Loe this is the man that tooke not god for his strenght but trusted vnto the multitude of his riches and strengthen'd himselfe in his wickedness Ps: 52: 7 *

Ieroboam

Regno

Regna [...]i

[...]

Sis Sine regno

Sold at the greyhound in St Pauls Church yeard

THE SUBJECTS JOY FOR The Kings Restoration, Cheerfully made known IN A Sacred MASQUE: Gratefully made publique FOR His saCRed Majesty.

By the Author of INQƲISITIO ANGLICANA.

2 KING. XI. 12.
And he brought forth the Kings Son, and put the Crown upon him; and gave him the Testimony, and they made him King; and Anointed him, and clapt their hands, and said—God save the KING.

LONDON: Printed, in the year of Grace, for James Davis, and are to be sold at the Greyhound in St. Pauls Church-yard. 1660.

To His EXCELLENCY The Lord General MONCK.

Heroick Sir,

THE present affairs of this Kingdom, are, so providentially managed, by God; so prudentially, by You; and so happily—opportunely, for the building up, the Ruins; and re­pairing of the Breaches, both in Church, and State: that, the Factionist, malignes; the Temporist, ad­mires; and Royallist, congratulates; so hopeful a beginning.

Let it not then displease (my Lord) if now, one of those poor grateful Royallists; hath (in this spring of hope) so cheerful a boldness, as to beg the favour of your Excellency, to Patronize this Peece.

This Peece (I confess) is Theatrical, New, and [Page] Strange; Strange, but yet Pertinent; New, but yet Serious; and Theatrical, but yet Sacred.

Nor am I in This, either singular, or affected; while Apollinarius and Nazianzen (two antient Fathers of the Primitive Church) are known to be exemplary in this very way.

The truth is, I am now upon the well-tun'd Put (with my Palm, and my Psalm) to chant an Hosan­na for the Kings Reception.

I am now upon the joyful Stage, to play the devout Comaedian; and by a new Triumphal, to court the affections, of the most Disloyall.

Upon the Stage I am, that (as by a true reflection, to shew the radiancy of my divine zeal) so, I might (by congruous Divinity) render Corah (notwith­standing his holy Plea) Rebellious: and Treason (notwithstanding Garnet's Straw, and Becket's Canonization) in the Abstract, hateful, both to God, and man.

Religion and Allegience, are the wings of the soul, to mount her unto Heaven: and the present Masque, is, but to preserve the Beauty, of so fair an Allegati­on; and to attest before the world, my utter abhor­rency of the least Confederation, against the Higher Powers.

Oh Sir! may the Higher Powers be, as safe, as [Page] sacred: and may That SaCRed Person, into whose hands, God, by his Grace; Nature, by Descent; and the Law, by Right; have successively given the Globe and the Scepter: may, He,—ah may He be, as happy, as He is Good; and as Good, as He is Great: the Best of Men, crowned with the Best of Blessings.

Sir—your Excellency is now, the Renowned Instrument, of wonderful Transactions: In the name of God, go on, and prosper.

Certainly (my Lord) if your auspicious self, shall (with this hopefully-happy Parliament) go on, to Act for God; and the good of his distressed People:

By Enthroning, The most Illustrious Prince, And Our Lawful King, Charles the Second:

For the Setling, of the State:
For the Reforming, of the Church:
[Page] For the Establishing, of the Lawes:
And the Maintaining, our Reiigion;
That most true, Protestant Religion,
Of the Church of England:

I am confident,—You shall as surely Prosper, in having,

The Holy Spirit of God, to be Your Guid:
The holy Angels of God, to be Your Guard:
Here, to be Famous; and Hereafter, to be Glo­rious; as there is a God, in Heaven.
So Believeth, and Affirmeth;— Ever Devoted— To God:— His Prince:— And Countrey, Anthony Sadler.

TO THE Candid Reader.

THis is the Month, this is That Month of Marth,
Which Tunes our Noats to sing our Princes Birth.
This is that Month, this is The Month of May,
Which Loyall London cals her Holy-day.
The Prince (as now new Born) from the wombe,
Of Hardest Travail, is Deliver'd.—Come—
The Midwifery of Heaven, doth Present
A saCRed Monarch, to the Parliament:
And That, to Us; and We, to Heaven again,
Present our Thanks, and Bless our Soveraign.
Rejoyce (my soul) to see the Prince of Worth,
(The Worlds wonder) brought so Timely forth.
Rejoyce Blest Prince, thy Throne is blest with Peace:
Thy welcome Income, makes our Wars to cease.
Rejoyce my Fellow-Subjects, All, as One,
Congratulate the Rising of This Sonne;
Whose Royall Lustre hath dispell'd our Fears,
And Clouds of Grief, to drop with Joyful Tears.
Anthony Sadler.

In this MASQƲE are

  • 6. Shewes.
  • 10. Speeches.
  • 3. Songs.

The Persons in the several Shews, Speaking the several Speeches,

Are
  • Psyche.
  • King David.
  • King Abijah.
  • His Queen-Mother.
  • Two Dukes, his Brothers.
  • The High Priest.
  • The Lord General.
  • The Prophet Shemaiah.

The Scene,

For the Land is Canaan. For the Place is Bethel. For the Person is Jeroboam.

A Divine Masque.

The private Speech OF The AƲTHOR In Society with his Friends, to entertain the Time before the Masque begun.

YOu know (Dear Friends)

That, Video, Vindico; is God's Motto upon Traitors: but it is our duty to wait Gods time; for, he that shall come, will: and he that will come, is; to the help of his Anointed.

God (hath in mercy) made his people to return, return to their duty, of Praying for the King.

[Page 2]His very Name now, is pretious; his Presence, long'd for; and a General joy, attends the hope, to see him, in his Throne.

So that now (seeing) the Royal Son, begin to rise; and my Loyal fancy, to be as lucky, as divine:

My heart reviv'd, my Muse rejoyc'd, to bring,
Her Off-spring out, to welcome in, the King.
Two Virgins (dress'd in Print) with blest accord,
To give a Salve, unto our Soveraign Lord.

The Elder, is a Sybillian; and to acheer the King) doth (by a Prophetick Pen) write a Praediction, in a Lamentation.

The Younger, is a Masquer; and she also (to acheer the King) doth (by pretty Scenes) praesaging­ly-praeact, his (just) Inauguration.

