THE GOLDEN FLEECE. Whereto be annexed two ELEGIES, Entitled NARCISSUS Change▪ AND AESONS Dotage. By RICHARD BRATHWAYTE Gentleman.  
LONDON Printed by W. S. for Christopher Pursett dwelling in Holborn, near Staple Inn. 1611.   

TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL M. ROBERT BINDLOSSE Esquire, his approved kind Uncle: The continuance of God's temporal blessings in this life, with the Crown● of immortality in the World to come.  
RIght Worshipful, I have penncd here a short Treatise, entitled the Golden Fleece, which I no sooner had reviewed and corrected, making it fit for the press: as not doubting but it should pass the press of detraction, which delighteth more in carping, then discreet censuring of others labours: But I bethought me of some Patron, not so much for the preserving this my first issue from abortment, as from the detraction of male●●lent carpers, whouse to find fault with Nature herself that she set not the Ox's ●ornes upon his back rather than upon his head, being the stronger and more puissant part. At the first I resolved to dedicate these fruits of my labours unto him, from whom ● received the growth, and quiet increase of my studies: But it pleased God to alter my purpose, ●y preventing him by death, who was the nourisher of my slender endeavours, and the protector of mine orphan labours, which had no sooner happened then in a distaste of my studies, wanting him, whose relish sweetened my unseasoned poems, I was fully resolved to have wrapped this tract up in oblivion, and to have deprived it of public view. But the troubled course of our estates, and the favourable regard you had of our atonement, which is now so happily confirmed, enforced me to consecrate this pamphlet as one of Bassas fragments, to your best affectioned self: to show a willingness in me to gratify that solicitous and careful regard you ever had, since the time of our desolation, even his death, whose life was a mirror in his time, and whose well concording death ensued, as a reward of eternity for his well spent days: for his fruits shall follow him. The argument of this Treatise is moral: the use spiritual, morally derived from jason son to Aeson by Polymela, who, after the death of his father was committed to the tuition of his uncle Pelias: he to usurp the possessions, limited to his Nephew jason devised a dangerous enterprise for him, to get the Golden Fleece of Cholcos', which he having achieved with great honour, and the safe return of such Argonauts as went with him: received his inheritance, 
Vid Ovid, in Metamor.  and propagated his glory to the utmost bounds of Asia. The use, or moral implies: what felicity they shall obtain that with resolution and long animity sustain the perilous gusts of afflictions, with a respect had to virtue, without which regard no happy or successive event can attend any intendment: This tract though compendious, may afford no small fruit to your conce●uing understanding, shadowing under this title of Golden Fleece, the reward of a sincere and provident pilgrim, who with jason endureth patiently the surging Sea of persecution, the r●ging tempests of affliction, not to be alured with the enchanting voice of the Sirens melody, abstaining from Cyrces' cup, 
Ponet Deus his quoque●ine●. Virgil.  sailing by the perilous rocks of Scylla and Charybdis, and now at last arriving at the port of a prosperous repose, crieth out; hic ●edes fata quietas o●tendunt.  
Alexander had his Homer in reverence, Alcybiades his Socrates, Caesar the perusal of his own divine writings, Scipio Affrican●s the works of Xenophon, Epaminondas will receive instruction of his Lysias, 
In Cyropedia.  Agesilaus of Xenophon, Scipio by Genesius: Yea Bassus was sometime acceptable to his Caesar.  
I fear not but there be ever some Mae●enas to give a favourable respect to the meanest labours. Socrates thinketh his works very fruitful, and to have produced good effects, when by them he hath provoked any to the knowledge and learning of virtue.  
Stylpho the Roman had neu●r attained the chaste name of a continent Citizen, 
Vid. Cicer. in lib de Orator.  if he had not applied his corrupt disposition to moral discourse, and made moral poems a sovereign for his lascivious intentions.  
Those famous matrons of Rome, Octavia, Gorcia, Caecilia, and Cornelia, bestowed no less time in morality than Tullia, 
Vid. Apotheg Plutarch. etc.  Lucilla, and Claudia did in music and harmony: more renown attained they, by moral observations, than those wanton Dames did by their discourse of Hymenaeus.  
Semiramis and Cleopatra never grew more memorable for their affecting dainties, 
Vid. Trog. Pom.  than Hermyone and Dyotmia for their moral precepts.  
Many which professed morality, have been the preservation of whole Cities, as Aristotle, 
Vid. Quint Curt. in octau. lib. in descrip. Dyon. & Dyonisij.  by whose means, and for whose sake Alexander commanded the City Stagyra to be builded ag●ine, being demolished in the reign of his father Philip.  
The like of Socrates we read, 
Vid. vit. Socrat.  and reason good, since Apollo termed him the wisest man in all Greece.  
But wherefore should I prosecute this argument, 
Vid. Apotheg. de Apple▪ & Prologue.  always putting my hand with Protogenes to that table which I am sure can be bettered by no colours? Receive this unripe fruit into the warm harbour of your love, let it be kindly entertained, lest it blush and be ashamed, to receive so ill an entertainment, where it expected an undoubted welcome.  
This Mindian building have I erected before her, to usher her, and encourage her modest face, with the assurance of your acceptance.  
The Lord of heaven continue his blessings towards you, lengthen your days, multiply your comforts here upon earth, that enjoying Heaven upon Earth in this life, you may be invested with the crown of immortality in the world to come.  
Your affectioned Nephew, Richard Brathwaite.   

PIERIDUM INVOCATIO, QVARUM OPEN AEGON IN T●IVIIS, Aedon in nemoribus cecinit. Quarum auspic●●s rivos saltim apertos degustare licuit, tenuisque stipulae libertate frui.  

YOu sacred Muses by whose divine skill,  
Each Poet in his rank observes his measure,  
Direct the progress of Menalchas quill,  
every his labour with your heavenly treasure.  
And so vouchsafe to favour his poor verse,  
That some may deign his poems to rehearse.   

Well do I know so many rural swains,  
Seek to ●euote their labours to your shrine,  
That they offend you with their fruitless pains,  
Since in harsh strains their labours they confine.  
Yet pity them and me, whose barren wit,  
Will move you in remorse to pity it.   

And yet when I consider worthless men,  
Such as Afranius, Bardus, and the rest,  
Then with a cheerful countenance do I pen,  
Since many ills do counterpoise the best. 
Necre●e poemata digna, ●ec regu● so●iis.   
For sure I am with Bardus I can sing,  
Though not a matter worthy of a king.   

Affranius, he will weary Traian's eared,  
With rude impolish, tunelesse harmony,  
He is impudent, Affranius, nothing fears,  
His Oaten pipe delights his Majesty.  
But I esteem of such as little worth,  
Their works be correspondent to their birth.   

For as Affranius was of mean estate, 
As is recorded in his life.  raised from declining fortunes low descent,  
So his immodest vain engendereth hate,  
Since his sharp poems with his ail be spent.  
His works confused, his harsh unseasoned style,  
Do ill beseem the Sibyls of our I'll.   

Such works I scorn to pen, as may detract  
From the respect of any mean estate,  
I hate that Asps that is of spleen compact,  
The furies' brands which vaunt of ●ought but hate.  
Emulate virtuous men, for virtues sake,  
Is a good ha●red, so I'll always hate.   

But to contemn the mean degrees of men,  
Or to envy sails of prosperity,  
Near shall my Muse ensource her odious pen,  
Furnished with nought but ●ags of enmity.  
I smile when others smile, when others weep,  
I plunge myself into like sorrows deep.    

THE ARGUMENT.  

THis little Treatise is a Golden Fleece,  
Not that which ●ason got from Colchos I'll,  
For this comaines a more celestial ●rize,  
Since mundane states do earthly men beguile.  
This is that prize which will procure soul's peace,  
Unto thy minds content, heavens Golden Fleece.   

No Argonauts can get you this s●me prize,  
Nor no Maedea can procure this gain,  
No fruitful Colchis can this Fleece comprise,  
No brain sick Zethes can this spoil obtain.  
If thou wilt have this Golden Fleece, this prize,  
With due attention here reflect thine eyes.   

FIrst do not give thyself to fond delights, 
Calais and Zethes were brethren and sons to Boreas, accompanying jason in his journey, etc.   
Which like the morning dew fade and decay,  
Restrain thy flesh which 'gainst thy spirit fights,  
Reform thy perverse life from day to day.  
Let abstinence be Empress and command,  
Lest hateful lust devotion should withstand.   

For many times by abstinence desire  
Of hateful lust is quite extinguished,  
Which otherwise like an incessant fire,  
By curious fare would soon be nourished.  
And that desire which is restrained by thee,  
Shall work content in minds tranquillity.   

Spare not to travail nor to pass the sea  
Of surging waves this treasure to obtain,  
The way to rest, is through calamity,  
The port to harbour, is through shelves of pain.  
For valiant jason never could have won,  
The Golden Fleece, if he had sorrows shun.   

Now by Charybdis, 
Ratibusque inimica charybdis nunc sorbore fretum nunc reddere. ovid. in s●p●im. lib. ●et.  now by Scylla tossed,  
shipwrecked poor man, distressed by winter's rage,  
Those Gusts of grief wherewith his course was crossed  
Will rest memorials to ensuing age.  
So than if thou, with jason will attain  
Such glorious Trophies, thou must suffer pain.   

Sylenus he can tumble in his cave,  
A lazy lubber made to cherish sloth,  
Nought besides ease, 
Silenus' foster-father to Bacchus.  his blockish trunk doth crave,  
From secure sleep to rise he's very loath.  
Yet this I'll tell him his security,  
Shall bring his sloth to extreme penury.   

Sylenus is no soldier for thy Tent,  
Stout jason, which combines thy force with death,  
He harmless soul, to live at ease content,  
Not in a foreign war to spend his breath.  
But thou contemns base servitude, base fear,  
That thy renown may to the world appear.   

It doth appear, for Pelias repines,  
That thou shouldst get fair Colchis monument, 
Uncle to ●ason.   
Yet thy aspiring thoughts some good divines,  
Aims at some conquest, in thy sacred Tent.  
Live then for ever, thou shalt ever live,  
For envious hate shall not thy fame deprive.   

I would we had such Argonauts as these,  
That could and would embark them on the Sea, 
Qui participant pass●onibus, participant consol ationibus.   
So to obtain that prize, that Golden Fleece,  
Purchasing heaven by suffering misery.  
Then might we glory full as much or more;  
Then ever Greece of jason did before. 
S. Aug●st.    

I would such Argonauts lived in this I'll,  
This Hyble fair, famous by memory,  
That Hydra-headed monster to beguile,  
And purchase to them immortality.  
Then should we sing more Trophies in their praise  
Then ever Colchis did in former days.   

But such is time's iniquity, whose frame,  
Is out of frame, confused, disordered,  
So that she seems to change her timeless name,  
Whose name was Golden, now's relinquished,  
That Golden Age, an Iron Age appears,  
Producing nought but sad events of fears.   

Once did those Golden Ages flourishing  
Give a good morrow to the Eastern parts, 
Aure● secla.   
Where virtues springing, were in nourishing,  
Which ministered great comfort to our hearts.  
But now the Moon's eclipsed, that age decayed,  
Depressing down her head, as one afraid.   

Afraid: no marvel since such enmity,  
Ariseth twixt our manners, and her state,  
That they opposed stand at mutiny,  
Which makes the Golden Age, so out of date.  
Since Sa●urnes kingdoms be dispeopled here, 
Saturnia reg●a.   
Or else like snails shut in their heads for fear.   

Hesi●d relates of one Prometheus  
Who was astute and subtle in his drifts,  
And he reports of Epymetheus.  
A simple soul devoid of cunning shifts.  
Sure Epymetheus liveth in this age, 
De ●perib. et dieb vid. He●s●od.   
●rometheus, he is fled for want of wage.   

Iupit●r god of the celestial powers,  
Sent on a time Argicid as from heaven,  
To bring a gift, w●●h limit of his hours,  
Unto Prometheus● whereon was engraven.  
Who takes this gift, shall presently enjoy  
Rest in his mind▪ delivered of annoy.   

Prometheus' conceiving what was meant,  
By ●oues attracting gifts, refused the same,  
For through his wisdom, he knew ●oues intent,  
Wherefore this prudent answer d●d he frame.  
Argicidas, 
Pomon●.  quoth he, I thank high ●oue,  
That he hath showed to me his divine love.   

