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That sonne of Amos here much grac'd I spie,
Whose princely birth all parts conforme approve,
His threatnings thunder, comforts flowing flie;
This may sinke downe, that ravish up above,
No Greeke, nor Romane penne, could soare so high;
His speech (all power) may admiration move:
Whil'st lifting up all them in God who trust,
And levelling proud nations with the dust.

When God in wrath abandon'd had his owne,
Who not prevented, no, did ruine haste,
This man hath oft by sacred vision showne,
That straying Gentiles should be call'd at last;
Of Christ to come as cleare a witnesse knowne,
As were apostles proving what was past:
Twixt him and them this sympathie is found,
That martyrdome(the Christian badge)both crown'd.

He who long mourn'd (as but to anguish borne,
Still passionate) with elegiack straines,
For Iuda's bondage, haughty Babel's scorne,
The which (whil'st free) he oft as captive plains;
For this by him upbraiding yokes were borne,
Still persecuted, yet despising paines:
He long was kept his prophesy to stay,
In dungeons darke, a stranger to the day.

When Abraham's off-spring were transported all,
And what they would not trust, did feeling see,
Their daunted courage labouring to recall,
He who them told what God did then decree,
And that they should but for a time be thrall,
As confident as if they had beene free,
Did build their temple, painting every part,
As it at first was drawn within his heart.

He who declar'd (interpreting his dreame)
To Ashur's monarch, monarchs aim'd for great;
Whom straight for this he did a prince proclaime,
Yet in short space, what height of partiall hate!
A burning fornace (roaring forth a flame)
Of him and his two friends became the seat,
Till them an angel freed from fire's vast pow'r,
And who attended them did soone devoure.

Thus highly grac'd, and by this wonder knowne,
(Base envy onely mischiefe can asswage)
To lyons fierce he for a prey was throwne
Which touch'd not him, yet rent his foes in rage;
By strange descriptions mystically showne,
He figur'd forth the state of every age,
Yet did not know what he himselfe did teach,
No wonder then though it no other reach.

A number more fill up this happy band,
Who did their message faithfully performe,
And scorning danger, resolutely stand,
When raging tyrants at the truth would storme;
They as if signets in their master's hand,
Gave true impressions, keeping still one forme:
Not fearing paine, nor prizing pleasure ought,
Since onely God, and not themselves they sought.

When captiv'd Iews confus'dly forth did presse,
Though once for state distinguish'd all in ranks,
By bondage equall'd, fellows in distresse,
A rigorous marshall meriting no thanks,
Whil'st swelling breasts did strugling words represse,
Teares turn'd to flouds, they melted on the banks:

All melodie by misery ore-come,

On trembling willows harps were hanging dumbe.

Even then whil'st thus all did for Sion mourne,
Their scattred remnant recollect'd with paine,
Three at three times to luda did returne,
The sacred vessels bearing back againe,
And for God's glory with such zeale did burne,
That though oft hindred, and neare to be slaine:
(Their ruin'd temple with great toile restor❜d)
They kept the law, what was prophane abhorr'd.

Long after borne I see with them before,
That valorous widow who did free her towne,
By beauty arm'd, which purpos'd to decore,
(Though rich in robes) her modestie did crowne,
No wretch, nor lavish, must'ring Nature's store,
To brave an army vent'ring in a gowne:
She kill'd a captaine even amid'st his host,
And triumph'd had ere foes could know they lost.

To robeing eyes in ambush for delight,
(Her dainty treasures by strange fate betray'd)
The checks turn'd red, to see the rest so white,
Which (even when naked) shamefastnesse arrai'd,
Now pale for feare, and straight enflam'd for spite,
Both beautie's colours interchanging strai'd:
Lo, one who lov'd true honour more then fame,
A reall goodnesse, not a studied name.

She who for fairenesse choice of all her kinde,
Was made an empresse, yet how rare a thing!
Though faire of face, was farre more faire in
minde;

This did please God, that did but please a king,
She when her race for ruine was design'd,
Them free from harme in greater grace did bring:
And with her uncle was for good reserv'd.
He Persia's prince, she all the Iews preserv'd.

When heathnish tyrants, insolently ill,
(What sacred was, made to confusion thrall)
Even on God's altar beasts uncleane would kill,
Abhomination desolating all;

Then, for their law some troupes were constant still,
And (suffring freely) did with courage fall:
A reverent ancient by strange tortures try'd,
And with seven sonnes a woman martyr dy'd.

