MOYSES IN A MAP OF his Miracles.

¶ By Michael Drayton ESQVIRE.

AT LONDON Printed by Humfrey Lownes, and are to be sold by Thomas Man the Younger. 1604.

TO MY ESTEEMED PATRON SIR Walter Aston, Knight of the Honourable Order of the Bathe.

ALthough our sundry (yet our sacred) flames,
Worke diuers and as contrarie effects:
Yet then your owne, we seeke not other names,
Nor stranger arches our free Muse erects.
Though limmitlesse be (naturally) our loue,
We can her powers officiouslie confine:
Who can instruct her orderly to moue,
And keepe the compasse wisely we assigne.
To take our faire leaue (till that ampler times
Some glorious obiect strongly may beget)
We make you tender of these hallowed rimes
The vertuous payment of a worthier debt.
Till to our names that monument we reare,
That steele and marble vnto dust shall weare.
MICHAEL DRAYTON.

To him that will read this Booke.

REader, to thee that wilt not seeme too wise, nor art too singular, I thinke it not amisse in the behalfe of my Poem (to humble my selfe thus farre) the better to prepare thy opinion in the same: and to tell thee briefely, that whatsoeuer we haue from Historie, as from Iosephus, Lyra, or others of lesse authoritie: we vse rather as Iems and exteriour ornaments to beautifie our Subiect, than any way to mixe the same, with the solide bodie of that which is Canonicall and sacred. Though chusing rather to suite and pollish it with the colours and rarities of those ancient Writers that haue attended so long the worthines and anti­quitie thereof, than with any other habiliments of inuenti­on or Poesie, should they seeme neuer so delightfull, & not disagreeing from the state & dignitie of so sacred a Subiect as this is of ours. Those that haue accompanied vs in this kinde, is that Reuerende Hierony: Vida his Christeis, conteyning the life and miracles of Christ, that hath beene, and is, generally receiued through Christendome (and verie worthily.) Buchanan his Tragedie of Iephtha in ano­ther kinde, and Bartas his Iudeth. I could deriue thee a Ca­talogue of their like, though I cite these onely for the va­rieties. Thus requesting thee in reading to correct some fewe faultes that haue chanced to escape in the Presse, I bid thee farewell.

To this Poem.

SEe how ingrate forgetfulnesse
Cireles vs round with dangers,
That all the Saints whom God doth highly blesse,
To vs are strangers.
Now Heau'n into our soules inspires
No true caelestiall motions:
Lusts ardent flame hath dimm'd the holy fires
Of our deuotions.
While gainst blasphemers gen'rall spight
Our painfull Author striueth,
And happy Spirits which liue in heauenly light
On Earth reuiueth.
Thou Patriark great, who with milde lookes
His lab'ring Muse beholdest:
Reach him those leaues where thou in sacred bookes
All truth vnfoldest:
And guide (like Israel) Poets hands
From Aegypt, from vaine Stories,
Onely to sing of the faire promis'd lands,
And all the glories.
IOHN BEAVMONT.

Ad Michaelem Draytonem.

DVm reluctantem Pharium IEHOVAE
Drayton, et fractum canis, et rubentes
Diuidis fluctus, equites reducta et
obruis vnda:
Instruis quanto monumenta nisu?
Quam sacra nomen tibi crescit aede?
Pyramis cedit peritura: cedit
tota (que) Memphis,
Cedit, et quicquid posuere reges
Molibus fisi nimium superbis.
O sacer vatis labor: a rapaci
tempore tutus.
BEALE SAPPERTON.

To the Honourable Knight Sir Walter Aston.

FRom humble Sheepcoates, to Loues bow and fires:
Thence to the armes of Kings, and grieued Peeres:
Now to the great Iehouahs acts aspires
(Faire Sir) your Poets pen: your noblesse cheeres
His mounting Muse: and with so worthy hand
Applaudes her flight, as nothing she will leaue
Aboue the top, whereon she makes her stand,
So high bright Honour learned Spirits can heaue.
Such lustre lends the Poets pollisht verse
Vnto Nobility, as after-times
Shall thinke, there Patrons vertues they rehearse,
When vertuous men they Caracter in rimes.
You raise his thoughts, with full desire of fame:
Amongst Heroes he enroles your name.
Yours BEALE SAPPERTON.

To M. Michael Drayton.

THy noble Muse already hath beene spred
Through Europe and the Sunne-scorch'd Southerne climes,
That Ile where Saturnes royall Sonne was bred,
Hath beene enricht with thy immortall rimes:
Euen to the burnt line haue thy poems slowne,
And gain'd high same in the declining West,
And or'e that colde Sea shall thy name be blowne,
That Icie mountaines rowleth on her brest:
Her soaring hence so farre made me admire,
Whither at length thy worthy Muse would flie,
Borne through the tender ayre with wings of fire,
Able to lift her to the starrie skie:
This worke resolu'd my doubts, when th'earths repleate.
With her faire fruite, in Heau'n shee'le take her seate.
THOMAS ANDREWE. Ex arduis eternitas.

The Map of Miracle. THE FIRST BOOKE.