But forasmuch as I deserve the least,  
Much less the great●● and choicest gifts he hath,  
I wish he should some other man invest,  
With this celestial token of his breath.  
High thee to jove, and tell him this from me,  
Prometheus binds him to his deity.   

jove having heard, what sage Prometheus said,  
Commended much his human policy,  
Prometheus (quoth jove) is sore afraid,  
Lest Golden gifts smell of hypocrisy.  
Well Epymetheus wants Prometheus' shifts,  
For well I know he will accept my gifts,   
NOTE This volume has a very tied binding and while every effort has been made to reproduce the centres, force would result in damage▪  

And so he did for judging no deceit,  
For to proceed from Ioues high Majesty,  
Of this dissembled gift ●e made receipt,  
Hoping to purchase endless memory  
But this sweet honey was dissolved to gall,  
And this his precious gift procured his fall.   

This was the great desire he had to know  
What did concern the mysteries of jove,  
From this same root aspiring branches grow,  
Which do extirp the seeds of Christian love.  
Presumption of our knowledge, and desire,  
Of knowing more doth in our thoughts aspire.   

Fond Epy●etheus not content to know,  
That which allotted was unto his share,  
De●ires a further scope than earth below,  
That his high knowledge might surpass compare.  
Wherefore de●ided he the state of such,  
As did not care for knowing overmuch.   

And since that time we have desired to know  
Things too transcendent, 
Scientia b●ni & mal● mala. Gen. chap. ●. vers. 1●.  higher than our reach,  
Mystical types which God did never show  
To us, or ever deignde the same to teach,  
Thinking that fittest for man's shallow sense,  
Which paralleled his strait circumference.   

This fond presumption is a step to sin, 
〈◊〉 ab i●a voragine quocoetus omnium viciorum exces●it Cicer, in ora, cont. Sallust.   
No it's the root, and ground of our distress,  
By which we see the Gulf we wallow in,  
The mansion of our woe and wretchedness.  
This is the sea of our distress and woe,  
Which doth oppress us, wheresoe'er we go.   

And sure as long as these presumptuous sins  
Do burgeon in us, 
Poly●ices & Etecoles'. vid. Hesyod.  with their full increase,  
Like O●dipus his two accursed twins  
Erected for the ●uine of our peace.  
Farewell content in men of each degree,  
If thou be proud, foul hate will follow thee.   

Thou canst not have the Fleece of Colchis I'll,  
No● that resplendent Fleece of sanctity,  
For why? presumption doth thy thoughts beguile,  
Pride cannot dwell with poor humility.  
Thou mayst remain, 
Psalm. 36.  and flourish for a time,  
But ill success will ●ntercept thy prime.   

So on thy course, and with the Giants ●ierce,  
Wage battle with the Gods of heaven and earth, 
Virg. in 〈◊〉 Geor tum●partu terra nesando, etc.   
Seem as thou would the stars with julian pierce,  
Outdare the Author of thy cursed birth.  
Care not for God or man, but in despite,  
Damnation in thine ugly forehead write.   

Arachne, 
Scires a ●al●lade doctam. Quod tamen ipsa negat. ovid Meta. lib. sexto.  she can weave her purp●e thread,  
And well conceited of her curious skill,  
Challengeth stately ●allas with all speed,  
Whose Art this Art did into her distill,  
Pallas (quoth she) I hope I may compare,  
With you in spinning, if you better were.   

But what succeeded? Pallas did reply,  
Minion, 
Tan●aq●e offensa magistra, certet ait, mecum? abide.  ere long, I'll teach you to confess,  
Your fond presumption: who, I pray, am I,  
Your mistress sure, I will approve no less.  
This doth proceed from thy invective tongue,  
Which by this heavenly feature, I'll make dumbo.   

No sooner had she spoken, 
〈◊〉 comae, cum queis et naris ●t aures.  but her form  
Was quite transformed into another shape,  
Two twigs by Pallas will, did her adorn,  
This feature got she for presumption sake.  
And that which had a comely form before,  
In Spider's likeness doth her state deplore.   

These be the fruits of a presumptuous mind,  
Bitter in taste, 
Atque ita Vive quidem, pend, tamen imp●oba dixit. Ibid.  working thee Authors bane,  
And like a Viper deadly to her kind,  
Which by engendering, breedeth endless pain.  
This will despoil thee of thy Golden Fleece,  
Near to return from Colchis into Greece. 
Vid. Plin, in Nat. Hist.    

Be humble, 
Obedience.  meek, obedient to thine head,  
Lest with a sudden overthrow thy friend,  
Condole thy fortune by misfortune lead,  
Yet cannot by his salve, thy griefs amend.  
So succourless and eke distressed with grief,  
In thy distress canst purchase no relief.   

The lowest Tamricke is the safest from hail, 
Arbores ●ltius plantatae citius ventor●s pr●pter vehementi●a foliis priu●atur. Stel. de cont. m●nd. Eccl. 9 Chap. Vers●●.   
The lof●iest Cedar's soon thrown down,  
An humble mind there's nought that can appal,  
High spirits be most subject to a frown.  
Each thing by Nature must one time decay,  
But mean estates be safest from harm always.   

If thou wilt have this Golden Fleece, this prize,  
Thou must embark thyself in troops of grief,  
Those who obtain thy conquest, sloth despise,  
Ofttimes dismayed without the least relief.  
And then if thou wilt conquer, thou must fight,  
By meditation 'gainst sin, day and night.   

The valiant Argonauts did not refuse,  
Hail, rain or snow for to obtain that gain,  
Under a faignde pretence they not refuse;  
Their serious labour or industrious pain.  
Wherefore they got the haven of their rest,  
And did enjoy that which they loved best.   

A worthy prize, if prizes temporal,  
Can have such worth, or yet deserve such labour:  
Who will not seek a price celestial  
Purchased by earnest suit and Gods high favour▪  
Then let it be our will, 
Luke Chap. 12. Vers. 33.  our only pleasure,  
Sell all we have, and buy this heavenly treasure.   

No rust can ere consume this precious gem,  
No moths can eat into this sacred shrine,  
A Robe most fit for well disposed men,  
Who at an others state do not repine.  
Of this be sure, 
Via a●gu●ta etc. arctissimap●r●a.  who envies each man's state,  
Shall never enter in the narrow gate.   

If that the Argonauts with mutual spleen,  
Should have envied at each an others worth,  
With this same prize, they near enriched had been,  
But with unlucky labours cursed their birth.  
A threesold cord is hardly broke men say,  
But being dissolved, like vapours glides away.   

Then let this mutual love dispel each hate, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. 〈…〉   
And each revenge pretended in your hearts,  
Nothing is more pernicious than debate,  
Which flourishing Empires many time subverts.  
This is the state of men that each will cry,  
Caesar aut Nullus to their enemy.   

Caesar if he had reigned in common love,  
Or governed his Realm in amity,  
Brutus his own adopted would approve,  
Of his proceedings: without enmity.  
But these aspiring heads be oft brought low,  
With tu mi Brute, thoule kill Caesar too.   

But of all discords in an human sense, 
Tit. Liu. patavin, ● decad●et lib. ●.   
None more detested than a brother's hate,  
Remus against Romulus prepares defence,  
Amulius with Numitor debate. 
Virg. in ●. lib. Aene Ille Sycha●u impius ante a●as, 〈◊〉 ●uri caecus amore, clam ferroincautum super at securus am●rum German.   
And rich Sichae●s must of force be slain,  
Alcides priest, by his Pygmalion.   

These sharp contentions cannot get the price,  
But ruin their own forces by their hand,  
These are not undertaken by advice, 
Eumenid●uque sat●, Vtrg.   
But guided by the Eumenideses command.  
All things have end, to these unhappy end,  
By short prescription, Lord of Lords will send.   

Cain is offended with his loving brother,  
And what's the cause, perchance his sacrifice  
Is better far respected then the other,  
Which he doth offer: wherefore thence he flies,  
And doth provide, by his accurled breath,  
To be the Agent of his brother's death.   

Yet Abel's blood, like to the morning dew,  
As●endeth up unto God's heavenly throne,  
Showing how Cain, his hands did ●rst imbrue,  
In brother's blood, his blood to heaven doth groan  
Wheerefore the Lord, who ta●es revenge of sin,  
Damned cain's despair, which he did welter in.   

Cain where's thy brother? 
Gen. chap. 4. vers. 9  Cain doth answer him,  
Am I my brother's keeper? insolence  
Dar'st thou that art compact of nought but sin,  
Answer him so? who●e heavenly excellence.  
Ruleth each thing, and hath created thee  
To laud his name, not grieve his majesty.   

Go thou thy way, for thou canst ne'er obtain  
This Golden Fleece, interred in despair,  
Go wag thine head, with thy distracted brained.  
Thou of perdition art the lineal heir.  
The Golden Fleece is kept for such as live,  
To please their God, and not their God to grieve.   

But such as like the Sabines do disdain, 
〈◊〉 Tit●. Li● pag. 20. Vibes quoque ut catera, ex in●r●o nasci, etc.   
That ere the Romans should in marriage join,  
With their renowned stock, and think it shame,  
That their upstart descent, should them detain.  
Shall soon be vanquished, and devoid of aid,  
To dark oblivions Tomb, retire, dismayed.   

The Argonauts, who got the Golden Fleece,  
Never disdained to join with any power,  
Combined with every Nation in a peace,  
Which did distill like Danae's Golden shower.  
This golden peace did get them that renown,  
Which all the I'll of Colchis pulled not down.   

Nought there can be more strong than unity, 
V●pax Gabior●, c●●u●ixdigniss● mam quider speciem te●errima bell● sequ●ta sun● Vid. ovid. in sast. Cleobis et Byto●.   
If so that union do no discord breed,  
For it effects things worthy memory,  
Which no commotion in the state doth feed.  
For wealth and peace blest Aegias kind twins,  
With mutual passions, mutual honour wins.   

Both weep at once, both smile with like desire,  
Both walk, both stand, both make a like repose,  
And to conclude they burn with equal fire,  
Both win at once, both equally do lose.  
Nought there can be, being borne of self-same mother,  
Belonging to the one, not to the other.   

And than what is it which obtains this prize?  
Not wealth, nor treasure in abundance had,  
To get this prize, is not to temporize,  
For flattery in Princes seems too bad.  
And time observers be of small regard,  
When divine honour is the due reward.   

Do not with glozing, nor with sugared speech  
Think to allure thy God, unto thy will:  
Of thy frail temple he can make a breach,  
And in one moment soul and body kill.  
The difference twixt God and man assigned,  
One kills the body, the other kills the mind.   

Care not for him, 
M●t. 10. 28.  that hath power corporal,  
Able to kill the body is the worst,  
But care for him whose power celestial,  
For he can make both soul and body cursed.  
Wherefore take heed, thou do not grieve that God,  
Who can avenge thy folly with his rod.   

Be so determined in thy daily labour, 
Vbi non est p●r gratiam, adest per vin●dictam.   
That thou offend not Gods high majesty,  
For he that is out of God's heavenly favour,  
Shall be destroyed by his deity. 
Alms. Eccl. chap. 7 vers. 32.   
The Lord hath pity, when he seeth us take  
Compassion on the poor for Christ his sake.   

But when with impudent and careless eye,  
We do neglect the cries of silly souls,  
And wallowing in deep security, 
Amos. chap. 6. ver●. 6.   
Cherish our pleasures; and drink wine in bowls.  
Whilst we anoint ourselves with ointments sweet,  
Who will with tears ofsorrow wash Christ feet?   

No man is sorry for poor Joseph's woe,  
Joseph's affliction doth not touch our hearts,  
Pleasures induce us where so ere we go,  
sins lamentation instantly departs.  
joseph in prison, 
Gen. chap. 39 ●ers. 20.  we sweet pleasures taste,  
Relieved by none, till all his griefs be passed.   

Those who contemn the miseries of men,  
Shall near attain unto this Golden prize,  
These like to savage Lions in their den,  
With proud Cal●gula, do tyrannize.  
Near shall they come to rest, 
M●t. 2. chap. vers. 10.  but endless war  
Shall scatter them, without a shepherds star.   

Ca●●●la would many times reprove,  
The Gods on high, in that they did withstand,  
His Saints ordained to purchase people's love,  
And brandishing a weapon in his hand.  
Come Aeolus (quoth he) and all ye Gods,  
I'll whip you like to scholeboys with my rods.   

