Minerua Britanna or A garden of heroical deuises furnished, and adorned with emblemes and impresa's of sundry natures, newly devised, moralized, and published, by Henry Peacham, Mr. of Artes.

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Title
Minerua Britanna or A garden of heroical deuises furnished, and adorned with emblemes and impresa's of sundry natures, newly devised, moralized, and published, by Henry Peacham, Mr. of Artes.
Author
Peacham, Henry, 1576?-1643?
Publication
London :: Printed in Shoe-lane at the signe of the Faulcon by Wa: Dight,
[1612]
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Subject terms
Emblem books, English -- Early works to 1800.
Link to this Item
http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A09202.0001.001
Cite this Item
"Minerua Britanna or A garden of heroical deuises furnished, and adorned with emblemes and impresa's of sundry natures, newly devised, moralized, and published, by Henry Peacham, Mr. of Artes." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A09202.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 13, 2024.

Pages

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MINERVA BRITANNA: THE SECOND PART OR A GARDEN OF HEROY∣CAL Devices: furnished, and adorned with Em∣blemes, and Impresa's of sundry natures. Newly devised, moralized, and published, BY HENRY PEACHAM, Mr, of Artes.

[illustration]

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The Author to his Muse.

NOW strike wee Saile, and throw aside our oare, My wearie Muse, the worst is well nie past: And take a while, our pleasure on the shore, Recounting what wee overcame at last: To what deepe danger were our fortunes cast: What Rocks, the greatest, & vnknowen shelues, We dar'd to touch, and yet did saue our selues.
HENRY, who art both Load-stone, and the starre, Of Heartes and Eies, our wished Loue and Light: By thee conducted, we arriue thus farre; That now OPINIONS vttermost despight, Nor ENVIE, that the iustest one doth bite, We doubt at all; but forth into the maine, With doubled courage, put our selues againe.
And you great PRINCESSE, through whose Christall brest, ELIZAS Zeale, and Pietie doe shine, Heire of her Name, and Virtues, that invest You in our Heartes, and Loues immortall shrine: Oh send from that pure Maiestie of thine, Those beames againe, from whence (as PHOEBVS bright) Our feeble Muse, deriues her life and light.
Eeke pardon (PEERES,) that heere my ruder verse, Vnto your worthes, and greatnes dares aspire; Or out of course, if I your rankes reherse: But as i'th Presence, twixt the Lord and Squire, (He neere the state, the other by the fire,) Small difference seemes; so heere most Honord traine, Ye take your lots about your Soveraigne.
Ad whatsoever EIE shalt else peruse, These ruder lines, devoid of skill and Art; Reserue thy good opinion of our Muse, That may heereafter wore of worth impart: And though she tstes of Countrey and the Cart,* 1.1 (As that DICTATOR) all in time she may, Within the Citie beare a greater swey.

Page 101

Presidium et dulce decus. Illustrissimo et potentissimo Principi ac Domino, D: Mauritio Hessiae Lantgravio, Comiti in Catzenellen bogen Dietz, Zigenhain, et Nidda &c
[illustration]
* 1.2TO you great Prince, who little neede be knowne, By me or by my worthles Poësie, Since those admired virtues of your owne, Haue made you obiect of the worldes wide eie, Your bounteous mind, your matchles Pietie, Your languages, and learning in all artes, That gaine you millions of remotest heartes.
I consecrate in gentle Muses name This Monument, and to your memorie, Which shall outweare the vtmost date of Fame, And wrestle with the worldes Eternitie: For as Artes glorie is your GERMANIE, For rar'st invention, and designe of wit, So ye braue Maurice are the pride of it.

Page 102

Distantia iungo. To the thrice Noble, and exellent Prince: Ludowick Duke of Lennox
[illustration]
NOR may my Muse greate Duke, with prouder saile, Ore-passe your name, your birth, and best deserts: But lowly strike, and to these cullors vaile, That make ye yet belou'd in forrein partes, In memorie of those disioined heartes: Of two great kingdomes, whom your grandsire wrought, Till Buckle-like, them both in one he brought.
* 1.3 Mild Peace heerein, to make amendes againe, Ordaines your daies ye shall dispend in rest, While Horror bound, in hundred-double chaine, At her faire feete, shall teare her snakie crest, And Mars in vaine, with Trumpet sterne molest Our Muse, that shll her losiest numbers frame, To eternize your STEVVARTS Roiall name.* 1.4

Page 103

Nostro elucescis damno.
[illustration]
THE Steele and Flint, doe heere with hardie strokes, And mutuall hewing, each the other wast: While vnderneath the open Tinderboxe, Vnto his gaine, consumes them both at last: And to the backs, when they are spent and worne, He throwes them by, for he hath seru'd his turne.
So, when the Paisant with his neighbour warres, They weare awaie themselues, in golden sparkes; The Boxe, are Pettifoggers from their Iarres, Who walke with Torches, vsher'd by their Clearkes: While blind by Owle-light, Hoidon stumbling goes, To seeke his Inne, the Windmill, or the Rose.

Page 104

Ex Avaritia Bellum.
[illustration]
THE hand that gripes, so greedily and hard, What it hath got by long vnlawfull gaine; Withall for Battaile ready is prepard, Still to defend, what it doth fast retaine: (For wretches some, will sooner spend their bloods, Then spare we see, one penworth of their goods.)
Of Avarice, such is the nature still, Who hardly can endure, to liue in Peace; But alwaie prest, to qurrell, or to kill, When sober mindes, from such contention cease: And seeke no more, then quiet and content, With those good blessinges, which the Lord hath sent.

Page 105

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
[illustration]
THE glorious Sunne, that cheeres vs with his light, And giueth life, and growth to every thing: * 1.6 Can brooke no peere, to check his soveraigne right, But onely will remaine, the Heauens sole king: When lesser starres, that borrow from his light, Doe keepe their course, in numbers infinite.
So fares it with the vulgar that doe goe, In loue, and mutuall concord most secure, When Paritie procures the overthrow, Of Monarchies, that else might well endure: * 1.7 And like moe Sunnes in skie, portendeth still, The Princes ruine, or a worser ill.
* 1.8Et Pac•••• interest, ptsttm omnem ad vnum c••••fe••••••
* 1.9〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉

Page 106

Non invicta recedo. To my Scholler Mr. HANNIBAL BASKERVILE.
[illustration]
* 1.10
THIS Indian beast, by Nature armed so, That scarce the Steele can peirce his scalie side:* 1.11 Assaulteth oft the Elephant his foe, And either doth the conqueror abide, Or by his mightie combatant is slaine, For never vanquisht, he returnes againe.
So you that must encounter Want, and Care, To overcome your hard, and crabbed skill, Take courage, and treade vnder foote dispaire, For better hap, attendes the vent'rous still: And sooner leaue, your bodie in the place, Then back returne, vnletter'd with disgrace.

Page 107

Non Honos, sed Onus.
[illustration]
VAINE man who think'st, that happines consistes, In great commaund, and Roiall dignitie; And Kinges with Scepters hold within their fistes, The perfect summe of all Foelicitie: No no, their Crownes are lin'd with pricking thorne, And sable cares, with crimson Robes are worne.
Who list describe the motion of the Sphaere, Another, some rare, beauteous modell draw; With Eloquence, let him goe charme the eare, Thy onely art, must be to keepe in aw, And curbe with Iustice, the vnrulie crew, To favor skill, and giue the good their due.
* 1.12Excudant alii spirantia mollius aera Credo equidem et vivos ducent de marmore vultus Orabunt causas melius &c.

Page 108

Quem timuisti, timet. Ad BRITANNIAM.
[illustration]
WITH haire dishevel'd, and in mournefull wise,* 1.13 Who spurnes a shippe, with Scepter in her hand: Thus BRITAINE's drawen in old Antiquities, What time the Romanes, overran her land: Who first devis'd her, sitting in this plight, As then their captiue, and abandon'd quite.
But what can long continue at a stay, To all thinges being, Fates a change decree: Thrice-famous Ile, whome erst thou didst obey, Vsurping Roome, standes now in aw of thee: * 1.14 And trebles more, to heare thy Soveraignes name, Then thou her Drummes, when valiant Caesar came.

Page 109

Eo magis caligat.
[illustration]
WHY doth vaine man, with * 1.15 rash attempt desire, To search the depth, of Misteries divine: Which like the Sunne vpon his earthy fire, With glorie inaccessible do shine: And with the radiant splendor of their ray, Chase all conceipted Ignorance away.
* 1.16What mortall man might ever comprehend, Gods sacred essence, and his secret will, Or his soules substance, or could but intend, Least while to view, this glorious creature still: * 1.17 Be wise in what the word doth plainely teach, But meddle not, with thinges aboue thy reach.
Quid volucri tentas humana scientia penna Quaerere inaccessi Mystica sacra Dei: Caligans oculis, obtusae et acumine menis, * 1.18Dum petis igniculis alta negata tuis.

