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With works of worth (good in a high degree)
Some infidels did such perfections show,
That by our best they hardly match'd can be,
Whil'st we admire their strength, our weaknesse
know,

And if my Maker's will not govern'd me
To aske no reason where I reverence ow

Oft would I grieve, and even strange thoughts em-
brace,

That such good natures should bave had no grace.

Though this strict course which parents thus did take,

To grace their charge, did but from rigour flow,
All (though they may not spoile, what God doth
make)

May boldly use what they so much doe owe;
Some Ethnickes' children, if we doe looke backe,
By piety did admirable grow:

"And onely then when just affections shine,
By being naturall, men doe prove divine.”

These Persian kings whom prophets' pennes re- Rude Corialanus, (high disdaine conceiv'd)

nowne,

What Ashur took did to God's flock restore,
And edicts made to build their church, and towne,
Both rendring theirs, and aiding them with more,
Of them two brothers (striving for the crowne)
With mutuall gifts kept kindnesse as before,
Yea, he who raign'd, the other grac't, and rais'd;
A rare example, never match'd, oft prais❜d.

Straight when one nam'd a message from the lord,
The wicked Eglon rose, (all pride supprest)
And (as he dream'd) with sacred robes decor'd,
When Greeks' great monarch saw the Jews' great
priest,

Their God (ere knowne) with reverence he ador'd,
And (as they crav'd) did leave their realme in

rest:

Such kings who God and his did thus respect,
May damne who God do know, yet him neglect.

Who parents' honour more then Gentiles sought?
All Sparta's youth to reverence th' ancients us'd;
That so his syre from bondage might be brought,
The gallant Cimon fetters not refus'd;
These two by Solon who were happy thought,
Did draw their mother's coach as horses chus'd:
Though (as was promis'd) not long life to try,
They in the temple (well employ'd) did dye.

More of their children Romans did exact,
Then God commands, or nature doth admit;
He from himselfe whom freedome did distract,
Did (his two sonnes accus'd) in judgement sit;
(Vnhappy he who ever prais'd the fact)
And them to death austerely did commit:
This, as their crime, Rome's state, his credit urg'd,
By some of force, best by himselfe was purg'd.

That valorous youth who strict command receiv'd,
(His father absent) for no fight to presse,
By courage flatter'd, and by th' enemies brav'd,
That for a battall did himselfe addresse;
His syre return'd, would no way have him sav'd,
But since his will, warre's right, he durst trans-
gresse,

Both as a victor, and a rebell made,

Wrong'd by a part of Rome, reveng'd on all,
When left by friends, by foes with joy receiv'd,
He made them quake who did the world appall;
And when no hope was how they might be sav'd,
"(Loe, nought save kindenesse can make courage
thrall)"

His mother's teares to melt his rigour serv'd,
Who lost himselfe that his might be preserv'd.

The weaker sexe, to piety more prone,
By rare examples, oft have beene renown'd,
When many murthers were bewail'd by none,
An isle's whole men in bloud by women drown'd,
The aged Thoas (stolne out from his throne)
His daughter sav'd, though next him to be crown'd,
Whose lord (though milde) one cruell did ac-
quire,

Who kill'd her children, where she sav'd her sire.

Where all were ill, that lady onely good,
Who though she had (of worth what wonders rife?)
Incestuous parents, brothers stain'd with bloud,
Time, state, sexe, race, oppos'd, with all at strife,
Blinde father led, griev'd mother's comfort stood,
Her brothers' funerals urg'd with ventred life:
In Thebes she altars more deserv'd to have,
Then one to wine, to lust another slave.

The Heaven's great monarch with such favour fram'd
His law to nature, nature to his law,
That even in parts where he was never nam'd,
At least his precepts where they never saw,
To bragge of good, of evill to be asham'd,
A borne instinct, depth in each brest did draw:
As some from vice strict statutes did restraine,
Some freely vertuous, did great glory gaine.

Those two brave princes first for worth and place,
The glory of the Greeke and Persian states,
And of Rome's brood, the best for warre, or peace,
Who (Carthage conquering) stablish'd floting fates,
Those three (at fortune's height, whom youth did
grace,)

Had captives noble, gallant, fayre, great baits:
Yet them not wrong'd, though won, and from their
foes,

Caus'd first to crowne, and then strike off his head. But sav'd their honour, and asswag'd their woes.

