LOVES MARTYR:
OR,
ROSALINS COMPLAINT.
Allegorically shadowing the truth of Loue,
in the constant Fate of the Phoenix
and Turtle.
A Poeme enterlaced with much varietie and raritie;
now first translated out of the venerable Italian Torquato Caeliano, by Robert Chester.
With the true legend of famous King Arthur the last of the nine Worthies, being the first Efsay of a new Brytish Poet: collected out of diuerse Authenticall Records.
To these are added some new compositions of seuerall moderne Writers whose names are subscribed to their seuerall workes, vpon the first subiect viz. the Phoenix and Turtle.
Mar: — Mutare dominum non potest liber notus.
LONDON
Imprinted for E. B.
1601
THE
Anuals of great
Brittaine.
A MOST EXCEL-
lent Monument, wherein may be
feene all the antiquities of this King-
dome, to the fatisfaction both of the
Vniuerfities, or any other place ftir-
red with Emulation of long
continuance.
Excellently figured out in a worthy Poem.
LONDON
Printed for Mathew Lownes.
1611
TO THE HONORA-
ble, and (of me before all other)
honored Knight, Sir John Salisburie
one of the Esquires of the bodie to the
Queenes most excellent Maiestie, Robert
Chester wisheth increase of vertue
and honour.
Pofse & nolle, nobile.
Onorable
Sir, hauing according to the directions of some of my best-minded friends,
finished my long expected labour; knowing this ripe iudging world to be full
of enuie, euery one (as sound reason requireth) thinking his owne child to be
fairest although an AEthiopian, I am emboldened to put my infant wit to the eye
of the world vnder your protectio
A3
THE EPISTLE DEDICATORIE.
knowing that if Absurditie like a theefe haue crept into any part of these Poems, your well-graced name will ouer-shadow these defaults, and the knowne Caracter of your vertues, cause the common back-biting enemies of good spirits, to be silent. To the World I put my Child to nurse, at the expence of your fauour, whose glorie will stop the mouthes of the vulgar, and I hope cause the learned to rocke it asleepe (for your sake) in the bosome of good wil. Thus wishing you all the blefsings of heauen and earth; I end.
Yours in all feruice,
Ro. Chester.
The Authors request to the Phoenix.
PHoenix of beautie, beauteous, Bird of any
To thee I do entitle all my labour,
More precious in mine eye by far then many
That feedst all earthly sences with thy savour:
Accept my home-writ praifes of thy loue,
And kind acceptance of thy Turtle-doue
Some deepe-read fcholler fam’d for Poetrie,
Whofe wit-enchanting verfe deferueth fame,
Should fing of thy perfections pafsing beautie,
And eleuate thy famous worthy name:
Yet I the leaft, and meaneft in degree,
Endeuoured haue to pleafe in praifing thee.
R. Chefter.
To the kind Reader.
Of bloudy warres, nor of the facke of Troy,
Of Pryams murdred fonncs, nor Didoes fall,
Of Hellens rape, by Paris Troian boy,
Of Caefars victories, nor Pompeys thrall,
Of Lucrece rape, being rauisht by a King,
Of none of these, of fweete Conceit I sing.
Then (gentle Reader) ouer-reade my Muse;
That armes herfelfe to flie a lowly flight,
My vntun’d stringed verfe do thou excuse,
Th'at may perhaps accepted, yeeld delight:
I cannot clime in praifes to the skie,
Least falling, I be drown’ d with infamie.
Mea mecum Porto.
R. Ch
ROSALINS COM-
PLAINT, METAPHORI-
cally applied to Dame Nature at a Parlia-
ment held (in the high Star-chamber) by the
Gods, for the preferuation and increafe of
Earths beauteous Phoenix.
A Solemne day of meeting mongft the Gods,
And royall parliament there was ordained:
The heauenly Synod was at open ods,
And many harts with earthly wrongs were pained;
Some came to craue excufe, some to complaine
Of heauie burdend griefes they did fuftaine.
Vefta she told, her Temple was defiled :
luno how that her nuptiall knot was broken;
Venus from her sonne Cupid was exiled :
And Pallas tree with ignorance was fhoken;
Bellona rau'd at Lordlike cowardice,
And Cupid that fond Ladies were to nice.
To this Affembly came Dame Nature weeping,
And with her handkercher through wet with teares,
She dried her rofie cheekes, made pale with fighing,
Hanging her wofull head, head full of feares :
And to Ioues felfe plac'd in a golden feate,
She kneeld her downe, and thus gan to intreate:
Thou mightie Imperator of the earth,
Thou euer-liuing Regent of the aire,
That to all creatures giu'ft a liuely breath,
B
2 Rofalins complaint.
And thundrest wrath downe from thy firie chaire,
Behold thy handmaid, king of earthly kings,
That to thy gracious fight fad tidings brings.
One rare rich Phoenix of exceeding beautie,
One none-like Lillie in the earth I placed ;
One faire Helena, to whom men owe dutie :
One countrey with a milke-white Doue I graced :
One and none such, since the wide world was found
Hath euer Nature placed on the ground.
Head. Her head I framed of a heauenly map,
Wherein the seuenfold vertues were enclofed,
When great Apollo flept within my lap,
And in my bofome had his reft repofed,
I cut away his locks of purest gold,
And plac'd them on her head of earthly mould.
Haire. When the leaft whistling wind begins to sing,
And gently blowes her haire about her necke,
Like to a chime of bels it soft doth ring,
And with the pretie noise the wind doth checke,
Able to lull afleepe a pensiue hart,
That of the round worlds forrowes beares a part.
Forehead. Her forehead is a place for princely Ioue
To sit, and cenfure matters of import:
Wherein men reade the fweete conceipts of Loue,
To which hart-pained Louers do retort,
And in this Tablet find to cure the wound,
For which no falue or herbe was euer found.
Rofalins complaint 3
Vnder this mirrour, are her princely eyes :
Two Carbuncles, two rich imperiall lights;
That ore the day and night do soueraignize,
And their dimme tapers to their reft fhe frights:
Her eyes excell the Moone and glorious Sonne,
And when the rifeth al their force is donne.
