SOMNUS

Deer Mother Night, I your commandment Obey, and Dreams t'interpret Dreams will make, As waking curiosity is wont. Though better dream a sleep, the ̄ dream awake. And this white horny Wand shall work the deed; Whose power does Figures of the light present: When from this sable radius does proceed Nought but confused shows, to no intent. Be this a Temple; there Sybisla stand, Preparing reverent Rites with holy hand, And so bright visions go, and entertain All round about, whilst I'll to sleep again. I The daughter of Wonder, (now made the Mes senger of Power) am here descended, to signify the continued ̄ ming of a Celestial presence of Goddesses, determined to visit this fair Temple of Peace, which holy hands & devout desires, have dedica ted to unity and concord. And leaving to show themselves any more in Sames, Ida, Paphos, their ancient delighting-places of Greece, & Asia, made now the seats of Barbarizme & spoil, vouchsafe to recreate themselves upon this Western Mount of mighty BRITTANNY, the Land of civil Music and of rest, and are pleased to appear in the selfsame Figures, wherein antiquity hath formerly clothed the ̄ , and as they have been cast in the imagination of piety, who hath give ̄ mortal shapes to the gifts & effects of and eternal power, for that those beau tifull Characters of sense were easier to be read then their mystical Ideas, dispersed in that wide, and imcomprehensible volume of Nature. And well have mortal men appareled, all the Graces, all the Blessings, all Virtues, with that shape wherein themselves are much delighted, & which work the best Motions, and best represent the beauty of heavenly Powers. And therefore reverent Prophetess, that here at tendest upon the devotions of this Place, prepare thy self for those Rites that appertain to thy fun ction, and the honour of such Deities, and to the end thou mayest have a fore-notion what Powers, & who they are that come, take here this Prospec tiue, and therein note and tell what thou seest: for well mayest thou there observe their shadows, but their presence will bereave thee of all, save and miration and amazement, for who can look upon such Powers and speak? And so I leave thee. WHAT have I seen? where am I? or do I see at all? or am I any where? was this Iris, (the Messenger of Juno ) or else but a fantas me or imagination? will the divine Goddesses vouchsafe to visit this poor Temple? Shall I be blessed, to entertain so great Powers? it can be but a Dream: yet so great Powers have blessed, as humble roofs, & use, out of no other respect, then their own gracefulness to shine where they will. But what Prospective is this? or what shall I herein see? O admirable Powers! what sights are these? FIRST here Imperial Juno in her Chair, With Scepter of continued ̄ manned for Kingdoms large: Descends all clad in colours of the Air, Crowned with bright Stars, to signify her charge. NEXT warlike Pallas, in her Helmet dressed With Lance of winning, Target of defence: In whom both Wit and Courage are expressed, To get with glory, hold with Providence. THEN lovely Venus in bright Majesty, Appears with mild aspect, in Dovelike With th'all combining Skarffe of Amity, (hue: T'ingird strange Nations with affections true. NEXT Holy Vesla, with her flames of Zeal Presents her self, clad in white Purity: Whose book, the souls sweet comfort, does re- By the ever-burning Lamp of Piety. (veal THEN chaste Diana, in her Robes of green, With weapons of the Wood her self addrests To bless the Forests, where her power is seen, In peace with all the world, but Savage beasts. NEXT rich Proserpina, with flames of gold, Whose state although within the earth, yet she Comes from above, & in her hand does hold The Mine of wealth, with cheerful Majesty. THEN all in purple Robes, rich Happiness Next her appears, bearing in either hand, Th'Ensignes both of wealth, and wits express, That by them both, her Majesty does stand. NEXT all in party-coloured Robes appears, In white and crimson, graceful Concord dressed With knots of Union, and in hand she bearcs The happy joined Roses of our rest. Clear-eyed Astraea, nex, to with reverent brow Clad in Celestial hue, (which best she likes) Comes with her Balance, and her sword to show That first her judgement weighs before it strikes. THen cheerful Flora, all adorned with flowers, Who clothes the earth with beauty & delight In thousand sundry suits, while shining hours Will scarce afford a darkness to the night. NExt plenteous Ceres in her Harvest weed, Crowned with th'increase of what she gave to To gratitude & faith: in whom we read, (keep: Who sows on Virtue shall with glory reap. LAstly comes Tethis, Albious fairest love, Who ̄ she in faithful Arms deign embrace And brings the Trydent of her Power, approve The kind respect she hath to do him grace. Thus have I read their shadows, but behold! In glory, where they come as Iris told!