A Theatre of Delightful Recreation.  
LONDON, Printed for A. johnson. 1605.    

TO THE WELL-AFFECTED READER.  
REtire thy looks, and view with judgements eyes  
men's vain delights, that pass in posting wise,  
Their liking first, and their dislike succeeding,  
Their every pleasure, some displeasure breeding:  
How out of league with all things loved they fall,  
How all their glory is Time's tennis-ball:  
And this compared, fix Virtue in thy mind,  
Which is most stayed, and heaven bred by kind.  
No calling back of nimble lightfoot Time,  
But to repent, is to unwrite vain rhyme.  
What worse pains can any Poet take,  
Then rhyme himself to death for Venus' sake.  
No minute more to Satyrs I will lend,  
Nor drop of ink on Epigram I'll spend:  
Let Humorists do as themselves think good,  
My pen hath done with Letting Humours blood:  
I'll show no more to each fantastic ass  
His portraiture in Humours Looking-glass.  
Scatter your absurd follies as tofore,  
I am resolved to gather them no more.  
Death's Challenge, with I'll stab, has passed the Press,  
And so I leave him to his powerfulness:  
With Hell broke lose I have no more to do,  
Leyden is hanged, and Knipperdulling too.  
My idle hours to these I did allow,  
But better business I have for them now.  
And all the leisure Poetry can get,  
Shall pay such lines as are in virtues debt:  
For verse ill used, and precious time misspent,  
Poet's convert, be truly penitent.  
S. R.   

To all profane Poets, wearing VENUS' wanton Livery, with Cupid's blind cognisance.  

IDle good-wits that turn the glass of Time  
To run for vanity each single sand,  
Composing volumes full of wanton rhyme,  
Fables of Cupid all you take in hand,  
Great are your works, and yet the goodness small,  
For Beauty's lightness is the worth of all.   

Supposedly you raise them to the skies,  
Whom you with pen bepaint about the face,  
And by the whole sale utter lovers lies,  
Yet done (as you imagine) with great grace.  
But how can grace concur with such an evil,  
Since he that praiseth pride, commends the devil?   

Your graces in this vein no further goes,  
But to be counted fine conceited liars,  
That commendations all wise men bestows,  
Worthless desert a worthless meed requires:  
Your labour's lost, your time's as vainly spent,  
'twas errors crooked way Invention went.   

One writes a Sonnet of his mistress fan,  
Blessing the bird that did the feathers bear:  
Another shows himself as wise a man  
To rhyme upon the shoestrings she doth wear,  
And of her bodkin, scarf, and pair of gloves,  
And little dog that she so kindly loves.   

Another tells the actions of the gods,  
Their heady riots and outrageous strife,  
How they have been amongst themselves at odds  
About the fairness of black Vulcan's wife:  
And than what cruelties her son did show,  
That wants a pair of eyes to guide his bow.   

Oh sacred Muses, you may just complain  
Against those heavenly sparks of wit you nourish,  
Who their best faculties so much profane,  
Which should in every good endeavour flourish:  
For those which greatest gifts do that way owe,  
Do even the worst and basest things bestow.   

How miserable wit's employed, who sees not?  
Spent prodigal, in praising Venus' pride,  
In such sort as with Virtue it agrees not,  
On them have nought praiseworthy on their side:  
Divinest arts thereby sustain abuses,  
Which were ordained for sanctified uses.   

Unto renowned Virtue prove more kind,  
Your gifts unto her service dedicate,  
And the reward of Honour you shall find,  
When Beauty shall lie rotting out of date,  
Blasted by death, a stinking under ground,  
Consumed in grave, and never to be found.   
S. R.   

To his loving friend Mr. S. R.  
VAnish things worthless, from Invention fly,  
You now mistake, not as I was am I,  
It is a simple thing, most childish base,  
To be a Poet for a woman's face:  
I held an heresy, and here recant,  
My pen for ever women's pride shall want,  
Except their beauty and their fair proceeds  
From virtuous, chaste, and civil modest deeds.  
This is an argument, that fools they be,  
Men flattering them so gross, they cannot see:  
But even as fops composed all of pride,  
Still love them most which have them most belied.  
Unto such devils I held a candle late,  
But now, kind friend, I will thee imitate,  
My Poetry I'll in a new mould cast,  
Verse shall do penance for my follies past.  
E. P.   

To the Muses.  

CAlliope, divine and heavenly Muse,  
With all thy sisters on the sacred Mount,  
Whom the best spirits do for nurses choose,  
Having you all in reverent account:  
Receive the Laurel which our Muse resigns,  
True penitent for idle passed lines.   

Grace not the graceless Poets of our time,  
That use you but to serve their needy states,  
Such as for daily profit hackney rhyme:  
Those Venus' brokers, and loves-shifting mates,  
That sell you all, to buy themselves their dinner,  
Famish the slaves, and make their cheeks look thinner.   

Extend your bounty unto free borne spirits,  
That imitate yourselves (for you are free)  
Let them receive their well-deserving merits,  
And to Parnassus ever welcome be:  
For they do scorn to lay you out to pawn,  
Like such as do on Lords and Ladies fawn.    

To his constant beloved friend Mr. S. R.  

THy Theatre is built of curious frame,  
And fixed as firm upon a sure foundation,  
All those whose eyes shall entertain the same,  
Must come to see divinest Recreation.  
There's no profaneness in this work disclosed,  
But as the name imports it is composed.   

All is true action that's presented here,  
And every actor credit with him brings:  
Upon this stage great monarchs do appear,  
Strong Samson steps with bloody wounded Kings:  
Some blest by God, some cursed when he forsook them,  
As from truths register the author took them.   
R. W.   

To his loving and no less beloved friend M. Sam. Rowlands.  
THe world commends each joy,  
And entertains it gladly.  
What vanity, but this our age  
Pursues it strange and madly?  
Things worthless much esteemed,  
The worthful most despised,  
And virtue daily counterfeit,  
Vice cunningly disguised.  
This makes me, when into  
Thy Theatre I look,  
To hold thee happy, leaving toys,  
To write so good a book.  
I. G.   

To Time.  

THou great consumer of huge monuments,  
That makest stiff Marble turn to cindry dust:  
Kingdoms subverter, whom no power prevents,  
With canker fretting brass, iron with rust.   

Thou that didst bring the powerful Monarchies  
To their full height, than overthrewst their pride:  
Thou that the arched Ilium didst surprise,  
Whose towns with ten years succours were supplied.   

That in the bosom of forepassed age  
The fruit of many a noble Muse hast found,  
And kept till now, in scorn of envies rage,  
When in oblivions gulf great Kings were drowned:  
Do thou preserve this work until that day,  
When earth shall melt, the universe decay.   
Tho. Andrew.   