Her morning-coloured cheekes, in which is plac'd,
A Lillie lying in a bed of Rotes ;
This part aboue all other I haue grac'd,
For in the blew veines you may reade fweet pofies:
When fhe doth blufh, the Heauens do wax red,
When fhe lookes pale, that heauenly Front is dead,
Her chinne a litle litle pretie thing
In which the fweet carnatian Gelli-flower,
Is round encompaft in a chriftall ring,
And of that pretie Orbe doth beare a power:
No ftorme of Enuie can this glorie touch,
Though many fhould affay it ouermuch?
Her lippes two rubie Gates from whence doth fpring,
Sweet honied deaw by an intangled kiffe,
From forth thefe glories doth the Night-bird fmg,
A Nightingale that no right notes will miffe :
True learned Eloquence and Poetrie,
Do come betwene thefe dores of excellencie.
Her teeth are hewed from rich cryftal Rockes,
Or from the Indian pearle of much efteem,
Thefe in a clofet her deep counfell lockes,
B 2
4 Rofalins complaint
And are as porters to so faire a Queene,
They tafte the diet of the heau'nly traine,
Other base groffeneffe they do ftill difdaine.
Her tongue the vtterer of all glorious things,
The filuer clapper of that golden bell,
That neuer foundeth but to mightie Kings,
And when she fpeakes, her fpeeches do excell:
He in a happie chaire himfelfe doth place,
Whofe name with her fweet tongue she means to grace.
Her necke is Vestas filuer conduict pipe,
In which she powers perfect chaftitie,
And of the muskie grapes in fommer ripe,
She makes a liquor of ratietie,
That dies this fwanne-like piller to a white,
More glorious then the day with all his light.
Her breafts two cryftal orbes of whiteft white,
Two little mounts from whence lifes comfort fprings.
Between thofe hillockes Cupid doth delight
To fit and play, and in that valley sings:
Looking loue-babies in her wanton eyes,
That all groffe vapours thence doth chaftefize,
Her armes are branches of that filuer tree,
That men furname the rich Hefperides
A precious circling fhew of modeftie,
When the doth fpread thefe glories happines:
Ten times ten thoufand bleflings he doth taste,
Whofe circled armes fhall cling about her wafte.
Her
Rofalins complaint 5
Her hands are fortunes palmes, where men may reade Hands.
His first houres deftiny, or weale or woe,
When she this sky-like map abroad doth fpreade,
Like pilgrimes many to this Saint do go,
And in her hand, white hand, they there do fee
Loue lying in a bed of yuorie.
Her fingers long and fmall do grace her hand ; Fingers.
For when the toucheth the fweete founding Lute,
The wild vntamed beafts amaz'd do ftand,
And carroll-chanting birds are fudden mute :
O fingers how you grace the filuer wires,
And in humanitie burne Venus fires !
Her bellie (o grace incomprehenfible) Bellie.
Far whiter then the milke-white lillie flower.
O might Arabian Phoenix come inuifible,
And on this mountaine build a glorious bower,
Then Sunne and Moone as tapers to her bed,
Would light loues Lord to take her maidenhead.
Be still my thoughts, be filent all yee Muses, Nota.
Wit-flowing eloquence now grace my tongue:
Arife old Homer and make no excufes,
Of a rare peece of art muft be my fong,
Of more then most, and most of all beloued,
About the which Venus fweete doues haue houered.
There is a place in louely paradize,
From whence the golden Gehon ouerflowes,
A fountaine of fuch honorable prize,
B3
6 Rofalins complaint.
That none the facred, facred vertues knowes,
Walled about, betok'ning fure defence,
With trees of life, to keepe bad errors thence,
Her Thighs two pillers fairer far then faire,
Two vnderprops of that celeftiall houfe,
That Manfion that is Iunos filuer chaire,
In which Ambrosia VENUS doth caroufe,
And in her thighs the prety veines are running
Like Chriftall riuers from the maine ftreames flowing.
Her legges are made as graces to the reft,
So pretie, white, and so proportionate,
That leades her to loues royall fportiue neft,
Like to a light bright Angel in her gate:
For why no creature in the earth but she,
Is like an Angell, Angell let her be.
Her Feete (now draw I to conclufion)
Are neat and litle to delight the eye,
No tearme in all humane inuention,
Or in the veine of fweet writ Poetrie
Can ere be found, to giue her feet that grace,
That beares her corporate Soule from place to place.
And if by night she walke, the Marigold,
That doth inclofe the glorie of her eye,
At her approch her beauty doth vnfold,
And fpreads her felfe in all her royaltie,
Such vertue hath this Phoenix glassy fhield,
That Floures and Herbs at her faire fight do yeeld.
And
Rofalins complaint. 7
And if fhe grace the Walkes within the day,
Flora doth fpreade an Arras cloth of flowers,
Before her do the prety Satires play,
And make her banquets in their leauie Bowers :
Head, Haire, Brow, Eyes, Cheeks, Chin and all,
Lippes, Teeth, Tong, Neck, Brefts, Belly are maiefticall.
This Phoenix I do feare me will decay,
And from her ashes neuer will arife
An other Bird her wings for to difplay,
And her rich beauty for to equalize :
The Arabian fiers are too dull and base,
To make another fpring within her place.
Therefore dread Regent of thefe Elements,
Pitie poore Nature in her Art excelling,
Giue thou an humble eare to my laments,
That to thee haue a long true tale beene telling,
Of her, who when it pleafe thee to behold,
Her outward fight fhall bewties pride vnfold.
At thefe words Ioue ftood as a man amazed,
And Iunos loue-bred bewtie turnd to wight,
Venus fhe blusht, and on dame Nature gazed,
And Vefta she began to weepe outright:
And little Cupid poore boy ftrucke in loue,
With repetition of this earthly Doue.
But at the laft Ioue gan to rouse his fpirit,
And told dame Nature in her fweet difcourfe;
Her womans Toung did run before her Wit,
B 4
8 Rofalins complaint.
Such a faire foule her felfe could neuer nurfe,
Nor in the vaftie earth was euer liuing,
Such beauty that all beauty was excelling.
Nature was ftrucke with pale temeritie,
To fee the God of thunders lightning eyes ;
He fhooke his knotty haire to wrathfully,
As if he did the heauenly rout defpife :
Then downe vpon her knee dame Nature fals, ,
And on the great gods name aloud she cals.
Ioue thou fhalt fee my commendations,
To be vnworthie and impartiall,
To-make of her an extallation,
Whofe beauty is deuine maiefticall;
Looke on that painted picture there, behold
The rich wrought Phoenix of Arabian gold.
