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diff --git a/44978-0.txt b/44978-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..01c1398 --- /dev/null +++ b/44978-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6881 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44978 *** + + Early English Poets. + + SIR JOHN DAVIES. + + + PRINTED BY ROBERT ROBERTS, + BOSTON. + + + Early English Poets + + THE + COMPLETE POEMS + OF + SIR JOHN DAVIES. + + EDITED, + WITH + Memorial-Introduction and Notes, + + BY THE + REV. ALEXANDER B. GROSART. + + [Illustration] + + _IN TWO VOLUMES.--VOL. II._ + + London: + CHATTO AND WINDUS, PICCADILLY. + 1876. + + + + +_Contents._ + +Those marked with [*] are either printed for the first time, or for the +first time published among Davies' Poems. + + + EPIGRAMMES: + + NOTE 3 + + Ad Musam 7 + Of a Gull 8 + In Ruffum 10 + In Quintum 10 + In Plurimos 11 + In Titam 12 + In Faustum 12 + In Katum 13 + In Librum 14 + In Medontem 14 + In Gellam 15 + In Quintum 15 + In Severum 15 + In Leucam 16 + In Macrum 17 + In Fastum 17 + In Cosmum 18 + In Flaccum 18 + In Cineam 19 + In Gerontem 20 + In Marcum 21 + In Ciprum 21 + In Cineam 22 + In Gallum 23 + In Decium 24 + In Gellam 26 + In Syllam 27 + In Sillam 27 + In Haywodum 29 + In Dacum 30 + In Priscum 31 + In Brunum 31 + In Francum 31 + In Castorem 32 + In Septimium 32 + Of Tobacco 32 + In Crassum 35 + In Philonem 36 + In Fuscum 37 + In Afram 38 + In Paulum 39 + In Licum 40 + In Publium 40 + In Sillam 41 + In Dacum 42 + In Marcum 43 + Meditations of a Gull 43 + Ad Musam 44 + + *APPENDIX TO EPIGRAMS 47 + + *In Superbiam 47 + *Epi. 5 48 + *Epi. 6 48 + *In Amorosum 48 + *Epi. 9 49 + *Epi. 10 49 + + *EPITAPH AND EPIGRAM 50 + + *GULLINGE SONNETS + + NOTE 53 + + *DEDICATORY SONNET--TO HIS GOOD FREINDE SR ANTH. COOKE 55 + + *GULLINGE SONNETS 57 + + MINOR POEMS: + + *I. YET OTHER TWELVE WONDERS OF THE WORLD-- + + *The Courtier 65 + *The Divine 66 + *The Souldier 67 + *The Lawyer 67 + *The Physitian 68 + *The Merchant 68 + *The Country Gentleman 69 + *The Bacheler 69 + *The Married Man 69 + *The Wife 70 + *The Widdow 70 + *The Maid 71 + + *II. A CONTENTION BETWIXT A WIFE, A WIDDOW, AND A MAIDE 72 + + *III. A LOTTERY. PRESENTED BEFORE THE LATE QUEENES MAIESTY + AT THE LORD CHANCELORS HOUSE, 1601 87 + + *THE LOTS 89 + + *IV. CANZONET. A HYMNE IN PRAISE OF MUSICKE 96 + + *V. TEN SONETS TO PHILOMEL: + + *Vpon Loues entring by the Ears 99 + *Of his owne, and his Mistresse sicknesse at one time 100 + *Another of her sicknesse and recovery 101 + *Allusion to Theseus voyage to Crete, against the Minotaure 102 + *Vpon her looking secretly out at a window as he passed by 102 + *To the Sunne of his Mistresse beauty eclipsed with frownes 104 + *Vpon sending her a gold ring with this Posie 104 + *The hearts captivitie 105 + + *VI. TO GEORGE CHAPMAN ON HIS OVID 107 + + *VII. REASON'S MOANE 108 + + *VIII. ON THE DEATH OF LORD CHANCELLOR ELLESMERE'S + SECOND WIFE IN 1599 112 + + *IX. TITYRUS TO HIS FAIRE PHILLIS 114 + + *UPON A COFFIN BY S. J. D. 115 + + *X. EPITAPH AND EPIGRAM 116 + + *HITHERTO UNPUBLISHED POEMS: + + NOTE 119 + + *METAPHRASE OF SOME OF THE PSALMS 127 + + MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. HITHERTO UNPUBLISHED. + + *Of Faith the first Theologicall Vertue 211 + + *A Songe of Contention betweene Fowre Maids + concerninge that which addeth most perfection + to that sexe 212 + + *A Maid's Hymne in Praise of Virginity 213 + + *Part of an Elegie in Praise of Marriage 215 + + *A Fragment of a Love Elegie 217 + + *To the Q:[Queene] 222 + + *To Faire Ladyes 223 + + *Upon a Paire of Garters 224 + + *To his Lady-love 225 + + *Tobacco 226 + + *Elegies of Loue 227 + + *The Kinges Welcome 229 + + *To the Kinge upon his Ma'ties first comming into England 233 + + *To the Queene at the same time 236 + + *Mira loquor sol occubuit nox nulla secuta est 237 + + *Charles his Waine 237 + + *Of the name of Charolus, being the diminutive of Charus 238 + + *Verses sent to the Kinge with Figges: by Sr John Davis 234 + + *Love Lines 239 + + *Love Flight 240 + + *An Elegiecall Epistle on Sir John Davis death 241 + + *ENTERTAINMENT OF QUEEN ELIZABETH AT HAREFIELD BY THE COUNTESSE + OF DERBY 243 + + NOTE 244 + + *THE COMPLAINT OF THE V SATYRES AGAINST THE NYMPHS 256 + + ERRATA 259 + + + + +ERRATA. + + +A very few 'slips' have met my eyes on a final reading. They are--as +says an ancient Divine--"as easily corrected as espied." Nevertheless +they are here recorded that the Reader of his charity may put them +right, and any others that may have escaped Editor and Printer. In +_Nosce Teipsum_, the heading and head-line (Vol. I., pp. 25, 26 onward) +has 'Immortalitie' misprinted 'Immortalite'--a common contemporary +spelling--but it is 'tie' in the title-page (p. 5): _ib._ p. 80, l. +15, read 'be best.' In _Hymnes to Astræa_, _ib._ p. 147, l. 3, remove +period (.) after 'rayes.' In _Orchestra_, _ib._ p. 181, st. 53, l. 7, +read 'perfect-cunning': p. 185, foot-note 7, put G. at end: p. 192, st. +81, l. 7, 'Ply' = entwine (omitted): p. 194, foot-note 7, is 'coach,' +not 'couch': p. 202, l. 10, 'shoe' was the contemporary spelling: p. +204, st. 113, l. 6, insert 'it' before 'shine.'--G. + + + + +IV. EPIGRAMS, WITH ADDITIONS. + + + + +NOTE. + + +I am indebted to the Bodleian copy--among Malone's books--for my text +of these 'Epigrams.' I have preferred this edition to the two others +that preceded, inasmuch as, while it, like them, bears the imprint of +'Middlebourgh,' there seems no reason to doubt that it was printed in +London: therefore most probably under the author's eye. The volume is a +small 12mo. and the following is the title-page:-- + + All + OVIDS ELEGIES + 3 Bookes + By C. M. + EPIGRAMS BY J. D. + At Middlebourgh. + +Malone has filled in in MS. 'Christopher Marlowe and John Davis.' Cf. +Collier's Bibliographical Account of Early English Literature: Vol I. +_s.n._ + +The Rev. Alexander Dyce in his collective edition of the Works of +Marlowe, has given Davies' "Epigrams" _in extenso_, with a painstaking +collation of the various readings from the other two editions (both +undated) together with similar various readings from a Manuscript +discovered by him in the Harleian Collection (1836.) Mr. Dyce with +reference to his reprint of the 'Epigrams,' and the foregoing MS. says, +"I have given them with the text considerably improved by means of one +of the Harleian MSS." ('Some Account of Marlowe and his Writings: p. +xl: edition 1862.) I must demur to this alleged 'improvement.' The MS. +has no authority whatever, the Scribe being an extremely ignorant and +blundering one. These nine examples out of many, taken at random, will +suffice to prove this: + + [1] Epigram 1, line first. + + 'Fly, merry Muse unto that merry towne &c. + + he actually reads, spite of its heading 'Ad Musam' + + 'Fly, merry Newes.... + + [2] Epigram 2, line 14 + + 'And stands, in Presence, stroaking up his haire' + + he gives, to neglect of the rhyme with 'yeare' + + '...... stroaking up his heade' + + [3] Epigram 3, line 5, for 'fry' he stupidly reads 'cry.' + + [4] Epigram 13, line 9, for 'sectaries' he gives nonsensically + 'scituaries.' + + [5] Epigram 15, line 3. + + 'Thou with harsh noise the ayre doth rudely breake,' + + he transmogrifies into + + '...... horse nor sea the ayre doth.' + + [6] Epigram 26, line 11, he substitutes 'sweete' for 'hot' oblivious + of the rhyme with 'petticoat.' + + [7] Epigram 36, line 19, for 'rarifie' he reads 'ratiffie'[!] + + [8] Epigram 41, line 2, + + 'Paulus, in spite of enuy, fortunate' + + he gives thus + + Paulus, in fight of envy'...... + + [9] Epigram 43, line 3, for 'Paris-garden' he has 'Parish-garden;' and + so on ludicrously, with numerous proper names. + +Any one capable of perpetrating such stupidities as these, ought not in +my opinion, to be allowed to displace a text printed for the Author, +more especially his cannot for a moment be allowed to over-bear the +third edition, our text. + +From a confused inscription on the first page of the MS. its probable +writer is ascertained. It is as follows "Ex spoliis Richardi Wharfe, +ex...... It is much trouble and much.... Ex spoliis R. W." Underneath +is the book-plate of John, Duke of Newcastle. The general title +runs "Epigramma in Musam, like Buckminster's Allmanacks servinge +generallie for all England: but especiallie for the meridian of this +famous Cittie of London." I regret that besides these (mis-called) +'improvements,' so admirable an Editor should have _modernized_ +throughout, the ORTHOGRAPHY equally of MARLOWE and +of DAVIES: and all the more, that in his 'Notes' he adheres +to the original orthography whenever he quotes from his wealth of +illustrative extracts. The annotation condemns the text. Without +any hesitation therefore, I have set aside Mr. Dyce's reprints, and +returned (as _supra_) to Davies' own text and orthography, saving a +slight reduction of capitals and italics. None the less do I owe thanks +to Mr. Dyce for his kind permission kindly given, to use any 'Notes' +that might be deemed interesting. Those that I have taken are marked +with his initial, D. I have to add another important correction of Mr. +Dyce. After describing the HARLEIAN MS. he observes "Though it +is of a date considerably posterior to the first appearance in print +of _Epigrams by I. D._, perhaps ALL THE PIECES WHICH IT EXHIBITS +ARE FROM THE PEN OF DAVIES. (page 353.) HOMER nods here: +for on reading these additional 'Epigrams' thus assigned to Davies, +I at once discovered that they consisted merely of a like blundering +transcript of the "Satyricall Epigrams" of HENRY HUTTON, +Dunelmensis, that were appended to his "Follie's Anatomie or Satyres" +(1619.) The oversight is the more noticeable in that all these were +reprinted in 1842, (edited by Rimbault), for the Percy Society, whereof +Mr. Dyce was one of the most effective members of Council. + +I confess that it was far from a disappointment to find that the +'Epigrams' of Davies were not to be increased to the extent they would +have been had I accepted Mr. Dyce's opinion, and failed to discover the +Hutton-authorship of nearly all those in the Manuscript, additional to +his acknowledged ones. Nevertheless in the Appendix to our reprint of +the 'Epigrams' I give certain additions from this Manuscript, that are +found neither in Davies's nor Hutton's publications, but which seem to +me to have the _ring_ of Davies in them. The remainder--prefixed and +affixed--may well be left in Manuscript. See the Memorial-Introduction +for more on these Epigrams. G. + + + + +_Epigrammes._ + + +AD MUSAM. 1. + + Fly, merry Muse unto that merry towne, + Where thou maist playes, revels, and triumphs see; + The house of Fame, and theater of renowne, + Where all good wits and spirits loue to be. + Fall in betweene their hands that loue and praise thee,[1] + And be to them a laughter and a jest: + But as for them which scorning shall reproue thee, + Disdaine their wits, and thinke thine one[2] the best: + But if thou finde any so grose[3] and dull, + That thinke I do to priuate taxing[4] leane, + Bid him go hang, for he is but a gull, + And knows not what an Epigramme does meane; + Which taxeth,[5] under a peculiar name,[6] + A generall vice, which merits publick blame. + +[Footnote 1: MS. "seeme to loue thee." D.] + +[Footnote 2: Own. G.] + +[Footnote 3: Gross. G.] + +[Footnote 4: Blaming, censure. G. [i.e. censuring of individuals. MS. +"priuate talkinge." Compare the Induction to The Knight of the Burning +Pestle: + + "Fly from hence + All private taxes!" &c. + +Beaumont and Fletcher's WORKS, ii., 136, ed. Dyce. D.]] + +[Footnote 5: MS. "carrieth." G.] + +[Footnote 6: Other editions "particular": and so MS. G.] + + +OF A GULL. 2. + + Oft in my laughing rimes, I name a Gull: + But this new terme will many questions breed; + Therefore at first I will expresse[7] at full, + Who is a true and perfect Gull indeed: + A Gull is he who feares a veluet gowne, + And, when a wench is braue,[8] dares not speak to her; + A Gull is he which trauerseth the towne, + And is for marriage known a common woer; + A Gull is he which while he proudly weares, + A siluer-hilted rapier by his side; + Indures the lyes and knocks about the eares, + Whilst in his sheath his sleeping sword doth bide: + A Gull is he which weares good handsome cloaths, + And stands, in Presence, stroaking up his haire, + And fills up his unperfect speech with oaths, + But speaks not one wise word throughout the yeare: + But to define a Gull in termes precise,-- + Gull is he which seemes, and is not wise.[9] + +[Footnote 7: MS. "Wherefore ... disclose." D.] + +[Footnote 8: 'Fine, richly dressed.' D.] + +[Footnote 9: In our Introductory-Note it is stated that the original +edition of the 'Epigrams' is undated. From contemporary allusions the +date is determined to have been prior to 1598. Among these allusions +is an 'Epigram' by E. Guilpin in his 'Skialetheia' [1598] on the same +subject with this by Davies. It follows here: + + + TO CANDIDUS [EPIGRAM.] 20. + + "Friend Candidus, thou often doost demaund + What humours men by gulling understand: + Our English Martiall hath full pleasantly, + In his close nips describde a gull to thee: + I'le follow him, and set downe my conceit + What a gull is: oh word of much receit! + He is a gull, whose indiscretion + Cracks his purse strings to be in fashion; + He is a gull, who is long in taking roote + In baraine soyle, where can be but small fruite: + He is a gull, who runnes himselfe in debt, + For twelue dayes wonder, hoping so to get; + He is a gull, whose conscience is a block, + Not to take interest, but wastes his stock: + He is a gull, who cannot haue a whore, + But brags how much he spends upon her score: + He is a gull, that for commoditie + Payes tenne times ten, and sells the same for three: + He is a gull, who passing finicall, + Peiseth each word to be rhetoricall: + And to conclude, who selfe conceitedly, + Thinkes al men guls: ther's none more gull then he." G.] + + +IN RUFFUM. 3. + + Rufus the Courtier at the theater, + Leaving the best and most conspicuous place, + Doth either to the stage[10] himselfe transferre, + Or through a grate[11] doth shew his double[12] face: + For that the clamorous fry of Innes of Court, + Fills up the priuate roomes of greater price: + And such a place where all may haue resort, + He in his singularity doth dispise. + Yet doth not his particular humour shun + The common stews and brothells of the towne, + Though all the world in troops doe hither[13] run, + Cleane and uncleane, the gentle and the clowne: + Then why should Rufus in his pride abhorre, + A common seate, that loues a common whore. + +[Footnote 10: See Note on Epigram 28. G.] + +[Footnote 11: Malone has cited this passage (Shakespeare by Boswell +iii. 81) and, if he explains it rightly, the allusion is to one of the +two boxes (sometimes called _private boxes_) which were situated on +each side of the balcony or upper stage. D.] + +[Footnote 12: Other editions (as the Isham) 'doubtfull.' G.] + +[Footnote 13: Other editions (as the Isham) 'thither.' G.] + + +IN QUINTUM. 4. + + Quintus the dancer useth euermore, + His feet in measure and in rule to moue: + Yet on a time he call'd his Mistresse, 'whore' + And thought[14] with that sweet word to win her loue: + Oh had his tongue like to his feet beene taught + It neuer would haue uttered such a thought. + + +IN PLURIMOS.[15] 5. + + Faustinus, Sextus, Cinnæ, Ponticus, + With Gella, Lesbia, Thais, Rhodope, + Rode all to Stanes[16] for no cause serious, + But for their mirth, and for their leachery: + Scarce were they setled in their lodging, when + Wenches with wenches, men with men fell out: + Men with their wenches, wenches with their men; + Which straight dissolues[17] their ill-assembled rout.[18] + But since the Deuill brought them thus together, + To my discovrsing[19] thoughts it is a wonder, + Why presently as soone as they came thither, + The selfe same deuill did them part asunder. + Doubtlesse it seemes it was a foolish deuill, + That thus did[20] part them e're they did some euill. + +[Footnote 14: MS. "Thinkinge." D.] + +[Footnote 15: MS. "In meritriculas [_sic_] Londinensis." D.] + +[Footnote 16: MS. "Ware." D.] + +[Footnote 17: MS. "dissolv'd." D.] + +[Footnote 18: "Rabble, set." D.] + +[Footnote 19: MS. "discerninge." D.] + +[Footnote 20: MS. "straight would." D. Isham 'thus would.' G.] + + +IN TITAM.[21] 6. + + Titas, the braue and valorous[22] young gallant, + Three yeares together in this towne hath beene; + Yet my Lord Chancellor's tombe[23] he hath not seene + Nor the new water-worke,[24] nor the Elephant.[25] + I cannot tell the cause without a smile,-- + He hath beene in the Counter[26] all this while. + +[Footnote 21: Mr. Dyce corrects (as Isham) to 'Titum' and line 1st +'Titus.' G.] + +[Footnote 22: MS. "Valient." G.] + +[Footnote 23: Viz., of Sir Christopher Hatton, whose huge and splendid +monumental-tomb was long one of the London sights for country cousins. +Col. Cunningham (_in loco_) adds "It was erected in St. Paul's +Cathedral, and Bishop Corbet says was "higher than the host and altar." +G.] + +[Footnote 24: Recently described by SMILES in his Lives of the +Engineers. _s. v._ G.] + +[Footnote 25: It is curious to find the article '_the_' Elephant. +Coriat later gave his own portrait showing himself on the back of an +elephant, as a great wonder, in one of his travel title-pages. But +query--Is it the famous inn named by Shakespeare: "I could not find +him at the Elephant" (Twelfth Night, iv. 3)? Col. Cunningham (as +before) assuming it is the animal that is meant, annotates thus: "The +Elephant was an object of great wonder and long remembered. A curious +illustration of this is found in _The Metamorphosis of the Walnut +Tree_, written about 1645, where the poet [William Basse] brings trees +of all descriptions to the funeral, particularly a gigantic oak-- + + The youth of these our tymes that did behold + This motion strange of this unwieldy plant, + Now boldly brag with us that are more old, + That of our age they no advantage want, + Though _in our youth we saw an elephant_. G.] + +[Footnote 26: Debtors' prison. G.] + + +IN FAUSTUM. 7. + + Faustus, nor lord, nor knight, nor wise, nor old, + To euery place about the towne doth ride; + He rides into the fields, Playes to behold, + He rides to take boat at the water side: + He rides to Pauls',[27] he rides to th' Ordinary + He rides unto the house of bawdery too,-- + Thither his horse doth him so often carry, + That shortly he will quite forget to goe. + +[Footnote 27: Other editions "Powles," and Isham 'Poules.' G. MS. +"Powels." D.] + + +IN KATUM.[28] 8. + + Kate being pleas'd wisht that her pleasure could + Indure as long as a buffe-jerkin would: + Content thee, Kate; although thy pleasure wasteth, + Thy pleasure's place like a buffe-jerkin lasteth, + For no buffe-jerkin hath beene oftner worne, + Nor hath more scrapings or more dressings borne. + +[Footnote 28: Mr. Dyce reads 'Katam': being feminine the poet is here +put right. G.] + + +IN LIBRUM. 9. + + Liber doth vaunt how chastly he hath liu'd, + Since he hath bin seuen yeares in towne, and more,[29] + For that he sweares he hath four onely swiude;[30] + A maid, a wife, a widdow, and a whore: + Then, Liber, thou hast swiude all women-kinde, + For a fifth sort, I know thou canst not finde. + +[Footnote 29: MS. "Knowne this towne 7 years." Isham "he hath beene in +towne 7 yeeres." G.] + +[Footnote 30: 'Swiude' from Isham: other editions ----. G.] + + +IN MEDONTEM. 10. + + Great captaine Mædon weares a chaine of gold, + Which at fiue hundred crownes is valuèd; + For that it was his grand sire's chaine of old, + When great King Henry, Bulloigne conquerèd. + And weare it Mædon, for it may ensue, + That thou, by vertue of this[31] massie chaine, + A stronger towne than Bulloigne maist subdue, + If wise men's sawes be not reputed vaine; + For what said Philip king of Macedon? + There is no castle so well fortified, + But if an asse laden with gold comes on, + The guard will stoope, and gates flye open wide. + +[Footnote 31: MS. "wearing of that." D.] + + +IN GELLAM. 11. + + Gella, if thou dost loue thy selfe, take heed, + Lest thou my rimes[32] unto thy louer read; + For straight thou grin'st, and then thy louer seeth + Thy canker-eaten gums and rotten teeth. + + +IN QUINTUM. 12. + + Quintus his wit[33] infused into his braine, + Mislikes[34] the place, and fled into his feet; + And there it wandered[35] up and downe the street, + Dabled in the dirt, and soakèd in the raine: + Doubtlesse his wit intends not to aspire, + Which leaues his head, to travell in the mire. + +[Footnote 32: MS. "lynes." D.] + +[Footnote 33: = Quintus's wit. G.] + +[Footnote 34: Mislikt? G.] + +[Footnote 35: Isham 'wanders.' G.] + + +IN SEVERUM. 13. + + The Puritan Severus oft doth read + This text, that doth pronounce vain speech a sin,-- + "That thing defiles a man, that doth proceed, + From out the mouth, not that which enters in." + Hence it is,[36] that we seldome heare him sweare: + And thereof as a Pharisie he vaunts; + But he devours more capons in one[37] yeare, + Then would suffice an hundred[38] Protestants. + And sooth, those sectaries are gluttons all, + As well the thred-bare cobler, as the knight; + For those poore slaues which haue not wherewithall, + Feed on the rich, till they devour them quite; + And so, as[39] Pharoe's kine, they eate up clean, + Those that be fat, yet still themselues be lean. + +[Footnote 36: Isham 'Hence is it.' G.] + +[Footnote 37: Isham 'a.' G.] + +[Footnote 38: Isham 'a hundreth.' G.] + +[Footnote 39: Isham 'like.' G.] + + +IN LEUCAM. 14. + + Leuca, in Presence once, a fart did let; + Some laught a little; she refus'd[40] the place; + And mad with shame, did then[41] her gloue forget, + Which she return'd to fetch with bashfull grace; + And when she would haue said, "I've lost my gloue,"[42] + My fart (qd. she:) which did more laughter moue. + +[Footnote 40: Isham 'forsook.' G.] + +[Footnote 41: Isham 'eke.' G.] + +[Footnote 42: Mr. Dyce says here "something has dropt out," the line +being a foot short, I have supplied 'I've lost.' G.] + + +IN MACRUM. 15. + + Thou canst not speake yet, Macer, for to speake, + Is to distinguish sounds significant: + Thou with harsh noise the ayre dost rudely breake; + But what thou utterest common sence doth want,-- + Halfe English words, with fustian termes among + Much like the burthen of a Northerne song. + + +IN FASTUM.[43] 16. + + "That youth," saith Faustus, "hath a lyon seene, + Who from a dicing-house comes money-lesse": + But when he lost his haire, where had he beene? + I doubt me he had seene a Lyonesse? + +[Footnote 43: _Sic_, but should be Faustum (1st line) and is so given +by Mr. Dyce and Isham. G.] + + +IN COSMUM. 17. + + Cosmus hath more discoursing in his head + Then Ioue, when Pallas issued from his braine; + And still he strives to be deliveréd + Of all his thoughts at once, but all in vaine; + For, as we see at all the play-house doores, + When ended is the play, the dance, and song, + A thousand townesmen, gentlemen, and whores, + Porters and serving-men, together throng,-- + So thoughts of drinking, thriuing, wenching, warre, + And borrowing money, raging,[44] in his mind; + To issue all at once so forward are, + As none at all can perfect passage find. + +[Footnote 44: MS. "ranging." G.] + + +IN FLACCUM. 18. + + The false knave Flaccus once a bribe I gaue: + The more foole I to bribe so false a knaue: + But he gaue back my bribe; the more foole he, + That for my folly did not cousen me. + + +IN CINEAM. 19. + + Thou doggèd Cineas, hated like a dogge, + For still thou grumblest like a masty[45] dogge, + Compar'st thyself to nothing but a dogge; + Thou saith[46] thou art as weary as a dogge, + As angry, sicke, and hungry as a dogge, + As dull and melancholly as a dogge, + As lazy, sleepy,[47] idle as a dogge: + But why dost thou compare thee to a dogge + In that, for which all men despise a dogge? + I will compare thee better to a dogge: + Thou art as faire and comely as a dogge, + Thou art as true and honest as a dogge, + Thou art as kind and liberall as a dogge, + Thou art as wise and valiant as a dogge. + But Cineas, I have [often][48] heard thee tell, + Thou art as like thy father as may be; + 'Tis like enough; and faith I like it well; + But I am glad thou art not like to me. + +[Footnote 45: Mastiff. D. [This is an error. A 'mastiff' is not a +grumbling dog, and 'masty' is = fatted, and here answers apparently to +the over-fed vicious pet. See _Maste_, Prompt. Parv. & p. 151 (Way's +ed.)] G.] + +[Footnote 46: Isham 'saist.' G.] + +[Footnote 47: 'And as' not in Isham, and being superfluous left out. G.] + +[Footnote 48: Supplied from MS. by Mr. Dyce. Isham 'oft.' G.] + + +IN GERONTEM. 20. + + Geron's[49] mouldy memory corrects + Old Holinshed, our famous Chronicler, + With morall rules; and policy collects + Out of all actions done these fourscore yeare;[50] + Accounts the times of euery old[51] event, + Not from Christ's birth, nor from the Prince's raigne, + But from some other famous accident, + Which in mens generall notice doth remaine,-- + The siege of Bulloigne and the Plaguy Sweat, + The going to St. Quintin's and New-haven, + The rising in the North, the Frost so great + That cart-wheeles' prints on Thamis face were graven,[52] + The fall of money, and burning of Paul's steeple; + The blazing starre, and Spaniard's ouerthrow: + By these events, notorious to the people, + He measures times, and things forepast doth show: + But most of all, he chiefly reckons by + A priuate chance,--the death of his curst[53] wife; + This is to him the dearest memory, + And the happiest accident of all his life. + +[Footnote 49: MS. 'Geron, his.' D. Isham 'Geron whose.' G.] + +[Footnote 50: Isham corrects the misprint 'yeares,' and of 'time' in +next line. G.] + +[Footnote 51: Isham 'odde.' G.] + +[Footnote 52: The reading in our text, and in all the editions, +including Isham, is 'seene': but above from MS, as rhyming with +Newhaven seems preferable. Newhaven was formerly called Havre de Grace. +All the date-events are commonplaces of History. G.] + +[Footnote 53: Ill-natured. D. [This is a good-natured explanation. I +fear that in this place it means more and worse, though in the Taming +of the Shrew we have Kate the curst, without the slightest imputation +on her moral character, or any allusion to anything but her vixen +temper. G.]] + + +IN MARCUM. 21. + + When Marcus comes from Minnes,[54] hee still doth sweare, + By "come on[55] seauen," that all is lost and gone; + But that's not true; for he hath lost his haire,-- + Onely for that he came too much at one. + +[Footnote 54: MS. "for newes."--The first edition [and Isham] reads +'from Mins': the other two as _above_. Mins' (which perhaps should +be written Min's) is, I presume, the name of some person who kept an +Ordinary where gaming was practised. D.] + +[Footnote 55: Isham 'a.' G.] + + +IN CIPRUM.[56] 22. + + The fine youth Ciprius is more tierse and neate, + Then the new garden of the Old Temple is; + And still the newest fashion he doth get, + And with the time doth change from that to this; + He weares a hat of the flat-crowne block, + The treble ruffes, long cloake, and doublet French; + He takes tobacco, and doth weare a lock, + And wastes more time in dressing then a wench: + Yet this new fangled youth, made for these times, + Doth aboue all praise old George Gascoine's[57] rimes? + +[Footnote 56: _Sic_: but should be, as Isham, Ciprium: Mr. Dyce reads +Cyprium. G.] + +[Footnote 57: Died October 7th, 1577. His Works have been worthily +collected by Mr. W. C. Hazlitt in his Roxburghe Library. G.] + + +IN CINEAM. 23. + + When Cineas comes amongst his friends in morning, + He slyly spies[58] who first his cap doth moue; + Him he salutes, the rest so grimly scorning, + As if for euer they had lost his loue. + I seeing[59] how it doth the humour fit + Of this fond[60] gull to be saluted first, + Catch at my cap, but moue it not a whit: + Which to[61] perceiuing, he seemes for spite to burst: + But Cineas, why expect you more of me, + Then I of you? I am as good a man, + And better too by many a quality, + For vault, and dance, and fence and rime I can: + You keep a whore at your own charge, men tell me, + Indeed friend (Cineas) therein you excell me. + +[Footnote 58: MS. "notes." D. [first edition and Isham "lookes": others +as _above_. G.]] + +[Footnote 59: In first edition and Isham "Knowing" and MS. G.] + +[Footnote 60: Foolish. G.] + +[Footnote 61: Dyce's text is 'he': but 'to' is often in Davies' time +printed for 'too.' Isham 'Which perceiuing.' G.] + + +IN GALLUM. 24. + + Gallas hath beene this Summer-time in Friesland, + And now return'd, he speaks such warlike words, + As, if I could their English understand, + I feare me they would cut my throat like swords: + He talkes of counter-scarfes[62] and casomates, + Of parapets, of curteneys, and palizadoes; + Of flankers, ravelings, gabions he prates, + And of false-brayes,[63] and sallies[64] and scaladoes. + But, to requite such gulling tearmes as these, + With words of my profession I reply; + I tell of fourching,[65] vouchers, and counterpleas, + Of withermans,[66] essoynes, and Champarty. + So, neither of us understanding[67] one another, + We part as wise as when we came together. + +[Footnote 62: Isham 'scarphes.' G.] + +[Footnote 63: Isham 'false brayes.' In this place I have restored the +reading 'false-brayes' of the 1st edition and of the MS, rejecting +'false-baits' of 2nd and 3rd editions. There is no such word in +military engineering or fortification; but there is 'fausse-braye ' or +'false-braye.' There is a not very intelligible description in Bailey's +Dictionary. G.] + +[Footnote 64: With this passage compare the following lines: + + "See Captaine Martio he i' th' 'Renounce me' band, + That in the middle region doth stand + Wo' th' reputation steele! Faith, lets remoue + Into his ranke (of such discourse you loue): + Hee'l tell of basilisks, trenches, retires, + Of pallizadoes, parapets, frontires, + Of caluerins, and baricadoes too. + What to bee harquebazerd, to lie in perdue," &c. + +Fitzgeoffrey's _Notes from Black-Friars'_ Sig. E 7, a portion +of the volume entitled _Certain Elegies_, &c., ed. 1620. See our +Memorial-Introduction for an impudent appropriation of this epigram. G.] + +[Footnote 65: MS. "forginge." D. Isham 'foorching.' G.] + +[Footnote 66: Other editions and MS. "Withernams": Isham 'whither +names.' G.] + +[Footnote 67: Isham 'vnderstanding either.' G.] + + +IN DECIUM. 25. + + Audacious painters have Nine Worthies made; + But poet Decius,[68] more audacious farre, + Making his mistris march with men of warre, + With title of "Tenth Worthy"[69] doth her lade.[70] + Me thinks that gull did use his tearmes as fit, + Which tearm'd his loue "a gyant for her wit." + +[Footnote 68: Drayton is here meant. [Malone's Manuscript-note in +Bodleian copy. G.]] + +[Footnote 69: [Ben] Jonson told Drummond "That S[ir] J[ohn] Davies +played in ane Epigrame on Drayton's, who in a sonnet, concluded his +Mistress might [have] been the Ninth [Tenth] Worthy; and said, he +used a phrase like Dametas in [Sir Philip Sidney's] Arcadia, who +said For wit his Mistresse might be a gyant." 'Notes of Ben Jonson's +conversations with William Drummond, of Hawthornden,' p. 15 (Shakespere +Society). The sonnet by Drayton, which our author here ridicules, is as +follows: + + +"TO THE CELESTIALL NUMBERS. + + "Vnto the World, to Learning, and to Heauen, + Three Nines there are, to euery one a Nine, + One Number of the Earth, the other both Diuine; + One Woman now makes three odde numbers euen: + Nine Orders first of Angels be in Heauen, + Nine Muses doe with Learning still frequent, + These with the Gods are euer Resident; + Nine Worthy Ones vnto the World were giuen: + My Worthy One to these Nine Worthies addeth, + And my faire Muse one Muse vnto the Nine, + And my good Angell (in my soule Diuine) + With one more Order these Nine Orders gladdeth: + My Muse, my Worthy, and my Angell, then, + Makes euery one of these three Nines a Ten."] + +[Footnote 70: Isham reads badly 'woorthly.' 'Laide.' G. _Idea_: Sonnet +18 ed. 8vo. n. d. D.] + + +IN GELLAM. 26. + + If Gella's beauty be examinèd, + She hath a dull, dead eye, a saddle nose, + And[71] ill-shap't face, with morphew ouer-spread, + And rotten teeth, which she in laughing shows; + Briefly, she is the filthiest wench in towne, + Of all that doe the art of whoring use: + But when she hath put on her sattin gowne, + Her cut[72] lawne apron, and her velvet shooes, + Her greene silke stockins and her petticoat + Of taffaty, with golden fringe a-round, + And is withall perfumed with civet hot,[73] + Which doth her valiant stinking breath confound,-- + Yet she with these additions is no more + Than a sweet, filthy, fine, ill-favoured[74] whore. + +[Footnote 71: The other editions, as Isham and MS., 'an.' G.] + +[Footnote 72: MS. 