They are Both, the Issue, of one Parent; Legiti­mate, and Loyal: but—upon the very Concepti­on of the Masquer; much troubled I was; on whom, and where, and how, to lay the Scene.

I once thought to have made England, the Na­tion; Westminster, the Place; and then—

My purpose was, the Powder-traitors Plot;
For to have made my Subject; and their Lot,
(To Ruine cast) have shewn. I had thought,
To've made their way, a Warning; and had brought,
Examples, pertinent; prophane, but ture;
To make their shame, as fearful, as its due.
But, this not fully reaching, to the aim,
Of what I would; I then, begun again;
Consulted God, and took my Object higher;
I made my Subject, sacred; and came nigher,
[Page 3]To shew a Traitors Doom from Scripture: then—
I pitch'd on Zedekiah.
Knowing well,
That, Zedekiah when he did Rebell,
Against th' Covenant, made; and Oath, he took;
To be the King of Babels Vice-Roy—look.
Oh how the faithful God, did take to heart;
The wrong, thus offer'd, unto Either Part:
His (1) Name; the Heathens (2) Right, and Israels (3) Law:
Made (1) Vain; as (2) Void; and (3) Vile: by Zedekiah.
Treasons abhord: and God would make him know it;
And (maugre Egypt, and all's Force) did show it.
The Caldee Army came at length, to prove,
A Traitors tongue, calls Vengance from Above;
And God, and Man, to right such wrongs doth move.
Jerusalem,—that strong and stately City,
Is close besieg'd; without regard, or pity,
Of either Place, or Persons; want, within;
And Fear, without; makes every face look thin.
Within, they faint; without the walls, they fall;
The City's broken up; the King, and All,
Fly for their Lives:—but, whither shall they fly,
Whom God pursues, with's Anger's Hue and Cry?
King Zedekiah (now the woful scorn,
Of the Chaldean Army) is forlorn:
(Pursude, and taken) he is Vilifi'd;
To Riblah hurried: and there justly tri'd:
Tri'd by the Prince abus'd; and the same King,
Who gave him leave to Rule, as Underling;
He is his Judge; and rightfully condemns,
His Treasons, and his Traitrous stratagems.
He slayes his Sons before him; makes him see,
His Sin hath ruind his Posterity.
Then puts he out his Eyes, as having been,
The Visible Contrivers of that Scene.
At last he (bound in Chains) in Prison lies;
And (living Poor, and Blinde) there (wretched) dies.
And here, I stopt;—
Two Subjects more (more fit)
Courting my Fancy; thus my Fancy writ.
Zimri would be King of Israel:
And so would Shallum too:
Two Subjects: but, Both, Traitors:
Both, Murderers: and Murdered:
A wicked Pair well met; and truly matcht;
For Fate, and Fortune, equal: strangely hatcht.
Each, was a King:
In Name; but, not by Right:
Not by Succession; but, by Trechery:
Not by Choyce; but, Usurpation:
Not by Conquest; but, Rebellion:
They matter'd not which way;
So the End were gotten.
But,—ah how soon,
Is the Head of Ambition, turn'd round?
With what prodigious speed,
Doth the short time, of their Tryumphing fly?
A certain shame,
Waits on, their fickle glory;
And their deceitful Glass,
Of false-reflecting-Beauty
While 'tis but lookt upon, 'tis broken.
Though Presumption leads the Van;
Despair, brings up the Rear;
Of all their Squadrons.
Zimri, is scarce seated in the Throne;
But, Vengeance follows him:
His seven dayes Reign, is dearly bought;
And his End, is as dreadful, as his Treason.
He saves the Executioner, a labour;
And by a Strange Device,
To put his Ashes in a Royal Urn,
He Fires the Pallace, and Himself doth burn.
And was not Shallum haunted,
With as ill Success, in as high a Fortune?
Past Grace, past Shame.
He dares Heaven to defend the King:
While he conspires to Murder him.
Not because, Zachariah was as Bad, as Any;
But because, He was Above All:
He had the Supremacy;
And Shallum longs for't:
And now, his Pride;
Admits no Obstacle,—as legal:
The Thirst of his Ambition,
Must be quench'd with Blood;
Not Popular; but Royal;
Not of Any Prince; but his Own;
Not a in Private; but a Publique way;
Not by Others; but his Own hands:
Thus, he contrives to Kill;
And Kills, to Reign;
And Reign, he doth;—
A Rebel,—but no Soveraign.
Yet now,—(as arrogant as the Devil)
The Glory of the world's His:
He won it, by the Sword;
And by the Sword, he'le keep it.
A Traitors Plea right:
He that set him, to this School;
Taught him his Lesson well.
But,—the Feet of wool, have Hands of Iron:
God, is Slow, but Sure:
Shallum (with a vengance) findes it;
He findes it: but—
Not so much Slow—and—Sure,
As Sure—and—Sudden.
Shallum kill'd his Lord;
And the Servant, kill'd Shallum.
Zimri was destroyed by Himself:
Shallum, by Another:
Zimri, at a Weeks End:
And Shallum, at a Months.
Thus, he that Kills his Prince, to wear his Crown;
To warm his Fingers, burns a Pallace down:
Deludes, destroyes himself; and while he venters,
To round, a seeming Heaven; Hell, concenters.
Villain forbear: do'nt suck thy Princes Blood:
Forbidden meat, is no fit meat for Food.

And here (notwithstanding the time I had spent; and model, I had made; and had (as in a manner) laid the Scene, upon these Persons, and this Peece, of thus revenged Treason: yet,) my minde was farther prest, to take another, and to begin a new.

At last, the Needle left her trembling Round:
And my Magnetick Fancy, fixt I found.
[Page 7]I found my Subject: and when All is done,
My Subject's Jeroboam, Nebat's Sonne.

Jeroboam

Whose Hope, though (at the last) it was deceived; and his Policy, defeated; and his Pride, debased; and his Person, destroyed; (for,

The Lord strook him, and he died.) Yet, this Catastrophe,— Of That Ominous Politician:

Was (for many years) as really Improbable; as was, the Settlement of Abijah, seemingly Impossible.—

But stay, This ruder Peece, is dedicated to the pub­lick view; and the contingency of censure: I will (therefore) no longer detain you, from your Places; nor anticipate your fancy.

