lake Of common shame and folly bars our blisse Remember we our novell case in this We have imparadis'd our best affection Within the Eden of her best complexion Let us be prudent still and we shall find A mooting time to new informe her mind What if Susanna be so seeming chast So carefull to conserve fond honours blast That she about the town will never rome But in her Palace live immur'd at home What if she walke but in her gardens we Have leave to walke in them aswell as she What if a seeming Angell we shall prove Her woman by obtaining of her love Boldnesse beseemeth lovers best and fortune Then â—et us watch her Gardens 't is a common Custome observ'd among the Hebrew women To bath her Iv'ry limbs if we out-find Her bathing there there she discerns our mind Though Iudges we 'll turn Sentinels for love This noble passion oft transformed Iove In her white Conscience-book we 'll register Our warme affections we deserve not her If we delay this houre let us begin Demurres in love are more the mortall sin Doubtlesse Diana-like she â—aves her limbes In yonder Fountain on whose floury brims May we surprize her and possesse our pleasure In rifling up dame Venus hidden treasure If in our aidance Heav'n Gods will not bow Help us you Acharontish gods below We can beguile if holpen but by you Daughters of Iacob and of Iudah too MEDIT. VI. Heu vivunt homines tanquam mors nulla sequatur BElial and all his babes are busie still In darksome earth to do their pranks of ill And what the Dev'll dare scanâ— presume to doe That ev'll he tempts ungodly men unto The glorious Angels dare not pâ—wsing stand But what God will 's performe it out of hand The whirling spheares with armies of the heaven Observe the statutes God to them hath given The Skie the Earth the Ocean ev'ry thing Nay fiends themselves obey th' eternall King Dumbe creatures of this world fulfill the word And will of man their dominering Lord The brutish cattell do what them behove But sinfull men most disobedient prove They worse then all things else disdain to follow The Lord of all things all his Lawes unhallow And but for nothing in an angry mood They sometimes swim in streames of Abel's blood And for base lucre germane brothers slay The Devils have more feare and faith than they â—ome of them make a god of gold and some With giddy cups of Atheisme overcome Beleeve blind Fortune wrought this goodly frame That all contains and governeth the same Another kind remayn befool'd in evils Supposing neither Deity nor Devils Counting Religion and the holy Law But wiles to keep the wilfull world in awe Some others deeme death naturally came To ev'ry thing beneath the Cynthian flame Yet living so as they should never drink The cup of death nor sleep on Lethe-brink They fearelesse sin untill by death th' are sent Vnto infernall vales where Dathan went With his companions there 's no wrath to come As they beleeve soule 's blisse nor day of doome But ev'ry nullifidian which denies The resurrection from the dead shall rise And lastly heareth Archangel'â— trumpet summon To heav'ns chiefe sesâ—ions all the world in common Platonian wisemen when the world is done Shall come in judgment of the Virgins sonne At which great day the round enflaming earth The boyling Sea and burning hell beneath Shall vomit up their dead whose spirits shall In quickned corps be re-invested all All Naâ—ions shall at heav'ns throne appeare To yeeld account how they have lived here The King of glories at whose dexter-hand Thousands of thousands Saints and Angels standâ— Shall bend the shining heavens downe and come To render to the live and dead men doome Then righteous soules shall evermore be blest With Eulogâ—es to everlasting rest May I beleeve while I have life and breath That our dead bodies doe but sleep in death Vntill that glorious day that after then God's Paradâ—se just ones obtain agen For for the righteous Sions Lambe was kill'd Yer God foundations of the world did build But woe to them and many woes remayn That are miswandred in the wayes of Cain That by deceitfulnesse of Balam's hire Are tumbled down to Hel's Gehinnâ—â—-fire That in gainsayings of rebellious Core Are falne down and lost for evermore For they are stones in hospitable feasts Abominable more than any beasts Roaring like waves which Satan puts in â—â—tion To foame out shame on sin's bloud-colour'd Ocean And like to errant Stars bereav'n of light Reserv'd in darknesse for the darkest night Sect VII ARGUMENT Susanna bathes her in a Spring Of her Gardens where birds sing Neere which enamour'd Elders were Enambusht they surprise her there VPon a day Susanna walkt alone Save two yong damsels her attending on Into her gardens shady woods and bowers T' enjoy the blisse of vacant ev'ning houres To heare the Quiristers of Nature sing Their dulcet-tunes unto the dancing spring To heare the shrill sweet Philomel of May Warble forth sweet notes on a thorny spray Which birds she listening to them ran on still In various quav'rings of unmated skill Chanting their silver-ditties more and more And sweetlier sang than they had sung before Tuning through their winde-instrumentall throats Quaint diapasons of well sounding notes Which Musicke repercust by rocks and rils Sported nymph-Eccho in the boschy hils In her peramble loe the blossom'd trees With hony-dews imploy the humming bees And painted trouts in clearest fish-ponds play Above the water in a shining day There softer aires perfum'd by many flowers Which flourished through May as mid-night-showres Sweetned the bowers of her sweet meditation Pleasing her soule in heavenly contemplation Where lustfull Elders cunningly lay hidden To theeve away the onely fruit forbidden Now when she had perambulated round As she accustom'd her small Eden-ground She most unhappily came down to coole Her curious body in a chrystall poole The sultry time inviting to the same Lest purest bloud within her veines inflame She little weening what bold serpents lay Lurking to venter on so boon a pray Sent both her maidens that untir'd her in To fetch sweet washbals for her silken skinne Who brought the same returning in they barr'd Her garden doores as she had given word And then in veils with linnen-syndons dight Whose perfect hew out-shone the milken white Gently she waded from the fountaine brimmes Where water nymphs embrac'd her Iv'ry limbs The day was cleere and radiant Titans eâ—'n Did scantly through o'reshading arbors shine No eye she deem'd but heav'ns immortall one Discernd her in that secret fount alone She upright standing wheâ— false Elders ey'd her Like faire Diana when Actâ—on spi'd her Who wont while bathing in the silver spring This sequent Psalme most frequently to sing PSAL. 137. Psalmus comes optimus WHen by the flouds of Babylon We sate us downe did flow Flouds from our eyes to pender â—n Our mother Sion's 〈◊〉 As for our Harps we hanged