Page 110

Piorum vita luctuosa. To the modest and virtuous minded, Mrs. Elizabeth Apsley, attending vpon the most exellent Princesse, the Ladie Elizabeth her grace.
[illustration]
WHILE that the Mavis, and the morning Larke, Doe cheerely warble their delicious straines, The Turtle likes the shade, and thickets darke, And solitarie by herselfe remaines, Recording in most dolefull wise her woe, Letting the pleasures, of the season goe.
The godly wight, whome no delight of Sinne, Doth with vaine pleasure draw: or worldly care, Esteemeth not, these fleeting Ioies a pinne: But to the Lord, in private doth repaire, With quiet Conscience; when the wicked oft, Are in the mid'st, of all their pleasures caught.
Deus vitam annuntiavi tibi, posuisti lachrymas meas in conspectu tuo.* 1.19

Page 111

Coniugij Symbolum.
[illustration]
BEHOLD a Storke, betweene two Torches plac'd, Of milkie hew, with winges abroad displaide; In aunchient time, the marke of wedlock chast, Because this Bird, a deadly foe is said T' Adulterie, and foulest foule Incest, The Vestal maide, the fire beseemeth best.
Chast Loue, the band of everlasting Peace, The best content we haue, while here we liue, That blessest Mariage, with thy sweete encrease, And dost a pledge, of that coniunction giue Twixt Soule, and Body, eke the mutual Loue, Betweene the Church, and her sweete Spouse aboue.
Foelices ter, et amplius, * 1.20Quos irrupta tenet copula: nec malis Divulsis quaerimoniis Suprema citiùs solvet amor die.

Page 112

In eos qui cum amicis fruantur, vti nesciant.
[illustration]
THIS simple Foole, that here bestrides the bow, And knowing well, the daunger vnderneath, Yet busilie doth saw the same in two, Like idle Ape, though to his present death: Which if he had forborne, and let it grow, He free from harme, had scapt the pikes below.
To this same Idiot, such we liken may, Of trustie Frendes as doe not know the vse, But while they are their props, and onely stay, Will cut them off, by this, or that abuse; Or loose their favor, by behaviour ill, Who otherwise, might haue vpheld them still.

Page 113

Sic nos Dij.
[illustration]
THE Tennis-ball, when strucken to the ground, With Racket, or the gentle Schoole-boies hand, * 1.21With greater force, doth back againe rebound, His Fate, (though senceles) seeming to withstand: Yea, at the instant of his forced fall, With might redoubled, mountes the highest of all.
So when the * 1.22 Gods aboue, haue struck vs low, (For men as balls, within the•••• handes are said,) We cheifly then, should manly courage show, And not for every trifle be afraid: For when of Fortune, most we stand in feare, Then Tyrant-like, she most will domineere.

Page 114

Par nulla figura dolori. The device of the late Honorable, Earle of Essex.
[illustration]
WEE eas'ly limme, some louely-Virgin face, And can to life, a Lantscip represent, Afford to Antiques, each his proper grace, Or trick out this, or that compartement: But with the Pencill, who could ere expresse, The face of griefe, and heartie pensiuenes.
For where the minde's with deadly sorrow wounded, There no proportion, can effect delight, For like a Chaos, all within's confounded, Resembling nothing, saue the face of night, Which in his sheild, this noble Earle did beare, The last Impresa', of his greife, and care.

Page 115

Irepetundos, et adulatores.
[illustration]
OF Virgins face, with winges, and tallants strong, Vpon thy table, PHINEVS here behold, * 1.23A monstrous Harpie, that hath praeied long, Vpon thy meates, while thou art blind, and old, And at all times, his appetite doth serue, While vnregarded, thou thy selfe dost sterue.
The Courtes of Kinges, are said to keepe a crew Of these * 1.24 still hungry for their private gaine: The first is he, that carries tales vntrue, The second, whome base * 1.25 bribing doth maintaine, The third and last, the Parasite I find, Who bites the worst, if Princes will be blind.* 1.26
* 1.27Est et apud Reges rudis, invida, rustica turba, Histrio, scurra, quibus virtus odiosa, Pots * 1.28Mille modis abigunt, vt quando cadavera corvi Invenere, fugant alias volucreique ferasque.

Page 116

Salomone pulchrius.
[illustration]
LET courtly Dames, their costly Iewells boast,* 1.29 And Rhodopis, in silkes and sattens shine; Behold the Lillie, thus devoid of cost,* 1.30 In flowery feildes, is clothd by power divine, In purest white, fair'st obiect of the eie, Religions weede, and badge of Chastitie.
Why should ye then as slaues to loathed pride, And frantique fooles, thinke ye are halfe vndone, When that ye goe not in your cullors pide, Or want the grace, of newest fashion: When even the Lillie, in glorie doth surpasse, The rich, and roiallst King, that ever was.
Splendida fluctivagos quid iactitat Aula lapillos? Intumet et Rhodopis bombycis arte levis? Regibus anteferor, mediis quod vestit in agris Vita oculi candor, virgineumque decus.

Page 117

Soboles damnosa parenti.
[illustration]
* 1.31THE Husbandman, in depth of winter feld, An aged Willow, fewell for to burne, But wanting wedges, Grandsire was compeld, To rend with bowes, the bodie for his turne: And while the Willow, now was rent in twaine, It gaue a grone, and thus seem'd to complaine.
Oh greife, of greifes! that thus I should be torne, And haue my heart, by those asunder rent, That are my fruite, and of my bodie borne, Who for my stay, and comfort, should be sent: You Parents good, your selues behold in me, Whose Children wicked, and vngratious be.
Parentes charissimos debemus habere, quod ab his vita. * 1.32patrimonium, libertas, civitas data est.

Page 118

Innocentiam iniurijs maximè obnoxiam esse.
[illustration]
THE Cat, the Cock held prisoner in her paw, And said of Birdes, he most deseru'd to die, For that contrarie vnto Natures Law, Hi kindred he abus'd incestuously: His Mother, Sisters, and a noise did keepe, With crowing still, when others faine would sleepe.
In his defence, heereto repli'de the Cock, My fault of lust, is for my maisters gaine, I am for crowing, call'd the Plowmans clock, Whome I awake betime, to daily paine: No doubt (quoth Pusse,) of reasons thou hast store, But I am fasting, and can heare no more.

Page 119

Humanae miseriae.
[illustration]
SEE here our humane miseries in breife, That doe our life, vnto the last amate, And sawce the sweete, with feare, and howerly griefe, Diseasing oft, the high, and happiest state: A Rod, the world, a Woman, Ages greife, Which fower, the wisest doe account the cheife.
His childish yeares, the * 1.33 Rod keepes vnder still, His youth with Loue, and strong affectes is vext, That headlong force him, * 1.34 pliable to ill, A retchles wife, and worldly cares are next: And when both youth, and middle age be past, Diseases straunge, doe end him at the last.

Page 120

Vireo tamen.
[illustration]
THE * 1.35 Semper-vivum, though from earth remoou'd, His leafe with flower, are fresh and growing seene, And many times, as by experience proou'd, It will abide, in sharpest winter greene, As faire, and full of life, vnto the view, As if abroad, in fertil'st soile it grew.
So many men, of rarest partes there are, Who though the world afford them not a foote, Yet doe they thriue, within the emptie aire, As well as they, that haue the richest roote: Yea, when as some, that are vpheld like Hops,* 1.36 Doe droope, and die, even vnderneath their props.

Page 121

Dij laboribus vendunt.
[illustration]
THE slothfull man, that loues in idle seat, And wanton pleasures, to dispend his daies: The Scripture plaine denieth for to eate, And lawes severe, doe punish many waies: And never Heavens, with their bountie blesse, The hand addicted vnto Idlenes.
On th'other side, when for our sweatie paine, To sale they set vs, all the pretious thinges, The Earth within her bosome, doth containe, Gemmes, Herbes of virtue, Diadems of Kinges, All sortes of Girlondes, and the Quill of Fame, To keepe aliue, the honor of our name.

Page 122

Gloriae lata via.
[illustration]
THOVGH life be short, and man doth as the Sunne, His iourney finish, in a little space, The way is wide, an honest course to runne, And great the glories of a virtuous race, That at the last, doe our iust labors crowne, With threefold wreath, Loue, Honor, and Renowne.
Nor can Nights shadow, or the Stygian deepe, Conceale faire Virtue, from the worldes wide eie, The more opprest, the more she striues to peepe, And raise her Rose-bound golden head on high: When Epicures, the wretch, and worldly slaue, Shall rot in shame, aliue, and in the graue.

Page 123

Tu contra audentior.
[illustration]
THE valiant heart, that feeles the vtmost spight, Of envious Fortune, who with Sword and fire, Awaites his ruine, with redoubled might, Takes courage to him, and abates her ire, By resolution, and a constant mind, To deede of virtue, evermore inclin'd.
Whose sp'rite, a sparke of heavens immortall fire, Inglorious Sloth, may not in embers keepe, But spite of hell, it will at length aspire, And even by strawes, for want of fewell creepe: When fearefull natures, and the mind vnsound, At every blast, is beaten to the ground.

Page 124

Huic ne credere tutissimum.
[illustration]
SWEETE Bird, who taught thee here to build thy nest? (In greater saf'tie then MEDEA's shrine,) Did Hap, or that thou knew'sta Crowne the best, From iniurie to shelter thee and thine? How much I did thy happines envie, When first I saw thee singing, hither flie.
Your glories Type, even so ye sacred Kinges, In highest place, the weaker one to sheild, Thus vnder that sweete shadow of your winges, Best loues the Artes, and Innocence to build: And thus my Muse, that never saf'tie knew, With weary wing, great HENRIE flies to you.