My good wishes, wait upon your favour; and the better Omen of the Masque, upon your Persons, and your Fortunes.

So we All arose, and went into the Theater; where (we being Sate) four Trumpeters did enter; and having sounded a Victoria, a Levite presents him­self, and speaks—

The Argument.

In the dayes of Rehoboam (the Son of Solomon)1 King. 11. 26. did Jeroboam (the Son of Nebat) rebel against his King.

In which Rebellion, when he had continued1 King, 12. 19. 2 Chron. 13 [...]. eighteen years: then began Abijah (the Son of Reho­boam) to reign over Juda.

[Page 8]In the third year of whose Reign, he waged war;Ver. 2. and set the Battel in Aray, against Jeroboam: who, when he had plaid Rex, so long a time, as two and1 King. 14. 20. twenty years: and had an Army, so Great, as of Eight hundred Thousand, chosen men, being mighty2 Chron. 13. 3. men of Valour: yet then, even then; was the Lord pleased, to make his Arm, bare; his Justice, known; the Truth, prevalent; and his Name, glo­rious.

For, this so successful Treason, this numerous Army, and unhappily-happy-Traitor; were, in their best Condition; and their greatest Confidence, to­tally2 Chron. 13. 13. 15. 16. 17. 19. 20. subdued, and fearfully overthrown; five hun­dred thousand of them slain: their General enforc't to fly; and (as a Warning to all Rebels) exem­plarily struck dead by the Hand of the Lord.

In a grateful Commemoration, of which Signal Victory; and in an holy Preomination of the years succeeding, Fortunate, to the Truth and Loyalty; was, this new-mysterious Masque first made;—wherein—

Abijah, and King's Cause;
Jeroboam, and the Rebels;

(With the justice, and success, of Both) are timously made obvious; to The Comfort, and Encouragement, Of All Loyal Subjects.

I my self (saith the Royal Prophet) have seen Psal. 37. 36, 37. the Ungodly in great power, and flourishing like a green Bay Tree:

[Page 9] And I went by, and lo, he was gone; I sought him, but his Place could no where be found.

An Unwise man (saith the same Author) doth not Psal. 92. 6, 7. well consider This; and a fool doth not understand it.

When the Ungodly are green, as the Grass; and when all the workers of wickedness, do flourish; then shall they be Destroyed for ever.

For (saith Ignatius Martyr) Nemo qui se contra Epis. 3. Praestantiorem extulit; impunitus unquam abiit.

With that (he going off the Stage) a young Prince Enters; wearing a Purple Robe, and his head, Crown'd: in the one hand, holding an Olive branch; in the other, a Palm; and speaks

The Prologue.

What means this Dress,
He walks stately; and looks upon himself.
And to what purpose, thus;
Am I Attir'd?
The manners ominous;
A true Praesage, of strange Events; to come,
On After Ages; by a Present Doome.
What means this Place,
What Persons do I see?
I see, great Persons; and their Places, be,
Upon Sesostris wheele:
My Soveraign's Crown,
In's Grand-child's time's usurpt; and Rebels own.
I see again,
By Scripture, and by Reason;
An End, both Sad, and sure; attends on Treason:
His Sin is Fatal, who his Fall laments not;
His Fall, is Final; who his Sin repents not.
[Page 10]Traitors, as Witches are;
And Witches never,
Become Converted, but Condemned ever.
When Loyal Subjects,
(Howsoere they Fare)
As Blessed Angels (Angels blessed) are.
Their hope—and—love espouse,
And faith doth ty,
Their true Allegiance, fast, to Soveraignty.
'Tis not the Tempest of the roughest Crosses,
Can shipwrack their Obedience, with their Losses.
It's so observ'd:
And Psyche (by the way)
Is Staid, and Pray'd, their Banner to display;
And here it's done, in a Triumphant Story;
Which flouts, and routs, all traitors shameful-glory.
This is the Subject, of the Sequel Masque;
Which Psyche now, makes Mine; and I, your Task:
I, to resume; and You, for to revolve;
And Each, by Application, to resolve;
That this Sad-Sacred-pleasing-Scene, is laid;
To make the Good, rejoyce; the Bad, afraid.
But hark—
The Musick sounds;
To my preventing:
May All, have Mirth: and Psyche
True contenting.
Exit.

The loud Musique sounds And The First Shew's Presented Being

A Landskip in form of a Square; having in the one Angle, a Promontory; whereon the rural Nymphs were sporting, and under it, the Sea; wherein, was a gallant Navy sayling.

In another Angle, was a Garden; giving all the de­light that dainty flowers; pleasant walks; and Musical water-works could yeild.

In the Third Angle, was a Castle, strongly, and bravely fortified; in the face whereof, was an Army compleatly Armed, marching in Aray.

In the fourth Angle, was a Park; well-wooded, and stor'd with Deer: Gallants a hunting, and the Hounds upon a full Cry.

In the middle of this Quadrangle, was a Grove of Cedars; out of which came a Shepherdess, in a green Gown, and a Garland on her Head; attended by a Swain, in a Shepherds Coat, and a Pipe in his Hand: Each then, saluting other; the One Playes; and Both, Dance: which done—they pull off their Disguises, and discover themselves, to be, an Angel, and Psyche: Psyche then (instructed by the Angel) making an hum­ble Address, and due Observance to R. A. the King. Kneels down, and Speaks.

The first Speech.