Thus (whil'st admir'd) Rome's liberties first lampe,
And her sterne captaine, daunting nature farre,
Th' one in the towne, the other in the campe,
Left rare examples both for peace and warre,
Which eminent in every minde did stampe
The reverence due to them that rulers are;
"Too fond on fame, or in their course sincere,
Good citizens, but fathers too severe."
VOL V.

That hunter stout, the forc'd Amazon's sonne,
Though tempted oft by most unlawfull lust,
He not by threatnings, nor allurements wonne,
Liv'd godlesse, godly, where no law was, just,
Yet one (bul's sister right) enraged runne,
To worke his death, abus'd his father's trust:
Till him fierce horses, rent, not tainted still,
A martyr's image for not doing ill.

Аа

He who was sav'd when lost, and lost when sav'd,
Who did his father kill, and mother wed,
Was still (thoughts pure) not guilty, but deceiv'd,
For, when he knew where errour had him led,
(His eyes pull'd out, no comfort more receiv'd,)
A greater griefe repentance never bred :

As kings from law, free (as unknowne) from shame,
Yet (his owne iudge) he no excuse would frame.

That powerfull speaker, who did Lais leave,
And scorn'd to buy remorse at such a rate,
Last may to plead against those Christians crave,
Sold to their owne, and others' Insts of late,
In sinne's exchange, who filthy traffique have,
(Save what she gave, they sell) vile Sodome's mate:
But those are worse, by an imposed price,
Who farme God's statutes, and doe value vice.

As onely jewell which doth it array,
Shame's crimson ensignes, beautie's credit save;
The vestall virgins who from fame did stray,
(Straight buried quicke) to thousands terrour gave;
These who still pure, in their first state did stay,
Were carried, crown'd, in triumph to the grave:
Then valour, shamefastnesse more praise deserves,
That doth force others, this it selfe preserves.

That second sexe, if as the first, as free,
To burst out all which bashfull thoughts restraine,
For continency in a high degree,

The Gentiles' scroules a number would containe;
But women all in this unhappy be, [gaine,
None knowes, save one, what praise they sometime
Who, with his vice, their vertue keepes unknowne,
And onely they get fame when quite orethrowne.

If scaping Tarquin, Lucrece quite obscure,
Would have conceal'd the foule attempt for shame,
And, loth more harme or scandall to procure,
Had had (if chast) for chastity no fame,
But when deflowr'd to prove her selfe still pure.
So to prevent an ignominious name :
Steele onely help'd, shame gave the wound indeed,
The modest matron did but blush, not bleed.

What women have their mates more dearely lov'd,
Then she whose death redeem'd Admetus' life?
Then she whose part the burning embers prov'd;
Then pale Paulina, in a generous strife?
Then she (high courage by affection mov'd)
Who said, (when having try'd the fatall knife)
"Have, have, deare Pætus, this gives me no paine,
But when thou wound'st thy selfe, then am I slaine?"

What course for chastnesse can more glory claime,
Then thrall'd Virginia's, virgin still to stand,
On honour's altar, offred up to fame,
Forc'd for affection, by the father's hand,
Who chus'd no childe to have, ere one with shame,
As courage, rage, and vertue did command:
Syre, lover, luster, childe, whose part was chiefe,
For kindenesse, madnesse, high disdaine, and griefe?
The Gentiles' mindes with lofty fancies great,
Though violent, and subject oft to change,
They did encroach by strength on every state,
Whil'st bent for conquest, glory, or revenge,
Yet loath'd they gaines, which grew by base deceit,
With Spartans onely stealing was not strange :
But, though too sharpe their youth ore-look'd a
space,

All when surpris'd, were punish'd with disgrace.

Of sinnes discharg'd, though theft the least would

seeme,

Not against God, but men, scarce that indeed,
Not life, nor honour, what they may redeeme,
Perchance superfluous, and another's need,
Yet then to kill, scorne parents, lust, blaspheme,
This both more danger and disgrace doth breed:
Ah, earthly drosse the greatest care imparts!
Theeves, but men's goods, their goods doe steale
their hearts.

