Londons Remains, Poem 1

Londons Remains · Poem 1

LONDINI quod RELIQƲƲM. OR, LONDONS REMAINS: IN LATIN and ENGLISH.

LONDON, Printed for Sa: Gellibrand, 1667.

The Stationer to the Reader.

THat the Author of these Poems sends them forth without his Name or Face, or Commendatory Verses of his Friends, (all which are usually affixed to those mens Essayes who desire to be known to the World. under the Character of Ingenioso's;) is not because he knows any cause to be ashamed of them; but because he is of a Profession to which Poetry is commonly thought, (though not, by any sober Persons, an unlawful or disparaging, yet) no accumulative or honorifick accession: And upon that account indeed, he is willing (with the known Painter) rather to bear the worlds censures behind the Curtain, than either to tempt the petulancy of the envious, or discourage the Liberty of the Ingenuous Critick, by a publick owning these recreative products of his fancy; which as it ows its first Birth to the potent Impression of the late dismal Conflagration, and present doleful Ruines of this Famous City; so desires to spend its last Breath in Congratulating its Restitution After which, if he can by any means get himself rid of this Itch of versifying, (a disease, in common experience, not so easily cured as caught,) he resolves for the future, to be known only by the more proper …lues of his Function, which he may Father with more confidence.

p. 1LONDINI quod RELIQƲƲM. Ad virum Doctissimum, eundem{que} Amicissimum, GƲILIELMƲM LANGHAM, M. D.

PIcta parentali Londini funera Versu

Qui legis, & tepido proluis Imbre genas:

Parce, precor, lacrimis, abstersa{que} sordibus or a Exhilara; Phaebo laeta jubente cano.

Collige Relliquias, nudata{que} carnibus ossa

Dixerat, & gremio conde, Thalia, tuo;

Faecundos cineres ut nostris condimus Ʋlnis,

Haeres ipsa sibi queis reparatur Avis:

Nam{que} suis, Me Vate, itidem nova Troja resurget

E Tumulis, Versu mox celebranda tuo.

Paret; at incensam Instrans dum circuit Urbem,

Ardet, & alterno claudicat inde Pede.

Sed …ua solantur mancam spectacula Musam;

At{que} ait, haec nostri Carminis instar habent.

Im…bus{que} manent dum Tecta immista ruinis,

Impare item Versu par fuit illa cani.

p. 2Tu tamen interea, Soboles Phoebea, faveto,

Qui morbos succis, dira{que} fata fugas;

Leniter & medica tractes mea vulnera Dextra;

At{que} Machaonia, qua potes, Arte juves.

Sic captiva tuos ornet Libitina Triumphos,

Dum scquitur Currus funere rapta Salus.

ERrabunda premens quas noverat ante Plateas,

Quaerit Virgo oculis pristina signa suis.

Dum nusquam apparent, (ne sit suspecta rogando,

Ficta{que} ab irata crimina plebe luat;)

Qua videt; (& per cuncta videt) discurrere Cives,

Jungitur, & mistis devia miscet Iter;

Observans{que} simul sparsas per compita voces,

Ignotos populi discit ab ore locos.

Haec, aiunt, PAULINA fuit venerabilis Aedes,

Nec toto moles celsior Orbe fuit.

Tecta coronabant Parias laqueata columnas;

Pensile & immenso fornice Culmen erat.

Area longa Domum summam commisit, & imam;

Clivus & in plana est surgere visus humo.

Ʋltima{que} in gracilem coierunt Marmora conum,

Arte aciem a longe decipiente rudem.

Porticus occiduos capiebat splendida Soles,

Ʋnde rubens tota fulsit in aede jubar.

Materiam ingenio vicit sculptura sagaci;

Et celebre impositis Regibus anxit opus.

p. 3Sed simulac fuer at nimiis fervoribus ustum,

Dissiliens rimas undi{que} Marmor agit.

Impositae{que} ruunt dum vasto pondere moles,

Nativas repetunt vi penetrante, domos.

Quae{que} manent, rapido nutant erosa calore,

Exesas rupes ut maris Unda cavat:

Et veluti saeva quercum caedente dolabra,

Assula ab impacto Vulnere multa cadit.

Haec fuerant, alii, FIDEI Penetralia, dicunt,

Fornicibus lapsis est tumulata Fides.

Et periere simul doctae concredita Turbae

Pignora, fatali prodita Praeda rogo.

Ʋnde ambusta, (Velut Cumeae Oracla Sibyllae)

Sparsa procul Ventis Pagina docta fuit.

Ista Ruina tegit Pluteos, ubi scripta Vetusta

Versavit tremula Turba minuta manu.

Prostabant istis Musarum scrinia Cellis:

Ars alibi in pretio non fuit ulla magis.

Sacra Ʋlnis fragmenta fovet, (sua Damna) Thalia; Dixit & in nostro prima cubate sinu.

Dum tamen indulget grato pia Musa labori,

Colligit & Gremio rudera digna suo:

Integer effossis visus restare ruinis

Praesul, ab exequiis cui tria saecla fluunt.

