Hippoliti Paridis gena sensus Vlyssis Aeneae pietas Hectoris ira iacet That memorable one also vpon the Sepulcher of Maud mother to Hâ—…nrie the second describing the excellencie of her descent by her Father the greatnesse of her sâ—…lfe by her match and her renowmed iâ—…sue which of all other made her most admired and after death the especiallest motiue of her eternall memorie Orâ—…u magna Viro maior sed maxima partu Hîc iacet Henrici filia sponsa parens Ancient times haue esteemed these Epitaphs sufficient in themselues to perpetuate their names being records euer true for as the Orator saith Quis tam infâ—…lici genio leuique ingenio qui mortuis assentari cupit and as the Poet saith Quis Busta timebit Herostratus was charactred aswell for his infamie as 〈◊〉 for his renowme and chiualrie Euen Metellus modestie Lentulus leuitie Publicolas pietie Cethegus crueltie Appius affabilitie and Ciceroes constancie had their true lineatures euery one mouldned and moulded after their deserts for these as examples be of more power and efficacie to the practise and prosecution of vertue then any instructioÌ„ or document whatsoeuer draw men more attentiuely to their imitation whose vertues they see merit admiraâ—…ion as I haue in part before touched It is the Historians obseruation that such as had worthy and vertuous Parents were wont to repaire vnto their Tombs Quasi ad propria vitae documenta and by their memory to be excited to the like meanes of atchieuing glory and renowme that their ends might â—…nswere such exemplarie parâ—…nts Though it was Lycas conclusion in the Tragedie to attribute all merit to ones proper action and not to the honour of their Auncestor True it is indeed that our predecessors glory cannot properly be entitled ours their actions being onely as monuments of their fame presidents for vs to follow and indeed proclaimers of our bastardy if we chance to degenerate from such rare and exquisite mirrors Yet was Sextus Pompeius honoured for his Fathers worth and such as descended from vertuous parents were onely thought fit to match with Patricians Those foure ancient families in Rome whose vertuous and modest demeanures got them the name of chast matrons were well portraied by proper Epitaphs and in their memory were these sentences engrauen Heâ—…re Romes honour lies buried Hâ—…ere lies the foundation of Auncient families Heere modâ—…st Laelius from â—…is I aelia Pompey the yonger from Cornelia From Mutia came a Mutius Sceuola And good Aurâ—…lius from Aurâ—…lia By these memorable Impresses were their successors ennobled and to their imitation more ardently excited then by any precept or instruction whatsoeuer the cause may be drawne from that affectation of honour naturally ingraffed in vs from our birth whereby we vse to be spurred and instigated to the imitating of such as by any proper demerit either inherent in themselues or traduced from others to themselues haue purchased â—…enowme whence it is that the Poet saith Imâ—…ensum calcar gloria habet neither hath it beene accounted a little glory or slender honour for the successors of so noble and famous Auncestors whose monuments were as Annals of their worth and proclaimers of their glory which that they might preserue the better they vsed to solemnize their Funerals with exceeding honours and to erect their Sepulchers with all state and magnifificence deputing Surueiours which should look to the erection and preseruation thereof calling euer their graues Accommodatissima vitae specimiâ—…a Without which the memory of their vertues might seeme obscured their glory darkened and a great many of those excellent parts wherewith they were endued buried in silence and obliuion True it is that gorgeous Sepulchers little auaile the dead which moued the Philosopher to say that they were not so much made for the dead as for the liuing The Orator termed them mirrors of humane frailtie characters of our glory and vndoubted Arguments of our mortalitie Another examplifying this more fully saith They are Glasses wherein we may contemplate our selues and others motiues of imitation wherein we may follow others and images of affinitie being of the like nature and substance with others No better or more perfect Resemblance can be made twixt man and his creation the image of his liâ—…e and necessitie of his dissolution the state of his birth and occaâ—…ion of his death the forme of his beginning and fashion of his end then twixt a dead-mans Sepulcher and the Worlds Theatre Heere many Actors some whereof like your Pantomimes in Rome are generally approued in all parts play on this terrestriall stage of humane frailtie Some absolute Machiauels irreligious politicians shrouding vicious purposes vnder vertuous pretences other simple-honest soules who like your obscure Actor stands either not at all obserued or else so generally derided as he wisheth rather to be a doore-keeper in the mansions of Heauen then a disgraced Actor on this stage of Earth There your light Curtizan who like another Sempâ—…ronia tanta est libidine accensâ—… vt vâ—…ros saepius petet quâm petetur prostitutes her body to ruinate her soule exposing herselfe to all that she might become hatefull to all to be briefe in the surueigh of all staâ—…es and conditions â—…or euery particular vice incurres a peculiar shame we may bring the Miser to his graue who while he liued was subiect to his vice The Curtizan from her brothell of vanitie to her fellow-pupils hearse there to contemplate her owne frailty The Ambitious skie-soaring thoughts to Ambicions fall reducing his aspyring spirit to a more retired centure the period of a great mans hopes which moued Praxatiles to limne an ambitious man reaching at a Scepter and rowling below his Centre Not a vice either occurrent to state publique or priuate obnoxious to themselues or others but was expressed in that flourishing time when Rome labored of her owne greatnesse so as Catilines Tombe became a caution for aspirers Seianus a president for Flatterers Vitellius an example for Rioters Iulian for apostates and prophaners Marke Antonie for adulterate meetings Caligula for tyrannike designements Quod meruere tenent post funera their liues being set out in liuely colours either in expression of their worth or the description of their illimited gouernment Many we reade and those worthy memorie who throgh want of these inscriptions had their liuing names shut vp in eternall silence as the mothers of Demosthenes of Nicias of Lamachus of Phormâ—…on of Thrasibulus and of Theramenes which excelled in modestie and well deserued to be mothers of such rare Captaines eloquent Orators and discreete States-men as they were We reade in Plutarch how Alcibiades assisted by Nicias was to take his expedition into Sicilie the very same day of the celebration of the feast Adonia on which the custome was that women should set vp in diuers parts of the Citie in the midst of the streetes Images like to dead coarses which they caried to buriall in remembrance of the lamentations and
no â—…ombe Croeâ—…us hâ—…z one Nor sâ—…ills it much what shrowdiâ—…g sheet they wore For I nere heard that worms the shrowd forbore Because the pompe or state wherein they laide Might by their terror make poore wormes afraide But as on earth great ones did feed on small So worms do feed on great ones most of all Do well then while we liue for being dead Or Fame or Shame our Actions merit meade ¶ Vpon Delia. Thou Delos-sacred-chaste inhabitant For of thy followers Albion haz but scant Plant pray thee heere some house religiously Where we may reuerence spotlesse Chastitiâ—… For since thy ship did from this Iland lance Best gifts we had were fire balls sent from France Coole vs this Climate that seemes to aspire Not by her owne but by a for raine fire That now at last the Albionact may know Th' Delian our friend thogh th'Frenâ—…h noâ—… be our foe In Mydam Miser nemini est bonus sibi pessimus My das would feed on gold vnhappy wretch That starues himselfe to make himselfe more rich 'T is like a painted couer that conueies Each sparkeling obiect to our piersing eies Which while the eies delight in they grow dim Euen so it fares poore miser still with him He feeds on gold for there 's his hearts delight But that same obiect takes away his sight And makes him duâ—…kie â—…ide clouded and blinde Though not in body yet in th' eyes of minde Then this shall stand fixt on the misers