ermes, the Sonne of Ioue and Maia, sing, (O Muse) th'Arcadian, & Ollenian King: They rich in flocks; he heauen enriching still, In Messages, return'd with all his will. Whom glorious Maia (The Nimph rich in haire) Mixing with Ioue, in amorous affaire; Brought forth to him: sustaining a retreat From all th'Immortalls of the blessed seat; And liuing in the same darke Caue; where Ioue Inform'd, at mid-night, the effect of loue, Vnknowne to either man or Deitie: Sweet sleepe once, hauing seas'd the ielous eye Of Iuno, deckt with wrists of iuorie. But when great Ioues high minde was consummate, The tenth moneth had in heauen confin'de the date Of Maias Labour; And into the sight She brought, in one birth, Labours infinite. For then she bore a sonne, that all tried waies Could turne, and winde, to wisht euents, assaies. A faire tongu'd, but false-hearted Counsellor. Rector of Ox-stealers; and for all stealths, bore A varied singer. Speeder of Nights spies And guide of all her dreames obscurities. Guard of dore-Guardians: and was borne to be Amongst th'Immortalls, that wing'd Deitie, That in an instant, should doe acts would aske The Powres of others, and Eternall Taske. Borne, in the Morne; He form'd his Lute at Noone; At Night stole all the Oxen of the Sunne; And all this in his Births first day was done; Which was the fourth of the encreasing Moone. Because Celestiall lims, sustain'd his straines; His sacred swath-hands, must not be his chaines. So (starting up) to Phœbus Herde he stept; Found strait, the high-roof't Caue where they were kept, And (th'entrie passing) he th'inuention found, Of making Lutes; and did in wealth abound By that Inuention; Since He first of all, Was author of that Engine Musicall. By this meane, mou'd to the ingenious worke: Nere the Caues inmost ouerture, did lurke A Tortois, tasting th'odoriferous grasse; Leisurely mouing; and this Obiect was The motiue to Ioues Sonne (who could conuert To profitablest uses, all desert That nature had in any worke conuaid) To forme the Lute: when (smiling) thus he said; Thou mou'st in me, a note of excellent vse; Which thy ill forme, shall neuer so seduce T'euert the good, to be inform'd by it, In pliant force, of my forme-forging wit. Then the slowe Tortois, wrought on by his minde, He thus saluted; All ioy to the kinde Instinct of nature, in thee; Borne to be The spirriter of Dances; companie For feasts, and following Banquets; grac't and blest For bearing light to all the interest Claim'd in this Instrument. From whence shall spring Play faire, and sweet; to which may Graces sing. A prettie painted cote, thou putt'st on here (O Tortois) while thy hill-bred vitall sphere Confines thy fashion; but (surpris'd by me,) I'le beare thee home; where thou shalt euer be A Profit to me; and yet nothing more Will I contemne thee, in my merited store. Goods, with good parts got, worth and honour gaue: Left goods, and honors, euery foole may haue. And since thou first, shalt giue me meanes to liue, I'le loue thee euer. Virtuous qualities giue To liue at home with them, enough content; Where those that want such inward ornaments, Fly out for outward; their life, made their lode; Tis best to be at home; Harme lurks abroad: And certainely, thy vertue shall be knowne Gainst great-yll-causing incantation, To serue as for a Lance, Or Ammules. And where, in comfort of thy vitall heat, Thou now breathst but a sound confus'd, for song; Expos'd by nature; after death, more strong Thou shalt in sounds of Art be; and command Song infinite sweeter. Thus with either hand He tooke it up; and instantly tooke flight Back to his Caue, with that his home-delight. Where, (giuing to the Mountaine Tortois vents Of life and motion) with fit Instruments Forg'd of bright steele; be strait inform'd a Lute. Put neck, and frets to it; of which, a sute He made of splitted quills; in equall space Impos'd vpon the neck; and did embrace Both backe, and bosome. At whose height (as gymns T'extend, and ease the strings) he put in pynns. Seuen strings, of seuerall tunes, he then applied; Made of the Entrailes of a sheepe well dried; And throughly twisted. Next he did prouide A Case for all; made of an Oxes Hyde; Out of his counsailes to preserue as well, As to create: and all this Action fell Into an instant consequence. His word, And worke, had indiuiduall accord. All being as swiftly to perfection brought; As any worldly mans, most rauisht thought, Whose minde, Care cuts, in an infinity Of varied parts, or passions instantly; Or as the frequent twincklings of an eye. And thus his House-delight giuen absolute end; He toucht it; and did euery string extend (With an exploratorie spirit assaid) To all the parts, that could on it be plaid. It sounded dreadfully; to which he sung, As if from thence, the first, and true force sprung That fashions Virtue. God, in him did sing. His play was likewise and unspeakable thing, Yet, but as an extemporall Assay, Of what showe, it would make, being the first way, It tryed his hand; or a tumultuous noise, Such as at feasts, the first-flowr'd spirits of Boies Poure out in mutuall contumelies still: As little squaring with his curious will; Or was as wanton, and untaught a Store. Of Ioue and Maia, that rich shooes still wore, He sung; who sufferd, ill reports before, And foule staines, vnder her faire titles bore. But Hermes sung, her Nation, and her Name Did itterate euer. All her high-flowne fame Of being Ioues Mistresse; celebrating all Her trains of seruants; and collaterall Sumpture of Houses; all her Tripods