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56
The fifth muse
The Charterhouse like a Citadale did hold[1]
Some two dayes more, untill these newes were told
We should be raz'd and sackt, and brought to ground,
Not so much as a footstep should be found
Where was such citie; neither sexe, nor age
Should saved be, untill the cruell rage
Of fire and sword should satiat that moud,
Quenching the fire with Citizens owne bloud
And with destructions besome sweep from station,
And saw with sault; perpetuall desolation
To signifie: These newes made great commotion,
The fearfull people ran to their devotion:
Doctrine and prayers done, chief men advise,
To take in hand first what great enterprise.
Said one, This place hard by our town doth stand
A mightie strength, which easely may command,
And wrake our citie, therefore let us go
In time, and to the ground it overthrow,
For sure our Enemies will possesse the same,
And us from thence destroy with sword and flame,
Even at their pleasure. Then they all conclude
In armes to rise; and rushing as a floud
VVhich overflowes the banks, and headlongs hurles
The strongest bulwarks with devouring whirles,
Swallowing the mightie ships them overwhelme,
Nothing availes his skill that guides the helme;
Even so the multitude in armes arise
VVith noise confusde of mirth and mourning cryes
For that fair Palace, then sexscore nine yeeres
VVWich had continued; turning of the spheres
Some two dayes more, untill these newes were told
We should be raz'd and sackt, and brought to ground,
Not so much as a footstep should be found
Where was such citie; neither sexe, nor age
Should saved be, untill the cruell rage
Of fire and sword should satiat that moud,
Quenching the fire with Citizens owne bloud
And with destructions besome sweep from station,
And saw with sault; perpetuall desolation
To signifie: These newes made great commotion,
The fearfull people ran to their devotion:
Doctrine and prayers done, chief men advise,
To take in hand first what great enterprise.
Said one, This place hard by our town doth stand
A mightie strength, which easely may command,
And wrake our citie, therefore let us go
In time, and to the ground it overthrow,
For sure our Enemies will possesse the same,
And us from thence destroy with sword and flame,
Even at their pleasure. Then they all conclude
In armes to rise; and rushing as a floud
VVhich overflowes the banks, and headlongs hurles
The strongest bulwarks with devouring whirles,
Swallowing the mightie ships them overwhelme,
Nothing availes his skill that guides the helme;
Even so the multitude in armes arise
VVith noise confusde of mirth and mourning cryes
For that fair Palace, then sexscore nine yeeres
VVWich had continued; turning of the spheres
The
- ↑ The charterhouse thrown down.