Three Poems Related to the Destruction of London by Fire, Poem 1 – Poem 2
THREE POEMS Relating to the late Dreadful DESTRUCTION OF THE City of London BY FIRE: Septemb. 1666.
ENTITULED,
I. Conflagratio Londinensis.
II. Londini quod Reliquum.
III. Actio in Londini Incendiarios.
All by the same Hand.
The First of which was before extant; but in this Second Edition very much amended, with large Additions.
The other Two are wholly New.
LONDON, Printed for Sa: Gellibrand, Nov. 20. 1667.
Conflagration Londinensis Poetice Depicta.
THE Conflagration OF LONDON: POETICALLY DESCRIBED, Both in LATIN and ENGLISH.
Ʋt Pictura, Poesis. Horat. Art. Poet.
The Second Edition, with large Additions.
LONDON, Printed for Sa: Gellibrand, 1667.
Ad Virum Nobilissim. Doctissimum{que} JACOBƲM LANGHAM, E{que} Aur. Authoris Hendecasyllabon, ne vacaret Pagella, insertum.
EN, rursum variae, (vides, Jacobe)
Censurae expositum novum Poetam.
Nam sunt, quos juvat esse me Poetam:
Sunt, queis displicet esse me Poetam:
Est, qui pernegat esse me Poetam; &
Mirum est omnibus esse me Poetam.
Cui parti faveat, rogas, Jacobe,
Distinctus variis notis Poeta?
Gratum est, si faveant boni Poetae.
Parvum est, quod blaterant mali Poetae.
Certe, sum invidia minor Poeta: &
Miror me fore taliter Poetam.
Sed sunt, queis Genius favet Poesi:
Sunt queis ingenium dedit Poesin.
Ʋt sunt & quos favor inserit Poetis.
Et quos Materies facit Poetas.
Me, si (Langhame) judices Poetam,
Extremis numerato cum Poetis.
The Conflagration of LONDON Poetically Delineated; Directed to the most Noble and Deserving Citizen, Sir John Langham, Knight and Baronet.
Poetry's Painting, Horat.
WHat ayls the Poet? What unwonted Fire
Thus on a suddain doth his brest inspire?
'Tis Thine, O London. From thy Funeral Ʋrn
Those Flames take birth, that do thy Poet burn.
Aetna is my Parnassus; and a Cup
Of liquid Fire, Vesuvius belcheth up,
My Sacred Spring. To give these Passions vent,
I need no other Muse then th' Argument.
Your Favour, Sir, my Muse and I implore;
(Friend to the Poet, to the Muses more:)
'Tis your Concern. Those Neighbour-flames I sing,
That Divine Mercy to remembrance bring,
Which those small Reliques, where a part you have,
So lately snatcht from a great City's Grave.
Long had the Pest with an infectious breath
From emptied Houses throng'd the Gates of Death.
The Bed-man's Tumbrill no distinction made:
Where once their Dirt, chief Citizens were lay'd.
The Sexton oft the Grave himself did fill,
He digg'd for others; oft the Weekly Bill
Swell'd with its Makers; oft it did betide,
That who lay'd out his Friend, lay by his side:
When (th' barking Starr twice lodg'd) 'twas hop'd withall
A second Autumn would not prove a Fall.
But, trusted Hope, like Bankrupts, doth compound.
For ere the long contagious ayre grew sound,
And from th' excess of Pestilential heat,
London's Pulse did to healthful measure beat,
A far more doleful Fever her befalls.
A Fatal Fire conceiv'd in private Walls,
Nurs'd by Contempt, at last grows past Arrest;
Defies all Aides, and scorns to be supprest.
'Twas in the dotage of th' expiring Night,
When Sols shrill Bird proclaim'd th' approaching Light,
And th' Eastern Starres began to shrink away,
Before the gloryes of the mounting Day:
When th' wakeful Bell-man from the City's eyes
Chas'd tempting sleep with his affrighting cryes.
All leave their beds before the earliest Lark,
Groping their clothes first, then their way, i'th' dark.
Each door's unlockt, and in the clamorous street,
Distracted Crowds, and doubtful tydings meet.
Till, 'twixt the Sun and Flame, a Sacred Day
(London's sad Lords-Day) broke; The Heavenly Ray
Straiu'd through the waving blaze, upon each Spire
Of th' adverse Pyramids pourtray'd the Fire.
God's Bellows blow the Coals, and ev'ry where
Toss wanton Fire-halls dancing in the Air.
The liquid Pitch in flaming clouds doth rowle,
(The draught of Heaven shriveli'd to a scrowle)
And clammy Lightnings in strange Figure, falls,
Like sparks, from beaten Links at Funeralls.
The scared Citizens, with trembling, gaze
To watch the downfall of the hovering blaze:
Till, where least fear'd, it lights; and fatal showres
Through Chimney-tops into their dwellings powres.