Integer & maneas; neque sit crudelior ipso

Turba tibi Tumulo, Pontificalis, ait.

p. 4Dum Discerpta illi venerando Busta profanant; Ecce! Reformatis tnta Sepulcra manent.

Constitit, & simul in vicinas lumina clades

Volvens, indiciis condolitura suis:

HOSPITIUM, CHRISTI fuer at cui Nomen honori,

Nudato horrendum vertice, prima videt.

Nobilis, hic, uni Paulinae cesserat Aedes:

Mole prior Pauli, nulla nitore fuit.

Ornarat{que} Scholam largis proventibus auctam

Munifica Civis plurimus altus ope.

Vidit: & ut surgant, dixit, tua Maenia, Christe,

Tu pia prolifico Rudera conde sinu.

Contiguam ut vidit servatam ex Ignibus Aedem,

In risum maerens temper at or a levem;

Et mutilis, inquit, merito, Vulcane, favebas,

Fabula si claudos dat tibi vera pedes.

Vestra prope astiterant Phoebi Collegia proles:

Nec poterant statui commodiore Loco.

Nam{que} Patris nostri vicum apte clauserat Amen,

Praevia & ad Medicos jusserat ire prece.

Ignifluas sed sensit Amen, ne{que} finiit Iras,

Nulla{que} erat tanto par Medicina malo.

Surgite, ait, nostri sacraria surgite Phoebi,

Et junctam rursus sentiat aeger opem.

p. 5Proxima erant quondam speciosi culmina Templi,

Nomina Structores SANCTA SEPULCHRA dabant.

Omne tamen Sanctum communia Fata profanant,

Tu{que} Sepulta Domus Nominis Omen habes.

Ʋna, ferunt, Campana manet, quae morte luenti

Crimina, in extremis officiosa fuit.

Et maneas, inquit, flammis{que} erepta, reposcas

Authores tantae qui modo stragis erant.

OCCIDUAM hinc cupidis URBEM perlustrat Ocellis,

Exultat{que} simul Culmina nota videt.

Gratulor & Vobis, nostrae miracula Gentis,

Dixit, ab insano non temerata Rogo.

Agnosco Petri Cathedram, Regum{que} Sepulchra,

Fassa{que} Mortales Marmora maesta Deos.

Atria{que} augusti consultis clara Senatus:

Qua{que} sonant rauci Jurgia docta Fori.

Caesaream agnosco sedem, cui Nobilis Aula

A Domino splendet nobilitata suo.

Tutum & ait, Dominum celebris tibi gratulor Aula,

Tutam & te Domino gratulor Aula tuo.

Conversae, occurrit discors sibi Nomine Vicus,

Re, carus nimium, Nomine vilis erat.

Cui, (nisi cum magnos celebrabant Vina triumphos)

Limpida ab aurato Fonte fluebat aqua.

Discito Justitiam (flamma dictante) Platea,

Dixit, & e nostro fota resurge sinu.

p. 6Vicinam spectans obliquo lumine Portam,

Fixa super palis ossa manere videt,

Inferias Carolo caesas: ne{que} Flamma volebat

Destitui exemplis Crimina tanta suis.

Musa, manete, inquit, saeclis documenta futuris,

Et longas Regum Manibus esse Manus.

Respexit pariter quae nomine nota SIONIS

Atria sunt tristi semicremata Rogo.

Gratulor & vobis, dixit, (mea Cura) Libelli,

Relliquiae stragis pars quotacun{que} manet.

Biblia sed cum sint Thecis exuta, precamur,

Auspiciis surgas Bibliotheca novis.

Cella etiam hic periit Peragrato dives Hymetto,

Florilega in{que} favum mel cumularat Avis.

Infelix{que} (inquit) Volucris, gentilia Fata

Agnosco: Flammis diripiuntur APES.

Sed moris meminisse tamen, Vulcane, decebat;

Ardet Apis flamma, Mella manere solent.

Quin, melius, praeter morem, Dea, (Mulciber inquit,)

Nectare direpto sedula vivit Apis:

Vivit Apis, totam{que} iterum praedabitur Hyblam,

Congeret in{que} novas mox nova Mella Domos.

At simulac Critices collect a Volumina Sacrae

Percipit infausto comperiisse Favo;

p. 7Ingemit, & nostri haec fuerant pars Magna laboris,,

Inquit, & immensi Causa doloris erunt.

Infelix Bustum, periit quo tota Vetustas,

At{que} antiqua novum rudera Funus habent!

Caetera ut admittam saeclis reparanda futuris

Damna, parem cumulum saecula nulla dabunt.

Haud procul, excelsis olim PRAETORIA pinnis

Surgebant; Pario Marmore fulsit opus.

Alta duo Aetnei servabant Atria Fratres,

Praetexta{que} frequens splenduit Aula Toga.

Hic populo Augustus reddebat Jura Senatus,

Et sua Praetori sella curulis erat.

Sed ne{que} Vulcanum Juris revetentia cepit,

Tuta satellitio nec fuit Aula suo.

Vidit, & exurgas, dixit, speciosior Aula,

At{que} frequens solita Curia lite strepat.