Page 125

To the Honorable, Sir Thomas Ridgewaie, Knight, and Baronet: Treasurer at warres in Ireland, and one of his Maiesties Privie Counsell there &c. Thomas Ridgewaie.* 1.37 Mihi gravato Deus.
[illustration]
THE Camell strong, with burthen great opprest, Is forc'd to yeeld vnto his loade at last, And while he toiles, himselfe enioies the least, Of all the wealth, that on his back is cast: For why? he must the same, to those impart, Whose due it is, by Fortune, or desert.
So honor'd Sir, you, as your Camell, beare A Treasures charge, that pulls you on your knee, And though that thousandes, aske it here, and there, To those that ought, and best deseruing be, You only giue, their wages, and their due, The while the care, and perill lies on you.

Page 126

Melancholia.
[illustration]
HEERE Melancholly musing in his fits, Pale visag'd, of complexion cold and drie, All solitarie, at his studie sits, Within a wood, devoid of companie: Saue Madge the Owle, and melancholly Pusse, Light-loathing Creatures, hatefull, ominous.
His mouth, in signe of silence, vp is bound, For Melancholly loues not many wordes: One foote on Cube is fixt vpon the ground, The which him plodding Constancie affordes: A sealed Purse he beares, to shew no vice, So proper is to him, as Avarice.

Page 127

Sanguis.
[illustration]
THE Aierie Sanguine, in whose youthfull cheeke, The Pestane Rose, and Lilly doe contend: By nature is benigne, and gentlie meeke, To Musick, and all merriment a frend; As seemeth by his flowers, and girlondes gay, Wherewith he dightes him, all the merry May.
And by him browzing, of the climbing vine, The lustfull Goate is seene, which may import, His pronenes both to women, and to wine, Bold, bounteous, frend vnto the learned sort; For studies fit, best louing, and belou'd, Faire-spoken, bashfull, seld in anger moou'd.

Page 128

Cholera.
[illustration]
NEXT Choller standes, resembling most the fire, Of swarthie yeallow, and a meager face; With Sword a late, vnsheathed in his Ire: Neere whome, there lies, within a little space, A sterne ei'de Lion, and by him a sheild, Charg'd with a slame, vpon a crimson feild.
We paint him young, to shew that passions raigne, The most in heedles, and vnstaied youth: That Lion showes, he seldome can refraine, From cruell deede, devoide of gentle ruth: Or hath perhaps, this beast to him assign'd, As bearing most, the braue and bounteous mind.

Page 129

Phlegma.
[illustration]
HEERE Phlegme sits coughing on a Marble seate, As Citie-vsurers before their dore: Of Bodie grosse, not through excesse of meate, But of a Dropsie, he had got of yore: His slothfull hand, in's bosome still he keepes, Drinkes, spits, or nodding, in the Chimney sleepes.
Beneath his feete, there doth a Tortoise crall, For slowest pace, Sloth's Hieroglyphick here, For Phlegmatique, hates Labour most of all, As by his course araiment, may appeare: Nor is he better furnished I find, With Science, or the virtues of the mind.

Page 130

Ad Iesum Christum opt: Max: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Thou art that sheepe.* 1.38
[illustration]
THE sillie Lambe, on Altar lieth bound, Prepared readie, for the Sacrifice, Who willingly awaites his mortall wound, Without resistance, or helpe calling cries, To mooue the tender hearted to relent, Or heauens to heare a dieng Innocent.
Thou art (deere Lord) this Lambe, who for our guilt,* 1.39 Forsook'st the Throne, of highest Maiestie,* 1.40 And gau'st thy blood, for sinners to be spilt, Frend to thy foes, high in humilitie: And is this creature innocent, and dumbe, Till Lion-like, thou shalt to Iudgment come.
Redemptor noster homo nascendo, agnus moriendo, Leo resurgendo, et ad coelos ascendendo, aquila facta est.

Page 131

Nec amicis, nec cognatis fidendum.
[illustration]
THE Partrich building in the ripened wheate, Did charge her young, (while she abroade did flie, With tender care, to search about for meate,) To marke the talke, of those that passed by: Ere long there came, the owner of the corne, Who said by frendes, next day it should be shorne.
There is no daunger, quoth the old one yet, Be still a while, I once abroade againe, Then heard they, he his kinsmen would intreate, Without delay, to fell that feild of graine: Some feare there is, quoth Damme, but if he saies, Hee'le come himselfe, then time to goe our waies.

Page 132

Matrimonium:
[illustration]
WHO loueth best, to liue in Hymens bandes, And better likes, the carefull married state, May here behold, how Matrimonie standes, In woodden stocks, repenting him too late: The servile yoake, his neck, and shoulder weares, And in his hand, the fruitefull Quince he beares.
The stocks doe shew, his want of libertie, Not as he woont, to wander where he list: The yoke's an ensigne of servilitie: The fruitefullnes, the Quince within his fist, Of wedlock tells, which * 1.41 SOLON did present, T'Athenian Brides, the day to Church they went.

Page 133

Sed frigida pulchra. Ad Lesbiam.
[illustration]
LESBIA, that dost th' Elysian Rose excell, Or Cyprian Goddesse, for a beauteous grace; Forgiue me, here that I so plainlie tell, * 1.42My loues long errors, wandring in thy face: Thy face that takes, like that Daedalian maze, All eies thereon, that shall with wonder gaze.
Though fairest faire, thou beest yet like the Snow, Or shamefast Rose, thou inwardly art cold, Nor can the beames, that gentle Loue doth throw, Exhale the sweete, thy bosome doth enfold: As thou art faire, so wert thou Lesbia kind, My wronges had di 'de, and none had knowne thy mind.
* 1.43Sive latet Phoebus, seu terris altior extet, Tu mihi luce dolor, tu mihi nocte venis.

Page 134

Veritas.
[illustration]
A BEAVTEOVS maide, in comly wise doth stand: Who on the Sunnes bright globe, doth cast her eie: An opened booke, she holdeth in her hand, withall the Palme, in signe of victorie; Her right foote treadeth downe the world belowe: Her name is TRVTH, of old depainted so.
Her nakednes beseemes simplicitie: The Sunne, how she is greatest frend to light: Her booke, the strength she holds by * 1.44 historie: The Palme, her triumphes over Tyrants spite: The world she treads on, how in heaven she dwels, And here beneath all earthly thing excells.

Page 135

Etiam hosti servanda. * 1.45
[illustration]
* 1.46OF CONCORD firme, the Romans in their coine, This symbole gaue, their peace about to make, That as their hands, in one their hearts should ioine, * 1.47And sooner first, they would their liues forsake, Then treachr'ously, their vow and promise breake, Though to their foe, if they the word did speake.
* 1.48For lo, the Lord who secrets all doth knowe, With vengeance most, doth plague the faithles wight: * 1.49As that same "Card'nall, prou'd not long agoe, Who in the feild against his faith would fight: With God and man, the truth accepted is; Oh! let not heathen, vs excell in this.
Nam illis promssiis standum quis non videt? quae coactus quis metu, au decepus dolo promiserit. Cicero in offic:
Publica Romulides pacturi foedera iungunt Concordes geminas oreque corde manus. Ingens crede nefas hostiles fallere dextras, * 1.50Quod poenas meruit vindice saepe Deo.

Page 136

Iustitia militaris.
[illustration]
WHEN SCAVRVS forth the Roman youth did lead,* 1.51 To proue their valour on the common foe: Within his Campe, in authors as I read, A peare tree laden with the fruit did grow, Which at's departure, kept the wonted store, As full remaining as it did before.
A mirror for commaunders in our age, Who deeme it honour, and a souldiers guise, To vse on foes all * 1.52 villanous outrage: Rapes, murders, rapines, burnings robberies: And greatest part of valour to consist, Like savage bruites, in spoyling what they list.* 1.53

Page 137

Regum Maiestatem non imminuendam.
[illustration]
THE auntient Romans by their Temples vs'd, To paint a serpent, or such hideous thing: That holy places, might not be abus'd By children, whom they told, that these would sting: And made beleue they liu'd, to that intent, To Sacred things they should be reverent.
* 1.54Vile Traytor, of some Hyrcane Tiger bred, Such Serpents still, thy Soveraignes crowne do guard: But think not as the other, these are dead, * 1.55Like child or foole: but that they are prepar'd, With mortal stings, to be reueng'd on them, That shall abuse, tha'nointed Diadem.
* 1.56Proditores etiam iis quos ante ponunt invisi sunt.

Page 138

Dolis minime fidendum.
[illustration]
THE Cat and Foxe, while that a lone they sate* 1.57 Consulting, Regnard thus began to boast, And soberlie to tel vnto the Cat, His shiftes, when danger did assaile him most: The Cat said, one is proper vnto me If worst should come, that is to take a tree.
Meane time of hounds, there came a yolping crew, Who found the Foxe: Pusse trusting to her clawes, And seeing him torne in peeces, in her view, Said to her selfe, after a litle pause; One honest shift is better now I see, Then all thy cunning in extremitie.

