted tombs, or guilded stones,  
Are for th'afflicted people no refuge.  
King's are their kingdoms hearts, which tainted once,  
The bodies strait must die, in which they lodge:  
And those, by whose example many fall,  
Are guilty of the murder of them all.   

20  
The means that best make majesty to stand,  
Are laws observed, good counsels brought t'effect:  
The Crown the head, the Sceptre decks the hand:  
But only knowledge doth the thoughts erect.  
King's should excel all them that they command,  
In all the parts that do procure respect:  
And this a way, to what they would, prepares,  
Not only that it's good, but that it's theirs.   

21  
Nor should they seek respect for, to procure  
With loathed tyrannic deeds, and guards most lewd.  
So Nero did, yet could not so assure  
The brangling Diadem with blood imbrued;  
Nor as the Persian kings, that lived obscure,  
And of their subjects rarely would be viewed.  
So one of them was secretly o'erthrown,  
And in his place the murderer reigned unknown.   

22  
No, only goodness doth beget regard,  
And equity doth greatest glory win;  
To plague for vice, and virtue to reward;  
That which they would have done, for to begin:  
This is t'authoritie a powerful guard,  
And makes a Prince's praise o'er all to run;  
Whose life his subjects law, cleared with his deeds,  
More than justinian's toils, good order breeds.   

23  
All those that over th'unbaptized nations reigned,  
By barbarous customs sought t'engender fear,  
And with a thousand tyrranies constrained  
All them that they subdued their yoke to bear:  
But those whom great jehova hath ordained,  
Above the Christians lawful thrones to rear,  
Must seek by worth to be obeyed by love,  
So having reigned below to reign above.   

24  
O happy Henry, that art highly borne,  
Yet beautifiest thy birth with signs of worth,  
And though a child, all childish toys dost scorn,  
To show the world thy virtues budding forth,  
Which may by time this glorious isle adorn,  
And bring eternal Trophies to the North:  
While as thou dost thy father's forces lead,  
And art the hand, while as he is the head.   

25  
Thou like that gallant thunderbolt of war,  
Third Edward's son, that was so much renowned,  
Shalt shine in valour as the morning star,  
And plenish with thy praise the peopled round.  
But like to his, let nought thy fortune mar,  
Who in his father's time did die uncrowned.  
Long live thy Sire, so all the world desires;  
But longer thou; so nature's course requires.   

26  
Although time once thee by thy birthright owes,  
Those sacred honours that men most esteem,  
Yet flatter not thyself with those fair shows,  
Which are not altogether as they seem;  
Whose burdenous weight the bearer but o'erthrows,  
That could before of no such danger deem.  
Then if not armed in time thou make thee strong,  
Thou dost thyself and many a thousand wrong.   

27  
Since thou must manage such a mighty state,  
Now bordered but with th'Ocean and the skies;  
Then even as he, who justly was called Great,  
Did (prodigal of pains to fame t'arise)  
With both the parts of worth, his worth dilate,  
As learned as valiant, and as stout as wise:  
So now let Aristotle lay the ground,  
Whereon thou after may thy greatness found.   

28  
For if addicted to a base repose,  
Thou didst (as thou dost not) misspend thy prime;  
O what a fair occasion wouldst thou lose,  
Which after would be rued, though out of time?  
Now to a virtuous course thy thoughts dispose,  
While fancies are not glu'de with pleasures lime.  
Those that their youth t'a little pains engage,  
Acquire great ease unto their perfect age.   

29  
Now is it time with magnanimous parts,  
To show the world what thou pretendest to be,  
And for t'imprint in all the people's hearts,  
That which thou wouldst they should expect of thee;  
That so preoccupied with such deserts,  
They after may applaud the heavens decree:  
When that day comes, which if it come too soon,  
Then thou and all this Isle would be undone.   

30  
And otherwise what trouble shouldst thou find,  
If first not seized of all thy subjects love?  
To deal with divers humours, and to bind  
Perchance some malcontents thy course t'approve?  
For then a number would suspend their mind,  
As doubting what thou afterward mightst prove.  
And when a realms affections thus are cold,  
Of that advantage foreigners take hold.   

31  
I grant in this thy fortune to be good,  
That art t'inherit such a glorious Crown,  
As once descended from th'anointed blood,  
That oft hath filled the world with true renown;  
The which still on the top of glory stood,  
And not so much as once seemed to look down:  
For who thy branches to remembrance brings,  
Count what he list, he cannot but count kings.   