At Modin first a worthie man did rise,

And straight kill'd one who striv'd to be prophane,

His sonnes all arm'd, the Pagans did despise,
And three of them did endlesse glory gaine,
Who oft took townes, foil'd hosts, did troups sur

prise,

Yet were at last unfortunately slaine:
One bravely fighting, did last wounds imbrace,
And two by friends betrai'd in time of peace.

With those else nam'd here stands a number more,
Well knowne to God, though not to fame, nor mee,
Who lov'd his prophets, and did him adore,
Though still devout, from superstition free,
Of their redemption confident before,
By faith (as com'd) who did their Saviour see:
Dark figures then just reckonings did contrive,
The law did damne, grace onely doth forgive.

DOOMES-DAY;

OR,

THE GREAT DAY OF THE LORD'S IVDGEMENT.

THE NINTH HOURE.

THE ARGUMENT.

Christ's great fore-runner by him pris'd so much,
And those who his familiars were below,
Th' evangelists, apostles, and all such
As did him in the flesh when mortall know:
Then those who freely did their faith avouch,
And for the truth true constancy did show:
The churche's fathers, and the martyrs all,

This great ambassadour whom God did send,
Still taxing sinne, with wickednesse at strife,
A tyrant fierce admonish'd to amend,
Who slept in incest with his brother's wife;
What bloody gift to gratifie a friend?
(Too prodigall of such a pretious life)
He with his head vaine foolery did defray,
A wanton's wage, a doting dancer's prey.

Those three judg'd wise whom nought from Christ
T could barre,

Though strangely guided, yet to trauell bold,
When having found him whom they sought so farre,
Did frankely offer incense, myrrhe, and gold;
His birth (enrich'd with raies) a flaming starre,
His death the Sunne (all wrapt in darkenesse) told:
But Sunne and Moone bare ciphers (reckning right)
And starres turn'd figures cannot count his light.
He who by him, whom nought save faith confines,

Glad stand they here, who for Christ's cause did fall. Had beene secur'd ere death his Lord to see,

THE world at first against all good obdur'd,
That sacred statutes might men's judgements sway,
By wonders mov'd, by benefits allur'd,
Their temporall treasures prosp'ring every way;
By covenant who followed God secur'd,
He, even whil'st here, their service did defray,
As by the ancients evident appeares,
With plenty, peace, posterity, and yeares.

But when glad tidings went divulging grace,
And show the ground where soules should reape
their good,

Those who the truth with ardour did imbrace,
And (it defending) resolutely stood,

Still toss'd with toiles, and in the world's disgrace,
Scarce having rest, till purchas'd by their blood:
They were so oft expos'd to scorue, and losse,
That Christians long were knowne but by their crosse.

Such (whilst transported with a sprituall ioy)
Contemplating their happinesse above,
(What Earth could give, all but esteem'd a toy)
Were ravish'd up to court their Maker's love,
Those paines which oft this mortall masse annoy,
Contentment gave, by hasting their remove :
And here by them no pleasure was imbrac'd,
Save when for God by some great suff'ring grac'd.

Loe, he whose voice vaste desarts made rebound,
In sprite Elias, and in like estate;

All cloth'd with haire, his loines a girdle bound; With locusts joyn'd wilde hony serv'd for meat, He (as Christ's trumpet) ere he came did sound, "Repent, prepare, of men no man more great;" Yet did he judge himselfe (farre short indeed) Too base to serve who after should succeed.

He, humbly modest, (as too much esteem'd)
When baptisme's fountaine baptisme came to crave,
Since but a sinner, and to be redeem'd,

That which was sought, wish'd rather to receave;
Heavens (opening straight) to crave attendance
seem'd,

From whence a voice this testimony gave;
(Whilst like a dove the sprite vpon him seaz'd)
This is my Sonne, in whom I am well pleas'd."

When in the temple knowne by sprituall signes,
Did thus burst forth, glad in a high degree,
"The Gentiles' light, and Israel's glory shines,
Salvation comes to all who seeke it free:
Since thus thou hast perform'd the promis'd grace,
Lord let thy servant now depart in peace."