Ioues eyes were setled on her painted eyes,
Ioue blufhing fmiled, the picture fmiled againe:
Ioue fpoke to her, and in his heart did rife
Loues amours, but the picture did difdaine
To loue the god, Ioue would haue ftole a kiffe,
But Iuno being by, denyed him this.
When all the reft beheld this counterfeit,
They knew the fubftance was of rarer price :
Some gaz'd vpon her face, on which did waite
As meffengers, her two celeftiall eyes ;
Eyes wanting fire, did giue a lightning flame,
How much more would her eyes mans fences tame ?
Then
Rosalins complaint. 9
Then all the Gods and Goddeffes did decree,
In humble maner to intreat of Ioue
And euery power vpon his bended knee,
Shewd faithfull feruice in dame Natures loue,
Intreating him to pacifie his Ire,
And raife another Phoenix of new fire.
Her picture from Ioues eyes hath banifht Hate,
And Mildneffe plaind the furrowes of his brow,
Her painted fhape hath chaftifed debate,
And now to pleafure them he makes a vow:
Then thus Ioue fpake, tis pittie she fhould die,
And leaue no offpring of her Progenie.
Nature go hie thee, get thee Phoebus chaire,
Cut through, the skie, and leaue Arabia,
Leaue that il working peece of fruitleffe ayre,
Leaue me the plaines of white Brytania,
Thefe countries haue no fire to raife that flame,
That to this Phoenix bird can yeeld a name.
There is a country Clymat fam'd of old,
That hath to name delightfome Paphos Ile,
Ouer the mountaine tops to trudge be bold,
There let thy winged Horfes reft awhile :
Where in a vale like Cipariffus groue,
Thou fhalt behold a fecond Phoenix loue
A champion country full of fertill Plaines,
Green graffie Medowes, little prettie Hils,
Aboundant pleafure in this place remaines,
C
10 Rofalins complaint.
And plenteous fweetes this heauenly clymat filles :
Faire flowing bathes that iffue from the rockes,
Aboundant heards of beafts that come by flockes.
High ftately Caedars, sturdie bigge arm'd Okes,
Great Poplers, and long trees of Libanon,
Svveete fmelling Firre that frankenfence prouokes,
And Pine apples from whence fweet iuyce doth come :
The fommer-blooming Hauthorne ; vnder this
Faire Venus from Adonis ftole a kiffe.
Fine Thickets and rough Brakes for fport and pleafure,
Places to hunt the light-foote nimble Roe:
Thefe groues Diana did account her treafure,
And in the cold fhades, oftentimes did goe
To lie her downe, faint, weary on the ground,
Whileft that her Nimphs about her daunft a round.
A quire of heauenly Angels tune their voyces,
And counterfeit the Nightingale in singing,
At which delightsome pleafure fhe reioyces,
And Plenty from her cell her gifts is bringing:
Peares, Apples, Plums, and the red ripe Cherries,
Sweet Strawberries with other daintie berries.
Here haunt the Satyres and the Driades,
The Hamadriades and pretie Elues,
That in the groues with skipping many pleafe,
And runne along vpon the water fhelues :
Heare Mermaides sing, but with Ulyffes eares,
The country Gallants do difdaine their teares.
The
Rofalins complaint. 5
The Crocadile and hiffing Adders fling,
May not come neere this holy plot of ground,
No Nightworme in this continent may sing,
Nor poifon-fpitting Serpent may be found :
Here Milke and Hony like two riuers ran,
As fruitefull as the land of Canaan.
What fhall I fay ? their Orchards fpring with plentie,
The Gardens fmell like Floras paradice,
Bringing increafe from one to number twentie,
As Lycorice and fweet Arabian fpice :
No place is found vnder bright heauens faire bliffe,
To beare the name of Paradife but this.
Hard by a running ftreame or cryftall fountaine,
Wherein rich Orient pearle is often found,
Enuiron'd with a high and fteepie mountaine,
A fertill foile and fruitful plot of ground,
There fhalt thou find true Honors louely Squire
That for this Phoenix keepes Prometheus fire.
His bower wherein he lodgeth all the night,
Is fram'd of Caedars and high loftie Pine,
I made his houfe to chaftice thence defpight,
And fram'd it like this heauenly roofe of mine:
His name is Liberall honor, and his hart,
Aymes at true faithfull feruice and defart
Looke on his face, and in his browes doth fit,
Bloud and fweete Mercie hand in hand vnited,
Bloud to his foes, a prefident most fit
C 2
12 Rofalins complaint.
For fuch as haue his gentle humour fpited :
His Haire is curl'd by nature mild and meeke,
Hangs careleffe downe to fhrowd a blufhing cheeke
Giue him this Ointment to annoint his Head,
This precious Balme to lay vnto his feet,
Thefe fhall direct him to this Phoenix bed,
Where on a high hill he this Bird fhall meet:
And of their Afhes by my doome shal rife,
Another Phoenix her to equalize.
This faid the Gods and Goddeffes did applaud,
The Cenfure of this thundring Magiftrate,
And Nature gaue him euerlafting laud,
And quickly in the dayes bright Coach fhe gate
Downe to the earth, fhe's whirled through the ayre ;
Ioue ioyne thefe fires, thus Venus made her prayer.
An Introduction to the Prayer.
GVide thou great Guider of the Sunne and Moone,
Thou elementall fauourer of the Night,
My vndeferued wit, wit fprong too foone,
To giue thy greatneffe euerie gracious right:
Let Pen, Hand, Wit and vndeferuing tongue,
Thy praife and honor fmg in euerie fong.
In my poore prayer guide my Hand aright,
Guide my dull Wit, guide all my dulled Senfes,
Let thy bright Taper giue me faithfull light,
And
A Prayer. 13
And from thy Booke of life blot my offences :
Then arm'd with thy protection and thy loue,
Ile make my prayer for thy Turtle-doue.
A Prayer made for the profperitie of
a filuer coloured Doue, applyed to the
beauteous Phoenix.
O Thou great maker of the firmament,
That rid'ft vpon the winged Cherubins
And on the glorious fhining element,
Hear'ft the fad praters of the Seraphins
That vnto thee continually sing Hymnes:
Bow downe thy liftning eares thou God of might,
To him whofe heart will praife thee day and night.