Page 139

Vigil vtrinque.
[illustration]
A BEACON standing on the Rocky shore, Vpon whose top, a cock to sit you see: Gods Ministers doth shew, should evermore, * 1.58Stand Sentinell; and howerly watchfull be, Vpon their flock, defending every port, Whereto the foe, is likeliest to resort.
* 1.59For many are the stratagems of sinne, And Sathan labors still with might and maine, Within our soules, a landing place to win: It is your partes, with fervent prayer againe; And faith the spirits sword, and all yee may, To keepe his malice, from your flocks away.
* 1.60Peccatis totos ne vos sopor opprimat altus, Excubias perago nocte dieque pias: Cumque gregi Daemon Marte insidietur aperto, Littore ab aequoreo taeda cavere iubet.
* 1.61Quisquis populi speculator ponitur, in alto debet stare per vitam, vt possit prodesse per providentiam.

Page 140

Vindicta Divina.
[illustration]
WHILE sinfull Sodome dreades the heavenly fire,* 1.62 And Nero trembles at his shadowes sight: This booke, the Herald of * 1.63 th'Almighties Ire, Doth on the howse, of every swearer light: To Punish iustly, so prophane a sinne, With all the plagues, that are containd therein.
A warning good for swearers, and for those, That think such sinne, their actions only grace: And him the man, that can with fearefull oathes, Blaspheme the Lord of heaven vnto his face: But know prophane, ere many yeares be past,* 1.64 A plague will come, with winged speede at last.
Dum Sodoma immissos horret sibi coelitus ignes, Terga sua et Nemesi dat paricîda Nero:* 1.65 Advolitans coelo liber hic requievit in illum, Numina periuro qui vocat ore Dei.

Page 141

Eternitas.
[illustration]
A VIRGIN faire, purtraicted as you see, With haire dispred, in comelie wise behind: Within whose handes, two golden balls there be: But from the brest, the nether partes are twin'd Within a starrie circle, do expresse, Eternitie, or Everlastingnes.
ETERNITIE is young, and never old: The circle wantes * 1.66 beginning and the end: And vncorrupt for ever lies the gold: * 1.67The heaven her lightes for evermore did lend, The Heathen thought, though heauen & earth must passe, And all in time decay that ever was.
* 1.68Fuit quaedam ab infinito tempore aeternitas, quam nulla circumscriptio tem∣porum metiebatur, spatio tamen qualis ea fuerit intelligi non potest.

Page 142

Hei mihi quod vidi.
[illustration]
LOOKE how the Limbeck gentlie downe distil's,* 1.69 In pearlie drops, his heartes deare quintescence: So I, poore Eie, while coldest sorrow fills, My brest by flames, enforce this moisture thence In Christall floods, that thus their limits breake, Drowning the heart, before the tongue can speake.
Great Ladie, Teares haue moou'd the savage feirce, And wrested Pittie, from a Tyrants ire: And drops in time, do hardest Marble peirce, But ah I feare me, I too high aspire, Then wish those beames, so bright had never shin'd, Or that thou hadst, beene from thy cradle blind.

Page 143

Sic audaces fortuna.
[illustration]
LYSIMACHVS adiudged once to die, By sentence iust, for that he poisoned, CALISTHENES his maister privilie, And lieng long in dungeon fettered To end his daies, did in the end request, He might be thrown, vnto a savadge beast.
The which was straight of ALEXANDER graunted, And naked he vnto a Lion cast, But hauing one arme closely arm'd, vndaunted, By th'vpper Iaw, he holdes his foe so fast, That downe his throate, that armed arme he sendes, And even the heart-stringes, from the bodie rendes.
Which bold attempt, when ALEXANDER knew, Thy life is thine, LYSIMACHVS quoth he, Besides I giue, (as to thy valour due,) My frendship here, my Scepter after me: For thus the virtuous, and the valiant spright, Triumphes o're Fate, and Fortunes deadliest spite.

Page 144

Et minimi vindictam.
[illustration]
WEE doe adore by nature, Princes good, And gladly as our Parents, them obey, But loath the * 1.70 Monsters, that delight in blood, And thinke their People sent them for a prey: To whome the Lord, doth in his Iudgment send, A loathed life, or else a fearefull end.
Once NERO'S name, the world did quake to heare,* 1.71 And ROME did tremble, at DOMITIAN'S sight: But now the Tyrant, cause of all this feare, Is laid full low, vpon whose toombe do light, To take revenge, the Bee, and summer * 1.72 Flie, Who not escap't sometime his crueltie.* 1.73
— sollicito bibunt Auro superbi; quam iuvat nuda manu* 1.76 Captasse fontem
Ad generum Cereris sine caede et sanguine pauci* 1.77 Descendun Reges, et sicca morte Tyranni.

Page 145

Ex vtroque Immortalitas. Ad pijssimum Iacobum magnae Britanniae Regem.
[illustration]
BVT thou whose goodnes, Pietie, and Zeale, Haue caus'd thee so, to be belou'd of thine, (When envious Fates, shall robbe the Common weale, Of such a * 1.78 Father,) shalt for ever shine: Not turn'd as * 1.79 Caesar, to a fained starre, But plac'd a * 1.80 Saint, in greater glory farre.
With whome mild Peace, the most of all desir'd; And learned Muse shall end their happie dayes; While thou to all eternitie admir'd, Shalt liue a fresh, in after ages praise: Or be the Loade-starre, of thy glorious North, Drawing all eies, to wonder at thy worth.
* 1.81Te tua sed Pietas omni memorabilis aevo, Sidus ad aeterni Caesaris vsque feret: Iustitia occumbet tecum, quia Musa, Fidesque In patriam, raris pax et habenda locis.

Page 146

Icon Peccati.
[illustration]
A YOVNG man blind, black, naked here is seene, Ore Mountaine steepe, and Thornie Rock to passe, Whose heart a Serpent gnawes with furie teene, Another's wound about his wast; alas, Since ADAM'S fall, such our estate hath bin, The liuely picture of our guilt and sinne.
His age denotes youthes follies and amisse, His blindnes shewes, our want of wisedomes sight; Sinnes deadly waies, those dang'rous stepps of his,* 1.82 His nakednes, of grace depriued quite: Hell's power the Serpent, which his loines doth girt, A * 1.83 Conscience bad, the other eates his heart.

Page 147

Inconstantia.
[illustration]
INCONSTANCIE with fickle foote doth stand, Vpon a Crab, in gowne of palie greene, A shining Cressaunt shewing in her hand, Which as her selfe, is changing ever seene: That cullour light, she borrowes from the Sea, Whose waues continue, never at a stay.
Forward, and backward, Cancer keepes his pace, Th' inconstant man, so doubtfull in his waies, The private life, one while will most embrace, In travaile then, he listes to spend his dayes: Which was the Kitchin, that he makes a Tower, Then downe goes all togeither in an hower.

Page 148

In Amicos falsos.
[illustration]
TWO frendes there were that did their Iourney take,* 1.84 And by the way, they made a vow to either, What ere befell, they never would forsake, But as sworne brethren, liue and die togeither: Thus wandring thorough desrts, here and there, By chance they met, a great and vgly Beare.
At whome, amazed with a deadly feare, One leaues his frend, and climbeth vp a tree: The other, falles downe flat before the Beare, And keepes his breath, that seeming dead to be, The Beare forsooke him, (for his nature's such, A breathles bodie never once to touch.)
The beast departing, and the daunger past, The dead arose, and kept along his waie: His fellow laping from the tree at last, Askt what the Beare, in's care did whispring say, Quoth he, he bad me, evermore take heede, Of such as thou, that failst in time of neede.

Page 149

Levitas.
[illustration]
A YOVTH arraid, in sundry cullors light, And painted plumes that overspred his crest: Describes the varieng and fantastique wight, (* 1.85 For like our mindes, we commonly are drest:) His right hand holdes, the bellowes to his eare, His left, the quick, and speedie spurre doth beare.
Such is Capriccio, or th'vnstaied mind, Whome thousand fancies howerly doe possesse, For riding post, with every blast of wind, In nought hee's steddie, saue vnstablenes: Musitians, Painters, and Poetique crew, * 1.86Accept what RIPA, dedicates to you.

Page 150

Adhuc mea messis in herba. Ad D. M. L. nobilem quandam Italam Mediolanensem quinquage∣nariam, quae puero vix 15. annos nato non ita pridem nupsit. Iocosum. Pasquini.
[illustration]
ADMIRED Ladie, I haue mused oft, In silent night, when you haue beene in bed, With your young husband, wherevpon you thought, Or what conceipt possest your carefull head, Since he we know, as yet had never seene, His tendrest yeares, amounted to fifteene:
No question but you grieued inward much, As doth the Miser, in a backward yeare: When others reape, to see your harvest such, And all your hopes, but in their blade appeare: Ladie, let henceforth nought disease your rest, For after-crops doe sometime prooue the best.

Page 151

Somniorum Dea.
[illustration]
WHAT louely Goddesse do mine eies behold? That powers such plentie with her bounteous hand: * 1.87Her name is BRYSVS, whome the Greekes of old, As Queene of dreames ador'd within their land: Whome if they seru'd, devoutly as they should, They made no doubt, of hauing what they would.
And well may BRYSVS, be a Goddesse thought, So many who with fancies vaine deceiues: Whome when she to fooles Paradice hath brought, For golden Apples, scarce she giues them leaues: * 1.88To visions vaine, and dreames then take no heede, Which had in Christ, their ending as you reade.
Somnia fallaci ludunt temeraria nocte, Et pavids menes falsa timere iubet.
* 1.89Cerno Deae ffigiem, cuius sed dicito? RYSVS, Quam numen credunt somnia vana suum: * 1.90Fundit opes varias. stultos spe lactat inani, Quos bullis ditat crastina lusa dies.