Qua numerosa olim doctis pulsantibus aera

Suaviter ad varias sunt modulata notas.

Qua{que} repercussos inverso Turris ab ARCU

Vibrarat quondam Musica Turba sonos:

(Subditus his Vulcanus erat, nam{que} aere jubente,

In tota prunas condidit Ʋrbe cinis)

Nunc elingue jacet quondam vocale Metallum,

Ludibrium{que} Rogis Arcus inermis habet.

Neve impune feras, (inquit) tu Mulciber ipse

Mox alias Voces, altera Tela dabis.

p. 8Pergit & ad notam REGALI NOMINE BURSAM,

Et flammae Victor, Greshame, dixit, Ave.

Hausit Opus fateor, (gemitu{que} haec Verba profundo

Protulit) augustum, magnificum{que}, Rogus.

Restituent tamen haec, nisi fallimur Atria fratres,

Et strepet in pinnis vestra Cicada novis.

Te quo{que} quam celebrant condente, Vicaria Bursa,

Interea in laudes visitur us{que} tuas.

Viderat hic quondam REGALIA MARMORA Virgo,

Quae meminit numeris sic cecinisse suis.

Tu dubio Haeredi, CONFESSOR, Regna relinquis.

Te violata premit, proxime HAROLDE, fides.

Anglia deinde patet VICTORI, at clausa cadenti est

Neustria. RUFE, feras dum petis, ipse peris.

Musa dedit Sceptrum HENRICO, Muraena Sepulchrum.

Crux & Amor STEPHANO pulchra Matilda fuit.

HENRICO Rosamunda placet formosa Secundo.

Corde Leo, ast Agni signa, RICARDE, geris.

Infensum rapuit Monachi vindicta JOHANNEM.

HENRICE in Proceres, Tertie, Bellageris.

Paruit, EDVARDO, conjunctis Cambria Scotis,

Primo. At saeva subis Fata, SECUNDE, veru.

Illustrem{que} Periscelidem, tu, TERTIE, tollis,

Privata{que} alter, morte, RICARDE, cadis.

Rapta serunt Bella HENRICO Diademata quarto.

Paret Victori Gallia, QUINTE, tibi.

p. 9Excussit regnata jugum Lutetia SEXTI.

Regna, bis EDVARDUS, subdita, quartus habet.

Rex Titulo QUINTUS fuerat: quo, tertie, caeso,

Rex Titulo vacuus, Sceptra, RICARDE, rapis.

Tu, mistis, HENRICE, Rosis tibi, Septime, firmas

Imperia. OCTAVO. Papa, jubente, fugit.

Praepropera EDVARDO Pietas & Funera Sexto.

Innocuo rubuit sanguine saeva SOROR.

Virginitas, Pietas, Pax, Copia, gloria ELISAE.

Pax, Pietas, Artes, docte JACOBE, tua.

Martyrii titulo tu solus, CAROLE, fulges.

Clementis Titulum CAROLUS alter habet.

Sparsa tot in cumulos Regum fragmenta Thalia,

Manca{que} membra simul, trunca{que} Sceptra videns,

Vestra, ait, hac (Reges) referuntur Imagine Fata,

Ficta{que} par Vobis Marmora funus habent.

Fata tamen CAROLO sint segnia: sana senectus

Obrepat lento, lento abitura Pede:

Post{que} suos alio reparatos Marmore Patres,

Sera ipsum ad Patres colligat hora suos.

Et fallant nova vaniloquos ostenta Prophetas;

Et lapsus mendax Omen habeto Lapis:

Exactus{que} Anno Numerus ter sextus in uno,

Anti-Monarchistis somnia falsa probet.

Pergere & ad Thamisin, (dilect a{que} flumina Musis Saepe canunt Vates) sollicitavit Amor.

p. 10Hic refluas Moles augusta repercutit Undas,

At{que} duplex solido Fornice Ripa coit.

Summum etiam Pontem fastigia celsa coronant,

Despicit At{que} frequens inde habitator Aquas.

Sed fremit injectas subterflua lympha catenas,

Et gemit obstruct as fluctibus esse vias.

Audisti; & vindex adero, (Vulcane) gementi,

Dixisti; & rupto fornice lympha flues.

Parte tamen labefactata, Te, (Mulciber) ajunt

Extemplo incepti paenituisse tui.

Nam timuisse ferunt ne surgeret unda soluta,

Et Thamisis Dominae libera ferret opem.

Musa videt; Celebres{que} premant tua flumina Moles,

Inquit, & us{que} fremens despiciatur Aqua.

Tu quoque, queis prudens Iras, Vulcane, premebas,

Invitus deinceps discito fraena pati.

Astiterat Tabulata Domus, multo unde labore

Flumineam in calices Antlia duxit Aquam.

Docta per anfractus varios ascendere Nympha

Daedaleis solita est Tecta subire viis.

Mulciber, at rapidis succumbas Machina flammis,

Dixerat, in clades ingeniosa meas.

Musa, gemens periisse suas ubi percipit Artes,

Inquit, & artifici Machina surge Manu.

