PEACE

Unmask thy face thou minister of Time Look forth bright mirror, let thy golded hand, Ride (with distinctlesse motion) on the eyes Of this fair Chorus, till the Reign of Peace, Hath propagated Plenty, and increase. Now fit we high (triumphant in our sway,) Encircled with the sevenfold flower of Art, To tread on Barbarism with silver feet; These, these are adjuncts fit to wait on Peace, Who being courted by most searching spirits, Have always born themselves in Godlike state, With lofty foreheads, higher then the stars. Draw near fair Daughters of eternity, Your Fostress Peace, is (Like the aged Nurse) Grown proud to see her Children flourish thus. Thanks noble Lords and worthy Gentlemen: But wherefore look you so ask aunce on these, As if they were not worthy your salutes? Oh pitied state! most weak, where nobles want The love and knowledge of the liberal Arts; Are you the men (for birth and place) admired? By whose great motions, lesser wheels turn round? And shall your minds affect so dull a course? As if your sense where most irrational? What is a man superior to a beast But for his mind? nor that ennobles him, While he dejects his reason; making it The slave unto his brutish appetite. Make then your minds illustrious in your deeds And each choose (in this troop) a spowsall mate, But now beware ye injure not the fame Of these bright Virgins with adulterate love, Mean time their servant (here) Chrisoganus Shall teach of every Art the mystery. Reach me the bowl with rich Autumnian Juice, That I may drink a health to your new Queen. Times winged hours (that pointed out my reign,) Are fled; I am no more your Sovereign. Wound Air with shrill tuned Canzonets, I rob my self to make my Daughter rich, Peace does resign her pure imperial Crown, (Wrought by the Muses) in whose Circle grow All flowers that are to Phœbus consecrate. Bondage, won Sickness, and bore Poverty, Vanish Like clouds before the Eastern light, Now Peace appears, hence all to endless night, And you dejected spirits, crushed with want, Mount up your minds unto the fairest hope, Need hath nursed Peace within your Horoscope, The warm reflection of whose cheering beams, Makes you as rich as bright Pactolus streams. Shine plenteous Bounty, crown the naked world, With odourous wreaths of thy abundant sweets, Laborious Artisans, now bustle up, Your drooping spirits with alacrity. Peace gives your toiling sweat a endue regard, Crowning your labour with a rich reward. Ceres be lavish, Bacchus swell to brim, And all to Peace sing a propitious himne, No more: Be dumb in hushed observance at this sighed, Here comes Amazements object, wonders height, Peaces patroness, Heavens miracle, Virtues honour, Earth's admiration, Chastities Crown, Justice perfection, Whose train is vnpolute Virginity, Whose Diadem of bright immortal Fame, Is burnished with valued respect, Ineffable wonder of remotest lands; Still sway thy gracious Sceptre, I resign; What I am is by Thee, my self am thine, Enough fair Virgins Time shall prove this true, Whilst you do honour Peace shee'le cherish you.