'cut.' D. [This is unquestionably the right word, +not 'out.' Whether 'cut-lawne apron' meant curiously shaped like +"the sleeves curiously cut" of Katharine's dress: or whether it was +cut-wove lawn, lawn embroidered by cutting out holes and sewing them +round, seems uncertain,--probably the latter. G.]] + +[Footnote 73: MS. 'sweete.' D.] + +[Footnote 74: Isham again badly 'ilfauoted.' G.] + + +IN SYLLAM. 27. + + Sylla is often challenged to the field, + To answer as a gentleman, his foes: + But then he doth this[75] answer onely yeeld,-- + That he hath livings and faire lands to lose. + Silla, if none but beggars valiant were, + The King of Spaine would put us all in feare. + +[Footnote 75: In first edition and Isham, "then doth he this." G. [MS. +"he doth all this." D.]] + + +IN SILLAM. 28. + + Who dares affirme that Silla dares not fight? + When I dare sweare he dares adventure more + Than the most braue and all-daring[76] wight,[77] + That euer armes with resolution bore; + He that dares[78] touch the most unwholsome whore + That euer was retir'd into the Spittle[79] + And dares court wenches standing at a doore, + (The portion his wit being passing little); + He that dares give his dearest friends offences, + Which other valiant fooles doe feare to doe: + And when a feaver doth confound his sences, + Dare eate raw beefe, and drink strong wine thereto: + He that dares take tobacco on the stage,[80] + Dares man a whore at noone-day through the street: + Dares dance in Paul's and in this formall age, + Dares say and doe whateuer is unmeet; + Whom feare of shame could neuer yet affright,-- + Who dares affirme that Sylla dares not fight? + +[Footnote 76: MS. "valiant and all-daring." D. [First edition, "braue, +most all daring." G.]] + +[Footnote 77: MS. "Knight." D.] + +[Footnote 78: Isham, 'dare.' G.] + +[Footnote 79: Hospital: or query prison? So late as Thomson's "Castle +of Indolence" (c I. 77) we have the word: "all the diseases which the +_spittles_ know." G.] + +[Footnote 80: Probably most readers are aware that it was formerly +the custom of gallants to smoke tobacco on the stage, during the +performance, either lying on the rushes or sitting upon hired stools. +D. [In Hutton's 'Satyres' and 'Epigrams' (1619) well edited by +RIMBAULT for the Percy Society, there are various passages +illustrative of above, _e.g._ + + "Dine with Duke Humfrey in decayed Paules" + Confound the streetes with chaos of old braules, + Dancing attendance on the Black-friers stage + Call for a stoole with a commanding rage, &c. [pp. 68, 69.] Cf. + +Also Ben Jonson's _Devil is an Ass_ (1616) who censures the conduct of +the gallants allowed seats on the stage. G.]] + + +IN HAYWODUM.[81] 29. + + Haywood, that did[82] in Epigrams excell, + Is now put downe since my light Muse arose; + As buckets are put downe into a well, + Or as a schoole-boy putteth downe his hose.[83] + +[Footnote 81: Mr. Dyce spells Heywodum. John Heywood's Epigrammes +accompany his Proverbs: 1562. G.] + +[Footnote 82: 1st edition, 'which in epigrams did;' Isham 'which did.' +[The Epigrams of John Heywood are well known. An allusion to this +epigram of Davies occurs in Sir John Harington's _Metamorphosis of +Ajax_, 1596: "This Heywood for his proverbs and epigrams is not yet +put down by any of our country, though one [_Marginal Note_, M[aster] +Davies] doth indeed come near him, that graces him the more in saying +he puts him down," p. 41, edition 1814. (In the same work we find, +"But, as my good M. Davies said of his epigrams, that they were made, +like doublets in Birchin-lane, for every one whom they will serve, &c. +p. 133. D.] [I add from T. BASTARD'S 'Chrestoleros' [Lib. II: +Epigram 15] an answer to this: + + Heywood goes downe saith Dauis, sikerly, + And downe he goes, I can it not deny: + But were I happy did not fortune frowne + Were I in heart I would sing Dauy downe. + +Cf. also lib. iii. Ep. 3. Mr. DYCE also quotes from Freeman's +_Rubbe and a great Cast_, 1614. G.]] + +[Footnote 83: Breeches. D.] + + +IN DACUM.[84] 30. + + Amongst the poets Dacus numbred is, + Yet could he neuer make an English rime; + But some prose speeches I haue heard of his, + Which haue been spoken many an hundreth time: + The man that keeps the Elephant hath one, + Wherein he tells the wonders of the beast: + Another Bankes pronouncèd long agon,[85] + When he his curtailes[86] qualities exprest: + He first taught him that that keeps the monuments + At Westminster, his formall tale to say; + And also him which Puppets represents, + And also him which with the Ape doth play: + Though all his Poetry be like to this, + Amongst the poets Dacus numbred is. + +[Footnote 84: This is not Decius of Epig. 25, who was Drayton, but +(eheu!) Samuel Daniel. Cf. Epig. 45, and relative note. On the elephant +(l. 5) see note on Epig. 6. G.] + +[Footnote 85: Isham badly 'a goe.' G.] + +[Footnote 86: Id est, horse's [the word means properly--a docked +horse.] So much may be found in various books concerning Banks and his +wonderful horse, that any account of them is unnecessary here. D. [The +'wonderful horse' is referred to by Shakespeare. G.]] + + +IN PRISCUM. 31. + + When Priscus, rais'd from low to high estate, + Rode through the street in pompous jollity; + Caius, his poore familiar friend of late, + Bespake him thus: "Sir, now you know not me.' + "'Tis likely friend," (quoth Priscus) "to be so, + For at this time myselfe I do not know." + + +IN BRUNUM. 32. + + Brunus, which deems himselfe a faire sweet youth + Is thirty nine yeares of age at least; + Yet was he neuer, to confesse the truth, + But a dry starveling when he was at best: + This gull was sicke to shew his night-cap fine, + And his wrought pillow over-spread with lawne; + But hath been well since his griefe's cause hath line[87] + At Trollup's by Saint Clement's Church, in pawne. + +[Footnote 87: Lien, lain. D.] + + +IN FRANCUM. 33. + + When Francus comes to sollace with his whore, + He sends for rods, and strips himselfe stark naked; + For his lust sleeps and will not rise before, + By whipping of the wench it be awakèd. + I enuie him not, but wish I had the powre + To make myselfe[88] his wench but one halfe houre. + +[Footnote 88: Col. Cunningham emends 'himself' for 'myself'; but the +'whipping of' (l. 4) is = by: and Davies' wish is that he wielded the +rods on Francus. G.] + + +IN CASTOREM. 34. + + Of speaking well why doe we learne the skill, + Hoping thereby honour and wealth to gaine; + Sith rayling Castor doth, by speaking ill, + Opinion of much wit and gold obtaine? + + +IN SEPTIMIUM. 35. + + Septimus liues, and is like garlick seene, + For though his head be white, his blade is greene: + This old mad coult deserves a Martyr's praise, + For he was burnèd in Queene Marie's daies. + + +OF TOBACCO. 36. + + Homer, of Moly and Nepenthe sings: + Moly, the gods' most soueraigne hearb diuine, + Nepenthe, Heauen's[89] drinke, most[90] gladnesse brings, + Heart's griefe expells, and doth the wits refine. + But this our age another world hath found, + From whence an hearb of heauenly power is brought; + Moly is not so soueraigne for a wound, + Nor hath Nepenthe so great wonders wrought:[91] + It is Tobacco, whose sweet substantiall[92] fume + The hellish torment of the teeth doth ease, + By drawing downe, and drying up the rheume, + The mother and the nurse of each disease: + It is Tobacco, which doth cold expell, + And cleares the obstructions of the arteries, + And surfeits, threatning death, dijesteth well, + Decocting all the stomack's crudities: + It is Tobacco, which hath power to clarifie + The cloudy mists before dimme eyes appearing: + It is Tobacco, which hath power to rarifie + The thick grosse humour which doth stop the hearing; + The wasting hectick, and the quartaine feuer, + Which doth of Physick make a mockery; + The gout it cures, and helps ill breaths for euer, + Whether the cause in teeth or stomack be; + And though ill breaths were by it but confounded, + Yet that vile medicine it doth farre excell, + Which by Sir Thomas Moore[93] hath beene propounded: + For this is thought a gentleman-like smell. + O, that I were one of those Mountebankes, + Which praise their oyles and powders which they sell! + My customers would giue me coyne with thanks; + I for this ware, for sooth[94] a tale would tell: + Yet would I use none of these tearmes before; + I would but say, that it the Pox will cure: + This were enough, without discoursing more, + All our braue gallants in the towne t'allure, + +[Footnote 89: Mr. Dyce reads 'Helen's' and confirms from Milton's Comus +(1675)-- + + Not that Nepenthes, which the wife of Thone + In Egypt gave to Jove-born Helena, &c. + +In first edition there is a misprint "Hekens": in the other editions, +as _above_ "Heauens": in MS. "helvs": Isham 'Heuens.' Helen is +admissible, but 'Heavens' what Davies himself printed. See the poem +on Tobacco among the hitherto unpublished poems, of which the Epigram +seems only a first rough draft--and relative note.] + +[Footnote 90: Isham 'which.' G.] + +[Footnote 91: Isham badly 'brought.' G.] + +[Footnote 92: MS. 'subtle.' D. [Substantial is here = partaking of the +substance or essence, or, as we say, properties peculiar to tobacco--a +fume holding in it the virtues or substance of the tobacco. The MS. +'subtle' may be regarded as an Author's variant, especially as it is +also found in 'Tobacco' among the hitherto unpublished poems, onward. +G.]] + +[Footnote 93: Mr. Dyce quotes an 'Epigramma' of Sir Thomas More, which, +is headed + + "_Medicinæ ad tollendos f[oe]tores, anhelitus, provenientes a cibis + quibusdam._" + + "Sectile ne tetros porrum tibi spiret odores, + Protenus a porro fac mihi cepe vores. + Denuo f[oe]torem si vis depellere cepæ, + Hoc facile efficient allia mansa tibi. + Spiritus at si post etiam gravis allia restat, + Aut nihil, aut tantum tollere _merda_ potest." + + _T. Mori Lucubrationes._ &c., p. 261, edition 1563. G. + +] + +[Footnote 94: Isham 'so smooth.' G.] + + +IN CRASSUM. 37. + + Crassus his lyes,[95] are not pernicious lyes, + But pleasant fictions, hurtfull unto none + But to himselfe; for no man counts him wise + To tell for truth that which for false is knowne. + He sweares that Gaunt is three score miles about, + And that the bridge at Paris on the Seyn + Is of such thicknesse, length and breadth throughout, + That sixe score Arches can it scarce sustaine; + He sweares he saw so great a dead man's scull + At Canterbury, dig'd out of the ground, + That would containe of wheat three bushels full; + And that in Kent are twenty yeomen found, + Of which the poorest euery yeare dispends, + Fiue thousand pounds: these and fiue thousand mo, + So oft he hath recited to his friends, + That now himselfe perswades himselfe 'tis so. + But why doth Crassus tell his lyes so rife, + Of Bridges, Townes, and things that haue no life? + He is a Lawyer, and doth well espie, + That for such lyes an Action will not lye. + +[Footnote 95: That is, Crassus's lies. G.] + + +IN PHILONEM. 38. + + Philo the Lawyer[96] and the Fortune-teller; + The Schoole-master, the Midwife, and the Bawd, + The conjurer, the buyer, and the seller + Of painting, which with breathing will be thaw'd, + Doth practise Physicke; and his credit growes, + As doth the Ballad-singer's auditory,[97] + Which hath at Temple-barre his standing chose, + And to the vulgar sings an Ale-house story: + First stands a Porter; then an Oyster-wife + Doth stint her cry, and stay her steps to heare him; + Then comes a Cut-purse ready with a[98] knife, + And then a Countrey clyent passeth neare him; + There stands the Constable, there stands the whore, + And, listening[99] to the song, heed[100] not each other; + There by the Serjeant stands the debitor,[101] + And doth no more mistrust him then his brother: + Thus Orpheus to such hearers giueth musick, + And Philo to such patients giueth physick. + +[Footnote 96: Isham 'Gentleman.' G.] + +[Footnote 97: See our Memorial-Introduction with reference to +Wordsworth's splendid filling up of this earlier sketch. G.] + +[Footnote 98: Isham 'his.' G.] + +[Footnote 99: Isham 'hearkening.' G.] + +[Footnote 100: 1st edition and Isham, 'marke.' G.] + +[Footnote 101: Isham 'debter poore.' G.] + + +IN FUSCUM. 39. + + Fuscus is free, and hath the world at will; + Yet in the course of life that he doth lead, + He's like a horse which, turning round a mill, + Doth always in the self-same circle tread: + First, he doth rise at ten; and at eleuen + He goes to Gyls,[102] where he doth eate till one; + Then sees a Play till sixe, and sups at seven; + And after supper, straight to bed is gone; + And there till ten next day he doth remaine, + And then he dines, and[103] sees a Comedy; + And then he suppes, and goes to bed againe: + Thus round he runs without variety, + Saue that sometimes he comes not to the Play, + But falls into a whore-house by the way. + +[Footnote 102: No doubt some Ordinary near St. Giles, Cripplegate. +Isham 'Gilles.' G.] + +[Footnote 103: Isham 'then.' G.] + + +IN AFRAM. 40. + + The smell-feast Afer, trauailes to the Burse[104] + Twice euery day, the newest[105] newes to heare; + Which, when he hath no money in his purse, + To rich mens tables he doth often beare: + He tells how Gronigen[106] is taken in,[107] + By the braue conduct of illustrious Vere,[108] + And how the Spanish forces Brest would win, + But that they doe victorious Norris feare. + No sooner is a ship at sea surpris'd, + But straight he learnes the news, and doth disclose it: + No sooner hath the Turk a plot deuis'd + To conquer[109] Christendom, but straight he knows it:[110] + Faire written in a scrowle he hath the names + Of all the widdows which the Plague hath made; + And persons, times, and places still he frames, + To euery tale, the better to perswade: + We call him Fame, for that the wide-mouth slaue + Will eate as fast as he will utter lies; + For Fame is said an hundred mouths to haue, + And he eates more than would fiue score suffice. + +[Footnote 104: Bourse, = Exchange. G.] + +[Footnote 105: 1st edition and Isham and MS. 'flying.' G.] + +[Footnote 106: Groningen. G.] + +[Footnote 107: Conquered and added to or 'taken in' with other +conquests. G.] + +[Footnote 108: To the truly 'illustrious' VERE--one of the +noblest of England's earlier generals--DR. RICHARD SIBBES +dedicated his 'Soul's Conflict' in very loving words to him and his +Lady. See my edition of SIBBES _in loco_. G.] + +[Footnote 109: Isham once more badly 'conquerie.' G.] + +[Footnote 110: This couplet is given by Mr. Dyce from the MS.: the +Isham has it. G.] + + +IN PAULUM. 41. + + By lawfull mart, and by unlawfull stealth, + Paulus in spite of enuy, fortunate, + Deriues out of the Ocean so much wealth, + As he may well maintaine a lord's estate; + But on the land a little gulfe there is, + Wherein he drowneth all the wealth of his. + + +IN LICUM. 42. + + Lycus, which lately[111] is to Venice gone, + Shall if he doe returne, gaine three for one:[112] + But ten to one, his knowledge and his wit + Will not be bettered or increas'd a whit. + +[Footnote 111: Recently: the MS. reads 'that is of late.' G.] + +[Footnote 112: In our author's days, it was a common practice for +persons, before setting out on their travels, to deposit a sum of +money, on condition of receiving large interest for it on their +return: if they never returned, the deposit was forfeited. Innumerable +allusions to 'putters out' occur in the works published during the +reigns of Elizabeth and James. D.] + + +IN PUBLIUM. 43. + + Publius [a] student at the Common-law, + Oft leaves his Bookes, and for his recreation, + To Paris-garden[113] doth himselfe withdrawe; + Where he is rauisht with such delectation, + As downe among[114] the beares and dogges he goes; + Where, whilst he skipping cries "to head to head," + His satten doublet and his veluet hose[115] + Are all with spittle from aboue be-spread: + When he is like his father's countrey Hall,[116] + Stinking with dogges, and muted[117] all with haukes; + And rightly too on him this filth doth fall, + Which for such filthy sports his bookes forsakes;[118] + Leaving old Ployden,[119] Dyer, Brooke alone, + To see old Harry Hunkes, and Sacarson.[120] + +[Footnote 113: That is, to the Bear-Garden on the Bank-side, Southwark. +D. Near the Globe Theatre: referred to as Palace garden by Hutton, as +before. Isham reads badly 'parish.' The Theatre at Paris Garden stood +almost exactly at what is now the Surrey starting place of Blackfriars +Bridge. In 1632 Donald Lupton in his _London and the Country +Carbonadoed_ says of it, "Here come few that either regard their credit +or loss of time; the swaggering Roarer; the amusing Cheater; the +swearing Drunkard; and the bloody Butcher have their rendezvous here, +and are of the chiefe place and respect." (Col. Cunningham's Marlowe, +p. 365). G.] + +[Footnote 114: Isham 'amongst the dogges and beares.' G.] + +[Footnote 115: Breeches. G.] + +[Footnote 116: Misprinted 'countrey shall': Qu--country-Hall, as above? +Isham 'country Hall.' G.] + +[Footnote 117: Dunged. D.] + +[Footnote 118: Isham badly 'forsake.' G.] + +[Footnote 119: Plowden. D.] + +[Footnote 120: Harry Hunkes and Sacarson were two bears at +Paris-garden: the latter was the more famous, and is mentioned by +Shakespeare in _The Merry Wives of Windsor_, Act I., sc. 1. D. Isham +'Sakersone.' G.] + + +IN SILLAM. 44. + + When I this proposition had defended, + "A coward cannot be an honest man," + Thou Silla, seem'st forthwith to be offended, + And holds the contrary, and sweares he can; + But when I tell thee that he will forsake + His dearest friend, in perill of his life; + Thou then art chang'd, and sayst thou didst mistake, + And so we end our argument and strife: + Yet I think oft, and thinke I thinke aright, + Thy argument argues thou wilt not fight. + + +IN DACUM.[121] 45. + +[Footnote 121: Daniel, I believe: [Malone's Manuscript note in Bodlean +copy. See Epigram 30. G.] Mr. Dyce adds here, "I am sorry to believe +that by Dacus (who is spoken of with great contempt in Epigram xxx.) +our author means Samuel Daniel: but the following lines in that very +pleasing writer's _Complaint of Rosamond_ (which was first printed in +1592) certainly would seem to be alluded to here, + + "Ah beauty syren, faire enchanting good, + Sweet, silent rhetorique of perswading eyes, + _Dumb eloquence_, whose power doth moue the blood + More then the words or wisdom of the wise, &c. + +1611, p. 39,--Daniel's _Certaine Small Works_, &c. 1611.") G.] + + Dacus with some good colour and pretence, + Tearmes his love's beauty "silent eloquence:" + For she doth lay more colour on her face + Than ever Tully us'd his speech to grace. + + +IN MARCUM. 46. + + Why dost thou, Marcus, in thy misery, + Raile and blaspheame, and call the heauens unkind? + The heauens doe owe no kindnesse unto thee, + Thou hast the heauens so little in thy minde; + For in thy life thou neuer usest prayer + But at primero, to encounter faire. + + +MEDITATIONS OF A GULL. 47. + + See, yonder melancholy gentleman, + Which, hood-wink'd with his hat, alone doth sit! + Thinke what he thinks, and tell me if you can, + What great affaires troubles his little wit. + He thinks not of the warre 'twixt France and Spaine, + Whether it be for Europe's good or ill, + Nor whether the Empire can itselfe maintaine + Against the Turkish power encroaching still; + Nor what great towne in all the Netherlands, + The States determine to beseige this Spring; + Nor how the Scottish policy now stands, + Nor what becomes of the Irish mutining. + But he doth seriously bethinke him whether + Of the gull'd people he be more esteem'd + For his long cloake or for his great black feather, + By which each gull is now a gallant deem'd; + Or of a journey he deliberates, + To Paris-garden,[122] Cock-pit or the Play; + Or how to steale a dog he meditates, + Or what he shall unto his mistriss say: + Yet with these thoughts he thinks himself most fit + To be of counsell with a king for wit. + +[Footnote 122: See note on this under Epigram 43. G.] + + +AD MUSAM. 48. + + Peace,[123] idle Muse, haue done! for it is time, + Since lousie Ponticus enuies my fame, + And sweares the better sort are much to blame + To make me so well knowne for my[124] ill rime: + Yet Bankes his horse,[125] is better knowne then he. + So are the Cammels and the westerne hogge,[126] + And so is Lepidus his printed Dog:[127] + Why doth not Ponticus their fames enuie? + Besides, this Muse of mine, and the blacke feather + Grew both together fresh[128] in estimation: + And both growne stale, were cast away together: + What fame is this that scarce lasts[129] out a fashion? + Onely this last in credit doth remaine, + That from henceforth, each bastard cast-forth rime, + Which doth but savour of a libell vaine, + Shall call me father, and be thought my crime; + So dull, and with so little sence endu'd, + Is my grose-headed Judge, the multitude. + +[Footnote 123: Isham 'Pease.' G.] + +[Footnote 124: Isham 'so.' G.] + +[Footnote 125: See note on this under Epigram 30. G.] + +[Footnote 126: Isham corrects 'Hay' here with 'hogge.' G.] + +[Footnote 127: That is 'Lepidus's printed dog.' The following epigram +by Sir John Harington determines that he is the Lepidus of this +passage, and that his favourite dog Bungey is the "printed dog." In +a compartment of the engraved title-page to Harington's _Orlando +Furioso_, 1591, is a representation of Bungey (see too the Annotations +on Book xli. of that poem); and hence he is termed by Davies the +"printed dog." + + +"AGAINST MOMUS, IN PRAISE OF HIS DOG BUNGEY." + + Because a witty writer of this time + Doth make some mention in a pleasant rime + Of Lepidus and of his famous dog, + Thou, Momus, that dost loue to scoffe and cog, + Prat'st amongst base companions, and giv'st out + That unto me herein is meant a flout. + Hate makes thee blind, Momus: I dare be sworn, + He meant to me his loue, to thee his scorn. + Put on thy envious spectacles, and see + Whom doth he scorn therein, the dog or me? + The dog is grac'd, comparèd with great Banks, + Both beasts right famous for their pretty pranks; + Although in this I grant the dog was worse, + He only fed my pleasure, not my purse: + Yet that same dog, I may say this and boast it, + He found my purse with gold when I haue [had] lost it. + Now for myself: some fooles (like thee) may judge + That at the name of Lepidus I grudge: + No sure; so far I think it from disgrace, + I wisht it cleare to me and to my race. + Lepus, or Lepos, I in both haue part; + That in my name I beare, this in mine heart. + But Momus, I perswade myself that no man + Will deigne thee such a name, English or Roman. + Ile wage a but of Sack, the best in Bristo, + Who cals me Lepid, I will call him Tristo." + +Epigrams, Book iii. Ep. 21. edition folio. D.] + +[Footnote 128: In other editions as Isham, but dropped out +inadvertently from our text. G.] + +[Footnote 129: Isham badly 'last.' G.] + + +Finis. I. D. + + + + +_Appendix to Epigrams_: + +(FROM THE HARLEIAN MSS. 1836.) + + +As explained in the Note, page 6 _ante_, I have gleaned a few additions +to these Epigrams. At close of those of HUTTON,--in the MS. +marked 60 and in Hutton's own volume 56,--on folio 15_d_, is the word +'finis.' Immediately under this, the MS. is continued in the same +handwriting on to folio 19, whereon 'finis' is again placed: and on +folios 19 and 20 Lines 'of Tobacco' with 'finis' once more. These Lines +on 'Tobacco' are curious: and somewhat resemble those on 'Moly' given +in the Hitherto Unpublished Poems of Davies, onward. G. + + +1. IN SUPERBIAM. Epi. 4. + + I tooke the wall, one thrust me rudely by, + And tould me the King's way did open lye. + I thankt him y^{t} he did me so much grace, + to take the worse, leave me the better place; + For if by th' owners wee esteeme of things, + the wall's the subjects, but the way's the King's. + + +2. Epi. 5. + + NIX { SNOW + IX { 9 +CORNIX { A CROW. + +NIX:. I that the Winter's daughter am whilst thus my letters stand, + Am whiter then the plumbe[130] of swan or any ladye's hand; + +IX:. Take but away my letter first, and then I doe encline + That stood before for milke white snowe to be the figure nine. + And if that further you desire by change to doe som trickes, + As blacke as any bird I am. + +CORNIX:. by adding COR to NIX. + +[Footnote 130: = plumage. G.] + + +3. Epi. 6. + + Health is a jewell true, which when we buy + Physitians value it accordingly. + + +4. IN AMOROSUM. Epi. 7. + + A wife you wisht me (sir) rich, faire and young + with French, Italian, and the Spanish tongue: + I must confesse yo^{r} kindnesse verie much + but yet in truth, Sir, I deserve none such, + for when I wed--as yet I meane to tarry-- + A woman of one language i'le but marry, + and with that little portion of her store, + expect such plenty, I would wish no more. + + +5. Epi. 9. + + Westminster is a mill that grinds all causes, + but grinde his cause for mee there, he y^{t} list: + For by demures and errours, stayes and clauses, + the tole is oft made greater then the grist. + + +6. Epi. 10. + + He that doth aske St. James they [?] say, shall speed: + O y^{t} Kinge James would answere to my need. + + + + +V. GULLINGE SONNETS. + + + + +NOTE. + + +These 'Gullinge Sonnets' were first printed in my reproduction of +the Dr. Farmer MS. for the Chetham Society (2 vols. 4to., 1873) in +Part I. pp. 76-81. There seems no question that these Sonnets belong +to Sir John Davies. Besides the "J. D." and "Mr. Dauyes" of the MS., +his most marked turns of thought and epithet are readily discernible +in them. See critical remarks on them and their probable _motif_ in +Memorial-Introduction. + +The Sir Anthony Cooke to whom these Sonnets are dedicated descended +from the Sir Anthony who was Preceptor to King Edward VI., and +for Letters from whom whoso cares may consult the "Reformation" +correspondence of the Parker Society. His daughter Mildred was second +wife of Lord Burleigh, and his daughter Anne was mother of _the_ Bacon. +His son and heir, Richard Cooke, died in 1579, and was succeeded by his +son Anthony (this Sir Anthony), who was knighted in 1596 by the Earl of +Essex at the sacking of Cadiz. He was buried at Romford, Essex, on the +28th December, 1604. G. + + + + +[Dedicatory Sonnet.] + +TO HIS GOOD FREINDE S^{R} ANTH. COOKE. + + + Here my Camelion Muse her selfe doth chaunge + to diuers shapes of gross absurdities, + and like an Antick[131] mocks w^{th} fashion straunge + the fond[132] admirers of lewde gulleries. + Your iudgement sees w^{th} pitty, and w^{th} scorne + The bastard Sonnetts of these Rymers bace, + W^{ch} in this whiskinge age are daily borne + To their own shames, and Poetrie's disgrace. + Yet some praise those and some perhappes will praise + euen these of myne: and therefore thes I send + to you that pass in Courte yo^{r} glorious dayes; + Y^{t} if some rich rash gull these Rimes commend + Thus you may sett this formall witt to schoole, + Vse yo^{r} owne grace, and begg him for a foole. + + J. D. + +[Footnote 131: = motley-dressed jester or fool. G.] + +[Footnote 132: = foolish. G.] + + +_Gullinge Sonnets._ + + 1* The Louer Vnder burthen of his M^{ris} love + W^{ch} lyke to Ætna did his harte oppre[s][s]e: + did giue [s]uch piteous grones y^{t} he did moue + the heau'nes at length to pitty his di[s]tre[s][s]e + but for the fates in theire highe Courte aboue + forbad to make the greuous burthen le[s][s]e. + the gracous powers did all con[s]pire to proue + Yt miracle this mi[s]cheife mighte redre[s][s]e; + therefore regardinge y^{t} y^{e} loade was [s]uch + as noe man mighte w^{th} one man's mighte [s]u[s]tayne + and y^{t} mylde patience[133] imported much + to him that [s]hold indure an endles payne: + By there decree he [s]oone transformèd was + into a patiente burden-bearinge A[s][s]e. + 2* As when y^{e} brighte Cerulian firmament + hathe not his glory w^{th} black cloudes defas'te, + Soe were my thoughts voyde of all di[s]content; + and w^{th} noe my[s]te of pa[s][s]ions ouerca[s]t + they all were pure and cleare, till at the la[s]t + an ydle careles thoughte forthe wandringe wente + and of y^{t} poy[s]onous beauty tooke a ta[s]te + W^{ch} doe the harts of louers [s]o torment: + then as it chauncethe in a flock of [s]heepe + when [s]ome contagious yll breedes fir[s]t in one + daylie it [s]preedes & [s]ecretly doth creepe + till all the [s]illy troupe be ouergone. + So by clo[s]e neighbourhood w^{th} in my bre[s]t + one [s]curuy thoughte infecteth all the re[s]t. + +[Footnote 133: A trisyllable. G.] + + 3* What Eagle can behould her [s]unbrighte eye, + her [s]unbrighte eye y^{t} lights the world w^{th} loue, + the world of Loue wherein I liue and dye, + I liue and dye and diuers chaunges proue, + I chaunges proue, yet [s]till the [s]ame am I, + the [s]ame am I and neuer will remoue, + neuer remoue vntill my [s]oule dothe flye, + my [s]oule dothe fly, and I [s]urcea[s]e to moue, + I cea[s]e to moue w^{ch} now am mou'd by you, + am mou'd by you y^{t} moue all mortall hartes, + all mortall hartes who[s]e eyes yo^{r} eyes doth veiwe, + Yo^{r} eyes doth veiwe whence Cupid [s]hoots his darts, + whence Cupid [s]hootes his dartes and woundeth tho[s]e + that honor you and neuer weare[134] his foes. + +[Footnote 134: = were. G.] + + 4* The hardnes of her harte and truth of myne + when the all [s]eeinge eyes of heauen did [s]ee + they [s]treight concluded y^{t} by powre devine + to other formes our hartes should turnèd be. + then hers as hard as flynte, a Flynte became + and myne as true as [s]teele, to [s]teele was turned, + and then betwene o^{r} hartes [s]prange forthe the flame + of kinde[s]t loue, w^{ch} vnextingui[s]h'd burned; + And longe the [s]acred lampe of mutuall loue + ince[s][s]antlie did burne in glory brighte; + Vntill my folly did her fury moue + to recompence my [s]eruice w^{th} de[s]pighte, + and to put out w^{th} [s]nuffers of her pride + the lampe of loue w^{ch} els had neuer dyed. + + 5* Myne Eye, mine eare, my will, my witt, my harte + did [s]ee, did heare, did like, di[s]cerne, did loue: + her face, her [s]peche, her fa[s]hion, iudgem^{t}, arte, + w^{ch} did charme, plea[s]e, delighte, confounde and moue. + Then fancie, humo^{r}, loue, conceipte, and thoughte + did [s]oe drawe, force, inty[s]e, per[s]wade, deui[s]e, + that [s]he was wonne, mou'd, caryed, compa[s]t, wrought + to thinck me kinde, true, comelie, valyant, wi[s]e; + that heauen, earth, hell, my folly and her pride + did worke, contriue, labor, con[s]pire and [s]weare + to make me [s]corn'd, vile, ca[s]t of, bace, defyed + W^{th} her my loue, my lighte, my life, my deare: + So that my harte, my witt, will, eare, and eye + doth greiue, lament, sorrowe, di[s]paire and dye. + + 6* The [s]acred Mu[s]e that fir[s]te made loue deuine + hath made him naked and w^{th}out attyre, + but I will cloth him w^{th} this penn of myne + that all the world his fa[s]hion [s]hall admyre, + his hatt of hope, his bande of beautye fine, + his cloake of crafte, his doblett of de[s]yre, + greife for a girdell, [s]hall aboute him twyne, + his pointes of pride, his Ilet holes of yre, + his ho[s]e of hate, his Cod peece of conceite, + his [s]tockings of [s]terne [s]trife, his [s]hirte of [s]hame, + his garters of vaine glorie gaye and [s]lyte; + his pantofels of pa[s][s]ions I will frame, + pumpes[135] of pre[s]umption [s]hall adorne his feete + and Socks of fullennes excedinge [s]weete. + +[Footnote 135: = slipper-shoes. G.] + + 7* Into the midle Temple of my harte + the wanton Cupid did him[s]elfe admitt + and gaue for pledge yo^{r} Eagle-[s]ighted witt + Y^{t} he wold play noe rude vncivill parte: + Longe tyme he cloak'te his nature w^{th} his arte + and [s]add and graue and [s]ober he did [s]itt, + but at the la[s]t he gan to reuell it, + to breake good rules, and orders to peruerte: + Then loue and his younge pledge were both conuented + before [s]add[136] Rea[s]on, that old Bencher graue, + who this [s]add [s]entence vnto him pre[s]ented + by dilligence, y^{t} [s]lye and [s]ecreate knaue + That loue and witt, for euer [s]hold departe + out of the midle Temple of my harte. + +[Footnote 136: = serious; and so 'sadly' = seriously, e. g. Skelton: + + "I have not offended, I trust, + If it be _sadly_ discust." G. + +] + + 8* My ca[s]e is this, I loue Zepheria brighte, + Of