Some Ethnickes were so farre from robbing ought, Or coveting what was another's right,

That what they had by birth, by gift, or bought, They spar'd to spend for pleasure as they might. But (whil'st their lives were vertue's mirrors thought)

They by rare temperance reach'd perfections height: Whil'st bodie's needs, minde's treasures they pursu❜d, They first themselves, and then the world subda'd.

That famous Thales, one of seven, thought wise,
The golden badge who each to other gave,
When some him scorn'd, who riches did despise,
As what himselfe not able was to have,
His pregnant sprite new traffique did devise,
Which (when enrich'd) he straight, as loath'd, did
leave:

To show good wits, might such things quickly gaiue, But should their strength for greater treasures straine.

That city sack't, whereas his wealth was thought,
Then Croesus, or then Crassus richer he,
Who said, when ask'd if he were rob'd of ought,
By one who purpos'd it restor'd should be,
of fortunes some, of minde, he could rob nought,
My treasure where I goe is still with me:
Such goods indeed divine should wit bewitch,
Which (th' owners not more poore) make others
rich.

The world's great conquerour, conquer'd did re-
[maine,
By him who was within his tub retir'd,
Since holding nought of him, as in disdaine,
To let the Sunue shine free, who him requir'd;
Whil'st those about scarce could their wrath re

straine,

The king cry'd out, as who his course admir'd:
"If Alexander not, this so moves nie,
That I, no doubt, Diogenes would be."

This show'd the greatnesse of that monarch's minde;
They must be all philosophers or kings,
Who would the world to serve their humour binde,
So to contemne, or to command all things;
As few the one, all may the other finde,.
And what first had the most contentment brings:
Great conquests trouble, where contempt may please,
The one yeelds glory, and the other ease.

Who Greece did grace, the best man whom she bred,
To worke his friend's content, his enemie's harmes,
Who made the Thebans of their neighbours dread,
By active studies, philosophicke armes,
Who left for children, conquests where he led,
And dy'd victorious, compast with alarmes :
He was though still in charge, and honoured most,
(As poore) when dead entomb'd at common cost.

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O Nature's glory, Fortune's phenix, stay!
I must admire that which I seldome see,
Though (when once rais'd) thy vertue might make

way.

How could'st thou, poore, grow great, great, not

rich be?

Heaven to the world this wonder would bewray,
That poverty and greatnesse might agree:

But though thy worth, the time, the state conspir'd,
So poore a magistrate might be admir'd.

In trust with money, Cato's care was such,
That he himselfe, not onely did no wrong,
But in his shadow would let no man touch,
What any way did to the state belong;
This man's integrity renown'd so much,
Then Cæsar (as more just) esteem'd more strong:
It many thousands may one day accuse,
Who (questors) did their charge corruptly use.

Rome's ancient consuls from the plough retir'd,`
To fight great kings, and conquer forraine states,
In food and garments meane, for minde admir'd,
= Did scorne gold offred, loath corruption's baits,
Where some (though knowing God) to wealth as-
pir'd.

By treason, usury, and all deceits:
If the first Cato doth in Hell remaine,
He may be censor to appoint their paine.

Bloud was so odious in each Ethnicke's sight,
That who did kill (as inhumane) none lov'd,
Save when just warre, or law, whil'st ballanc'd right,
Did kindle courage, or the judgement mov'd;
The wise Pericles, though long great, he might
As foe, or judge, have fierce or rigorous prov'd,
He bragg'd, when dying, that in Athen's towne,
None, by his meanes, had worne a mourning gowne.

Farre from tast-pleasing charmes which harme us
must,

(So as more simple, I doe thinke lesse bad)
They who of soules did transmigrations trust,
All cruelty in such a horrour had,

That they would neither kill for sport, nor lust,
What moov'd, or felt, for ought which suffred, sad:
These who abhorr'd by death, to nurse their life,
With lewes who grudg'd for flesh, may stand in
strife.

