But he that for anothers bloud doth thirst As cruel by the King of Heaven is curs'd XXV And if in vilest souls of lowest fame That in the oblique path of sense do tread This raging fury is esteem'd a shame When beyond rule with it the spirits are fed Oh how much more from souls of highest name From Princes hearts should this be banished Oh how much more should they their wills restrain And from this cruel precipice refrain XXVI For as the Region of Heav'n above Is always in it self serene and pure Where nor dark clouds nor earthy vapours move To hide its Brightness or its Light obscure Or as Olympus doth his height improve Above all showers or Thunder to endure So in a Noble Brest and Royal mind We seldom storms or noise of Fury find XXVII Laws were at first for terrour rather made Then always to be rigorus and severe Their execution should be gently lay'd If the offence an easy hand will bear 'T is fit strong whips correct and guide the Jade Yet then still feel them let him rather fear Jove when he thunders with the dreadful noise Doth many terrifie but few destroys XXVIII Forbid it Heaven that I my Prince perswade Unto so Brutish so accurs'd a Deed That my dear Country should be desart made That Ruine should so great esteem succeed Or that so brave a City waste be laid And by a Civil Sword to death should bleed Poor the Command and vile the Scepter when The King a Kingdom wants the Captain men XXIX 'T is clearly open what you have in view But what you fear is doubtfully obscure After so long experience will you For future profit present loss endure And through vain fear of Ills that may ensue A certain mischief to your self procure A mischief that perhaps brings with it more And greater ruines than you fear'd before XXX Do you suspect a War and yet intend So many of your Youth should murther'd be Who knows but 'mong the new-born y 'ave a Friend Of greater value than your Enemy Tell me for Gods-sake then who shall defend Your Crown or arm for your security If an whole Army in its growth and spring You shall unseasonably to slaughter bring XXXI What then will Fame Report Alas that Fame Whcih Truth and Falshood does alike declare She 'l say that Thirst of Bloud did you enflame To fain them Rebels who most faithful were A People who adores and loves your Name Who far remote from your Paternal Air Amidst the Tumults that your Throne invade A constant Faith and true Obedience paid XXXII Nor would I credit Sir your Brother's shade That some nights since seem'd to appear to you I rather think you then the sport were made Of vainest Fancies and of Dreams untrue Or that the Prince of Darkness did invade Your thoughts and them to those Illusions drew For as I 've read Heaven 's King doth never chuse Fantosms for Messengers but Angels use XXXIII And then that King whom you so apprehend Must not expect his kingdom here below Him spir'tual and holy things attend In his all Grace with Love and sweetness flow Immortal wealth doth from his Lap descend Although he be a King most poor in shew Then let your fears that he brings Tumults cease Since He to Earth descends to give it Peace XXXIV He most Pacifick Mild and void of Harm Will all Coelestial Thunder lay aside And should he strengthen his most pow'rful Arm Against Thee how couldst Thou his Wrath abide Oh! how can You your self from the alarm Of shining Troops of winged Armies hide Who can conceal himself Or whither flee From Him who all Things moves and All doth see XXXV Whether this old Prognostick of your Crown Be false or true does not as yet appear â—f vain why is your Peoples Peace o'r thrown Why should you raise their Scorn or Hatred here 〈◊〉 wish for my part that it false were known But subtile wits are busie every where Such lewd Reports with Art abroad to fling To provoke God and Man against the King XXXVI If in the Stars it be engrave'd and writ If Heav'n decrees that this great Babe be born Why should you Fate oppose What can the wit Of man avail Why should your Subjects mourn Publish in vain your Edict and with it Your Threats and Fury to the Peoples scorn Yet maugre all He 'll live and grow his Birth Heav'n will protect and hide him here on Earth XXXVII â—ly Sir that Infamous and Foolish Name Of a King cruel and with Clemency Suppress that furious and swelling Flame Let your wise brest with prudence temper'd be Suspend your Anger be still kind and calm Let Justice from all violence be free Search out the Guilty and on him let all The punishments that now are threaten'd fall XXXVIII Farther would this grave Counsellor enforce His fluent speech with reasons grave and wise But that he saw the King at his discourse Offended did his Eloquence despise Tossing his head than a chaf'd Tiger worse Or wounded Bear he turn'd his envious eyes He saw him in his forehead and his brow Resolv'd no such good counsel to allow XXXIX Burucco was a Lord of haughty mind Bred up in Court and hoarse with murmuring A false and envious Knave Always inclin'd To mischief ' gainst the Kingdom and the King Hot-headed and with sudden Fury blind Affecting bloud and all to ruine t' bring A stranger to all Pity no regard Of Nature could his cruelty retard XL. Bald-headed he his Chin shav'd close had still A vigorous Body and an active Mind But mong his few black hairs against his will Through cozning time the scatter'd silver shin d. This Flatterer intent to pick some ill From this grave Speech a constant ear inclin'd And fixing on the King a steady look Stood up and kneel'd then sate again and spoke XLI Sir you have labour'd much and toyl'd in Wars And as your valiant and victorious hand Hath many deadly wounds and bloudy scars Printed on Foes that did your Pow'r withstand â—o many Mouths to praise and strongest bars To lasting Glory and to high Command Y 'ave open'd wide and 't may be said your cares Have overcome your enemies and years XLII Hence we may credit with this Lord 's good leave That with good Reason you have ground to fear Envy in other shapes doth oft deceive And now perhaps doth some great thing prepare And plots how she of life may you bereave Or make your People Arms against you bear For upon Kings it is decreed by Fate That Envy and Ambitious Greatness wait XLIII You govern Sir a People wild and rude Affecting Troubles ready to rebel An heady and inconstant Multitude Prompt to affront and your Commands repel A wise and prudent Prince will soon conclude To curb their Folly and their Fury quell Their Mischiefs to repair with punishment And providently future Ills prevent XLIV A little spark may soon extinguish'd be Before 't