32  
And pardon me, for I must pause a while,  
And at a thing that's worthy to b'admired:  
Since those from whom thou comest reigned in this isle,  
Lo now of years even thousands are expired;  
Yet none could there them thrall, nor thence exile,  
Nor never failed the line so much desired.  
The hundredth and seventh parent living free,  
May leave a never-conquer'd crown to thee.   

33  
Nor hath this only fortuned but by chance,  
Of alterations then there had been some:  
But that great Progeny, which still did glance,  
Would so presage the thing that was to come,  
That this united isle should once advance,  
And by the Lion led, all Realms o'ercome:  
For if it kept a little free before,  
Now having much no doubt it must do more.   

34  
And though our nations long, I must confess,  
Did roughly woe before that they could wed,  
That but endears the union we possess,  
Whom Neptune both combines within one bed:  
All th'ancient injuries this doth redress,  
And buries that which many a battle bred.  
A discord reconciled (if wrath expire)  
Doth breed the greatest love and most entire.   

35  
Of England's Marie had it been the chance  
T'have made King Philip father of a son,  
The haughtie-minded Spaniard's pride t'advance,  
All Albion's beauty had been quite orerunne;  
Or yet if Scotland's Marie had heired France,  
This isle to live in thraldom had begun:  
Of which, if that a stranger brooked a part,  
That would to take the other means impart.   

36  
Thus were we from two dangers twice preserved,  
When as we seemed without recovery lost,  
As those that from their freedom freely swerved,  
And suffered strangers of our bounds to boast:  
Yet were we for this happy time preserved,  
And but to hold it dear a little crossed,  
That of the Stuarts might th'undaunted race,  
Dominions equal with their minds embrace,   

37  
Of that blessed progeny th'experienced worth,  
Hath of the people a conceit procured,  
That from the race it never can go forth,  
But as hereditary is thought affured:  
Thus (son of that great monarch of the North)  
They are t'obedience happily enured,  
o'er whom thou art expected for to reign,  
To have good ancestors 'tis a great gain.   

38  
He that by tyranny his throne doth rear,  
And dispossess another of his right,  
Whose panting heart dare never trust his ear;  
For being odious in the people's sight,  
Whilst he both hath and gives great cause of fear,  
Is spoiling all, at last spoiled of the light:  
And those that are descended of his blood,  
Ere that they be believed, must long be good.   

39  
Yet though we see it is an easy thing,  
For such a one his state for to maintain,  
Who being by his birthright borne a King,  
Doth with the country's love the crown obtain,  
The same doth many to confusion bring,  
Whilst for that cause they care not how they reign.  
O, never throne estabished was so sure,  
Whose fall a vicious Prince might not procure.   

40  
Thus do a number to destruction run:  
And so did Tarquin once abuse his place,  
Who for th'infamous life he had begun,  
Was barred from Rome, and ruin'd all his race.  
So he whose father of no King was son,  
Was father to no King, but in disgrace  
From Sicily banished with the people's hate,  
Did die in Corinth in a base estate.   

41  
And as that Monarch merits endless praise,  
Who hath first founded some renowned Empire;  
So all the world with scornful eyes may gaze  
On their degenered stems that might aspire,  
As having greater power their power to raise,  
Yet of their race the ruin do conspire,  
And for their wrong-spent life with shame do end:  
Kings chastised once, they get no time t'amend.   

42  
Those that reposing on their princely name,  
Can never give themselves to care for aught,  
But for their pleasures every thing would frame,  
As all were made for them, and they for nought,  
Once th'earth will spoil their bodies, men their fame,  
Though whilst they live, all for their ease be wrought;  
And those conceits on which they do depend,  
Do but betray their fortunes in the end.   

43  
This self conceit, doth so the judgement smoke,  
That when aught well succeeds with some through it,  
They on the same with great affection look,  
And scorn th'advise of others to admit.  
Thus did brave Charles the last Burgundian Duke,  
Dear buy a battle purchased by his wit,  
Who ever after trusting to the same,  
Was brought unto confusion and to shame.   

44  
O sacred counsel, quintessence of souls;  
Strength of the commonwealth, that chains the fates,  
And every danger, ere it come, controls;  
The anchor of all realms, staff of all states,  
O sure foundation that no tempest fowls,  
On which are builded glorious works, great seats:  
If aught with those succeed that scorn thy care,  
It's but by chance, and draws them in a snare.   

45  
Thrice happy is the King, that hath the grace  
To choose a counsel whereon to rely,  
That loves his person, and respects his place,  
And like Aristides can while cast by  
All private grudge, the public cares t'embrace,  
Void of ambition, hatred or envy;  
And that they be not to betray their seats,  
The partial Pensioners of foreign states.   