her I hold my harte by fealtye: + W^{ch} I di[s]charge to her perpetuallye, + Yet [s]he thereof will neuer me accquite. + for now [s]uppo[s]inge I w^{th} hold her righte + [s]he hathe di[s]treinde my harte to [s]atisfie + the duty w^{ch} I neuer did denye, + and far away impounds it w^{th} de[s]pite; + I labor therefore iu[s]tlie to repleaue[137] + my harte w^{ch} she vniu[s]tly doth impounde + but quick conceite w^{ch} nowe is loue's highe Sheife + retornes it as e[s]loynde, not to be founde: + Then w^{ch} the lawe affords I onely craue + her harte for myne in wit her name to haue. + +[Footnote 137: = recover (a legal term) G.] + + 9* To Loue my lord I doe knightes [s]eruice owe + and therefore nowe he hath my witt in warde, + but while it is in his tuition [s]oe + me thincks he doth intreate it pa[s][s]inge hard; + for thoughe he hathe it marryed longe agoe + to Vanytie, a wench of noe regarde, + and nowe to full, and perfect age doth growe, + Yet nowe of freedome it is mo[s]t debarde. + But why [s]hould loue after minoritye + when I am pa[s]t the one and twentith yeare + perclude my witt of his [s]weete libertye, + and make it [s]till y^{e} yoake of ward[s]hippe beare. + I feare he hath an other Title gott + and holds my witte now for an Ideott. + + M^{r} Dauyes. + + + + +VI. MINOR POEMS. + + + + +Minor Poems. + + + + +I. _Yet other Twelve Wonders of the World._[138] + +[Footnote 138: This and the three following, are from the celebrated +collection of early English poetry called the 'Poetical Rhapsody' by +Davison. Our text is from the third edition (1621) which in our case is +preferable, as having presumably been revised (in his contributions) by +Sir John: It is to be noted that in this edition the original simple I. +D. is in the second poem changed to Sir I. D., and that to the third +his name is given in full. I have included the Hymn on Music, though +the initials I. D. have been assigned to Dr. John Donne by Sir Egerton +Brydges and others. It seems to me that as (1) I. D. is our Poet's +designation in the 'Rhapsody' throughout, and as (2) the Lines were +not claimed for Donne by himself, or by his son when he collected his +father's Poems--we are warranted in assigning them to Sir John Davies. +Sir Egerton favours their Donne authorship simply because "they seem +rather to partake of the conceits of Donne than of the simple vigour +of Davies" but he forgot the 'Hymnes to Astræa' and 'Orchestra'; which +are in the same vein. It is to be regretted that Sir Nicholas Harris +Nicolas _modernized_ the text in his reprint of the 'Rhapsody': (2 +vols. crown 8vo. 1826, Pickering): and perhaps equally so, that Mr. +Collier in his careful and beautiful private one, has selected the +first incomplete edition. The following is the title-page of the +edition of the 'Rhapsody' used by us: + +DAVISONS + +POEMS, + +OR + +_A POETICALL RAPSODIE_. + +Deuided into sixe Bookes. + + The first, _contayning Poems and Deuises_. + The second, _Sonets and Canzonets_. + The third, _Pastoralls and Elegies_. + The fourth, _Madrigalls and Odes_. + The fift, _Epigrams and Epitaphs_. + The sixt, _Epistles and Epithalamions_. + + * * * * * + + For variety and pleasure, the like neuer + published. +_The Bee and Spider by a diuers power, +Sucke hony and poyson from the selfe same flower._ + The fourth Impression, +Newly corrected and augmented, and put into + a forme more pleasing to the Reader. + London. + +Printed by B. A. for _Roger Iackson_, 1621 (small 12^{o}.) See our +Preface for account of an autograph MS. of "Yet other Twelve Wonders of +the World." G.] + + +I. _The Courtier._ + + Long haue I liu'd in Court, yet learn'd not all this while, + To sel poore sutors, smoke: nor where I hate, to smile: + Superiors to adore, Inferiors to despise, + To flye from such as fall, to follow such as rise; + To cloake a poore desire vnder a rich array, + Not to aspire by vice, though twere the quicker way. + + +II. _The Divine._ + + My calling is Diuine, and I from God am sent, + I will no chop-Church be, nor pay my patron rent, + Nor yeeld to sacriledge; but like the kind true mother, + Rather will loose all the child, then part it with another; + Much wealth, I will not seeke, nor worldly masters serue, + So to grow rich and fat, while my poore flock doth sterue. + +III. _The Souldier._ + + My occupation is, the noble trade of Kings, + The tryall that decides the highest right of things: + Though _Mars_ my master be, I doe not _Venus_ loue, + Nor honour _Bacchus_ oft, nor often sweare by _Ioue_; + Of speaking of my selfe, I all occasion shunne, + And rather loue to doe, then boast what I haue done. + + +IV. _The Lawyer._ + + The Law my calling is, my robe, my tongue, my pen, + Wealth and opinion gaine, and make me Iudge of men. + The knowne dishonest cause, I neuer did defend, + Nor spun out sutes in length, but wisht and sought an end: + Nor counsell did bewray, nor of both parties take, + Nor euer tooke I fee for which I neuer spake. + + +V. _The Physition._ + + I study to vphold the slippery state of man, + Who dies, when we haue done the best and all we can. + From practise and from bookes, I draw my learnèd skill, + Not from the knowne receipt of 'Pothecaries bill. + The earth my faults doth hide,[139] the world my cures doth see, + What youth, and time effects, is oft ascribde to me. + +[Footnote 139: 'The earth my faults doth hide.' This recalls the +somewhat irate remonstrance of a bibulous Sexton under the reproaches +of a medical church-warden at a parish-meeting: "O Sir, _you_ are the +last that ever I expected to expose me, seeing I have covered up many +of your faults" (i.e. in the graves of his patients.) G.] + + +VI. _The Merchant._ + + My trade doth euery thing to euery land supply, + Discouer unknowne coasts, strange Countries to ally; + I neuer did forestall, I neuer did ingrosse, + No custome did withdraw, though I return'd with losse. + I thriue by faire exchange, by selling and by buying, + And not by Jewish vse,[140] reprisall, fraud, or lying. + +[Footnote 140: = usury. G.] + + +VII. _The Country Gentleman._ + + Though strange outl[=a]dish spirits praise towns, and country scorn, + The country is my home, I dwel where I was born: + There profit and command with pleasure I pertake, + Yet do not Haukes and dogs, my sole companions make. + I rule, but not oppresse, end quarrels, not maintaine; + See towns, but dwel not there, t'abridge my charg or train. + + +VIII. _The Bacheler._ + + How many things as yet are deere alike to me, + The field, the horse, the dog, loue, armes or liberty. + I haue no wife as yet, whom I may call mine owne, + I haue no children yet, that by my name are knowne. + Yet if I married were, I would not wish to thriue, + If that I could not tame the veriest shrew aliue. + + +IX. _The Married Man._ + + I only am the man, among all married men, + That do not wish the Priest, to be unlinckt agen. + And thogh my shoo did wring,[141] I wold not make my mone, + Nor think my neighbors chance, more happy then mine own, + Yet court I not my wife, but yeeld obseruance due, + Being neither fond[142] nor crosse, nor iealous, nor vntrue. + +[Footnote 141: = pinch. G.] + +[Footnote 142: = foolish. G.] + + +X. _The Wife._ + + The first of all our Sex came from the side of man, + I thither am return'd, from whence our Sex began; + I doe not visite oft, nor many, when I doe, + I tell my mind to few, and that in counsell too: + I seeme not sick in health, nor sullen but in sorrow, + I care for somewhat else of, then what to weare to morrow. + + +XI. _The Widdow._ + + My dying[143] husband knew, how much his death would grieue me, + And therefore left me wealth, to comfort and relieue me. + Though I no more will haue, I must not loue disdaine, + _Penelope_ her selfe did sutors entertaine; + And yet to draw on such, as are of best esteeme, + Nor yonger then I am, nor richer will I seeme. + + +[Footnote 143: In Sir Egerton Brydges edition of the Rhapsody this line +stands + + "My _dying_ husband knew," &c. + +an interpolation which, though perhaps called for by the metre, does +not appear to be justified by either of the four editions supposed to +have been printed during the life-time of the original editor. Nicolas. +[True, but as it _is_ found in an autograph MS. of the poem, it is +inserted. See our Preface. G.]] + + +XII. _The Maid._ + + I marriage would forsweare, but that I heare men tell, + That she that dies a maid, must leade an Ape in Hell; + Therefore if fortune come, I will not mock and play, + Nor driue the bargaine on, till it be driuen away. + Tithes and lands I like, yet rather fancy can, + A man that wanteth gold, then gold that wants a man. (pp. 1-4.) + + + + +II. A CONTENTION + +_Betwixt a Wife, a Widdow, and a Maide._[144] + +[Footnote 144: See Introductory Note to the first of these Minor Poems, +_ante_. In Mr. Collier's History of English Dramatic Poetry, Vol. +I. p. 323 _seqq._ interesting details are given of an Entertainment +to the Queen at Sir Robert Cecil's "newe house in the Strand," at +which she was "royally entertained." From Extracts from a Barrister's +Diary among the Harleian MSS. adduced herein, we glean a notice of +the present Poem, _e. g._ "Sundry devises at hir entrance: three +women, a maid, a widow and a wife, eache contending [for] their own +states, but the virgin preferred." In Nichols' Progs. of Elizabeth +(iii. 601) the poem is also ascribed on authority of John Chamberlain +to Davies (6th December, 1602). See Letters of Chamberlain published +by CAMDEN Society, p. 169: December 23rd, 1602. Miss Sarah +Williams, in her careful edition of CHAMBERLAIN'S Letters +for the Camden Society, by an oversight, has annotated this reference +_in loco_ as to Davies of Hereford. Chamberlain calls it a "pretty +dialogue." The Barrister's Diary _supra_ [Manningham] has been edited +for the Camden Society by the late lamented Mr. John Bruce of London. +G.] + + + _Wife._ Widdow, well met, whether goe you to day? + Will you not to this solemne offering go? + You know it is _Astreas_ holy day: + The Saint to whom all hearts deuotion owe. + + _Widow._ Marry, what else? I purpos'd so to doe: + Doe you not marke how all the wiues are fine? + And how they haue sent presents ready too, + To make their offering at _Astreas_ shrine? + + See then, the shrine and tapers burning bright, + Come, friend, and let vs first ourselues advance, + We know our place, and if we haue our right, + To all the parish we must leade the dance. + + But soft, what means this bold presumptuous maid, + To goe before, without respect of vs? + Your forwardnesse (proude maide) must now be staide: + Where learnd you to neglect your betters thus? + + _Maid._ Elder you are, but not my betters here, + This place to maids a priuiledge must giue: + The Goddesse, being a maid, holds maidens deare, + And grants to them her own prerogatiue. + + Besides, on all true virgins, at their birth. + Nature hath set[145] a crowne of excellence, + That all the wiues and widdowes of the earth, + Should giue them place, and doe them reuerence? + + _Wife._ If to be borne a maid be such a grace, + So was I borne and grac't by nature to, + But seeking more perfection to embrace + I did become a wife as others doe. + + _Widow._ And if the maid and wife such honour have, + I haue beene both, and hold a third degree. + Most maides are Wardes, and euery wife a slaue, + I haue my livery sued,[146] and I am free. + + _Maid._ That is the fault, that you haue maidens beene, + And were not constant to continue so: + The fals of Angels did increase their sinne, + In that they did so pure a state forgoe: + + But Wife and Widdow, if your wits can make, + Your state and persons of more worth then mine, + Aduantage to this place I will not take; + I will both place and priuilege resigne. + + _Wife._ Why marriage is an honourable state. + _Widow._ And widdow-hood is a reuerend degree: + _Maid._ But maidenhead, that will admit no mate, + Like maiestie itselfe must sacred be. + + _Wife._ The wife is mistresse of her family. + _Widow._ Much more the widdow, for she rules alone: + _Maid._ But mistresse of mine owne desires am I, + When you rule others wils and not your owne. + + _Wife._ Onely the wife enjoys the vertuous pleasure. + _Widow._ The widow can abstaine from pleasures known: + _Maid._ But th' vncorrupted maid preserues[147] such measure, + As being by pleasures wooed she cares for none. + + _Wife._ The wife is like a faire supported vine. + _Widow._ So was the widdow, but now stands alone: + For being growne strong, she needs not to incline. + _Maid._ Maids, like the earth, supported are of none. + + _Wife._ The wife is as a Diamond richly set; + _Maid._ The maide vnset doth yet more rich appeare. + _Widow._ The widdow a Iewel in the Cabinet, + Which though not worn is stil esteem'd as deare. + + _Wife._ The wife doth loue, and is belou'd againe. + _Widow._ The widdow is awakt out of that dreame. + _Maid._ The maids white minde had neuer such a staine, + No passion troubles her cleare vertues streame. + + Yet if I would be lou'd, lou'd would I be, + Like her whose vertue in the bay is seene: + Loue to wife fades with satietie, + Where loue neuer enioyed is euer greene. + + _Widow._ Then whats a virgin but a fruitlesse bay? + _Maid._ And whats a widdow but a rose-lesse bryer? + And what are wiues, but woodbinds which decay + The stately Oakes by which themselues aspire? + + And what is marriage but a tedious yoke? + _Widow._ And whats virginitie but sweete selfe-loue? + _Wife._ And whats a widdow but an axell broke, + Whose one part failing, neither part can mooue? + _Widow._ Wiues are as birds in golden cages kept. + _Wife._ Yet in those cages chearefully they sing: + _Widow._ Widdowes are birds out of these cages lept, + Whose ioyfull notes makes all the forrest ring. + + _Maid._ But maides are birds amidst the woods secure, + Which neuer h[=a]d could touch, nor yet[148] could take; + Nor whistle could deceiue, nor baite allure, + But free vnto themselues doe musicke make. + + _Wife._ The wife is as the turtle with her mate. + _Widow._ The widdow, as the widdow doue alone; + Whose truth shines most in her forsaken state. + _Maid._ The maid a Ph[oe]nix, and is still but one. + + _Wife._ The wifes a soule vnto her body tyed. + _Widow._ The widdow a soule departed into blisse. + _Maid._ The maid, an Angell, which was stellified, + And now t' as faire a house descended is. + + _Wife._ Wiues are faire houses kept and furnisht well. + _Widow._ Widdowes old castles voide, but full of state: + _Maid._ But maids are temples where the Gods do dwell, + To whom alone themselues they dedicate. + But marriage is a prison during life, + Where one way out, but many entries be: + _Wife._ The Nun is kept in cloyster, not the wife, + Wedlocke alone doth make the virgin free. + + _Maid._ The maid is ever fresh, like morne in May: + _Wife._ The wife with all her beames is beautified, + Like to high noone, the glory of the day: + _Widow._ The widow, like a milde, sweet, euen-tide. + + _Wife._ An office well supplide is like the wife. + _Widow._ The widow, like a gainfull office voide: + _Maid._ But maids are like contentment in this life, + Which al the world haue sought, but none enioid: + + Go wife to Dunmow, and demaund your flitch. + _Widow._ Goe gentle maide, goe leade the Apes in hell. + _Wife._ Goe widow make some younger brother rich, + And then take thought and die, and all is well. + + Alas poore maid, that hast no help nor stay. + _Widow._ Alas poore wife, that nothing dost possesse; + _Maid._ Alas poore widdow, charitie doth say, + Pittie the widow and the fatherlesse. + + _Widow._ But happy widdowes haue the world at will. + _Wife._ But happier wiues, whose ioys are euer double. + _Maid._ But happiest maids whose hearts are calme and still, + Whom feare, nor hope, nor loue, nor hate doth trouble. + + _Wife._ Euery true wife hath an indented[149] heart, + Wherein the covenants of loue are writ, + Whereof her husband keepes the counterpart, + And reads his comforts and his ioyes in it. + + _Widow._ But euery widdowes heart is like a booke, + Where her ioyes past, imprinted doe remaine, + But when her iudgements eye therein doth looke; + She doth not wish they were to come againe. + + _Maid._ But the maids heart a faire white table is, + Spotlesse and pure, where no impressions be + But the immortal Caracters of blisse, + Which onely God doth write, and Angels see. + + _Wife._ But wiues haue children, what a ioy is this? + _Widow._ Widows haue children too, but maids haue none. + _Maid._ No more haue Angels, yet they haue more blisse + Then euer yet to mortall man was knowne. + + _Wife._ The wife is like a faire manurèd[150] field; + _Widow._ The widow once was such, but now doth rest. + _Maid._ The maide, like Paradice, vndrest, vntil'd, + Beares crops of natiue vertue in her breast. + + _Wife._ Who would not dye as wife, as Lucrece died? + _Widow._ Or liue a widdow, as Penelope? + _Maid._ Or be a maide, and so be stellified,[151] + As all the vertues and the graces be. + + _Wife._ Wiues are warme Climates well inhabited; + But maids are frozen zones where none may dwel. + _Maid._ But fairest people in the North are bred, + Where Africa breeds Monsters blacke as hell. + + _Wife._ I haue my husbands honour and his place. + _Widow._ My husbands fortunes all suruiue to me. + _Maid._ The moone doth borrow light, you borrow grace, + When maids by their owne vertues gracèd be. + + White is my colour; and no hew but this + It will receiue, no tincture can it staine. + _Wife._ My white hath tooke one colour, but it is + My honourable purple dyed in graine.[152] + + _Widow._ But it hath beene my fortune to renue + My colour twice from that it was before. + But now my blacke will take no other hue, + And therefore now I meane to change no more. + + _Wife._ Wiues are faire Apples seru'd in golden dishes. + _Widow._ Widows good wine, which time makes better much. + _Maid._ But Maids are grapes desired by many wishes, + But that they grow so high as none can touch. + + _Wife._ I haue a daughter equals you, my girle. + _Maid._ The daughter doth excell the mother then: + As pearles are better then the mother of pearle + Maids loose their value wh[=e] they match with men. + _Widow._ The man with wh[=o] I matcht, his worth was such + As now I scorne a maide should be my peare:[153] + _Maid._ But I will scorne the man you praise so much, + For maids are matchlesse, and no mate can beare. + + Hence is it that the virgine neuer loues, + Because her like she finds not anywhere; + For likenesse euermore affection moues, + Therefore the maide hath neither loue nor peere. + + _Wife._ Yet many virgins married wiues would be. + _Widow._ And many a wife would be a widdow faine. + _Maid._ There is no widdow but desires to see, + If so she might, her maiden daies againe. + + _Widow._[154] There neuer was a wife that liked her lot: + _Wife._ Nor widdow but was clad in mourning weeds. + _Maid._ Doe what you will, marry, or marry not, + Both this estate and that, repentance breedes. + + _Wife._ But she that this estate and that hath seene, + Doth find great ods betweene the wife and girle. + _Maid._ Indeed she doth, as much as is betweene + The melting haylestone and the solid pearle. + + _Wife._ If I were Widdow, my merry dayes were past. + _Widow._ Nay, then you first become sweete pleasures guest, + _Wife._[155] For mayden-head is a continuall fast, + And marriage is a continual feast. + + _Maid._ Wedlock indeed hath oft comparèd bin + To publike Feasts where meete a publike rout; + Where they that are without would faine go in, + And they that are within would faine go out. + + Or to the Iewell which this vertue had, + That men were mad till they might it obtaine, + But when they had it, they were twise as mad, + Till they were dipossest of it againe. + + _Wife._ Maids cannot iudge, because they cannot tell, + What comforts and what ioyes in marriage be: + + _Maid._ Yes, yes, though blessed Saints in heauen do dwell, + They doe the soules in Purgatory see. + + _Widow._ If euery wife do liue in Purgatory. + Then sure it is, that Widdowes liue in blisse: + And are translated to a state of glory, + But Maids as yet haue not attain'd to this. + + _Maid._ Not Maids? To spotlesse maids this gift is giuen, + To liue in incorruption from their birth; + And what is that but to inherit heauen + Euen while they dwell vpon the spotted earth? + + The perfectest of all created things, + The purest gold, that suffers no allay;[156] + The sweetest flower that on th' earths bosome springs, + The pearle vnbord, whose price no price can pay: + + The Christall Glasse that will no venome hold,[157] + The mirror wherein Angels loue to looke, + _Dianaes_ bathing Fountaine cleere and cold, + Beauties fresh Rose, and vertues liuing booke. + + Of loue and fortune both, the Mistresse borne, + The soueraigne spirit that will be thrall to none; + The spotlesse garment that was neuer worne, + The Princely Eagle that still flyes alone. + + She sees the world, yet her cleere thought doth take + No such deepe print as to be chang'd thereby; + As when we see the burning fire doth make, + No such impression as doth burne the eye. + + _Wife._ No more (sweete maid) our strife is at an end, + Cease now: I fear we shall transformèd be + To chattering Pies, as they that did contend + To match the Muses in their harmony. + + _Widow._ Then let us yeeld the honour and the place, + And let vs both be sutors to the maid; + That since the Goddesse giues her speciall grace, + By her cleere hands the offring be conuaide. + + _Maid._ Your speech I doubt hath some displeasure mou'd, + Yet let me haue the offring, I will see; + I know she hath both wiues and widdowes lou'd, + Though she would neither wife nor widdow be. (pp 5-15.) + +[Footnote 145: Misprinted 'sent.' G.] + +[Footnote 146: A legal phrase = freedom or liberty. G.] + +[Footnote 147: Nicolas, as before, has 'observes.' G.] + +[Footnote 148: Nicolas, as before, reads 'net.' G.] + +[Footnote 149: The reference is to the wavy or vandyked cutting of the +vellum MS. whereby the one copy fits into the other. Recently two very +ancient MSS. were thus unexpectedly brought together in H. M. Public +Record Office. G.] + +[Footnote 150: = cultivated. G.] + +[Footnote 151: Cf. 'Orchestra,' Vol. I., page 192, with relative note. +G.] + +[Footnote 152: = in the fabric. G.] + +[Footnote 153: = peer. G.] + +[Footnote 154: In the previous editions of the Rhapsody, this line has +always been imputed to the Wife, and the following one to the Widow; +but as throughout the Contention each party praises her own state, +whilst she ridicules that of the other, the transposition in the text +appeared to be imperiously called for. Nicolas.] + +[Footnote 155: By the rule of note 8, Wife seems necessary to be here +prefixed; but see our Memorial-Introduction for a critical notice of +this and other portions. G.] + +[Footnote 156: = alloy. G.] + +[Footnote 157: It was long a "Vulgar Error" that certain 'christall +glasses' flew into bits on poison being put into them. G.] + + + +III. A LOTTERY.[158] + +[Footnote 158: See Introductory-note to the preceding poem. G.] + + _Presented before the late Queenes Maiesty at the Lord Chancelors + House, 1602._[159] + +[Footnote 159: This Lottery was presented to the Queen in the year +1602, at York House, the residence of Thomas Egerton, Lord Keeper, not +in 1601, as stated in Nichols' _Progresses_, vol iii. p. 570. See our +Memorial-Introduction for authority for this correction, and for the +names of the ladies who drew the successive 'lots,' and also other +points. COLLIER, as before, in a strangely curious remark, +supposes these lottery verses may be Samuel Rowland's "When gossips +meet," and as strangely does not connect them with Davies' name at all. +He, however, supplies interesting _memorabilia_, relating to these +Elizabethan Entertainments. He mis-names the poet-compiler of the +'Rhapsody' throughout, Davidson.] + + +_A Marriner with a Boxe vnder his arme, contayning all the seuerall +things following, supposed to come from the Carrick,[160] came into the +Presence, singing this Song_: + +[Footnote 160: Or _Caract_, a large ship. Chaucer speaks of Satan +having "a tayle, broder than of a Carrike is the sayl." Sir Walter +Raleigh,--a contributor to the _Rhapsody_,--observes "in which river +the largest _Carack_ may, &c." Nicolas.] + + _Cynthia_ Queene of Seas and Lands, + That fortune euery where commands, + Sent forth fortune to the Sea, + To try her fortune euery way. + There did I fortune meet, which makes me now to sing, + There is no fishing to the Sea, nor seruice to the King. + + All the Nymphs of _Thetis_ traine + Did _Cinthias_ fortunes entertaine: + Many a Iewell, many a Iem, + Was to her fortune brought by them. + Her fortune sped so well, as makes me now to sing, + There is no fishing to the Sea, nor seruice to the King. + + Fortune that it might be seene, + That she did serue a royall Queene, + A franke and royall hand did beare, + And cast her fauors euery where. + Some toyes fell to my share, which makes me now to sing, + There is no fishing to the Sea, nor seruice to the King.[161] + + +[Footnote 161: Mr. Nichols, in his _Progresses of Queen Elizabeth_, cites the +following passage from a speech made at her entertainment at Cowdray, +to prove that the line in the text was an "olde saying." +"Madame it is an olde saying '_There is no fishing to the sea, nor +service to the King_;' but it holds when the sea is calm, and the King +virtuous."... Vol. iii., pp. 95-571. Nicolas. The sense is +that there is no fishing to be compared (in result) to sea-fishing, nor +any service to be compared with the king's. G.] + + And the Song ended, he vttred this short Speech: + + _God saue you faire Ladies all: and for my part, if euer I be brought + to answere for my sinnes, God forgiue my sharking, and lay vsury to + my charge. I am a Marriner, and am now come from the sea, where I had + the fortune to light upon these few trifles. I must confesse I came + but lightly by them, but I no sooner had them, but I made a vow, that + as they came to my hands by Fortune, so I would not part with them but + by Fortune. To that end I haue euer since carried these Lots about me, + that if I met with fit company I might deuide my booty among them. And + now, (I thanke my good Fortune,)! I am lighted into the best company + of the world, a company of the fairest Ladyes that euer I saw. Come + Ladies try your fortunes, and if any light upon an unfortunate Blanke, + let her thinke that Fortune doth but mock her in these trifles, and + meanes to pleasure her in greater matters._ + + + _The Lots._ + + 1. _Fortunes Wheele._ + + Fortune must now no more in triumph ride, + The wheeles are yours that did her Chariot guide. + + 2. _A Purse._ + + You thriue, or would, or may, your Lots a Purse + Fill it with gold, and you are nere the worse. + + 3. _A Maske._ + + Want you a Maske? heere Fortune gives you one, + Yet nature giues the Rose and Lilly none. + + 4. _A Looking-Glasse._ + + Blinde Fortune doth not see how faire you be, + But giues a glasse that you your selfe may see. + + 5. _A Hankerchiefe._ + + Whether you seeme to weepe, or weepe indeed, + This Hand-kerchiefe will stand you well in steed. + + 6. _A Plaine Ring._ + + Fortune doth send[162] you, hap it well or ill, + This plaine gold Ring, to wed you to your will. + + +[Footnote 162: Manningham, in the original MS., has these variants: l. +1, 'hath sent'; l. 2, 'A plaine.' G.] + + + 7. _A Ring, with this Poesie: + + As faithfull as I find._ + Your hand by Fortune on this Ring doth light, + And yet the words[163] do hit your humour right. + +[Footnote 163: Manningham, as before, has 'word doth'--a reading which +brings it more into accord with the language of the times, 'word' being +then used for a sentence of import, impressa, or posy. He has also +'fit' for 'hit.' G.] + + 8. _A Pair of Gloues._ + + Fortune these Gloues to you in challenge sends, + For that you loue not fooles that are her friends.[164] + +[Footnote 164: Manningham again reads here:-- + + ... "to you in double challenge sends + For you hath fools and flatterers hir best friends." G.] + + + 9. _A Dozen of Points._[165] + + You are in euery point a louer true, + And therefore Fortune giues the points to you. + +[Footnote 165: A tagged lace used for attaching and keeping up or +together various parts of the dress. G.] + + + 10. _A Lace._ + + Giue her the Lace that loues to be straight lac'd, + So Fortunes little gift is aptly plac'd. + + + 11. _A Paire of Kniues._ + + Fortune doth giue this paire of Kniues to you, + To cut the thred of loue, if 't be not true. + + + 12. _A Girdle._ + + By Fortunes Girdle you may happy be,[166] + But they that are lesse happy are more free. + +[Footnote 166: Manningham reads, "With Fortune's ... happy may you be." +G.] + + + 13. _A Payre of Writing-Tables._ + + These Tables may containe your thoughts[167] in part, + But write not all, that's written in your heart. + +[Footnote 167: _Ibid_, 'thought.' G.] + + + 14. _A Payre of Garters._ + + Though you haue Fortunes Garters, you must be + More staid and constant in your steps then she. + + + 15. _A Coife and Crosse-Cloth._ + + Frowne in good earnest, or be sick in iest, + This Coife and Cross-Cloth will become you best. + + + 16. _A Scarfe._ + + Take you this Scarfe, bind _Cupid_ hand and foote, + So loue must aske you leaue before hee shoote. + + + 17. _A Falling Band._ + + Fortune would have you rise, yet guides your hand, + From other Lots to take the falling band. + + + 18. _A Stomacher._ + + This Stomacher is full of windowes[168] wrought, + Yet none through them can see into your thought. + +[Footnote 168: = worked openings in the dress. G.] + + + 19. _A Pair of Sizzers._[169] + + These sizzers do your huswifery bewray, + You loue to work though you are borne to play. + +[Footnote 169: Manningham has 'scisser case,' which shows the scissors +were in a case. He also reads 'you be borne.' G.] + + + 20. _A Chaine._ + + Because you scorne loue's Captiue to remaine, + Fortune hath sworne to leade you in a Chaine. + + + 21. _A Prayer-Booke._ + + Your Fortune may prooue[170] good another day, + Till Fortune come, take you a booke to pray. + +[Footnote 170: _Ibid_, 'may be.' Then l. 2 was first as in text, but +over 'Till that day' is inserted above 'Till Fortune come,' though the +latter is not erased. G.] + + + 22. _A Snuftkin._[171] + + 'Tis Summer yet, a Snuftkin is your Lot, + But 'twill be winter one day, doubt you not. + +[Footnote 171: A small muff for Winter-wear. _Ibid_ in heading and l. +1, 'Mufkin': in l. 2 'It will be.' G.] + + + 23. _A Fanne._ + + You loue to see, and yet to be vnseen, + Take you this Fanne to be your beauties skreene. + + + 24. _A Pair of Bracelets._ + + Lady, your hands are fallen into a snare, + For _Cupids_ manicles these Bracelets are. + + + 25. _A Bodkin._ + + Euen with this Bodkin you may lie unharmed, + Your beauty is with vertue so well armed. + + + 26. _A Necklace._ + + Fortune giues your faire neck this lace to weare, + God grant a heauier yoke it neuer beare. + + + 27. _A Cushinet._ + + To her that little cares what Lot she wins, + Chance gives a little Cushinet to stick pinnes. + + + 28. _A Dyall._ + + The Dyal's your's, watch time least it be lost, + Yet they most lose it that do watch it most.[172] + +[Footnote 172: _Ibid_, this variant:-- + + "And yet they spend it worst that watch it most." G.] + + + 29. _A Nutmeg with a Blanke Parchment in it._ + + This Nutmeg holds a Blanke, but chance doth hide it: + Write your owne wish, and Fortune will prouide it. + + + 30. _Blanke._ + + Wot you not why Fortune giues you no prize, + Good faith she saw you not, she wants her eyes. + + + 31. _Blanke._ + + You are so dainty to be pleaz'd, God wot, + Chance knowes not what to giue you for a Lot. + + + 32. _Blanke._ + + Tis pitty such a hand should draw in vaine, + Though it gaine nought, yet shall it pitty gaine. + + + 33. _Blanke._ + + Nothing's your Lot, that's more then can be told, + For nothing is more precious then gold. + + + 34. _Blanke._ + + You faine would haue, but what, you cannot tell. + In giuing nothing, Fortune serues you well. + + SIR I. D. (pp. 42-46.) + + +IV. CANZONET. + +_A Hymne in Praise of Musicke._[173] + +[Footnote 173: See Introductory-Note to the first of these Minor Poems. +I include this 'Canzonet' because originally it bore the initials of +Davies' other pieces in the 'Rhapsody,' viz., I. D.