Lawrence Mason, 



in such a Caskett : For that Hst 



Chast Turkois, sober Amethist, 



that sacred breast plate still surround, 



Urim, and Thummim be there found, 



which for th}- wearing I designe 



that in thee Kinge and priest may Joyne: 



As 'twas thy Grandsires choice, and mine 



maist thou attaine John the diuine 



chiefe of thy Titles ; though Contempt 



now brand the Clergie; bee exempt 



I euer wish thee, from each v^ice 



that may that Calling scandalize : 



Let not thy tongue with court oyle flo\\ , 



nor supple language lay thee low 



for thy preferment : make Gods cause 



thy pulpits taske, not thine applause ; 



maist thou both preach by line, and life ; 



That thou Hue well and Chaste, a wife 



I wish thee, such as is thy sires, 



a lawfull helpe 'gainst lustful! fires ; 



And though promotions often frowne 



on mareyed browes, yet lye not downe 



in single bawdry ; impure monkes 



that banish wedlock, license punkes ; 



Peace I doe wish thee from those warres 



which Gowne-men talke out at the Barres 



some times a yeare ; I wish thee peace 



of Conscience, Country, and encrease 



in all that best of men commends, 



favour with God, good men thy friends ; 



Last, for a lasting legacy 



I this bequeath, when thou shalt dye 



Heauens monarch blesse mine eyes, to see 



my wishes crowned, in crowning thee.^ 



^ This poem appears (unsigned) on ff. loiv, 102, Harl. MS. 6917 (cf. Biog., 

 245, N. 3). If one of two details be emended, this piece maybe unhesitat- 

 ingly assigned to King: we should read either "Jan. i, 1622 (or 3, or 4)," 

 in the title, or else "such as was thy Sires," at line 41, p. 286. With either 

 of these alterations, the internal evidence would establish King's authorship 

 beyond question. The other alternative is the hypothesis broached in the 

 Biog., pp. 238—239, that this poem is correct and authentic as it stands, and 



