THE DOVE OR PASSAGES OF Cosmography BY RICHARD ZOVCHE Ciuillian of New Colledge in OXFORD Sicut Columbae LONDON Printed for George Norton and are to besould at his shop vnder the blacke Bell neere Temple-barre 1613. TO THE TRVELY Noble and worthily Honoured Edward Lord Zouche St. Maur and Cantelupe of his Maiesties Priuie-Councell Right Honorable MY resolued assurance that the mouths of Infants may reueale a truth makes me who haue not attain'd that perfection of speech which is reputed worthie to be openly heard yet hopefully ambitious to be beleeu'd And truely I desire no more but that this simple Intelligencer who hath brought in a relation of the WORLD to me may report me againe to the world one who wish the good of all who are studiously affected and Honour of those who haue put life into my poore indeauours How much I am bound both in my selfe and those whom I esteeme as neare to your Lordships fauours I should blush in this idle manner to make profession did I not thinke that those noble ends which haue giuen beginning to all your actions haue enabled you to entertaine with constancie the slender acknowledgements of great deseruings But what your Honour did neuer expect in the great vnthankfull and cannot meet in this little imperfect world of mine may you finde eternally remembred in that more glorious and incorruptible to come Your Lordships kinsman obliged in duty RICHARD ZOVCHE Ad Autorem ISte tripartitae liber est Descriptio terrae Et simul ingenij Mappa typusque tui Consimili versu pingatur America su tu Ipse Columba velut Musa Columbus eris THO. LAKE TAm paucis tot tanta quis O si deforet orbis Non velit in Libro Zouche habitare tuo IOAN HARRIS N.C. To my dearely affectionate friend Mr. RICHARD ZOVCHE THy worke hath tongue for vs t' admire thy worth Silence the voyce of an admiring minde Should then best fit my pen but Loue breaks forth And will needs speake what in thy booke I finde And wrestingly out of my wonted lynes It makes me shuffle in these hobling rymes Though t' were not thine it 's good but hauing birth From thee it 's excellent who in an houre Flyest o're the forrest of the spatious earth And of each Eden dost cull out some flowres And leau'st out nothing this is admirable Which to a setled eye can be remarkeable And in so narrow lines could be discouer'd Of so much World but thy penne hath vtterr'd And for this Truth which men best-bred do know Didst but into the Muses garden goe Who fearing danger dares not crosse the Sea And of the Earth desires to know the frame Let him but read thy worke and he shall see The worlds faire Symstry by distinguisht names And by thy Art his ignorance may know For which most men by Land and Sea doe row And let him blesse thy wit and prayses sing that thus with ease dost him such knowledg bring Ingenious ZOVCHE liue thy Verses long Fly faire and far thy Doue with her smooth song Of thy all-Noble name for Armes long knowne These Lettred times haue thee design'd their owne Your Louer and friend Richard Yong. To the Author BEhold a miracle a singing Doue Which sweetly sings yet sings not sweets of Loue. Each studie be her Doue-house and each breast Which harbours studious thoughts her gentle neast Nic. Stoughton Int. Temp. ASpice non veneri est deuota Columba mouetur Illius auspicijs penna Minerua tuis Ergo Deae noctis studiosae Noctua cedat Dum tu gaudentem luce tueris auém Car. Herbert N.C. The Doue TAke wing my Muse and like that siluer DOVE Which o'er the world new-bath'd did hou'tâ—â— fly The low-coucht Seas and high-plac't Land aboue Discerne with faithfull though with fearefull eye That what both Land and Sea resounding ring Wee may to this All-makers prayses sing He who directs the Sparrowes tender flight And sees him safely reach the hurtlesse ground Guide thee in all thy PASSAGES aright And grant thy Course be sure they Restinâ— found From Mount of Oliues as from Hill of â—â—yes Blest with the Branch of Peace though not of Praise And you whose Care our Floating house yet saues From sinking in the Deluge of Despayre Whil'st with poore feather'd oares she passe the waues Of this all-vulgar-breath'd storme-threatning Ayre Deare LORD vouchsafe with patient looke t' attend Her flights both trembling rise and humble end The World TO our small Isle of Man some well compare The WORLD that greater Continents huge frame Nor much vnlike eythers Perfections are Their Matter and their Mixture both the same Whence Mâ—ns Affection it so much allures Sith greatest Likenesse greatest Loue procures But if their outward Formes we looke vpon Wee shall their Figures diuers plainely see For mans erected tall Proportion To his heau'n-hoping Soule doth best agree VVhereas the World each way being framed round