¶ THE ARGVMENT.
This Canto our attracted Muse
The Prophets glorious birth pursues,
The various changes of his fate,
From humblenes to high estate,
His beautie, more than mortall shape,
From Egypt how he doth escape,
By his faire bearing in his flight,
Obtaines the louely Midianite,
Where God vnto the Hebrew spake,
Appearing from the burning brake,
And backe doth him to Egypt send,
That mighty things doth there intend.
GIrt in bright flames, rapt frō celestiall fire,
That our vnwearied faculties refine,
By zeale transported boldly we aspire
To sing a subiect gloriouslie diuine:
Him that of mortalls only had the grace,
(On whō the Spirit did in such power descend)
To talke with God face opposite to face,
Euen as a man with his familiar frend.
Muse I inuoke the vtmost of thy might,
That with an armed and auspitious wing,
Thou be obsequious in his doubtlesse right
Gainst the vile Athiests vituperious sting:
Where thou that gate industriously mai'st flie,
Which Nature striues but fainedlie to goe,
Borne by a power so eminent and hie,
As in his course leaues reason farre belowe,
To shew how Poesie (simplie hath her praise)
That from full Joue takes her celestiall birth,
And quicke as fire, her glorious selfe can raise
Aboue this base and euitable earth.
O if that Time haue happily reseru'd,
(Besides that sacred and canonicke writ,
What once in slates & barks of trees was keru'd)
Thing that our Muses grauitie may sit,
Vnclasp the worlds great Register to mee,
That smokie rust hath verie neere defac'd,
That I in those dim Characters may see,
From common eyes that hath aside beene cast.
And thou Translator of that faithfull Muse
This ALLS creation that diuinely song,
Bartas.
From Courtly French (no trauaile do'st refuse)
To make him Maister of thy Genuin tong,
Salust to thee and Siluester thy frend,
Comes my high Poem peaceable and chaste,
Your hallow'd labours humblie to attend
That wrackfull Time shall not haue power to waste.
A gallant Hebrew (in the height of life)
Amram a Leuite honourablie bred,
Of the same offspring wan a beautious wife,
And no lesse vertuous, goodly Jacobed:
So fitlie pair'd that (without all ostent)
Euen of the wise it hardly could be said
Which of the two was most preheminent,
Or he more honour'd, or she more obayd,
In both was found that liuelihood and meetnes,
By which affection any way was mou'd:
In him that shape, in her there was that sweetnes,
Might make him lik'd or her to be belou'd:
As this commixtion, so their maried mind
Their good corrected, or their ill releeu'd,
As trulie louing as discreetlie kinde,
Mutuallie ioy'd, as mutuallie greeu'd:
Their nuptiall bed by abstinence maintain'd,
Yet still gaue fewell to Loues sacred fire,
And when fruition plentifulli'st gain'd,
Yet were they chaste in fulnes of desire.
Now grieued Jsrael manie a wofull day,
That at their vile seruilitie repin'd,
Press'd with the burdens of rude boist'rous clay,
By sterne Egyptian tyrannie assign'd:
Yet still the more the Hebrewes are opprest
Like the Frim seede they fructifie the more
That by th'eternall prouidence fore-blest,
Goshen giues roomth but scantly to their store.
And the wise Midwiues in their naturall neede,
That the faire males immediatly should kill,
Hating s'abhord, and Heathenish a deede,
Check his harsh brutenes and rebellious will
That small effect perceauing by the same,
Bids the men-children (greatly that abound)
After that day into the world that came,
Vpon their birth should instantly be drownd.
And now the time come had bin long foretold,
He should be borne vnto the Hebrewes ioy,
Iosephus de. Ant. Iud.
VVhose puissant hand such fatall power should hold,
As in short time all Egipt should destroy.
The execution which more strongly forc'd,
And euery where so generally done,
As in small time vnnaturally diuorc'd,
Many a deare Mother and as deare a sonne.
Though her chast bosom that faire Altar weare,
Where Loues pure vowes he dutifully pay'd,
His Armes to her a Sanctuarie deare,
Yet they so much his tyrannie obay'd,
By free consent to separate their bed,
Better at all no Children yet to haue,
Thā their deare loue should procreate the dead,
Vntimely issue for a timelesse graue.
When in a vision whil'st he slept by night,
God bids him so not Jacobed to leaue,
The man that Egipt did so much affright,
Her pregnant womb should happily conceaue.
Soone after finding that she was with child,
The same conceales by all the meanes she can,
Lest by th'apparance she might be beguild,
If in the birth it prou'd to be a man.
The time she goes till her accompt was nie,
Her swelling bellie no conception showes,
Nor at the time of her deliuerie,
Ioseph.
As other women panged in her throwes.
Whē lo the faire fruit of that prospering wombe
Wounds the kinde parents in their prime of ioy,
VVhose birth pronounceth his too timelesse doombe
Accus'd by Nature, forming it a boy:
Yet tis so sweet, so amiably faire,
That their pleas'd eies with rapture it behold,
The glad-sad parents full of ioy and care
Faine would reserue their Infant if they could,
And still they tempt the sundrie varying howers,
Hopes and despaires together strangely mixt,
Distasting sweets with many cordiall sowers,
Opposed interchangeably betwixt.
If ought it ayl'd or hapleslie it cride,
Vnheard of any that she might it keepe,
With one short breath she did intreate & chide,
And in a moment she did sing and weepe.
Three lab'ring monthes them flatterer-like be­guild,
And danger still redoubling as it lasts,
Suspecting most the safety of the Child,
Thus the kinde Mother carefully forecasts:
(For at three monthes a scrutinie was held,
And serchers then sent euery where about,
That in that time if any were conceal'd,
They should make proofe & straitly bring them out.
To Pharoes will she awfullie must bowe,
And therefore hastens to abridge these feares,
And to the flood determines it shall goe,
Yet e're it went shee'll drowne it with her teares.
This afternoone Loue bids a little stay,
And yet these pauses doe but lengthen sorrowe,
But for one night although she make delay,
She vowes to goe vnto his death to morrowe.
The morning come, it is too early yet,
The day so fast not hast'ning on his date,
The gloomie Euening murther best doth fit,
The Euening come and then it is too late.
Her prettie Infant lying on her lap
With his sweet eies her thretning rage beguiles,
For yet he playes, and dallies with his pap,
To mocke her sorrowes with his am'rous smiles,
And laugh'd, & chuck'd, & spred the prety hands
When her full hart was at the point to breake,
(This little Creature yet not vnderstands
The woful language mothers teares did speake.)
Wherewith surpriz'd and with a parents loue,
From his faire eies she doth fresh courage take,
And Natures lawes alowing doth reproue,
The fraile Edicts that mortall Princes make.
It shal not die, she'll keepe her Child vnknowne
And come the worst in spight of Pharoes rage,
As it is hers, she will dispose her owne,
And if't must, it'st die at riper age.
And thus reuoluing of her frailties care,
A thousand strāge thoughts throug her troubled minde,
Sounding the dangers deeply what they are,
Betwixt the lawes of crueltie and kinde.
But it must die, and better yet to part,
Since preordain'd to this disast'rous fate,
His want will sit the neerer to the hart
In riper and more flourishing estate.
The perfect husband whose impressiue soule,
Tooke true proportion of each pensiue throw,
Yet had such power his passion to controule,
As not the same immediatly to show.
With carriage full of comlines and grace,
As griefe not felt nor sorrowe seem'd to lacke,
Courage and feare so temp'red in his face,
Thus his beloued Jacobed bespake.
Dere hart be patient, stay these timelesse teares,
Death of thy Son shal neuer quite bereaue thee,
My soule with thine, that equall burthen beares,
As what he takes, my Loue again shal giue thee:
For Jsraels sinne if Jsraels seed must suffer,
And we of meere necessitie must leaue him,
Please yet to grace me with this gentle offer,
Giue him to me by whō thou didst cōceaue him.
So though thou with so deare a iewell part,
This yet remaineth lastly to relieue thee,
Thou hast impos'd this hind'rance on my hart,
Anothers losse shal need the lesse to grieue thee,
Nor are we Hebrewes abiect by our name,
Though thus in Egipt hatefully despised,
That we that blessing fruitleslie should claime
Once in that holy Couenant comprised,
It is not fit Mortalitie should knowe
What his eternall prouidence decreed,
That vnto Abraham ratifi'd the vowe
In happie Sara and her hallowed seed,
Nor shall the wrong to godly Joseph done
In his remembrance euer be enrould,
By Iacobs sighes for his lost little sonne
A Captiu'd slaue to the Egiptians soul'd:
Reason sets limmets to the longest griefe,
Sorrowe scarse past when comfort is returning,
He sends affliction that can lend reliefe,
Best that is pleas'd with measure in our mourning.
Lost in her selfe, her spirits are so distracted,
All hopes dissolu'd might fortifie her further,
Her minde seemes now of miserie compacted,
That must consent vnto so deere a murther.
Of slime and twigs she makes a simple shread
(The poore last dutie to her Childe she owes
This prettie martyr, this yet liuing dead)
Wherein shee doth his little corps enclose:
And meanes to beare it presently away,
And in some water secretly bestowe it,
But yet a while bethinks her selfe to stay,
Some little kindnes she doth further owe it:
Nor will she in this crueltie perseuer,
That by her meanes his timelesse blood be spilt,
If of her owne she doth her selfe deliuer,
Let others hands be nocent of the guilt:
Yet if she keepe it from the ruthlesse flood
That is by Pharo's tyrannie assign'd it,
What bootes that wretched miserable good,
If so dispos'd where none do come to finde it,
For better yet the Homicyde should kill it,
Or by some beast in peeces to be rent,
Than lingering famine cruellie should spill it
That it endure a double languishment:
And neighbouring neere to the Egiptian Court,
She knowes a place that neere the riuer side
Was oft frequented by the worthier sort,
For now the spring was newly in her pride.
Thither she hasts but with a painfull speede
The nearest way she possibly could get,
And by the cleare brim mongst the flags & reede,
Her little Coffin carefully she set:
Her little Girle (the Mother following neere)
As of her Brother that her leaue would take,
Which the sad woman vnexpecting there,
Yet it to helpe her kindly thus bespake:
(Quoth she) sweet Miriam secretly attend,
And for his death see who approcheth hether,
That once for all assured of his end,
His dayes and mine be consummate together,
It is some comfort to a wretch to die
(If there be comfort in the way of death)
To haue some friend or kinde Alliance by,
To be officious at the parting breath:
Thus she departs, oft stayes, oft turneth back,
Looking about lest any one espi'd her,
Faine would she leaue, that leauing she doth lack,
That in this sort so strangely doth diuide her.
Vnto what Dame (participating kinde)
My verse her sad perplexitie shall showe,
That in a softned and relenting minde
Findes not a true tuch of that Mothers woe.
Yet all this while full quietly it slept,
(Poore little Brat incapable of care)
Which by that powerfull prouidence is kept,
Who doth this childe for better daies prepare.
See here an abiect vtterly forlorne,
Left to destruction as a violent pray,
Whom man might iudge accursed to be borne,
To darke obliuion moulded vp in clay,
That man of might in after times should bee
(The bounds of fraile mortality that brake)
Which that Almighty gloriously should see,
When he in thunder on mount Sina spake.
Now Pharo's Daughter Termuth young and faire,
With such choyce Maydens as she fauour'd most,
