The Muses Elizium lately discouered, by a new way ouer Parnassus. The passages therein, being the subiect of ten sundry nymphalls, leading three diuine poemes, Noahs floud. Moses, his birth and miracles. David and Golia. By Michael Drayton Esquire.

THE THIRD BOOKE.

¶ The Argument.

God drownes th' Egyptians in his ire, Doth march before his host in fire, From the hard rocks strikes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 springs, Raines Quailes and Manna, conguers Kings, And searefull plagues on them doth trie, For murm'ring and idolatrie: Vnto the promis'd Land them brought, When it they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 yeeres had fought; Balaam to blesse them he doth send, Their good successe, milde Moyses end.

THose which at home scorn'd 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and his force, And whose departure he did humbly pray, He now pursues with his Egyptian horse And warlike foote to spoile them on the way. Where his choice people strongly to protect, The onely God of Emperie and might, Before his host his standard doth erect, A glorious pillar in a field of light, Which he by day in sable doth vnfolde, To dare the Sonne his Ardour to forbeare, By night conuerts it into flaming golde, Away the coldnesse of the same to feare. Not by Philistia he his force will leade, Though the farre nearer and the happier way, His men of warre a glorious march shall tread On the vast bowels of the bloudie Sea. And sends the windes as Currers forth before

To make them way from Pharaohs power to flie, And to conuay them to a safer shore, Such is his might that can make Oceans drie. Which by the stroke of that commanding wand, Shouldred the rough seas forcibly together, Raised as Rampiers by that glorious hand, (Twixt which they march) that did conduct them thither. The surly waues their Rulers will obay'd By him made vp in this confused masse, Like as an Ambush secretly were laid, To set on Pharaoh as his power should passe. Which soone with wombes insatiably wide, Loos'd from their late bounds by th' Almighties power, Come raging in, enclosing euery side, And the Egyptians instantly deuoure. The Sling, the stiffe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and the sharpned Launce, Floting confusdly on the waters rude, They which these weapons lately did aduance, Perish in sight of them that they pursude. Clashing of Armours, and the rumorous sound Of the sterne billowes in contention stood, Which to the shores doe euery way rebound, As doth affright the Monsters of the flood. Death is discern'd triumphantly in Armes On the rough Seas his slaughtery to keepe, And his colde selfe in breath of mortals warmes, Vpon the dimpled bosome of the deepe. There might you see a Checkquer'd Ensigne swim About the bodie of the enui'd dead, Serue for a hearse or couerture to him, Ere while did wast it proudly 'bout his head. The warlike Chariot turn'd vpon the backe With the dead horses in their oraces tide, Drags their sat carkasse through the fomie bracke That drew it late vndauntedly in pride. There floats the bard Steed with his Rider drownd,

Whose foot in his caparison is cast, Who late with sharpe spurs did his Courser wound, Himselfe now ridden with his strangled beast. The waters conquer (without helpe of hand) For them to take for which they neuer toile, And like a Quarrie cast them on the land, As those they slew they left to them to spoile. In eightie eight at Douer that had beene, To view that Nauie (like a mighty wood) Whose 〈◊〉〈◊〉 swept Heauen, might eas'lie there haue seene, How puissant Pharaoh perish'd in the floud. What 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a conquest strictiy they did keepe, Into the channell presently was pour'd Castilian riches scattered on the deepe, That Spaines long hopes had 〈◊〉〈◊〉 deuour'd. Th' afflicted English rang'd along the Strand To waste what would this threatning power betide, Now when the Lord with a victorious hand In his high iustice scourg'd th'Iberian pride. Hence three dayes march to Mara leades them on, Where Surs wilde Desarts as the Armie past Seemed as from their presence to haue flowne, The mountaines stood so miserably agast. Where for with drought they hardly are bested, And the soule waters bitter as the gall, That they should through this wildernesse be led To thanklesse murm'ring presently they fall. God pointeth Moyses to a precious tree, Whose medc'nall branches cast into the lake, Of that rare vertue he approu'd to be, The waters sweet and delicate to make. Not that his hand stands any way in neede Of mediate meanes his purposes to bring, But that in state his wisedome will proceede To shew his power in euery little thing. Nor Metaphysickes fully him confine, All measuring so immeasurably great,