â—…oure He liued rich to th' eye but truly poore Nâ—…c copia nec inopia minuitur In Veprem Iuridicum Heere lies Brier a Lawyer true Yet no true Lawyer giue him 's due His cause of sickenesse as I heare Was There 's but foure Terms in the yeare But others thinke and so they may Because he could not long deâ—…ay His Clients suite yong Had-lands cause Which hauing got into his clawes He by renewing of their strife Thought to keep 't for terme of life But AEacus that god of warre Pitcht me thiâ—… Lawyer ouer-barre So in despaire unhappy elfe The Lawyer went and hang'd himselfe ¶ Vpon a Broaker Heere lies a Broaker of Long-lane Who by Pick-hatch Hounsditch got infinit gaine The Pyrats of Wapping were likâ—…wise his friends Bequeathiâ—…g to him their clothes at their ends O hard-hearted death more cruell then any That would not be mou'd at the sutes of so many ¶ Vpon Tacitus Heere lies an old Concealer vnderneath Who hardly could conceale himselfe from death Thus though man â—…e disguis'd in varied formes Conceal'd on earth yet not conceal'd from worms Thou thâ—…n that passest by this seely wretch This morall may experience thee teach There 's nought so hid which in Earths bosome lyes â—…ut fate with pierciue eyes looks through spies ¶ Vpon one Holofeâ—…nus an vnconscionable Vsurer Within this Grate lies one Holofernus His bodie 's in earth but his soule in Auernus Vnder his head lies a bagge of red gold Which both heart and conscience together enfold See worm-holes are sprouting which seems to express They loaâ—…h to feede on an Usurers flesh ¶ Vpon one Gnat. Sleepe on poore Gnat Gnat was thy proper name And thou as properly exprest the same No difference 'twixt thee buried and before Saue that in death thou sleepes in life didst snore ¶ Vpon an Actor now of late deceased and vpon his Action Tu quoque and first vpon his Trauell Hee whom this mouldered clod of earth doth hide New come from Sea made but one face and dide Vpon his Creditors His debtâ—…rs now no fault with him can finde Sith he has paid to nature all 's behinde Vnto his fellow Actors What can you craue of your poore fellow more He does but what Tu quoque did before Then giue him dying Actions second wreath That second'd him in Action and in death ¶ Vpon Loues champion Once did I liue and loue not loue but lust And in loues turnament perform'd my iust But now return'd I am whereto all must Rendring my life loue lust and all to dust ¶ Amor viuat crescat honor inuitis fatis resurgat virtus augeatur pietas foueatur sanctitas altera harum miserijs subuenimus altera Reip. saluti prouidemus Corpus vt perijt creuit virtus Vertue that vs'd to sit enthron'd in state In purple cloâ—…thed not in purple sin Lies heere interr'd for shee 's enshrin'd in him Not prun'd as vicious men by common fate For vertue is of higher estimate Then to subscribe to times abridged date Nor can the clowde of Enuie honour dim For when shee seemes to die shee does begin To raise her glory higher then bâ—…fore Immortaliz'd in Heauen for euermore An happy passage happy pilgrimage Where our Earths conflict wins eternitie Securest harbour of tranquilitie To passe from Earth â—…o Heauen where mutually The Saints of God reioice free from the rage Of sinnes assaults or of this fleshly cage Wherein we are enthrald distressed age That makes vs old in nought saue miserie But pilgrims if for Christ perplexed be Shall liue with him in ioy perpetually Thrice blessed pilgrime that hast spent thy daies In the promoting of thy Countries weale Faithfull in all wherein thou wast to deale Shoaring vpon thy shoulders those decaies Which seem'd to ruinate the state alwaies These blessed actions do deserue due praise Triumphant patroâ—… of thâ—… common-weale Who though she should vnthankefully conceale Those many vertues which thy minde possest Thou needs not feare in Heauen they are exprest True Register where all thy acts remaine In perfect colours liuely shadowed The map of honour well decyphered Where innocence receiues immortall gaine For her pure life polluted with no staine Of earths allâ—…rements Earth cannot containe A vertuâ—…us minde for it will still aspire To Syons hill ascending eueâ—… higher Till shee discerne the fruits of her pure loue By leauing earth to liue in Courts aboue Thou that art here immur'd with barres of earth Returning to the place from whence thou came Shall by thy death perpetuate thy Name Siâ—…h forraine Coasts haue much admir'd the same And though thy foes yet they extoll'd thy worth Being twice noble in thy selfe thy birth Which no succeeding times shall ere raze forth Honour will euer flourish as it was Though not engrauen in faire leaues of brasse For what is Brasse Marble or Iuorie What will auaile tâ—…e Monuments of time When those they represent seeme to dâ—…cline In the Worlds eye in whom our memorie Liues or lies dead O then liue vertuouslie That winnes a Crowne here and eternallie Worlds respects a blast a bud a flower Now sprouting faiâ—…e blasted in an houre But who shall flourish in the Sacred Groue Shall ere stand firme his Scyons cannot moue Liue in this Hearse Death to the good 's no death But a transportance from a Sea of woes To future ioyeâ—… from shipwracke to repose For such as these God for himselfe doth choose Clipping their
câ—…rnimus superstitem Quaecunque orta sunt occidunt Salust Ver vireat quod te peperit viridissima proles Quaeque tegit cineres ipsa virescat humus Transis ab exiguis nâ—…quam periture theatris Vt repetas sacri pulchra Theatra Iouis ¶ In vultum incredibili lepore respersum O facies mutata nimis spectacula praebes Vermibus ingenuis saepe probata viris Quo mutaâ—…a tuae magis est Prâ—…stantia formâ—… Integra nunc râ—…manet quae peritura fuit Vita vt mimus Exit vt exâ—…git soboles lepidissima partem Praemia fert hominum sed meliora Deûm ¶ Vpon a Traueller who taking Inne in a village at the signe of the Boore was lamentably murdered by his Hoast The brutish-brisled Bore that was my Signe Where th' Hoast Bore-like shed this poore bloud of mine Ibidem An crudelis Aper magis an crudelior Hospes Nescio saeuus Aper saeuus Hospes erat At saeâ—…s magis Hospes erat nam conuenit vrsis Inter se saeuis non Hospes ab Hospite tutus Englished Whether the Bore or Hoast more cruell be Cruell the Borâ—… â—…he Hoast as fierce as He I know not but the Hoast's the cruellest Beares do agree while the Hoast betraies his Guest ¶ Vpon certaine Bones found of late buried in the ground supposed to be some murder committed by the Hoast in whose yard these Bones were found but as yet only suspition is grounded no apparancie of Fact discouered Brew'd be thy hands in bloud although Thou be Free to the world thy Conscience is not free For these drie Bones lie mouldred now in Dust Will manifest thy guilt for God is iust Vpon murder Murder may seeme to sleepe but cannot sleepe For Feare and Horrour do her eie-lids keepe Another Murder sometime to slumber will betake her Till furie wrath and vengeance do awake her ¶ Vpon a Gentlewoman who died in Child-birth One and my onely one lies buried heere Who in the Birth she bore was borne on Beere To him askâ—…s more this for excuse appeares Ioy can find words bâ—…t words are drown'd in teares Vpon an Infant his fathers first borne was this written By this auouch I may right sure I am That meagre Death 's an vniust Tithingman This was my First not Tenth and we do say With Tenth not First we vse our Tithe to pay ¶ Vpon one Gray Gray was my name gray were my haires of hue And Gray to graue return'd payes Natures due ¶ Vpon one Grauâ—… Graue I was where now you see Graue is all is granted â—…e Yet with me my name I haue Since in graue dâ—…th lodge a Graue Another Iesu Christ my soule he saue Ere my Met-wand tuch my graue ¶ Vpon one Winds towards the North-borders is this written Windeâ—…'se â—…'se can'd an now I find Aâ—… mans life is but a wind Whilke an I had winde at will I had yet bene liuing still But I's wele though wind be gaâ—… Siker I's wind feele I naâ—…e ¶ Another Miseremini mei my Friends all For now the World hath enformed me to fall I must no lonâ—…er endure Pray for my Soule For the World is transiâ—…ory and terrestriall Hoc Epitaphium â—…re insculptum vidimus cathedrali templo Eboâ—…acensi pulcherrimo more in aerea quadam lamina consitum sed â—…rbarie temporis magis excusanda aut ineptia Autoâ—…is non satis 〈◊〉 parum condite dispositum in Orientali faâ—… prope meâ—…iam partem