A POEM UPON The New Marble STATUE Of His Present MAJESTY, Erected in the Royal Exchange: By the Society of Merchants Adventurers OF ENGLAND: TOGETHER With a Copy of the Inscription UPON THE pedestal.  
London, Printed for Randal tailor, near Stationers-Hall. 1684.   

Upon the New STATUE OF HIS MAJESTY Erected in the Royal Exchange.  

HAIL Noble Founders of this vast Design!  
Hail Thou the Artist who with Skill Divine,  
Couldst shapeless Rock to this Perfection bring,  
Worthy such generous Subjects, such a King.  
See, brave Adventurers with Triumph view,  
What Miracles united Zeal can do.  
What wonders loyal Gratitude can raise,  
That thus makes lifeless ston speak Caesar's Praise!  
Where, with the 
The Arms of the three Kingdoms carved upon the Sides of the Pedestal.  Emblems of his power, are seen,  
His God-like Features and majestic mien.  
Nor does this Piece that single Glory Claim,  
It speaks with Caesar's, yours and Britains famed;  
That now can of a nobler Statue boast,  
Than 
The Esteem that the Ancients had for Pictures and Statues of great Masters is incredible: of which we have this famous Instance. When Demetrius had laid close Siege to a chief Town in the Isle of Rhodes; he first prepared to set Fire to some Buildings without ●he Walls: which were slenderly defended; whereupon the People within the Town sent to him to make an Assault upon the City with all his Force, which if he could take by Storm the Buildings without would be his own; but if he proceeded to set Fire to them, he would destroy that famous Piece, framed by Protogenes, erected there. Which when it was once lost, their Town was not worth his taking. Upon this Information, in reverence to that Work, he withdrew his Forces and spared the Town.  Italy preserved, or Greece e're Lost.   

Methinks I see Posterity survey  
( For sure such Sacred work can ne're decay)  
This Marble-Caesar, with such God-like Grace;  
As both Adorns and Consecrates the Place.  
I hear them descant on his aweful Brow,  
And Features that majestic terror throw,  
Yet with such condescending Goodness joined,  
Displaying all the Mercies of his Mind,  
That those Records they'll hold as false and vain,  
That-register'd the Troubles of his Reign.   

There was a Day( let Time for ever mourn  
In Night, ere such another Day return)  
That on our Monarchs sacred Form employed,  
A Rage more dire than what his Life destroyed:  
The first assayed a Monarch's Blood to spill,  
The Second, Monarchy itself to kill!  
But late repenting years his 
The Statue of His late Majesty erected( instead of that which was demolished) by remarkable Accident, pointing to the Centre of the Exchange, where the new Figure of present Majesty is placed.  Image raised  
More for the Zeal than Workman's Labour praised;  
Yet by divine Instinct the Piece seems framed,  
And for th' Event for ever shall be famed,  
Directly pointing with the Scepter'd Hand,  
Where present Caesar does in Triumph stand,  
While the transported Figure seems to say,  
Look Britains, our established Heir survey;  
See how th' Assaults of Faction are in vain;  
My Race, Heavn's Choice, over Albion still must Reign;  
If from no other Source your Love will spring,  
Let interest reconcile you to your King.  
Since, in all frantic Changes you have past,  
heaven first disliked, and you yourselves at last,  
From thence at least let now your Duty spring;  
Know your own interest and Obey your King.   

Once more, ye brave Adventurers all Hail!  
So may th' Example you have set, prevail;  
Till each Society like yours shall join  
( While yet we have an Artist so Divine)  
To re-install each 
The Statues of English Kings destroyed in the general Conflagration.  Monarch in his Shrine.  
While we the rising Figures shall admire,  
( As from the Worlds last flamme) more glorious for the Fire!  
Till of Rome's Capitol th' Exchange has odds,  
Our British Kings out-shine the Roman Gods.   

All must confess who this warm Piece behold  
That Marble now more precious is than Gold;  
As if the Carver, with 
Reported by the Poets to have framed a Marble Nymph with which He fell in Love, and laying it to his Breast the Statue took Life.  Pigmalion's Art,  
Did, while he framed the Limbs, the Soul impart.  
He grew ennamour'd on his own Design,  
But, modest GIBBONS, all the World on Thine.   

This Honour with just Gratitude is paid  
By the first Masters of the Oceans Trade.  
No less the Figure with the Place agrees,  
Where else should stand the Monarch of the Seas?  
Then let the World's united Treasure meet  
T' enrich Their Bank, with each returning Fleet,  
Who lay their Hearts and Wealth at Caesar's Feet.    

The Inscription,  

CAROLO II. Caesari Britannico;  
Patriae Patri;   

Regi optimo, clementissimo, augustissimo;  
Generis Humani Deliciis,  
Utriusque Fortunae victory;  
Pacis Europae Arbitro;  
Maris Domino ac Vindici;   

Societas Mercatorum Adventur. Angliae  
Quae per CCCC jam prope  
Annos regia Benignitate floret,   

Fidei intemeratae Gratitudinis aeternae  
Hoc Testimonium  
Venerabunda posuit.   
Anno Sal. M.DCLXXXIV.