there, And Caldrons huge; encreasing euery yeare. All which she knew; yet felt her knowledge sting With her fames losse; which (found) she more wisht sung. But now; he, in his sacred cradle laid His Lute so absolute; and strait conuaid Himselfe up to a watch-towre, forth his house; Rich, and diuinely Odoriferous A loftie wile, at worke in his conceipt; Thirsting the practise of his Empires height. And where Impostors rule; (since sable Night Must serue their deeds) he did his deeds their right: For now the neuer-resting Sunne, was turn'd For th'vnder earth, and in the Ocean burn'd His Coch, and Coursers. When th'ingenious spie Pieria's shadie hill, had in his eye; Where the immortall Oxen of the Gods In ayres flood solac't their select Abods; And earths sweet greene floure, that was neuer shorne; Fed euer downe; And those the wittie-borne (Argicides,) set servous spie upon: Seuering from all the rest; and setting gone Full fiftie of the violent Bellowers. Which driuing through the sands; he did reuerse (His births-craft strait remembring) all their houes; And them transpos'd, in opposite remoues; The fore, behinde set; The behinde, before; T'employ the eyes, of such as should explore. And he himselfe (as flye-pac't) cast away His sandalls, on the sea-sands. Past display; And unexcogitable thoughts, in Act Putting; to shunn, of his stolne steps, the Tract. Mixing, both Tamrisk; and like-Tamrisk sprayes, In a most rare confusion, to raise His footsteps up from earth. Of which sprayes, he (His armefull gathering, fresh from off the Tree,) Made for his sandalls, Tyes; both leaues, and tyes Holding together; and then fear'd no eyes That could affect his feets discoueries. The Tamrisk boughs be gather'd, making way Backe from Pieria: but as to conuaie Prouision in them; for his iourney fit, It being long; and therefore needing it. An ould man, now at labour, nere the field Of greene Onchestus; knew the verdant yield Of his fayre armefull; whom th'ingenious Sonne Of Maia, therefore; salutation Did thus beginn to; Ho? ould man! That now Art crokked growne, with making Plants to grow! Thy nerues will farr be spent; when these boughs shall To these their leaues, confer me fruit, and All. But see not thou, what euer thou dost see; Nor heare, though heare; But all, is touching me Conceale; since nought, it can endamage thee. This, and no more be said; and on draue still His brode-browd Oxen. Many a shadie Hill, And many an echoing valley; many a field Pleasant, and wishfull, did his passage yield Their safe Transcension. But now, the diuine And black-browd Night (his Mistresse) did decline Exceeding swiftly; Daies most earely light Fast hasting to her first point; to excite Worldlings to worke; and in her Watch-towre, shone, King Pallas-Megamedes seed, (the Moone) When through th'Alphæan flood, Ioues powerfull Sonne Phœbus-Apollo's ample-foreheaded Herd (Whose necks, the laboring yoke, had neuer spher'd) Draue swiftly on; and then into a stall (Hillie; yet past to, through an humble vale And hollow Dells, in a most louely Meade) He gatherd all; and them diuinely fedd With Odorous Cypresse; and the rauishing Tree That makes his Eaters, lose the memorie Of name, and countrie. Then he brought, withall; Much wood; whose sight, unto his serch let fall The Art of making fire. Which thus he tried: He tooke a branch of Lawrell, amplified Past others, both in beautie, and in sise; Yet, lay next hand; rubb'd it; and strait did rise A warme fume from it. Steele, being that did raise (As Agent) the attenuated Baies To that hot vapor. So that, Hermes found Both fire first; and of it, the seede, close bound In other substances; and then, the seed He multiplied; of sere-wood making feed The apt heat of it; in a pile Combin'de, Laid in a lower Pit; that in flames strait shin'de; And cast a sparkling crack up to the Skye; All the drie parts, so feruent were, and hye In their combustion. And how long the force Of glorious Vulcan, kept the fire in course; So long was he, in dragging from their stall, Two of the crook-hancht Herd: that ror'd withall; And rag'd for feare, t'approch the sacred fire: To which did all, his dreadfull powrs aspire. When (blustring forth their breath) He on the soule, Cast both, at length; though with a world of toile. For long he was, in getting them to ground After their through-thrust, and most mortall wound. But worke, to worke, he ioin'd; the flesh and cut, Couerd with fat; and (on treene broches put) In peeces rosted. But, in the'Intestines The black blood, and the honorarie chines, Together with the carcases, lay there Cast on the cold earth, as no Deities chere. The Hydes, vpon a rugged rock he spred; And thus were these now, all in peeces shred, And undistinguisht from Earths common herd: Though borne for long date; and to heauen endeard; And now must euer liue, in dead euent. But Hermes, herehence, hauing his content, Car'd for no more; but drew to places euen, The fat-works, that, of force, must haue for heauen Their capitall ends; though stlone; and therefore were In twelue parts cut, for twelue choice Deities chere, By this deuotion. To all which, he gaue Their seuerall honors; and did wish to haue His equall part thereof; as free, and well As th'other Deities; but the fattie smell Afflicted him, though he immortall were; Play'ng mortall parts; and being, (like mortalls) here. Yet his proud minde, nothing the more obayde For being a God, himselfe; and his owne aide Hauing to cause his due: And though in heart Hee highly wisht it; but the weaker part