Prospicit hinc notum deterso abdomine Vicum,

Ʋnde fuit tanti Fons & Origo mali.

p. 11Dixit, & aeternis damnatus surge Cloacis

Viculus, infamis nomina Cladis habens.

Hinc conspect a manet Castelli Regia Moles.

Arx est tuta Loco, tutior Arce Locus.

Julius haec fertur struxisse Palatia Caesar,

Obtineat siquam Fabula prisca fidem.

In latus omne patens TURRIS circumspicit Ʋndas,

Cogit & Ignivomis in sua Jura Minis.

Omnimoda hic Mavortis erat congesta supellex,

Quae{que} tegunt homines Arma, quibus{que} premunt.

Hic quo{que} signantur Titulis & Imagine Regum

Mortales animos quae Magis Arma domant.

Praesidio tutam Carolus sibi fecerat Arcem:

Praesidio at fuerat tutior illa Dei.

Sed tremuit merito tanto obvallata calore,

Cui satis ad Clades una Favilla foret:

Et nisi divino superesset munere sospes,

Flagrassent uno Regna Britanna foco.

In sua dum reduces vertit vestigia plantas,

Spargit & hinc lacrimas, spargit & inde preces.

Conspicit Aurificum flammis arsisse Tabernas,

Nomine ubi Italico nota Platea fuit.

Qu…{que} dedit Gramen perituro Nomina Vico,

Non superest tantis Herba minuta focis:

Gratia sive dedit grato sua Nomina vico,

Nunc superest tantis Gratia nulla Rogis.

p. 12Angulus at juxta restat de funere raptus,

In quo (LANGHAMIDAE) portio vestra fuit.

Eminet alta Domus, quae tantis obsita flammis

Nuper erat, plusquam Voce, PROPINQUA CRUCI.

Magna Domus, minor at Domino, cui copia Menti

Suppetit, & magnas Mens magis ornat opes.

Larga manus memores solita est fecisse merendo;

Et sensere Scholae, sensit Egenus opem.

Importuna, videns, vix pressit Gaudia Musa:

Dum grave diducto Carmen ab ore sonat.

Discite, quam valeant flammas benefacta sopire,

Rursus in Authorem jussa redire suum.

Hic quo{que} GRESHAMICIS TITULIS COLLEGIA fulgent.

Proxima{que} infames non tetigere Rogi.

Non minus haec Helicone suo dilexit Apollo

Atria, & Aonii Turba novena chori.

Omnimoda e celsis sonat hic Doctrina Cathedris;

Dotatas{que} Artes qui profitentnr, habent.

Philosophi hic Regnant, & Reges Philosophantur,

(Unica enim tantis syllaba danda Viris)

Qui Reges socios Tituli splendoribus aequant,

Sed faciunt Titulis splendidiora suis.

Vapulat hic veteris jurata in verba Magistri

Credulitas, facili tramite docta sequi.

Hic celata diu Natura Arcana fatetur;

Velatum{que} nihil quod tueatur, habet.

p. 13Hic formidandam cataphracti Pulicis Hastam

Qui videt in Tubulo, vulnera magna timet:

Quos{que} leves ictus compuncta cuticula sentit,

Majores dubitat sensibus esse suis.

Squameus & Capitis spectantes Incola terret,

Nata nec ista putant Corpore Monstra suo:

Dum{que} unco tenuis prensatur Crinis ab ungue,

Creditur Herculea Clava tremenda manu.

Parva loquor. Magnum est, paret quod sensibus aether,

At{que} oculis, Mentes quae latuere, patent.

Tu lustrata, novis nunc, Cynthia, rupibus albes,

Et maria agnoscis qua modo Dumus eras.

In{que} tuo maculae spectantur, Cynthie, vultu.

Falcifer at{que} Ansas queis teneare, geris.

Tu, quoque, Mars, tu blanda Venus, tu{que} aliger Hermes,

Cum{que} Satellitio Jupiter Ipse tuo;

Panditis insolita in tenui spectacula Vitro:

Nec sunt Astra minus Pulice nota levi.

Tu que, animo cui Vota Orbem fecere Minorem,

Hic fieres animi compos, (Avare) tui:

Si modo quae ignotos patefecit vitrea Mundos

Machina, ad hos Mundos & docuisset Iter.

Quid? quod in Exiguis trutinatur Lancibus Aer,

Vertitur & pluma justa Statera levi?

Regna quod Imperiis parent Neptunia doctis,

Et fluit ad Leges mobilis unda Novas?

p. 14Certa quod immensi capitur Mensura profundi,

Et vacuum posthac Nomen Abyssus erit?

Quod situla in salso, quaqua patet, aequore mersa,

Excluso hauritur dulcior Ʋnda Sale?

Quod mutare Vices Anni quo{que} Tempora cogunt,

Friget & aestiva mista Lagena nive?

Quod liquefacta novos acquirit Terra fluores,

In{que} novas moles consolidantur Aquae?

Quod vibrante fugax motu dum praeterit Hora,

Pendula Sole Dies certius aera secant?

Mox quo{que} Marmorea lapidescent Robora crusta,

Occludent{que} suas Ignibus Arte vias.