Dread Sir—I crave your Pardon;
Which, if You,
[Page 12]Shall please to grant;
I crave your Patience too,
Which, if you promise;
Then I crave your Ear;
Which, if you deign;
Then, let your Highness hear.
What was that Heathen, that he should out-brave,
Galiah.
God's Cause, and Army, and a Challenge crave?
Or, what's this Traitor, that the Gauntlet throwes,
In scorn of God, and doth the King oppose?
Jeroboam.
At length,—
Abijah.
A Youth, but with a Stone and Sling;
David.
Answer'd, and Conquer'd, that fell Phylistine.
And so, ere long,
As mean a Meanes, may Be,
The Scenes to Act this Villaines Tragedie.
Believe it' King Abijah,
You shall find;
The fall of Jeroboam is design'd.
Not from that Giant; but, this Rebell;
I——
Foresee the Sequel, by Imparitie:
For, True that Monster was;
And his Strange Pride,
Did Vaunt but's Valour, to advance his Side.
But This,
—Was monstrous False:
And's frantick Zeal,
To turn a Kingdom, to a Common-weal;
Prayes, and Betrayes;
Swears, and Forswears; to further,
—The King in's Throne:
—The King at's Gate, to Murder.
[Page 13] Corah's was nothing, if compar'd to This;
—This perjur'd Changling's Metamorphosis:
The Way, was worse;
And may a worser Fate,
Then Corah's, or Goliah's;
Antedate—the Transformation:
Prodigious Stars, portend his Fall;
By Famine, Plague, or Wars.
May Loyalty, be blest:
Your Highness, Crownd:
And God, Convert; or else your Foes Confound.
May you obtrude Intruders, from the Keyes;
And keep them Sacred to Divine Decrees.
May Aarons Rod still flourish: and You be,
A Nursing Father, both to It, and Me.
Still may the Lord, your Majesty defend;
And Peace, or Patience, to your Subjects send.
Long may you live,—
And live so long, to Reign;
Till Treason be Reveng'd, and Traitors slain.
This, This I ask,—
Which granted, I'le give ore:
And Bless my God, and You;—
And ask no more.

The King then drew off his Glove, and (holding out his hand) Psyche rose up; and (kneeling down again) she kiss'd it.

The Queen then (observing Psyche, to have a cu­rious Voyce) desired her to Sing: and (without denial, or reply) her good Angel standing by her, playing on a Lute, she sung

The first Song.

1.
No more, no more, to ask,
Of God, and King,
Too sad's a Task,
In this glad Masque;
To undertake, and sing.
2.
But, since my Loyal tongue;
Hath Royal greeting;
'Twere double wrong,
A single Song,
For to deny this Meeting.
3.
Angels, and Men, shall know;
And All, hold forth;
The Zeal I ow,
And love I show,
Unto my Princes worth.
4.
And now, in grateful-wise,
I'le kneel agen;
She kneels.
To Sympathize,
The Peoples Cryes,
God save the King. Amen.

With that (an Acclamation being made) the Scene, upon a suddain, chang'd; and then (the loud Musique sounding a second time.)

The Second Shew's presented being

A pleasant Plain, encompassed with Hills: in the middle of which Plain, was a fair City; and in the City a glorious Temple; and in the Temple, a goodlyJerusalem. King David. Person: Which Person (having on, a Robe of fine lin­nen; and a curious Ephod upon the Robe; and a golden Girdle upon the Ephod) walketh into the Sanctum San­ctorum, with the Book of the Law, in his hand, and thus speaks—

The Second Speech.

In this Asytum
Doth (for certain) dwell,
God, and my Devotions Oracle.
Hence am I Taught;
And Here I am; to know;
The Reason why, the wicked Prosper so?
I know, the Lord is Just:
But yet,—his wayes,
Seem very strange, and many doubtings raise.
For,—he fulfils the wicked man's request;
And more then's Vote, doth correspond his Brest.
He fears not Death:
Nor doth his Body feel,
The darts of Sickness, or the Sword of Steel.
His Arm is brawny;
And his Army's stout;
And bravely Valiant, when he Marches out.
They—deck themselves with Pride, as with a chain,
And as a Garment, so they wear Disdain.
[Page 16]They Drink: they Drab:
And live licentious Lives:
They mock at God:
And yet—their Doing thrives.
They kill—their King:
Their Brethren, they Enslave:
They Rob, and Spoil: and no Religion have.
As Beasts of Prey, they have devouring Paws:
As bloody Tyrants, they have broke all Laws:
The Laws of God:
Of Nature:
And the Land:
And Crown'd their Treason, with Supreme Com­mand.
Yet—God's not mov'd:
Except, it be to Bless;
Such Ill Proceedings, with a good Success.
At night,
He guards them, in their safe Reposes;
And when 'tis Day,
He trims their Heads with Roses.
This,—makes them bragg;
Their Cause, is most Divine:
And Stately Fortune, makes their Cause to Shine.
This,—makes Me grieve;
For This, I come, to know;
The Reason why, the wicked Prosper so?
With that,
Asoft-small-voyce, deep silence brake;
And thus,
This Answer, to the Question spake.

The Oracle.

Let God be true, and every man a Lyar:
The Bramble-bush, is but (at best) a Bryar;
It cannot be a Cedar.
The wicked may,
Walk in the broader; but, not safer way.
To stand upon a Pinacle in pride;
Is very vain, and perilous beside.
The more the wicked have; the more's their score;
Upon the Audit-Book to reckon for.
They are the less excus'd, in having thus,
All as they would, exceeding prosperous.
Their prosperous State, is as a Chance that's cast;
And lucky Chances, do not alwayes last.
Their only Portion, on the Earth is given;
Excluded ever, from a part in Heaven.
They are the Rods of God; and when his turn
Is serv'd upon his Children, he will burn.
Their seeming Chrystall is but reall Ice;
They slide, and fall, and perish in a trice.
Their former Honour shall be quite forgot;
And Jeroboam, with his fame, shall rot.
He and all Rebells do ride post to Hell;
And this for Truth the Oracle doth tell.
Then—let thy Faith, and Hope, and Love, be firm;
(Whoere's aboard, it's God that sits at th'Stern.
He will thee guide with Councell;
If thou lov'st him:
And never fail thee,
Whensoere thou prov'st him.
[Page 18]Continue constant in thy fervent praying;
Hee'l Crown thy Expectation—
And my saying.
Then was a noyse of chearfull Musique heard,
And sights of Joy (and Angels seen) appear'd;
And therewithall—

The Third Shew's presented, being

A stately Pallace, wherein, was a Room of Ala­blaster (hang'd with Cloth of Gold, richly and curiously Embroydered, with the lively, and Emboss'd Imagery of David and Solomon; with the Histo­ry of both: in the Hangings, were severall Rowes of Jewels; whose Lustre was irradiant; and as so many Starres enlightened all the Room) where­into (attended by Fifty Persons, all cloth'd alike, in Coats of Crimson Velvet, with green Sattin sleeves; their Stockings green Silk; with Garters and Roses, of Gold and Crimson) came—

The King of Judah,
The Queen his Mother,
Two Dukes, his Brothers,
The High-Priest,
The Levites,
The Generall of the Army,
And the Captain of the Guard.

The King, Queen, and Princes, sate in their Chairs of State: All the rest at a distance sate bare-headed.

