His Majesties miraculous Preservation By the Oak, Maid, and Ship.
The Oak.
WHen Absalom rebell'd against his King,
An Oak betray'd him to a suffering:
Boughs hang'd him first; then Joabs Dart,
Thrice striking, wounded his perf [...]dious Heart.
When second CHARLES by Rebels lost the Field,
An Oak 'gainst Rebels was to him a Shield;
It open'd wide, and in the Hollow where
Once lay its Heart, the King concealed there.
Men may suspend their Thoughts, Trees can define
Rebellion sinful, Royalty Divine.
The Maid.
THe Oak discharg'd his Trust: a Female found
(Men are but Trees inverted from the Ground)
Who next takes care: the weaker seems the Hand,
The Wonder more admiring doth command:
The Sun was then in Virgo; Heavens Maid
Sent down a potent Influence and Aid:
They both agree: Acted by Starry might,
Lady Jane Lane conducts the King, in spight
Of Armed Bands, safe through the numerous force
Of Those, who King from Kingdom would divorce.
William was seen: As if sh' had Gyges Ring,
Invisible went Royal CHARLES the King.
In vain ye search, Blood-thirsty Men, to find
Vail'd Majesty, her Virtue makes you blind;
Her Faith out-acts your Malice; and your Swords,
First drawn, are melted by her softest Words.
Silence in France of Orleans Jone the Fame,
Whilst England doth record the worth of Lane.
The Ship.
POor Cottage of the Sea, we admire thee,
Not for thy State, or Pomp, or Pedegree;
No Neptune and no Triton stand in Gold
About thy Deck, no Statues grace thy hold;
Nor Mermaids with their Combs; Nor Stars that make
Sometimes the Sea be calm, sometimes to quake:
No Pontick Masts, whose towring Summets shew
How high the Sun's above the Sea below.
Thy Oaky Ribs swell not the Forests Pride,
Nor canst thou boast of th' Ankers by thy side,
Nor Royal Sails: Ships fram'd by Art most wise,
Are thus ennobled of the vastest size.
Thy low Condition, various is from them;
Once thou secur'dst our King, the best of Men:
Thy Glory is, though mean, yet strong hast stood
'Gainst Rage of Tempests, and 'gainst Waves of Blood,
When Lyons, Tygers, and those Beasts of prey,
Hunted his Life, and most would him betray.
Talk now no more of Theseus Ship, no more
Of that which brought Prince Lothbrook to our Shore:
Drown ye the Fame of former Ships, none yet
Strange to relate before so small, so great:
Worthy of Water, more renown'd then Thames,
Though she like Tagus yeilded Golden Sands.
If Springs of Helicon could make a Main,
Thou shouldst ride there, and Muses by their Brain
Would make thee more then Mortal; their sweet Breath
Would fill thy Sails, and long preserve from Death.
Depths are above the Clouds, those Waters there
May suit thee well, worthy the Starry Sphere:
But if in place beneath the Moon thou rest,
Which, for admiring Visitors is best,
Gaz'd on by thousands; and when aged Time
Thy Body shall dissolve; and Limbs untwine,
May Seamen holy Relicts them account,
And with them still the Waves when high they mount:
Each piece an Amulet 'gainst Shipwracks harm
Will stand; 'gainst Winds and Rocks a Charm.