Buckets, and Pumps they now for service press:
The service hot, and dubious the success:
They drain the Thames, and from the broken Lead
Divert the streams which private dwellings fed.
Each street a Brook becomes, each dam a Pond;
Cask knockt o'th' Head, and noblest Juyces tunn'd
Not for these Ʋses, now to these assign'd:
The sober stream with sprightful Nectar joyn'd,
Great Engines on the thirsty flame did shed,
But what the one did quench, the other fed:
For th' unctuous Liquors with the Foe conspire,
And drunken Vulcan vomits fiercer fire.
Who dwelt together, now together burn;
And Houses mix'd, to mixed Ashes turn.
What was the Nurse of Trade, becomes its Fate;
And Neighbourhood doth now depopulate:
The Flame's augmented by the Houses crowd,
Its Hunger still encreasing with its Food.
The Mower strikes not more destructive strokes,
When from the field he polls her golden lockes;
Then doth the flaming Sythe deal fatal blowes,
Whiles streets on swathes its keener fury throwes.
Now, Water's useless: and the next intent
Is, by great Ruines, greater to prevent.
By Hooks and Mines, next Houses levell'd lye,
In hope the Flames may for meer Hunger dye:
But all in vain. Those Ruines prove a Stile
O're which the Fire strides to the standing Pile.
Yea, where its actual contact is deni'de,
Like Mischiefs from inflamed Aire betide.
Here ruinous cracks, there doleful shriekes do sound,
And those that danger should unite, confound.
That hostile Ships possess'd the River, and
Pour'd French and Dutch in numerous Hoasts on Land;
And vaunting Romanists in armed Troopes
Were ready to go forth, and meet their Hopes;
(Terrors, in th' Issue, vain) mean while, became
(Nurs'd by reports) as fatal as the Flame.
False fears suggested, common aydes distract:
Whiles each his Cabin voids, the Vessel's wrackt.
Nothing but flight now any comfort yeelds;
As if mens hearts were sunk into their heels:
Who stayes behind, is thought resolv'd to dye;
And none trusts ought above him, but the skye.
So have I seen, when with a fatal spade
The Gard'ner doth an Emmet-hill invade,
How soon the laden crowd is scatter'd wide,
And the black Troopes their narrow paths do hide.
Their brood and wealth is all dispers'd abroad;
Though none can tell where to discharge his load,
Yet all consent to flye their ruinous cell,
And seek new homes where they may safer dwell.
Thus scatter'd Citizens trudg up and down,
Some charg'd with others Goods, some with their own.
Each hinders other, and obstructs his way:
Ʋseless the most, except (perhaps) they pray.
Th' uncertain crowd with various motion reeles,
And following feet oppress preceding heeles.
The poor man's burden's light, as is his foot;
The rich man's load his slower pace doth suit.
The Porter makes his Markets in the wrack,
A Friend or Foe, as he bestows his Pack.
And happy now's the mean estate! The higher
Affords but richer prey to Thieves and Fire.
The rates of Portage with the danger rise,
Sometimes half-value's thought but equal Price:
And sometimes half's too short; Justice gives odds
To him that stakes a Life against my Goods.
The Country is deserted round about,
Some love brings in, some fear; to some (no doubt)
The motive's gain, no matter how it rises,
The greatest Hurryes yeeld the richest prizes.
Each Rode grows warm with Travellers, and they
Again reflected warmth feel from their way.
Some thought it (though) worth many a weary pace,
To see, whiles ought remain'd, what London was.
But stay, my Muse. A thousand Tongues to shew
The City's Hurryes, would be found too few.
For, as in Shipwrack, when through yawning chinks
The batter'd Vessel floods of water drinks:
One stares, another's pale, a third doth spill
His tears into the Brine he is to swill:
A fourth leaps over-board, and for his life
Bestirres his Arms; on top-sayle percht, a fifth
With's weight the leaning Vessel overbears:
A broken Plank another freights, and steers;
Yea, oft the same plank divers seek to stride,
Till, whose boat it shall be, by battel's try'de.
So far'd it here. The fright, in all the same,
Appear'd in various shapes. In one, the flame
Beheld, congeals his blood to Ice; and then
As 'tis felt nearer, thaws that Ice agen.
Another, on four legs escapes, his eye
Turn'd back, for fear the flame should swifter flye.
A third, betwixt two counsels holds the scales;
Fear swayes the beam, and then the worst prevails.
Others, mistake their way, amaz'd, and run
Into the danger that they seek to shun.
And some, that spent by long diseases were,
For their cure stand obliged to their fear:
To flye, or dye, was now their choice; that, made 'um
To use their limbs, and then they felt, they had'um.
For close, a naked Tribe appears, (though glad
Their lives are safe with loss of all they had)
Great Instances, how little Nature needs,
And, How much too much our Excesses feeds!
An hedg with Hangings by Arachne spun,
From twig to twig, keeps off the mid-day Sun.