[Page 19]Then the King (lifting up his Eyes and Hands to Heaven) smote upon his Breast; and thus his minde express'd—in—

The Third Speech.

It makes us sport, to play with Easie Cares;
When, Heavier, make us Dumb.
The Greater Fears,
Put Speech it self to silence; and the Ears,
To hear no Language but the Voyce of Tears.
Yet I—
Th'unhappy Grand-Sonne of that King;
Whose Wealth, and Wisedome;
Power, and Peace; do ring,
With Everlasting Fame:
I——I am Hee
Must hear such Fame blasphem'd by Obloquie:
Must Hear't, and doe;
And Speak on't too.
Was ever Grief like mine?
I am the Object, wrongfully displac'd:
Of Honour sham'd: and Majesty debas'd:
Of Favour, much despis'd: of Power, made weak:
Of SaC Red Peace, made Civil Peace to break.
Was ever Case like mine?
My Kingdome's Ravisht:
Aud my Virgin Throne,
Basely's Deflowr'd by Rebellion:
My Royall Robe is rent:
My Scepter, broke:
My Crown, is fallen:
And the Loyall Yoak,
[Page 20]Of Legall Tribute (to my greater crosse)
With scorn, is torn, to my greatest losse.
Was ever wrong like mine?
The Traytors fury is without respect,
Of Persons, and of Duty:
Their neglect—
Doth know no Bounds:
They will doe, as they say;
Their Will's their Law; and with their Swords they sway.
Were ever Foes like mine?
These—
With their Old Projector (to our woe)
Have caus'd our grief, and grievous overthrow:
These
Fought to kill—my Father:
And can I—
Expect good Quarter, from such Soldiery?
Alas! they are in human;
And no means,
Of Princely Favour;
Shining from the Beams,
Of Majesty it self;
Can make them know,
Or once acknowledge,
They subjection owe,
To any, but the stronger:
These be they
Whom self-advantage turns any way:
Were ever Foes like mine?
And such as, these;—
Or rather just the same;
Were some that fled, and to our Party came;
[Page 21]Came,—but, as Spies;
And so it prov'd at length;
We lost their duty when we lost our strength:
Were ever Friends like mine?
This,—
In my Fathers Reign was sadly—true;
And what can I against so false a Crue?
They have disclaim'd my Right:
And few, or none;
But only God's my Consolation.
I am by SaCRed and by Civill claim;
To all the Tribes, the Lawfull Soveraign:
Yet I—their KING
Must see my Right, made Voyd;
And all Allegiance to my Crown destroy'd:
Was ever Realm like mine?
What shall I say?
I am an Exile driven,
To Forrein parts,—
And of my Home bereaven.
What shall I doe?
—Alas, wherere I goe;
My Life's in danger by a cruel Foe:
I know not whom to trust:
And all my care,
Is,—how my Subjects in my Fate will fare.
Ah me—forsaken—and—forlorn!
Nor Realm, nor Wrongs,
Nor Case, nor Grief,
Nor Foes, nor Friends:
Were ever like to mine.
[Page 22]With that he sigh'd; and ceas'd.
And then begun,
The Mother Queen;
And thus bespake her Son, in

The Fourth Speech.

My dearest Son, and Soveraign;
Hear I pray—
A Mothers Counsell, and her words obey.
It's true—
Your Case, so sad; and Grief, so deep;
O'reflowes the tears of Mourners (hir'd to weep)
Your Verball Friends, but Reall Foes in Deeds;
The deepest Grief, and saddest Case exceeds.
Your Realm's in Common—
And in Chief, your wrong;
Outvyes the Cryes of Hadadrimmons tongue.
Yet—
May'nt base Fear, your Noble heart surprize;
For, we do'nt know, nor may, the mysteries,
Of God's permissive Providence:—Oh no;
His winding Feet, upon the Waters goe:
There is no Tract, nor Line, nor Rule, whereby,
His Paths to finde; or Footsteps to descry.
Yet—
In an hopefull wonder, see 'tis Day,
Although the Sun's Eclips'd,
His Lightsome Ray,
Will pierce, ere long, the darkest Clouds.
Your Crown—
And Throne, and Scepter, may be hurled down:
[Page 23]Your Forces, beaten:
And your Self, made flie,
With dreadfull speed for your security:
In outward shew, past Help:
Admit—yet then,
The Lord of Hosts, can Rally up agen.
By Him, Kings Reign:
And upon whom, he please;
He Crowns the Issues of his close Decrees.
His Prescience, is a Secret;
And we must,
Submit (in Duty) to His Will;
And trust his Word Reveal'd:
For why? we cannot tell,
How soon the Traitor shall be dragg'd to Hell.
God hath his Time:
Then use what means you can;
To Repossesse your Rights;
'Tis God not Man;
By many, or by few, the Conquest gives;
Before the Traitor his Reproach outlives.
Serve God, in truth:
And when his Time is come,
He can advance you to a Peacefull Throne.
He is the same, he was:
In Mercy still, most infinite;
If't be his Holy Will,
He can, and may Enthrone you;—howsoere,
Let not your Hope, be overcome by Fear.
No (saith the Duke) and (with a pretty smile)
Thus Courts the King, his Brother:—in

The Fifth Speech.

Wee—
(For consolation met)
Are, in Consultation set,
That comfort, and assistance might,
Be given for your Native Right:
And (lo) an Angel doth appear,
Which puts us in a Hopefull—fear.

A bright Cloud is seen, and an Angel in the Cloud: his face shining like the Sun: and armed like a man of War, and having in the one hand a Golden Crown; in the other, a Flaming Sword; he brandishes the Sword, then sets the Crown upon the Kings head, and so vanishes, being

The Fourth Shew.

Whereupon the Prince proceeds; and sayes,

See, see,—
A Vision doth foretell,
The Rebels woe, my Soveraigns weal.
Not he, that girds his Harnesse on;
But, puts it off; the Field hath won.
The men of Al prevail'd at first,
And forc'd Gods Forces to the worst:
While Achan plunder'd, there could be;
No hope, of any Victory:
But found, and punisht; God returns:
Defeats the Foe: the City Burns:
God's Cause, and Captain, did (at last) prevail;
And so shall ever, though a while they fail.
Ah Sir! I know, we have Offended:
And what's Amiss, must be Amended:
Some Person, or some Thing, there is;
God Plagues, with such Calamities.
Let's search, and try our wayes; and then,
God will lead In, and Out, your Men:
Your Cause, is Good; and in the End,
The Vision doth your Good portend:
Cheer up (dear Sir) and trust the King of Kings,
You shall prevail, and do the highest things.
Yea, said the other Duke, in—

The Sixt Speech.