That doth in Nature euery cause combine, This ALL in him so amply hath receate. Which might haue learn'd them in this helpelesse case, With tribulations willingly to meete, When men with patience troubles doe embrace How oftentimes it makes affliction sweete. And his free bountie fully now they found, As they from Mara for mount Sina made, Pitching in Elim in that plenteous ground Of pleasant fountaines and delicious shade. But as at Sur, so they againe at Sin, Before of thirst, of hunger now complaine, Wishing they might in Egypt still haue bin, Where neuer famine all their time did raigne.

When clouds of Quailes from the Arabian shore Vpon the Campe immediately are sent, Which came so long and in such marulous store, That with their flight they smother'd euery Tent: This glads the Eu'ning, each vnto his rest, With soules euen sated with these dainty Cates, And the great goodnesse of the Lord confest, That in like measure each participates. The morne strewes Manna all about the host (The meate of Angels) 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to refresh, Candying the fresh grasse, as the Winters frost, Neuer such bread vnto so dainty flesh O Israel pampred with this heauenly food, Which else to Nations earthly he denies, To raise thy spirits, to rectifie thy Blood With these so rare celestiall purities. Then the fat flesh-pots they so much desire, Whereon in Egypt gluttoning they fed, When they came hungry home from carrying mire, Which onely dulnesse, and grosse humours bred. Yet in the sweetnesse and th' abundant store, His power not so conclusiuely exprest, But who tooke most not capable of more

Then in his Gower he that gathered least. By night corrupting, each day gath'ring new, But for the Sabbath what they did prouide, That day descended not that heauenly dewe, That as that day was onely sanctifide. Thence through those Desarts desolate and drie, They reach to Raph'dom where as they should passe, There was not found a fountaine farre nor nie, Such want of water euery where there was: Thither the Lord by Moyses did them bring, His force the faithlesse Israelites might know, For euen in the impossiblest thing, He most delights his wondrous might to show. Farre worse than Mara is this fruitlesse soile, For there were waters (bitter though they were) But here are none, though sought with ne're such toile, That they from murm'ring longer not forbeare. Commanding Moyses he should take the Rod, Wherewith in Egypt he such wonders wrought, For that most wise, that secret-seeing God Saw there were some thus reasoned in their thought. The misterie of that miraculous wand He did to plagues and fearefull things imply, That Aaron yet ne're tooke it in his hand, When worke of mercy was atchieu'd thereby. Therefore bids Moyses to this high intent, The same to vse, they visibly might see, That this which erst had beene the instrument Of iustice, so of clemencie to be. Which with a blow, the Cleeues in sunder crackt, As with an earthquake violently rent, Whence came so strong and rough a Cataract, That in the stones wore gutters as it went. The Springs spout forth such plenty, that withall Downe the slope sides it violently swept, So diuers wayes, so various in the fall, Through euery cranny the cleare water crept.

