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An Introduction penned by Nicholas Trotte Gentleman
one of the Society of Grayes-Inne; which was pronounced in manner
following. viz. Three Muses came vpon the Stage apparelled
accordingly bringing fiue Gentlemen Students with them attyred in
their vsuall garments, whom one of the Muses presented to her
MAIESTIE as Captiues; the cause whereof she deliuered by speach as
followeth.
OF Conquest (gratious Queene) the signs & fruits,
Atchiu'd gainst such, as wrongfully withheld
The seruice by choice wits to Muses due;
In humbliest wise, these Captiues we present.
And least your highnes might suspect the gift
As spoil of Warre, that Iustice might impeach;
Heare and discerne how iust our quarrell was
Auowed (as you see) by good success.
A Dame there is, whom men Astrea terme,
Shee that pronounceth Oracles of Lawes,
Who to prepare fit seruants for her traine
As by Commission takes vp flowring wits,
Whom first she schooleth to forget and scorne
The noble skils of language and of Arts,
The wisedome, which discourse of stories teach,
The ornaments which various knowledge yeelds;
But Poesie she hath in most disdaine,
And Marshals it next Follyes scorned place.
Then, when she hath these worthy Prints defac'd
Out of the mindes that can endure her hand,
What doth she then supplie in steede of these?
Forsooth some olde reports of altered lawes,
Clamors of Courts, and cauils vpon words,
And reasons of more subtiltie then sense,
What shall I say of Moote points straunge, and doubts
Still argued but neuer yet agreed?
And shee, that doth deride the Poets lawe,
Because he must his words in order place,
Forgets her formes of pleading more precise,
More bound to words then is the Poets lore:
And for these fine conceits she fitly chose,
A tongue that Barbarisme it self doth vse.
We noting all these wrongs did long expect
There hard condition would haue made them wise,
To offer vs their seruise plac'd so ill;
But finding them addicted to their choyce,
And specially desirous to present
Your Maiestie with fruits of Prouince newe,
Now did resolue to double force and skill,
And found and vsde the vantage of the time,
Surprisde their fort, and tooke them Captiues all.
So now submisse, as to their state belongs
They gladly yeelde their homage long withdrawne,
And Poetry which they did most contemne
They glory now her fauours for to weare.
My sisters laught to see them take the penne,
And lose their wits all in vnwoonted walkes.
But to your highnes that delight we leaue,
To see these Poets newe their Stile aduaunce.
Such as they are, or naught or litle worth,
Deigne to accept, and therewith we beseech,
That nouelty giue price to worthlesse things.
Vnto this speach one of the Gentlemen answered as followeth.
GOOD Ladies vnacquaint with cunning reach,
And easly led to glory in your powre,
Heare now abasht our late dissembled mindes.
Not now the first time as your selues best knowe,
Ye Muses sought our seruice to commaund,
Oft haue ye wandred from Pernassus hill,
And shewed your selues with sweet & tempting grace,
But yet returnd your traine encreasde with fewe.
This resolution doth continue still.
Vnto Astreas name we honour beare,
Whose sound perfections we doe more admire,
Then all the vanted store of Muses guifts.
Let this be one (which last you put in vre,
In well deprauing that deserueth praise)
No eloquence, disguising reasons shape,
Nor Poetrie, each vaine affections nurce,
No various historie that doth leade the minde
Abroad to auncient tales from instant vse,
Nor these, nor other moe, too long to note,
Can winne Astreas seruants to remoue
Their seruice, once deuote to better things.
They with attentiue mindes and serious wits,
Reuolue records of deepe Iudiciall Acts,
They waigh with steaddy and indifferent hand
Each word of lawe, each circumstance of right,
They hold the grounds which time & use hath sooth'd
(Though shallow sense conceiue them as conceits)
Presumptuous sense, whose ignorance dare iudge
Of things remou'd by reason from her reach.
One doubt in mootes by argument encreasc'd
Cleares many doubts, experience doth obiect.
The language she first chose, and still retaines,
Exhibites naked truth in aptest termes.
Our Industrie maintaineth vnimpeach't
Prerogatiue of Prince, respect to Peeres,
The Commons libertie, and each mans right:
Suppresseth mutin force, and practicke fraude,
Things that for worth our studious care deserue.
Yet neuer did we banish nor reiect
Those ornaments of knowledge nor of tongs.
That slander enuious ignorance did raise.
With Muses still we entercourse allowe,
T'enrich our state with all there forreine fraight:
But neuer homage nor acknowledgement
Such as of Subiects alleageance doth require.
Now heere the cause of your late Conquest wonne
We had discouered your intent to be
(And sure ye, Ladies are not secrete all.
Speach and not silence is the Muses grace)
We well perceiu'd (I say) your minde to be
T'imploy such prisoners, as themselues did yeeld
To serue a Queene, for whom her purest gold
Nature refind, that she might therein sette
Both priuate and imperiall vertues all.
Thus (Soueraigne Lady of our lawes and vs)
Zeale may transforme vs into any shape.
We, which with trembling hand the penne did guide,
Neuer well pleasde all for desire to please
For still your rare perfections did occurre
Which are admir'd of Muses and of men.
Oh with howe steddie hand and heart assur'd
Should we take vp the warlicke Lance or Sword
With minde resolu'd to spend our loyall blood
Your least commaund with speede to execute.
O that before our time the fleeting shippe,
Ne'r wandred had in watery wildernes,
That we might first that venture vndertake
In strange attempt t'approue our loyall hearts.
Be it Soldiers, Seamen, Poets, or what els.
In seruice once inioynd, to ready mindes
Our want of vse should our deuoyer encrease.
Now since in steade of art we bring but zeale,
In steade of prayse we humbly pardon craue.
The matter which we purpose to present,
Since streights of time our liberty controwles
In tragike note the plagues of vice recounts.
How sutes a Tragedie for such a time?
Thus. For that since your sacred Maiestie
In gratious hands the regall Scepter held
All Tragedies are fled from State, to stadge.
Nicholas Trotte.
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