Subdu'd the stronger; and went on, in ill. Euen heauenly Powre, had rather haue his Will, Then haue his Right; and will's the worst of All, When but in least sort, it is criminall; One Taint, being Author of a Number, still. And thus (resolu'd to leaue his hallow'd Hill) First, both the fat parts, and the fleshie, All Taking away; at the steepe-entry'd stall He laid all; All, the feet and heads entire; And all the sere-wood; making cleare with fire. And now, he leauing there then, all things done And finisht, in their fit perfection; (The Coles put out; and their black Ashes throwne From all discouerie, by the louely light The cherefull Moone cast; shyning all the Night) He strait assum'd a nouell voices note; And in the whirle-pit-eating-flood, aflote He set his sandalls. When now, once againe The-that-morne-borne-Cyllenius, did attaine His Homes diuine height; all the farr-stretcht waie No one blest God, encountring, his assaie; Nor Mortall Man; nor any Dogg durst spend His-borne-to-barke-mouth at him; till, in th'end, He reacht his Caue; and at the Gate went in Crooked, and wrapt into a fold so thin, That no eye could discouer his repayre; But as a darknesse, of th'Autumnall ayre. When going on; fore-right; he straie arriu'd At his rich Phane: his soft feet quite depriu'd Of all least noise, of one that trod the earth; They trod so swift to reach his roome of Birth. Where, In his swath-hands, he his shoulders wrapt, And (like an Infant, newly hauing scap't The teeming streights) as in the Palms he lay Of his lou'd Nurse. Yet instantly would play (Freeing his right hand) with his bearing cloth About his knees wrapt; and strait (loosing both His right and left hand) with his left, he caught His most-lou'd Lute. His Mother yet, was taught His wanton wiles; nor could a Gods wit lie His from a Goddesse; who did therefore trye His answer, thus: Why (thou made all of sleight) And whence ariu'st thou, in this rest of Night? Improuident Impudent; In my conceipt Thou rather shouldst be getting forth thy Gate, With all flight fit, for thy engander'd State; (In merit of th'Ineuitable bands, To be impos'd by vext Latona's hands Iustly incenst for her Apollo's harms) Thenly thus wrapt, as ready for her arms, To take thee vp, and kisse thee: Would to heauen, (In crosse of that high grace) Thou hadst beene giuen Vp to Perdition; ere poore mortalls beare Those blacke banes, that thy father Thunderer Hath planted thee of purpose to confer, On them, and Deities. He return'd replie; As Master of the feates of Policie; Mother? why ayme you thus amisse at me? As if I were a Sonne that Infancie Could keepe from all the skill, that Age can teach? Or bad in cheating, but a childish reach? And of a Mothers mandats, fear'd the breach? I mount that Art at first; that will be best When all times consummate their cunningest. Able to counsaile, Now my selfe, and thee, In all things best, to all Eternitie. We cannot liue like Gods here, without gifts; No, nor without corruption, and shifts. And much lesse, without eating; as we must In keeping thy rules, and in being Iust; Of which we cannot undergoe the lodes. Tis better here, to Imitate the Gods, And wine, or wench out all times Periods; To that end, growing rich in readie heapes; Stor'de with Reuennews; being in corne-fielde reapes Of infinite Acres; then to liue enclos'd In Caues, to all Earths sweetest ayre expos'd. I, as much honor hold, as Phœbus does, And if my Father please not to dispose Possessions to me; I my selfe will see If I can force them in, for I can be Prince of all Theeues. And if Latona's Sonne Make after my stealth, Indignation; I'le haue a Scape, as well as he a Serch, And ouertake him with a greater lurch. For I can post to Pythos; and breake through, His huge house, there; where harbors wealth enough; Most precious Tripods; Caldrons; Steele, and Gold; Garments rich wrought; and full of liberall fold: All which will I, at pleasure owne; and thow Shalt see all; wilt thou but thy sight bestow. Thus chang'd great words; the Gote-byde-wearers Sonne, And Maia, of Maiestique fashion. And now the Ayre-begot Aurora rose From out the Ocean-great-in-ebbs-and flows; When, at the neuer-shorne, pure-and-faire Groue, (Onchestus) consecrated to the loue Of round and long-neckt Neptune; Phœbus found A man whom heauie yeares, had prest halfe round; And yet at worke, in plashing of a Fence About a Vineyeard; that had residence Hard by the high-way; whom Latona's Sonne, Made it not strange, but first did question, And first saluted: Ho? you? Aged syre That here are hewing from the Vine, the Bryre; For certaine Oxen, I come here t'enquire Out of Pieria; femalls All; and rer'd All, with hornes wreath'd, unlike the common Herde; A Cole-black Bull, fed by them all alone; And all obseru'd for preseruation Through all their foodie, and delicious Fen; With foure fierce Mastifs, like one-minded men. These left their Doggs, and Bull; (which I admire) And when was nere set, Daies eternall fire; From their fierce Guardians; from their delicate fare, Made clere departure. To me then declare; (O ould man, long since borne) If thy graue raie Hath any man seene, making stealthfull waie With all those Oxen! Th'olde man made replie; Tis hard (O friend) to render readily, Account of all, that may inuade mine eye; For many a Trauailer, this high-way tredds; Some in much ills serch; some, in noble thredds Leading their liues out; but I, this young Day Euen from her first point, haue made good display, Of all men, passing this abundant hill, Planted