The aptest forme for turning Change hath found Like Natures rarest workemanship the Eye The well contriued instrument of seeing VVhich by exact and apt Rotunditie Performes his duty and preserues his beeing Of many curious circling Spheares composed And Orbs within the Orbs without enclosed The Earth IN midst of which by rarer Engeny Then Mars and Venus hang in Lemnian net The Land and Sea imbracing louingly Making one perfect Globe in th' ayre were set VVhose interveyning qualities agree To breede and beare what moue or resting be Thrice happy Vnion when these Greater things Accord in perfect Loue and Amitie VVhose peace an vniuersall blessing brings Causing in lesser states sweet harmonie And euer blessed be his powerfull hand By whom this Order doth supported stand Now Rose-cheek't Morning kindest Friend of Arts Learnings best Mistresse my presuming Muse Of all the Earths diffused sundry parts Thy Neighbour confine Kingdomes first doth chuse That when her faultie boldnesse shee doth see If blush she doe not she may learne of thee Asia THe worlds true Mother-Land mans Nurcery Great ASIA obiect of diuiner view Saluted first by Heau'ns all-seeing eye Soonest by it departing bid t'adiew The West yet wrapt in Darknesse shin'd in Light That since inlightened lyes inwrapt in Night CHINA her farthest Region in the East By Portugals to vs discouered late Is with much Pleasure and rich Plentie blest With People and with Princes fortunate Yet most procuring wonder doe excell The Cities where her Prince and People dwell The skill of Printing and Artillery Rarest inuentions which these dayes haue seene If we beleeue the Fame which thence doth flye Here in the ancient'st times haue practis'd beene And sure that People is or should be wise Which say We see with one They with both eyes Bord'ring on China Northward lies CATHAY Rul'd by her Emperour the mighty Cham To whom great TARTARIE doth tribute pay Great Tartary whose farre distended name Twixt auncient India and the Icy Sea Possesseth all to Westerne Muscouy The Nation sprung from Sires of Scythian race Not satisfi'ed
with Ob nor Volga's floud People anew some new vnpeopled place In guilded sculs carowsing luke-warme bloud More happy yet in spoyling States well built Then in erecting where their force hath spilt As those hayle vollies which the VVhirle-winds cast Of leaden drops from some darke molten showres Beat downe the fruit and all the fields lay wast Led by great Tamberlaine those storming Powres Forc'd Asia's Tyrant with his prostrate troope Vnder their fearefull Armes to bend and stoope Southward from China doe confining lie The Easterne INDIES whose rich golden sands Vnder conduct of greedy tyranny Oft felt the violence of warlike bands VVhich hoping to proue rich with forreyne spoyle Forsooke the sweetnesse of their natiue soyle First Bacchus did this Country ouer-runne And set vp trophees in the conquer'd East Oh would he had gone on as he begunne And neuer turned to subdue the West Might Indus bancks haue bore his branching Vines Nor Europes streams bin stain'd with sweeter wines Great Alexander next wtth powerfull might VVithout resistance did these parts subdue VVhil'st the Inhabitants not vs'd to fight Away before his Armie trembling flew Since subiect vnto him whose spacious minde Not Gange nor once farthest Gades confinde Their state most slauish Fortune miserable Their life is painefull and vnpleasing to them They others making strong are made vnable And wealth which blesseth few did first vndoe them Which is no more then hath beene seene of old They most vnhappy who haue heapt most gold Their neighbour PERSIA tride this long before Greatly presuming on her mightie treasure But fill'd with much and euer crauing more Did surfet and grow sicke with too-much pleasure For whose disease the Fates did thinke it good The Prince of Macedon should let her bloud Cyrus with Natures rarest graces blest The type of vertue paragon of Honour Pluckt from Assyria's proud Imperiall crest A Monarchs Diadem and plac't it on her Which they who follow'd but with ill successe Vnhappy soone did lose or leaue much lesse Yet since those losses somewhat haue regain'd These sometimes onely expert carpet Knights That late in Champion Field their vertue train'd Countries farre of remote now oft affrights Their mighty Sophy to that strength is growne That fear'd of others he yet feareth none The west of Asia once Earths Paradice Since subiect to the TVRKS most slauish yoke Hath seene her Cedars reaching to the Skyes Layd low by his fierce sacrilegious stroke Her glorious Kingdomes of illustrous fame Being swallow'd in the deluge of that name Downe from ARMENIA'S ruder Mountaine tops This violent impetuous Torrent