--G.] + + Praise, pleasure, profite, is that threefold band, + Which ties mens minds more fast then Gordions knots: + Each one some drawes, all three none can withstand, + Of force conioynd, Conquest is hardly got. + Then Musicke may of hearts a Monarch be, + Wherein prayse, pleasure, profite so agree. + + Praise-worthy Musicke is, for God it praiseth, + And pleasant, for brute beasts therein delight, + Great profit from it flowes, for why it raiseth + The mind ouerwhelmed with rude passions might: + When against reason passions fond rebell, + Musicke doth that confirme, and those expell. + + If Musicke did not merit endlesse praise, + Would heauenly Spheares delight in siluer round?[174] + If ioyous pleasure were not in sweet layes + Would they in Court and Country so abound? + And profitable needes we must that call, + Which pleasure linkt with praise, doth bring to all. + +[Footnote 174: Qu: sound? or it may be = their circular movement +(supposed). G.] + + Heroicke minds with praises most incited, + Seeke praise in Musicke and therein excell: + God, man, beasts, birds, with Musicke are delighted, + And pleasant t'is which pleaseth all so well: + No greater profit is then self-content, + And this will Musicke bring, and care preuent. + + When antique Poets Musick's praises tell, + They say it beasts did please, and stones did moue: + To proue more dull then stones, then beasts more fell, + Those men which pleasing Musicke did not loue; + They fain'd, it Cities built, and States defended + To shew the profite great on it depended. + + Sweet birds (poor men's Musitians) neuer slake + To sing sweet Musickes praises day and night: + The dying Swans in Musicke pleasure take, + To shew that it the dying can delight: + In sicknesse, health, peace, warre, we do it need, + Which proues sweet Musicks profit doth exceed. + + But I by niggard praising, do dispraise + Praise-worthy Musicke in my worthlesse Rime: + Ne can the pleasing profit of sweet laies, + Any saue learnèd Muses well define: + Yet all by these rude lines may clearely see, + Praise, pleasure, profite in sweet musicke be. [pp. 138-9.] + + (No sig. but in 1602. I. D.) + + +V. TEN SONETS TO PHILOMEL.[175] + +[Footnote 175: In my edition of Donne I have assigned these Ten Sonnets +to him, but for reasons given in Memorial-Introduction now reclaim +them for Davies. Our text is as with the others from the 'Rhapsody' of +1621, where they are numbered in the class of sonnets xxxiv. to xlii. +They were originally signed Melophilus. The various readings are merely +orthographical. G.] + + +SONNET I. + +_Vpon Loues entring by the eares._ + + Oft did I heare our eyes the passage weare, + By which Loue entred to assaile our hearts: + Therefore I garded them, and void of feare, + Neglected the defence of other parts. + Loue knowing this, the vsuall way forsooke: + And seeking found a by-way by mine eare. + At which he entring, my heart prisoner tooke, + And vnto thee sweete Phylomel did beare. + Yet let my heart thy heart to pitty moue, + Whose paine is great, although small fault appeare. + First it lies bound in fettring chaines of loue, + Then each day it is rackt with hope and feare. + And with loues flames tis euermore consumed, + Only because to loue thee it presumed. + + O why did Fame my heart to loue betray, + By telling my Deares vertue and perfection? + Why did my Traytor eares to it conuey + That Syren-song, cause of my hearts infection? + Had I been deafe, or Fame her gifts concealed, + Then had my heart beene free from hopelesse Loue: + Or were my state likewise by it reuealed, + Well might it Philomel to pitty moue. + Than should she know how loue doth make me languish, + Distracting me twixt hope and dreadfull feare: + Then should she know my care, my plaints and anguish, + All which for her deare selfe I meekely beare. + Yea I could quietly deaths paines abide, + So that she knew that for her sake I dide. + + +_Of his owne, and his Mistresse sicknesse at one time._ + + Sicknesse entending my loue to betray, + Before I should sight of my deere obtaine: + Did his pale colours in my face display, + Lest that my fauour might her fauours gaine. + Yet not content herewith, like meanes it wrought, + My Philomels bright beauty to deface: + And natures glory to disgrace it sought, + That my conceiuèd loue it might displace. + But my firme loue could this assault well beare, + Which vertue had, not beauty for his ground. + And yet bright beames of beauty did appeare, + Through sicknesse vaile, which made my loue abound; + If sicke (thought I) her beauty so excell, + How matchlesse would it be if she were well. + + +_Another of her sicknesse and recovery._ + + Pale Death himselfe did loue my Philomell, + When he her vertues and rare beauty saw, + Therefore he sicknesse sent: which should expell + His riuals life, and my deare to him draw. + But her bright beauty dazled so his eyes, + That his dart life did misse, though her it hit: + Yet not therewith content, new meanes he tries, + To bring her vnto Death, and make life flit. + But Nature soone perceiuing, that he meant + To spoyle her onely Ph[oe]nix, her chiefe pride, + Assembled all her force, and did preuent + The greatest mischiefe that could her betide. + So both our liues and loues, Nature defended: + For had she di'de, my loue and life had ended. + + +_Allusion to Theseus voyage to Crete, against the Minotaure._ + + My loue is sail'd against dislike to fight, + Which like vile monster, threatens his decay: + The ship is hope, which by desires great might, + Is swiftly borne towards the wishèd bay: + The company which with my loue doth fare, + (Though met in one) is a dissenting crew: + They are ioy, griefe, and neuer-sleeping care, + And doubt, which neere beleeues good newes for true: + Blacke feare the flag is, which my ship doth beare, + Which (Deere) take downe, if my loue victor be: + And let white comfort in his place appeare. + When loue victoriously returnes to me: + Least I from rock despaire come tumbling downe, + And in a sea of teares be for'st to drowne. + + +_Vpon her looking secretly out at a window as he passed by._ + + Once did my Philomel reflect on me, + Her Cristall pointed eyes as I past by; + Thinking not to be seene, yet would me see: + But soone my hungry eies their food did spy. + Alas, my deere, couldst them suppose, that face + Which needs not enuy Ph[oe]bus chiefest pride, + Could secret be, although in secret place, + And that transparent glasse such beames could hide? + But if I had been blinde, yet Loues hot flame, + Kindled in my poore heart by thy bright eye, + Did plainly shew when it so neere thee came, + By more the vsuall heate then cause was nie, + So though thou hidden wert, my heart and eye + Did turne to thee by mutuall Sympathy. + + When time nor place would let me often view + Natures chiefe Mirror, and my sole delight; + Her liuely picture in my heart I drew, + That I might it behold both day and night; + But she, like Philips Sonne, scorning that I + Should portraiture, which wanted Apelles Art, + Commanded Loue (who nought dare her deny) + To burne the picture which was in my heart. + The more loue burn'd, the more her Picture shin'd: + The more it shin'd, the more my heart did burne: + So what to hurt her Picture was assign'd, + To my hearts ruine and decay did turne. + Loue could not burne the Spirit, it was divine, + And therefore fir'd my heart, the Saints poor shrine. + + +_To the Sunne of his Mistresse beauty eclipsed with frownes._ + + When as the Sunne eclipsèd is, some say + It thunder, lightning, raine, and wind portendeth; + And not vnlike but such things happen may, + Sith like effects my Sunne eclipsèd sendeth! + Witnesse my throat made hoarse with thundring cries, + And heart with loues hot flashing lightnings fired: + Witnesse the showers which still fall from mine eies, + And breast with sighes like stormy winds neare riued. + O shine then once againe sweet Sunne on me, + And with thy beames dissolue clouds of despaire, + Whereof these raging Meteors framèd be, + In my poore heart by absence of my faire. + So shalt thou prooue thy beames, thy heate, thy light, + To match the Sunne in glory, grace, and might. + + +_Vpon sending her a gold ring with this Posie._ + + Pure and Endlesse. + If you would know the love which I you beare, + Compare it to the Ring which your faire hand + Shall make more precious, when you shall it weare: + So my loues nature you shall vnderstand. + Is it of mettall pure? so you shall proue + My loue, which ne're disloyall thought did staine. + Hath it no end? so endlesse is my loue, + Vnlesse you it destroy with your disdaine. + Doth it the purer waxe the more tis tride? + So doth my loue: yet herein they dissent, + That whereas gold the more t'is purifide + By waxing lesse, doth shew some part is spent: + My loue doth waxe more pure by your more trying, + And yet encreaseth in the purifying. + + +_The hearts captivitie._ + + My cruell deere hauing captiu'de my heart, + And bound it fast in chaines of restlesse loue: + Requires it out of bondage to depart, + Yet is she sure from her it cannot moue. + Draw backe (said she) your helpeless loue from me, + Your worth requires a farre more worthy place: + Vnto your suite though I cannot agree, + Full many will it louingly embrace. + It may be so (my deere) but as the Sunne, + When it appeares doth make the starres to vanish! + So when your selfe into my thoughts do runne, + All others quite out of my heart you banish. + The beames of your perfections shine so bright, + That straight-way they dispell all other light. + + I. D. + + +VI. TO GEORGE CHAPMAN ON HIS OVID.[176] + +[Footnote 176: From "Ovid's Banquet of | SENCE. | A Coronet +for his Mistresse Philosophie, and his amorous | _Zodiacke_. | With a +translation of a Latine coppie, | written by a Fryer, Anno Dom. 1400. +| _Quis leget hæc? Nemo Hercule Nemo, | vel duo vel nemo._ Persius. | +AT LONDON, | Printed by J. R. for Richard Smith. _Anno Dom._ +1595. | " See our Memorial-Introduction. G.] + + +_I. D. of the Middle Temple._ + + Onely that eye which for true loue doth weepe, + Onely that hart which tender loue doth pierse, + May read and vnderstand this sacred vierse-- + For other wits too misticall and deepe: + Betweene these hallowed leaues _Cupid_ dooth keepe + The golden lesson of his second Artist; + For loue, till now, hath still a Maister mist, + Since _Ouids_ eyes were closed with iron sleepe; + But now his waking soule in _Chapman_ liues, + Which showes so well the passions of his soule; + And yet this Muse more cause of wonder giues, + And doth more Prophet-like loues art enroule: + For Ouids soule, now growne more old and wise, + Poures foorth it selfe in deeper misteries. + + +VII. REASON'S MOANE.[177] + +[Footnote 177: From close of 'A New Post' consisting of 'Essayes' by +Sir John Davies. See Prose Works in Fuller Worthies' Library. G.] + + + When I peruse heauen's auncient written storie, + part left in bookes, and part in contemplation: + I finde Creation tended to God's glory: + but when I looke upon the foule euasion, + Loe then I cry, I howle, I weepe, I moane, + and seeke for truth, but truth alas! is gone. + + Whilom of old before the earth was founded, + or hearbs or trees or plants or beasts, had being, + Or that the mightie Canopie of heauen surrounded + these lower creatures; ere that the eye had seeing: + Then Reason was within the mind of Ioue, + embracing only amitie and loue. + + The blessed angels' formes and admirable natures, + their happie states, their liues and high perfections, + Immortall essence and vnmeasured statures, + the more made known their falls and low directions. + These things when Reason doth peruse + she finds her errors, which she would excuse. + + But out alas! she sees strife is all in vaine; + it bootes not to contend, or stand in this defence. + Death, sorow, grief, hell and torments are her gaine, + and endlesse burning fire, becomes our recompence. + Oh heauie moane! oh endlesse sorrowes anguish, + neuer to cease but euer still to languish. + + When I peruse the state of prime created man, + his wealth, his dignitie and reason: + His power, his pleasure, his greatnesse when I scan, + I doe admire and wonder, that in so short a season, + These noble parts, should haue so short conclusion: + and man himselfe, be brought to such confusion. + + In seeking countries far beyond the seas, I finde, + euen where faire Eden's pleasant garden stood: + And all the coasts vnto the same confinde, + gall to cruell wars; men's hands embru'd in blood, + In cutting throats, and murders, men delight: + so from these places Reason's banisht quite. + + O Ierusalem! that thou shouldst now turn Turke, + and Sions hil, where holy rites of yore were vs'd: + Oh! that within that holy place should lurke + such sacrilege: whereby Ioue's name's abusde. + What famous Greece, farewel: thou canst not bost + thy great renowne: thy wit, thy learning's lost. + + The further search I make, the worse effect I finde: + All Asia swarmes with huge impietie: + All Affrick's bent vnto a bloody minde: + all treachers[178] gainst Ioue and his great deitie. + Let vs returne to famous Britton's king, + whose worthy praise let all the world goe sing, + +[Footnote 178: = traitors [treacherous]. G.] + + Great Tetragramaton, out of thy bounteous loue + let all the world and nations truely know, + That he plants peace, and quarrell doth remoue: + let him be great'st on all the earth belowe. + Long may he liue, and all the world admire, + that peace is wrought as they themselues desire. + + What Vnion he hath brought to late perfection, + twixt Nations that hath so long contended: + Their warres and enuies by him receiue correction, + And in his royal person all their iars are ended. + And so in briefe conclude, ought all that liue + giue thanks to him for ioy that peace doth giue. + + By power and will of this our mightie king + reason doth shew that God hath wroght a wonder: + Countries distract he doth to Vnion bring + and ioynes together States which others sunder: + God grant him life till Shiloe's comming be + in heauen's high seate he may enthronized be. + + +VIII. ON THE DEATH OF LORD CHANCELLOR ELLESMERE'S SECOND WIFE IN +1599.[179] + + You, that in Judgement passion never show, + (As still a Judge should without passion bee), + So judge your selfe; and make not in your woe + Against your self a passionate decree. + Griefe may become so weake a spirit as mine: + My prop is fallne, and quenchèd is my light: + But th' Elme may stand, when with'red is the vine, + And, though the Moone eclipse, the Sunne is bright. + + Yet were I senselesse if I wisht your mind, + Insensible, that nothing might it move; + As if a man might not bee wise and kind. + Doubtlesse the God of Wisdome and of Loue, + As Solomon's braine he doth to you impart, + So hath he given you David's tender hart. + + Yr. Lps in all humble Duties + and condoling with yr. Lp. most affectionately + Jo. Davys. + +[Footnote 179: I take this Sonnet from Collier's 'Bibliographical +Catalogue' _sub nomine_ (Vol. I. p. 192). It is thus introduced by +him: "It is stated correctly by the biographers of [Sir] John Davys +that he was patronized by Lord Ellesmere, and among the papers of his +lordship is preserved the following autograph Sonnet, which appears to +have been addressed to the Lord Chancellor, on the death of his second +wife in 1599." Further: The following note is appended, also in the +hand-writing of Sir John Davys:--"A French writer (whom I love well) +speakes of 3 kindes of Companions, Men, Women, and Bookes: the losse +of this second makes you retire from the first: I have, therefore, +presumed to send y^{r}. L^{p} one of the third kind, w^{ch} (it may +bee), is a straunger to your L^{p}. yet I persuade me his conversation +will not be disagreeable to y^{r} L^{p}." See Memorial-Introduction for +notices of Ellesmere and his wives. G.] + + +IX. TITYRUS _TO HIS FAIRE_ PHILLIS.[180] + + The silly Swaine whose loue breedes discontent, + Thinkes death a trifle, life a loathsome thing, + Sad he lookes, sad he lyes. + + But when his Fortunes mallice doth relent, + Then of Loues sweetnes he will sweetly sing, + Thus he liues, thus he dyes. + + Then _Tityrus_ whom Loue hath happy made, + Will rest thrice happy in this Mirtle shade. + For though Loue at first did greeue him: + yet did Loue at last releeue him. + + I. D. + +[Footnote 180: From "Englands Helicon": + + Casta placent superis + pura cum Veste venite, + Et manibus puris + sumite fontis aquam. + + At London + + Printed by I. R. for _Iohn Flasket_, and are + to be sold in St. Paules Church-yard, at the + signe | of the Beare. 1600. | [40.] + E 3 (verso) + +The Davies authorship of this little lilt, is confirmed by a +contemporary (Harleian) MS. list of contributors to England's Helicon +(280), wherein his name is placed against it. G.] + + +UPON A COFFIN BY S. J. D. + + There was a man bespake a thing + Which when the owner home did bring, + He that made it did refuse it; + And he that brought it would not use it, + And he that hath it doth not know + Whether he hath it, ay or no. + + From "The Curtaine-Drawer of the Worlde ... + by W. Parkes, Gentleman ... 1621.[181] + +[Footnote 181: In my Fuller Worthies' Library edition of Davies, I +inserted above Riddle as kindly sent me by Mr. W. C. Hazlitt, from the +"Philosopher's Banquet": 2d edition, 1614, p. 261. In its text l. 6 +'he' is spelled 'hee,' and 'ay' is 'yea.' G.] + + +X. EPITAPH AND EPIGRAM. + +Sir John Davies had a son who became, if he were not born, an idiot. +Anthony-a-Wood states "The son dying, Sir John made an epitaph of four +verses on him, beginning + + Hic in visceribus terræ &c." + +It is much to be wished that these 'four verses' were recovered. +Further, he had a daughter named 'Lucy'; and of her the same authority +writes: "So that the said Lucy being sole heiress to her father, +Ferdinando, Lord Hastings, (afterwards Earl of Huntingdon) became a +suitor to her for marriage; whereupon the father made this Epigram: + + LUCIDA VIS oculos teneri perstrinxit amantis + Nec tamen erravit nam VIA DULCIS erat." + +On this WATTS remarks: "This is a remarkable anagram of Lucy +Davies. See as remarkable ones on the mother Eleanor Davies, _Reveal O +Daniel_, by herself, the other made on her by DR. LAMB,--Dame +Eleanor Davies, _Never so mad a Lady_. Heylin's Life of Laud p. 266." +Wood's Athenæ, (edn. by Bliss) Vol. II. p. 404. G. + + + + +VII. HITHERTO UNPUBLISHED POEMS. + + + + +METAPHRASE OF SOME OF THE PSALMS, &c. + +NOTE. + + +The MANUSCRIPT VOLUME from which the following hitherto +unpublished POEMS are taken, is the property of DAVID +LAING, Esq., LL.D., EDINBURGH, who purchased it, or +perhaps obtained it in exchange many years ago from the Rev. John +Jamieson, D.D., author of the "Scottish Dictionary" and other learned +works--a scholar of full learning and to be held in honour in many +respects. It was parted with to his like-minded friend as containing +the hitherto unprinted 'Psalms,' &c., by SIR JOHN DAVIES; but +no memorial remains to ascertain the quarter from whence Dr. Jamieson +obtained the Volume. Mr. Laing states that, if anything was said at the +time on the subject, it has escaped his recollection; and this cannot +be wondered at, as it must have been from thirty to forty years ago. + +Along with eminent Experts I have carefully compared this Manuscript +with undoubted holographs of SIR JOHN DAVIES, preserved in Her +Majesty's State Paper Office (State Papers: Domestic. James I. Vol. +173. No. 54: Oct. 18, 1624, etc., etc.) and among the Harleian MSS. in +the British Museum--the former being preferable as being of the same +year-date with ours: and I feel constrained to pronounce it throughout +non-autograph. There are at least FIVE handwritings in the +volume--as more particularly described _in locis_: but none bears a +resemblance to SIR JOHN DAVIES'. The Manuscript, therefore, +belongs to a class that abounds at the Period, viz, a Scribe's +transcript and which closely resembles that of MS. Speeches and other +writings of DAVIES preserved among the HARLEIAN MSS. +This is further, in accord with SIR JOHN DAVIES' practice, +as appears by 'The Egerton Papers' of Mr. Collier, (Camden Society, +1840, I Vol. 40.) where in a letter to ELLESMERE (pp. 410-16) +he apologizes for his own 'ill hand' and substitutes his 'man's.' The +evidence for DAVIES' authorship of these POEMS is +EXTERNAL and INTERNAL. + + (_a_) The existence of the 'Metaphrase of the Psalms'--which composes + the greater portion of the Manuscript--has long been on record. Thus + ANTHONY-A-WOOD in his ATHENÆ states "Besides the + before-mentioned things (as also Epigrams, as 'tis said) which were + published by, and under the name of Sir John Davies, are several MSS. + of his writing and composing, which go from hand to hand, as (I) + Metaphrase of several of K. David's Psalms...." (edn. BLISS + ii., 403.) The original of the Psalms' MS. was in possession of Sir + John's own daughter, the Countess of Huntingdon, as I found in the + Carte MSS. Bodleian, Oxford. + +The others are MSS.--some in part since published--which WOOD +describes as formerly in the Library of Sir James Ware, and then in +that of the Earl of Clarendon. + + (_b_) The handwriting of the Manuscript is exactly correspondent with + that of its date '1624.' It is uniform from Psalm I. to L. + + (_c_) Throughout the 'Psalms' and other Poems, favourite words of + SIR JOHN DAVIES' occur: in part peculiar to him or used in + a peculiar way. I must refer the Student to the Poems themselves for + the great majority of examples: but note here half-a-dozen--all the + references being to our own edition of the previous Poems. + + 1. '_Withall_': "... that sinne that we are borne _withall_." ('Nosce + Teipsum' page 57, stanza 5th, line 4th.) So in the 'Psalms': + + "Be merciful and hear my prayer _withall_." + + (Ps. 4th, line 4th.) + + 2. '_Wight_': "... this World below did need one _wight_." (page 60: + stanza 4th, line 1st.) So in the 'Psalms': "... measures Iustice vnto + euery _wight_." (Ps. 9th, line 16th.) + + 3. '_gray Winter_': "Here flow'ry Spring-tide and there _Winter + gray_." (page 63, stanza 1st, line 4th.) So in 'A Maid's Hymne in + praise of Virginity': "To whome _graye Winter_ neuer doth apeare." + (line 7th.) + + 4. '_On_' meaning '_o'er_': "Will holds the royall scepter _on_ the + soul" ('Nosce Teipsum,' page 79, stanza 2nd, line 3rd.) "And _on_ the + passions of the heart doth raigne." (page 79, stanza 2d, line 4th.) + So in the 'Psalms': "Let not my foes trihumph _on_ mee againe." (Ps. + 35th, line 37th). "In that my foe doth not trihumph _on_ me." (Ps. + 41st, line 22d.) + + 5. '_Detruded_': "... such as me _detruded_ downe to Hell." (page 110, + stanza 1st, line 1st.) So in the 'Psalms': Therefore although my soule + _detruded_ were euen to Hell's gates.... (Ps. 23rd, line 7th.) + + 6. '_Center_' meaning '_Earth_': "Suruey all things that on this + _center_ here." (page 25th, stanza 1st, line 4th.) So in the 'Psalms': + "And all that dwell on his round _Center_ here." (Ps. 23rd, line 16th.) + +It were easy to multiply these instances from the 'Psalms' and the +other Poems. + +(_d_) The secular Poems contain personal allusions that authenticate +their authorship. In the 'Elegie of Loue' and in the lines "To the +Kinge vpon his Ma^{ties} first comming into England" these are of +singular interest and value. The latter harmonizes with the fact that +SIR JOHN DAVIES proceeded North to meet the King: and it has +a direct reference to his 'Nosce Teipsum.' Speaking of his Muse he +exclaims, + + "Thy sight had once an influence divine + Which gave it power the Soul of man to vew." + +Another personal allusion is found in his address to the "Ladyes of +Founthill" in his native Wilts. + +(_e_) The "Verses sent to the Kinge with ffiges" is inscribed "by Sir +John Davis" and the "Elegiacal Epistle" which immediately follows these +'Verses' naturally closes a Volume containing the compositions of our +Worthy. 'Davis' is his own spelling in the 1608 edition of 'Nosce +Teipsum,' and in Davison's 'Rhapsody.' + +(_f_) Exclusive of the 'Psalms'--the Davies' authorship of which admits +of no doubt--the other Poems have Sir John Davies' characteristics in +choice of subjects and style, and specific wording, as above. 'Elegie' +is herein used as in the title-page of 'Nosce Teipsum.' + +The Manuscript is a thin folio of forty-one leaves and one page: but +_verso_ of 35th leaf consists of Memoranda headed "The State of England +before the Conquest, briefely. By Henry, Lord Hastings, amongst his +Notes found": and leaves 36 and 37 and page 38 (_verso_ blank) contain +'Notes' on "William Bastarde, the Norman Conquerour of England." The +former is in a handwriting different from all the rest: the latter +the same as the Poems that follow "Part of an Elegie in prayse of +Marriage." There are a number of contemporary and of more recent blank +leaves. It is bound in dark calf, with tooled ornament in the centre. + +In preparing this Manuscript for the Press, my anxious endeavour +has been faithfully to reproduce the original: only I have extended +the contractions 'w^{h} and w^{ch}' for 'with' and 'which' and +'o^{r}. y^{r}' for 'our' and 'your' and the like. I have +somewhat modified the capitals: but in the Divine names (nouns and +pronouns) and impersonations, have employed capitals. The punctuation +of the Manuscript is almost _nil_: I have adopted present usage on a +uniform principle; and also the apostrophe of the possessive case, &c. +Only one point perplexed me a little, viz. the sign of the plural. At +the period a peculiar form represented 'es' as denoting plural, but +examination showed our Manuscript as using it with 'e' immediately +before. Hence it is apparent the Scribe used it arbitrarily. My rule +has been to represent it simply by 's' for our plural, except in the +cases--pointed out where they occur--in which 'es' as an additional +syllable is required for the rhythm. Throughout, the orthography is +literally preserved: and besides six collations of my transcript +with the Original, by myself, I have had the advantage of a minute +comparison by my experienced and erudite friend, the late John Bruce, +Esq., of London, and in part by W. Aldis Wright, Esq., M.A., Trinity +College, Cambridge. So that our first publication of the Manuscript +may be relied on as absolutely true to the Original. It may be added +that I have adhered to the order in which the several Poems are given, +with the single exception of placing the anonymous very noticeable +'Elegiacal Epistle' on the death of Davies last. The two short pieces +that precede it in our Volume, occupy in the MS. the closing page, +which is a kind of fly-leaf. + +I feel assured that every admirer of Sir John Davies will agree with +me that a deep debt of gratitude is due to Mr. Laing for his generous +consent to have the Manuscript included in our editions of the 'Poems.' +Independent of the interest attaching to their illustrious authorship +the 'Psalms' seem to me to possess rare merits, being as a whole +strikingly faithfull to the Original, and not para-phrastic--hence +Anthony-a-Wood's 'Metaphrase'--simple yet picturesque, 'smooth' but +melodious, and in every quality infinitely superior to the attempts +of BACON, JEREMY TAYLOR, ROUS, and others. +Some of the Versions must find a place in the Church's Psalmody and +Hymnology. + +I must not omit to acknowledge the courteous attention of Mr. W. +Carew Hazlitt in informing me of the existence and ownership of the +Manuscript. Anything further requiring to be said, will be found in the +footnotes. G. + + + + +_Hitherto Unpublished Poems._ + + + + +METAPHRASE OF SOME PSALMS. + + +PSALM I.[182] + + That man is blest which hath not walkt aside, + Takeinge ungodly counsell for his guide; + Nor in the way of synners stood and staied, + Nor in the couch of Scorners downe him layed, + But in God's Lawe hath plac't his whole delight, + And studieth to performe it, day and night: + Hee, like a plant which by a streame doth growe, + His timely fruite shall in due season showe; + Whose leafe shall not decay but flourish euer, + And all thinges prosper which hee doth endeauour + But with th' vngodly it shall not bee soe, + But as the dust, which as the whirlewindes to and fro + Uppon the surface of the earth doth driue, + They shall a restless life and fruitles liue; + Nor shall they stand vpright when they are tride, + Nor in the assembly of the just abide: + But in his way God doth the good man cherish, + When wicked men in their bad way shall perish. + +[Footnote 182: There is a title here, "The Psalmes translated into +verse, Anno Domini 1624." G.] + + +PSALM II. + + Why doe the nations thus in furie rise? + Why doe the people such vaine plotts deuise? + MONARCHES stand vp and PRINCES doe conspire + Against the Lord, and His Annoynted Heire: + 'Let vs in sunder breake their bandes,' say they, + 'And let vs lightly cast their yokes away.' + But Hee that sitts in Heauen shall them deride, + And laugh to scorne their follie and their pride; + And in His wrath He shall reproue them sore, + And vex them in His anger, more and more: + Sayinge, 'I sett on SION hill My KINGE, + To preache my LAWE, and shew this heauenly thinge; + Thou art My SONNE, this day I Thee begott, + Aske, and I will assigne thee for Thy Lott + Of heritage the Landes and Nations all, + Betweene the Sunne's vprisinge & his fall.' + Thou with an iron rodd shall keepe them vnder, + And breake them like an earthen pott in sunder, + Bee wise, yee MONARCHES, and yee PRINCES then; + Be learnèd, yee that judge the sonnes of men; + Serue yee the Lord, with humble feare Him serue; + Rejoyce in Him, yet tremblinge Him obserue; + Kisse yee the SONNE, lest yee Him angrie make, + And perish, while His just wayes yee forsake, + If His just wrath but once enkinled bee: + Who trust in Him, a blessed man is hee. + + +PSALM III. + + Lord! how my foes in number doe encrease, + That rise against mee, to disturbe my peace! + MANY there are which to my soule haue said, + His God to him not safety yeilds nor aid; + But God is my defence, my SUCCOUR nigh, + My glory, and my head Hee lifteth High: + To Him with earnest praier appealèd I, + And from His Holy Hill Hee heard my crie: + I layed mee downe and slept, and rose againe, + For mee the Lord doth euermore sustaine: + Though Thousand of my foes besett mee round, + Noe feare of them my courage shall confound: + Rise Lord! and saue mee; Thou hast giuen a stroke + On my foes cheeke, that all his teeth are broke: + SALUATION cometh from this Lord of ours, + Who blessings on His people daily powers. + + +PSALM IV. + + O GOD! whose righteousnes by grace is mine, + A gracious eare vnto my voyce encline: + Thou that hast set mee free when I was thrall, + Bee mercifull, and heare my prayer withall. + Vaine, worldly men, how long will yee dispise + God's honnour, and His truth, and trust in lies? + God for Himselfe, the good man doth select, + And when I crie Hee doth not mee reject. + Bee angrie, but be angrie without synne; + Try your owne hearts in silence, close within. + To God, of godly workes, an offeringe make, + Then trust in Him that will not His forsake. + For that which good is, many seeke and pray, + 'And who shall shew the same to vs'? say they, + Lord! shew to vs thy countenance diuine, + And cause the BEAMES thereof on vs to shyne: + Soe shall my heart more joyfull bee and glad, + Then if encrease of corne and wine I had. + To peace therefore lye downe will I and sleepe[183] + For God alone doth mee in safetie keepe. + +[Footnote 183: 'rest' is written and erased here. G.] + + +PSALM V. + + LORD weigh my words, and take consideration + Of my sad thoughts and silent meditation: + My God, my KINGE, bowe downe Thine eare to mee, + While I send vp mine humble prayer to Thee. + Early, before the morne doth bringe the day, + I will O Lord, look vp to Thee and pray: + For Thou with synne art neuer pleasèd well, + Nor any[184] ill may with Thy goodnes dwell: + The foole may not before Thy wisdome stand, + Nor shall the impious scape Thy wrathfull hand: + Thou wilt destroy all such as vtter lies; + Blood and deceit are odious in Thine eyes; + But, trustinge in Thy manie mercies deare, + I will approch Thy house with holy feare. + Teach me Thy plaine and righteous way to goe, + That I may neuer fall before my foe, + Whose flatteringe tongue is false and heart jmpure, + And throat, an open place of SEPULTURE. + Destroy them, Lord, and frustrate their devices, + Cast out those REBELLS for their manie vices; + But all that trust in Thee and loue Thy name, + Make them rejoyce and rescue them from shame. + Thou wilt thy blessinge to the righteous yeild + And guard them with Thy grace as with a