not an Appian-way Whereof on one hand seas of fire slay The falling passenger on t'other side A watry Ocean with a swelling tide The sins of Adam made which entrance narrow And Nature's progresse fill'd with plenteous sorrow Though righteous men find very slender pleasure In cursed earth they are Iehovah's treasure Though Saints in prisons be compell'd to eat Reversions of wealthy foemen's meat Though from distressed Sion led in chains Of captive thraldome unto Shinar-plains They sitting on way-crossing tâ—rrent's brink Constrain'd by thirst the running streames do drink They are God's children heires unto a Crown In new Hierusalem Heav'ns eternall town How long shall tyrants triumph mighty God While Sion's children under foot be 〈◊〉 How long shall they suspend their Harps upon The willowes of the brooks of Babylon They mourn like dolefull Pellicans and houle In desart-places like Minerva's foule As solitary Sparrowes sate alone On houses tops thy drooping servants mone Their enemies are mighty men combin'd To their destruction Lord hast thou confin'd Thy sonnes unto affliction fires to see How fine a sort of holy gold they be Refine them from earth dâ—oâ—fulnesse and soon Their splendour shall shine like the radiant noon In gloomy darknesse though y'have mourned long Though fainty layne Aegyptian pots among Though ye by madnesse of a tyrants 〈◊〉 Abjected were in Babylonian fire You shall in triumph ride like socâ—â—d Kings Your rayment shall surpasse the snowy wings Of silver-doves whose garland feathers would ' Gainst Titan's beames out-shine refulgent gold Lord thy corrections ever taken rightly Are cordials to make our soules more sprightly Our Saviours Crosse â—nto the Saints becomes A ladder leading to Heav'n glorious 〈◊〉 Sect XIII ARGUMENT Mournfull Susan all bemon'd Led from prison to be ston'd The Heavens lowre a Prophetling Speak's from danger her to bring WHen short appointed time by Elders doome Was to an end for execution come Of this most amiable Lâ—dy thâ—â— She was produced by Centurion's men Scaffolds upbuilded were from Regions nigh Came sundry people to behold 〈◊〉 And Forreiners possest wâ—th honour'd â—ame Among them spreaded of Susanna's name Thither repair'd to be inform'd how brave Habiliments the Hebrew-women have But Susans wealthy garments by were thrown Veiling herselfe in Cyprâ—sse she 〈…〉 Her gorgeous Ruffs a Cambrick band she wore A piece of whitest Lawn upon her head With sable silken veilings overspred Wherein the lovely tresses of her haire In decent manner all intrammell'd were 'T is said her Cypresse-veiles did embleme dole Her Lawn the whitenesse of her heav'n-born soule Her trickling teares that on her trappings flow'd Unto the day like Orient Pearl 〈…〉 Through whose transparent films Moving to admiration lookers on Death's ready Scaffold dauntlesse While round about her flock assembled friends The people like Lepanthus shore was still In silence as before a storm it will Till she her solemne dying speeches spent But then the whole assembly did relent Her deeming innocent back-byting binds Concerning her chang'd their uncivill minds Her holy prayers arm'd her constant sp'rit With fervent faith for aâ— heav'n mounting flight Her harmlesse body was expos'd to dy Her purer soule with Dove-like wings would fly Unto the Rock of sempiternall rest In heav'nly Canaan to compose her nest She spoken had Vain mortall world adue And taken leave of ev'ry one she knew Expecting sudden speeding blowes that should Repose her limbs in quiet beds of mould But now her trembling Deaths-men could notstir Their barb'rous hands to fling a stone at her Titan behind a cloud of pitch withdrew His countenance as if asham'd to view Her tragick-murder Heav'n could not refrain To show'r down sorrow in a silveâ— rain The clouds disburst and lightning from the skie's Umbratilous obnubilation flies Heav'n thundred loudly earth did ecchoing make The stubborn hearts of trembling Pagans quake Then did astunn'd Chaldean Swains adore The God of Heav'n who never did before Many suppos'd supernall Gods were come To change 〈◊〉 sentence of Susanna's doome They wondred all Heav'n sent an Angell down Whom mortals saw noâ— Susan's brows to crown With palmes of triumph shee must winne renown And glory from the darkest den of shame All gazing Heathens must confesse the same Then wisdomes spirit possest a tender childe Whom Daniel the men of Iudah stilde And he inspir'd his voice advanc'd on high Thus prophesing Susanna must not die A lowdly crying no man him withstood I am unguilty of this woman's bloud Destroy not her who never hath done ill Whose soule is white as snow on Salmon-hill Up taintlesse Susan rise I now resummon Thy former glory let sweet comfort come on And dwell with thee for ever 't is a day To banish mourning hurle despaire away Abstain from sighing let the stormes of dole Be over-blown from thy becalmed soule Be dry thine eye-lids let thy teares no more Like blessed streames from holy wels run o're God will secure thee from false witnest crime Thy fame shall last till God dissolveth time And but I see thy sorrowâ—stormes are gone For thee my sorrowes would be never done MEDIT. XIII Dei de parviâ— magne 〈◊〉 THough Saints descend to desperations dore 'T is good to trust in God for evermore When men are â—ounden in affliction-bands 'T is God can ransome out of fâ—â—en's hands When worldlings think us past redemption quite His hand can shield from cruell tyrants might His staffe of providence â—â—girt with power Is to the Saints an Adamantine towre His providence proteâ—ts his people from All dangers which threaten on them to come When Iacob's sonnes were at Eâ—â—thian deep Impent with climblesse Rocks and Mountayns steep When Seas before them billow'd when behind The fierce Aegyptians like the stormy wind Menac'd confusion to them when Despaire Within their bosomes mounted on a chaire When death's cold Image did their hearts benumme For God's alâ— actions do abound with wonder He govern's Heav'n and all remayning under His words are puissant if he but say To feeble things be strong how strong are they The slender flies and bees at his command Drave armed Giants out of Canaan land His providence can by an Infant 's breath Or weaker means save dying Saints from death When potent tyrants practice weakling's wrong Gods saves the weak ones to confound the strong His might preserv'd within a reeden cage Young Moses from bloud-thirsty Pharoah's rage To drench with bloud and finally ov'rthrow In the Red-sea his cruell minded foe Making an Asse-bone in bound Samson's hands Confound the proud force of Philistine bands Allotting to a simple woman power To brain Abim'lech and defend a tower Weak Iudith's hand to kill and unrenown Th' unfamin'd Prophet in the time of 〈◊〉 A stripling child ordayning to become A learned judge and learned Iudges dumbe An infant to save Susan's life from harme And Senators in wisdome to informe Grave understanding hath not ever sate In sentences fram'd in an old man's pate To suckling babes God's quickning spâ—rit reveales
