Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A CHAINE OF PEARLE: THE FIRST PEARLE. RELIGION, by DIANA PRIMROSE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A CHAINE OF PEARLE: THE FIRST PEARLE. RELIGION, by                    
First Line: The goodliest pearl in fair eliza's chain
Last Line: And against england never could prevaile.
Subject(s): Elizabeth I, Queen Of England (1533-1603; Nations; Pearls; Popes; Religion; Papacy; Theology


The goodliest Pearle in faire Eliza's Chaine;
In true Religion, which did chiefly gaine
A Royall Lustre to the rest, and ti'de
The Hearts of All to her when Mary di'de.
And though Shee found the Realme infected much
With Superstition, and Abuses, such
As (in all humane Judgement) could not be
Reform'd without domesticke Mutiny,
And great Hostility from Spaine and France;
Yet Shee undaunted, bravely did advance
Christs Glorious Ensigne, maugre all the Feares
Or Dangers which appear'd: and for ten yeares
Shee swaid the Scepter with a Ladies hand,
Not urging any Romist in the Land,
By sharpe Edicts the Temple to frequent,
Or to partake the holy Sacrament.
But factious Romanists not thus content,
Their Agents to their holy Father sent,
Desiring him. by sollemne Bull, proclaime
Elizabeth an Heretike, and name
Some other Soveraigne, which might erect
Their masking Masse, and hence forthwith eject
The Evangelicall Profession,
Which flourisht under her Protection.
The Pope to this petition condescends,
And soone his Leaden Bull to England sends,
By which one Felton, on the Bishops Gate
Of London was affixed; But the State
For that high Treason punisht him with death,
That would dethrone his Queene, Elizabeth.
Yet was this Ball of Wild-fire working still,
In many Romanists which had a will,
The present State and Governement to change;
That they in all Idolatrie might range.
And hence it came that Great Northumberland,
Associate with Earle of Westmerland,
And many moe, their Banners did display
In open Field; hoping to win the Day.
Against these Rebells, Noble Sussex went;
And soone their bloudy Purpose did prevent.
Westmerland fled, Northumberland did die,
For that foule Crime, and deepe disloyalty;
Having engaged Thousands in that Cause.
After which time, the Queene made stricter Lawes.
Against Recusants; and with Lyons heart,
Shee bang'd the Pope, and tooke the Gospells part.
The Pope perceiving that his Bull was baited
In such rude sort, and all his hopes defeated:
Cries out to Spaine for helpe; who takes occasion
Thereby t'attempt the Conquest of this Nation.
But such Sage Counsellers Eliza had;
As, though both Spaine and Rome were almost mad
For griefe and anger, yet they still did faile,
And against England never could prevaile.





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