Needes would abroade to take the gentle ayre,
Whilst the rich yeere his braueries seem'd to boast:
Softly she walkes downe to the secret flood,
Through the calme shades most peaceable & quiet,
In the coole streames to check the pampred blood,
Stir'd with strong youth and their delicious diet;
Such as the Princesse, such the day addressed,
As though prouided equally to paire her,
Either in other fortunatly blessed
Shee by the day, the day by her made fairer,
Both in the height and fulnes of their pleasure,
As to them both some future good diuining,
Holding a steadie an accomplish'd measure,
This in her perfect clearenes, that in shining.
The very aire to emulate her meekenes,
Stroue to be bright and peaceable as she,
That it grewe iealous of that sodaine sleekenes,
Fearing it after otherwise might be:
And if the fleet winde by some rigorous gale
Seem'd to be mou'd, and patiently to chide her,
It was as angrie with her lawnie vaile,
That from his sight it enuiouslie should hide her:
And now approching to the flow'rie meade
Where the rich Sommer curiouslie had dight her,
Which seem'd in all her iollitie arayde,
With Natures cost and pleasures to delight her:
See this most blessed, this vnusuall hap,
Shee the small basket sooner should espie,
That the Childe wak'd, and missing of his pap,
As for her succour instantly did crie;
Forth of the flagges she caus'd it to be taken,
Calling her Maids this Orphanet to see,
Much did shee ioy an Innocent forsaken
By her from perill priuiledg'd might bee:
This most sweete Princesse pittifull and milde,
Soone on her knee vnswathes it as her owne,
Found for a man, so beautifull a Childe,
Might for an Hebrew easily be knowne:
Noting the care in dressing it bestow'd,
Each thing that fitted gentlenes to weare,
Iudg'd the sad parents this lost Infant ow'd,
Were as invulgar as their fruit was faire,
(Saith shee) my minde not any way suggests
An vnchaste wombe these lineaments that bred,
For thy faire browe apparently contests
The currant stampe of a cleane nuptiall bed:
She nam'd it Moyses which in time might tell
(For names doe many mysteries expound)
When it was young the chaunce that it befell,
How by the water strangely it was found,
Calling Melch-women that Egyptians were,
Once to the teat his lips he would not lay,
As though offended with their sullied leare,
Seeming as still to turne his head away:
The little Girle that neere at hand did lurke
(Thinking this while she taried but too long)
Finding these things so happily to worke,
Kindly being crafty, wise as she was yong,
Madame (saith she) wilt please you I prouide
A Nurse to breed the Infant you did finde,
There is an Hebrew dwelling here beside,
I know can doe it fitly to your minde:
For a right Hebrew if the Infant bee,
(As well produce you instances I can,
And by this Childe as partly you may see,)
It will not suck of an Egiptian,
The curteous Princesse offered now so faire,
That which before she earnestly desir'd
That of her foundling had a speciall care,
The Girle to fetch her instantly requir'd.
Away the Girle goes, doth her Mother tell
What fauor God had to her brother showne,
And what else in this accident befell,
That she might now be Nurse vnto her owne.
Little it bootes to bid the wench to ply her,
Nor the kinde Mother hearken to her sonne,
Nor to prouoke her to the place to hie her,
Which seem'd not now on earthly feete to runne:
Slowe to her selfe yet hasting as she flewe,
(So fast affection forward did her beare)
As though forewafted with the breath she drewe,
Borne by the force of nature and of feare,
Little the time, and little is the way,
And for her busines eithers speede doth craue,
Yet in her hast bethinkes her what to say,
And how her selfe in presence to behaue,
Slack shee'll not seeme lest to anothers trust
Her hopefull charge were happily directed,
Nor yet too forward shew her selfe she must,
Lest her sweet fraud thereby might be suspected;
Com'n she doth bowe her humbly to the ground,
And euery ioynt incessantly doth tremble,
Gladnes and feare each other so confound,
So hard a thing for Mothers to dissemble.
Saith this sweet Termuth well I like thy beautie,
Nurse me this Childe (if it thy state behooue)
Although a Prince ile not enforce thy dutie,
But pay thy labour, and reward thy loue:
Though euen as Gods is Pharo's high command,
And as strong Nature so precise and strict,
There rests that power yet in a Princesse hand,
Too free on Hebrew from this strong edict:
That shall in rich abilliments bedight,
Deck'd in the Iems that admirabl'st shine,
Wearing our owne roabe gracious in our sight,
Free in our Court, and nourished for mine:
Loue him deare Hebrew as he were thine owne,
Good Nurse be carefull of my little Boy,
In this to vs thy kindnes may be showne,
Some Mothers griefe, is now a Maydens ioy.
This while all mute the poore astonish'd Mother,
With admiration as transpearced stood,
One bursting ioy doth so confound another,
Passion so powerfull in her rauish'd blood.
Whisp'ring some soft words which deliuered were,
As rather seem'd her silence to impart,
And being inforc'd from bashfulnes and feare,
Came as true tokens of a gracefull hart.
Thus she departs her husband to content,
With this deare present back to him she brought,
Making the time short, telling each euent,
In all shapes ioy presented to her thought.
Yet still his manly modestie was such
(That his affections strongly so controlde,)
As if ioy seem'd his manly hart to touch,
It was her ioy and gladnes to beholde:
When all reioyc'd vnmou'd thereat the whiles,
In his graue face such constancie appeares,
As now scarse shewing comfort in his smiles,
Nor then reuealing sorrowe in his teares:
Yet oft beheld it with that stedfast eye,
Which though it sdain'd the pleasdnes to confesse,
More in his lookes in fulnes there did lie,
Than all their words could any way expresse.
In time the Princesse playing with the Child,
Iosephus Pet. Co­mestor.
In whom she seem'd her chiefe delight to take,
With whom she oft the wearie time beguild,
That as her ownë did of this Hebrew make:
It so fell out as Pharo was in place,
Seeing his daughter in the Childe to ioy,
To please the Princesse, and to doe it grace,
Himselfe vouchsafes to entertaine the Boy:
Whose shape and beautie when he did behould
With much content his Princely eye that fed,
Giuing to please it, any thing it would,
Set his rich Crowne vpon the Infants head,
With this weake Childe regarding not at all
(As such a Babie careleslie is meete)
Vnto the ground the Diadem let fall
Spurning it from him with neglectfull feete.
Which as the Priests beheld this omenous thing
(That else had past vnnoted as a toy.)
As from their skill report vnto the King,
This was the man that Egipt should destroy.
Tolde by the magi that were learn'd and wise,
Which might full well the iealous King enflame,
Said by th' Egiptian auncient prophecies
That might giue credite easlier to the same.
She as discreete as she was chaste and faire,
With Princely gesture and with count'nance milde
By things that hurtfull and most dangerous were
Showes to the King the weakenes of the Childe:
Hot burning coales doth to his mouth present,
Which he to handle simply doth not sticke,
This little foole, this retchlesse Innocent
The burning gleed with his soft tongue doth licke:
Which though in Pharo her desire it wrought,
His babish imbecilitie to see,
To the Childes speach impediment it brought,
From which he after neuer could be free.
The Childe grew vp, when in his manly face
Beautie was seene in an vnusuall cheere,
Such mixtures sweet of comlines and grace
Likely apparell'd in complexion cleere.
The part of earth contends with that of Heauen,
Both in their proper puritie excelling,
To whether more preheminence was giuen,
Which should excell the dweller or the dwelling.
Mens vsuall stature he did farre exceede,
And euery part proportioned so well,
The more the eye vpon his shape did feede
The more it long'd vpon the same to dwell:
Each ioynt such perfect Harmonie did beare,
That eurious iudgement taking any lim
Searching might misse to match it any where,
Nature so fail'd in paralelling him:
His haire bright yellowe, on an arched browe
Sate all the beauties kinde could euer frame,
And did them there so orderly bestowe,
As such a seate of maiestie became.
As time made perfect each exteriour part,
So still his honour with his yeeres encreas'd,
That he sate Lord in many a tender hart,
With such high fauours his faire youth was bless'd.
So fell it out that Aethiop warre began,
Inuading Egipt with their Armed powers,
And taking spoiles, the Country ouer-ran
To where as Memphis vaunts her climing Towers.
Wherefore they with their Oracles conferre
About th'euent, which doo this answere make,
That if they would transport this ciuill warre,
They to their Captaine must an Hebrew take.
And for faire Moyses happily was growne
Of so great towardnes and especiall hope,
Him they doe choose as absolutest knowne
To leade their power against the Aethiope.
Which they of Termuth hardly can obtaine,
Though on their Altars by their Gods they vowe
Him to deliuer safe to her againe,
(Once the warre ended) safe as he was now.
Who for the way the Armie was to passe,
That by th' Egiptians onely was intended,
Most part by water, more prolixious was
Than present perill any whit commended:
To intercept the Aethtopians wrought
A way farre nearer who their Legions led,
Which till that time impassible was thought,
Such store of serpents in that place was bred:
Deuis'd by birds this danger to eschewe,
Whereof in Egipt be exceeding store,
The Storke, and Ibis, which he wisely knewe,
All kinds of Serpents naturally abhore.
Which he in Baskets of Egiptian reede,
Borne with his caridge easely doth conuay,
And where incampeth sets them forth to feede,
Which driue the Serpents presently away.
Thus them preuenting by this subtill course,
That all their succour sodainly bereft,
When Aethiop flies before th' Egiptian force,
Shut vp in Saba their last refuge left.
Which whilst with strait siedge they beleagred long,
The Kings faire Daughter haps him to beholde,
And became fettered with affection strong,
Which in short time could hardly be controlde.
Tarbis that kindled this rebellious rage,
[...]omestor
That they to Egipt tributorie were,
When the olde King decrepit now with age,
Shee in his stead the souereigntie did beare.
Vp to his Tower where she the Camp might see,
To looke her new Loue euery day she went,
And when he hap'ned from the field to bee,
Shee thought her blest beholding but his Tent,
And oftentimes doth modestly inuay
Gainst him the Citie walled first about,
That the strong site should churlishly denay
Him to come in, or her for passing out,
Had the gates beene but softned as her breast
(That to behold her loued enemie stands)
He had ere this of Saba beene possest,
And therein planted the Egiptian bands:
Oft from a place as secretly she might
(That from her Pallace look'd vnto his Tent)
When he came forth appearing in his sight,
Shewing by signes the loue to him she ment.
For in what armes it pleas'd him to be dight,
After the Hebrew or th' Egiptian guise:
He was the brauest, the most goodly wight
That euer graced Aethiop with his eies.
And finding meanes to parley from a place,
By night, her passion doth to him discouer,
To yeeld the Citie if he would embrace
Her a true Princesse, as a faithfull Louer.
The feature of so delicate a Dame
Motiues sufficient to his youth had beene,
But to be Lord of Kingdomes by the same,
And of so great and absolute a Queene,
Soone gently stole him from himselfe away.
That doth to him such rarities partake,
Off'ring so rich, so excellent a pray,
Louing the treason for the Traytors sake:
