Book II, 33: On Solomon and the Queene of Sheba

It spreds: The sweet perfume of Salomons Fame
Affects the Coasts; And his illustrious name
Cannot be hid: The unbeliev'd report
Must flye with Eagles wings to th'honourd Court
Of princely Sheba: Sheba must not rest,
Vntill her eye become th'invited Guest
Of Fames loud Trumpet; her impatience strives
With light-foot Time, while her Ambition drives
Her Chariot wheeles, and gives an ayry passage
To'th'quick deliv'ry of her hearts Embassage:
True wisdome planted in the hearts of Kings,
Needs no more glory then the glory'it brings;
And, like the Sun, is viewd by her owne light,
B'ing, by her owne reflection, made more bright:
The emulous Queen's arriv'd; Shee's gon toth' Court;
No eye-delighting Masque? no Princely Sport,
To entertaine her? No, her ye, her eare
Is taken up, and scornes to see, to heare
Inferiour things: Sh'allowes her eare, her eye
No lesse then Oracles, and Maiestie:
How, empty pastimes doe resolve and flye
To their true nothing, when true wisdome's by!
Th'arrived Queene has Audience; moves; disputes;
Wise Solomon attends; replyes; confutes;
Sh' objects; he answers; She afresh propounds;
She proves; maintaines it; he decides; confounds:
She smiles; she wonders, being overdaz'd
With his bright beams, stands silent; stands amaz'd:
How Scripture-like Aporypha's appeare
To common Bookes! how poore, when Scripture's neare!
The Queene is pleas'd, who, never yet did know
The blast of Fame, lesse prodigall, then now;
For now, the greatest part of what she knew
By Fame, is found the least of what is true;
We often finde that Fame, in prime of youth,
Does adde to Falshood, and subtract from Truth:
The thankfull Queene do's, with a lib'rall hand,
Present him with the Riches of her Land:
Where Wisdome goes before we often finde
That temp'rall Blessings seldome stay behinde:
Lord, grant me wisdome; and I shall possesse
Enough; have more, or have content with lesse.