In Pailes, Kits, Dishes, Basons, Pinboukes, Bowles, Their scorched bosomes merrily they baste, Vntill this very howre their thirstie soules Neuer touch'd water of so sweet a taste. Scarcelie susfic'd but in the very neck Of this, 'tis bruted by the watchfull post, That the neere-bordring enuious Amaleck. Was marching towards them with a mighty host, When he forth Iosua from the rest doth draw, A man selected, of couragious spirit, Which Moyses with propheticke eye foresaw, Should be the man, his roome that should inherit Commanding him to muster out of hand, And draw his forces presently to head, Against that proud Amalakite to stand, Which in the field a puissant Armie led. Whilst on rocke Horeb, with erected hand, Bearing the Rod vp to the glorious skie, Twixt Hur and Aaren, Amrams sonne doth stand, Whilst both the hosts for victorie doe trie. When blades are brandish'd and the fight begun, Warres thundring horror trumpets doe proclaime, With the reflection of the radiant Sunne, Seemes to beholders as a generall flame. Much courage and dexteritie that day On either part sufficiently is showne, And on the earth full many a Souldier lay, Thrusting through danger to make good his owne. Here men might see how many a strenuous guide Striueth to make his enemie to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Now the fierce vaward, then the rere ward plide, As he perceiueth the Battalians neede. They fight the full day, he the Rod vpheld, But when his strength by long continuing failes, Where as before the Israelites had queld, The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 proud Amalakite preuailes. Whilst the two Hebrewes prouident of harmes.

Setting graue Moses downe vpon a stone, And by their force support his wearied 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Vntill the foe was lastly ouerthrowne.

Iethro the iust to whom report had told, Th'atchieuement wrought by his renowned sonne, That all the world did tributary hold, By deeds in Egypt God by him had done: This good old man to consummate their ioyes In happy houre his sonne is come to see, Bringing his wife and his two little Boyes, Moses sent back in Midian sase to bee: Which by this time two proper Youthes are growne, Bred by their Grandsire with exceeding care, In all the host there hardly could be showne, That with those Boyes for beauty could compare. Such mirth and feasting as for them was seene, For this graue Father and this goodly Dame, Vnto this day in Israel had not beene, Since to kinde Ioseph righteous Iacob came. The day mild Moses scarcely can sustice, To tell this man the troubles they had past, The wonders God had acted in their eyes, Since they in Midian kindly parted last. Iethro that mark'd the paines that Moses tooke In rising early, and in resting late, That did himselfe into all causes looke, And in his person censure each debate: This Princely Priest a man exceeding wise, And long experienc'd in this great affaire, (For at that time few States or Monarchies Whose gouernment he could not well declare) Reproues good Moses in this zealous deed: (Quoth he) me thinks thou dost not well in this, The course wherein I see thou dost proceed Trouble to thee and to the people is. Appoint out Iudges, and inferiour Courts, Twixt the Plebeans and thy selfe to bee,

From them receiue those matters by report, Speake thou to God and let them speake to thee, In things importa t be thou still in place, In lesser causes leauing them to deale, So may you both your quietnes embrace. By an exact and perfect Common-weale.

Now when to Sina they approched neare, God calls vp Moyses to the mount aboue, And all the rest commaundeth to forbeare, Nor from the bounds assign'd them to remoue. Nor who those limits lonsely did exceede, (Which were by Moses mark'd them out beneath) The Lord had irreuocably decreed With darts or stones should surely die the death. Where as the people in a wondrous fright (With hearts transfixed euen with frosen blood) Beheld their Leader openly in sight Passe to the Lord, where he in glory stood. Thunder and Lightning led him downe the ayre, Trumpets celestiall sounding as he came, Which struck the people with astounding feare, Himselfe inuested in a splendorous flame. Sina before him fearfully doth shake, Couered all ouer in a smouldring smoake, As ready the foundation to forsake, On the dread presence of the Lord to looke. Erect your spirits and lend attentiue care To marke at Sina what to you is said, Weake Moses now you shall not simply heare, The sonne of Amram and of lacobed. But he that Adam imparadise, And lent him comfort in his proper blood, And saued Noah, that did the Arke deuise, When the old world else perish'd in the flood, To righteous Abraham, Canaan franckly lent. Aud brought forth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 so extreamly late, Iacob so faire and many children sent,

