THE OWL  
By Michael Drayton Esquire.  
Noctuas Athenas.  
PRUDENS NON LOQVAX  
LONDON  
Printed by E. A. for E. White and N. Ling. and are to sold near the little north door of S. Paul's Church, at the signc of the Gun. 1604.   

TO THE WORTHY AND MY MOST ESTEEMED Patron Sir Walter Aston, Knight of the Honourable Order of the BATH  

FOr the shrill Trumpet and stern Tragic sounds,  
Objects outrageous and so full of fear;  
Our Pen late steeped in English Barons wounds,  
Sent warlike accents to your tuneful ear.  
Our active Muse to gentler Morals dight;  
Her slight conceits, in humbled tunes doth sing;  
And with the Bird (regardless of the light)  
Slowly doth move her late high-mounting wing.  
The wreath is ivy that ingirts our brows,  
Wherein this Nights-Bird harboureth all the day:  
We dare not look at other Crowning boughs,  
But leave the Laurel unto them that may.  
Low as the earth, though our Invention move:  
High yet as heaven (to you) our spotless love.   
Michael Drayton.   

To the Reader.  
REader, I think it not amiss briefly to let thee know, that a year is almost now past, since this small Poem was lastly finished: At which time (it gave place by my enforcement) undertaking then in the general joy of the Kingdom, and my zeal to his Highness, to write his Majesty's descent in a Poem gratulatory. And now, for that this subject may (perhaps) seem idle and worthless: I might this answer (to him that will see in reading, or read with understanding) that the greatest masters in this Art (though myself, not for any affectation of singularity) have written upon as sleight matter. As the Princes of the Greckes and Latins, the first of the Frogs war, the latter of a poor Gnat: and VIDA very wittily of the Chest-playe and silk-worm. Besides many other that I could recite of the like kind. By how much immaterial, so much the more difficult to handle with any encommiastick defence, or passionate comparison, (as their strong testimony) who can give virtue her due, and by the powrefulnes of wit, maintain vice not viciously. Some other likewise in a paradoxical manner, as ISOCRATES Oration in praise of HELEN whom all the world disprayseth: AGRIPPA'S declamation uponthe vanity of the Sciences, which knowledge, all the world admireth. Thus leaving thee favourably to censure of my poor labours, I end.  
M. DR.   

In Noctuam Draytoni.  

QVae nova Lemniacas deturbant tela Volucres?  
Quis furor aligero perstringit corpore Graios  
Transfixo, proceres? Posita Paeantius irâ  
Contulit Herculeas ad Troïca fata pharetras.  
Fallimur? an puro tonuit pater altus Olympo?  
Aut tremuit sonitu Phoebaej Caelifer arcus?  
Novimus augurium: tanto Deus ille tumultu  
Sacrorum exagitat mortalia pectora vatum.  
Hinc furor in syluas Draytowm mittit: oberrat  
Hinc saltus nullo signatos tramite Musa:  
Hinc & in aëriam libratur machina gentem:  
Quae ferit immemores (iterato verbere) reges:  
Proterit & Vulgus (audaci more) profanum.  
Eia, age: dum crebrò fugiat tremebundus abictu  
Immitis servus vitij, dece dat aboris  
Anglorum longè: lustratis lampade sancta  
Cujus conjuncti exultant fulgore Britanni.   
A. GRENEWAI.   

THE OWL  

WHat time the Sun by his all-quickning power,  
Gives life and birth to every plant and flower,  
The strength and fervour of whose pregnant ray,  
Buds every branch and blossoms every spray;  
As the frim sap the yearly course assyg'nde  
From the full root, doth swell the plenteous rind,  
The vital spirits long nourished at the heart,  
Fly with fresh fire, to each exterior part:  
Which stirs desire in hot and youthful bloods;  
To breathe their dear thoughts to the listening woods.  
With those light flocks the garish fields frequent,  
This frolic season luckily I went,  
And as the rest did, did I frankly too,  
Lest is he marked, that doth as most men do.  
But whether by some casual defect,  
All Flowers alike the time did not respect:  
Some whose new roots ne'er saw a former May,  
Flourish now fair, those withered quite away,  
Into my thoughts that incidently brings  
Th' inconstant passage of all worldly things.  
The rarest work whereat we wonder long,  
Obscured by time that envy could not wrong.  
And what in life can mortal men desire,  
That scarcely comm'n, but quickly doth retire?  
The Monarchies had time to grow to head,  
And at the height their conquered hours fled:  
And by their wane those latter kingdoms rose,  
That had their age to win their hours to lose,  
Which with much sorrow brought into my mind  
Their wretched souls so ignorantly blind,  
(When even the great'st things in the world unstable)  
Climb but to fall, and damned for a babble.   

Whilst thus my thoughts were strongly entertained  
The greatest lamp of heaven his height had gained;  
Seeking some shade might lend content to me,  
Lo near at hand I spied a goodly tree;  
Under the'xtenture of whose lordly arms,  
The small Birds warbled their harmonious charms  
Where sitting down to cool the burning heat,  
Through the moist pores euap'rating by sweat,  
Yielding my pleased thought to content (by chance)  
Upon a sudden dropped into a trance,  
Wherein me thought some God or power divine  
Did my clear knowledge wondrously refine.  
For that amongst those sundry varying notes,  
Which the Birds sent from their Melodious throats  
Each Siluan sound I truly understood,  
Become a perfect Linguist of the Wood:  
Their flight, their song, and every other sign,  
By which the world did anciently divine,  
As the old Tuskans in that skill profound,  
Which first great Car, and wise Tiresias found, 
Divination by Birds.   
To me bequeathed their knowledge, to descry  
The depth and secrets of their Augury.  
One I could hear appointing with his sweeting,  
A place convenient for their secret meeting,  
Others, when Winter shortly should decline,  
How they would couple at Saint Valentine. 
The tim when Birds Couple.   
Some other Birds that of their Loves for saken,  
To the close deserts had themselves betaken,  
And in the dark Groaves where they made abode,  
Sang many a sad and mournful Palinod.  
And every Bird show'd in his proper kind,  
What virtue, nature had to him assigned.  
The pretty Turtle, and the kissing Dove,  
Their faiths in Wedlock, and chaste nuptial Love:  
The Hens (to women) sanctity express,  
Hallowing their eggs: the Swallow cleanliness,  
Sweeting her nest, and purging it of dung  
And every hour is pickiug ofhir young.  
The Herne, by soaring shows tempestuous showers,  
The princely Cock bistinguisheth the hours.  
The Kite his train him guiding in the air,  
Prescribes the helm, instructing how to steer.  
The Crane to labour, fearing some rough flaw,  
With sand and gravel burdening his crawe:  
Noted by man, which by the same did find  
To ballast ships for steddines in wind.  
And by the form and order in his flight,  
To march in war, and taught to watch by night.  
The first of house that ere did groundsel lay,  
Which then was homely of rude lome and clay  
Learned of the Martin: Philomela in spring,  
Teaching by art her little one to sing;  
By whose clear voice sweet music first was found,  
Before Amphyon ever knew a sound.  
Covering with Moss the deads' unclosed eye:  
The little Redbreast teacheth charity.  
So many that in sundry things excel,  
Time scarce could serve their properties to tell.   

