Iuuenilia. A collection of those poemes which were heretofore imprinted, and written by George wither

Epithalamion.

BRight Northerne Starre, and great Mineruaes peere, Sweete Lady of this Day: Great Britaines deere. Loe thy poore Vassall, that was erst so rude, With his most Rusticke Satyrs to intrude, Once more like a poore Siluan now drawes neare; And in thy sacred Presence dares appeare. Oh let not that sweete Bowe thy Brow be bent, To scarre him with a Shaft of discontent: One looke with Anger, nay thy gentlest Frowne, Is twice enough to cast a Greater downe. My Will is euer, neuer to offend, These that are good; and what I here intend, Your Worth compels me to. For lately greeu'd, More then can be exprest, or well beleeu'd; Minding for euer to abandon sport, And liue exilde from places of resort; Carelesse of all, I yeelding to securitie, Thought to shut vp my Muse in darke obscuritie:

And in content, the better to repose, A lonely Groue vpon a Mountaine chose. East from Caer Winn, mid-way twixt Arle and Dis, True Springs, where Britains true Arcadia is. But ere I entred my entended course, Great Aeolus began to offer force. * 1.1 The boisterous King was growne so mad with rage, That all the Earth, was but his furies stage. Fire, Ayre, Earth, Sea, were intermixt in one: Yet Fire, through Water, Earth and Ayre shone. The Sea, as if she ment to whelme them vnder, Beat on the Cliffes, and rag'd more loud then thunder: And whil'st the vales she with salt waues did fill, The Aire showr'd flouds, that drencht our highest hill; And the proud trees, that would no dutie know; Lay ouer-turned, twenties in a Row. Yea, euery Man for feare, fell to Deuotion; Lest the whole Ile should haue bin drencht in th'Ocean. Which I perceiuing, coniur'd vp my Muse, The Spirit, whose good helpe I sometime vse: And though I ment to breake her rest no more, I was then faine her aide for to implore. And by her helpe indeed, I came to know, Why, both the Ayre and Seas were troubled so. For hauing vrg'd her, that she would vnfold What cause she knew: Thus much at last she told. Of late (quoth she) there is by powers Diuine; A match concluded, twixt Great Thame and Rhine.

Two famous Riuers, equall both to Nile: The one, the pride of Europes greatest Ile. Th'other disdaining to be closely pent; Washes a great part of the Continent. Yet with abundance, doth the Wants supply, Of the still-thirsting Sea, that's neuer dry. And now, these, being not alone endear'd, To mightie Neptune, and his watrie Heard: But also to the great and dreadfull Ioue, With all his sacred Companies aboue, Both haue assented by their Loues inuiting: To grace (with their owne presence) this Vniting. Ioue call'd a Summons to the Worlds great wonder, 'Twas that we heard of late, which we thought thunder. * 1.2 A thousand Legions he intends to send them, Of Cherubins and Angels to attend them: And those strong Windes, that did such blustring keepe, Were but the Tritons, sounding in the Deepe; To warne each Riuer, petty Streame and Spring, Their aide vnto their Soueraigne to bring. The Floods and Showres that came so plenteous downe, And lay entrencht in euery Field and Towne, Were but retainers to the Nobler sort, That owe their Homage at the Watrie Court: Or else the Streames not pleas'd with their owne store, To grace the Thames, their Mistris, borrowed more. Exacting from their neighbouring Dales and Hills, But by consent all (nought against their wills.)

Yet now, since in this stirre are brought to ground Many faire buildings, many hundreds drown'd, And daily found of broken Ships great store, That lie dismembred vpon euery shore: With diuers other mischiefes knowne to all, This is the cause that those great harmes befall. Whilst other, things in readinesse, did make, Hells hatefull Hags from out their prisons brake: * 1.3 And spighting at this hopefull match, began To wreake their wrath on Ayre, Earth, Sea, and Man. Some hauing shapes of Romish shauelings got, Spew'd out their venome; and began to plot Which way to thwart it: others made their way With much diffraction thorough Land and Sea Extreamely raging. But Almightie Ioue Perceiues their Hate and Enuie from aboue: He'le checke their furie, and in yrons chain'd, Their libertie abus'd, shall be restrain'd: Hee'le shut them vp, from comming to molest The Meriments of Hymens holy feast. Where shall be knit that sacred Gordian knot, Which in no age to come shall be forgot. Which Policie nor Force shall nere vntie, But must continue to eternitie: Which for the whole Worlds good was fore-decree'd, With Hope expected long; now come indeed. And of whose future glory, worth, and merit Much I could speake with a prophetike spirit.