ADAM'S PASSION UPON HIS FALL.  
Offspring of earth, my ill conditioned race,  
With sorrow look upon your parent's case,  
That by his sin brought death unto you all,  
For you have deadly interest in my fall.  
I in whose soul perfection made abode,  
I that was like my all-creating God,  
I being endued with admirable feature,  
I that had Lordly rule of every creature;  
Oh I to whom all graces did abound,  
Of all God made, am most ingrateful found.  
Come woeful Eve, as I shared sin with thee,  
Bring every tear thou hast and mourn with me:  
I took the fruit with thee that brought these fears,  
Do thou take woe with me, oh join in tears.  
We that in grace and glory late have been,  
Are fallen from God by disobedient sin.  
Weep thou for hearkening what the Serpent said,  
And I will weep for being both betrayed:  
Weep thou for yielding first to his persuasion,  
And I will weep for giving me occasion:  
Let both our souls with sorrow be replete,  
Because we both have been seduced to eat.  
When in the cool of day God's voice I heard,  
O how my senses trembled! then I feared,  
And sought to hide me from his angry face,  
(Fool as I was, he sees in every place)  
Where art thou Adam, said he? that where art  
Was even a hell of horror to my heart:  
With fig-leaves wrapped, I to the Lord replied,  
For shame of nakedness I do me hide.  
Who told thee of thy nakedness, said he?  
Hast thou not eat of the forbidden tree,  
Concerning which, I said thou shouldest not?  
Then for myself this bad excuse I got,  
The woman that thou gav'st with me to live,  
Why she did of that fruit unto me give.  
Then (said he) Woman, why hast thou done this?  
She said, The Serpent caused me do amiss.  
But these excuses no way could us free,  
God's curses were ponounced against all three:  
Yea even the earth was cursed for my sake,  
And I enjoined pains therewith to take,  
By toilsome labour, and in weary sweat,  
To make my hands the earners of my meat.  
Then did my dreadful sin-incensed Lord,  
Appoint a Cherubin with fiery sword,  
To keep the passage to the tree of life,  
Driving me forth of Eden with my wife,  
Death at my heels, and Misery beside me,  
My enemy the Devil to deride me.  
Clothed with a leather coat of dead beasts skins,  
Which garment made me mindful of my sins:  
And the reward due to me for the same,  
My outside death, my inside sin and shame.  
Now servile labour for myself I found,  
I got a spade, and fell to dig the ground:  
For from earth's bounty nothing I could gain,  
Unless I bought it with the price of pain.  
If I in Paradise had never been,  
far less perplexity I should be in,  
My doubts, and fears, and all my sorrows grow,  
That I true happiness did taste and know.  
To say, I had, to think, If I had known,  
Are of themselves torments enough alone.  
Yet hope encounters comfort by the way,  
jehovah to the Serpent thus did say,  
Betwixt you shall an enmity be bred,  
The woman's seed shall break the Serpent's head.  
This confidence prevents hell's friend Despair,  
A second Adam shall with grace repair  
The ruins that the first hath sinful made:  
On this foundation let the faith be laid  
Of all my offspring: sin from me ensued,  
Sin, death and hell by him shall be subdued.  
When man was overcome by Satan's evil,  
He lost the Paradise where he was placed;  
When man by grace shall overcome the devil,  
He shall gain heaven, whence that fiend was chased:  
He conquering us, did cause God's wrath increase;  
We conquering him, with God shall be at peace.   

Cain's horror of mind for the inhuman murder of his Brother.  

BEhold the wretched heir of all the earth,  
Most graceless man, bloody accursed Cain,  
The first that in this world hath had his birth,  
The worst that ever shall be borne again,  
In conscience so tormented and distressed,  
I have not one calm thought of quiet rest.   

If woeful Adam when he fell from grace,  
In such a fear of his transgression stood,  
That he did hide him from jehovahs' face,  
What shall I do, being all imbrued in blood?  
Whose blood? My brothers: what? a wicked man?  
Oh no, most just, my conscience witness can.   

I did present the Lord with my oblation,  
My brother offered up his sacrifice,  
And that of his was held in estimation,  
Mine nothing set by in th' Almighty's eyes,  
Whereat affection from him I estranged,  
And unto wrath my countenance I changed.   

Why art thou angry? said the Lord to me,  
Why doth thy looks seem other then tofore?  
If thou do well, it will return to thee,  
If thou do ill, sin lieth at the door.  
Unto dominion and to rule aspire,  
And Abel shall incline to thy desire.   

But what he spoke, my heart regarded not,  
Wrath stopped mine ears, and would not let me hear.  
For when my brother in the field I got,  
I lifted up my hand against him there,  
And that same stroke which did his life control,  
Killed him a body, and myself a soul.   

What heard I then? oh this: Cain, Where's thy brother?  
When  wretch I did this answer make,  
Am I his keeper? do we guard each other?  
What charge do we of one another take?  
What hast thou done? said God, thy deed is found,  
For Abel's blood cries vengeance from the ground.   

Even from the earth thou art accursed now,  
Whose mouth received the blood thy hand hath shed,  
No profit, though thou till, shall it allow,  
The strength of it shall from thy use be fled.  
Be thou a vagabond and fugitive,  
That never shalt in any action thrive.   

Then in the horror of my soul I spoke,  
As  most unworthy wretch to live,  
(No suit of mercy purposing to make)  
My sin is greater than thou canst forgive:  
Nothing but vengeance I expect to find,  
For there's no room for sorrow in my mind.   

Behold this day I am an outcast made,  
And from the upper face of th'earth I go:  
Thy countenance thou likewise hast denayed,  
One look of favour never to bestow.  
And whosoever finds me out, he will  
Even murder me, as I did Abel kill.   

Fear, and Despair, and I, all three in one,  
My woeful heart do into shares divide,  
But greedy Fear would have it all alone,  
Till I and black Despair grew stronger side,  
And then we two together did incline,  
That all my heart should be Despairs and mine.   

And now I do all that Despair would have me,  
Being resolute resolved on evil thus,  
For my iniquity God cannot save me,  
There is no grace that can do good for us:  
Lead on Despair, with sin I will go hide me,  
God's justice comes, his grace can near abide me.    

