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A POEM Panegyrical On His GRACE THE D. of ALBEMARLE;

With Remarks on His Voyage for JAMAICA, and the late Treasure brought Home in the JAMES and MARY.

Written Anno Dom. 1686.

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Epistle Dedicatory to Her Grace the DUCHESS.

1 WHen Brutus with the rest did Cesar doom,
2 And by his Death gave liberty to Rome:
3 Great Cato's Daughter
* Porcia.
his dear faithful Wife,
4 That knew the Secret of that fatal Strife,
5 From her lov'd Husband's side would never part,
6 Both had one Will, one Courage, and one Heart,
7 Her generous Virtue thought it base to share
8 Part of his Ioy, and nothing of his Care;
9 And therefore all his Harms with Patience bore,
10 And when he dy'd she likewise was no more:
11 Her Virtues, Madam, flourish now in you,
12 A second Porcia, Faithful, Chast and True,
13 With Heavens divinest Gifts your Heart is stor'd,
14 And Wove into the Merits of your Lord;
15 So fast, and with Affection so sublime,
16 You can look down with Scorn on Death and Time:
17 Since then Great Albemarle inspires my Muse,
18 Vpon a Theme 'tis fit the World peruse;
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19 Who should I beg to Consecrate my Lines,
20 But you, who know how bright his Virtue shines,
21 You, who have made the business of your Life,
22 To shew the World, a Pattern of a Wife,
23 Ioy'd at your Lord's good Chance, griev'd at his Ill,
24 Kind, Wise, and what's most Rare Obedient, to his Will:
25 More I could say, nay so much might be said,
26 These swelling Lines would tire ye to Read.
27 If I could boast of a Poetick Art,
28 To speak your Praise, lavish as your Desert,
29 No Flight could be too high, no Thought too strong,
30 Nor could the Poem ever be too long.
31 But modest Pens, that dare not be too bold,
32 Know Truth, the shortest way is wisest told.

A POEM Panegyrick on His Grace the DUKE of ALBEMARLE, &c.