fell Whose stronger source impatient of stops Orewhelmed all th' Inhabitants that dwell Betwixt the greater Sea nere Trebizond And that which washeth rich Arabians strond The CASPIAN Sea which seemes on Ocean Within his Circuits is restraind and bound But this outragious race of Ottoman Which hath no end nor limits euer found Scorning with bancks or borders to be held Hath o're Euphrates and broad Tygris sweld Great Babylon sometimes ASSYRIA'S pride By their preuailing armies ouerthrowne Their fury and their fiercenesse hauing tride Now feeles by deere experience of her owne What griefe Iudaea captiue then sustain'd When by her Riuers weeping shee complain'd Yet now no comfort can IVDAEA take In this her Neighbour nations â—uster woe Her fellowship in miserie may make Her like distressed minde like passion show Yet not bewaile it sith her losse more neare May borrow many but not lend a teare This Country by the Midland Sea confin'd VVas once a happy and a HOLY LAND To Gods owne peoples heritage assign'd Manured onely by his royall hand Then Scaene of heau'nly fauour since the Stage Of most inhumane furious hellish rage Here HE who hath the highest Heau'n his Throne The Earth his foot-stoole did vouchsafe to make His regall Presence that thrice-sacred-ONE Whose mightie vertue Diu'lish forces brake In humane nature borne to vnder-goe Our most inhumane sinne-reuenging woe O blessed Loue of Iuda's blessed King O happy Mercy of that blessed Loue Let Quires of Angels to his glory sing Let Earth beneath let highest Heau'ns aboue Assist poore Man his soules best thoughts to raise To his distressed soules Redeemers praise Hierusalem thou Iuda's choysest Cittie Beholding all his wonderfull effects Wer 't chiefest obiect of his tender pittie But yet his kindnes cruelly neglects Which foule offence deseruing thy decay Iordan may witnesse but ne're wash away Thy glory since to desolation chang'd Thy Bulwarks and faire Buildings are defaced All fauours of the Heau'ns are quite estrang'd Thy people fleeing thee else-where disgraced And Sion which did Siluer drops distill Thy Vallyes with salt teares of griefe doth fill Aboue Iudaea bord'ring on the West Of great Armenia lesser ASIA lyes Which on three sides three famous Seas inuest Once knowne so many Kingdomes to comprise Now his entire whose Tyranny so farre Sworne foe to peace hath rauaged in warre His burthen stiffe-neckt Taurus vndergoes And slye Moeander by his winding shelfe Snake-like enwreathed which so doubtfull flowes Deludes obseruers and doth loose himselfe Vnwilling his strange cruelty to see Doth euer seeke but findes no corner free Betwixt the red Sea and the Persian bay From Palaestina to the Southern Maine Famous ARABIA doth at large display Her triple-folded thrice-illustrous traine Whose riches into diuers Countries brought Are with great trauell and much danger sought To those faire parts which being farthest plac't Doe serue as Spicery to other Lands A tedious fearefull iourney must be pac't Through Rocky desarts and Wind-driuen Sands Where many Merchants trading oft haue bin Lost in the spatious Wildernes of Sin Of Baulmes and Spices well this soyle may boast Whilst Mahomet from hence first issued forth VVe enuy not the fruit of this faire coast Nor ought that to despise the colder North VVhich so great distance from those parts remou'd Haue beene no lesse by bount'ous Heau'n belou'd Afrique AFRIQVE remoued to the Southern parts In forme resembling some well-shapen shield VVould ill resist the Sunnes more piercing darts But that her vncouth monster-bearing field To Phoebus angry fury most expos'd VVithin great Neptunes Bauldrick rests inclos'd Betwixt the Midland Sea and Sanguine bay Deuided by a little tract of ground Hither from out of Asia a way As o're a straight but strong-built Bridge is found VVhere Nilus streames like many branching vaines Doe feed with plenty AEGYPTS fruitfull plaines Nature dispos'd her selfe to recreate As in her fittest worke-house here doth vse VVhich Art may wonder at not imitate Life into new created shapes t'infuse The Sun-beames serue as fire the worke to make The slymy soyle as apt each forme to take Industrious Art lesse potent not lesse proud Enuying Natures vncompared power Hath there vprais'd outreaching eu'ry cloud Many a gallant and starre-threatning Tower Whose strange sky-piercing flame-resembling spires This age distrusts Antiquitie admires Next neere those Cynthia's-kisse-aspiring Hils Where profuse Nilus hides his Bankrupt-head Those tawny troopes whose