Accept the humble Praiers of that foule,
That now lies wallowing in the myre of Sinne,
Thy mercie Lord .doth all my powers controule,
And fearcheth reines and heart that are within :
Therefore to thee Iehouah Ile begin :
Lifting my head from my imprifoned graue,
No mercie but thy mercie me can faue.
The foule vntamed Lion ftill goes roring,
Old hell-bread Sathan enemy to mankind,
To leade me to his iawes that are deuouring,
Wherein no Grace to humane flefh's afngn'd,
C3
14 A Prayer.
But thou celefliall Father canft him bind :
Tread on his head, tread Sinne and Sat/tan downe,
And on thy feruants head fet Mercies crowne.
Thus in acceptance of thy glorious fight,
I purge my deadly finne in hope of grace,
Thou art the Doore, the Lanthorne and the Light,
To guide my finfull feete from place to place,
And now O Chrift I bow before thy face:
And for the filuer coloured earthly Doue,
I make my earneft prayer for thy loue.
Shrowde her o Lord vnder thy fhadowed wings,
From the worlds enuious malice and deceit,
That like the adder-poifoned ferpent ftings,
And in her way layes a corrupted baite,
Yet raife her God vnto thy mercies height:
Guide her, o guide her from pernitious foes,
That many of thy creatures ouerthrowes.
Wafh her O Lord with Hyfope and with Thime,
And the white fnow the fhall excell in whiteneffe,
Purge her with mercie from all finfull crime,
And her foules glorie fhall exceed in brightneffe,
O let thy mercie grow vnto such ripeneffe:
Behold her, O behold her gratious King,
That vnto thee fweet fongs of praife will fmg.
And as thou leadft through the red coloured waues,
The hoaft of thy elected Ifrael,
And from the wrath of Pharoe didft them faue,
Appoin-
A Prayer. 15
Appointing them within that land to dwell,
A chofen land, a land what did excell ;
So guide thy filuer Doue vnto that place,
Where she Temptations enuie may outface.
Increafe thy gifts beftowed on thy Creature,
And multiply thy bleffings manifold,
And as thou haft adorned her with nature,
So with thy bleffed eyes her eyes behold,
That in them doth thy workmanfhip vnfold,
Let her not wither Lord without increafe,
But bleffe her with ioyes offpring of fweet peace.
Amen. Amen.
To thofe of light beleefe.
YOu gentle fauourers of excelling Muses,
And gracers of all Learning and Defart
You whofe Conceit the deepeft worke peruses,
Whofe ludgements still are gouerned by Art:
Reade gently what you reade, this next conceit,
Framed of pure loue, abandoning deceit.
And you whofe dull Imagination,
And blind conceited Error hath not knowne
Of Herbes and Trees true nomination
But thinke them fabulous that shall be showne :
Learne more, fearch much, and furely you shall find
Plaine honeft Truth and Knowledge comes behind,
Then gently (gentle Reader) do thou fauour,
C4
16 A Dialogue.
And with a gracious looke grace what is written,
With fmiling cheare perufe my homely labour,
With Enuies poifoned fpitefull looke not bitten:
So shalt thou caufe my willing thought to striue,
To adde more Honey to my new-made Hiue.
A meeting Dialogue-wife betweene Na-
ture, the Phoenix, and the Turtle Doue.
Nature
All haile faire Phoenix, whither art thou flying ?
Why in the hot Sunne doft thou fpread thy .wings ?
More pleafure fhouldft thou take in cold fhades lying,
And for to bathe thyfelfe in wholfome Springs,
Where the woods feathered quier fweetely sings :
Thy golden Wings and thy breafts beauteous Eie,
Will fall away in Phoebus royaltie.
O ftay me not, I am no Phoenix I,
And if I be that bird, I am defaced,
Vpon the Arabian mountaines I muft die,
And neuer with a poore yong Turtle graced ;
Such operation in me is not placed :
What is my Beautie but a painted wal,
My golden fpreading Feathers quickly fal.
Why doft thou fhead thy Feathers, kill thy Heart,
Weep out thine Eyes, and ftaine thy golden Face ?
Why doft thou of the worlds woe take a part,
And in relenting teares thy felfe difgrace ?
Ioyes mirthful Tower is thy dwelling place;
All
A Dialogue. 17
All Birdes for vertue and excelling beautie,
Sing at thy reuerend feet in Loue and Dutie.
Oh how thou feed'ft me with my Beauties praifing!
O how thy Praife founds from a golden Toung!
O how thy Toung my Vertues would be raising!
And raising me thou doft corrupt thy fong;
Thou feeft not Honie and Poifon mixt among;
Thou not'ft my Beautie with a iealous looke,
But doft not fee how I do bayte my hooke.
Tell me, o tell me, for I am thy friend,
I am Dame Nature that firft gaue thee breath,
That from loues glorious rich feate did defcend,
To fet my Feete vpon this lumpim earth :
What is the caufe of thy fad fullen Mirth ?
Haft thou not Beauty, Vertue, Wit and Fauour;
What other graces would'ft thou craue of Nature ?
What is my Beauty but a vading Flower ?
Wherein men reade their deep-conceiued Thrall,
Alluring twentie Gallants in an hower,
To be as feruile vaffalls at my Call ?
My Sunne-bred lookes their Senfes do exhall:
But (o my griefe) where my faire Eyes would loue,
Foule bleare-eyed Enuie doth my thoughts reprooue.
What is my Vertue but a Tablitorie :
Which if I did beftow would more increafe ?
What is my Wit but an inhumane glorie:
That to my kind deare friends would proffer peace ?
D
18
A Dialogue.
But O vaine Bird, giue ore in filence, ceafe;
Malice perchaunce doth hearken to thy words,
That cuts thy threed of Loue with twentie fwords.
Tell me (O Mirrour) of our earthly time,
Tell me fweete Phoenix glorie of mine age,
Who blots thy Beauty with foule Enuies crime,
And locks thee vp in fond Suspitions cage ?
Can any humane heart beare thee fuch rage ?
Daunt their proud ftomacks with thy piercing Eye,
Vnchaine Loues fweetneffe at thy libertie.
What is't to bath me in a wholefome Spring,
Or wash me in a cleere, deepe, running Well,
When I no vertue from the fame do bring,
Nor of the balmie water beare a fmell ?