I.
1 HAPPY those Islands where no sullen Sky.
2 Debars with Clouds the Prospect of the Eye,
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3 Where the glad Sun with Joy performs his Race,
4 And sullies with no Fogs his glorious Face,
5 Where change of Weather makes no Native mourn,
6 No Agues freeze ye, nor no Fevers burn;
7 But genuine Heat, Nature for Health designs,
8 And through respiring Pores your Blood refines.
II.
9 But above all most happy is that Land,
10 Which you, my Lord, are going to Command,
11 Their darling Genius Claps her joyful Wings,
12 And your Approach in lofty numbers sings;
13 The Sun's atractive force they knew before,
14 Exhaling Dews from every Plant and Flow'r.
15 But this new Influence they learn from you,
16 That to a point he can draw Virtue too.
III.
17 'Tis said indeed this generative Heat,
18 In parching Climes most Worthies does beget;
19 And that no Northern Nation can inspire
20 Her sickly Sons, with such Heroick fire;
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21 But I could never credit this till now,
22 The Sympathy is verifi'd in you:
23 That still your liking for those parts have shown,
24 Where the hot glittering God attracts his own.
IV.
25 As some fond Mother, that with tender Care
26 Sees her young Darling posting to the War,
27 Oppress'd with Sorrow, does the Parting view;
28 Hates he should go, yet loves his Glory too:
29 Such Grief (my Lord) Your mourning Friends all share,
30 When of your Voyage the sad News they hear,
31 And jointly wish America could know,
32 The Jem she gains without their loss in you.
V.
33 But still to have you, were too great a Grace,
34 Perfection ne'er continues in one place;
35 So Angels did in former time appear,
36 Gave us true Joy, but staid but little here.
37 To cheer the World, your Virtues Heaven design'd,
38 And could not in one Island be confin'd;
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39 Worth like the Sun, so universal known,
40 'Tis fit should bless more Countries than your own.
VI.
41 Well may those happy Isles serene appear,
42 But we, I fear, shall find it Clowdy here,
43 If Comets are oblig'd t' infest the Skies,
44 At a States Change, or when a Monarch dies;
45 Methinks they should their fatal Fears infuse,
46 Into our Hearts, when we a Worthy lose;
47 Did not wise Heaven think it vain to show
48 A Prodigy, for Plagues too well we know.
VII.
49 In taking you, Fate leaves us poor and bare,
50 The mighty Sum is more than we can spare;
51 For common Losses common Tears we shower,
52 But, Sir, your Merit will command much more:
53 The aking Hearts of all your Countrymen,
54 When Woes are deepest, fewest Tears are seen;
55 And when Grief burns within, where none can spy,
56 The bubbling Fountains of the Head are dry.
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VIII.
57 To thy own safety England have regard,
58 The Loyal and the Brave are rarely spar'd;
59 In props of Virtue we are not so rich,
60 But such a Pillar gone will will make a Breach,
61 Crowds may drop off like Hair of no Esteem,
62 But when one Hero goes we lose a Limb;
63 Well Britain may thy Arms the World o'er come;
64 When thou canst spare an Albemarle from Home.
IX.
65 He, that when late Rebellious Seeds grew high,
66 And proud Sedition trod on Loyalty,
67 Encompass'd round with Dangers, and with Foes,
68 Numerous as Dust, when the wild Tempest blows,
69 With Fortitude undaunted durst defy
70 The Force and Favors of the Enemy,
71 From his lov'd Country should Affection claim,
72 Dear as his own, and lasting as his Fame.
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X.
73 All good Men know that then he nobly serv'd,
74 And to his utmost power the Throne preserv'd,
75 Iames found his Vigilance and Conduct right,
76 Tho upstart Davus snarl'd and durst not bite;
77 Nor can a Royal Heart unmindful be
78 Of stanch Hereditary Loyalty;
79 For none should Monarchs of Remissness charge,
80 Their Memories are like their Glories large.
XI.
81 A stedfast Duty, and a Faith entire,
82 We know the Jem is right that past the fire,
83 So good, our Nations Genius was afraid
84 To lose a Prize so proper for her Aid,
85 And lest light Coffers by true Bounty drein'd,
86 A Mighty Prince should Merchandising send;
87 Neptune,
* A Spanish Wreck found, and a vast Treasure taken up from the bottom of the Sea; and lately brought home.
as if he brib'd him not to go,
88 Sent him a Present from his hoar'd below.
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XII.
89 Seven Wonders Ancient Chronicles relate,
90 Now change the Scene, and make the number Eight,
