Hesperides, or, The works both humane & divine of Robert Herrick, Esq.

To Sir John Berkley, Governour of Exeter.

STand sorth brave man, since Fate has made thee here The Hector over Aged Exeter; Who for a long sad time has weeping stood, Like a poore Lady lost in Widdowhood: Bat feares not now to see her safety sold (As other Townes and Cities were) for gold, By those ignoble Births, which shame the stem That gave Progermination unto them: Whose restlesse Ghosts shall heare their children sing, Our Sires betraid their Countrey and their King.

True, if this Citie seven times rounded was With rock, and seven times circumflankt with brasse, Yet if thou wert not, Berkley, loyall proofe, The Senators down tumbling with the Roofe, Would into prais'd (but pitied) ruines fall, Leaving no shew, where stood the Capitoll. But thou art just and itchlesse, and dost please Thy Genius with two strength'ning Buttresses, Faith, and Affection: which will never slip To weaken this thy great Dictator-ship.