I cannot judge if it the place should be,  
That should present this pretty dream to me,  
That near the Eaves and shelter of a stack  
(Set to support it) at a Beeches back  
In a stubed Ttee with ivy overgrown,  
On whom the sun had scarcely ever shone:  
A broade-faced Ceature, hanging of the wing,  
Was set to sleep whilst every Bird did sing.  
His drowsy head still leaning on his breast,  
For all the sweet tunes Philomela expressed:  
No sign of joy did in his looks appear,  
Or ever moved his melancholy cheer.  
Ascallaphus that brought into my head,  
In Ovid's changes Metamorphised, 
Ascallaphus in Bubonen   
Or very like: but him I read aright,  
Solemn of looks as he was slow of sight;  
And to assure me that it was the same;  
The Birds about him strangely wounding came.  
Fie, quoth the Jennet tripping on the spray;  
Rouse thee thou sluggish Bird this mirthful May,  
For shame come forth and leave thy Luskye nest,  
And haunt these Forests bravely as the best.  
Take thy delight in yonder goodly Tree,  
Where the sweet Merle and warbling Mavis be.  
Next, quoth the Titmouse which at hand did sit,  
Shake off this moody melancholy fit.  
See the small brooks as through these groves they travel  
Sporting for joy upon the Silver gravel,  
Mock the sweet notes the neighbouring Siluans sing  
With the smooth cadence of their murmuring.  
Each be with honey laden to the thy,  
From Palm to Palm (as carelessly they fly)  
Catch the soft wind, and him his course bereaves,  
To stay and dally with th'enamoured leaves.  
This while the Owl, which well himself could bear,  
That to their short speech lent a listening ear:  
Begins at length to rouse him in the Beech,  
And to the rest thus frames his reverend speech.   

O all you feathered Choristers of nature,  
That mighty power distinguished every creature;  
Gave several uses unto every one:  
As several seeds, or things that live upon;  
Some as the Lark that takes delight to build,  
far from resort amid the Vasty field.  
The Pelican in deserts far abroad,  
Her dear-loved issue safely doth unload.  
The sparrow and the Robinet again,  
To live near to the Mansion place of men;  
And nature wisely which hath each thing taught,  
This Place best fitting my content forethought,  
Though not presuming in the stately Trees,  
Yet where foresight less threatening danger sees,  
The tempest thrilling from the troubled air,  
Strikes not the shrub the place of my repair.  
The Fowler's snares in Ambush never laid  
T'entrap my steps which often you betrayed.  
A silent sleep my gentle fellow Birds,  
By day, a calm of sweet content affords;  
By night I tower the heaven devoid of fear,  
Nor dread the Griphon to surprise me there.  
And into many a secret place I peep,  
And see strange things whilst you securely sleep.  
Wonder not Birds although my heavy eyes,  
By day seem dim to see those vanities.  
happy's that sight the secretest things can spy,  
By seeming blind unto community;  
And blest are they that to their own content,  
See that by night that some by day repent. 
Caelius. Secure vi dit qui dum omnia novit opinionem tamen, etc.   
Did not mine eyes seem dim to others sight,  
Without suspect they could not see so right.  
O silly creatures, happy is the state,  
Thatwayes not pity, nor respecteth hate:  
Better's that place though homely and obscure  
Where we repose in safety and secure,  
Then where great Birds with Lordly talons seize 
Eras, Cui plus licet quam par est, etc.   
Not what they ought, but what their fancies please:  
And by their power prevailing in this sort,  
To rob the poor, account it but a sport:  
Therefore of two I chose the lesser evil,  
Better sit still then rise to meet the devil.   

Thus the poor Owl unhappily could preach,  
Some that came near in compass of his reach,  
Taking this Item with a general ear,  
(A guilty conscience feels continual fear)  
Soon to their sorrow secretly do find,  
Some that had winked not altogether blind.  
And finding now which they before had heard,  
Wisdom not all, in every garish Bird,  
Shrewdly suspect that brevyting by night,  
Under pretence that he was ill of sight,  
slily had seen which secretly not kept,  
Simply they waked; he subtly had slept.  
The envious Crow that is so full of spite,  
The hateful Buzzard, and the ravenous Kite.  
The greedy Raven that for death doth call, 
Pliny.   
Spoiling poor Lambs as from their Dams they fall.  
That picketh out the dying creatures eye;  
The thievish Daw, and the dissembling Pie,  
That only live upon the poorers' spoil,  
That feed on Dung-hilles by thelothsome foil.  
The Woodpecker whose hardened beak hath broke,  
And pierced the heart of many a solid Oak.  
That where the Kingly Eagle wont to pray  
In the calm shade in heat of Summer's day:  
Of thousand of fair Trees there stands not one  
For him to perch or set his foot upon.  
And now they see they safely had him here,  
T'eschew th'effect of every future fear:  
Upon the sudden all these murderous fowl,  
Fasten together on the harmless Owl.  
The cruel Kite because his claws were keen,  
Upon his broad-face wreaks his angry teen.  
His weasant next the ravenous Raven plies,  
The Pie and Buzzard tugging at his eyes.  
The Crow is digging at his breast amain;  
The sharp-nebd Hecco stabbing at his brain,  
That had the Falcon not by chance been near, 
The natural love of the Falcon to the Owl. Pliny.   
That loved the Owl and held him only dear,  
Come to his rescue at the present tide,  
The honest Owl undoubtedly had died.  
And whilst the gentle Bird doth yet pursue,  
The riot done by this rebellious crew,  
The lesser Birds that keep the lower spring,  
There-at much grieve with woeful murmuring,  
Yet wanting power to remedy his wrongs,  
Who took their lives, restrained not their tonguest  
The Lark, the Jennet, and the gentler sort,  
Those sweet Musicians, with whose shrill report,  
The senseless woods, and the obdurate rock,  
Have oft been moved: the warbling Throstle Cock,  
The Ouzel, and the Nightingale among  
That charms the night calm by her powerful song,  
In Phoebus' Laurel that do take delight,  
Whom Ioues fierce thunder hath no Power to smite.  
justice say they, ah whether art thou fled?  
Or this vile world, hast thou abandoned?  
O why fair virtue were't thou made in vain?  
Freedom is lost and liberty is slain:  
Whilst some whose power restrained not their rage,  
Loudly exclaim upon the envious age,  
That rocks for petty do resume them ears,  
The earth so wet with plenty of their tears.  
But thus it haps in heat of all these things,  
As King's rules realms, God rules the hearts of Kings,   

