Ecclesiastes, othervvise called The preacher Containing Salomons sermons or commentaries (as it may probably be collected) vpon the 49. Psalme of Dauid his father. Compendiously abridged, and also paraphrastically dilated in English poesie, according to the analogie of Scripture, and consent of the most approued writer thereof. Composed by H.L. Gentleman. Whereunto are annexed sundrie sonets of Christian passions heretofore printed, and now corrected and augmented, with other affectionate sonets of a feeling conscience of the same authors.

Sonnets of the Author to diuers, collected by the Printer. And first to the Lords of her Maiesties priuie councell.

To the right H••. and most reuerend father in God, my Lord Archbishop of Canterbury his grace.

IF Dauid did in passion iust arise, When he recorded his exiled state, Compar'd with happier Swallowes, which deuise To build their nests so neare the Temple gate: May I not mourne, to see the world alate, So swarme with bookes, which euery where do fly, Whose subiects as most base might merit hate, (Though curious braynes their wits therein apply) When better matters buried long do ly, For lacke of fauourers or protectors grace? May I not take occasion thus to try My pen, and craue that you the same imbrace? Yes sure, world knowes, you can, and will protect The cause, why God and Prince did you erect.

To the Right Ho. Knight, Sir Thomas Egerton, Lord Keeper of the great Scale of England.

VVHat fame reports (by mouth of good and wise) It is not flattery to record the same. The publike eccho of your prayse doth rise, That you by iustice ballance iudgement frame: Then may you not, my pen of boldnesse blame, If it present to your impartiall eye, This holy worke, to shield it with your name, Which may among prophane in daungerly. Wise Salomon, childs parent true did try, And Daniell false accusers fraud bewray, By searching hearts affects, and words, whereby Ones fained loue, the others guilt to way: So iudge this worke, and him shall it depraue; So I desire, you iustice prayse shall haue.

To the right Hon. the Lord Burghley, Lord high Treasurer of England, one of the most Noble order of the Garter, &c.

IF Romaines held Sibillaes workes so deare, Because they from Deuining spright did grow; More precious present then, receiue you here, Which God on king, king did on world bestow. Our Sibill you, our Salomon we know, And so your words and workes the world doth prise: To vertue you, your selfe a father show; Hence honor yours, hence countries good doth rise: Then this (no fiction that man doth deuise, But built on best experience life can bring) With patience reade, and do it not despise; Y•••• wise experience can confirme each thing: It is not rated as Sibillaes were, But (priz'd by you) it will the value reare.

To the Ri. Ho. the Earle of Esse••, Great Master of the Horse to her Highnesse, and one of the most Noble order of the &c.

NOt Neptunes child, or Triton I you name, Not Mars, not Perseus, though a Pere to all; Such word I would find out or newly frame, By sea and land might you triumphant call, Yet were such word for your desert too small: You Englands ioy, you en'mies terror are; You vices scourge, you vertues fenced wall: To Church a shield, to Antichrist a barre. I need not feare my words should stretch to farre, Your deedes out-fly the swiftest soaring pen, You praise of peace, th'vndaunted powre of warre, Of heauens elect, the happieloue of men: Not knowing then, How to expresse my mind; Let silence craue, this gift may fauour find.

To the Ri. Ho. the Lord Charles Howard of 〈…〉〈…〉 Admirall of England, one of the most Noble order of the garter, &c.

VVHen as wise Salomons most happie raigne, Is registred in bookes of holy writ; His greatnesse seemes increase of honour gaine, By store of worthy Peeres his state which fit, Whose excellence of courage and of wit, His Impery'causd with wealth and peace abound, Whose heads and hands, did neuer idle sit, But seeking commons good, through world around, By sea and land their swords free passage found, Which subiects safetie bred, and feare to foe; Like fame vnto our Prince, you cause to sound; Both farre and neare, whilst you victorious goe: For which her trust, our loue to you is due, As pledge whereof, I this present to you.

To the Right Ho. the Lord Cobham, Lord Chamberlaine of her Maiesties houshold, Lord Warden of the Sink ports, and of the Noble order of the Ga••ter. &c.

GIftes are not measur'd by the outward show, Nor by the price, of Peeres of Noble kind; They shadowes are, the harts intent to know, And simple figures of a faithfull mind: Then since your vertues high, all hearts do bind, To striue to testifie their grate intent, Vouchsafe suppose, my powre cannot yet find A present fit as will and heart was bent: And what king (writing once) thought time well spent, That reade you once, as thing of some regard: His mind ment well, that it vnto you sent, Time not spent ill, in view thereof is spard: If it more worth, I more loue could expresse, My due regard of you should yeeld no lesse:

To the Right Ho. the Lord North, Treasurer of her Maiesties houshould.