Page 152

Libidinis effecta.
[illustration]
THE Viper when he doth engender, loe, Thus downe the females throate, doth put his head,* 1.91 Which of she bites, as learned Authours show, And ne're conceiues, before the male be dead: Eke when se forth, her poisonous broode doth send, Her young ones likewise, bring her to her end.
Of Beastly lust, th' effectes herein perceiue, How deadly, and how dangerous they be, Of life and soule, that doe at once bereaue, Turning abundance into beggery: Daughter of Sloth, vile cancker of the mind, Leauing repentance, and foule shame behind.
Saevus criminum stimulus libido est, quae nunquam manere quieum patitur affectum, nocte fervet, die anhelat.* 1.92

Page 153

Sors.
[illustration]
* 1.93A WOFVLL wretch, that languisht in dispaire, Withouten frendes, and meanes of living here, A halter tooke, to make an end of care, The while beneath hid treasure doth appeare: Which to his lot assign'd, by fortunes doome, He takes, and leaues his halter in the roome.
The owner after missing of his pelfe, For deadly greife, his heapes and hopes were gon, The others halter takes, and hanges himselfe: * 1.94Fortune thus dallies ever, and anon O're-swaieng all, with Scepter in her fist, And bandieth vs, like balls which way she list.

Page 154

Inani impetu.
[illustration]
THE Crocodile along th' AEgiptian NILE, That lurkes to make the passenger his pray, The most of all delightes, to robbe and spoile The Hunny-hiues, were he not kept away By Saffron planted, round on every side, Which this slie theife, could never yet abide.* 1.95
This Crocodile, I count the Ghostly foe, Who evermore lies watching, to devoure Our Hopes encrease, that in the soule doth grow, Did not the grace divine, this Saffron flower (Most wholesome herbe) prevent his deadly spight, And guard the Garden, safely day and night.

Page 155

Secundus deteriora dies.
[illustration]
WHEN as TIBERIVS CAESAR past along The streetes of Rome, by chaunce he did espie A Lazar poore, who there amid the throng, Did full of sores, and loathsome vlcers lie, About the which, so busie was the flie: That moou'd with pittie, CAESAR willed some, Stand by to kill them, as they saw them come.
Whereat the wretch, did suddainely replie, These flies are full, pray let them yet alone, For being kill'd, a fresher companie, More hunger pincht, would bite me to the bone: So when the wealthy Iudge, is dead and gone: Some starue one succeedes, who * 1.96 biteth more, * 1.97A thousand times, then did the full before.

Page 156

Silentij dignitas.
[illustration]
LOE SOLON here th' Athenian sage doth stand,* 1.98 The glorie of all GRECIA to this day, With courage bold who taketh knife in hand, And with the same, doth cut his tongue away: But being ask'd of some, the reason why, By writing thus he answer'd by and by.
Oft haue I heard, that many haue sustained,* 1.99 Much losse by talke, and lavishnes of tongue, Of silence never any yet complained, Or could say iustly, it had done him wrong: Who knowes to speake, and when to hold his peace,* 1.100 Findes fewest daungers, and liues best at ease.

Page 157

Vini Energia.
[illustration]
THE husbandman, laid sometime to his vine, To make it beare, the donge of sundry beastes, Whose virtue since, hath quite possest the wine, As may appeare, at many drunken feastes: One * 1.101 Lion-like, doth quarrell with his host, Stares, sweares, breakes windowes, or behacks the post.
Ape-like you see, the second merry still, * 1.102Or whot with lust, he never thinkes of sleepe: Another * 1.103 swinish, feeles his stomach ill: The fourth is soft, and simple as the sheepe: A Romane sage, did sometime thus expresse, In briefe th' effectes, of loathsome Drunkenes.

Page 158

Nec igne, nec vnda.
[illustration]
AMID the waues, a mightie Rock doth stand, Whose ruggie brow, had bidden many a shower, And bitter storme; which neither sea, nor land, Nor IOVES sharpe-lightening ever could devoure: This same is MANLIE CONSTANCIE of mind, Not easly moou'd, with every blast of wind.
Neere which you see, a goodly ship to drowne, Herewith bright flaming in a pitteous fire:* 1.104 This is OPINION, tossed vp and downe, Whose Pilot's PRIDE, & Steeresman VAINE DESIRE, Those flames HOT PASSIONS, & the WORLD the sea, God blesse the man, that's carried thus away.

Page 159

Praecocia non diutrna.
[illustration]
WHILE gentle Zephire, warmes the tender spring, And Flora glads all creatures at her sight: The Almond-trees, ere any leaues they bring, Vnfold their pride, their blossomes red and white: But withered soone, vnto the ground they fall, Or yeild their fruite, the least and last of all.
So many children in their tender yeares, Doe promise much by towardlines of wit, From such, yet seldome any fruite appeares When as some plodder, that below doth sit, Of whome both frendes, and maister did dispaire, As hindmost hound doth soonest catch the Hare.

Page 160

Ira Principum: Quocun{que} ferar.
[illustration]
BY rash attempt, who iniures mightie men, Or by base deede, incurres the Princes Ire,* 1.105 Doth often wish, it were to doe agen, And that his hand, perhaps were in the fire, That fought against him, or with Libell base, Sedition sow'd, or slaunder in disgrace.
For as this Engine, where the same doth light, Like IOVE'S swift-thunder, merciles it strikes, And by the roote, rends vp rebellion quite: The wiser man, will then aware the pikes, And frame himselfe, to liue without offence, First * 1.106 God to serue, and afterwardes his Prince.

Page 161

Vlterius durabit.
[illustration]
THE Monuments that mightie Monarches reare, COLOSSO'S statües, and Pyramids high, In tract of time, doe moulder downe and weare, Ne leaue they any little memorie, The Passenger may warned be to say, They had their being here, another day.
* 1.107But wise wordes taught, in numbers sweete to runne, Preserued by the liuing Muse for aie, Shall still abide, when date of these is done, Nor ever shall by Time be worne away: Time, Tyrants, Envie, World assay thy worst, Ere HOMER die, thou shalt be „ 1.108 fired first.
Ergo cum silices, cum dens patiatur aratri Depereant aevo, carmina morte carent. * 1.109Cedant carminibus Reges, Regumque Triumphi, Cedat et auriferi ripa beata Tagi.

Page 162

Pro Regno, et Religione.* 1.110
[illustration]
THE Monarches good, that doe deserue the name Of „ 1.111 Countrie Parents, by their loue and care Of common-wealth, and to defend the same From publicque harmes, by wise foresight, prepare: * 1.112 By louing heartes, are guarded surer farre, Then some vnweldie SWIZZE, or IANIZAR.
HENRY this once, thy Royall Imprese stood, To shew, thy foe should find thee readie prest, For Church, and Country, to dispend thy bloud, When daunger, or occasion did request, And further, though the Trumpet sterne did cease, Thus evermore, to goe prepar'd in PEACE.

Page 163

Non Nubila tangant.
[illustration]
THE godly mind, that hath so oft assaid, The perils that our frailtie here amate, Through heauenly wisedome, is no more afraid Of Fortunes frowne, and bitter blastes of Fate: For though in vale of woes, her dwelling be, Her nobler part's aboue vntouch't and free.
For mortall thinges doe find their change below, And nought can here defend vs from the shower, Now greatest windes doe threate our overthrow, Our golden morne anon begins to lowre: And while our hopes, are yet but in their sap, Their buds are blasted by the Thunderclap.

Page 164

Ordo.
[illustration]
THE Common-wealth, whose Base is firmely laid On evenest ground, of Iustice and the right, By time or chaunge, in vaine we see assaide, But where affection overswaies with might: Confusion there, all vnto havock bringes, And vndermines, the thrones of mightiest Kinges.* 1.113
Our English STEPHEN, did take vnto him this Faire falling Plume, resembling best of all, The new establsh't goverment of his, Whereas each feather keepes his ranck and fall: So should that state, (let Fortune doe her worst,) As faire, and firme, as ever at the first.

Page 165

His graviora.
[illustration]
THE valiant mind, whome nothing can dismay, The losse of frendes, of goods, or long exile From natiue countrie, perils on the Sea, Night-watchings, hunger, thirst, and howerly toile, Takes courage, and the same abideth fast, With resolution, even vnto the last.
Such shew'd himselfe, AENEAS vnto those Of his poore remnant, on the Tyrrhene Seas; When even dispaire, their eies began to close, * 1.114 We greater bruntes, haue borne (quoth he) then these: And God, (my Mates,) when he shall please will send, Vnto our greatest miseries an end.

Page 166

In vos hic valet.* 1.115 Nicolas VVhite.
[illustration]
WHO striues to keepe a heart and conscience pure, Devoide of vice, and inward guilt of Sinne: Is guarded by his Innocence more sure, And witnesse of an honest mind within, Then if he were in compleate armour clad, * 1.116 Or Bow and quiver of the Moore he had.
For Innocence resembled by the WHITE, And manly courage by the constant heart, Way not a straw the force of SLAVNDERS might, DEATHES Ebone shaft, or CVPIDS golden dart: When, whome Affection, or their guilt doe wound, Even at the first, are stricken to the ground.