O utinam Petris ita loricata fuissent,

Materiam flammis quae modo Ligna dabant!

Staret adhuc forsan, ne{que} nostrae flenda Camoenae

Urbs fuerat rapidis Esca vorata Rogis.

Tu quo{que} quae versas cecinisti Musa figuras,

Materia hic dives nobiliore fores.

Hic exhausta tumet peregrino sanguine Vena,

Transmissae{que} Animae non sua Membra fovent,

Mox effoeta novo calefient corpora succo,

Et refluet celeri pulsa Juventa pede.

Prima{que} praecipitem accerset lanugo senect am,

Induet & canas, Arte jubente, nives.

Integer in{que} suum Pylades transibit Orestem,

Nec Pyladi frustra nomen Orestis erit.

p. 15Forsan & ambiguo dum ludunt Corpore Mentes,

Eludent docto ferrea Fata dolo.

Quin & Pastori latrans famulabitur Agnus,

Balantes{que} metent pascua laeta Canes.

Hinniet, & fremitu sibi praelia poscet Asellus,

Et Sonipes raucos proferet ore sonos.

In{que} Hominem dum grata Jovi transfunditur Ales,

Mox laeves Artus insita Pluma teget;

Et tibi; quas frustra tentavit sutilis Ala,

Icare, donabit propria penna vias.

Denique, mille colunt celebrem Miracula sedem,

Quae non sunt Elegis concipienda meis.

Restat: at afflatos vultu confessa calores

Discolor a foedo redditur Igne Domus.

Vidit: & hac una minuis tot crimina Laude,

Musa ait; & veniam Lemnie, habeto meam.

Caetera ut invisit tantae invidiosa ruinae

Fragmina, &e Magna quod super Urbe fuit.

Plurima tacta videt flammis lambentibus, aegre

Erepta insano semicremata Rogo;

Integra pauca, (Hosti pariter praedanda relicta)

Nunc Dominis cumulant lucra, recepta, suis.

Sed nolite, monet, nimio conducta locari;

Ne nova vos, pressis Fratribus, Ira premat,

Non vobis rapidus fecit stipendia fervor;

Sed Domino Obsequium praestitit ille suo.

p. 16Quae{que} alios nune Fata premunt, & vestra fuissent,

Si paribus meritis par quo{que} poena foret.

Vos quoque, quae subeunt trepidantes Rudera Cives,

Murorum{que} graves mole tumente Minae;

Auspiciis Coeli & CAROLI surgetis: Erit{que}

Nobilior Damnis Urbs rediviva suis.

FINIS.

p. 1LONDONS REMAINS Made English: And Dedicated (with some small difference from the Latin) to the most Ingenious, and every way hopeful young Lady, Mrs. MARY LANGHAM.

ALL you whose Cheeks my LONDONS Obsequies

Once drenched from your watry Eyes,

Now drain those floated Grounds, and damme their Spring;

I better News from Phaebus bring.

Dear Muse, said he, walk the sad Round, and turn

Thy tender Bosome to an Ʋrn;

Hide there the Sacred Dust: so we repair

The Bird that to himself is Heir:

And so shall LONDON from its Ruines spring,

And thou shalt its Good-morrow sing.

The Muse obey'd; but walking burnt her foot;

(Her limping Verse to that impute:)

Sad was the sight; yet this I like, said she,

Poem and Subject both agree:

For, me thinks, whiles unequal Lines I payre,

Like House and Ruine matcht they are.

p. 2Her Round perform'd, (sweet Madam) straight, to you

She crawles, with her Remarks, as due.

Your Vertue first, Relation, next, she knows,

Concern you in the Cityes Woes:

And since she's told, [A Ladyes Hand doth Cures]

She hopes that Influence from Yours.

ENtring the City once exactly known,

Thalia found her marks were gone:

Whence, loath to ask her Way, for fear of danger,

('Twas death then to be thought a stranger,)

Silent, she joyn'd her self to every throng,

And bade her ears supply her Tongue.

In dumb Procession thus my Muse did pass;

And common Chat her Tutor was.

This was, said some, PAƲLS Reverend Edifice;

The World did not its like comprise.

A Carved Roof its Marble Pillars crown'd,

And these to that, vast Arches bound.

It's monstrous length to the unlearned sight

The Floor, and Cieling did unite.

Pillars remote, approach'd, which parted, nigh;

And each step up-hill seem'd to lye.

A Noble Porch suck'd in the Western Ray,

And through th' whole House did it display.

Whose richer Art made the Materials vile;

And with Two Princes crown'd the Pile.

p. 3But, so intense was the surrounding Flame,

The Marble gap'd, and loos'd the Frame.

The Roof, fail'd by its Propps, forc'd into th' Earth,

To seek the Place that gave it Birth.

Now nought remains but Ruines rudely torn,

Like Cliffs which fretting Waves have worn.

Chipp'd, like the rough-hew'd Oak, when th' Axe doth pare

Its Trunk to an uneven Square.

These Vaults (said others) do St. Faith comprise:

False Faith! write on her, Here she lies.

Rich Pawns the Letter'd Tribe did there depose.