livelier beams with doubled Love impart He burn'd with Zeal when an Abyss a Sea Of light and flames from his bright face revert Whence Flouds of Fire and splendour over all The Sacred place like dreadful Torrents fall LXXXIII His voice shook both the Poles and th' Axeltree Bow'd which the World 's great Machine doth sustain The Spheres streight lost their various Harmony And the whole Heav'ns their former Course restrain Tigris and Ganges to their Fountains flee The Bears both trembled Atlas shrunke again When from the Mouth of the Almighty broke Irrevocable Fate and thus he spoke LXXXIV O Happy happy Thou who onely can My Divine anger from its course divert Who sweetnest my eternal cares for man My pleasure and celestial Love thou art My Glory Grace whose tenderness began First through my bowels to pierce into my heart Thy prayers have gain'd me and in all their parts With pitty arm'd are penetrating Darts LXXXV But how my Muse with wit so weak as thine Seek'st thou a Glory not to be expresst Thou better what he is not may'st divine Then what he is silence in this is best O with that kiss'd her thou said he art mine My dearest sweetest pledge for ever blest Can I with thee severely now proceed Who art my offspring nay my self indeed LXXXVI Of nothing I all things have made through thee The Aire extended fix'd the fire above Into one pit collected all the Sea Prescrib'd the bounds to which its waves shall move Let loose the Springs the Lakes and Flouds by Me The Abysses Pillars to the vast Earth prove I the World 's stable Hinges did create On which the Heavens turn round with all their weight LXXXVII Through thee the Sun and Moon through thee alone The Stars with motion I 've adorn'd and light Have made amidst the Heavens swift motion The Poles stand six'd rais'd winds by day and night Made Fish to swim and the wild Beasts to run Serpents to glide and sitted Birds for flight The Earth Heaths Plants and painted flow'rs to bear And d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ' d the four Quarters of the Year LXXXVIII Of 〈◊〉 Woâ—â—â— I then resolvâ—d to frame Man as the gâ—ace and Glory of the rest The Worlds â—ir smage of illustrious Name Which noâ— the World alone but Me express't In him i 'm â—â—as'd Him my delight proclaim My 〈◊〉 work resembling Me the best A Glorious Noble Fabrick and Divine In â—his even all eternal Beauties shine LXXXIX But when the wicked One had overthrown So great a Grace by whom you understand I hastâ—ed to repair and thou alone T' enlarge thy merciful and thy holy hand Who could not dy at all earths spoiles puts on And Himself sâ—â—teth in the mortal Band That He may finish that great work below Which i 've committed to him long ago XC The bloud which he shall shed we here decree Shall save the bloud of all these Innocents And my dear Church which he will build shall be Enrich'd with treasures and all ornaments Nor after this shall justice unto me Complain of injuries and discontents I daughter will not this pursue nor may And yet I must in part thy griefs allay XCI These my first victims shall be Herod's crime And shame and all their wrongs with honour crown'd Their griefs with joy and glory most sublime Bright as the Sun shall shine in every wound And if his cruel hand shall at this time On Earth their Lives and tender years confound A thread of Life more glorious shall be given To them by an eternal Fate in Heaven XCII I 'le make the King of that dark World below Delude and keep the impious Tyrant still Till time and all things else maturer grow Which we for common safty will fulfil They 'l search for this great Birth but he shall go Secure and fly safe guarded from all ill A flight of scorn not as by fear pursu'd By which he 'l vanquish Death and Hell delude XCIII He spoke and it was done a winged Light O' th' ever blest Angelique Family Perceiv'd God's mind which they know all aright By a sole glance of his serenest eye And from the World of everlasting Light To that of fading and obscurity With wings like feathered Oars doth streight repair Ploughs through the winds and navigates the Aire XCIV The beautious spoils i' th' twincling of an eye He of light aire and divers colours takes Then from the highest part of Heaven doth flie As from a mighty precipice and breaks Through the immoveable sphere and by Bright sires and flaming Lamps his way he makes Then through the swiftly turning Orbs and those That move obliquely and more slow he goes XCV Arriving where the lowest Heaven its pure Christal with studs of light condens'd adornes From the cold frost of that moist Orbe secure He downward glides between the silver Hornes O' th' Queen whose dewy Veile cannot endure The drying flame which gloomy shades adjourns Nor can the neighbouring heat at all impair His shining Wings or hurt his golden hair XCVI From 's naked shoulders a fit Vest descends By his left side of a most curious thread Where in celestial colours Art contends With Azure Gold and white with purest Red. Two Skirts girt at the waste thence each depends Loosely nor farther then the knees are spread Which least they waving be too much display'd A golden clasp restrains