And rais'd chast Ioseph to so high estate. He whose iust hand plagu'd Egypt for your sake, That Pharaohs power so 〈◊〉〈◊〉 did mock, Way for his people through the Sea did make, Gaue food from Heauen, and water from the Rock. Whilst Moses now in this cloud-couered hill, Full forty dayes his pure aboade did make, Whilst that great God in his almighty will, With him of all his Ordinances brake. The Decalogue from which Religion tooke The being: sinne and righteousnesse began The different knowledge: and the certaine booke Of testimony betwixt God and man. The Ceremoniall as Iudicious lawes, From his high wisdome that receiu'd their ground, Not to be altred in the smallest clause, But as their Maker wondrously profound. The composition of that sacred phane, Which as a Symbol curiously did shew, What all his six dayes workmanship containe, Whose perfect modell his owne finger drew. Whose absence thence gaue leasure to their lust, Oppugning Aaron, Idols them to frame, And by their power still strengthen this disgust, In him denouncing the Almighties name. A gold-made God how durst you euer name. For him so long had led you from the Skie, In sight of Sina crowned with a flame, His glory thence 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in your eye? Such things might melt mortality to see, That euen the very Elements did fright, He that in Egypt had perform'd for thee, What made the world amazed at his might. Thy soule 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ne'r before thou felt'st, But like a Quarry't euen claue thy breast, Comming from Sina when as thou breast, Th'elected Israel kneeling to a Beast,

Him sence for sooke, his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 strengthlesse are, He came so much amazed there-withall, The stony Tables slip'd him vnaware, That with their owne weight brake them in the fall. Downe this proud lump ambitiously he flung Into base dust dissoluing it-with fire, That since they for variety did long, They should thereby euen surfet their desire. And sent the minerall through their hatefull throats, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 late those horrid blasphemies did flie On bestiall figures when they fell to doate In prostitution to idolatrie. Now when this potion that they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 tooke, This Chymick medicine (their deserued sare) Vpon their beards, and on their bosome stooke, He doth their slaughter presently prepare. What's he himselfe to Leuis could allie Before this Calfe not sinfully did fall, Girds not his broad blade to his sinewie thie, When he heares Moyses vnto Armes to call? Killing not him appointed he should slay, Though they had slep'd in eythers armes before, Though in one wombe they at one burthen lay. Yea when this dead, though that could be no more? You whom not Egypts tyranic could wound, Nor Seas, nor Rockes could any thing denie, That till this day no terrour might astound On the sharpe points of your owne swords to die?

When Moyses now those Tables to renew Of that essentiall Deitie doth merit, (Which from his hands he dissolutely threw In the deepe anguish of his grecued spirit. When forty dayes without all nat'rall food) He on mount Sina fixed his abode, Retayning strength and feruour in his blood, Rap'd with the presence of that glorious God. Who in his high estate whilst he passed by

In the cleft rocke that holy man did hide, Lest he should perish by his radiant eye, When Moyses seeing but his glorious side Celesliall brightnesse ceazed on his face, That did the wondring Israelites amaze, When he returned from that souereigne place, His browes encireled with splendidious rayes. That their weake sight beholding of the same, He after couer'd from the common eyes, Lest when for answer vnto him they came, The lusting people should idolatrize.

Might we those mustred Israclites admire From plaines of Sina mighty Moyses led, Or else to view that opulence desire, To that rich Arke so freely offered. The meruailous modell of that rarest peece Th'ingrauings, caruings, and embroderies tell, The cunning worke and excellent deuice Of neat Aholiah, and Bexaliell. But we our Moyses seriously pursue, And our strong nerues to his high praise applie, That through this maze shall guide vs as a Clue, And may his vertues absolutely trie. Whose charge being weary of their mighty Armes, And much offended they had march'd so long, As oft disturbed with their sterne Alarmes, Suppose by Moyses to haue suffered wrong. When with the luggage such as lagd behinde, And that were set the Cariages to keepe, Gainst God and Moyses 〈◊〉〈◊〉 repinde, Wanting a little sustinance and sleepe. Who with their murm'ring moued in his ire, That they so soone his prouidence mistrust, Downe from his full hand flung that forcefull fire, Which in a moment brus'd their bones to dust. Other the muti'ring 〈◊〉〈◊〉 among When now to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hauing come so farre