with Vines; and no such stealthfull ill, Her light hath showne me: But last Euening late, I sawe a Thing, that shew'd of childish state; To my ould lights; and seem'd as he pursude A Herd of Oxen, with braue Heads indude; Yet but an Infant; and retainde a Rodd; Who warilie, both this, and that way trodd, His head still backwards turn'd. This th'ould Man spake; Which he well thought vpon; and swiftly brake Into his Pursuit, with abundant wing; That strooke but one plaine; ere he knew the thing That was the Theefe; to be th'Impostor borne; Whom Ioue yet, with his Sonnes name did adorne. In studie, and with Ardor, then the King (Ioues dazeling Sonne) plac't his exploring wing On sacred Pylos, for his forced Heard; His ample shoulders, in a cloud ensphear'd On fierie chrimsine. Strait, the steps he found Of his stolne Head: And said; Strange sights confound My apprehensiue powers: for here I see The Tracts of Oxen; but auersiuelie Conuerted towards the Pierian Hills, As tredding to their Meade of Daffodills: But, nor mine eye, Mens feet, nor Womens drawes; Nor hoarie Wolues; nor Beares; nor Lyons Paws, Nor thick-necks Bulls they show. But hee that does, These monstrous Deeds, with neuer so swift shooes; Hath past from that howre hither; but from hence, His foule course, may meete, fouler consequence. With this, tooke Phœbus wing; and Hermes still, (For all his Threats) secure lay in his Hill Wall'd with a woodd; and more, a Rock, beside Where a Retreat rann, deepely multiplide In blinding shadows; and where th'endlesse Bride; Bore to Saturnius, his Ingenious Sonne: An Odor, worth a Hearts desire, being throwne, Along the Heauen-sweet Hill; on whose Herb, fedd, Rich flocks of sheepe, that bow not where they tredd Their horney Pasterns. There, the light of Men, (Ioues Sonne Apollo) strait descended then, The Marble Pauement, in that gloomie Den. On whom, when Ioue, and Maia's Sonne set eye, Wroth for his Oxen: On then, instantly His Odorous swarth-hands, flew; in which, as close Th'Impostor lay; As in the coole repose Of cast-on Ashes, Harths of burning Coles Ly in the woods hidd, vnder the Controules Of skilfull Colyers: Euen so close did lie Inscrutable Hermes in Apollo's eye. Contracting his great God-head, to a small And Infant likenesse; feet, hands, head and All. And as a Hunter hath beene often viewd, From Chace retir'd with both his hands embrewd In his Games blood; that doth for water call To clense his hands; And to prouoke withall Delightsome sleepe; new washt and laid to rest; So now lay Hermes in the close comprest Chace of his Oxen. His New-found-out Lute; Beneath his arme held: As if no pursuite But that Prise, and the virtue of his play, His heart affect. But to Phœbus, lay, His close Heart, open: And he, likewise, knew The braue Hyll-Hymph there; and her deare Sonne, new- Borne; and as well wrapt, in his wiles, as weed's. All the close shroud's too, for his Rapinous deedes, In All the Caue, he knew: and with his key He open'd three of them; In which there lay Siluer, and Gold-heapes; Nectar infinite store; And Deare Ambrosia; and of weedes she wore, (Pure white, and Purple) A rich Wardrobe shin'de; Fir for the blest States, of powrs so diuin'de. All which discouerd; Thus to Mercurie He offerd Conference: Infant? you that lie Wrapt so in swath-bands; Instantly unfold In what conceald Retreats of yours you hold My Oxen stolne by you; Or strait we shall Iarr, as beseemes not, powrs Celestiall. For I will take, and hurle Thee to the Deepes Of dismall Tartarus; where ill Death keepes His gloomie, and inextricable fates; And to no Eye, that light Illuminates, Mother, nor Father, shall returne thee free, But vnder Earth, shall Sorrow fetter thee, And few repute thee, their Superiour. On him replied, Crafts subtlest Counsailor; What cruell speech, hath past Latona's Care! Seekes he his stolne-wilde-Cows, where Deities are? I haue nor seene, nor heard; nor can report; From others mouthes, one word of their resort To any stranger. Nor will I, to gaine A base Reward, a false Relation faine. Nor would I; Could I tell. Resemble I An Ox-Theefe? Or a Man? Especiallie A man of such a courage; such a force As to that labour goes? That violent course? Nor Infants worke is That. My powres aspire To sleepe, and quenching of my huners fire With Mothers Milke; and gainst cold shades, to arme With Cradle-cloths, my shoulders; and Baths warme; That no man may conceiue, the warr you threat Can spring, in cause, from my so peacefull heat. And euen amongst th'Immortalls it would beare Euent of absolute Miracle, to heare A new-borne Infants forces should transcend The limits of his Dores; much lesse contend With untam'd Oxen. This speech nothing seemes To sauour the Decorum of the Beames Cast round about the Ayre Apollo breakes, Where his diuine minde, her intention speakes. I brake but yesterday, the blessed wombe; My feet are tender, and the common Tombe Of men, (the Earth) lies sharpe beneath their tred. But, (if you please) euen by my Fathers head I'le take the great Oath; That nor I protest My selfe, to Author on your Interest Any such usurpation; Nor haue I Seene any other, that felloniously Hath forc't your Oxen. Strange thing! what are those Oxen of yours? Or what are Oxen? knews My rude minde, thinke you? My eares onely touch At their renowne; and heare that there are such. This speech he past; and euer as he spake Beames from the hayre, about his eye-lidds brake; His eye-brows, vp, and downe cast; and his eye Euery way look't, askans, and careleslie. And he, into