[Page] [Page] [Page] [Page] HONOURS INVITATION, OR A Call to the Camp.
VVHEREIN The Triumphant Genius of Great Brittain by a Poetical Alarm AWAKENS The Youth of the three Nations, to Generous Attempts, for the Glory of their Countrey: With a Prospect of the present Gallant Campagne on Black-Heath.
VVritten by a young Gentleman of Quality now in the Service;
Dignos Laude Viros Musa vetabit Mori:
LONDON Printed by H. B. for John Clark at the Harp and Bible in VVest-Smithfield. 1673.
HONOURS INVITATION OR A Call to the Camp, &c.
BRED by fond Mothers too Indulgent Care,
My vainer life spun on its thirtieth Year:
Charm'd with the Poysonous sweets of barren Ease,
And all the luxuries of wanton Peace;
To duell Rampant miss on a soft Bed
Hector the watch, or break a Drawers Head
To drown a younger Brother in a Look
Kick a poor Lacquey, or berogue a Cook
Top a small crew of Tenants that dare Stir
In no language, but, please your Worship Sir,
To chase the Stagg, and now and then pursue
The timerous Hare, were all the Warrs I knew;
When drunk or'e night with generous Burgundy
I thought (as Gallants use) to sleep all Sunday
[Page 4] But scarce could Morpheus leaden plumets close
My Eye, and lock my Senses in repose,
VVhen, lo! A reverend Spectrum did appear
Surprizing me with equal joy and fear;
It seem'd a Personage of Noblest Race
A Manly presence, and Majestick Face
An Azure Mantle flowing round his VVast
And his strong hands with Neptunes Trident Grac'd
Three Crowns he bore, and under them his Brow
Circled with Laurels fresh pluck't from the Bough.
I gaz'd a while, till it approacht more near
And thus (with voyce like Thunder) peirc'd my ear
VVilt thou, Degenerous Youth! Ignobly Blot
The Trophies which thy Ancestors have Got?
Prove them the Sires of a spurious Race?
Ore'turn their Statues, and their Tombs Deface;
Forfeit those Honours which they left to thee
By sleeping in a senceless Lethargy?
Now, when each Noble Soul, greedy of Fame
Feels his brest glowing with a generous Flame
VVhen Sceens of blood on neighbouring shores appear
And furious Mars sways all our Hemisphear;
VVilt thou alone, stupidly drown'd, prefer
Sordid delights to the Glory of the warr?
Decline that Road of Honour which Displays
To every daring hand a wreath of Bays
And in a wretched sloth consume thy days?
Can the poor yelpings of a deep-mouth'd Hound
Vye Musick with the warlike Trumpets Sound?
Or faint Applauses of a Horse race won
(VVhen sprightly Sorrel out-flew nimble Dun)
Equal those Acclammations that are sent
In Vollies to the Ecchoing Firmament?
VVhich every Victor justly calls his own?
For Kingdoms conquer'd, and proud States ore-thrown?
Shall Troops of Heroes from all parts resort,
That quit the softer pleasures of the Court?
[Page 5] Charge death ith face, and forward still Aspire
Through midst of dangers swift as Heavens Fire?
Shall the Drums Rattling Summons nimbly bring
Crouds of vulgar in, to serve their King?
That laugh at hardships, and dare bravely dye,
If Fate requir't, to purchase Victory?
And their Example neither move thy spirit
Nor Emulation of the others merit?
VVhat drowsie Opium has possest thy Brain
Dull soul! That all these Joggins are in Vain?
For shame at last awake lest it be said
Your courage does not slumber, but is dead;
From befo [...]e paltry Beauties raise your seige
VVho thinks by feign'd resistance to oblige
Nor let the kinder Ladies tempting Charms
Confine you still to their enfeebling Arms:
(VVhen Fate turn'd prodigal, freely affords)
The Destinies of Nations to your swords▪
Let mighty cities be your Mistresses
VVhose dowry brings the spoils of Provinces;
Level their prouder walls, and let it be
A doubt hereafter to Posterity
When only shatter'd Monuments they vieu
Whether Joves thunder hath been there, or you;
These are atcheivments fitting to be done
By each dares call himself stout Englands son.
As a brave courser standing on the sand
Of some swelling Sea-channel vieus a land
Smiling with sweets upon the distant side
Garnish in natures best Embroider'd pride
Larded with springs, and fring'd with curled woods
Impatient bounces into the capering floods
Bigg with a nobler fury than that stream
Of shallow violence he meets in them
Thence arm'd with scorn and courage ploughs a way
Through the Impostum'd Billows of the sea
And makes the grumbling surges, slaves to Oar
And waft him safely to the further shoar
[Page 6] Where landed in a sovereign disdain
He turning back surveys the foaming main
Whilst the subjected waters, flowing, reel
Ambitious yet to kiss their Conq'rours heel.
At such a generous rate shouldst thou ingage,
In the grand Expedition of our age,
Thy active soul in gallant fury hurl'd
To club with all the Worthies of the world
Then rouz at last from this Lethargick dream
And let Heroick actions be thy theme.
No more to base Effeminate follies yield
Thy countreys GENIUS calls thee to the field.
No sooner these last Accents had I heard
But streight the glorious vision disappear'd;
And round about methoughts a glittering ray
Was spread, creating in my soul new day.
As Caesar once on banks of Rubicon
Stood shivering and scarce durst venture on,
Till lucky Daemon by a signal chance
Becken'd him or'e and made his Troops advance,
So I confirm'd by this good Omen found
Those mists exhal'd which had my courage drown'd.
Blushing I rise, and to the Eastwards spy
As brave a sight as ever courted eye.
Encamp'd there lay upon a spreading plain
Of sprightly warlike youths a numerous train;
Drest in such arms as those where with Mars lays
Worlds wast, and new ones from their dust can raise;
Led by a Chief whose valorous fervour can
Hatch him whom nature broach'd but half a man,
VVhose trumpets, like the Angels at the last
Make the soul rise by a miraculous blast
Were the mount Athos carv'd in shape of man
(As fancied by the Macedonian)
Whose right hand should a populous land contein
And the left be a channel to the Main
His spirit might inform so vast a figure
Yet still streight lac'd sweat for dominion bigger Like
[Page 7] Under this sun a thousand sparks bare place
Like starrs, Honours bright Firmament to Grace
Whilst common Souldiers from their Tents arise
As small Sporad's to Beautify the Skies.
Ah Glorious Art of war I cry'd! from whence
All Honour and all Power did first Commence,
By which the Grandeur of each state doth grow
And unto which Nations their safety owe,
Henceforth my Mistress thou alone shalt be
And all my strength I consecrate to thee,
Hence then you gay diversions of the Town
Your bubling vanities I must disown,
Morning long sleeps adieu, let sordid Ease
Silken Buffoons, and painted Peacocks please,
Whose labouring souls being stiffled with Excess
Scarce keep from stench their rotten Carcasses,
Whilst I'mid'st blood and sweat and toils of war
Through storms, cold, hunger, and many a scar,
Pursue my Fate, resolved thus to have
An Honour'd Life, or else a Noble Grave.
VVith Allowance, June 21. 1673.
FINIS.