Chapter II: Hymnes of Astræa

NOTE.

The following is the original title-page of 'Astr[oe]a':

HYMNES OF
ASTR[OE]A, IN
Acrosticke verse

London
Printed for J. S.
1599

[4^{o} pp. 27: register A. B. C. D. of 4 leaves each.]

Throughout, the Poet spells 'Astr[oe]a': probably Asteria ([Greek: 'Asteria]) were more accurate. Our text for these 'Hymnes' is, as in Nosce Teipsum, the edition of 1622: but throughout, compared with the first, as _supra_. Title-page in 1622 edition is as follows:

HYMNES
of
ASTREA

_In Acrosticke Verse._

London
Printed by A. M. for _Richard Hawkins_.
1622. [8vo.]

With reference to Elizabeth who is so glorified in these 'Hymnes' as 'Astræa,' cf. the 'Conference between a Gentleman-Usher and a Post' in our Memorial-Introduction. I have since found that another copy of this interesting MS. is preserved among the Harleian MSS.: No. cclxxxvi fol. 248. I would here call attention to the correspondence between the metaphor of the Senses serving the Intellect in 'Nosce Teipsum' and in the 'Conference' as flatteringly descriptive of the position held by her 'ministers' to the Queen. In Davison's 'Rhapsody' _the_ name for Elizabeth is Astræa. G.

_Hymnes to Astr[oe]a._

HYMNE I.

OF ASTR[OE]A.[168]

$E$ arly before the day doth spring,
$L$ et us awake my Muse, and sing;
$I$ t is no time to slumber,
$S$ o many ioyes this time doth bring,
$A$ s Time will faile to number.

$B$ ut whereto shall we bend our layes?
$E$ uen vp to Heauen, againe to raise[169]
$T$ he Mayd, which thence descended;
$H$ ath brought againe the golden dayes,
$A$ nd all the world amended.

$R$ udenesse it selfe she doth refine,
$E$ uen like an Alchymist diuine;
$G$ rosse times of yron turning
$I$ nto the purest forme of gold;
$N$ ot to corrupt, till heauen waxe old,
$A$ nd be refined with burning.

[Footnote 168: Here spelled 'Astrea.' G.]

[Footnote 169: = to praise or exalt. G.]

HYMNE II.

TO ASTRÆA.

$E$ ternall Virgin, _Goddesse_ true,
$L$ et me presume to sing to you.
$I$ oue, euen great _Ioue_ hath leasure
$S$ ometimes to heare the vulgar crue,
$A$ nd heares them oft with pleasure.

$B$ lessèd _Astræa_, I in part
$E$ nioy the blessings you impart;
$T$ he Peace, the milke and hony,
$H$ umanitie, and civil _Art_,
$A$ richer dower then money.

$R$ ight glad am I that now I liue,
$E$ uen in these dayes whereto you giue
$G$ reat happinesse and glory;
$I$ f after you I should be borne,
$N$ o doubt I should my birth-day scorne,
$A$ dmiring your sweet storie.

HYMNE III.

TO THE SPRING.

$E$ arth now is greene, and heauen is blew,
$L$ iuely Spring which makes all new,
$I$ olly Spring, doth enter;
$S$ weete yong sun-beames doe subdue
$A$ ngry, agèd Winter.

$B$ lasts are milde, and seas are calme,
$E$ uery meadow flowes with balme,
$T$ he Earth weares all her riches;
$H$ armonious birdes sing such a psalme,
$A$ s eare and heart bewitches.

$R$ eserue (sweet Spring) this Nymph of ours,
$E$ ternall garlands of thy flowers,
$G$ reene garlands neuer wasting;
$I$ n her shall last our _State's_ faire Spring,
$N$ ow and for euer flourishing,
$A$ s long as Heauen is lasting.

HYMNE IV.

TO THE MONETH OF MAY.

$E$ ach day of thine, sweet moneth of May,
$L$ oue makes a solemne holy-day.
$I$ will performe like duty,
$S$ ith thou resemblest euery way
$A$ stræa, Queen of beauty,

$B$ oth you fresh beauties do pertake,
$E$ ither's aspect doth Summer make,
$T$ houghts of young Loue awaking;
$H$ earts you both doe cause to ake,
$A$ nd yet be pleas'd with akeing.