THE HISTORY OF SVSANNA Compiled according to the Prophet Daniel amplified with convenient Meditations sung by the devoted honourer of the divine Muses GEORGE BALLARD Consciaâ—ens rectiridet mendacia fame LONDON Printed by Thomas Harper for William Hope at the Vnicorne in Cornhill neere the Royall Exchange 1638. The contents of the whole OLd Scripture-blessings Heav'n confirmeth on A Saintly Hebrew-dame in Babylon Her bright triumphant Vertue tramples down Mens lust assaulting winnes the Daphnean Crown Of glory over seeming shame Two foes To her renown implunge themselves in woes Which folly brings Who would this summe behold In speciall it the sequell shall unfold With ample satisfaction in the same To all that beare good will to Susan's name The Authour's Petition To the fairest of all Beauties the King of Glory the everlasting Sunne of righteousnesse and the consolation of Men and Angels who raignes and shines for ever in Trinitie and Vnitie ETernall glorious Lord Triumphant on Thy pure Celestiall firy burning thron Whose locks and garment's brightnesse far out-goes The shining whitenesse of Mount Salmon-snowes One portion of whose beauty mortalls can Not comprehend if not in forme of man Most amiable Helion faire from whom Continuall streames of heav'nly â—lames do come Into our boldned brests whose lightsome rayes Illumine infant-babes to chaunt thy prayse Vouchsafe that from above the splendent Pole Thy beames divine may luminate my soule O thou that learnd'st old Isay's sonne to sing The songs of Sion run'd on silver-string Great God of Moses God of Muses too Teach me to sing as thou taught'st him to do While I doe represent Susanna's story Which Daniel penn'd unto thy pristine glory Fill me with Sions fountain streames to chant Thy prayse O God in praysing such a Saint Furnish my lines with secret pow'r to kill Unjust revenge and carnall fires to chill That that immortall chastity and honour May with thy blessed gifts conferr'd upon her All Readers move to studious admiration Of Susan's goodnesse in her imitation That babes unborn while World endures may dread Thy sâ—cred Lawes in hope of bounteous meed And Vice when her unseemly selfe is seen Unstript from vestments of so faire a Queen As Vertue peering in deformed hew Of Viper-spots unto the publike view May be abandon'd from the soules of men Unto the place of torment Satans den So if so blest these lines in time to come Bearing thy glory shall not find a tombe But fraught with Susan's lively honour vie With during Annals of Eternity To the right Honourable ANNE Countesse of Northumberland all prosperity here and in the World to come sempiternall welfare Excellent MADAME BEing assured that your Ladiship very wel 〈◊〉 there is no ornamen◠〈◊〉 eminent vertues 〈…〉 sublime 〈…〉 emboldned to 〈◊〉 into the Sanctuary of your protection renowned Susanna's History which to your Honour may challenge worthy relation for manifold respects worth your gracious acceptance and leisurefull meditation To speake a little in her payses Susanna was a Lady Princely descended from the royall bloud of the loynes of Iudah whence our â—â—â—iour pleased to derive his happy incarnation Her vertues to her birth in highnesse were paralell Her very infancie gave divine presaging promises to the world of her future goodnesse Her countenance in the cradle manifested infallible tokens to character succeeding honour Her riper wisdome was discreet to preserve the honour of her soule immaculate Her elevated cogitations enspheared themselves in the first Moveâ— a higher Orbâ—e the◠〈◊〉 Circles of frailty Heâ— intaminate affection devoted her best service to the glory of her Maker knowing it the end of her Creation Her modesty was the exact modell of all her actions A good conscience she held the most inestimable flower that grew within the border of Time farre sweeter then the Roses of England more fragrant then Iudaean Balmes or the Cynamons of Egypt for the same shall be transplanted into the Garden of Paradise The Temple of her heart she soly dedicated to her Redeemers service that neither the attractive allurements nor menacing reproaches of monstrous Magistrates nor obloquy nor ignominious death which shee accounted as a pleasant object in comparison or a haven of harbour to flie unto â—o her Creators presence against the assaults of the swelling waters of wickednesse rather then to pollute her Nobility with dishonourable 〈◊〉 or to defile the Sanctum Sanctorum of her soule the receptacle of the holy Triâ—â—â—y with uncleannesse the rougher her â—rosse the richer was her Diadem the more her malignant Adversaries powerfull oppression the more her patience in a constâ—â—â— resolution is laudable with all Posteritie She perceived her conflict could be but momentany â—ncooth her triumph everlastingly glorious impalled about with crowns of continuance Her teares suspiâ—â—tions and orizons were as the former later raine and winds of Heaven to foster those diviner seeds which the Almighty had sowne in the Eden furrowes of her bosome unto a joyfull harvesting In her affliction she found variety of Soule-solacing dainties wherewith she repasted her spirit in supernaturall contemplations Her Chastity her Charity her Hospitality were remarkable Finally whatsoever vertues whatsoever comelinesse whatsoever proportion what endowments and rare qualities of body and mind soever can commend women were wonderfully compleat and conspicuous in Susanna For which her soule hath never-ending felicity her name immortality Shee was undoubtedly a Darling of the Omnipotent Deity who miraculously raised a little Daniel by heavenly power to vindicate her injuries in bringing down the mightinesse â—nd esteeme of ancient cunningly combiâ—â—d Senators to sudden coÌ„fusion In counâ—â—â—â—â—cing therefore Susanna's story 〈◊〉 for Susanna's sake your Ladiship shall perpetuate through all Generations your name living in a like sympathy of your own true Nobility's blessings and shall demonstrate your clemency herein in pardoning the errours of a boldnesse in affeâ—â—ion of him that cannot be an Alien nor 〈◊〉 Infidell to your worthy perfections neither thinketh now that he over-presumeth â—pon or any way insinuateth but voluntarily according to your merit confirmeth 〈◊〉 Dedication upon your Honour Remâ—yning at your Honours service to be commanded G. B. THE PROPOSITION Apologicall to the Learned Readers NO Storie of transformed Dames of old By Poets changed into stars of gold Into cleere Fountains Birds and branches green Nor of the Pagan-prays'd Ephesian Queen Who naked bath'd with Virgin-Nymphs of Wood In bubling streame whose Nymphs about her stood Like Iv'ry pales in vain to hide their Dame From Cadmus Kinsman that a Hart became No laud of her but I Encomiums sing Of new Titania bathing in a Spring More constant chast more beautifull divine Of whom Diana was a former signe Who weare's of glory an unchanging crowne A starre which never falls from Heaven down Had she been known Thessalian Bards among Her stories true had in their times been sung Not one but two Acteons found her laving Her dainty limbs in Fountains ever-waving Who unattended by her Virgin-train To beastly
