ENCOURAGMENTS FOR THE Wars of France. To excitate and induce all generous minded and heroic Noblemen, Gallant Gentlemen, and courageous Soldiers, who under the Conduct and Regiment of the most Martial and magnanimous Lord the ●arle of Mortoun are worthily disposed to serve our King his most sacred Majesty in France. By WILLIAM DOUGLASSE North-Britaine. Alter erit tum 〈◊〉 et altera quae vehat Argo Dilectos heroas: erunt etiam altera bella Atque iterum ad Troiam magnus mittetur Achilleis EDINBURGH, Printed by john Wr●i●toun▪ 1627. Cum Privilegio. TO THE RIGHT Honourable and truly Noble Lord William Earl of Mortoun, Lord Dalkieth, and Aberdoure, etc. IT is a maxim and general observed in Philosophy that all things naturally tends and inclines to the centre of the own kind: if so in things Physical where altogether nature bears the sway, much more in matters Political where reason rules & hath the Pre-eminence, yea, even in Religion and piety, as the common Proverb goeth Charity begins at the self. What marvel then, right Noble Lord, that I (although the meanest of all such who stand oblished and engaged to your L. in all humble duty and service) yet having the honour to be one of your L. Name, & presuming upon the good report I hear in the mouths of all men of your L. good nature, courteous humane & affable disposition have adventured and taken the boldness in this little trivial task, and extemporaniall lines (the very first essay & fruit of my Muse) to address myself, and have recourse unto your honourable L. the true and worthy centre of my Sphere & Horizon: and that my Darkness being enlightened, by the meanest reflects that flows from the Sunshine of your L. worth, I may, dare appear in public & the more boldly show myself to the view of the World in this learned and Apollo-bred age. It is clear & evident, that the mirthless Music of the Droning Bee, is no ways so pleasant as the melodious warbling of the matchless Mearle or rarest Philomela and the rest of Heavens sweet singing Choristers yet doth she not ceaese to fill the vacuity of the spacious Air, and to please the ear of the Auditors in giving them all that nature hath given her, so I in this time of necessity and common concurrence while as every man endeavours to be some way stedable to the most worthy proceedings of our most sacred Sovereign's intended Wars, though I can neither do as others, nor say or sing as others, yet with others I will be bold to show forth my goodwill, though it were but to roll and tumble my Tub with Diogenes, and with the Bee to blast soorth the bombing sound, of my barren Song. And as for your honourable L. who is the due subject of my Song, I am persuaded that as the naughtiest mettle, even Led itself, being presented to the most rare Alchemist stone by the touch and virtue thereof, is presently transformed into Gold: so no question this dross of my plumbish Poesy being once presented & touched with the most rare virtue of your L. favour, shall incontinent be Metamorphosed in a golden shape: & 'las the weary Dove flying to the safe Ark of your L. protection with this one leaf of the olive maybee sheltered & enjoy a sure cover from all the stormy blasts, not of the uncertain god AEolus, but of the certain windy Devi● Zoilus, such a damnable detractor, who is well practised and learned in his art of carping & calumniating other men's works, but was never so well learned himself, as to understand but these three words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. So hoping, yea, assuring myself your L. out of your ever accustomed courtesy and goodness, will excuse and take in good part this my boldness and presumption and so much the rather, my chief aim herein being the glory of God, the credig of our King and Country, & the celebration of your L. duly deserved honour and praise, wherein I have done as I could though not as I would: yet protesting when a more favouring influence shall, afford me seem matter of greater importance the same also shall come forth under the shelter of your L. honourable Name whom I have chosen to be the great Protector and only Maecenas of my Muse as I am and shall ever remain, Your L. own in all humble duty and affectionate service while I breath, W. D. To the Courteous Reader. KInd courteous Reader, whosoever thou be, Who views these Infant ishues of my brain Let me receive no censures sharp from thee Since these my verse but from a novice vain In tennours low I study to be plain, Leaving a higher style for great engines, This birth abortive do not then disdaint, Tho be not here elaborat my lines Not used as yet on Heliconian Mountains On Pindus' top, or Acidalian Fountains Your servant in all bond duty. W. D. TO MY MUCH RESPECTED FRIEND AND Cousin Mr. William Douglasse. I Can not but commend thy ' spyring Spreit, Who now so soon dost haunt Parnassus springs And for due declaration of thy wit So high dost soar with Pegasean wings, Since tender years such tribute now imbringes: Unto Apollo & the Muse's shrine, In graver age when thou some subject sings, What shall the greatness be of thy engine? How aptly here thy tennours doth combine Precedents passed to matters now in hand Of Country men, while Courage doth incline With valour to advance by Sea and Land? Praise worthy thou, of Douglasses a Mearle To Douglasses doth sing and Mortouns Earl. Goe Colquhoun. In Amici & Condiscipuli mihi dilectissimi M, Gulielmi