For flesh, fish, sallads, and for fruites doe long, Manna (they say) is not for men of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Their glut'nous stomackes loath that heau'nly bread, That with full Chargers hunger heere releeues, As by the belly when they strongly fed On harty Garlicke and the flesh of Beeues? Milde man, what fearefull agony thee vex'd, When thou thy God vnkindly didst vpbrayd? How grceuously thy suffring soule perplex'd, When thou repin'st the charge on thee was layd? With God to reason why he should dispose On thee that burthen heauy to sustaine, As though he did his purposes enclose Within the limits of mans shallow brayne. To iudge so many marching euery dav, That all the flesh of Forrest and of flood, (When the wilde Desarts scarcely yeeld them way) Should them suffice for competence of food. That thou shouldst wish that hand so full of dread, Thy lingring breath should sodainly expire, Then that the clamorous multitude should spread, These wicked slanders to incite his ire. That God to punish whom he still did loue, And in compassion of thy frailties feare, The spirit he gaue thee lastly should remoue To those thy burthen that should after beare. O wondrous man! who parallel'd thee euer? How large a portion diddest thou inherit? That vnto seuentie he should it disseuer, Yet all be Prophets only with thy Spirit? When loe a Cloud comes sailing with the winde Vnto these Rebels terrible to see, That when they now some fearefull thing diuin'd, A flight of Quailes perceiued it to be. A full dayes iourney round about the host, Two Cubits thicknes ouer all they flowe, That when by Israel he was tempted most,

His glory then most notably to show. The greedy people with the very sight Are fill'd before they come thereof to taste, That with such surfet gluts their appetite Their queasie stomacks ready are to cast. Those that for Beefe in Gluttonic did call Those the high'st God his powerfulnes to trie, Cloyes with the fowle that from the Heauens doe fall, Vntill they stoffe their stomackes by the eye. But whilst the flesh betwixt their teeth they chew, And sucke the fat so delicately sweet, (With too much plenty that euen fulsome grew That lies so common troden with their feet.) That God impartiall and so rightly iust, When he had giuen them more then they desire, Dulie to punish their insatiate lost, Powres downe his plagues consuming as his fire. And with a strong hand violently strake Their blocd, distempred with luxurious diet, That soone the sores in groynes and arme-pits brake, Thus could the Lord scourge their rebellious riot. Aron and Miriam, all too much it were For griefe when Moyses ready is to die; But you whom one wombe happily did beare Gainst your milde Brother needs must mutinie. O vnkinde Aaron when thou fondly fram'dst That Beast-like Idoll bowing Israels knee, He then thee beg'd, that thou so basely blam'dst, And did diuert the iudgement due to thee. Immodest Miriam when the hand of might Left thee with lothsome leprosie defild, Contemn'd and abiect in the vilest sight, From the great host perpetually exil'd: When thou hadst spet the vimost of thy spight, And for thy sinne this plague on thee was throwne, He not forsooke thee but in heauie plight Kneeling to God obtain'd thee for his owne.

His wondrous patience euer was applide To those on him that causelesly complaine, Who did with comely carelesnesse deride What happy men should euermore disdaine.