Had been familiar with their neighbour's wives Such wicked children and the same of whom Th' eternall said Iniquity is come From Babylon and plainly doth appeare In breasts of Ancients that doe govern there These haunt the Mansion of Lord Ioachim And crept in estimation with him Where often both of them in doubtfull cause Passe partiall judgement of impartiall Lawes Their heads were wilefull for a golden fee Saints they coÌ„demn'd bold sinner's lives to free These gazing on the Sun of Susan's beauty Were strucken blinde they could not ken their duty Their hasty feet in paths infernall trod And they forgat the glorious lawes of God When Time's cold Winter chang'd their beards like wools Of whitest Lambs and baldned both their sculs They burn'd in lust towards her and ev'ry day Court being ended there did loyt'ring stay Their bloud reboil'd like that in Aeson-veins They were as jocund as the yonger swains To dinner sent-for each returneth home Whither again they having din'd would come So in apparell chang'd that men whilere Who 〈…〉 were Though they by interparlance were unjust Yet did they not communicate their lust T'ill wondring at their frequent meeting there Each tell 's his fellow without shame or feare And then these Devils in a humane shape Cohasten faire Susanna to intrap Though Charon hel's infernall Boat-man stood Waiting to waft them ore the Stygian flood They doted on Venerian sport as though They had creation only to doe so So waxen old they both again begin To serve another prenâ—â—ship to sin Mispending their most precious heav'n lent leasure Not in repentance but in carnall pleasure MEDIT. V. Voluptas dulce venenum COuld judges having honour to be stil'd Gods upon earth then Devils prove more vil'd Could they who often had condemn'd to die Adulterers commit adulterie Could Elders burn in lust could old men wander In flames like the Serpentine Salamander Did they when crooked old and bald and rivell D'on youthfull rayments to allure to evill Had the seducing Div'll no yonger men In Babylon to be his factors then Vain-glorious fooles to think apparell could Intice a Saint though wrought with Indian gold Had they contemn'd the Lawes and taken leisure To fall from God to make a god of pleasure Pleasure what is it 't is an Amphisben Biting at both ends it soon endeth men Pleasure what is it is it not a trap To ruine Anthony in Fortune's lap To humble Hanibal who marched farre Renownedly unharm'd by Roman warre This is a hand of Mischiefe thiâ— could rim Proud Olophernes traitors head from him It could demolish skie-aspiring Troy And her bright glory in dark embers lay The soules of men are oftentimes betraid By carnall pleasure to infernall shade 'T is like a blind wormâ— in our paths it is A stinging Adder of the land of Dis 'T is like Medusa's tresse and if it be Tâ— wound in the body of man's living tree Man's heart of flesh convert's if he have one By secret vigour to unliving stone It steeleth o're the maiden-blushing soule Past sence of sinne make 's royall David foule Alas the Lebanon of God hath never Such Cedars nourisht but this storme could shiver This is a blast could tumble to the ground World-wondred Samson when he liv'd renown'd Could make the wisest mortall King bow down With foolish congies to the gods unknown Pleasure 's a monstrous Witch that can transforme Proud men into Harpeian-birds of harme Embrace her in your bosomes you that list To houle in darknesse of Chimeriaâ— mist For this pollutes man's soule and â—an vndoe The strongest men consenting thereunto Plebeans should beware and Prinâ—es then Be vigilant in choosing soundest men For Magistrates such whose example shoo'd Shining in goodnesse do their Conâ—iâ—â—e good Kings that so carefull are shall ever find Confirmed peace and leave renown behind Which Pharoh knew when he to Ioseph's hands Committed ruledome of Aegyptian-lands Wherefore let Christian Kings observe the same And they shall gaine an everlasting Name Sect. VI. ARGUMENT The Elders thinke mens spirits â—nâ—w â—fter death no wealâ— nor woe Of sin and Susan's destoration Consisteth all their consultation THese Elders when together on a day Between themselves these following words did say Such wordes renowned Salomon foretould In counsell speak our Saviour's Iudges would Mankind is born to live and die in sin Death makes a man as he had never bin Let 's laugh our time to nothing after death Comes neither joy nor pain our vitall breath Smoak-like ascendeth from our nostrils all Our words like fiery dying sparkles fall Unto the ground our bodies turn to clay Our spirits vanish like the aires of May Our lives consume like empty clouds of heaven Which winds beyond the ken of man have driven Or like to dewly mists that soon are done Upon the rising of the Summer's Sun Our names and fames in time will be forgotten Our memory like dead men's bones be rotten Time hastens man decay's compleats his Urn And 't is decre'd from death can none return Come let us fall unto our wonted games Let us be blith and nourish wanton flames On silver-trenchers let us frankly ear The finest fat of lust-provoking meat T' will make us young though we be waxen old And let us drink in burnisht bowles of gold The sparkling ancient strong Falernian Wines And look about for youthfull Concubines Sad cogitations jolly soules oppresse Let us ascend our thrones in pleasantnesse Let Nard and Amber on our garments smell Like Flora's Bow'rs where Maja's Nymphs do dwell Roses will wither being fully blown But while they bud wee 'le weare a Rosie crown What Lyncean eye discern's our lewd delight Cover'd with darknesse of the cloudy night Why should we censures feare or idle sound Of humane words that are inviron'd round With marble-wals the wit of mortals can Not find our wiles past finding out of man And Heav'n regardeth not the workes of men Come let us boldly feast and frollick then Let vs not care though heavâ—ns bright eie espies For danger comes not from serened skies That men to heav'n ascend is but a fable Heav'n for mankind is not inhabitable Faire women be our heaven Venus treasures Our happinesse some token of our pleasures In ev'ery place wherby the world may mind us In future time now let us leave behind us To swell our borders let us never spare To injure Orphans never let us care To estimate men's white senâ—â—ed haires The open Index of their doting yeares But to our pleasure let us bend Susanna Whom fame reporteth chaster then Diana Fame is mistaken she is fairer farre Shall we but gaze on this admired starre To pine with Tartalus let 's mount and teare Her glory down and stain her silver spheare If Susan be a Comet in the aire She doth portend Elders shall soon enjoy her Dedalian plumes let us ascend upon And shufâ—le Phoebus from his burning throne But if with wax-wings we our mounty make Doubtlesse we tumble in Icarian