SHEILD. + +[Footnote 184: An illegible word erased here. G.] + + +PSALM VI. + + To iudge me, Lord, in Thy just wrath forbeare, + To punish mee in thy displeasure spare; + O! I am weake: haue mercie, Lord, therefore, + And heale my bruisèd bones which payne mee sore. + My SOULE is alsoe trubled and dismayed; + But, Lord, how long shall I expect Thine aid! + Turne Thee, O Lord, my SOULE from death deliuer, + Euen for Thy mercie's sake which lasteth euer: + They which are dead remember not Thy name, + Nor doth the silent GRAUE thy praise proclaime; + I faint and melt away with greifes and feares, + And euery night my bed doth swymme with teares. + Myne eyes are suncke and weaknèd is my sight; + My foes haue vexèd mee with such dispight. + Away from mee, yee sinfull men, away! + The LORD of HEAUEN doth heare mee when I pray. + The Lord hath my petition heard indeed: + Receaue my prayer and I shall surely speed; + But shame and sorrow on my foes shall light, + They shall be turn'd and put to suddaine flight. + + +PSALM VII. + + O Lord, my God! I put my trust in Thee, + From all my PERSECUTORS rescue mee: + Lest my proud foe doth like a lyon rend mee, + While there is non to succour and defend mee: + Lord God! if I bee guilty found in this, + Wherewith my foes haue chargèd mee amisse, + If I did vse my freind vnfreindly soe, + Nay, if I did not helpe my causlesse foe, + Let him preuaile, although my cause bee just, + And lay my life and honnour in the dust. + Vp, Lord! and stand against my furious foes, + Thy JUDGEMENT against them for mee disclose; + Soe shall Thy PEOPLE flocke about Thee nigh, + For their sakes therefore lift Thy selfe on high. + Judge of the world, giue sentence on my parte, + Accordinge to the cleannes of my heart: + Let wickednes be brought vnto an end, + And guide the just, that they may not offend. + Thou God art just, and Thou Searcher art + Of hart and raynes, and euery inward part: + My helpe proceedeth from the Lord of Might, + Who saueth those which are of hart vpright; + A powerfull and a patient JUDGE is Hee, + Though euery day His wrath prouokèd bee: + But, if men will not turne, His sword Hee whets, + And bends His bowe, and to the stringe Hee setts + The INSTRUMENTS of death, His arrowes keene, + GAINST such as rebells to His will haue beene. + The jmpious man conceaues jniquity, + Trauailes with mischief, and brings forth a ly: + The RIGHTEOUS to entrapp hee digs a pitt, + But hee himselfe first falls and sinks in it. + The wicked plotts his workinge braine doth cast, + Light with a mischeife on himselfe at last. + MY THANKES WITH GOD'S GREAT JUSTICE SHALL ACCORD, + AND I WILL HIGHLY PRAISE THE HIGHEST LORD. + + +PSALM VIII. + + O GOD, OUR LORD! HOW LARGE IS THE EXTENT + Of Thy great name and glorie excellent! + It fills this world, but it doth shyne most bright + Aboue the heauens, in th' vnapproachèd light. + BY SUCKINGE BABES THOU DOST THY STRENGTH DISCLOSE, + And by their mouth to silence put Thy foes. + When I see HEAUEN wrought by Thy mighty hand, + And all those glorious lights in order stand, + Lord! what is man that Thou on him dost looke! + Or of the SONNE OF MAN such care hast tooke! + Next ANGELLS in degree Thou hast him plac't, + And with a crowne of honour hast him grac't: + Thou hast him made lord of Thy CREATURES all, + Subjectinge them to his commaund and call; + All birds and aiery fowles are vnder him, + And fishes all which in the Sea doe swymme. + O Lord, our God! how large is the extent + Of Thy great name and glorie excellent! + + +PSALM IX. + + Thee will I thanke euer with my hart entire, + And make the world Thy wondrous workes admire; + In Thee rejoyce, in Thee trihumph will I, + My songs shall praise Thy name, O God, most High! + While my proud foes are put to shamefull flight, + And fall and perish at Thy dreadfull sight. + Thou, righteous JUDGE, dost sitt vpon Thy THRONE + And dost maintaine my rightfull cause alone; + Thou checkst the HEATHEN; and the wicked race + Thou dost destroy, and all their names deface. + O ENEMY! behould thy finall fall, + Thy CITTIES perish and their names withall; + But God, our Lord, for euer shall endure, + His judgement SEATE, Hee hath establisht sure, + Where Hee judges the World with equall right, + And measures JUSTICE vnto euery weight:[185] + He likewise will become a BULWARKE strong + And tymely aide to them that suffer wrong. + Who knowes Thy name in Thee His trust will place, + Who neuer failest them that seeke Thy face. + O, praise the Lord! you that in SION dwell, + His noble Acts among the NATIONS tell; + When of oppression Hee enquiry makes, + Of euery poore man's plaint Hee notice takes. + Haue mercy, Lord! and take into Thy thought + My trubles, which my hatefull foes haue wrought. + Thou from the gates of death my SOULE dost raise, + That I in SION'S GATES may sing Thy praise; + The sweet saluation which Thou dost jmpart + Shall bee the joy and comfort of my heart. + The INFIDELLS make pitts, and sinke therein, + Their feet are caught in their owne proper synne; + Thy judgement Lord, Thou hast thereby declar'd + When wicked men in their owne workes are snar'd: + Hell is a place for impious men assign'd + And such as doe cast GOD out of their minde; + But poore men shall not bee forgotten euer + Nor meeke mens' patience, if they doe perseuer. + Rise Lord! and let [not][186] man aboue Thee rise + And judge the Infidel with angrie eyes: + Strike them with feare, that, though they know not Thee, + Yet they may know that mortall men they bee. + +[Footnote 185: = wight. G.] + +[Footnote 186: This 'not' is self-evidently required. G.] + + +PSALM X. + + Why standest Thou O Lord! so farr away + And hids't Thy face when trubles mee dismay? + The wicked for his lust the poore man spoyles; + Lord! take him in the trap of his owne wiles. + Hee makes his boaste of his profane desires + Contemninge God, while hee himselfe admires: + Hee is soe proud, that God hee setts at naught, + Nay rather, God comes neuer in his thought. + Thy judgements Lord, are farr aboue his sight + This makes him to esteeme his foes soe light, + And in his hart to say, I cannot fall, + Nor can misfortune light on mee at all: + His mouth is full of execrat[i]ons vile; + Under his tongue doth sit ungodly guile; + Close in the corners of the waies he lies, + And lurkes, and waits, the simple to surprize: + Euen as a lyon lurkinge in his den, + To assault and murther innocent poore men; + Gainst whom his eyes maliciously are sett, + To catch them when they fall into his nett. + Himselfe hee humbles, bowes, and crouchinge stands + Till poore men fall into his powerfull hands; + Then, in his heart hee sayth 'God hath forgott: + Hee turnes away his face and sees it not.' + Arise O Lord! and lift Thy hand on high, + The poore forgett not which oppressèd ly: + For why should wicked men blaspheme Thee thus + 'Tush! God is carelesse and regards not us'? + Surely Thou seest the wronge which they haue done, + And all oppressions underneath the sunne; + To Thee alone the poore his cause commends + As th' only freind of him that wanteth freinds. + Lord! breake the power of the malicious minde + Take ill away, and Thou not ill shalt finde. + The Lord is kinge, and doth for euer raigne, + Nor miscreants shall within His Land remaine; + Hee hearkeneth to the poore, but first prepareth + Their hearts to pray; then their petition heareth: + That Hee poore orphans, may both help and saue, + That worldly men on them no power may haue. + + +PSALM XI. + + I trust in God: to mee why should you say, + 'Fly like a bird to mountaines farr away'? + Their bowes and arrowes wicked men prepare, + To peirce the hearts of them that faithfull are: + Euen him whome God hath made a corner-stone + They haue cast downe; but what hath Hee misdone? + God in His holy temple doth remaine, + The heauen of HEAUENS: where Hee doth sitt and raigne. + Upon the poore He casteth downe His eye, + The sonnes of MEN He doth discerne and trie; + The just and righteous men Hee doth approue, + But hateth synners which their sinnes doe loue; + On them He rayneth snares, brimstone and fire, + This is their cup, their wages, and their hire; + The righteous GOD loues him whose way is right, + And on the just His gracious eye doth light. + + +PSALM XII. + + Helpe Lord! for all the godly men are gon, + And of the faithfull, fewe there are, or non; + Each man to other doth vaine things jmpart, + With lipps deceiptfull, and with double hart; + The Lord will soone cutt of the lipps that lie, + And root out tongues that speake proud words and high. + 'With mighty words wee will preuale' say they: + What Lord is Hee that dareth us gainesay? + 'Now for the trubles and oppressions sore + The gronings and the sighings of the poore, + I will arise' sayth God, 'and quell their foes + That swell with pride; and them in rest repose.' + God's words are pure, and chaste, like siluer tride + Which hath with seauen fires bene purified. + Thou wilt preserue them Lord! and guard them still, + From this vile race of men which wish them ill. + The ungodly walke in circles, yet goe free + When such as feare not God, exalted bee. + + +PSALM XIII. + + How long O Lord! shall I forgotten bee? + How long wilt Thou Thy bright Face hide from mee? + How long shall I my thoughts tosse to and fro + And bee thus vext by my insultinge foe? + Giue ease, O Lord; giue light unto mine eyes, + Lest death in endlesse sleepe doth mee surprise; + Lest my proud foe vaunt that hee doth preuaile, + And laugh at mee when I shall faint or faile; + But in Thy mercie all my trust is pight[187] + And thy saluation is my hearte's delight; + Of Thy sweet kindnes therefore sing will I, + And highly praise the name of God, Most High. + +[Footnote 187: = pitched. Henry More in one of his Hymns uses the word: + + "Lord stretch Thy tent in my straight breast, + Enlarge it downward, that sure rest + May there be _pight_." + +G.] + + +PSALM XIV. + + 'THERE IS NOE GOD,' THE FOOLE SAYTH IN HIS HEART, + Yet dares not with his tongue his thought impart; + All are corrupt and odious in God's sight, + Not one doth good, not one doth well, vpright. + God cast His eyes from Heauen on all mankinde, + And lookt if Hee one righteous man could finde; + But all were wicked, all from God were gone, + Not one did good, in all the world, not one; + Their throat an open graue, their flattering tongue + And lyinge lips, like stinge of wasps haue stung. + With bitter cursing, they their mouthes doe fill; + Their feet are swift the guiltles blood to spill; + Sad, wretched mischeife, in their wayes doth lye + But for the wayes of peace they passe them by; + Noe feare of God haue they before their eyes, + Nor knowledge, while these mischeifes they devise; + While they God's people doe with might oppresse + And eat them up like bread with greedines; + And since on God they neuer vse to call, + They fear'd when cause of feare was non at all. + But to the righteous man and to his race, + God present is with His protectinge grace; + Though fooles doe mocke the counsell of the poore, + Because in God hee trusted euermore. + Who shall saluation out of SION giue + To ISRAELL but God? Who shall releiue + His people and of CAPTIUES make them free: + Thou JACOB joyfull, Israell glad shall bee. + + +PSALM XV. + + LORD! WHO SHALL DWELL IN THY BRIGHT TENT WITH THEE + And of Thy rest in heauen pertaker bee? + Euen hee that is vpright in all his wayes[188] + And from his hart speakes[189] truth in all hee sayes; + Who hath forborne to doe his neighbour wrong + Nor him deceau'd or slaunderèd with his tong; + Who of himselfe an humble thought doth beare + But highly valewes them which GOD doe feare; + Who of his promis doth himselfe acquitt, + Though losse hee suffer by performinge it; + Nor hath for bitinge vse his monie lent, + Nor tooke reward against the innocent; + Who shall obserue these poynts, and doe them all, + Assuredly that man can neuer fall. + +[Footnote 188: Written here, as elsewhere, not by the contraction-sign +of the plural 'es' but in full. G.] + +[Footnote 189: Another example in the MS., of the plural 'es' in +contraction-sign, preceded by 'e.' G.] + + +PSALM XVI. + + Mee thy poore seruant Lord! preserue and saue, + For all my trust in Thee repos'd I haue: + Lord! said my soule, Thou art my GOD, to Thee + My goods are nothinge when they offered bee; + But my delight[s] are in those saints of Thine, + Which liue on Earth, and doe in vertue shine; + But they which runn to worshipp idolls vaine, + Shall multiply their sorrow and their paine. + Of their blood offerings will I not pertake, + Nor of their names shall my lipps mention make. + The portion of mine heritage and cupp + Is God Himselfe who houlds and keepes[190] mee upp; + In a faire ground to mee my lott did chance, + Soe I possesse a rich Inheritance: + Thankes[191] bee to God His warninge giues mee light, + My raynes with paine doe chasten me by night; + I looke to God in my endeauors all, + Hee stands soe neare mee that I cannot fall; + This hath my heart and tongue with joyes possest, + And now my flesh in hope to rise, shall rest; + My soule shall not be buryed in the graue, + Nor shall Thy Holy One corruption haue; + Shew mee the path of life; for in Thy sight + Doth endles pleasure rest and full delight. + +[Footnote 190: Another example of 'e' before the contraction-sign of +'es.' G.] + +[Footnote 191: In full 'es' here, as before. Having now given several +examples of the arbitrary use of the 's,' and 'es' in full and by +contraction-sign, it will not be needful to note more in the sequel. G.] + + +PSALM XVII. + + Heare my just cause Lord! heare my prayer and crie, + Which come from lipps not vs'd to faine or lie: + Lord, let my sentence from Thy mouth be giuen, + For Thou regards't things only just and euen;[192] + In the darke night of my aduersitie, + Thou did'st my heart examine, proue and trie; + And yet vpon this triall did'st not finde + My heart or tongue to any ill enclinde: + For that their workes against Thy Word are done + I doe their wayes which tende to ruine, shunn. + Lord! in Thy pathes doe Thou my goings guide, + Lest in this slippery life my footstepps slide: + Thy name haue I invok't, Thou shalt mee heare + And to my humble words incline Thy eare; + O Sauiour! of all those that trust in Thee + Thy mercies full of wonder shew to mee; + Preserue mee as the apple of Thine eye, + Under Thy winges in safetie let me lie; + Saue mee from them which Thy right hand oppose, + And from my ungodly circumuenting foes; + Their fatt estates doe them soe fortifie + As they presume to speake proud words and high; + In all my wayes in wait for mee hee lies, + To cast mee downe hee downewards casts his eyes + Euen like a lyon, watching for his prey, + Or lyon's whelpes which lurke beside the way. + Vp Lord! defeat, defeat this foe of mine, + That wicked man who is a sword of Thyne; + From wordly men vouchsafe my soule to saue, + Who in their mortall life their portion haue; + Whose bellies with Thy treasure Thou dost fill, + Who children haue, and leaue them wealth at will; + But I Thy face in righteousnes shall see + And with Thy presence shall contented bee. + +[Footnote 192: A later handwriting substitutes for the respective +rhymes of this couplet 'proceed' and 'right indeed.' G.] + + +PSALM XVIII. + + Thou art my strength, O Lord! Thee will I loue, + Thou art my Rocke, which nothing can remoue: + My God, in Whome my trust I will repose, + My Sauiour, sheild and horne, against my foes; + Lord, most praise worthy, pray will I to Thee + Soe shall I from my foes protected bee; + When deadly sorrowes did besett mee round, + And floods of wickednes did mee surhound[193] + When paines of hell I felt in my desease, + And pangs of death upon my soule did sease; + On GOD I callèd in that instant truble, + And my complaints unto the Lord did dubble: + But when His wrath and vengeance kindled were, + The Earth did quake, and mountaines shooke for feare, + And coles grew redd with His inflaminge jre; + Hee bowed the heauens, and did descend withall, + And shadowes darke beneath His feet did fall: + Hee ridinge on the CHERUBINS did fly, + And with the wingèd windes was borne on high; + Darkness His clossett, His pauilion wide + Made of blacke clouds, His face a while did hide; + But at His presence right away they flew + When haile and coles of fire abroad Hee threw; + The Lord from heauen did send His thunder lowd + With fire and haile from out the broken cloud; + A shower of arrowes on His foes did fall, + His thunderboults and lightenings slewe them all; + Fountaines were dride and the earthe's foundation mou'd + When synners, in His wrath, the Lord reprou'd; + But Hee from heauen shall send His angell's downe + And take mee vp when waters would mee drowne; + Hee from my foe, too mightie and too strong, + Shall saue mee when Hee doth mee mightie wrong, + Preuentinge mee [in] my disastrous day: + But then the Lord was my support and stay; + When I was captiue, Hee did sett mee free, + And brought mee forth because Hee fauoured mee. + He shall reward mee as my dayes bee right, + And hands be cleane[194]: soe shall Hee mee requite; + For I still kept his pathes, and did not shunn + To walke therein, as other men haue done: + But euer sett[195] His lawes before mine eyes, + And neuer did His holy words dispise. + My heart was vncorrupt before Him still, + Pursuinge goodnes and eschewinge ill; + Hee shall reward mee as my deeds bee right, + And hands bee cleane: soe shall He mee requite. + Unto the good Thou wilt Thy goodnes show, + And righteous men Thy righteousnes shall know; + The pure of heart shall Thee behold most pure + But froward men Thy curses shall endure; + Them will God raise, which under pressures ly, + And proud men humble which doe looke soe high; + Hee shall sett up for mee a candle bright, + My God shall turne my darkness vnto light. + Through Thee, an host of men, I conquere shall, + And with Thy helpe transcend the highest wal;[196] + GOD'S way is pure, His word is tride with fire;[197] + Hee heals all them which unto Him retire; + For who is God? or who hath strength and power + Except our Lord, our God and only our? + Hee girdeth mee with furniture to fight, + And guideth mee, and houldeth mee upright; + My feet as swift as HART'S feet Hee doth make, + And vp to honnor's tower Hee doth mee take; + Hee giues such strength unto my fingers weake, + As that my arme a bowe of steele shall breake. + Thy hands shall bee my safety and protection, + Thou shalt aduance mee with Thy sweet correction; + Thou for my feet shalt make a passage wide, + Soe as my steps shall neuer goe aside; + I shall pursue, and in pursuite outgoe, + And neuer turne till I haue quelld my foe; + When I him smite[198] he shall not rise at all, + If once at my victorious feet hee fall. + Thou hast girded mee with a sword of strength, + Wherewith I shall subdue my foes at length; + For thou shalt turne the stubburne necke about + Of them that hate mee till, I root them out; + Then shall they crie (but helpe there shall be non) + Euen to the Lord, Who shall not heare their mone. + My foes to powder I shall breake and bray + And tread them down like mire amid the way. + Thou my rebellious subjects shalt accord, + And ouer Heathen Nations make mee Lord; + A people whome I knowe not shall mee serue, + And with base adulation mee obserue; + These Aliens all, shall faint and bee dismaied + And in their strongest Castles bee afraid. + Liue Lord! my strength: and blessed bee therefore + And praisèd bee my Sauiour euermore, + Who doth repay my foes with vengeance due, + And unto mee my vassals doth subdue; + Who doth not only saue but sett mee high + Aboue my foes, and there[199] feirce crueltie. + For this, both of my thanks and praise to Thee, + The Heathen Nations witneses shall bee; + For wealth and power and blessings manie moe, + On Dauid and his race Thou shalt bestowe. + +[Footnote 193: = surround: as 'trihumph' for triumph. Cf. Psalm xxxv. +line 37. G.] + +[Footnote 194: Inadvertently written 'cleare.' G.] + +[Footnote 195: 'My' written and erased here. G.] + +[Footnote 196: 'Wal' is supplied in a more recent hand. G.] + +[Footnote 197: In the MS. following on the line "God's way ...... +fire," is this: + + "All those that trust in Him will He vphold." + +The Original enables us to see that this was a variation not settled +on. The first form was evidently as in the text, but the second line, +"Hee heals," &c., not being quite the thought of the Original, Davies +went nearer it in the new line, "All those," &c., thinking perhaps of +varying the first line to "tride as gold;" but on reflection, seeing +that was bad, left it as at first, albeit he must have neglected to +cancel "All those," &c. I have not hesitated to withdraw a line the +retention of which would leave it without its fellow. G.] + +[Footnote 198: The MS. reads 'sute' but as above, Query--contracted for +'smite'? G.] + +[Footnote 199: = their. G.] + + +PSALM XIX. + + The workmanship of heauen soe bright and faire, + Thy power O Lord, and glorie doth declare; + One day Thy praise doth to another preach, + One night another doth in order teach; + Where euer any tongue or voyce doth sound, + In all the world their speech is heard around. + In middest of heauen, the hands of God hath pight[200] + For the sunne's lodgeinge, a pauilion bright; + Who as a bridegroome from his chamber goes; + Or GIANT, marchinge forth against his foes, + Hee issues; and from EAST TO WEST doth runne: + His peircinge heat noe liueinge weight[201] can shun. + God's lawe is perfect and man's soule renues, + And simple mindes with knowledge it endues; + Right are His statutes and rejoyce the heart, + Light to the eyes His precepts pure impart; + His feare is cleane and soe endures for aye; + His judgements true and righteous euery way; + More sweet then honie, to bee valewed more + Then many heapes of finest goulden oare. + They rectifie withall Thy seruants minde, + And who soe keeps them, great reward shall finde; + But Lord who knowes how oft hee doth transgresse? + O clense mee from my secret wickednes! + Nor let presumptuous sinns beare rule in mee, + Soe shall I from the great offence bee free; + And Lord! my strength and Sauiour! soe direct + My words and thoughts as Thou maiest them accept. + +[Footnote 200: = pitched, as _ante_. G.] + +[Footnote 201: A later hand has placed above this, 'wight': which is +only a different spelling. Mr. Bruce, (as before) adds Qu: It seeme +to have stood originally 'weigh.' The Corrector added a 't' and then +perhaps thinking it not quite clear, or not liking the incorrect +spelling, wrote 'wight' above it. G.] + + +PSALM XX. + + The Lord giue eare to thee in thy distresse! + And bee thy Sheilde, when trubles thee oppresse! + And let His help come downe from heauen for thee! + And strength from Syon Hill imparted bee! + Let Him remember, and accept withall, + Thine offerings and thy sacrifices all; + And of His bountie euermore fulfill + Thy hearts desire; and satisfie thy will. + But wee will glory in our great God's name + And joy in our saluation through the same; + And pray unto the Lord our God, that Hee + The effect of all thy prayers will graunt to thee. + Hee now I know will heare, and helpe will bringe, + With His strong hand to His annoynted KINGE; + On chariots some, on horses some, rely, + But wee inuoke the name of God Most High. + Those others are bowed downe and fall full lowe, + When wee are risen and vpright doe goe. + Saue us O Lord of Heauen! and heare us thence, + When wee inuoke Thy name for our defence. + + +PSALM XXI. + + Glad is the kinge, and joyfull is his hart, + That Thou O Lord, his strength and safety art; + That Thou hast giuen him what his heart desired, + And not denied him what his lipps required; + Preuentinge him with blessings manifould, + And crowninge him with pure refinèd gould. + Hee askt Thee life, Thou gauest him length of daies, + Euen endlesse life, to giue Thee endlesse praise; + His safety, through Thy prouidence deuine + With honour great and glorie makes him shine; + Blisse without end Thou wilt to him jmpart, + The sunn-beames of Thy face will cheare his hart: + For in Thy mercy hee doth trust withall, + Which stayes his stepps that hee shall neuer fall; + But Thy long hand shall reach Thy flyinge foe + And finde him when he most secure doth goe; + Thine enimies shall (when kindled is Thine ire) + As in a furnace be consumed with fire; + Their ofspringe from the Earth shall rotted bee, + Their second generation non shall see: + For against Thee and Thine their councell was, + Yet could not bringe their wicked plott to passe, + But turn'd their backes and put themselues to chase, + When Thou hadst bent Thy bowe against their face; + Bee pleased in Thine owne strength Thyselfe to raise, + Soe shall wee Lord, Thy power and mercie praise. + + +PSALM XXII. + + My God! my God! why leauest Thou mee? and why + Dost Thou soe farr withdraw Thee from my crie? + I cry all day, but Thou dost not giue eare; + At night I cease not, yet Thou wilt not heare; + Yet Thou art holy still, Thou God of might, + Thy people's great renowne and glory bright; + When our forefathers plac't their hope in Thee + From cruell bondage Thou didst sett them free; + In Thee they trusted, and to Thee they prayed, + And neuer faild of Thy celestiall aid; + But as for mee, a worme not man, am I; + A scorne to euery man that passeth by; + They laugh and mocke, my poore estate to see; + They draw their mouth and shake their heads at mee; + And say, 'hee hop't in God, that Hee should saue him, + Now let God rescue him if Hee will haue him.' + But Thou Lord from my mother's wombe didst take mee, + And when I suck't her brest, didst not forsake mee; + Euen from my birth I was to Thee bequeathèd, + And Thou hast bene my God since first I breathèd. + O leaue mee not when trubles doe mee presse, + And there is non to helpe mee in distresse; + Many strong beasts haue mee invironèd + As fatt and feirce as bulls IN BASHAN fedd; + They runne on mee with open mouthes and wide; + Like hungry lyons rampinge in their pride. + My soule, like water on the earth is spilt, + My joynts are loosed, my heart like wax doth melt, + My synewes shrunke are, like a potsheard drie, + My tongue cleaues to my jawes, dead dust am I. + For many doggs haue compast me about, + I am besett with a malitious rout; + They peirce My hands and feet, and stare on Mee, + And euery ribb of My leane bodie see; + They spoyle Mee of My GARMENTS, and beside, + The parts thereof by lotts they doe deuide. + Lord! bee not farr, when I Thy help shall need, + Thou art My strength, O succour Mee with speed! + And sheild Mee from the sword, and from the power + Of doggs, which would My dearest SOULE deuoure! + And from the lyon's mouth, and from the hornes + Of many, fearce, insultinge unicornes! + Among My kinn will I declare Thy name, + And in the great Assembly spread the same. + Yee that feare Him His praise and glory tell, + And honnour Him yee seed of ISRAELL; + Hee scorneth not the poore, nor hides His face, + But heares his suit when hee laments his case. + When all Thy faithfull folke assembled bee, + I sound Thy praise and pay my vowes to Thee. + The Lord shall fully satisfie the meeke, + Their soule shall liue which His light face doe seeke; + The EAST AND WEST shall turne to their right minde, + And to the true God's worshipp be inclinde; + Who doth, of all the world the SCEPTER beare, + Rules and commaunds the nations euery where; + The fatt shall eate and worshipp Him therefore, + And they that lye in dust shall Him adore. + Euen hee which cannot his own life preserue, + Nor quicken his owne soule, the Lord shall serue. + Their seed, O Lord! shall serue to worshipp Thee, + And with Thy chosen people numbred bee; + And to their children's children, shall expresse + Thine euerlasting truth and righteousnes. + + +PSALM XXIII. + + The Lord my SHEAPERD is, Hee doth mee feed, + His bounty euermore supplies my need; + When I in pastures greene my fill haue tooke, + He leads mee forth into the siluer brooke; + Hee turnes my soule, when it is gon astray, + For His name's glory, to His right[eous][202] way; + Therefore although my soule detruded were, + Euen to Hell's gates, yet I not ill should feare; + When Thou art with mee, what should mee dismay? + Thy crooke, my comfort is; Thy staffe, my stay; + My table Thou hast spread and furnisht soe, + As glads my heart, and greiues my enuious foe; + Thy balme powr'd on my head, doth sweetly smell; + Thou makst my cup aboue the brimme to swell. + Thy mercy, while I breathe, shall follow mee, + And in Thy house my dwellinge-place shall bee. + +[Footnote 202: I add 'eous' to 'right' of the MS. agreeably to +the Prayer Book version--"and bring me forth in the paths of +righteousness." G.] + + +PSALM XXIV. + + The Earth, and all things which on the Earth remaine, + Euen all the world, doth to the Lord pertaine; + Amid the Sea, Hee founded hath the Land + And made this GLOBE aboue the floods to stand. + Who shall unto JEHOUAH'S MOUNT ascend? + Or who shall in His holy place attend? + Euen hee whose hands are cleane, whose heart is pure, + Whose tongue is true, whose oath is just and sure. + He shall receaue both righteousnes and blisse + From God, Whose mercy his saluation is. + Such are the seed of JACOB'S faithfull race, + Which seeke the Lord, and loue to see His face; + Ye euerlasting GATES, your heads upreare, + And let the King of Glory enter there. + That glorious name, to Whome doth it belong? + To God Most Mightie and in warr most stronge. + Eternall dores, lift [up] your heads, I say + That there, the King of Glorie enter may. + The King of Glory enters, what is Hee? + The Lord of Hosts is knowne that Kinge to bee. + + +PSALM XXV. + + Mine humble soule O Lord! I lift to Thee, + On Whome my trust shall euer fixèd bee; + O suffer not my cheekes with shame to glowe, + Nor make me slaue to my insultinge foe; + For they which hope in Thee incurr noe blame, + But wilfull synners shall bee clothed with shame. + To mee, O Lord! vouchsafe Thy wayes to show, + And Thy right pathes, that I therein may goe; + Teach mee the way of truth, direct my will; + Thou art my SAUIOR, I attend Thee still; + Receaue mee Lord, and to remembrance call + Thy ould compassions, and Thy mercies all; + But of Thy wonted grace to mee, O Lord + Of the errours of my youth keep noe record; + The Lord is good, and for His goodnes' sake + Hee teaches sinners, godly wayes to take; + Yet Hee His learninge doth to non impart + But to the meeke and to the humble hart; + His pathes are grace and truth; that only way + Hee leads all those which doe His will obey. + For Thy name's glorie, I doe Thee intreat + To my great sinns, extend Thy mercie great + To him which feares the Lord, the Lord doth showe + How in his callinge hee may safely goe; + His soule shall bee at ease and all his race, + Shall in the Land possesse a blessed place; + His couenant and His counselles neare,[203] + God shewes to them in whome Hee plants His feare; + My looke to Him shall euer raisèd bee, + Who from the nett my captiue feet doth free. + Haue mercy Lord on mee! and turne Thy face + To see my desolate and wither'd case; + Enlargèd is my greife and heauines, + But Lord, enlarge Thou mee from my distresse! + Looke on the wofull STATE that I am in; + REMITT the cause thereof, which is my synne; + My foes consider, and their multitude + Which mee with deadly hatred hath pursude; + And keepe my soule[204] from sinne,[205] my face from shame, + Who trust in Thee and call upon Thy name. + Let truth and righteousnes without deceipt + Still wait on mee, because on Thee I wait; + And sett Thy faithfull ISRAELL at rest + From all the trubles which doe him molest. + +[Footnote 203: Though not written with the contraction-sign of 'es' +it is spelled therewith. The measure requires 'neare' to be read as a +bi-syllable. G.] + +[Footnote 204: 'face' previously written and erased. G.] + +[Footnote 205: 'Shame' for 'sinne:' but also erased. G.] + + +PSALM XXVI. + + Bee thou my IUDGE, O LORD! my cause is just; + I shall not stagger while in Thee I trust. + Weigh and examine mee, search all my vaines, + The bottom of my heart and inward raines; + I sett Thy goodnes euer in my sight, + Which in Thy truth doth guide my stepps aright; + I use not to conuerse with persons vaine, + Nor with dissemblers fellowship retaine; + My soule the assembly of the wicked hates. + Nor will I sitt among ungodly MATES; + REPENTENCE haueing made my conscience cleare, + Then will I Lord, approach Thine ALTER neare; + That I may thanke [Thee] both with harte and voyce, + And tellinge of Thy wondrous workes