When now the Spials for the promis'd soyle, For the twelue Tribes that twelue in number went, Hauing discouered forty dayes with toyle, Safely return'd as happily they went: Bringing the Figs, Pomgranates, and the Grapes, Whose verdurous clusters that with moisture swell, Seeme by the taste and strangenesse of the shapes, The place that bare them faithfully to tell. That well express'd the nature of the earth, So full of liquor and so wondrous great. That from such wished fruitfulnesse in birth, Suck'd 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sweet marrow of a plenteous teat. But whilst they stand attentiuely to heare The sundry soyles wherein they late had beene, Telling what Giants did inhabit there, What Townes of warre that walled they had seene. Of Anacks of-spring when they come to tell, And their huge stature when they let them see, And of their shapes so terrible and fell, Which were suppos'd the Titanois to bee. Their hearts sunck downe, and though the fruits they saw By their rare beauty might allure their eyes, Yet this report their coward soules did awe, And so much daunt the forward enterprise, That they their God doe vtterly refuse, Against iust Moses openly exclame, And were in hand a Captaine them to chuse To guide them back to Goshen whence they came. Not all the dread of the Egyptian dayes, What by milde Moses he to passe had brought, Nor seene by him done at the purple Seas, On their vile minds a higher temper 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Whom when of God 〈◊〉〈◊〉 beg'd with bloody eyes,

And against Heauen did obstinatly striue, Obtain'd so hardly their immunities, Whose sinne seem'd greater then he could forgiue. Caleb and Iosua you couragious men, When bats and stones against your breasts were laid, Oppose your selues against the other ten, That expedition basely that disswade.

Quoth they to conquer as he did before No more than men, what praise his puisance yeelds, But he whose force the very Rocks did gore, Can with the same hand cleaue their brazen sheelds. He that foresawe that this should be our seate, And onely knew the goodnes of the same, Possess'd the place with those that were so greate For vs to keepe if safely till we came. For which the Lord did vowe that not a man At Sina mustred where such numbers were, Should liue to come to fruitfull Canaan, Onely those two so well themselues that beare. And for the basenes of those erecreant Spies Whose melting minds this impious slaunder bred, And the vile peoples in credulities, In that their God so strongly promised. For fortie dayes discourie of the Land, They fortie yeeres in wildetnes shall wast, Consum'd with plagues from his impetuous hand, Vntill that age be absolutely past. Which scarsly spoke, but quickly tooke effect, For those so colde, and cowardly before, Hearing the censure of their base neglect, To make his vengeance and their sinne the more. Entring the Land which Moyses them denies, Their desp'rate will no better can afford, Offering those liues they did so lightly prize Vnto the vengance of the Heath'nish sword. And in the host new factions daylie grewe, When Chores, Dathan, and Abiram rise,

Two hundred men of speciall note that drew, Whose strength gaue power to their confed'racies. But the vast earth incontinently claue, And on the sodaine hurried them to hell With the shrill screame the shrieking people gaue, The fainting Hoast into a feauer fell: The rest of the Conspirators were left (From the first's fall enforcing their retire, Of all the succours of the host berest) Consum'd to ashes with Heauens violentfire: And those th' abettors of this vile attempt That did milde Moyses cruelly pursue, From th' others sinne that could not be exempt, Them with the dreadfull pestilence he slew. That had not Aaron when all hope was fled With holy Incense their atonement wrought, Thrusting himselfe twixt th'liuing and the dead, All had to ruine vtterly beene brought. Where fourteene thousand and seuen hundred sanke Vnder the burden of their odious sinne, Which now was wax'd s'insufferably ranke, It was high time his vengeance should begin.

When after this so terrible a thing, Now that triumphant and miraculous wand, Brings forth ripe Almonds, strongly witnessing In Leuies Tribe the Priesthood still to stand. With leaues and blossomes brauely it doth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Some budding, some as instantly but blowne, As when the same the naturallrynd did nourish, For Moyses sake such Miracles were showne. Forward to Cadesh they their iourney cast, Where the good Miriam makes her 〈◊〉〈◊〉 houre, Miriam the faire, the excellent, the chast, Miriam that was of womanhood the flowre, Here bids her Brothers louingly adue, Who at her parting kisse her closing eyes, Whose wondrous losse sufficiently to rue,