The Princely Eagle leaving his abode,  
Was from his Court stolen secretly abroad,  
And from the covert, closely where he stood,  
To find how things were censured in the wood;  
far in the thickets might a chattering hear,  
To which soon lending an officious ear,  
With a still flight his easy course doth make  
Towards where the sound he perfectly doth take.  
At every stroke (with his Imperial wings)  
The gentle air unto his feathers clings;  
And through his soft and callow down doth flow,  
As loathe so soon his presence to forego,  
And being at last arrived at the place  
Where the poor Owl in miserable case  
(For wome much sorrow every where was heard)  
Sadly bemoaned of many a helpless Bird.  
But when this Princely jovial Fowl they saw,  
As now delivered from their former awe:  
Each little creature lifted up a wing,  
With ave Caesar to their sovereign King.  
Who seeing the Owl thus miserably forlorn,  
spoiled of his feathers, mangled, scratched and torn:  
Wiled him his name and quality to show,  
How and wherefore he suffered all this woe.  
Which the Owl hearing, taking heart thereby,  
Though somewhat daunted with his piercing eye,  
(With a deep sigh) my sovereign Liege, quoth he,  
Though now thus poor and wretched as you see,  
Athens sometime the Muse's Nursery,  
The source of Science and Philosophy,  
Allowed me freedom in her learned Bowers,  
Where I was set in the Cecropian towers,  
Armed Bellona (Goddess of the field)  
Honoured my Portrait in her warlike Shield.  
And for my study (of all other Fowl)  
To wise Minerva challenged the Owl.  
For which, those grave and stil-autentique Sages  
Which sought for knowledge inthose golden ages,  
Of whom we hold the science that we have;  
For wisdom, me their Hiroglifique gave.  
The fruitful Ceres to great Saturn borne,  
That first with Sickle cropped the ripening Corn,  
That bore the swartye Acheron, whose birth  
Scarcely yet perfect, loathing of the earth,  
And flying all community with men,  
Thrust hos black head into the Stygian fen;  
Where the Nymph Orphne in th'infernal shade,  
As in his stream she carelessly did wade:  
The flood Embracing craftily beguiled;  
By whom soon after she conceived with child,  
Of her dear son Ascallaphus, whose youth 
Ovid Metam. Lib. quinto.   
So cherished justice, and respected truth;  
As to the gods he faithfully did tell,  
The tasted fruit by Proserpina in hell:  
Which an offence imagined so fowl,  
Ceres transformed into the harmless Owl.  
To our disgrace though it be urged by some,  
Our harmless kind to Crect doth never come;  
The Cretians ever liars, nor come we thither,  
For truth and falsehood cannot live together.  
And those that spurn at our contented state,  
With Viperous envy and degenerate hate;  
Strive to produce us from that Lesbian bed,  
Wherewith blind lust the fleshly lecher led  
On his own child, unnaturally to pray,  
(For that fowl fact) transformed Nyctimene, 
ovid. Metam. Libr. second   
But seldom seen unto the public eye,  
The shrieking Litch-Owle that doth never cry,  
But boding death and quick herself interres,  
In darksome graves and hollow sepulchres.  
Thus much, my Sovereign, whence my fathers came  
Now for the cause of this my present shame,  
Few words may serve a mischief to unfold,  
For in short speech long sorrow may be told.  
But for my freedom that I used of late,  
To launch th'infection of a poisoned state,  
Wherein my free and uncorrupted tongue,  
Lightly gave taste of their injurious wrong.  
The Kite, the Crow, and all the Birds of prey,  
That thy Liege people havoc night and day;  
Rushing upon me, and with foul despite,  
Thus have they dressed me in this piteous plight.   

The Eagle now a serious ear that lent,  
To the religious and devout intent,  
Of the good Owl, whom too injurious fate  
Had thus rewarded; doth commiserate  
The poor distressed Bird, hoping to hear  
What all the rest through negligence or fear,  
Smothered in silence, and had buried still,  
Covering the sore of many a festered ill,  
Not only grants him liberty of speech,  
But further deigning kindly to beseech,  
The virtuous Bird no longer to refrain:  
Who thus emboldened by his Sovereign,  
At length his silence resolutely broke,  
And thus the Eagles majesty bespoke.   

Mighty, said he, though my plain homely words,  
Have not that grace that elegance affords.  
Truth of itself is of sufficient worth;  
That needs no gloss of art to set it forth.  
These hoary plumes like moss upon that Oak,  
By seeing much, yet suffering more I took.  
Long have I seen the world's unconstant change,  
joy moves not me, affliction is not strange.  
I care not for contempt, I seek not fame,  
Knowledge I love, and glory in the same. 
Bartas.   
Th'ambitious judgement seat I never sought,  
Where God is sold for Coin, the poor for nought.  
I am a helpless Bird, a harmless wretch,  
Wanting the power that needful is to teach.  
Yet care of your great good and general weal,  
Vnlocks my tongue, and with a fervent zeal  
Breaks through my lips which otherwise were penned 
Pithago   
To that severe Grave Samnites document.  
I know before my harmless Tale be told,  
The gripple Vulture argues me too bold.  
The Cormorant (whom spoil cannot suffice)  
Sticks not to charge and slander me with lies.  
The Parrts tax me to be vainly proud,  
And all cry shame the Owl should be allowed,  
Which with this Axiom doth them all confute,  
When Kings bid speak, what subject can be mute?  
The latest winter that rore-went our prime,  
O nightie prince, upon a certain time  
I got into thy Palace on a night,  
There to revive my melancholy sprite,  
And there (for darkness) waiting all alone,  
To view (by night) what Lords by day look on,  
Where I beheld so many Candle's light,  
As they had moked the Tapers of the night.  
Where for it grew upon the time of rest,  
And many, great sincerity professed,  
Expecting prayer should presently proceed;  
To ask forgiveness for the days misdeed,  
There is soft Down the liquorous Sparrow sat,  
Pampered with meats, proud, insolent and fat.  
His Drugs, his drinks, and syrups doth apply,  
To heat his blood and quicken luxury;  
Which by his billing female was embraced,  
Clasping her wings about his wanton waste.  
O God thought I, what's here? by light within,  
Where some in darkness should have feared to sin.  
The Cormorant set closely to devise  
How he might compass strange Monopolies.  
The gaudy Goldfinch and his courtly mate,  
The jolly Bunting powerful in the state,  
Quickly agreed, and but at little stick;  
To share a thousand for a Bishopric,  
And scramble up some feathers from the Lark,  
What though a Pastor and a learned Clerk?  
And for his reverence though he wear a cowl, 
Mantuan Bardo cuculatus caput, etc.   
Yet at his entrance he must pay them toll.  
I saw a Buzzard scorning of the black,  
That but of late did clothe his needy back  
With Ostrich feathers had adorned his crest,  
As he were bred a Falcon at the least.  
Thus struts he daily in his borrowed plume  
And but or shame he boldly durst presume,  
With Princely Eaglets to compare his sight:  
Not the proud Iris in her colours dight,  
Could with this base Kite equally compare.  
What fowl before him stood not humbly bare?  
No less than Lords attending every beck,  
At his command his betters brook his check.  
But O my Liege, the Birds of Noble race,  
Know whence he is and who affords him grace,  
And inly grieve to see a servile mate,  
Crept up by favour to outbrave a State.  
The poor Implumed Birds that by offence,  
Or some disgrace have lost pre-eminence  
Can point and say, this feather once was mine:  
Some wink, some would, some grieve, & some repine  
Besides all this, I saw a Bird did scour,  
A Serpent's teeth, that daily did devour,  
Widows and Orphans, yet th'Egyptian Saws,  
Commend this Bird for cleansing Serpents jaws.  
For the base Trochyle thinketh it no pain,  
To scour vile Carrion for a savoury gain.  
When soon I saw about the Serpent's nest,  
Whilst this slave Bird his nasty grinders dressed.  
A thousand little Flies, as many Birds,  
Of labouring Bees, a thousand thousand herds,  
A thousand sundry Fowl, that strangely carp  
And curse that beak that made his gums so sharp.  
Yet in this base Bird I might well descry,  
The prosperous fruit of thriving Policy.  
Casting mine eye and looking through a glass,  
I saw a Gos-howke (that in state did pass)  
That by fair shows did men's affections feel,  
Gold (his attendant) always at hes heel.  
Whole Manors did him reverence as he stayed,  
Whose name (if written) could possession plead  
In any Lordship that adjoined his:  
Law was his vassal, he and purchase kiss.  
Zeal was his fool, and learning was his jester,  
Pride was his page, and Gluttony his taster.  
A thousand suitors waited at his hand,  
Some called his honour Patron of the land;  
The sole commander of the Commonweal,  
And unto him they humbly all appeal.  
When in a Closet strangely I beheld,  
That was adjoining to a pleasant field,  
How every suitor when he was retired  
Bought out his peace, or his promotion hy'rd;  
Yet what he won with curses was rewarded,  
When the poor Birds for bribes alone regarded.  
To th'secret of all secrets when I came,  
Having mine eyes even glued with grief & shame:  
I tell not how the vulture fate apart,  
Spending the blood and marrow of his heart,  
And by all means his faculties t'apply,  
To taint the Phoenix by his surquedry,  
That of her kind had she been more than one, 
Claudian: de Phoenicia.   
(Parent and Infant to herself alone)  
This heavenly Bird (in touching their defame)  
Had had her purple soiled with their shame.  
And for the Turtle would not be unchaste,  
Her did they banish to the barren waste.  
I dare not say how every sort were searched,  
Nor dare I tell how Avarice was perched  
Under the pillow of the gravest head,  
(That freedom with the golden world is dead)  
How age had cast off a religious life,  
Humour of late become Opinions wife.  
Counsel secure, nor Companies with care,  
The wit that woundeth zeal, accounted rare.   