Yet when he heard the messenger of rain, 
Qui Deos tant●pere cotemneret, ad minima t●nitrua et falgura, connivere, caput obuoluere, ad ve●o maiora proreperet e strato, sub lectumque condere solebat. Vid. Suet. in vit. Cal●g.   
Thunder, with crackling noise, come hurrying down,  
Then he, proud man, to hide himself was fain,  
And who was high before, is humble grown.  
For wandering what did hurry o'er his head  
Fond witless man, he crept under his bed.   

Caligula could never get this prize,  
For he abashed was at every storm,  
Nor with affiance could lift up his eyes,  
To that same God whose grace doth man adorn  
For Grace doth beautify each creature well,  
And is a means foul vice for to expel.   

Now whosoever will obtain that prize,  
That Golden Fleece, even that celestial treasure,  
Let him fear Gods high power in any wise,  
And dedicate his life to God's good pleasure. 
Time et T●●●or.   
Then he cannot but get this precious gem,  
Reserved for such as be religious men.   

There was a world though that wax hoary now,  
When virtue was the scope each leveled at,  
But few will virtue in their actions show,  
All be respective of their private gain.  
This private state is mundane happiness,  
Which is the groundwork of our wretchedness.   

Leave all thy wealth and thy preferment quite, 

Quis est amicus Det? qui nimtrum nu●dum contemn●t propt●r Deem Stell. de cont, mund. lib. 2.  
Info● aminibus et caucr●ulis petra etc. Cantic. chap. 2. vers. 14.    
Fly to the Anchor of thy hope and stay,  
Here's Jacob's ladder, which may thee incite,  
Upon thy sovereign Lord thine head to lay▪  
Christ is no place whereon to lay his head,  
But Christ his hand will us to glory lead.   

buy once this gem again, and tell me then,  
If ever jewel were of such a price,  
A jewel requisite for Christian men,  
For her's no Christian that will it despise.  
Sell all and buy it, for it will procure  
Thy endless safety which will ere endure.   

What is it draws thee from thy loving Lord?  
Is it promotion? hope of present gain?  
Or is it all that frail earth can afford?  
Nought but vain shadows doth frail earth contain.  
Leave then the shadow, and the substance get  
Immortal things immortal minds beset.   

What was the reason Alexander thought, 
And therefore slew Calisthenes. vid. Quin. Curt. Quia eum pro Deo venerari nolui●. etc.   
Nought could contain man's mind that worldly was?  
Even forasmuch as he for honour sought  
Which having gotten like a shade did pass.  
And having conquered all the world beside,  
Yet he perceiude nought constant could abide.   

One arrow piercing Alexander's thigh, 
Homines dicunt me esse immortalem, sed haec sagitta probat me esse mortal●● Ibid.   
From whence there gushed streams of crimson blood,  
Now do I grant (quoth he) mortality  
Is incident to me, as here is showed.  
Nor prince nor beggar can debar his state,  
To be eclipsed by a mortal date.   

Thou that wi● win●e this Golden fleece, this prize,  
Confess thy self a man and not a God,  
With pure denotion elevate thine eyes  
Lest thou be dashed in pieces by his rod. 
Psalm. 2.   
And being dashed reverreceive again  
Gods d●uine spirit, A Cordial for thy pain.   

Get thee to Noa●s Ark, and like a Dove,  
Come flying with an Olive in thy bill,  
The Ol●ue is the token of true love,  
Which will ●he hatred of the serpent kill. 
Gen. ch●. ●. ●er●. 11.   
For thou as long as thou abidest there,  
No overflowing deluge needs to fear.   

When Z●th●s aged Boreas' son and heir,  
Came down from Colchis into Arcady,  
When unto Phin●us Court he did repair,  
And was received by Phineus sumptously.  
He aided Phineus the Harpies to expel,  
Whose filthy ordure gave a noisome smell.   

For wheresoever Phineus did go,  
They did pursue him, both by Sea and land,  
And made king Phineus full of dismal woe,  
Fo● they were plagues inflicted by Ioues hand.  
In that he did put out his children's eyes,  
Which did ascend to jove with woeful cries.   

Zethes by force expelled these cruellbirds,  
Expulsing them the bounds of Arcady, 
Maliominis aves, etc.   
And for his welcome, this kind love affords,  
And love for love is shown as mutually.  
It was an a●mes for to renew his life, 
Idea.   
Since what was done, was plotted by his wife.   

Then this example shall induce thy love, 
Miserum est ingratum esse hominem.   
Not with unthankful and forgetful mind,  
For to requited his kindness wh● did prove  
A faithful friend, and in distress most kind. 
Pia●●●grato ●omine p●ius terranil ●rea● Ausonius●   
For Zethes was in great dis●●esse before,  
Till he arrived upon th' Arcadian shore.   

And sure unthankful minds be most accursed, 
Officiosa al●●s exuiosa suis. Alcia. 〈◊〉 Emblem.   
Since they like Viper's be unkind to those  
Who fostered them, and make their wombs to burst,  
Vipers to Vipers be the hateful foes.  
Many foul vice, saith Seneca, 
In Epi●t. ad L●cid.  I ken,  
In Rome, yet none worse than unthankful men.   

It is inhuman to forget good will,  
The king of Persia did accept a gift, 
Dariu●▪ Vid. Apoth. Plutar. ●t E. rasm. Roterod.   
Even a small handful which a wife di● fill  
O● liquid water, void of subtle drift.  
This he accepted, and with like desert,  
repaid the kindness of her loving heart.   

And sure who is ungrateful to his friend, 
Inimica animam, exinanitio m●ritorum dispersio virtutum, etc. S. Barnard.   
Shall near obtain this sacred prize of heaven.  
And since God's bounty store of gifts doth send,  
Strive in an equal poise, to be found even,  
And whensoe'er thou dost perceive God's grace,  
Stir thee to good, cease not his name to praise,   

Thou an unfruitful servant, do thy best,  
Yet all thou dost, not so much as thou ought,  
Christ with his sacred rob doth thee invest,  
And in his mercy hath thee homeward brought,  
And yet thou wanderest in the fields astray,  
Unless God's mercy be thy hold and stay.   

He is thine hold, yet like a drunken man,  
Thou reelest from his shoulders to depart, 
Ami●a luto sus. Horat. Sus ●utulenta Cic. in dec. cont. Sallust.   
Unto thy vain delights, do what he can,  
With second death thou penetrat'st his heart,  
Thou mak'st it bleed afresh, and in thy sin,  
Like Sow in mire delight'st to wallow in.   

Lament thy straggling footsteps, thy offences,  
Lament the horror of thy misspending time,  
Lament thy sin, thine Hypocrite pretences,  
Lament: so shall soules-splendour brightly shine.  
The spirit and the flesh bandy their force,  
With flesh the devil joins without remorse.   

Be thou remorseful, and the Lord will take  
Pity upon all thine infirmities,  
Even for his death, and for his passions sake,  
Will he exempt thee thine enormities,  
And bring thee to the place of heavenly joy,  
Void of distress, exempted from annoy.   

Buy this celestial treasure, this reward,  
This heavenly Manna, made for Angel's food,  
This precious jewel all wise men regard, 
Vid. Aulum Gell. in A●t. noclib.   
Purchased to us, by Christ's effused blood.  
This is no Tolosanum aurum, which was brought  
To Rome by Q. Cepio, dearly bought.   

That was the ruin of him that did find it,  
This is the blessing of him, doth possess it,  
Who is he then that will not greatly mind it?  
To be the worthiest gem, who'll not confess it?  
Since who obtains it, lasting life obtains,  
Albeit precious, got with little pains.   

That is obrizum aurum; gold refined,  
Purer than Crystal, clearer than the Glass,  
This heavenly treasure is to such assigned,  
As in devotion do their life time pass.  
Then get this gold, and like a bracelet tie it,  
About thine arm, sell all thy goods and buy it.   

Then shalt thou get this Golden Fleece of joy,  
Solace unto thy soul, and endless bliss,  
Esteem not of it, as a trivial toy,  
Since it's the haven of thy happiness.  
So run & so continued in thy running, 
Cor. chap. 9 vers. 24.   
That thou mayst be eternizd at Christ's coming.   

None must obtain, unless they hold their course,  
For he that liveth must proceed therewith, 
Perfectio vir. tutisest perseu●rantia,   
And this same lewesse will each man enforce,  
To run all breathless to recover breath.  
God grant we may so run this mortal race,  
That we with joy, may see Gods heavenly face.   

Always provided for the day to come,  
Lest unawares our soul sustain the spoil,  
And then even speechless we appear as dumb,  
And undergo an ever-during foil.  
Then shall we weep, and eke deplore our state,  
But lamentation then will come too late.   

Those five wise Virgins had their Lamps provided,  
Therefore they were accepted in the room  
Of nuptial rites, 
Mat●h. 25. chap. vers. 12.  the other were de●ided,  
That unprovided would presume to come.  
Oh then let us provide our Lamps with oil,  
So shall the Lord us of our sin assoil.   

For those who have no oil within their lights,  
Shall be debarred heavens felicity,  
And rest enthroned in perpetual night,  
Where howling is their sweetest harmony.  
Nothing is better th●n provision sure,  
To get that life, which ever shall endure.   

Many intent to spend their worthless life,  
In ●aking richest through desire of gain,  
But such things be t●e nourishers of strife,  
And th●s thy substance will thy conscience stain.  
It shall distain thy conscience and oppress,  
Thy dear bought soul with gall of bitterness.   

Galled be he ever, that bestows his time,  
In things offensive to God's majesty,  
Employing n●t himself in things divine,  
But in profaneness and impiety.  
Soon die they in despair and discontent, 
Paenitentia vera nunqu● es● Sera.   
Who grieve their God, and grieving not repent.   

There can be nothing happier than t●at man, 
Paenitentia s●ra raro est vera. Aug.   
Who doth direct his industry therein,  
Which is concordant to God's high command,  
The safest antidote against all sin.  
For he shall sure obtain that prise, that pay,  
Which power of darknesse● near shall take away.   

Labour for this, and then thou shalt do well,  
Thou shalt attain unto the port of rest, 
Sidus naui● ganti●u, naufragii portus.   
There to remain even in that sacred cell,  
Which above all is to be loved best. 
S. August.   
That sacred mansion of tranquillity,  
Eternal rest of heavens felicity.   

Who would remain in this salt Sea of woe?  
In this unfruitful vale of misery?  
Who would in sinners paths delight to go?  
Since nought there is but sharp calamity.  
Be not besotted with this earthly pleasure,  
Lest thou do lose the hope of heavenly treasure.   

And then farewell fond man, 
Aetna a mountain in Sicily, now called Gibello monte, from whence issue forth wholesi●kes of fire, proceeding out of the adusted matter of the earth. Vi●. just.  for thy distress,  
Cannot be uttered by the tongue of any,  
Such is the platform of thy wretchedness,  
That thy distresses be in number many.  
And then an Aetna with a scorching flame,  
Shall vex thy soul with everlasting pain.   

Now give a sob, in token of thy grief,  
Now weep amain, 
Quando spir●tu● hominis suspirat, spiritus Dei aspirat.  lest thou remorseless die,  
A sigh perchance will yield thee some relief,  
And make thee with a doleful heart to cry  
Pity dear Lord, pity good God, I crave,  
I do confess, that I offended have.   

This short petition will appease his ire,  
Such is his mercy towards penitents,  
And though it burnt before more hot than fire,  
Yet at thy tears he presently relents.  
And answers thee, if thou wil● cease from sin,  
Thou shalt in joy for ever reign with him.   

If thoule not weep, jesus will weep for thee,  
For o'er jerusalem did he lament,  
He will cond●le thy woe, thy misery,  
And tell thee plain, thy fall is imminent.  
He hath more feeling of our wretchedness,  
Then we ourselves have of our own distress.   

How often hath he called us even with tears,  
Stretching his racked arms upon the cross,  
Yet we run headlong, void of filial fear,  
Secure and careless of our own soul's loss.  
Oh weep for shame, and let thy tears bewail,  
Thy careless life, which did thy Saviour nail.   

Shall thy distress more move another man,  
Then thine own heart? which should sustain the grief,  
Sure whosoever shall thy folly scan,  
Will deem thee most unworthy of relief.  
For this thy soul is cauterizde with sin,  
Which thou for ever means to dally in.   