a loftie whistling fell; As if he idle thought, Apollo's spell. Apollo (gently smiling) made Replie; O thou Impostor! whose thoughts euer lye In labour with Deceipt! For certaine, I Retaine Opinon; that thou, (euen thus soone) Hast ransackt, many a House; and not in one Nights-worke alone; nor in one Countries neither Hast beene beseeging, House and Man togehter; Rigging, and rifeling all waies; and no Noise Made with thy soft feete, where it all destroies. Soft therefore, well; and tender thou maist call The feet that thy stealths, goe, and fly withall. For many a field-bredd Herdsman, (unheard still) Hast thou made drowne, the Cauerns of the Hill Where his Retreates lie, with his helplesse teares; When any flesh-stealth thy desire end cares; And thou encountrest, either flocks of sheepe Or Herds of Oxen! vp then! doe not sleepe Thy last Nap, in thy Cradle; but come downe; (Companion of black Night) and for this Crowne Of thy young Rapines; beare (from all) the state And stile of Prince Theefe, into endlesse Date. This said; he tooke the Infant in his Armes; And with him, the remembrance of his harmes; This Præsage utt'ring; lifting him aloft; Be euer more, the miserablie-soft Slaue of the bellie; Pursuiuant of all And Author, of all mischiefs Capitall. He scorn'd his Prophesie so; he Nees'd in's face Most forciblie (which hearing) his embrace He loth'd; and hurl'd him gainst the ground; yet still Tooke seate before him; though, (with all the ill He bore by him) he would haue left full faine That Hewer of his heart, so into twaine. Yet salu'd all thus; Come! (you so swadl'd thing; Issue of Maia, and the Thunders King; Be confident; I shall hereafter finde My brode-browd Oxen. My Prophetique minde So farr from blaimg this thy course; that I, Foresee thee, (in it,) to Posteritie The guide of All Men, (All waies,) to their ends. This spoken; Hermes, from the Earth Ascends; Starting Aloft; and as in Studie went; Wrapping himselfe, in his Integument; And thus askt Phœbus; Whither force you Me (Farr-shot; and farr most powrefull Deitie.) I know (for all your fayning) y'are still wroth, About your Oxen; and suspect my Troth. O Iupiter: I wish the generall Race Of all Earths Oxen, rooted from her face. I steale your Oxen? I againe, professe That neither, I, haue stolne them; nor can ghesse Who else should steale them. What strange Beasts are these Your so-lou'd Oxen? I must say (to please Your humor thus farr) that euen My few Hoowres Haue heard their fame. But be the sentence yours Of the Debate betwixt us; Or to Ioue (For more indifferencie) the Cause remoue. Thus when the Solitude-affecting God, And the Latonian seede, had laid abroad; All things betwixt them; (though not yet agreed; Yet, might I speake) Apollo did proceede Nothing uniustly, to charge Mercurie With stealing of the Cows, he does denie. But his Profession was, with filed speach, And Crafts faire Complements, to ouerreach All; And euen Phœbus. Who because he knew His Trade of subtletie; He still at view Hunted his Foe, through all the sandie waie Up to Olympus. Nor would let him straie From out his sight; but kept behinde him still. And now they reacht, the Odoriferous Hill Of high Olympus, to their Father Ioue, To Arbitrate the Cause, in which they stroue. Where, before both; Talents of iustice were Propos'd for him, whom Ioue should sentence Clere, In cause of their contention. And now About Olympus, (euer-crown'de with snow) The rumor of their controuersie flew. All the Incorruptible, to their view, On heauens steepe Mountaine, made return'd repaire. Hermes and He, that light hurls through the ayre; Before the Thunderers knees stood: who begunn, To question thus farr, his Illustrious Sonne: Phœbus: To what end bringst thou Captiue here Him in whom my Minde, putts delights so deare? This New-borne Infant? that the place supplies Of Herrald yet, to all the Deities? This serious busines, you may witnesse, drawes The Deities whole Court, to discusse the cause. Phœbus replied: And not vnworthie is The cause, of all the Court of Deities. For you shall heare, it comprehends the weight Of Deuastation; and the verie height Of spoile, and rapine, euen of Deities rights. Yet you (as if my selfe lou'd such delights) Vse words that wound my heart. I bring you here An Infant, that, euen now, admits no Pere In rapes and robb'ries. Finding out, his Place, (After my measure of an infinite space) In the Cyllenian Mountaine. Such a one In all the Art of opprobration, As not in all the Deities, I haue seene; Nor in th'Obliuion-marckt-whole Race of men. In Night, he draue my Oxen from their Leas; Along the loftie rore-resounding Seas: From out the Rode-way quite: the steps of them So quite transpos'd, as would amaze the beame Of any mindes eye: being so infinite much Inuolu'd in doubt; as showd a Deified touch Went to the works performance. All the way Through which, my corss-hou'd Cows hee did conuaie, Had dust so darklie-hard to serch; and He So past all measure, wrapt in subtiltie. For, nor with feet, nor hands, he form'd his steps, In passing through the drie waies sandie heap's: But vs'd another counsaile to keepe hidd His monstrous Tracts; that showd as one had slid On Oke, or other Boughs; That swept out still The footsteps of his Oxen; and did fill Their prints up euer; to the Daffodill (Or daintie feeding Meddow) as they trodd, Driuen by this cautelous, and Infant God. A Mortall Man yet, saw him driuing on His Prey to Pylos. Which when he had done And got his Passe sign'd, with a sacred fire In peace; and