Page 167

Nitor in adversum.
[illustration]
THE Cipresse tree, the more with weight opprest, The more (they say) the braunch will vpward shoot, * 1.117And since the bodie doth resemble best, A Columne strong and stately from the roote: The Auntients would, it should the Imprese be, Of Resolution, and true Constancie.
Though Fortune frowne, and doe her worst to bend, Th' vndaunted spirit with her wearie weight, His vertue yet, doth ever vpward tend, * 1.118And he himselfe, standes irremooued streight, Laughing to scorne, the paper blastes of Fate, That would remooue, or vndermine his state.

Page 168

Vanae merces. In Naupalum.* 1.119
[illustration]
RICH NAVPALVS, hath secretly convaid, Our English fleece so long beyond the sea, That not for wit, but for his wealth tis said, Hee's thence return'd a worthy Knight awaie, And brought vs back, beades, Hobbie-horses, boxes, Fannes, Windmills, Ratles, Apes, and tailes of Foxes.
And now like IASON, vp and downe he goes, As if he had th' Hesperian Dragon slaine, And equaliz'd in worth, those old Heroe's, That in the ARGO cut the Grecian maine: Honour thou didst, but doe his valour right, When of the fleece, thou dubbest him a Knight.
Vellera divendit Belgis laudata Britannûm, Sd nugas referens NAVPLVS inde domum:* 1.120 Vellere factus eques, volitat novus alter IASON Vilescit (rides) velleris ordo nimis.

Page 169

Haud conveniunt.
[illustration]
* 1.121I MVCH did muse, why Venus could not brooke, The savadge Boare, and Lion cruell feirce, Since Kinges and Princes, haue such pleasure tooke In hunting: haply cause a Boare did peirce Her Adon faire, who better lik't the sport, Then spend his daies, in wanton pleasures court.
Which fiction though devisd by Poets braine, It signifies vnto the Reader this; Such exercise Loue will not entertaine, Who liketh best, to liue in Idlenes: The foe to vertue, Cancker of the wit, That bringes a thousand miseries with it.
Exosos Veneri lepores mirâre fugaces, Siluestres ceruos, setigerumque genus Ex animis cecidit vel quod* 1.122 Cynarëius Heros, Aut his quod non sit lusibus aptus amor.

Page 170

Zelus in Deum. To my Father, Mr. Henry Peacham, of Leverton in Holland, in the Countie of Linc:
[illustration]
WITH Breast enflam'd, and longing heartes desire, Thus winged Zeale, to heauen-ward castes her eie: And loathing what the world doth most admire, Vpborne by Faith, ascendes aboue the skie: Whereby Oh God, thy misteries we learne, And all beyond, our reasons sight discerne.
And as the Hart embos't, doth long to tast The pearly-trickling streame, or Christall fount, Even so the soule, by Sinne pursu'de and chas'd, Thee, thee, (oh Lord) desires, who dost surmount All treasures, pleasures, which we here possesse, The summe and substance, of our happines.
Nullum omnipotenti Deo tale est sacrificium, quale est zelus animarum.* 1.123 Animi acrimonia cum ad Pietatem accesserit, zelum parit, zelus autem fidei praesidium est.* 1.124

Page 171

Sanctitas simulata.
[illustration]
* 1.125VPON a Crowne with pretious Iemmes beset, * 1.126Say what's the reason thus a hat we see, Since Diadem's of Princes ever yet, From base controule, haue beene exempt and free: There is a sect, whome PVRITANS they call, Whose pride this Figure fitteth best of all.
Not such I meane, as are of Faith sincere, And to doe good endevour all they can, Would all the world of their religion were, We taxe th'aspiring factious Puritan: Whose * 1.127 Paritie, doth worst confusion bring, And Pride presumes to overlooke his King.

Page 172

De Morte, et Cupidine.
[illustration]
DEATH meeting once, with CVPID in an Inne,* 1.128 Where roome was scant, togeither both they lay. Both wearie, (for they roving both had beene,) Now on the morrow when they should away, CVPID Death's quiver at his back had throwne, And DEATH tooke CVPIDS, thinking it his owne.
By this o're-sight, it shortly came to passe, That young men died, who readie were to wed: And age did revell with his bonny-lasse, Composing girlonds for his hoarie head: Invert not Nature, oh ye Powers twaine, Giue CVPID'S dartes, and DEATH take thine againe.

Page 173

* 1.129— Latet abditus agro.
[illustration]
THE valiant mind that once had most delight, By sea and land to make his prowesse knowne, And in defence of King, and countries right, So much his valour, and his vertue showne, Some wished port, doth at the last desire, And home whereto in age he may retire.
For infinite's the summe of world affaires, * 1.130 Nor new, nor straunge, that doe afflict the mind, And shew before the day our silver haires, Yea even before we can experience find: That frailest man, by course of nature dies, * 1.131 Even at his first beginning to be wise.

Page 174

Sine Cerere et Baccho.
[illustration]
SAY Cytharaean maid, why with thy sonne, Both handes and feete thon warmest at the fire? Who wont your selues, t'enkindle many a one, With gentle flames, of kindly loues desire: I ghesse cause BACCHVS is not present heere, With mirthfull wine, nor CERES with her cheere.
Where Temp'rance and Sobrietie do raigne, There lustfull vice, and pleasure frozen are: And vertue best, there liketh to remaine; When often times th' effectes of daintie fare, And drunken healthes, are quarrelles and debate, Blaspheming, whoredome, oathes and deadlie hate.

Page 175

Laboris effecta. To the no lesse vertuous then faire, Mrs. Anne Dudleie. é l' nuda DIANA. Anna Dudleia.* 1.132
[illustration]
DIANA chast, doth eagerly pursue With swiftest houndes, the aiery-footed Stagge: And while they keepe, the merry chase in view, The woodes with Eccho's thundring, Loue doth lagge Behind the thickets, and with arrow keene, Doth lie in waite, to wound this maiden Queene.
But all in vaine he doth his shaftes bestow, For Labour did this Goddesse faire defend, And sau'd her harmelesse from his deadly bow, And pois'nous dartes: so if thou dost intend, To overcome the force of Cupids might, Flie Idlenesse, and then he leaues thee streight.

Page 176

Gratis servire libertas.
[illustration]
THE gentle Merlion, wearied long with flight, While on the spray in shadie groue she sleepes, With tender foote, a Larke she holdeth light, Which till the morning carefully she keepes, Then lets it goe, and least she should that day Praeie on the same, she flies another way.
Such thankfullnes in bird and beast we find, By Natures first instinct obserued still, When worser, man in benefits is blind, Nay oftentimes, for good will render ill: And rather seeke ingratefully his blood, That sau'd his life, or daily gaue him foode.
Fallitur egregio quisquis sub principe credit Servitium, nunquam libertas gratior extat,* 1.133 Quam sub Rege pio —

Page 177

* 1.134Hìn super haec, Musa. Henricus Peachamus.
[illustration]
BID now my Muse, thy lighter taske adieu, As shaken blossome of a better fruite, And with VRANIA thy Creator view, To sing of him, or evermore be mute: Let muddy Lake, delight the sensuall thought, Loath thou the earth, and lift thy selfe aloft.
Repent not (though) thy time so idlely spent, The cunning'st Artist ere he can, (we see) Some rarest Modell bring to his Intent, Much heweth off in Superfluitie: Ad many a pretious hower, I know is lost, Ere ought is wrought to countervaile the cost.

Page 178

Movre levisima sensum.
[illustration]
SO quicke of sense as hath experience taught, The Tortoise liues within her armed shell, That if wee lay the lightest straw aloft, Or touch that Castle wherein she doth dwell, Shee feeles the same and quickly doth retire, A worke of Nature we do most admire,
So many men are in theire Nature prone, To make the worst of matters vaine and light, And for a straw will take occasion, In choller moou'd to quarrell and to fight, Then meddle thou the least for feare of wrong, But most of all beware a lavish tongue.

Page 179

Negatur vtrum{que}.
[illustration]
WHAT shall we doe? now tell me gentle Muse, For we welnigh haue finished our taske, Thy tender hand could never Mattock vse, Full well I wot, nor canst thou humblie aske At greatnes gate, or for reversions sue, As beggars, and the basely minded doe.
Desire of God but this, when thou art old, To haue a home, and somewhat of thine owne, To keepe thy selfe from hunger and the cold, And where thou maiest in quiet sing alone: For thinke it hell, * 1.135 to liue as bird in cage, At others curt'sie, in thy latter age.
* 1.136Bene paupertas humili tecto contecta latet, Quatiunt altae saepe procellae, Aut evertit fortuna Domos.

Page 180

Sorte, aut Labore.
[illustration]
IF neither art, by birth, nor fortune blest, With meanes to liue, or answere thy desire, With cheerefull heart, on labour set thy rest, To bring to passe the thing thou dost require, For lot, or labour, must our calling giue, And find the word, that all doe seeke, TO LIVE.
Though thousands haue beene raised by their frendes, By death, by dowries, even when least they thought, The Lord a blessing, still to labour sendes, When lightly come, doth lightly goe as oft: And goodes ill got, by vse, and wicked gaine, Doe seldome to the second heire remaine.