It better were for me mongft Crowes to dwell,
Then flocke with Doues, whe Doues fit alwayes billing,
And wafte my wings of gold, my Beautie killing.
Ile chaine foule Enuy to a brazen Gate,
And place deepe Malice in a hollow Rocke,
To some blacke defert Wood Ile banifh Hate,
And fond Sufpition from thy fight Ile locke:
Thefe fhall not ftirre, let anie Porter knocke.
Thou art but yong, frefh, greene, and muft not pass,
But catch the hot Sunne with thy fteeled glass.
That Sunne fhines not within this Continent,
That with his warme rayes can my dead Bloud chearifh,
Groffe cloudie Vapours from this Aire is sent,
Not
A Dialogue. 19
Not hot reflecting Beames my heart to nourifh.
O Beautie, I do feare me thou wilt perifh ;
Then gentle Nature let me take my flight,
But ere I paffe, fet Enuie out of fight.
Ile coniure him, and raife him from his graue,
And put vpon his head a punifhment:
Nature thy fportiue Pleafure meanes to faue;
Ile fend him to perpetuall banifhment,
Like to a totterd Furie ragd and rent:
Ile baffle him, and blind his Zealous eye,
That in thy actions Secrecie would prye.
Ile coniure him, Ile raife him from his Cell,
Ile pull his Eyes from his confpiring head,
Ile locke him in the place where he doth dwell;
Ile starue him there, till the poore flaue be dead,
That on the poifonous Adder oft hath fed :
Thefe threatnings on the Helhound I will lay,
But the performance beares the'greater fway.
Stand by faire Phoenix, fpread thy Wings of gold,
And daunt the face of Heauen with thine Eye,
Like Iunos bird thy Beautie do vnfold,
And thou fhalt triumph ore thine enemie:
Then thou and I in Phoebus coach will flie,
Where thou fhalt fee and taft a fecret Fire,
That will adde fpreading life to thy Defire.
Arife thou bleare-ey'd Enuie from thy bed,
Thy bed of Snakie poifon and corruption,
D 2
20 A Dialogue.
Vnmaske thy big-fwolne Cheekes with poyfon red,
For with thee I muft trie Conclufion,
And plague thee with the Worlds confufion.
I charge thee by my Power to appeare,
And by Celestiall warrant to draw neare.
Phoenix.
O what a miftie Dampe breakes from the ground,
Able it felfe to infect this noyfome Aire:
As if a caue of Toades themfelues did wound,
Or poyfoned Dragons fell into difpaire,
Hels damned sent with this may not compare,
And in this toggle cloud there doth arife
A damned Feend ore me to tyrannize.
Nature.
He shall not touch a Feather of thy wing,
Or euer haue Authoritie and power,
As he hath had in his dayes fecret prying,
Ouer thy calmie Lookes to fend a fhower:
Ile place thee now in fecrecies fweet Bower,
Where at thy will in sport and dallying,
Spend out thy time in Amarous difcourfing.
Phoenix.
Looke Nurce, looke Nature how the Villaine fweates,
His big-fwolne Eyes will fall vnto the ground,
With fretting anguifh he his blacke breaft beates,
As if he would true harted minds confound :
O keepe him backe, his fight my heart doth wound :
O Enuie it is thou that mad'ft me perifh,
For want of that true Fire my heart fhould nourifh.
Nature
But I will plague him for his wickedneffe,
A Dialogue. 21
Enuie go packe thee to fome fbrreine foyle,
To fome defertfull plaine or Wilderneffe,
Where fauage Monfters and wild beafts do toyle,
And with inhumane Creatures keep a coyle.
Be gone I fay, and neuer do returne,
Till this round compafl world with fire do burne.
What is he gone ? is Enuie packt away ?
Then one fowle blot is mooued from his Throne,
That my poore honeft Thoughts did feeke to slay:
Away fowle griefe, and ouer-heauie Mone,
That do ore charge me with continuall grones.
Will you not hence ? then with downe-falling teares,
Ile drowne my feife in ripeneffe of my Yeares.
Fie peeuifh Bird, what art thou franticke mad ?
Wilt thou confound thy feife with foolifh Griefe ?
If there be caufe or meanes for to be had,
Thy Nurfe and nourifher will find reliefe:
Then tell me all thy Accidents in briefe;
Haue I not banifht Enuy for thy fake ?
I greater things for thee ile vndertake.
Enuie is gone and banifht from my fight,
Banifht for euer comming any more :
But in Arabia burnes another Light,
A dark dimme Taper that I muft adore,
This barren Countrey makes me to deplore:
It is to fapleffe that the very Spring,
Makes tender new-growne Plants be withering.
D3
22 A Dialogue.
The noifome Aire is growne infectious,
The very Springs for want of Moifture die,
The glorious Sunne is here peftiferous,
No hearbes for Phificke or fweet Surgerie,
No balme to cure hearts inward maladie:
No gift of Nature, fhe is here defaced,
Heart-curing Balfamum here is not placed.
Is this the fumme and fubftance of thy woe?
Is this the Anker-hold vnto thy bote ?
Is this thy Sea of Griefe doth ouerflow ?
Is this the Riuer fets thy fhip aflote ?
Is this the Leffon thou haft learn'd by rote ?
And is this all ? and is this plot of Ground
The fubftance of the Theame doth thee confound ?
This is the Anker-hold, the Sea, tlie Riuer,
The Leffon and the fubftance of my Song,
This is the Rocke my Ship did feeke to fhiuer,
And in this ground with Adders was I ftung,
And in a lothfome pit was often flung :
My Beautie and my Vertues captiuate,
To Loue, diffembling Loue that I did hate.
Cheare vp thy fpirit Phoenix, prune thy wings,
And double-gild thy Fethers for my newes;
A Nightingale and not a Rauen sings,
That from all blacke contention will excufe
Thy heauy thoughts, and fet them to perufe
Another Clymat, where thou maift expreffe,
A plot of Paradice for worthineffe.
A Dialogue.
Ioue in diuine diuineffe of his Soule,
That rides vpon his fine axaltree,
That with his Mace doth humane flefh controule,
When of mans deedes he makes a Regiftrie,
Louing the good for fingularitie:
With a vail’d Countenance and a gracious Smile,
Did bid me plant my Bird in Paphos Ile.
What ill diuining Planet did prefage,
My timeleffe birth to timely brought to light ?