$R$ ight deare art thou, and so is shee,
$E$ uen like attractiue sympathy,
$G$ aines vnto both like dearenesse;
$I$ weene this made Antiquitie
$N$ ame thee, sweet _May of Maiestie_,
$A$ s being both like in _clearnesse_.

HYMNE V.

TO THE LARKE.

$E$ arley, cheerfull, mounting Larke,
$L$ ight's gentle vsher, Morning's clark,
$I$ n merry notes delighting;
$S$ tint awhile thy song, and harke,
$A$ nd learne my new inditing.

$B$ eare vp this hymne, to heau'n it beare,
$E$ uen vp to heau'n, and sing it there,
$T$ o heau'n each morning beare it;
$H$ aue it set to some sweet sphere,
$A$ nd let the Angels heare it.

$R$ enownd Astræa, that great name,
$E$ xceeding great in worth and fame,
$G$ reat worth hath so renownd it;
$I$ t is Astræa's name I praise,
$N$ ow then, sweet Larke, do thou it raise,
$A$ nd in high Heauen resound it.

HYMNE VI.

TO THE NIGHTINGALE.

$E$ uery night from euen till morne,
$L$ oue's Quirister amidde the thorne
$I$ s now so sweet a singer;
$S$ o sweet, as for her song I scorne
$A$ pollo's voice, and finger.

$B$ ut Nightingale, sith you delight
$E$ uer to watch the starry night;
$T$ ell all the starres of heauen,
$H$ eauen neuer had a starre so bright,
$A$ s now to Earth is giuen.

$R$ oyall Astræa makes our day
$E$ ternall with her beames, nor may
$G$ rosse darknesse ouercome her;
$I$ now perceiue why some doe write,
$N$ o countrey hath so short a night,
$A$ s England hath in Summer.

HYMNE VII.

TO THE ROSE.

$E$ ye of the Garden, Queene of flowres,
$L$ ove's cup wherein he nectar powres,
$I$ ngendered first of nectar;
$S$ weet nurse-child of the Spring's young howres,
$A$ nd Beautie's faire character.

$B$ est iewell that the Earth doth weare,
$E$ uen when the braue young sunne draws neare,
$T$ o her hot Loue pretending;[170]
$H$ imselfe likewise like forme doth beare,
$A$ t rising and descending.

$R$ ose of the Queene of Loue belou'd;
$E$ ngland's great Kings diuinely mou'd,
$G$ ave Roses in their banner;
$I$ t shewed that Beautie's Rose indeed,
$N$ ow in this age should them succeed,
$A$ nd raigne in more sweet manner.

[Footnote 170: = reaching forward. G.]

HYMNE VIII.

TO ALL THE PRINCES OF EUROPE.

$E$ urope, the earth's sweet Paradise,
$L$ et all thy kings that would be wise,
$I$ n _politique deuotion_;
$S$ ayle hither to obserue her eyes,
$A$ nd marke her heaunly motion.

$B$ raue Princes of this ciuill age,
$E$ nter into this pilgrimage;
$T$ his saint's tongue is an oracle,
$H$ er eye hath made a Prince a page,
$A$ nd works each day a miracle.

$R$ aise but your lookes to her, and see
$E$ uen the true beames of maiestie,
$G$ reat Princes, marke her duly;
$I$ f all the world you doe suruey,
$N$ o forehead spreades so bright a ray,
$A$ nd notes a Prince so truly.

HYMNE IX.

TO FLORA.

$E$ mpresse of flowers, tell where away
$L$ ies your sweet Court this merry[171] May,
$I$ n _Greenewich_ Garden allies?[172]
$S$ ince there the heauenly powers do play
$A$ nd haunt no other vallies.

$B$ _eautie_, _vertue_, _maiestie_,
$E$ loquent Muses, three times three,
$T$ he new fresh _Houres_ and Graces,
$H$ aue pleasure in this place to be,
$A$ boue all other places.

$R$ oses and lillies did them draw,
$E$ re they diuine _Astræa_ saw;
$G$ ay flowers they sought for pleasure:
$I$ nstead of gathering crownes of flowers,
$N$ ow gather they Astræa's dowers,
$A$ nd beare to heauen that treasure,

[Footnote 171: Thomas Davies, as before, drops 'merry.']

[Footnote 172: = alleys. G.]

HYMNE X.

TO THE MONETH OF SEPTEMBER.

$E$ ach moneth hath praise in some degree;
$L$ et May to others seeme to be
$I$ n sense the sweetest Season;
$S$ eptember thou art best to me,
$A$ nd best dost please my reason.