Milde lenity in Sicile's tyrant shin'd,

When one (though damn'd to dye) enlarg'd a space,
If not returning at the time assign'd,
Did binde a friend, his danger to embrace,
And when come backe, with a most generous
minde,

He did redeeme his pledge, and urg'd his place:
That man (though mercilesse) a pardon gave,
And with such two, to be a third did crave.

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They who inrag'd did tyrannize in Rome,
With that black band in judgement once may come,
And all who from their mindes did pitty barre,
And may in justice plead a milder doome,
Who call'd inquisitors tormentors are,
Nor these in cruelty who passe them farre;
Since then strange tortures which they frame of late,
None us'd on th' Earth, nor fain'd in Hell more great.

Of Christians' scandall, infamie of men,

You sheepe in show, but ravenous wolves indeede,
Whilst vow'd religious, irreligious then,
Who fayne devotion whilst you mischiefe breede,
And doe detest the persecutions ten,
Yet by one endlesse doe them all exceede;
Who make religion as an art of evills,

A privilege for men to turne quite devills;

You who (breath weigh'd as winde, and blood as
Ambiguously æquivocating rave,

[dust)

Who vent out faith to trafficke so for trust,
Glose on an oath, with warrant doe deceave,
Then you, earst Gentiles, Barbars now more just;
If lesse religion, yet more faith they have;
Marke what of theirs may once upbraid your shame,
Who have no sence of sinne, nor care of fame.

To those of Athens once a course propos'd,
Which (as he told who onely heard it nam'd)
Great profit might afford, but if disclos'd,
As monstrous was as any could be dream'd,
They (though a multitude) all well dispos'd,
Ere further known that purpose quite disclaim'd;`
What thing so worthie as would be defrai'd,
By honour's losse to bitter tongues betraid?

That stout Athenian whom great Xerxes sought,
Who (twise deluded) had his death design'd,
(His memory did so torment his mind) [bought,
And long the same would with great summes have
Save that he thought a generous foe to find;
Yet came to him though warranted by nought
Not like to them who from faith given have swerv'd,
Who trusted him (though hated) he preserv❜d.

Those two whose rigour first did Rome displease,
Who long great captaines, last great tyrants grew,
Whilst bent what way to murther with most ease,
Of those one once, on whom foes sought to seaze,
By papers one, by signes another slew ;
Fled to his rivall danger did eschew;

And he, though cruell, false, and his chiefe foe,
Yet would, when trusted, not take vengeance soe.

Fabricius did his enemy advise,
And with great scorne his judgement did despise,
That his phisitian poyson did intend,
Who had foes just, a traytour to his friend;
And this to doe nought else did him entise,
But that no crime might his reproach pretend;
This man all treason did abhorre soe much,
That even suspition could his fame not touch.

Rome's second founder, who Gaule's rage did stay,
When by assault, a citty bent to take,
A schoole-master his students did betray,
He who did loath to vanquish such a way, [back,
Their parents soe all supplicants to make;
Him naked straight, them stor'd with rods, sent
That they his stripes with interest might restore,
All beating him, who did beate them before.

Wheh Zamae's field had chang'd Italian fates,
Whilst there conferr'd (not fear'd to be deceav'd)
The two great leaders of the rivall states,
Of warre's chiefe chiefes the Carthaginian crav'd,
He plac't himselfe next two of former dates,
Whilst, though not nam'd, his foe more praise re-
ceav'd,

To whom he told, if not ore-com'd by thee,
Then I had thought my selfe first of the three.

A law too popular bent to have crost,
Whilst all the senate was conjur'd in one,
When Marius fail'd, in whom they trusted most,
That all with him from their first course were gone,
Then brave Metellus not his courage lost,
But us'de those words, not yeelding when alone,
"A pilot's part in calmes can not be spi'd,
In dangerous times true worth is onely tri'd."
To part the world those who did first agree,
When in bis shippe for nought save feasting stor'd,
One offered was by seising upon three;
Of all their empires to bee ouely lord;
But weighing duty in a high degree,
To stray from faith that infidell abhorr'd;

That pretious pledge, that voluntary band,
Both heavenly, earthly, necessarily us❜d,
Which can the key of hearts, of Heavens command,
A beauteous virgin, vile when once abus'd,
Who prostituted now in every land,

For feare of fraud, when offered, is refus'd,
Since she corrupted serv'd to snare the just;
Wrong'd confidence more harmes, then cold distrust.

