Fames Genius
OR, A
PANEGYRICK
Upon His Excellency the
Lord General MONCK.
At VINTNERS-HALL Thursday the 12th of April 1660.
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AMongst the rest, the Muses gave Consent
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That I, this worthlesse form might now present
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To the Worlds view: The Subject seems too high,
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To be compriz'd in an Epitomy,
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Confest indeed: but I have strein'd my Quill,
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Dy'd in the Sable wave to 'ts utmost skill;
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And in Enchiridion, spread his Fame,
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Whose Merits floats, whilst others sink with shame:
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Not to unmantle Self-end subtilty?
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But the true Portraicture of honesty
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(MONCK 'tis I mean) at a far easier Rate,
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Then Blood-shed: purchas'd freedom in our State,
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When as the Nation groan'd, tortur'd with pain
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Of a Confusion, steept within her Brain.
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What sad Distempers did she undergo?
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Lull'd up, and down, by Heresy, tost to and fro,
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By Frantick Policy, Self-interest, and what Art
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Not to abate, but to augment her smart.
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Some Empericks did pretend to give her ease,
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In this her giddy, languishing Disease:
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But through mistaken apprehension us'd
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Applyed wrong Remedies, and were confus'd.
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Then others thought, to take the State in hand.
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Finding their purpose fair were at a stand.
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The rest of this wise Consultation
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Concluded ruine, for an application;
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Thus thrown from hand to hand, her Lethargy
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Was almost grown, to a disparity.
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A Lethargy indeed, Censur'd to be
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By so long sleeping, in her misery:
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At last awak'd, and when awak'd she Cry'd
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Liberty, smother'd for want of Liberty but deny'd
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Deem'd as an unfit Salve, yet in fine prov'd
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To be the self same thing as it behov'd.
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Then from the North That grand Adjutator came,
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Whose approbation gave him the best name:
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Within whose Breast contracted seem to be
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Valour with Wisdom, and honest Policy;
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These three united were the means, that wrought
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Our Nations Cure, which so long we sought.
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*Mars himself yielded, and not usually
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Restrein'd his Arms from wonted Cruelty,
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His angry Brow seem'd vayld with Modesty
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When thus perceiving (MONCK) his Prudency,
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Now the Scene's altred the Oppressor's gone,
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Each Actor strives to quit his action;
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Twas but a Dream, when they playd, aym at all,
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To sore too high, is but to have a fall,
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To themselves Sophisters, our discontent
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Recoyls again: Heaven relief hath sent,
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Now the Black Cloud's withdrawn the bloody Vaile
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Is rent in sunder, by a Northern Gale:
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The Gloomy night is past, Awake, behold
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Aurora dos her Majesty unfold.
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The rav'nous Lyon dreading the sight of fire
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Couches: or usual dos to his Den retire:
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So, when this Blazing Comet did appear,
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Our Prey-seekers, were possest with fear,
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Affrighted with their own Conscience terrified
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With Its black dismal Aspect, slunke aside,
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Why may not Exild Justice transport make
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Now to Its Mantion, and possession take
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Rise from Dispair, here is our hope arriv'd,
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Brave George's at hand, and bids us be reviv'd.
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ENGLAND'S content, persist, thy work begun
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Gives more, then much ease, to the Nation,
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Proceed Great General, Honour is thine own,
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In doing what thou hast already done:
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But if thy Inclination points to more,
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As seldom Heroes rest, on such a score
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Twere not amiss, but meet to contrive
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Thy fainting Patient, a Restorative
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To what affection Bends, as commonly
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We find most Sovereign is sympathy,
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And as experience approves, the best thing
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Does best agree, call'd by the name of KING,
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Carmina quam scribunt fama perenniteat.
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