$B$ ut neither for thy corne nor wine
$E$ xtoll I those mild dayes of thine,
$T$ hough corne and wine might praise thee;
$H$ eauen giues thee honour more diuine,
$A$ nd higher fortunes raise thee.

$R$ enown'd art thou (sweet moneth) for this,
$E$ mong thy dayes her birth-day is;[173]
$G$ race, plenty, peace and honour
$I$ n one faire hour with her were borne;
$N$ ow since they still her crowne adorne,
$A$ nd still attend vpon her.

[Footnote 173: Queen Elizabeth was born on 7th September, 1533. G.]

HYMNE XI.

TO THE SUNNE.

$E$ ye of the world, fountaine of light,
$L$ ife of Day, and death of Night;
$I$ humbly seek thy kindnesse:
$S$ weet, dazle not my feeble sight,
$A$ nd strike me not with blindnesse.

$B$ ehold me mildly from that face,
$E$ uen where thou now dost run thy race,
$T$ he spheare where now thou turnest;
$H$ auing like _Phaeton_ chang'd thy place,
$A$ nd yet hearts onely burnest.

$R$ ed in her right cheeke thou dost rise,
$E$ xalted after in her eyes,
$G$ reat glory there thou shewest;
$I$ n th' other cheeke when thou descendest,
$N$ ew rednesse vnto it thou lendest,
$A$ nd so thy round thou goest.

HYMNE XII.

TO HER PICTURE.

$E$ xtreame was his audacitie,
$L$ ittle his skill, that finisht thee;
$I$ am asham'd and sorry,
$S$ o dull her counterfeit should bee,
$A$ nd she so full of glory.

$B$ ut here are colours red and white,
$E$ ach line, and each proportion right;
$T$ hese lines, this red and whitenesse,
$H$ aue wanting yet a life and light,
$A$ maiestie, and brightnesse.

$R$ ude counterfeit, I then did erre,
$E$ uen now when I would needs inferre
$G$ reat boldnesse in thy maker;
$I$ did mistake, he was not bold,
$N$ or durst his eyes her eyes behold:
$A$ nd this made him mistake her.

HYMNE XIII.

OF HER MINDE.

$E$ arth, now adiew, my rauisht thought
$L$ ifted to Heau'n sets thee at nought;
$I$ nfinite is my longing,
$S$ ecrets of angels to be taught,
$A$ nd things to Heau'n belonging.

$B$ rought downe from heau'n of angels kind,
$E$ uen now doe I admire her _mind_;
$T$ his is my contemplation,
$H$ er cleare sweet spirit, which is refin'd
$A$ boue humane _creation_.

$R$ ich sun-beame of th' Æternall light,
$E$ xcellent _Soule_, how shall I wright?[174]
$G$ ood angels make me able;
$I$ cannot see but by your eye,
$N$ or, but by your tongue, signifie
$A$ thing so admirable.

[Footnote 174: = write. G.]

HYMNE XIIII.

OF THE SUN-BEAMES OF HER MIND.

$E$ xceeding glorious is the starre,
$L$ et vs behold her beames afarre
$I$ n a side line reflected;
$S$ ight bears them not, when neere they are,
$A$ nd in right lines directed.

$B$ ehold her in her vertues' beames,
$E$ xtending sun-like to all realmes;
$T$ he sunne none viewes too neerly:
$H$ er well of goodnes in these streames,
$A$ ppeares right well and clearely.

$R$ adiant vertues, if your light
$E$ nfeeble the best iudgement's sight,
$G$ reat splendor aboue measure
$I$ s in the _mind_ from whence you flow;
$N$ o wit may haue accesse to know,
$A$ nd view so bright a treasure.

HYMNE XV.

OF HER WIT.

$E$ ye of that mind most quicke and cleere,--
$L$ ike Heauen's eye, which from his spheare
$I$ nto all things prieth;
$S$ ees through all things euery where,
$A$ nd all their natures trieth.

$B$ right image of an angel's wit,
$E$ xceeding sharpe and swift like it,
$T$ hings instantly discerning;
$H$ auing a nature infinit,
$A$ nd yet increas'd by learning.

$R$ ebound vpon thy selfe thy light,
$E$ nioy thine own sweet precious sight
$G$ iue us but some reflection;
$I$ t is enough for vs if we
$N$ ow in her speech, now policie,
$A$ dmire thine high perfection.

HYMNE XVI.

