Among the virtues intellectual, The van is led by that we Science call; A pearl more precious than the Egyptian queen Quaff'd off to Antony: of more esteem Than Indian gold, or most resplendent gems, Which ravish us with their translucent beams. How many arts and sciences did deck This Heroina! who still had at beck The Muses and the Graces, when that she Gave audience in state and majesty: Then did the goddess Eloquence inspire Her royal breast: Apollo with his lyre Ne'er made such music; on her sacred lips Angels enthroned, most heavenly manna sips. Then might you see her nectar-flowing vein Surround the hearers; in which sugar'd stream She able was to drown a world of men, And drown'd with sweetness to revive again. Alasco, the ambassador Polonian, Who perorated like a mere Slavonian, And in rude rambling Rhetoric did roll, She did with Attic eloquence control. Her speeches to our Academians, Well shew'd she knew among Athenians How to deliver such well-tuned words As with such places punctually accords. But with what Oratory-ravishments Did she imparadise her Parliaments! Her last most princely speech doth verify, How highly she did England dignify. Her loyal Commons how did she embrace, And entertain with a most royal grace! |