Thus by my Muses deare assistance, finding The cause of this disturbance, with more minding ••y Countries welfare, then my owne content, * 1.4 ••nd longing to behold this Tales euent: My lonely life I suddenly forsooke, ••nd to the Court againe my lourney tooke. Meane-while I saw the furious Windes were laid; The risings of the swelling Waters staid. The Winter gan to change in euery thing. And seem'd to borrow mildnesse of the Spring. The Violet and Primrose fresh did grow; And as in Aprill, trim'd both Cops and rowe. The Citie, that I left in mourning clad, ••rouping, as if it would haue still beene sad. •• found deckt vp in roabes so neat and trimme, ••aire Iris would haue look't but stale and dimme 〈◊〉〈◊〉 her best colours, had she there appear'd, The Sorrowes of the Court I found well cleer'd, Their wofull habits quite cast off, and ty'rd 〈◊〉〈◊〉 such a glorious fashion: I admir'd. * 1.5 All her chiefe Peeres and choisest beauties to, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 greater pompe, then Mortals vse to doe, Wait as attendants. Iuno's come to see; ••ecause she heares that this solemnitie ••xceeds faire Hippodamia's (where the strife Twixt her, Minerua, and lame Vulcans wife ••id first arise,) and with her leades along 〈◊〉〈◊〉 noble, stately, and a mighty throng.

Venus, (attended with her rarest features, Sweet louely-smiling, and heart-mouing creatures, The very fairest Iewels of her treasure, Able to moue the senceles stones to pleasure.) Of all her sweetest Saints, hath robd their shrines; And brings them for the Courtiers Valentines. Nor doth Dame Pallas, from these triumphs lurke; Her noblest wits, she freely sets on worke. Of late she summond them vnto this place, To doe your maskes and Reuels better grace. Here * 1.6 Mars himselfe to, clad in Armour bright, Hath showne his furie in a bloudlesse fight; And both on land and water, sternely drest, Acted his bloudy Stratagems in iest: Which (to the people, frighted by their error,) With seeming wounds and death did ad more terror, Besides, to giue the greater cause of wonder, Ioue did vouchsafe a ratling peale of thunder: Comets and Meteors by the starres exhald. * 1.7 Were from the Middle-Region lately cald; And to a place appointed made repaire, To show their fierie Friscols in the aire, People innumerable doe resort, As if all Europe here would keepe one Court: Yea, Hymen in his Safferon-coloured weed, To celebrate his rites is full agreed. All this I see: which seeing, makes me borrow Some of their mirth a while, and lay downe sorrow.

And yet not this: but rather the delight My heart doth taken in the much hoped sight Of these thy glories, long already due; And this sweet comfort, that my eyes doe view Thy happy Bridegroome, Prince Count Palatine, Now thy best friend and truest Valentine. Vpon whose brow, my minde doth reade the storie Of mightie fame, and a true future glorie. Me thinkes I doe foresee already, how Princes and Monarchs at his stirrop how: I see him shine in steele; the bloudy fields Already won, and how his proud foe yeelds. God hath ordaind him happinesse great store: And yet in nothing is he happy more, Then in thy loue (faire Princesse:) For (vnlesse Heauen, like to Man, be prone to ficklenesse) Thy Fortunes must be greater in effect, Then time makes show of, or men can expect. Yet, notwithstanding all those goods of fate, Thy Minde shall euer be aboue thy state: For ouer and beside thy proper merit, Our last Eliza grants her Noble spirit To be re-doubled on thee; and your names Being both one, shall giue you both one fames. Oh blessed thou! and they to whom thou giu'st The leaue for to be attendants where thou liu'st: And haplesse we, that must of force let goe, The matchlesse treasure we esteeme of so.