I May not say, I shun to shew my want Before your selfe, whom I true noble hold, Since I to others haue not made them scant, And may of meaner men be well controld: This common guilt of mine, makes me more bold To prosecute the error I begunne, Who craue your fauour not my faults vnfold, Although my folly ouer-rashly runne: If with the best they haue a pardon wonne, They may the boldlier passe the common view: What Princes like, the people hold well done, And fame in passage doth her force renew: Which good or bad, your censure is to make, When now first flight it in the world doth take.

To the Right Honorable the Lord of Buckhurst.

AS you of right impart, with Peeres in sway Of common weale, wherein by you we rest: So hold I fit to yeeld you euery way That due, the which my powre affoordeth best. But when I call to mind, your pen so blest With flowing liquor of the Muses spring; I feare your daintie eare can ill digest The harsh tun'd notes, which on my pipe I sing. Yet since the ditties of so wise a king, Can not so lose their grace, by my rude hand, But that your wisedome can conforme the thing, Vnto the modell doth in margent stand: I you beseech, blame not (though you not prayse) This worke, my gift; which on your fauour stayes.

To the Right Honor. Knight Sir William Knowles, Controller of her Maiesties houshold.

OF auncient vertues, honor'd ofsprings race Of true religions, you blest progeny: (On which two pillers vertue built your grace, And court by gracing you, is grast thereby) Of such (since this worke treates) such worke do I Well fitting hold, for you to reade and shield, Whose wisedome, honor, vertue, doth apply To true religion, on the which you build: My selfe too weake so heauy a taske to wield, (As was the treating of so high a stile) At first attempt began to fly the field, Till some (which lik't the theame) bid pause awhile, And not dismay, the title would suffise, To daunt the vaine, and to allure the wise.

To the Right honorable knight Sir Iohn Fortescue Chauncellor of the Exchequor.

HE who in dutie much to you doth owe, In power is little able to present, For pledge of gratefull mind, is forst bestow These ill limd lines, best signes of hearts intent: The scope whereof by Salomon was bent, To teach the way to perfect happinesse, By me transformed thus, and to you sent, To shew that I do wish to you no lesse: To wish well, is small cost I do confesse, But such a heart as truly it intends, Is better worth esteeme, then many gesse; And for all other wants makes halfe amends. Such is my heart, such be therfore your mind, Then shall my mite, a millions welcome find.

To the Right Honourable Sir Robert Cecill Knight, principall Secretary to her Maiestie.

TO you (my hopes sweet life, nurse to my muse, Kind foster father of deseruing sprights) This Poem comes, which you will not refuse (I trust) because of blessednes it wrights: Your aged youth so waind from vaine delights, Your growing iudgment farre beyond your yeares, Your painefull daies, your many watchfull nights, Wherein your care of Common good appears, Assureth him that of your fame once hears, That you some heauenly obiect do aspire; The sweet conceit whereof your soule so chears, That earths bred vanities, you not admire: Such is this theame, such was first writers mind, For whose sakes, I do craue, it fauour find.

To other Lords, Ladies, and aproued friends. To the Right Honourable, the Earle of Oxford Lord, great Chamberlaine of England.

IF Endors widdow-h••••d, had powre to raise, A perfect bodie of true temperature, I would coniure you by your wonted prayse, Awhile my song to heare, and trueth indure, Your passed noble proofe doth well assure Your blouds, your minds, your bodis excellence, If their due reuerence may this paines procure, Your pacience (with my boldnesse) will dispence: I onely craue high wisdoms true defence, Not at my suit, but for works proper sake, Which treats of true felicities essence, As wisest king most happiest proofe did make; Whereof your owne experience much might say, Would you vouchsafe your knowledge to bewray.

To the right Honorable the Earle of Northumberland.

VVHo would intreat of earthly happinesse, He need but take a patterne of your state, Borne noble, learned bred; whose acts expresse, That honor cannot vertues force abate, In home-kind loue, abroad vnmenast hate, In bodies value and in spright of mind: You haue no cause to blame your aduerse fate, Which such a great aspect, hath you assignd: Yet that you yet, more happinesse might find, The common loue your countrey you doth owe, To offer you, this meanes thereto doth bind My will, which in this lowly gift I show: Which yet accept, for worthy Princes sake, Who of each point a perfect proofe did make.

To the Right Ho. the Earle of Shrewsburie.

VVEll placed vertue in high honors seat, Well bending honour to a Christians state, Vouchsafe my pen your pardon may intreat, Who this my vowed seruice offer late: Your shining glory did my hope abate, When first to seeke your sight my fancie ment; Your fame for vertue, yet did animate My pen, which vnto you this present sent: Your true nobilitie, which seemeth bent To foster innocents from powrefull foe, Doth promise me, wisht fruit of hearts intent, If vnder your protection it doth goe: The rather since of honor I do wright, And happinesse which is your soules delight.

