Chapter XV: Introduction: To Henry King (6)

If wishes may enrich my boy,
My Jack, that art thy father's joy,
They shall be showered upon thy head
As thick as manna, angel's bread;
And bread I wish thee--this short word
Will furnish both thy back and board;
Not Fortunatus' purse or cap
Nor Danae's gold-replenished lap
Can more supply thee: but content
Is a large patrimony, sent 10
From him who did thy soul infuse.
May'st thou this best endowment use
In any state; thy structure is
I see complete--a frontispiece
Promising fair; may it ne'er be
Like Jesuit's volumes, where we see
Virtues and saints adorn the front,
Doctrines of devils follow on't:
May a pure soul inhabit still
This well-mixed clay; and a straight will 20
Biassed by reason, that by grace.
May gems of price maintain their place
In such a casket: in that list
Chaste turquoise, sober amethyst
That sacred breastplate still surround:
Urim and Thummim be there found,
Which for thy wearing I design,
That in thee King and Priest may join,
As 'twas thy grandsire's choice, and mine.
May'st thou attain John the Divine 30
Chief of thy titles, though contempt
Now brand the clergy; be exempt,
I ever wish thee, from each vice
That may that calling scandalize:
Let not thy tongue with court oil flow,
Nor supple language lay thee low
For thy preferment; make God's cause
Thy pulpit's task, not thine applause;
May'st thou both preach by line and life;
That thou live well and chaste, a wife 40
I wish thee, such as is thy sire's,
A lawful help 'gainst lustful fires;
And though promotions often frown
On married brows, yet lie not down
In single baudry; impure monks,
That banish wedlock, license punks.
Peace I do wish thee from those wars
Which gownmen talk out at the bars
Four times a year; I wish thee peace
Of conscience, country, and increase 50
In all that best of men commends,
Favour with God, good men thy friends.
Last, for a lasting legacy
I this bequeath, when thou shalt die,
Heaven's monarch bless mine eyes, to see
My wishes crowned, in crowning thee.

[_Wishes to my Son, John._] This poem is preserved
anonymously in Harleian MS. 6917, foll. 101 verso-102, and Mr.
Mason assigns it to Henry King. Lines 28-9 strongly support
this attribution, but the date at the head of the poem is a
serious difficulty, which can only be met by supposing the
lines to have been addressed in 1630 to the son of a second
marriage: l. 40 refers to a living wife, who could not be
the lady of _The Exequy_. King's authorship must therefore be
regarded as doubtful.]

_A Contemplation upon Flowers._

Brave flowers, that I could gallant it like you
And be as little vain!
You come abroad and make a harmless show,
And to your beds of earth again;
You are not proud, you know your birth,
For your embroidered garments are from earth.

You do obey your months and times, but I
Would have it ever spring;
My fate would know no winter, never die,
Nor think of such a thing. 10
Oh that I could my bed of earth but view,
And smile, and look as cheerfully as you!

Oh teach me to see death and not to fear,
But rather to take truce;
How often have I seen you at a bier,
And there look fresh and spruce.
You fragrant flowers then teach me that my breath
Like yours may sweeten and perfume my death.

[_A Contemplation upon Flowers._] Another very
doubtful poem from Harleian MS. 6917, fol. 105 verso, where it
is attributed to 'H. Kinge'. Mr. Mason points out in support
of the attribution that this MS. contains other poems of King
and documents relating to his family; but the poem can hardly
be regarded as authenticated. It has, however, been quoted as
King's in more than one anthology; and it would probably be
missed if omitted from an edition of King's poems.]

* * *

* * * * *

POEMS

AND

SONGS,

BY

_THOMAS FLATMAN._

The Fourth Edition,

With many Additions and Amendments.

_------Me quoque vatem_
_Dicunt Pastores, sed non Ego credulus illis._ Virgil.

_LONDON_,

Printed for _Benjamin Tooke_, at the Ship in
St. _Paul_'s Church-Yard. 1686.