But whither wandereth my high ravished Muse?  
O pardon Liege, the fierce exclaims I use;  
And let my Bark (through gales of your good grace  
Through these rough Seas) bear sail a little space.   

Scarce had these words found utrance through my lips  
But therewith all a prattling Parrot skips  
About the private lodging of his Peers.  
His eyes were watchful, open were his ears.  
He had a tongue for every language fit,  
A chevril Conscience, and a searching wit.  
Coming in haste as he hadcrost the Main,  
And brought some strange intelligence from Spain  
Yet even at midnight (for the Rogue was poor)  
I found him knocking at a great man's door;  
And where of course the wise are turned away,  
His errand brooks no dilatory stay,  
But presently conducted (by a light)  
Into a Chamber very richly dight,  
Where sat the Vulture with a dreadful frown,  
Proud and ambitious, gaping for renown:  
His talents red with blood of murdered fowls,  
His full eye quickly every vay controls.  
Which when this Parrot stead fastly beheld,  
His feathers bristled and his stomach swelled;  
Anp to the Vulture openeth where he sat,  
(Whose ears attentive listing still thereat)  
The state and haviour of each private man,  
Laid out for searching Avarice to scan.  
Whereby strict rule and subtleties in art,  
Such traqs are set, as not a man can start.  
And where th'offenders maintenance was great,  
Their working heads they busily do beat,  
By some strange quiddit or some wrested clause,  
To find him guilty of the breach of laws,  
That he this present injury to shift,  
To buy his own, accounts a Princely gift.  
And for a cloak to their corrupt Decrees,  
The Vulture with this subtle Bird agrees;  
That they that thus convicted are apart,  
Shall be surprised by policy and art.  
Then pick they forth such thieves as hace the light,  
The black eyed Bat (the watchman of the night)  
That to each private family can pry,  
And the least slip can easily descry;  
And since his Conscience is both loose and la, ge,  
Is only set to undergo this charge;  
Addressed to drink of every private Cup,  
And not a word slips but hecakes it up.  
To minister occasion of discourse,  
And therewithal, some dingerous Theme enforce,  
To urge a doubtful speech unto the worst,  
To broach new treasons and disclose them first;  
whereby himself still clears: and un-awares  
Entraps the Fowl, unskilful of these snares.  
And (against law) he bears his Lord's Protection,  
As a it mean and by the State's direction.  
O worthy Birds, prevent this ill in time,  
And suffer not this ravenous Bat to climb;  
That is occasion of the bests offence,  
The brat of riot and of indigence,  
The moth and canker of the Commonwealth,  
Bred by corruption to disquiet zeal.   

Holla thou wandering Infant of my brain,  
Whither thus flingest thou? yet divert thy strain;  
Return we back unto our former gate,  
From which a little we digressed of late,  
And leave this monster beating of his head,  
The honest Owl hath quickly struck him dead.  
And forth again the Parrot let us find,  
That winning credit so the world doth blind,  
Under protection of so dread a hand,  
Spoils and families ransacketh thy land.  
The Pelican that by his father's teaching,  
Hath with devout zeal followed wholesome preaching  
That rend his bosom and enforced his tongue,  
To teach his tender and beloved young.  
When now these fauters of all vile abuse  
Have found a stand where they may note his use,  
How fatherlike he gives affliction bread,  
Converting souls; through blindfolde error led.  
The naked Orphan in his bosom wraps,  
With the poor widow doth bewail her haps;  
And never reaps his plenteous field so clean,  
But leaves his harvest that the poor may gleanc;  
Steps in this false pie, this promoting wretch,  
Closely betrayés him that he gives to each:  
And for his deeds of charity and grace,  
Roots up his godly Hospitale place.  
Most like to that sharp-sighted Alcatras, 
The Alcatras.   
That beats the air above the liquid glass:  
The New-wotlds Bird, that proud imperious fowl,  
Whose dreadful presence frights the harmless Owl:  
That on the land not only works his wish,  
But on the Ocean kills the flying fish.  
Which since the Owl hath truly done his arrant,  
O Princely Eagle look unto this tyrant:  
But if my words thou wilfully impung,  
Thy pcacefull Empire that hath flourished long,  
Headlong at length shall to confusion run;  
As was this great globe ere the world begun:  
When in an huge heap and unwieldy mass,  
This All was shut and nature smothered was.  
And in this Lump and Chaos out of frame,  
The contraries conversed and one became,  
Strictly together th'elements were clasped  
And in their rough hands one the other grasped:  
That each did others quality deface,  
Beauty was buried, light could find no place.  
But when th'all-seeing Sovereign did disperse,  
Each to his place upon the universe,  
To his own region and his contrary;  
Envied his place, impungned his quality.  
Fire, Air, Earth, Water, in their Mansion sat,  
By that great God to them appropriate.  
All is composed within this goodly room;  
A perfect shape this embryon is become;  
Which thus dissevered by their friendly jars,  
Contrive the world's continuance by their wars.  
So in confusion members are enclosed,  
To frame a state if orderly disposed:  
For to the proud malevolent aspect,  
Of angry Saturn that would all direct,  
The long exiled but Imperious Love,  
When for his regal Sovereignty he strove,  
With godlike state and presence of a King;  
calms Saturn's rage, his fury limiting.   