rejoyce + Thy temple Lord, I loue exceeding well, + Wherein Thy MAJESTIE AND GLORIE dwell. + O let not sinfull men my soule enclose, + Nor of my life let sinfull men dispose; + Whose hands are foule, their sinnes them foule doe make, + And full of guifts which they coruptly take; + But I to leaue a blamelesse life entend: + O Lord therein with mercie mee defend. + My foot stands right and therefore all my dayes + In all assemblies I the Lord will praise. + + +PSALM XXVII. + + GOD IS MY LIGHT, SALUATION, strength and aid, + Of whome and what shall I then bee afraid? + The wicked came to haue devour'd mee quite, + But stumbled in their way, and fell downe-right. + Though mighty armies in my wayes were laid, + I stand secure, I cannot bee dismaid. + One thinge I wish, euen while I liue to dwell, + In God's faire House, where beauty doth excell; + His tent, in time of truble, shall mee hide, + And I shall on His rocke of safety bide; + Now shall Hee lift my head aboue my foes, + Which mee with armèd multitudes, enclose; + And now will I His praise in trihumph singe, + And joyfull offerings to His temple bringe; + And let my cries approach Thy gracious eare, + Vouchsafe in mercie my complaints to heare; + My heart doth tell that Thou bidst mee still + Thy face to seeke: Lord! seek Thy face I will. + Then doe not hide from mee Thy face soe bright, + Nor in Thy wrath exclude mee from Thy sight; + Thou euer wast mine aid, since I was borne: + God of my safety leaue me not forlorne. + My father and my mother both forsooke mee, + But then the Lord to his tuition tooke mee; + Teach mee the way that I therein may goe, + Soe shall I neuer fall before my foe; + Nor fall into their power which doe me hate, + And brought false oathes against mee in the gate. + My heart had fail'd but that my hope to see + GOD'S endlesse blisse in heauen, did comfort mee. + Then stay God's time, Hee shall thee stay at length, + And Hee till then shall arme thy heart with strength. + + +PSALM XXVIII. + + Heare (Lord my strength!) the crie I make to Thee! + I am but dead, if Thou seeme deafe to mee: + Heare, when with humble prayer, I Thee entreat, + With lifted hands before Thy mercy seate. + But rancke me not with those which wicked are, + Whose lipps speake peace, whose hearts are full of warr; + Accordinge to their actions let them speed, + And as their merrit is, soe make their need; + For that they see Thy workes, and yet neglect them, + Thou shall destroy and neuer more erect them: + The Lord bee praisd Who hath vouchsaft to heare, + And lend unto my prayer a gracious eare; + HIS SHEILD protects, His strength doth mee aduance; + My tongue shall sing His praise, my heart shall dance; + Hee to His seruants, force, and vertue, giues; + Through Him in safetie His annoynted liues. + Saue Thy peculier people, Lord! and blesse them, + And lift their heads aboue them that oppresse them. + + +PSALM XXIX. + + Yee kings, since by GOD'S power and grace, yee raigne, + Glory and power ascribe to Him againe; + Yeild Him the honnour due to His great name, + And in His glorious COURTS, His praise proclaime; + His voyce doth cause the Seas, to swell and shake, + And in the heauens the dreadfull thunder make; + JEHOUAH'S voice, effects of power doth breed, + It is a stronge and glorious voyce indeed; + His voyce the cedar doth in sunder teare, + The Cedars which MOUNT LEBANUS doth beare; + Makes LEBANUS, and HERMON hill, to tremble + And skippinge CALUES and UNICORNES, resemble; + Doth breake the clouds, and flames of fire deuide, + The deserts shake, euen CADES[206] desert wide; + Makes hindes to calue, for feare makes forrests bare, + While in His temple wee His praise declare; + The Lord vpon the water-floods doth raigne, + The Lord a KINGE for euer doth remaine; + The Lord shall still His people's strength encrease, + And giue to them the blessinge of His peace. + +[Footnote 206: The Kadesh of our Authorised Version is spelled Cades in +the Prayer Book. G.] + + +PSALM XXX. + + Highly the Lord I praise Who setts mee high + Aboue my proud insultinge enimie; + Sicke to the death, I cried to GOD for ease, + And Hee hath cur'd my dangerous disease; + Hee from the graue hath lifted up my head + And hath reduc't[207] mee from among the dead. + Yee SAINTS of His in songs His praise expresse, + With thankes[208] make mention of His holines; + For momentarie His displeasure is, + When in His fauour there is life and blisse; + Sad sorrow may continue for a night, + But joy returneth with the morninge light. + When my estate did prosper, then said I + I shall not fall, my seat is fixt on high. + But when Thou Lord, didst turne Thy face aside, + Then was I trubled, and to Thee I cride; + To Thee began I then againe to pray, + And in my humble prayer thus did say: + What profit can there by my death arise, + When buried in the graue my body lies? + Shall dust and ashes celebrate Thy name? + Or shall the silent TOOMBE Thy truth proclaime? + Lord, heare my prayer, and then Thy mercie show + In aidinge mee against my cruell foe! + Loe now to dancinge,[209] Thou hast turn'd my sadnes, + Out[210] of my sackloth girded mee with gladnes. + For this shall euerie good man singe Thy praise, + And I shall thanke and blesse Thee all my dayes. + +[Footnote 207: = re-led. G.] + +[Footnote 208: With reference to the 'es' here and elsewhere, it is +given only when written in full and not by contraction-sign: the +latter, except where the rhythm demands it, is represented by the +simple 's' of our modern plural. Cf. prefatory Note to these 'Psalms,' +_ante_. G.] + +[Footnote 209: 'sadnes' written and erased here. G.] + +[Footnote 210: I am uncertain whether this is 'But' or 'Out.' G.] + + +PSALM XXXI. + + In Thee, O Lord! haue I put all my trust, + Then rescue mee from shame, as Thou art just; + Giue eare, and soone from perill sett mee free; + Bee Thou a Rocke and stronge defence to mee; + Thou art my Rocke and Castle when I stray; + Bee Thou my Guide, and leade mee in the way. + Thou art my strength; O cleare mee from that net + Which priuily my foes for mee haue sett! + Into Thy hands[211] my soule I doe committ: + LORD GOD of truth Thou hast redeemèd it. + I hate all those which in vain lies delight, + For all my trust is in the Lord of might. + Thy mercies glad my heart: for in my woe + Thou hast vouchsaft my [weary] soule to knowe. + Thou hast not left mee prisoner with my foe, + But sett me free that I at large may goe. + Yeild to my trubles mercifull releife, + My eares waxe deafe, my heart doth melt with greife. + Few are my yeares, in number to be tould, + Yet sorrow, care, and greife, hath made mee ould; + My strength with prayer and anguish doth decay, + My joynts growe weake, my bones consume away; + I am a scorne to all my enimies, + But specially my NEIGHBOURS mee dispise; + My very presence did my friends affright, + And all my ould acquaintance shun my sight. + I am forgott as if I buried lay, + And viler then a broken pott of clay. + I heard the waylings of the multitude + And trembled while they did my death conclude; + But all my hope hath beene O Lord in Thee, + Whome I professe my only Lord to bee; + My tyme is in Thy hand, O doe not leaue + Mee in their hands which would my life bereue. + O turne to mee the brightnes of Thy face, + And saue mee through Thy mercy and Thy grace; + Make not mee blush which did invoke Thy name, + But put my foes to silence and to shame; + And let the lipps bee dumbe which vtter lyes + Against the righteous in spightfull-wise. + O what blessings, dost Thou keepe in store + For them that feare and loue Thee euermore; + Thou shalt protect them from the great men's pride, + And in Thy Tent from stormes of tongues them hide. + Blest bee the Lord Whose mercies manifold + Doe keepe mee safer then the strongest hold; + When I with passion was transported quite, + I said I was sequester'd from His sight; + And yet for all my weaknes, heard was I, + When to my MAKER I did make my crie. + Loue Him yee SAINTS of His who guardeth those + Who trust in Him: and pay'st[212] their proudest foes. + Yee that rely on Him be strong of hart + And Hee to you shall heauenly strength jmpart. + +[Footnote 211: In MS. another example of the contraction-sign of 'es' +with 'e' preceding. Cf. prefatory Note, as _supra_. G.] + +[Footnote 212: This word has been altered in the MS. by the (original) +writer, and the reading cannot be very certainly made out; but I read +pay'st = plenteously rewarded. G.] + + +PSALM XXXII. + + Happie indeed and truly blest is hee + Whose sinnes remitted and faults couerèd bee; + To whome the Lord doth not jmpute his sinne, + Whose single heart hath not deceipt therein. + When I was silent I consum'd away, + And pyninge greife did waste mee day by day; + Thy hand on mee was heauy still, whereby + My moisture grewe like draught in Summer drie. + My sinne I will acknowledge Lord to Thee, + My secret faults shall not concealèd bee; + I said, I will my synnes to God confesse, + And God forthwith forgaue my wickednesse. + If good men seeke Him when Hee may be found, + The world's high waues shall neuer them surround; + Thou hid'st mee close and sauest mee from annoy, + And dost enuirone mee with songs of joy; + When Thou hast sett mee in Thyne owne right way, + Thine eye doth guide mee that I doe not stray. + Then must I not be brute, as horse and mule, + Which men with bitt and bridle only rule. + With many whipps, God doth the wicked chase + But doth with mercies faithfull men embrace; + Bee glad, rejoyce, and glory in the Lord + All yee whose hearts doth with His will accord. + + +PSALM XXXIII. + + Rejoyce yee righteous in the Lord, and singe; + To giue God thankes, it is a comely thinge: + Singe prayses unto Him and sett your songs + To harpe and lute, that speaketh with ten tongues; + Singe to the Lord a new composèd songe, + With chearefull heart and with affection stronge; + For His most holy Word is euer true, + And all His workes His constancie doe shew. + Hee loueth right and justice euermore, + And with His blessinge Hee the earth doth store; + For by His word the heauens created were; + His breath made euery STARR and euery sp'ere;[213] + The Seas, as in a STOREHOUSE Hee doth keepe, + And heapes them up as treasures in the deepe; + The earth before the LORD shall quake for feare, + And all that dwell on His round CENTER here: + Hee spake, and they were made; at His commaund + The heauens began to moue, the earth to stand. + COUNSELLS of princes and of NATIONS great, + And peoples' plotts, His wisdome doth defeat; + But GOD'S owne counsell, purpose and decree, + Eternall stand, and cannot frustrate bee. + That NATION hath true happines and blisse, + Whose GOD and LORD, the LORD JEHOUAH is; + Downe from the highest heauen the Lord did looke, + And of all men a full suruey Hee tooke; + From Heauen aboue the Lord did cast His eye, + And all mens wayes and wanderings did espie. + Hee formèd all their hearts, and understands + Their thoughts, their words, and workes of all their hands. + The greatest armies cannot saue a KINGE, + Nor strength unto a stronge man safety bringe; + His trust is vaine who trusteth in his horse, + And seekes deliuerance by soe small a force; + With gracious eye the Lord behoulds the just, + Which Him doe feare and in His mercie trust: + In tyme of dearth their hungrie soules to feed + And from deathe's jawes to rescue them with speed. + Our soules with patience for the Lord haue staid, + Who is our only sheild, support and aid; + Our hearts shall Him as our true joy embrace, + For wee our only trust in Him doe place. + Thy mercie Lord to us exceeded bee, + According to the hope wee haue in Thee. + +[Footnote 213: Qu: = sphere? G.] + + +PSALM XXXIV. + + Lord euermore will I giue thankes to Thee, + And in my mouth Thy praise shall euer bee; + My soule shall boast that shee Thy seruant is, + The humble shall be glad to heare of this; + Come then, O come, and let vs praise the Lord, + And magnifie His name with sweet accord. + I sought the Lord by prayer which He did heare, + And saued mee from that ill my soule did feare. + Looke towards God, thou shalt enlightenèd bee, + And no foule shame shall euer light on thee. + The poor man's crie, the Lord doth quickly heare, + And doth for all his trubles quitt him cleare; + Such as feare God His Angell guards them all, + From euery mischeife that may them befall. + O taste the Lord, and see how sweet Hee is, + The man that trusts in Him liues still in bliss. + O feare the Lord, yee that are SAINTS of His, + Who feare the Lord noe needfull thinge shall misse. + Rich become poore, and lyons hungrie bee, + But such as feare the Lord noe want shall see. + Come then yee children, listen and giue eare, + And I will teach you this religious feare: + What man art thou that longest long to liue, + And wouldst that GOD to thee good dayes should giue; + Refraine thy tongue from speaking ill the while, + And from thy lipps let there proceed noe guile; + Doe that is good, decline from that is ill, + Seeke peace with God and men, and hould it still. + Upon good men God casts a gentle eye, + And bends a gentle eare unto their crye. + But to the wicked shewes an angrie browe, + Till they bee quite exterpèd, root and bow;[214] + But when the righteous cry, the Lord doth heare them + And from all trubles absolutely cleare them; + God's present helpe the Lord['s own folk] doth finde, + And such Hee saues as are of humble minde. + The righteous into many trubles fall, + But God's sweet mercy brings them out of all; + Their very bones so keepe and count doth Hee, + As not one broken nor one lost, shall bee. + But some foule death shall on the wicked light, + And they which hate the just, shall perish quite; + But of his seruants, GOD the SAUIOUR is; + They trust in Him, their hope they cannot misse. + +[Footnote 214: = 'bough.' G.] + + +PSALM XXXV. + + Plead Thou my cause, O Lord my Advocate! + Against all those with whome I haue debate; + Fight against them that doe against mee fight, + Take up Thy shield, and helpe mee with Thy might; + Lift up Thy launce, stopp them which mee pursue, + Say to my soule, I am Thy SAUIOUR true; + Let shame on them which seeke my ruin light, + And with confusion turne them all to flight. + Let them bee like the dust before the winde, + With God's feirce angell followinge them behinde; + Set them in slipperie wayes, and darke withall, + And let God's Angell smite them as they fall; + For they have spred a nett and dig'd a pitt, + Euen without cause to catch my soule in it: + But in that pitt let them fall vnawares, + And bee entangled in their proper snares; + But thou my soule, whom God[215] thus guides from ill, + Rejoyce in Him, and His saluation still; + My bones shall say, Lord who is like to Thee? + Who poore weake men from their strong foe dost free: + False witnesses arose with oathes untrue, + And chargèd mee with things I neuer knew; + They to my greife did ill for good requite, + And recompenc't my kindnes with dispight; + Yet in their sicknes I did sackcloth weare,[216] + And fast and pray with many a secret teare; + I could not more for friend or brother mourne, + Or if my mother to her graue were borne: + But in my woe they made great mirth and glee, + The very abjects mockt and mowde[217] at mee; + Base flatterers and jesters came withall, + [And] gnasht their teeth to show their bitter gall. + How long shall this bee Lord? my soule withdraw + From these men's wrongs, and from the lyon's jaw: + Soe in Thy CHURCH shall I my thankes proclaime, + And in our Great Assembly praise Thy name; + Let not my foes trihumph[218] on mee againe, + Nor with their mockinge eyes shew their disdaine; + They meet and parte, but peace they doe not seeke + But to supplant the peaceable and meeke; + They gape and drawe their mouthes in scornefull wise, + And cry, fie, fie, wee sawe it with our eyes. + But Thou their deed (O Lord!) dost alsoe see; + Then bee not silent soe, nor farr from mee. + Awake, stand up O GOD and LORD OF MIGHT, + Auenge my quarrell, judge my cause aright; + To Thy DOOME rather lett mee fall or stand + Then subject bee to their insultinge hand; + Then they should say, soe, soe, these things goe right, + We haue our will, and haue deuour'd him quite. + Shame bee to them that joy in my mischance, + And which to cast mee downe themselues aduance; + Let them bee glad that my wellwishers bee, + And blesse the Lord that hath soe blessèd mee. + As for my tongue it shall sett forth Thy praise, + And celebrate Thy justice all my dayes. + +[Footnote 215: Written with a small 'g': the Scribe varies much in +this. We have given the capital uniformly in Divine names, nouns and +pronouns. G.] + +[Footnote 216: 'Ware' written and erased. G.] + +[Footnote 217: = to wry the mouth. G.] + +[Footnote 218: Cf. Psalm xviii, l. 8. G.] + + +PSALM XXXVI. + + The wicked man's bould sinnes my heart doe tell, + Noe feare of God before his eyes doth dwell; + Yet flattereth hee himselfe in his owne sight, + Untill his hatefull deeds bee brought to light; + His words are lies, and most deceiptfull too, + He leaues of[f] quite all honest deeds to doe; + Hee on his bed doth nought but mischeife muse, + Hee shunns noe ill and noe good way doth choose; + Thy mercie Lord doth to the heauens extend, + Thy faithfullnes doth to the CLOUDES assend; + Thy justice stedfast as a MOUNTAINE is, + Thy JUDGEMENTS deepe as is the great Abisse; + Thy noble mercirs saue all liueinge thinges, + The sonnes of men creepe underneath _Thy_ winges: + With Thy great plenty they are fedd at will, + And of Thy pleasure's streame they drinke their fill; + For euen the well of life remaines with Thee, + And in Thy glorious light wee light shall see; + To them that know Thee, Lord, bee loveinge still, + And just to them whose heart intends noe ill; + Let not the foot of pride tread on my Crowne + Nor the hand of the vngodly cast mee downe: + False are the wicked in their slippery wayes, + And haue no power againe themselues to raise. + + +PSALM XXXVII. + + If ill men prosper doe not Thou repine, + Nor enuy them though they[219] in glory shyne; + For as the grasse they shall be mowen away, + And as greene hearbes shall turne to withered hay: + Trust thou in God and still bee doinge good, + And thou shalt neuer want noe house nor food; + Delight in Him, Hee shall to thee jmparte, + The full desires and wishes of Thy heart; + On Him rely, to Him thy way commend, + And Hee shall bringe it to a blessed end; + Thine vpright light shall shine like the morninge light; + And Thy just dealinge like the NOONE-day bright; + Bee still and frett not, but God's leasure stay + Though wicked men doe prosper in their way; + Suppresse Thine anger, let offences die, + Lest thou be mouèd to offend thereby; + Expect a while, obserue what will befall; + Th' ungodly shall bee gon, their place and all. + The Lord shall root out sinners out of hand, + When good men and their heires shall hould their Land. + Meeke persons shall enjoy the earthe's encrease, + And shall abound in plentie and in peace; + Against the just the wicked haue combin'd, + And in dispight their teeth at them they grinde; + But God with scorne behoulds them from the skie, + For that Hee sees their day of ruin nigh; + The vngodly drawes his sword and bends his bowe + To slay the just, the weake to ouerthrowe: + But his bent bowe shall breake and make him start, + And his owne sword shall peirce his wicked heart; + That little which the just enioyes with peace, + 'Tis better then th' ungodlie's great encrease; + For th' armes of jmpious men the LORD will breake, + And giue the righteous strength when they are weake; + The just man's dayes the LORD doth know and see, + That his inheritance shall endlessse bee; + The tymes of danger shall not him confound, + And in the dayes of dearth, hee shall abound; + Thy foes O Lord, shall perish and consume + Like fatt of lambes, and vanish into fume; + Th' ungodly want and borrow, but repay not + The good men frankly giue, [and] yet decay not; + Their seat is firme whom God hath best belou'd + But such as Hee doth[220] curse shall bee remou'd. + The good man's goings soe directeth Hee + As it most pleasinge to Himselfe may bee; + Oft falls the just, yet is not cast away, + For God's owne hand is his support and stay; + Though I am ould, the just man or his seed + I neuer sawe forsaken or in need; + Hee doth giue daily almes, and frankly lend, + Which makes his offspringe blessèd in the end; + Shun to doe ill, bee euer doinge well, + And euermore thou shalt in safety dwell; + The LORD who loueth right, forsaketh neuer, + Those that are His, but keepeth them for euer; + His children Hee correcteth now and then, + But roots out quite the race of wicked men. + As long as HEAUEN shall moue and Earth shall stand, + The righteous men inherit shall the Land; + The just man's mouth is wisedome's flowinge well, + His tongue, of truth and judgement loues to tell; + And in his heart the lawe of God doth bide, + Which makes him walke vpright and neuer slide; + The wicked sees the just with enuious eye, + And lies in waite to wound him mortally; + But God will neuer leaue him to his hands, + Nor him condemne when hee in judgement stands: + Then wait thou on the Lord, and keepe His way, + Hee shall thy patience with promotion pay; + Thy dwellinge in the Land shall stablisht bee, + When thou the fall shalt of the wicked see. + The vngodly in great power myselfe haue seene, + Soe that he flourisht like a bay-tree greene; + But soone's[221] I passèd by, and gon was hee, + His place I sought, but noe where could it see; + Keepe a cleare conscience, right and truth intend, + For that brings peace and comfort in the end; + When sinners shall at once together fall, + And in the end shall be extèrpèd all; + But good mens' safety doth from God proceed, + Who is their strength in truble, helpe at need; + Against the wicked Hee assists the just, + And recues them, because in Him they trust. + +[Footnote 219: Miswritten 'thou' in the MS. G.] + +[Footnote 220: 'Shall' written and erased. G.] + +[Footnote 221: Another example of 'e' before 'es' as _ante_. G.] + + +PSALM XXXVIII. + + If for my sinnes Thine anger kindled bee, + Lord! let not then Thy justice chastise mee; + Thine arrowes fixèd in my fleshe doe stand, + I feele the pressure of Thy heauie hand; + I haue noe health Thine anger is soe much, + My bones noe rest; my greiuous synne is such, + My wickednes doth mount aboue my head + And fallinge presse mee like a load of lead; + My ulcers are corrupted and doe smell, + Caus'd by my folly, which I blush to tell. + I am with greife soe broken and soe torne, + As I all day in heart and habit mourne. + My loynes are fillèd with a sore desease, + Noe parte of all my bodie feeleth ease; + I am soe faint, soe feeble, and soe sore, + As paine and anguish make mee crie and roare; + Thou Lord! the longings of my heart dost see, + My sighes and groanings are not hidd from Thee. + My heart doth pant, my sinewes faile mee quite, + My weepinge eyes haue lost their power of sight; + Meane while, my freinds and neighbours they looke on, + My nearest kinsmen farthest of[f] are gon: + And they which seeke my life haue layed their snares + And sett their trapps, to catch mee vnawares. + They that to doe mee mischeife lye in wait, + Doe plott and practise nothinge but deceit; + But as for mee in silent patience + I seemèd deafe and dumbe and voyde of sence; + As one whose eare admitts not any sound, + And in whose mouth there[222] is noe answeare found. + For on the Lord I euermore rely, + Though I stand mute, Thou shalt for mee replie: + My suite is that my foes may not preuaile + Who greatly joy to see my footinge faile; + For in a place of stumblinge sett am I, + My sad estate is still before mine eye; + But I with sorrow will confesse my synne, + And grieue that I offend my God therein; + And yet my foes do liue and grow in might, + They grow in numbers which do beare me spight. + They which doe ill for good, doe hate mee too, + Because I loue good turnes for ill to doe: + Lord leaue mee not nor from mee farr depart, + Saue mee with speede: for Thou my safety art. + +[Footnote 222: Miswritten 'their.' G.] + + +PSALM XXXIX. + + I said I will bee wary in my way; + Lest I offend in that my tongue should say, + I will my mouth as with a bridle hould, + While wicked men with enuy mee behould: + I dumb did stand and from all speech refraine, + Euen from good words, which was to mee a paine: + My heart was hott: while I such doubts did cast, + The fire brake out, and thus I spake at last: + 'Lord of my life reueale to mee the end, + The period showe, to which my dayes doe tend'! + My life is but the measure of a spann, + Nought as to Thee, so vaine a thinge is man: + Who dreaminge walks, and toyles for wealth in vaine, + And doth not know to whome it shall remaine. + But what doe I expect? what is my hope! + Of my desires Thou art the only scope. + Lord! from my synnes Thine indignation turne + And make mee not to wicked fooles a scorne, + When Thou didst strike I silent was and dum[b] + Because I knewe the blowe from Thee did come. + Remoue Thy hand, withdrawe Thy plague from me + Wherewith my vitall spirrits consumèd bee: + Thy plagues for sinne doth like a moth consume + Man's beauty vaine, which is nought else but fume. + Lord! heare my prayer, and listen to my cries, + Let not Thy gracious eye my teares dispise: + For I am but Thy guest, and sojourne heare, + On earth a pilgrim as my fathers were; + O spare a little, and my strength restore + Before I goe from hence to come noe more. + + +PSALM XL. + + Long on the Lord, I waited patiently, + Till He enclin'd His eare, and heard my cry: + Drew mee from out the pitt of mire and clay + Did sett mee on firme ground and guide my way: + Put in my mouth a new and joyfull song + Of thankes[223] and praise, that to Himselfe belong. + Of His great mercie, many shall haue sense, + And of the Lord haue feare and confidence. + Blest is the man who hath on God relide, + Not turninge vnto lies or worldly pride; + O Lord! Thy works of wonder, they are such + Thy care and loue to vsward is soe much, + They are soe great, they are soe numberlesse, + As if I would, I could not them expresse. + My sacrifice of meates Thou would'st not take, + But Thou mine eare didst peirce and open make. + Thou didst not aske burnt-offerings at my hand + Then LORD said I 'I come at Thy commaund; + Thy Booke eternall, doth of mee record, + That I should come to doe Thy will O Lord! + To doe Thy will, my heart is pleasèd well, + For in my heart Thy lawe doth euer dwell; + Thy truth I haue to all Thy people tould, + Therein Thou knowest my tongue I cannot hould: + Thy justice in my heart is not conceal'd, + Thy mercy to the world I haue reueal'd; + I haue not spar'd to make Thy bounty knowne, + But in the Great Assembly haue it showne. + Take not Thy wonted mercy Lord, from mee, + But let Thy goodnes still my safety bee. + My trubles numberlesse such hould haue tooke + On my weake soule, as vp I cannot looke: + My sinnes beinge more then[224] haires upon my head, + Make my heart faint and vitall spirrits dead: + But bee it Lord, Thy pleasure and Thy will, + With speed to saue and rescue mee from ill: + Bringe them to shame that would my life destroy, + Reproue them Lord, that wish my soule's annoy: + Let them bee left to scorne and pride, which blame + Which scorninge say to me, fie, fie, for shame. + But let all those that seeke their blisse, in Thee + Rejoyce and say, the Lord's name praisèd bee'. + For mee who am contemtible and poore, + The Lord takes care, and feeds mee euermore: + Thou Lord art my protection, and my aid, + Let not Thy gracious helpe bee long delay'd. + +[Footnote 223: Another example of 'e' preceding the contraction 'es,' +as also on line 5th below this, in 'workes,' and in Psalm xli, line +19th, 'evenings.' See prefatory Note to these Psalms. G.] + +[Footnote 224: 'On my' written here and erased. G.] + + +PSALM XLI. + + That man is blest who doth the poore regard; + In tymes of truble God shall him reward, + Prolong his life, and blesse him in the Land, + And free him from his foes' oppressing hand: + Shall comfort him, when sicke and weake hee lies, + And make his bedd till hee in health doe rise: + My synne hath giuen my soule a greiuous wound, + Apply Thy mercy Lord, and make it sound; + Thus speakes my foe of mee to show his spight, + 'When shall his life and honnour perish quite'? + Hee vissitts mee, but with false heart and tongue + And thereof vaunts, his complices amonge: + Euen all my foes against mee doe conspire, + And with one minde my ruin doe desire; + 'Let him,' say they of mee, 'in judgement fall + And when hee once is downe not rise at all.' + The freind I trusted, which did eat my bread, + Hath lifted vp his heele against my head. + Thy mercie's winges on mee O Lord display; + Raise mee againe, and I shall them repay. + By this I doe Thy gracious fauour see, + In that my foe doth not trihumph on mee. + Thou in my health uphouldst mee with Thy hand, + And in Thy presence I shall euer stand. + The name of JACOB'S GOD bee blessèd then, + From age to age for euermore: Amen. + + +PSALM XLII. + + As for the streames the hunted hart doth bray, + Soe for God's grace my heart doth pant and pray. + My soule doth thirst (O God of life!) for Thee, + When shall I come Thy blessed[225] face to see? + My teares are all my food both night and day, + While 'where is now thy God?' the wicked say. + I powrèd out my hart, while thus I thought + And to God's House the multitude I brought: + With songs of praise and thankfullnes withall, + To celebrate the Lord's great festiuall: + Then why art thou my soule soe full of woe, + Vnquiet in thyselfe and vexèd soe? + O put thy trust in God and thankfull bee, + For his sweet helpe His presence yields to Thee. + My soule is greiu'd remembringe all the ill + I felt in JORDAN'S vale and HERMON hill. + One depth of sorrow doth to another call, + Thy waves O God haue ouergon mee all: + I prais'd at night God's bounty of the day, + And vnto Him that giues mee life did pray. + God of my strength, why hast Thou left mee soe, + With heauy hart oppressèd by my foe? + My foe doth cut my bones as with a sword, + While hee in scorne repeats this bitter word, + 'Where is thy God?' his speech to mee is such: + 'Where is thy God, of which thou talk'st soe much?' + But why art thou my soule dejected soe? + Why art thou trubled and soe full of woe? + Trust thou in God, and giue Him thankfull praise[226] + Who is Thy present helpe in all thy wayes. + +[Footnote 225: 'Life from thee' written and erased. G.] + +[Footnote 226: 'O put thy trust in God and thankfull bee' written and +erased. G.] + + +PSALM XLIII. + + Judge thou my[227] cause, [O God!] and right mee then, + Against vngodly and deceiptfull men. + O God, my strength, why sett'st Thou mee aside + And leau'st mee to my foes' oppressinge pride? + Send forth Thy light and truth and guide mee still, + In the right way to Thy most holy hill. + God of my[228] joy, before Thine Alter high, + My thankfull harte, my harpe shall justifie. + Then why art thou my soule dejected soe? + Why art thou trubled and soe full of woe? + O put thy trust in God and thankfull bee, + For that sweete aide His presence giues to thee. + +[Footnote 227: 'Mee' miswritten. G.] + + +PSALM XLIV. + + Lord! of Thy workes, our fathers haue vs tould, + Some in their dayes, and former times of ould; + How Thou hast rooted out the PAGAN race, + And Thy choice people planted in their place: + Who did not with their owne sword winne the Land, + Nor make the conquest with their proper hand; + But by Thine Arme, Thy fauour and Thy grace, + Thy countenance and brightnesse of Thy face; + Thou art my KINGE, O God, and royal Guide, + And Thou for JACOB'S safety dost prouide. + Wee through Thine aid our foes doe bouldly meet, + And by Thy vertue[229] cast them at our feet; + Therefore my trust I place not in my bowe, + Nor in my sword, to saue mee from my foe. + Thou only sau'st vs from our enimies, + Confoundinge them that doe against vs rise. + Wee boast and glory in our strength therefore, + And to Thy name singe praises euermore; + But now Thou standest of[f] and leau'st vs quite, + And dost not lead our armies out to fight; + Thou mak'st vs fly before our foes with feare, + While they from vs rich spoyles away doe beare; + Like sheepe, to feed them Thy poore flock is giuen, + Or scatterèd into seuerall NATIONS driuen. + Thyne owne deare people Thou dost sell for naught, + And setts on them noe price when they are bought; + Thou hast vs made vnto our NEIGHBOURS all, + An object of reproch and scorne withall: + To NATIONS which