Lascivious minion that consumes thy days, 
Dicit se vetulam cum sit 〈◊〉 p●●pa pup●●m 〈◊〉 G●llta cum sit A●us. Ferre nec ban●poss●s, p●ssis Colive, necillam, alterari●icula est altera ●utidula. Valer. Martial. in Qua●. lib. Epigram   
In tricking up thyself in fine attire,  
In decking those proud parts thy name decays,  
Thy honour fails, dishonoured by desire.  
Thou with the Argonauts shalt ne●e obtain,  
Without God's special grace, this heavenly gain.   

Yet if with Marie Magdalen thou weep,  
And shed salt tears in token of remorse,  
If thou repose not in a sinful sleep,  
Thy tears, thy sights shall be of equal force.  
Clear to exempt thee f●om ●he sting of death,  
Which otherwise with mist would choke thy breath.   

Oh that I could lament as Peter did,  
Oh than should I to mercy have recourse,  
But through distrust of mercy I am hid,  
With Adam in the gro●e, 
Luke. chap. 2●. ver●. 62.  made worse and worse.  
O● mollify (dear Lord) this heart of mine, 
Gen. ch●p. 3. vers. 8.   
That in contrition I may be found thine.   

What if I have abundance of all treasure?  
Wallow in curious cates, and sumptuous fare?  
Yet all my deeds opponents to God's pleasure,  
Oh th●n (God knows) how poor I am and bare?  
Naked, forlorn, oppressed with misery,  
And so distressed, who ist will p●ttie me?   

Grant us dear Lord, 
A petition?  so to employ our time,  
And so our ●alent thou to us hast lent  
That like the stars in glory we may shine,  
And reap the fruits of pilgrims steps well spent. 
jux orien● ab al●o sol Iustiti●.   
So shall that Orient Sun our eyes delight,  
And beautify us, both by day and night.   

So shall that heavenly light enlighten us,  
That we shall never stray from God's desire,  
Not turning things convenient to abuse,  
Nor through presumptuous folly to aspire.  
For true humility shall ere protect us, 
Humility.   
And in this night of darkness shall direct us.   

Stay thee a little while, ere thou proceed,  
Do not go hurrying on thine headlong course, 
Allocutio a● seipsum.   
With bitter satires make men's hearts to bleed,  
Lest they by reading be made worse and worse.  
So read, and so conce●ue amidst thy reading,  
Thy stony heart for sin may fall a bleeding. 
Institutio.    

Yet will I know thou canst not this perform,  
●n the first progress of thine hapless race,  
Without God's Spirit (poor soul) thou art forlorn,  
Wherefore with tears call unto God for grace.  
Grace will illuminate thy purblind eyes,  
Before whose beams, whole heaps of vapours lies.   

Solace thyself in that which is divine  
Do not bestow thy time in wantonness,  
Direct thy paths unto the equal line  
Of God's directions, where thine happiness  
Only consisteth: and dependence having,  
Is soon obtained by incessant craving.   

Is not this mercy, and a kindness great,  
To be delighted only in bestowing. 
F●ns perennis integer manans. S. August.   
For when for mercy we do him entreat,  
Mercy we have, as from a fountain flowing.  
And this same fountain dried up is never,  
But floweth with continual graces ever.   

Then beat thine heart, and be ashamed of sin,  
Put thee on sackcloth, 
jonah. chap. 3.  and in heart relent,  
The goal is gotten, and the triumph win,  
heavens Paradise attained, if thou repent.  
Pierce thine obdurate heart with moisturde tears,  
And then soul's comfort shall dispel all fears.   

Tremble and be astonished for thy life, 
Cum timore et tremore.   
In that thou hast offended thy good God,  
Put from thee all contention, 
Deus quia vere bouls. Vid. S. Aug. in Meditat.  and all strife,  
Lest thou be punished by his fearful rod.  
And that his rod shall be eternal fire,  
Prepared for hardened sinners as their hire.   

But if thou cease from sinning, then receive,  
Veni●e, blessed of my father come,  
Like sheep upon my right hand you shall have,  
Rewards provided for you by his son.  
The other branded with ●bite go, 
Apoc. chap. 19 vers. 20.   
Into the lake of brimstone full of woe.   

Oh that we might attain unto that heaven,  
Whose gates are purer than the finest Gold,  
Admired in vision by the Martyr Stephen,  
Promised to David's seed, 
Act. chap. 7 vers. 55. 56.  in time of old.  
Grant gracious Lord, that we may so endeavour,  
That we with thee may reign in joys for ever. 
Petition.    

So let thy countenance shine upon that mist  
Of ignorance, 
Quamuis dis● pa●sit singu. lorung loria, tamen communis est ●mnium laeti● tia. Aust.  which hath obscured our minds,  
That we may be by Chores of Angels blessed,  
As those, to whom be several joys assigned.  
As those who have obtained the haven of bliss,  
Enthroned in the thrones of happiness.   

Oh let thy gracious favour flourish still  
With a continuance of thine heavenly love,  
Directed by the level of thy will,  
Without a blemish, spotless, as the Dove.  
So shall we laud and magnify thy name,  
That deigned haste to make us free from blame.   

Let us with speed ●ake up our bed and walk,  
Let us not wallow in lascivious beds,  
Let us with speed hear what our Christ doth talk,  
Sounding alarms in our d●afest ear●s.  
Come unto me that labour and are distressed,  
Retire to me, for you shall be refreshed.   

Is not this solace to thy wearied spirit? 
Plus affctu●● quam affat●, plusg●mui● bus quam s●rmonibus efficitu●, etc.   
Is ●ot this comfort to thine heavy load?  
Since Christ rewardeth thee, who nought doth merit,  
A greater kindness, neu●r could be showed.  
Lament thy sin with tears, thy Christ doth crave,  
He'll in his mercy, soul and body save.   

Now is the Golden Fleece attained unto,  
Than which no gem more precious or more ●aire,  
Since Christ 〈◊〉 of ou● worthless works allow,  
And hath adopted us to be his heir  
This G●●den Fleece is got, none can withstand  
The confi●●ation of God's sacred hand.   

Canceled he hath the writing which he had, 
He hath canceled the handwriting he had against v●v. 8. etc.   
To show against us, & h●● precious blood,  
Wh●ch he effusde fo● us that e●st were bad,  
H●●h wash away ou● sins: O blessed food.  
Mo●e 〈◊〉 & more swerte than Hesh●ons pools,  
Whole p●●asant streams refreshed thirsty souls.   

Flow thou for ever sweetest of all sweets,  
Whose Nectar fountains relisheth our gall, 
〈…〉. brosiaet nectare. etc.   
And with a kind salute our anguish greets,  
Protecting us, lest our frail steps should fall.  
Defend us Lord, and as thou hither hast,  
Protected us, continue thy repast.   

For thy repast will nourish us for aye,  
And feed our hunger-bitten souls with cates,  
And sundry dishes, even from day to day,  
Having promoted us to high estates.  
What cause ha●st thou, since we deserved least,  
To fashion us like man, and not like beast?   

It was thy mercy Lord not our deserts,  
That thou shouldst this impart unto thy foes,  
Blessings full many flowing ●n our hear●s,  
As in redemption from soule-bleeding woes.  
Lord these thy blessings what tongue can unfold  
This which our Fathers have declared of old?   

Thou mightst have made me like a worm or beast,  
●r senseless creature, 
In P●rsons 〈◊〉.  like to plants or stones,  
But with thine own form thou didst me invest,  
Like to thyself, and thy elected ones.  
F●r which I cannot give thee worthy praise,  
Yet I will praise thee, and thy name always.   

O that the nature of our stony hearts  
Would be dissolved to tears, whilst they receive  
Those inward passions suffered for our parts,  
For whose extremest sorrows we do crave.  
That God would pity take, 
A Petition.  and us redress,  
Which destitute of help, are comfortless.   

Thou art our comfort, 
Gaudium per quod gaudeo▪ quando sane gaudeo, etc.  and our solacer,  
That solacest our misery and woe,  
Thou art our pillar and our nourisher,  
Who dost sustain us wheresoe'er we go,  
Then happy we, since happiness consists,  
To be by thee in heaven for ever blessed.   

Blessed be he ever that resides in Christ,  
And doth repose h●s comfort in his love,  
For in his love all happiness comprised  
He'll fix the Anchor which will near remove,  
Let us exceed, if so we can exceed  
In loving him, who for our love did bleed.   

Never did man sustain, that he sustained,  
To expiate that sin, we h●d committed,  
For by his death, eternal life we gained,  
And we unto his favour were admitted.  
Pity us Lord, as we have here transgressed,  
Endew us with that grace, we have professed.   

If I could merit, 
Omirabilis censur● conditio, e● ineffabilis mysterii dispos●tio, etc.  than there were no need  
Of any merits Christ hath wrought for me,  
But Christ's dear heart did for my ●ollies bleed,  
And he was wounded for my misery.  
Then for thy wounds, and for thy passion sake, 
August. 1. med. cap. ●.   
Save me O Lord, whom thou didst recreate. 
Petition.    

I have gone wandering in this surging sea  
Of many troubles, shipped in waves of woe,  
I was deprived of the purity  
Of mine own soul, 
Inpers●. Auth●r.  from whence these griefs did flow.  
For mine own soul defiled is with mud,  
Which erst was raised by thy precious blood.   

Weep now, 
Da mihiirriguum superi●● & inferius.  hard heart, and call to mind the death  
Of thy sweet Saviour, who appeased their  
Of God's displeasure, and whose heavenly breath,  
Attempered that which burnt more hot than fire.  
There is no marble-heart so hardened,  
But by Christ's death, it will be mollified.   

Oh stony conscience fraught with wretchedness,  
Oh vile disfigured creature made of sin,  
Thou that compacted art of wickedness,  
How by thy merits canst thou favour win?  
Nay, nay to fly to them, thou wouldst be loath,  
For they be filthier than a menstruous clo●h. 
P●al. David.    

Here let me fix my staff with Scipio, 
I● ludibrio ●ratris novos transilire muros. ●. ●iuius Patau.   
And set my foot unto Alc●des frame,  
Beyond which pillars never one could go,  
Non ultra fixed, to memorise his name.  
Here's Romulus high wall, who leaps over this,  
With Remus under it interred is.   

Scipio's firm staff I have defixed here,  
In token that my province is obtained,  
Unto whose sacred shrine let all draw near,  
Now is the prize, the Golden Fleece regained,  
That Golden Fleece the subject of my verse,  
The rarest Motto on a dead man's hearse.   

For none that dieth, pleasure can enjoy,  
Unless he have a garment made of this,  
Not like that poisoned shirt which did annoy, 
Seneca in tragaed, Oet●●, Her●ul.   
Oetea● Hercules deprived of bliss.  
This is the garment of our chastity,  
The milk-white Albe of our sincerity.   

Who doth not make his garment of this wool,  
Purer than purple of the finest dye,  
Doth his own soul with wickedness defoul,  
Deprived of Christ's death, means to cure his pai●  
This garment is the ornament of love,  
That Olive branch brought by a Turtle Dove.   

The Tyrians were rich, 
Tyrrhene vestes proverb.  with orient gem,  
Yet not so rich, as this most precious jewel,  
The Arabians sweet perfumed odours sends,  
But those for dainty dames remain as fuel; 
Tmolus' amemum mittit●   
Pontus brings forth rich bevers of all kind,  
But not compared unto the peace of mind.   

India is rich, furnished with golden mines,  
But savage minds possess them without use, 
Virosaque Pontus castorea, Elyadum palmas Phyro● equarum, Virg. Super extremos penetratit Indos. Long● qualiter resonante Eoa tundeturunda. Catul. 1. lib. eleg.   
More expert coasts, at the Indians rapines,  
In that such precious metals they abuse.  
But we repine not at their Indians gain,  
So we this heavenly treasure may obtain.   

Croesus' was rich, 
Trog. Pom●●. & Lenoph in cyrop. ovid. in Epist. vid.  yet he obtained not this,  
Irus was poor, Codrus as poor as he,  
And these two beggars had their share of bliss,  
As much as Croesus for his majesty. 
Quint. Curtium in vit.   
Then what do I regard such wealth, 
Alexan●. de obit. & sepul● Craesi. in ●upple●●●nto.  such store,  
Since after death, I am not blest therefore.   