OF HER WILL.

$E$ uer well affected _will_,
$L$ ouing _goodnesse_, loathing _ill_,
$I$ nestimable treasure!
$S$ ince such a power hath power to spill,[175]
$A$ nd save vs at her pleasure.

$B$ e thou our law, sweet _will_, and say
$E$ uen what thou wilt, we will obay
$T$ his law, if I could reade it;
$H$ erein would I spend night and day,
$A$ nd study still to plead it.

$R$ oyall _free-will_, and onely _free_,
$E$ ach other _will_ is slaue to thee;
$G$ lad is each will to serue thee:
$I$ n thee such princely power is seene,
$N$ o spirit but takes thee for her Queene,
$A$ nd thinkes she must obserue thee.

[Footnote 175: = spoil. G.]

HYMNE XVII.

OF HER MEMORIE.

$E$ xcellent iewels would you see,
$L$ ouely ladies? come with me,
$I$ will (for loue I owe you).
$S$ hew you as rich a treasurie,
$A$ s East or West can shew you.

$B$ ehold, if you can iudge of it,
$E$ uen that great store-house of her wit:
$T$ hat beautiful large Table,
$H$ er Memory; wherein is writ
$A$ ll knowledge admirable.

$R$ eade this faire book, and you shall learne
$E$ xquisite skill; if you discerne,
$G$ aine heau'n by this discerning;
$I$ n such a memory diuine,
$N$ ature did forme the _Muses_ nine,
$A$ nd _Pallas_ Queene of Learning.

HYMNE XVIII.

OF HER PHANTASIE.

$E$ xquisite curiositie,
$L$ ooke on thy selfe with iudging eye,
$I$ f ought be faultie, leaue it;
$S$ o delicate a phantasie
$A$ s this, will straight perceiue it.

$B$ ecause her temper is so fine,
$E$ ndewèd with harmonies diuine;
$T$ herefore if discord strike it,
$H$ er true proportions doe repine,
$A$ nd sadly do[176] mislike it.

$R$ ight otherwise a pleasure sweet
$E$ uer she takes in actions meet,
$G$ racing with smiles such meetnesse;
$I$ n her faire forehead, beames appeare,
$N$ o Summer's day is halfe so cleare,
$A$ dorn'd with halfe that sweetnesse.

[Footnote 176: Misprinted 'to.' G.]

HYMNE XIX.

OF THE ORGANS OF HER MINDE.

$E$ clipsed she is, and her bright rayes.
$L$ ie under vailes, yet many wayes
$I$ s her faire forme reuealed;
$S$ he diuersly her selfe conueyes,
$A$ nd cannot be concealed.

$B$ y instruments her powers appeare
$E$ xceedingly well tun'd and cleare:
$T$ his lute is still in measure,
$H$ olds still in tune, euen like a spheare,
$A$ nd yeelds the world sweet pleasure.

$R$ esolue me, Muse, how this thing is,
$E$ uer a body like to this
$G$ aue Heau'n to earthly creature?
$I$ am but fond[177] this doubt to make
$N$ o doubt the angels bodies take,
$A$ bove our common nature.

[Footnote 177: = Foolish. G.]

HYMNE XX.

OF THE PASSIONS OF HER HEART.

$E$ xamine not _th' inscrutable heart_,
$L$ ight _Muse_ of her, though she in part
$I$ mpart it to the subiect;
$S$ earch not, although from Heau'n thou art,
$A$ nd this an heauenly obiect.

$B$ ut since she hath a heart, we know,
$E$ uer some passions thence doe flow,
$T$ hough euer rul'd with Honor;
$H$ er judgment raignes, they waite below,
$A$ nd fixe their eyes vpon her.

$R$ ectified so, they in their kind
$E$ ncrease each vertue of her mind,
$G$ ouern'd with mild tranquilitie;
$I$ n all the regions vnder heau'n,
$N$ o State doth beare it selfe so euen,
$A$ nd with so sweet facilitie.

HYMNE XXI.

OF THE INNUMERABLE VERTUES OF HER MINDE.

$E$ re thou proceed in this sweet paines,
$L$ earne _Muse_ how many drops it raines
$I$ n cold and moist _December_;
$S$ um up _May_ flowres, and _August_ graines,
$A$ nd grapes of mild _September_.

$B$ eare the Sea's sand in memory,
$E$ arth's grasses, and the starres in skie;
$T$ he little moates which mounted,
$H$ ang, in the beames of _Ph[oe]bus'_ eye,
$A$ nd neuer can be counted.