with gems inlay'd XCVII Extended on his shining Back a pair Of ample Wings their glorious colours show Most choice perfumes enrich his curling hair And to the aire the graceful Tresses flow Carbuncles and immortal Rubies are The Garlands that invest his ivory brow His feet were hid and lofty dancing run Through Gems are Stars and Gold that is the Sun XCVIII Night disappear'd and though the greater Light Of Day still under ground conceal'd his Rayes Yet the celestial flame let loose to flight Like a Vice-Sun in Heaven its beams displayes Which ventilated by his Wings a bright Long tract of light his way through th' aire betrayes Shepherds deceiv'd forsake their Beds and pay Their Orisons as to the rising Day XCIX In Ethiopia there 's a Dale which high Aspiring Rocks as in a ring surround Where Sol from noon till night can never pry Through the thick shade of boughs that there abound Here with his dull and lazy company The King of Dreams dwells in abodes profound And in most solitary Grotts and Caves Night quiet refuge onely there receives C. Of Ivory one and one of Horn were made Two Gates at which Ease and Oblivion stood And near them Silence who still listning lay'd His finger on his mouth and with his Nod Through the mute Palace his commands convey'd Least beasts or winds should shake the leaves o' th' wood In those close horrours more then any where The plants and flow'rs still languishing appear CI. No birds are heard to sing the gloomy Sky From Thunders free through all this dark retreat No Shepherds talke nor eccho makes
odorous Combs XCV So full of Joy and from their Bodies free Those happy souls towards Heav'n take their flight And visibly to some appear'd to be Wrap'd up within a glorious cloud of Light A joyful Troop a beautious company All crown'd with flaming Diadems most bright And in a Circle which they largely spread They starry Garlands weave and Dances lead XCVI The Sky was most serene all clouds gave way And brightest Stars upon their triumphs wait The South and Northern Winds their rage allay And calm to see their pleasant Dances sate The air and gentle Breezes sport and play And early birds with Songs congratulate Of Crimson dew the Morn did then prepare Gems for her breasts and Roses for her hair XCVII The vast Abysses and death's Prison where The shades of ancient Heroes dwell then smil'd While those so bright and glorious Lamps appear And the dark Iron gates with lustre guild The Royal Poet and stout Shepherd there Was seen who when a Boy the Gyant kill'd His Sling his Harp and Scepter on the Shore Of Lethe lay not us'd as heretofore XCVIII But then the dusky fields that border near Where mournful birds on barren boughs reside And never silent are impoverish'd were While with fresh flow'rs to braid his hair he try'd When a new light struck through the gloomy air His eyes and he their shining Ensignes spy'd His Harp resum'd he from his sacred breast Inspir'd with holy Fire this Song exprest XCIX Glad tidings see those Messengers of Joy Which unto us were promis'd long ago Behold those pure forerunners of the Day Who with Vermilion rays approach us so Now whatsoe're of old did us annoy Shall cease and we full liberty shall know The Sun is up which guilds our dark shades o're Let 's kneel and all at once his Rise adore C. To you most long'd-for Angels to you Peace And Glory who have that salvation gain'd Which we long long have hop'd But who are these Who are with wounds and bloud so strangely stain'd Who cut those throats Whence did that Rage encrease That on their Heads so cruel mischief rain d What heart ' gainst pity could so harden'd be What hand what Sword so fir'd with cruelty CI. And you that in your selves your selves retain Destructive storms what then did you repress What bridled you ye winds What did restrain Thunder and clouds Your rage from its excess So that this act unpunish'd did remain And God s most just revenge seem'd to be less An Act that ' midst eternal Hate and Ire Furies amaz'd and made Hell blush like fire CII O sacred holy O most bless'd and dear Triumphant Martyrs whom nought could subdue Heroes who by your Captain chosen were To die for him before he dies for you Imbitter'd Apples pull'd by hands severe Flow'rs that unblown in his own garden grew Sweet Roses dy'd in your own bloud and born To be cut off with wounds in groves of thorn CIII Most tender Lillie s untouch'd Jessimine Wherein sweet'st streams of purple Nectar flow Preserv'd in Gods own Garden made divine T' enrich those Feasts he does in Heav'n bestow Fair branches that on earth did glorious shine Torn from the trunks whereon you once did grow Small broken stones on which the Church will lay Its new Foundation and its Honours pay CIV To us here languishing our Saviours name Upon your Virgin Foreheads writ you bear Sweet sheep whose looks your Innocence proclaim Immaculate and whitest Doves you are Purg'd Holocausts bright Off'rings free from blame Wash'd in the Lamb's and your own bloud most fair First Victims that to th' King of Saints were pay'd And by the cruel sword were open layd CV Welcome Illustrious Sp'rits souls clear and fair Most happy Bades who to us certain news Of our approaching Jubilee now bear And long-expected Joys through all diffuse O sacred Drops and every drop a Star Bloud which than Rubies Christ doth rather chuse As richest Gems selected for his own T' enrich his Diadem and his Spouses Crown CVI. O happy wounds and signs that now declare Past Martyrdom with great'st Veracity Of Glory and Honour surest Pledges are That Grace and Love can loudest magnifie Now who is he who will not tears prepare To bath you and with kisses wipe you dry Or who is he whom pity will not move To drink those streams are shed for wounded Love CVII With sprinklings of your bloud even Heaven desires It self t' adorn instead of its own Light The moon in such