But leave we those unto their own decay,  
Other occasions hasten us away:  
Let Princes view what their poor subjects try,  
Blind is that sight, that's with another's eye;  
It is full time that we should get us hence,  
O mightic Sovereign Oceans of offence,  
Stand here opposed in my passing by,  
When in a Chamber near thy Majesty  
A jetting Iaye accomplished and brave,  
That well could speak, well could himself behave;  
His Congees Courtly, his demeanour rare,  
As strangely fashioned as his clothes he ware;  
Which could each man with complement salute,  
And to the Woodcock framed a special suit.  
Who him embracing like a brainless fool,  
Desired him sit, commanding him a stool.  
The jolly jay thus graced by a Peer,  
Plucks up his spirits, and with a formal cheer  
Breaks therewithal into most strange reports,  
Of Flemish news, surprising Towns and Forts.  
Of troubles raised in France against the King,  
Spanish Armadas and embattling,  
Protesting method in Intelligence  
To be a thing mighty consequence;  
And pawns his soul, he can devise away,  
Which put in act, the Leaguers lose the day,  
To frame a Bridge of Bowstring o'er the Rhine,  
Supplant the Alps and lay them smooth and plain,  
And that if all the Princes of the North,  
Will with an Army Royal set him forth,  
Before the year expyred that is to come,  
He will with Bourbon new be-leaguer row.  
Then of his knowledge in the Cabalist,  
And what pertains unto an Exorcist.  
Then of Philacters what their virtue be,  
Homer's Nepenthe and of his degree;  
Each several use in practic what it is;  
How much he wants that doth these secrets miss,  
And by some little pillar in that place,  
To give some Window or some Chymnie grace,  
Now to proportion presently doth run,  
And talks of the Colossus of the Sun:  
Of Columes the Diameters doth tell,  
Even from the Base unto the capitle.  
And by the Roose he something both allude,  
And will demonstrate of the Magnitude.  
And what is all this from his addle pate,  
But like a Starling that is taught to prate,  
And with a lisping garb (this most rare man)  
Speaks French, Dutch, Spanish, and Italian.  
No day doth pass, he doth his compass miss,  
To send to that Lord, or to visit this,  
And kissing of his claw, his Coxcomb bare,  
Is come to see how their good graces fare.  
And presently unto their face reports,  
Their rare perfections wondered at in Courts;  
Scratching the Idiot by his itching ears;  
Heavens spit down vengeance or dissolve in tears,  
And send the Ibis to repulse our shame, 
The Bird Ibis, a destroyer of the locust. Pliny.   
to drive those Locusts to whence first they came.  
Woe to these slaves whose shape the devil took,  
To tempt the holy Esay at his book.  
O moral Mantuan live thy verses long,  
Honour attend thee and thy reverend Song.  
Who seeks for truth (sayst thou) must tread the path  
Of the sweet private life, which ennies wrath,  
Which poisoned tongues, which vain affected praise  
Cannot by scorn suppress, by flatrery raise.  
For Adulation but if search be made,  
His daily mansion and his usual trade,  
Is in the Monarch's Court, in Princes halls,  
Where Godly zeal he by contempt inthralles.  
There calls he evil good, the good terms evil,  
And makes a Saint of an incarnate devil.  
These boldly censure and dare set at nought,  
The noblest wit, the most Heroic thought.  
This Carrion jaye approaching to the spring  
Where the sweet Muses wont to sit and sing,  
With filthy ordure so the same defiled,  
As they from thence are utterly exiled.  
Banish their issue, from whose Sacred rage  
Flows the full glory of each plenteous age.  
Still with the Prophets challenging their parts,  
The sweet Companions of the Liberal Artes.  
Those rare Promethij fetching fire from Heaven;  
To whom the functions of the Gods are given,  
Raising frail dust with their redoubled flame,  
Mounted with Hymns upon the wings of Fame;  
Ordained by nature (Truch-men for the great)  
To fire their Noble hearts with glorious heat.  
You Sun-bred Airy, whose immortal birth  
Bears you aloft beyond the sight of earth,  
The heaven-touch'd feathers of whose sprightly wings,  
striketh (from above) the Palaces of Kings,  
By how much nearer you ascend the Sky,  
Do lessen still to every mortal eye;  
Who in this time contemptful greatness late  
Scorned and disgraced which erst renowned her state.  
O bastard minds unto this vileness brought,  
To loathe the means which first your honours wrought  
But who their great profession can protect,  
That rob themselves of their own due respect?  
For they whose minds should be exhaled and high,  
As free and noble as clear Poesy,  
In the slight favour of some Lord to come,  
Basely do crouch to his attending groom.  
Immortal gift that art not bought with gold!  
That thou to peasants should be basely sold!  
And thus even cloyed with business of the Court,  
To neighbour Groves inviting my resort,  
Where I supposed the solitary Owl  
Might live secure unseen of any fowl;  
Lo in a valley peopled thick with trees,  
Where the soft day continual Evening sees,  
Where in the moist and melancholy shade,  
The grass grows rank, but yields a bitter blade.  
I found a poor Crane sitting all alone.  
That from his breast sent many a throbbing groan;  
groveling he lay, that sometime stood upright;  
Maimed of his joints in many a doubtful fight.  
His Ashy coat that bore a gloss so fair,  
So often kissed of the enamoured air;  
Worn all to rags and fretted so with rust,  
That with his feet he trod it in the dust:  
And wanting strength to bear him to the springs,  
The spiders wove their webs even in his wings:  
And in his train their filmie netting cast,  
He eat not worms, worms eat on him so fast.  
His wakeful eyes that in proud foes despite,  
Had watched the walls in many a Winter's night,  
And never winked nor from their object fled,  
When heavens dread thunder rattled over his head,  
Now covered over with dim cloudy kells,  
And shruncken up into their slimy shells.  
Poor Bird that striving to bemoan thy plight,  
I cannot do thy miseries their right;  
Perceiving well he found me where I stood,  
And he alone thus poorly in the Wood:  
To him I stepped desiring him to show,  
The cause of his calamity and woe.  
Nights-Bird (quoth he) what mak'st thou in this place  
To view my wretched miserable case?  
Ill Orators are aged men at Arms,  
That wont to wreak and not bewail their harms:  
And repetition where there wants relief,  
In lessening sorrow, but redoubleth grief.  
Seven sundry Battles, served I in the field,  
Against the Pigmies, in whose battered shield,  
My prows stands apparently expressed,  
Besides these scars upon my manly breast,  
Along the Midland coasts my troops I led,  
And Africa's pride with fear astonished;  
And maimed I was of this decrepit wing,  
When as the fowl from the Propontic spring, 
The Sea from Hellespont to Bosphorus Thracius.   
Filled all Th'Egean with their stemning oars,  
And made the Isles even tremble from the shores.  
I saw when from the Adriatic seas;  
The crosse-adoring Fowls to Europa's praise,  
Before Lepanto and Morae a fought, wrought  
Where heaven by wind, earth's wonder strangely  
Weary at length and trusting to my worth,  
I took my flight unto the happy North:  
Where nobly bred as I was well allied,  
I hoped to have my fortune there supplied,  
But there arrived, disgrace was all my gain,  
Experience scorned of every scurvy swain.  
Other had got for which I long did serve.  
Still fed with words whilst I with wants did starve.  
Having small means but yet a mighty heart,  
How ere in fame, not honoured for desert,  
That small I had, I forced was to gauge,  
To cure my wounds and to sustain mine age;  
Whilst those that scarce did ere behold a foe,  
Exult and triumph in my overthrow.  
And seeing in vain with misery I strove,  
Retired me to this solitary Grove;  
Where in despair (even loathing of my breath)  
I long to dwell in the cold arms of death.  
here sank down in a sound and could no more,  
And I return from whence I came before.  
Where by the way the country Rook deplored,  
The grip and hunger of this ravenous Lord.   