The dreadful burning of sinful Sodom.  
IT was about meridian of the day,  
(When Phoebus in his height of burning sway,  
Did like unto a giant run his race,  
About the sphere of his celestial place)  
That Abraham the blessed man of God,  
At his tent door for his repose abode,  
Where lifting up his eyes, behold, stood three  
Of Angel's nature, seeming men to be.  
With reverence he bowed to the ground,  
And said, my Lord, if I have favour found,  
Pass not away, but here refresh with me  
Under the shadow of this pleasant tree,  
Then presently with greatest speed he went  
To virtuous Sara being in the tent,  
And willed her make some cakes of finest meal,  
Feasting themselves with butter, milk, and veal  
Under the arbours cool delightful leaves,  
Where he the promise of a son receives.  
Then rising thence, to Sodome-ward they look,  
And as they toward the place their journey took,  
Said God, Shall I the thing from Abram hide  
That I intent? he fears me, and beside,  
He will instruct his children, keep my hest,  
And all earth's nations shall in him be blest.  
Then said the Lord, because that Sodoms' cry  
Is very great, and doth ascend the sky,  
Yea and their sin exceeding grievous is,  
I will go see how deeds agree with this.  
Then Abram said, Lord shall the righteous fare  
In punishment like those that wicked are?  
far be it from the judge of all men's sight,  
To do the thing that were not just and right.  
If fifty good therein abode do make,  
Wilt thou not spare it for those fifties sake?  
If forty five, or thirty, twenty, ten,  
Wilt thou not spare it for those righteous men?  
Yes, said the Lord, if only ten there be,  
For all the rest thou shalt prevail with me.  
With that the Lord departed, moved to grace,  
And Abraham returned unto his place.  
Then in the evening (suns declining state)  
As righteous Lot did sit at Sodom gate,  
There came two Angels, which when he espied,  
He did invite them kindly to abide  
Within his house that night, and wash their feet:  
But they refusing, would remain in street:  
Yet he importunate, they did consent,  
And in with him those guests of heaven went,  
Where he did entertain them with a feast.  
But ere the time was come they should take rest,  
The Sodomites in multitudes were found,  
Both old and young the house environed round:  
And calling Lot, said, Bring unto our sight  
Those men that harbour in thy house to night,  
Let them come forth to us, we may them know:  
Then Lot entreats, My brethren do not so:  
I have two daughters, virgins both they be,  
Which in affection are right dear to me,  
Yet rather them I'll yield unto your will,  
Then these men should endure such heinous ill:  
Oh let not sin so wickedly incense,  
Under my roof they came for their defence.  
With that they thrust the holy man aside,  
And said, Stand back, for this we'll not abide,  
Our fury shall the more towards thee appear,  
Art thou a judge that cam'st to sojourn here?  
Wilt thou control in that we go about?  
we'll break thy door, our force shall fetch them out.  
But pressing forth, they could no entrance find,  
For on a sudden all were stricken blind:  
Blind bodies now, that had blind souls before,  
Tiring themselves in seeking out the door.  
Then said the Angels unto righteous Lot,  
What friends hast here (that we destroy them not)  
Besides thy daughters and thy sons in law?  
Out of the city all thou hast withdraw:  
The cry is great before th' Almighty's face,  
And he hath sent us to destroy the place.  
Lot did advise his children, and the rest,  
But to his sons in law it seemed a jest:  
They were, as at this day most sinners be  
Careless, till vengeance they do feel and see.  
When morning did dark nights black curtains draw,  
(Last morning that the Sodomites ere saw)  
The Angels hastened Lot to speed away,  
But as he did prolong the time with stay,  
They caught him up, his children, and his wife,  
And brought him out, and bade him save his life:  
Look not behind, nor in this plain abide,  
Lest thou do perish: wherewith Lot replied,  
My Lords, if favour I have found, take pity,  
And grant me to enjoy but yonder city,  
How should I to the mountains safely fly?  
Some evil may betide, there I shall die,  
Only but Soar to thy servant give,  
That little Soar, and my soul shall live.  
Thou hast prevailed (said they) thy suit obtain,  
Go thither, and in safety remain.  
Now was the Sun new risen on earth's face,  
And Let new entered in his refuge place,  
When suddenly a shower from heaven fell,  
Made Sodom seem as Sodom had been hell.  
'twas no such element as washed the ground,  
When all the world (excepting eight) were drowned:  
Then waters were the workers of God's ire,  
But now in vengeance he employs the fire,  
An element of far more fearful kind,  
Did sinful Sodom (turned to ashes) find.  
No common fire, fit for needful things,  
But flames that dread, terror and anguish brings  
Of cruel torments, grievous to be felt,  
Of sulphur savour loathsome to be smelled,  
Of terrible amazement to the eye,  
A flaming city, and a burning sky:  
All was destroyed of timber work and stones,  
All was consumed composed of flesh and bones,  
And Sodom which at evening did appear,  
As if a Paradise of God it were,  
Seemed in the morning unto Abraham's eyes,  
As smoke that from a furnace doth arise.   

Obdurate Pharaoh in his hardness of heart.  
MOses, what message dost thou bring?  
Am I not Pharaoh, Egypt's King?  
I will not let the people go,  
For all the wonders thou canst show.  
Not Aaron's serpent-turning rod,  
Shall make my heart obey your God.  
My Sorcerers the like can do:  

〈◊〉 ten plagues.  Come Conjurers, make Serpents too.  
The waters changing into blood,  
The fishes dying in the flood,  
The frogs through all the land increased,  
The louse offending man and beast:  
Th'intolerable swarms of flies,  
The cattle that in Egypt dies:  
The swelling botches, sores and blains,  
The thunder, hail and fire that rains:  
Grasshoppers that all green things waste,  
The darkness that three days did last:  
The striking all the first-born dead,  
To true conversion cannot lead.  
Hard is my heart and unrelenting,  
'tis unacquainted with repenting:  
Moses, even by my kingly might,  
I charge thee to departed my sight,  
Upon thy life see me no more,  
For if thou dost, thou diest therefore.  
My trust doth in my strength consist,  
Put confidence in whom thou list.  
On horse and chariot I depend:  
Trust in your God, let him defend.  
Unto the sea I will pursue  
Thy Israelites, that slavish crew,  
And there I will them all confound,  
Or there let me and mine be drowned.   

The mirror of Chastity.  
Fair Hebrew, pleasure of mine eyes,  
To whom my love I sacrifice,  
Thou hast found favour in her sight,  
Whose love doth thy love kind invite,  
To what delights I can afford,  
To Putiphar great Pharaoh's Lord,  
Before all loves in Egypt be,  
Thy Lady makes her choice of thee,  
Why then enjoy, and full possess,  
Unto my bed have free access,  
Where all the welcomes love can make,  
Shall entertain thee for my sake.  
Be not so bashful, and a man,  
Thou shouldst court better than I can,  
Being so lovely every part,  
Except thy tongue that wanteth art;  
Yet she that may, bids thee be bold,  
If I say seize, presume, take hold.  
Why dost thou on vain credit stand,  
Urging what trust is in thy hand?  
In that thy Lord exceeding large,  
Committeth all things to thy charge,  
Excepting me, all things beside  
Do under trust with thee abide:  
What of all this? I offer more  
Than will be sold for Egypt's store.  
What's gold to him that food doth need?  
The metal cannot hunger feed:  
What's meat to him wants appetite?  
Sickness doth loath, though health invite:  
But love doth choicest welcome bring,  
To lowest beggar, highest king.  
How oft have I emboldened thee  
With that kind word, Come lie with me?  
Where is thy sense and manly spirit,  
That should be ready to requite?  
Wilt thou so harshly go away?  
My hearts desire, mild joseph stay:  
Dost turn thy back? wilt not consent?  
By Pharaoes' life thou shalt repent.  
I'll keep this garment to thy shame,  
Thy Lord I vow shall see the same.  
I'll tell him, if I had not cried  
I had been forced to abide  
Fowl ravishment, which to prevent  
Clamours unto the skies I sent,  
And thou for fear that durst not stay,  
Leaving thy mantle, ranst away.  
This plot the harlot put in ure:  
joseph this slander did endure,  
Yet still continued constant chaste,  
With lust allured, with lies disgraced.   

Samson betrayed by Dalilah.  
WOnder of men, thou great in might,  
My hearts chief joy, my soul's delight,  
Thou only admirable man  
Of all the stock and tribe of Dan.  
Thou that at Thamnah valiant did  
Even rend a Lion like a Kid.  
At Askalon in valour tried,  
Where thirty by thine own hand died:  
That Azah gates with powerful will,  
Didst carry up to Hebron hill:  
Oh let me crave a boon of thee,  
As thou in love shall gain of me.  
Thy strength to other men denied,  
Great Samson where doth that abide?  
Oh prove thyself to me so kind,  
As tell me but how I may thee bind:  
Delude me not, kind sweet, with mocks,  
Not withes, nor tying of thy locks  
Is aught availing thereunto:  
Dear Samson, tell me what to do.  
Thrice by thee I have been deluded,  
Now tell me where's thy might included?  
Wilt thou this small request denay?  
Wilt thou refuse thy Dalila?  
Then I resolve thou lov'st me not,  
For out of love is all things got.  
Thy suit (quoth he) my dear, hath sped,  
There near came razor on my head:  
I have been from my mother's womb  
A Nazarite by heavens doom:  
Love, if my head be shaven bare,  
I shall be weak as others are.  
Then on her lap his head she laid,  
And with his curious locks she played,  
And so in dalliance did him keep,  
Till she had wantoned him asleep:  
Then sent for one that shaved him quite  
Of all the hair contained his might.  
Which done, her sex's nature shows,  
Betrayed him instant to his foes  
The Philistines, who him despise,  
And cruelly put out his eyes,  
Then set him in a mill to grind,  
This woman-trust did Samson find.   