freely (though to his desire Not to the Gods, he offerd part of these My rauisht Oxen) he retires, and lies Like to the gloomie Night in his dimm Denn, All hid in darknesse; and in clouts againe, Wrapt him so closely; that the sharpe-seene eye Of your owne Eagle, could not see him lye. For with his hands, the ayre he rarified (This way, and that mou'd) till bright gleames did glide About his Being; that if any eye Should dare the Darknesse; Light appos'd so nie Might blinde it quite, with her Antipathie. Which wile he woue, in curious care t'illude The'Extreame of any eye, that could intrude. On which relying, he outrageouslie (When I accus'd him) trebled his replie; I did not see; I did not heare; nor I Will tell at all; that any other stole Your brode-browd Beeues. Which an Impostors soule Would soone haue done; and any Author faine Of purpose onely, a Reward to gaine. And thus he colourd truth, in euery lie. This saud; Apollo sate; and Mercurie, The Gods Commander, pleas'd with this replie. Father! I'le tell the truth; (for I am true And farr from Art to lie.) He did pursue Euen to my Caue, his Oxen: this selfe daie; The Sunn, new raising his illustrious raie. But brought with him, none of the Bliss-indu'd, Nor any ocular witnesse, to conclude, His bare assertion. But his owne command Laid on with strong, and necessarie hand, To showe his Oxen. Using Threats to cast My poore, and Infant powrs, into the Vast Of ghastlie Tartarus; because he beares Of strength-sustayning youth, the flaming yeares. And I, but yesterday produc't to light By which, it fell into his owne fre sight That I, in no similitude apper'd Of powre to be the forcer of a Herde. And credite me (O Father, since the Grace Of that name, in your stile, you please to place) I draue not home his Oxen, no nor preast Past mine owne threshold; for tis manifest, I reuerence, with my soule, the Sunn; and all The knowing dwellers, in this heauenly Hall. Loue you; obserue the least: and tis most cleare In your owne knowledge, that my Merits beare No least guilt of his blame. To all which, I, Dare adde, heauens great oath, boldly swearing by All these so well-built Entries of the Blest. And therefore when I saw my selfe so prest With his reproches; I confesse I burn'd In my pure gall; and harsh replie return'd. Adde your aid to your Yonger then; and free The scruple fixt in Phœbus Ielousie. This said; he winckt upon his Mire; and still His swath-hands, held beneath his arme; no Will Discernd in him, to hide, but haue them showne. Ioue laught aloud at his Ingenious Sonne, Quitting himselfe with Art, so likely wrought, As showd in his heart, not a rapinous thought. Commanding Both, to beare attoned mindes And seeke out th'Oxen; In which serch he bindes Hermes to play the Guide; and show the Sunn (All grudge exilde) the Shrowd to which he wunn His fayre-eyd Oxen. Then; his forehead bow'd For signe it must be so; and Hermes show'd His free obedience. So soone, he enclin'd To his perswasion, and command, his minde. Now then, Ioues Iarring Sonnes, no longer stood; But sandie Pylos, and th'Alphæan flood Reacht instantly; and made as quick a fall On those rich-feeding fields, and loftie stall Where Phœbus Oxen, Hermes safelie kept; Driuen in, by night. When sodainely he stept Up to the stonie Caue; and into light Draue forth the Oxen Phœbus at first sight Knew them the same: and saw apart dispread Vpon a high-rais'd rock; the hydes new flead Of th'Oxen sacrifis'd. Then Phœus said; O thou in craftie counsailes vndisplaid! How couldst thou cut the throtes, and cast to Earth Two such huge Oxen? being so young a birth, And a mere Infant? I admire thy force And will, behinde thy back. But this swift course Of growing into strength, thou hadst not need Continue any long Date, O thou seed Of honor'd Maia! Hermes, (to shew how He did those Deedes) did forthwith cut and bow Strong Osiers in soft folds; and strappl'd strait One of his hugest Oxen: all his weight Lay'ng prostrate on the earth, at Phœbus feet: All his foure clouen houes, easly made to greete Each other upwards; all, together brought. In all which bands yet, all the Beasts powres wrought To rise, and stand; when all the Herd about The mighty Hermes, rusht in, to help out Their fellow from his fetters; Phœbus view Of al this, vp to Admiration drew Euen his high forces: And sterne lookes he threw At Hermes for his Herds wrong; and the place To which he had retir'd them; being in grace And fruitfull riches of it, so entire: All which, set all his force, on enuious fire. All whose heat, flew out of his eyes in flames: Which faine he would haue hidd, to bide the shames Of his ill gouern'd passions. But with ease Hermes could calme them; and his humors please Still at his pleasure; where he ne're so great In force, and fortitude; and high in heat. In all which, he his Lute tooke; and assaid A Song upon him; and so strangely plaid; That from his hand, a rauishing horror flew. Which Phœbus, into laughter turn'd; and grew Pleasant past measure; Tunes so artfull clere Strooke euen his heart-strings; & his minde, made beare. His Lute so powerfull was, in forcing loue; (As his hand rul'd it) that from him it droue All feare of Phœbus; yet he haue him still The upper hand; and (to aduance his skill) To utmost Miracle; he plaid sometimes, Single awhile; In which, when all they Clymes Of rapture he had reacht; (to make the Sunn Admire enough) O then, his voice would runn Such points vpon his play; and did so moue, They tooke Apollo Prisoner to his loue. And now the