What fatal Comet did his wrath engage,
To worke a harmleffe Bird fuch worlds defpight,
Wrapping my dayes bliffe in blacke fables night?
No Planet nor no Comet did confpire
My downefall, but foule Fortunes wrathful ire.
What did my Beautie moue her to Difdaine ?
Or did my Vertues fhadow all her Bliffe ?
That she should place me in a desart Plaine,
And fend forth Enuie with a Iudas kiffe,
To fling me with a Scorpions poifoned hiffe ?
From my firft birth-right for to plant me heare,
Where I haue alwaies fed on Griefe and Feare.
Raile not gainst Fortunes facred Deitie,
In youth thy vertuous patience the hath tyred,
From this base earth fhee'le lift thee vp on hie,
Where in Contents rich Chariot thou fhalt ride,
And neuer with Impatience to abide :
Fortune will glorie in thy great renowne,
And on thy feathered head will fet a crowne.
24 A Dialogue.
T'was time to come, for I was comfortleffe,
And in my Youth haue bene Infortunate:
This Ile of Paphos I do hope will bleffe,
And alter my halfe-rotten tottering ftate;
My hearts Delight was almoft ruinate.
In this rich Ile a Turtle had his neft,
And in a Wood of gold tooke vp his rest
Fly in this Chariot, and come fit by me,
And we will leave this ill corrupted Land,
We'le take our courfe through the blew Azure skie,
And fet our feete on Paphos golden fand.
There of that Turtle Doue we'le vnderftand :
And vifit him in thofe delightfull plaines,
Where Peace conioyn'd with Plenty ftill remaines.
I come, I come, and now farewell that ftrond,
Vpon whofe craggie rockes my Ship was rent;
Your ill befeeming follies made me fond,
And in a vaftie Cell I vp was pent,
Where my frefh blooming Beauty I haue fpent
O blame your felues ill nurtred cruell Swaines,
That fild my fcarlet Glorie full of Staines.
Welcome immortal Bewtie, we will ride
Ouer the Semi-circle of Europa,
And bend our courfe where we will fee the Tide,
That partes the Continent of Affrica,
Where the great Cham gouernes Tartaria
And when the ftarrie Curtaine vales the night,
In Paphos facred He we meane to light.
A Dialgoue. 25
How glorious is this Chariot of the day,
Where Phoebus in his cryftall robes is fet,
And to poore paffengers directs a way:
O happie time fince I with Nature met,
My immelodious Difcord I vnfret:
And sing fweet Hymnes, burn Myrrhe & Frankenfence,
Honor that Isle that is my fure defence.
Looke Phoenix ore the world as thou doft ride,
And thou fhalt fee the pallaces of Kings,
Great huge-built Cities where high States abide,
Temples of Gods, and Altars with rich off'rings,
To which the Priefts their facrifices brings :
Wonders paft wonder, ftrange Pyramides,
And the gold-gathering Strond of Euphrates.
O what rich pleasure dwelleth in this Land!
Greene fpringing Medowes, high vpreared
Hits, The white-fleeft Ewe brought tame vnto the hand,
Faire running Riuers that the Countrie fils,
Sweet flowers that faire balmy Deaw diftils,
Great peopled Cities, whofe earth-gracing fhow,
Time is afham'd to touch or ouerthrow.
Be filent gentle Phoenix, Ile repeate,
Some of thefe Cities names that we defcrie,
And of their large foundation Ile intreate,
Their Founder that firft rear'd them vp on hie,
Making a glorious Speftacle to each eie :
Warres wald Defender and the Countries grace,
Not battred yet with Times controlling Mace.
E
26 A Dialogue.
This Alfred
firft deuided
England into
Shires, being
King of Nor-
thumbers.
Alfred the father of faire Elfleda
Founded three goodly famous Monafleries,
In this large Ile of fweete Britania,
For to refrefh the poore foules miferies,
That were afflicted with calamities :
One in the Towne furnamed Edlingsey,
Which after ages called Athelney.
Alfred buried
in the Cafhe-
drall Church of
VVinchester.
The fecond Houfe of that Deuotion,
He did ered at worthy Winchefter,
A place well planted with Religion,
Called in this age the newly-builded Minfter,
Still kept in notable reparation :
And in this famous builded Monument,
His bodie was interd when life was fpent
The Vniuerfity
Of Oxforde built
by Alfred
The laft not leaft furpaffing all the reft,
Was Oxfords honorable foundation,
Since when with Learnings glorie it is bleft,
Begun bv the godly exhortation
Of the Abbot Neotus direftion :
From whofe rich womb pure Angell-like Diuinitie,
Hath fprong to faue vs from Calamitie.
This Sore is a
Riuer that run-
neth by Leice-
ster called of
some Brenber
vvater
Leyre the sonne of Baldud being admitted,
To beare the burden of the British fway,
A Prince with Natures glorie being fitted,
At what time Ioas raigned King of Iuda,
To make his new got Fame to laft for aye,
By Sore he built the Towne of Caerleir,
That to this day is called Leycefter.
In this Citie
vvere three fa-
mous Churches
one of S. Julius
the Martyr, the
fecond of S. A-
ron : and the o-
ther the mother
Church of all
Demetia.
This Belin alfo
builded a nota-
ble Gate in Lo-
don now called
Billingsgate
Belins Castle.
Lud, father to
Baldud, a man
vvellfeen in the
Sciences of A-
stronomie and
Necromancie.
This Baldud
sonne of Lud-
Hurdibras,
made firft the
hot Baths at
Caerbran, now
called Bathe,
A Dialogue. 27
Belin that famous worthy Brytaine King,
That made the Townes of Fraunce to feare his frowne,
And the whole Romish Legion to fing.
And to record his gracious great renowne,
Whofe hoft of men their Townes were firing:
Builded in Southwals height Caerlion,
Or termed Arwiske Caerlegion.
This glorious Citie was the onely Pride,
In eldeft age of all Demetia:
Where many notable Monuments abide,
To grace the Countrey of Britania,
That from Times memorie can neuer flide:
Amphibulus was borne in this fweete place,
Who taught S. Albon, Albon full of grace.
King Lud furnam’d the great Lud-hurdibras,
The sonne of Leil, builded the famous Towne
Of Kaerkin, with a huge Tower of braffe,
Now called Canterburie of great renowne,
Able to bide the raging Foes ftout frowne:
The Metropolitans feate where Learning fits,
And chiefe of all our English Bifhoprickes.