The cruel Kestrel which with devilish claws,  
Scratcheth out of the miserable jaws  
Of the poor tenant, to his ruin bend,  
Raising new fines, redoubling ancient rent;  
By strong enclosure of old Common land,  
Racks the dear sweat from his laborious hand,  
Whilst he that digs for breath out of the stones,  
Cracks his stiff Sinews and consumes his bones;  
Yet forced to reap continually with strife,  
Snarling contention feeding on his life.  
Yet hoping Fortune bettered by his heirs,  
He hath their love, his hate made only theirs;  
Labouring to keep him in his quiet state,  
When envy doth his gathered Manors threat:  
And being favoured of sonie higher Peer,  
Who not for Love, enforcing by his fear,  
Which by their Clownish industry and art,  
Now to the Court reduce him from the Cart,  
With slight provision that defrays his charge,  
Whilst with his grain he ballast many a Barge,  
And foe his gripple Avarice he serve,  
What recks this rancke-hinde if his Country starve?  
Hell on that wealth is purchased with shame,  
Gold in the Trunk, and in the grave defame:  
Yet his claws blunt and when he can no more,  
The needy Rook is turned out of the door.  
And lastly doth his wretchedness bewail,  
A bondslave to the miserable jail.  
Thus wearied with the sight of worldly crimes,  
The wane of kingdoms, and the change of times;  
Betook myself by searching to espy,  
What sins in secret did in City's lie:  
For there I deemed where law had chiefest force,  
Strongly to limit every lewder course,  
Things turned to nature and disdained excess,  
That plaguy foe to humane happiness.  
And as I went (with busy search about)  
Casting by cunning how to find them out,  
I found the pheasant that the Hawk doth fear  
Seeking for safety bred his Aerye there:  
Yet is accused through close informing hate,  
By lawless lending to offend the state.  
Who being Rich, and loving coin and ease,  
Still buildeth low for fear he should displease.  
Yet the Blade- Buzzard being appointed judge,  
To this base, muddy, miserable, drudge:  
A pair of young ones taking from his nest,  
And leaves this fearful Recreant the rest,  
Who gives him thanks his goodness would so do,  
Might take the Aerye and the old one too.  
He lived best that most lived out of sight:  
I dare not say that Birds were all upright;  
For some had golden Beaks but brazen claws,  
That held the guilds to minister their laws:  
The Kestrel for possession of his heir,  
Is by the Ringtayle offered wondrous fair,  
To have a match betwixt their goodly breed,  
T increase their lands, and raise their happy seed.  
But the coy Kestrel turns it to a mock,  
And scorns to match in his ignoble stock,  
For which the Ryng-taile by a secret plot,  
Suborns the Starling, which hath closely got,  
To be the Broker slily to seduce  
The Castrels Heir, by giving thriftless use.  
And in strong Statutes to enthrall him so,  
To lime him sure which way so ere he go.  
For this young Fowl (drawn from his father's eye)  
Will with the fond world swim in vanity.  
The subtle Ringtayle never thus doth leave,  
Till he the Kestrel cunningly deceive.  
And caught this young one in the City's snare,  
Devours his Manors ere he be aware.  
'mongst which the Daw (by giving of a bribe)  
Became a Clerk amongst the learned Tribe;  
That being a Bankrupt, a dishonest better;  
Can get his living only by the letter,  
Whilst Arts go beg, and in a servile weed,  
Are made the slaves of penury and need.  
The Goose exiled, humbly doth appeal  
To all the Birds, professing faith and zeal.  
And though he proveth by the Roman book, 
Plutarch.   
What care to keep the Capital he took;  
Yet is not heard: The Dove without a gall 
Columba sine fell.   
Is left forsaken, and contemned of all.  
There grows such difference and such strange confusions,  
Twixt old decrees, and later Institutions:  
Yet being inspired, desisteth not to speak,  
To edify the conscience that is weak,  
And by approved arguments of's own,  
By scriptures, Fathers, and great writers known,  
Discovereth their abominable trade;  
So that the Stork their umpire being made,  
judgeth the Daw should from the Church be driven,  
To prate in corners, and to preach by Even.  
And since his art and cunning was so scant,  
To have no patron but the Ignorant;  
And by his doctrine only teaching fools,  
To be exiled and hissed out of the Schools.  
Hence like the seed Thebes-buylder Cadmus throws,  
More armed mischiefs suddenly arose:  
The Bittor brings his action 'gainst the Quayle,  
And on th'arrest allows him hardly bail;  
Because he durst presume amongst the Reeds,  
To let his Lemon where his female breeds.  
And Mistress Titmouse a neat merry dame,  
With her friend Wagtail, one of special name;  
Sued by the Cucco in his proper wrong,  
For accusation of a slanderoous tongue.  
That to the bar his Advocate doth bring,  
That hath by rote the acts of many a King.  
The Laws, the Statutes and decrees assigned,  
Customs so old, as almost out of mind.  
A day of hearing good my Lord cries he,  
For Master Cucco that retaineth me;  
Whom the lewd Wagtayl basely hath abused,  
In'so vile terms as cannot be excused:  
The parties likewise present here in Court,  
And 'tis a case that well deserves report:  
For which a jury summoned with speed,  
And to the trial presently proceed.  
The Braine-bald Coot a formal witless Ass,  
Must now the foreman on this matter pass:  
The Sottish Dotterill, ignorant and dull;  
And next to him the Mawe-cramed gluttonous Gull.  
The Lecherous Mallard called unto the book,  
The squealing Lapwing, the ridiculous Rook,  
The witless Woodcock, and his neighbour Snite,  
That will be hired to pass on every rite,  
With all the rest empanyled to wait:  
Which when the jury fully was compleyte,  
Called to the Bar, admitted and aloud:  
Up start the Peacock insolent and proud;  
Of goodly stature and of gracious port,  
In presence of the honourable court:  
Thus for the Plaintiff learnedly began.   