91 Tis well Renowned Britain, that with thee
92 No Land can vie for Wit or Industry;
93 If Honor could the Argument maintain,
94 As well as politick Designs for Gain,
95 The World would then thy wondrous Merit know,
96 And Heaven above, as the Salt Deeps below.
XIII.
97 Gigantick Rocks ravish'd the wealthy Ore,
98 A Peoples Ruin the Rich Vessel bore;
99 And Providence for Ends, now known confin'd
100 In Coral Groves the Mistress of Mankind,
101 Full forty Years the pensive Beauty lay,
102 Low in a Sea-Gods Cell, to which-none found the Way,
103 Till Phip's inspir'd arriv'd, and Heaven thought well
104 To bless our Hero by a Miracle.
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XIV.
105 'Twere wondrous well if Fate would order so,
106 That Monarchs every Subjects Heart could know,
107 They then the difference of Men might see,
108 That serve for Interest or for Loyalty;
109 To build their Fortunes many plow the Main,
110 Their Duty is encourag'd by their Gain;
111 But he that leaves a Greatness so well known
112 Merely to serve his Prince, is Loyal Monk alone.
XV.
113 For who but he would leave the Bowers of Peace
114 Of blest Contentment and delightful Ease;
115 To war with Blasts and Fevers of the Skies,
116 Half buz'd to death by Buccaneering Flies,
117 Who would the tiresome Voyage undergo,
118 When Profit has no Golden face to show?
119 Or who but he the hot Fatigue would bear,
120 And leave New-Hall to be a Viceroy there?
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XVI.
121
* A short Character of New-Hall, his Grace's House in Essex.
New-Hall, the true Elizium of the Eye,
122 The glorious Seat of ancient Royalty,
123 Where Art and Nature seem by Heaven design'd
124 To strive, which shall be Master of their kind;
125 And as the pretious Ore in Golden Mines,
126 Nature produces, but 'tis Art that coins;
127 So she by Paradise this Model drew,
128 And Art improv'd the Beauties as they grew.
XVII.
129 The curious Gardens that delight the Eye,
130 Shew the gay Scene of blest Variety;
131 Sweet as a Virgin that has never known
132 The scorching passions of the vicious Town
133 Ceres and Flora here their Bounty show,
134 And Fruits and Flowers so Luxurious grow;
135 As Adam here had us'd his primitive Spade,
136 And from his Marker has just learnt the Trade.
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XVIII.
137 Next take the Park and prospect in your view,
138 Apelles never such a Landshape drew,
139 Tall Sons of Earth three quarters of a Mile
140 Weaving their Branches, frame a wond'rous Isle:
141 Here the poor Traveller relief to gain
142 From the oppressing Storms of Wind and Rain,
143 Tir'd with his tedious Journey slacks his pace,
144 Sits down, looks round, and wonders at the Place.
XIX.
145 The Nightingals in every Grove impart,
146 By Nature, Airs that need no help of Art;
147 No Artist sent from Italy comes there,
148 And yet no Eunuch ever sung so rare,
149 Curse your ill Stars, ye poor disgender'd crew,
150 Each Linnet has a better Fate than you,
151 For they can in the charming Chorus join,
152 And yet enjoy the Pleasures of their kind.
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XX.
153 The happy Herds of Dear then Feasting see
154 Emblems of Innocence and Amity,
155 That feed and love together, couch and rise,
156 Never debauch'd with strife or mortal Vice,
157 But silently their great Creator praise;
158 And if they chance to see a human Face,
159 With eager speed, they from the Object run,
160 And gaze and wonder at the Monster, Man.
XXI.
161 Reflect, vain Creature, with errected Face,
162 That claim'st command o'er the four-footed Race;
163 How much thy lazy Virtue they'd out do,
164 If they were blest with sacred Reason too;
165 Proud of thy Gifts, yet Heaven in them do find
166 More truth, nay more Religion in their kind,
167 From Schisms, false Doctrine, and Ambition free,
168 And pride the darling Sin of poor Mortality.
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XXII.
169 Here ere the Lawns with Summer blessings crown'd,
170 Pleas'd with their lusty Health they nimbly bound'
171 Free from the Weathers wild ingrateful storms
172 The trembling Hares sit quiet in their Forms:
173 Sweet smelling Panthers of whose Spots we read
174 In modern Pamphlet, here may welcome feed,
175 But yet no Baptist Boar, nor foaming Bear can graze,
176 Nor one Immortal Hind in all the Place.
XXIII.
177 When the great General with Victorious Sword,
178 Thrice happy Englands best of Kings restor'd;
179 When Crouds were to Obedience forc'd to bow,
180 And old Rebellions Giant-head lay low:
181 The mighty Genius of this God of War,