This noble King builded faire Caerguent,
Now cleped Winchester of worthie fame,
And at Mount Paladour he built his Tent,
That after ages Shaftfburie hath to name,
His firft foundation from King Leyls fonne came:
About which building Prophet Aquila,
Did prophefie in large Brytania.
E 2
28 A Dialogue.
He alfo repai-
red the Citie of
Caer Leon, now
called Chester
King Leill a man of great religion,
That made his bordring neighbours for to yeeld,
And on their knees to pleade Submifsion,
Being eldest: sonne to Brute furnamed GreeneshieId,
The Citie of Caerleits he did build,
Now called Carleyle by corruption,
And Time that leades things to confufion.
The Cittie of
Cambridge
built in the
dayes of Gur-
guntius the son
of Beline, by
one Cantaber a
Spaniard, bro
ther to Partho-
lony, or as fome
write by Gor-
bonian.
* Rithmi gra-
tia.
Cambridge a famous Vniuerfitie,
The Nurfe of Learning and Experience,
The Chearifher of true Diuinitie,
That for the Soules good wifedome doth commence,
Confuting Vice, and driuing Error thence :
Was built by Sigisbert: but wrought effeflually
By Kings and Lords of famous memorie.
Ebranke the sonne of flout Mernpritius,
Hauing in matrimoniall copulation,
Twentie one wiues in large *Britanicus,
And thirtie daugliters by iuft computation,
And twentie sonnes of eflimation,
Builded Caerbranke famous for the name,
Now called Englands Yorke a place of Fame.
He in Albania large and populous,
Now termed Scotland of the Scottish Sect,
Because his deedes should still be counted famous,
The Castle of Maidens there he did erect,
And to good purpose did this worke effect :
But iron-eating Time the Truth doth staine,
For Edingburgh the Citie doth remaine.
A Dialogue. 29
And in that Maiden Caftle he did frame.
To grace the building to the outward eie,
Nine Images of ftone plac'd in the fame,
Which fince haue ftay'd times perpetuitie,
In the true forme of worke-mans excellencie :
Not any whit diminifht, but as perfect
As in the firfl-dayes minute they were fet.
Nature I muse at your defcription,
To fee how Time that old ruft-cankard wretch,
Honors forgetfull Friend, Cities confufion,
That in all Monuments hath made a Breach,
To auncient names brought alteration :
And yet at this day fuch a place remaines,
That all Times honor paft with honor ftaines.
Thofe carued old-cut ftonie Images,
That beautifie the Princes ftately Towers,
That graces with their grace the Pallaces,
And high imperiall Emperizing bowers,
Were neuer raz'd by Times controlling houre
Nine worthie women almoffc equiualent,
With thole nine worthie men to valient.
Three of the nine were Iewes, and three were Gentile,
Three Christians, Honors honorable Sexe,
That from their foes did often beare the fpoiles,
And did their proud controlling neighbours vexe,
Which to their name did Nobleneffe annexe,
An Embleame for true borne Gentilitie,
To imitate their deeds in chiualrie.
E3
30 A Dialogue.
The firft Minerua a right worthie Pagon,
That many manlike battailes manly fought,
She firft deuiz'd Artillerie of yron,
And Armour for our backes the firft found out,
Putting our liues deare hazard from tome doubt:
She gouerned the Libians, and got Victories,
With Honor by the lake *Tritonides.
*Lacus Mi-
nerua,
Our maine pitcht Battels the firft ordered,
Setting a Forme downe to this following Age,
The orders of Incamping she firft regiftred,
And taught the lavves of Armes in equipage,
To after time her skill she did engage:
Apollo was her deare begotten sonne,
In Abrahams time she liu'd till life was donne.
Semiramis Queene of Assiria,
Was fecond worthie of this worlds great wonder,
She conquered large Aethiopia,
And brought the Necke of that ftout Nation vnder,
Wafting the Countries of rich India:
Her dayes of Honor and of Regiment,
Was in the time of Ifaacks gouernment.
The third and chiefeft for Audacioufnesse,
And Enterpriles that she took in hand,
Was Tomyris full of true Nobleneffe,
Queene of the North (as I do vnderftand,)
From forth her eyes she lightned Honors Brand,
And brandifhed a Sword, a fword of Fame,
That to her weake Sexe yeelded Hectors name.
When
A Dialogue. 31
When fhe receiued newes her tonne was dead,
The Hope and Vnderprop of Scithia,
She put on Armour, and encountered
The Monarch Cyrus King of Perfia,
And Gouernor of rich Getulia :
Slue him in fight her Fame for to renew,
Two hundred thoufand Souldiers ouerthrew.
Amongft the Hebrew women we commend,
Iahel the Kenite for the firft in bountie,
Whofe vncomprehenfible valour in the end,
Did free and fet at large her captiu'd Countrie,
Oppreffed with tyrannicall Miferie :
From dangers imminent of firie Warre,
By killing hand to hand her foe great Sifar.
Debora an Hebrew worthie the fecond place,
She fortie yeares did gouerne Ifrael,
In peace preferu'd her Land, her land of Grace,
Where honeft fportiue Mirth did alwaies dwell:
Her holy holineffe no tongue can tell,
Nations aftonied at her happineffe,
Did grieue to loofe her Wifedomes worthineffe.
Iudith the third that redeliuered,
The ftrong befieged Citie of Bethulia,
And when the prowd Foe fhe had vanquifhed,
And ouercame hot-fpur'd Assiria,
Bringing in triumph Holofernes head,
She got a great and greater Viflorie,
Then thoufand Souldiers in their maieftie.
39
32 A Dialogue.
Tlie firft of Chiriftians was faire Maud the Counteffe,
Countefse of Aniow, daughter to a King,
Englands firft Henry. Almaines Empreffe,
Heire indubitate, and her Fathers offpring,
She titles to the English Crowne did bring:
She ne're defiffced from the warlike field,
Till that vfurped Stephen of Blois did yeeld,
And condifcended to her sonnes dear right,
That war-like Maude had reobtain'd by might.
The fecond was Elizabeth of Aragon,
Queene and wife to honorable Ferdinando:
She ftoutly fought for propagation
Of Chriftian Faith ; brought to fubuerfion,
The forfaken infidels of Granado,
Reducing that proud prouince all in one,
To follow Christs vnfpotted true Religion.