Areâ—… erigitur ¶ Vpon old Mammon Here lies experienc'd Prouidence whose care Hath well enrich'd himself made others bare And yet when Nature did denie Him breath Wormes had their Legacie by meanes of Death Pray for his Soule who prai'd on many a Soule And houle amaine when as the Bell doth toule The reason is if you doe aske me why Howling should supply mourning when Dogs die Animae mâ—…ae propitietur Deus ¶ On a Cobler at Cambridge Mâ—… not much though death in doubt did stand Hâ—… fouâ—…d â—…im alwayes on the mending hand Yeâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 aâ—…d by change of weather Dâ—…th ript his Soule quite from the vpper leâ—…ther ¶ Vpon an Eminent STATESMAN in this Land absolute for his generall suruey in all knowledge his approued iudgement in all Learning Reade STATESMAN here thy owne mortalitie O meditate of Death before thy death Be not traâ—…sport'd with Honour for if we Ere can shew vertue it is while we breath Raising our hopes ' boue Earths felicity To crown our Temples with Fames glorious wreath Behold I was and being was admir'd Elected STATESMAN and esteemed fit At all assaies of STATE to manage it So all that Frame which was so much desir'd Ends in this Chest where STATE retires expir'd ¶ In the memory of that famous Professour of Physicke Mr Butler generally renowmed for his approued practice Death might dissolue thy forme but not thy faâ—…e For shee hath reared on thee such a frame As shall preserue thy mem'rie sure I am So long as Age shall neede Physician Cease Criticke then for to traduce his worth Whose Oyle though it be spent his Light 's not forth To sundry States our sundry Fates vs call Some for the Soule some bodie few for all Yet we in way of Charity should know He had receits for Soule and Bodie too ¶ On one Morâ—… Here lies More and no more but hâ—… More and no more how can that be ¶ On one Pricke Cupid and Death they both their arrowes nicke Cupid shot short but Death he hit the Pricke ¶ Vpon Sir Ignorance Here lies the body of Sir Ignorance Who liued in a mist died in atrance And may he so long sleepe where he is laine Till he forget to come to vs againe ¶ Vpon Gregorie Cade Sib my wife did promise me Shee woâ—…ld die when I did die But no trust's in Her I see And you see'â—… as well as I For my shrâ—…wde was scantly rotteâ—… Till my Sib had me forgotten FINIS ¶ The Prodigals Glasse FLie me delights Content on Earth fare well My mind is aiming at an higher Sphere Though I on Earth seeme to remaine and dwell My perfect rest cannot bâ—… seated here Sith no delight there is not match'd with fearâ—… But when my mansion is where I would â—…e No feare on Earth can after trouble me This life what is it but a liuing death And in that death no rest vnto the mind Can worldlings haue Flie hence my soule and breath In that eternall Kingdome that 's assign'd For faithfull Pilgrims whose content's beâ—…ind After Earths losse to reape a treble gainâ—… 'Mongst those blest Saints that euermore remaine O that my Glasse were run that I might goâ—… From this low Centre and transported be From Earths allurâ—…ments instances of woe To dwell with my Redeemer cheerefullie O then should I forget my miserie By present ioyes enioy'd so much the more In that I liu'd that seem'd to die before Wâ—…o would desire to liue when he may die And liue for euer Death
sincere or for a cloake pretended The vulgar Honesty seruant to Lawes Customes Religions Hope and feare it drawes Be more or lesse According to the times It still is wauering difference of climes Makes it vnequall rather Policy I may call such Respect then Honesty VVhich still aspiring quickly oft mounts hie And in short time vnto that marke comes nie At which it aimes but builded on false grounds A sudden fall it vnawares confounds But Honesty doth alwaies goe vpright VVith setled pace not wauering for the might Of winds times nor occasions it goes slow But still attains the end towards which doth goe Now such an Honest man I wish thâ—…e find As still is Honâ—…st out of Honest mind That 's Wisdomeâ—… first ground next is to propose A certaine forme of life sor euer those VVho diuers in themselues aime at no end But as occasion offers each way tend Neuer attaine the marke If Hawke assay To trusse two Birds shee doth on neither pray These grounds being laid an vnfain'd Piety Must build thereon and though that diuers be Religions Lawes yet ours amongst them all Is truest purest most authenticall Religion true loues God and quiets vs And rests in a Soule free and generous VVheâ—…e superstition is a franticke error A weake minds sicknes the owne Soules terror Religious men doe still feare God for loue The supersticious lest they torments proue Let thy Mate be a man whose setled faith In true Religion sure foundation hath For twixt those bodyes loue doth best reside Whose soules no selfe opinions doe deuide The foure chiefe â—…irtues next in order goe From which the rest as from four fountains flow Prudence the first place hath to see and chuse Which is so needfull and of so great vse That with it weighty things doe seeme but light VVithout it nothing can be done of weight By it things euen gainst Nature are achieued A wise mind gaineâ—… what many hands hath grieued Iustâ—…e â—…e must be Himselfe first to command For sensuall things at Reasons Law must stand The Spirits power keepes the passions still in awe And strictly bounds them with an austere Law VVith Moderation it guides our desires VVe must not all condemne Naturâ—… requires To loue things neat and needful base things hate Its wantonnesse to liue too delicate But its mere madnesse to condemne the things Which needfull vse and common custome brings Next to his Neiâ—…hbour he that right must doe Which he expects freely not forced thereto Whom Law constraines they falsifie all trust Its conscience not constraint that makes men iust As iust so valiant would I haue him be Not out of rashnesse or stupidity It is a constant patient resolutiâ—…n Of bashlesse Courage gainst the reuolution Of times and fortunes it regards not paines VVhere Honor is the Hire Glory the gaines It s sensible carefull mans selfe to saue Not daring offer wrong more then receiuâ—… As Prudent Iust and valiant so He must Be temperate this vertue hath foule lust And pleasure for its obiect it commands Laps reâ—…ormes our sensuall thoughts it stands Twixt a desire and dulnesse of our nature And is the spurrer on or the abater Of ill or good shamefast in refusing Thing filthy honest in things comely chusing Though with perfection these no one man fits Yet let him be free from their opposits He must be sober not giuen to excesse It cures and keepes in health mind it doth dresse Making it pure and capable of good It 's Mother and good counsell is the Brood Excesse doth dull the Spirits and breeds disease So after punished by what fiâ—…st did please Learn'd let him be his learning generall Profound in none yet haue some skill in all VVhos 's deeply learn'd his Booke is most his Wife Conuersing still with it so of his Life His Wife not halfe enioyes for most iâ—… spent In study so what should yeeld most content Societies debard I doe wish then VVho are meere Schollars may liue single men Learning besots the weake and feeble mind But pollishes the strong and well inclind The one â—…aine-glory puffes with selfe-conceit The others braine is setled iudgements seat Then so learn'd let him be as may chuse Flowâ—…rs of best Bookes whosâ—… sweet sent he may vsâ—… To rectifie his knowledge and distill From thence life-blessing precepts which so will Temper his vnderstanding that the frowne Of fickle Fortune neuer shall cast downe Not bould in speech no man of many words Chuse thou a Husband leauy tree affords The smallest store of fruit Both words and deeds Seldome or neuer from one Man proceeds Who guides his words he in a word is wise Yet let him not be sullenly precise But gentle pleasing not crabbed or tart The wise mans tongue is euer in his heart The fooles heart 's in his tongue it is great gaine For to be silent and ones selfe containe And see with whomsoeuer he conuerse Left he be thought ill nurtur'd or peruerse That he be kind obsequious affable To fit himselfe vnto their humors able To change condition with the time and place Is wisdome and such leuity doth graâ—…e So Aristippus each face each behauiour Did still become and was a gracing fauour Choose thou a Husband older