———And so You shall,
Rise most Tryumphant, from your lowest Fall.
You shall—
For, God Rewards; and wil, ere long;
The bloody Actors, of a Princes wrong.
We finde the end, of Shimei; who Revil'd
His Soveraign Lord; And Traiterously Stil'd,
The King; a man of Belial: though the same,
He did Confess; and for his Pardon came,
With all Submission; yet—he guilty stood,
And's hoary Head, went to the Grave, in Blood.
God owns Kings so, that, who so wrongs their right,
Out-faces God, and doth his Power despite.
For solo Deo minor, is the King;
And He is Gods Immediate Underling.
There's no Coercive Power under heaven,
Against the King; but what's Directive given.
[Page 26]All Kings, are Sacred: and their Unction, is;
Oyl-Holy—Gods: and All, mysterious Ties,
From Evil, in the Heart; and Tongue; and Hand;
Against their Persons, and their just Command.
Hence (sure) it was, that Absolon, was so;
With fatal Arrows, smitten three times through:
For's Heart, and Hand, and Tongue, did all, go on;
To Act a threefold Treason; All in One.
Or else because, that Rebels are the Foes;
Which do the blessed Trinity oppose.
Or else because, they do resist the Way;
Of God's: of States: and of the Churches Sway.
A wretched End he had: twixt Heaven and Earth,
Hang'd by his Hair, as in a Snare for death:
In's height of Sin, and in his strength of Treason;
He's slain, untimely; in a timely Season.
Most Timely, as for David;
Though untimely, as for Absolon.
Then said Shemaiah,

Speaking The Seventh Speech.

We must not think, unequal are God's wayes;
Or, He denies us, when he us Delayes:
We must not think, because he doth forbear;
That he forgets, what Sins, and Sinners are.
God cannot be, but what he is: most True:
Most Mighty: Wise: and what's most Just, will do.
The Soul that Sins; shall Dye. God's only Son,
(As one that Sin'd) before the Judge must come:
Not for to Plead, yet can; nor strive, yet able;
Both to confute, and to confound, the Rabble:
But, as made Sin for Us; that Sin'd; that so—
We that so Sinn'd, may be (as Just) let go:
Him, as for Us; Us, as in Him; God tries:
He bears our blame; and for our Sins he dies.
Because Christ took our Nature; to become,
Our Pledge; our Price; and our Redemption:
God is so Just, he will not spare his Son,
But Sinful made—by Imputation:
The Soul that Sins shall dye. And will God then,
Excuse the sinfull'st of the Sons of Men?
The Father's Sin, sha'nt ly upon the Son;
And shall the Subjects, on the King; and's Throne?
Shall Rebels be unpunisht, or shall they—
That have condemn'd,—and made their King away,
By an unheard-of-murder? shall they be
Exempt from Justice, as by Law made Free?
Shall They, that have despis'd the Son of God;
And's Word, and's Will, (as under foot) have trod?
Shall They be ever Green? and shall the Bayes,
Of such Offences, flourish to their Praise?
Then, is our Faith in vain; and all our Hope,
Of Retribution, as a Sandy Rope.
We cleanse our hearts, & wash our hands, for nought,
But Inward Peace; which now as nothing's thought.
We suffer much, and All, to Little end;
If All to Loss, and to Misfortune tend.
Why then did Moses, leave the Princely Sport,
Of such a Pallace, as was Pharaohs Court?
Or, why did Joseph shun the Courting Stream,
Of Stollen waters, from his Princely Dame?
Why were the Scriptures writ? and what ado—
Is there of Judgement, and Damnation too?
[Page 28]What do we talk of God, of Heaven, or Hell,
If they be best, that in the Worst excel.
'Twere vain indeed, the General sayes,

The Eight Speech.

'Twere boot;—
To Rant, and Rore; and have a Requiem to't.
But it as True, as Old; and each one knows;
That, Traitors Tryumphs, have their overthrows.
Though Haggith's Son, with Royal wings doth fly;
And Joab, and Abiather stand by:
Though He (by Them) have All, and Each, as Vile,
Besides Himself; Himself admires awhile.
Though's Colours fly: and Drums in triumph beat:
And Sounding Trumpets serve, to serve in's meat:
Though All seem well; and nought as Ill, to see;
What ere He does, and where so ere He be:
Though Horse, and Chariots, and his fifty Boyes,
Do run before his Kingship:—All, are Toyes.
For fall He shall: and fall He did; that Day,
He made's Request, He made his Life away.
Thus,—its as true, as old; and Each one Knows;
A Traitors weal, is Usher to his Woes.
Unlawful Acts, by means unlawful done;
Are thin, and weak; and by the Spider spun.
You Sacred Sir, can tell.
I can: and Here;
By Sacred Story, it shall plain appear,
Saith the High Priest—in—

The Ninth Speech.

