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diff --git a/old/54194-0.txt b/old/54194-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 8d7bdc6..0000000 --- a/old/54194-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,17188 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Some Longer Elizabethan Poems, by Various - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: Some Longer Elizabethan Poems - -Author: Various - -Commentator: A. H. Bullen - -Release Date: February 19, 2017 [EBook #54194] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SOME LONGER ELIZABETHAN POEMS *** - - - - -Produced by David Starner, Jane Robins, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) - - - - - - - - - - -SOME LONGER ELIZABETHAN POEMS - - - - - _AN ENGLISH GARNER_ - - - - - SOME LONGER - ELIZABETHAN POEMS - - WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY - A. H. BULLEN - - [Illustration] - - WESTMINSTER - ARCHIBALD CONSTABLE AND CO., LTD. - 1903 - - - - -PUBLISHERS' NOTE - - -The texts contained in the present volume are reprinted with very -slight alterations from the _English Garner_ issued in eight volumes -(1877-1890, London, 8vo) by Professor Arber, whose name is sufficient -guarantee for the accurate collation of the texts with the rare -originals, the old spelling being in most cases carefully modernised. -The contents of the original _Garner_ have been rearranged and now for -the first time classified, under the general editorial supervision -of Mr. Thomas Seccombe. Certain lacunae have been filled by the -interpolation of fresh matter. The Introductions are wholly new and -have been written specially for this issue. - - -Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to His Majesty - - - - -CONTENTS - - - PAGE - - Sir John Davies--Orchestra, or A Poem of Dancing, 1596, 1 - - Sir John Davies--Nosce Teipsum:-- - 1. Of Human Knowledge,} - 2. Of the Soul of Man,} 1599, 41 - - Sir John Davies--Hymns of Astræa, in Acrostic Verse, 1599, 107 - - Six Idillia, that is six small or petty poems or Æglogues of - Theocritus translated into English Verse (Anon), Oxford, - 1588, 123 - - *Richard Barnfield--The Affectionate Shepheard. Containing - the Complaint of Daphnis for the love of Ganymede, - 1594, 147 - - *Richard Barnfield--Cynthia. With Certaine Sonnets and the - Legend of Cassandra, 1595, 187 - - *Richard Barnfield--The Encomion of Lady Pecunia: or The - Praise of Money, 1598, 227 - - *Richard Barnfield--The Complaint of Poetrie for the Death of - Liberalitie, 1598, 241 - - *Richard Barnfield--The Combat, betweene Conscience and - Covetousnesse in the minde of Man, 1598, 253 - - *Richard Barnfield--Poems: in divers humors, 1598, 261 - - Astrophel. A Pastoral Elegy upon the death of the most noble - and valorous Knight, Sir Philip Sidney. A group of - elegies by Spenser and other hands printed as an - Appendix to Spenser's Colin Clouts come home again, - 1595, 271 - - J. C.--Alcilia: Philoparthen's Loving Folly, 1595, 319 - - Antony Scoloker--Daiphantus, or The Passions of Love, by - An. Sc. Whereunto is added The Passionate Man's - Pilgrimage, 1604, 363 - - Michael Drayton--_Odes_ [drawn from _Poems Lyrick and Pastorall_, - 1606, and the later _Poems_ of 1619], 405 - -*The items indicated by an asterisk are new additions to _An English -Garner_. - - - - -INTRODUCTION - - -As there is no need to adopt a strictly chronological order for the -poems included in the present volume, I have begun with the _Orchestra_ -and _Nosce Teipsum_ of Sir John Davies (1569-1626), who was undoubtedly -one of the most brilliant figures of the Elizabethan Age. Well-born -and gently bred, educated at Winchester and at New College, Oxford, -Davies was exceptionally fortunate in escaping the pecuniary cares that -harassed so many Elizabethan men of letters. From the Middle Temple -he was called to the bar in 1595 (at the age of twenty-six). In the -previous year _Orchestra_ had been entered in the Stationers' Register, -but the poem was first published in 1596. From the dedicatory sonnet -to Richard Martin we learn that it was written in fifteen days. There -are, however, no signs of haste in the writing, and it may fairly be -claimed that this poem in praise of dancing is a graceful monument of -ingenious fancy. Lucian composed a valuable and entertaining treatise -on dancing, and I suspect that Περὶ ᾽Ορχήσεως gave Davies -the idea of writing _Orchestra_. - -In the opening stanzas[1] we are presented with a picturesque -description of - - 'The sovereign castle of the rockly isle - Wherein Penelope the Princess lay,' - -lit with a thousand lamps on a festal night when the suitors had -assembled, at the queen's invitation, to hear the minstrel Phoemius -sing the praises of the heroes who had fought at Troy. With such beauty -shone Penelope that the suitors were abashed at their temerity in -having dared to woo her. But one 'fresh and jolly knight,' Antinous, so -far from being dismayed, - - 'boldly gan advance - And with fair manners wooed the Queen to dance.' - -She blushingly declined, and mildly chided him for trying to persuade -her to new-fangled follies. Forthwith he launched into a rapturous -disquisition on the antiquity of dancing, which began when Love -persuaded the jarring elements--fire, air, earth, and water--to -cease from conflict and observe true measure. The sun and moon, the -fixed and wandering stars, the girdling sea and running streams, all -'yield perfect forms of dancing.' With exuberant fancy, fetching his -illustrations from near and far, he pursues his theme through many -richly-coloured stanzas. It may be worth while to remark (as his -editors have been silent on the subject) that Davies does not scruple -to borrow freely from Lucian. Take, for instance, stanza 80:-- - - 'Wherefore was Proteus said himself to change - Into a stream, a lion, and a tree, - And many other forms fantastic strange - As in his fickle thought he wished to be? - But that he danced with such facility, - As, like a lion, he could prance with pride, - Ply like a plant and like a river glide." - -Now hear Lucian:-- - - δοκεῖ γάρ μοι ὁ παλαιὸς μῆθος καὶ Πρωτέα - τὸν Αἰγύπτιον οὐκ ἄλλο τι ἢ ὀρχηστήν τινα - γενέσθαι λέγειν, μιμητικὸν ἄνθρωπον καὶ πρὸς - πάντα σχηματίζεσθαι καὶ μεταβάλλεσθαι δυνάμενον, - ὡς καὶ ὕδατος ὑγρότητα μιμεῖσθαι καὶ πυρὸς - ὀξύτητα ἐν τᾖ τῆς κινήσεως σφοδρότητι καὶ - λέοντος ἀγριότητα καὶ παρδάλεως θυμὸν καὶ - δένδρου δόνημα, καὶ ὅλως ὅ τι καὶ θελήσειεν.[2] - -Here is another example (Stanza 17):-- - - 'Dancing, bright Lady, then began to be - When the first seeds whereof the world did spring, - The Fire, Air, Earth, and Water did agree - By Love's persuasion (Nature's mighty King) - To leave their first disordered combating, - And in a dance such measures to observe - As all the world their motion should preserve.' - -With this compare Lucian (as Englished by Jasper Mayne): 'First, then, -you plainly seem to me not to know that dancing is no new invention or -of yesterday's or the other day's growth, or born among our forefathers -or their ancestors. But they who most truly derive dancing, say it -sprung with the first beginning of the universe, and had a birth -equally as ancient as love.' It would be easy to multiply instances. Of -course Davies' borrowings from Lucian do not for a moment detract from -his poem's merit: indeed they give an added zest. - -In the 1596 edition _Orchestra_ ends with a compliment to Queen -Elizabeth, and stanzas in praise of Spenser, Daniel, and others. Davies -had evidently intended to write a sequel; for, when _Orchestra_ was -republished in the collective edition of his poems (1622), it was -described on the title-page as 'not finished,' some new stanzas were -added, and it ended abruptly in the middle of a simile. The poem is -quite long enough as we have it in the 1596 edition, and we need not -lament that Davies failed to carry out his intention of continuing it: -μηδὲν ἄγαν. - -To his youthful days belong the _Epigrams_, which were bound up with -Marlowe's translation of Ovid's _Amores_ (with a Middleburgh imprint): -occasionally indecorous, they are seldom wanting in wit and pleasantry. - -In February 1597-8, Davies was disbarred for a breach of discipline. He -quarrelled with Richard Martin (afterwards Recorder of London)--to whom -he had dedicated _Orchestra_--and assaulted him at dinner in the Middle -Temple Hall, breaking a cudgel over his head. Retiring to Oxford, he -engaged in the more peaceful occupation of composing _Nosce Teipsum_, -a poem on the immortality of the soul, which was published in 1599. -It was an ambitious task that this young disbarred bencher took in -hand, but he acquitted himself ably. Some of his modern admirers have -exceeded all reasonable bounds in their praise of the poem. Rejecting -these extravagant eulogies, we may claim that Davies, while he was -leading the life of an inns-of-court man of fashion, had remained a -steadfast lover of learning and letters; that he had stored his mind -richly; and that his well-turned quatrains have had an inspiring -influence on later poets. Young, in _Night Thoughts_, was under special -obligation to Davies. Matthew Arnold had no enthusiasm for Elizabethan -writers; but, unless I am greatly mistaken, he had glanced at _Nosce -Teipsum_. In 'A Southern Night' Arnold wrote-- - - ... 'And see all things from pole to pole,[3] - And glance, and nod, and bustle by, - And never once possess our soul - Before we die,' - ---a stanza that bears a very suspicious resemblance to Davies' -quatrain-- - - 'We that acquaint ourselves with every zone, - And pass both tropics, and behold both poles; - When we come home, are to ourselves unknown - And unacquainted still with our own souls.' - -All the arguments for and against the immortality of the soul were -threshed out ages ago, and there is little or nothing new to say -on the subject. A poet's skill lies in graciously attiring the old -commonplaces; in searching out the right persuasive words and uttering -them so melodiously that dull 'approved verities'--sparkling with -sudden lustre--are transmuted into something rich and strange. It is -idle to talk about Davies' 'deep and original thinking.' Many stanzas -can be brushed aside as tiresome and uncouth; but something will be -left. In his handling of the ten-syllabled quatrain (with alternate -rhymes) Davies showed considerable deftness. The metre has weight and -dignity, but is apt to become stiff and monotonous. Davies certainly -succeeded in securing more freedom and variety than might have been -anticipated. Inspired by his example, Davenant chose this metre for -_Gondibert;_ and Davenant was followed by Dryden, who in the preface to -_Annus Mirabilis_ says all that can be said in favour of the quatrain -(which was seen to best advantage in Gray's _Elegy_). - -Though few may be at the pains to read through _Nosce Teipsum_ at a -blow, it is a poem that lends itself admirably to quotation. Towards -the end there is a cluster of fine stanzas('O ignorant poor man,' -etc.) that have found their way into many volumes of selected poetry; -and even the arid tracts are dotted with green oases. Tennyson, with -somewhat wearisome iteration, pleaded through stanza after stanza of -_In Memoriam_ that the longing which most men unquestionably have for -immortality must needs be based on a sure foundation:-- - - 'We think we were not made to die, - And Thou hast made us, Thou art just.' - -Davies sums up pithily in a single line:-- - - 'If Death do quench us quite, we have great wrong.' - -A poet greater than Davies, greater than Tennyson, the august -Lucretius, in the noble verses that he pondered through the still -nights (seeking to do justice to the doctrine of his Master Epicurus), -scathingly checks our vaulting aspirations. If we have enjoyed the -banquet of life, why should we not rise content and pass to our -dreamless sleep? If our life has been wastefully squandered and is -become a weariness to us, why should we hesitate to make an end of it? -'Aufer abhinc lacrimas, balatro, et compesce querellas!' - -_Astræa_, a series of acrostic verses on Queen Elizabeth, is merely -a _tour de force_ of courtly ingenuity. Much more interesting is -Davies' group of graceful little poems, _Twelve Wonders of the World_, -published in the second edition (1608) of Davison's _Poetical Rhapsody_. - -In 1603 Davies was appointed Solicitor-General for Ireland, and in -1606 Attorney-General. His letters to Cecil give a valuable and vivid -account of the state of Ireland; and his _Discovery of the True Cause -why Ireland was never entirely subdued_, 1612, is a treatise of the -first importance. Davies' political writings wait the attention of a -competent editor, who would undoubtedly find absorbing interest in his -task. - -It was the poet's misfortune to marry a crazy rhapsodical woman -(Eleanor Touchet, sister of the notorious Baron Audley), who annoyed -him by putting herself into mourning and bidding him 'within three -years to expect the mortal blow.' Three days before his death she -'gave him pass to take his long sleep.' He resented these admonitions, -and testily exclaimed, 'I pray you weep not while I am alive, and I -will give you leave to laugh when I am dead.' On 7th December 1626 -he dined with Lord Keeper Coventry, and on the following morning was -found dead of apoplexy. It was perhaps fortunate that his life had not -been prolonged, for his views of kingly prerogative were high. He had -supported the king's demand for a forced loan, and (when 'the mortal -blow' really came) was about to succeed Lord Chief Justice Crew, who -had been removed from office for refusing to affirm the legality of -such loans. - -Not much need be said about _Six Idillia_, 1588, the anonymous -translations (pp. 123-146) from Theocritus. It is a performance worthy -of George Turberville or 'that painful furtherer of learning' Barnabe -Googe. On the verso of the title page is the Horatian inscription:-- - - 'E.D. - - Libenter hic et omnis exantlabitur - Labor, in tuæ spem gratiæ.' - -Collier, misreading this dedication, claimed the _Idillia_ for -Sir Edward Dyer, and his mistake has been followed by some later -bibliographers. But in the first place there is nothing to show that -'E.D.' was Sir Edward Dyer; and in the second it is perfectly plain -that the translations were dedicated to 'E.D.,' not written by him. -The rhymed fourteen-syllable lines are somewhat uncouth and do scant -justice to the liquid melody of Theocritus' hexameters; but though -these _Idillia_ have no great literary value, the hardy pioneer -is entitled to some credit for breaking new ground. Only one copy -(preserved in the Bodleian Library) of the original edition is known. -Some years ago a small edition, for private circulation, was issued -from the press of Rev. H.C. Daniel. - -Richard Barnfield(1574-1627) had genuine poetical gifts, but seldom -displayed them to advantage. Born in 1574 at Norbury, near Newport, -Shropshire, he was educated at Brasenose College, Oxford, and is -conjectured to have been a member of Gray's Inn. He seems to have -spent most of his time in the country, leading the life of a country -gentleman. In 1594 he published _The Affectionate Shepheard_ (with a -dedication to Lady Penelope Rich), and in 1595 _Cynthia_. His last -work, _The Encomion of Lady Pecunia_, followed in 1598, a second -edition (with changes and additions) appearing in 1605. He died in -March 1626-7, leaving a son and a grand-daughter. In his will he is -described as of 'Dorlestone, in the Countie of Stafford, Esquire.'[4] - -_The Affectionate Shepheard_ was inspired by Virgil's Second Eclogue. -Though the choice of subject was not happy, it must be allowed that -in describing country contentment and the pastimes of silly shepherds -Barnfield shows un-laboured fluency and grace, with playful touches -of quaint extravagance. The passage beginning 'And when th'art wearie -of thy keeping Sheepe'(pp. 159, 160) and ending 'Like Lillyes in -a bed of roses shed' is a pleasant piece of poetical embroidery. -Barnfield doubtless adopted the six-line stanza in imitation of -_Venus and Adonis_, 1593(which had in turn been modelled on Lodge's -_Glaucus and Scylla_, 1589). It has been recently pointed out--by Mr. -Charles Crawford in _Notes and Queries_--that some passages in _The -Affectionate Shepheard_ were closely imitated from Marlowe and Nashe's -_Dido_ (published in 1594), and that one line has been taken straight -out of Marlowe's _Edward II._ Appended to _The Affectionate Shepheard_ -are _The Complainte of Chastitie_, in imitation of Michael Drayton, and -_Hellens Rape_--a copy of 'English Hexameters' so atrociously bad that -one wonders whether it was written to bring contempt on the metre which -Gabriel Harvey and others were vainly striving to popularise. - -To _Cynthia_ is prefixed a copy of high-flying commendatory verses, -from which very little sense can be extracted, by 'T.T.,' possibly -Thomas Thorpe, the publisher of Shakespeare's Sonnets. In the address -to 'The Curteous Gentlemen Readers' Barnfield claims indulgence for -_Cynthia_ on the ground that it was the first 'imitation of the verse -of that excellent Poet, Maister _Spencer_, in his _Fayrie Queene_.' -The poem is a compliment to Queen Elizabeth, who is adjudged by Jove -to have merited the golden apple wrongly given by Paris to Venus. -When Barnfield mentioned that he borrowed the metre of _Cynthia_ from -Spenser, he forgot to add that the matter was drawn from Peele's -_Arraignment of Paris_. To _Cynthia_ succeed twenty sonnets extolling, -after the fashion of the age, the beauty and virtues of an imaginary -youth, Ganymede. In the last sonnet Barnfield introduces compliments to -Spenser (Colin) and Drayton (Rowland):-- - - 'Ah had great _Colin_, chiefe of sheepheards all, - Or gentle _Rowland_, my professed friend, - Had they thy beautie, or my pennance pend, - Greater had beene thy fame, and lesse my fall: - But since that euerie one cannot be wittie, - Pardon I craue of them, and of thee pitty.' - -The 'Ode' that follows the sonnets runs trippingly away in easy -trochaics; but _Cassandra_ is laboured and languid. - -_The Encomion of Lady Pecunia_ has an 'Address to the Gentlemen -Readers,' in which Barnfield states that he had been at much pains to -find an unhackneyed subject for his pen. After long consideration he -had determined to write the praises of money, a theme both new (for -none had ventured upon it before) and pleasing (for money is always in -esteem). It was in pursuit of money that Hawkins and Drake had lost -their lives. Barnfield wrote a fine epitaph on Hawkins:-- - - 'The[5] Waters were his Winding sheete, the Sea was made his Toome; - Yet for his fame the Ocean Sea was not sufficient roome.' - -His lines on Drake are not quite so happy:-- - - 'England[6] his hart; his Corps the Waters have; - And that which raysed his fame, became his grave.' - -The _Encomion_ is smoothly written, and is not without humour. -A country gentleman in easy circumstances, Barnfield could dally -playfully with a subject that had for him no terrors. His example -probably led 'T. A.' (Thomas Acheley?) to write _The Massacre of -Money_, 1602. _The Complaint of Poetrie for the Death of Liberalitie_ -seems to be an imitation of Spenser's _Teares of the Muses_. More -interesting are the _Poems: in divers humors_ at the end of the -booklet, for among them are the sonnet 'If Musique and sweet Poetrie -agree,' and the 'Ode' beginning 'As it fell upon a day,' which were -long ascribed erroneously to Shakespeare. In the poem entitled -'A Remembrance of some English Poets' Barnfield praises Spenser, -Daniel, Drayton, and Shakespeare. For Sir Philip Sidney he had a deep -admiration, but his 'Epitaph' was a poor tribute. The verse with -which the tract ends,'A Comparison of the Life of Man,' is distinctly -impressive:-- - - 'Mans life is well compared to a feast, - Furnisht with choice of all Varietie: - To it comes Tyme; and as a bidden guest - Hee sets him downe, in Pompe and Majestie; - The three-folde Age of Man the Waiters bee: - Then with an earthen voyder (made of clay) - Comes Death, and takes the table clean away.' - -We now reach a group of elegies (pp. 271-318) by various hands on Sir -Philip Sidney, printed as an Appendix to Spenser's _Colin Clouts Come -Home Againe_, 1595, with a dedication to Sidney's widow, who by her -second marriage had become Countess of Essex. There was no man more -generally beloved than Sidney, and none whose loss was more sincerely -deplored. Numberless were the tributes paid in verse and prose to his -memory. The present collection embraces 'Astrophel,' by Spenser; -the 'Dolefull Lay of Clorinda,' by Sidney's sister, the Countess of -Pembroke; 'The Mourning Muse of Thestylis' and 'A Pastorall Æglogue,' -both by Lodowick Bryskett; 'An Elegie, or Friends Passion, for his -Astrophel,' by Matthew Roydon; 'An Epitaph,' probably by Sir Walter -Ralegh; and 'Another of the same' (_i.e._ on the same subject), which -Malone was inclined to attribute to Sir Edward Dyer, while Charles Lamb -ascribed it on internal evidence to Fulke Greville. Although _Colin -Clouts Come Home Againe_ was first published in 1595, the dedicatory -epistle to Sir Walter Ralegh is dated from Kilcolman, 27th December -1591. All the elegies were doubtless written soon after Sidney's death. -Lodowick Bryskett's two poems had been entered in the Stationers' -Register on 22nd August 1587, but are not known to have been separately -published. Matthew Roydon's elegy had appeared in the _Phœnix Nest_, -1593, where also are found the 'Epitaph' and 'Another of the Same. -Excellently written by a most woorthy gentleman.' - -In _The Ruines of Time_ (1591) there are some fine stanzas to Sidney's -memory; but if the literary public expected an elaborate elegy from -Spenser, 'Astrophel' must have disappointed their hopes. When we recall -Moschus' lament over Bion, or Ovid's tribute to Tibullus, or _Lycidas_, -or _Adonais_, Spenser's elegy on Sidney seems thin and colourless. -Scores of poets who had not a tithe of Spenser's genius have left -elegies that far transcend 'Astrophel.' Lady Pembroke's sisterly -tribute of affection will be read with respect; but however much we -may commend the pious intentions of the naturalised Italian Ludowick -Bryskett, it is impossible to find a word of praise for such 'rude -rhymes' as - - 'Come forth, ye Nymphes, come forth, forsake your watry boures! - Forsake your mossy caves and help me to lament; - Help me to tune my dolefull notes to gurgling sound - Of Liffies tumbling streames; come, let salt teares of ours - Mix with his waters fresh,' etc. - -Matthew Roydon's elegy is too diffuse, but has some most happy and -memorable stanzas. As we gaze at Isaac Oliver's beautiful miniature of -Sidney, in the Windsor Palace collection, those oft-quoted lines of -Roydon inevitably leap to the lips:-- - - 'A sweet attractive kind of grace, - A full assurance given by lookes, - Continuall comfort in a face, - The lineaments of Gospell bookes: - I trowe that countenance cannot lie - Whose thoughts are legible in the eie.' - -The 'Epitaph' beginning, 'To praise thy life, or waile thy worthie -death' appears to have been written by Sir Walter Ralegh. Sir John -Harington, in the notes appended to the sixteenth book of his -translation of _Orlando Furioso_ (1591), refers to 'our English -Petrarke, Sir Philip Sidney, or (as Sir Walter Rawleigh in his Epitaph -worthily calleth him) the Scipio and the Petrarke of our time' (see the -last stanza of the poem). Harington had evidently seen the 'Epitaph' in -MS.; and there is not the slightest reason for questioning the accuracy -of his ascription, for he was well acquainted with the poets of the -time, and curious information may be gathered from his Notes. I find -Ralegh's elegy somewhat obscure; pregnant, but harshly worded. Nor can -I profess any great admiration for 'Another of the same,' where the -vehemence of the writer's grief choked his utterance. - -Of the first edition of _Alcilia: Philoparthen's Loving Folly_, -1595 (pp. 319-362), only one copy is known, preserved in the public -library at Hamburgh. On the last page are subscribed the author's -initials 'J.C.', which have been altered in ink to 'J.G.' in the -Hamburgh copy. The poem was reprinted in London in 1613, 1619, and -1628, being accompanied by Marston's _Pygmalion's Image_ and Samuel -Page's _Amos and Laura_. Who 'J.C.' may have been is unknown; for the -wild conjecture that he was John Chalkhill, author of _Thealma and -Clearchus_ and friend of Izaak Walton, is chronologically untenable. -For the space of two years the unknown poet had pressed his attentions -upon the lady whom he called Alcilia. She finally rejected his -addresses, and young 'J.C.' was not sorry to escape from bondage. -Hardly a trace of genuine passion can be found in _Alcilia_, which is -merely (as the author freely admits) a collection of odds and ends -written 'at divers times and upon divers occasions.' It is somewhat -surprising that there was a demand for new editions. 'J.C.' wrote with -elegance and facility, but the note of originality is wanting. Had the -poem appeared a few years earlier, it would have been entitled to more -consideration; but the achievements of Greene, Lodge, and others had -made it possible in the closing years of the sixteenth century for any -young writer of respectable talents to compose such verse as we find in -_Alcilia_. - -_Daiphantus_, or _The Passions of Love_, 1604 (pp. 363-404), is -described on the title-page as 'By An. Sc. Gentleman,' assumed to stand -for Antony Scoloker. In the days of Henry VIII there was an Antony -Scoloker, a printer and translator, with whom 'An. Sc.' was doubtless -connected In the humorous prose address there is an interesting -reference to Shakespeare:--'It should be like the never-too-well-read -_Arcadia_ where the Prose and Verse, Matter and Words, are like his -Mistress eyes, one still excelling another and without corrival; or -to come home to the Vulgar's element, like friendly Shake-speare's -_Tragedies_, where the Comedian rides when the Tragedian stands on -tiptoe. Faith it should please all like Prince HAMLET. But, in sadness, -then it were to be feared he would run mad. In sooth I will not be -moonsick to please, nor out of my wits though I displease all. What? -Poet, are you in passion or out of Love? This is as strange as true.' -In the poem itself there is another reference to 'mad Hamlet,' though -Scoloker there seems to be glancing at the older play on the subject of -Hamlet. For the reader's guidance an 'Argument' is obligingly prefixed, -but it is to be feared that even with the help of this Argument he -will not find the poem very intelligible or of engrossing interest. -_Daiphantus_, of which only one copy (in the Douce Collection) is -known, was perhaps intended merely for circulation among the author's -friends, who may have been able to read between the lines. Appended is -the fine poem, 'The Passionate Man's Pilgrimage,' beginning:-- - - 'Give me my Scalop Shell of quiet, - My Staff of faith to walk upon, - My Scrip of joy, immortal diet, - My Bottle of salvation, - My Gown of glory, hope's true gage, - And thus I'll take my Pilgrimage,' etc. - -Possibly the publisher tacked on these verses without Scoloker's -knowledge. It is quite certain that they were not written by the author -of _Daiphantus_, and there are good reasons for assigning them to Sir -Walter Ralegh (_see_ Hannah's edition of Ralegh's _Poems_, 1885). - -The 'Odes' of Michael Drayton (pp. 405-441), drawn from _Poems Lyrick -and Pastorall_ (1606?), and the later collection of 1619, contain some -of his best writing. There is no need to praise the glorious 'Ballad of -Agincourt,' but it may be noted that Drayton spent considerable pains -over the revision of this poem. It was fine in its original form, but -every change found in the later version was a clear improvement. No -signs of the file are visible, and we should certainly judge--unless -we had evidence to the contrary--that this imperishable 'ballad' had -been thrown off at a white heat. Only inferior to 'Agincourt' is -the stirring ode 'To the Virginian Voyage.' Professor Arber, a high -authority, is of opinion that it was composed some time before 12th -August 1606, on which day the Plymouth Company despatched Captain Henry -Challons' ship to North Virginia. In this valedictory address Drayton -writes:-- - - 'Your course securely steer, - West-and-by-South forth keep! - Rocks,[7] Lee-shores, nor Shoals, - When Æolus scowls, - You need not fear: - So absolute the deep.' - -Captain Challons sailed to Madeira, St. Lucia, Porto Rico, and thence -towards North Virginia. His little ship of fifty-five tons, with a crew -of twenty-nine Englishmen (and two native Virginians), had the ill-luck -on 10th November to fall in with the Spanish fleet of eight ships -returning from Havanna. It was captured by the Spaniards and the crew -were taken prisoners to Spain. - -In a lighter vein, the ode beginning 'Maidens, why spare ye,' was -worthy to have been set to music by Robert Jones. The seventh ode was -written from the Peak in winter-- - - 'Amongst the mountains bleak, - Exposed to sleet and rain'-- - -where Charles Cotton afterwards resided. Drayton's statement in the -ninth ode-- - - 'My resolution such - How well and not how much - To write'-- - -will draw a smile from any reader who has ever seriously attempted to -grapple with his multitudinous works. But in these odes, and in the -other 'lyric poesies' added in the 1619 edition, he was careful to curb -his tendency to diffuseness. He employed a variety of metres, and his -experiments were not always happy. Ode 5, 'An Amouret Anacreontic,' -cannot be unreservedly commended, and Ode 9, 'A Skeltoniad,' could -be spared. One of the most attractive poems is the address 'To his -Rival,' a capital piece of good-natured raillery. In his early work -Drayton frequently taxes the reader's patience by his disregard for -grammatical proprieties, and some of these maturer Odes are so ineptly -harsh that one has to grope for the writer's meaning (while one bans -the punctuation of old printers and modern editors alike). Hence it is -particularly pleasant to meet such a poem as 'To his Rival,' which -never swerves awry, but runs on blithely without an encountering -obstacle. The 'Hymn to his Lady's Birthplace' is a polished compliment, -and very charming is the canzonet 'To his Coy Love.' I end with -expressing a hope that the extracts here given from Michael Drayton may -induce the reader to make further acquaintance[8] with the writings of -one of the most lovable of our elder poets. - - A.H. BULLEN. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 1: Ben Jonson (_Conversations with William Drummond of -Hawthornden_) took exception to the opening lines:-- - - 'He scorned such verses as could be transponed-- - Where is the man that never yett did hear - Of faire Penelope, Ulisses Queene? - Of faire Penelope Ulisses Queene, - Wher is the man that never yett did hear?' -] - -[Footnote 2: The passage is thus rendered by Jasper Mayne (_Part of -Lucian, made English ... in the year 1638_):--'Nor were it amiss, -having passed through India and Aethiopia, to draw our discourse -down to their neighbouring Aegypt. Where the ancient fiction which -goes of Proteus, methinks, signifies him only to be a certain dancer -and mimic; who could transform and change himself into all shapes, -sometimes acting the fluidness of water, sometimes the sharpness of -fire, occasioned by the quickness of its aspiring motion, sometimes the -fierceness of a lion, and fury of a libbard, and waving of an oak, and -whatever he liked.'] - -[Footnote 3: Cf. also Arnold's "Obermann once more":-- - - '"Poor World," she cried, "so deep accurst, - That runn'st from pole to pole - To seek a draught to quench thy thirst, - Go seek it in thy soul."' -] - -[Footnote 4: The poems of Barnfield were not in the original _Garner_ -and are now incorporated for the first time.] - -[Footnote 5: Prince in his _Worthies of Devon_(1701) quotes this -couplet as an epitaph, by an anonymous writer, on Drake.] - -[Footnote 6: There is a better epitaph on Drake in _Wit's -Recreations_(1640):-- - - 'Sir Drake, whom well the world's end knew, - Which thou didst compasse round. - And whom both Poles of Heaven once saw, - Which North and South do bound: - The Stars above would make thee known - If men here silent were: - The Sun himselfe cannot forget - His fellow-passenger.' -] - -[Footnote 7: On March 31, 1605, Captain George Weymouth started from -the Downs with a crew of twenty-nine to discover a North-West Passage -to the East Indies. On May 14 he 'descries land in 41° 30' N. in the -midst of dangerous rocks and shoals. Upon which he puts to sea, the -wind blowing south-south-west and west-south-west many days' (Prince's -_New England Chronology ap._ Garner, ii. 356). Drayton advises the -Virginian voyagers to keep the west-by-south course and so avoid -misadventures. He had not reckoned on the Spanish fleet.] - -[Footnote 8: Several of Drayton's works have been reprinted by the -Spenser Society, and an excellent Introduction to them has been written -by Professor Oliver Elton (1895).] - - - - -_ORCHESTRA_, - -or, - -A Poem of Dancing. - - - Judicially proving the true - observation of Time and - Measure, in the authentical - and laudable - use of Dancing. - - OVID, _Art. Aman._ lib. I. - _Si vox est, canta: si mollia brachia, salta: - Et quacunque potes dote placere, place._ - - _At London_, - Printed by J. ROBARTS for N. LING. - 1596. - - - - -[The following entries at Stationers' Hall prove that this Poem, -composed in fifteen days, was written not later than June, 1594; though -it did not come to the press till November, 1596. - - -25 Junif [1594]. - - Master HARRISON. Entred for his copie in Court holden this day/ a - _Senior._ booke entituled, _Orchestra, or a poeme of Daunsing_. - vjd. - _Transcript &c._ ii. 655. _Ed. 1875._ - - - xxj° Die Novembris [1596]. - - NICHOLAS LYNG/ Entered for his copie under th[e h]andes of Master - JACKSON and master Warden DAWSON, a booke - called _Orchestra, or a poeme of Dauncinge_. vjd. - - _Transcript &c._ iii. 74. _Ed. 1876._ -] - - - - -[Illustration] - -To his very friend, - -Master RICHARD MARTIN. - - - _To whom, shall I, this Dancing Poem send; - This sudden, rash, half-capreol of my wit? - To you, first mover and sole cause of it, - Mine own-self's better half, my dearest friend! - Oh would you, yet, my Muse some honey lend - From your mellifluous tongue (whereon doth sit_ - Suada _in majesty) that I may fit - These harsh beginnings with a sweeter end! - You know the modest sun, full fifteen times, - Blushing did rise, and blushing did descend, - While I, in making of these ill made rhymes, - My golden hours unthriftily did spend: - Yet if, in friendship, you these Numbers praise, - I will mispend another fifteen days._ - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -[The following Dedication was substituted in the edition of 1622. - -To the Prince. - - -[_i.e._, CHARLES, _Prince of_ WALES.] - - Sir, whatsoever You are pleased to do, - It is your special praise, that you are bent, - And sadly set your Princely mind thereto: - Which makes You in each thing so excellent. - - Hence is it, that You came so soon to be - A Man-at-arms in every point aright, - The fairest flower of noble Chivalry, - And of Saint GEORGE his Band the bravest Knight. - - And hence it is, that all your youthful train - In activeness and grace You do excel, - When You do Courtly dancings entertain: - Then Dancing's praise may be presented well - - To You, whose action adds more praise thereto - Than all the Muses, with their pens can do.] - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -ORCHESTRA, - -or, - -A Poem of Dancing. - - -1. - - Where lives the man, that never yet did hear - Of chaste PENELOPE, ULYSSES's Queen? - Who kept her faith unspotted twenty year; - Till he returned, that far away had been, - And many men and many towns had seen: - Ten year at Siege of Troy, he ling'ring lay; - And ten year in the midland sea did stray. - - -2. - - HOMER, to whom the Muses did carouse - A great deep cup, with heavenly nectar filled; - The greatest deepest cup in JOVE's great house - (For JOVE himself had so expressly willed): - He drank of all, ne let one drop be spilled; - Since when, his brain, that had before been dry, - Became the Wellspring of all Poetry. - - -3. - - Homer doth tell, in his abundant verse, - The long laborious travails of the Man; - And of his Lady too, he doth rehearse, - How she illudes, with all the art she can, - Th'ungrateful love which other Lords began; - For of her Lord, false Fame, long since, had sworn - That NEPTUNE's monsters had his carcass torn. - - -4. - - All this he tells, but one thing he forgot, - One thing most worthy his eternal Song, - But he was old, and blind, and saw it not: - Or else he thought he should ULYSSES wrong, - To mingle it his tragic acts among: - Yet was there not, in all the world of things, - A sweeter burden for his Muse's wings: - - -5. - - The Courtly love ANTINOUS did make, - ANTINOUS, that fresh and jolly Knight, - Which of the Gallants that did undertake - To win the Widow, had most Wealth and Might, - Wit to persuade, and Beauty to delight: - The Courtly love he made unto the Queen, - HOMER forgot, as if it had not been. - - -6. - - Sing then, TERPSICHORE, my light MUSE, sing - His gentle art and cunning courtesy! - You, Lady, can remember everything, - For you are daughter of Queen MEMORY: - But sing a plain and easy melody, - For the soft mean that warbleth but the ground, - To my rude ear doth yield the sweetest sound. - - -7. - - Only one night's Discourse I can report: - When the great Torchbearer of heaven was gone - Down, in a masque, unto the Ocean's Court, - To revel it with TETHYS, all alone; - ANTINOUS disguised, and unknown, - Like to the Spring in gaudy ornament, - Unto the Castle of the Princess went. - - -8. - - The sovereign Castle of the rocky isle, - Wherein PENELOPE the Princess lay, - Shone with a thousand lamps, which did exile - The dim dark shades, and turned the night to day. - Not JOVE's blue tent, what time the sunny ray - Behind the bulwark of the earth retires, - Is seen to sparkle with more twinkling fires. - - -9. - - That night, the Queen came forth from far within, - And in the presence of her Court was seen. - For the sweet singer PHŒMIUS did begin - To praise the Worthies that at Troy had been: - Somewhat of her ULYSSES she did ween, - In his grave Hymn, the heavenly man would sing, - Or of his wars, or of his wandering. - - -10. - - PALLAS, that hour, with her sweet breath divine, - Inspired immortal beauty in her eyes, - That with celestial glory she did shine - Brighter than VENUS, when she doth arise - Out of the waters to adorn the skies. - The Wooers, all amazèd, do admire - And check their own presumptuous desire. - - -11. - - Only ANTINOUS, when at first he viewed - Her star-bright eyes, that with new honour shined, - Was not dismayed; but therewithal renewed - The _noblesse_ and the splendour of his mind: - And, as he did fit circumstances find, - Unto the throne, he boldly 'gan advance, - And, with fair manners, wooed the Queen to dance. - - -12. - - _Goddess of women! sith your heavenliness - Hath now vouchsafed itself to represent - To our dim eyes; which though they see the less, - Yet are they blest in their astonishment: - Imitate heaven, whose beauties excellent - Are in continual motion day and night, - And move thereby more wonder and delight._ - - -13. - - _Let me the mover be, to turn about - Those glorious ornaments that Youth and Love - Have fixed in you, every part throughout: - Which if you will in timely measure move; - Not all those precious gems in heaven above - Shall yield a sight more pleasing to behold - With all their turns and tracings manifold._ - - -14. - - With this, the modest Princess blushed and smiled - Like to a clear and rosy eventide, - And softly did return this answer mild: - _Fair Sir! You needs must fairly be denied, - Where your demand cannot be satisfied. - My feet, which only Nature taught to go, - Did never yet the Art of Footing know._ - - -15. - - _But why persuade you me to this new rage? - For all Disorder and Misrule is new: - For such misgovernment in former Age - Our old divine forefathers never knew; - Who if they lived, and did the follies view, - Which their fond nephews make their chief affairs, - Would hate themselves, that had begot such heirs._ - - -16. - - _Sole Heir of Virtue, and of Beauty both! - Whence cometh it_, ANTINOUS replies, - _That your imperious Virtue is so loath - To grant your Beauty her chief exercise? - Or from what spring doth your opinion rise - That Dancing is a Frenzy and a Rage, - First known and used in this new-fangled Age?_ - - -17. - - _Dancing, bright Lady! then, began to be, - When the first seeds whereof the world did spring; - The Fire, Air, Earth, and Water did agree - By LOVE's persuasion (Nature's mighty King) - To leave their first disordered combating; - And, in a dance, such Measure to observe, - As all the world their motion should preserve._ - - -18. - - _Since when, they still are carried in a round; - And changing come one in another's place: - Yet do they neither mingle nor confound, - But every one doth keep the bounded space, - Wherein the Dance doth bid it turn or trace: - This wondrous miracle did LOVE devise, - For Dancing is LOVE's proper exercise._ - - -19. - - _Like this, he framed the gods' eternal bower, - And of a shapeless and confusèd mass, - By his through-piercing and digesting power, - The turning Vault of Heaven formèd was; - Whose starry wheels he hath so made to pass - As that their movings do a Music frame, - And they themselves still dance unto the same._ - - -20. - - _Or if_ "_this All, which round about we see_" - _As idle MORPHEUS some sick brains hath taught,_ - "_Of undivided motes compactèd be,_" - _How was this goodly architecture wrought? - Or by what means were they together brought? - They err, that say,_ "_they did concur by Chance!_" - _LOVE made them meet in a well ordered Dance!_ - - -21. - - _As when AMPHION with his charming Lyre - Begot so sweet a Siren of the air, - That, with her rhetoric, made the stones conspire, - The ruins of a city to repair - (A work of Wit and Reason's wise affair): - So LOVE's smooth tongue the motes such measure taught, - That they joined hands; and so the world was wrought!_ - - -22. - - _How justly then is Dancing termèd new, - Which, with the world, in point of time began? - Yea Time itself (whose birth JOVE never knew, - And which is far more ancient than the sun) - Had not one moment of his age outrun, - When out leaped Dancing from the heap of things - And lightly rode upon his nimble wings._ - - -23. - - _Reason hath both their pictures in her Treasure; - Where Time the Measure of all moving is, - And Dancing is a moving all in measure. - Now, if you do resemble that to this, - And think both One, I think you think amiss: - But if you Judge them Twins, together got, - And Time first born, your judgement erreth not._ - - -24. - - _Thus doth it equal age with Age enjoy, - And yet in lusty youth for ever flowers; - Like LOVE, his Sire, whom painters make a boy, - Yet is he Eldest of the Heavenly Powers; - Or like his brother Time, whose wingèd hours, - Going and coming, will not let him die, - But still preserve him in his infancy._ - - -25. - - This said, the Queen, with her sweet lips divine, - Gently began to move the subtle air, - Which gladly yielding, did itself incline - To take a shape between those rubies fair; - And being formed, softly did repair, - With twenty doublings in the empty way, - Unto ANTINOUS' ears, and thus did say. - - -26. - - _What eye doth see the heaven, but doth admire - When it the movings of the heavens doth see? - Myself, if I, to heaven may once aspire, - If that be Dancing, will a dancer be; - But as for this, your frantic jollity, - How it began, or whence you did it learn, - I never could, with Reason's eye discern?_ - - -27. - - ANTINOUS answered, _Jewel of the earth! - Worthy you are, that heavenly Dance to lead; - But for you think our Dancing base of birth, - And newly born but of a brain-sick head, - I will forthwith his antique gentry read, - And (for I love him) will his herald be, - And blaze his arms, and draw his pedigree._ - - -28. - - _When LOVE had shaped this world, this great fair wight,_ - (_That all wights else in this wide womb contains_), - _And had instructed it to dance aright - A thousand measures, with a thousand strains, - Which it should practise with delightful pains, - Until that fatal instant should revolve, - When all to nothing should again resolve:_ - - -29. - - _The comely Order and Proportion fair - On every side did please his wand'ring eye; - Till, glancing through the thin transparent air, - A rude disordered rout he did espy - Of men and women, that most spitefully - Did one another throng and crowd so sore - That his kind eye, in pity, wept therefore._ - - -30. - - _And swifter than the lightning down he came, - Another shapeless chaos to digest. - He will begin another world to frame_ - (_For LOVE, till all be well, will never rest_). - _Then with such words as cannot be expresst, - He cuts the troops, that all asunder fling, - And ere they wist, he casts them in a ring._ - - -31. - - _Then did he rarify the Element, - And in the centre of the ring appear; - The beams that from his forehead shining went - Begot a horror and religious fear - In all the souls that round about him were, - Which in their ears attentiveness procures, - While he, with such like sounds, their minds allures._ - - -32. - - "_How doth Confusions's Mother, headlong Chance, - Put Reason's noble squadron to the rout? - Or how should you, that have the governance - Of Nature's children, heaven and earth throughout, - Prescribe them rules, and live yourselves without? - Why should your fellowship a trouble be, - Since Man's chief pleasure is Society?_ - - -33. - - "_If Sense hath not yet taught you, learn of me - A comely moderation and discreet; - That your assemblies may well ordered be, - When my uniting power shall make you meet, - With heavenly tunes it shall be tempered sweet; - And be the model of the world's great frame, - And you, Earth's children, Dancing shall it name._ - - -34. - - "_Behold the world, how it is whirlèd round! - And for it is so whirlèd, is namèd so: - In whose large volume, many rules are found - Of this new Art, which it doth fairly show. - For your quick eyes in wandering to and fro, - From East to West, on no one thing can glance; - But (if you mark it well) it seems to dance._ - - -35. - - "_First, you see fixed, in this huge mirror blue, - Of trembling lights a number numberless; - Fixed, they are named but with a name untrue; - For they are moved and in a dance express - The great long Year that doth contain no less - Than threescore hundreds of those years in all, - Which the Sun makes with his course natural._ - - -36. - - "_What if to you these sparks disordered seem, - As if by chance they had been scattered there? - The gods a solemn measure do it deem - And see a just proportion everywhere, - And know the faints whence first their movings were - To which first points, when all return again, - The Axletree of Heaven shall break in twain._ - - -37. - - "_Under that spangled sky, five wandering Flames, - Besides the King of Day and Queen of Night, - Are wheeled around, all in their sundry frames, - And all in sundry measures do delight; - Yet altogether keep no measure right; - For by itself each doth itself advance, - And by itself each doth a Galliard dance._ - - -38 - - "_VENUS_ (_the mother of that bastard LOVE, - Which doth usurp the world's Great Marshal's name_), - _Just with the sun, her dainty feet doth move; - And unto him doth all her gestures frame - Now after, now afore, the flattering Dame, - With divers cunning passages doth err, - Still him respecting, that respects not her._ - - -39. - - "_For that brave SUN, the Father of the Day, - Doth love this EARTH, the Mother of the Night, - And like a reveller, in rich array, - Doth dance his Galliard in his leman's sight; - Both back, and forth, and sideways passing light. - His gallant grace doth so the gods amaze, - That all stand still, and at his beauty gaze._ - - -40. - - "_But see the EARTH, when she approacheth near, - How she for joy doth spring and sweetly smile; - But see again, her sad and heavy cheer - When, changing places, he retires a while; - But those black clouds he shortly will exile, - And make them all before his presence fly, - As mists consumed before his cheerful eye._ - - -41. - - "_Who doth not see the Measures of the MOON? - Which thirteen times she danceth every year, - And ends her Pavin thirteen times as soon - As doth her brother, of whose golden hair - She borroweth part, and proudly doth it wear. - Then doth she coyly turn her face aside - That half her cheek is scarce sometimes descried._ - - -42. - - "_Next her, the pure, subtle, and cleansing fire - Is swiftly carried in a circle even: - Though VULCAN be pronounced by many, a liar, - The only halting god that dwells in heaven. - But that foul name may be more fitly given - To your false fire, that far from heaven is fall, - And doth consume, waste, spoil, disorder all._ - - -43. - - "_And now, behold your tender nurse, the Air, - And common neighbour that aye runs around; - How many pictures and impressions fair, - Within her empty regions are there found, - Which to your senses, Dancing do propound? - For what are breath, speech, echoes, music, winds - But Dancings of the Air, in sundry kinds?_ - - -44. - - "_For when you Breathe, the air in order moves; - Now in, now out, in time and measure true - And when you Speak, so well the Dancing loves - That doubling oft, and oft redoubling new, - With thousand forms she doth herself endue. - For all the words that from your lips repair, - Are nought but tricks and turnings of the Air._ - - -45. - - "_Hence is her prattling daughter, ECHO, born, - That dances to all voices she can hear. - There is no sound so harsh that she doth scorn; - Nor any time, wherein she will forbear - The airy pavement with her feet to wear; - And yet her hearing sense is nothing quick, - For after time she endeth every trick._" - - -46. - - "_And thou, sweet Music, Dancing's only life, - The ear's sole happiness, the Air's best speech, - Loadstone of fellowship, Charming rod of strife, - The soft mind's Paradise, the sick mind's Leech, - With thine own tongue, thou trees and stones canst teach, - That when the Air doth dance her finest measure. - Then art thou born, the gods' and men's sweet pleasure._" - - -47. - - "_Lastly, where keep the Winds their revelry, - Their violent turnings, and wild whirling Hayes; - But in the Air's tralucent gallery? - Where she herself is turned a hundred ways, - While with those Maskers, wantonly she plays. - Yet in this misrule, they such rule embrace - As two, at once, encumber not the place._ - - -48. - - "_If then Fire, Air, Wandering and Fixed Lights, - In every province of th' imperial sky, - Yield perfect forms of Dancing to your sights; - In vain I teach the ear, that which the eye, - With certain view, already doth descry; - But for your eyes perceive not all they see, - In this, I will your senses' master be._ - - -49. - - "_For lo, the Sea that fleets about the land, - And like a girdle clips her solid waist, - Music and Measure both doth understand - For his great Crystal Eye is always cast - Up to the Moon, and on her fixèd fast; - And as she danceth, in her pallid sphere, - So danceth he about the centre here._ - - -50. - - "_Sometimes his proud green waves, in order set, - One after other, flow unto the shore; - Which when they have with many kisses wet, - They ebb away in order, as before: - And to make known his Courtly Love the more, - He oft doth lay aside his three-forked mace, - And with his arms the timorous Earth embrace._ - - -51. - - "_Only the Earth doth stand for ever still: - Her rocks remove not, nor her mountains meet_ - (_Although some wits enriched with learning's skill, - Say 'Heaven stands firm, and that the Earth doth fleet, - And swiftly turneth underneath their feet'_); - _Yet, though the Earth is ever steadfast seen, - On her broad breast hath Dancing ever been._ - - -52. - - "_For those blue veins, that through her body spread; - Those sapphire streams which from great hills do spring,_ - (_The Earth's great dugs! for every wight is fed - With sweet fresh moisture from them issuing_) - _Observe a Dance in their wild wandering; - And still their Dance begets a murmur sweet, - And still the Murmur with the Dance doth meet._ - - -53. - - "_Of all their ways, I love Mæander's path; - Which, to the tunes of dying swans, doth dance - Such winding slights. Such turns and tricks he hath, - Such creeks, such wrenches, and such daliance - That (whether it be hap or heedless chance) - In his indented course and wringing play, - He seems to dance a perfect cunning Hay._ - - -54. - - "_But wherefore do these streams for ever run? - To keep themselves for ever sweet and clear; - For let their everlasting course be done, - They straight corrupt and foul with mud appear. - O ye sweet Nymphs, that beauty's loss do fear, - Contemn the drugs that physic doth devise; - And learn of LOVE, this dainty exercise._ - - -55. - - "_See how those flowers, that have sweet beauty too, - The only jewels that the EARTH doth wear - When the young SUN in bravery her doth woo_) - _As oft as they the whistling wind do hear, - Do wave their tender bodies here and there: - And though their dance no perfect measure is; - Yet oftentimes their music makes them kiss._ - - -56. - - "_What makes the Vine about the Elm to dance - With turnings, windings, and embracements round? - What makes the loadstone to the North advance - His subtle point, as if from thence he found - His chief attractive virtue to redound? - Kind Nature, first, doth cause all things to love; - Love makes them dance, and in just order move._ - - -57. - - "_Hark how the birds do sing! and mark then how, - Jump with the modulation of their lays, - They lightly leap, and skip from bough to bough; - Yet do the cranes deserve a greater praise, - Which keep such measure in their airy ways: - As when they all in order rankèd are, - They make a perfect form triangular._ - - -58. - - "_In the chief angle, flies the watchful guide; - And all the followers their heads do lay - On their foregoers' backs, on either side: - But, for the Captain hath no rest to stay - His head forwearied with the windy way, - He back retires; and then the next behind, - As his Lieutenant, leads them through the wind._ - - -59. - - "_By why relate I every singular? - Since all the world's great fortunes and affairs - Forward and backward rapt and whirlèd are, - According to the music of the spheres; - And Chance herself her nimble feet upbears - On a round slippery wheel, that rolleth aye, - And turns all states with her impetuous sway._ - - -60. - - "_Learn then to dance you, that are princes born - And lawful Lords of earthly creatures all; - Imitate them, and thereof take no scorn, - For this new Art to them is natural. - And imitate the stars celestial; - For when pale Death your vital twist shall sever, - Your better parts must dance with them for ever._" - - -61. - - _Thus LOVE persuades, and all the crowd of men - That stands around, doth make a murmuring, - As when the wind, loosed from his hollow den, - Among the trees a gentle bass doth sing; - Or as a brook, through pebbles wandering: - But in their looks, they uttered this plain speech,_ - "_That they would learn to dance, if LOVE would teach._" - - -62. - - _Then, first of all, he doth demonstrate plain, - The motions seven that are in Nature found; - Upward and downward, forth and back again, - To this side, and to that, and turning round: - Whereof a thousand Brawls he doth compound, - Which he doth teach unto the multitude; - And ever, with a turn they must conclude._ - - -63. - - _As when a Nymph arising from the land, - Leadeth a dance, with her long watery train, - Down to the sea, she wries to every hand, - And every way doth cross the fertile plain; - But when, at last, she falls into the Main, - Then all her traverses concluded are, - And with the sea her course is circular._ - - -64. - - _Thus, when, at first, LOVE had them marshallèd, - (As erst he did the shapeless mass of things) - He taught them Rounds and winding Heyes to tread, - And about trees to cast themselves in rings: - As the two Bears, whom the First Mover flings - With a short turn about Heaven's Axle-tree, - In a round dance for ever wheeling be._ - - -65. - - _But after these, as men more civil grew, - He did more grave and solemn Measures frame; - With such fair order and proportion true, - And correspondence every way the same, - That no fault-finding eye did ever blame: - For every eye was movèd at the sight - With sober wondering, and with sweet delight._ - - -66. - - _Not those old students of the heavenly book, - ATLAS the great, PROMETHEUS the wise; - Which on the stars did all their lifetime look, - Could ever find such measures in the skies, - So full of change and rare varieties: - Yet all the feet whereon these measures go - Are only Spondees, solemn, grave, and slow._ - - -67. - - _But for more divers and more pleasing show, - A swift and wandering dance She did invent; - With passages uncertain, to and fro, - Yet with a certain Answer and Consent - To the quick music of the instrument. - Five was the number of the Music's feet; - Which still the Dance did with five paces meet._ - - -68. - - _A gallant Dance! that lively doth bewray - A spirit and a virtue masculine; - Impatient that her house on earth should stay, - Since she herself is fiery and divine. - Oft doth she make her body upward flyne - With lofty turns and caprioles in the air, - Which with the lusty tunes accordeth fair._ - - -69. - - _What shall I name those current travases, - That on a triple Dactyl foot, do run - Close by the ground, with sliding passages? - Wherein that dancer greatest praise hath won, - Which with best order can all orders shun; - For everywhere he wantonly must range. - And turn, and wind, with unexpected change._ - - -70. - - _Yet is there one, the most delightful kind, - A lofty jumping, or a leaping round, - When, arm in arm, two dancers are entwined, - And whirl themselves, with strict embracements bound, - And still their feet an Anapest do sound; - An Anapest is all their music's song, - Whose first two feet are short, and third is long._ - - -71. - - _As the victorious twins of LÆDA and JOVE, - (That taught the Spartans dancing on the sands - Of swift Eurotas) dance in heaven above, - Knit and united with eternal bands; - Among the stars their double image stands, - Where both are carried with an equal pace, - Together jumping in their turning race._ - - -72. - - _This is the net wherein the sun's bright eye - VENUS and MARS entangled did behold; - For in this dance their arms they so imply, - As each doth seem the other to enfold. - What if lewd wits another tale have told, - Of jealous VULCAN, and of iron chains? - Yet this true sense that forged lie contains._ - - -73. - - _These various forms of dancing LOVE did frame, - And besides these, a hundred millions moe; - And as he did invent, he taught the same: - With goodly gesture, and with comely show, - Now keeping state, now humbly honouring low. - And ever for the persons and the place, - He taught most fit, and best according grace._ - - -74. - - _For LOVE, within his fertile working brain, - Did then conceive those gracious Virgins three, - Whose civil moderation did maintain - All decent order and conveniency, - And fair respect, and seemly modesty: - And then he thought it fit they should be born, - That their sweet presence Dancing might adorn_. - - -75. - - _Hence is it, that these Graces painted are - With hand in hand, dancing an endless round; - And with regarding eyes, that still beware - That there be no disgrace amongst them found: - With equal foot they beat the flowery ground, - Laughing, or singing, as their Passions will; - Yet nothing that they do, becomes them ill._ - - -76. - - _Thus LOVE taught men! and men thus learned of LOVE - Sweet Music's sound with feet to counterfeit: - Which was long time before high-thundering JOVE - Was lifted up to Heaven's imperial seat. - For though by birth he were the Prince of Crete, - Nor Crete nor Heaven should that young Prince have seen, - If dancers with their timbrels had not been._ - - -77. - - _Since when all ceremonious mysteries, - All sacred orgies and religious rites, - All pomps, and triumphs, and solemnities, - All funerals, nuptials, and like public sights, - All parliaments of peace, and warlike fights, - All learned arts, and every great affair, - A lively shape of Dancing seems to bear._ - - -78. - - _For what did he, who, with his ten-tongued Lute, - Gave beasts and blocks an understanding ear; - Or rather into bestial minds and brutes - Shed and infused the beams of Reason clear? - Doubtless, for men that rude and savage were, - A civil form of Dancing he devised, - Wherewith unto their gods they sacrificed._ - - -79. - - _So did MUSÆUS, so AMPHION did, - And LINUS with his sweet enchanting Song, - And he whose hand the earth of monsters rid, - And had men's ears fast chainèd to his tongue, - And THESEUS to his wood-born slaves among, - Used Dancing, as the finest policy - To plant Religion and Society._ - - -80. - - _And therefore, now, the Thracian ORPHEUS' lyre - And HERCULES himself are stellified, - And in high heaven, amidst the starry quire - Dancing their parts, continually do slide. - So, on the Zodiac, GANYMEDE doth ride, - And so is HEBE with the Muses nine, - For pleasing JOVE with dancing, made divine._ - - -81. - - _Wherefore was PROTEUS said himself to change - Into a stream, a lion, and a tree, - And many other forms fantastic strange, - As, in his fickle thought, he wished to be? - But that he danced with such facility, - As, like a lion, he could pace with pride, - Ply like a plant, and like a river slide._ - - -82. - - _And how was CŒNEUS made, at first, a man, - And then a woman, then a man again, - But in a Dance? which when he first began - He the man's part in measure did sustain: - But when he changed into a second strain, - He danced the woman's part another space; - And then returned unto his former place._ - - -83. - - _Hence sprang the fable of TIRESIAS, - That he the pleasure of both sexes tried; - For, in a dance, he man and woman was. - By often change of place, from side to side, - But, for the woman easily did slide, - And smoothly swim with cunning hidden Art, - He took more pleasure in a woman's part._ - - -84. - - _So to a fish VENUS herself did change, - And swimming through the soft and yielding wave, - With gentle motions did so smoothly range, - As none might see where she the water drave; - But this plain truth that falsèd fable gave, - That she did dance with sliding easiness, - Pliant and quick in wandering passages._ - - -85. - - _And merry BACCHUS practised dancing too, - And to the Lydian numbers Rounds did make. - The like he did in th' Eastern India do, - And taught them all, when PHŒBUS did awake, - And when at night he did his coach forsake, - To honour heaven, and heaven's great rolling eye, - With turning dances and with melody._ - - -86. - - _Thus they who first did found a Common weal, - And they who first Religion did ordain, - By dancing first the people's hearts did steal: - Of whom we now a thousand tales do feign. - Yet do we now their perfect rules retain, - And use them still in such devices new; - As in the world, long since, their withering grew._ - - -87. - - _For after Towns and Kingdoms founded were, - Between great states arose well-ordered war, - Wherein most perfect Measure doth appear: - Whether their well set Ranks respected are, - In quadrant forms or semicircular; - Or else the March, when all the troops advance, - Unto the drum in gallant order dance._ - - -88. - - _And after wars, when white-winged Victory - Is with a glorious Triumph beautified; - And every one doth Ιῶ! Ιῶ! cry, - While all in gold the Conqueror doth ride; - The solemn pomp, that fills the city wide, - Observes such Rank and Measure everywhere, - As if they altogether dancing were._ - - -89. - - _The like just order Mourners do observe, - But with unlike affection and attire, - When some great man, that nobly did deserve, - And whom his friends impatiently desire, - Is brought with honour to his latest fire. - The dead corpse, too, in that sad dance is moved - As if both dead and living dancing loved._ - - -90. - - _A diverse cause, but like solemnity, - Unto the Temple leads the bashful bride, - Which blusheth like the Indian ivory - Which is with dip of Tyrian purple dyed: - A golden troop doth pass on every side, - Of flourishing young men and virgins gay, - Which keep fair Measure all the flowery way._ - - -91. - - _And not alone the general multitude - But those choice NESTORS, which in counsel grave - Of cities and of kingdoms do conclude, - Most comely order in their sessions have; - Wherefore the wise Thessalians ever gave - The name of Leader of their Country's Dance - To him that had their country's governance._ - - -92. - - _And those great Masters of the liberal arts, - In all their several Schools, do Dancing teach; - For humble Grammar first doth set the parts - Of congruent and well according Speech, - Which Rhetoric, whose state the clouds doth reach, - And heavenly Poetry do forward lead, - And divers Measures diversely do tread._ - - -93. - - _For Rhetoric clothing Speech in rich array, - The looser numbers teacheth her to range - With twenty tropes, and turnings every way, - And various figures and licentious change: - But Poetry, with rule and order strange, - So curiously doth move each single pace - As all is marred if she one foot misplace._ - - -94. - - _These Arts of Speech the Guides and Marshals are, - But Logic leadeth Reason in a dance_ - (_Reason, the Cynosure and bright Loadstar - _In this world's sea, t' avoid the rocks of Chance_), - For with close following, and continuance, - One reason doth another so ensue - As, in conclusion, still the Dance is true._ - - -95. - - _So Music to her own sweet tunes doth trip, - With tricks of_ 3, 5, 8, 15, _and more; - So doth the Art of Numbering seem to skip - From Even to Odd, in her proportioned score; - So do those skills, whose quick eyes do explore - The just dimension both of earth and heaven, - In all their rules observe a measure even._ - - -96. - - _Lo, this is Dancing's true nobility; - Dancing, the Child of Music and of Love; - Dancing itself, both Love and Harmony; - Where all agree, and all in order move; - Dancing, the art that all Arts doth approve; - The sure Character of the world's consent, - The heavens true figure, and th'earth's ornament._ - - -97. - - The Queen, whose dainty ears had borne too long - The tedious praise of that she did despise, - Adding once more the music of the tongue - To the sweet speech of her alluring eyes; - Began to answer in such winning wise - As that forthwith ANTINOUS' tongue was tied, - His eyes fast fixed, his ears were open wide. - - -98. - - _Forsooth,_ quoth she, _great glory you have won - To your trim minion, Dancing, all this while, - By blazing him LOVE'S first begotten son, - Of every ill the hateful father vile, - That doth the world with sorceries beguile, - Cunningly mad, religiously profane, - Wit's monster, Reason's canker, Sense's bane._ - - -99. - - _LOVE taught the mother that unkind desire - To wash her hands in her own infants blood; - LOVE taught the daughter to betray her sire - Into most base unworthy servitude; - LOVE taught the brother to prepare such food - To feast his brothers that the all-seeing sun, - Wrapt in a cloud, the wicked sight did shun._ - - -100. - - _And even this self-same LOVE hath Dancing taught, - An Art that shewed th' Idea of his mind - With vainness, frenzy, and misorder fraught; - Sometimes with blood and cruelties unkind, - For in a dance TEREUS' mad wife did find - Fit time and place, by murdering her son, - T' avenge the wrong his traitorous sire had done._ - - -101. - - _What mean the Mermaids, when they dance and sing, - But certain death unto the mariner? - What tidings do the dancing Dolphins bring, - But that some dangerous storm approacheth near? - Then since both Love and Dancing liveries bear - Of such ill hap unhappy may they prove - That, sitting free, will either dance or love!_ - - -102. - - Yet, once again, ANTINOUS did reply, - _Great Queen! condemn not LOVE the innocent, - For this mischievous LUST, which traitorously - Usurps his Name, and steals his Ornament; - For that TRUE LOVE, which Dancing did invent, - Is he that tuned the world's whole harmony, - And linked all men in sweet society._ - - -103. - - _He first extracted from th' earth-mingled mind - That heavenly fire, or quintessence divine, - Which doth such sympathy in Beauty find - As is between the Elm and fruitful Vine, - And so to Beauty ever doth incline; - Life's life it is, and cordial to the heart, - And of our better part the better part._ - - -104. - - _This is True Love, by that true CUPID got; - Which danceth Galliards in your amorous eyes, - But to your frozen heart approacheth not; - Only your heart he dares not enterprise, - And yet through every other part he flies, - And everywhere he nimbly danceth now, - Though in yourself yourself perceive not how._ - - -105. - - _For your sweet beauty daintily transfused - With due proportion, throughout every part; - What is it but a dance where LOVE hath used - His finer cunning, and more curious Art? - Where all the Elements themselves impart, - And turn, and wind, and mingle with such measure - That th' eye that sees it surfeits with the pleasure._ - - -106. - - _LOVE in the twinkling of your eyelids danceth, - LOVE dances in your pulses and your veins, - LOVE, when you sew, your needle's point advanceth, - And makes it dance a thousand curious strains - Of winding rounds; whereof the form remains - To shew that your fair hands can dance the Hey, - Which your fine feet would learn as well as they._ - - -107. - - _And when your ivory fingers touch the strings - Of any silver-sounding instrument, - LOVE makes them dance to those sweet murmurings, - With busy skill and cunning excellent! - O that your feet, those tunes would represent - With artificial motions to and fro, - That LOVE this Art in every part might shew!