My Lord (saith he) was never worthy man,  
So nobly bred and of so high descent,  
Of so fair livelihood, and so large a rent  
As is the Cucco, when our plea shall try,  
His loss sustained by their infamy.  
First for the worth and honour of his name,  
You may the better censure his defame;  
From mighty Birds descended every way,  
And by his birth (the messenger to may)  
His house still loyal, and his Coat as fair,  
His father's tunes he never did impair.  
His name and nature do so well agree,  
As shows his blood repurifyed to be.  
In fruitful Sparta, it is since now long,  
That famous Greece took notice of his wrong,  
When for his wanton and unchaste desire,  
A thousand ships stufed with revengeful fire,  
To Tenedos the proud Aegean lads,  
Whence sprang those high immortal Iliads.  
And since the Romans from the Asian broils,  
Returned with conquest and victorious spoils.  
The Cuci here continually have been,  
As by their ancient Evidence is seen. 
Livius.   
Of Consul Cuccus, from whose mighty name,  
These living Cuccos lineally came.  
To him, the Ancients, Temples did erect,  
Which with great pomp and ornament were decked.  
Th' Italians call him Becco (of a nod)  
With all the reverence that belongs a god.  
What though in love supposed to be used,  
What is his virtue need not be excused?  
The wise man tells (if nature be our guide)  
In following her, we seldom slip aside.  
And in this Bird (who can her power deny)  
If nature framed him to community?  
Then wisely thus considering his profession,  
You reverend judges of this lawful Session:  
As you are patrons of the righteous cause,  
Vouchsafe my client judgement. here doth pause.  
Scarce could the Peacock his conclusion make,  
When strait his turn the Turkiecocke doth take  
A learned Lawyer (worthy of his gown)  
Of reputation both in Court and town.  
And to the Bench for audience having cried,  
Thus to the Peacock learnedly replied.  
Grave reverend fathers of the Law (he said)  
The matter that our adversaries plead  
Is vain and idle; we the point enforce  
Against the Cucco and his lawless course.  
The Peacock here a cunning speech hath made,  
To help his client and uphold his trade;  
But strip this mask that doth conceal the cause,  
Examine each particular and clause  
'Gainst prose so poor, so indigent of truth,  
The Bastard Cucco bringing from his youth,  
First laid and hatched up in another nest,  
Such vileness reigned in his base parents breast,  
Who since that time they never sought for shame, 
Plinic.   
Nor but their vice dare for his birthright claim:  
The Hedge-Sparrow, (this wicked Bird that bred)  
That him so long and diligently fed,  
(By her kind tendance) getting strength and power,  
His careful Nurse doth cruelly devower:  
Base as his birth, so base is his trade,  
And to the world a bye-word now is made:  
No Nation names the Cucco but in scorn,  
And no man hears him, but he fears the horn:  
No month regards him but lascivious may,  
Wherein whilst youth is dallying with the day;  
His song still tends to vanity and lust:  
Amorous deceits; poligamies injust.  
But to cut off these tedious allegations,  
The Law commands these public defamations,  
Be straightly punished in the Noblest men.  
Why should you spare the cursed Cucco then?  
Who all his life to lewdness being bend,  
Rightly deserves the publick'st punishment.  
Then gentle jurors, good men, and elect,  
As you your safeties carefully respect,  
If loves sweet Music and his blissful cheer;  
ere touched your hearts or mollified your ear;  
Tender the case, and evermore the wed  
Shall praise your conscience both at board and bed.  
Thus said, he ceased; the jurors step't aside,  
Wisely consulting, warily they tried  
The circumstance of every secret sin;  
Thus they returned and brought their verdict in,  
Cast is the Cucco guilty of the deed,  
And for a fine, for his deserved meed  
Allows to Mistress Titmouse for her charge,  
That she shall after have her tail at large:  
And when she Revels as she did before,  
T'exclude the Cucco freely out of door:  
And such offenders as they could present,  
Likewise adjudged deserved punishment.  
The Ringdove plagued with Maggots in the Maw,  
The Woodcock gets the swelling of the crawe,  
The Crow with dropsy (whilst yet living) rots,  
The Quayle a Leper filled with loathsome spots.  
The Buzzard of the Letergie is sick,  
The Kite with Fevors falleth Lunatic,  
The Epilepsy grew upon the jay,  
And of a sweat the Bunting drops away.  
When now the Owl that with a vigilant eye,  
All these dimensions perfectly could try:  
foresaw the peril threatened unto all,  
Apt by their loose credulity to fall,  
And whose prevention if they did foreslowe,  
Their utter spoil immedately should grow.  
My friends (quoth he) look warily about,  
Many the dangers which you are to doubt:  
This gallant Oak wherein so oft you play,  
Perhaps (at length) your safety may betray.  
And though his shade be delicate and sweet,  
His trunk bears lime that may entrap your feet.  
If, fearing what is requisite and fit,  
You like my judgement and allow my wit;  
Yours is the good: but if you fond deem,  
Things be within, as outwardly they seem;  
Headlong run on, and fall into the snare,  
And say a friend once warned you to beware.  
Thus spoke the Owl, whose talk could not be heard,  
So little, fools good counsel doth regard,  
But thinking frenzy him his wits beguiled,  
The honest Bird despitefully reviled.  
But mark their end who set advice at nought,  
Fools still too dear have sound experience bought;  
The Husbandman surveying of his ground,  
'Mongst all the trees this Oak had quickly found:  
And by all signs and likelihood of trade,  
The Birds therein there nightly roosting made.  
And by the lime that issued from the tree,  
They all entangled easily might be.  
Taking the same, he spreads it on the sprays,  
And through the thicket closely creeps his ways.  
When the sad arndern shutting in the light,  
Wan-sighted Cynthia (Lady of the night)  
Proudly ascending the etherial state,  
Whence the bright Phoebus but dismounted late,  
The dull-eyed evening his moist vapours threw,  
Strewing the still earth with sweet showers of dew.  
When every Bird replenished with food,  
Clapping his stretched wings lively from the wood,  
And on each small branch of this large-lymbed Oak  
Their pretty lodgings carelessly they took,  
No ill suspecting, fond unawares,  
Quickly entangled in the Fowler's snares.  
Whose mournful chirping and their chattering cries  
Incites the Owl before his hour to rise,  
And hearing from his melancholy seat,  
The Birds themselves thus woefully to beat,  
(The deed discovered with the morning's light)  
Flew from his perch: though grieved at the sight,  
Yet with a smile, his wisdom that became,  
Which mocked their folly, though bemoaned their shame,  
Quoth he, you foolish Burghers of the field,  
That in contempt my counsels lewdly held  
That, where at late you did but laugh and jeer,  
Now to your ruin plainly doth appear  
The greatest thing you lightly are to lose,  
Only your plumes that fortune can dispose.  
'tis yet a comfort in the depth of smart;  
Envy but seizeth on the outward part.  
But present peril in a thing of price,  
Rather craves action then doth stay advice.  
Therefore to help you will my power assay:  
Wherewith his wing doth presently display,  
And with his claws, the birds of every kind  
Plucks from the lime, that left their plumes behind.  
The little Robin featherles and free.  
Regreets the Owl with many a cap and knee.  
The warbling Mavis mirthful Paeans sung,  
The Nightingale with her melodious tongue  
Gave him such music (to declare their thanks)  
That springs and rivers dance above theirbanks;  
That (with the repercusion of the Air)  
shook the great Eagle sitting in his Chair:  
Which from the mountain (with a radiant eye)  
Braved the bright Cressit of the glorious sky;  
Moving his princely majesty to see,  
Whence this applause so suddenly should be,  
Whose sinewed wings (in their resistless course)  
Beat the thin Air, with such a viloent force,  
That the light Birds driped headlong from the skies,  
The rocks and forests trembling with the 'noys,  
Somewhat amazed at this unusual sight,  
To see his people in this piteous plight:  
His sovereign ear doth presently address,  
Willing to hear the cause of their distress,  
To whom the poor Owl) his obedience done)  
Thus to his Liege Lord, reverently begun.   

