t? For no sooner came our _CHARLES_ on
shore, but every Man was in the Haven where he would be; the storm
Universally ceas'd, and every one ran forth to see our _Palladium, tanquam
coelo delapsum_: Virgins, Children, Women, trembling old Men, venerating
the very ship that wafted our _Jason_ and his _Heroes_, ravish'd with the
sight, yet hardly believing for astonishment; the greatness of the
miracle, oppressing our sences, and endangering our very faith.
_Credetne hoc olim ventura posteritas?_
I would prayse you Great Prince, but having begun; where shall I make an
end? since there remains not a Topic through all that kind, but one might
write Decads of it, without offending the truth, were it as secure of your
modesty; since I am as well to consider what your ears can suffer, as what
is owing to your Virtues: On what heads shall I extend then my discourse?
your Birth, Country, Form, Education, Manners, Studies, Friends, Honours
and Fortune run through all partitions of the Demonstrative: An Orator
could have nothing more to wish for, nor your Majesty to render you more
accomplish'd.
Shall I consider then your Majesty as you were a Son to that glorious
Father before his _Apotheosis_? As you were your self a Confessor after
it; As you are now thus day in your Zenith and exaltation; and as we
Augure you will by Gods blessing prove to your Subjects hereafter: For
even through all these does our prospect lead us; Nor may it be objected
that what shall be spoken of your Majesty, can be applied to any other;
since the Fortune and Events of the rest of Princes, have been so
differing from yours; as seeming to have been conducted by Men alone, and
second Causes; yours only by God, and as it were by Miracle.
I begin then with your early Piety to that Kingly Martyr whose Sacred
dictates did institute your tender years, and whose sufferings were so
much alleviated by your Majesties early proficiency in all that might
presage a hopefull and glorious Successor: For so did you run through all
his Vicissitudes, during that implacable war, which sought nothing more
then to defeat you of all opportunities of a Princely education, as
fearing your future Virtues; because they knew the stock from whence you
sprung, was not to be destroy'd by wounding the body, so long as such a
Branch remained.
_Duris ut ilex tonsa bipennibus
Nigrae feraci frondis in Algido,
Per damna, per caedes, ab ipso
Ducit opes, anim
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