To the right Honourable, the Earle of Cumberland.

THe Crowned honor iustly which befell To valiant Iosua, and wise Calebs race, (Whose faith to fainting people did foretell, The fruitfull spoyle of proud resisters place:) Their natiue vertues which you haue by grace, (Whose sword doth fight the battels of the iust, Which makes our Hemis-phere your fame imbrace, And feebled hearts on your stout courage trust;) My confidence in you excuse they must, Who do my Poems muster in your traine, Whose theame hath bin by wisest king discust, And in your practise do of proofe remaine, Which leade the way vnto the holy land, For which (whilst here you liue) you fighting stand.

To the Right honorable the Earle of Sussex.

THe skilfull Pilots that the Ocean haunt, In stormes are found to be of merry cheare, Whom fairest calmes, with feare & dread do daunt, Because a signe of change doth seeme appeare. The expert souldiers vsed to the warre, In time of peace do arme them for the fight, And carefull Christians will foresee from farre, The fierce temptations may in pleasure light: Then since no settled rule there can be here, Whereby to know the issues growing are, But change of times may comfort, clips, or cleare, And so our present state amend or marre: Learne here (braue Chāpion, noble, vertuous, wise) To beare all brunts that may in life arise.

To the Right Ho. the Earle of Southampton.

AMongst most noble, noble euery way, Among the wise, wise in a high degree; Among the vertuous, vertuous may I say; You worthy seeme, right worthy Lord to mee. By bloud, by value, noble we you see, By nature, and by learnings trauell wise, By loue of good, ils hate, you vertuous bee: Hence publike honor, priuate loue doth rise, Which hath inuited me thus to deuise, To shew my selfe not slacke to honour you, By this meane gift (since powre more fit denies) Which let me craue be read, and held for true: Of honor, wisedome, vertue, I delate, Which (you pursuing) will aduance your state,

To the Right Honorable the Lord Zouch.

VVHat haue I done? that I would take in hand, To picke forth Patrons should my work defend, When such a Lordly troope of Nobles stand As in the choyce of them I find no end? But hauing thus begun, I do intend, To fawne on those, whose fauours I haue found; Amongst the which I trust you helpe will lend, Because the building is on such a ground: I know your learned skill, and iudgement sound, Which might deter it to approch your sight; But whereas loue (they say) doth once abound, There feare and all suspect is banisht quight: Your vertues loue, your honor force me yeeld To you, on whose kind fauour I do build.

To the Right Honorable, the Lord Willougbie of Ersbie.

MIght I forget the Comforts of my prime; Might I neglect the matter which I wright; Might I not know the hopes of present time, Forgetting you, I might my selfe acquight: But parentes fauours, once my youths delight, Your selfe apatterne of a happie peere, Whose proofes of vertue publike are to sight, Might me vpbraid with peeuish silence here, If I should hold so meane a gift too deare, For one (whose ancient) debter yet I rest; For whom my Poeme doth so fit appeare, Since you our age recordes among the best: Then thinke not, I by slight would kindnes gaine, But hold this due, If honest I remaine.

To the Right Honourable, the Lord Burrowes.

I Not intend, by present of a booke, Which for the title most men will allowe, For equall praise (with first true author looke) Because I newly it transformed now: Nor for my owne presume I it to'avow, (Vnworthie herald of that princes says) Which duely to deliuer few know how, And I (of all) most weake by many ways: Yet since your high praisd bountie not denays, A grate acceptance of a kindly gift, Vpon that hope my present boldnesse stays, Who in my purpose haue no other drift, But let you see, earths vaine, heauens perfect blis, Which with my heart I wish you tast in this.

To the Right Honorable the Lord Mountioy.

TO you the noble light of happie Ile, In whose most vertuous breast the holy fire Vnquenched liues, when all the world the while, Nigh drowned lyes in dreames of vaine desire; Whose holy zeale the godly do admire, Whose worthie constancie the wise commend, For whom heauens glorie waights, as vertuous hire, To whom the hearts of men with honour bend, Who do pure vertue to your powre defend: Whom vaine delights of earth cannot defile, Whom (to protect religion) God did send, Vouchsafe to listen to my song a while, Which right true tidings to the world doth bring Of what obserued was, by wisest king.

To the Right Honorable, the Lord of Hunsdon.

OF good king Dauids holy'and carefull bent, Of wise and happie Salomons desire, Their liuely patterns, here I do present, To you braue Lord as kind deserts require: Your gifts of nature rare, I not admire, (Since heire you were vnto so noble a father, Whose wisdome to true honour did aspire) But gifts of grace which by your life I gather, And for the which you reuerenc't are the rather, As heire to both those kings in common care, Of God and realme, gainst which most lewd deprauer Is forth his poysoned tongue for shame to spare. As for that good to me by you hath flowne, Was but one frute of many vertues knowne.