There comes that captaine (marching with the rest)
Who did beleeve, ere granted, well assur'd,
(His house held base to lodge so great a guest)
That by Christ's words his servant should be cur'd;
Then she (when check'd) who did for crummes
contest,

And euen with dogs to be compar'd endur'd:
Thus some (though Gentiles) have so happie beene,
That with the lewes no faith like theirs was seene,

That Israelite in whom no guile was founde,
Whose minde still pure from stormy waves was free;
He (lest that thronging troupes his sight should
bound)

To looke on Christ who mounted on a tree;

The devills expell'd, who were diseas'd, made sound,
Earst wonder's obiects, numbers happie be,
First from short paines, from endlesse last secur'd,
Whose soules and bodies both at once were cur'd.

Haile, happie Mary! virgin great in grace,
Thy sexe's glory, the Eternall's love!
Whom high affection freely did imbrace,
By sacred flames ore-shadow'd from above;
Not bodie's forme, nor colour of a face,
To make this match did the Almighty move:
Her portion was an humble modest minde,
For which the Lord a state in Heaven design'd.

But how the deity could be joyn'd with dust,
Some curious brains (weake reason's captives) scan:
Not like fain'd love in flames enflam'd with lust,
Nor in a dove, as he came in a swan;
Who would be sav'd must absolutely trust,
No male enjoy'd, a mayd brought forth a man:
If by God's word cold earth did life receive,
A woman by his sprite might soone conceive.
What wonders rare do now enrich my ryme!
Still mayd, though mother, free from mortall seed,
Wive's childe, not husband's, and yet not her cryme,
Bigge by himselfe, who did her Maker breed;
Eternity was limited by time;

[ceed: Small bounds did bound who doth all bounds ex

STIRLING'S POEMS.

How highly, Mary, shouldst thou be esteem'd,
Since Evah's fault was by thy birth redeem'd ?
More then all women blessed in thy bloud,
Thou first for him, he for us all did smart,
Who borrow'd milk, but pay'd for it his bloud,
And what thou hadst was his, not thy desart,
Who with the rest of death in danger stood,
Whil'st from his crosse he did these words impart:
"Look, woman, on thy sonne:" then might'st thou
How he (a lambe) was offred up for thee. [see,

She who, long childlesse, last conceiv'd a sonne,
As first an angell did to her divine,
Still till the time that thrise three times were runne,
Whose husband's dumbenesse prov'd a certaine signe,
Her to salute when Mary had begun,

The babe for joy her wombe could scarce confine:
Whose mother prais'd the blessed virgin's state,
As by her birth who did indeed grow great.
I see those sisters shining in this ranke,
Whose brother Christ first wail'd, then rais'd when
[dead,
But chiefly she who circumspectly franke,
A precious oyntment pour'd upon his head;
Though others grudg'd, Christ her for this did thank,
And it for ever memorable made:
Then unto her as one before held deare,
(Pale death dispatch'd) did at the first appeare.
Thrice glorious twelve whose parts no tongue can tell,
As his companions by our Lord imbrac'd,
To binde, and loose, with power of Heaven and Hell,
(Still working wonders wonderfully grac'd)
With whom the Holy Ghost did come to dwell,
Who now with Christ to judge the world are plac'd:
You by your suffrings conquer'd have farre more,
Then all men else, by acts, since, or before.
True grounds neglect'd, the doting vulgar throng,
To servile meanes do so ascribe events,
The gospell planting, that to scape such wrong,
God us'd none great in power, nor rioh in rents,
But simple trades-men, neither learn'd, nor strong,
Brought up in fishing, or in making tents,
That thus all might their heavenly message know,
The which to earthly helps would nothing owe.

He who did first great faith in Christ display,
Which flesh nor bloud could not to him impart,
Commended thus, commanded straight away,
As turn'd a tempter taught by Satan's art,
Whose speech did tend salvation's course to stay,
Then Iudas worse in words, though true in heart:
His pitie cruell, milde the traitor's spite;
This hasted grace, that would have barr'd it quite.
Still of that minde to fight at last he aym'd,
And rashly did cut one of Malchus' eares;
But, loe, this lyon by a cock was tam'd; [feares,
This bragger straight a mayd ore-whelm'd with
So that remorsefull, angry, and asham'd,

He would have hid his face with flouds of teares:
Yet, even when weeping, with more strength was
stor'd,

Then when he walk'd on waves, or drew his sword.