King saul's despairful Tragedy.  

DAunted with fear of the Philistines force,  
Disanimated Saul, where shall I fly?  
Of my distress there's no man hath remorse,  
To answer me by dreams God doth deny,  
No help by Prophets, all my comfort's fled,  
Oh Samuel, that man of God is dead.   

I know enchantment is a grievous sin,  
And Israel's God forbids it in his law,  
Yet with a witch at Endor I have been,  
To speak with Samuel, whose shape I saw  
Appear in's mantle, reverent, grave and old,  
Who my destruction and my end foretold.   

Wherefore hast thou disturbed me he said,  
In causing of me to be raised thus?  
I answered him, for that I was afraid  
Of Philistines, that vex and trouble us:  
And God is gone, he answers not at all,  
Oh tell what will become of wretched Saul.   

Because (quoth he) thou didst not God obey,  
To execute on the Amalekites:  
Therefore he hath done this to thee this day,  
Thy disobedience thus his wrath requites,  
Thy kingdom from thee he away hath rend,  
And given it David, this is God's intent.   

Moreover Israel and also thee,  
The Lord will put in the Philistines hands,  
And even to morrow shalt thou be with me,  
Thou and thy sons, thus (Saul) thy kingdom stands,  
Thy host subdued, thyself of life bereft,  
And thou become the man whom God hath left.   

With this I fell despairful on my face,  
My strength was gone with fasting and with fear:  
O wretched man, deprived of God's grace,  
That mine own end with dread did trembling hear,  
To morrow he hath told me is the day  
That Philistines my sons and me will slay.   

Come fatal day, come cursed Philistines,  
The men of Israel now are forced to fly,  
My three dear sons their latest breath resigns,  
Mount Gilboa in thee their bodies lie,  
Abinadab, Melchisua, jonathan,  
I'll follow you with all the speed I can.   

See harness-bearer, th'archers have me found,  
I will not have them triumph in my death,  
Oh draw thy sword, I do entreat a wound,  
Show me the kindness to deprive my breath:  
Art thou afraid to shed thy Prince's blood?  
Why then myself will do myself that good.   

This mine own sword the instrument I'll make  
Of this my last and bloody sacrifice:  
Upon this point the world's farewell I'll take:  
Here the distressed King of Israel dies:  
He dies, that lest his foes should glorying stand,  
Will kill himself even ready to their hand.    

The Virgine-sacrifice of Duke Jepthah's daughter.  
THe mighty Marshal of the Israelites,  
In arms against contending Amonites,  
Soliciting th' Almighty for success,  
And whole depending on his powrefulnesse,  
When he towards Gilead in arms did pass,  
And thence to Mispah where proud Ammon was,  
Vowed if the victory he might obtain,  
'Gainst those that held God's people in disdain,  
And home return a conqueror in peace,  
His fervour to the Lord should so increase  
In gratitude, that in most humble wise,  
He to his Majesty would sacrifice  
What ere it were that his sight first beheld  
Come forth his door at his return from field.  
jephthah in conquest to his hearts desire,  
From Aroer a victor doth retire.  
But here behold the end of amon's slaughter,  
Gins the tragedy of his own daughter:  
To welcome him, all her endeavours strives,  
True love's most joyful when beloved thrives,  
With dances and with timbrels she doth meet him,  
And all the solace she can make to greet him.  
When he beheld his dear and only child,  
Surprised with grief, in raging humour wild,  
He rend his clothes, and unto heavens cried,  
Oh worse than death the sight I now abide,  
Thy presence all my fortunes doth confound,  
Within a sea of tears mine eyes be drowned:  
Most loving child, to God my vow is made,  
With sacrifice of thee it must be paid.  
Wherewith obediently she did reply,  
Grieve not so much dear father that 'tis I:  
To jacobs' God be faithful in your vow,  
Only kind father, unto me allow  
Two months of mourning, to bewail the state  
Of my virginity disconsolate:  
Even at the mountains will I go and mourn,  
And at the time appointed, thence return.  
His leave she had, with mournful maids attending,  
Each one her grief, and tears, and sorrow lending:  
Their virgin tears compassions rules did keep,  
They wailed for her, she mourned to see them weep.  
The time expired of her short stinted hours,  
To him that had the guide of Israel's powers,  
She meekly came, and with most willing mind  
For virgin-sacrifice herself resigned.   

David's combat with the Giant of Gath.  
YOu men of Israel, servants unto Saul,  
Goliath sounds defiance to you all:  
Your Sovereign and his host I do defy,  
Base Israelites, a Philistine am I.  
Behold my stature, 'tis six cubits long,  
My helmet brass, my coat of stuff as strong,  
All likewise brass, five thousand sickles weighed:  
My boots are brass, of brass my shield is made,  
My spears shaft, look upon it, and confess,  
A weavers beam in bigness, 'tis no less,  
The very head thereof iron and steel,  
Six hundred weight, as some of you shall feel.  
Bring forth your champion, single me a man,  
And I'll confess there's valour in you than.  
Give me a man I say, and let us fight,  
Amongst you all find one stout Israelite.  
When David heard this mighty man of Gath,  
With terror breathing out his ireful wrath,  
He did entreat a favour of the King,  
To combat that huge giant with a sling:  
No other weapon but a staff he took,  
And five smooth stones of choice out of the brook:  
So forth with courage resolute he went:  
The Philistine perceiving his intent  
To combat him, in stature but a child,  
Disdainfully in scoffing manner smiled,  
And said to David, What seem I to be?  
Belike a dog, thou bringst a staff for me.  
Now in the name of all the gods I serve,  
I curse thee, and as thou dost well deserve  
Thy flesh for meat, the birds shall present share,  
I'll with thy gobbets feed the fowls of th'air:  
Thy carcase on the sudden I will yield  
For beasts to prey upon that are in field.  
Thus did the Giant of his valour brag,  
While David took out of his shepherds bag  
A stone, and slang the same into his head,  
That he unto the ground fell groveling dead.  
Who when the Philistines beheld to fall,  
Dismayed in fearful manner, they fled all,  
And then that hand which the Almighty guided,  
With his own sword his head from's trunk divided:  
Thus did the simple, weak, upright and just,  
Subdue the strong that in his strength did trust.   

