JOY

Envy avant, thou art no fit Compear T'associate these our sweet Consociats here. Joy does exclude thee, who (to thy disgrace) Here spets Defiance in thy ugly face. And that is more; thy everlasting shame Shall be still blasted by the Trump of Fame: The powerful tongue of facund Mercury, Shall to the world display thy Infamy. Chester abhors thy presence; Britain hates thee; And for a damned fury, Camber takes thee. Peace, as a Herald, shall proclaim to All, That thou art damned by Justice-general. Plenty detests thy base Society, Who scorns thy hellbred gross impiety. And last of all; My Love, in Loves defence In spite of Envy, shall send Envy hence. Wherefore avant; that all the I'll may sing, Now Envies gone, in peace w'enioy our King. WIth rich Characters of resplendant gold, Fame hath your names within her book enrolled: Which till Time stays his course shall glitter bright, Maugre Detractiou and fell Envies spite. IN sign of victory which thou hast gained, This Wreathe by thy fair front shall be sustained. Whose green leaved branches unto Fame shall tell That thou didst best deserve the better Bell. TO crown thy Temples with a second wreathe, Lo here does Camber unto thee bequeathe This fragrant Garland: sith thou didst excel The best that ran but at the second Bell. THou that by either cunning, or by chance, Didst take the Ring with thy thrice happy Lance: Here take of me (to raise thy virtues up) This wreathe of Balm, and pollisht silver cup. And so we all in all your several Graces, Will with fame's overfill all times and places. NO Actium, though admired for Excellence, No Practice, though of highest pre-eminence That can escape the Poliphemian eye Of Envy, that for ever looks awry: Yet notwithstanding on your Loves depending, Whose patient ears excludes all reprehending. We here submit our selves in humblest wise, Before the bar of your judicious eyes, What we present unto your dainty ears Is freed from scandals: so is free from fears. Only your Loves which are our fairest marks, Must muzzle Envy, when the Fury barks Unto the best, we doubt not but our best May purchase favour; and for all the rest We do expect but this poor kindness from them, That they would speak but what shall well become them. This being granted: Chester does invite Each noble worthy, and each worthy Knight, To close their stomach with a small repast, Which may content a temperate curious taste. Measure our ardent Loves, with such kind measure, As we afford you sport, and give you pleasure: And so we'll leave you with this solemn vow, That while we breath, our hearts shall honour you. IF any Reader shall desire to know Who was the Author of this pleasing show: Let him receive advertisement hereby A Sheriff (late of Chester ) AMERIE. Did thus perform it; who for his reward, Desires but Love, and competent regard.