Though shaken like a reed, at length a rocke,
In spite of tempests he was constant found,
Whom jealously Christ trusted with his flocke,
Who thrise deny'd him, thrise by promise bound;
Yet of the church (though once a stumbling block)
A speciall pillar, not the onely ground:

He girt himselfe when yong in freedome still,
But when grown old, was girt against his will.
That disciple stil'd by his master's love,
By speaking signes whom silent Peter pray'd,
As one whose credit more then his could move,
To learne by whom the Lord should be betray'd,
Whose bosome did so oft his pillow prove,
These words for him might great regard have wonne;
Who many thought till Christ return'd had stayd:
"Man, see thy mother; woman, see thy Sonne."
Though Christ disprov'd their foolish strife for state,
If oddes there were, I this man chiefe would call,
Two persecutions seene, and Sion's fall;
Whose life so long, whose troubles were so great,
This eagle's flight no brightnesse could abate,
Whose ravish'd thoughts have comprehended all;
His gospell clearely showes things that were past,
His revelation what should come at last.
Else could not trust what he desir'd so much,
There he who first incredulous was found,
Still wanting faith till he had try'd the wound,
Yet last, the truth did to farre Indians sound,
To see too curious, grosse when he did touch:
This fault to helpe his fervent zeale was such :
Thus having seene and felt, beleeve he must,
That eunuch who could reade, but not conceive,
But happy those who never saw, yet trust.
Who as he strangely came, so did him leave,
Till Christ's apostle taught to him a space,
In Nature lesse, made more then man by grace;
Whil'st running by, as worthy of no place,
He whom his chariot then daign'd to receive,
Rais'd now above himselfe with reverence seene,
Perchance shall judge his Ethiopian queene.
Those barbarous lewes, O how they suffer must!
When seeing him exalted in their sight,
Whom (though as singular entitled just)
They hurl'd downe head-longs from a temple's
height,

As so to quench their citie's second light,
Then crush'd his braines, when wallowing in the dust,
Who of their church rul'd the converted state,
The first of bishops, both in time and seat.
He for whose cause two good men jarr'd in will,
Since falling once, not fit to suffer thought,
Yet (never after tax'd) stood constant still,
And was by Venice for her patron sought;
That rare physitian, whose celestiall skill
Those two, whose pennes seem'd drawne from angel's
Cur'd wounded soules by balme from Iuda brought:
Did write two registers of sacred things. [wings,

But what rare person doth pursue my sight,
Who straight grew blinde whil'st looking on the light,
Whom Christ of purpose came againe to call?
And rose more strong when bruised by a fall,
Though none of the first twelve each way as bright,
He travell❜d, acted, suffred more then all :
This wondrous change, what weight of words can
A persecutor first, and then a saint.
[paint?

His speech, more powerfull then could flow from art,
Where eloquence the greatest glory had,
Caus'd learn'd philosophers, amaz'd, to start,
Made Felix quake, Agrippa neere convert, [bad)
(Their God unknowne best knowne, the rest prov'd
Till foolish Festus thought he had beene mad;

His voyce harmonious angels' sounds might eaven,
Not knowing how since ravish'd up to Heaven.

That sacred vessell by the Lord elect'd, [grace,
From whom each soule might draw forth streames of
Who doing, suffering, pever was deject'd,
Though beaten, bound, in prison, and disgrace,
He boldly did professe what he affect'd,
And kept the faith, till finishing his race
At fatall Rome, the mother of much ill,

Where with his bloud at last he seal'd his will.

I next see him who minds so much did sway,
That Paul Mercurius, he was held for Iove,

Till both scarce priests, (with garlands crown'd)

could stay,

From offring buls, as to their gods above;
But whil'st the truth they frankely did display,
What sudden chance so huge a change could move?
Them whom they thus as gods would have ador'd,
They straight did stone, as if turn'd divels, abhorr'd.
That publican who did in scroules digest
Those treasures first, whose power each conscience
binds :

He whose few lines doe some strange things attest, From grounds (though true) which now no reader findes :

He who was choic'd by Lot, and all the rest Whose feet Christ wash'd, to humble haughty mindes,

Which forme, in vaine, some fondly would affect,
Though bow'd in show, whil'st swelling in effect.

Then with those twelve, some happy men did haunt,
(Heaven's messengers, evangelizing peace)
As he who watred after Paul did plant,
And circumcis'd to please the Hebrew race,
He (full of faith) who did fraile passions daunt,
Halfe lew, halfe Gentile; joyning both in grace:
Next Silas, Titus and a troupe I spy,
Who with th' apostles did their travels try.

