An elegie on the much lamented death of the Right Honorable Sir Arthur Chichester Knight, Lo. Baron of Belfast, Lo. high Treasurer of Ireland, one of the lords of His Maiesties most Honorable Priuie Counsell, and of the Counsell of Warre. By Alex Spicer..

An Elegie on the death of my Lord Chicheſter. DEad? and before we heard him ſicke, incline To draw his breath towards that vtmoſt line, Which leads to earth? this moues me to enquire, Why noble Belfaſt ſhould ſo ſoone expire. T'was thus, death knew that ſuch a gallant pray Could not be had vnles 'twere ſnatcht away: And therefore ſtrucke him in a deadly hower, Beyond recouerie by Phyſitians power. But we are bound to fame which keepes aliue This Noble-man, whom death would not repriue. Dead? with ſad throbs my fainting ſpirits trippe In ſorrowes maze, and by my mournefull lippe. My teares make way to tell my heart 'tis ſo, And leaue deepe dints, like furrowes, as they go. The twines of all my hopes are riuell'd and Like to ſome pinnace in no hope to land At any port of ſafetie, altogether I lye expoſed vnto wracke of weather. The point I aim'd at was vntimely loſt Not in March Winds, but Februaries froſt: Noble Belfaſt, Ile hugge thine honoured worth, That in the warmth of it may iſſue forth Formes of perfection; to expreſſe thy beautie: Or if I faile in that, my humble dutie Shall kneele in publike to pin on a Verſe With trembling fingers on thy ſable Herſe, Which muſt be arched high, to ſtand aboue That Lord who filled all the world with loue. My muſe ſhall haue in charge to write of him, As a noble branch of an ennobled ſtemme. From Chicheſters diſcent he tooke his name, And in exchange of it, return'd ſuch fame By his braue deeds, as to that race ſhall be A radiant ſplendor for eternitie: For fame ſhall write this Adage, Let it laſt Like the ſweet memorie of my Lord Belfaſt. When once the time of childhood did begin To ſtep aſide, that youth might enter enter in, He went to Oxford, that the liberall Arts Might be ennamel to his natiue parts. Faire education with good parentage Made all his vertues walke in equipage, That they who knew him young, preſag'd his ſcope Was euer bending to that Cape of Hope Where Honour rides

He was a Captaine of the ſhip called the Victorie, vnder the command of the Lo. Sheffield, employed againſt the Spaniſh Inuaſion, Anno 1587, & 88.

Afterwards he was Captaine and Commander in the Portugall voyage of 200. foot, in the Regiment of the Generall ſir Fra. Drake, 88. and 89.

He went with ſir Fra. Drake to the Weſt Indies, where he was Captain of a Companie of foot, and Lieutenant Colonell of a Regiment. And in Porterico he ſet fire of the Admirall of the Spaniſh Frigats, 95. & 96.

After their return from that voyage, he was employed in France, being Captain and Lieutenant Colonel of a regiment with ſir Th. Baskeruile, 96

After his returne out of France, he was employed into Ireland with the Earle of Eſſex, &c.

