Poems &c. written by Mr. Ed. Waller ... ; and printed by a copy of his own hand-writing ; all the lyrick poems in this booke were set by Mr. Henry Lawes ...

Of, and to the Queen.

THe Larke that shun's on lofty boughs to build Her humble nest, lyes silent in the field; But if the promise of a cloudless day (Aurora smiling) bids her rise and play, Then straight shee showes 'twas not for want of voyce Or power to climbe shee made so low a choyce;

Singing shee mounts, her ayerie wings are stretcht Towards heav'n, as if from heav'n her note shee fetcht.

So wee retiring from the busie throng, Vse to restraine••th' ambition of our song; But since the light which now informs our Age Breaks from the Court indulgent to her rage, Thither my Muse, like bold Prometheus, flyes To light her torch at Gloriana's eyes, Those soveraign beams, which heal the wounded soule, And all our cares, but once beheld, controule: There the poore lover that has long indur'd Some proud Nymphs scorne, of his fond passion cur'd, Fares like the man who first upon the ground A gloworme spide, supposing hee had found A moving diamond, a breathing stone, (For life it had, and like those Jewels shone) Hee held it deare, till by the springing day Inform'd, hee threw the worthless worme away.

She saves the Lover, as wee Gangrenes stay, By cutting hope, like a lopt limbe, away▪ This makes her bleeding Patients to accuse High heav'n, and these expostulations use: Could nature then no private woman grace (Whom wee might dare to love) with such a face, Such a complexion, and so radiant eys, Such lovely motion, and such sharp reply's? Beyond our reach, and yet within our sight, What envious power has plac'd this glorious light?

Thus in a starry night fond Children cry For the rich spangles that adorne the sky; Which though they shine for ever fixed there, With light and influence relieve us here. All her affections are to one inclin'd, Her bounty and compassion to mankind; To whom while shee so far extends her Grace, Shee makes but good the promise of her face:

For Mercy has (could Mercy's selfe be seen) No sweeter looke, then this propitious Queen; Such guard and comfort the distressed find From her large power, and from her larger mind, That whom ill Fate would ruine, it prefers, For all the miserable are made hers.

So the faire Tree whereon the Eagle builds, Poore sheepe from tempest and their shepherd shields, The Royall bird possesses all the boughs, But shade and shelter to the flock allows.

Joy of our Age, and safety of the next, For which so oft thy fertile wombe is vext, Nobly contented for the publique good To wast thy spirits, and diffuse thy blood, What vast hopes may these Ilands entertaine Where Monarchs thus descended are to raigne? Led by Commanders of so faire a line Our seas no longer shall our pow'r confine.

A brave Romance who would exactly frame, First brings his Knight from some immortall Dame, And then a weapon and a flaming shield Bright as his mothers eyes hee makes him wield: None might the mother of Achilles bee But the faire Pearle and Glory of the Sea: The man to whom great Maro gives such fame, From the high bed of heavenly Venus came; And our next Charles (whom all the stars designe Like wonders to accomplish) springs from thine.