by some yeares Then thou thy selfe art Man age better beares Then Women for bearing of children makes Their Strength decay soon beauty them forsakes Many crops makes a field soone to be bare Where that that bâ—…ares not long continues faire Now Lady such a man I wish you find As here I haue describ'd with whom'to bind Your selfe is to be blest leading a life Full of content free from contentious strife A Wiues behauiour BVt to find good is not enough to show But hauing found him how to keepe him so Then since I haue aduis'd you how to chuse him I will giue some aduice how you should vse him Obedience first thy will to his must fit He is the Pylot that must gouerne it It man condemnes of inability VVhen Women rule that is born to obey Nor is it Honor to Her but a shame To be match'd with one onely man in naâ—…e But if imperious He should more desire Then due respect doth of a Wife require Think not harsh stubbornnes wil ere procure him To be more mild it rather will obdure him The whip and lash the angry Horse inrages Mild voice and gentle strâ—…ke his irâ—… asswagâ—…s From steele-struck flint we see the lightning flies But struck gainst wooll the flasâ—…ing flame none spies Nor is the clangor hard the ones soft nature Is to the others hardnesse an abature VVin thou thy Mate with mildenes for each crâ—…sse Answer'd with anger is to both a losse Like as the Sea which gainst a churlish rocke Breaks brauing billowes with a boistrous stroke Seeking by raging force to throw on sands The stiffe resisting rocke which vnmou'd stands Repelling his bold billowes with like scorne As th' others brauery had bownst them beforne Thus
Then noted chuse one vvhose Parentall blood Makes claime to vertue and is more belou'd For her more choicer parts then to be wo'ed To an vnchaster motion being inclin'd To prize her bodies Beautie by her mind Chuse one vvhose knowing Parents can augment Their daughters portion by a firme aduise One who will measure her's by thy content Whose spotlesse thoghts be vvritten in her eyes Whose Brest is thine clos'd in one Coâ—…tinent Who know's yâ—…t seemes as if she did not know Inwardly good vvithout an outward show Chuse one who can play Mother ere she haue The name of Mother one that hates nought more Then not to learne one that imprints her graâ—…e Still in her memory addes to thy store With an aduised providence nor doth craue More of internall knowledg then to try Her selfe on earth and study how to die Chuse one who makes it greatest of her feare T' incurre suspicion that esteemes her name Before a world of Treasure that can beare Affliction with indifference and thinks shâ—…me A Matrons comliest habit one that 's deare In her Creators sight and feares to do Ougâ—…t that thy selfe will not assent vnto Chuse one who doth desire to make each day Her lises Ephâ—…meris summing in th' euening tide VVith what respect she past her howres away Chuse 〈◊〉 that doaâ—…es not on the name of Bridâ—… VVith â—… new â—…angle itching but will stay To reason what it meanes and is afraid In modâ—…st shame to loose the stile of Maid Chuse onâ—… who 's qualifide better in minde Then Boâ—…ie yet if she affect the straine Of harmelesse chamber musiquâ—… let her fiâ—…de Thy minde in consort with her for thogh vaine Yet ' tiâ—… an easie vanitie and vnkinde Mightst thou be deemd to bar her that delight Which may be shown euen in an Angels sight Chuse one whose count'nance promiseth respect Vnto her honour one that spends the morne In praying not in painting whose neglect Is in â—…ut-landish fashions and doth scorne To fancie that which lightnesse doth affect One whose liues pattern rests as vncontrold And makes her Youth by imitation old Chuse one whose house hath no affinitie With follie lust ambition selâ—…e-conceit Prophaâ—…enesse discord prodigalitie Schisme Superstition violence deceit Opâ—…re ssion surfets damned vsurie For where these raigne my Son we seldome see Descent of state vnto the third degree Chuse one whoÌ„ thou canst loue not for constraint Of fortune or of â—…riends for what are these That thou by them shouldst measure thy content No No in mariage thou thy selfe must please Or euery day will be an argument Of thy succeeding sorrow then be wise Carue for thy selfe yet heare thy friends aduise Chuse one whose free election can admit None saue thy selfe that she can dearely loue Yet so discreet as she can silence it Till th'time her Parents shall her choice approue For that implies her modestie and wit Where rash assents whens ' euer they doe come Are euer seene to bring Repentance home Chusâ—… one whose Conscience and religion meet In one set concord with theâ—… for it's â—…his That cements minds together and makes sweet Th'vnseâ—…nedst passions giuing way to blisse And future glory where the peacefull seat Of two distinct mindes now reduc'd to one Shews equall temper both in mirth and moâ—…e Chuse amongst these thou canst not Chuse amissâ—… For here 's a full variety of such Will fit thy mind as thou thy self wouldst wâ—…sh Yet Sonne attempt not with vnhalowed tutch To taint their honour with a wanton kisse For that is but inducement vnto sin Sith Kisses be the keieslet Treason in Therefore chuse one and that but only oâ—…e One that may make two Bodies one-vnite One that is essence-lesse if left alone VVithout her second One whose sole delight Is vanisht when her second soule is gone One that renewes her comfort in her make And ioyes in her affliction for his sake Yet know my son when thou this wife dost chuse And after sute art master of thy choise It 's fit thou should this louely mirror vse VVith that respect as she may hence reioice To haue a mate so rightly generouse As with a Wiues-choise therefore I begun I l'e shew what by a Husband should be don He may command yet should not tyrannize Shew himselfe head yet not to make his wife His fâ—…ot esteeme her as his oâ—…ly prize All other Blanks hate all intestine strisâ—… Saue strife in loue he should not exercise The patience of his wife for one may wrong Silence too much and force her haue a tongue He may expresse his loue with modestie Yet neuer coll and kisse in open place For I should deeme such loue hypocrisie Or some such thing if I were in her case And better is loue showne in priuacie Then 'fore the eies of men for they will skan Fondnesse or indiscretion in the man He may be free in loue for shâ—…e's his owne Yet such a loue as is exempt from sâ—…aine Of an insatiate lust he should not frowne T' expresse his aw too much his best of gaine Should be to make her vertues riper growne He should dispence with lighter faults not vex Himselfe for trifles shee'â—… the weaker sex Hâ—… may restraine her but t' is not so good Restraint giues women greater appetite He may doe much but who would wrong his blood His flesh himself he may curb her delight But who knows not wheÌ„ women's most with stood Their wil 's most forward their wits most neere theÌ„ And wil be frolike thogh their husbaÌ„ds heare theÌ„ He may haue care but carking it is worse He may be getting yet he should not scrape He should not slaue himselfe vnto his purse But freely vse it for his credit sake He shold not wean his wife from ought by force But by perswasion for deprau'd's her will That 's only forc'd by violence from ill He may part stakes or all but it were better To ioine in purse as they doe ioine in care Where each to other may remaine a debter For where the man doth limit th'Wife a share Oft turnes the Wife to be her husbands cheater Which to preuent if hee 'le be sure of her In stake state store make her his Treasurer He may be Iealous but 't implies suspect That he misdoubts what he himself hath bene Or that he 's troubled with som weake defect His VVife perceaues thogh to the world vnseene And that from hence proceedethher neglect Of honour to his Bed which sure would show Basenes in him and â—…orce her to doe soe He may picke cause and matter of offence But that would much degenerate from man He may heare such as would sowe difference Twixt their vnited loues but if he scan And rightly weigh mans natiue excellence He will conclude with this that there is no 〈◊〉 So base to vrge offâ—…nce against a woman He may be busie where h'as nought to doe And intermedle in his wiues affayres But fit it is not that he should doe