$R$ ecount these numbers numberlesse,[178]
$E$ re thou her vertue canst expresse,
$G$ reat wits this count will, cumber.
$I$ nstruct thy selfe in numbring Schooles;
$N$ ow courtiers vse to begge for fooles,
$A$ ll such as cannot number.

[Footnote 178: Cf. Paradise Regained, iii. 310. G.]

HYMNE XXII.

OF HER WISDOME.

$E$ [a]gle-eyed Wisdome, life's loadstarre,
$L$ ooking neere on things afarre;
$I$ oue's best beloued daughter,
$S$ howes to her spirit all[179] that are,
$A$ s Ioue himselfe hath taught her.

$B$ y this straight rule she rectifies
$E$ ach thought that in [her] heart doth rise:
$T$ his is her cleane true mirror,
$H$ er _looking-glasse_, wherein she spies
$A$ [ll] forms of Truth and Error.

$R$ ight princely vertue fit to raigne,
$E$ nthroniz'd in her spirit remaine,
$G$ uiding our fortunes euer;
$I$ f we this starre once cease to see,
$N$ o doubt our State will shipwrackt bee,
$A$ nd torne and sunke for euer.

[Footnote 179: In first edition 'things.' G.]

HYMNE XXIII.

OF HER JUSTICE.

$E$ xil'd _Astræa_ is come againe,
$L$ o here she doth all things maintaine
$I$ n _number_, _weight_, and _measure_:
$S$ he rules vs with delightfull paine,
$A$ nd we obey with pleasure.

$B$ y _Loue_ she rules more then by _Law_,
$E$ uen her great mercy breedeth awe;
$T$ his is her sword and scepter:
$H$ erewith she hearts did euer draw,
$A$ nd this guard euer kept her.

$R$ eward doth sit in her right-hand,
$E$ ach vertue thence taks her garland
$G$ ather'd in Honor's garden;
$I$ n her left hand (wherein should be
$N$ ought but the sword) sits Clemency
$A$ nd conquers Vice with pardon.

HYMNE XXIV.

OF HER MAGNANIMITIE.

$E$ uen as her State, so is her mind,
$L$ ifted aboue the vulgar kind;
$I$ t treades proud Fortune vnder:
$S$ un-like it sits aboue the wind,
$A$ boue the stormes, and thunder.

$B$ raue spirit, large heart, admiring _nought_,
$E$ steeming each thing as it ought,
$T$ hat swelleth not, nor shrinketh;
$H$ onour is alwayes in her thought,
$A$ nd of great things she thinketh.

$R$ ocks, pillars, and heauen's axeltree,
$E$ xemplifie her constancy;
$G$ reat changes neuer change her:
$I$ n her sexe, feares are wont to rise,
$N$ _ature_ permits, _Vertue_ denies,
$A$ nd scornes the face of _Danger_.

HYMNE XXV.

OF HER MODERATION.

$E$ mpresse of kingdomes though she be,
$L$ arger is her soueraigntie
$I$ f she her selfe doe gouerne;
$S$ ubiect vnto her self is she,
$A$ nd of her selfe true soueraigne.

$B$ eautie's crowne though she do weare,
$E$ xalted into Fortune's chaire,
$T$ hron'd like the Queene of Pleasure;
$H$ er vertues still possesse her eare,
$A$ nd counsell her to measure.

$R$ eason, if shee incarnate were,
$E$ uen Reason's selfe could neuer beare
$G$ reatnesse with moderation;
$I$ n her one temper still is seene,
$N$ o libertee claimes she as Queene,
$A$ nd showes no alteration.

HYMNE XXVI.

TO ENUY.

$E$ nuy, goe weepe; my Muse and I
$L$ augh thee to scorne: thy feeble eye
$I$ s dazeled with the glory
$S$ hining in this gay poesie,
$A$ nd little golden story.

$B$ ehold how my proud quill doth shed
$E$ ternall _nectar_ on her head;
$T$ he pompe of coronation
$H$ ath not such power her fame to spread,
$A$ s this my admiration.

$R$ espect my pen as free and franke
$E$ xpecting not reward nor thanke,
$G$ reat wonder onely moues it;
$I$ never made it mercenary,
$N$ or should my Muse this burthen carrie
$A$ s hyr'd, but that she loues it.

$Finis.$