Michael Drayton- Collected Poetical Works

by Michael Drayton

  Th’East Angles kingdome, then, those English did instile.

  And Sussex seemeth still, as with an open mouth,

  Those Saxons Rule to shew that of the vtmost South

  The name to them assum’d, who rigorously expeld

  The Kentish Britans thence, and those rough wood-lands held

  From where the goodly Tames the Surrian grounds doth sweep,

  Vntill the smiling Downes salute the Celtick Deep.

  Where the Dobuni dwelt, their neighbouring Cateuclani,

  Cornauij more remote, and where the Coritani,

  Where Dee and Mersey shoot into the Irish Sea;

  (Which welneereo’re this part, now called England, lay,

  From Seuerne to the Ditch that cuts New-Market Plaine,

  And from the Banks of Tames to Humber, which containe

  So many goodly shires of Mersey, Mercia hight)

  Their mightier Empire, there, the middle English pight.

  Which farthest though it raught, yet there it did not end:

  But Offa, king thereof, it after did extend

  Beyond the Bank of Dee; and by a Ditch he cut

  Through Wales from North to South, into wide Mercia put

  Welneere the halfe thereof: and from three peoples there,

  To whom three speciall parts diuided iustly were

  (The Ordouices, now which North-Wales people be,

  From Cheshire which of old diuided was by Dee:

  And from our Marchers now, that were Demetae then;

  And those Silures call’d, by vs the South-Wales men)

  Beyond the Seuerne, much the English Offa took,

  To shut the Britans vp, within a little nooke.

  From whence, by Merseyes Banks, the rest a kingdome made:

  Where, in the Britanes Rule (before) the Brigants sway’d;

  The powerfull English there establisht were to stand:

  Which, North from Humber set, they tearm’d North-humberland;

  Two Kingdomes which had been, with seuerall thrones install’d.

  Bernitia hight the one; Diera th’other call’d.

  The first from Humber stretcht vnto the Bank of Tine:

  Which Riuer and the Frith the other did confine.

  Bernitia beareth through the spacious Yorkish bounds,

  From Durham down along to the Lancastrian Sounds,

  With Mersey and cleere Tine continuing to their fall,

  To England-ward within the Pict’s renowned Wall,

  And did the greater part of Cumberland containe:

  With whom the Britans name for euer shall remaine;

  Who there amongst the rocks and mountaines liued long,

  When they Loegria left, inforc’t through powerfull wrong.

  Diera ouer Tine, into Albania lay,

  To where the Frith falls out into the German Sea.

  This said, the aged Street sagd sadly on alone:

  And Ver vpon his course, now hasted to be gone

  T’accompany his Colne: which as she gently glides,

  Doth kindly him imbrace: whom soon this hap betides;

  As Colne come on along, and chanc’t to cast her cye

  Vpon that neighbouring Hill where Harrow stands so hie,

  She Peryvcle perceiu’d prankt vp with wreaths of wheat,

  And with exulting tearmes thus glorying in her seat;

  Why should not I be coy, and of my Beauties nice,

  Since this my goodly graine is held of greatest price?

  No manchet can so well the courtly palat please,

  As that made of the meale fetcht from my fertill Leaze.

  Their finest of that kind, compared with my wheate,

  For whitenesse of the Bread, doth look like common Cheate.

  What Barly is there found, whose faire and bearded care

  Makes stouter English Ale, or stronger English Beere.

  The Oate, the Beane, and Pease, with me but Pulses are;

  The course and browner Rye, no more then Fitch and Tare.

  What seed doth any soyle, in England bring, that I

  Beyond her most increase yet cannot multiply.

  Besides; my sure abode next goodly London is,

  To vent my fruitfull store, that me doth neuer misse.

  And those poore baser things, they cannot put away,

  How ere I set my price, nere on my chap-men stay.

  When presently the Hill, that maketh her a Vale,

  With things he had in hand, did interrupt her tale,

  With Hampsted being falne and Hie-gate at debate;

  As one besore them both, that would aduance his State,

  From either for his height to beare away the praise,

  Besides that he alone rich Peryvale suruaies.