death more excite men to die willingly then their expectance after death For this all the Romaine Emperours would haue their Tombcs erected in their life time with all externall osten◅ation and popularitie to intimate a kind of Empire euen in death which may appeare by that which Suctonius speakes in the life of Augustus that before his death the statue which was erected and set vp in his memorie being strucken with Thunder◅ lost the first letter of his Name to wit C. which signified as the Augurs diuined that within a hundred daies immediatelie following he should depart the world Cato in dede who tooke it nobile lethum to die for his countrie and the preseruation of her libertie would haue no shrinc statue nor inscriptiō set vp in his memory supposing his vertues to be sufficient annals and records to eternise his name Of this minde was Phocion the Athenian both Stoicks for their discipline seeming vnwilling to imitate the popular in exterior rites being as they deemed able to expresse their owne liues by their deaths their deaths by their li◅es Which may be the cause that moued Flaccus to contemne all monuments with this resolued security Vnde mihi lapidem c. What auailes it to haue Monuments Stones Shrines or Statues to memorise Vs what skils it to haue labels hung vpon our Sepulchers as those siluer swords of Greece ouer the Sepulcher of Philip those golden Archers of Persia ouer the memorab◅e tombe of Artaxerxes as the same Poet saith N◅n datur em◅sso reditus ◅ibi It is true yet so respectiue should man be of the demerited praise-worthy acts of his Ancestors ◅o ceremoniously careful that their monuments be not in obliuion smothered as no time should be omitted wherein we may as the Orator saith defunctorum memori◅ seruire but with all instance to perfect accōplish the same We reade that the Pagans haue been so respectiue hereof that the monumēts of their parents kinsfolkes haue been no lesse deare to them then their own houses their owne habitations and dwellings Esteeming their reputation to be purchased by the purchase of their Auncestors glory and augmented by the preseruation of their memory Agathocles Prince of Syracuse willing to erect a Monument or Statue in his owne memory to expresse humane frailtie commanded that the head and vpper parts should be made of solid gold but the feete of earth with this Impresse Sic omnia firma An excellent obseruation and caution to put Man in minde of his substance and subsistence constitution and dissolution that standing on no firmer feete then earth no stronger arches then staies of mortality he should euer feare lest so proud a building shou◅d fall being supported by so vnstable and vnable props But for Antiquitie as shee is said to be the warrant of things done the confirmer of things present and president of things to come so oft-times vi◅es haue beene bolstered by her impieties authorized by her and a direction to greater laid open by her I will descend therefore briefely to particularize such Epitaphs vsed by the Ancients which remained for caueats or obseruations in succeeding times As others likewise that moued and excited men to vndertake valiant and couragious exploits in hand We reade that Augustus when he died at Nola being a Towne s◅ated in the middle part of Campani◅ his souldiers to expresse and manifest their loue to him dying as they had done their allegeance to him liuing burst out in seuerall passions of sorrow griefe and pensiue distractions with these speeches O God that he had either neuer beene borne or that he had neu◅r died For th◅ one is an occasion of our misery the other a president of his glory For so great was his loue towards the Citizens that by his owne care and diligence he commanded great abundance of graine to be brought out of Aegypt to sustaine his people welnie consumed with famine Few of the twelue Romane Emperors reade we so excellent and exquisite commendations of saue Titus who receiued this Impresse euen vpon his hearse to be Amor deliciae generis humani Mans darling the Worlds mirror and the flower of all Romane Emperors either before or since being directed and enlightned no further then with the beameling of nature For to recapitulate the natures of all those Princes twixt Augustus the first of the twelue saue one to Titus the last of the twelue saue one we shall see their dispositions variable inconstant dissolute and generally vicious Tiberius taxed for his subtiltie Caligula for his insolencie Claudus for his effeminacie N◅ro for his cruelty Galba for his intemperancie Otho for his inhumanitie Vitellius for his prodigalitie Uespasian for his misery These haue wee charactred which the Romane Annals haue expressed to l◅e such as either merited eternall infamie by their vicious gouernment or due commendation for their many morall vertues wherewith they were endued and inuested Vita mortuorum est in memoria viuentium saith one very well for it renues and reuiues the memory of the dead and makes him liue in name honour and reputation when the sithe of Fate hath pruned him For this all the Romane Emperors haue laboured desiring to become memorable after death Curtius throwing himselfe into the lake Vtican purchasing his liberty by voluntary death Horatius C◅cles throwing himselfe violently into Tyber to preserue his Countries libertie Genitius Cippus subiecting himselfe to death to propagate his Countries glory P. Decius who rushed into the fore-front of the enemies encountring a whole Armie to make his owne memory more famous and illustrious The like of Scipio Affricane who to extinguish that menacing fire of H◅nnibal deuoted himselfe to death for the safegard of his Country These and many more who illustrated their Names by atchieuements done liuing expected without question no little celebration of their name and memory dying and though their opinion reached not to the soules immortality yet they could extend their imaginations thus farre as a famous and memorable death surpassed an infamous and ignominious life wishing rather to die in fame then liue in eternall obscu◅ity Which caused some of disposition vnequall to the former to perpetrate some hainous and en◅rmious crime whereby they might purchase fame euen by infamie Such was Herostratus who burned the Temple of Diana at Ephesus to purchase himselfe a name Such was Turulius who hewed downe the groue that was consecrate to the Temple of Aesculapius to erect him a ship that once Religion as he himselfe auowed might ride on the water And such was Q. Fuluius who to enrich himselfe by sinister meanes tooke from the Temple dedicated to Iuno Lucinia tegulas quasd◅m marmoreas for which he sustained condigne punishment amongst which we may insert that sacrilegious Prince or Tyrant rather for his Empire of Syracuse as it came vnto him by an vsurped succession so it was gouerned by as cruell and tyrannicall a disposition bearding the Gods and
terram repetat pars altera coelum Nec mutas mores caela petendo tuos At vale â—…am faciem nequeo discernere gratam Qua mihi semper erit gratia sed arcta nimis Arcta nimis sed amaena satis dum fider a vultum Splendida praestantem continuere tuum Sie perijt quod terra parit quod verticâ—… coeli Profluit in coelum tendat alta petat Aliud Hic fitus est Satyruâ—… qui stupra latere potentum Impatiens patiens limina mortis adit Englished Heere lies a Satyre now reduc'd to dust Who scourg'd dâ—…sertlesse honour great mens lust These taxt He roundly and had vow'd to doe it More boldly yet if He had liu'd vnto it ¶ A Funerall Poeme vpon the death of the hopefull yong Gentleman Mast. Will. Horsey who deceased the 24. of Aprill Ann. Dom. 1615. Plants that transplanted are haue 〈◊〉 grouth Yet fares it otheâ—…ise with this blest youth For he transplanted to another Sphere Perfects that tender grouth which he had here Tender indeed yet me thinks there appeares Age in his houres though youth was in his yeares For by experience of this surâ—… I am Neuer came childe more neere vnto a Man Well may we then excuse his mothers mone To lose her Sonne and that her onely One Whose hope gaue life vnto her house and her If mothers erre in this they lightly erre For natiue loue must â—…eeds enforce a teare To see them laid on Beare whom they did beare To see their Birth turn'd Earth their very wombâ—… Which brought them forth conuerted to a Tombe Yet this should make his mother change her song To see her hope translat'd ' boue hope so yong To see her onely and now happy Sonne To haue his Pilgrime-taske so quickly done But shee ha's