doe worship Idolls dumbe, + Wee are[230] a byword of contempt become; + All the day long my shame is in my sight, + Which makes me hide my face and shun the light, + Not able to endure the blasphemies + And scornes of my reuengefull enimies. + For all these ills wee doe not Thee forgett, + Thy blessed COUENANT wee renounce not yet. + Our hearts recede not from the LAWE deuine, + Nor doe our footsteps from Thy pathes declyne; + Though wee in dennes of dragons haue bene plac't, + And with death's fearefull shadowes[231] ouercast. + If wee the name of our true GOD forgett, + And Idolls false wee in His place doe sett, + Shall not Hee search [it] out, Whose eye doth see + The heart of man whose thoughts most trubled bee? + But for Thy cause LORD wee are martir'd still, + Like sheep which SLAUGHTER-MEN cull out to kill. + Up Lord! why dost Thou seeme to slumber thus? + Awake and bee not alwayes farr from vs: + Why hidest Thou from vs Thy blessed face, + Forgettinge our distresse and wretched case? + Our soules euen to the dust are humbled lowe, + Our prostrate bodies to the ground doe growe. + Arise and helpe vs Lord! defend vs still, + And saue vs for Thy mercie's sake from ill. + +[Footnote 228: 'Thy' miswritten and corrected in a later hand. G.] + +[Footnote 229: = Through the 'vertue' of Thy name, _i.e._, through +Thee. The original is 'And in Thy name.' G.] + +[Footnote 230: 'Become' written and erased. G.] + +[Footnote 231: Spelled 'Shawdowes' and corrected. G.] + + +PSALM XLV. + + My heart is mou'd to vtter some good thinge, + Which I entend to offer to the kinge. + My tougue shall bee the pen, and swiftly write + What in my heart deuotion doth endite. + Fairest of men, whose lipps with grace abound, + Whom with eternall blessings God hath crown'd; + Gird Thy sharp sword vpon Thine armèd thigh, + And shew Thyselfe in power and MAJESTIE. + Ride on with Thy great honnour prosperously, + Raigne and trihumph, and bee Thou mounted high, + Borne vp with justice, truth and meeknes' wings: + And Thy right hand shall teach Thee dreadfull things; + Thine arrowes sharpe, shall make Thy foes to fall, + Which Thou shalt shoote and peirce their hearts withall. + Eternall is Thy judgement-seat O God! + Thy scepter is a true directinge rod; + Right hast Thou lou'd and loth'st vnrighteousnes, + And therefore GOD Thy GOD Who doth Thee blesse, + Hath powr'd on Thee O PRINCE OF PRINCES best, + More oyle of gladnes then on all the rest: + Thy garments, which Thy person shall aray, + Brought out of Iuory wardrobes where they lay, + Of MYRRH, of ALLOES, and of CASHA smell; + Which odours doe refresh and please Thee well. + The queene, all cladd in gould at Thy right hand, + Daughters of Kings attendinge her, shall stand. + Attend faire daughter, listen and giue eare, + Forgett thy father's house and Cuntry deare. + Soe shall the Kinge take pleasure in thy beautie; + Hee is thy Lord, yield Him both loue and duty. + The TYRIAN virgins shall bringe guifts to thee, + And MERCHANTS rich, thy suppliants shall bee. + The daughter of the Kinge is rich without, + Her gownes embroidered all with gould about; + And yet within, shee is more glorious farr, + The jewells of her minde more precious are. + In finest dressinge, with the needle wrought, + Shee with her fellow virgins shall bee brought. + They shall with joy, O Kinge bee brought to Thee, + And in Thy princely COURTE receauvèd bee. + Thou in thy father's stead, O Bride shall gaine + Sonnes, which in sundry PROUINCES shall raigne. + Thee Lord, will I remember, all my dayes, + And all the world shall giue Thee endlesse praise. + + +PSALM XLVI. + + GOD is our hope and strength, which neuer failes; + Our present helpe, when mischeife vs assailes. + Though the earth remouèd, and the mountaines were + Amid the Ocean cast, wee would not feare. + Though raginge seas a dreadfull noise doe make, + Thou[gh] floodes and tempestes [roaring,] hills doe shake, + There is a streame, which though it bee not great, + Makes glad God's CITTIE, and His holy seate. + God in her CENTER dwells, and makes His place + Unmoueable, by His preuentinge grace. + They were[232] enrag'd which heathen kingdomes sway, + But when God spake, the Earth did melt away. + The Lord of Hosts assists vs with His power, + And JACOB'S GOD to vs becomes a Tower. + Come, and behould what workes the Lord hath wrought, + And Hee, His foes hath to destruction brought. + In all the world Hee warr to peace doth turne, + The bowe and speare doe breake and chariotts burne; + Bee quiet then and still, and know that I + Am Lord of the world and God Most High: + The Lord of Hosts assists vs with His power, + And JACOB'S GOD to vs becomes a Tower. + +[Footnote 232: Miswritten 'warr.' G.] + + +PSALM XLVII. + + Clap hands yee people, with applause rejoyce, + Singe to the Lord with loud and chearfull voyce; + His throne is high, His judgement breedeth feare, + On all the earth Hee doth the SCEPTER beare. + Hee makes much people our commaund obey, + And many NATIONS at our feet doth lay; + And hath for vs an heritage in store, + Euen JACOB'S portion whom Hee lou'd before. + In glorious trihumph GOD is mounted high, + The Lord with trumpet's sound ascends the SKIE. + Singe, singe, vnto our God, vnto our Kinge, + All praises due, euen all due praises singe. + All KINGDOMES of the earth to Him belonge, + Singe wisely then, and vnderstand your song. + In all the heathen Hee doth raigne alone, + And sitts in judgment in His holy throne. + And heathen princes which were seuerd farr, + To Abraham's faithfull seed now joinèd are. + And God, Whose highnes doth the heauens transcend, + As with a buckler doth the earth defend. + + +PSALM XLVIII. + + Great is the Lord and highly to bee praised, + In God's owne CITTIE, SYON hill is rays'd; + The beautie and the joy of all the Land, + The great king's CITTIE on the NORTH doth stand; + In his faire PALLACES God's name is knowne, + Where Hee doth cherish and protect His owne. + Though manie kings against her gathred bee, + They stand astonisht her great strength to see. + As when a woman doth in trauell fall, + A suddaine feare and tremblinge takes them all; + And God shall breake them though they bee combin'd, + As shipps are broken with an EASTERNE winde. + What wee haue heard, wee see Thou dost fullfill, + Thou GOD OF HOSTS vphoulds't Thy CITTIE still: + Amidst Thy Temple Lord, wee doe attend + Till Thou to vs Thy grace and fauour send. + Great is Thy name, O God, Thy praise noe lesse, + And Thy right hand is full of righteousnes. + Rejoyce O Sion, and your joyes renew, + Daughters of JUDAH,[233] for His judgements true. + About the walls of Sion walke yee round, + And tell the towers wherewith that forte is crownd; + Obserue her bulwarks and her turrets high, + And tell the same to your posterity. + This euer liuinge God our God is Hee, + And shall our Guide while we haue liuinge, bee.[234] + +[Footnote 233: 'Judgement' written here and erased. G.] + +[Footnote 234: A later hand substitutes another line, 'And while we +live, our only guide shall be.' G.] + + +PSALM XLIX. + + Heare this yee people, all yee people heare; + Listen to[235] mee and giue attentiue eare, + All yee that in the world residinge bee, + Both rich and poore, of high and low degree: + My mouth shall vtter, and my heart deuise, + Matters of greatest skill, profound and wise. + Mine eares to parables will I encline, + And singe vnto my harpe, of things deuine. + Then why should I in ill times fearfull bee, + When mischeife at my heeles doth follow mee. + Howbeit, some doe in their riches trust, + And glory in their wealth, which is but dust; + Yet non from death his brother's life can stay, + Nor vnto GOD for Him a ransome pay. + For it cost more the soule of man to saue, + Then all the wealth is worth, which worldlyngs haue. + Nor may men hope to liue on earth for euer, + Though long they last, ere soule and body seuer. + That fooles and wise men die alike they finde, + And vnto strangers leaue their wealth behinde. + Their houses yet they thinke shall euer stand, + They giue their proper names vnto their land; + Yet noe man can in honnour euer bee, + But as the brute beast dies, euen so does hee. + This is their follie, this their stumblinge wayes; + And yet the children doe their fathers praise. + [236]They are shut vp in graues as sheepe in folde, + And hungry Death feeds on their bodies cold, + The just shall rule them when the sunne doth rise, + With them their pride and beauty buried lies; + But God shall from Deathe's power my soule deliuer, + When Hee shall take it to Himselfe for euer. + Then let not feare and enuy thee surprize, + When thou seest men in wealth and honnour rise, + For to their graues they naught away shall beare, + Nor shall their glory waite vpon them there; + Yet they themselues thought happie all their dayes, + For him who helps himselfe others will praise: + As his forefathers all are gon before, + Soe shall hee die and see the light noe more. + Soe man on honnour little doth foresee, + But as brute beasts doe perish, soe dies hee. + +[Footnote 235: 'Unto' written and the 'un' erased. G.] + + +PSALM L. + + The Lord, the God of Gods, the world doth call, + Euen from the sunn's vprisinge to his fall; + From out of SION doth the Lord appeare, + And shewes the brightnes of His beauty cleare. + In trihumph, not in silence come shall Hee, + His vsher fire, His guard a storme shall bee. + Hee by His summons heauen and earth will call, + That Hee [may][237] judge at once his creatures all. + To Mee, saith Hee, let all My saints repaire, + Which worshipp Mee with sacrifice and prayer; + God's justice shall from heauen declarèd bee, + For Who is judge of all the world but Hee? + Harke ISRAELL! I am Thy God, giue eare; + I will against thee speake and witnes beare. + Not for the dailie taske of sacrifice, + Or that burnt-offerings shine not in Mine eyes: + I want them not, nor will I take at all, + Goat from thy fould or bullocke from thy stall; + All beasts are Mine within the forrest wide, + And cattle on a thousand hills beside; + I knowe all fowles which in the aire doe fly, + And see all beasts which in the feild doe lye. + If I were hungrie would I begg of thee, + When all things in the world belong to Mee? + Art thou O man, soe simple as to thinke + That bulls' flesh is My meat, goats' blood My drinke?[238] + +[Footnote 236: The MS. begins here with 'and': but is struck out. G.] + +[Footnote 237: I have filled in 'may' as evidently overlooked, and as +it is the word of the prose version: a later hand has written 'will' +and another 'for' in the place of 'That.' G.] + +[Footnote 238: The Manuscript thus far is in one handwriting: and since +the prefatory Note to these Psalms was written, I have discovered +among the Harleian MSS. a very remarkable document by Sir John Davies, +viz. his "Plea spoken at the Bar of the House of Lords" on "the King's +power to impose Ship-money," (126. B 10-4266) and it is _identically +the same holograph with that of these Fifty Psalms_, presenting +precisely the same forms and contractions throughout. So that the +Scribe of the one must have been the Scribe of the other: no doubt +one of Sir John's Secretaries or 'men,' as he himself calls them. I +shall give above important historical Paper--which never has been +published, or even referred to, so far as I am aware--in my edition +of DAVIES' Prose Works. Meanwhile I need not point out how +valuable is this additional verification of the Davies authorship of +our Manuscript--that is in so far as the Psalms up to L. are concerned. +I stand in doubt of his authorship of the remainder; but see our +Memorial-Introduction on this. + +The Psalms that follow have interposed a half-page and one leaf, blank, +and another leaf, filled with the secular Poems that succeed them: but +it was deemed better to place all the Psalms together. These other +Psalms have the same orthography: but the hand-writing is different +and plainer. It will be noticed that Psalm L. _supra_, is +imperfect, extending only to v. 13. G.] + + +PSALM LXVII. + + Shew us Thy mercy, Lord, and grace diuine: + Turne Thy bright face that it on vs may shine, + That all the men on Earth enlight'ned so + Theire owne saluation and Thy wayes may know. + O let Thy people praise Thy blessed name, + And let all tongues and nations doe the same; + And let all mortall men rejoyce in this, + That God['s] their judge, and iust His iudgment, is. + O let Thy people praise Thy blessed name, + And let all tongues and nations doe the same: + Then shall the Earth[239] bringe forth a rich encrease, + And God shall blesse vs with a fruitfull peace. + Euen God shall bless vs and[240] His holy feare, + Possesse the harts of all men euery where. + +[Footnote 239: 'Nations' written and erased. G.] + +[Footnote 240: 'W^{th}' written and erased. G.] + + +PSALM XCI. + + + 1 Who vnder the Most High Himselfe doth hide, + In most assurèd safety shall abide. + 2 Thou art, O Lord, my hope and my defence, + My God, in Thee is all my confidence. + 3 Hee shall preserue thee from the hunter's snare, + And from the pestilent contagious aier. + 4 His winges shall both protect and cherish thee, + His faithfull promise shall thy buckler bee. + 5 Noe terror of the night shall thee dismay, + Nor Satan's arrow flyinge in the day, + 6 Nor mortall plague, which in the darke annoyes, + Nor that ill angell which at none[241] destroyes.[242] + 7 Thousands, ten thousands shall about thee fall, + Yet noe such ill shall thee approach at all; + 8 Yea with thine eyes thou shalt behould and see, + The iust reward of such as impious bee; + 9 Thou art my hope, I will on Thee rely, + Thy tower of safety, Lord, is sett soe high. + 10 Noe mischeefe, noe mischance shall thee betide + No plague come near the place where Thou shalt bide. + 11 The Lord His angells will Thy keepers make, + In all Thy righteous wayes which thou shalte take; + 12 They in their hands shall thee sustaine and stay + That Thou shalt neuer stumble in thy way. + 13 Uppon the basilisk and adder's head, + Dragon and lyon thou shalt safely tread. + 14 Thy loue to Mee shall saue thee from mischance, + Thy knowledge of My name shall thee aduance. + 15 I will him hear, and help him in His trouble; + I will protect him and his honour duble. + With length of dayes, hee satisfied shall bee, + And hee at last shall My saluation see. + +[Footnote 241: Noon? G.] + +[Footnote 242: _Sic._ Qu: = departs? G.] + + +PSALM XCV.[243] + + Come let vs hartily reioyce and singe + To God our mightie Sauiour, and our Kinge; + Present the prayse which doth to Him belonge, + And show our gladnes in a cheerfull songe; + For God our Lord, the greatest God is Hee, + And Monarch of all gods that worshipt bee. + The Earth's round globe, Hee holdeth in His hand: + And th' highest mountaynes are at His command. + The sea is His, Hee hath it made of old, + And the dry land His blessed hands did mould: + Come let vs worship then, and humble fall + Before our mightie God which made vs all. + Hee is our Lord, and wee His people bee; + Our shepheard, and His proper sheep are wee. + This day yf you His holy voice will heare, + Let not your hearts bee hardned as they were, + When in the desert you His wrath did moue, + And temptinge Him His mightie power did proue. + Full forty yeeres this nation greeud mee so, + Their erringe harts My wayes would neuer know; + Therefore displeas'd by oath I did protest + They neuer should possesse my Land of rest. + +[Footnote 243: Written in the centre of the page XCV. G.] + + +PSALM C. + + Bee ioyfull in the Lord, yee nations all, + Cheer vp your harts in mirth, and songs withall; + The Lord is God, not wee but Hee alone + Hath made vs all, and feeds vs euery one. + Then enter yee His gates and courts with prayse, + And striue with hart and voice His name to raise. + For why? the Lord is sweet, His mercy rare, + His truth for euer constant shall endure. + + +PSALM CIII. + + My soule with all thy powers thy Maker praise; + Forget not all His benefits to thee, + Who pardons all thy sinnes, and doth thee rayse + When thou art fal'n through any infirmitie: + Who doth thee saue from mischeifs that would kill thee, + And crowneth thee with mercies euer more. + And with the best of thinges doth feed and fill thee, + And egle-like thy youth and strength restore. + When men oppressèd doe to Him appeale, + Hee righteth euery one against his foe; + Hee vnto Moses did His lawes reueale, + And vnto Jacob's eare His workes did show. + Hee is more full of grace then wee of sinne; + To anger slowe, compassionate and kind; + Hee doth not euer chide, and never linne,[244] + Nor keepes displeasure alwayes in His minde, + Nor after our misdeedes doth Hee vs charge; + Nor takes Hee of our faults a strict account, + But as the space from earth to heauen is large, + So farr His mercy doth our sinnes surmount. + As east from west is distant farr away, + Soe farr doth Hee from us our sinnes remoue: + As fathers, kindnes to their sonnes bewray, + Soe God to them that feare Him, showes His loue. + For Hee that made vs and knowes all, doth know + The matter whereof man was made of old; + That wee were formèd heer on earth below + Of dust and clay, and of noe better mold. + Man's age doth wither as the fadinge grasse; + He flourisheth, but as y^{e} flower in May, + Which when the South-wind ouer it doth passe + Is gone; and where it grew no man can say. + But God's sweet kindnes[245] euer doth consist; + His truth, from age to age, continew shall, + To them that in His righteous lawes persist, + And thinke vppon them to performe them all. + Heauen is God's seat; there doth His glorie dwell, + But ouer all, His empire doth extend; + Praise Him yee angells which in strength excell, + And His command doe euermore attend. + Praise Him yee hosts of heauen which serue Him there, + Whose seruice with His pleasure doth accord; + And praise Him all His creatures euery where; + And thou my soule for thy part, praise the Lord. + +[Footnote 244: = cease. G.] + +[Footnote 245: 'to mankind for' written here and erased: 'doth consist' +and its corresponding rhyme two lines below, 'persist,' written in a +later hand. Originally the former line read 'But God's sweet kindness +to mankind for euer,' and to rhyme with this, the corresponding line +ended with 'perseuer.' G.] + + +PSALM CL. + + To Him with trumpets and with flutes, + With cornets, clarions and with lutes; + With harpes, with organs and with shawmes, + With holy anthems and with psalmes; + With voice of angells and of men + Sing! Aleluyia! Amen, Amen. + + + + +VIII. MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. + +HITHERTO UNPUBLISHED. + + + + +_Miscellaneous Poems._ + + +OF FAITH THE FIRST THEOLOGICALL VERTUE. + + Faith is a sunbeame of th' Æternall light, + That in man's soule infusd by grace doth shine: + Which giues her dazled eye soe cleare a sight + As evidently sees the truith divine; + This beame that cleares our eyes, inflames our hearts, + And Charitie's kind fire doth there begett: + For sunlike, it both light and heate imparts: + Faith is the light, and Charitie the heate: + This light of faith the noblest wisdome is, + For it the onley truith allowes and a'plyes: + The virgin's lamp, that lights the soule to blisse; + The Jacob's scales,[246] whereby shee clymes the skyes; + The eye that sees, the hand that apprehends; + The cause of causes, and the end of ends. + +[Footnote 246: Scala = ladder. G.] + + +A SONGE OF CONTENTION + +BETWEENE FOWRE MAIDS CONCERNINGE THAT WHICH ADDETH MOST PERFECTION +TO THAT SEXE. + +THE FIRST FOR BEAUTY. + + Our fairest Garland, made of Beautye's flowers, + Doth of it selfe supplyall other dowers: + Women excell the perfects' men in this, + And therefore herein theire perfection is: + For beautye wee the glorious heauens admire; + Faire feilds, faire howses, gold and pearle, desire. + Beautye doth alwayes health and youth imploy + and doth delight the noblest sense, the eye. + + +THE SECOND FOR WITTE. + + Beautye delights the soule, but witte the Reason: + Witte lasts an age, and beautye but a season: + The sense is quickly cloyd with beautye's tast; + When witt's delight still quicke and fresh doth last: + Beautye, weake eyes with her illusion blindes, + Witte conquers spirits and triumphs ouer minds: + Deade things haue beautye, onely man hath witte, + and man's perfection doth consist in it. + + +THE THIRD FOR WEALTH. + + Wealth is a power that passeth nature farre: + Makes euery goose a swanne, and sparke a starre: + Queene money, bringes and giues with royall hands + Freinds, kindred, honour, husband, house and lands; + Not a faire face, but fortune faire, I craue, + Lett mee want witte soe I fooles' fortune haue. + + +THE FOURTH FOR VERTUE. + + Yet those perfections most imperfect bee, + If there bee wantinge vertuous modestye; + Vertue's aspect would haue the sweetest grace + If wee could see as wee conceaue her face: + Vertue guids witte, with well-affected will, + Which if witte want, it proues a dangerous ill: + Vertue gaines wealth with her good gouerment, + If not, sh'is rich, because shee is content.[247] + +[Footnote 247: The preceding are in a third handwriting. G.] + + +A MAID'S HYMNE IN PRAISE OF VIRGINITY. + + Sacred virginity, vnconquered Queene! + Whose kingdome never hath invaded beene; + Of whose sweete rosy crowne noe hand hath power + Once but to touch, much lesse to plucke a flower: + + Gainst whome proud Love--which on the world doth raigne,-- + With armies of his passions fights in vaine; + In whome gray Winter neuer doth appeare, + To whome greene Springtide lasteth all the yeare. + + O fresh immortall baye, vntroubled well, + Or violett, which vntoucht doest sweetest smell; + Faire vine, which without prop[248] doest safely stand, + Pure gold, new coynd, which neuer past a hand. + + O temperance, in the supreame degree + And hiyest pitch that vertue's winges can flee: + O more then humane spirit, of Angells' kind: + O white, unspotted garment of the mind, + + Which first cloathed man, before hee was forlorne; + And wherein God Himselfe chose to bee borne. + Within my soule, O heavenly vertue rest, + Untill my soule with heaven it selfe bee blest.[249] + +[Footnote 248: Miswritten 'drop' in MS. G.] + +[Footnote 249: At bottom of this page in the MS. 'Thomas Bakewell' is +scribbled twice. G.] + + +PART OF AN ELEGIE IN PRAISE OF MARRIAGE. + + When the first man from Paradise was driven, + Hee did from thence his onely comfort beare: + Hee still enioyes his wife, which God had giuen, + Though hee from other joyes deuorcèd were. + + This cordiall comfort of societye, + This trueloue knott, that tyes the heart and will, + When man was in th' extremest miserye + To keepe his heart from breaking, existed still.[250] + + There is a tale then[251] [when] the world beganne, + Both sexes in one body did remaine: + Till Joue, offended with that double man, + Caused Vulcan to diuide him into twayne. + + In this diuision, hee the hart did seuer, + But cunningly hee did indent the heart, + That if they should be reunited euer, + Each part might know which was the counterpart: + + Since when, all men and women thinke it longe, + Each of them their other part haue mett: + Sometimes the[y] meete y^{e} right, sometimes y^{e} wrong, + This discontent, and that doth ioy begett. + + It ioye begetts in there indented harts, + When like indentures they[252] are matcht aright: + Each part to other mutuall joy imparts, + And thus the man which Vulcan did deuide, + + Is nowe againe by Hymen made entire, + And all the ruine is ræedified; + Two beeinge made one by their diuine desire. + Sweete marriage is the honny neuer cloyinge; + + The tune, which being still plaid, doth euer please, + The pleasure which is vertue's in inioyinge. + It is the band of peace and yoake of ease, + It is a yoake, but sweete [and] light it is; + + The fellowship doth take away the trouble, + For euery griefe is made halfe lesse by this, + And euery ioy is by reflection double. + It is a band, but one of Love's sweete bands, + + Such as hee binds the world's great parts withall: + Whose wonderous frame by there convention stands, + But beinge disbanded would to ruine fall.[253] + +[Footnote 250: Written 'x'ested.] + +[Footnote 251: Miswritten 'There is a tale then.' G.] + +[Footnote 252: Miswritten 'ye.' G.] + +[Footnote 253: Two preceding are apparently in the same handwriting +with those before them. G.] + + +[A FRAGMENT OF A LOVE ELEGIE.] + + But those impressions by this forme are staynde, + and blotted out as if they had not beene: + And yet if nothing else in mynde I beare, + makes me not lesse learn[è]d then before: + For that in her as in a merrour cleare, + I see and learne far better things and more. + The students of the world and Natur's booke, + Beauty and order in the world doe noate; + She is my little world; on her I looke, + and doe in her the same p'fections quoate: + For in her eyes the beames of beauty shine, + and in her sweete behaviour and her grace, + Order apears, and comlines divine, + Befitting every tyme and every place. + +3. + + Vnto that sparkling wit, that spirit of fire, + That pointed diomond looke, that ægle's eye + Whose lyghtning makes audacity retire + and yet drawes on respectiue modesty, + With wings of feare and loue, my spirit doth fly + and doth therein a flame of fire resemble; + Which, when it burnes most bright and mounts most high, + then doth it waver most and most doth tremble. + O that my thoughts were words, or could I speake + The tongue of Angells, to expresse my mynde: + For mortall speach is far too faint and weeke + to utter passion of so high a kynde. + You have a beauty of such life and light + As it hath power all wandring eyes to stay: + To move dombe tongues to speake, lame hands to write, + Stayde thoughts to run, hard harts to melt a way: + Yet painters' can of this draw every line + And every wittles person that hath eyes, + Can se[e] and judg and sweare it is divine: + For in these outwarde formes all fooles are wise. + But that which my admireing spirit doth veiw, + I[n] thought whereof it would for ever dwell, + Eie never saw, the pensill never drew, + Pen neuer coulde describe, tongue never tell: + It is the invisible beauty of your mynde, + Your cleare immagination, lively witt, + So tund, so temp'rd, of such heavenly kind, + As all mens spirits ar charmd and rapt with it. + This life within begetts your lively looke, + As fier doth make all metalls looke like fier; + Or your quicke soule by choise this body tooke, + As angells w^{th} bright formes themselves attire. + O that my brest might ope, and hart might cleave + That so you might my silent wondring veiw: + O that you might my soreing spirit p'ceive, + How still with trembling wings it waites on you. + Then should you se[e] of thoughts an endles chaine, + Whose links are[254] vertues, and yor vertues bee; + Then should you see how your faire forme doth raigne + Through all the regions of my fantesie. + Then should you fynde that I was yours as much + As ar your sharpe conceits borowd of none; + Or as your native beautyes, that are such + As all the world will sweare it is your owne. + +[Footnote 254: Miswritten 'y^{r}.' G.] + + +4. + + As they that worke in mines, rich vaines beray, + By some few garaines[255] of ore whereon the[y] hit: + And as one letter found is oft a kay + To many lines that ar in cipher writt; + So I by your few loveing lines descry + Of your long hiden love the golden mine; + And reade therein with a true lover's eye + Of the hart's volume, every secrett line. + But what availes it now, alas to know + That once a blessed man I might haue beene? + Since I haue lett, by lookeing downe too low + My highest fortunes sore away vnseene: + And yett if I had raisd my humble eyes + As high as heauen I could not haue discer[n]d + Of invisible thoughts which in your hart did rise, + Unles of you I had my lesson learnd. + But all was darke and folden vp to me; + As soon might I my selfe, my selfe haue taught + To read y^{e} blacke records of destiny, + As read the ridles of the silent thought: + But whereto may I best resemble this? + Your loue was like the springing of a tree: + We cannot see the growing when it is, + But that it hath sprunge up and growne, we see. + Or it is like to wealth by fairyes brought, + Which they bring still while they invisible goe; + But all doth vanish and doth turne to nought, + If once a man enricht, those fairyes know: + But now your loue (say you) is dead and gone: + But my strong faith shall giue it life againe. + By strength of fancy miricles are done, + And true beleefe doth seldom hope in vaine. + Your Ph[oe]nix loue is vnto ashes turnd, + But now the fier of my affection true, + Which long within my hart hath kyndly burnd, + Shall spreade such heate as it shall liue anew. + Or if the fyer of your celestiall loue, + Be mounted vp to heauen and cannot dye: + Another slye Prometheus will I prove, + and play the theife to steale it from the skye. + When you vouchsaft to love vnworthy me, + Your loue discended like a shower of raine; + Which on the earth, euen senceles though she bee, + when once it falls, returneth not againe. + Then why should you withdraw the heauenly dew + Which fell sometymes on your despairing lover? + Though then his earthly spirit full little knew + How good an Angel did about him houer. + O you the glory of your sex and race! + You that all tymes and places hapie make! + You that in beeing vertuous vertue grace, + and make men love it better for your sake: + One sunbeame yet of favour cast on mee, + Let one kinde thought in your cleare fancy rise: + Loue but a thought, or if that may not be + Be pleasd that I may love, it shall suffise. + +[Footnote 255: Qu: Grains? G.] + + +TO THE Q:[UEENE.] + + What Musicke shall we make to you? + To whome the strings of all men's harts + Make musicke of ten thousand parts: + In tune and measure true, + With straines[256] and changes new. + + How shall wee fraime a harmony + Worthie your eares, whose princely[257] hands + Keepe harmony in sundry lands: + Whose people divers be, + In station and degree? + Heauen's tunes may onely please, + and not such aires as theise. + + For you which downe from heauen are sent + Such peace vpon the earth to bring, + Haue h[e]ard y^{e} quire of Angells sing: + and all the sphæres consent, + like a sweete instrument. + + How then should theise harsh tunes you[258] heare + Created of y^{e} trubled ayer, + breed but distast--when you repaire-- + to your celestiall eare? + So that this center here + for you no musicke fynds, + but harmony of mynds. + +[Footnote 256: Miswritten 'strainest' in MS. G.] + +[Footnote 257: 'heavenly' written and erased. G.] + +[Footnote 258: Spelled here and elsewhere 'y^{u}.' It may be noted +here, that throughout these Poems, as with the Psalms, my rule has +been to extend mere contraction-forms. The few left have a place for +philological ends. A kind of flourish at the end of a number of words, +I was disposed to regard as intended to represent 's,' but instances +occur in the MS. to show that it is a mere ornamental addition: and so +I leave it unrepresented. G.] + + +[TO FAIRE LADYES.] + + Ladyes of Founthill,[259] I am come to seeke + My hart amongst you, which I late did leese; + but many harts may be perhaps alike: + Therefore of mine, the proper markes, are theise. + It is not hard, though true as steele it be, + And like y^{e} diomond, cleare from any spot; + Transmixt with many darts you shall it se[e], + but all by vertue, not by Cupid, shot; + It hath no wings, because it needeth none, + Being now arived and settled where it would; + Wingèd desires and hopes from it gon are, + but it is full of joyes as it can hold. + Faine would I find it where it doth remaine, + but would not haue it though I might againe. + +[Footnote 259: Founthill or Fonthill in Wilts. See Prefatory Note to +these hitherto unpublished MSS. G.] + + +UPON A PAIRE OF GARTERS. + + Go loveinge woode-bynde, clip with louely grace, + those two sweet plants which beare y^{e} flowers of loue + Go silken vines, those tender elmes embrace, + Which flourish still, although their roots doe moue. + As soone as you possess your blessed places, + You are advancèd and ennobled more + Then dyodemes, which were white silken laces + That ancient kings about there forehead wore: + Sweete bands, take heed lest you vnge[n]tly bynd, + Or with your stricktnes make too deepe a print: + Was neuer tree had such a tinder rynd, + Although her inward hart be hard as flynt; + And let your knots be fast, and loose at will, + she must be free, though I stand bounden still. + + +[TO HIS LADY-LOVE.] + + In this sweete booke, y^{e} treasury of witt, + All virtues, beautyes, passions, written be: + And with such life they are sett forth in it + as still methinkes y^{t} which I read I see. + But this booke's Mrs. is a liveing booke, + Which hath indeed those vertues in her mynde, + And in whose face though envey's selfe do looke, + Even envye's eye shall all those beautyes fynd. + Onely y^{e} passions y are printed here, + In her calme thoughts can no impression make: + She will not love, nor hate, nor hope, nor feare, + Though others seeke theise passions for her sake. + So in y^{e} sonne, some say there is no heate + though his reflecting beames doe fire begett. + + +[TOBACCO.][260] + +[Footnote 260: Cf. Harleian MS. lines 'Of Tobacco' in Epigrams pp. +32-35, _ante_. G.] + + Homer[261] of Moly and Nepenthe singes: + Moly, the gods most soveraigne hearbe divine. + Nepenth Hellen's[262] drink, which gladnes brings,-- + Hart's greife repells, and doth y^{e} witts refine. + But this our age another world hath found, + From whence an hearbe of heavenly power is brought: + Moly is not soe soveraigne for a wound + Nor hath Nepenth[e] so great wonders wrought. + It is tobacco: whose sweete subtile fume + The hellish torment of y^{e} teeth doth ease, + By drawing downe and drieing up y^{e} rume[263] + The mother and the nurse of each disease.