On the Portrait of His Imperial Majesty. Ferdinand the Third
When Joachim Sandrart van Stokou, out of Vienna, in Austria, honored me with his Majesty’s portrait, adorned with festoons and other ornaments.
Deus nobis haec otia fecit.
The Sun of Austria uplifts his glorious rays
From shadow-glooms of art to bless each wondering eye.
Behold him on his throne, high towering in the sky!
Nor doth he scorn to beam on all his glance surveys.
Good Ferdinand the Third, born for the sovran crown.
A Father of the Peace, a new Augustus, shows
His Son the heights whereon the heavenly palace glows;
And teaches how with arms of Peace to win renown.
How blest the mighty realm, how blest their destinies,
O’er which his gracious eyes keep sleepless vigils kind.
And where he holds the Scales for holy Justice blind!
An Eagle brought him sword and sceptre from the skies.
A crown adorns the head which empires grand engage:
This Head adorns the Crown, and makes a golden age.