Poor Thestylis did labour to maintain,  
Her poor estate, 
Virgil. in ec●log.  by daily toil and care,  
Rich Menedemus carkte for rusty gain,  
Yet at her death she had as much to spare. 
Terent. com●● in 〈◊〉.   
Both these did toil, yet toiled they not for this,  
To be partakers of eternal bliss.   

This richesse is a canker which consumes  
The rare framed substance of the soul divine,  
For rich men through their rich estates presume  
To purchase heaven, as they did earth for● time.  
But gold adoring creatures they must know  
That their confusion from their richesses grow.   

Thus that converted is to bitter pain,  
Which they reserved for antidotes of health,  
They lose in traffic, where they thought to gain,  
Not much unlike unto Prometheus' stealth, 
Hesiod. et Aeschyl. in Tragaed.   
Who by his theft resolving to revive,  
His lifeless shrines, himself of life deprived.   

Who being on mount Caucasus stands bound,  
Enchained in fetters of captivity,  
Whose heart consuming Eagles grapple round,  
Yet right revives his endless misery.  
heartless consumed by day, 
●r●metheus punishment.  his griefs renewed,  
For with a new framed heart he is endewde.   

Night doth create in him that which the day  
Had quite consumed, wounded by Eagles bills.  
Thus he tormented is, as Poets say,  
The night reviving what the day time kills. 
A poetical ●●ction.   
Thus discontented, rests in discontent,  
A just reward for theft, or thefts intent.   

Read but these leaden poems, 
Conclusion with an exhortation. etc.  find of gold,  
For gold is subject to their shapeless form,  
Though they degenerate from a golden mould,  
Yet pious wits will not such fragments scorn.  
And as a mask oft veles deformity,  
So may my errors by your clemency,   

A kind embrace encourageth a swain, 
Et tandem tener ausus e●● Catullus▪ magno mittere passerem Ma● roni. Catul. ●is Eleg.   
To tell his rusticketale, and doth excite●  
His silly muse to frolic, or the plain,  
So kindest censures them that rudely write,  
If these naked poems please, I do protest  
In bounden love, devoted I will rest.  
To be commanded in the highest strain  
That poor Menalchas ever shall attain.   
Sat vobis est hac tenui & serpent vena.  
FINIS.   

AN ELEGY ENTITLED Narcissus Change.  

Narcissus' pestered with the Summer heat,  
Came to a fountain whose stil-flowing spring,  
Refreshed him where silver fountains meet,  
Upon whose banks did ripened berries hang.  
Whose pleasant colour did such beauty show,  
That they their form did to the banks bestow.   

Such was the beauty of that ripened fruit,  
Whose fair adorning shadow did oreshade  
The banks adjoinde, where Clio with her Lute,  
Used to play, with flowery robes arrayed.  
Where Clio played, the Naiads replied,  
With tripping grace, in Tempe deified.   

Here did Narcissus bathe himself a while,  
And with a Nectar sweetness quench his thirst,  
Ling him down, with quick conceit did smile,  
Glutted with water, which he longed for first.  
Where he perceiving how thee berries cast  
A beauteous colour, thus he spoke aghast.   

Fair were that creature that surpassed these,  
In beauty, or in colour, but no shape,  
Can be compared to these delicious trees,  
Whose fruitful sprigs send out this lovely grape.  
O why should Gods (quoth he) such berries make  
Of such rare colour for Narcissus sake?   

Narcissus is not in his shape so fair  
Nor in his colour, so admired as these,  
Bright-eide Alexis is beyond compare,  
Yet not compared to these broad shadowing trees.  
Phyllis was fair, yet not so fair to me,  
As these fair berries speckled prettily.   

Thus whilst he spoke, he did reflect his eyes  
Unto the fountain, where he did perceive,  
His own affected beauty, which descries  
Conceit of beauty doth young youths deprave.  
For he conceited of his beauteous form  
With high ambition did his shape adorn.   

Dost thou advance (quoth he) wi●h high prized praise  
The beauty of these berries grow hard by?  
And will not thine own beauty eternize,  
Decked with pleasures in variety?  
Thy blush exceeds the feature of all plants,  
Thou art endewde with that the Cupresse wants.   

The Cypress tree doth not her verdure lose, 
Cupr●ssus in hyeme viriditat●m no● amittit suam.   
But still reserves her vernant shape and springs,  
With cheerful die, so doth the blushing rose,  
Which to her pruner, fragrant savour brings. 
Plin. in Nat. Histor.   
Neither the Rose, nor yet the Cypress tree,  
In any wise may be compared to thee.   

Damon hath told me oft, 
Orytha or▪ Orychia daughter to king Erycthetus, whom Bo●cas stole away.  I was most fair,  
Yet I beleeude him not: but now I see,  
My beauty is 'mongst other shepherds rare  
No marvel if Orytha favour me.  
Since Nature by Apelles hand hath sought,  
To pass that nature which foretime was wrought.   

Crotons' fine daughters, framed by Zeuxes art,  
Were much admired for beauty yet must yield  
To thee Narcissus, for in every part,  
Thy well proportioned members them excelled.  
They fair by art, thou by dame Nature fair,  
Nature with art, we use not to compare.   

Thersites that misshapen Grecian swain,  
was of my stock and lovely progeny,  
But he foul man, should be reformed again,  
For his ill featured forms deformity.  
But thou N●rcissus dost enjoy that name,  
Which Nature doth envy, whilst she doth name.   

Named be thou ever, for thou dost enjoy  
The honour and the credit of thy maker,  
Thou art Narcissus that same lovely boy,  
That of celestial form art made partaker,  
Partaker be thou ever of that form,  
Since nature as her gem did thee adorn.   

Narcissus' gem, for who can ere compare  
With the surpassing beauty of his face?  
Which intermixed i● with red most fair,  
Resembling Io, whose admired grace.  
Struck such a love in ●upiters high breast, 
Io daughter to the river Inachus, etc.   
That he protested, he loved Io best.   

One day amongst the rest, high jove would kiss,  
The paragon of beauty jos face, 
The description of Ioues love.   
juno stood at his back, and seeing this  
You might forbear, quoth she whilst we are in place,  
It were enough to vele your crimes by night,  
And not to act them in your juno's sight.   

jove he replied little, but expressed,  
His love to juno still with feigned looks,  
Io stood still, her silence lust confessed,  
Such is the attracting power of divine hooks.  
Their divine power is such, that being shown,  
The chastest maids that breath be not their own.   

jove loved still, yet could not hide his love,  
From jealous juno, 
Inque intentem Inachydos vu●tus mutau●●at ille iwencam.  wherefore he invented,  
By metamorphozde shape, his joys to prove,  
Io poor wench, without delay consented.  
And left fair shapes, should Ioues conceit reveal,  
An heifers form, did Io's shape conceal. 
ovid. in Meo tamor.    

Fondest of fonds will thou compare thy feature,  
With a lascivious heifer Ioues delight?  
Thou art the curious frame of divine nature,  
Nature sure made thee in her own despite.  
For she despiteth thee, thou art so fair,  
That Nature with her work may not compare.   

Leda fair wife to royal Tindarus,  
Drew jove from heaven, proportion of a swan,  
For Gods at that time were voluptuous:  
From whence the twins of Leda first began.  
Leda's two eggs, Pollux and Helen hight,  
Castor and Clytaemnestra brought to light.   

These fair surpassing fair, endued were  
With vital breath by Ioues fair swan-like form,  
Castor and Pollux stayed not long time there,  
For they bright lamps, the heavens with light adorn:  
Helen though fair, yet Helen did amiss,  
And Clytaemnestra grew adulteress.   

avant degenerate thoughts, ill may betide thee,  
Obtruding lustful Helen to my shrine,  
Or Clytemnestras' known adultery,  
Or with celestial bodies which do shine  
In heavens supernal Throne, and what are they,  
That thou the brightest star, should stars obey.   

Look at thy face, and in this Crystal fount,  
Gaze at thy golden locks: Oh do not blush,  
Fairest of men, fit for Idalias' mount,  
There to inhabit: 
Idalio o● Idalus a mount dedicated to Venus.  crowned with myrtle bush.  
What shall I say Narcissus, to thy beauty,  
To which Apollo tied is in duty.   

Apollo followed Daphne in a chase, 
C●i Deus, et quoniam ●oniux mea non potes esse, arbour ●riscerte dixit. ovid. in Melam.   
An unchaste chase, when gods do follow maids,  
And in this shameless course, this hapless race,  
Daphne makes refuge to the Laurel shades.  
Where she transformed was into that tree,  
Under whose shade poor wench, she wished to be.   

But what high jove, 
Iphicus son to Praxonides, who first ordained the games of Olympus.  or what Apollo can,  
Transform Narcissus, since his shape exceeds,  
Fair Hippodamia for whom Pelops ran,  
Iphicus heart for me with sorrow bleeds.  
And let it bleed I am of purer frame  
Than each lascivious mate to entertain.   

But if fair Deiopeia would descend  
Daughter to juno, 
Quar●● pul● cherrima D●●opeia.  and entreat my love,  
Then would I to her suit attention lend,  
And in a mutual sort her tears approve. 
V●rgil. in A●ne●d.   
I am too fair for Galataeas' vain,  
Whom I loud once, yet near will love again.   

Though she allure me with her pretty favours,  
Sending me bracelets, made of divers sorts,  
And fragrant nosegays, mixed with sweetest savours,  
Yet maids of greater place to me resorts. 
Themis a shepherdess   
If any earthly creature me obtain,  
It shall be Themis, she's a lovely swain.   

But it's no human creature can content me,  
It must be some diviner power shall have me,  
Therefore some fair shapde god thou shalt inu●t thee  
To be thy mistress, who ere long will crave thee.  
And craving thee, will dote upon thy face,  
Wishing thou wert borne of celestial race▪   

Thus whilst Narcissus spoke, his twisted arms  
Began to flourish with a green clad lest  
With grim Nemesis by her posherfull charms▪ 
Ille caput vi● ridi fe●sum submisit in herba. ovid. Metam.   
Composed to be the blossoms of his grest.  
His head was clothed with a colour green,  
None knew Narcissus where he erst had been.   

This was the high prized love he did conceive  
Of his own beauty fitter for Gods than men,  
Ambitious thoughts do worthy parts deprave,  
More savage far than Lions in their den.  
For having got their prey, they rest content,  
But ●oaring thoughts are still to lewdness bend.    

Another Elegy called Aesons affecting youth.  


Aesons dotage.  THere was one Aeson who long time had lived,  
And waxing old, was clad with hoary hair, 
Son to Cretheus▪ Vt infra.   
So that each day he looked to be deprived  
Of his scarce living life consumed with care.  
And every day he rose, farewell quoth he,  
For ere to morrow death will summon me.   

A looked for summons, yet not much desired,  
For what man living will desire his fall?  
If that my fortunes have to wealth aspired,  
And that the Gods have blest me therewithal,  
Why should I die? 
Quid m●●iar.  yet these grey hairs portend,  
Yet ere long time my state must have an end.   

With that he wept, and sighing did despair,  
Watering his pale-facde cheeks with aged drops, 
Aeg●on or Briareus a man of remorseless spirit. etc.   
And weeping, wiped his eyes with snow-white hair.  
His beard was long, bedecked with aged locks.  
So that to see this oldman homewards creep,  
Would move Aegaeon if alive, to weep.   

Now whilst he wept, and did lament his woe,  
jason came to him, jason was his son,  
And with a quick pace mixed with terres did go,  
Hearing his father say, he was undone.  
Undone quoth jason, why dear Sir (quoth he)  
Is it in that I have offended thee?   

No quoth old Aeson, it's because mine age,  
Grows out of frame, 
Oreth●us 〈◊〉 f●ther to Aeson, Alcide mon and Ae●●ythaon.  decrepit and decayed,  
Once was I nimble being Cretheus page,  
But now I fly unto my staff for aid.  
This (my kind son) is cause of my distress,  
Of all my sorrow and my heaviness.   

jason did smile, yet he concealed his smile,  
Lest he should seem to scorn his father's years  
Or pure compassion of his griefs exile,  
But washed his tearless face with feigned tears,  
And Aeson having all his woes descried,  
With framed speech young jason thus replied.   