lost him no he is not lost For where He seemes to lose He gaineth most And though He haue not Her He ha's another For now the Church triumphant is his Mother Feeding his infant-glory with her pap Dandling him sweetely in her heauenly lap For this is confirm'd by the sacred word He cannot die that dieth in the Lord. Cease then thou tender Mother cease to wâ—…epe Thy Sonne 's not dead but onely falne asleepe Which sleepe dissolu'd his corps shall be vnited Vnto his soule amongst the Saints deligâ—…ted Peace happy Soule crowne thy eternall daiâ—…s With wreath of glory to thy Makers praise That as thou liu'd a Mirror to thy Age So thou may shine in Sions heritage His Epitaph Heere interred in this Tombâ—… Yong yet vertues hopâ—…full Bloome Fathers Boy Mothers ioy Shrined is yet from this shrine There 's a substance that 's diuine Which no graue Can receaue Making claime to Heauens pure clime ¶ The Author vpon his selected and euer to be remembred E. C. Parragon for beautie and vertue who died the 5. of Decemb Ann. Dom. 1615. Take mother Earth thy virgin-daughter heerâ—… Bornâ—… on her Bere ere shâ—… was borne to bâ—…are Take her for of her wonders may be said Heerâ—… one and 〈◊〉 lies who di'dâ—… a Maid ¶ Vpon the much lamented Death of the vertuous virgine A. T. in Scarborough lately deceased and of her sorrowfull Parents incessantly moned Dead say no more shee 's dead keepe in that word It will goe neere to drowne her teare-swolne Foord Why He must know it true yet such as these If grieues should be imparted by degrees How must they be imparted By her Tombe It cannot speake Such grieues are seldome dumbe Vpon her Tombe Weepe weepe Rosemarie sprig and shew remorâ—…e Thou shold haue deckt her bride now decks her corse ¶ Vpon the Tombe of ..... lately erected ..... Perhaps thou may haue Shebnaes doome To haue thy corps deuided from thy Tombe And haue name of that crest thou gaue thy Neighbor To close thy corps in Earth and saue this labor How fond then thou to build so costly Shrine Neither perchance for * thee nor none of thine Yet if thou want thy Tombe thou shalt not misse To haue thy Epitaph and this it is ....... Is Dead The cause if you would know His winde-pipe burst and he no more could blow ¶ Vpon a late deceased Pinch-gut Macer dide rich they say but it 's not so For he dide poore and was indebted too How shâ—…ld that be Obserue me and I le tell ye He dide indebâ—…ed bâ—…th to backe and belly For all he scrap't from his Atturnies Fees Seru'd but to starue his Maw with bread cheese So as'mongst those we rightly may him call Whose life spent lesse then did his Funerall For all his life his House scarse eate one Beast Yet Dead his Sonne makes vp the Churles Feast ¶ This the Authour wrote vpon an excellent Bowler and his Friend aptly resembling Mans life to a game at Bowles The World is the Alley whâ—…re we play The Bowles we play with Creatures that we vse The Rubs the Passioâ—…s of our minds the way Needs no Ground-giuer there 's but one to chuse The way of all Flesh Seauen's our Game we say For Seauen yeere is liues-lease that limits vs The Blocke our end which when it drawâ—…th on We poâ—…ke our Bowles and so our Game is done ¶ Vpon a singular Irishman By him lies heere I finde from whence we came Where we must goe how lifâ—…'s an Irish game This day in health and wealth next poore sicke For Irish games haue still an Iriâ—…h tricke ¶ Vpon the death of one Cookes wife an Inscription allusiue to her name Death 's the cooke proâ—…ideth meate For the crawling wormes to eate Why shouldst thou then Cool e repine Death should dresse that wife of thine All must die yea time will be Thou wilt thinke he pleasur'd thee For no question being told She was sâ—…plesse 〈◊〉 old He thought fit she'sd liue no longer That thou might chuse out a yonger This then on her Age thy youth May be writ as grounded truth Heere she lies long may she liâ—… Ere she d. de was wish'd to die This the Author presently composed vpon this occasion being with sundry Gentlemen at Waltham exceeding merrily disposed one Cooke a neighbour of the Hoasts where he lay came suddenly in pitteously lamenting the death of his wife being newly departed euery one laboured to allay his sorrow but by how much more instant were their comforts by so much more violent were his Passions at last the Author perceiâ—…ing by his Hoast that he expressed a dissembling sorrow being impatient of her life and therefore by all probabilitie inwardly content with her death being an old decrepite woman and He in the Prime of his age in stead of all vnnecessarie comforts applied this soueraigne Discourse as a salue to his griefe without further premeditation coenae fercula nostrae Mallem conuâ—… quà m placuisse cocis Englished As in my choise of meate so in my Booke I 'd rather please my guests then please my Cooke ¶ In Actorem Mimicum cui vix parem
aduantage is Unto the good O wherefore then should I Deprâ—…e my hopes of that succeeding blisse Which for the good in Heauen reserued is For a small pleasure which in time is spent And briâ—…gs no other fruits saue this Repent Bitter's that fruit that yeelds no other gaine Cursed that gaine which has no better end Vnhâ—…ppy â—…d that is shut vp in paine Deserued paine that â—…o it selfe's a friend Vnworthy name of friend that does attend Thy fauourite with horror and despaire For where thoâ—… art despaire is euer there Reade and amidst thy reading shed a teare And with thy teares mix odes of discontent As one unwilling to liue longer here In Bethauen of sinne in Kedars Tent Where precious time is so securely spent As being old this axiome still appeares We 're young in houres though we be old in yeeres Both â—…oung and old young in the vse of time Yet old in time Gray hairs haue greener thoughts And where Professors should be most diuine Their goodlie showes in fine descend to nought Where sanctiâ—…ie is often solde and bought O these doe ill these gaine themselues a curse By their owne meanes but by example worse Saâ—…urne's ascended and since his ascent The Golden age transâ—…ormed is to lead And all the World 's of one Element For where man was created with his head Erected now he bends it as one dead Towardâ—… the ground the reason may appeare For where our heart is â—…yes be lodged there Those vaine and brain-sick humors of â—…ur age Should be both whipt and stript but who dare call A Gallants humor idle publique stage May chance to breakea iest and that is all For if in Presse some tarter pamphlet fall Of Whipt and Stript abuses ere 't begin To shew it selfe it must be called in What Theatre was ere erect'd in Rome With more ambitious state or emiâ—…ence Then the whole Theaters we haue of some Where there 's nought planted saue sins residence The Flagge of pride blazing th' excellence Of 〈◊〉 â—…anitie pitâ—…ie to hearâ—… Where th' light is most most darknesse should be there But to thy selfe retire there thou â—…halt finde Causes of new affliction for what part Within the glorious mansion of thy minde Not subiect to the vanities of Art Lessâ—…ning the substance to preferre the rinde Bâ—…fore the better pâ—…rt making the first In order and degrâ—…e in honour worst The Bodie as the rinde soule aâ—… the pith Yet is the body pris'd aboue the minde The soule the instrument by which we breath The choicest part and portion most 〈◊〉 The Body from beginning was assign'de To serue the Soule yet shee 's esteem'd of least And th'Body made to serue accounted best Come then poore soule heere is no place for thee No spring to bath thâ—… wearied sences in Heere is no straine of mirth or melodie While thoâ—… art planted in this vale of sin But when to raâ—…gne thou shalt but once begin With thy Redeemer ioies shall haâ—…e encrease And crowne thy temples with â—…ternall peace A happy peace surpassing misers farre That tumble in their bed and take no rest For such men in affliction euer are And when they seem t' haue most then haue they least With mindes perplexed horror still opprest For this to Rich-men for a cursâ—… is sent Much they enioy but little with content Riuers that flow with their diurnall course And keepe their wonted passage sooner shal Surcease their bending channell and enforce Their streamliâ—…gs vpward then the miser call For one good meale into his benchlesse hall O no it 's true that 's spoken of this elfe He 's ill to others worst vnto himselfe Ascend aboue the Miser and expressâ—… His