But whilst he liued in this glorious vaine,
Jsrael his conscience oftentimes doth moue,
That all this while in Egipt did remaine
Vertue and grace o'recomming youth and loue.
And though God knowes vnwilling to depart,
From so high Empire wherein now he stood,
And her that sate so neere vnto his hart,
Such power hath Jsrael in his happie blood,
By skill to quit him forcibly he wrought,
As he was learn'd and traded in the starres,
Both by the Hebrewes, and th' Egiptians taught,
That were the first the best Astronomers,
Two sundrie figures makes,
Come [...]tor ex Vet. Script.
whereof the one
Cause them that weare it all things past forget.
As th'other of all accidents foregone
The memorie as eagerly doth whet.
Which he insculped in two likely stones,
For rarenes of inualuable price,
And cunningly contriu'd them for the nones
In likely rings of excellent deuise:
That of obliuion giuing to his Queene,
Which soone made showe the violent effect
Forgot him straight as he had neuer beene,
And all her former kindnesses neglect.
The other (that doth memorie assist)
Him with the loue of Jsrael doth enflame,
Departing thence not how the Princesse wist,
In peace he leaues her as in warre he came.
But all the pleasures of th' Egiptian Court,
Had not such power vpon his springing yeares,
As had the sad and tragicall report
Of the rude burdens captiu'd Israel beares,
Nor what regards he to be grac'd of Kings?
Or flattered greatnes idely to awaite?
Or what respects he the negotiating
Matters comporting Emperie and state?
The bondage and seruilitie that lay
On buried Jsrael (sunke in ordurous slime)
His greeued spirit downe heauily did way,
That to leane care oft lent the prosperous time.
A wretched Hebrew hap'ned to beholde
Brus'd with sad burdens without all remorse
By an Egiptian barb'rously controlde,
Spurning his pin'd and miserable corse
Which he beholding vexed as he stood,
His faire veines swelling with impatient fire,
Pittie and rage so wrestled in his blood
To get free passage to conceaued ire,
Rescuing the man th' Egiptian doth resist:
(Which frō his vile hands forcibly he tooke)
And by a strong blowe with his valiant fist.
His hatefull breath out of his nostrils strooke.
Which though his courage boldly dare auerre,
In the proud power of his Emperious hand,
Yet from high honour deigneth to interre,
The wretched carkasse in the smouldring sand.
Which then suppos'd in secret to be wrought,
Yet still hath Enuie such a iealous eie,
As forth the same incontinent it sought,
And to the King deliuered by and by,
Which soone gaue vent to Pharoes couered wrath,
Which till this instant reason did confine,
Opening a straite way, an apparant path
Vnto that great and terrible designe:
Most for his safety forcing his retreate
When now affliction euery day did breed,
And when reuengefull tyrannie did threate
The greatest horrour to the Hebrew seed.
To Midian now his Pilgrimage he tooke,
Midian earthes onely Paradice for pleasures,
Where many a soft Rill, many a sliding Brooke,
Through the sweet vallies trip in wanton measures,
Whereas the curl'd Groues and the flowrie fields,
To his free soule so peaceable and quiet
More true delight and choise contentment yields,
Than Egipts braueries and luxurious diet:
And wand'ring long he hap'ned on a Well,
Which he by pathes frequented might espie,
Bordred with trees where pleasure seem'd to dwell,
Where to repose him, eas'ly downe doth lie:
Where the soft windes did mutually embrace,
In the coole Arbours Nature there had made,
Fanning their sweet breath gently in his face,
Through the calme cincture of the am'rous shade.
Till now it nigh'd the noon-stead of the day,
Whē scorching heat the gadding Heards do grieue.
When Shepheards now & Heardsmen euery way,
Their thirsting Cattell to the Fountaine driue:
Amongst the rest seuen Shepheardesses went
Along the way for watring of their Sheepe,
Whose eyes him seemed such reflection sent,
As made the Flocks euen white that they did keepe:
Girles that so goodly and delightfull were,
The fields were fresh and fragrant in their viewe,
Winter was as the Spring time of the yeare,
The grasse so proud that in their footsteps grewe:
Daughters they were vnto a holy man,
(And worthy too of such a Sire to be)
Jethro the Priest of fertile Midian,
Fewe found so iust, so righteous men as he.
But see the rude Swaine, the vntutour'd slaue,
Without respect or reu'rence to their kinde,
Away their faire flocks from the water draue,
Such is the nature of the barb'rous Hinde:
The Maides (perceauing where a stranger sat)
Of whom those Clownes so basely did esteeme,
Were in his presence discontent thereat,
Whom he perhaps improuident might deeme.
Which he perceauing kindly doth entreate,
Reproues the Rustickes for that off'red wrong,
Auerring it an iniurie too great,
To such (of right) all kindnes did belong.
But finding well his Oratorie faile,
His fists about him frankly he bestowes,
That where perswasion could not late preuaile,
He yet compelleth quickly by his blowes.
Entreates the Dam'sels their aboade to make,
(With Courtly semblance and a manly grace,)
At their faire pleasures quietly to take,
What might be had by freedome of the place.
Whose beautie, shape, and courage they admire,
Exceeding these, the honour of his minde,
For what in mortall could their harts desire,
That in this man they did not richly finde?
Returning sooner than their vsuall hower,
All that had hapned to their Father tould,
That such a man relieu'd them by his power,
As one all ciuill curtesie that could:
VVho full of bountie hospitably meeke
Of his behauiour greatly pleas'd to heare,
Forthwith commaunds his seruants him to seeke,
To honour him by whom his honour'd were:
Gently receaues him to his goodly seate,
Feasts him his friends and families among,
And him with all those offices entreate,
That to his place and vertues might belong.
VVhilst in the beautie of those goodly Dames,
vvherein wise Nature her owne skill admires,
He feeds those secret and impiercing flames,
Nurs'd in fresh youth, and gotten in desires:
VVonne with this man this Princely Priest to dwell,
For greater hire than bountie could deuise,
For her whose praise makes praise it selfe excell,
Fairer than fairenes, and as wisedome wise.
In her, her Sisters seuerally were seene,
Of euery one she was the rarest part,
vvho in her presence any time had beene,
Her Angell eye transpierced not his hart.
For Zipora a Shepheards life he leades,
And in her sight deceaues the subtill howres,
And for her sake oft robes the flowrie meades.
With those sweet spoiles t'enrich her rurall bowres,
Vp to mount Horeb with his flocke he tooke,
The flocke wise Jethro willed him to keepe,
Which well he garded with his Shepheards crooke,
Goodly the Sheepheard, goodly were the Sheepe;
To feede and folde full warily he knewe,
From Foxe and Wolfe his wandring flocks to free,
The goodli'st flower that in the meadowes grewe
Were not more fresh and beautifull than hee.
Gently his faire flocks lessow'd he along,
Through the Frim pastures freely at his leasure,
Now on the hills, the vallies then among,
Which seeme themselues to offer to his pleasure.
Whilst feathered Siluans from each blooming spray,
With murm'ring waters wistly as they creepe,
Make him such musicke (to abridge the way,)
As fits a Shepheard companie to keepe.
When loe that great and fearefull God of might
To that faire Hebrew strangely doth appeare,
In a bush burning visible and bright
Yet vnconsuming as no fire there were:
With haire erected and vpturned eies,
Whilst he with great astonishment admires,
Loe that eternall Rector of the skies,
Thus breathes to Moyses from those quickning fires,
Shake off thy sandals (saith the thund'ring God,
With humbled feete my wondrous power to see.
For that the soile where thou hast boldly troad,
Is most select and hallow'd vnto mee:
The righteous Abraham for his God we knewe,
Jsack and Jacob trusted in mine Name,
And did beleeue my Couenant was true,
Which to their seed shall propogate the same:
My folke that long in Egipt had beene bard,
Whose cries haue entred Heauens eternall gate
Our zealous mercie openly hath heard,
Kneeling in teares at our eternall state.
And am come downe, them in the Land to see,
where streames of milk through batfull vallies flow,
And lushious hony dropping from the tree,
Loade the full flow'rs that in the shadowes grow:
By thee my power am purposed to trie,
That frō rough bondage shalt the Hebrewes bring,
Bearing that great and fearefull Embassie,
To that Monarchall and Emperious King.
And on this mountaine (standing in thy sight,)
vvhen thou returnest from that conquered Land,
Thou hallow'd Altars vnto me shalt light,
This for a token certainly shall stand.
O who am I? this wondring man replies,
A wretched mortall that I should be sent,
And stand so cleere in thine eternall eies,
To doe a worke of such astonishment:
And trembling now with a transfixed hart,
Humbling himselfe before the Lord (quoth hee)
vvho shall I tell the Hebrewes that thou art,
That giu'st this large commission vnto mee?
Say (quoth the Spirit from that impetuous flame)
Vnto the Hebrewes asking thee of this,
That t'was: I AM: which onely is my Name,
God of their Fathers, so my Title is:
Diuert thy course to Goshen then againe,
And to divulge it constantly be bolde,
And their glad eares attractiuely retaine,
vvith what at Sina Abrahams God hath tolde:
And tell great Pharo that the Hebrewes God,
Commaunds from Egipt that he set you free,
Three iournies thence in Desarts farre abroad,
To offer hallow'd sacrifice to mee.
But he refusing to dismisse you so
On that proud King i'le execute such force,
As neuer yet came from the sling, the bowe,
The keen-edg'd Curt'lax, or the puisant horse,
But if th'afflicted miserable sort
To idle incredulitie enclin'd,
Shall not (quoth Moyses) credit my report,
That thou to me hast so great power assign'd.
Cast downe (saith God) thy wand vnto the ground,
Which he obaying fearefully, beholde
The same a Serpent so dainly was found,
It selfe contorting into many a folde.
With such amazement Moyses doth surprise
With colde convulsions shrinking euery vaine,
That his affrighted and vplifted eyes
Euen shot with horrour, sinke into his braine.
But being encourag'd by the Lord to take,
The vgly taile into his trembling hand,
As from a dreame he sodainly doth wake,
When at the instant it became a wand.
By the same hand into his bosome shut,
Whose eyes his withered leprosie abhor'd,
When forth he drewe it secondly be'ng put,
Vnto the former puritie restor'd.
These signes he giues this sad admiring man,
Which he the weake incredulous should showe,
When this fraile mortall freshly now began
To forge new causes, why vnfit to goe?
Egipt accusing to haue done him wrong,
Scantling that bountie Nature had bestow'd,
Which had welnere depriu'd him of his tong,
Which to this office chiefly had beene ow'd.
When he whose wisedome Nature must obay,
In whose resistance reason weakely failes,
To whom all humane instances giue way,
Gainst whom not subtill Argument preuailes
Thus doth reproue this idle vaine excuse,
Who made the mouth? who th'eie? or who the eare?
Or who depriues those organs of their vse?
That thou thy imbecilitie should'st feare?
Thy Brother Aaron commeth vnto thee,
Which as thy Speaker purposely I bring,
To whom thy selfe euen as a God shalt bee,
And he interpret to th' Egiptian King.
That when he at thy myracles shall wonder,
And wan with feare shall tremble at thy rod,
To feele his power that swayes the dreadfull thunder,
That is a iealous and a fearefull God.
Then shall mine owne selfe purchase me renowne,
And win me honour by my glorious deede
On all the Pharo's on th' Egiptian throne,
That this proud mortall euer shall succeede.

