A Short Hymn upon the Birth of Prince Charles

By Henry Wotton (1568–1639)

Charles II. of England born on May 29, 1630.

YOU that on stars do look,

Arrest not there your sight,

Though Nature’s fairest book,

And signed with propitious light;

Our blessing now is more divine

Than planets that at noon did shine.

To Thee alone be praise,

From whom our joy descends,

Thou cheerer of our days,

Of causes first, and last of ends:

To Thee this May we sing, by whom

Our roses from the lilies bloom.

Upon this royal flower,

Sprung from the chastest bed,

Thy glorious sweetness shower;

And first let myrtles crown his head,

Then palms and laurels wreathed between:

But let the cypress late be seen.

And so succeeding men,

When they the fulness see

Of this our joy, shall then

In consort join, as well as we,

To celebrate His praise above

That spreads our land with fruits of love.