Douglasij Libellum. MIra canis, sed vera canis: cum annalibus olim Douglasidum memoras fortia facta virûm Gallorum fraudes, Scotorum camine laudes pangis: Saxonidas pingis honore duces Ergo tibi nomen Patrium, ergo in amore paterno vincta est pro meritis terra Britanna tuis. Goe Dunlopus. EPIGRAMS, Upon the most Honourable and brave resolution of the right Worthy, Virtuous, Noble, Heroic, Martial and Magnanimous Lord William Earl of Mortoun, Lord Dalkieth and Aberdoure etc. One of his most sacred Majesties most Honourable Privy Counsel in both Kingdoms: and great General to all the high minded and courageous Noblemen, Gallant Gentlemen, and brave Soldiers who follows and accompanies his Honourable Lordship to France. NOW is the time if e'er in any age For Martial men and Gallants to go forth, Against the French, to vindicat with rage, Their wrongs and vilipending of Our Worth What hath the valiant Scots of Galls nowgaind Eight hundreth years who have their state maintained? In Parliament worthy Colmannus wise Much 'gainst this League did constantly contend Who Thane of Marre in brave Achaius days When Charli-mane did here his Legate send An aid of scott's doth earnestly implore 'gainst Saxons, who suppressed the Celticke shore. Colmannus wise with grace and gravity Unto his King and Nobles doth declare, To Scots that League must prejudicial be, 'Gainst English in one Isle who natives are Since aid of French stood in uncertainty Of Elements unconstant wind and Sea. Time hath confirmed Colmannus counsel good Who 'gainst this League his speeches did propone, Spent by the Scots what speates of bravest blood, In fending France whiles English them oppone? Abroad in France at home in Britanny What bravest Scots did in that quarrel die? Were French e'er since victors in any War Wherein not Scots did chiefest credit carry? To English brave since French inferior far In valour, worth, in matters military: So long with them been at such deep debate, Were not for Scots undone long since their state: The English Archers so by the French were feared, Whiles Edward the black Prince who praised so much Through most of France his stately Trophies rierde, With his victorious troops wrought matters such That numbers small of his with easy toil Whole Myriads of feeble French would foil. If not impeded by those civil jars And by the Martial Scots wel-knowne might, What valiantly was won by them in Wars, And what they did possess by Normand right The worthy English in Celticke Diadame Unto this day had still maintained the same. Now Wars of Lancaster and York are done, And both the Roses well long since are joined And Scotland now and England all in one Under one King are happily conjoind Vnit in bounds, in bodies, minds, and love 'Gainst all the World invincible to prove. Since then the French most mad in their intent, Hath incitate our most courageous King That for revenge and for their ruin bent Deserved wars doth duly 'gainst them bring: And by his general brave Buckinghame He hath begun their fronters for to tame, It is full time for Scots for to concur And by their Kings and England's injury Unto their proper spleen to be a spur And 'gainst the French for to increase their fury. That Archers of the Corpse so long neglected Nor is our gens d'armes as due respected. Nor have they kept in mind that League so old Nor duties done to them, which were so great; Into their histories not we enrolled The actions of the Scots doth not entreat Our deeds in France both recent and of old By Foreigners not by the French or told How can the Scots forget in ages all In latest times their great ingratitude? Since God this Land from errors did recall, Resaved here pretending much our good. Since that our Queen of Scotland only heir. In France espoused to their Dolphin their. When they as Friends had seized in their hand Our Fortresses, and strengths of importance They much oppressed the people of this Land, And every where as victors did advance, Badly for Soul and bodies ruin bend Did use tyrannical government. Which Tyranny had longer here endured, If English (we not meriting so much) With strongest troops to hardness all enured Had not them forced to composition such That soon they left the limits of this Land, For which to England yet we obligde stand. Then Martial Mortoun with thy Men at arms Like thy Ancestors worthily advance: Let to thy Foes notorious be their harms By Douglasse Name sounded again through France: That they who French want to defend before Now of their spoils and victories may glore. As in the Wars of Scots by oldest right The Vanguard to the Douglasse did belong, So first of Scots against the French to fight Lead thou our trained troops their lands along, That ancient valour which in ages old May now again revive in Douglasse bold. Two Douglasse Earls (their valour this proeur'de) In Turoves' Dukedom were worthily invest Which yet their successors if not injurde Unto this day had still the same possessed: Since thou hast right from thy ancestors race Let now thy Sword thee in Possession place. Right Gallant Guilliam King Achaius Brother Transported first five Thousand Scots to France As wise and valiant he, as any other With Lilies first the Lion did advance, For rare exploits right fast his fame did fly Through Flanders, France through Spain and Italy. Most famous Florence was by him restored, By cruel Goths when brought to great decay: With