The second Booke.

¶ THE ARGVMENT.
Moyses doth his message bring,
Acts myracles before the King,
With him the Magi doe contend,
Which he doth conquer in the end,
When by th'extensure of the wand
He brings ten plagues vpon the Land,
And in despight of Pharo's pride
From Goshen doth the Hebrewes guide.
WHen now frō Midian Moyses forward set
With whō his wife & faire retine we went,
Where on his way him happily hath met
His brother Aron to the Lords intent,
And to the Hebrewes in th'impatient hand
Of mightie Egipt all his power implies,
And as the Lord expresly did command,
Acteth his wonders in their pleased eies.
Those myracles mortalitie beholdes
With an astonish'd and distracted looke,
The minde that so amazedly enfoldes,
That euery sence the facultie forsooke.
The little Infant with abundant ioy
To mans estate immediatly is sprung,
And though the old man could not back turne boy,
Casts halfe his yeeres so much becomming young.
Whilst mirth in fulnes measureth euery eye,
Each breast is heap'd vp with excesse of pleasure,
Rearing their spread hands to the glorious skie,
Gladly embracing the Almighties leasure.
These Hebrewes entring th' Egiptian Court,
Their great Commission publiquely proclaime,
Which there repulsed as a slight report,
Doth soone denounce defiance to the same.
Where now these men their myracles commend,
By which their power precisely might be tride,
And Pharo for his Sorcerers doth send,
By them the Hebrewes onely to deride.
Where Heauen must now apparently transcend
Th'infernall powers Emperiously to thwart,
And the bright perfect Deitie contend
With abstruse Magicke and fallacious Art.
Neuer was so myraculous a strife
Where admiration euer so abounded;
Where wonders were so prodigally rife,
That to beholde it Nature stood confounded.
Casting his rod a Serpent that became,
Which he suppos'd with maruaile thē might strike,
When euery Priest essaying in the same,
By his blacke skill did instantly the like:
Which Pharos breast with arrogance doth fill,
Aboue the high Gods to exalt his powre,
When by his might (t'amate their weaker skill)
The Hebrewes Rod doth all their rods deuoure:
Which deede of wonder sleightly he reiects
His froward Spirit insatiatly elate,
Which after caus'd those violent effects
That sate on Egipt with the power of Fate.
When he whose wisedome ere the world did fare,
From whom not counsaile can her secrets hide,
Forewarneth Moyses early to prepare
T'accost the proud King by the riuers side.
What heauenly rapture doth enrich my braine,
And through my blood extrauagantly flowes,
That doth transport me to that endlesse maine,
vvhereas th'Almightie his high glories showes?
That holy heat into my Spirit infuse,
vvherewith thou wont'st thy Prophets to inspire
And lend that power to our delightfull Muse,
As dwelt in sounds of that sweet Hebruack lyre.
A taske vnusuall I must now assay
Striuing through perill to support this masse,
No former foote did euer tract a way,
Where I propose vnto my selfe to passe.
When Moyses meeting the Egiptian King
Vrgeth a fresh the Israelites depart,
And him by Aron stoutly menacing
To trie the temper of his stubborne hart.
VVhen loe the torrent the fleet hurrying flood
The x. Plague.
So cleare and perfect Christaline at hand,
As a black lake or setled marish stood
At th'extensure of the Hebrewes wand,
Where segs, ranke Bulrush, and the sharpned Reed
That with the fluxure of the waue is fed,
Might be discern'd vnnaturally to bleed,
Dying their fresh greene a deepe sullied red:
Like issuing vlcers euery little Spring,
That being full ripened voyd the filthie core
Their lothsome slime and matter vomiting
Into the Riuers they enrich'd before:
VVhat in her banks hath batning Nilus bred,
Serpent, or Fish, or strange deformed thing
That on her bosome she not beareth dead,
VVhere they were borne them lastly burying?
That Bird and Beast incontinently flie
From the detested and contagious stinke,
And rather choose by cruell thirst to die,
Than once to taste of this contaminate drinke,
And vsefull Cesternes delicatly fild,
VVith which rich Egipt wondrously abounds,
Looking as Bowles receauing what was spild
From mortall and immedicable wounds.
That the faint Earth euen poys'ned now remaines
In her owne selfe so grieuously deiected,
Horrid pollution trauailing her vaines
Desp'rate of cure so dangerously infected
The spungie soile, that digging deepe and long
To soke cleare liquor from her plenteous pores,
This bloody issue breaketh out among
As sickly menstrues or inueterate sores:
Seuen dayes continuing in this flux of blood,
Sadly sits Egipt a full weeke of woe,
Shame taints the browe of euery stewe and flood,
Blushing the world her filthines to showe.
Yet sdaines proud Pharo Jsrael thus to free,
Nor this dire plague his hardned hart can tame,
VVhich he suppos'd but Fallaces to bee,
VVhen his Magitians likewise did the same.
VVhen he againe that glorious rod extends
Gainst him that Heauen denies that thus to dare.
On Egipt soone a second plague that sends,
VVhich he till now seem'd partially to spare
The soile, that late the owner did enrich
Him his faire Heards and goodly flocks to feed,
Lies now a leystall as a common ditch,
The 2. Plague.
vvhere in their Todder loathly Paddocks breed.
Where as the vp-land mountanous and hie
To them that sadly doe beholde it showes
As though in labour with this filthie frie
Stirring with paine in the parturious throwes:
People from windowes looking to the ground,
At this stupendious spectacle amazed,
See but their sorrowe euery where abound,
That most abhorring whereon most they gazed.
Their Troughes and Ouens Toadstooles now become,
That Huswifes wont so carefully to keepe,
These loathsome Creatures taking vp the roome,
A croking there continually doe keepe.
And as great Pharo on his Throne is set,
From thence affrighted with this odious thing,
vvhich crawling vp into the same doth get,
And him deposing sitteth as a King.
The wearied man his spirits that to refresh,
Gets to his bed to free him from this feare,
Scarse lai'd but feeles them at his naked flesh,
So small the succour that remaineth there.
No Court so close to which the speckled Toad
By some small crannie creepes not by and by,
No Tower so strong nor naturall aboad,
To which for safetie any one might flie:
Egipt now hates the world her so should call,
Of her owne selfe so grieuously asham'd,
And so contemned in the eies of all,
As but in scorne she scarslie once is nam'd.
VVhen this prophane King with a wounded hart
(His Magi though these myracles could doe)
Sees in his soule one greater than their Art,
Aboue all power, that put a hand thereto:
But as these plagues and sad afflictions ceas'd,
At the iust prayer of this milde godlike man,
So Pharoes pride and stubbornnes encreas'd,
And his lewd course this headstrong Mortall ran.
VVhich might haue surelier setled in his minde
(At his request which Moyses quickly slewe,
Leauing a stench so pestilent behinde)
As might preserue olde sorrowes freshly newe.
But stay my Muse in height of all this speed,
Somewhat plucks back to quench this sacred heate,
And many perils doth to vs areed
In that whereof we seriously entreate.
Lest too concise iniuriously we wrong
Thigns that such state and fearefulnes impart,
Or led by zeale irregularly long,
Infringe the curious liberties of Art.
We that calumnious Critick may eschewe
That blasteth all things with his poys'ned breath,
Detracting what laboriously we doe,
Onely with that which he but idely saith.
O be our guide whose glories now we preach
That aboue Bookes must steere vs in our Fate,
For neuer Ethnick to this day did teach
(In this) whose method we might imitate.
VVhen now these men of myracle proceed,
And by extending of that wondrous wand
As that resistlesse prouidence decreed,
Thereby brings Lyce on the distemp'red Land:
The 3. Plague.
All strooke with Lyce so numberlesse they lie,
The dust growne quick in euery place doth creepe,
The sands their want doe secondly supplie,
As they at length would suffocate the deepe:
That th' atomi that in the beames appeare,
As they the Sunne through cranies shining see,
The forme of those detested things doe beare,
So miserable the Egiptians bee:
Who rak'd the brands the passed Euening burn'd
(As is the vse the Mornings fire to keepe)
To these foule vermine findes the ashes turn'd,
Couering the harth, so thick thereon they creepe:
Now Prince and pesant equally are drest,
The costliest silkes and coursest rags alike,
The worst goes now companion with the best,
The hand of God so generally doth strike.
The Kings Pauillion and the Captiues pad
Are now in choise indifferent vnto either,
Great, small, faire, foule, rich, poore, the good & bad
Doe suffer in this pestilence together,
In vaine to cleanse, in vaine to purge, and picke,
vvhen euery Moath that with the breath doth rise
Forthwith appeareth venemously quicke,
Although so small scarse taken by the eies.
By which his wisedome strongly doth preuaile,
When this selfe-wise, this ouerweening man,
Euen in the least the slightest thing doth faile,
The very beggar absolutly can,
When now these Wizards with transfixed harts
To make his glory by the same the more,
Confesse a Godhead shining through their Arts,
vvhich by their Magicks they deni'd before.
Yet this proud Pharo as oppugning fate
Still doth resist that Maiestie so hie,
And to himselfe doth yet appropriate
A supreame power his Godhead to denie.
When from his wilfull stubbornnes doth growe
That great amazement to all eares and eies,
When now the Lord by Arons Rod will showe
His mightie power euen in the wretched'st flies,
The 4. plague.
Varying his vengeance in as many kindes,
As Pharo doth his obstinacies varie,
Suting his plagues so fitly with their mindes,
As though their sinne his punishments did carie.
In Sommer time as in an Euening faire,
The Gnats are heard in a tumultuous sound
On tops of hils, so troubled is the aire
To the disturbance of the wondring ground.
The skies are darkned as they yet doe houer
In so grosse clouds congested in their slight,
That the whole Land with multitudes they couer,
Stopping the streames as generally the light.
O cruell Land, might these not yet thee moue?
Art thou alone so destitute of feare?
Or doest thou meane thy vtmost to approue
How many plagues thou able art to beare?
Three haue forethreatned thy destruction sure,
And now the fourth is following on as fast,
Doest thou suppose thy pride can still endure?
Or that his vengeance longer cannot last?
These are as weake and worthlesse as the rest,
Thou much enfeebled, and his strength is more,
Fitly prepar'd thee sadly to infest
Thy sinnes so many, by their equall store.
This wretched creature man might well suppose
To be the least that he had neede to feare,
Amongst the rest is terrifi'd with those
vvith which before none euer troubled were.
As we beholde a swarming cast of Bees
In a swolne cluster to some branch to cleaue:
Thus doe they hang in bunches on the trees,
Pressing each plant and loding eu'rie greaue.
The houses couered with these must'ring flies,
And the faire windowes that for light were made,
Eclips'd with horror seeming to their eies
Like the dim twilight or some omenous shade.
For humane food what Egipt had in store,
The creatures feede on, till they bursting die,
And what in this vnhappie Land was more,
Their loathsome bodies lastly putrifie.
O goodly Goshen where the Hebrewes rest,
How deare thy children in th'Almighties sight,
That for their sakes thou onely should'st be blest,
When all these plagues on the Egiptians light?
What promis'd people rested thee within,
To whom no perill euer might aspire,
For whose deare sake some watchfull Cherubin
Stoode to defend thee arm'd in glorious fire?
Thou art that holy Sancttuarie made,
Where all th'afflicted cast aside their feare,
Whose priuiledges euer to inuade,
The Heauens cōmaund their horrours to forbeare.
But since mans pride and insolence is such,
Nor by these plagues his will to passe could bring,
Now with a sharpe and wounding hand will tuch
The dearer body of each liuing thing:
To other ends his courses to direct
By all great meanes his glory to aduance,
Altreth the cause by altring the effect,
To worke by wonder their deliuerance.
As Aron grasping ashes in his hand,
vvhich scarsly cast into the open aire,
But brings a murraine ouer all the Land,
vvith scabs and botches such as neuer were.
The 5. Plague.
What chewes the cud, or hoofe, or horne alotted,
vvilde in the fields, or tamed by the yoke,
vvith this contagious pestilence is rotted,
So vniuersall's the Almighties stroke.
The goodly horse of hote and fierie straine
In his high courage hardly brook'd his food,
That ditch nor mound not lately could containe
On the firme ground so scornfully that stood,
Crest-falne hangs downe his hardly mannag'd head
Lies where but late disdainfully he troad,
His quicke eye fixed heauily and dead,
Stirres not when prick'd with the impulsiue goad.
The Swine which Nature secretly doth teach,
Onely by fasting sicknesses to cure.
Now but in vaine is to it selfe a Leech
vvhose sodaine end infallably is sure.
VVhere frugall Shepheardes reckoning wooll and lambe,
Or who by Heards hop'd happilie to winne,
Now sees the young one perish with the dame,
Nor dare his hard hand touch the pois'ned skinne.
Those fertile pastures quickly ouer-spread
vvith their dead Cattell, where the birds of pray
Gorg'd on the garbidge (wofullie bestead)
Pois'ned fall downe as they would flie away.
And hungrie dogs the tainted flesh refrain'd,
vvhereon their Maister gurmondiz'd of late,
vvhat Nature for mans appetite ordain'd,
The creature that's most rauenous doth hate.
Thus all that breathes and kindly hath encrease,
Suffer for him that proudlie did offend,
Yet in this manner heere it shall not cease,
In Beasts begun, in wretched man to end.
To whom it further violently can
The 6. pl [...]gue.
Not by th'Almightie limmited to slake,
As beast is plagued for rebellious man,
Man in some measure must his paine partake.
Those daintie breasts that op'ned lately were,
Which with rich vaines so curiouslie did flowe,
With biles & blaines most loathsome doe appeare,
Which now the Dam'zell not desires to showe.
Features disfigur'd onely now the faire
(All are deformed) most ill-fauour'd bee,
Where beautie was most exquisite and rare,
There the least blemish easili'st you see.
For costly garments fashion'd with deuice
To forme each choise part curious eies to please,
The sicke mans Gowne is onely now in price
To giue their bloch'd and blistered bodies ease.
It is in vaine the Surgeons hand to proue,
Or helpe of phisicke to asswage the smart,