To the Right reuerend father in God To by Bishop of Duresme.

IF double cumber of the publike care, Of Paules and Peters sword and keyes may rest, I would intreat you some small time to spare, To view the face of your inuited gest: Of all men you haue cause to vse him best, Because you more then halfe the father are; To you therefore, I haue him first addrest, To haue his grace ere he proceed too farre: Your count'nance may his progresse mend or marre, Because (as of you first his life did grow) So must his course be guided by your starre, Which him first hope of heauenly light did show: Vouchsafe then to bestow, one reading more, To welcome him, or thrust him out of dore.

To the graue and learned Sir Iohn Popham Knight, Lord chiefe Iustice of England.

O Would I might without my hearts deepe griefe, (For common crosses, following men opprest) Record your worth, whence many find reliefe, Which makes you iustly chiefe of all the rest: Your carefull thought and bodies paine addrest, To reconcilement of contentious mind; Your vniuersall loue to truth profest, By which the desolate do fauour find, Doth (as me seemes) in common dutie bind My pen to chalenge you, truths true defence, Though dull my Poem be, my sight not blind, That sought to take his priuiledge from thence: You (chiefe of Iudges) best of truth can treat; To you therefore, I truth of truths repeat.

To Sir Edmond Anderson Knight, Lord chiefe Iustice of the Common pleas.

YOur eares so daily exercisd to heare The plaints, and the petitions sutors make; Make you most fit of many to appeare, My selfe and workes, protection both to take: Not for my selfe, but for the Commons sake, I presse it thus into your presence now, Whose theame may hap some drowsie heads awake, To chalenge, if I dare this worke auow: But if that you, whose wisedome best knowes how, That lawfull make to speake, what Scripture taught, I know the common sort dare but allow My publishing, what from wise king I brought: Then you the common shield to guiltlesse wight, Vouchsafe this worke find fauour in your sight.

To Sir William Perriam Knight, Lord chiefe Barron of the Exchequor.

THou kind accorder of the dreamt discord, Twixt law and conscience, Gods and mans decree, By whom oppression'and brib'rie are abhord, The common poysons of lands peace that bee: I not vnfitly do direct to thee These monuments, of wisest kings experience, Them to allow, if you them worthy see; Me to reproue, if I haue made offence: I no man craue to stand in wrongs defence, I may (as all men do) some weaknesse show, If great my fault, spare not; if small, dispence; Because it did not of meere malice grow: This will you do vncrau'd; that done, I pleasd, Both God and man, submission hath appeasd.

To the valorous Knight, Sir William Russell, Lord Deputie of Ireland.

IF iustly Dauid did by law ordaine, That they an equall part of spoyle should haue, Who (when he fought) behind did still remaine, The carriage from the spoyle of foes to saue: Doth not your merits by more reason craue, To be recorded in my Kalender? By whose blest worke, God of his goodnesse gaue Part of our peace, amidst such threatned warre? In worthy vertues, most mens peere you are, In true religious zeale, by none exceld; Your noble house (like to a blazing starre) Hath showne, wherein true honour euer dweld: Then share with worthies all in blessed fame, And reade this worke, which treateth of the same.

To the valorous Knight, Sir Walter Rawleigh, Lord Warden of the Stannerie, and Captaine of the Guard.

OF happinesse when as I hapt to write, Me thoughts did make a period (Sir) in you, Who being sworne to Mars, and Pallas knight, They both with equall honor did endew, And therefore might become a censurer trew, Of greatest blessings men propound or find; Vouchsafe you then this tract thereof to vew, As if that Salomon had it assignd: Whose interest in you expects your kind And grate acceptance of his graue aduise, From whom (though many other men were blind) He chalengeth a doome right godly and wise: But as for me his messenger, suffiseth The prayse, too truly speake what he deuiseth.

To the valorous Knight Sir Iohn Norris, Lord Generall of her Maiesties forces in Ireland.

AMong the blessed worthies of our time, Your flickering fame aloft I do espy, Whose toylesome trauell, such a pitch doth clime, As euery auncient worthy came not ny. The moderne Marses did your vertues try, Whilst you, the proud Iberian forces quayld In Britany, and in Netherland, whereby With equall armes they seldome haue preuayld: The trecherous practise, wherewith they assayld Th'inconstant humors of the Irish foes, Your pollicies haue stayd, when force hath fayld, Whereby your merits measure daily growes: So that I must of due, make roome for you, Though twise nine worthies shold be coynd anew.

To the valorous Knight Sir Francis Veare.

