71
A HYMNE TO HERMES.
Thy last Nap, in thy Cradle; but come downe;
(Companion of black Night) and for this Crowne
Of thy young Rapines; beare (from all) the state
And stile of Prince Theefe, into endlesse Date.
This said; he tooke the Infant in his Armes;
And with him, the remembrance of his harmes;
This Præsage utt'ring; lifting him aloft;
Be euer more, the miserablie-soft
Slaue of the bellie; Pursuiuant of all
And Author, of all mischiefs Capitall.
He scorn'd his Prophesie so; he Nees'd in's face
Most forciblie (which hearing) his embrace
He loth'd; and hurl'd him gainst the ground; yet still
Tooke seate before him; though, (with all the ill
He bore by him) he would haue left full faine
That Hewer of his heart, so into twaine.
Yet salu'd all thus; Come! (you so swadl'd thing;
Issue of Maia, and the Thunders King;
Be confident; I shall hereafter finde
My brode-browd Oxen. My Prophetique minde
So farr from blaimg this thy course; that I,
Foresee thee, (in it,) to Posteritie
The guide of All Men, (All waies,) to their ends.
This spoken; Hermes, from the Earth Ascends;
Starting Aloft; and as in Studie went;
Wrapping himselfe, in his Integument;
And thus askt Phœbus; Whither force you Me
(Farr-shot; and farr most powrefull Deitie.)
(Companion of black Night) and for this Crowne
Of thy young Rapines; beare (from all) the state
And stile of Prince Theefe, into endlesse Date.
This said; he tooke the Infant in his Armes;
And with him, the remembrance of his harmes;
This Præsage utt'ring; lifting him aloft;
Be euer more, the miserablie-soft
Slaue of the bellie; Pursuiuant of all
And Author, of all mischiefs Capitall.
He scorn'd his Prophesie so; he Nees'd in's face
Most forciblie (which hearing) his embrace
He loth'd; and hurl'd him gainst the ground; yet still
Tooke seate before him; though, (with all the ill
He bore by him) he would haue left full faine
That Hewer of his heart, so into twaine.
Yet salu'd all thus; Come! (you so swadl'd thing;
Issue of Maia, and the Thunders King;
Be confident; I shall hereafter finde
My brode-browd Oxen. My Prophetique minde
So farr from blaimg this thy course; that I,
Foresee thee, (in it,) to Posteritie
The guide of All Men, (All waies,) to their ends.
This spoken; Hermes, from the Earth Ascends;
Starting Aloft; and as in Studie went;
Wrapping himselfe, in his Integument;
And thus askt Phœbus; Whither force you Me
(Farr-shot; and farr most powrefull Deitie.)