Dear father, if distress consist in this,  
That is in sorrowing for your aged years, 
jasons spe●ch   
I think it were not very far amiss,  
To show Medea these your woeful tears.  
Wherewith (quoth Aeson) can she comfort me,  
That will be dead, ere she can visit me?   

jason to comfort him, poor doting man,  
Said, 
Helicon and Hamonia two delightful places.  she had used the like experiment  
Of divers others: and that Helicon  
Yields powerful herbs, by Aesculapius sent.  
Adding, 
Vid. ovid.  he would make haste, and bid her try,  
What she could do in this extremity.   

Aeson did thank him, with a father's blessing,  
Praying the Gods to prosper him for ever,  
And like a dotard cloyed him with kissing,  
Hoping to live for aye: Die should he never.  
jason made haste to his enchanting wife, 
Med●●.   
Bidding her try her skill for Aesons life.   

Medea wept to hear her jason ask, 
Nec t●nuit lachrimas 〈◊〉 est pietate r●gātis. ovid. Quod petis, experiar, maius dare munus. Ias●n. ibid.   
In such lamenting manner for her father.  
Protesting oft, this was an extreme taste,  
Nothing on earth, but she could do it rather.  
jason commands which she will not withstand,  
But 'gins to try herbs virtues with her hand.   

And going far and near, she gathered flowers,  
Which she distilled into a vessel pure, 
Illic 〈◊〉 valleresect as & 〈◊〉.   
From whence proceeded such all working powers,  
That she by them could make men ere endure.  
And more to die, which did content her sire.  
For to be ever young was his desire.   

When she had this confession made and tried,  
The same by skill, made on a fruitless tree,  
Whereof the withered branches down did slide,  
To which applying Art: sprung fruitfully  
Fair Olive branches, by whose vernant show  
The virtue of her herbs she soon did know.   

Wherefore she came to Aeson speedily,  
Taking him by th'hand: young man (quoth she)  
Whereat she laughed, 
〈◊〉.  I have found remedy,  
For your old age, if you'll be ruled by me.  
And drawing out 〈◊〉 box of pleasant oil,  
This will (quoth she) assuage your forepast toil.   

Having anointed him good gods (quoth he)  
How agile, and how nimble be my bones?  
By lasting fame eternised be she,  
That healed mine aches, yet saying this he groans.  
For he beheld the excrements of time,  
Grey hairs despoil him of his flowery prime.   

And sighing thus, you have done good to me,  
Daughter Medea, in that you have cured  
My chill-cold joints spent with debility  
For which approved kindness, rest assured.  
That jason shall enjoy old Pelias ground.  
Since thee more kind than Pelias I have found.   

One thing is yet awanting, which if thou  
By thy divinest skill shalt ere perform,  
Or if by thy endeavours thou canst do,  
With a perpetual wreath I'll thee adorn.  
And character the honour of thy name,  
With the dispersing of thy sacred fame.   

She without further question made, applied  
Unto his aged hairs such fragrant smell, 
Seminaeque 〈◊〉 flores et succos incoquit atros.   
And by her concoct herbs so liquefied,  
That in all haste, his hoary hairs down fell,  
And being fallen, 
ovid. Ibid.  there sprung up in that place,  
A coale-blacke bush of hair upon his face.   

Seek not with Aeson to be young again,  
But have desire to end thy pilgrimage,  
Since it is fraughted with a sea of pain, 
Parainesis se● institutio etc. in Senectut.   
Who would with youth change his declining age?  
Youth is licentious, 
Aesons.  age experienced,  
Tells us, That lust is to be banished.  
FINIS.   

●t vos Pompilius sa●guis carmen reprehendite, 
Ad Zoilum.   
Quod non multa dies-litura coercuit  
Atque, perfectum decies non castigavit ad v●guem.    

SONNETS OR MADRIGALS. With the Art of Poesy annexed thereunto by the same Author.  Horatius in Lib. de arte Poetica. 
Non satis est pulchra esse Poemata, dulcia sunto,  
Et quocunque volunt animum aud●toris agunto.  ovid. 
Nec modus aut requies, nisi mors reperitur amantis,  
Verus amor nullum nou●t habere modum.  Idem. 
Hei mihi, quòd nullis amor est medicabilis herbis.  
Printed at London for Christopher Purset. 1611.   

TO THE WORSHIPFUL HIS Approved brother THOMAS BRATHWAITE Esquire, the prosperity of times success in this life, with the reward of eternity in the world to come.  
Janus ha●h now shut up his Temple, our● ivil wars be now ended, union in the sweet harmony of mind and conjunction, hath prevented the current of ensuing faction, we may now sit down under our Beech tree: and make a virtuous use of an experienced necessity. travelers having passed many perils, inexplicable dangers, use to be delighted with the recounting of their forepast miseries, sea beat mariners having sustained the tempestuous gusts of the surging sea, and at last arrived at their haven, which so long time with importunacy they desired, seem not a little delighted with the description of their manifold dangers. We have purchased by a mutual experience of our own power, a mutual peace: and reposing under the comfortable shade of minds atonement, may make discourse of our forepast griefs.  
Themystocles exiled his native country, and kindly entertained by the king of Persia, used to say to h●s train: periissen, nisi periissem. O sirs, I had been undone, if I had not been undone; so we, for in our loss consists our welfare, having tried the rough chastisement of discord, and exiled as it were, the borders of peace and amity, and now enjoying the content of minds union, may say, we had never been thus happy, if we had not been unhappy, for the fruition of happiness hath the best taste in his palate, who hath once tasted the bitter relish of unhappiness.  
We may now make a good consort, since the jarring strings of discord be reduced to so pleasant harmony, that the very strains of our well concording strings may delight our friends with a soul conceiving melody, but distract the minds of such as in the billows of our unnatural troubles, conceived no small felicity. But these were like Tyrtaeus that envious Poet, who hearing how the works of others grew acceptable and delightful, hanged himself in despair of their good fortunes.  
But let them alone, they labour of their own frenzy: and Codrus bowels will burst with his own envy; I have composed some few Sonnets, and dedicated them unto yourself, the fragments of Parnassus' mount, though of the meanest: yet some fruit may be gathered out of Ennius' dunghill, they be amorous, penned in a foolish passion, they are more fit for Venus' shrine, than Urania's shape: for I would not derogate from the praise of beauty, lest I should have Stesychorus fortune, who for dispraising Helen of Greece, lost his sight. Let these harsh poems now and then take place amongst more serious studies, Damon ever carried about with him some works of Pythias as memorial of his affections, Pylades the impression of his Orestes, & Pirithous the statue of his Thesaeus: A poem of love will relish the bitter taste of graver stories.  
Pyndarus fountains lie open as well to Ovid, to write lasciviously, as to Sophocles to write tragically: the mind affects variety, as the stomach useth to be glutted, if she find no change, one instrument of Music would make a slender consort.  
It was no small praise for Alcibiades, to be esteemed skilful in exercises, and to have general applause in what exploit soever he took in hand. Terpnus, who was Nero's physician, was out of his element when he had not a Lute in his hand, and a wanton song before him: Aeschines had little to speak, when he was not pleading, but these resemble actors upon a stage, who can speak nothing, but in their own parts: interrupt them but a little, they stand like Praxiteles pictures. I receive that Gentleman more acceptably, who hath a superficial knowledge in all discourses, than such an one as is exact in one distinct knowledge alone.  
Thus recommending these few scattered poems to your reading, and wishing you as much comfort as earth can afford you in this life, with the fruition of heavens glory in the life to come, I take my leave ever resting,  
Your affectioned Brother, Richard Brathwaite.   

Upon the dedication of the last Epistle.  

AFter this poem, poem, I may call it,  
Came pensive tidings to my Muse's cell,  
At which my Muse, in boundless wars impaled  
Resolved to bid lascivious rithms farewell.  
Yet they in spite of me and my Muse  
Burst out against my will (as others use.)   

Then pardon me that could not use mine own,  
In singing lays, when odes should best befit,  
This was my first birth, which being riper grown,  
Shall yield the blossoms of maturer wit.  
Mean time receive this poem which I show  
Portrayed in sable colours unto you.    

The Author to his disconsolate Brother.  

L●t not mishap deprive you of that hope,  
Which yields some relish to your discontent,  
Aim your aff●ctions at heavens glorious scope,  
Whic showers down comfort, when all comfort's spent.  
Then rest secure, that power which you adore,  
Will make your joys more full then ere before.   

Let not the Sun now shadowed with a cloud,  
Make you suspect the Sun will never shine,  
That ill, which now seems ill, may once prove good,  
Time betters that, which was depraude by time.  
Thus let my prayers, your tears concord in one,  
To reap heavens comforts, when earths comfort's gone.    

THE FIRST SONNET OR MADRIGAL.  

NO sooner do I gaze upon that face,  
But ravished with the beauty of thy cheek,  
Would think it were a Paradise to place,  
Those vernant comforts, which each day i'th' week,  
Are now renewed by singing Al●mons hap,  
Under the Sunshine of thy vestal lap.   

Whole weeks seem minutes when I am with thee,  
And years as hours do vanish from my sight,  
There is no pleasant note, no melody,  
That makes a lustre equal to that light,  
Thy sparkling eyes reflect more fair by far,  
Then radiant Ph●bus in his ivory car.   

Those burnished locks, like Damon's flocks appear  
Before the temple of refined love,  
And as the herds which shepherds use to shear,  
Or like the smooth plumes of the turtle Dove.  
Nearest to a Dove thou art, and I will call  
Thine heart, a Turtles heart that hath no gall.   

That albone skin more pure, more polished,  
Then the fair tomb, wherein Prince Ninus lay,  
Whose structure (fair) was near demolished,  
Dear, thou my mansion art, my life, my stay.  
Therefore like Ziscoes' skinnne, I will prepare  
To sound Alarm in Antenor's chair.   

If those same nimble fingers, which thou hast,  
That tune the warbling Lute so prettily,  
Be but engript about thy tender waste,  
O what a beauty shows there presently?  
Wilt thou believe me? there's no creature borne,  
Whose beauteous out●ide, better gifts adorn.   

I am no Merchant that will sell my breath,  
Good wine needs not a bush to set it forth,  
Yet I will praise thee ever, till pale death  
Cut off the Poet of thy flowery youth,  
I will enshrine thee in an hearse of time,  
Which being made shall glad this heart of mine.   

I cannot sing, for I have lost my voice,  
With telling tales of love, and Venus' grove,  
But yet drone-like i'll buzz and make a noise  
Of Cupid's arrows, Hyppodamias' love.  
For I can keep a measure with my tears,  
And sighing still make sad the gravest ears.   

Atlas' three daughters, were beyond compare,  
For Aegle was as fair, as fair could be,  
And Arethusa was for beauty rare  
Hesperitusa full as fair as she.  
Yet these three daughters, if mine eye be true,  
Seem but as shadows in respect of you.   

These three fair daughters kept a Garden sweet,  
Wherein a serpent slept continually,  
Which with a trembling fell before their feet,  
As ravished with their beauty's Majesty.  
Thou keptst a garden (love) more fair than they  
Which for Alcides were a worthy prey.   

There be sweet fruits so mellow and so rare,  
That dropping down upon their tender twigs,  
Oft times amongst the valleys they repair  
To deck wit● spangled dew their budding sprigs.  
Believe me dear, that fruit which grows of thee,  
Is interlaid with full variety.   

Well were that Gardener that enhedgde were,  
Within the beds of that same rosary,  
No raggy bugbears he should need to fear.  
But were enthronde with pomp and majesty.  
And in a precious carcanet of pure gold  
Like to a chain, might all his joys enfold.   

Those pretty Daisies that spring on those banks,  
With little stalks relished with fragrant smells,  
Give to the Gods above continual thanks,  
That such a Gardnesse in their borders dwells.  
For they are well assured and oft have said,  
Whilst thou look'st o'er them, they can never fade.   

I could not talk of late, when thou appeared,  
Yet glad I would have been to speak my mind,  
And standing still, enclosed twixt hope and fear,  
Within those looks of thine I was confined.  
Yet willingly confined, I must confess  
For all my throbbing senses showed no less.   

Well you may take it rudeness in me then,  
In that I could not cover, as others did,  
But you must make a difference twixt such me●,  
As never were in love, but wholly rid  
Of all distempered passions, and of such  
As cannot court by loving overmuch.   

near could I see a perfect love endure  
To cog, to flatter in his master's sight,  
Love is refined, and is so passing pure,  
That with a monster it will dare to fight.  
It hates vain compliments, nor can agree  
To glozing congees, or a bended knee.   