MY pen was stayd, but purpose chang'd anew, So soone as I amidst the noble traine Of worthy knights, did cast a thought on you, Who yet (vnsu'd to) did for grace remaine: If you I win, I shall not litle gaine, Because both much you can, and much you will For wisedome, vertue, honor, sure sustaine, Which haue bene your supporters hereto still: I need not then perswasiue lines to fill, The matter will suffise to moue your mind, If that my hand the beauty of it spill; Then let my loue of good, your fauour find, Whose wisedome can, whose goodnes may excuse The faults, which want (not malice) made me muse.

To the worthy Knight Sir Iohn Stanhop Treasurer of the Chamber to her Maiestie.

NO common thing it is to find (I graunt) Humilitie and honour both in one: Who loueth vertue, of them both may vaunt, True honor still hath mild and vertuous showne; Then since this worke of vertue treats alone, (For sure true wisedome doth pure vertue teach) It shall offensiue be (I trust) to none, Their words of fauour for truths shield to reach. Much lesse a shame, what mighty king did preach, The same to suffer passe them vncontrold; But now adayes, men euery worke appeach, As barren, borrow'd, base, or ouer bold: This makes me craue by you, wise, noble, good, My wrong deprauers malice be withstood.

To the worthy knight Sir Edward Dyer, Chauncellor of the most Honorable order of the Garter.

NOt last nor least, for common good desarts I you repute, though fortune point your place: Your loue to vertue winneth many harts, And vertues followers do your loue imbrace. I know my argument requires no grace; Because grace it doth send, it brings delight: For both all sue, all loue their pleasing face, Yet vainely world, for both of them doth fight. To make more plaine the way for euery wight, This princely moderator paines did take, Which (to your equals) men of learned sight, A full accord (if well iudg'd worke) will make: You then kind Courtier & sound scholler knowne, Accept, reade, and protect these as your owne.

To the worthy Knight Sir Henry Killegrew.

THe natiue dutie which of right I owe, To you good Knight (for many fauours past, To me and mine) do will me now bestow Some token of my thankfull mind at last: Which I more fitly no way yet can show, Then by presenting of this volume small, Which from repentant heart of king did flow, And may a warning be vnto vs all, Who daily into new temptations fall, And daily need assistance gainst the same, In such respect this worke you well may call, An Antidote a happie life to frame: Whereto since hitherto your vertues bend, You will accept (I trust) the gift I send.

To the vertuous gentleman Robert Bowes Esquire, Em∣bassador for her Maiestie in Scotland.

AS Painters vse their Tables set to show Of euery sight, ere they perfected bee, By others better skill the truth to know, Of faults which they themselues could hardly see: And as best drugs on meanest shrub and tree, By skilfull Simplers gathred are sometime; As gold in sand, as pearles in shell-fish wee Do find, and amber in the sea shore slime: So vnder this ill-couched ragged rime, Which to your clearer sight I do present, It may appeare how high his thoughts did clime, That first to frame the same his studie bent; And I excusd, who only do bestow, What I to you, by auncient promise owe.

To the vertuous Gentleman Fulke Greuill Esquire.

VVHo can of learning treat, and you forget? Who may of vertue talke, and you neglect? Who would true fame, from your due praises let? Who should not (knowing you) your loue affect? I therefore forced am in this respect, To offer publikely for you, to reed The thing the which vncrau'd you would protect, If (by malignors blame) it stood in need: In diuerse, diuersly this worke will breed I know, an humor in the censurers braine, The wisest, on the best contents will feed, The curious (for some scapes) count all but vaine: But of the better sort true prayse must grow, The prayse of some is meere disprayse I know.

To the reuerend Doctor Andrews, professor in Diuinitie.

I Would not flatter Court, the Church much lesse, But honouring both, I would them homage yeeld, In Courts I liu'd, in Church (I do confesse) I wish to die, and on that hope to build: Then maruell not, I also seeke to shield My bold attempt, with fauour of your wing, Since your diuine conceit, can easliest wield The burden; which this waighty theame can bring. I meant in English dittie only sing, The tragike notes, of humane well away, But waightie matter of so wise a king, Compeld me yet a greater part to play: Wherewith (halfe fainting) for your aide I craue, Well meaning mind, from feared blame to saue.

To his especiall friend Richard Carew of Anthony Esquire.

AS parents of their children fond appeare, Oft times because with trauell them they bare, Which makes them prise thē sometimes ouer deare, When other see small cause for them to care. As such likewise are often times to spare, In care of children that themselues haue none, So is it like (with this my worke to fare) With many readers, when they are alone, Who senslesse of my trauell like a stone, (As neuer hauing yet so tride their braine) Will thinke I cocker this my brood, as one Growne proud, that I some issue do attaine: But you whose painfull pen hath shown your skill, Can iudge my part, and it well conster will.