Nature thou wast once a Prodigall Drinking the water of foâ—…getfulnesse And rising high to giue thy selfe a fall With fâ—…r more danger thou shalt see him cal For his old-rioters but there 's not one Wil keep him company his state being gone Those pompous feasts which he frequâ—…nt'd are done And those Cumrades which promis'd him â—…heir statâ—… And meanes like Summer-Swallowes now be gonâ—… Leauing him pensiuâ—… aâ—…d disconsolaâ—…e Wâ—…shing his crimes with teares but they 're too late He ends his state in sorrow shame and sin And bids vs take * example now of him Ambitious mindâ—… which flie with Icarus And rule the Sun wiâ—…h hare-braind Phâeton May mirrors be and prâ—…sidents to vs To choose the obiect which we looke vpon And to be wary lest being weâ—… begoâ—… Experience come too late hauing once prou'd Our fall deriu'd fâ—…om that which we most lou'd Goe to the Tombes of those aspiriâ—…g men Th' Ambitious Caesar Ninus Affricane And there in due regard contemplate them Whether they now by their renowme and fame Redeeme their liues from death or by the Name Of greatnesse make them liue in spite of fate Lasse â—…hey are dead not least admired at Fame-Blazâ—…d Sylla who in Tyrannie Planted a kingdome and to make his power More glorious and redoubted seem'd to be A Prince of Princes for with him the flower Of Rome as Pompey th' great and many more Were his attendants yet see Syllas raigne Ambition came from Earth and goes againe Not like that golden branch or sprig of life Which Maro does eâ—…presse that bâ—…ing shrâ—…d Sent forth another faire â—…nd fruitfull griffe As a â—…ong Scyon in the fathers stede For Sylla being cropt nere did succede Any from him which might reuiâ—…e his Name By lineall 〈◊〉 from his fame Ambitioâ—…s and Elated mindes that flie Aboue the firme land of a sâ—…tled roome And plant themselues in th' Eaglects aerie Ofttimes get for themselues a meaner Tombe Then those which with more wary eies looke downe Unto their footing for they 're sure to finde A state though meane well pleasing to their minde Tombes though not spacious nor so specious trimm'd As the faire Sepulcher of Mausolus Nor Batias Tombe whose Statue was so limm'd That saue the Picture of old Priamus Neere was proportion made so curious Yet what aâ—…ile these Monâ—…ments adorns Yet cannot keepâ—… their corps interr'd from worms What then of potent Princes may remainâ—… Saue this they oncâ—… liu'd and were conquerours But now by Fates impartiall scepter slâ—…ine What difference twixt them and th' obscurest powers Of their inferiour subiects difference is in howers How spent how passed if ill I dare say Their â—…ubiects farre morâ—… blessed are then they O theâ—… you raised Cedars that transcend The highest Spires of mount Olympus toppe So plant that you your Branches may extend Which neither haile nor â—…empest â—…re shall crop Lâ—…t nâ—…t the roote be burden d by the top But euer nourish such in Armes â—…f peace That spring but low yet promise much encrease Alasse how well that auncient Sage of Greece 〈◊〉 to Athens now may turnâ—… to vs And tell poore Albyon Vertue does decrease â—…or what
was well 's peruerted to abuse And though a natiue liâ—… erâ—…ie of choice Be planted in vs Such is Adams Curse We see bâ—…th good and bad yet chuse the worse O Athens sâ—…id that Sagâ—… once wast thou free And wast sincerely wise but thoâ—… hast left Thy perfect Wisedome for Philosophie The loâ—…e of Wisedome and since that bereft Of Wisedomes loue and falâ—…e to Rhetoricke Nâ—…r dost thou leaâ—…e there but that thou mightst erre Oâ—… degree further play'st meere Sophister Albyon that hast thâ—… name of puritie Albyon that 's blest by peacâ—…full gouernment Albyon that 's freed from forraine enmitie Albyon that 's plac'd i th' fruitfull'st continent Albyon that 's temperate in each Element Weigh thy selfe Albion in an equall poize And thanke thy God for that which thou enioies But now thou wandrest silly Prodigall Farther from wit then thou before from grace Whaâ—… am I or whence came I what 's this all This little World this Body but a case To shroud thy soule in what 's thy pilgrimes racâ—… But short and brittle where there 's many run Neuer till then their race is fully done Run Pilgrim run for thou art farre behinde Thy race but short and many staies there be Which will oppose themselues to tempt thy minde Inducing it with pleasures vanitie Vaine pleasure reanes thee of felicitie Let not faire golden Apple force thy stay For Apples were the cause of mans decay What though the world moâ—…e thee to forsake Those preciouâ—… vertues that will leade thee straight Unto that glorious consort which partake Th' eternall beautie and th' immortall light Of Sâ—…ons kingdome Put this foe to flight For none must crowned in â—…hat kingdome be But such as got on Earth the victorie Great Constantine for Great he was iâ—… name And glory had no other monument Or hopefull signe to propagate his fame Then th' Crosse of Christ which from the ayre was sent Encircled with a 〈◊〉 Element Wherâ—…on engrauen waâ—… thou warlike Sonne Take this for in this thou shalt ouercome What signe but this apt to discomfit sin What signall better for sins ouerthrow What greater warrant then the signe of him That was my Sauiour and his loue did show In that for mee his life he did bestow Thrice-happy souldier then that spends thy time Vnder so good a guide so blest a signe Heere shall the Prodigall himselfe repose And by this signe confoâ—…nd his mortall foes FINIS ¶ A compendious Discourse annexed by the Author touching Moderate Weeping behouefull for euerie tenderly-affected Reader who many times offends in the extremitie of this Passion vsing such Immoderation as if Dâ—…ath were no Passage but a Parting this life no Pilgrimage but a dwelling and our bodies of no fraile substance but euerlasting Quid perdis tâ—…mpora luctu Lucan WHen the Roman Princes in their Conquests and publique Triumphs were with acclamations reâ—…eiued and by the generall applause of the people extolled there stood alwayes one behinde them in their Esseds or triumphant Chariots to puâ—…l them by the sleeue with Memento te esse hominem The like we reade of Philip Caesar that and in that onely memorable of Agathocles commanding his Statue to be made with the head and body of Brasse but the feete of Earth implying on what infirme ground this specious Little-world the beautcous Epitome of the greaâ—…er world subsisted True it is that we are to glory in nothing hauing of our selues nothing but Sin which should rather occasion our Shame then our Glorie And this it was which moued that deuout Father to call our life A perpetuall and continuall Repentance habitually if not actually hauing such euident Arguments of our Shame such spirituall eye-sores of sin annoying vs hourely Therefore did Cicero terme it a Punishment Seneca a Bondage Maro a Dreame Pindarus the shadow of a Dreame Plato a Game at Chesse Canius a medley of Cares Mimus an Enterlude of Feares and Zenâ—… a Deceiuing hope of Yeares Thus were the Ethnickes conceited of this life discoursing more diuinely then our imagination can extend considering the palpable darkenesse of that Time wherein they liued Yea if we should but suruey the generall Opinions of all the Pagan Philosophers Poets and Orators we might finde many Christian-like perswasions for our Liues indifferencie singular obseruations to caution vs of our Mortalitie with impregnable Arguments of this lifes infelicitie Yea that I may vse the words of Cicero giuing his opinion of the Tragedies of Euripides As many Verses so many Testimonies be there mouing a Morall by way of Christian Instruction Where for indifferencie because nothing can be taught without examples being ocular and personall and therefore more perswasiue then Precepts we shall see a Theodorus Leena Hiero Phocion Vtican Merula Scapula Petreius and Catulus like generous and true-bred Romans expresse their contempt of life by their free and forward acceptance of Death Nor were women of a lesse resolute temper though more soft and delicate by nature for we shall find them likewise wel read in Platoes Phâ—…do of the Immortality of the Soule where Alcesta chearefully embraceth death for the loue of her Admetâ—…s â—…damia for her Protesilaâ—…s Paulina for her Seneca Arria for her Cecinna Halcyone for her Ceix Iulia for her Caesar Euadna for her Clorio Portia for her Cato Panthia for her