I would not be a Pander to my love,  
Lest I should lose the fruits I oft have sought,  
I will not praise too much, lest I approve,  
Mine own undoer, and to ruin brought,  
Lament too late, that I should her commend,  
Who by her praise, brought me to timeless end.   

Therefore will I here fix my staff and stay,  
Lest like Candaules while I praise my wife,  
I show a Gygas her, and he betray  
My best loved love, depriving me of life.  
I cannot lain, and yet I will not praise  
That sacred shrine which consecrates my days.   
FINIS.   

THE SECOND SONNET.  

PVh, fie, away I cannot brook to kiss,  
For modest lips detest such wantonness,  
Hold off those impure hands, whose only bliss  
Is fraughted with the poise of wickedness.  
Shake off these cankered thoughts▪ these apparitions,  
These shittring dreams, & these lascivious visions.   

Thou dreamed the other night, thy master's mask,  
Was hid under the pillow of thy bed,  
And when thou waked thou presently did ask,  
Whose unchaste hands did take it from thine head.  
Fond gull beware of these conceits of thine,  
Like characters of louser acts do shine.   

Endymion like with groveling in thy cave,  
Thou sleptst of satires, Fauns, & mountain gods  
Love is the part thy slumbering eyelids crave,  
Thou dreamest thou kissed Diana in the woods,  
Of steep cliffy Pindust, out upon the Ass,  
Thou kissed Diana where she never was.   

Thou dreamed of bugbears, and oppressed with fear,  
Ran to the pillow for to kill a fiend,  
When (in good sooth) there nothing did appear,  
Yet from a shadow did thy soul defend.  
Leave off fond gull, no spirit thou canst find,  
Worse than the spirit of thy jealous mind.   

Actaeon was a coward to suppose  
Each bush a Pander to his beauteous wife,  
And whilst unto the shady groves he goes,  
He fears the ruin of his worthless life.  
No care to jealous 〈◊〉 there can be,  
For jealous thoughts despair of remedy.   

Nature hath plagued some with a jealous spirit,  
And yet no cause given by his honoured wife,  
For jealous thoughts proceed not still from merit,  
Surmised conjectures breed intestine strife.  
Reaping such things, as such minds do befit,  
They lose the substance, and the shadow get.   

Whenas desire of vain and wanton love,  
Shows as a Tiger, and triumphs in woe  
Her tyrant hands she in her course doth prove▪  
And draweth on despair where ere she go,  
For desperate love appeareth oft in such,  
As are besotted with loving overmuch.   

But well I know the portraie of thy mind,  
Thou lov'st, and art bewitched with jealousy,  
And if a silly Mouse thou chance to find,  
Within thy chamber, thy impatiency.  
Swears it hath cuckolded thee, and in despair,  
Protests the child she hath is not thine heir.   

Wherefore should bushes so affright brave men,  
That are endued with wit and dignity,  
How should a Momus portraie with his pen,  
Their jealous thoughts, and their impiety?  
Believe me friend, no viper worse I find,  
Then the rank poison of a jealous mind.   

The Macedons were more discreet than they,  
Who suffered all have public liberty.  
And to repair unto their house each day,  
For to supply their imbecility.  
I cannot choose but count that man a gull,  
That thinks his Pasyphae nee●s every B●ll.   

I cannot choose, but sore condemn that man,  
That soothes his pleasure in a vail of tears,  
And blots the current of his glorious name,  
By suppositions, and pretended feres.  
Honour thy wife, for she is chaste and pure,  
Conceive but chastened of her, rest secure.   

I am thy friend in counsel and must tell,  
Thy follies err, and wander far amiss,  
For jealous thoughts run posting haste to hell,  
ne'er are partakers of an heavenly bliss.  
Remember well, let jealous thoughts depart,  
Lest Queen of chaste desires frame thee an heart.   

And then still grazing in the shady grove,  
Repent thy foolish and misshaped suspicion,  
Which did conjecture false of such a love,  
Grounding a truth out of an apparition.  
Can tell this vain forged deed, and then prepare,  
More honoured thoughts t'extenuate thy care.   

I'll leave thee thus, and if thou do remain,  
In thine ill formed suggestions then be sure,  
There's punishing Gods, that will in am of gain,  
Enthrall thy soul in depth, ere to endure.  
Emprisned fast with chains of slavery,  
Condign reward for untuned jealousy.   

Hapless is he who so regards his name,  
That he redoubles it with infamy, 
Supplementum.   
Unfortunate that doth impair the same,  
And shows his thoughts by harsh tuned jealousy.  
juno can look upon her husband love,  
To know, why he fair Io so should love?   

I have known many in regard of time,  
Show discontent, to see their wives partake,  
Of popular aspect, and to repine  
To love a friend, not for her husband sake,  
But none I ever knew, or ere shall know,  
That for true love will seem besotted so.   

When Collatine did give his signet ring,  
Unto young Sextus void of any ill,  
He safe content, within his tent did sing  
Devoted to his chaste Lucretia's will,  
Worthy was he of such a beauteous mate,  
That could so well discern of his estate.   

He had a pearl, and he did esteem it,  
Not like vain trash floating with every wind,  
For like a Phoenix upon earth did deem it,  
Contented well with jewel of his mind.  
Thou hast as fair a gem as ere had he,  
Why should thou then affect such jealousy?   
FINIS.   

THE THIRD SONNET.  

PVh, well I know thee, thou loves public gain,  
And therefore I desire thy wan●on face,  
I will not reap an harvest of such pain,  
Since thou descended art of Lais race.  
I cannot love thee, for thy taste seems sour,  
Who reaps unhonest gain, approves an hour.   

I will not talk of what thy life hath been,  
For well it may be thou was once converted,  
But now it seems thou art transformed clean  
Thy thoughts and all thy purposes perverted.  
Thou loved the Church once, and didst God adore,  
But now forsakest him▪ thou loved before.   

Fie on the vizard, Lamia of sin,  
Thou horrid Ghost compassed of wickedness,  
Fair though thou be without, thou art foul within,  
Concoct of nought, but dregs of sluttishness.  
That ribbon which thou wear'st hung at thine ear,  
Show what confusion in thy thoughts appear.   

Heyday, what may-game have we here in hand?  
Women with men, and men as wanton?  
Unto their tackling constantly do stand,  
Rebounding vice with vice successively.  
I will not say, what here is to be done,  
But maids seem not precise in being won.   

I cannot choose but blush at such vain words,  
As curious passions birle to their loves,  
But knowing what discourse vain love affords,  
Amongst the shades of Erycina's groves.  
I do not wonder, ears attention len.  
For maids must needs make strange in kissing men.   

If forest Oeta where Alcides died,  
And all the trees within that forest wild,  
And all the stars, on Moon light nights descried,  
And all the grass piles within earth compiled,  
Were metamorphosed to maid● beauteous shape,  
I should suspect them (minion) for thy sake.   

The Gods themselves have had enough of beauty,  
Venus is spotless, yet she hath a mole,  
In tendering not to Vulcan native duty,  
Breathing with Mars, whilst Vulcan with his coal.  
Fie on that face that having beauteous looks,  
Enchains desires in two lascivious hooks.   

Run to the Roman Brothel, not to me,  
For I detest thy common infamy,  
The Vestal Nuns will not to lust agree,  
For they invested are with purity.  
Cover that wanton face over with a mask,  
Since dregs for wine, be mixed in that cask.   

Thou art created to another end,  
Then to make prostitute those parts of thine,  
Those ea●es of thine which do attention lend,  
Unto each gallant mate oppressed with wine.  
For wine makes men besotted so with thee,  
Or without doubt, bewitched they could not be.   

When Nature gave to thee two eyes, two arms,  
Two ears, two legs, two breathing nostrils wide,  
She did ordain by two, to cure all harms,  
Which might occur unto the rest beside,  
Yet she did but create one heart, one mind,  
To which at first, chaste thoughts she did assign.   

One soul is fit, and that desires to dwell  
In heavens eternal rest, whose purity  
Might best be●●t it: to denounce and tell,  
The wondrous works of God's divinity.  
Then fie for shame, one gem mus● needs remain,  
Which is so precious without mole or stain.   

This gem though darkened by a wilful Eve,  
Yet it's renewed by Christ's gracious love,  
By her original, our Lord we grieve,  
By him we seem unspotted as a Dove.  
For by his wounds are we to safeguard brought,  
And much esteemed, that erst appeared nought.   

Rest thee upon this Anchor suredly,  
And here repose thee on thy saviours cross,  
Fly lustful thoughts which lackey misery.  
Thy pleasure cannot countervail thy loss.  
God hath ordained thou shouldst survive with him,  
Not to defile thy precious soul with sin.   

That soul composed of sacred harmony,  
Rarer than that Action first invented,  
Not of that horrid, 
〈…〉 apollo and Calliope, etc.  iltunde parity  
To which old Orphe●s in hell first consented.  
When he his wife attained by musics strain,  
That did long time before in hell remain.   

Concord befitteth best the rarest wits,  
And what tune rather than a quiet mind?  
Immortal things immortal minds befit,  
Affecting that which first was her assigned.  
Solace thy chastest mind decked gloriously,  
With present health, and future dignity.   

Arcadian shepherds, borne of mean degree,  
Will not so pass their time, but in regard,  
Of times content, and minds tranquillity  
Obtain that prize which may not be compared  
With terrene dross, more vile than brittle clay,  
Which one hours sickness soon can take away.   

Dost thou trick up that vessel made of earth,  
For to allure fond men unto thy will? 
Vid. Mart. in I. lib.   
I tell thee beauty, it is little worth.  
When death shall tinkle out her passing bell. 
Epigram.   
Oh then how good thou art, and not how fair,  
With dreadful sights, thou art demanded there.   

Oh fie upon the vizard, bait of sin,  
Pawn not thy credit in a brothel house,  
For how canst thou reward of Zion win,  
That dost thy soul by misdemeanour lose.  
Repair unto the temple of that king,  
Whose powerful might conserveth every thing.   

If I have any thing prevailed with thee,  
To change the horror of thy misspent time,  
Thank not the Poet, but that deity,  
Who is the Author both of me and mine.  
For whatsoe'er I have, I must confess,  
Proceedeth from his gracious providence.    

THE FOURTH SONNET.  

Dost thou so fond love, and art not loved,  
In loving those, who little care for thee?  
If that thy fancy have such fruits approved▪  
I scorn to match with such imparity.  
For well I know a Prince may love for lust,  
Those eyes of thine, and then return to dust.   

If Rosamond had ever been an hour,  
Ner● been interred in her bed of earth,  
If she had ever kept such vital power.  
A● to smell sweet with her mellistuous breath.  
She had been well excused to choose that state,  
Which should be near ecclipsde by mortal date.   

But she poor wench did flourish for a while,  
Cropped in the primrose of her wantonness,  
And she that did the noblest thoughts beguile,  
●s now converted into rottenness.  
Thus do we find the truth of every thing,  
S●nne is a sin even in the noblest king.   

For there is nought can be esteemed so,  
Depraude, deformed, as to apologize,  
A sin actde by a Prince, but hence this woe,  
Appears in Poets which do temporize.  
I will not soothe a Monarch for his crown,  
But I must tell him, sin will throw him down.   

Plutarch saith well, 
In M●ralib. ●. lib.  that he that bridle can  
His fond affections, is half virtuous,  
But he that's wholly firmes an honest man,  
His mind remains certain not impious,  
Not tossed with tempests of each breathing wind  
But as a mirror of a constant mind.   

Hard things are pleasant, 
Quo difficilius, ●o pr●cla●ius.  and those things appear,  
To be the best, which be the hardliest won,  
Then if repressing of fond lust thou fear,  
To be too hard, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gr●c. prou.  yet being once begun.  
A better relish it will yield to thee,  
Then treasure had in great variety.   

One that should pass the Alps, and having done,  
Reposing him upon some harbour low,  
Considers with what peril he begun,  
And numbering them discursively in row,  
Cannot but joyfully be glad of this,  
That he hath ended what his heart did wish.   

How o●t would he lie groveling on the ground,  
And in a descant o● his sweet repose,  
With joyful mirth and pleasure would abound,  
To have trans●reted such a Sea of woes.  
And by recounting how he erst did creep  
Above those cliffs, he would fall fast asleep.   

So thou obtaining this so hard to task,  
Must needs be joyful in the victory,  
To have pure liquor in a purer cask,  
Which might redound to minds felicity.  
And that same cask, that vessel thou dost bear,  
Should have a crown of glory, do not fear.   