46  
None should but those of that grave number boast,  
Whose lives have long with many virtues glanced,  
As Rome respected the patricians most,  
The Nobles (if themselves) should first b'aduanced;  
Yet in such sort that others have not lost,  
All hope to rise, than worth would not b'enhaunced:  
For painful virtue in her course would tyre,  
Were not she hopes t'have honour for her hire.   

47  
But such as those a Prince should most eschew,  
That dignities do curiously affect;  
Who doth for any public charge pursue,  
He must have some particular respect.  
They should be godly, prudent, secret, true,  
Of whom a King his Council should erect;  
And he, whilst they advise of zeal and love,  
Should not the maniest, but the best approve.   

48  
There needs a great discretion for to know,  
To balance each opinion in his mind:  
But ah this doth the judgement oft o'erthrow,  
While as he comes within himself confined,  
And of the Senate would but make a show,  
For to confirm that which he hath designed;  
As one that only hath whereon to rest,  
For counsellors his thoughts, their seat his breast.   

49  
But what avails a Senate in this sort,  
Whose power within the Capitol is penned?  
A blast of breath that doth for nought import,  
But mocks the world with th'unperformed intent:  
Those are the counsels that great states support,  
Which never are made known but by th'event,  
Not those where wise men matters do propose,  
And fools thereafter as they please dispose.   

50  
Nor is this all that aught to be required  
In this assembly, that's the kingdoms soul,  
That with a knowledge more than rare inspired,  
A common wealth like Plato's in a scroll  
They can paint forth; means must by them b'acquird,  
The torrent of disorder to control,  
And arming with authority their lines,  
To act with justice that which wit designs.   

51  
Great Empress of this universal frame,  
The Atlas on whose shoulders States are stayed,  
That swayst the rains that all the world do tame,  
And makes men good by force with red arrayed,  
Disorders enemy, virgin without blame,  
Within whose balance good and bad are weighed;  
O sovereign of all virtues, without thee  
Nor peace, nor war can entertained be.   

52  
Thou from confusion all things hast redeemed:  
Th'assembly of th'Amphictions had been vain,  
And all those Senates that were most esteemed,  
Were't not by thee their counsels crowned remain;  
And all those laws had but dead letters seemed,  
Which Solon or Lycurgus did ordain.  
Were't not thy sword made all alike to die;  
And not the weak, while as the strong scaped by.   

53  
O not without great cause all th'Ancients did  
Paint Magistrates, that were t'explane the laws,  
Not having hands, so bribery to forbid,  
Which them from doing right too oft withdraws:  
And with a veil the judges eyes were hid,  
Who should not see the party, but the cause.  
God's Deputies that his tribunal rear,  
Should have a patent, not a partial ear.   

54  
The lack of justice hath huge evils begun,  
That by no means could be repaired again.  
The famous Sire of that more famous son,  
For whom, while as he sleeping did remain,  
One did appeal, till that his sleep was done:  
And whom a widow did discharge to reign,  
Because he had not time on plaints t'attend,  
Did lose his life for such a fault in th'end.   

55  
This justice is the virtue most divine,  
Which shows kings like the King of kings inclined,  
Whose sure foundations nought can undermine,  
If once within a constant breast confined:  
For otherwise she cannot clearly shine,  
While as the Magistrate oft changing mind,  
Doth while advance, and whiles is slow to strike,  
And being suggested, is not still alike.   

56  
Use mercy freely, justice as constrained:  
Th'one must be done, though th'other be more dear:  
And whiles the form may make the deed disdained,  
Whilst justice tastes of tyranny too near:  
One may be justly, yet in rage arraigned,  
Whilst reason ruled by passions doth appear.  
Once Socrates, because o'er-comed with ire,  
Did from correcting one (till calmed) retire.   

57  
Those that want means their anger to assuage,  
Do others oft, whiles rob themselves of breath.  
Fierce Valentinian surfeiting in rage,  
By bursting of a vein did bleed to death:  
And Theodosius still, but then thought sage,  
Caused murder thousands being drunk with wrath,  
Who to prevent the like opprobrious crime,  
Caused still suspend his edicts for a time.   

58  
All th'actions of a virtuous king proceed  
Forth from the source of a paternal love,  
To chastise or cherish as Realms have need,  
For which he more than for himself doth move;  
Who many a millions ease that way to breed,  
Makes sometime some his indignation prove;  
And like to Codrus, cares not death t'embrace,  
If for the country's good, and people's peace.   