deathlesse Gods, and deathfull Earth He sung; beginning, at their eithers Birth, To full extent of all their Emperie. And, first; the honor to Mnemosyne (The Muses Mother) of all Goddesse states He gaue; euen forc't too't, by the equall fates. And then (as it did in Prioritie fall Of Age, and Birth) He celebrated All. And with such Elegance, and Order sung; (His Lute still toucht, to stick more off his tongue) That Phœbus heart, with infinite loue, he eate. Who therefore thus, did his Deserts entreate: Master of Sacrifice! chiefe soule of feast? Patient of all paines? Artizan so blest; That all things thou canst doe, in any One. Worth fiftie Oxen is th'Inuention Of this one Lute. We both, shall now; I hope; In firme peace, worke, to all our wishes scape. Informe me, (thou that euery way canst winde, And turne to Act, all wishes of thy minde) Together with thy birth, came all thy skill? Or did some God, or God-like man instill This heauenly song to thee? Me thinks I heare A new voice; such as neuer yet came nere The brest of any; either Man, or God, Till in thee, it had Prime, and Period. What Art? what Muse? that medcine can produce For cares most curelesse? what inueterate use; Or practise of a virtue so profuse, (Which three, doe all the contribution keeps That Ioy, or Loue conferrs, or pleasing Sleepe) Taught thee the soueraigne facture of them all? I, of the Muses, am the capitall Consort, or followers: (and to these belong The grace of dance; all worthie waies of song; and euer-florishing verse: the delicate Set And sound of Instruments.) But neuer yet Did anything so much affect my minde With ioy, and care to compasse; as this kinde Of Song and Play: that for the spritely feast Of florishing assemblies, are the best And ablest works, that euer Worth gaue Act. My powres with admiration stand distract, To heare, with what a hand to make in loue, Thou ruest thy Lute. And (though thy yongst bowres moue,) At full art, in ould counsailes. Here I vow (Euen by this Cornell Dart, I use to throw) To thee, and to thy Mother; He make thee Amongst the Gods, of glorious degree. Guide of Mens waies, and Theirs. And will impart To thee, the mightie Imperatorie Art: Bestowe rich gifts on thee; and in the end Neuer deceuive thee. Hermes (as a friend That wrought on all aduantage; and made gaine His Capitall obiect) that did entertaine Phœbus Apollo: Doe thy Dignities (Farr-working God; and circularlie wise) Demand my vertues? without enuie I Will teach thee to ascend my facultie. And this Day thou shalt reach it; finding me, In Acts and Counsailes, all waies kinde to thee; As one that all things knows; And first tak'st seat Amongst th'Immortalls; being good, and great. And therefore to Ioues loue, mak'st free accesse, Euen out of his accomplisht Holinesse. Great gifts, he likewise giues thee; who (fame saies) Hast wunn thy greatnesse, by his will: his waies. By him know'st all the powers Propheticall (O thou farr-worker) and the fates of all. Yea; and I know thee rich; yet apt to learne: And euen thy Wish, dost but discerne, and earne. And since thy soule, so burns to know the way To play and sing as I doe: sing, and play. Play; and perfection in thy play employ; And be thy care, to learne things good; thy Joy. Take thou my Lute (My Loue) and giue thou me, The glorie of so great a facultie. This sweet-tun'd consort; held but in thy hand; Sing; and perfection in thy song command. For thou, alreadie, hast the way to speake Fayrely, and elegantly; and to breake All eloquence into thy utterd minde. One gift from heauen found, may another finde. Use then, securely, this thy gift; and goe To feasts, and dances, that enamour so; And to that couetous sport of getting flory, That Day, nor Night, will suffer to be sory. Whoeuer, does but say, in verse; sings still: Which he that can; of any other skill Is capable; so he be taught by Art, And wisedome; and can speake, at euery part Things pleasing to an understanding Minde: And such a one, that seekes this Lute, shall finde. Him still it teaches easely, though he plaies Soft voluntaries onely; and assaies As wanton, as the sports of children are. And (euen when he aspires to singular In all the Mast'ries he shall play or sing) Findes the whole worke, but an vnhappie thing: He (I say) sure; shall of this Lute be King. But he; whoeuer, rudely sets upon, Of this Lutes skill, th'Inquest, or Question; Neuer so ardently, and angrilie; Without the aptnesse, and habilitie Of Art; and Nature sitting: neuer shall Aspire to this; but vtter triuiall And idle accents; though sure ne're so lowd, And neuer so commended of the Crowde. But thee I know (O Eminent Sonne of Ioue) The fiery Learner, of what euer Loue Hath sharpn'd thy affections to achiue. And thee, I giue this Lute; let us now liue Feeding vpon the Hill-and-horse-fed Earth Our neuer-handled Oxen: whose deare Birth (Their femalls fellowd with their Males) let flowe In store enough hereafter; nor must you (How-euer-cunning hearted your wits are) Boile in your Gall, a Grudge too circulare. Thus gaue he him his Lute; which he embrac't; And gaue againe, a Gode, whose bright head cast Beames like the light forth; leauing to his care His Oxens keeping. Which, with ioy full fare, He tooke on him. The Lute Apollo tooke Into his left hand; and aloft he shooke Delightsome sounds up; to which God did sing. Then were the Oxen, to their endlesse Spring Turn'd; and Ioues Two illustrious Off-springs flew Vp to Olympus, where it euer snew; Delighted with their Lutes sound all the way. Whom Ioue, much ioi'd