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 ...

To the King on his Navy.

VVHere ere thy Navy spreads her canvas wings Homage to thee, and peace to all she brings The French and Spaniard, when thy flaggs appeare Forget their hatred, and consent to feare. So Jove from Ida did both hosts survey, And when hee pleas'd to thunder, part the fray.

Ships heretofore in seas like fishes sped The mightiest still upon the smallest fed. Thou on the deepe imposest stricter lawes, And by that iustice hast remov'd the cause Of those rude tempests, which for rapine sent Too oft (alas) involv'd the innocent. Now shall the Ocean as thy Thames bee free From both those fates of stormes and Piracy. But wee most happy, who can feare no force But winged troopes or Pegasean horse. Tis not so hard for greedy foes to spoil Another nation as to touch our soil. Should natures selfe invade the world againe, And ore the Center spread the liquid Maine, Thy power were safe, and her distractive hand Would but enlarge the bounds of thy command. Thy dreadfull fleete would stile thee Lord of all, And ride in triumph ore the drowned ball.

Those towers of oake ore fertile plaines might goe, And visit mountaines where they once did grow.

The worlds restorer once could not endure That finisht Babel should those men secure, Whose pride design'd that fabrick to have stood Above the reach of any second flood. To thee his chosen more indulgent hee Dares trust such power with so much piety.