59  
This Lady, that so long unarmed hath strayed,  
Now holds the balance, and doth draw the sword,  
And never was more gloriously arrayed,  
Nor in short time did greater good afford.  
The state that to confusion seemed betrayed,  
And could of nought but blood and wrongs record,  
Now freed from trouble and intestine rage,  
Doth boast for to restore the golden age.   

60  
Thus doth thy father (generous Prince) prepare  
A way for thee t'attain t'immortall fame,  
And lays the grounds of greatness with such care,  
That thou mayst build great works upon the same.  
Then since thou art to have a field so fair,  
Whereas thou once mayst eternize thy name,  
Begin, while as a greater light thine smothers,  
And learn to rule thyself, ere thou rul'st others.   

61  
For still true magnanimity we find,  
Doth harbour soon in an Heroic breast.  
To match Miltiades, whose glory shined,  
Themistocles (a child) was robbed of rest.  
Yet strive to be a Monarch of thy mind:  
For as t'attempt great things, all else detest,  
A generous emulation spurs the spirit;  
So vain ambition blinds the courage quite.   

62  
Whilst of th'illustrious lives thou look'st the story,  
Abhor those Tyrants that still swim'd in blood;  
And follow those, that to their endless glory,  
High in their subjects love by virtue stood.  
O! be like him, who on a time was sorry,  
Because, while as he chanced to do no good,  
There happened but one day for to expire:  
That was the world's delight, the heavens desire.   

63  
But as some gain great states by being humane,  
Some through their lenity lose what they have.  
England's sixth Henry could not live and reign,  
But being simple, did huge foils receive:  
And Scipio's army mutined in Spain,  
That through his gentleness their charge did leave.  
O! to the state it brings great profit oft,  
For to be whiles severe, and not still soft.   

64  
To guide his Coursers warily through the sky,  
Erst Phoebus did his Phaethon require,  
Saying, from the strait way if he swerved by,  
The heavens would burn, or th'earth would be on fire.  
So doth twixt two Extremes each virtue lie,  
To which the purest spirits ought to aspire:  
He lives most sure that no extreme doth touch,  
Nothing would be too little, nor too much.   

65  
Some kings, whom all men did in hatred hold,  
Whose breasts with avaricious thoughts were torn,  
As wretched Vespasian sought to gather gold  
By base and abject means, that brave minds scorn.  
Such whilst they seek not t'have their greed controlled,  
But how they may their treasuries adorn,  
Are, though like Croesus' rich, whilst wealth them blinds,  
Yet still as poor as Irus in their minds.   

66  
And some again as foolish fancies move,  
That praise without discretion do pursue,  
In stead of liberal, prodigal do prove;  
Then whilst their treasures they exhausted view,  
With Subsidies their subjects do commove,  
And spoil whole realms for to enrich a few,  
Whilst with authority their pride they cloak,  
That aught to die by smoke for selling smoke.   

67  
But o the Prince most loathed in every land,  
It's one that's given to lust, who hardly can  
Free from some great mischief a long time stand;  
For all the world his deeds with hatred scan.  
Should he that hath the honour to command  
The noblest creature (great God's image) man,  
Be to the vilest vice, the bafest slave,  
The body's plague, soul's death, and honours grave?   

68  
Th'unnatural monster, that retired apart,  
Amongst his concubines began to spin,  
took with the habit too a woman's heart,  
And ended that which Ninus did begin.  
fainthearted Xerxes, that did gifts impart  
To them that could devise new ways to sin,  
Though backed with worlds of men in th'enemies' sight,  
Had not the courage for to see them fight.   

69  
Thus doth soft pleasure but abase the mind,  
And making one to servile thoughts descend,  
Doth make the body weak, the judgement blind,  
A hateful life, an ignominious end:  
Where those that did this raging tyrant bind  
With virtues chains, their triumphs to attend,  
Have by that means a greater glory gained,  
Then all the victories that they attained.   

70  
The valorous Persian that refused t'have gazed  
Upon Panthea's beauties, t'ease his toils,  
His glory by that continency raised,  
More than by Babylon's and Lidia's spoils:  
The Macedonian Monarch was more praised,  
Then for triumphing over so many soils,  
That of his greatest foe (though beauteous seen)  
He chastened entertained the captived Queen.   

71  
Thus have stil-gas'd-at monarch much a do,  
That all the world's disorders to redress,  
Should shine like to the Sun, the which still lo  
The more it mounts aloft, doth seem the less:  
They should with confidence go freely to,  
And trusting to their worth, their will express:  
Not like French Lewis th'eleventh, that did maintain,  
That who could not dissemble, could not reign.   