When Corah's craft, had blear'd the Peoples Eyes,
And made so many of the Princes Rise:
[Page 29]The chiefest men; the men of most renown:
Famous, for Birth; and for their Worth, made known:
He as the Best; and only man for Zeal;
Becomes the Speaker, for the publique Weal:
And (by a kind of hellish witchcraft led)
They all submit to this Rebellious Head:
Who, having thus, such Members to assist him;
He goes to Moses; and doth thus resist him.
You—you, Sir Moses and your Brother too:
Corah.
Must All of Us, be trampled, on by You?
What is the Reason, of Advancing thus,
Your selves above your Brethren? God's with Us,
As well as You: and All of Us (as One)
Are Holy, in the Congregation.
Wee'l not be Fool'd into a Regal way;
And You, Command; and we (forsooth) Obey.
What have you done (quoth Dathan) thus to be,
Dathan.
The only Two, for your Supremacy?
Is't not enough, that from a wealthy Land
(With Milk and Hony flowing) thy Command,—
Hath led Us hither, to this barren Place;
To be the Food, for Famine, and Disgrace:
Except Thou be our Prince: and make Us bow,
And yield our Necks, to thy Subjuging too?
Yes (quoth Abiram
Abiram.
—Where are those Fruitful fields;
That Milk and Honey, and such plenty yeilds?
What wilt thou do? Dost think, we do not see;
Thy proud Intention, what thou meanst to be?
No, no, wee'l not come up: call—call agen;
Let Them come up, that know no Stratagem.
[Page 30]We'l make you know your Princedom's not so great,
But we are able to defeat your Feat.
There's Corah come, and tell Him truly now,
(Or we will make you) why ye make Us bow.
Thus what with words, and mixing Threars withall,
Moses and Aaron on their Faces Fall:
As strangely sham'd: or zealously affear'd:
To see the Lightning, from such Thunder hear'd.
They could not speak, as yet: but ere awhile;
Moses doth tell them, in a fair-foul Stile;
What they should do; and should from thence infer;
VVhat Stars, were fixt; and what, Erratique were.
They soon should know who were the good, or bad;
That God Secluded, or Selected had,
To Minister before him: They should see
VVho Holy were, and who Unholy be.
The Rebels then, they took (as Moses said)
Censers, and Fire; and thereon Incense laid:
And then (with Moses and with Aaron) stood,
Before the Place, where God his Glory shew'd.
Before (their Prince and Priest, and now) the Lord,
They stand (presuming upon Corah's word)
And dare Appeal (as free from All Offence)
To God's strict Justice, and Omniscience.
Thus,—damned Pride, leads Traitors to the worst,
Of wilful Sins, to make them most Accurst:
From One Sin, to Another; still they go;
And fear no Evil, till they feel the Blow:
Which, shall so Sudden, and so Dismal be;
As, by the Vengeance; you, their Sin shall see.
This—God, to Moses: He, the People shews;
VVho, Corahs Tents, and Congregation views.
[Page 31]They touch not, ought, is Theirs: but agen,
Review, for Separation: Moses then,
Bespeaks them thus.
Now, shall you hereby know;
Both who I am, and whence, and what I do,
Is all from God: and what a Horrid Sin,
ReBellion is, the way that Corah's in.
If you shall see, the Earth in sunder cleave;
And all these men, and whatsoe'er they have;
Be swallowed, quick; and go alive, to Hell;
Then, by the Vengeance; you, their Sin may tell.
And as he spake, it was: a dismal Grave,
Did them, their Tents and all their Goods receave:
And (nothing left) the Earth did close agen,
To be awarning for Rebellious Men,
Who, but for speaking, though they did not Do;
The murderous Act, of bloudy Treason too:
Yet,—see how strictly, God in fury smites,
The mouthy Tauntings, of the SaCRed Rites:
The Earth, destroyes: the Fire, doth devour:
The bold Blasphemers, of the Higher Power.
With that all the Levites stood up, and having each of them an Instrument of Musique in his hand:
They make Obeysance to the King,
And then they Play, and thus they sing.

The Second Song.

Sir, wait awhile; while God your Patience tries,
By suffering Traitors, in their Villanies:
For, there are woes
For your Foes,
Prepared:
Not a Common Visitation, shall,
Bold-bloody-Rebels, at the last befall,
Then let not Those,
That Oppose,
Be fear'd.

Chorus.

Though Pharaoh Boast,
He'l Israel confound:
Yet Pharoh's crost,
And he and's Host are Drownd.
Sir be content; as Moses was, by you:
Moses foretold: and may your Highness too:
That, there are woes,
For your Foes,
Prepar'd:
As Moses did: So shall your Highness see,
In Corah's, Jeroboam's Destinie:
Then, let not Those,
That Oppose,
Be fear'd.

Chorus.

Though Pharaoh boast,
He'l Israel confound;
Yet Pharoh's crost,
And He, and's Host are Drownd.

Then, as they made a Warbling Close, both of their Song, and Musique; Behold,

The Fifth Shew's presented; Being

A spacious Field, and two Armies, in Aray; the Kings, and the Rebels: and joyning Battel, the Kings side prevails.

[Page 33]Whereupon (all crying Victoria, Victoria) an Old man (wearing a Mantle of Camels Hair, girt about with a Lethern Girdle) presents Himself before the King; to whom (being demanded who he was, and what he would) he said—

The Tenth Speech.

What needed Endors Witch, by Magick Spell,
To make the Devil, a Prophet; and to tell—
The fatal State of Saul?
For, (first) his cursed sparing Agag's Self:
1.
Then (secondly) his Lying for the Pelf:
2.
Thirdly, his killing the Lord's Priests:
3.
And (fourthly) Hunting for—
4.
The pretious Life of David:
(Whose worth, the Virgins, in a Dance did Sing;
And next to Saul, was the Anointed King.)
Fiftly, (despairing) his presuming Folly,
5.
In Samuel's place, to be (unholy) Holy:
Lastly, from God, unto a Witch, he going;
Resolves the Question (to his just Undoing.)
That Vengeance waits on Sinners: such, as still;
Resist the Good, and do persist in Ill:
Sin, with delight; and in their Spite, Oppose,
God's way, and Will: God will (at last) Depose.
What needed Endors Witch,
By Magick Spell,—
To make the Devil, a Prophet?
This Truth, this Day, is with a Sun-beam writ;
And These, and After-times shall witness it.
For th' bloud, of many hundred thousands shed;
The hideous Cries, of thousands, almost dead:
The total-strange Defeat: and direful Fate,
Of Jeroboam;—In his tenfold State:
His two and twenty years Possession:
His mighty Host: Eight hundred thousand strong;
His cunning Ambush: and his Forces, double:
(Flouted, and routed; to his treble trouble.)
Then,—his sad Exit, from the Stage of warre;
Shew,—what the Issues of Rebellion are.
See, how the Field is staind with Blood: and then—
Observe the number: rally up agen,
Thy thankful thoughts; don't wonder; in such wayes,
(Although so long permitted;—) that, their days;
(At longest) are but short; and bad (at Best)
Not all their Pomp, can give one hour of Rest.
Their Guards are vain: their strongest Bars, are weak:
Their Sentinels, by night, and day, do speak,
Their Guilt, and Fear. Where's Jeroboam now?
(The Old Commander) unto whom, did bow;
So many, and they All;
(The Sons of Belial.)
Where's his Calf—Gods,
And Idol (self-made) Priests,
Where's all his double-odds?
Oh how is Israel, bewitcht, with Treason!
Though God himself, be Captain for his King;
And lead the van: and Angels, either Wing:
Yet,—joyn they Battel; and their shooting to't:
Till God draws out, & breaks through Horse & Foot,
Disranks, Disorders, and Destroyes the Foe,
And gives at once, an utter Overthrow.
I see it now,—and now, upon the Day;
I come, the Tribute of my thanks to pay;
[Page 35]To pay, devoutly tender'd unto God;
Who with his Holy Arm; and Iron Rod;
Hath made the Truth, most timously to bring,
Praise, to his Name: and Safety, to his King.

