VOX PACIFICA OR A congratulatory Poem on the peace; Between England, France, Denmark, and Holland.
BY the High Senate of the Powers above
A Union is decreed, the God of Love
Dissides dissention, makes Neighbours to agree;
The only Maxim in Christianity!
Mow England do I see thy starrs shine clear,
For though thy Natives hearts no Foe did fear
I'th height of War: but for their Countries good
Wool'd Right its wrong, or spend their dearest blood,
Rather than yeild, and as deaths welcome prize
Render their lives a valerous sacrifice:
Like those bold Turks who on their nimble feet
Did run to face death with their winding sheet;
Yet notwithstanding, all that's wise will deem
Pax bello potior: is a Princely theam
Bellona's frownes no more do war presage,
We must enjoy such as love onely wage,
And like a Nation truly, happy sit.
Under secure shades, use the benefit
Of peace and plenty, which the blessed hand
Of a good King gave this distremper'd Land.
A general joy this general peace atends,
A happy vertue that makes Foes prove friends!
What to our Citties good can be more dear,
The Seas are free, each Ship doth pass by clear,
And safely to its haven does arrive
With a full fraught to make their Merchants thrive,
At which they smile, like dying Saints thar know
They are to leave the earth and t' heaven goe,
Indeed who is not glad, whose interest.
Is not hereby made greater, whose is best,
Is indisputable, but all will confess
Peace makes a universal happiness.
What shall I say? my weak Muse can't impart
Peculiar joyes, which every loyal heart
Ecchoed, when proclamation of a Peace,
Gave us assurance that our warrs must cease:
But if loud shouts and hollowing descry,
A joyful heart, I am sure I do not lye
If I say many thousands did express,
By such glad signs their endless happiness:
If ringing of the bells, if bone-fires shew,
We have good cause now, to surcease our woe
I dare avouch then (since difference does decay,
London in time will see a second May.
Then let us sing such songs, as may dispence.
Knowledge and pleasure to the Soul and sense,
Torneys, Masques, Theaters, will now become
Our Halcyon days: what though the Heathen drum:
Bellow for freedome and revenge, the noise
Concerns not us, nor shall divert our joyes,
Mor shall the thunder of their Corabins
Drown the sweet aires of our tun'd Violins;
For I believe if their prevailing powers
Gain'd them a calm security like ours.
They'd hang their armes upon the Olive bough,
And dance and revel then, as we may now.
But let not our mirth extend to sin,
Least peace abus'd create a war agi'n,
Pardon my Muse if that he seems to be
Tedious in one line of divinity,
In representing to each Christians view,
Intire Emblems, from which may ensue
Intire Joy to those, whose life does move
In Hope, Faith, Fear, Grief and Intire love:
Let us not Heathen like appear so rude,
To repay mercies with Ingratitude.
Though we've a peace, we must not now forget,
We have been sinful, but from sin regret.
Retire then presumptuous man and see
These Emblems that may work thy Eternity;
Dispise the world, and what's voluptous,
A perfect Dives to a Lazarus!
Trust, trust in God alone and he will be,
Thy cheifest comfort in thy misery,
For when dispair had almost wrought our death
This welcome peace gave as a second breath:
Then England doubt not, thou hast a God above.
That will replenish thy wants with his love.
Contemn the help that this world does afford,
And let thy Faith be stedfast in the Lord.
Him seek, him serve, and daily from thy heart
Thy sins confess and his due praise impart,
With fear and Reverence, and he will be
Thy God of comfort to Eternity:
Bewaile thy sins and for the future be
More mindful of thy immortality,
And in the sphere of union only move
For God loves him who knows that God is love;
This done will make each Christians joy encrease.
Ascribe all praise unto the God of Peace
‘Pax optime virtus.’
With Allowance.
London Printed by P. Lillicrap 1667.