For why the power that ruleth from aboue
Crosseth all meanes of industrie and Art.
Egipt is now an Hospitall forlorne,
Where onely Creeples and diseased are,
How many Children to the world are borne,
So many Lazers thither still repaire.
When those proud Magi as oppos'd to Fate,
That durst high Heau'n in eu'ry thing to dare,
Now in most vile and miserable state
As the mean'st Caitiue equally doe fare.
Thus stands that man so eminent alone,
Arm'd with his power that gouerneth the skie,
Now when the Wizards lastly ouerthrowne,
Groueling in sores before his feete doe lie.
Not one is found vnpunished escapes
So much to doe his hungrie wrath to feede,
Which still appeareth in as many shapes
As Pharo doth in tyrannies proceede.
Euen as some graue wise Magistrate to finde
Out some vile treason, or some odious crime
That beareth euery circumstance in minde,
Of place, of manner, instance, and of time:
That the suspected strongly doth arest,
And by all meanes inuention can deuise
By hopes or torture out of him to wrest
The ground, the purpose, and confederacies,
Now slacks his payne, now doth the same augment,
Yet in his strait hand doth containe him still,
Proportioning his alotted punishment
As hee's remou'd or pliant to his will.
But yet hath Egipt somewhat left to vaunt,
What's now remaining may her pride repaire,
But least she should perhaps be arrogant,
Till she be humbled he will neuer spare.
These plagues seeme yet but nourished beneath,
And euen with man terrestrially to moue,
Now Heauen his furie violently shall breath,
Rebellious Egipt scourging from aboue.
Winter let loose,
The 7. plague.
in his robustious kinde
Wildly runnes rauing through the airie plaines,
As though his time of libertie assign'd
Roughly now shakes off his impris'ning chaines.
The winds spet fire in one anothers face,
And mingled flames fight furiously together,
Through the mild Heauē that one the other chace,
Now flying thence and then returning thether.
No light but lightning ceaselesly to burne
Swifter than thought from place to place to passe,
And being gone doth sodainly returne
Ere you could say precisely that it was.
In one selfe moment darknes and the light
Instantly borne, as instantly they die,
And euery minute is a day and night
That breakes and sets in twinkling of an eie.
Mountaine and valley suffer one selfe ire,
The stately Tower and lowlie coate alike,
The shrub and Cedar this impartiall fire
In one like order generally doth strike.
On flesh and plant this subtill lightning praies,
As through the pores it passage fitly findes,
In the full wombe the tender burthen slaies,
Piercing the stiffe trunk through the spungie rindes.
Throughout this great and vniuersall Ball
The wrath of Heauen outragiously is throwne,
As the lights quickning and Celestiall,
Had put themselues together into one.
This yet continuing the big-bellied clouds,
With heate and moisture in their fulnes brake,
And the sterne thunder from the ayrie shrouds
To the sad world in feare and horrour spake.
The black storme bellowes and the yerning vault,
Full charg'd with furie as some signall giuen,
Preparing their artillirie t'assault,
Shoot their sterne vollies in the face of Heauen.
The bolts new wing'd with fork'd Aethereall fire,
Through the vast Region euery where doe roue,
Goring the earth in their impetuous ire,
Peirce the proud'st building, rend the thickest Groue.
When the breeme haile as rising in degrees
Like ruffled arrowes through the aire doth sing,
Beating the leaues and branches from the trees,
Forcing an Autumne earlier than the Spring.
The birds late shrouded in their safe repaire,
Where they were wont from Winters wrath to rest,
Left by the tempest to the open aire
Shot with cold bullets through the trembling brest.
Whilst cattell grasing on the batfull ground,
Finding no shelter from the showre to hide
In ponds and ditches willingly are drownd,
That this sharpe storme no longer can abide.
Windowes are shiuered to forgotten dust,
The slates fall shatt'red from the roofe aboue,
Where any thing findes harbour from this gust,
Now euen as death it feareth to remoue.
The rude and most impenitrable rock
Since the foundation of the world was lai'd,
Neuer before stir'd with tempestious shock,
Melts with this storme as sensibly afrai'd.
Neuer yet with so violent a hand,
A brow contracted and so full of feare,
God scourg'd the pride of a rebellious Land,
Since into Kingdomes Nations gathered were,
But he what Mortall was there euer knowne,
So many strange afflictions did abide
On whom so many miseries were throwne,
Whom Heauen so oft and angerly did chide?
Who but relenting Moyses doth relieue?
Taking off that which oft on him doth light,
Whom God so oft doth punish and forgiue,
Thereby to proue his mercie and his might.
So that eternall prouidence could frame
The meane whereby his glory should be tride,
That as he please miraculously can tame
Mans sensuall wayes, his transitorie pride.
But Pharo bent to his rebellious will,
His hate to Jsrael instantly renues,
Continuing Author of his proper ill,
When now the plague of Grashoppers ensues.
Long ere they fell,
The 8. pl [...]gue.
on'th face of Heauen they hong,
In so vast clouds as couered all the skies,
Colouring the Sun-beames piercing through their throng
With strange distraction to beholding eies.
This idle creature that is said to sing
In wanton Sommer, and in Winter poore,
Praising the Emmets painfull labouring,
Now eates the labourer and the heaped store.
No blade of grasse remaineth to be seene,
Weed, hearb, nor flower, to which the Spring giues birth,
Yet eu'ry path euen barren hills are greene,
With those that eate the greenenes from the earth.
What is most sweet, what most extreamely sowre,
The loathsome Hemlock as the verdurous Rose,
These filthy Locusts equally deuowre,
So doe the Heauens of euery thing dispose.
The trees all barckles nakedly are left
Like people strip'd of things that they did weare,
By the enforcement of disast'rous theft,
Standing as frighted with erected haire.
Thus doth the Lord her nakednes discouer,
Thereby to proue her stoutnes to reclame,
That when nor feare, nor punishment could moue her,
Shee might at length be tempred with her shame.
Disrob'd of all her ornament she stands,
Wherein rich Nature whilome did her dight,
That the sad vierges of the neighbouring lands
Seeme with much sorrowe wondring at the sight.
But Egipt is so impudent and vile,
No blush is seene that pittie might compell,
That from all eies to couer her awhile,
The Lord in darknes leaueth her to dwell.
Ouer the great and vniuersall face
The 9. plague.
Are drawne the Curtaines of the horrid night,
As it would be continually in place,
That from the world had banished the light.
As to the sight, so likewise to the tuch
Th'appropriate obiect equally is dealt,
Darknes is now so palpable and much,
That as 'tis seene, as easily is felt.
Who now it hap'd to trauell by the way,
Or in the field did chance abroad to rome,
Loosing himselfe then wandred as a stray,
Nor findes his hostrie nor returneth home.
The Cocke the Country horologe that rings,
The cheerefull warning to the Sunnes awake,
Missing the dawning scantles in his wings,
And to his roost doth sadly him betake.
One to his neighbour in the darke doth call,
When the thick vapour so the aire doth smother,
Making the voice so hideous there withall,
That one's afeard to goe vnto the other.
The little Infant for the Mother shreekes,
Then lies it downe astonished with feare,
Who for her Childe whilst in the darke she seekes,
Treads on the Babe that she doth holde so deare.
Darknes so long vpon the Land doth dwell,
Whilst men amaz'd the howres are stolne away,
Erring in time that now there's none can tell,
Which should be night, & which should be the day.
Three doubled nights the proud Egiptian lies
With hunger, thirst, and wearines opprest,
Onely relieued by his miseries,
By feare enforced to forget the rest.
Those lights and fires they laboured to defend
With the foule dampe that ouer all doth flowe
Such an eclipsed sullines doth send,
That darknes farre more terrible doth showe.
When this perplexed and astonish'd King
Twixt rage and feare distracted in his minde,
Jsrael to passe now freely limiting,
Onely their cattell to be stai'd behinde.
Commaunding Moyses to depart his sight,
And from that time to see his face no more,
Which this milde man doth willingly aquite
That he well knew would come to passe before.
That for the Droues the Jsraelites should leaue,
Forbid by Pharo to be borne away:
Jsrael shall Egipt of her sore bereaue,
To beare it with her as a violent pray.
So wrought her God in the Egiptians thought,
As he is onely prouident and wise,
That he to passe for his choise people brought,
More than mans wisedome euer might deuise.
Touching their soft breasts with a wounding loue
Of those who yet they enuiously admir'd,
Which doth the happy Jacobites behoue,
To compasse what they instantly require.
That euery Hebrew borrowed of a friend,
Some speciall Iewell fainedly to vse,
Euery Egiptian willing is to lend,
Nor being ask'd can possibly refuse.
Now Closets, Chests, and Cabinets are sought
For the rich Iem, the raritie, or thing,
And they the happiest of the rest are thought,
That the high'st priz'd officiously could bring.
Rings, chaines, and bracelets, iewels for the eare,
The perfect glorious, and most lustrous stone,
The Carcanet so much requested there,
The pearle most orient and a Paragon.
What thing so choise that curious Art could frame,
Luxurious Egipt had not for her pride?
And what so rare an Jsralite could name,
That he but asking was thereof denide?
When God doth now the Passeouer command,
Whose name that sacred misterie doth tell,
That he pass'd o're them with a sparefull hand,
When all the first borne of th' Egiptians fell,
Which should to their posteritie be taught,
That might for euer memorize this deede,
The fearefull wonders he in Egipt wrought,
For Abrahams ofspring Saras promis'd seede.
A Lambe vnblemish'd, or a spotlesse Kid,
That from the dam had wained out a yeere,
Which he without deformitie did bid,
Helde to himselfe a sacrifice so deere.
Rosted and eaten with vnleau'ned bread,
And with sower hearbs such viands as became,
Meate for the Eu'ning, that prohibited
The Morne ensuing partner of the same.
Girding their loynes, shooes fastned to their feete,
Staues in their hands, and passing it to take,
In manner as to trauailers is meete,
A voyage forth immediatly to make.
Whose blood being put vpon the vtmost posts,
vvhereby his chosen Jsraelites he knewe,
That night so dreadfull, when the Lord of Hosts
All the first borne of the Egiptians slewe.
Darknes inuades the world when now forth went
The 10. Plague.
The spoiling Angell as the Lord did will,
And where the dore with blood was not besprent,
There the first borne he cruelly did kill.
Night neuer sawe so tragicall a deed,
Thing so repleate with heauines and sorrowe,
Nor shall the day heereafter euer reade,
Such a blacke time as the insuing morrowe.
The dawne now breaking and with open sight
VVhen euery lab'ring and affrighted eie
Beholdes the slaughter of the passed night,
The parting plague protracted miserie.
And to his neighbour hasts his heedlesse feete,
To bring him home his heauie chaunce to see,
And him he goes to by the way doth meete,
As greeued and as miserable as hee.
Who out of dore now hastily doth come,
Thinking to howle and bellowe forth his woe,
Is for his purpose destitute of roome,
Each place with sorrowe doth so ouerflowe
People awaked with this sodaine fright
Runne forth their dores as naked as they bee,
Forget the day, and bearing candle light
To helpe the Sonne their miseries to see.
Who lost his first borne ere this plague begun,
Is now most happie in this time of woe,
Who mourn'd his eld'st a daughter or a sonne,
Is now exempt from what the rest must doe.
To one that faines poore comfort to his friend,
His Childe was young and neede the lesse be car'd,
Replies if his had liu'd the others end,
vvithall his hart he could him well haue spar'd.
No eye can lend a mourning friend one teare,
So busie is the gen'rall hart of moane,
Such strange confusion sits in euery eare,
As wanteth power to entertaine his owne.
Imparted woe (the heauie harts reliefe)
When it hath done the vtmost that it may,
Outright is murth'red with a second griefe,
To see one mute tell more than it can say.
The greatest blessing that the hart could giue,
The ioy of Children in the maried state,
To see his curse the parent now doth liue,
And none be happy but th'infortunate.
Whilst some for buriall of their Children stay,
Others passe by with theirs vpon the Beere,
Which frō the Church meete Mourners by the way,
Others they finde that yet are burying there.
Afflicted London, in sixe hundred three
When God thy sinne so grieuously did strike,
And from th'infection that did spring from thee,
The spacious Ile was patient of the like.
That sickly season when I vndertooke
This composition faintly to supplie,
When thy affliction seru'd me for a booke,
Whereby to modell Egipts miseries,
When pallid horrour did possesse thy streete,
Nor knew thy Children refuge where to haue,
Death them so soone in euery place did meete,
Vnpeopling houses to possesse the graue.
VVhen wofull Egipt with a wounded hart
So many plagues that suffred for their stay,
Now on their knees entreate them to depart,
And euen impatient of their long delay.
Sixe hundred thousand Israelites depart,
Besides the Nations that they thence releas'd,
And Hebrew Babes the ioy of many a hart,
That Saras happie promises had bless'd.
After foure hundred thirtie yeeres exspir'd,
(Measuring by minutes many a wofull hower)
That day they came they thence againe depart,
By his eternall prouidence and power.
With all the iewels Egipt could afford
With them away that wisely they did beare,
Th' Egiptians aske not to haue backe restor'd,
All then so busie at their burials were:
And Josephs bones preciselie thence conuay,
Whose Tombe by Nyl's oft Inundations drown'd,
Comestor in Exod.
(Yet the deceased straitlie to obay)
By Moyses was miraculouslie found.
Who did in gold that powerfull word ingraue,
Petragram­maton.
By which th'Almightie fullie is exprest,
Which bare the mettall floting on the waue,
Till or'e his Coffin lastly it did rest.
As by a sheepe that shew'd them to the same,
To make them mindfull of the reuerent dead,
VVhich Beast thence-forth they called by Iosephs name,
And whē they went from Egipt with thē led.
But that he thus did finde his burying place,
As we tradition wiselie may suspect,
We onelie this as Historie embrace,
But else in faith as fabulous neglect.