sine Purple now aspires To paint her Face and mix it with her white In such pure rivolets Angels and those Fires That shine above to view themselves delight The Sun 's ambitious in so fair a Sea Himself t' impurple and to drown the Day CVIII O most delightful O most charming tears O dearest Sighs and Groans that pleasures move From sound of which the most harmonious Spheares Make their high Consort as they turn above O sweetest Grief which the lov'd Martyr bears With all delight and makes his Joys improve O pleasing Death that does more glorious seem Than Life it self in honour and esteem CIX Lov'd Spirits beautious Souls how great how fair Immortal Arches now doth God for you I' th' Empyraean Capitol prepare With Palms and Crowns and Blisses that ensue What greater glory then when Hell a War Designs their King and Armies to subdue With naked Champions who so took the field Unarm'd and thus were made your Saviour's shield CX In that high starry Court where now he reigns In triumph and from whence he sent you there With Angels your Companions the Remains And spoils of his great Victory you shall share The Standard there of Death with bloudy stains And that of Innocence all white appear There for a Trophy ' mids those Troops displai'd Large Banners your torn Swathbands shall be made CXI Even in your torments O most happy you Who rather more of milk than bloud did spend In your first day your last night did ensue One day gave your Beginning and your End Yet was it fit before you either knew That you with Death and Sorrow should contend And with torn Sails your weak Barks first effort Scarce made into the Sea should gain your Port. CXII We infirm Wrestlers we you now may say Faln in the Lists up to God's bosome rise From bloudy Paths we now the Milky way New Stars with purer white shall signalize Our Feet which now no weakness can betray Tread on the highest Spheres and Earth despise We from a loose and little Veil begun To survey Heav'n before we saw the Sun CXIII As thus he sung those glorious souls his Lays Abruptly stop'd the shades straight vanish quite To Heav'n their hands the Ancient Fathers raise Hoping a Period of so long a Night And through the horrours of those gloomy ways The welcom Children now a Burthen Light Bear in their Arms and iterate upon Their holy checks their kisses and their moan Notes upon the Fourth Book Stanza LXXXIV Herod had married this Doris of his own Country on whom he begat this Alexander whose death among these Innocents when reported to Augustus I had rather said he be Herod's Swine than his Son because as a Jew he would let the Swine live but jealous of his Son would murther him FINIS Errata Page 36. Stanza 47. for stocks read shocks pag. 55. Stanza 112. for spise r. Spyes
in Heav'n to shine And towards Bethlaem the directest way With flames like lightning but more bright design Which as a glorious Servant to convey And guide them as a Messenger Divine The Royal Troop of three presaging Kings Thither from the Odorous Orient brings XVII To these new Monsters as Ills yet unknowne This Enemy of Good converts his eyes Which certain to Himself and Death alone As Mortal Wounds He did before surmise He stretch'd his Wings and wou'd away ha' flowne His Wings like Sailes full blown of largest Size But the strong Gyves that bind Him and enchain In his Eternal Prison him restrain XVIII From these Effects of things below the high Intent of what was done Above he knows Then dipt in Bloud and Poison instantly Dire lamps his Hellish brands he overthrows Hides with his claws his Face then gives a Cry That bellowing through the darkest Caverns goes And while his Rage and Fury thus prevaile He bites the Top of his entorted Taile XIX Thus with himself he frets but still in doubt 'Twixt two and un-resolv'd he yet remains He Studies the grand Book and to find out The Sense of Ancient Writings wracks his brains He knows Yet does not how to bring about The Birth o' th' Heav'nly Infant God ordain's Or how a Child should pure and spotless come Divinely Humane from a Virgin 's Wombe XX. Hence He denyes that greatest Mysterie That Wonder hid from Wits the most refin'd As how a wife should still a Virgin be And keep that Flow'r un-touch'd as was her mind It seems a strang Impossibilitie That true God should to true Man be resign'd The Spirit Incarnate be and in the Toiles Of life involv'd be cloth'd with Mortal spoiles XXI Th' Incomprehensible Invisible Light When born to Shepherds should revealed be That God Omnipotent and Infinit Should be Confin'd to Swadling Bands that He Who fed on Heav'nly Nectar should delight To suck like Children in their Infancie That He should be in the rude Stable lay'd Of a poor Inn whose Throne of stars is made XXII That a small Veil should the chief Sun obscure The Word Divine like Infants stam'ring Cry Who made the Fire should trembling Cold endure The Joy of Angels languish Majesty Of Heav'n to Servitude Himself inure And He who was Immense should Les'nedly That Greatest Glory should to griefs and Fears Be Subject and Eternity to years XXIII That He himself should humble so to pay Exacted Tribute and to Laws be bound Whom as the great Law-giver all obey He from the Knife of Flint receive a wound And that on their Redeemer men should lay The Sinner's Mark in whom no Spot was found These Ambiguities his thoughts involve Nor can he this great Knot of doubts dissolve XXIV Mean time his busy thoughts new plots design'd His black Hearts Image his stern Face doth bear For looks in that dark Empire shew the Mind And the Impress of inward Sadness weare As we Heav'n's Chearfulness by Light do find And Mirth on Earth by Laughter doe's appeare Stung with these cares like Thunder from his breast A Desperate Oh-me his grief express't XXV Oh me He bellowing cry's what mean's this high Concourse of strange Portents I now behold What can it