Bel-vedére, or, The Garden of the muses

Of Kingdomes, &c.

The Kingdome, Countrey, and the Common-weale, Are things that subiects loue doe most reueale.

KIngdomes are Fortunes slattering gifts, soone lost. Kingdomes are burd'nous to the wi••est men. Con••••rd doth keepe a Realme in stable stay. When discord brings all kingdomes to decay. Wretched the state where men desire to die. Who striues to alter lawes, disturbes the state. Kingdomes are commonly much sooner lost Than kept: desir'd, than had with mightie cost. Kingdomes are Fortunes ••atall tenise balls. A wicked king, makes a more wicked land. A man that takes delight in doing all, To trouble all the State deui••eth ••••i••l. In a well-gouern'd state one head is best. Some men vnwilling benefit their land. Fooles set in office, doe their sple••es ••e••e••le: And meaning well, m••st h••••t the common-weale. Some vnawares their countries good pro••erre. All earthly kingdomes, euen as men m••st perish.

Kingdomes are rul'd but badly, where the base Will checke the chiefe that sit in highest place. No state stands sure, but on the grounds of right. Realmes neuer get by chaunge, but paine and losse. When lawes are ma••e, they ought to be obey'd, And rulers willes with reuer••nce to be weigh'd Wisdome and care are kingdomes chiefest prop••. Rude multitudes are kingdomes ouerthrow. By nature, man vnto the wo••st i•• bent, If wholsome statutes stay not his inten••. Innocent men are common-weale•• b••st treasure. Innocence makes kingdoms florish more than arms. That kingdome ought of right to be destroy'd, Which once was vertues ••lower, now vices weed. Wise princes are their kingdomes con••••o••ters. Vniust ex••••••ons killes a common-weale. No greater da ••nger to a common-wealth, Than when vnskilf••ll 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ ••ide her powers. Kingdomes are nothing el••e but common care. Where tools b••are r••le the common wealth decaies▪ In •• calme•• a many see how 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••gin, But few respect the en•• and em••••lie. Where wi•••• m••n are neglected, kingdomes perish. No n••ar••r kinred can be, than our countrey. The••e •••••• no common-weales more loose and bad, T••a•• w••e••e the c••m••••n•• ••••ue most libertie. Our countrey, parents▪ kin, claime part in vs. Our countries loue ought be most deare to vs. And ••••ties of common-weales d••••ay, •••••••••• b••il••ing•• ••••••••, and carel••sse heads beare sway. Where any may li••e well, that is his countrey. Remembrance of ou•• countrey is most sweet. In common-weales such should be honour'd most, As shew their care both insterne warre and peace.

•••••• countrey first by nature claimeth vs. ••••••••••t is the death in cause of common-weale. The gouernment of common weales and state, Will (without wi••dome) soone he ruinate. Reward and punishment are kingdomes keyes. Peace in a common-wealth is mellodie. There's nothing c••n impresse so deare constraint, As countries cause and common foes disclaine. Men of desert, their countrey least esteemes. Discretion best doth rule a common-weale. That kingdome may be counted fortunate, Where no man liueth by anothers sweat. Seditious heads disturbe the common good. Vnruly members soone should be lopt of.

Similies on the same subiect.

AS spring and Autumne hazard health by chaunge, So ••nnouations harme a common-wealth. Looke how the body void of members is, Euen so are kingdomes dispossest of lawes. As ships in tempests need all helping hands, So in a kingdome none must idlely stand. As many Elements one temper frame, So diuers mens endeauours helpe the state. As from the heart all members haue their life, So from the common-wealth comes each mans good. As Captaines are the eyes to lead their men, So kings are Load-starres to their common-weales.

Examples likewise on the same.

VLysses lou'd so deare his natiue land. As for it, he refus'd to be immortall.

Aglaurus to redeeme his countries peace, From Athens walls himselfe threw headlong downe. Faire Iphigenia for her kingdomes good, Made willing sacrifice of her owne blood. King Codrus, rather than his realme should perish, Gladly did runne vpon his foe-mens swords. Xenophon did thinke them vnworthie life, That made no conscience of the common-wealth. He that denyes to die in countries cause, Deserues (saith Tullie) hate of all good men.