72  
But for to guard their state, the strongest bar,  
And best refuge in every dangerous storm,  
It is, to be a gallant man of war,  
And t'have a heart t'attempt, hands to perform;  
Not that they hazard should their state too far,  
And to each soldiers course their course conform.  
The skilful Pilots at the rudder sit:  
Let others use their strength, and them their wit.   

73  
In Mars-his mysteries t'acquire renown,  
It gives King's glory, and assures their place:  
It breeds them a respect amongst their own,  
And makes their neighbour's fear to lose their grace.  
Still all those should, that love to keep their crown,  
In peace prepare for war, in war for peace:  
For as all fear a Prince that dare attempt,  
The want of courage brings one in contempt.   

74  
And (royal Offspring) that hast cause t'aspire,  
As one to whom thy birth high hopes assigned,  
This well becomes the courage of thy Sire,  
That trains thee up according to thy kind.  
He, though the world his prosperous reign admire,  
In which his subjects such a comfort find,  
Hath (if once moved the bloody art t'embrace)  
That wit for to make war, which now keeps peace.   

75  
And o how this (dear Prince) the people charms,  
That flock about thee whiles in ravished bands,  
To see thee young, yet manage so thine arms,  
And have Minerva's mind, Bellona's hands.  
This exercise thy tender courage warms;  
And still true greatness but by virtue stands:  
Agesilaus said, no King could be  
More great, unless more virtuous, than he.   

76  
Although that all of thee great things expect,  
Thou as too little makest their hopes ashamed:  
As he that on Olympus did detect  
The famous Thebans foot, his body framed:  
By thy beginnings so we may collect,  
How great thy worth by time may be proclaimed:  
For who thy actions doth remark, may see,  
That there be many Caesars within thee.   

77  
Though many a realm by long experience finds,  
That all the greatest blessings peace imparts,  
As that which to good order all men binds;  
Yet breeds this Isle, still populous in all parts,  
Such vigorous bodies, and such restless minds,  
That they disdain t'embrace Mechanic arts;  
And being haughty cannot live in rest:  
Yea, t'hold such idle, it's a dangerous pest.   

78  
Erst prudent Cato told in some few hours,  
What danger to the Romans' did redound,  
While as they razed the Carthaginian towers;  
By which, while as they stood, still means were found  
With others harms to exercise their powers;  
The want whereof their greatness did confound.  
For when no more with foreign foes embroiled,  
Strait with intestine wars the state was spoiled.   

79  
No, since this soil that in great spirits abounds,  
Can hardly nurse her nurcelings all in peace,  
Then let us keep her bosom free from wounds,  
And spend our fury in some foreign place.  
There is no wall can limit now our bounds,  
But all the world will need walls in short space,  
T'hold back our troops from seizing on new thrones:  
The marble chair must pass the Ocean once.   

80  
What furor o'er my judgement doth prevail?  
Me thinks I see all th'earth glance with our arms,  
And groaning Neptune charged with many a sail:  
I hear the thundering trumpet found th'alarms,  
Whilst all the neighbouring nations do look pale;  
Such sudden fear each panting heart disarms,  
To see those martial minds together gone,  
The Lion and the Leopard in one.   

81  
I (Henry) hope with this mine eyes to feed,  
Whilst, ere thou wear'st a crown, thou wear'st a shield,  
And when thou making thousands for to bleed,  
That dare behold thy countenance and not yield,  
Stirs through the bloody dust a foaming steed,  
An interested witness in the field,  
I may amongst those bands thy Grace attend,  
And be thy Homer, when the wars do end.   

82  
But stay, where fliest thou (Muse) so far astray?  
And whilst affection doth thy course command,  
Dares thus above thy reach attempt a way,  
To sing to th'heir of Albion's warlike land,  
Who gotten hath, his generous thoughts t'array  
A Royal gift out of a Royal hand;  
And hath before his eyes, that type of worth,  
That star of state, that Pole that guides the North.   

83  
Yet o'er thy father lo (such is thy fate)  
Thou hast this vantage, that may profit thee,  
An orphaned Infant settled in his seat,  
He greater than himself could never see:  
Where thou mayst learn by him the art of State,  
And by another what thyself shouldst be:  
Whilst that which he had only but heard told,  
Thou mayst practised in all his course behold.   

84  
And this advantage long mought thou retain,  
By which to make thee blest the heavens conspire;  
And labour of his worth to make thy gain,  
To whose perfections thou mayst once aspire;  
When as thou show'st thyself, whilst thou dost reign,  
A Son that's worthy of so great a Sire,  
And with his Sceptres, and the people's hearts,  
Dost still inherit his Heroic parts.   
W. A.  
FINIS.