_ - - -108. - - _Yet your fair soul, which came from heaven above - To rule this house_ (_another heaven below_) - _With divers powers in harmony doth move; - And all the virtues that from her do flow - In a round measure, hand in hand do go: - Could I now see, as I conceive this dance, - Wonder and Love would cast me in a trance._ - - -109. - - _The richest jewel in all the heavenly treasure, - That ever yet unto the earth was shown, - Is Perfect Concord th' only perfect pleasure, - That wretched earthborn men have ever known: - For many hearts it doth compound in one, - That what so one doth will, or speak, or do, - With one consent they all agree thereto._ - - -110. - - _Concord's true picture shineth in this Art - Where divers men and women rankèd be, - And every one doth dance a several part, - Yet all as one in measure do agree, - Observing perfect uniformity: - All turn together, all together trace, - And all together honour and embrace._ - - -111. - - _If they whom sacred Love hath linked in one, - Do, as they dance, in all their course of life; - Never shall burning grief nor bitter moan, - Nor factious difference, nor unkind strife, - Arise between the husband and the wife; - For whether forth, or back, or round he go, - As doth the man, so must the woman do._ - - -112. - - _What, if by often interchange of place, - Sometimes the woman gets the upper hand? - That is but done for more delightful grace, - For on that part, she doth not ever stand; - But, as the Measures' law doth her command, - She wheels about, and, ere the dance doth end, - Into her former place she doth transcend._ - - -113. - - _But not alone this correspondence meet - And uniform consent doth Dancing praise; - For Comeliness, the child of Order sweet, - Enamels it with her eye-pleasing rays: - Fair Comeliness, ten hundred thousand ways, - Through Dancing sheds itself, and makes it shine - With glorious beauty, and with grace divine._ - - -114. - - _For Comeliness is a disposing fair - Of things and actions in fit time and place; - Which doth in Dancing shew itself most clear - When troops confused, which here and there do trace, - Without distinguishment or bounded space, - By dancing rule, into such ranks are brought, - As glads the eye, and ravisheth the thought._ - - -115. - - _Then why should Reason judge that reasonless - Which is Wit's Offspring, and the work of Art, - Image of Concord, and of Comeliness? - Who sees a clock moving in every part, - A sailing pinnace, or a wheeling cart, - But thinks that Reason, ere it came to pass, - The first impulsive cause and mover was?_ - - -116. - - _Who sees an army all in rank advance, - But deems a wise Commander is in place, - Which leadeth on that brave victorious dance? - Much more in Dancing's Art, in Dancing's grace, - Blindness itself may Reason's footsteps trace; - For of Love's Maze it is the curious plot, - And of Man's Fellowship the true-love knot._ - - -117. - - _But if these eyes of yours (Loadstars of Love! - Shewing the world's great Dance to your mind's eye) - Cannot, with all their demonstrations, move - Kind apprehension in your Phantasy - Of Dancing's virtue and nobility; - How can my barbarous tongue win you thereto, - Which heaven's and earth's fair speech could never do?_ - - -118. - - _O LOVE! my King! If all my Wit and power - Have done you all the service that they can; - O be you present, in this present hour, - And help your servant and your true liegeman! - End that persuasion, which I erst began! - For who in praise of Dancing can persuade - With such sweet force, as LOVE, which Dancing made?_ - - -119. - - LOVE heard his prayer; and swifter than the wind, - (Like to a page in habit, face, and speech), - He came; and stood ANTINOUS behind, - And many secrets of his thoughts did teach. - At last a crystal Mirror he did reach - Unto his hands, that he with one rash view - All forms therein by LOVE'S revealing knew. - - -120. - - And humbly honouring, gave it to the Queen, - With this fair speech, _See, fairest Queen!_ quoth he, - _The fairest sight that ever shall be seen, - And th' only wonder of posterity! - The richest work in Nature's treasury! - Which she disdains to shew on this world's stage, - And thinks it far too good for our rude age._ - - -121. - - _But in another world, divided far, - In the great fortunate triangled Isle, - Thrice twelve degrees removed from the North Star, - She will this glorious Workmanship compile, - Which she hath been conceiving all this while - Since the world's birth; and will bring forth at last, - When six and twenty hundred years are past._ - - -122. - - PENELOPE the Queen, when she had viewed - The strange eye-dazzling admirable sight, - Fain would have praised the State and Pulchritude; - But she was stricken dumb with wonder quite, - Yet her sweet mind retained her thinking might. - Her ravished mind in heavenly thoughts did dwell; - But what she thought, no mortal tongue can tell. - - -123. - - You, Lady Muse, whom JOVE the Counsellor - Begot of MEMORY, Wisdom's Treasuress, - To your divining tongue is given a power - Of uttering secrets, large and limitless; - You can PENELOPE'S strange thoughts express; - Which she conceived, and then would fain have told, - When she the wondrous Crystal did behold. - - -124. - - Her wingèd thoughts bore up her mind so high - As that she weened she saw the glorious throne, - Where the bright Moon doth sit in Majesty: - A thousand sparkling stars about her shone, - But she herself did sparkle more, alone, - Than all those thousand beauties would have done, - If they had been confounded all in one. - - -125. - - And yet she thought those stars moved in such measure, - To do their Sovereign honour and delight, - As soothed her mind with sweet enchanting pleasure, - Although the various Change amazed her sight, - And her weak judgement did entangle quite: - Besides, their moving made them shine more clear; - As diamonds moved more sparkling do appear. - - -126. - - This was the Picture of her wondrous thought! - But who can wonder that her thought was so, - Sith VULCAN, King of Fire, that Mirror wrought - (Which things to come, present, and past doth know), - And there did represent in lively show - Our glorious English Court's divine Image, - As it should be in this our Golden Age? - -[_See duplicate ending from this point on the next pages._] - - -127. - - Away, TERPSICHORE, light Muse, away! - And come, URANIA, Prophetess divine! - Come, Muse of Heaven, my burning thirst allay! - Even now, for want of sacred drink, I pine: - In heavenly moisture dip this pen of mine, - And let my mouth with nectar overflow, - For I must more than mortal glory show! - - -128. - - O that I had HOMER'S abundant vein, - I would hereof another Ilias make! - Or else the Man of Mantua's charmèd brain, - In whose large throat great JOVE the thunder spake! - O that I could old GEOFFREY'S Muse awake, - Or borrow COLIN'S fair heroic style, - Or smooth my rhymes with _DELIA'S_ servant's file! - - -129. - - O could I, sweet Companion, sing like you - Which of a _Shadow_, under a shadow sing! - Or like fair SALVES' sad lover true! - Or like the Bay, the marigold's darling, - Whose sudden verse, Love covers with his wing! - O that your brains were mingled all with mine, - T' enlarge my Wit for this great work divine! - - -130. - - Yet ASTROPHEL might one for all suffice. - Whose supple Muse camelion-like doth change - Into all forms of excellent device: - So might the Swallow, whose swift Muse doth range - Through rare _Idæas_ and inventions strange, - And ever doth enjoy her joyful Spring, - And Sweeter than the Nightingale doth sing. - - -131. - - O that I might that singing Swallow hear, - To whom I owe my service and my love! - His sugared tunes would so enchant mine ear, - And in my mind such sacred fury move, - As I should knock at heaven's great gate above, - With my proud rhymes; while, of this heavenly state, - I do aspire the Shadow to relate. - - - FINIS. - - -[_In later editions a different ending of the poem was substituted for -the above, from after Stanza 126, thus:_ - - * * * * * - - _Here are wanting some stanzas describing Queen - ELIZABETH. - - Then follow these:_ - - -127. - - Her brighter dazzling beams of Majesty - Were laid aside: for she vouchsafed awhile - With gracious, cheerful, and familiar eye, - Upon the Revels of her Court to smile, - For so Time's journey she doth oft beguile: - Like sight no mortal eye might elsewhere see - So full of State, Art, and variety. - - -128. - - For of her Barons brave, and Ladies fair - (Who had they been elsewhere, most fair had been), - Many an incomparable lovely pair - With hand-in-hand were interlinkèd seen, - Making fair honour to their sovereign Queen: - Forward they paced, and did their pace apply - To a most sweet and solemn melody. - - -129. - - So subtle and curious was the measure - With such unlooked-for change in every strain, - As that PENELOPE rapt with sweet pleasure - Weened she beheld the true proportion plain - Of her own web, weaved and unweaved again: - But that her Art was somewhat less, she thought, - And on a mere ignoble subject wrought. - - -130. - - For here, like to the silkworm's industry, - Beauty itself out of itself did weave - So rare a work, and of such subtlety, - As did all eyes entangle and deceive; - And in all minds a strange impression leave. - In this sweet labyrinth did CUPID stray, - And never had the power to pass away. - - -131. - - As when the Indians, neighbours of the Morning, - In honour of the cheerful rising Sun, - With pearl and painted plumes themselves adorning, - A solemn stately measure have begun; - The god well pleased with that fair honour done, - Sheds forth his beams, and doth their faces kiss - With that immortal glorious face of his: - - -132. - - So * * * *] - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - - [Illustration:] - - Nosce teipsum! - - _This Oracle expounded in two - Elegies._ - - 1. Of Human Knowledge. - - 2. Of the Soul of Man, and the Immortality - thereof. - - [Illustration:] - - _LONDON:_ - - Printed by RICHARD FIELD, for JOHN STANDISH. - - 1599. - - - - - [This work was thus registered for publication at Stationers' Hall: - 10 Aprilis [1599]. - - - JOHN STANDYSHE - - Entred for his copie A booke called _Nosce Teipsum - The oracle expounded in two Elegies._ 1. _of human - kno[w]ledge._ 2. _of the soule of Man and th[e] - immortality thereof._ - - Master PONSONBYES - - [_the junior Warden_ - _at the time_] hand is - to yt. - - This is aucthorised vnder the hand of the L[ord] - Bysshop of LONDON PROVYED that yt must not be - printed without his L[ordships] hand to yt again. - - _Transcript &c._ iii. 142. _Ed._ 1876. - - - - -[Illustration] - -To my most gracious dread Sovereign. - - -[Illustration] - - _To that clear Majesty which in the North - Doth like another sun in glory rise; - Which standeth fixt, yet spreads her heavenly worth - Loadstone to hearts, and loadstar to all eyes:_ - - _Like heaven in all; like th' earth in this alone, - That though great States by her support do stand, - Yet she herself supported is of none, - But by the finger of th' Almighty's hand:_ - - _To the divinest and the richest Mind, - Both by Art's purchase and by Nature's dower, - That ever was from heaven to earth confined, - To shew the utmost of a creature's power:_ - - _To that great Spirit which doth great kingdoms move, - The sacred spring, whence Right and Honour streams, - Distilling Virtue, shedding Peace and Love - In every place, as CYNTHIA sheds her beams:_ - - _I offer up some sparkles of that fire, - Whereby we Reason, Live, and Move, and Be. - These sparks, by nature, evermore aspire; - Which makes them to so high a Highness flee._ - - _Fair Soul, since to the fairest body knit, - You give such lively life, such quick'ning power. - Such sweet celestial influence to it - As keeps it still in youth's immortal flower;_ - - _(As where the sun is present all the year, - And never doth retire his golden ray, - Needs must the Spring be everlasting there, - And every season, like the month of May)_ - - _O many, many years, may you remain - A happy Angel to this happy land! - Long, long may you on earth our Empress reign! - Ere you in heaven, a glorious angel stand._ - - _Stay long, sweet Spirit, ere than to heaven depart, - Which mak'st each place a heaven, wherein thou art._ - - - _Her Majesty's least and unworthiest subject,_ - - _JOHN DAVIES._ - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -Of Human Knowledge. - - -[Illustration] - - Why did my parents send me to the Schools, - That I with knowledge might enrich my mind? - Since the Desire to Know first made men fools, - And did corrupt the root of all mankind. - - For when GOD's hand had written in the hearts - Of the First Parents, all the rules of good; - So that their skill infused, did pass all Arts - That ever were, before, or since the Flood; - - And when their Reason's eye was sharp and clear, - And, as an eagle can behold the sun, - Could have approached the Eternal Light as near - As th'intellectual angels could have done: - - Even then, to them the Spirit of Lies suggests - That they were blind, because they saw not Ill; - And breathes into their incorrupted breasts, - A curious Wish, which did corrupt their Will. - - For that same Ill they straight desired to know, - Which Ill (being nought but a defect of Good); - In all GOD's works, the Devil could not show, - While Man, their Lord, in his perfection stood. - - So that themselves were first to _do_ the Ill - Ere they thereof the _knowledge_ could attain; - Like him, that knew not poison's power to kill, - Until, by tasting it, himself was slain. - - Even so, by tasting of that fruit forbid, - Where they sought Knowledge, they did Error find; - Ill they desired to know, and Ill, they did; - And to give Passion eyes, made Reason blind. - - For then their minds did first in Passion see, - Those wretched Shapes of Misery and Woe, - Of Nakedness, of Shame, of Poverty, - Which then their own experience made them know. - - But then grew Reason dark, that she no more - Could the fair forms of Good and Truth discern: - Bats they became, that eagles were before; - And this they got by their Desire to Learn. - - But we, their wretched offspring, what do we? - Do not we still taste of the fruit forbid? - Whiles, with fond fruitless curiosity, - In books profane we seek for knowledge hid? - - What is this Knowledge but the sky-stol'n fire - For which the Thief still chained in ice doth sit, - And which the poor rude Satyr did admire, - And needs would kiss, but burnt his lips with it? - - What is it, but the cloud of empty rain, - Which when JOVE'S guest embraced, he monsters got? - Or the false pails, which oft being filled with pain, - Received the water, but retained it not? - - Shortly, what is it but the fiery Coach - Which the Youth sought, and sought his death withal? - Or the Boy's wings, which when he did approach - The sun's hot beams, did melt, and let him fall? - - And yet, alas, when all our lamps are burned, - Our bodies wasted, and our spirits spent; - When we have all the learned volumes turned, - Which yield men's wits, both help and ornament: - - What can we know? or what can we discern? - When Error chokes the windows of the Mind; - The divers Forms of things how can we learn, - That have been, ever from our birthday, blind? - - When Reason's lamp (which, like the sun in sky, - Throughout man's little world her beams did spread) - Is now become a Sparkle, which doth lie - Under the ashes, half extinct, and dead; - - How can we hope, that through the Eye and Ear, - This dying Sparkle, in this cloudy place, - Can re-collect these beams of knowledge clear, - Which were infused in the first minds, by grace? - - So might the heir, whose father hath in play - Wasted a thousand pounds of ancient rent, - By painful earning of one groat a day, - Hope to restore the patrimony spent. - - The wits that dived most deep, and soared most high, - Seeking man's powers, have found his weakness such; - "Skill comes so slow, and life so fast doth fly; - We learn so little, and forget so much." - - For this, the wisest of all moral men - Said, _He knew nought, but that he nought did know!_ - And the great mocking Master, mocked not then, - When he said, _Truth was buried deep below!_ - - For how may we, to other's things attain, - When none of us, his own Soul understands? - For which, the Devil mocks our curious brain, - When, _Know thyself!_ his oracle commands. - - For why should we the busy Soul believe, - When boldly she concludes of that and this? - When of herself, she can no judgement give, - Nor How, nor Whence, nor Where, nor What she is? - - All things without, which round about we see, - We seek to know, and have therewith to do; - But that, whereby we Reason, Live, and Be, - Within ourselves, we strangers are thereto. - - We seek to know the moving of each sphere, - And the strange cause of th' ebbs and floods of Nile; - But of that Clock, which in our breasts we bear, - The subtle motions we forget the while! - - We that acquaint ourselves with every zone, - And pass both tropics, and behold both poles; - When we come home, are to ourselves unknown - And unacquainted still with our own souls! - - We study Speech, but others we persuade; - We Leechcraft learn, but others cure with it; - We interpret Laws which other men have made, - But read not those which in our hearts are writ. - - Is it because the Mind is like the Eye, - (Through which it gathers knowledge by degrees) - Whose rays reflect not but spread outwardly, - Not seeing itself, when other things it sees? - - No, doubtless, for the Mind can backward cast - Upon herself, her understanding light; - But she is so corrupt, and so defac't, - As her own image doth herself affright. - - As in the fable of that Lady fair, - Which, for her lust, was turned into a cow; - When thirsty to a stream she did repair, - And saw herself transformed (she wist not how;) - - At first, she startles! then, she stands amazed! - At last, with terror, she from thence doth fly, - And loathes the wat'ry glass wherein she gazed, - And shuns it still, though she for thirst do die. - - Even so, Man's Soul, which did God's Image bear, - And was, at first, fair, good, and spotless pure; - Since with her sins, her beauties blotted were, - Doth, of all sights, her own sight least endure. - - For even, at first reflection, she espies - Such strange CHIMERAS and such monsters there! - Such toys! such antics! and such vanities! - As she retires, and shrinks for shame and fear. - - And as the man loves least at home to be, - That hath a sluttish house, haunted with sprites; - So she, impatient her own faults to see, - Turns from herself, and in strange things delights. - - For this, few _know themselves_! for merchants broke, - View their estate with discontent and pain; - And seas are troubled, when they do revoke - Their flowing waves into themselves again. - - And while the face of outward things we find, - Pleasing and fair, agreeable and sweet; - These things transport and carry out the mind, - That with herself, herself can never meet. - - Yet if Affliction once her wars begin, - And threat the feeble Sense with sword and fire; - The Mind contracts herself, and shrinketh in, - And to herself she gladly doth retire, - - As spiders touched, seek their web's inmost part; - As bees in storms, unto their hives return; - As blood in danger, gathers to the heart; - And men seek towns, when foes the country burn. - - If ought can teach us ought, Affliction's looks - (Making us look into ourselves so near) - Teach us to _know ourselves_, beyond all books, - Or all the learned Schools that ever were! - - This Mistress, lately, plucked me by the ear, - And many a golden lesson hath me taught, - Hath made my Senses quick, and Reason clear, - Reformed my Will, and rectified my Thought. - - So do the winds and thunders cleanse the air; - So working lees settle and purge the wine; - So lopt and pruned trees do flourish fair; - So doth the fire the drossy gold refine. - - Neither MINERVA, nor the learned Muse, - Nor Rules of Art, nor Precepts of the Wise, - Could in my brain, those beams of skill infuse, - As but the glance of this Dame's angry eyes. - - She, within lists, my ranging mind hath brought, - That now beyond myself I list not go; - Myself am Centre of my circling thought, - Only Myself, I study, learn, and know. - - I _know_ my Body's of so frail a kind, - As force without, fevers within, can kill; - I _know_ the heavenly nature of my Mind; - But 'tis corrupted, both in Wit and Will. - - I _know_ my Soul hath power to know all things, - Yet is she blind and ignorant in all; - I _know_ I am one of Nature's little kings, - Yet to the least and vilest things am thrall! - - I _know_ my Life's a pain, and but a span; - I _know_ my Sense is mocked with every thing: - And to conclude, I _know_ myself a Man; - Which is a proud, and yet a wretched thing! - - - - -[Illustration] - -Of the Soul of Man; and the Immortality thereof. - - -[Illustration] - - The Lights of Heaven, which are the world's fair eyes, - Look down into the world, the world to see; - And as they turn, or wander in the skies, - Survey all things, that on this Centre be. - - And yet the Lights which in my Tower do shine, - Mine Eyes! (which view all objects, nigh and far) - Look not into this little world of mine, - Nor see my face, wherein they fixed are. - - Since Nature fails us in no needful thing; - Why want I means, mine inward self to see? - Which sight, the Knowledge of Myself might bring; - Which, to true wisdom, is the first degree. - - That Power (which gave me eyes, the world to view) - To view myself, infused an Inward Light, - Whereby my Soul, as by a Mirror true, - Of her own form, may take a perfect sight. - - But as the sharpest Eye discerneth nought, - Except the sunbeams in the air do shine; - So the best Soul, with her reflecting thought, - Sees not herself, without some light Divine. - - O LIGHT! (which makest the Light, which makest the Day; - Which settest the Eye without, and Mind within) - Lighten my spirit, with one clear heavenly ray! - Which now to view itself, doth first begin. - - For her true form, how can my Spark discern? - Which dim by Nature, Art did never clear; - When the great wits, of whom all skill we learn, - Are ignorant, both What She is! and Where! - - One thinks the Soul is Air, another Fire, - Another, Blood diffused about the heart, - Another saith, the Elements conspire, - And to her Essence, each doth give a part. - - Musicians think our Souls are Harmonies; - Physicians hold that they Complexions be: - Epicures make them Swarms of Atomies, - Which do, by change, into our bodies flee! - - Some think one General Soul fills every brain, - As the bright sun sheds light in every star; - And others think the name of Soul is vain, - And that We, only Well-mixed Bodies are. - - In judgement of her Substance, thus they vary; - And thus they vary in judgement of her Seat; - For some, her chair up to the Brain do carry, - Some thrust it down into the Stomach's heat! - - Some place it in the root of life, the Heart; - Some, in the Liver, fountain of the veins; - Some say, "She is all in all, and all in part!" - Some say, "She is not contained, but all contains!" - - Thus these great Clerks their little wisdom show, - While with their doctrines, they at hazard play; - Tossing their light opinions to and fro, - To mock the lewd; as learned in this, as they! - - For no crazed brain could ever yet propound, - Touching the Soul, so vain and fond a thought; - But some among these Masters, have been found, - Which in their Schools, the selfsame thing have taught. - - GOD, only-Wise! to punish Pride of Wit, - Among men's wits hath this confusion wrought! - As the proud Tower, whose points the clouds did hit, - By Tongues' Confusion, was to ruin brought. - - But, Thou! which didst Man's Soul, of nothing make! - And when to nothing, it was fallen again; - To make it new, the Form of Man didst take, - And, GOD with GOD, becam'st a Man with men! - - Thou! that hast fashioned twice, this Soul of ours, - So that She is, by double title, Thine; - Thou, only, knowest her nature and her powers, - Her subtle form, Thou, only, canst define! - - To judge herself, She must herself transcend, - As greater circles comprehend the less: - But She wants power, her own powers to extend, - As fettered men cannot their strength express. - - But Thou, bright morning Star! Thou, rising Sun! - Which, in these later times, has brought to light - Those mysteries, that, since the world began, - Lay hid in darkness and eternal night! - - Thou, like the sun, doth with indifferent ray, - Into the palace and the cottage shine! - And showest the Soul, both to the Clerk and Lay, - By the clear Lamp of thy Oracle Divine! - - This Lamp, through all the regions of my brain, - Where my Soul sits, doth spread such beams of grace, - As now, methinks! I do distinguish plain - Each subtle line of her immortal face. - -[Sidenote: What the Soul is?] - - The Soul, a Substance and a Spirit is, - Which GOD Himself doth in the body make, - Which makes the Man; for every man, from this, - The Nature of a man and Name doth take. - - And though the Spirit be to the Body knit, - As an apt meane her powers to exercise; - Which are Life, Motion, Sense, and Will, and Wit: - Yet she survives, although the Body dies. - -[Sidenote: That the Soul is a thing subsisting by itself, without the -Body.] - - She is a Substance, and a real thing, - 1. Which hath, itself, an actual working Might, - 2. Which neither from the Sense's power doth spring, - 3. Nor from the Body's humours tempered right. - - She is a Vine, which doth no propping need, - To make her spread herself, or spring upright; - She is a Star, whose beams do not proceed - From any sun, but from a native light. - -[Sidenote: That the Soul hath a proper operation, without the Body.] - - For when She sorts things present with the past, - And thereby things to come doth oft foresee; - When She doth doubt at first, and choose at last: - These acts her own, without the Body, be. - - When of the dew, which the Eye and Ear do take, - From flowers abroad, and bring into the brain; - She doth, within, both wax and honey make: - This work is hers, this is her proper pain! - - When She from sundry acts, one Skill doth draw; - Gathering from divers fights, one Art of War; - From many Cases like, one Rule of Law: - These, her collections, not the Sense's, are. - - When in th'Effects, She doth the Causes know; - And seeing the stream, thinks where the spring doth rise; - And seeing the branch, conceives the root below: - These things She views, without the Body's eyes. - - When She, without a Pegasus, doth fly - Swifter than lightning's fire, from East to West; - About the Centre, and above the Sky: - She travels then, although the Body rest. - - When all her works She formeth first within; - Proportions them, and sees their perfect end, - Ere She in act, doth any part begin: - What instruments doth then, the Body lend? - - When without hands, She thus doth castles build; - Sees without eyes, and without feet doth run; - When She digests the world, yet is not filled: - By her own power, these miracles are done. - - When She defines, argues, divides, compounds; - Considers Virtue, Vice, and General Things; - And marrying diverse principles and grounds, - Out of their match, a true conclusion brings: - - These actions, in her closet, all alone, - (Retired within herself) She doth fulfil; - Use of her Body's organs, She hath none, - When She doth use the powers of Wit and Will. - - Yet in the Body's prison, so She lies, - As through the Body's windows She must look, - Her divers powers of Sense to exercise, - By gathering notes out of the world's great book. - - Nor can herself discourse, or judge of ought, - But what the Sense collects, and home doth bring, - And yet the Power of her discoursing Thought, - From these Collections, is a diverse thing. - - For though our eyes can nought but colours see, - Yet colours give them not their Power of Sight; - So, though these fruits of Sense, her objects be, - Yet She discerns them by her proper light. - - The workman on his stuff, his skill doth shew, - And yet the stuff gives not the man his skill; - Kings, their affairs, do, by their servants know, - But order them by their own royal will. - - So though this cunning Mistress, and this Queen - Doth, as her instruments, the Senses use, - To know all things that are Felt, Heard, or Seen; - Yet She herself doth only Judge and Choose: - - Even as our great wise Empress (that now reigns - By sovereign title over sundry lands) - Borrows, in mean affairs, her subjects' pains, - Sees by their eyes, and writeth by their hands: - - But things of weight and consequence indeed, - Herself doth in her chamber them debate; - Where, all her Councillors she doth exceed - As far in judgement, as she doth in State. - - Or as the man, whom she doth now advance, - Upon her gracious Mercy Seat to sit, - Doth common things, of course and circumstance, - To the Reports of common men commit: - - But when the Cause itself must be decreed, - Himself in person, in his proper Court, - To grave and solemn hearing doth proceed, - Of every proof, and every by-report. - - Then, like God's angel, he pronounceth right, - And milk and honey from his tongue do flow: - Happy are they, that still are in his sight, - To reap the wisdom, which his lips do sow. - - Right so, the Soul, which is a Lady free, - And doth the justice of her State maintain; - Because the Senses, ready servants be, - Attending nigh about her Court, the Brain; - - By them, the forms of outward things She learns, - For they return unto the Fantasy, - Whatever each of them abroad discerns; - And there enrol it for the Mind to see. - - But when She sits to judge the good and ill, - And to discern betwixt the false and true; - She is not guided by the Senses' skill, - But doth each thing in her own mirror view. - - Then She the Senses checks! which oft do err, - And even against their false reports, decrees; - And oft She doth condemn, what they prefer, - For with a power above the Sense, She sees: - - Therefore, no Sense, the precious joys conceives, - Which in her private contemplations be; - For then, the ravished Spirit, the Senses leaves, - Hath her own powers, and proper actions free. - - Her harmonies are sweet and full of skill, - When on the Body's instrument She plays: - But the proportions of the Wit and Will, - Those sweet accords are even the angels' lays. - - These tunes of Reason are AMPHION's lyre, - Wherewith he did the Theban city found; - These are the notes, wherewith the heavenly Quire, - The praise of Him, which spreads the heaven, doth sound. - - Then her self-being nature shines in this, - That She performs her noblest works alone! - "The work, the touchstone of the nature is!" - And "by their operations, things are known!" - -[Sidenote: 2. That the Soul is more than a perfection or reflection of -the Sense.] - - Are they not senseless then! that think the Soul - Nought but a fine perfection of the Sense, - Or of the forms which Fancy doth enrol, - A quick Resulting, and a Consequence? - - What is it, then, that doth the Sense accuse, - Both of false judgements, and fond appetites? - Which makes us do, what Sense doth most refuse? - Which oft, in torment of the Sense delights? - - Sense thinks the planets' spheres not much asunder; - What tells us, then, their distance is so far? - Sense thinks the lightning born before the thunder, - What tells us, then, they both together are? - - When men seem crows, far off upon a tower; - Sense saith, "They are crows!" What makes us think them men? - When we, in agues, think all sweet things sour; - What makes us know our tongue's false judgements then? - - What power was that, whereby MEDEA saw, - And well approved and praised the better course, - When her rebellious Sense did so withdraw - Her feeble powers, as she pursued the worst? - - Did Sense persuade ULYSSES not to hear - The Mermaid's songs? which so his men did please, - As they were all persuaded through the ear, - To quit the ship, and leap into the seas. - - Could any power of Sense the Roman move, - To burn his own right hand, with courage stout? - Could Sense make MARIUS sit unbound, and prove - The cruel lancing of the knotty gout? - - Doubtless in Man, there is a Nature found - Beside the senses, and above them far; - Though "most men being in sensual pleasures drowned, - It seems their souls but in their senses are." - - If we had nought but sense, then only they - Should have sound minds, which have their senses sound; - But Wisdom grows, when senses do decay, - And Folly most, in quickest sense is found. - - If we had nought but Sense, each living wight, - Which we call brute, would be more sharp than we; - As having Sense's apprehensive might - In a more clear and excellent degree. - - But they do want that quick discoursing Power, - Which doth, in us, the erring Sense correct: - Therefore the bee did suck the painted flower, - And birds, of grapes the cunning shadow peckt. - - Sense, outsides knows! the Soul, through all things sees, - Sense, circumstance! She doth, the substance view; - Sense sees the bark! but She, the life of trees; - Sense hears the sounds! but She, the concords true. - - But why do I the Soul and Sense divide? - When Sense is but a power, which She extends, - Which being in divers parts diversified, - The divers Forms of objects apprehends? - - This power spreads outward; but the root doth grow - In th'inward Soul, which only doth perceive; - For the Eyes and Ears, no more their objects know, - Than glasses know what faces they receive. - - For if we chance to fix our thoughts elsewhere; - Although our eyes be ope, we do not see, - And if one Power did not both see and hear, - Our sights and sounds would always double be. - - Then is the Soul a Nature which contains - The power of Sense within a greater power; - Which doth employ and use the senses' pains, - But sits and rules within her private bower. - -[Sidenote: 3. That the Soul is more than the Temperature of the Humours -of the body.] - - If She doth then the subtle Sense excel, - How gross are they, that drown her in the blood! - Or in the Body's humours tempered well, - As if in them, such high perfection stood. - - As if most skill in that musician were, - Which had the best and best-tuned instrument; - As if the pencil neat, and colours clear - Had power to make the painter excellent - - Why doth not Beauty then refine the Wit? - And good Complexion rectify the Will? - Why doth not Health bring Wisdom still with it? - Why doth not Sickness make men brutish still? - - Who can in Memory, or Wit, or Will; - Or Air! or Fire! or Earth! or Water find! - What alchemist can draw, with all his skill, - The Quintessence of these, out of the Mind? - - If th'Elements (which have, nor Life, nor Sense) - Can breed in us so great a power as this! - Why give they not themselves, like excellence, - Or other things wherein their mixture is? - - If She were but the Body's quality - Then would She be, with it, sick! maimed! and blind! - But we perceive, when these privations be, - A healthy, perfect, and sharp-sighted Mind. - - If She, the Body's nature did partake, - Her strength would, with the Body's strength decay; - But when the Body's strongest sinews slake, - Then is the Soul most active! quick! and gay! - - If She were but the Body's accident, - And her sole Being did in it subsist - As white in snow; She might herself absent! - And in the Body's substance not the mist. - - But it on Her, not She on it depends, - For She the Body doth sustain and cherish. - Such secret powers of life to it, She lends; - That when they fail, then doth the Body perish. - - Since, then, the Soul works by herself alone, - Springs not from Sense, nor Humours well agreeing; - Her nature is peculiar, and her own. - She is a Substance! and a Perfect Being. - -[Sidenote: That the Soul is a Spirit.] - - But though this Substance be the root of Sense, - Sense knows her not! (which doth but bodies know) - She is a Spirit, and a heavenly influence; - Which from the fountain of GOD's Spirit doth flow. - - She is a Spirit; yet not like air, or wind, - Nor like the spirits about the heart or brain, - Nor like those spirits which alchemists do find, - When they, in everything, seek gold, _in vain_. - - For She, all natures under heaven doth pass; - Being like those spirits, which GOD's bright face do see, - Or like Himself! whose Image once She was, - Though now, alas, She scarce his Shadow be. - - Yet of the forms, She holds the first degree, - That are to gross material bodies knit; - Yet She herself is bodiless and free, - And, though confined, is almost infinite. - -[Sidenote: That it cannot be a Body.] - - Were She a Body, how could She remain - Within this body, which is less than She? - Or how could She, the world's great shape contain; - And in our narrow breasts contained be? - - All bodies are confined within some place; - But She all place within herself confines; - All bodies have their measure and their space; - But who can draw the Soul's dimensive lines? - - No Body can, at once, two forms admit, - Except the one, the other do deface; - But in the Soul, ten thousand forms do sit, - And none intrudes into her neighbour's place. - - All bodies are, with other bodies filled, - But She receives both heaven and earth together, - Nor are their Forms, by rash encounter, spilled, - For there they stand, and neither toucheth either. - - Nor can her wide embracements fillèd be; - For they that most and greatest things embrace, - Enlarge thereby their mind's capacity, - As streams enlarged, enlarge the channel's space. - - All things received, do such proportion take, - As those things have, wherein they are received: - So little glasses, little faces make; - And narrow webs, on narrow frames be weaved: - - Then, what vast body must we make the Mind? - Wherein are men, beasts, trees, towns, seas, and lands, - And yet each thing a proper place doth find, - And each thing in the true proportion stands. - - Doubtless, this could not be, but that She turns - Bodies to Spirits, by sublimation strange; - As fire converts to fire, the things it burns; - As we, our meats into our nature change. - - From their gross Matter, she abstracts the Forms, - And draws a kind of Quintessence from things, - Which to her proper nature, She transforms, - To bear them light on her celestial wings. - - This doth She, when from things particular, - She doth abstract the universal kinds, - Which bodiless and immaterial are, - And can be lodged but only in our minds. - - And thus, from divers accidents and acts, - Which do within her observation fall; - She, goddesses and Powers Divine abstracts, - As Nature, Fortune, and the Virtues all. - - Again, how can She, several bodies know, - If in herself a body's form She bears? - How can a mirror sundry faces show, - If from all shapes and forms it be not clear? - - Nor could we by our eyes, all colours learn, - Except our eyes were, of all colours void, - Nor sundry tastes can any tongue discern, - Which is with gross and bitter humours cloyed. - - Nor may a man, of Passions judge aright, - Except his mind be from all Passions free; - Nor can a Judge, his office well acquite, - If he possest of either party be! - - If, lastly, this quick power a Body were, - Were it as swift, as is the wind or fire, - (Whose atomies do, th' one down sideways bear, - And make the other, in pyramids aspire); - - Her nimble body, yet in _time_ must move, - And not in instants through all places slide: - But She is nigh! and far! beneath! above! - In point of time which thought can not divide. - - She's sent as soon to China, as to Spain, - And thence returns, as soon as She is sent, - She measures with one time and with one pain, - An ell of silk, and heaven's wide-spreading tent. - - As then, the Soul a Substance hath alone - Besides the Body, in which She is confined; - So hath She _not_ a body of her own, - But is a Spirit and immaterial Mind. - -[Sidenote: That the Soul is created immediately by God.--_Zach_, xii. -x.] - - Since Body and Soul have such diversities; - Well, might we muse, how first their match began, - But that we learn, that He, that spread the skies - And fixed the earth, first formed the Soul in Man. - - This true PROMETHEUS, first, made man of earth, - And shed in him a beam of heavenly fire: - Now, in their mother's womb, before their birth, - Doth in all sons of men, their souls inspire. - - And as MINERVA is, in fables, said, - From JOVE, without a mother, to proceed; - So our true JOVE, without a mother's aid, - Doth, daily, millions of MINERVAS breed. - -[Sidenote: Erroneous opinions of the creation of souls.] - - Then neither, from Eternity before, - Nor from the time, when time's first point began; - Made He all souls! which now He keeps in store, - Some in the moon, and others in the sun: - - Nor in the secret cloister doth He keep, - These virgin spirits until their marriage day, - Nor locks them up in chambers, where they sleep, - Till they awake within these beds of clay. - - Nor did He first a certain number make, - Infusing part in beasts, and part in men, - And as unwilling farther pains to take, - Would make no more, than those He framèd then. - - So that the widow Soul, her Body dying, - Unto the next born Body married was; - And so by often changing and supplying, - Men's souls to beasts, and beasts' to men did pass. - - (These thoughts are fond! for since the bodies born - Be more in number far than those that die; - Thousands must be abortive, and forlorn, - Ere others' deaths, to them their souls supply.) - - But as GOD's handmaid, Nature, doth create - Bodies, in time distinct and order due; - So GOD gives souls the like successive date, - Which Himself makes in bodies formèd new. - - Which Himself makes, of no material things, - For unto angels, He no power hath given, - Either to form the shape, or stuff to bring, - From air, or Fire, or substance of the heaven. - -[Sidenote: That the Soul is not traduced from the parents.] - - Nor He, in this, doth Nature's service use, - For though from bodies she can bodies bring; - Yet could she never, souls from souls traduce, - As fire from fire, or light from light doth spring. - - Alas! that some that were great lights of old, - And in their hands the Lamp of GOD did bear, - Some reverend Fathers did this error hold, - Having their eyes dimmed with religious fear. - - "For when," say they, "by rule of faith we find, - That every soul unto her body knit, - Brings from the mother's womb, the Sin of Kind, - The root of all the ill She doth commit." - - "How can we say, that GOD, the Soul doth make, - But we must make Him author of her sin; - Then from man's soul, She doth beginning take, - Since in man's soul, corruption did begin." - - "For if GOD make her, first he makes her ill, - (Which GOD forbid! our thoughts should yield unto) - Or makes the body, her fair form to spill; - Which, of itself, it hath no power to do." - - "Not Adam's Body, but his Soul did sin, - And so herself unto corruption brought: - But our poor Soul corrupted is within, - Ere She hath sinned, either in act or thought"; - "And yet we see in her such powers divine, - As we could gladly think, from GOD she came; - Fain would we make Him author of the wine, - If for the dregs, we could some other blame." - -[Sidenote: The Answer to the Objection.] - - Thus these good men, with holy zeal were blind, - When on the other part the truth did shine, - Whereof we do clear demonstrations find, - By light of Nature, and by light Divine. - - None are so gross, as to contend for this, - That Souls from Bodies may traducèd be; - Between whose natures no proportion is, - When root and branch in nature still agree. - - But many subtle wits have justified - That Souls from Souls, spiritually may spring; - Which (if the nature of the Soul be tried) - Will even, in Nature, prove as gross a thing. - -[Sidenote: Reasons derived from Nature.] - - For all things made, are either made of nought, - Or made of stuff that ready made doth stand: - Of nought, no creature ever formed ought, - For that is proper to th'Almighty's hand. - - If then the Soul, another soul do make; - Because her power is kept within a bound, - She must some former stuff or matter take; - But in the Soul, there is no matter found. - - Then if her heavenly Form do not agree, - With any matter which the world contains; - Then She of nothing must created be, - And to Create, to GOD alone, pertains! - - Again, if Souls do other Souls beget, - 'Tis by themselves, or by the Body's power! - If by themselves! what doth their working let, - But they might Souls engender every hour? - - If by the Body! how can Wit and Will, - Join with the body, only in this act? - Since when they do their other works fulfil, - They from the Body, do themselves abstract! - - Again, if Souls, of Souls begotten were, - Into each other they should change and move; - And Change and Motion still corruption bear; - How shall we then, the Soul immortal prove? - - If, lastly, Souls did generation use, - Then should they spread incorruptible seed: - What then becomes of that which they to lose, - When the acts of generation do not speed? - - And though the Soul _could_ cast spiritual seed, - Yet _would_ She not, because She never dies; - For mortal things desire, their like to breed; - That so they may their kind immortalise. - - Therefore the angels, Sons of God are named, - And marry not, nor are in marriage given; - Their spirits and ours are of one Substance framed, - And have one Father, even the Lord of heaven: - - Who would at first, that in each other thing, - The earth and water, living souls should breed; - But that Man's Soul (whom He would make their king) - Should from Himself immediately proceed. - - And when He took the woman from man's side, - Doubtless Himself inspired her soul alone; - For 'tis not said, he did, Man's _soul_ divide, - But took _flesh of his flesh, bone of his bone_. - - Lastly, GOD, being made Man, for man's own sake, - And being like man in all, except in sin: - His Body, from the Virgin's womb did take; - But all agree, _GOD formed His soul within_. - - Then is the Soul from God? So Pagans say, - Which saw by Nature's light, her heavenly kind, - Naming her "Kin to God!" and "GOD's bright ray," - "A citizen of heaven, to earth confined!" - - But now I feel they pluck me by the ear, - (Whom my young Muse so boldly termed blind) - And crave more heavenly light; that cloud to clear, - Which makes them think GOD doth not make the Mind! - -[Sidenote: Reasons drawn from divinity.] - - GOD doubtless makes her! and doth make her good! - And grafts her in a Body, there to spring; - Which though it be corrupted, flesh and blood, - Can no way to the Soul, corruption bring. - - And yet this Soul (made good by GOD at first, - And not corrupted by the Body's ill) - Even in the womb, is sinful and accurst, - Ere she can judge by Wit, or choose by Will. - - Yet is not GOD, the author of her Sin; - Though author of her Being, and being there; - And if we dare to judge our Judge therein; - He can condemn us, and Himself can clear. - - First, GOD, from infinite eternity - Decreed what hath been, is, or shall be done; - And was resolved that every man should Be - And, in his turn, his race of life should run. - - And so did purpose all the souls to make, - That ever have been made, or ever shall; - And that their Being, they should only take - In human bodies, or not Be at all. - - Was it then fit, that such a weak event - (Weakness, itself! the sin and fall of Man) - His counsel's execution should prevent? - Decreed and fixed before the world began. - - Or that one penal law, by ADAM broke, - Should make GOD break His own eternal law; - The settled order of the world revoke, - And change all forms of things, which He foresaw. - - Could EVE'S weak hand, extended to the tree, - In sunder rent that Adamantine Chain, - Whose golden links, Effects and Causes be; - And which to GOD's own chair, doth fixt remain? - - O could we see! how Cause from Cause doth spring! - How mutually they linked and folded are! - And hear how oft one disagreeing string, - The harmony doth rather make, than mar! - - And view at once, how Death by sin is brought! - And how from Death a better Life doth rise; - How this, GOD's Justice and his Mercy taught; - We, this decree, would praise, as right and wise! - - But we (that measure times, by First and Last) - The sight of things successively do take; - When GOD, on all at once, His view doth cast; - And of all times, doth but one instant make. - - All in Himself, as in a glass, He sees, - And from Him, by Him, through Him, all things be; - His sight is not discursive, by degrees; - But seeing the whole, each single part doth see. - - He looks on ADAM, as a root, or well, - And on his heirs, as branches, and as streams; - He sees all men as one man! though they dwell - In sundry cities, and in sundry realms. - - And as the root and branch are but one tree, - And well and stream do but one river make; - So, if the root and well corrupted be; - The stream and branch the same corruption take - - So when the root and fountain of Mankind; - Did draw corruption, and GOD's curse by sin: - This was a charge that all his heirs did bind; - And all his offspring grew corrupt therein! - - And as when th' hand doth strike, the man offends, - (For part from whole, Law severs not in this!) - So ADAM'S sin to the whole Kind extends, - For all their natures are but part of his. - - Therefore, this sin, of Kind, not personal; - But real, and hereditary was: - The guilt whereof, and punishment to all, - By Course of Nature, and of Law doth pass. - - For as that easy law was given to all! - To ancestor and heir! to first and last! - So was the first transgression general; - And All did pluck the fruit! and All did taste! - - Of this, we find some footsteps in our Law, - Which doth her root from GOD and Nature take. - Ten thousand men she doth together draw, - And of them all, one Corporation make! - - Yet these and their successors are but One; - And if they gain or lose their liberties; - They harm or profit not themselves alone, - But such, as in succeeding time, shall rise! - - And so the ancestor and all his heirs, - (Though they in number pass the stars of heaven) - Are still but One! His forfeitures are theirs! - And unto them, are his advancements given! - - His civil acts to bind and bar them all! - And as from ADAM, all corruption take; - So if the father's crime be capital; - In all the blood, Law doth _corruption_ make! - - Is it, then, just with us, to disinherit - The unborn nephews, for the father's fault? - And to advance again, for one man's merit, - A thousand heirs that have deserved nought? - - And is not GOD's decree as just as ours, - If He, for ADAM'S sins, his sons deprive - Of all those native virtues, and those powers; - Which He to him, and to his race did give? - - For what is this contagious Sin of Kind, - But a privation of that grace within, - And of that great rich dowry of the mind; - Which all had had, but for the first man's sin? - - If then a man, on light conditions, gain - A great estate, to him and his, for ever; - If wilfully, he forfeit it again: - Who doth bemoan his heir? or blame the giver? - - So, though GOD make the Soul good, rich, and fair; - Yet when her form is to the Body knit, - Which makes the Man: which Man is ADAM'S heir; - Justly, forthwith, he takes his grace from it. - - And then the Soul, being first from nothing brought, - When GOD's grace fails her, doth to nothing fall; - And this _declining Proneness unto nought_, - Is even that Sin, that we are born withal. - - Yet not, alone, the first good qualities, - Which in the first Soul were, deprivèd are; - But in their place the contrary do rise, - And real spots of sin, her beauty mar. - - Nor is it strange that ADAM'S ill desert, - Should be transferred unto his guilty race; - When CHRIST, His grace and justice doth impart - To men unjust! and such as have no grace! - - Lastly, the Soul were better so to be - Born slave to sin, than not to Be at all! - Since, if She do believe, One sets her free, - That makes her mount the higher, from her fall. - - Yet this, the curious Wits will not content! - They yet will know (since GOD foresaw this Ill) - Why His high providence did not prevent - The declination of the first Man's will. - - If by His word, He had the current stayed, - Of Adam's will, which was by nature free; - It had been one as if His word had said, - "I will, henceforth, that man, no Man shall be!" - - For what is Man, without a moving Mind; - Which hath a judging Wit, and choosing Will? - Now, if GOD's power should her election bind; - Her motions then would cease, and stand all still. - - And why did GOD in Man this Soul infuse; - But that he should his Maker know and love? - Now if love be compelled, and cannot choose; - How can it grateful, or thankworthy prove? - - Love must free hearted be, and voluntary, - And not enchanted, or by Fate constrained: - Not like that love, which did ULYSSES carry - To CIRCE'S isle, with mighty charms enchained - - Besides! Were we unchangeable in Will, - And of a Wit, that nothing could misdeem; - Equal to GOD (whose wisdom shineth still, - And never errs) we might ourselves esteem. - - So that if Man would be unvariable; - He must be GOD! or like a rock, or tree! - For even the perfect angels were not stable; - But had a fall, more desperate than we. - - Then let us praise that Power, which makes us be - Men, as we are! and rest contented so! - And knowing man's fall was Curiosity, - Admire GOD's counsels! which we cannot know. - - And let us know that GOD, the Maker is - Of all the Souls, in all the men that be: - Yet their corruption is no fault of His; - But the first man's, that broke GOD's first decree - -[Sidenote: Why the Soul is united to the Body.] - - This Substance, and this Spirit, of God's own making, - Is in the Body placed, and planted there: - That both of GOD, and of the world partaking; - Of all that is, Man might the Image bear! - - GOD, first, made Angels! bodiless pure minds! - Then, other things, which mindless bodies be. - Last, He made Man, the Horizon 'twixt both kinds, - In whom, we do the World's Abridgement see. - - Besides! This world below did need one wight, - Which might thereof, distinguish every part; - Make use thereof, and take therein delight; - And order things with industry and Art. - - Which, also, GOD, might (in His works) admire, - And here, beneath, yield Him both prayer and praise; - As there, above, the holy Angels' Quire - Doth spread His glory, with spiritual lays. - - Lastly, the brute unreasonable wights, - Did want a Visible King, on them to reign; - And GOD Himself, thus to the world unites, - That so the world might endless bliss obtain. - -[Sidenote: In what manner the Soul is united to the Body.] - - But how shall we this Union well express? - Nought ties the Soul, her subtility is such: - She moves the body, which She doth possess; - Yet no part toucheth, but by virtue's touch! - - Then dwells She _not_ therein, as in a tent, - Nor as a pilot, in his ship doth sit, - Nor as a spider, in her web is pent, - Nor as the wax retains the print in it: - - Nor as a vessel, water doth contain, - Nor as one liquor, in another shed, - Nor as the heat doth in the fire remain, - Nor as a voice, throughout the air is spread. - - But as the fair and cheerful Morning Light - Doth, here and there, her silver beams impart: - And, in an instant, doth herself unite - To the transparent air, in all and part. - - Still resting whole, when blows, the air divide, - Abiding pure, when th'air is most corrupted; - Throughout the air, her beams dispersing wide; - And, when the air is tost, not interrupted! - - So doth the piercing Soul, the Body fill, - Being all in all, and all in part diffused? - Indivisible! incorruptible still! - Not forced! encountered! troubled! or confused! - - And as the Sun above, the light doth bring, - Though we behold it in the air below; - So from th' Eternal Light, the Soul doth spring, - Though in the body, She her powers do show. - -[Sidenote: How the Soul doth exercise her powers in the Body.] - - But as this world's sun doth effects beget, - Diverse in divers places, every day, - Here, Autumn's temperature! there, Summer's heat! - Here, flowery Spring-tide! and there, Winter grey! - - Here, Even! there, Morn! here, Noon! there, Day! there, Night! - Melts wax! dries clay! makes flowers some quick, some dead! - Makes the Moor black! and th'European, white! - Th'American tawny! and th'East Indian red! - - So in our little world, this Soul of ours, - Being only One, and to one Body tied, - Doth use on divers objects, diverse powers, - And so are her effects diversified. - -[Sidenote: The Vegetative or Quickening Power.] - - Her Quick'ning Power in every living part, - Doth as a Nurse, or as a Mother serve; - And doth employ her economic art, - And busy care, her household to preserve. - - Here, She attracts! and there, She doth retain, - There, She decocts, and doth the food prepare, - There, She distributes it to every vein, - There, She expels, what She may fitly spare. - - This power to MARTHA, may compared be, - Which busy was, the household things to do; - Or to a Dryas living in a tree, - For even to trees, this power is proper too. - - And though the Soul may not this power extend - Out of the body, but still use it there; - She hath a Power, which she abroad doth send, - Which views and searcheth all things everywhere. - -[Sidenote: The power of Sense.] - - This Power is Sense, which from abroad doth bring, - The Colour, Taste, and Touch, and Scent, and Sound, - The Quantity, and shape of everything - Within th'earth's centre or heaven's circle found. - - This Power, in parts made fit, fit objects takes, - Yet not the Things, but Forms of Things receives: - As when a seal in wax impression makes, - The print therein, but not itself, it leaves: - - And though things sensible be numberless, - But only five the Sense's organs be; - And in those five, All Things their Forms express, - Which we can Touch, Taste, Feel, or Hear, or See. - - These are the Windows, through the which She views - The Light of Knowledge, which is Life's Load-star; - And yet whiles She, these spectacles doth use, - Oft, worldly things seem greater than they are. - -[Sidenote: Sight.] - - First, the two Eyes, which have the Seeing Power, - Stand as one Watchman, Spy, or Sentinel, - Being placed aloft within the head's high Tower - And though both see, yet both but one thing tell. - - These Mirrors take into their little space, - The Forms of moon, and sun, and every star; - Of every body, and of every place, - Which, with the world's wide arms, embracèd are. - - Yet their best object, and their noblest use, - Hereafter in another world will be; - When GOD in them, shall heavenly light infuse, - That face to face, they may their Maker see. - - Here are they guides, which do the Body lead, - Which else would stumble in eternal night: - Here in this world, they do much knowledge _read_, - And are the Casements, which admit most light. - - They are her farthest-reaching instrument; - Yet they no beams unto their objects send: - But all the rays are from their objects sent; - And in the Eyes, with pointed angles end. - - If th'objects be far off, the rays do meet - In a sharp point, and so things seem but small; - If they be near, their rays do spread and fleet, - And make broad points, that things seem great withal. - - Lastly. Nine things to Sight requirèd are. - The Power to see! the Light! the Visible thing! - Being not too small! too thin! too nigh! too far! - Clear space! and Time, the Form distinct to bring. - - Thus see we, how the Soul doth use the Eyes, - As instruments of her quick power of sight; - Hence do th'Arts Optic, and fair Painting rise. - Painting, which doth all gentle minds delight! - -[Sidenote: Hearing.] - - Now let us hear, how She the Ears employs: - Their office is the troubled air to take, - Which in their mazes, forms a sound or noise; - Whereof herself doth true distinction make. - - These Wickets of the Soul are placed on high, - Because all sounds do lightly mount aloft; - And that they may not pierce too violently; - They are delayed with turns and windings oft. - - For should the voice directly strike the brain, - It would astonish and confuse it much; - Therefore these plaits and folds the sound restrain, - That it, the Organ may more gently touch! - - As streams, which, with their winding banks, do play, - Stopt by their creeks, run softly through the plain; - So in the Ear's labyrinth, the voice doth stray, - And doth, with easy motion, touch the brain! - - It is the slowest, yet the daintiest Sense! - For even the ears of such as have no skill, - Perceive a discord, and conceive offence, - And knowing not what's good, yet find the ill! - - And though this Sense, first, gentle Music found; - Her proper object is the Speech of Man! - But that speech chiefly which GOD's heralds sound, - When their tongues utter, what his Spirit did pen. - - Our Eyes have lids, our Ears still ope we see! - Quickly to hear, how every tale is proved; - Our Eyes still move, our Ears unmoved be! - That though we hear quick, we be not quickly moved. - - Thus by the organs of the Eye and Ear, - The Soul with knowledge doth herself endue! - Thus She her prison, may with pleasure bear; - Having such prospects, all the world to view! - - These Conduit Pipes of Knowledge feed the Mind: - But th'other three attend the Body still; - For by their services the Soul doth find - What things are to the Body, good or ill. - -[Sidenote: Taste.] - - The Body's life, with meats and air is fed, - Therefore the Soul doth use the Tasting power! - In veins, which through the tongue and palate spread, - Distinguish every relish, sweet and sour. - - This is the Body's Nurse! But since Man's wit - Found th'art of cookery to delight his Sense: - More bodies are consumed and killed with it! - Than with the sword, famine, or pestilence. - -[Sidenote: Smell.] - - Next, in the nostrils, She doth use the Smell, - As GOD the breath of life in them did give; - So makes He, now, His power in them to dwell; - To judge all airs, whereby we breath and live. - - This Sense is also mistress of an Art, - Which to soft people, sweet perfumes doth sell; - Though this dear Art doth little good impart, - Since "they smell best; that do of nothing smell!" - - And yet good scents do purify the Brain, - Awake the Fancy, and the Wits refine. - Hence Old Devotion, incense did ordain, - To make men's spirits more apt for thoughts divine. - -[Sidenote: Feeling.] - - Lastly, the Feeling power, which is Life's Root, - Through every living part itself doth shed; - By sinews, which extend from head to foot, - And like a net, all o'er the Body spread. - - Much like a subtle spider, which doth sit - In middle of her web, which spreadeth wide; - If ought do touch the utmost thread of it; - She feels it, instantly, on every side! - - By touch; the first pure qualities we learn, - Which quicken all things, Hot, Cold, Moist, and Dry! - By touch; Hard, Soft, Rough, Smooth, we do discern! - By touch; sweet Pleasure, and sharp Pain we try! - - These are the outward instruments of Sense! - These are the Guards, which every thing must pass; - Ere it approach the Mind's intelligence! - Or touch the Phantasy "Wits Looking Glass!" - -[Sidenote: The Imagination, or Common Sense.] - - And yet these Porters which all things admit, - Themselves perceive not, nor discern the things; - One Common Power doth in the forehead sit, - Which all their proper forms together brings. - - For all those Nerves, which spirits of Sense do bear, - And to those outward organs spreading go, - United are as in a centre there! - And, there, this power, those sundry forms doth know! - - Those outward Organs present things receive; - This inward Sense doth absent things retain! - Yet, straight, transmits all Forms she doth perceive, - Unto a higher region of the brain; - -[Sidenote: The Phantasy.] - - Where Phantasy (near handmaid to the Mind!) - Sits and beholds, and doth discern them all; - Compounds in one, things diverse in their kind, - Compares the black and white, the great and small. - - Besides those single forms, She doth esteem, - And in her balance doth their values try; - Where some things good, and some things ill do seem, - And neutral some in her Phantastic eye. - - This busy power is working day and night, - For when the outward senses rest do take; - A thousand dreams, phantastical and light, - With fluttering wings, do keep her still awake! - -[Sidenote: The sensitive Memory.] - - Yet, always, all may not afore her be; - Successively, she this, and that intends: - Therefore such forms as she doth cease to see, - To Memory's large volume she commends! - - The Ledger Book lies in the brain behind, - Like JANUS' eye, which in his poll was set; - The Layman's Tables! Storehouse of the Mind! - Which doth remember much, and much forget. - - Here, Sense's Apprehensions end doth take; - As, when a stone is into water cast, - One circle doth another circle make, - Till the last circle touch the bank at last! - -[Sidenote: The Passions of Sense.] - - But though the Apprehensive Power do pause, - The Motive Virtue then begins to move! - Which in the heart below, doth Passions cause, - Joy, Grief, and Fear, and Hope, and Hate, and Love - - These Passions have a free commanding might, - And divers actions in our life do breed; - For all acts done without true Reason's light, - Do from the Passion of the Sense proceed. - - But sith the Brain doth lodge these powers of Sense, - How makes it, in the Heart those passions spring? - The mutual love, the kind intelligence - 'Twixt heart and brain, this Sympathy doth bring. - - From the kind heat, which in the heart doth reign, - The spirits of Life do their beginning take! - These spirits of Life ascending to the brain, - When they come there, the spirits of Sense do make - - These spirits of Sense in Phantasy's high court, - Judge of the Forms of Objects, ill or well! - And so, they send a good or ill report - Down to the heart, where all Affections dwell. - - If the report be good; it causeth love! - And longing hope! and well assured joy! - If it be ill; then doth it hatred move! - And trembling fear! and vexing griefs annoy! - - Yet were these natural affections good - (For they which want them, blocks or devils be!); - If Reason in her first perfection stood, - That she might Nature's Passions rectify. - -[Sidenote: The motion of Life.] - - Besides, another Motive Power doth rise - Out of the heart: from whose pure blood do spring - The Vital Spirits, which born in arteries, - Continual motion to all parts do bring. - -[Sidenote: The local motion.] - - This makes the pulses beat, and lungs respire, - This holds the sinews, like a bridle's reins; - And makes the body to advance, retire, - To turn or stop, as she them slacks or strains! - - Thus the Soul tunes the Body's instrument; - These harmonies She makes with Life and Sense: - The organs fit, are by the Body lent; - But th'actions flow from the Soul's influence. - -[Sidenote: The Intellectual Powers of the Soul.] - - But now I have a Will, yet want a Wit, - To express the workings of the Wit and Will; - Which, though their root be to the body knit, - Use not the Body, when they use their skill. - - These powers the nature of the Soul declare, - For to Man's Soul, these only proper be! - For on the earth, no other wights there are, - Which have these heavenly powers, but only - -[Sidenote: The Wit or Understanding.] - - The Wit (the pupil of the Soul's clear eye! - And in Man's world, th'only shining star!) - Looks in the Mirror of the Phantasy, - Where all the gatherings of the senses are - - From thence this Power, the Shapes of things abstracts, - And them within her _Passive_ part receives; - Which are enlightened by that part which _Acts_, - And so the Forms of single things perceives. - - But after, by discoursing to and fro, - Anticipating, and comparing things; - She doth all universal natures know, - And all Effects into their Causes brings. - -[Sidenote: Reason.] - -[Sidenote: Understanding.] - - When She rates things, and moves from ground to ground, - The name of Reason, She obtains by this! - But when, by reasons, She the truth hath found, - And standeth fixt, She, Understanding is! - -[Sidenote: Opinion.] - -[Sidenote: Judgement.] - - When her assent, She lightly doth incline - To either part, She is Opinion light! - But when She doth by principles define - A certain truth, She hath true Judgement's sight. - - And as from senses, Reason's work doth spring; - So many reasons, Understanding gain: - And many understandings, Knowledge bring, - And by much knowledge, Wisdom we obtain - - So, many stairs we must ascend upright, - Ere we attain to Wisdom's high degree: - So doth this earth eclipse our Reason's light, - Which else (in instants) would like angels see. - - Yet hath the Soul a dowry natural, - And Sparks of Light some common things to see; - Not being a blank, where nought is writ at all, - But what the writer will, may written be. - - For Nature, in man's heart her laws doth pen, - Prescribing Truth to Wit! and Good to Will! - Which do accuse, or else excuse all men, - For every thought or practice, good or ill! - - And yet these sparks grow almost infinite, - Making the world and all therein, their food; - As fire so spreads, as no place holdeth it, - Being nourished still with new supplies of wood. - - And though these sparks were almost quenched with sin, - Yet they, whom that Just One hath justified, - Have them increased, with Heavenly Light within! - And, like the Widow's oil, still multiplied! - -[Sidenote: The power of Will.] - - And as this Wit should goodness truly know, - We have a Wit which that true good should choose! - Though Will do oft (when Wit, false Forms doth show) - Take Ill, for Good; and Good, for Ill refuse. - -[Sidenote: The relations betwixt Wit and Will.] - - Will puts in practice what the Wit deviseth; - The Will ever acts, and Wit contemplates still: - And as from Wit the power of Wisdom riseth; - All other virtues, daughters are of Will! - - Will is the Prince! and Wit, the Councillor! - Which doth for common good in council sit; - And when Wit is resolved; Will lends her power - To execute what is advised by Wit. - - Wit is the Mind's Chief Judge! which doth control, - Of Fancy's Court, the judgements false and vain! - Will holds the royal sceptre in the Soul; - And on the Passions of the Heart doth reign! - - Will is as free as any Emperor, - Nought can restrain her gentle liberty; - No tyrant, nor no torment hath the power - To make us will; when we unwilling be! - -[Sidenote: The intellectual Memory.] - - To these high powers, a Storehouse doth pertain; - Where they, all Arts and general reasons lay! - Which in the Soul (even after death!) remain, - And no Lethean flood can wash away! - - This is the Soul! and those, her virtues be! - Which, though they have their sundry proper ends, - And one exceeds another in degree; - Yet each on other mutually depends. - - Our Wit is given, Almighty GOD to know! - Our Will is given to love Him, being known! - But GOD could not be _known_ to us below, - But by His works, which through the Sense are shown. - - And as the Wit doth reap the fruits of Sense; - So doth the Quick'ning Power, the Senses feed! - Thus while they do their sundry gifts dispense, - The best, the service of the least doth need! - - Even so, the King, his magistrates do serve; - Yet Commons feed both magistrate and King! - The Commons' peace, the magistrates preserve - By borrowed power, which from the Prince doth spring. - - The Quickening Power would _be_, and so would rest! - The Sense would not _be_ only, be _be well_! - But Wit's ambition longeth to _be best_! - For it desires in endless bliss, to dwell. - - And these three Powers, three sorts of men do make. - For some, like plants, their veins do only fill; - And some, like beasts, their senses' pleasure take, - And some, like angels, do contemplate still. - - Therefore the fables turned some men to flowers, - And others, did with brutish forms invest; - And did of others, make celestial powers - Like angels! which still travail, yet still rest! - - Yet these three Powers are not three Souls but one, - As one and two are both contained in three; - Three being one number by itself alone. - A shadow of the blessed Trinity! - -[Sidenote: An acclamation.] - - O what is Man! (Great Maker of mankind!) - That Thou to him so great respect dost bear! - That Thou adorn'st him with so bright a Mind! - Mak'st him a king! and even an angel's peer! - - O what a lively life! what heavenly power! - What spreading virtue! what a sparkling fire! - How great! how plentiful! how rich a dower! - Dost Thou, within this dying flesh inspire! - - Thou leav'st