Love not too high estates, for they'll despise  
Thy poor estate brought down to beggary,  
Aim at the lower rank (if thou be wise)  
For they'll acknowledge thy supremacy. 
〈◊〉   
Yet in my min●e there's nought can equal that,  
To condescend unto an equal state.   

Neither can boast of birth or parentage,  
Neither can brag of their too high estate,  
But pass their days of woeful pilgrimage,  
With like to like, the beggar with his mate▪  
Irus though he be poor, yet ●ich in this,  
Irus a beggar, may a beggar kiss.    

THE FIFTH SONNET.  

THou lov'st for beauty, not for Virtue sake,  
Fie on thee therefore, that hast reasons lore,  
And yet canst not discern of such a make,  
As being virtuous, thou need have no more.  
This I have known, and ere approved I find,  
None equals her, that hath a virtuous mind.   

Thou mak'st description of each several part,  
Her ivory brows, and eke her ros●e cheeks,  
But how canst thou describe frame of her heart,  
If all the minutes were turned into weeks.  
And well I know there is no joint, no part,  
Can be compared unto a sincere heart.   

If V●nus had her mole, thou mayst be sure,  
Thine hath her blemish, full as foul as she,  
If Venus' beauty could not ere endure,  
Presume not thine to have eternity.  
Thine (though as fa●re) yet if she draw a breath,  
Stopped, she will tell me, there ensueth death.   

Was not chaste Lucrece much respected ever,  
As fair, as virtuous, second was to none?  
Yet ravished by Sextus, she had liefer  
Die in despair, then living make her moan  
Of that abuse young Sextus had achieved.  
Which above all compare her heart had grieved.   

Happy was Collatine of such a wife,  
So fair, and yet so virtuously inclined,  
With such to live it were an happy life,  
Enjoying aye the state of quiet mind,  
Yet Collatine unhappy was in this,  
He was deprived of such celestial bliss.   

Hero I must confess loved constantly, 
〈◊〉. Ouil. i● Epist.   
And young Leander was as firm as she,  
Though he be drowned, yet he gets memory  
Of constant love, loves perpetuity.  
And Hero she seeing Leander swim,  
Love sick (poor wench) she thought to follow him▪   

But these were borne in Saturn's golden time,  
The like we find not now, for they be rare,  
Black Swans, white Moors they live not in this clime  
Our Sex's breath a more inconstant air,  
And so despairing, I have known of late,  
By loving much their love grew desperate.   

I will not make particular discourse,  
Fo● that seems odious in each curious eye,  
I hope a general use will be of force,  
To move judicious men to piety.  
This I must tell them, beauteous locks of cover  
A mishapte soul, a little varnished over.   

Will any man seem such an idle swain,  
As to bestow more money on the case,  
Then on the instrument it doth contain,  
More on the mask then odours for the face?  
Believe me friend that man cannot be wise,  
That is besotted with a pair of eyes.   

I have known some more humorous than wise,  
Who in fantastic foolish apparitions,  
Seeing a woman masked all but her eyes,  
Fell into such distress and such distractions.  
That he could stay in no place (foolish Ass)  
Till he perceived how fair that Mistress was.   

I have known some besotted with a voice,  
could not contain themselves, till they did see,  
The worthless Author of that warbling noise  
Or what sweet Siren that should seem to be.  
And having seen her, whom he wished to know,  
She seemed a Saint above a friend below. 
Vid. Hor. in sor. I. pagin.    

Fie on that Larua, 
Nil bene cum facias, fac attamen omnia b●lle, vis dicam quid sis? magnus es Ardelio. Martial.  or that bugbears face,  
That ce●usleth her skin ●o gaudily,  
And puppetlike trippeth in every place,  
With nimble pace shows her activity.  
And so addressed to ●ond A●d●lios action,  
By casting gloves and favours moveth faction.   
FINIS.   

THE six SONNET.  

WHere mine heart is, there doth my life abide  
Mine heart remains with thee, & wherefore then  
Should I survive in any place beside,  
But where thou dwellest? best harbour to such men,  
As dote on thy affection, friend to such  
As are distre●● by loving overmuch.   

Can I describe with characters of worth,  
Those worthy parts of thine so amorous?  
Fair in thy habit, borne of royal birth,  
Blest ere be they that are thought graci●us  
In the fair aspect of that shining eye,  
On whose bright lustre all things do rely.   

When statues are erected to adore  
Those persons, which the statues represented,  
Why should not I do this for thee and more,  
With whom my mind in one ha●h still con●ented,  
Honour of women fair beyond compare  
The earth were blest, if many suc● there were.   

Statues I will erect to honour thee,  
And every day will resort unto them,  
And pass the morn with joyful harmony,  
Whilst I do consecrate my vows unto them.  
And having talked enough I will betake,  
Myself to kiss thy picture for thy sake.   

For if Pygmalion doted so on shrines?  
Why should not 〈◊〉 that have a fairer love  
Then ere Pygmalion had? whose love combines  
Mine heart in thrall, that it can near remove,  
For the strait durance which she hath possessed  
In her, by whom my mind is ever blest.   

If fond Protago●as did so conceive  
Of senseless stones, that could not move nor feel  
For to enjoy an happiness, 
Arist. in Phys.  I have  
More happiness than stones, their haps conceal.  
I clad in bliss which ever will endure,  
A strong foundation, and munition sure.   

They cannot show the fruits of their repose,  
But I most happy, for I know mine hap,  
They scarce discern from whenc their fortune flows  
But I perceive me happy in her lap.  
My Erycma doth relieve my sheep,  
Whilst quietly I lie me down and sleep.   

Under a myrtle shade or ivy bush,  
Whilst I make covert to my wearied head,  
I am delighted with the sweet tuned Thrash,  
Whilst she upon the ivy berries feeds.  
And being thus anointed with full pleasure,  
I hoard me heaps of gold, and Indian treasure.   

This gold is not such treasure as we read, 
Vid. Aul. Gell. in noct. Atticis.   
That Q. Cepio Consul took away  
From the Tolosan Temple, which did breed  
Destruction to all them received that pray.  
Nor it's no Seian horse by which we find,  
Be signifide calamities of mind.   

This is as pleasant and as full of mirth,  
As the Corbona of the jewish Temple,  
But far more gracious: it's not got by stealth,  
For that were poem to a worse example.  
These gifts, this gem prince Aquiloes excels, 
Vid. C●ron. aug.   
For these be pearls, his were cockle shells.   

I cannot speak enough, there for to blame,  
To praise in part, and not commend in all,  
But it's a praise enough, to tell thy name.  
Fair Erycina girt with Hymen's pall.  
And all the Nymphs with chaplets cropped for thee  
Shall deck the nuptial triumphs gorgeously.   

feign would I ●ee the day▪ each hour a year,  
Each minute is an hour, till I enjoy,  
That beauteous face of 〈◊〉, when wilt appear  
To relish forepast sorrow and annoy?  
Where couching low in beds of ivory.  
We'll bandy kisses with loves harmony.   

I Check myself that 〈◊〉 should so delay,  
T●e vernant spring time of our happiness,  
Fearing lest whilst our times do● pass away,  
Pale death engripe my bones with wretchedness.  
Let us not put off time, but use our time,  
And let thy sacred vow confirm the mine.   

Sweet upon better and more ripe advice,  
Let me appoint a time of greater haste,  
Our love will grow chil-cold, if we be nice  
And will nor love, till fruit of love be past,  
What comfort canst thou have, or what delight,  
To hate the day, and yet to love the night.   

The day and sunshine of my life is spent,  
And now the nightshade of my life draws on,  
What comfort canst thou have, or what content  
In winter nights (poor soul) to lie alone?  
And yet it better is to lie alone,  
Then lie with him, whose vital heat is gone.   

If ere the spring time of my younger growth,  
Could move thy nimble arms to compass me,  
If ere the prelude of my flowery youth,  
Could be a means for to solicit thee?  
Take time while time is let not joys bearest thee,  
Some wanton blooms at least of youth are left me.   

And though I have not such perfection in me,  
For many furrows in mine aged brow,  
Yet these same furrows may experience show thee  
What wanton youth in time could never show.  
Those many winters that have made me old▪  
Shall learn thee more than parents ever told.   

Do not contemn me for my hoary locks,  
For they are beauteous, full of comeliness,  
And as the Goats that feed upon the rocks,  
Whose beard do much adorn their raggedness.  
This beard, thou seest or●clad with hoary hair,  
Is com●ly (love) though not so passing fair.   

How well seems hoary frost upon green grass? 
Cana prima. etc.   
Flowers interlaid with winters gabard me,  
Nought can endure for aye that ever was,  
Clouds overcast those beams which erst did shine.  
Green graff with hoary frost do well agree,  
So would these hoary locks of mine with thee.   

But thou dost fear I have an old man's mind,  
I will be jealous of thy beauty dear,  
Do not think so, thou shalt more honour find,  
In these same Arms of mine, thou needst not fear  
I will be constant, for no jealous thought  
Shall ere persuade my mind that thou art nought.   

I'll leave thee (Deer) I hope thou wilt conceive,  
A better satisfaction of my love,  
Or else be sure thy frown shall dig my grave,  
Which will bear record in the court above.  
How being loved, yet would not love again,  
Hast caused my Ghost revived to complain.   
FINIS.   

THE SEVENTH SONNET.  

THou lov'st me but for want of other loves,  
And show'st affection, not for any worth,  
Thou see'st in me, but in that thou approves  
A wanton smile in me, a strain of mirth.  
I should receive thy love more willingly.  
If thou approved me for my constancy.   

Thou shalt not find me wavering or unkind,  
But though distressed with want and penury,  
More constant thoughts in me thou ere shalt find,  
Then in each wavering bubbles vanity,  
I will remain as firm, my dear to thee,  
As to Ulysses was Penelope.   

Thou shalt not doubt of my distrust in love,  
For I approve no man so much as thee,  
And as the Turtle with her Turtle Dove,  
So thou shalt find the like equality.  
Believe me dear, if ever love was true,  
Confirmed it shall be in my loving you.   

I cannot praise possessions, I have none,  
Yet in possessing me, yo ● may enjoy,  
As great revenues, dear, as any one,  
Then be not curious in your choice, nor coy,  
I am demure full fraught of modesty,  
And its a jewel worth a Monarchy.   

Be not the inward gifts the richest treasure?  
Why shouldst thou then dote so on excrement,  
A modest wife affords continual pleasure.  
Adorned with grace of Angels ornaments.  
there's nought so precious as a modest heart,  
For if thou be distressed, she'll bear a part.   

Dost thou esteem gold more than virtuous minds,  
And art besotted more with worldly trash,  
Then honest education? which combines  
In awful band men unaduisde and rash.  
I am but poor indeed▪ and yet what then  
Shall poor estates be destitute of men?   

I can use honest labour's and obtain  
A daily fruit out of mine homely labour,  
Reaping of honest travail, honest gain,  
Purchased by loves respect and general favour▪  
I will not win rewards for lucre sake  
My soul a brothel house of sin to make.   

Homely yet safely, I regard my state,  
I love to l●ue remote, not aimed at,  
I'll be no ●nare unto the potentate,  
I love to l●ue demure not pointed at.  
W●th who come here ● a Brothellhouse of sin,  
Who by dishonest means do●h profit win.   

I am not prostitute to slavish thoughts,  
I work my night works ●ull industriously.  
And having done that which my purpose sought,  
I lie me down to sleep contentedly.  
I aim not at the Palace, but remain▪  
No dearer to the Prince, then to the swain.   

Fie on that woman who with painted face,  
Lies open to the su●e of every man,  
That painted vizard covers little grace,  
Though it be fair without, its pale and wan.  
Void of all favour, grace and excellence,  
Pitching her tent for wantoness residence.   

I am no cover for a puppet play,  
I have no ceruse in mine ivory box,  
In dressing me I spend not all the day,  
I n●uer learned to phrizle spangled locks.  
What I can do my parents first did tell me,  
(Proud hour) I little care if thou excel me.   

Thus have I made description of my beauty,  
Not passing fair, well favorde though I be,  
Protesting to thy love entirest duty,  
If thou by Hymen's rites shalt marry me.  
Thus hoping well, I in the mean time rest,  
Vowing by heau●ns, that I have loved thee best.   
FINIS.