Th e Fo u r Mo n a rch ies. 321
The firft a Lion, fecond was a Bear,
The third a Leopard, which four wings did rear;
The laft more ftrong and dreadful then the reft,
Whofe Iron teeth devoured every Beaft,
And when he had no appetite to eat.
The reiidue he ftamped under feet;*
Yet fhall' this Lion, Bear, this Leopard, Ram,
All trembling ftand before the powerful Lamb.f
With thefe three Monarchyes now have I done.
But how the fourth, their Kingdomes from them won,
And how from fmall beginnings it did grow.
To fill the world with terrour and with woe ;
My tyred brain leavs to fome better pen.
This task befits not women like to men:
For what is paft, I blufli, excufe to make.
But humbly ftand, fome grave reproof to take;
Pardon to crave for errours, is but vain.
The Subje6l was too high, beyond my ftrain.
To frame Apology for fome offence,
Converts our boldnefs into impudence:
This my prefumption fome now to requite,
Ne futor ultra crepidum may write.
The End of the Grecian Monarchy J
��* Dan. vii. 3-7. i But jet. f Dan. vii. 12-14.
j This is not in the first edition.
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