  But Hampsted pleads, himselfe in Simples to haue skill,

  And therefore by desert to be the noblest Hill;

  As one, that on his worth, and knowledge doth rely

  In learned Physicks vse, and skilfull Surgerie;

  And challengeth, from them, the worthiest place her owne,

  Since that old Watling once, o’re him, to passe was knowne.

  Then Hie-gate boasts his Way; which men do most frequent;

  His long-continued fame; his hie and great descent;

  Appointed for a gate of London to haue been,

  When first the mighty Brute, that City did begin.

  And that he is the Hill, next Enfield which hath place,

  A Forrest for her pride, though titled but a Chase.

  Her Purlewes, and her Parks, her circuit full as large,

  As some (perhaps) whose state requires a greater charge.

  Whose Holts that view the East, do wistly stand to look

  Vpon the winding course of Lee’s delightfull Brook.

  Where Mimer comming in, inuites her Sister Beane,

  Amongst the chalky Banks t’increase their Mistresse traine;

  Whom by the dainty hand, obsequiously they lead

  (By Hartford gliding on, through many a pleasant Mead.

  And comming in hir course, to crosse the common Fare,

  For kindnes she doth kisse that hospitable Ware.)

  Yet scarsely comfort Lee (alasse!) so woe begonne,

  Complaining in her course, thus to her selfe alone;

  How should my beauty now giue Waltham such delight,

  Or I poore silly Brook take pleasure in her sight?

  Antiquity (for that it stands so far from view,

  And would her doating dreames should be believ’d for true)

  Dare lowdly lie for Colne, that somtimes Ships did passe,

  To Verlam by by her Streame, when Verlam famous was;

  But, by these later times, suspected but to faine,

  She Planks and Anchors shews, her errour to maintaine;

  Which were, indeede, of Boats, for pleasure there to rowe

  Vpon her (then a Lake) the Roman Pompe to showe,

  When Rome, her forces here did euery yeere supply,

  And at old Verlam kept a warlike Colony.

  But I distressed Lee, whose course doth plainely tell,

  That what of Colne is said, of me none could refell,

  Whom Alfred but too wise (poore Riuer) I may say

  (When he the cruell Danes, did cunningly betray,

  Which Hartford then besieg’d, whose Nauy there abode,

  And on my spacious brest, before the Castle road)

  By vantage of my soyle, he did diuide my Streame;

  That they might ne’re returne to Neptunes watry Realme.

  And, since, distressed Lee I haue been left forlorne,

  A by-word to each Brook, and to the World a scorne.

  When Sturt, a Nymph of hers (whose faith she oft had prov’d,

  And whom, of all her traine, Lee most intirely lov’d)

  Least so excessiue greefe, her Mistresle might inuade,

  Thus (by faire gentle speech) to patience doth perswade:

 
; Though you be not so great to others as before,

  Yet not a iot for that dislike your selfe the more.

  Your case is not alone, nor is (at all) so strange;

  Sith euery thing on earth subiects it selfe to change.

  Where riuers sometime ran, is firme and certaine ground:

  And where before were Hills, now standing Lakes are found.

  And that which most you vrge, your beauty to dispoile,

  Doth recompence your Bank, with quantitie of soyle,

  Beset with ranks of Swans; that, in their wonted pride,

  Do prune their snowy plumes vpon your pleasant side.

  And Waltham wooes you still, and smiles with wonted cheere:

  And Tames as at the first, so still doth hold you deer.

  To much beloued Lee, this scarcely Sturt had spoke,

  But goodly Londons sight their further purpose broke:

  When Tames his either Banks, adorn’d with buildings faire,

  The City to salute doth bid the Muse prepare.

  Whose T urrets, Fanes, and Spyres, when wistly she beholds,

  Her wonder at the site, thus strangely she vnfolds:

  At thy great Builders wit, who’s he but wonder may?

  Nay: of his wisedom, thus, ensuing times shall say;

  O more then mortall man, that did this T owne begin!