From rain, a sheet on cords extended, shields;
Next Bank a safe, though homely Chimney, yields,
Where, a course loaf on coals dispersed, broyles;
And a small pipkin the slight dinner boyles.
The Table, Turf; the Cellar, is a Pool;
A stone, by turns, a Bolster, and a Stool.
The Babe, once lapp'd in Silks, now lyes in Rags;
On the green floore the sorry Cradle wags:
The Mother, in a Nurses posture, by,
Charms him asleep with a sad Lullaby:
Kind Robin answers her with mournful Tones,
And the shrill Eccho doubles th' Infant-moans:
Now range the flames, like Travellers in Peace.
Where success hopeless is, endeavours cease.
The Battel's given for lost: and former checks
The Victor into hotter Vengeance vex.
O'reflowing eyes their flaming-Homes bewail;
But Tears cannot, where Flouds would not avail.
So th' helpless Bird about her plund'red Nest
Chatters, and flutters; fain she would arrest
Her Fate; but over-match't, takes the next Tree,
And there bemoans the wrack she's forc'd to see.
Some crowd the Tops of Steeples, thence to take
Their last farwel of (what they must forsake)
Dear LONDON: but soon glutted with the sight,
Kiss the kind Turrets, and bid 'um Good night,
Here Caesar comes, with Buckets in His eyes,
And Father in His heart. Come, come, he cryes,
Let's make one onset more. The scatter'd Troupes
At his word rally, and retrieve their Hopes.
The Rebel-Flames, they say, felt CHARLES was there;
And sneaking back, grew tamer then they were.
So that, no doubt, were Fates to be defeated
By man, the City's Fate had been retreated.
But Loyalty befriends the Flames. Their own
Dangers neglected, thine affrights. Alone,
Alone, dear Sir, let's fall, they cry'd aloud,
And hazard not three Kingdoms in a croud.
Long may King CHARLES survive his Cityes Fate,
His Life, and all our Hopes bear equal Date.
Flames can't undo us, whiles the King's secure:
He lost, though sav'd from flames, we must be poor.
Thus did the pious Trojan venture rather
All's Treasure to the City's wrack, then's Father!
His Subjects Love forc'd Caesar to withdraw,
More griev'd to leave the Loyalty he saw.
Next, Princely YORK, with sweat and dirt besmear'd,
(More glorious thus, then in his Robes) appear'd.
He, Neptune-like, his watry Realm doth raise,
And's Noble Arm the spit-floud Engine swayes:
That baffled, next his Thundring-Cannons spewe
An armed blaze, with Flames, Flames to subdue.
But whom the conquer'd Dutch and French did flie,
These Foes ('twas out of's Element) defie.
All Help at last grows helpless, but the Last.
That too, they try. To Churches, now in hast
Some flye for shelter, ne're were there before;
Others, to mourn they ne're shall see 'um more.
The flames even them, with th' owners leave, surprise,
Nor was't then Sacriledg, but Sacrifice.
That reverend Fabrick which the World admir'd,
Amongst a crowd of lesser note is fir'd.
Its Cloud-surmounting Steeple flam'd so high,
That threaten'd Heavens ne're fear'd a flame so nigh.
Yea, some beholders thought 'twas more then fear'd,
Whilst falling-sparks like falling-starres appear'd.
The Fates themselves burnt Monuments entomb'd.
Their Alabaster melts, and (what's presum'd
Beyond Art's Power) Marble's fusile grown;
The sacred Reliques of the dead are thrown
Out of their Tombs; and by a means unthought,
Are, with their Tombs, from Dust to Ashes brought.
[At Building Pauls] in the late Proverbs sense,
Henceforth, I doubt, may Prophesie commence.
And after-times for what of it they know,
Shall more to th' Pencil, then the Trowel owe.
Oft, unawares, doth man's presaging mind
Sent future Harms! sure, Dugdale, that inclin'd
Thy too Prophetick Genius to prevent
The Fate of that illustrious Monument,
Which, what it was, (sith 'twas not long to be)
Had scarce been long knowable, but for Thee.
Write Dugdale, with thy Founders, Pauls, and more;
Immortal made by him, by none, before.
With sacred flames, a learned blaze doth rise;
(For Twins. they say, Twin-fates do oft surprise)
The Labours of the teeming Press and Brain,
(An off-spring Ages can't restore again)
One Hour destroyes. St. Faith's betrusted Cell,
(For publique Faith it was) turn'd Infidel.
So Phoebus ne're for Phaethorn did mourn,
As now he did. The Sisters Nine did burn
Their Golden Tresses in the richer Fire;
Minerva did her Court in blacks attire.
Tear-flouds foul'd Helicon; your Poets Wit
Runs muddy (Sir) with this short sip of it.