More is the griefe that teares cannot suffice. Moyst are their eyes, their lips are shrunk with heat, Their griefe within, as outward it appeares, Their want of water in that place as great, As it to them is plentifull of teares. They at one instant mutinie and mourne, Sorrowes creepe forth confusedly together, The teares for her incontinent they turne To words gainst Moyses that did guide them thither: Who from the rocke strooke water with the wand, That man and beast might 〈◊〉〈◊〉 maintaine, But he from rocks that fountaines can command, Cannot yet stay the fountaines of his braine. Much woe for Miriam these good men did make, Whilst there weretwo, that might bewaile this one, But two departing for their mutuall sake, Moyses remaines to mourne himselfe alone. Aaron the ancient'st of the Hebrew lino, Repleate with naturall comelinesse and grace. (God-like so farre as man might be diuine) Endeth his dayes in this predest'ned place. Which being forewarned to awaite his end, And here the fate foretelling him to die, That the good houre doth onely now attend, Will'd to ascend the mountaine (being nie.) With Eleazer his deare Childe he goes, Led by milde Moyses as the Lord decreed, To his lou'd Sonne his garments to dispose, Him in the Priesthood pointed to succeed. When turning backe to bid them all adue, Who look'd as fast to bid this Lord farewell, Fountaines of late so fast from rockes ne'r flewe, As the salt drops downe their sad bosomes fell. Not the obdurat'st, not the stoniest hearts, That in deepe sorrow melting here forbeares, Those to whom Nature not those drops imparts, Spent what in sighes, the other did in teares.

Sated with sobs, but hungry with his sight, Their watry eyes him earnestly pursue, When to discerne him they no longer might Where their sight ends, their sorrowes doe renue. Com'n to the top, to the appointed place. His Sonne in all his ornaments inuested, Which the good Aaron meekely doth embrace, And vnto him his offices bequested. When they the time no longer could adiourne, After embraces and a floud of woes, (Which when one ceas'd the other tooke his turne) From eithers eyes that on the other flowes. Now at the last point, at the gaspe of death. He whom the whole world hath but such another, Giues vp his latest, his most blessed breath, In the deare armes of his beloued Brother. So wisely worketh that eternall Being By the still changes of their varying state, (As to the end through the beginging seeing) To build the frame of vnauoyded Fate. When those giuen vp to their lasciuious wils, Themselues in Midian wantonnesse that waste, Whose fleshly knowledge sip'd those sugred ills, Twenty foure thousand slaughtered at the last. Of all those that in Sina numbred are, I'th plaines of Moab mustered then againe, Wasted by time, fire, pestilence, and warre, Those promis'd two and Moyses did remaine.

The time expird that they for Aaron mourn'd, New conquest now, new comfort them doth bring, Their former hope successiuely return'd, That seem'd before so sadly languishing. When they the glorious victorie obtai e The Plaines of Horma scattered all with shields, Where Arad and his Cananites are slaine, Not the least fight of many glorious fields. With Schon's slaughter seconded againe,

And Ogs great fall of a Giganticke strength, Whose bed of iron fash'on'd to containe In breadth foure Cubits, doubling it in length: The liuing temnant of the mighty race, Of big-bon'd Anack terrible and dred, Which long time batning in that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 place, Grew like the fat soile wherein they were bred. Not Poets fictions of the Phlagrian fields, Whereas the Giants vp to Heauen would clime, Heaping on mountaines not such wonder yeelds, As did the men that liued in that time. And fiue proud Kings fell in their recreant flight, Before arm'd Israel on the Midian plame, Zur, Hur, and Eui, men of wondrous might, Reba and Rikem valiantly slaine. And as his strength crush'd mighty Kings to dust, And cleft the helmes that thunder proofe were thought. That hand that help'd them, seourg'd their impious lust, When his high iudgement to peruert they sought. And sent those Serpents (with their fiery stings,) With in flammations that their flesh did swell, Sharpely toscourge their trustlesse murmurings, That still in infidelity did dwell. Rare in this creature was his wondrous might, That should effect the nature of the fire, Yet to recure the sorance by the sight, Sicknesse might seeme the remedie t'admire. Onely by mettall miracles to worke, That Scrpents shape, the Serpents hurt should heale, To shew in him the mysteries that lurke. And being so strange, as strangely doth reueale. That the forg'd figure of so vile a thing Should the disease so presently remoue, Onely by th' eye a remedy to bring, Deepe searching Magicke leaueth to approue, As Balaams beast did 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hast delay, And the full purpose of the Prophet brake,