But yet we trust 'tis for our good and thine; Or else thou shouldst not change thy Thame for Rhyne. We hope that this will the vniting proue Of Countries and of Nations by your loue: And that from out your blessed loynes, shall come Another terror to the Whore of Rome: And such a stout Achilles, as shall make Her tottering Walls and weake foundation shake: For Thetis-like, thy fortunes doe require, Thy Issue should be greater then his fire. But (Gracious Princesse) now since thus it fares, And God so well for you and vs prepares: Since he hath daign'd such honours for to doe you, And showne himselfe so fauourable to you: Since he hath chang'd your sorrowes, and your sadnes, Into such great and vnexpected gladnesse: Oh now remember you to be at leasure, Sometime to thinke on him amidst your pleasure: Let not these glories of the world deceaue you, Nor her vaine fauours of yourselfe bereaue you. Consider yet for all this Iollitie, Y'are mortall, and must feele mortalitie: And that God can in midst of all your Ioyes, Quite dash this pompe, and fill you with annoyes. Triumphes are fit for Princes; yet we finde They ought not wholly to take vp the minde, Nor yet to be let passe; as things in vaine: For out of all things, wit will knowledge gaine.

Musique may teach of difference in degree, The best tun'd Common-Weales will framed bee: And that he moues, and liues with greatest grace, That vnto Time and Measure ties his pace. Then let these things be a 1.8 Emblemes, to present Your minde with a more lasting true content. When you behold the infinite resort, The glory and the splendor of the Court; What wondrous fauours God doth here bequeath you, How many hundred thousands are beneath you; And view with admiration your great blisse, Then with your selfe you may imagine this. 'Tis but a blast, or transitory shade, Which in the turning of a hand may fade. Honours, which you your selfe did neuer winne, And might (had God been pleas'd) anothers binne. And thinke, if shadowes haue such maiestie, What are the glories of eternitie; Then by this image of a fight on Sea, Wherein you heard the thundring Canons plea; And saw flames breaking from their murthering throts, Which in true skirmish, fling resistlesse shots; Your wisedome may (and will no doubt) begin, To cast what perill a poore Souldiers in: You will conceaue his miseries and cares, How many dangers, deaths, and wounds he shares: Then though the most pass't ouer, and neglect them, That Rethoricke will moue you to respect them.

And if hereafter, you should hap to see Such Mimick Apes (that Courts disgraces be:) I meane such Chamber-combatants; who neuer Weare other Helmet, then a Hat of Beuer: Or nere board Pinnace but in silken saile; And in the steed of boysterous shirts of maile, Goe arm'd in Cambrick: If that such a Kite (I say) should scorne an Eagle in your sight; Your wisedome iudge (by this experience) can, Which hath most worth, Hermaphrodite, or Man. The nights strange * 1.9 prospects, made to feed the eies, With Artfull fiers, mounted in the skies: Graced with horred claps of sulphury thunders; May make you minde th' Almighties greater wonders. Nor is there any thing, but you may thence Reape inward gaine; as well as please the Sense. But pardon me (oh fairest) that am bold, My heart thus freely, plainely, to vnfold. What though I know, you knew all this before: My loue this showes, and that is something more. Doe not my honest seruice here disdaine, I am a faithfull, though an humble Swaine. I'me none of those that haue the meanes or place, With showes of cost to doe your Nuptials grace: But onely master of mine owne desire, Am hither come with others to admire. I am not of those Heliconian wits; Whose pleasing straines the Courts knowne humour fits.

But a poore rurall Shepheard, that for need, Can make sheepe Musique on an Oaten reed: Yet for my loue (Ile this be bold to boast) It is as much to you, as his that's most. Which, since I no way else can now explaine, If you'l in midst of all these glories daigne, To lend your eares vnto my Muse so long, She shall declare it in a Wedding song.

Notes

• * 1.1

  ••ere re∣••ers and ••ibes the Winter, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was so •…•…ing 〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.2

  The reason of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Winter.
• * 1.3

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 cause of all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 dangers as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 during 〈◊〉〈◊〉 distempera∣•…•… of the ayre.
• * 1.4

  He noteth the most 〈◊〉〈◊〉 alteration of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 weather a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 before these Nuptials.
• * 1.5

  The 〈…〉〈…〉 preparation 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the state wh••…••… of ••is here ••…••…gorically 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.6

  Meaning the 〈…〉〈…〉, and 〈…〉〈…〉 of 〈…〉〈…〉 on 〈◊〉〈◊〉 water, which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 most 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.7

  〈…〉〈…〉 workes 〈…〉〈…〉.
• a 1.8

  He de∣clares what vs•• is to be made of these showes and tri∣umphes, and wha•• meditati¦ons the minde may be occupied about, when 〈◊〉〈◊〉 behold them.
• * 1.9

  Fire∣workes.