Aurea Grana.

I.

TO CHARLES I. ON HIS RETURN
FROM SCOTLAND.1

S kings doe rule like th' heavens, who dispense

To parts remote and neare, their influence; So doth our CHARLES move also; while he posts From South to North, and back to southerne coasts. Like to the starry orbe, which in it's round

Move's to those very poynts; but while 'tis bound For North, there is-some guesse-a trembling fitt

And shivering in the part that's opposite.

What were our feares and pantings, what dire fame

6.

1 From Eucharistica Oxoniensia." In Caroli Regis nostri e Scotia reditum gratulatoria. (Oxoniæ. 1641). See our Memorial-Introduction pp xxxvi-vii. Another set of Verses signed as above with the addition 'Soc.' shewn by the Soc' not to have been by the Silurist, who never was a Fellow of any College. G.

are

Hear'd we of Irish tumults, sword, and flame!
Which now we thinke but blessings, as being sent
Only as matter, whereupon 'twas mean't,
The Brittish thus united might expresse,
The strength of joynèd Powers to suppresse,
Or conquer foes; this is great Brittaine's blisse;
The island in it selfe a just world is,

Here no commotion shall we find or feare,
But of the Court's removeall, no sad teare
Or clowdy brow, but when you leave VS, then
Discord is loyalty professèd, when
Nations do strive, which shall the happier bee
T' enjoy your bounteous ray's of majestie.
Which yet you throw in undivided dart:
For things divine allow no share or part.
The same kind vertue doth at once disclose,
The beauty of their thistle, and our rose.
Thus you doe mingle soules and firmely knitt,
What were but joyn'd before; you Scots-men fitt
Closely with vs, and reuniter prove,

You fetch'd the crowne before, and now their love.
H. Vaughan. Ies. Col.

II. FROM "MOUNT OF OLIVES." (1652.)

FROM VIRGIL GEORGICS IV.

SAW beneath Tarentum's stately towers
An old Cilician spend his peaceful
houres:

Some few bad acres, in a waste, wild field,
Which neither grasse, nor corne, nor vines would

Cheap herbs and coleworts, with the common seeds

Of chesboule or tame poppeys, he did sowe, And verveyne with white lilies caused to grow. Content he was, as are successful kings,

And late at night come home-for long work brings

The night still home-with unbought messes layd On his low table, he his hunger stay'd.

Roses he gather'd in the youthful Spring,

And apples in the Autumn home did bring:
And when the sad, cold Winter burst with frost
The stones, and the still streams in ice were lost,

1 The "Mount of Olives" is reprinted in full in our Volume IIId. pp 11-168. G.

He would soft leaves of Beare's-foot crop, and

chide

The slow West-winds, and lingring Summer-tyde!

(pp 115-6).

III. FLORES SOLITUDINIS.' (1654.)

1. The Slut: to Mahomet the Great: after Bisselius.

HE whole wench-how compleat soe'r -was but

A specious baite; a soft, sly, tempting
slut:

A pleasing witch; a living death; a faire
Thriving disease; a fresh, infectious aire;
A pretious plague; a furie sweetly drawne :
Wild fire laid up and finely drest in lawne.

1 The complete work is reprinted in our Vol. IVth. For the sacred Verse in it see Vol. I. Folia Silvula. G.

2. The Masque of Time in Augurellius to Peter Lipomanus on the death of his sister Clara. Amana Petre, cum vides &c.

ETER, when thou this pleasant world dost see,

Beleeve, thou seest meere dreames and

vanitie;

Not reall things but false: and through the aire Each where an empty, slipp'rie scene, though

faire.

The chirping birds, the fresh woods shadie boughes, The leaves shrill whispers, when the west-wind

blowes;

The swift, fierce greyhounds coursing on the plaines,

The flying hare, distrest twixt feare and paines;
The bloomy mayd decking with flowers her head
The gladsome, easie youth by light love lead;
And whatsoe'r heere with admiring eyes,
Thou seem'st to see, 'tis but a fraile disguise
Worne by eternall things, a passive dresse
Put on by beings that are passiveles.

(Epistle-Dedicatory pp 5-6.)