She, rais'd from death, and prais'd for doing well,
Who charitable garments made and gave,
That theatirian, who did purple sell,
But greater treasure freely did receive;
That lady call'd elect, as to excell,
Who hath already fame, shall glory have:
Some of this sexe, beside with those are found,
Whose piety eternall pennes renown'd.

Those guiltlesse babes at Bethel kill'd by guesse,
(Loe, jealous mindes each shadow doth affright).
That martyrs were before they could professe,
By suffring happy, ere to doe of might,
They now in Heaven a glorious state possesse,
And from world's toiles, by time did take their
flight:

Thus falne for Christ, before at all they stood,
Those dy'd as Christians, baptiz'd with their bloud.

There he whom Iacob's farre degener'd race,
By calumnies accus'd, with partiall spite,
The martyr's mirrour, eminent in place,
Who sacred scriptures did solemnly cite,
Whil'st like an angell shining was his face,
Not pale for feare, no, lightning forth delight:
For, he those suffrings farre more glorious thought,
Then all the wonders that by him were wrought.

This happy elder, first of the first seven,
(Whil'st hem'd about by a tumultuous band)
Did looke aloft to the inviting Heaven,
And saw the sonne of man at God's right hand,
Whose charity he onely then did even,
To pray for them, who stoning him did stand:
Stones bruis'd his body, but could harme no more,
His ravish'd soule had fled to Heaven before.
Whil'st ten fierce stormes the Christian state did
tosse,

With blasts of blasphemy, and shoures of bloud,
They, not by signes charactring then their crosse,
Did beare it selfe, and try'd by tortures stood;
Of honour, fortune, friends, or life, the losse,

Did passe (as trifles) for a greater good: [heart,
Paine (scorn'd) but rais'd, not rack'd their soule nor
Who (even when suffring) act'd the bravest part.
My Muse (ingenuous) gladly would burst forth,
Their praise (when burning) who triumph'd in hearts,
Of whom each one deserves (respecting worth)
An epicke poeme, grac'd by all the arts;
Would God she could translate unto the north,
Their vertue's relicts, not terrestriall parts:
Which (even in soules enshrin'd) might reverence
As hence in glory, living here by fame. [claime,
Those learned doctors, primitively great,
'The churche's ancients, whom account we may,
As foster-fathers of her infant state,
Lights set ere noone, yet lightning all the day,
Who did Christ's cause by words, by bookes debate,
And banish'd, tortur'd, kill'd, did constant stay:
What rare examples for each following age,
To scorne the fury of a tyrant's rage?

When good Ignatius, (highly to be priz'd)
Was brag'd by beasts, which roar'd with rouling eyes,
He boldly said (their gaping jawes despis'd)
"Fine wheate for Christ this grinding now me tryes;"
Not like that sect which was by one devis'd,
Who had his name, whom Heaven farre differing
Ignatians to inflict, not suffer fire,
[spyes:
Whose too great sprits to vexe the world conspire.

There Smyrna's angell, whom Iohn did affect,
In stormy times who did a light appeare,
Whom easterne churches did to Rome direct,
Of Hester's feast the question'd time to cleare,
His death fore-dream'd, as falling in effect,
(Sayd) urg'd to leave his lord (so long held deare :)
"Whom I for master fourescore yeares did try,
And found so good, I will his servant dye."

Like sayles with winde, fire's curling waves did swell,
From Heaven encourag'd to continue good,
(As gold refin'd, whose brightnesse doth excell)
All crown'd with flames, the reverent old man stood;
(A sacrifice which did most sweetly smell)
They burn'd not him, he quench'd them with his
To hide his dust, the Pagans did accord, [bloud:
Lest the beholders had the same ador'd.

When Iustine sought (as learning did direct)
How one might arme for death, vaine pleasures loath,
Whil'st Christians' courage nothing could deject,
(Though try'd extreamely) confident in both,
So that their course bred vertue in effect,
Philosophy but superficiall froth:

He needs would try who did their grounds devise,
Whence resolution did so bravely rise.

And when baptiz'd, his braines first clouds were past,
The gospel's light he clearely came to know,
Then, what he gain'd, resolv'd to use, not wast,
Straight what he learn'd, did teach, Christ's truth
to show,

Till (out of envy) heath'nish Crescens last,
When learning fail'd, did him by art orethrow:
Who added one unto the Christian feasts,
Long toss'd by men, and torne in th' end by beasts.