But a deceitful Guardian chose.

Like Sybylls Leaves, the scorched Learning fell,

Scatter'd by Winds too farre to tell.

There; trembling Boyes rubb'd out their Authors sense

On studious Thumbs, then suck'd it thence.

The Muses in those Shops were woo'd and wonne;

But Money made the Match come on.

This learn'd; of all the Sacred Reliques, part She grasp'd, and laid 'em next her Heart.

Thus, whiles she spends her charitable pains

On Sacred, mixt with Learn'd Remains:

Uncas'd, a Prelate, (on the Marbles Trust)

The Third Age since, sent Dust to Dust,

Entire appears; and so, if Rome, (said She)

Permit, entire remains for me.

p. 4Whiles its Devotion plunders Tombs, 'tis seen, Protestant Faith's their safest Skreen.

Here my Muse made a stand, her weeping Eye

Sent round the Neighbour-Coast a Spye:

Where, like a Wood devested of its Lopps,

First CHRIST-CHƲRCH shew'd its naked Topps.

This Church, next PAƲLS was fam'd; PAƲLS the more wide;

But this with it for Neatness vi'd.

And many poor Boyes from its School had grown

To th' Honour of the Purple Gown.

May thy Celestial Patrons tender Care,

(Said She) advance thy quick Repaire.

The bordering Hospital when safe She view'd,

Her sad Face to a smile she skrew'd,

And said, Lame Forgeman, if the Tale be true,

This Mercy was thy Brethrens due.

PHYSICIANS COLLEDG next, its Seat did Fit,

Whether by Chance there plac'd, or Wit.

It stood at Amen, Pater-noster's close;

For he needs pray that takes a Dose.

A cureless Causon did the Colledg spend;

Nor did Amen its Furyes end.

Apollo's Council-house, said she, arise:

Dark Cases need a Clubb of Eyes.

p. 5A lofty Pile▪ (now humbled) next appears,

Once Christ'ned 'twas SAINT SEPƲLCHERS:

Which since it felt the all-interring Flame,

The Saint lost, kept its empty Name.

They tell us hereof One unmelted Bell,

That toll'd Condemned Felons Knell.

This Rumour heard, hang still, said she, to do

That Work for LONDONS FAƲXES too.

Thus, Westward plac'd, She view'd the WESTERN TOWN

Glad by its Tops it might be known:

And, (Englands Gloryes) I congratulate

To you, (She said) your better Fate.

There stands Saint Peter's Shrine: Next, that, wherein

What denies Princes Gods, is seen.

And there's the House where wisest Heads decreed,

And th' HALL where nimblest Tongues are fee'd.

And there's WHITEHALL, a Noble Pile, although

Its Royal Owner much below.

I joy you both, (may both Joyes lasting be)

Of Thee, thy Master, of thy Master, Thee.

Her Face once turn'd, she now beholds an Heap,

Where stood a Street, misnamed CHEAP.

Here once a glorious Aqueduct did shine,

Where Triumphs Water turn'd to Wine.

May Fire refine, and teach thee too, She cryes,

As statelier, so more honest rise.

p. 6On the next Gate, unhappy Limbs there stood,

That expiated Charles His Blood.

The Flames themselves were loath, that after-Times

Should lose the Vengeance of such Crimes.

This seen; Sad Reliques, teach the World, (She sings)

Long-handed are the Ghosts of Kings.

To SION-COLLEGE next She turns her Eyes;

Which, part-burnt, part-escap'd, She spyes.

Dear Books, (said She) your dangers were my cares:

And now my Joy exceeds my fears.

Glad you are safe; I gladder should become,

Your House re-built, and you at home.

Here flam'd an Hive the Muses Bird had fraught

With Honey from Hymettus brought.

Poor Bird! (said She) this Fate attends thy Name,

For BEES oft plund'red are with Flame.

But, Vulcan, yet, me-thinks, you Custom broke,

For th' Honey sav'd, the Bees we smoke.

Yea, rather, thank me, Madam, (answer'd Hee)

That took your Hive, and drove your Bee.

Your Bee preserv'd, will spread his buzzing wing,

And to New Hives all Hybla bring.

Within this Hive, of all the Wealth She lost,

The Sacred Criticks stung her most.

p. 7Dear Births, (said She) of my once-teeming Throwes,

Now Parents of my lasting Woes!

Ʋnhappy Flame, in which devoured lye

Th' Ashes of all Antiquity!

No other Losse disdaineth Times repair:

But This, is Times and my despair.

Next GƲILD-HALL, once, on Marble Pillars stood,

Pillars, too proud of such a Load.

Two armed Giants were its constant Guard,

Whiles thither peaceful Gowns repair'd.

Here, a grave Senate Causes did debate,

Which the Lord Mayor adjudg'd in State.

But lawless Flames adjourn'd the Court from thence,

'Gainst which its Guards were no defence.

But, Rise, (said She) more stately from thine Ʋrn,

And may the banifht Court return.

The next advance unto her mind did bring

The Charms of an harmonious Ring.

The bended BOW shot thence reflected sounds,

Made up of Musicks best Compounds.

