Deaths summons: or, A conference betwixt death and the young man, the married man, and the king

The King

WHo's this so bold, I wonder much, That dare my sacred person touch?

〈…〉〈…〉 not me to be Commander of this Monarchie. Go, call my Subjects to my hand, This cruel Traitor to command.

Death.

Although thou be a King of power, Thou shalt find me thy match, and more The King of Terrors calls thee now, Lay down thy Crown and to me bow: Let all thy Subjects come, and see, How stoutly I shall vanquish thee.

The King.

Physicians all to meet require, Of best renown in my Impire. ••et them imploy their cunning skill, ••o free my person from this ill: ••heir wits together I am sure, ••hall length of days to me procure.

Death:

••hy cunning men of greatest skill, ••hy foolish hopes shall not fulfill; ••t them conveen, and do their best, ••heir wit shall not procure thee rest. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 drog composed by their Art, ••••all loose my finger from thy heart.

The King.

••••lt thou not reverence Kings with Crown? ••t cruellie wilt pull them down. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 great affairs do so require, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 yet to govern this Impire. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 absence and my fatal fall, ••s Kingdom great will ruine all.

Death.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 Begger and the King to me, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 both of equal Majestie▪

The great affairs of thy Impire, Shall not obtain thee thy desire. Though all thy Kingdoms come to nought, I'le have the thing that I have sought.

The King.

Some great designs I have intended, Should I then die, ere they be ended. My Armies all go out with fame, To purchase me a greater name: If I shall die, they will desist, And burie me with shame in dust.

Death

The great designs by thee pretended, Thine eyes shall never see them ended. Thine Armies great shall not thee bring, More honour, nor a longer Reign. I make no count to bear the blame, To burie thee in dust with shame.

The King.

Physicians learn'd, make some Reply, It doth now on your honour ly; Such excellent advice to give, As may your noble Prince relieve. Let no expenses be regarded, Your pains shall richly be rewarded.

The Physicians.

O Royal King, it shall be so, All cost and pains we'll undergo, To mitigate thy cruel pain: We love our honour more than gain, Yet our advice take in thy hand, No Medicine can Death withstand.

The King.

Must I then die, and no remeed?

••l Death not my great terror dr••••••? 〈◊〉〈◊〉 millions I did wale the S••••••d, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 one commands me with a word. ••his beseeming to a King, ••t formerlie at will did reign?

Death

••ugh thou the greatest Monarch be, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it beseems you well to die; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 swelling pride hath darkt thy wit, ••u never didst resolve to flit. ••e off thy prating proud, for I 〈◊〉〈◊〉 boasting tongue from speech will ty.

The King.

••rmies great, what do you say? 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ye this violence repay? ••r King is taken from your head, ••om ye did greatly fear and dread. ••ventur'd many lives for me, •• now alas my self must die, ••oyal Subjects, sad, alas! 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sorrowful now is my case. ••eave this Honour, Glory, Crown, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Kingdoms all, and so ly down ••ust, and nothing more to have, ••n honourablie be laid in grave. ••s was in me a foolish thought, ••t Heav'n to Kings needs not be bought: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 now I see in entering there, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Begger may with Kings com•• ar•• ••ates of Heaven no entering in ••uch as are not wash'd from sin. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this I never made my work, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 out of time I now remark, ••h in Christ's blood to be more worth

••han Kingdoms, honour, riches, birth; And whatsoever they can give, At hour of death they'll take their leave: O that this might a warning give To all that richlie here do live! All earthlie glorie hath a date, Repent in time, or else too late. O take this lesson now from me, All is but vain, and so I die.