Base avarice, matcht with ambition blind,
(Faith forfeiting) have so ennobled art,
That in this age the differing two might find,
Fit cause for each of them to act his part,
He who still laugh'd, yet nothing did allow,
He who still weeping at each thing repin'd;
If th' one scorn'd folly, th' other evills would waile,
For both of them fitt objects would not faile.

Ah, save those two what can the world afford!
One would still sway, the other sinke the mind,
Yet who mockes all with most delight is stor'd,
No moment's pleasure can the other find;
Who laughes, he lives, as if of all things lord;
Who weepes, himselfe a slave to all doth bind;
"But follies all to miseries doe turne, [mourne."

And (though thus tempted) from his faith not fell; And he shall hence have joy, who heere doth

In this, this Pompey, Cæsar did excell.

A number such as I have marked here,
Of vertue zealous, jealous of their fame,
Who held both faith, and mutuall duties deere,
Did treason loath, and all what fraude did frame,
At last in judgment boldly may compeere,
Those who more knowledge had the more to blame,
What men did cov'nant, what God did command,
Both humane, divine, who brake every band.

He who chang'd nature's course, did nations daunt,
Who made great hostes to flie, the Sunne to stay,
He even to those whom purpos'd to supplant,
Like to provoke who did him first betray,
Did firmely keepe what he did rashly graunt:
"None can his owne, by others' faults defray:
To violate an oath all should forbeare, [sweare."
And thinke (though not to whom) by whom they

O what great losse did Christians once receave!
By Ladislaus, urg'd to be perjur'd, [crave,
Whilst Turkes from Christ for vengeance due did
Since he (by him prophan'd) had beene injur'd ?
Was he not false who freed one to deceave?
But though his pardon, God's was not procur'd;
"Those who with strangers upright not remaine,
Do both themselves and their religion staine."
Then shall the maske from monsters be remoov'd,
Who keepe whilst cruell piety in show,
And false to friends, to princes traitors prov'd,
The bonds of nature (vipers vile) orethrow,
With fire in darknesse ominously lov'd,
Who (Nero's wish) would kill all with one blow;
Like rebells bent to cloake rebellion still,
Who faining God to serve, his servants kill.

That which can reach to Heaven, and God embrace, The soule's chiefe treasure whilst kept free from staine,

On Earth a vertue, and in Heaven a grace,
Which flow'd from God, we fixe on him againe,
Religion's oracle, the ground of peace,
Which onely serves all trust to entertaine;
"If wanting faith, of good exhausted then,
None can converse with God, nor yet with men."

These Gentiles thus who great examples gave,
And though not godly, given to vertue liv'd,
Though aym'd at oft, could not the centre have,
Hoys'd all their sailes, but at no port arriv'd,
Their deeds damne others, but themselves not save,
For their owne glory, not for God's, who striv'd;
And (as they hop'd) the world did give them fame,
But since not sought, they can no further claime.
They who on Earth did with great pleasure passe,
That time and course which fates (they thought)
decreed,

And when death did dissolve this mortall masse,
Would guesse, or else dispute, what should succeed,
Whil'st (as first shining) breaking last like glasse,
If soules immortall were, they doubts did breed:
Yet by their fancies freed themselves from paines,
To walke with joy along'st th' Elysian plaines

What cold amazement then their mindes confounds,
Whil'st from his tombe each one astonish'd starts,
And heares strange trumpets (thundring forth dread
Cite naked bodies, yea with naked hearts, [sounds)
The flying serjeants circling flaming rounds,
So to assemble people from all parts;
At that tribunall which with terrour shines,
To give account of all their soule's designes.

Yet when they heare who liv'd in light accus'd
Of crimes more odious then they did commit,
And that their deeds, as arguments are us'd
To damne them more, who worse did use their wit,
In hope their ignorance should be excus'd,
By that great ludge (who lightning flames) doth sit:
It seemes (whilst this some comfort first implyes)
A little courage from despaire doth rise.