The third Booke.

¶ THE ARGVMENT.
God drownes th' Egiptians in his ire,
Doth march before his host in fire,
From the hard rocks strikes gushing springs,
Raines Quailes and Manna, conquers Kings,
And fearefull plagues on them doth trie,
For murm'ring and idolatrie:
Vnto the promis'd Land them brought,
When it they fortie yeeres had sought;
Balaam to blesse them he doth send,
Their good successe, milde Moyses end.
THose which at home scorn'd Pharo & his force,
And whose departure he did humbly pray,
He now pursues with his Egiptian horse
And warlike foote to spoile them on the way.
Where his choise people strongly to protect,
The onely God of Emperie and might,
Before his host his standard doth erect,
Aglorious pillar in a field of light,
Which he by day in sable doth vnfolde,
To dare the Sonne his Ardour to forbeare;
By night conuerts it into flaming golde,
Away the coldnes of the same to feare.
Not by Philistia he his force will leade,
Though the farre nearer and the happier way,
His men of warre a glorious march shall tread
On the vast bowels of the bloodie Sea.
And sends the windes as Currers forth before
To make them way from Pharos power to flie,
And to conuay them to a safer shore,
Such is his might that can make Oceans drie.
Which by the stroke of that commaunding wand,
Shoulder the rough seas forcibly together,
Raised as Rampires by that glorious hand,
(Twixt which they march) that did conduct thē the­ther.
The surly waues their Rulers will obay'd
By him made vp in this confused masse,
Like as an Ambush secretly were lai'd,
To set on Pharo as his power should passe.
Which soone with wombes insatiably wide,
Loos'd frō their late boūds by th'Almighties powre,
Come raging in, enclosing euery side,
And the Egiptians instantly deuowre.
The sling, the swift bowe, and the sharpned Launce,
Floting confus'dly on the waters rude,
They which these weapons lately did aduaunce,
Perish in sight of them that they pursude.
Clashing of Armours and the rumorous sound
Of the sterne billowes in contention stood,
Which to the shores doe euerie way rebound,
As doth affright the Monsters of the flood.
Death is discern'd triumphantlie in Armes
On the rough Seas his slaughterie to keepe,
And his colde selfe in breath of mortalls warmes,
Vpon the dimpled bosome of the deepe.
There might you see a Checkquer'd Ensigne swim
About the bodie of the enui'd dead,
Serue for a hearse or couerture to him,
Ere while did waft it proudly bout his head.
The warlike Chariot turn'd vpon the backe
With the dead horses in their traces tide,
Drags their fat carkasse though the fornie bracke
That drewe itlate vndauntedly in pride.
There floats the bard Steed with his Rider dround,
Whose foote in his caparison is cast,
Who late with sharp spurs did his Courser wound,
Himselfe now ridden with his strangled beast.
The waters conquer (without helpe of hand)
For them to take for which they neuer toile,
And like a Quarrie cast them on the land,
As those they slewe they left to them to spoile.
In eightie eight at Douer that had beene,
To view that Nauie (like a mightie wood)
Whose sailes swept Heauen might eas'lie there haue seene
How puissant Pharo perish'd in the flood.
When for a conquest strictlie they did keepe,
Into the channell presently was pour'd,
Castilian riches scattered on the deepe,
That Spaines long hopes had sodainlie deuour'd.
Th'afflicted English rang'd along the Strand
To waite what would this threatning power betide,
Now when the Lord with a victorious hand
In his high iustice scourg'd th' Iberian pride.
Hence three daies march to Mara leades them on,
Where Surs wilde Desarts as the Armie past
Seemed as from their presence to haue flone,
The mountaines stoode so miserably agast.
Where for with drought they hardlie are bested,
And the foule waters bitter as the gall,
That they should through this Wildernes be led
To thanklesse murm'ring presently they fall.
God pointeth Moyses to a precious tree,
Whose medc'nall branches cast into the lake,
Of that rare vertue he approu'd to bee,
The waters sweet and delicate to make,
Not that his hand stands any way in neede
Of mediate meanes his purposes to bring,
But that in state his wisedome will proceede
To shew his power in euery little thing.
Nor Metaphisicks fully him confine,
All measuring so immeasurably great,
That doth in Nature euery cause combine,
This ALL in him so amply hath receate.
Which might haue learn'd thē in this helplesse case,
With tribulations willingly to meete,
When men with patience troubles doe embrace,
How oftentimes it makes affliction sweete.
And his free bountie fully now they found,
As they from Mara for mount Sina made,
Pitching in Elim in that plentious ground
Of pleasant fountaines and delicious shade.
But as at Sur, so they againe at Sin,
Before of thirst, of hunger now complaine,
Wishing they might in Egipt still haue bin,
where neuer famine all their time did raigne.
VVhen clouds of Quailes from the Arabian shore
Vpon the Campe immediatly are sent,
which came so long and in such maru'lous store,
That with their flight they smother'd euery Tent.
This glads the Eu'ning, each vnto his rest,
vvith soules euen sated with these dainty Cates,
And the great goodnes of the Lord confest,
That in like measure each participates.
The morne strewes Manna all about the host
(The meate of Angels) mortals to refresh,
Candying the fresh grasse, as the Winters frost,
Neuer such bread vnto so daintie flesh.
O Jsrael pamp'red with this heauenly food,
Which else to Nations earthly he denies,
To raise thy spirits, to rectifie thy blood
With these so rare celestiall purities.
Then the fat flesh-pots they so much desire,
Whereon in Egipt gluttoning they fed,
When they came hungry home from carrying mire
Which onely dulnes, and grosse humors bred.
Yet in the sweetnes and th'abundant store,
His power not so conclusiuely exprest,
But who tooke most not capable of more
Then in his Gomer he that gathered least.
By night corrupting, each day gath'ring new,
But for the Sabbath what they did prouide,
That day descended not that heauenly dewe,
That as that day was onely sanctifide.
Thence through those Desarts desolate and drie,
They reach to Reph'dem where as they should passe,
There was not found a fountaine farre nor nie,
Such want of water euery where there was.
Thither the Lord by Moyses did them bring,
His force the faithlesse Israelites might know,
For euen in the impossiblest thing,
He most delights his wondrous might to showe.
Farre worse than Mara is this fruitlesse soile,
For there were waters bitter (though they were)
But here are non, thogh sought with ne're such toile
That they from murm'ring longer not forbeare.
Commaunding Moyses he should take the Rod,
Wherewith in Egipt he such wonders wrought,
For that most wise, that secret-seeing God
Saw there were som thus reasoned in their thought.
The misterie of that miraculous wand
He did to plagues and fearefull things imply,
That Aron yet ne're tooke it in his hand,
When worke of mercie was atchieu'd thereby.
Therefore bids Moyses to this high intent,
The same to vse, they visiblie might see,
That this which erst had beene the instrument
Of iustice, so of clemencie to bee.
Which with a blowe the Cleeues in sunder crackt,
As with an earthquake violently rent,
Whence came so strong and rough a cateract,
That in the stones wore gutters as it went.
The Springs spout forth such plentie, that withall
Downe the slope sides it violently swept,
So diuers wayes so various in the fall,
Through euerie crannie the cleare water crept.
In Pailes, Kits, Dishes, Basons, Pinboukes, Bowles,
Their scorched bosomes merilie they baste,
Vntill this verie power their thirstie soules
Neuer touch'd water of so sweet a taste.
Scarslie suffic'd but in the verie neck
Of this, tis bruted by the watchfull post,
That the neere-bording enuious Amaleck,
Was marching towards them with a mightie host.
When he forth Josua from the rest doth drawe,
A man selected, of couragious spirit,
Which Moyses with prophetick eie foresawe,
Should be the man, his roome that should inherit.
Commaunding him to muster out of hand,
And draw his forces presently to head,
Against that proud Amalakite to stand,
Which in the field a puissant Armie led.
Whilst on rocke Horeb with erected hand,
Bearing the Rod vp to the glorious skie,
Twixt Hur and Aron Amrams sonne doth stand,
Whilst both the hosts for victorie doe trie.
VVhen blades are brandish'd and the fight begun,
VVarres thundring horror trumpets do proclame,
VVith the reflection of the radiant Sun,
Seemes to beholders as a generall flame.
Much courage and dexteritie that day
On either part sufficiently is showne,
And on the earth full many a Souldier lay,
Thrusting through danger to make good his owne.
Heere men might see how many a strenuous guide
Striueth to make his enemie to bleede,
Now the fierce vaward, then the rereward plide,
As he perceaueth the Battalians neede.
They fight the full day, he the Rod vpheld,
But when his strength by long continuing failes,
Where as before the Jsraelites had queld,
The aduerse proud Amalakite preuailes.
Whilst the two Hebrewes prouident of harmes,
Setting graue Moyses downe vpon a stone,
And by their force support his wearied armes,
Vntill the foe was lastly ouerthrowne.
Jethro the iust to whom report had tolde,
Th'atchieuements wrought by his renowned sonne,
That all the world did tributarie holde,
By deedes in Egipt God by him had done:
This good olde man to consummate their ioyes
In happy hower his Sonne is come to see,
Bringing his wife and his two little Boyes,
Moyses sent backe in Midian safe to bee.
Which by this time two proper Youths are growne,
Bred by their Grandsire with exceeding care,
In all the host there hardly could be showne,
That with those Boyes for beautie could compare.
Such mirth and feasting as for them was seene,
For this graue Father and this godly Dame,
Vnto this day in Jsrael had not beene,
Since to kinde Joseph righteous Jacob came.
The day milde Moyses scarsly can suffice,
To tell this man the troubles they had past,
The wonders God had acted in their eies,
Since they in Midian kindly parted last.
Jethro that mark'd the paines that Moyses tooke
In rising earlie, and in resting late,
That did himselfe into all causes looke,
And in his person censure each debate:
This Princely Priest a man exceeding wise,
And long experienc'd in this great affaire,
(For at that time fewe States or Monarchies
VVhose gouernment he could not well declare)
Reproues good Moyses in this zealous deede:
(Quoth he) me think'st thou do'st not well in this,
The course wherein I see thou doest proceede
Trouble to thee, and to the people is.
Appoint out Iudges, and inferiour Courts:
Twixt the Plebeians and thy selfe to bee,
From them receaue those matters by report,
Speake thou to God, and let them speake to thee,
In things important be thou still in place,
In lesser causes leauing them to deale,
So may you both your quietnes embrace
By an exact and perfect Common-weale.
Now when to Sina they approched neare,
God calls vp Moyses to the mount aboue,
And all the rest commaundeth to forbeare,
Nor from the bounds assign'd them to remoue.
For who those limits loosely did exceede,
(VVhich were by Moyses mark'd them out beneath)
The Lord had irreuocably decreed
VVith darts or stones should surely die the death.
VVhere as the people in a wondrous fright
(VVith harts transfixed euen with frosen blood)
Beheld their Leader openly in sight
Passe to the Lord, where he in glory stood.
Thunder and lightning led him downe the aire,
Trumpets celestiall sounding as he came,
VVhich strooke the people with astounding feare,
Himselfe inuested in a splendorous flame.
Sina before him fearefully doth shake,
Couered all ouer with a smouldring smoake,
As readie the foundation to forsake
On the dread presence of the Lord to looke.
Erect your spirits and lend attentiue eare
To marke at Sina what to you is said,
Weake Moyses now you shall not simplie heare,
The Sonne of Amram and of Jacobed,
But he that Adam did imparadice,
And lent him comfort in his proper blood,
And saued Noe that did the Arke deuise,
When the olde world else perish'd in the flood.
To righteous Abraham Canaan frankly lent,
And brought forth Isaack so extreamely late,
Jacob so faire and many Children sent,
And rais'd chast Ioseph to so high estate.
He whose iust hand plagu'd Egipt for your sake,
That Pharos power so scornfully did mocke,
Way for his people through the Sea did make,
Gaue food from Heauen, and water from the rocke.
Whilst Moyses now in this cloud-couered hill,
Full fortie daies his pure aboade did make,
VVhilst that great God in his Almightie will,
VVith him of all his Ordinances brake.
The Decalogue from which Religion tooke
The Being: sinne and righteousnes began
The different knowledge: and the certaine booke
Of testimonie betwixt God and man.
The Ceremoniall as ludiciall lawes,
From his high wisedom that receau'd their ground,
Not to be altred in the smallest clause,
But as their Maker wondrously profound.
The composition of that sacred fane,
Which as a Symbol curiously did shewe,
What all his sixe daies workmanship containe,
Whose perfect modell his owne finger drewe.
Whose absence thence gaue leasure to their lust,
Oppugning Aron, Idols them to frame,
And by their power still strengthen this disgust,
In him denouncing the Almighties name.
A gold-made God how durst you euer name,
For him so long had led you from the skie,
In sight of Sina crowned with a flame,
His glory thence residing in your eie?
Such things might melt mortalitie to see,
That euen the very Elements did fright,
He that in Egipt had perform'd for thee,
As made the world amazed at his might.
Thy soule transpierced ne're before thou feld'st,
But like a Quarrie 't euen claue thy breast,
Comming from Sina when as thou beheld'st
Th'Elected Jsrael kneeling to a Beast.
Him sence forsooke, his sinewes strengthlesse are,
He came so much amazed there-withall,
The stonie tables slip'd him vnaware,
That with their owne weight brake them in the fall.
Downe this proud lump ambitiously he flung
Into base dust dissoluing it with fire,
That since they for varietie did long,
They should thereby euen surfet their desire.
And sent the minerall through their hatefull throats,
Whence late those horrid blasphemies did flie
On bestiall figures when they fell to doate
In prostitution to idolatrie.
Now when this potion that they lately tooke,
This Chimick medicine (made them to prepare)
Vpon their beards, and on their bosome stooke,
He doth their slaughter presently prepare.
What's he himselfe to Leuie could alie
Before this Calfe not sinfullie did fall,
Girds not his broade blade to his sinewie thie,
When he heares Moyses vnto Armes to call?
Killing not him appointed he should slay,
Though they had slep'd in eithers armes before,
Though in one wombe they at one burthen lay,
Yea when this dead, though that could be no more?
You whom not Egipts tyranie could wound,
Nor Seas, nor rocks could any thing denie,
That till this day no terrour might astound
On the sharpe points of your owne swords to die?
When Moyses now those Tables to renewe
Of that essentiall Deitie doth merit,
(Which from his hands he dissolutely threwe
In the deepe anguish of his grieued spirit.
When forty daies without all nat'rall food)
He on mount Sina fixed his aboad,
Retaining strength and feruour in his blood,
Rap'd with the presence of that glorious God.
Who in his high state whilst he passed by
In the cleft rocke that holy man did hide,
Lest he should perish by his radient eye,
When Moyses seeing but his glorious side
Celestiall brightnes ceazed on his face,
That did the wondring Jsraelites amaze,
When he returned from that souereigne place,
His browes encircled with splendidious rayes,
That their weake sight beholding of the same,
He after couer'd from the common eies,
Lest when for answere vnto him they came,
The lusting people should idolatrize.
Might we the mustred Jsraelites admire
From Plaines of Sina mighty Moyses led,
Or else to viewe that opulence desire,
To that rich Arke so freely offered.
The meruailous modell of that rarest peece
Th'ingrauings, caruings, and embroderies tell,
The cunning worke and excellent deuice
Of neate Aboliab, and Bezaliell.
But we our Moyses seriouslie pursue,
And our strong nerues to his high praise applie,
That through this maze shall guide vs as a Clue,
And may his vertues absolutelie trie.
Whose charge being weary of their weighty Armes,
And much offended they had march'd so long,
As oft disturbed with their sterne Alarmes,
Suppose by Moyses to haue suffered wrong.
When with the luggage such as lagd behinde,
And that were set the Cariages to keepe,
Gainst God and Moyses grieuously repinde,
Wanting a little sustinance and sleepe.
Who with their murm'ring moued in his ire,
That they so soone his prouidence mistrust,