them On willowes to remain Which crowned Perah's winding streame In midst of Shinar-plain Then our Captivors mockt our mone Thus taunting with their tongues Come tune your Harps and sing us one Of Sions holy songs Lord how can we our songs commend To our great God and King Can we be glad within a land Of strangers can we sing Hierusalem if I doe let From my remembrance slide Then let my dexter-hand forget My warbling Harpe to guide And if I thee remember not Cleaue to my mouth O tongue Hierusalem â—f I preferre Not thee within my song Forget not Edom's sonnes O Lord When thou did'st Sion wound How they against thy Sion roar'd Down down with 't to the ground O daughter Babel thou shalt be Quite overturned thus He shall be blest rewardeth thee As thou hast served us They shall be blessed that shall take The children of thy sonnes And for thy fornications sake Dash them against the stones Before she was in middle of her song Lust-boldned elders through the thickets flung And rudely a blacke Psalme began to sing Unto molested Susan in the Spring To her asham'd they unconfounded plead Whose lustfull language nothing stands instead For where Heav'n winnes that fortresse of renown Is too much strong for fiends to batter down MEDIT. VII Aetas aurea prima IT was a golden age yer sin began Strange fires to kindle in the soule of man For man an Angel's fellow then could sing Heav'n-tuned lauds to heav'ns eternall King Could then converse with God could psalme his praise Commingling sweet songs with Archangel's layes Like Truth did man go naked then and blesse The God of truth without abashfulnesse He had no charmes like Sirens to entise The gentler Virgins of the world to vice His body did a heav'n-born soule eashrine And like the same was deathlesse and divine All humane thoughts were perfect Belial then Had not a sonne among the sonnes of men Then fairest women naked though they went Did never feare inhumane ravishment For their illustrious ever-during beauty Inchanted not men to forget their duty Sorrowes and shames which since have overflown The earth in earth were utterly unknown Enormous crimes dwell'd with infernall Devils And man's sweet heart was undistain'd with evils A mansion 't was where Vertues did remayne 'T was then a throne where Helion did raigne But sinfull now become a noysome stie Of all pollution where Fiend-legiens-lie And since this worser Iron-age is come Vertues retire unto coelestiall home That Vertue Chastity which God regard's To crown from Heav'n with undefil'd rewards By painted Vice is injur'd ev'ry â—â—ower Almost is lost her mayden-blushing flower Vice counterfeit's her colours she proclaimes Ever to dwell in insubstantiall wind Fair Chastity which vice cannot infring Nor the great Engineere of Hell unhing O Favourite of th' Eternall where art thou What happy place doth entertain thee now Didst thou relinquish this vain World below When other Goddesses of old did so Abandoning the earth of blisse bereaven To wander in the milky way of heaven Or staidst behind alone to raigne and rest In Princely throne of faire Susanna's brest Thou art but seldome seen on earth 〈…〉 Shall almost sooner find a sable 〈…〉 Where may the Daphnes of the 〈…〉 Themselves in safety from assaulting 〈…〉 Sith Sinne that wandring Iew 〈◊〉 fast 〈◊〉 Through earthly kingdoms Heav'n 〈◊〉 the chast Sect. VIII ARGUMENT The Elders sue to chast Susan Who doth their obscene suit disdain Threatning her they offer rape Which she by calling loud doth scape TO holy-thoughted Susan in the Spring These Goatish Elders thus began to sing Susanna fairest of all blessed creatures Susanna quintessence of blessed features With whom the faire dames of the world compar'd Would Morians seeme unworthy man's regard World's living wonder rare Susanna know We unto thee are humble Suppliants now In such a suit as once supernall Iove Motion'd unto his metamorphos'd Love Uncloud the Sun-beams of thy Beautie 's shine Let no misseemly frowne nor teares of brine Unglorifie that happy forme of thine Grant us thy love becalme thy countenance In Lethe-streames drench the rememberance Of nuptiall vowes let folly not forestall Thy soule of blessings take the golden ball Of lovely Venus whiles youth's flower lasts Gather the same before the flower blasts By us old blades whose mettle backs are steele The approbation thou anon shalt feele We are no Scouts thy jealous Husband sends To tempt and tell by heav'n we are thy friends And German-kinsmen of the Royall line Of Iudah-Kings as thou mayst well divine Our complements must not be tedious we This many a day have long'd to lie with thee We are love-martyrs and to dust shall turn Unlesse thou quench the fires wherein wee burn The Planet now which bringeth love's delight Comes in conjunction with the Queen of night Heav'n on the action smile 's thy doores are fast Come in thy Paradise of joy repast Our warme desires let us fal quickly to it Lest Gods themselves transâ—orme themselves and do it Susanna be not coyous we do know Women who take good turns will answere no. Why seemest thou compos'd of snowy stone Turn like the Image to Pigmaâ—ion Be not flint-hearted from this fountain come Have pity on us and be pleasuresome Hast thou not heard of Iacob's princely sonne Thy grand forefather's lovely actions done In holy Regions to a dainty dame For pawned ring it savours not of shame Were to thy husband such occasion lent He would persue the self-same merriment As he hath often done in wisdome then Reciprocall come forth and pleasure men That we thy servants wilt thou but infold Us in thy armes may give thee bags of gold Which unto thee we consecrating prove Like men of Lemnos to the Queen of Love Scorn not affection love disdained will In little time convert to mortall ill Th' amazed Lady oftentimes afraid Div'd under stream not harkning what they said When she up-heav'd her beauty ten times more They gan to woo and threaten then before Like David she desired Dove-like wings Or to deferre them from her holy springs Such sounds as frightned sonnes of Aram from Besieg'd Samaria in their eares might come Within her Saintly countenance there stood Abundance of abasht Vermilion-blood But then she frown'd upon these evill doers And thus admonisht her old wanton woers Her deniall You that are more lascivious far then either Sea-Sargons or the Land-goats when together Know that mine Honour not receiu'd in vain Abhor's the tincture of foule whoredomes stain Were you both young as David when he kill'd The monstrous Giant in Philistian field More beautifull then Absolon and could To be unchast you give me seas of gold I would contemne you both and rather fall Into your wrath then to infernall thrall Men shall not stain for gold nor orient stone The faire white robe Heav'n gave my soule to d'on Iudges go doom your selves masters of Lawes Who learn'd you plead in such a crimefull