When charg'd with yeares (to dye by Nature ply'd) Of body weake, but vigorous in minde,

When silver haires (with bloud in crimson dy'd) Wept rubies downe, whil'st th' eyes still tearelesse shin'd,

The wrinckles (raz'd by wounds) could not be spy'd, By scourging, scorning, torturing, threatning, pin'd: Old Photinus and Simeon where long plac'd, Ierusalem, and Lions highly grac'd.

Then Irenæus after doth succeed
To Photinus, in merit, and in place,
Who,whil'st church-rites did great contention breed,
Would not for them disturbe the common peace;
With him Tertullian, Tullian thrise indeed,

For wit and skill, which learning's height did grace:
What pen can to their pennes afford due praise,
Which did afflicted faith defend and raise.

By mother's care from martyrdome restrayn'd,
He who for death confirm'd his father's will,
But, though in scriptures by long practise train'd,
One text for chastnesse did interpret ill,
And (even by that in which he gloried stayn'd)
Too superstitiously disposed still:

By offring incense, idols did adore,

To scape disgrace from a detested More.

From Alexandria, sundry I behold,
Who at this meeting joyfully doe shout,
As Athanasius for the truth still bold,
By Arians banish'd, but not brought to doubt,
And that Paphnutius, (happy man when old)
Of whom the eyes Christ's en'mies had bor'd out,
Whose seate distigur'd, Constantine did kisse,
Of faith a trophee, and a badge of blisse.

The easterne churches first did Christ embrace,
And drew their faith from fountaines that were pure,
What famous doctours, singular for grace, [scure?
Have clear'd those parts, though at this time ob-
What glorious martyrs, crowning there their race,
The fyrie tryall, gold-like did endure?
To thinke of them, my soule for anguish groanes;
Ah, that base Turkes should tread upon their bones!
But since, deare Muse, to grace all worth inclin'd,
Two's fame of force, thy offring must procure,
A modest virgin, faire of face and minde,
Whose soule and body all men prais❜d as pure;
She for Christ's faith was to a stewes confin'd,
There (worse then death) vile basenesse to endure:
Where she, though chast, a strumpet's name should
gaine,

(Though innocent) forc'd sinne to entertaine.

Oft in her cheekes shame kindled vertue's flames,
Though in pale ashes quickly quench'd by feares;
Yet death to force the desp'rate virgin dreames,
And haughty fancies, stormy courage reares,
Whose generous fury straight religion tames,
Yet could not calme sad sighes, nor dry salt teares:
She (as her enemy) beauty did abhorre,
The leprous envy'd, wish'd to be a More.

Whil'st thus perplex'd the pensive maid did sit,
With hands a crosse, eyes lifted to the sky,

Barr'd from that church where falne he made the Her fame more weigh'd then life, Christ more then it,

breach,

Whil'st high remorse his guilty minde did racke,
At Sion urg'd some sacred part to teach,
These words of God his ground did chance to make,
"My righteousnesse why should a sinner preach,
Or in his mouth my testimony take?"
Then quite confounded, leaving longing eares,

Which she must leave, or him she must deny;
There was no hope for force, nor place for wit,
When one comes in, as if her first to try:
But in his garments bids her flye away,
And he in hers would as a woman stay.

When Theodora, Didymus did leave,

Though words were stay'd, he talk'd with God in (Those names of theirs deserve to be express'd)

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His danger first he could not but conceive,
A man soone knowne, a Christian he confess'd,
"Who could," said he, "of worth but seeke to save,
A woman's honour, a poore mayd distress'd?
And since you her but for religion blame, [shame?"
Should thoughts so pure be cross'd by publike

He straight was damn'd to death by partiall hate,
Though charg'd for nothing but for doing good,
And she who heard the danger of his state,
Came him to free, by offring up her bloud:
Both striv'd for death; magnanimous debate!
Whil'st with religion, vertue emulous stood:
They generously devout, devoutly brave,
Taught Gentiles worth, true zeale to Christians gave.

A tyrant, when contemn'd, more fierce doth prove,
Much haste was us'd, that both might fall by fire;
Bright were the flames of their immortall love,
Which never burn'd with any base desire:
This match contract'd below, perform'd above,
God grac'd with angels in Heaven's highest quire:

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