TO THE NEW-BORNE PRINCE, AFTERWARDS CHARLES II.

Was heav’ne afray’d to be out-done on earth When thou wert borne, great prince, that it brought forth Another light to helpe the aged sunn, Lest by thy luster he might be out-shone? Or were th’ obsequious starres so joy’d to view Thee, that they thought their countlesse eyes too few For such an object; and would needes create A better influence to attend thy state? Or would the Fates thereby shew to the earth A Cæsars birth, as once a Cæsars death? And was ’t that newes that made pale Cynthia run In so great hast to intercept the sunn; And, enviously, so shee might gaine thy sight, Would darken him from whome shee had her light? Mysterious prodigies yet sure they bee, Prognosticks of a rare prosperity: For, can thy life promise lesse good to men, Whose birth was th’ envy, and the care of heav’ne?