over-credent bench and all Assembled Senators in the sabled hall With teares in their impartiall eyes that came Past dismall doom on this unguilty dame Susanna heare's which sentence of her doome Yet no cold faintnesse in her heart doth come Till when her friends like Conduits standing by Water'd their garments that no thread was dry Then Susan most abundantly did steep Her selfe in teares and Mirrha-like did weep Her teare-besprinkled countenance did shew Like Damask-roses deckt with morning-dew Her faith was firme in heaven thus she praid That scant might speak to mortall men and said Eternall Iudge Discerner of all things That shelter under gloomy darknesse wings Who rightly dooming from supernall throne The dwellers of this world dost look upon Who yer they come to passe dost truly know All thoughts and actions that are done below Know'st thy wrong'd handmaid's innocence and how These sinfull Elders seek mine overthrow Without my fault how wanting heav'nly grace They forge untrue tales on the judgment-place Lord that defended'st me reposing trust In thy protection from undoing lust To me be gracious from thine holy hill Protect me with paternall kindnesse still From malice and confusion so may I Survive my foes thy name to magnifie MEDIT. X. An terras Astraea reliquit IS faire Susanna so condemn'd will none Paroll in her defence in Babylon Must she expire according to her doome Return grim Death into the silent tombs Or charnel house unto thy dusty dwelling Reduce poore chained bondmen ever yelling In recent pains whose bones fell Tyrants grinde Fetch them away that are with famine pinde Take sickly people to thee which endure Torments that Aesculapius cannot cure But meager death if thou wilt feed thy fill On brawny hearts a slender while be still Death spare the innocent and let thy frowne Divine Astraea hurle delinquents downe But what is sin-confounding Iustice gone From Earth and seated in Syderian throne Among the number of imagin'd signes Or is she blinded in terrene designes Where is becomming Mercie that should rest Aswell as judgement in the Iudges brest Is Mercie counted but a foolish pittie For ever banisht from the sinfull Citie Where are the Wisemen telling things to come And by-past secrets to reverse a doome If they could guesse by countenance-guessing skill And artfull rules she was unguilty still But wisdome never dwelt on Shinar-plains Where nothing but unrighteousnesse remayns How long almighty Lord shall Iudah dwell In Babylon the sonnes of Israel Heires of thy promis'd Canaan be a scorn To Katife-Nations shall thine eldest born Thy sole-begotten thy most ardent lover Abandon'd be for ever bounden over Into the hands of Infidels how long Shall they complain yer thou avenge their wrong How long shall Foxes of the Deserts prove To spill the spirit of thy Turtle-dove How long shall wicked men like Palme-trees flourish Shall them the land with fatnesse ever nourish Shall wronged Hebrewes pine away and die From Aegypt quit by Babel's tyranny Are thy sweet mercie 's golden Fountains poore Or faileth Lord thy promise evermore Hast thou forgotten to be gracious hath Thy wonted favour lost it selfe in wrath Harken'st thou not unto the fervent prayers Of injur'd pris'ners pittiest not their teares How long shall Babylonian tyrants say The Lord regard's not what his servants pray Shall in the tombe thy faithfulnesse be known Thy loving kindnesse in destruction shown Shall sinners triumph Saints by sinner's doome Against thy promise to confusion come Shall sooner hils and bulky Mountains fly Like Atomies about the shining sky Sooner the Earth and Heaven melt away Then shall one title of thy words decay I know petitions of the faithfull break The doores of Heaven and in thy presence speake I know thy mercies and thy judgments will Be ever certain as they have been still And wicked men before they die shall know Thou from on high govern'st the World below Sect. XI ARGUMENT By leave Susanna speaks to both Her enemies and after doth In open Court traverse th' offence She glories in her innocence GOd heard those holy pray'rs Susanna praide And at the Barre shee to her Iudges said O you mistaken Lords grant Susan leave To answere them your judgments who deceive Though silence in a woman vertue be 'T would at this time confirme a crime in me Now let a woman speak sith innocent From what these men of emnitie invent She licenc'd speaks the Senat lend their eares The guilty twain shed crafty union-teares With smilings inter-mingled oftentimes While thus Susanna cleer's her self from crimes You my allurers yerst with oily words Whose tongues convulnerate like Drusian swords Your conscience knowes heaven at that time No young man in my Gardens acted crime But you whose bosomes are infectious roomes Of noysome Feinds whose throats opprobrious tombes Thought to defile my body to have stole By violence a jewell from my soule Which you suppos'd t' have purchased with gold Or rifled that that never would be sold Me think 's your cheeks should knowing you too blame Out-blush the Crimson of your gowns for shame You are more cruell then the Crocodile That mangle's Memphians on the banks of Nile That kil 's with weeping teares for hungers need But you can smile and murder for no meed Goat's bloud dissolveth Adamantine stones My heart-bloud breaks not your hearts harder onâ—â— Her speech to the Princes Although mistaken yet impartiall Lords You may doe well to listen to my words Sith untill now no vapour of defame Clouded the little splendour of my Name I cannot but your sudden sentence blame But Elders witnesse you presume is true As I my selfe would if I a Iudge like you By justest law I am adoom'd to be The child of death in your unjust decree But mine eternall portion stands in God Whose judgment breaks and burns the wicked rod Whose eye transpierceth like his lightning daâ—â—s The darkest corners of dissembling hearts Discerning innocence when I do make Complaint to him he doth me not forsake Now I implore my God of Light in Time Bring to detection my accusers crime For by the slender'st means he can defend Out of your pow'r me from untimely end But otherwise if pleaseth him that I By shortest pain shall winne eternall joy His blessed will be done whose mercy still Remayn's for ever and for ever ' twill For as I am to his tribunall throne I have appeal'd from your polluted one When my profuâ—ed bloud like Abel's crie's To Heaven my glory like the Sun shall rise Above false Elder 's carnall shame and then Shall their memoriall clean depart from men No Nilus Tanais Rhene nor Tagus-â—â—oud Where men of Spain allay their burning bloud Nor the whole Ocean drained from her sands Can swil my bloud froÌ„ their bloud-guilty hands My soule forgives me they can never come To prosp'rous ends nor stain a peacefull tombe But grant when they expire their lives and lust Men could upâ—reare on their dissolved dust Mausolean Monuments of Iasper-stone High