hath bene now vnapt to show Obiect of Fury Image of strange woe Had Helen in her vndissembling glasse Viewing the wrinckles which her age had wrought Foreseene what misery should come to passe To her disfigur'd Countrey her sad thought So scarce faire Dames beholding foule are pleas'd Had not she much bene ioyd had much bene eas'd Olympus vnto whom the Clouds gaue way To vpstart Tyranny submits and bowes Parnassus once Crown'd with the verdant Bay With saddest Cyprus shrowdes his mourning browes And Tempe rob'd of all her pleasing weeds With spitefull furrows wounded weeps and bleeds Athens Miuerua's Chappell Phoebus Quire Within whose Cloysters those pure vestall Maydes The Muses kept their euer-burning fire Whose light our cold darke ignorance vpbraids From broken ruines and her vaults scarce found No voyce but voyce of horror 's vs'd to sound The Schoole of Vertue stately Theater Of brauest men-beseeming action Whose Lawes excelling farre exceeded were By Customes easily and truely done Like feeble Miloes armes eneru'd and dead Old Lacedaemons vertuous strength is fled And Theban wals raised by the pow'rfull sound Of rare Amphions sweet well-fingerd Lute Humbly saluting the debased ground Lye raz'd with noyse of Trumpets Drums and Flute VVhich Instruments if any may be sayd Here to haue true and quick Diuision plaid VVhere like a second Midland Sea the pride Of swelling ADRIA doth distend her shoares Oppos'd to Italy whose armed sides Oft feare th' approaching of Slauonian oares ILLYRICVM whilst Turcisme it ore-flowes Feeles not her billowes nor respects her blowes Some rather curious how the Earth should stand Then carefull how similitudes doe runne Haue likend to a Legg th'ITALIAN Land But since it hath so many conquests wonne It farre more fitly might compared be Vnto an Arme the limb of Chiualry Her Wealth her sinewes and her Riuers veynes Her Buildings were her Bones her People Marrow Yet whilest she Mars his warlike Speare sustaines At length was wounded with yong Cupids arrow Since of Bellona'es ensignes dispossest On Venus pillow long hath layn at rest The pleasant Land of labour Naples seat VVhere first appeared that contagious sore VVhich since contracted by the Frenchmens heat They farther Westward or'e the Alps haue bore By female luxury impaird was faine To seeke her physicke in the Fields of Spaine Life-feeding humours drawne from eu'ry part Tyber engrossing hath that Vlcer bred Impostem'd Rome which quite confounding Art Hath o're the Bosome of all Europe spred O! may some Royall Heau'n-grac'd hand asswage This swelling Euils Kings-stroke-asking rage Florence by Arno almost compast round The perfect Beautie of the Tuscan plaines If well disposed it continuing sound Infectious anguish not so much sustaines To her great Medici who haue withstood The common danger owes her chiefest good The Gate of Italy transporting farre The sundry plenties of her faire increase Long foe to Venice in the fiercest warre Corriuall in the softst delights of Peace With strong-mand Gallyes Genua scours the seas With well-rigd Pinnaces seekes Rodes of ease Like hundred armed Briareus the Po Stretcht forth on Lumbardyes delightfull bed VVith dropsie humours makes her ouerflow By which surcharged not discreetly fed Oft times her Spunges Millaines Duke put by Suck her abundance and doe soke her dry Bath'd in the Adriatiques farther waue As some faire Sea-nymph famous Venice sits Whom all the prayse which fiction freely gaue To Sea-borne Venus farre more truely fits Earths richest Iewell Beauties brightest Starre Mother of Loue Loue of the God of Warre The Eagle badge of Sou'raigne Maiestie Vpon one breast deuiding many heads The sundry parts of scu'red GERMANIE At large displayed shadowing ouer-spreads Whence much distracted that faire body stayes VVhose chiefest parts are bent so diuers wayes VVhere it on Italy doth next confine Closing with Hungary doth AVSTRICH rest Renowned Austrich whose Prince-branching Line Stretcht through the yeelding and declining West VVith various windings hath attaind of late Many a farre and neere encompast state Like great Danubius vnresisted source Their fame extended to the larger maine By sundry conquerd Islands takes his course Obseru'd of Italy obey'd of Spaine Thence through the streights close passage hauing pierc't By th' Ocean to both Indies is disperst Iser and Oenus which from TYROLL flowes Hauing their homage to Bauaria done With Licus which the bounds of Suevia showes And many high-born streams which down-ward run Against the Turks encroaching power combin'd To Austria's Current haue their forces ioyn'd Mora which to Morauia lends her name Her tribute duely vncompell'd doth bring And great Odera Slesia's chiefest fame With yonger Albis hold him for their King The Waser Rhine the Maze the Sceld though free Yet to Danubius all inferiour be The Oder hauing Slesia's bounds out-gone Doth Brandenbourghs faire