Monarch of all that beat the air with wings,  
Thou Bird of jove, beloved amongst kings:  
Here stands an Oak well tymbred, largely spread,  
That many a day hath borne his curled head,  
Above his fellows dwelling far and near,  
That in the Forest never found his peer;  
Whose root well fastened in the fruitful ground,  
His bark so lovely and his heart so sound,  
(Through his great wealth) grew insolent and proud,  
Because the Birds that in his boughs did shroud,  
Unto his praise continually did sing,  
And kept their vigils to th'enamored spring.  
The virgin-huntresse sworn to Diane's Bow,  
Here in this shade her quarries did bestow,  
And for their Nimphals, building amorous Bowers,  
Oft dressed this tree with Anadems of flowers;  
And Flora chose her Nursery here to shield,  
Her tender buds the Infants of the field.  
By which, this tree grew arrogant in time,  
In his rank sap hath bred a loath-some slime,  
Whose nature and vile quality is such,  
Strongly to hold what ever it doth touch,  
And not content to minister this mean,  
Which in short time might have undone us clean;  
But even his boughs the Birds have honoured so,  
Lastly employed unto their general woe,  
That when thy subjects dreading no deceit,  
Came to this Tree as to their safe retreat  
Falsely betrayed, and he that sped the best,  
Hardly escaped, with feathers at the least.  
Those that I could as I had power and might,  
Though with much pain, yet lastly did acquight.  
The rest whose freedom doth exceed my reach,  
O King of Birds I humbly thee beseech  
In mercy, let thy mightiness purvey,  
To ransom from this imminent decay.   

When now the Eagle cutting off his tale,  
And even for sorrow waxing wan and pale;  
At which sad sight, this poor implumed crew,  
Stand faintly trembling in their sovereigns view:  
And having streched his Lordly tallant forth,  
To show th'acceptance of this deed of worth;  
You silly Birds, you wretched Fowls (quoth he)  
Henceforth let this a friendly warning be.  
Had you (as nature and our laws admit)  
Built where your noble Ancestors did sit,  
Wisely providing to maintain their state,  
Whose names and freedoms you participate,  
You had not thus been spoiled of your goods,  
For subtlety now dwelleth in the woods.  
For if too high and haughtily you soar,  
Those see your falls that hover near the shore.  
If in the Cedar you your nests dispose,  
The dreadful lightning ever threateneth those.  
If in the low earth (in the flattering shade)  
The fowlers snares there secretly are laid.  
Then my dear subjects, as you wish my good,  
Or have respect to your succeeding brood,  
Let your wise fathers an example give,  
And by their rules learn thriftily to live.  
Let these weak Birds, that want wherewith to fight,  
Submit to those that are of grip and might.  
Let those of power, the weaker still protect,  
So none shall need his safety to suspect;  
Suppressing those enormities that are,  
Whose cure belongs unto our Sovereign care.  
For when wealth grows into a few men's hands,  
And to the great, the poor in many bands;  
The pride in Court doth make the Country lean,  
The abject rich holds ancient honour mean.  
men's wits employed to base and servile shifts,  
And Lay-men taught, by learned men's subtle drifts;  
Ill with this state 't must incidently far.  
For even as from th'infection of the air,  
Sundry contagious sicknesses proceed,  
These mischiefs more continually do breed.  
eat beastly lust (you young well feathered Fowl)  
That wounds the body, and confounds the soul.  
That as the subtlest of the Sirens brood,  
Binds all the spirits and over-comes the blood;  
Darkening the pureness of the inward light,  
Weakeneth the sense and murd'reth reason quite.  
And you that sit as judges of the Law,  
Let not vile gain your equal Balance draw.  
O! still retain the Ethiopians guise,  
(As just and upright, as select and wise)  
That in their judgements (sacred and profound)  
Disposed them ever meekly on the ground,  
To show the Angels (sitting over head)  
Them were to judge, as they had censured.   

Thus spoke the Eagle, when with muttering noise  
The rest attentive to his powerful voice;  
Giving a signal of their admiration,  
The Owl this while in serious contemplation  
Softly replies: O mighty sovereign!  
With all the Synod of thy winged train,  
Th'abundant joys that in my heart do throng,  
Require more organs than the only tongue.  
O blessed Birds! how sweet is your subjection  
Under the safe and absolute protection?  
Of so exact and excellent a King,  
So sole and perfect in his governing:  
The reason this (my grave selected Peers)  
Because 'tis known that in these latter years,  
The peaceful state prepost'rously disturbed,  
By such whose power the great have hardly curbed.  
The jocund Throstle for his varying note,  
Clad by the Eagle in a speckled coat,  
Because his voye had judgement for the Palm,  
Supposed himself sole patron of our calm.  
All say, for singing he had never peer:  
But there were some that did his virtue fear.  
Why shouldst thou then ambitiously despise  
The manly Falcon? on whose courage lies  
The kingdoms safety, which abroad doth room,  
By foreign wars to keep us safe at home.  
I know, the strain of an alluring tongue  
Can tie the full ear and detain it long,  
But other fortunes, and the altered place,  
Crave new directions and an active grace.  
The former virtue may consist alone,  
But better two (if firmly joined in one)  
Experience once (by service in the wars)  
Did quote his strong authorities in scars;  
But in this latter time, it hath been said,  
The tongue doth all contemning th'others aid.  
Virtue whose chief praise in the act doth stand,  
Could wish the tongue still coupled with the hand.  
But in the Cock which death untimely wracked,  
In him was both the elegance and act.  
O when that Bird was ravished from our sight,  
(Intombing him) the world intomded delight.  
Lot never accent pass my mournful pen,  
That leaves his fame unregistered to men.  
The Muse's veiled with sad Cypress tree;  
Upon his grave, shall power their tears with me.  
O! if the world can weep so many tears  
As his loss craves, or if in Heaven appears  
More plenteous sorrow; let them both agree  
T'lament that hour that reft the earth of thee.  
O! thought I not some spirit could give thee more  
Than this small portion of my scantled store!  
I would not leave (I first would leave to live)  
To give thee fame: O who can greater give?   

This said: sunk down, as growing faint with speaking,  
Sighing withal, as though his heart were breaking.  
The Princely Eagle pitying of his plight,  
To cheer the poor Owl doing all he might.  
The Birds applauding with a free consent  
Followed the Eagle (with devout intent)  
To the great mountain, to have all amended:  
Thus I awaked, and here my Dream was ended.   
FINIS.