; For after he had ſeene The Muſes, he return'd to ſerue his Queene With armes of valour, the report of them May be a Chronicle: for ſo large a theame Requires a booke in Folio, not one leafe, To ſhew the homage due to Ioſephs Sheafe, All bow'd to his, and no worth finds extent Beyond the bounds of his, whom I lament. Graue, brane, ſure, pure, and like a heauenly ſtar, In peace, war, ſpeech, and life, was Chicheſter. Renowmed Lord, whoſe noble acts yeeld matter For me to praiſe, and yet abhor to flatter. Beſides the ſeuerall voyages which he made Againſt the Spaniſh foe, which would inuade Our Brittiſh coaſt: the ciuill warres of France Drew forth our Engliſh Scipio to aduance His colours there, which he diſplaid, and wonne Honourable knighthood, when the fight was done. Henrie the 4. of France in gracefull manner, Vpon deſert confer'd this warlike honour. And fame imprints this Character on his ſhield, Knighted by Burbon, in the open field. Deſert neglected, droopes; encourag'd, beares Its motions well, as the well ordered Spheares. Our minds proue then, beſt actiue, when we know Our plants are ſet where they are like to grow. The home-bred flames of France extinct, our owne Portend a hot combuſtion by Tyrone A Traitor, who like a Tyger gnawes The wombe which bare him, with his bloudy pawes. The Queene beſtow'd ſome fauours, and he thought, Had ſhe done more, s'had done but what ſhe ought. Through the perſpectiue of his fantaſie, He dream'd he ſaw his vertues grow ſo hie; That, part of Vlſter, for the great Oneale, Was not ſo fit, as was a common-weale. So, by ambitious proiects, look't for gales Which might fill full, and yet not rent his ſailes. Among the valiant chieftaines which were ſent To ſtop the current of his proud intent, Came Chicheſter, whoſe acts did carrie ſenſe, And weight of honour with experience. His colours flew with ſuch anſpitious fate, As if that faire Bellona there had ſate With wreathes of gold to make a crowne for him, Who harboured prowes in each manfull limbe: And made him after his victorious triall, The Sergeant Maior of the armie royall. The Lord Mountioy, Lord deputie of that realme, Who ſate as Pilot in that dangerous healme, Wrot to the Lords in England his opinion, Touching the ſafetie of that ſicke dominion. Becauſe experience taught him oft to learne, That boggs and faſtnes made the Iriſh kerne To neſtle in the North, he did propound, That ſome one man whoſe iudgement was profound And valour matchles, might haue forces readie To curbe the rebells at the firſt, if headie Attempts ſhould moue them to an inſurrection, Or draw them (as they ſpeake) to go in action: For this imployment (ſo records affirme, And il'e de liuer it in it's proper terme) Sir Arthur Chicheſter is the fitteſt man, (Saies he) in England or in Ireland, can Fame be more copious in her bountie: then To praiſe his worth aboue a world of men? That campe had many worthies who ſuruiue, And liue to ſee their reputation thriue. Yet all with ſamous Mountioy, doe agree To write in that of Chicheſter, this is he: But now they write he was, from whence abound Our flouds of griefe like Spring-tides to ſurround, Tyrone himſelfe, whoſe lewd affections ſtood To croſſe, with malice, the increaſe of good: Who lay in wait with vnappeaſed ſpleene, In ſecret ambuſhments, to wrecke his teene On carefull Chicheſter, did proteſt, ſo many Parts of a Souldier were in him, that any, Who leade in warlike marches, could not be More iuſt, more valiant, nor more wiſe then he. Thoſe flames of good deſert muſt ſparkle hie, Whoſe brightnes is approu'd by enmitie. Great Brittains Monarch read his true Eſſay, In a faire copy, for a beaten way Was made by Fame, which in the Preſence told The King in earneſt, Ireland did hold Such faire eſteeme of Chicheſter, that he might Safely preferre him to maintaine his right In that adioyning and vnciuill Nation, The King thinkes on it and approues the motion. The Poſt took leaue, & brought backe certain word, An honoured Gentleman ſhould receiue the Sword. Fame thou art ſodaine, and maiſt erre; in this Ile take my oath thou neuer wentſt amiſſe. Almoſt twelue yeares in ſuch a gouernment? If ages paſt can ſhew a