Marquiâ—ate salute Whose double Marches now both rang'd in one Mongst German Princedomes beares a choise repute Thence in the Baltick Ocean vp resign'd Her freezing streames colde entertainment finde Neare to BOHEMIA'S farthest Eastern skyrt As from the Earth's breast yet small Albis crawles VVhere with th'Hercinian Forrests Pale begyrt And stately Mountaines strong surrounding wals Till with Multauia ioyn'd she breakes the bay From out her Country hardly findes a way From thence through Saxony she takes her course Where meeting Sala whose faire streames diuide Turinge from Misnia with more strength'ned force She goes t' encounter with the Northern tyde O'er which preuailing neare to Iuitlands Coasts In triumph towards Denmarkes Court she posts Haile DENMARKES Court seate of a faithful King Sweet nurcery of Brittaines Sou'raigne QVEENE Fountaine of all our ioy from whom doe spring The Hope of Thames and Happinesse of Rhene Latona like which makes the Albion Land Her Childrens Well-rockt Cradle firmer stand The Hassian confines quickly passing by Waser vpon Westphalia longer stayes VVhence Em to Freeslands Embden seemes to flye VVing'd with affection which detests delayes VVhere in the watry region both doe meete And each imbracing other kindly greete Downe from the Alps-spring Cloud-despising heads Europes perpetuall well-fill'd Conduits flow VVhose farre-dispersed moysture all o'er-spreads The Rhene the Rhosne the Danow and the Po Po and Danow towards the rising Sunne Sothward the Rhosne the Rhene doth Northward runne Rhene through the fighting Switzers Cantons past Downe from those Countries loftie verge descends Through Basell and by Strasbourg then with hast Meetes Neccar which faire Heidelberg commends VVhose lesser streames which Wittenberg confine Growne big doe honour Rhenes Count Palatine Now stay you gentle streames and let that ayre Which sweetens your pure waues refresh my Muse Ne'er may my Silence passing by that Paire Which make Earth happy courteous Heau'n abuse What Loue-taught Turtles onely best expresse Lesse may my Doue adorne admire no lesse Here the faire SHEVVER of th' Imperiall Court Prince of those Princes which doe Caesars make In Honours Palace ioyn'd to Vertues Fort Where equall pleasure Loue and Beautie take Reside ô worthy of immortall breath Faire FREDERICK and fair'st
ELIZABETH He as another Mercury on Earth Deputed faithfull Arbiter of Right Shee like cleare Cynthia of Caelestiall birth From Brittaine SVNNE deriuing heauenly Light In sweet Coniunction matcht doe truely show VVhat happy States to high-plac't Vertues owe. Thence Rhene and Neccar friendly take their way To Mentz where Maenus from Franeouia rose Doth for their comming with attendance stay And kindely with them downe to Collen goes Mosella passing Triers them first o'er-takes And entertained once no more forsakes So would these Mitred Cities once professe Truths worth apparent which they conscious see Albis and Oder might consent no lesse The Duke and Marquisse both conioyn'd agree That German Diadem design'd to bare Rhenus with swelling Isther might compare From Collen passing downe along by Cleue Then thorough Gelders reaching Holland all Together of the Continent take leaue And in among the Zeland Islands fall Where Noble â—â—sle doth keepe with English bands Flushing the key of all the Nether-lands The Mase confining Lutzenbourg descends Meeting with Sambre at Namur to Liege Then Brabants halfe-encompast coast defends From neighb'ring Gulick and neere Gelders Siege And passing well-man'd Huisden ioynes at length To Rhenes more worthy force his wel-met strength To them the Sceld rising neere Cambray speeds Which leauing Artois borders on the VVest Through Henault comes to Tourney then proceedes To Gaunt in Flanders where not finding rest It makes to Antwerpe by whose safe conuoy It doth at length a long-wisht end enioy Belge's faire Daughters midst these flouds remaine Of which with low obeysance some doe bowe Bearing vp Isabel th' Infanta's traine For whose deare Loue oblieg'd in Nuptiall vowe Her coosen Austrich from the Church estrang'd His scarlet Bonnet for steele Beauer chang'd The rest to Faiths allegeance firme adhere Freed by the Christian Faiths Defendres ayde Her Champions hauing them secur'd from feare And Superstitions strong encroaching staid All vertuous Captaines most praise-worthy all Braue Norris Sydney Vere and Vuedall And may not Enuy here my Loue debarre Or Zouches name be in my name deprest Both you who yet attend the charge of warre And you whose happy Soules in Peace doe rest Deare Loue-deseruing Brothers ought to be By them remembred not forgot by mee FRANCE Europes Eden Westerne Paradice Part pal'd with Mountaines moated part with