  Whose knowledge found the plot, so fit to set it in.

  What God, or heauenly power was harbourd in thy breast,

  From whom with such successe thy labours should be blest?

  Built on a rising Bank, within a Vale to stand,

  And for thy healthfull soyle, chose grauell mixt with sand.

  And where faire Tames his course into a Crescent casts

  (That, forced by his T ydes, as still by her he hasts,

  He might his surging waues into her bosome send)

  Because too farre in length, his T owne should not extend.

  And to the North and South, vpon an equall reach,

  Two Hils their euen Banks do some what seeme to stretch,

  Those two extreamer Winds from hurting it to let;

  And only leuell lies, vpon the Rise and Set.

  Of all this goodly Ile, where breathes most cheerefull aire

  And euery way there-to the wayes most smooth and faire;

  As in the fittest place, by man that could be thought,

  To which by Land, or Sea, prouision might be brought.

  And such a Road for Ships scarce all the world commands,

  As is the goodly Tames, neer where Brute’s City stands.

  Nor any Hauen lies to which is more resort,

  Commodities to bring, as also to transport:

  Our Kingdome that enricht (through which we flourisht long)

  E’re idle Gentry vp in such aboundance sprong.

  Now pestring all this Ile: whose disproportion drawes

  The publique wealth so drie, and only is the cause

  Our gold goes out so fast, for foolish forainc things,

  Which vpstart Gentry still into our Country brings;

  Who their in satiate pride seek chiefly to maintaine

  By that, which only serues to vses vileand vaine:

  Which our plaine Fathers carst would haue accounted sinne,

  Before the costly Coach, and silken stock came in;

  Before that Indian weed so strongly was imbrac’t;

  Wherin, such mighty summes we prodigally waste;

  That Merchants long train’d vp in Gayn’s deceitfull schoole,

  And subtly hauing learn’d to sooth the humorous foole,

  Present their painted toyes vnto this frantique gull,

  Disparaging our Tinne, our Leather, Corne, and Wooll;

  When Forrainers, with ours them warmly cloath and feed,

  Transporting trash to vs, of which we nere had need.

  But whilst the angry Muse, thus on the Time exclames,

  Sith euery thing therin consisteth in extreames;

  Lest she inforc’t with wrongs, her limits should transcend,

  Here of this present Song she briefly makes an end.

  POLY-OLBION: THE SEVENTEENTH SONG

  The Argument

  To Medway, Tames a suter goes;

  But fancies Mole, as forth he flowes.

  Her Mother, Homesdale, holds her in:

  She digs through Earth, the Tames to win.

  Great Tames, as King of Riuers, sings

  The Catalogue of th’English Kings.

  Thence the light Muse, to th’Southward soares,

  The Surrian and Sussexian shores;

  The Forrests and the Downes suruaies,

  With Rillets running to those Seas;

  This Song of hers then cutteth short,

  For things to come, of much import.

  AT length it came to passe, that Isis and her Tame

  Of Medway vnderstood, a Nymph of wondrous fame;

  And much desirous were, their princely Tames shuld proue

  If (as a wooer) he could win her Maiden-loue;

  That of so great descent, and of so large a Dower,

  Might well-allie their House, and much increase his power:

  And striuing to preferre their Sonne, the best they may,

  Set forth the lusty Flood, in rich and braue array,

  Bankt with imbrodered Meads, of sundry sutes of flowres,

  His brest adorn’d with Swans, oft washt with siluer showres:

  A traine of gallant Floods, at such a costly rate

  As might beseeme their care, and fitting his estate.

  Attended and attyr’d magnificently thus,

  They send him to the Court of great Oceanus,

  The Worlds huge wealth to see; yet with a full intent,

  To wooe the louely Nymph, faire Medway, as he went.

  Who to his Dame and Sire, his duty scarce had done,

  And whil’st they sadly wept at parting of their Sonne,

  See what the Tames befell, when t’was suspected least.