The common Wrack the Royal Change doth share,
Babel of Tongues; the Ʋniverses Fayre;
Where both Poles daily met, and what within
The spacious distance of the Poles is seen:
The Kingdoms Marble Chronicle. To Thee
(Great Prince) it shew'd thy Royal Pedigree,
For three times Nine Descents. Thy Next, the Best,
Dislodg'd by Rebels, by Thee, repossest:
Now, with the Church He hugg'd, in Ruines lies,
But hopes, by Second CHARLES, a Second Rise.
By Him, You stood, His Name's and Vertue's Heir;
The Make-Peace Act Your gracious Hand did bear,
Draught of that Mind which in Your Royal Brest
The Image of th' Eternal Mind exprest;
In whom, Oblivion Vertue is, and who
(As You) by Pardons Treason doth subdue.
For Rebels, whom despair with Courage arms,
A safe Retreat into subjection charms.
Whence, though the Marble, and the Paint be not,
CHARLES living, th' Amnesty 'll ne're be forgot.
Gresham the Kings survives. The grateful Flame
The Founder spar'd, that would not spare the Frame.
The Watry Region scapes not. Conquering Flames
Owe a Revenge unto their Foe the Thames.
Scullers and Oars now, Westward Ho! all cri'de,
Nor had they leasure to expect a Tide.
From the Lee-shoare the Ships in hast retire,
The Wind was thought a milder Foe, then Fire.
The River shrinks, and from the threatning Heats,
Now to the Spring, now to the Sea retreats.
An Envoy-wave dispatcht to Thetis-Court,
Implores her help; which granted, to the Port
She marcht; but when she saw the Flames, she fled,
And under water hid her frighted Head.
Whiles heated Waves thus on themselves recoyle,
The Deep, without a Metaphor, doth boyle.
The scaly Troupes scarce safe at bottom were,
The daring Foes chas'd and attaqu'd 'em there.
The Fishermen ne're made so strange a draught;
'Tis thought, the Fish were par-boyl'd that they caught.
Four dayes did Phoebus set, but made no Night,
A brighter Blaze supply'd his baffled Light.
And all that while the City wak'd: What sense
Of weakness call'd for, Danger frighted thence.
Till the fifth Sun, ascending from the East,
With joy beheld the Emulous Fire supprest.
Whether because the Suburbs, where it stay'd,
Were less with crowded Buildings over-lay'd:
Or their Brick Edifices stopt it there:
Or, that the Flames so spread, more feeble were:
(As Boggs hash'd into Gutters, soon are dry'd:)
Or, that the Wind had spit out's Lungs, and dy'd:
Is doubted. Out of doubt, At God's Arrest
The all-devouring Fires themselves confest
Conquer'd, submitting to receive again
Their former (now too long rejected) Chaine.
The Fire is out. But dismal marks are seen,
To tell succeeding Ages where't hath been.
The Fate of old Troy did New-Troy betide,
Its doubtful Pedigree's thus justifi'd.
The City-now is the once-City's Tomb,
A Sceleton of fleshless Bones become.
Its Venerable Ruines have the Name
Of what it was, but little else the same.
As in Kings Monuments, their Ashes bear
Titles, and Scutcheons which the Kings did wear.
Its greatest part without the Walls bestow'd,
London's not now within, but gone abroad.
Grief cramps my heart; nor doth my Muse suffice
To the last Act of London's Tragedies.
Let those impregnate Fancies, which the view
Of that Disaster fill'd, this Theme pursue.
Meer Fame, I know, dull Notions must infuse;
Yet wish not such a sight t' enrich my Muse.
In brief, (for tir'd Accountants close with Greats)
Know, Churches, Publique Halls, and Princely Seats,
Schools, Hospitals; and what brave Piles soe're
Por State or Ʋse our Ancestors did reare,
Lye raz'd; with what was rais'd by later Times,
To eternize their Vertues, or their Crimes.
All Europe mourns at London's Funerals.
Yea, our suspected Foes, (if true or false,
Day 'll bring to light) like solemn grief declare.
We, (sith we wish 'em innocent) not dare
To charge 'em with a Guilt they thus disclaim.
And yet, if Time shall hidden fraud proclaim,
Resolve to lash 'em. Our just Muse bestows
Bayes on the valiant, Rods on treacherous Foes.
Conflagratio LONDINENSIS Poetice Depicta; Patricioque, Nobilissimo, Doctissimoque, JACOBOAE LANGHAM, Eq. Aur. Inscripta.
Ut Pictura Poesis, Horat.
HAec nova quae rabies Vati? Quis ca minis aestus
Jamdudum insueta populatur pectora flamma?
Nempe tua (Urbs nostrae quondam celeberrima Gentis)
Funera deflentes, cognato carpimur Igne.
Aetna mihi Parnassus, & hausto plena Vesevo
Mens furit, & totis incendia mista medullis
Concipit: In Musam mihi sufficit Argumentum:
Tu modo, (Vir dilecte mihi, dilecte Camoenis)
Ʋs{que} fave, dum magna absolvimus ausa minores.