Seas The famous Seed-plot of the Flowre de Lyce VVants nothing which the curious sense muy please Except the easie Arbour of Repose Vnder the shadow of the Sou'raigne Rose The more then earthly once reputed Powers Driu'n from the troubled and distemper'd East There placing since their fancy-pleasing Bowers Where they more freely might disport and feast Choysest delights of them esteem'd most deare Seeme to haue planted and disposed here Ioues Oake whose root he makes his conscious pillow And thicke-leau'd boughes his shady Canopy Siâ—ke-thoughted Iuno's pale forsaken Willow Crowne of contempt-conceiuing Iealousie That on the ayrie Mountaines this doth grow Where Crystall Riuers through coole Vallyes flow Vnder the Lawrels worth adorning wreaths Mars and Apollo ioynd in friendship rest Yet Mars short-winded angry accents breaths Late basely of great HENRY dispossest And fâ—arce Apollo hath lamenting left Of his diuine Du Bartas quite bereft Amongst the Oliues fruite-concealing leaues Pallas and all the Virgin Muses sing To chearefull CERES well-growne ripened sheaues The rurall Nymphs as rarest posyes bring Venus and Cupid midst the myrtels sport The Elms doe Bacchus and his Vines support Great Britaines Ocean with his conquering tide Passing the entrance of their yeelding shore Hath prou'd their plenty and represt their pride Hath tride their vertue not impaird their store And much admiring most himselfe admir'd His right reserued hath his force retir'd The fayrest of-spring of the floudy Peeres With due obseruance to his Crystall Throne Doe pay the tribute of their siluer teares Rich Seyne sweet Loyre great Garond the Rhone Hasting his banke-disdaining course t' enlarge Doth in the streighter Seas his streame discharge Thorough Geneua's cleare and constant Lake He comes to Lyons hauing left Sauoy Where meeting Soane from Burgundy they take By Daulphny to Auignion thence with ioy Passing by Prouence they at Arles attaine A spatious entrance to the Midland Mayne Well-planted Champaigne Seyne first watring fals On Paris scituate in the Isle of Fraunce About whose stately Citties goodly wals Many of Amphitrites daughters daunce Till all conioyning Norman Vales giue place They reach the Harbour of the Hau'n of grace Hence did that worthy Duke first hoyse his Sayle Whom Right conducted Conquest seem'd t' attend Fortune assisted with a prosprous gale The floure of Vertue Fraunce along did send Which vnto English fields remou'd and set Prepar'd a roome for great Plantaginet Amongst them not the meanest of the flocke Allan the Earle of lesse Brittain came Deriuing from the stemmes of antient Stocke That sometimes flourishing now fading name Which though it little to earths moysture owe Blest by the deaw of Heau'n againe may grow The siluer Crescent in the sable skye Seemes to resemble Loyres cornuted streames But farther follow'd with attending eye It lookes like full-fac'd Phaebe's scattring Beames She midst the lesser Stars great lustre showes This mongst the Minor flouds abundant flowes Rising in Auergne it descends to Neuers Then passing Orleans turneth downe to Tours Whence bending vnto Nants it Poictou seuers From Brittaine where this horne of plenty powers Her much encreased scarce contained store Ouer the surface of the Westerne shore So when the second Henry first set forth Simply attended with the strength of Mayne Proceeding forward his attractiue worth Adding braue spirits to his spreading traine Whilst to a larger state his Hopes aspire His late-got-greatnes all the Land admire From out the Frontier Hils through Gascony Garond to Toulouse lesse obserued goes Then entertaining from all parts supply Passeth to Bordeaux and by passing growes That ere at Blay it reach the watry realme Her Sea-beseeming-waues the Land ore-whelme How did the Sou'raigne of St. George his Knights His new enobled Garter here aduance Whilest his admired Order's worth incites The states succeeding of amazed France To follow after though preceded farre With Badge of Golden Fleece and sparkling Starre Crecy and Poitiers saw the Princely Bands Ecclips with feathr'y Clouds the lowring day And Agincourt in daunger trembling stands Whilst Henryes valour ore it towring lay Each place but passable by searching fame Gaue way to Neuils and great Talbots name NExt France the Pirenean Hils descry SPAYNE as the Orchard of th' Hesperides Whose golden fruit obseru'd with wary eye A sterne and watchfull Gardian did possesse Now blest the wealth and happy is that soyle Whose keepers care 's not feard nor strangers spoile Vnder those stately Mountaynes shady side Entrencht by great Iberus lyes Nauar Whence nearer to that Sea which Spaine deuides From parched Africke Southward seated are Hot Arragon and those choyce-hearbed-fields Of good Valenc'a which such plenty yeelds These and those