Susyus Artemysia for her Mausolus esteeming it a noble death where the act of death purchaseth memorie after death Secondly for Mortalitie we shall reade how the eminentest Princes had the Portraitures of their Progenitors and Auncestors liuely expressed as moouing Resemblances of their owne frailtie which they caused to be curiously engrauen in small portable Tables to represent the intimacie of their loue and breuitie of their life As for example that of Mithridates reserued by Pharnaces his sonne as a Mirrour of humane mutability bearing this tenour Mithridates that victorious Prince who had discomfited in diuers set battells Lu. Cassius Oppius Quintus and Manius Acilius at last ouer come by Sylla Lucullus and vtterly by Pompey for all his infinite treasure in Talauris those many confederate Princes admired his valour and the ample Boundiers of his Kingdome so largely extended for all this his body the poore remainder of so great glorie was buried at the charge of the Romans being sent by Pharnaces in gallies to Pompey The like of Cyrus who translated the Empire of the Medes to the Persians whose Epitaph so passionately was it composed drew teares from Alexanders eyes reading how A clod of earth did coâ—…er the Translator of an Empire and that emphaticall one of the Souldan Saladine sealing vp his graue with a Tandem victus commanding a little before his death that the Generall of his Armie should come vnto him One that had beene his Leader in al the successiue and victorious encounters wherein he euer departed Conquerour during his time to whom he vsed these words Goe saiâ—…h he to the
raising him from death to life and Samuel wept for Saules wickednes but we are now to argue of weeping touching those that be asleepe of moderate weeping and of the inconueniences which proceed from immoderate Sorrow and Dolour Moderate weeping is most highly commended for it expresseth a naturall Affection we had to the Departed with a Christian-liâ—…e Moderation of our Griefe whereby our Faith to God-ward is demonstrated the reason is manifest Since the Departed rest from their labours and their workes follow them corum imò opera praecesserunt eos They haue gone before them Why should wee then weepe since they are receiued into the Throne of Blisse and are made partakers of Aeternitie and therefore Saint Cyprian saith Praemissi sunt non amissi Those that depart in the Faith of Christ They are sent before vs not lost from vs They shall receiue Immortaliâ—…ie and be heires of Christs Kingdome Againe they who attain to the glory of Gods Kingdome are to be thought happie and in ioy not in sorrow vexâ—…tion or woe and therefore not to be grieued for in that they are Departed from vs for of necessitie it is we must either Depart from them or They from vs. O happie were we if we were receiued into that ioy that glorie that aeternitâ—…e whereof the Saints in Christs Kingdome be Partakers Dispar est gloria singulorum communis tamen laticia omnium A Glorie distinguâ—…shed but a ioy communicate O admirable mysterie O ineffable mercy a mystery onely to Thoseâ—…euealed â—…euealed whom He in his mercy hath reserued to be Inheritors in the Couenant of Peace established by his Promise confirmed by his Power and conferred on his Elect Israelites glorified by Iesus Christ our Lord in the highest Heauen euen where the Cherubims and Seraphims make melody and solace to the Lord of Heauen and Earth Touching the inconuenience of immoderate â—…orrow the blessed Apostle Paul 1 Thess. 4 13. giâ—…eth vs a taste where he saith I would not Brethren â—…aue you ignorant concerning them which are asleepe â—…hat yee sorrow not euen as other which haue no hope whence it appeareth that excessiue and immodeâ—…ate sorrow implieth a diffidence or distrust wee â—…aue of our Soules immortality resurrection gloâ—…ification whereby wee seeme to derogate from â—…hat written verity who said Verily verily I say vnâ—… you the houre shal come and how is when the dead shall â—…are the voice of the Son of God and they that heare it â—…all liue Ioh. 5. 25. But many carnall men there be â—…hose spirituall eyes dazled or rather blemished â—…ith terrestriall Obiects can extend their intelleâ—…tuall sight the eye of their Soule no further then â—…e exteriour Obiect of Sence leades them and â—…ese like Nicodemus will not let to aske How â—…n a man be borne againe which is old Can he enter to his mothers wombe againe and be borne Little â—…e these conâ—…ider how Melius est non 〈◊〉 â—…n renasci Nor know they how therâ—… be children by Procreation and children by Regeneration of which sort might Rachel seeme to be who wept for her children and would not be comforted because they were not So strangely doth the violence of Passion transport These as they become stupid and sencelesse in the depriuall of a friend pithily expressed by the Poet Leuiora spirant mala grauiora stupent Some silence grieues and griefes doe silence some For lesse griefes speake when greater griefes be dumbe This was pleasaâ—…tly shadowed in the Morall of Niobe Alcyone and sundry others with singular delight illustrated and very accommodate to ouâ—… present purpose but our intended breuity preueÌ„tâ—… vs and rather would I moue by way of Precepâ—… then Discourse for the latter tastes of Affectation where the other ministers argument of vse without Ostentation To conclude I wish euery immoderate and dispassionate Mourner to reflect to these two considerations The first is to conceiue the matter or composition where of hee was made for whom hee mourneth The second is which by a necessary consequencâ—… depends vpon the first The necessity of his dissolâ—… tion being enioyned by that vniuersall doom which cannot be protracted much lesse repealeâ—… to returne to that Moulde from whence He haâ—… his Beginning In the first to wit his Composition thou shalt finde the matter where of He was madâ—… vile sordide and contemptiâ—…le where that Beauâ—… wherein consisted the eminent part of his luster but Earth which wee make our inferiour Center yea though He were ennobled in the highest rank of Descent yet Non luti melioris the matter whereof he was composed is but equall with the obscurest vassall In the latter to wit his Dissolution as the time or instant is doubtfull and to the knowledge of man illimited so is the necessity of the Doome not to be auoided it was the Pagan Poets Maxime Earth must to Earth and it is Pittacus saying That the immortal gods themselues could not â—…truggle against Necessitie Seeing then the frailty of his Composition the necessity of his Dissolution haue recourse to him in the depth of thy Affliction who will infuse into thy teare-distilling wounds thâ—… Balme of his Consolation acknowledge thou thy infirmities with the Publican and He will play the faithfull Samaritan restraine thy too-tender affection as one that is beleeuing so shall not the death of thy happy-departed friend grieue thee but by the wings of Faith transpose thee from cogitation of Earth to Heauen tranâ—…late thee a skilfull and cheerefull Builder of Gods Temple as a faithfull Bezalie from Idolatrous Babel to saintly zealous Bethel from Edom to Eden from the Tents of Kedar and the Habitations of Moloc to those princely Cedars of Lebanon from the Son of Syrac from Marah the water of bitternesse to Bethesda the Poole of Solace finally from this exile of teares and miserie to the Syloe of ioy and eternall Glory Mallem me mori quam viuere mortuum FINIS AN EPITAPH Vpon one Iohn Combe of Stratford vpon Auen a notable Vsurer fastened vpon a Tombe that he had caused to be built in his life time TEn in the hundred must lie in his graue But a hundred to ten whether God will him haue Who then must be interr'd in this Tombe Oh quoth the Diuell my Iohn a Combe ¶ Vpon the life of Man What is our life a play of Passion Our mirth the musicke of diuision Our Mothers wombes the tyring houses be To decke vs vp for Times short Tragedie The World 's the stage Heauen the spectator is To sit and iudge who here doth act amisse The cloudes that shadow vs from the scorching Sunne Are but drawne curtaines till the Play be done ¶ On Sir W. R. The life of Man is like the moouing hand Of euery Clocke which still doth goe or stand According to the weight it has if light It makes vs thinke it long before t be night If weighty Oh how fast the wheele doth runne That we thinke mid-night ere the day be done Thy life was