Nam tua res agitur. Tot proxima Busta canentes
Te monitum officii volumus, parvas{que} furentis
Relliquias Ignis, (tantae tantilla ruinae
Fragmenta) aeterno dignas ut Numine grates
Reddatis; vobis, quo, flamma, jubente, pepercit.
Nupera tabifici saevam inclementia Coeli
Ediderat stragem; densato funere totas
Exhausit Libitina Domos, plaustro{que} gementi
Miscuit aggestam nullo discrimine Turbam:
Saepe aliud fuerat quae susceptura cadaver,
Praeripuit vespillo scrobem; numerum{que} cadentum
Aedituus referens, mox additus ipse relato est:
Et sua compositis Pollinctor funera junxit.
Pomifer alter adest Autumnus, & altera diram
Effudit saniem latrante Canicula rictu.
Cum spes afflictis blanditur credula rebus;
Nec dum tota tamen (lethali noxia tabo)
Desaevit Pestis; nec dum redeunte salute
Absumptum sensit, sanato sidere, virus:
Cum lassata novam cumulata strage ruinam
Urbs patitur. Parvus, contemptu{que} auctior, Ignis
Grassatur late; vastam{que} per omnia cladem
Spargit, inaccesso Bacchatus ubi{que} furore.
Nox fuit, a medii declivis tramite Coeli,
Praedixit{que} sono lucem Phoebeïus Ales,
Et clarum sparsura Diem Titania lampas
Jam matutini minuebat sidera Mundi:
Intonuit eum voce Vigil, somnum{que} trementi
Excussit placidum fera…is Nuncius Ʋrbi:
Mollibus estratis raptim projecta levantur
Corpora, & in tenebris palpantur tegmina coecis:
Limina mox reserant pavidi, tectis{que} relictis,
Quilibet ambiguum captat per compita Murmur.
Jam{que} dies oritur, festa celebranda quiete.
Triste micat cum Sole jubar: simul aurea miscent
Lumina, & Eoa pariter vibrantur ab ora;
Culmina{que} ambiguo splendore adversa coruscant.
Quinetiam accensos animavit follibus Ignes
Eurus, in aethereo volvens Incendia Coelo.
Ʋndi{que} sul phurcae librantur in Acre Nubes,
Huc, illuc, vento raptae, cusu{que} minaces.
Et, veluti flagrante Polo, per inane rotantur
Lampades, in varias sparso fervore figuras,
Pinguia longinque jaculantes fulgura Tractu;
Deinde cadunt, summis{que} ardent fastigia tectis,
Irriguis{que} simul perfundunt Ignibus aedes,
Flamma tenax piceis quascun{que} amplectitur Ulnis.
Dum tamen est undis visus superabilis Hostis,
Flumine certatum est; Ʋbertim affunditur Humor;
Hauritur situlis Thamisis; caeduntur ubique,
Qui privata prius subierunt Tecta, canales:
Vicatim ruit Unda, objecto{que} aggere stagnat.
Quinetiam, effractis vacuantur Dolia fundis,
Egeritur{que} liquor non hos servatus in usus.
Sobria Nympha fluit generoso mista Lyaeo;
Pugnantes{que} simul jaculatur Machina fluctus,
Extinctura sitim Vulcani; at victa Lyaeo
Nympha fuit donec nimio perfusus Jaccho
Ebrius evomuit duplicatos Mulciber Ignes.
Jam{que} ardent junctae vicinis aestibus aedes.
Exitio est habitare simul; commercia Vitae
Mutua quod dederat, spargit contagia Fati.
Nam{que} novi augentur conferta strage furores,
Congesta{que} fames Vulcani crescit ab offa.
Ʋt{que} simul densas presternit Messor aristas,
Auratis{que} comis spoliatum nudat agellum:
Sic acies vastam rutilans demessuit Urbem,
Faecundam flammae segetem, qua densior ulla
Haud fuit in Terris Phoebo sub utro{que} locatis.
Flumineam dum spernit Opem Vulcanius Hostis,
Hic uncis, illinc nitrato pulvere, Cives
Proxima grassanti subvertunt tecta ruinae,
Praeripiunt{que} avidis obnoxia pabula Flammis.
Incassum. Prostrata etenim per rudera scandens
Ignea Tempestas, distantes contigit aedes.
Quin, ne{que} jam contactu opus est; longe{que} remota
Aestibus assiduis ignitus corripit Aer.
Cuncta fragore strepunt, circumsonat undi{que} Terror.
Armatas acies, infesta{que} signa moveri
Creditum, & hostili Thamisin fervere tumultu;
Et ruere ad Portas permistis Gallica Belgis
Agmina, & auxiliis Papales addere Turmas.
Ignoto quaecun{que} volant Authore, timentur
Pro veris; nutrit{que} sonos vox publica inanes,
Hinc oritur clamor discors: falsi{que} pavores
Dissociant junctas ad certa pericula vires.