They by all shifts doe seeke themselves to cleare,
Whom nought from errour offred to reclaime,
"Had we (say they) O Lord but chanc'd to heare,
As Ninive a prophet in thy name,

No doubt (disdaining what we hold most deare)
Thy word had serv'd rules for our deeds to frame:
As they with sack-cloth, humbled in the dust,
We griev'd for sinne, had fix'd in thee our trust.

Are (naked now) throng'd in a vulgar band.

"Of thee what people could more knowledge have, | Who usher'd oft with guards, did gorgeous stand,
Then by thy selfe had at the first been showne?
Who could give backe more then they did receive?
Or honour thee whom they had never known?
Ah, how could we the light of nature leave,
Or whil'st thy will was bid, but use our owne?
Shall we be judg'd by lawes, not given to us,
What not commanded, violating thus?"

That looke which can cure some, wound others too,
As Peter's comfort, doth breed their despaires;
They finde that what their rebell syre did doe,
Had forfeited himselfe, and all his heires, [wooe,
A prince when wrong'd should not vile traitours
But when entreated (hearkning to their cares)
Is (if he grant of grace, that they may live)
Milde if he doe forgive, just not to give.

Of our first father, of grosse earth the sonne,
(Fruits of forbidden fruits which all concerne)
As did the crime, the costly knowledge wonne,
Went to his race, which without bookes all learne,
So that thenceforth bright wisedome was begunne,
Which of all things with judgement might discerne,
And (rotten branches of a poison'd root) [fruit.
Each soule doth hatch some seeds of that blacke
The fatall heires of knowing ill and good,
Ere statutes grav'd in stone were set in sight,
How God was pleas'd, or griev'd, they understood,
As the first errour did direct them right,
So that all those who were before the floud,
Were damn'd, or sav'd, judg'd by innated light:
That science rob'd, which Nature's law did prove,
Of ignorance all colour did remove.

O! how the Ethnickes then with grievous moanes,
For desp'rate anguish roaring, horrour howle,
A heavy murmur, with rebounding groanes,
Doth breathe abroad the burthen of each soule;
Some who of late had been enstall'd in thrones,
Are then abhorr'd, as Stygian monsters foule :
O what strange change is at an instant wrought!
Most wretched they, who had been happy thought.

DOOMES-DAY;

OR,

THE GREAT DAY OF THE LORD'S IVDGEMENT.

THE SIXTH HOURE.

THE ARGUMENT.

Some who themselves prophanely did defile,
And gave to creatures what to God was due;
Some whom with bloud, ambition did beguile,
Who honour sought where horrour did ensue,
Doe here with witches meet, and strangely vile,
Some parricides and traitours in a crue,
Who wanting all that unto grace belong'd,
Most vainely God, man violently wrong'd.

SOME who below with pomp their progresse past, Of what they once claim'd all, no part possesse; Who (scarce confin'd by all this compasse vast) As straited, strugling for more roome did presse, They now not strive for state, all would be last, By ruine levell'd, equall in distresse :

Two troupes' great terrour cannot be conceiv'd,
Which (as in sinne) in judgement joyn'd remaine;
In image this, in essence that God brav'd,
His honour given away, his servants slaine;
Th'one (furious) rag'd, and th' other (foolish) rav'd,
None thought in all so many to have seene,
Prophanely cruell, cruelly prophane :

As murth'rers and idolaters have beene.
Of monstrous bands, I know not whom to name,
For labours past, who then receive their wage,
As stain'd with bloud, or wrapt in guilty shame,
Whil'st loos'd in lust, or bended up by rage,
Not knowne to me by sight, no, not by fame,
There numbers come, drawne out of every age:
Yet some most eminent may be exprest,
To make the world conjecture of the rest.

I see that churle (a godly stocke's first staine)
Whose avarice no limits had allow'd,
His daughters bawd, both prostitute for gaine,
To coosned Iacob sold, but not endow'd;
He, though with him God's prophet did remaine,
Who to dumb blockes abhominably bow'd:
Shall then behold his throne with state eréct'd,
Whom all his race had serv'd, and he neglect'd.

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