as Olympian Mountains thereupon Engrave them golden Epitaphs with Fames Such as would deifie mortals in their names While time coÌ„tinues those white marble stones Wherewith Lord Io'chim crown's my urned bones Shall farre transplend it Heav'n will send my prayse Among the Gentiles in succeeding dayes Though I by your adviselesse judgment must My Tragedy selfe-act in death and dust My comfort is my spirit will be receiven To Abraham's bosome in the joyes of Heaven White innocence will be my winding sheet Vertues embalming to my Name and sweet Arabian Odours o' reckned up with them Will sent like Hemlocks on the ditches brim More had she spoken but her Iudges than Impatiently to frown on her began Anger no longer suffring them to gaze Against th'unmated beauty of her face Sentence was given men should convey her thence To die next morning for suppos'd offence MEDIT. XI Ejurant fingunt Mendacia multa tyranni THere is an all-discerning Iudge above Will tyran-judges from the earth remove The boldest whores up-train'd in Stewes at Rome In their unblushing prostitution whom Custome hath nat'ralliz'd in beastlike sin Are not so bad as tyrant-minded men Who whensoe're their lewdnesse is withstood Shame not to paddle in their Kindred's blood And in their impudent Venerian play Sargons and Goats be not so foule as they When by their own provokement they sometimes Heare publication of their private-crimes What sudden Iron-vizars they put on What simick smiles what quaint derision With gestures fain'd to mock the fawning world Which deem's it scandall out of Envy hurl'd To stain the glory of their names and then The Iudgâ— of Heaven seldome thinking on Who ken's all actions from supernall throne They flatter men men flatter them untill They their too-weak opponents bloud can spill O heavy burdens of the groning ground Men that in peace more then in warre can wound African Panthers Hircan Tygers fierce Cleonian Lions and Pannonian Beares The Syrian empty Wolves the Crocadile Haunting the sedge-banks of Aegyptian Nile The Indian Griffon seazing on her prey And wild beasts all are not so wilde as they They doe but ravine for their bellies then Return to rest ceasing to injure men But Leachers fasting feasting sleeping still Are bloudy minded doing dreaming ill Yet such men prosper in this world of clay They flourish like King David's spreaden Bay The cattell of their fields cannot be told Their coffers all abound with coined gold Their loynes are fruitfull they have friends enough Their honours spring-tides highly overflow They want no temp'rall things on their designes Vngodly men in earth's felicitie For their abridgment come's from Heavens breath They perish like unfruitfull Sun-burn'd heath On Africk sandy grounds they are out-driven Like clouds of dust before the winds of Heaven To utter banishment their following train The earth up-swallow's like thin-flying rain Wormes surfet on their sweetnesse when alas They to infernall land of darknesse passe Dissolving like to winter-Ice before The Summers Sun-beams they are seen no more And who to seek them travels earth around Shall find in earth they shall no more be found Sect. XII ARGUMENT Susanna reimprison'd friends Her visit she her suit commends She no earthly comfort finds Her countenance transplendent shines COmmand was giv'n Centurions did not faile To bring Susanna to an Iron-jayle Insteed of palace with a Princely Chamber Perfum'd with Nard and Aromatick Amber They prison'd her in stinking cubs of stone There might no maidens her attend upon Her Musick was exchang'd to sobs and grones Clanking of chains friend is lamentable mones Her Iewell'd plate converted into one Vile earthen dish her bowles of gold were gone Her wine to water turn'd her finest fare To brownest crums such feeding she did spare With frequent teares her thirst and hunger staying She wakefull spent her precious time in praying Her Parents Husband Children Kindred all Moan'd her suppos'd inevitable fall There Marble-wals lament rivers of brine Seem'd to descend from stubborne Iaylor's â—yn There symbolizing Ecchoes in the Vaults Moan her out-railing upon Elders faults Some certain hour's in sorrow's complement She with her parents Lord and Children spent Such blessed counsell streaming from her hart Unto her children Susan did impart As ravisht all her hearers with desire To warme their soules hands at her vertues fire All speeches passing from her would be long These words in pris'n came latest from her tongue Farewell my parents and my Lord I must Yours and my Children to your cares entruâ—â— Let me intreat you to informe them so As they themselves and Abraham's God may know So tutour them as they may stand in aw And due obedience of th' eternall Law Teach them my parents in their parent's stead Breed them my Lord as you my Lord are bred While you survive remember to improve These living pledges of our mutuall love 'T is Susans last petition Heav'n doth know Mine innocence unto the Tombes I goe A Matron chast as I a Virgin came Into the World though I proclaime the same Wherefore beleeve not I am blemisht so As mortall Envy seemes to make me show This is my comfort though my body dies My soule immortall mounts above the Skies For my etern Redeemer lives in whom I shall be happy in a World to come Come noble friends take a departing kisse Before I enter everlasting blisse Blessings of God descend upon you all Gather my bones into their quiet Urn That when our captive-children shall return To Canaan Kingdomes they at length may build My bones a tombe in blessed Abraham's field Adiew my parents husband children sweet Kindred and friends till we in Heaven meet Where after death repose our soules and then And there we 'll meet and never partagen While standers by suppos'd her countenance cleare As the bright glory of the morningâ—spheare All men beholding her accusers stand Deem'd they were men of Mauritanian Land MEDIT. XII Non est è terris mollis ad astra via THat Angell fairnesse that of old did shine So faire that it bedaz'led carnall eyne In Moses face in Steven's countenance Which was their soule 's diviner radiance Through clouds of flesh which one day in Heav'n-storie Shall glorifi'd shine like the Sun in glorie Teacheth our soules that God's Elect obtain A place where Henoch and Elias remain But that abhorred guilty blacknesse seen In Haman's face yer he had veiled been Shew's that the spirits of wicked mortals goe Vnto the dungeon of infernall woe Through fatall caverns contumelious Core So with companions long since went before Heav'ns new Hierusalem is built upon Glorious foundations those abutting on Faire Regions better then Elizian fields Which fruitfull dainties in all season-yâ—elds Where joyes abound with comforts such as can Not enter in the best conceits of man But ev'ry soule which thither comes must go Through thorny troubles of the world below Because but one conducent entrance bring 's Vnto the Palace of the King of Kings And that an Alpine