Thy Print in other works of Thine! - But Thy whole Image, Thou, in Man hast writ! - There cannot be a creature more divine; - Except, (like Thee!) it should be infinite. - - But it exceeds Man's thought, to think how high - GOD hath raised Man, since GOD, a man became: - The angels do admire this mystery, - And are astonished when they view the same! - -[Illustration] - -[Sidenote: That the Soul is immortal, and cannot die.] - - -[Illustration] - - Nor hath He given these blessings for a day, - Nor made them on the Body's life depend, - The Soul, though made in Time, survives for Aye; - And though it hath beginning, sees no end! - - Her only end, in never-ending bliss; - Which is, th'eternal face of GOD to see: - Who Last of Ends and First of Causes is, - And to do this, She must Eternal be! - - How senseless then, and dead a Soul hath he, - Which thinks his soul doth with his body die: - Or thinks not so, but so would have it be, - That he might sin with more security! - - For though these light and vicious persons say, - "Our Soul is but a smoke! or airy blast! - Which, during life, doth in our nostrils play; - And when we die, doth turn to wind at last!" - - Although they say, "Come, let us eat, and drink! - Our life is but a spark, which quickly dies!" - Though thus they _say_, they know not what to _think_, - But in their minds, ten thousand doubts arise. - - Therefore no heretics desire to spread - Their light opinions, like these Epicures; - For so their staggering thoughts are comforted, - And other men's assent, their doubt assures. - - Yet though these men against their conscience strive, - There are some sparkles in their flinty breasts, - Which cannot be extinct, but still revive, - That (though they would) they cannot, quite be beasts! - - But whoso makes a Mirror of his Mind; - And doth, with patience, view himself therein; - His Soul's _eternity_ shall clearly find, - Though th'other beauties be defaced with sin. - -[Sidenote: 1 _Reason_. Drawn from the Desire of Knowledge.] - - First, In man's mind, we find an appetite - To Learn and Know the Truth of everything: - Which is connatural, and born with it; - And from the essence of the Soul doth spring. - - With this Desire, She hath a native Might, - To find out every truth, if She had time - Th'innumerable effects to sort aright; - And, by degrees, from cause to cause to climb! - - But since our life so fast away doth slide! - (As doth a hungry eagle through the wind, - Or as a ship transported with the tide; - Which in their passage, leave no print behind.) - - Of which swift little time, so much we spend, - While some few things, we, through the Sense, do strain; - That our short race of life is at an end, - Ere we, the Principles of Skill attain: - - Or GOD (which to vain ends, hath nothing done) - In vain, this Appetite and Power hath given; - Or else our knowledge, which is here begun, - Hereafter must be perfected in heaven. - - GOD never gave a Power to one whole Kind; - But most of that Kind did use the same! - Most eyes have perfect sight! though some be blind; - Most legs can nimbly run! though some be lame. - - But in this life, _no_ Soul, the Truth can know - So perfectly, as it hath power to do! - If then perfection be not found below, - A higher place must make her mount thereto. - -[Sidenote: 2 _Reason_. Drawn from the motion of the Soul.] - - Again, how can She but immortal be? - When with the motions of both Will and Wit, - She still aspireth to Eternity, - And never rests, till she attain to it. - - Water in conduit pipes can rise no higher - Than the well head, from whence it first doth spring! - Then since to eternal GOD, She doth aspire; - She cannot be but an eternal thing. - - "All moving things to other things do move - Of the same kind," which shows their natures such; - So earth falls down, and fire doth mount above, - Till both their proper Elements do touch. - -[Sidenote: The soul compared to a river.] - - And as the moisture which the thirsty earth - Sucks from the sea, to fill her empty veins; - From out her womb at last doth take a birth, - And runs, a Nymph! along the grassy plains: - - Long doth she stay, as loath to leave the land, - From whose soft side, she first did issue make: - She tastes all places! turns to every hand! - Her flow'ry banks unwilling to forsake: - - Yet Nature, so her streams doth lead and carry, - As that her course doth make no final stay - Till she, herself unto the Ocean marry; - Within whose watry bosom first she lay. - - Even so the Soul, which in this earthy mould, - The Spirit of GOD doth secretly infuse; - Because, at first, She doth the earth behold, - And only this material world She views! - - At first, our Mother Earth, She holdeth dear! - And doth embrace the World, and worldly things! - She flies close by the ground, and hovers here! - And mounts not up with her celestial wings! - - Yet, under heaven, She cannot light on ought, - That with her heavenly nature doth agree: - She cannot rest! She cannot fix her thought! - She cannot in this world contented be! - - For who did ever yet in Honour, Wealth, - Or Pleasure of the Sense, contentment find? - Who ever ceased to _wish_, when he had Health? - Or having Wisdom, was not _vext in mind_? - - Then as a bee, which among weeds doth fall, - Which seem sweet flowers, with lustre fresh and gay; - She lights on that! and this! and tasteth all; - But pleased with none, doth rise and soar away! - - So, when the Soul finds here no true content, - And, like NOAH'S dove, can no sure footing take; - She doth return from whence She first was sent, - And flies to Him, that first her wings did make! - - Wit seeking Truth, from Cause to Cause ascends; - And never rests, till it the First attain; - Will seeking Good, finds many middle Ends, - But never stays, till it the Last do gain. - - Now, GOD, the Truth! and First of Causes is! - GOD is the Last Good End! which lasteth still: - Being _Alpha_ and _Omega_ named for this, - _Alpha_ to Wit! _Omega_ to the Will! - - Since then, her heavenly kind She doth bewray, - In that to GOD, She doth directly move: - And on no mortal thing can make her stay; - She cannot be from hence, but from _above_. - - And yet this First True Cause and Last Good End, - She cannot hear so _well_, and _truly_ see; - For this perfection, She must yet attend, - Till to her Maker, She espousèd be. - - As a King's daughter, being in person sought - Of divers Princes, which do neighbour near; - On none of them can fix a constant thought, - Though she to all do lend a gentle ear. - - Yet can she love a foreign Emperor! - Whom, of great worth and power, she hears to be; - If she be wooed but by Ambassador; - Or but his letters, or his picture see. - - For well she knows, that when she shall be brought - Into the kingdom, where her Spouse doth reign; - Her eyes shall see what she conceived in thought, - Himself! his State! his glory! and his train! - - So while the virgin Soul on earth doth stay - She wooed and tempted is, ten thousand ways, - By these great Powers, which on the earth bear sway; - The WISDOM OF THE WORLD, WEALTH, PLEASURE, PRAISE. - - With these, sometime, She doth her time beguile. - These do, by fits, her Phantasy possess, - But She distastes them all, within a while; - And in the sweetest, finds a tediousness: - - But if, upon the world's Almighty King, - She once do fix her humble loving thought; - Which, by his Picture drawn in everything, - And sacred Messages, her love hath sought, - - Of Him, She thinks She cannot think too much. - This honey tasted, still is ever sweet; - The pleasure of her ravished thought is such, - As almost here, She, with her bliss doth meet. - - But when in heaven, She shall His Essence see, - This is her Sovereign Good! and Perfect Bliss! - Her longings, wishings, hopes, all finished be! - Her joys are full! her motions rest in this! - - There, is She crowned with Garlands of Content, - There, doth She manna eat, and nectar drink, - That Presence doth such high delights present, - As never tongue could speak, nor heart could think! - -[Sidenote: 3 _Reason._ From contempt of death in the better sort of -spirits.] - - For this! the better Souls do oft despise - The body's death, and do it oft desire; - For when on ground, the burdened balance lies; - The empty part is lifted up the higher! - - But if the body's death, the Soul should kill? - Then death must needs _against her nature_ be; - And were it so, all Souls would fly it still, - "For Nature hates, and shuns her contrary." - - For all things else, which Nature makes to be; - Their Being to preserve, are chiefly taught! - For though some things desire a change to see, - "Yet never thing did long to turn to _nought_!" - - If then, by death, the Soul were quenchèd quite, - She could not thus against her nature run! - Since every senseless thing, by Nature's light, - Doth _preservation_ seek! _destruction_ shun! - - Nor could the world's best spirits so much err, - (If Death took all!) that they should _all_ agree, - Before this life, their Honour to prefer! - For what is praise, to things that nothing be? - - Again, if by the body's prop, She stand? - If on the body's life, her life depend? - As MELEAGER's on the fatal brand! - The body's good, She only would intend! - - We should not find her half so brave and bold, - To lead it to the wars, and to the seas! - To make it suffer watchings! hunger! cold! - When it might feed with plenty! rest with ease! - - Doubtless, _all_ Souls have a surviving thought; - Therefore of Death, we think with quiet mind; - But if we think of being _turned to nought_, - A trembling horror in our Souls we find! - -[Sidenote: 4. _Reason._ From the fear of death in the wicked souls.] - - And as the better spirit, when She doth bear - A scorn of death, doth shew She cannot die; - So when the wicked Soul, Death's face doth fear, - Even then, She proves her own eternity! - - For, when Death's form appears, She feareth not - An utter quenching or extinguishment! - She would be glad to meet with such a lot! - That so She might all future ill prevent. - - - But She doth doubt what after may befall, - For Nature's law accuseth her within, - And saith, "'Tis true, that is affirmed by all, - That after death, there is a pain for sin!" - - Then She, which hath been hoodwinked from her birth, - Doth first herself within Death's Mirror see; - And when her body doth return to earth, - She first takes care, how She alone shall be. - - Whoever sees these irreligious men, - With burden of a sickness, weak and faint; - But hears them talking of religion then, - And vowing of their souls to every saint? - - When was there ever cursed atheist brought - Unto the gibbet, but he did adore - That blessed Power! which he had set at nought, - Scorned, and blasphemed, all his life before? - - These light vain persons, still are drunk and mad, - With surfeitings and pleasures of their youth; - But, at their deaths, they are fresh! sober! sad! - Then, they discern! and then, they speak the truth! - - If then, all souls, both good and bad, do teach - With general voice, that souls can never die; - 'Tis not Man's flattering Gloss, but Nature's Speech, - Which, like GOD's Oracle, can never lie. - -[Sidenote: 5. _Reason._ From the general desire of Immortality.] - - Hence, springs that _universal_ strong desire, - Which all men have, of Immortality: - Not some few spirits unto this thought aspire, - But all men's minds in this, united be. - - Then this desire of Nature is not vain! - "She covets not impossibilities!" - "Fond thoughts may fall into some idle brain; - But one Assent of All, is ever true!" - - From hence, that general care and study springs, - That _launching_ and _progression_ of the Mind, - Which all men have, so much of Future things, - As they no joy, do in the Present find. - - From this desire, that main Desire proceeds, - Which all men have, surviving Fame to gain; - By tombs, by books, by memorable deeds; - For She that this desires, doth still remain. - - Hence, lastly, springs Care of Posterities! - For things, their kind would everlasting make! - Hence is it, that old men do plant young trees, - The fruit whereof, another age shall take! - - If we these rules unto ourselves apply, - And view them by reflection of the mind; - All these True Notes of Immortality, - In our hearts' tables, we shall written find! - -[Sidenote: 6. _Reason._ From the very doubt and disputation of -immortality.] - - And though some impious wits do questions move, - And doubt "if souls immortal be or no?" - That _doubt_, their immortality doth prove! - Because they seem immortal things to know. - - For he which reasons, on both parts doth bring, - Doth some things mortal, some immortal call; - Now if himself were but a mortal thing; - He could not judge immortal things, _at all_! - - For when we judge, our Minds we Mirrors make, - And as those glasses, which material be, - Forms of material things do only take - (For Thoughts or Minds in them, we cannot see); - - So when we GOD and Angels do conceive, - And think of Truth (which is eternal too), - Then do our Minds, immortal Forms receive, - Which if they mortal were, they could not do. - - And as if beasts conceived what Reason were, - And that conception should distinctly shew; - They should the name of _reasonable_ bear - (For without Reason, none could reason know). - - So when the Soul mounts with so high a wing, - As of eternal things, She _doubts_ can move, - She, proofs of her eternity doth bring; - Even when She strives the contrary to prove. - - For even the _thought_ of Immortality, - Being an act done without the body's aid, - Shews, that herself alone could move, and be, - Although the body in the grave were laid. - - And if herself She can so lively move, - And never need a foreign help to take, - Then must her motion everlasting prove, - "Because her self She never can forsake." - -[Sidenote: That the Soul cannot be destroyed.] - - "But though Corruption cannot touch the Mind, - By any cause, that from itself may spring; - Some Outward Cause, Fate hath perhaps designed, - Which to the Soul, may utter quenching bring?" - -[Sidenote: Her Cause ceaseth not.] - - "Perhaps her Cause may cease, and She may die!" - GOD is her Cause! His WORD, her Maker was! - Which shall stand fixed for all eternity! - When heaven and earth shall like a shadow pass. - -[Sidenote: She hath no contrary.] - - "Perhaps something repugnant to her kind, - By strong antipathy, the Soul may kill!" - But what can be contrary to the Mind, - Which holds all contraries in concord still? - - She lodgeth heat, and cold! and moist, and dry! - And life, and death! and peace, and war together: - Ten thousand fighting things in her do lie, - Yet neither troubleth or disturbeth either. - -[Sidenote: She cannot die for want of food.] - - "Perhaps, for want of food, the Soul may pine!" - But that were strange! since all things bad and good, - Since all GOD's creatures, mortal and divine; - Since GOD Himself is her eternal food. - - Bodies are fed with things of mortal kind, - And so are subject to mortality; - But Truth, which is eternal, feeds the Mind, - The Tree of Life, which will not let her die. - -[Sidenote: Violence cannot destroy her.] - - "Yet violence perhaps the Soul destroys, - As lightning or the sunbeams dim the sight; - Or as a thunder-clap or cannon's noise, - The power of hearing doth astonish quite?" - - But high perfection to the Soul it brings, - T'encounter things most excellent and high; - For when She views the best and greatest things, - They do not hurt, but rather clear the eye. - - Besides as HOMER's gods 'gainst armies stand; - Her subtle form can through all dangers slide; - Bodies are captive, Minds endure no band, - "And Will is free, and can no force abide!" - -[Sidenote: Time cannot destroy her.] - - "But lastly, Time perhaps, at last, hath power, - To spend her lively powers, and quench her light?" - But old god SATURN, which doth all devour, - Doth cherish her, and still augment her might - - Heaven waxeth old; and all the spheres above - Shall, one day, faint, and their swift motion stay; - And Time itself, in time, shall cease to move, - Only the Soul survives, and lives for aye. - - Our bodies, every footstep that they make, - March towards death, until at last they die: - Whether we work, or play, or sleep, or wake, - Our life doth pass, and with Time's wings doth fly - - But to the Soul, time doth perfection give, - And adds fresh lustre to her beauty still, - And makes her in eternal youth to live, - Like her which nectar to the gods doth fill. - - The more She lives, the more She feeds on Truth; - The more She feeds, her Strength doth more increase: - And what is Strength, but an effect of Youth! - Which if Time nurse, how can it ever cease? - -[Sidenote: Objections against the Immortality of the Soul.] - - But now these Epicures begin to smile, - And say, "My doctrine is more safe, than true!" - And that "I fondly do myself beguile, - While these received opinions I ensue." - -[Sidenote: Objection.] - - "For what!" they say, "doth not the Soul wax old? - How comes it, then, that aged men do dote, - And that their brains grow sottish, dull, and cold; - Which were in youth, the only spirits of note?" - - "What! are not Souls within themselves corrupted? - How can there idiots then by Nature be? - How is it that some wits are interrupted, - That now they dazzled are, now clearly see?" - -[Sidenote: Answer.] - - These questions make a subtle argument - To such as think both Sense and Reason one: - To whom, nor Agent, from the Instrument; - Nor Power of Working, from the Work is known - - But they that know that Wit can show no skill, - But when she things in Sense's glass doth view; - Do know, if accident this glass do spill, - It _nothing_ sees! or sees the _false_ for _true_. - - For if that region of the tender brain, - Wherein th'inward sense of Phantasy should sit, - And th'outward senses' gatherings should retain, - By Nature, or by chance become unfit. - - Either at first uncapable it is; - And so few things or none at all receives; - Or marred by accident which haps amiss, - And so amiss it everything perceives; - - Then as a cunning Prince that useth spies; - If they return no news, doth nothing know; - But if they make advertisement of lies, - The Prince's Council all awry do go. - - Even so, the Soul, to such a Body knit, - Whose inward senses undisposèd be, - And to receive the Forms of things unfit; - Where nothing is brought in, can nothing see. - - This makes the Idiot, which hath yet a mind, - Able to know the Truth, and choose the Good; - If she such figures in the brain did find, - As might be found, if it in temper stood. - - But if a frenzy do possess the brain; - It so disturbs and blots the forms of things, - As Phantasy proves altogether vain, - And to the Wit, no true relation brings. - - Then doth the Wit, admitting all for true, - Build fond conclusions on those idle grounds; - Then doth it fly the Good, and Ill pursue, - Believing all that this false spy propounds. - - But purge the humours, and the rage appease; - Which this distemper in the Fancy wrought: - Then will the Wit, which never had disease, - Discourse and judge discreetly, as it ought. - - So though the clouds eclipse the Sun's fair light, - Yet from his face they do not take one beam: - So have our eyes their perfect power of sight, - Even when they look into a troubled stream. - - Then these defects in Sense's organs be, - Not in the Soul, or in her working might; - She cannot lose her perfect Power to See, - Though mists and clouds do choke her window light. - - These imperfections then we must impute, - Not to the Agent, but the Instrument; - We must not blame APOLLO, but his Lute, - If false accords from her false strings be sent - - The Soul, in all, hath one intelligence, - Though too much moisture in an infant's brain, - And too much dryness in an old man's sense - Cannot the prints of outward things retain. - - Then doth the Soul want work, and idle sit: - And this we Childishness and Dotage call: - Yet hath She then a quick and active Wit, - If She had stuff and tools to work withal. - - For, give her organs fit, and objects fair, - Give but the aged man, the young man's sense: - Let but MEDEA, ÆSON'S youth repair, - And straight She shews her wonted excellence. - - As a good harper, stricken far in years, - Into whose cunning hands, the gout is fall: - All his old crotchets, in his brain he bears, - But on his harp, plays ill, or not at all. - - But if APOLLO take his gout away, - That he, his nimble fingers may apply; - APOLLO'S self will envy at his play, - And all the world applaud his minstrelsy! - - Then Dotage is no weakness of the Mind, - But of the Sense; for if the Mind did waste; - In _all_ old men, we should this wasting find, - When they some certain term of years had past. - - But most of them, even to their dying hour, - Retain a Mind more lively, quick, and strong, - And better use their Understanding Power, - Than when their brains were warm, and limbs were young. - - For though the body wasted be and weak, - And though the leaden form of earth it bears; - Yet when we hear that half-dead body speak, - We oft are ravished to the heavenly spheres. - -[Sidenote: 2. Objection.] - - Yet say these men, "If all her organs die, - Then hath the Soul no power, her Powers to use! - So in a sort her Powers extinct do lie, - When into Act She cannot them reduce." - - "And if her Powers be dead, then what is She? - For since from everything, some Powers do spring, - And from those Powers some Acts proceeding be: - Then kill both Power and Act, and kill the Thing." - -[Sidenote: Answer.] - - Doubtless the Body's death, when once it dies, - The Instruments of Sense and Life doth kill; - So that She cannot use those faculties, - Although their root rest in her substance still. - - But as, the Body living, Wit and Will - Can judge and choose without the Body's aid, - Though on such objects, they are working still, - As through the Body's organs are conveyed: - - So, when the Body serves her turn no more, - And all her Senses are extinct and gone, - She can discourse of what She learned before, - In heavenly contemplations all alone. - - So if one man well on the lute doth play, - And have good horsemanship, and learning's skill: - Though both his lute and horse we take away; - Doth he not keep his former learning still? - - He keeps it doubtless! and can use it too! - And doth both th'other skills, in power retain! - And can of both the proper actions do, - If with his Lute, or Horse he meet again. - - So, though the instruments by which we live - And view the world, the Body's death doth kill: - Yet with the Body, they shall all revive; - And all their wonted offices fulfil. - -[Sidenote: 3. Objection.] - - "But _how_, till then, shall She herself employ? - Her spies are dead; which brought home news before: - What she hath got and keeps, she may enjoy; - But She hath means to understand no more." - - "Then what do those poor Souls which nothing get? - Or what do those which get and nothing keep, - Like buckets bottomless, which all out let? - Those Souls, for want of exercise, must sleep." - -[Sidenote: Answer.] - - See _how_ Man's Soul, against itself doth strive: - Why should we not have other means to know? - As children, while within the womb they live, - Feed by the navel; Here, they feed not so. - - These children (if they had some use of Sense, - And should by chance their mothers talking, hear; - That, in short time, they shall come forth from thence) - Would fear their birth, more than our death we fear. - - They would cry out, "If we, this place shall leave, - Then shall we break our tender navel strings: - How shall we then our nourishment receive, - Since our sweet food, no other conduit brings?" - - And if a man should, to these babes reply, - That "Into this fair world they shall be brought, - Where they shall see the earth, the sea, the sky, - The glorious sun, and all that GOD hath wrought: - - That there ten thousand dainties they shall meet, - Which by their mouths they shall with pleasure take; - Which shall be cordial too, as well as sweet, - And of their little limbs, tall bodies make!" - - This, would they think a fable! even as we - Do think the story of the Golden Age; - Or as some sensual spirits amongst us be, - Which hold the World to Come, "a feigned Stage." - - Yet shall these infants, after, find all true; - Though, then, thereof, they nothing could conceive. - As soon as they are born, the world they view, - And with their mouths, the nurse's milk receive. - - So when the Soul is born (for Death is nought - But the Soul's Birth, and so we should it call!) - Ten thousand things She sees, beyond her thought; - And, in an unknown manner, knows them all. - - Then doth She see by spectacles no more, - She hears not by report of double spies, - Herself, in instants, doth all things explore, - For each thing present, and before her lies. - -[Sidenote: 4. Objection.] - - But still this Crew, with questions me pursues; - "If Souls deceased," say they, "still living be", - Why do they not return to bring us news - Of that strange world, where they such wonders see? - -[Sidenote: Answer.] - - Fond men! if we believe that men do live - Under the zenith of both frozen poles; - Though none come thence, advertisement to give; - Why bear we not the like faith of our Souls? - - The Soul hath, here on earth, no more to do, - Than we have business in our mother's womb; - What child doth covet to return thereto? - Although all children, first from thence do come! - - But as Noah's pigeon which returned no more, - Did shew she footing found, for all the flood; - So when good Souls, departed through death's door, - Come not again; it shews their dwelling good. - - And doubtless such a Soul as up doth mount, - And doth appear before her Maker's face, - Holds this vile world in such a base account, - As She looks down and scorns this wretched place. - - But such as are detruded down to hell; - Either for shame, they still themselves retire, - Or tied in chains, they in close prison dwell, - And cannot come, although they much desire. - -[Sidenote: 5. Objection.] - - "Well, well," say these vain spirits, "though vain it is - To think our Souls to heaven or hell do go; - Politic men have thought it not amiss, - To spread this _lie_, to make men virtuous so!" - -[Sidenote: Answer.] - - Do _you_, then, think this moral Virtue, good? - I think you do! even for your private gain; - For commonwealths by Virtue ever stood; - And common good, the private doth contain. - - If then this Virtue, you do love so well, - Have you no means, her practice to maintain? - But you this lie must to the people tell, - "That good Souls live in joy, and ill in pain." - - Must Virtue be preservèd by a lie? - Virtue and Truth do ever best agree. - By this, it seems to be a verity, - Since the effects so good and virtuous be. - - For as the Devil, father is of lies, - So Vice and Mischief do his lies ensue. - Then this good doctrine did he not devise, - But made this Lie which saith, "It is not true!" - -[Sidenote: The General Consent of all.] - - For how can that be false, which every tongue, - Of every mortal man, affirms for true; - Which truth hath, in all ages, been so strong, - As loadstone-like, all hearts it ever drew. - - For not the Christian or the Jew alone; - The Persian, or the Turk acknowledge this: - This mystery to the wild Indian known, - And to the Cannibal and Tartar, is. - - This rich Assyrian drug grows everywhere, - As common in the North, as in the East! - This doctrine doth not enter by the ear, - But, of itself, is native in the breast! - - None that acknowledge GOD, or Providence, - Their Soul's eternity did ever doubt; - For all religion takes her root from hence, - Which no poor naked nation lives without. - - For since the world for Man created was, - (For only Man, the use thereof doth know) - If Man do perish like a withered grass, - How doth GOD's wisdom order things below? - - And if that wisdom still wise ends propound, - Why made He Man, of other creatures king? - When (if he perish here!) there is not found, - In all the world so poor and vile a thing? - - If Death do quench us quite; we have great wrong; - Since for our service, all things else were wrought: - That daws, and trees, and rocks should last so long, - When we must in an instant pass to nought. - - But, blest be that Great Power! that hath us blest - With longer life, than heaven or earth can have - Which hath infused into one mortal breast, - Immortal Powers, not subject to the grave. - - For though the Soul do seem her grave to bear, - And in this world is almost buried quick; - We have no cause the Body's death to fear, - "For when the shell is broke, out comes a chick." - -[Sidenote: Three kinds of Life answerable to the three powers of the -Soul.] - - For as the Soul's _essential_ Powers are three, - The Quick'ning Power, the Power of Sense, and Reason; - Three kinds of Life to her designèd be, - Which perfect these three Powers, in their due season. - - The first Life in the mother's womb is spent, - Where She her Nursing Power doth only use; - Where, when She finds defect of nourishment, - Sh' expels her body, and this world She views. - - This, we call Birth! but if the child could speak, - He, Death would call it! and of Nature, 'plain - That She should thrust him out naked and weak; - And in his passage, pinch him with such pain. - - Yet, out he comes! and in this world is placed, - Where all his Senses in perfection be; - Where he finds flowers to smell, and fruits to taste, - And sounds to hear, and sundry forms to see. - - When he hath passed some time upon this Stage, - His Reason, then, a little seems to wake, - Which though She spring, when Sense doth fade with age, - Yet can She here, no perfect practice make. - - Then doth th' aspiring Soul, the Body leave, - Which we call Death. But were it known to all, - What Life our Souls do, by this death, receive; - Men would it, Birth! or Gaol Delivery! call. - - In this third Life, Reason will be so bright, - As that her Spark will like the sunbeams shine; - And shall, of GOD enjoy the real sight, - Being still increased by influence divine. - - -[Illustration] - -[Sidenote: An acclamation!] - - O ignorant poor Man! what dost thou bear, - Locked up within the casket of thy breast; - What jewels, and what riches hast thou there. - What heavenly treasure in so weak a chest! - - Look in thy Soul! and thou shall beauties find, - Like those which drowned NARCISSUS in the flood; - Honour and Pleasure both are in thy Mind, - And all that in the world is counted Good. - - Think of her worth! and think that GOD did mean - This worthy Mind should worthy things embrace! - Blot not her beauties, with thy thoughts unclean; - Nor her, dishonour with thy Passions base. - - Kill not her Quick'ning Power with surfeitings! - Mar not her Sense with sensualities! - Cast not her serious Wit on idle things! - Make not her free Will slave to vanities! - - And when thou thinkest of her Eternity; - Think not that Death against her nature is; - Think it a Birth! and, when thou goest to die, - Sing like a swan, as if thou wentst to bliss! - - And if thou, like a child, didst fear before, - Being in the dark, when thou didst nothing see; - Now I have brought thee Torch-light, fear no more. - Now, when thou diest; thou canst not hoodwinked be. - - And thou, my Soul! which turn'st thy curious eye, - To view the beams of thine own form divine; - Know, that thou canst know nothing perfectly, - While thou are _clouded_ with this flesh of mine. - - Take heed of _overweening_! and compare - Thy peacock's feet, with thy gay peacock's train; - Study the _best_ and _highest_ things that are; - But of thyself, an humble thought retain! - - Cast down thyself! and only strive to raise - The glory of thy Maker's sacred name! - Use all thy powers, that Blessed Power to praise, - Which gives thee power to Be, and Use the same. - -FINIS. - -[Illustration] - - - - -HYMNS OF - -ASTRÆA, IN - -ACROSTIC - -VERSE. - -[Illustration] - - _LONDON:_ - Printed for I. S. - 1599. - - - - -[Illustration] - -[_Hymns of ASTRÆA._] - - -HYMN I. - -_Of ASTRÆA._ - - E ARLY, before the day doth spring, - L et us awake, my Muse! and sing! - I t is no time to slumber! - S o many joys this Time doth bring, - A s time will fail to number. - - B ut, whereto shall we bend our Lays? - E ven up to heaven, again to raise - T he Maid! which, thence descended, - H ath brought again the Golden Days - A nd all the world amended. - - R udeness itself, She doth refine! - E ven like an Alchemist divine, - G ross Times of Iron turning - I nto the purest form of Gold; - N ot to corrupt, till heaven wax old - A nd be refined with burning. - - -HYMN II. - -_To ASTRÆA._ - - E TERNAL Virgin! Goddess true! - L et me presume to sing to you! - I OVE, even great JOVE hath leisure - S ometimes, to hear the vulgar crew, - A nd hears them, oft, with pleasure. - - B lessed ASTRÆ! I, in part, - E njoy the blessings you impart! - T he Peace! the milk and honey! - H umanity! and civil Art! - A richer dower than money. - - R ight glad am I, that now I live, - E ven in these days, whereto you give - G reat happiness and glory! - I f after you, I should be born; - N o doubt, I should my birthday scorn, - A dmiring your sweet Story. - - -HYMN III. - -_To the Spring._ - - E ARTH now is green, and heaven is blue! - L ively Spring, which makes all new. - I olly Spring doth enter. - S weet young sunbeams do subdue - A ngry, agèd Winter. - - B lasts are mild, and seas are calm! - E very meadow flows with balm! - T he earth wears all her riches! - H armonious birds sing such a psalm - A s ear and heart bewitches! - - R eserve, sweet Spring! this Nymph of ours, - E ternal garlands of thy flowers! - G reen garlands never wasting! - I n her shall last our State's fair Spring, - N ow and for ever flourishing, - A s long as heaven is lasting. - - -HYMN IV. - -_To the month of May._ - - E ACH day of thine, sweet month of May! - L ove makes a solemn Holy Day. - I will perform like duty! - S ince thou resemblest, every way, - A STRÆA, Queen of Beauty. - - B oth you, fresh beauties do partake! - E ither's aspect, doth Summer make, - T houghts of young Love awaking! - H earts you both, do cause to ache; - A nd yet be pleased with aching. - - R ight dear art thou! and so is She! - E ven like attractive sympathy - G ains unto both, like dearness. - I ween this made Antiquity - N ame thee, Sweet May of Majesty! - A s being both like in clearness. - - -HYMN V. - -_To the Lark._ - - E ARLY, cheerful, mounting Lark! - L ight's gentle Usher! Morning's Clerk! - I n merry notes delighting; - S tint awhile thy song, and hark, - A nd learn my new inditing! - - B ear up this Hymn! to heaven, it bear! - E ven up to heaven, and sing it there! - T o heaven, each morning bear it! - H ave it set to some sweet sphere, - A nd let the angels hear it! - - R enowned ASTRÆA, that great name! - (E xceeding great in worth and fame, - G reat worth hath so renowned it) - I t is ASTRÆA's name, I praise! - N ow then, sweet Lark! do thou it raise; - A nd in high heaven resound it! - - -HYMN VI. - -_To the Nightingale._ - - E VERY night, from even till morn, - L ove's Chorister amid the thorn, - I s now so sweet a singer! - S o sweet, as for her Song, I scorn - A POLLO'S voice and finger. - - B ut, Nightingale! sith you delight - E ver to watch the starry night, - T ell all the stars of heaven! - H eaven never had a star so bright - A s now to earth is given! - - R oyal ASTRÆA makes our day - E ternal, with her beams! nor may - G ross darkness overcome her! - I now perceive, why some do write, - "N o country hath so short a night - A s England hath in summer." - - -HYMN VII. - -_To the Rose._ - - E YE of the garden! Queen of Flowers! - L OVE's cup, wherein he nectar pours! - I ngendered first of nectar. - S weet nurse-child of the Spring's young Hours! - A nd Beauty's fair Character! - - B est jewel that the earth doth wear! - E ven when the brave young sun draws near, - T o her hot love pretending; - H imself likewise, like form doth bear, - A t rising and descending. - - R ose, of the Queen of Love beloved! - E ngland's great Kings (divinely moved) - G ave Roses in their banner: - I t shewed, that Beauty's Rose indeed, - N ow in this Age should them succeed, - A nd reign in more sweet manner. - - -HYMN VIII. - -_To all the Princes of Europe._ - - E UROPE! the Earth's sweet Paradise! - L et all thy Kings (that would be wise - I n Politic Devotion) - S ail hither, to observe her eyes, - A nd mark her heavenly motion! - - B rave Princes of this civil Age! - E nter into this pilgrimage! - T his Saint's tongue is an Oracle! - H er eye hath made a Prince a page; - A nd works, each day, a miracle! - - R aise but your looks to her, and see - E ven the true beams of Majesty! - G reat Princes, mark her duly! - I f all the world you do survey, - N o forehead spreads so bright a ray; - A nd notes a Prince, so truly! - - -HYMN IX. - -_To FLORA._ - - E MPRESS of Flowers! Tell, where away - L ies your sweet Court, this merry May? - I n Greenwich garden alleys! - S ince there the Heavenly Powers do play, - A nd haunt no other valleys. - - B EAUTY, VIRTUE, MAJESTY, - E loquent MUSES, three times three, - T he new fresh HOURS and GRACES - H ave pleasure in this place to be, - A bove all other places. - - R oses and lilies did them draw, - E re they, divine ASTRÆA saw: - G ay flowers, they sought for pleasure. - I nstead of gathering Crowns of Flowers, - N ow, gather they ASTRÆA's dowers, - A nd bear to heaven, that treasure. - - -HYMN X. - -_To the Month of September._ - - E ACH month hath praise in some degree, - L et May to others seem to be - I n Sense, the sweetest season; - S eptember! thou are best to me! - A nd best doth please my Reason. - - B ut neither for their corn, nor wine; - E xtol I, those mild days of thine! - T hough corn and wine might praise thee; - H eaven gives thee honour more divine - A nd higher fortunes raise thee! - - R enowned art thou, sweet Month! for this. - E mong thy days, her birthday is! - G race, Plenty, Peace, and Honour - I n one fair hour with her were born! - N ow since, they still her crown adorn, - A nd still attend upon her. - - -HYMN XI. - -_To the Sun._ - - E YE of the world! Fountain of light! - L ife of day, and death of night! - I humbly seek thy kindness! - S weet! dazzle not my feeble sight, - A nd strike me not with blindness! - - B ehold me mildly from that face - E ven where thou now dost run thy race, - T he sphere where now thou turnest, - H aving, like PHÆTON changed thy place, - A nd yet hearts only burnest. - - R ed in her right cheek, thou dost rise - E xalted after, in her eyes; - G reat glory, there, thou shewest! - I n th'other cheek, when thou descendest, - N ew redness unto it thou lendest! - A nd so thy Round, thou goest! - - -HYMN XII. - -_To her Picture._ - - E XTREME was his audacity, - L ittle his skill, that finished thee! - I am ashamed and sorry, - S o dull her counterfeit should be; - A nd She, so full of glory! - - B ut here are colours, red and white; - E ach line, and each proportion right: - T hese lines, this red and whiteness, - H ave wanting yet a life and light, - A majesty and brightness. - - R ude counterfeit! I then did err; - E ven now, when I would needs infer - G reat boldness in thy maker! - I did mistake! He was not bold, - N or durst his eyes, her eyes behold: - A nd this made him mistake her. - - -HYMN XIII. - -_Of her Mind._ - - E ARTH, now adieu! My ravished thought - L ifted to heaven, sets thee at nought! - I nfinite is my longing, - S ecrets of angels to be taught, - A nd things to heaven belonging! - - B rought down from heaven, of angels' kind, - E ven now, do I admire her Mind! - T his is my contemplation! - H er clear sweet Spirit, which is refined - A bove humane creation! - - R ich sunbeam of th' Eternal Light! - E xcellent Soul! How shall I write? - G ood angels make me able! - I cannot see but by your eye; - N or but by your tongue, signify - A thing so admirable. - - -HYMN XIV. - -_Of the Sunbeams of her Mind._ - - E XCEEDING glorious is this Star! - L et us behold her beams afar - I n a side line reflected! - S ight bears them not, when near they are - A nd in right lines directed. - - B ehold her in her virtue's beams, - E xtending sun-like to all realms! - T he sun none views too nearly. - H er well of goodness, in these streams, - A ppears right well and clearly. - - R adiant virtues! if your light - E nfeeble the best judgement's sight; - G reat splendour above measure - I s in the Mind, from whence you flow! - N o wit may have access to know - A nd view so bright a treasure. - - -HYMN XV. - -_Of her Wit._ - - E YE of that Mind most quick and clear, - L ike heaven's Eye, which from his sphere, - I nto all things pryeth; - S ees through all things everywhere, - A nd all their natures trieth. - - B right image of an angel's wit, - E xceeding sharp and swift like it, - T hings instantly discerning; - H aving a nature infinite, - A nd yet increased by learning. - - R ebound upon thyself thy light! - E njoy thine own sweet precious sight! - G ive us but some reflection! - I t is enough for us if we, - N ow in her speech, now policy; - A dmire thine high perfection! - - -HYMN XVI. - -_Of her Will._ - - E VER well affected Will, - L oving goodness, loathing ill! - I nestimable treasure! - S ince such a power hath power to spill, - A nd save us, at her pleasure. - - B e thou our law, sweet Will! and say - E ven what thou wilt, we will obey! - T his law, if I could read it. - H erein would I spend night and day, - A nd study still to plead it. - - R oyal Free Will, and only free! - E ach other will is slave to thee! - G lad is each will to serve thee! - I n thee such princely power is seen; - N o spirit but takes thee, for her Queen! - A nd thinks she must observe thee! - - -HYMN XVII. - -_Of her Memory._ - - E XCELLENT jewels would you see? - L ovely ladies! Come with me! - I will (for love I owe you) - S hew you as rich a treasury - A s East or West can shew you! - - B ehold! (if you can judge of it) - E ven that great Storehouse of her Wit! - T hat beautiful large table, - H er Memory! wherein is writ - A ll knowledge admirable. - - R ead this fair book, and you shall learn - E xquisite skill, if you discern; - G ain heaven, by this discerning! - I n such a memory divine, - N ature did form the Muses nine, - A nd PALLAS, Queen of Learning. - - -HYMN XVIII. - -_Of her Phantasy._ - - E XQUISITE curiosity! - L ook on thyself, with judging eye! - I f ought be faulty, leave it! - S o delicate a Phantasy - A s this, will straight perceive it - - B ecause her temper is so fine, - E ndued with harmonies divine; - T herefore if discord strike it, - H er true proportions do repine, - A nd sadly do mislike it. - - R ight otherwise, a pleasure sweet, - E ver she takes in actions meet, - G racing with smiles such meetness: - I n her fair forehead beams appear, - N o Summer's day is half so clear! - A dorned with half that sweetness! - - -HYMN XIX. - -_Of the Organs of her Mind._ - - E CLIPSED She is, and her bright rays - L ie under veils; yet many ways - I s her fair form revealed! - S he diversely herself conveys, - A nd cannot be concealed. - - B y instruments, her powers appear - E xceedingly well tuned and clear! - T his Lute is still in measure, - H olds still in tune, even like a sphere, - A nd yields the world sweet pleasure! - - R esolve me, Muse! how this thing is? - E ver a body like to this, - G ave heaven to earthly creature? - I am but fond this doubt to make! - N o doubt, the angels, bodies take - A bove our common nature! - - -HYMN XX. - -_Of the Passions of her Heart._ - - E XAMINE not th' inscrutable Heart, - L ight Muse! of Her, though She in part - I mpart it to the subject! - S earch not! although from heaven thou art! - A nd this a heavenly object. - - B ut since She hath a heart, we know - E ver some Passions thence do flow, - T hough ever ruled with honour. - H er judgement reigns! They wait below, - A nd fix their eyes upon her! - - R ectified so, they, in their kind, - E ncrease each virtue of her Mind, - G overned with mild tranquility. - I n all the regions under heaven, - N o State doth bear itself so even, - A nd with so sweet facility. - - -HYMN XXI. - -_Of the innumerable Virtues of her Mind._ - - E RE thou proceed in these sweet pains, - L earn Muse! how many drops it rains - I n cold and moist December! - S um up May flowers! and August's grains! - A nd grapes of mild September! - - B ear the sea's sand in Memory! - E arth's grasses! and the stars in sky! - T he little moats, which mounted - H ang in the beams of PHŒBUS' eye, - A nd never can be counted! - - R ecount these numbers, numberless, - E re thou, her virtue canst express! - G reat wits, this count will cumber! - I nstruct thyself in numbering schools! - N ow Courtiers use to beg for fools; - A ll such as cannot number. - - -HYMN XXII. - -_Of her Wisdom._ - - E AGLE-eyed Wisdom! Life's loadstar! - L ooking near, on things afar! - I OVE's best beloved daughter! - S hews to her spirit all that are! - A s JOVE himself hath taught her. - - B y this straight rule, She rectifies - E ach thought, that in her heart doth rise; - T his is her clear true Mirror! - H er Looking Glass, wherein She spies - A ll forms of Truth and Error. - - R ight Princely virtue, fit to reign! - E nthronised in her spirit remain, - G uiding our fortunes ever! - I f we this Star once cease to see; - N o doubt our State will shipwrecked be, - A nd torn and sunk for ever. - - -HYMN XXIII. - -_Of her Justice._ - - E XILED ASTRÆA is come again! - L o here She doth all things maintain - I n number, weight, and measure! - S he rules us, with delightful pain, - A nd we obey with pleasure! - - B y Love, She rules more than by Law! - E ven her great Mercy breedeth awe; - T his is her sword and sceptre! - H erewith She hearts did ever draw, - A nd this guard ever kept her. - - R eward doth sit in her right hand! - E ach Virtue, thence takes her garland, - G athered in Honour's garden! - I n her left hand (wherein should be - N ought but the sword) sits Clemency! - A nd conquers Vice with pardon. - - -HYMN XXIV. - -_Of her Magnanimity._ - - E VEN as her State, so is her Mind - L ifted above the vulgar kind! - I t treads proud Fortune under! - S unlike, it sits above the wind; - A bove the storms, and thunder. - - B rave Spirit! Large Heart! admiring nought! - E steeming each thing, as it ought! - T hat swelleth not, nor shrinketh! - H onour is always in her thought; - A nd of great things, She thinketh! - - R ocks, pillars, and heaven's axletree - E xemplify her Constancy! - G reat changes never change her! - I n her sex, fears are wont to rise; - N ature permits, Virtue denies, - A nd scorns the face of danger! - - -HYMN XXV. - -_Of her Moderation._ - - E MPRESS of Kingdoms, though She be; - L arger is her Sovereignty, - I f She herself do govern! - S ubject unto herself is She; - A nd of herself, true Sovereign! - - B eauty's Crown, though She do wear; - E xalted into Fortune's Chair; - T hroned like the Queen of Pleasure: - H er virtues still possess her ear, - A nd counsel her to Measure! - - R eason (if She incarnate were) - E ven Reason's self could never bear - G reatness with Moderation! - I n her, one temper still is seen. - N o liberty claims She as Queen! - A nd shows no alteration! - - -HYMN XXVI. - - E NVY, go weep! My Muse and I - L augh thee to scorn! Thy feeble eye - I s dazzled with the glory - S hining in this gay Poesy, - A nd little golden Story! - - B ehold, how my proud quill doth shed - E ternal nectar on her head! - T he pomp of Coronation - H ath not such power, her fame to spread, - A s this my admiration! - - R espect my pen, as free and frank; - E xpecting nor reward, nor thank! - G reat wonder only moves it! - I never made it mercenary! - N or should my Muse, this burden carry - A s hired; but that she loves it! - -_FINIS._ - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - SIX IDILLIA, - - THAT IS, - - SIX SMALL, OR PETTY, POEMS, - OR ÆGLOGUES, - - chosen out of the right famous Sicilian Poet - - THEOCRITUS, - - And translated into English verse. - - _Dum defluat amnis._ - - [Illustration] - - PRINTED - - At Oxford by IOSEPH BARNES. - - 1588. - - - - - E. D. - - - Libenter hic, et omnis exantlabitur - Labor, in tuæ spem gratiæ. - [HORACE, _Epodes_ i. 23-24.] - - - - -SIX IDILLIA - -chosen out of the famous Sicilian Poet - -THEOCRITUS, - -and translated into English verse. - - -THE EIGHTH IDILLION. - -Argument. - - MENALCAS a Shepherd and DAPHNIS a Neatherd, two Sicilian Lads, - contending who should sing best, pawn their Whistles; and choose - a Goatherd to be their Judge: who giveth sentence on DAPHNIS his - side. The thing is imagined to be done in the Isle of Sicily, - by the sea-shore. Of whose singing, this Idillion is called - _Bucoliastæ_, that is, "Singers of a Neatherd's Song." - - -_BUCOLIASTÆ_. - -DAPHNIS, MENALCAS, Goatherd. - -[Illustration] - - With lovely Neatherd DAPHNIS on the hills, they say, - Shepherd MENALCAS met upon a summer's day: - Both youthful striplings, both had yellow heads of hair; - In whistling both, and both in singing skilful were. - -MENALCAS first, beholding DAPHNIS, thus bespake: - -MENALCAS. - - "Wilt thou in singing, Neatherd DAPHNIS, undertake - To strive with me? For I affirm that, at my will, - I can thee pass!" Thus DAPHNIS answered on the hill. - -DAPHNIS. - - "Whistler MENALCAS, thou shalt never me excel - In singing, though to death with singing thou should'st swell!" - -MENALCAS. - - "Then wilt thou see, and something for the victor wage?" - -DAPHNIS. - - "I will both see, and something for the victor gage!" - -MENALCAS. - - "What therefore shall we pawn, that for us may be fit?" - -DAPHNIS. - - "I'll pawn a calf; a wennell lamb lay thou to it!" - -MENALCAS. - - "I'll pawn no lamb: for both my Sire and Mother fell - Are very hard; and all my sheep at e'en they tell." - -DAPHNIS. - - "What then? What shall he gain that wins the victory?" - -MENALCAS. - - "A gallant Whistle which I made with notes thrice three, - Joined with white wax, both e'en below and e'en above; - This will I lay! My father's things I will not move!" - -DAPHNIS. - - "And I a Whistle have with notes thrice three a row, - Joined with white wax, both e'en below and e'en above. - I lately framed it: for this finger yet doth ache - With pricking, which a splinter of the reed did make. - But who shall be our Judge, and give us audience?" - -MENALCAS. - - "What if we call this Goatherd here, not far from hence, - Whose dog doth bark hard by the kids?" The lusty boys - Did call him, and the Goatherd came to hear their toys. - The lusty boys did sing, the Goatherd judgment gave. - MENALCAS first, by lot, unto his Whistle brave, - Did sing a Neatherd's Song; and Neatherd DAPHNIS then - Did sing, by course: but first MENALCAS thus began: - -MENALCAS. - - "Ye Groves and Brooks divine, if on his reed - MENALCAS ever sang a pleasant Lay; - Fat me these lambs! If DAPHNIS here will feed - His calves, let him have pasture too I pray!" - -DAPHNIS. - - "Ye pleasant Springs and Plants, would DAPHNIS had - As sweet a voice as have the nightingales! - Feed me this herd! and if the Shepherd's lad - MENALCAS comes, let him have all the dales!" - -MENALCAS. - - "'Tis ever Spring; there meads are ever gay; - There strout the bags; there sheep are fatly fed, - When DAPHNE comes! Go she away; - Then both the Shepherd there, and grass are dead." - -DAPHNIS. - - "There both the ewes, and goats, bring forth their twins; - There bees do fill their hives; there oaks are high; - Where MILO treads! When he away begins - To go, both Neatherd and the neat wax dry." - -MENALCAS. - - "O husband of the goats! O wood so high! - O kids! come to this brook, for he is there! - Thou with the broken horns tell MILO shy, - That PROTEUS kept sea-calves, though god he were." - -DAPHNIS. - - "Nor PELOPS' kingdom may I crave, nor gold; - Nor to outrun the winds upon a lea: - But in this cave I'll sing, with thee in hold, - Both looking on my sheep, and on the sea." - -MENALCAS. - - "A tempest marreth trees; and drought, a spring: - Snares unto fowls, to beasts nets, are a smart; - Love spoils a man. O JOVE, alone his sting - I have not felt; for thou a lover art!" - - Thus sang these boys, by course, with voices strong; - MENALCAS then began a latter song: - -MENALCAS. - - "Wolf, spare my kids! and spare my fruitful sheep! - And hurt me not! though but a lad, these flocks I guide. - Lampur my dog, art thou indeed so sound asleep? - Thou should'st not sleep while thou art by thy master's side! - My sheep, fear not to eat the tender grass at will! - Nor when it springeth up again, see that you fail! - Go to, and feed apace, and all your bellies fill! - That part your lambs may have; and part, my milking pail." - -Then DAPHNIS in his turn sweetly began to sing: - -DAPHNIS. - - "And me, not long ago, fair DAPHNE whistly eyed - As I drove by; and said, I was a paragon: - Nor then indeed to her I churlishly replied; - But, looking on the ground, my way still held I on. - Sweet is a cow-calf's voice, and sweet her breath doth smell; - A bull calf, and a cow, do low full pleasantly. - 'Tis sweet in summer by a spring abroad to dwell! - Acorns become the oak; apples, the apple-tree; - And calves, the kine; and kine, the Neatherd much set out." - - Thus sung these youths. The Goatherd thus did end the doubt: - -Goatherd. - - "O DAPHNIS, what a dulcet mouth and voice thou hast! - 'Tis sweeter thee to hear than honey-combs to taste! - Take thee these Pipes, for thou in singing dost excel! - If me, a Goatherd, thou wilt teach to sing so well; - This broken-hornèd goat, on thee bestow I will! - Which to the very brim, the pail doth ever fill." - - So then was DAPHNIS glad, and lept and clapt his hands; - And danced as doth a fawn, when by the dam he stands. - MENALCAS grieved, the thing his mind did much dismay: - And sad as Bride he was, upon the marriage day. - - Since then among the Shepherds, DAPHNIS chief was had! - And took a Nymph to wife when he was but a lad. - - DAPHNIS his Emblem. - - _Me tamen urit Amor._ - - MENALCAS his Emblem. - - _At hæc DAPHNE forsan probet._ - - Goatherd's Emblem. - - _Est minor nemo nisi comparatus_ - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE ELEVENTH IDILLION. - -Argument. - - THEOCRITUS wrote this Idillion to NICIAS a learned Physician: - wherein he sheweth--by the example of POLYPHEMUS a giant in Sicily, - of the race of the CYCLOPS, who loved the Water Nymph GALATEA--that - there is no medicine so sovereign against Love as is Poetry. Of - whose Love Song, as this Idillion, is termed CYCLOPS; so he was - called CYCLOPS, because he had but one eye, that stood like a - circle in the midst of his forehead. - - -_CYCLOPS_. - -[Illustration] - - O Nicias, there is no other remedy for Love, - With ointing, or with sprinkling on, that ever I could prove, - Beside the Muses nine! This pleasant medicine of the mind - Grows among men; and seems but light, yet very hard to find: - As well I wote you know; who are in physic such a Leech, - And of the Muses so beloved. The cause of this my speech - A CYCLOPS is, who lived here with us right wealthily; - That ancient POLYPHEM, when first he loved GALATE - (When, with a bristled beard, his chin and cheeks first clothed were): - He loved her not with roses, apples, or with curlèd hair; - But with the Furies' rage. All other things he little plied. - Full often to their fold, from pastures green, without a guide, - His sheep returnèd home: when all the while he singing lay - In honour of his Love, and on the shore consumed away - From morning until night; sick of the wound, fast by the heart, - Which mighty VENUS gave, and in his liver stuck the dart. - For which, this remedy he found, that sitting oftentimes - Upon a rock and looking on the sea, he sang these rhymes: - - "O GALATEA fair, why dost thou shun thy lover true? - More tender than a lamb, more white than cheese when it is new, - More wanton than a calf, more sharp than grapes unripe, I find. - You use to come when pleasant sleep, my senses all do bind: - But you are gone again when pleasant sleep doth leave mine eye; - And as a sheep you run, that on the plain a wolf doth spy. - - "I then began to love thee, GALATE, when first of all - You, with my mother, came to gather leaves of crowtoe [_hyacinth_] - small - Upon our hill; when I, as Usher, squired you all the way. - Nor when I saw thee first, nor afterwards, nor at this day, - Since then could I refrain: but you, by Jove! nought set thereby! - - "But well I know, fair Nymph, the very cause why thus you fly. - Because upon my front, one only brow, with bristles strong - From one ear to the other ear is stretchèd all along: - 'Neath which, one eye; and on my lips, a hugy nose, there stands. - Yet I, this such a one, a thousand sheep feed on these lands; - And pleasant milk I drink, which from the strouting bags is presst. - Nor want I cheese in summer, nor in autumn of the best, - Nor yet in winter time. My cheese racks ever laden are; - And better can I pipe than any CYCLOPS may compare. - O apple sweet! of thee, and of myself I use to sing, - And that at midnight oft. For thee! eleven fawns up I bring, - All great with young: and four bears' whelps, I nourish up for thee! - But come thou hither first, and thou shall have them all of me. - And let the bluish coloured sea beat on the shore so nigh, - The night with me in cave, thou shalt consume more pleasantly! - There are the shady bays, and there tall cypress trees do sprout: - And there is ivy black, and fertile vines are all about. - Cool water there I have, distilled of the whitest snow, - A drink divine, which out of woody Etna mount doth flow. - In these respects, who in the sea and waves would rather be? - - "But if I seem as yet too rough and savage unto thee, - Great store of oaken wood I have, and never-quenchèd fire; - And I can well endure my soul to burn with thy desire, - With this my only eye, than which I nothing think more trim: - Now woe is me, my mother bore me not with fins to swim! - That I might dive to thee; that I thy dainty hand might kiss, - If lips thou wouldst not let. Then would I lilies bring iwis, - And tender poppy-toe that bears a top like rattles red, - And these in summer time: but others are in winter bred, - So that I cannot bring them all at once. Now certainly - I'll learn to swim of some or other stranger passing by, - That I may know what pleasure 'tis in waters deep to dwell. - - "Come forth, fair GALATE! and once got out, forget thee well - (As I do, sitting on this rock) home to return again! } - But feed my sheep with me, and for to milk them take the pain! } - And cheese to press, and in the milk the rennet sharp to strain! } - My mother only wrongeth me; and her I blame, for she - Spake never yet to thee one good, or lovely, word of me: - And that, although she daily sees how I away do pine. - But I will say, 'My head and feet do ache,' that she may whine, - And sorrow at the heart: because my heart with grief is swoll'n. - - "O CYCLOPS, CYCLOPS! whither is thy wit and reason flown? - If thou would'st baskets make; and cut down brouzing from the tree, - And bring it to thy lambs, a great deal wiser thou should'st be! - Go, coy some present Nymph! Why dost thou follow flying wind? - Perhaps another GALATE, and fairer, thou shalt find! - For many Maidens in the evening tide with me will play, } - And all do sweetly laugh, when I stand heark'ning what they say: } - And I somebody seem, and in the earth do bear a sway." } - - Thus POLYPHEMUS singing, fed his raging love of old; - Wherein he sweeter did, than had he sent her sums of gold. - - POLYPHEM's Emblem. - - _Ubi Dictamum inventiam?_ - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE SIXTEENTH IDILLION. - - -Argument. - - The style of this Poem is more lofty than any of the rest, and - THEOCRITUS wrote it to HIERO, King of Syracuse in Sicily. Wherein - he reproveth the nigardise of Princes and Great Men towards the - Learned, and namely [_especially_] Poets: in whose power it is to - make men famous to all posterity. Towards the end, he praiseth - HIERO; and prayeth that Sicily may be delivered by his prowess from - the invasions of the Carthaginians. This Idillion is named HIERO in - respect of the person to whom it was written; or _Charites_, that - is, "Graces," in respect of the matter whereof it treateth. - - -_CHARITES, or HIERO_ - -[Illustration] - - Poets have still this care, and still the Muses have this care; - To magnify the gods with Songs, and men that worthy are. - The Muses they are goddesses, and gods with praise they crown; - But we are mortal men, and mortal men let us renown! - But who, of all the men under the cope of heaven that dwell, - By opening of his doors, our Graces entertains so well - That unrewarded quite he doth not send them back again? - They in a chafe, all barefoot, home to me return with pain: - And me they greatly blame, and that they went for nought they grudge; - And all too weary, in the bottom of an empty hutch, - Laying their heads upon their knees full cold, they still remain: - Where they do poorly dwell, because they home returned in vain. - - Of all that living are, who loves a man that speaketh well? - I know not one. For now a days for deeds that do excel - Men care not to be praised: but all are overcome with gain. } - For every man looks round, with hand in bosom, whence amain } - Coin he may get: whose rust rubbed off, he will not give again. } - But straightway thus he says, "The leg is further than the knee, - Let me have gold enough; the gods to Poets pay their fee!" - Who would another hear, "Enough for all, one HOMER is; - Of poets he is Prince: yet gets he nought of me iwis!" - - Madmen, what gain is this, to hoard up bags of gold within? - This is not money's use, nor hath to wise men ever been! - But part is due unto ourselves, part to the Poet's pen; - And many kinsfolk must be pleasured, and many men: - And often to the gods thou must do solemn sacrifice. - Nor must thou keep a sparing house: but when, in friendly wise, - Thou hast receivèd strangers at thy board; when they will thence, - Let them depart! But chiefly Poets must thou reverence! - That after thou art hidden in thy grave, thou mayest hear well! - Nor basely mayest thou mourn when thou in Acheron dost dwell! - Like to some ditcher vile, whose hands with work are hard and dry; - Who from his parents poor, bewails his life in beggary. - - In King ANTIOCHUS his Court, and King ALEVAS' too - To distribute the monthly bread a many had to do. - The Scopedans had many droves of calves, which in their stalls - 'Mong oxen lowed; and shepherds kept, in the Cranonian dales, - Infinite flocks to bear the hospital [_hospitable_] CREONDAN's - charge. } - No pleasure should these men enjoy of their expenses large, } - When once their souls they had embarked in the Infernal Barge; } - But leaving all this wealth behind, in wretched misery - Among the dead, without renown, for ever they should lie: - Had not SIMONIDES the Chian Poet, with his pen - And with his lute of many strings so famous made these men - To all posterity. The very horses were renowned; - Which, from their races swift returned, with olive garlands crowned. - Whoever should have known the Lycian Princes and their race, - Or them of Troy, of CIGNUS [_CYCNUS_] with his woman's coloured face: - Had not the Poets sung the famous Wars of them of old? - Nor yet ULYSSES (who, for ten years space on seas was rolled, - By sundry sorts of men; and who at last went down to Hell - As yet alive; and from the CYCLOPS' den escapèd well) - Had got such lasting fame: and drowned should lie in silence deep - Swineherd EUMÆUS, and PHILÆTUS who had to keep - A herd of neat; LAERTES eke himself had been unknown-- - If far and wide their names, great HOMER's verses had not blown. - - Immortal fame to mortal men, the Muses nine do give: - But dead men's wealth is spent and quite consumed of them that live. - But all one pain[s] it is, to number waves upon the banks, - Whereof great store, the wind from sea doth blow to land in ranks; - Or for to wash a brick with water clear till it be white: - As for to move a man whom avarice doth once delight. - Therefore "Adieu!" to such a one for me! and let him have - Huge silver heaps at will, and more and more still let him crave! - But I, Goodwill of Men, and Honour, will prefer before - A many mules of price, or many horses kept in store. - Therefore I ask, To whom shall I be welcome with my train - Of Muses nine? whose ways are hard, if JOVE guides not the rein. - - The heavens yet have not left to roll both months and years on reels; - And many horses yet shall turn about the Chariot's wheels: - The man shall rise that shall have need of me to set him out; - Doing such deeds of arms as AJAX, or ACHILLES stout, - Did in the field of Simois, where ILUS' bones do rest - And now the Carthaginians, inhabiting the West, - Who in the utmost end of Liby' dwell, in arms are prest: - And now the Syracuseans their spears do carry in the rest; - Whose left arms laden are with targets made of willow tree. - 'Mongst whom King HIERO, the ancient Worthies' match, I see - In armour shine; whose plume doth overshade his helmet bright. - - O JUPITER, and thou MINERVA fierce in fight, - And thou PROSERPINA (who, with thy mother, has renown - By Lysimelia streams, in Ephyra that wealthy town), - Out of our island drive our enemies, our bitter fate, - Along the Sardine sea! that death of friends they may relate - Unto their children and their wives! and that the town opprest - By enemies, of th' old inhabitants may be possesst! - That they may till the fields! and sheep upon the downs may bleat - By thousands infinite, and fat! and that the herds of neat - As to their stalls they go, may press the ling'ring traveller! - Let grounds be broken up for seed, what time the grasshopper - Watching the shepherds by their flocks, in boughs close singing lies! - And let the spiders spread their slender webs in armories; - So that of War, the very name may not be heard again! - - But let the Poets strive, King HIERO's glory for to strain - Beyond the Scythean sea; and far beyond those places where - SEMIRAMIS did build those stately walls, and rule did bear. - 'Mongst whom, I will be one: for many other men beside, - JOVE's daughters love; whose study still shall be, both far and wide, - Sicilian Arethusa, with the people, to advance; - And warlike HIERO. Ye Graces! (who keep resiance [_residence_] - In the Thessalian Mount Orchomenus; to Thebes of old - So hateful, though of you beloved) to stay I will be bold, - Where I am bid to come: and I with them will still remain, - That shall invite me to their house, with all my Muses' train. - Nor you, will I forsake! For what to men can lovely be - Without your company? The Graces always be with me! - - Emblem. - - _Si nihil attuleris, ibis HOMERE foras._ - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE EIGHTEENTH IDILLION. - - -Argument. - - Twelve noble Spartan Virgins are brought in singing, in the - evening, at the chamber door of MENELAUS and HELENA on their - Wedding Day. And first they prettily jest with the Bridegroom, then - they praise HELENA, last they wish them both joy of their marriage. - Therefore this Idillion is entitled _HELEN's Epithalamion_ that is - "HELEN's Wedding Song." - - -_HELEN's Epithalamion_. - -[Illustration] - - In Sparta, long ago, where MENELAUS wore the crown, - Twelve noble Virgins, daughters to the greatest in the town, - All dight upon their hair in crowtoe [_hyacinth_] garlands fresh - and green, - Danced at the chamber door of HELENA the Queen: - What time this MENELAUS, the younger son of ATREUS, - Did marry with this lovely daughter of Prince TYNDARUS; - And therewithal, at eve, a Wedding Song they jointly sang, - With such a shuffling of their feet that all the palace rang. - - "Fair Bridegroom, do you sleep? Hath slumber all your limbs - possesst? } - What, are you drowsy? or hath wine your body so oppresst } - That you are gone to bed? For if you needs would take your rest, } - You should have ta'en a season meet. Mean time, till it be day - Suffer the Bride with us, and with her mother dear, to play! - For, MENELAUS, She, at evening and at morning tide. - From day to day, and year to year, shall be thy loving Bride. - - "O happy Bridegroom, sure some honest man did sneeze to thee, - When thou to Sparta came, to meet with such a one as She! - Among the demi-gods thou only art accounted meet } - To be the Son-in-law to JOVE! for underneath one sheet } - His daughter lies with thee! Of all that tread on ground with feet } - There is not such a one in Greece! Now sure some goodly thing - She will thee bear; if it be like the mother that she bring. - - For we, her peers in age, whose course of life is e'en the same; - Who, at Eurotas' streams, like men, are oilèd to the game: - And four times sixty Maids, of all the women youth we are; - Of these none wants a fault, if her with HELEN we compare. - Like as the rising morn shews a grateful lightening, - When sacred night is past; and Winter now lets loose the Spring: - So glittering HELEN shined among her Maids, lusty and tall. - As is the furrow in a field that far outstretcheth all; - Or in a garden is a cypress tree; or in a trace, - A steed of Thessaly; so She to Sparta was a grace. - No damsel with such works as She, her baskets used to fill; - Nor in a divers coloured web, a woof of greater skill - Doth cut off from the loom; nor any hath such Songs and Lays - Unto her dainty harp, in DIAN's and MINERVA's praise, - As HELEN hath: in whose bright eyes all Loves and Graces be. - - "O fair, O lovely Maid! a Matron is now made of thee! - But we will, every Spring, unto the leaves in meadow go - To gather garlands sweet; and there, not with a little woe, - Will often think of thee, O HELEN! as the suckling lambs - Desire the strouting bags and presence of their tender dams. - We all betimes for thee, a wreath of melitoe will knit; - And on a shady plane for thee will safely fasten it. - And all betimes for thee, under a shady plane below, - Out of a silver box the sweetest ointment will bestow. - And letters shall be written in the bark that men may see, - And read, DO HUMBLE REVERENCE, FOR I AM HELEN'S TREE! - - "Sweet Bride, good night! and thou, O happy Bridegroom, now good - night! - LATONA send your happy issue! who is most of might - In helping youth; and blissful VENUS send you equal love - Betwixt you both! and JOVE give lasting riches from above, - Which from your noble selves, unto your noble imps may fall! - Sleep on, and breathe into your breasts desires mutual! - But in the morning, wake! Forget it not in any wise! - And we will then return; as soon as any one shall rise - And in the chamber stir, and first of all lift up the head! - HYMEN! O HYMEN! now be gladsome at this marriage bed!" - - Emblem. - - _Usque adeo latet utilitas._ - - - - -THE TWENTY-FIRST IDILLION. - - -Argument. - - A Neatherd is brought chafing that EUNICA, a Maid of the city, - disdained to kiss him. Whereby it is thought that THEOCRITUS - seemeth to check them that think this kind of writing in Poetry - to be too base and rustical. And therefore this Poem is termed - _Neatherd_. - - -_NEATHERD._ - -[Illustration] - - Eunica scorned me, when her I would have sweetly kist - And railing at me said, "Go with a mischief, where thou list! - Thinkest thou, a wretched Neatherd, me to kiss! I have no will - After the country guise to smouch! Of city lips I skill! - My lovely mouth, so much as in thy dream, thou shalt not touch! - How dost thou look! How dost thou talk! How play'st thou the slouch! - How daintily thou speak'st! What Courting words thou bringest out! - How soft a beard thou hast! How fair thy locks hang round about! - Thy lips are like a sick man's lips! thy hands, so black they be! - And rankly thou dost smell! Away, lest thou defilest me!" - Having thus said, she spattered on her bosom twice or thrice; - And, still beholding me from top to toe in scornful wise, - She muttered with her lips; and with her eyes she looked aside, - And of her beauty wondrous coy she was; her mouth she wryed, - And proudly mocked me to my face. My blood boiled in each vein, - And red I wox for grief as doth the rose with dewy rain. - Thus leaving me, away she flang! Since when, it vexeth me - That I should be so scorned of such a filthy drab as She. - "Ye shepherds, tell me true, am not I as fair as any swan? - Hath of a sudden any god made me another man? - For well I wot, before a comely grace in me did shine, - Like ivy round about a tree, and decked this beard of mine. - My crispèd locks, like parsley, on my temples wont to spread; - And on my eyebrows black a milk white forehead glisterèd: - More seemly were mine eyes than are MINERVA's eyes, I know. - My mouth for sweetness passèd cheese; and from my mouth did flow - A voice more sweet than honeycombs. Sweet is my Roundelay - When on the whistle, flute, or pipe, or cornet I do play. - And all the women on our hills do say that I am fair, - And all do love me well: but these that breathe the city air - Did never love me yet. And why? The cause is this I know. - That I a Neatherd am. They hear not how in vales below, - Fair BACCHUS kept a herd of beasts. Nor can these nice ones tell - How VENUS, raving for a Neatherd's love, with him did dwell - Upon the hills of Phrygia; and how she loved again - ADONIS in the woods, and mourned in woods when he was slain. - Who was ENDYMION? Was he not a Neatherd? Yet the Moon - Did love this Neatherd so, that, from the heavens descending soon, - She came to Latmos grove where with the dainty lad she lay. - And RHEA, thou a Neatherd dost bewail! and thou, all day, - O mighty JUPITER! but for a shepherd's boy didst stray! - EUNICA only, deigned not a Neatherd for to love: - Better, forsooth, than CYBEL, VENUS, or the Moon above! - And VENUS, thou hereafter must not love thy fair ADONE - In city, nor on hill! but all the night must sleep alone!" - - Emblem. - - _Habitarunt Dii quoque sylvas._ - - - - -THE THIRTY-FIRST IDILLION. - - -Argument - - The conceit of this Idillion is very delicate. Wherein it is - imagined how VENUS did send for the Boar who in hunting slew - ADONIS, a dainty youth whom she loved: and how the Boar answering - for himself that he slew him against his will, as being enamoured - on him, and thinking only to kiss his naked thigh; she forgave him. - The Poet's drift is to shew the power of Love, not only in men, - but also in brute beasts: although in the last two verses, by the - burning of the Boar's amorous teeth, he intimateth that extravagant - and unorderly passions are to be restrained by reason. - - -_ADONIS._ - -[Illustration] - - When VENUS first did see - ADONIS dead to be; - With woeful tattered hair - And cheeks so wan and sear, - The wingèd Loves she bade, - The Boar should straight be had. - Forthwith like birds they fly, - And through the wood they hie; - The woeful beast they find, - And him with cords they bind. - One with a rope before - Doth lead the captive Boar: - Another on his back - Doth make his bow to crack. - The beast went wretchedly, - For VENUS horribly - He feared; who thus him curst: - "Of all the beasts the worst, - Didst thou this thigh so wound? - Didst thou my Love confound?" - The beast thus spake in fear - "VENUS, to thee I swear! - By thee, and husband thine, - And by these bands of mine, - And by these hunters all, - Thy husband fair and tall, - I mindèd not to kill! - But, as an image still, - I him beheld for love: - Which made me forward shove - His thigh, that naked was; - Thinking to kiss, alas, - And that hath hurt me thus. - "Wherefore these teeth, VENUS! - Or punish, or cut out: - Why bear I in my snout - These needless teeth about! - If these may not suffice; - Cut off my chaps likewise!" - To ruth he VENUS moves, - And she commands the Loves, - His bands for to untie. - After he came not nigh - The wood; but at her will - He followed VENUS still. - And coming to the fire, - He burnt up his desire. - - Emblem. - - _Raris forma viris, secula prospice - Impunita fuit._ - - -FINIS. - -[Illustration] - - - - - The Affectionate - Shepheard. - - Containing the Complaint of _Daphnis_ for - the loue of _Ganymede_. - - _Amor plus mellis, quam fellis, est._ - - [Illustration] - - LONDON, - - Printed by Iohn Danter for T.G. and E.N. - - and are to bee sold in Saint Dunstones - Church-yeard in Fleetstreet, - 1594. - - - - -[Illustration] - -To the Right Excellent - -and most beautifull Lady, the Ladie - -PENELOPE RITCH. - - -[Illustration] - - _Fayre louely Ladie, vvhose Angelique eyes - Are Vestall Candles of sweet Beauties Treasure, - Whose speech is able to inchaunt the wise, - Conuerting Ioy to Paine, and Paine to Pleasure; - Accept this simple Toy of my Soules Dutie, - Which I present vnto thy matchles Beautie._ - - _And albeit the gift be all too meane, - Too meane an Offring for thine Iuorie Shrine; - Yet must thy Beautie my iust blame susteane, - Since it is mortall, but thy selfe diuine. - Then (Noble Ladie) take in gentle vvorth, - This new-borne Babe which here my Muse brings forth._ - - Your Honours most affectionate - and perpetually deuoted Shepheard: - _DAPHNIS_. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -The Teares of an - -affectionate Shepheard sicke - -for Loue. - -_OR_ - -The Complaint of _Daphnis_ for the Loue - -of _Ganimede_. - - -[Illustration] - - Scarce had the morning Starre hid from the light - Heauens crimson Canopie with stars bespangled, - But I began to rue th'vnhappy sight - Of that faire Boy that had my hart intangled; - Cursing the Time, the Place, the sense, the sin; - I came, I saw, I viewd, I slipped in. - - If it be sinne to loue a sweet-fac'd Boy, - (Whose amber locks trust vp in golden tramels - Dangle adowne his louely cheekes with ioy, - When pearle and flowers his faire haire enamels) - If it be sinne to loue a louely Lad; - Oh then sinne I, for whom my soule is sad. - - His Iuory-white and Alabaster skin - Is staind throughout with rare Vermillion red, - Whose twinckling starrie lights do neuer blin - To shine on louely _Venus_ (Beauties bed:) - But as the Lillie and the blushing Rose, - So white and red on him in order growes. - - Vpon a time the Nymphs bestird them-selues - To trie who could his beautie soonest win: - But he accounted them but all as Elues, - Except it were the faire Queene _Guendolen_, - Her he embrac'd, of her was beloued, - With plaints he proued, and with teares he moued. - - But her an Old-Man had beene sutor too, - That in his age began to doate againe; - Her would he often pray, and often woo, - When through old-age enfeebled was his Braine: - But she before had lou'd a lustie youth - That now was dead, the cause of all her ruth. - - And thus it hapned, Death and _Cupid_ met - Vpon a time at swilling _Bacchus_ house, - Where daintie cates vpon the Board were set, - And Goblets full of wine to drinke carouse: - Where Loue and Death did loue the licor so, - That out they fall and to the fray they goe. - - And hauing both their Quiuers at their backe - Fild full of Arrows; Th'one of fatall steele, - The other all of gold; Deaths shaft was black, - But Loues was yellow: Fortune turnd her wheele; - And from Deaths Quiuer fell a fatall shaft, - That vnder _Cupid_ by the winde was waft. - - And at the same time by ill hap there fell - Another Arrow out of _Cupids_ Quiuer; - The which was carried by the winde at will, - And vnder Death the amorous shaft did shiuer: - They being parted, Loue tooke vp Deaths dart, - And Death tooke vp Loues Arrow (for his part.) - - Thus as they wandred both about the world, - At last Death met with one of feeble age: - Wherewith he drew a shaft and at him hurld - The vnknowne Arrow; (with a furious rage) - Thinking to strike him dead with Deaths blacke dart, - But he (alas) with Loue did wound his hart. - - This was the doting foole, this was the man - That lou'd faire _Guendolena_ Queene of Beautie; - Shee cannot shake him off, doo what she can, - For he hath vowd to her his soules last duety: - Making him trim vpon the holy-daies; - And crownes his Loue with Garlands made of Baies. - - Now doth he stroke his Beard; and now (againe) - He wipes the driuel from his filthy chin; - Now offers he a kisse; but high Disdaine - Will not permit her hart to pity him: - Her hart more hard than Adamant or steele, - Her hart more changeable than Fortunes wheele. - - But leaue we him in loue (vp to the eares) - And tell how Loue behau'd himselfe abroad; - Who seeing one that mourned still in teares - (a young-man groaning vnder Loues great Load) - Thinking to ease his Burden, rid his paines: - For men haue griefe as long as life remaines. - - Alas (the while) that vnawares he drue - The fatall shaft that Death had dropt before; - By which deceit great harme did then issue, - Stayning his face with blood and filthy goare. - His face, that was to _Guendolen_ more deere - Than loue of Lords, of any lordly Peere. - - This was that faire and beautifull young-man, - Whom _Guendolena_ so lamented for; - This is that Loue whom she doth curse and ban, - Because she doth that dismall chaunce abhor: - And if it were not for his Mothers sake, - Euen _Ganimede_ himselfe she would forsake. - - Oh would shee would forsake my _Ganimede_, - Whose sugred loue is full of sweete delight, - Vpon whose fore-head you may plainely reade - Loues Pleasure, grau'd in yuorie Tables bright: - In whose faire eye-balls you may clearely see - Base Loue still staind with foule indignitie. - - Oh would to God he would but pitty mee, - That loue him more than any mortall wight; - Then he and I with loue would soone agree, - That now cannot abide his Sutors sight. - O would to God (so I might haue my fee) - My lips were honey, and thy mouth a Bee. - - Then shouldst thou sucke my sweete and my faire flower - That now is ripe, and full of honey-berries: - Then would I leade thee to my pleasant Bower - Fild full of Grapes, of Mulberries, and Cherries; - Then shouldst thou be my Waspe or else my Bee, - I would thy hiue, and thou my honey bee. - - I would put amber Bracelets on thy wrests, - Crownets of Pearle about thy naked Armes: - And when thou sitst at swilling _Bacchus_ feasts - My lips with charmes should saue thee from all harmes: - And when in sleepe thou tookst thy chiefest Pleasure, - Mine eyes should gaze vpon thine eye-lids Treasure. - - And euery Morne by dawning of the day, - When _Phœbus_ riseth with a blushing face, - _Siluanus_ Chappel-Clarkes shall chaunt a Lay, - And play thee hunts-vp in thy resting place: - My Coote thy Chamber, my bosome thy Bed; - Shall be appointed for thy sleepy head. - - And when it pleaseth thee to walke abroad, - (Abroad into the fields to take fresh ayre:) - The Meades with _Floras_ treasure should be strowde, - (The mantled meaddowes, and the fields so fayre.) - And by a siluer Well (with golden sands) - Ile sit me downe, and wash thine yuory hands. - - And in the sweltring heate of summer time, - I would make Cabinets for thee (my Loue:) - Sweet-smelling Arbours made of Eglantine - Should be thy shrine, and I would be thy Doue. - Coole Cabinets of fresh greene Laurell boughs - Should shadow vs, ore-set with thicke-set Eughes. - - Or if thou list to bathe thy naked limbs, - Within the Christall of a Pearle-bright brooke, - Paued with dainty pibbles to the brims; - Or cleare, wherein thyselfe thy selfe mayst looke; - Weele goe to _Ladon_, whose still trickling noyse, - Will lull thee fast asleepe amids thy ioyes. - - Or if thoult goe vnto the Riuer side, - To angle for the sweet fresh-water fish: - Arm'd with thy implements that will abide - (Thy rod, hooke, line) to take a dainty dish; - Thy rods shall be of cane, thy lines of silke, - Thy hooks of siluer, and thy bayts of milke. - - Or if thou lou'st to heare sweet Melodie, - Or pipe a Round vpon an Oaten Reede, - Or make thy selfe glad with some myrthfull glee, - Or play them Musicke whilst thy flocke doth feede; - To _Pans_ owne Pipe Ile helpe my louely Lad, - (_Pans_ golden Pype) which he of _Syrinx_ had. - - Or if thou dar'st to climbe the highest Trees - For Apples, Cherries, Medlars, Peares, or Plumbs, - Nuts, Walnuts, Filbeards, Chest-nuts, Ceruices, - The hoary Peach, when snowy winter comes; - I have fine Orchards full of mellowed frute; - Which I will giue thee to obtain my sute. - - Not proud _Alcynous_ himselfe can vaunt, - Of goodlier Orchards or of brauer Trees - Than I haue planted; yet thou wilt not graunt - My simple sute; but like the honey Bees - Thou suckst the flowre till all the sweet be gone; - And lou'st mee for my Coyne till I haue none. - - Leave _Guendolen_ (sweet hart) though she be faire - Yet is she light; not light in vertue shining: - But light in her behauiour, to impaire - Her honour in her Chastities declining; - Trust not her teares, for they can watonnize, - When teares in pearle are trickling from her eyes. - - If thou wilt come and dwell with me at home; - My sheep-cote shall be strowd with new greene rushes: - Weele haunt the trembling Prickets as they rome - About the fields, along the hauthorne bushes; - I haue a pie-bald Curre to hunt the Hare: - So we will liue with daintie forrest fare. - - Nay more than this, I haue a Garden-plot, - Wherein there wants nor hearbs, nor roots, nor flowers; - (Flowers to smell, roots to eate, hearbs for the pot,) - And dainty Shelters when the Welkin lowers: - Sweet-smelling Beds of Lillies and of Roses, - Which Rosemary banks and Lauender incloses. - - There growes the Gilliflowre, the Mynt, the Dayzie - (Both red and white,) the blew-veynd-Violet: - The purple Hyacinth, the Spyke to please thee, - The scarlet dyde Carnation bleeding yet; - The Sage, the Sauery, and sweet Margerum, - Isop, Tyme, and Eye-bright, good for the blinde and dumbe. - - The Pinke, the Primrose, Cowslip, and Daffadilly, - The Hare-bell blue, the crimson Cullumbine, - Sage, Lettis, Parsley, and the milke-white Lilly, - The Rose, and speckled flowre cald Sops in wine, - Fine pretie King-cups, and the yellow Bootes, - That growes by Riuers, and by shallow Brookes. - - And manie thousand moe (I cannot name) - Of hearbs and flowers that in gardens grow, - I haue for thee; and Coneyes that be tame, - Yong Rabbets, white as Swan, and blacke as Crow, - Some speckled here and there with daintie spots: - And more I haue two mylch and milke-white Goates. - - All these, and more, Ile giue thee for thy loue; - If these, and more, may tyce thy loue away: - I haue a Pidgeon-house, in it a Doue, - Which I loue more than mortall tongue can say: - And last of all, Ile giue thee a little Lambe - To play withall, new weaned from her Dam. - - But if thou wilt not pittie my Complaint, - My Teares, nor Vowes, nor Oathes, made to thy Beautie: - What shall I doo? But languish, die, or faint, - Since thou dost scorne my Teares, and my Soules Duetie: - And Teares contemned, Vowes and Oaths must faile; - For where Teares cannot, nothing can preuaile. - - Compare the loue of faire Queene _Guendolin_ - With mine, and thou shalt [s]ee how she doth loue thee: - I loue thee for thy qualities diuine, - But She doth loue another Swaine aboue thee: - I loue thee for thy gifts, She for hir pleasure; - I for thy Vertue, She for Beauties treasure. - - And alwaies (I am sure) it cannot last, - But sometime Nature will denie those dimples: - In steed of Beautie (when thy Blossom's past) - Thy face will be deformed, full of wrinckles: - Then She that lou'd thee for thy Beauties sake, - When Age drawes on, thy loue will soone forsake. - - But I that lou'd thee for thy gifts diuine, - In the December of thy Beauties waning, - Will still admire (with ioy) those louely eine, - That now behold me with their beauties baning: - Though Ianuarie will neuer come againe, - Yet Aprill yeres will come in showers of raine. - - When will my May come, that I may embrace thee? - When will the hower be of my soules ioying? - Why dost thou seeke in mirthe still to disgrace mee? - Whose mirth's my health, whose griefe's my harts annoying. - Thy bane my bale, thy blisse my blessednes, - Thy ill my hell, thy weale my welfare is. - - Thus doo I honour thee that loue thee so, - And loue thee so, that so doo honour thee, - Much more than anie mortall man doth know, - Or can discerne by Loue or Iealozie: - But if that thou disdainst my louing euer; - Oh happie I, if I had loued neuer. _Finis._ - - _Plus fellis quam mellis Amor._ - - - - -The second Dayes Lamentation of - -the _Affectionate Shepheard_. - - -[Illustration] - - Next Morning when the golden Sunne was risen, - And new had bid good morrow to the Mountaines; - When Night her siluer light had lockt in prison, - Which gaue a glimmering on the christall Fountaines: - Then ended sleepe: and then my cares began, - Eu'n with the vprising of the siluer Swan. - - O glorious Sunne quoth I, (viewing the Sunne) - That lightenst euerie thing but me alone: - Why is my Summer season almost done? - My Spring-time past, and Ages Autumne gone? - My Haruest's come, and yet I reapt no corne: - My loue is great, and yet I am forlorne. - - Witnes these watrie eyes my sad lament - (Receauing cisternes of my ceaseles teares), - Witnes my bleeding hart my soules intent, - Witnes the weight distressed _Daphnis_ beares: - Sweet Loue, come ease me of thy burthens paine; - Or els I die, or else my hart is slaine. - - And thou loue-scorning Boy, cruell, vnkinde; - Oh let me once againe intreat some pittie: - May be thou wilt relent thy marble minde, - And lend thine eares vnto my dolefull Dittie: - Oh pittie him, that pittie craues so sweetly; - Or else thou shalt be neuer named meekly. - - If thou wilt loue me, thou shalt be my Boy, - My sweet Delight, the Comfort of my minde, - My Loue, my Doue, my Sollace, and my Ioy: - But if I can no grace nor mercie finde, - Ile goe to _Caucasus_ to ease my smart, - And let a Vulture gnaw vpon my hart. - - Yet if thou wilt but show me one kinde looke - (A small reward for my so great affection) - Ile graue thy name in Beauties golden Booke, - And shrowd thee vnder _Hellicons_ protection; - Making the Muses chaunt thy louely prayse: - (For they delight in Shepheards lowly layes.) - - And when th'art wearie of thy keeping Sheepe - Vpon a louely Downe, (to please thy minde) - Ile giue thee fine ruffe-footed Doues to keepe, - And pretie Pidgeons of another kinde: - A Robbin-red-brest shall thy Minstrell bee, - Chirping thee sweet, and pleasant Melodie. - - Or if thou wilt goe shoote at little Birds - With bow and boult (the Thrustle-cocke and Sparrow) - Such as our Countrey hedges can afford's; - I haue a fine bowe, and an yuorie arrow: - And if thou misse, yet meate thou shalt [not] lacke, - Ile hang a bag and bottle at thy backe. - - Wilt thou set springes in a frostie Night, - To catch the long-billd Woodcocke and the Snype? - (By the bright glimmering of the Starrie light) - The Partridge, Phæsant, or the greedie Grype? - Ile lend thee lyme-twigs, and fine sparrow calls, - Wherewith the Fowler silly Birds inthralls. - - Or in a mystie morning if thou wilt - Make pit-falls for the Larke and Pheldifare; - Thy prop and sweake shall be both ouer-guilt; - With _Cyparissus_ selfe thou shalt compare - For gins and wyles, the Oozels to beguile; - Whilst thou vnder a bush shalt sit and smile. - - Or with Hare-pypes (set in a muset hole) - Wilt thou deceaue the deep-earth-deluing Coney? - Or wilt thou in a yellow Boxen bole, - Taste with a woodden splent the sweet lythe honey? - Clusters of crimson Grapes Ile pull thee downe; - And with Vine-leaues make thee a louely Crowne. - - Or wilt thou drinke a cup of new-made Wine - Froathing at top, mixt with a dish of Creame; - And Straw-berries, or Bil-berries in their prime, - Bath'd in a melting Sugar-Candie streame: - Bunnell and Perry I haue for thee (alone) - When Vynes are dead, and all the Grapes are gone. - - I have a pleasant noted Nightingale, - (That sings as sweetly as the siluer Swan) - Kept in a Cage of bone; as white as Whale, - Which I with singing of _Philemon_ wan: - Her shalt thou haue, and all I haue beside; - If thou wilt be my Boy, or else my Bride. - - Then will I lay out all my Lardarie - (Of Cheese, of Cracknells, Curds and Clowted-creame) - Before thy male-content ill-pleasing eye: - But why doo I of such great follies dreame? - Alas, he will not see my simple Coate; - For all my speckled Lambe, nor milk-white Goate. - - Against my Birth-day thou shalt be my guest: - Weele haue Greene-cheeses and fine Silly-bubs; - And thou shalt be the chiefe of all my feast. - And I will giue thee two fine pretie Cubs, - With two young Whelps, to make thee sport withall, - A golden Racket, and a Tennis-ball. - - A guilded Nutmeg, and a race of Ginger, - A silken Girdle, and a drawn-worke Band, - Cuffs for thy wrists, a gold Ring for thy finger, - And sweet Rose-water for thy Lilly-white hand, - A Purse of silke, bespangd with spots of gold, - As braue a one as ere thou didst behold. - - A paire of Kniues, a greene Hat and a Feather, - New Gloues to put vpon thy milk-white hand - Ile giue thee, for to keep thee from the weather; - With Phœnix feathers shall thy Face be fand, - Cooling those Cheekes, that being cool'd wexe red, - Like Lillyes in a bed of Roses shed. - - Why doo thy Corall lips disdaine to kisse, - And sucke that Sweete, which manie haue desired? - That Baulme my Bane, that meanes would mend my misse: - Oh let me then with thy sweete Lips b'inspired; - When thy Lips touch my Lips, my Lips will turne - To Corall too, and being cold yce will burne. - - Why should thy sweete Loue-locke hang dangling downe, - Kissing thy girdle-steed with falling pride? - Although thy Skin be white, thy haire is browne: - Oh let not then thy haire thy beautie hide; - Cut off thy Locke, and sell it for gold wier: - (The purest gold is tryde in hottest fier). - - Faire-long-haire-wearing _Absolon_ was kild, - Because he wore it in a brauerie: - So that whiche gracde his Beautie, Beautie spild, - Making him subiect to vile slauerie, - In being hangd: a death for him too good, - That sought his owne shame, and his Fathers blood. - - Againe, we read of old King _Priamus_, - (The haplesse syre of valiant _Hector_ slaine) - That his haire was so long and odious - In youth, that in his age it bred his paine: - For if his haire had not been halfe so long, - His life had been, and he had had no wrong. - - For when his stately Citie was destroyd - (That Monument of great Antiquitie) - When his poore hart (with griefe and sorrow cloyd) - Fled to his Wife (last hope in miserie;) - _Pyrrhus_ (more hard than Adamantine rockes) - Held him and halde him by his aged lockes. - - These two examples by the way I show, - To proue th'indecencie of mens long haire: - Though I could tell thee of a thousand moe, - Let these suffice for thee (my louely Faire) - Whose eye's my starre; whose smiling is my Sunne; - Whose loue did ende before my ioys begunne. - - Fond Loue is blinde, and so art thou (my Deare) - For thou seest not my Loue, and great desart; - Blinde Loue is fond, and so thou dost appeare; - For fond, and blinde, thou greeust my greeuing hart; - Be thou fond-blinde, blinde-fond, or one, or all; - Thou art my Loue, and I must be thy thrall. - - Oh lend thine yuorie fore-head for Loues Booke, - Thine eyes for candles to behold the same; - That when dim-sighted ones therein shall looke - They may discerne that proud disdainefull Dame; - Yet claspe that Booke, and shut that Cazement light; - Lest th'one obscurde, the other shine too bright. - - Sell thy sweet breath to th'daintie Musk-ball-makers; - Yet sell it so as thou mayst soone redeeme it: - Let others of thy beauty be pertakers; - Els none but _Daphnis_ will so well esteeme it: - For what is Beauty except it be well knowne? - And how can it be knowne, except first showne? - - Learne of the Gentlewomen of this Age, - That set their Beauties to the open view, - Making Disdaine their Lord, true Loue their Page; - A Custome Zeale doth hate, Desert doth rue: - Learne to looke red, anon waxe pale and wan, - Making a mocke of Loue, a scorne of man. - - A candle light, and couer'd with a vaile, - Doth no man good, because it giues no light; - So Beauty of her beauty seemes to faile, - When being not seene it cannot shine so bright. - Then show thy selfe and know thy selfe withall, - Lest climing high thou catch too great a fall. - - Oh foule Eclipser of that fayre sun-shine, - Which is intitled Beauty in the best; - Making that mortall, which is els diuine, - That staines the fayre which Womens steeme not least: - Get thee to Hell againe (from whence thou art) - And leaue the Center of a Woman's hart. - - Ah be not staind, (sweet Boy) with this vilde spot, - Indulgence Daughter, Mother of mischaunce; - A blemish that doth euery beauty blot; - That makes them loath'd, but neuer doth aduaunce - Her Clyents, fautors, friends; or them that loue her; - And hates them most of all, that most reproue her. - - Remember Age, and thou canst not be prowd, - For age puls downe the pride of euery man; - In youthfull yeares by Nature tis allowde - To haue selfe-will, doo Nurture what she can; - Nature and Nurture once together met, - The Soule and shape in decent order set. - - Pride looks aloft, still staring on the starres, - Humility looks lowly on the ground; - Th'one menaceth the Gods with ciuill warres, - The other toyles til he haue Vertue found: - His thoughts are humble, not aspiring hye; - But Pride looks haughtily with scornefull eye. - - Humillity is clad in modest weedes, - But Pride is braue and glorious to the show; - Humillity his friends with kindnes feedes, - But Pride his friends (in neede) will neuer know: - Supplying not their wants, but them disdaining; - Whilst they to pitty neuer neede complayning. - - Humillity in misery is relieu'd, - But Pride in neede of no man is regarded; - Pitty and Mercy weepe to see him grieu'd - That in distresse had them so well rewarded: - But Pride is scornd, contemnd, disdaind, derided, - Whilst Humblenes of all things is prouided. - - Oh then be humble, gentle, meeke, and milde; - So shalt thou be of euery mouth commended; - Be not disdainfull, cruell, proud, (sweet childe) - So shalt thou be of no man much condemned; - Care not for them that Vertue doo despise; - Vertue is loathde of fooles; loude of the wise. - - O faire Boy trust not to thy Beauties wings, - They cannot carry thee aboue the Sunne: - Beauty and wealth are transitory things, - (For all must ende that euer was begunne) - But Fame and Vertue neuer shall decay; - For Fame is toombles, Vertue liues for aye. - - The snow is white, and yet the pepper's blacke, - The one is bought, the other is contemned: - Pibbles we haue, but store of Ieat we lacke; - So white comparde to blacke is much condemned: - We doo not praise the Swanne because shees white, - But for she doth in Musique much delite. - - And yet the siluer-noted Nightingale, - Though she be not so white is more esteemed; - Sturgion is dun of hew, white is the Whale, - Yet for the daintier Dish the first is deemed; - What thing is whiter than the milke-bred Lilly? - Thou knowes it not for naught, what man so silly? - - Yea what more noysomer vnto the smell - Than Lillies are? what's sweeter than the Sage? - Yet for pure white the Lilly beares the Bell - Till it be faded through decaying Age; - House-Doues are white, and Oozels Blacke-birds bee; - Yet what a difference in the taste, we see. - - Compare the Cow and Calfe, with Ewe and Lambe; - Rough hayrie Hydes, with softest downy Fell; - Hecfar and Bull, with Weather and with Ramme, - And you shall see how far they doo excell; - White Kine with blacke, blacke Coney-skins with gray, - Kine, nesh and strong; skin, deare and cheape alway. - - The whitest siluer is not alwaies best, - Lead, Tynne, and Pewter are of base esteeme; - The yellow burnisht gold, that comes from th'East, - And West (of late inuented), may beseeme - The worlds ritch Treasury, or _Mydas_ eye; - (The Ritch mans God, poore mans felicitie.) - - Bugle and Ieat, with snow and Alablaster - I will compare: White Dammasin with blacke; - Bullas and wheaton Plumbs, (to a good Taster,) - The ripe red Cherries haue the sweetest smacke; - When they be greene and young, th'are sowre and naught; - But being ripe, with eagerness th'are baught. - - Compare the Wyld-cat to the brownish Beauer, - Running for life, with hounds pursued sore; - When Hunts-men of her pretious Stones bereaue her - (Which with her teeth sh'had bitten off before): - Restoratiues, and costly curious Felts - Are made of them, and rich imbroydred Belts. - - To what vse serues a peece of crimbling Chalke? - The Agget stone is white, yet good for nothing: - Fie, fie, I am asham'd to heare thee talke; - Be not so much of thine owne Image doating: - So faire _Narcissus_ lost his loue and life. - (Beautie is often with itselfe at strife). - - Right Diamonds are of a russet hieu, - The brightsome Carbuncles are red to see too, - The Saphyre stone is of a watchet blue, - (To this thou canst not chuse but soone agree too): - Pearles are not white but gray, Rubies are red: - In praise of Blacke, what can be better sed? - - For if we doo consider of each mortall thing - That flyes in welkin, or in waters swims, - How euerie thing increaseth with the Spring, - And how the blacker still the brighter dims: - We cannot chuse, but needs we must confesse, - Sable excels milk-white in more or lesse. - - As for example, in the christall cleare - Of a sweete streame, or pleasant running Riuer, - Where thousand formes of fishes will appeare, - (Whose names to thee I cannot now deliuer:) - The blacker still the brighter haue disgrac'd, - For pleasant profit, and delicious taste. - - Salmon and Trout are of a ruddie colour, - Whiting and Dare is of a milk-white hiew: - Nature by them (perhaps) is made the fuller, - Little they nourish, be they old or new: - Carp, Loach, Tench, Eeles (though black and bred in mud) - Delight the tooth with taste, and breed good blud. - - Innumerable be the kindes, if I could name them; - But I a Shepheard, and no Fisher am: - Little it skills whether I praise or blame them, - I onely meddle with my Ew and Lamb: - Yet this I say, that blacke the better is, - In birds, beasts, frute, stones, flowres, herbs, mettals, fish. - - And last of all, in blacke there doth appeare - Such qualities, as not in yuorie; - Black cannot blush for shame, looke pale for fear, - Scorning to weare another liuorie. - Blacke is the badge of sober Modestie, - The wonted weare of ancient Grauetie. - - The learned Sisters sute themselues in blacke, - Learning abandons white, and lighter hues: - Pleasure and Pride light colours neuer lacke; - But true Religion doth such Toyes refuse: - Vertue and Grauity are sisters growne, - Since blacke by both, and both by blacke are knowne. - - White is the colour of each paltry Miller, - White is the Ensigne of each comman Woman; - White, is white Vertues for blacke Vyces Piller; - White makes proud fooles inferiour vnto no man: - White, is the white of Body, blacke of Minde, - (Vertue we seldome in white Habit finde.) - - Oh then be not so proud because th'art fayre, - Vertue is onely the ritch gift of God: - Let not selfe-pride thy vertues name impayre, - Beate not greene youth with sharpe Repentance Rod: - (A Fiend, a Monster, and mishapen Diuel; - Vertues foe, Vyces friend, the roote of euill.) - - Apply thy minde to be a vertuous man, - Auoyd ill company (the spoyle of youth;) - To follow Vertues Lore doo what thou can - (Whereby great profit vnto thee ensu[e]th:) - Reade Bookes, hate Ignorance, (the foe to Art, - The Damme of Errour, Enuy of the hart). - - Serue _Ioue_ (vpon thy knees) both day and night, - Adore his Name aboue all things on Earth: - So shall thy vowes be gracious in his sight, - So little Babes are blessed in their Birth: - Thinke on no worldly woe, lament thy sin; - (For lesser cease, when greater griefes begin). - - Sweare no vaine oathes; heare much, but little say; - Speake ill of no man, tend thine owne affaires, - Bridle thy wrath, thine angrie mood delay; - (So shall thy minde be seldome cloyd with cares:) - Be milde and gentle in thy speech to all, - Refuse no honest gaine when it doth fall. - - Be not beguild with words, proue not vngratefull, - Releeue thy Neighbour in his greatest need, - Commit no action that to all is hatefull, - Their want with welth, the poore with plentie feed: - Twit no man in the teeth with what th'hast done; - Remember flesh is fraile, and hatred shunne. - - Leaue wicked things, which Men to mischiefe moue, - (Least crosse mis-hap may thee in danger bring,) - Craue no preferment of thy heauenly _Ioue_, - Nor anie honor of thy earthly King: - Boast not thy selfe before th'Almighties sight, - (Who knowes thy hart, and anie wicked wight). - - Be not offensiue to the peoples eye, - See that thy praiers harts true zeale affords, - Scorne not a man that's falne in miserie, - Esteeme no tatling tales, nor babling words; - That reason is exiled alwaies thinke, - When as a drunkard rayles amidst his drinke. - - Vse not thy louely lips to loathsome lyes, - By craftie meanes increase no worldly wealth; - Striue not with mightie Men (whose fortune flies) - With temp'rate diet nourish wholesome health: - Place well thy words, leaue not thy frend for gold; - First trie, then trust; in ventring be not bold. - - In _Pan_ repose thy trust; extoll his praise - (That neuer shall decay, but euer liues): - Honor thy Parents (to prolong thy dayes), - Let not thy left hand know what right hand giues: - From needie men turn not thy face away, - (Though Charitie be now yclad in clay). - - Heare Shepheards oft (thereby great wisdome growes), - With good aduice a sober answere make: - Be not remoou'd with euery winde that blowes, - (That course doo onely sinfull sinners take). - Thy talke will shew thy fame or els thy shame; - (As pratling tongue doth often purchase blame). - - Obtaine a faithfull frend that will not faile thee, - Thinke on thy Mothers paine in her child-bearing, - Make no debate, least quickly thou bewaile thee, - Visit the sicke with comfortable chearing: - Pittie the prisner, helpe the fatherlesse, - Reuenge the Widdowes wrongs in her distresse. - - Thinke on thy graue, remember still thy end, - Let not thy winding-sheete be staind with guilt, - Trust not a fained reconciled frend, - More than an open foe (that blood hath spilt) - (Who tutcheth pitch, with pitch shalbe defiled), - Be not with wanton companie beguiled. - - Take not a flattring woman to thy wife, - A shameles creature, full of wanton words, - (Whose bad, thy good; whose lust will end thy life, - Cutting thy hart with sharpe two edged swords:) - Cast not thy minde on her whose lookes allure, - But she that shines in Truth and Vertue pure. - - Praise not thy selfe, let other men commend thee; - Beare not a flattring tongue to glauer anie, - Let Parents due correction not offend thee: - Rob not thy neighbor, seeke the loue of manie; - Hate not to heare good Counsell giuen thee, - Lay not thy money vnto Vsurie. - - Restraine thy steps from too much libertie, - Fulfill not th'enuious mans malitious minde; - Embrace thy Wife, live not in lecherie; - Content thyselfe with what Fates haue assignde: - Be rul'd by Reason, Warning dangers saue; - True Age is reuerend worship to thy graue. - - Be patient in extreame Aduersitie, - (Man's chiefest credit growes by dooing well,) - Be no high-minded in Prosperity; - Falshood abhorre, nor lying fable tell. - Giue not thy selfe to Sloth, (the sinke of Shame, - The moath of Time, the enemie to Fame.) - - This leare I learned of a Bel-dame Trot, - (When I was yong and wylde as now thou art): - But her good counsell I regarded not; - I markt it with my eares, not with my hart: - But now I finde it too--too true (my Sonne), - When my Age-withered Spring is almost done. - - Behold my gray head, full of siluer haires, - My wrinckled skin, deepe furrowes in my face: - Cares bring Old-Age, Old-Age increaseth cares; - My Time is come, and I haue run my Race: - Winter hath snow'd vpon my hoarie head, - And with my Winter all my ioys are dead. - - And thou loue-hating Boy, (whom once I loued), - Farewell, a thousand-thousand times farewell; - My Teares the Marble Stones to ruth haue moued; - My sad Complaints the babling Ecchoes tell: - And yet thou wouldst take no compassion on mee. - Scorning that crosse which Loue hath laid vpon mee. - - The hardest steele with fier doth mend his misse, - Marble is mollifyde with drops of Raine; - But thou (more hard than Steele or Marble is) - Doost scorne my Teares, and my true loue disdaine, - Which for thy sake shall euerlasting bee, - Wrote in the Annalls of Eternitie. - - By this, the Night (with darknes ouer-spred) - Had drawne the curtaines of her cole-blacke bed; - And _Cynthia_ muffling her face with a clowd, - (Lest all the world of her should be too prowd) - Had taken _Conge_ of the sable Night, - (That wanting her cannot be halfe so bright;) - - When I poore forlorne man and outcast creature - (Despairing of my Loue, despisde of Beautie) - Grew male-content, scorning his louely feature, - That had disdaind my euer-zealous dutie: - I hy'd me homeward by the Moone-shine light; - Forswearing Loue, and all his fond delight. - - -_FINIS._ - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -The Shepherds Content - -_OR_ - -The happines of a harmless life. - -Written upon Occasion of the - -_former Subject_. - - -[Illustration] - - Of all the kindes of common Countrey life, - Me thinkes a Shepheards life is most Content; - His State is quiet Peace, deuoyd of strife; - His thoughts are pure from all impure intent, - His Pleasures rate sits at an easie rent: - He beares no mallice in his harmles hart, - Malicious meaning hath in him no part. - - He is not troubled with th'afflicted minde, - His cares are onely ouer silly Sheepe; - He is not vnto Iealozie inclinde, - (Thrice happie Man) he knowes not how to weepe; - Whil'st I the Treble in deepe sorrowes keepe; - I cannot keepe the Meane; for why (alas) - Griefes haue no meane, though I for meane doe passe. - - No Briefes nor Semi-Briefes are in my Songs, - Because (alas) my griefe is seldome shoot; - My Prick-Song's alwayes full of Largues and Longs, - (Because I neuer can obtaine the Port - Of my desires: Hope is a happie Fort.) - Prick-song (indeed) because it pricks my hart; - And Song, because sometimes I ease my smart. - - The mightie Monarch of a royall Realme, - Swaying his Scepter with a Princely pompe; - Of his desires cannot so steare the Healme, - But sometime falls into a deadly dumpe, - When as he heares the shrilly-sounding Trumpe - Of Forren Enemies, or home-bred Foes; - His minde of griefe, his hart is full of woes. - - Or when bad subiects gainst their Soueraigne - (Like hollow harts) vnnaturally rebell, - How carefull is he to suppresse againe - Their desperate forces, and their powers to quell - With loyall harts, till all (againe) be well: - When (being subdu'd) his care is rather more - To keepe them vnder, than it was before. - - Thus is he neuer full of sweete Content, - But either this or that his ioy debars: - Now Noble-men gainst Noble-men are bent, - Now Gentlemen and others fall at iarrs: - Thus is his Countrey full of ciuill warrs; - He still in danger sits, still fearing Death: - For Traitors seeke to stop their Princes breath. - - The whylst the other hath no enemie, - Without it be the Wolfe and cruell Fates - (Which no man spare): when as his disagree - He with his sheep-hooke knaps them on the pates, - Schooling his tender Lambs from wanton gates: - Beasts are more kinde then Men, Sheepe seeke not blood - But countrey caytiues kill their Countreyes good. - - The Courtier he fawn's for his Princes fauour, - In hope to get a Princely ritch Reward; - His tongue is tipt with honey for to glauer; - Pride deales the Deck whilst Chance doth choose the Card, - Then comes another and his Game hath mard; - Sitting betwixt him, and the morning Sun: - Thus Night is come before the Day is done. - - Some Courtiers carefull of their Princes health, - Attends his Person with all dilligence - Whose hand's their hart; whose welfare is their wealth, - Whose safe Protection is their sure Defence, - For pure affection, not for hope of pence: - Such is the faithfull hart, such is the minde, - Of him that is to Vertue still inclinde. - - The skilfull Scholler, and braue man at Armes, - First plies his Booke, last fights for Countries Peace; - Th'one feares Obliuion, th'other fresh Alarmes; - His paines nere ende, his trauailes neuer cease; - His with the Day, his with the Night increase: - He studies how to get eternall Fame; - The Souldier fights to win a glorious Name. - - The Knight, the Squire, the Gentleman, the Clowne, - Are full of crosses and calamities; - Lest fickle Fortune should begin to frowne, - And turne their mirth to extreame miseries: - Nothing more certaine than incertainties; - Fortune is full of fresh varietie: - Constant in nothing but inconstancie. - - The wealthie Merchant that doth crosse the Seas, - To _Denmarke_, _Poland_, _Spaine_, and _Barbarie;_ - For all his ritches, liues not still at ease; - Sometimes he feares ship-spoyling Pyracie, - Another while deceipt and treacherie - Of his owne Factors in a forren Land; - Thus doth he still in dread and danger stand. - - Well is he tearmd a Merchant-Venturer, - Since he doth venter lands, and goods, and all: - When he doth trauell for his Traffique far, - Little he knowes what fortune may befall, - Or rather what mis-fortune happen shall: - Sometimes he splits his Ship against a rocke; - Loosing his men, his goods, his wealth, his stocke. - - And if he so escape with life away, - He counts himselfe a man most fortunate, - Because the waues their rigorous rage did stay, - (When being within their cruell powers of late, - The Seas did seeme to pittie his estate) - But yet he neuer can recouer health, - Because his ioy was drowned with his wealth. - - The painfull Plough-swaine, and the Husband-man - Rise vp each morning by the breake of day, - Taking what toyle and drudging paines they can, - And all is for to get a little stay; - And yet they cannot put their care away: - When Night is come, their cares begin afresh, - Thinking vpon their Morrowes busines. - - Thus euerie man is troubled with vnrest, - From rich to poore, from high to low degree: - Therefore I thinke that man is truly blest, - That neither cares for wealth nor pouertie, - But laughs at Fortune and her foolerie; - That giues rich Churles great store of golde and fee, - And lets poore Schollers liue in miserie. - - O fading Branches of decaying Bayes - Who now will water your dry-wither'd Armes? - Or where is he that sung the louely Layes - Of simple Shepheards in their Countrey-Farmes? - Ah he is dead, the cause of all our harmes: - And with him dide my ioy and sweete delight; - And cleare to Clowdes, the Day is turnd to Night. - - SYDNEY. The Syren of this latter Age; - SYDNEY. The Blasing-starre of England's glory; - SYDNEY. The Wonder of wise and sage; - SYDNEY. The Subiect of true Vertues story; - This Syren, Starre, this Wonder, and this Subiect; - In dumbe, dim, gone, and mard by Fortunes Obiect. - - And thou my sweete _Amintas_ vertuous minde, - Should I forget thy Learning or thy Loue; - Well might I be accounted but vnkinde, - Whose pure affection I so oft did proue: - Might my poore Plaints hard stones to pitty moue; - His losse should be lamented of each Creature, - So great his Name, so gentle was his Nature. - - But sleepe his soule in sweet Elysium, - (The happy Hauen of eternall rest:) - And let me to my former matter come, - Prouing by Reason, Shepheard's life is best, - Because he harbours Vertue in his Brest; - And is content (the chiefest thing of all) - With any fortune that shall him befall. - - He sits all Day lowd-piping on a Hill, - The whilst his flocke about him daunce apace, - His hart with ioy, his eares with Musique fill: - Anon a bleating Weather beares the Bace, - A Lambe the Treble; and to his disgrace - Another answers like a middle Meane: - Thus euery one to beare a Part are faine. - - Like a great King he rules a little Land, - Still making Statutes, and ordayning Lawes; - Which if they breake, he beates them with his Wand: - He doth defend them from the greedy Iawes - Of rau'ning Woolues, and Lyons bloudy Pawes. - His Field, his Realme; his Subiects are his Sheepe; - Which he doth still in due obedience keepe. - - First he ordaines by Act of Parlament, - (Holden by custome in each Countrey Towne), - That if a sheepe (with any bad intent) - Presume to breake the neighbour Hedges downe, - Or haunt strange Pastures that be not his owne; - He shall be pounded for his lustines, - Vntill his Master finde out some redres. - - Also if any proue a Strageller - From his owne fellowes in a forraine field, - He shall be taken for a wanderer, - And forc'd himselfe immediatly to yeeld, - Or with a wyde-mouth'd Mastiue Curre be kild. - And if not claimd within a twelue-month's space, - He shall remaine with Land-lord of the place. - - Or if one stray to feede far from the rest, - He shall be pincht by his swift pye-bald Curre; - If any by his fellowes be opprest, - The wronger (for he doth all wrong abhorre) - Shall be well bangd so long as he can sturre. - Because he did anoy his harmeles Brother, - That meant not harme to him nor any other. - - And last of all, if any wanton Weather, - With briers and brambles teare his fleece in twaine, - He shall be forc'd t'abide cold frosty weather, - And powring showres of ratling stormes of raine, - Till his new fleece begins to grow againe: - And for his rashnes he is doom'd to goe - without a new Coate all the Winter throw. - - Thus doth he keepe them, still in awfull feare, - And yet allowes them liberty inough; - So deare to him their welfare doth appeare, - That when their fleeces gin to waxen rough, - He combs and trims them with a Rampicke bough, - Washing them in the streames of siluer _Ladon_, - To cleanse their skinnes from all corruption. - - Another while he wooes his Country Wench, - (With Chaplets crownd, and gaudy girlonds dight) - Whose burning Lust her modest eye doth quench, - Standing amazed at her heauenly sight, - (Beauty doth rauish Sense with sweet Delight) - Clearing _Arcadia_ with a smoothed Browe - When Sun-bright smiles melts flakes of driuen snowe. - - Thus doth he frollicke it each day by day, - And when Night comes drawes homeward to his Coate, - Singing a Iigge or merry Roundelay; - (For who sings commonly so merry a Noate, - As he that cannot chop or change a groate) - And in the winter Nights (his chiefe desire) - He turns a Crabbe or Cracknell in the fire. - - He leads his Wench a Country Horn-pipe Round, - About a May-pole on a Holy-day; - Kissing his louely Lasse (with Garlands Crownd) - With whoopping heigh-ho singing Care away; - Thus doth he passe the merry month of May: - And all th'yere after in delight and ioy, - (Scorning a King) he cares for no annoy. - - What though with simple cheere he homely fares? - He liues content, a King can doo no more; - Nay not so much, for Kings haue manie cares: - But he hath none; except it be that sore - Which yong and old, which vexeth ritch and poore, - The pangs of Loue. O! who can vanquish Loue? - That conquers Kingdomes, and the Gods aboue? - - Deepe-wounding Arrow, hart-consuming Fire; - Ruler of Reason, slaue to tyraunt Beautie; - Monarch of harts, Fuell of fond desire, - Prentice to Folly, foe to faind Duetie. - Pledge of true Zeale, Affections moitie; - If thou kilst where thou wilt, and whom it list thee, - (Alas) how can a silly Soule resist thee? - - By thee great _Collin_ lost his libertie, - By thee sweet _Astrophel_ forwent his ioy; - By thee _Amyntas_ wept incessantly, - By thee good _Rowland_ liu'd in great annoy; - O cruell, peeuish, vylde, blind-seeing Boy: - How canst thou hit their harts, and yet not see? - (If thou be blinde, as thou art faind to bee). - - A Shepheard loues no ill, but onely thee; - He hath no care, but onely by thy causing: - Why doost thou shoot thy cruell shafts at mee? - Giue me some respite, some short time of pausing: - Still my sweet Loue with bitter lucke th'art sawcing: - Oh, if thou hast a minde to shew thy might; - Kill mightie Kings, and not a wretched wight. - - Yet (O Enthraller of infranchizd harts) - At my poor hart if thou wilt needs be ayming, - Doo me the fauour, show me both thy Darts, - That I may chuse the best for my harts mayming, - (A free consent is priuiledgd from blaming:) - Then pierce his hard hart with thy golden Arrow, - That thou my wrong, that he may rue my sorrow. - - But let mee feele the force of thy lead Pyle, - What should I doo with loue when I am old? - I know not how to flatter, fawne, or smyle; - Then stay thy hand, O cruell Bow-man hold: - For if thou strik'st me with thy dart of gold, - I sweare to thee (by Ioues immortall curse) - I haue more in my hart, than in my purse. - - The more I weepe, the more he bends his Bow, - For in my hart a golden Shaft I finde: - (Cruell, vnkinde) and wilt thou leaue me so? - Can no remorce nor pittie moue thy minde? - Is Mercie in the Heauens so hard to finde? - Oh, then it is no meruaile that on earth - Of kinde Remorce there is so great a dearth. - - How happie were a harmles Shepheards life, - If he had neuer knowen what Loue did meane; - But now fond Loue in euery place is rife, - Staining the purest Soule with spots vncleane, - Making thicke purses, thin: and fat bodies, leane: - Loue is a fiend, a fire, a heauen, a hell; - Where pleasure, paine, and sad repentance dwell. - - There are so manie _Danaes_ nowadayes, - That loue for lucre; paine for gaine is sold: - No true affection can their fancie please, - Except it be a _Ioue_, to raine downe gold - Into their laps, which they wyde open hold: - If _legem pone_ comes, he is receau'd, - When _Vix haud habeo_ is of hope bereau'd. - - Thus haue I showed in my Countrey vaine - The sweet Content that Shepheards still inioy; - The mickle pleasure, and the little paine - That euer doth awayte the Shepheards Boy: - His hart is neuer troubled with annoy. - He is a King, for he commands his Sheepe; - He knowes no woe, for he doth seldome weepe. - - He is a Courtier, for he courts his Loue: - He is a Scholler, for he sings sweet Ditties: - He is a Souldier, for he wounds doth proue; - He is the fame of Townes, the shame of Citties; - He scornes false Fortune, put true Vertue pitties. - He is a Gentleman, because his nature - Is kinde and affable to euerie Creature. - - Who would not then a simple Shepheard bee, - Rather than be a mightie Monarch made? - Since he inioyes such perfect libertie, - As neuer can decay, nor neuer fade: - He seldome sits in dolefull Cypresse shade, - But liues in hope, in ioy, in peace, in blisse: - Ioying all ioy with this content of his. - - But now good-fortune lands my little Boate - Vpon the shoare of his desired rest: - Now I must leaue (awhile) my rurall noate, - To thinke on him whom my soule loueth best; - He that can make the most vnhappie blest: - In whose sweete lap He lay me downe to sleepe, - And neuer wake till Marble-stones shall weepe. - - _FINIS._ - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -SONNET. - - -[Illustration] - - Loe here behold these tributarie Teares - Paid to thy faire, but cruell tyrant Eyes; - Loe here the blossome of my youthfull yeares, - Nipt with the fresh of thy Wraths winter, dyes, - - Here on Loues Altar I doo offer vp - This burning hart for my Soules sacrifice; - Here I receaue this deadly-poysned Cu[p] - Of _Circe_ charm'd; wherein deepe Magicke lyes. - - Then Teares (if thou be happie Teares indeed), - And Hart (if thou be lodged in his brest), - And Cup (if thou canst helpe despaire with speed); - Teares, Hart, and Cup conjoyne to make me blest: - Teares moue, Hart win, Cup cause, ruth, loue, desire, - In word, in deed, by moane, by zeale, by fire. - - _FINIS._ - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -THE COMPLAINT - -OF CHASTITIE. - -Briefely touching the cause of the death of _Matilda Fitzwalters_ an -English Ladie; sometime loued of King _Iohn_, after poysoned. The -Storie is at large written by _Michael Dreyton_. - - -[Illustration] - - You modest Dames, inricht with Chastitie. - Maske your bright eyes with _Vestaes_ sable Vaile, - Since few are left so faire or chast as shee; - (Matter for me to weepe, you to bewaile): - For manie seeming so, of Vertue faile; - Whose louely Cheeks (with rare vermillion tainted) - Can neuer blush because their faire is painted. - - O faire-foule Tincture, staine of Woman-kinde, - Mother of Mischiefe, Daughter of Deceate, - False traitor to the Soule, blot to the Minde, - Vsurping Tyrant of true Beauties seate, - Right Cousner of the eye, lewd Follies baite, - The flag of filthines, the sinke of shame, - The Diuells dye, dishonour of thy name. - - Monster of Art, Bastard of bad Desier, - Il-worshipt Idoll, false Imagerie, - Ensigne of Vice, to thine owne selfe a lier, - Silent Inchaunter, mindes Anatomie, - Sly Bawd to Lust, Pandor to Infamie, - Slaunder of Truth, Truth of Dissimulation; - Staining our Clymate more than anie Nature. - - What shall I say to thee? thou scorne of Nature, - Blacke spot of sinne, vylde lure of lecherie; - Iniurious Blame to euerie faemale creature, - Wronger of time, Broker of trecherie, - Trap of greene youth, false Womens witcherie, - Hand-maid of pride, high-way to wickednesse; - Yet path-way to Repentance, nere the lesse. - - Thou dost entice the minde to dooing euill, - Thou setst dissention twixt the man and wife; - A Saint in show, and yet indeed a deuill: - Thou art the cause of euerie common strife; - Thou art the life of Death, the death of Life! - Thou doost betray thyselfe to Infamie, - When thou art once discernd by the eye. - - Ah, little knew _Matilda_ of thy being, - Those times were pure from all impure complection; - Then Loue came at Desert, Desert of seeing, - Then Vertue was the mother of Affection, - (But Beautie now is vnder no subjection), - Then women were the same that men did deeme, - But now they are the same they doo not seeme. - - What fæmale now intreated of a King - With gold and iewels, pearles and precious stones, - Would willingly refuse so sweete a thing? - Onely for a little show of Vertue ones? - Women haue kindnes grafted in their bones. - Gold is a deepe-perswading Orator, - Especially where few the fault abhor. - - But yet shee rather deadly poyson chose, - (Oh cruell Bane of most accursed Clime;) - Than staine that milk-white Mayden-virgin Rose, - Which shee had kept vnspotted till that time: - And not corrupted with this earthly slime - Her soule shall liue: inclosd eternally, - In that pure shrine of Immortality. - - This is my Doome: and this shall come to passe, - For what are Pleasures but still-vading ioyes? - Fading as flowers, brittle as a glasse, - Or Potters Clay; crost with the least annoyes; - All thinges in this life are but trifling Toyes: - But Fame and Vertue neuer shall decay, - For Fame is Toomblesse, Vertue liues for aye! - - _FINIS._ - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -Hellens Rape. - -_OR_ - -A light Lanthorne for light Ladies. - -Written in English Hexameters. - - -[Illustration] - - _Louely a Lasse, so loued a Lasse, and (alas) such a louing_ - _Lasse, for a while (but a while) was none such a sweet bonny - Loue-Lasse_ - _As_ Helen, Mænelaus _louing, lou'd, loulie a loue-lasse,_ - _Till spightfull Fortune from a loue-lasse made her a loue-lesse_ - _Wife. From a wise woman to a witles vvanton abandond,_ - _When her mate (vnawares) made warres in_ Peloponessus,_ - _Adultrous_ Paris (_then a Boy_) _kept sheepe as a shepheard_ - _On_ Ida _Mountaine, vnknowne to the King for a Keeper_ - _Of sheep, on_ Ida _Mountaine, as a Boy, as a shepheard:_ - _Yet such sheep he kept, and was so seemelie a shepheard,_ - _Seemlie a Boy, so seemlie a youth, so seemlie a Younker,_ - _That on_ Ida _was not such a Boy, such a youth, such a Younker._ - _Sonne now reconcil'd to the Father, fained a letter_ - _Sent him by_ Iupiter (_the greatest God in_ Olympus) - _For to repaire with speede to the brauest Græcian Hauen, - And to redeeme againe_ Hesyone _latelie reuolted - From_ Troy _by_ Aiax, _whom she had newly betrothed. - Well, so well he told his tale to his Aunt_ Amaryllis - _That_ Amaryllis, _(his Aunt,) obtaind aid of his aged - Syre, that he sent him a ship, and made Capten of_ Argus. - _Great store went to Greece with lust-bewitched_ Alexis, - Telamour, _and_ Tydias: _with these he sliceth the salt seas, - The salt seas slicing, at length he comes to the firme land, - Firme land an auntient Iland cald old_ Lacedæmon. - Argus _(eye full Earle) when first the ken of a Castle - He had spide bespake: (to the Mate, to the men, to the Mates-man) - Lo behold of Greece (quoth he) the great_ Cytadella. - (_Ycleaped_ Menela) _so tearmed of_ Deliaes _Husband: - Happie_ Helen, _Womens most woonder, beautifull_ Helen. - _Oh would God (quoth he) with a flattring Tongue he repeated: - Oh would God (quoth he) that I might deserue to be husband - To such a happie huswife, to such a beautifull_ Helen. - _This he spake to intice the minde of a lecherous young-man: - But what spurres need now, for an vntam'd Titt to be trotting: - Or to add old Oile to the flame, new flaxe to the fier:_ - Paris _heard him hard, and gaue good eare to his hearkening: - And then his loue to a lust, his lust was turnd to a fier, - Fier was turnd to a flame, and flame was turnd to a burning - Brand: and mothers Dreame was then most truelie resolued. - Well so far th'are come, that now th'are come to the Castle, - Castle all of stone, yet euery stone vvas a Castle: - Euerie foote had a Fort, and euerie Fort had a fountaine, - Euerie fountaine a spring, and euerie spring had a spurting - Streame: so strong without, vvithin, so stately a building, - Neuer afore vvas seene; If neuer afore_ Polyphœbe - _Was seene: vvas to be seene, if nere to be seene vvas_ Olympus. - _Flovvers vvere framd of flints, Walls, Rubies, Rafters of Argent: - Pauement of Chrisolite, Windows contriu'd of a Cristall: - Vessels were of gold, with gold was each thing adorned: - Golden Webs more worth than a vvealthy_ Souldan _of Egypt, - And her selfe more vvorth than a vvealthy_ Souldan _of Egypt: - And her selfe more worth than all the wealth shee possessed; - Selfe? indeede such a selfe, as thundring_ Ioue _in_ Olympus, - _Though he were father could finde in his hart to be husband. - Embassage ended, to the Queene of faire_ Lacedæmon; - _(Happie King of a Queene so faire, of a Countrey so famous) - Embassage ended, a Banquet braue was appointed: - Sweet Repast for a Prince, fine Iunkets fit for a Kings sonne. - Biskets and Carrawayes, Comfets, Tart, Plate, Ielley, Gingerbread, - Lymons and Medlars: and Dishes moe by a thousand. - First they fell to the feast, and after fall to a Dauncing, - And from a Dance to a Trance, from a Trance they fell to a falling, - Either in other armes, and either in armes of another. - Pastime ouer-past, and Banquet duely prepared, - Deuoutly pared: Each one hies home to his owne home, - Saue Lord and Ladie; Young Lad, but yet such an old Lad, - In such a Ladies lappe, at such a slipperie by-blow, - That in a vvorld so vvilde, could not be found such a wilie - Lad: in an Age so old, could not be found such an old lad: - Old lad, and bold lad, such a Boy, such a lustie_ Iuuentus: - _Well to their vvorke they goe, and both they iumble in one Bed: - Worke so well they like, that they still like to be vvorking: - For_ Aurora _mounts before he leaues to be mounting: - And_ Astræa _fades before she faints to be falling:_ - (Helen _a light Huswife, now a lightsome starre in_ Olympus.) - - _FINIS._ - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - _Cynthia._ - - VVITH CER- - taine - Sonnets, and - the Legend of - _Cassandra._ - -_Quod cupio nequeo._ - -[Illustration] - - _At London_, - Printed for Humfrey - _Lownes, and are to bee_ - sold at the VVest doore - of Paules. 1595. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - - To the Right Honorable, and - most noble-minded Lorde, - William Stanley, Earle of - Darby, &c. - - -[Illustration] - -_Right Honorable, the dutifull affection I beare to your manie vertues, -is cause, that to manifest my loue to your Lordship, I am constrained -to shew my simplenes to the world. Many are they that admire your -worth, of the which number, I (though the meanest in abilitie, yet with -the formost in affection) am one that most desire to serue, and onely -to serue your Honour._ - -_Small is the gift, but great is my good-will; the which, by how -much the lesse I am able to expresse it, by so much the more it is -infinite. Liue long: and inherit your Predecessors vertues, as you doe -their dignitie and estate. This is my wish: the which your honorable -excellent giftes doe promise me to obtaine: and whereof these few rude -and vnpollished lines, are a true (though an vndeseruing) testimony. -If my ability were better, the signes should be greater; but being as -it is, your honour must take me as I am, not as I should be. My yeares -being so young, my perfection cannot be greater: But howsoeuer it is, -yours it is; and I my selfe am yours; in all humble seruice, most ready -to be commaunded._ - - Richard Barnefeilde. - -[Illustration] - - - - -_To the curteous Gentlemen Readers._ - - -[Illustration] - -Gentlemen; the last Terme [_i.e._, _November_ 1594] there came forth -a little toy of mine, intituled, _The affectionate Shepheard:_ In -the which, his Country _Content_ found such friendly fauor, that it -hath incouraged me to publish my second fruites. _The affectionate -Shepheard_ being the first: howsoeuer undeseruedly (I protest) I -haue beene thought (of some) to haue beene the authour of two Books -heretofore. I neede not to name them, because they are two-well -knowne already: nor will I deny them, because they are dislik't; but -because they are not mine. This protestation (I hope) will satisfie -th'indifferent: as for them that are maliciously enuious, as I cannot, -so I care not to please. Some there were, that did interpret _The -affectionate Shepheard_, otherwise then (in truth) I meant, touching -the subiect thereof, to wit, the loue of a Shepheard to a boy; a -fault, the which I will not excuse, because I neuer made. Onely this, -I will vnshaddow my conceit: being nothing else, but an imitation of -_Virgill_, in the second Eglogue of _Alexis_. In one or two places (in -this Booke) I vse the name of _Eliza_ pastorally: wherein, lest any one -should misconster my meaning (as I hope none will) I haue here briefly -discouered my harmeles conceipt as concerning that name: whereof once -(in a simple Shepheards deuice) I wrot this Epigramme. - - _One name there is, which name aboue all other - I most esteeme, as time and place shall proue: - The one is_ Vesta, _th'other_ Cupids _Mother, - The first my Goddesse is, the last my loue; - Subiect to Both I am: to that by berth; - To this for beautie; fairest on the earth._ - -Thus, hoping you will beare with my rude conceit of _Cynthia_, (if for -no other cause, yet, for that it is the first imitation of the verse of -that excellent Poet, Maister _Spencer_, in his _Fayrie Queene_) I will -leaue you to the reading of that, which I so much desire may breed your -Delight. - - _Richard Barnefeild._ - - - - -T. T. in commendation of the _Authour his worke_. - - -[Illustration] - - Whylom that in a shepheards gray coate masked, - (Where masked loue the nonage of his skill) - Reares new Eagle-winged pen, new tasked, - To scale the by-clift Muse sole-pleasing hill: - Dropping sweete Nectar poesie from his quill, - Admires faire CYNTHIA with his iuory pen - Faire CYNTHIA lou'd, fear'd, of Gods and men. - - Downe sliding from that cloudes ore-pearing mounteine: - Decking with double grace the neighbour plaines, - Drawes christall dew, from PEGASE foote-sprung fountain, - Whose flower set banks, delights, sweet choice containes: - Nere yet discouerd to the country swaines: - Heere bud those branches, which adorne his turtle, - With loue made garlands, of heart-bleeding Mirtle. - - Rays'd from the cynders, of the thrice-sact towne: - ILLIONS sooth-telling SYBILLIST appeares, - Eclipsing PHOEBUS loue, with scornefull frowne, - Whose tragicke end, affords warme-water teares, - (For pitty-wanting PACOE, none forbeares) - Such period haps, to beauties price ore-priz'd: - Where IANVS-faced loue, doth lurke disguiz'd. - - Nere-waining CYNTHIA yeelds thee triple thankes, - Whose beames vnborrowed darke the worlds faire eie - And as full streames that euer fill their bankes, - So those rare Sonnets, where wits ripe doth lie, - With Troian Nimph, doe soare thy fame to skie. - And those, and these, contend thy Muse to raise - (Larke mounting Muse) with more then common praise. - - _ENG. SCH. LIB. No._ 14. - - - - -[Illustration] - - -_To his Mistresse._ - - Bright Starre of Beauty, fairest Faire aliue, - Rare president of peerelesse chastity; - (In whom the Muses and the Graces striue, - VVhich shall possesse the chiefest part of thee:) - Oh let these simple lines accepted bee: - VVhich here I offer at thy sacred shrine: - Sacred, because sweet Beauty is diuine. - - And though I cannot please each curious eare, - With sugred Noates of heauenly Harmonie: - Yet if my loue shall to thy selfe appeare, - No other Muse I will inuoke but thee: - And if thou wilt my faire _Thalia_ be, - Ile sing sweet Hymnes and praises to thy name, - In that cleare Temple of eternall Fame. - - But ah (alas) how can mine infant Muse - (That neuer heard of _Helicon_ before) - Performe my promise past: when they refuse - Poore Shepheards Plaints? yet will I still adore - Thy sacred Name, al though I write no more: - Yet hope I shall, if this accepted bee: - If not, in silence sleepe eternally. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -_CYNTHIA._ - - -[Illustration] - - Now was the Welkyn all inuelloped - With duskie Mantle of the sable Night: - And CYNTHIA lifting vp her drouping head, - Blusht at the Beautie of her borrowed light, - When Sleepe now summon'd euery mortal wight. - Then loe (me thought) I saw or seem'd to see, - An heauenly Creature like an Angell bright, - That in great haste came pacing towards me: - Was neuer mortall eye beheld so faire a Shee. - - Thou lazie man (quoth she) what mak'st thou heere - (Luld in the lap of Honours Enimie?) - I heere commaund thee now for to appeare - (By vertue of IOVES mickle Maiestie) - In yonder Wood. (Which with her finger shee - Out-poynting) had no sooner turn'd her face, - And leauing mee to muze what she should bee, - Yuanished into some other place: - But straite (me thought) I saw a rout of heauenlie Race. - - Downe in a Dale, hard by a Forrest side, - (Vnder the shaddow of a loftie Pine,) - Not far from whence a trickling streame did glide, - Did nature by her secret art combine, - A pleasant Arbour, of a spreading Vine: - Wherein Art stroue with nature to compaire, - That made it rather seeme a thing diuine - Being scituate all in the open Aire: - A fairer nere was seene, if any seene so faire. - - There might one see, and yet not see (indeede) - Fresh _Flora_ flourishing in chiefest Prime, - Arrayed all in gay and gorgeous weede, - The Primrose and sweet-smelling Eglantine, - As fitted best beguiling so the time: - And euer as she went she strewd the place, - Red-roses mixt with Daffadillies fine, - For Gods and Goddesses, that in like case - In this same order sat, with il-beseeming grace. - - First, in a royall Chaire of massie gold, - (Bard all about with plates of burning steele) - Sat _Iupiter_ most glorious to behold, - And in his hand was placed Fortunes wheele: - The which he often turn'd, and oft did reele. - And next to him, in griefe and gealouzie, - (If sight may censure what the heart doth feele) - In sad lament was placed _Mercurie;_ - That dying seem'd to weep, and weeping seem'd to die. - - On th'other side, aboue the other twaine, - (Delighting as it seem'd to sit alone) - Sat _Mulciber;_ in pride and high disdaine, - Mounted on high vpon a stately throne, - And euen with that I heard a deadly grone: - Muzing at this, and such an vncouth sight, - (Not knowing what shoulde make that piteous mone) - I saw three furies, all in Armour dight, - With euery one a Lampe, and euery one a light. - - I deemed so; nor was I much deceau'd, - For poured forth in sensuall Delight, - There might I see of Sences quite bereau'd - King _Priams_ Sonne, that _Alexander_ hight - (Wrapt in the Mantle of eternall Night.) - And vnder him, awaiting for his fall, - Sate Shame, here Death, and there sat fel Despight, - That with their Horrour did his heart appall: - Thus was his Blisse to Bale, his Hony turn'd to gall. - - In which delight feeding mine hungry eye, - Of two great Goddesses a sight I had, - And after them in wondrous Iollity, - (As one that inly ioy'd, so was she glad) - The Queene of Loue full royallie yclad, - In glistring Gold, and peerelesse precious stone, - There might I spie: and her Companion had, - Proud _Paris_, Nephew to _Laomedon_, - That afterward did cause the Death of many a one. - - By this the formost melting all in teares, - And rayning downe resolued Pearls in showers, - Gan to approach the place of heauenly Pheares, - And with her weeping, watring all their Bowers, - Throwing sweet Odors on those fading flowers, - At length, she them bespake thus mournfullie. - High _Ioue_ (quoth she) and yee Cœlestiall powers, - That here in Iudgement sit twixt her and mee, - Now listen (for a while) and iudge with equitie. - - Sporting our selues to day, as wee were woont - (I meane, I, _Pallas_, and the Queene of Loue.) - Intending with _Diana_ for to hunt, - On _Ida_ Mountaine top our skill to proue, - A golden Ball was trindled from aboue, - And on the Rinde was writ this Poesie, - PVLCHERIMÆ for which a while we stroue, - Each saying shee was fairest of the three, - When loe a shepheards Swaine not far away we see. - - I spi'd him first, and spying thus bespake, - Shall yonder Swaine vnfolde the mysterie? - Agreed (quoth _Venus_) and by _Stygian_ Lake, - To whom he giues the ball so shall it bee: - Nor from his censure will I flie, quoth shee, - (Poynting to _Pallas_) though I loose the gole. - Thus euery one yplac'd in her degree, - The Shepheard comes, whose partial eies gan role, - And on our beuties look't, and of our beuties stole. - - I promis'd wealth, _Minerua_ promised wit, - (Shee promis'd wit to him that was vnwise,) - But he (fond foole) had soone refused it, - And minding to bestow that glorious Prize, - On _Venus_, that with pleasure might suffize - His greedie minde in loose lasciuiousnes: - Vpon a sudden, wanting goode aduice, - Holde heere (quoth he) this golden Ball possesse, - Which _Paris_ giues to thee for meede of worthines, - - Thus haue I shew'd the summe of all my sute, - And as a Plaintiffe heere appeale to thee, - And to the rest. Whose folly I impute - To filthie lust, and partialitie, - That made him iudge amisse: and so doo we - (Quoth _Pallas_, _Venus_,) nor will I gaine-say, - Although it's mine by right, yet willinglie, - I heere disclaime my title and obey: - When silence being made, _Ioue_ thus began to saie. - - Thou _Venus_, art my darling, thou my deare, - (_Minerua_) shee, my sister and my wife: - So that of all a due respect I beare, - Assign'd as one to end this doubtfull strife, - (Touching your forme, your fame, your loue, your life) - Beauty is vaine much like a gloomy light, - And wanting wit is counted but a trife, - Especially when Honour's put to flight: - Thus of a lonely, soone becomes a loathly sight. - - VVit without wealth is bad, yet counted good, - wealth wanting wisdom's worse, yet deem'd as wel, - From whence (for ay) doth flow, as from a flood, - A pleasant Poyson, and a heauenly Hell, - where mortall men do couet still to dwell. - Yet one there is to Vertue so inclin'd, - That as for Maiesty she beares the Bell, - So in the truth who tries her princelie minde, - Both Wisdom, Beauty, Wealth, and all in her shall find. - - In Westerne world amids the Ocean maine, - In compleat Vertue shining like the Sunne, - In great Renowne a maiden Queene doth raigne, - Whose royall Race, in Ruine first begun, - Till Heauens bright Lamps dissolue shall nere be done: - In whose faire eies Loue linckt with vertues been, - In euerlasting Peace and Vnion. - Which sweet Consort in her full well beseeme - Of Bounty, and of Beauty fairest Fayrie Queene. - - And to conclude, the gifts in her yfound, - Are all so noble, royall, and so rare, - That more and more in her they doe abound; - In her most peerelesse Prince without compare, - Endowing still her minde with vertuous care: - That through the world (so wide) the flying fame, - (And Name that Enuies selfe cannot impaire,) - Is blown of this faire Queen, this gorgeous dame, - Fame borrowing al men's mouths to royalize the same. - - And with this sentence _Iupiter_ did end, - This is the Pricke (quoth he), this is the praies, - To whom, this as a Present I will send, - That shameth _Cynthia_ in her siluer Raies, - If so you three this deed doe not displease. - Then one, and all, and euery one of them, - To her that is the honour of her daies, - A second _Iudith_ in IERVSALEM. - To her we send this Pearle, this Iewell, and this Iem. - - Then call'd he vp the winged _Mercury_, - (The mighty Messenger of Gods enrold,) - And bad him hither hastily to hie, - Whom tended by her Nymphes he should behold, - (Like Pearles ycouched all in shining gold.) - And euen with that, from pleasant slumbring sleepe, - (Desiring much these wonders to vnfold) - I wak'ning, when _Aurora_ gan to peepe, - Depriu'd so soone of my sweet Dreame, gan almost weepe. - - -_The Conclusion._ - - Thus, sacred Virgin, Muse of chastitie, - This difference is betwixt the Moone and thee: - Shee shines by Night; but thou by Day do'st shine: - Shee Monthly changeth; thou dost nere decline: - And as the Sunne, to her, doth lend his light, - So hee, by thee, is onely made so bright: - Yet neither Sun, nor Moone, thou canst be named, - Because thy light hath both their beauties shamed: - Then, since an heauenly Name doth thee befall, - Thou VIRGO art: (if any Signe at all). - - FINIS. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -[_SONNETS._] - - -_SONNET. I._ - -[Illustration] - - Sporting at fancie, setting light by loue, - There came a theefe, and stole away my heart, - (And therefore robd me of my chiefest part) - Yet cannot Reason him a felon proue. - For why his beauty (my hearts thiefe) affirmeth, - Piercing no skin (the bodies fensiue wall) - And hauing leaue, and free consent withall, - Himselfe not guilty, from loue guilty tearmeth, - Conscience the Iudge, twelue Reasons are the Iurie, - They finde mine eies the be[a]utie t' haue let in, - And on this verdict giuen, agreed they bin, - VVherefore, because his beauty did allure yee, - Your Doome is this: in teares still to be drowned, - VVhen his faire forehead with disdain is frowned. - - -_SONNET. II._ - -[Illustration] - - Be[a]uty and Maiesty are falne at ods, - Th'one claimes his cheeke, the other claimes his chin; - Then Vertue comes, and puts her title in. - (Quoth she) I make him like th'immortall Gods. - (Quoth Maiestie) I owne his lookes, his Brow, - His lips, (quoth Loue) his eies, his faire is mine. - And yet (quoth Maiesty) he is not thine, - I mixe Disdaine with Loues congealed Snow. - I, but (quoth Loue) his lockes are mine (by right) - His stately gate is mine (quoth Maiestie,) - And mine (quoth Vertue) is his Modestie. - Thus as they striue about this heauenly wight, - At last the other two to Vertue yeeld, - The lists of Loue, fought in faire Beauties field. - - -_SONNET. III._ - -[Illustration] - - The Stoicks thinke, (and they come neere the truth,) - That vertue is the chiefest good of all, - The Academicks on _Idea_ call. - The Epicures in pleasure spend their youth, - The Perrepatetickes iudge felicitie, - To be the chiefest good aboue all other, - One man, thinks this: and that conceaues another: - So that in one thing very few agree. - Let Stoicks haue their Vertue if they will, - And all the rest their chiefe-supposed good, - Let cruell Martialists delight in blood, - And Mysers ioy their bags with gold to fill: - My chiefest good, my chiefe felicity, - Is to be gazing on my loues faire eie. - - -_SONNET. IIII._ - -[Illustration] - - Two stars there are in one faire firmament, - (Of some intitled _Ganymedes_ sweet face), - VVhich other stars in brightnes doe disgrace, - As much as _Po_ in clearenes passeth _Trent_. - Nor are they common natur'd stars: for why, - These stars when other shine vaile their pure light, - And when all other vanish out of sight, - They adde a glory to the worlds great eie. - By these two stars my life is onely led, - In them I place my ioy, in them my pleasure, - Loue's piercing Darts, and Natures precious treasure - With their sweet foode my fainting soule is fed: - Then when my sunne is absent from my sight - How can it chuse (with me) but be dark night? - - -_SONNET. V._ - -[Illustration] - - It is reported of faire _Thetis_ Sonne, - (_Achilles_ famous for his chiualry, - His noble minde and magnanimity,) - That when the Troian wars were new begun, - Whos'euer was deepe-wounded with his speare, - Could neuer be recured of his maime, - Nor euer after be made whole againe: - Except with that speares rust he holpen were. - Euen so it fareth with my fortune now, - Who being wounded with his piercing eie, - Must either thereby finde a remedy, - Or els to be releeu'd, I know not how. - Then if thou hast a minde still to annoy me, - Kill me with kisses, if thou wilt destroy me. - - -_SONNET. VI._ - -[Illustration] - - Sweet Corrall lips, where Nature's treasure lies, - The balme of blisse, the soueraigne salue of sorrow, - The secret touch of loues heart-burning arrow, - Come quench my thirst or els poor _Daphnis_ dies. - One night I dream'd (alas twas but a Dreame) - That I did feele the sweetnes of the same, - Where-with inspir'd, I young againe became, - And from my heart a spring of blood did streame, - But when I wak't, I found it nothing so, - Saue that my limbs (me thought) did waxe more strong - And I more lusty far, and far more yong. - This gift on him rich Nature did bestow. - Then if in dreaming so, I so did speede, - What should I doe, if I did so indeede? - - -_SONNET. VII._ - -[Illustration] - - Sweet _Thames_ I honour thee, not for thou art - The chiefest Riuer of the fairest Ile, - Nor for thou dost admirers eies beguile, - But for thou hold'st the keeper of my heart, - For on thy waues, (thy Christal-billow'd waues,) - My fairest faire, my siluer Swan is swimming: - Against the sunne his pruned feathers trimming: - Whilst _Neptune_ his faire feete with water laues, - Neptune, I feare not thee, not yet thine eie, - And yet (alas) _Apollo_ lou'd a boy, - And _Cyparissus_ was _Siluanus_ ioy. - No, no, I feare none but faire _Thetis_, I, - For if she spie my Loue, (alas) aie me, - My mirth is turn'd to extreame miserie. - - -_SONNET. VIII._ - -[Illustration] - - Sometimes I wish that I his pillow were, - So might I steale a kisse, and yet not seene, - So might I gaze vpon his sleeping eine, - Although I did it with a panting feare: - But when I well consider how vaine my wish is, - Ah foolish Bees (thinke I) that doe not sucke - His lips for hony; but poore flowers doe plucke - Which haue no sweet in them: when his sole kisses, - Are able to reuiue a dying soule. - Kisse him, but sting him not, for if you doe, - His angry voice your flying will pursue: - But when they heare his tongue, what can controule, - Their back-returne? for then they plaine may see, - How hony-combs from his lips dropping bee. - - -_SONNET. IX._ - -[Illustration] - - _Diana_ (on a time) walking the wood, - To sport herselfe, of her faire traine forlorne, - Chaunc't for to pricke her foote against a thorne, - And from thence issu'd out a streame of blood. - No sooner shee was vanisht out of sight, - But loues faire Queen came there away by chance, - And hauing of this hap a glym'ring glance, - She put the blood into a christall bright, - When being now come vnto mount _Rhodope_, - With her faire hands she formes a shape of Snow, - And blends it with this blood; from whence doth grow - A lonely creature, brighter than the Dey. - And being christned in faire _Paphos_ shrine, - She call'd him _Ganymede:_ as all diuine. - - -_SONNET. X._ - -[Illustration] - - Thus was my loue, thus was my _Ganymed_, - (Heauens ioy, worlds wonder, natures fairest work, - In whose aspect Hope and Dispaire doe lurke) - Made of pure blood in whitest snow yshed, - And for sweete _Venus_ only form'd his face, - And his each member delicately framed, - And last of all faire _Ganymede_ him named, - His limbs (as their Creatrix) her imbrace. - But as for his pure, spotles, vertuous minde, - Because it sprung of chaste _Dianaes_ blood, - (Goddesse of Maides, directresse of all good,) - Hit wholy is to chastity inclinde. - And thus it is: as far as I can proue, - He loues to be beloued, but not to loue. - - -_SONNET XI._ - -[Illustration] - - Sighing, and sadly sitting by my Loue, - He ask't the cause of my hearts sorrowing, - Coniuring me by heauens eternall King - To tell the cause which me so much did moue. - Compell'd: (quoth I) to thee will I confesse, - Loue is the cause; and only loue it is - That doth depriue me of my heauenly blisse. - Loue is the paine that doth my heart oppresse. - And what is she (quoth he) whom thou dos't loue? - Looke in this glasse (quoth I) there shalt thou see - The perfect forme of my fælicitie. - When, thinking that it would strange Magique proue - He open'd it: and taking of the couer, - He straight perceau'd himselfe to be my Louer. - - -_SONNET. XII._ - -[Illustration] - - Some talke of _Ganymede_ th' _Idalian_ Boy, - And some of faire _Adonis_ make their boast, - Some talke of him whom louely _Læda_ lost, - And some of _Ecchoes_ loue that was so coy. - They speake by heere-say, I of perfect truth, - They partially commend the persons named, - And for them, sweet Encomions haue framed: - I onely t'him haue sacrifized my youth. - As for those wonders of antiquitie, - And those whom later ages haue inioy'd, - (But ah what hath not cruell death destroide? - Death, that enuies this worlds felicitie), - They were (perhaps) lesse faire then Poets write. - But he is fairer then I can indite. - - -_SONNET. XIII._ - -[Illustration] - - Speake Eccho, tell; how may I call my loue? _Loue._ - But how his Lamps that are so christaline? _Eyne._ - Oh happy starrs that make your heauens diuine: - And happy Iems that admiration moue. - How tearm'st his golden tresses wau'd with aire? _Haire._ - Oh louely haire of your more-louely Maister, - Image of loue, faire shape of Alablaster, - Why do'st thou driue thy Louer to dispaire? - How do'st thou cal the bed wher beuty grows? _Rose._ - Faire virgine-Rose, whose mayden blossoms couer - The milke-white Lilly, thy imbracing Louer: - Whose kisses makes thee oft thy red to lose. - And blushing oft for shame, when he hath kist thee, - He vades away, and thou raing'st where it list thee. - - -_SONNET. XIIII._ - -[Illustration] - - Here, hold this gloue (this milk-white cheueril gloue) - Not quaintly ouer-wrought with curious knots, - Not deckt with golden spangs, nor siluer spots, - Yet wholsome for thy hand as thou shalt proue. - Ah no; (sweet boy) place this gloue neere thy heart, - Weare it, and lodge it still within thy brest, - So shalt thou make me (most vnhappy,) blest. - So shalt thou rid my paine, and ease my smart: - How can that be (perhaps) thou wilt reply, - A gloue is for the hand not for the heart, - Nor can it well be prou'd by common art, - Nor reasons rule. To this, thus answere I: - If thou from gloue do'st take away the g, - Then gloue is loue: and so I send it thee. - - -_SONNET. XV._ - -[Illustration] - - A[h] fairest _Ganymede_, disdaine me not, - Though silly Sheepeheard I, presume to loue thee, - Though my harsh songs and Sonnets cannot moue thee, - Yet to thy beauty is my loue no blot. - _Apollo_, _Ioue_, and many Gods beside, - S' daind not the name of cuntry shepheards swains - Nor want we pleasure, though we take some pains, - We liue contentedly: a thing call'd pride, - Which so corrupts the Court and euery place, - (Each place I meane where learning is neglected, - And yet of late, euen learnings selfe's infected) - I know not what it meanes, in any case: - Wee onely (when _Molorchus_ gins to peepe) - Learne for to folde, and to vnfold our sheepe. - - -_SONNET. XVI._ - -[Illustration] - - Long haue I long'd to see my Loue againe, - Still haue I wisht, but neuer could obtaine it; - Rather than all the world (if I might gaine it) - Would I desire my loues sweet precious gaine. - Yet in my soule I see him euerie day, - See him, and see his still sterne countenaunce, - But (ah) what is of long continuance, - Where Maiestie and Beautie beares the sway? - Sometimes, when I imagine that I see him, - (As loue is full of foolish fantasies) - VVeening to kisse his lips, as my loues fee's, - I feele but Aire: nothing but Aire to bee him. - Thus with _Ixion_, kisse I clouds in vaine: - Thus with _Ixion_, feele I endles paine. - - -_SONNET. XVII._ - -[Illustration] - - Cherry-lipt _Adonis_ in his snowie shape, - Might not compare with his pure Iuorie white, - On whose faire front a Poets pen may write, - Whose rosiate red excels the crimson grape, - His loue-enticing delicate soft limbs, - Are rarely fram'd t'intrap poore gazing eies: - His cheekes, the Lillie and Carnation dies, - With louely tincture which _Apolloes_ dims. - His lips ripe strawberries in Nectar wet, - His mouth a Hiue, his tongue a hony-combe, - Where Muses (like Bees) make their mansion. - His teeth pure Pearle in blushing Correll set. - Oh how can such a body sinne-procuring, - Be slow to loue, and quicke to hate, enduring? - - -_SONNET. XVIII._ - -[Illustration] - - Not _Megabætes_ nor _Cleonymus_, - (Of whom great _Plutarch_ makes such mention, - Praysing their faire with rare inuention) - As _Ganymede_ were halfe so beauteous. - They onely pleas'd the eies of two great Kings, - But all the worlde at my loue stands amazed, - Nor one that on his Angels face hath gazed, - But (rauisht with delight) him Presents brings. - Some weaning Lambs, and some a suckling Kyd, - Some Nuts, and fil-beards, others Peares and Plums, - Another with a milk-white Heyfar comes; - As lately _Ægons_ man (_Damætas_) did: - But neither he, nor all the Nymphs beside, - Can win my _Ganymede_, with them t'abide. - - -_SONNET. XIX._ - -[Illustration] - - Ah no; nor I my selfe: though my pure loue - (Sweete _Ganymede_) to thee hath still beene pure, - And euen till my last gaspe shall aie endure, - Could euer thy obdurate beuty moue: - Then cease oh Goddesse sonne (for sure thou art, - A Goddesse sonne that canst resist desire) - Cease thy hard heart, and entertaine loues fire, - Within thy sacred breast: by Natures art. - And as I loue thee more then any Creature, - (Loue thee, because thy beautie is diuine; - Loue thee, because my selfe, my soule is thine: - Wholie deuoted to thy louelie feature), - Euen so of all the vowels, I and V, - Are dearest vnto me, as doth ensue. - - -_SONNET. XX._ - - But now my Muse toyld with continuall care, - Begins to faint, and slacke her former pace, - Expecting fauour from that heauenly grace, - That maie (in time) her feeble strength repaire. - Till when (sweete youth) th'essence of my soule, - (Thou that dost sit and sing at my hearts griefe. - Thou that dost send thy shepheard no reliefe) - Beholde, these lines; the sonnes of Teares and Dole. - Ah had great _Colin_ chiefe of sheepheards all, - Or gentle _Rowland_, my professed friend, - Had they thy beautie, or my pennance pend, - Greater had beene thy fame, and lesse my fall: - But since that euerie one cannot be wittie, - Pardon I craue of them, and of thee, pitty. - - FINIS. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -_AN ODE._ - - -[Illustration] - - Nights were short, and daies were long; - Blossoms on the Hauthorn's hung: - _Philomœle_ (Night-Musiques-King) - Tolde the comming of the spring. - Whose sweete siluer-sounding voice - Made the little birds reioice: - Skipping light from spray to spray, - Till _Aurora_ shew'd the day. - Scarce might one see, when I might see - (For such chaunces sudden bee) - By a well of Marble-stone - A Shepheard lying all alone. - Weepe he did; and his weeping - Made the fading flowers spring. - _Daphnis_ was his name (I weene) - Youngest Swaine of Summers Queene. - When _Aurora_ saw 'twas he. - Weepe she did for companie: - Weepe she did for her sweete sonne - That (when antique _Troy_ was wonne) - Suffer'd death by lucklesse fate, - Whom she now laments too late: - And each morning (by Cocks crew) - Showers downe her siluer dew. - Whose teares (falling from their spring) - Giue moysture to each liuing thing, - That on earth increase and grow, - Through power of their friendlie foe. - Whose effect when _Flora_ felt, - Teares, that did her bosome melt, - (For who can resist teares often, - But Shee whom no teares can soften?) - Peering straite aboue the banks, - Shew'd herselfe to giue her thanks. - Wondring thus at Natures worke, - (Wherein many maruailes lurke) - Me thought I heard a dolefull noise, - Consorted with a mournfull voice, - Drawing nie to heare more plaine, - Heare I did, vnto my paine, - (For who is not pain'd to heare - Him in griefe whom heart holdes deare?) - Silly swaine (with griefe ore-gone) - Thus to make his piteous mone. - Loue I did, (alas the while) - Loue I did, but did beguile - My deare loue with louing so, - (VVhom as then I did not know.) - Loue I did the fairest boy, - That these fields did ere enioy. - Loue I did, fair _Ganymed;_ - (_Venus_ darling, beauties bed:) - Him I thought the fairest creature; - Him the quintessence of Nature: - But yet (alas) I was deceiu'd, - (Loue of reason is bereau'd) - For since then I saw a Lasse. - (Lasse) that did in beauty passe, - (Passe) faire _Ganymede_ as farre - As _Phœbus_ doth the smallest starre. - Loue commaunded me to loue; - Fancy bade me not remoue - My affection from the swaine - Which he cannot graunt the crauer?) - Loue at last (though loath) preuailde; - (Loue) that so my heart assailde; - Whom I neuer could obtaine: - (For who can obtaine that fauour, - Wounding me with her faire eies, - (Ah how Loue can subtelize, - And deuize a thousand shifts, - How to worke men to his drifts.) - Her it is, for whom I mourne; - Her, for whom my life I scorne; - Her, for whom I weepe all day; - Her, for whom I sigh, and say, - Either She, or els no creature, - Shall enioy my loue: whose feature - Though I neuer can obtaine, - Yet shall my true loue remaine: - Till (my body turn'd to clay) - My poore soule must passe away, - To the heauens; where (I hope) - Hit shall finde a resting scope: - Then since I loued thee (alone) - Remember me when I am gone. - Scarce had he these last words spoken, - But me thought his heart was broken; - With great griefe that did abound, - (Cares and griefe the heart confound) - In whose heart (thus riu'd in three) - ELIZA written I might see: - In Caracters of crimson blood, - (VVhose meaning well I vnderstood.) - Which, for my heart might not behold, - I hyed me home my sheep to folde. - - FINIS. - - - - -[Illustration] - -_CASSANDRA._ - - -[Illustration] - - Vpon a gorgious gold embossed bed, - With Tissue curtaines drawne against the sunne, - (Which gazers eies into amazement led, - So curiously the workmanship was done,) - Lay faire _Cassandra_, in her snowie smocke, - Whose lips the Rubies and the pearles did locke. - - And from her Iuory front hung dangling downe, - A bush of long and louely curled haire; - VVhose head impalled with a precious Crowne - Of orient Pearle, made her to seeme more faire: - And yet more faire she hardly could be thought, - Then Loue and Nature in her face had wrought. - - By this, young _Phœbus_ rising from the East, - Had tane a view of this rare Paragon: - Wherewith he soone his radiant beames addresst, - And with great ioy her (sleeping) gazed vpon: - Til at the last, through her light cazements cleare, - He stole a kisse; and softly call'd her Deare. - - Yet not so softly but (therwith awak't,) - Shee gins to open her faire christall couers, - Wherewith the wounded God, for terror quakt, - (Viewing those darts that kill disdained louers:) - And blushing red to see himselfe so shamed - He scorns his Coach, and his owne beauty blamed. - - Now with a trice he leaues the azure skies, - (As whilome _Ioue_ did at _Europaes_ rape,) - And rauisht with her loue-a[l]luring eies, - He turns himselfe into a humane shape: - And that his wish the sooner might ensue, - He sutes himselfe like one of _Venus_ crew. - - Vpon his head he wore a Hunters hat - Of crimson veluet, spangd with stars of gold, - Which grac'd his louely face: and ouer that - A siluer hatband ritchly to behold: - On his left shoulder hung a loose Tyara, - As whilome vs'd faire _Penthesilea_. - - Faire _Penthesilea_ th' _Amazonian_ Queene, - When she to Troy came with her warlike band, - Of braue Viragoes glorious to be scene; - Whose manlike force no power might withstand: - So look't _Apollo_ in his lonely weedes, - As he vnto the Troian Damzell speedes. - - Not faire, _Adonis_ in his chiefest pride, - Did seeme more faire, then young _Apollo_ seemed, - When he through th'aire inuisibly did glide, - T'obtaine his Loue, which he Angelike deemed; - Whom finding in her chamber all alone, - He thus begins t'expresse his piteous mone. - - O fairest, faire, aboue all faires (quoth hee) - If euer Loue obtained Ladies fauour, - Then shew thy selfe compassionate to me, - Whose head surpriz'd with thy diuine behauior, - Yeelds my selfe captiue to thy conqu'ring eies: - O then shew mercy, do not tyrannize. - - Scarce had _Apollo_ vtter'd these last words - (Rayning downe pearle from his immortall eies) - When she for answere, naught but feare affords, - Filling the place with lamentable cries: - But _Phœbus_ fearing much these raging fits, - With sugred kisses sweetely charm'd her lips. - - (And tells her softly in her softer eare) - That he a God is, and no mortall creature: - Wherewith abandoning all needlesse feare, - (A common frailtie of weake womans nature) - She boldly askes him of his deitie, - Gracing her question with her wanton eie. - - Which charge to him no sooner was assignde, - But taking faire _Cassandra_ by the hand - (The true bewraier of his secrete minde) - He first begins to let her vnderstand, - That he from _Demogorgon_ was descended: - Father of th'Earth, of Gods and men commended. - - The tenor of which tale he now recites, - Closing each period with a rauisht kisse: - Which kindnes, she vnwillingly requites, - Conioyning oft her Corrall lips to his: - Not that she lou'd the loue of any one; - But that she meant to cozen him anone. - - Hee briefly t'her relates his pedegree: - The sonne of _Ioue_, sole guider of the sunne, - He that slue _Python_ so victoriouslie, - He that the name of wisdomes God hath wonne, - The God of Musique, and of Poetry: - Of Phisicke, Learning, and Chirurgery. - - All which he eloquently reckons vp, - That she might know how great a God he was: - And being charm'd with _Cupid's_ golden cup - He partiallie vnto her praise doth passe, - Calling her tipe of honour, Queen of beauty: - To whom all eies owe tributary duety. - - I loued once, (quoth hee) aie me I lou'd, - As faire a shape as euer nature framed: - Had she not been so hard t'haue beene remou'd, - By birth a sea-Nymph; cruell _Daphne_ named: - Whom, for shee would not to my will agree, - The Gods transform'd into a Laurell tree. - - Ah therefore be not, (with that word he kist her) - Be not (quot[h] he) so proud as _Daphne_ was: - Ne care thou for the anger of my sister, - She cannot, nay she shall not hurt my _Cass:_ - For if she doe, I vow (by dreadfull night) - Neuer againe to lend her of my light. - - This said: he sweetly doth imbrace his loue, - Yoaking his armes about her Iuory necke: - And calls her wanton _Venus_ milk-white Doue, - VVhose ruddie lips the damaske roses decke. - And euer as his tongue compiles her praise, - Loue daintie Dimples in her cheekes doth raise. - - And meaning now to worke her stratagem - Vpon the silly God, that thinks none ill, - She hugs him in her armes, and kisses him; - (Th'easlyer to intice him to her will.) - And being not able to maintaine the feeld, - Thus she begins (or rather seemes) to yeeld. - - VVoon with thy words, and rauisht with my beauty, - Loe here _Cassandra_ yeelds her selfe to thee, - Requiring nothing for thy vowed duety, - But only firmnesse, Loue, and secrecy: - Which for that now (euen now) I meane to try thee, - A boone I crave; which thou canst not deny me. - - Scarce were these honywords breath'd from her lips, - But he, supposing that she ment good-faith, - Her filed tongues temptations interceps; - And (like a Nouice,) thus to her he saith: - Aske what thou wilt, and I will giue it thee; - Health, wealth, long life, wit, art, or dignitie. - - Here-with she blushing red, (for shame did adde - A crimson tincture to her palish hew,) - Seeming in outward semblance passing glad, - (As one that th'end of her petition knew) - She makes him sweare by vgly _Acheron_, - That he his promise should performe anon. - - Which done: relying on his sacred oath, - She askes of him the gift of prophecie: - He (silent) giues consent: though seeming loath - To grant so much to fraile mortalitie: - But since that he his vowes maie not recall, - He giues to her the sp'rite propheticall. - - But she no sooner had obtain'd her wish, - VVhen straite vnpris'ning her lasciuiuous armes - From his softe bosom (th'aluary of blisse) - She chastely counterchecks loues hote alarmes: - And fearing lest his presence might offend her, - She slips aside; and (absent) doth defend her. - - (_Muliere ne credas, ne mortuæ quidem._) - - Looke how a brightsome Planet in the skie, - (Spangling the Welkin with a golden spot) - Shootes suddenly from the beholders eie, - And leaues him looking there where she is not: - Euen so amazed _Phœbus_ (to descrie her) - Lookes all about, but no where can espie her. - - Not th'hungry Lyon, hauing lost his pray, - With greater furie runneth through the wood, - (Making no signe of momentarie staie, - Till he haue satisfi'd himslfe with blood,) - Then angry _Phœbus_ mounts into the skie: - Threatning the world with his hot-burning eie. - - Now nimbly to his glist'ring Coach he skips, - And churlishlie ascends his loftie chaire, - Yerking his head strong Iades with yron whips, - Whose fearefull neighing ecchoes through the aire, - Snorting out fierie Sulphure from theire nosethrils: - Whose deadly damp the worlds poore people kils. - - Him leaue me (for a while) amids the heauens, - VVreaking his anger on his sturdie steedes: - Whose speedful course the day and night now eeuens, - (The earth dis-robed of her summer weedes) - And nowe black-mantled night with her browne vaile, - Couers each thing that all the world might quaile. - - When loe, _Cassandra_ lying at her rest, - (Her rest were restlesse thoughts:) it so befell, - Her minde with multitude of cares opprest, - Requir'd some sleepe her passions to expell: - Which when sad _Morpheus_ will did vnderstand, - He clos'd her eie-lids with his leaden hand. - - Now sleepeth shee: and as shee sleepes, beholde; - Shee seemes to see the God whom late shee wronged - Standing before her; whose fierce looks vnfold, - His hidden wrath (to whom iust ire belonged) - Seeing, shee sighs, and sighing quak't for feare, - To see the shaddow of her shame appeare. - - Betwixt amaze and dread as shee thus stands, - The fearefull vision drew more neere vnto her: - Aud pynioning her armes in captiue bands - So sure, that mortall wight may not vndoe her, - He with a bloudy knife (oh cruell part,) - With raging fury stabd her to the heart. - - Heerewith awaking from her slumbring sleepe, - (For feare, and care, are enemies to rest:) - At such time as _Aurora_ gins to peepe - And shew her selfe; far orient in the East: - Shee heard a voice which said: O wicked woman, - Why dost thou stil the gods to vengeance summon? - - Thou shalt (indeede) fore-tell of things to come; - And truely, too; (for why my vowes are past) - But heare the end of _Ioues_ eternall doome: - Because thy promise did so little last, - Although thou tell the truth, (this gift I giue thee) - Yet for thy falsehood, no man shall beleeue thee. - - And (for thy sake) this pennance I impose - Vpon the remnant of all woman kinde, - For that they be such truth professed foes; - A constant woman shall be hard to finde: - And that all flesh at my dread name may tremble, - When they weep most, then shall they most dissemble. - - This said _Apollo_ then: And since that time - His words haue proved true as Oracles: - Whose turning thoughtes ambitiously doe clime - To heauens height; and world with lightnes fils: - Whose sex are subject to inconstancie, - As other creatures are to destinie. - - Yet famous _Sabrine_ on thy banks doth rest - The fairest Maide that euer world admired: - Whose constant minde, with heauenly gifts possest - Makes her rare selfe of all the world desired. - In whose chaste thoughts no vanitie doth enter; - So pure a minde _Endymions_ Love hath lent her. - - Queene of my thoughts, but subiect of my verse, - (Divine _Eliza_) pardon my defect: - Whose artlesse pen so rudely doth reherse - Thy beauties worth; (for want of due respect) - Oh pardon thou the follies of my youth; - Pardon my faith, my loue, my zeale, my truth. - - But to _Cassandra_ now: who hauing heard - The cruell sentence of the threatning voice; - At length (too late) begins to waxe affeard, - Lamenting much her vnrepentant choice: - And seeing her hard hap without reliefe, - She sheeds salt teares in token of her griefe. - - Which when _Aurora_ saw, and saw t'was shee, - Euen shee her selfe whose far-renowmed fame - Made all the world to wonder at her beauty, - It mou'd compassion in this ruthfull Dame: - And thinking on her Sonnes sad destinie, - With mournfull teares she beares her companie. - - Great was the mone, which faire _Cassandra_ made: - Greater the kindnesse, which _Aurora_ shew'd: - Whose sorrow with the sunne began to fade, - And her moist teares on th'earths green grasse bestow'd: - Kissing the flowers with her siluer dew, - Whose fading beautie, seem'd her case to rew. - - Scarce was the lonely Easterne Queene departed, - From stately _Ilion_ (whose proud-reared wals - Seem'd to controule the cloudes, till _Vulcan_ darted - Against their Tower his burning fier-bals) - When sweet _Cassandra_ (leauing her soft bed) - In seemely sort her selfe apparelled. - - And hearing that her honourable Sire, - (Old princely _Pryamus Troy's_ aged King) - Was gone into _Ioues_ Temple, to conspire - Against the _Greekes_, (whom he to war did bring) - Shee, (like a Furie), in a bedlam rage, - Runs gadding thither, his fell wrath t'assuage. - - But not preuailing: truely she fore-tolde - The fall of _Troy_ (with bold erected face:) - They count her hare-brain'd, mad, and ouer-bold, - To presse in presence in so graue a place: - But in meane season _Paris_ he is gone, - To bring destruction on faire _Ilion_. - - What, ten-yeeres siedge by force could not subuert, - That, two false traitors in one night destroi'd: - Who richly guerdon'd for their bad desert, - Was of _Æneas_ but small time inioi'd: - Who, for concealement of _Achilles_ loue, - Was banished; from _Ilion_ to remoue. - - King _Pryam_ dead and all the Troians slaine; - (His sonnes, his friends and deere confederates) - And lots now cast for captiues that remaine, - (Whom Death hath spared for more cruell fates) - _Cassandra_ then to _Agamemnon_ fell, - With whom a Lemman she disdain'd to dwell. - - She, weepes; he, wooes; he would, but she would not: - He, tell's his birth; shee, pleades virginitie: - He saith, selfe-pride doth rarest beauty blot: - (And with that word he kist her louingly:) - Shee, yeeldingly resists; he faines to die: - Shee, fall's for feare; he, on her feareleslie. - - But this braue generall of all the _Greekes_, - Was quickly foyled at a womans hands, - For who so rashly such incounters seekes, - Of hard mis-hap in danger euer stands: - Onely chaste thoughts, vertuous abstinence, - Gainst such sweet poyson is the sur'st defence. - - But who can shun the force of beauties blow? - Who is not rauisht with a lonely looke? - Grac'd with a wanton eie, (the hearts dumb show) - Such fish are taken with a siluer hooke: - And when true loue cannot these pearles obtaine - _Vnguentum Album_ is the only meane. - - Farre be it from my thought (diuinest Maid) - To haue relation to thy heauenly hew, - (In whose sweete voice the Muses are imbaid) - No pen can paint thy commendation due: - Saue only that pen, which no pen can be, - An Angels quill, to make a pen for thee. - - But to returne to these vnhappie Louers, - (Sleeping securely in each others armes) - Whose sugred ioies nights sable mantle couers, - Little regarding their ensuing harmes: - Which afterward they iointlie both repented: - "Fate is fore-seene, but neuer is preuented." - - Which saying to be true, this lucklesse Dame - Approued in the sequele of her story: - Now waxing pale, now blushing red (for shame), - She scales her lips with silence (womens glory) - Till _Agamemnon_ vrging her replies, - Thus of his death she truely prophecies. - - The day shall come, (quoth she) O dismal daie! - When thou by false _Ægistus_ shalt be slaine: - Heere could she tell no more; but made a stay. - (From further speech as willing to refraine:) - Not knowing then, nor little did she thinke, - That she with him of that same cup must drinke. - - But what? (fond man) he laughs her skil to scorne, - And iesteth at her diuination: - Ah to what vnbeliefe are Princes borne? - (The onely ouer-throw of many a Nation:) - And so it did befall this lucklesse Prince, - Whom all the world hath much lamented since. - - Insteede of teares, he smileth at her tale: - Insteede of griefe, he makes great shew of gladnes: - But after blisse, there euer followes bale; - And after mirth, there alwaies commeth sadnes: - But gladnesse, blisse, and mirth had so possest him, - That sadnes, bale, and griefe could not molest him. - - Oh cruell _Parcæ_ (quoth _Cassandra_ then) - Why are you _Parcæ_, yet not mou'd with praier? - Oh small security of mortall men, - That liue on earth, and breathe this vitall aire: - When we laugh most, then are we next to sorrow; - The Birds feede vs to-day, we them to-morrow. - - But if the first did little moue his minde, - Her later speeches lesse with him preuailed; - Who beinge wholy to selfe-will inclinde, - Deemes her weake braine with lunacy assailed: - And still the more shee councels him to stay, - The more he striueth to make haste away. - - How on the Seas he scap'd stormes, rocks and sholes, - (Seas that enuide the conquest he had wone, - Gaping like hell to swallow Greekish soules,) - I heere omit; onely suppose it done: - His storm-tyrde Barke safely brings him to shore, - His whole Fleete els, or suncke or lost before. - - Lift vp thy head, thou ashie-cyndred _Troy_, - See the commaunder of thy traitor foes, - That made thy last nights woe, his first daies ioie, - Now gins his night of ioy and daie of woes: - His fall be thy delight, thine was his pride: - As he thee then, so now thou him deride. - - He and _Cassandra_ now are set on shore, - Which he salutes with ioy, she greetes with teares, - Currors are sent that poast to Court before, - Whose tidings fill th'adultrous Queene with feares, - Who with _Ægistus_ in a lust-staind bed, - Her selfe, her King, her State dishonored. - - She wakes the lecher with a loud-strain'd shrike, - Loue-toies they leaue, now doth lament begin: - He flie (quoth he) but she doth that mislike, - Guilt vnto guilt, and sinne she ads to sinne: - Shee meanes to kill (immodest loue to couer) - A kingly husband, for a caytiue louer. - - The peoples ioies, conceiued at his returne, - Their thronging multitudes: their gladsome cries, - Their gleeful hymnes, whiles piles of incense burne: - Their publique shewes, kept at solemnities: - We passe: and tell how King and Queene did meet, - Where he with zeale, she him with guile did greet. - - He (noble Lord) fearelesse of hidden treason, - Sweetely salutes this weeping Crocodile: - Excusing euery cause with instant reason - That kept him from her sight so long a while: - She, faintly pardons him; smiling by Art: - (For life was in her lookes, death in her hart.) - - For pledge that I am pleas'd receiue (quoth shee) - This rich wrought robe, thy _Clytemnestras_ toile: - Her ten yeeres worke this day shall honour thee, - For ten yeeres war, and one daies glorious spoile: - Whil'st thou contendedst there, I heere did this: - Weare it my loue, my life, my ioy, my blisse. - - Scarce had the Syren said what I haue write, - But he (kind Prince) by her milde words misled, - Receiu'd the robe, to trie if it were fit; - (The robe) that had no issue for his head; - Which, whilst he vainly hoped to haue found, - _Ægistus_ pierst him with a mortal wound. - - Oh how the _Troyan_ Damzell was amazed - To see so fell and bloudy a Tragedie, - Performed in one Act; she naught but gazed, - Vpon the picture; whom shee dead did see, - Before her face: whose body she emballms, - With brennish teares, and sudden deadly qualms. - - Faine would she haue fled backe on her swift horse - But _Clytemnestra_ bad her be content, - Her time was com'n: now bootelesse vsd she force, - Against so many; whom this Tygresse sent - To apprehend her: who (within one hower - Brought backe againe) was lockt within a Tower. - - Now is she ioylesse, friendlesse, and (in fine) - Without all hope of further libertie: - Insteed of cates, cold water was her wine, - And _Agamemnons_ corps her meate must be, - Or els she must for hunger starue (poore sole) - What could she do but make great mone and dole. - - So darke the dungeon was, wherein she was, - That neither Sunne (by day) nor Mone (by night) - Did shew themselues: and thus it came to passe. - The Sunne denide to lend his glorious light - To such a periur'd wight, or to be scene; - (What neede she light, that ouer-light had bin?) - - Now silent night drew on; when all things sleepe, - Saue theeves, and cares; and now stil mid-night came: - When sad _Cassandra_ did naught els but weepe; - Oft calling on her _Agamemnons_ name. - But seeing that the dead did not replie, - Thus she begins to mourne, lament, and crie. - - Oh cruell Fortune (mother of despaire,) - Well art thou christen'd with a cruell name: - Since thou regardest not the wise, or faire, - But do'st bestow thy riches (to thy shame) - On fooles and lowly swaines, that care not for thee: - And yet I weepe, and yet thou do'st abhorre me. - - Fie on ambition, fie on filthy pride, - The roote of ill, the cause of all my woe: - On whose fraile yce my youth first slipt aside: - And falling downe, receiu'd a fatall blow. - Ah who hath liu'd to see such miserie - As I haue done, and yet I cannot die? - - I liu'd (quoth she) to see _Troy_ set on fire: - I liu'd to see, renowned _Hector_ slaine: - I liu'd to see, the shame of my desire: - And yet I liue, to feel my grieuous paine: - Let all young maides example take by me, - To keepe their oathes, and spotlesse chastity. - - Happy are they, that neuer liu'd to know - What 'tis to liue in this world happily: - Happy are they which neuer yet felt woe: - Happy are they, that die in infancie: - Whose sins are cancell'd in their mothers wombe: - Whose cradle is their graue, whose lap their tomb. - - Here ended shee; and then her teares began, - That (Chorus-like) at euery word downe rained. - Which like a paire of christall fountaines ran, - Along her lonely cheekes: with roses stained: - Which as they wither still (for want of raine) - Those siluer showers water them againe. - - Now had the poore-mans clock (shrill chauntcleare) - Twice giuen notice of the Mornes approach, - (That then began in glorie to appeare, - Drawne in her stately colour'd saffron-Coach) - When shee (poore Lady) almost turn'd to teares, - Began to teare and rend her golden haires. - - Lie there (quoth shee) the workers of my woes - You trifling toies, which my liues staine haue bin: - You, by whose meanes our coines chiefly growes, - Clothing the backe with pride, the soule with sin: - Lie there (quoth shee) the causers of my care; - This said, her robes she all in pieces tare. - - Here-with, as weary of her wretched life, - (Which shee inioy'd with small felicitie) - She ends her fortune with a fatall knife; - (First day of ioy, last day of miserie:) - Then why is death accounted Nature's foe, - Since death (indeed) is but the end of woe? - - For as by death, her bodie was released - From that strong prison made of lime and stone; - Euen so by death her purest soule was eased, - From bodies prison, and from endlesse mone: - Where now shee walkes in sweete _Elysium_ - (The place for wrongful Death and Martirdum.) - - FINIS. - -[Illustration] - - - - -The Encomion of Lady Pecunia: - -_OR_ - -The praise of Money. - - _quærenda pecunia primum est, - Virtus post nummos._ Horace. - -By _Richard Barnfeild_, Graduate in _Oxford_. - -[Illustration] - - LONDON, - - Printed by G. S. for Iohn Iaggard, and are - to be sold at his shoppe neere Temple-barre, - at the Signe of the Hand and starre. - - 1598. - - - - -[Illustration] - -To the Gentlemen Readers. - - -[Illustration] - -Gentlemen, being incouraged through your gentle acceptance of my -_Cynthia_, I haue once more aduentured on your Curtesies: hoping to -finde you (as I haue done heretofore) friendly. Being determined to -write of somthing, and yet not resolued of any thing, I considered with -my selfe, if one should write of Loue (they will say) why, euery one -writes of Loue: if of Vertue, why, who regards Vertue? To be short, I -could thinke of nothing, but either it was common, or not at all in -request. At length I bethought my selfe of a Subiect, both new (as -hauing neuer beene written vpon before) and pleasing (as I thought) -because Mans Nature (commonly) loues to heare that praised, with whose -pressence, hee is most pleased. - -_Erasmus_ (the glory of _Netherland_, and the refiner of the Latin -Tongue) wrote a whole Booke, in _the prayse of Folly_. Then if so -excellent a Scholler, writ in praise of Vanity, why may not I write in -praise of that which is profitable? There are no two Countreys, where -Gold is esteemed, lesse than in _India_, and more then in _England:_ -the reason is, because the _Indians_ are barbarous, and our Nation -ciuill. - -I have giuen _Pecunia_ the title of a Woman, Both for the termination -of the Word, and because (as Women are) shee is lov'd of men. The -brauest Voyages in the World, haue beene made for Gold: for it, men -haue venterd (by Sea) to the furthest parts of the Earth: In the -Pursute whereof, _Englands Nestor_ and _Neptune_ (_Haukins_ and -_Drake_) lost their liues. Vpon the Deathes of the which two, of the -first I writ this: - - _The Waters were his Winding sheete, the Sea was made his Toome; - Yet for his fame the Ocean Sea, was not sufficient roome._ - -Of the latter this: - - England _his hart; his Corps the Waters haue; - And that which raysd his fame, became his grave._ - -The _Prætorians_ (after the death of _Pertinax_) in the election of a -new Emperour, more esteemed the money of _Iulianus_, then either the -vertue of _Seuerus_, or the Valour of _Pessennius_. Then of what great -estimation and account, this Lady _Pecunia_, both hath beene in the -Worlde, and is at this present, I leaue to your Iudgement. But what -speake I so much of her praise in my Epistle, that haue commended her -so at large in my Booke? To the reading wherof, (Gentlemen) I referre -you. - -[Illustration] - - -[THE AUTHORS FIRST EPISTLE-DEDICATORY (1605). - -[Collated with the Bridgwater House copy.] - -[Illustration] - - Led by the swift report of winged Fame, - With siluer trumpet, sounding forth your name - To you I dedicate this merry Muse, - And for my Patron, I your fauour chuse: - She is a Lady, she must be respected: - She is a Queene, she may not be neglected. - This is the shadow, you the substance haue, - Which substance now this shadow seems to craue. - - RICHARD BARNFIELD.] - - - - -[Illustration] - -The prayse of Lady Pecunia. - - -[Illustration] - - I Sing not of _Angellica_ the faire, - (For whom the Palladine of _Fraunce_ fell mad) - Nor of sweet _Rosamond_, olde _Cliffords_ heire, - (Whose death did make the second _Henry_ sad) - But of the fairest Faire _Pecunia_, - The famous Queene of rich _America_. - - Goddesse of Golde, great Empresse of the Earth, - O thou that canst doe all Thinges under Heauen: - That doost conuert the saddest minde to Mirth; - (Of whom the elder Age was quite bereauen) - Of thee Ile sing, and in thy Prayse Ile write; - You _golden Angels_ helpe me to indite. - - You, you alone, can make my Muse to speake; - And tell a golden Tale, with siluer Tongue: - You onely can my pleasing silence breake; - And adde some Musique, to a merry Songue: - But amongst all the fiue, in Musicks Art, - I would not sing the _Counter_-tenor part. - - The Meane is best, and that I meane to keepe; - So shall I keepe my selfe from That I meane: - Lest with some Others, I be forc'd to weepe, - And cry _Peccaui_, in a dolefull Scæne. - But to the matter which I haue in hand, - The Lady Regent, both by Sea and Land. - - When _Saturne_ liu'd, and wore the Kingly Crowne, - (And _Ioue_ was yet vnborne, but not vnbred) - This Ladies fame was then of no renowne; - (For Golde was then, no more esteem'd then Lead) - Then Truth and Honesty were onely vs'd, - Siluer and Golde were vtterly refus'd. - - But when the Worlde grew wiser in Conceit, - And saw how Men in manners did decline, - How Charitie began to loose her heate, - And One did at anothers good repine, - Then did the Aged, first of all respect her; - And vowd from thenceforth, neuer to reiect her. - - Thus with the Worlde, her beauty did increase; - And manie Suters had she to obtaine her: - Some sought her in the Wars, and some in peace; - But few of youthfull age, could euer game her: - Or if they did, she soone was gone againe; - And would with them, but little while remaine. - - For why against the Nature of her Sexe, - (That commonlie dispise the feeble Olde) - Shee, loues olde men; but young men she reiects; - Because to her, their Loue is quicklie colde: - Olde men (like Husbands iealous of their Wiues) - Lock her vp fast, and keepe her as their Liues. - - The young man carelesse to maintaine his life, - Neglects her Loue (as though he did abhor her) - Like one that hardly doeth obtaine a wife, - And when he hath her once, he cares not for her: - Shee, seeing that the young man doeth despyse her, - Leaues the franke heart, and flies vnto the Myser. - - Hee intertaines her, with a ioyfull hart; - And seemes to rue her vndeserued wrong: - And from his Pressence, she shall neuer part; - Or if shee doo, he thinkes her Absence long: - And oftentimes he sends for her againe, - Whose life without her, cannot long remaine. - - And when he hath her, in his owne possession, - He locks her in an iron-barred Chest, - And doubting somewhat, of the like Transgression, - He holds that iron-walled Prison best. - And least some _rusty_ sicknesse should infect her, - He often visits her, and doeth respect her. - - As for the young man (subiect vnto sinne) - No maruell though the Diuell doe distresse him; - To tempt mans frailtie, which doth neuer linne, - Who many times, hath not a _Crosse_ to blesse him: - But how can hee incurre the Heauens Curse, - That hath so many _Crosses_ in his Purse? - - Hee needes not feare those wicked sprights, that waulke - Vnder the Couerture of cole-blacke Night; - For why the Diuell still, a _Crosse_ doeth baulke, - Because on it, was hangd the Lorde of Light: - But let not Mysers trust to _siluer Crosses_, - Least in the End, their gaines be turnd to losses. - - But what care they, so they may hoorde vp golde? - Either for God, or Diuell, or Heauen, or Hell? - So they may faire _Pecuniaes_ face behold; - And euery Day, their Mounts of Money tell. - What tho to count their Coyne, they neuer blin, - Count they their Coyne, and counts not God their sin? - - But what talke I of sinne, to Vsurers? - Or looke for mendment, at a Mysers hand? - _Pecunia_, hath so many followers, - Bootlesse it is, her Power to with-stand. - King _Couetise_, and _Warinesse_ his Wife, - The Parents were, that first did giue her Life. - - But now vnto her Praise I will proceede, - Which is as ample, as the Worlde is wide: - What great Contentment doth her Pressence breede - In him, that can his wealth with Wysdome guide? - She is the Soueraigne Queene, of all Delights: - For her the Lawyer pleades; the Souldier fights. - - For her, the Merchant venters on the Seas: - For her, the Scholler studdies at his Booke: - For her, the Vsurer (with greater ease) - For sillie fishes, layes a siluer hooke: - For her, the Townsman leaues the Countrey Village: - For her, the Plowman giues himselte to Tillage. - - For her, the Gentlemen doeth raise his rents: - For her, the Seruingman attends his maister: - For her, the curious head new toyes inuents: - For her, to Sores, the Surgeon layes his plaister. - In fine for her, each man in his Vocation, - Applies himselfe, in euerie sev'rall Nation. - - What can thy hart desire, but thou mayst haue it, - If thou hast readie money to disburse? - Then thanke thy Fortune, that so freely gaue it; - For of all friends, the surest is thy purse. - Friends may proue false, and leaue thee in thy need; - But still thy Purse will bee thy friend indeed. - - Admit thou come, into a place vnknowne; - And no man knowes, of whence, or what thou art: - If once thy faire _Pecunia_, shee be showne, - Thou art esteem'd a man of great Desart: - And placed at the Tables vpper ende; - Not for thine owne sake, but thy faithfull frende. - - But if you want your Ladies louely grace, - And haue not wherewithall to pay your shot, - Your Hostis pressently will step in Place, - You are a Stranger (Sir) I know you not: - By trusting Diuers, I am run in Det; - Therefore of mee, nor meate nor Bed you get. - - O who can then, expresse the worthie praise, - Which faire _Pecunia_ iustly doeth desarue? - That can the meanest man, to Honor raise; - And feed the soule, that ready is to starue. - Affection, which was wont to bee so pure, - Against a golden Siege, may not endure. - - Witnesse the trade of Mercenary sinne; - (Or Occupation, if thou list to tearme it) - Where faire _Pecunia_ must the suite beginne; - (As common-tride Experience doeth confirme it) - Not _Mercury_ himselfe, with siluer Tongue, - Can so inchaunt, as can a golden Songue. - - When nothing could subdue the _Phrygian Troy_, - (That Citty through the world so much renowned) - _Pecunia_ did her vtterly destroy: - And left her fame, in darke Obliuion drowned. - And many Citties since, no lesse in fame, - For Loue of her, haue yeelded to their shame. - - What Thing is then, so well belou'd as money? - It is a speciall Comfort to the minde; - More faire then Women are; more sweet then honey: - Easie to loose, but very harde to finde. - In fine, to him, whose Purse beginns to faint, - Golde is a God, and Siluer is a Saint. - - The Tyme was once, when Honestie was counted - A Demy god; and so esteem'd of all: - But now _Pecunia_ on his Seate is mounted; - Since Honestie in great Disgrace did fall. - No state, no Calling now, doeth him esteeme; - Nor of the other ill, doeth any deeme. - - The reason is, because he is so poore: - (And who respects the poore, and needie Creature?) - Still begging of his almes, from Doore to Doore: - All ragd, and torne; and eeke deformed in feature. - In Countinance so changde, that none can know him; - So weake, and euery vice doeth ouerthrow him. - - But faire _Pecunia_, (most diuinely bred) - For sundrie shapes, doth _Proteus_ selfe surpasse: - In one Lande, she is suted all in Lead; - And in another, she is clad in Brasse: - But still within the Coast of _Albion_, - She euer puts, her best Apparell on. - - Siluer and Golde, and nothing else is currant, - In _Englands_, in faire _Englands_ happy Land: - All baser sorts of Mettalls, haue no Warrant; - Yet secretly they _slip_, from hand to hand. - If any such be tooke, the same is lost, - And pressently is nayled on a Post. - - Which with Quick-siluer, being flourisht ouer, - Seemes to be perfect Siluer, to the showe: - As Woemens paintings, their defects doe couer, - Vnder this false attyre, so doe they goe. - If on a woollen Cloth, thou rub the same, - Then will it straight beginne to blush, for shame. - - If chafed on thy haire, till it be hot, - If it good Siluer bee, the scent is sweete: - If counterfeit, thy chafing hath begot - A ranke-smelt sauour; for a Queene vnmeete: - _Pecunia_ is a Queene, for her Desarts, - And in the Decke, may goe for _Queene of harts_. - - _The Queene of harts_, because she rules all harts; - And hath all harts, obedient to her Will: - Whose Bounty, fame vnto the Worlde imparts; - And with her glory, all the Worlde doeth fill: - The _Queene of Diamonds_, she cannot bee; - There is but one, ELIZA, thou art shee. - - And thou art shee, O sacred Soueraigne; - Whom God hath helpt with his Al-mighty hand: - Blessing thy People, with thy peacefull raigne; - And made this little Land, a happy Land: - May all those liue, that wish long life to thee, - And all the rest, perish eternally. - - Thy tyme was once, when faire _Pecunia_, here - Did basely goe attyred all in Leather: - But since her raigne, she neuer did appeere - But richly clad; in Golde, or Siluer either: - Nor reason is it, that her Golden raigne - With baser Coyne, eclypsed should remaine. - - And as the Coyne, she hath repurifyde, - From baser substance, to the purest Mettels: - Religion so, hath shee refinde beside, - From Papistrie, to Truth; which daily settles - Within her Peoples harts; though some there bee, - That cleaue vnto their wonted Papistrie. - - No flocke of sheepe, but some are still infected: - No peece of Lawne so pure, but hath some fret: - All buildings are not strong, that are erected: - All Plants proue not, that in good ground are set: - Some tares are sowne, amongst the choicest seed: - No garden can be cleansd of euery Weede. - - But now to her, whose praise is her pretended, - (Diuine _Pecunia_) fairer then the morne: - Which cannot be sufficiently commended; - Whose Sun-bright Beauty doeth the Worlde adorne, - Adorns the World, but specially the Purse; - Without whose pressence, nothing can be worse. - - Not faire _Hæsione_ (King of _Priams_ sister) - Did euer showe more Beauty, in her face, - Then can this louely Lady, if it list her - To showe her selfe; admir'd for comely grace: - Which neither Age can weare, nor Tyme conclude; - For why, her Beauty yeerely is renude. - - New Coyne is coynd each yeare, within the Tower; - So that her Beauty neuer can decay: - Which to resist, no mortall man hath Power, - When as she doeth her glorious Beames display. - Nor doeth _Pecunia_, onely please the eie, - But charms the eare, with heauenly Harmonie. - - Lyke to an other _Orpheus_, can she play - Vpon her _treble Harpe_, whose siluer sound - Inchaunts the eare, and steales the hart away: - Nor hardly can deceit, therein be found. - Although such Musique, some a Shilling cost, - Yet is it worth but _Nine-pence_, at the most. - - Had I the sweet inchaunting Tongue of _Tully_, - That charmd the hearers, lyke the Syrens Song; - Yet could I not describe the Prayses fully, - Which to _Pecunia_ iustly doe belong. - Let it suffice, her Beauty doeth excell: - Whose praise no Pen can paint, no Tongue can tell. - - Then how shall I describe, with artlesse Pen, - The praise of her, whose praise, all praise surmounteth? - Breeding amazement, in the mindes of men: - Of whom, this pressent Age to much accounteth. - Varietie of Words, would sooner want, - Then store of plentious matter, would be scant. - - Whether yee list, to looke into the Citty: - (Where money tempts the poore Beholders eye) - Or to the Countrey Townes, deuoyde of Pitty: - (Where to the poore, each place doeth almes denye) - All Thinges for money now, are bought and solde, - That either hart can thinke, or eie beholde. - - Nay more for money (as report doeth tell) - Thou mayst obteine a Pardon for thy sinnes: - The Pope of _Rome_, for money will it sell; - (Whereby thy soule, no small saluation winnes) - But how can hee, (of Pride the chiefe Beginner) - Forgiue thy sinnes, that is himselfe a sinner? - - Then, sith the Pope is subiect vnto sinne, - No maruell tho, diuine _Pecunia_ tempt him, - With her faire Beauty; whose good-will to winne, - Each one contends; and shall we then exempt him. - Did neuer mortall man, yet looke vpon her, - But straightwaies he became, enamourd on her. - - Yet would I wish, the Wight that loues her so, - And hath obtain'd, the like good-will againe, - To vse her wisely, lest she proue his foe; - And so, in stead of Pleasure, breed his paine. - She may be kyst; but shee must not be _clypt:_ - Lest such Delight in bitter gall be dypt. - - The iuyce of grapes, which is a soueraigne Thing - To cheere the hart, and to reuiue the spirits; - Being vsde immoderatly (in surfetting) - Rather Dispraise, then commendation merits: - Euen so _Pecunia_, is, as shee is vsed; - Good of her selfe, but bad if once abused. - - With her, the Tenant payes his Landlords rent: - On her, depends the stay of euery state: - To her, rich Pressents euery day are sent: - In her, it rests to end all dire Debate: - Through her, to Wealth, is raisd the Countrey Boore: - From her, proceedes much proffit to the poore. - - Then how can I, sufficiently commend, - Her Beauties worth, which makes the World to wonder? - Or end her prayse, whose prayses haue no End? - Whose absence brings the stoutest stomack vnder: - Let it suffice, _Pecunia_ hath no peere; - No Wight, no Beauty held; more faire, more deere. - - _FINIS._ - - -[Illustration] - -His Prayer to Pecunia. - -[Illustration] - - Great Lady, sith I haue complyde thy Prayse, - (According to my skill and not thy merit:) - And sought thy Fame aboue the starrs to rayse; - (Had I sweete _Ovids_ vaine, or _Virgils_ spirit) - I craue no more but this, for my good will, - That in my Want, thou wilt supplye me still. - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE - -Complaint of Poetrie, - -for the Death of Liberalitie. - - _Viuit post funera virtus._ - - [Illustration] - - LONDON, - - Printed by G. S. for Iohn Iaggard, and are - to be solde at his shoppe neere Temple-barre, - at the Signe of the Hand and starre. - 1598. - - - - -[Illustration] - -To his Worshipfull wel-willer, Maister _Edward Leigh_, of Grayes Inne. - - -[Illustration] - - Image of that, whose losse is here lamented; - (In whom, so many vertues are containd) - Daine to accept, what I haue now presented. - Though Bounties death, herein be not fained, - In your mind, she not reuiue (with speed) - Then will I sweare, that shee is dead indeed. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -THE COMPLAINT OF - -Poetrie, for the Death of Liberalitie. - - -[Illustration] - - Weepe Heauens now, for you haue lost your light; - Ye Sunne and Moone, beare witnes of my mone: - The cleere is turnd to clouds; the day to night; - And all my hope, and all my ioy is gone: - _Bounty_ is dead, the cause of my annoy; - _Bounty_ is dead, and with her dide my ioy. - - O who can comfort my afflicted soule? - Or adde some ende to my increasing sorrowes? - Who can deliuer me from endlesse dole? - (Which from my hart eternall torment borrowes.) - When _Bounty_ liu'd, I bore the Bell away; - When _Bounty_ dide, my credit did decay. - - I neuer then, did write one verse in vaine; - Nor euer went my Poems vnregarded: - Then did each Noble breast, me intertaine, - And for my Labours I was well rewarded: - But now _Good wordes_, are stept in _Bounties_ place, - Thinking thereby, her glorie to disgrace. - - But who can liue with words, in these hard tymes? - (Although they came from _Iupiter_ himselfe?) - Or who can take such Paiment, for his Rymes? - (When nothing now, is so esteem'd as Pelfe?) - Tis not _Good wordes_, that can a man maintaine; - Wordes are but winde; and winde is all but vaine. - - Where is _Mecænas_, Learnings noble Patron? - (That _Maroes_ Muse, with Bountie so did cherish?) - Or faire _Zenobia_, that worthy Matron? - (Whose name, for Learnings Loue, shall neuer perish) - What tho their Bodies, lie full lowe in graue, - Their fame the worlde; their souls the Heauens haue. - - Vile _Auaricia_, how hast thou inchaunted - The Noble mindes, of great and mightie Men? - Or what infernall furie late hath haunted - Their niggard purses? (to the learned pen) - Was it _Augustus_ wealth, or noble minde, - That euerlasting fame, to him assinde? - - If wealth? Why _Crœsus_ was more rich then hee; - (Yet _Crœsus_ glorie, with his life did end) - It was his Noble mind, that moued mee - To write his praise, and eeke his Acts commend. - Who ere had heard, of _Alexanders_ fame, - If _Quintus Curtius_ had not pend the same? - - Then sith by mee, their deedes haue been declared, - (Which else had perisht with their liues decay) - Who to augment their glories, haue not spared - To crowne their browes, with neuer-fading Bay: - What Art deserues such Liberalitie, - As doeth the peerlesse Art of Poetrie? - - But _Liberalitie_ is dead and gone: - And _Auarice_ vsurps true _Bounties_ seat. - For her it is, I make this endlesse mone, - (Whose praises worth no men can well repeat. - Sweet _Liberalitie_ adiew for euer, - For _Poetrie_ againe, shall see thee neuer. - - Neuer againe, shall I thy presence see: - Neuer againe, shal I thy bountie tast: - Neuer againe, shal I accepted bee: - Neuer againe, shall I be so embrac't: - Neuer againe, shall I the bad recall: - Neuer againe, shall I be lou'd of all: - - Thou wast the Nurse, whose Bountie gaue me sucke: - Thou wast the Sunne, whose beames did lend me light: - Thou wast the Tree, whose fruit I still did plucke: - Thou wast the Patron, to maintaine my right: - Through thee I liu'd; on thee I did relie; - In thee I ioy'd; and now for thee I die. - - What man, hath lately lost a faithfull frend? - Or Husband, is depriued of his Wife? - But doth his after-daies in dolour spend? - (Leading a loathsome, discontented life?) - Dearer then friend, or wife, haue I forgone; - Then maruell not, although I make such mone. - - Faire _Philomela_, cease thy sad complaint; - And lend thine eares, vnto my dolefull Ditty: - (Whose soule with sorrowe, now begins to faint, - And yet I cannot moue mens hearts to pitty:) - Thy woes are light, compared vnto mine: - You waterie Nymphes, to mee your plaints resigne. - - And thou _Melpomene_, (the Muse of Death) - That neuer sing'st, but in a dolefull straine; - Sith cruell Destinie hath stopt her breath, - (Who whilst she liu'd, was Vertues Soueraigne - Leaue _Hellicon_, (whose bankes so pleasant bee) - And beare a part of sorrowe now with mee. - - The Trees (for sorrowe) shead their fading Leaues, - And weepe out gum, in stead of other teares; - Comfort nor ioy, no Creature now conceiues, - To chirpe and sing, each little bird forbeares. - The sillie Sheepe, hangs downe his drooping head, - And all because, that _Bounty_ she is dead. - - The greater that I feele my griefe to be, - The lesser able, am I to expresse it; - Such is the nature of extremitie, - The heart it som-thing eases, to confesse it. - Therefore Ile wake my muse, amidst her sleeping, - And what I want in wordes, supplie with weeping. - - Weepe still mine eies, a Riuer full of Teares, - To drowne my Sorrowe in, that so molests me; - And rid my head of cares; my thoughts of feares: - Exiling sweet Content, that so detests me. - But ah (alas) my Teares are almost dun, - And yet my griefe, it is but new begun. - - Euen as the Sunne, when as it leaues our sight, - Doth shine with those Antipodes, beneath vs; - Lending the other worlde her glorious light, - And dismall Darknesse, onely doeth bequeath vs: - Euen so sweet _Bountie_, seeming dead to mee, - Liues now to none, but smooth-Tongd Flatterie. - - O _Adulation_, Canker-worme of Truth; - The flattring Glasse of Pride, and Self-conceit: - (Making olde wrinkled Age, appeare like youth) - Dissimulations Maske, and follies Beate: - Pittie it is, that thou art so rewarded, - Whilst Truth and Honestie, goe vnregarded. - - O that Nobilitie, it selfe should staine, - In being bountifull, to such vile Creatures: - Who, when they flatter most, then most they faine; - Knowing what humor best, will fit their Natures. - What man so mad, that knowes himselfe but pore, - And will beleeue that he hath riches store. - - Vpon a time, the craftie Foxe did flatter - The foolish Pye (whose mouth was full of meate) - The Pye beleeuing him, began to chatter, - And sing for ioy, (not hauing list to eate) - And whil'st the foolish Pye, her meate let fall, - The craftie Foxe, did runne awaie with all. - - _Terence_ describeth vnder _Gnatoes_ name, - The right conditions of a Parasyte: - (And with such Eloquence, sets foorth the same, - As doeth the learned Reader much delyght) - Shewing, that such a Sycophant as _Gnato_, - In more esteem'd, then twentie such a _Plato_. - - _Bounty_ looke backe, vpon thy goods mispent; - And thinke how ill, thou hast bestow'd thy mony: - Consider not their wordes, but their intent; - Their hearts are gall, although their tongues be hony: - They speake not as they thinke, but all is fained, - And onely to th'intent to be maintained. - - And herein happie, I areade the poore; - No flattring Spanyels, fawne on them for meate: - The reason is, because the Countrey Boore - Hath little enough, for himselfe to eate: - No man will flatter him, except himselfe; - And why? because hee hath no store of wealth. - - But sure it is not _Liberalitie_ - That doeth reward these fawning smel-feasts so: - It is the vice of Prodigalitie, - That doeth the Bankers of _Bounty_ over-flo: - _Bounty_ is dead: yea so it needes must bee; - Or if aliue, yet is shee dead to mee. - - Therefore as one, whose friend is lately dead, - I will bewaile the death, of my deere frend; - Vppon whose Tombe, ten thousand Teares Ile shead, - Till drearie Death, of mee shall make an end: - Or if she want a Toombe, to her desart, - Oh then, Ile burie her within my hart. - - But (_Bounty_) if thou loue a Tombe of stone, - Oh then seeke out, a hard and stonie hart: - For were mine so, yet would it melt with mone, - And all because, that I with thee must part. - Then, if a stonie hart must thee interr, - Goe finde a Step-dame, or a Vsurer. - - And sith there dies no Wight, of great account, - But hath an Epitaph compos'd by mee, - _Bounty_, that did all other far surmount, - Vpon her Tombe, this Epitaph shall bee: - _Here lies the Wight, that Learning did maintaine, - And at the last, by_ AVARICE _was slaine_. - - Vile _Auarice_, why hast thou kildd my Deare? - And robd the World, of such a worthy Treasure? - In whome no sparke of goodnesse doth appeare, - So greedie is thy mind, without all measure, - Thy death, from Death did merit to release her: - The Murtherers deseru'd to die, not _Caesar_. - - The Merchants wife; the Tender-hearted Mother - That leaues her loue; whose Sonne is prest for warre; - (Resting, the one; as woefull as the other;) - Hopes met at length, when ended is the iarre, - To see her Husband; see her Sonne again; - "Were it not then for Hope, the hart were slaine." - - But I, whose hope is turned to despaire - Nere looke to see my dearest Deare againe: - Then _Pleasure_ sit thou downe, in _Sorrowes_ Chaire, - And (for a while) thy wonted Mirth refraine. - _Bounty_ is dead, that whylome was my Treasure, - _Bounty_ is dead, my joy and onely pleasure. - - If _Pythias_ death, of _Damon_ were bewailed; - Or _Pillades_ did rue, _Orestes_ ende: - If _Hercules_, for _Hylas_ losse were quailed; - Or _Theseus_, for _Pyrithous_ Teares did spende: - When doe I mourne for _Bounty_, being dead: - Who liuing, was my hand, my hart, my head. - - My hand, to helpe mee, in my greatest need: - My hart, to comfort mee, in my distresse: - My head, whom onely I obeyd, indeed: - If she were such, how can my griefe be lesse? - Perhaps my wordes, may pierce the _Parcæ's_ eares; - If not with wordes, Ile moue them with my teares. - - But ah (alas) my Teares are spent in vaine, - (For she is dead, and I am left aliue) - Teares cannot call, sweet _Bounty_ backe againe; - Then why doe I, gainst Fate and Fortune striue? - And for her death, thus weepe, lament, and crie; - Sith euery mortall wight, is borne to die. - - But as the woefull mother doeth lament, - Her tender babe, with cruell Death opprest: - Whose life was spotlesse, pure, and innocent, - (And therefore sure, it[s] soule is gone to rest) - So _Bountie_, which her selfe did vpright keepe, - Yet for her losse, loue cannot chuse but weepe. - - The losse of her, is losse to many a one: - The losse of her, is losse vnto the poore: - And therefore not a losse, to mee alone, - But vnto such, as goe from Doore to Doore. - Her losse, is losse vnto the fatherlesse; - And vnto all, that are in great distresse. - - The maimed Souldier, comming from the warre, - The woefull wight, whose house was lately burnd; - The sillie soule; the wofull Traueylar; - And all, whom Fortune at her feet hath spurnd; - Lament the losse of _Liberalitie:_ - "Its ease, to haue in griefe some Companie." - - The Wife of _Hector_ (sad _Andromache_) - Did not bewaile, her husbands death alone: - But (sith he was the _Troians_ onely stay) - The wiues of _Troy_ (for him) made æquall mone. - Shee, shead the teares of Loue; and they of pittie: - Shee, for her deare dead Lord; they, for their Cittie. - - Nor is the Death of _Liberalitie_, - (Although my griefe be greater than the rest) - Onely lamented, and bewaild of mee; - (And yet of mee, she was beloued best) - But, sith she was so bountifull to all, - She is lamented, both of great and small. - - O that my Teares could moue the powres diuine, - That _Bountie_ might be called from the dead: - As Pitty pierc'd the hart of _Proserpine;_ - Who (moued with the Teares _Admetus_ shead) - Did sende him backe againe, his louing Wife; - Who lost her owne, to saue her husbands life. - - Impartiall _Parcæ_, will no prayers moue you? - Can Creatures so diuine, haue stony harts? - Haplesse are they, whose hap it is to proue you, - For you respect no Creatures good Desarts. - O _Atropos_, (the cruelst of the three) - Why hast thou tane, my faithfull friend from mee? - - But ah, she cannot (or shee will not) heare me, - Or if shee doo, yet may not she repent her: - Then come (sweet Death) O why doest thou forbeare me? - Aye mee! thy Dart is blunt, it will not enter. - Oh now I knowe the cause, and reason why; - I am immortall, and I cannot dye. - - So _Cytheræa_ would haue dide, but could not; - When faire _Adonis_ by her side lay slaine: - So I desire the Sisters, what I should not; - For why (alas) I wish for Death in vaine; - Death is their seruant, and obeys their will; - And if they bid him spare, he cannot kill. - - Oh would I were, as other Creatures are; - Then would I die, and so my griefe were ended: - But Death (against my will) my life doeth spare; - (So little with the fates I am befrended) - Sith, when I would, thou doost my sute denie, - Vile Tyrant, when thou wilt, I will not die. - - And _Bounty_, though her body thou hast slaine, - Yet shall her memorie remaine for euer: - For euer, shall her memorie remaine; - Whereof no spitefull Fortune can bereaue her. - Then Sorrowe cease, and wipe thy weeping eye; - For Fame shall liue, when all the World shall dye. - - FINIS. - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE - -Combat, betweene - -Conscience and Couetousnesse, - -in the minde of Man. - - _quid non mortalia pectora cogis - Auri sacra fames?