When he beheld the Angell by the way, Burst out from beast, and to his Master spake: Whose execration able to astound The sunne, when he his Sommers height did boast, And with a word could instantly confound The world, were it a congregated host. He whose wife lips could Oracles compile, And iudgements irreuocable did 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Should be confounded by the thing most 〈◊〉〈◊〉 By that base creature, the dull worthlesse Asse, Ruling his mouth as with a Riders bit, Bidden by Balaack to denounce their fall: Doth all his dreadfull Minaces acquit, Sounding their blessing and their enemies fall.

When this milde man that onely did remaine, Of those from Egipt that the Lord did bring, Which he in Iustice sundry wayes had flaine, For their false worship and their murmuring. Since he remisse at Meriba was prou'd, And there his zeale not ardently exprest, The Lord did sweare (though him he dearely lou'd) He should not come to Canaan as the rest. And now approaching Abaris (the place) From whence he might that promis'd Country see, (So much the Lord good Moyses pleas'd to grace) But there his dayes must consummated be. When this great Prophet 〈◊〉〈◊〉 had bless'd, Each seu'rall Tribe with a particular good, Whose parting, them with sorrow so oppress'd, That shedding teares, their eyes shed drops of blood. To Nebo scared admitably 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (The Spirit prepares him safely to retire) Which thrusts his head into the cloudie 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Pisga so proudly thither dare aspire. Pisga the height of Abaris, and this The height of Pisga ouer all doth stand, That as the eye of mighty Abaris

Suruayeth the imparallelled Land. Where goodly Gilead vnto him he showes As farre as euer he could looke to Dan, The length and breadth how euery way it goes, Till her brow kisse the calme Mediteran. Where the sweet South layes forth her swelling brest, With a pleas'd eye he silently suruay'd, To that faire Citie whose high Towers doe rest Vnder the Palmetrees most delicious shade. When this meeke man approaching to his death, In death eu'n pleas'd faire Canaan to behold, Whilst he had vse of his expiring breath, Thus his last farewell mildly doth enfolde. Israel (quoth he) deare Israel, now adue, Moyses no more is, that your Leader was, Iosua and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 none but onely you, Of the last age must ouer Iordan passe. Th' Egyptian horrours yet 'twas I did see, And through those strange calamities did wade, And Israels charge imposed was on mee, When they (but then) had scarcely learn'd to dade. Forty two iourneyes haue I straitly past Since first this glorious Pilgrimage begun, In wrath or mercy where as first or last, Some wondrous thing hath happily beene done: M'immortall Maker that so oft haue seene (That God of wonder:) these complaints not boot, In yonder fields so delicate and greene, That may not set my miserable foot. Thus leaning backe against the rising Clieue, Raising his saint hands to the hopefull skies, Meeke as the morning neuer seene to striue, Great'st of the Prophets the good Moyses dies, An hundred twenty hardly passed yeares, His naturall vigour no 〈◊〉〈◊〉 did 〈◊〉〈◊〉 His eye as bright his body 〈◊〉〈◊〉 appeares, As in the height and Summer of his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

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Who being dissolu'd the Angels did interre Neere to Bethpeor in the vallied ground, But yet so secret kept his Sepulcher That it by mortall neuer should be found. Lest that his people (if the place were knowne) (Seeing by him the miracles were done, That euer to Idolatrie were prone,) Vnto his bones a worshipping should runne. One that God grac'd so many sundry wayes, No former age hath mentioned to bee, Ariued at the period of his dayes The future time in Israel shalll not see.