To his louing brother in law Robert Moyle of Bake Esquire, and Anne his wife.

IF like the world a while I seeme to you, Forgetfull and vnkind for kindnesse showne, Thinke it not strange their natures I ensue, Where most I liue, whose proofe is dearly knowne. The world to me vnkind and carelesse growne, Conuerts my nature to her temperature; My youth (with loue of her puft vp and blowne) Is cause that I now iustly this endure: Yet worlds delights, nor cares nere alter'd sure, So farre my mind, that I ingrate did proue: Heauens faith, earths friendship, doth my soule inure To take far greater paines where once I loue: You then (by bloud and friendships holy vow) Right deare take this, and for loues seale allow.

To the Gentlemen Courtiers in generall.

REiect me not, (ye Peares of gentle spright) Because I do appeare in plaine array; Sometimes for change, the curious do delight In meane attyres, and homely food we say; They are not limbd the best, that go most gay, Nor soundest meats that most the tast do please; With Shepheards russets, shield from cold ye May, With hungry meales, preuent oft times disease: Such home-wouen robes, such wholesome dyet these, (Euen these rude lines, of my compiled frame) Do offer you, your iudgements to appease, As may him nourish that doth vse the same: Not mine (but wisest Salomons) recait, To gaine the blessed state we all await.

To the Right Ho. the Lady Marquesse of Northampton.

THe part which I haue taken now in hand, To represent on stage to common sight, With my true nature seemes at strife to stand, And on an actor farre vnfit to light: Accustom'd more on vainer theames to write Then with the taske which now I do pretend; Which being to be view'd by iudgements bright, Makes me to seeke your fauour it defend: Vouchsafe a gracious glose thereto to lend, I then beseech you (worthy Patronesse) To whose applause, full many more will bend, Because they know you vertue do professe: And vertue is this theame, and that diuine, With grace consent then, to my sute incline.

To the Right Honourable the Countesse of Darby.

WHen this my bold attempt to mind I call, VVho Phaëton like would Phebus Chariot guide; From doubtfull thoughts into dispaire I fall, How such cleare light, my weake sight may abide: From one presumption, vnto more I slide, And giue the raigne so much to rash desire, That I make publike what I ought to hide, And seeke my sanctuary in that heauenly fire, VVhose Image of perfection I admire, In our rare Goddesse, wisdomes clearest light, VVhose grate aspect, my many wants require, To clense the clouds, which blind my iudgmēts sight: And such faire starres, as you (who influence haue Of her bright Beames) to giue some light I craue.

To the Right Honorable the Countesse of Cumberland.

AS one whose rashnesse once hath made him bold, To breake the bands of vsed modestie, If of his error he shold hap be told, VVill hardly yeeld that he hath gone awrye, So worthie Lady, I confesse that I, Vnworthie scribe, of such a heauenly stile, Now that I needs my boldnesse must espie, VVould couer from iust blame my selfe a while; VVith borrowed grace, therefore I seeke beguile The cōmon sights, who least would spare my name; If worthie you therefore but kindly smile, I know that many more will do the same, For wisest sort on vertuous do depend, And vertuous ones will vertues cause defend.

To the Right Honorable the Countesse of Warwicke.

IN Courtly life to keepe a conscience pure, In youngest yeares to shew a matrons stay; In honours type, a lowly mind t'inure, No doubt a hart regenerate doth bewray: Such you are held, of such as rightly way The practise of your life, to your great praise, Whose vertues all temptations ouersway, And your rare gifts, vnto the heauens raise: No common thing it is, in these our dayes, To see such starres in our darke firmament; Your worth, your soueraignes influence wel bewraies, Which so transformes, where so her vigor went: Your birth, your mariage, natures gifts most rare, With gift of grace herein may not compare.

To the Right Honorable the Countesse of Pembrooke.

OF all the Nymphes of fruitfull Braitaines race, Of all the troopes in our Dianaes traine, You seeme not least, the Muses Trophes grace, In whom true honour spotlesse doth remaine: Your name, your match, your vertues, honour gaine, But not the least, that pregnancie of spright, Whereby you equall honour do attaine, To that extinguisht Lampe of heauenly light, Who now no doubt doth shine midst Angels bright; VVhile you faire starre, make cleare our darkned sky, He heauens; earthes comfort you are and delight, Whose (more then mortall) gifts you do apply, To serue their giuer, and your guiders grace, Whose share in this my worke, hath greatest place.

To the Right Honorable the Countesse of Essex.