preſident, I am deceiu'd: ſuch rules of requity Were drawne forth by his hand, as piety Gaue order for: That learning which was poore, Found meanes to helpe it ſelfe out of his ſtore. Vertue did meet with Honour; and Religion With Wiſdome, it with Bounty: all in One, Valour reioyc'd to find a ſure protection, Vpon the word of his braue inclination, Which ſet an edge on Courage, when it found, A gracious hand to beare it from the ground. He lou'd both Arts and Armes: iuſt ſuch another As Pembrokes Vncle, or as Leiceſters Brother. A Sydney, a Chicheſter, and that's as much, As to write in plaine Engliſh, a None ſuch: For in good ſooth neuer before or ſince, Could a Vice-roy doe more honour to his Prince. The people praid, Lord if it be thy will, Let this Lord be Lord Deputy with vs ſtill. I ſeeke not to detract, Boetius ſaies, Good is diffuſiue and hath ample praiſe, To giue this man his due, and yet retaine Good ſtore for others, when it giues againe. One writes, the Deputies of that Kingdome are Like Aple-trees, and if their fruit be faire, The Cudgels then muſt flye: T'was ſo with him, For ſome Informers, whoſe aſpect was dimme, Who ſee no right, nor can diſcerne religion, Vnleſſe i'th habite of their ſuperſtition, Tax him of much iniuſtice, by a rabble Of falſe ſuggeſtions at the Councell table. But Royal Salomon did obſerue the cauſe, And found 'twas not his Deputy, but his Lawes Were call'd in queſtion: therefore daign'd to giue, Words which might make a dying man to liue. This man is cleere, vpon examination, I finde that all's an vniuſt accuſation, With other Princely ſpeeches which tranſcend, Nor can they, as they ought, by me be pen'd: When innocence, his trueſt aduocate, Made replication to the Plaintiffes hate; And that the Agents for their falſe report, Should vndergoe the Cenſure of that Court; His meekeneſſe followed and beſought the King To pardon his accuſers, who did bring Their owne diſgrace, not his: a rare example, In theſe malitious times, inimitable. They ſought his ruine, he their good: we ſee The leſſon kept, Chriſt taught him, learne of mee. When the Kings pleaſure order'd his remoue From that high place, the State with generall loue, Bade him farewell, that euery acclamation, Seem'd a diſcreet and ſtudious Oration To ſpeake in order of thoſe noble parts, Which were the Loadſtone of the Iriſh hearts. His credit had iuſt intereſt to aſſume Ioſiahs bleſſing, as a ſweet perfume, Which being odoriferous in ſent, Fills all the ſtanders by with much content. His name ſounds iuſt as when one ſweetly ſings, To tunefull muſicke on harmonious ſtrings. No praiſe, but whats exact, can fit his ſpirit, Whoſe faire compoſure did conſiſt of merit. In theſe daies Vertues lodge apart, but he Prepar'd one lodging where they all might be: I meane, his pious and couragious breſt, Where all the Graces built their common neſt. His naturall gifts had tenures on condition To yeeld to Grace: for his good diſpoſition Held it vnequall in it's wiſe Idea, Faire Rachel ſhould ſubmit to bleare-ey'd Leah. Cheere vp my Muſe, and flye aloft to raiſe, A laſting Colume by thy towring Laies. Inſcribe vpon it, Chicheſter: for that word Is a large Tombe of goodneſſe; a Record Of honour, wit, experience, valour, worth, And Time's the Filizer to produce it forth. It ſignifies a Captaine or a Knight; A Sarjeant Major when the Armies fight, A princely Vice-roy, a Lord Treaſurer, Or elſe the Germane Lord Embaſſadour, In England a great States-man: and to end, Truths Champion, Arts encourager, Valours friend, All which employments doe preſent a taſt Of ſeuerall honours in my Lord Belfaſt, Whoſe happy Genius being put in action, Drew forth the view of publike admiration. One night, not long ſince, in the skie was ſhowne, A Star depending on the forked Moone: But now the Moone waites on the glorious Starre, Whoſe brightnes doth ſurpaſſE the Moon-ſhine far. Honour and Life, like to the Moone, haue waines, Chriſt is the morning ſtarre: in piercing paines Of death, this Lord diſdain'd the Moones reſpect, For the felicity of the Starres elect: He did confeſſe, like that Diuine S. Paul, Chriſt was his gaine, his hope, his life, his all. His Tongue was