Downe from his full hand flung that forcefull fire,
Which in a moment brus'd their bones to dust.
Other the mutt'ring Jsraelites among
When now to Pharan hauing come so farre
For flesh, fish, sallads, and for fruites doe long,
Manna (they say) is not for men of warre.
Their glut'nous stomacks loath that heau'nly bread,
vvho with full Chargers hunger here releeues,
As by the belly when they strongly fed
On harty Garlick and the flesh of Beeues?
Milde man, what fearefullagonie thee vex'd,
vvhen thou thy God vnkindly didst vpbraide?
How grieuously thy suffring soule perplex'd,
vvhen thou repin'st the charge on thee was laide?
With God to reason why he should dispose
On thee that burthen heauie to sustaine,
As though he did his purposes enclose
Within the limmits of mans shallow braine.
To iudge so many marching euery day,
That all the flesh of Forrest and of flood,
(When the wilde Desarts scarsly yeeld them way)
Should them suffice for competence of food.
That thou shouldst wish that hand so full of dread,
Thy lingering breath should sodainly exspire,
Then that the clamorous multitude should spread,
These wicked slaunders to incite his ire.
That God to punish whom he still did loue,
And in compassion of his frailties feare,
The spirit he gaue him lastly should remoue
To those his burthen that should after beare.
O wondrous man who paralel'd thee euer,
How large a portion diddest thou inherit,
That vnto seauentie he should it disseuer,
Yet all be Prophets onely with thy Spirit?
VVhen loe a cloud comes sailing with the winde
Vnto these Rebels terrible to see,
That when they now some fearefull thing diuin'd,
A flight of Quailes perceaued it to bee.
A full dayes iourney round about the host,
Two Cubits thicknes ouer all they flowe,
That when by Jsrael he was tempted most,
His glorie then most notablie to showe.
The greedie people with the very sight
Are fil'd before they come thereof to taste,
That with such surfet gluts their appetite
Their queasie stomacks readie are to caste.
Those for grosse Beefe in Gluttonie did call
Those the high'st God his powerfulnes to trie,
Cloyes with the fowle that frō the Heauens do fall,
Vntill they stuffe the stomack by the eie.
But whilst the flesh betwixt their teeth they chewe,
And sucke the fat so delicatly sweet,
(VVith too much plentie that euen fulsome grewe,
That lies so common troden with their feet.)
That God impartiall and so rightly iust,
VVhen he had giuen them more than they desire,
Dulie to punish their insatiate lust,
Poures downe his plagues consuming as his fire.
And with a strong hand violently strake
Their blood, distempred with luxurious diet,
That soone the sores in groynes & arme-pits brake,
Thus could the Lord scourge their rebellious riot.
Aron and Miriam, all too much it were
For griefe good Moyses readie is to die;
But you whom one wombe happily did beare
Gainst your milde Brother needs must mutinie.
O vnkinde Aaron when thou fondly fram'dst
That Beast-like Idoll bowing Jsraels knee,
He then thee beg'd, that thou so basely blam'dst,
And did diuert the iudgement due to thee.
Immodest Miriam when the hand of might
Left thee with loathsome leaprosie defil'd,
Contemn'd and abiect in the vilest sight,
From the great host perpetually exil'd:
When thou hadst spet the vtmost of thy spight,
And for thy sinne this plague on thee was throwne,
He not forsooke thee, but in heauie plight
Kneeling to God obtain'd thee for his owne.
His wondrous patience euer was applide
To those on him that causelesly complaine,
Who did with comely carelesnes deride
What happy men should euermore disdaine.
When now the Spials for the promis'd soile,
For the twelue Tribes that twelue in number went,
Hauing discouered forty daies with toile,
Safely return'd as happily they went:
Bringing the Figs, Pomegranets, and the Grapes,
Whose verdurous clusters that with moisture swell,
Seeme by the taste and strangenes of the shapes,
The place that bare them faithfully to tell.
That well express'd the nature of the earth,
So full of liquor and so wondrous great,
That from such wished fruitfulnes in birth,
Suck'd the sweet marrowe of a plentious teat.
But whilst they stand attentiuely to heare
The sundry soiles wherein they late had beene,
Telling what Giants did enhabit there,
What Townes of warre that walled they had seene.
Of Anacks of spring when they come to tell,
And their huge stature when they let them see,
And of their shapes so terrible and fell,
Which were suppos'd the Titanois to bee.
Their harts sunck downe, and though the fruits they sawe
By their rare beauty might allure their eies,
Yet this report their coward soules did awe,
And so much daunt the forward enterprise
That they their God doe vtterly refuse,
Against iust Moyses openly exclame,
And were in hand a Captaine them to chuse
To guide them back to Goshen whence they came.
Not all the dread of th' Egiptian dayes,
VVhat by milde Moyses he to passe had brought,
Nor seene by him done at the purple Seas
On their vile minds a higher temper wrought.
VVhom when of God he beg'd with bloody eies,
And against Heauen eu'n obstinatly striue,
Obtain'd so hardly their immunities,
vvhose sinne seem'd greater than he could forgiue.
Caleb and Josua you couragious men,
When bats and stones against your brests were laid,
Oppose your selues against the other ten,
That expedition basely that disswade.
(Quoth they) to conquer as he did before
No more thā men: what praise his puisance yeelds,
But he whose force the very rocks did gore,
Can with the same hand cleaue their brazen sheelds.
He that foresawe that this should be our seate,
And onely knew the goodnes of the same,
Possess'd the place with those that were so great
For vs to keepe it safely till we came.
For which the Lord did vowe that not a man
At Sina mustred where such numbers were,
Should liue to come to fruitfull Canaan,
Onely those two so well themselues did beare.
And for the basenes of those recreant Spies
Whose melting minds this impious slaunder bred,
And the vile peoples incredulities,
In that their God so strongly promised.
For fortie dayes discouerie of the Land,
They fortie yeeres in Wildernes shall wast,
Consum'd with plagues from his impetuous hand,
Vntill that age be absolutely past.
Which scarsly spoke, but quickly tooke effect
For those so colde, and cowardly before,
Hearing the censure of their base neglect,
To make his vengeance and their sinne the more.
Entring the Land which Moyses them denies,
Their desp'rate will no better can afford,
Offring those lyues they did so lightly prize
Vnto the vengeance of the Heath'nish sword.
And in the host new factions daily grewe,
When Chores, Dathan, and Abiram rise,
Two hundred men of speciall note that drewe,
Whose strength gaue power to their confed'racies.
But the vast earth incontinently claue,
And on the sodaine hurried them to hell
With the shrill screame the shrieking people gaue,
The fainting Host into a feauer fell:
The rest of the Conspiratours were left
(From the first's fall enforcing their retire,
Of all the succours of the host bereft)
Consum'd to ashes with Heauens violent fire.
And those th'abettors of this vile attempt
That did milde Moyses cruelly pursue,
From th'others sinne that could not be exempt,
Them with the dreadfull pestilence he slewe.
That had not Aron when all hope was fled
With holy Incense their atonement wrought,
Thrusting himselfe twixt th'liuing and the dead,
All had to ruine vtterly beene brought.
Where fourteene thousand & seuen hundred sanke
Vnder the burden of their odious sinne,
Which now was wax'd s'insufferably ranke,
It was high time his vengeance should begin.
When after this so terrible a thing,
Now that tryumphant and miraculous wand
Brings forth ripe Almonds, strongly witnessing
In Leuies Tribe the Priesthood still to stand.
With leaues and blosomes brauely it doth flourish,
Some budding, some as instantly but blowne,
As when the same the naturall rynd did nourish,
For Moyses sake such miracles were showne.
Forward to Cadesh they their iourney cast,
Where the good Miriam makes her latest howre,
Meriam the faire, the excellent, the chast,
Meriam that was of womanhood the flowre:
Here bids her Brothers louingly adue,
vvho at her parting kisse her closing eies,
vvhose wondrous losse sufficiently to rue,
More is the griefe that teares cannot suffice.
Moystare their eyes, their lips are shrunk with heat,
Their griefe within, as outward it appeares,
Their want of water in that place as great,
As it to them is plentifull of teares.
They at one instant mutinie and mourne,
Sorrowes creepe foorth confusedly together,
The teares for her incontinent they turne
To words gainst Moyses that did guide them thither.
VVho from the rocke strooke water with the wand,
That man and beast might plentiously maintaine,
But he from rocks that fountaines can command,
Cannot yet stay the fountaines of his braine.
Much woe for Miriam these good men did make,
vvhilst there were two, that might bewaile this one,
But two departing for their mutuall sake,
Moyses remaines to mourne himselfe alone.
Aaron the auncient'st of the Hebrew line,
Repleate with naturall comlinesse and grace,
(God-like so farre as man might be diuine)
Endeth his dayes in this predest'ned place.
VVhich being forewarned to awaite his end,
And here the Fate fore-telling him to die,
That the good hower doth onely now attend,
Will'd to ascend the mountaine (being nie.)
VVith Eleazer his deere Childe he goes,
Led by milde Moyses as the Lord decreed,
To his lou'd Sonne his garments to dispose,
Him in the Priesthood pointed to succeed.
VVhen turning back to bid them all adiewe,
vvho look'd as fast to bid this Lord farewell,
Fountaines of late so fast from rocks not flewe,
As the salt drops downe their sad bosomes fell.
Not the obdurat'st, not the stoniest harts,
That in deepe sorrowe melting here forbeares,
Those to whom Nature not those drops imparts,
Spent what in sighes the other did in teares.
Sated with sobs, but hungry with his sight,
Their watrie eies him earnestly pursue,
When to discerne him they no longer might
Where their sight ends, their sorrowes doe renewe.
Com'n to the top, to the appointed place,
His Sonne in all his ornaments inuested,
Which the good Aron meekely doth embrace,
And vnto him his offices bequested.
When they the time no longer could adiourne,
After embraces and a flood of woes,
(Which when one ceas'd the other tooke his turne,)
From eithers eies that on the other flowes.
Now at the last point, at the gaspe of death
He whom the whole world hath but such another,
Giues vp his latest, his most blessed breath,
In the deare armes of his beloued Brother.
So wisely worketh that eternall Being
By the still changes of their varying state,
(As to the end through the beginning seeing)
To build the frame of vnauoyded Fate.
When those giuen vp to their lasciuious wills,
Themselues in Midian wantonnes that waste,
Whose fleshly knowledge sip'd those sugred ills,
Twenty foure thousand slaughtered at the last.
Of all that age in Sina numbred are,
In plaines of Moab mustered then againe,
Wasted by time, fire, pestilence, and warre,
Those promis'd two, and Moyses did remaine.
The time expir'd that they for Aron mourn'd,
New conquest now, new comfort them doth bring,
Their former hope successiuely return'd,
That seem'd before so sadly languishing.
When they the glorious victorie obtaine
The Plaines of Horma scattered all with shields,
vvhere Arad and his Cananites are slaine,
Not the least fight of many glorious fields.
VVith Sehon's slaughter seconded againe,
And Ogs great fall of a Gigantick strength,
vvhose bed of iron fash'on'd to containe
In breadth foure Cubits, doubling it in length.
The liuing remnant of the mighty race,
Of big-bon'd Anack terrible and dred,
vvhich long time batning in that fertile place,
Grewe like the fat soile wherein they were bred.
Not Poets fictions of the Phlaegrian fields,
vvhereas the Giants vp to Heauen would clime,
Heaping on mountaines not such wonder yields,
As did the men that liued in that time.
And fiue proud Kings fell in their recreant flight,
Before arm'd Jsrael on the Midian plaine,
Zur, Hur, and Eui, men of wondrous might,
Reba and Rekem valiantly slaine.
And as his strength crush'd mighty Kings to dust,
And cleft the helms that thūder proof were thought,
That hand that help'd thē, scurg'd their impious lust,
vvhen his high iudgement to peruert they sought.
And sent those Serpents (with their firie stings,)
With inflamations that their flesh did swell,
Sharply to scourge their trustlesse murmurings,
That still in infidelitie did dwell.
Rare in this creature was this wondrous might,
That should effect the nature of the fire,
Yet to recure the sorance by the sight,
Sicknes might seeme the remedie t'admire.
Onely by mettall miracles to worke,
That serpents shape, the serpents hurt should heale,
To shew in him the mysteries that lurke,
And being so strange, as strangely doth reueale.
That the forg'd figure of so vile a thing
Should the disease so presently remotie,
Onely by th'eye a remedie to bring,
Deepe searching Magick leaueth to approue.
As Balaams beast did Balacks hast delay,
And the full purpose of the Prophet brake,
When he beheld the Angell by the way,
Burst out from beast, and to his Maister spake.
Whose execration able to astound
The sunne, when he his Sommers height did boast,
And with a word could instantly confound
The world, were it a congregated host.
He whose wise lips could Oracles compile,
And iudgements irreuocable did passe,
Should be confounded by the thing most vile,
By that base creature the dull worthlesse Asse,
Ruling his mouth as with a Riders bit,
Bidden by Balaack to denounce their fall:
Doth all his dreadfull Minaces acquit,
Sounding their blessing and their enemies fall.
When this milde man that onely did remaine,
Of those from Egipt that the Lord did bring,
Which he in Iustice sundrie wayes had slaine,
For their false worship and their murmuring.
Since he remisse at Meriba was prou'd,
And there his zeale not ardently exprest,
The Lord did sweare (though him he dearely lou'd)
He should not come to Canaan as the rest.
And now approching Abaris (the place)
From whence he might that promis'd Country see,
(So much the Lord good Moyses pleas'd to grace)
But there his dayes must consummated bee.
When this great Prophet zealouslie had bless'd,
Each seu'rall Tribe with a particular good,
Whose parting, them with sorrowe so oppress'd,
That shedding teares their eies shed drops of blood.
To Nebo seated admirablie hie,
(The Spirit prepares him safely to retire)
Which thrusts his head into the cloudie skie,
Pisga so proudly thither dare aspire.
Pisga the height of Abaris, and this
The height of Pisga ouer all doth stand,
That as the eye of mightie Abaris
Suruayeth the imparalelled Land.
Where goodly Gilead vnto him he showes
As farre as euer he could looke to Dan,
The length and breadth that euery way it goes,
Till her browe kisse the calme Mediteran.
where the sweet South layes forth her swelling brest,
vvith a pleas'd eye he silently suruay'd,
To that faire Citie whose high Towers doe rest
Vnder the Palme trees more delicious shade.
When this meeke man approching to his death,
In death eu'n pleas'd faire Canaan to beholde,
vvhilst he had vse of his expiring breath,
Thus his last farewell mildly doth enfolde.
Jsrael (quoth he) deare Jsrael, now adue,
Moyses no more is, that your Leader was,
Josua and Caleb none but onely you,
Of the last age must ouer Jordan passe.
Th' Egiptian horrours yet 'twas I did see,
And through those strange calamities did wade,
And Jsraels charge imposed was on mee,
When they (but then) had scarslie learn'd to dade.
Fortie two iourneyes haue I straitlie past
Since first this glorious Pilgrimage begun,
In wrath or mercie where as first or last,
Some wondrous thing hath happily beene done.
M'immortall Maker that so oft haue seene
(That God of wonder:) these complaints not boot,
In yonder fields so delicate and greene,
That may not set my miserable foot.
Thus leaning back against the rising Clieue,
Raising his faint hands to the hopefull skies,
Meeke as the morning neuer seene to striue,
Great'st of the Prophets the good Moyses dies.
An hundred twentie hardly passed yeares,
His naturall vigour no whit did asswage,
His eie as bright, his bodie then appeares,
As in the height and Sommer of his age.
Who being dissolu'd the Angels did interr
Neere to Bethpeor in the valied ground,
But yet so secret kept his Sepulcher,
That it by mortall neuer should be found.
Lest that his people (if the place were knowne)
(Seeing by him the myracles were done,
That euer to Idolatrie were prone,)
Vnto his bones a worshipping should runne.
One that God grac'd so many sundrie wayes,
No former age hath mentioned to bee.
Ariued at the period of his dayes
The future time in Jsrael shall not see.
FINIS.

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