Monuments and buildings brave decorde, Which keeps in mind his name unto this day, And yet respects the Scots with Honoures high Since they restorers of their liberty. So valiant William of stately Douglasse stem Is now the first into their stirring time's Gallants transports from Scotland's Diadem To conquesse and to kepee those Celtic climes The bloody heart with Lion to erect, King Charles Foes with terror to correct. That he in France may possibly repeat Those Provinces which do him to belong, Since he as heir to conquering William great, Deprived of Normandy receives great wrong By and attoure his right and greatest claim To all the rest of Celticke Diadem. He is the Man to whom the mates of Mars Directed hath the drift of their designs His Grandour chiefest end of wished Wars He highest aim whom hope to most assigns That truelie him we Charles' the great may see Greater nor Charles the great or fifth to be. For, shall we not expect to be complete What prophesied by sacred Sibyl Songs? In Gods own time he'll raise some man of Spreit To free his Church and vindicate their wrongs The Antichrist with all his cursed crew, The tyrant Turk the Lord in Hell will spew. And is there one from east to occident A Potent Prince so for this purpose meet, As is King Charles our Monarch eminent. In whom those Prophecies shall be compleet: That so God's Saints enjoy may liberty Hence by his Sword from proud oppressors free. So than it rests for all that seek renown With their brave King concur in such a quarrel His old unconquered Caledonian Crown For such pretence they will refuse no peril; Invincible they will their courage show, That all the World may still their courage know. FINIS. An Acrostiche or Alphabetical Sonnet to the said Noble Earl. Wise, valiant, virtuous, World's admired worth In courtesy, and courage next to none Loved of all, heroic heart go forth, Let arms advance thy old Ancestoures Throne: In our unconquerde soill at of this one As many good was ere of any Name? Mars had not else four hundreth years by gone Doubled the Douglasse still augmenting Fame Or was the Vandgard ever lost with shame, Whereas chief Chieftain Douglasse did appear? Grand honour of the royal Diadame Lo, for their woethin Parliament they bear And yet more praise expects of thee alone Since seldom God gave virtue More to one. Anagr. An Echo resounding and answering to the same purpose. COme Echo canst thou answer to my call? E. all. What votes thou to this Earls brave adventure? E. enter. Will thou stand good then for all future evil? E. ay will. But what? all future chances are uncertain? E. Certain. Who then doth know men's afterward estates? F. Fates. And cannot their presages fail for ever? E. never. Who doth inspire them? God from Heaven hic? E. even he. What shall the Earl of his pains exonor? E. honour. And since he goes what shall he bring again? E. Gaine. What gain? For by long time Fame will decay? E. nay. Shall none forget to memorate this voage? E. no age. Then who is fit to conquer such a Pearl? E a Earl. And who bee's Master of this matchless Fortoun? E. Mortoun. Quod Galli arctissima jamdiu cum Scotis necessitudine neglecta pactisque violatis stristissimis & antiquissimis Scotiam iustissime contra seipsos armarunt. Carmen Elegiacum. TEmporibus priscis fulsit victoria Gallis Vllene quae Scotis non fuit auxiliis? Mirum igitur Gallos vincendos milite Scoto Victores toties milite Scotigeno: Nempe sui nostro cum regno faedris icti immemores, fragilem nunc violasse fidem Constat: ut in Celtis non sunt data praemia nostris Debita, nec laus, nec gloria militibus: Quid referam Fratres Anglos cum classe retentos? Quid referam oppressos Relligione pios? Quid Cereris sacrum arcanae puerilibus ausis Vulgatum memorem, spretaque connubia. Carolus ille ergo noster regum editus alto Gallorum, Anglorum, Scotigenumque satu; Normannaeque ducis qui longa ab origine Gentis Ius certum in Celtas nunc habet imperij, Armis accinctus justis hic Carolus ensem distrinxit justum, justaque bell a movet, Vindicet ut fraudes, ut debita forte reposcat sceptra, utque oppressos subleves ense pios. FINIS. Quod Nobilissimus Mortoniae Comes ex antiquissima & Invictissima Douglasiorum Familia cujus majores toties Gallis opem temporibus aerumnosis tulerunt, nunc in Gallos ex Scotia primus milites ducat. SI qui de nostris unquam meruere camaevis, Vel si unquam Musae quid potuere meae. An non te quem prima decent praeconia laudis Carmine nunc celebret Calliopeia mea? Tune ille antiqui magna de stirpe Douglassi Regis ut & patriae raptus amore tuae, Prima Caledoniae qui primus belliger infers In Francos meritis arma petita suis. Qui regem Patriamque tuam virtutibus ornas: Exuperas proavos qui probitate pios. Tanta tua baec virtus nostr● bene nota Monarchae te facit astrigeras Martis adire Domos. Tanta tua boec virtus regali milite structum mittit te ad Trojam major Achille novam. Te duce longinquos quis non percurrat ad Indos Succinctus gladio jussa subire tua: Hostis imo armatas procedentem ante catervas Si te tam validum viderit ire ducem, Non modo terga dabit sed ter verba baec geminabit. Heu cum Scotigenis venit ad arma Deus. Qualis ut aethereis si Iuppiter esset in armis, qualis et in castris Mars foret ipse suis: Talis eris dum bella gerens sub imagine Martis structus eris clypeo tu jove nate tuo. Marte igitur part●s qui diu latuere triumphos Nomini ut & patriae tute repone tuae. FINIS.