NIRALAEUS

Dread Sir, it may: nay and so far outgone, As Sunshine petty Starlight. Briefly thus, The Temple which King Salomon set up, In honour of the God of Israel, (Being by your great Mightiness defaced) Is thus by you restored. The general Frame, In height, in breadth, in length, is every way Fully and hundred Cubits; and beside, Twenty lies hid in the Foundation: The matter is white Marble; every Stone Twelve Cubits broad, and eight ith' outward partly; So curiously contrived, that not a hair Differs in all the Building: every Gate Is closed in gold, and so enchased and set With precious Stones; that never, till this day, Saw mortal man so rich a Jewelry: The Tops and Thresholds, Silver; and each Bar Studded with knobs of shining Diamonds. Close to the holy Building, stands a Court Of square Proportion; every way stretched out Seven hundred and twenty Cubits: all the Wall Is made of massy Silver, and adorned With Pillars of white Marble; from whose base Toth' top are forty Cubits; and thereon Mounted such curious Walks and Galleries, That thence you may behold the Fish dance Within the River Cedron: all the Floor Is paved with Marble, Touch, and Ivory; And on the golden Gate, is finely wrought A flaming Sword; which, by Inscription, Threats death to all dare enter. Within this Court, is framed a curious Vine Of perfect Gold; the Body and large Arms, Of shining Gold, brought from Arabia: The Sprays and lesser Branches, are compact Of Ophyr Gold; more read and radian : The Tops and Twines, whereon the Clusters hang, Are yellow Gold; wrought in Assyriam: The Fruit it self is Crystal; and so joined, That when the Sun looks on them, they reflect And vary in their colours several ways, According to their Objects. To conclude; Such Art, such Wealth, and Wonder in the Frame Is joined and wed together; that the World Shall never see it equaled: but this Truth Shall still hang on it as a Prophesy: Blush Art and Nature; none below the Sun Shall ever do what Herod now hath done. 'Tis advice Worthy your best embraces. Yes, that Truth Should thus come forth by Miracle; till now Mischief hath gone safe guarded: but, I hope, Your Highness will make use on't. Then you knew it was prepared for the King. Caesar is royal, and Antipater deserving. Live to deserve ever. Nothing, nothing Sir; Courtiers you know are apish: 'Tis only some new Project they have to entertain you. What ail you Sir? D'yee faint? You're wondrous pale; You change Colour strangely: D'yee bleed? 'Tis ominous. Retire from Court! Oh, name it not for shame; Least you incur a public Scandal on you: Why should you fly from that most covets you? Will you obscure your Sunbeams in their height? Cover your Glories in their M rnings rise? Those that now geered; then, will laugh outright; When looks can put Antipater to flight. No, forage on; and, l ke a daring Lion, Single your Game; let not pale Fear dismay you: Appeal for Justice to Heroic Herod, Gainst those that thus contemned your Sovereignty: True Valour in the weakest Trench does lie; Then bear you bravely on, and scorn to fly. Your Treasons must be first answered Sir; Till then, you must to Prison. Rise in your favour! Oh Herod be more joust; As thou art K ng; so be a God in Justice; The blood of Babes, c yes sor thine equity: Remember but his Strattagems forepast; All which, acquitting, you are accessary. Think first on Aristobul fell death; Your two brave Sons, and noble Joseph's fallen: Next Pheroas your Brother; Oh, your native blood: And Alexandra, that most innocent Lady; Uni stly and untimely brought to death, All through his poisonous Complots. Let not his smooth words Sir entice you to him; In stillest Rivers are the greatest dangers: If none of these can move you to do Justice, Whose Souls yet hovering still do cry Revenge; You there is one whose cause must not be slipped; Though Cannons roar yet must not you be deaf; But (l ke the glory you were made for) be A King, a God in Judgement, and in Justice: Sons are no longer Ours, then they are Nature's; When Nature leaves them, we may leave our claim: Be this your warrant, justly to execute Judgement on him, that ha unjustly murdered Your Mother, Sons, Brother's, Sisters: if not for these; Think upon her as deer as was your life, Your Marriam; you innocent, chased, fair Marriam; By his false witness, turned to untimely dust: Oh as you're great, be good, gracious, and joust. What, will you taste some Syrup, or some grapes? Here are fair ones Sir. Say not so; Your Children's Children live yet: Hold, in the name of wonder; what have you done Sir? Good Sir have patience; a Surgeon there. A Slumber overtakes him. Health to the King of Juda. Sir, he's dead; And in his death hath given you all, that Room Before confirmed upon you; which we thus Fix on your sacred Temples; only crave, You will be pleased (as Herod did desire) That ere you do ascend the Sovereign Chair, First to behold his Body, and on it Bestow one Tear or natural Sacrifice. Give way, stand back; room for the King of Juda. From the King; the blow the Hangman gave Antipater, Took his life in the Instant: Sir, he's dead.