Seigneuries which here erewhile No great Superiours free controulement brookt Are by the lofty Turrets of Castile Vpon t'Herculian Pillars rais'd ore-lookt Her mounted Ordinance commanding all Betwixt Nauar and farthest Portugall The Western Ocean doth confine the shore Of wealthy Portugall where Tagus sands Mixt with abundance of Gold-yeelding ore Was sifted by some Guilt-approuing hands Wohse Mettall-minded hard affection would Turne with refining all they touch't to gold Now on poore Protestants such Art they vse Whom they with all pursuite do first enquire And hauing found doe sift and sifted bruise At last their soundnes they explore with fire And though they neuer will their stamp admit To passe with Angels they doe make them sit Faire Andaluzia which had once repute For giuing weary Phoebus welcome rest Feedes her Siuilians with Gold-seeming fruite Oh! would they were with vs indeed so blest Who farre more truely entertaine the Light Repelling errours wrong-protecting Night There Boetis which doth fall neere Cadis bay Seing the English ensignes faire displayd Stopping her troubled course beganne to stay And feeling her vaste body much dismayd Vp â—oward Corduba where first she bred Her bloud contracting back retir'd and fled The winged Charriots which out-sayld the wind Led by great Essex with much ease did passe Beyond Plus vltra and haue left behinde Trophees aboue the Monuments of Brasse Of which may yet these peacefull times relate Louing our own though theirs we leaue to hate Thence as that Nauy where the flowre of Greece Return'd from Colchos whilest they come from Spaine Brauely enriched with the Golden Fleece And ride triumphing ore the Sea-greene-plaine Great Brittaine Glories Capitoll dilates The close-bard entrance of her Crystall gates GReat BRITTAINE shadow of the starry Sphears Selfe-viewing Beauties true presented Grace In Thetis Myrrhour on this Orbe appeares In Worth excelling as extoll'd in Place Like the rich Croisade on th' Imperiall Ball As much adorning as surmounting all Bounded within the watry Firmament Whose euer-mouing streames about it role She measures forth her length in faire extent Towards the Southern from the Northern Pole Betwixt her Riuers Zone-diuiding Lines Each Citie like a Constellation shines Auon and Twede her Tropicks Zodiack-wise Passe Trent and Seuern to the springing Morne Trent goes declining Seuerne bending lyes Downe by the Western freez-cloath'd Capricorne Thames as th'Equator doth more eeuen runne Proud with the Mansions of her biding Sunne Maiesticke SVNNE long may thy kinde aspect Shed downe sweet influence vpon this Clime Beyond all Enuy as without Defect Ruling but neuer altering our Time Till passing from our teare-bedewed eyes Thy Glory in another Heau'n shall rise Tâ—â—â— soone our IVLIAN-STARRE late Prince of Light The sparkling lustre of whose vertuous ray To Brittaine hearts content with shortest Night Promis'd the comfort of eternall day Too soone expir'd ô worthy long to proue The worlds great Wonder his Countries Loue. And faire ELISA midst the glistering Crew Which as our glorious Cynthia seemes renew'd Lately remouing from our fainting view Her presence with all graces bright endew'd For Latmus shade doth spend her precious houres On Rhenus Banks amidst the Myrtle Bowres Yet like those glistring Emblems neare the Pole Still aboue Earths Horizon elâ—uate May our Heroicke Princes name controule The Starry Orders of this well-rul'd State And Brittaines Chariot as the Northern VVayne With great Arcturus ioyne her CHARLEMAIGNE A stately Burs built in the VVestern Strand Renowned Exeter farre off doth seeme But London Exchange-Royall of the Land Is obiect of the Peoples best esteeme So whilst the glorious Day-star shines more bright Cleare Hesperus obscur'd doth giue no light Sweet-seated Sals-bry VVilshyres ornament Neighb'red with Plaines graced with goodly Vallies Like some delightfull Garden of Content Watring with siluer streames her well-squar'd allies But that it doth more firme and surely stand Doth seeme another Venice in our Land Bathe fairely-built throughout the World is knowne For her most wholesome strength-repayring Springs But she which hath so strange effects oft showne VVith ill successe did lend her Founder wings Poore worme-like creeping men she might restore Ne'er make them borne to goe like Birds to soare Bristow the Marchants Magazin enclos'd With Rocky Hils by Auons streame imbrac't Faire by industrious workemanship compos'd As by great Natures wisedome firmely plac't Viewing her verdant Marsh may well disdaine Romes somtimes-glory Mars his Champian plaine Old