be ah to my Sorrow I Remember what the Angel said of old Oh-could I Nature's Seat ore'turne that by My hand the Course of Stars could be controul'd Since these so direful Omens from Above Through Me must joyful and most happy prove XXVI What can He more who chas'd Me long ago From my bright Palace and Celestial Seat It might suffice that I 'me for ever so Confin'd to th' horrours of this sad Retreat Condemn'd to shades of Misery and Wo To make the torments of the Damn'd compleat And to its Height my cruel Destiny Is rais'd while I 'me deny'd all hope to dye XXVII He to its primitive and simple state A base corporeal Nature would restore And to be Chief in Heav'n will elevate A vile Mass that was earthly Slime before I 'le not endure 't i' th North I le try my Fate Mong whose salt cliffs the Angels never soare And though even thence my Troops may vanquishd fly 'T will be a Trophy to have ventur'd high XXVIII But why his Will unsatisfy'd pretend To rob of Souls my Ancient Mansions why Himself so absolutely apprehend All Humane weight to raise my rage more high And then a Conquerour to Us descend Rich in his Spoiles and glorious Victory And flourishing his bright Armes here below Come to disturbe Me in my Endless wo XXIX Ah art not thou that Creature once so Faire The glorious Prince of beauty and of Love The Star enlightning first the Morning aire Prime Light of all the winged Quire above Which as the Moon when lesser Stars appear Above their Luster doth her rayes improve So rich in splendour and in flames Divine Above the Vulgar Angels Thou didst shine XXX Wretch but in this Dispair what can it Me Avail to think upon my Pristine state If past Felicities remember'd be So harsh and present Ills ingeminate 'T is time the Acts of such an enemie T' oppose and his too haughty pow'er abate If Hell must Languish let not Heav'n rejoyce If Force cannot prevail then Fraud's my choice XXXI But what Force is' t I fear long since have I Lost ancient Candour and high Nature too Let the world Arm and Heav'n with terrour my Sole Nod the Elements and Stars shall view I 'me what I was whate're arrive and why If not the Doer fear I what He 'le doe God Arm 's what then I best that war approve Which since deny'd in Heav'n on Earth I le move XXXII All praise his haughty Language and anon Their Fronts the Three Fierce Sisters higher threw All shake their Lamps from Styx and Ackeron To Him all Serpents craule and homage doe See here how prompt how ready every One Of Us appears thy pleasure to pursue Great Lord of this most dreadful House say they Doe but command and we will soon obey XXXIII Your first so brave Attempt in Heav'n did prove What your Alecto with her friends could dare Nor though in these dark Mansions now you move And with these rusty Roofs still cover'd are Ought You to be less proud For though Above To the great Thunderer You Subject were Yet here You are a King whose Empire is Free and entire on Earth and the Abyss XXXIV If Wit and Industry shall prove too weake Vertue of Herbs of Stones or powerful Spell Anger Deceit or Love by which Men break Oft into bloud and cruelly rebel Thou which must please Thee shalt behold my Beck Draw Stars from Heav'n Ghosts from Graves compel The Seas shall quake Earth up-side down be hurl'd And from its Center We will force the World XXXV He Fierce reply's O my dear Props O true Supporters of my Hopes and of my Throne â—'ve seen your Arts I 've seen your Valour too Which in that Starry
encrease and into flame be blown And a small Leak at Sea may easily Be stopt before the Bark be overflown Wounds when fresh open'd soon are heal'd we see And Plants will eas'ly bow e're too ful grown But if this Gangrene a full growth obtain Force nought avails and thoughts of Cure are vain XLV It will become that wisdom you have shown By which your head under the cask's made grey By which your Nod is formidable grown You could your Sword before the Scepter sway To choak the Seeds of Mischief Kings or none Should this observe to teach men to obey Then be upon your Guard and still intent T' avoid what tardy care cannot prevent XLVI He says besides to which I shall consent That Mercy best commends a Princes breast Us'd tow'rds the Loyal 't is an Ornament But should not towards Traytors be exprest Its value and esteem is lost if spent On guilty Traytors whom the Good detest Justice and Mercy are Companions and On them all Royal Vertues firmly stand XLVII But I 'll say more you know as yet your Throne Is not well fix'd at Root these stocks to bear Tender and young is your Dominion And a new Lord 's allow'd to be severe And that your Power may be with Terrour known You rather Cruel should than Just appear If Duty 's Reason to your Wrath gives way Reason of State should have a greater sway XLVIII When Honour and a Kingdom are at stake Th' unusual part doth Reasonable seem And Cases of importance often make Temerity like Prudence in esteem But fear doth now the shape of Prudence take 'T is Cowardize which some will Pity deem You should not have a thought of what is done When it concerns your safety and your Throne XLIX And if from this so great severity No other good or wish'd effect arise Yet none at least will dare through Memory Of this Example Treason to devise If of so many he Survivor be Who will assist his Arms and Enterprize Since the past slaughter is their Terrour made And none are left to lend him strength or aid L. But let us grant that none shall ever dare To machinate a Plot against your Crown Yet need you not the Fame or Title fear Of a fierce Tyrant or a cruel one But of a Just and Prudent Prince to share 'Mong knowing Men the Honour and Renown If to the Innocent you seem severe And Terrible what should the guilty fear LI. Add then th' Almighty King of Heav'n is He Who always Kings protects and guards the great They are most dear to God who 's pleas'd