tipt with golden ſentences, Which recollect the Soule, when her offences Haue made her thoughts vnſteaddy, that ſhee ſtands Giddy, like the foun dation on the ſands, Vntill that Word of God afford a light, To put the Soule in a more hopefull plight. The goodly ſtructures which were framed by The curious platformes of his induſtry, In earthly things, he did conclude were winde, And ſubiect to corruption: that his minde, Empty of her owne good, might mount vp higher, Whither a Chriſtian ought for to aſpire. The Angels were on wing, to beare away His ſoule, and yet he argues, their delay To be o're long; lamenting his aboad Was yet on earth, diuided from his God. Each faculty of his ſoule ſtriu'd which ſhould be Beſt learned in the ſchoole of piety. Zeale mou'd as liuely in thoſe chriſtian ſtraines, As blood encloſed in the narrow veines. To ſee him dye, was dolour: thus to dye, Rauiſh't the Mourners with alacrity, Becauſe they ſaw, he went a glorious Gueſt, At Supper-time, vnto the Mariage feaſt. Thus he expir'd; nor could a humane Creature, With more content diſcharge a debt to Nature. England laments: and where his body goes, That Land is drowned with a Sea of woes. Would I might liue here ſtill, the Iriſh Shores, Will be as gloomy as the tawny Moores: Their blacke-dide countenance will miſinforme The skillfull Pilot: and as in a ſtorme, Confuſion will ſucceed; for beds of ſand, Will moue the waues to driue them toward land, That they may vie their multitudes with All, Who ſhed a teare at his ſad Funerall. Tis well Knockfergus ſtands vpon a rocke, For otherwiſe the fierce impetuous ſhocke Of diſmall out-cries when the Corpes come thither, Will make the Fort, and Wall, and houſes ſhiuer, Or crumble into duſt, like Iericho, When Ioſuahs Rams hornes were obſeru'd to blow. Yea the whole Realme will make a dolefull cry, To make an Earth-quake for his Elegie. The ſwift wind will be reaſty, as afraid To waft the noiſe, leſt all the land be made Subiect to ruine, in aſtoniſhment, With much bewailing this dire accident. Ioy-mount can be no mount of ioy, but moane, The name of his houſe at Knockfergus. Like to the Turtle when her mate is gone. The Drums and Fifes clad in their mourning ſuite, Will ſound, as if his death had made them mute. The aire will be all blacke, and like a Fuller, Dye the light Banners in a ſable colour. The buriall muſt be wet, ſith no eye's dry, I'th ſwelling deluge of this miſery. Among the preſſe, my Muſe deſireth roome, To ſpeake one word to him, who makes the Tombe: Be ſure to cut his Eare indifferent; and A golden Pen in his laborious hand. Shew forth his eyes with ſuch reſplendent light, As one who ſtill retaines his wonted ſight. As for his Robes of Parliament, let them be Put on with ſuch aduice, that we may ſee His Sword, and know a Souldier: on his Armes Write this; The Bucklers to defend from harmes His Prince and Countrey. And beneath his head A Pillow, as if he were gone to bed. Thou maiſt limme Honour, ſpeaking; This is he, Whoſe braue exploits hath thus deſerued me. Let it not be, as if he ſought for her, For that will wrong the King, who did preſer His Deputy, of himſelfe; and gaue th'impreſſe, Ile honour him, who ſought for nothing leſſe. Honer ſequitur fugientem. Make his Tombe wide and high, to imitate The copious circle of his ample fate. If in thy fabricke thou doſt want a ſtone, Sith griefe hath made me Niobe, Ile be one. I wiſh this happineſſe to his Heire; Inherit, Like to Eliſha, this Eliahs ſpirit: For that's a ſtately impe of Fame, by which More honour is, then is, by being rich. Lord, What is man? when ſuch a man as he, Whoſe parts excelled in the high'ſt degree, Dies by a Pluriſie, a corrupted tumour, Proceeding from a bad vnhealthfull humour. How ought we then, who are but Atoms ſmall, And in reſpect of him, are not at all, To know our bodies but an houſe of earth, And thinke on God before the ſoule goes forth? His laſt to me was this; Much thankes, Good night. May my beſt ſeruice ſtudy to requite His noble complement: For it I returne, Millions of teares on his bewailed Vrne. And fith, the bed he ſleepes on, is his Biere, Ile bid, Good night, and draw the Curtaines here. FINIS.