Its Courfeu-Bell once flames in order kept;

And rak'd up Fire till morning slept.

The Bow disarm'd, in vain now scar'd the Flame,

And the shrill Metal dumb became.

Yet Vulcan, triumph not, (said She) for thou

Shalt rearm the disarmed Bow.

p. 8Her next Advance the ROYAL CHANGE presents;

Where GRESHAM thus She complements.

Haile, Flames Surviver; though thy Noble Pile

Be burnt, (said She, and wept the while)

Thy Grashopper, (turn'd Cricket now) shall sing

A welcome to its second spring.

Mean while, this to thy Memory is due,

For one Change meant, thou built'st us two.

The ROYAL STATƲES miss'd; her Memory,

Their Chronicle did thus supply.

First, the CONFESSOR left a doubtful Crown,

Which HAROLD snatch'd, and soon laid down,

The NORMANS prize: whom dead, his Caen deny'd.

For th' Hart, the Hunter, RƲFƲS, dy'd.

To Beauclerk HENRY Lampreys fatal were.

Th' Emp'ress, was STEPHENS Love, and Fear.

Fair Rosamund did Second HENRY charm.

And LION-HEART, the Lamb did Arm.

To JOHN, the Monk a deadly Wassaile clears.

Third HENRY's Barons prov'd his Peers:

First EDWARD, first the Welsh and Scot did quell.

Spitted to death Next EDWARD fell.

Third EDWARD, first the Noble Garter ty'd.

Ʋn-crown'd, the Second RICHARD dy'd.

Fourth HENRY's Arms piec'd up his Titles Crack.

The FIFTH pay'd France her Conquest back.

p. 9Sixth HENRY once lost France, and England twice.

Both Losses were Fourth EDWARD's rise.

Fifth EDWARD was a King; but for his Crown

His Ʋncle DICK pay'd him in Down.

The Seventh HENRY weds the Rival Rose.

The EIGHTH, Romes Rival Power o'rethrows.

Sixth EDWARD early ripe, did early rot.

A bloody Reign did MARY blot.

Peace, Plenty, Piety, the VIRGIN fames.

Religion, Peace, and LEARNING, JAMES.

A Martyrs Name First CHARLES alone doth bear.

May [Merciful] the SECOND wear.

The dreadful Wrack now all together slings;

Crowns, Scepters, and the Trunks of Kings.

And, like your Statues, Kings, said She, you must

Once mingled be with common Dust.

But, Heavens, CHARLES his Fate delay! may slow Arrive his Age, and slower go.

May he his Fathers in new Marble case:

And late with's Fathers take his place.

And you, who dream't o'th' Fall of Kings, at last

Grow wise, now Sixty-Six is past.

Come off (at least) like Oracles; and say,

Your Credit's sav'd; These Kings are they.

Muses love streams. Whence prompted by Loves Fires, How fares the Thames! mine, next enquires.

p. 10On Arched Stone a Noble Frame here stood

To wed Two Towns, and check the Flood.

Its lofty Tops with Princely Buildings crown'd,

'Midst Waves stood as on solid Ground.

But oft the roaring Tydes assay'd, in vain,

To break the Adamantine Chain.

This Vulcan heard, and, Grieved Floods, (said He)

Your Liberty receive from Me.

Which Word in part made good; it since appears,

He took new Counsels from his Fears.

For doubted 'twas, th' enlarged Stream might swell,

And for its Soveraigns sake, rebel.

This learn'd: Fond Waves, wear still your Noble Chain,

Your Pride (said She) and not your Pain.

And may thy Furyes now by Fear repell'd,

(Vulcan) henceforth by force be quelld.

Near by, the River hal'd by Engines force

Beyond the Level of its source,

And branch'd by secret Labyrinths abroad,

In private Kitchins was bestow'd.

Pernicious Engine for my ruine fram'd,

Burn thou, (said Vulcan) and it flam'd.

Dear Engine, (said the Muse) be thy repair,

Thy skilful Artists second Care.

The next place view'd, was, where the Flame began,

From empty'd Tripes call'd Pudding-Lane:

p. 11And ne're (said She) to greater Honour rise,

Thou Source of Londons Tragedies.

The Royal TOWER next escap'd she spi'd,

By Art and Site joynt-fortifi'd.

The first of Caesars, (if you credit Storyes)

Added this Pilo to's Brittish Gloryes.

The dreadful Terror of its Thund'ring Flames,

Gives Law to the surrounding Thames.

Here, Mars his Storehouse yeilds all sorts of Arms,

Both to repel and threaten Harms.

Here too, Kings Names and Faces authorize.

Arms us'd for greater Victories.

A Royal Guard this Pile in safety kept:

He, it, and them, who never slept.

The siege of Flames this Fort did justly scare,

Which one small spark had toss'd i'th' aire.

And, but that Heaven interpos'd to save,

That spot had been Three Kingdoms Grave.

Whiles from these Sights the Muse returns, and here

Scatters a pray'r, and there a Tear.

In Goldsmiths Street, known by th' Italian Name,

She saw the dreadful Prints of Flame.