  As still his goodly traine yet euery houre increast,

  And from the Surrian shores cleere Wey came down to meet

  His Greatnes, whom the Tames so gratiously doth greet,

  That with the Fearne-crown’d Flood he Minion-like doth play:

  Yet is not this the Brook, entiseth him to stay.

  But as they thus, in pompe, came sporting on the shole,

  Gainst Hampton-Court he meets the soft and gentle Mole.

  Whose eyes so pierc’t his breast, that seeming to foreslowe

  The way which he so long, intended was to go,

  With trifling vp and down, he wandreth here and there;

  And that he in her sight, transparent might appeare,

  Applyes himselfe to Fords, and setteth his delight

  On that which most might make him gratious in her sight.

  Then Isis and the Tame from their conioyned bed,

  Desirous still to learne how Tames their son had sped

  (For greatly they had hop’t, his time had so been spent,

  That he ere this had won the goodly heyre of Kent)

  And sending to enquire, had newes return’d againe

  (By such as they imploy’d, on purpose in his traine)

  How this their only heyre, the Iles emperiall Flood,

  Had loytered thus in loue, neglectfull of his good.

  No maruaile (at the newes) though Ouse and Tame were sad,

  More comfort of their sonne expecting to haue had.

  Nor blame them, in their looks much sorrow though they show’d:

  Who fearing least he might thus meanely be bestow’d,

  And knowing danger still increased by delay,

  Employ their vtmost power, to hasten him away.

  But Tames would hardly on: oft turning back to show,

  From his much loued Mole how loth he was to go.

  The mother of the Mole, old Homesdale, likewise beares

  Th’affecti
on of her childe, as ill as they do theirs:

  Who nobly though deriu’d, yet could haue been content,

  T’haue matcht her with a Flood, of farre more mean descent.

  But Mole respects her words, as vaine and idle dreames,

  Compar’d with that high ioy, to be belou’d of Tames:

  And head-long holds her course, his company to win.

  But, Homesdale raised Hills, to keep the straggler in;

  That of her daughters stay she need no more to doubt:

  (Yet neuer was there help, but loue could finde it out.)

  Mole digs her selfe a Path, by working day and night

  (According to her name, to shew her nature right)

  And vnderneath the Earth, for three miles space doth creep:

  Till gotten out of sight, quite from her mothers keep,

  Her foreintended course the wanton Nymph doth run;

  As longing to imbrace old Tame and Isis son.

  When Tames now vnderstood, what paines the Mole did take,

  How farre the louing Nymph aduentur’d for his sake;

  Although with Medway matcht, yet neuer could remoue

  The often quickning sparks of his more ancient loue.

  So that it comes to passe, when by great Natures guide

  The Ocean doth returne, and thrusteth-in the Tide;

  Vp tow’rds the place, where first his much-lov’d Mole was seen,

  He euer since doth flow, beyond delightfull Sheene.

  Then Wandal commeth in, the Moles beloued mate,

  So amiable, faire, so pure, so delicate,

  So plump, so full, so fresh, her eyes so wondrous cleer:

  And first vnto her Lord, at Wandsworth doth appeare,

  That in the goodly Court, of their great soueraigne Tames,

  There might no other speech be had amongst the Streames,

  But only of this Nymph, sweet Wandal, what she wore;

  Of her complection, grace, and how her selfe she bore.

  But now this mighty Flood, vpon his voiage prest

  (That found how with his strength, his beauties still increast,

  From where, braue Windsor stood on tip-toe to behold

  The faire and goodly Tames, so farre as ere he could,

  With Kingly houses Crown’d, of more then earthly pride,

  Vpon his either Banks, as he along doth glide)

  With wonderfull delight, doth his long course pursue,

  Where Otlands, Hampton Court, and Richmond he doth view,

  Then Westminster the next great Tames doth entertaine;

  That vaunts her Palace large, and her most sumptuous Fane:

  The Lands tribunall seate that challengeth for hers,

  The crowning of our Kings, their famous sepulchers.

  Then goes he on along by that more beautious Strand,