THese Oracles, by holy spright distild Into the hart of wisest happie king, To you most vertuous Ladie here are wild, As heire to parent worthie in euerie thing: His carefull trauell countries peace did bring, His solide wisedome vertue did pursue, His bountie to the poore the world doth sing, Whose honour him suruiueth, crownd in you: So nobles (if to God they yeeld his due) So people ought to Nobles render fame, So shall succeeding ages still renue By old records, his euer reuerent name, Wherein your double blessed spousall bed, Shall wreath an Oliue garland on his head.

To the Right Honourable Ladie, the Ladie Scroope.

THe bountie which your vertues do pretend, The vertues which your wisdome hath imbrast, The wisdome which both grace and nature lend, The gracious nature which so well is plast, Doth witnesse well the heauens your beauty grast, With borrowed wisdome not of humane kind, Which so hath fostred vertues mild and chast, As benigne beautie might a dwelling find; Fit to receiue such presents as in mind, Are consecrated to that sacred shrine, VVhereon (as vestall Virgin) you assignd, Do worthie waight, whose eye vouchsafe incline, To take in worth, reade, iudge of, and defend, This worke, weake record of my hearts intend.

To the Honourable Ladie, the Ladie Rich.

THe perfect beautie, which doth most reclaime, The purest thoughts from base and vaine desire, Not seene, nor leuied is by common aime Of eies, whom coullers vse to set on fire: The rare seene beautie men on earth admire, Doth rather dazell then content the sight, For grace and wisdome soonest do retire, A wandring heart to feed on true delight: Seldome all gifts do in one subiect light, But all are crownd, with double honour then, And shine the more, adornd with vertue bright, But (with Religion grast) adord of men: These gifts of nature, since they meet with grace, In you, haue powre more then faire Venus face,

To the Right Honourable, the Ladie of Hunsdon

OF soule and bodie both since men consist, Of diuers humors since our bodies be; Since sundry affects do one selfe thought resist, Since body, soule, thought, will, are all in me, Thinke you not strange these passions new to see, VVhich to my wonted humors different seeme, They both are frute of one and selfe same tree, The first for yonger hold, this elder deeme: If you of my indeuors well esteeme, VVhom well the world doth know can iudge the best, VVhose course of life a happie pitch doth cleeme, In verteous proues wherein your fame is blest: Then shall I haue a part of my desire, VVho for my trauell craue but likings hire.

To the Honourable gentlewomen Mistresse Elizabeth and Anne Russels.

THe double giftes of nature and of grace, Redoubled in you both with equall share, (VVhilst beautie shineth in the modest face, And learning in your mindes with vertue rare) Do well expresse, of what discent ye are, Of heauens immortall seed, of blessed kind, Of earths twise honord stock, which ye declare, In noble parts composd of eithers mind; Them both in you (rare gems) we blessed find, Ye both by them are honord happily: Then both, vouchfafe what I to both assignd To read, and to conceiue of graciously: So ye (like to your kind) the world shall know, And to your selues (frō hence) some fruit shal grow.

To the Honourable Gentlewoman Mistresse Elizabeth Bridges.

SInce I haue growne so bold, to take in hand A theame so farre indeed vnfit for me, As by the reading you will vnderstand, Whereto my style in no sort doth agree; I cannot chuse but feare, lest you should see Some signe of high presumption in my mind, Which cause of iust reproch to me might be, And for my sake the worke lesse fauour find: Vnto you therfore haue I this assignd, To craue for me remission at your hand, VVhose vertues show, you cannot be vnkind, If kindnesse may with modest vertues stand: And of and for true vertue do I pleade, Which to desired blisse and honour leade.

To the Honorable Lady, the Lady Southwell.

TO you the vowed seruice of my mind, (Faire Mistresse of the purest thoughts I bred) As youths conceit could best inuention find, I dedicated with affection fed. My elder thoughts with your high honor led, Haue often stroue to shew continued zeale, But was discourag'd through mistrust and dred Of my defects, which did my will conceale: Yet now compeld my weaknesse to reueale Vnto a world of worthy witnesses; I craue to be excusd, if I appeale To you for grace, to whom I guilt confesse; And hope you will for auncient seruice sake, Excuse my wants, and this in worth will take.

To the Honorable Lady the Lady Cecill.

IN counter-poise of your right high desart, My dutie made my gratefull mind consent, To straine my braine to equall with my hart, In finding forth for you some fit present: Which to performe, thus will and powre (first bent) Was checkt by iust regard of your esteeme: Which me preuented of my hopes intent, Since for your worth, vain things not pleasing seeme: Yet (least a meere excuse you that might deeme, To cloke a thanklesse heart with idle hand) With more then natiue strength a pitch I cleeme To treat of blisse, which I not vnderstand: But Gods inspiring grace (to king once tought) I here as pawne of dutie, haue you brought.

To the Honorable Ladie, the Ladie Hobbye.