Dum sibi quis{que} cavet, cumulantur publica damna.
Diripit ipsa suos in condita turba Penates:
Et, (velut in pedibus restet spes una salutis,)
Direptam fugiunt, quaqua patet exitus, urbem,
Vix ausi quicquam nisi aperto credere Coelo.
Haud aliter Fossor, terram versante ligone,
Si Formicarum fortasse invaserit aedes;
Densa cohors hinc, inde, humeris discurrit onustis,
Et nigra angustos abscondunt agmina calles:
Momento egeritur faetus{que} & parva supellex,
Quo tamen incertum est; Unum hoc commune videtur
Consilium Genti, temerata relinquere Tecta,
Eversa{que} novas patria sibi quaerere sedes.
Maesta per intactas palatur Turba plateas,
Sarcinulis onerata suis pars, pars alienis.
Impediunt alios alii, numero{que} retardant
Auxilia, & solo prodest pars maxima voto.
Truditur hic veniente prior, trudit{que} priorem,
In{que} vicem confusa cohors urgetur, & urget.
Hic, velox parvo properat sub pondere pauper;
Praegrandi tardus nimium gemit ille sub auro.
Bajulus in partem praedae discurrit, & ipsas
Queis venit auxilio, velut Hostis, diripit aedes.
Esse in opem quando{que} juvat! Quo quis{que} minora
Possidet, hoc minor est flammae furum{que} rapina.
Nec non, Vecturae pretium, crescente periclo,
Crescit; & (in spolium intentus) sua Portitor ipse
Pondera, cum Dominis pacto partitur iniquo.
Justa tamen quando{que} petit, discrimina vitae
Qui subit, & semesa rapit sua praemia flammis.
Rustica & oppidulis concurrit Turba relictis.
Semita nulla vacat; proper antibus addidit alas
Aut amor, aut metus, aut lucris devota cupido
Turpibus; omnis equis & curribus orbita fervet:
Multis causa viae est, stantem vidisse, suis{que}
Qualis erit quondam, monstrare nepotibus urbem.
Ast ego quid nitor complecti singula Versu?
Non, si mille mihi linguae sint, ora{que} possem
Distractae innumeros Ʋrbis memorare Tumultus.
Nam, veluti concussa bibit cum Nerea pinus,
Fracta{que} dissiliunt jactatae membra carinae;
Hic stupet, hic pallet, fletu madet alter inani
Sorbendum{que} salem lacrimarum flumine miscet;
Naufragium facit ill… sibi, vitam{que} lacertis
Committit; summi{que} alter carchesia mali
Scandit, & acclivem subvertit pondere puppim;
Est etiam, aequato Tabulam qui corpore librat,
Remigio{que} suae sulcat freta caerula dextrae;
Saepe etiam a multis asser conscenditur idem,
Et de communi miscentur praelia cymba:
Hic Timor unus erat, Facies non una Timoris.
Frigidus huic glacie sanguis concrescit inerti,
Nec nisi vicinae tepet ad contagia flammae;
Hic binis quadrupes baculis fugit, at{que} relictum,
Ne prendat veritus tardantem, respicit Ignem,
Ambiguo trepidat dum pensat singula motu
Alter, & incertum praeponens tuta recusat.
Nec desunt, quibus ipse metus pars magna perieli est,
Aneipites{que} errore viae, seducit in aestus,
Sunt quo{que} queis longo tardantur corpora Morbo,
Qui{que} gravi sua membra trahunt languentia nisu;
Fit medicina Timor, cunctis{que} potentior Herbis
Restituit lapsas tanto in discrimine vires.
Deni{que} spectantur, quos nudos flamma remisit;
(Grata cohors, anima minuens sua damna recepta)
Optima, quantillo poterit natura foveri
Exempla, & quanto nimium est quo luxus abundat.
Excludit sepes solem spinosa; domum{que}
Aulaeis ornat subitam silvestris Arachne.
Funiculis lodix rapido praetenditur Imbri:
Aggere in acclivi tutum fumante camino,
Versatur, prunis nimium ferventibus ustus
Panis; & in modica lixantur prandia Testa;
Sternitur in mensam Tumulus; dat pocula stagnum;
Sella, lapis, nisi cum premitur cervice cubante, est.
Fasciat & laceris lactentia viscera pannis
Mater, & in viridi disponit cespite cunas:
Assidet ipsa, genu suffulta & calce reducto,
Invitat{que} leves lugubri carmine somnos;
Dum pius humanis complorans casibus Ales
Concinit, & teneris vagitibus assonat Echo.
Jam data pax Igni: Nullo prohibente, vagatur.
Desperata salus conatus reddit inertes.
Auxilium omne malis lassum succumbit; & aestus
Repressi toties, nec victi, saevior Ira est.
Spectant attoniti sua Tecta ruentia Cives;
Et fundunt lacrimas, lacrimis nec posse domari
Spes est, diluvium quos vix extingueret, Ignes.