The true Map of a dogged Miser.  
FRom Pharan wilderness King David sent  
Ten of his young men, that to Carmel went  
With kind salute, to an unkind churl there,  
Nabal, who at that place his sheep did shear.  
Their Sovereign's message to the wretch they tell,  
And how his Majesty did greet him well,  
No curious cates they came for to demand,  
But what he pleased to give came next to hand.  
Nabal on them a frowning look bestows,  
And thus with tongue his dogged nature shows:  
What's David, that I should my victuals take,  
And give it runaways for David's sake?  
With Isay's son, pray what have I to do,  
Have I no use to put my meat unto?  
You may be vagabonds for aught I know,  
Upon such fellows nothing I'll bestow,  
Feed such as you? yes marry 'ttwere good reason,  
I have mouths of mine own to stop this season:  
Work and be hanged, earn it like other men,  
Is't provender you lack? pray labour then:  
Shall I take of my bread, my flesh and drink,  
And give to every rascal, do you think?  
No David's men, your master must provide,  
Such hungry sharks I never could adide:  
Want he that will, my shearers shall not lack,  
Empty you came, and so I pray go back:  
To him that sent you, tell him what I say,  
My food must be employed another way.  
This churlish answer did so much incense,  
David vowed death should guerdon the offence:  
Which when the wife of Nabal understood,  
She prudently prevented shedding blood,  
And with a present, speedily did meet him,  
Falling to ground even at his feet to greet him:  
Let not my Lord (said she) regard the man,  
At whose offence thy wrath so late began,  
Even with his name his nature doth accord,  
Folly is with him; but, my gracious Lord,  
Thy handmaid was not guilty of the crime,  
Nor did I see thy servants at that time:  
Success attend thee wheresoe'er thou go,  
Perish all they intent thy overthrow:  
Accept the present, which my humble thought  
In meekest duty to my Prince hath brought.  
Wherewith the kingly Prophet did reply,  
Thou hast prevailed, Nabal shall not die,  
I do reverse my doom: a gracious wife  
Hath saved a churlish, foolish, husband's life.   

The dead sleep of Sisara.  

Revengeful jabin, King of Canaan,  
Whose anceters great josuah had slain,  
To vex the Israelites with wars began  
At such time as in Hazor he did reign,  
His host by Sisara conducted was,  
Who did unto the river Kison pass.   

Nine hundred chariots under his command,  
When with ten thousand men near Thabor hill,  
Barac subduing them, had upper hand,  
And with the edge of sword his foes did kill:  
Sisara in distress constrained to light,  
Was forced upon his legs to take his flight.   

And as he fled, most fearful of his life,  
Disanimated full of cares increase,  
He came unto the tent of Habers wife,  
(For Habers house with jabin was at peace)  
jael went forth and met him on the way,  
And did entreat him to turn in and stay.   

Turn in, my Lord, quoth she, be not afraid,  
Repose thy weary limbs in jael's tent,  
For thou art welcome to thy poor handmaid:  
Then for a mantle presently she went  
To cover him, and such demeanour shows,  
That most secure he did himself suppose.   

Oh I am tired, said he, and overcome  
In weariness, and cares o'erwhelmed deep,  
I thirst for water, pray thee give me some,  
And then be sentinel while I do sleep,  
Stand at the door, and have a special care  
That none do intercept me unaware.   

If any chance to come inquire of thee  
Who thou hast here, or what guest is within,  
Answer him then that no man thou didst see,  
For at thy tent there hath no creature been:  
Perform this carefully at my request,  
And so he very sound fell to rest.   

The sleep of death he slept on jael's bed,  
For she a hammer and a nail did take,  
And drive it through the temples of his head,  
That never after he had power to wake:  
Thus he that from his foes his life did hide,  
By his supposed friend a woman, died.    

The Tragedy of Prince Absolom.  

AMbition, I embrace thee in mine arms,  
Sceptre and Crown are golden kingly charms,  
And have prevailed in my heroic mind,  
Unto a kingdoms rule, my heart's inclined,  
To be as high as Majesty can sit,  
Is the fair mark my thoughts desire to hit:  
Why then ascend to David's royal throne,  
Prince Absolom as King will sit thereon,  
To fit my head even with my father's crown,  
Keeps filial love and subject duty down:  
In Hebron let the trumpets sound proclaim me,  
And King of Israel let the Heralds name me:  
My ears allow to hear no other sound,  
But David is deposed, his son is crowned:  
Even in the city gates Isle causes hear,  
And steal the hearts of all the people there.  
Upon the courteous that obeisance show,  
A mild and sweet behaviour I'll bestow,  
Kindness by art I will accomplish rare,  
And how to please, shall be mine only care:  
I'll bow, I'll smile, I'll kindly give embrace,  
And show a cheerful look, a loving face.  
With David's government, dislike I'll find,  
Feigning much grief and passion of the mind,  
For every wronged and oppressed wight,  
And wish that I had power their cause to right:  
From Gilo for Ahitophel I'll send,  
And work that Counsellor to be my friend.  
With every sort making my faction strong,  
Which done, I'll do no right, nor take no wrong.  
My father grows already in disgrace,  
And Semei hath cursed him to his face,  
Threw stones at him, and did him thus upbraid,  
Come forth thou man of Belial, he said,  
The Lord hath brought revenge upon thy head,  
For all the blood that of saul's house is shed:  
This doth discourage him, animate me,  
And tells my soul that I a King must be.   

March on brave Isralites, resolved powers,  
Victoriously prevail, the day is ours,  
we'll pitch our battle in this Ephraim wood,  
Here let dead bodies glut the earth with blood,  
Here David's crown is either won or lost,  
Here in this place it must his kingdom cost,  
Here of our lives we will be prodigal,  
And that great monarch into question call:  
Draw forth your swords, let courage be their guide,  
The controversy of a crown decide,  
Either a King, and all my foes convince,  
Or let me not remain one hour Prince.  
Oh cruel battle, fatal bloody day,  
Unto my death some mortal wound make way.  
We are subdued, even twenty thousand slain,  
Our scattered bodies on the earth remain.  
What shall I do? or whither shall I fly?  
It is no matter, any where to die.  
For shelter into this huge wood I'll ride,  
Come on Despair, be thou misfortunes guide.  
Day turn to darkness, and entinguish light,  
And wrap my treason up in vapoury night.  
Let not a little bird presume to sing:  
Whither you trees, and leaves, and each green thing.  
Post on poor Mule, and spare no speed to run,  
Thy rider's race of life is almost done.  
My royal birth is now of no esteem,  
My rarest beauty will deformed seem:  
Vengeance is come, God's judgement lights on me,  
I am caught hold off by a senseless tree.  
For my ambition, thus I mount on high:  
For pride, my locks are ropes to hang me by.  
Yonder comes joab, now my end is near,  
He brings my death upon his bloody spear:  
Come pierce me, captain, rid this life from hence,  
Fearful my end, and grievous my offence.  
David's dear issue Absolom the fair,  
Hangs without mercy bleeding in the air.    

ahitophel's wisdom converted to folly.  
HOw is disgrace imposed upon my head,  
That for my counsel have been honoured?  
All Israel have said Ahitophel  
Speaks even as doth the heavenly oracle:  
'twas my advise, none plotted it but I,  
The Prince with's father's concubines should lie,  
And he embraced it, and it sorted well,  
For as our expectation was, it fell.  
And shall I chiefest statesman in the land,  
That still in high affairs have had a hand,  
Be crossed by Husai the Arachite?  
No, first upon myself shall vengeance light,  
I said 'twas best chose out twelve thousand men,  
And set on David, weary tired then  
That instant night, being overworn and weak,  
The hearts of all his people this would break:  
Upon my life it was the only way,  
Yet Husai hath crossed it with his nay:  
He says that David and his men be strong,  
theyare valiant, and have had experience long.  
And like a Bear robbed of her whelps they be:  
All this the Prince approves, rejecting me,  
Thus of my wont honour I have missed.  
But from this day, give counsel he that list,  
I'll home and take an order for my pelf,  
And then give counsel how to hang myself,  
My house shall be in order ere I die,  
Then for my life, another course have I:  
Though out of order to the world it seem,  
Despair and I thereof do well esteem:  
Not on my weapons point I mean to fall,  
As did the desperate King, resolved Saul:  
But to some fatal tree, I will repair,  
And hang my breathless body in the air.  
Life, I detest thee, thou art almost done,  
Time hold thy hand, with me the glass is run:  
Honour farewell, and in dishonour now,  
I will go hang thee up upon some bough.  
It was vain honour did my heart entice,  
And now i'll sell it for a halter's price:  
All I have learned in earthly honours school,  
Is, worldly wise man proves a heavenly fool.   