And that which GRACES some, some GRASSES, call,

(No matter which) now's none at all.

Its Grace, this Ruine shews, but mortal was;

And wither'd, like its Embleme, Grass.

p. 12At th' other end, a Nook there was repriev'd,

In which the LANGHAMS Seat surviv'd.

Once CROSSBY's twas; and thence the Name, although

That Name ne're match'd it so, as Now.

A Noble Seat of a more Noble Lord,

Where Mind doth with his Wealth accord.

This great, that generous, Friends by bounty made;

Those pay'd him Pray'rs, Pray'rs ruine stay'd.

Scarce could the Muse forbear ill-timed Joyes,

But could not this instructing Voyce;

Good Works quench Fires, whiles they ascend, (like rain)

In our needs to descend again.

Nigh, GRESHAM-COLLEGE stood; and (which is more)

Yet stands, though Ruine knock'd at door.

Apollo and the Nine, oft here resort;

And Helicon's the thinner Court.

Here learned Lectures on all Themes are read;

And Arts endow'd, Professors wed.

Philosophers here govern Earth and Skies;

And Kings Themselves Philosophize.

The Fellowship a Royal Title wears:

But things beyond their Title, dares.

Old Misters here are school'd again; and must

Now learn by Trial, not by Trust.

Here, Natures Cabinet is expos'd to sight;

And all her Shop held up to light.

p. 13Here, in a Tube, the armed Flea doth bear

Deaths on the point of's dreadful Spear:

And he that feels it, (whiles he sees it such)

Believes his Eye before his Touch.

Here, he that views the Native of his Head,

Disclaims the Monster that he bred:

And from th' Hair-Clubb his Armed Paw doth wield,

The place in which it grew, doth shield.

But, these are small things. It's much, that the Skye

Where Thought ne're pierc'd, admits the Eye.

White Rocks, the Moon, a second Albion make;

And that's a Sea, which was a Brake.

Sol's face now, Ladyes, Beauty-patches wears,

And Saturn's like a Pot with Ears.

Yea, Jove, and's Guard, and Heavens King-at-Arms,

Warr's God, and Venus with her Charms;

Each, in a narrow Glass strange sights displays:

And Starres are known, as well as Flea's.

Yea, Thou, whose greater Mind th' old World outgrew,

Might'st here each Night descry a New:

Though that would grieve thee too, except the way

To th' New Worlds were as known as They.

'Tis much, that Ayre it self in Scales is Weigh'd;

And Scales by smallest Atomes sway'd.

That lawless Seas new Laws of Motion know,

And by learn'd Measures ebb and flow.

p. 14That the Ocean's rendred fathomable, and

Abysse, for a meer Name doth stand.

That from the Briny Pond new Buckets fill'd,

Excluding salt, fresh water yield.

That Summer-snow (the year inverted) cooles

Th' offensive heat of flaming Bowles.

That Water's harden'd to an Earthy Mass,

And Earth dissolves to what It was.

That Time more sure doth by vibration run,

And Pendulum-Watches set the Sun.

Yea, shortly, Timber shall the Fire repell,

When crusied with a Marble shell.

What pity 'twas, th' Invention came too late

These Ruines to anticipate!

For then had LONDON been Flame-proof; nor had

My Muses subject been so sad.

He too, that sung chang'd shapes, might hence enrich

His Muse, without a God or Witch.

Here, empty'd Veins with blood adopted swell,

And Souls in Foreign Bodies dwell.

Whence young juyce shortly wither'd Limbs shall fill,

And Time remount the passed Hill.

Yea, hastned Age shall Childhoods Neighbour grow,

And on the downy Chin shall snow.

Pylades shall into his Friend be tunn'd,

And he himself to him refun'd:

p. 15So that, when one must dye, the Fates shall be

Puzled t' unriddle which is He.

Yea, barking Lambs their flatt'ring Tayles shall rear,

And bleating Dogs their Pastures shear.

The neighing-Asse shall at the Drumme rejoyce,

And hoarse shall be the Horses Voyce.

Tapp th' Eagle into Man, and 'tis presum'd

Smooth Ganymed will soon be plum'd:

And Icarus with native Wings shall flye,

Where borrow'd Plumes in vain did try.

In summe. A thousand Wonders here do dwell,

Too great for my poor verse to tell.

The College stands, but in its visage bears

The marks that justifie its fears.

This seen; I thank thee, Vulcan, (said the Muse)

This Pleads thy former Pranks excuse.

Hence, all the envy'd Fragments that remain,

Her searching Eye doth entertain.

Some lick'd by scorching Flames, discolour'd were;

Where Ruine only wrote, [How near!]

Others entire, (though once alike resign'd)

Their Lords, restor'd with profit, find.

But make not others Losse, your Gains, (She says)

Oppression, Mercy ill repays.

The Flames from you received not their Pay,

But Heavens Commission did obey.

p. 16And had a like Desert, like rigour found,

Your Topps alike had kiss'd the Ground.

And you too, ragged Walls, which men walk under

Possess'd at once with fear and wonder;

Rise to GOD's at once with fear and wonder;

More glorious by your Overthrow.

FINIS.