to see; and endlesse stay Gaue to their knot of friendship. From which date, Hermes gaue Phœbus, an eternall state In his affection: whose sure pledge and signe His Lute was; and the Doctrine so diuine, Jointly conferd on him. Which well might be True Symbole of his Loues simplicitie. On th'other part; Apollo, in his friend Form'd th'Art of Wisedome; to the binding end Of his vow'd friendship; and (for further meede) Gaue him the farr-heard fistularie Reede. For all these forms of friendship, Phœbus yet Feard that both forme, and substance were not mett In Mercurie's intentions: and, in plaine, Said, (since he saw him, borne to craft and gaine; And that Ioues will had him the honor done, To change at his will, the possession Of others Gods) he fear'd his breach of of vowes, In stealing both his Lute, and comming Bowes. And therefore wisht, that what the Gods affect, Himselfe would witnesse; and to his request His head Bow; swearing by th'Impetuous flood Of Styx; that of his whole possessions, not a Good He would diminish; but therein maintaine The full content, in which his Minde did raigne. And then did Maia's Sonne, his fore-head bow: Making, by all that he desir'd, his vow: Neuer to pray more vpon any Thing, In iust possession of the farr-shot King; Nor euer to come neare, a House of his. Latonian Phœbus, bowd his Brow to this, With his like promise; say'ng, Not any One Of all the Gods, nor any Man, that, Sonne Is to Saturnius; is more deare to me; More trusted, nor mor honord, is then thee. Which, yet, with greater Gifts of Deitie, In future I'le confirme; and giue thy state A Rodd that riches shall accumulate; Not leaue the bearer, thrall to Death, or fate Or any sicknesse. All of Gods it is; Three-leau'd; and full of all felicities. And this shall be thy Guardian; this shall giue The Gods to thee, in all the truth they liue. And finally, shall this the Tutresse be Of all the words, and workes, informing me From Ioues high counsailes; making knowne to thee All my instructions. But to Prophesie (O best of Ioues belou'd) and that high skill; Which to obtaine, lies burning in thy will; Nor thee, nor any God, will Fate let learne. Onely Ioues minde, hath insight to discerne What that importeth; yet am I allowd (My knowne faith trusted; and my forhead bowd; Our great Oath taken, to resolue to none Of all th'Immortalls, the restriction Of that deepe knowledge) of it All, the Minde. Since then it sits, in such fast bounds confinde, (O Brother) when the Golden rodd is held In thy strong hand; seeke not to haue reueal'd Any sure fate, that Ioue will haue conceald. For no man shall, by know'ng, preuent his fate; And therefore will I hold, in my free state The powre, to hurt and helpe, what man I will, Of all the greatest; or least toucht with ill; That walke within the Circle of mine eye; In all the Tribes, and Sexes, it shall trye. Yet, truely, any man shall haue his will To reape the fruites of my Prophetique skill; Whoeuer seekes it, by the voice, or wing Of Birds, borne truely, such euents to sing. Nor will I falsly, nor with fallacies Infringe the truth, on which his faith relies; But he that Truths, in chattering plumes would finde; (Quite opposite to them, that prompt my Minde,) And learne by naturall forgers of vaine lyes, The more-then-euer-certaine Deities; That man shall Sea-waies tred, that leaue no Tracts; And false, or no guide finde, for all his facts. And yet will I, his Gifts accept as well As his; to whom, the simple truth I tell. One other thing to thee, I'le yet make knowne (Maia's exceedingly renowned sonne And Ioues; and of the Gods whole session The most ingenious Genius.) There dwell Within a Crooked Crannie, in a Dell Beneath Parnassus; certaine sisters borne, Call'd Parcæ; whom extreame swift wings adorne; Their Number three; that haue upon their heads White Barly floure still sprinckled; and are maids, And these are schoole-Mistresses of things to come, Without the gift of Prophecie: of whom (Being but a boy, and keeping Oxen, nere) I learn'd their skill; though my great Father were Careles of it, or them. These flying from home, To others roofes; and fedd with Hony-come, Command all skill; and (being enraged then) Will freely tell the Truths of things to Men. But if they giue them not, that Gods sweete meat; They then are apt, to vtter their deceit, And leade Men from their way. And these will I Giue thee hereafter; when their scrutinie And truth; thou hast both made, and learn'd, and then; Please thy selfe with them; and the Race of men (Wilt thou know any) with thy skill endeare: Who will, (be sure) afford it greedie eare; And heare it often, it if proue sincere. Take these (O Maia's Sonne) and in thy care, Be Horse, and Oxen: all such Men as are Patient of labour; Lyons; white-tooth'd Bores; Mastifs, and flocks, that feede the flowrie shores; And euery foure-foot Beast: all which shall stand In awe of thy high Imperatory hand. Be thou to Dis too, sole Ambassador; Who (though all gifts, and bounties he abhor) On thee he will bestowe, a wealthie One. Thus King Apollo, honor'd Maia's Sonne, With all the rights of friendship: all whose loue Had Imposition, from the Will of Ioue. And thus, with Gods and Mortalls Hermes liu'd; Who truely helpt but few; but all deceiu'd With an undifferencing respect; and made Usine words, and false perswasions his Trade. His Deeds, were all associats of the Night; In which, his close wrongs, car'd for no mans Right. So all salutes to Hermes, that are due; Of whom, and all Gods, shall my Muse sing true.