Salomons censure, in the two Harlot's controversy.  
TWo harlots striving with each other,  
Would both unto one child be mother,  
And did to Wisdoms King complain,  
That he true justice would maintain:  
My Lord (said one) justice I crave,  
Says other, justice let me have:  
We both within a house do lie,  
She had a child, and so have I,  
Between their births but three days space:  
(Pray hear me I beseech your grace)  
Her child (my Sovereign) in the night,  
Of life she hath deprived quite,  
She smoothred it as I suppose,  
And about midnight than she rose,  
I being fast asleep (God wots)  
My living child away she got,  
And thrust her dead one unto me,  
(This is as true, as true may be)  
When in the morning I did wake,  
Intending mine own child to take:  
And give it suck, I found it dead,  
Which when I did behold with dread,  
Viewing it well with weeping eyen,  
I plainly saw 'twas none of mine.  
The other harlot did reply,  
An't please your Grace, this is a lie,  
I never changed child for child,  
Neither will I be thus beguiled,  
To take hers dead for mine alive:  
Would God that I might never thrive,  
If that the living be not mine.  
Thou liest (said other) 'tis not thine,  
Thou shalt not, dame, delude me so,  
My loving babe I well do know,  
The very cheeks, the eyes, the nose,  
The mother's favour plainly shows,  
Thyself (I will be sworn) did say,  
'twas wondrous like me other day,  
And now forsooth it is your own,  
How shameless (Lord) this world is grown?  
My gracious Prince (says other) hear,  
Upon my soul (great King) I swear,  
If with this child she have to do,  
Then she is mother of them two:  
The dead child is her own in troth,  
Now this she claims, so she'll have both.  
I do deny the dead said she,  
The living child belongs to me:  
Oh God, art thou so void of shame,  
Another woman's fruit to claim?  
Wilt thou stand stout in that's untrue,  
And say my infant is thy due?  
When in thy conscience thou art sure  
The pains for it I did endure,  
The mother's grief when it was borne:  
Fie wicked woman, I would scorn  
To bear so bad and lewd a mind,  
I grieve thou art of woman kind.  
Then said the King, this strife I'll end,  
You both for one live child contend,  
That child I'll with a sword divide,  
And give to each of you a side,  
A just division I will make,  
And half a child shall either take.  
Then spoke the mother whose it was,  
Dread Lord let no such sentence pass,  
But rather with my heart I crave,  
The live child wholly let her have.  
Nay, but says other to the King,  
As thou hast spoke perform the thing,  
Nor mine, nor thine let it remain,  
But share it equal twixt us twain.  
Then said the King, the babe shall live,  
And to the mother I it give,  
Which I am sure thou canst not be,  
Because no kindness rests in thee.   

Cruel Queen jezabel turned unto dogs meat.  

WHat terror is my spirit vexed in?  
How doth Revenge sound doleful to mine ears?  
My soul's pursued with that same crying sin  
Of murder, Naboth fills my thoughts with fears.  
There is no horror like a troubled mind,  
As I accursed jezabel do find.   

Revenge for blood, I hear continual sound,  
Till vengeance comes, thus will it ever cry,  
My soul is lost to get a little ground,  
I caused the guiltless man, causeless to die:  
I wrote a letter in my husband's name,  
And only I the wicked plot did frame.   

By my advice a fast there was pretended,  
And Naboth placed, amongst the chiefest then  
Being suddenly accused to have offended  
By two suborned, lewd and devilish men,  
Who to the Elders did avouch this thing:  
The jezralite blasphemed God and the king.   

Upon this slanderous false accusing breath,  
He sentenced was to die with common voice,  
And presently they stoned him to death,  
Which I no sooner heard, but did rejoice,  
And went to Ahab, saying, joyful be,  
The vineyard now is thine, i'll give it thee.   

Going to take possession of the same,  
He meeteth with Elias by the way,  
Sent from the Lord, who tells him in his name:  
Hark bloody purchaser what God doth say:  
Hast thou both killed and got possession too?  
For this thy sin, mark what the Lord will do.   

Even in the place where dogs did lick the blood  
Of Naboth, to whose vineyard thou makest claim:  
Even in that place, the Lord hath thought it good,  
That dogs shall with thy blood perform the same:  
Evil on thee and on thy seed shall fall,  
From thee, to him makes water 'gainst the wall.   

And for thy wife, thus saith the God of power,  
Since she hath wrought such evil in his eyes:  
Dogs shall the flesh of jezabel devour,  
When by the city walls her carcase lies:  
In jezrael it shall be shortly seen,  
That dogs shall eat thy proud and painted Queen.   

Which punishment revenging jehu wrought,  
In rooting out the house of Ahab quite,  
joram he slew, and caused to be brought  
Unto the plot of ground was Naboths right,  
Then to the city did in triumph ride,  
Where me most wretched murderess he spied.   

My face was painted, even as pride would have it,  
My head attired to vanities content,  
Thus at a window I did stand to brave it,  
Said jehu, who is there to my side bend?  
With that were chamberlains at hand looked out,  
The instruments to bring my death about.   

He bade them throw me down, and so they did,  
They sent me with a vengeance to the ground,  
My blood dashed out, my life was sudden rid,  
Devouring dogs my flesh had quickly found,  
And with a Queen they filled their paunches full,  
Leaving but palms of hands, my feet and skull.    

The measuring of man's life by David's span.  
THreescore and ten, the age and life of man,  
In holy David's eyes seemed but a span:  
For half that time is lost and spent in sleep,  
So only thirty five for use we keep.  
Then days of youth must be abated all,  
Wise Solomon, childhood and youth doth call  
But vanity, mere vanity he says,  
All that doth pass us in our infant days:  
Our time of age we take no pleasure in,  
Our days of grief we wish had never been,  
Then sleep deducted, youth, and age, and sorrow,  
Only a span is all thy life doth borrow.   

Man's Salve, being wounded by temptation, Is to remember Christ his passion.  

THe wounds that jesus suffered for my sin,  
Are mouths that cry, Oh love him with thy heart:  
The thorns that pierced through his sacred skin,  
Are tongues, pronouncing Love is his desert:  
The torturing whips that did to anguish move him,  
Are echoes, sounding, Wretched sinner love him.   

There is no loss, that grief can get again,  
But loss of grace, sorrow may grace attain.    

Salomons good housewife, in the 31. of his Proverbs.  