LEst that this change of style at first might breed A doubt in you, whose worke it were and gift; I thinke it fit your searching thoughts to feed, With truth who writ it, and therein his drift: When scorne of hap, did force my hope to shift, The place wherein felicitie I sought, As tyr'd on earth, to heauen my thoughts I lift, Which in me this strange Metamorphos wrought: But so vnperfect fruit, of what it ought, Mixt with the dregs of old imprinted phrase, Require a fauour in the Readers thought, With kind construction frailties forth to raze: To you my wants, to me your vertues tryde, Giues me good hope, this sute is not denyde.

To the vertuous Lady the Lady Layton.

SInce stranger like, to Court but newly come, This home-bred child, may hap for to be vsde, Inquired of by most, censured by some Which cannot iudge, yet will not be refusde: Where wants are pride into, and soone accused, If shape, attire, grace, skill, be not the best; Where curious conceits will seeme abused, If euery word, phrase, period, bide not test: Least that this worke too rashly be supprest, Vntried, halfe vnderstood, disgraced quight, I needfull thinke it be to some addrest, VVho can and will protect from causelesse spight: Which that you will vouchsafe, I nothing feare, Since to the matter, you such zeale do beare.

To the vertuous Lady, the Lady Woollie.

FArre fet, deare bought, doth fit a Lady best; Such you deserue, such would my will bestow: Good things are rare, rare things esteem'd you know; Rare should yours be, as you rare of the rest: Such hold this gift, fetcht from a forraine land, Which wisest King, as pretious did prouide, Who viewing all the earth, hath nought espide, Whose worth (herewith cōpar'd) may longer stand: The price (I dare assure) is very deare, As puchasd by your merit and my care, Whose trauell would a better gift prepare, If any better worthy might appeare: Then this accept, as I the same intend, Which dutie to the dead would will me send.

To the vertuous Lady, the Lady Carey.

IF any thing might in this worke appeare, Worthy the reading, fit for to content, I should then hold it best bestowed here, Where most my time in frame thereof was spent: By view of your rare vertues I was bent, To meditate of heauen and heauenly thing By comfort of your counsell forward went, My halting muse, this heauenly note to sing. And now that time doth forth this haruest bring, Which must (till need) be layed vp in store, (As medicine meet to cure cares deadliest sting, And to restore healths comfort, weake before) You (Lady) who of right best int'rest haue, Must here receiue, and keepe, what first ye gaue.

To the vertuous Lady the Lady D:

IF kinred be the neerenesse of the blood, Or likenesse of the mind in kind consent; Or if it be like pronenesse vnto good, Or mutuall liking by two parties ment: If kindnesse be in truth a firme intent, With open heart to testifie good-will; If true good will, be to contentment bent, If true contentment cannot be in ill; I know you will repute this token still, A pledge of kinsmans loue in ech degree; Which though it do your treasure litle fill, Yet way to perfect wealth will let you see. My selfe in kindnesse wish and hope in you, Profit of mind and soules content t'insue.

To the vertuous Gentlewoman Mistresse E. Bowes.

AMong the many profits which do rise Vnto the faithfull, which the truth do loue, A greater comfort can I not deuise, Then is the sweet societie they proue, When each doth seeke for others best behoue, To strengthen that which flesh and bloud doth shake, Their weakned soules (I meane) which sorows moue, Through feare of sin, and guilty thoughts, to quake. Whereof by you since I experience make, Whose mild and kind accord, with neighbours woe, Doth cause them oft the crosse with patience take, And forward still in hope and courage goe: I were vngrate, if I should not indeuer To nourish that (your grace) I honord euer.

To the Honorable Ladies and Gentlewomen, attendants in the Court.

YE worthy Nymphes of chast Dyanaes traine, Who with our Soueraignes presence blessed bee, Whereby ye perfect beauty shall attaine, If ye affect the gifts in her you see: Scorne not to yeeld your mild aspects to mee, Who with you do attend her high behest; It can no whit disparage your degree, To looke on that is liked of the best: This worke for style inferiour to the rest, Which many worthier wits to you present, Craues welcome yet, as some (no common guest) Whom best to greet your greatest care is spent. For kings words these, do guide to blisse you craue, The fruit of fauour which you striue to haue.

To all other his Honorable and beloued friends in generall.

WHat shall I do? proceed or stay my pen? To either side, great reason vrg'd my mind; Vnto most powrefull would I yeeld, but then Defect of powre, makes hand to stay behind: Of well deseruing friends I many find, Of worthy persons (vnsaluted) more; Those I neglect may hold my heart vnkind, And some my iudgement partiall hold therefore: Yet (as I find) so they must graunt the store, Of happy Englands well deseruing state, Exceeds the bounds my worke prescribd before, And doth restraine my mind to stricter rate: But if one word may shew a world of loues, Vse this and me, to all your best behoues.