Several Poems, Poem 4
The Romane Monarchy, being the fourth and laſt, beginning Anno Mundi, 3213.
STout Romulus, Romes founder, and firſt King,
Whom veſtal Rhea to the world did bring,
His Father was not Mars as ſome devis'd,
But Aemulus in Armour all diſguiz'd:
Thus he deceiv'd his Neece, ſhe might not know
The double injury he then did do.
Where ſheperds once had Coats, & ſheep their folds
Where Swains & ruſtick Peaſants kept their holds,
A City fair did Romulus erect,
The Miſtreſs of the World, in each reſpect,
His brother Rhemus there by him was ſlain,
For leaping o're the wall with ſome diſdain.
The ſtones at firſt was cemented with blood,
And bloody hath it prov'd, ſince firſt it ſtood.
This City built and Sacrifices done,
A Form of Government, he next begun;
A hundred Senators he likewiſe choſe,
And with the ſtyle of Patres, honoured thoſe,
His City to repleniſh, men he wants,
Great priviledges then to all he grants;
That will within thoſe ſtrong built walls reſide,
And this new gentle Government abide.
Of wives there was ſo great a ſcarcity,
They to their neighbours ſue for a ſupply;
But all diſdain Alliance, then to make,
So Romulus was forc'd this courſe ro take:
Great ſhews he makes at Tilt and Turnament,
To ſee theſe ſports, the Sabins all are bent.
Their daughters by the Romans then were caught,
Then to recover them a Field was fought;
But in the end, to final peace they come,
And Sabins as one people dwelt in Rome.
The Romans now more potent 'gin to grow,
And Feainates they wholly overthrow.
But Romulus then comes unto his end.
Some ſeigning to the Gods he did aſcend:
Others the ſeven and thirtyeth of his reign,
Affirm, that by the Senate he was ſlain.
Numa Pompilius.
Numa Pompilius next choſe they King,
Held for his piety ſome ſacred thing,
To Janus he that famous Temple built;
Kept ſhut in peace, ſet ope when blood was ſpilt;
Religious Rites and Cuſtomes inſtituted,
And Prieſts and Flamines likewiſe he deputed,
Their Augurs ſtrange, their geſtures and attire,
And veſtal maids to keep the holy fire.
The Nymph Aegeria this to him told,
So to delude the people he was bold:
Forty three years he rul'd with general praiſe,
Accounted for a God in after dayes.
Tullius Hoſtilius.
Tullius Hoſtilius was third Roman King,
Who Martial diſcipline in uſe did bring;
War with the antient Albans he did wage,
This ſtrife to end ſix brothers did ingage.
Three call'd Horatii on the Romans ſide,
And Cu…tatii three Albans provide:
The Romans conquer, th' other yield the day,
Yet in their Compact, after falſe they play.
The Romans ſore incens'd their General ſlay,
And from old Alb… fetch the wealth away;
Of Latin Kings this was long ſince the Seat,
But now demoliſhed, to make Rome great.
Thirty two years did Tullus reign, then dye.
Left Rome in wealth and power ſtill growing high.
Ancus Martius.
Next Ancus Martius ſits upon the Throne,
Nephew unto Pompilius dead and gone:
Rome he inlarg'd, new built again the wall,
Much ſtronger, and more beautiful withal;
A ſta…ely Bridge he over Tyber made.
Of Boats and Oars no more they need the aid.
Fair Oſtia he built this Town, it ſtood
Cloſe by the mouth of famous Tyber …oud,
Twenty four years time of his Royal race,
Then unto death unwillingly gives place.
Tarquinius Priſcus
Tarquin a Greek at Corinth born and bred,
Who from his Country for Sepition fled.
Is entertain'd at Rome, and in ſhort time.
By wealth and favour doth to honour climbe;
He after Martius death the Kingdome had,
A hundred Senators he more did add.
Wars with the Latins he again renews,
And Nations twelve of Tuſcany ſubdues,
To ſuch rude triumphs as young Rome then had,
Some State and ſplendor did this Priſcus add:
Thirty eight years (this ſtronger born) did reign,
And after all, by Ancus Sons was ſlain.
Servius Tullius.
Next Servius Tullius gets into the Throne,
Aſcends not up By merits of his own,
But by the favour and the ſpecial grace
Of Tanquil late Queen, obtains the place.
He ranks the people into each degree,
As wealth had made them of ability;
A general Muſter takes, which by account,
To eighty thouſand Souls then did amount.
Forty four years did Servius Tullius reign,
And then by Tarquin Priſcus Son was ſlain.
Tarquinius Superbus the laſt King of the Romans
Tarquin the proud, from manners called ſo,
Sat on the Throne, when he had ſlain his Foe.
Sextus his Son did moſt unworthily,
Lu…retia force, mirrour of Chaſtity:
She loathed ſo the fact, ſhe loath'd her life,
And ſhed her guiltleſs blood with guilty knife
Her Husband ſore incens'd to quit this wrong,
With Junius Brutus roſe, and being ſtrong,
The Tarquins they from Rome by force expel,
In baniſhment perpetual to dwell;
The Government they change, a new one bring,
And people ſwear ne'r to accept of King.
An Apology.
To finiſh what's begun▪ was my intent,
My thoughts and my endeavours thereto bent;
Eſſays I many made but ſtill gave out,
The more I mus'd, the more I was in doubt:
The ſubject large my mind and body weak,
With many moe diſcouragements did ſpeak.
All thoughts of further progreſs laid aſide,
Though oft perſwaded, …as oft deny'd,
At length reſolv'd, when many years had paſt,
To proſecute my ſtory to the laſt;
And for the ſame, I hours not few did ſpend,
And weary lines (though lanke) I many pen'd:
But 'fore I could accompliſh my deſire,
My papers fell a prey to th' raging fire.
And thus my pains (with better things) I loſt,
Which none had cauſe to wail, nor I to boaſt.
No more I'le do ſith I have ſuffer'd wrack,
Although my Monarchies their legs do lack:
Nor matter is't this laſt, the world now ſees,
Hath many Ages been upon his knees.