to see That they on earth command and keep his Seat If Herod now by him thus favour'd be That strange and memorable signs repeat His Messages and shew what shall be done This I 'll not urge since to your self 't is known LII But that so new mysterious Star that shin'd In Heav'n was not a Star by chance plac'd there But as a Tongue by God himself design'd To say O King of Jews now now beware And those strange Kings who by it led divin'd And among us express'd with voices clear Their search of this their King of Palestine What were they Sir but Messengers divine LIII That the rude Vulgar who with greedy eyes Still seek a change should to his sense adhere Is nothing strange But that a Sage a wise And Royal People should so vile appear That they inspir'd and full of Prophesies Like Sots should Worship and Adore him here Leaving their Kingdoms to anothers care And in so sharp a season come so far LIV. 'T is worth your fear Let all his Kin as one Be punished since they all will Him conceal The Interests most ally'd unto a Crown Are Laws to which for Justice we appeal That now the Traitor 's born if it be known And none accuse him none will him reveal Then all are guilty and it may be said All Rebels are and y' are by them betray'd LV. Those whose soft hearts melt with Paternal Love Whom Pity to their Children does enflame Whom from Domestick Quiet nought can move But Injuries light and Dangers easie name â—o their own sense things feign'd as real prove â—heir Speech and Counsel to what pleases frame Or too much fear of their own loss betray Or else but lightly others dangers weigh LVI 〈◊〉 who before my time through toile and care â—nd not through Age gray-headed am become Who with thee ' gainst thy Foes did every where â—ppear both in Arabia and at Rome â—hall not at all t' aver this Truth forbear â—uspicion to Great Kings is burthensome I 've no design this Truth commands me say I not my safety 'bove your danger weigh LVII This 'fore the World and Heav'n I do declare You Judges are and witness with the King Who would for safety to the shore repair Himself in danger by delay may bring What boots it that you sad and pensive are If you rule all you may do any thing To this Sir which is now expresly known Neither delay nor pity should be shown LVIII In a weak Arm sometimes a Surgeon makes But a small Orifice and shews his Art In sparing bloud of which he little takes To preserve Life i' th' body and the heart And while the Patient with horror shakes Doth often ease by cruel Arts impart He burns he lances and confirms the cure While the weak parts the Fire and Knife endure LIX Throw all your Wares and Treasure to the Sea So that the Ship may safe on shore arrive Take less and more ignoble Limbs away If so the Head may be preserv'd and live And justly Sir this Hebrew Plant you may of useless Branches Buds and Leaves deprive That to the Royal Stock more place be given To spread and rise without restraint to Heav'n LX. Then let the Innocent and Guilty fall If Guilt by Innocence thus nurtur'd grow Though Thousands let us sacrifice them all So that the single Traitor feel the blow Whether we Friends or Foes these Slaves may call By th' Royal Sword let their bloud largely flow With reason we may slaves to slaughter bring If so from danger we preserve the King LXI Thus He and streight with a less troubled brow The wretched King applauds whate're he says And standing fix'd in 's resolution now Deluded by the flatt'ring sound of praise H' arose and then doth their recess allow His damn'd design contriving sev'ral ways And like a foaming Viper swell'd with rage Makes haste in bloud his Venom to engage LXII His silence still provokes him more with cares Torments his breast and sets a fire his mind The Furies spur him on with all the fears Of Death and Jealousies that Empires find What is it that an Ins'lent Tyrant dares Not do whose heart 's to cruelty inclin'd Thus he presumes and rashly doth pursue To execute what 's not in 's pow'r to do LXIII â—he guilty Night from Sion now arose Surcharg'd with Arms and dark Eclipses crown'd
reply Dogs never heard to bark or Sheep to bleat Onely a purling rivolet hard by A Cave doth through the stones its passage beat By whose hoarse murmurs those who there are lay'd Are to more Sound and sweeter sleep betray'd CII Just in the center of this darksome Cave The hermit God affecting secresie Himself to pleasing rest and quiet gave Stretch'd on a bed of leavy Ebonie Crown'd with loft Poppy his left hand doth wave A bough in Lethe steept and heavily Nodding his right supports his drowzy head And for his robe a Badger's skin is spread CIII Scarce lifting up his dull and half-shut eyes His brows still languishing appear to frown His head nods to and fro as if he 'd rise Sometimes he seems and streight again lies down Near him of cups and bowls most large supplies And napkins that the smoaky table crown With all choice meats and wines that appetite Might please and odours that the sense delight CIV Directly hither streight the Angel flyes Down from the Empyrean high degrees And round about in several Troops espies With dusky wings fallacious Images Yet could not their false shapes celestial eyes Deceive but Morpheus he distinctly sees With Ithaton and Tantalus who there Struck with those Heavenly rayes soon disappear CV 'Mong this black Troop of winged Spirits a bright And shining Damsel hover'd up and down Her habit most transparent was and bright Through which her limbs to wonder fair were shown Her silver wings had eyes of various Light Like Peacock's train her name was Vision A guide to truth the ancient Prophet's friend Whom God was wont on Embassies to send CVI. Her Forehead was of Chrystal pure and clear On which delineated and written shin'd All Natures formes all that created were Or yet to be created were designâ—d Written by God's own Hand