Page 181

Amicitiae effigies.
[illustration]
THERE was in Rome a goodlie statue fram'd Of youthfull hew, arraied all in greene, Which of the people was TRVE-FRENDSHIP nam'd: Winter and Smmer, on his brow were seene: Within his breast, his heart did plaine appeare, Whereon these wordes were written, FARRE, and NEERE.
Vpon his skirt, stoode LIFE and DEATH below, To testifie in life and death his loue, That farre and neere, with open heart do show, Nor place, nor space, true frendship should remoue: * 1.137 Winter and sommer, whatsoever came, In faire or foule, we should be still the same.
* 1.138〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
Obsecro te ne amicum qui diu quaeritur, vix invenitur, difficile servatur. * 1.139pariter cum oculis, mente amittas.

Page 182

Nulli penetrabilis.
[illustration]
A SHADIE Wood, pourtraicted to the sight, With vncouth pathes, and hidden waies vnknowne: Resembling CHAOS, or the hideous night, Or those sad Groues, by banke of ACHERON With banefull Ewe, and Ebon overgrowne: Whose thickest boughes, and inmost entries are Not peirceable, to power of any starre.
Thy Imprese SILVIVS, late I did devise, To warne the what (if not) thou oughtst to be, Thus inward close, vnsearch'd with outward eies, With thousand angles, light should never see: For fooles that most are open-hearted free, Vnto the world, their weakenes doe bewray, And to the net, the first themselues betray.

Page 183

Vnum, et semel.
[illustration]
A GARDEN thinke this spatious world to be, Where thou by God the owners leaue dost walke, And art allow'd in all varietie, One only flower to crop from tender stalke, (As thou thinkst good) for beautie or the smell, Or some one else, whose beautie doth exell.
This only flower, is some one calling fit, And honest course wherein to leade thy life, Thy selfe applieng carefully to it, Or else the heedie choosing of thy wife: Wherein thou wisely dost thy selfe preferre, Or to thy ruine ever after, erre.

Page 184

In Rquie, Labor.
[illustration]
EXESSE we loath, of want we most complaine, The golden meane we prooue to be the best, Let idle fits refresh thy daylie paine, And with some Labour exercise thy rest, For overmuch of either, duls the spright, And robs our life, of comfort and delight.
If that thou wouldst acquaint thee with the Muse, Withdraw thy selfe, and be thou least alone, Even when alone, as SOLON oft did vse, For no such frend to Contemplation, And our sweete studies, as the private life, Remote from Citie, and the vulgar strife.

Page 185

Rura mihi et silentium.
[illustration]
WERT thou thy life at libertie to choose, And as thy birth, so hadst thy beeing free, The Citie thou shouldst bid adieu, my Muse, And from her streetes, as her infection flee: Where CHAOS and CONFVSION wee see, Aswell of language, as of differing heartes, A bodie severed in a thousand parts.
Thy solitaire * 1.140 Academe should be Some shadie groue, vpon the THAMES faire side, Such as we may neere princely RICHMOND see, Or where a long doth siluer SEVERNE slide, Or AVON courtes, faire FLORA in her pride: There shouldst thou sit at long desired rest, And thinke thy selfe, aboue a Monarch blest,

Page 186

There moughtst thou sing thy sweete Creators praise, And turne at quiet ore some holy booke; Or tune the Accent of thy harmelesse laies Vnto the murmur of the gentle brooke: Whiles round about thy greedy eie doth looke, Obseruing * 1.141 wonders in some flower by, This bent, that leafe, this worme, that butterflie.
Where mightst thou view at full the Hemisphaere On some faire Mountaine, in a Summers night, In spangles there embraudered is the * 1.142 BEARE, And here the FISH, there THESEVS * 1.143 louer bright, The watry HYADS, here deceiue our sight, ERIDANOS, and there ORION bound, Another way the silver SWANNE is found.
Or wouldst thou Musick to delight thine eare, Step but aside into the neighbour spring, Thou shalt a thousand wing'd Musitians heare, Each praising in his kind the heauenly King: Here PHILOMEL, doth her shrill TREBLE sing, The THRVSH a TENOR, off a little space, Some matelesse DOVE, doth murmur out the BASE.
Geometry or wishest thou to learne, Obserue the Mill, the Crane, or Country Cart, Wherein with pleasure, soone thou shalt discerne The groundes, and vse of this admired Art, The rules of NVMBRING, for the greatest part, As they were first devis'd by Country Swaines, So still the Art with them entire remaines.
If lou'st thy health, preferre the Country Aire, Thy Garden fore the Pothecaries shoppe, Where wholesome herbes, shall it at full repaire, Before a Quint'sence, or an oily droppe: There groweth the Balme, there shooteth Endiue vp: Here Paeonte for th' Epilepsie good, There Dill, and Hysope, best to ••••nch the bloud.

Page 187

The cooling Sorrell, and the Perslie whot, The Smallage, for a bruise, or swelling best, The Mercurie, the formost in the Pot, The Lavander, beloued for the Chest, The Costmarie, to entertaine the guest, The Rosemarie, and Fenel, seldome set, The lowlie Daisie, and sweete Violet.
Nor Princes richest Arras may compare With some small plot, where Natures skill is showen, Perfuming sweetely all the neighbour aire, While thousand cullors in a night are blowne: Here's a light Crimson, there a deeper one, A Maidens blush, here Purples, there a white, Then all commingled for our more delight.
Withall (as in some rare limn'd booke) we find, Here, painted Lectures of Gods sacred will, The Disie, teacheth lowlines of mind, The Camomill, we should be patient still, The Rue, our hate of vices poison ill, The Woodbine, that we should our frendship hold, Our Hope, the Sav'rie, in the bitterst cold.
Yet loue the Citie, as the kindly Nurse Of all good Artes, and faire Civillitie: Where though wi•••• good, be intermix't the worse, That most disturbe our sweete Tranquillitie: Content thy selfe, till thine Abillitie, And better hap, shall answere thy desire, * 1.144 But Muse beware, least we too high aspire.

Page 188

Omnis a Deo Sapientia.
[illustration]
THE Poets faigne, IOVE to haue beene with child, But very straunge, conceiu'd within his head, And knowing not, his burthen how to yeeld, Lo! MVLCIBER doth bring the God abed, By cutting with an Axe, his skull in two, When issueth PALLAS forth, with much adoe.
By PALLAS, is all heavenly wisdome ment, Which not from Nature, and our selues proceedes, But is from God, immediately sent, (For in our selues, how little goodnes breedes) That threefold power of the Soule againe Resembling God, resideth in our braine.
Some wits of men, so dull and barren are, That without helpe of Art, no fruite they bring, Whose Midwife must be toile, and endlesse care, And Constancie, effecting every thing: And those who wanting Eloquence, are mute, Some other way like IOVE, must 〈◊〉〈◊〉d their fruite.

Page 189

Divina misericordia.
[illustration]
THE greedie Eagle here, vpon the tree, PROMETHEVS heart with teene doth praey vpon, * 1.145But this example doth admonish thee On wretches poore to haue compassion: To pitie those, on whome doth fortune frowne, * 1.146And Tyrant-like, not more to crush them downe.
This pleaseth God, this Pietie commaundes, Nature, and Reason, * 1.147 bids vs doe the like, Yea though our foes, doe fall into our handes, Wee should * 1.148 haue mercie, not in malice strike: Who helpes the sick, and pities the oppressed, He liues to God, and doubtlesse dieth blessed.
Pulchrum est eminere inter illustres viros, Consulere patriae, parcere afflictis, * 1.149Fera caede abstulere, tempus atque irae dare; Orbi quietem, Saeculo pacem suo, Haec summa vi••••••, petitur hac Coelum via.

Page 190

Homo Microcosmus.
[illustration]
HEARE what's the reason why a man we call A little world? and what the wiser ment By this new name? two lights Coelestiall Are in his head, as in the Element: Eke as the wearied Sunne at night is spent, So seemeth but the life of man a day, At morne he's borne, at night he flits away.
Of heate and cold as is the Aire composed, So likewise man we see breath's whot and cold, His bodie's earthy: in his lunges inclosed, Remaines the Aire: his braine doth moisture hold, His heart and liver, doe the heate infold: Of Earth, Fire, Water, Man thus framed is, Of Elements the threefold Qualities.

Page 191

And as we fitly INFANCIE compare Vnto the SPRING, so YOVTH we liken may To lazie SVMMER, whot devoid of care: His middle Age to AVTVMNE, his decay To WINTER, snowie white, and frostie gray, For then his vigor failes, his heate is cold, And like the saplesse Oake he dieth old.
Vini natura.
[illustration]
BEST BACCHVS Ivie thy faire brow befits, Thy winges withall, that proud Gorgonean horse: Because thou addest vigor to our wits, Heate to our blood, vnto our bodie force: Mirth to our heartes, vnto the dullard spright A quick Invention, to the Sence delight.

Page 192

Vnum alam.
[illustration]
THE Husband good, that by experience knowes, With cunning skill, to prune, and when to plant, Must lop the Tree where ranck abundance growes, Aswell as helpe the barren in her want: Else happilie, when Summer season's past, With leaues he may goe satisfie his tast.
Even so the wit, that ranckly doth abound, With many fancies but it selfe deceiues: And while it seemes in sundry Artes profound, In no one good it's fruitfull, but in leaues: Then some one calling choose, whence good may growe, And let the rest, as * 1.150 needelesse branches goe.