Winchester the auncient seate of Kings For vertue and for valour much renowned So subiect vnto change are earthly things In stead of Diadem with Bayes is crowned Where worthy Wicchams children now mainetaine The fame once known by great king Arthurs traine Oxford by Isis Crystall streames confin'd And well-discerning Cambridge Learnings Payre Excell those Lamps which once on Ida shin'd Bright Iuno shew'd cleare Pallas Venus faire But eyther of these thrice illustrious eyes Doth Brightnes Clearnesse Fairnesse all comprise As that true Ensigne of th' Almighties Loue Liuely displayed in the Cloudy Skye The gazers eye astonished doth moue To wonder at such strange varietie Rain-bow-resembling London Englands Blisse The Heau'ns great Mercy and Earths Maruell is To the Reader READER IF thy Patience be not too much discouraged aduenture on the little Common-weale of my poore thoughts I euer rather admired then professed Poetry the necessitie of my Studies to which a higher direction then mine owne choyse hath appointed mee forbidding the one and that delight which beyond ordinary content receiued in all sorts of Learning hath beene presented to me in this occasioning the other yet haue I as my leasure gaue me leaue taken to my selfe in this idlenesse that reliefe which in other varietie most doe thinke they may iustly vse I know some whose credit hath challenged respect exceeding strong in preiudice against the composing and reading such trifles yet the excellency of diuers in this kinde commended by others whom I haue no warrant to distrust makes my small experience thinke that some Muses like Silke-wormes spinne a fine threed for necessary vse as many like Spiders curious webs for vnprofitable admiration His censure who affirmed the reading of Amadis du Gaule as dangerous to youth as of Macciauel pernitious to old men was as the Author truly generous yet I presume it extends not to all which without proclaiming title to wisdome and iudgement seeme rais'd or fashioned by imagination There is who hath vndertaken to illustrate by places of the Arcadia all the points of the Art of speaking I will adde which is as much as Achilles his Father desired Chiron should teach his Sonne hee is rude that cannot discerne or exceeding austere that scornes to obserue therein worthy behauiour and carriage both in priuate and common businesse And one as vnderstanding in the Pollicie of Letters and Peace as La Noue was experienced in the Discipline of Armes and a troubled State by exquisite vnfolding of some fabulous Stories makes it plaine that the Cesternes of these times deriue the fulnes of their wisdome by no other conueyance then such narrations from the purer springs of all antiquitie To whom he had yeelded his assent who imploying his faithfull labours in teaching to beleeue I know had care he might not be disprou'd and farther graceth Poetry with the choise appellation of the Soules vvoing-Suite in which diuers their excellencie carrying them higher haue shewed their thoughts not vnfit for solemne yea Sabaoth deuotions And truely they who will be pleas'd to credit our owne tongue and age may finde our present and later Poets capable of that commendation which was giuen the antienst among the Greekes That if their writings were preserued no part of Learning should wholy perish Spencer hauing as well deliuered Morall and Heroicall matter for vse and action as Du Bartas now ours Naturall and Diuine for study and meditation I would not diminish the worthy reputation of other Volumnes for mine owne part it being knowne to some I haue spent time in them I should be loth to be thought ignorant of that which I am perswaded all that know doe well allow But as the plaine way affecteth most the neerest many so I am sure there are some who had they beene shewed that which was pleasing would haue prooued successefull when they haue returned exceeding empty from Systems and Commentaries What I haue attempted in this subiect was long since excellently performed by Dionysius in Greeke and diuers in Latin whose example hath giuen me some incouragement but no more direction then Magellan to Syr Francis Drake shewing the Straights might be past not instructing how Some places may seem obscure but I intend it to those who vnderstand or desire to know something in this Argument I haue not touched all because I would be short and haue vsed shortnes as vnwilling to sweat and make a labour of my sport as any fastidious lookers on are quickly apt to distast satietie As it is Reader I indifferently leaue it to thy discretion what esteeme thou wilt be pleased to put on it is in thy power how I may valew thy esteeme remaines in mine FINIS * William and Allan Zouche a Henry and Francis Zouche