the character Of Light in stead of Ink lâ—ke Gold refin'd Here what to others often he conceal'd To 's friends as writ in paper God reveal'd CVII The Hebrew Pilgrim the high mysterie O' th Heavely Ladder here did comprehend Here Egypt's holy Pris'ner did foresee What did to him th' adoring sheaves portend The Captain of the chosen Progenie From th' un-burnt Bush beheld the flames ascend And Sacred Poets did the Truths discern Of Heaven and here a thousand secrets learn CVIII Here the belov'd Disciple fill'd with high Raptures since leaning on his Mother's Brest In Pathmos with Divine Sagacity In writing those great wonders hath expresst From 's Earthly prison freed by extasy The Doctor of the Gentiles 'mong the blest Saw things to mortal senses unreveal'd That were and ever shall be still conceal'd CIX With her the Heavenly Nuntio th' Aire ascends Then swiftly o're the Earth and o're the Sea Directly her resplendent wings extends To'ards Fethlaem where Joseph slumbring lay The Morne that through the Heaven her blushes sends More clear their bright impressions did display With all that was of wonder to be seen Or by the hand of Heaven there carv'd had been CX Vision the Morning loves that season more Then any given by time sh'affects the best Because the soul is in that pleasing hour More from the flesh remov'd and less oppresst Turn'd to the Good Old man she sets before His thoughts her face with all its glories dresst That Diamantine Book wherein all forms Of things are written and the fancy charmes CXI Joseph through these sure signes was at a stand Till th' Angel the internal sense declar'd And he read there distinctly God's command Jealous that his escape he should retard Oh fly fly written in 't with his own hand Thy dream 's no cheating fancy have regard To this which God's true oracle doth sing Fly this devouring Land and cruel King CXII Too long among so great so many snares Thou art secure and slow arise I say Take heed the spise which Herod now prepares Trace not thy steps nor thy great Pledge betray Be gone and th' Holy Child our chief of Cares Directly to Caenopus streight convey And till from Heaven a message thou again Receive from travel cease and there remain CXIII The Cosin of thy might charge the Great Son of Elizabeth shall likewise be Far hence remov'd and in a safe Retreat Approaching slaughter shun Heavens care is he He the Divine Fore-runner shall defeat Though very young their stratagems and free Through Desarts go there for a city take Some wood and in a Cave his dwelling make CXIV Go then and from the dire and impious Foe Or from the bloudy Tyrant nothing fear 'Mong thieves wild beasts through armies thou shalt go Most safe for God is with thee every where This said the Dream Sleep and the Vision too To their dark Mansion fly and disappear The Angel left him then the dazling light And flames that seem'd to scorch him vanish'd quite CXV Astonish'd and amaz'd he wakes at last And to his Virgin Spouse doth all disclose While she inform'd from Heaven of all that past Fearless and undisturb'd no sorrow shows He to the Cradle runs and there embrac't The Heavenly Babe while tenderness o'reflows His eyes and bath'd him all in tears h'express't A Father's Love and hugg'd him to his brest CXVI O whither shall we go my son said he Yet thou my Love and my Protector art The danger is so near we cannot flee Thou Life of my afflicted Soul and Heart Ah how untimely must this exile be Sole flowr of Jesse's Root divinest part With feet bound up in swath-bands and so weak Is' t fit a Pilgrimage to undertake CXVII Yet must we fly and thy celestial ayd Shall these weak limbs with strength and spirit supply Heaven promises our way shall smooth be made O're Mountains and o're Rocks most rough and high Let us through all by thee Lord be convey'd A thousand Lives in this One's safty ly Me frail old man in the right way direct This tender Infant and weak Babe protect CXVIII As thus the Holy Foster-father spoke While all to speedy flight now ready tend Tears from his eyes like sudden Torrents broke And through the Furrows of his Cheeks descend The Child embrac'd him with a smiling look And wip'd them off and with a gentile hand Compassionating Humane miseries strokes The old man's cheeks and wash'd his hoary locks CXIX He when he saw the Aire 'twixt night and day Obscure and all things now persuade to rest A burthen of his choice and best array Compos'd and charg'd upon a gentle Beast Where the whole weight o' th' worlds salvation lay In swathbands and as in a Cradle dress't Oh Lord said he this equipage forgive And that nor Gold nor Purple thee receive CXX The haughty King and impious Tyrant lyes On costly beds with sumptuous Ornaments Thee the vile work of lab'ring hands supplies With a poor covering that the cold prevents Although an ill-made Couch which we devise Of straw and moorish reeds thee here contents I know thou triumph'st there above the Sun Thy Robe
Herods cruelty Mat 2. v. 16. 〈◊〉 Herod was exceeding wrath and sent forth and slew all the Children that were in â—ethâ— THE SLAUGHTER OF THE Innocents BY HEROD Written in Italian By the famous Poet the Cavalier Marino In Four BOOKS Newly Englished LONDON Printed by Andrew Clark for Samuel Mearne Stationer to the King 's Most Excellent Majesty 1675. To Her Royal Highness MARY Dutchess of YORK May it please Your Royal Highness THis Present which I most humbly lay at Your Royal Highnesses Feet could not be worthy Your Acceptance were it not derived from that Garden of the Muses Your own Country It is a Poem famous both for its Subject Strage de gli Innocenti and its Author the Cavalier Marino who if he appear not to Your Royal Highness in so beautiful and glorious a Dress as was Native to him yet I hope Your Royal Highness will vouchsafe to look upon him in this English Habit with which You are now so well