Upon this, was an Allarm from within; and lamen­table out-cryes made; and thereupon,

The Sixt, and last Shew's presented, Being

Two Cities, Dan, and Bethel: and in Bethel, the Juncto-Council; wherein, sate Jeroboam, in a Chair of State: Hell, under him; the Devil, behind him: and King Abijah in a Throne, above him: whom when the Rebel saw; he cries out—O Treason, Treason: what have I done, and how was I bewitch't. O Treason, Treason: ceasing, to be Loyal; I left to be Religious; I first, forsook my King: and then my God:

Thus, by degrees I fell; and now, I fall;
To be more wretched, then Accursed Saul.

With that, the Devil tares him in pieces, and throwes him into Hell. Whereupon, the Party for Abijah, clap their hands: and (praising God, and Praying for the King) the Levites take again their several Instruments of Musick; and (one holding ap the Picture of Jerobo­am, in a frame of Gold.) thy sung

The Third and last song.

As they began, there came in six Masquers; each in green silk; wrought over with gold spangles: their Temples wreath'd with Bayes; their Vizards all diffe­rent, but beautiful and smiling.

[Page 36]These six (at the close of every Eight verses) dance the Antique; and Dancing, sing the Chorus.)

1.
The Person, and his Power's gone:
What's worth your Contemplation?
This Picture? or this fairer Frame?
(Deserving better then it's Name)
No, no, th' memory, the Sight;
Each Part, and Faculty, that's right;
Abhors the Shadow of the fairest, Paint,
He throws the Picture down, and breaks it.
Which makes the foulest Devil seem a Saint.

The CHORUS.

Come, dance we may,
'Tis Psyche's Play;
And Holy-day,
At Court,
At Court;
And Holy-day,
At Court:
Traitors (though Crown'd,
And most Renown'd)
God will confound,
With sport,
With sport;
God will confound,
With sport.
2.
God did, and doth, and ere will Bless,
The Better Cause, with Best Success.
Traitors may speed awhile; and bring;
A shameful EXIT, on their King:
[Page 37]Rebels may Rule, untill their Sins,
Be ripe for Judgment: then begins,
The just Observer of the Prince's wrongs;
To plead their Rights, in spite of Rebels tongues.

CHORUS.

With Musique choyce,
Of Hand and Voyce;
Sing and rejoyce;
We may,
We may;
Sing, and rejoyce,
We may:
The Traitors Crown,
And all's Renown,
Is fallen down,
To day,
To day,
Is fallen down
To day.
3.
The Lord of Hosts, the King is for;
And Regicide doth most abhorre:
He'le fright, and smire the proudest He,
That's guilty of Disloyaltie.
The Scepter, from Usurpers hands,
Shall fall by horrid Countermands.
And all the Guiltlesse Blood, that hath bin spilt;
Shall (to their torment) be their Endlesse Guilt.

CHORUS.

Come, dance, we may,
'Tis Psyche's Play,
[Page 38]And Holy-day,
At Court,
At Court;
And Holy-day,
At Court:
Traitors (though Crown'd,
And most Renown'd)
God will confound,
With sport,
With sport:
God will confound,
With sport.
4.
Here's Jeroboam, who of late,
Did Check the King; hath now Check mate,
And all his Chosen men of Warre,
Eight hundred thousand strong; yet are,
Defeated, and destroyed so,
With such a fearfull-fatall blow:
The Highest Traitor may his Downfall see;
And in's Rebellion finde a Prodigie.

CHORUS.

With Musique choyce,
Of Hand, and Voyce;
Sing, and rejoyce,
We may,
We may,
Sing, and rejoyce,
We may.
The Traitors Crown,
And all's Renown,
[Page 39]Is fallen down,
To day,
To day,
Is fallen down,
To day,

With that, there was a Sound of Drums and Trum­pets: and Psyche (with an observant haste) goes, to present the King, with the Masque, in writing. Which done, Psyche's good Angel be speaks her thus;

Come prethee Psyche haste away,
Upon the Earth,
Is no long mirth:
And I am gone, nor may You stay.
She hears, she answers; and she cryes,
Let none think much,
Our mirth is such;
And by an Eccho, He replies.
as followeth, in

The EPILOGUE.

Psyche. Angel.

Ah woe is me (unhappy One)
And is my Guide, and Guard, thus gone?
ECCHO. Gone.
But hark, ye'nt That, the Musique choyce,
Of his fair Hand, and warbling Voyce?
O [...]es.
The Eccho's His: ah could I know,
But whether I am mockt, or no?
Noe.

[Page 40]Psyche. Angel.

Oh (my dearest) were I there,
Or (my dearest) were you here.
ECCHO. U—here.
Descend I prethee, and fullfill,
Or mine, or Thine; what's your's my Will.
I—will.
Oh haste, I faint; what shall I say?
What shall I doe? Oh speak, I pray.
Pray.
The Duty's just; and I'le persever,
(If thou wilt Teach me) in It ever.
Ever.
With that, she Bowes, & Kneels; and (Kneeling) prayes:
The Angel comes, and each (Ascending) sayes:
Farewell,
Fare-well:
—Yea, Wellfare may our Farewell be,
To his most saCRed Majesty.
The (1) Oak, the (2) Olive, and the (3) Vine,
Their Boughs, as well as Roots, entwine.
The (1) stately; (2) cheerfull, (3) fruitfull Trees.
Emblematize Prosperitie:
That; (1) Power, (2) Peace, (3) & Plenty, may—
Be still our Pillars, for our Stay.
Enough,—now, our Divining Masque is done:
We must attend upon the Rising Sunne.
Leaving Good Times, to prove our Better Newes,
As True, as Told, in Speeches, Songs, and Shemes.
THE END.

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