HE that a gracious wife doth find,  
Whose life puts virtue chief in ure,  
One of the right good housewife kind,  
That man may well himself assure,  
And boasting say that he hath found  
The richest treasure on the ground.   

Who so enjoyeth such a love,  
Let him resolve with heart's consent,  
She ever constantly will prove  
A careful nurse, want to prevent,  
With diligence and painful heed,  
Preventing taste of beggars need.   

And while she lives will still procure,  
By true and faithful industry,  
T'increase his wealth, and to insure  
His state in all security:  
To seek his quiet, work his ease,  
And for a world no way displease.   

Her household folk from sloth to keep,  
She will endeavour with good heed,  
At work more wakeful than asleep,  
With flax and stuff, which housewives need  
To be employed, her hands also  
The way to work will others show.   

Her wit a common wealth contains,  
Of needments for her household store,  
And like a ship herself explains,  
That riches brings from foreign shore,  
Arriving with a bounteous hand,  
Dispersing treasure to the land.   

Before the day she will arise  
To order things, and to provide  
What may her family suffice,  
That they at labour may abide,  
If she have land, no pain shall want  
To purchase vines, set, sow, and plant.   

No honest labour she'll omit,  
In aught she can attain unto,  
But will endeavour strength and wit,  
Adding the utmost she can do:  
And if that profit comes about,  
By night her candle goes not out.   

A willing hand to the distressed  
She lends, and is a cheerful giver:  
Come winters cold and frosty guest,  
When idle housewives quake and quiver,  
She and her houshold's clothed well,  
The weather's hardness to expel.   

Her skill doth work fair tapistry,  
With linen furnished of the best:  
Her needle works do beautify,  
And she in scarlet costly dressed,  
When Senators assembled be,  
Her husband's honour there shall see.   

Her spinning shall her store increase,  
The finest cloth shall yield her gain,  
And daily profit shall not cease,  
Which her unidle hands maintain:  
Her clothing shall her worth express,  
And honours years her end possess.   

Her mouth shall never opened be,  
But wisdom will proceed from it:  
And such mild gracious words yields she,  
Sweetness upon her tongue doth sit:  
In age she will her care address,  
To eat no bread of idleness.   

Her children shall their duty show,  
Most reverent to her all their life,  
Her husband bless, that he did know  
The time to meet with such a wife:  
And uttering forth his happiness,  
Her virtues in this wise express.   

I know 'tis true that more than one  
Good housewife there is to be found:  
But I may say, that thou alone  
Above all women dost abound,  
Yea I protest in all my days,  
Thou art the first, and thee i'll praise.   

What thing is favour but a shade?  
It hath no certain lasting hour,  
Whereof is wanton beauty made,  
That withers like a summers flower?  
When these shall end their date in days,  
She that fears God shall live with praise.   

And such a wife of worthy worth,  
Due glories lot will to her fall,  
And great assemblies will give forth  
What virtues she's adorned withal,  
Her life's renown to fame shall reach,  
Her good example others teach.    

Salomons Harlot, in the 2. 7. and 8. chapped. of his Proverbs.  

A Harlot of the whorish kind  
Described by wisdoms King,  
Whose paths are crooked and whose ways  
Unto destruction bring:   

That impudent with shameless brow,  
Doth modest life detest,  
And of all brutish filthiness  
Insatiate is possessed,   

Is noted to be full of words,  
And doth the streets frequent,  
Not qualitied as Sara was,  
To keep within the tent.   

But haunts the city to be seen  
Of all that passeth by,  
Calls simple people void of sense,  
Her kindness to come try.   

Like curled and painted jesabel,  
She at her door will sit,   

Without are dogs, whoremungers, murderers,  
And whosoever loves or maketh lies,  
Graceless enchanters, and idolaters,  
For entrance unto these the Lamb denies,  
They are for horror and eternal woe,  
And must with trembling to destruction go.   

O sons of Adam, sinful race of clay,  
Most miserable blind deceived men,  
You scattered sheep that wander from the way,  
If this place be your fold, where stray you then?  
Why is your pace to heaven so slow and slack?  
Or rather, why from thence retire you back?   

O foolish lover of vain earthly things,  
Why seekest thou honour and promotion here?  
Which only care, grief and vexation brings,  
To build, to purchase, and let leases dear:  
join house to house, and pile up gold beside,  
Fixing thy thoughts on gain, thy heart on pride.   

Thou never canst attain ike blessedness,  
In the enjoying all thy sove can crave,  
Nor once come near taste of the happiness,  
That the least servant in God's house shall have:  
For in this holy city w●ere they live,  
Is treasure, which the world can never give.   

Which shall endure perpetually their lot,  
The lot and portion in the living land,  
A givers gift, whose purpose altars not,  
But for the length of endless time shall stand  
In all perfection and security,  
True holiness and perfect purity.   

When thou with this world's pomp and dignity,  
Which hereon earth did please thy soul so well,  
Shalt bear that same rich glutton company,  
Whose burial's in the dreadful vault of hell,  
Excluded from all mercy, comfort, grace,  
In that same endless, easeless, hopeless place.    

Time's swiftness.  
I Run, I fly, I never stand at shy,  
There's no recalling of me being past,  
Wise men take hold, and meet me in the way,  
fools first neglect, their late repent comes last:  
He that will use me to his endless gains,  
Must spend time well while he on earth remains.   

Man's neglgence.  
I Had a time in youth for learning's treasure,  
I had a time to have attaine● grace,  
I spent that time in world's bewitching pleasure,  
And wish for time now time hath turned his face.  
Time runs before, and instantly forsakes us,  
Death posts behind, and sudden overtakes us.   

Death's powerfulness.  
I Make all fear, that am a fearless creature,  
The world doth even tremble at my name,  
Ender I am of all begun by nature,  
Proud flesh and blood in graves of earth I tame:  
Though bitter unto many, sweet to some  
That loathe this life for love of life to come.   

A view of this world the Globe of Vanity.  

Look, mortals, on this stage of earthly things,  
View well the changes of inconstant time,  
Begin at poor men, and go up to kings,  
From humble hearts, to such as love to climb,  
From innocents, to such as live by crime,  
From low to high, from high again to low,  
What man is he would worlds delights forego?   

Oh fond felicity that all men find,  
On this unsettled pavement of the earth!  
Where's nothing but perplexity of mind,  
None proving still the period to our mirth,  
Back from our grave to our first hour of birth:  
Only this blindness doth some fools besot,  
They live in sorrow, and they see it not.   

For what's a King, or mighty potent Lord,  
That like a god, millions of people sways?  
That saves and kills with his commanding word,  
Whose will the flattrer soothes, and all obeys,  
Pray what's the pleasure of his kingly days?  
If he be good (as great men good is rare)  
His kingdom then is but his hourly care.   

What's a great conqueror, whose name is feared,  
Like Caesar, or the dreaded Tamburlaine?  
Who by his sword, Pyramids hath reared,  
With bones and scalps, and ensigns of the slain,  
Look on him well and find him merely vain,  
The fitttest Epithet for him is this,  
This mighty man, a mighty murderer is.   

What's a great traveler by sea and land,  
That doth survey the world with curious eye?  
And sees what wonders the Creator's hand  
Wrought in the deeps, in vales, or mountains hie.  
Who doth not think this traveler doth lie,  
Though he tell truth? then what's a greater shame  
For man to toil and get a liars name?   