acquainted that among other felicities which the Nation hopes from Your Royal Person it is not the least satisfaction that we have so great an Argument of Your good and gracious Inclinations for us as to have so soon and so easily attained our Language which will encourage the most Ingenious to embellish it for Your sake with all the Ornaments they can borrow from Your Italian thereby the better to express their Devotion to Your Service and more easily obtain pardon for what comes short of Your Royal Highnesses Merits which is the most humble Petition of May it please Your Royal Highness Your most faithful and most Obedient Servant T. R. THE SLAUGHTER OF THE INNOCENTS BOOK I. Herod his Jealousie I. NO more of Love my Muse we 'll sing the dire Rage of a King who thousand Infants slue Torn from their Mothers breasts O curs'd desire Of Rule What will not blind Ambition do You Christ's Vanquerours my weak thoughts inspire You faithful Witnesses assist Me You Whose tender throats enlarg'd by murdring swords Gave streams of Bloud instead of Crys and Words II. And thou Antonio great Iberus Fame Most noble Branch of Emperours and Kings Who must not yield to thy transplendant Flame Even Sol's eclypsed as thy Aurora spring's Mirrour of Heroes to whose valued Name Unconquered Vertue her chief glories brings This flowry Wreath although of small esteem Vouchsafe t' accept compos'd of Sacred Rime III. Nor blush my Muse devoted to adorn With these poor Flow'rs his so deserving Brow These Flow'rs near the Phebean Fountain born Whence those Immortal Veins of water flow Flow'rs on the Sacred Hill preserv'd that scorn Or Sirius burning Rage or Soreas Snow Whence their most secret sweets th' Ingenious swarm Extract and their eternal Honey form IV. Thou who with such esteem with so great Fame The reins o' th' Parthenopian War dost guide That neither Rome nor Athens boast a Name More worthy in their Monuments of Pride So that thy famous Actions to proclaim Not only my Joy'd Siren is employ'd But all the ecchoing streams o' th' Tyrrhene shore Thy Name Immortal murmur and adore V. Under the vast Abyss near to the Heart O' th' Universe and Center of the World Within the Gulph of the profoundest part Stood the old Spirit which from Heav'n was hurl'd About whose Loyns with horrid jaws retort Myriads of Aspes in filthy knots ate curl'd Subdu'd in Paradise with those dire Chains The Angel bound him to Eternal Pains VI. Here Judge of Torments and the King of Woes His Throne and Robe of Everlasting Fire A Robe once rich that did the Morn disclose Now interweav'd with Flames and Night entire On 's Head and 's Scepter this sole glory knows A Crown from which seven lofty Horns aspire About this Diadem most dreadful Snakes A Fring the Cerast and green Hydra make's VII Within his Eyes where Death and Sorrowly A troubled fiery Light of gloomy Red. From 's squinting Aspect rayes obliquely fly Like Comets Stygian Lamps his Eye-brows shed From 's nostrils and swoln Lips of livid Dy Dark Mists and filthy Stinks by vomit fed His thoughts are rabid Rage Pride black Despaire Thunder his Sighs his Breathings lightnings are VIII Looks bloudy and contagious his Breath Which raiseth dreadful flames and deadly fumes Kindle's that horrid Pile that carrys Death And others inconsumably consumes With harshest noise he champs and grinds his Teeth All rough with blackest rust and nasty scums And entring with his limbs of steel the flames His Tail the clashing of his scailes proclaimes IX Near his infernal Throne assistants are Three Virgin Sisters cruel as his Mind Who whips of Vipers and of Thorns prepare To prick Him on to Mischief still inclin'd About their Faces curl'd instead of haire Making a dismal shade are Serpents twin'd His Scepter is of Ir'n and while He reigns H'abhors his Empire and Himself disdains X. Wretch as thou fells't from Glory in thy Prime Who didst most glorious Angels once excel So the severe Revenger of thy Crime Shall justly thy Injustice plague in Hell Proud Lover of thy beautious Self to climbe Unto another's Throne Thou didst rebel But chang'd and into Phlegethon now thrown Oh proud Narcissus Impious Phaëthon XI And now the grand Contest that rais'd of old So great a flame in Heav'n he calls to mind What Oracles what dark Decrees enfold What Sibylls Holy Prophets had devin'd Think's what their Songs and Writings had foretold What thousand Prodigies of late design'd He saw and heard those things that in his breast Reviving grief his Jealousies encreas't XII He saw from God sent into Galile An heav'nly Nuntio to an humble Maid Whom greeting low as to a Deitie He Lillies o' th' Eternal April pay'd Made Fruitful in her old Sterilitie Into the aged Hebrew 's womb convey'd He a Babe leaping saw a Saint before 'T was born his God conceiv'd with joy adore XIII He saw th' Atlantique Adamantine snow Resolve to Nectar and to Silver Rills On Scythian frozen Hills all Fruits to grow While sudden Springs the Libyan Desart fill's Hony from sweating Pines and Oakes to flow While Heav'nly Manna from the wind distill's Thorns winter Roses in Engaddi's field The Fountains Balsam milk the Rivers yield XIV He saw in that most happy holy Night The silent Shades and darkest horrours all Struck by the Voice of Heav'n and ruin'd quit And by the Angel's glory vanquish'd fall Through woods and wildest Caves in joyful flight The Peasants on the neighbring Shepherds call And hast together to their new-born King The simple Tribute of Rude gifts to bring XV. The Eastern Palace open He from far Beheld and thence a Triple Sun to rise Sacred to the fair Goddess who all war Detests a Temple fall'n before his eyes Her Images and Altars ruin'd are Which they were wont to cloy with Sacrifice The Earth he see 's to tremble and divide The Wanton Lover from his Mistri's side XVI He saw besides with an unusual Ray A Star Miraculous