Heaven's monarch bless mine eyes, to see My wishes crowned, in crowning thee. [_Wishes to my Son, John._] This poem is preserved anonymously in Harleian MS. 6917, foll. 101 verso-102, and Mr. Mason assigns it to Henry King. Lines 28-9 strongly support this attribution, but the date at the head of the poem is a serious difficulty, which can only be met by supposing the lines to have been addressed in 1630 to the son of a second marriage: l. 40 refers to a living wife, who could not be the lady of _The Exequy_. King's authorship must therefore be regarded as doubtful.] _A Contemplation upon Flowers._ Brave flowers, that I could gallant it like you And be as little vain! You come abroad and make a harmless show, And to your beds of earth again; You are not proud, you know your birth, For your embroidered garments are from earth. You do obey your months and times, but I Would have it ever spring; My fate would know no winter, never die, Nor think of such a thing. 10 Oh that I could my bed of earth but view, And smile, and look as cheerfully as you! Oh teach me to see death and not to fear, But rather to take truce; How often have I seen you at a bier, And there look fresh and spruce. You fragrant flowers then teach me that my breath Like yours may sweeten and perfume my death. [_A Contemplation upon Flowers._] Another very doubtful poem from Harleian MS. 6917, fol. 105 verso, where it is attributed to 'H. Kinge'. Mr. Mason points out in support of the attribution that this MS. contains other poems of King and documents relating to his family; but the poem can hardly be regarded as authenticated. It has, however, been quoted as King's in more than one anthology; and it would probably be missed if omitted from an edition of King's poems.] * * * * * * * * POEMS AND SONGS, BY _THOMAS FLATMAN._ The Fourth Edition, With many Additions and Amendments. _------Me quoque vatem_ _Dicunt Pastores, sed non Ego credulus illis._ Virgil. _LONDON_, Printed for _Benjamin Tooke_, at the Ship in St. _Paul_'s Church-Yard. 1686. INTRODUCTION TO THOMAS FLATMAN.