Page 193

Terminus.
[illustration]
* 1.151A PILLAR high, erected was of stone, In former times, which TERMINVS they nam'd: And was esteem'd, a God of every one: The vpper part, was like a woman fram'd, Of comely feature downe vnto the brest, Of Marble hard a Pillar was the rest.
Which when IOVE passed by, with sterne aspect, He bad this God remooue, and get him gone, But TERMINVS as stoutly did neglect His heste, and answer'd, I giue place to none: * 1.152I am the bound of thinges, which God aboue Hath fixt, and none is able to remooue.

Page 194

Fortuna maior.
[illustration]
HEERE Povertie, doth conquered Fortune bind, And vnder keepes, like HERCVLES in aw, The meaning is, the wise and valiant mind, In Povertie esteemes not Fate a straw: * 1.153 And though a while this angry Goddesse frowne, She vtterlie shall never cast him downe.
If Wisdome haue but what the corpes doth craue, Convenient foode and raiment for the back: And libertie to liue, not like a slaue Here in this world, she little else doth lack: But can contented in her cottage sing, In greater safetie, then the greatest King.

Page 195

Nec in vna sede morantur.
[illustration]
THE awfull Scepter though it can compell By powerfull might, great'st Monarches to obay: Loue, where he listeth, liketh best to dwell, And take abroade his fortune as he may: Ne might, or gold, can winne him thence away, Whereto he is through strong affection led, Be it a Pallace, or the simplest shedde.
But VENVS Infant, dred of all beneath, Imperious feare from my sweete Saint remooue, And with thy soft Ambrosial kisses, breath Into her bosome meeke, and mildest Loue With melting Pitie, from thy Queene aboue: That she may reade, and oft remember this, And learne to loue, who most beloued is.

Page 196

Super terram peregrinans.
[illustration]
NOR house, nor home, hath wretched man on earth, Ne ought he claimeth iustly as his owne: But as a * 1.154 Pilgrim wandring from his birth In Countries straunge, and Deserts wild vnknowne, Like * 1.155 RECHABITE, or those Tartarian * 1.156 HORDES, Whose vastest Region but a Tent affordes.
Betime hence learne we wisely to supplie Our inward wantes, ere hence we flit away: And hide in Heauen, that treasure carefully, Which neither Moth, nor Canker shall decaie: In * 1.157 following state, eke not to spend our stock, Where oft for merit, we but gaine a mock.

Page 197

Sapientia, Avaritia, et Dolus, decipiunt.
[illustration]
AH pitie PALLAS, who hath thee enwrapt? And in a snare, thus brought thee to distresse: The wisest now I see may be entrapt, And Vertue stoope to Fortunes ficklenesse: Nor Scholler-ship, or wit, at all times can From sad disaster, keepe a mortall man.
The loue of Money, and Dissimulation, Hold thee MINERVA tangled in their snare: For now the world, is growne to such a fashion, That those the wisest, that the richest are, And such by whome the simpler should be taught, Are in the net, like PALLAS soonest caught.

Page 198

Personam non animum.
[illustration]
THE Hypocrite, that doth pretend in show, A feigned Zeale of Sanctitie within, Eschew betime, nor haue with such to doe, Whose hoodes are but the harbour of their Sinne, And humblest habits, but a false disguise, To cloke their hate, or hidden villanies.
No HIRCAN Tyger, ERYMANTHIAN Beare, So arm'd with malice, thirstie after blood, To high estate aspiring, as they are, The worst of men, nay man it is too good. Where LVCIFER did openly rebell To God, these Traitors even within the Cell.

Page 199

Honores isti liunde.
[illustration]
THE cheifest good, (ah would so good it were) That most imagine Honours bring with them, We pick from others praises here and there, So patch herewith an Indian Diadem Of Parrats feathers, vocall favours light, And Plumes indeede, whereto we haue no right.
He is not honourd that Discents can show, Nor he that can commaund a numerous traine, Nor he to whome the vulgar lout so low, Nor he that followes Fashion light and vaine, Saluting windowes, and around doth wheele, Like VRSA MAIOR, starres from head to heele.
We honour him, whose Actions not deface, The Glories which his Ancestors haue wonne, By Cowardise, or vicious liuing base, Ne wrong for Passion, or Affect hath done: In whome at once, Artes, Bountie, Valour, dwell. Contending each which other should excell.

Page 200

Non alit, eneat.
[illustration]
THE Laurel greene, that long in safetie stood By PENEVS streame, the Muses chast delight, Oft water'd by the NAIAD'S of the flood, And oft reviued by her „ 1.158 Louer bright, The Waue assaileth with her swelling might, And overthrowes in time, (but who doth know Their miserie, that neere to Greatnes grow.)
This sacred Bay, is Learning and the Artes, In former times that flourished at will, Now wash'd and worne by some, even to the heartes, Who should haue succour'd and vpheld them still, Who eate the Corne, but throw the Chaffe to Skill: And what the Church had once to holy vses, Serues them to pride, and all prophane abuses.

Page 201

Minimus in summo.
[illustration]
IF that thy Fortunes haue their heigth attain'd, And bid thee not on greatnes BASE to feare, Let not with that preferment thou hast gain'd, Vnwonted Pride, or Insolence appeare: But how much higher thou art plac'd in sight, So much the lesse affect thy state and might.
For Honors, know, but lend Ambition winge, And like false mirrours, make vs seeme too greate, Vpborne by vulgar breath, (the vainest thing,) Till all be melted by the Soveraigne heate: That left abandon'd, in a trustlesse aire, We drowne within an Ocean of dispaire.

Page 202

Nil viribus impar.
[illustration]
FIRST trie thy strength, and ponder well the end, Ere thou attempt'st a buisines of weight, By triall made of wit, thy wealth, or frend, Who can advise, or iudge of thy conceipt: Thou else but hastest, to thy losse and shame, While abler Iudgments, beare away the game.
Hence noblest houses, their decay haue knowne, And greatest Clerkes in vaine opinions err'd, And wits too heavy-rancke beene overthrowne, Who else in time, mought well haue beene preferr'd: Withall we taxe, the glorious foole that crakes, Yet good at nothing, that he vndertakes.

Page 203

Sic bellica virtus.
[illustration]
THE valiant mindes, that doe delight a farre, By vertuous deede to make their prowesse knowne, Who not of * 1.159 Fathers Actes ambitious are, But of the braue Atcheiuements of their owne, Thus as their Ensignes folded vp vnshowne, In Peace reiected, or forgotten lie: Till new Alarmes, advance them out on high.
But Wisedome ever armed with Fore-sight, Then rateth Valour at her weight in gold, For though the ease-full world her merit slight, She seees aloofe the storme. How Malice old Plaies loose a while to get the better hold, And bids vs arme, when least we thinke of knocks, For * 1.160 Foes asleepe, (they say) the Divell rocks,

Page 204

Tantó dulcius.
[illustration]
THE mortall strifes that often doe befall, Twixt louing Bretheren, or the private frend, Doe proue (we say) the deadliest of all: Yet if * 1.161 compos'd by concord, in the end They relish sweeter, by how much the more, The Iarres were harsh, and discordant before.
How oft hereof the Image I admire, In thee sweete MVSICK, * 1.162 * 1.163 Natures chast delight, The * 1.164 Banquets frend, and * 1.165 Ladie of the Quire; Phisition to the melancholly spright:* 1.166 Mild Nurse of Pietie, ill vices foe; Our Passions Queene, and * 1.167 Soule of ALL below.

Page 205

Per far denari.
[illustration]
THE worldly wretch, that day and night doth toile, And tire himselfe in bodie and in minde, To gather that by all devises vile, He must be faine ere long to leaue behinde: All shapes like PROTEVS gladly entertaines, No matter what, so that they bring the gaines.
Abroade Religion, Flatterie at the Court, Plaine dealing in the Countrie where he dwells, Then Gravitie among the wiser sort, Where Fooles are rife, his Follie most excells: Thus every way transforme himselfe he can Saue one, in time to turne an honest man.

Page 206

Aula.
[illustration]
WITH mightie men, who likes to spend his prime, And loues that life, which few account the best, In hope at length vnto his heigth to clime, By good desert, or thorough Fortune blest, May here behold the Modell of his blisse, And what his life, in summe and substance is.
A Ladie faire, is FAVOVR feign'd to be, Whose youthfull Cheeke, doth beare a louely blush,* 1.168 And as no niggard of her courtesie, She beares about a Holy-water brush: Where with her bountie round about she throwes, Faire promises, * 1.169 good wordes, and gallant showes.

Page 207

Herewith a knot of guilded hookes she beares, With th' other hand, a paire of * 1.170 Stocks she opes, To shew her bondage: on her feete she weares Lead-shoes, as waiting long vpon her Hopes: And by her doth the fawning Spaniel lie, The Princes bane, the marke of * 1.171 Flatterie.
Stet quicun{que} volet potens Aulae culmine lubrico * 1.172Me dulcis saturet quies; Obscurus positus loco Leni perfruar otio.

Notes

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