The laft was Iohane of Naples true borne Queene,
Sifter to Ladislaus King of Hungarie,
A woman that defended (as twas feene,)
Her countries great and gracious libertie,
By force of laudable Armes and Chiualrie,
Againft: the Sarafins inuafion,
And proud hot warres of princely Aragon.
Thus haue I in the honor of their worth,
Laid ope their Progenie, their Deedes, their Armes,
Their offpring, and their honorable Birth,
That is a Lanthorne lightning their true Fames,
Which Truth can neuer burne in Enuies flames:
Worthy
King Arthur. 33
Worthie of wonder are thefe three times three,
Folded in brazen Leaues of memorie.
Windfor a Caftle of exceeding ftrength,
Firft built by Aruiragus Brytaines King,
But finifhed by Arthur at the length,
Of whofe rare deedes our Chronicles do ring,
And poets in their verfe his praife do sing:
For his Round-table and his war-like Fights,
Whofe valiantneffe the coward Mind affrights.
This Brytish King in warres a Conquerer,
And wondrous happie in his Victories,
Was a companion of this noble Order,
And with his perfon graced thefe Dignities,
Great dignities of high exceeding Valour:
For he himfeife the felfe-fame Honor tooke,
That all his following States did euer brooke.
This Paragon whofe name our time affrights,
At Windsor Caftle dubbed in one day,
One hundred and iuft fortie valiant Knights,
With his keene truftie Sword, and onely ftay,
(Cald Dridwin) that his Loue did ouerfway :
And with that Sword the very day before,
He flue as many Saxon foes or more.
But English Edward third of Memorie,
In bleffed and religious zeale of.Loue,
Built vp a Colledge of exceeding glory,
That his kind care to England did approue.
F
34 A Dialogue.
This Colledge doth this Caftle beautifie :
The Honor of the place is held so deare,
That many famous Kings are buried there.
But one rare thing exceeding admirable
That to this day is held in great renowne,
And to all Forreiners is memorable,
The name of which makes Englands foes to frowne,
And puts the pride of forreine Nations downe,
Knights of the Garter and Saint Georges Croffe,
Betokening to the Foe a bloudie loffe.
Here followeth the Birth, Life
and Death of honourable Arthur
King of Brittaine.
To the courteous Reader.
COurteous Reader, hauing fpoken of the first foundation of that yet renowned castle of Windfor by Aruiragus king of Britain, & finishied by that fucceeding prince of worthy memory famous king Arthur; I thought good (being intrea-ted by fome of my honourable-minded Friends not to let fo good and fit an occafion, by reafon that there yet remaines in this doubtfull age of opinions a controuerfie of that esteemed Prince of Brittaine) to write not according to ages obliuio, but directed onely by our late Hiftoriographers of England who no doubt haue taken great paines in the fearching foorth of the truth of that fist Chriftian worthie : and wheras (I know not
directed
35
directed by what blindnes) there haue bene fome Writers (as I thinke enemies to truth) that in their erronious cenfures haue thought no fuch ma euer to be lining ; How fabulous that should feeme to be, I leaue to the iudgement of the best readers, who know for certaine, that that neuer dead Prince of memory, is more beholding to the French, the Romane, the Scot, the Italian, yea to the Greekes themfelues, then to his own Countrymen, who haue fully and wholly fet foorth his fame and liuely-hood: t/ien how sliamelesse is it for fome of vs to let flip the truth of this Monarch ? And for more confirmatio of the truth, looke but in the Abbey of Weftminfter at Saint Edwards shrine, there shalt thou fee the print of his royal Scale in red wax clo-fed in Berrill, with this infcription, Patricius Arthurus Gallie, Germanise, Daciae Imperator. At Douer likewife you may fee Sir Gawins skull and Cradocks mantle: At Winchefter, a Citie well knowne in England, his famous round Table, with many other notable monuments too long to rehearfe: Befides I my felfe haue feen imprinted, a french Pamphlet of the armes of king Arthur, and his renowned valiant Knights, fet in colours by the Heraulds of France: which charge of impression would haue been too great, otherwife I had inferted them orderly in his Life and Actions: but (gentle Reader) take this my paines gratefully, and I shal hereafter more willingly striue to employ my fimple wit to thy better gratulation ; I haue here fet downe (turned from French profe into Englifh meeter) the words of the Herald vnder the arms of that worthy Brittaine.
King Arthur in his warlike Shield did beare
Thirteene rich Crownes of purified gold :
He was a valiant noble Conqueror,
As ancient Memorie hath truly told :
His great Round-table was in Britanie,
Where chofen Knights did do their homage yearely.
F 2
36 King Arthur.
The ftrange Birth, honorable Coro-
nation and moft vnhappie Death of
famous Arthur King of Bry-
taine,
OF noble Arthurs birth, Arthurs fall,
Of Arthurs folemne Coronation,
Of Arthurs famous deedes Heroyicall,
Of Arthurs battels and inuafion,
And that high minded worthie Brytish King,
Shall my wits memorie be deifying.
In the laft time of Vter furnam'd Pendragon
So called for his wittie pollicies,
Being a King of eftimation,
In famous Brytaine mongst: his owne allies,
There was a mightie Duke that gouern'd Cornwaile,
That held long warre, and did this King affaile.
This Duke was nam'd the Duke of Tintagil
After thefe hot bred warres were come to end,
He foiourn'd at a place cald Terrabil,
From whence Pendragon for this Duke did fend,
And being wounded fore with Cupids fting,
Charged him his Wife vnto the Court to bring,
His Wife a paflmg Ladie, louely, wife,
Chafte to her husbands cleare vnfpotted bed,
Whofe honor-bearing Fame none could fupprize,
King Arthur. 37
But Vesta-like her little time the led :
Igrene her name on whofe vnequall beautie
Pendragon doted, led by humane folly.
At length he broke his mind vnto a Lord,
A truftie Councellour and noble Friend,
That foone vnto his minds griefe did accord,
And his Kings louing loue-thoughts did commend,
Telling Pendragon this fhould be his beft,
To tell the Dutcheffe of his fweete requeft.
But the a Woman, fterne, inexorable,
Willing fond Lufts inchauntments to refift,
All his tongues fmoothing words not penetrable,
In her chafte bofomes Gate could not infift,
But ftraight fhe told her Husband how she fped,