Doth evermore immortally indure To God and man is vertue known 't is she Obtain's gold-garlands wreaths of victory Conqu'ring her fomen finally in fight She gaineth Fame by more then manly might Divine Astraea on her part doth bring Armies of Angels from the heav'nly King Well is she known to God and man her presence Makes mortals muse on her immortall essence Like a Phoebeian Champion in Heav'n stories She rides triumphant on a Coach of glories Her seat transcendeth stars her high renown Is heav'nly Lawrels in th' eternall Crown Those Diamonds and glistring stones that shine In her rich Diadems are all divine Vnmated pleasures ever tend upon All her possessors in Iehovah's throne Before her feet when she from heav'n came down Emperiall Crowns Scepters and thrones were thrown Glory is her concomitant that brings Her unto view of ravisht earthly Kings Who covet having seen her forme divine To be insould in such a Saintly shrine Vertue thou darling of the King of Heaven Dost bring thy lovers into favour even With Helion to winne eternall fame Conducting to the presence of that lambe Who takes the worlds sins clean away on whom Attend chast thousands which from Rama come Thou royall Comfortresse of Saints while they Sojourne in mortall Mansions of Clay Sad soules do'st solace and when e're distrest Procur'st to them a sweet internall rest Angels and men shall see and fiends agast Vertues true lovers all renown'd at last Because the God of goodnesse that regards Chast soules to crown with undefil'd rewards Is glorious Iudge of Heav'n and earth and he Govern's the World with perfect equity Whose name be blest that blesseth ev'ry thing To whom all powr's of heav'n and earth do sing Sect. XVII ARGUMENT Where and how Susanna liv'd What poore people she releev'd Full of dayes departing she Enjoyes heav'n-joyes eternally AFter that time no Congregations came To Susan's Court to interrupt the same Iudges sate there no more no more loud noise Of loud-mouth'd gown-men did molest her joyes But little Birds chirping her sweet good-morrowes With Nature's melody beguil'd her sorrowes After this trouble Susan liv'd to see Her children's children in felicity Still beautifull in yeeres beheld them flourish Like noble Palme-trees which calme rivers nourish Or like those Olive-plants to fairnes grown On verdant Mountains neere King Davids town Her kindred and herselfe with prosp'rous hand From Babylon return'd to Canaan land Her Lord her children with her selfe remayn'd In Iudah borders where they re-obtain'd Lordships which their fore-fathers had foregone At their departure into Babylon Their sacrifices that the Levites took Made clensed Sion's hallow'd altars smoke Renown'd Susanna after this did never Feele any fit of cold affliction 's fever But all the quiet comfort earth could give She did enjoy while she on earth did live Her works of Charity performed then Sweetned the sowre afflictions of men Houses and lands bestow'd on poor-men prove To future times her hospitable love She holpe imprizon'd debters out of thrall Paying their debts them granted wherewithall To live at liberty her bread was given To hungry Orphans Beggars were releeven The naked pooremen clothed at her cost And many ransom'd that had long been lost Enfeebl'd sick-men gaining often health Through timely physick purchas'd by her wealth Weak Orphanes helplesse widowes blinde and lame Whom she releev'd to her eternall fame Pray'd for her as in conscious duty bound That she in Heav'n and Earth might live renown'd The trophees of good actions done by her Transcend high Heav'ns and are enrolled there Of whose cleere vertues mortals did adore The meer umbration counting heretofore Holy Susanna for a living shrine Of heav'nly spirits gloriously divine When God determin'd she should enter in The happinesse once lost by Adam's sinne Death witnesse of our protoparent's crime Amputed her As in Autumnall time Men gather Summer's rip'ned fruits into Their garner's home Heav'n took her spirit so So raigneth she Iehovah â— Saâ—nts among Her righteous friends for her lamenting long Her corps embalm'd in spicy Memphian gumme They sepulchred in whitest Marble-tombe Which Pilgrim-pleasing monument did stand Till time consum'd it in Iudaean land The world bemon'd her absence God of Heaven To this deere Saint a better world hath given Faire flights of Angels sung her soule to rest Which evermore now triumphs with the blest Carminibus vives â—empus in omne meis MEDIT. ultima Mors sceptra ligonibus aequat IT is a common theme the best must die And passe through Nature to eternitie 'T is so decreed the day of death and doome Are two Pole-stars whereby we Pilgrims rome The fairest Damsels drawing vitall breath Will not be favour'd by ill-favour'd death Both young and old Ester and Naomi Iudith and faire Susanna too must die Fate snatcheth amiable Queens at once With Country women eateth urned bones Spares neither Sexes pardons no degrees Destroyes Physicians scorneth golden fees A hel-born armed Fury mowing down The mounting Monarch with the mowing clown Impartiall Serjant I presume to call Thee by such titles thou art nam'd withall Thou longest of all slumbers dissolution Of mortall bodies wretched lifes effusion Wild Cormorant of mankind rich mens feare Wish of the poore men wrastler ev'ry-where A silent thiefe a Caniball of Nations Robbing the whole world swallowing generations Thou Pursuivant riding without remorse For Adam's sinne upon the pallid horse Bearing all soules in their long journey on Till they appeare at the Tribunall throne Of Sion's Lambe dost by appointment come And hurry hence the good and bad to doome Thou art a friend foe unto man thou art The good man's comfort the ungodlies smart A gate of endlesse merriment to one Vnto another of eternall mone Thou fiendly creature of th' infernall Lord With cruell phangs hadst made us all afeard Had not our heav'nly Captain conqu'rour been Of Tophet's King thy coward-selfe and sinne Where is the venome of thy quondam-sting Where is the valiance of thy vanquisht King O pale-fac'd Catiffe caught and wrought alas Like as in fables the Cumanan Asse Apparell'd with a frightning Lion's skin Thou seem'st a Lion unto men of sin But Saints can smile upon thee thou art fain To beare their burthens to exeme their pain Although our bodies thou unliv'st our soules Surviving raigne with God above the Poles Of whirling heav'n just actions that we do Doe also live and are eternall too Good works with faith are better worth then gold For they conduct us to the wisht-for fold Of our grand shepheard Iesus they become A milken way to our immortall home Where we shall dwell in everlasting day In better seasons then our moneth of May Where Salomon's much wisdome would be poore Where Absolon would seem a tawny Moore Where in comparison bold Sampson's strength Is infant-weaknesse and unequall'd length Of old Methus lem's life a slender span Of posting time where mundane blisse of man Would be accounted but a painfull pleasure Where Croesus gold is poorest earthen treasure Where Alexander's prize a certain losse And Neptune's rocks of Pearle Diamond drosse Where perfect wisdome beauty strength and store Of peerlesse pleasures during evermore Saints soules possesse To Sion's heav'nly home By faith in Iesus Iesus daigne we come DEO Triuâ—â— in aeternum gloria Conclusion MOnuments of Marble-stone Tombs with golden writings on Like mortall bodies balm'd in guÌ„mes Last but a while and time consume's Goodly Cities die like men Corn is sown where such have been Niniveh and Babylon Old Troy and strongest towns are gone Towns and Towres and Bulwarks fall Pyramid's of Nile and all Dian's Altars are uptore Delphian wonders are no more Monstrous Tyrants from renown In a moment tumble down To the den of lasting shames And black Oblivion hath their names Gods of Egypt Greece and Rome To a â—iriall end are come Vainâ— they vanisht from the ground Their ruines can no more be found Age and fate return'd them dust But all ages Vertue must Live immortall and her prayse Must dure in ever-during dayes