_ Virgil. - -[Illustration] - - LONDON, - - Printed by G. S. for Iohn Iaggard, and are to be solde at his - shoppe neere Temple-barre, at the Signe of the Hand and starre. - 1598. - - - - -[Illustration] - -To his Worshipfull good friend, - -Maister _Iohn Steuenton_, of _Dothill_, in the County of _Salop_, -Esquire. - - -[Illustration] - - Sith Conscience (long since) is exilde the Citty, - O let her in the Countrey, finde some Pitty. - But if she be exilde, the Countrey too, - O let her finde, some fauour yet of you. - -[Illustration] - - - - - -[Illustration] - -The Combat betweene Conscience and Couetousnesse in the mind of Man. - - -[Illustration] - - Now had the cole-blacke steedes, of pitchie Night, - (Breathing out Darknesse) banisht cheerfull Light, - And sleepe (the shaddowe of eternall rest) - My seuerall senses, wholy had possest. - When loe, there was presented to my view, - A vision strange, yet not so strange, as true. - _Conscience_ (me thought) appeared vnto mee, - Cloth'd with good Deedes, with Trueth and Honestie, - Her countinance demure, and sober sad, - Nor any other Ornament shee had. - Then _Couetousnesse_ did incounter her, - Clad in a Cassock, lyke a Vsurer, - The Cassock, it was made of poore-mens skinnes, - Lac'd here and there, with many seuerall sinnes: - Nor was it furd, with any common furre; - Or if it were, himselfe hee was the _fur_. - A Bag of money, in his hande he helde, - The which with hungry eie, he still behelde. - The place wherein this vision first began, - (A spacious plaine) was cald _The Minde of Man_. - The Carle no sooner, _Conscience_ had espyde, - But swelling lyke a Toade, (puft vp with pryde) - He straight began against her to inuey: - These were the wordes, which _Couetise_ did sey. - _Conscience_ (quoth hee) how dar'st thou bee so bold, - To claime the place, that I by right doe hold? - Neither by right, nor might, thou canst obtaine it: - By might (thou knowst full well) thou canst not gaine it. - The greatest Princes are my followars, - The King in Peace, the Captaine in the Warres: - The Courtier, and the simple Countrey-man: - The Iudge, the Merchant, and the Gentleman: - The learned Lawyer, and the Politician: - The skilfull Surgeon, and the fine Physician: - In briefe, all sortes of men mee entertaine, - And hold mee, as their Soules sole Soueraigne, - And in my quarrell, they will fight and die, - Rather then I should suffer iniurie. - And as for title, interest, and right, - Ile proue its mine by that, as well as might, - Though _Couetousnesse_, were vsed long before, - Yet _Iudas_ Treason, made my Fame the more; - When _Christ_ he caused, crucifyde to bee, - For thirtie pence, man solde his minde to mee: - And now adaies, what tenure is more free, - Than that which purchas'd is, with Gold and fee? - - -_Conscience._ - - With patience, haue I heard thy large Complaint, - Wherein the Diuell, would be thought a Saint: - But wot ye what, the Saying is of olde? - One tale is good, vntill anothers tolde. - Truth is the right, that I must stand vpon, - (For other title, hath poore _Conscience_ none) - First I will proue it, by Antiquitie, - That thou art but an vp-start, vnto mee; - Before that thou wast euer thought vpon, - The minde of Man, belongd to mee alone. - For after that the Lord, hath Man created, - And him in blisse-full Paradice had seated; - (Knowing his Nature was to vice inclynde) - God gaue me vnto man, to rule his mynde, - And as it were, his Gouernour to bee, - To guide his minde, in Trueth, and Honestie. - And where thou sayst, that man did sell his soule; - That Argument, I quicklie can controule: - It is a fayned fable, thou doost tell, - That, which is not his owne, he cannot sell; - No man can sell his soule, altho he thought it: - Mans soule is _Christs_, for hee hath dearely bought it. - Therefore vsurping _Couetise_, be gone. - For why, the minde belongs to mee alone. - - -_Couetousnesse._ - - Alas poore _Conscience_, how thou art deceav'd? - As though of senses, thou wert quite bereaud. - What wilt thou say (that thinkst thou canst not erre) - If I can proue my selfe the ancienter? - Though into _Adams_ minde, God did infuse thee, - Before his fall, yet man did neuer vse thee. - What was it else, but _Aurice_ in _Eue_, - (Thinking thereby, in greater Blisse to liue) - That made her taste, of the forbidden fruite? - Of her Desier, was not I the roote? - Did she not couet? (tempted by the Deuill) - The Apple of the Tree, of good and euill? - Before man vsed _Conscience_, she did couet: - Therefore by her Transgression, here I proue it, - That _Couetousnesse_ possest the minde of man, - Before that any _Conscience_ began. - - -_Conscience._ - - Euen as a counterfeited precious stone, - Seemes to bee far more rich, to looke vpon, - Then doeth the right: But when a man comes neere, - His baseness then, doeth euident appeere: - So _Couetise_, the Reasons thou doost tell, - Seeme to be strong, but being weighed well, - They are indeed, but onely meere Illusions, - And doe inforce but very weake Conclusions. - When as the Lord (fore-knowing his offence) - Had giuen man a Charge, of Abstinence, - And to refraine, the fruite of good and ill: - Man had a _Conscience_, to obey his will, - And neuer would be tempted thereunto, - Vntill the Woeman, shee, did worke _man woe_. - And make him breake, the Lords Commaundement, - Which all Mankinde, did afterward repent: - So that thou seest, thy Argument is vaine, - And I am prov'd, the elder of the twaine. - - -_Couetousnesse._ - - Fond Wretch, it was not _Conscience_, but feare, - That made the first man (Adam) to forbeare - To tast the fruite, of the forbidden Tree, - Lest, if offending hee were found to bee, - (According as _Iehouah_ saide on hye, - For his so great Transgression, hee should dye.) - Feare curbd his minde, it was not _Conscience_ then, - (For _Conscience_ freely, rules the harts of men) - And is a godly motion of the mynde, - To euerie vertuous action inclynde, - And not enforc'd, through feare of Punishment, - But is to vertue, voluntary bent: - Then (simple Trul) be packing presentlie, - For in this place, there is no roome for thee. - - -_Conscience._ - - Aye mee (distressed Wight) what shall I doe? - Where shall I rest? Or whither shall I goe? - Vnto the rich? (woes mee) they, doe abhor me: - Vnto the poore? (alas) they, care not for me: - Vnto the Olde-man? hee; hath mee forgot: - Vnto the Young-man? yet hee, knowes me not: - Vnto the Prince? hee; can dispence with me: - Vnto the Magistrate? that, may not bee: - Vnto the Court? for it, I am too base: - Vnto the Countrey? there, I haue no place: - Vnto the Citty? thence; I am exilde: - Vnto the Village? there; I am reuilde: - Vnto the Barre? the Lawyer there, is bribed? - Vnto the Warre? there, _Conscience_ is derided: - Vnto the Temple? there, I am disguised: - Vnto the Market? there, I am dispised: - Thus both the young and olde, the rich and poore, - Against mee (silly Creature) shut their doore. - Then, sith each one seekes my rebuke and shame, - Ile goe againe to Heauen (from whence I came.) - This saide (me thought) making exceeding mone, - She went her way, and left the Carle alone, - Who vaunting of his late-got victorie, - Aduanc'd himselfe in pompe and Maiestie: - Much like a Cocke, who hauing kild his foe, - Brisks vp himselfe, and then begins to crow. - So _Couetise_, when _Conscience_ was departed, - Gan to be proud in minde, and hauty harted: - And in a stately Chayre of state he set him, - (For _Conscience_ banisht) there are none to let him. - And being but one entrie, to this Plaine, - (Whereof as king and Lord, he did remaine) - _Repentance_ cald, he causd that to be kept, - Lest _Conscience_ should returne, whilst as he slept: - Wherefore he causd it, to be watcht and warded - Both night and Day, and to be strongly guarded: - To keepe it safe, these three he did intreat, - _Hardnesse of hart_, with _Falshood_ and _Deceat:_ - And if at any time, she chaunc'd to venter, - _Hardnesse of hart_, denide her still to enter. - When _Conscience_ was exilde the minde of Man, - Then _Couetise_, his gouernment began. - This once being seene, what I had seene before, - (Being onely seene in sleepe) was seene no more; - For with the sorrowe, which my Soule did take - At sight hereof, foorthwith I did awake. - - _FINIS._ - -[Illustration] - - - - - -Poems: - -In diuers humors. - -_Trahit sua quemque voluptas._ Virgil. - -[Illustration] - -LONDON, - - Printed by G. S. for Iohn Iaggard, and are to be solde at his - shoppe neere Temple-barre, at the Signe of the Hand and starre. - 1598. - - - - -[Illustration] - -To the learned, and accomplisht Gentleman, - -Maister _Nicholas Blackleech_, of Grayes Inne. - - -[Illustration] - - To you, that know the tuch of true Conceat; - (Whose many gifts I neede not to repeat) - I vvrite these Lines; fruits of vnriper yeares; - Wherein my Muse no harder censure feares: - Hoping in gentle Worth, you will them take; - Not for the gift, but for the giuers sake. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -_SONNET._ I. - -To his friend Maister R. L. In praise of Musique and Poetrie. - - -[Illustration] - - If Musique and sweet Poetrie agree, - As they must needes (the Sister and the Brother) - Then must the Loue be great, twixt thee and mee, - Because thou lou'st the one, and I the other. - _Dowland_ to thee is deare; whose heauenly tuch - Vpon the Lute, doeth rauish humaine sense: - _Spenser_ to mee; whose deepe Conceit is such, - As passing all Conceit, needs no defence. - Thou lou'st to heare the sweete melodious sound, - That _Phœbus_ Lute (the Queene of Musique) makes: - And I in deepe Delight am chiefly drownd, - When as himselfe to singing he betakes. - One God is God of Both (as Poets faigne) - One Knight loues Both, and Both in thee remaine. - - -_SONNET._ II. - -_Against the Dispraysers of Poetrie._ - -[Illustration] - - _Chaucer_ is dead; and _Gower_ lyes in grave; - The Earle of _Surrey_, long agoe is gone; - Sir _Philip Sidneis_ soule, the Heauens haue; - _George Gascoigne_ him beforne, was tomb'd in stone, - Yet, tho their Bodies lye full low in ground, - (As euery thing must dye, that earst was borne) - Their liuing fame, no Fortune can confound; - Nor euer shall their Labours be forlorne. - And you, that discommend sweete Poetrie, - (So that the Subiect of the same be good) - Here may you see, your fond simplicitie; - Sith Kings haue fauord it, of royall Blood. - The King of _Scots_ (now liuing) is a Poet, - As his _Lepanto_, and his _Furies_ shoe it. - -[Illustration] - - -A Remembrance of some English Poets. - -[Illustration] - - Liue _Spenser_ euer, in thy _Fairy Queene:_ - Whose like (for deepe Conceit) was neuer seene. - Crownd mayst thou bee, vnto thy more renowne, - (As King of Poets) with a Lawrell Crowne. - - And _Daniell_, praised for thy sweet-chast Verse: - Whose Fame is grav'd on _Rosamonds_ blacke Herse. - Still mayst thou liue: and still be honored, - For that rare Worke, _The White Rose and the Red_. - - And _Drayton_, whose wel-written Tragedies, - And sweete Epistles, soare thy fame to skies. - Thy learned Name, is æquall with the rest; - Whose stately Numbers are so well addrest. - - And _Shakespeare_ thou, whose hony-flowing Vaine, - (Pleasing the World) thy Praises doth obtaine. - Whose _Venus_, and whose _Lucrece_ (sweete, and chaste) - Thy Name in fames immortall Booke haue plac't. - Liue euer you, at least in Fame liue euer: - Well may the Bodye dye, but Fame dies neuer. - -[Illustration] - - -An Ode. - -[Illustration] - - As it fell vpon a Day, - In the merrie Month of May, - Sitting in a pleasant shade, - Which a groue of Myrtles made, - Beastes did leape, and Birds did sing, - Trees did grow, and Plants did spring: - Euery thing did banish mone, - Saue the Nightingale alone. - Shee (poore Bird) as all forlorne, - Leand her Breast vp-till a Thorne, - And there sung the dolefulst Ditty, - That to heare it was great Pitty. - _Fie_, _fie_, _fie_, now would she cry - _Teru Teru_, by and by: - That to heare her so complaine, - Scarce I could from Teares refraine: - For her griefes so liuely showne, - Made me thinke vpon mine owne. - Ah (thought I) thou mournst in vaine; - None takes Pitty on thy paine: - Senslesse Trees, they cannot heere thee; - Ruthlesse Beares, they wil not cheer thee. - King _Pandion_, hee is dead: - All thy friends are lapt in Lead. - All thy fellow Birds doe singe, - Carelesse of thy sorrowing. - Whilst as fickle Fortune smilde, - Thou and I, were both beguilde. - Euerie one that flatters thee, - Is no friend in miserie: - Words are easie, like the winde; - Faithfull friends are hard to finde: - Euerie man will bee thy friend, - Whilst thou hast wherewith to spend: - But if store of Crownes be scant, - No man will supply thy want. - If that one be prodigall, - Bountifull, they will him call. - And with such-like flattering, - Pitty but hee were a King. - If hee bee adict to vice, - Quickly him, they will intice. - If to Woemen hee be bent, - They haue at Commaundement. - But if Fortune once doe frowne, - Then farewell his great renowne: - They that fawnd on him before, - Vse his company no more. - Hee that is thy friend indeed, - Hee will helpe thee in thy neede: - If thou sorrowe, hee will weepe; - If thou wake, hee cannot sleepe: - Thus of euerie griefe, in hart, - Hee, with thee, doeth beare a Part. - These are certaine Signes, to knowe - Faithfull friend, from flatt'ring foe. - -[Illustration] - - -Written, at the Request of a Gentleman, - -vnder a Gentlewoman's Picture. - -[Illustration] - - Euen as _Apelles_ could not paint _Campaspes_ face aright: - Because _Campaspes_ Sun-bright eyes did dimme _Apelles_ sight: - Euen so, amazed at her sight, her sight, all sights excelling, - Like _Nyobe_ the Painter stoode, her sight his sight expelling, - Thus Art and Nature did contend, who should the Victor bee, - Till Art by Nature was supprest, as all the worlde may see. - - -An Epitaph vpon the Death, of Sir Philip - -Sidney, Knight; Lord-gouernour of Vlissing. - -[Illustration] - - That _England_ lost, that Learning lov'd, that euery mouth commended, - That fame did prayse, that Prince did rayse, that Countrey do defended, - Here lyes the man: lyke to the Swan, who knowing shee shall die, - Doeth tune her voice vnto the Spheares, and scornes Mortalitie. - Two worthie Earls his vncles were; a Lady was his Mother; - A Knight his father; and himselfe a noble Countesse Brother. - Belov'd, bewaild; aliue, now dead; of all, with Teares for euer; - Here lyes Sir _Philip Sidneis_ Corps, whom cruell Death did seuer, - He liv'd for her, hee dyde for her; for whom he dyde, he liued: - O graunt (O God) that wee of her, may neuer be depriued. - - -An Epitaph vpon the Death of his Aunt, - -Mistresse Elizabeth Skrymsher. - -[Illustration] - - Loe here beholde the certaine Ende, of euery liuing wight: - No Creature is secure from Death, for Death will haue his Right. - He spareth none: both rich and poore, both young and olde must die; - So fraile is flesh, so short is Life, so sure Mortalitie. - When first the Bodye liues to Life, the soule first dies to sinne: - And they that loose this earthly Life, a heauenly Life shall winne, - If they liue well: as well she liv'd, that lyeth Vnder heere; - Whose Vertuous Life to all the Worlde, most plainly did appeere. - Good to the poore, friend to the rich, and foe to no Degree: - A President of modest Life, and peerelesse Chastitie. - Who louing more, Who more belov'd of euerie honest mynde? - Who more to Hospitalitie, and Clemencie inclinde - Then she? that being buried here, lyes wrapt in Earth below; - From whence we came, to whom wee must, and bee as shee is now, - A Clodd of Clay: though her pure soule in endlesse Blisse doeth rest; - Ioying all Ioy, the Place of Peace, prepared for the blest: - Where holy Angells sit and sing, before the King of Kings; - Not mynding worldly Vanities, but onely heavenly Things. - Vnto which Ioy, Vnto which Blisse, Vnto which Place of Pleasure, - God graunt that wee may come at last, t' inioy that heauenly Treasure. - Which to obtaine, to liue as shee hath done let us endeuor; - That wee may liue with Christ himselfe, (above) that liues for euer. - - - - -[Illustration] - -A Comparison of the Life of Man. - - -[Illustration] - - Mans life is vvell compared to a feast, - Furnisht with choice of all Varietie: - To it comes Tyme; and as a bidden guest - Hee sets him downe, in Pompe and Maiestie; - The three-folde Age of Man, the Waiters bee, - Then with an earthen voyder (made of clay) - Comes Death, and takes the table clean away. - - FINIS. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -ASTROPHEL. - - - A Pastoral Elegy upon - the death of the most noble - and valorous Knight, - Sir PHILIP SIDNEY. - - - _Dedicated - to the most beautiful and virtuous Lady - the Countess of ESSEX._ - - [By EDMUND SPENSER, the Countess - of PEMBROKE, and others.] - - [Printed as an Appendix to _COLIN CLOUT's come home again_, first - printed in 1595; but the epistle of which is dated "From my house - of Kilcolman, the 27 of December, 1591."] - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -Astrophel. - - -[Illustration] - - _Shepherds that wont, on pipes of oaten reed,_ - _Ofttimes to plain your love's concealèd smart;_ - _And with your piteous lays have learned to breed_ - _Compassion in a country lass's heart:_ - _Hearken, ye gentle shepherds, to my song!_ - _And place my doleful plaint, your plaints emong._ - - _To you alone, I sing this mournful verse,_ - _The mournful'st verse that ever man heard tell:_ - _To you whose softened hearts it may empierce_ - _With dolour's dart, for death of ASTROPHEL._ - _To you I sing, and to none other wight,_ - _For well I wot my rhymes been rudely dight._ - - _Yet as they been, if any nicer wit_ - _Shall hap to hear, or covet them to read:_ - _Think he, that such are for such ones most fit,_ - _Made not to please the living but the dead:_ - _And if in him, found pity ever place;_ - _Let him be moved to pity such a case._ - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -_ASTROPHEL._ - -_A Pastoral Elegy upon the death of_ - -_the most noble and valorous Knight,_ - -_Sir PHILIP SIDNEY._ - - -[Illustration] - - A gentle shepherd born in Arcady, - Of gentlest race that ever shepherd bore; - About the grassy banks of Hæmony, - Did keep his sheep, his little stock and store. - Full carefully he kept them day and night - In fairest fields; and ASTROPHEL he hight. - - Young ASTROPHEL! the pride of shepherds' praise. - Young ASTROPHEL! the rustic lasses' love. - Far passing all the pastors of his days - In all that seemly shepherd might behove. - In one thing only failing of the best; - That he was not so happy as the rest. - - For from the time that first the nymph his mother - Him forth did bring; and taught, her lambs to feed: - A slender swain, excelling far each other - In comely shape, like her that did him breed: - He grew up fast in goodness and in grace; - And doubly fair wox both in mind and face. - - Which daily more and more he did augment - With gentle usage and demeanour mild; - That all men's hearts with secret ravishment - He stole away, and wittingly beguiled. - Ne Spite itself--that all good things doth spill-- - Found ought in him, that she could say was ill. - - His sports were fair, his joyance innocent, - Sweet without sour, and honey without gall; - And he himself seemed made for merriment, - Merrily masking both in bower and hall. - There was no pleasure nor delightful play - When ASTROPHEL so ever was away. - - For he could pipe, and dance, and carol sweet; - Emongst the shepherds in their shearing feast: - As summer's lark that with her song doth greet - The dawning day, forth coming from the East. - And lays of love he also would compose. - Thrice happy she! whom he to praise did choose. - - Full many maidens often did him woo, - Them to vouchsafe, emongst his rhymes to name: - Or make for them, as he was wont to do, - For her that did his heart with love inflame; - For which they promised to dight for him, - Gay chaplets of flowers and garlands trim. - - And many a nymph, both of the wood and brook, - Soon as his oaten pipe began to shrill; - Both crystal wells and shady groves forsook, - To hear the charms of his enchanting skill: - And brought him presents; flowers, if it were prime: - Or mellow fruit, if it were harvest time. - - But he for none of them did care a whit; - Yet wood-gods for them oft sighed sore: - Ne for their gifts unworthy of his wit, - Yet not unworthy of the country's store. - For One alone he cared, for One he sighed - His life's treasure, and his dear love's delight. - - STELLA the fair! the fairest star in sky: - As fair as VENUS, or the fairest fair. - A fairer star saw never living eye, - Shot her sharp pointed beams through purest air. - Her, he did love; her, he alone he did honour; - His thoughts, his rhymes, his songs were all upon her. - - To her, he vowed the service of his days; - On her, he spent the riches of his wit; - For her, he made hymns of immortal praise: - Of only her; he sang, he thought, he writ. - Her, and but her, of love he worthy deemed: - For all the rest, but little he esteemed. - - Ne her with idle words alone he vowed, - And verses vain--yet verses are not vain: - But with brave deeds, to her sole service vowed; - And bold achievements, her did entertain. - For both in deeds and words he nurtured was. - Both wise and hardy--too hardy, alas! - - In wrestling, nimble; and in running, swift; - In shooting, steady; and in swimming, strong: - Well made to strike, to throw, to leap, to lift, - And all the sports that shepherds are emong. - In every one, he vanquished every one, - He vanquished all, and vanquished was of none. - - Besides, in hunting such felicity - Or rather infelicity, he found; - That every field and forest far away - He sought, where savage beasts do most abound. - No beast so savage, but he could it kill: - No chase so hard, but he therein had skill. - - Such skill, matched with such courage as he had, - Did prick him forth with proud desire of praise; - To seek abroad, of danger nought y'drad, - His mistress' name and his own fame to raise. - What need, peril to be sought abroad? - Since round about us, it doth make abode. - - It fortuned as he, that perilous game - In foreign soil pursued, far away; - Into a forest wide and waste, he came, - Where store he heard to be of savage prey. - So wide a forest and so waste as this, - Nor famous Ardenne, nor foul Arlo is. - - There his well-woven toils and subtle trains - He laid, the brutish nation to enwrap: - So well he wrought with practice and with pains, - That he of them, great troops did soon entrap. - Full happy man! misweening much, was he; - So rich a spoil within his power to see. - - Eftsoons, all heedless of his dearest hale, - Full greedily into the herd he thrust - To slaughter them and work their final bale, - Lest that his toil should of their troops be burst. - Wide wounds emongst them, many one he made; - Now with his sharp boar spear, now with his blade. - - His care was all, how he them all might kill; - That none might 'scape, so partial unto none. - Ill mind! so much to mind another's ill, - As to become unmindful of his own. - But pardon that unto the cruel skies, - That from himself to them, withdrew his eyes. - - So as he raged emongst that beastly rout; - A cruel beast of most accursèd brood, - Upon him turned--despair makes cowards stout; - And with fell tooth, accustomèd to blood, - Launched his thigh with so mischievous might, - That it both bone and muscle rivèd quite. - - So deadly was the dint, and deep the wound, - And so huge streams of blood thereout did flow; - That he endurèd not the direful stound - But on the cold dear earth, himself did throw. - The whiles the captive herd his nets did rend, - And having none to let; to wood did wend. - - Ah, where were ye this while, his shepherd peers? - To whom alive was nought so dear as he. - And ye fair maids, the matches of his years! - Which in his grace, did boast you most to be? - And where were ye, when he of you had need, - To stop his wound that wondrously did bleed? - - Ah, wretched boy! the shape of drearihead! - And sad ensample of man's sudden end! - Full little faileth, but thou shalt be dead; - Unpitied, unplained of foe or friend: - Whilst none is nigh, thine eyelids up to close; - And kiss thy lips like faded leaves of rose. - - A sort of shepherds suing of the chase, - As they the forest rangèd on a day; - By fate or fortune came unto the place, - Whereas the luckless boy yet bleeding lay. - Yet bleeding lay, and yet would still have bled, - Had not good hap those shepherds thither led. - - They stopped his wound--too late to stop, it was, - And in their arms then softly did him rear: - Tho, as he willed, unto his lovèd lass, - His dearest love, him dolefully did bear. - The doleful'st bier that ever man did see - Was ASTROPHEL, but dearest unto me. - - She, when she saw her love in such a plight, - With curdled blood and filthy gore deformed; - That wont to be with flowers and garlands dight, - And her dear favours dearly well adorned. - Her face, the fairest face that eye might see, - She likewise did deform, like him to be. - - Her yellow locks that shone so bright and long, - As sunny beams in fairest summer's day; - She fiercely tore: and with outrageous wrong, - From her red cheeks, the roses rent away. - And her fair breast, the treasury of joy; - She spoiled thereof, and fillèd with annoy. - - His pallid face, impicturèd with death; - She bathèd oft with tears and drièd oft: - And with sweet kisses, sucked the wasting breath - Out of his lips, like lilies pale and soft. - And oft she called to him, who answered nought; - But only by his looks did tell his thought. - - The rest of her impatient regret - And piteous moan, the which she for him made; - No tongue can tell, nor any forth can set: - But he whose heart, like sorrow did invade. - At last, when pain his vital powers had spent, - His wasted life her weary lodge forewent. - - Which when she saw, she stayèd not a whit, - But after him, did make untimely haste: - Forthwith her ghost out of her corps did flit, - And followed her mate, like turtle chaste. - To prove that death, their hearts cannot divide; - Which living were in love so firmly tied. - - The gods, which all things see, this same beheld. - And pitying this pair of lovers true; - Transformèd them, there lying on the field, - Into one flower that is both red and blue. - It first grows red, and then to blue doth fade; - Like ASTROPHEL, which thereinto was made. - - And in the midst thereof a star appears, - As fairly formed as any star in sky; - Resembling STELLA in her freshest years, - Forth darting beams of beauty from her eyes: - And all the day it standeth full of dew, - Which is the tears that from her eyes did flow. - - That herb of some, "Starlight" is called by name; - Of others _Penthia_, though not so well: - But thou wherever thou dost find the same, - From this day forth do call it _Astrophel_. - And whensoever thou it up dost take; - Do pluck it softly, for that shepherd's sake. - - Hereof when tidings far abroad did pass, - The shepherds all which lovèd him full dear-- - And sure, full dear of all he lovèd was-- - Did thither flock to see what they did hear. - And when that piteous spectacle they viewed, - The same with bitter tears they all bedewed. - - And every one did make exceeding moan, - With inward anguish and great grief opprest; - And every one did weep and wail and moan, - And means devised to show his sorrow best. - That from that hour since first on grassy green, - Shepherds kept sheep; was not like mourning seen. - - But first his sister that CLORINDA hight, - The gentlest shepherdess that lives this day; - And most resembling both in shape and sprite, - Her brother dear, began this doleful lay. - Which lest I mar the sweetness of the verse, - In sort as she it sung, I will rehearse. - - -[Illustration] - - "Aye me! to whom shall I, my case complain, - That may compassion my impatient grief? - Or where shall I unfold my inward pain - That my enriven heart may find relief? - Shall I unto the heavenly powers it show, - Or unto earthly men that dwell below?" - - "To heavens! Ah, they, alas, the authors were - And workers of my unremèdied woe; - For they foresee what to us happens here, - And they foresaw, yet suffered this be so. - From them comes good, from them comes also ill; - That which they made, who can them warn to spill?" - - "To men! Ah, they, alas, like wretched be - And subject to the heaven's ordinance; - Bound to abide whatever they decree, - Their best redress, is their best sufferance. - How then can they, like wretched, comfort me? - The which no less, need comforted to be." - - "Then to myself, will I my sorrow mourn, - Sith none alive like sorrowful remains; - And to myself, my plaints shall back return, - To pay their usury with doubled pains. - The woods, the hills, the rivers shall resound - The mournful accent of my sorrow's ground." - - "Woods, hills and rivers now are desolate; - Sith he is gone the which them all did grace: - And all the fields do wail their widow-state; - Sith death, their fairest flower did late deface. - The fairest flower in field that ever grew, - Was ASTROPHEL: that 'was,' we all may rue." - - "What cruel hand of cursèd foe unknown, - Hath cropped the stalk which bore so fair a flower? - Untimely cropped, before it well were grown, - And clean defacèd in untimely hour. - Great loss to all that ever him see, - Great loss to all, but greatest loss to me." - - "Break now your garlands, O ye shepherds' lasses! - Sith the fair flower, which them adorned, is gone: - The flower, which them adorned, is gone to ashes, - Never again let lass put garland on. - Instead of garland, wear sad cypress now; - And bitter elder, broken from the bough." - - "Ne ever sing the love-lays which he made; - Whoever made such lays of love as he? - Ne ever read the riddles, which he said - Unto yourselves, to make you merry glee. - Your merry glee is now laid all abed, - Your merry-maker now, alas! is dead." - - "Death! the devourer of all world's delight, - Hath robbèd you, and reft from me my joy; - Both you and me and all the world, he quite - Hath robbed of joyance; and left sad annoy. - Joy of the world! and shepherds' pride was he: - Shepherds hope never, like again to see." - - "Oh, Death! that hast us of such riches reft, - Tell us at least, What hast thou with it done? - What is become of him, whose flower here left; - Is but the shadow of his likeness gone. - Scarce like the shadow of that which he was: - Nought like, but that he, like a shade, did pass." - - "But that immortal spirit, which was deckt - With all the dowries of celestial grace; - By sovereign choice from th' heavenly quires select, - And lineally derived from angels' race: - O what is now of it become aread? - Aye me! can so divine a thing be dead?" - - "Ah, no! It is not dead, nor can it die; - But lives for aye in blissful Paradise: - Where like a new-born babe it soft doth lie - In bed of lilies, wrapped in tender wise: - And compassed all about with roses sweet, - And dainty violets from head to feet." - - "There, thousand birds, all of celestial brood, - To him do sweetly carol day and night; - And with strange notes, of him well understood, - Lull him asleep in angelic delight: - Whilst in sweet dream, to him presented be - Immortal beauties, which no eye may see." - - "But he them sees, and takes exceeding pleasure - Of their divine aspects, appearing plain; - And kindling love in him above all measure - Sweet love, still joyous, never feeling pain. - For what so goodly form he there doth see, - He may enjoy, from jealous rancour free." - - "There liveth he in everlasting bliss, - Sweet spirit! never fearing more to die: - Ne dreading harm from any foes of his, - Ne fearing savage beast's more cruelty. - Whilst we here, wretches! wail his private lack; - And with vain vows do often call him back." - - "But live thou there still happy, happy spirit! - And give us leave, thee here thus to lament: - Not thee, that dost thy heaven's joy inherit; - But our own selves, that here in dole are drent. - Thus do we weep and wail, and wear our eyes, - Mourning in others, our own miseries." - - * * * * * - - Which when she ended had, another swain, - Of gentle wit and dainty sweet device; - Whom ASTROPHEL full dear did entertain - Whilst here he lived, and held in passing price: - Hight THESTYLIS, began his mournful tourn, - And made the Muses in his song to mourn. - - And after him, full many other moe, - As every one in order loved him best; - 'Gan dight themselves t'express their inward woe - With doleful lays unto the tune addrest. - The which I here in order will rehearse, - As fittest flowers to deck his mournful hearse. - - -_The mourning Muse of_ THESTYLIS. - -[Illustration] - - Come forth ye nymphs! come forth! forsake your watery bowers! - Forsake your mossy caves; and help me to lament. - Help me to tune my doleful notes to gurgling sound - Of Liffey's tumbling streams. Come let salt tears of ours, - Mix with his waters fresh. O come let one consent - Join us to mourn with wailful plaints the deadly wound - Which fatal clap hath made, decreed by higher powers; - The dreary day in which they have from us yrent - The noblest plant that might from East to West be found. - Mourn! mourn great PHILIP'S fall! mourn we his woeful end, - Whom spiteful death hath plucked untimely from the tree; - While yet his years in flower did promise worthy fruit. - Ah, dreadful MARS! why didst thou not thy knight defend? - What wrathful mood, what fault of ours hath moved thee, - Of such a shining light to leave us destitute? - Thou with benign aspect sometime didst us behold. - Thou hast in Britons' valour ta'en delight of old, - And with thy presence oft vouchsafed to attribute - Fame and renown to us, for glorious martial deeds: - But now their ireful beams have chilled our hearts with cold. - Thou hast estranged thyself and deignest not our land: - Far off to others now, thy favour, honour breeds; - And high disdain doth cause thee shun our clime, I fear. - For hadst thou not been wroth, or that time near at hand; - Thou wouldst have heard the cry that woeful England made: - Eke Zealand's piteous plaints, and Holland's toren hair - Would haply have appeased thy divine angry mind. - Thou shouldst have seen the trees refuse to yield their shade - And wailing to let fall the honour of their head, - And birds in mournful tunes lamenting in their kind. - Up from his tomb, the mighty CORINEUS rose, - Who cursing oft the fates that this mishap had bred, - His hoary locks he tare, calling the heavens unkind. - The Thames was heard to roar, the Rhine, and eke the Meuse, - The Scheldt, the Danow self this great mischance did rue: - With torment and with grief, their fountains pure and clear - Were troubled; and with swelling floods declared their woes. - The Muses comfortless, the nymphs with pallid hue; - The sylvan gods likewise came running far and near; - And all, with hearts bedewed, and eyes cast up on high, - "O help! O help, ye gods!" they ghastly 'gan to cry, - "O change the cruel fate of this so rare a wight - And grant that nature's course may measure out his age!" - The beasts their food forsook, and trembling fearfully, - Each sought his cave or den. This cry did them so fright. - Out from amid the waves, by storm then stirred to rage, - This cry did cause to rise th'old father OCEAN hoar, - Who grave with eld, and full of majesty in sight, - Spake in this wise, "Refrain," quoth he, "your tears and plaints! - Cease these your idle words! Make vain requests no more! - No humble speech nor moan may move the fixèd stint - Of destiny or death. Such is His will that paints - The earth with colours fresh, the darkest skies with store - Of starry lights: and though your tears a heart of flint - Might tender make; yet nought herein will they prevail." - Whiles thus he said, the noble Knight, who 'gan to feel - His vital force to faint, and death with cruel dint - Of direful dart his mortal body to assail: - With eyes lift up to heaven, and courage frank as steel; - With cheerful face where valour lively was exprest, - But humble mind, he said, "O LORD! if ought this frail - And earthly carcass have Thy service sought t'advance; - If my desire have been still to relieve th'opprest; - If Justice to maintain, that valour I have spent - Which Thou me gav'st; or if henceforth I might advance - Thy name, Thy truth: then spare me, LORD! if Thou think best; - Forbear these unripe years! But if Thy will be bent, - If that prefixèd time be come which Thou hast set: - Through pure and fervent faith, I hope now to be placed - In th'everlasting bliss; which with Thy precious blood - Thou purchase didst for us." With that a sigh he fet, - And straight a cloudy mist his senses overcast. - His lips waxed pale and wan, like damask rose's bud - Cast from the stalk; or like in field to purple flower - Which languisheth, being shred by culter as it past. - A trembling chilly cold ran through their veins, which were - With eyes brimful of tears to see his fatal hour: - Whose blustering sighs at first their sorrow did declare; - Next, murmuring ensued; at last they not forbear - Plain outcries; all against the heavens that enviously - Deprived us of a sprite so perfect and so rare. - The sun his lightsome beams did shroud, and hide his face - For grief; whereby the earth feared night eternally: - The mountains eachwhere shook, the rivers turned their streams; - And th'air 'gan winter-like to rage and fret apace: - And grisly ghosts by night were seen; and fiery gleams - Amid the clouds with claps of thunder, that did seem - To rent the skies; and made both man and beast afraid: - The birds of ill presage this luckless chance foretold - By dernful noise; and dogs with howling made man deem - Some mischief was at hand: for such they do esteem - As tokens of mishap; and so have done of old. - Ah, that thou hadst but heard his lovely STELLA plain - Her grievous loss, or seen her heavy mourning cheer; - Whilst she, with woe oppressed, her sorrows did unfold. - Her hair hung loose neglect about her shoulders twain: - And from those two bright stars to him sometime so dear, - Her heart sent drops of pearl; which fell in foison down - 'Twixt lily and the rose. She wrung her hands with pain - And piteously 'gan say, "My true and faithful pheer! - Alas, and woe is me! why should my fortune frown - On me thus frowardly to rob me of my joy? - What cruel envious hand hath taken thee away; - And with thee, my content, my comfort and my stay? - Thou only wast the ease of trouble and annoy: - When they did me assail, in thee my hopes did rest. - Alas, what now is left but grief that night and day - Afflicts this woeful life, and with continual rage - Torments ten thousand ways my miserable breast? - O greedy envious heaven! what needed thee to have - Enriched with such a jewel this unhappy age; - To take it back again so soon? Alas, when shall - Mine eyes see ought that may content them, since thy grave - My only treasure hides, the joy of my poor heart? - As here with thee on earth I lived, even so equal - Methinks it were, with thee in heaven I did abide: - And as our troubles all, we here on earth did part; - So reason would that there, of thy most happy state - I had my share. Alas, if thou my trusty guide - Were wont to be: how canst thou leave me thus alone - In darkness and astray; weak, weary, desolate, - Plunged in a world of woe--refusing for to take - Me with thee, to the place of rest where thou art gone?" - This said, she held her peace, for sorrow tied her tongue: - And instead of more words, seemed that her eyes a lake - Of tears had been, they flowed so plenteously therefrom: - And with her sobs and sighs th'air round about her rung. - If VENUS when she wailed her dear ADONIS slain, - Ought moved in thy fierce heart, compassion of her woe: - His noble sister's plaints, her sighs and tears emong; - Would sure have made thee mild, and inly rue her pain. - AURORA half so fair, herself did never show; - When from old TITHON'S bed, she weeping did arise. - The blinded archer-boy, like lark in shower of rain, - Sat bathing of his wings, and glad the time did spend - Under those crystal drops which fell from her fair eyes; - And at their brightest beams him proined in lovely wise. - Yet sorry for her grief, which he could not amend; - The gentle boy 'gan wipe her eyes, and clear those lights: - Those lights through which his glory and his conquests shine. - The Graces tuckt her hair, which hung like threads of gold - Along her ivory breast, the treasure of delights. - All things with her to weep, it seemèd did incline; - The trees, the hills, the dales, the caves, the stones so cold. - The air did help them mourn, with dark clouds, rain and mist; - Forbearing many a day to clear itself again: - Which made them eftsoons fear the days of PYRRHA should - Of creatures spoil the earth, their fatal threads untwist. - For PHŒBUS' gladsome rays were wishèd for in vain, - And with her quivering light LATONA'S daughter fair; - And Charles' Wain eke refused to be the shipman's guide. - On NEPTUNE, war was made by ÆOLUS and his train. - Who letting loose the winds, tost and tormented th'air, - So that on every coast, men shipwreck did abide, - Or else were swallowed up in open sea with waves: - And such as came to shore were beaten with despair. - The Medway's silver streams that wont so still to slide, - Were troubled now and wroth; whose hidden hollow caves - Along his banks, with fog then shrouded from man's eye, - Aye "PHILIP" did resound, aye "PHILIP" they did cry. - His nymphs were seen no more, though custom still it craves, - With hair spread to the wind, themselves to bathe or sport; - Or with the hook or net, barefooted wantonly - The pleasant dainty fish to entangle or deceive. - The shepherds left their wonted places of resort, - Their bagpipes now were still, their lovely merry lays - Were quite forgot; and now their flocks, men might perceive - To wander and to stray, all carelessly neglect: - And in the stead of mirth and pleasure, nights and days - Nought else was to be heard, but woes, complaints and moan. - But thou, O blessèd soul! dost haply not respect - These tears we shed, though full of loving pure affect; - Having affixt thine eyes on that most glorious throne, - Where full of majesty, the high Creator reigns. - In whose bright shining face thy joys are all complete, - Whose love kindles thy sprite, where happy always one, - Thou liv'st in bliss that earthly passion never stains; - Where from the purest spring the sacred nectar sweet - Is thy continual drink: where thou dost gather now - Of well-employed life, th'estimable gains. - There VENUS on thee smiles, APOLLO gives thee place; - And MARS in reverent wise doth to thy virtue bow, - And decks his fiery sphere, to do thee honour most. - In highest part whereof, thy valour for to grace, - A chair of gold he sets to thee, and there doth tell - Thy noble acts arew; whereby even they that boast - Themselves of ancient fame, as PYRRHUS, HANNIBAL, - SCIPIO and CÆSAR, with the rest that did excel - In martial prowess; high thy glory do admire. - All hail! therefore, O worthy PHILIP immortal! - The flower of SIDNEY'S race, the honour of thy name. - Whose worthy praise to sing, my Muses not aspire. - But sorrowful and sad these tears to thee let fall: - Yet wish their verses might so far and wide thy fame - Extend, that ENVY'S rage nor time might end the same. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -_A pastoral Eclogue upon the death of Sir PHILIP SIDNEY, Knight, &c._ - - - =Lycon.= =Colin.= - - =Lycon.= [Illustration] COLIN! well fits thy sad cheer this sad stound, - This woeful stound, wherein all things complain - This great mishap, this grievous loss of ours. - Hear'st thou the Orown? How with hollow sound - He slides away, and murmuring doth plain, - And seems to say unto the fading flowers - Along his banks, unto the barèd trees; - PHILLISIDES is dead. Up, jolly swain! - Thou that with skill canst tune a doleful lay; - Help him to mourn! My heart with grief doth freeze; - Hoarse is my voice with crying, else a part - Sure would I bear, though rude: but as I may, - With sobs and sighs I second will thy song; - And so express the sorrows of my heart. - - =Colin.= Ah LYCON! LYCON! what need skill to teach - A grievèd mind pour forth his plaints? How long - Hath the poor turtle gone to school, weenest thou, - To learn to mourn her lost make? No, no, each - Creature by nature can tell how to wail. - Seest not these flocks; how sad they wander now? - Seemeth their leader's bell, their bleating tunes - In doleful sound. Like him, not one doth fail, - With hanging head to show a heavy cheer. - What bird, I pray thee, hast thou seen that prunes - Himself of late? Did any cheerful note - Come to thine ears, or gladsome sight appear - Unto thine eyes, since that same fatal hour? - Hath not the air put on his mourning coat, - And testified his grief with flowing tears? - Sith then, it seemeth each thing to his power, - Doth us invite to make a sad consort: - Come let us join our mournful song with theirs! - Grief will indite, and sorrow will enforce - Thy voice; and ECHO will our words report. - - =Lycon.= Though my rude rhymes, ill with thy verses frame, - That others far excel: yet will I force - Myself to answer thee the best I can; - And honour my base words with his high name. - But if my plaints annoy thee where thou sit - In secret shade or cave; vouchsafe, O PAN! - To pardon me; and hear this hard constraint - With patience, while I sing; and pity it. - And eke ye rural Muses, that do dwell - In these wild woods: if ever piteous plaint - We did indite, or taught a woeful mind - With words of pure affect, his grief to tell; - Instruct me now! Now COLIN then go on; - And I will follow thee, though far behind. - - =Colin.= PHILLISIDES is dead! O harmful death! - O deadly harm! Unhappy Albion! - When shalt thou see emong thy shepherds all - Any so sage, so perfect? Whom uneath - Envy could touch for virtuous life and skill: - Courteous, valiant, and liberal. - Behold the sacred PALES! where with hair - Untrusst, she sits in shade of yonder hill; - And her fair face bent sadly down, doth send - A flood of tears to bathe the earth: and there - Doth call the heavens despiteful, envious; - Cruel his fate, that made so short an end - Of that same life, well worthy to have been - Prolonged with many years, happy and famous. - The Nymphs and Oreades her round about - Do sit lamenting on the grassy green; - And with shrill cries, beating their whitest breasts, - Accuse the direful dart that DEATH sent out - To give the fatal stroke. The stars they blame; - That deaf or careless seem at their request. - The pleasant shade of stately groves they shun. - They leave their crystal springs, where they wont frame - Sweet bowers of myrtle twigs and laurel fair; - To sport themselves free from the scorching sun. - And now the hollow caves, where HORROR dark - Doth dwell, whence banished is the gladsome air - They seek; and there in mourning spend their time - With wailful tunes; whiles wolves do howl and bark, - And seem to bear a bourdon to their plaint. - - =Lycon.= PHILLISIDES is dead! O doleful rhyme! - Why should my tongue express thee? Who is left - Now to uphold thy hopes, when they do faint; - LYCON unfortunate? What spiteful fate? - What luckless destiny hath thee bereft - Of thy chief comfort, of thy only stay? - Where is become thy wonted happy state? - Alas, wherein through many a hill and dale, - Through pleasant woods, and many an unknown way, - Along the banks of many silver streams, - Thou with him yodest; and with him did scale - The craggy rocks of th'Alps and Appennine? - Still with the Muses sporting, while those beams - Of virtue kindled in his noble breast; - Which after did so gloriously forth shine? - But, woe is me, they now yquenched are - All suddenly, and death hath them oppressed, - Lo, father NEPTUNE! with sad countenance, - How he sits mourning on the strond now bare - Yonder; where th'OCEAN with his rolling waves - The white feet washeth, wailing this mischance, - Of Dover cliffs. His sacred skirt about - The sea gods all are set; from their moist caves, - All for his comfort gathered there they be. - The Thamis rich, the Humber rough and stout, - The fruitful Severn, with the rest; are come - To help their lord to mourn, and eke to see - The doleful sight, and sad pomp funeral - Of the dead corps passing through his kingdom; - And all their heads with cypress garlands crowned: - With woeful shrieks salute him, great and small. - Eke wailful ECHO, forgetting her dear - NARCISSUS, their last accents doth resound. - - =Colin.= PHILLISIDES is dead! O luckless age! - O widow world! O brooks and fountains clear! - O hills! O dales! O woods that oft have rung - With his sweet carolling, which could assuage - The fiercest wrath of tiger or of bear! - Ye sylvans, fawns and satyrs, that emong - These thickets oft have danced after his pipe! - Ye Nymphs and Naiads with golden hair - That oft have left your purest crystal springs - To hearken to his lays, that coulden wipe - Away all grief and sorrow from your hearts! - Alas! who now is left that like him sings? - When shall you hear again like harmony? - So sweet a sound, who to you now imparts? - Lo where engravèd by his hand yet lives - The name of STELLA in yonder bay tree. - Happy name! happy tree! Fair may you grow - And spread your sacred branch, which honour gives, - To famous emperors; and poets crown. - Unhappy flock! that wander scattered now. - What marvel if through grief, ye woxen lean, - Forsake your food, and hang your heads adown? - For such a shepherd never shall you guide; - Whose parting, hath of weal bereft you clean. - - =Lycon.= PHILLISIDES is dead! O happy sprite! - That now in heaven with blessèd souls dost bide. - Look down awhile from where thou sitt'st above, - And see how busy shepherds be to indite - Sad songs of grief, their sorrows to declare; - And grateful memory of their kind love. - Behold myself with COLIN gentle swain, - Whose learned Muse thou cherisht most whilere, - Where we thy name recording, seek to ease - The inward torment and tormenting pain - That thy departure to us both hath bred; - Ne can each other's sorrow yet appease. - Behold the fountains now left desolate, - And withered grass with cypress boughs bespread! - Behold these flowers which on thy grave we strew! - Which faded, show the givers' faded state; - (Though eke they show their fervent zeal and pure) - Whose only comfort on thy welfare grew. - Whose prayers importune shall the heavens for aye, - That to thy ashes, rest they may assure; - That learnedst shepherds honour may thy name - With yearly praises; and the nymphs alway, - Thy tomb may deck with fresh and sweetest flowers; - And that for ever may endure thy fame. - - =Colin.= The sun, lo, hastened hath his face to steep - In western waves, and th'air with stormy showers, - Warns us to drive homewards our silly sheep. - LYCON! let's rise, and take of them good keep. - - _Virtute summa; cætera fortuna._ - - =L. B.= - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -_An Elegy, or Friend's Passion_ _for his ASTROPHIL._ - -_Written upon the death of the Right Honourable Sir PHILIP SIDNEY, -Knight, Lord Governor of Flushing._ - - -[Illustration] - - As then, no wind at all there blew, - No swelling cloud accloyed the air, - The sky, like grass of watchet hue, - Reflected PHŒBUS' golden hair; - The garnished tree no pendant stirred, - No voice was heard of any bird. - - There might you see the burly bear, - The lion king, the elephant. - The maiden unicorn was there, - So was ACTÆON'S horned plant: - And what of wild or tame are found, - Were couched in order on the ground. - - ALCIDES' speckled poplar tree; - The palm that monarchs do obtain; - With love juice stained, the mulberry, - The fruit that dews the poet's brain; - And PHILLIS' filbert there away - Compared with myrtle and the bay: - - The tree that coffins doth adorn, - With stately height threat'ning the sky, - And for the bed of love forlorn, - The black and doleful ebony: - All in a circle compassed were - Like to an amphitheatre. - - Upon the branches of those trees, - The air-winged people sat, - Distinguishèd in odd degrees; - One sort is this, another that. - Here PHILOMEL that knows full well - What force and wit in love doth dwell. - - The sky-bred eagle, royal bird, - Perched there upon an oak above; - The turtle by him never stirred, - Example of immortal love. - The swan that sings about to die; - Leaving MEANDER, stood thereby. - - And that which was of wonder most, - The Phœnix left sweet Araby; - And on a cedar in this coast, - Built up her tomb of spicery. - As I conjecture by the same, - Prepared to take her dying flame. - - In midst and centre of this plot, - I saw one grovelling on the grass; - A man or stone, I knew not what. - No stone; of man, the figure was. - And yet I could not count him one, - More than the image made of stone. - - At length I might perceive him rear - His body on his elbows' end: - Earthly and pale with ghastly cheer, - Upon his knees he upward tend; - Seeming like one in uncouth stound, - To be ascending out the ground. - - A grievous sigh forthwith he throws, - As might have torn the vital strings; - Then down his cheeks the tears so flows - As doth the stream of many springs. - So thunder rends the cloud in twain, - And makes a passage for the rain. - - Incontinent with trembling sound, - He woefully 'gan to complain; - Such were the accents as might wound, - And tear a diamond rock in twain. - After his throbs did somewhat stay, - Thus heavily he 'gan to say. - - "O sun!" said he, seeing the sun, - "On wretched me, why dost thou shine? - My star is fallen, my comfort done; - Out is the apple of my eyen. - Shine upon those possess delight, - And let me live in endless night!" - - "O grief! that liest upon my soul, - As heavy as a mount of lead; - The remnant of my life control, - Consort me quickly with the dead! - Half of this heart, this sprite and will, - Died in the breast of ASTROPHIL." - - "And you compassionate of my woe, - Gentle birds, beasts, and shady trees! - I am assured ye long to know - What be the sorrows me aggrieves; - Listen ye then to what ensu'th, - And hear a tale of tears and ruth." - - "You knew, who knew not ASTROPHIL? - (That I should live to say I knew, - And have not in possession still!) - Things known, permit me to renew: - Of him you know, his merit such, - I cannot say, you hear too much." - - "Within these woods of Arcady, - His chief delight and pleasure took: - And on the mountain Partheny, - Upon the crystal liquid brook, - The Muses met him every day; - That taught him sing, to write, and say." - - "When he descended down the mount, - His personage seemed most divine; - A thousand graces one might count - Upon his lovely cheerful eyen: - To hear him speak, and sweetly smile; - You were in Paradise the while." - - "A sweet attractive kind of grace; - A full assurance given by looks; - Continual comfort in a face, - The lineaments of Gospel books. - I trow that countenance cannot lie, - Whose thoughts are legible in the eye." - - "Was ever eye did see that face; - Was never ear did hear that tongue; - Was never mind did mind his grace; - That ever thought the travail long: - But eyes and ears and every thought, - Were with his sweet perfections caught." - - "O GOD! that such a worthy man, - In whom so rare deserts did reign; - Desired thus, must leave us then: - And we to wish for him in vain. - O could the stars that bred that wit, - In force no longer fixèd sit." - - "Then being filled with learned dew, - The Muses willèd him to love: - That instrument can aptly show, - How finely our conceits will move. - As BACCHUS opes dissembled hearts, - So LOVE sets out our better parts." - - "STELLA, a nymph within this wood, - Most rare, and rich of heavenly bliss; - The highest in his fancy stood, - And she could well demerit this. - 'Tis likely, they acquainted soon: - He was a sun, and she a moon." - - "Our ASTROPHIL did STELLA love. - O STELLA! vaunt of ASTROPHIL! - Albeit thy graces gods may move; - Where wilt thou find an ASTROPHIL? - The rose and lily have their prime; - And so hath beauty but a time," - - "Although thy beauty do exceed - In common sight of every eye; - Yet in his poesies when we read, - It is apparent more thereby. - He that hath love and judgment too, - Sees more than any others do." - - "Then ASTROPHIL hath honoured thee. - For when thy body is extinct, - Thy graces shall eternal be. - And live by virtue of his ink. - For by his verses he doth give - To shortlived beauty aye to live." - - "Above all others this is he, - Which erst approvèd in his song - That love and honour might agree, - And that pure love will do no wrong. - Sweet saints! it is no sin nor blame - To love a man of virtuous name." - - "Did never love so sweetly breathe - In any mortal breast before? - Did never Muse inspire beneath, - A poet's brain with finer store? - He wrote of love with high conceit; - And beauty reared above her height." - - "Then PALLAS afterward attired - Our ASTROPHIL with her device, - Whom in his armour heaven admired, - As of the nation of the skies: - He sparkled in his arms afar, - As he were dight with fiery stars." - - "The blaze whereof, when MARS beheld - (An envious eye doth see afar) - 'Such majesty,' quoth he, 'is seld. - Such majesty, my mart may mar. - Perhaps this may a suitor be - To set MARS by his deity.'" - - "In this surmise, he made with speed - An iron can, wherein he put - The thunders that in clouds do breed; - The flame and bolt together shut, - With privy force burst out again; - And so our ASTROPHIL was slain." - - His word, "was slain," straightway did move, - And Nature's inward life-strings twitch, - The sky immediately above, - Was dimmed with hideous clouds of pitch. - The wrastling winds, from out the ground - Filled all the air with rattling sound. - - The bending trees expressed a groan, - And sighed the sorrow of his fall; - The forest beasts made ruthful moan; - The birds did tune their mourning call, - And PHILOMEL for ASTROPHIL, - Unto her notes, annexed a "phil." - - The turtle dove with tones of ruth, - Showed feeling passion of his death; - Methought she said "I tell thee truth, - Was never he that drew in breath, - Unto his love more trusty found, - Than he for whom our griefs abound." - - The swan that was in presence here, - Began his funeral dirge to sing; - "Good things," quoth he, "may scarce appear; - But pass away with speedy wing. - This mortal life as death is tried, - And death gives life, and so he died." - - The general sorrow that was made - Among the creatures of kind, - Fired the Phœnix where she laid, - Her ashes flying with the wind. - So as I might with reason see - That such a Phœnix ne'er should be. - - Haply, the cinders driven about, - May breed an offspring near that kind; - But hardly a peer to that, I doubt: - It cannot sink into my mind - That under branches e'er can be, - Of worth and value as the tree. - - The eagle marked with piercing sight - The mournful habit of the place; - And parted thence with mounting flight, - To signify to JOVE the case: - What sorrow Nature doth sustain, - For ASTROPHIL, by ENVY slain. - - And while I followed with mine eye - The flight the eagle upward took; - All things did vanish by and by, - And disappearèd from my look. - The trees, beasts, birds and grove were gone: - So was the friend that made this moan. - - This spectacle had firmly wrought - A deep compassion in my sprite; - My molten heart issued, methought, - In streams forth at mine eyes aright: - And here my pen is forced to shrink; - My tears discolour so mine ink. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration] - -_An Epitaph upon the Right Honourable_ Sir PHILIP SIDNEY, Knight, Lord -Governor of Flushing._ - -[Illustration] - - - To praise thy life or wail thy worthy death; - And want thy wit, thy wit pure, high, divine: - Is far beyond the power of mortal line, - Nor any one hath worth that draweth breath. - - Yet rich in zeal, though poor in learning's lore; - And friendly care obscured in secret breast, - And love that envy in thy life supprest, - Thy dear life done, and death hath doubled more. - - And I, that in thy time and living state, - Did only praise thy virtues in my thought; - As one that seld the rising sun hath sought: - With words and tears now wail thy timeless fate. - - Drawn was thy race aright from princely line, - Nor less than such (by gifts that Nature gave, - The common mother that all creatures have) - Doth virtue show, and princely lineage shine. - - A King gave thee thy name; a kingly mind - That GOD thee gave: who found it now too dear - For this base world; and hath resumed it near, - To sit in skies, and 'sort with powers divine. - - Kent, thy birthdays; and Oxford held thy youth. - The heavens made haste, and stayed nor years nor time; - The fruits of age grew ripe in thy first prime: - Thy will, thy words; thy words, the seals of truth. - - Great gifts and wisdom rare employed thee thence, - To treat from kings, with those more great than kings. - Such hope men had to lay the highest things - On thy wise youth, to be transported thence. - - Whence to sharp wars, sweet Honour did thee call, - Thy country's love, religion, and thy friends: - Of worthy men, the marks, the lives and ends; - And her defence, for whom we labour all. - - These didst thou vanquish shame and tedious age, - Grief, sorrow, sickness and base fortune's might. - Thy rising day saw never woeful night, - But passed with praise from off this worldly stage. - - Back to the camp, by thee that day was brought - First, thine own death; and after, thy long fame; - Tears to the soldiers; the proud Castilians' shame; - Virtue expressed; and honour truly taught. - - What hath he lost? that such great grace hath won. - Young years, for endless years; and hope unsure - Of fortune's gifts, for wealth that still shall 'dure. - O happy race! with so great praises run. - - England doth hold thy limbs, that bred the same; - Flanders, thy valour: where it last was tried. - The camp, thy sorrow; where thy body died. - Thy friends, thy want; the world, thy virtue's fame. - - Nations, thy wit; our minds lay up thy love. - Letters, thy learning; thy loss, years long to come. - In worthy hearts, sorrow hath made thy tomb; - Thy soul and sprite enrich the heavens above. - - Thy liberal heart embalmed in grateful tears, - Young sighs, sweet sighs, sage sighs bewail thy fall. - ENVY, her sting; and SPITE, hath left her gall. - MALICE herself, a mourning garment wears. - - That day their HANNIBAL died, our SCIPIO fell: - SCIPIO, CICERO, and PETRARCH of our time: - Whose virtues, wounded by my worthless rhyme, - Let angels speak; and heaven, thy praises tell. - - - - -[Illustration] - -_Another of the same._ - - -[Illustration] - - Silence augmenteth grief! writing increaseth rage! - Stald are my thoughts, which loved and lost the wonder of our age. - Yet quickened now with fire, though dead with frost ere now, - Enraged I write, I know not what. Dead, quick, I know not how. - - Hard-hearted minds relent, and RIGOUR'S tears abound, - And ENVY strangely rues his end, in whom no fault she found; - KNOWLEDGE her light hath lost; VALOUR hath slain her Knight: - SIDNEY is dead! Dead is my friend! Dead is the world's delight. - - PLACE pensive wails his fall, whose presence was her pride. - TIME crieth out "my ebb is come; his life was my springtide." - FAME mourns in that she lost the ground of her reports. - Each living wight laments his lack, and all in sundry sorts. - - He was (woe worth that word!) to each well-thinking mind, - A spotless friend, a matchless man, whose virtue ever shined: - Declaring in his thoughts, his life, and that he writ; - Highest conceits, longest foresights, and deepest works of wit. - - He only like himself, was second unto none, - Whose death (though life) we rue, and wrong, and all in vain do moan. - Their loss, not him; wail they, that fill the world with cries. - DEATH slew not him; but he made death his ladder to the skies. - - Now sink of sorrow I, who live, the more the wrong, - Who wishing death, whom death denies, whose thread is all too long; - Who tied to wretched life, who looks for no relief, - Must spend my ever-dying days in never-ending grief. - - Heartsease and only I like parallels run on, - Whose equal length keep equal breadth, and never meet in one: - Yet for not wronging him, my thoughts, my sorrows' cell, - Shall not run out; though leak they will, for liking him so well. - - Farewell to you! my hopes, my wonted waking dreams. - Farewell sometimes enjoyèd joy! Eclipsèd are thy beams. - Farewell self-pleasing thoughts! which quietness brings forth. - And farewell friendship's sacred league! uniting minds of worth. - - And farewell, merry heart! the gift of guiltless minds; - And all sports! which for life's restore, variety assigns. - Let all that sweet is, void! In me no mirth may dwell. - PHILIP, the cause of all this woe, my life's content, farewell! - - Now rhyme, the son of rage, which art no kin to skill; - And endless grief which deads my life, yet knows not how to kill: - Go, seek that hapless tomb! which if ye hap to find; - Salute the stones that keep the limbs that held so good a mind. - -_FINIS._ - -[Illustration] - - - - - _ALCILIA:_ - - _PHILOPARTHEN's - - Loving Folly._ - - _Non Deus_ (_ut perhibent_) _amor est_, _sed - amaror_, _et error._ - - [Illustration] - - AT LONDON. - - _Printed by R. R. for William Mattes_, - dwelling in Fleet street, at the sign of the - _Hand and Plough._ - - 1595. - - - [The only copy of the 1595 edition, at present known, is in the - City Library, at Hamburg. - - It was recovered, and reprinted in 1875 by Herr WILHELM WAGNER, - Ph.D., in Vol. X. of the _Deutschen Shakespeare-Gesellschaft - Jahrbuch;_ copies of this particular text being also separately - printed. - - A limited Subscription edition, of fifty-one copies, was printed by - Rev. A. B. GROSART, LL.D., F.S.A., of Blackburn, in 1879: with a - fresh collation of the text by B. S. LEESON, Esq., of Hamburg. - - The present modernized text is based on a comparison of the above - two reprints of the 1595 edition with the text of the London - edition of 1613 in which some headings therein inserted between [ - ], on _pp._ 256, 276, 278) first occur.] - - - - -[Illustration] - -_A Letter written by a Gentleman to the Author, his friend._ - - - FRIEND PHILOPARTHEN, - -[Illustration] - -In perusing your Loving Folly, and your Declining from it; I do -behold Reason conquering Passion. The infirmity of loving argueth -you are a man; the firmness thereof, discovereth a good wit and the -best nature: and the falling from it, true virtue. Beauty was always -of force to mislead the wisest; and men of greatest perfection have -had no power to resist Love. The best are accompanied with vices, to -exercise their virtues; whose glory shineth brightest in resisting -motives of pleasure, and in subduing affections. And though I cannot -altogether excuse your Loving Folly; yet I do the less blame you, in -that you loved such a one as was more to be commended for her virtue, -than beauty: albeit even for that too, she was so well accomplished -with the gifts of Nature as in mine conceit (which, for good cause, I -must submit as inferior to yours) there was nothing wanting, either -in the one or the other, that might add more to her worth, except it -were a more due and better regard of your love; which she requited -not according to your deserts, nor answerable to herself in her other -parts of perfection. Yet herein it appeareth you have made good use of -Reason; that being heretofore lost in youthful vanity, have now, by -timely discretion, found yourself! - -Let me entreat you to suffer these your Passionate Sonnets to be -published! which may, peradventure, make others, possessed with the -like Humour of Loving, to follow your example, in leaving; and move -other ALCILIAS (if there be any) to embrace deserving love, while they -may! - -Hereby, also, she shall know, and, it may be, inwardly repent the -loss of your love, and see how much her perfections are blemished by -ingratitude; which will make your happiness greater by adding to your -reputation, than your contentment could have been in enjoying her love. -At the least wise, the wiser sort, however in censuring them, they may -dislike of your errors; yet they cannot but commend and allow of your -reformation: and all others that shall with indifferency read them, may -reap thereby some benefit, or contentment. - -Thus much I have written as a testimony of the good will I bear you! -with whom I do suffer or rejoice according to the quality of your -misfortune or good hap. And so I take my leave; resting, as always, - - Yours most assured, - PHILARETES. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -Author ipse φιλοπάρθενος ad libellum suum. - - -[Illustration] - - _Parve liber Domini vanos dicture labores, - Insomnes noctes, sollicitosque dies, - Errores varios, languentis tædia vitæ, - Mærores certos, gaudia certa minus, - Peruigiles curas, suspiria, vota, querelas, - Et quæcunque pati dura coegit amor. - I precor intrepidus, duram comiterque salutans - Hæc me ejus causa sustinuisse refer. - Te grato excipiet vultu rubicundula, nomen - Cum titulo inscriptum viderit esse suum. - Forsitan et nostri miserebitur illa doloris, - Dicet et, ah quantum deseruisse dolet: - Seque nimis sœvam, crudelemque ipsa vocabit, - Cui non est fidei debita cura meæ; - Quod siquidem eveniet, Domino solaminis illud, - Et tibi supremi muneris instar erit. - Si quis (ut est æquum) fatuos damnaverit ignes, - Pigritiæ fructus ingeniique levis: - Tu Dominum cæcis tenebris errasse, sed ipsum - Erroris tandem pænituisse sui, - Me quoque re vera nec tot, nec tanta tulisse, - Sed ficta ad placitum multa fuisse refer. - Ab quanto satius (nisi mens mihi vana) fuisset - Ista meo penitus delituisse sinu: - Quam levia in lucem prodire, aut luce carentis - Insanam Domini prodere stultitiam. - Nil amor est aliud, quam mentis morbus et error - Nil sapienter agit, nil bene, quisquis amat. - Sed non cuique datur sapere, aut melioribus uti, - Forte erit alterius, qui meus error erat. - Cautior incedit, qui nunquam labitur, atqui - Jam proprio evadam cautior ipse malo. - Si cui delicto gravior mea pœna videtur; - Illius in laudes officiosus eris. - Te si quis simili qui carpitur igne videbit, - Ille suam sortem flebit, et ille meam. - ALCILIÆ obsequium supplex præstare memento, - Non minima officii pars erit illa tui. - Te fortasse sua secura recondet in arca, - Et Solis posthæc luminis orbus eris. - Nil referet, fateor me non prudenter amasse; - Ultima deceptæ sors erit illa spei. - Bis proprio PHŒBUS cursu lustraverat orbem, - Conscius erroris, stultitiœque meæ, - A quo primus amor cœpit penetrare medullas, - Et falsa accensos nutriit arte focos. - Desino jam nugas amplecti, seria posthæc - (Ut Ratio monet) ac utiliora sequor._ - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -_Amoris Præludium._ - -[_Vel, Epistola ad Amicam._] - - -[Illustration] - - To thee, ALCILIA! solace of my youth! - These rude and scattered rhymes I have addressed! - The certain Witness of my Love and Truth, - That truly cannot be in words expressed: - Which, if I shall perceive thou tak'st in gree, - I will, from henceforth, write of none but thee! - - Here may you find the wounds yourself have made! - The many sorrows, I have long sustained! - Here may you see that LOVE must be obeyed! - How much I hoped, how little I have gained! - That as for you, the pains have been endured; - Even so by you, they may, at length, be cured! - - I will not call for aid to any Muse - (It is for learned Poets so to do): - Affection must, my want of Art excuse, - My works must have their patronage from You! - Whose sweet assistance, if obtain I might! - I should be able both to speak and write - -[Sidenote: _Nemini datur amare simul et sapere._] - - Meanwhile, vouchsafe to read this, as assigned - To no man's censure; but to yours alone! - Pardon the faults, that you therein shall find; - And think the writer's heart was not his own! - Experience of examples daily prove - "That no man can be well advised, and love!" - - And though the work itself deserve it not - (Such is your Worth, with my great Wants compared!); - Yet may my love unfeignèd, without spot, - Challenge so much (if more cannot be spared!). - Then, lovely Virgin! take this in good part! - The rest, unseen, is sealed up in the heart. - - Judge not by this, the depth of my affection! - Which far exceeds the measure of my skill; - But rather note herein your own perfection! - So shall appear my want of Art, not will: - Wherefore, this now, as part in lieu of greater, - I offer as an insufficient debtor! - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -_Sic incipit Stultorum Tragicomedia._ - - -[Illustration] - - It was my chance, unhappy chance to me! - As, all alone, I wandered on my way; - Void of distrust, from doubt of dangers free, - To pass a grove where LOVE in ambush lay: - Who aiming at me with his feathered dart, - Conveyed it by mine eye unto my heart. - - Where, retchless boy! he let the arrow stick, - When I, as one amazèd, senseless stood. - The hurt was great, yet seemèd but a prick! - The wound was deep, and yet appeared no blood! - But inwardly it bleeds. Proof teacheth this. - When wounds do so, the danger greater is. - - Pausing a while, and grievèd with my wound, - I looked about, expecting some relief: - Small hope of help, no ease of pain I found. - Like, all at once, to perish in my grief: - When hastily, I pluckèd forth the dart; - But left the head fast fixèd in my heart. - - Fast fixèd in my heart, I left the head, - From whence I doubt it will not be removed. - Ah, what unlucky chance that way me led? - O LOVE! thy force thou might'st elsewhere have proved! - And shewed thy power, where thou art not obeyed! - "The conquest's small, where no resist is made." - - But nought, alas, avails it to complain; - I rest resolved, with patience to endure. - The fire being once dispersed through every vein, - It is too late to hope for present cure. - Now PHILOPARTHEN must new follies prove, - And learn a little, what it is to love! - -[Illustration] - - - - - _These Sonnets following were written by the Author - (who giveth himself this feigned name of PHILOPARTHEN - as his accidental attribute), at divers times, and upon - divers occasions; and therefore in the form and - matter they differ, and sometimes are quite - contrary one to another: which ought not to - be misliked, considering the very nature - and quality of Love; which is - a Passion full of variety, - and contrariety - in itself._ - - -I. - -[Sidenote: _Ut vidi, ut perii, ut me malus abstulit error._] - -[Illustration] - - Unhappy Eyes! that first my heart betrayed, - Had you not seen, my grief had not been such! - And yet, how may I, justly, you upbraid! - Since what I saw delighted me so much? - But hence, alas, proceedeth all my smart: - Unhappy Eyes! that first betrayed my heart! - - -II. - - To seek adventures, as Fate hath assigned, - My slender Bark now floats upon the main; - Each troubled thought, an Oar; each sigh, a Wind, - Whose often puffs have rent my Sails in twain. - LOVE steers the Boat, which (for that sight, he lacks) - Is still in danger of ten thousand wracks. - - -III. - - What sudden chance hath changed my wonted cheer, - Which makes me other than I seem to be? - My days of joy, that once were bright and clear, - Are turned to nights! my mirth, to misery! - Ah, well I ween that somewhat is amiss; - But, sooth to say, I know not what it is! - - -IV. - - What, am I dead? Then could I feel no smart! - But still in me the sense of grief reviveth. - Am I alive? Ah, no! I have no heart; - For she that hath it, me of life depriveth. - O that she would restore my heart again; - Or give me hers, to countervail my pain! - - -V. - - If it be Love, to waste long hours in grief; - If it be Love, to wish, and not obtain; - If it be Love, to pine without relief; - If it be Love, to hope and never gain; - Then may you think that he hath truly loved, - Who, for your sake! all this and more, hath proved! - - -VI. - - If that, in ought, mine eyes have done amiss; - Let them receive deserved punishment! - For so the perfect rule of Justice is, - Each for his own deeds, should be praised, or shent. - Then, doubtless, is it both 'gainst Law and Sense, - My Heart should suffer for mine Eyes' offence. - - -VII. - - I am not sick, and yet I am not sound; - I eat and sleep, and yet, methinks, I thrive not. - I sport and laugh, and yet my griefs abound; - I am not dead, and yet, methinks, I live not. - "What uncouth cause hath these strange passions bred, - To make at once, sick, sound, alive, and dead?" - - -VIII. - - Something I want; but what, I cannot say. - O, now I know! It is myself I want! - My Love, with her, hath ta'en my heart away; - Yea, heart and all, and left me very scant. - "Such power hath Love, and nought but Love alone, - To make divided creatures live in one." - - -IX. - - PHILOPARTHEN. "Come, gentle Death! and strike me with thy dart! - Life is but loathsome to a man opprest." - DEATH. "How can I kill thee! when thou hast no heart? - That which thou hadst, is in another's breast!" - PHILOPARTHEN. "Then, must I live, and languish still in pain?" - DEATH. "Yea, till thy Love restore thy heart again!" - - -X. - - Were Love a Fire, my tears might quench it lightly; - Or were it Water, my hot heart might dry it. - If Air, then might it pass away more slightly; - Or were it Earth, the world might soon descry it. - If Fire nor Water, Air nor Earth it be; - What then is it, that thus tormenteth me? - - -XI. - - To paint her outward shape and gifts of mind, - It doth exceed my wit and cunning far. - She hath no fault, but that she is unkind. - All other parts in her so complete are, - That who, to view them throughly would devise, - Must have his body nothing else but eyes. - - -XII. - - Fair is my Love! whose parts are so well framed, - By Nature's special order and direction; - That She herself is more than half ashamed, - In having made a work of such perfection. - And well may Nature blush at such a feature; - Seeing herself excelled in her creature. - - -XIII. - - Her body is straight, slender, and upright; - Her visage comely, and her looks demure - Mixt with a cheerful grace that yields delight; - Her eyes, like stars, bright, shining, clear and pure: - Which I describing, LOVE bids stay my pen, - And says, "It's not a work for mortal men!" - - -XIV. - - The ancient poets write of Graces three, - Which meeting all together in one creature, - In all points, perfect make the Frame to be; - For inward virtues, and for outward feature - But smile, ALCILIA! and the world shall see - That in thine eyes, a hundred Graces be! - - -XV. - - As LOVE had drawn his bow, ready to shoot, - Aiming at me, with resolute intent; - Straight, bow and shaft he cast down at his foot, - And said, "Why, needless, should one shaft be spent? - I'll spare it then, and now it shall suffice - Instead of shafts, to use ALCILIA'S eyes." - - -XVI. - - Blush not, my Love! for fear lest PHŒBUS spy! - Which if he do, then, doubtless, he will say, - "Thou seek'st to dim his clearness with thine eye!" - That clearness, which, from East, brings gladsome day: - But most of all, lest JOVE should see, I dread; - And take thee up to heaven like GANYMEDE. - - -XVII. - - PHILOPARTHEN. "What is the cause ALCILIA is displeased?" - LOVE. "Because she wants that which should most content her." - PHILOPARATHEN. "O did I know it, soon should she be eased!" - LOVE. "Perhaps, thou dost! and that doth most torment her." - PHILOPARTHEN. "Yet, let her ask! what she desires to have." - LOVE. "Guess, by thyself! For maidens must not crave!" - - -XVIII. - - My Love, by chance, her tender finger pricked; - As, in the dark, I strivèd for a kiss: - Whose blood, I seeing, offered to have licked, - But half in anger, she refusèd this. - O that she knew the difference of the smart - 'Twixt her pricked finger, and my piercèd heart! - - -XIX. - - PHILOPARTHEN. "I pray thee, tell! What makes my heart to tremble, - When, on a sudden, I, ALCILIA spy?" - LOVE. "Because thy heart cannot thy joy dissemble! - Thy life and death are both lodged in her eye." - PHILOPARTHEN. "Dost thou not her, with self-same passion strike?" - LOVE. "O, no! Her heart and thine are not alike." - - -XX. - - Such are thy parts of body and of mind; - That if I should not love thee as I do, - I should too much degenerate from Kind, - And think the world would blame my weakness too. - For he, whom such perfections cannot move, - Is either senseless, or not born to love. - - -XXI. - - ALCILIA'S eyes have set my heart on fire, - The pleasing object that my pain doth feed: - Yet still to see those eyes I do desire, - As if my help should from my hurt proceed. - Happy were I, might there in her be found - A will to heal, as there was power to wound. - - -XXII. - - Unwise was he, that painted LOVE a boy; - Who, for his strength, a giant should have been. - It's strange a child should work so great annoy; - Yet howsoever strange, too truly seen. - "But what is he? that dares at LOVE repine; - Whose works are wonders, and himself divine!" - - -XXIII. - - My fair ALCILIA! gladly would I know it, - If ever Loving Passion pierced thy heart? - O, no! For, then, thy kindness soon would show it! - And of my pains, thyself wouldst bear some part. - Full little knoweth he that hath not proved, - What hell it is to love, and not be loved. - - -XXIV. - - LOVE! Art thou blind? Nay, thou canst see too well! - And they are blind that so report of thee! - That thou dost see, myself by proof can tell; - (A hapless proof thereof is made by me); - For sure I am, hadst thou not had thy sight, - Thou never couldst have hit my heart so right. - - -XXV. - - Long have I languished, and endured much smart - Since hapless I, the Cruel Fair did love; - And lodged her in the centre of my heart. - Who, there abiding, Reason should her move. - Though of my pains she no compassion take; - Yet to respect me, for her own sweet sake. - - -XXVI. - - In midst of winter season, as the snow, - Whose milk white mantle overspreads the ground; - In part, the colour of my love is so. - Yet their effects, I have contrary found: - For when the sun appears, snow melts anon; - But I melt always when my sun is gone. - - -XXVII. - - The sweet content, at first, I seemed to prove - (While yet Desire unfledged, could scarcely fly), - Did make me think there was no life to Love; - Till all too late, Time taught the contrary. - For, like a fly, I sported with the flame; - Till, like a fool, I perished in the same. - - -XXVIII. - - After dark night, the cheerful day appeareth; - After an ebb, the river flows again; - After a storm, the cloudy heaven cleareth: - All labours have their end, or ease of pain. - Each creature hath relief and rest, save I, - Who only dying, live; and living, die! - - -XXIX. - - Sometimes I seek for company to sport, - Whereby I might my pensive thoughts beguile; - Sometimes, again, I hide me from resort, - And muse alone: but yet, alas, the while - In changing place, I cannot change my mind; - For wheresoe'er I fly, myself I find. - - -XXX. - -[Sidenote: _Meritum petere grave._] - - Fain would I speak, but straight my heart doth tremble, - And checks my tongue that should my griefs reveal: - And so I strive my Passions to dissemble, - Which all the art I have, cannot conceal. - Thus standing mute, my heart with longing starveth! - "It grieves a man to ask, what he deserveth." - - -XXXI. - - Since you desire of me the cause to know, - For which these divers Passions I have proved; - Look in your glass! which will not fail to show - The shadowed portrait of my best beloved. - If that suffice not, look into my heart! - Where it's engraven by a new found art. - - -XXXII. - - The painful ploughman hath his heart's delight; - Who, though his daily toil his body tireth, - Yet merrily comes whistling home at night, - And sweetly takes the ease his pain requireth: - But neither days nor nights can yield me rest; - Born to be wretched, and to live opprest! - - -XXXIII. - - O well were it, if Nature would devise - That men with men together might engender, - As grafts of trees, one from another rise; - Then nought, of due, to women should we render! - But, vain conceit! that Nature should do this; - Since, well we know, herself a woman is! - - -XXXIV. - - Upon the altar where LOVE'S fires burnèd, - My Sighs and Tears for sacrifice I offered; - When LOVE, in rage, from me his countenance turnèd, - And did reject what I so humbly proffered. - If he, my heart expect, alas, it's gone! - "How can a man give that, is not his own?" - - -XXXV. - - ALCILIA said, "She did not know my mind, - Because my words did not declare my love!" - Thus, where I merit most, least help I find; - And her unkindness all too late I prove. - Grant, LOVE! that She, of whom thou art neglected, - May one day love, and little be respected! - - -XXXVI. - -[Sidenote: _Amor est otiogorum negotium_.] - - The Cynic[9] being asked, "When he should love?" - Made answer, "When he nothing had to do; - For Love was Sloth!" But he did never prove - By his experience, what belonged thereto. - For had he tasted but so much as I, - He would have soon reformed his heresy. - - -XXXVII. - - O judge me not, sweet Love, by outward show - Though sometimes strange I seem, and to neglect thee! - Yet didst thou, but my inward Passions know, - Thou shouldst perceive how highly I respect thee! - "When looks are fixed, the heart ofttimes doth tremble! - "Little loves he, that cannot much dissemble!" - - -XXXVIII. - - Parting from thee! even from myself I part. - Thou art the star, by which my life is guided! - I have the body, but thou hast the heart! - The better part is from itself divided. - Thus do I live, and this I do sustain, - Till gracious Fortune make us meet again! - - -XXXIX. - - Open the sluices of my feeble eyes, - And let my tears have passage from their fountain! - Fill all the earth, with plaints! the air, with cries! - Which may pierce rocks, and reach the highest mountain - That so, LOVE'S wrath, by these extremes appeased; - My griefs may cease, and my poor heart be eased. - - -XL. - - "After long sickness, health brings more delight." - "Seas seem more calm, by storms once overblown." - "The day more cheerful, by the passed night." - "Each thing is, by his contrary best known." - "Continual ease is pain: Change sometimes meeter." - "Discords in music make music sweeter." - - -XLI. - - Fear to offend forbids my tongue to speak, - And signs and sighs must tell my inward woe: - But (ay the while) my heart with grief doth break, - And she, by signs, my sorrow will not know. - "The stillest streams we see in deepest fords; - And Love is greatest, when it wanteth words." - - -XLII. - - "No pain so great but may be eased by Art." - "Though much we suffer, yet despair we should not." - "In midst of griefs, Hope always hath some part; - And Time may heal, what Art and Reason could not." - O what is then this Passion I endure, - Which neither Reason, Art, nor Time can cure? - - -XLIII. - - Pale Jealousy! Fiend of the eternal Night! - Misshapen creature, born before thy time! - The Imp of Horror! Foe to sweet Delight! - Making each error seem an heinous crime. - Ah, too great pity! (were there remedy), - That ever Love should keep Thee company! - - -XLIV. - -[Sidenote: _Solstit: brumal._ - -_This Sonnet was devised upon the shortest day of the year._] - - The days are now come to their shortest date; - And must, in time, by course, increase again. - But only I continue at one state, - Void of all hope of help, or ease of pain; - For days of joy must still be short with me, - And nights of sorrow must prolongèd be. - - -XLV. - - Sleep now, my Muse! and henceforth take thy rest! - Which all too long thyself in vain hath wasted. - Let it suffice I still must live opprest; - And of my pains, the fruit must ne'er be tasted. - Then sleep, my Muse! "Fate cannot be withstood." - "It's better sleep; than wake, and do no good." - - -XLVI. - - Why should I love, since She doth prove ungrateful: - Since, for reward, I reap nought but disdain. - Love thus to be requited, it is hateful! - And Reason would, I should not love in vain. - Yet all in vain, when all is out of season, - For "Love hath no society with Reason." - - -XLVII. - - Heart's Ease and I have been at odds, too long! - I follow fast, but still he flies from me! - I sue for grace, and yet sustain the wrong; - So gladly would I reconcilèd be. - LOVE! make us one! So shalt thou work a wonder; - Uniting them, that were so far asunder. - - -XLVIII. - - "Uncouth, unkist," our ancient Poet[10] said. - And he that hides his wants, when he hath need, - May, after, have his want of wit bewrayed; - And fail of his desire, when others speed. - Then boldly speak! "The worst is at first entering!" - "Much good success men miss, for lack of venturing!" - - -XLIX. - - Declare the griefs wherewith thou art opprest, - And let the world be witness of thy woes! - Let not thy thoughts lie buried in thy breast; - But let thy tongue, thy discontents disclose! - For "who conceals his pain when he is grieved, - May well be pitied, but no way relieved." - - -L. - -[Sidenote: _Ne amor ne signoria vuole compagnia._] - - Wretched is he that loving, sets his heart - On her, whose love, from pure affection swerveth; - Who doth permit each one to have a part - Of that, which none but he alone deserveth. - Give all, or none! For once, of this be sure! - "Lordship and Love no partners may endure." - - -LI. - - Who spends the weary day in pensive thought, - And night in dreams of horror and affright; - Whose wealth is want; whose hope is come to nought; - Himself, the mark for Love's and Fortune's spite: - Let him appear, if any such there be! - His case and mine more fitly will agree. - - -LII. - - Fair tree, but fruitless! sometimes full of sap! - Which now yields nought at all, that may delight me! - Some cruel frost, or some untimely hap - Hath made thee barren, only to despite me! - Such trees, in vain, with hope do feed Desire; - And serve for fuel to increase Love's fire. - - -LIII. - - In company (whiles sad and mute I sit, - My thoughts elsewhere, than there I seem to be) - Possessed with some deep melancholy fit; - One of my friends observes the same in me, - And says in jest, which I in earnest prove, - "He looks like one, that had lost his First Love!" - - -LIV. - - 'Twixt Hope and Fear, in doubtful balance peazed, - My fate, my fortune, and my love depends. - Sometimes my Hope is raised, when LOVE is pleased; - Which Fear weighs down, when ought his will offends. - The heavens are sometimes clear, and sometimes lower; - And "he that loves, must taste both sweet and sour!" - - -LV. - - Retire, my wandering Thoughts! unto your rest! - Do not, henceforth, consume yourselves in vain! - No mortal man, in all points, can be blest; - What now is mine, may be another's pain. - The watery clouds are clear, when storms are past; - And "things, in their extremes, long cannot last." - - -LVI. - -[Sidenote: _Visus. Sermo. Tactus._] - - The fire of Love is first bred in the Eye, - And thence conveys his heat unto the Heart, - Where it lies hid, till time his force descry. - The Tongue thereto adds fuel for his part; - The touch of Lips, which doth succeed the same, - Kindles the rest, and so it proves a flame. - - -LVII. - - The tender Sprigs that sprouted in the field, - And promised hope of fruit to him that planted; - Instead of fruit, doth nought but blossoms yield, - Though care, and pain to prune them never wanted: - Even so, my hopes do nought but blossoms prove, - And yield no fruits to recompense my love. - - -LVIII. - - Though little sign of love in show appear; - Yet think, True Love, of colours hath no need! - It's not the glorious garments, which men wear, - That makes them other than they are indeed: - "In meanest show, the most affection dwells; - And richest pearls are found in simplest shells." - - -LIX. - -[Sidenote: _MARTIAL. Ille dolet vere, qui sine teste dolet._] - - Let not thy tongue, thy inward thoughts disclose! - Or tell the sorrows that thy heart endures! - Let no man's ears be witness of thy woes! - Since pity, neither help nor ease procures: - And "only he is, truly, said to moan, - Whose griefs none knoweth but himself alone." - - -LX. - -[Sidenote: _Alteri inserviens meipsum conficio._] - - A thousand times; I curse these idle rhymes, - Which do their Maker's follies vain set forth; - Yet bless I them again, as many times, - For that in them, I blaze ALCILIA'S worth. - Meanwhile, I fare, as doth the torch by night, - Which wastes itself in giving others light. - - -LXI. - - Enough of this! For all is nought regarded! - And She, not once, with my complaints is moved. - Die, hapless love! since thou art not rewarded; - Yet ere thou die, to witness that I loved! - Report my truth! and tell the Fair unkind, - That "She hath lost, what none but She shall find! - - -LXII. - - Lovers, lament! You that have truly loved! - For PHILOPARTHEN, now, hath lost his love: - The greatest loss that ever lover proved. - O let his hard hap some compassion move! - Who had not rued the loss of her so much; - But that he knows the world yields no more such. - - -LXIII. - - Upon the ocean of conceited error, - My weary spirits, many storms have past; - Which now in harbour, free from wonted terror, - Joy the possession of their rest at last. - And, henceforth, safely may they lie at road! - And never rove for "Had I wist!" abroad! - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 9: _DIOGENES._] - -[Footnote 10: _CHAUCER._] - - - - -[Illustration] - -_LOVE'S Accusation at the Judgement Seat_ _of REASON; wherein the -Author's whole_ _success in his love is covertly_ _deciphered._ - -[Compare this, with GASCOIGNE'S poem, _Vol. I. p._ 63.] - - -[Illustration] - - IN REASON'S Court, myself being Plaintiff there, - LOVE was, by process, summoned to appear. - That so the wrongs, which he had done to me, - Might be made known; and all the world might see: - And seeing, rue what to my cost I proved; - While faithful, but unfortunate I loved. - - After I had obtainèd audience; - I thus began to give in evidence. - -[_The Author's Evidence against LOVE._] - - "Most sacred Queen! and Sovereign of man's heart! - Which of the mind dost rule the better part! - First bred in heaven, and from thence, hither sent - To guide men's actions by thy regiment! - Vouchsafe a while to hear the sad complaint - Of him that LOVE hath long kept in restraint; - And, as to you it properly belongs, - Grant justice of my undeservèd wrongs! - It's now two years, as I remember well, - Since first this wretch, (sent from the nether hell, - To plague the world with new-found cruelties), - Under the shadow of two crystal Eyes, - Betrayed my Sense; and, as I slumbering lay, - Feloniously conveyed my heart away; - Which most unjustly he detained from me, - And exercised thereon strange tyranny. - Sometime his manner was, in sport and game, - With briars and thorns, to raze and prick the same; - Sometime with nettles of Desire to sting it; - Sometime with pincons[11] of Despair to wring it; - Sometime again, he would anoint the sore, - And heal the place that he had hurt before: - But hurtful helps! and ministered in vain! - Which servèd only to renew my pain. - For, after that, more wounds he added still, - Which piercèd deep, but had no power to kill. - Unhappy medicine! which, instead of cure, - Gives strength to make the patient more endure! - But that which was most strange of all the rest - (Myself being thus 'twixt life and death distrest), - Ofttimes, when as my pain exceeded measure, - He would persuade me that the same was pleasure; - My solemn sadness, but contentment meet; - My travail, rest; and all my sour, sweet; - My wounds, but gentle strokes: whereat he smiled, - And by these slights, my careless youth beguiled. - Thus did I fare, as one that living died, - (For greater pains, I think, hath no man tried) - Disquiet thoughts, like furies in my breast - Nourished the poison that my spirits possesst. - Now Grief, then Joy; now War, then Peace unstable, - Nought sure I had, but to be miserable. - I cannot utter all, I must confess. - Men may conceive more than they can express! - But (to be short), which cannot be excused, - With vain illusions, LOVE, my hope abused; - Persuading me I stood upon firm ground - When, unawares, myself on sands I found. - This is the point which most I do enforce! - That Love, without all pity or remorse, - Did suffer me to languish still in grief - Void of contentment, succour, or relief: - And when I looked my pains should be rewarded, - I did perceive, that they were nought regarded. - For why? Alas, these hapless eyes did see - ALCILIA loved another more than me! - So in the end, when I expected most; - My hope, my love, and fortune thus were crost." - - Proceeding further, REASON bad me stay - For the Defendant had some thing to say. - Then to the Judge, for justice, loud I cried! - And so I pausèd: and LOVE thus replied. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[Footnote 11: _pincers._] - - -[_LOVE'S Reply to the Author._] - - "Since REASON ought to lend indifferent ears - Unto both parties, and judge as truth appears; - Most gracious Lady! give me leave to speak, - And answer his Complaint, that seeks to wreak - His spite and malice on me, without cause; - In charging me to have transgressed thy laws! - Of all his follies, he imputes the blame - To me, poor LOVE! that nought deserves the same. - Himself it is, that hath abusèd me! - As by mine answer, shall well proved be. - Fond youth! thou knowest what I for thee effected! - Though, now, I find it little be respected. - I purged thy wit, which was before but gross. - The metal pure, I severed from the dross, - And did inspire thee with my sweetest fire - That kindled in thee Courage and Desire: - Not like unto those servile Passions - Which cumber men's imaginations - With Avarice, Ambition, and Vainglory; - Desire of things fleeting and transitory. - No base conceit, but such as Powers above - Have known and felt, I mean, th' Instinct of Love; - Which making men, all earthly things despise, - Transports them to a heavenly paradise. - Where thou complain'st of sorrows in thy heart, - Who lives on earth but therein hath his part? - Are these thy fruits? Are these thy best rewards - For all the pleasing glances, sly regards, - The sweet stol'n kisses, amorous conceits, - So many smiles, so many fair intreats, - Such kindness as ALCILIA did bestow - All for my sake! as well thyself dost know? - That LOVE should thus be used, it is hateful! - But 'all is lost, that's done for one ungrateful.' - Where he allegeth that he was abusèd - In that he truly loving, was refusèd: - That's most untrue! and plainly may be tried. - Who never asked, could never be denied! - But he affected rather single life, - Than yoke of marriage, matching with a wife. - And most men, now, make love to none but heires[ses] - Poor love! GOD wot! that poverty empairs. - Worldly respects, LOVE little doth regard. - 'Who loves, hath only love for his reward!' - - [Sidenote: _The description - of a - foolhardy - Lover._] - - He merits a lover's name, indeed! - That casts no doubts, which vain suspicion breed: - But desperately at hazard, throws the dice, - Neglecting due regard of friends' advice; - That wrestles with his fortune and his fate, - Which had ordained to better his estate; - That hath no care of wealth, no fear of lack, - But ventures forward, though he see his wrack; - That with Hope's wings, like ICARUS doth fly, - Though for his rashness, he like fortune try; - That, to his fame, the world of him may tell - How, while he soared aloft, adown he fell. - And so True Love awarded him his doom - In scaling heaven, to have made the sea his tomb; - That making shipwreck of his dearest fame, - Betrays himself to poverty and shame; - That hath no sense of sorrow, or repent, - No dread of perils far or imminent; - But doth prefer before all pomp or pelf, - The sweet of love as dearer than himself. - Who, were his passage stopped by sword and fire, - Would make way through, to compass his Desire. - For which he would (though heaven and earth forbad it) - Hazard to lose a kingdom, if he had it. - These be the things wherein I glory most, - Whereof, this my Accuser cannot boast: - Who was indifferent to his loss or gain; - And better pleased to fail, than to obtain. - All qualified affections, LOVE doth hate! - And likes him best that's most intemperate. - But hence, proceeds his malice and despite; - While he himself bars of his own delight. - For when as he, ALCILIA first affected, - (Like one in show, that love little respected) - He masqued, disguised, and entertained his thought - With hope of that, which he in secret sought; - And still forbare to utter his desire, - Till his delay receive her worthy hire. - And well we know, what maids themselves would have, - Men must sue for, and by petition crave. - But he regarding more his Wealth, than Will; - Hath little care his Fancy to fulfil. - Yet when he saw ALCILIA loved another; - The secret fire, which in his breast did smother, - Began to smoke, and soon had proved a flame: - If Temperance had not allayed the same. - Which, afterward, so quenched he did not find - But that some sparks remainèd still behind. - Thus, when time served, he did refuse to crave it; - And yet envied another man should have it! - As though, fair maids should wait, at young men's pleasure, - Whilst they, 'twixt sport and earnest, love at leisure. - Nay, at the first! when it is kindly proffered! - Maids must accept; least twice, it be not offered! - Else though their beauty seem their good t'importune, - Yet may they lose the better of their fortune. - Thus, as this Fondling coldly went about it; - So in the end, he clearly went without it. - For while he, doubtful, seemed to make a stay, - A Mongrel stole the maiden's heart away; - For which, though he lamented much in shew, - Yet was he, inward, glad it fell out so. - Now, REASON! you may plainly judge by this, - Not I, but he, the false dissembler is: - Who, while fond hope his lukewarm love did feed, - Made sign of more than he sustained indeed: - And filled his rhymes with fables and with lies, - Which, without Passion, he did oft devise; - So to delude the ignorance of such - That pitied him, thinking he loved too much. - And with conceit, rather to shew his Wit, - Than manifest his faithful Love by it. - Much more than this, could I lay to his charge; - But time would fail to open all at large. - Let this suffice to prove his bad intent, - And prove that LOVE is clear and innocent." - - Thus, at the length, though late, he made an end, - And both of us did earnestly, attend - The final judgement, REASON should award: - When thus she 'gan to speak. "With due regard, - The matter hath been heard, on either side. - For judgement, you must longer time abide! - The cause is weighty, and of great import." - And so she, smiling, did adjourn the Court. - - Little availed it, then, to argue more; - So I returned in worse case than before. - - -_LOVE Deciphered._ - -[Illustration] - - LOVE and I are now divided, - Conceit, by Error, was misguided. - ALCILIA hath my love despised! - "No man loves, that is advised." - "Time at length, hath Truth detected." - LOVE hath missed what he expected. - Yet missing that, which long he sought; - I have found that, I little thought. - "Errors, in time, may be redrest," - "The shortest follies are the best." - - Love and Youth are now asunder; - Reason's glory, Nature's wonder. - My thoughts, long bound, are now enlarged; - My Folly's penance is discharged: - Thus Time hath altered my estate. - "Repentance never comes too late." - Ah, well I find that Love is nought - But folly, and an idle thought. - The difference is 'twixt LOVE and me, - That he is blind, and I can see. - - Love is honey mixed with gall! - A thraldom free, a freedom thrall! - A bitter sweet, a pleasant sour! - Got in a year, lost in an hour! - A peaceful war, a warlike peace! - Whose wealth brings want; whose want, increase! - Full long pursuit, and little gain! - Uncertain pleasure, certain pain! - Regard of neither right nor wrong! - For short delights, repentance long! - - Love is the sickness of the thought! - Conceit of pleasure, dearly bought! - A restless Passion of the mind! - A labyrinth of errors blind! - A sugared poison! fair deceit! - A bait for fools! a furious heat! - A chilling cold! a wondrous passion - Exceeding man's imagination! - Which none can tell in whole, or part, - But only he that feels the smart. - - Love is sorrow mixt with gladness! - Fear, with hope! and hope, with madness! - Long did I love, but all in vain; - I loving, was not loved again: - For which my heart sustained much woe. - It fits not maids to use men so! - Just deserts are not regarded, - Never love so ill rewarded! - But "all is lost that is not sought!" - "Oft wit proves best, that's dearest bought! - - Women were made for men's relief; - To comfort, not to cause their grief. - Where most I merit, least I find: - No marvel! since that love is blind. - Had She been kind, as She was fair, - My case had been more strange and rare. - But women love not by desert! - Reason in them hath weakest part! - Then, henceforth, let them love that list, - I will beware of "Had I wist!" - - These faults had better been concealed, - Than to my shame abroad revealed. - Yet though my youth did thus miscarry, - My harms may make others more wary. - Love is but a youthful fit, - And some men say "It's sign of wit!" - But he that loves as I have done; - To pass the day, and see no sun: - Must change his note, and sing _Erravi!_ - Or else may chance to cry _Peccavi!_ - - The longest day must have his night, - Reason triumphs in Love's despite. - I follow now Discretion's lore; - "Henceforth to like; but love no more!" - Then gently pardon what is past! - For LOVE draws onwards to his last. - "He walks," they say, "with wary eye; - Whose footsteps never tread awry!" - My Muse a better work intends: - And here my Loving Folly ends. - - After long storms and tempests past, - I see the haven at the last; - Where I must rest my weary bark, - And there unlade my care and cark. - My pains and travails long endured, - And all my wounds must there be cured. - Joys, out of date, shall be renewed; - To think of perils past eschewed. - When I shall sit full blithe and jolly, - And talk of lovers and their folly. - - Then LOVE and FOLLY, both adieu! - Long have I been misled by you. - FOLLY may new adventures try! - But REASON says that "LOVE must die!" - Yea, die indeed, although grieve him; - For my cold heart cannot relieve him! - Yet for her sake, whom once I loved, - (Though all in vain, as time hath proved) - I'll take the pain, if She consent! - To write his Will and Testament. - - -_LOVE's last Will and Testament._ - -[Illustration] - - My spirit, I bequeath unto the air! - My Body shall unto the earth repair! - My Burning Brand, unto the Prince of Hell; - T'increase men's pains that there in darkness dwell! - For well I ween, above nor under ground, - A greater pain than that, may not be found. - My sweet Conceits of Pleasure and Delight, - To EREBUS! and to Eternal Night! - My Sighs, my Tears, my Passions, and Laments, - Distrust, Despair; all these my hourly rents, - With other plagues that lovers' minds enthral: - Unto OBLIVION, I bequeath them all! - My broken Bow, and Shafts, I give to REASON! - My Cruelties, my Slights, and forged Treason, - To Womankind! and to their seed, for aye! - To wreak their spite, and work poor men's decay. - Reserving only for ALCILIA's part, - Small kindness, and less care of lovers' smart. - For She is from the vulgar sort excepted; - And had She, PHILOPARTHEN's love respected, - Requiting it with like affection, - She might have had the praise of all perfection. - This done; if I have any Faith and Troth; - To PHILOPARTHEN, I assign them both! - For unto him, of right, they do belong - Who loving truly, suffered too much wrong. - TIME shall be sole Executor of my will; - Who may these things, in order due fulfil, - To warrant this my Testament for good; - I have subscribed it, with my dying blood." - - And so he died, that all this bale had bred. - And yet my heart misdoubts he is not dead: - For, sure, I fear, should I ALCILIA spy; - She might, eftsoons, revive him with her eye! - Such power divine remaineth in her sight; - To make him live again, in Death's despite. - -[Illustration] - - - - - _The Sonnets following were written by the Author, - after he began to decline from his Passionate - Affection; and in them, he seemeth to - please himself with describing the - Vanity of Love, the Frailty - of Beauty, and the - sour fruits of - Repentance._ - - -I. - -[Sidenote: _Chi non si fida, non vient ingannato._] - -[Illustration] - - Now have I spun the web of my own woes, - And laboured long to purchase my own loss. - Too late I see, I was beguiled with shows. - And that which once seemed gold, now - proves but dross. - Thus am I, both of help and hope bereaved. - "He never tried that never was deceived. - - -II. - - Once did I love, but more than once repent; - When vintage came, my grapes were sour, or rotten. - Long time in grief and pensive thoughts I spent; - And all for that, which Time hath made forgotten. - O strange effects of time! which, once being lost, - Make men secure of that they loved most. - - -III. - - Thus have I long in th'air of Error hovered, - And run my ship upon Repentance's shelf. - Truth hath the veil of Ignorance uncovered, - And made me see; and seeing, know myself. - Of former follies, now, I must repent, - And count this work, part of my time ill spent. - - -IV. - - What thing is LOVE? "A tyrant of the Mind!" - "Begot by heat of Youth; brought forth by Sloth; - Nursed with vain Thoughts, and changing as the wind!" - "A deep Dissembler, void of faith and troth!" - "Fraught with fond errors, doubts, despite, disdain, - And all the plagues that earth and hell contain!" - - -V. - - Like to a man that wanders all the day - Through ways unknown, to seek a thing of worth, - And, at the night, sees he hath gone astray; - As near his end, as when he first set forth: - Such is my case, whose hope untimely crost, - After long errors, proves my labour lost. - - -VI. - - Failed of that hap, whereto my hope aspired, - Deprived of that which might have been mine own: - Another, now, must have what I desired; - And things too late, by their events are known. - Thus do we wish for that cannot be got; - And when it may, then we regard it not. - - -VII. - - Ingrateful LOVE! since thou hast played thy part! - (Enthralling him, whom Time hath since made free) - It rests with me, to use both Wit and Art, - That of my wrongs I may revenged be: - And in those eyes, where first thou took'st thy fire! - Thyself shalt perish, through my cold desire. - - -VIII. - - "Grieve not thyself, for that cannot be had! - And things, once cureless, let them cureless rest!" - "Blame not thy fortune, though thou deem it bad! - What's past and gone will never be redrest." - "The only help, for that cannot be gained, - Is to forget it might have been obtained." - - -IX. - - How happy, once, did I myself esteem! - While Love with Hope, my fond Desire did cherish: - My state as blissful as a King's did seem, - Had I been sure my joys should never perish. - "The thoughts of men are fed with expectation." - "Pleasures themselves are but imagination." - - -X. - - Why should we hope for that which is to come, - Where the event is doubtful, and unknown? - Such fond presumptions soon receive their doom, - When things expected we count as our own; - Whose issue, ofttimes, in the end proves nought - But hope! a shadow, and an idle thought. - - -XI. - - In vain do we complain our life is short, - (Which well disposed, great matters might effect) - While we ourselves, in toys and idle sport, - Consume the better part without respect. - And careless (as though time should never end it) - 'Twixt sleep, and waking, prodigally spend it. - - -XII. - - Youthful Desire is like the summer season - That lasts not long; for winter must succeed: - And so our Passions must give place to Reason; - And riper years, more ripe effects must breed. - Of all the seed, Youth sowed in vain desires, - I reaped nought, but thistles, thorns, and briars. - - -XIII. - -[Sidenote: _Chi non fa, non falla; chi falla, l'amenda._] - - "To err and do amiss, is given to men by Kind." - "Who walks so sure, but sometimes treads awry?" - But to continue still in errors blind, - A bad and bestial nature doth descry. - "Who proves not; fails not; and brings nought to end: - Who proves and fails, may, afterward, amend." - - -XIV. - - There was but One, and doubtless She the best! - Whom I did more than all the world esteem: - She having failed, I disavow the rest; - For, now, I find "things are not as they seem." - "Default of that, wherein our will is crost, - Ofttimes, unto our good availeth most." - - -XV. - -[Sidenote: _Chi va, e ritorna, fa buon viaggio._] - - I fare like him who, now his land-hope spent, - By unknown seas, sails to the Indian shore; - Returning thence no richer than he went, - Yet cannot much his fortune blame therefore. - Since "Whoso ventures forth upon the Main, - Makes a good mart, if he return again." - - -XVI. - - Lovers' Conceits are like a flatt'ring Glass, - That makes the lookers fairer than they are; - Who, pleased in their deceit, contented pass. - Such once was mine, who thought there was none fair, - None witty, modest, virtuous but She; - Yet now I find the Glass abusèd me. - - -XVII. - - Adieu, fond Love! the Mother of all Error! - Replete with hope and fear, with joy and pain. - False fire of Fancy! full of care and terror. - Shadow of pleasures fleeting, short, and vain! - Die, loathèd Love! Receive thy latest doom! - "Night be thy grave! and Oblivion be thy tomb!" - - -XVIII. - -[Sidenote: _Nihil agenda male agere discimus._] - - Who would be rapt up into the third heaven - To see a world of strange imaginations? - Who, careless, would leave all at six and seven, - To wander in a labyrinth of Passions? - Who would, at once, all kinds of folly prove; - When he hath nought to do, then let him love! - - -XIX. - - What thing is Beauty? "Nature's dearest Minion!" - "The Snare of Youth! like the inconstant moon - Waxing and waning!" "Error of Opinion!" - "A Morning's Flower, that withereth ere noon!" - "A swelling Fruit! no sooner ripe, than rotten!" - "Which sickness makes forlorn, and time forgotten!" - - -XX. - - The Spring of Youth, which now is in his prime; - Winter of Age, with hoary frosts shall nip! - Beauty shall then be made the prey of Time! - And sour Remorse, deceitful Pleasures whip! - Then, henceforth, let Discretion rule Desire! - And Reason quench the flame of CUPID'S fire! - -XXI. - - O what a life was that sometime I led! - When Love with Passions did my peace encumber; - While, like a man neither alive nor dead, - I was rapt from myself, as one in slumber: - Whose idle senses, charmed with fond illusion, - Did nourish that which bred their own confusion. - - -XXII. - - The child, for ever after, dreads the fire; - That once therewith by chance his finger burned. - Water of Time distilled doth cool Desire. - "And far he ran," they say, "that never turned." - After long storms, I see the port at last. - Farewell, Folly! For now my love is past! - - -XXIII. - - Base servile thoughts of men, too much dejected, - That seek, and crouch, and kneel for women's grace! - Of whom, your pain and service is neglected; - Yourselves, despised; rivals, before your face! - The more you sue, the less you shall obtain! - The less you win, the more shall be your gain! - - -XXIV. - - In looking back unto my follies past; - While I the present, with times past compare, - And think how many hours I then did waste - Painting on clouds, and building in the air: - I sigh within myself, and say in sadness, - "This thing which fools call Love, is nought but Madness!" - - -XXV. - - "The things we have, we most of all neglect; - And that we have not, greedily we crave. - The things we may have, little we respect; - And still we covet, that we cannot have. - Yet, howsoe'er, in our conceit, we prize them; - No sooner gotten, but we straight despise them." - - -XXVI. - - Who seats his love upon a woman's will, - And thinks thereon to build a happy state; - Shall be deceived, when least he thinks of ill, - And rue his folly when it is too late. - He ploughs on sand, and sows upon the wind, - That hopes for constant love in Womankind. - - -XXVII. - - I will no longer spend my time in toys! - Seeing Love is Error, Folly, and Offence; - An idle fit for fond and reckless boys, - Or else for men deprived of common sense. - 'Twixt Lunacy and Love, these odds appear; - Th' one makes fools, monthly; th' other, all the year. - - -XXVIII. - - While season served to sow, my plough stood still; - My graffs unset, when other's trees did bloom. - I spent the Spring in sloth, and slept my fill; - But never thought of Winter's cold to come; - Till Spring was past, the Summer well nigh gone; - When I awaked, and saw my harvest none. - - -XXIX. - - Now LOVE sits all alone, in black attire; - His broken bow, and arrows lying by him; - His fire extinct, that whilom fed Desire; - Himself the scorn of lovers that pass by him: - Who, this day, freely may disport and play; - For it is PHILOPARTHEN's Holiday. - - -XXX. - -[Sidenote: _Otia si tellas periere Cupidinis arcus._] - - Nay, think not LOVE! with all thy cunning slight, - To catch me once again! Thou com'st too late! - Stern Industry puts Idleness to flight: - And Time hath changed both my name and state. - Then seek elsewhere for mates, that may befriend thee! - For I am busy, and cannot attend thee! - - -XXXI. - - Loose Idleness! the Nurse of fond Desire! - Root of all ills that do our youth betide; - That, whilom, didst, through love, my wrack conspire: - I banish thee! and rather wish t'abide - All austere hardness, and continual pain; - Than to revoke thee! or to love again! - - -XXXII. - - The time will come when, looking in a glass, - Thy rivelled face, with sorrow thou shalt see! - And sighing, say, "It is not as it was! - These cheeks were wont more fresh and fair to be! - But now, what once made me so much admired - Is least regarded, and of none desired!" - - -XXXIII. - -[Sidenote: _Temporis soltus honesta est avaritia._] - - Though thou be fair, think Beauty but a blast! - A morning's dew! a shadow quickly gone! - A painted flower, whose colour will not last! - Time steals away, when least we think thereon. - Most precious time! too wastefully expended; - Of which alone, the sparing is commended. - - -XXXIV. - - How vain is Youth that, crossed in his Desire, - Doth fret and fume, and inwardly repine; - As though 'gainst heaven itself, he would conspire; - And with his fraility, 'gainst his fate combine, - Who of itself continues constant still; - And doth us good, ofttimes against our will. - - -XXXV. - - In prime of Youth, when years and Wit were ripe, - Unhappy Will, to ruin led the way. - Wit danced about, when Folly 'gan to pipe; - And Will and he together went astray. - Nought then but Pleasure, was the good they sought! - Which now Repentance proves too dearly bought. - - -XXXVI. - -[Sidenote: _Est virtus placitis abstinuisse bonis._] - - He that in matters of delight and pleasure, - Can bridle his outrageous affection; - And temper it in some indifferent measure, - Doth prove himself a man of good direction. - In conquering Will, true courage most is shown; - And sweet temptations makes men's virtues known. - - -XXXVII. - -[Sidenote: _Invidia fatorum series summisque negatum staro diu._] - - Each natural thing, by course of Kind, we see, - In his perfection long continueth not. - Fruits once full ripe, will then fall from the tree; - Or in due time not gathered, soon will rot. - It is decreed, by doom of Powers Divine, - Things at their height, must thence again decline. - - -XXXVIII. - - Thy large smooth forehead, wrinkled shall appear! - Vermillion hue, to pale and wan shall turn! - Time shall deface what Youth has held most dear! - Yea, these clear Eyes (which once my heart did burn) - Shall, in their hollow circles, lodge the night; - And yield more cause of terror, than delight! - - -XXXIX. - -[Sidenote: _Quanto piace al mondo, e breue sogno._] - - Lo here, the Record of my follies past, - The fruits of Wit unstaid, and hours misspent! - Full wise is he that perils can forecast, - And so, by others' harms, his own prevent. - All Worldly Pleasure that delights the Sense, - Is but a short Sleep, and Time's vain expense! - - -XL. - - The sun hath twice his annual course performed, - Since first unhappy I, began to love; - Whose errors now, by Reason's rule reformed, - Conceits of Love but smoke and shadows prove. - Who, of his folly, seeks more praise to win; - Where I have made an end, let him begin! - - _J. C._ - -FINIS. - -[Illustration] - - - - - DAIPHANTUS, - - OR - - The Passions of Love. - - Comical to read, - - _But Tragical to act:_ - - As full of Wit, as Experience. - - By AN. SC. Gentleman. - - _Fœlix quem faciunt aliena pericula cautum._ - - Whereunto is added, - - _The Passionate Man's Pilgrimage._ - - [Illustration] - - LONDON: - - Printed by T. C. for WILLIAM COTTON: and are - to be sold at his shop, near Ludgate. 1604. - - - - -[Illustration] - -_The Argument._ - - -[Illustration] - -Daiphantus, a younger brother, very honourably descended, brought up -but not born in Venice; naturally subject to Courting, but not to Love; -reputed a man rather full of compliment, than of true courtesy; more -desirous to be thought honest, than so to be wordish beyond discretion; -promising more to all, than friendship could challenge; mutable in -all his actions, but his affections aiming indeed to gain opinion -rather than goodwill; challenging love from greatness, not from merit; -studious to abuse his own wit, by the common sale of his infirmities; -lastly, under the colour of his natural affection (which indeed was -very pleasant and delightful) coveted to disgrace every other to his -own discontent: a scourge to Beauty, a traitor to Women, and an infidel -to Love. - -This He, this creature, at length, falls in love with two at one -instant; yea, two of his nearest allies: and so indifferently -[_equally_] yet outrageously, as what was commendable in the one, was -admirable in the other. By which means, as not despised, not regarded! -if not deceived, not pitied! They esteemed him as he was in deed, not -words. He protested, they jested! He swore he loved in sadness; they -in sooth believed, but seemed to give no credence to him: thinking -him so humorous as no resolution could be long good; and holding this -his attestation to them of affection in that kind, [no] more than his -contesting against it before time. - -Thus overcome of that he seemed to conquer, he became a slave to his -own fortunes. Laden with much misery, utter mischief seized upon him. -He fell in love with another, a wedded Lady. Then with a fourth, -named VITULLIA. And so far was he imparadised in her beauty (She not -recomforting him) that he fell from Love to Passion, so to Distraction, -then to Admiration [_wonderment_] and Contemplation, lastly to Madness. -Thus did he _act_ the Tragical scenes, who only penned the Comical: -became, if not as brutish as ACTÆON, as furious as ORLANDO. Of whose -Humours and Passions, I had rather you should read them, than I act -them! - -In the end, by one, or rather by all, he was recovered. A Voice did mad -him; and a Song did recure him! Four in one sent him out of this world; -and one with four redeemed him to the world. To whose unusual strains -in Music, and emphatical emphasis in Love; I will leave you to turn -over a new leaf! - -This only I will end with: - - Who, of Love should better write, - Than he that Love learns to indite? - -[Illustration] - - - - - To the mighty, learned, and ancient Potentate, - QUISQUIS, Emperor of +, King of - Great and Little A., Prince of B. C. and - D., &c.; ALIQUIS wisheth the much - increase of true subjects, free from - Passion, spleen, and melancholy; - and endued with virtue, - wisdom, and magnanimity. - - -Or to the Reader. - -[Illustration] - -_An Epistle to the Reader! Why! that must have his Forehead or first -entrance like a Courtier, fair-spoken and full of expectation; his -Middle or centre like your citizen's warehouse, beautified with -enticing vanities, though the true riches consist of bald commodities; -his_ Rendezvous _or conclusion like the lawyer's case, able to pocket -up any matter; but let good words be your best evidence! In the General -or foundation, he must be like Paul's Church, resolved to let every -Knight and Gull travel upon him: yet his Particulars or lineaments -may be Royal as the Exchange, with ascending steps, promising new but -costly devices and fashions. It must have Teeth like a Satyr, Eyes like -a critic; and yet may your Tongue speak false Latin, like your panders -and bawds of poetry. Your Genius and Species should march in battle -array with our politicians: yet your Genius ought to live with an -honest soul indeed._ - -_It should be like the never-too-well-read_ Arcadia, _where the Prose -and Verse, Matter and Words, are like his_ [SIDNEY'S] _Mistress's eyes! -one still excelling another, and without corrival! or to come home to -the vulgar's element, like friendly SHAKE-SPEARE's_ Tragedies, _where -the Comedian rides, when the Tragedian stands on tiptoe. Faith, it -should please all, like Prince_ HAMLET! _But, in sadness, then it were -to be feared, he would run mad. In sooth, I will not be moonsick, to -please! nor out of my wits, though I displease all! What? Poet! are you -in Passion, or out of Love? This is as strange as true!_ - -_Well, well! if I seem mystical or tyrannical; whether I be a fool or -a Lord's-Ingle; all's one! If you be angry, you are not well advised! -I will tell you, it is an Indian humour I have snuffed up from Divine -Tobacco! and it is most gentlemanlike, to puff it out at any place or -person!_ - -_I'll no_ Epistle! _It were worse than one of HERCULES' labours! but -will conclude honesty is a man's best virtue. And but for the Lord -Mayor and the two Sheriffs, the Inns of Court, and many Gallants -elsewhere, this last year might have been burned! As for MOMUS (carp -and bark who will!), if the_ noble Ass _bray not, I am as good a Knight -Poet, as_ Ætatis suæ, _Master_ An. Dom.'s _son-in-law._ - -_Let your critic look to the rowels of his spurs, the pad of his -saddle, and the jerk of his wand! then let him ride me and my rhymes -down, as hotly as he would. I care not! We shall meet and be friends -again, with the breaking of a spear or two! and who would do less, for -a fair Lady?_ - -_There I leave you, where you shall ever find me!_ - - * * * * * - -_Passionate DAIPHANTUS, your loving subject, Gives you to understand, -he is a_ Man in Print, _and it is enough he hath undergone a Pressing, -though for your sakes and for Ladies: protesting for this poor infant -of his brain, as it was the price of his virginity, born into the world -with tears: so (but for a many his dear friends that took much pains -for it) it had died, and never been laughed at! and that if Truth have -wrote less than Fiction; yet it is better to err in Knowledge than in -Judgement! Also, if he have caught up half a line of any other's, it -was out of his memory, not of any ignorance!_ - -_Why he dedicates it to All, and not to any Particular, as his Mistress -or so? His answer is, He is better born, than to creep into women's -favours, and ask their leave afterwards._ - -_Also he desireth you to help to correct such errors of the Printer, -which (because the Author is dead, or was out of the City) hath been -committed. And it was his folly, or the Stationer's, you had not an_ -Epistle _to the purpose._ - - _Thus like a lover, wooes he for your favour; - Which, if you grant, then_ Omnia vincit Amor. - - - - -[Illustration] - -_DAIPHANTUS._ - - -Proem - -[Illustration] - - I sing the old World in an infant story! - I sing the new World in an ancient ditty! - I sing this World; yes, this World's shame and glory! - I sing a Medley of rigour and of pity! - I sing the Court's, City's, and the Country's fashions! - Yet sing I but of Love and her strange Passions! - - I sing that anthem lovers sigh in sadness! - I sing sweet times of joys in wo[e]-ven verses! - I sing those lines, I once did act in madness! - I sing and weep! (tears follow birth and hearses!) - I sing a _Dirge!_ a Fury did indite it! - I sing Myself! whilst I myself do write it. - - I invocate, to grace my Artless labour, - The faithful goddess, men call MEMORY - (True Poet's treasure, and their Wit's best favour); - To deck my Muse with truest poesy! - Though Love write well, yet Passion blinds th'affection. - _Man ne'er rules right, that's in the least subjection._ - - Sweet Memory! Soul's life, new life increasing! - The Eye of Justice! Tongue of Eloquence! - The Lock of Learning! Fountain never ceasing! - The Cabinet of Secrets! Caske[t] of Sense! - Which governest Nature, teacheth Man his awe! - That art all Conscience, and yet rul'st by Law! - - Bless thou, this Love Song-Air of my best wishes! - (Thou art the Parent nourisheth Desire!) - Blow, gentle winds! safe land me at my blisses! - Love still mounts high, though lovers not aspire. - My Poem's Truth! Fond poets feign at pleasure! - A loving subject is a Prince's treasure. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -THE PASSIONS OF LOVE. - - -[Illustration] - - In Venice fair, the city most admired; - Their lived a Gallant, who DAIPHANTUS hight. - Right nobly born, well lettered, loved, desired - Of every Courtier in their most delight: - So full of pleasance, that he seemed to be - A man begot in VENUS' infancy. - - His face was fair, full comely was his feature: - Lipped like the cherry, with a wanton's eye: - A MARS in anger, yet a VENUS' creature; - Made part of CYNTHIA, most of MERCURY: - A pitied soul, so made of Love and Hate, - Though still beloved, in love unfortunate. - - Thus made by Nature, Fortune did conspire - To balance him, with weight of CUPID'S wings; - Passant in Love, yet oft in great Desire; - Sudden in Love, not staid in anything. - He courted all, not loved: and much did strive - To die for Love, yet never meant to wive! - - As Nature made him fair, so likewise witty; - (She not content) his thoughts thus very fickle. - Fortune that gained him, placed him in this city, - To wheel his head, which she had made most tickle. - Fortune made him beloved, and so distraught him! - His reins let forth, he fell; and CUPID caught him. - - Not far from Venice, in an Abbey fair, - Well walled about, two worthy Ladies dwelt: - Who virgins were, so sweet and debonair, - The ground they trod on, of their odour smelt. - Two virgin Sisters, matchless in a phere, - Had livèd virgins well nigh eighteen year. - - EURIALÆ, the elder sister's named; - The other was URANIA the wise. - Nature for making them was surely blamed: - VENUS herself, by them all did despise! - Such beauties with such virtue! so combined, - That all exceeds, yet nought excels their mind. - - EURIALÆ so shows as doth the sun, - When mounted on the continent of heaven: - Yet oft she's clouded; but when her glory's come, - Two suns appear! to make her glory even. - Her smiles send brightness when the sun's not bright! - Her looks give beauty, when the sun lends light! - - Modest and humble, of nature mild and sweet; - Unmatched beauty with her virtue meeting: - Proud that her lowly 'beisance doth re-greet - With her chaste silence. Virtue ever keeping. - This is the sun, that sets before it rise! - This is a star! no less are both her eyes! - - Her beauty peerless! peerless is her mind! - Her body matchless! matchless are her thoughts! - Herself but one! but one like her, we find! - Her wealth's her virtue! Such virtue is not bought! - This is a heaven on earth, makes her divine! - This is the sun, obscures where it doth shine! - - URANIA next. O that I had that Art - Could write her worth! her worth no eye may see! - Or that her tongue (O heaven!) were now my heart, - What silver lines in showers should drop from me! - My heart she keeps! how can I then indite? - No heart-less creature can Love Passions write! - - As a black veil upon the wings of morn, - Brings forth a day as clear as VENUS' face; - Or a fair jewel, by an Ethiope worn, - Enricheth much the eye, which it doth grace: - Such is her beauty, if it well be told! - Placed in a jetty chariot set with gold. - - Her hair, Night's canopy in mourning weeds - Is still enthroned, when locked within is seen - A Deity, drawn by a pair of steeds - Like VENUS' eyes! And if the like have been, - Her eyes two radiant stars, but yet divine! - Her face day's sun (heaven all!) if once they shine! - - Upon the left side of this heavenly feature, - In curious work, Nature hath set a seal, - Wherein is writ, _This is a matchless creature!_ - Where Wit and Beauty strives for the appeal: - The Judges choosed are Love and Fancy. They rise, - And looking on her, with her, left their eyes! - - Her Wit and Beauty were at many frays, - "Whether the deep impressions did cause?" - "Nature!" said Beauty; Art, her Wit did praise: - Love thought her Face; her tongue had Truth's applause. - Whilst they contend, Which was the better part? - I lent an eye; She robbed me of my heart! - - Sisters these two are, like the Day and Night: - Their glories, by their virtues they do merit, - One as the Day to see the other's might; - The other's Night to shadow a high spirit. - If all were Day, how could a lover rest? - Or if all Night, lovers were too much blest! - - Both fair, as eke their bodies tall and slender: - Both wise, yet silence shews their modesty: - Both grave, although they both are young and tender: - Both humble hearted, not in policy. - So fair, wise, grave, and humble are esteemed; - Yet what men see, the worst of them is deemed! - - Nature that made them fair, doth love perfection. - What Youth counts wisdom, Age doth bring to trial. - Grave years in Youth, in Age needs no direction. - A humble heart deserves, finds, no denial. - Fairs ring their knells, and yet Fame never dies! - True judgement's from the heart, not from the eyes! - - These two, two sisters, cousins to this lover; - He often courts, as was his wonted fashion. - Who swears all's fair, yet hath no heart to prove her, - Seems still in Love or in a lover's Passion, - Now learns this lesson! and love-scoffers find it! - _CUPID hits rightest, when Lovers do least mind it!_ - - Although his guise were fashioned to his mind, - And wording Love, as compliment he used; - Seemed still to jest at Love and lovers' kind, - Never obtained, but where he was refused: - Yet now, his words with wit so are rewarded; - He loves! loves two! loves all! of none regarded. - - Now he that laughed to hear true lovers sigh, - Can bite his lips, until his heart doth bleed! - Who jibed at all, loves all! each day's his night! - Who scorned, now weeps and howls! writes his own meed! - He that would bandy Love, is now the ball! - Who feared no hazard, himself hath ta'en the fall! - - Beauty and Virtue, who did praise the fashion; - Who, Love and Fancy thought a comedy: - Now is turned Poet! and writes Love in Passion! - His verses fit the bleeding Tragedy! - In willow weeds, right well he acts his part! - His Scenes are tears, whose embryon was his heart! - - He loves, where Love to all doth prove disaster! - His eyes no sooner see, but he's straight blind! - His kindred, friends, or foes, he follows faster - Than his own good! He's now but too too kind! - He that spent all, would fain find out Love's treasure! - Extremities are, for extremes the measure. - - Thus thinks he, of the words he spent in vain; - And wishes now, his tongue had eloquence! - He's dumb! all motion that a world could gain, - A centre now without circumference! - CUPID, with words who fought! would teach him Art, - Hath lost his tongue; and with it, left his heart! - - He swears he loves! (the heat doth prove the fire!) - He weeps his Love, his tears shew his Affection. - He writes his Love, his lines plead his Desire. - He sings his Love, the ditty mourns the action. - He sings, writes, weeps, and swears that he's in sadness! - It is believed, _Not cured, Love turns to madness!_ - - Love once dissembled, oaths are a grace most slender! - Tears oft are heard, Ambassadors for Beauty! - Words writ in gold, an iron heart may render! - A Passion Song shews much more hope than duty! - Oaths spoke in tears; words, song; prove no true ditty: - _A feignèd Love must find a feignèd Pity!_ - - Thus is the good DAIPHANTUS like the fly, - Who playing with the candle feels the flame. - The smiles of scorn are lovers' misery: - That soul's most vex't, is grievèd with his name. - Though kind DAIPHANTUS do most love protest; - Yet is his cross, still to be thought in jest! - - Poor tortured lover! Like a perjured soul, - Swears till he's hoarse, yet never is believed! - (Who's once a villain, still is counted foul!) - O woful pity! when with wind relieved, - Learns this by wrote, _Though Love unconstant be, - They must prove constant, will her comforts see!