48
A HYMNE TO APOLLO.
Of King Apollo; Since you haue retir'd
(O Soueraigne) our sad liues, so farr from friends
And natiue soile; (because so farr extends
Your deare mindes pleasure) tell vs how we shall
Liue in your seruice. To which quesiton call
Our prouident mindes; because we see not croun'd
This soile, with store of vines; nor doth abound
In welthie meddows; on which, we may liue,
As well as on men, our attendance giue.
He smil'd, and said; O men, that nothing knew
And so are follow'd, with a world of woe;
That needs will succour care, and curious mone
And poure out sighs, without cessation;
Were all the riches of the earth your owne.
Without much busines; I will render knowne;
To your simplicities, an easie way,
To wealth enough; Let euery man puruaie
A skeane, (or slaught'ring steele) and his right hand
(Brauely bestowing) euermore see mann'd
With killing sheepe, that to my Phane will flowe,
From all farr Nations. On all which bestowe
Good obseruation; and all else they giue
To me; make you your owne All; and so liue.
For all which, watch before my Temple well;
And all my counsailes, aboue all, conceale.
If any giue vaine language; or to deeds;
Yea, or as farr as iniurie proceedes;
Know that, (at losers hands) for those that gaine;
(O Soueraigne) our sad liues, so farr from friends
And natiue soile; (because so farr extends
Your deare mindes pleasure) tell vs how we shall
Liue in your seruice. To which quesiton call
Our prouident mindes; because we see not croun'd
This soile, with store of vines; nor doth abound
In welthie meddows; on which, we may liue,
As well as on men, our attendance giue.
He smil'd, and said; O men, that nothing knew
And so are follow'd, with a world of woe;
That needs will succour care, and curious mone
And poure out sighs, without cessation;
Were all the riches of the earth your owne.
Without much busines; I will render knowne;
To your simplicities, an easie way,
To wealth enough; Let euery man puruaie
A skeane, (or slaught'ring steele) and his right hand
(Brauely bestowing) euermore see mann'd
With killing sheepe, that to my Phane will flowe,
From all farr Nations. On all which bestowe
Good obseruation; and all else they giue
To me; make you your owne All; and so liue.
For all which, watch before my Temple well;
And all my counsailes, aboue all, conceale.
If any giue vaine language; or to deeds;
Yea, or as farr as iniurie proceedes;
Know that, (at losers hands) for those that gaine;