Sic, puero rapiente tuos, Philomela, Penates,
Qua licet, accedens plausis innoxia pennis,
Subsultim{que} premens vicinoe vimin a quercus,
Voce strepis, sed voce nequis tua sistere Damna,
Est quoque, qui moesto scandit fastigia gressu,
Templorum; extremum visu fruiturus amatae
Dum liceat, patriae; plenus{que} deinde videndo,
Ultima culminibus descendens oscula figit.
Subsidio mox Coesar adest, operam{que} remissam
Excitat; ut{que} Patrem Patriae (poscente periclo)
Induerat totis, exuto Rege, medullis:
Sic monitis, precibus, lacrimis, cessantibus instat,
Ignis uti Carolum sentiret adesse rebellis.
Nec dubium, humanis si posset viribus ultra
Obsisti Fatis, habitura ibi Fata regressum.
Immemor ipsa sui, tua jam (Rex chare) pericla
Ʋrbs metuit. Quoties dubiae committere Turbae,
Dilectum vetuere caput; folis{que} perire
Ʋt per Te liceat, petierunt, Carole, Cives!
Vive diu, dixere, Parens, nostris{que} superstes
Funeribus, superes Pylii tria saecla Tyranni;
Cede modo, & nostris spem Regni subtrahe Fatis.
Te salvo, Columen Rerum, nos nulla ruina
Funditus evertet; Tibi si quis casus iniquus
Obtigerit, flamma quamvis parcente, ruemus.
Sic pius eduxit, Troja flagrante, Parentem
Aeneas, animam{que} opibus tot praetulit Unam!
Victa est Majestas Pietate; dolens{que} recedit,
Et magis inde dolens ubi sic se vidit amari.
Tu simul, Eboracensis, ades, sudore, luto{que}
Sordidus, at Tyrio minus aspectabilis Ostro:
Poscis aquas, iterum{que} cies, (tua Regna) profundum:
Undivoma at{que} tua contorta est Machina Dextra.
Te{que} salutares, Bombarda armata jubente,
Evomuit flammas, discussit & Ignibus Ignes.
Quas timuere tamen Batavi, Galli{que} feroces,
Non timet Ignipotens accensas Mulciber Iras.
Ultima Plebs tandem sensit conanima frustra
Intendi; & votis Numen (quae sola supersunt)
Sollicitat; votis sed inexorabile Numen.
Dum delubra petunt, ardent delubra; nec ipsis
Sacrilega Omnipotens incendia depulit Aris.
Te{que} stupor Mundi, Moles Paulina, tuam{que}
Pyramidem, summo ferientem Vertice Nubes,
Corripiunt Ignes avidi, & Coelo inde minantur;
Nec timuere unquam propriores sidera flammas.
Quinetiam, similes referunt labentibus astris
Culmine ab excelso visas cecidisse favillas.
Ipsa{que} succensis tumulantur Fata sepulchris:
Effluit in flammas Alabastrum; ipsum{que} (quod Arte
Posse negant fieri) fit casu fusile Marmor.
Quinetiam, excelso delapsa cacumine moles
Corpora nudavit Tumulis expressa; suis quae
Cum Tumulis fiunt, jam, plusquam nomine, Busta.
Jamduduw reparanda Domus, jam tota ruinis
Succumbis, nullo deinceps reparabilis aevo.
Sed nec Tota peris, quam postera sentiet aetas
Dugdaliis nuper descriptam vivere chartis.
O, quoties praesaga mali mens nostra faturi est,
Nec tamen agnoscit! Certe haec te, Dugdale, Vates
Praemonuit, memori sculptam mandare Tabellae
Illustrem hanc Aedem, quae (tam cito nulla futura)
Qualis erat, post hac, nisi per Te, ignota futura est.
Divisam Famam cum Fundatore, proinde
Tu Descriptor habes; nisi quod tua Gloria major,
Qui facis aeternam, quam struxerat ille caducam.
Nec non, (fertur enim sociari Fata Gemellis)
Augentur sacri doctis Ardoribus Ignes.
Immumeros{que} simul cerebri praeli{que} labores,
(Aetatum prolem) in cineres brevis Hora resolvit.
Gaza fuit, penso coutra pretiosior Auro,
Deposita ad sanctae Fidei; sed (rara reperta est
Publica, sancta Fides) inimicis prodita Flammis.
Te Phaethonteis minus indoluisse ruinis
Phoebe, ferunt; scisso{que} rogos auxere sorores
Crine novem; atrata funus sectante Minerva.
Turbatur lacrimis Helicon; non pura Poetae
Vena exinde fluit caenoso e fonte bibenti.
In partem trahitur Regalis Bursa ruinae,
Linguarum Babel, & Mundi Mercatus; utrum{que}
Quotidie complexa Polum, quod{que} inter utrum{que} est:
Marmoreum Regni Chronicon; serie{que} vetusta
Exhibuit nuper Proavos tibi (CAROLE) Reges.