182 Big with his Merit, did this Place prepare;
183 And smiling on him with an awful Grace,
184 Spoke thus, Thou wondrous Man rest here in Peace.
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XXIV.
185 Here let thy glass of Life in quiet run,
186 And let the World admire what thou hast done,
187 Thou, that from Chaos didst to order bring,
188 Dissenting Crowds, that shuffled out the King,
189 And when black gathering Clowds of Mischief grew
190 Too dark, for any but thy Eyes to view,
191 That all the jarring parts thy power might know,
192 Spak'st loud, let there be Light, and it was so.
XXV.
193 This said, the Genius bow'd his awful head,
194 And at his Feet the conquer'd Trophies laid;
195 From hence a Series of new Years ran on
196 Till throng'd with Time this great triumphant Man,
197 Like some tall lofty Pine with blessings crown'd,
198 Sunk with his mellow Glories to the ground,
199 Leaving behind a Theme far more sublime
200 Than e'er agen will grace succeeding Time.
XXVII.
201 Sir, still in you we the old Hero see
202 The same true Courage, and true Loyalty,
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203 The Father of his Country does return
204 You in a Phenix rising from his Urn,
205 Whose stedfast Faith no Interest could sway,
206 So well his Heart had taught him to obey;
207 To serve his Prince all Dangers would run o'er,
208 Dreading to stormy Sea, nor no inhospitable shore.
XXVII.
209 Yet tho this Sir, on Duties score you do,
210 Reason advises to be cautious too;
211 When from high Towers you see the dazling height,
212 'Twere direct madness to precipitate.
213 Hard is the Game you long have had to play,
214 Many would have you go, and more to stay,
215 To keep you here, still wish your faithful Friends;
216 But Og, would have you gone for his own ends.
XXVIII.
217 Projecting Og, by you like Taper snuft,
218 Like Spider now with innate Venom puft,
219 A Bulk sincere, but there's no Faith in that,
220 For all Men are not honest that are fat.
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221 This Age by a new jugling Fallacy,
222 Fattens those most who best can Cheat and Lye;
223 Who with next Heir at Law would trust his health,
224 Or who a bloated Bancrupt with his wealth?
XXIX.
225 To Fame and Truth your Soul did ever bend,
226 The bravest Man is still the truest Friend:
227 Heaven its best Graces to your Heart disclos'd,
228 There all the Elements so well compos'd,
229 That no unruly Passion dares aspire,
230 Not too much Earth, nor yet too little Fire;
231 But in your Bosom form'd, all gently move,
232 You shew at once the Eagle and the Dove.
XXX.
233 Forgive me Sir, that I these Truths relate,
234 And believe Flattery is a thing I hate;
235 The Courtier's Gloss to varnish his dull Speech,
236 Could I have flatter'd well I had been Rich;
237 A well form'd Parasite's an Art so dear,
238 I might have got three hundred Pound a year,
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239 That now can boast no greater Wealth my due,
240 Than a good Character from such as You.
XXXI.
241 And rich I am in that, may then your years,
242 Rowl on with Joy, and may you know no Cares,
243 May bounteous Plenty bless you with her Store,
244 And all the teeming Western Mines with Ore,
245 May Spicy Breezes cool the parching Air,
246 That no hot Ray presume t' offend the Fair,
247 And in a happy hour may England boast,
248 She can win back the Treasure she has lost.

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Title (in Source Edition): A POEM Panegyrical On His GRACE THE D. of ALBEMARLE; With Remarks on His Voyage for JAMAICA, and the late Treasure brought Home in the JAMES and MARY.
Author: Thomas D'Urfey
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D'Urfey, Thomas, 1653-1723. New poems, consisting of satyrs, elegies, and odes together with a choice collection of the newest court songs set to musick by the best masters of the age / all written by Mr. D'Urfey. London: Printed for J. Bullord ... and A. Roper ..., 1690, pp. 186-204. [16],207,[1]p. (ESTC R17889) (Page images digitized from a copy in the Bodleian Library [Harding C 1197 (1)].)

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Typography, spelling, capitalization, and punctuation have been cautiously modernized. The source of the text is given and all significant editorial interventions have been recorded in textual notes. This ECPA text has been edited to conform to the recommendations found in Level 5 of the Best Practices for TEI in Libraries version 4.0.0.

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