[264] + +[Footnote 261: Miswritten 'Honnour.' G.] + +[Footnote 262: Cf. an Epigram 'Of Tobacco,' 36. The first edition +thereof in its reading 'Hekens' is an obvious misprint, probably +through Davies' ill writing. The reading here 'Nepen y^{e} Hellens' in +the MS. is a scribe's misreading of 'Nepen_the_ Hellen's'--he having +taken the ending 'the' for the article. Both point to the true reading, +'Nepenthe Helen's drink.' It is impossible that a scholar like Davies +could have supposed 'Nepenthe' to be the drink of the gods, and equally +impossible that he could have thought it drink of the Hellenes. G.] + +[Footnote 263: Rheum. G.] + +[Footnote 264: The handwriting of the six preceding pieces seems to be +the same. G.] + + +ELEGIES OF LOUE. + + Like as the diuers-fretchled[265] Butter-flye, + When Winter's frost is fallne upon his winge, + Hath onely left life's possibility, + and lies halfe dead untill the cherefull Spring: + + But then the Sunne from his all-quickning eye, + Darts forth a sparkle of the liuinge fire: + Which[266] with kinde heate, doth warme the frozen flye + and with newe spirit his little breast inspire: + + Then doth hee lightly rise and spread his winges, + And with the[267] beames that gaue him life doth playe: + Tasts euery flower that on th' earthe's bosoome springs, + and is in busye motion all the day: + + Soe my gaye Muse, which did my heart possesse, + And in my youthful fantasie doth raigne: + Which cleard my forehead with her cheerefullnes + and gaue a liuely warmth unto my brayne: + With sadder[268] studye, and with graue conceite + Which late my Immagination entertaynd: + Beganne to shrinke, and loose her actiue heate, + and dead as in a læthargy remaynd. + + Long in that senseles sleepe congeald shee laye, + Untill euen now another heauenly eye, + And cleare as that which doth begett the daye, + and of a like reviuinge simpathy: + + Did cast into my eyes a subtile beame, + Which peirieinge[269] deepe, into my fancy went, + And did awake my muse out of her dreame, + and unto her new life and vertue lent: + + Soe that shee now begins to raise her eyes + Which yett are dazled with her beautye's raye; + And to record her wonted melodyes, + Although at first shee bee not full so gaye. + +[Footnote 265: = freckled? G.] + +[Footnote 266: Miswritten 'with which.' G.] + +[Footnote 267: Miswritten 'they.' G.] + +[Footnote 268: = more serious. See Vol. I., p. 160, and related Note in +Postscript. G.] + +[Footnote 269: _Sic_: _not_ peircinge. G.] + + +THE KINGES WELCOME.[270] + +[Footnote 270: From the autograph MS. in All Souls' College, Oxford, +MS. 155. W. W. 11, 26, fol. 72, _a_ and _b_. The contractions of the +MS. have been expanded, but _u_ and _v_ are reproduced. This full +holograph of 'The Kinge's Welcome,' while it supersedes the short and +imperfect copy from Dr. Laing's MS.--as first printed in our F. W. L. +edition--confirms the authorship thereof. The abbreviated copy is also +given after this one, as it is expedient to reproduce the MS. in its +integrity. G.] + + O nowe or never gentle muse be gaye, + And mount vp higher on thy paper winges, + Then doth the larke when he salutes the daye, + And to the morne a merrie welcome singes. + + Fly swifter then the egle sent by art + From Noremberg, to the Almaine emperour: + A hand lesse cuning, but as true a hart + Sends thee to a prince of greater worth and power. + + Rencounter him thowe shalt vpon the waye, + like Phebus midst of all his golden trayne; + And knowe him too thou shalt at first suruaye + By proper notes and by distinctions plaine. + + By his faire outward formes and princely port, + by honours done to him with capp and knee; + He is decyphred by the vulgar sorte, + but truer caracters will rise to the[e]. + + Thy sight had once an influence devine. + which gave it power the soule of man to viewe; + wipe and make cleane that dazeled eye of thine, + and thowe shall see his reall markes and true. + + Looke ouer all that divers troope, and finde + whoe hath his spirites most Jouiall and free, + whose bodie is best tempred, and whose minde + Is ever best in tune, and that is hee. + + See who it is whose actions doe bewraye + that threefold power, which rarely mixt we see; + A iudgment graue, and yet a fancie gaye, + Joynd with a ritch remembrance, that is hee. + + Marke who it is, that hath all noble skill, + which maye to publique good referrèd bee; + the quickest witt, and best affected will, + whence flowes a streame of vertues, that is hee + + If any more then other clearely wise + or wisely iust or iustly valiant be; + If any doe fainte pleasures more despise, + or be more maister of himselfe, 'tis hee + + But soft, thie Egletes eye will soone be dym + If thou this rising sunne directly viewe; + looke syde waies on the beames that spread from him; + faire peace, rich plentie, and religion true + + Besides a guard of blessed angells houer + about his sacred person, day and night; + and with invisible winges his head doe cover, + that dangers dartes thereon may never light + + When by these proper notes thowe shalt him ken, + fly towardes him with winges of love and feare; + like fire which most doth wane and tremble then + when it doth mount most high and burne most cleare. + + Yet on; for wingèd time with the[e] goes on, + which like old Æ'son hath his youth renewd; + his hower glase turnèd and his sickle gone, + and all his graye and broken fethers mewd. + + On, for the braue yong sonn aboue his head + Comes Northward, that he may his glorie meete; + whilest the fresh earth in all her pride doth spread + greene veluit carpettes vnderneath his feete. + + On, for thee birds will help to fill thie songe, + whereto all english harte stringes doe agree; + And the Irish harpe stringes, that did iarre soe long + to make the musicke full, nowe tunèd be. + + There is noe eye cast downe, there is noe voice + that to pronounce the harte assent, is dombe; + the world of thinges doth everie where reioyce, + in certaine hope of blessed times to come + + Thousandes while they possesse and fill the waies + doth both desire, and hinder his repaire; + they fill the emptie heaven with praier and praise, + which he requites with demonstrations faire. + + Then what hast thowe to doe, and what remaines? + praie as the people doth, and add but this + This little wish; that whiles he lives and raignes, + he maye be still the same, that nowe he is. + + John Dauis. + + +TO THE KINGE + +UPON HIS MA'TIES FIRST COMMING INTO ENGLAND. + + O now or neuer, gentle Muse, be gaye: + And mount up higher with thy paper winges, + Than doth the larke when hee sallutes the daye, + And to the morne a merry wellcome singes. + + Thou must goe meete King James, upon the way + Advanceing Southward, with his golden trayne; + And know him too thou maist at first survaye, + by proper noates and by distinctions plaine. + + By his faire outward formes, and princely port, + By honour done to him with cap and knee, + Hee is distinguist to the vulgar sort: + but truer characters will rise to thee. + + Thy sight had once an influence divine, + Which gaue it power the Soule of man to vew: + Wipe and make cleare that dazled eye of thine, + and thou shall see his reall markes and true. + + Looke over all that divers troope, and finde + Who hath his spirits most joviall and free; + Whose body is best tempred, and whose mind + is ever best in tune; and that is he. + + See who it is, whose actions doe bewraye + That threefold power, which rarely mixt wee see; + A judgment grave, and yett a fancy gaye + joynd with a rich remembrance, That is hee. + + Marke who it is, that hath all noble skill, + Which may to publicke good referrèd bee: + The sharpest witte and best affected will, + whence floes a streame of vertues, That is hee. + + If any more than other clearely wise, + Or wisely just, or justly valiant bee; + If any doe faint pleasure more dispise + or bee more maister of himselfe, its hee. + + But soft, thine eagle's eye will soone bee dim, + If thou this risinge sonne directly vewe: + Looke sidewayes on the beames that spread from him,[271] + Faire peace, with Plenty, and Religion true. + + With that strong g'ard of Angells which doe houer + About his sacred person, daye and night: + And with invissible winges his head doe cover, + that danger's darts thereon may neuer light. + + Now on, for wingèd Time with thee goes on, + Which like old Æson hath his youth renewed, + His hower glasse turnd, and his sickle gon, + and all his graye and broken feathers mewd. + + On, for the brave young sonne above his head + Comes North ward, that hee may his glory meete; + While the fresh Earth in all her pride doth spread, + greene velvett carpetts underneath his feete. + + On, for the birdes will helpe to fill the songe, + Whereto all English hartstringes will agree: + An' th' Irish harpstringes that have jarrd soe longe, + to make the Musicke full, now tunèd bee. + + There is noe eye cast downe, there is no voyce + Which to expresse the harts assent, is dumbe: + The world of thinges doth every where rejoyce + In certaine hope of blessed times to come. + + While thousands doe posses and fill the wayes, + The[y] both desire and hinder his repaire; + They fill the emptie aire with prayer and praise, + which hee requitts with demonstrations faire. + +[Footnote 271: Miswritten 'them.' G.] + + +TO THE QUEENE AT THE SAME TIME. + + If wee in peace had not received the kinge + Wee see wee had beene conquered, since wee see + The Queene such armyes doth of beauties bringe + As all our eyes and hearts her vassals bee. + + The Danish armyes once great honnour wonne + Upon this Land; yett conquered but a part. + But you greate Lady more, alone, haue done; + For at first sight you conquer'd every heart. + + Starre of the North! upon these Northerne Realmes + Long may your vertues and your beauties raigne: + Beyond our Cinthiae's yeares, whose golden Beames + Ar[e] sett with vs, and cannot shine againe: + Well may it bee; though sunne and moone goe downe + Seas haue noe power the North pole starre to drowne.[272] + +[Footnote 272: The allusion is to the storm on her voyage to Scotland +in 1590. Cf. Constable's Sonnet to the King of Scots. See our +Memorial-Introduction on these Lines. G.] + + +MIRA LOQUOR SOL OCCUBUIT NOX NULLA SECUTA EST. + + By that Eclipse which darkned our Appollo, + Our sunne did sett, and yett noe night did follow; + For his successor's vertues shone soe bright, + As they continued still, there former light; [_their_] + And gaue the world a farther expectation + To adde a greater splendor to our Nation. + + +CHARLES HIS WAINE. + + Brittaine doth vnder those bright starres remaine, + Which English Shepheards, Charles his waine, doe name; + But more this Ile is Charles, his waine, + Since Charles her royall wagoner became. + For Charles, which now in Arthure's seate doth raigne, + Is our Arcturus, and doth guide the waine. + + +OF THE NAME OF CHAROLUS, BEING THE DIMINATIVE OF CHARUS. + + The name of Charles, darlinge signifies: + A name most fitte, for hee was ever such. + Neuer was Prince soe deare in all mens eyes. + Soe highly valued or esteemed soe much: + Edgar was England's darlinge, once wee find, + But Charles the Darlinge is of all mankind. + + +VERSES SENT TO THE KINGE WITH FIGGES: BY S^{r}. JOHN DAVIS. + + To add unto the first man's happiness, + His maker did for him a garden make; + And placd him there, that hee the same might dresse, + And pleasure great with little labour take. + And this with nature stands, and reason right, + That man who first was formèd of the earth + In trimminge of the earth should take delight, + And her adorne from whom hee tooke his birth. + Nor her for this doth hee ungratefull finde; + For shee in gardens her best fruites doth yealde. + The Earth in gardens is a mother kinde, + When shee is but a steepdame in the feild. + Sir, in your service God hath mee soe blest + As I haue beene enabled to acquire + A garden, ready planted, trimd and drest, + Whereto in vacant times I doe retire. + This garden, and the fruite thereof, indeede + Are fruites of your great favour unto mee; + And therefore all the fruites which thence proceed + A proper offeringe to your Highnes bee: + But if this verse or boldness, meritt blame, + Those figge leaues, S^{r}. I hope shall hide the same.[273] + +[Footnote 273: The six preceding pieces and the 'Elegiecall Epistle' +are in the same handwriting with the 'Maid's hymne in praise of +Virginity.' G.] + + +[LOVE-LINES.] + + Stay lovely boy! why flyest thou mee + that languish in theis flames for thee? + I'me black 'tis true--why so is night, + yet louers in darke shades delight: + the whole World, doe but close thyne eye + will appeare as black as I; + or open'd, view but what a shade + is by thyne owne fayre body made, + that follows thee where ere thou goe: + Ah, who allow'd would not doe so? + lett mee for euer dwell so nigh, + and thou shalt need no shade but I. + + +[LOVE-FLIGHT.] + + Black Mayel, complayne not y^{t} I flye, + since fate commaunds antipathy: + prodigious must y^{t} vnion proue, + where day and night togeather moue: + and the commotion of our lipps + not kisses make but an eclipps; + where the commixèd blacke and white + portend more terrour then delight: + yet if thou wilt my shaddow bee, + enioy thy deerest wish, but see + that like my shaddow's property + thou hast away as I come nye: + els[e] stay till death hath blinded mee + then I'le bequeath my selfe to thee.[274] + +[Footnote 274: These two are in a new and apparently less-trained +handwriting. G.] + + +AN ELEGIECALL EPISTLE ON SIR JOHN DAVIS DEATH. + + Morgan! to call thee sadd and discontente + Were to proclaime thee weake; twere an evente + Of more then folly, since the obscurest eye + Is witness of thy magnanimity: + And yett to tell thee that thou hast noe cause + To greife, were to belye thy worth, because + The gapinge wound speakes out the sovldiers fame, + And deepe despites giue fortitude a name. + Tis true hee's dead, and the sterne fates (accurst) + There browes haue wrinkled, and haue done their worst + To spite this State and thee, in tearinge hence + That Nature's Accademy, that Starre, from whence + Streamd such full influence, of what the mind + Accounteth quintisentiall; and the vnkinde + And cruell Death, hath blasted such a flower, + Stolne such a gemme, as makes the sad Earth poore. + And yett alasse[275] hee is not fledd for want + Of what could make the ambitious, proud soule vaunt: + For whilst hee liv'd hee brocke up Honour's gates, + And pluck't bright fame from snarling Envie's grates + Doomd to obliuion; and his unmatchèd penne + (Drop'd from the winge of some bright Seraphin) + Inculpates him thus to all eternitye + The eldest of the Muses proginie. + Said I hee's dead? not soe; he could not die, + But findinge that curst lucre, bribery + And puft[276] ambition were the scarlett crimes + Of the Tribunall's tenants, and the times + Not suitinge with his vertues, cause his manner + Was to deserue and not desire, an honour; + Hee's sor'd aloft, where nought but virtue's pris'd, + And where base Mammon is not idoliz'd: + To that Kinge's Bench where Iustice is not gould, + Nor honours with old Ladies bought and sould; + To heauen's Exchequer, with intent to paye, + And render thence the Royall subsidaye + Of his rich spirit, which his soueraigne tooke + Without subscription, and crost Nature's booke. + +[Footnote 275: This use of 'alas' was common contemporaneously, and +especially by the Puritan divines. G.] + +[Footnote 276: I am not quite certain as to this word. It may be +'pust': query from pus = poisonous matter? and so intended to +characterize ambition? G.] + + + + +IX. ENTERTAINMENT OF QUEEN ELIZABETH AT HAREFIELD BY COUNTESSE OF +DERBY. + + + + +NOTE. + + +This 'Entertainment' has the additional interest of having been that +wherein "The Lottery" (pp. 87-95), was introduced. The reasons for our +giving the whole to Davies, we have stated in the Memorial-Introduction +(II. Critical: Minor Poems). Our text is from Nichols' Progresses of Q. +Elizabeth, Vol. III., pp. 586-94. G. + + + + +_Entertainment of Q. Elizabeth at Harefield by Countesse of Derby._ + + +After the Queene entered (out of the high way) into the Deamesne +grounde of Harefielde, near the Dayrie howse, she was mett with +2 persons, the one representing a BAYLIFFE, the other +a DAYRIE-MAIDE, with the Speech. Her Majesty, being on +horsebacke, stayed under a tree (because it rayned) to heare it. + +_B._ Why, how now, Joane! are you heere? Gods my life, what make +you heere, gaddinge and gazinge after this manner? You come to buy +gape-seede,[277] doe you? Wherefore come you abroade now I' faith can +you tell? + +[Footnote 277: A pun on the open mouth of wonder and curiosity. G.] + +_Joa._ I come abroade to welcome these Strangers. + +_B._ Strangers? how knew you there would come Strangers? + +_Jo._ All this night I could not sleepe, dreaming of greene rushes; and +yesternight the chatting of the pyes, and the chirkinge[278] of the +frisketts[279] did foretell as much; and, besides that, all this day my +lefte eare glowed,[280] and that is to me (let them all say what they +wil) allwaies a signe of Strangers, if it be in the Summer; marye, if +it be in the Winter, tis a signe of anger. But what make you in this +company, I pray you? + +[Footnote 278: Imitative word, as the 'chirr' of the grasshopper. G.] + +_B._ I make the way for these Strangers, which the Way-maker himself +could not doe; for it is a way was never passed before. Besides, the +Mrs. of this faire company, though she know the way to all men's +harts, yet she knowes the way but to few men's howses, except she love +them very well, I can tell you; and therefore I myselfe, without any +comission, have taken upon me to conduct them to the house. + +_Jo._ The house? which house? doe you remember yourselfe? which way goe +you? + +_B._ I goe this way, on the right hand. Which way should I goe? + +_Jo._ You say true, and you're a trim man; but I' faith I'll talke noe +more to you, except you ware wyser. I pray you hartely, 'forsooth, +come neare the house, and take a simple lodginge with vs to-night; +for I can assuere you that yonder house that he talks of is but a +Pigeon-house, which is very little if it were finisht, and yet very +little of it is finisht. And you will believe me, vpon my life, Lady, I +saw Carpenters and Bricklayers and other Workmen about it within less +than these two howers. Besides, I doubt my Mr. and Mrs. are not at +home; or, if they be, you must make your owne provision; for they have +noe provision for such Strangers. You should seeme to be Ladies; and we +in the country have an old saying, that "halfe a pease a day will serve +a Lady." I know not what you are, nether am I acquainted with your +dyet; but, if you will goe with me, you shall haue cheare for a Lady: +for first you shall have a dayntie sillibub; next a messe of clowted +creame; stroakings,[281] in good faith, redd cowes milk, and they say +in London that's restorative: you shall have greene cheeses and creame. +(I'll speake a bould word) if the Queene herself (God save her Grace) +[were here] she might be seene to eat of it. Wee will not greatly +bragge of our possets, but we would be loath to learne to praise: and +if you loue frute, forsooth, wee haue jenitings,[282] paremayns,[283] +russet coates,[284] pippines, able-johns,[285] and perhaps a +pareplum,[286] a damsone, I or an apricocke[287] too, but that they are +noe dainties this yeare; and therefore, I pray, come neare the house, +and wellcome heartily, doe soe. + +[Footnote 279: An unrecorded word. G.] + +[Footnote 280: Folk-lore, as in Herrick, &c. G.] + +[Footnote 281: = the last milk drawn from a cow in milking: same as +strippings. G.] + +[Footnote 282: = rennets--a kind of apple? G.] + +[Footnote 283: = another kind of apple: see Gerard's Herbal, p. 1459 +(1636 edn.) G.] + +[Footnote 284: A species of apple like 'rennets.' G.] + +[Footnote 285: = apple-johns, as in 1, Henry IV., iii. 3: 2, Henry IV., +ii. 4 (_bis_). G.] + +[Footnote 286: Query, a peach? See Gerard, as before, (p. 1447). +Perse-boom is given as the Low-Dutch name of the peach. G.] + +[Footnote 287: = Apricot. G.] + +_B._ Goe to, gossip; your tongue must be running. If my Mrs. should +heare of this, I' faith shee would give you little thankes I can tell +you, for offeringe to draw so faire a flight from her Pigeon-house (as +you call it) to your Dayrie-house. + +_Jo._ Wisely, wisely, brother Richard; I' faith as I would vse the +matter, I dare say shee would giue me great thankes: for you know my +Mrs. charged me earnestly to retaine all idele hearvest-folkes that +past this way; and my meaning was, that, if I could hold them all this +night and to-morrow, on Monday morning to carry them into the fields; +and to make them earne their entertaynment well and thriftily; and to +that end I have heere a _Rake_ and _Forke_, to deliver to the best +Huswife in all this company. + +_B._ Doe soe then: deliver them to the best Huswife in all this +company: for wee shall haue as much vse of her paines and patience +there as here. As for the dainties that you talke of, if you have any +such, you shall doe well to send them; and as for these strangers, sett +thy hart at rest, Joane; they will not rest with [thee] this night, but +will passe on to my Mr[s.] house. + +_Joa._ Then, I pray, take this _Rake_ and _Forke_ with you; but I am +ashamed, and woe at my hart, you should goe away soe late. And I pray +God you repent you not, and wish yourselves here againe, when you finde +you haue gone further and fared worsse. + +When her Maiestie was alighted from her horse, and ascended 3 steeps +neare to the entering into the house, a carpet and chaire there sett +for her; PLACE and TIME present themselves, and vsed +this Dialogue: + +PLACE _in a partie-colored roabe, like the brick house_. + +TIME _with yeollow haire, and in a green roabe, with a hower +glasse, stopped, not runninge_. + +_P._ Wellcome, good _Time_. + +_T._ Godden, my little pretie priuat _Place_. + +_P._ Farewell, godbwy _Time_; are you not gone? doe you stay heere? I +wonder that _Time_ should stay any where; what's the cause? + +_T._ If thou knewest the cause, thou wouldst not wonder; for I stay +to entertaine the Wonder of this time; wherein I would pray thee to +ioyne mee, if thou wert not too little for her greatnes; for it weare +as great a meracle for thee to receive her, as to see the Ocean shut up +in a little creeke, or the circumference shrinke vnto the pointe of the +center. + +_P._ Too little! by that reason shee should rest in noe _place_, for +no _place_ is great ynough to receive her. Too little! I have all this +day entertayned the Sunn, which, you knowe, is a great and glorious +Guest; hee's but euen now gone downe yonder hill; and now he is gone, +methinks, if Cinthia her selfe would come in his place, the place that +contaynde him should not be to little to receave her. + +_T._ You say true, and I like your comparison; for the Guest that wee +are to entertaine doth fill all places with her divine vertues, as +the Sunn fills the World with the light of his beames. But say, poore +_Place_, in what manner didst thou entertaine the Sunn? + +_P._ I received his glory, and was fill'd with it: but I must confesse, +not according to the proportion of his greatnes, but according to the +measure of my capacitie; his bright face (methought) was all day turned +vpon mee; nevertheless his beames in infinite abundance weere disperst +and spread vpon other places. + +_T._ Well, well; this is noe time for vs to entertaine one another, +when wee should ioine to entertaine her. Our entertaynment of this +Goddesse will be much alike; for though her selfe shall eclipse her +soe much, as to suffer her brightnes to bee shadowed in this obscuere +and narrow _Place_, yet the sunne beames that follow her, the traine I +meane that attends vpon her, must, by the necessitie of this _Place_, +be deuided from her. Are you ready, _Place_? _Time_ is ready. + +_P._ Soe it should seeme, indeed, you are so gaye, fresh, and +cheerfull. You are the present _Time_, are you not? then what neede you +make such haste? Let me see, your wings are clipt, and, for ought I +see, your hower-glasse runnes not. + +_T._ My wings are clipt indeed, and it is her hands hath clipt them: +and, tis true, my glasse runnes not: indeed it hath bine stopt a longe +time, it can never rune as long as I waite upon this Mris. I [am] her +_Time_; and _Time_ weare very vngratefull, if it should not euer stand +still, to serue and preserue, cherish and delight her, that is the +glory of her time, and makes the _Time_ happy wherein she liueth. + +_P._ And doth not she make _Place_ happy as well as _Time_? What if she +make thee a contynewall holy-day, she makes me a perpetuall sanctuary. +Doth not the presence of a Prince make a Cottage a Court, and the +presence of the Gods make euery place Heauen? But, alas, my littlenes +is not capable of that happines that her great grace would impart vnto +me: but, weare I as large as there harts that are mine Owners, I should +be the fairest _Pallace_ in the world; and weere I agreeable to the +wishes of there hartes, I should in some measure resemble her sacred +selfe, and be in the outward frount exceeding faire, and in the inward +furniture exceeding rich. + +_T._ In good time do you remember the hearts of your Owners; for, as +I was passing to this place, I found this _Hart_,[288] which, as my +daughter _Truth_ tould mee, was stolne by owne[289] of the Nymphes +from one of the seruants of this Goddesse; but her guiltie conscience +enforming her that it did belong only of right vnto her that is Mrs. +of all harts in the world, she cast [it] from her for this time; and +_Oportunity_, finding it delivered it vnto me. Heere, _Place_, take it +thou, and present it vnto her as a pledge and mirror of their harts +that owe thee. + +[Footnote 288: A Diamond.] + +[Footnote 289: = one. G.] + +_P._ It is a mirror indeed, for so it is transparent. It is a cleare +hart, you may see through it. It hath noe close corners, noe darkenes, +noe unbutifull spott in it. I will therefore presume the more boldly +to deliver it; with this assurance, that _Time_, _Place_, _Persons_, +and all other circumstances, doe concurre alltogether in biddinge her +wellcome. + + _The humble Petition of a guiltlesse Lady, delivered in writing vpon + Munday Morninge, when the [robe] of rainbowes was presented to the Q. + by the La._ WALSINGHAM. + + Beauties rose, and vertues booke, + Angells minde, and Angells looke, + To all Saints and Angells deare, + Clearest Maiestie on earth, + Heauen did smile at your faire birth, + And since, your daies have been most cleare. + + Only poore St. _Swythen_ now + Doth heare you blame his cloudy brow: + But that poore St. deuoutly sweares, + It is but a tradition vaine + That his much weeping causeth raine, + For S^{ts} in heauen shedd no teares: + + But this he saith, that to his feast + Commeth Iris, an vnbidden guest, + In her moist roabe of collers gay; + And she cometh, she ever staies, + For the space of fortie daies, + And more or lesse raines euery day. + + But the good St., when once he knew, + This raine was like to fall on you, + If S^{ts} could weepe, he had wept as much + As when he did the Lady leade + That did on burning iron tread: + To Ladies his respect is such. + + He gently first bids Iris goe + Unto the Antipodes below, + But shee for that more sullen grew. + When he saw that, with angry looke, + From her her rayneie roabes he tooke, + Which heere he doth present to you. + + It is fitt it should with you remaine, + For you know better how to raine. + Yet if it raine still as before, + St Swythen praies that you would guesse, + That Iris doth more robes possesse, + And that you should blame him no more. + +At her Maiesties departure from Harefield, PLACE, attyred in +black mouringe aparell, vsed this farewell followinge: + +_P._ Sweet Maiestie, be pleased to looke vpon a poore Wydow, mourning +before your Grace. I am this _Place_, which at your comming was full +of ioy; but now at your departure am as full of sorrow. I was then, +for my comfort, accompanied with the present cheerful _Time_; but now +he is to depart with you; and, blessed as he is, must euer fly before +you: But, alas! I haue no wings, as _Time_ hath. My heauiness is such, +that I must stand still, amazed to see so greate happines so sone +bereft mee. Oh, that I could remoue with you, as other circumstances +can! _Time_ can goe with you, _Persons_ can goe with you; they can +moue like Heaven; but I, like dull Earth (as I am indeed) must stand +vnmouable. I could wish my selfe like the inchanted Castle of Loue, +to hould you heere for euer, but that your vertues would dissolue all +my inchauntments. Then what remedy? As it is against the nature of an +Angell to be circumscribed in _Place_, so it is against the nature +of _Place_ to haue the motion of an Angell. I must stay forsaken and +desolate. You may goe with maiestie, joy, and glory. My only suyte, +before you goe, is that you will pardon the close imprisonment which +you haue suffred euer since your comminge, imputinge it not to mee, +but St. Swythen, who of late hath raysed soe many stormes, as I was +faine to prouide this _Anchor_,[290] for you, when I did vnderstand +you would put into this creeke. But now, since I perceaue this harbour +is too little for you, and you will hoyse sayle and be gone, I beseech +you take this Anchor with you. And I pray to Him that made both _Time_ +and _Place_, that, in all places where euer you shall arriue, you may +anchor as safly, as you doe and euer shall doe in the harts of my +Owners. + +[Footnote 290: A Jewell.] + + +THE COMPLAINT OF THE V SATYRES AGAINST THE NYMPHS. + + Tell me, O Nymphes, why do you + Shune vs that your loues pursue? + What doe the Satyres notes retaine + That should merite your disdaine? + + On our browes if hornes doe growe, + Was not Bacchus armèd soe? + Yet of him the Candian maid + Held no scorne, nor was affraid. + + Say our colours tawny bee, + Ph[oe]bus was not faire to see; + Yet faire Clymen[291] did not shunn + To bee Mother of his Sonne. + + If our beards be rough and long, + Soe had Hercules the strong: + Yet Deianier,[292] with many a kisse, + Joyn'd her tender lipps to his. + + If our bodies hayry bee, + Mars as rugged was as wee: + Yet did Ilia[293] think her grac'd, + For to be by Mars imbrac'd. + + Say our feet ill-fauored are, + Cripples leggs are worse by farre: + Yet faire Venus, during life, + Was the lymping Vulcan's wife. + + Breefly, if by nature we + But imperfect creatures be; + Thinke not our defects so much, + Since Celestial Powers be such. + + But you Nymphes, whose veniall loue + Loue of gold alone doth moue, + Though you scorne vs, yet for gold + Your base loue is bought and sold. + +[Footnote 291: Clymene. G.] + +[Footnote 292: Deianeira, daughter of Oeneus. G.] + +[Footnote 293: Mother of Romulus. G.] + + +finis. + + * * * * * + +Transcriber's note: + +In this etext a superscript is indicated by ^{e} + +The oe ligature is represented by [oe] + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Complete Poems of Sir John Davies. +Volume 2 of 2., by John Davies + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44978 *** |