Optimus a Dextris steterat Tibi. Sede revulsum
Restituisse redux Pietas tua gestit avita,
Et reduci charis Ecclesia fulsit in Ʋlnis.
Nunc jacet, expectat{que} iterum, Te dante, reponi:
Proximus Ipse Patri fueras; quem Nominis Haeres
Exprimis & virtute pari. Diploma tenebat
Pacificum pacata Manus: Mentem{que} benignam
Exhibuit, Menti similem per cuncta meanti,
Subjectum cui mira tenet Clementia Mundum.
Haec quo{que} laus Vestra est; Non vi domuisse rebelles,
Sed sceleri temere admisso praebendo receptum.
Frustra igitur, Vulcane furens, in Marmore saevis,
Dum manet, (& maneat) quem Muta expressit Imago,
Et retinet CAROLUS descriptam in Marmore Mentem.
Septem habuit supra bis denos Nobilis Ordo
Septrigeros, flammae praedam; dum Regibus ipsis
Ʋnicus a grato stat Conditor Igne superstes.
Sed ne{que} grassantem prohibent humentia Regna.
Nam{que} memor Pugnae pergit victricibus Armis
Mulciber in Portus, inimicis{que} imminet Undis.
Omnia confestim solvunt retinacula Puppes
Permissae Ventis: Ea visa est lenior Ira.
Decrescit Thamisis, motu{que} reciproca, Fontes
Nunc petit, Oceanum versus nunc territa tendit,
Nuncius Aequoream fluctus praemissus ad Aulam
Sollicitat Thetin; a fundo Thetis excitat imo
Auxilia; & montes praeruptos volvit aquarum;
Sed simulac vidit majores Fluctibus Ignes,
Consternata suis fugiens Caput abdidit Undis.
Aestuat interea, quo non assueverat, aestu
Flumen; & ima petens (vix imo tuta profundo)
Squamigera insolitos miratur Turba calores.
Retia{que} in tepido Piscator gurgite tendens
Educit tepido tepefactum gurgite Piscem.
Quatriduum sine Nocte agitur; Nam sole fugato,
Prorogat us{que} diem, superat{que} Vicarius Ardor.
Quatriduum insomnes per agunt; suasere soporem
Exhaustae lassis Vires, vetuere pericla.
Quintus ubi Eois Titan emerserat undis,
Aemula jam tandem visa est decrescere Flamma.
Seu, quoniam media quo longius itur ab Urbe,
Rarior occurrit, spatio{que} remotior aedes;
Coctilis & paries surgit, non commodus Igni.
Sive, (quod in sulcos divisis accidit undis)
Sparsus in extremas partes elanguit aestus:
Sive Euri furor, exhausto pulmone, resedit:
Sive aliud, (Coelo certe miserante) repressit
Vulcani rabiem; se tandem fassa domari
Induit excussas vastatrix flamma catenas.
Magna tamen tantae remanent vestigia stragis
Ʋs{que} vel ad seros forsan mansura Nepotes.
Troja nova est jam Troja vetus; dum{que} Omina replet
Nominis, & tantae Fatis aequata Parenti,
Occidit; inde fidem dubiis natalibus addit.
Urbs Augusta sibi incubuit, sibi facta sepulchrum;
Carnibus ossa exuta jacent, sceleton{que} venusti
Corporis ostentant, ipsa venerabile Clade.
Et velut in Tumulis cassorum Iumine Regum
Nil quod erat, praeter cineres, & Nomina restat:
Nomen habent cineres; Urbs vix reperitur in Urbe:
Exulat (heu!) exclusa suis pars maxima muris.
Plura loqui dolor ipse vetat ne{que} sufficit ultra
Melpomene aequalem mihi tanta ad funera versum.
Vos, quibus ista oculis subjecta sidelibus, alta
Mente reposta sedet, Musam{que} impregnat Imago,
Scribite. Nam{que} audita mihi non visa canenti
(Nec vellem vidisse tamen) sterilescat oportet
Ingenium, specie nequaquam compare fultum.
Nec mihi propositum est Numerum superantia damna
Exigere ad numeros, (generatim dicere lasso
Sufficiat:) Fumant Musaea, Palatia, Templa,
Hospitia; & quicquid sumptu spectabile, & usu
Antiqua extruxit Pietas, & quicquid avitis
Magnifici adjecit Pietas Luxusve Nepotum.
Indolet interea nostris Europa ruinis.
Quin & suspectus tanti modo criminis Hostis
Ingemit, aut saltem cupit ingemuisse videri.
Nos, ne{que} quae voluisse negant, objecta probamus:
Sed ne{que} (si volvenda Dies, quae vera tenebris
Eruit, indiciis fraudem nudabit apertis)
Parcemus; cumulare simul benefacta parati
Laudibus, & malefacta Notis proscindere Justis.