_ - - Now to the humble heart of his dread Saint, - EURIALÆ, he kneels; but's not regarded! - Then to URANIA sighs, till he grows faint: - Such is her Wit, in silence he's rewarded! - His humble voice, EURIALÆ accuseth! - His sighing Passion, URANIA refuseth! - - Then lifts he up his eyes, but Heaven frowneth! - Bows down his head, Earth is a mass of sorrow! - Runs to the seas; the sea, it storms and howleth! - Hies to the woods, the birds sad tunes do borrow! - Heaven, Earth, sea, woods, and all things do conspire - He burn in Love, yet freeze in his Desire! - - The Ladies jest! command him to feign still! - Tell him, how, one day, he may be in love! - That lover's reason hath not Love's free will! - Smile in disdain, to think of that he proves! - (O me, DAIPHANTUS! how art thou advised? - When he's less pitied, then he is despised!) - - They hold this but his humour! seem so wise! - And many lovers' stories forth do bring! - Court him with shadows, whilst he catcheth flies, - Biting his fingers till the blood forth spring! - Then do they much commend his careless Passion! - Call him "a lover of our Courtiers' fashion!" - - All this they do in modesty; yet free - From thinking him so honest, as in truth: - Much less so kind, as to love two or three, - Him near allied; and he himself a youth! - Till with the sweat, which from his sufferings rise, - His face is pearled, like the lights his eyes. - - Then with his look down-cast, and trembling hand, - A High Dutch colour, and a tongue like ice, - Apart with this EURIALÆ to stand - Endeavours he. This was his last device, - Yet in so humble strains, this Gallant courts her; - The wind being high, his breath it never hurts her! - - Speechless thus stands he, till She feared him dead, - And rubs his temples, calls and cries for aid. - Water is fetched and spunged into his head: - Who then starts up; from dreaming, as he said, - And craving absence of all, but this Saint, - He 'gan to court her, but with a heart right faint. - - "Bright Star of PHŒBUS! Goddess of my thought! - Behold thy vassal, humbled on his knee! - Behold for thee, what gods and Art hath wrought, - A man adoring! of Love, the lowest degree. - I love! I honour thee!" No more; there stayed - As if foresworn; even so, was he afraid! - - EURIALÆ now spake, yet seemed in wonder, - Her lips when parting, heaven did ope his treasure, - "O do not, do not love! I will not sunder - A heart in two! Love hath nor height nor measure! - Live still a virgin! Then I'll be thy lover!" - Heaven here did close. No tongue could after move her. - - As if in heaven, he was ravished so. - O love! O voice! O face! which is the glory? - O day! O night! O Age! O worlds of joy! - Of every part, true love might write a story. - Convert my sighs, O to some angel's tongue. - To die for Love is life! Death is best young! - - She gone, URANIA came. He, on the flower, - But sight of her revived his noble fire: - And as if MARS did thunder, words did shower! - (Love speaks in heat, when 'tis in most Desire) - She made him mad, whose sight had him revived; - Now speaks he plainly! Storms past, the air is glide. - - "Why was I made, to bear such woe and grief? - Why was I born, but in Love to be nourished? - Why then for Love (Love, of all virtues chief), - And I not pitied, though I be not cherished? - What! did my eyes offend in virtue seeing? - O no! True Virtue is the lover's being! - - "Beauty and Virtue are the twins of life; - Love is the mother which them forth doth bring. - Wit with discretion ends the lover's strife. - Patience with silence is a glorious thing. - Love crowns a man, Love gives to all due merit; - Men without love are bodies without spirit. - - "Love to a mortal is both life and treasure. - Love changed to Wedlock doubleth in her glory. - Love is the gem, whose worth is without measure. - Fame dies, if not entombed within Love's story. - Man that lives, lives not, if he wants Content. - Man that dies, dies not, if with Love's consent." - - Thus spake DAIPHANTUS, and thus spake he well; - Which wise URANIA well did understand: - So well she like it, as it did excel. - Now graced she him with her white slender hand, - With words most sweet, a colour fresh and fair, - In heavenly speech, she 'gan his woes declare. - - "My good DAIPHANTUS! Love, it is no toy! - CUPID, though blind, yet strikes the heart at last. - His force, you feel! whose power must breed your joy; - This is the meed for scoffs, you on him cast! - You love, who scorned! your love, with scorn is quite! - You love, yet want! your love, with want is spite! - - "Love plays the wanton, where she means to kill. - Love rides the fool, and spurs without direction. - Love weeps like you, yet laughs at your good will. - Love is, of all things, but the true confection. - Love is of everything; yet itself's but one thing. - Love is anything, yet indeed is nothing. - - "We virgins know this, though not the force of Love. - For we two sisters live as in a cell: - Nor do we scorn it, though we it not approve; - By prayer we hope, her charms for to repell! - And thus adieu! But you, in Progress go, - To find fit place to warble forth your woe. - - "Who first seeks mercy, is the last for grief," - Thus did She part; whose image stayed behind. - He in a trance stands mute, finds no relief - (For She was absent, whose tongue pleased his mind), - But like a heartless and a hurtless creature, - In admiration of so sweet a feature. - - At length looked up, his shadow only seeing, - Sighs to himself and weeps, yet silent stands; - Kneels, riseth, walks, all this without True Being, - Sure he was there, though fettered in Love's bands. - His lips departed, parted were his blisses: - Yet for pure love, each lip the other kisses. - - Revived by this, or else Imagination, - Recalls things past, the time to come laments; - Records his love, but with an acclamation! - Repents himself and all these accidents. - Now with the wings of Love, he 'gins to raise, - His Love to gain, this woman he doth praise. - - "Women than Men are purer creatures far! - The Soul of souls! the blessed Gift of Nature! - To men, a heaven! to men, the brightest star! - The pearl that's matchless! high, without all stature! - So full of goodness, that Bounty waiteth still - Upon their trencher! feeds them with free will! - - "Where seek we Virtue, learn true Art or Glory; - Where find we Joy that lasteth, still is spending, - But in sweet Women? of man's life, the Story! - Alpha, they are! Omega is their ending! - Their virtues shine with such a sun of brightness! - Yet he's unwise, that looks in them for lightness!" - - (O let my pen relate mine own decay! - There are, which are not, or which should not be, - Some shaped like Saints, whose steps are not the way. - O let my Verse not name their infamy! - These hurt not all, but even the wandering eye, - Which fondly gapes for his own misery. - - These do not harm the honest or the just, - The faithful lover, or the virtuous dame; - But those whose souls be only given to lust, - Care more for pleasure, than for worthy fame. - But peace, my Muse! For now, methinks I hear - An angel's voice come warbling in my ear!) - - Not distant far, within a garden fair, - The sweet ARTESIA sang unto her lute, - Her voice charmed CUPID, and perfumed the air, - Made beasts stand still, and birds for to be mute. - Her voice and beauty proved so sad a ditty; - Who saw, was blind! who heard, soon sued for pity! - - This Lady was no virgin like the rest, - Yet near allied. By Florence city dwelling - (Nature and Art; within her both were blest; - Music in her, and Love had his excelling). - To visit her fair cousins oft she came; - Perhaps more jocund, but no whit to blame. - - Fortune had crossed her with a churlish Mate, - Who STRYMON hight. A Palmer was his sire, - Full nobly born and of a wealthy state; - His son a child not born to his Desire. - Thus was she crossed, which causèd her thereby, - DAIPHANTUS' grief to mourn, by sympathy. - - DAIPHANTUS hearing such a swan-tuned voice, - Was ravished, as with angels' melody; - Though in this labyrinth blest, could not rejoice, - Nor yet could see what brought this harmony. - At length, this goddess ceased; began draw near, - Who, when he saw; he saw not, 'twas her sphere! - - Away then crept he on his hands and knees, - To hide himself: thought VENUS came to plague him! - Which she espying, like the sun she stands; - As with her beams, she thought for to assuage him. - But like the sun, which gazed on blinds the eye, - So he by her! and so resolved to die. - - At this, in wonder softly did she pace it; - Yet suddenly was stayed. His verses seized her, - Which he late writ, forgot. Thus was he graced. - She read them over, and the writing pleased her. - For CUPID framed two mottoes in her heart: - The one as DIAN'S, the other, for his dart. - - She read and pitied; reading, Pity taught. - She loved and hated; hate to Love did turn. - She smiled and wept; her weeping Smiling brought. - She hoped and feared; her Hopes in fear did mourn. - She read, loved, smiled, and hoped; but 'twas in vain: - Her tears, still dread; and pity, hate did gain. - - She could have loved him, such true verses making; - She might have loved him, and yet love beguiling. - She would have kissed him, but feared his awaking; - She might have kissed him, and sleep sweetly smiling. - She thus afeared, did fear what she most wished. - He thus in hope, still hoped for that he missed. - - He looked! They two, long each on other gazed! - Sweet silence pleaded what each other thought. - Thus Love and Fancy both alike amazed, - As if their tongues and hearts had been distraught. - ARTESIA'S voice thus courted him at length. - The more she spake, the greater was his strength! - - "Good gentle Sir! your fortunes I bemoan, - And wish my state so happy as to ease you! - But She that grieved you, She it is alone, - Whose breath can cure, and whose kind words appease you! - Were I that She, heaven should my star extinguish, - If you but loved me, ere I would relinquish. - - "Yet, noble Sir! I can no love protest, - For I am wedded (O word full fraught with woe!) - But in such manner as good love is blest, - In honest kindness, I'll not prove your foe! - Mine own experience doth my counsel prove, - I know to pity, yet not care to love! - - "A sister, yet Nature hath given me, - A virgin true, right fair, and sweetly kind. - I for her good, Fortune hath driven me - To be a comfort. Your heart shall be her mind. - My woes yet tell me, she is best a maid!" - And here she stopped her tears, her words thus stayed. - - DAIPHANTUS then, in number without measure, - Began her praises, which no pen can end. - "O Saint! O sun of heaven, and earth the treasure! - Who lives, if not thy honour to defend? - Ah me! what mortal can be in love so strange, - That wedding Virtue will a wand'ring range? - - "She, like the morning, is still fresh and fair. - The Elements, of her, they all do borrow; - The Earth, the Fire, the Waters, and the Air; - Their strength, heat, moisture, liveliness. No sorrow - Can Virtue change! Beauty hath but one place. - The heart's still perfect; though empaled the face. - - "O eyes! no eyes, but stars still clearly shining! - O face! no face but shape of angels' fashion! - O lips! no lips, but bliss by kiss refining! - O heart! no heart, but of true love right Passion! - O eyes, face, lips, and heart, if not too cruel; - To see, feel, taste, and love earth's rarest jewel." - - This said, he paused, new praises now devising, - Kneels to APOLLO for his skill and Art: - When came the Ladies! At which, he arising, - 'Twixt lip and lip, he had nor lips nor heart. - His eyes, their eyes so sweetly did incumber: - Although awaked, yet in a golden slumber. - - Most like a lion raised from slumbering ease, - He cast his looks, fall grimly them among. - At length, he firmly knit what might appease - His brow; looked stedfastly and long - At one, till all their eyes with his eyes met alike - On fair VITULLIA, who his heart did strike. - - VITULLIA fair, yet brown; as mixed together - As Art and Nature strove which was the purest. - So sweet her smilings were, a grace to either! - That heaven's glory in that face seemed truest. - VENUS, excepted when the god her wooed, - Was ne'er so fair! so tempting, yet so good! - - Wonder not, mortals, though the Poets feign! - The Muses' graces were in this She's favour: - Nor wonder, though She strove his tongue to gain! - For I lose mine, in thinking of his labour. - "Well may he love," I write, "and all Wits praise her, - She's so all humble, Learning cannot raise her!" - - DAIPHANTUS oft sighed: "Oh!" oft said "Fair!" - Then looks and sighs, and then cries wonderful; - Thus did he long, and truly 'twas not rare: - The object was! which made his mind so dull. - Pray pardon him! for better to cry "Oh!" - Than feel that Passion which caused him sigh so. - - Now, all were silent, not alone this Lover, - Till came ISMENIO, brother to this Saint, - Whose haste made sweat, his tongue he could not prove her, - For this against him, that his heart was faint: - Thus all amazed, none knowing any cause, - ISMENIO breathless, here had time to pause. - - At length, ISMENIO, who had wit and skill, - Questioned the reason of this strong effect: - At last related, haste outwent his will, - He told them, "He was sent, them to direct, - Where hunting sports, their eyes should better please!" - Who first went forth, DAIPHANTUS most did ease. - - They gone, DAIPHANTUS to his standish highs! - Thinks, in his writs VITULLIA'S beauties were: - But what he wrote, his Muse not justifies, - Bids him take time! "Love badly writes in fear! - Her worthy praise, if he would truly write, - Her kisses' nectar must the same indite." - - "Art, and sweet Nature! Let your influence drop - From me like rain! Yes, yes, in golden showers! - (Whose end is Virtue, let him never stop!) - But fall on her, like dew on sprinkling flowers! - That both together meeting, may beget - An ORPHEUS! two gems in a soil richly set!" - - Thus ravished, then distracted, as was deemed, - Not taught to write of Love in this extreme; - In love, in fear; yea, trembling (as it seemed), - If praising her, he should not keep the mean! - Thus vexed, he wept! His tears intreated pity, - But Love unconstant, tunes a woful ditty. - - Now kneels to VENUS. Faithfulness protested - To this, none else! This was his only Saint! - Vowed e'er his service, or to be arrested - To VENUS' censure! Thus he left to faint. - His love brought Wit, and Wit engendered Spirit; - True Love and Wit thus learned him to indite. - - "As the mild lamb runs forth from shepherd's fold, - By ravenous wolves is caught and made a prey: - So is my Sense, by which Love taketh hold, - Tormented more than any tongue can say. - The difference is, they tortured so, do die! - I feed the torment breeds my misery. - - "Consumed by her I live, such is her glory! - Despised of her I love, I more adore her! - I'll ne'er write ought, but of her virtue's story! - Beauty unblasted is the eye's rich storer, - If I should die, O who would ring love's knell?" - Faint not, DAIPHANTUS! Wise men love not so well! - - "Like heaven's artist, the astronomer, - Gazing on stars, oft to the earth doth fall: - So I, DAIPHANTUS, now Lover's Harbinger, - Am quite condemned to Love's funeral! - Who falls by women, by them oft doth rise; - Ladies have lips to kiss, as well as eyes!" - - But tush, thou fool! thou lov'st all thou seest. - Who once thou lovest, thou should'st change her never! - Constant in love, DAIPHANTUS, see thou beest! - If thou hope comfort, Love but once, and ever! - "Fortune! O be so good to let me find - A lady living, of this constant mind!" - - "O, I would wear her in my heart's heart-gore! - And place her on the continent of stars! - Think heaven and earth, like her had not one more! - Would fight for her till all my face were scars! - But if that women be such fickle Shees; - Men may be like them in infirmities!" - - O no, DAIPHANTUS! Women are not so - 'Tis but their shadows, pictures merely painted! - Then turn poor lover! "O heaven! not to my woe! - Then to VITULLIA!" With that word, he fainted. - Yet she that wounds, did heal. Like her, no heaven. - Odds in a man, a woman can make even! - - "O my VITULLIA! Let me write that down! - O sweet VITULLIA! Nature made thee sweet! - O kind VITULLIA! Truth hath the surest ground! - I'll weep or laugh, so that our hearts may meet!" - Love is not always merry, nor still weeping: - A drop of each, Love's joys are sweets in sleeping. - - "Her name, in golden letters, on my breast I'll 'grave! - Around my temples, in a garland wear! - My Art shall be, her favour for to have! - My Learning still her honour high to rear! - My lips shall close but to her sacred name! - My tongue be silent but to spread her fame! - - "In woods, groves, hills, VITULLIA'S name shall ring! - In meadows, orchards, gardens, sweetest and fair! - I'll learn the birds her name alone to sing! - All quires shall chant it in a heavenly air! - The Day shall be her Usher! Night, her Page! - Heaven, her Palace! and this Earth, her Stage! - - "Virgin's pure chasteness, in her eyes shall be! - Women, true love, from her true mind shall learn! - Widows, their mourning in her face shall see! - Children, their duty in her speech discern! - And all of them in love with each, but I: - Who fear her love, will make me fear to die! - - "My Orisons are still to please this creature! - My Valour sleeps but when She is defended! - My Wits still jaded but when I praise her feature! - My Life is hers; in her begun and ended! - O happy day wherein I wear not willow! - Thrice blessed night, wherein her breast's my pillow! - - "I'll serve her, as the Mistress of all Pleasure! - I'll love her, as the Goddess of my soul! - I'll keep her, as the Jewel of all treasure! - I'll live with her, yet out of LOVE'S control! - That all may know, I will not from her part, - I'll double lock her in my lips and heart! - - If e'er I sigh, it shall be for her pity! - If e'er I mourn, her funeral draws near! - If e'er I sing, her virtue is the ditty! - If e'er I smile, her beauty is the sphere! - All that I do, is that I may admire her! - All that I wish, is that I still desire her!" - - But peace, DAIPHANTUS! Music is only sweet, - When without discord. A consort makes a heaven. - The ear is ravished when true voices meet. - Odds, but in music, never makes things even. - In voices' difference breeds a pleasant ditty, - In Love, a difference brings a scornful pity. - - Whose was the tongue, EURIALÆ defended? - Whose was the wit, URANIA did praise? - Whose were the lips, ARTESIA'S voice commended? - Whose was the heart loved all? all crowned with bays? - "Sure 'twas myself! What did I? O I tremble! - Yet I'll not weep! Wise men may love dissemble. - - "Fie, no! Fond Love hath ever his reward! - A sea of tears! a world of sighs and groans! - Ah me! VITULLIA will have no regard - To ease my grief, and cure me of my moans; - If once her ear should hearken to that voice, - Relates my fortunes in Love's fickle choice. - - But now, I will, their worth with hers declare, - That Truth by Error may have her true being; - Things good are lessened by the thing that's rare. - Beauty increaseth by a blackness seeing. - Whoso is fair and chaste, they, sure, are best! - Such is VITULLIA! such are all the rest! - - "But she is fair, and chaste, and wise." What then, - So are they all, without a difference! - "She's fair, chaste, wise, and kind, yes, to all men." - The rest are so! Number makes Excellence. - "She's fair, chaste, wise, kind, rich, yet humble." - They three, her equal! Virtue can never stumble. - - "VITULLIA is the sun; they stars of night!" - Yet night is the bosom wherein the sun doth rest. - "The moon herself borrows of the sun's light," - All by the stars take counsel to be blest. - The day's the sun, yet Cupid can it blind; - The stars at night, Sleep cures the troubled mind. - - "She is a rose, the fairer, so the sweeter! - She is a lute, whose belly tunes the music! - She is my prose, yet makes me speak all metre! - She is my life, yet sickens me with physic! - She is a virgin, that makes her a jewel! - She will not love me, therein She is cruel! - - "EURIALÆ is like Sleep when one is weary - URANIA is like a golden Slumber. - ARTESIA'S voice, like Dreams that make men merry. - VITULLIA, like a Bed, all these encumber. - 1. Sleep, 2. Slumber, 3. Dreams upon a 4. Bed are best; - First, Second, Third, but in the Fourth is blest. - - "O but VITULLIA, what? She's wondrous pretty! - O I, and what? so is She very fair! - O yes, and what? She's like herself most witty! - And yet, what is She? She is all but air! - What can earth be, but earth? So we are all! - Peace, then, my Muse! Opinion oft doth fall! - - "EURIALÆ, I honour for humility! - URANIA, I reverence for her wit! - ARTESIA, I adore for true agility! - Three Graces for the goddesses most fit. - Each of these gifts are blessed in their faces, - O, what's VITULLIA, who hath all these Graces?" - - She is but a Lady! So are all the rest. - As pure, as sweet, as modest, yea as loyal; - Yes, She's the Shadow (shadows are the least!), - Which tells the Hour of Virtue by her dial. - By her, men see there is on earth a heaven! - By them, men know her virtues are matched even! - - In praising all, much time he vainly spent, - Yet thought none worthy but VITULLIA; - Then called to mind, he could not well repent - The love he bare the wise URANIA. - EURIALÆ, ARTESIA, all, such beauties had, - Which as they pleased him, made him well nigh mad. - - EURIALÆ, her beauty, his eyesight harmed! - URANIA, her wit, his tongue incensed! - ARTESIA, her voice, his ears had charmed! - Thus poor DAIPHANTUS was, with love tormented. - VITULLIA'S beauty, as he did impart, - The others' virtues vanquishèd his heart. - - At length, he grew as in an ecstasy - 'Twixt Love and Love, Whose beauty was the truer? - His thoughts thus diverse, as in a lunacy, - He starts and stares, to see Whose was the purer? - Oft treads a maze, runs, suddenly then stays, - Thus with himself, himself makes many frays. - - Now with his fingers, like a barber snaps! - Plays with the fire-pan, as it were a lute! - Unties his shoe-strings! Then his lips, he laps! - Whistles awhile, and thinks it is a flute! - At length, a glass presents it to his sight, - Where well he acts fond Love in Passions right. - - His chin he strokes! swears "beardless men kiss best!" - His lips anoints, says "Ladies use such fashions!" - Spits on his napkin, terms that "the bathing jest." - Then on the dust, describes the Courtiers' Passion. - Then humble calls, "Though they do still aspire; - Ladies then fall, when Lords rise by desire." - - Then straddling goes, says, "Frenchmen fear no bears!" - Vows "he will travel to the Siege of Brest!" - Swears, "Captains, they do all against the hair!" - Protests "Tobacco is a smoke-dried jest!" - Takes up his pen for a tobacco pipe, - Thus all besmeared, each lip, the other wipe. - - His breath, he thinks the smoke! his tongue, a coal! - Then runs for bottle-ale to quench his thirst; - Runs to his ink-pot, drinks! then stops the hole! - And thus grows madder than he was at first. - TASSO he finds, by that of HAMLET thinks - Terms him a madman, then of his inkhorn drinks! - - Calls players "fools! The Fool, he judgeth wiseth, - Will learn them action out of Chaucer's _Pander_, - Proves of their poets bawds, even in the highest, - Then drinks a health! and swears it is no slander." - Puts off his clothes! his shirt he only wears! - Much like mad HAMLET, thus, as Passion tears! - - "Who calls me forth, from my distracted thought? - O Cerberus! if thou? I prithee speak! - Revenge, if thou? I was thy rival ought! - In purple gores, I'll make the ghosts to reek! - VITULLIA! O VITULLIA, be thou still! - I'll have revenge, or harrow up my will! - - "I'll fallow up the wrinkles of the earth! - Go down to hell, and knock at PLUTO'S gate! - I'll turn the hills to valleys! make a dearth - Of virtuous honour to eternal Fate! - I'll beat the winds, and make the tides keep back! - Reign in the sea, that lovers have no wrack! - - "Yes, tell the Earth, 'It is a murderer! - Hath slain VITULLIA!' O VITULLIA'S dead! - I'll count blind CUPID for a conjurer, - And with wild horses will I rend his head! - I, with a pickaxe, will pluck out his brains! - Laugh at this boy! ease lovers of much pains! - - "O then, I'll fly! I'll swim! yet stay, and then - I'll ride the moon, and make the clouds my horse! - Make me a ladder of the heads of men, - Climb up to heaven! Yes, my tongue will force - To gods and angels! O, I'll never end, - Till for VITULLIA, all my cries I spend! - - "Then I, like a Spirit of pure Innocence, - I'll be all white! and yet behold I'll cry - 'Revenge!' O lovers! this my sufference; - Or else for love, for love, a soul must die! - EURIALÆ! URANIA! ARTESIA! so!--" - Heart rent in sunder, with these words of woe. - - "But soft, here comes! Who comes? and not calls out - Of rape and murder, love and villainy? - Stay, wretched man! Who runs? doth never doubt - It is thy soul! thy Saint! thy deity! - Then call the birds to ring a mourning Knell, - For mad DAIPHANTUS, who doth love so well! - - "O sing a song, parted in parcels three, - I'll bear the burden still of all your grief; - Who is all Woe, can tune his misery - To discontents; but not to his relief. - O kiss her! kiss her! And yet do not do so! - They bring some joy, but with short joys, long woe! - - Upon his knees, "O goddesses behold - A caitiff wretch bemoaning his mishap! - If ever pity were hired without gold, - Lament DAIPHANTUS, once in Fortune's lap! - Lament DAIPHANTUS, whose good deeds now slumber! - Lament a lover, whose woe no tongue can number! - - "My woes--" There did he stay, fell to the ground, - Rightly divided into blood and tears, - As if those words had given a mortal wound, - So lay he foaming, with the weight of cares. - Who this had seen, and seeing had not wept, - Their hearts were, sure, from crosses ever kept! - - The Ladies all, who late from hunting came, - Untimely came to view this Map of Sorrow. - Surely all wept! and sooth it was no shame, - For, from his grief, the world might truly borrow: - As he lay speechless grovelling, all undressed; - So they stood weeping, Silence was their best. - - ISMENIO with these Ladies bare a part, - And much bemoaned him, though he knew not why; - But kind compassion struck him to the heart, - To see him mad. Much better see one die! - Thus walks ISMENIO, and yet oft did pause, - At length, a writing made him know the cause. - - He read, till words, like thunder, pierced his heart; - He sighed, till Sorrow seemed itself to mourn; - He wept till tears like ysacles [_icicles_] did part, - He pitied so, that pity, hate did scorn. - He read to sigh, and weep for pity's sake; - The less he read, the less his heart did quake. - - At length resolved, he up the writing takes - And to the Ladies travails as with child; - The birth was Love, such love as discord makes, - The midwife Patience; thus in words full mild, - He writ with tears that which with blood was writ; - The more he read, the more they pitied it. - - They look upon DAIPHANTUS, he not seeing: - And wondered at him, but his sense was parted. - They loved him much, though little was his being, - And sought to cure him, though he was faint-hearted, - ISMENIO thus, with speed resolves to ease him; - By a sweet song, his sister should appease him! - - ISMENIO was resolved he would be eased, - And was resolved of no means but by Music, - Which is so heavenly that it hath released - The danger oft, not to be cured by physic. - Her tongue and hand thus married together, - Could not but please him, who so loved either. - - But first before his madness were allayed, - They offered incense at DIANA'S shrine, - And much besought her, now to be apaid; - Which was soon granted to these saints divine: - Yet so, that mad DAIPHANTUS must agree - Never to love, but live in chastity. - - Thus they adjured him, by the gods on high, - Never henceforth to shoot with CUPID'S quiver! - Nor love to feign: for there's no remedy, - If once relapsed, then was he mad for ever! - Tortured DAIPHANTUS, now a sign did make; - And kind ISMENIO this did undertake. - - Then 'gan ARTESIA to play upon her lute, - Whose voice sang sweetly, now a mourning ditty; - LOVE her admired, though he that loved were mute, - CUPID himself feared he should sue for pity. - O wondrous virtue! Words spoken are but wind; - But sung to Prick Song, they are joys divine! - - I heard her sing, but still methought I dreamed. - I heard her play, but I methought did sleep. - The Day and Night, till now, were never weaned. - VENUS and DIAN ravished, both did weep. - They which each hated, now agreed to say - This was the goddess both of night and day. - - My heart and ears, so ravished with the voice - I still forgot, what still I heard her sing: - The tune, surely, of Sonnets, this was all the choice. - Poets do keep it as a charming thing. - What think you of the joys that DAIPHANTUS had, - When for such music, I would still be mad! - - The birds came chirping to the windows round, - And so stood still, as if they ravished were; - Beasts forth the forest came, brought with the sound; - The lion laid him down as if in fear. - The fishes in fresh rivers swam to shore; - Yea, had not Nature stayed them, had done more. - - This was a sight, whose eyes had never seen; - This was a voice, such music ne'er was heard; - This Paradise was it, where who had been, - Might well have thought of hell, and not afeard. - Sure, hell itself was heaven, in this sphere, - Madmen, wild beasts, and all here tamèd were. - - Like as a king, his chair of state ascendeth, - Being newly made a god upon the earth, - In state amounts, till step by step he endeth, - Thinks it to heaven a true-ascending birth. - So hies DAIPHANTUS, on his legs and feet, - As if DAIPHANTUS now some god should meet. - - He looks upon himself, not without wonder. - He wonders at himself, what he might be. - He laughs unto himself: thinks he's aslumber. - He weeps unto himself, himself to see. - And sure to hear and see what he had done - Might make him swear but now the world begun. - - Fully revived, at last ARTESIA ceased, - When birds and beasts so hideous noise did make, - That almost all turned fury, fear was the least; - Yea, such a fear as forced them cry and quake; - Till that DAIPHANTUS, more of reason had - Than they which moaned him, lately being mad. - - He with more joy than words could well declare, - And with more words than his new tongue could tell, - Did strive to speak (such was his love and care - Thus to be thankful); but yet knew not well - Whether his tongue (not tuned unto his heart), - Or modest silence, would best act his part? - - But speak he will! Then give attentive ear - To hear him tell a woful lover's story! - His hands and eyes to heaven up did he rear, - Grief taught him speech, though he to speak were sorry. - But whatsoever be a Lover's Passion, - DAIPHANTUS speaks his, in a mourning fashion. - - As o'er the mountains walks the wandering soul, - Seeking for rest in his unresting spirit, - So good DAIPHANTUS, thinking to enrol - Himself in grace, by telling of Love's merit - Was so distracted, how he should commend it, - Where he began, he wished still to end it. - - "EURIALÆ, my eyes are hers in right! - URANIA, my tongue is as her due! - ARTESIA, my ears to her I 'dite! - My heart to each! and yet my heart to you, - To you, VITULLIA! to you, and all the rest, - Who once me cursed, now to make me blest! - - "1 Beauty and 2 Wit, did 1 wound and 2 pierce my heart, - 3 Music and 4 Favour, 3 gained and 4 kept it sure: - Love led by Fancy to the 4 last I part, - Love led by Reason to the 1 first is truer. - 1 Beauty and 2 Wit first conquered, made me yield, - 3 Music and 4 Favour rescued got the field. - - "To 2 Wit and 1 Beauty, my first love I give! - 3 Music and 4 Favours, my second love have gained! - All made me mad, and all did me relieve, - Though one recured me, when I was sustained. - Thus, troth to say, to All I love did owe; - Therefore to All my love I ever vow!" - - Thus to the first 1 and 2, his right hand he did tender: - His left hand to the 3 and 4; last most lovingly 4. - His tongue kind thanks, first to the last did render, - The whiles his looks were bent indifferently. - Thus he salutes All: and to increase his blisses, - From lip to lip, each Lady now he kisses. - - ISMENIO in humble wise salutes he, - With gracious language he returns his heart, - His words so sweetly to his tongue now suits he, - As what he speaks shew Learning with good Art. - ISMENIO pleased DAIPHANTUS, DAIPHANTUS All; - _When love gains love for love, this Love we call!_ - - URANIA now bethought what was protested - By young ISMENIO at DIANA'S shrine, - Conjured DAIPHANTUS that, no more he jested - With Love or Fancy! for they were Divine: - And if he did, that there they all would pray - He still might live in love, both night and day! - - This grieved him much (but folly 'twere to grieve!) - His now obedience shewed his own free will. - He swore "he would not love, in shew, achieve! - But live a virgin, chaste and spotless still. - Which said, such music suddenly delighted, - As all were ravished, and yet all affrighted. - - Here parted all, not without joy and sadness. - Some wept, some smiled; a world it was to hear them! - Both springs here met. Woe here was clothed with gladness. - Heaven was their comfort. It alone did cheer them. - DAIPHANTUS from these springs, some fruit did gather. - Experience is an infant, though an ancient father! - - "Sweet Lady! know the Soul looks through our eyesights! - Content lives not in shews or beauty seeing! - Peace, not from number, nor strength in high spirits! - Joy dies with Virtue, yet lives in Virtue's being! - Beauty is masked, where Virtue is not hidden! - Man still desires that fruit, he's most forbidden! - - "Jewels, for virtue, not for beauty prized! - What's seldom seen breeds wonder, we admire it! - King's lines are rare, and therefore well advised. - Wise men, not often talk, Fools still desire it. - Women are books! Kept close, they hold much treasure; - Unclasped, sweet ills! Most woe lies hid in pleasure. - - "Who studies Arts alike, can he prove Doctor? - Who surfeits, hardly lives! drunkards recover! - Whose will's his law, that conscience needs no Proctor! - When men turn beasts, look there for brutish lovers! - Those eyes are pore-blind, look equally on any - Though't be a virtue to hinder one by many. - - "Who gains by travel, lose Lordships for their Manors, - Must TARQUIN ravish some? Hell on that glory! - Whose life's in healths, death soonest gains those banners! - Lust still is punished, though Treason write the story! - A rolling eye, a globe, new worlds discover! - Who still wheels round is but a damnèd lover. - - "Doth Faith and Troth lie bathing? Is Lust, pleasure? - Can commons be as sweet as land enclosed? - Then virgin sin may well be counted pleasure! - Where such lords rule, who lives not ill-disposed! - True Love's a Phœnix, but One until it dies: - Lust is a Cockatrice in all, but in her eyes." - - Here did he end more blessed than his wishes. - (Fame's at the high, when Love indites the Story) - The private life brings with it heavenly blisses. - Sweet Contemplation much increaseth glory. - I'll leave him to the learning of Love's spell! - "Better part friends, that follow fiends to hell!" - - ISMENIO, with VITULLIA went together, - Perhaps both wounded with blind CUPID'S dart; - Yet durst they not relate their love to either, - Love if once pitied, pierceth to the heart: - But, sure, VITULLIA is so fair a mark, - CUPID would court her, though but by the dark. - - ARTESIA, she must go, the more She's grieved, - To churlish STRYMON, her adopted Mate; - CUPID, though blind, yet pitied and relieved - This modest Lady with some happy fate. - For what but Virtue, which doth all good nourish, - Could brook her fortunes, much less love and cherish. - - EURIALÆ, with good URANIA stayed, - Where Virtue dwells, they only had their being; - Beauty and Wit still fear, are not dismayed, - For where they dwell, Love ever will be prying. - These two were one. All good, each could impart. - One was their fortune, and one was their heart. - - Beauty and Virtue were true friends to either. - Heaven is the sphere where all men seek for glory. - Earth is the grave where sinners join together. - Hell keeps the book, enrols each lustful story. - Live as we will, Death makes, of all conclusion: - Die then to live! or life is thy confusion. - - Beauty and Wit in these, fed on Affection. - Labour and Industry were their twins of life. - Love and True Bounty were in their subjection, - Their bodies, with their spirits, had no strife. - Such were these two, as grace did them defend: - Such are these two, as with these two I end. - -FINIS. - - _Non Amori sed Virtuti._ - - - - -_The Passionate Man's Pilgrimage._ - -Supposed to be written by one at the point of death. - - -[Illustration] - - Give me my Scalop Shell of quiet, - My Staff of faith to walk upon, - My Scrip of joy, immortal diet! - My Bottle of salvation, - My Gown of glory, hope's true gage, - And thus I'll take my Pilgrimage! - - Blood must be my body's balmer, - No other balm will there be given! - Whilst my Soul, like a white Palmer, - Travels to the land of heaven, - Over the silver mountains, - Where spring the nectar fountains: - And there I'll kiss - The bowl of bliss, - And drink my eternal fill - On every milken hill! - My Soul will be a dry before; - But, after it, will ne'er thirst more! - - And by the happy blissful way, - More peaceful pilgrims I shall see - That have shook off their gowns of clay, - And go apparelled fresh like me. - I'll bring them first - To slake their thirst, - And then to taste those nectar suckets - At the clear wells - Where sweetness dwells, - Drawn up by Saints in crystal buckets. - - And when our bottles and all we, - Are filled with immortality, - Then the holy paths we'll travel, - Strewed with rubies thick as gravel, - Ceilings of diamonds, sapphire floors, - High walls of coral, and pearl bowers. - - From thence, to Heaven's bribeless Hall, - Where no corrupted voices brawl. - No conscience molten into gold; - Nor forged accusers bought and sold. - No cause deferred, nor vain spent journey; - For there, CHRIST is the King's Attorney, - Who pleads for all without degrees; - And he hath angels, but no fees! - When the grand twelve million Jury, - Of our sins and sinful fury, - 'Gainst our souls, black verdicts give: - CHRIST pleads his death, and then we live! - Be thou, my speaker, taintless Pleader! - Unblotted Lawyer! true Proceeder! - Thou movest salvation, even for alms! - Not with a bribèd lawyer's palms. - - And this is my eternal Plea, - To Him that made heaven, earth, and sea; - Seeing my flesh must die so soon, - And want a head to dine next noon; - Just at the stroke, when my veins start and spread, - Set on my Soul, an everlasting head! - Then am I ready, like a Palmer fit - To tread those blest paths, which before I writ. - -FINIS. - - - - -MICHAEL DRAYTON. - -_Odes._ - -[1606, and 1619.] - - -_To the Reader._ - -[Illustration] - -Odes I have called these, the first of my few Poems; which how happy -soever they prove, yet Criticism itself cannot say, That the name is -wrongfully usurped. For (not to begin with Definitions, against the -Rule of Oratory; nor _ab ovo_, against the Prescript of Poetry in a -poetical argument: but somewhat only to season thy palate with a slight -description) an Ode is known to have been properly a Song moduled to -the ancient harp: and neither too short-breathed, as hastening to the -end; nor composed of [the] longest verses, as unfit for the sudden -turns and lofty tricks with which APOLLO used to menage it. - -They are, as the Learned say, divers: - -Some transcendently lofty; and far more high than the Epic, commonly -called the Heroic, Poem--witness those of the inimitable PINDARUS -consecrated to the glory and renown of such as returned in triumph -from [the Games at] Olympus, Elis, Isthmus, or the like. - -Others, among the Greeks, are amorous, soft, and made for chambers; as -others for theatres: as were ANACREON'S, the very delicacies of the -Grecian ERATO; which Muse seemed to have been the Minion of that Teian -old man, which composed them. - -Of a mixed kind were HORACE'S. And [we] may truly therefore call these -mixed; whatsoever else are mine: little partaking of the high dialect -of the first - - Though we be _all_ to seek - Of PINDAR, that great Greek, - -nor altogether of ANACREON; the Arguments being amorous, moral, or what -else the Muse pleaseth. - -To write much in this kind neither know I how it will relish: nor, -in so doing, can I but injuriously presuppose ignorance or sloth in -thee; or draw censure upon myself for sinning against the decorum -of a Preface, by reading a Lecture, where it is enough to sum the -points. New they are, and the work of Playing Hours: but what other -commendation is theirs, and whether inherent in the subject, must be -thine to judge. - - * * * * * - -But to act the Go-Between of my Poems and thy applause, is neither my -modesty nor confidence: that, oftener than once, have acknowledged -thee, kind; and do not doubt hereafter to do somewhat in which I shall -not fear thee, just. And would, at this time, also gladly let thee -understand what I think, above the rest, of the last Ode of the number; -or, if thou wilt, Ballad in my book. For both the great Master of -Italian rymes PETRARCH, and our CHAUCER, and others of the Upper House -of the Muses, have thought their Canzons honoured in the title of a -_Ballad:_ which for that I labour to meet truly therein with the old -English garb, I hope as ably to justify as the learned COLIN CLOUT his -_Roundelay_. - -Thus requesting thee, in thy better judgment, to correct such faults as -have escaped in the printing; I bid thee farewell. - - [M. DRAYTON.] - - - - -_ODES._ - -[1606.] - - -ODE I. - -_To Himself, and the Harp._ - -[Illustration] - - And why not I, as he - That's greatest, if as free, - (In sundry strains that strive, - Since there so many be), - Th' old Lyric kind revive? - - I will, yea; and I may: - Who shall oppose my way? - For what is he alone, - That of himself can say, - He's Heir of Helicon. - - APOLLO and the Nine - Forbid no man their shrine, - That cometh with hands pure; - Else, they be so divine, - They will not him endure. - - For they be such coy things; - That they care not for Kings, - And dare let them know it: - Nor may he touch their Springs - That is not born a Poet. - -[Sidenote: PYRENÆUS, King of Phocis attempting to ravish the Muses.] - - The Phocean it did prove, - Whom when foul lust did move - Those Maids, unchaste to make; - Fell as with them he strove, - His neck and justly brake. - - That instrument ne'er heard, - Struck by the skilful Bard, - It strongly to awake; - But it th' infernals scared, - And made Olympus quake. - -[Sidenote: I Samuel xvi.] - - As those prophetic strings, - Whose sounds with fiery wings - Drave fiends from their abode; - Touched by the best of Kings, - That sang the holy Ode. - -[Sidenote: ORPHEUS the Thracian Poet. _Caput, Hebre, lyramque excipis, -&c._ OVID. _Metam._ xi.] - - So his, which women slew: - And it int' Hebrus threw; - Such sounds yet forth it sent, - The banks to weep that drew, - As down the stream it went. - -[Sidenote: MERCURY, inventor of the harp, as HORACE. Ode 10, Lib. I., -_curvæque lyræ parentem_.] - - That by the tortoise shell, - To MAYA'S son it fell, - The most thereof not doubt: - But sure some Power did dwell - In him who found it out. - -[Sidenote: Thebes feigned to have been raised by music.] - - The wildest of the field, - And air, with rivers t' yield, - Which moved; that sturdy glebes, - And mossy oaks could wield, - To raise the piles of Thebes. - - And diversely though strung, - So anciently We sung - To it; that now scarce known, - If first it did belong - To Greece, or if our own. - -[Sidenote: The ancient British Priests, so called of their abode in -woods.] - - The Druids embrued - With gore, on altars rude - With sacrifices crowned, - In hollow woods bedewed, - Adored the trembling sound. - -[Sidenote: PINDAR, Prince of the Greek Lyrics, of whom HORACE, -_PINDARUM quisquis studet, &c._ Ode 2, Lib. IV.] - - Though we be _all_ to seek - Of PINDAR, that great Greek, - To finger it aright; - The soul with power to strike: - His hand retained such might. - -[Sidenote: HORACE, first of the Romans in that kind.] - - Or him that Rome did grace, - Whose Airs we all embrace: - That scarcely found his peer; - Nor giveth PHŒBUS place, - For strokes divinely clear. - -[Sidenote: The Irish Harp.] - - The Irish I admire, - And still cleave to that Lyre - As our Music's mother: - And think, till I expire, - APOLLO'S such another. - - As Britons that so long - Have held this antique Song; - And let all our carpers - Forbear their fame to wrong: - Th'are right skilful harpers. - -[Sidenote: SOOWTHERN, an English Lyric. [His _PANDORA_ was published in -1584.]] - - SOOWTHERN, I long thee spare; - Yet wish thee well to fare, - Who me pleasedst greatly: - As first, therefore more rare, - Handling thy harp neatly. - - To those that with despite - Shall term these Numbers slight; - Tell them, Their judgment's blind! - Much erring from the right. - It is a noble kind. - -[Sidenote: An old English Rhymer.] - - Nor is 't the Verse doth make, - That giveth, or doth take: - 'Tis possible to climb, - To kindle, or to slake; - Although in SKELTON'S rhyme. - - - - -ODE 2. - -_To the New Year._ - - -[Illustration] - - Rich statue double faced! - With marble temples graced, - To raise thy godhead higher; - In flames where, altars shining, - Before thy Priests divining, - Do od'rous fumes expire. - - Great JANUS, I thy pleasure, - With all the Thespian treasure, - Do seriously pursue: - To th' passed year returning, - As though the Old adjourning; - Yet bringing in the New. - - Thy ancient Vigils yearly, - I have observèd clearly; - Thy Feasts yet smoking be! - Since all thy store abroad is; - Give something to my goddess, - As hath been used by thee! - - Give her th' Eoan Brightness! - Winged with that subtle lightness - That doth transpierce the air; - The Roses of the Morning! - The rising heaven adorning, - To mesh with flames of hair; - - Those ceaseless Sounds, above all, - Made by those orbs that move all; - And ever swelling there: - Wrapped up in Numbers flowing, - Them actually bestowing - For jewels at her ear. - - O rapture great and holy, - Do thou transport me wholly - So well her form to vary! - That I aloft may bear her - Where as I will insphere her - In regions high and starry. - - And in my choice Composures, - The soft and easy Closures - So amorously shall meet, - That every lively Ceasure - Shall tread a perfect measure, - Set on so equal feet. - - That spray to fame so fert'le, - The lover-crowning myrtle, - In wreaths of mixèd boughs; - Within whose shades are dwelling - Those beauties most excelling, - Enthroned upon her brows. - - Those parallels so even, - Drawn on the face of heaven, - That curious Art supposes; - Direct those gems, whose clearness - Far off amaze by nearness, - Each globe such fire encloses. - - Her bosom full of blisses, - By Nature made for kisses; - So pure and wondrous clear: - Where as a thousand Graces - Behold their lovely faces, - As they are bathing there. - - O thou self-little Blindness! - The kindness of unkindness, - Yet one of those Divine: - Thy Brands to me were lever, - Thy Fascia, and thy Quiver, - And thou this Quill of mine. - - This heart so freshly bleeding, - Upon its own self feeding; - Whose wounds still dropping be: - O Love, thyself confounding, - Her coldness so abounding, - And yet such heat in me. - - Yet, if I be inspirèd, - I'll leave thee so admirèd - To all that shall succeed; - That were they more than many, - 'Mongst all there is not any - That Time so oft shall read. - - Nor adamant ingravèd, - That hath been choicely savèd, - IDEA'S name outwears: - So large a dower as this is; - The greatest often misses, - The diadem that bears. - - - - -ODE 3. - -[_TO CUPID._] - - -[Illustration] - - Maidens, why spare ye? - Or whether not dare ye - Correct the blind Shooter?' - "Because wanton VENUS, - So oft that doth pain us, - Is her son's tutor. - - "Now in the Spring, - He proveth his wing; - The field is his Bower: - And as the small bee, - About flyeth he, - From flower to flower. - - "And wantonly roves - Abroad in the groves, - And in the air hovers; - Which when it him deweth, - His feathers he meweth - In sighs of true Lovers. - - "And since doomed by Fate - (That well knew his hate) - That he should be blind; - For very despite, - Our eyes be his White: - So wayward his kind! - - "If his shafts losing - (Ill his mark choosing) - Or his bow broken; - The moan VENUS maketh, - And care that she taketh, - Cannot be spoken. - - "To VULCAN commending - Her love; and straight sending - Her doves and her sparrows, - With kisses, unto him: - And all but to woo him - To make her son arrows. - - "Telling what he hath done; - Saith she,'Right mine own son!' - In her arms she him closes. - Sweets on him fans, - Laid in down of her swans; - His sheets, leaves of roses. - - "And feeds him with kisses; - Which oft when he misses, - He ever is froward. - The mother's o'erjoying - Makes, by much coying, - The child so untoward." - - _Yet in a fine net, - That a spider set, - The Maidens had caught him. - Had she not been near him, - And chancèd to hear him; - More good they had taught him!_ - - - - -_To my worthy friend Master JOHN SAVAGE of the Inner Temple._ - -ODE 4. - - -[Illustration] - - Upon this sinful earth, - If Man can happy be, - And higher than his birth, - Friend, take him thus of me: - - Whom promise not deceives, - That he the breach should rue; - Nor constant reason leaves - Opinion to pursue. - - To raise his mean estate, - That soothes no Wanton's sin: - Doth that preferment hate, - That virtue doth not win - - Nor bravery doth admire: - Nor doth more love profess - To that he doth desire, - Than that he doth possess. - - Loose humour nor to please, - That neither spares nor spends; - But by discretion weighs - What is to needful ends. - - To him deserving not, - Not yielding: nor doth hold - What is not his: doing what - He ought, not what he could. - - Whom the base tyrants' will - So much could never awe - As him, for good or ill, - From honesty to draw. - - Whose constancy doth rise - 'Bove undeservèd spite; - Whose valuers to despise - That most doth him delight. - - That early leave doth take - Of th' World, though to his pain, - For Virtue's only sake; - And not till need constrain. - - No man can be so free, - Though in imperial seat; - Nor eminent: as he - That deemeth nothing great. - - - - -ODE 5. - -[_An Amouret Anacreontic._] - - -[Illustration] - - Most good! most fair! - Or thing as rare! - To call you's lost; - For all the cost - Words can bestow - So poorly show - Upon your praise, - That all the ways - Sense hath, come short. - Whereby Report - Falls them under: - That when Wonder - More hath seized; - Yet not pleased - That it, in kind, - Nothing can find, - You to express. - Nevertheless - As by globes small - This mighty ALL - Is shewed, though far - From life; each star - A World being: - So we seeing - You, like as that, - Only trust what - Art doth us teach. - And when I reach - At Moral Things, - And that my strings - Gravely should strike; - Straight some mislike - Blotteth mine Ode; - As, with the Load, - The Steel we touch: - Forced ne'er so much; - Yet still removes - To that it loves, - Till there it stays. - So to your praise - I turn ever: - And though never - From you moving; - Happy so loving. - - - - -ODE 6. - -[_Love's Conquest._] - - -[Illustration] - - Wer 't granted me to choose, - How I would end my days, - Since I this life must lose; - It should be in your praise: - For there are no Bays - Can be set above You. - - S'impossibly I love You; - And for You sit so high - (Whence none may remove You) - In my clear Poesy, - That I oft deny - You so ample merit. - - The freedom of my spirit - Maintaining, still, my cause; - Your sex not to inherit, - Urging the Salic Laws: - But your virtue draws - From me every due. - - Thus still You me pursue, - That nowhere I can dwell; - By fear made just to You, - Who naturally rebel; - Of You that excel - That should I still endite. - - Yet will You want some rite. - That lost in your high praise, - I wander to and fro; - As seeing sundry ways: - Yet which the right not know - To get out of this Maze. - - - - -ODE 7. - -[_An Ode written in the Peak._] - - -[Illustration] - - This while we are abroad, - Shall we not touch our Lyre? - Shall we not sing an Ode? - Shall that holy fire, - In us that strongly glowed, - In this cold air expire? - - Long since the Summer laid - Her lusty bravery down; - The Autumn half is weighed, - And BOREAS 'gins to frown: - Since now I did behold - Great BRUTE'S first builded town. - - Though in the utmost Peak, - A while we do remain; - Amongst the mountains bleak, - Exposed to sleet and rain: - No sport our hours shall break, - To exercise our vein. - - What though bright PHŒBUS' beams - Refresh the southern ground; - And though the princely Thames - With beauteous Nymphs abound; - And by old Camber's streams - Be many wonders found: - - Yet many rivers clear - Here glide in silver swathes; - And what of all most dear, - Buxton's delicious baths, - Strong ale, and noble cheer, - T'assuage breem Winter's scathes. - - Those grim and horrid caves, - Whose looks affright the day; - Wherein nice Nature saves - What she would not bewray: - Our better leisure craves, - And doth invite our Lay. - - In places far, or near, - Or famous, or obscure; - Where wholesome is the air, - Or where the most impure; - All times, and everywhere, - The Muse is still in ure. - - - - -ODE 8. - - -[Illustration] - - Sing we the Rose! - Than which no flower there grows - Is sweeter; - And aptly her compare - With what in that is rare: - A parallel none meeter. - - Or made posies, - Of this that encloses - Such blisses: - That naturally flusheth, - As she blusheth - When she is robbed of kisses. - - Or if strewed, - When with the morning dewed; - Or stilling; - Or how to sense exposed: - All which in her enclosed, - Each place with sweetness filling. - - That most renowned - By Nature richly crowned - With yellow; - Of that delicious lair: - And as pure her hair, - Unto the same the fellow. - - Fearing of harm; - Nature that flower doth arm - From danger: - The touch gives her offence, - But with reverence - Unto herself, a stranger. - - The red, or white, - Or mixed, the sense delight, - Beholding, - In her complexion: - All which perfection, - Such harmony infolding, - - That divided, - Ere it was decided - Which most pure, - Began the grievous War - Of YORK and LANCASTER, - That did many years endure. - - Conflicts as great - As were in all that heat, - I sustain: - By her, as many hearts - As men on either parts, - That with her eyes hath slain. - - The Primrose flower, - The first of FLORA'S bower - Is placed: - So is She first, as best: - Though excellent the rest; - All gracing, by none graced. - - - - -ODE 9. - -[_A Skeltoniad._] - - -[Illustration] - - The Muse should be sprightly; - Yet not handling lightly - Things grave: as much loath - Things that be slight, to cloathe - Curiously. To retain - The Comeliness in mean - Is true Knowledge and Wit. - Nor me forced rage doth fit, - That I thereto should lack - Tobacco, or need Sack; - Which to the colder brain - Is the true Hippocrene. - Nor did I ever care - For Great Fools, nor them spare. - Virtue, though neglected, - Is not so dejected - As vilely to descend - To low baseness, their end: - Neither each rhyming slave - Deserves the name to have - Of Poet. So, the rabble - Of Fools, for the table, - That have their jests by heart, - As an Actor his part, - Might assume them chairs - Amongst the Muses' heirs. - Parnassus is not clomb - By every such Mome: - Up whose steep side who swerves, - It behoves t'have strong nerves. - My resolution such - How _well_, and not how _much_, - To write. Thus do I fare - Like some few good, that care - (The evil sort among) - How _well_ to live, and not how _long_. - - - - -ODE 10. - -[_His Defence against the idle Critic._] - - -[Illustration] - - The Ryme nor mars, nor makes; - Nor addeth it, nor takes, - From that which we propose: - Things imaginary - Do so strangely vary - That quickly we them lose. - - And what's quickly begot, - As soon again is not; - This do I truly know. - Yea, and what's born with pain; - That, Sense doth long'st retain, - Gone with a greater flow. - - Yet this Critic so stern, - (But whom, none must discern - Nor perfectly have seeing) - Strangely lays about him, - As nothing without him - Were worthy of being, - - That I myself betray - To that most public way; - Where the World's old bawd - Custom, that doth humour, - And by idle rumour, - Her dotages applaud. - - That whilst she still prefers - Those that be wholly hers, - Madness and Ignorance; - I creep behind the Time, - From spertling with their crime; - And glad too with my chance. - - O wretched World the while, - When the evil most vile - Beareth the fairest face; - And inconstant lightness, - With a scornful slightness, - The best things doth disgrace! - - Whilst this strange knowing beast, - Man; of himself the least, - His envy declaring, - Makes Virtue to descend, - Her title to defend - Against him; much preparing. - - Yet these me not delude, - Nor from my place extrude, - By their resolvèd hate; - Their vileness that do know: - Which to myself I show, - To keep above my fate. - - - - -ODE 11. - -_To the Virginian Voyage._ - - -[Illustration] - - You brave heroic minds, - Worthy your country's name, - That Honour still pursue; - Go and subdue! - Whilst loitering hinds - Lurk here at home with shame. - - Britans, you stay too long; - Quickly aboard bestow you! - And with a merry gale - Swell your stretched sail! - With vows as strong - As the winds that blow you. - - Your course securely steer, - West-and-by-South forth keep! - Rocks, Lee-shores, nor Shoals, - When EOLUS scowls, - You need not fear! - So absolute the deep. - - And cheerfully at sea, - Success you still entice, - To get the pearl and gold; - And ours to hold, - Virginia, - Earth's only Paradise. - - Where Nature hath in store - Fowl, venison, and fish: - And the fruitful soil; - Without your toil, - Three harvests more, - All greater than your wish. - - And the ambitious vine - Crowns, with his purple mass, - The cedar reaching high - To kiss the sky. - The cypress, pine, - And useful sassafras. - - To whose, the Golden Age - Still Nature's laws doth give: - No other cares that tend, - But them to defend - From winter's age, - That long there doth not live. - - When as the luscious smell - Of that delicious land, - Above the seas that flows, - The clear wind throws, - Your hearts to swell, - Approaching the dear strand. - - In kenning of the shore - (Thanks to GOD first given!) - O you, the happiest men, - Be frolic then! - Let cannons roar! - Frightening the wide heaven. - - And in regions far, - Such heroes bring ye forth - As those from whom We came! - And plant our name - Under that Star - Not known unto our North! - - And as there plenty grows - Of laurel everywhere, - APOLLO'S sacred tree; - You it may see - A Poet's brows - To crown, that may sing there. - - Thy _Voyages_ attend, - Industrious HAKLUYT! - Whose reading shall inflame - Men to seek fame; - And much commend - To after Times thy wit. - - - - -ODE 12. - -_To the Cambro-Britans and their Harp, his Ballad of Agincourt._ - - [Besides this Ballad: MICHAEL DRAYTON published, in 1627, a much - longer Poem upon this celebrated Battle.] - - -[Illustration] - - Fair stood the wind for France, - When we our sails advance; - Nor now to prove our chance - Longer will tarry. - But putting to the main; - At Caux, the mouth of Seine, - With all his martial train - Landed King HARRY. - - And taking many a fort - Furnished in warlike sort, - Marcheth towards Agincourt - In happy hour; - Skirmishing, day by day, - With those that stopped his way, - Where the French General lay - With all his Power. - - Which, in his height of pride, - King HENRY to deride; - His ransom to provide, - To the King sending. - Which he neglects the while, - As from a nation vile; - Yet, with an angry smile, - Their fall portending. - - And turning to his men, - Quoth our brave HENRY then: - "Though they to one be ten - Be not amazèd! - Yet have we well begun: - Battles so bravely won - Have ever to the sun - By Fame been raised!" - - "And for myself," quoth he, - "This my full rest shall be: - England ne'er mourn for me, - Nor more esteem me! - Victor I will remain, - Or on this earth lie slain: - Never shall She sustain - Loss to redeem me! - - "Poitiers and Cressy tell, - When most their pride did swell, - Under our swords they fell. - No less our skill is, - Than when our Grandsire great, - Claiming the regal seat, - By many a warlike feat - Lopped the French lillies." - - The Duke of YORK so dread - The eager Vanward led; - With the Main, HENRY sped - Amongst his henchmen: - EXETER had the Rear, - A braver man not there! - O Lord, how hot they were - On the false Frenchmen! - - They now to fight are gone; - Armour on armour shone; - Drum now to drum did groan: - To hear, was wonder. - That, with cries they make, - The very earth did shake; - Trumpet, to trumpet spake; - Thunder, to thunder. - - Well it thine age became, - O noble ERPINGHAM! - Which didst the signal aim - To our hid forces: - When, from a meadow by, - Like a storm suddenly, - The English Archery - Stuck the French horses. - - With Spanish yew so strong; - Arrows a cloth-yard long, - That like to serpents stung, - Piercing the weather. - None from his fellow starts; - But, playing manly parts, - And like true English hearts, - Stuck close together. - - When down their bows they threw; - And forth their bilbowes [_swords_] drew - And on the French they flew: - Not one was tardy. - Arms were from the shoulders sent - Scalps to the teeth were rent, - Down the French peasants went: - Our men were hardy. - - This while our noble King, - His broad sword brandishing, - Down the French host did ding - As to o'erwhelm it. - And many a deep wound lent; - His arms with blood besprent, - And many a cruel dent - Bruisèd his helmet. - - GLOUCESTER that Duke so good, - Next of the royal blood, - For famous England stood - With his brave brother. - CLARENCE, in steel so bright, - Though but a Maiden Knight; - Yet in that furious fight, - Scarce such another! - - WARWICK, in blood did wade; - OXFORD, the foe invade, - And cruel slaughter made, - Still as they ran up. - SUFFOLK his axe did ply; - BEAUMONT and WILLOUGHBY - Bare them right doughtily: - FERRERS, and FANHOPE. - - Upon Saint CRISPIN'S Day, - Fought was this noble Fray; - Which Fame did not delay - To England to carry. - O when shall English men - With such acts fill a pen? - Or England breed again - Such a King HARRY? - -FINIS. - - - - -PREFACE TO THE ADDITIONAL ODES OF 1619. - -_To the worthy Knight, and my noble friend, Sir HENRY GOODERE, a -Gentleman of His Majesty's Privy Chamber._ - - -[Illustration] - - These Lyric pieces, short, and few, - Most worthy Sir, I send to you; - To read them be not weary! - They may become JOHN HEWES his lyre, - Which oft, at Polesworth,[12] by the fire, - Hath made us gravely merry. - - Believe it, he must have the trick - Of Ryming, with Invention quick, - That should do Lyrics well: - But how I have done in this kind, - Though in myself I cannot find, - Your judgment best can tell. - - Th' old British Bards (upon their harps - For falling Flats, and rising Sharps, - That curiously were strung) - To stir their Youth to warlike rage, - Or their wild fury to assuage, - In these loose Numbers sung. - - No more I, for fools' censure pass, - Than for the braying of an ass; - Nor once mine ear will lend them: - If you but please to take in gree - These _Odes_, sufficient 'tis to me: - Your liking can commend them. - - Yours, - - MICHAEL DRAYTON. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[Footnote 12: In Warwickshire.] - - - - -WITH OTHER LYRIC POESIES. - -_To his Valentine._ - - -[Illustration] - - Muse, bid the Morn awake! - Sad Winter now declines, - Each bird doth choose a Make; - This day's Saint VALENTINE'S. - For that good Bishop's sake - Get up, and let us see - What Beauty it shall be - That Fortune us assigns! - - But, lo, in happy hour, - The place wherein she lies; - In yonder climbing Tower, - Gilt by the glitt'ring Rise. - O, JOVE, that in a shower - (As once that Thunderer did, - When he in drops lay hid) - That I could her surprise! - - Her canopy I'll draw, - With spangled plumes bedight: - No mortal ever saw - So ravishing a sight; - That it the Gods might awe, - And pow'rfully transpierce - The globy Universe, - Outshooting every light. - - My lips I'll softly lay - Upon her heavenly cheek, - Dyed like the dawning day, - As polished ivory sleek; - And in her ear I'll say: - "O thou bright Morning Star! - 'Tis I, that come so far, - My Valentine to seek. - - "Each little bird, this tide, - Doth choose her lovèd pheere; - Which constantly abide - In wedlock all the year, - As Nature is their guide; - So may we Two be true - This year, nor change for new; - As turtles coupled were. - - "The sparrow, swan, the dove, - Though VENUS' birds they be; - Yet are they not for love, - So absolute as we! - For reason us doth move; - But they by billing woo. - Then try what we can do! - To whom each sense is free. - - "Which we have more than they, - By livelier organs swayed; - Our Appetite each way - More by our Sense obeyed. - Our Passions to display, - This season us doth fit; - Then let us follow it, - As Nature us doth lead! - - "One kiss in two let's breathe! - Confounded with the touch, - But half words let us speak! - Our lips employed so much, - Until we both grow weak: - With sweetness of thy breath, - O smother me to death! - Long let our joys be such! - - "Let's laugh at them that choose - Their Valentines by lot; - To wear their names that use, - Whom idly they have got." - Saint VALENTINE, befriend! - We thus this Morn may spend: - Else, Muse, awake her not! - - - - -_The Heart._ - - -[Illustration] - - If thus we needs must go; - What shall our one Heart do, - This One made of our Two? - - Madam, two Hearts we brake; - And from them both did take - The best, one Heart to make. - - Half this is of your Heart, - Mine in the other part; - Joined by an equal Art. - - Were it cemented, or sewn; - By shreds or pieces known, - We might each find our own. - - But 'tis dissolved and fixed; - And with such cunning mixed, - No diff'rence that betwixt. - - But how shall we agree, - By whom it kept shall be: - Whether by you or me? - - It cannot two breasts fill; - One must be heart-less still, - Until the other will. - - It came to me to-day: - When I willed it to say, - With Whether would it stay? - - It told me, "In your breast, - Where it might hope to rest: - For if it were my guest, - - "For certainty, it knew - That I would still anew - Be sending it to you!" - - Never, I think, had two - Such work, so much, to do: - A Unity to woo! - - Yours was so cold and chaste: - Whilst mine with zeal did waste; - Like Fire with Water placed. - - How did my Heart intreat! - How pant! How did it beat, - Till it could give yours heat! - - Till to that temper brought, - Through our perfection wrought, - That blessing either's thought. - - In such a height it lies - From this base World's dull eyes; - That Heaven it not envies. - - All that this Earth can show. - Our Heart shall not once know! - For it's too vile and low. - - - - -_The Sacrifice to APOLLO._ - - -[Illustration] - - Priests of APOLLO, sacred be the room - For this learned meeting! Let no barbarous groom, - How brave soe'er he be, - Attempt to enter! - But of the Muses free, - None here may venture! - This for the Delphian Prophets is prepared: - The profane Vulgar are from hence debarred! - - And since the Feast so happily begins; - Call up those fair Nine, with their violins! - They are begot by JOVE. - Then let us place them - Where no clown in may shove, - That may disgrace them: - But let them near to young APOLLO sit; - So shall his foot-pace overflow with wit. - - Where be the Graces? Where be those fair Three? - In any hand, they may not absent be! - They to the Gods are dear: - And they can humbly - Teach us, ourselves to bear, - And do things comely. - They, and the Muses, rise both from one stem: - They grace the Muses; and the Muses, them. - - Bring forth your flagons, filled with sparkling wine - (Whereon swollen BACCHUS, crownèd with a vine, - Is graven); and fill out! - It well bestowing - To every man about, - In goblets flowing! - Let not a man drink, but in draughts profound! - To our god PHŒBUS, let the Health go round! - - Let your Jests fly at large; yet therewithal - See they be Salt, but yet not mixed with Gall! - Not tending to disgrace: - But fairly given, - Becoming well the place, - Modest and even, - That they, with tickling pleasure, may provoke - Laughter in him on whom the Jest is broke. - - Or if the deeds of Heroes ye rehearse: - Let them be sung in so well-ordered Verse, - That each word have its weight, - Yet run with pleasure! - Holding one stately height - In so brave measure - That they may make the stiffest storm seem weak; - And damp JOVE'S thunder, when it loud'st doth speak. - - And if ye list to exercise your vein, - Or in the Sock, or in the Buskined strain; - Let Art and Nature go - One with the other! - Yet so, that Art may show - Nature her mother: - The thick-brained audience lively to awake, - Till with shrill claps the Theatre do shake. - - Sing Hymns to BACCHUS then, with hands upreared! - Offer to JOVE, who most is to be feared! - From him the Muse we have. - From him proceedeth - More than we dare to crave. - 'Tis he that feedeth - Them, whom the World would starve. Then let the lyre - Sound! whilst his altars endless flames expire. - - - - -_To his Rival._ - - -[Illustration] - - Her loved I most, - By thee that's lost, - Though she were won with leisure; - She was my gain: - But to my pain, - Thou spoilest me of my treasure - - The ship full fraught - With gold, far sought, - Though ne'er so wisely helmèd, - May suffer wrack - In sailing back, - By tempest overwhelmèd. - - But She, good Sir! - Did not prefer - You, for that I was ranging: - But for that She - Found faith in me, - And She loved to be changing. - - Therefore boast not - Your happy lot; - Be silent now you have her! - The time I knew - She slighted you, - When I was in her favour. - - None stands so fast - But may be cast - By Fortune, and disgracèd: - Once did I wear - Her garter there, - Where you her glove have placèd. - - I had the vow - That thou hast now, - And glances to discover - Her love to me; - And She to thee, - Reads but old lessons over. - - She hath no smile - That can beguile; - But, as my thought, I know it: - Yea to a hair, - Both when, and where, - And how, she will bestow it. - - What now is thine - Was only mine, - And first to me was given; - Thou laugh'st at me! - I laugh at thee! - And thus we two are even. - - But I'll not mourn, - But stay my turn; - The wind may come about, Sir! - And once again - May bring me in; - And help to bear you out, Sir! - - - - -_The Crier._ - - -[Illustration] - - Good folk, for gold or hire, - But help me to a Crier! - For my poor Heart is run astray - After two Eyes, that passed this way. - - Oh yes! O yes! O yes! - If there be any man, - In town or country, can - Bring me my Heart again; - I'll please him for his pain. - - And by these marks, I will you show - That only I this Heart do owe [_own_]: - It is a wounded Heart, - Wherein yet sticks the dart. - Every piece sore hurt throughout it: - Faith and Troth writ round about it. - It was a tame Heart, and a dear; - And never used to roam: - But having got this haunt, I fear - 'Twill hardly stay at home - - For God's sake, walking by the way, - If you my Heart do see; - Either impound it for a Stray. - Or send it back to me! - - - - -_To his coy Love._ - -A Canzonet. - - -[Illustration] - - I pray thee leave! Love me no more! - Call home the heart you gave me! - I but in vain that Saint adore - That can, but will not, save me. - These poor half kisses kill me quite! - Was ever man thus servèd? - Amidst an ocean of delight, - For pleasure to be starvèd. - - Show me no more those snowy breasts - With azure riverets branchèd! - Where whilst mine Eye with plenty feeds, - Yet is my thirst not staunchèd. - O TANTALUS, thy pains ne'er tell! - By me thou art prevented: - 'Tis _nothing_ to be plagued in Hell; - But, _thus_, in Heaven, tormented! - - Clip me no more in those dear arms; - Nor thy "Life's Comfort" call me: - O these are but too powerful charms; - And do but more enthrall me. - But see how patient I am grown, - In all this coil about thee! - Come, nice Thing, let thy heart alone! - I cannot live without thee! - - - - -_A Hymn to his Lady's Birth-place._ - - -[Sidenote: Coventry finely walled.] - -[Illustration] - - Coventry, that dost adorn - The country [_County_] wherein I was born: - Yet therein lies not thy praise; - Why I should crown thy Towers with bays? - 'Tis not thy Wall, me to thee weds; - Thy Ports; nor thy proud Pyramids; - - Nor thy trophies of the Boar: - But that She which I adore, - (Which scarce Goodness's self can pair) - First there breathing, blest thy air. - -[Sidenote: The shoulder-bone of a Boar of mighty bigness.] - - IDEA; in which name I hide - Her, in my heart deified. - For what good, Man's mind can see; - Only her ideas be: - She, in whom the Virtues came - In Woman's shape, and took her name. - She so far past imitation - As (but Nature our creation - Could not alter) she had aimed - More than Woman to have framed. - She whose truly written story, - To thy poor name shall add more glory, - Than if it should have been thy chance - T'have bred our Kings that conquered France. - -[Sidenote: Two famous Pilgrimages: one in Norfolk, the other in Kent.] - - Had she been born the former Age, - That house had been a Pilgrimage; - And reputed more Divine - Than Walsingham, or BECKET's Shrine. - -[Sidenote: GODIVA, Duke LEOFRIC'S wife, who obtained the freedom of the -city of her husband, by riding through it naked.] - - That Princess, to whom thou dost owe - Thy Freedom (whose clear blushing snow - The envious sun saw; when as she - Naked rode to make thee free), - Was but her type: as to foretell - Thou shouldst bring forth One should excel - Her bounty; by whom thou shouldst have - More Honour, than she Freedom gave. - -[Sidenote: Queen ELIZABETH.] - - And that great Queen, which but of late - Ruled this land in peace and State, - Had not been; but Heaven had sworn - A Maid should reign when She was born. - - Of thy streets, which thou hold'st best, - And most frequent of the rest; - -[Sidenote: A noted street in Coventry.] - -[Sidenote: His Mistress's birthday.] - - Happy _Mich Park!_ Every year, - On the Fourth of August there, - Let thy Maids, from FLORA'S bowers, - With their choice and daintiest flowers - Deck thee up! and from their store, - With brave garlands crown that door! - - The old man passing by that way, - To his son, in time, shall say: - "There was that Lady born: which - Long to after Ages shall be sung." - Who, unawares being passed by, - Back to that house shall cast his eye; - Speaking my verses as he goes, - And with a sigh shut every Close. - - Dear City! travelling by thee, - When thy rising Spires I see, - Destined her Place of Birth; - Yet methinks the very earth - Hallowed is, so far as I - Can thee possibly descry. - Then thou, dwelling in this place, - (Hearing some rude hind disgrace - Thy city, with some scurvy thing - Which some Jester forth did bring) - Speak these Lines, where thou dost come, - And strike the slave for ever dumb. - -[Illustration] - - * * * * * - -[Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to His Majesty] - - * * * * * - - +----------------------------------------------------------------+ - | | - | Transcriber notes: | - | | - | P.18. 'aad' changed to 'and' in stanza #53. | - | P.80. Sidenote: 'sensative' changed to 'sensitive'. | - | P.82. Sidenote: 'Unerstanding' changed to 'Understanding'. | - | P.110. 'Astrea' changed to 'Astræ' in Hymn II. | - | Fixed various punctuation. | - | Tags that surround text: _Mich Park_! indicate italics, and: | - | Tags that surround text: =Lycon.= indicate bold text. | - | | - +----------------------------------------------------------------+ - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Some Longer Elizabethan Poems, by Various - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SOME LONGER ELIZABETHAN POEMS *** - -***** This file should be named 54194-0.txt or 54194-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/4/1/9/54194/ - -Produced by David Starner, Jane Robins, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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