What is it to be rich and pile up store,  
To build great houses, titling them our own,  
To have abundance, yet still covet more,  
To rise by many wronged and overthrown,  
What is all this when it is truly known?  
Misers oppress, build, gather, to this end,  
For unthrift heirs to ruin, spoil and spend.   

What is it to be great in people's eyes,  
And to be puffed up with their bubble praise?  
What is the issue of their vulgar cries,  
Their songs and rhymes, and high applauding lays?  
Here's only all, it shortens honours days:  
Whom the rude greet with shouts and garlic breath,  
The mighty hate, and hasten unto death.   

What is it to be fair, and so composed,  
That being earth, we yet seem angeline?  
To have in us all beauty's grace enclosed,  
And Venus' fools account us most divine?  
What is the end to be thus goodly fine?  
On beauty's brow is this inscription placed,  
'tis rare to find a person fair and chaste.   

What is it to be any thing indeed,  
That mortals in their dull conceits commend?  
What is it on the world's delights to feed,  
And have each vanity on us attend?  
Even nothing all, for here's of all the end,  
As we were borne with tears to live in pain,  
Death comes with sighs and takes us hence again.    

A sum of good desires.  
GReat God which hast all wisdom at commanding,  
Be in my head, inspire my understanding:  
Almighty God, the object of true light,  
Be thou director of mine eyes and sight:  
Dread God, whose word is sacred and divine,  
Be in my mouth, and guide this tongue of mine:  
Merciful God, the fullness of all grace,  
Be in my heart, and purge that filthy place:  
Eternal God, on whom I whole depend,  
Be at my last departing and mine end.   

Time's Epigram.  
STep Caesar on earth's stage, and act thy part,  
Show now what monarch of the world thou art:  
Let Alexander in his bones appear,  
That world's commander while he lived here.  
Come Nero with a sheet about thine ears,  
See who thy tyranny regards or fears.  
Achilles' rouse thyself from out thy tomb,  
And see what man will give thy weapon room.  
Hector, with that renowned Hannibal,  
What are you now but rotten fellows all?  
You had a time of greatness, now 'tis fled,  
And even as such had never been, y'are dead.  
I knew you when with dread you made men bow,  
Then died, turned dust, and so are nothing now.  
Even with the world's creation I began,  
And have seen all the course of sinful man,  
His state in Paradise that glorious place,  
His disobedience, and his fall from grace,  
His banishment forth Eden for offending,  
And so from age to age, all times descending,  
Until this instant year, six hundred five,  
All that are dead, and every one alive  
Is in my register, I note them well,  
There's not a deed they do, but Time can tell.  
Earth is a stage, and mortals actors be,  
That play before my fellow Death and me  
All tragedies, for not a day you have,  
But some are killed, and carried to their grave.  
There goes the King from his imperial seat,  
Even with the beggar, for to be worms meat:  
There noble and ignoble, fool and wise,  
Shall lie and rot till the first dead man rise,  
And there all that have been do certain show,  
That all which are to come, must thither go.   

What one man likes, another loathes.  

Unto himself as each man hath his mind,  
Several distinguished in his appetites,  
So are his thoughts as variously inclined,  
One liking these, another those delights:  
Some greedy hinds account the greatest pleasure  
Only consisteth in the gaining treasure.   

One loves no life, but where the trumpet stern,  
Breathes deadly summons to oppressive arms,  
Caring not where, 'gainst Spaniard or the Kern,  
So he may live in martial hot alarms:  
He with Typhoeus' dares to give adventure,  
To raise a mount, the frame of heaven to enter.   

One being wrapped with foreign admiration,  
Of laws, of customs, and of people's natures,  
Longing to know the climates variation,  
Of monuments remote to see the statures,  
How dangerous so ere delights to range,  
Till proof approves the worst in greatest change.   

Others to chase the timorous Hart delight,  
Cheering the hounds with horns rechanting blast,  
When some applaud the towering falcons flight,  
That now hath ceased the moore-bred Mallard fast,  
And some account as lost to be that day,  
When their estates they hazard not at play.   

But thou Calliope my Muse divine,  
Makest me neglect these fruitless vanities,  
Thou dost my spirits from gross earth refine,  
Making my thoughts at future glory rise,  
For when the hind, the soldier, wandering knight,  
Starves, falls, clay clothes, shall poesy give light.    

The Arraignment of the world at God's general Sessions.  

WHen that great day of sinners doleful fear,  
The day of judgement for the quick & dead,  
Shall bring to doom all deeds that ever were,  
With terror, trembling, horror, woe, and dread,  
The world shall be reduced to ashes quite,  
And all flesh stand amazed to see that sight.   

What man by tongue or pen can make it known,  
The horror that men's hearts shall then partake?  
When the great judge of men sits on his throne,  
And every one a just account must make,  
In this distressed state what's to be done?  
Which way shall sinners fly, or whither run?   

The Prophets do give witness to this day,  
And have affirmed it will certain come:  
Our Saviour warneth us to watch and pray,  
With preparation for that fearful doom,  
When sounding trump shall summon to appear,  
And yield account what lives we lived here.   

Both Death and Nature shall amazed stand,  
To see revived human creatures rise,  
The sea shall yield her dead, as well as land,  
All those that in her watery bosom lies,  
Must make appearance at the Angel's sound,  
As well as they had graves upon the ground.   

Then shall each secret conscience be revealed,  
The books of human life be opened wide,  
Not the least thought can pass away concealed,  
But all in public knowledge shall abide,  
All hidden things obscured within the heart,  
And each receive his merit and desert.   

What can the sin-defiled creature say?  
What advocate will serve his case to plead?  
Since the uprightest man that lives this day,  
Is debtor unto hell and endless dread,  
Worthy of nothing for his best done deeds,  
If God in justice 'gainst his sin proceeds.   

O thou that freely dost of mercy save,  
Uprightest judge, whom bribes cannot seduce,  
Pardon of thee on my soul's knees I crave,  
My guilt is great, and I have no excuse.  
Remember Lord thou didst to earth repair,  
Of sinful man thou hadst such loving care.   

Wilt thou permit (O Lord) thy grievous pain,  
Thy hunger, thirst, thy tortures, wounds and death,  
Shall all be spent on my poor soul in vain?  
Yea that same willing yielding up thy breath  
To God thy Father, to procure my peace,  
Shall utterly in power and virtue cease?   

Suffer not Lord, the true effect to perish,  
Of thy most bitter grievous bloody passion,  
My fainting spirit thereby revive and cherish,  
Thy bitter death's my sweetest consolation:  
Mild jesus, I most meekly do entreat,  
Show mercy on me from thy judgements seat.   

Guilty I am, my guilt I do confess,  
Therefore I sigh, and unto thee retire,  
Refuse me not, thy mercies are not less,  
Then when the thief obtained his desire,  
And sinful Magdalene did favour find,  
Thy pity is the same, thou still as kind.   

For in a danger so extreme as this,  
To whom for succour might I safely fly,  
To find assured comfort, and not miss?  
But unto thee thou supreme of the sky,  
Worthless my prayers to come before thy face,  
Unless thy mercy sit in justice place.   

Direct my feet that stray and wander wide,  
And shadow me with thy protections wings,  
Set me from goats, upon the right hand side,  
And place me where thy Saints and Angels sings,  
To speak thy praises with a heavenly voice,  
Where soul and body endless may rejoice.   
FINIS.